Sai Vichaar for Thursday , August 09, 2007

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Sai Vichaar www.saibaba.org Thursday , August 09, 2007 :: Volume 10, Issue 13 (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 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: Silent Communication Baba's typical ways of expressing his upadesa form an important

theme, the modes of communication between master and disciple bearing upon the nature and substance of the teaching else. In the first place, one must distinguish between nonverbal and verbal communication. Silent Upadesa was of utmost importance. It is known that Baba would often remain mute for long periods. Sometimes he passed days in silence or would simply mumble a few words: as always there was no predetermined rule. It is not an overstatement to say that the silent darsan of Sai represented in and of itself the highest form of teaching: an intense communion based on love, devotion, and surrender to God. On February 20, 1912, GS Khaparde wrote in his diary: "We attended Kakad arti and the remarkable part of it was that Sayin Saheb left the Chavadi and entered the Masjid without saying a single word except: "God is the greatest of all!" Saibaba's enigmatic and bizarre personality profoundly affected his devotees, who

at the same time loved and feared him. In nonverbal interaction the teacher's glances and smiles are what is most values. Devotees prayed that Baba might just throw a look at them, so as to be purified and blessed by his sight. Saibaba's "yogic" glances were apparently powerful. GS Khaparde wrote: "He looked exceedingly pleased and cast yogic glances at me. I passed the whole day in a sort of ecstasy". This silent communication between Baba and his devotees operated not only during darsan hours but also while a bhakta would be engaged in padasevana (massaging Baba's legs and feet) or when Baba would invite people to partake of a smoke from his earthen pipe (chillum) (Source: The Life and Teachings of Saibaba of Shirdi by Antonio Rigopoulos) CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Service Sayee bhakth kare jo kucch bhee?.accha ho parinaam? Jo bhee unke dar pe

aaya?banthe bigade kaam? If silence is the language of the spiritual bliss, how does one communicate it? If it is thought to happen at His will and His alone, how does one receive it? Only because someone wasn't silent but chose to enthusiastically spread his experiences with the Divine! One may wonder if that amounts to being egotistic to go around telling people about God's miracles in their lives and the message shared through them. If that were being egotistic, equally egotistic would be choosing not to do the task of spreading His message within one's means. However, one has to be careful about the double-edged sword known as the sense of individual identity or the self. The self that makes one raise above the obstructions and render service, may also come back and impart the doer with the sense of doership. Service, in any form, is a way of spreading God's message and sharing His love with fellowmen. Such service needs to be

done, diligently, meticulously, with whole heart and spirit, and most importantly humility. Such service, whether for a social purpose or to promote spiritual awakening, will be successful. Shri Dabholkar wrote Sai Satcharithamritha only after duly humbled by Sainath. The humility of Dasganu Maharaj reflected in his costumes. The most humble Booty was abundantly blessed for his construction was consecrated due to Baba's samadhi mandir. If one word describes the nature of a Sai devotee, it has to be "Humility". God of Gods, Shri Sai Baba called Himself, simply a servant of God. Portrayed as the humblest of the humble and the most merciful, Baba has several times stressed the importance of humility. Humility is the most required attribute of a Sai servant and only those who believe this and practice are honored at Baba's court. The services of such, whether towards a spiritual cause or other, will accomplish its objectives. (Contributed by Sai

Vichaar team) DEVOTEES SAY: LalithaMy husband was having a severe backache 2 days back and yesterday being a Thursday, I told my husband, I will send my prayer to Prayer club and within half an hour, all your pain will go. Baba will cure everything. As I had sent my prayers with strong faith, I had called up my husband in the afternoon, from my office to find out about his backache and I was happy to hear that he does not suffer from that pain. Dear Sai, it would not have cured so soon, even if I had taken him to some doctor. Please be with us always and bless us with your thoughts and strong shraddha and saburi. PavaniBaba, as per Your blessings my sister got back her gold chain, which we thought she lost, and I asked You that if she gets her chain back I will write this miracle to Sai vichaar and I am doing so. Thanks a

lot. SunandaOnce my daughter lost her gold earring, which I noticed, when I was taking her to school. I searched for it in my house and the roads as well. I was afraid because there comes a lot of misfortune with the loss of gold and I have enough experience also. I prayed to Sainath with all my heart and I could get a vision of the place (on the road to school) where it had fallen. So again, I went on a search and I found it at the same place, which I had in my vision. Glory to Sai Baba. LakshmiJai Sai Ram. I have a memorable experience of Baba's blessings. When my husband met with an accident, he was under critical condition and the doctors also were unable to find what was the problem with him. Then I prayed Baba and started reading the Gurucharitra book. The second day doctors found out it was fat embolism, which is very rare. Treatment started and believe me with Baba's blessings my

husband was discharged healthy on the same day I finished the parayana (7 days). I thank Baba for this wonderful experience to me. And I believe Baba will always shower His blessings on my family. Jai Sai Ram. GirichandThough I visited Shirdi twice, I started believing and praying Him sincerely from past couple of years. I feel Baba is constantly looking out the needs of His devotees who totally surrender to Him. In recent past, I am more positive/optimistic after resorting to Sadguru's feet. I would like to narrate my personal experiences to fellow Sai devotees. I go to work in downtown in a metro subway train. One Friday evening I came back to my destination and was searching my pockets for car keys as I park my car in the parking lot and drive to my home. I was not in a panic and I have faith in Him. I was recollecting where I might have lost. Tracing some lost keys in metro/subway is next to impossible. I thought I might have

forgotten at my office or I had visited a store near my office and I might have lost it there so I called my wife to pick me on that evening as I was tired to search. Next day morning I prayed Baba and tried searching and to my extreme happiness I found them in a store where I visited the previous day. The store manager was kind enough to keep them safe. This might look small but indeed a big help as I don't have duplicate keys and I have to get it towed to a car dealer and make a new key which would have cost me a lot. MiraWe thank you for bringing us the sale contract of our house soon after we performed the pooja on Guru Poornima day. Sai devoteeI want to share my experience with Sai devotees. I am usually a silent observer of all Sai Vichaar prayer's club and experiences. I also used to think and debate within myself why Sai doesn't come in my dream and help me to resolve my situations in

my life. I understood that I have to deduct all my past Karma one by one. Of course, many Sai devotees said that faith and patience are the main criteria in order to get His bliss. After, I started reading those suggestions and advises I felt calm and composed. I posted my prayers in early July on Sai vichaar. Sai Baba, my father appeared in my dream next week itself on a Sunday early morning. I would like to narrate the dream. It was a long dream. Sai Baba was sitting on a stage and every body was allowed to go to the stage to get His blessings and He blessed them one by one. I was also one among them. When my turn came, I was trying to tell Him my pains and He immediately started telling me that He knows everything and I don't need to tell Him anything. He said that tomorrow morning onwards your miseries will be gone and told me not to worry about anything. Oh my God! right after that dream, my miseries started vanishing one by one. I am getting a nice job and my kids

are doing well in their studies and my husband's health is improving and his job environment is getting better. Sainatha, thank you so much for Your darshan for a long time in my dream. So, please devotees keep praying Him without loosing your faith and patience, none of His children will be left behind. PRAYER CLUB: MalaBaba please listen to my prayers and bless me and every one. Bless my son that he does great in his next school year and my husband is successful in his carrier. I know how You guided me towards the new job I took, how You helped me make decisions. I can just go on and on. Baba please accept my humble prayers and be with me always. VinodBaba! You know my brother is searching for a job from last 8 months. But he was not able to join in any job. Baba! Bless him a good job. SunithaWe had bought one site in a layout developed by a society. First, we are not really interested in that as it's in installment payments and no schedule fixed for registration. When we heard that it is named after Your name, we booked one site immediately and with Your blessings, we got it registered after 2 years. Now someone else is occupying that site Baba. Please help us clearing that problem Baba as much early as possible. ArpitaDeva, by Your grace I got my driving license. I can't thank You enough for it. Deva give me a job in Bangalore so that I can settle down and start a new life with Your blessings. SarikaThank you Saibaba for always being there for me and my family. I love You Saibaba very much. You have helped me through a lot and have blessed me with so much. Saibaba, please forgive me for all my mistakes and help me to always be a better person.

Saibaba, please bring me and my husband together soon. Please Baba always take care of my parents and my family. Please always be with me. I love you Baba. Thank you for everything. PoojaSai, please help us with our GC process. You know what is best for us and so please do the needful. Make us take the right decisions in life and give us your Bhakti. Bless our parents with good health. RannaBaba, please bless and protect my daughter who is going to Brazil to study. She does not know any one there so please guide her. Also my husband is going through a rough patch with his health, please with your krupa we will all be blessed. Baba I did not understand the dream I had about, please bless me again. Jai Sai Ram. VaraprasadBaba! please save my daughter from this crisis. She is being asked to pay damages for her car and other car, though she is covered by

Insurance. The insurance company is refusing to pay any compensation on technical reasons. The police too decided that she was at fault and asked her to pay fine. If she has to pay for both the cars all the savings of her and her husband will go for the repairs of the two cars. Only Your divine grace can save her. Please shower Your blessings on her. RiluBaba! please listen to our prayers. Baba please show us Your light to be in right path. Baba we are so much worried about her. Please Baba bring her back to us. We need your help please make it happen. Please reunite our family members. Baba help us. RohitBaba help me to get out from my misery and undignified life. I had left everything on You except my karma. Even karma being guided by You. Baba guide me to achive my goal to become an IAS officer. SrinivasPlease guide me in right direction in growing

my business and cash flow. Your blessings are the only way that can happen. EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: JayashreeAt the outset, my sincere apologies to Shri Sainath for the delay in posting my experience in this divine site. I like to share a few of my experience I had experienced with all the Sai devotees. My husband and I are residing in the Middle East. Right from the time we came we were facing many problems. My first employment in the Middle East was not good, both job and salary wise. I visited Shirdi during May 2006 and prayed to Baba to help find a good job with decent salary within three months. Exactly on the last day of the third month by Baba's grace, I attended an interview and got the offer in a better company. Same way we had problem of getting a good house. The grace of Baba solved even this and now we have a good house with good sharing people. I

sincerely pray to Baba he helps us to continue to stay in the house without any further problems. I also sincerely pray that my husband's hard work yields good result. I fully leave to discretion of Baba, as He knows what is best for us whether he continues with the current business or gets a good job. Whatever he should be able to get good monthly remuneration. Baba please bless us and always guide us and all the Sai devotees in the right path and help my daughter to complete her CA and degree successfully. Also please help us to have undivided faith in You with a calm and composed mind. SasiI have one kid who is 20 months old and I am pregnant now. During the scan of my second baby, the technician was not able to see the vessels going out of the baby's heart and the doctor said it is mainly due to the bad positioning of the baby. I did not care much and doctor referred to a scan the second time during next visit, which is after one

month. It did not help. The doctor advised me to wait for another scan one month later then she could send me to a specialist for detailed scan. This is when my husband and I started to get really worried of what is happening to my baby? Is she alright? Looking at various articles and information on the internet it made me to worry more rather than relief. This one month we have spent the days worrying about what is going to happen. I have spent most of the time praying Saibaba at home, at work and this when I saw or came through Sai Vichar and read some of these articles. I gave up rice until my delivery and prayed Lord Saibaba to shower His blessings on us and will write in Sai Vichar about this matter if everything goes well. I am so glad and happy that in my next scan, everything looked perfectly all right and the baby is moving fine. Next experience was when my older son who is 20 months old started crying suddenly in the middle of night for one hour and as soon as I

put vibudhi on his forehead and stomach he stopped crying and went back to sleep as if Saibaba had laid His hand on my son. I am very thankful to Lord Saibaba for what He has done to me and pray for His blessings in the future and to look after us and my family through out my life. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: "Our karma is the cause of happiness and sorrow. Therefore, accept whatever comes your way".-Shri Sai Baba QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. In Gurucharitra, what is the association between Lord Shiva and Sadguru? A. by Ramaaprasad Q. In Guru Charitra, there is a lot of mention of Lord Shiva and Gokarna. What is the association between Lord Shiva and Sadguru? Why not Lord Vishnu or any other God? A. Yes, 'Guru Charitra'

gives an account of holy'Gokarna Kshetra'. In addition to that, Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswathi of Ganagapur elucidates the 'mahima' or the divine powers of 'Rudraksha', 'Soma-vaara Vrata', 'Vibhuti' or 'Bhasma' and Kashi Viswanath. Lord Sadashiva is said to be 'Aadi-guru' or 'Dakshinamurthi'. On the other hand, it is also stated in 'Guru Charitra' that Lord Naryana is Guru of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the Universe. 'Guru Charitra' also brings out that Lord Narayana gave 'Maha Rudra Mantra' to Lord Brahma. One can also see from "Guru Charitra' that Lord Narayana incarnated as Guru Vyasa to bring out Veda in its four components and also Puranas, which form the heart and soul of 'Sanaatana Dharma.' Lord Krishna (Sampoorna Avataar of Lord Shri Narayana) is credited as 'Jagadguru' in 'Guru Cahritra'. 'Guru Charitra' also gives a detailed account of the importance of the worship of 'Ashwattha Vriksha'and 'Anantha Padmanabha Vratha', which are linked to Lord

Maha Vishnu or Narayana. There is also a detailed account of the significance and 'mahima' of 'Udumbura Vriksha' attributed to Lord Narasimha, who is an incarnation of Lord Narayana. The names of Datta incarnations viz., Sri Shripaada Shrivallabha and Shri Narasimha Saraswathi reflect Lord Narayana or Maha Vishnu. Is Lord Narayana or Maha Vishnu in any way different from Lord Shiva? At the very outset 'Guru Charitra' is very categorical about the oneness of Hari (Narayana) and Hara (Shiva). According to 'Guru Charitra', it is tantamount to a grave sin to discriminate Keshava from Shiva. Hari and Hara are two forms of 'Parabrahma' and form the very essence of the expression of Divine Guru Dattatreya, who again re-incarnated as Paramaguru Sai Baba of Shirdi. We Sai devotees are in deed fortunate to worship Him, who is the Parma guru and Almighty God. Q. In Gurucharitra, what is the association between Lord Shiva and Sadguru? A. by Rama Saibaba is Satguru and God himself and took the form of a perfect human being to enlighten people spiritually. If we observe our God Saibaba's life style, we can see that He lived on alms, He did not possess any wealth, He lived in a dilapidated Masjid, He behaved with Humility, He controlled five-elements of the world by his senses, He was furious at times, He was kind and mother-like at some other times, He knew about people's birth & death and like this the list is countless. We can see all these qualities with Lord Shiva in Puranas. Lord Shiva lived on alms, He was furious some times, He was Kind at some other times, He controls five-elements of the world and like this, there are so many similarities. This tells us that Saibaba is nothing but the other form of Lord Shiva. And Gokarna is Lord Shiva's interesting place. Being this, it doesn't mean that Saibaba is not in the forms of other Gods. Remember Sai's

mantra, "Allah Malik", "God is One". Baba appeared as Lord Shiva to Megha, Lord Rama to another devotee who thought Baba is a Muslim, As Hanuman to Mahalsapati, as Lord Vigneshwara (Ganesha), as Guru Nanak, as Jesus and as Lord Dattatreya. He appeared in all forms to various devotees. This tells us that Baba is God and can be see in whatever form we like; in his own form, as Lord Shiva, as Lord Venkateshwara (Lord Vishnu), as Lord Rama, as Lord Jesus, as Lord Dattatreya, as Guru Nanak, and in any form that we like. So, Baba is a unique form that exists all over this universe and in fact the whole universe is Him. Remember Baba once showed His vishwarupa to Nana and said that everything is in Him, (Srushti Laya Karaka), Sun, Moon, all planets, birth, death, life cycle, happiness, sadness, anger, grief, pleasure, diseases, remedies, people with good deeds, people with bad deeds. Who can possess all these things, other than God, the Supreme Being. Therefore,

Saibaba is a supreme being and can be seen in any form that we like. What is important is Devotion towards Him and Shraddha and Saburi. SAI ACTIVITIES: Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USAShirdi Sai temple is open daily from 7:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m (Summer hours). Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 7 a.m. followed by Abhisek. Madhayana Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop Arathi at 6 p.m. and Shej Arathi at 9 p.m. 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. Sri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, MNSri Saibaba Mandir is located in Minneapolis, MN at 1835 Polk St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418. The mandir is open 7 days a week in the evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm and during morning hours from 9 am to 12:30 pm, except Mondays. Satsangs are conducted every Sunday mornings, 9 am to 12:30 pm. Please visit the mandir website www.hamaresai.org or call 612-789-7729 for more information on mandir activities, events and other information. 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. Shirdi Sai

bhajans every Thursday at Maitland, FloridaDevotees are invited to participate in Sai study and bhajans on Thursdays between 7-8 pm at Meditation Gallery, 219 E Horatio Ave, Maitland, FL 32715. For more details please contact Bonnie at 407-830-1276. FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD: Sai Vichaar is an open forum for those interested to share their experiences, views and ideas on Sai devotion and their experiences with Saibaba of Shirdi. Readers are requested to note that Sai Vichaar is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors. The "Question of the week for this week is suggested by a Sai devotee as follows: Q. In Guru Charitra, there is a lot of mention of Lord Shiva and Gokarna. What is the association between Lord Shiva and Sadguru? Why not Lord Vishnu or any other God? Humbly Yours,The

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© 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.