Sai Vichaar for Thursday, December 29, 2005

[Guest guest]

of Shirdi. Feel free to forward this newsletter to your interested associates in

its original form. IN THIS ISSUE: FEATURE OF THE WEEK CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE

DEVOTEES SAY PRAYER CLUB EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES QUOTATION OF THE WEEK QUESTION

OF THE WEEK SAI ACTIVITIES FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD FEATURE OF THE

WEEK: New Year Message Shirdi Sai Baba of the past has become a phenomena of

today. This can safely be stated

on the basis of the un-expected and amazing number of activities happening

around in India and the world towards the propagation of the path He had shown.

It is seen that in the last few years the Shirdi Sai Sansthan at Shirdi has

expanded its activities multi-fold. This is somewhat expected given the fact

that an average of about 40 to 50 thousand devotees visit Shirdi everyday. On

important days it is a few lakhs. What is amazing is the construction and

opening of hundreds and hundreds of Shirdi Sai Baba temples and other related

institutions in India and abroad through the self-motivation of the devotees.

Would one historically examine the way in which temples have been created by

devotees following other paths, it would became clear that usually the main

trust (like the Shirdi Sai Sansthan at Shirdi) opens its branches at other

places on the first step. Then the main trust and the branches take up temple

construction projects which includes planning, financing, constructing and

supervising etc. But in name of Shri Sainath Maharaj, self-motivated devotees

and groups are themselves creating resources, constructing temples and

carrying-out a number of other religious and charitable activities. No doubt

such self-motivation is a result of the existing spirit of Shri Sai. Most of

Baba's devotees are emotively linked with Him and are prepared to undergo any

amount of hardship and sacrifice to do a task in His name. The rate at which

the number of His devotees and institutions are multiplying is simply

astounding. There are a large number of publications about Baba in various

languages in the form of books, journals, magazines, book-lets and the number

runs to thousands. Devotees are ever evid to know more and more details about

the past of Baba as also the happenings of today relating to Him. There are a

large number of web-sites on Baba in the inter-net. Not withstanding these

multi faced activities, one important aspect which

is necessary to spread the name of Shri Sai Baba is prominently lacking. That

is, serious research on Baba, using the modern research methodology is much

below the desired standards. Some scholars from India and abroad, independently

or through research institutions, have made substantial contribution in research

and some books and research findings in the form of articles have been

published. However, a study of these volumes would indicated that the

researchers/authors have not had access to many of the important documents

published during Baba’s time and there-after. This is because initially most of

the books and articles written on Baba were in Marathi language and later

English versions or original writings in English came to market. There is

hardly any library that has a comprehensive collections of literature on Baba.

To undertake serious research, a good library maintaining the required

documents like books, journals, news paper items, manuscripts

hand-written notings, photographs, paintings, sketches, maps, research papers

and well maintained bibliography is a must. Unfortunately no such library is

existence, to enable the researches on Baba to undertake serious study. Some

devotees, particularly the writers, are in possession of some of the important

documents but what is needed is to create a single forum or body to possesses

and maintains prosperity. It should be the endeavor of each devotee to collect

all such records of the past and maintain them properly for use by future

researchers. That would be a great contribution for Baba's cause. Let us

resolve to work towards this end in the New Year to come. Message by Guruji

Shri C. B. Satpathy CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Is faith beyond belief? Most of us

use the words Faith and Belief quite often in our conversations in our

day-to-day life. The intensity of each of these

words however differs so much that we hardly make any notice of it. Before we

read on further - Just ask your self: What does Faith mean to you and What is

Belief? You can keep the answers to yourself and see how beautifully Sage

Narada and Lord Vishnu have depicted the feelings and meanings of Faith and

Belief. Once, when Sage Narada was on his way to the abode of Lord Vishnu he

happened to meet a Brahmin, this brahmin was reputedly spiritually advanced, he

requested to find out what Lord Vishnu did for recreation or pastime as we call

it. Further, on his way Narada met a poor cobbler working under a banyan tree,

who also made the same request. Now, Sage Narada got more anxious. Those two

disciples had asked the same question and quickly went to Lord Vishnu and

presented the query of the brahmin and cobbler. Lord Vishnu told Narada to tell

them that as a pastime, He, Lord Vishnu sits on His throne and passes a big fat

elephant through the eye of a needle. He told

Narada to tell the brahmin and the cobbler exactly what he told him. Narada

transcends and first meets the brahmin. When this answer was given to the

brahmin, he ridiculed and laughed at Narada saying, how could anyone pass an

elephant big or small through the eye of a needle? However, as instructed by

his Lord he conveys the message to the brahmin and does Narayana-Narayana on

his path to convey the message to the cobbler. Narada told the cobbler exactly

what he told the brahmin. The cobbler jumped up and started to dance and sing

Lord Narayana's praises saying only Krishna Bhagwan or Lord Vishnu can have

such interesting hobbies and pastimes. Narada was wonderstruck and asked the

cobbler how could he possibly believe that anyone could pass an elephant

through the needle's eye. The cobbler picked up a fruit of the banyan tree and

pointing one of its tiny seeds, reasoned if the Lord can put such a huge banyan

tree in such a tiny seed, Why can't He pass an elephant

through the eye of a needle. His faith in his Lord was that - anything was

possible by Him. Rather, there is nothing impossible that our Guru cannot do.

Well, such was this poor cobbler's Faith in His Lord Vishnu. Though the cobbler

was poor and uneducated, then the so called educated and erudite brahmin - his

faith in his Sadguru was more then being a doubting Thomas - ridiculing the

capacity of the Guru. Now do you agree that Faith is beyond Belief? Dear

friends, it high time we realize this soon that our faith in either God or

devil is reflected in our thinking, our behavior, our activities and our goals.

Faith is beyond belief because belief is superficial and can be easily shaken.

My faith in my Sadguru is beyond belief. Belief is superficial and can be

easily shaken; faith is firm and takes one steadfast. Lack of faith makes one

weak and timid. He always has doubts in his mind and there is no happiness in

his life. Our faith in our Sadguru is a source of great

strength and hope. Only our true faith in our Sadguru compels Him to personally

come running to the aid of His devotees. "Sadguru siva ya na duza upay" - There

is no better solution than resorting to the feet of our Sadguru. (Contributed by

Bellala Nagadeep) DEVOTEES SAY: SwapnaDear Baba, many times I asked You to

come to my home and thank you very much for granting my wish Baba. Today I had

started reading your Satcharitha, and today I have realized that You granted my

wish two times. Baba, please do not leave us alone in this journey of life and

please be our guide always. SampaSome days back I was studying hard for my

accounting exams and I had no hope that I will pass. I was working full time

and studying in the evening I prayed to Baba that if I pass I would write my

experiences. I got a B- in the exam and was

very happy. UshaBaba, please help my daughter to score good marks in her second

semester. Please give her strength and confidence to study hard. AryaI read

Satcharitha two times. I had asked Baba for success in examination. That

happened and I finished reading Satcharita. I got unexpected results. Thanks a

lot Baba. SureshI was made to leave the job of previous company and I was

jobless when I had visited Shirdi on 9th November 2005. I prayed Sai Baba to

grant me good job and within a month and by the grace of Baba I was granted a

job. PRAYER CLUB: SumanSai, please bless me with a healthy baby. You only

know what all I have undergone all these months. Please see that my child is

not affected by my worries and tensions. Baba please see that my husband's

diabetes is cured. RamalingamWe miss this opportunity very badly and, Baba

please do let us have this or a similar opportunity at the earliest. We pray to

You for grant of this boon and for helping us to remain devoted to You forever.

Please do bless our son to do well in his academics and be devoted to You.

Baba, inspire us to be more involved in social activities. TanazBaba, You know

our family is in a mess and we have been always praying to You for guidance and

blessings. Please help Sai. You are our parents and we have been taking every

step in our life with Your guidance. Please Saibaba, help us to come out of

this mess. I feel I will develop more ailments due to weight. Please help me

Baba I am not able to concentrate at home nor on my health. SeemaBaba, I am

very much desperate. Bless me passing step 3 examination. It is very essential

to pass this

examination to get into residency. PhaniSai, please help me, You are the only

one who can save me right now. Please Sai take my pranamam's into consideration

and bless me with a child. Please see that my level two comes all prefect with

no problems to the fetus. Baba, I already did go three losses. I cannot take

another one in my condition right now. You know how much I went through to

achieve this pregnancy, please makes this pregnancy a full term pregnancy with

a healthy baby. AnanthashayanamPlease give good health and good education to my

son. Baba, my son is in 10th standard (ICSE). Baba, please be with him always

and get him good marks and also guide him to write the exams properly. Baba,

please solve my financial problems. Baba, give me good nature and give me

strength to remember You always. Baba, please solve my brother's court case.

Baba, please give good health to my brother, my sisters and

also to my wife. Om Sri Sai Ram. Sai devoteePlease help my children to grow in

a decent manner. Sathguru Sai, guide them like a mother and father. Sathguru

Sai by Your grace we have lot of changes in our family but for past three years

we are facing family problems. Please save me from all my problems. Please help

my son to get good marks like last year. By your grace we have performed

Iyyappan pooja very well in our house. Sai devoteeWe thank Lord Sainatha on the

ocassion of birth of our little daughter through normal delivery here on

Saturday. Though our doctor had recommended a C-section but with our Lord Sai's

blessings the delivery had turned out to be normal one. Oh! Sai I am eagerly

awaiting for my new project from now onwards and please make it happen as soon

as possible and give me strength to stand on my own feet and answers all our

Sai devotees prayers too. Please bless us to read Sai

Satcharita daily. EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: JanakiThis miracle truly touched

my heart. Once I went to Delhi for an official work. After two days, I was

returning to Hyderabad. As I was new to this place, it was very hard for me to

find a conveyance in Delhi. I had to travel alone to the airport. I hired an

auto(taxi). As I was very new I never know where he was taking me, I passed a

military area where there was not even a soul. After passing the military area,

I arrived at the traffic junction. I almost started to cry in doubt whether the

driver will reach me safe to the airport. Suddenly when I took a glance at the

auto next to my auto I was traveling, there was a big Baba's photo. My joy knew

no bounds and I started crying with joy. The auto was next, beside or in front

of me until I reached the airport. The passenger in the other auto met me in

the airport and we were

co-passengers as she was also traveling with me in the same flight. This way

Baba had saved me in a difficult situation, I will never forget in my life. Om

Sai Ram. VenkatI had been going through a mental trauma. I had many problems in

my both career and personal life. I felt lost and did not know what to do. Then

two weeks back I was checking my mails and just went through the Sai Vichaar

list, the one usually I do not read completely. But I read it completely and

read the experiences of many devotees who read Satcharitha. I felt that Baba

wants me to read it. So, I did a saptaham. It's a miracle. All the troubles I

had, just vanished and every thing worked so well. NeelimaBefore one year I did

not know anything deep about Sai Baba until I got married to my husband who is a

staunch Sai devotee through my husband I came to know the greatness of Sai Baba

and his power of udi and wondered how miracles can

happen, one really happened in my case and is happening still. Last October I

have fallen ill after coming to USA, suffered a lot for more than 45 days, went

to doctor, tried various medicines but got no relief. Then my husband prayed to

Baba and asked me to have faith in Baba and pray Him. I did, to my wonder my

pain got down within a week and I became normal and did Sai Saptha after that.

"Baba pulls his devotees like a sparrow tied to a string, where ever they be or

what ever they do was proved to be true in my case. What a wonderful experience

I had I could not tell in words. Baba is always there with me and helping me in

all my ins and outs. Oh, merciful and kindful Baba please always have mercy on

us and bless us. Thank you very much Baba, I consider myself very fortunate to

be a devotee of Baba. Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all; Sri Satchitanada

Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

"Of what purpose is longstanding fellowship if friends' familiar actions are

not accepted as one's own? Familiar with familiarity, the wise are not annoyed

when friends do things without asking".-Tirukkural QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Q. Should Sai devotees believe in Astrology and Palmistry? A. by Prakash Why

one has to fear about future? We do not know even the present properly. Take

care of the present, and future will take care of itself! Bow and surrender to

Shirdi Sai and He will take care of you. Q. Should Sai devotees believe in

Astrology and Palmistry? A. by Kandappa The nine planets including Raghu and

Ketu in accordance with the 'karmic law', which cannot be changed except under

very special circumstances by the Lord himself, control the actions of humans.

It

may therefore be possible for a person to beg the Lord and the Planet concerned

to show some mercy and reduce the suffering. The person engages in prayer,

during that period he will be occupied and may not fully get the effect of the

Planet, as most of the suffering is mental. If one surrenders fully to the Lord

he need not believe or worry about Astrology or Palmistry. Q. Should Sai

devotees believe in Astrology and Palmistry? A. by Sakshi Doubts and

difficulties surround us just to move us and confirm our faith. When we are

going through tough phase of our life, when nothing is happening according to

our will, we run for astrological and palmistry solutions, but I strongly

believe that the disciple of Sai Baba will not go for it. What all Baba asked

from his children is Shraddha and Saburi. If we are not able to trust Baba how

could one consider himself or herself his disciple? There is one experience

mentioned in Sai

Satcharitha, Chapter 29 about Tendulkar family - their son Babu Tendulkar was

studying hard and wanted to appear for the medical examination. He consulted

some astrologers. Examining his horoscope, they told him that the stars were

not favorable that year and that he should appear for the examination next

year. This cast a gloom over him and made him restless. A few days afterwards

his mother went to Shirdi and mentioned the gloomy and morose condition of her

son. Hearing this Baba said to her, "Tell your son to believe in Me, to throw

aside horoscopes and predictions of astrologers and palmists and go on with his

studies. Let him appear for the examination with a calm mind, he is sure to pass

this year. Ask him to trust in Me and not to get disappointed". He got through

the examination that year successfully by Baba's grace, though the stars were

against him. If we only hold on steadily to Baba with full faith and continue

our endeavors, our efforts will be ultimately crowned with

success. Whatever is happening with us, is with Baba's consent and because of

our previous and present karmas, we are blessed to be in fold of Baba and his

blessings are with us to make our life trouble-free. SAI ACTIVITIES:

Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USAShirdi Sai temple is

open daily from 8:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m (Winter hours). Daily program includes

Kakad Arathi at 8 a.m followed by Abhisek. Madhayana Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop

Arathi at 6 p.m and Shej Arathi at 9 p.m. Archana, Homams, Sahasranama and

sponsored poojas continue in between the Arathis. To request a pooja for

yourselves, your friends and family, please call. Devotees can request water

(Abhishek Jal) from the Holy bathing of Baba by sending us an email or by

phone. Temple is located 25 minutes drive west of Schaumburg on intersection of

IL Route 47 and Plank Road in Hampshire, IL. For

more information please call 847-931-4058 or send email to maildrop (AT) saibaba (DOT) org.

Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, MinnesotaRegular Sai activities in Minneapolis,

St.Paul area are being conducted at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, 725 Lake St

NE, Apt #139 Hopkins MN. For details, please contact hamaresai , or

call Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center at 952-938-2983, and to read the monthly

newsletter Sai Sandesh, visit www.hamaresai.org. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of

Dallas/Fort Worth, TexasSri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of DFW Metroplex is located

at 2109 West Parker (Parker Plaza), Suite 212, Plano, TX 75023. For temple

hours and activities please call the temple office at 469-467-3388 or visit the

website www.shirdisaidallas.org. Shirdi Sai Satsang, Bay Area, CaliforniaShirdi

Sai Parivaar invites all to join us for Satsang every Thursday 7:30 pm at Odd

Fellows Temple,

20589 Homestead Road, Cupertino, CA 95014. For details please call 408-564-6704

or send email to saibandhu or visit www.ShradhaSaburi.org. Sai

Sasang, New Jersey, USAShirdi Sai Dham, Inc regularly conducts Sai bhajans

followed by Aarti and Parsad on every 1st Saturday of each month at Durga

Mandir, Kendall Park, New Jersey from 3 pm to 5 pm (Winter Hours). All are

requested to kindly come and receive Baba's blessings. For more information,

please call us at 609-275-1334 or visit www.shirdisaidham.org or email us at

shirdisaidham (AT) hotmail (DOT) com Shirdi Sai Satsang, Toronto, CanadaShirdi Saibaba

Sansthan invites all to join for satsangs every Thursday 7:00 pm at Sai

Dwarkamai, 147 Winston Castle Dr. Markham, Ontario, L6C 2N4, phone 416-402-8089

or email: saileela99 . To request a pooja for yourselves, your friends

and family for any occasion at your residence, please call. Devotees can

request udi or Holy water (Abhishek Jal) from the Holy bathing of Baba by

sending us an email or by phone. Sri Shirdi Sai Mandir, Scarborough, CanadaThe

Shirdi Sai Mandir located at 2721 Markham Road, Scarborough, ON M1X 1L5

(Intersection of Markham and Nashdene) is open Monday to Friday from 6:30 p.m

to 8:30 p.m and Saturday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m to 8:30 p.m. Dhoop aarti at

7:30 p.m everyday and Bhajans on Saturday from 5:00 p.m onwards. For other

temple activities and information please call 647-444-4724 or send an email to

info (AT) theshirdisaimandir (DOT) com. Shirdi Sai Satsang in Vancouver, BC, CanadaShirdi

Sai parivar in Vancouver invites you for bhajans, every Thursday (6:30pm - 7:30

pm) at 8571, 118A Street, Delta, V4C 6L2. For further details contact Ritu

(604)592 4182 or email at sai_ish (AT) hotmail (DOT) com. Sai Satsang, SingaporeTo all

Shirdi Sai Baba devotees in

Singapore, Sai Sansthan, Singapore is organizing Shirdi Sai Baba prayer session

every Saturday between 18:30 hrs to 20:30 hrs at 2nd floor function hall, Sri

Vadapathira Kaliamman temple, (opp. to Sinda), 555, Serangoon Road,

Singapore-218174. We invite you all to participate and seek Baba's blessings.

For further details, please visit www.saisansthan.com. FROM THE EDITORS

KEYBOARD: Sai Vichaar and Shirdi Saibaba Sanstha wish devotees and readers a

Happy, Peaceful, and Prosperous 2006. May Lord Sai's bounteous blessings be on

all of us in the New Year and years to come. Sai devotees from Singapore or

those visiting that country please refer to Sai Activities section for details

on Sai satsang in Singapore. Sai Vichaar thanks you for your support for the

Question of the Week feature. This feature is intended to initiate useful

discussion on topics related to Sai philosophy, His message, and

Sai devotion. Please send your suggested topics for the same. Sai devotee

Meenakshi suggests the following "Question of the week" Q. What is the

significance of the story of "The Quest" in Sai Satcharita? Humbly Yours,The

Editor ABOUT THIS EMAIL: This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This

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[Guest guest]

Sairam

I want to thank Swami for all that he has given us.I pray to our lord for a

prosperous and a holy 2006 for all us.I thank you once again.

Pranaams and love at your lotus feet.

chanchal

[Guest guest]

Jai Sai RAM,

I wish you the same. May BABA keep showing mercy

on us and we all help BABA in spreading LOVE around

us.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Jai Sai Ram

Meera

 

 

--- chanchal hariramani <chanchalh wrote:

> Sairam

> I want to thank Swami for all that he has given us.I

> pray to our lord for a

> prosperous and a holy 2006 for all us.I thank you

> once again.

> Pranaams and love at your lotus feet.

> chanchal