FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SAI BABA [Part 2 of 2]

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different places and times. These groups of souls are so born because they are

required to experience certain common religious, social, geographic etc

situations necessary for their evolution. For example, a group of souls may be

born from parents belonging to one religion or in a certain country. In the

next life, to have different experience, some of these souls may be born of

parents having a different country or nationality. Many Hindus became Buddhists

when Lord Buddha came and many Hindus came and many Hindus came back to the

folds of Hinduism later at the time of Shankaracharya. Therefore, there are

different ways of evolution of the souls. Ultimately, all these paths converge

at one point I.e God realization or in God from where they all emanated.

TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">52. While

treading the path towards Baba if man feels surrounded by despair ,what should

he do about it? I have said in one of my poems -"Jab Dil Udaas ho to Sai ka

naam lena" I.e. "When one feels depressed at times, while facing the pain and

miseries of life. But, if such feeling of pain and misery is true ,so is the

feeling of pain and misery is true , so is the feeling of joy and bliss too.

One should see Sai in both the situation. In happiness without wasting too much

time rejoicing if we help others in getting the same happiness in Baba's name or

work for the cause of Baba then

the happiness that we derive will be more lasting. Physical happiness is

momentary and once it is gone it brings sorrow as mind has a tendency to ask

for the same or more happiness always, which is not possible in human life.

Whenever you are in sorrowful situation remember Baba's words.” See what comes

next”. Keeping in touch with Baba internally and thinking of Him reduce sorrow.

By reading Sai Satcharita, by singing Baba's Bhajan s the sorrow gets certainly

lessened. In bad times one must read about Baba as much as one can, meditate on

Him, chant His name, sing His devotional songs and help other people who are

undergoing pain and misery. 53. We the dwellers of darkness

when see the first ray of light get so perturbed that we want to go back to

darkness. What do we do at such times? Sadguru cannot leave His devotees under

any condition the devotee realizes it or not. That is why Baba used to say that

one should pray to Him with Shraddha and Saburi. Whenever the grace of Sai

descends upon anybody usually it is seen that this negative qualities reduce

and good qualities grow. From those initial experiences only, they think that

they have reached somewhere or they have achieved spiritual knowledge. Akin

this initial state as the final state such people start behaving like a Guru

themselves. Many people cannot progress because

of this and try to live the life in a dramatic manner. After sometime if the

devotees face any adverse situation, such Gurus turn the other way. In such

situations various reactions are seen of some people. The water stored in an

unbaked pitcher breaks down, similarly their faith also gets easily broken down

Those who conduct themselves in a normal way after receiving Baba's grace at the

first instance and never exhibit their devotion, they gradually achieve

closeness with Baba. Nourishing spiritual and religious ambition is a

limitation in the path of spiritual evolution. 54.

Roman'"> How do I get courage to walk on the right path and how

do I know what is the right way? Read Sai Satcharita carefully and regularly.

You will get all the answers. All spiritual books and biographies of Masters

basically deal with such answers. 55.

What do I do to become a better human being? Examine your conduct daily and try

to improve upon your qualities. Read Shri Sai Satcharita and learn from

examples and Baba's advices. 56. What are the traits of a

perfect man and how to achieve this?

justify">He who is completely liberated from all earthly entanglements is a

perfect man. He is not limited by any place, group, system, and laws of nature

and has got full control on all base elements in mind, such as desires, lust,

anger, etc. He is dispassionate under all circumstances and his vanity of being

a man has also deserted him completely. Many sages who were proud of being a man

could evolve spiritually only when their ego was annihilated completely. There

is the example of Vishwamitra and others. Please guide me as to how to stop

worrying all the time and be at peace with myself? When you are worried think

of Baba and remember His saying- "I take care of my children, no matter how far

they may be”. Pray Him always.

TEXT-INDENT: 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">57.

Does Baba think it is right to silently bear the injustice and let the

people do what they want to do to you or does He think it is right to leave

such a situation and look for peace, so one can think about Him and become what

he wants you to be? Baba always said people who tolerate, I am with them. But

avoid the negative situations as far as you can. Pray to Him and internally He

will lead you in the right path. Save your valuable time out of useless

arguments and fights in order to serve Him.

TEXT-ALIGN: justify"> 58. What is our role in helping to

spread peace globally? How can a normal office-goer like me contribute to this

cause? To be global spiritual worker at first one has to develop the qualities

of tolerance, love to fellow beings and greed-lessness. Generate peace in

oneself first, then only you can spread peace to others. This peaceful attitude

and tolerance need to be practiced in the materialistic and the official

world as well. All of us can certainly play our roles when we are ready. 59.

In what state are the Sadgurus? Sadgurus are human beings who are

in pure divine state, because they posses all the attributes of God in

themselves. Vasudev Krishna was God incarnate who had assumed a human body.

What is Sai Baba in reality? So far I am unable to say this with certainty.

Without the direct experience of Baba I do not want to infer anything

imaginatively and emotionally. When I will have a direct experience of the true

form of Baba I will certainly tell. But this is for sure that Baba was in a

paramukta state and was beyond life and death nd had divine powers to control

elements of nature and lives of millions of people at His will. 60.

What is the role of Sadguru in our life? Sadguru gives the ability of God

realization. His first function is to give the experience of attaining the

state of "Pramhans" to human being. Without the grace of Sadguru it is

impossible to achieve such state. One in billions can go beyond this

state.’Paramukti' and 'turiyavastha' can be attained with great difficulty.

Sadguru removes all the impediments in the path of spiritual evolution of the

human being. Sadguru breaks all the concepts caused by sheer intellect. All

concepts are symbol of ignorance. When ignorance is dispelled his inner

knowledge gets illuminated itself. The true knowledge is yielded by all the

concepts. Therefore, it is necessary to shed them. One who thinks that he is

the most intelligent person, Sadguru will wipe out his ego of intellect till he

admits that his intellect is full of follies. Sadguru always works upon the

devotees so that human being should transcend over all his limitations and

attain a limitless

state. 61. Is there any difference between an Avatar and Sadguru?

If yes, then what is the difference between their divine play? They both have

the same purpose and same methods. Only level of functioning and human groups

on whom they work may differ. Both give a mighty thrust to the growth of human

civilization. Only this can be told in short. 62. Is it true

that Sadguru takes the sufferings of every creature? The Sadgurus are without

any past Karma bindings. The seeds of all past Karma are burnt. They are in a

state of Karmik vacuum. Therefore, the effects of Karma of anyone coming into

their contact enter into that vacuum. This is true whether one know it or not.

This work is carried out for Sadgurus, or all souls coming into their contact.

in any manner.

Whether human being wants it or not, is also not material because the law of

compassion of nature working through the Sadguru works spontaneously. When a

horse was beaten up, Baba's back turned black and blue with beatings, this is

only a small instance. Whenever Baba's devotee is in pain, a thought or bhava

in heart or we utter a word from our mouth, a vibration or ray instantly

reaches the Sadguru. As Baba used to say "Be wherever you are and do whatever

you like, I will know it even if I am thousands of miles away from you". 63.

Those who become the constant cause of our suffering and misery, are it not

proper to want the penalty for such people for their wrong doings? Who are we

to award the consequence to anybody for his doings? This work lies with God

only. Everybody will bear the consequence of his actions. Many a times a human

being misconceives himself as the cosmic lawgiver. God delivers Justice only.

Because of our limited intellect we think that we are being subjected to

injustice. We tend to forget that we had also committed injustice towards

somebody. Many times we become proud of our strength and the capability and try

to turn the situations in our favor. If one wields power then that should be

used to conquer one self. If one wants to emerge victorious then one should

conquer those causes due to which enmity and aggression rise in

heart. No matter how many hardships come in life, one should bear the burnt of

the circumstances with much forbearance. It needs great amount of inner

strength to be generous towards those who consider our enemy. Today, if we save

ourselves from some of the causes of aggression, tomorrow there will be a new

set of causes to generate aggression. Thus, we will be left entangled in the

cycles of causes and their effects. Sadguru wants to liberate us. He wants to

lead us to a place where after reaching all the problems come to an end and a

fountain of bliss begins to flow. But we are stuck up in the little thorny

bushes of this path and get troubled by their pricks .We are not prepared to

bear little pain a little more. We want that Sadguru should remove those

thorns, which causes us little pain. One should not waste one's own and

Sadguru's time. Why not hold on to the theme of devotion and forbearance in our

heart and meditate at the feet of Sadguru then he is not to be told of our

miseries. He knows all about his devotees. He is ever ready to bear the burden

of his devotees. 64. When Baba resides within us then why don't

we reach Him? God, Guru, Atma are the same eternal consciousness in the

ultimate reality. Baba is within us in subtle form in our soul-known as

'Antarsakshi' -one who knows everything about us. He is within us in the form

of self-illumination. He

is in our mind greets noble thoughts. We do not have that power or inner sight

which can see Him in the light form. Yogis after effort of many lives get that

inner sight by which they can see Baba's swaroop in the form of light within

them. Sometimes we do experience Baba in our Atma out of feeling of devotion

and love but mostly we imagine Baba in mental form. We keep thinking of Baba's

photo, words, and His works. Moving ahead step by step we can reach His true

form, when we will be ego less have no more desires, become totally detached,

take control over lust, anger, hatred etc. When our heart will be blemishless

and mind will be calm, then only Baba's actual form can be experienced. As the

sky does not reflect water when it is disturbed by waves similarly, until, mind

will be calm, then only Baba's actual form will be experienced. As the sky

doesn’t reflect on water when it is disturbed by waves, similarly, until, mind

is completely stilled and get absorbed in Atma, it is not

possible to see Baba's form in it. One has to strive for this. Only Sadguru can

instruct about that path. Therefore ,one should continuously pray Him and

follow the commands given by Him. 65. Knowingly or unknowingly,

with the body or mind we commit many sins, can we control this? Committing a

sinful act knowingly or unknowingly are two different things. If any sin is

committed knowingly

it is certainly much more serious because we are aware that it is not right but

still do it. If we are walking on the road and an insect gets crushed under our

feet or if we accidentally hit someone while driving on road, they are not so

sinful acts as as the ones done knowingly and consciously. The latter type of

sins also fall into two categories - physically, by direct acts involving body

and mentally, by thinking sinful acts like lust, anger, violence etc. Very few

people can actually understand what the final consequences of any of their

actions will be because what is considered to be good today may turn out to be

bad tomorrow. We must pray to Baba that He should give us the capacity to

discriminate the good from bad. He should give us the wisdom. We must pray to

Him to take us from darkness towards light so that we are able to take just and

right steps. We should read the life history of Saints to understand how they

conducted themselves on this path in human form and how

some ordinary human beings realized God by their faith ,patience and self

exertion 66. God internally knowing it very well that we are

committing wrong deeds ,why can't we stop ourselves from bad action? Despite

all our efforts if we are not able to control it then it could be the effect of

causes carried out from previous births. What happens spontaneously is

predestined. We don't

wish accidents to take place even then accidents happen at times without our

mistake. The laws of nature are inevitable. Our sanskars or impressions come

from many births and they can only be removed slowly. The Sadguru says-'I have

no objection even if you commit mistakes thousand times. Because I know that

you will commit a mistake. Such are your impressions through thousands of

births. But I expect only sincere efforts to evolve in the direction of inner

transformation through a process of self-analysis and honest actions. Through

this process you will evolve". Sadguru knows this that human beings are bound

to commit mistakes. Sadgurus are the mountain of forgiveness and peace.

Therefore their grace is necessary for evolving out of such a situation. With

Guru kripa inner strength of mind will evolve to stop us from committing sinful

acts.

Roman"> 67. Why do calamities happen in some of the places and not

in others, what is the logic? When it is said that God is One and sustains

everyone then why does He not prevent hunger? A simplistic approach to the

problem, which can be answered, but can’t be explained within a small space and

time. God is so expanded, multiplied in different forms that it is not possible

to understand without exerting oneself. Some people tried to get an answer the

whole life or for few lives. The Prarabdha Karma makes

all the difference. The same man who asks why there is problem to human beings

when God is there, can also ask as to why the human beings should kill animals,

birds and use them as their laborers. 68. My question is that why

do I find all devotees in pain. I see that each one of them suffering from some

or other kind of problem. Why are they suffering being so close to Baba? All

devotees are certainly not in pain. A real devotee will surely not consider the

worldly pain as pain. He will consider his separation from Sadguru as a pain

and will always try to be close to Him at the cost of the whole world. He is

always in a state of ecstasy. Usually people with pain come to Baba. There is a

small number who come when they have no problems. Human beings have always

treated God in this manner. But Baba takes care of them. They are not suffering

because they come to Baba. Had they not come they would have suffered the more.

The support of a Sadguru is never known so easily. 69.

Roman'"> There are many noble people in this world who always help

others in their lifetime but still have to suffer a lot. Why does it happen

while so many sinners live happily? Kindly answer. Sinners don't necessarily

live happily and good ones do not necessarily suffer. Past life actions at

times create adverse results in this life for good people. Similarly for

sinners of this life, at times good actions of the earlier life act positively.

We should continue to be good with faith in Baba.

mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">70. Religions are different but is there

anything common in them, I mean are there any common parameters? "Dharma" is

from a Sanskrit root (Dhaa) which means to hold and also to think. Religions

therefore try to hold together not only different human beings but also the

other aspects of nature like plants, animals, birds and all living aspects. As

ordained by nature they live together and are inter-dependent ,therefore these

must be held in a fine balance. The principles for holding them for the

greatest good of them for the longest period of time are known as Dharma. The

concepts of Hindu universalism, the Muslim brotherhood,

the Christian service, the Buddhist tolerance are nothing but attempts to bring

out and establish the common denominators of togetherness. Human beings are

aware of these but lose their path from time to time when these Incarnations

again come and re-establish I have been facing a lot of problems in my life,

lately I am finding it difficult even to concentrate on prayers .I used to keep

Baba's photo in my hand and keep talking to Him. I feel He is the only near and

dear I have. Always keep talking to Baba mentally even if you are not able to

worship formally or praying to Him with concentration. These difficulties are

but a test of your faith and mental capacity. I do the "Naam Japa ' of Sai's

name daily. My problem is that I cannot meditate. Please give me a method or

instruction whereby I You need not meditate. Do the "Naam Japa" always as much

as possible can meditate on Him. 71. I want to do one-week

paraayana of Shri Satcharita. Kindly tell me how to go about it? Begin on a

Thursday after worship of Baba. Finish on the seventh day. Feed some needy or

poor people after it is completed. During paraayan be calm and concentrate on

Baba.

0in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">72. How do I

focus on the physical form of Baba when I know that He is not living in His

physical body now? Focus on the photograph of Shri Shirdi Sai. Initially on His

physical form as you see in photo. Gradually you will be able to perceive Him in

subtle form. Meditate on Him consistently, then He may reveal His real self to

you. The method of meditation is given in Shri Sai Satcharita, I feel an

awakening within, there is a lessening of desire and a joyful contentment in

all that arises. I feel truly blessed. I have prayed for two years nothing

more.

0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"> 73. Pray to Shirdi Sai, the

Master. You are on the right path. Divine help is received at times through

prayers. It is a wishful thinking or is any prayer of mine really coming true?

Honest prayers give joy, hopefulness and purity. Please continue.

justify"> 74. Sai yantra is available commonly is it advisable to

do siddhi with it? Please do not go after Siddhi. Go after Bhakti and love for

Baba. Shri Sai never prescribed for use of Sai yantra.

lfo1">75. I am a medico preparing for my postgraduate exam. I would

like to know how to meditate on Sai daily and regularly? You can pray for His

blessings .He is the giver of even the mundane things like the result of an

exam. Meditate on His sitting figure from feet to head and then from head to

feet. After some time you will be able to concentrate on His full figure and

internalize His form.

level1 lfo1">76. When and how and where should one practice

"Gayathri Mantra"? Gayathri Mantra is the main mantra that should be remembered

by every Hindu for that matter every human being. This mantra is for meditating

upon God and also for welfare of the Universe. This is a mantra and a prayer

too. Therefore, it can be practiced with much ease and spontaneity. One should

chant or meditate on this while facing towards Sun. In the morning facing

towards east, in noon facing towards west, one should sit in the corner of a

room or at One should repeat a certain number of mantras daily and gradually

increase this number. During Japa one can either externally or

internally concentrate on the statue of Gayathri or on sun or Gurudev Gayathri

is Parashakti from whom the universes evolve. 77. By what method

Baba's worship should be done at home? There is a basic difference between the

worship of Baba done at home or in the temple. The 'Praan Pratistha' is not

usually done of the idol at home, usually His photograph is worshipped.

Therefore any

suitable method can be adopted to worship Baba. It is necessary to simplify the

method of worship. Most of the external rites and rituals are artificial if

they do not evoke inner Bhakti Offering a single flower with Bhava and with

unshakable faith in Sadguru is sufficient. If we are away from home for some

reason, we can still do Baba's worship the same way as we do at home mentally,

sitting in a place. At home this work can be assigned to anybody, Baba is

beyond any discrimination of religion, caste or creed, small or big, rich or

poor. It is said in the Vedas that all the deities are inherent in the Sadguru.

So there is nothing wrong if Sadguru is worshipped in the form and manner of

deity. Sikh devotees sacrificed their lives happily for their Gurus because it

was there belief that Guru is eternal and will always be with them. It is

absolutely necessary to have immense faith towards the Sadguru.

justify"> 78. In which direction Baba's idol or image should be

installed? Baba can be worshipped or installed in any direction. In Shirdi the

direction of Dwarakamai is southward, which is known as the direction of

Yama-the Lord of death. However, East or North or North East directions are the

best. 79. Is it necessary to prepare something different to

offer to Baba? Is there any particular food item required for offering to Baba?

Whatever is cooked in the house for ourselves the same should be offered to Baba

and distribute among others. Whatever is offered to Him with pure 'BHAVA' will

be acceptable to Him. In certain forms of worship offering non-vegetarian food

to the deity is prescribed. It is only our mental yearning or "bhava" behind

such offering which is accepted by the Sadguru.

0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"> 80. The devotees desire to be with

you always. When they are away from you they feel deprived. What is your

reaction to this? One who has taken Baba in his heart will never feel deprived

or depressed .It is not necessary that a devotee should always remain near His

Guru in gross terms. The devotees who are physically very close to Guru may be

very far from Him and those who are physically distant may be very close to the

Guru. The

important thing is that what is the mental state of a devotee towards His

Spiritual Master? In my thoughts there is no one else but Baba. Those who are

close to Baba, I am close to them. I go along the Bhava or mental attitude of

people. 81. What is one's external appearance is meaningless

for me. The only important thing is that how single pointedly the devotee is

devoted towards Baba, and what is his level of thought and feeling?

justify">Besides this nothing else holds any importance. This is what Baba has

said number of times. 82. Many people come to you for a solution

to their problems. Knowing the fact that their problems are outcome of their own

'karmas’, you pray to God for helping them. What is your reaction to this? I can

only pray to Baba to solve the

problems of His devotees .My only appeal to Sadguru is that if He bestows His

Grace upon the distressed devotees then their sufferings would go away. Rest is

on Sadguru or God. He will do, as He may like to do. When anybody remembers God

with a pure heart, in that state of 'Bhava ' he gets away from the shadows of

bad effects. My effort is that the devotee should be inspired towards the right

path and surrender to the Master. Self itrospection:

lfo2">1. Why do you come to the temple of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba?

a) Is it because you love Baba so much that at least without His symbolic

presence, life seems meaningless to you? b) Is it because you take some time

out of your busy schedule and come to Baba's temple for generating a nobler

state of mind by praying, singing Arati and doing Pooja etc? c) Is it because

you have too many problems

around you in the practical world surrounding you and cannot fight and therefore

run to the temple for getting blessings of Baba? d) Is it because you have

problems and want to solve it through Baba's grace within the desired period in

the desired method? 2. Do you remember Baba having said that

all seeds planted need not necessarily become trees? Are you prepared to

believe

that you may not get as much results as you wish by coming to the temple? 3.

Whatever you offer to Baba, are they out of your honest income?

4.

7pt 'Times New Roman'"> Do you think it is proper to make

presents to Baba out of your dishonest income? 5. Don’t you

remember that Baba had refused to take gold and silver presents from a Queen

who had come in a palanquin but, had accepted a single chapatti with an onion

from an old lady offered out of love?

0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"> 6. Are you coming to temple to

satisfy your sentimental requirements at the cost of your family members and

other dependents? Don't you remember Baba had forced Mahalsapathi to go and

stay with family because he was coming and staying at Dwarakamai .Are you doing

your family duties perfectly?

l1 level1 lfo2">7. Do you come to temple to socialize because

you have known people there and to gossip about things? Don’t you think it is a

useless wastage of time to talk, discuss topics pertaining to issues other than

that of Baba, religion and spiritualism? 8. Don't you think

that it is better to spend your time in meditating on Baba, praying,

participating in Arati or by reading books like Sai Satcharita etc. 9.

Since no one is perfect, don’t you think it is improper to think of

the imperfections of others or gossip bout them in the temple? Don’t you

remember that Baba had told one person that talking ill of other person is like

a pig eating dirty food, just as some find fault in others?

TEXT-ALIGN: justify"> 10. Do you think that your devotional level

is higher than that of others and therefore criticize about others way of

worshipping. Don't you think that it is highly negative approach? 11.

Roman'"> Don't you agree with Sri Sai saying that we meet people

and face problems because of Rinanubandha I.e. debt of the past life? If we

believe in this saying of Baba then isn't it required of us to accept our own

problems and not always cry and fret about them. Do you think that anyone is so

specially chosen by God that He will have no pain and problem but only

happiness? 12. Do you have the amount of patience

(Saburi) and faith (Shraddha) needed to come closer to Baba? Do you think that

your Shraddha is constant or it changes with problems and situations? Do you

change your mentors’ frequently? 13. Baba always advised people

to develop qualities of kindness, impartiality, sympathy, tolerance and

sacrifice to others. How much sacrifice do you do for others at your cost? Do

you think that whatever little sacrifice you think you do is enough?

justify"> 14. Do you remember Baba having said that when two

persons are fighting, the person that doesn't hurt the others or tolerates the

negatives is dearer to me .Do you do so? 15.

Roman'"> Do you think that unbridled sentimentality, which includes

crying and wailing etc are required in spiritual path? Don’t you know by such

sentiments, you, at times, cause harm to others and contaminate good

atmosphere. Is it not better to contain your emotionality within yourself, and

not make a public display of it to establish your devotional fervor? 16.

You want yourself to be sympathetically dealt by others

and also to be understood. Don’t you think that others also would be expecting

the same from you? Do you do so? 17. Do you think that by being

jealous about others improvements even in the devotional field, you gain

anything? 18. Whatever work you do for Baba, are you doing it

honestly and with intensity I.e. purity of thought, or do you do it in a casual

manner? 19. We want Sri Sai to take care of all your problem but

do we equally try to even do a fraction of His work perfectly for His cause?

0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"> 20. Do you think the blessings of God

will come to you when you don't qualify for it, breaking the law of Karma I.e.

action and reaction syndrome? 21.

Roman'"> Don't you think it is proper that you first work for His

cause, which qualifies for His blessings? Good resulted do follow ultimately in

accordance with the 'Law of Karma'. If you really want to have the blessings of

Baba and live peacefully along with your fellowmen, first improve your own

qualities on the lines indicated in the preceding paragraphs. THINK, THINK AND

THINK 22.

Roman'"> Everything happening in this universe is mystically

systematical. Every action /word has a meaning and a purpose behind it. Is it

true? Law of Nature is highly precise and scientific. Nothing is meaningless

and unsystematic in nature no matter how so ever small. Just remember that 'Man

is God fooling himself’. Those human beings who strived and knew the laws of

nature, to them there are no mysteries. They are saints, yogis and Perfect

Masters.

Roman">23. If there is one God, then why are there so many

religions on this earth? It is only God, the Almighty or the Divine force that

is responsible to create the human beings, sustain them and also to bring about

their physical end which we term as death. All this is true for the living and

non-living. All these beings carrying human souls are scattered all over this

earth. They are born in different social, cultural and geographic situations.

Each one has certain level of consciousness, and a series of experience. The

experiences and levels of consciousness may be similar but cannot be the same.

God creates different religions for the evolution of different group of souls

who

are required to follow the path which one religion prescribes. In fact,

religions have been created differently through different Incarnations to

evolve different groups of souls. Any person who is born in one religion

should, therefore, stick to it because without experience of the path

prescribed by that religion, he cannot further evolve. So Gita clearly tells us

'Swadharme nidhana shreyah,Parodharma Vayavaha' which means it is better to die

for one's own religion ,than accept any other religion. 24. If

all religions

have came out of God, then why do people fight on religion? If human beings were

that perfect, there was no need for God to incarnate and establish so many

religions. Only because human beings naturally have tendency to differ and

antagonize each other, therefore, religions try to show them different ways to

get out of their self created problems and limitations. The main problem is

that after the departures of the Incarnations, interpretation of His sayings or

some religious leaders, who are imperfect, do commands. Some of them, even if

possessing some spiritual power interpret the original sayings of the

Incarnation in a limited way. History shows that at times, such interpretations

are totally contradictory to what the founder of any religion had said. Common

people, not knowing the difference between the real incarnations and these

leaders, follow them blindly. This lead to fanaticism, rivalry and even wars.

Whenever situation becomes bad and people suffer due to wrong interpretation of

religion, God again incarnates and re-stabilizes Dharma, the rules of nature.

This has been going on since long and will also continue in future. 25.

Religions are different but is there anything common in them, I mean are

there any common parameters? 'Dharma ' is from a Sanskrit root (Dhaa) which

means to hold and also to think. Religions therefore try to hold together not

only different human beings or group of people but also the other aspects of

nature like plants, animals, birds and all living aspects .As ordained by

nature they live together and are interdependent; therefore these must be held

in a fine balance. The principles for holding them for the greatest good of

them for the longest period of time are known as Dharma. The concepts of Hindu

universalism, the Muslim brotherhood, the Christian service, the Buddhist

tolerance are nothing but attempts to bring out and establish the common

denominators of togetherness. Human beings are aware of these but lose their

path from time to time when these Incarnations again come and reestablish these

concepts of love, tolerance, sacrifice, unity and simplicity. I would like to

know whether Sai Baba is coming as Maitreya Buddha in future. If so

,how can I make sure He and coming Buddha . 26. All incarnations

are the human forms of God, playing different roles at different places and

different points of time. They do not are same? I love Sai Baba a lot and have

a great faith in Him. Ever reappear in the same body. Only highly evolved souls

can know about an incarnation. Unless He reveals it Himself others

cannot know. Believe that Baba is same as Buddha. Your thinking, even if you do

not know the inner truths of nature, is correct. 27. I just

learned about Sai Baba today. Is He the reincarnation of Jesus on earth? Shri

Shirdi Sai is an incarnation .His role on earth has been like that of

Jesus,-kindness personified, the most merciful man to redeem humanity of its

misery. 28. I would like to know what is the relationship

between Baba and Jesus? And if I believe in Jesus, can All incarnations are

manifestation of God. The Almighty works differently at different times and in

different societies as per the prevailing conditions. I believe in Baba too?

There is a lot common between Baba and Christ I.e. love, self -sacrifice,

living like ordinary people among their

disciples etc Go Step by Step. Always pray to Him to give you the direction.

Even I believe in Jesus as the kindest redeemer of millions of human beings.

29. I want to start a "Sai movement" in a foreign land but have no

idea or contacts to do that. How should I go about it? First action to start a

Sai movement is to make oneself mentally, morally and financially strong. The

immediate steps you can take at this stage are: - a) Get His Photograph,

pictures for free distribution. b) Get books on Him and magazines for

circulation. c) Call the devotees on a Sunday and do prayers. 30.

Roman'"> I am in search of my spiritual destiny at the moment .I

would like to preach for Sai Baba but I have no resources for that. Please

advice? To have a desire to work for Shri Sai is a noble idea. But, first one

must create a ground by his own hard work and patience. Such work can be done

if one has pure emotions supported by intelligence, knowledge and material

support. One has to create these assets for himself/herself before taking a

plunge. The growth will be slow and one has to face this reality with

forbearance. There is no shortcut to spiritualism. Pray to Baba to build you up

for His cause.

Roman"> 31. What should be the role of patrons of Sai Temples

towards the people who come to temples? The patrons should let the people come

forward, to see and worship Baba. They had special blessings of Baba when they

got an opportunity for construction of a temple .Now it is important for them

that they should not pose a hindrance to the devotees. They have already been

blessed by Baba's grace now they should let others also benefit by His grace.

Temple belongs to all. They should work with utmost humility

with a service - oriented mind. 32. Please tell me one mantra to

pray to Shri Sai Baba? Sai Mantra for you is "Aum Shri Sai Nathaya Namah". Be

steadfast in your devotion to Baba.

0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2">33.

How to win Sai's love? Though I do everyday Pooja, Sai Satcharita parayana

and His Namasmarana still I am not feeling His presence as I used to do in the

past. I want His assurance like He used to give me before, there is nothing but

silence. Please help. Baba's assurances cover this,"If you take one step towards

Me, I will take ten steps towards you". Baba's love never stops or changes with

situations. He is constantly there with you. Your faith is being tested. Very

soon He will assure you in a certain way provided you are honest and steadfast

in your prayer. Don’t worry over

temporary 34. I feel that smoking is not all that bad. Am I

correct? Baba was in the Beyond state whom no material aspect including smoking

affected. If he offered Chillum to any one, he saw to it that it did not

adversely affect the person. Rather ,some people got cured of disease as it is

mentioned in Shri Satcharita. Through group Chillum habits, he tried to

breakdown the barriers of

high, low castes and religions. An ordinary person knowing the hazards of

smoking cannot afford to continue because this habit is for his pleasure and

does not have a greater social significance. Pray to Baba to get you out. 35.

What should be our prayer towards Baba? We should pray to Baba that

first of all, He should free us from the bad actions i.e. papa, and the debts

generated

through many of our past lives. Before we ask for Baba's grace we should say

that "O Baba make us worthy of your grace”. It is necessary to become worthy of

His grace before receiving it, no matter how much one has to suffer for it.

36. Please teach me how to do prayers to Shirdi Sai Baba? Begin by

concentrating on His photograph from feet to head and vice versa as Baba has

told in Shri

Sai Satcharita. Either pray through your normal language, or Arati of Baba or

through any Mantra you know. What is necessary is a feeling of love towards

Him. Silent and concentrated prayer is the best. 37. I very much

want to get closer to Baba, both through prayers and meditation. Although,

things go smoothly at most of the times, living amidst the worldly situations

termed as Maya, one cannot avoid this situation unless one decides to leave the

worldly activities. I am often afflicted by attacks of Maya, and this

repeatedly disheartens me because I feel that all the progress that I have made

upto that point is lost. What is the way to be more steadfast in one's

principles? Totally and become a yogi or Sanyasi. Simultaneously, if one holds

on to Baba always in some form say, taking His name, speaking about Him to

others, reading about Him, thinking about Him etc, the mind gets His support to

sustain or develop the inner power to resist the attacks of Maya. More strong

the attraction towards Baba develops less strong will be the attraction towards

the illusory worldly aspects.

lfo2">38. What is the best method of praying? Is it the mental

prayer conducted silently before Lord Sai or praying aloud to the Lord? Mental

Prayer with concentration is better, in case mind has developed that capacity

or otherwise, prays aloud individually or in congregations. 39.

Roman'"> What does Shri Sai Baba require of His devotees, does He

expect them to sing His Aartis etc or are those who remember Him with

equanimity both in happiness and sorrow, thinking Him to be the only refuge in

their life will be closer to Him. Keeping devotees like us who keep remembering

Him in both happiness and sorrow, are also dear to Him? Him in consciousness

always by singing Arati or remembering Him in happiness and sorrow or even

while doing any kind of service, these are all interlinked spontaneously.

TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2">40. While praying I

go into a tunnel, some forces try to stop me while others help me to continue

going further. Is it coming from within you, your imagination or having read

anywhere about it? If it is coming from within you, such a tunnel means one is

going in the correct path. Analyse your At the end of this tunnel I see bright

light. What is the significance of this? Mind to find the origin of this

thought. Many questions will get answered if we analyse and understand our own

thought disturbances. 41. I want to perform Pooja two or three

times a day for Baba, which I was doing till some months back when I was not

working? Do not worry if you cannot do formal Pooja .If a small Pooja before

going out and before sleep is done it is fine. You can even do mental Pooja.

TEXT-INDENT: 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2">42.

I want Baba to be in each and every activity of mine? Though at the back of

mind He is always there but still I 'm not satisfied, I want to do much more. I

am working married woman through concentration. Constant and loving remembrance

of Baba through whatever support system is the best path. Read Sai Satcharita

regularly and remain at work most of the times.

TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2">43. How do I manage

my time for Baba's worship? It is said that all prayers reach Baba and

Sadgurus. Many times in my life Baba listened to my prayers instantly and has

been helping me in various forms. Though I firmly believe that all my prayers

and feelings reach Baba and Guru, sometimes I feel like having a feedback

whether God and my Guru received my prayers.

mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2">44. How do I know their response? All

prayers even the unspoken ones, the moment they are thought reach Baba

instantly. Continue to remember Him and pray to Him. Be patient and pray Him

continuously. You will get what you call 'feedback' in some manner some day.

Thousands of devotees of Baba experience Baba's grace. 45. May I

know the meaning of 'OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI'? 46. 'Hail Sai,

Oh Sai, Let you be there always!'

TEXT-ALIGN: right" align="right">Courtesy: http://www.saibabaofshirdi.net/ With

Sai love from Sai brothers – ‘’

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