God-madness is good madness
- Published on 26 October 2014
By Aanchal Sai Sharma & Sneha Sharma
Over the past two years, many devotees have been visiting this site to take part in the discussions on Swami’s Reappearance. In the process, many dates have been suggested by various devotees for His Return, based on dream interpretations, calculations derived from Swami’s words, astrological signs etc. There always seem to be hype around certain dates, after the passing of which, devotees set their eyes on the next possible scenarios. By no means have these been treated as “predictions” as it is clear that no one can predict the unpredictable. And, deep in our hearts, it is clear to all of us that Swami alone knows how and when things will all pan out. It is impossible to foresee what the Avatar would do next! That being the case, many have questioned why devotees still engage in speculations about the possible dates of His return.
In this short article, the Sharma sisters address this important question and come up with a simple reasoning of why they believe it is perfectly fine to participate in such discussions.
Swami had once explained the significance of 'Namasmarana' by giving the following example:
Just as when we go near a flame accidentally or on purpose, without awareness or with full awareness, we nevertheless feel its heat and the flame affects us. Such is the power of Namasmarana too. If we do intone it mentally, casually or for any other reason, the exercise of remembering God affects us. And it affects us only for good!
When in despair, it calms us. When in agony, it soothes us. When in pain, it acts as an ointment. When in joy, it increases the joy tenfold !!!
In the same way, when we talk about His 'Return', its possibilities and the probable dates, we are in fact remembering and contemplating on our Mother Sai, keeping us constantly immersed in His divine thoughts.
Here is a short story that we remember from the book 'Tapovanam', pointing at the significance of Namasmarana, which we would like to share:
One night, Peddabottu, a great devotee of Bhagawan, was getting ready to sleep under a tree opposite to Swami's residence. Soon as it started to drizzle, she removed herself from there and prepared to sleep in the veranda outside Swami's room. As she was making her bed, she chanted to herself, as a matter of habit, "Aum Sree Sai Ram". Immediately, Swami came out of His room, pulled her up and said, "Why won't you allow me to sleep?"
Pedda Bottu: Swami, who has stopped You from sleeping?
Swami: When you are summoning me, how can I go to bed and sleep?
Pedda Bottu: Swami, I am in habit of doing Namasmarana, and uttered Aum Sree Sai Ram, within myself. I did not intend to call You.
Swami: What does that Japam mean? IT AMOUNTS TO CALLING ME, Namasmarana is no different from SUMMONING THE GOD!
These talks about the Return of our beloved Swami are bringing all His children together, where their sole focus is on the Lord and on getting to see this whole world transform into one big Prasanthi Nilayam. All these dates only alert us to prepare ourselves for the most awaited day, the Return, and in absolutely no way does it stop us from treading on the spiritual path.
Also, the passing of these speculated dates are not really disheartening His children, but only increasing our longing, our intense yearning for Him.
Well, to some this is sheer madness, however, in our humble opinion, if the madness is Sai-Madness, then this madness can only be good!!!
By Swami's Grace, the discussions on the probable dates of His return, have only led to further thoughts about Him. It is something we ought to be constantly indulged in while leaving the rest on the shoulders of our dear Mother Sai.
We are certain that eventually our anxiety, anxiousness, confusions...everything will be taken care of by our beloved Mother Sai.
"Resort to Namasmarana and God Himself will be at your beck and call." – Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Comments
Divine Discourse 23.11.1999 www.sathyasai.org/discour/1999/d991123.html
"Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to contemplate on Divine Mother day in and day out. Before going to bed, he would feel sad thinking that another day had passed without the darshan of the Divine Mother. He used to think, "Perhaps my heart has not become ripe to deserve the Divine grace. What is the use of eating an unripe fruit? So, I shall ripen my heart and offer it to Mother."....
.... "Once Vivekananda asked Ramakrishna Paramahamsa whether he had seen God. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa emphatically replied, "Yes, I have seen God. I have seen Him just as I am seeing you and you are seeing me." "Then how is it that I don't see Him?" asked Narendra (Vivekananda). Ramakrishna gave a full answer, "You weep for your family, you suffer for your business and wealth, but do you ever weep or yearn for a vision of God? Do that and you will certainly see God! All the time I am pining only for the vision of God. Therefore, God is visible for me for all the time in every human being."
Prashaanthi Nilayam, Mahaashivaraathri, 1955 www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume01/sss01-02.pdf
Is no good to change names , mind is trained to a particular name.
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Carlos
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