Hari Om Sharan y Sathya Sai - La historia moderna de Abou Ben Adhem, por B.Aravind.
Abou Ben Adhem y el Ángel
Evocar a Dios en las personas es también servicio.
El poema inmortal de James Henry Leigh Hunt, Abou Ben Adhem , tiene un mensaje muy fuerte y profundo para todos nosotros. El poema habla de una persona sencilla, Abou Ben Adhem, que ve a un ángel en su habitación, el registraba los nombres de todas las personas que amaban a Dios.
Abou nunca rezaba a Dios, aunque siempre amaba y servia a sus semejantes con todo vigor y vitalidad. Cuando le pregunto al ángel por su nombre, el ángel le respondió que se trataba de una lista. A la noche siguiente, Abou ve el mismo ángel escribiendo otra lista - los nombres de aquellos a quienes Dios amaba. El nombre de Abou encabezaba esa lista! el servicio es algo que está muy cercano al corazón de Dios.
Swami ( Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba ) ha insistido siempre en el hecho de que las manos que ayudan son más santas que los labios que oran. Y eso es lo que me hace mirar con asombro a la gente como el Dr.Narasimhan, que desinteresadamente sirve y lleva ayuda médica a los pobres y afligidos - de forma gratuita !
Si bien esto inspira al servicio, provoca en mí una pregunta. ¿Y los sabios y santos - que ocupan su tiempo en el Himalaya, por ejemplo? . Son considerados cercanos al Señor. A pesar de que aparentemente no hacen gran "servicio" en el sentido físico, inspiran el amor a Dios en las personas y ese es un servicio muy grande. De hecho, la promoción del amor de Dios en los corazones de la gente es el Dharma que incluso un Avatar viene a establecer. Y así, esas personas que inspiran este amor por lo Divino en el corazón de la gente, son considerados como grandes servidores. Sin duda esta es una figura importante en la lista de nombres de personas a quienes Dios ama!
El legendario Hari Om Sharan con su amigo favorito - el armonio!
El caso de Hari Om Sharan
El legendario Hari Om Sharan con su amigo favorito - el armonio!
El caso de Hari Om Sharan
Sri Hari Om Sharan (26 septiembre 1932 a 17 diciembre 2007) fue un cantante legendario devocional indio y letrista. Dedicó gran parte de su carrera a cantos devocionales en alabanza de Bhagwan Rama y Hanuman. Mientras otros cantantes de su época buscaban la fama y la fortuna por cantar canciones para películas de Bollywood, Hari Om Sharan se dedicaba a los bhajans y a Dios. Su sencillez se refleja en sus canciones y su estilo de vida. Él y su esposa eran fácilmente accesibles y eran rodeados por seguidores en cada mandir (templo) y cada concierto público. Cantaba composiciones inéditas de Kabir, Kamal, Raidas, etc. Aquellos que lo han escuchado en sus días prístinos nunca podran olvidar su voz tan melodiosa y el impacto que creaba en ellos. A menudo ha sido considerado como un faquir o yogui , inspirando amor a Dios en los corazones de la gente a través de su canto.
La mayoría de sus canciones y bhajans eran sobre Lord Rama, Hanuman, la Madre Divina y Shirdi Sai Baba.
Abou Ben Adhem estaba cerca del corazón de un Dios a quien ni siquiera consideraba como "conocido", Hari Om Sharan parece haberse hecho un hueco especial para sí mismo, en el corazón de Swami.
Llegué a conocer de esta historia muy especial por un alumno de alto nivel del venerado Instituto - Sunam Gyamtso Tenzin .
Fiestas del 60a cumpleaños de Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
El episodio revelador se remonta durante los meses previos a las celebraciones del 60 cumpleaños de Swami en 1985. Sunam era uno de los alumnos del último año del Instituto. Siendo un destacado miembro del grupo musical de estudiantes, se vio involucrado en la planificación de un programa de música para las celebraciones de cumpleaños. (Incluso hoy en día, es un miembro muy importante del grupo de música de antiguos alumnos y ha participado activamente en la producción de una docena de CDs de Bhajans de alta calidad, de nombre el puente a través del tiempo ).
Swami había venido mostrando un gran interés en el programa, e interactuaba con los estudiantes diariamente sobre el programa. Los estudiantes estaban entusiasmados por supuesto - ya que sería un honor y privilegio cantar en esta ocasión - 23 de noviembre de 1985. Pero parecía como si Swami estuviese más entusiasmado aun sobre el programa. El diariamente preguntaba a los "compositores" de el grupo de música, en cuanto a qué nueva canción estaba lista. Sunam era un "compositor" y a diario era consultado por Swami.
La gente suele pensar que es una gran oportunidad que Swami tenga tanto interés en un programa. Pero poner en marcha un programa, también es una gran responsabilidad, porque Swami exige ver progreso diario - y a un ritmo rápido ! Así, que Sunam me dijo que estaba bajo una gran presión para 'preparar las nuevas canciones' diariamente.
Nuestro Swami hermoso, de unos sesenta años, disfrutando una sesión de bhajans ...
Fuente: www.radiosai.org
Una solución elegante.
Cuando Sunam se enfrentó a este "problema", se acercó a un devota mayor para pedir consejo. Ella le dijo:
"Tengo un viejo libro de poemas. Estos poemas tienen un significado precioso. Tal vez, si usted les da una mirada se inspirara. Vuelva a casa y le voy a dar ese libro. " Feliz por esta coincidencia", Sunam se fue a su casa y recogió el libro. Era un libro viejo y maltratado. Muchas páginas estaban rotas. El libro estaba en un estado terrible, pero su contenido era simplemente invaluable.
La gente suele pensar que es una gran oportunidad que Swami tenga tanto interés en un programa. Pero poner en marcha un programa, también es una gran responsabilidad, porque Swami exige ver progreso diario - y a un ritmo rápido ! Así, que Sunam me dijo que estaba bajo una gran presión para 'preparar las nuevas canciones' diariamente.
Nuestro Swami hermoso, de unos sesenta años, disfrutando una sesión de bhajans ...
Fuente: www.radiosai.org
Una solución elegante.
Cuando Sunam se enfrentó a este "problema", se acercó a un devota mayor para pedir consejo. Ella le dijo:
"Tengo un viejo libro de poemas. Estos poemas tienen un significado precioso. Tal vez, si usted les da una mirada se inspirara. Vuelva a casa y le voy a dar ese libro. " Feliz por esta coincidencia", Sunam se fue a su casa y recogió el libro. Era un libro viejo y maltratado. Muchas páginas estaban rotas. El libro estaba en un estado terrible, pero su contenido era simplemente invaluable.
Un poema en particular lo golpeó - Naam Ki Jyoti Jalayi Man Mein, Jeevan Safal banaya Vishayo Se Jinka Man Bhaya, Jhoota Janam Gavaya Naam Ki Jyoti Jalao Man Mein, Paalo Shaashwat Dhaam ( Significado : Aquellos que iluminan su mente con el nombre del Señor, tienen éxito. Aquellos que opten por participar de los deseos mundanos, simplemente estarán desperdiciando sus vidas. Con el nombre del Señor logran la morada permanente mediante la iluminación.)
Man Ko Ki Bhaee Jag Maya Prabhu Ko Kabhi Na Dhyaya,
Har Pag Mein Mera Man Ghabaraya, sábado Marg Na Paaya,
Sundar Jeevan Paakar Man Bhi, Moorakh Samajh Na Paaya
Maaya Ke Jhanjaal Jagat Mein, Ghere Mein Man Aaya,
Trishna Nahi Miti Vishayon Ki , Virtha Janam Gavaya
( Significado : La mente, después de haber sido atrapada en el engaño de los atractivos mundanos, nunca piensa en el Señor. La mente tonta no se da cuenta, en lugar de elegir el camino de la Verdad, elige ser temerosa a cada paso.. esto a pesar de estar dotada de una vida hermosa. Simplemente se enreda en el engaño denso del mundo y su sed por los deseos mundanos nunca desaparece.)
Man Ko Ki Bhaee Jag Maya Prabhu Ko Kabhi Na Dhyaya,
Har Pag Mein Mera Man Ghabaraya, sábado Marg Na Paaya,
Sundar Jeevan Paakar Man Bhi, Moorakh Samajh Na Paaya
Maaya Ke Jhanjaal Jagat Mein, Ghere Mein Man Aaya,
Trishna Nahi Miti Vishayon Ki , Virtha Janam Gavaya
( Significado : La mente, después de haber sido atrapada en el engaño de los atractivos mundanos, nunca piensa en el Señor. La mente tonta no se da cuenta, en lugar de elegir el camino de la Verdad, elige ser temerosa a cada paso.. esto a pesar de estar dotada de una vida hermosa. Simplemente se enreda en el engaño denso del mundo y su sed por los deseos mundanos nunca desaparece.)
Lele Hari Ka Naam Ab Tu, Jeevan Jyot Jalale Paakar Saar Prem Ke Man Ye, Anand Mein Ho Jaaye, Aatho Peher Rahein Rang Raatha Peekar Ka Naam Pyaala Sat Chit Ananda Roop Mein Ramkar Deha Bhava Bisaraaya
Él decidió añadir un versículo de apertura a ese poema, añadirle musica y presentarla como una nueva canción a Swami al día siguiente. Trabajó durante toda la noche y por la mañana del día siguiente, la "nueva" canción estaba lista. Las nuevas líneas que agrego aquí y allá en la canción fueron:
Bhajore Parama Naam Sri Sai Sai Naam Hain Prem Sarovar, Behti Amrit Dhara Bolo Ram, Sai Ram, Bolo Ram, Sai Ram ( Significado: Canta el divino nombre de Sai, que es el océano del amor, el incesante flujo del néctar inmortal. Repita Sairam costantemente.)
Al parecer, Sunam había aprendido los beneficios de la reutilización y el reciclaje de los materiales!
Sunam junto con la divinidad durante sus días de estudiante ...
Sunam junto con la divinidad durante sus días de estudiante ...
Una sorprendente revelación.
Al día siguiente, como era de rutina, Swami llamó a algunos miembros del grupo de música a la sala de entrevistas. Swami preguntó Sunam,
"¿Cuál es la nueva canción que está lista hoy?"
"Swami, esta es una hermosa canción y espero que le guste." Diciendo esto, Sunam "canto" la melodía que había compuesto junto con otro estudiante, V. Kumar. Swami parecía estar escuchando la canción atentamente. Él no hizo ningún comentario. Luego de la canción , Sunam estaba feliz. La canción parecía estar haciendo hablar a Swami ! Parecía haberle gustado mucho. No habría necesidad de mejorarla. Parecía como si fuera a ser seleccionada como estaba. Fue elegido por Swami sin duda, pero antes él hizo una declaración que dejó a todos en la sala de interrogatorios sin palabras. "¡Ay! Mediante la adición de dos líneas en el principio, puedes llamarla una nueva canción?
Me dio esta canción como Om Sharan en 1950. Y usted dice que ha hecho esta nueva canción? "
Era de octubre de 1985. Después de la entrevista, Sunam lentamente hojeó las páginas del libro. El nombre del autor estaba impreso en una de las páginas. Y lo leí - Brahmachari Om Sharan! . El rey de bhajans y cantos devocionales no había sido bautizado Hari Om Sharan entonces! . Era simplemente Om Sharan con el título Brahmachari lo que indica que todavía era soltero! . Pero él ya había llegado a Sai Sharan (refugio) por su noble decisión de dedicar su vida a cantar las glorias de Dios y hacer brotar el amor a Dios en los corazones de la gente! .
A pesar de que no sabía de este Dios que había encarnado en una pequeña aldea en el sur de India, Swami lo había puesto ya, en lo mas alto de su lista de seres queridos .
Swami con el grupo musical de estudiantes, después del concierto 60 aniversario.
Nunca olvidaré la inspiración.
Cuando Sunam concluyó su relato, comprendí dos cosas:
La primera es que la inspiración es divina. La inspiración es una de las lenguas a través del cual Dios se comunica con nosotros y he experimentado esta de una manera poderosa .
La segunda es que Dios conoce nuestros pensamientos, incluso a medida que surgen y he experimentado esto también de una manera muy potente.
Me detendré aquí con gratitud a Swami por esta inspiración. y a Sunam por ser un instrumento de la Divinidad para llevar esta inspiración.
Si te ha gustado este artículo, usted también puede disfrutar de:
1. Omnipresencia de Dios: Experiencias de gran proximidad a Sri Sathya Sai .
. 2 Samastha Lokaha Sukhino Bhavantu: El poder de la oración por los demás
3. El mejor Dios o Maestro a seguir
4. ¿Hay que escribir cartas a Dios cuando Él lo sabe todo? - Una revelación por Sri Sathya Sai
OMSAIRAMMM...
.................................................................................
Hari Om Sharan and Sathya Sai - Story of the modern day Abou Ben Adhem, by B.Aravind.
Abou Ben Adhem and the Angel
Evoking God in people is also service
James Henry Leigh Hunt’s immortal poem, Abou Ben Adhem, holds a very strong and profound message for all of us. The poem speaks about a simple person, Abou Ben Adhem who sees an angel in his room recording the names of all the people who loved God. Abou never prays to God though he always loves and serves his fellow-men with all vigour and vitality. When he asks the angel about his name, the angel replies that it is nowhere on the list. The next night, Abou sees the same angel writing another list - the names of those whom God loved. Abou’s name topped that list!
Service is something that is very close to God’s heart. Swami (Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba) has always stressed on the fact that hands which help are holier than lips that pray. And that is what makes me look in awe at people likeDr.Narasimhan who selflessly serve and bring medical relief to the distressed poor - free of cost! While this inspires one into service, it provokes within me a question.
What about the sages and saints - those spending their time in the Himalayas for instance? They are considered close to the Lord. Though they apparently do no great ‘service’ in the physical sense, they inspire love for God in people and that is a great service indeed. In fact, promoting love for God in people’s hearts is the Dharma that even an Avatar comes to establish. And so, those people that inspire this love for the Divine in people’s heart are considered as great servitors. They definitely figure high in the list of names of people whom God loves!
The legendary Hari Om Sharan with his favorite friend - the harmonium!
The case of Hari Om Sharan
Sri Hari Om Sharan (26 September 1932 - 17 December 2007) was a legendary Indian devotional singer and lyricist. He devoted most of his career in singing devotional songs in praise of Bhagwan Rama and Hanuman. While others singers of his era sought fame and fortune by singing Bollywood songs for movies, Hari Om Sharan stuck with bhajans and God. His simplicity is reflected in his singing and his lifestyle. He and his wife were easily approachable and were mobbed by followers at everymandir (temple) and every public concert. He was inspired to sing previously unheard compositions of Kabir, Kamal, Raidas, etc. Those who have heard him in his pristine days can never forget his very melodious voice and the impact it created on them.
He has often been considered a fakir or yogi, inspiring great love for God in the hearts of people through his singing. He has sung most of his songs and bhajans on Lord Rama, Hanuman, the Divine Mother and Shirdi Sai Baba. Just like Abou Ben Adhem was close to the heart of a God whom he never even considered as ‘known’, Hari Om Sharan seems to have carved a special niche for himself in the heart of Swami. I came to know of this very special story from a revered senior alumnus from the Institute - Sunam Gyamtso Tenzin.
60th Birthday Celebrations of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
The revealing episode is set during the months preceding the 60th birthday celebrations of Swami in 1985. Sunam was one of the senior students of the Institute. Being a prominent member of the students’ music group, he was involved in planning a music programme for the Birthday celebrations. (Even today, he is a very vital member of the alumni music group and has been actively involved in the production of a dozen high-quality bhajan CDs by the name, Bridge Across Time).
Swami had been showing great interest in the programme and would interact with the students on a daily basis about the programme. The students were excited of course - it would be an honor and privilege to sing on such an occasion - 23rd November, 1985. But it appeared as though Swami was more excited about the programme. He would daily ask the ‘composers’ in the music group as to what new song was ready. Sunam was one such ‘composer’ and was daily subject to that question by Swami.
People often think that it is a great chance when Swami takes such interest in a programme. But putting up a programme is also a great responsibility because, being a hard taskmaster, Swami demands to see daily progress - and at a rapid rate at that! Thus, as Sunam told me, he was under great pressure to ‘come up with new songs’ on a daily basis.
Our beautiful Swami in His sixties enjoying a bhajan session...
Source: www.radiosai.org
An elegant solution
When Sunam faced this ‘problem’, he approached a senior devotee to seek advice. She told him,
“I have an old book of poems. Those poems have lovely meaning. Maybe, if you have a look at them, you will be struck by some inspiration. Come home and I shall give you that book.”
Happy at this ‘coincidence’, Sunam went to her home and collected the book. It was an old and dilapidated book. Many pages had got torn. The book was in a terrible shape but its contents were simply invaluable. One poem in particular struck him -
Naam Ki Jyoti Jalayi Man Mein, Jeevan Safal Banaya
Vishayo Se Jinka Man Bhaya, Jhoota Janam Gavaya
Naam Ki Jyoti Jalao Man Mein, Paalo Shaashwat Dhaam
( Meaning: Those that light up their minds with the name of the Lord, become successful. Those that choose to get involved in worldly desires instead are simply wasting their lives. Attain the permanent abode by lighting you mind with the Lord’s name. )
Man Ko Bhaee Jag Ki Maya Prabhu Ko Kabhi Na Dhyaya,
Har Pag Mein Mera Man Ghabaraya, Sat Marg Na Paaya,
Sundar Jeevan Paakar Bhi Man, Moorakh Samajh Na Paaya
Maaya Ke Jhanjaal Jagat Mein, Ghere Mein Man Aaya,
Trishna Nahi Miti Vishayon Ki, Virtha Janam Gavaya
(Meaning: The mind, having been enveloped in the delusion of the worldly attractions, never thought of the Lord. My mind chooses to be fearful at every step rather than choose the path of Truth. The foolish mind does not realize this inspite of being gifted with a beautiful life. It simply gets entangled in the dense delusion of the world and its thirst for worldly desires never subsides.)
Lele Naam Hari Ka Ab Tu, Jeevan Jyot Jalale
Paakar Saar Prem Ke Man Ye, Anand Mein Ho Jaaye,
Aatho Peher Rahein Rang Raatha Peekar Naam Ka Pyaala
Sat Chit Ananda Roop Mein Ramkar Deha Bhaava Bisaraaya
Sunam's tryst with divinity during his student days...
(Meaning: It is time to take up the name of the Lord and enlighten your lives. Oh Mind! Enjoy bliss by obtaining the essence of life- love. Drink deeply into the Divine ambrosia of the name throughout the day and give up body attachment by getting attached to the embodiment of Being, Awareness and Bliss.)
He decided to add an opening verse to that poem, add a tune and present it as a new song to Swami the next day. He worked throughout the night and by the next day morning, the ‘new’ song was ready. The new lines that he sprinkled here and there in the song were:
Bhajore Parama Naam Sri Sai
Sai Naam Hain Prem Sarovar, Behti Amrit Dhara
Bolo Ram, Sai Ram, Bolo Ram, Sai Ram
(Meaning: Sing the Divine name of Sai for it is the ocean of Love, the ceaseless flow of immortal nectar. Say Sairam repeatedly.)
Apparently, Sunam had learnt the benefits of reusing and recycling materials!
A startling revelation
The next day, as was the routine, Swami called a few members of the music group into the interview room. Even as they settled in, Swami asked Sunam,
“What is the new song that is ready today?”
“Swami, this is a beautiful song and I hope you like it.”
Saying so, Sunam played that ‘song’ in the tune that he had composed as another student, V.Kumar sang it. Swami seemed to be listening to the song intently. He made no comments.
Even as the song was rendered, Sunam rejoiced. The song seemed to be making Swami speechless! He seemed to have liked it so much. There would be no need for any improvements or progressive iterations for the song. It looked as though it would be selected as is. It was chosen by Swami no doubt, but not before He made a statement that left everyone in the interview room speechless.
“Ay! By adding two lines in the beginning, can you call it a new song? I gave this song to Om Sharan in 1950. And you say that you made this new song?”
It was the October of 1985. After the interview, Sunam slowly leafed through the pages of the book. The name of the author had been somehow preserved on one of the pages. And it read - Brahmachari Om Sharan!
The king of bhajans and devotional singing had not been christened Hari Om Sharan then! He was simply Om Sharan with the titleBrahmachari which indicated that he was still unmarried! But he had already come into Sai’s Sharan (refuge) by his noble decision to dedicate his life to singing the glories of God and springing love for God in people’s hearts! Though he knew not of this God who had incarnated in a tiny hamlet in South India, Swami had already placed him high on His list of loved ones!
(Phew! That was a paragraph filled with exclamation marks - and it deserves only those don’t you think?)
Swami with the students' music group after the 60th birthday concert
Never forget the inspiration
As Sunam concluded his narrative, I understood two things-
One was that inspiration is Divine. Inspiration is one of the languages through which God communicates with us and I have experienced this is a powerful manner.
The second was that God knows our thoughts even as they arise and I have experienced this too in a very powerful manner.
I shall stop here with gratitude to Swami for this inspiration and to Sunam for being an instrument of the Divine in bringing this inspiration.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy:
1. God's Omnipresence: Experiences of great proximity to Sri Sathya Sai.
2. Samastha Lokaha Sukhino Bhavantu: The power of praying for others
3. The best God or Master to follow
4. Should we write letters to God when He knows everything? - A revelation by Sri Sathya Sai
OMSAIRAMMM...
Si te ha gustado este artículo, usted también puede disfrutar de:
1. Omnipresencia de Dios: Experiencias de gran proximidad a Sri Sathya Sai .
. 2 Samastha Lokaha Sukhino Bhavantu: El poder de la oración por los demás
3. El mejor Dios o Maestro a seguir
4. ¿Hay que escribir cartas a Dios cuando Él lo sabe todo? - Una revelación por Sri Sathya Sai
OMSAIRAMMM...
.................................................................................
Hari Om Sharan and Sathya Sai - Story of the modern day Abou Ben Adhem, by B.Aravind.
Abou Ben Adhem and the Angel
Evoking God in people is also service
James Henry Leigh Hunt’s immortal poem, Abou Ben Adhem, holds a very strong and profound message for all of us. The poem speaks about a simple person, Abou Ben Adhem who sees an angel in his room recording the names of all the people who loved God. Abou never prays to God though he always loves and serves his fellow-men with all vigour and vitality. When he asks the angel about his name, the angel replies that it is nowhere on the list. The next night, Abou sees the same angel writing another list - the names of those whom God loved. Abou’s name topped that list!
Service is something that is very close to God’s heart. Swami (Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba) has always stressed on the fact that hands which help are holier than lips that pray. And that is what makes me look in awe at people likeDr.Narasimhan who selflessly serve and bring medical relief to the distressed poor - free of cost! While this inspires one into service, it provokes within me a question.
What about the sages and saints - those spending their time in the Himalayas for instance? They are considered close to the Lord. Though they apparently do no great ‘service’ in the physical sense, they inspire love for God in people and that is a great service indeed. In fact, promoting love for God in people’s hearts is the Dharma that even an Avatar comes to establish. And so, those people that inspire this love for the Divine in people’s heart are considered as great servitors. They definitely figure high in the list of names of people whom God loves!
The legendary Hari Om Sharan with his favorite friend - the harmonium!
The case of Hari Om Sharan
Sri Hari Om Sharan (26 September 1932 - 17 December 2007) was a legendary Indian devotional singer and lyricist. He devoted most of his career in singing devotional songs in praise of Bhagwan Rama and Hanuman. While others singers of his era sought fame and fortune by singing Bollywood songs for movies, Hari Om Sharan stuck with bhajans and God. His simplicity is reflected in his singing and his lifestyle. He and his wife were easily approachable and were mobbed by followers at everymandir (temple) and every public concert. He was inspired to sing previously unheard compositions of Kabir, Kamal, Raidas, etc. Those who have heard him in his pristine days can never forget his very melodious voice and the impact it created on them.
He has often been considered a fakir or yogi, inspiring great love for God in the hearts of people through his singing. He has sung most of his songs and bhajans on Lord Rama, Hanuman, the Divine Mother and Shirdi Sai Baba. Just like Abou Ben Adhem was close to the heart of a God whom he never even considered as ‘known’, Hari Om Sharan seems to have carved a special niche for himself in the heart of Swami. I came to know of this very special story from a revered senior alumnus from the Institute - Sunam Gyamtso Tenzin.
60th Birthday Celebrations of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
The revealing episode is set during the months preceding the 60th birthday celebrations of Swami in 1985. Sunam was one of the senior students of the Institute. Being a prominent member of the students’ music group, he was involved in planning a music programme for the Birthday celebrations. (Even today, he is a very vital member of the alumni music group and has been actively involved in the production of a dozen high-quality bhajan CDs by the name, Bridge Across Time).
Swami had been showing great interest in the programme and would interact with the students on a daily basis about the programme. The students were excited of course - it would be an honor and privilege to sing on such an occasion - 23rd November, 1985. But it appeared as though Swami was more excited about the programme. He would daily ask the ‘composers’ in the music group as to what new song was ready. Sunam was one such ‘composer’ and was daily subject to that question by Swami.
People often think that it is a great chance when Swami takes such interest in a programme. But putting up a programme is also a great responsibility because, being a hard taskmaster, Swami demands to see daily progress - and at a rapid rate at that! Thus, as Sunam told me, he was under great pressure to ‘come up with new songs’ on a daily basis.
Our beautiful Swami in His sixties enjoying a bhajan session...
Source: www.radiosai.org
An elegant solution
When Sunam faced this ‘problem’, he approached a senior devotee to seek advice. She told him,
“I have an old book of poems. Those poems have lovely meaning. Maybe, if you have a look at them, you will be struck by some inspiration. Come home and I shall give you that book.”
Happy at this ‘coincidence’, Sunam went to her home and collected the book. It was an old and dilapidated book. Many pages had got torn. The book was in a terrible shape but its contents were simply invaluable. One poem in particular struck him -
Naam Ki Jyoti Jalayi Man Mein, Jeevan Safal Banaya
Vishayo Se Jinka Man Bhaya, Jhoota Janam Gavaya
Naam Ki Jyoti Jalao Man Mein, Paalo Shaashwat Dhaam
( Meaning: Those that light up their minds with the name of the Lord, become successful. Those that choose to get involved in worldly desires instead are simply wasting their lives. Attain the permanent abode by lighting you mind with the Lord’s name. )
Man Ko Bhaee Jag Ki Maya Prabhu Ko Kabhi Na Dhyaya,
Har Pag Mein Mera Man Ghabaraya, Sat Marg Na Paaya,
Sundar Jeevan Paakar Bhi Man, Moorakh Samajh Na Paaya
Maaya Ke Jhanjaal Jagat Mein, Ghere Mein Man Aaya,
Trishna Nahi Miti Vishayon Ki, Virtha Janam Gavaya
(Meaning: The mind, having been enveloped in the delusion of the worldly attractions, never thought of the Lord. My mind chooses to be fearful at every step rather than choose the path of Truth. The foolish mind does not realize this inspite of being gifted with a beautiful life. It simply gets entangled in the dense delusion of the world and its thirst for worldly desires never subsides.)
Lele Naam Hari Ka Ab Tu, Jeevan Jyot Jalale
Paakar Saar Prem Ke Man Ye, Anand Mein Ho Jaaye,
Aatho Peher Rahein Rang Raatha Peekar Naam Ka Pyaala
Sat Chit Ananda Roop Mein Ramkar Deha Bhaava Bisaraaya
Sunam's tryst with divinity during his student days...
(Meaning: It is time to take up the name of the Lord and enlighten your lives. Oh Mind! Enjoy bliss by obtaining the essence of life- love. Drink deeply into the Divine ambrosia of the name throughout the day and give up body attachment by getting attached to the embodiment of Being, Awareness and Bliss.)
He decided to add an opening verse to that poem, add a tune and present it as a new song to Swami the next day. He worked throughout the night and by the next day morning, the ‘new’ song was ready. The new lines that he sprinkled here and there in the song were:
Bhajore Parama Naam Sri Sai
Sai Naam Hain Prem Sarovar, Behti Amrit Dhara
Bolo Ram, Sai Ram, Bolo Ram, Sai Ram
(Meaning: Sing the Divine name of Sai for it is the ocean of Love, the ceaseless flow of immortal nectar. Say Sairam repeatedly.)
Apparently, Sunam had learnt the benefits of reusing and recycling materials!
A startling revelation
The next day, as was the routine, Swami called a few members of the music group into the interview room. Even as they settled in, Swami asked Sunam,
“What is the new song that is ready today?”
“Swami, this is a beautiful song and I hope you like it.”
Saying so, Sunam played that ‘song’ in the tune that he had composed as another student, V.Kumar sang it. Swami seemed to be listening to the song intently. He made no comments.
Even as the song was rendered, Sunam rejoiced. The song seemed to be making Swami speechless! He seemed to have liked it so much. There would be no need for any improvements or progressive iterations for the song. It looked as though it would be selected as is. It was chosen by Swami no doubt, but not before He made a statement that left everyone in the interview room speechless.
“Ay! By adding two lines in the beginning, can you call it a new song? I gave this song to Om Sharan in 1950. And you say that you made this new song?”
It was the October of 1985. After the interview, Sunam slowly leafed through the pages of the book. The name of the author had been somehow preserved on one of the pages. And it read - Brahmachari Om Sharan!
The king of bhajans and devotional singing had not been christened Hari Om Sharan then! He was simply Om Sharan with the titleBrahmachari which indicated that he was still unmarried! But he had already come into Sai’s Sharan (refuge) by his noble decision to dedicate his life to singing the glories of God and springing love for God in people’s hearts! Though he knew not of this God who had incarnated in a tiny hamlet in South India, Swami had already placed him high on His list of loved ones!
(Phew! That was a paragraph filled with exclamation marks - and it deserves only those don’t you think?)
Swami with the students' music group after the 60th birthday concert
Never forget the inspiration
As Sunam concluded his narrative, I understood two things-
One was that inspiration is Divine. Inspiration is one of the languages through which God communicates with us and I have experienced this is a powerful manner.
The second was that God knows our thoughts even as they arise and I have experienced this too in a very powerful manner.
I shall stop here with gratitude to Swami for this inspiration and to Sunam for being an instrument of the Divine in bringing this inspiration.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy:
1. God's Omnipresence: Experiences of great proximity to Sri Sathya Sai.
2. Samastha Lokaha Sukhino Bhavantu: The power of praying for others
3. The best God or Master to follow
4. Should we write letters to God when He knows everything? - A revelation by Sri Sathya Sai
OMSAIRAMMM...
OMSAIRAMMM...
CENTRO SAI HISPANO...
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