Sai Vichaar for Thursday , March 08, 2007

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Sai Vichaarwww.saibaba.org Thursday , March 08, 2007 :: Volume 9, Issue 43 (In its nineth 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: Outcry of the Discriminate!Tumhaasee jaagawoo aamhi aapulya chaada - Baba aapulya chaada Shubhashub karme dosh haraavayaa peedaa. Aataan Swaamee sukhe nidraa karaa Gopala - Baba Sai dayaalaa Purale manorath jato aapule sthalaa.

We shall wake you up for our own needs to destroy the torment that is ours due to our fate, caused by our good or bad actions - Sant Tukaram Maharaj How easy is the discrimination between real and unreal, good and bad, right and wrong and the doable and the undoable? Words of the wise have always insisted that one should show discrimination between what is good and what is bad for us. Discrimination requires knowledge and by insisting on discrimination, a definite even if minor significance is placed on the necessity of knowledge to seek Sadguru. However, surrounded by the tigers and the wolves, is it an easy task? How does one know whether a particular thing is right or wrong? On the other hand, is it possible for anyone to know all the rights from the wrongs? Can anyone assure that knowledge itself can help complete the process of discrimination? The path shown by Sai says that strong faith coupled with devotion is enough to win the grace of Sadguru who guides one not only in the worldly pursuits but also in the spiritual path.God of the destitute, Saibaba of Shirdi has shown that simple devotion shown to him with pure heart is enough to win his grace. The devotee need not fall into the trap of trying to separate rights from the wrongs for such a pursuit is not possible in one's lifetime. Sant Tukaram Maharaj captures the same thoughts in his Abhang composition in Sainath Maharaj's Shej Aarthi, where he asks the Lord to rescue him from the consequences of actions that are not only good but also bad! This is one sign of complete surrender at the feet of Sadguru with the strongest conviction that whatever is retained is only the good.CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Saints and SaintlinessSaints and Great Masters, teach their disciples only what is good for them. The object of many of their miracles or " leelas '' is to convey this teaching in the language that is best understood by the disciples. The same "leela" might have different imports to different disciples. Each disciple draws his own conclusion and learns a lesson for himself from one common context or word of the "Sadguru". Thus it will be seen that the "leela" of Sri Sai Baba insisting on his disciples giving him Dakshina had a lesson in it. Curiously enough the word "Dakshina" begins with the syllable 'Da,' with which Prajapathi prescribed three different disciplines to his three disciple-sons.

Three classes of Prajapati's sons, the_ gods, men and Asuras lived with their father Prajapathi, (viraj) as students, and led a , life of studentdom. After the completion of their term, they sought his instruction by asking for a guiding Mantra for their future. Prajapati smiled and uttered the syllable 'Da' when .each one approached him separately. The gods, men and Asuras;' .found themselves instructed each differently by the one. syllable, according to the consciousness of their failings. The , gods .took ''DA" to mean " continence," the men "Dangive" and the Asuras, "Dayacompassion." Men are endowed with the qualities of the three. The one endowed with the noblest powers and qualities, like unto gods, are always in danger of falling from, spiritual standards by their one defect, lust or want of self-con-, human failing is greed and acquisition, of Wealth and the Asura nature has -the soul-killing quality of cruelty and anger.These three natures, have to be overcome only, by practicing: the "virtues of Danta, (Selfcontrol); Dan (charity) and Daya (compassion). Sri Krishna in the Bhagavat. Gita also teaches Nara (Arjuna, man) this lesson, by asking him to renounce these three at least. There are three fatal doors leading "to hell viz. (i) lust, (ii) anger and (in') avarice. So those who ate desirous of eternal well-being must shun them" (at least). The path of this renunciation of evil is through practice of virtues and good acts done by us bring us in tune with the Divinity.

Saints have got over the effects of the various gunas Rajas and Tamas by Shrada and Saburi, faith and patience, which have led them to all actions being performed without desire for the fruits there off, for it is indeed not possible for the embodied being -to give up action completely, but there is no reaping the fruits- by going through the cycle of births, for the one who has renounced the fruits of all his actions and gone beyond the concepts of the knowledge, action and the agent and has realized the highest teaching, in the following Sri Krishna's words.

Know that knowledge to be Sattvika by which one unified eternal Principle is realized in all divergent beings"(Contributed by Source: Sai Sudha, November 1944)CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: continued....He who is desirous of eternal well-being must aspire after and practice such saintly characteristics and lead a pure and devotional life in obedience to the practice and preaching of saints and shun idiosyncrasies of his mind. Sri Krishna says "Saints are Myself, and the characteristics of a Saint are the following: Fearlessness, purity of heart, firm faith in self-knowledge, charity, sense-control, sacrifice, austerity, Vedic study, simplicity, inoffensiveness, truth, absence of anger, non-attachment to mundane relations, tranquility, magnanimity, kindness to animals, absence of avarice, mildness, bashfulness, steadfastness, vigor, forgiveness, forbearance, purity, compassion and humility" and adds "O Arjuna, A man born in an auspicious moment is endowed with these, godly qualities" Bagavat Gita XVI-1 to 3 and Sri Sai Baba with all the above godly characteristics is verily God Himself! Plus more, of a Chintamani, Kamadenu and Kalpavriksha, to give wholesome, good and permanent objects to the Bhakthas, unthought of and unasked by Him.(Contributed by Source: Sai Sudha, November 1944)DEVOTEES SAY: Sai devoteeI have been a firm believer of Sai Baba since a couple of years now when I prayed to Sai Baba that he take care of my wife during the birth of our daughter. It was only a miracle of Sai Baba that my wife who is afraid of needles and hospitals was able to give birth without any problem. I have been a believer since then but never made any materialistic request to Sai since I believed that He knows what is best for us and takes care of us. Last year when I was trying to change my job, I tried for 2 months but nothing worked out for me. Then I wrote a humble request to Sai Baba to get me a new job. Within no time, Sai Baba made it happen. I resisted the temptation to write to Sai Baba for anything other than to shower His grace on us until recently when I had to pray to Sai Baba once again because of a green card and job situation. With humble heart and complete faith in Him, I prayed and asked for His grace and promised to write my experience in Sai Vichaar. For one month we were worried about what is going to happen. I left everything to Him and decided to move back to India if Sai Baba wanted us to move back now. Sai Baba was gracious and helped resolve the GC situation. We firmly believe that Sai Baba puts us through tests to help us remember Him often but when we have firm belief in Him, He takes away those difficulties within no time. Nothing happens without his Will. Keep the faith in Sai Baba always.GeetaThank you Baba for blessing us with a healthy baby and helping me throughout the pregnancy, in spite of some scary situations. Thank you for giving me the strength to take care of my family. Please continue to help me grow my Shraddha and Saburi in you.Sai devoteeThank you for giving my brother a job of his choice. For a few months now, he was without a job and we were getting very worried and anxious for him. Please bless us that he will be very successful in this new office.SubramanianFour months back I and my colleague were put on deputation to Mysore only for a period of 2 months and then we had to report back to Bangalore. Since our home town was in Bangalore we wanted to stay back in Mysore along with our parents but it was not possible because one of our superior was insisting us to go back to Bangalore very often. Then one fine day me and my colleague decided to go to Baba temple. There we prayed to Baba that if we are allowed to stay permanently in Mysore, we would offer an Abhishek to Baba. No doubt Baba listened to our prayers and finally now we are permanently placed in Mysore with our parents. This is not the first time Baba has responded to me, but He has showed several incidents where He has proved that He is always with us.PreggieA few months ago I posted an article appealing for prayer for a new job. I have been for many interviews and none have panned out. This week I got a call from my old company offering me the perfect job. Bhagavan has done it again, He has put his hand on his devotee and opened the path for me. Swami I love you so much and know that all that has happened You have had your hand on me. And devotees I know you all had me in your prayers, Sai ram to you.HiteshMy son was not drinking milk and not having his cereals, food for one week. The moment I prayed to You he started to have his normal diet. Thank You Sai. Please continue to bless all.PRAYER CLUB: SoniaYou are our sole Guruji, I pray to You for solving our problems, Baba please help us getting a job, to me and my husband so we can clear our house mortgage. Me and my husband are very much worried, I can only hold your feet, I believe in You completely Sai Ram, please help me.MalligaI am waiting for a long time and I am not able to bear the trouble I am facing with my parents. Please Baba help me out of all the problems and please bless me to start a new life with my parents support. This can only be done by You and not by anyone else. So kindly help me Baba.UshaMy dearest Sainath, children's exams are about to begin. We surrender totally at your Lotus feet. Please be with them, guide them and help them to face the exams with full confidence and courage.

SudeviBaba please make our efforts fruitful. Deva we are struggling alot for every thing. Please help us and guide us in settling things in proper way. Your only blessings and kripa dristi can save us. Deva please do miracles, please help us. How long You want us to suffer like this. Please help to fulfill my wish. Om Sairam.Sai devoteeBaba, you know all about us how much tension we are going through about the jobs for my husband and son. Sai we have full faith in You only, You will do something good. Baba, he says he does not have money for the rent also. Please take care of your children, we have Shraddha and Saburi. Please show us some light and make my son have faith in You.AnshuHey Deva please help me. I am working in very small industries. I want to do job in very big company but I know I don't get any opportunity without Your blessings. Baba I have no father so please help me to get a job in big company. Deva please help me. You can do every thing . So Sai please give me new job in a reputated company. Then I can help my mother in any situation. Om Sai Ram.

PadmaPlease save me from all my problems. You know very well that I have paid my hard earned money to the Institute, after paying the money I came to know that Institute is not a good one. Please help me get back my money. I am very much worried about the money. Please help my son to concentrate on his examinations.SoumyaOm Shri Sai Natha! Me and my family are staunch followers of Shri Sai Baba and so is my best friend too. Recently she(my best friend) has been going through a lot of troubles. You know it is difficult for a person to handle so much, and still think straight under these circumstances. She is searching for a job currently and is on the verge of breakdown. She is loosing hope, she is loosing faith. Please Baba help her. She has gone through a lot already. I know You test Your devotees for their good only, but please bless her with her heart-felt job and also a nice sutiable companion who will take care of her as she wanted. I don't want her to loose faith in You or in God, please be with her always and bless her with what she deserves and be with her during this stressful time, help her think straight and give her the strength to fight all odds and achieve her final goal. Without you nothing is possible in our lives, we are completly dependent on you Baba. Don't ever leave our side, this is a humble request from all Your devotees. If my friend gets what she is seeking I will post that experience again on Sai Vichaar newsletter and do Sai Parayanam for one week. Om Shri Sai Baba ki Jai.LalithaMy beloved Saima, I surrender at Your lotus feet and pray very sincerely that I should be relieved from the financial crisis I am facing right now. All my debts should be cleared. Myself and my husband should have no problem with the current organisation where we are working right now. My son should study well and my mother in law who has left us and gone two years back should return back. I surrender at Your lotus feet and pray that all my ego should be vanished and I should become a egoless person.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: RamaI am in USA for last 5 years and believe me I never thought of driving by myself on the highways after I met an accident in the year. I trembled with fear even to sit and hold the steering. Baba knows how I felt when I decided to take a class by an instructor. When instructor called me, I thought that was the end of my life and would never get back to home. The instructor took me to drive on the highway without even giving any notice. Initially, I couldn't even speak up a word, I was profusely sweating. Although, he tried to divert and soothe me by telling nice tips about the driving, a single word couldn't reach my ears as if I am impaired. Got back home, hugged and kissed my 9 months old daughter with rejoice, as if I attained another life. That's it, that was the end of fear. Suddenly, I started feeling so confident. I went twice to take the driving test but failed. Finally, on November 2nd, I prayed and begged like anything to make me pass the test in 3rd attempt. I passed and my joys knew no bound. Still today, I feel that the instructor was none but Baba himself came to vanish my fears. I have one more goal to accomplish and without Baba's divine grace and permission I cannot even imagine pursuing it. I pray from the bottom of my heart to bless me and my family, friends and everyone around us with His kindliness.SilpaWhen I was applying for medical school, I was worried since I was not the most competitive candidate. However, I prayed to Sai Baba regularly. When I found out that I was placed on the wait list. Although I had my doubts, I kept my faith. Being in Mumbai at the time, I went to Shirdi to visit Sai Baba. After not hearing from the admissions committee for some time, I had given up hope. Then, less than two weeks before classes were to start for the term, I got a personal call from the dean of admissions, granting me a seat in the upcoming term. There are still no words to describe my elation.LalitWith Sai's grace, I had received a job offer from a company that I desired. However, resigning from the current employer was tricky since the CIO of the company would have blocked my bonus. This bonus was for all my hard work in previous year and was fairly due to me. The day for resigning was coming very close and I had yet not seen my bonus award. As usual, while doing my Sai Aarti on Thursday, Sai almost commanded in flash to go to work next day and submit your resignation (I was not supposed to go to work on Friday). However, I did as ordered and submitted my resignation. My boss was very understanding and one of the things she promised that she will ensure that I will get the bonus. Sure enough, on my last day at work, I was given my bonus. Thank you Sai for this miracle. Not only did You grant me the bonus but also ensured that the CIO did not reduce the amount (he tried to do that via my boss). I wanted to share with you my experience as I had promised Sai to write my experience after I was given my performance bonus. Thank you Sai for always being with us and guiding us at every step.SasiI was feeling some discomfort on my chest. I went to see doctor, they told me, and we are suspecting block in my tip of heart. I was so shocked and depressed. Because I am 33 years old and I don't have diabetes, BP or cholesterol. But I believe in Baba. I went to the stress test again it is showing abnormal. One moment I thought to go back to India for further tests. But suddenly I decided, let me go and check up angiogram. My cardiologist told me I was fine. But taking the test will clear lot of doubts. Next day I took the test. It was a miracle. I didn't have any blockage. Now I am so happy. Here is wonder. Before the test my mom came in my dream (she passed away 3 years back). Baba came to my dream like my Mom. She was feeding me. Suddenly her hand burnt. I was worried and doing first aid to her. She said you have to do first aid like this. At the same time some oil came out from my mouth. I spitted that oil in the sink. That's it. In the next day I went to the test. Doctor told me I don't have any block. Baba, You are great. Thanks Baba.QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: "If Baba accepts a devotee, He follows him and stands by him, day and night, at his home or abroad. Let the devotee go anywhere he likes, Baba is there ahead of him in some form in an inconceivable manner".-Sri Sai SatcharitaQUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. Why did Baba scold someone who changed his religion?A. by Al MorwaleLet's not misunderstand Baba's words regarding changing of religion. He gave upadesh to every individual, according to his/her needs and his/her spiritual progress. If the objective behind changing the religion was to solve material problems then Baba took exception to that. If however the same was done to advance spiritual progress and was useful for that particular individual then Baba would not resist. All His statements cannot be generalized. For He gave varied and contradictory advice to his devotees. One has to understand the pretext and premise behind Baba's advice. Lets look at the bigger picture, not individual stories. What is the objective of religion or religious practices? To gain better consciousness and spirituality. The problem arises when we tend to love the religion more then the message in the religion. Religion is not going to help us in advancing our material matters. When religious scriptures become difficult for people to understand or people take wrong message out of it or they become useless in this time and period, saints like Baba appear and make matters easy, by teaching us that having good consciousness is the basis of all religions.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 Saturday, March 24th to Monday, March 26th. 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.Shri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, MinnesotaSaibaba activities in Minneapolis were conducted at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer center since the year 2002. Now, with the grace and blessings of Baba and the support of devotees, a new Saibaba Mandir has begun to function at 1835 Polk St NE, Minneapolis from July 11th 2006. Please visit www.hamaresai.org for all details.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 Center in Bay Area, CAShirdi Sai Center is located 897-B East Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. For more information please call 408-705-7904 or 408-564-6704 or send email to saibandhu. You can also visit our website is www.Shirdisaiparivaar.org.Shirdi Saibaba temple, Los Angeles, CADevotees in Los Angeles area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Los Angeles area. The temple is located at - 144 South 4th Street, Montebello, CA 90640. For more information please call Krishna Samantula at 949-679-9938 or visit www.shirdisaila.org.Saibaba Temple, Columbus, OhioDevotees in Columbus and surrounding Ohio locations area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Metro Columbus area. The temple is located in a leasing space at 7674 Sawmill Rd, Dublin, OH 43016. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday bhajans. For more information please call Panditjee at 614-799-8411 or visit www.saibaba.cc.FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD: In recent days many devotees are using submission forms for their writings incorrectly. Please help Sai Vichaar by sending your contribution under appropriate topics. For example use Devotee Experiences page for sending your experiences only and use Prayer Club for prayer requests only. Also, Sai Vichaar requests the contributors of article to give their name or initials so that the source or author of the article is duly identified and acknowledged. This is fundamental precept for a publication in any manner. The "Question of the week for this week is suggested by Sai devotee Suma as follows: Q. How should one conduct themselves if they are in a relationship that is unhappy and abusive?Humbly Yours,The EditorABOUT 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, or 3. 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 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 and your inquiries will be attended to promptly.Thank you,The webmasterFrom and Editor:Shirdi Sai Baba Web SiteShirdi Sai Baba Sanstha(A non-profit organization)Mail:12N950 State Route 47 Hampshire, IL 60140, USAEmailmaildropPhone847-931-4058Fax847-931-4066© Copyright 1998-2006 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.