Issue 17 ,December 2012 Venugaanam - Sai Krushna...

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Issue 17 ,December 2012

Venugaanam

Sai Krushna Charitable Trust Newsletter

Day of Dedication Pg 2

A Divine Discourse By Bhagawan Sri

Sathya Sai Baba Atma Jyothi Pg 3

Shri Lakshminarayan Aithal

Shawshank Redemption-

A deeper Insight Pg 6

KM Nagesh

Swami Knows All our Thoughts pg 8

G Jagannathan

My Haiti Experience Pg 10

Mangala Shankar

Venugaan

am

http://www.saikrushnacharitabletrust.org/




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IN THIS EDITION

1. From the Desk of Team Venugaanam –

2. Your Birthday Gift to Swami -Divine Discourse – Page 4

3. Atmajyothi- Shri Lakshminarayan Aithal- Page 7

4. The Making of Sai Krushna Mandir and Swami’s Birthday Celebrations–

Page 10

5. Grama Seva- The Autobiography of a Tractor – KVRK Bhargav – Page 14

6. Nectarine Love Divine- Arun Krishnamurthy – Page 17

7. Golden Memories:2 – Sowmya Roopa – Page 20

8. Greed: The Root of Our Problems – Prakash Srinivasan - Page 26

From Team Venugaanam’s Desk

From Team Venugaanam’s Desk

We are delighted to bring to you the December 2012 edition of Venugaanam. This edition begins

with Swami‟s Divine call to His devotees and students to give Him a special birthday gift. While

the Divine is free from all desires, yet for the welfare of His devotees, He too expects us to give

this one gift to Him. What is this gift and what is the best way to please Swami? Read this

discourse of Swami and know it in His own words.

In Atmajyothi, we continue the deliberation on realizing our inner nature and true potential. We

are all aspects of the One Self and this deliberation throws light on how we can de-identify

ourselves from the body mind complex.

Grama Seva in Puttaparthi has always been a source of much inspiration and joy to all involved.

In this interesting article named, Autobiography of a tractor, Bhargav shares his perspective on

the role played by even a simple tractor and how the Grama Seva vehicle is a harbinger of joy in

every village that it enters.





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Arun Krishnamurthy narrates a beautiful episode from his experience as student of Swami in

Parthi. Love is Divine but when that love has the Lord as its source, then it is that much sweeter.

Its leads to the realization that “To Know God is to Love God”

SowmyaRoopa shares her experiences as a student of the Anantapur campus. In the series called

Golden moments , she narrates incidents that happened during those precious years and specific

instructions from Swami to improve our lives. In this article she shares the life of Shirdi Sai as

narrated by Parthi Sai. Prakash speaks on the havoc played by the prevalence of greed in societal

transactions. He shares his opinion on how a balance of requirements with ceiling on desires can

help us to develop as better humans.

There have been some significant developments last month. Construction is progressing rapidly

and the masonry , plumbing and electrical work are being done for the first floor also.

Swami's birthday celebrations were held on 23rd November morning at Phase 1 of Sai Krushna

Mandir amidst much grandeur. It was wonderful to have students, devotees and their families

participate in the simple but satisfying function.The great take away from this function was

the amount that can be achieved when dedicated families and individuals come together for

Swami's work keeping Him as the center and reason of their lives. As Swami says, when like

minded people unite for a noble purpose, wonders can be achieved. The best part of the function

involved the procession of the construction workers who were given a standing ovation amidst

loud cheering as they entered Sai Krushna Mandir and felicitated for their significant

contribution towards the building. Read more in the update on construction and Swami‟s

birthday celebrations update.

We are happy to have your feedback on how to make „Venugaanam‟ a better communication

tool. You may kindly mail us at [email protected] . Do feel free to share with us

your experiences in following Swami‟s teachings or on any other theme of your choice.

Happy reading! Wish you all a Very happy and festive Christmas. Even as we celebrate the

birthday of Christ - may Swami turn our lives into a celebration of His message of love and

service.

With All our Prema,

Team Venugaanam

Sai Krushna Charitable Trust


[email protected]




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YOUR BIRTHDAY GIFT TO SWAMI

An extract from a divine discourse of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 23/11/1982

Emodiments of Love!

You must be thinking about the gift you

have to offer Swami on this Birthday.

You can be happy that you have given

Swami a proper gift only when you love your

fellowmen, share their sufferings, and engage

yourselves in serving them. That is the only gift I

wish for. The present given to God has to be

pure, steady and selfless Love.

On this birthday I have only one desire. I

am desiring this only to promote your

aanandha.

Rich people and people in power have

plentiful servants. But the distressed, the

poverty-stricken, and those who suffer have no

one to serve them. Go to such people and be

their friends, their kith and kin, their closest

well-wishers. Let them welcome you as such. If

you pour spirituality into the ears of those who

are tortured by hunger, it will not be

assimilated. First, quench the hunger. Give

them God in the form of food. Give them God in

the form of clothes. Give God in the form of

peace to those who are afflicted with anxiety.

Give God in the form of medicine to those who

are suffering from ill health. Give God in

whatever form which will assuage fear, pain and

sorrow. It is only when this is done that

spirituality can soak into the heart. If you act

contrariwise, instead of spiritual feelings you

will be promoting atheism itself.

The Sai-principle has no egoistic urge

There are villages where people struggle for

want of water to drink. The Government cannot

by itself provide all these conveniences.Without

the cooperation of the people the Government

cannot do anything. Government is not a free

entity. It is based on people's support. It can

work only when the people cooperate actively.

Without depending on Government, you must

carry on the development of society through

your own strength. That is real saadhana, real

seva. Strive to become embodiments of prema.

Be ready to offer all your capabilities and skills

to the Lord of All. It is God's Love that rewards

you when you engage yourselves in japa, thapa

or yaaga (Repetition of God's name, penance,

ritual of sacrifice). What greater achievement

can you strive for than receiving Love Divine

from God?

However, you must understand well the nature

and significance of this Love. You are now

experiencing and sharing this Love at the level

of your awareness of the Principle. This is a

mistake. It is too literal an interpretation. The

Principle of Love has no trace of ego or blemish.

It is fully free from selfish attachments.

Whatever Sai does, whatever Sai thinks,

whatever Sai says, whatever Sai observes, it is

all for your sake, not for Sai's sake. My only

desire is your joy, aanandha. Your aanandha is





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My aanandha. I have no aanandha apart from

yours.

You might infer, "Swami is doing this---is doing

that." But it is not for my sake; it is for your

sake. Last year on the Birthday, I spoke on this

point. For my sake (believe it or not) I do not

spend even a naya paisa. Whatever I do, I do for

the society only. Though 56 years have passed, I

have not got even one shirt or gown stitched for

Me. I am now wearing what is given by a

student, Radhakrishna of the Kingdom of Sathya

Sai. Not today, but since the beginning, the

thought that "I must have this or that" has

never arisen in Me. It is not arising now. It will

not arise at any time. Whatever thoughts arise

in Me are only for the peace and welfare of the

world, for the progress of youth, and for

transforming ideal boys and girls who will lead.

others along the path. You must dedicate

yourselves for rendering enthusiastic service to

the people of the world, recognising that the

Sai-principle has no egoistic urge.

The days of victory are coming

When this month is over, I will be journeying all

over Bhaarath, blessing those who are unable

to come here because they have neither the

strength nor the resources to do so. I wish to

afford them the chance and give them joy. An

important point Instead of arranging

programmes for Swami in towns and cities,

have them in villages. Reduce expenses and

save money in order to provide facilities in the

villages. I desire to move about in every village.

But, you have to make proper preparatory

arrangements. I can even come on foot but

hundreds of thousands of people are bound to

gather and you must see that they are well

looked after. When you undertake to fulfil this

need in a village, I will be coming and spreading

the principles and practice of Bhaaratheeya

culture. I am resolved to foster aanandha

through the revival and re-establishment of the

Bhaaratheeya way of life. This will happen

without fail. Bhaaratheeya dharma can

certainly be offered to other countries. There is

no need to despair or indulge in self

condemnation. The days of victory are coming.

We can sound the drum of triumph.

Embodiments of the Divine Aathma, you may

not be able to see it, but it is clear before My

eyes. As days pass, even those who are now not

able to recognise the truth of Swami will have

to approach with tears of repentance and

experience Me. Very soon, this will be

worldwide.

Swami is now restraining this development.

When once it is allowed to manifest, the whole

world will be transformed into Prashaanthi

Nilayam. 'So, come forward, all of you,

determined to practise in daily living the ideals

laid before you. In the coming years, you may

not get the chances you are having now. You

will not have the opportunity to be so near.

Millions will rush to this place and gather here.

This will happen soon and so, earn the

compassion of Swami and his Love through seva

activities and fill your lives with meaning.

Sai movement will advance more triumphantly

The diamond is cut into various facets. Its price

increases with each facet added unto it by the





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cutting, for its beauty shines better and better.

Those who cannot tolerate the progress of the

Organisation of the Sai-Principle it embodies

and unfolds, might decry or defame, ridicule or

obstruct; the movement will not falter. It will

advance more triumphantly, the greater the

obstruction. These will only foster and help the

spread and the splendour. Hate springs from an

evil nature, from asuuya (envy). But the

movement is based on the absence of anasuuya

(envy).

Do not pay attention to such things. Vow

among yourselves to follow the ideals and the

duties

that have been laid down and devote

yourselves to Swami’s work.

Having come to this place and availed

yourselves of this opportunity, treasure in your

hearts the things you have seen and heard and

resolve to plunge into practising them. Your

resolution and your practice must happen

simultaneously. Have a master plan and start

from tomorrow the execution of the

programme, drawn in consultation with others.

This must happen to all countries. Do not think

that only the Andhra State is Sai's. All are Sai's.

All are one. We must endeavour by all means to

realise and establish this truth in this Kali Yuga.

This is the message I am giving you to-day. I am

fulfilling all your desires. So you must fulfil this

one desire of mine.

I bless that you have long life, good health,

aanandha, Peace and Prosperity and that you

will devote your physical, mental, intellectual

and spiritual strength and skills for the services

of the country and of all mankind.

Discourse by Bhagavan at Prashaanthi Nilayam

on 23-11-1982





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ATMAJYOTHI – The Eternal Light of SatChitAnanda

By Shri Lakshminarayan Aithal

(Shri Lakshminarayan Aithal has served for over 3 decades in Swami’s

institution and is the former Principal of the Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva

Institutions at Muddenahalli. Inspired by Swami’s direct message to study the

Upanishads, he first learnt Sanskrit and then studied the direct works of Adi

Shankaracharya and Swami. Sincere perseverance led him to the reality of

Aham Brahmasmi and He realized and experienced Swami’s words: “I am God

and so are you”. He shares the import of the Upanishadic teachings with us in this series of

articles.)

(This is a guided discussion on the essence of Vedanta which shows us how to deliberate and

reach the conclusion that the real I is actually Divine and not the mind-body-intellect complex.)

I AM PURE, FULL, ETERNAL AND ONE. On the whole, we have deliberated and proved that the Self is Pure ( Shuddha ); and He doesn’t have an iota of impurity either of the worldliness or of the inert world. There is no valid evidence to tell that the Self is bound by wakefulness, dream and deep-sleep states; and the states are tagged to the Self. For the Self remains to exist as He is, in spite of appearing and disappearing of the states in Him, the Self is Full ( Poorna ). It is

a wrong concept that He exists somewhere else in the world and He is bound by time and space; and He is suffering ! Really, there is no place where the Self doesn’t exist; and the place is also imagined in the Self and it appears in Him; and therefore, the concept of place doesn’t agree with Him in the least. Similarly, the Self is not bound by time; for, the time is also imagined in the Self. That which is bound by time and space, at a particular point of time is destroyed by either the destruction of its parts or the





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separation of its parts; but the Self is not bound by either time or space; and therefore, the Self is Eternal One ( Nitya ). For all these reasons, the Self is One alone ( Eka ), that means, the Self doesn’t have a second entity including the self and the inert. When the self and the inert objects appear, as we have shown already, these have a mere appearance; and in the deep sleep there is no trace of living and non-living. If the dream is off, the dreamer alone remains and so the delusion is off; the rope, etc. the support of the delusion alone remain; and in the deep-sleep which is bereft of the appearance of the wakefulness and the dream, this Self alone remains; and therefore, the Self, Himself, alone is the essence of the states. Therefore, the Self, in all respects, is the One without the second. I AM THE AUSPICIOUSNESS (SHIVA). Therefore, it is decided that I am really the Auspiciousness ( Shiva ), the scripture tells that the Supreme Lord is the Cause for the birth, etc. Of the world. Similarly, our Self-Form is the Cause for the birth, appearance and disappearance of the world. As the scripture has told that the Supreme Lord has become everything; so our Self-Form has become everything. As the scripture describes that the Supreme Lord is of the Nature of Eternally Pure-Awareness-Liberation ( Nitya-Shuddha-Buddha-Svabhaava ); similarly, the

reason supported by the experience has proved that our Self also exists so. Therefore, the Self of us is the Auspiciousness ( Shiva ) as mentioned in the scripture. IV. THE REMOVAL OF THE DELUSION OF THE STEADINESS OF DUALITY. The snake of the rope and the dream are not completely the proper examples to illustrate the delusion of the self and the inert world. For, the world appears to exist even after the one has obtained the Self-Knowledge. But the snake of the rope disappears after the reality of the rope is known, and the dream world disappears in the wakefulness. If the Vedantins tell that the world really disappears after the one obtains the Knowledge of the Self; this saying of theirs may not be the proper one. For, according to the vision of the knower of the Self none exists other than Himself. Then, the Knower cannot preach the reality to anyone. Then, the empirical activity of the Teacher and student doesn’t exist. In order to solve this doubt of anyone, the following verse is quoted:

Matto Naanyat-kinchid-atraasti Vishvam Satyam Baahyam Vastu Maayopa-klrptam I Aadarsha-antar-bhaasamaanena Tulyam Mayyadvaite Bhaati Tasmaachhivoham II Meaning- Atra: here, mattah: than me, anyat: other than, satyam: real,





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vishvam: the world, kinchid: anything, naasti: doesn’t exist, baahyam: external, vastu: object, maayopa-klrptam: imagined due to delusion, aadarshaantah: in the mirror, bhaasamaanena: to the appearing ( image ), tulyam: equal, advaite: in ( me ) who don’t have the second thing, mayi: in me, bhaati: appears, tasmaat: therefore, aham: I , shivah: Auspiciousness. 4. No real world, apart from me exists here. All external objects are imagined due to delusion; and this appears in Me who am not having the second thing; and this appearance is similar to the image in the mirror. Therefore, I am Auspiciousness. EXPLANATION: NO WORLD EXISTS APART FROM ME. There is one main objection to tell that the Self is not having a second one. When the world appears clearly, in front of us, can it be negated? If the world exists really, then, how does the Self become the Unique One? (Relief: -) It is wrong to believe that the world exists along with the Self. For, the world doesn’t exist independently apart from the Self. The Self and the world are not two objects. For, the Self and the world don’t belong to the same kind of entity. If they don’t belong to the same species we cannot count them as two. If a chair is added with the other one, they become two chairs. If a chair is added with a bench, then it becomes two wooden articles

of furniture. But, there is no answer to the question: what does happen when the world is added with the Self? (Objection: -) Why there is no answer? The Self and the world are two entities. Why don’t we tell two? (Relief: -) We should not tell so. For, the Self is not an object (Padaartha). Here, padaartha means the meaning of a word. A thing which is grasped by the mind can be identified by means of a word; and that thing is the meaning of the word. But the Self is not grasped by the mind. The Self, himself, illumines the mind. Therefore, the Self is not an object. For this reason alone, the words: Self, Auspiciousness, etc. Of the Vedantins appear meaningless for many others. If the word ‘Self’ is meaningless, none can tell that the Self doesn’t exist. For, the Self appears in the experience and by the support of the experience of the Self alone we identify the mind and the word that appears to the mind. (Objection: -) If the Self is not an object, let it be so. By the experience of the Self and that of the world alone, don’t we decide the existence of the two? (Relief: -) No, not at all. For, objects exist in a place or in the same time can be counted in the manner, ‘one, two, three, etc.’ The Self and the world don’t exist either in the same time or in the same space; and both of them don’t belong to the same species. Then, how, at all, numerical can be applied to the Self and the world?





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(Objection: -) If both of them are not separate two things, how could this usage of words be possible? Is it possible to tell that the Self and the world are one? (Relief: -) The One Principle can be seen in two ways. Therefore, we use two words. From the view point of the wise, the Principle is the Self and from the view point of ignorant people, the Principle is the world. They call the Self as the world. (Objection: -) If the One Self, himself, appears in two ways, why are the two not real? (Relief: -) We have already answered this. The world is not real. The ignorant people misconceive the false world in the Self. (Objection: -) If the world is unreal, why do the people who know the Self also see it? As the dream world disappears in the wakeful state, why doesn’t this world disappear, when the Knowledge of the Self is dawned? (Relief: -) If we really view the world, certainly, it disappears. Or, instead of

telling that it vanishes after the dawn of the Knowledge; say that the world never exists itself is the correct statement. Therefore, the world that has to be vanished, does never exist at all. (Objection: -) Then, why does the world appear? (Relief: -) The reason for which the world appears need not be given. The world is not real, it is a mere appearance. It is enough to know this much. (Objection: -) Let it be an appearance. After knowing the reality, why should not the appearance go as the dream does? (Relief: -) There is no such a rule that all the appearances disappear by knowing the reality. There is a rule for all appearances: At first, we consider that appearance, itself, is real; and after the dawning of the knowledge the reality applied to it alone vanishes.

……to be continued in the next edition of Venugaanam

With the Divine Blessings and grace of our Beloved Swami, the ground floor of Phase 1 of the children’s

home – Sai Krushna Mandir – was inaugurated on 23rd November, 2012. Swami's birthday celebrations

were held on 23rd November morning at Phase 1 of Sai Krushna Mandir amidst much grandeur.

It was wonderful to have students, devotees and their families participate in the simple but satisfying

THE MAKING OF SAI KRUSHNA MANDIR- CONSTRUCTION UPDATE & SWAMI’S BIRTHDAY UPDATE

Figure 1: SKM as it will be after completion of Phase 1 and Phase2





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function.

The great take away from this function was the amount that can be achieved when dedicated families

and individuals come together for Swami's work keeping Him as the center and reason of their lives.

As Swami says, when like minded people unite for a noble purpose, wonders can be achieved. Currently,

the plumbing, masonry and electrical works are all being taken up for the first floor also. The entire

building would be finished by February/ March. It is expected that Sai Krushna Mandir will be functional

as a children’s home from April/May 2013. That way, the children who will be coming will also be able to

join during the change of academic session. We also invite applications for suitable volunteer families

who will be willing to live with and take care of the children.

Here is a brief of the events on 23rd November morning:

The

Ganesha

temple in

the

school

and the

ground

floor of

the semi finished children's home were all decorated

beautifully. The day started off with Vedam chanting

(Rudram) by Shrikanth and Satyanarayana Raju. The

childr

en too

chant

ed

some

soulfu

l

prayer

s.

This was followed by some fast bhajans by Prakash S

which the Primary school children followed with lot of

'josh'. Aithal Sir spoke about the significance of the occasion and emphasised Swami's message of living

one's words through the famous story: "Cheppinatu Chesthara."





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There was a session of Dumb-charades

which the children enjoyed involving the enacting out of Kannada personalities/ places. The best part of

the function involved the procession of the construction workers who were given a standing ovation

amidst loud cheering as they entered Sai Krushna





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Mandir.

Figure 2 : Sai Krushna Mandir Phase 1 after completion

The construction workers and children joined all the volunteers in singing birthday songs during the cake

cutting function. Arathi was sung and the Brahmarpanam mantram chanted before lunch was served for

all the construction workers and volunteers. The workers also individually introduced themselves and

their contributions to the project, while blankets were distributed for all of them as tokens of gratitude





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and appreciation for their outstanding work. Their contribution in terms of helping to build a home for

under-privileged children was also applauded even as it was highlighted that their efforts were not

restricted to putting bricks and cement together; rather it was their offering to Swami in building a

Divine home and shaping a brighter future for the children who would stay there.

All the workers were very happy and touched by the appreciation. Prasadam ( chocolates/ mixture,

sweets, and Vibhuthi) was also distributed for all the children.

All those involved left the place with a deep sense of joy and satisfaction.

We thank Swami for allowing us to celebrate His birthday in Phase 1 of Sai Krushna Mandir.

We look forward to all your active involvement and participation in this God given opportunity. We also

welcome you to come and visit the site and witness the making of Sai Krushna Mandir. From our side,

we will keep you updated through Venugaanam and the website. You are free to contact us directly for

any further information. We are confident that, just as Swami’s bounteous blessings ensured the

procurement of excellent drinking water and land, Swami’s grace will crown our genuine intentions and

He will continue to guide and bless the entire effort.

DIFFERENT STROKES-AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A TRACTOR:

REMINISCENCES OF SRI SATHYA SAI GRAMA SEVA FROM THE EYES OF A

TRACTOR

By KVRK Bhargav

(Bhargav is a student of Swami who after completing his B.Tech in Textile

Engineering graduated with an MBA from the the Sri Sathya Sai

University in 2001. Ever since, he has had the great fortune of waiting for Swami’s direct

guidance. He has been blessed with many interactions with Swami and he pursues Vedic science

as a hobby to understand how it complements and dovetails spirituality. In this article, he shares

his insights on how Grama Seva plays a profound role in impacting the lives of all the

participants and the beneficiaries)

I chugged out of the Gopuram gate with a bunch of boisterous boys chanting Jai Bolo Bhagwan

Sri Satya Sai Baba ji ki. Another arduous day started for me in the annual Sri Satya Sai Grama

Seva 2012. They call me the beast of burden perhaps mockingly. I am always an object of





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dislike due to my lack of agility, a bumpy ride and status of a stock vehicle. I am a tractor named

T4 and I consider myself a part of the Grama Seva irrespective of what others think. I have

got used to this step motherly treatment of starting half an hour to forty five minutes before the

whole convoy leaves which is a dampener for students to join me. The remonstrances showed by

Adi Narayana ,my driver, regarding leaving early were brushed aside by the teacher in-charge

who said rather dismissively, "After all the tractor is like a tortoise, it can't match the speed of

the mini trucks which are like the hares. Tractor has to reach in time to the village to supply us

with food prasadam and ladoos."

Grama Seva every year generally employs mini trucks for transporting students, dhotis and

sarees and tractors are used to transport food packets and ladoos and they act as stock vehicles.

Tractors generally reach before the trucks and wait till the whole service is completed,

replenishing stock wherever necessary. They start their return journey with the excess stock of

food packets which they distribute to the village folk en-route to Puttaparthi.


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u68e2COkCWc/ULXf4gtOZ0I/AAAAAAAAARo/80R7wkW0Rr0/s1600/tractor2.jp

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VzIte3ETmJA/ULXgDDCYr8I/AAAAAAAAARw/F2Zte-9pphs/s1600/tractor1.jp




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While making a slow and steady progress I encounter sporadic groups of villagers especially

women who at the sight of the vehicle with the banner of 'Sri Satya Sai Grama Seva' are

overjoyed. But as the realization dawns on them that it is a tractor they comment, "Sister don't

waste your time here, it is a tractor it doesn't carry sarees." This makes me feel crestfallen and I

rue, „why I am not liked by anyone, why my service is not recognized?‟ But seeing the beautiful

photo of Bhagwan leading from the front, I accept it as His will.

A convoy of mini trucks whiz past me, honking their horns looking at me with disdain. I ignore

all of them silently going along with my business. While trundling down the rugged terrain I

overhear the chat of a group of boys traveling in my trolley. One boy says, "Whatever

reservations one may have about it, tractor is the best vehicle as it is open giving us the luxury of

enjoying the scenery while traveling. Moreover, its slow pace gives us the extra opportunity to

enjoy nature to the fullest." Another boy adds, "Tractor is not for the weak hearted, it is for brave

hearts like us who love adventure and enjoy the jumps and bumps of this journey." This gives a

boost to my sagging spirits and some much needed impetus for the journey.

During the slow journey I encounter a hamlet with a small school perched on top of a hillock.

The school kids start jumping at the sight of a tractor with beaming faces as they know the most

desirous ladoos will be available here. The joy in the eyes of the kids give a new lease of life to

me as I am most sought after by the pure innocent village toddlers. I get an extra shot of energy

in negotiating the journey.

Reaching the village Kesavapuram, a distance of 35kms from Puttaparthi, I take up the task of

supplying food and Ladoos and when the service is almost over, a bunch of villagers approach

the teachers with a request of providing prasadam to them. The teachers chide them for

approaching the vehicles and ask them to stay at their respective houses where the prasadam will

be given to them in accordance with the explicit command of Bhagawan. The villagers reply

with despondent faces, "We live far away from this village near our fields, the road leading to

our houses is not a good one. How you will be able to reach there?" Thinking for a while, the

teachers reply with an air of relief in their tone, "Don't worry, we have our tractor which can

negotiate any type of terrain."

The tractor driver Adi Narayana is summoned and is asked to take up this difficult portion of this

service. Few pairs of saree and dhoti are loaded and I set out for this special and arduous journey

carved out only for me to accomplish. Like the deft strokes of brush of a master painter, Adi

Narayana negotiates the serpentine cart path and a small stream wading through it in couple of

feet deep water. I finally reach this settlement of few houses with my head held high basking in

this new found importance. The residents of this small colony are overjoyed seeing Swami's

prasadam reaching them. With beaming faces, the poor and innocent folk of this hamlet shower

praises on me for making this happen giving me a feeling of fulfillment. An elder of the hamlet

pats me and says, his eyes filled with gratitude, "Every year it is only the tractor which negotiates

this treacherous journey to provide us with Swami's prasadam."





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Ruminating on this new found utility I chug back to the ashram alone with tears of gratitude

realizing that every instrument has a role to play though a small one in fulfilling His mission.

NECTARINE LOVE DIVINE Arun Krishnamurthy

Arun K is s tudent of Swami who graduated from Prashanthi Nilayam with an MBA in 2007. He also has a bachelors in Electronics and Communication Engineering from SASTRA university. He has worked in reputed organizations like KPMG, Ericcson and Cognizant. He is an eloquent speaker with a passion for helping the needy. In this article , Arun shares his experience as a student in Parthi which helped him to understand an important facet of Swami’s divine love.

“To Know God is to Love God”, I was taught when I was a child. For a very long time the meaning of this

seemingly simple yet very profound statement kept eluding me.

Perhaps just to discover the inner meaning of this statement I was given the wondrous opportunity to

study in Swami’s institution. I joined the MBA course in Prasanthi Nilayam in the year 2005. The first

grace of Swami was shown to us when after a hiatus of few years he called upon the new joining MBA

students to Brindavan, Whitefield. It made the feeling absolutely special for us new comers. I was totally

overawed by the occasion and i saw other students were touching Swami’s feet, holding hands and

Swami was responding to all of them with such sweet smiles and talking to a few of the students. I

mustered just enough courage to go and touch Swami’s hands with my two fingers and then waited to

see if there was any reaction. Swami just smiled.

After a month or so Swami came down to Puttaparthi and i wrote a letter. Actually one can call that

letter a laundry list of desires and demands. But somehow the opportunity seemed to elude me, and i

was getting desperate. After few months of waiting i could finally give the letter to Swami. A sense of

relief ensued.

Time passed fast in Puttaparthi, It always does when one is with Swami. I would say i unlearnt and learnt

a lot in Puttaparthi from teachers and friends. It was an experience which opened me to a whole new

inner world.

An incident occurred during Athi Rudra Mahayagnam in Parthi which was pretty special for me. I was

part of the vedam group and so was sitting in the front chanting Rudram along with the entire





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congregation. A separate place was allocated to Vedam students right in front of Swami. It was quite a

momentous occasion for me personally because i was always fascinated by the intonations in Rudram-

Chamakam and chanting right in front of Swami made it even more special.

A few days during the yagnam passed like this. One day i was back at the hostel after the evening

program in the mandir. One student brother approached me and said that the next day was my “Rose”

chance. “Rose” chance is a great opportunity for a wonderful close interaction with Swami whereby the

student offers a “Rose” to Swami and can have Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan.

So it was my chance for the Rose offering next day, and my parents were also present during the

occasion and it made the event all the more special. So i was looking forward to it with all eagerness.

The next day, I wore a brand new pair of whites and was waiting inside the bhajan mandir. Since the

Athi Rudra Mahayagnam was going on, i was told to offer the rose while Swami was getting into his car

and returning back to the residence. (Those days Swami used to arrive to the Sai Kulwant hall in a car).

There were many TV sets provided at various places in the hall for a better view of the proceedings and i

was having darshan from one such TV set placed in the verandah. And then suddenly i noticed that

Swami was calling for the vedam boys who were sitting and chanting Rudram. He was distributing

watches to them and then i suddenly realized that i would not get the same. If not for the Rose chance i

would be sitting and receiving the same from Swami.

Tormented by this fact, my mind was tossed to all sides and then the battle began inside which i might

term mightier than the Kurukshetra war. One part of the mind was hissing with thoughts of jealousy and

the missed opportunity and there was ample amount of boxing Swami in my mind. And simultaneously

another angelic voice was guiding my mind to calmness.

All the positive proverbs were reinforced viz. “Whatever happens, happens for good” seemed

effeminate against the torment of my mind.

To distract myself, i started chanting the Gayatri Mantra and this went on for quite some time. My mind

surprisingly got little calmer and after some time i was given an indication by a student brother that

Swami was about to leave.

This was a signal for me to go ahead and offer the Rose to Swami. What happened hereafter was a

defining moment for me.

Swami came walking down on the verandah helped by two students and i knelt down. He gave me one

of the sweetest smiles I had ever seen. He took my rose and patted me on my head and cheeks. He

looked deep in my eyes. I was deeply touched. I felt wave after wave of inexplicable bliss. I felt such an

upheaval of divine love that nothing else mattered. The disappointment, hollowness, sense of





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incompleteness - everything just vanished. At that point I understood the power of love, its healing

power and its grandeur. It was simple,pure and full. Words fail to describe the experience and the

feeling.

That night i realized that what i was asking Swami was all trinkets when he actually wanted to give such

divine bliss. The letter with the demands seemed now so trivial to me that i felt ashamed. In one stroke,

Swami had changed my perception.

Time passed and on the last day of my MBA course, I was sitting in Sai Kulwant Hall, it was holiday time

so very few students were present, and Swami suddenly started distribution. I went with a letter near

Swami, and I realized Swami was distributing watches to students.

I received from Swami’s hands a watch and I wondered at the greatness of Swami as to how he would

not let me go out with any sense of disappointment. I gave him the letter. I had written in the letter

“Swami, I want you, Please always be with me”. I prayed and spoke to Swami the very same words and

he replied back “I will”. These two words still echo in my mind and have been the pillar of support during

my highs and lows.

I felt life had come a full circle. I had experienced Love in action. I realized God is love and finally the

meaning dawned upon me “To know God is not just to Love God as a singular person or a symbol but

Love in itself becomes a reward devoid of any expectations”

GOLDEN MOMENTS – By Sowmya Roopa

Sowmya Roopa completed her B.A in 1987 and B.Ed in 1988. She received

her gold meda l for distinction in B.Ed from the Sri Sathya Sai University. She

taught at the Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar Ootacamund from 1989 till 1991.

From 1991 till 2000, she taught at the Sai Sathya Sai Primary school,

Puttaparthi. Sowmya Roopa was invited to the Sai Sathya Sai Schools,

Rishikesh and Kathmandu in 2000 and 2001. There she shared her

knowledge about value-oriented education with the teachers and students

through talks, poems, songs, charts and demonstration. Currently, she

writes value-based skits and paints quotation boards. In this series , she

shares her experiences and learning as a student and staff in Swami’s educational institutions.





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Golden Moments- His Story as heard from Him

It was a joyous trip to Puttaparthi in 1984 since it was my first trip as a student studying in first

year B.A at the Sri Sathya Sai college for women at Ananthpur. It was Ramzan day. Bhagavan

called us for an interview in the mandir hall. Bhagavan entered and asked “ Yemi Samacharam?

Any questions. The librarian Mrs Pushpa Ramana requested Bhagwan to tell us about his early life

as Shirdi Sai Baba, since nobody knew about Shirdi Baba’s parentage, childhood etc. Bhagawan

graciously revealed the secrets of his parentage and life in His previous Avatar as Shirdi Baba .The

following is the record of that interview in 1984 as written in my dairy at that time itself.

Every little thing is of some value. Until and unless we know the value of a thing we cannot put it into

proper use. If the husk is not removed from paddy, we do not get rice .We cannot wear cotton bales as

such, only when it is made into thread and woven as cloth we can use it. A rock from a mountain is not

worshipped until it is made into an idol. Diamond is precious only if it is extracted from the earth. Even

gold mixed with copper, silver etc is of lesser value than purified gold free from other metals. Without

the husk, paddy is not different from rice. Human life gains Divine value when the satwa ,rajas and

tamoguna are taken away from it. Life with desires is man, life without desires is God.

On the peaceful banks of the Godavari river was the village called Patri. A pious Brahmin couple,

Gangabhava and Devagiriamma lived there. They had everything, wealth and happiness-but for a child

,Gangabhava’s work was to help people cross the river Godavari in ferry-boats. He had some men under

him employed for this business. One night there was torrential rain accompanied by a storm.

Gangabhava told his wife that he may not be coming home that night as many people might need to

cross the river which was in spate. so Devagiriamma bolted the door and sat down to worship Gowri

Devi of whom the couple were devoted.

It was around ‘ten o’ clock in the night, Devagiriamma heard a knock on the outer door, thinking that

her husband had come back, she opened the door, there was an old man of eighty outside the door who

said,”Amma, I am hungry”.Devagiriamma honored her guests ,she had not eaten her food, nor had her

husband , so there was plenty of food in the house. She gave him food and made a bed for him outside,

she then closed the door and sat down again. After sometime again there was a knock at the door ,she

thought that he must be wanting to answer the call of the nature. She opened the door and the old man

told her that he was not getting sleep, Devgiriamma was now perturbed ,she asked him what she could





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do for him. The man said that he wanted someone to press his legs. Now , the servant was not in the

house. Devagiriamma did not know what to do , when the man said that he wanted only a women to

press his legs. She had no other go but covered her head with her saree and went to the village, asking

every woman to come to her house, offering a lot of money for the job. But all refused to come in the

heavy downpour. Devagiriamma came back and prayed to Gowri Devi. She felt hesitant to press the old

man’s legs herself, nor could she fail to satisfy her guest. Meanwhile, she heard another knock at the

back door and went to open it. There was a woman outside who said that she had come in answer to

Devagiriamma’s search in the village and agreed to press the old man’s legs. Devagiriamma, now

relieved, thanked Gowri Devi for getting her a woman. She heard a knock but when she got up from her

seat she saw Parvathi and Ishwara standing before her, spreading their radiance, she fell at there feet.

Then Parvathi asked Ishwara to grant a boon. But Ishwara said that since He had come only to test her

and Parvathi had come in answer to her prayers, she Herself should give her a boon. All this

Devagiriamma did not hear because God’s language man cannot understand ,so Parvathi blessed

Devagiriamma with a son and a daughter. A son for carrying on the vamsha (family lineage) and a

daughter for kanyadana(giving the daughter away as a gift in marriage). Ishwara, greatly pleased with

Devagiriamma told her that he Himself would come has her third son .And then , Parvathi and Ishwara

disappeared .Devagiriamma was so overjoyed that she kept on roaming about in the house, Gangabhava

came home and Devagiriamma told him all that had happened . He however thought that his wife being

left to herself must have had illusions in the night and said “Alright, alright”.

However, after nine months she had a son and after another year a daughter. She was carrying another

child and as she neared her ninth month, at this time by Vaishnavi Maya or the will of God, Gangabhava

developed an earnest desire for vairagya. He wanted to renounce his family and go away to the forest.

Devagiriamma pleaded with him telling him that when the boon had come true twice, even the third

would come true and Ishwara himself would be born to them as a son. But Gangabhava did not listen

and he left the house. Devagiriamma was so devoted to her husband that she sent her son and daughter

to her mother’s house with a servant and followed him. On the way as they passed through a forest, she

walking behind him slowly. She felt her labour pains and pleaded with him to wait for sometime so that

he could have the darshan of Ishwara. But Gangabhava wished to see Ishwara himself and not in the

worldly form. Devgiriamma sat down under a tree and immediately a beautiful baby was born. But she

in her ardent desire to follow her husband , covered her new- born son with leaves and left him.

It was Ramzan, the 9th month of the year. A fakir and his wife were traveling in a tonga , near the forest.

His wife wanted to answer the call of the nature and so, she got down and went into the forest. In the

forest all of a sudden she heard a baby cry. She went a little a little distance and found the new –born

baby near her feet, covered with leaves. Thinking that the mother may be somewhere nearby, she called

the tonga- driver and her husband. All of them searched in the forest but did not find the mother. The

fakir and his wife were childless so, the wife thought that Allah must have given her the child without





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any trouble or pains or even a nine- month waiting. They took the child and went back home, where all

the people were happy at her having got a child.

The little boy grew up and was affectionately called Baba. When he was 8 years old, one day playing

marbles with other boys of his age. He gradually won all the marbles from all the boys. One of the boys

named Rahul, was a rich man’s son; he got angry when he was defeated and ran home to get some

more marbles. He found no marbles at home, but in the pooja room there was the Shaligrama(a round

black stone which is a symbol of Vishnu) which looked almost like a marble. The boy took it when he saw

that his mother wasn’t there and returned to play. Baba however knew that it was a Shaligrama. He won

it and immediately swallowed it too. The boy then began to fight with Baba; the boy’s mother saw them

from a window of the hours and came down to separate them. The boy then complained to his mother

about Baba : “He has won all my marbles, on top of that he has won my special precious marbles too

and swallowed it”. His mother then asked him, ”I did not give you any money, how did you get a

precious marbles”. The boy confessed that he had taken it from the pooja room. His mother was anxious

to have the Shaligram as it had to be worshipped everyday. She told him that she would give Him many

marbles, if only He gave that marble back, Baba showed His open- Stretched palms and said “I don’t

have the marbles”. The boy however said ,”He put it in his mouth , Amma ,he put it in his mouth. ”His

mother asked Baba to open His mouth and to her wonder she saw all the worlds in it. After this she

became very devoted to Baba and used to feed him when her husband wasn’t there because they were

Hindus and Baba was a Muslim boy. Hindus and Muslims had great differences and disputes amongst

themselves.

Around this time, the fakir died and his wife was left alone with Baba. Baba at this time used to chant

mantras in mosques and Allah O Akbar in the temples and even worshipped the shaligrama in the

mosque .The three things Allah O Akbar, La illaha el Allaha mean God is great none greater than God is

there who protects you like Allah and the deservedness of Allah is to be worshipped. Baba used to recite

all this in the temples and mantras in the mosques. So everyone started complaining about him to the

Fakirs wife. Tired of him, she put Baba in an ashram of a man called Venkusha. Venkusha was doubtful

whether to take Baba or not as the Hindus in the ashram were going to Shirdi. Baba accompanied them.

In Shirdi, Baba sat outside a Vishnu temple where Mhalsapati was the priest .He came out of the temple

after offering food (Naivaidya) to God and saw Baba .He gave Baba prasadam but Baba refused to take

anything saying that he had already had it inside the temple. Mhalsapati was surprised for, he had been

all alone in the temple it was a small temple too. He thought that Baba was mad and was about to go

away when, being an ardent devotee of God, it struck him that there may be some deeper meaning in

Baba’s words. He turned back and saw radiance on his face. From then on, Mhalsapati made Baba stay

in the room where the materials for pooja were kept and care of him and fed him. Baba too used to





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teach philosophical truths to Mhalsapati. At this time the people of Shirdi came to Mhalsapati and asked

him what Baba had studied and who was His guru. Baba had replied that He had not studied any texts

but all texts and scriptures were in Him. He never had any guru but He Himself was the guru. He did not

have any riches but all riches were in Him. And He had is great compassion for the people. The men

however did not believe Him and thought Him to be mad. One of them, a wrestler called Janaki Das

asked Baba if He knew wrestling. Baba said He knew wrestling. Then Janaki Das asked Him to wrestle

with him. Then everyday he used to wrestle with Baba and every time Baba would win. Janaki Das

would fall at every blow of Baba. He got very angry as he was losing his prestigious and respectable

position. The people in the village started mocking at his defeat in the hands of a mere boy. So , one day

Mhalsapati requested Baba to let Janaki Das to win once , or else he might harm Baba. Baba listened to

the plea of His devotee, He entered into a contract with Janaki Das. If Janaki Das lost in wrestling he

must take up sanyasa and if Baba lost he would forever tie a saffron cloth around His head all His life. He

never tied a cloth because of any wound as wrong interpretations have been made. If He had got a

wound He would not have tied a bandage lifelong, he would tie it only till his wound healed.

When Baba was 75 years old, Abdul Baba was with Him. At the time of His leaving the body

Mahalashpati felt very sad, so Baba promised him that after 8 years he would again be born in Madras

state. At that time Andhra was in Madras, He said that he would be born at Puttaparthi. Avatars are

born at the confluence of rivers, those flowing from South to North. Thus Shirdi Baba was born at Patri

by the banks of godavari flowing from South to North, a confluence of two rivers –and- This body (Sri

Sathya Sai) was born at Parthi ,by the banks of Chitravathi and Kushavati , Prema Sai would be also born

in Gunaparthi in Mysore by the banks of Tungabhadra a confluence of Tunga and Bhadra.

Just as Yashoda saw the worlds in the mouth of Krishna, just as the wealthy lady saw in the mouth of

Shridi Baba ,in this body too(Swami’s body) it happened once Karnam Subbamma, a devoted lady and

wife of Karnam Narayana Rao of Parthi was the first to recognize Swami as an extraordinary boy. The

father of this body (Swami’s) had disputes with Karnam Narayan Rao due to the differences in the caste,

so Subbamma used to feed Baba in private. In between their houses there was a low wall and a higher

wall with a ventilator. On the days when Karnam would go for Jamma Bandh, Subbamma fed Baba with

morsels of food. She desired to offer Him water to drink. The tumbler of water could not pass through

ventilator, so, Swami used to open the mouth and she used to pour the water down. Once when she

was carefully feeding Him (she had to hide from Kamalamma, the second wife of Karnam, who would

have told Karnam) she started screaming Rama, Krishna, Govinda etc. Kamalamma came running and

asked her what was wrong, .She kept on saying “oh, I am seeing so many things “.After this she never

cared for privacy and brought swami to her house for food. She used to say that even if her husband

leaves her or the whole village drives her out, she would never leave Swami. She fed him with handfuls

along with other children and while giving him, said softly ‘Swami, Swami’ inside and outside she said

“This is my offering of love”. Karnam’s death took place and all the Brahmins in the village even beggars





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never visited her house. They refused to speak to her for five years. For Karnam’s obituary too they

refused to come. So, Subbamma in her deep devotion offered everything to Sathya and considered this

act sufficient for his obituary.

Around this time, Swami was asked to sing the prayer song in school. He recited, “Besides the bank of

chitravathi surrounded by the mountains like a wall is a place founded by Bukkaraya and Harihararaya,

there will be a grand palace in which Sai, full of compassion, will reside. The printing of Sanathana

Sarathi, said Swami, would also be done in Parthi. Kasturi was surprised because the matter had already

been sent to Ananthapur which was returned at that time. A man came from Tadepatri, saying that

orders had been given to him so he would print the Sanathana Sarathi. Swami’s words thus came true.

Das Ganu was the first enemy of Baba of Shirdi. He used to recite Harikaatha and before starting he

used to abuse Baba for half an hour- why do people go to him, he does such and such things, people do

not have any senses etc. He had a voice like a gun so he was named Das gannu, Mahalashpati felt bad at

this abuse and he wanted to send a strong man Shyam to gannu to fight him,. But Baba told him” So

many years you have stayed with me have you learnt only this”. You are getting angry because he calls

me gajadonga (great thief) but, aren’t you happy when someone sings “Bada chita chora……” In either

way he is remembering me, that’s all I want.

Once Mhalsapati took Das Ganu for a picnic to a certain place. He was talking to him and walking, when

Dasganu, being a fat man felt very thirsty and was unable to walk any further. He wanted water but

there was no well nearby. Mhalsapati then prayed to Baba to show Das Ganu some miracle so that he

believed in him. All of a sudden there sprouted a spring of water at Das Ganu’s feet. Mhalsapati then

told him that this was a miracle of Baba, but Ganu said that he might not have noticed it before.

However Mahalashpati told him to drink the water. Dasganu drank and kept his feet in the water and

relaxed. After sometime his feet felt very hot and looking down, he saw no spring .He then realized the

greatness of Swami. At the same time, while in Shirdi -from the feet of Baba, water started flowing. On

being asked, He said he had sent water in answer to Mahalashpati’s prayer.

Baba left His mortal frame in 1918 on Vijayadashmi day at 3.30am. While He was being buried they

found His grave was filled with flowers like that of Kabir three days after His death. Kabir was buried on

the same day i.e. a Thursday .Thursday is guruvara as the bodies of the three gurus (Nanak, Kabir and

Baba) were buried on that day.

(To be continued in the next article of Venugaanam in the Golden Moments Series)





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GREED: The Root of our Problems

By Prakash Srinivasan

(Prakash is a student of Swami who did his B.Com(Hons) in Brindavan

campus and then his MBA and PG Diploma in Indian Culture and

Philosophy in Prashanthi Nilayam. During his student days, Prakash had

the good fortune of being a Mandir bhajan singer and has enjoyed

singing for our Lord many times. A passionate lover of music, food and

nature- Prakash is currently heading the European system operations for

Hewlett Packard(HP) from the Bangalore office. His enthusiasm, humour

and cheerfulness are contagious In this article, Prakash shares his insights on greed has become

the cause of much of the world’s problem today. He voices his understanding of the statement

that world has enough for every man’s need but not for his greed.

Each of us is blessed with one‟s own strengths and weaknesses. But there are some qualities that

God has bestowed on all of us that assume the form of vices in us. One of the most addictive of

all of them is greed. Each of us has been greedy at many points of our life, it just does not mean

amassing of wealth but it starts in the smallest of forms from our childhood. Only a handful of

people in the world must have conquered this thorn-like addiction.

The damage that human greed is doing to the world is unimaginable. It has manifested itself in a

million destructive forms. I am not trying to sermonize on how to control greed but just

reminding myself through this article that I need to live within my limits. Let‟s look at a few

major ways in which greed had brought about large-scale destruction:

The looting of earth‟s resources in the guise of “development”. This is self-explanatory.

Some of the ways we do this is by tree-felling, digging for oil, mining etc. These

activities though very beneficial in the short-term lead to immense ecological destruction

in the long-term. Many scientific studies have proven that global warming is the





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consequence of all these activities. Global warming has made the weather in many places

very crazy where the winters are getting warmer and the summers hotter. Just this

afternoon I was complaining about the blistering heat on a Nov afternoon in Bangalore

which is as crazy as it can get!

Accumulation of wealth and riches: This can be a very debatable topic, because it is

difficult to define how much is “enough”. But when I look at myself I can easily identify

when I am crossing the line and encouraging a want which is actually not my need. But

my desire urges me to satisfy that want and I end up accumulating what I never needed at

all. As a responsible citizen of society I feel the need to give back at least some portion of

it (say 20%, let‟s not talk about Chanakya Neeti which says 25% which is too much by

today‟s standards) to the people who have been less privileged. I start counting my

blessings at this time when I thank God that he has given me all that I needed. Everyday I

face a hundred temptations of buying many things that I do not need and it‟s a battle to

stop myself from yielding to the temptation. Now I realize that ceiling on desires is so

tough.

In Everyday Life: One of the greatest joys of the senses is eating. Many a times I have

eaten more than what my body can take and suffered. Yet I have not learnt and the reality

hits hard when the body gives up and strikes back. Just that one extra Rasgulla or Gulab

Jamoon can spoil our day!

Corruption: This is probably the worst that greed can get and it is the lust for money.

Corruption is destroying countries and economies. It has reduced India from “India

Shining” to “India Dying.” The common man is completely frustrated because corruption

has percolated to every part of our lives. I have experienced it in so many ways that I will

give an award to anyone who does not expect anything extra.

It‟s not possible to eliminate greed completely from our lives but we definitely need to define our

limits. Greed needs to be controlled starting from the individual to the global levels otherwise we

will have the rare distinction of being the species who destroyed themselves.


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