Sai Vichaar for Thursday , March 06, 2008

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Sai Vichaarwww.saibaba.org Thursday , March 06, 2008 :: Volume 10, Issue 43 (In its tenth 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: Spiritual life and Material lifeIs spiritual life the same as the material life or are they different? What constitutes a life that dwells in spirit and what is material life? Although Baba didn't elaborate on this topic just as He did not dissect on any other topic at length, one encounters this discussion frequently. It is an observation that the young are often discouraged to pursue any spiritual activity as it is deemed that it is not as much a priority as earning a livelihood. Thus, spiritual pursuits are often pushed towards latter stages of life. To dissuade this thought, it is said that one need not differentiate the spiritual life from the way we live our everyday lives. To this effect, it is said that one should spend whatever time he/she could in the thoughts of Sadguru as one goes about the ordinary life. As the distinction is blurred, the life itself becomes a harmonious blend of the self and Sadguru. Is there anything more? Everyone is entitled for Baba's grace. But, do all get the same benefit? Baba Himself quipped that if every flower on the tree comes to fruition it would be a bumper crop. But it doesn't happen. The thought that material life and spiritual life is one in itself is a revelation, a comforting assurance that would help one in looking at life in its perspective. Does this mean that the material and spiritual lives are same, meaning there is no difference? If one were to observe carefully, argument that there are no differences between spiritual and material life denotes an intelligent yet subtle justification to the material pursuits that are always in conflict with the search for the spirit!Spiritual or material, it is one life. Attempting to differentiate is a futile exercise because it is neither possible nor appropriate to draw the line. However, as one progresses in the path of Sadguru, the changes in one's life should be evident as every interest revolves around Sadguru; around His likes and dislikes, and approval and disapproval. When the life is in complete tune with Sadguru and none else, such a life is completely spiritual and not material. Just like one cannot travel on two horses riding in opposite directions, one cannot expect to lead a material life to its fullest fulfillment and yet accomplish the spiritual goal. While it is not relevant to discuss the importance of each of the functions in this context, what it takes someone to become the Pope is different from what it would take to become the President of a nation.CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: How Baba came into Swami Kesavaiahji's LifeSwami Kesavaiahji at that time had not heard about Sai Baba and not even seen his picture before. On one occasion he was relating to his friend Mr. Malli Reddi, an Advocate of Anantpur some of his personal difficulties. Mr. Reddi said, "Pray to Sai Baba, your difficulties would be over." Swami Kesavaiahji mentioned this to his dear wife Govindammal. On that night Sai Baba came in Swami Kesavaiahji,s dream. He remained with him for four or five minutes. Swami Kesavaiahji felt blessed and overjoyed. He wanted to buy a picture of Baba the next day and worship it. Strangely enough, on the same day a picture of Baba and packet of udhi arrived from Shirdi although the name of the sender was not known. This revelation was on 1st July 1939. It was then about 21 years since Baba had left this world. Yet this miracle in the life of Swami Kesavaiahji had happened. It had a special significance. Kesavaiahji used his spiritual powers to serve the bhaktas in the name of Baba. Many people sought Swamiji's help. When he was Sub-Registrar at Penukonda in 1948, he built a small shrine there for Sai Baba, which became famous. Swamiji did his spiritual healings to whoever sought his help. He did this good work wherever he was transferred in his official career.

Swami Kesavaiahji came to Madras in 1948 for medical treatment. As if ordained by Baba he was transferred to Madras in 1949. Even during his illness he would conduct Sai Puja in devotees' houses. He would give sacred udhi to whoever came to him. Swamiji's illness grew worse. On one night his condition grew worse. He prayed to Sai Baba intensely. Baba seemed to have driven away the messengers of death. Swamiji recovered by the grace of Sai. Through Swamij's grace many persons had received a vision of Baba in their dreams. One such person was the doctor who treated Swami Kesavaiahji during his illness.Swami Kesavaiahji has visited Shirdi about 73 times after he was first blessed by Baba in 1939. He helped construct and open temples of Baba in many places. Once Swami Kesavaiahji visited Pandharpur. Baba seemed to accompany him in the guise of a fellow traveller. Swami Kesavaiahji dreamt that the garlands he placed on Vittoba at Pandaripur was on Baba's Samadhi itself. Swami Kesavaiajhi had innumerable such experiences to tell. Swamiji is survived by a son and two daughters. Before his Samadhi on August 9th, 1981, Swamiji has asked for udhi. He applied it to his forehead and swallowed the rest. This occurred at sunset. Still seated, he said "Allah Malik" and closed his eyes. At about 6:30 pm Swamiji left this world. Glory to Sri Sai Baba, and glory to the hallowed memory of His chosen devotee Sri Swami Kesavaiahji.

(Contributed by Sai Ankita)DEVOTEES SAY: AnuradhaLast two weeks I was suffering from severe knee pains. I was unable to walk. I asked Baba to help me. I promised that I would submit my experience in Sai Vichaar. It's a miracle, from last Thursday I was able to walk with very little knee pain. This is all Baba's kripa.KhushbuToday again I have experienced Your miracle Sai. Sai saved me from legal complications with my previous roommate. I called today in the court and they told me that there are no pending claims against me. Thanks so much Baba. I was so worried I do not want anymore legal issues. You have again protected me Sai like always. I also want to thank You for sending a really nice rommate. I see You in her and I know she needs lot of emotional support and want Your blessings for her.NavinSai Baba indeed is Antaryaami and can not only read our mind but also can feel the exact emotion that we go through. Sai Baba attracts us like a string attached to a sparrow's feet. I am really happy to say that Sai baba was the only one because of whom I am now getting married to the love of my life. I prayed and cried day and night and He cried with me. He did everything for me. I want to thank Him and I want to assure Sai that I will keep my promise. I pray to Sai to bless me and my love (soon to be my wife) and my complete family and everyone who is in pain. Sai, I will need You all along and fulfilling this big task will not be possible without You. Please bless us for a great married life and give us a place at Your feet.ChitraDear Sai, Thank you, for helping me out and solving one of my problems. Please continue to help us out and bless my family.

Sai devoteeSaibaba, I prostrate before You and surrender once again to You. Though You are omniscent and all pervasive, for the sake of fellow devotees I am narrating this experience. I was relieved of my duties on 22nd October without any reason due to the foul play of certain vested interests. I was without any assignment for over three months. I, my wife and my mother prayed Baba with immense faith. After three months, on 21st January, I got the posting in the same organisation at a higher level, more so above the person, who was instrumental for my sufferring. It was just an unbelievable miracle of Baba. Baba, I pray that You continue to shower Your blessings on me to regain my shattered confidence and excel in this new assignment.Sai devoteeThank you father for confirming my contract for a job exactly on a Thursday. As promised, I am posting this. Sainatha, I have been trying for a job for couple of years. You also showered Your blessings in my dream. After that a lot of changes in my career. All of a sudden I got a nice job that I wanted. Thank you so much for guiding Your devotees, and putting them on the right track. Please give me strength and knowledge to perform at work. Please be with me, my children and husband. My husband is going through a tough time with his job. Please solve the problems that he is facing.ZeenatThank you very much for sending me the Shirdi Sai 2008 calendar. I was very happy to get and it is very beautifully designed. When I ordered this calendar I thought I wouldn't get it for some reason. In the morning before the calendar arrived in the post, I had a dream early morning that many things such as posters, calendar and magazines of Baba had arrived in the post, it was so much I didn't know where to put it. When I woke up after the dream I was very happy and thought that the calendar might arrive today. Then when I heard the letterbox my heart was beating very hard and my sister went and picked up the letters and there it was the calendar, my dream came true and I was blessed by Baba.PRAYER CLUB: Sai devoteeTill now You have listened to many of my prayers and blessed with whatever I had wished for. This time I am praying for a thing which seems to me impossible but Baba for You nothing is impossible, so please listen to this prayer. You know what I am thinking so I won't write in words but when it will be fulfilled I will mention it. RandyI pray to Sai for success in starting a small business and healing the financial and health issues of my mom and myself.VijayalakshmiDear Baba, humble pranams! Baba, You know how desperatley I am trying to get a post doc fellowship in a good University abroad. For the past three years every good offer has slipped out of my fingers at the last minute. Please help me Baba so that I get a good offer from a good lab and am able to go abroad soon. Also two of my ex bosses have been creating obstacles by not giving me a good reference and therefore I am suffering. Please make them change their attitude towards me. Let them both look at me positively and let them change their attitude to me so that they no longer sabotage my career prospects. Bless me so that I get a good offer abroad from a good lab abroad and I can then leave soon. You know how desperate my situation is and how I need to earn money. Please help me Baba.

Sai devoteeBaba, you know everything and You know how I am helpless and how scared I am in life. I am going through the same thing that I went through just a year back Baba. I am scared of taking those medicines Baba, please cure me naturally and completely. Baba, I promise I will always follow all the things I told You, even if I do mistakes unknowingly I will correct them. There is no doctor or no medicine in this world that can cure me, but You. Please take care of me.VishalDear Sai, my friend had some misunderstanding. I accepted what I did not do because I did not wanted to further hurt her. Sai please remove all the misunderstanding, our friendship should not be affected. Sai please do something, You are my last hope.Sai devoteeBaba, we have a family friend who has been out of job for more than a year. Recently his wife joined and is also in search of a job. Being well qualified in the medical field, they are unable to find a job to survive. Added to this they just bought a house and arranging finances is becoming a concern. You are always kind and help those in need. Please help this couple who are trying to live together after a long separation. We tried to help to the extent possible by us.Sai devoteeSai please bless me and my family members with perfect health. I shall be graceful if You could extend my husband's job for another two years. These days my son is not keeping well please bless him immediately with good health, peace of mind and happiness. Sairamji do something for the house also, and please bless us all with perfect health (since You know deva how I become nervous of anyone's bad health). Bless my daughter with a healthy and beautiful baby in a very normal way. Both should be ok. Baba, don't leave me and be with me and my family all the time and clear all the bad deeds like someone told us one of our very close friend is doing something on us to spoil our life so please it should not effect us and deva give darshan and bless us best health, peace and happiness always.

SheebaI am in deep trouble as my son's health is very bad. He is suffering with all sorts of colds, infections, fever and allergies from a long time and his condition is very weak now. The doctor is sending for further blood work. Please devotees pray to Baba for my son's health. I badly need Baba's blessings for my son. Only He can save him. I cry and fall at His lotus feet. Please save my baby. Om Sai Sri Sai Jai Jai Sai.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: MonaSai Ram, this miracle happened to me and wanted to share this. I am sure that I am not the first one to experience. I had ordered Baba's statue and I specified that the statue should be a medium sized statue. Almost a week after I had ordered, I visited my friend, who is also a great Baba devotee, in fact she plays a pivotal role in my being His devotee, so whenever I visit her, I first go to her place of worship and take Sai's blessings. That day I did the same, when I reached her alter to my surprise I saw the same statue that I had ordered a week back but hers was larger in size. Looking at Baba now I regretted not having ordered the same size as hers and I knew it was too late to change the order, and you know what the day was Thursday. I left her home with a regretted feeling, but to my surprise, I had a parcel waiting for me. I knew it was my order. I opened the box and I realized that the statue was the same size as I had seen at my friend's place. I could not stop crying, I was so delighted and I understood it was nothing but Baba's power towards His devotees. He listens to everybody. Om Sai Ram.NirmalaMarch 1st was our twin daughters' birthday. One of our friends told us that there is Sai temple newly opened in our city. So I wanted to take my daughters for Sai darshan that day. But some how by the time we reached the temple it was closed. I was very disappointed and said to my husband that we can have Sai darshan only if Sai wishes and we were not lucky this time. We sat in the prayer hall for sometime but since the temple people were waiting for us to close I said to my husband that we should leave. In the mean time the panditji came to us and asked us generally that if my daughters were twins and what is their age. I told him that it was their birthday. To our surprise he removed the curtains and let us has have Sai darshan. I was thrilled and tears were rolling from my eyes. Thank you Sai for giving us Your darshan.QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: "For a greedy man there is no peace, neither contentment, nor certainty (Steadiness). If there be even a little trace of greed in mind, all the Sadhanas are of no avail."-Shri Sai BabaQUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. Question of the week is given below.........A. by KavthankarQ. In Sai Satcharita Sri Saibaba says to a devotee that their relationship was for the past 72 births. Is there any significance to 72 births?

A. In Sai Satcharita, Hemadpant has pictured Baba as Lord Shankar and Madhavrao as his Nandi. Madhavrao Deshpande alias 'Shama' served Baba till the end of his life. Shri SaiBaba gave him Respect- The place of a friend close to Heart. It was a vivid example of a devotee-friend. Shri Sai Baba used to call Madhavrao as " Maza Shama" (My Shama). He served Shri SaiBaba till the end of his life.

Upto the age of 72 , Shama did not suffer from any ailments. He did not suffer even from simple maladies like fever or headache. In one of the incidents, after dinner, Shama was rubbing Baba's wet hands with a towel when Baba pinched Shama's cheek. Shama then said, "Deva, is it proper for you to pinch me like this? We don't want such a mischievous God who pinches us thus. Are we Your dependents, is this the fruit of our intimacy?" Baba replied, "Oh Shama, during the 72 generations that you were with me, I never pinched you till now and now you resent my touching you". Shama, "We want a God that will give us ever kisses and sweets to eat; we do not want any respect from You, or heaven, balloon etc. Let our faith unto Your Feet be ever wide-awake". Baba, "Yes, I have indeed come for that. I have been feeding and nursing you and have got love and affection for you".SAI ACTIVITIES: Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USAShirdi 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, 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 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 every Thursday from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm and Saturday's from 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm. For temple hours and activities please visit the website www.nessp.org or send mail to maildrop.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: In the last issue of Sai Vichaar, the response in the "Question of the week" segment was mistakenly attributed to Sai devotee Kavthankar. It is rectified and please refer to the section in this issue for the complete responses to the question. Sai Vichaar regrets the inadvertent error.

Several Sai devotees have written to Sai Vichaar thanking for the beautiful wall calendar of Sri Saibaba. This is a humble attempt of service by this website to Sai devotees all over. Everyone's continued support is sincerely appreciated. Sai devotees posting prayer request are requested to state their needs briefly and be specific about their prayer needs. This will help with good use of space and allows more requests to be posted every week.

A Sai devotee suggested the "Question of the week" for this week as follows: Q. In Sai Satcharita Sri Saibaba says to a devotee that their relationship was for the past 72 births. Is there any significance to 72 births?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.