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FEBRUARY 2001 Volume 6 No. 7

Aum Sri Sai Ram!

We express our sympathy to all the victims of the earthquake in the state of Gujarat, India.  Swami says, “Service to humanity is Service to Divinity.”  If you would like to help, please send us your cheques and these monies will be forwarded to the Red Cross Canada.  Your cheques may be made payable to Sri Sathya Sai Book & Information Centre.

In the previous issue there was a list of many new books that were released during Swami’s 75th Birthday and some old books that are back in stock.  This month we would like to provide you with reviews for as many of those books as possible hoping that every reader will find something that would benefit him or her.

MY PILGRIMAGE – AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF SUPRABHATHAM
Many of you, I am sure are familiar with the Suprabhatam – a morning prayer to awaken the Lord and the aarathi which is sung at the end of any ceremony or a bhajan session.  The author Anjali Deshpande who is also a Bal Vikas teacher has inquired as to why would anybody sing a song to awaken God who is already awake.  The significance of a Suprabhatam is to awaken the sleeping divinity within us.  Mrs. Deshpande has analyzed each and every word of the 2 Sanskrit prayers, which is quite a difficult task.  She has written this book with Sri Sathya Sai Baba as her inner guide.  You will also find these 2 prayers with its meaning described briefly in many of the Bhajan books, which you may already have.  Even though there are many typographical errors, this lovely booklet carries an in-depth analysis of the prayers and I felt refreshed and alert after reading the entire content.  Price: $2.00;US$1.40

  SATHYA SAI, THE SAVIOUR – A COLLECTION OF FASCINATING ARTICLES
Professor Kasturi once said, “Every devotee’s life is an unwritten book of Swami’s”.  Many devotees have written their experiences and published them on the 75th birthday of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.  This one is my favourite.  The Prashanthi Society of Hyderabad released this publication on the 75th birthday of swami.  It is a collection of articles by people from different walks of life.  Some of these people are very well known in India.  The first article comes from Professor Anil Kumar who is often seen translating discourses of Swami in Prashanthi Nilayam.  He narrates many incidents that he has personally witnessed and learnt valuable lessons from.  The subsequent articles come from people residing in UK, Japan, Finland, Ukraine, Australia and some other countries.  There is a very fascinating article from late Mrs. Gori PeddaBottu.  She had the rare opportunity of serving both the incarnations of Sai Baba.  Her first name Gori was given to her by Shirdi Sai Baba and the last name, Peddabottu (a big dot on the forehead) was given by Sri Sathya Sai Baba.  All the articles in this book are of very high quality.  One of the nine-point codes of conduct is to read Sai literature regularly.  This book definitely must be included in the list as it deepens your devotion and faith in Swami.  Price: $7.25;US$5.10

LOVE IS MY FORM – A SPIRITUAL SEEKER’S PERCEPTION
Like many, Mr. B V Ramana Rao visited many holy places and people to have a glimpse of experiences of God.  But nothing touched his heart.  As a part of his quest he went to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.  He first saw Bhagavan in 1966.  The author had a close friend who persuaded him to join on a journey to Baba’s ashram in Puttaparthi.  At the ashram he inquires about Bhagawan and finds out more about Him and His teachings.  He himself was later called in for an interview.  He narrates the whole conversation with Bhagawan.  His teachings drew him closer to Baba and since then he has been a volunteer at the ashram.  He has recorded many interesting events during His close encounters with Bhagawan.  These events reiterate Baba’s maxim “MY LIFE IS MY MESSAGE”.  Price: $3.00;US$2.10

SATHYA SAI BABA, GOD IN ACTION – TALKS BY KASTURI
This book is a compilation of Prof. Kasturi’s talks, which were delivered to groups of foreign devotees at Prashanthi Nilayam.  Prof. Kasturi was a scholar, a linguist, a gifted writer and speaker.  He talks about the various attributes of God and a devotee based on the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.  In his talks, the professor has also elucidated the prayer Asatthoma Sathgamaya (Lead us from the unreal to the real); Thamasoma jyothir gamaya (darkness into light); Mritthyorma Amritam Gamaya (death to Immortality).  His speech about the way people are drawn towards Swami is very interesting.  His talks are very lively and filled with amusing and humorous anecdotes.  Price:  $7.00;US$4.90

SAI BABA’S MAHAVAKYA ON LEADERSHIP - Review by Angus Cunningham
Setting an example of excellence as an army officer of his calibre, General Chibber has not feared to attempt the all-but-impossible: a distillation of the attributes of leadership and a discourse on proven methods for attaining them.  Born in NWFP (North West frontier province) in 1927, General Chibber rose through his regiment, the 5th Gurkha Rifles, to command 300,000 people deployed in eyeball-to-eyeball contact with Pakistan and China in India’s Northern Command.  His next appointment was as Chief Executive of the Indian Management Institute, and in 1989 he became a Visiting Professor in MBA studies at the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Institute of Higher Learning.  General Chibber knows how to lead and to teach leadership!

His book is well worth reading – a gem indeed.  He has scoped his subject comprehensively, and organized its chapters well.  He has carefully articulated the logic by which his views of leadership relate to the five values underpinning Sai Baba’s teaching and example.  He has written with an inspiration that will motivate many.  He has also given us some valuable personal stories of his own – although, to this reviewer’s mind, not enough.  Best of all, he has given teachers and parents some practical and proven exercises in self-discipline and self-development – for both themselves and their charges.  This is not, however, a book that anyone – whether teacher, parent, or young person – should think of as a complete cookbook on leadership.  General Chibber warns us of this, and kindly gives us an excellent bibliography from which we can refine the ideas and lessons we learn from his book and gain additional inspiration.

But what he does not do well is help us distinguish self-image from self, ego from true self.  This is a crucial distinction to make because every leader must learn to draw the line very, very accurately between the false modesty often found in unselfishness and the courage to be true to his or her sense of the universal atmic self.   Anyone aspiring to be a leader has a right, therefore, to find material on this subject included in a book claiming to cull and organize Sai Baba’s Mahavakya (Great Sayings) on Leadership.  Part of this failing lies in the General’s English.  Inaccurate use of key words and syntax assault the reader, and frequently this will cause confusion.  Just as serious, his text is by no means gender neutral – although, to his credit, General Chibber has found six women to include in his impressive list of 108 world leaders.

Nonetheless, I feel this book fully earns the title of “a gem”.    Perhaps the General will team up with an insightful editor and advance to a more polished 2nd edition!  If he does, his book will have an honoured place in my bookshelf.  Price:  $5.95;US$4.20

PEARLS OF DEVOTION - 108 ASHTOTHARA NAMAVALI – Review by Sarojini Kugarajan
Mrs. M S Subbulakshmi has compiled this book.  She is an exponent of the highest order in ancient Indian classical music and she has given many recitals in the presence of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. She is also the first Indian woman to give a recital at the United Nations Organisation.  In this book, Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s 108 Ashtothara Namavali has been beautifully illustrated with pictures from Baba’s life. It also contains the meaning and context of each line of the Namavali, which actually summarizes very nicely the life story of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.  It is given in a very simple and easy to read text that even kids and young adults can enjoy.  This book is also available in Tamil.  Price:  $4.50;US$3.20

ABSOLUTE SOLE LORD OF LIFE & DEATH – Review by Kan Narayan
Professor Krishna Nanda Sinha, with a doctorate in English literature from Arkansas University, USA, formerly headed the English department at University of Bihar, and Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning at Prasanti Nilayam. The origin of this book dates back to 1973 when Sri Sathya Sai Baba came to live in their shrine and they worshipped Him. It was Swami who commanded Professor Sinha in a mystique way to write a book on Him.

The book is a collection of experiences with divinity, as lived through by the author himself and his family, in their sojourn towards Swami’s Lotus Feet.  Each incidence narrated dramatically and vividly reiterates that Baba loves all, without condition and restriction. First he leaves his visiting cards, in the form of beautiful materializations of Vibhuti and Kumkum, to adorn the family altar. From there, the author goes on to describe some miraculous occurrences, such as when Baba, as Shirdi Sai, steps out of the picture frame, to help his daughter face a terrifying battle of mind and spirit. In the midst of it all, all she knew was that her father and preceptor was Baba and He alone. This book traces a journey of such steadfast and unflinching faith, and its pages resonate with the passionate and yearning desire to serve the Lord, as His instrument, as the vehicle for His sweet and lilting music. When the professor himself faces the lord of death, seemingly at the culmination of his journey, Swami miraculously gives him another chance of life, to complete his mission.

Professor Sinha intersperses his beautiful narrative with soaring poems from various masters of the written word. They are indeed jewels for us to read, nay, cherish and for us to be led to the Master of Metaphor and the Ultimate Muse Himself.

How fresh, O Lord, how sweet and clean
Are thy return. Ev’n as the flowers in spring;
To which, besides their own demean,
The last past frosts tributes of pleasure bring.
Grief melts away
Like snow in May.
As if there were no such cold thing.
By George Herbert, The Flower

The book also carries an invaluable appendix, consisting of ‘Sai messages for one and all’. This review, and indeed this life, would be hopelessly incomplete without their treasured wisdom: “Bring your heart to Me and win My heart. Bring your promise to me and I shall give you My promise but first see that your promise is genuine and sincere. See that your heart is pure.”  Price:  $6.95;US$4.90
[Ed.Note: We also have prof K N Sinha’s second book Sai Baba, the Rose fire of Heaven priced at $7.95;US$5.60]

END OF THE ENDLESS SEARCH - VEDIC MEDITATIONS FOR IMMORTALITY
 “Ever since individual soul got separated from the Supreme Soul at the time of creation of this universe…consciously or unconsciously man has been engaged in the unending search to trace its source in the Divine.”  And thus, in a gesture both sweeping and subtle, the preface begins; setting us, the readers on a journey into a book that is deep, meditative and very unique. The author has extracted the essence of the sacred truth revealed in the Vedas (Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharvana) and the Upanishads, as perceived by the Rishis of ancient times after their intensive meditations, and as elucidated to us in simple and sweet terms by Bhagavan Baba in His Divine discourses. These excerpts are quoted from various volumes of Sathya Sai Speaks, Summer Showers, Vahinis, Sanathana Sarathi volumes from 1989 to 1999.

Mr. Arya has selected vidyas from the Vedas and the major Upanishads and has presented them in a simple and intelligible way for a seeker’s easy understanding.   Depending upon the translation and guidance from one’s Guru, it can take, at minimum, anywhere from 15 to 30 days for one to barely skim the surface of one Upanishad.  Therefore, we are fortunate to have access to the fundamental nature of many Upanishads with related teachings from Bhagavan Baba, in one book form.
On meditation Mr. Arya summarizes the four-stage sadhana (spiritual effort) of harmonizing breath, visualization, prayer and meditation. Also, he covers the seven chakras of the human body along with their locations.  The book also stresses the importance of the Gayatri Mantra as a part of meditation. As many readers will know, Bhagavan Baba has asked spiritual seekers to chant this sacred mantra, referring to it as the pinnacle of all mantras.

This book is very instructive for people who are interested in delving deeper into philosophy and meditation.  As Baba says, “...if one attains self-realization before he throws off the physical body or the mortal frame, then he certainly becomes freed from the bondage of the phenomenal world, samsara.’  Price:  $5.00;US$3.50
[Ed.Note:  P P Arya’s SAI BABA AND MOKSHA priced at$5.95;US$4.95 is now back in stock]

BABA, THE BREATH OF SAI - Review by Wai-Yan Chow
With the permission of Sai Baba, this book had been published more than thirteen years ago.  Grace J.  McMartin compiled this and another book ‘A recapitulation of Baba's divine teachings’.  It contains a selection of Baba's precious teachings gathered from important messages of Sri Sathya Sai Baba's discourses.  The compiler hopes the book will better reveal some aspects of Sai Baba's teachings that many of us may have missed. In the book, Sai Baba explained the primordial sound of absolute "Aum" in detail.  The profound truth of Brahman (universal Absolute) was elucidated in simple and understandable exposition.  What is the real self?  How to deal with death?  What is the purpose of human body?  How to lead a spiritual life and finally get liberation in a practical way? And there are many more important questions for which you can find answers in this book.  Sai Baba also expounded samsara (ocean of life), nobler path, deities, joy & grief, eternal bliss, immortality… etc.  I sincerely wish those who read the book would catch "the breath of Sai".  CAD$4.95;US$3.45

[Ed.Note:  We have a limited number of copies of the book A Recapitulation of Baba’s Divine Teachings available at a price of $4.95;US$3.50]

ENCOUNTERS WITH DIVINITY - ARTICLES FROM EASTERN USA
This book contains a series of articles that originally appeared in the monthly journal “SAI SARATHI” published in eastern U.S.A.  These articles were written by a number of people from the western world about their personal experiences by calling out for Divinity.  Some of them were facing very serious problems in their lives and had nowhere else to turn except to God for help and comfort.  Sri Sathya Sai Baba of whom some of them had no prior knowledge answered their prayers. People of different background from a housewife, banker, T.V.film-producer, student, to a businessman who had lost everything, have contributed the articles.  The common message that emerges to surface is that they all found new strength and eternal support to face the uncertainties in their lives and their lives became more meaningful and blissful.

The book also reveals the great task, which lies ahead of us on the spiritual front - to become free from the bondage to our body and senses, to be liberated and be one with Swami. We have tremendous work to be done and time is slipping away from us.  It is not enough if we love God, we must act in such a manner that God will love us.  Swami says, “once we surrender mind to God completely, He will take care of us in every way.”  This book enables us to be introspective, to know our true nature and the power of God who, for many is in the form of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.  The reading of this book is faith-nourishing and definitely assures us that God is Embodiment of Love and every one of us can earn His grace.  Price:  $7.00;US$5.00

SEEKING DIVINITY - Review by Siddharth Gopinath
John Hislop is a familiar name to many Sai devotees.  He was a highly sought after speaker, and as the first President of the Sathya Sai Organization of America, he played a central role in the growth of many Sai Centers.  Seeking Divinity is a collection of talks that Hislop delivered between 1986 and 1993 to gatherings in the U.S., New Zealand and Japan.  Each talk is followed by a brief question and answer session.

Dr. John Hislop enjoyed unique access to Swami.  He had an insatiable spiritual thirst, having begun his own quest for truth at the age of 16.   Swami blessed Hislop by quenching this thirst; over countless interviews, Swami responded to the incredible variety of questions that Hislop posed.  As a result, Hislop’s words carry the conviction of someone who not only treaded the spiritual path, but of someone who was also able to clarify many of the doubts that cropped up along the way.  How does one handle desires?  How does one control the mind?  Am I the body?  These are some of the fundamental questions that Hislop delves into.  But he doesn’t stop there.  He also describes his personal approach in endeavouring to overcome such obstacles.  For instance, while on the topic of how to achieve liberation, he explains the roles of the paths of devotion and of wisdom.  He describes how he found it easier to follow the path of devotion and in doing so, came to regard God as a near and dear friend.  In fact, he would constantly argue, scold and talk to Swami!  He also describes how, after much practice, he was able to recite the Lord’s name in the form of  “Om Sai Ram” all the time.

Hislop’s manner of speaking was very much like that of a father figure.  It is obvious that he was very much interested in sharing his learning for our benefit.  For instance, he provides a tip for helping us to overcome what he calls the greatest obstacle in the path of devotees: that they look, hear and then forget; that they fail to benefit from the process of self-inquiry, of finding out “who am I”?  He advises us to write down on paper anything that we hear or read that strikes us with force.  That is what he did; he captured those few key sentences on 4x6 paper pads, and frequently contemplated and reflected on the truths that they contained.

For someone who had such a close association with Swami, he also had many wonderful personal experiences, many of which he relates here.  One striking incident was the time that Swami granted him the Darshan of Lord Krishna.  Hislop describes that he saw “ a person with the most beautiful, the most exquisite face of the greatest beauty” he had ever seen, something that no painter has ever captured or any poet described.

Seeking Divinity is not a new book; it was first published in 1998.  But it is something that should be read and re-read because it contains important concepts that are explained so clearly and easily.  Indeed, it is something that should grace the library of every serious spiritual seeker.  Price:  $11.50;US$8.10

VIDEOS – NEW RELEASE
The following videos are now available for a price of CA$ 20.00;US$14.00

We also have the videos of Shivarathiri - Lingodbhavam of 1999 & 2000 when Swami materialized the Shiva Lingam.
AUDIOS AND CDS
February is the month of Shivarathiri, which falls on Wednesday the 21st.  We have the following tapes and cds containing Shiva Bhajans: GOD LIVES IN PRASHANTHI NILAYAM – BOOK OF DIVINE DECLARATIONS
We are fortunate that this book is being available at this time when so many doubts about Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s divinity are storming the minds of men and women and hindering their spiritual progress.  This book was originally published in Hindi and contains Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s declarations in His own words.  The book has 2 sections.  In the first section, Swami (as Sai Baba is lovingly addressed) defines the Avatar and his mission in general.  In the second section Swami’s Divine Declarations about His own Avatarhood have been recorded.  All excerpts carry dates so that the reader may have a better understanding of the evolution of Sai Avatar and are culled from different volumes of Sathya Sai Speaks and other books published by the Prashanthi Nilayam Trust.  Price:  $4.00;US$2.80

Jai Sai Ram!

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