Effort receives recognition ~ 10 Sep 2012

Gukarascandhakarastu rukarasrannirodhakah
Amdhakara vinasitvat Gururrityabhidhi yate !!

Humble prostrations to the lotus feet of Parama Pujya Sadgurudeva !!

Jaya Guru Datta, Swamiji, as I read this message I was reminded of something that happened to me one day. In the Catholic Church, there is Saint Theresa, the little flower, and she is known for her “little way” where you do small things throughout the day that others might not want to do and offer them up to God without expectation of recognition. During my childhood, I was always taught about this, and when I met Swamiji, I saw that He teaches a similar thing when he instructs us to become part of the solution and not the problem by taking care of little things when we see them rather than complaining about them or condemning others for not doing them. One day, I was trying to practice this and I was in a parking lot in a very bad neighborhood in New Jersey. There was garbage all inside the elevator and around the place. I was trying not to be judgmental about the area and so decided to pick up some of the garbage and put it in the trash rather than complain. Inside the elevator, in one corner, was a crumbled up piece of paper that looked as if someone had just tossed it there. So I picked it up. I noticed that it looked like a holy card of some kind and when I opened it, it turned out to be a picture of Shirdi Sai Baba! Datta! Oh, my…..I was so surprised and so grateful for those teachings that day that lead me to decide not to be judgmental in that moment, but to part of the solution and not the problem as Swamiji teaches. I didn’t expect that recognition, but it was a great blessing!

jaigurudevadatta sri rama jaya rama jayajaya rama om namo hanumathe namah ram ram ram ram ram ram ram ram ram ram

Excellent Ji Pranams Sadguru Deva Om Namo Hanumate Namaha Jaya Guru Datta

What a great MMS today encouraging everyone to make ‘some’ effort in whatever noble way possible. The imagery in the video is nice and reminding us of the ‘Udata Bhakti’ (squirrel devotion) that Sri Bala Swamiji has explained during the Ramayana Pravachanam just a couple of days ago :).

Thank you Sri Swamiji for the daily thought provoking MMSs. Jaya Guru Deva Datta!!!

JGD Appaji – My husband is the example for this message. He always believes in hardwork and Appaji. He does his job and leave it to the lotus feet of Appaji who will take care of the rest – SGD

Jaya Guru Datta. Look how famous and lovable a tiny squirrel became! With genuine devotion towards Rama, it rolled in the sand, collected a few granules on its wet fur coat and dropped them in the ocean. It believed that it was helping Rama in his effort to build a bridge across the ocean to Lanka. Rama recognized its noble gesture, petted it with His divine hand and blessed the entire species with salvation by drawing three white stripes on the back, representing the syllables, A U M of Omkara, the supreme mantra.

Many think that they do not have the talent or the money to serve their guru. They look at rich donors and talented artists and scholars rendering services and become discouraged. They see the recognition received by the others and get dismayed that they have nothing of worth to offer. There is no need to feel like that. Recognition is not important.

The little squirrel is our guru in that regard. Did it compare itself to mighty Hanuman or the huge bear Jambavan who were carrying huge boulders and uprooting mighty trees to help build the bridge? No. The squirrel’s mind was focused on Rama alone. It felt compelled to serve according to its own capacity. It exerted ceaselessly, lost in the fervor of service and caught Rama’s attention.

Our Appaji, the present day Rama felt happy to give the squirrel a ride on his back even in this incarnation, remembering its help rendered in Treta Yuga.

Whatever we are able to do, any little service that we can offer, is received and appreciated by the Sadguru. In return, what he gives would be priceless and unimaginable. Did the squirrel imagine that Rama Himself would pick it up and draw his fingers on its back? No. It did not even notice Rama’s presence there. It was not looking for any recognition.

Lord Narasimha, who is invoked at the beginning of this MMS heard the prayers of the little boy Prahlada, who was the son of a Raakshasa. The Lord incarnated only to rescue him. The Lord suffered untold agony to take the unusual form of half-man half-lion and to come crashing out of a pillar at twilight, satisfying all the conditions required to kill the boy’s father who was tormenting him for his love of Lord Narayana. What was the qualification of the boy except that he loved the lord deeply and held firm faith?

Lord Govinda is prayed to at the end, who is worshiped by Garuda the eagle, and in the form of Rama by Hanuman. Hanuman received the highest gift of an embrace from Rama. What did Hanuman possess? He was a vanara, a monkey; not even a human being. He possessed no kingdom or retinue. It was his love, devotion and loyalty that won the heart of Rama. It was Rama who gave Hanuman the strength to cross the ocean and to find Sita, by which he became so famous.

The lilting song in the background in Swamiji’s voice saturates our hearts with devotion. Appaji, we have learned an important lesson from this video that we should never compare ourselves with others and we should never underestimate our capacity to serve. Once we lose ourselves in the service of our guru, doing even the most menial work, the Sadguru takes care of all the rest. Even small chores that anyone can do, like washing dirty vessels or sweeping the floor will win the heart of the guru if they are done with sincerity and selflessness. We do not need riches to serve. The richness of devotion is all that is required.

With humble pranams at your lotus feet. Sri Guru Datta

JGD. Yes, this message and it’s import should be forever embedded in my consciousness. Thank you Puttuji for the clarity. Jaya Govinda. Sadguru Natha Maharaj Ki Jaya

Jaya guru datta appaji.. Such an inspirational video.. Thank you for enlightening us everyday swamiji.. Sri guru datta

So many ways we can help the One who is helping us in every moment. Sri Swamiji gives and gives ways for us to cross the ocean of samsara. Not necessarily big tasks but ways to build the bridge one brick at a time. A mantra to repeat, a song to sing, MANY bhajans to sing with joy! A story to read, Shatashloki Ramayana, other devotees’ experiences. All these gifts are the bricks that build the Setubanda that Rama and Sita will be reunited in our own consciousness. It is then that we can really receive His recognition and do more and more. JGD

Jaya Guru Datta Puttuji. I would love to share with others my joy, surprise, and wonderment at Appaji’s compassion, grace and blessing bestowed upon the young couple at the ashrama, who, 12 years ago were in charge of getting the used stainless meal plates washed and dried and kept ready for the next meal at the Annapurna Mandiram. They would politely request for volunteers to help them during festival times to help out, since the number of plates would perhaps be in the thousands. Dishwashing is a daily chore for me and I had readily agreed to help. I was amazed at their sincerity, humility, devotion, and dedication to their menial but most important and essential task.
Lo and behold, the same young couple, and their young son, Sri Datta, now are in charge of the ultra modern, superbly equipped Raga Ragini Nada Yoga Research Center in the top floor of the new Rama Sankara Kuteera building in the ashram, with an elevator and all, where Sri Swamiji Himself blesses devotees each day with music therapy sessions playing the most unusual and outstandingly beautiful, rare ragas.
Such are the rewards that Sadgurudeva grants to those who serve wholeheartedly. Sri Guru Datta

It is nice to know that one doesn’ t need to be rich to serve our Sadguru or any other person or creature, the attitude is important and the desire to do it. Thank You Puttuji. Prostrations to the Lotusfeet of my beloved Sadguru. OM.

Jaya Guru Datta!
We think often others can do much better. Thank You for teaching us that even little steps are appreciated. i could experience this so often when doing something in conjunction with Sri Swamiji. The reward was always completely out of my expectations!
The Ramayana story of the squirrel told by Sri Balaswamiji (http://dattavani.org/chaturmasya-pravachanam/chaturmasyam-2012/srimad-ramayana/september-2012/sep-9/) and by Puttuji is so touching. It tells us that in reality it is the intention what counts and not the result. If we want to analyse our and others deeds it is very interesting to look at the intentions.
This MMS is so nice. i like the squirrel very much.
Koti pranams to the Divine Lotus Padas of Sri Swamiji.
Sri Guru Datta
Om Govindaya Namah
Om Namo Hanumate Namah

Jai Guru Datta. Sri Gurubyo Namaha. Swamiji We are very Glad to receive this MMS. My Mother told the same thing to me in the last month. From this session i cleared my doubts. Definitely we also think like Squirrel in Ramayana. Main thing we should remember is is to seva either it may be big or small. I am very impressed about the way this MMS is presented. Millions of Pranams to the Lotus feet of Pujya Sri Swamiji.

Om Govindaya Namahah..Jai GuruDatta Appaji…

nice, and good teaching sri swamiji.i am lucky to start many activities in my place like veda seva,poor feeding on sundays,helping helpless in studies and medical .in 70 th birthday year planed 70 service activities mainly donation of wheel chairs (about 300 chairs) to needy. on 5th we called 4 teachers ,including one muslim &,one christian and celebrated teachers day ,All these activities are conducted in our ashram name and sri swamijis name. media is fully covering all these . this is my way of serving sri swamiji and i pray sri swamiji to bless me to do more and advise. me when needed v v s s sarma bhimavaram

JGD.Hey,Prabho!Sadgurudeva!keep in us that spirit that worked in Prahlaada and the Sqirrile those were in nishkaamya karma with the Jagatpati,incarnated as SriRaama and Sri Narasimha.SGD

Jaya Guru Datta,
Out of love this innocent little squirrel is bowing down in front of Lord Rama. Not for recognition I shall work – only for its true purpose (bringing up children, sometimes doing Datta Seva, social work). To know, I am not the doer, helps – without gods grace nothing would be possible at all!
And yes – a small effort coming from a pure heart – it’s something very noble.

Jaya Guru Hanuman,

In the biography of Sri Swamiji, Jayalakshmi mata by example helps us understand and imbibe this message. As a housewife she does every work – washing utensils, cleaning the drains, washing clothes, cooking for family, taking care of children, teaching Yoga and giving upadeshams to Sri Swamiji, help run the finances of the house, help her husband etc. She mentions that every work in the world is part of Maha Yagnam. No work is superior or inferior. It is not What we do but How we do.

Sri Swamiji also mentions in one of the speeches – For a chariot to run we need driver, horses, wheels, road etc. Everything is important. Everyone cannot become a driver. You be the road. That is important also.

Let us look at the past MMS’es, understand how seva should be done and practice them:

– True joy is in giving, not in receiving (MMS 86)
– Even a small good deed gives a wonderful result when it is reverentially offered to God. (MMS 47)
– Work as if everything depends on you (MMS 71)
– To a noble soul the whole world appears as one family. (MMS 42)
– Everything happens by the will of God (MMS 88)

– Our behavior, anger and tongue should always be kept under control. (MMS 28)
– Do not speak ill of others (MMS 26)
– Anger is a foe. Forgiveness is a friend. (MMS 56)
– Scholarship should breed humility, not ego.(MMS 30)
– Be glad and not angry when others point out your weakness. They are doing you a favor. (MMS 57)
– Yesterday’s newspaper is today’s waste paper. So, stop gossipping (MMS 70)
– When we make mistakes either knowingly or unknowingly, we must accept them. (MMS 39)
– Peace cannot be established through hatred or revenge (MMS 41)
– Is there anything that cannot be achieved if one is patient? (MMS 73)

Humble prostrations to the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji

Om namo hanumate namaha

Effort receives recognition ~ 10 sep 2012

Namaste Puttuji. Wonderful video saying Appaji Himself is Lord Rama. Welcoming Lord Narasimha Swamy into our hearts with a flower carpet in front. And Appaji showing squirrel which has recognition for its effort in helping Lord Rama, transporting few sand particles in the construction of a bridge over ocean to go to Lanka. Appaji is other than Lord Rama leading the universe towards righteousness teaching subtle morals. Appaji always says that Appaji is more happy if anyone cleans and maintains Appaji’s house than if someone donates one lakh rupees. Small jobs like dusting, cleaning which do not receive recognition instead gives chance for others to look lowly and criticise, receive recognition in Guru’s heart as He knows it’s importance. One should be lucky enough to be able to serve Guru in that way. There are many incidents when squirrels played with Appaji. It is well shown in the video, squirrel over Appaji saying Sri Rama written with pearls. Next scene in video shows Lord Venkateswara Sawmy, deity of kaliyuga standing on rotating globe and symbols of all religions circling behind His head, Hanuma dancing in His own style for Appaji’s bhajan, Gobindake gun gaavo and Garuda at Lord’s feet. Appaji appearing in place of Lord Venkateswara Swamy shows He is Lord Venkateswara Swamy Himself propagating righteousness all over the world and infusing into devotees that all religions are same. Thank You so much Puttuji. Namaste.

Small favors that are done for me, when they are least expected, truly stir my soul and fill me with gratitude. Sending me a hot cup of superb filter coffee in a thermos flask first thing in the morning when I am sick, helping me to cross a busy street in India, offering a ride on a two wheeler when I am walking alone at night carrying heavy bags, inviting me over to feed me hot dosas when I am starved and feeling weak, are just a few of those memories that moisten my eyes. Jaya Guru Datta

JGD. May all our actions be offerings done with a pure heart and noble intentions, as seen in the eyes of Sadgurudeva. JGD.

JAYA GURU DATTA! I would I could alwayas offer every thought, every word, every action as a donation to the holy lotusfeet of my beloved Appaji! S.G.D.!

Unlike in corporate world, in Bhagavantha’s world, all effort is recognized. Sincerely doing service is the only thing we need to think, and no other hastles or baggage. Working for Parandhaama, Pujya Sri Appaji is a blessing! Shata Koti pranams to Your Lotus Feet, Appaji, for the million ways through which You are reforming us, protecting us, and making our journeys meaningful. Sri Guru Datta.

Dieses MMS kann uns sehr erleichtern: wir müssen nichts Riesiges vollbringen. Wir dürfen das tun, zu was wir fähig sind. Einzig und allein die Art und Weise, wie wir es tun, ist von Bedeutung.
Und das lernen wir mit DIR, mein SADGURU. Danke für diese wunderschön anschauliche Lehre.

JGD Appaji
As the bhajan says Human birth is priceless…on top of that being under Appaji getting a chance to do seva is a very rare Blessing. Seva with the divine name on our lips makes it even more joyous and frees us from the bondage to it. Appaji! please let us always and forever be capable of doing seva without any expectations.