Points To Ponder Talks and Messages of Swami Satchidananda

Swami Satchidananda, born in 1919 as Anantasivan, went through a period of struggles and trials in his early life, and when he was only 30, came under the spell of the unique personality of Swami Ramdas. It was as if Swami Ramdas was waiting for his arrival, for, they took to each other instantly as Guru and disciple. At the behest of his Guru, he took to Nama Japa and later embraced the order of Sannyas. Guru-seva and dedicated service of all became his watchwords. He served the two great saints, Swami Ramdas and Mother Krishnabai throughout their lifetime. After the Mahasamadhi of Swami Ramdas, he assisted the Mother in the day to day affairs of the Ashram. The great Gurus were grooming the Swami, as it were, to carry on the noble mission they had started for the good of humanity. In 1989, when Mother Krishnabai left her mortal coil, Swami Satchidananda inherited the mantle of running the Ashram. With his exemplary qualities, he has become the guiding spirit of the Ashram. He follows the footsteps of his great Masters in loving and serving all based upon universal vision. Devotees all over the world look upon him as the very embodiment of their Beloved Papa and Pujya Mataji. Pujya Swamiji has completed over 50 years of glorious and dedicated service in the Ashram.

The teachings of the saints are not mere strings of words or a neat array of precepts; each utterance by them is charged with Grace and Power. The words of the Masters help the seekers in character building which is the underlying theme of the spiritual practices, viz, Sadhana. Verily, their Words of Grace generate a subtle process of inner purification in the deep lakes of our minds. However to realise the therapeutic effect at a conscious level and to draw maximum mileage out of their teachings, one has to adopts a discipline of frequent contemplation letting the mind reflect on the messages again and again, like turning over the beads of the rosary as an aid for constant remembrance. Such an exercise would, in due course, chip away the age-old conditioning of the mind and open up new dimensions, cutting a new path in our inner journey. The teachings of the Realised Beings come as a benediction to the mind, which is grouping and stumbling in the dark corridors of delusion.

This revised and enlarged edition of “ Points to Ponder ” is divided into two parts. In part 1 ‘ Light of Supreme Reveals Itself in a Life of Perfection’, we have presented a compilation of talks given by Pujya Swami Satchidanandaji from 1990 to 1999 on occasions like Jayanti, Mahasamadhi daya etc. of his Masters – Swami Ramdas and Mother Krishnabai, endearingly called as Beloved Papa and Pujya Mataji by their devotees. The expression ‘Beloved Papa’ also stands for the Lord of the Universe seated in everybody’s heart. Pujya Swamiji who had the rare privilege of moving closely with two great saints, serving Beloved Papa for 14 years and Pujya Mataji for 40 years, gives us inspiring accounts of the fascinating life of perfection lived by his Divine Gurus, radiating their luster of love and service towards one and all. Listening to the lives of saints and sages is, indeed like inhaling the fresh fragrance of scented blossoms wafting in the pleasant, cool breeze in springtime. Pujya Swamiji uses such occasions to draw our attention to the timeless message of Universal Love and Service proclaimed by his Masters and also to highlight and reiterate pertinent aspects of Sadhana to straighten our floundering efforts and uplift our sagging spirits. The caption of each talk conveys the central theme covered therein, to enable aspirants focus on the message which may be appropriate at that juncture in their Sadhana. This section also includes talks given on other occasions.

The second part titled ‘ Guiding Rays from the Anchorage’ contains excerpts from Pujya Swamiji’s letters to the devotees. Though the problems are varied from mundane to spiritual, his responses invariably include inter alia, the prescription of constant remembrance through repetition of the Name of God, practice of Universal Love and Service, surrender to Supreme Will and prayer. All the topics from the first edition have been incorporated in part 1 from topic 1- 13 and from 17 – 33. All the talks in Part 1 and II are arranged in this book according to the central message contained therein and not in chronological order. May the all-merciful Beloved Papa, Pujya Mataji, Pujya Swamiji and other Mahatmas bestow their Blessing on us to drink abundantly from the fountain of Wisdom and nourish our yearning soul with the nectar. May their Guiding Rays illumine our path and correct our vision to perceive the Light of Supreme in one and all.