Sai Maanasa Puja

All objects of enjoyment relate to the elements and elementals – in fact, the entire universe is contained within the soul as a reflection of a city in a mirror. The confusion is on account of Maya which is manifested. In reality, it (Maya) has not manifested. It is forever present in the Absolute. But it is also in the world bringing all the movable and immovable objects into being. Whatever is seen in the mirror does not exist in it. Like visions seen in a dream appear very real but on waking all that is gone. When one is awakened the dream world disappears. The joy of the light of Unity appears because of the Sadguru’s significant words.

Great Soul, that is the Lord, becomes agreeably disposed, then only this realization is possible. Understand this nature of the soul to be the glow of the Self having (existential character) the nature of ‘Sat’. Then this world of the elements and elementals is the manifestation of illusion, mere sport.

That’s why we have to pray to Baba as follows:

“Please introvert my senses. Give me discrimination and the ability to identify the transient from the eternal. Grant me too the gift of asceticism”.

I am always an indiscriminating fool, obstructed by profound ignorance. My mind is always soaring on evil imagination and creates all these difficulties for me. See to it that I have an unshakable faith in my Guru’s words, which are as irrefutable as the revelations of the Vedas. Make my mind like a mirror so that it can receive Self-Knowledge.

Moreover, Sadguru Sainath, make me fully understand this knowledge, because without experience when one talks about it, it is mere prattle. Can that achieve the ultimate goal?

Therefore, Baba, with your power let me experience this knowledge myself, whereby I can easily attain liberation. Grant me these alms, I beg of you.

Consequently, O Lord SadguruSai, I offer my bodily pride to you. From now onwards take care of me as there is no self with me. Take away my bodily consciousness so that I feel neither pain nor pleasure. Control me so that I act only in accordance with your wish. Or, you become my ego yourself and take over all doer and enjoyer ship. Let me not have anxiety on that account.

Hail, hail to you the One who has fulfilled all desires. Enjoin my love at your feet. O abode of auspiciousness may this inconstant mind find complete peace at your feet.

Who else but you can speak words for our welfare, relieve us of our miseries and bring us contentment?

The great Sankaraacharya says in Shiva manasa puja Sthotram as follows;

Aatmaa tvam girijaa matih sahacharaah praanaah shariiram griham
Poojaa te vishhayopabhogarachanaa nidraa samaadhisthitih .
Sajnchaarah padayoh pradakshinavidhih stotraani sarvaa giro
Yadyatkarma karomi tattadakhilam shambho tavaaraadhanam

You are my self; Paarvatii is my reason. My five praanaas are your attendants, my body is your house, and all the pleasures of my senses are objects to use for your worship. My sleep is your state of samaadhii. Wherever I walk I am walking around you, everything I say is in praise of you, everything I do is in devotion to you, o benevolent lord!

In a similar way Hemadpant gave us Sai manasa (mental prayer) puja in beautiful words.

You are the one to kindle me. You alone are the one to provoke my speech, so who am I to sing your praises?

You are the doer who gets things done. To be always in your company is itself our study of the Scripture.

Listening to your life story daily is itself our reading of religious texts.

Chanting your name without wasting a moment is itself equivalent to doing ‘katha and kirtan’. This itself is our regular meditation and that is itself our satisfaction.

We do not wish to have such happiness which causes us to turn our backs on worship, for could there be any bigger obstacle in attaining the ultimate goal?

Let my tears of joy be the warm water to wash your feet;

Let me besmear your body with the sandal paste of pure love;

Let me cover your body with the cloth of true faith.

May this puja from my heart propitiate you better than the outward ritualistic one and endow you with pleasure and happiness.

Let us offer the eight lotuses in the form of our eight very

pure, satvik emotions and the fruit in the form of our concentrated mind.

Let us apply ‘buka’ of devotion to the forehead.

Let us tie the girdle of deep devoutness and place our neck on your toes.

Then let us enjoy the tender and wonderful celebration.

Adorning him with the jewels of our love, let us wholeheartedly ward off the evil eye4. Make a ‘chamar’ with our five ‘pranas’ and wave it before you to ward off the heat.

After concluding such blissful worship, let us do the eightfold obeisance, offer fragrance and oblations of water.

In this manner, we shall worship you, Sairaja, for our own welfare.

We remember and always chant ‘Sai Samartha’ to attain the desired object; and with the same mantra also attain the ultimate goal and gratify our faith in you”.

OM SRI SAI RAM!