Shirdi Sai: Sai Vichaar for Thursday , November 10, 2005

[Guest guest]

- svlist (AT) saibaba (DOT) org

groupmail (AT) (DOT) com

Thursday, November 10, 2005 1:19 AM

Sai Vichaar for Thursday , November 10, 2005

Sai Vichaar

www.saibaba.org

Thursday , November 10, 2005 :: Volume 8, Issue 26

(In its eighth 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: Without a Sadhguru..

A life without a spiritual perfect master (Sadhguru) is incomplete. Though one

may acquire immense wealth, have a nice family, lots of friends and relatives;

yet there is always something missing deep inside. During our life time a few

will remain with us from birth and a few will part in between. But when the

time comes for us to depart no one except the Sadhguru can come to our aid.

After birth, mother and father are with us. In the course of life, friends and

relatives are with us. But when we leave the mortal coil only the Sadhguru can

safely guide us to the shore of unknown oceans. Without the Sadhguru's

teachings and sayings, knowledge of the spirit cannot be acquired. Without the

master's love, there is no devotion. It is the spiritual power of the master

that leads one to atonenment. Without the Sadghuru, how helpless is one! On

one, who longs for the masters holy feet, whose eyes always yearn to see the

face of the master and who takes shelter at the door of the masters abode,

falls the grace of the master that will safely anchor the soul. While there is

still time left, flock to the Sadhguru and seek mercy for acts of speech, word

and deed done knowingly or unknowingly in the three states of existence. For

out of Sadhguru's mercy arises the rest!

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: My experiences with Saibaba

I would like to share some of my numerous experiences with other devotees. In

2002, when I was based in Dubai, things were not working out well on both the

work and financial front, and I was very depressed. On 10th May 2002 at around

10:00 pm at night, I received a call from one of my friends. On his enquiring

about myself, I told him of my mental state of mind, that I was very depressed.

He then advised me to read the book Sai Satcharitha by Hemandpant. He said that

if one does a Sapthah (reading in 7 days) then it is supposed to be very

auspicious. He told me that the English version is very difficult to get but he

himself was reading it from a website. While I was noting the name of the

website my wife entered the apartment and I asked her about this book since she

has been a devotee of Sai Baba since childhood. She said that this book has been

in our house for many years. I did not believe her and re-confirmed it with my

friend. I was not a religious person and though I vaguely felt that there must

be a God somewhere, I really did not have much faith in any God. I never prayed

nor went to a temple. In fact, I used to wait outside the temple in my car while

my wife went to pray. I don't know what made me start a Saptah that very night

and when I came to the portion, which mentions about Baba taking his Maha

Samadhi on 15th October1918, I just broke down and started crying

uncontrollably. I just could not understand why I had such emotions for someone

whom I did not believe in or love. I mentioned this to someone at that time

"that I had felt the same emotions when I read about Him passing away as if I

had come to know of my own father passing away". I was extremely close to my

father and loved him more than anyone else in this world. More than my God,

mother, wife or children. Meanwhile, I also was introduced through my friend to

a devotee of Baba in Dubai.

On 12th June, 2002 I got the news that my father had passed away peacefully. I

rushed to India on the next available flight and was there at home next

morning. My father's body was placed on ice in his bedroom and all items in his

room had been cleared out. While I was crying I noticed that on the opposite

wall was a photo of Baba. I just couldn't believe it! All other paintings and

photos from the walls had been removed except Baba's. I went across the room

and saw that at the bottom of the picture was stapled the reading of the "Geeta

Saar". One of the lines read like this - What have you lost that you are crying?

What did you bring with you that you have lost? I just stopped crying from then

on. It was as if Baba had explained to me within a few seconds the meaning of

life and death. It was just mind blowing. It felt as if there was an exchange -

that Baba had come in place of my father, knowing that along with my financial

problems I would not be able to take the additional loss of my father. As per

Baba's instructions, I started my saptah on 16 June during my father's mourning

period. Since my father had passed away on 12th June the mourning period was

supposed to have ended on 24th June i.e. 12 days of mourning. In between the

pujari mentioned that 24th June was not an auspicious date and that we should

either extend the mourning period by 2 days or reduce by 2 days. Keeping in

mind the convenience of relatives who had come from out of town the family

decided to reduce the mourning period by 2 days. That meant that the mourning

period would now end on 22 June. My saptah, which began on 16th June, too ended

on 22nd June.

(Contributed by Jaidev Singh, Qatar)

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: continued....

For a non-believer like me all these incidents were too much for me to digest

and laugh away as if they were coincidences. What logically should have been

the worst period in my life turned out to be the best as I just surrendered my

self to HIM. It took me over a year but I finally landed a fantastic job in

Qatar. I just kept praying to Him, doing regular Saptahs and listening to his

Dhuns and Bhajans. During this period, I was completely broke but He kept

sending people to help me. Dubai is a very commercial place. But I had

acquaintances coming over, offering me financial help without my asking them

and saying that not to worry about returning the money. I did not have a car

and people would let me use their cars for interviews without any expectations.

It was unbelievable. In Dubai, while I was looking for a job I did not have

enough money to buy decent clothes for interviews as my clothes had become

relatively old and frayed. One day I went to buy some item from a mall and

there was a promotion going on. I got a coupon from my purchase, which I

deposited. The next day I got a call from the mall authorities that I had won

the daily draw of 500 Dhirams (US$ 137). I was delighted and went to collect

the money. I bumped into the sales person who had sold me the item and he

congratulated me and demanded from me "Mithai". It was like Baba demanding his

Dakshina. Since no Indian sweets were available in the mall, I bought him a box

of Macintosh chocolates from the supermarket in the mall. When I handed it over

to him, he was delighted, thanked me and said that I was the first person to

have done so. He said that I would win another prize. Since I got another

coupon with the purchase of the chocolates, I deposited it. Next day I get

another call from the mall that I had won 500 Dhirams (US$ 137) in their daily

draw. It was just too much. I have never won a single pencil in my life before

and now I get US $ 274 within 2 days.

I bought myself a full set of clothes, which helped me gain confidence for my

interviews. He is really too kind! I am now based in Qatar for the past 2 years

and am managing the Heavy Equipment Division of a leading company. I have never

managed such products in my life and the only Heavy Equipment, which I ever

saw, was on worksites while driving past. I was selected over candidates with

more than 20 years relevant experience. In the first year (2004) I broke all

sales records and was honored in Japan this April 2005 by one of our

principals. By end September 2005, I have already completed my annual target.

My net profits have shown a growth of 100% within 2 years. His leelas just

never cease to amaze me. There have been so many more leelas in between which I

have not mentioned. Baba is great and I can never thank Him enough.

(Contributed by Jaidev Singh, Qatar)

DEVOTEES SAY:

KalyaniMy son has been working in a different city and really did not like it

much. He had applied for several companies in Dallas where we live. One company

in the same suburb we live had asked him to come to Dallas for an interview and

he did that well with Baba's grace. He was waiting for an answer. I was praying

so hard that every time I sit down to pray in the morning I cry so much asking

Baba to bless him with this job. After 5 full days of anxiety Baba showed His

mercy and my son got the offer with better pay and I am now so relieved. Faith

in Baba is the most important thing, but it is so hard to practice that.

Reading one chapter from Sai Satcharithra everyday has helped me to get through

some tough times.

SapnaThanks Baba for saving our family. When we shifted in new home, next month

our electricity bill came and it was more than one lakh. My family and me were

shocked to see bill of huge amount. I prayed to Saibaba to save us from this

problem. Day and night I used to think about my electricity bill but I had the

assurance that Baba would save me from this problem. After two months, our

landlord who was earlier behaving arrogantly now came to us and said assumingly

that he will take care of the matter and that we need not worry about it. This

change in his attitude was very surprising to us. Then I came to know that all

this happened through Baba's grace. Thanks Baba for everything

DeepaBaba forgive me, I know I had gone astray, become selfish and ungrateful,

but you opened my eyes and gave me something I needed. You have had your hand

over my head and yet I did not see. But now I feel your presence all around me.

I want to thank you for opening my eyes.

Sai devoteeThank you for getting back my daughter home in time. I was worried

since my office is so far away from home, my son had not returned to search for

her and my husband was out of town! For two hours, we were in tension. Baba,

when I prayed to you, you made all the jigsaw puzzle fall into place! Son

returned home in time, found daughter's whereabouts, went to school to get her

and everybody is relieved. As I prayed I would publish this incident, I am

sharing this with everyone. Please always keep showering your blessings on us.

Give us the shelter of Your feet.

JagdeepWe recently traveled to India. It was a sudden trip and not planned. We

were somewhat worried about the expenses and how we could manage a huge expense

but without any effort, Baba took care of everything and we did not even come to

know how the expenses were being taken care of. While traveling, we did not have

any problems whatsoever. Baba we thank you for all your blessings and taking

care of us.

SandhyaEvery week I read your Sai vichaar and this gives me great faith in Baba

and I want every body to know how I have prayed and read Sai Satcharitra for

seven days and how before the 7th day, Baba replied to my wish of getting a

job. I want to thank Baba immensely for everything that He has done for me and

without Him I don't know what I would do. Truly Baba, You are the greatest and

please help us all and increase my faith and devotion to You always.

PRAYER CLUB:

SurekhaSai Baba please give me peace of mind. People say that my mental

condition will have effect on my unborn kid. Why am I getting scared for

everything? Please Sai Baba give courage at least for my kid's sake. My kid

should be bold. He or she should not get scared for everything like me. They

should not have any bad habits after they are born. Sai Baba get rid of all the

scary thoughts from my mind. I should not have any problem with my kids at

anytime.

DeepakHey Sai, please help my grandfather to regain his health and bestow Your

blessings on all your devotees.

KumariSai, please take care of my friend Shanthi. You know what she has gone

through. Her husband died on one of the accident. Now she is in 7th month. She

is lonely, depressed at times. Please give her the strength and courage to face

life and be successful.

MamataBaba we are longing to have a child, after a miscarriage it has been now

one year. Please Baba bless us with a child, because of this we have no

interest in work, in food and nothing. Baba please show mercy on us. Please

bless us with a child. All Sai devotees please pray for us. Thank you.

PadmaBaba accept my namaskarams, with your mercy we are living. Please help my

children to concentrate on their studies. You know what problems I am facing

with my husband. In this regard please guide him to become your devotee. Then

all the problems will be solved.

ManiOh Lord Sai, I thank You for giving me the new life after the cancer

surgery. It is unbelievable that I recovered from decades of ailments due to

Your Grace. I pray to You that I do not want to have any more such surgeries on

my body as it is more than enough. Of 9 surgeries to my 60 years old body for

the sins I might have done in the present or in the past life. I pray to You to

give me peaceful life till the end. Ohm Sri Sai Ram.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:

SomasekharLast Tuesday I had some urgent work at the sub-register office, which

is nearly 30 kms from my house. I took the outer ring road towards ITPL, I was

thinking about the program which I wrote last night and the modification to be

done to that program and I was driving my two wheeler a bit fast as I was late

to my office. There are about five signals on the way to my office; I was

thinking I am lucky as I was able to cross all of them in one go. After

crossing the last signal, I was way ahead of the traffic, I was in the middle

lane, driving at around 50 km. Suddenly the vehicle in front of me stopped, I

couldn't control my two wheeler, I applied both the brakes, due this I lost

control of my vehicle and my two wheeler fell down and I was dragged for about

10 meters on the road, and I hit the road median (road divider made of rocks)

with my head, Luckily I was wearing a helmet it took a lot of impact, which

saved my head and life. Every day I read daily one chapter of Sai Satcharitha

before going to office, on that day I read a story of Balasaheb Mirikar where

he was going on a tour to Chitali, where Baba says " He is so terrible; but

what can he do to the children of Dwarakamayi! When the Dwarakamayi protects,

what can the serpent do"? I am lucky to be alive and kicking, I had bruises on

both my legs; one of the legs is fractured. I am really grateful to Baba for

saving my life and who is taking care of me and my family. I am sure Baba will

take care all his devotees, what is needed from our part is Trust and Patience.

 

SubrahmanyamI went to Sai Baba's temple last to last Thursday. There, after the

puja, I usually empty out my purse, keeping just one dollar bill and one two

dollar bill. Without thinking, I promised him all the money in my wallet (other

than 1 dollar bills) without thinking about the 2 dollar bill. When I opened my

wallet, I noticed the 2 dollar bill, which was given to me in Malibu

Venkateswara temple. I did not want to let go of that. So, I prayed to Baba to

forgive me and help me. This incident completely passed from my mind. The next

Tuesday, I went out for lunch with my friend and I was sitting in the food

court, eating food. One homeless person came up to me, in middle of the crowded

food court and addressed me as follows "Sir, can you please spare me a couple of

dollars. I am hungry." I gave him the two one dollar bills I had in my wallet.

Next day, I was talking with my friend, when suddenly it struck me that it must

be Baba who sent that person to make me repay that loan of 2 dollars. No wonder

that the person came up to me, ignoring my friends sitting around the table and

addressed me directly and took the money only from me and went away.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

"I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me and

who seek refuge in me".-Saibaba

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Q. What is contentment?

A. by Manav

The complete meaning of contentment becomes clear, when devotee reads chapter 20

of Shri Sai Satcharitha. I will write the incident from that chapter which

describes the contentment. Das Ganu Maharaj wanted to summarize the gist of

Ishavasya Upanisha and he was finding it difficult to do it. Baba advises him

to visit Kaka Saheb Dixit house and there his maidservant will solve Das Ganu's

doubts. At Kaka's home, Das Ganu got such realizations that our feelings of pain

and pleasure depend upon the attitude of our mind. He realized that a man ought

to enjoy whatever God has bestowed on him in the firm conviction that He besets

every thing, from behind and before, and on all sides and that whatever is

bestowed on him by God must be for his good. Das Ganu got a practical

demonstration of the lesson of the Upanishad - the lesson of contentment with

one's own lot in the belief that whatever happens, is ordained by God, and is

ultimately good for us.

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 (AT) saibaba (DOT) org. Upcoming Event(s): Monthly Pooja (second Sunday

of every month), Sunday November 13th, Samuhika Satyanarayan Pooja on Pournima,

Tuesday November 15h Evening and Thanksgiving day Special Pooja November 24th

Evening.

Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, MinnesotaRegular Sai activities in Minneapolis,

St.Paul area are being conducted at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, 725 Lake St

NE, Apt 139 Hopkins MN. For details, please contact hamaresai , or

call Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center at 952-938-2983, and to read the monthly

newsletter Sai Sandesh, visit www.hamaresai.org.

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 Satsang, Bay Area, CaliforniaShirdi Sai Parivaar invites all to join

us for Satsang every Thursday 7:30 pm at Odd Fellows Temple, 20589 Homestead

Road, Cupertino, CA 95014. For details please call 408-564-6704 or send email

to saibandhu or visit www.ShradhaSaburi.org.

Shirdi Sai Satsang, Ontario, CanadaShirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada invites

all to join us for Satsang every Thursday 6:30PM at 147 Winston Castle Dr.

Markham, Ont. L6C 2N4. For details on other activities and services please call

Shammi Chopra at 416-402-8089 or email us saileela99 .

Shirdi Sai Satsang in Vancouver, BC, CanadaShirdi Sai parivar in Vancouver

invites you for bhajans, every Thursday (6:30pm - 7:30 pm) at 8571, 118A

Street, Delta, V4C 6L2. For further details contact Ritu (604)592 4182 or email

at sai_ish (AT) hotmail (DOT) com.

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

Markham Road, Scarborough, ON 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. For temple activities and infornmation please call

647-444-4724 or send an email to info (AT) theshirdisaimandir (DOT) com

Diwali Annakut Celebrations by Shri Sai Pariwar, NJDevotees are invited to

participate in Diwali Annakut celebrations on November 19th at Colonia Elks

Lodge # 2282, 855 Middlesex Turnpike, Colonia, New Jersey from 1:00 pm to 7:00

pm. For directions and other information please call 732-539-0631.

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. The "Question of the week" for

the week is, Q. What is contentment?

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 (AT) saibaba (DOT) org 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 (AT) saibaba (DOT) org 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 not for Profit Organization)

Mail:

182 West Melrose Street Suite #4

South Elgin, IL 60177, USA

Email

maildrop (AT) saibaba (DOT) org

Phone

847-931-4058

Fax

847-931-4066

© Copyright 1998-2005 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.