The Sai Times-Unity in Divinity Issue 06/19

THE SAI TIMES-UNITY IN DIVINITY ISSUE 06/19

The Sai Times Unity in Divinity

June 2019

SAI- SERVICE ADORATION ILLUMINATION-KARMA, BHAKTI, JNYANA IN THIS ISSUE

Loving Sairams dear fellow devotees first revealed to Prophet CONTENTS in this spiritual journey. By the Divine Mohammed . grace of Lord Sai; this is a humble June Festivals-Ramadan and Eid Ul attempt to spread His message After the month of sacrifice and Fitr, Ganga Dusshera through this monthly Newsletter. reflection, Eid is a time to rejoice Sai Satcharitra- Rohilla Story Hope you find this meaningful in with family and friends and your journey with Sai. exchange gifts with loved ones. Sathya Sai on unity of all faiths

JUNE FESTIVALS Ganga Dussehra Unity in Divinity- Shirdi Sai-Parthi Sai Story time- Ganga 4th June- Ramadan and Eid Ul Fitr According to mythology, Gangavataran, or Ganga Dussehra, is Sarva dharma prayer 12th June- Ganga Dussehra said to be the day when Goddess Ganga came down to Earth from Regular Seva, Sadhana activities and Ramadan and Eid Ul Fitr heaven. She decided to do so, to Opportunities grant years-long prayers of Saint Eid-ul-Fitr translates from Arabic as, A Gratitude Note ‘the festival of the breaking of the Bhagirath. The festival is celebrated fast’, and is a celebration which for ten days and the concluding day Contacts is called Shukla Dashami. traditionally takes place over a Website/Blog links three-day period. The festival of Eid Sages and saints bathe in the holy holds great importance in Islam and river water, chanting mantras is a time for loved ones and dedicated to the goddess. As per the communities to come together. legends worshipping Goddess Ganga Eid is celebrated to mark the during the festival allows oneself to conclusion of the blessed month of get rid of sins. Ramadan, which commemorates the moment when the Holy Quran was

THE SAI TIMES-UNITY IN DIVINITY ISSUE 06/19

Rohilla’s Story Sathya Sai on Unity of Faiths If each one lives the ideals propounded by the founders of their The story of the Rohilla illustrates Sai “Sarva Matha sammathaya religion, unaffected by greed or Baba’s all embracing love. One Namaha” hate, then the world will be a happier Rohilla, tall and well-built, strong as a and a peaceful habitation for man bull, came to Shirdi, wearing a long I have come to light the lamp of love Kafni (robe) and was enamoured of in your hearts, to see that it shines Sai who stayed there. Day and night day by day with added luster. I have he used to recite in a loud and harsh come to tell you of this universal, tone Kalma (verses from Holy Koran) unitary faith, this spiritual principle, and shout "ALLAH HO AKBAR" (God this path of love, this duty of love, is Great). Most people of Shirdi, were this obligation to love. Every religion working in their fields by day and teaches man to fill his being with the when they returned to their homes at glory of God and to evict the night, they were welcomed with the pettiness of conceit. It trains him in Rohilla’s harsh cries and shouts. They the methods of unattachment and could get no sleep and felt much discernment, so that he may aim trouble and inconvenience. They high and attain spiritual liberation. suffered in silence this nuisance for Believe that all hearts are motivated some days, and when they could by the one and only God; that all faiths glorify the one and only God; There is only one religion, the stand it no longer, they approached religion of Love; Baba, and requested Him to check the that all names in all languages and all Rohilla and stop the nuisance. Baba forms man can conceive denote the There is only one language, the did not attend to their complaint. On one and only God. His adoration is language of the Heart; the contrary, Baba took the villagers best done by means of love. to task, and asked them to mind their Cultivate that attitude of oneness There is only one caste, the caste of own business, and not the Rohilla. He between men of all creeds and all Humanity; said to them that the Rohilla had got countries. That is the message of love I bring. That is the message I There is only one law, the law of a very bad wife, a Zantippi, who tried Karma; to come in and trouble the Rohilla and wish you to take to heart. Himself; but hearing the Rohilla’s Let the different faiths exist, let There is only one God, He is prayers, she dare not enter and they them flourish, and let the glory of Omnipresent. were at peace and happy. In fact, the God be sung in all the languages and I have come to light the lamp of Love Rohilla had no wife and by his wife a variety of tunes. That should be the Baba meant DURBUDDHI, i.e. bad in your hearts, to see that it shines ideal. Respect the differences day by day with added luster. I have thoughts. As Baba liked prayers and between the faiths and recognize cries to God better than anything else, not come on behalf of any exclusive them as valid as long as they do not religion. I have not come on any He took the side of the Rohilla, and extinguish the flame of unity. asked the villagers to wait and suffer mission of publicity for any sect or the nuisance, which would abate in Whom the Muslims adore as Allah, creed or cause; nor have I come to due course. Whom the Christians adore as collect followers for any doctrine. Jehovah, Whom the Vaishnavas I have no plan to attract disciples or adore as Phulabja, Whom the devotees into my fold or any fold. I Saivites adore as Sambhu, Who have come to tell you of this unitary grants in answer to their several faith, this spiritual principle, this path prayers, health, prosperity and of Love, this virtue of Love, this duty happiness to all, wherever they may of Love, this obligation to Love. be, He, the One God, is the God of all mankind. God is One and only One. Have His thought in your minds.

THE SAI TIMES-UNITY IN DIVINITY ISSUE 06/19

I have come not to disturb or destroy Unity in Divinity any faith, but to confirm each in his own faith - so that Christian The Shirdi Sai- Parthi Sai Connect becomes a better Christian, the It was May 23rd 1940; a Thursday; Muslim, a better Muslim, and the just like this year 2019. In the hamlet Hindu, a better Hindu." of Puttaparthi, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh; a young lad of Education must remove hatred between the pilgrims on the various fourteen, with a face radiant with roads to God. There is only one God, compassion and love, was Sathya picked up a bunch of jasmine one Goal, one Law, one Truth, one surrounded by the village folk. flowers and threw them on to the Religion and one Reason. ground. When they fell to the He was apparently materializing ground, they neatly arranged Religions are many, but God is one; sugar candy…out of thin air! His themselves into the words SAI father too, skeptically looked on. BABA, in the Telugu script. Jewels are many, but Gold is one; This was not the first time his Sathya Appearances are many, but Reality is was putting up such a 'show'. Sathya On October 20th, 1940, at One. had been behaving strangely for Uravakonda, He came back from quite some time, exhibiting school, threw his books and Cows may be of different breeds or supernatural powers. He lectured on declared, "I am no longer your colors or sizes, but milk they yield is sublime spiritual topics, way beyond Sathya! I am Sai Baba. I do not the same, the world over. So too, all a boy of his age. belong to you. I have my work. My religions, what ever their origin or devotees are calling me." He walked extent of influence, are means to The father, and in fact, Sathya's into the neighbor's garden, sat on a teach man this process. entire family was perplexed and rock and gave His first message, to worried at the same time. That day, the faithful who had assembled Do not give room for differences the father could no longer tolerate there, in the form of a based on language, religion, caste or this behaviour. He was convinced bhajan: Manasa Bhajare nationality. Develop the feeling that that his son was possessed. May be Gurucharanam… all are children of God. You may by some evil spirit. He took hold of a worship God in any form of your stick and demanded, addressing the choice, but always bear in mind that so-called spirit; God is one. Cultivate love and promote unity and harmony among "Who are you? Are you God, Ghost all. or Devil?".

Religions are many, but the road is "I am SAI BABA" came the reply. the same. Flowers are many, but worship is the same, professions are That was the first time the world many but living is the same was made aware of the Shirdi Connection. Manasa Bhajare Gurucharanam

Sathya went on "I am Sai Baba of A bystander photographed the Shirdi. I have taken birth in your young Sai Baba sitting on the rock family because of the prayers of your and leading the bhajan. The image ancestor Venkavadhootha". that was developed had a small Everyone present was stunned. They statue of Shirdi Baba in front of the hadn't heard anything, either of young Sathya. Nothing strange, Shirdi or of Sai Baba! except for the fact that there was never a statue in front of Sathya in Someone challenged Sathya; "If you the first place! Sathya had reinforced are really Sai Baba, show us some His identity. The world now hailed proof!" Him as Sathya Sai Baba. 3

THE SAI TIMES-UNITY IN DIVINITY ISSUE 06/19

STORY TIME- GANGA Ganga while descending from heaven, so he must seek the help of Lord According to Hindu mythology, there Shiva, the only one who can was a powerful king in India named withstand the power of Ganga. Sagar. He decided to conduct Ashwamedha Yagya, a horse Bhagiratha pleaded with Lord Shiva sacrifice, to declare his supremacy to help him and Shiva agreed to over the gods. receive Ganga in his matted locks. Ganga was arrogant and tried to The king of Heaven, Indra grew drown Shiva by pushing him to the jealous of King Sagar and decided to core of the earth, but the mighty steal the ritual horse. Indra Shiva easily held her in his locks. successfully abducted the horse and Shiva’s tie was so strong that Ganga tied him in the ashram of Sage Kapil, became helpless. who was silently meditating for many years. Lord Shiva wanted to teach Ganga a lesson, but instead released her in King Sagar ordered his 60,000 sons to seven streams as he was satisfied search and find his sacrificial horse. with the prayers of Bhagiratha. Sarva Dharma- Unity Prayer After a long search they found the horse tied at the ashram and began The seven streams of Ganga are Om Tatsat Sri Narayana Tu assaulting the great sage thinking he Bhagirathi, Janhvi, Bhilangana, Purushothama Guru Tu was the culprit who stole the horse. Mandakini, Rishiganga, Saraswati and Alaknanda. Ganga became calm Siddha Buddha Tu Skanda Vinayaka The sage awoke from his trance and in and followed Bhagiratha, who led her his anger started to destroy all the to his ancestors and with her purity Savita Pavaka Tu Savita Pavaka Tu sons of king Sagar who were and released their souls. accosting him. Anshuman, the Brahma Mazda Tu Yahva Shakthi Tu grandson of King Sagar, pleaded for Ganga is considered to be the most sacred river in India and it originates Yeshu Pitha Prabhu Tu forgiveness. from the depths of Gangotri glacier. Rudra Vishnu Tu Ramakrishna Tu The sage told him that he could save Ganga, otherwise known as Ganges, his life by bringing the sacred river brings purity to human life. By bathing Rahim Tao Tu Rahim Tao Tu Ganga down from the heavens to in her sacred waters one is purified to Vasudeva Go Viswa roopa Tu purify the souls of him and his the core of their being. ancestors and help them to attain Chidananda Hari Tu nirvana. Bhagiratha’s great effort in bringing Ganga to earth is known as Advitiya Tu Akala Nirbhaya King Dilip, son of Anshuman pleaded “Bhagiratha Prayatna”. with Lord Brahma to help them bring Atma linga Siva Tu What would you consider to be the the Ganga to earth. He failed to Sai Atma linga Siva Tu appease Brahma so he passed the noble quality of Bhagiratha – his task to his son, Bhagiratha. strong affection to his ancestors or his https://www.youtube.com/watch? determination to meet any challenges v=dPyKhjaQs1k Bhagiratha was able to please to attain the ultimate goal? Brahma, who ordered Ganga to descent to Earth. The furious Ganga One can learn the lesson of felt this as an insult and decided to respecting, caring and concern for our parents and ancestors as well as destroy Earth with her force while descending from heaven. persevering till we achieve our goal.

Bhagiratha was warned by Brahma that earth will not be able to hold

THE SAI TIMES-UNITY IN DIVINITY ISSUE 06/19

SADHANA *- Held island wide; I have listed only Gratitude Note a few centers which I attend The 3 paths for Sadhana are Bhakti, Grateful to the Divine Masters for Jnyana and Karma which can be ** Done from the comfort and their grace integrated to attain true wisdom. convenience of one’s home (7am- 7pm) and coordinated via whats app Grateful to Singapore which embraces REGULAR SEVA AND SADHANA all religions and known for its racial ACTIVITIES INDIVIDUAL SADHANA AND SEVA harmony OPPORTUNITIES GROUP SADHANA Grateful to Bharat Ma from where the Akhand parayans- Both Sri Shirdi knowledge has come Shirdi Sai Temple- Serangoon Sai Satcharitra and Tapovanam Parayan at devotees’ homes. Grateful to all readers in the spiritual Daily Schedule journey. 7am Temple Opens, Kakad (Sunrise) Annadaan- Monthly food seva for Aarti. MRT workers Love All Serve All 7.30am Mangal snaan of Shri Sai Baba (Holy Bath), Archana. Fistful Rice Seva- Daily keeping a Help Ever Hurt Never 12 noon Madhyan (Mid-day) Aarti. fistful of rice and later offering after “Samastha Lokaha Sukhino 12.30pm Temple Closes. a month to the needy. Bhavantu” 5.30pm Temple Opens. 6.30pm Dhoop (Sunset) Aarti. Project Rice- Providing grocery to “May all the beings in all the worlds 7pm Bhajan Sandhya. MRT workers once a month be happy” 8.30pm Shej (Night) Aarti. Translation Seva- Human value 9pm Temple Closes. Contact us for any Sai info at stories, Sai literature being [email protected] Special programs on Thursdays and translated in different languages. Saturdays Offering our humble salutations at Glory of Sai- Spreading of the the Divine Lotus Feet of our Guru, Sathya Sai Bhajans and Seva* message of Universal love through Guide and God- SAI. stories, interviews, articles- Seva- Sai bhajans- 8-9pm every Monday at Administration of social media Ceylon Road temple 2nd floor pages, blogs, IT help, audio visual etc

7.30-9pm every Thursday at 133 Official websites Moulmein road Shirdi Sai- https://www.sai.org.in/ Narayan seva- Monthly seva for domestic helpers. Teach English and serve lunch on 2nd and 4th Sundays. May Lord Sai shower His choicest blessings on all. Jai Sai Ram SSE classes- Education in Human Values for children aged 5-16 every Our website and blog sites Saturday 5-7.30pm at Ceylon Road https://sailitsg.com/ Temple Sathya Sai- http://www.sathyasai.org/ http://premaarpan.wordpress.com Veda classes-Every Thursday 7.30- 8.45pm, 2nd level Multipurpose http://saibalsanskaar.wordpress.com room, Ananda Bhavan Restaurant, Syed Alwi road Videos- https://www.youtube.com/channel/ Tapovanam Parayans**- UCfw_OdkWOCXfFWsWiPBIuhQ Weekly Group Parayan of Sri Sathya Sai Satcharitra- Tapovanam