Sai Vichaar for Thursday , January 31, 2008

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Sai Vichaarwww.saibaba.org Thursday , January 31, 2008 :: Volume 10, Issue 38 (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: Bhakthi and JnanaIt seems then that the Sage of Shirdi did favor the path of bhakti for attaining salvation. Once when comparing gnan and bhakti, the Master likened the former to Ramphal and the latter to Sitaphal. The pulp of ramphal is difficult to comb out, but the sitaphal is sweet and its pulp is easily accessible. If the gnani falls, there is a danger of his remaining in that state, since he may not be able to help himself, but the bhakta always has the compassionate succor of his master to support and reinstate him. Perhaps Sai Baba felt that the crying urgency of this Kali Yuga was bhakti. The first and most fundamental requisite is of course a strong desire for moksha, a hunger and thirst for the Divine, which no material conditions can ever assuage. Wealth, kith and kin are all transient. So long as the material attachments occupy a vital part of man's thoughts he cannot go far. Equipped with this burning desire for a union with the Lord, if a devotee has complete faith in His mercy and surrenders all to His wisdom, then his task becomes less arduous and his ultimate success is assured. Not only this, but bhakti even when practiced not too thoroughly is nevertheless a powerful weapon of purification, in that it gradually leads the bhakta to greater and greater concentration of worship; that is to say, if one may so express it, even a casual bhakta is transformed into an ardent one sooner or later. Only a beginning has to be made, the rest is taken care of. How reassuring this thought is. We cannot take the wrong path if we keep conscious of the Light. Baba, therefore gave great importance to all those practices that aid concentration in the Divine. He greatly favored the use of Japam i.e. repetition of the Guru-god's name either audibly, or mentally.Such repetition, Baba said, may seem mechanical at first, but it slowly draws the mind into the vortex of a one-pointed concentration. From a practical aspect its aim is to cultivate emotional and mental stability, and thus prepare the soil for the realization of Brahman. It is important at this stage to make clear distinction between the kind of bhakti that Sai Baba enjoined on his followers, and the undisciplined emotionalism that sometimes goes by the name of bhakti. Baba gave bhakti the highest place in any sadhana, but he wanted that this emotion should also be purified. The emotion must not be allowed to degenerate into mere sentimentalism which has not the same poise and balance of disciplined bhakti. True Bhakti can be easily distinguished from mere hysterical emotionalism. For in the latter there is ultimately a feeling of incompleteness and exhaustion. This lower type of bhakti is a kind of deluded extension of self-love. It has its roots in the ego, that is why it is impatient of returns. But the bhakti that Baba enjoined is bhakti plus yoga -- bhakti that is discipline. In the giving of such devotion there is a feeling of completeness and fulfillment and a total conserving of one's energies, so that the true bhakta never has a sense of frustration, nor is he ever exhausted.FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Bhakthi and Jnana (continued.....)There is no doubt that Shri Sai Baba was the apostle of love and that his predictions lay more in the direction of the bhakti way to salvation. Not once, but several times did he emphasize the great value he attached to devotion and surrender. "I am the bond slave of my devotees. I love devotion. If one ever dwells on me in his mind and will not even taste food before offering it to me, I become his slave -- so also if he hungers and thirsts after me and treats all else as unimportant." Such was the illuminating language in which the sage gave predominance to the function of love. Shri Sai Baba's followers, therefore, have so to elevate their understanding as will enable them to realize the living beauty of love, its divine energies, its health-giving properties, and its power to demonstrate immortality. (Source: "Saibaba - The Saint of Shirdi" by Mani Sahukar)CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Sri Saibaba and SpeechTelling the Truth Always- In our scriptures, repeated stress is laid on speaking the truth always. Our national motto is Satyameva Jayate (Truth only succeeds). In Mahabharata, we have heard of Dharmaraj, the eldest amongst Pandavas, who always spoke the truth, but once in life he told a lie and, therefore, had to spend few hours in hell. Sai Baba was always practical and realistic in His teachings. He never told His devotees by words not to tell a lie and speak the truth always. But, the devotees knew that Sai Baba was Antardnyani (knew the secrets of every being's heart) and would certainly catch them, if they told a lie, hence, they dared not to speak untruth in His presence. Hemadpant in his original Marathi Shri Sai Satcharita rightly says:

Asatya chalena Sainprati Asatyen nahin Sainchi prapti Asatyen janen adhogati Antin durgati asatye Adhyay 38, 138

(Untruth does not work before Sai and Sai cannot be procured with untruth. Untruth means downfall. Untruth in the end takes you to hell.)

Khote sanguni bhagena kaj Sai Maharaj sarvasakshi

Adhyay 51, 159

(Success is not possible by telling a lie. Sai Baba is omniscient.)

However, there are some instances in Sai Baba's life, where Sai Baba Himself has told lies. In Ch. 27, Sai Baba wanted to give one Ramdasi's Vishnu-Sahasra-Nama (a book, giving a thousand names of Vishnu and held second in importance to Bhagwat Geeta) to His devotee Shama for initiating him in its recitation. So, He called Ramdasi and told him a lie that He was suffering from intense stomach-pain and asked him to go to the bazaar and bring some sonamukhi (a mild purgative drug). When Ramdasi went to bazaar, Sai Baba got up from His seat, picked up the copy of Vishnu-Sahasra-Nama and gave it to Shama-although he was not willing to take it.Similarly, in Ch. 33 for reaching Udi and Arati urgently for the safe delivery of Nanasaheb Chandorkar's daughter at Jamner, Sai Baba Himself took the form of tonga-driver and told a lie to Bapugir, that the tonga and the refreshments also was sent by Nanasaheb Chandorkar himself from Jamner.

Now, how do we interpret such acts? Firstly, the saints do not have to bear the consequences of their acts - whether good or bad, since the saints do not claim the doership of these acts to themselves. Secondly, even if such acts are sinful, the saints are prepared to bear their consequences for the sake of their devotees. In the first instance, Sai Baba wanted to favor His devotee Shama with some religious practice and hence, He enacted this drama. Normal advice by words would not have been that effective. In the second instance, Sai Baba wanted to respond to Nanasaheb Chandorkar's fervent prayers to save the life of his pregnant daughter Mainatai, who was having severe labor pains and not delivering at Jamner. In this case, there was urgency to reach Udi and Arati more than 100 miles away and that too in the night. Hence, not only Baba prompted Bapugir to go to his native place at that odd hour but helped him to reach Jamner from Jalgaon Railway station in a tonga by even speaking all sorts of lies to convince Bapugir. Thus, saints would do anything to favour their devotees or to help them in their calamities. Haven't we heard a number of instances, where saints have taken on themselves serious and painful diseases of their devotees and suffered them willingly!(Contributed by Source: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, 1993)CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Sri Saibaba and Speech (continued........)Sai Baba Himself in Ch. 7 had taken on Himself four fully-developed bubos of Dadasaheb Khaparde's young son and suffered them. How then saints would ever hesitate to perform sinful acts for the sake of their devotees and suffer the consequences if any?

Telling the truth - nothing but the truth - sometimes becomes problematic in everyday life. Now a day there is a shortage of change, while traveling in a bus or rickshaw. The conductor or the rickshaw-driver always demands the exact amount saying he has no change. Now, even if we have the change, we would need it for the return journey. So, we are tempted to tell a lie, since telling the conductor or rickshaw-driver, that we need the change for return journey will not work, and thus telling the truth will end in serious difficulties on our return journey. Actually, the conductor or the rickshaw-driver himself, many a times, bluffs, that he has no change. So, what should we do? Follow the principle of 'Satyam Vad' (Tell the truth always) or not? (To be continued)

(Contributed by Source: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, 1993)DEVOTEES SAY: DeeptiI would like to thank you for the beautiful wall calendar, which I received last week. The photos are beautiful and some are photos that I've never seen, even though I visited Shirdi. God Bless all those who were involved in bringing this beautiful calendar with Baba and his blessings to our homes. May his love and blessings remain with us forever!RadhikaI have just recently shifted to Canada. Since I am an avid reader I immediately joined our community library and was astonished to find a copy of Sai Satcharitha. Since it was quite huge I decided to complete the reading in 21 days. On the last day I received Saibaba's calendar. Suffice to say I was happily surprised. It confirmed my faith that if we are truly tuned in to Baba, He is with us every step of the way.EktaMy family were looking for a good match for my sister for last 7 years and finally with Sai Baba's blessing she got married to a very nice boy and not only that after my miscarriage it took 3 years but again with Sai baba's ashirwad I am blessed with his ashirwad and have a son now. Have faith in Sai baba, he will listen to you for sure. Have shradha in him and have patience you will definitely get though with your hard time. Jai Sai Ram.MadhaviSince yesterday I was suffering with cold, headache and eyes burning. Today as it is Thursday I prayed to Baba to reduce my problem and I will post it in Sai Vichaar and took some udi mixed with Baba's abhishek liquid and lo my problem is reduced to 80 percent. I am so thrilled and I don't know how to thank Baba.ReshmaAum Sai Ram. Just to inform you that I recieved the Shirdi Sai Wall Calendar sent by you. Words cannot describe how overwhelmed I was to recieve it. I was going through a period of anguish, frustration, self doubts, all in all a crisis! At this juncture I recieved the calendar and the first thing I read in it is that our destinies are not comparable. Each one has his own destiny. It answered all my doubts and really opened my eyes. Time and again, Baba sends subtle hints that He is with me holding my hand through this journey.PujaDear Baba, koti koti pranam. Hey Baba thank you for the beautiful darshan that you gave me for two days continiously. I wanted to see You so badly and you have heard me. Baba thank you so much for answering my prayers for Choti who is totally fine from her chicken pox now and is sharing this with other devotees that Baba does what you feel and wish for from him. It is we who at times don't trust Him enough for our goodwill. Remember Baba's word, the way your heart feels for Him that's what He does for you. Baba give me enough strength to follow the way shown by You and help me and bless me to start reading Sai Satcharitra once again. Om Sai Ram.

SundeepThank you very much for sending the calender. We are very grateful, as we were not expecting the calender to come in Nigeria because of poor postal service. We are very happy to get the calender escepially to receive on Thursday. Once again thank you very much.

PRAYER CLUB: AnuradhaSai Ram, as You know we have no kids since 10 years. With your blessing, I started IVF treatment from yesterday. Please Sai Ram bless us with kids.ArpanaDear Sai Baba please bless us with a baby. Please fulfill our one desire of having a baby. Me and my husband are praying to You from years.HelenPlease bless our family, give my brother the strength and understanding of the family situation happening. Sai Baba, watch over him always, as he is not himself. I believe in my heart You will help him come around to face reality and be a better person.VJI humbly pray to our Lord Sai to guide me through the trouble times. I have been seeking for a house for over 7 years plus but still no sight. Also, now my brother has threatened to throw my things and wants to possess our parents house as his own. I pray that his thioughts change and he can live as a family. He drinks a lot and has gone into an attitute that he cares for no one. I have spentt all my life looking after my families interests, not got married and now since both parents have left this earth, feel lonely etc.PraveenaDearest Sai, one of my close relative is facing a very difficult problem and passing through many hurdles. Please shower Your karuna and show him the right path, and decision so that he can live a happy and peaceful life. Please Sai Baba take that child into Your saranam and protect him from all evil people, evil eyes and destructive forces. Please Sai Baba, I honestly request You to take him to your path and make him your devotee more intensely.NaveenBaba, my sister is not feeling well and she is suffering from diabeties(sugar). The sugar level is very high. Baba please help us, she is very weak and not able to do anything. SuneelSainath, my daughter is to appear in 10th Class Board Examinations by March. She feels she is not able to concentrate. She feels her hardwork does not bring her desired results. From today she started reading Shree Sai Satcharitra and has taken a vow to read it within one week. She visited today also your Temple. Sainath, we have no one except you to take care. You know how we all have been left alone. Please Baba bless her make her to feel comfortable and protect us all. EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: RamkumarWe wish to share our experience to show Baba's infinite mercy on His bhakthas. We had purchased a house and were waiting for it to be delivered. Meanwhile, the house prices had gone down drastically and everyday we were depressed over the loss we incurred. We had given up all hope, but one fine morning it all happened. As a part of their anniversary sale, the builder had advertised quick delivery homes which were the top of the line in their community than the basic one we bought and we submitted a request to switch us to one of the bigger homes for the same price. The builder, after much hesitation agreed to switch us (it is very difficult as they lose a buyer by doing so). Please note that the previous lot number was 105 and the new one is 150. It is all Baba's mercy that saved us. Look at Sai's leela. It didn't end there. Due to my wife's health problems, we were worried if the grahapravesham will go fine. Not only did Sai ensure that it went fine, but He also blessed us with His picture through one of the attendees as well as the calendar that we had requested.ParthasarathyMy wife delivered a baby boy on 10th January 2008, Thursday [baba's day] at 3:44 pm. It was not a normal delivery. It was a caesarian. Till 9th January 2008 the baby weighed only 2 kgs. I prayed to Baba to increase the weight. When the baby was born he weighed 2.4 kgs. Baba had increased the weight of the baby by answering my prayers. Now both my wife and the baby are safe and got discharged on 14th January 2008. Kindly continue to shower Your blessings on three of us to lead a simple and devotional life. We three surrender completely at Your lotus feet. Koti Pranam Sainath.ShivaI have been in some trouble, he knows, for a long time. I pray to Sai everyday to take me out of this situation, but, I feel some times he is not with me. I have some plans to implement for myself and others, still reluctant to implement. Today is my birthday and I thought of not celebrating this even. I don't know how I was forced to open my briefcase for a book named 'Devotees's problems, Baba's answers' in the morning. I purchased this book in Shirdi in my last visit. Ask Baba a question and select a random number between 1 to 999, and the sentences assigned to that number, the previous number and the next number are Baba's answers. Believe it or not, you know my question? "Are you with me?". I chose a number between 1 and 999 and I was shocked to see the answers. Here are the three sentences I saw. 1. You will be supported by your siblings and friends always. 2. I am with you always, Believe me and proceed to implement whatever you want. 3. Today is a good day and no one can change your luck.

When I was on call with my father yesterday, he told me today is going to be very good day. I did not heed to my father's words. Baba told me the same in his answers. I cried a lot, for asking Baba that stupid question. I know he is with me. He proved it again for me. He is with everyone who loves and prays him. I ran to take bath and get ready. Thanks for being with me BABA. Give me good health and support to implement my plans on time.QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: "Baba never fasted Himself, nor did He allow others to do so. The mind of the faster is never at ease, then how could he attain his Paramartha (goal of life)? God is not attained on an empty stomach; first the soul has to be appeased. If there is no moisture of food in the stomach and nutrition, with what eyes should we see God, with what tongue should we describe His greatness and with what ears should we hear the same?"-Sri Sai SatcharithaQUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. How should we live our lives so as to achieve the grace of Saibaba?A. by MukeshFrom the chapter 19th of Sri Sai Satcharitra, Baba's advice regarding our behavior-

"Unless there is some relationship or connection, nobody goes anywhere. If any men or creatures come to you, do not discourteously drive them away, but receive them well and treat them, with due respect. Shri Hari (God) will be certainly pleased, if you give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and your verandah to strangers for sitting and resting. If anybody wants any money from you, and you are not inclined to give, do not give, but do not bark at him, like a dog. Let anybody speak hundreds of things against you, do not resent by giving any bitter reply. If you always tolerate such things, you will certainly be happy. Let the world go topsy-turvy, you remain where you are. Standing or staying in your own place, look on calmly at the show of all things passing before you. Demolish the wall of difference that separates you from Me; and then the road for our meeting will be clear and open. The sense of differentiation, as I and thou, is the barrier that keeps away the disciple from his Master, and unless that is destroyed the state of union or atonement is not possible, "Allah Malik" i.e. God is the sole Proprietor, nobody else is our Protector. His method of work is extra-ordinary, invaluable, and inscrutable. His will will be done and He will show us the way, and satisfy our heart's desires. It is on account of Rinanubandh (former relationship) that we have come together, let us love and serve each other and be happy. He, who attain the supreme goal of life, is immortal and happy; all others merely exist, i.e., live so long as they breathe".

Along with this message, Baba always insisted on "Faith and Patience". These two characteristics automatically brings "Vivek (knowledge / Discipline) and Vairagya (Detachment), Ability tolerate, and get rid of Pride (Ahamkara), which leads to ultimate goal of life.Along with this message, Baba always insisted on "Faith and Patience". These two characteristics automatically brings "Vivek (knowledge / Discipline) and Vairagya (Detachment), Ability tolerate, and get rid of Pride (Ahamkara), which leads to ultimate goal of life. Following these messages, Baba's grace cannot be denied.Q. How should we live our lives so as to achieve the grace of Saibaba?A. by NaineshWe should read Sai Satcharita daily, chant His name and be humble and helpful to all. May Your grace be on all.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: Sai Vichaar is an open forum for those interested to share their experiences, views and ideas on Sai devotion and their experiences with Saibaba of Shirdi. Readers are requested to note that Sai Vichaar is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors. Question of the week for this week as follows: Q. How should we live our lives so as to achieve the grace of Saibaba?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.