On the 27th April 2011, after what was called, the most disheartening episode, having watched the physical frame being interned in the Sanctum Sanctorum in Prasanthi Nilayam, we had a report published on this very website, that read as below:

Puttaparthi that sung lullabies to infant Sathya, that fondled and nurtured Little Sathya to Sri Sathya Sai and that received the abundance of His love and care over and over again during the past eight-and-a-half-decade finally earned a day to grieve, though the day would be marked in the annals of Divine History as the most significant one when the Supreme Avatar of all time, all yugas, was ‘laid to rest’. …This is definitely not of ‘her’ (Puttaparthi) choice, but as fate would have it, a grieving Puttaparthi had to accept this ‘present’ as well, as she has been over the past eight-and-a-half-decade in abundance, receving His Love Infinite.  

It was a Divine Script that was written by Him alone and executed in His own inimitable fashion. For all the glory, happiness and bliss that she has received over and over again, when the final moment arrived, to bid farewell to the Soul of entire creation and beyond, she grieved and so were millions upon millions around the world. Bhagawan Who had ‘left’ His mortal coil on the 24th April 2011 was ‘laid to rest’ in Sai Kulwant Hall this morning in the presence of a massive assemblage of devotees, also attended by a host of political luminaries. (end of the report)

Back to the same day, 24th April, after nine long years, today, the world of Sai fraternity is commemorating ‘Sathya Sai Aradhana Mahotsavam’ in a different fashion. Amid an almost world-wide lockdown owing to the pandemic coronavirus, today when the fraternity of Sai devotees is focusing on the Antaranga Sai, the Inner Sai, it is wise to give a thought on the most mysterious, yet most profound of the Divine drama staged by Bhagawan during March – April 2011. By staging this drama of hospitalisation and subsequent physical exit, Bhagawan had then demonstrated to the world around the most selfless lesson of ‘transcending from the finite to the infinite’ attaching nothing to the temporal physical frame. From the finite to Infinite, from akara, sakara to nirakara… Bhagawan had it in a practical demonstration, telling the world around in full and unambiguous terms of The True Truth of His ‘Avataric’ existence. Did He really stop there… then, did His voice stop forever from then for the world of devotees? No… No… Never! He was as vocal as He was, as active as He was… for He Is… ever in the Now, Nithyanoothanam!!! Ever Fresh In The Now!!!

The world around devotees have been experiencing His Presence in myriad fashion, helping themselves in conscious evolution. Today, back to the same day of 24th April, what do we have to offer for our Aradhya Sai? Every single devotee has his or her level of conscious evolution and thus the choicest path. Bhagawan had once mentioned to a devotee that He Is so close to the devotee that there is no room or place for a path in between . What does it indicate? It shows a pointer to the True Truth that He Is. The Beingness, The Consciousness, The Existence of each one of us.

Knowing this Truth in essence, today in the Now, while feasting ourselves in a commemorative mood celebrating the Aradhana Within, Soulful Aradhana To Araadhya Sai, let us give Him our Ultimate Pledge, The Pledge that is leaving no trace of our egotistic existence. Let’s today offer our twin demons of our egotistic existence,  Ahamkaram and Mamakaram, the two devils of ‘me’ and ‘mine’, offering unto him our 13 vices or inner foes as mentioned in the ancient scriptures, along with the last traces of three virtues of Iccha, Bhakti and Shraddha to nullify our complete existence, leaving ourselves completely unto Him, in total, absolute surrender.

Did  He not remind us time and again that He Is The Indweller in each one of us? If it is so, then where is the question of our ‘mundane’ existence, the existence of the devilish, demonic ego, when He Is The very base of our existence?

Two thousand years after the proclaimed Son Of The Lord, Lord Jesus The Christ, today, let’s affirm with complete dedication and surrender to Him that, “i am not, You Alone Sai, SadhGuru Sai Alone!”

This act of surrender is the Best Act Of Gratitude, Gratitude For The Master Supreme, Who had 95 years ago descended only to help lift each one of us to the same status, unto Him, Him Alone!

Let this be the intense affirmation on this day, for our Beloved Sai as the ChidagniKunda, The Infinite Power-Packed Consciousness Within, as He Is ever waiting with arms wide open, for that infinitely priceless Eternal Embrace, The Embrace Of Oneness Unto SadhGuru Sri Sathya Sai!

Are We Ready, Are We Ready To Shun our egotistic existence with this Best Act Of Gratitude? This should be the question we should introspectively ask ourselves, on this very Day. 

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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To All my brothers and Sisters of the Sai Family,

Sai Ram to all of you!

We are indeed going through very difficult times which are unprecedented. Our only solace and strength is the power of Swami within each one of us. We all realise that He indeed resides in the hearts of each one of us. We are on the anvil of the Aradhana Diwas and our hearts are yearning to be at Prasanthi Nilayam and unfortunately we cannot do so this year. I am sure we are not helpless as Swami always told us that the true reflection of the beautiful Prashanthi Nilayam is also in the hearts of each one of us. Let us all be there at Prasanthi Nilayam in spirit.

It is therefore a great opportunity to observe the Aradhana Diwas in the Sanctum Santorum of our hearts in the company of our entire family at home. Let’s all do so on the 24th of April, 2020 in all our homes.

Let us bring in the routine of Prasanthi Nilayam in the Prasanthi Nilayam of our hearts.

Let’s start the day with Omkaram and Suprabhatam at home with all family members.

Let’s then follow it up with our personal prayer and meditation routine and the reading of some Vahini with all members present as a family study circle. Thereafter offer our family Bhajans to Swami for at least 30 mins. Fill the day with sharing and caring with the family members. If possible let’s start the routine of “Narayan Seva” by trying to feed at least one person, maybe the watchman or the service provider or the sanitation worker or the local policeman on duty by strictly following all precautions. We have all realised during this lockdown that we can live with so much less needs. Let us thank Swami for the divine message of “Ceiling on desires” and resolve as a family that even after the lockdown we will put into practice the message of ceiling on desires as a whole family.

The evening can be once again packed with a family Bhajan, Japa and Dhyana. Let’s pray and offer all our meals to Swami.

The night can end with a Japa of Sai Gayatri and self audit. The day marks the end of the month of Giving and Forgiving.

Let us call all our near and dear ones whom we may have hurt in some way or the other and thank our parents who may be there with us or far away and if they are no more let’s thank them any way for the wonderful birth given to us.

Let all collectively do this through the length and breadth of India to truly commemorate Aradhana Diwas. I am sure Swami will be happy and accept our Aradhana at His Lotus Feet.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

She once asked me with all-motherly concern and virtuous wisdom, and with all-out love for her ‘Beloved Mother Sai’… reposing faith in His pronouncements…, ‘have you ever understood the purport of the Mantra, Samastha Lokah…, that Bhagawan modified and given to us.’ Until that moment, it was yet another happening in His Presence, worthy of announcing to the world, though I was very much personally seated in The Mighty Presence, watching the transition. …And ever-since this ‘motherly nod’, it has been a different journey for me, understanding the purport in letter and spirit. 

The day was Sunday, 31 August 2008… the venue was Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai’s sacrosanct Prasanthi Nilayam, to be precise, hallowed Bhajan Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam. The congregation was that of 150 odd ‘former students’ of ‘Bhagawan’ employed at various Sri Sathya Sai institutions, in Prasanthi Nilayam – Puttaparthi, Brindavan, Muddenahalli, etc. … and The Host Was the ‘Infinitely Divine’, The Lord Supreme, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai.

That blessed afternoon inside the Bhajan Hall, The Lord Supreme moved amongst them,  attending ‘everyone’, glancing, smiling, speaking, chiding, …granting HimSelf out and out. As the session was coming to a grand-closure, He ‘gathered’ HimSelf in the center stage for a ‘talk’, flanked by the entire lot like a swarm of bees on a honeycomb. In His inimitable style, He started revealing something infinitely profound, a would-be-revision of the Maha Mantra, ‘Lokah Samastha… ’ that comes from the Vedic lore.

Thus Spake Sai then: “At the end of the bhajans, you are chanting ‘Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu’. It is great and expansive.  As you chant this, you are thinking of only this world, in which you are living in, implying an individual feeling. This is not correct. It is ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’, which is an expansive, all-encompassing feeling, covering all the worlds.” Saying so, He asked His ‘swarm of bees’ to intone after Him the revised format…and thus, for the first time in ‘His Story’ and in the history of His creation, the new Maha Mantra reverberated … ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’.

Perplexed and having no clue, the world outside the ‘hall’ was caught unaware of, listening to the booming echo from The Ultimate Presence. Further, Bhagawan asked the ‘boys’ to commence the official chanting from the next ‘holy’ Thursday, 4th September! ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’ is the elixir for all, all that needs to be set right, at all levels, in all the worlds… truly, the ‘Elixir Divine’ for His creation at large.

Why ‘Samastha Lokah…?’ and what is Its added significance?? …and why this transition from ‘Lokah Samastha…‘ into ‘Samastha Lokah…’??? What, Why and many a question can be raised by many minds that dwell in doubts and resort to arguments, but the very fact that the Maha Mantra was borne of The Lord Supreme, in His natural flow sans any pretense, negates all arguments, simply surrendering to His Will Supreme. Does not The Mother know the need of Her child?

If the Maha Mantra was introduced by Bhagawan with His Divine Sankalpa (resolve) of Cosmic, all-embracing expansion, Samastha Lokah… does cover anything and everything, most unconditionally, rightfully endorsing the legacy of Sri Sathya Sai, that being Love… all-embracing Love…Unconditional Love… Love That Conquers… simply L-O-V-E!!!

“Samastha Lokah…” is undoubtedly the One-off Universal Maha Mantra that claims credit to Its being from Bhagawan in His physical form. Most of the other Mantras claim their origin from the Vedic time, perceived internally by great and elevated souls. …And such a Maha Mantra that claims its origin from the Divine Resolve Of the Supreme-Most Avatar, One Who Is hailed as Sarvadevathaatheetha Swarupa, (The Divine Form beyond all other forms) must be power-packed with Intention Of That WholeSome Divinity – The Supreme Resolve.

What could be this power-packed intention from human perception? The Supreme Lord, from Whose Resolve sprang out this vast creation that includes human beings, made humans, the highest of beings concerning conscious expansion, in His own image… and thus, does want humans to rise to His level of vastness… expansion… becoming That… by Becoming and thus Be, His True Self, Embodiment of Love.  This is clear from His ‘own’ words, wherein He spelled out God’s single-most desire in no uncertain terms….

Concluding His Dasara Divine discourse in 2009, Bhagawan spoke thus:

“God illumines the entire universe as the Atma Tatwa (Innate Divine Principle) immanent in all the living beings and objects. Even though God may appear to be involved in so many activities in the world, it is verily for the pleasure of His devotees. He has no desire of His own. He has only one desire – Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu!”

This Mantra stands as the Mantra beyond all other Mantras… as it is completely selfless and cosmically vast… Pointing to His physical body, He said once that, He Is ‘top-to-toe’ selfless. Indeed, it can be rightly perceived that this Supreme Lord, Who created man in His own image, does ‘desire’ man to be unmade and remade as His own, reflecting The Truth beyond all truths, The Essential Sai Para Brahmam.

At a time when Kali is raging to its peak, The Supreme Godhood introduced this Maha Mantra as the panacea for all universal and cosmic maladies. Bhagawan, Who Is verily The Pulse of time, delivered it to the humans at the right time, for him to use it most effectively.

Anyone who tries this Mantra with an innate feeling of Love is sure to experience EXPANSION soon… and thus entitled to ‘Become and Be’, becoming One With Him… The Master Supreme! Sri Sathya Sai – The ‘True’ SadhGuru!!!

Can we hear The Divine Whisper: “Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu”!!!

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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Vedahametam purusham mahantam
adityavarnam tamasah parastat
tamevam vidvan amrita iha bhavati
nanyah pantha vidyate’yanaya

Thus, declare the sacred verses of the Purusha Suktham, the purport being:

“I have known that great Purusha, the Supreme Being, Who Is brilliant like the Sun and Who transcends and Is beyond all darkness. One Who knows Him thus becomes immortal here. There is no other path for liberation than this.”

If Atmic Knowledge is what man pursues as his Ultimate-Goal, beyond his most subtle instincts, then the Vedas are the bedrock of this Atma Vidya and thus man’s best and most reliable ally.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai, Who in no uncertain terms made it clear by way of subtle hints that His Is The Most Unique – One Off – Avataric Phenomenon, has chosen the ‘Renaissance Of The Vedas’ as a premier objective of His mission, declaring: “The arrival of the Lord is anxiously awaited by saints and sages. Sadhus prayed and I have come. My main tasks are fostering of the Vedas and fostering of the devotees…”

Where fostering of the Vedas finds a direct connotation with fostering of the devotees, the Avatar, Whose descend is to primarily help man ascend to his true nature, aims at ‘achieving His Mission’ by reviving the waning ancient treasure of the Vedas to its pristine glory.

“The Vedas seek to promote good thoughts, eliminate ideas of evil, and help mankind lead the good life. Hence they have to be cherished and fostered,” proclaims Bhagawan. It certainly is the right antidote for human malady of modern days.

Bhagawan continues: If the injunctions given in the Vedas and Shastras are followed by mankind, they will be freed from affliction. Most of our troubles have arisen because we have forgotten the Vedas. The Vedic sages had carried out spiritual explorations on the basis of the Vedas. Because their findings were made known in Bharat, it cannot be said that the Vedas are not to be found anywhere else. The Vedas encompass the whole world and are immanent everywhere.

If one closely observes the evolution of Bhagawan’s mission ever since its epochal declaration, it is quite clear that, Bhagawan had long ago resolved to forge ahead with His mission in a ‘Divinely’ strategic manner, steadily engulfing the world with Vedic intonations, not by force but by inculcating awareness of Its sheer absolute significance.

First thing He did towards ‘achieving’ this end was establishing a ‘Veda Patashala’, decades ago, training blossoming minds into the greater efficacies of Vedic learning. Later, when Bhagawan established His educational institutions, Vedic learning became an essential part of the curriculum, as a mandatory co-curricular activity.

…And the grand ‘cosmically effective’ Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yajnam that commenced late in the early part of the sixties, in the very Physical Presence Of The Veda Purusha HimSelf in the form of Sri Sathya Sai??? …and the allied Prasanthi Vidhwan MahaSabha, ensemble of the learned, deliberating on the ‘holy’ in the immediate Holiest Presence! Rightful initiative from the Cosmic Divine towards fixing the maladies of the world and the worldly, through His already promulgated Divine Task of Vedic Renaissance!

As a customary practice, every festival and function in the Divine Presence begins with invocatory Vedic chants. As the next ‘calculative’ step, starting from the year 2003, Prasanthi started reverberating with Vedic ‘Darshan’ chants, per day, per session, accompanying ‘The Beauty Beyond Compare’ – Sri Sathya Sai Darshan.

As is His Divine Sankalpa, the right fillip came yet again, when, on September 8, 2008, Bhagawan gave the Divine directive that everyone should learn and chant the Sri Rudram, in the run up to the 83^rd Birthday, supposedly the year of Sahasra Poornacha Chandra Darshan of the Avatar. As per His Divine command, as three of His students commenced chanting the Rudram in stages on the microphone, the rest of the assembly of students and devotees repeated after them twice, thereby proceeding to learn it systematically, under His immediate Divine guidance and supervision, an exercise that stretched from 9th to 27th September 2008. Often times, Bhagawan would be seated on the dais watching the session in progress.

Imbibing inspiration from this Divine directive, devotees, irrespective of barriers whatsoever, have taken to this learning most religiously, thus demonstrating the universal relevance and appeal of the Vedas. Indeed, the Vedas cannot be limited to any particular denomination of humanity; it is a Divine Gift, verily the Breath Of God, a legacy to which every human being is a rightful heir.

The grand legacy is on, as Prasanthi Nilayam witnesses the miracle of this Vedic transformation as a daily experience….and the Sai Centres the world over, under the auspices of International Sai Organisations, follow it in an earnest manner, meticulously taking up the Vedic learning, thus spreading the ancient glory far and wide.

It is no accident that the Vedas received Bhagawan’s prime attention; it was His pure Divine Sankalpa that, the Vedas should be revived for the renaissance of man, helping him to ascend to his true self. If the Vedas are verily the Breath Of God, if the Vedas are the foremost Repository Of Truth, and if the Vedas claim that “I have known that great Purusha”, then man must ponder over, to embrace this ancient technique, optimising the same to the fullest extent, helping himself to synchronise in cosmic harmony and expansion.

Every human being must revere the Vedas. It is the very foundation of life. Every act of daily life has its roots in the Vedas. Whether everyone knows this or not, the Vedas pervade everything. – Sri Sathya Sai

Indeed, in time to come, in fulfillment of the cosmic process, the Vedas will flourish beyond any and every barrier, engulfing humanity, the environment and the world at large as it is the most likely outcome, a natural consequence of the Absolute and Infinite ‘Sai’ Sankalpa… The Divine Will Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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Announcing the dismissal of Maya, announcing His True Truth, Sathya, The ‘little’ Divine at 14, bestowed upon the humanity the first blessing and in fact, the Ultimate Blessing… Prayer For Liberation, Manasa Bhajare… While revisiting the epochal happening on the 20th October 1940, man should ponder upon as to what does The Mantra entail? It is simpler than the simplest. The mind that serves as a mirror for the individual jeeva need to be purified with the everlasting presence of the Guru, The SadhGuru, Who Is nothing but the purest feeling of I Am…SAI…I Am… Bhagawan says, the ‘I’ represents The Brahmam, and He…Sathya Sai Is the very Source of this Brahmam…Para Brahmam…The True Truth, The Absolute!!! It is this Truth that the then 14 year old ‘Little Divine’ pronounced to you and me and to one and all, to His creation at large! The Mantra that becomes the essence of human life, that contains the Secret For Liberation!

A recap of the epochal happening on the Annunciation Day, as penned by Prof N. Kasturi.

On the 20th day of October, 1940, the day after they all returned from Hampi by special bus, Sathyanarayana started for school as usual. The Excise Inspector of the place, Sri Anjaneyulu who was very much attached to the little Baba, accompanied Him, as far as the school gate and went home, rather reluctantly. He seemed to see a superb halo, round the face of Baba that day and he could not take his eyes away from that enchantment. Within a few minutes, Baba too turned back to the house. Standing on the outer doorstep, he cast aside the books He was carrying and called out, “I Am no longer your Sathya.” “I Am Sai.” The sister-in-law came from the kitchen and peeped out; she was almost blinded by the splendour of the halo, which she saw around Baba’s head! She closed her eyes and shrieked. Baba addressed her, “I Am going; I don’t belong to you: Maya has gone; My bhaktas are calling Me; I have My Work; I can’t stay any longer.” And, so saying, He turned back and left in spite of her pleadings. The brother hurried home on hearing all this; but, Baba only told him, “Give up all your efforts to ‘cure’ Me; I Am Sai; I do not consider MySelf related to you.” Neighbour Sri Narayana Sastri heard the noise; he listened and realised that it was something serious; he ran in; he saw the splendour of the ‘halo’ and fell at Baba’s Feet. He too heard the Historic Declaration, “Maya has left; I Am going; My work is waiting.”

Seshama Raju was nonplussed; he could scarce collect his wits to meet this new situation. A boy, just fourteen, talking of bhaktas, work, maya, and the philosophy of belonging! He could think of only one plan: Sathya was entrusted to him by the parents and it was therefore his task to inform them; Sathya could leave the house, only after they came to Uravakonda.

But, Sathya would not step into that building again; He moved out into the garden of Excise Inspector’s Bungalow, and sat on a rock, in the midst of the trees. People came into the garden from all directions bringing flowers and fruits; the tope resounded to the voices of hundreds, singing in chorus the lines that Sathya Sai taught them. The first prayer that He taught them that day was, as many still remember,

Maanasa bhajare GuruCharanam
Dusthara bhava saagara tharanam

“Meditate in thy mind on The Feet of The Guru; that can take you across the difficult sea of samsara.”

His classmates wept when they heard that Sathya will no longer attend school, that He was much beyond their reach, that His company was hereafter only for those upon whom He showers His Grace. Many came to the garden with incense and camphor, to worship Him. Some came to sympathise with the family, some to congratulate them. Some came to learn and some, alas, even to laugh!

Three days passed thus in that garden; three days of bhajan and namasankirthan. A photographer came with a camera; he wanted Baba to remove a crude stone that was right in front of Him but Baba did not pay heed to that prayer. He clicked nevertheless and lo! As can be seen ‘above’, the stone had become an image of Shirdi Sai Baba! But only in the photograph, not for all assembled there.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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Aum Anuttamaayai Namaha…Aum Siddha Maatre Namaha…Aum Sarv’opadhi Vinirmuktayai Namaha…Aum Adrishyayai Namaha…Aum Leela Vigraha Dharinyai Namaha…Aum Sharmadayai Namaha…

Obeisance pure and holy…brimming with love to the Supreme Mother…Who has none superior…Who is ever eager to help aspirants…Who is not an object of ordinary vision…Who assumes various forms for Her Cosmic Play…Who bestows eternal happiness…

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Aum Suprathishtayai Namaha…Aum Desha Kaal’aprichinnayai Namaha…Aum Divya Vigrahaayai Namaha…Aum Shubhkaryai Namaha…Aum Sarvartha Datryai Namaha…
Adorations…Reverence Immense to that Divine Mother Goddess….

Who is the firm foundation of every bit in creation…the unswayable essence, base, and support of all existence…Who is not in any way limited by space and time…Who has an exquisite Divine Form…Who is ever blissful in blessing…Who is generous in granting all our wants…

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Aum Vrddhayai Namaha…Aum Uddhama Vaibhavayai Namaha…Aum Svasti Matyai Namaha…Aum Ajaa Jetryai Namaha…Aum Dharmavardhinyai Namaha…Aum Aatmane Namaha…Aum Nandinyai Namaha…

The soul offers fervent salutations…to that sacrosanct Primeval One…Who is boundless in Her Might and Glory…Who is Herself the highest, most incomparable Benediction…Who helps overcome ignorance…Who promotes righteousness in devotees…Who exists as the self in all beings…Who bestows delight…

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Love flows from deep within the core encircling, holding close the petal soft Lotus Feet of the Cherished Beloved…Precious Mother Sai…on this auspicious day…the culmination of Navaratri.

An earnest boon…vitally essential benevolence is being sought from the most Effulgent One…Who is the earth on which all beings rest…Who is ever keen to assist and serve any sincere aspirant…that may all darkness of ignorance…every iota of negativity…be totally erased, eliminated, eradicated…that Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema, Ahimsa…Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love and the sentiment, attitude, understanding of maitri-bhav…of kindred oneness…of Non Violence may vibrantly energise each human heart and mind…so that peace and harmony may usher in an age glistening in golden  hues of affinity, amity and unity. May we be blessed to be aware of the Supreme Soul in all created beings. May the Beloved One…the Almighty One Whose Mysterious Ways are unfathomable…Whose Will is sovereign and all-pervading…Whose Glory is matchless…Whose Benevolence is immeasurable…Whose Mercy is tender, yet infinite…Who is known and worshipped as Priyankaaryai – One Who grants what is dear to us…Who is ever blissful in blessing…may that Absolute Being…the All-Powerful Source confer on this day and so forth…what is of utmost delight to us all…that which each devoted heart is intently waiting for…that which will eternally enchant the vision – Priceless endearing glimpses of that Magnificent Form…the highest most superlative benediction that is You…

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II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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Awaken to Divine Love…is Aradhana Mahaotsav…

All negativity…cleanse and repulse…reach out, rise above…extolling the triumph of  divine love…the transition from the superfluous to the mellifluous…

Personally, the Aradhana Month is a time to attune and commune, contemplate, cogitate, meditate, envisage, ponder and wonder – How can we awaken the God within us…so as to reach out to the God/s around us?

Thus, this specific time set aside for Aradhana alludes to an eternal way of life…for it is all about stirring an awakening…awaking to the inner illumination…awakening the God within. This elevated period is all about opening up to and enveloping all life…all fellow beings with His Divine Love. The heart contains sublime love enough to embrace the cosmos…we only need to be aware of it…wake up to it…and allow it to swirl and flow, gush and grow…nourish and flourish…refurbish the outlook the spirit once forsook while associating with and falling prey to the outward glitter of material living.

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The forthcoming span from the last week of March to Thursday, 27^th April 2017 lovingly bears an exclusive title – Aradhana Month. Aradhana is a wilful expression of devotion…a deliberate dedication…ardent adoration that caresses the sweetly cherished softer-than-satin Lotus Feet…by way of multihued blossoms having churned the rusted mould…and overcome certain rigid outdated views, thereby enhancing an open perspective, sensitivity, sensibility…which consciously adapts to the harmony of oneness with all of creation as desired by the Supreme Beloved through His oft repeated dictums. Surely the goal of existence should be to live so as to solely please Dear Swami…and thereby avoid being a mere statistic upon the Cosmic Chart. Wouldn’t putting into action the notion of doing our utmost…so as to establish a harmonious co-existence…please our ever blissful Lord…? Wouldn’t that be the transcendental awakening to Divine Love…awakening the God within us…so as to reach out to the God/s in innumerable forms, shapes and sizes around us?

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During March – April 2011, Beloved Bhagawan resolutely determined to enact sequential incidences that had a colossal impact on all. On 28^th March, our most Precious One chose to admit Himself into the SSSIHMS. He then firmly resolved to withdraw His Divine Form from the physical sphere on 24^th April. None in this created world can fathom or decipher His Decisions or Actions. The quest for answers has a simple conclusion – Accept His Will for He writes the Script, He is the Divine Director and the Drama of Creation, suffice to say, is His Leela, His Sport and Exclusive Play.

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The yearning to see His beauteous Appearance,
To be in His immediate enchantingly soothing Presence,
Is a constant tug at the heartstrings…
Yet,
When the mind is cajoled to seek, experience…
…and behold the Beloved One…
…in every bit and being around us,
A wonderful journey unfolds…
…to a great extent the soul is suitably consoled…
…growing in awareness that in each heart that beats…
… it is Beloved Bhagawan Who is enthroned.

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Aradhana is a devoted flow of worship and adoration. How can we express our adulation to Him Who is the Divine Indweller of one and all?
Isn’t He happy when all beings are happy?
Didn’t Bhagawan assert – ‘Happy, happy, happy…be happy…happy, happy, happy, make others happy…all will be happy, God will be happy’?
These profound lines were part of the theme song that echoed during the 90th Birthday Celebrations of our Loving Lord.

When selfless actions reach out to those in need, be it man, bird or animal…in the air, on land, in flowing waters or in the deep sea, it reverberates as vibrant energy…pulsating as a song of devotion touching that Vishal Hrudaya…a most exalted aradhana…and…the Lord smiles. It is akin to bringing soft sun rays of spring, warmhearted indulgence for anyone frozen from the chilling winds of winter, cold and alone.

Deeply earnest individual and collective efforts,
To adore and pay homage to our Beloved Lord…
…are like droplets in a stream of Sadhana…
…evolving into waves of fervent worship…
…gushing towards the Endless Ocean,
Streaks of lightning that shimmer…
…only to merge in the Eternal Ether,
Shooting stars and comets that blaze a trail…
…in the magnificent panorama of the Cosmos…
…culminating as a Prem Vandana…
…that adoringly embrace and greet…
…those most sacrosanctly treasured Lotus Feet.

To understand this interlude of special Aradhana better, we need to know about the period of Lent which culminates on Easter Sunday, fêted globally for being the day Jesus Christ resurrected Himself. Traditionally, the forty days in Lent are marked by Prayer (justice towards God), Fasting (justice towards self), acts of Penance and Almsgiving (justice towards neighbour/others). However, many devoted ones practice the all-encompassing compassion of Christ, forgiveness, being kind, giving up something they enjoy, introspecting, doing things that will bring them closer to God, as well as donating time or money to charities.
Quite significantly Dearest Bhagawan’s crucial enactment in 2011 took place during this period of Lent.

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It certainly is a time of Sai Lent, of silently practising His Maxims, of steadfastly following His Exemplary Examples, of allowing our moments, our breaths…to convey His Kindness, His Benevolence, His Magnanimity…His Patience…the gentle sentiment of sensitivity, compatibility, amity and unity…the fond expressions of tender empathy, sympathy and ‘fellow feeling’ for all living beings…for as Hrudayavasa…He is the core of all sentient beings…since each heart is the temple where He eternally does dwell.

Our act may commence as a drop…
…yet every drop enhances the Ocean.
It may be a tiny spark but it can warm a lonely heart.
It may appear as a solitary grain,
However,
For a soul starved of care and love…
…it may represent a feast grand enough.
If you don’t attempt to fly, how will you soar?
The Lord recognises the intent…
…more than the fancy wrappings or the extent of the contents.
So, this duration is a time of paying respect and reverence to Sathya, to Dharma, to Prema, to Shanti. It is a time to honour the Bhagawan in all beings through the practice of Ahimsa, of encircling each living being with ‘maitri bhav’, exuding harmony for every atom of creation.

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HE…
H – Heaven…E – Earth…
HE…represents Heaven and Earth…
Heaven came to Earth…
Heaven walked on Earth…
Heaven became earth…
…and Earth a haven…
He spoke and taught us so much…
…we heard…but did we listen and learn?
He gave us so much,
We received…
…but what did we…
…and do we have to offer…
…to the Sai in all that exists around us?
He shielded us, He protected us and still does so…
He took on so much on His Mortal Frame for our sake,
What can we forsake,
…how can we mould our thoughts…
…words and deeds in a befitting manner…?
What activities can we engage in…
…to serve Bhagawan in every bit of creation…?
How can we shield and protect earth…
…while responding to His Call to Love all and Serve all…
…all creatures both great and small?

With all that Beloved Bhagawan has placed inside of us…how can we make a difference to all life around us? The ‘all life’ refers to the environment too…everyone qualifies, strong or meek; naive or wise, ailing or healthy; impoverished or wealthy…in the mineral, plant, animal or human world.
It certainly is a time to applaud and offer deep, devout gratitude to Beloved Bhagawan, His Almighty Grace…His Timeless Communiques…His Teachings Of Love And Peace For Every Atom The Cosmos Through, His Unconditional Love and Just Generosity…His Impartial Magnanimity, then to live in resonance with His Essence…to reach out beyond any confines…beyond any binding boundaries to be boundless…beyond self-centredness to selflessness…promoting human values and humaneness…a blessed Oneness through the true practice of Samastha Lokaah Sukhino Bhavantu…Samastha Jeeva Sukhino Bhavantu…for that is when we raise ourselves to please the Beloved One in all of creation…in me and you.
Let Aradhana Mahaotsav…awaken us to Divine Love.

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May our Aradhana truly be a divine synonym…a sanctified hymn…a holy reflection of Him Whom we are attempting to adore…ushering in an awakening of the God within…

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