Swami's 93rd Birthday

Swami's 93rd Birthday offering

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Was Listening to a beautiful Thyagaraja krithi " Marugelara Oh Raghava" rendered by Maharajapuram Santhanam in Raga Jayantha Sri. That inspired me to try asong in similar tune for Parthi Krishna for his Birthday. I know it is nowhere near that tune. But a valiant attempt and but a big failure.

https://soundcloud.com/user-30622205/madhusudana-o-h-madava-converted

Bhajan on Akhanda Bhajan

Akhanda Bhajan

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In 2018, Akhanda Bhajan falls on Nov 10th 6 PM to 6 PM on 11th November

AKhanda Bhajans are not just about One Guru but about Nama sankeerthanam on different names of God, Krishna, Janardgana, Achutha, Kesava, Madhava, Srinivasa and any of other Thousand names of Lord Srimannarayana. The most important thisng about group Bhajans is the positive vibtations from Bhajans in different languages and Different religions

Dhyanam, yagnam and Archanam were ways of worship in Kritha, Tretha and Dwapara yugas.

Nama Keethanam is the most accepted way of worship in Kaliyuga. while Nama keerthanam is a way of wirship in Kali Yuga, Nama Sankeerthanam (group Sathsangh or Group Bhajans) is ideal and better than solo Nama keerthanam. Adi Sankara in Bhaja Govindam says “

Satsangatve nissangatvam

Nissangatve nirmohatvam

Nirmohatve nishchalatattvam

Nishchalatattve jeevanmukti

satsanga (company of good people) leads to non-attachment, which in turn leads to freedom from delusion, self-realization. And Jivan Mukthi( Liberation)

Sri Sathya Saibala says “"Samyak-keerthanam Sankeerthanam" (Congregational singing of bhajans is the best of bhajans). There is a big difference between Keerthanam and Sankeerthanam. Keerthanam is an individual affair. It is singing by an individual for the fulfillment of his prayers. Sankeerthanam aims at the well being of the whole universe. This is also described as Saamaajika bhajans (community singing). This method of singing bhajans was first initiated by Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.“

Guna Keerthanam ( extolling virtues of God), Leeka Keerthanam (divine acts) are types of Nama Sankeerthanam

Bhajans are rendered reflecting Bhavas such as Shantham, Sakhyam, Vathsaltam, Anuragam and Madhuram.

Here is a Bhajan on Akhanda Bhajan

Shirdi Sai Baba's 100th Mahasamadhi (18th Oct 2018)

Shirdi Sai Baba's 100th Mahasamadhi

Wikipedia says 

Quote

Sai Baba of Shirdi, also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, was an Indian spiritual master who is regarded by his devotees as a saint, a fakir, a satguru and an incarnation (avatar) of Lord Shiva and Dattatreya. He is revered by both his Hindu and Muslim devotees during, as well as after his lifetime. Saibaba is now revered as incarnation of Sri Dattatreya, and considered as Saguna Brahma. He is attributed to be the creator, sustainer and destroyer of this universe by his devotees. He is decorated with jewels and all forms of Hindu vedic deities as he is supreme God. 

According to accounts from his life, he preached the importance of realization of the self, and criticized love towards perishable things. His teachings concentrate on a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace, and devotion to the God and guru. He stressed the importance of surrender to the true Satguru, who, having trod the path to divine consciousness, will lead the disciple through the jungle of spiritual training.^[3]

Sai Baba also condemned distinction based on religion or caste. It remains unclear if he was a Muslim or a Hindu. This, however, was of no consequence to Sai Baba. His teaching combined elements of Hinduism and Islam: he gave the Hindu name Dwarakamayi to the mosque in which he lived, practised both Hindu and Muslim rituals, taught using words and figures that drew from both traditions, and took samadhi in Shirdi. One of his well-known epigrams, Allah Malik (God is King) and Sabka Malik Ek (Everyone's Master is One), is associated with both Hinduism and Islam. He is also known to have said Look to me, and I shall look to you.

Sai Baba opposed all persecution based on religion or caste. He was an opponent of religious orthodoxy — Christian, Hindu and Muslim.

Sai Baba encouraged his devotees to pray, chant God's name, and read holy scriptures. He told Muslims to study the Qur'anand Hindus to study texts such as the Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, and Yoga Vasistha. He was impressed by the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita and encouraged people to follow it in their own lives. He advised his devotees and followers to lead a moral life, help others, love every living being without any discrimination, and develop two important features of character: devotion (Shraddha) and patience (Saburi). He criticised atheism.

In August 1918, Shirdi Sai Baba told some of his devotees that he would soon be "leaving his mortal body" (dying).^[28] Towards the end of September, he had high fever and stopped eating.^[29] As his condition deteriorated, he asked his disciples to recite holy texts to him and continued to meet visitors. On 15th October 1918, he breathed his last. The day coincided with the Hindu calendar date that year for Vijaydashami.

Unquote

Shirdi Sai Birthday

Wikipedia says  Sai Baba's date of birth including his birthplace remains unknown and is debatable due to lack of evidence and no definitive information exists to prove it. Most definitive information about Shirdi Sai Baba tends to be derived from a book called Shri Sai Satcharitra written by a disciple called Hemadpant (also known as Annasaheb Dabholkar / Govind Raghunath) in 1922 in Marathi.^[6] The book itself is a compilation based on accounts by his various disciples and Hemadpant's personal observations observing Sai Baba from 1910 onwards.^[7]

Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi has recored Shirdi Sai Baba's Birthday in His discourse dated 28th Sep 1991. Sri Sathta Sai Baba say "

"In the former Nizam's dominions, there was a remote village called Pathri. In that village there were a couple named Gangabhavadya and Devagiriamma. They were grieving over the lack of children. In answer to their prayers a son was born on September 28, 1835.

Today is the anniversary of that day. The child was Sai Baba.

His Samadhi (death) occurred on Vijayadasami day in 1918. September 28, 1835 was his date of birth. On Vijayadasami day, he gave up his body. Although this year Vijayadasami falls on September 29th, in the year of Baba's Samadhi the date was different.

"The first advent of Sai was in Maharashtra. The second advent will be in Madras," Shirdi Baba said. It should be noted that when this form (Sathya Sai) made its advent, Andhra Pradesh was part of Madras Presidency. When he was asked, in what form the next advent would take place, Shirdi Baba told Abdul Baba alone: "I will give darsan in the name of Sathya for upholding Truth." That is the present advent.

The two bodies are different, but the Divinity is one. The first advent was revealing Divinity. The second advent is to awaken the Divinity (in human beings). The next advent is for propagating Divinity. The three Sai's are: Shirdi Sai, Sathya Sai and Prema Sai.

The reason for relating all this is that today happens to be the birthday of Shirdi Baba (September 28,1835). He attained Samadhi in 1918. Bodies are transient. These vestures are assumed only for the sake of devotees. Unless the Divine comes with a form, no one

can develop faith in the Formless. The Divine in human form is the preparation for comprehending the Formless Absolute."

May Shirdi and Sathya Sai bless all.

Here is a poem on Shirdi Sai Baba on the lines of Lingashtakam tune.

Sai Bhajans on 23rd in Chicago

Sai Bhajans  on 23rd in Chicago

Blissful 23rd Bhajan

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What is so special about number 23.  Is it because 23 is Prime Number that is divisible only by 23 and number 1. 

Is it because William Shakespeare was born and died  on 23rd April 

Is it because Each parent contributes 23 chromosomes to the start of human life. 

Is it because Basket Ball Plyer. Micheal Jordan, England Soccer Player Beckham and Australian Leg Spinner Warne wore apparel with numer 23

Of course, I loved MJ’s 23, a symbol of dedication, hard work, epitome of talent and a personification of a team player. 

November 23rd is a significant milestone and a special day to celebrate for millions in several countries across the globe who lived as an epitome of Human values and Humanity. His life Was His message.  By now many would understand who that divinity in action is.

A few Sai Devotees thought instead of waiting a one full year till November 23rd, decided to meet on 23rd of every moth to sing the glory of God,  leaving religion and languages behind. This started the journey of 23rd Bhajans in Chicago.

These  Bhajans are not just about One Guru but about Nama sankeerthanam on different names of God, Krishna, Janardgana, Achutha, Kesava, Madhavan, Srinivasa and any of other Thousand names of Lord Srimannarayana. The most important thisng about group Bhajans is the positive vibtations and freated in each and every homes and all locations wheres events takes place.

Dhyanam, yagnam  and Archanam were ways of worship in Kritha, Tretha and Dwapara yugas.  Nama Keethanam is the most accepted way of worship in Kaliyuga.   while Nama keerthanam is a way of wirship in Kali Yuga,  Nama Sankeerthanam (group Sathsangh or Group Bhajans) is ideal and better than solo Nama keerthanam. Adi Sankara in Bhaja Govindam says “ 

Satsangatve nissangatvam

Nissangatve nirmohatvam

Nirmohatve nishchalatattvam

Nishchalatattve jeevanmukti

satsanga (company of good people) leads to non-attachment, which in turn leads to freedom from delusion,  self-realization. And Jivan Mukthi( Liberation)

Sri Sathya Saibala says “"Samyak-keerthanam Sankeerthanam" (Congregational singing of bhajans is the best of bhajans). There is a big difference between Keerthanam and Sankeerthanam. Keerthanam is an individual affair. It is singing by an individual for the fulfillment of his prayers. Sankeerthanam aims at the well being of the whole universe. This is also described as Saamaajika bhajans (community singing). This method of singing bhajans was first initiated by Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.“

Guna Keerthanam ( extolling virtues of God), Leeka Keerthanam (divine acts) are types of Nama Sankeerthanam

Bhajans are rendered reflecting Bhavas such as Shantham, Sakhyam, Vathsaltam, Anuragam and Madhuram.

It is 18th year running conducting a monthly Sai Bhajan on 23rd Taking a round robin in various homes around Chicago. 

Yesterday we had 23rd Bhajans Sri Pundaleeka Rao’s home. Hope this tradition continued by Chicago Community

Parthi Nayakane Jagath Rakshakane

Parthi Nayakane Jagath Rakshakane

Parthasaarathi

Ravikula Soma Sri Jaya Rama

Shankara Shanakara

Humble Offering to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Saibaba on the Occasion of Aradhana Mahotsav (4/24/2018)

Humble Offering to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Saibaba 

on the Occasion of Aradhana  Mahotsav (4/24/18)

Metro chicago Ramanavami celebrations

Metro chicago Ramanavami celebration 03/25/18

ayyappa Puja Geetha Mandali 01132018

Ayyappa  Puja  Geetha Mandali 01132018