Sai Vichaar for Thursday, March 30, 2006

[Guest guest]

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: Will Hari

Provide? A child does not ask for the nourishment, mother who feeds and clothes

the child brings upon its care. As the child

grows, its demands increase. However, the child is still not equipped to procure

its needs. Although the child knows what it wants, it is the prerogative of the

caretaker to provide the demanding child with its wants. The child as it enters

the adulthood loses the luxury of being cared for by others. The adult gets what

he or she works for. The process of spiritual advancement is analogous to the

above. Baba pulls His child to Himself and provides the infant with the

necessities without being asked for. The later stages involve the growing child

command for its wants. Baba gives. Smilingly. This stage is the audacious lag of

the journey, every prayer answered, every benefit awarded. Soon this stage

should end. The realization dawns once the power of temporary bliss wanes away

and the longing for something bigger begins to take a shape. How is the

intangible realized? The inexplicable mastered? Will Hari provide? Hemadpanth

wrote beautifully, "If there be my Hari

(Lord), He will feed me on my cot". This proverb is only true in respect of food

and clothing, but if anyone trusting in this sits quiet and do nothing in

spiritual matters, he will be ruined. One has to exert himself to his utmost

for attaining self realization. The more he endeavors, the better for him.

Mercy of Sadguru sees one safely through the stages of infant and the growing.

Constant contemplation on the nature of the self, in whatever name it is

called, is the endeavor for the adult. Yes, the adult has to work for it and

gets what he or she works for! CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: The Knowledge of Love

Mohabbat ka rastha jisne dikhaaya Shraddha saburi se jeena sikhaaya Sayee ko

mere laakhon pranaam Jab gaatha hoon mein Sayee kaa naam "The one that showed

the path of love, to live with faith and patience, Oh Sai unto you I bow

countless

times as I sing the glory of your name" What did those learned say about the

path shown by Saibaba? Is it bhakthi marg, the path of devotion, or jnana marg,

the path of knowledge? If it is bhakthi, devotion, what is devotion? Is

devotion, mere love of God? How different is this from the "love" of other

things? If it is knowledge, Knowledge of "what"? Is it the Knowledge of love?

Or perhaps the path itself is "prem rog", the healthy disease of love that

culminates with the death of the self! How does loving anything that doesn't

last long be considered as sane practice? A serious contemplation on this is

perhaps the means and purpose of any knowledge. Transience is the proof of

falsehood and the real is eternal. Saibaba is the concrete form of one that is

eternal. Acquiring any amount of knowledge on the nature of eternity is still

halfway unless it transforms into everlasting love towards that which is

eternal. Sri Rajaji said jnana is mere tinsel,

a flashy glitter, unless it is transformed into bhakthi. In the path of Sadguru,

no matter however learned one may be, the knowledge he acquires is no more than

a tool to experience the loving devotion for Sadguru, the love and devotion to

the exclusion of everything else. (Contributed by Sai devotee) DEVOTEES

SAY: DishaSaibaba, thanks a lot as I told that I will thank You through Sai

Vichaar once my mom gets a job offer and as it happened as desired thanks Baba.

Do take care of our case and bless me and my mom always. SumitI am 21 yrs of

age. It happened so on the month of November, I was fast a sleep when I saw

Baba getting up from his Samadhi and started walking towards me and with

smiling face He said" beta why are you worried, don't worry I am with you." I

never used to believe in God but it all

started one fine morning in May 2005 I started believing in Baba and only in

Baba. This above incident made me believe in Him even more. Baba I know You are

with us I can feel you even when I am writing this. Baba, I have devoted myself

to You, I know I will reach my goals with your blessings. Whenever I go wrong

You get me back on the right track. NikhilaI want to thank Lord Sai for helping

my husband to get the job which he had been longing for a long time. Due to the

grace of Lord Sai my husband is happy with his new job. I prayed to Sai to post

this. GeetaKoti pranams to you Sai Baba. I had prayed to Baba that if my

daughter's blood test report was read normal by the doctor, I will post it on

Sai Vichaar. As always, He showered His Grace on us and the report turned out

to be normal. Thank You, Baba. Ever shower Your kindness and grace on the

family. PRAYER CLUB: AparnaPlease Sai help me pass this exam so that I can

be independent and earn money. Please be with me Sai during the exam and help me

pass it. SanjeevaraniBaba my daughter is going to write 7th Board exams. Kindly

help her in getting Ist rank. Baba solve my brothers court case. Baba please be

with him in all obstacles. A Sai devoteeBaba, please bless me, I am waiting for

Your blessing since last five years and going through tough time, shower Your

blessing on me. MamathaI am a Sai devotee, I have been having too many marital

problems, please pray for me, thanking you all. Sai devoteeMy son is sitting

home for many years doing nothing. Kindly bless him, show him the right

direction so that he may not waste his precious life like this. Please Baba

there

is no one I can go and ask for help. Please Baba shower your grace on our

family. DurgaSai please help my grandfather to recover from his illness and

please help me through my project. EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: ChaitanyaI had

landed up in the toughest of all problems at my end, which ultimately forced me

to approach the higher authorities. I couldn't believe as to why I had so much

bad luck - the New Year began with the worst times in my life. I am a hard of

hearing student living and studying independently in Canada, and Sai Baba has

been guiding me since 2003 when I started my studies. It was no doubt a very

difficult time for me - Baba wanted to put me to test, so that I learn to fight

back the odds. Being just 21 and handling life independently and responsibly has

been a very big challenge for me. Every single day of my life here

would begin with a smile, and end with a disappointed look. Somehow I wonder as

to why my "never-ending problems" don't get solved out sooner. I have been

crossing the darkest of the tunnels in my life and am still waiting to see some

light. I get impatient at times, because I am desperate to succeed in my

challenges and get eternal happiness. I had given up all hope, being totally

frustrated over a hundred issues at my end but I always thought of my SadGuru

and my dear parents. I just needed patience to wait and get all matters sorted

out, and one fine day, things started to get better. Though not all matters

have been sorted out yet, I am still grateful to Baba for showing me the right

path. Baba's ways are strange - he knows my past, present and future. He only

asked for two things, i.e. Faith and Patience and in return he would give me

whatever I asked for. Sounds simple to surrender yourself at the Guru's feet,

or remember these two things? It is extremely difficult to have

complete faith and be patient 'all the time'. If Baba wills it, he would give me

the opportunity to do a Nam-Saptah (prayana) or visit Shirdi. I don't know how

else to thank Sai Baba for guiding me at every step I fall. Without my strong

faith in Baba and his guiding light, I really wouldn't have completed three

years of university successfully. NaineshI would like to share my most recent

experience which occurred last Thursday. Actually it all started on Wednesday.

We are doing some work in our back yard so I had to get a permit. In order to

apply for it they needed my copy of the Deed. I took this with me along with

the original. However when I returned home I discovered that I had lost my

original copy. I searched everywhere including going back to the township, but

had no luck. I came home and read Sai-Satcharitra as I do everyday but my mind

was worried and kept thinking about the deed. Next day on Thursday I prayed and

while reading

Sai-Satcharitra thought it would be nice if it would show up today. To my Sai

who is always with me he made it show up in the mail that day some one had

found it and mailed it back to me. My joy knew no bounds I thanked Sai and now

I am sharing this with you all. He is always with us. VaishaliI would like to

share my recent experience of Baba's miracle. My in-laws lost their Passport

and ticket at Miami airport. They did not realize till they came home and it

was 9:30 pm and all information desks at airport were closed. Miami airport is

too big and my in-laws were not sure where they lost it. Next day morning I

called Miami airport office and inquire about their passport. They did not have

any information. My husband and I decided to go to airport personally. My

mother-in-law and I both are devotee of Baba. On our way to airport we both

prayed to Baba and I promised Baba if I would get the passport I will share my

experience. At the airport,

we went to lost and found office and asked them about the passport. The lady at

counter told us she just received their passport. Our eyes were filled with

tears and once again Baba showed us that He is always with us. It was

impossible to get the passport back without Baba's grace. Baba, please be with

us all the time. I would like to request all devotees please have faith in Baba

all the time, He will definitely take care what you need. A Sai devoteeAfter

reading Sai Vichar last week, I felt as if Baba is reminding me about my

promises. Baba saved me on numerous occasions. On last Vijaya Dasami day which

was also a Thursday I was in hurry to reach Sai Mandir in our place to witness

the sandhya arati. I stopped at a red light and was waiting for the green to

come. There were four cars ahead of me. When the green light came I applied gas

without giving much attention to the car in front of me. I hit pretty hard from

the rear to the car in

front of me. The driver got annoyed and started yelling at me. We both pulled

our vehicles to a side to check the damages. We both were surprised to note

that there was no trace of any damage on his car but it was only my license

plate which got distorted. I was praying to Baba while exchanging the insurance

information. The other car driver apologized for his behavior. I promised Baba

that I would put in the Sai Vichar if there are no claims on my insurance. It

is really a miracle and there were no claims. On another occasion at my work

one day I took a decision not to process certain files from the customer as we

were running out time for next set of jobs. Later on we came to know that there

were transactions for very huge amounts in the unprocessed file. I was called

for explanation and after talking to the office, I promised Baba that I would

put in Sai Vichar if the issue gets resolved. Next day we came to know from the

customer that they sent wrong file with wrong amounts in

it. It was a big relief for me. Baba saved me on many occasions and these are

just few out of many showed by Him. Baba is a part of my life and there is no

life without Him. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: "If anyone offends you do not

return tit for tat"-Saibaba QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. What is the best way

to worship Sai baba of Shirdi? What should be our routine? A. by Sadashiv

Kavthankar There are two aspects of God or Brahman i) The Unmanifested

(Nirgun), ii) The Manifested (Sagun). The Nirgun is Formless, while the Sagun

is with Form. Shri Sai Baba was first Nirgun, but on account of the devotion of

his Bhaktas, He was obliged to take a form. Shri Sai Baba respected the feelings

of His devotees and allowed them to worship as they liked. Some

waved Chamara or Fans before Him, some played on musical instruments, some gave

betel nut with leaves and other things and some others offered Naivaidya. Shri

Sai Baba has taught and advised us that before the senses, mind and intellect

enjoy their objects, He should be remembered and if this is done, it is in a

way by making an offering to Him. If this practice is followed, then the object

that is not fit to be enjoyed will be shunned . Shri Sai Baba said those who are

fortunate and whose demerits have vanished, take to my Worship, If you always

say 'Sai, Sai' I shall take you over the seven seas; Believe in these words and

you will be certainly benefited. I do not need any Paraphernalia of Worship -

either Eight-Fold or Sixteen-Fold. I rest there, where there is full Devotion.

One should respectfully hear Shri Sai Baba's leelas or stories and mediate on

them. If they do this as a routine they will easily attain the object of life.

God is not

attained on an empty stomach. When all our organs get their proper nutrition and

are sound, we can practice devotion and other sadhanas to attain God. Devotees

brought and offered various dishes of food as Naivaidya to Shri Sai Baba. The

quantity of Naivaidya offered by them was so much that Fakirs and Paupers could

feed themselves to their heart's content. Sometimes He would make up his mind to

prepare and distribute food to all. He cooked personally various dishes like

sweet ricel, ambil, varan and pulava with meat. He ensured that while

distributing non-vegetarian food as Prasad, only those, who were accustomed to,

were given, while those who were not accustomed, were not allowed, even to touch

it. So, If we are non-vegetarian and do worship Shri Sai Baba, it is fine and

O.K. Q. What is the best way to worship Sai baba of Shirdi? What should be our

routine? A. by Geeta Nair Verse from Sai Satcharita - Chapter III, Page 11- "If

a man utters My name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes, increase his

devotion. And if he sings earnestly My life and My deeds, him I shall beset in

front and back and on all sides. Those devotees, who are attached to Me, heart

and soul, will naturally feel happiness, when they hear these stories.{Stories

from Sai Satcharita) Believe Me that if anybody sings My Leelas, I will give

him infinite joy and everlasting contentment. It is My special characteristic

to free any person, who surrenders completely to Me, and who does worship Me

faithfully, and who remembers Me, and meditates on Me constantly. How can they

be conscious of worldly objects and sensations, who utter My name, who worship

Me, who think of My stories and My life and who thus always remember Me? I

shall draw out My devotees from the jaws of Death. If My stories are listened

to, all the diseases will be got rid of. So, hear My stories with respect; and

think and meditate on them, assimilate them. This is the way

of happiness and contentment. The pride and egoism of My devotees will vanish,

the mind of the hearers will be set at rest; and if it has wholehearted and

complete faith, it will be one with Supreme Consciousness. The simple

remembrance of My name as 'Sai, Sai' will do away with sins of speech and

hearing". This is how one should worship Shri Sai Baba. Bow to Shri Sai - Peace

be to all. SAI ACTIVITIES: Sri Ramanavami celebrations in Chicago, USASri

Ramanavami and Urs festival celebrations are the first major celebration of the

year for Shirdi Sai devotees. The tradition started in 1910 and continues each

year. Shirdi Sai temple, Chicago will be celebrating the event for three days

starting from Thursday April 6th to Saturday April 8th. The program comprises

of Aartis, Maha Abhishek, Homam, Palki procession, Satcharitra parayan, bhajans

and much more. For complete details

please visit http://www.saibaba.us/index.html or call 847-931-4058. Sri

Ramanavami-Urs celebrations, MinnesotaShirdi Saibaba Prayer Center invites all

to Sri Ramanavami-Urs celebrations on April 8, 2006 from 4:30 pm onwards at

Geeta Ashram, Brooklyn Park, MN. The event includes Sai abhishek, Sai aarathis,

parayan, naam jap and bhajans, palki procession and chandan utsav. Please visit

www.hamaresai.org for more details. Shirdi Sai- Ramanavami Celebrations in

Dallas-Fort Worth, TexasWelcome to Sri Shirdi Sai Baba temple at Dallas-Fort

Worth, a place of worship for the devotees of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba. Ramnavami

will be celebrated on April 6th and April 8th 2006. For details on Sai

activities and services please visit http://www.shirdisaidallas.org or write to

shirdisaidallas Shirdi Sai-Ramnavami celebrations in Bay Area,

CaliforniaWe welcome all of

you with family, to join us for Shirdi Sai-Ramnavami celebrations in Bay Area,

California on April 8th (Saturday) in Sunnyvale between 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Venue: Sanatan Dharma Kendra, 897 E Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, (Located in

Reliance Technical Service complex). For RSVP and Info contact:

saibandhu or 408-564-6704 Sai Satsang, New Jersey, USAShirdi Sai

Dham, Inc regularly conducts Sai bhajans followed by Aarti and Parsad on every

1st Saturday of each month at Durga Mandir, Kendall Park, New Jersey from 3 pm

to 5 pm (Winter Hours). All are requested to kindly come and receive Baba's

blessings. For more information, please call us at 609-275-1334 or visit

www.shirdisaidham.org or email us at shirdisaidham (AT) hotmail (DOT) com Ram Navami

celebrations, Toronto, CanadaShirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada cordially

invites all to Join in Celebrating Ram Navami festival on Saturday, April 8th

2006 at

3:00 pm followed by Mahaprasad (Preeti Bhoj) The program highlites are Abhishek

- Paduka Puja and Bhajan Sandhaya. Location: Gur Mandir, 207 Queen's Plate Dr.

Etobicoke M9W 6Z7 (Highway27 and Rexdale just south of Humber Valley Blvd). For

details please call 416-402-8089 or 416-895-7905 or email:saileela99

Shirdi Sai Mandir, Scarborough, CanadaThe Shirdi Sai Mandir located at 2721

Markham Road, Scarborough, Ontario, M1X 1L5 (Intersection of Markham and

Nashdene) is open Monday to Friday from 6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday to

Sunday from 10:30 a.m to 8:30 p.m. Dhoop Aarti is at 7:30 p.m. everyday.

Bhajans are on Saturday from 5:00 p.m. onwards. For other temple activities and

information please call 647-444-4724 or send an email to

info (AT) theshirdisaimandir (DOT) com. Sri Ramnavami celebrations in Sydney,

AustraliaShree Shirdi Sai Mandir invites you to with family and friends to join

Shree Ram

Navami celebrations on 1st, 2nd and 6th April 2006 at 420 Liverpool Road,

Strathfield South, NSW 2136, Australia. For detailed programme or Sansthan's

activities, please contact Sansthan Info-Line at 0500 524 724. FROM THE

EDITORS KEYBOARD: Devotees are requested to refer to Sai activities for

information on Ramnavami celebrations. Sri Ramanavami is celebrated during the

second week of April 2006. Please write to maildrop (AT) saibaba (DOT) org if you would

like to publish about Sai activities in your area. Sai devotee Poonam Arora

suggests the following "Question of the week" for the week, Q. What is the best

way to worship Sai Baba of Shirdi? What should be our routine? If we are

non-vegetarian, is it OK? Humbly Yours,The Editor ABOUT THIS EMAIL: This

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[Guest guest]

Jai Sai Ram.

Here is one interesting article and I would like to

understand what are BABA's views about this?

http://www.stephen-knapp.com/war_against_hinduism.htm

I know BABA says HE is not here to convert any

religion or increse the number of devotees of any

clan.

But we do see such fanatisism practiced by other

religions.

We are proud Hindus and ,above all, as SAI

devotees, proud Human beings to help, respect and love

each other. May everybody understand this and make the

world more liveable!

Jai Sai Ram.

Meera