Guest guest Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Sai Vichaar www.saibaba.org Thursday , October 09, 2008 :: Volume 11, Issue 22 (In its eleventh 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 WEEK CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE DEVOTEES SAY PRAYER CLUB EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES QUOTATION OF THE WEEK QUESTION OF THE WEEK SAI ACTIVITIES FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Punyatithi Message In chapter 47 of the "Shri Sai Satcharitra" written by Late Shri Govind Raghunath Dabholkar (Hemadpant), there is a story told by Shri Sai Nath Maharaj to one of his devotees. Baba has depicted the story as His own experience with two characters - Veerbhadrappa (a snake) and Bassappa (a frog) with whom He had relationship in their earlier lives. As the story goes, Baba once heard the painful sound of a frog, when he was moving in a village. Being moved by the painful sound he searched for the frog and found him on the river shore and saw that a snake was trying to swallow it. Baba had divine capabilities of knowing the past, present and future of all those who came in contact with him. On seeing the snake and the frog in the situation of deadly animosity, he tried to separate them by reminding them of their inimical relationship in their past life. Baba told the snake i.e. Veerbhadrappa, that he and the frog had killed each other in the past life due to a bitter rivalry. As a consequence of their evil deeds, they were born in the form of a snake and a frog and since their evil thoughts against each other had been carried forward to the present life, they were unconsciously propelled to restart the fight in this manner. He advised the snake to let go of the frog so that the seed of enmity between them brought forward from the past life is not carried forward to the next life. Listening to what Baba said, Veerbhadrappa (the snake) released the frog (Bassappa) who jumped to the river and escaped. This depiction is in the style of a beautiful parable told to children in Hindu folklores. However, an in-depth understanding would reveal that Shri Sai Nath Maharaj was propounding the basic tenets of "Karma" (Karma Theory) of Indian Spiritual Science. The first principle is that the reactions of actions (good and evil both) of the past lives are bound to come into play in the next life (or lives). Those with whom one had good relationship in the past life will be friends in the next life and those with whom one had bad relationship in the past lives will become enemies. The second principle is that the law of nature through its unseen mechanism will bring them together and precipitate the good or bad events as ordained from the past. The third principle is that due to the play of "Maya" (Human Illusions created by nature) such human relationships will be established in the form of any social relationship e.g. friend - friend, brother - brother, husband - wife, master - servant, father - son, lover - beloved etc. Such relationship can even be extended to a human being - animals / birds relationship or animal - animal relationship. Baba was categorical in making the statement that no one develops some sort of a relationship with another person unless there has been a relationship brought forward from previous life (lives) even if one doesn't remember the past life experiences. In our daily life we experience that many a times the so called social relationships lead to unpleasant /acrimonious events. We also experience that sometimes person(s) with whom we have no family /social relationships become our best friends. History is full of such instances of bitter animosity between fathers and sons, brothers and brothers, husbands and wives leading to a miserable state of existence and mutual destruction. Unless something is done in the current life of the individuals to end this continued state of antagonism, it will spread over few lives more. FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Continued.. Shri Sai Nath Maharaj therefore prescribed to the snake and the frog that they should not indulge in further actions of rivalry and that they should wipe-out the evil thoughts towards each other to burn the seed of antagonism. This is what most of the spiritual masters like Lord Buddha and Christ preached and practiced. In short, the principle is to "Forgive and Forget". Many people try to practice this principle as advised by the masters in their life. However, problems arise and the best benefit doesn't accrue to them due to limited or partial understanding of this concept. In a set of relationships people mostly try to adjust because of certain social /economic compunctions and forgive the actual or perceived injustice they think has been committed against them. Some people at times think that they have forgiven when actually they haven't. The act of forgiving can never be complete without forgetting. Such acts of forgiveness can at best be termed as temporary solutions because usually in unguarded or stressful moments the old negative thoughts re-appear with double vengeance. It is difficult to forgive others when one thinks that he is totally correct or is less blameworthy than the other person who is totally wrong or mostly blameworthy. It is more difficult for the person whose memory is more intense and long lived to re-adjust /forgive his actual or perceived adversary. It is easier for simple, egoless or light hearted people to wash-out the feelings of hurt and naturalise / normalise the course of life. The more the grudge one carries against someone, consciously and sub-consciously, the more miserable he becomes, cloistered in the cave of his memory. Psycho-analysis reveals that if one person intensely and continuously picturises another person as his enemy, the other person, even if he is not his enemy, will gradually develop adverse feelings towards the originator of such negative thoughts. This is the most common method of creating enemies through our sub-conscious thought process. Similarly by generating positive thoughts towards others one can create friends. "I can forgive, but I can't forget, is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note - tore in two and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one" - Henry W. Beecher. And Mahatma Gandhi said "the weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong". In view of what has been stated, one cannot but agree with the prescription of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba given to His devotees while narrating the story of Veerbhadrappa (a snake) and Bassappa (a frog). The only way to get mental peace and evolution in life is to control the negative thought processes generated in our mind so that one doesn't create further negative 'Karma' which one has to suffer in the same life or the next chain of lives. May Shri Sai bless us all to get out of our negative 'Samskaras' reflected in our thoughts and consequential activities. Jai Shri Sai. (A message by Shraddheya Shri C.B.Satpathy) CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Vijaya Dasami Vijaya Dashmi is celebrated by the Hindus to commemorate the victory of the benevolent forces of nature, mythologically depicted in the form of Goddess "Durga" against the evil forces of nature depicted in the form of demon "Mahishasura". This day is celebrated mirthfully because it gives us the assurance that ultimately good prevails over evil and, therefore, there is a meaning to our existence. For the devotees of Sri Sainath of Shirdi it is a day of greater significance because Baba left His gross body on this day falling on the 15the October in the year 1918. On the Dussehra day of 1916 Baba had clearly indicated that two years later He would leave His gross body. Surprisingly, the 15th October 1918 also happened to be the day of Moharram. The departure of Baba on such a day was symbolic of His universal approach to human problems cutting across all religions, nationalities, castes, social differentiation and all such man?made barriers. Dussehra also used to be celebrated as the day of "Seema Ullanghan" meaning the day of crossing of the borders. The Kings used to cross the physical boundaries of their kingdoms and celebrate victory. In 1916 on Dussehra day Baba told a group of devotees that he would undertake His 'Seema Ullanghan' two year later. Exactly two years later Baba crossed His bodily existence and entered into His permanent abode of Sat Chit Anand. At His stage of divinity He only consciously changed a state of existence as per His own will. In the path of spiritualism "Seema Ullanghan" does not mean only a state of physical change but it means 'transcendence'. We often hear of words like 'transcendental meditation' and 'transcendental yoga'. Transcendence of what? Transcendence of the fetters of body and mind. This can only be achieved by controlling the compulsions of body like hunger, lust, and the mental compulsions of mind like greed, jealousy, anger, hatred etc. (the six limitations). When one by one the mental fetters falloff, two elements of mind like 'desire' and 'feeling' pertaining to those compulsions also vanish. The soul slowly but imperceptibly then enters into a state of pure consciousness. At this stage he goes beyond all bodily fetters, including birth and death. He also crosses the barriers of time and space. The progress in the path of spirituality is the march of the divine consciousness from its primordial state to the original divine self. Through various acts, advices and examples, Baba advised His children to follow the path of dharma, which means transgressing the limitations of our small 'ego'. On this day, keeping in mind Baba's advice we may strive to undertake "Seema Ullanghan" of the limitations of our mind and body, so that we can forge ahead to plant better tomorrow for the posterity. (Contributed by Shraddheya Sri C.B.Satpathyji) DEVOTEES SAY: Havovi MedoraThis is for ravinder walia who wrote about how he was woken up to be told that someone is stealing his car. Well ra vinder all that I can say is you are one lucky fellow and you are absolutely right when you say that Sai is drawing you to him. Baba chooses his devotees too and if you steadfastly hold on to his lotus feet you will be blessed. Baba looks after his devotees and if you are not at fault he sees to it that you get your just desserts. So hang on Mr.Walia and prepare to be blown away by this incredible and awesome power. DeepaMy name is Deepa, and I live in the North Carolina area. I have some questions for you! I came across your beautiful website today....led there by Shirdi Baba ... How does one properly do an abishek to Shirdi Baba? What kind of things do the devotees do for Baba that really makes Baba happy? SunilI will ask one hindu god question send me the answer. 1)Desires should be done what power shirdi sai baba will tell? Bimal VyasBABA Koti Koti Pranam. myself, my wife and my daughter are your devotees ever since you noted down our names in your devotees list. Thank you very much BABA for showering your blessings on us every time. BABA with your kind grace, I got new job in my hometown for which my wife continuously worshipping you. Baba please continue showering your blessings on us every time. We have full faith and patience and we are sure that Baba will show us right path and take care of us with utmost love. Thank you for everything Baba. DevoteeMy prayers came true, baba is helped me a lot. he saved my life, my daughter is studing well. Thanks baba thanks a lot. I know you are with me. PRAYER CLUB: SavithriOm sri baba. please baba help my daughter to study well. She is not studying well. She has to get more marks in public exams. please baba help her to study well. I know only you can do it.please baba help her. MeenakshiOm sri baba. please baba help my daughter to study well. She is not studying well. She has to get more marks in public exams. please baba help her to study well. I know only you can do it.please baba help her. TeresitaI want you make the miracle of let my friend luis guerra left russis to united state, he is cuban and he want to be with me and his family. I know you can do it I beleive in your prayer your daugther VasudevanSadhguru Sainath, I projected two problems and sought your blessings for resolution.You have been gracious and one major problem has gone out of my way.It has been a miracle.I plead before you to help me to come out of my second problem also so that I can lead normal life. You have been providing answers to all my queries and I have been following your advices.Please help me. DevoteeThankyou very much for your blessings on my family members. Now my daughters health is fine. SaiBaba, please be with me and help me in making house registration with in time. EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: DevoteeJai Sairam, My two year old son was having high temperature and we took him to the doctor. The doctor checked him and ordered for some blood tests. On that evening the doctor called us and said that he was concerned to see his blood test results a little abnormal and prescribed an antibiotic and told us that if he doesn't get better with that he suspects something more serious. After three days my sons fever was subsided and the doctor called us back for another blood test. We got the blood test done and that evening the doctor called us and told that the blood results were still abnormal and that we should immediately take our kid for further testing to the hospital and that he made all the appointments necessary. Upon pressuring a lot he told us that he was suspecting some kind of leukemia. Hearing that we were all heart broken and we cried a lot. That whole night we were only praying to Baba to save our kid and that he should be healthy. I applied Baba's Udhi to my sons forehead and somehow felt confident that we will come home with smiles. We went to the hospital the next day (which happened to be a thursday) and they did all the tests and they told us that my son was anemic and he just needs iron supplements. Thank you so much Baba for taking care of my little one and being with us. We will never forget the blessings you have showered on us. Be with us and bless us all the time Baba. Sai DevoteeOm Sri SaiRam. My husband was out of IT field since we got married and I was so worried about him. I prayed Sai to give us a good life by giving a nice job for my husband .He started applying to his jobs yet he couldn't get any. I cried my self so many times and my littile one was also suffered by me. I have a Shani dosham n could n't successful in any. Buy I trusted Sai and my belief towards Sai is increasing day by day though my husband was failing in the job interviews. I did Sai Satcharitra parayana 3 times yet my days were too horrible. I believed one saying from my parents if u wanted some thing, if that happened to you that's good for you.If that doesn't happened it's more good for you.I always remaining these words and was praying for his divine blessings. I started parayana again with more Sradha and Saburi..On that week my husband attended one interview with an Indian company. We don't have any hopes on that to get the job. Also he lost his confidence and was the time to start using our savings money.I was on maternity leave for an year and my husband was on EI .So we both were getting money from govt only..But on my last day of my parayana they selected my husband and there was no limit to my happiness. On Thursday his office HRM sent him an offer letter. I couldn't thank enough to Sai to let my dreams come true. That job was a contract position yet they liked my husband and offered a full time position with a nice pay. I prayed Sai when I was doing parayana that I am gonna leave one of my favourite food until me n my family visit Shiridi to get Sai's Darshan and I left my favourite food Junnu to him...I would like to suggest to all Sai devotees never loose your hope and believe Sai. He will definitely take care of his children. We just need to work hard and have faith in him in our tough times and on good times also. Rest is Sai's divine blessings.. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: The Guru is always hidden in the disciple. When the worldly covers are taken out the real image of the Guru is seen in the disciple. There is no difference between the disciple and the Guru as they live in each other.-C.B.Satpathy QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. What is the significance of chapter 15 of Sri Sai Satcharitha? A. by Rajeev The significance is that Sai Baba is omniscent, he knows the devotion, love, and faith his bhaktas have, that Baba is always there with us in our good and bad times and we should not think that he is not there with us. With sincere Faith & Patience Baba answers everybody's prayer. I have been reading for past one and half year Sai Satcharitha regularly with few breaks in between, which gave me beautiful insights which enabled to make my life much more happier and better. I would suggest that one should read Sai Satcharitha and make a discipline of atleast reading one chapter everyday no matter what, if you have the faith, you will be surprised that everything falls in place making it possible to read Sai Satcharitha. Shree Sachithanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai. Q. What is the significance of chapter 15 of Sri Sai Satcharitha? A. by Manav Sharma Chapter 15 in Sai Satcharita, tells about Baba's presence around devotee all the time. Baba Says "If you spread your palms with devotion before Me, I am immediately with you, day and night. Though, I am here bodily, still I know what you do; beyond the saven seas. Go wherever you will, over the wide world, I am with you. My abode is in your heart and I am within you. Always worship Me, Who is seated in your heart, as well as, in the hearts of all beings, Blessed and fortunate, indeed, is he who knows Me thus." SAI ACTIVITIES: Navarathri and Punyatithi Celebrations in Chicago - Oct 7th to Oct 9thShirdi Sai Temple Chicago will celebrate Navarathri from Sep 29th and Dasherrah and punyatithi celebrations from Oct 7th to Oct 9th. For event details please visit www.saibaba.us and follow the links to the event page. Please send email to maildrop for more information or call the temple line at 847-931-4058 for sponsorship and volunteer details. 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 visit the mandir website www.hamaresai.org or call 612-789-7729 for more information on mandir activities, events and other information. FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD: In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember the global nature of Sai Vichaar readership. Therefore, the content, language, style and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership will be more rewarding and fulfilling. 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 The "Question of the week" for this week is The Post Script to Chapter 15 of Sri Sai Satcharitha states that those who respectfully read this Chapter or study it daily, will get all the miseries removed by the grace of the Sadguru Sai Baba. What is the significance of this chapter? Humbly Yours,The Editor ABOUT 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, or3. 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 webmaster 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 Email maildrop Phone 847-931-4058 Fax 847-931-4066 © Copyright 1998-2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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