SRI SATHYA SAI BABA BOOK & INFORMATION CENTRE

58B Arlington Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M6G 3K8, Canada

Official Book Centre of the Sai Organization in Canada
Phone: (416) 481-7242  Website: http://www.saibooks.org
Email: saibooks@hotmail.com
NEWSLETTER OF THE CANADIAN SAI BOOK CENTRE
November 2002 Volume 8 No. 2

On November 23rd we will be celebrating the birthday of our beloved Lord Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Swami said, "I do not relish the celebration of my birthday or pompous decorations for the purpose. Such ostentation is not good for anyone. Adopt a practical attitude toward spiritual life. With holy thoughts in you on this auspicious day, you must go out into the world and spread your sacred feelings among others. Don't confine your feelings to yourselves or retain them only during your stay here. Spread them wherever you go."

This month we have featured books that make ideal gifts for Christmas. Also we would like to remind our readers to include in your gift list the 32 volumes of Sathya Sai Speaks series, the Vahinis (writings by Sri Sathya Sai Baba) as well as the Summer Showers Series starting from the year 1972 until 2000. The Summer showers series contain Baba's discourses during the Summer Education course on Indian Culture and Spirituality.

Upanishad literally means, "to sit next to," as those fortunate students of past epochs did in receiving this wisdom from their masters. Camille Svensson not only translates each Sanskrit verse but also juxtaposes illuminating and beautiful passages from the writings and speeches of Sri Sathya Sai Baba; it is as if we are sitting next to the lord of the Upanishads Himself, the "Thath" that is "the resident of the Inner Sky the Heart." As we often imagine, we can be His little children, seated next to His footstool in Prashanthi Nilayam, gazing up into the infinitely wise and gentle eyes of our Father and ask for His loving help in understanding this gift - these Upanishads. He blesses us in these pages.

Price: $9.75; US$6.80

The book contains excellent information, in brief, on the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, covering the steps in Sadhana (practice), different paths of yoga; the disciplines required on the path of Jnana and the process of meditation. A few sincere and advanced seekers (who call themselves Sai Anoos meaning atoms) of Truth have shared their divine knowledge gained through sadhana and direct or indirect experiences from Sri Sathya Sai Baba. It is all about the inner transformation and our jouney from I to We and finally to "I am I". This book contains a very practical and convincing example illustrating, the same atmic principle pervades in every living being. Just as the ice cubes in water, the entire space and universe is permeated by formless Divinity. The book gives a clear picture of who are our "masters" in daily life. They are our 6 internal enemies called desire, anger, jealousy, conceit, greed and attachment. Our aim should be to purify our thoughts by burning away innate tendencies and liberating ourselves from the hold of our "masters" over us. The book has illustrations, figures and some very interesting experiences of Baba's omnipresence and love for people of all faiths.

Price: $4.00; US$3.00

Late Prof. Kasturi who is adored by many Sai devotees has given us the four volumes of the biography of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba titled Sathyam Shivam Sundaram. The aforementioned title The Greatest Adventure is authored by his son Dr. M V N Murthy. He became very popular among the Sai community as the son of the late professor and conscious that there was danger in so many persons saying so many good things about him – the ego getting boosted. But Swamiji (as Sai Baba is lovingly addressed by his devotees) saves him by both 'talking' to him and 'ignoring' him. During one of his interviews with Sai Baba, Baba states, "Your fame is spreading"! The author asked, "Swami! Is this not bad since it will boost the ego?" Baba replied: "That is why you get knocks now and then!" Being a PhD in Geology his travels almost all over the world includes his many invitations to speak in several Sai Centres to share his experiences as well as the teachings of Sai Baba. This book contains many of these speeches as well as the articles contributed by Dr. Murthy for Sanathana Sarathi the monthly magazine published by Prashanthi Nilayam, the ashram of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Price: $5.95; US$4.20

The compiler of this book is Al Drucker who is also the compiler of Sai Baba Gita. This book opens with the account of the first meeting between the Great Sage Astavakra and king Janaka as it was originally told by Sai Baba and recounts the dialogue between the king Janaka and the young sage, Astavakra who taught the king the highest wisdom, the knowledge of the self. The enlightenment of Janaka, as depicted here, took place in very ancient times, many thousands of years ago. These teachings, known as the Astavakra Gita or Astavakra Samhita, have survived all these countless millennia, because they contain the purest truth that can be expressed in words. This book has been the favourite of hermits, mystics, yogis, sages and itinerant holy men since ancient times.

Price: $4.80; US$3.00

Tamil Nadu is a province of Southern India. Sri Sathya Sai Baba has once mentioned that Tamil Nadu is "Daiva Nadu". Daiva means Divine and Nadu literally means Land or country. Tamil Nadu is also connected with some of the land marks in Sai Era. Detailed reports and charts have been prepared on the origin, growth and development of the Sai Organization in Tamil Nadu. A picture is worth a thousand words. Pictures have been included wherever possible. This compendium in a soft cover is a collection of invaluable material, cherished and preserved by many devotees, as an expression of their love to Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Price: $2.50; US$1.75

This book which appears to be the size of a coffee table book has been compiled by the couple Faith and Charles Penn who have been among the earlier devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. This book contains Baba's wonderful words of guidance that we all look forward to reading which appear on the back covers of the magazine Sanathana Sarathi as well as the many letters that they have received and discussions and interviews in which they have participated regarding Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Price: $4.75; US$3.00

Note: We also have in stock the book titled Finding God written by Charles Penn. In this book he describes his own life experiences and his journey to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Price: $4.25; US$3.00

This is a beautiful parable written by Kay Brooks. The parable of a Little Drop that is separates itself from the Great Ocean, journeys through different forms of life, struggles to find its true identity and finally comes in contact with the Great Ocean at a beach and realizes that it is actually a part of the Great Ocean and finally merges with It. This is a hard bound glossy book ideal to be given as a Christmas gift for children of all ages.

Price: $20.00; US$14.00

The compiler of this book is Ms. Valentina Patacsil. She fervently prayed to Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Perfect Embodiment of Love that she may know the meaning of true Love, how to practice it, and how to live it, as the very essence of one's life. In His compassion and mercy, Lord Sai answered the yearning of her heart and soul and led her into reading His divine discourses as published in the Sathya Sai Speaks series and in the Sanathana Sarathi magazine, more intensely than she ever did before. Jewels of wisdom and droplets of nectarine bliss hidden in the pages of both publications assumed a scintillating radiance and a moving inspirational force. The urgency to compile His discourses was born and the heartfelt need to share them with others and the world gave form to this book, Love is My Message. Meditate upon His words with care for they enchant and transform the reader as they awaken and inspire into action. Makes a Great Christmas Gift!

Price: $12.95; US$9.00

• I AM I:

  The boys at the Sri Sathya Sai Hostel in Prasanthi Nilayam present this awesome CD containing over 2400 images of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba during various events and occassions, songs in MP3 file format and could be played using an MP3 player. The contents of the CD ROM as well as the attractive packaging make this a nice gift for Christmas or even a stocking stuffer! The size of this CD ROM including the package is as big as the size of any normal CD case.

  Price: $18.00; US$12.60
  
  
• SRI SATHYA SAI BHAJANAVALI VOL 11:

  The cd contains the following songs –

  1. Vakratunda Mahakaaya Surya Koti Samaprabha
  2. Nandishwara Hey Natarajah
  3. Ishwara Allah Eka Tumhi Ho
  4. Bolo Narayana Jai Jai Vittala
  5. Bhola Bhandara Baba Shiva Shiva Sai Baba
  6. Krishna Krishna Yadu Varah Krishna
  7. Jai Jai Vaishnavi Devi Maa
  8. Jaya Jaga Janani Jaya Hey Shankari
  9. Ratna kara Kula Deepa
  10. Nanda Kay Dularay Yashoda Kay Pyaray
  11. Bhaja Mana Narayana Narayana Narayana
  12. Om Jai Jagadeesh Hare ( the Aarthi song)
  
  Price: $12.00; US$8.40
  
  
• SRI SATHYA SAI BHAJANAVALI VOL 12:

  The cd contains the following songs -

  1. Gajanana Gajanana Sidhivinayak Gajanana
  2. Shiva Hara Hey Hara Shiva Hey
  3. Bhajan Karo Manava Govind Hare
  4. Deva Deva Deva Krishna
  5. Mera Man Sai Bina Nahin Lage
  6. Jaya Guru Jaya Guru Sai Ram
  7. Jaya Jaya Sadguru Sai Sada Shiva
  8. Ishwarambha Priya Tanaya Sai Narayana
  9. Ram Krishna Prabhu Tu
  10. Akhilandeshwari Raja Rajeshwari
  11. Aarthi song
  
  Price: $12.00; US$8.40