THE GLORY OF SHIRDI SAI
Third Year of Publication
Published as Bi-Weekly
Issue 17 / 2005
Please visit our Web site: http://www.saidarbar.org
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THIS ISSUE CONTAINS
1. FOUNDATION STONES FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
2. SAI’S NEWS FROM TIME MACHINE
3. FOOT STEPS OF HOLY FEET
4. SAIBANISA OFFERS PRANAMS TO …..
5. SAI IN DREAMS
6. QUINTESSENCE OF SRI SAIBABA'S PHILOSOPHY
7. DEVOTEES EXPERIENCES
8. SPIRITUAL GEMS FROM SAI SATCHARITRA
9. SAI WITH CHILDREN
10.ARTICLES FROM SAI DEVOTEES
11.LETTERS FROM SAI DEVOTEES
12.TELUGU SECTION
13.SANATANA DHARMA&SRI SHIRDI SAIBABA
14.SANATANA DHARMA – NEWS FROM ABROAD
15.SAI’S BOOK WORLD
16.FROM SAI ORGANISATIONS
17.EDITORIAL.
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1. FOUNDATION STONES FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE:
Rajeswari Kasturi, Saidarbar –
From the Satsanghs of Saibanisaji
http://www.angelfire.com/celeb2/saidarbar/pages/S3500055.htm
61. You should know that the relationships with the relatives
and
friendship with friends are like passing clouds in the sky and
like
floating logs in the river. They some times meet and some times
they
disperse. A wise person will not bother for the good and bad
happenings
with friends and relatives.
62. You should know that
a wise person will neither get excited for
the
praises nor depressed for the criticism and he maintains
equilibrium.
63. If you are interested
to enter the Spiritual life, give least
importance for the money, fear not the death and lastly the
attachment
towards kith and kin.
64. The way the day and night follows one after one, similarly
in human
life sorrows and happiness will follow one after one. When you
know
this
phenomenon, why do you entertain fear in the life?
65. The way you accept the medicines from the herbs available in
the
forest to cure your illness, sometimes you should also be
prepared to
accept the help from the persons who are unknown to you thinking
that
they are God sent one.
66. You should know that your wisdom is your money, your
greediness is
your enemy, your character is your beauty and your happiness is
your
health.
67. The food you offer to your guest will be digested with in no
time
but the food you have offered with affection and love will be in
his
memories for his life long. So always offer the food with love
and
affection.
68. You should know that half your life will go in the sleeping,
remaining half will go in your child hood, youth and old age.
Try to
utilize your youth for constructive work in the life so that you
will
not repent in the life.
To be Continued…
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2. SAI'S NEWS FROM THE TIME MACHINE:
Shravan 1912: Gurusthan Padukas were installed under the neem
tree in
Shirdi.
Shravan 1914: H.H.Shri.Vasudevananda Saraswathi (Tembe Swami)
left for
His heavenly abode at Gardueshwar on the banks of river
Shravan 1941: Shri.Narayana Maharaj of Kedgaon left the mortal
coils at
the age of 56 years at
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3. FOOT STEPS OF THE HOLY FEET –10
From http://www.saidarbar.org
EXPERIENCES OF SAI.BA.NI.SA WITH SHIRDI SAI
Let me request and focus your attention to 40th chapter of Sai
Sat
charitra where in Sai during the year 1917 has promised to
Hemadri
panth
in his dream that he would visit their house on ' HOLI ' the
festival
of
colors for having lunch . This promise he fulfilled and arrived
in the
form a photograph just before their lunch time. Similar
experience
which
I have undergone is narrated under this experience to show that
Sai is
continuing to extend his humble grace even now, as he was doing
to his
devotees in the past while alive.
It was during the month of March 1996, on a Sunday morning
hours, Sai
appeared in the form of my establishment's Chief Executive and
conveyed
that he would come to my house for lunch. This message I have
duly
passed on to my wife as she has to prepare extra food for the
guest to
come. My wife although a Sai devotee was doubtful about the
possibility
of my chief's visit as we do not have family contacts with him.
However
from her side she went ahead with her preparations. My
consciousness
was
firm that some one uninvited would definitely come by lunch
time.
It was past one' o clock and none turned up and my wife unable
to
withstand hunger commenced her lunch at two' o clock. By now I
was
turning a bit shaky, but my belief was still firm that he would
come in
some form or other. My mind was oscillating like a simple
pendulum
between her nagging on one side and my belief on the other side.
In
state of helplessness I too commenced my lunch mechanically
without any
appetite for eating. At the fag end of my lunch, our door bell
gave a
ring and my joy knew no bounds to find a lower cadre employee of
our
organization and a good acquaintance of mine stepped with words
that he
has come to say a hello to me.
Normally nobody from my office have the habit of visiting me at
my
house. How come this could happen? It is only on initiation of
Sai this
could take place. The words uttered by him are more significant
to the
present context as he said that on completion of his shift
duties he
was
on his way back home and felt strong desire to see me. As the
Bus
touched our corner street he got down to see me. Now I was in a
fix
whether I should offer him lunch or not, but my wife expressed
her
opinion that it is not our tradition to offer left over food
items to a
guest as it violates the principle of ' ATHIDHIDEVOBHAVA '.
However she
came forward with a suggestion to offer him freshly prepared
snacks (a
fast food item) .He was offered a plate full and without any
hesitation
he consumed all of it. Later he had a glass of water and stepped
out
with a soft smile. The gentle smile reminded me of Sai's promise
that
he
would go to any extent to keep up his word. Of course one may
have to
undergo through trials and testing periods to be ultimately
blessed by
him.
BOW TO SAI PEACE TO ALL
To be Continued…
--------------------------------
4. SAIBANISA OFFERS PRANAMS TO
“MUKTABAI ”
Muktabai: The soul of a saintly family
Curtesy: BY MEERA S SASHITAL
The story of Muktabai is chiefly bound up with that of Jnanadev,
one of
her brothers. The other two brothers being Nivritti and Sopan.
They
were
the four children of Vitthalpant and Rukmabai Kulkarni of
Apegaon, who
lived on the banks of the river
Muktabai was the youngest child and has been regarded as the
incarnation
of Devi Saraswati or Adi-Shakti. Nivritti is regarded as the
incarnation
of Lord Shiva, Jnanadev as the incarnation of Sri Krishna, and
Sopan as
the incarnation of Brahma. Vitthalpant even from his tender age
was
very
religious minded. He left his house for
Swami Ramananda initiated him into the order of anchorites and
named
him
Chaitanyananda thinking he was unmarried. Rukmabai at Alandi
spent her
days praying to God for the return of her husband. Twelve years
later,
Ramananda was on his way Rameshwar when he happened to meet
Rukmabai at
Alandi, who told him that Chaitanyananda, was her husband.
Ramananda
returned to
return to Alandi immediately and lead his earlier householder’s
life.
Vitthalpant obeys, returns to his wife and resumes the
Grishasta’s
(householder) duty.
In due course of time four children were born to them. As
mentioned
above they were Nivritti, Jnanadev, Sopan and Muktabai.
Vitthalpant
taught his children all that was necessary for a Brahmin to know
and
they become quite learned in scriptures. But the people of
Alandi
ostracized them saying that a monk could not become a
householder
again,
and, as such the children could not be invested with the sacred
thread.
Extremely disheartened, Vitthalpant and his wife gave up their
lives by
throwing themselves into the
left as orphans and had to live on alms. Muktabai was taken
great care
by her brothers. They tried to persuade the Brahmins to invest
them
with
the sacred thread but were outrightly refused. Jnanadev
challenged the
Brahmins by making a buffalo recite the Vedas. He proved that
true
Brahmanism consisted in having a pure heart and conduct, and not
in
rituals and plain dogmas.
Jnanadev became a great scholar and wrote his famous
Jnaneshwari, an
exposition of the Bhagavad Gita in the Marathi language. He held
religious discourses and spend his time with Namdev and other
great
saints at Pandharpur during festivals. Muktabai too having
undergone
sufferings since childhood with her brothers was influenced by
her
brothers’ endurance, knowledge and philosophy. Like her
brothers, she
was also revered and honoured. By now she had attained
sainthood, and
was even initiating others into spirituality. There are many
legendary
stories related to her supernatural powers and ability as a
spiritual
guide. One of these anecdotes tells us that once Jnanadev with
his
brothers and sister had gone to the Pandharpur temple. Saint Namdev,
who
always lived there, was also sitting near the image of the
deity. He
thought he was dearer to Lord Vithoba since he was always near
Him.
Jnanadev and his brothers prostrated before the deity as also di
Namdev.
Muktabai, however, who could read the innermost thoughts of
others,
saluted the Lord but did not do so to Namdev saying ``Mere
staying in
the company of God does not make a man worthy of salute. Namdev
does
not
deserve any since he has had no spiritual guide as yet’’. A
discussion
took place and finally it was decided to go to Gora Kumbhar, the
potter,
the well known saint, to judge whether Namdev was a perfect
saint or
not.
Namdev, accordingly, goes with Jnandev and others to Gora
Kumbhar at
the
Chokamela, Savta and many other saints had assembled for a
kirtan.
Muktabai wanted to put Namdev on the right path of knowledge and
so
asked the potter, Gor Kumbhar, to test all the saints assembled
there
whether they were perfect. The potter’s test was always to tap
the pots
in order to find out if they were well baked. Gora Kumbhar taps
the
heads of all, but when he came to Namdev and tapped his head he
exclaimed ``This pot is not well baked.’’ Namdev ran to Lord
Krishna
and
narrated the whole thing. Sri Krishna told him that it was true
and
that
he was kachcha (raw), ill-baked and had not attained the highest
realization. Lord Krishna tells him to go to Kecharswami, a
disciple of
Jnanadev for initiation. Vinoba proves to Namdev that there was
not a
place devoid of God’s presence in this world. It was, therefore,
foolish
on his part to consider himself superior to other saints who
could not
be at Pandharpur. After this enlightenment of Namdev, Gora,
Muktabai
acknowledged him a great saint and Muktabai made her obeisance
to him.
Another legend tells us about Muktabai being the spiritual guide
of
Changdev Vateshwar, a yogi living on the bank of the river Tapi.
Once
Muktabai and her brothers were sitting in the Ashram when Changdev
happened to pass by. Muktabai was, of course fully clad, but she
appeared to Changdev as unclad and at once turned away. Muktabai
then
told him that he was not perfect as he still had a complex of
sex and
shame and did not see God in every being. These words of
Muktabai had
great effect on him and he eradicated this weakness through
intense
sadhana. Changdev wished to make Jnanadev his Guru, but Jnanadev
said
that Muktabai was the right spiritual Guru instead of himself.
Changdev
has made many references to Muktabai in his Abhangs. Muktabai
had the
gift of composing verses. She tells us that she was awakened to
spiritual consciousness by the grace of Nivritti. In her Abhang,
she
compares the grace of Nivritti to the bank of a river, across
which she
was able to reach by the grace of Nivritti. Many of her
preachings to
Changdev in the form of Abhangs became very famous. But her most
popular
Abhanga is the Tatiche Abhanga (The song of the Door).
What inspired Muktabai to compose the Abhang Tatiche Abhanga was
an
incident related to Jnanadev, who was once annoyed with the
people
around him and locked himself up in his hut. When Muktabai heard
this,
she composed some Abhangs advising him that it does not befit a
saint
to
be upset over follies of the world. In this Abhang she says ``An
ascetic
is pure in mind and forgives the offences of people. If the
world is
hot
as fire owing to exasperation, a sage should with pleasure be
cool as
water. If people hurt them with weapons of words, saints should
treat
those remarks as pieces of advice. This universe is a single
piece of
cloth woven with the one thread of Brahman, so please open the
door, O
Jnaneshwar.’’ Muktaba’s life was brief but she enlightened
thousands of
people by her striking personality, which helped to enhance the
greatness of her brothers too. She was struck by lightening and
reached
the abode of God when she was barely eighteen. Muktabai is
honoured to
this day and regarded as one of the pioneers of the Varakari
cult. The
couplet ``Nivritti, Jnanadev, Sopan, Muktabai, Eknath, Tukaram’’
is
still recited by the devotees of the Lord Vitthal of Pandharpur
in
their
bhajans or devotional songs.
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5. SAI IN DREAMS:
These are the dream sequences and messages as received by
SAIBANISA
from
our beloved GURU LORD SAINATH OF SHIRIDI. In Anticipation that
this
feature will help in one’s spiritual growth are hereby compiled
from
his
personal Diary and presented to SAIBANDHUS.
Translated and presented by RAGHU RAMAN SATULURY.
Dated:
The dream message for the day was - Vegetables however costly
they
might
be, need to be boiled before consumption for easy digestion. In
the
same
way irrespective of the religion, one must practice (Sadhana) to
understand and attain God.
Spiritualism is the only path to reach God.
Dated:
I was finding it difficult in translating Arthur Osborne’s Book
on Sai
and I prayed on him to see that I commit no mistakes and bless
me in
fulfilling that task. Sai visited my house in the form an
Executive of
a
big Establishment. He was dressed in full white and came in a
white
car.
He took my wife and me for a dinner in a star Hotel that we
readily
agreed to. I refused hot drinks on the ground that I left the
habit
long
ago. My wife was ordered with some soft drinks and food to eat.
For me
he ordered a drink titled Brose. The waiter got me the drink
that was
very hot. In haste I burnt my lips and I got up from my sleep.
My wife
was comfortably sleeping by my side and no body around. I
consulted my
friends and no body could throw any light on what Brose is. I
put a
test
and said to myself that if Sai’s arrival in the form of the
executive
is
correct, I should get the meaning of the word too. I opened up
the
Dictionary and found the meaning as “A simple and nutritious
food made
by pouring hot water or milk on Oatmeal”. In my mother tongue it
meant
Ganji – a poor man’s food. I was happy for the blessings given.
I went
ahead the task with renewed vigour.
Tasks undertaken for the betterment of the society are always
encouraged.
Dated:
The day passed off peacefully and I prayed Sainath to show me
the way
to
get rid of the habit of hatred. As usual the call was answered
and I
felt very happy. I was brushing my teeth in the morning. I was
not
spitting out the foam but was gulping it down. Teeth were
cleaned but
the wash to be discarded went in to my body. An unknown person
cautions
me on that and its ill effects. I got up from sleep and realized
that
Hatred is to be removed from our mind and body, otherwise it
will
percolate down and ruin us. The person further warned me adopt
an easy
path and not to fall prey to the unethical practices. Ego should
be
totally shed.
No use in washing dirty linen unless the heart is pure.
To be continued…..
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6. QUINTESSENCE OF SRI SAIBABA'S PHILOSOPHY:
(By Late Sri Bharam
UmamaheswaraRao)
"Shashi": shashi_31@yahoo.com
17. Religion
Religion perfects our
life and we live for mankind. Prophets of
humanity sacrificed their lives to safe guard this truth of get
and
give, live and love, seek and serve. Saints in all religions
loved
humanity and truth and held us their guiding light to humanity.
This is
Religion.
All religions teach us to live in truth and be the light to
serve
humans
on the way to unite with the Eternal One.
Religion is to realize our origin and goal. Gurus are many but
the
Truth
is one. Religions are many but realization is one. Paths are
many but
the goal is one. Books are many but the look is one only. The
goal of
all religions is to realize the inner look and that is the sole
outlook
of all religions to realize the unique ‘I’ and MINE.
I am AUM; Aham Brahmasmi; Tat Twam Asi. The ‘I’ in the heart’s
core is
God. You are that. He is that and everything is that.
Now in every religion, differences and divisions arise, but such
differences are but natural and inevitable in the practice of
various
religions, principles and teachings and also among different
sections.
Due to passage of time, degeneration has crept in every religion
in the
application of its principles in actual practice.
The Gita says at such times God Himself descends as an Avatar to
restore
Dharma laying stress on essentials of religious achievements. In
Hindu
dharma sastras, it is said for revitalizing practice of Dharma
by the
people, Holy men of Supreme intelligence and wisdom are born
from time
to time. Thus, the advent of Sri Sai Baba, Buddha etc, they are
such
renounced personalities born to help and destroy many
meaningless
practices that were in vogue till then and they tried to restore
the
correct principles and showed the way of putting them into
practice by
their teachings, reestablishing faith and devotion to God.
To be continued…..
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7. DEVOTEES EXPERIENCES:
"Venkateswara Rao Uppala" venkateshuppala@yahoo.com
Experience with BABA
Second Experience:
2. Two weeks back I started doing Sai Satcharitra parayana, and
during
the second day, I remembered the above incident and felt a
strong
desire
to visit this temple after completing parayana on the following
Thursday. I also felt that I should go with my close friend, Sri
VenkataRamana Garu who is also a staunch devotee of Shirdi
SaiBaba.
I called him and he readily agreed to come with me. We decided
to go on
We started at
would have taken us 3 hours plus to reach. We had a wonderful
travel
and
did not realize how the time passed. During the drive we were
discussing
so many spiritual topics and BABA's experiences. The topic came
about
chanting of Gayatri mantra and my friend told me that it need to
be
received by a GURU for effectiveness and the procedure to chant.
I used
to chant this mantra on my own few years back
but discontinued it later. So I thought, when my Guruji visits
year, I shall receive this
mantra from him. We visited Lord Venkateswara temple first,
spent few
hours there and later went to Shirdi Sai Baba's temple which is
few
miles from there.
We reached around
amazement, an american dressed in traditional yellow Pancha and
top
performing Kubera Yagna and his wife was assisting him with the
help of
Sri Panduranga Rao, who built this temple. We were standing and
looking,
when Sri Panduranga Rao requested us also to participate. Sri
American
(sorry, I do not remember his name) looked back, smiled and said
KOORCHONDI (Sit down in Telugu). We were stunned to see him
speak
Telugu. His wife arranged for a mat and he insisted that we must
sit on
the mat. We performed yagna for about half an hour. Later the
aarthi was performed by playing it on the temple's PA system.
Being a
working day there were just eight devotees plus Sri Panduranga
Rao and
the temple secretary. After the aarathi was over, the tape was
stopped,
prasadam was distributed and others left.
We were discussing with the american couple as to how they
became
devotees of Shirdi SaiBaba.
They informed us that they are from
Shridi Sai Baba temple there. Later, Sri Panduranga Rao left
with the
american couple. So we
were the only two present in the temple. I
requested Raman Garu that I would like to do meditation for five
minutes
and then we will start back. I started meditating and Ramana
garu was
sitting nearby. After few minutes into meditation, we heard
GAYATRI
mantra on the
Only once and stopped. I tried to continue my meditation and
after five
minutes, looked for Ramana Garu. He was in the adjoining room.
When I
saw him, he asked me excitedly if I too heard the Gayatri
mantra. I
said
yes. He said when he sat with me, he thought and requested BABA
to show
his presence in some or the other way. After hearing this
mantra, he
went and looked to see if anybody else was present and playing
any
tape.
He found nobody except us. The secretary also had left after
locking
the
temple office. We were so much happy and felt that BABA obliged
RamanaGaru's request and at the same time gave me the Gayatri
mantra. I
am delighted to receive this mantra from none other than our
beloved
SAIBABA. While driving back we did not know how the time passed.
Obviously we were enjoying this wonderful experience. It was
like you
are floating on the water in a pond with eyes closed and feeling
the
gentle waves and the cool air breeze touching your body, and
listening
to the occasional chirping of birds!
BABA bless US ALL,
Venkateswara Rao
------------------------------
liai05@yahoo.com
SaiRam!
I had a dream before the earthquake & tzunami (the greatest
disaster)
happened in Aceh & Meulaboh. It was
am, I was dreaming. I saw Sai Baba with orange cloth was
standing in
front of the big building, He standing right in front of the
entrance
door, and it was the only door of the building. The door was
open and
Baba standing there to let some people to get inside the
building. It
seems like Baba is the owner of the building. I saw people get
in a
hurry and Baba let them in.
At the moment I did not know what happened but people seems like
to
look
for a shelter... then.i went to the building in a hurry with
curious
and
shy. (Cause I afraid that Baba might not let me in). When I saw
Baba. I
pay homage with fold hand and said "Baba, please forgive my
fault
(mistake), forgive my wrong words to what I have done" and
Baba rise
his
hand and let me in. I was so happy that Baba let me in. Then I
woke up.
In the morning about 08.15, while combing my hair after taken
bath the
earth quake happened and the worst damage was in Aceh &
Meulaboh.
At the moment I was in my brother’s house in Pangkalan Brandan
(about
600 km from Aceh) and we did felt the great moving but thanks
GOD no
damage happend to us.
I believe Sai Baba had protected us and bless us. I feel
grateful and
more believe with Sai Baba. Even though I live so far away from
Baba,
but Baba is very kind to give me a dream.
Yanti,
------------------------------
8. SPIRITUAL GEMS FROM SAI SATCHARITRA
Venkateswaraswamy Swarna" swamysv@rediffmail.com &
swamymain@yahoo.com
Sai Ram. Let us continue with the wonderful teachings of Baba on
the important topic of Brahma Jnan. Sai Ram.
(2) Virakti or a feeling of disgust with the things of this
world and the next. Unless a man feels disgusted with the things, emoluments
and honors, which his action would bring in this world and the next, he has no
right to enter into the spiritual realm.
Sai Ram. It is known that once a little progress is made on the
spiritual path and by God's and Guru's grace, the sense of suffocation from
one's desires becomes a little less, the progress becomes slow and the sensual
desires (the same
Attachments to anything are impediments to the spiritual path.
Desires for honor, fame etc. are much more difficult to get rid of than say
desire for food.
(3) Antarmukhata (introversion). Our senses have been created by
God with a tendency to move outward and so, man always looks outside himself
and not inside. He who wants self-realization and immortal life, must turn his
gaze inwards, and look to his inner Self.
Sai Ram. The external world is supposed to reflect the inner
world. Since it is difficult to introspect and see the working of Maya, in the
beginning introspection is not easy. But with Guru's grace, the sadhaka soon
develops the skill. One should watch one's reactions (one's ego's reactions) to
external stimuli. The reactions come because the seeds of vasanas (attachments)
that are deep rooted are not easily got rid of and start sprouting, long after
a sadhaka thinks that he has overcome them. The inner Self (the ego) has
several layers acquired over a number of births and one has to start peeling
them with intense spiritual sadhana. A sense of superiority (that one has
become holier) may arise and is certainly a trick of the ego, a test to the
sadhaka. Thus Antarmukhatva is extremely important, especially since other
people, however close they may be or however they may be wishing well, cannot
tell the sadhaka his defects and sometimes, even if they tell him, his ego will
not allow
him to accept the external inputs. But however unwilling one may
be to listen to others, sooner or later, one starts listening to the inner
voice. This is the benefit of introspection.
Sai Ram. We will continue with the teachings of Baba in the next
issue. Sai Ram.
Swamy
To be Continued…….
-------------------------------------------------------
9. SAI WITH CHILDREN:
http://www.saidarbar.org/HTML/portraits/7.jpg
Smt. Madhu Gopal Ravada, Saidarbar,
Hello Children! I am Madhu aunty. Do you know Baba use to play
with
children and used to tell stories to them? I felt children
visiting
Saidarbar should be entertained with good stories. Baba told
before He
took His Maha Samadhi that He is Muralidhar and would like to
play in
Booty Wada (Samadhi Mandir) with His devotees. So far you have
enjoyed
Rama. Now I will take you through our epic Ramayan. Tell your
parents
to
read the Glory of Shirdi Sai – Bi-weekly E-magazine and narrate
Ramayan
from this magazine.
RAMA –RAVANA
Ravana was filled with unbounded fury when he came to know of
Meghanad’s
death and the deceitful manner in which he was killed. All the
princes
who had gone to the battle field were killed there. Now he had
no
alternative but to wake his sleeping brother. Kumbakarana, who
slept
for
six months in a year. Accompanied by soldiers, a large number of
drum
beaters and enormous quantities of food and wine to quench his
brother’s
hunger and thirst, Ravana reached the palace where Kumbhakarna
was
asleep. They heard the doors and windows rattling which was
caused by
Kumbhakarna’s snorings. By the beating of hundreds of drums any
how the
giant was wakened and given enormous food and wine to quench his
hunger
and thirst. Then Ravana told him of the calamity that had
befallen
them.
“How could mere mortal human beings and monkeys create so much
havoc
and
kill Meghanad?” Kumbhakarna wondered. Before going to the battle
field
Kumbhakarna promised to his brother, Ravana, that he would wipe
out all
his enemies single handed.
With his mace in his hand
Kumbhakarna marched alone to the battle
field. Terror and panic ran across Rama’s army as they saw the
mountain
like Kumbhakarna advancing towards them. He started to make
mince meat
of horde of monkeys, apes and bears. They started running in
fear. He
took hold of Sugreeva and ran towards Lanka. The jubilant demons
at
such
a complete victory followed him. But the victory was short
lived.
Sugreeva freed himself any how and ran back to Rama. Kumbhakarna
ran
towards Rama shouting that he would wipe out the entire army of
monkeys.
But Rama did not let him cause any further harm. Rama used his
divine
weapons at him which cut him to pieces and he fell dead.
Hundreds of
monkeys were crushed under the pieces of his dead body.
News of Kumbhakarna’s fate reached Ravana. He was not dismayed,
nor did
he entertain any idea of surrendering, rather he decided to meet
Rama
in
the battle field and fight to his last breath. With a huge army
Ravana
rode in his chariot with full royal splendour. Seeing the mighty
demon
king Ravana, the so called ten headed conqueror of the three
worlds,
every one was awe- struck. A fierce battle started. Both the
armies
clashed each other tooth and nail. It was no ordinary fight.
Ravana,
Rama and Lakshmana used all the divine weapons in their
possession.
When
Lakshmana broke his chariot, Ravana got into another chariot.
Now a war
of divine weapons ensued between Rama and Ravana. The invincible
Ravana
was giving Rama a tough fight. Streams of blood flowed and there
was
unimaginable destruction on both sides. No one was likely to be
defeated
neither Rama nor Ravana. Both appreciated each other’s bravery
and
warfare skills. Whenever Rama chopped off his head by his divine
weapon,
Ravana got a new head. Rama was losing his heart and he was
unable to
think a way to kill mighty Ravana. Until he killed Ravana, Rama
could
not redeem his pledge to Sita. “How?” was a big question to
Rama. The
question was answered by Vibhishana who came to Rama’s rescue.
Vibhishana told Rama of the secret of Ravana’s death. He said,
“You can
kill Ravana only by Brahmastra.”
Hearing this Rama fixed the Brahmastra, given to him by the sage
Agastya, on is bow with chanting of mantras and cast the weapon
at
Ravana. Ravana knew that vibhishana had betrayed him. The
infallible
Brahmastra did the work it was shot for and then returned to
Rama’s
quiver. Ravana fell on the ground. The mighty ten-headed demon
king
Ravana, the conqueror of the three worlds, breathed his last, in
the
dust. Loud cries of victory rented the air. Rama’s camp started
rejoicing the victory, while Lanka lamented the death of their
glorious
king. Rama ordered that Ravana be cremated with full royal
honours.
Vibhishana performed the last rites of his brother. Then, after
the
days
of mourning were over, coronation of Vibhishana took place in
Lanka
with
great pomp and show.
To be Continued……
-----------------------------------------------
10. ARTICLES FROM SAI DEVOTEES:
"Sankaraiah Dubagunta" sainama@yahoo.com
An Atheist Builds Sai Mandir
(Though this was published article in Shree Saileela 25 years
ago now
written from a different angle for the benifit of innumerable
Sai
devotees of the present day.Let us note the divine hand of Sri
Sainath).
Shri Keshav ramachandra pradhan, native of Bhivapuri road near
Mumbai
was a noted atheist from the beginning of his life. Sai Maharaja
in his
own mysterious way pulled him to Shirdi and turned into a
staunch
theist
as narrated below. He was pulled to Shirdi through his friend
who was a
regular visitor to shirdi. Pradhan also used to go officially to
Manmad,
Kopergaon for collections. Once he had agreed to accompany his
friend
to
Shirdi on condition he should not be forced to see Baba. They
rented a
room. Pradhan stayed back. At 12'0 clock
ring.
This sound had magnetic effect on Pradhan by dragging him
towards
Dwarakamai. Pradhan went into trance after stepping into the
place.
After Arati all left except pradhan. Baba called him near and
asked for
dakshina. He had an amount of rupees two thousand and five
hundred
rupees including money collected on behalf of his Parsee
employer. In
that trance he gave entire amount. He was at a loss as to do
what after
coming to normalcy from trance ...He was short of cash for going
to
sale. A tall suited gentleman who observed this not only paid
fare
but also purchased ticket for Bombay.(Dear Readers who could be
the
gentleman ?) on his return to Bhivanipuri he sent a letter to
his
employer stating he was unwell the employer replied that he
could
attend
the office later as he received double the amount. This news
made the
'atheist' in pradhan to disappear the tiny seed of devotion sown
at
Shirdi has sprouted. Pradhan prayed "Oh! Baba I am a
sinner.
So far I remained away from you and did not acceed to the
request of my
friend to come to your lotus feet but you have now favoured me
by your
grace and I am sure all my sins must have now been wiped
out." In one
of
pradhan's visits to Shirdi in 1916 Baba handing over a replica
of
himself said "Go back to Bhivapuri erect a temple and place
this
replica
there. Start all the functions there and do not come here."
(Beloved
readers this reveals that Baba had approved construction of
temple for
him. His replica is as powerful as himself and celebration of
all
functions also was approved by Baba. I feel it was the first Sai
Mandir
built during Baba's physical presence at Shirdi-If not enlighten
on
this
point reg. first Mandir with facts and figures) He did not
comply with
Baba's instructions and went to Shirdi. Baba questioned
"when I have
come to your house why have you come here? Bhivapuri is your
Shirdi
now?
(Readers! Shirdi is the place wherever Baba rests. Baba rests
where
there is full devotion. It is confirmed Baba's dictum those who
think I
am at Shirdi have not understood me). This remark of Babaji
awakened
Pradhan a temple amidst good natural surroundings was built. Not
only
Pradhan but also his guests felt the presence of Baba in the
mandir.
People heard opening of the doors at
doors at
a wide verandah and a guest house. Sai-intoxicated soul in pradhan
left
this earth in 1939 leaving the responsibilities of upkeep of
mandir to
his sons, son-in-law.
On account of heavy inflow of devotees it was planned for
further
expansion. The work was held up in the middle for want of funds.
Sri
narayana purohit resorted to the feet of Sai Baba through
parayana of
Sri Satcharita. After four days Saibaba appeared in the dream of
pradhan
and asked "Where is my dhuni? If there is no dhuni how can
this be
shirdi? How will the temple be completed?" As this dream
was repeated
Sri Purohit informed the trustees who had erected dhuni which
was
inagurated by the grand son of shri Dabholkar on
a devotee offerred to pay all the expenditure of the roof and
other
structure. (Now we learn that dhuni is a must for shirdi sai
temple
.Secondly Sri Sai satcharita parayana is a means to seek Sai's
grace
and
instructions). Readers would like to further enlighten me on
this. How
Sainath tought us universal truth.
D.Sankaraiah.
--------------------------------
11. LETTERS FROM SAIDEVOTEES:
"padma padma padma" padma_kr@rediffmail.com
Sai Ram!
Thank you for sending me “The Glory of Shirdi Sai” E-magazine.
Padma
-------------------
" Jaya katragadda" jvsjaya@yahoo.co.in
Thu,
