On the blessed occasion of Green Thursday, June 22nd, 2023, amidst the auspicious Chaliha Sahib festival, Hazir Swaroop Sai Sadhram Saheb shared in his enlightening Satsang about the profound joy of the Thursday of Chaliha Sahib.
Saijan emphasized that to experience continuous blessings and bliss, we must always embody qualities such as positivity, purity, and spiritual growth in our lives.
Maintaining a perpetual state of positivity and leading a pure life, blessed by Parmatma, becomes achievable through mindful awareness of His presence and the constant embrace of His blessings in our lives.
We need to prioritize self-awareness and mindful living, understanding that we each wield control over our minds. This sense of mastery suggests the freedom to follow our instincts, often convinced that our chosen path is the correct one.
Saijan elaborated that individuals, whether virtuous or wicked, saintly or sinful, must cultivate strength to exert influence in the world. Some wield power, others command with love, some rule through respect, and yet others shamelessly employ cunningness to assert dominance.
Mastering various techniques to control the world may seem straightforward, but mastering our own mind can prove to be much more challenging.
Being the master of one’s mind does not imply acting without fear or succumbing to its influence. Rather, it means exercising control over the mind, evaluating actions before implementing them.
The statement that someone is the master of his mind does not imply that he can behave impulsively or arbitrarily.
At times, we might equate being carefree and fearless with mastering the mind.
We often perceive the master of the mind as someone who can act freely, but in truth, it refers to someone who maintains control over his thoughts, avoids distractions, and resists influence from those who might lead him astray from doing what is right.
The master of his mind is someone who remains vigilant and thoughtful before taking any action.
We must always maintain control over our mind. Whenever we sense it becoming distracted by observing or listening to others, we should remind ourselves that our mind is constantly with us—it can be seen as our friend, companion, or servant, but ultimately, it belongs to us and should remain under our command.
We often assert ownership over our mind rather than stating that our mind possesses us.
Recognizing that our mind belongs to us and is under our control signifies that we have the freedom to utilize it as we see fit. We can direct our mind according to our intentions, rather than allowing it to dictate our behavior.
“We must remain vigilant whenever our mind tempts us towards inappropriate actions, reminding it not to mislead us. During the auspicious Chaliha Sahib festival, we should refrain from any wrongdoing and avoid thoughts or actions that are unhealthy. We commit to maintaining positive thoughts, caring for ourselves, our behavior, our speech, and our lifestyle.”
Hazir Swaroop Sai Sadhram Sahib emphasized the importance of steadfastness during the auspicious Chaliha Sahib festival, urging us to fulfill our duties without being swayed. Saijan advised us to remain undistracted and to ignore anything that might hinder our responsibilities, such as visiting temples, performing arti, engaging in Simran, participating in Naam, or seeking divine darshan of our deities.
When our mind attempts to distract us, we must firmly anchor it and prevent it from wandering.
Once we succeed in anchoring and controlling our mind, our entire life—including our thoughts, lifestyle, and every moment—becomes filled with bliss.
Saijan explained that when we engage in Simran of our Satguru while bathing, each drop of water and the act of bathing itself transforms into a sacred experience like Tirath Snan or Holy Bathing.
When we remember our Satguru and Parmatma while drinking water, each sip becomes like Amrit or nectar, purifying our inner self and cleansing away all negativity and impurities.
Saijan explained that when we remember and contemplate our Satguru or Parmatma while eating, every bite of food we consume transforms into divine Prasad.
Saijan shared a story from the life of Shahanshah Satguru Sai Satramdas Saheb, where a man approached Sai Satramdas Saheb and praised his friend, expressing that his friend was exceptionally caring and always ready to help without hesitation. He requested Shahanshah Sai Satramdas Sahib to bless his friend so that their good relationship would continue.
Shahanshah Satguru Sai Satramdas Saheb gave him prasad and also gave prasad for his friend. Upon returning to his city, the man presented the prasad given by Saijan to his friend.
He informed his friend that Saijan had given prasad for him and also mentioned that he had praised him to Saijan.
His friend was taken aback and pondered over Saijan and the prasad he had received. Upon consuming the prasad, the man began to experience unsettling thoughts.
He reflected on the fact that he had never truly helped the man who brought him the prasad; instead, his actions were aimed at trapping him by offering assistance and loans, with the intention of fostering dependency. He realized that his true motives were to tarnish the other man’s reputation as well.
Upon introspection of his intentions, he recognized his mistake and began to feel remorseful. He promptly approached the man who had brought him the prasad and sought forgiveness. The man was taken aback and inquired about the reason for the apology, stating that he had always been supportive.
The remorseful man confessed to his friend about his ill intentions, admitting that he had never harbored positive thoughts about him and had instead sought to manipulate and tarnish his reputation. He now realized his wrongdoing and expressed a desire to seek forgiveness from Shahanshah Satguru Sai Satramdas Saheb.
When he met Saijan, he sought forgiveness and shared how consuming the prasad sent by Saijan had completely transformed his thoughts. He acknowledged his mistakes and humbly prostrated himself at Saijan’s feet, requesting blessings to eradicate all his negative thoughts and lead a righteous life. Shahanshah Satguru Sai blessed him, and from then on, he lived his life with honesty and integrity.
Hazir Swaroop Sai Sadhram Sahib emphasized in his divine satsang that by consistently chanting the name of our Satguru or Parmatma while consuming anything, that food transforms into prasad. This practice enhances our knowledge to wisdom, removes evil thoughts and anger, and eliminates sins and dishonesty.
Saijan explained that by remembering our Satguru and chanting his sacred Naam while eating, the food transforms into prasad. Similarly, remembering our Satguru and Parmatma while bathing turns it into a sacred bathing experience like tirath Snan.
Continuously chanting Naam and maintaining constant remembrance of Parmatma transforms our mind and converts knowledge into wisdom. It eliminates jealousy and anger, fostering moral correctness and dignity within us.
Hazir Swaroop Sai Sadhram Saheb shared a story from the life of Shahanshah Satguru Sai Satramdas Saheb. A family approached Shahanshah Satguru and expressed their daily struggles with disputes and unrest within their household. They recounted constant conflicts over minor issues, leading to a lack of peace among family members. Shahanshah Satguru advised them to chant the name of Satguru Sai, remember Parmatma, or listen to bhajans or shabds while cooking food. Saijan explained that following these practices would completely alleviate the tensions in their home.
The family began following Saijan’s guidance, and soon after, the atmosphere in their home underwent a complete transformation. Peace prevailed among them, and they reconciled their differences, living together harmoniously.
Shahanshah Satguru emphasized that when we consistently remember our Satguru or Parmatma while cooking and eating, all the food becomes Maha Prasad, purifying us and uplifting our purity.
Saijan advised that if some family members are straying from the right path and associating with negative influences, we can pray for their improvement while cooking food. Continuously blessing them in our thoughts, affirming that they will transform into a good-natured individual who treats others kindly, remains healthy, happy, and lives a righteous life with confidence and positivity. Over time, we will observe them gradually transitioning from their negative behaviors to becoming respectable persons.
Everything becomes positive and beneficial when we continuously remember our Satguru, chant his sacred Naam, and receive his blessings wherever we are and whatever we are doing.
Saijan elucidated that the essence of Chaliha lies in maintaining happiness and achieving success, ensuring our lives are consistently blessed with fortune and prosperity. It emphasizes always moving in the right direction and avoiding paths that lead to negativity.
Saijan eloquently explained that by keeping the remembrance of our Satguru and his teachings throughout our travels, our journey transforms into a sacred pilgrimage, yielding the rewards and benefits akin to a spiritual journey.
When we arrive at the holy place of worship with our minds immersed in the chanting of Pious Naam and the remembrance of our Satguru and Parmatma, that experience resembles a beautiful and captivating tale akin to the story of Devi Draupadi.
Saijan recounted that after the Pandavas won the war, they planned to perform the Ashwamedha Yagya. They set up a bell and proclaimed that if their yagya was successful, the bell would ring on its own, but if it failed, the bell would remain silent.
During the yagya, the Pandavas offered prayers and made generous donations.
They organized the yagya on a grand scale. The Pandavas personally served food to all the sadhus, mahatmas, and saints, and even collected their used leaf plates (pattals) themselves. They performed seva with utmost love, care, and reverence.
Upon completion of the yagya, the bell rang softly instead of loudly. The Pandavas were intrigued and sought to understand the reason behind this unexpected outcome.
They realized that there was a deficiency in their service. Upon investigation, they discovered that one Sadhu had not eaten. When the Pandavas inquired about the reason for his abstention.
The Sadhu responded that he only eats at the home of someone blessed to have conducted 100 Ashvamedha Yagyas.
The Pandavas became distressed and could not see a way forward. They understood that if they were unable to feed even one person, their yagya would fail.
Upon learning of the Pandavas’ predicament, Draupadi resolved to persuade the sadhu. The Pandavas were unsure if Draupadi would succeed where they had failed.
However, Drupadi reassured the Pandavas not to be concerned. She promised them that she would persuade the Sadhu who only dines where someone has completed 100 Ashvamedha Yagnas.
Driven by her piety and purity of heart, Draupadi began preparing food for the Sadhu. Throughout the process, she sang devotional hymns, chanted sacred names, and continually praised Shri Hari.
After preparing the food, Draupadi balanced it on her head and walked barefoot to the Sadhu. Upon reaching him, she humbly presented the meal she had prepared.
The Sadhu declined the meal and explained to Draupadi that he could only accept food from a household where someone had completed 100 Ashvamedha Yagnas. He mentioned that the Pandavas had not even completed a single Ashvamedha Yagna.
With her hands folded, Draupadi respectfully stated that she had performed countless Yagnas, far exceeding 100, so numerous that she couldn’t count them all. The Sadhu was astonished and asked Draupadi how she had managed to perform so many Ashvamedha Yagnas.
With folded hands, Draupadi informed the Sadhu that the Lord himself had said
‘संत मिलन को जाइये तजी मोह माया अभिमान। ज्यों ज्यों पग आगे धरे कोटि यज्ञ समान’ This implies that by seeking the company of saints and quickly relinquishing attachment, illusion, and ego, each step forward becomes countless sacrificial offerings.
She described how she cooked the food for him with a pure and devout mind, constantly remembering Shri Hari during the preparation, and approached him barefoot, chanting the sacred name of the Lord.
Draupadi told the Sadhu that if he doubted the sincerity of her feelings and intentions and considered them deceitful, he had the right to refuse the food she had brought for him.
The Sadhu was greatly pleased upon hearing Draupadi’s explanation. He expressed his happiness with her sincere efforts and devotion, acknowledging that her service was equivalent to thousands of sacrificial rituals. He gratefully accepted the food brought by Draupadi.
As soon as the Sadhu took the first bite of the food, the ceremonial bell began ringing vigorously, signifying the success of the Pandavas’ Ashvamedha Yagya.
Hazir Swaroop Sai Sadhram Saheb emphasized that when we seek the divine presence of Sants, we should approach them without the weight of ego and arrogance. Our demeanor should be humble, selfless, and filled with wholehearted devotion.
Each step we take in meeting sants with utmost humility and profound devotion is worth hundreds of Ashvamedha yagyas in rewards.
Hazir Swaroop Sai Sadhram elaborated further, giving the example of Bhai Moroomal from Shikarpur, who was the paternal grandfather of the renowned lawyer Mr. Rewachand.
Saiajn mentioned that Moroomal was a deeply devoted disciple of Shahanshah Satguru Sai Satramdas Saheb.
He would journey to Raharki Saheb barefoot, removing his headgear as a mark of respect. Moroomal also instructed his children to go barefoot during their pilgrimage to Raharki Saheb.
Moroomal would frequently visit Raharki Saheb with his family to perform seva there.
Despite being a zamindar, when he visited Raharki Saheb, he remained grounded and humble, dedicating himself to selfless service there.
During that era, despite the poor infrastructure, Moroomal diligently and consistently traveled to Raharki Saheb for periods ranging from 15 days to one month to selflessly serve there.
Once, Moroomal approached a man who appeared very upset and inquired about the reason for his distress.
The man expressed his worry, stating that despite numerous treatments, his wife had not conceived. As he was aging, he had lost hope of ever becoming a father.
Bhai Moroomal compassionately advised him to visit Raharki Saheb with complete devotion. He explained that all the trees at Raharki Saheb bore fruits that were akin to sons. He assured the man that consuming these fruits with devotion would prevent childlessness.
Moroomal instructed the man to visit Raharki Sahib, seek blessings from the saints, pick the fruits from the trees, place them at the samadhi sahib for blessings, and then both he and his wife should consume the fruits. He assured them that this practice would soon bless them with children.
After hearing Moroomal’s advice, the man and his wife traveled to Raharki Sahib and followed Moroomal’s instructions. Within a few months, his wife conceived and they were blessed with a child. From then on, he began visiting Raharki Sahib regularly and devotedly.
Saijan emphasized that the steps we take to seek the blessings of our Satguru with complete devotion, faith, reverence, and by setting aside our ego, are not just steps but a triumphant pilgrimage.
Every step we take towards our Satguru is akin to performing a yagya.
Hazir Swaroop Sai Sadhram Sahib revealed that in those times, many pilgrims traveling to Raharki Sahib from places like Jarwahar Saheb, Kasmore, and various other locations would begin their journey by removing their footwear. Some would even arrive barefoot on foot.
When someone begins their journey to seek the blessings of Satguru with purity, devotion, and reverence, shedding the turban of ego, every step they take turns into a blessing, and their words manifest into reality.
Through devotion, reverence, and divine love, one can attain any desired outcome. Childless couples can be blessed with children by consuming the fruits from the trees at Raharki Saheb.
Hazir Swaroop Sai Sadhram Sahib affectionately shared the story of Sumita Kataria, noting that she prayed at the Lotus feet of Shahanshah Satguru Sai Satramdas Saheb for a child. When she was blessed with one, she traveled barefoot from Bombay to Raharki Sahib to express her gratitude.
She began her journey barefoot from her home in Bombay, attracting the attention of onlookers at both Mumbai and Karachi airports. Some people approached her and inquired about her decision to travel without footwear.
Sumita modestly explained to everyone that she was traveling to Raharki Sahib to express gratitude to her Satguru, who had blessed her with more than she felt she deserved. She shared how he had always guided and protected her through the challenges of her life’s journey.
Saijan mentioned that Sumita is blessed by Shahanshah Satguru and continues to thrive and prosper.
Saijan stressed that by earnestly engaging in meditation, simran, devotion, and placing trust in our Satguru and Parmatma, we experience growth and advancement in our lives.
The purpose of observing Chaliha is to constantly recall the blessings of Parmatma and bring bliss into our lives.
We consistently achieve success in our endeavors when we contemplate our Satguru and Parmatma during their execution. It’s essential to integrate the practices observed during Chaliha Saheb into our daily lives.
Completing Chaliha Saheb does not signify that we will cease the practices we embraced during this period. Rather, we will continue to uphold the piousness and purity in our lifestyle by persistently following those practices.
Simran maintains our balance and peace, enabling us to thrive, prosper, and advance in our business endeavors.
There’s a Sindhi proverb’ thoro khatyo ghanni barkat’ that conveys, “Even a brief period of Simran brought us great success and prosperity.”
Saijan elaborated that a small, positive effort to transform ourselves can bring about significant changes for our betterment in life.
When we recall Our Parmatma while engaging in any task, that work transcends into a form of Karam Yog—a selfless action that leads to spiritual growth and liberation.
Sai Sadhram Saheb elucidated that by continuously chanting the pious Naam of the Satguru and practicing simran even while asleep, it can be akin to experiencing samadhi. This leads to peaceful sleep, and upon awakening in the morning, one realizes that the continuous chanting of the pious Naam and simran had been ongoing within oneself during sleep, known as Yog Nidra or Naam Nidra.
It’s akin to a continuous thread of simran accompanying each and every breath—a perpetual Naam Jaap that knows no end. Thus, the essence of Sao Vispat is to perpetually nurture, expand, and thrive.
To achieve eternal joy and contentment, where worries cannot enter our minds and we attain our desires, it is essential to engage in Naam Jaap and Simran. Chaliha signifies the continuous practice of Naam Jaap and Simran without interruption.
Whatever actions we undertake, we should continuously chant Naam and remember Parmatma, as this practice transforms our lives.
Water is something everyone uses, and bathing is a daily routine. However, chanting the pious naam of Satguru and remembering Parmatma transforms this ordinary bathing into a sacred experience.
Drinking water is a common activity, but chanting the pious Naam of Satguru while doing so transforms it into nectar, into Amrit.
By chanting the pious Naam of Satguru and Parmatma, our regular food is transformed into prasad and purifies our mindset of sin.
Everyone prepares meals, yet when we chant the pious naam of Satguru and remember Parmatma while cooking, the food becomes of exceptional quality, and the mind of the person who consumes it elevates. Parmatma has bestowed upon us great blessings and power.
When we visit numerous places of worship, yet when we travel with remembrance of the Supreme Being and our Spiritual Guide, engaging in continuous meditation, our journey transforms into a pilgrimage. Every step we take then holds the significance akin to performing sacred rituals.
Hazir Swaroop Sai Sadhram clarified that when we engage in work with our hands, it embodies Karam Yog, the path of righteous action.
Saijan expressed that in our lives, when we blame others, strive to overpower them, and demonstrate dominance, we end up squandering our power instead of utilizing it effectively and purposefully.
Saijan elaborated that as a result of our virtuous actions in past lives, we receive power as a reward. However, when we misuse this power by harming or troubling others, we inadvertently diminish the rewards earned from our past goodness. In doing so, we not only cause trouble for others but also undermine the positive outcomes we had accumulated through our own virtuous deeds.
Saijan explained that the true master of the mind, Mann ka raja, is not someone who follows improper or inappropriate suggestions of the mind driven by desires. Instead, the master of the mind directs it to heed their own suggestions and ideas.
We should always prevent our mind from leading us astray into wrongdoing, and instead, exert control over it to guide us towards virtuous actions.
Not only should we refrain from wrongdoing ourselves, but we must also intervene to prevent others from engaging in anything inappropriate. This ability to exert influence over our own actions and others’ is a hallmark of true mastery over the mind.
It is our responsibility to encourage and inspire others rather than discouraging or demoralizing them. By uplifting others, we also experience personal elevation and a boost in morale.
As a consequence of disappointing and letting down others, we also endure dissatisfaction and encounter failure ourselves.
Therefore, it is crucial to integrate Naam, Jaap, and simran, which we diligently practice during Chaliha Saheb, into our daily lives. This practice aids us in cultivating positive and wise thoughts, allowing us to truly master our minds.
Sacho Satram
