Sai Vichaar for Thursday Dec 31, 2009

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Sai Vichaar for Thursday Dec 31, 2009

 

 

 

Sai Vichaar

www.saibaba.org

 

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 :: Volume 12, Issue 34

 

 

(In its twelfth 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.

This is a post-it email only, any replies to this email will be ignored. To contact us please see information at the bottom of this newsletter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Tip of the Week:

 

 

"OM SAI BOLO,OM SAI BOLO in Sai Smaran" --N K Srinivasan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURE OF THE WEEK: New Year Message

 

Birth and death are the two terminal points of human life. To be born is to die. In the cosmic period of time, human existence is like a bubble of moments. All embodied souls, be it human beings or any other species, will have to go through this short journey of a lifetime. Such embodied souls are known as 'Jivas' or life forms. There are millions of such life forms, both visible and invisible on this earth. Many of these forms are known to human civilization due to research and others are yet to be known. Their body forms, capabilities, intelligence level and periodicity of existence between birth and death are different and too numerous to be codified. However, the main principle of these manifested life forms is that once they are born, they must die after carrying out certain activities in accordance with their inborn capacities. Once they die, that is, when the life force

holding the body elements together departs from the body or stops functioning in the form of a pulsating heart beat, the body elements separate from each other. The earth goes to earth, water goes to water and air goes to air. Hindu philosophy holds that 'Panch Bhutas' (Five elements) of nature merge with their primordial elements, once the life force departs from a living organism. Then comes the next question as to what happens to the 'Jiva' without the body? What happens to the life force that holds the body together? Do the 'Jiva' and the life force (Prana) have any existence and significance after separating from the body? Some spiritual thinkers define the life force (Prana) as the manifested dynamics of the soul (Atman). According to some religions and philosophies the 'Jiva' after death is re-born again and again. According to others, there is no re-birth or re-incarnation of human souls. This series of re-births continues till the

'Jiva' reaches the stage of 'Moksha' as Hinduism believes or 'Nirvana' as Buddhism states. Therefore every Hindu, from his very childhood, is taught to commit good deeds and avoid evil deeds. Like Newton's law of motion of matter, which states that every action will have an equal and opposite reaction, Hindus believe that every good or evil act committed by a human being shall have an equal and opposite reaction. The only difference is that, in the case of human beings committing such acts - good or evil, the reaction may not manifest in a single lifetime. It can stretch over to the next life or lives. Therefore, it advises each human being, to be prepared to enjoy or suffer the results of his good or evil deeds respectively in future lives to come. This is known as the famous 'Karma' theory, as propounded so meticulously in 'Geeta' and other Hindu scriptures. One often hears of Hindu teachers and pupils speaking in terms of 'Moksha' as a

panacea to the unending series of painful births and deaths. Such people give donations to temples, feed the poor, perform numerous 'Poojas', visit places of religious significance (called 'Tirtha's) with the wish of achieving 'Moksha' or less than that to go to heaven (Swarg), a place of unhindered and absolute enjoyment and receive benefits for their so-called good deeds during life time. Many such activities are programmed like a modern corporate system - investment and profit, in this world and in the nether world doing noble jobs like feeding the poor and rendering services to the needy people is considered good. The problem is that, such an approach contradicts the other root principle of Hinduism which holds that such acts should not be performed with a desire, as desire creates a series of births necessary to fulfill these desires. Shri Geeta advises desireless (Nishkama) activities against desired (Sakama) activities. 'Shri Sai

Satcharitra' and other literature on Shri Shirdi Sai Baba indicate that Shri Sai believed in re-birth of human beings. He in fact revealed to some of His devotees about their past lives and about His relationship with them during such past lives. He always advised His devotees to follow the righteous path of sacrifice, tolerance and faith in God, with patience. He has never spoken anything about 'Heaven'. His devotees were asked to cleanse their minds of evil or negative thoughts and fill it with pure and divine qualities and serve others without the wish to get returns. In the backdrop of what has been stated hereinbefore, it is for each devotee to examine whether his approach towards such religious activities is in accordance with the dictates of the Master. If confused, they should sincerely submit to Baba and pray for an answer. I believe that answers are there if the questions are genuine. May Shri Sai bless us all.

C.B.Satpahty, New Delhi, India

 

 

 

 

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: The Power of Nama Japa

 

"If you always say "SAI", "SAI", I shall take you over the Seven Seas" - Sai Baba While answering the question of Narada, Lord Narayana says, "Mad Bhakta Yatra Gayante Tatra Tisthami Narada". Neither I am available in vaikuntha nor triloka sanchari like you, I am always present in the place where my devotees sing my name wholeheartedly". The significance of recitation of Nama Japa is very high in this Kaliyuga. In Vishnu Sahasranama it is said that "Sankirtya Narayana Shabda Matram, Vimukta Dukha Suknino Bhavantu". It means that if you take the name of Lord Narayana simply once, you will be out of the clutches of the Worldly Problems. In one of the instances in Sai Satcharita, Sainath suggests to his devotees to recite Vishnu Sahasranama to ward off all the difficulties. "Mananat Trayate iti Mantraha". Any word, which is uttered with the firm belief, becomes the

Powerful Mantra. The sacred name of 'Sainath' came out from the heart of an ardent devotee, Mahalsapaty, like this only. The strong tools of Sai's Dharma Prachara are Shradha and Saburi. The nama mahima is well described in one of the instances of Kabir Maharaj, who is the greatest and ardent devotee of Lord Sri Rama. Kabir's son Kamal was roaming on the banks of the Holy Ganges in Varanasi and saw a trader was taking number of dips in the holy water to ward off his disease. When he saw this action of the trader, he could not stop and asked the reason for his action. The trader explained him about the reason. Suddenly, Kamal laughed and advised the trader to recite the Taraka Nama of Lord Sri Rama. Despite the fact that the trader uttered the name of Rama number of times he could not get relief. In a fit of anger, Kamal whipped the trader on his back strongly and the trader screamed in pain while taking the name of Rama. Finally, he was cured.

Kamal narrated the whole story to his father when he reached back home. Kabir was furious and advised Kamal to consult Saint Tulsidas. Accordingly, he met Tulsidas and explained him about the whole story he witnessed on the banks of the holy Ganges. Tulsidas Maharaj laughed and then invited all the villagers immediately to assemble at his ashram. He took a glass of water and put some tulsi leaves in it and after uttering the name of Sri Ram; he sprinkled the holy water on all the villagers gathered in that area. Everybody felt excited and got a great relief. Those who were afflicted with diseases got cured after this ablution. Kamal came back and narrated the whole story to his father. Kabir was still not satisfied and advised his son to meet Soordas. Kamal was a bit disappointed but he decided to meet Soordas as per his father's advice. He went and met Soordasji and explained the whole story about the Trader and the subsequent

experiences. Soordasji patiently heard everything and advised Kamal to bring back the dead body, which was floating nearby, in the holy waters of Ganga. Kamal was astonished as to how Soordasji, the born blind, came to know about the dead body floating in the Ganges. However, Kamal obliged with the instructions of Soordasji and brought the body immediately. Soordasji sprinkled water on the dead body and uttered "RA", before even uttering the word "MA" the dead body became alive. The incidents and miracles happened in several Sai devotees all across the globe are the strong witness to the fact that the undeterred devotion towards Sainath and recitation of His name with great faith has undoubtedly freed them from all the difficulties, which they were facing in life. Moving clouds cannot cast a permanent shadow on the bright Sun. Difficulties do come and go but your faith in the Lord Sainath should be undeterred. Utter the name all the time and He

will take care of all your problems. (Contribued by: Sai devotee Prakash)

 

 

 

 

DEVOTEES SAY:

 

A DevoteeWhen my husband went for H1B, he was given 221(g) which was not cleared for a year. He has given his original documents to the consulate. We were so worried and lost hope also. I prayed to Sai and sent him for visa. This time miraculously he got his H1 visa and all his docs. Jai Sri Sainath maharaj ki Jai. ShaileeprasadBaba, many many thanks for making my daughter's marriage a great success . Baba "thank you" word is very small, but I don't know what to say because this event was not possible without your love affection and blessings. Baba, I felt your presence every where in the function and it was your blessing only that every thing went of so nicely. Thank you Baba once again and please accept my heart felt regards and pranam to you, always shower your blessings and love on me Sai SripadSai, Thank you

very much for your help with my H1 visa transfer getting approved even in such difficult times. Please continue to shower your blessings on our family. Thank you again. Sai devoteeSai, Please help my wife in getting a job. You know how much efforts she has put in the past one year. Only you can help her come out of her depression. Please please help her in getting a job and maintain her status.

 

 

 

 

PRAYER CLUB:

 

Sai devoteeSai Baba, I had come to Shirdi because I thought that you would help me. But I am still unmarried and I cannot see my mother's pain. The only wish I wanted you to give me was that he would marry me and I would move out of this house. My unmarried status is bringing a lot of shame to my mother. From the day I have met him, he is facing problems because of which the marriage is being delayed. Why are you not helping me Sai Baba? Why did you bring all problems in his life as soon as I came into his life? Am I unlucky for him? Sai Baba please get me married to him at the earliest. I wanted to get married this year but now only 4 days are left for the year to get over and I am disappointed. Please help. A Sai devoteeSai, Please help my wife in getting a job. You know how much efforts she has put in the past one year. Only you can help

her come out of her depression. Please please help her in getting a job and maintain her status. RaviBaba, I pray to you from my bottom of heart to change my Son's attitude towards life. He is gaining weight and became obese and has irregular eating and sleeping patterns. He is a good student, but not showing interest in things a teenager normally does at his age. He is obsessed with on-line computer games and this makes him gain weight. He is not willing to take any counseling or help. Please take my child in to your fold and change his life for good. I request Sai devotees to pray for my son and make him loose his weight, become positive and become a normal person.

 

 

 

 

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:

 

New Delhi, India Times Music has released a new audio CD of Bhajans of Shri Sai Baba featuring Suresh Wadkar, Sadhana Sargam, Shankar Mahadevan, Shilpa Rao, and Sukhwinder Singh. This album features fusion music on personal relationship with Shri Shirdi Sai. The lyrics and music have been composed by Sri C.B.Satpathy. The same is available through audio stores and Baba temples.

 

Sai devoteeI would like to narrate an experience in our lives that shows that Baba is God incarnate. 2 years back, when our family life was in trouble, my wife suspected she would have got pregnant. We went to a doctor for confirmation 2 weeks after that. The doctor scheduled for a scan and asked us to get the reports. We got the scan done and were waiting for the doctor' advise. After some 15 mins of discussion, the doctor came out and said the scan has been done and the result is of concern. The doctor explained that the Fetus is 6 weeks old and has stopped growing inside the womb since 2 weeks and it is a case of abortion. We were shell shocked. It was the first pregnancy and my wife was heart broken. Tears welled up in her eyes. I asked the doctor to double check. The doctor was a very experienced old woman and head of the Gynecology dept at the

Hospital/University. To comfort us she did the scan again and showed us that there is no pulse and according to the dates, by now the Fetus should have a pulse and growing. She asked us to go for an abortion and advised us that it's okay for us to wait for a week and then come back for the abortion. We left with heavy hearts. All the way back home my wife was inconsolable. I could not do anything. I just prayed to god and accepted the situation. Suddenly I felt I should take a second opinion. After a week we went to another lady doctor, who was also equally experienced and was head of gynecology dept in another hospital. We explained her the situation and she scheduled a scan 2 days later. We anxiously waited for the day and after the scan were impatient for the result. The doctor took me aside and said the same thing as the first doctor. However she gave us a lot of mental support and advised us to wait for another week before coming in

for abortion. We could do nothing but accept her suggestion. We went back home. That night I was very agitated. We both prayed to Sai, asked him to do whatever he feels best for us and then went to bed. Before sleeping my wife applied Udhi to her stomach. She did this daily for 1 week. After one week as advised we went to the doctor for an abortion. Before that, the doctor said she would do a routine scan. Now see the miracle. The scan showed the pulse and the fetus was growing. The doctor was shocked. She double checked the earlier scan reports, recalculated the dates. She talked to herself for 10 mins.we could hear her murmuring impossible..impossible 2 to 3 times. Finally she said "God wanted this baby to be born". She then gave us the happy news. We were thrilled. My wife was happy and we could not thank Baba enough. The Baby was born with no trouble and now he is a 2 year old active energetic boy. Baba's grace is unfathomable.

 

 

 

 

 

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

 

 

"One must be very particular about telling the truth. Through truth one can realize God". - Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

 

 

 

 

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

 

Q: What can one know from the experiences of Prof. GG Narke with Saibaba? A. Your answer can go here

 

 

 

 

SAI ACTIVITIES:

 

Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USASri Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 8:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m.(Winter hours). Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 8 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, everyday. Satsangs are conducted every Sunday mornings, 9 am to 12:30 pm. Please 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. Shirdi Sai Temple of New England, Boston AreaSri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of New England is now operational. It is located at 1827 Bridge St # 8, Dracut, MA 01824. The temple is open four days from Thursday to Sunday. For temple hours and activities please visit their website. 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. 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. 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 6599 Dublin Center Drive, Dublin, OH 43017. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday bhajans. For more information please call 614-799-8411. 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. Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Austin, TXSri Shirdi Sai Temple of Austin, Texas opened at 601 E Whitestone Blvd (RM 1431), Cedar Park, TX. Daily 4 aarthis are performed to Sai Baba. As part of service to needy, a weekly sandwich seva is also conducted. Shirdi Sai Mandir, Dulles, VAShirdi Sai Mandir is located at 43671 Trade Center Place #166 Dulles, VA 20166. The mandir is open through the week in the evenings from 6pm to 9 pm. Sri Satyanarayan pooja will be conducted every full moon day. Please call (703) 661-4724 for more information on activities, events and other information. Shirdi Sai Mandir, TorontoThe Mandir is located at Unit 7 & 8 2721 Markham Road Toronto ON M1X 1L5 Canada. Daily services offered to Baba include abhishek and all aartis. For Mandir hours

and activities, please call 647-444-4724. Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, Canada -TorontoDevotees in Toronto, are invited to join in Sai Namavali, Satcharita reading, Bhajans, Aarti and Prasad every Thursday from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. at GUR MANDIR 207 Queen's Plate Dr. Etobicoke - Hwy27 South of Finch for more info call (416) 294 4804. Sai Mandir, Baldwin New YorkDevotees in New York and surrounding locations are informed about Sri Sai Mandir in Baldwin NY. The temple is located at 1889 Grand Avenue, Baldwin, NY 11510. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday Panchamruta Abhishekam and bhajans. For more information please call at 516-867-8008. Shirdi Saibaba Temple, Iselin/Edison New JerseyDevotees in New Jersey and surrounding locations are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Iselin NJ. The temple is located at 465 Lincoln Highway (Route 27) Iselin, NJ 08830. Please

attend daily Aaratis and Thursday Panchamruta Abhishekam and bhajans. For more information please call at 732-283-1800. Shirdi Saibaba Temple, Flushing New YorkThis temple is located near the famous Ganesh Temple, Flushing, New york. All the day-to-day rituals at the temple are being conducted in a manner similar to that in Shirdi. The temple is located at 46-16 Robinson Street Flushing,NY,USA 11355. For more information please call 718-321-9243. Sri Sai Amruta Narayana Sarveswaraalaym, Richmond, VAThe temple is open from 5.15 am to 9.00 pm, everyday (no lunch break etc). We have all 4 aarthis every day and Baba's paalki seva on every Thursday after Dhoop Aarthi. Further information can be obtained by calling the temple at 804-708-0867. Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, Houston TXThis temple was inaugurated on August 28th 2009 with idols of both the saints Shri Sant Jalaram and Shri

Shirdi Sai Baba. The temple is open for darshan and arathis all day. It is located in Sugarland and more information can be obtained by calling 281-433-4706. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Detroit, MISri Shirdi Sai Baba temple, Livonia welcomes everyone to visit the temple and get Baba's blessings. The temple is open for darshan and arathis. For more information please call 248-471-6474.

 

 

 

 

FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:

 

Sai Vichaar wishes readers a Happy, Peaceful, and Prosperous Year ahead. Those who would like to write to Sai Vichaar for publication may do so by submitting via the article submission page. Please use your original names and check the box if you would like to remain unanimous. Using others' name is not only unethical but would constitute a crime. Thanks for your cooperation In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately. "Question of the week" for this week is Q. What can one know from the

experiences of Prof. GG Narke with Saibaba? Humbly Yours,The Editor

 

 

 

 

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From and Editor:

Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site

 

 

Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha

 

 

(A non-profit organization)

 

Mail:

12N950 State Route 47

 

 

Hampshire, IL 60140, USA

 

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