"Spirituality is not an external exercise. Keeping a target of chanting the name of God a certain number of times, can only lead to a quantitative exercise or a ritual; it may not be spiritual. What is more important is internal purity or Chitta shuddhi. Filling one’s head with pride of being aware of all the scriptures, or being a scholar in the exposition of the Vedas does not lead one to God. What God loves is internal purity."
-Baba
With the Blessings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, we are delighted to present our Fifty Sixth issue of Ananda Vahini. The weekly newsletter includes interesting musings and short excerpts from the week's events.
In this issue, we bring you a report on the glorious Christmas celebrations between December 23 and 26, 2016 and a short video on the special 'Christmas Nagar Sankeerthan' which was held on Christmas morning.
In this week's INNER VIEW, Brother Madhusudan Naidu shares yet another interesting moment between a devotee and the Lord.
- Sathya Sai Grama Communications Team
INNER VIEW
-By Sri Madhusudan Naidu
On Christmas evening (December 25, 2016) Swami released the third volume of 'Love Beyond Boundaries', the divine travelogue authored by Sister Bhuvana that chronicles the divine adventures of the 'Globe Trotting God' who has blessed more than 25 countries in two years.
Swami noticed the cover page that had the map of the world with stars, indicating the countries that were blessed by His visits and commented to her, "Oh! So these stars are My footprints on the globe. Isn't it why there are so many stars in the sky for I am everywhere? There is no place where I am not there!"
What seemed like a casual comment contained the profoundest truth proclaimed by Lord Krishna in the celestial song of Bhagawad Gita, which declares,
"His hands and feet are everywhere, so are His eyes and face. He hears everything in all directions and in this way the Supreme one exists."
I was still to recover from the rediscovery of His supreme Godhood as I heard Him speak these words, when the very next moment He brought me down to earth and started distributing the books freely to the gents devotees. And as He moved towards the ladies side with no more books left to give, He said with a chuckle, "Oh if I go on distributing these books freely to all, Bhuvana will be angry with Me. So you all better go and buy from the bookstore. I was just doing a bit of marketing on the gents side you see!"
This play of Daiva Prajna (Divine consciousness) and Jeeva Prajna (Individual consciousness) that coexists in Him and changes within moments, is the most baffling aspect of His personality which never ceases to amuse me. Don't you agree?
Special New Year Satsang at 10am on Sunday, January 01, 2017. Watch the LIVE web streaming on www.saivrinda.org
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
DECEMBER 24, 2016- EVENING SESSION
Christmas Eve Just As it Should be: With Joy and Splendour
The decked hall decorated in lights and colourful tinsel, the anticipation of seeing Santa on his reindeer – all of these announced that Christmas was just an evening away. At Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli too, the spirit of Christmas was fervently visible as devotees of all faiths and backgrounds converged from various nations to celebrate with their beloved Lord. As is customary with Christmas, there was music in the air and all the buildings stood tall bedecked with strings of light reflecting love to one and all around.
Devotees were seated in the Sri Sathya Sai Premamrutham auditorium which was adorned with special Christmas decorations, awaiting their Lord. Bhagawan arrived at the venue at about 6.30 p.m. and was received with the ceremonial Poorna Kumbam and Vedic procession by the students. Melodious Bhajans were also being rendered.
Once Bhagawan was seated, the evening programme commenced with a choir presentation by devotees from Croatia, Slovenia and Macedonia. The group rendered a couple of Christmas carols along with Croatian songs on Bhagawan. The choir was led by Ms Uma Devi, a professional musician from Croatia who also played the keyboard. There were twenty-five men and women vocalists supported by others on the acoustic and bass guitars and percussions. After their performance, the entire group was blessed by Bhagawan with tokens of His love.
The second programme for the evening was a musical presentation by a devoted couple from Argentina. Charlie Perez Lean, an architect by profession and his wife Ali Poulsen have been active members of the Sai Centre....
Idols of Mother Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus installed at Sri Sathya Sai Premamrutham auditorium
Choir presentation by devotees from Croatia, Slovenia and Macedonia
A musical presentation by Charlie Perez Leana and his wife Ali Poulsen from Argentina
Christmas Candlelight Nagar Sankeertan by Students and Devotees - December 25, 2016
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
DECEMBER 25, 2016 - MORNING SESSION
Santa, Brass Band, Jingle Bells, They Say it All: Love is His form
'It’s Christmas', said the chill in the air, the kindred spirit that all share, the joyous giggle on every face and warmth of every embrace! Mirth and celebration marked the Christmas celebrations at Muddenahalli as Swami arrived at the Sri Sathya Sai Premamrutham at about 10 a.m. greeted by devotees and students who were seated. The entire hall and stage were decorated with beautiful balloons, holly and other typical Christmas décor. Two Christmas trees that were bedecked with lights, stars, gifts, snowflakes and colourful balls adorned either sides of the grand stage.
Bhagawan was welcomed into the hall with the ceremonial Poorna Kumbam and Vedic chants by the students of the Sri Sathya Sai Prashanthi Niketanam, Chikkaballapur campus. As Bhagawan entered the hall, Christmas carols and songs were rendered by students – both boys and girls. As Swami walked down the aisles blessing all those who had gathered there, He accepted letters from some, spoke to some others and went around distributing chocolates to all, showering His love on everybody.
Once Bhagawan was seated, the morning’s programme began with a presentation by Sai’s Angels – the brass band of Muddenahalli. They began their presentation with a couple of carols such as the First Noel, Gloria and Silent Night. They also rendered popular pieces like the theme music from Mission Impossible and the Bhajan Govinda Krishna Jai during which there were solo performances as interludes by students playing on flute, trombone, clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, tuba and the euphonium.
They ended with a jazz version of Swami’s all time favourite – Love is my Form to a thunderous applause from the audience. They were ably supported by their musician-coach Mr Dimitris Lambrianos on the piano. After the performance, Bhagawan blessed all the students with tokens of His love and appreciation.
The second musical presentation for the morning was by the devotees of Singapore. They....
Premamrutham auditorium all set for Christmas Celebrations
Bhagawan blessing the Christmas Cake
Scintillating musical presentation by Sai’s Angels – the brass band of Muddenahalli
Delightful rendition of Christmas carols and songs on Swami’s love and grace, by the devotees from Singapore
Santa Claus enters Premamrutham on a specially designed sleigh pulled by students dressed as reindeers
Santa distributing choclates to everyone
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
DECEMBER 25, 2016 - EVENING SESSION
Musical Evening Marking the Oneness of Christ and Sai
The evening session of the joyous Christmas day began at around 5 p.m. when Bhagawan arrived at the Sri Sathya Sai Premamrutham auditorium. He was welcomed with the ceremonial Poorna Kumbam and Vedic chants by students.
Once Bhagawan ascended the dais, the programme began with a couple of talks that preceded Bhagawan’s divine discourse.
The first speaker for the evening was Ms Maria Buffa, a long standing devotee of Swami from Italy. Ever since she had Swami’s Darshan at Prasanthi Nilayam, she has been actively taking part in Sai Seva activities in Italy. She began her talk by describing how values and spiritual upbringing by her family helped her to stay strong during the hard times she faced in the course of her life. She then recounted how the mere Darshan of Swami transformed her life, and how Swami helped her to understand her own religion of Christianity and the message of Jesus. She concluded her talk thanking Swami for bringing her to Him, at Puttaparthi and now to Muddenahalli; for never judging her and instead teaching and supporting her always, and finally praying that she remains in His service always.
The second speaker was Mr Ampilio Velada, another long standing devotee of Bhagawan who was responsible in setting up the western canteen at Prasanthi Nilayam, Brindavan and also now at Muddenahalli. Speaking on Christ’s teaching....
Mr Ampilio Velada, devotee from Italy addressing the audience about Christ’s teaching on forgiveness
Musical rendition by International Choir 'Sai Love and Joy'
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
DECEMBER 26, 2016 - EVENING SESSION
From Russia and Spain With Love: Christmas Celebrations Continue
'It is still the season and so the festivities will continue till the last song is sung and every bit of the cake is eaten.' The festival of music and joy continued for the third day as part of the Christmas celebrations 2016 here at Muddenahalli.
Bhagawan arrived at the venue at 6:45 p.m. and was welcomed into the Sri Sathya Sai Premamrutham auditorium with the ceremonial Poorna Kumbham and Vedic procession by the students. Melodious Bhajans were also being rendered as He blessed and spoke to devotees.
Once Bhagawan was seated, the evening’s programme began with a choir presentation by devotees from Spain. Hailing from different parts of Spain, they sang a couple of Christmas carols and Bhajans in Spanish. The singers were accompanied by various artists on the guitars and percussion. Although the songs were rendered in Spanish, one could tell of their overwhelming devotion for Swami from the palpable energy, that filled the hall.
Next to perform was the choir group from Russia and other Russian speaking countries of Kazakhstan, Lithuania and Belarus. Together, they offered a garland of Russian songs, on the oneness of humanity and the beauty of God’s love. The choir....
Choir presentation of Christmas carols and Bhajans in Spanish by devotees from Spain
Choir presentation by devotees from Russia, Kazakhstan, Lithuania and Belarus
Mr Cass Smith from the United States of America offering the evergreen song 'I keep feeling Your Love in Me'
Ms Anandra George from USA performing at the Divine Lotus Feet
Musical offering to the Lord by Miss Deidre from the Bundjalung community of Australia
Ms Yani Mills, a singer, performer, choir director from Australia presenting a Jewish song Chai (pronounced Khai), which talks about life and being alive.
DIVINE BOOKLETS
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has been travelling all over the world in the Subtle to keep His promise of visiting the countries. Below is the link to the Google Drive library of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s divine visits overseas.
If you would like to subscribe to receive the new Booklets of Bhagawan’s overseas travels in 2016, as soon as they are available, kindly email bhagawanspeaksglobal@gmail.com.
And as Swami continues travelling in 2016 and beyond, and new Booklets are created, they will be added to the Google Drive Library.
SUMMARY OF DIVINE DISCOURSE
DECEMBER 22, 2016
Life is a journey from ignorance to Divine experiential knowledge
The one who gives up ego becomes dear to all. The one who gives up anger, does not repent and is at peace. The one who gives up desires attains the highest. The one who gives up greed becomes happy. In this game of life, there are six members in the opposite team. Kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada, matsarya – Arishadvarga is the name of the team. There is a leader for this team also. The way this leader, ego, directs, the team follows. This ego tells them how they must come in your way and stop you from achieving your goal. If you escape the attack of the Kama or desires, Krodha comes in your way. If you are somehow are able to dodge both Kama and Krodha, Lobha and Moha cause obstacles. And if somehow you are able to navigate through these four and are able to proceed further, Mada Matsarya will not let you move any forward. The ego arises mainly from ignorance. You may think that Ajnana or ignorance may be removed by Vijnana or the knowledge of these subjects. But the truth is that the more the head is filled with all kinds of knowledge, the more powerful ego becomes. Therefore, this ego is not something that can be removed or killed with the help of subject knowledge or knowledge of worldly matters. Ajnana, which is the root cause of ego and all other enemies can be removed only by Sujnana or good knowledge.
What is Sujnana? Considering oneself as Divine is Sujnana; it is the removal of the ignorance that one is just this body-mind complex. The moment this ignorance that ‘I am just the body – a conglomerate....
Message of Christmas: Journey from 'I am Baba’s Devotee' to 'I am Baba’s Son' to 'Baba and I are One'.
Religions are many, but the path to God is one. Beings are many, but breath is one. Philosophies are many, but God is one. Though Jesus gave up His body, we have faith that He is always with us and we lead our lives basis that faith. He only gave the message of His heart to the whole of mankind. He did not have the intention to establish a religion or a caste or a creed. He went on showing the right path. But, today we have forgotten the very essence of His teachings and are facing many difficulties because of subjecting ourselves to narrow-mindedness. People are not practising what He really taught. They have divided themselves into many groups and are fighting among themselves. They have gotten fragmented. Why? This is because they forgot the real message of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ said at all times: My dear son! All are one. Be alike to everyone.
For human beings who are filled with ego and attachment, they can never see God. Where there is narrow-mindedness of ‘I’ and ‘mine’, the broad-mindedness of Divinity will not be there. For the broad-minded people, the whole world is their family. What did He really teach? He said “Everybody belongs to us. Everyone belongs to us. Love thy neighbour as thyself. Don’t keep any sense of differences among yourselves.” An individual is part and parcel of society. The society is a part and parcel of God’s creation. And creation is part and parcel of God. They are one and the same. Because of the existence of the body and body consciousness, we think ‘I have a body. I have a form, I have a name and I have a family.’ Such a thought is prevalent....
Sanathana Vani is a platform to invite, associate, speak, listen, contemplate, seek, practise and realise the truth, taught by all the great beings that ever walked the face of our planet.
A new show 'My Lord and I’has been launched, which is a series of stimulating conversations, cutting across boundaries and barriers. Sweet stories of the Lord and His devotees from different walks of life, which are refreshing, inspiring and scintillating will be On Air every week. These will be a beautiful amalgamation of an individual’s journey from 'I' to 'We' to 'He'.
Come, let’s listen, contemplate and bask in the divine bliss of the Voice Eternal, every Thursday at 1500 hrs IST and repeat at 2200 hrs IST. This week our guest on show is Sri Anandan Sivamani, a well known and a popular percussionist in India,sharing his experiences with his Lord.
A repeat broadcast of the interview with Sri G V Prabhakar Rao (Part III), will be aired on Monday, January 2, 2017 at 0900 hrs IST and 1900 hrs IST.
Subscribe to 'Amruta Vahini', the monthly magazine from Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli today! From Divine Discourses to event updates, from photo features to travelogues, from book excerpts to news updates, 'Amruta Vahini' is a must-have monthly magazine!
Amruta Vahini also features the series, 'Sri Sathya Sai Divya Anandam', the continuing biography of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in the subtle form, by Sri B N Narasimha Murthy.
To subscribe to 'Amruta Vahini' mail us at commsmdh@gmail.com
We will be happy to assist you with the subscription formalities, and deliver to your home or office!
Tune in to Sanathana Vani every Thursday (IST 5:30pm), Sunday (IST 6pm), and during festivals, to listen to the LIVE satsang, streamed directly from Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli.
