Q512

Is Namasmarana a sure instrument to realize the Lord ?



Namasmarana is an instrument to realize the Lord.  Thyagaraja started the Nama-japa of Sri Rama in his 20th year; he recited it 96 crores (960 million) times, and took 21 years and 15 days for the vow to be finished.  As a result, he had the darshan (vision) of Sri Rama, "the letters of the Name taken shape", he says.  The Name signifies the quality of the Lord, his guna, and so constant contemplation arouses the same guna in the reciter.

(SSS Vol 5, pg 249)

Atmic Principle

Because of the differences in external forms, you are victims of the ignorance of your true selves.  From a pauper to a millionaire, from an ignoramus to a great scholar, irrespective of whether one is a male or female, young or old, anyone, when describing one's self, uses the term "I".  The principle of "I" is the Atmic Principle.

(Sanathana Sarathi, December 1997, pg 309)

VEDA 46

A smile is the rose that grows on the thorn of a sigh. Shed tears but, only for joy, joy that you are released from the chain of desire.



(From : Sai Veda, The Word of God,  sayings of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)

GEM 773

Service will become meaningful when it manifests love that issues from sacrifice.

(From : Garland of 1008 Gems, Bhagawan Shri Sathya Sai Baba's Sayings)

Bend

Divine Within

Pomp and pride have to be given up to experience the Divine.  People talk about meditation, but how much of it is concentrated on God?  Nor is formal meditation necessary when you realize that the Divine is within you.  The purpose of meditation is to recognize one's unity with God.  This realization can come only when one removes the three-layered cloak that covers the Atma in the form of the three Gunas (influences) : Thamas, Rajas and Sathva.

(Sanathana Sarathi, December 1995, pg 321)

Growing Faith

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

- Dorothy Bernard

When everything seems right in my world, I may feel that it is easy to have faith, and I do not question whether my life will continue to unfold in a positive direction.  However, what happens when a crisis or a challenge comes along?  Do I begin to doubt God's presence in my life?

I won't doubt when I remember that every challenge can be a new opportunity for growth and that even the smallest amount of faith on my part is enough to fuel tremendous courage - certainly enough to get me through whatever I need to get through.

My faith may seem small, but, like the tiny mustard seed, it contains astonishing potential for growth.  And the more my faith grows, the more I rejoice over being in God's loving presence.

I have faith in God and in God's presence in my life.

(From : 'Daily Word' magazine by Silent Unity, a world wide prayer ministry) 

GEM 772

Service rendered to villagers who are denied the ways and means of decent lives, draws Divine Grace.

(From : Garland of 1008 Gems, Bhagawan Shri Sathya Sai Baba's Sayings)

Your Devotion

Inner Reality

The divinity in you is changeless, blemishless, without beginning or end.  Just as a dhoby removes the dirt in a cloth and restores its original whiteness by washing with soap and beating it on stone, man should try to regain his vision of the pure effulgent Atma by washing his heart in the water of love with the soap of earnestness on the stone of sacrifice.  This is the way to realize one's Inner Reality.

(Sanathana Sarathi, May 1993, pg 126)