Sai Vichaar for Thursday , May 24, 2007

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Sai Vichaarwww.saibaba.org Thursday , May 24, 2007 :: Volume 10, Issue 2 (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: Shri C B Satpathy ji's message on Faith and Patience"Shraddha or devotional faith is the most difficult state of mind to achieve. If one has absolute faith in his Guru then sooner or later he will even look like the Guru with all His attributes. However, the seed of faith takes a lot of time to generate and to grow. It may take years or even a few lives. Full faith in Baba does not come, as quickly as one desires it to be like Shravan, Kirtan, Poojan, Dhyana, etc. The Navavidha Bhakti i.e. the multifold type of bhakti is not bhakti per se. They are either methods of bhakti or reflections of bhakti or both. Further, externality of devotion may not necessarily indicate the internality of devotion.

Some people, at times say that only if Baba desires then bhakti will grow in their hearts. By saying so they make Baba responsible for generating bhakti in them. In the ultimate analysis it is true that Baba generates bhakti in a devotee's heart. But, if the person so desiring conducts himself in a manner that Baba desires, then the type of bhakti he seeks will certainly be generated by Him. If one starts praying to Baba for bhakti and yet continues to conduct himself in an unethical manner forbidden by Baba, then how do we expect Baba to generate bhakti in his mind? To this some people say that even bad conduct is created by God and unless He desires this can't be controlled. This time also the burden is squarely on Baba or God and the devotee does not want to take any responsibility even for his own conduct. Even under these circumstances Baba can control his conduct and generate bhakti in him, provided he leaves all other aspects of his life on Him and awaits patiently for Him to guide his destiny. Faith or surrender means leaving everything on Baba - body, mind and soul. But partial surrender will lead to partial bhakti, and its partial results only. If one is sincere enough and fully surrenders to Baba then He will control his desires and conduct.Under these circumstances neither he should work nor seek anything himself but leave everything to Baba in totality. Then, if he is prepared to bear the consequence of this state of utter inaction then Baba will certainly control his conduct and give him the type of Shraddha he seeks. There are many examples of many devotees in Shirdi, at the time of Baba, who had left everything on Sai including all their material and spiritual needs, and Baba did provide these to them. If one cannot come to this state of utter inaction then, he should go by the normal path of Navavidha Bhakti and should be responsible for his own conduct to start with. God has given enough intelligence to human beings in comparison to animals, to discriminate between good and evil. Such practice will slowly but definitely grow devotion in him imperceptibly.

However, this slow growth means waiting patiently under all circumstances on the mercy of Baba, which is nothing but Saburi. Saburi is, therefore, an essential factor for the generation, sustenance and growth of devotion. Both faith and patience are complementary to each other. Faith without patience will bring loss of faith at frequent intervals of time and will not allow its growth. Similarly, only patience, without actual faith, is an exercise in futility. A balance in both will bring about even growth of both in a person.FEATURE OF THE WEEK: continued.....Faith again means trying to do what we have been asked to do by Baba and resist from doing what has been forbidden by Him. Even if we fail a number of times it does not matter, the main point is whether we are using our God given faculties to their maximum limits. When we want to use our faculties, time and energy for getting close to Baba we have to cut down on many other activities. Therefore, the person who wants closeness with Baba should always try to reduce the non-productive, capricious and non-essential activities like late night parties, addiction of any type, uncontrolled thought, speech or action, etc. Such improvements will not only gradually control the mind but will also save time and energy for more purposive and creative activities, like study on Sri Sainath, meditation on Baba and His worship in any form. The devotees should always try to improve their inner qualities of patience, faith, tolerance, egolessness, and gradually, closeness with Baba will increase. But, the most important two qualities which are fundamental, as often said by Baba, are "Shraddha and Saburi".CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Baba's mercy and blessingsBaba showed equal mercy to all His devotees rich or poor. A tailor named Martand of Shirdi fell ill, he was abjectly poor, he had none to look after or serve him. He was lying on the public road. Baba passed by that road specially on that day and said to him, "You go to Nanasaheb Dengle of Nimgam, he will look after you, and serve you." When thereupon Martand went there, he was welcomed by Nanasaheb, Nanasaheb told him, "Baba had appeared to him in a dream and asked him to serve Martand tailor sent by Him. So please make this your home; stay here peacefully without worrying; Baba will see to your health. Please go on telling me all your needs without reserve etc. through Shri's grace and Nana's careful treatment the tailor soon recovered and resumed his business.

How Baba continues to satisfy the godly desires of His devotees years after He cast off His mortal coil is clearly seen in the case of an Honorary Magistrate of Harda, Shri Krishnarao Narayan Paralkar. For several years he had been celebrating Shri Datta festival usually falling in December and feeding a hundred Brahmins on that occasion and whenever for some reason or other he was not able to do so, year after that on the said celebration day, he would feed double the usual number, that it two hundred Brahmins. As per that self-imposed rule, he was to feed two hundred Brahmins in respect of that celebration in the year 1925. Saturday was fixed for holding this dinner, only when five days were left to it that is on Monday. On Tuesday when Shri Paralkar was merged in meditation as per his daily routine, he heard a voice saying, "If you desire that on the day you are feeding Brahmins I should come and dine with them, you call Shri Dixit from Bombay". Paralkar however thought to himself, whether it was proper for him to request Shri Dixit to come such a long distance simply for taking a dinner.While he was I the midst of such conflict of thoughts he again heard the voice, "Why are you Puzzled? Write to Shri Dixit; feed him along with all the Brahmins; and when you have done so, know it for certain that I have joined the party taking dinner at yours." So Paralkar wrote to Shri Dixit on Wednesday requesting him to attend the dinner on Saturday. Failing to hear from Shri Dixit till all preparations were made for serving the dinner on Saturday, Paralkar with tearful eyes requested Baba to set matters right and then taking his bath, so soon as he stared doing his mid-day routine prayers, he got a telegram from Shri Dixit informing him, that he and Madhavrao Deshpande were on their way to Harda. All were gladdened to receive the news; they all went to the station to receive them, accorded them a hearty welcome and gave them a sumptuous feast in the company of the two hundred Brahmins. Shri Paralkar was overjoyed and he now felt that Baba is still there to satisfy all the godly cravings of his heart.(Contributed by Courtesy: Shirdi Sai The Superman by Swami Sai Sharan Anand)DEVOTEES SAY: KrithikaThank you Baba for giving the new job to my husband. It seems to be a great opportunity and I pray to You to be with him to succeed in his new job and grow. I had prayed that I will post this article if he gets this new job. Please forgive us for any mistakes we make and always be with us and shower Your karuna and blessings. Om Sai Ram.UshabalaThank you Baba for helping us sell the plot to clear our loans. Please help my husband to re-unite with the family soon. My children need Your blessing to get into good colleges Baba. Thank you for all the mercy.SasiThank you Baba for helping me to cure this eye allergy which I was suffering for past couple of weeks. Yesterday I prayed Baba to cure me as I could no longer bear the irritation. By Baba's grace I didn't get even single drop of water or itchiness in my eyes though it has mentioned that pollens are very high today-Thursday.DeepthiA couple months ago I took an exam to become a certified paralegal. In the past results of exams had not been good and this time I kept a photo of Baba in my pocket through the entire exam. Last Thursday I prayed to Baba that if I passed I would post on the Sai Vichaar. A few days later the results came and found I had passed. Sai will always be there. All we need is faith and patience.RimaIn 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?UmaThank you Baba for making my brother a permanent employee. Koti koti pranam.SahitiI am always thankful to Baba. He has done many miracles in short span of time. Though we are working in small companies we had lot of problems at work. Then I prayed Baba to give good job to my husband. He got job in good company. We are so happy. He got relaxed and concentrating well at work. Then later many things were happening. Iwas also so annoyed with the office environment and I was looking for a change, but I was getting calls from some other cities. I prayed Baba and started Parayana. The last day of parayana one miracle happend, my director called me and discussed about the work here. Within a week I was made permanent in this company and also got good salary. My friend from US came and gifted me a small Baba's statue and she gave puja prasad from Shirdi. It is all because of Baba's parayana.MadhuBaba - koti namskaram. Thank you very much for all Your blessing for granting the green card to Raul. This would not have happened without Your grace. As mentioned, I am posting this. He got his passport stamped today. Please always bless us and all.PreetiBaba from last one week I was tense because of my pain and disease of SLE which is known to be very bad and I am suffering from last two years. This constant pain has made me loose my confidence and I am feeling like becoming a object of pitty. My husband want me to enjoy life but I was thinking " How can I enjoy with this pain". No treatment has relieved me till now. Suddenly , a thought came into my mind to show to Doctor Sanjeev(Rheumatologist). I showed him on 26th April. That happens to be Thursday (Baba's day ) . Today it is one day of my taking medicine and I want to tell every Sai Bnakt that I am quite relieved of my pain and life is looking beautiful. Thanks Baba for Your help and guiding me. Please help me to remain healthy and guide me always. I am just helpless without You. I am looking forward for a good healthy time with my family. Baba, You are great.

PRAYER CLUB: ManishBaba I am suffering from a very bad situation please help me out, I got a very good job just because but still confused please help I don't know where my future is going on if you think I deserve for that project and it will help me out in near future please help me.MohitO! my Sai, I have a nephew and his better half who are going through bad times. Please help them come out of their problems and make then successful. I also have a friend who is a Sai bhakt. They are childless for past 5 years, bless them with a health baby.Sai devoteePlease bless my brother be healthy and with good attitude. I am getting these weird scary feelings that something might happen to him. Also I am hearing this death word too much these days. Please God, take these scary thoughts away from my brain.AnupamaBaba, please help us in this grieving time. I am waiting for You to help my mother in this very unbalancing time of our life. Please help her to have immense patience so that she can be at peace wherever she is.JayaBaba, please be with my parents and protect them always.BanuI want my husband back to me and my daughter wants her father back to and we want live together. Sai Baba give him your blessings and he should realize and come back soon.PushpaI am constantly worried. I have been praying to You to get married my both daughters. They are also worried please find suitable boys for them.LalithaPlsease solve all the problem what I am facing. My son should study well. I have some problem in one finger each of both the hands. Skin is coming out completely. You are everything for us. Please be with us always.RamkumarMy father was not feeling well last week and he was having giddiness suddenly. We brothers, living abroad and far away are so worried about them. Please bless them and make sure everything is normal with his health as well as my mother's health. Baba, we beg you earnestly, please be with them always and protect them.PoojaBaba, please solve all misunderstandings between our family and the girl's family and help my brother get married to her You know whom I am talking about. Baba please shower Your blessings on us, we are ready to forget everything and start afresh. Help them too. You have to do this Sai. Be there for my mom, I hope You will make her come to me soon in Canada. AmruthaSai Baba has always been with me in the most crucial times. Baba You have always helpd me and now also You know I have so many problems for which I have no answers. My husband has no job and I don't know why he does not take up another one, Baba please see that he does, and help me Baba, so that I may overcome all the dilemmas and problems and be in peace. Sai devoteeBaba koti koti pranam. You are my only hope. I have surrendered myself to You. Baba, help me to improve my relation and my family relations with my husband. Baba please take him out from his frustrations. Help him in getting a good job or starting a good business. He should get respect from everywhere. Baba he should be happy. This year should bring great happiness for him. Baba please answer my prayers. Baba please help my parents to get visa and visit me this summer. Everything should go normal. I will write in Sai Vichaar if everything goes well.EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: SanjeevI want to share my experience with everyone. In 2002, through my friend, I come to know about Sai Baba and I had started praying and believing in Him. Since that time, I had really felt overall improvements in my personal life, job and carrier and most important of all is that I felt the peace of mind while praying and remembering Baba. This all is happening by just reading Sai-Chalisa (in Hindi) and remembering Him everyday. In 2004 my younger son become very sick and I had started reading the Sai Satcharitra and He cures my kid and helps our family. During that time I had finished the Sai Satcharitra but afterwards I didn't read it again. It happens due to ignorance and human nature I guess. I moved to US in December 2006 and continuously struggle to get a good project and job for more than 4 months. It's very tough time for me and my family. I had started reading Sai Satcharitra from March 2007 and I got a job in April 2007. Baba had a better plan for me and I got a long term project in May 2007 and this too at my desired city and location. Our life has completed changed to positive atmosphere. I believe that Baba is taking care of my family. I had always thought of sharing my experience and post this in the Sai Vichaar, I am doing it now. I offer my Koti Koti Pranams to Sai and request Him to continue showering His blessings on us. My Sai is always with me. Jai Sai Ram.PadmaI am a devotee of Sai since 15 years now. Sai helped me in each and every stage of my life after I became Sai's devotee, whether it is getting admission in to my Engineering, my marriage, coming to US, getting good and stable in job whatever, Sai gave me everything. I am really ashamed of always asking materialistic things to Sai, but Sai like a father, mother, He keeps listening to our prayers and gave us everything. Recent experience is one of them. We applied for my Green Card for 5 years almost now and it's taking forever to get approved. Recently in the second stage of my Green Card we got a query regarding my education and my attorney said, if you get this kind of query this almost means denial even if we submit any response. We were so depressed, we were so hopeful that at least if we get pass this stage, we can plan for kids. In my mind, I always knew Sai will show me some way and He showed me a way and I submitted another educational evaluation and my attorney submitted the response and it reached them on Thursday. Miraculously my case is approved the very next day after it reached them. This is nothing but Sai's miracle. I thought of posting this experience to Sai Vichaar if my case gets approved.

Dear friends, please never lose hope on anything. If you have strong belief and faith on Sai, He guides you in each and every stage of life. Please help all of us Sai and may all of our faith on You grow strongly! Bow to Your holy and sacred feet Sainatha!SubhasriAs promised to You, I am writing my experience for past 6 months which were happening in my life only because of your blessings. My marriage was postponing for 6 years, even if I knew the boy and we understand each other. Due to his settlement and family problems our marriage was postponing. Though I am Sai devotee for past 10 years, I started attending Thursday aarthi and started reading Sai Satcharitha only for past 6-7months. All the hindrances which were obstructing our marriage was cleared by Sai one by one. We were settled financially and the family issues also got solved. Finally Sai fixed my marriage date on May 31st, 2007 which is happened to be Thursday. Last time when I read Sai Satcharita and planning to complete in 7 days, I prayed very sincerely that I have to know my marriage date when I complete Sai Saitcharita this time.

Due to some minor accident I was not able to complete in 7 days and it extended to another 3 days. I went to Sai temple after completing the reading and when I came home my marriage date was fixed. You have given me what I wanted. Only because of You, I am getting married. Please bless us with wonderful and peaceful life. Please be with us throughout our life and give us patience and faith.QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: "If you so loved your mother, why did you take Sannayasa? Fondness or attachment ill becomes an ochre garb. Go and sit quiet at your lodging, wait with patience for a few days. In the Wada there are many robbers, bolt your doors, be very vigilant, the thieves will carry everything. Wealth and prosperity are transient and the body is subject to decay and death. Knowing this, do your duty, leaving all attachment to the things of this world and next".-Sri Saibaba to VijayanandQUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. If faith and patience doesn't work what would one do to obtain Baba's help?A. by NandiniFaith is not believing Baba would reward us in a way we expect Him to, but trusting whatever He does is the best for us in the course of time. If we think we are wise how much more infinitely wiser Baba should be, for we are just His emanations. By developing this trust in Him, no matter how long it takes or how hopeless the situation becomes, we would certainly begin to feel Baba's Light guiding us every moment. Rising of the Sun and the disappearance of the darkness are simultaneous. So also all our doubts and fears will melt away when we begin to feel His Light. That would be the true reward for our Faith and Patience.Q. If faith and patience doesn't work what would one do to obtain Baba's help?A. by PranIf faith and patience does not work, then leave the pursuit and forget about it. Be confident that it is not in your destiny and therefore not favorable in the long run. Because if you have complete faith on Baba, then be sure that He knows what is best for you in life. All pranis have been categorized into different classes by Nature on the basis of their poorvkarmas. The ranges in descending order would be something like Kings, ministers, executives, clerks, peons, slum dwellers, animals, birds, insects etc. The trouble starts when we desire to live our material life like brands of a higher order to which we are not entitled according to our poorvkarmas. But in the spiritual world the material life does not matter. We have to raise ourselves higher and higher spiritually and for this there is no limit, no competition, no sufarish but only ones own efforts. The more one tries, the higher up he goes. So one has to be calm and composed and be happy with whatever material wealth the Lord has given him and instead concentrate on the spiritual side of his personality. And it is here that all comforts are available just for asking.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.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.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: Those contributing to Sai Vichaar are requested to identify themselves by giving their name. Unless Baba wills nothing can be done and it is symbolic of one's humility not to give too much credence to their writings or expressions. However, in respect to the etiquette of publication, it is only customary to identify the source of writings. Sai Vichaar hopes that devotees would oblige.

A Sai devotee suggests the Question of the week as follows,

Q. If faith and patience doesn't work what would one do to obtain Baba's help?

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.