Visiting Ashram Page 3Going to Sai Baba's Ashram (Page Three)
ONCE AT PRASANTHI NILAYAM
(Ashram in Puttaparthi)
WHAT TO TAKE: If you
bear in mind that accommodation at the ashram (whether in
the flatlets or in the dormitories or ‘sheds’) is rather
like camping in doors - because there is no furniture and you live
out of your suitcase - the list below will make more sense. Again,
some things are more essential than others; you will almost certainly
need to take string and a torch, but a travel jug is not essential
as coffee and tea are provided in the canteen. It is up to you to
use your discrimination. Likewise, there is plenty of choice where
food is concerned. If you do not enjoy either the spicy food or the
non-spicy food available in the canteen, there is a wide range of
food to take away at the bakery and fruits, nuts, vegetables and other
foods at the ashram shops.
For health reason it is UNSAFE to eat outside in the village.
WHAT YOU MIGHT NEED:
Nowadays virtually everything can be bought at Puttaparthi, most of
it at shops inside the Ashram. However a few things may be worth taking
such as: Air freshener spray, insect spray, wet wipes, sun cream,
talcum powder and your own toiletries. Also a heating coil with two
pin plug (or travel jug) for making cups of tea/soup. Food plastic
storage container, small thermos flask to keep water for drinking,
bottle and tin opener, notebook, writing paper and envelopes, pens,
Sellotape, string, clothes pegs, coat hangers, plastic bags of all
sizes, paper tissues, nail scissors, sharp knife, matches/lighter,
torch (essential). Also, take a combination lock so that several people
sharing a room can get in, or take a padlock with a least three keys.
It is advisable to take at least one pair of sheets and in the winter
months a light blanket (Nov - Feb) or you can buy most of the above
at Bangalore/Puttaparthi.
BEDDING: You can buy
cheap flock mattresses, cushions and pillows at Puttaparthi to sleep
on but you may want take a sleeping bag and/or an inflatable canvas
bed. Metal frame beds can be hired in Puttaparthi village.
WHAT TO WEAR:You are
likely to spend at least three hours a day sitting on the ground so
clothes should be comfortable and not tight fitting. A plastic mac
is useful at certain times of the year, also sun glasses and a hat
for those who need them. Cheap sandals or flip-flops are needed in
the ashram and a cardigan, pullover or warm shawl for cooler months
(Nov - Feb). Do not take jewellery. For men - light plain coloured
short or long sleeved shirts and trousers (the vast majority of devotees
will be wearing white). NEVER wear shorts. For women – if you
do not wear a sari, you should wear a Punjabi suit or a long kaftan
or a long sleeved blouse and long skirt. ALWAYS wear a light shawl
or large scarf to cover your shoulders. Western type trousers are
not allowed.
LAUNDRY (Dhobi): There
are adequate facilities at the Ashram.
AVAILABLE AT THE ASHRAM:
Fresh milk, powdered milk, butter, cheese, biscuits, honey, jam, marmalade,
fresh fruit and vegetables, sugar, tea, coffee, Horlicks, fruit juice,
bottled and cold drinks, ice creams, blues, lemon squash, soup packets,
porridge, vermicelli, noodles, oats, cornflakes, peanuts, cashew nuts,
ketchup, ground nut oil, peanut butter, baked beans, salt and pepper,
sweets, drinking chocolate. Stationary, envelopes, candles, batteries,
scissors, shaving kits, face creams, hair oil, thermos flasks, some
medicines, vitamins, locks, toothpaste/brush, toilet freshener, Dettol,
Harpic, lavatory paper, soap, washing powder, mosquito coil/nets,
towels, plastic containers, bowls, buckets, plates, knives and forks,
beakers, flip-flops, sun hats, tee shirts, mans pyjama suits, underwear,
bed sheets, cushions, shawls, saris.
BAKERY AT THE ASHRAM:
The following are available daily:
brown/white bread, cake, sweet/salty buns, puff pastry rolls, biscuits,
cheese toasts, baked potatoes, cheese puffs, rusks, crunchies, pizzas
and even birthday cakes (to order).
CANTEEN:
The canteen at Prasanthi Nilayam provides vegetarian Indian food and
special vegetarian dishes are available for foreigners at festival
times. Before going to the canteen you must buy meal tickets at the
counter outside and the cost is minimal - Food available: potato crisps,
noodles, chips, mixed salads, chapatis, boiled rice, pilau rice, sambar,
raita (yogurt), chutney, vegetable curries hot and non-hot, curds,
butter milk, porridge, lassie (yogurt drink), coffee, tea, various
sweets.
HERBAL/AYURYEDIC MEDECINES
Electral: oral rehydration salts.
Trishun: tablets for colds and flu.
Cofrem: syrup for phlegmy cough.
Kofol: tiny tablets for tickly throats/coughs.
Sat-Isabgol: husks for colon cleansing
- bowels regulariser.
Vicco vajradanti: herbs based toothpaste.
Ayur shakti: massage ointment for sprains/muscular
aches - colds, headaches.
Rheumasaj: massage oil for joints/muscular
aches.
Dabur Chyawanprash: health tonic.
Additional Information
SECURITY: Since June 93 security has
been stepped up in all Baba’s ashrams, for everyone’s
benefit and safety. This means everyone has to file through a metal
detector gate to enter the darshan area. It will save time if you
do not carry a large bag as you will have to leave it in a supervised
cloakroom tent and then queue up afterwards to retrieve it. Preferably,
you should wear a body belt or small purse to take small necessities
like room key, handkerchief, meal tickets and small change.
CAMERAS/RECORDERS: Many people take cameras,
tape recorders, video recorders etc.. but please remember that you
are not allowed to take them into the darshan line or into the Mandir
or auditorium. Everyone with a camera wants to take as many pictures
of Baba as they can. If you take pictures, try not to disturb everyone
else around you.
BOOKSHOP: There is a large selection
of books and in several languages.
PHOTOGRAPHS: Some shops in the Ashram
sell photographs of Swami, badges, CDs, DVDs, Videos, tape cassettes
of Swami’s discourses and bhajans.
VALUABLES:A money belt is advised for
your passport, tickets, traveller’s cheques and money; do take
care of your cameras, recorders etc. there are safe deposit facilities
at the Public Relations Office and there is also a Lost Property Office.
Ensure that the suitcase you take has a lock and especially during
the monsoon season line it with a plastic bag to prevent contents
getting soaked in transit on coach and taxi journeys.
BEGGARS: Swami has asked us not to give
money or clothes to beggars. If you wish you can make a contribution
to the feeding of the poor.
MAIL: When writing from the Ashram, best
to use airletters which can be bought there. Mail can be picked up
at the ashram Post Office.
ASHRAM ADDRESS:
Prasanthi Nilayam, P.O. Dist. Anantapur
515 134 (A.P.) India.
TELEPHONE:
You can phone practically anywhere from the ashram and it is cheaper
than from anywhere else.
BANK: There is a branch of the Bank of India inside the ashram where
you can exchange your traveller’s cheques.
CODE OF CONDUCT: There is a Code of Conduct
at the Ashram, in particular, men and women are separated during darshan
and bhajans and they are expected to keep completely apart at these
times. The same applies while waiting for darshan when the devotees
form up in lines.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Gift of Darshan
“Always find a quiet corner after my Darshan. My energy
goes from Me as I pass you. If you proceed to talk immediately, the
energy received by you is dissipated and returns to Me unused. Rest
assured that whatever My eyes see becomes vitalised and transmuted.
You are being changed day by day.
Never under-estimate what is being accomplished by the act of Darshan.
My walking amongst you is a gift yearned for by the Gods of the Highest
Heaven and here you are receiving this grace. Be thankful. But also
remember that to whom much is given - from him much will be demanded”.
BABA.
When you go to Prasanthi Nilayam it is important to remember that
this is a spiritual experience and that you are in the presence of
Divinity. Perhaps we can conclude with some words from Bhagavan Baba
Himself.
“You have come from long distances, you have given up several
comforts, you are putting up with various difficulties. You have come
with great hopes and ambitions, and if you realize that, and if you
realize the code of conduct that is prescribed in Prasanthi Nilayam,
and submit yourself to it, Swami is ready to give you all opportunities
for your own sadhana and practice. Swami will take you very close,
and will create a situation in which you will feel happiness and bliss
in your own hearts...Have a feeling in your heart that Swami is your
father, Swami is your mother; have such a feeling, develop such a
feeling. If you can entertain such sacred ideas, ideas of fatherhood
and ideas of motherly nature, then you will also be happy and Swami
will be happy
(From a discourse by Bhagavan Baba on 28.3.75 at Brindavan.)
“The Lord comes as Avatar when He is anxiously awaited by saints
and sages. Sadhus and virtuous persons had prayed long and as a result!
have come.
Do not treat this chance lightly. This Nilayam should be treated with
reverence and respect. Make the best use of your stay here. Allow
your minds to bloom as fragrant offerings at the Lord’s feet
by doing some sadhana. The senses have to be curbed to become obedient
servants. I insist on silence. Talk less, talk in whispers when you
must talk.
Do not thrust your sorrows, your needs and your problems into the
ears of those who have come here with their own burdens. I am here
to listen to you and to console you. Do not by your loud voice disturb
those who are meditating upon, reading or writing the Name of God.
Meditate, if possible, alone; read spiritual books, if you can; write
the Name of the Lord in the quietness of your corner. If you cannot
do any of these, at least do not disturb others who are engaged in
the above spiritual pursuits.
Here, you must acquire the skill of winning the Grace of God. Hearing
about God and hearing the voice of God are very important events in
life that transform the individual. I always hear, not the talk that
comes from the lips, but the cries of agony and the call of pining
hearts hungering for Grace. Come just one step forward, I shall take
a hundred towards you. Shed just one tear, I shall wipe a hundred
from your eyes. Do not grieve later that you missed the chance when
it had come within reach.”
Guidelines and Code of Conduct at
Prasanthi Nilayam and Brindavan
DO’S - PLEASE -
I. observe Silence and keep children under firm control.
2. dress and behave in a clean, modest and sober manner. (Ladies using
western dress may kindly have a wide scarf across the shoulders and
wear long skirts).
3. observe seating arrangements for ladies and gents separately.
4. form the Queue habit on all occasions.
5. stay wherever you are during Aarti and after Darshan until Bhagavan
has left.
6. take good care of your personal belongings such as Cash, camera,
tape recorder etc..
7. deposit any article lost and found at the Lost Property Office.
8. vacate your room immediately you are required to do so by the Accommodation
office.
9. when you vacate your room, ensure that all taps are closed, electric
switches are put off and the room is in clean condition; lock it and
return the key to the Accommodation office directly and not through
or to any other person.
10. make use of the Canteen where the food is hygienically prepared
by devotees for devotees.
11. bring enough funds with you to adequately take care of your needs.
12. devote your time to spiritual activities and your own Sadhana.
.
All foreign nationals are advised to make sure that they comply
strictly with Government regulations in force at the time regarding
registration, residence permits etc.. and that all their travel documents
are in order. This is exclusively their personal responsibility. Those
not in possession of valid travel and residence documents are not
permitted to stay in Prasanthi Nilayam/Brindavan.
(For additional information, please contact the Public Relations Office
in Prasanthi Nilayam or the Information Centre in Brindavan.)
Sai Baba says:-
Less luggage, more comfort.
Related Links
• Sai Baba's Ashram
• A
travellers prayer
• Preparation
For The Presence
• Quotes on pilgrimage
• Going
to the ashram 1
• Going
to the ashram 2
• A devotee's visit
Other Links
• What Sai Baba says about Books/Reading
• What Sai Baba says about Singing