Book Review of the week - The Sai Trinity

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Book Review of the week

Wednesday, November 5, 2003

 

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The Sai Trinity

by Prof. S.P. Ruhela

Tarang Paperbacks (Vikas Publishing House), New Delhi

Second Edition, 2000

195 pages - ISBN: 81-259-0999-0

 

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Contents

 

Prayer to the Guru

Preface

 

Section I: Sri Shirdi Sai Baba

 

1. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's Tark Mantra

2. Sai Baba at Shirdi: A Poet's Tribute (Poem)

3. Sri Shirdi Sai Avatar: A Profile

4. Main Events in Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's Life

5. The Development of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's Movement

6. The Charismatic Personality of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba

7. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's Siddhis (Powers)

8. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's Daily Routine

9. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's Divine Teachings

10. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's Perennial Assurances

11. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's Devotees

12. New Pieces of Information on Sri Shirdi Sai Baba

13. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba: A Unique Universal Master

14. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's Miracles

15. Pilgrimage to Shirdi

16. The Reincarnation of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba

17. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's Words of Wisdom

18. Organizations Spreading the Messages Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's

19. Journals Devoted to Sri Shirdi Sai Baba

20. The 108 Divine Names of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba

 

Section II: Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

1. Sri Sathya Sai's Name (Poem): Prof P.P.Sharma

2. Why I Have Incarnated: Sri Sathya Sai Baba

3. Divine Life of Sri Sathya Sai Baba

4. Recent Significant Developments in the Sai Kingdom

5. A Typical Divine Discourse by Sri Sathya Sai Baba

6. How to Reach Sri Sathya Sai Baba

7. Basic Information About Prasanthi Nilayam

8. Epilogue

 

Section III: Sri Prema Sai Baba

 

1. Future Incarnation of Prema Sai Baba

 

Bibliography on Sri Shirdi Sai Baba

Bibliographical Guide on Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Some Other Important Books on Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

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Back Cover

 

The Sai Trinity presents brief yet comprehensive profiles of the

three Sai Baba Avatars of the Kali age - Sai Shirdi Sai Baba (1838-

1918), the present Sri Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi (Andhra

Pradesh), and the future Incarnation of the 21st Century - Sri Prema

Sai Baba. Along with the highlights of their divine lives and

teachings, comprehensive bibliographies are also included in the

book for Sai devotees and all intellectuals keenly interested in

this unique phenomena of Sai incarnations.

 

About the Author

 

Prof. S.P. Ruhela is an eminent sociologist, futurologist, teacher

educator and Sai devotee. He has brought out several famous books on

the Sai Baba phenomena., Spirituality, Value Education, Indian

Culture, Sociology of Education and Futurology of Education.

 

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010715/spectrum/books.htm#4

 

More about Sai Trinity

Review by M.L. Sharma

 

The Sai Trinity

by Satya Pal Ruhela Tarang Paperbacks (Vikas Publishing House),

New Delhi. Pages 195+. Rs 110

 

THE Sai cult has been gaining momentum everyday despite many

disparaging remarks about the sant in the media. This work is the

revised and enlarged edition with a wealth of new information, by an

authority who has several books to his credit.

 

The first Sai Baba, known as Shirdi Sai Baba revered as the holiest

of the holies, to some even an avatar is responsible for uniting

Hindus and Muslims and cementing their ties of mutual love and

affection with his universal outlook, like that of Tajuddin Baba of

Nagpur. He stayed for song (about 60 years) in a mosque known as

Dwarkamai, where "aartis" and rituals were performed according to

Hindu customs. This book brings to light many new facts and facets

of the life of Shirdi Sai Baba and it has established the fact that

Sai Baba was a Brahmin by birth. The Baba has also mentioned that he

had served in the Army of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi.

 

The book gives a profile of both Shirdi Sai Baba and Satya Sai Baba

and gives information about the would -de Sai Baba, known as Prema

Sai, besides their miracles, their gems of thought, their impact on

the minds of people, details about the ashrams, temples, medical

institutions, seats of learning, curricula, free education, etc.

Embellished with attractive photographs, the book written in a racy

style, provides food for the souls of spiritually inclined people.

 

Written in a balanced manner, neither flattering nor critical, the

book makes an unbiased and sober attempt on the Sai cult and avoid a

controversial approach without being defensive. As many as 165 books

and other publications have appeared on Shirdi Baba, and about 400

books on Sri Satya Sai Baba. Some of the "words of wisdom" of both

Sai Babas are:

 

Everything belongs to us for use. Nothing is for us to possess.

 

No one comes to without Rinanubandh (some previous bond of give and

take). So when any dog, cat, pig, fly or person approaches you, do

not drive it or him away with the words "hat, hat", "jit jit".

 

Humility is not towards all. Severity is necessary in dealing with

the wicked.

 

Nobody should take the labour of others gratis. The worker should be

paid his dues promptly and liberally.

 

You must always adhere to the truth and fulfil all the promises you

make. Have Shraddhah (faith) and sabouri (patience). Then I will be

with you wherever you are.

 

Greed and Brahman are poles apart (Shirdi Baba).

 

Love is God, live in love, truth is God, live in truth, bliss is

God. Be fearless. God is with you.

 

Man is the embodiment of bliss. In spite of this he seeks bliss

outside world... The divine has feet everywhere. (Satya Sai).

 

About educational facilities, the book informs that education from

the first standard to post-graduate level is free of cost in Sai

institutions. The last chapter relating to Prema Sai, the future

incarnation of Sai Baba is of great interest as it records Satya Sai

Baba's devotees having seen him in dreams in the figure resembling

Jesus Christ. He will be born in the 21st century in a Brahmin

family in Bhardwaj gotra in Mysore state.

 

The unique chapter in the book is "Bibliographical Guide on Satya

Sai Baba", compiled by Brian Steel, Giving a bird's eyeview of the

whole Satya Sai Baba literature and devotees experiences. Chapters

like "Divine life of Satya Sai Baba", and "Recent developments in

the Sai kingdom" give a biographical account of the Baba, his work

in the educational field and in the spiritual uplift of youth,

besides free medical help and information about the future plans and

new additions at Prasanthi Nilayam. The book will inspire readers

provide ample food for their spiritual quest and guide those who are

eager to train youth on the lines of Satya Sai institutions.

 

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The book is available at:

 

Jai Sai Ram Books

www.jaisairambooks.com

 

Indiaclub.com

http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/searchresults.asp?ProdStock=2330

 

Sathya Sai Book Centre, London UK

http://www.srisathyasaibooks.org.uk/

 

Sri Sathya Sai Book and Information Center, Toronto Canada

http://www.saibooks.org