Words of Wisdom—From our Gurujisriamruthasai.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SAJ-201910.pdf · 2019-10-16 · followed by Diwali, which is a celebration of Lord Muruga or Karthikeya

http://srisainarayana.org http://sriamruthasai.org

1

AMRUTHA VAKKULU

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WHO IS AN UPASAKA?

IS IT ONE WHO RECITES THE

MOOLA MANTRA OF THE

CONCERNED DEITY?

IS IT THE ONE WHO PERFORMS

DAILY A HOMA OF THE

UPASANA LORD?

IS IT ONE WHO DELVES DEEP

IN TO THE LITERATURE TO

FIND OUT THE TEACHINGS

CONCERNING THOSE ASPECTS

OF THE LORD?

MAY BE. INITIALLY EVERY ONE

GOES THROUGH ALL THESE

BASIC THINGS.

TO ATTAIN THE STATUS OF AN

UPASAKA IS THE STAGE

WHERE LORD STARTS HIS

CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU.

HE REVEALS THE SECRETS OF

HIS AVATARA. LITERALLY HE

UNZIPS HIMSELF TO REVEAL

THE SECRETS BEHIND HIS

EXISTENCE. ONCE YOU REACH THE STAGE OF AN UPASAK,

LITERALLY YOU WILL BE

BUBBLING WITH JOY AT EVERY

MOMENT AND NOTHING WILL

REALLY CONCERN YOU OR

BOTHER YOU. TO REACH THAT

STAGE OF AN UPASAKA, ONE

GOES THROUGH VARIOUS

W o r d s o f W i s d o m — F r o m o u r G u r u j i

Sa

i

Am

ru

th

a

Jy

ot

hi

I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e

O c t o b e r 2 0 1 9 , I s s u e

STAGES OF UPASANA, WHICH IS LITERALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO BE EXPLAINED ON FACEBOOK. A LIFE WITH A SADHGURU ALONE, SHOWS YOU THE WAY TOWARDS VARIOUS STAGES OF UPASANA. ****************************** THERE IS HELL OF A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ASSERTIVE PERSON AND AN ARROGANT PERSON. AN ASSERTIVE PERSON IS VERY POLITE, YET STRONG IN HIS DELIVERANCE OF WHAT HE WANTS TO SAY. HE ALSO LISTENS AND LOOKS AT IMPROVING THE QUALITY REGARDING THE SUBJECT MATTER OF DISCUSSION. HE IS VERY POSITIVE IN OUTLOOK AND SELDOM BREAKS DOWN. THE AURA AROUND HIM IS VERY PLEASANT AND PEOPLE WILL LONG FOR HIS ASSOCIATION. AN ARROGANT PERSON IS FULL OF EGO. HE IS IMPOLITE AND BOORISH. HE HAS NO CONTROL OVER HIMSELF, BLOATS AND GLOATS IN SELF GLORY. HE NEVER LISTENS TO ANY ONE. TO HIM, HE IS SUPREME AND BOSSES AROUND. THE ATMOSPHERE AROUND HIM WILL BE GLOOMY. ANY ONE WHO COMES IN CONTACT WITH HIM WILL FEEL UNPLEASANT AND REPULSIVE UNLESS THE PERSON HIMSELF IS A SYCOPHANT. ******************************

Words of Wisdom 1

Upcoming Events 1

Sri Sai Satcharita in our daily life

2

PANCHATANTRA TALES

3

TOWARDS THE DIVINE 4

OUR BELOVED POT BELLIED FRIEND

5

PRAYOGI PARAYANA 6

U p c o m i n g E v e n t s

**************************************

10/17/2019

Sankatahara Chaturti

10/24/2019

Ekadasi

10/25/2019

Pradosham

10/26/2019

Masa Sivarathri Naraka Chaturdasi

10/27/2019

Deepavali

10/31/2019

Chaturthi

11/02/2019

Shasti

11/08/2019

Ekadasi

11/09/2019

Pradosham

**********************

LORD’S MERCY

&

GRACE !!!

**********************


2

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Story of the picture, Stealing Rags, Gnaneshwar Study.

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Mr. Ali Mohammad narrated the story of the Sai Picture only after 9 years. He bought the picture in Mumbai and had it framed and hung it at his Bhandra home. 3 months prior to the picture was handed over to Hemadpant, he had to go to Mumbai for a surgery in his leg. Due to his long absence, all the pictures except that of Sai became extinct. Once, Ali Mohammad had a small picture of one Gnani Baba Abdul Rehaman and when his brother-in-law Noor Mohammad gave a print of it to Gnani Baba, He abused Ali Mohammad as Gnani Baba was against idol worship. So, Noor Mohammad and Ali Mohammad threw away all the pictures at their homes in the sea but Sai’s picture alone escaped and decided to give it to a Sai devotee. Thus the picture reached Hemadpant at the right time!

S r i S a i S a t c h a r i t a i n o u r d a i l y l i f e - S a n k a r K u m a r

One Mr. B.V. Dev wished to study Gnaneshwari, a sacred Marathi text but could not continue it due to various reasons. He decided not to touch it until he got Baba’s permission and blessings. His friend Mr. Jog advised Dev to get the book blessed by Sai. So, he went to Shirdi and while sitting, started enquiring about Baba’s leelas to a friend Palakram . On seeing this, Baba sent his devotee Chandru to fetch Dev to Him.

When Dev approached Baba, Sai started scolding him that he had stolen His rags. Dev was shocked but bore the insults silently. After an hour, Baba again sent for Dev and lovingly told him to study the holy text daily at the Vada. Sai also told him that when He is ready to adore Dev with a golden shawl, why should he steal the rags. Now, Dev understood the real meaning of ’rags’, which is asking others about Sai instead of directly praying to Him. In just two months, Sai appeared at Dev’s dream and asked him to read the text in front of Him. Dev woke up happily and prayed to Sai.

Saiamrutham — “There are many ways leading there; there is one way also from here (Shirdi). The way is difficult. There

are tigers and wolves in the jungles on the way. The guide will take you straight to your destination, avoiding wolves, tigers and ditch-

es etc. on the way. If there be no guide, there is the danger of your being lost in the jungles or falling into ditches “

***************************** BOW TO SRI SAI

PEACE BE TO ALL!!

*****************************

LIFE APPLICATIONS

***********************

When SAI wills, he will reach you, no matter how!

Try to understand

BABA’S greatness by praying to him.

Do not ask others if

you want to know SAI. ***********************

Sri Satchitananda

Sadhguru

Sainath Maharaj

Ki

JAI!!!


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LION, JACKAL AND A FOOLISH DONKEY

******************************* Karalakeswara was once a mighty lion, but with age grew weaker and was not able to leave his cave even for hunting his prey. The wise jackal who used to accompany him all the time and eat the leftovers was tired and hungry. When the jackal could not take it anymore, he approached the lion and told him that he will go out and lure some animal and then the lion can pounce on it and they can eat it together. The jackal roamed the jungle and when it went near the border of a village, he spotted a donkey gracing the grass. He slowly approached the donkey and addressed him as if they have met earlier. He told the donkey that he had become thinner than he had remembered. Donkey sadly replied that his cruel master has worked him harder and starved him and he has come into the forest in search of food. The jackal saw his opportunity and enticed the donkey saying that he knew of a place where the grass shines like emerald and he could eat all he want. Donkey quietly followed the jackal and when they neared the cave, the lion saw them coming together and couldn't control himself and came out of the cave and jumped at the donkey. The donkey was aghast for a second and then he sprinted out of there as quickly as he could. The jackal was angry and chastised the lion to control himself and to jump on the animal only when he is near him, as the lion could not jump long distances like earlier. The lion was ashamed and promised that he will do as suggested.

* P A N C H A T A N T R A T A L E S * - S a t h y a R a m k u m a r

The jackal roamed the jungle and found the donkey again. The donkey admonished the jackal that he took him to a beast and that he would have died then and there. The jackal was soft spoken and told the donkey that it is a female donkey and since the female donkey has not seen a male donkey in a long time, it pounced on him. He also asked whether the donkey could have escaped if it was any other animal like lion or tiger. The donkey was convinced and agreed to come back to the cave. This time when the pair came near the cave, the lion was patient and attacked only when the donkey was very near. Then he ate some parts of the donkey and left to drink water from a rivulet. The jackal was also hungry and ate the brain of the donkey. Lion came back to eat again and saw the brain missing. He was angry and shouted at the jackal for eating the brain. The jackal looked at the lion and replied that the donkey doesn't have a brain and asked the lion if the donkey had a brain whether he would have come back to the cave again. The lion was satisfied with this reply and then both of them had a sumptuous meal after a long time.

MORAL OF THE STORY ***************************** Sweet honey coated words always conceal deception and almost always succeeds. Be aware.

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SRIDHARAAMRITHAM

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Only a person in the middle can

understand the problems of both the

sides. A person in the extremes is

always full of self pity and keeps

repeating his side like a trained

parrot.

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SERVICES IN THE TEMPLE

****************************

Priest’s services like Yantra

Puja, Gruha Pravesham,

Satyanarayana Vratam,

Pitru karma, Seemantham,

Upanayanam, Vahana Puja etc., are available which will

be performed at devotees

homes for their good health

and prosperity. We also do

archanas, abhishekams for all our deities.

Seva (Volunteering) oppor-

tunities are also available at

the temple.

For more details please

visit our website:

http://www.sriamruthasai.org/

services/ or contact the

temple at 804-708-0867.


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* T O W A R D S T H E D I V I N E * - K a v i n a y a

VRATHAM

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We are in the season of Festivals. We just enjoyed Navarathri celebrations, now Diwali or Festivals of Lights is coming up. Kandha Sashti is the next big celebration followed by Diwali, which is a celebration of Lord Muruga or Karthikeya.

Lot of devotees do Vratham for Navarathri for 9 days, and Kandha Sashti for 6 days. Taking up Vratham mostly means fasting to most people. However Vratham does not mean just fasting. Vratham is actually about taking a vow, to follow certain rules and discipline.

When starting Margazhi Vratham, Sri Andaal explains the vows that we should take during those 30 days. She says, “we will not eat ghee, drink milk, every day we will take bath, we will not decorate ourselves with kajal, we will not wear flowers, we will not do any forbidden things, we will not gossip”, and so on. She lists all of these because our minds should focus only on Lord Krishna and it should not be distracted with worldly things.

The Vratham that is done for Iyyappa is done is such a way that lots of physical discipline is followed, but the devotees are not required to fast. So, Vratham can be done with or without fasting. The main purpose of Vratham is to cleanse both our body and mind. It will not be good if we just fast, but fill our minds with unwanted things. As we fast to purify our body, likewise we must think only Divine thoughts to purify our mind. This way our Ishta Devatha will come and take abode in our pure heart with no reservations.

Happy Diwali wishes to All!

SAIRAM!!!

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* N A V R A T H R I G O L U * - S r e e l a t h a P a r a s u

NAVRATHRI GOLU

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Navarathri was celebrated to honor The Divine Mother Goddess Durga, whose prime reason of incarnation was to kill the demon Mahishasura. The three Goddesses namely Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswathi merge together to form Goddess Durga. Due to the complexity of the boon he was awarded. The combined strength of three Goddesses were needed to rescue this world and the nether worlds from the cruel hands of Mahishasura. The word Navarathri means Nine nights, and these nine days are split into sets of three, three days to honor each Goddess. First three days for Parvathi, second three days for Lakshmi and third three days for Saraswati. Followed by Vijayadasami, celebrating the victory on the tenth day.

Elderly person in the family begins the Navarathri celebration by performing a Ganapathi Pooja, then a Kalasa Pooja welcoming the three Goddesses. Later Golu Padi, steps with wooden planks are set up in odd numbers. And is layered with the nice fabric for the dolls, figurines, and different deities to be displayed. As per the traditional practice wooden Bride and Groom known as "Marapachi Bommai" decorated with new fine clothes each year is placed first and then followed by other dolls. It was an ancient custom relating to this wooden couple as representing the local King and Queen and people prayed for their long life and prosperity of the Kingdom. Bommai Golu or Doll Festival is celebrated as part of Navarathri.

Golu Padi is displayed with the deities at the topmost, tallest in size and followed by other dolls and figurines. Scenes from the Epics and other holy scriptures, Dasa avataras of Vishnu, idols of the Trinities with their consorts, figurines of famous temples, Krishna and his leelas, figurines of great saints and seers, everyday scenes, wedding processions, marketplace, miniature kitchen sets, and all that a young girl would love to play with is portrayed in the display. Nowadays real miniature fields, with sprouts of different spices and grains, amusement parks and railway tracks with trains etc. are added in the display.

Women in the neighborhood invite each other to view Golu in their homes during the evenings. They light the lamps, prepare special food and keep gifts ready to be given to the guests. The host requests the guests to sing and chant devotional hymns and slokas and distribute gifts with haldi and kumkum. Food items are first offered to the Gods and Goddesses and then distributed to the guests.

Saraswati Puja is celebrated on the 9th day, special pujas are offered to Goddess Saraswati, to bestow upon us wisdom and enlightenment. Books, musical instruments, and tools, are all placed in the puja and worshipped as they all represent the source of knowledge. The next day(10th day) is Vijayadasami, the most auspicious day, on which evil was finally destroyed by good. Hence it marks the prosperous beginning. Children begin tutoring classes for fine arts and education. Adults commence new ventures on this day to flourish and prosper.

In the evening of Vijayadasami day, symbolically the kalasa and one doll from the Golu is moved and prayers are offered to thank God for the successful completion of that year and hoping the following one will be successful too. Then the Golu is disassembled and packed for the next year. Navarathri is celebrated with such enthusiasm and excitement, in the temples and some houses with singing, dancing, and distribution of gifts and specially prepared food. Women and children love to dress up in lovely colorful traditional attire, and are happy to visit and enjoy singing and receiving gifts.


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* O u r B e l o v e d P o t B e l l i e d F r i e n d — P a r t I I * - S a i V a r a n a s i

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Gam GaNapatayai Namaha!

If we were to concentrate on each of these names we can decipher both the expressions (with HIS grace)!

HE is represented by the word “AUM” which has three components that are audible( A U M) which amalgamate into the fourth which is “ tooryam”, the fourth state!

That is chaturthi/ fourth!

Hence our “pot bellied” friend loves the digit “ 4” and HE is born on shukla paksha / brighter moon phase of Bhadrapada month ,on the fourth day!

But again to the creator of this Universe, Lord Brahma, HE manifested on the new moon( bahula/ krishna paksha) phase of the month of Magha , fourth day! This day is honored as “ Sankataharana chaturthi”...

And the famous slokam that we all know:

Vakratunda maha kaaya

Koti surya samaprabha nirvighnam kurume deva

Sarva karyeshu sarvada”....

Was chanted by Brahma himself when HE presented HIMSELF as the “omkaaraam” and thus re-moved all obstacles in the creation of the universe by Lord Brahma!

Though HE loves to show his joyous nature and appears very easy going just for his devotees,HE is worshipped as the Para Brahman/ transcendental ONE by a sect of people who call themselves as “Gaanapatya”.

A book written by an American who went onto to change his name to Sivaya Subramuniyaswami and start the Himalyan academy in Maui, is a must read in order to understand our Ganapati!

The book is entitled “ Loving Ganesha”!

"Loving Ganesha: Hinduism's Endearing Elephant-Faced God" by The Editors of Hinduism Today.

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* O u r B e l o v e d P o t B e l l i e d F r i e n d — P a r t I I * - S a i V a r a n a s i

******************************************************************************

Start reading it for free: http://a.co/1x1Ns31

He talks about Ganesha and has understood what Ganapati actually stands for!

HE is not one to be worshipped just to remove obstacles but to be revered as ONE who creates, sus-tains and annihilates the universe!

Very easy to please,

Very easy to pray to,

Very simple in HIS ways,

Our dear Son of Parvati and Siva is our Guru, our Guide!

The offerings made to HIM are simple, accessible at any cost but what HE gives in return is beyond our imagination.. focus and concentration are a necessity!

HIS worship (aradhana) can be summed into:

Attention, Retention, Concentration, Meditation, Contemplation!

Concentration gives the message of alertness. Meditation gives the message of vastness. Contemplation gives the message of inseparable oneness.

We concentrate because we want to reach the Goal.

We meditate because we want to live in the heart of the Goal.

We contemplate because we want to become the Goal.

Jai Ganesha!

*******************************************************************************************

http://a.co/1x1Ns31


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* P R A Y O G I P A R A Y A N A M *


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Documents

Words of Wisdom—From our Gurujisriamruthasai.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SAJ-201910.pdf · 2019-10-16 · followed by Diwali, which is a celebration of Lord Muruga or Karthikeya