Feb 16, 1988 Mahashivaratri More effulgent than the Sun, Whiter and purer than snow, Subtler

than ether in space, The Paramatma dwells in all, Permeating the entire Cosmos, Shining ln every atom. You are in that Brahmam That Brahmam is in you You are that Brahmam And Brahmam is you What greater truth Can I convey to you?

OM SRI SAI RAM MENSAJE DEL DIA 26 de Febrero de 2006 La luna es la deidad que preside la mente. La mente es la fuente de todos enried os de deseos y emociones. Hoy es el da catorce de la mitad oscura del mes, cuando la lluna es casi invisible; slo una fraccin diminuta permanece visible. La mente est, por lo tanto, casi sin poder en este da; si slo esta noche es transcurrida en vigilia y en la presencia de lo Divino, la mente podr ser totalmente conquistada, y el hombre podr realizar su verdadero ser. Uno debe mantenerse en vigilia en es ta sagrada noche por medio de cantos devocionales o la lectura o audicin de texto s sagrados. Hagan tambin de esto una prctica para su vida entera. - BABA

08 Mar Be unaffected by illusion (Maya). The intellect (Buddhi) in us is the witness of all things in this objective world. These worldly things limit and colour the i ntellect; they affect it and mould it into consciousness (Chaithanya). Illusion is only the intellect as affected by everything, as warped and twisted by the im pressions of everything. Therefore, the spiritual consciousness that is unaffect ed by illusion i.e. upon which the world has failed to produce any impression is the Lord (Iswara). Therefore, the person who is striving to reach the stage o f the Lord must be unaffected by illusion, unimpressed by the world! How can one remain unaffected? Through analysis, rationalization, fearless inquiry, and pur e reason. To acquire this analytical reason (Viveka), sharing in the task of pro moting the welfare of every being in nature is essential. BABA

Follow what I say wherever you are in the world, if you do then I am near you al ways, I am there always where my Words are followed.

- From Bhagawan's Maha Shivarathri Discourse in 1979 bhajan downloaded Jaya Sai Shankara Jaya Abhayankara Samba Sadaa Shiva Shiva Hararey Shiva Hararey Shiva Hararey Jaya Sai Shankara Jaya Abhayankara Jaya Gangadhara Jaya Bimbadhara Vyagraambaradhara Shiva Hararey Shiva Hararey Shiva Hararey Meaning: Glory to Sai who is Shiva bestower of fearlessness the unchanging eternal Lord bearer of the Ganges and the sacred moon Shiva who wears a tiger skin.

Today we are celebrating Shivarathri. 'Shivarathri' means "Auspicious night". At least on this day, one should chant Shiva's name all through the night. At leas t on one day in a year, chant the Lord's name. This night, devotees are expected to stay awake by chanting the sacred name of Shiva. Keeping awake in any other way is purposeless. Spending the night reciting the Lord's name sanctifies one's life". - From Bhagawan's Shivarathri Discourse: February 25, 1998 I shall be in this body for 58 more years: I have assured of this already. Your lives are intertwined with My Earthly Career. Act always in accordance with that great privilege". Prashanthi Nilayam, 21-10-61. Shiva, Parameswara is represented by the Wonderful LINGAM, which is the most div ine act of creation. It represents life for everyone and everything. The Linga h as three parts. The Bottom is Brahma, meaning Creation of everything in the Univ erse, whatever was, is and will be created is represented by the Brahma part of the Shivalingam . The middle or the second part is on the pedestal and is shaped like a Womb Vishnu, Which means the Supreme Being in the Universe, Lord Vishnu symbolis es sustaining the Universe and protecting it, The third part is that rises above the pedestal and which Represent Lord Shiva, This means that Shiva is the culmi nation of Both Brahma and Vishnu, meaning he is the Creator, Sustainer and the D estroyer of the Universe and everything. This is what the Shiva Linga, It means that it has got the Three features of the World - Creation, Sustainance and Destructi on. Shiva is called NILAKANTA, or the one with the Plain Blue Throat, this happened because He Drank the Poison that came from the ocean which would have destroyed everything in the Universe. The Poison is in the Middle part of the Shivalinga m

eaning the part where Vishnu Resides meaning Sustainance, He drank the Poison to sustain the Universe, The most holy river Gangadevi flows from his matted hair which means that It is the Purest Form of Eeverything in the World. The Sun, Moo n and stars form his crown symbolising the World is with Him. As NATARAJA, HIS TANDAVA is the cosmic dance which controls everything in the World. The World da nces to His Rhythm. ============================ 02 March Shivaratri We have spent so many nights ever since we were born, but not all those nights c an be termed Shivarathri. Since this night is spent in meditation and singing th e Glory of the Divine Name of Lord Shiva, it is called Shivarathri. Not only thi s night, but also whenever you spend an entire night meditating upon the Divine Name, that night is also called Shivarathri. Always attach yourself to the Divin e Name. Always meditate on the Divine Name. Not just contemplation, but Meditati on with love for God. Your love for God should be continuous through the day and night and should never undergo a change. - Baba Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam today 2nd March 2011 - Maha Shivarathri ============================== 01 March 2011 Mahashivaratri is 2-3 March Anyone who is intent on following the spiritual path or meditation must take eve ry care that these ten enemies do not even approach them. (Tenfold sins: 3 physi cal, 4 verbal, and 3 mental. The physical sins are: injury to life, adulterous d esire, and theft. The verbal sins are: false alarms, cruel speech, jealous talk, and lies. The mental sins are: greed, envy, and denial of God). These sins have to be eschewed completely. Instead, you need tendencies that will help you prog ress and not drag you back. You must speak and act only good (Shubha), for good alone is auspicious (Mangala) and the auspicious alone is Shiva. This is what th e scriptures (Shastras) teach. The good is the auspicious. The auspicious is the spiritually helpful. Thus being good is the true instrument that aids in mergin g with Lord Shiva. BABA

KaranjiagoesontoquotetheEnglishversionofaTelugupoem,whichBabaoncesangasapro oneofHisdiscourses: 'I am the Dance Master; I am Nataraja, the Lord of Dance. You are all my pupils. I, alone, know the agony Of teaching you, each step of the Dance'.

Ruminatingoverthecosmicdimensionsoftheagonythatthispoemtriestoexpress,Karanjia "Toonewhocarriestheburdenaswellasthegloryofhumanagony,campaignsofcalumnyindu inbyafewmisledpeoplecanhardlytouchhim."AndassimplyandnaturallyasChrist'splea cross,forforgivenessforthose'whoknownotwhattheydo,'Babablessesthecalumniator

Mar 7 1978

Shivarathri is a very auspicious day for all. It is the fourteenth day of the lu nar fortnight when the moon is waning and the sun is in the sign of Aquarius. Th e festival is, however, related to the moon rather than the sun. That is the rea son why it is called Shivarathri, the night of Shiva. Unlike other nights, this particular night is the night of consecration, of dedication, of illumination. Immerse your mind in good thoughts and the world will be good; soak it in bad th oughts and the world will be bad for you. So, recollect only good; do, think, an d plan only good; speak and act only good. Then as a result you will approximate God, the source of all good. This is the message of Shivarathri. Another significance of Shivarathri is this: Shiva, or the Eternal Absolute Pers on, in His desire to attract the world of matter, engages Himself in the thandav a, the cosmic dance. The dance is a Divine plan to attract the material creation , For all Divine miracles like those of Rama (He who pleases and delights) and K rishna (He who attracts) are for drawing people to the Divine presence for the p urpose of correcting or cleansing them, or for confirming their faith and then l eading them on to the discipline of service so that they may merge in ecstasy, i n the source of all ecstasy -- a miracle resulting in sublimation, leading to se rvice to society and finally conferring self-realization. The cosmic dance is so fast that fire emanates from Shiva's body because of the heat generated by acti vity. In order to cool Shiva and comfort him, Paravathi, his consort, places the Ganges on his head, makes the crescent moon rest amidst the coils of his hair, applies cold sandalwood paste all over his body, winds round the joints of his h ands and feet cold-blooded snakes, and finally, being herself the daughter of th e Himalayas (the mountains with eternal snow), she sits on his lap and becomes a part of him. At this Shiva rises, and both the soul and the world of matter dan ce together to the immense delight of the Gods and of all creation. This happens , according to the Puranas, on the Shivarathri day. The very Divine principle which seekers strive to visualize by means of years of asceticism and renunciation is before you, here and now; realize the good fortu ne you are endowed with. I have this day, the holy day of Shivarathri, granted p ardon for all the errors you have fallen into knowingly or unknowingly up to thi s time. Have auspicious thoughts, speak auspicious words, and do auspicious deed s. And as a result of this, attain the embodiment of auspiciousness, Shiva Himse lf.

Date:5 Mar 1973 Occasion:Shivarathri Place:Brindavan Teacher of Teachers Sivarathri is observed every month, on the fourteenth night of the dark half; fo r the moon which is the presiding deity of the human mind, has only just one nig ht more to be a non-entity, with no influence on the agitation of the Mind. In t he month of Magha, the fourteenth night is named Maha (Great) Sivarathri, for, i t is sacred for another reason too. It is the day on which Siva takes the Linga Form, for the benefit of seekers. Siva is revered as the form which is to be ado red for the acquisition of Jnana of Wisdom. Jnana Maheswaraad Icched, as the Ved as advise. Pray to Siva for enlightenment, through wisdom. So, do not treat this day lightly, and reduce the disciplines prescribed by the sages for its celebra tion, such as fast and vigil and uninterrupted recital of the name of God, into a routine ritual, or a change for picnic, revelry, rivalry or factious fun. Cont emplate this day and this night, on the Atma Linga, which emanates from Siva, th e Jyothi Linga, the symbol of the supreme light of wisdom, and be convinced that Siva is in every one of you. Let that vision illumine your inner consciousness.

Iswara, a Name of Siva, means that He has all the glory that is associated with Godhead. Samkara, another name of Siva, means that He causes by His Grace, Sam t hat is, Ananda on the supremost level. Siva is the embodiment of Ananda; hence t he Thandava dance, which He enjoys so much, with the cosmos as His stage. To set apart just one day among the 365 for the worship of this universal Omnipresence is an insult to His majesty and mystery. Siva is known as Mrtyunjaya, He who vanquishes death. And He is also the Kaamaar i, the destroyer of desire. These two names show that he who destroys desire can conquer death, for desire breeds activity, activity breeds consequence, consequ ence breeds bondage, bondage results in birth and birth involves death. Iswara is also symbolized in the Linga Form, Lings is derived from the Sanskrit root, Li, means Leeyathe, 'merges'; it is the form in which all forms merge. Siv a is the goal who blesses beings with the most desirable gift of meaning in the universe. That is the end, the death, which one should strive for, the end which Siva can vouch-safe. Realize the God in you first; then, if you involve yoursel f with the material world, no harm can come to you, for you will recognize the o bjective world as but the body of God. Siva means, graciousness; auspiciousness; Mangalam. He is all graciousness, ever auspicious, Sarva Mangalam. That is the reason why the epithet, Sri, which indi cates these qualities, is not added to the name Siva, Sankara, lsvara etc. It is added to the number of Avatars, for they have taken on perishable bodies for a specific purpose. They have to be distinguished from other humans, by the epithe t, Siva is eternally gracious, auspicious, mangala and so the epithet is superfl uous. Siva is adored as the teacher of teachers, Dakshinamurti. The form of Siva is itself a great lesson in tolerance and forbearance Man is inherently Divine; he ought therefore demonstrate in thought, word and de ed the Divine attributes of love, tolerance, compassion and humanity. God is Tru th; man too must live in Truth. God is Love; man too must live in Love, eschewin g anger. Master hatred through Love; master anger through sweet tolerance 29 Sept To concentrate effectively, fix your attention on a form that gives you joy. Sit in the Padmasana (lotus) pose and fix your eyes on the tip of your nose. In the beginning, practice meditation for a minute; then for three minutes. A few days later, try for six minutes and after some time, for as long as nine minutes. Th us, the concentration has to be strengthened gradually, without undue hurry. Slo wly, the mind can be held for even half an hour. Slowly and steadily, the discip line must be developed. With practice, the mind will get fixed and the power of concentration will increase. To attain concentration and acquire one-pointedness , you must undergo exertion to some extent. You must fasten your mind on the Lor d and keep off all other thoughts from the mental plane. By constant exercise of this type, your vision will be firmly fixed on the Lord residing in your heart. That is, verily, the goal, the full fruition of meditation. BABA Bring 'Bhakthi' and lay it here and take from here spiritual strength! The more such business is done, the more pleased am I. Bring what you have, namely, your sorrows and griefs, worries and anxieties, and take from Me joy and peace, coura ge and confidence. In My view, there is no seniority or juniority among devotees . The mother spends more time tending the sickly child; she just asks the older children to look after themselves; she feeds with her own hand the infant. That does not mean that she has no love towards the grown-ups. - From Bhagawan's 1955 Maha Shivarathri Divine Discourse.

OUR LIFE IS HIS MESSAGE Guru is Brahman. He is the Creator; He Himself is the creation and He is the One that exists in the creation. The universe is filled with Brahman. It becomes cl ear that the One who Himself has become the universe is the Guru. Guru is Vishnu. Who is Vishnu? Vishnu is one who has the quality of pervasivenes s. He is the Doer and also what is done. The universe is the action, God is the Doer. God is the consciousness behind the cause and effect. The whole universe i s the form of Vishnu. This Vishnu is the Guru. Guru is Maheshvara. Who is Maheshvara? He is the one who rules all beings in the Universe. He commands and ordains everything in the universe in the right manne r. Sun-rise and Sun-set go on according to His command. Seasons, rain, the day a nd night are His commands. Eeshvara is one that makes everything--follow its dis cipline without any lapse. Guru is not one who merely teaches. A Guru is omnipot ent, omniscient and omnipresent, He is God himself - From Bhagawan's Divine Discourse on July 14th, 1992 13 Oct Thought for the Day We refer to humanity as mankind. Does this not imply that as a human you should radiate kindness? Sath means God. You should have the company of God or proximity to God. Chith is awareness. The combination of Sath and Chith gives Ananda (Divine bliss). Sath is sugar and Chith is water. If you mix them, the names of sugar a nd water go away and you get syrup. Sath is Shivam and Chith is Parvathi. So, th e combination is Ardhanareeshwara (The form of Lord Shiva, where the Lord is hal f male and half female). Every one of us has the divine principle of Ardhanarees hwara within us. Fill up your tank of heart with love. Then it will flow through the taps of all sense organs and also the five Pranas (vital airs). This is the way to attain joy. BABA Monday, November 21, 2011 Shiva Within Me

O Shiva O Shiva O Shiva O Shiva O Shiva O Shiva O Shiva O Shiva O Shiva O Shiva O Shiva O Shiva O Shiva O Shiva O Shiva O Shiva For all O Shiva

within me, may Thou give me strength; within me, may Thou give me wisdom; within me, may Thou give me prowess; within me, may Thou give me Thy peace! within me, may Thou give me vision; within me, may Thou give me love; within me, may Thou give me finesse; within me, may Thou give me Thy Shakti! within me, may I never feel abandoned; within me, may I never feel sullen; within me, may I never feel weak; within me, may I never feel Thy absence! within me, may I never feel dejected; within me, may I never feel despair; within me, may I never feel distanced; within me, may I never feel separated from Thee! problems, all issues, all worries, all shortcomings, within me, Thou art the sole solution, the sole remedy!

Aum Namah Shivaya. Agnideva 2011. All rights reserved. Wednesday, October 26, 2011 In the Union of Shiva and Shakti On this holy night of Diwali, O Divine Mother On this dark moonless night, O Kali When the longitude of the Moon is one with that of the Sun On this night before the beginning of the auspicious month of Kartik Marks the union of Thee with Thy Beloved! May Thou appear to us as Shiva Himself, who is but Thyself! May Thou appear to us as Ramachandra Dasharathi, as He returns triumphant to Ayo dhya May Thou appear to us as Krishna Vasudeva, as He returns triumphant to Dwaraka May Thou appear to us as the dwarf Vamana, the Subdoer of King Mahabali May Thou appear to us as resplendent Lakshmi emerging from the ocean of nectar May Thou appear to us Dhanvantari, the Healer of all ailments May Thou appear to us Bhadrakali, the Destroyer of all things evil O Shakti, the embodiment of Shiva, Thou are all the forms of Divine indeed O Universal Mother, whose praises know no beginning nor end Guide us always, always on the path of truth and of realization For in the union of Shiva and Shakti is reality so pure and bliss eternal. Aum Namah Shivaya. Agnideva 2011. All rights reserved. OM SHRI SATHYA SHIVAYAH NAMAH The Mantra is known as Mrytyunjaya mantra, meaning victory over death, i.e liberation from the circle of birth and death. THE LIFE GIVING PRAYER OM TRYAMBAKAM YAJAAMAHE SUGANDHIM PUSHTI VARDHANAM URVAA RUKAMIVA BANDHANAAN MRITYOR MUKSHEEYA MAMRITAAT " Lord Shiva, we meditate on you. Bless me with health and immortality As easily as the ripe cucumberIs severed from the bondage of the creeperRemove us from th e clutches of pain and deathAnd liberate us from the cycle of death and rebirth. " "We worship the Three-Eyed Lord Shiva who is naturally fragrant, immensely m erciful and who is the protector of the devotees. By worshipping Him,m ay we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality just as the ripe cucumber easil y separates itself from the binding stalk i.e " By Your Grace, Let me be in the state of salvation (Moksha) and be saved from the clutches of fearful death and calamities." Remembering Lord Ganesha and then Brahmarishi Vasishta who has give n us this mantra gives enhanced results."An awesome version of the mantra sung b y Shankar Sahani is available at www.mahamrityunjaya.com. It is also available o n You Tube. Please listen and relish. Om Shri Sathya Sai Babaya Namaha Bhasma Bushitanga Sai The bhasma or vibhooti is the sacred ash from the dhuni or fire of a yogi or ava doota. It is believed that bhasma destroys all the sins and that it links us to

the divine. It is called Bhasma because it has the power to dissolve all the evils . Similarly, the the great heat of tapasya and the churning of the mind in medit ation reveals the underlying subtle spirit of the atman. Bhasma or Udi is also called vibhooti , because it gives spiritual power. The Sansk rit word, vibhooti means glory , as it gives glory to one who applies it, protecti on from ill health and negative forces, and attracts the higher forces of nature . Another meaning of vibhooti is healing power , and it is widely used as a medicin al treatment in both ayurveda and Chinese and Tibetan medicine. Bhusman or Bushitanga he who uses bhasma as an ornament

The word bhasma means that by which our sins are destroyed and the Lord is rememb ered". Bha implies Bhartsana ( to destroy ) and sma implies smaranam ( to remember ). The plication of Bhasma therefore signifies destruction of the evil and remembrance of the divine. Bhasma is called Vibhuti ( glory ) as it gives glory to one who appli es it and raksha (which means a source of protection) as it protects the wearer from ill health and evil, by purifying him or her. The ash we apply indicates th at we should burn false identification with body and become free of the limitati ons of birth and death. It also reminds us that the body is perishable and shall one day be reduced to ashes. As death can come at any moment, this awareness mu st increase our drive to make the best use of time. This is not to be misconstru ed as a morose reminder of death, but as a powerful pointer towards the fact tha t time and tide wait for none. Bhasma is specially associated with Lord Shiva, who applies it all over His body . According to Hindu mythology Vibhuti or Bhasma is said to be favorite to Lord Shiva and that's why He is often called Vibhuti Bhushan (the one having ash as h is ornament). Shiva devotees apply bhasma as a tripundra (the form of three line s). When applied with a red spot in the centre, the mark symbolises Shiva-Shakti (the unity of energy and matter that creates the entire seen and unseen univers e). Ash is what remains when all the wood is burnt away and it does not decay. Simil arly, the Lord is imperishable Truth that remains when the entire creation of in numerable names and forms is dissolved.