Region 1 Savanne - Mauritius Volume 5 - Issue 1 - April 2017

Transcription

1 1 Region 1 Savanne - Mauritius OUR VISION To drive Devotees to live according to the teachings of BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA OUR MISSION To assist and support devotees for their SPIRITUAL UPLIFTMENT OUR GOAL To render SELFLESS SERVICE to the SOCIETY OUR OBJECTIVE To spread the teachings of BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA in the society through Public Outreach MESSAGE OF THE LORD REMOVE EGOISM - Page 2 CHINNA KATHA THE MARK OF A TRUE DEVOTEE - Page 3 SPIRITUAL GAME EASTER ANAGRAM - Page 4 PAST EVENTS - Page 5-7 DEVOTEE S CORNER (PART I) INTERVIEW WITH UNCLE RAM MULLIAH - Page 8-9 DID YOU KNOW - Page 9 REGIONAL OPERATIONS STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK WOMAN THE PILLAR OF A VALUE BASED SOCIETY - Page DEVOTEE S CORNER (PART II) OBITUARY & CONGRATULATIONS - Page BHAJAN & STOTRA - Page 13

2 2 T he fruits of the tree of human life are sweet, but they are encased in the bitter skin of egoism and ignorance and have hard inedible seeds of desire, anger, pride, etc. One has to exercise one's intelligence to peel off the outer skin of ignorance, throw off the seeds of vice and wickedness and partake of the sweet kernel of life. To remove the evil of egoism, service is the most efficient instrument. Service will also impress on the person doing service, the unity of all mankind. He who dedicates his time, skill, and strength to service can never meet defeat, distress, or disappointment, for service is its own reward. His word will be ever sweet and soft, his gestures ever revered and humble. He will have no foe, no fatigue, and no fear. Man must get rid of the feeling that he is the doer. As long as the ego is dominating, the Atma, or God consciousness will not be realized. The egoist cannot recognise the Atma. Therefore, first crush your ego. It is egoism that is the root cause of all man's troubles. The main criterion for service is sacrifice. Egoism should be the first quality to be offered for sacrifice. Giving up bad feelings is, in itself, sacrifice and that sacrifice becomes a man's fortune. Sacrifice does not mean that one should renounce possessions and family and leave the comforts of home to lead an ascetic life in the forest. Little acts of service can confer on you great spiritual benefit. Firstly, it will destroy your egoism. Pride will transform friends into enemies; it will keep even kinsmen afar; it will defeat all good schemes. Service will develop in you the quality of humility. Humility will enable you to work in happy unison with others. Service is worship; each act of service is a flower placed at the Feet of the Lord, and if the act is tainted with ego, it is as if the flower is infested with slimy insect pests! Who will contaminate the Feet with such foul offering? Have no egotism while you serve the people. Dreams are the reflection, reaction God is the Sun and when His rays fall upon your heart, not impeded by the clouds of egoism, the lotus blooms and the petals unfold. Sathya Sai Baba Help Ever Hurt Never and resound (resonance) of that which is within you. The same does not apply to the dreams in which Swami appears. Swami appears in dreams only when He wills it and not when you want.

3 3 There will always be worry and grief of some type or the other. There is no escaping it, be it in the past or future; while walking, dreaming or even while sleeping. But by placing faith in the Lord and dedicating everyday chores and tasks to Him, the effect of these constant worries can fizzle out completely. Here s how. One day Narada boasted before Lord Vishnu about how there wasn t any devotee better than him. But in doing so he went against the very first qualification of a devotee - freedom from egoism. So, in order to teach Narada a lesson or two in devotion, Vishnu spoke of a farmer, who was tilling his little plot of land, as a greater devotee. He even recommended that Narada should visit and learn the art of devotion from him. A little humiliated but at the same time curious, Narada proceeded to the farmer s village. But what he saw amazed him. The farmer was all the time engrossed in either doing his work on the field, in the cattle shed or was busy at home. And in spite of the most vigilant watch, Narada did not hear him utter the Lord s name more than thrice a day; once when he woke up from bed, another time when he took his midday meal and the last when he retired for the night. Narada was naturally incensed that he was deemed inferior to this very poor specimen of a devotee. While Narada was always singing melodiously the divine stories of the Lord and spreading everywhere the message of chanting the name of the Lord, here was a horny-handed son of the soil who remembered the Lord just three times a day, whom Lord Vishnu judged as being superior to him! He hurried to heaven, his face flushed with anger and ignominy, but Vishnu only laughed at his plight. In answer to his anxiety, the Lord gave him a pot full to the brim with water and asked him to carry it on his head and go round a certain course without spilling even a drop. Narada did so, but when asked how often he had remembered the Name of the Lord while doing so, he admitted that in his anxiety to walk without spilling the water, he had forgotten the Name completely. Vishnu then explained to him that the farmer, who was carrying on his head more precious and more spoilable burdens than a pot of water and who had to be careful not bring harm to any of them, must therefore be more admired for remembering the Lord at least three times a day! So, even if you remember the Lord with thankfulness at least thrice or even just twice a day, it is rewarding enough and confers with you with great peace. Do not give up your worldly duties, but do them with the Name of God on your lips, thus inviting the Grace of God upon you. Service to Man is Service to GOD

4 4 Unscramble the letters to find the words in our Easter Anagram. A-D-E-I-L-N A-E-L-O-P-S-S-T A-I-O-R-S-V-U A-M-N-O-R-S C-C-F-I-I-I-N-O-R-U-X C-E-E-I-N-O-R-R-R-S-T U E-J-S-S-U H-N-O-R-S-T I-C-H-T-S-R S-C-O-R-S N A S R C R J T C C Word s first letter Good Luck Prema Swarupulara Answers: Nailed - Apostles - Saviour - Romans - Crucifixion - Resurrection - Jesus - Thorns - Christ - Cross Life is a game - Play it

5 5 BLOOD DONATIONS Blood Donation, one of the major service based activities of the Organisation, was held during the months of February and March by the Sathya Sai Centres of Surinam (29 January), Tyack (19 March) and Chemin Grenier (26 March) respectively. 111 pints were collected in Surinam, 111 pints in Tyack, and 195 pints in Chemin Grenier. Mega Blood donation was held at Ganga Talao by the Organisation on the 01st of January 2017, where over 500 pints were collected. LADIES DAY - SATHYA SAI CENTRE OF CHEMIN GRENIER On the occasion of Ladies day (19th of every month), the Ladies wing of the Sathya Sai Centre of Chemin Grenier, pay visit to the residents of the Smt. Foolbasseea Babooram Ashram of Chemin Grenier. A bhajan session, adored by the residents, is performed, followed by tea and cakes. NARAYANA SEVA - SATHYA SAI CENTRE OF CHEMIN GRENIER Narayana Seva was held to the Barbe Family on 11 March The family lives in a precarious condition. The children go to school without any food. The team helped the family with some basic commodities. Continued on Page 6 Food is God; Do Not Waste

6 Continued from Page 5 6 MAHA SHIVARATRI CELEBRATIONS Maha Shivaratri was celebrated by all Sathya Sai Centres and Groups of the region. Abhishekam (Aka Chaar Peher Pooja) of the Shiva Lingam were performed at 4 intervals during the night of Shiva, with prayers starting at 18:00hrs and ending in the early hours of the following day. Special Bhajans and stotras were chanted to the Lord of destruction. NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS The 49th anniversary of the Independence of Mauritius and the 25th year of the Republic of Mauritius were celebrated on 12 March 2017 at the Smt. Foolbasseea Babooram Ashram, Chemin Grenier. The programme started with a Human Values walk from La Croisee to the Ashram, followed by the flag raising ceremony. The programme ended with a cultural show, comprising of patriotic songs, poems, drama and dances by SSE students. The ceremony and the mesmerising performance of the children were heartily appreciated by the residents. Continued on Page 7 Discipline is the Mark of Intelligent Living

7 Continued from Page 6 7 UGAADI CELEBRATIONS Ugaadi was celebrated by all Sathya Sai Centres and Groups of the Region on 29 March The celebration included Suprabhaatam, special bhajan and talks on the significance of the festival. On the day, it is customary to partake Ugaadi Pacchadi, which is a mixture of 6 different tastes, namely, sweet, sour, salt, pungent, spice and bitter. The tastes signify that life is a mixture of happiness, sadness, anger, disgust, fear and surprise. SPECIAL TALK BY PROF. ANIL KUMAR KUMARAJU Prof. Anil Kumar Kumaraju, the famous inspirational speaker, the chosen translator and ardent devotee of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba gave a special talk to the devotees of Region 1 and 2 on 22 April 2017 at the Ramayana Centre, Rose-Belle. He shared his experience of Swami with all. SAI SYMPHONY BY MUTHU KUMAR A Sai Symphony was performed by Brother Muthu Kumar at the Ramayan Centre of Rose-Belle on 20 April The event was very blissful. God is All Names & All Forms

8 Sai Ram Uncle - First of all, thank you for accepting to give us an interview for the Sai Newsletter. How did you get to know Swami and how did His teachings help you in your life? I have known Swami from a book called Man of Miracles, gifted to me by a friend. Then onwards, I had discovered a whole new dimension that gave birth to a curiosity in me - the curiosity to learn what truth was residing in India. His teachings have helped me throughout my life, in everything I do. Swami is always who I turn to everytime. He is always there. His teachings have allowed me to have a good disciplined way of living. Can you please share with us the history of the Sathya Sai Centre of Tyack? When taking knowledge of who Bhagawan actually was, we had started performing bhajans regularly, along with Late Brother Ramdoo. We first started with a handful number of people having Satsang in the homes of the different members that we were. With time, as the number of people increased, we had to shift to a bigger place in order to accommodate everyone having the growing interest to know about Bhagawan. We then moved to the locality's Hindu temple but after some time, we were told away due to the fact that some of our devotional songs included lyrics in praise of Allah, Jesus, Buddha, just to name a few. As the rivers of time flowed, we were given the land where the Sathya Sai Centre of Tyack presently stands today and the rest is history. 8 Sathya Sai is, Himself the Avatar of God, different groups were created and Sathya Sai Centres built across the country. There were already some groups in Curepipe and Goodlands but in the south, Swami Blessed us only later, with groups settling in Tyack, Surinam, amongst others. Between the year 1990 to 1995, we were merely around twenty Sathya Sai Centres but now, we have so many across the country. Bearing in mind that the organisation is based on service activities, although we are working in that optic, according to you, what more can the organisation do? This is very simple - we need to be able to show our interest for the progress of our Organisation. We need to be more caring and devoted towards our own duties. Many people use big words to impress others but are not able to do anything. We need people who are responsible and who live up to their own words. Seva is an important aspect of our Organisation and needs to be done regularly and it is in fact a prayer that we do without uttering God s name. How do you find the progress that we have made down the ages, backed by the advent of Swami s era in Mauritius? Progress was slow, to be honest but it was constant. Upon the realisation that Bhagawan Sri Discipline is the Mark of Intelligent Living Continued on Page 9

9 9 Continued from Page 8 The youth in Mauritius are less and less attracted to spirituality. Why do you think so and what can be done to solve it? We need to meet and talk to people, especially the youth. Luring them into the organisation in order to help them through life. Youngsters are tending to go astray and with the undaunted minds of theirs, it is easy for so to happen. Bringing them into the Organisation will be slow yet we should not lose hope. We are entrusting the future of the world to them so we need to trust them to become part of the Organisation. In fact, it seems like there is no one who has taken a step towards the youngsters going astray. As a matter of fact, this is what they want: support from someone who trusts them. Then, they will feel a sense of belonging and will be more attracted to spirituality and will want to join in on their own. Approaching them, meeting them, talking and telling them about what truth our Organisation is all about and also about Human Values are the ways how we will be able to convince youngsters and the population. Did you know that the Sathya Sai International Organisation has a new logo since February 2017? Did you know that the Sathya Sai International Organisation has declared the 24th April, the day Swami left His physical coil, as Human Values Day? Getting youngsters together - talking to them, making them have faith using simple methods like Naamasmaranam, singing of His glory and doing Seva. One has no need to detach himself from the mundane and retreating to the forest. As one treads on the path of spirituality, no one and nothing will be able to lure one out of spirituality. Like the magnet that attracts metals, one must become the gold that cannot be attracted by magnets. Interview Conducted by Brother Milan Sydamah Did you know that the Chairman of the Prasanthi Council, Sathya Sai International Organisation is Dr. Narendranath Reddy? Did you know that the nine-point code of conduct was not given by Swami? It was thought by one of His students in a presentation. Swami has given the ten-fold path to Divinity. "Serve The Planet" (STP) is a young adults led initiative that was launched in October 2013, as a global public outreach service project of the Sathya Sai International Organisation (SSIO). Since then, it has evolved and now seeks to engage members of the organisation and the community in practising Sathya Sai Baba s message on Ceiling on Desires and caring for our environment. The theme for STP for 2017 is Protect the Planet. More information available on Love All - Serve All

10 10 A s a precursor to the celebration of the Sacred Day of Advent, in honour of and to recognise the contribution of women, Beloved Mother Sai declared 19 th November to be respectfully and joyfully observed as Ladies Day. This is a tribute to all feminine beings in creation, winged, finned, four and two legged. May they know in some unique way that their presence and essence is being appreciated and applauded. Women are the makers of the home, the nation and the world Baba Creation and Creativity - Man and Woman are so created to complement each other. In alignment, each has their function to perform and while doing so rhythmically, in resonance with the Divine Plan, together they form a whole. To build something one needs a sturdy foundation. Then on, to support any structure one requires powerful pillars. That foundation that support that power of creation and creativity has been bestowed upon every woman. She embodies infinity, she characterises eternal qualities and exuding all this positively, she quite compellingly impacts eternity. There is nothing in this world that women cannot achieve Baba A society is made up of innumerable individuals, families, people from different walks of life - an intermingling of colours and flavours, strata and status, faiths, views, beliefs, cultures and economics ever so diverse. Doesn t it all need a binding thread? And much more significantly, don t these individuals have their origin in the womb of a woman? Ethics is what makes a society thrive and a woman of quality who believes in equality has it in her to uphold and make these ethics come alive. Only if the women come up in society, the whole world will turn sacred Baba A woman is born to play myriad roles: a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife - integrating acts which continue on even after marriage while cementing new associations, and even as she plays out these roles she constantly exudes the highest undertaking that of a Mother. Whether she goes on to have a child or not, every woman is a born mother, her mission intrinsically is that of a mother, a tender caregiver. She is blessed with many hidden facets along with a natural flair for compassion, care, concern, nursing, making amends, giving, forgiving, bringing together, blending, and harmonizing. She simply needs to be mindful, centred and receptive and tune in as she experiences this adventurous expedition called LIFE. As a daughter she puts her parents on a pedestal, reveres them, yet, gives gentle guidance whenever necessary. As a sister, friend, colleague, teacher she will not hesitate to step in, once again channelizing righteousness. However, what about her role as a Mother? Upon the female of any species, whether amongst the animal, winged and aquatic or humankind, lies the singular onus of rearing the newly born. Most often, especially in all other species, she patiently rears the young ones all on her own protecting, nourishing, nurturing, freeing. Freeing subtly, gently, firmly refers to demonstrating, drilling, inculcating Life Skills. Continued on Page 11 Truth is God, Speak The Truth

11 11 Continued from Page 10 In the animal kingdom, in their natural wild habitat, these skills take on a different meaning altogether from what it denotes in the more complex kingdom of man. Deep is the innate responsibility of the woman, of the human mother, to inculcate moral codes, basic principles and behavioural conducts. Children are not only the future citizens of the globe, but they are the inheritors of all the natural resources, the vast mineral wealth, the magnificent hills and lush plains, the grand glaciers, refreshing rivers and gushing streams, the surging seas and mysterious oceans, the dense forests, the exotic flora and wondrous fauna, and as such they grow up to become the custodians of all the abundance, the keepers of Mother Earth. Intuitively keeping in focus this salient truth, women as mothers, aunts, grandmothers not only do all they can to promote the physical wellbeing of their children but they foster the mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual progress too, equipping them with ethics that will regulate the flow of their conscience, consciousness and overall growth. Women embody the aspect of Mother Nature and the ancient sages found solutions to problems in life by recognising this truth Baba Woman and Poise - When there is accord between the heart and the mind there is an inner harmony. The world is raging with unrest for the poise within is lost. Desires and greed are drawing, dragging, and clasping humans and humanity into the dark fathomless maelstrom of no return. It is imperative that a balance be restored and a vital equilibrium maintained. The world needs beautiful minds. The inherent feminine qualities need to come to the rescue. Outer beauty is of no worth if not accompanied by a beautiful mind ensuring not only positive thoughts, words and deeds but a synchronicity between them. Women are the heirs of our ancient culture. Culture means refinement. Women are the torch-bearers of refinement and they are toiling for the emancipation of the nation Baba Woman and Love - Temperatures are soaring, rivers are going dry leaving the soil ever so arid, for there is no love left in the human heart. Women are naturally conditioned to love unconditionally for that is their inborn motherly instinct. They excel at it. As mothers, they are the first guru, guide and teacher of their children assisting them to consciously be aware, beware of unfavourable influences, trust the inner voice and evolve. This process of learning all things wise and wonderful, of loving and being exposed to the human values of Sathya, Dharma, Prema, Shanti, Ahimsa of loving selflessly begins in the womb itself. Women have satvaguna in ample measure. They are by nature helpful, tender, compassionate, humble and trustful Baba Woman and Values - Essentially a woman is a reservoir of goodness. She is the backbone of her family and she quite logically extends this family kindred sentiment to not only include in a micro way the society she lives in, but goes on to, in a macro way, extend her TLC, her know and knowledge, her tending abilities to envelope the vaster global civilization in a true spirit of oneness. In her was placed the womb, a foundation for the human race, in likeness to the Cosmic Womb the genesis of creation. Continued on Page 12 God First; The World Next; Myself Last

12 12 Continued from Page 11 The womb of mother symbolizes mother earth Baba The Feminine Soul is eternally grateful for having being chosen for this role of bringing forth individuals of steadfast substance exuding the essential essence of ethics that forms the basis for a principled progress as well as a peaceful coexistence. A woman who understands the depth of this privilege puts her heart to her task sincerely, while passionately wooing the values and safeguarding a lifelong alliance with them. Per se, reverentially, she knows herself to be profoundly linked to all in the feminine sphere, the echelons in the Motherly Hierarchy Divine Mother of the Universe, Mother Nature, Mother Earth, Mothers of varied species, wherein the focal point, the spotlight is always away from the self and focussed towards the cultivation of selfless attributes, enhancing patience, tolerance, forgiveness and unconditional giving - sustaining it all and wholesomely surviving. In the human species this feminine aspect is called Woman. And, in her has been placed the courage, capacity, capability and competence to value all life, to value living, to value values, to value ethical progress ultimately advancing towards a higher way of thinking, existing and being. Primarily, pre-eminently, quite vitally a woman values being a woman! Thus, a woman having found her own place of value under the Sun is untiringly committed to relentlessly be the pillar of a value based society. That is how the Universe blessed her to be. Dharma can be made to occupy its position in society and restored to its pristine glory only by women Baba T he Sai family is very grieved by the loss of late brother Ashik Choolun, husband of Sister Ekta, Bhajan Coordinator, and father of Sister Shiksha, Youth Coordinator, both of Sathya Sai Centre of Chemin Grenier, who passed away on 22 March The Sathya Sai Centre of Chemin Grenier is very grateful to him for all his esteemed contribution, without forgetting his valuable assistance and help for the recent human values walk and blood donation. Wherever he is, with the grace of our Beloved Swami, may his soul rests in peace. Be Good - Do Good - See Good

13 13 CONGRATULATIONS On 12 February 2017, Brother Ashwin Lochun, the Savanne Regional Devotion Coordinator and President of the Sathya Sai Group of Bois Cheri, and Sister Neelam Raginee Seewoochursing, from d Epinay, got engaged. The Regional Committee of Savanne wishes both Sai devotees good luck for their future endeavour. BHAJAN STOTRA Manasa Bhaja Rey Guru Charanam Dustara Bhava Sagara Taranam Guru Maharaj Guru Jai Jai Sai Natha Sad Guru Jai Jai Om Namah Shivaya Om Nama Shivaya Om Namah Shivaya Shivaya Namah Om Arunachala Shiva Arunachala Shiva Arunachala Shiva Aruna Shiva Om Omkaram Bhava Omkaram Bhava Omkaram Bhava Om Namo Baba OM SAAYEESHVARAAYA VIDHMAHE SATHYA DHEVAAYA DHEEMAHI THANNASSARVAH PRACHODAYAATH O Mind, without worshiping the Lotus Feet of Guru Sai Natha, it is not possible to cross the ocean of life and death. Victory to the Noble Teacher, Lord Sai Natha. Chant "Om Namah Shivaya". Chant the name of Lord Shiva, Who resides in Arunachala (a sacred mountain in Southern India associated with Lord Shiva). Chant the name of Lord Baba, Whose form is Om. T he Regional Committee of Savanne thanks all devotees for their help and support. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the team. You can also send your articles to the Newsletter team on the address provided. I know through Gurus and Shastras (and by direct experience) that Sai is God Himself: He is Bhagavan and Iswara. I meditate on this form in my heart with all my mental faculties. He is the embodiment of truth, divinity, universal consciousness and one who pervades all the worlds. I pray to such a Sai Parameswar to direct our intellects to engage in auspicious and righteous activities. I meditate on this great form. REGIONAL COMMITTEE OF SAVANNE (Region 1) Phone: saisavanne@gmail.com Website: Facebook: Region 1 Savanne - Sathya Sai International Organisation Mauritius God is Love, Peace & Strength