Sai Vichaar for Thursday , September 22, 2005

[Guest guest]

Sai Vichaar

www.saibaba.org

Thursday , September 22, 2005 :: Volume 8, Issue 19

(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: Evolve at our own speed!

A perfect master is that cloud that pours its showers of mercy on those who

harbor faith and love in them. It is that supreme reality that comes in the

form of a perfect master to bridge the gap between what is visible and what is

invisible. Being self-effulgent and all pervasive the perfect master knows the

pitfalls and dangers a soul can fall in while on its journey on earth and

beyond. Being entangled by relationships and jobs it itself creates; man

neither has inclination nor time to think from the point of nature. In the

daily chores is lost the opportunity to think about the soul and its

relationship to the supreme soul. The perfect masters out of compassion and

mercy draw such persons to themselves and nurture them according to the soul’s

needs and put them on to the right course to follow. The life stories of a

perfect master inspire their followers in all walks of life and not only

provide them with strength and courage but also instill the traits necessary

for the evolution of the soul. The primary function of the perfect master is to

ensure the evolution of the soul that they attract. For this they also provide

the means for material fulfillment too in addition to spiritual thoughts.

Mistakenly most of the devotees first go to the master for fulfilling their

life’s needs be it wealth, health or progeny. In their despair when there is no

other hope left the master appears to them as a wish full filling tree. Once the

wish is satiated a few of them remember the favor of the master and continue to

follow on his path while others fall back and enjoy their gains till the next

wave of wishes start to haunt them.

Thus continues another cycle of happiness and sorrow till the person starts

recognizing that there is more to it than meets the eye. When the devotee gets

serious in thinking about issues relating to the soul, then is the time for the

master to facilitate true learning. Instead of asking what the master can do for

us, it may be worthwhile to ask what we can do to facilitate our own spiritual

evolution. In the end we evolve spiritually at our own speed!

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Murali Murali Sai Murali!

Which is the best way of sadhana? Surrender to Almighty. Always wish to become

an instrument in thy hand. Lord Krishna enchanted the whole world with his

basuri (murali). We can always pray to Shri Sai Krishna that please make a

"Murali"(Flute) in your hand. Please sing various melodious songs to wipe the

tears of my fellow human beings. Oh, Sri Sainath, please help us to play small

role in your Divine Leela. Let that music flow from your red lips which is

always caressing by its sweet kiss. Shri Saibaba give us very simple way to

escape from our karmic actions. "Do not take doer ship". It means whatever we

do surrender whole-heartedly to His mighty wish. But it is not so easy when it

comes in our practical life. When good things happen or achieved, we always

take that credit. But any bad things happening we are always blaming that God

never heard our prayers. It is better to submit everything to His holy feet.

Many times in great agony, we used to ask, "Why this is happened? Or why this

bad things occurred even if we wished for good? Recently I cursed the

misfortune fell upon us. Immediately Sai spoken through my heart."Oh, my dear

child, years before you prayed and now the time made like that." Then one

realization dawned on in my mind. Oh Sainatha, I do not know what is for next

moment. Only you know our future. Each and every moment, please make your

beloved "murali" in your hand. Let it be hollow. Without any blemishes of our

ego. Murali (Flute) is hollow and got nine holes. Our body is also like that.

Let us submit ourselves as an "instrument" to our Beloved Sainath.". Let him

decide what is good for us.

Every thing is his sports or leela. This message also He is prompting me to

write. Nothing is in our hand. Everywhere His eyes, feet and legs. We can

surrender all our resolution to him by annihilating our ego. We can always pray

"make me a simple "murali" in your hand and blew the melodious song to sooth the

wound in painful hearts. Please shower your Ananda and let me shower to everyone

whom I am meeting.

(Contributed by Ramaswamy, K.G.)

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Baba's miracles in my life

It happened 16 years back. I was in Raipur, working in an organization and

holding dual positions, Secretary to CMD and Dy Manager (Corporate). Since I

had acquired some knowledge in accounts while working in my first organization,

I was good at drafting minutes of the meeting, making agenda, resolutions etc

and recording them in the Minutes Book, hence I was assigned that job too. Our

Annual General Meeting was scheduled but before that, we had two days off

clubbed with a Sunday, so I decided to pay a visit to Shirdi. Whenever, I was

away from Raipur, I gave the charge of my office and keys to one of thes. Somehow, that time, it slipped from my mind, which I remembered only

when I was in the train and half way through. Thinking to be back within 3 days

and well before the AGM, I did not pay much importance and was relaxed. The

journey takes more than 48 hrs and traveling without reservation was difficult

because of overcrowded limited trains. Moreover, no computerized reservation

facility was available those days. Since I got the confirmed ticket for Shirdi,

easily, I thought I would get the ticket for my return journey to Raipur also

without any difficulty. However, after my darshan when I went to the counter to

purchase ticket, not a single berth was available on any trains going towards my

destination. I pleaded the booking clerk and even tried to bribe him but he

regretted, saying he would have definitely given me a berth, had there been

any. He was honest. He suggested me to take a chance on the trains itself. The

proposal did not suit me. Both the trains arrival time at Manmad, nearest

station to Shirdi, was very odd. One was at 1.30 am and the other at 3.30 am.

All the documents related with AGM were with me. I was to organize the meeting

and arrange everything. I did not know what to do. Was it a wrong decision to

visit Shirdi at that time? I was standing at a corner in front of train

timetable and looking for some alternate options but nothing worked. While I

could see the booking counter and not the clerk, the clerk was not aware of my

presence in that proximity, because of a wall. Oh Baba, please do something, I

prayed. After 5 minutes, I saw an old man of about 70-75 going towards the

booking counter. His attire was almost same as Baba wore, when alive. I just

gave him a glance and did not pay much attention. There at the counter I heard

him say to the clerk - I had booked a ticket for Raipur two months back and I

want to cancel it. On hearing that the clerk said, a lady was desperately

asking for a ticket for Raipur. I do not know where she is gone. Had she been

here, I would have allotted this berth to her. The old man than asked him,

whether the lady had bobbed hair and when the clerk said yes, the old man said,

she is standing near the time table board. I could hear their conversation, so

by the time I turned my face towards the counter, the old man was gone. I went

to the counter again. The clerk gave me the berth saying, Baba only helped you.

When I offered him extra money, he refused to accept and said, because of you, I

could get a glimpse of Baba. Did you see him, he looked like Baba, he said. I

regretted for not paying much attention to the old man, Saibaba, who came in

disguise to help me in my distress. Imagine canceling the ticket meant for the

same destination, booked two months back. (To be continued).

(Contributed by Vijaya Nair)

DEVOTEES SAY:

Gautam SAfter making a move from a different job to the present one, all that I

did was, first thanked Sainath for getting such a wonderful job, with the good

position, which I deserved after working so hard in the previous job. On my

first day in the job, I prayed Sainath to make sure that the present company

will do good in the market and so can I too grow up the ladder. Then from that

day onwards, I made a vow to read one chapter from Sai Satcharitre until my

last breath. Today I will be completing the last chapter and what happened

yesterday was, I received a post from Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi that had the

Udi as part of the Guru Poornima festival 2005. Above all the 2nd miracle is

that the post envelope has my home address but the Sansthan has not mentioned

which city I'm in, but the prasad has reached me intact, which is one of the

miracles of Sainath, wherein HE assures me that he's with me always, protecting

my family, my job and me. I surrender at the holy feet of Sainath. Jai Sai Baba.

 

Sai devoteeI made a promise to Baba that when I pass my exam USMLE with good

score, which I had been postponing for eight years, I will enter my article.

God was there with me and guided me thro the exam which I came with flying

colors.

BridgetteSai Baba, I have posted a message to You before, asking to help me to

find a job, you've answered my prayers, I'm so thankful. I got a contract (two

months +), but I made some wonderful friends, my work would not be the same

without them. I do have one wish... to meet someone, who can love me for who I

am Sai Baba, thank you so much, I feel that it would not happen without You.

Uday KumarBaba is my favorite God since child hood. Every Thursday I go to

temple and attend the arathi. This started in 1995 .I study the Baba book

daily. My mother died in 2004 with one year of struggle for her life. I had no

choice but to serve her and she was great devotee of Baba .I finished my MCA in

2001 and went to Shirdi and said Baba this degree is yours, till now I am

jobless. I don't know when He will give me a job and why he is testing me like

this? Whereever I go He is with me and the work will not be successful. Last

week he gave me pedha as prasad after a long time in the temple I thought I may

get some sweet news I mean happy news but in return I got was cold and throat

infection I suffered for almost a week. I don't know how to impress him what

ever I asked him I get quite opposite result. I don't know why He don't like

me. But still I love Him so much, I wake up taking his name and sleep with His

name.

PRAYER CLUB:

Akila SSai! This time I really really want to have a baby. Please bless us with

your grace. Please make this happen.

VikrantPlease cure me of my severe incapacitating backache. These seven years I

have somehow managed to drag, it has become unbearable and incapacitating.

Please either cure me or give me a place in your lotus feet.

SwethaPlease help me in getting a job on this Wednesday and help me get out of

the other big trouble, which only you know how I am feeling. You and only you

can decide everything Baba.

Sai devoteePlease help me to sort it out my marriage problem. I know you will

help me baba, I cannot handle this pain. Please bless me.

AnupamaOne thing I desperately need help is, I really need to reduce my anger. I

really hate myself because of this anger. I thought of taking some medications.

But the best medication for me is your blessings. Please Baba bless me to

reduce my anger and give me lot of patience. My kids are getting older; I want

to be a good example for them.

Saikrupa RaoI have failed in my engineering exams and lost one year because of

my carelessness in studies. I agree with the mistakes I committed. Presently, I

am working hard to pass in those subjects and I am seeking for your grace, my

father help me.

HariniPlease grace my life with your blessings. Help me at my job.

SabySai Baba please bless us so that we get our visa and I be able to attend my brothers wedding.

RajiniOm Sai Ram, thank you Baba for everything You gave till today. Couple of

months back I prayed that we should find a suitable house with our very limited

money, we found the house and we are doing puja on 22nd of this month. Please

bless us Baba. Help us to remember You each every moment. Thank you Baba.

GeethaI am thankful for the blessings You have showered on me, but You know my

problem. I just want to lead a happy life like any other person. Sai, please

bless me with a good companion and a dad for my daughter. I want the wholesome

family back. We feel lonely at times and cry and pray that our wish be

fulfilled. Sai, I beg You to shower your grace on me.

Sai devoteeSaibaba! You saved me from several crises in the past. Baba, please

shower your blessings on me so that I can get an elevation in my postion, which

will improve my financial condition. Please help me in clearing off the debts

and give me peace of mind.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:

RajarajeswariOne exciting Friday came when I was to give my citizenship exam of

Canada and within two weeks, we have a long awaited trip to Shirdi and meet my

family. After the exam, my husband and I did some shopping and took a train

home. When the time came to nearly get down, I did not find my handbag, which

had every legal document (PR card, Passport, India ticket, SIN, Health and

credit cards, check book, landing paper) and gold worth $500. The earth

trembled below us. First word out of my mouth was Deva!. Surprisingly my

husband who would have panicked was quiet calm for that situation. We were

running around the Subway stations and Police station until midnight. I was

cursing myself for that situation. I do not even remember having a phone number

in the bag for anyone to return. Next day the first thing I did was to pray to

Baba and opened the Satcharitha and there comes (Chapter of two Goa gentlemen

and how one was robbed and when he prayed to Baba and quit his favorite food,

got back the money of Rupees30,000). I was 100 percent assured that I will get

back my stuff by Monday and attended a bhajan at a friend's place (quit to take

anything sweet at all) and waited for the day to come. Monday morning with the

help of a friend, we wanted to know the procedure to reapply for the documents,

which would enable me to travel to India. Then a ticket collector calls my

husband saying that he has the bag, and we were wondering how did he get our

phone number (totally forgot about an old hospital card which carried the phone

number). He is at the previous station where we were at that moment. I prayed

that I find my documents, even if the gold is gone. When we found the bag it

was untouched, not missing a penny. Such is the mercy of the Lord. "Shradda and

Saburi". I thanked him and offered a small reward and the only thing he asked

was to remember him in our prayers (He knows what's powerful) and I thanked and

prayed for the unknown person (Baba's grace) who returned it.

Vandana KSometime in May, I had written to Baba that I am unable to conceive

since last five years, but by Baba grace in the month of June I was able to

conceive. Now it has almost been three months and everything is normal until

now Baba you have done a miracle for me I had almost lost a hope that I would

ever be pregnant but Baba has made it possible.

VedulaI pray to the Lotus feet of Sai. I had been given the opportunity of a new

job offer in a new country. The offer is good and so is the position. Initially,

I was in two minds whether to accept the offer or not but then the hard copy of

the offer has been received by me on the day of "Guru Purnima", which negated

all my thoughts of not taking up the offer. I thanked our Lord with all my

Love, Heart and Soul. Again, after accepting the offer I had to apply for the

processing of work authorization from the immigration authorities of that

country. I was a bit doubtful when there was a delay because I had a record of

rejection from the same country's immigration five years back for the lack of

my production of copy of the Original Degree certificate. I used to pray to Sai

to get this through since it is He who gave me the offer on the day of Guru

Purnima. Normally, we pray to Guru and give Dakshina to Guru but my case was

completely opposite. Sai Guru gave me a great gift. Last week the immigration

authorities informed me that my work authorization has been approved. I once

again thank Sai for his being with me and taking care of me. I sincerely bow to

you, Sai and kindly accept my pranams at your Lotus Feet.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

"This body is just my house. My guru has long ago taken me away from it".-Sai Baba

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Q. What is single-minded devotion?

A. by Sakshi Sareen

It is true that everything is predestined and pre-planned by the Lord; and only

in accordance with the holy writ, everything takes place. Lord has given free

will also to the individual to do right or wrong. Sai Baba, omnipresent and

omniscient, whose leelas are beyond delineation, is seated in our heart and was

always ready to accomplish his devotee's wishes and what all he want is -faith

and trust in his words. Sai never abandons his bhaktas and have his own ways to

bless us, " if we worry then no need to pray and if we pray then no need worry".

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: Navarathri Celebrations, Monday

October 3rd through Wednesday October 12th and Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Punyathithi

Celebrations, Main day October 12th.

Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, MinnesotaRegular Sai activities in Minneapolis,

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

Street 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.

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, Ontario, CanadaShirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada invites

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

Markham, Ontario, 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.

FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:

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, Q. Sai Satcharita clearly spells out that

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

with pests like rats, cockroaches and ants?

Humbly Yours,The Editor

ABOUT THIS EMAIL:

This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This newsletter is e-mailed to you

because of at least one of the following reasons:1. You have d through

our on-line page,2. You have visited our web site and shown interest

in the Sai topics and asked for information, or3. You have been gifted a

subscription by a friend or a relative.

To Subscribe Sai Vichaar for receipt by Email please visit the URL

http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the option from the

menu. If you are subscribing the newsletter for your friend or a relative, we

request that the person concerned may be notified about receiving the

newsletter and the willingness to receive the newsletter be confirmed. To

Un-Subscribe receipt of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL

http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the option from

the menu. If you have problems accessing the web page due to network problems,

please send an e-mail to support (AT) saibaba (DOT) org with the words "Un Sai

Vichaar" in the subject line. To make a contribution to any of the sections of

Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and

select the Submit Articles to Sai Vichaar option from the menu. Back copies of

HTML version of Sai Vichaar can be accessed by visting the URL

http://www.saibaba.org/whatsnew.html. For any questions or more information

regarding this e-mail or our web site, please send an e-mail to

maildrop (AT) saibaba (DOT) org and your inquiries will be attended to promptly.

Thank you,The webmaster

>From and Editor:

Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site

Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha

(A not for Profit Organization)

Mail:

182 West Melrose Street Suite #4

South Elgin, IL 60177, USA

Email

maildrop (AT) saibaba (DOT) org

Phone

847-931-4058

Fax

847-931-4066

© Copyright 1998-2005 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha - Sai Vichaar Weekly

may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission must be

obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter.

Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba

of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting

the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site is not responsible

for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.