SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ORG.BARBADOS

Significance of Vibhuthi:
Bhagawan materializes Vibhuthi out of nothing and since it is specifically associated with Lord Shiva, it is reverentially called by devotees as Kailasa Vibhuthi. It is named Bhuthi or Vibhuthi since it burns away all sins; Bhasitam because it increases one’s spiritual splendour; Ksharam since it removes danger; and Raksha, for, it is an armour against the machinations of evil spirits. This is how the Vibhuthi is praised in the Brihad Jabala Upanishad. Bhagawan says, what I materialise is a manifestation of divinity with a potent significance as well as symbolisation. It is symbolic of the cosmic, immortal and infinite nature of all forms of God, Atma or the Spirit - that is, what is left when everything worldly, transient and changeable has burnt away. I have spoken to you of the imperative of a desireless life. After Shiva had burnt the God of desire, Kama, into a heap of ashes, he adorned himself with the ash to shine as the conqueror of desire. When Kama was destroyed, Prema reigned as the Goddess of Love. Such is the significance of ash.
In the first place, it is symbolic of the life-death cycle in which everything ultimately reduces itself to ash. "For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Ash or dust is the final condition of things. It cannot undergo any further change. In the spiritual context, it constitutes a warning to the receiver to give up desires, to burn all passions, attachment and temptations in the fires of worship which makes one pure in thought, word and deed.

SPECIAL NEWS FROM BABA ON HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY :

MARKING THE ADVENT OF THE ETERNAL BEING

Ladies' Day
World Conference
Convocation
Birthday
Other Events
WELCOMING THE NEW….
Welcoming the new by giving up the old…a fresh new blessing comes our way with the advent of New Year 2006
Year 2006 is almost at our doorstep. Much has gone by and we have strived on …primarily because our Beloved Bhagawan walks with us here on earth - cajoling, chastising, warning, guiding and engulfing us with unconditional Love - that does not seek 'pratyupakaram', anything in return!
When He is our Aadhaar (base) and has guidelines to protect and nurture us every step of our way – what more could we ask for here on this planet earth?
Let’s listen to what Bhagawan has to say about the Advent of the New Year:
”New Year must usher in a new step in spiritual discipline. The old must be rung out; the new must be rung in! How do we celebrate the New Year Day? We sweep, we clean, we remove the cobwebs, we whitewash the walls, we hang up festoons and greens, floral garlands and croton leaves; we wear new dresses, we feast on new types of dishes. For one day, we feel fresh and renovated. At this time of the year, Nature too puts on a new garb of green; every tree is gay with flowers. The green carpet on the earth is speckled with multicolored floral dots! In this festival of renewal, man alone continues with his old prejudices and tendencies, outworn habits and moth-eaten principles. Should not he too brush the cobwebs from his mind? Should he not get rid of opinions and motives, which tarnish and demean?”
Time cycles pass by relentlessly. In fact, the concept of time that is relevant to the physical creation never stops, and in its eternal run remains as a silent witness to the ‘Doer’s Act’.
Prasanthi Nilayam, the Divine Workshop, where the Healing Divine Touch of Love is offered to those who are waiting to be tuned to the Divine, has had an eventful year 2005! The mega happening being the marking of Eightieth Year of His Divine Advent which was celebrated with spectacular grandeur and majesty.
Divinise Every Moment
“If you wish to embark on a new life, you need not wait for the arrival of a new year. To wait for a whole year means waiting for twelve months and so many days, hours, minutes and seconds.
Treat every second as new. Sanctify every moment of your life. This has to be done by realizing the unity of Sath (the Divine) and Chith (the individual Consciousness). When this union is achieved, Ananda (Spiritual Bliss) is experienced. This is the primary task before everyone.
Every second should be regarded as an expression of the Divine. This New Year Day relates to the Christian Era. December and January may come and go (every year) but God neither comes nor goes.”
In Prasanthi Nilayam, festivals are not mere celebrations, but are profound testimonials of great spiritual import each festivity conveys… that in His physical presence, every day becomes a festive day and every moment turns into a moment of greater joy and heavenly bliss. Prasanthi Nilayam, is the hub of the spiritual fervor that engulfs the world and blossoms into activities beyond expected dimensions. Today across the world we can see the reverberations of this growing awareness for global philanthropic activities in the name of Truth and Righteousness.
The Year that is passing has been one of mixed fortunes. To rightly perceive this, one should remind oneself of Bhagawan’s definition of a ‘devotee’. He said, “I have My definition of the devotee I expect. Those devoted to Me have to treat joy and grief, gain and loss with equal fortitude.”
While on the one hand, every Sai devotee has the ‘Unmatched Warranty’ of His Own Priceless Assurance “Why fear when I am here”; on the other, humanity at large seemed to have been given greater trials to test its fortitude on the face of adversities propelled by natural calamities. Referring to the devastating Tsunami that stuck at the fag end of year 2004, precisely on 26th December 2004, Bhagawan said later, during the Makara Sankranthi Divine Discourse,
“Last month several people suffered untold misery and suffering on account of a Tsunami. It is only man’s evil deeds that are responsible for such a calamity. I, therefore, advise you not to indulge in wrong actions and evil deeds. It is possible that more troubles may occur during this year, compared to last year. However, we must move forward unmindful of those troubles. These are all passing clouds and you need not be perturbed by these occurrences. Be bold and courageous to face them. The calamity of Tsunami that occurred last month was in fact, man-made. It was not Divine Will at all! But, man feels that all such calamities are thrust upon man by God. Never! God always provides happiness to man. He has no anger or hatred. His nature is love. The question arises why these sorrows and difficulties in the world? Strictly speaking, happiness will not have any value without sorrow. Man cannot experience happiness without undergoing some difficulty or the other. Both happiness and sorrow are intertwined. One cannot exist without the other.”
The message is loud and clear. Bhagawan, most characteristically, with a touch of emphasis and authority exhorted in no uncertain terms that, the calamity of Tsunami that occurred was in fact, man-made and not Divine will at all!
Here is the pointer towards human ventures that often got misdirected. Human ventures that become adventures into the land of unrighteousness have largely taken the credit off humanity.
The bottom line here is that civilization of today, as a whole, has fallen short of His Divine benchmark. In an age when science has conquered bigger vistas to crash space lines and convert them into the shortest possible time frame, man seems to be lagging behind in his quest for forging his inner response to the Final Call.
Total surrender is the way to enter the mansion
“When one offers one's entire life to the Lord and sheds tears of bliss, that is all that is needed. As long as there is no such complete surrender, there will be need for doors and the like.
Why are doors erected? ...to regulate the entry and exit of persons. But, it is the irony of the present Kali or Dark Age that the door is kept open for the entry of all kinds of undesirable creatures. Man's mind is kept open for the entry of evil thoughts. The door should be barred against the inroads of egoism and acquisitive impulses. The door (of the mind) should be kept sacred. Regard the entire cosmos as the great mansion of the Supreme Lord. It has no streets or doors.
Total surrender is the way to enter the mansion. The advent of a New Year is greeted by welcoming the New Year and bidding farewell to the old one. This is the practice in the ordinary world. But it is not entirely a worldly affair.”
Man who is groping in darkness replaces compassion with his big ego, which takes him further from all that is Divine. The essential truth, which is individual transformation, is the absolute need of the hour, which will bring radical societal change engulfing the world with all that is worthy to transform it in to the world of our dreams.
Let us once again take a closer look at what Bhagawan has told us over the years – especially now on the eve of a new year:
The Real Panchaangam
Kasturi has just now read from the Panchaangam (almanac) for the New Year, Plava, the predictions of the astrologers about rainfall, the condition of the crops, the prices of articles in the markets, the rise and fall in the rates of gold and silver, the prospects of internal and external peace, the occurrence of natural calamities like floods, droughts, earthquakes, etc. But reading all this only increases your worries, your restlessness. Take things as and when they come. Do not try to peep too far into the future with the help of astrologers. They are mostly wrong, and the data you supply them are mostly unreliable.
Take care of the Panchaangams (the five-limbed almanacs) within you; that is more vital. The Panchaangams within you are the five senses; educate the mind to hold them in check---then you can have peace of mind, whatever be the rise in the market rates or the quantity of rain. Do not get panicky over what the almanac says about the combination of many planets, the Ashtagraha koota. They exaggerate the consequences; nothing much will happen; the pralaya (destruction of the Universe) is more in the frightened mind than in external nature. If you earn the anugraha (blessing) of the Lord, no graha (planet) or combination of grahas can harm you. If you learn how to secure that anugraha, you need not worry about the Panchaangam. Today, you are celebrating the arrival of a New Year with a new name, a name that you will use for the twelve coming months. But remember, it is not the year alone that is new once in 365 days.
Every day is new, every hour and minute, every second is new. Do not celebrate only the New Year Day in joy; celebrate every second in joy.
Every step towards Godhead is to be cherished
“Start from today, not that today is a New Year---there are so many New Years celebrated as such by one or the other community that every day is a new year to some one set of people---but because it is today and the matter brooks no delay, start from today a new chapter in your life, the chapter of Japam (recitation of holy name) and Dhyaanam (meditation), Japa-sahitha dhyaanam (recitation-oriented meditation) or Dhyaana-sahitha japam (meditation-oriented recitation). In the Thretha Yuga, the Name was Seethaaraama; in the Dwaapara Yuga, it was Raadheshyaama; in this Kali Yuga, it is Sarvanaama, that is to say, all Names of the Lord; you can select any one that appeals to you.
Life is like a flight of steps towards the Godhead. You have your foot on the first step when you are born; each day is a step that must be climbed; so be steady, watchful and earnest. Do not count the steps ahead or exult over the steps behind. One step at a time and that well climbed, that is enough success to be satisfied with and to give you.”
Good bye Year 2005. Yes, it is time to bid good bye to the year that is passing off. In his Eternal Quest, man, the highest of HIS creations is often posed with a challenge to conquer the concept of linear time, to join the elite 'Hall of Fame' of Eternity. Time cycles pass…relentlessly….. The concept of time that is relevant to the physical creation never stops, and in its eternal run remains as a silent witness to the 'Doer's Act'. Human all over the world are ushering into the New Year 2006 with pleasant memories of a HAPPY CHRISTMAS that has just gone by. After the mega event of the year in November, the celebration of 80th Year of His Advent, now it was the turn of commemorating the Advent of the Son of God, Lord Jesus Christ. His profound declaration over 2000 years ago, "I and my Father are One" is not just an ecclesiastical admonition anymore; rather it is a statement of reality that Bhagawan has been teaching humanity at large to understand, to imbibe the Ultimate Truth…I am That!
Let us….Let us be motivated to reach The Goal.
Time stops here!
For, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba even Time would stop! To have a glimpse… to gaze at the Most Beauteous Form of this Divine Persona, who transcends everything by His Divinity and whose Love reflects as the visible physical creation!
This was the experience of thousands of devoted hearts thronged to Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium on 23rd November, TO REJOICE, in the Eightieth Year of His Divine Advent on physical plane!
It was indeed a spectacular spiritual feast. A grand spectacle of Divine Communion, beyond the realm of time and senses. Notwithstanding the drizzle that came intermittently, devotees were euphoric for two hours each in the morning and evening. THE SIGHT OF THE LORD who was majestically seated on the specially decorated Shanti Vedika, granting coveted darshan, was a rare Birthday Special! The Lord was there for thousands of devoted hearts pining for a glimpse, in the presence of bureaucratic, sports and entertainment glitterati.
Prasanthi Nilayam had turned into a Global Town with the confluence of devotees from all over the globe! Today this bustling little town is back to normalcy with the lakhs having melted away, carrying back with them ‘hearts-ful’ of Sai Memorabilia… with a resolve to introspect…and amend to righteous ways…rightly following His Birthday Message…
“…Consider whatever work you do as God’s work. See God everywhere. I will be happy when you develop such divine feelings.”
Yes, God has promised ‘to be happy’! The only condition being that one should follow His Divine Teachings…make an effort in right earnest to put His Teachings into practice. The Lord who sang, “Love is My Form, Bliss is My Food…” has promised to be happy Himself?! Indeed it sounds strange.
Yes, it is yet another instance of His simplicity and love for His creation. He, who is the Eternal Being, limits His Self in a physical frame, acting human, to teach humanity greater lessons of spirituality.
Universality in reach, Unitary in essence, Simple in application; these are the unique features of His Divine Teachings. His reach to His devotees is purely in His Hands and completely at His Divine Will. It is for us devotees to pay heed to His Immortal Words of Wisdom so that we develop a clear perspective about our lives ahead …a life that should by all means win the best of the opportunity granted by the Greater Heaven!
The all-important question is: How best we utilize His Divine Presence? … How best do we follow His Divine Teachings? …and Do we really qualify to call ourselves Sai devotees?
Way back in 1947, Bhagawan wrote, “I have My definition of the devotee I expect. Those devoted to Me have to treat joy and grief, gain and loss with equal fortitude.” This is the definition of devotion given by our Beloved Lord. … these words of Bhagawan were aptly paraphrased by the little children at the Primary School. “Swami, give us that attitude of mind, that faith by which we can accept whatever You say and follow it up in thought, word and deed, because we feel that You have our interest uppermost in Your Heart. Give us, Swami, that attitude.”
Towards the end of His Eightieth ‘Birthday’ Divine Discourse, Bhagawan exhorted: “You may forget anything in life but not Truth and Love. Truth is Bahirvahini (manifest flux) and Love is Antarvahini (undercurrent). Both of them have to be protected and sustained. That is the duty of a human being. Bereft of Truth and Love one does not deserve to be called a human being at all!”
Bhagawan has reiterated over and over again, the need to know the purpose of life, of course, with specific guidelines. …and to follow in footsteps…He has presented us His Life Divine, which has been a saga of Practical Messages. …Now the need of the hour is …to identify the inner spark of divinity…the Spark of Divine Love…The Quintessence of everything that was…that is…and that will be!
Let us….Let us be deserving of His Timeless Love.….
23rd November 2005, 14:00 Hrs. IST Reporting from Prasanthi Nilayam
Festival of Bliss…
23rd November 2005, Prasanthi Nilayam
Finally THE DAY ushered in! Much before the Sun made its appearance in the eastern horizon, which was of course covered by cloudy weather, the chunk of Sai Fraternity from all over the globe thronged to this Spiritual Capital, occupied their position in the Hill View Stadium well in advance, to ensure a rare glimpse of the most beauteous form of the Lord walking on two feet, whose physical frame entered into the 80th Year of His sojourn on planet Earth, this day. Yes, it is eighty years now since the world of today began to see God in human form – a rare privilege that is reported to have been enjoyed by human race in the Tretha and in the Dwapara. But today’s world is certainly more fortunate than that in the earlier Yugas, for now only the Lord chose to move with His creation more freely revealing His identity occasionally making the coveted access to the Avatar of the Age possible for all with no discrimination. …and TODAY was yet another occasion to taste His greater magnanimity, greater benevolence!!! The Lord of Compassion, Lord of Love…Who is often hailed as …Love in Action…Love that Conquers…was out there...just for the happiness of His Own…His Own Reflections!!! …as was reiterated by Him over and over again, to the tune that there is no birthday festival for Him; Just for the sake of fulfilling devotees desire and fill them with joy that He goes on celebrating birthdays.
The overcast conditions and shower during the penultimate night and another bout of rains during the previous afternoon cast a pall over the last minute preparations at the main venue, Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium. But, it was indeed His sheer Grace that Willed and made it possible for the proceedings to continue unhampered, in spite of intermittent drizzle that was reluctant to stop on a day when sun was forced to take backstage under the overcast conditions.
The Lord was accorded a traditional, grand, red carpet welcome that was majestic and just, unmatched by any, by Bhagawan’s pet elephant Sai Geeta, the Veda Chanting students followed by a group of dancing students and Band squads from Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions at 7:40 a.m. IST. It was indeed a sight to see, as the whole of the stadium went agog with bursting colourful ribbon crackers as Bhagawan made His grand entry in His open car, in the backdrop of a welcome song hailing His Advent. Bhagawan went straight on to the specially decorated Shanti Vedika to occupy the Special Throne to grant His coveted Birthday Darshan. It was indeed a wonderful sight to see the Lord in His white shining robe benevolently smiling at the devoted gathering that filled every nook and corner and galleries of the Stadium. …And Sun God who could not resist his temptation anymore, pierced through the dark clouds to shine forth in brilliance as if to pay obeisance at the Divine Lotus Feet! This was the only occasion during the entire day when Sun could come out, just for two minutes! Yes, on a day when even the Gods from celestial heavens also would be watching the greatest spiritual carnival on planet Earth, it felt as if every element of nature would also want to make it’s presence felt. Yes, it was to be…God on Earth richly ‘deserves’ it, beyond doubt!
Soon the stage, which was specially erected at the western end was taken over by a group of dancers who were dancing to the tune of a welcome song which was followed by Telugu film star Sai Kumar who was compering the show in Telugu paying glowing tributes eulogizing the Lord on the 80th Year of His Advent on planet earth. Soon after, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, an ardent devotee of Bhagawan for the last three decades took over the mike to pay His obeisance on his behalf as well as on behalf of all others assembled at the Stadium. Simultaneously, there was a procession of devotees from different continents, with diverse cultures united with one single thread of Love for Bhagawan, moving on to the front of the dais, paying obeisance at His Lotus Feet in their traditional style. Sri Gavaskar who compered the show in English introduced Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Rifle Shooter from India and Silver Medalist at the 2004 version of Olympics in Athens, followed by some members of current Indian Cricket Team, namely, V.V.S. Laxman, Murali Karthik, R. P. Singh, J.P.Yadav, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Sreeshant and Sachin Tendulkar. Then, Sri Sunil Gavaskar invited Col. Rajyavardhan Singh to hoist the Global Peace Insignia for the well being of humanity. Maj. Rathore after receiving blessings from Bhagawan took the Insignia out of Shanti Vedika went on to the specially erected stage to show the same to the mammoth gathering before hoisting at the high end near Hanuman Statue. …And then scrolled down the message on the western slope: “May there be Peace, Unity and Love in the World”. Sachin Tendulkar in his tribute to Bhagawan expressed his happiness on behalf of cricket fraternity presented, as they were extremely honoured to be in His Divine Presence on the auspicious occasion. He prayed on behalf of the entire cricket team members to bless them and stay with them forever.
The first speaker for the session was Sri Indulal Shah, formerly World Chairman of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, and currently Advisor to the Prasanthi Council, the overseeing body for Sri Sathya Sai Organisations - Overseas. Mr. Shah while offering his prayerful salutations at His Lotus Feet mentioned that he has been under the Divine Grace and Protection for the past forty years under whose Guidance he could see the birth and growth of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations. Bhagawan’s Message of Love is beyond countries, culture, religion and race and it is time for all of us to blend into Brotherhood of Mankind, added Mr. Shah.
Dr. Michael Goldstein, Chairman, Prasanthi Council, the overseeing body for Sri Sathya Sai Organisations - Overseas in his exhilarating speech highlighted that the era of peace is here for us to experience. Bhagawan is fathomless, never ending Divine Love and we have the golden fortune to be here on this day of age when God walks on Earth. Talking about the Divine Mystery of Bhagawan, he said that he had the temerity to ask Bhagawan to bless him to see the world through His eyes for which Bhagawan replied that if he was allowed to see through His eyes, he would not want his family, his wealth, his body or anything in life. At the end of his speech, Dr. Goldstein prayed to Bhagawan to bless the huge concourse of devotees with His Divine Benedictory Message.
Bhagawan in His Divine discourse highlighted the importance of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti and Prema in one’s daily conduct. These seminal values should permeate one’s conduct from dawn to dusk. Man is not ‘Manava’ if he does not help fellow humans in distress. Referring to people who involve themselves in social work, He said that people instead of doing social work do ‘show’ work. Realisation of one’s innate divinity is one’s goal of life. But, unfortunately man today craves for the ‘deep wine’ of worldly pleasures instead of pursuing the path of self-realisation. Bhagawan asked people to emulate His ideal of selfless love and service for humanity. In all His Divine discourses He invariably speaks on the values of Truth and Love. The quintessence of His teachings is Truth and Love. He expressed His joy at the vast concourse of humanity that thronged the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium and blessed them to enjoy long, peaceful and happy life. People would derive real ananda by practising His teachings, emphasised Bhagawan.
Dignitaries attended the function include His Excellency the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Sushil Kumar Shinde, His Excellency the Governor of Karnataka, Sri T.N.Chaturvedi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Hon’ble Finance Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Rosaiah, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and Sugar, Andhra Pradesh, Smt. J. Geeta Reddy, Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri N. Chandra Babu Naidu alongwith many other Government officials. After His Divine Discourse Bhagawan personally distributed prasadam to the members of Indian Cricket Team presented for the occasion before leaving the Hill View Stadium.