DAY 1 : THURSDAY (Chapter 1 - 2) THAPOVANAM Chapter 1 You cannot see Me, but I am the light you see by. You cannot hear Me, but I am the sound you hear by. You cannot know Me, but I am the truth you live by. ~ Baba ~ ENTERING THE THAPOVANAM Before I commence the parayanam of this book, Thapovanam, I offer my most humble salutations to the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai, the Lord of the Universe, the protector of the afflicted and the encapsulation of Sath-Chith-Ananda Parabrahma (the Universal Supreme Reality). There stands a banyan tree on the mountain path leading from Prashanti Nilayam to the University. It is no ordinary tree. It is the Dhyana Vriksham, the Tree of Meditation; and it is the Thapo Vriksham, the Tree of Spiritual Austerities. On 29 June 1959, (ashadha Poornima, i.e., the full moon day of ashadha month) Bhagavan materialised a thick copper plate of 15" x 10" inscribed with alphabetical letters of great spiritual potency (Beeja Aksharas). He deposited it in the earth at a spot specially chosen on the hill behind Prashanti Nilayam, and over it planted this banyan tree. On that sacred occasion, He addressed devotees and declared : "This tree is the Bodhi Tree, under which Gautama Buddha sat, meditated and received spiritual illumination. This is the Tree of Enlightenment (Jnan). Lord Krishna is known as Vata Pathra Sayi (reposing on a banyan leaf), because during the period of Pralaya (ultimate merger of all creation in the Infinite), he assumed the microcosmic form of Bala Krishna (Krishna, the Baby) and reposed on a banyan leaf. This is the tree referred to by Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. If aspirants (Sadhakas) meditate and undertake spiritual austerities here, they will attain fulfillment of their desires, success in their efforts, control of senses and steadiness of mind." With reference to planting of this tree, one of the lines in the Ashtothara Satha Namavali reads : "Sadhaka-Anugraha Vata-Vriksha Prathishthapakaya Namah." The banyan lives forever. It is immortal (Amara Vriksham). Growing into a mighty tree by itself, it drops innumerable root-like extensions from its branches to the earth, which in turn becomes fresh roots and extend the tree in all directions. The process goes on and on, providing an ever-increasing area of cool shade and shelter to people. I do not hesitate to assert that Bhagavan is likewise providing ever-increasing zone of protection and peace for the benefit of the entire humanity. This Thapo Vriksham is certainly Kalpa Vriksham (wish- fulfilling celestial tree), identical with Bhagavan. Those who are in intense distress and are tired with the ups and downs of life, those who are on spiritual quest, those who ardently desire something pure, those who are progressing on the path of spiritual enlightenment - all such persons gather at the feet of Sri Sathya Sai and attain tranquility, supreme peace and equanimity. Truly is Baba Himself a Thapo Vriksham where all spiritual austerities achieve fulfillment! Prashanti Nilayam is verily the Thapovanam. Physical construction of the complex of Prashanti Nilayam had not yet commenced then. One day, Bhagavan was standing on the rocky ground there. Out of His mouth emerged prophetic words : "Before long this area is going to be transformed into a Shirdi, a Tirupathi and a Varanasi. Thousands of yogis, sanyasis and seekers of truth and divine grace will rush to this place for spiritual peace and salvation. From this spot will originate the universal programme of revival of Sanathana Dharma (the Eternal Faith of Righteousness). Hundreds of thousands of people from all corners of the world will visit this place eagerly searching for Me. At the far fringes of such crowds will stand many more craning their necks to catch at least a fleeting flash of a tiny bit of this ochre robe I wear, they will thank their stars and feel that the purpose of their lives has been fulfilled." Within a short time after Swami made this announcement, Prashanti Nilayam took shape. The Prashanti Mandir with its distinctive style and beauty, the temple tower, numerous multi-storeyed buildings providing accommodation to devotees, the exquisite Poorna Chandra Auditorium and the Sai Kulwant Hall - all sprang into existence. Very soon, Prashanti Nilayam was designated a township. In the words of Baba, "This is a place where every human being can experience spiritual peace par excellence. It is a temple, and at the same time, a church, and a synagogue - to each according to his or her preference. Everyone is entitled to drink deep at the unlimited and bountiful fountain of love of God. God has incarnated here in human form. Here, everyone can reach the highest levels of spiritual attainment. My goal is to convert every human heart into a Prashanti Nilayam. It is only for achieving this, that the present Avathar of Mine has materialised on earth." Every devotee is free to avail themselves of these benign surroundings to meditate to his heart's content, irrespective of the deity he worships. He will suffer no disturbance. Nowhere else in the world could such a facility be found. That is why this place is regarded as Universal Garden of Meditation (Viswa Thapovanam). Fulfillment of spiritual austerities is attained very much faster here. The Formless Supreme Reality (Nirakara Parabrahma) is seen here, in flesh and blood, in human form. Just sit in meditation, God Himself comes to you; He stands right in front of you; He smiles gently at you; He speaks endearingly, re- assuringly, to you; He touches you softly; He blesses you; He showers Divine Bliss on every atom of your being! It is only on the strength of good deeds and good fortune accumulated during numerous past lives that one is privileged to enter this Thapovanam. That is why Bhagavan says " "Without My Will, nobody can set foot on the soil of Puttaparthi. No one can do so by chance or by accident." This is literally true. Hundreds and thousands of visitors throng to Puttaparthi seeking relief from restlessness of mind. They come from far and near, from every continent and country; they belong to different races and religions; and they speak numerous languages. They go back after experiencing indescribable bliss and peace. They are receiving due reward for the merit they have accumulated during previous lives through spiritual sadhana. No less than personal interaction with God Himself is their supreme reward at Puttaparthi. They rejoice in the blessings Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai showers on them. Those who never before practiced any spiritual austerities whatsoever get inspired on seeing Bhagavan and begin to do so. This is evident even to a casual observer. Because of many such reasons, this book has been named Thapovanam, the garden of meditation. And the ever-merciful Bhagavan has blessed this humble effort. PRAVANAM The pilgrimage centre of Puttaparthi is surrounded by beautiful hills, which provide a sylvan, pleasant and peaceful environment. One feels as if great sages and rishis are performing meditation there. Behold, it is now the Brahma Muhoortham (the pre-dawn period). Cool and refreshing breezes are wafting. Birds are up and making soft chirping sounds. In the Prashanti Nilayam precincts, around 4-40am, the gong strikes 12 times. That sets in motion the day's activities in the divine court. Devotees quietly move into the forecourt and take their seats in perfect rows. At 4-50am, the gong strikes five times. Those who are sitting in the forecourt smoothly move into the Hall. After the Bhajan Hall is full, lights are switched off and the doors are closed. It is now exactly 5am. A bell is rung. The gathered devotees begin rhythmically intoning the Omkar (utterance of Om), the Universal Sound, in perfect unison and measured tone. Omkar is credited with the power of attuning the individual Atma (Soul) with the Param- Athma (Supreme Principle). The great rishis of yore gifted Omkar to the world as Maha Manthra (the sublime, most potent manthra). It is said, "Om Ithi Eka-Aksharam Brahma" (This single syllabled word 'Om' is itself the Divine Principle). It comprises three sounds - A, U and M : AUM. Constant and sustained incantation (Japam) of Pranavam leads to obliteration of mind and experience of supreme bliss. Regarding the profound significance of Om (AUM), Baba has this to say : "There is only one word which is all-pervasive throughout the universe. That is Omkar; that is, Pranavam. All creation is imbued with Pranavam. The mountain brooks sing Pranavam. The oceans sing Pravanam. Why, even the process of inhalation and exhalation is nothing but Pravanam. Those who perform manual labour, like palanquin-bearing or lifting weights or washing clothes, ease their strain and soothe their nerves by rhythmically intoning Pranavam. That being the case, if one intones Pranavam, with full understanding of its meaning and significance, and with devotion, one is sure to expiate all burden of accumulated sin and attain release from the cycle of births and deaths." Just as a long train of coaches moves forward when it is linked to a railway engine, all manthras become potent and fruitful when they are prefixed with Pranavam. Even if just Pranavam alone is intoned, it amounts to having intoned the essence of all the Vedas. Such a potent and all-powerful provider of supreme-bliss, the Omkar, now echoes 21 times in Prashanti Nilayam. The spiritual vibrations thus generated are carried on the wings of the early morning waves of breeze creating spiritual pulsations throughout the universe. Next follows the Suprabatham (the ceremonial wake-up of the Lord). The verses are in Sanskrit, the music is rhythmical and specially attuned to the early morning environment. Generally lady devotees sitting in the mandir recite the Sanskrit stanzas with devotion and love. SUPRABATHAM Easwaramba Suthah Sreeman, Poorva Sandhya Pravarthathe, Utthishtha Sathya Sayeesa, Karthavyam Daivam-ahnikam. (Oh, son of Easwaramba! Oh, resplendent majestic One! The dawn is breaking in the East. The daily tasks of Divinity, which you have undertaken, have to be accomplished therefore, awake O Lord Sathya Sai!) Utthishtha Utthishtha Partheesa Utthishtha Jagathee Pathe Utthishtha Karuna-poorna, Loka Mangala Siddhaye. (Awake, Awake, Oh Lord of Parthi (Puttaparthi where He has manifested Himself and from where His splendour radiates over the entire World). Awake, Oh Lord of Compassion, so that the World may attain fortune (mangala)). Chithravathee Thata Vishala Susantha Soudhe, Thishtthanthi Sevaka Janah Thava- Darsanartham. Adithya Kanthih-Anubhathi Samastha Lokan, Sri Sathya Sai Bhagavan Thava Suprabatham. (In the vast mansion so full of peace (Prashanti Nilayam), on the banks of the river Chithravathi, those anxious to serve Thee are waiting for Thy Darshan. The radiance of the Sun is spreading, illumining all the worlds. Oh, Bhagavan Sathya Sai, we pray for a glorious daybreak, blessed by Thy wakefulness.) Thvannama Keerthana Rathah, Thava Divya Nama Gayanthi, Bhakthi Rasa Pana Prahrishta Chiththah, Dathum Krupa-Sahitha Darsanam-ashu thebhyah, Sri sathya Sai Bhagavan Thava Suprabatham. (Persons who are engaged in singing aloud Thy Name and who are happy when they do so because then, they taste the nectar of devotion, have come, and may Thy benign darshan shower Thy grace on them. We pray for a glorious daybreak, blessed by Thy wakefulness.) Adaya Divya Kusumani Manoharani, Shree Pada Poojana Vidhim Bhavad-Anghrimoole Kartum Maha-Utsukathaya, PravishanthiBhakthah, Sri Sathya Sai Bhagavan Thava Suprabhatham. (Bringing holy flowers of captivating colours and fragrance, for worshipping Thy Feet in the form prescribed by the scriptures, Thy devotees are coming in with great yearning and enthusiasm. We pray for a glorious daybreak, blessed by Thy wakefulness.) Desantharagatha Budhah Thava Divya Moorthim, Sandarshana-Abhirathi Sam-Yutha Chitha Vruthya, Vedoktha Manthra Patthanena Lasanthyajasram, Sri Sathya Sai Bhagavan Thava Suprabatham (Learned persons from other countries, moved by the yearning to have Thy Darshan, have come; they are having great delight in reciting constantly the manthras of the Vedas. We pray for a glorious daybreak, blessed by Thy wakefulness.) Shruthva Thava-Adbhutha Charithram Akhanda Keerthim Vyaptham Diganthara Vishala Dharathale-Asmin, Jijnasu Lokam-Upathishttathi Chashrame-Asmin, Sri Sathya Sai Bhagavan Thava Suprabhatham (Hearing Thy marvelous story and Thy Fame that has reached the farthest horizons, earnest seekers of Reality have come to this place and are waiting for You. We pray for a glorious daybreak, blessed by Thy wakefulness.) Seetha Sathee Sama Visuddha Hrid-Ambujathah, Bahu-Angana Kara-Gruheetha Supushpa- Harah, Sthunvanthi divya nuthibhih, phani-bhooshanam thvam Sri Sathya Sai Bhagavan Thava Suprabhatham (Women devotees in purity equal to Goddess Seetha, and with hearts like lotuses, whose petals are unattached to the world in which they live but are drawn to the Sun, viz, God, are singing Thy Glory through holy hymns, holding excellent flower garlands in their hands. We pray for a glorious Daybreak, blessed by Thy wakefulness.) Suprabhatham-Idam Punyam, Ye' Patthanthi Dine Dine, The Vishanthi Param-Dhama, Jnana Vijnana Sobhithah. Mangalam Guru Devaya, Mangalam Jnana Dayine, Mangalam Parthi vasaya, Mangalam Sathya Sayine. (Whoever daily recites this Wakening Hymn will attain the Highest Abode, resplendent with the supreme Intelligence as well as the supreme Wisdom. May the Divine Guru be auspicious to us; may the Bestower of Wisdom be auspicious to us; may the Lord who manifested in Parthi be auspicious to us; may Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba be auspicious to us. Spiritually speaking, Suprabhatham is an appeal to Him to 'awake' to the devotee's yearning. It is an appeal also to one's own consciousness to wake up to the truth of His being one's own innermost reality. It may sound odd that human beings sing the awakening up song and bid good morning to Bhagavan who is ever awake and ever alert, and is the supreme witness to everything in the universe. Where is the need for waking up the One who knows no 'sleep' whatsoever and is ever wakeful? Then, what is all this Suprabhatham for, and for whom? The real purpose behind this musical exercise is to arouse ability to discriminate (vivek) and alertness in all of us, who have woken up from the bosom of sleep that holds us in its embrace like a mother! The inner meaning of Suprabhatham is to remind ourselves, "God resides within everyone's heart", and also to trim and nurture the flame of awareness (Jnana-Agni) so that it may burn brighter than ever. Here is a revealing incident. It was the holy night of Siva Rathri (the night marking the birth of Lord Siva in the form of Lingam). A scholar named Sri Deepala Pichchayya Sastry was sitting among devotees doing Bhajan in Prashanti Nilayam. Suddenly he had a strange thought : "I would like to see the wonderful grace and beauty of Bhagavan Sai Baba when He is asleep." At about 11pm that very night Swami summoned Sastry into the Interview Room and began talking to him. Sastry did not notice the passage of time. It was more than an hour. He felt drowsy and could not hold back his yawns any more. Swami then asked him, "Sastry, you wished to see Me asleep but you yourself are dozing?" Sastry suddenly sprang to wakefulness and wondered how Swami knew his innermost thought that had crossed his mind a little while ago. Baba assumed a tone of serenity and seriousness and said, "Sastry, if I were to sleep, would you be waking up again?" Sastry was startled. God is perpetually wakeful and eternally active. We should never overlook this simple truth. NAGARA SANKEERTHAN After Suprabhatham, it is now time for Nagara Sankeerthan. It comprises an activity in which groups of devotees go around the streets singing devotional songs. They sing with ardent devotion and dedication and the rhythmic music, often accompanied by simple musical instruments, inspires holy thoughts not only among the singers, but also others. In the early hours of the day, when birds are chirping their own musical sounds, when cool and soothing breezes gently waft over Prashanti Nilayam, the lovely music of devotees as they go around Swami's Mandir provides an unforgettable experience to one and all. Nagara Sankeerthan begins at the entrance of Prashanti Nilayam with the auspicious darshan of Lord Ganesh under the spreading peepul tree. Devotees in orderly lines go around the Nilayam complex and come back to the point where they started, i.e., the Ganesh temple. At the age of ten, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, then known as Sathya Narayana Raju or simply Sathyam, would gather a group of boys from Puttaparthi for singing bhajan songs. The group called themselves Sri Panduranga Bhajan Mandali. Inspired by the enchanting personality of Sathyam, the group would don appropriate custom-made uniforms and, with flags in their hands, go round the village, street by street, singing bhajans to the accompaniment of cymbals. They would set a tall lamp-stand on the ground and go around it in a wide circle singing in rhythm and ecstasy. Occasionally, infectious diseases like cholera and smallpox used to rage and ravage villages all around Puttaparthi. But here in Puttaparthi, residents noticed everyone was safe, happy and healthy. They felt that it was solely due to the devotional activity of Sathyam's Bhajan Mandali. Soon residents of neighbouring villages began inviting the Mandali to come over and perform bhajans. In due course, they too noticed relief from disease and untimely death. The tiny devotional seedling planted by Sathyam in those far off times has blossomed today into the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithis and their Nagara Sankeerthan Brindas (groups) carrying on bhajan activities on a more extensive scale all over the world. SANDARSHAN Nagara Sankeerthan is over and it is time now for Sandarshan, i.e., public audience, familiarly known as Darshan of Bhagavan. Eager devotees are now entering the audience hall and taking seats in well-ordered rows. Meanwhile, the temple priests performs rituals of worship of the two deities. Lord Ganesh and Lord Subrahmanya, whose temples are located directly at the entrance of Prashanti Nilayam precincts. Soon the deities are bathed in holy water (abhishek), decorated with flowers and garlands, worshipped and offered arathi. The morning hours resound with Vedic manthras. Now everyone is sitting in well-ordered rows in the audience hall waiting for the arrival of Bhagavan, the personification of the Ultimate in human form, and the saviour of mankind. Among the eager audience are those who have come from far off lands, profess different faiths and follow different modes of worship. But here they are all one; they are keenly waiting for the same identical event that happens regularly day after day, the arrival of the ever-merciful Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Two hours have passed by but Swami has not arrived yet. Has some devotee, in deep distress, cried out for Swami from somewhere? The moment he called out, 'Oh Sai!', the Lord must have appeared in front of him, 'Yes, I am here', providing immediate succour. But after receiving the Lord's bounty, does the grateful devotee easily let Him go? Does he not shed tears of joy and does he miss the rare opportunity to bathe the feet of the Lord with flooding tears of gratitude? That must be the reason why Bhagavan has not yet arrived. Otherwise, the most compassionate Sai will never take so long and ignore the ache and anguish of the thousands of devotees eagerly waiting in the Mandir for His darshan. Oh behold! We hear the soft tones of a flute being played heralding Swami's arrival. Thousands of heads turn in the same direction as sunflowers turn towards the Sun. With eyes peeled, devotees try to catch a glimpse of the Lord at the earliest moment. Do they see some flash of red there? That play of colour marks the direction from which He comes in. The One Absolute Truth (Ekam Sath)! What a glorious sight it is! Clad in effulgent flame-hued garments, mercy and compassion taken physical form, personification of grace, showering gentle smiles of indescribable charm, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai is slowly moving in and going along the rows of devotees. With one hand raised in Abhaya Mudra (the gesture of assuring protection), He is satiating the parched hearts of distressed devotees. He is receiving numerous letters, which devotees humbly hold up to Him. To some, He is granting the coveted privilege of offering Pada Namaskar (salutations to His Lotus Feet); some others are blessed with vibhuti (sacred ash) manifested from nowhere by a mere movement of His palm. He is blessing some by a soft touch or by a raising of His open palm. The scene is beyond description, a sight for the Gods! Swami has been described by scholars as "Mouna Vyakhya Prakatitha Parabrahma Thathwam", which may be translated as Supreme Divinity manifested through silence. Swami does not speak much, but every devotee finds that all his doubts are cleared and misgivings dissolved; all his worries get resolved as he sets his eyes on Swami. His whole being is inundated with santhi (peace), karuna (tenderness and compassion) and prema (love). Every person there is thinking alike. "How many days and years have I longed for this moment of darshan of Swami! The ever-merciful Lord is now nearing me, in flesh and blood. He is close at hand. Let my eyes be satiated with this glorious sight. Let not my tears of joy come in the way and obstruct my vision. My mind has gone crazy in longing for Him for years and years. Here is the blessed moment; the Divine Beauty is close by. Let my eyes and my mind be feasted. My body has lost its sense of touch in waiting so long for Him. Here are the Lord's Lotus Feet. Now that they are within reach, let my body revive itself by touching those Divine Feet here and now. Oh no, my body does not move! My tongue too refuses to move and talk to Bhagavan. All these, my own eyes, my own mind, my own body, even my own tongue are failing me at this crucial moment! Tears are obstructing my vision, my tongue is tied, my body is forgetting itself because of profound joy." Such is the power of the Sai personality. A mere look at the Lord, the ever-merciful, is sufficient to fill one and all with unparalleled peace and equanimity, and unruffled, sustained, inner happiness. As we set our eyes on Baba's form, something He Himself had said regarding the nature of His divinity rings in our ears. "I Willed," He once declared, "for My own pleasure, to create this vast universe. Before that, there was none to understand Me. I merely willed. That's all. Mountains rose; rivers flowed; the earth below and the sky above took form; oceans rolled; the Sun, the Moon, deserts, everything took shape to demonstrate My existence. Humans, animals, birds... all living beings began to speak, to hear and to move about; Man was accorded primacy. I equipped the human brain with My own discriminative wisdom (Vijnan)." What a revelation, what profundity! Reflecting on these words will elevate us to the highest echelons of spirituality. After fascinating the assembled gathering by His audience, Bhagavan slowly walks past rows of school children seated on the veranda of the Mandir. Despite His age in the present physical form, Swami makes Himself available to devotees every morning as regularly as the Sun does. Often we feel quite distressed at the trouble we give Him. Meanwhile, Swami selects a few persons for personal interview, conducts them one by one into the interview room and then, with a pleasing smile on his lips, goes in Himself. The morning darshan is over. "EVEN CELESTIAL BEINGS WAIT FOR ME" Minds of devotees are full with exhilaration generated by Darshan of Bhagavan. Eyes closed, we meditate deeply on the glorious experience just granted to us and the captivating, magnificent form of Bhagavan. And the sweet memory of a message once given by Baba comes to our mind : "After availing of the blessing of seeing Me, retire to a place of solitude and silence. Keep your mind steady and unruffled. In that state of absolute calm, meditate on My form and the rare privilege and good fortune of having seen Me in person. You will then derive the beneficial effect of My blessings in full measure. Then you may enter into the stillness and receive the completion of My blessings. My energy goes from Me to You, as I move past