Sai Vichaar for Thursday , September 08, 2005

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Sai Vichaar

www.saibaba.org

Thursday , September 08, 2005 :: Volume 8, Issue 17

(In its eighth year of publication.)

Sai Vichaar is a Weekly newsletter distributed every Thursday and is devoted to

the life, philosophy and teachings of Shri Sai Baba 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: It's all relative!

The theory of relativity by Albert Einstein has revolutionized the way the

universe around us is perceived. It is considered the greatest scientific

discovery of all times that says that space and time, which form the basic

fabric of our lives, are relative. For instance we can talk of time only

relative to something else for e.g. a clock or by the span of sunlight or

moonlight around us. Similarly space is consumed of objects from the tiniest to

the largest. Space is talked about the same way in relation to some other space.

The theory further derives that at greater speeds, which are not readily

perceived by our sense matter or mass and energy interchange. Such is our

universe that everything comes out of only one and is various manifestations of

that source. What is that source continues to baffle even the greatest

scientist. Whatever we express follows this law of relativity of nature and we

define an object in some relation. It is how you describe the relation with

that object that you perceive that object in that way. As it is said in Baba's

arathi, as you approach Baba so do you experience Him. And how one approaches

stems out of the relationship one defines. So also in perceiving Shri Sainath,

it is how you describe the relation within yourselves with Him that defines how

you will interact with Him. As one keeps experiencing Baba more then they are

redefining their relationship too. That relationship could become stronger or

weaker depending on our behavior and actions.

A stronger relationship evolves into a deeper faith that could help one tide

over the various facets of this life and beyond. In the final hour what matters

is whom can one depend on for their future journey? That the soul is ever living

and journeying has been emphasized repeatedly in all religions and by Baba

himself when he tells Nana Chandorkar that He knew Nana since over 72 lives. So

it is necessary not only to think just about this life but also the one beyond,

the one which do not know and fear about to the extent that we don't want to

talk about it. It is perfect masters like Shri Sainath who provide the comfort

and direction to their devotees and believers. May Shri Sainath ever bless

those whose faith in Him ever increases.

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Baba the Parent

Knowing the parental instincts of Baba and understanding His ability to carry

the load of millions is the first step to comprehending His enormous power. As

a consequence of viewing the incomprehensible nature of this Lord, one begins

to see the reason why He does what He does best; i.e., to aid those in real

need and to support spiritual progress by first meeting the mortal needs of all

people - His devotees or not. He is flexible to assist the advancement of

devotees so long as the latter are willing to stay course during a long and

bumpy ride because the path to material fulfillment and then to

self-realization is a mixed bag of fragrant roses and piercing thorns. It is

the responsibility of a devotee to demonstrate trust and patience along the

way, for the person has not seen the larger map with paths leading to Him.

Developing a discipline to work hard with dedication and devotion will help

realize the greatness that Baba truly is; especially in light of the Lord

himself declining any glory and, to that simplicity we flock to Him.

(Contributed by Raj Ponnaluri)

DEVOTEES SAY:

Uma TI used to read various articles regarding miracles performed by Baba in

different ways. I did not believe in them totality even though I believed in

Baba since childhood. This was because I felt that any believer who said that

Baba has done this and Baba has done that for them and that too in difficult

and adverse situation and after many prayers for the things they wanted. But

the things which are fulfilled in a routine manner on the correct time and

place without any apparent effort made by individuals and special prayer is

also a miracle of Baba. It is my sincere belief that many things being

performed in day to day affairs, for e.g. sleeping, awakenening or eating etc

is routine for every person. Further for the routine matters the believers do

not thank Baba for the miracles which are due to Baba but for other matters

regarding visa, money problems, marriage etc, they approach Baba without even

putting in hard work at the outset. This approach, according to me, is purely

selfish and using Baba's faith for personal ends. In fact we should feel the

miracles of Baba in providing all things, including normal routine matters and

giving time to believers to think about Him. My personnel experiences are that

even if any one who is not a firm believer of Sainath Baba and unconsciously

seeks his help and which is correct for us, Baba fulfilled the wish. Baba also

fulfills those wishes if expressed once only. It is not necessary to ask his

help repeatedly on the same matters by putting forward different conditions.

Baba shows his compassion and grace if a believer prays no matter whether a

person is sincere or not. Further, if the wish is not correct but is conducive

to us but we are ignorant regarding the negative effects, then also Baba will

grant only those wishes which are good for us.

SL AbhyankarWhat makes a person become devout? I guess, this can become a good

"Question of the week"! I am prompted to frame this question when reading a

response from Mr. SV Swamy, Hyderabad, India, in response to an earlier

question, "How to read Sai Satcharitha?" Mr. Swamy has raised some points worth

deliberating upon and one of the points, as I see it, is What makes a person

become devout? Mr. Swamy already has some answer, where he says, "You have been

inspired to read Sai Satcharitha, most probably because of some difficulties". I

would consider this as part of the answer to the broad question. A more

comprehensive answer is probably found in just one verse in the seventh chapter

in Geeta, "Chaturvidha Bhajantey Maam Janaah Sukrutino-rjuna | Aarto

Jidnyaasu-rarthaarthee Dnyaanee cha Bharatarshabha" This verse identifies four

prompts for a person to become devout. Hemadpant himself was attracted to Baba,

not because of any difficulties in his own life, but more as an inquisitive

person, a Jidnyaasu. His inquisitiveness became more fuelled when he became a

witness to the incident of grinding of wheat (chapter 1). Mr. Patankar from

Pune (Chapter 21) had studied the scriptures vast and intensely. Yet he was

unsure of his spiritual progress. The most important element lacking in his

learning was devotion, for which Baba told him the story of the merchant who

did not fight shy of collecting the excreta of a mare. Patankar was a Dnyaani

and became devout after Baba's blessing. Devotion of Damu-anna Kasar of Nagar

was wholesomely based on personal gains (chapter 25) - whether he should

indulge in Cotton-trade or trading in grains and whether he will have progeny.

He was Artharthee. People who suffered afflictions and maladies, as many as 7

of them in one single chapter (chapter 13) were all Aarta, desperate people. So

was Amir Shakkar in Chapter 22. So, whereas Geeta summarizes the philosophical

thought, Sai Satcharita exemplifies it!

WayneI am an Australian who a few years ago had an experience of Shirdi Baba in

the astral regions. I sought help to a word I uttered while looking at Baba, no

one seems to have heard this word before maybe there is someone who knows its

meaning. (I was in a cave inside a large mountain listening to Baba speak, on

his fire which was unlit, was a huge iron pot with old coins and a few precious

stones. He told me to take some but not all for he wanted some as well. As Baba

led me to the entrance back out of the cave I started to walk away with a big

smile of love, when suddenly on the side of the mountain right in front of me

appeared (Visnu-Shiva-and Brahma) with great joy and excitement I looked back

at Shirdi Baba who was smiling, I was pointing at this beautiful sight yelling

out with joy the word LUMAH. Over and over with excitement I called out that

one word, LUMAH). Has anyone heard it before, if so please tell me its meaning.

Om Sai Ram.

PRAYER CLUB:

Sudha RPlease help me Saibaba to realize my dreams and aspirations. Guide me

through these turbulent times. I know you r listening to me Sai but please give

me a sign that I would get what I have asked for.

BhuvanaWe are so confused in the job of my husband. He has not received the UGC

scale but his juniors had that. So he is upset. Now there is a vacancy in my

organization. We are confused in taking a decision. Please let me know your

decision. Can he apply to my organization?

Indrani PPlease cure my health problems. Take care of my both sisters' families.

They are struggling very much with their husbands. You only solve their problems

and make my mother happy.

Sai devoteeBaba please help me and show me the way. Baba as of now it is going

to be five years and we did not get baby. Also, I am badly in need of a good

job. Please show me the way how can I get.

NitaPlease Baba kindly show me the path. Please bring him back for the sake of

the little baby who is suffering for no fault of hers. Please Baba withdraw all

the legal cases. Baba you know Sona's birthday is on 14 September, before that

kindly make all things fine in the way that nothing had happened. Please do

something that all bad memories are wiped out from everybody's mind and a new

life is started full of happiness and only love.

SubramanianDear Sai, please bless me and cure me from my back pain of seven

years as it is becoming unbearable now. I have none else to look up to in this

regard, as all else has failed. Please I beg you to burn this past bad karmas

of mine and grant me a happy and pain free life.

KanyaOm Sai Ram!!. Your blessings are always with us. You have given me whatever

I have asked. I trying to conceive from one year but I am unable to conceive.

Please shower your blessings for progeny.

RajaniDear Baba, I sincerely pray to You to shower mercy on us; especially bless

my parents and brother and my family with good health and mental peace. Make us

feel that You are there for us always. Give us the strength and attitude. Help

us in remembering You every moment in our lives. Koti pranams, Baba.

Sai devoteeBaba please shower your blessings to my husband. so he can be your

devotee. Because without him I cannot come to your temple. Baba I don't have

drivers license. Please help me and show me a way so I can get my driving

license. Baba please do some thing so my husband could be your devotee. I pray

You for this. Please bless me and my family.

SudhakarDearest Shree Shirdi Sai Baba, With your grace I got a good job. Please

help me in performing my duties up to the expectation of my employer. Also keep

us happy, peaceful, healthy and protected in our new house. Baba keep my

parents, all members of my family happy and healthy.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:

Vijaya NairOnce I was returning from Shirdi after the darshan (audience) in a

shared taxi to Manmad station to board the train for Nagpur. Total six persons

were there including the driver. I was at the rear seat along with an old

couple. I kept a carry bag and my purse containing so many things including my

return ticket and cash near my feet. The water bottle was on my lap. When I got

down at the station, I picked up my small suitcase, the carry bag and water

bottle but totally forgot to pick up my purse, kept near my feet. I sat in the

waiting hall. There was still half an hour for the train to come. Why not buy a

magazine to kill the time, thinking I went to the bookstall. I selected a

magazine and when I wanted to pay, I remembered that I had left my purse in the

taxi itself and I did not even remember the taxi number. Oh, Baba, help me, I

prayed and ran from there to the taxi stand. The taxi drivers saw me rushing

towards them in panic so all of them came to me and asked what had happened. I

told them about my purse. One of them said that he saw me got down from a taxi

and that taxi was parked at the corner of the parking place. We all went there.

The taxi driver was about to start the vehicle, as he got a booking. When he saw

me, he came out of the taxi and asked me what the matter was. Before I could

open up my mouth all the drivers said that please check at your rear seat,

madam had left her purse there. He put the lights on and looked inside. My

purse was lying under the seat. He than said, madam, you are lucky. Had you

been late by a minute, I would have gone and perhaps, you could not have traced

me. I thanked him and rushed to the platform.

PadmaRecently, we went on a holiday trip. But before going, I had bad dreams and

I was scared. I prayed Baba to look after us, take care of us and be with us all

the time. I also promised Baba that I would write the experience once I come

back. Sai Baba was with me all the time during the trip. Once I reached the

destination, my cousin played Saibaba's songs in the car, I felt happy because

Baba is telling me that he is with me. Later my cousin asked me if I wanted to

visit Sai Baba temple, I gladly agreed to visit His temple, but Baba did not

allow until Thursday. So it was Thursday morning we got a chance to visit

Baba's temple. When we went there arathi was going on. I had a desire to attend

arathi and now it was fulfilled. In the temple, there were two lady devotees.

One lady told me that she was about to close the temple but again she thought

of doing arathi second time. She told us that it is Sai Baba's leela, Baba made

her to wait because we are coming. I felt very happy, it shows that Baba is

taking care of us. I would have been disappointed if I could not visit Baba

that day, since we have to come back that day. Also, on that Thursday morning I

had a dream in which Baba was applying Udi on me and saying that I will be all

right. When we went for sightseeing, I saw a tall building with big letters

"Sai" on it. Only Sai and no other letters. I really felt very happy again. Sai

baba showed that He is with us wherever we go. We had a safe and pleasant trip

and I thank Shri Shirdi Sai Baba for all that he has given me and continue to

shower His blessings on all of us.

HemaBaba, I thank you very much for listening to my prayers and helping me in

every aspect of my life. As I promised, I am writing a miracle that happened

recently. We went to a builder to build a house and he showed the site plan. We

liked one lot among the available ones but we were not sure to reserve it right

away. So, we called them again after three days and it was taken by someone. I

was so disappointed and I did not like any other lots. But I prayed to Baba and

asked him if it is good for us please make it available. Then after two weeks

the builder called and said that the lot is now available. I felt so happy and

I know it is because of Baba's grace.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

"Be contented and cheerful with what comes".-Saibaba

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Q. What is singleminded devotion?

A. by Pratyusha Muppala

Single-minded devotion means that one has determined or resolved themselves to

believe in SaiBaba dedicatedly. One should completely surrender at the Baba's

feet for seeking self-realization, not long for any favor from him, but only

pray to him with pure heart and faith. Baba had said" To him who surrenders

unto Me totally I shall ever be indebted."

Q. What is singleminded devotion?

A. by S.P.Srivastava

The importance of single-minded devotion for progress on the spiritual path can

hardly be overemphasized. Lord Ram explained this to Vivishan in Sunderkand of

Ram Charitmanas. This has been alluded to at great length in Gita and Bhagwat.

In the ultimate analysis it is achieved only when one sees God (or Sadguru) in

all beings and all beings in Him. In Chapter VI (Sloka 30) of Gita, Lord

Krishna assures His devotee that He never distances Himself from one who sees

Him in all beings and all beings in Him. It implies gradual euthanasia of the

concept of duality from one's mind. In Sai Satcharita, this has been

enlightened at several places. Hemadpant mentioned if only we see Sai Baba all

the world assumes or becomes the form of Sai Baba. Baba himself mentioned to

Bholkar in Chapter XV " Always worship Me who is seated in your heart as well

as in the heart of all beings. Blessed and fortunate is he who knows Me thus."

Baba graciously told Mrs. Tarkhand in Chapter IX of Saisatcharita that one who

sees Me in all the creatures is My beloved. He asked her to abandon the sense

of duality. Baba who is God Incarnate Himself assumed various forms to bring

home this truth. Some devotee saw in Him a vision of Ram. Some had a glimpse of

Vithal, Pandurang. Some disciples of other Gurus when they saw in Him their own

Gurus. They all were spellbound and remained for sometime in a state of mind

akin to mystical contemplation. Baba's only purpose was to foster and instill

in them faith and unwavering trust in their own Guru or deities and to teach

them never to deviate from their single-minded devotion. Examples can be

multiplied. Sai Satcharita has remained and will remain a living document of

faith, trust and single-minded devotion.

SAI ACTIVITIES:

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

daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 7 am

followed by Abhisek. Madhayana Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop arathi at 6 pm and Shej

Arathi at 9 pm. 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. Upcoming Events: Monthly (second Sunday of every

month) Pooja, Sunday Sepetember 11th and Samuhika Satyanarayan Pooja on

Pournima, Saturday September 17th.

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.

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.

Shirdi Sai Satsang, Ontario, CanadaShirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada invites

all to join us for Satsang every Thursday 6:30PM at 147 Winston Castle Dr.

Markham, Ont. L6C 2N4. For details on other activities and services please call

Shammi Chopra at 416-402-8089 or email us saileela99 .

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.

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.

FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:

Devotees are requested to use appropriate headings based on their subject of

writings for sending contributions to Sai Vichaar. Experiences of Devotees

pertains to specific experiences with Saibaba of Shirdi devotees might have,

while "Devotees Say" is appropriate for making their comments, responses and

other topics related to Saibaba. The section "Contributed Article " is meant

for devotees to submit their articles on philosophy and teachings and messages

of Saibaba of Shirdi. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are

requested to remember the global nature of Sai Vichaar readership. Therefore,

the content, language, style and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide

readership will be more rewarding and fulfilling. It should also be noted that

when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to,

it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately. Sai

Vichaar is immensely happy to publish details about growing Sai activities all

over the world. Please write to maildrop (AT) saibaba (DOT) org if you want to know about

Sai activities or interested in initiating Sai activities in your area. The

"Question of the week" for the week is, Sai devotee Deepak Bellur suggests the

following question of the week, Sai Satcharita clearly spells out that one

should not drive away even an ant or a fly with disdain. Q. How are we to deal

with pests like rats, cockroaches and ants?

Humbly Yours,The Editor

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>From and Editor:

Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site

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