Sai Ram!
This month we have more new videos and CDs, but we’ll start with two good books!
SWAMI’S FAVOURITE TOPIC – MAN’S LIBERATION
P. P. Arya has tackled this very awe-inspiring topic for us in
his new book Sai Baba and Moksha. Moksha is the Sankrit term
for Liberation from the seemingly endless cycle of birth and rebirth.
The first half of his book gives the classical yogic and Hindu teachings
on the various levels of consciousness and techniques to achieve them,
the science of meditation and the use of mantras. In the second half
the author, who has also written In Quest of God – A spiritual Seeker’s
Journey gives his personal expereinces of Sathya Sai Baba, and his knowledge
attained through deep meditation. Eventually his third eye is opened,
and he sees his Self in Truth. Not perhaps a book for the beginner on the
path, but essential reading for those who desire liberation.
CAN$3.95 (US$2.75)
Ed. Note: In Quest of God will be reviewed in the June issue.
MESSAGES FROM MY DEAREST FRIEND SAI BABA
By Elvie Bailey
Review by Marianne Warren
Although this book has been on the shelves of the Bookcentre
for a long time, it was not until Rochelle England visiting from Australia,
drew my attention to it, as she had helped Elvie Bailey while she was writing
the book. She told us that Elvie cites the story of Swami who appeared
in blue jeans and an orange shirt to help a young man, who had been prayed
for by a Prayer group (full story see p. 123). Enthralled with this
story, I went on to read the full book and could not put it down.
Elvie’s first visit to Sai Baba was in 1982, with an Australian group led
by Arthur Hillcoat. Prior to that she had been interested and involved
with psychic healing in the Phillipines. She had many intimations
that she was being used as an instrument of God which Swami later confirmed
as coming from him. The book describes her various visits to Swami from
1982 – 1987, and her growing closeness to Him. She has experienced
many unusual visions, dreams and incredible phenomena. It is loosely
constructed from her diary notes, and lacks a certain flow, but the content
is riveting. She tells of her experiences such as Swami’s robe which
would turn from orange to pink in his pictures to show her that he is present.
She includes her family’s experiences in her account. Elvie rather
assumes the reader will have been to Puttaparthi and knows the routine
there, but devotees will be able to identify with her growing love for
Swami.
CAN$9.50 (US $6.65)
POWER OF PRAYER - NEW VIDEO
Last month we reviewed the movie The Way to Baba, from the renowned
filmmaker Elda Hartley, from the US and said how good it was.
Because our Sai Centre has undertaken to have a group prayer session once
a month or when needed after satsang on a Sunday, to help those with problems,
we also ordered their new movie, Science and the Power of Prayer
for our own use. Well, this proved to be so good and informative
on the power of prayer that we feel everyone should see it.
So we ordered it to have in stock. As it’s from the US its not cheap
but the best things in life never are! (actually its the same price as
The Way to Baba). It’s an enthralling video giving up-to-date information
on recent startling discoveries concerning the medical advantage and healing
power of prayer. It asks the question, can the impact of prayer be
measured in a lab? The video cites various cases illustrative of
the fact that it can and does. Of course we know that patients respond
to tender loving care. But, in the research studies cited in the
video, the patients did not know they were being prayed for. Another
control group received normal treatment and no prayers. The comparative
results were amazing - those prayed for recovered faster, and had no deaths
or serious recurrences, while the control group had the usual percentage
of deaths and recurrences. The speakers are drawn from various disciplines
and medical faculties, and are both convincing and inspiring in their dedication
to what will best help their patients. It shows why science of the
21st century will incorporate the use of the higher consciousness
found in prayer. There are also some beautiful prayers given, ranging
from those of St Francis to Mother Teresa. An excellent thought-provoking
movie, which you might wish to show after satsang and runs for 55 mins.
CAN$42.75 (US $ 29.95).
RELEASE OF TWO NEW CD’S
We are proud to announce that we will be releasing two new CDs.
The first one is a CD by Vani Jairam called Sri Satya Sai Smaranam.
Vani Jairam, oneof India's most accomplished singers, is truly in her element
rendering bhajans from the depths of her soul in homage to Sri Satya Sai
Baba of Puttaparthi. This Sanskrit and Hindi Bhajans CD consists
of 19 excellent songs.
1. Omkara 2. Guru Charanam 3. Saramatha
4. Rama Rama 5. Jaya Jaya Madhava 6.
Ksheerabdi Tanaya 7. Sai Ram Sai Ram
8. Nirupama Sundara 9. Bhaje Gopabalam 10. Aravindaanana
11. Sadaananda -roopa 12. Antharanga Vaasa 13.
Sree Rama 14. Parama Dayakara 15. Manjubhashini
16. Paramaananda 17. Karuna Saagara 18. Patita Paavana
19. Sharanam Thava CD’s $12.00 (US $8.40)
NEW CD - SAI GEETHAM VOLUME 4
Review by Balachandran
By now Sai devotees are quite familiar with the three volumes of Sai
Geetham CDs. The lyrics and music inspired by Bhagavan Sri
Sathya Sai Baba to Dr. A. Ganesaal are nectarine. The music orchestration
was done by Mr. K. Padmanabhan Volume 4 is a good as the other volumes
in music, rhythm and presentation. Each song propounds the wonderful
character of our Lord, pouring bliss into our hearts. The first song
to Vinayaka (Ganesha) has a Caranatic music background will be a favourite
of music lovers. Sai, the Bolanath and his manifestation of the Hiranyagarba
lingam are praised in the song, Bolo Bolanath Sayeeswari has come
to refurbish this universe and the singer P. Suseela brings out the essence
in her sweet voice. S.P. Sailaja who has given her voice to BalaSai
in the TV Serial “Shirdi Sai Parthi Sai Divya Katha”, has rendered two
beautiful songs on this CD. She depicts devotion in this song for
the Guru and madhura bhakti in the song, Mandir me Avo Nandala. T.K.S.
Kalaivanam’s renderings seem to get better and better in each volume.
The sarva dharma song, Allaho Akbar will draw the attention of all Sai
devotees irrespective of their religion. Two of the local singers
have also offered their talent to this CD. Sathya in particular,
for a novice, has done very well with Jeyathu Sri Rama. This CD contains
12 great songs from a variety of well-known singers throughout India
These listed below:
1. Siddhi Vinayaka P. Suseela 2. Sadguru S.P. Sailaja
3. Bolo Bhola T.K.S. Kalaivanan 4. Sayeeshwari
P. Suseela
5. Karunakara Jeyasri 6. Jeyathu V. Sathya
7. Nanda Nanda Jeyasri 8. Mandir Me P. Sailaja
9. Jai Jai Ranga T.K.S. Kalaivanan
10. Sri Sathya Sai Dr. M.V. Kanchana
11. Avo Sundara P. Suseela 12. Allaho T.K.S. Kalaivanan
On the whole Sai Geetham Volume 4 is a treasure for Sai devotees.
You can see the cover of this new CD posted on our web page, www.saibooks.org
All four of the Sai Geetham CDs are $12.00 each (US $8.40)
PARTHI SAI BHAJANS
We also have a new audio-cassette sung by the well known devotional
singer P. Suseela. Parthi Sai Bhajans was released on Shivarathiri
Day (March 4, 2000) by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. P. Suseela sings
10 excellent songs in her melodious voice. 1. Hey Shubahabadan
2. Sarva Devatamurthi 3. Sree Chakra Nivafini 4. Ravivamsa
5. Neela Neela chana 6. Bhajo Bhajo 7. Radha Manohara 8. Sai Sadanandayee
9.Anuraaga Mandir 10. Munijana Bandita CAN$4.00 (US$2.80)
RAVI NASERY ‘LIVE’ IN MISSISSAUGA
We told you about Ravi Raj Nasery’s North American visit a couple
of months ago in this Newsletter. Now we have a video called Sangeet
Varsha of a Concert he gave in Mississauga, Ontario, just before he
returned to India. Now this is a non-professional video of the “Live’ performance
but it filmed so well and contains not only Ravi’s popular bhajans, but
also a host of his own new compositions, so that as a result this is a
unique piece of film. There is terrific local demand for it, so we
are making it available further afield. Ravi, who is well known as
a singer of bhajans and ghazals, is the solo artist and it lasts for 2
hours. He is accompanied by a group of local talented musicians.on
tabla, keyboard and guitar. There is also an audio tape available of just
the music and bhajans with the same title Sangeet Varsha. Video is
$15.00 (US $$10.50) and the audio-tape $4.00 (US $2.80)
BHAGAVAN SRI SATHYA SAI PADUKA MAHOTSAVAM
THE VIDEO IN 2 VOLUMES
The Paduka Ceremony took place on September 28 to October 2, 1999,
and 4005 couples participated in the ceremony, all holding their traditional-style
silver sandals called padukas. The founder of the Paduka Puja, the
late Sri Subramaniyam Chettiar’s son paid homage to him for making this
ceremony a tradition, while Swami looked on. In the first volume
we witness the opening of the Paduka worship in Kulwant Hall on Oct 1,
1999 where the chief Priest guides the devotees to perform nine Abhishekas
of the Padukas with different puja materials. We see Bhagavan blessing
the idols of Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman prior to the Homan ceremony,
and then moving amon the paduka-holders.
The function concludes with the offering of arathi. Volume 2 covers the Divine Discourse in the afternoon, wherein Swami asks all devotees to install Rama in their hearts. Therefore we refer to Rama as Atma-Rama. After the Discourse there is a beautiful recital of violin and veena. On October 2, 1999, there is a magnificent procession of paduka-holders with padukas kept reverentially on their heads. Bhagavan is standing at the head of the Hall to greet them as they come in. The Golden Shiva-Shakti Padukas are placed at Swami’s Lotus Feet. He then goes between the rows of Paduka worshippers and blesses them with sacred rice. $15.00 each video or $30.00 the set. (US $10.50 or $21.00 the set).
Jai Sai Ram!