Sai Vichaar for Thursday , March 30, 2006.......!!!Jai Sai Ram

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Sai Vichaar for Thursday , March 30, 2006Sai Vichaarwww.saibaba.org

Thursday , March 30, 2006 :: Volume 8, Issue 46 (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 WEEKCONTRIBUTED ARTICLEDEVOTEES

SAYPRAYER CLUBEXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEESQUOTATION OF THE WEEKQUESTION OF THE

WEEKSAI ACTIVITIESFROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARDFEATURE OF THE WEEK: Will Hari

Provide?A child does not ask for the nourishment, mother who feeds and clothes

the child brings upon its care. As the child grows, its demands increase.

However, the child is still not equipped to procure its needs. Although the

child knows what it wants, it is the prerogative of the caretaker to provide

the demanding child with its wants. The child as it enters the adulthood loses

the luxury of being cared for by others. The adult gets what he or she works

for. The process of spiritual advancement is analogous to the above. Baba pulls

His child to Himself and provides the infant with the necessities without being

asked for. The later stages involve the growing child command for its wants.

Baba gives. Smilingly. This stage is the audacious lag of the journey, every

prayer answered, every benefit awarded. Soon this stage should end. The

realization dawns once the power of temporary bliss wanes away and the longing

for something bigger begins to take a shape. How is the intangible realized?

The inexplicable mastered? Will Hari provide? Hemadpanth wrote beautifully, "If

there be my Hari (Lord), He will feed me on my cot". This proverb is only true

in respect of food and clothing, but if anyone trusting in this sits quiet and

do nothing in spiritual matters, he will be ruined. One has to exert himself to

his utmost for attaining self realization. The more he endeavors, the better for

him. Mercy of Sadguru sees one safely through the stages of infant and the

growing. Constant contemplation on the nature of the self, in whatever name it

is called, is the endeavor for the adult. Yes, the adult has to work for it and

gets what he or she works for!

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: The Knowledge of LoveMohabbat ka rastha jisne dikhaaya

Shraddha saburi se jeena sikhaaya

Sayee ko mere laakhon pranaam Jab gaatha hoon mein Sayee kaa naam

"The one that showed the path of love, to live with faith and patience,

Oh Sai unto you I bow countless times as I sing the glory of your name"

What did those learned say about the path shown by Saibaba? Is it bhakthi marg,

the path of devotion, or jnana marg, the path of knowledge? If it is bhakthi,

devotion, what is devotion? Is devotion, mere love of God? How different is

this from the "love" of other things? If it is knowledge, Knowledge of "what"?

Is it the Knowledge of love? Or perhaps the path itself is "prem rog", the

healthy disease of love that culminates with the death of the self! How does

loving anything that doesn't last long be considered as sane practice? A

serious contemplation on this is perhaps the means and purpose of any

knowledge. Transience is the proof of falsehood and the real is eternal.

Saibaba is the concrete form of one that is eternal. Acquiring any amount of

knowledge on the nature of eternity is still halfway unless it transforms into

everlasting love towards that which is eternal. Sri Rajaji said jnana is mere

tinsel, a flashy glitter, unless it is transformed into bhakthi. In the path of

Sadguru, no matter however learned one may be, the knowledge he acquires is no

more than a tool to experience the loving devotion for Sadguru, the love and

devotion to the exclusion of everything else.(Contributed by Sai

devotee)DEVOTEES SAY: DishaSaibaba, thanks a lot as I told that I will thank

You through Sai Vichaar once my mom gets a job offer and as it happened as

desired thanks Baba. Do take care of our case and bless me and my mom

always.SumitI am 21 yrs of age. It happened so on the month of November, I was

fast a sleep when I saw Baba getting up from his Samadhi and started walking

towards me and with smiling face He said" beta why are you worried, don't worry

I am with you." I never used to believe in God but it all started one fine

morning in May 2005 I started believing in Baba and only in Baba. This above

incident made me believe in Him even more. Baba I know You are with us I can

feel you even when I am writing this. Baba, I have devoted myself to You, I

know I will reach my goals with your blessings. Whenever I go wrong You get me

back on the right track.NikhilaI want to thank Lord Sai for helping my husband

to get the job which he had been longing for a long time. Due to the grace of

Lord Sai my husband is happy with his new job. I prayed to Sai to post

this.GeetaKoti pranams to you Sai Baba. I had prayed to Baba that if my

daughter's blood test report was read normal by the doctor, I will post it on

Sai Vichaar. As always, He showered His Grace on us and the report turned out

to be normal. Thank You, Baba. Ever shower Your kindness and grace on the

family.PRAYER CLUB: AparnaPlease Sai help me pass this exam so that I can be

independent and earn money. Please be with me Sai during the exam and help me

pass it.SanjeevaraniBaba my daughter is going to write 7th Board exams. Kindly

help her in getting Ist rank. Baba solve my brothers court case. Baba please be

with him in all obstacles.A Sai devoteeBaba, please bless me, I am waiting for

Your blessing since last five years and going through tough time, shower Your

blessing on me.MamathaI am a Sai devotee, I have been having too many marital

problems, please pray for me, thanking you all.Sai devoteeMy son is sitting

home for many years doing nothing. Kindly bless him, show him the right

direction so that he may not waste his precious life like this. Please Baba

there is no one I can go and ask for help. Please Baba shower your grace on our

family.DurgaSai please help my grandfather to recover from his illness and

please help me through my project.EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: ChaitanyaI had landed

up in the toughest of all problems at my end, which ultimately forced me to

approach the higher authorities. I couldn't believe as to why I had so much bad

luck - the New Year began with the worst times in my life. I am a hard of

hearing student living and studying independently in Canada, and Sai Baba has

been guiding me since 2003 when I started my studies. It was no doubt a very

difficult time for me - Baba wanted to put me to test, so that I learn to fight

back the odds. Being just 21 and handling life independently and responsibly has

been a very big challenge for me. Every single day of my life here would begin

with a smile, and end with a disappointed look. Somehow I wonder as to why my

"never-ending problems" don't get solved out sooner. I have been crossing the

darkest of the tunnels in my life and am still waiting to see some light. I get

impatient at times, because I am desperate to succeed in my challenges and get

eternal happiness. I had given up all hope, being totally frustrated over a

hundred issues at my end but I always thought of my SadGuru and my dear

parents. I just needed patience to wait and get all matters sorted out, and one

fine day, things started to get better. Though not all matters have been sorted

out yet, I am still grateful to Baba for showing me the right path. Baba's ways

are strange - he knows my past, present and future. He only asked for two

things, i.e. Faith and Patience and in return he would give me whatever I asked

for. Sounds simple to surrender yourself at the Guru's feet, or remember these

two things? It is extremely difficult to have complete faith and be patient

'all the time'. If Baba wills it, he would give me the opportunity to do a

Nam-Saptah (prayana) or visit Shirdi. I don't know how else to thank Sai Baba

for guiding me at every step I fall. Without my strong faith in Baba and his

guiding light, I really wouldn't have completed three years of university

successfully.NaineshI would like to share my most recent experience which

occurred last Thursday. Actually it all started on Wednesday. We are doing some

work in our back yard so I had to get a permit. In order to apply for it they

needed my copy of the Deed. I took this with me along with the original.

However when I returned home I discovered that I had lost my original copy. I

searched everywhere including going back to the township, but had no luck. I

came home and read Sai-Satcharitra as I do everyday but my mind was worried and

kept thinking about the deed. Next day on Thursday I prayed and while reading

Sai-Satcharitra thought it would be nice if it would show up today. To my Sai

who is always with me he made it show up in the mail that day some one had

found it and mailed it back to me. My joy knew no bounds I thanked Sai and now

I am sharing this with you all. He is always with us.VaishaliI would like to

share my recent experience of Baba's miracle. My in-laws lost their Passport

and ticket at Miami airport. They did not realize till they came home and it

was 9:30 pm and all information desks at airport were closed. Miami airport is

too big and my in-laws were not sure where they lost it. Next day morning I

called Miami airport office and inquire about their passport. They did not have

any information. My husband and I decided to go to airport personally. My

mother-in-law and I both are devotee of Baba. On our way to airport we both

prayed to Baba and I promised Baba if I would get the passport I will share my

experience. At the airport, we went to lost and found office and asked them

about the passport. The lady at counter told us she just received their

passport. Our eyes were filled with tears and once again Baba showed us that He

is always with us. It was impossible to get the passport back without Baba's

grace. Baba, please be with us all the time. I would like to request all

devotees please have faith in Baba all the time, He will definitely take care

what you need.A Sai devoteeAfter reading Sai Vichar last week, I felt as if

Baba is reminding me about my promises. Baba saved me on numerous occasions. On

last Vijaya Dasami day which was also a Thursday I was in hurry to reach Sai

Mandir in our place to witness the sandhya arati. I stopped at a red light and

was waiting for the green to come. There were four cars ahead of me. When the

green light came I applied gas without giving much attention to the car in

front of me. I hit pretty hard from the rear to the car in front of me. The

driver got annoyed and started yelling at me. We both pulled our vehicles to a

side to check the damages. We both were surprised to note that there was no

trace of any damage on his car but it was only my license plate which got

distorted. I was praying to Baba while exchanging the insurance information.

The other car driver apologized for his behavior. I promised Baba that I would

put in the Sai Vichar if there are no claims on my insurance. It is really a

miracle and there were no claims. On another occasion at my work one day I took

a decision not to process certain files from the customer as we were running out

time for next set of jobs. Later on we came to know that there were transactions

for very huge amounts in the unprocessed file. I was called for explanation and

after talking to the office, I promised Baba that I would put in Sai Vichar if

the issue gets resolved. Next day we came to know from the customer that they

sent wrong file with wrong amounts in it. It was a big relief for me. Baba

saved me on many occasions and these are just few out of many showed by Him.

Baba is a part of my life and there is no life without Him.QUOTATION OF THE

WEEK: "If anyone offends you do not return tit for tat"-SaibabaQUESTION OF THE

WEEK: Q. What is the best way to worship Sai baba of Shirdi? What should be our

routine?A. by Sadashiv KavthankarThere are two aspects of God or Brahman i) The

Unmanifested (Nirgun), ii) The Manifested (Sagun). The Nirgun is Formless,

while the Sagun is with Form. Shri Sai Baba was first Nirgun, but on account of

the devotion of his Bhaktas, He was obliged to take a form. Shri Sai Baba

respected the feelings of His devotees and allowed them to worship as they

liked. Some waved Chamara or Fans before Him, some played on musical

instruments, some gave betel nut with leaves and other things and some others

offered Naivaidya.

Shri Sai Baba has taught and advised us that before the senses, mind and

intellect enjoy their objects, He should be remembered and if this is done, it

is in a way by making an offering to Him. If this practice is followed, then

the object that is not fit to be enjoyed will be shunned . Shri Sai Baba said

those who are fortunate and whose demerits have vanished, take to my Worship,

If you always say 'Sai, Sai' I shall take you over the seven seas; Believe in

these words and you will be certainly benefited. I do not need any

Paraphernalia of Worship - either Eight-Fold or Sixteen-Fold. I rest there,

where there is full Devotion. One should respectfully hear Shri Sai Baba's

leelas or stories and mediate on them. If they do this as a routine they will

easily attain the object of life.God is not attained on an empty stomach. When

all our organs get their proper nutrition and are sound, we can practice

devotion and other sadhanas to attain God. Devotees brought and offered various

dishes of food as Naivaidya to Shri Sai Baba. The quantity of Naivaidya offered

by them was so much that Fakirs and Paupers could feed themselves to their

heart's content. Sometimes He would make up his mind to prepare and distribute

food to all. He cooked personally various dishes like sweet ricel, ambil, varan

and pulava with meat. He ensured that while distributing non-vegetarian food as

Prasad, only those, who were accustomed to, were given, while those who were

not accustomed, were not allowed, even to touch it. So, If we are

non-vegetarian and do worship Shri Sai Baba, it is fine and O.K.Q. What is the

best way to worship Sai baba of Shirdi? What should be our routine?A. by Geeta

NairVerse from Sai Satcharita - Chapter III, Page 11- "If a man utters My name

with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes, increase his devotion. And if he

sings earnestly My life and My deeds, him I shall beset in front and back and

on all sides. Those devotees, who are attached to Me, heart and soul, will

naturally feel happiness, when they hear these stories.{Stories from Sai

Satcharita) Believe Me that if anybody sings My Leelas, I will give him

infinite joy and everlasting contentment. It is My special characteristic to

free any person, who surrenders completely to Me, and who does worship Me

faithfully, and who remembers Me, and meditates on Me constantly. How can they

be conscious of worldly objects and sensations, who utter My name, who worship

Me, who think of My stories and My life and who thus always remember Me? I

shall draw out My devotees from the jaws of Death. If My stories are listened

to, all the diseases will be got rid of. So, hear My stories with respect; and

think and meditate on them, assimilate them. This is the way of happiness and

contentment. The pride and egoism of My devotees will vanish, the mind of the

hearers will be set at rest; and if it has wholehearted and complete faith, it

will be one with Supreme Consciousness. The simple remembrance of My name as

'Sai, Sai' will do away with sins of speech and hearing". This is how one

should worship Shri Sai Baba. Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all.SAI ACTIVITIES:

Sri Ramanavami celebrations in Chicago, USASri Ramanavami and Urs festival

celebrations are the first major celebration of the year for Shirdi Sai

devotees. The tradition started in 1910 and continues each year. Shirdi Sai

temple, Chicago will be celebrating the event for three days starting from

Thursday April 6th to Saturday April 8th. The program comprises of Aartis, Maha

Abhishek, Homam, Palki procession, Satcharitra parayan, bhajans and much more.

For complete details please visit http://www.saibaba.us/index.html or call

847-931-4058.Sri Ramanavami-Urs celebrations, MinnesotaShirdi Saibaba Prayer

Center invites all to Sri Ramanavami-Urs celebrations on April 8, 2006 from

4:30 pm onwards at Geeta Ashram, Brooklyn Park, MN. The event includes Sai

abhishek, Sai aarathis, parayan, naam jap and bhajans, palki procession and

chandan utsav. Please visit www.hamaresai.org for more details.Shirdi Sai-

Ramanavami Celebrations in Dallas-Fort Worth, TexasWelcome to Sri Shirdi Sai

Baba temple at Dallas-Fort Worth, a place of worship for the devotees of Sri

Shirdi Sai Baba. Ramnavami will be celebrated on April 6th and April 8th 2006.

For details on Sai activities and services please visit

http://www.shirdisaidallas.org or write to shirdisaidallas

Shirdi Sai-Ramnavami celebrations in Bay Area, CaliforniaWe welcome all of you

with family, to join us for Shirdi Sai-Ramnavami celebrations in Bay Area,

California on April 8th (Saturday) in Sunnyvale between 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Venue: Sanatan Dharma Kendra, 897 E Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, (Located in

Reliance Technical Service complex). For RSVP and Info contact:

saibandhu or 408-564-6704Sai Satsang, 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) comRam Navami

celebrations, Toronto, CanadaShirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada cordially

invites all to Join in Celebrating Ram Navami festival on Saturday, April 8th

2006 at 3:00 pm followed by Mahaprasad (Preeti Bhoj) The program highlites are

Abhishek - Paduka Puja and Bhajan Sandhaya. Location: Gur Mandir, 207 Queen's

Plate Dr. Etobicoke M9W 6Z7 (Highway27 and Rexdale just south of Humber Valley

Blvd). For details please call 416-402-8089 or 416-895-7905 or

email:saileela99

Shirdi Sai Mandir, Scarborough, CanadaThe Shirdi Sai Mandir located at 2721

Markham Road, Scarborough, Ontario, 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 is at 7:30 p.m. everyday.

Bhajans are 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.Sri Ramnavami celebrations in Sydney,

AustraliaShree Shirdi Sai Mandir invites you to with family and friends to join

Shree Ram Navami celebrations on 1st, 2nd and 6th April 2006 at 420 Liverpool

Road, Strathfield South, NSW 2136, Australia. For detailed programme or

Sansthan's activities, please contact Sansthan Info-Line at 0500 524 724. FROM

THE EDITORS KEYBOARD: Devotees are requested to refer to Sai activities for

information on Ramnavami celebrations. Sri Ramanavami is celebrated during the

second week of April 2006. Please write to maildrop (AT) saibaba (DOT) org if you would

like to publish about Sai activities in your area.

Sai devotee Poonam Arora suggests the following "Question of the week" for the week,

Q. What is the best way to worship Sai Baba of Shirdi? What should be our

routine? If we are non-vegetarian, is it OK?

Humbly Yours,The EditorABOUT THIS EMAIL:This newsletter is not sent unsolicited.

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