THE HOLY MOTHER COW
The cow protection was a symbol of animal rights and of non-violence against all life forms for Gandhi. He venerated cows, and suggested ending cow slaughter to be the first step to stopping violence against all animals. He said: "I worship it and I shall defend its worship against the whole world", and stated that "The central fact of Hinduism is cow protection. (M.K.Gandhi)

 

The central fact of Hinduism is cow protection. Cow protection to me is one of the most wonderful phenomena in human evolution. It takes the human being beyond this species. The cow to me means the entire sub-human world. Man through the cow is enjoined to realize his identity with all that lives. Why the cow was selected for apotheosis is obvious to me. The cow was in India the best companion. She was the giver of plenty. Not only did she give milk, but she also made agriculture possible..Cow protection is the gift of Hinduism to the world. And Hinduism will live so long as there are Hindus to protect the cow…… Hindus will be judged not by their TILAKS, not by the correct chanting of MANTRAS, not by their pilgrimages, not by their most punctilious observances of caste rules, but their ability to protect the cow.(Excerpts of M.K.Gandhi)

The cow is the purest type of sub-human life. She pleads before us on behalf of the whole of the sub-human species for justice to it at the hands of man, the first among all that lives. She seems to speak to us through her eyes: ‘you are not   appointed over us to kill us and eat our flesh or otherwise ill-treat us, but to be our friend and guardian’(M.K. Gandhi in Young India 26-6-1924, p. 214)

It is a heart-rending sight to see cows being slaughtered to serve as food for man. The cow has been worshiped as mother in Bharat since ancient times... Cow-slaughter is reougnant to the culture of this country. The provision of drinking water to the people and putting an end to the killing of animals for food are two prime needs for the country to regain its pristine glory. Violence in any form is evil and to kill innocent animals in tantamount to blatant savagery. I bless the prime Minister (of India) and expect him to get there two things accomplished furing his tenure." Sanathana Sarathi December.(Sathya Sai Speaks on 23//11/1994)

It is significant to note that those who live on vegetarian food are less prone to diseases, whereas non-vegetarians are subject to more diseases. Why? Because animal food is incompatible with the needs of the human body.(Sathya Sai Speaks on Summer Showers,1990,Page No-34)

In the matter of acquiring food, different kinds of strength, abilities and skills are used by us but these very same skills are used by animals and birds as well. It is not right that we use all our knowledge and skill for doing just what the animals and birds also do. In the process of our spending all our energies in acquiring food, we are going far away from the aspect of Atma. For the purpose of feeding ourselves, many lives are being sacrificed. In this process of our searching for food, many things like trees, birds, fish and animals are being sacrificed. Because these various living things are being sacrificed and are merging with human beings, they have also been acquiring human lives in their rebirth. None of these Jivas are getting any chance of rising higher than human lives. The entire life is being spent in making an effort to be reborn after one's death, thus repeating the cycle of birth and death.We are becoming slaves to the process of birth and death. We should not allow ourselves to become slaves to this process. We should make an attempt to become one with the great effulgent spirit.(Excerpts from Summer Showers in Brindavam, 1974)

                                                    UNIQUE SIGN OF OMNIPRESENCE
Had unique experience of directly observing the 22 degree halo phenomenon of Sun above the sky of Puttaparthi on 23rd May 2011

ANOTHER HALO OPTICAL PHENOMENON AROUND THE SUN AS CAPTURED OVER  PRASANTHI NILAYAM, PUTTAPARTHI SKY THIS MORNING, 02 AUGUST 2017.HERE ARE FEW GLIMPSES

The Puraanas speak of fourteen Lokas (seven higher and seven lower regions). People have adopted the superficial meaning of the names given to these and they classify them as 'sacred' lokas and 'condemned' lokas---Deva Lokas and Paathaala Lokas. But, all these lokas do exist, in our own bodies, (the bodies which we carry about and carefor), seven in the upper part and seven in the lower part. Which is the upper part of the human body? It is the head, the Thrikuuta Peak, the crown, the higher region. Seven lokas are situated therein. They are the Garuda Loka, the Gandharva Loka, the Yaksha Loka, the Kinnara Loka and the Kimpurusha Loka. They are all situated in the head. The Garuda Loka is the nose, the seat of inhalation and exhalation. The Gandharva Loka is in the eye. The Yaksha Loka is in the tongue. Kinnara Loka is the ear and the Kimpurusha, on the skin, seat of the sense of touch. Though the names of the lokas are five, there are seven regions to which the name applies. The nose is the first, the eyes are the second and the third, the tongue is the fourth, the ears are the fifth and the sixth and the skin is the seventh. These are the Upper Lokas. Those who sanctify these lokas by recognising the respective organs as instruments for higher ideals can be deemed worthy of human existence. That is to say, inhaling unpolluted air, seeing auspicious sights, hearing heartening sounds, etc. These lokas when properly cultivated, can make man divine.(Sathya Sai Speaks on 28th May,1982)