Om Sri Sai Guru Ganeshaya Namaha

SAI BALA

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CHILDREN’S NEWS LETTER 30
29/11/2003


Om Sri Sai Guru Deva

Dear boys and girls

We meet every weekend. This letter is for you, to love your parents and
every parent in this world.

If we are unable to come on weekends please excuse us. There may be some
reasons. You should always keep loving and enjoy your life with love. Tell
your parents or elders to receive this email print it and give it to you.
You can share our SAI BALA with all your friends. If you do not understand
any big words, ask your parents they will help you. Your parent is your
immediate GOD. OBEY THEM WITH LOVE. SATHYA SAI BABA WILL PROTECT YOU. Jai Sai Ram.

Jai Sai Ram

THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE BY BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

At the time of birth, the human heart is pure, selfless and steady. But with the passage of time, man loses his purity on account of his association with various individuals. The environment and company are mainly responsible for the good or bad in man. A piece of paper does not have any smell of its own. But if the same paper is used to pack pakodas or dry fish or jasmine flowers, it produces the smell associated with them. That is why it is said, "Tell me your company, I shall tell you what you are." As is your company, so you become. So, man should always join good company. Man can attain exalted position only when he joins good company. Man is good by birth, but ruins himself because of bad company. Today man is not making any enquiry as to what is good and what is bad. Such an enquiry is very essential before making friendship with others. The Vedanta declares:

Sathsangathve Nissangathvam,
Nissangathve Nirmohathvam,
Nirmohathve Nischala Tathvam
Nischalatathve Jeevanmukti

By good company, attain detachment (from material desire).
By detachment, attain freedom from delusion.
By freedom from delusion, attain a steady mind.
By a steady mind, attain freedom from bondage.

You can have sense control only when you join Sathsang (good company). 'Sath' is that which is permanent. In this world, everything is transitory. Only Divinity is permanent. Your feelings will become noble and immortal only when you associate yourself with God. First and foremost recognize the fact that bad company is the root cause for man's downfall.

BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

Jai Sai Ram

STORY FOR THE WEEK BY BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

A GREAT SAGE CALLED GAUTAMA

There was a great sage called Gautama in ancient India. He had a number of disciples studying under him. One day he called all his disciples and said: "My dear children! You know that we have been experiencing severe drought in this region and there are no signs of its abatement too. I am very much worried about the cattle of our hermitage. They have already become very lean and weak. I am unable to bear the sight of suffering of these dumb creatures. I think these cows have to be driven to a distant place where there is ample pasture and plenty of water. I will be very happy if one of you could volunteer to undertake this task. You can bring them back when the calamity has rolled over."

Many pupils just hung their heads lest their master should find out their true feelings. Some tried to hide behind others in order to avoid the direct stare of the Guru.

A pupil by name Sathyakama, got up and, paying his salutations to his master, said: "Master, I shall take them, don't worry." Many students tried to dissuade him from undertaking such a hazardous task. They warned him: "Oh! You have to be all alone in the wilds away from the comforts of the hermitage. You may not even find good food. Sathyakama replied: "My dear friends, I am quite confident that the good wishes of our Guru will provide me enough safety and sustenance. I shall not be alone for I will have these cows to keep company."

The Guru was happy that at least one among the many pupils volunteered to undertake the job as service to the Guru. He blessed Sathyakama and said: "You are taking with you 400 cows; you can return when the herd multiplies into a total strength of one thousand."

Sathyakama drove the cattle to a charming valley. Everyday, he used to wake up early in the morning, finish his ablutions and bath. Then he would offer prostration to the Sun God and recite prayers. While tending the cattle and while walking or sitting he would constantly chant the name of God. He affectionately looked after the cattle. He regarded 'go-seva' (Service to cows) as Guru Seva (Service to the Master). He never felt any anxiety or worry over his life in solitude. He never bothered to count the cows too.

One morning after the morning rites, he was seated under a tree. Indra the Chief of Gods appeared before him and said: "My dear son! Have you not observed that the herd has multiplied itself to the total number of 1000? You can now return to your master's hermitage. I will be traveling with you. Come on let us go."

Sathyakama prostrated to Indra and thanked him for reminding him of the fact that it was time for returning. Sathyakama and Indra had to spend four nights in four different places. Every morning Sathyakama was taught the essence of one Veda. Thus by the time he reached his Guru's hermitage he was the master of the four Vedas. His face shone with a strange splendour as a result of the Vedic illumination that he had been blessed with by the Lord of Heaven. Having enlightened Sathyakama, Lord Indra disappeared after showering his grace on the young boy.

Sathyakama walked into his Guru's hermitage with 1000 cows. His guru and the inmates gave him a rousing welcome. Sathyakama fell at the feet of his master. Gautama embraced him saying: "I know that you are now a great scholar of the four Vedas. You deserve it, my son." Sathyakama could please Indra, the Lord of Heaven, only because of his love and loyalty to his guru.

BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

Jai Sai Ram.

PAST ISSUES OF THIS NEWS LETTER

FREE SAI BABA LIVE ONLINE CHATROOM CLASSES

Topic: Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Five basic human values, philosophy and teachings.

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Jai Sai Ram

NOW WE HAVE A GLOBAL WEB SITE FOR OUR MISSION

Now you can see stories, poems, pictures and questions on a web site.

Jai Sai Ram

Jai Sai Ram

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Daily General Online Free Counselling Sessions and General Discussions on Swami by Dr Jose Luis Hernani :

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You can make appointments with fellow devotees and use our Chat Room facility at any time.

Jai Sai Ram

Love is the only motivation. Please Bless All and Help the Poor. Swami bless you.

Jai Sai Ram

All our words, thoughts, efforts, actions and outcomes are surrendered upon the beautiful lotus feet of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
In Sai's Love

News Letter Editor
Soma