That’s what they said
“An exhilarating visit. An eye opener. I want to come back to this heaven of peace. I realise that I have missed out on so much by not visiting this place earlier. Maharishis have been for long musing on the ill effects of kaliyuga and trying to find a solution. I have realised the solution is Siva Shankar Baba.” Seshan added that he found `samathuvam’ in the commune and urged the community to reach out to the public in a bigger way. Also at the function was poet Abdul Rehman and bureaucrat Govindan.
“Baba is making life pleasant bringing heaven to earth by pioneering a lot of social service activities free of cost. This is true spirituality.. I thought I had come here to speak as a poet. I find that there is another poet lurking deep within Baba. I must really thank him for paving way for Tamil also to reign supreme here in Samratchana. Not regarding life as a continuum of dreams, Baba is making life pleasant bringing heaven to earth by pioneering a lot of social service activities free of cost. This is true spirituality. Spirituality is not just giving food for thought; it is also giving work for the physical being; it is not searching for life without; it is searching for life within; it is not searching for salvation after death; it is finding a meaning in living, living in salvation every minute, every second of one’s life; This is what is happening here at Samratchana.”
“We loved being around him and his followers, felt spiritually uplifted, enjoyed his unique, uninhibited, loving approach towards us, others and life. We felt an instantaneous affinity with Baba the moment we met him. One feels an instant peace in his presence. He presents himself uninhibitedly, lovingly and individually to the thousands of people who come for his blessings. What we highly appreciate about his devotees is that they are unassuming, relaxed and relatively non-judgemental towards others in their beliefs about Baba. This is really refreshing. We loved being around him and his followers, felt spiritually uplifted, enjoyed his unique, uninhibited, loving approach towards us, others and life. We are overwhelmed by his loving kindness and gracious hospitality. We are able to feel his presence even here in US whenever we meditate on him.”
“It took Baba just one tender, loving, protective hand over my shoulder to wipe me off all the distress I had undergone before I came to him. Until then, I could go to sleep only with the aid of sleeping tablets. Ever since I met Baba, ‘Shankaram Shiva Shankaram’ lulls me to peaceful sleep. My wife and I have visited many temples, it is only in Baba’s presence that there is the promise of immediate peace and repose. It is comforting to know that a person of such divinely spiritual heights is moving so friendly with us for our benefit. It is a real blessing. For me, Baba is mother, father, everything.”
“Though Baba appears to be a very ordinary human being, He is actually a great sage , with great divine power. In very few years from now, the world will realize Baba’s divinity. We are indeed very fortunate to have Baba in our midst.”
“I am not qualified enough to speak of Baba. It is indeed a boon conferred by God that we are living in an age when such a saint has incarnated. One can spend entire days listening to Baba’s speech containing humourous anecdotes delivered in simple language easily understandable to the common man. Baba taught me to love myself, to respect the me in me. I have met many saints. But it is only Baba’s darshan that sends a new enthusiasm rushing through me. Even one tender look from Baba’s divine eyes is a great blessing. Indeed, it is a great fortune to even think of one who is all in all – combining a father’s tenderness, a mother’s love, a brother’s affection, a friend’s concern.”
“This is the golden anniversary of our Baba whom we adore and respect. The five in the number fifty represents ‘Panchakshara’. In Tamil both ‘Shankaram’ and ‘Namashivaya’ are Panchaksharas. It was India that brought out the philosophy behind the number five. Similarly in the fiftieth year of Baba when Panchakshara and Poojya(zero) have united, it is Baba who will explain the essence and spiritual magnificence of the Panchakshara to the world and this is going to be that important year(1999). People might get doubts on seeing Baba’s miracles, but only those who have got the necessary wisdom to analyze can do so. If we are unable to understand his healing powers, we should be sensible enough to accept what is happening in front of our eyes because it is good that it is happening. There is absolutely no barrier to understand his love – how forcefully it flows – such unhindered waterfall of pure love. Each one of us can feel its intensity. Only if we feel this, does he take us to the heights of ecstasy. When we were chanting Narayana Mantra now, all of us were in a state of bliss. When I saw Baba, the way his hands were moving in a trance, resembled the golden Sudarshana Chakra in Maha Vishnu’s hand. I was really thrilled. It gives great peace to have come to such a heavenly place. We forget all the problems that had threatened to devour us before we came here. The peace we get here is not available anywhere else. Baba’s philosophy is very simple and easy to understand. He says that it is enough if we do our work with dedication. So many free classes on Journalism, Tailoring, Computer are being conducted. Baba says that if we attend to our responsibilities sincerely, we will understand that God is well within us, there is no need to search for him outside. This obviously motivates us to work hard. “
“Baba ‘s absolute love for people transcending barriers of nation, religion, creed or gender acts as a soothing agent especially in today’s conflict ridden world. We have faith that he will be with us wherever we go and guide us to a happy life. Through his grace, we will attain salvation. We are happy that we got the opportunity to come to Samratchana, meet Baba, his love, his laughter and blessings before he becomes too famous and Samratchana too crowded to have personal contact with him. But again, we are confident that the inner contact will always remain.”
“Baba’s indepth knowledge about everything is really astounding. How does he find time for all this ? How much of information he has ! He talks about philosophy as well as psychology with the same gusto. This is really a refreshingly different kind of spirituality. Religions preach that there in God’s eyes all are equal. I am really happy that Baba is conducting so many social service activities having this in mind.”
“I feel very happy that I get to see really wonderful people like Sri. Siva Shankar Baba. It gives us special peace. We love India. I feel very happy that I get to see really wonderful people like Sri. Siva Shankar Baba. It gives us special peace. He is very soft. He has been really kind to give us his time and blessings.”
“Baba is the limitless impartial sky of love that appears the same to anyone from whatever be the direction. The moon that never wanes, the fire that continues to hold its flaming head high despite arguments raised by half baked explorers. He is absolutely unaffected by praise or criticism. His love flows purely and naturally without the least tinge of any affectation.”
“Baba’s spiritual and social reforms are in tune with current times. His dance is understandable – it is an offshoot of the highest stage of Yoga. Like Vivekananda, Baba has the magnetic power that captivates the youth. Baba’s discourses are a boon, expecially for the youth to live the life the way it ought to be lived. It feels good to see Baba investing a lot of extra care in this area. The festive atmosphere in Samratchana with everyday happenings like Bhajans, Dances, discourses and free food distribution transport one back to the golden ages of the past. It is obvious that there is no business motive attached to these. He is capable of ensuring that today’s youth enhance themselves guiding their time, energy and intelligence for good causes.”
“I have been wanting to meet Baba for a long time, having heard about his selfless activities for social upliftment. Every good thing has a time and place to occur. I am happy that I have got the opportunity at least now to acquire his grace.”
“I feel a motherly love emanating from Baba. What pure love he showers ! Such intelligence ! Such clarity of mind! I feel really bad that I was not fortunate to meet him before. He has revolutionized the concept of happiness giving so much bliss to everyone in Samratchana. His presence is bound to destroy every single evil distressing us. I have a feeling that Krita Yuga which is due to start at the end of Kali Yuga is being pioneered by Baba. Baba has inspired several youngsters with his practical approach to spirituality. I have never seen such a simple spiritual leader.”
“When one meets Baba, one feels an exciting electricity charge flowing through the veins …. an exciting excitement ? ..exciting experience. I am at a loss to put it in words. After coming to Baba, I am able to feel it. I am able to experience peace and contentment of the heart that I had hitherto not known . I consider this my greatest fortune.”
“Baba is really great. It is difficult to imagine how he is able to hold the attention of so many hearts in single minded concentration every single day. It is surprising to observe that in Baba’s presence, people forget their woes and return home in a light mood and happy heart. Baba’s spirituality is very candid, simple, easy and pleasant to comprehend and that is the secret of its magnetic pull. In today’s world where one cannot satisfy one’s employees with any amount of pay, it is really refreshing to note that the youth force serving Baba’s mission works throughout the day with whole hearted enthusiasm for just one smile or a glance from Baba. Thank goodness that these future stars of hope have got into the hands of a good person. Baba has made these youngsters realize that Spirituality and selfless Service are what divinity is all about.”
“When I first met Baba’s magnetic eyes, I had this feeling that I was not looking at any ordinary person, it was a powerful soul inside that is the speaker, the doer, that knows the past , the present and the future. He never publicizes his miracles. He remains unaffected by the grateful praise people shower on him for his grace. He shows the same uninhibited love, renders the same type of service, bestows the same smile, exhibits the same enthusiasm, showers the same blessings regardless of the beneficiary’s materialistic status. Absolutely impartial treatment to everyone – that is Baba for us.”
“I was really astounded by the totally different lines on Baba’s palm. So many different types of lines. His hand filled with such lines is so powerful, when he lifts them up in blessing, all the troubles of devotees will be wiped away. Samratchana is nothing but heaven – a paradise on earth. Under the humourous exterior that we see Baba as, there is a tremendously divine power waiting for the right opportunity to manifest itself.”
“In olden days, temples were built spaciously to house people in times of flood; they had the facility to cook food for a vast number of people. After visiting Samratchana, I have realized that this is also a temple which offers peace and happiness to everyone who steps in here. I am surprised to see the various activities that are offered free of cost to everyone. Samratchana is a temple.”
“It is stated that among the various names of Paramesvara, Shiva is the most important. The spiritual power of Baba who has this name is also beyond human comprehension and measurement. In order to make us feel comfortable, he has so kindly decided not to reveal his divinity with its native force; which reveals his concern for mankind. His grace knows no bounds. His happiness is bliss, his divinity is pristine; he derives pleasure by giving whatever he has; his simplicity is striking; a very charming person to move with, his thoughts are always positive and aimed upward; he is like the ocean of nectar in his compassion – the list is truly endless. It is indeed our good fortune to have Baba in our midst.”
“I feel extremely delighted and happy to be in Samratchana. This is a new experience for me. I should say I am overwhelmed. It is only in Samratchana that all aspects of a human life apart from spirituality are given due consideration. I understand now that Samratchana is a temple of learning.”
“The light of wisdom, a loving mother, a caring father, God – all these roles rolled into one give you Baba. The only and the most important earning that I get in Samratchana for the songs I sing is Baba’s blessings. The vibration that runs through my body always is Baba. Instead of scaring away the devout with spiritual and orthodox practices, Baba showers impartial love regardless of caste, creed or materialistic stature. I am amazed at this kind of spirituality. A sage of such divine stature – and such simplicity, moving as one of the crowd, his easily understandable discourses, the winning smile always on his face – how new and fresh all these are ! Truly, amidst all this camphor and incense burning , Baba has trail blazed a new path of practical devotion serving people as images of God – he is performing true Dharma. Baba has made us understand that prayer is not effective on an empty stomach; therefore he fills our stomachs with wholesome food before we start our prayer session. He does not stop with philosophising, he does social service such as, offering free courses and job opportunities, conducting free marriages etc. His incarnation is only for our well being. There is no peace like what is available in Samratchana. Baba’s power will manifest itself gradually; everyone will experience absolute bliss and lead an excellent life.”