Sai Vichaar for Thursday , May 17, 2007

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Sai Vichaarwww.saibaba.org Thursday , May 17, 2007 :: Volume 10, Issue 1 (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: The Virtue of PatienceIt is only human to be gloomy and depressed when things do not go "our" way. Let us remember on this holy day about the demands of Sadguru Sainath, the unique Saint God of Shirdi. The two pennies that Sai demands from His children has a lot significance impregnated in it. Shraddha and Saburi that literally translates to faith and patience. Faith may be a function of one's religious disposition or it may be felt just by sheer knowledge of experiencing the returns of benefits. Earlier, we talked about faith as an emotional gratitude that one expresses for the rewards Sadguru bestows on His follower. We all know how we started believing in Sainath. Faith, as the emotional gratitude is just the beginning of a long testing time. Now, let us talk about patience. Saburi, patience is endurance; an active phase of courage and waiting. This is a phase where one's faith is tested, repeatedly. This is a phase where faith in Sadguru undergoes constant evaluation and re-evaluation. This duration enables a devotee to re-examine his/her personal encounters with the Lord only to come out spiritually wiser. Patience is the testing ground for faith. In other words, the patience sustains and strengthens the faith. Patience is the voluntary effort that comes out of one's faith. Thus, patience is an important part of Saadhana. Faith without patience is no faith at all. Sri Hemadpanth said it well, "Let the world go topsy-turvy, hold on to the feet of Sadguru". So, let us sustain and strengthen our faith by believing in the virtue of patience and resorting to the best recourse, His holy feet.CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Sai Devotee Sri L K NoolkarLakshman K. Noolkar, who was sub-judge at Pandharpur in 1909, while Nana G Chandorkar was Deputy Collector there, was being induced to go to Shirdi by the latter. Lakshman K. Noolkar: I cannot go until I get a Brahmin cook and good Nagpur oranges for presentation. I can find neither of these.

N G Chandorkar: Baba's grace will provide.

That night a Brahmin cook came to N G Chandorkar and wanted service and was referred to Noolkar who engaged him. In the morning Noolkar found a parcel of excellent Nagpur oranges and no trace could be found as to who the sender was. Any how, Noolkar, convinced of Baba's miraculous powers of providing the needful, started with N G Chandorkar and went to Baba. Baba: Nana, who is this notorious crazy person whom you have brought with you?

Next day when Noolkar visited Masjid. Baba was in a furious mood and seizing his head, knocked it against the pillar saying, "Your existence or truth will be lost or your unreality will be lost".

Noolkar was much afraid; but N G Chandorkar, gave an optimistic interpretation of these occurrences.

That night Noolkar suddenly got up and asked Nana for betel (paan), which Noolkar was not ordinarily using. Just at that time, Baba was at the mosque far away.

Baba to someone present: Take these four bidas i.e., rolled up betel, and go and give them to an old man, at Chandorkar's who needs the betel.The sudden appearance of that man and the delivery of the bidas convinced Noolkar that Baba was his Antarsakshi and thenceforward Noolkar's faith was greatly strengthened and he stayed on at Shirdi. Noolkar's death suddenly came on, rapidly sacred literature was read within his hearing, as he approached the end. Baba's Pada Theertham was also brought and given to him and Noolkar died with his attention centered on Baba.

Baba referring to Noolkar's death: Tatya, (Noolkar) has gone in advance (of us). He stayed here as I directed. His life's goal has been reached. He will be born no more.(Contributed by Source: Sri Sai Baba's Charters and Sayings by H.H. Narasimhaswamiji)DEVOTEES SAY: PranThis is with reference to Gopikrishna's post in last newsletter. I respectfully hold another view. For a bhakta who is devoted to his Lord, the favorable reaction of Nature (Lord Sai) would be His approval and not to test the devotee's will or resolution. Approval would be hinted by the Lord through a smooth chain of events in the pursuit of any action right from the beginning. Likewise disapproval would be hinted through the failure of the process chain at the very start. But there is a pre-condition for this to happen and that is absolute faith on the Lord and no individual ego of so called management techniques like resoluteness, determination etc. in achieving your desires. All these are misnomers in the spiritual world and if any determination and resolution or mental strength is required, it is only for absolute faith on the Lord. Rest is all fulfillment of karma which needs to be done selflessly without regard to the end results.BidhanThanks to our dear Baba to listen to our prayers and bless my two months old only daughter, who is suffer from constipation for 6 days. Baba, I am really grateful to You for blessing my daughter on the above problem. As I have said that I will post this in the Sai Vichaar, I am doing it now. Thanks a lot Baba.SumitaI am writing this after reading Sai Vichaar of 10th May. I would like to thank you for making it so easy and convenient to read experiences that all the people throughout the world have. I am not new to this and myself have had quite a many of them, especially during my testing times when I had the worst time of my life and went to Shirdi alone and wrote so many letters to Baba and cried endlessly day and night at Dwarkamayi to atleast be with me for and give me strength to bear with the results of my earlier karmas, may be of previous births, which Baba did.PankajJai Sai Ram to all Sai devotees. It is a great pleasure to share one of the experience, me and my family had three years back. Before my marriage, I was not a believer of Baba but my wife is a firm believer of Baba. When my wife was pregnant three years back, it was a horrible situation. She was admitted to the hospital for some complication, even in that condition she was confident and saying Sai Baba will take of me and our child so don't worry. Even to the doctor's surprise, everything went well and delivery was normal. From that point of time I am a firm believer of Baba, even my daughter believes in Baba. From then, Baba has shown so many miracles in our life and protects my daughter in all types of situations. Our life has completed changed to positive atmosphere. I believe that Baba is taking care of my family and all Sai devotees and will also take care in future.

PujaThank you Baba for blessing me with everything. I was so scared about itl but you put all my fears to ease. Please bless us in our new home and make us nice, empathetic human beings. Thank you for giving me darshan at Your abode Shirdi. Bless my family, my parents and my mother in law with good health always. Koti Pranams to You.

PadmajaWhile I was studying intermediate in Vijayawada, I observed many of my friends praying to Baba and going regularly to Baba temple on Thursdays. I was surprised to see their consistent love on Baba for a year. One day I was waiting to know the results of our first year and I was not sure whether I got 410 score or more. I knew I should not get less than that. For the first time in my life, I asked Baba to tell me my score whether it is more than 410 or 410. I tossed a book and Baba told me it is 410. Next day I came to know my marks were exactly 410. From then I started believing Baba.

KalyaniI usually read Sai Vichaar. It is a newsletter in which I read devotee's experiences and the facts. I also want to share my experience. Few days back I came to know that my father is facing some problem in his job, then I prayed to Saibaba to help him, and if He helped him then I will share my experience in Sai Vichaar. And then the problem is solved, thanks Saibaba. You are always with us. Thanks to Sai Vichaar which became a bridge between devotees.

VasudhaWe were staying in Saudi Arabia. The country is good with its own religious conditions. Somehow I could not adjust there and always wanted to leave the place. But these days, getting a good job is not at all easy. I always had a dream of staying in Dubai. Several times I used to cry in front of Baba?s photo. My husband used to console me. My daughter also used to pray everyday. I had full faith in Baba. We were trying for a change of job. One day my husband got selected for a job in Abu

Dhabi. The Vice President himself came to Saudi Arabia to conduct an interview. My husband got through the interview and was selected. That day my husband and I could not sleep the whole night, thinking of my Sai?s leela. He made everything possible, now we are staying in my dream place. 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.

PRAYER CLUB: SrilakshmiDear Baba, You know very well my present state of depression. Baba lot of differences are arising in our married life and You know the mental agony I am going through with numerous burdens and in addition differences and void with my husband. Baba please give me strength to overcome these hurdles and make my spouse be kind and understanding as he was earlier.KrishnaPlease help to solve the problem of the house that my parents got into because of their mistake since last 3 years. They are also not in the best of health right now. There are many things associated with this. We all are really helpless in this. You are our only hope and help. Always keep us at your Lotus Feet.RajeswariMy husband lost his job and not doing any thing from one year. Please bless him to get a good job it will help us to get rid off our financial problems. And please help my mother to recover her legs pain.VarshaPlease erase all negative thoughts in my mind and bless me in achieving what I want.SravanthiThere is nothing that you don't know Baba. Please help us get our Green Card soon. We only have hope in You and no one else.

ManochaPlease completely cure Didi of her illness. Baba please heal me and transform me (the way You want me to be). Babe reveal to me the purpose of my life and bless me with Your grace to achieve the same.VanitaI know I have to bear for my karmas, Baba give me the strength to bear and clear my debt in this birth only. I do not know what is going wrong.Sai devoteeKoti Koti pranam Baba. You are my mother and father, please forgive my sins. Now I am in very bad condition, I don't have any place to stay, I don't have any one in this world, please show me the path. Jai Sai Ram.

Sai devoteeOh my Lord Sainath! Koti Koti Pranams. Please help me to do very well in my profession/business and see that I take my RVP Contract by December 2007. Please help me to get my next promotion this month itself. Guide me by giving strength, good health, enough focus and commitment. Help me to help a lot of families this month so that I can go to the next level. Shower Your blessings on all our family members. I am so thankful to You Lord for all that You have given me till now. Without Your blessings nothing is possible. AnuDear Baba, please help me in my life. I am undergoing terrible turmoil and I do not know whether the person whom I

have chosen is really true to me or not. As it is I do not have a family and I am all alone only You can save my life. Please help me in my life if You feel that this person is not true please break me away from this relationship now itself by showing me something in my eyes or hearing something in my ears. Please don't trouble me more than this I cannot bear more than

this. If this life if You feel the person is not true and breaking it in front of me I shall atleast stay with my parents and then have a chance atleast one day my son may speak to me. I am dancing in my life. Please stop this dance of mine and settle me in a good life. I have strong belief in You that You will definitely help me.

WongThank you for forwarding the newsletter on Sai Baba to me. I find it very interesting, innovating and motivating especially when I am upset. Shirdi Baba has always enlightened me over the years, but my prayers have not been consistent. In-fact, I am concern on my future career status as my age is approaching towards 50 next year. Our company?s policy for women is 50 and not 55 years and as such, a contract will be issued. But then again, it?s all up to management. Although, they might extend a contract but it?s worrisome especially on a year to year basis. Whenever, I look at Sai (photograph), He seems to be telling me `Not to worry? and leave things to Him. I am earning a good income in this company and certainly hope that Sai will see me through for a number of years before my final retirement age at 55. Sai Ram

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: TusharWe have been married for ten years and were childless. We had seen many doctors and they did not find anything wrong with me or my wife. This entire ordeal was very depressing for us. On the suggestion of the doctor we decided to go for In-vitro fertilization (IVF), the cost of which would be anywhere between $ 8000 to $ 15000. This depressed us even further and now all the time we were thinking of how to arrange for this expense. The doctor asked us to come in the 2nd week of September 2006 so that we can start the IVF process. I was already reading the Sai Satcharita (in fact had completed 3 months of reading) and was now praying desperately to Sai Baba to assist us financially and mentally. That's when the miracle occurred as follows.

We had gone to Wal-Mart to buy some household stuff and my wife picked up a pregnancy kit since it was on sale and it would be handy later. She kept this kit unopened and forgot about it. While arranging our drawers I saw this and kept it in our bathroom cabinet. Seeing the kit my wife decided to use it and she found out that she was pregnant. I was enroute to work and she gave me the news. Both of us had tears of joy and started thanking Sai Baba mentally. Next day we went to the doctor, who was pleasantly surprised to hear the news and to make sure that all was right, repeated the test which was positive. Then one day during regular checkup the doctor was unable to hear the heart beat and asked us to make an appointment for ultra-sound. My wife was heart broken on hearing this and started crying. I was consoling her and telling that nothing is wrong with the baby because this was a blessing by Sai Baba and He will surely see through his safe delivery.continued....Before we reached home we got a call from the ultra-sound lab, and they asked us to come there immediately. We went there and as soon as the probe was put on my wife's tummy we could hear the heart beat. I told my wife not to worry about the child ever again as he was sent to us by Sai Baba. Later on we found out that it is a boy, again we were thankful to Sai Baba because we always wanted our first born to be a boy. Finally our wait was over and on 21st April 2007 (he was 5 days overdue) our son was born. Thank you Sai Baba, we really feel blessed and sincerely pray to You to help all people seeking Your help. Sai devotees thank you all for posting your experiences, for this gave us courage and faith. Jai Sai Ram.

PrathyushaI had prayed to Baba to get me a job in the past. After not a very long time, Baba showed me a job in a big company and my happiness knew no bounds and the same time I used to have lot of pressure at work and I could see that things were not going to be fine for the coming days. I felt restless at the job and somehow I could feel that my job is at risk after few months of my start. Then I prayed to Baba to help me with my job. I was confident that Baba is going to help me definitely because He is the one who gave me the job. I always believe whatever happens on Thursday is good for me. So, days flew by and one day I got a call from my employer saying that this is your 2 weeks notice and you are fired from the project. That was a shock for me because none of my team lead/project manager ever gave a sign that they are upset with me or with my performance. (There are many other reasons for them to fire me and that's another story). So, as a human I got really upset and was angry on Baba and I am sorry but I even scolded Him for being harsh on me. I used to have Baba's photo on my desk and when I heard the news that I am fired, I immediately removed the picture and kept it inside. I kept crying for days together because it hurt me very bad since that was my first job.continued.....Soon I released that the job I left is really not going to help me because I had nothing to learn there other than using my existing skills and then I felt ashamed and really bad for those words like "I am not your child" etc to Baba. I should have never done that. I was again in the market and within a week I got selected through a phone interview and this is the final interview. I felt very happy that I got another job. This happened on Wednesday. (Actually this job offer came to me, while I was in my 2 week notice in previous job.) I thanked Baba for helping me and I started preparing for my second job. But few hours later, I got a call from the vendor saying that there's another personal interview, tomorrow on Thursday. I was really scared as I never attended face-face interview and not sure that I will be selected. I took Baba's name before they started asking me questions and don't know how it happened but really felt relaxed while being interviewed and I simply rocked the interview but who knows what's going to be the result as they were looking for some additional qualifications. I went home and prayed to Baba and I called the vendor to know the result but he said no update from client. I left the whole thing to Baba and stopped thinking about it. The very next day, I got a call from the vendor saying that I got the job. I thanked Baba a ton and started my job. My job is going fine now and this is only because of Him. I want everyone to realize (including me) from my story that Baba will initially test you by putting lot of pressure on you and by giving hard time to you but the longer you hold on, the sooner you see the benefits. One more thing, many difficulties come our way and will go but never ever say anything to Baba just like I did. Let us never hurt Him no matter in any situation. He will definitely help us but the time limit varies from one to other.QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: "What was then wanted and is now wanted is the whole-hearted devotion to Baba. All our senses, organs, and mind should co-operate in worshipping and serving Baba. It is no use in engaging some organs in the worship and deflecting others. If a thing like worship or meditation is to be done, it ought to be done with all our mind and soul".-Sri Sai SatcharithaQUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. If faith and patience doesn't work what would one do to obtain Baba's help?A. by VipulThe answer is in devotee's question itself. To obtain Baba's help you need to have faith and patient. If you do not have the same you cannot get anything. I can understand that many devotees may have faith but no patient. It is human nature, everybody want everything fast. After sometime they loose the faith also. Now the question is how long one should wait? If somebody knows it then why he need Baba's help? Everything depends up on your Karma. Believe me if everybody's good or bad wishes are fullfilled by Baba immediately, then everybody will have some enemy to whom he does not want to see on this earth, the answer, nobody will be left on the earth.Q. If faith and patience doesn't work what would one do to obtain Baba's help?A. by Deepa HIf faith and patience doesn't work then just leave the desicion of the future outcome on Baba. Do whatever you think is the right thing for you to do and do the best that you can do to solve a problem and if you cannot do that then just be quiet and let whatever has to happen take place. Baba's devotees have no reason to worry, He is always there besides us and He will surely give us what we truly deserve. He knows it all. Baba lives in our heart and nothing is hidden from Him. Take His name and move forward in life and leave the rest on Him.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: Sai Vichaar wishes its readers and devotees a Special Thursday, a day of celebration of His love and glory. Sai Vichaar enters tenth year on the web today. It would not be possible without Sri Saibaba's grace and blessings, and the support of Sai brothers and sisters. May Sri Sai bless all.

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.