Bengaluru Travelogue

Bangalore International Airport was just great, comparatively. It was a good decision to shift it from HAL to way beyond even suburbs of this IT City. The way builders are lining up along the national highway, very soon the difference between city & airport will pale. I hope & pray the big brands from real estate will have the foresight to retain the green, unlike the (garden) city, with reduced green cover.

I still wonder, why was a rail-connectivity not planned as part of the project. Worth providing it even now, just to speed up and a better travel, compared to the efficient Volvo buses’ connectivity by RTC. The railway line goes along the NH, so it will be easier to link, compared to a very expensive option to extend the newly inaugurated ‘Namma Metro’. As we stepped out, the weather was so beautiful, inspiring!

Hop Stop & Jump Mumbai

Hop-Stop-Jump @ Mumbai International Airport:

This mega-structure, by local standards, under major development for quite sometime, is named after one of the most famous, admired rulers of recent Indian history – Chatrapathi Shivaji. He was a master-strategist, and exemplary executor. The pace of development process will not make the great warrior proud, for sure.

Last week, a colleague/friend asked, ‘how is your jet airways?’ This British of Arab origin (has worked with one of top-notch consultancy firms), was a man of taste. I was quick to respond, with a thumbs up, ‘one of the best Indian brands….one of my favourites’, to reinforce. (he knew how choosy I am about brands). For a moment I thought he was planning to check out ‘Incredible India’, after all my previous discrete sales-talks! (can sales talks be discrete at all?). But he said, ‘no, travelling to Maldives, looking for various route-options ’. I felt, Maldives deserved urgent attention of such responsible tourists, as the island nation was threatened to go under water, in not so distant future. The discussion was on the sidelines of our 2012 planning exercise with a bigger group, so the interaction did not go beyond the basic enquiry.

End of the week, I landed at amchi mumbai’s ‘international’ airport, early in the morning. No aerobridge, but a cramped bus, meant delays. If immigration counters were friendly, courteous & quick, the number of counters were just insufficient. Then, a long wait for luggage ( Need to travel lighter!). A queue awaited us for customs, though they were very efficient too. Many passengers were not mumbaikars, but onward passengers. As such the Mumbaikar’s discipline of standing in a queue was visibly absent.

The experience thereafter to catch the next flight was just painful – one more security check, check in, flight re-allocated due to the delay ( though we landed on time!), wait for bus (an old, antic Volvo). As I sat waiting for a mosquito attack, I felt guilty of not warning my (Maldives-bound) friend about this part of the ordeal…!

If he actually did a ‘hop-stop-jump’, he would have beeen surprised to find he was among the influential politicians of this region, meeting at Maldives. He would have bumped in to the soft -spoken Indian leader (Dr. Singh) and Pak PM with a green tie!

Like Bertie Wooster of PG Wodehouse, this Arab-British would not like Pak PM’s tie-selection.  But, Suzlon-sponsored, green ‘P - A – L Initiative’ would have approved !! What a pal to have, you may add!! But you don’t know, who may be a friend-in-need, even for a green initiative.

When I am back at work, next week, I will surely make efforts to catch up with him in the privacy of his cabin, so that he does not make any depressing comment about my city, Amchi Mumbai, though he was just ‘hop-stop-jumping’ ! ( watch out this space for update J)

But Jet Airways was great, as usual… except some delays, which may be largely beyond their control. While Kingfisher was in news for cancellation, I was glad I remained a loyal Jet customer, for their business like service and without unnecessary glamour ! 

PSN Update

• http://www.firstpost.com/india/86th-birth-anniversary-of-sri-sathya-sai-baba-139021.html
• .....  suggestions would be sought to install Baba’s statue and the sanctity of the Chitravati River and Kalpavruksham would be protected. (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/regions/anantapur/police-filed-false-case-trust-839)

In the Master's Presence by Shammi Paranjpaye on Times of India

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-23/faith-and-ritual/30429417_1_outer-senses-gaze-darshan

...."The outer vision is of necessity, transitory, casual, so that you may crave for and accomplish the inner darshan." very true indeed.

We have been fortunate to receive Darshan & Sudarshan. Now time for Inner Darshan... (Interview to Inner View, as Swami would say)

'Sri Sathya Sai Baba spent his life in guiding humanity and showering love on one and all with no distinction' 

That is true love, pure, selfless & Divine. Hence all those mega service projects, drinking water, super speciality hospitals, education.... all free

Puttaparthi, in its glorious spiritual splendour

'Puttaparthi Loses Grandeur'  http://ibnlive.in.com/news/puttaparthi-loses-grandeur/204671-60-114.html


I was quite amused to read this report. My immediate thought was, 'ignorance is bliss' ! Or, may be 'not spiritual ignorance' !?

A photo of the sleepy village in 1970s ! Today, it is township which can boast of visitors from over 170 countries.....! Yes, the villagers from the area may see a slight dip on their economic front. But devotees of Sai need not worry of 'roti, kapda & makaan'... check out with His devotees, millions in over 170 countries.  Also, may be time to focus on the higher levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs??

Yes, the township is reflection of the world. As such some of the global economic effects will 'reflect' too ! But not to worry, the holiest among places will lose no grandeur :) For the grandeur of the spiritual destination will shine forth... yes, we, the recipients of His love & grace,   have a responsibility to reflect His values in our lives...by Living SSpiritually

He was never woriried about external paraphernelia or 'grandeur'... all that we see was what His devotees wanted. He wanted to give drinking water, education, medical service, etc... all free. 

SSS CENTRAL TRUST releases annual report

The trust has proactively released their report. As per NDTV report, courtesy 'media pressure'. Also for the sake of general transparency.
Those of us who have travelled to Parthi for so many years always knew 'transparency' was always one of the key pillars of everything around Prashanthi Nilayam (PSN)... His life was His message, for His devotees.

Yes, Puttaparthi may see a shift - but is not change part of everything in life ?

But I can guarantee, based on my short trip to Parthi early this month... Parthi/PSN was surely very, very spiritual. And one can only 'feel' it, not see/hear/read it !

Check out folks ! Have a blissful day !
Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavanthu


http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/sathya-sai-central-trust-releases-annual-financial-report-152493

Why blame the world around us?

Do not worry about the unsatisfactory environment you may be in. Of course, sometimes the place you are in may have drawbacks and may not be ideal. But it is of no use trying to run away from it. You can overcome any obstacle by training your own mind. Stay in your environment and pray to the Lord that He may fill you with His thoughts and vision, enabling you to ignore the defects of your surroundings. Do not seek comfort, for it might not be conducive to meditation. Learn to be comfortable in any place; that is better. Live in joy wherever you are for that is the way. Revel in the realm of your mind, worship there the Lord you have chosen as your goal and be free of all the defects of your natural or human environment! Then no spot will be irksome to you, nor will any place seem disgusting.

- Dhyana Vahini, Ch 14: “Remove Defects in Character

A Loving Tribute to Sri Sathya Sai Baba

http://issuu.com/omsairam/docs/tribute-to-sathya-sai-baba

Sai's Empire Soul

Interesting read. ...
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/columnists/ashok-malik/sai’s-empire-soul#comment-49364

 You travelled 11 years ago, ( frm Hyd?). I travelled in 1988 to Puttaparthi, in a APSRTC bus. I was a non-believer, 'rational'  ( & at 22 yrs, just out of Nizam College, egoist, looking back!)

I wanted to become a journalist, even appeared in Osmania University's entrance.You are a man of words, as such all comparisons end there :)

As for becoming a journalist, my dad was unusually emphatic in saying 'No', though he allowed me to reject his career-ideas for me:  fauji, like him, or an engineer, to become banker.

As I sat on the sands for my first Darshan in June 88, I was a casual visitor. Then a Sai Student.
I have been most fortunate to see, learn and experience His love & blessings... Yes, He has given me a ring & a watch, my only attachments now. ( Today, I can thankfully afford the best brands, but nothing can match these two precious gifts - that helps me in practising one of His teachings, 'Ceiling on Desires').

When He becomes the fulcrum of my very existence, the experience can not be explained in words... the journey becomes truly blissful, spiritual. ( I am happily married, rate my parenting experience next only to my experience with Sai, enjoy best of relations with all my close relatives !)

And, He was not just a Hindu. He was above religions.
Yes, He opted to leave His body like a ordinary human being, after a brief illness. There is a message in all that, just as 'His life was His Message'.

We need to continue to enquire & explore, with humility... things will be clear and fall in place. That is the true spiritual journey...

Wish you alll Happy Journey !

Love All, Serve All..... Help Ever, Hurt Never - Baba

A Sister’s Eulogy for Steve Jobs

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/opinion/mona-simpsons-eulogy-for-steve-jobs.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1&ref=general&src=me

India's new fitness problem

India's problem of plenty... says a BBC report ( just watched)

Rising income in India is creating an unfit nation. Politicians are surely a prominent part of it ( Pun intended)

Cops no exception...

'1in 5 Indians are obese, as per BBC report...  

The choice is ours... I consider daily exercise to maintain minimum fitness levels is as important drinking 8 glasses of water, breathing ( right, rhythmic, conscious), healthy meals, etc.

Let us make a choice... to Live SSpiritually

Meditation

Meditation is the only method of countering the mental activities that surge forward in a thousand directions. - Baba

Save Earth, Let us save ourselves

The World is on the threshold of yet another milestone... population hits 7 billion mark...

It is time to implement 'green-initiatives', now at our individual level... so that it gathers momentum... 

NO time to wait ! Time to act... NOW !! For our own sake... for sake of children...the choice is ours ! Every bit of action should be subject to a 'green test'. Initially, we may not be very environmentally-responsible. But, as we keep the focus, we will be able to make rapid progress. The satisfaction we get can be comparable only to the bliss you get out of meditation. For, we are more natural, more in sync with Nature.

That is true living.. Let us GO Green... Live SSpiritually


William Osler - "We are here to add what we can to life, not to get what we can from life."
 i

Steve Jobs, Spiritually

Apple's website has replaced the image of Steve on the home-page with their new launch, IPhone 4S ...( Indeed, we need to move on...)


"Apple's iPhone 4S topped 4 million units sold worldwide over its launch weekend, a staggering figure that is the highest of any iPhone." - A report


That is a fitting tribute to the genius, Steve ! The whole world was expecting IPhone 5. Was it their mistake, to expect next generation of smart-phone from Apple ? Or, was it once again a PR disaster, by Apple ?  But thankfully, the fans of Steve 'Apple' Jobs ( they are thankful fans, not mere customers!) have lapped it up... A friend was sharing the Wall Street may  see this as 'under-performance', going by the previous records of Apple launches & the scrip may see a dip in prices... In a lighter vein, I am tempted to add, 'no wonder there are anti-wall street protests' :) Pun intended !


But I wonder, what will Steve be seeing this as...?! At a 'higher level', he will not be concerned about the success of the newest gadget from his company, not even the PR chaos.


Perhaps he may be concerned with the environmental damage the gadgets ( past, present & future) from Apple may cause. 
He may be concerned about the impact of radiation, though so-called studies are yet to confirm. ( Cigarettes, in spite of being 'injurious to health', continued to be in great demand!)
Also, about the financial impact of 'unnecessary' upgrade. 


Let us be aware ! Let us be responsible to our society, our family & friends and of course, ourselves!


RIP, Steve... 

A touch of The Master... Remembering Master with Infinite Gratitude

'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.

"What am I bidden, good folks?" he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar"; then, "Two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?

Three dollars, once; three dollars twice;
Going for three" But no,
From the room, far back, a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, "What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.

"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice,
And going, and gone," said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand
What changed its worth." Swift came the reply:
"The touch of a master's hand."


The Touch of the Master's Hand
by Myra Brooks Welch and Bob Kelly

Fast Food - A ticking time bomb in India

In India, we have one of the most beautiful of culinary variations - state to state, region to region. Slowly, but surely, the other internationally popular food stuff has won over the Indian plate, at least part of it. Junk food is perhaps one price we pay for economic globalisation and the consequent rise in disposable income. 

We love all the international influence on our diet ( pizzas or potato-chips).. we have ‘localised’ some of them ( Chinese or ‘indianised’ menu at some fast food counters).

While the west is grappling with the impact of obesity and related ailments, we are quickly catching up. That too when half of our children are categorized as ‘malnourished’.

But then, we have a choice !

Across all faiths, we offer food to God before we eat.

In today’s fast-paced world, even our prayers have become a mere passive,  murmuring of the words. Even God may find it difficult to pick up the words! 

ON top of it, we eat with distractions like TV !

Someone recently told me prayer should be chanted in such a way as though we are feeding God. So beautiful… that is an offering in letter & spirit.

Then, what is on our plate? Is it worthy to be an offering to God ? More so, if we are going to ‘offer to God’, would we offer junk food ?

What is not worth to offer God is not worth eating ourselves. For Divinity resides in all.

Divinity resides also in all those who can not afford two decent meals every day. Let us spare a thought for them…In an inter-connected world, we are truly spiritually-connected.

Let us eat & live SSpiritually… by highest ideals !

Western fast food, waistlines surge in India - Yahoo! News

Death of Physical Body, not Soul

10 Oct, 11 :

Last evening, as I sat for my evening prayer, I was struggling to focus. Quite Unusual, I thought…

After few minutes, a totally unexpected thought surfaced. Master says - ‘a negative thought re-surfaces at the most unexpected time’. The thought was of the scene at Murudeswar, Karnataka, when we visited the famous temple, couple of years ago.. 

Two men, while swimming, were swept away by the waves. From a distance, as we saw with horror, it left a deep impression… of helplessness of man, against nature. It remained in subconscious mind for some time, occasionally surfacing. But remained out of my thoughts for few months now, only to re-surface! But, why now ??

Was it the impact of death of an icon, Steve Jobs. I admired Steve for truly 'changing the rule of game', who always wanted to give the best to the customer.   

This morning, there was another news of death, of my favourite ghazal singer, Jagjit Singh. I was introduced by a friend to ghazals, while in my early-teens. Perhaps the first ghazal I heard intently was ‘kagaz ki kashti’… thereafter more songs, soulful-rendering, meaningful/interesting meanings, simple music, got me hooked. Jagjit was like Kishore da – you feel you can almost sing like him… but he was in a different league. I thought, one more icon goes from the face of earth.

I rate Steve Jobs’ ‘iTunes’ as his biggest contribution, way ahead of his gadgets and other initiatives. Jagjit Singh's ghazals is an important part of my itunes!

As I got ready to leave for work, as always, checked if there was sufficient water for dog, gave her some biscuits, made her run around a bit (to enable her to handle the loneliness till lunch-time). Then checked the hamster cage – it was not inside the toy-house within the cage; food kept last evening remain untouched, it was breathing heavily… something was wrong, I felt. My effort to wake up did not help. Even the smell of a piece of cheese, did not have any impact. I put some vibhuti on it… put some vibhuti in water and kept couple of drops of water ( with vibhuti) in its mouth. It showed no sign of response, except breathing. Was I going to witness a death ? 

Felt very sad, though I always thought I was not very attached to these pets, and maintained little contact with them – just feeding them, taking care, replenish stock of food/treat/, give vaccinations, etc were done religiously, to fulfil my duty as a responsible "owner" ! Perhaps it was to ensure minimum detachment ??!! 
I played ‘Vishnu sahasranamam’ on IPad, with prayers for the hamster….

The hamster had lost its partner, few weeks ago. My family was around at that time, now on vacation. It became lonely? We thought of leaving at pet-shop, so that it had company. Pet shop friend said there was no problem, they could carry on alone !! I thought if loneliness was not a problem, it will be better-off in our loving care…. How can I leave a hamster @ "old age home" ? Or, Was it attachment ??!!

During the day, there was another news about a death of a relative – but he had not been well for some time . At work, occasionally I remembered the hamster & prayed.

I reached before time for lunch - to feed dog & hamster, as always. As I entered, 'Vishnu Sahasranamam' was still playing on IPad. I thanked Steve & Apple, mentally... When I checked the hamster, it was lying in the same position, as it was in the morning.. but was not breathing. With head towards north, it was still. Very peaceful... listening to 'VSNamam', with vibhuti on body, the hamster 'moved on'... God bless. 

The pair was Koffee & Kannan,  christened by my son. The cage that was used by K & K is now cleaned up. The hamste-treat, lettuce, seeds, etc still left. May be I will feed the hamsters at the pet-shop. 

I am aware death is just physical - the soul moves on... but still, death is a tragedy for people affected by it. And so many deaths happen around us. There is be so much of sorrw. Also, so much negativity…. 

‘karma binds all’… need to raise sadhana for improved ‘samastha loka sukhino bhavanthu’

RIP, K & K

steve Jobs, Spiritually

Sharing this link & excerpts of message from a friend....

... a  logo of apple created by a student 


Look at the logo,  you will find Steve's face looking into the Apple logo. great imagination. This logo which was created by a student when Steve was forced out of Apple has gained more relevance now.



"http://news.discovery.com/tech/apple-logo-steve-jobs-111007.html"


PS - Steve will always inspire all at Apple... but also many cusotmers who are devotees of apple products 

Steve Jobs, Spiritually

In final weeks, Jobs managed his farewells

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in-final-weeks-jobs-managed-his-farewells/857213/0

Steve managed his farewells also very well... true to his style

• he said the experience of parenting was '10,000 better than anything else he did'
• an extremely private person, Steve surprisingly allowed an authorised biography, because he wanted his children to know him... 

PS : I am doing some of these posts on Steve, purely for posterity... also for my son! Indeed, parenting is second best thing to happen to me !

Steve Jobs, Spiritually

http://www.amazon.com/Steve-Jobs-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1451648537/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_1

Check out the link... pre-order the authorised biography of Steve Jobs.. on Kindle too

exp release - 24th Oct

Steve Jobs, Spiritually

So this morning, when I switched on the comp (Macbook), I was shocked to see the home-page, just Steve’s photo ! ( http://www.apple.com/ ).  He looked so intense and the Gandhi-glass fitted so well on him. Indeed, death is something none can escape.

A small act of kindness/random act of seva/service could not be done by me yesterday. Was busy @ work. I jokingly shared with a friend, 'business plan 2012 done.... wonder who will implement' ! Still keep planning, conspiring, postponing..... not Living SSpiritually

'Who will cry when you die'.... so many, across the globe feel sad about the loss. What an impact he had on the world... Surely Eddison of our times. One who made a huge impact on world, across generations to come... Gandhiji, Martin Luther King, Einstein, et al ( film by Apple)

‘Pepsi to Apple’ was a must-read when we were management students. Have followed Steve since then.

Harper stressed how Steve looked at the end-user experience. He looked at the product from a customer-perspective. He threw away an earlier version of I Pod as it was not ‘sexy enough’. It was his vision, we have some great products from Apple.


‘The World has lost a visionary’, said Prez Obama. Yes, surely an exemplary visionary. But, much more than that. He was a true ‘American’, what America stood for.  Sad to see people on New York streets, ‘inspired’ by Arab Spring! Wonder, why so many youngsters are conveniently after “wall street zombies”, instead of getting innovative?

At Work - Steve would have 'no mediocrity'. He was an inspiring leader. He himself had mentioned about the impact his style of work & the culture had on the personal lives of his team. Someone even called him 'a terrorist at work' !

He died so young. A friend mentioned on Linkedin – ‘all good people die young’. I wish to add, ‘all great people die on an auspicious day’. Indians, the world over, were celebrating Dassera today.  

I had 'forced' my son to to watch ‘Game Changer’ on Bloomberg.  I have tracked every bit of news item, on any of the media-channels. Always admired his vision, passion and class.

Recently, when I met & interacted with a group of youth, we discussed Spirituality & about my humble efforts to ‘Live SSpiritually’. When we discussed briefly about ‘Ceiling on Desires’, I mentioned about one of my very few weaknesses – for apple products! I was not surprised to see the reaction, a smiling nod/yes, and endorsement from almost all! I thought that was quite a universal phenomenon, a weakness for Apple Products. 

Will miss Steve... He will continue to inspire 

PS : I was not aware of this part of his story . Spiritual part of it . . thanks to CNN... Glad to share

The Spiritual Side of Steve jobs @ 


http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/05/tech/innovation/steve-jobs-philosophy/index.html?eref=rss_latest&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_latest+%28RSS%3A+Most+Recent%29

Meditation - steps

To concentrate effectively, establish your attention on a form that gives you joy. Sit in the padmasana (lotus) posture 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. Thus the concentration has to be strengthened gradually, without undue hurry. Slowly the mind can be held for even half an hour; this discipline must be developed steadily. 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 Lord and keep off all other thoughts from the mental plane. By such exercise done constantly, your vision will be firmly fixed on the Lord residing in your heart . That is, verily, the goal, the full fruition of meditation.

- Dhyana Vahini, Ch 13: “Developing One-pointedness”

Good Vs God

28 Sept

Read the quote from  SATHYA SAI's thought for the day as

'When the people become GOD, the world will become Good'

Having watched & read quite extensively recently, I did not realise the slip of the tongue ! The quote actually said, 'when the people become good, the world will become good'

I felt happy I read a 'God' and I am sure that is the level of 'goodness' Swami expects. Else, we are unfair to Him.

Good day.... God-day to all!

Social Network

FB users using more time on it than the total of next four, acc to a report !! North worth it, folks ! Pls let us not be slaves of social network !

Food - still a weakness

Some random thoughts -  these personal stories got more readership among friends in the past!

'Forced bachelorhood', again... with additional responsibility of a (wonderful, loving) dog. Has help to take care of hamster & fish-tanks, thankfully.

But a deep desire to move more inwards, SSpiritually. Reading a wonderful SSpiritual travelogue... struggling to find sufficient time for meditation, reading and surely exercise.

I am managing time better... at least getting up on time, very early. Perhaps, can do better, surely... being part of Live SSpiritually! Afterall it is a journey...

Got into the kitchen. Tried all the usual stuff, including dosa, dal , noodles, veg curries, et al ! Surprisingly, nothing seemed to be working out, as earlier. Have I lost my edge in cooking ? I do have a reputation for my culinary skills.

I felt bad for the quality of output... I just shared a quote from a friend, “I have offended God and mankind because my work didn’t reach the quality it should have.”…. Leonardo Da Vinci

Same friend forwarded a collection of Palakkad-Tam-Brahm recipes too :) Being a converted veggie, my taste is a lot closer to that !

If poor quality of output was not sufficient, the sheer inability to come out with consistent quality, was getting into nerves, to say the least.

Eating out was never an option, neither healthy nor spiritual !

I have found a temperory solution - outsourced ! Something we are famous ( infamous !?) for !!

Baba says 'food is mere medicine for hunger'. But how obsessed we are with food !
Majority of world population can not afford two, basic meals/day! :(

This extra-importance to food is one of the basic weaknesses to be overcome, to move ahead... to move inward.... to live SSpiritually ( to live by the ideals of Sai)

E addiction

Heard a parent make complaint of a son, who wastes too much time... on-line. The curious part was the parent was no teenager, has two children ! I did not comment, as I always wonder if I am an E-addict too !? I presume I have lot of control on time spent (not always 'wasted' !) Indeed, technology (mobile/internet/TV) can truly be the curse of our generation if we don't avoid 'E-addiction'



In this era of technology it is becoming increasingly difficult to lead a peaceful life; people are falling victim to various physical and mental ailments. Many people in the cities which are on the front line of civilization, have lost the delight of natural sleep. They experience only artificial sleep induced by tablets. Due to such excessive use of medication, heart and blood pressure problems are on the rise. People are becoming unhealthy wrecks who are lost in fear and anxiety. Drugs and pills are produced in millions, but the general health has not improved. In fact new varieties of illnesses have emerged and are developing fast. Only a few intelligent people have realized the efficacy of yoga and other spiritual practices. This they have confirmed through their own experience. 

- Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Sathya Sai Vahini, Ch 22: ”Eternal Truths”.

Flaming Marigolds

As I joined hundreds of Indians travelling back to gulf, after the Ramadan/Summer/Eid holidays, I did not travel by Jet Airways. That was because there was no direct flight. I avoided Air India also. As I arrived ‘on-time’ and was going from airport to home, my friend said ‘couple of Air India flights were running late, that day’. He said as though there was nothing new about it – it would have been ‘news’ if the flights were ‘on-time’.

Of course, that is the only reason why I have not travelled by Air India at all! Quite unpatriotic? I feel very guilty about it, frankly. But I am shocked to note AI is now considered as “never-on-time”. I know couple of friends manage their travel plans taking in to account the usual delays! Airlines operate with highest checks & balances, up to six-sigma levels. But why can’t AI get the schedule on time? If the team at AI resolve to work passionately to take off on time, their clientele would double or triple. What they are losing are the customers who travel more often, hence the importance of punctuality.

My boarding card was on an AI stationery! On the reverse of the card was a very colourful picture of ‘Flaming marigolds… ‘normally used in all auspicious  ceremonies in India’. So beautiful! As it protrudes out of the spiritual-travelogue I am currently reading, I wonder, ‘if only AI was more punctual’! That would have been truly royal-Maharaja style… and very SSpiritual !

Why do we pray ?

Saw this in Business World, 1 Aug 11 ( pg 49) :
'we pray for ourselves at best for our family. But not for the society or the country. Collective good is not a thought that occurs to us. In a priority of things, 'I' comes before collective good'

this is a discussion some of us had before, several times - why do we pray ?

• for ourselves ?
• for our families?
• for someone who is sick or needs help to succeed in any endeavour? Or just needs 'help' !
• Or Just Pray, as God knows what we want ? Rather leave it to Him to decide, what we want...?

I am for the 3rd option. That way we are closer to 'total surrender'.  

If at all we want to 'ask', pray 'SAMASTHA LOKA: SUKHINO BHAVANTHU'

Random Notes From Puttaparthi - July 11

A short trip ‘home’ and now returning to Karma bhoomi... As the flight was about to land, I checked time. Flight was on time…

While at Kochi, a friend looked curiously at my watch & asked, 'you did not pick up a new watch?' He was surprised when I told him that was a gift from Baba. He was taken aback when I told 'it was created'!

Another friend was 'clean-bowled' when I shared the story behind my ring- Baba had 'replaced an old ring by a merely blowing air in to it' ! The world calls it a miracle. Baba used to say, 'it was mere visiting card'. Yes, for the recipient, it was a unique experience of His love, grace & protection. For records, my marriage-ring does not fit me anymore, but this ring materialized six years prior to my wedding (1994), still fits!! Though affordability is not an issue, nothing else can come near these precious, precious gifts. While these are most valuable possessions, I have rarely spent on such fancy luxuries. That is how He helps in my efforts to practice 'Ceiling on Desires', 9th of His 9 Point Code of Conduct. That is my humble effort to Live SSpiritually !

I was told the media had reported first about treasure unearthed from Yajur Mandir. But the world will have no clue what it means to go through the process of being a witness to creation from mid-air 

A short trip 'home', Prashanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi ! My fourth this year. Each of the trips has been totally different.

In January, Bhagwan Baba blessed me profusely, through His Sudarshan (acknowledging presence or my 'existence'!),  Sparshan ( when He blessed with Padanamaskar) and Sambhashan (when He spoke to me!). It was just blissful! I have always wondered 'why me?'! He has confirmed it was not past karma or sadhana, but just His Grace, I just read recently.

From the blissful-zenith in January,  it was veritable sorrowful-nadir in April.

After April 24, life was never going to be same again for me, and for so many others. Just got to pull together and move on. After all, owe it to Baba.

In May I was back for my son's admission to Sai school at Puttaparthi. He always wanted to be a Sai Student, like his father. His mother wanted only that route ahead, for our only child, even if it meant separation-pangs. I was very sad he would miss the joy of Baba's Physical presence. But I think he  will have the opportunity to connect with the Master at a higher level, straightaway.

For generations to come, as mankind understand the Sai-Phenomenon in its grandeur, one of Baba's lasting contribution to humanity will be His concept of education, or EDUCARE. His concept of selfless love, service, spiritual upliftment, etc., will surely be very big. But the I feel His Mission will unfold through His EDUCARE program. 

At Kulwant hall, the stage where Baba used to sit giving Darshan, had the temporary Maha Samadhi, covered with flowers. How lucky the flowers were, I thought. As hundreds of devotees marched past with folded hands & weeping heart, several times my vision went blur, due to the tears swelling in...how much we all missed Bhagwan...

Again, I was back, in July-end. This time to join alumni from N America. Unlike other universities, our alumni get-togethers are very different.

Living away from India, not addicted to TV ( esp current affairs), is at times beneficial. The negativity reported by press on Sri Sathya Sai Trust has been most shocking. Most of it with minimal research or even basic enquiry. How media gets stuck in the frenzy for TRP !! The media forgot a big section of their readers & viewers belonged to the categories of devotees, beneficiaries of the service projects, well-wishers, etc. For the members of org & devotees, they were going through the saddest moments in their lives. The media will move on to the next big story and forget about all their earlier reports. Of course, no anger towards the media. I pity them. By reporting untruth, they were not doing their jobs right, in the true spirit of Karma yoga.  Also, they were accumulating some bad Karmas. My sincere prayers are with them.

Way back in 1980's, out of sheer ignorance, ego, misplaced sense of intelligence, as a teenager I had criticized Baba. But I was fortunate to get a chance to experience Divinity. Life has since been a beautiful journey since then. It can not get any better than just trying to live by His ideals and make Him the fulcrum of my existence.

From Puttaparthy, we proceeded to Kerala, before returning to my karma-bhhomi,  in Middle East.  Guruvayoor seemed a very logical stop-over.  This temple of Krishna came up immediately after Krishna-Avtaar.

Of course, the other famous temple in Kerala is in news… thanks to the treasure unearthed in Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple in TVM. As a fellow-alumni mentioned at Parthi, ‘the Lord has left so much wealth within our hearts… we should try to discover those treasures ‘


As the flight touched down, we (wife & me) were joining  son (& my mom) in counting number of days for next trip home, Puttaparthy. But till then, and beyond, His message to the world is more relevant. we have a responsibility to live by His ideals.

'I asked Gods for all things in life, SAI gave me life so that I could enjoy all things'