How Baba helped Thirsty Subbu

Posted on November 10, 2008 by subbuhere
Yesterday night, I was flying from Seattle to LA to meet the client here for some meetings.  I was very very tired, and fell asleep as the plane was taking off.  I was sitting toward the middle of the plane, row 7, just in front of the wings.  After the flight took off, and still hasn’t reached the cruising altitude, I was feeling very thirsty.  The plane is a propeller plane, so taking long time to reach cruising altitude.  In about a few min, the plane reached the cruising altitude.  They haven’t’ started the beverage service yet.  I was desperate to drink something, and in less than a min I see them pull the Beverage service cart.  I was planning to just go and ask them for something to drink as I am that thirsty.  They usually serve the 1st class passengers and then come to the Economy section.  I for a moment wished I am in the first class so that I will get the drink faster.  I am a regular traveller on these planes, so am familiar with the process.

But then, this time, they start rolling the cart straight towards where I am sitting, and the Air Hostess comes straight up to me, and asks me what I want to drink!  I get my Ginger Ale, and am thinking how sweet Baba is, and how quickly he comes to the rescue of his devotees whenever we are in need.  This reminded me of the incident in Sai Satcharitra of how Baba quickly helps one of his devotees who was very thirsty, and he comes in form of a tribal and shows him water under the very rock he is sitting and then disappears! 

When Baba is with us, who cares about what class we are sitting or even where we are.  Didnt’ he say he is aware of us always, across the seven seas, and in air, in water and wherever else we may find ourselves in!  He so sweetly came and quenched my thirst.  Such is the sweetness of the Sadguru Sri Shridi Sai Baba.  As our guruji says, being a Sai devotee is the ultimate fortune in our lives.

Love,
Subbu

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Amma Karunamayi’s Visit to Seattle 2007

Posted on August 20, 2007 by subbuhere
Amma Karunamayi visited seattle on July 7th, Sat 2007. She arrived a few hours earlier than planned. I was somehow feeling Amma is going to come in around 3PM, and that was what happened. When I was meditating before Amma’s arrival, I distinctly got the feeling that Amma is going to be in the traditional Saffron saree, and also that she is going to bless me twice once she arrives initially. As soon as she got out of the van, she was asking me "eala unnavu chinna". Then after she comes in, we all gather around her and Amma was talking about the Homa in Memphis and the importance of Yagas/Homas and Mantras and Meditations. Soo sweet Amma. At the end of the talk, she blessed everyone and gave us fruits. Just before she was to go upstairs, she calls me specifically and blesses me again, just as Baba indicated.  See how Sweet Sadguru Sai Baba is showing himself via Amma to me.

Same evening, I was thinking we should all take Amma out somewhere. Ushakka was saying it would be difficult as they would be tired after their long journey. Then swamiji calls Venu up and suggests we go out! Then we all head out to Alki Beach and had a great time along the way and over there. Took some nice photos of Amma.

Sunday is the retreat, and I was assigned to be Akkayya’s chauffer to drop and pick up lunch for Amma in retreat. I go and pickup Akkayya and the lunch and then had a good time meditating for a while in Amma’s presence. I come back to drop off Akkaya and rush to get Amma’s blessings at end of retreat, but I miss it. I feel so bad. I go home and sleep. Then Raghuram calls me around 8:30 and asks me what’s up and I tell him and he tells Ushakka. So I end up going back to Ushakka’s place for Dinner, and Ushakka promising me that I will get to do the Arati for Amma during the Monday’s public discourse.

Monday I land up in the Unity Church at Seattle well ahead of time to prepare for Amma’s arrival. I get the duty of holding Amma’s Umbrella. I then go and sit in front of Amma meditating. This time too, just like last time we get our time with Amma, and just like last time I was the
2nd person to be called for Amma’s blessing.  Then we had the  informal session with Amma.  I started back to Ushakka’s home as soon as Amma started, and was there to receive her. We then had one more session with Amma that time. Amma was super sweet, talking with her her plans for the Windmill project with Girish and a few other things. I was about to tell her about Dad, but she already knows, and kept silent for a min.

Next day for the Individual blessings, I went to office then rushed to the venue. Had to come back to office after dropping Ramanigaru around 12. That evening we again met Amma at Ushakka’s home and spent time with Amma. Amma also visited the Bothell temple and gave a talk.

After Amma retired, myself and Hema went to drop off Sunitha at the Canada border, and it so ended up that I had to unceremoniously get out in middle of the road as Hema was too busy talking with Sunitha to notice my directions. Phew.. that was another adventure. I got out of it safely with Baba’s and Amma’s grace and blessings.

Next day morning myself and Hema again visit Amma at Ushakka’s home to receive her blessings and to prepare for her next destination. Amma blesses me with her Navaratna Mala and also asks me to read Hanuman Chalisa for 40 days. She also promises to take care of Daddy.  So sweet of Amma.

Amma asks about me and Hema when Ushakka and Venu visit the Portland. Whenever I think of Amma, she somehow gives a sign that she knows. She is sooo sweet. During the LA retreat, for Gurupournima, I was thinking so much of Amma. That day Akkayyagaru calls me and gives me Amma’s Gurupournima blessings.

Just before leaving for India, from LA, Amma and Akkayyagaru call me and wish me all the best, and bless me. I am soo happy that Amma called.

Om Sai Devaya Namaha.

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Baba’s Pallaki Seva

Posted on June 1, 2007 by subbuhere

Baba’s Pallaki Seva in Mt.Shasta.
It’s a sight for  the Gods to see. Baba himself is sitting in that
Pallaki… we could all feel his presence. 
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Sai Baba’s Darshan

Posted on June 1, 2007 by subbuhere
A few weeks ago, I was in the temple helping with setting up the things for a concert in the temple. Then Hema, Vasanta and myself went to the Univ. Washingon Bothell for the intercultural event. When I was leaving, because of the concert, I could not go in and take Baba’s darshan as I usually do. So I ended up doing my pranams in my heart and went to the Univ. As soon as I entered the hall, I almost burst into tears seeing Baba’s form there. It was in fact a lady from Africa, wearing all saffron dress, just like Baba’s Kafni and Baba’s Head-dress exactly like Baba. I mentally prostrated at his feet thinking it’s Baba’s own way of showing me he is ever with me.

A week later I went with Hema and Ramanagaru to Ushakka’s home for the Friday Satsang. I however missed Baba’s darshan that day. We had a good time there, and came back to temple where I left my car. It was then I realized that the gates are locked, and my car was inside.  I called up Digamberji who was happy that I called because he had some work in temple and was trying to call someone who can take him back and help him with opening the temple and bringing stuff back. So Hema dropped me off at his home, and I spent some time with him having tea. We went to the temple, and opened it and got some stuff from there. Then at the end, Digamberji called me onto the stage where all Deities are for some work. I went in, and happily had the Darshan of my beloved Baba again. Did he not promise whenever we think of him, he will give us an indication of his presence? 

Today is Sirisha’s (Raghuveer’s wife) Sreemantham at foothills. I started late due to office work and arrived around 8:20. I was feeling sad I missed Baba’s arati today. When I started from home, I saw the car with "Sai" number plate coming in opp direction, reminding me Sai himself is seeing me off when I started. On way back, I casually switched on my FM radio (hooked to my hard drive and plays random songs) when Baba’s Arati song came on. I was taking with Hema akka till then and on hearing Baba’s Arati, I mentally did arati to Baba in tune with the song. I was soo happy that Baba blessed me again this way. Didn’t he promise he will fulfill the holy wishes of his devotees always? He is ever so sweet and loving guru, sadguru, Akilandakoti Bramhanda Nayaka.  Om Namo Sai Devaya Namaha.

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Trip to Mt.Shasta

Posted on May 31, 2007 by subbuhere
The Sai Satsang group went to Mt.Shasta for the Memorial Day long weekend.  I also joined them. When I first heard of it a few weeks ago when I went to the satsang, I told Choudaryji that I also want to join.  Later one week before he called me on phone and told me about the plan, which I confirmed. We’r all supposed to go in bus. One day before, there was a small change in plan, and I ended up with Ravindra’s family in the car. This was also very good. We started in the afternoon at around 12:30 from Bellevue. With Baba’s and Guruji’s blessings, we reached the place safely. I was able to keep working as Ravindra was driving, with my wireless broadband card. I was also checking the traffic ahead of us, and taking appropriate diversions when needed :-).

On Saturday, morning we did the Namam and Bhajan, and also a discourse from Balakrishnaji who is a close disciple of Guruji. I was in ecstasy seeing soo many Sai Bhandus around. The food was also great. In the evening we went on the train excursion into the mountains, which was also very good. We had lot of fun there. Santosh, Sarita, P1 and Teja also joined us. The only thing different was that now P1 is not interested in photos at all!

On Sunday we again did the Namam in the morning, then devotees experiences, and a discourse. Then small playlets performed by various Gurubhandus about Baba and Babuji. In the evening we went to the Mt.Shasta National Park up in the mountains and did the Pallaki Seva. I was so happy to be able to do that seva to Baba. I got the feeling Baba himself is in that Pallaki :-). I forgot to get my shoes and was wondering how I will manage if there is Snow up there, which almost everyone was saying it’s gonna be snowy there. I was in a fix, as I have  to go to the hotel to get my shoes, and we don’t have enough time. Santosh was able to get P1’s shoes. I stood for a min and prayed to Sai and started off, knowing he is going to take care of me. After we went there, there was no snow anywhere :-). And it was not even cold, so we were able to move around without our jackets. It’s all the divine blessing of Baba for the devotees like us who didn’t have our shoes/jackets with us. Baba again and again proved that he is taking care of us always. I followed Sunitha’s instructions on meditating at the base of a tree in the mountains. Then Baba not to disappoint those who wanted to see and play with Snow, showed us a small place completely filled with snow… and the kids and adults had a great time playing with snow.

On Monday morning Ravindra called me with change in plans and instead of starting back on Tue, he wanted to start off Mon afternoon itself. I was happy to oblige. We did the Namam and had lunch, and then started for Seattle around 2:30PM. Santosh/P1 also started with us. We made good progress and reached outskirts of Olympia around 7:30 where we had dinner at Subway/Burger King.  I reached home around 10:50PM.

I am so thankful to Baba and Guruji and all Sai Bhandu’s for arranging this trip and making it so enjoyable and spiritually so rewarding.

—
To Blossom Every Moment into a Better Manifestation of Perfection Is the Only Business of Life. –Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaja

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Swami Paripurnananda’s Seattle Visit – III

Posted on May 14, 2007 by subbuhere
I went back to Swamiji on Friday morning. Had a deluge of emails from Soren and James about new SSIS Jobs that I need to be working on, It was a busy day. I went in, did my pranams to Swamiji and had breakfast of Idlis prepared so sweetly by Ushakka. I and Sivaram Swami spent the day preparing the envelopes for donations by devotees and going to Ananda Meditation center. After we came back to Ushakka’s home, we got ready for going to temple. I and Sivaram swami went to temple first, picked up keys from Digamberji and went back to temple for setting up Asan for Swamiji and do other arrangements. I donned my dothi for the occasion. We welcomed Swamiji as he came in and invited him in with all due formalities. Once he took his asan, we chanted the Lalitha Sahasranamam. I felt sad I could not chant as fluently as before as I lost touch with this. But I managed to chant the Airigiri Nandini very well. The divine mother’s love was rushing forth in a huge torrent from my heart. I looked at mother Durga’s idol in the temple and told her I felt like touching her feet. One min later, Digamberji called me to the stage, and asked me to assist him in doing the puja. He asked me to keep doing the rituals like offering the flowers as he chanted the Astotrams during the archana. I asked if we start with Lord Venkateswara (as usually we do), but he said, no, start with Durgama! So less than a few min after I told Durgama that I wanted to touch her feet, I was on the stage, worshipping her divine form with flowers, with my heart overflowing with love for the sweet mother! All my sadness at being unable to chant the Lalithasahasranamam properly was gone. The Divine mother showed that she accepted my heartfelt prayers. Once I was done with Durgama’s puja, we did puja for Lord Venkateswara and Lakshmima. I was so happy. Later I assisted Digamberji in helping clean the stage and the various puja saman. All done, I came down and realized that Swamiji is done with blessing everyone and is now having prasad. I was disappointed that I could not get his blessings and prasad that evening. Immediately he looked at me, and called me near, and gave me his plate, 3/4’ths full with prasad. I was overwhelmed! What greater prasad than the Uchhista of the Swamiji himself? Parabramha Sadguru Sai himself is showing himself thru Swamiji. In true sense of the word, this is the original Prasad! After I had the prasad, Swamiji got ready to go with Madhu for Pada puja and dinner. I am in sort of an ecstasy with Swamiji around. Later I was telling Ushakka about my experiences, and she was like, Yes, I saw you doing the Puja and was wondering how you ended up there! I told her about my wish and how the divine mother fulfilled it. We sat talking about our other experiences, like how we entered this path, and all that.

On Saturday, Swamiji, Kumuda Aunty, Sivaram Swami, Venuji, Ushakka and myself went to the Mukilto Light House and roamed around for a while. We had lunch there, Idlis and Laddos. When Ushakka gave Swamiji the Laddo, he again gave me half of his Laddo as his prasad! In the evening Swamiji’s discourse went off well. Many people turned up and Sri Vani helped with the photos. Ushakka didn’t realize that Sri vani was taking the pics for us, and was greatly perturbed that we’r not taking any pics, until she went and spoke with Sri Vani and realized that she is taking the pics for us :). It was soo funny to see Ushakka that time.

On Sunday we went to Portland with Swamiji and attended his discourse in the temple there and had good lunch afterwards. Then our host in Portland Hariji left me at the Portland airport, and I flew to Los Angeles from there.

—
To Blossom Every Moment into a Better Manifestation of Perfection Is the Only Business of Life. –Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaja

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Swami Paripurnanada’s arrival in Seattle

Posted on May 4, 2007 by subbuhere
Continuing on Sri Paripurnananda Swami’s program today evening. Ushakka arranged for the Pada Puja to the Swamiji in evening and invited a few others. I was doing a little helping in setting up things for the program. Afterwards, Swamiji gave a discourse on modern living per the ancient Hindu customs, and how everything can be in harmony. After the puja, Swamiji’s disciple, Sivaram Swami, was calling everyone for taking Swamiji’s blessings, and I too was called. I touched his feet, and took the prasad. In touching his feet, I felt like I was touching Baba’s feet. After I was done, I was standing next to him, and watching others. I felt the desire to touch his feet again, I prayed to Sai Baba that I want to touch Baba’s feet thru Swamiji. A few min later, Swamiji’s disciple, Sivaram Swami, again called me (by name) to take Swamiji’s blessings again! I suddenly realized that Baba has responded to the desire in my heart to touch his feet and called me! Swamiji gave me the prasad again. This time, I noticed that the Banana I got had half skin opened, meaning that it was the Banana offered to him personally during the Pada Puja. I immediately recalled the line from Baba’s arati "Baba Uchhista se Bhojan", which means "have bhojan with Baba’s uchhista (leftovers from offerings/prasad to Baba)". I felt that Baba himself blessed me thru Swamiji and it’s Baba’s feet I touched and it’s Baba’s prasad that I got. I realized that it is very special prasad when he was giving fruits as prasad to others, and he noticed that one of the apples was pinched a little bit (as it was offered to him), and gave it back to Sivaram swami and asked him to get a different one! This way Baba confirmed to me that he is the one who gave me his Uchhista. Om Namo Sadguru Sai Devaya Namaha. I later spend more than hour with Swamiji in ekantam discussing various spiritual things.

Om Namo Sadguru Bramhane Namaha.

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Swami Paripurnanada’s arrival in Seattle

Posted on May 3, 2007 by subbuhere
We (myself, Ushakka and Venu) went to pick up Swami and his disciples in the airport. As soon as we settled down at Ushakka’s home, swamiji sat on his asan, and we’r all on the carpet. I wanted to sit near Swamiji but as everyone is on the carpet, I too sat down there. Once we finished un-loading the luggage, I sat down again. This time, Swami himself asked me to come and sit near him, exactly where I wanted to sit. Then Swamiji gave me Tirupathi Laddo. Never seen a complete laddo in such a long time.

We all just had lunch and am working from Ushakka’s home :-).

Tomm and Sat evening we have Swami’s discourse in temple, in the evening. Please come and attend the discourse.

Subbu

—
To Blossom Every Moment into a Better Manifestation of Perfection Is the Only Business of Life. –Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaja

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Sai Leelamrutam Parayanam

Posted on April 29, 2007 by subbuhere
Today Swapna and I completed the Sai Leelamrutam in 3 days. Rather, Swapna read and I listened, I being slow in reading telugu.
I was on a spiritual high with Baba’s blessings, I had the feeling that Baba himself came and blessed us. I came to the temple in the evening, and spent the evening there, doing seva there (including washing the utensils in the kitchen). In evening I came to Dikshitji’s home, and got very nice posters of Sri Lakshmi Devi, Lord Venkateswara and Padmavati, two postcard sized Lord Venkateswara, and one Pancha and Uttariyam. And Baba didn’t forget the Chakkis I like so much :-). This reminded me of the chakkis Neelima gave to Baba, and which Baba gave me a few days later, a few months ago. Sakala devata Swaroopam, Sarva Sadu Swaroopam, Akilanda Koti Bramhanda Nayaka, Muddula Baba shows me he is ever with me. I feel blessed by my sweetest ever loving Baba. I read the VishnuSahasraNamam after a gap of few weeks today. Om Sai. Jaya jaya Sai. Hema Akka didn’t invite me to Satsang at her home today :-(. May be it’s Baba’s own way of blessing me. But I missed her.

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No Tulips for me this year :-(

Posted on April 22, 2007 by subbuhere
Due to a series of unfortunate events, I could not visit the Tulip gardens this year.:-(

Last week Hema akka cheated me out of the Tulip visit on some stupid pretext. I felt so bad that I cried :-(. I was so desperate to visit the Tulip gardens this year, because I wanted to take more pics this year, and Hema akka stuck me where it hurts the most. I didn’t realize that someone can hurt this much, till now. A "friend" is one who touches the heart by holding hands when needed, not by breaking it.

This reminded me of her earlier actions in wake of the windstorm in Seattle, her visiting the all day meditation etc. Old hurts rushed back, breaking my heart further.

Last weekend, Vandana invited me when they started for visiting the Tulips, but I could not go as it was already evening, and Mahendar promised to call me when they go.

This weekend, on Friday evening we met at Vandana’s home for celebrating Sukumar’s birthday, Mahendar’s Anniversary and Raghuveer’s Anniversary. It seems they discussed going to Tulips on Saturday when I was not around, and no one informed me. I heard Prathyusha saying they have to wake up early on Saturday, and I asked her what they are planning. She said they might to go to Tulips. I was happy, and I thought they would tell me once they confirm their plans, and tell me the time/venue etc. I had to go home early, around 12Am. On Sat, I woke up early, and called both Mahendar and Prathyusha, to ask them about the plans for Tulip visit. They didn’t pick up the phones, and didn’t return my voicemails. I assumed they must have come back late from the party on Friday and must be sleeping. Later when I called Raghu, he tells me they’r almost at the Tulip gardens. I called Manoj and asked him why I was not told. Then again I called Mahendar, who didn’t pick up his cell. I felt so hurt that I didn’t know what to do. I called Santosh and told him about this. He suggested we go to Tulalip Mall, and I ended up going there and buying some shirts from Guess.

I can’t imagine Mahendar and Prathyusha doing this to me. I have always considered them my best friends, and someone I can really count on, and very trustworthy. For some reason, things seem to have changed. This reminded me of the earlier incidents when they went to see the fall colors last year without inviting me (although they called up everyone else). The time during Sri Latha’s Birthday when I was not told, and then Mahendar calls me only because they forgot to bring something from the store, and he tells me that it’s her birthday, and they’r waiting outside her apt, and since they forgot something, he asked me to start from home, and get them the stuff they forgot.

Although I felt very very hurt, by these actions, I also realize some things. May be Baba wanted me to show the true colors of the people and thereby protect me. May be Baba wanted me to leave all this and turn towards only him. Either way, this is something Baba has planned for me, and it’s for my own good.

Om Sai. Om Namo Sai Devaya Namaha. Om Sadguru Sai Devaya Namaha.

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