Amrita Volume 1 - August 2009

[Cover Feature]

Krishna's life and message Krishna, the charioteer of our lives, the cowherd of our destiny and the flutist of our hearts. This month’s issue takes a peek at the significance of Krishna through a discourse by Swami | pg 6

S A I haring

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Satwic Corner How to make a Vege Burger?

Pg 24

Pg 15

Volume 1 | August 2009 Your Monthly Dose of Sai Ambrosia

Amrita is a monthly E-Newsletter published by the Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Seremban.

For suggestions, queries & contributions in the form of articles please email us at:

[email protected] Please consider the environment before printing this E-Newsletter. Page 2 of 26

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How it all Began..

“

We seriously need to get a Newsletter for our centre bro” Bala said as he munched on his ice cream.

The both of us were sitting in his car after a good session at the cyber café. I munched on mine and sat pondering on his idea. “What do we include in the magazine?” I asked, half munching on my ice cream and half talking at the same time.

“Music, bhajans, stories, articles, discourses…” he was going on and on.

I was lost in thought. “No bro, we need to create something different.”

There was a long silence and then I broke it. “We need to create a magazine that inspires people. A magazine by the centre, but not for the centre. But for everybody who lacks hope, people who lack inspiration, people in need of motivation. But first, we need to ask Uncle Karuman (our centre chairman) on what he thinks about it.”

That night, after I reached home, I checked my emails before I went to bed. And there it was, an email from the centre’s Chairman, Uncle Karuman. His email sounded such; “Sai Ram, Sukhbir, is it is possible for you to come up with the Sai Bulletin for SSBC Seremban. Give it a try. You are the right person for it. Please think about it. Regards A.K.Karuman” Page 4 of 26

And the best part was, the email came on the very same day Bala and me discussed about the newsletter. We didn’t call nor smsed nor emailed Uncle yet and yet somehow, Swami works in mysterious ways.

Foundation of the Newsletter The next day, as I was sitting in the bus on the way to work, I opened my notebook and listed down the objectives of the E-Newsletter. Here they are as listed in the notebook:

1. To inspire. 2. To motivate. 3. To give hope & to make people believe that there is a bright side to life.

Bala and me even came up with a name for the Newsletter. Amrita, which means “that which is immortal” in Sanskrit. Why so?

To us, immortality can only be achieved through knowledge. Once there’s knowledge and that knowledge is implemented and shared, one merges with the Divine. Isn’t that a form of immortality as well?

Amrita, is often referred to as the nectar of immortality. Ambrosia. The logo of the bird that represents the “R” on our magazine cover is the representation of the phoenix.

A bird, that represents immortality. A bird that represents the spirit of determination. A creature, that rises from the ashes, and gives hope and inspiration to many.

A creature that tries again and again and again. It never gives up. The phoenix. It’s the best logo for our magazine. The spirit of not giving up to reach and achieve the goal of immortality.

Here’s thanking Swami, for giving us the inspiration and motivation to kick start Volume 1 of Amrita. We hope, that this magazine inspires you and also, helps you achieve the goal of immortality. Please, do send in to us your feedbacks and contributions in form of articles. You can reach us at [email protected] Love & Warmth,

The Editorial Team. Page 5 of 26

Krishna's life and message Sweeter than sugar, Tastier than curds, Extremely sweeter than honey, Is the chanting of the Divine Name. Recite, oh mind, the Nectarine Name Of Shri Krishna for ever. A Divine Discourse by Swami

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“

Scriptures, while not demonstrating the Divine, have helped to indicate the path leading to the realisation of the Divine.

EMBODIMENTS of Love!

It is easy to criticize or belittle the leelas or infinite potencies of God. But it is very difficult to comprehend the truth about the Divine. The omnipresent Divine is present both in Truth and untruth. He is present both in Dharma (righteousness) and Adharma (unrighteousness). He is present in good and evil. With regard to such an all-pervading Divine, how can anyone determine what is good and what is bad? From the earliest times men have been proclaiming what is Divine. That the Divine has a form and possesses innumerable auspicious qualities was declared from their experiences. The truth of this phenomenon cannot be denied by anyone at any time or place, whether he is a Vedhaanthin or a scientist, an engineer or a man of the world. While this has enabled people to describe the Divine, it has not served to demonstrate God. But they were able to indicate the means by which one can experience God.

Experiencing the power of the Divine A distant star like the Dhruva nakshathra (Pole Star) can be pointed to some one by reference to some nearby physical object like a tree. Likewise the Vedhas and

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The spectacle of a dense forest confers delight. The sight of all tall mountain excites wonder. Seeing the torrent in a river one rejoices. All these are evidences of the power of the Divine. The stars shine. The planets revolve. The sun blazes forth. The wind blows. All these are signs of the Divine at work. When you see the spark of a fire, you can infer the nature of fire. If you know the nature of a drop of water, you can understand the nature of Ganga. Likewise, if you understand the nature of the atom, you can understand the nature of the entire cosmos. Recognising this truth, the Upanishaths declared: "The Divine is subtler than the atom and vaster than the vastest." The human is indeed a manifestation of the Divine with numerous potencies. It is the Divine that shines effulgently in every human being. But, because of his attachment to the body, he is unable to develop attachment to the Aathma (Spirit). Recognising the omnipresence of the Divine in all things, the quest for Truth should be undertaken. What is the Truth? Where is it? How to search for that which is everywhere? A distinction must be made between an apparent fact and the unchanging Reality. In daily life the sun appears to "rise" and "set" everyday, but in reality these apparent phenomena are due to the

"The Divine is subtler than the atom and vaster than the vastest." movement of the earth round itself and round the sun. Likewise what is apparently true about you, as is inferred from external observation, is not the real you. It is the effulgent Divine within you. The spiritual quest involves the churning of the heart by meditation. The qualities like compassion emerge from the heart. The human heart, which should be an ocean of milk, has been turned into an ocean of brine now infested with creatures like hatred, lust and greed.

Krishna's leelas The childhood episodes relating to Krishna have an esoteric meaning. For instance, when his mother, Yashodha, chided Krishna for eating mud (as alleged by Balaraama), Krishna replied: "Mother am I a child, or a silly brat or a crazy fool to eat mud?" In this way Krishna, even though he was a child, was affirming His divinity indirectly. The Divine teaches profound lessons to mankind in this indirect

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manner. God's actions should be understood not by the external events but by their inner meaning. Moreover, many changes in the ordinary ways of living are necessary to understand the ways of God. Aadhi Shankara indicated in the Bhaja Govindam song how even a brief experience of the Divine by a devotee fills him with ecstasy. This bliss can be got only through the Aathma. The experiences of the gopikas and gopaalas of Brindhaavan during Krishna's early years at Gokulam have been misunderstood and misinterpreted. Krishna was in the village for five years only. It is absurd to suggest that a fiveyear child behaved in an objectionable manner. After going to Mathura Krishna did not return to Repalle.

Awareness of the Divine will confer bliss

The reality in both dream and waking states

To ascribe anything improper to the pure and Divine life of Krishna is sheer blasphemy. The true nature of the Divine has to be fully understood. Divinity is the all-pervading Cosmic Consciousness present in all. The nature of this consciousness should be understood. It is chith, which illumines every object in creation. Chith illumines what exists and thereby makes it cognisable. Existence is sath. Cognisability is chith. The combination of sath and chith confers thrupthi (satisfaction derived from enjoying the object). This Aanandha is thus the very nature of every being. The Divine pervades everything inside and outside. Awareness of the Divine will confer bliss. But few are able to realise this.

He reached his home in the morning. On seeing the husband, the wife broke into tears. On the one hand she was happy over the husband's return. On the other, she was filled with sorrow over the passing of her son. The father asked her: "Where is our son?" She replied that he passed away, unable to bear the separation from the father. The man was stupefied. He did not feel sad or happy. He stood transfixed like a statue. The wife asked: "How is it you are not moved by the loss of the son whom you loved so much? What is the reason?"

Once, an individual, unable to bear the difficulties in his family, left hearth and home. Later, after earning some money he set out to return to his house. A young son, who was in the house when the father left, was so grief-stricken over the father's absence that he died after sometime. Before reaching his village, he took shelter in a choultry during a storm. There he had a dream in which he saw himself as a king in a palace living with six princely sons. He was enjoying the dream. A peal of thunder woke him up. He wondered what had happened to all the beautiful things he had been enjoying so far. He realised that it was all a dream. There was no trace of the six sons.

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He then related to his wife the remarkable dream he had experienced the previous night. In that dream his six sons had died. "Am I to grieve over the loss of those six sons or over the loss of this one son?. For whose sake should I weep? They were my children in the dream state. This son was my child in the waking state. What was present in both the state is the reality. All other things are transient." This realisation came to him. If people today wish to achieve spiritual bliss, they have to follow three principles: First, they must know what has to be known. Second, they must give up what has to be renounced. Third, they must reach the goal that has to be attained. By observing these three, bliss can be realised. What is it that has to be known? What is this world? How long will I live? We see many passing away. Coming and going are continually happening. When the transient nature of the physical world is understood, bliss will be realised.

the Upanishaths sought to convey when they declared: "Asatho maa sadhgarnaya" (Lead me from the unreal to the Real). Where there is truth, untruth exists as its shadow. "Thamaso maa jyothirgamaya" (Lead me from darkness to light). What is darkness and what is light? Light alone exists. Darkness is only the absence of light. Discovering the light leads to the elimination of darkness. "Mrithyor-maa Amritham gamaya" (Lead me from death to Immortality). Birth and death are incidental to the body alone. Your Self has neither birth nor death. What is born (the body) dies.

Next, what is it that you have to give up? The delusion under which what is unreal is considered real and what is real is treated as unreal. People consider that they are in the grip of Maaya and that they are caught up in misery. Misery has no limbs to hold you. It is you who are hugging misery. This is due to your ignorance. When you get rid of this ignorance you will experience bliss.

We have to go back to our source What is the goal you have to reach? You have to go back to the source from which you came. You have come from the Aathma and you have to return to the Aathma. This is what

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Death relates to the body and not to the Aathma. The Aathma is eternal. It is the truth. You have to acquire this awareness to experience lasting bliss. To experience permanent bliss one has to develop firm faith in God.

The distinction between Krishna and Raama Today we celebrate the birthday of Krishna. Where was he born? In a prison. What were his possessions? Nothing. Born in a prison, he was taken to the house of Nandha and then he went to Mathura. He owned nothing. But he became the greatest figure in the world. What does this show? Worldly possessions are not the secret of greatness. Krishna's greatness consisted in his permanent state of Aanandha (bliss). If you recognise the distinction, between Krishna and Raama, you will appreciate better the nature of Krishna. Krishna always smiled at the outset and carried out his task later. For Raama, the deed came first and

then the smile. Krishna made women cry. Raama wept for the sake of women. Raama went into the battle only after-having a strong cause for it. Krishna first provoked the conflict and then determined its outcome. The Krishna principle revels in delight. The Raama principle is based on the concept of baadhyatha (obligation). The Raamaayana is intended to promote the reign of Truth and Righteousness on earth. The Krishna Avathaar was intended to give a perennial message to the world. He sought nothing for himself. He kept nothing for himself. He gave away everything to the people. He slayed his maternal uncle, Kamsa. He installed on the throne Kamsa's: father Ugrasena. He did not covet the Kingdom. He befriended the Paandavas, defeated the Kauravas and crowned Dharmaja as the emperor. He did not make himself king. He was a king without a crown. He was the king of kings. He had no kingdom of his own. But he ruled over the hearts of the millions. It is this profound truth that is proclaimed by the Krishna-thathva (Krishna principle). If you enquire deeply, you will find that every Avathaar has incarnated to convey a special message and carry out a particular mission.

Krishna's divine power The gopikas used to complain to Yashodha about Krishna's pranks. But whatever Krishna said in fun or did as a prank was based on truth. Krishna never indulged in untruth even by way of a joke. But those who could not understand the inner meaning of His statements used to accuse him of lying. This

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kind of misunderstanding has been a disease in all yugas (ages). When a gopika complained to Yashodha that Krishna had entered the house of a cowherd at night and played some mischief, Krishna pleaded before his mother how he could have gone out anywhere when he was sleeping beside her. The truth was that Krishna was in both places because of His Divine power. Krishna displayed any number of such baffling miracles. (Bhagavaan sang a series of songs about the complaints of the gopikas to Yashodha against Krishna). Against each complaint Krishna had a convincing alibi. Indirectly Krishna was revealing His divinity. Krishna explained to His mother the ways of the Divine in a way she could understand. Krishna used to visit the houses of the cowherds and drink curds and milk. The symbolic meaning of this action is Krishna's preference for sathva, represented by the pure white curds and milk. Krishna explained to Yashodha the reason why he preferred the butter in their homes to the butter offered by Yashodha. The hearts of the gopikas were pure and filled with selfless devotion to Krishna. Their devotion was superior to the maternal affection of Yashodha, which bore a taint of selfishness. Krishna told Yashodha: "I am attracted to the hearts of those who are pure and selfless."

Follow the footsteps of the Lord Krishna had always eluded the gopikas after playing his mischief. But once, out of compassion for them, he wanted to provide a clue by which they could trace him. One day they all lay in wait round their houses to catch Krishna. Krishna went into a house stealthily, broke a pot of milk and quietly hid himself. The gopikas found that he had broken the pot and tried to trace him. The milk white steps which he had left revealed to them his hide-out. Then, Krishna revealed to them the spiritual truth that if they cling to the feet of the Lord they realise Him. "Follow my footsteps and you shall find me," Krishna told the gopikas. In the Bhaagavatham, the lessons you learn are according to the state of your mind. To understand the glories of the Lord as related in the Bhaagavatham, you have to enjoy the leelas (frolics) of Krishna and realise their inner meaning. For instance, the real meaning of the story about Krishna taking away the clothes of the gopikas while they were bathing is that to realize the Lord they have to abandon the attachment to the body, which is the vesture of the Spirit. These stories should not be treated in a spirit of levity or profanity.

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Krishna dedicated the flute to delight Raadha In the case of Raadha, Krishna churned her heart and gave here the nectar of Divine bliss. Raadha had no attachment to any of her kith and kin. (Svaami sang sweetly a song of Raadha expressing her grief over separation from Him). Krishna appeared before Raadha before she gave up her life and blessed her. God will give anything for the devotee including Himself. No one can equal Him in the sacrifice He will make for the sake of the devotees. Krishna asked Raadha what she wanted at the last moment of her life. Raadha said: "I don't want anything except to listen to the music of your flute once

before I pass on." "Sing, Oh Krishna, speak to me to fill my heart with bliss," sang Raadha. "Distill the essence of the Vedhas and make it flow into the eternal music of your flute, Oh Krishna." Krishna took out His flute and played on it and when Raadha closed her eyes, He threw it away. He never touched it again. He dedicated the flute to give delight to Raadha.

By making an offering of all that you eat to God before taking it, the food gets purified and sanctified.

Thus, all the mysteries of Krishna served to relieve the distress of the devotees. Krishna used all His powers to serve the devotees. When the purport of the Bhaagavatha stories is properly understood, one can realise the pussiance of the Lord.

Hence they experienced indescribable joy.

In the life of Meerabai, for instance, when the Raana's sister gave to Meera a cup of milk containing poison, Meera drank it as an offering to Krishna. The result was Krishna absorbed the poison and left the sweet milk alone for Meera.

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The gopikas were illiterate and totally innocent. But their love for Krishna was unalloyed and exclusive. Even while engaged in their daily activities, their thoughts were centred on Krishna.

Proclaim the message of unity Devotees should cultivate unity, transcending all barriers of caste, creed and nationality. (Svaami then related the story of Suguna who was oblivious to her hand getting burnt because she saw the figure of Krishna in the flame of a lamp. Svaami sang a song expressing the delight of the gopikas on

Svaami is not in a position to devote individual attention to students. Those who wish to get married and settle down in life, might happily do so and come to Bhagavaan for His blessings. Svaami will not perform any marriages in the Nilayam. But the Kalyana Mandapam can be used for marriages if they desired. Svaami will perform, however, mass marriages and mass Upanayanams. Svaami's grace and love will be available to you wherever you may be. You may get married, lead a worldly life as householders and serve the nation.

seeing Suguna in the state of Divine forgetfulness). Krishna's mystery and miracles are beyond words. He was all things to all people. He is the indweller in the heart of everyone. There is no room for religious differences. Students should resolve themselves to restore the pristine glory of Bhaarath by leading ideal lives. Proclaim the message of unity to the whole world. Before concluding My discourse, I would make an announcement to the students. In view of the ever-growing number of devotees coming to Prashaanthi Nilayam

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Today is Gokulaashtami, the day celebrated as Krishna's birthday. But it is not this celebrationthat is important. What is important is the adherence to Krishna's teachings. Krishna is notdifferent from His teachings. The Geetha is Krishna and Krishna is Geetha. | Discourse in the Sai Kulwant Mandap on 49-1996.

“Develop Prema (Love) towards the Lord, the Parama-Prema (Highest Love) of which He is the embodiment. Never give room for doubts and hesitations, for questions, to test the Lord's Prema.”

S A I haring

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Before I met you, I used to dream of you, Like deserts dreaming of the rain, It felt like a bane.

When I met you, Dreams were turned into reality by you, Like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, It was definitely a boon.

Being with you, Tasting heaven’s every colour and hue, God must surely have smiled on me, For being with you is where I want to be.

Wish to contribute as well? Email to us at [email protected] Page 15 of 26

Wealth against Spiritual Grace by V. Vijendran

Wealth either in form of material/money is the root of all evil! So, where it can standstill against Spiritual Grace!!!

Money come and goes…..but Spiritual Grace if one is fortunate to get is deeply embedded into one’s mind, thoughts and deeds. Whereby, morality comes into play, paving the path for Spiritual attainments.

How to obtain Spiritual Grace……Swami says “ the minimum qualifications for Grace is the Surrender of EGO.”. He further adds,

“Share your joy, your wealth and your knowledge with others less fortunate. That is the surest means of winning Divine Grace.

When you talk of wealth (material/money) it’s “desire that destroys devotions, anger destroys wisdom…” but it’s totally different with Spiritual Grace. It’s abundant with benefits, happiness and bliss. No earthly wealth can ever replace Spiritual Grace. your clothes or your fancy car with you. Grace is always a Gift from God. The gift of Faith…is a grace from God. Grace you can take with you when you die….as it becomes a part of life of your immortal soul. Your soul lives forever but not your bank accounts!

Grace comes in many forms such as love, faith, hope, charity, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, courage, kindness, unselfishness to name a few. In a multi-racial/religious country like Malaysia all these play an important part towards nation building. These are also the elements needed towards character development.

More than listening to a hundred lectures or delivering them to others, offering one act as genuine service attracts the Grace of God.

Those who pray for and receive graces from God are far wealthier than anyone with a million bucks in the bank. There are many who are financially wealthy but are poor in spirit and morally bankrupt! No one can ever take from you what God has lovingly given you…in Spiritual rewards. THAT is your eternal treasure!!

We should nor aspire for acclaim and praise from those around us, but do service only to secure the Grace of God and not for any other reward from anyone”.

Spiritual Grace is the legal tender in this life and the next. God does not take Mastercard, Visa etc. So, one should aspire for Spiritual Grace than material wealth. |

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Tulasi can help keep swine flu away: (Ayurvedic experts) Wonder herb Tulasi can not only keep the dreaded swine flu at bay but also help in fast recovery of an afflicted person, Ayurvedic practitioners claim.

“The anti-flu property of Tulasi has been discovered by medical experts across the world quite recently. Tulasi improves the body's overall defence mechanism including its ability to fight viral diseases. It was successfully used in combating Japanese Encephalitis and the same theory applies to swine flu," Dr U K Tiwari, a herbal medicine practitioner says.

Apart from acting as a preventive medicine in case of swine flu, Tulasi can help the patient recover faster.

"Even when a person has already contracted swine flu, Tulasi can help in speeding up the recovery process and also help in strengthening the immune system of the body," he claims.

"Tulasi can control swine flu and it should be taken in fresh form. Juice or paste of at least 20-25 medium sized leaves should be consumed twice a day on an empty stomach."

This increases the resistance of the body and, thereby, reduces the chances of inviting swine flu,"

Bureau Report

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Love of a Family

It

was my last year in primary

school. I was finally a senior in school. I felt good. Every senior felt good. But it also happen to be one of our most stressful years. It was the year of our UPSR examination. My seniors kept telling me it was so easy I could do it blind -folded. Well, it was easy for them to say, they already went through it! When I entered my class and saw my class teacher, I was in shock! It was a terrible feeling. My friends and I knew who she was. She was one of the strictest teachers in the standard. She also happened to be head of the mathematics board. The next teacher we met was our Bahasa Malaysia teacher. We were even more in shock because the seniors used to tell us how fussy a teacher she was.

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The year started off well and did not go on quite well. I was deteriorating in my studies. I was doing as well as I could. The worse thing was when my sister came to collect my report card, all the teachers started to complain about me. I was known as the playful girl in school. My sister was so ashamed. I had ruined the family name. I felt so embarrassed to show my face in school. All my teachers had lost hope in me. I felt very bad.

I was weak in my Bahasa Malaysia papers. I was going for tuition but it did not help much. One day my friend’s mum rang up my mum and told her about a very good and well known Bahasa Malaysia tuition teacher.

My mother was very interested. The very next day my mother called the teacher. He refused to give me a place as his classes were full. My mum urged him to take me. Luckily for me he relented. The tuition really helped. I was still weak in my science. I did not do well in my trials. I had really lost hope in myself. My parents still did not lose hope.

One day at school I overheard my friend talk about her tuition centre that was really good . I was so excited. The minute I came home I told my family about the tuition center. My father agreed to send me for the tuition. The next day I asked the girl for the number. She claimed she did not have the number with her but she did tell me the location of the tuition centre. I came home and told my dad what my friend said. That very Sunday my sister, father and I went looking for the tuition centre after breakfast. We finally found it and jotted down the number.

Upon reaching home, my father called the center. The teacher agreed to take me in but told us that there was another 4 classes only and that the tuition would be ending in a month’s time. My father said that was alright. The following Sunday my father sent me for the class. Even though it was very early in the morning my father still got up and took the trouble to send me for it. Four weeks passed in a blink of an eye.

It was time for me to sit for my UPSR. I was very nervous that morning. My family told me to calm down and do my best. They said they had confidence in me. Those few words

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had gotten me ready to sit for the examination. In three days the exams were over! I was so relieved and happy. I was still anxious because of the results.

For a month I was free from stress. The school had organized many activities for us. I even felt very important when I had to play the piano for our` graduation and excellence’ day. It was the best month of the year so far.

November approached very fast. I was getting very agitated and worried. The results approached even closer. My friends and I were praying that our paper went to Sabah and Sarawak and accidentally fell in the sea!! Finally the day arrived.

All parents were to come to the school at 11 o’clock in the morning. My friends and I were very worried. Soon my class teacher was called to the office to collect our results. I was getting even more nervous. Soon it was 11 o’clock. We were all summoned into the hall. I saw my mum sitting with my friend’s mum. I went and sat beside her and started tearing. She was cool and calm. She said no matter what I get, she and papa will accept it. I felt a little better. I still wanted to prove to her that I could do it.

The results were given out according to class. We were told to line up outside the hall and wait. If our name was called, we were to go up the stage to collect our result slip. If our name was not called that meant

we did not get 5 A’s. Before I knew it was my class’s turn. We lined up outside the hall. My teacher told us that 5 of us in the class did not get 5 A’s. She also mentioned the fact that 5 very playful girls did not get all As. I burst into tears. I was so sure it was me. My friends kept consoling me and said not to worry.

The first person in my class not to get 5 A’s was my best friend Jaspreet. She was heartbroken and she still had a smile on her face. Soon it was the girl in front of me that got called onto the stage. I was so afraid that I was going to be pulled to the side. I was wrong; I was called onto the stage. I had indeed gotten 5 As!! I was so happy. I walked on stage proudly and collected my slip. I could not take it. I broke down on stage. I cried my heart out. My mum was so proud of me. I called my dad at once and told him. He was so proud. There was even better news. The reporters from ‘Didik’ newspaper came to my school to take photographs of the top achievers. I was so proud of myself. My mum called my sister in England. My sister was so proud of me.

That is a day I will never forget. Without the support and help of my family I would never have gotten my 5 As that I wanted so badly. I was so proud of myself. I could proudly walk around now. I will never forget how much support my family gave me. I love my family so much. I thank them so much. My parents and sister are the best ‘friends’ I can ever have. I gave up on myself but they did not. Thank you mummy, papa, and akka for being

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there for me. With that I shall end my story. Thank you. Sai Ram. |

Found this article inspiring? Have a similar story to share with us?

Then write to us at: [email protected]

Malaysia’s predicamentAre we progressing or degenerating?

Is there hope?

Hope By Anushka Devaser

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And yes, the queen of pessimism is back with another bleak outlook on Malaysia’s prospects in today’s world. This year feels like the culmination of Malaysia’s disappointments. Currently, we have trains that perennially have technical glitches, no clean air, dirty tap water, water shortages now and then…Should we be proud that after 52 years of independence, Malaysia has been reduced to this? Our standard of English has no standard and it’s sheer idiocy to expect Malaysia to be a global competitor in today’s world. Every crevice of the nation looks like it has been damaged beyond repair. Vision 20-20 is becoming further and further away. Granted, numerically, the year 2020 is approaching rapidly, but are we truly ready to welcome a developed Malaysia?

And here comes every human’s favourite word used during most of his life, HOPE. Is there truly any hope for our beloved country Malaysia? Hope according to ancient Greek mythology was the last evil let out by Pandora from her box. Initially, she decided not to let it out and walked away from her box, but the human race was plunged in such despair and begged her for it that she had to return to her box to unleash this evil. So maybe the right thing to do now, is to not hope? Because when one does hope for a better country with happier prospects, we end up becoming so disappointed when what we have hoped for does not come to pass. Maybe that’s why when a child has finished his exam he is told never to hope for good results. Let the results speak for itself. Being devastated causes us not to rise again. Or it may take ages before we finally find the courage within ourselves to try and try again. Page 22 of 26

I am asking us to not put all our eggs in hope alone. Why not act first and let hope tag along? Don’t sit and do nothing. Stop complaining about the complacent attitude most Malaysians have and how corruption rears its ugly head at every possible opportunity. Neither am I asking us to start protests and duel to kill all in the name of pursuing what is right. I think at this point, an example is necessary to illustrate what I mean…

Two weeks ago, I had volunteered to be part of the Sai STAR Program Camp in Port Dickson for the SPI form 5 boys. The beauty about this program is that the program is designed to incorporate students of every faith and race. That was what initially lured me to this program. During the program, the boys were asked to give examples of how world perceptions had labeled certain groups of people or activities around the world. And surprisingly a Malay boy stood up in the audience and talked about how HINDRAF he feels is being marginalized by our government and are deemed a national threat for no reason. Now this statement of his immediately caught my attention. All is not lost is what I thought… just when you think the country’s racism has reached unbelievable magnitudes of hate, sparks like these can make one tear. Then another boy voiced out how he felt Muslims all around the world are branded as terrorists just because of a handful of radicals who believe they are fighting the west for the greater good of Islam. Standing there and listening to such wisdom pouring out from our very own Malaysian form 5 students was overwhelming. I definitely had new found

respect for the Malay boy and for the first time in my life, I was proud to be part of a program that helped make a difference. Programs that encourage children to talk about their inner feelings, programs that encourage inter-faith discussions, programs that allow all races to participate is what each and every Malaysian should condone.

Let us do our part in ensuring Malaysia’s progress. Fight in whatever little way you can because good will always triumph over evil at the end of the day. Yes there is hope for a country we so love, but hope can only arise when we have done something about it. Complaining about an unjust system over lunch persistently will not help anybody. Do not sit around and hope. I ask you first to ‘compartmentalise’ your hope for the time being and instead get up and attempt to make a difference! As I said earlier, let the Results speak for itself. |

“Love, Love, Love…”

Loosen Up! What kind of a band cannot play music? A hair band!

What makes music on your head? A headband!

Why did the boy it his homework? His teacher said it was a piece of cake!

What is an invention that lets you to see through walls? A window!

What is the king of all stationary? The ruler!

Page 23 of 26

By Vishal from Balvikas Group 3

Satwic Corner How to Make a Vegetarian Burger? Very easy only. This month’s vege recipe comes from Aunty Neelam who claims she makes excellent vege burgers. Let’s take a look at the recipe then! Page 24 of 26

Preparation! 6 fresh burger buns 2 tsp butter 2 tomatoes, sliced thinly 1 cucumber, sliced thinly 1 capsicum, sliced thinly 1 bunch salad leaves, shredded ½ cup grated cheese ( optional ) 1 tbsp tomato sauce ½ tsp chilly sauce or 1 crushed red chilli

Method: For the patties: Chop potatoes, add peas and smash coarsely. Add all other ingredients, except oil. Shape into 6 round patties. Shallow fry till golden brown. Slice buns in halves, apply a little butter and cook a little on both sides on hot girdle or flat pan. Before serving: Mix chilies in sauce, thoroughly. Add salt if required. Place layer of salad leave on lower halve of buns, follow with cucumber, capscicum & tomato. Top with cheese & a little sauce. Serve with banana chips. Page 25 of 26

For the patties: 3 large boiled potatoes ½ cup peas, boiled, drained 1 tsp tomato sauce 2 red chillies crushed ½ tsp vinegar ½ tsp sugar powdered Salt to taste 2tbsp oil

“Food is the chief formative force. The soiled mind dulls the brilliance of moral excellence. Can a muddy lake reflect clearly? Food makes man strong in body; the body is intimately connected with the mind. Strength of the mind depends on the strength of the body too.Moral conduct, good habits, and spiritual effort— all depend on the quality of food. Diseases, mental weakness and slackness --- all are produced by faulty food.”

Got an interesting vege recipe to share? Then write to us at [email protected]

End of Volume 1 | August 2009 Amrita is a Monthly E-Newsletter published by the Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Seremban

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