Shiridi Sai Newsletter: Sai Vichaar for Thursday , December 08, 2005

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Sai Vichaar

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Thursday , December 08, 2005 :: Volume 8, Issue 30

(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: Change: a fact of life!

When the going is good, one hardly credits it to others or expresses thanks for

the good times, as they are too busy enjoying the same. Yet when the times turn

bad one will start to cry hoarse. When the going gets tougher one reacts

strangely in various ways. A few turn towards divine intervention in prayer and

hope. The common thing across life is change. Nature enforces change in

everyone's life whether we like it or not. Change disrupts the lives of those

who are not ready for it. It is dumb to think that things will continue as they

are in life. To deal with change a lot of people need love and support from

outside. When that is lacking, life can become very miserable. One can bank on

the help of family and loved ones but these are not sufficient at times. Only

the perfect master can satisfy both the material and spiritual needs of the

distressed. Perfect masters perform the role of a guide and an elder in one's

life and slowly but surely provide the inner strength and courage that is

required to deal with various experiences that one goes through in life.

Though it may look that the perfect master is not doing anything in our lives,

the master is ever active and watchful of his children. It requires firm faith

and patience over time to discover the role of the perfect master in one's

life. One who has been following the tenets of the master in their lives over

years begins to understand the way the perfect masters work. Though themselves

invisible, they create circumstances and situations through which strangers and

unknown people help their children when all hope is lost. For one who has given

up their lives to the master, the master is ever vigilant. Giving up one's life

to the master is not a passive or lethargic or don't do anything activity. It

requires lot of hard work. Making an effort to follow the master's teachings

regularly is a prerequisite. One who does that hardly has time for anything

else. Then the master knowing the child's efforts helps that child evolve under

his protection and care. Baba was not joking when He said that the path is very

difficult and only a few can take to it. Only one who is trying to follow it

knows the difficulties and those who find it hard to believe will only resort

to arguments and discussions. Sri Sai Satcharita is the gospel of Baba's life

and teachings. One will find solutions to their problems and comfort when they

feel tired and restless while fighting life's battle. Only a visit to Shri

Sai's abode will provide a glimpse of what one can achieve if they decide to

follow Him.

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Immortal Saint of Shirdi

In Bhagvadgita (Chapter IV,7-8) Lord Krishna says that "Whenever there is a

decay of Dharma (righteousness) and an ascendancy of unrighteousness, I

manifest Myself, and for the protection of the virtuous, the destruction of the

vicious and for the establishment of righteousness, I manifest Myself in age

after age." This is the mission of Lord, and the Sages and Saints, who are His

representatives appear at proper times and try to set matters right by their

words and action, thus showing us the right path to follow. In this way, many

saints like Jnanadev, Muktabai, Tukaram, Ramdas, did appear at various times to

show the right path to the people, and so came Lord Sainath of Shirdi. The

fourteenth Nama in one hundred eight Glorious Names of Sainath Maharaj is "Om

Sri Sai Amarthyaya Namaha" Meaning - Pranavaswarupa Oh Sainath! Obeisance to

you who is immortal. We further glorify Sai in Ashttotrasatha Namavali

"Kalatheethaya Namaha, Kaalaya Namaha, Kaalakaalaya Namaha." It means He has

transcended the limitations of Time, Himself Time and Lord of Eternity. Baba

declared, "I am not the body or the senses, I am Sakshi (Witness)" Sainath

though left His mortal coils on Oct. 15th, 1918, He continues to remain in His

subtle form (Sukshma Sareera) with the option of taking stable or visible form

at will. Immediately after giving up His body Baba showed to the world through

the following incidents that He is alive but His body is dead. Baba appeared in

the dream of Laxman Mama Joshi on Oct. 16, 1918 and said, "Get up soon,

Bapusaheb thinks I am dead and so he won't come, you do the worship and the

Kakad Arathi." He appeared in the dream of Dasganu Maharaj on Oct. 16, 1918 at

Pandharpur, informed of the event, and said that he should cover His body with

ample flowers. Thus, Baba in His own mysterious way maintained the continuity

of daily Pujas and Arathis as usual.

Baba's 72 hours Samadhi where He decided to take His Prana high up and go into

Samadhi and then returned back to consciousness (life) after three days is an

evidence that Sai was not limited to the body of three and a half cubits

height, but was the Self inside. The body, composed of the five elements is

perishable and transient, but the Self within is the thing - Absolute Reality

that is immortal and eternal. Baba said, "I am not confined within this body of

three and a half cubits height, I am every where". Sai Baba expounded several

times, Who this Me or I is. In His words "Barring your name and form, there

exists in you as well as in all beings a sense of Being or consciousness of

Existence. That is Myself" (Sri Sai Satcharitha, Chap. 43-44). Baba assured

before His Mahasamadhi "Though I pass away, My bones in My tomb will give you

Hope and Confidence. Not only Myself but also My tomb would be speaking, moving

and communicating with those who would surrender wholeheartedly to me. You will

hear My bones speaking and discussing your welfare." (Satcharita, Chap. 25) Sai

is defined "This Pure Being, Consciousness or Brahma, the Ruler and Controller

of the senses and mind is the thing Sai... He pervades all animate and

inanimate things and is their Inner Controller and Ruler." (Satcharita, Chap.

43-44). This shows Sai is immortal, birthless and deathless. Let us realize why

Sainath Maharaj declared "I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving

this earthly body." Though Baba has no body now, He is more Alive now than when

He was living. This is being experienced by many who surrender themselves

completely to Him and worship Him with wholehearted devotion. Saints like Baba

never die; though they look like men, they are in reality God Himself.

(Contributed by Sai Eshwari)

DEVOTEES SAY:

A Sai devoteeOm Sai, I am thankful and grateful to You for the miracle You have

done. My dad had adrenal problem and doctor told that his adrenal gland has to

be removed immediately, which was a critical and a major operation. The only

hope and confidence we had was the feet of Saibaba. We surrendered our worries

at his feet. It is only Baba who has made the operation successful.

SatishOm Sai Sree Sai Jai Jai Sai. "God has agents everywhere and their powers

are vast".-Sai Baba. I truly believe in this, I had many experiences of

presence of Baba, I request all the devotees to believe in it. Pray to Baba

with your heart and soul, Baba will shower his blessings on you.

MeenakshiBaba, thanks a lot. I was very much worried since I do not have money

to pay my fees and for other expenses. Thursday I cried a lot in front of you.

You heard me and today (Monday) my manager forwarded me an e-mail stating I got

a bonus, which is equivalent to the amount I needed. You are great Sai and

everywhere. Love you Baba, Never leave me alone.

NaineshThis is for the lady who asks the question where to donate the money too.

The biggest charity as stated in Satcharitha is Annadanam feeding the poor. So,

send the money to Sai temple for feeding the poor.

NeeluSai, thank you very much for taking care of my granddaughter when she was

so sick in India. Thank you for bringing her safe back home. As promised, I am

submitting this article. Always bless, guide and help us.

SumaSai Baba, by your krupa my sister passed her semester with very good marks.

I heartfully convey my thanks to You. Please stand by her and guide her in the

right way and thanks for being there for her.

PRAYER CLUB:

KaviBaba please remove my fear, anxiety and depression. Give me confidence,

happiness and enthusiasm in whatever I do. I am going through unexplained

mental agony. Give me peace of mind and give me a healthy life. Baba I am

trying hard to concentrate on prayers and try to meditate too but I cannot

focus myself. Please give me place in your lotus feet and guide me that how I

should keep on doing prayers and make myself calm. Baba please help me and show

me the path. Om Shri sai Ram.

RomaMy husband's dad passed away last week with a severe heart attack. Daddy was

a wonderful person full of sense of humor and amazing qualities. Sai Ram, please

help my husband to get through this moment of difficulties. Please provide him

the strength and courage to take care of the responsibilities ahead.

RupinderPray to You to please keep all the things going on and my husband and me

never are separated. Give me power and strength so that I can pray You every day

as my husband does! Om Sai Ram.

SampaBaba, Please help me pass in the final accounting exam. I did not do well

in the other two mid-term.

KailasBaba, please help us with the hospital bills. Please let Insurance company

understand our situation and resolve this matter. It is causing a lot of tension

and stress to my wife. Keep Your blessings on us and help us to get over this

difficult phase, Baba; we will keep praying and await resolution.

Sai DevoteePlease Sai let my two children enjoy good health for the rest of

their stay in India. Let my daughter's loose motions stop and she should feed

properly as before. Oh Sai, please make it possible for my sister and

brother-in-law to visit us in India. Kindly continue to shower Your blessings

on us. Thanking you and thousand namaskars to You.

KamakshiSairam, dear devotees, I request you to pray for my husband who is

having a lot of pain because of Parkinsons disease. I know that Baba, through

all your prayers, will help him to get relief. Thanks Baba.

Sai devoteeBaba, kotinamaskarams to your lotus feet and kind heart. No one can

help me except You from my all problems. Please guide my children to study well

and to behave in good manner. Please save me from all my health problems. I have

lot of faith in You, so please help me to my medical reports clear and no

diseases. Please guide my husband to join in job and have monthly income and to

leave all his bad habits and to lead family life. By Your grace my daughter has

become your devotee, like that please guide my husband also if he become your

devotee so that all the problems will come to an end.

SundarOmniscient, Omnipresent Baba, I am depressed and weak mentally, phiscally

and psychologically. Back home, my wife is due this month but has not delivered

a child till now. I am away here in America working in a restaurant like a

bonded labourer. Baba, I don't know how to get out of this mess and find peace

and comfort. Baba, I have nobody to talk to and express my sorrows, but only

You. Please Baba, release us from this difficulty and make my promise come true

of building a huge Sai temple in Kathmandu. Please, Baba, have mercy on my

family which consists of unfortunate, blind and illiterate people. Please help

us get out of this trouble. I bow to the lotus feet of your's Baba.

A Sai devoteeI am making this prayer request with a lot of feeling and I hope

our Lord will answer my prayer soon. It is about my nephew who had joined the

merchant navy. He has somehow not been able to fulfil his contract on any one

ship for the full length of his term. He has so far been recruited on 3 ships

consecutively but has stayed just for a month or so on each of them. We are all

worried and especially his parents as they have borrowed heavily for his

training and have sacrificed so much so that he could start his career. He is

not very young and needs to have a job soon so that he can also plan his

personal life. We feel he is not very competent in his job and so has developed

a complex. As a result, he is not diplomatic in his relations with the captain

and other seniors on ship and so has been asked to leave. Back home, his

parents don,t say anything and have resigned themselves to matters. They feel

he is too old to be given advice. It's not that he does not know what to do and

is not entirely unaware of his parent's plight. He just whiles away the time at

home watching TV or playing video games. He is out late at night and comes home

very late at night after drinking, a bad habit he has picked up while abroad.

His father is a pensioner and is not too well. My nephew's condition has only

added to his problems. Its high time my nephew realised his responsibilities

and seriously pursues his career. I pray to Our Lord and also request prayers

from you all that he gives up his bad habits, looks after his own health,

respects his parents wishes and seriously embarks on his merchant navy career.

Since he is not trained for any other profession, he really needs help and very

quickly. My Lord, please shower your blessings on him and his family soon.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:

RuchitaI would like to share most recent experience. In the month of August, I

came to USA for my studies and soon after 5 to 6 days, I had a insect bite on

my right foot. It was getting worst day by day. This was the first time I came

alone so far. I was suffering from unbearable pain and I was unable to even

stand properly. I was feeling so lonely and was crying out because of pain. I

prayed to Baba for help and to my wonder Baba came to help me in the form my

new roommate, I hardly knew her at that time. She and her fiancé were Baba's

devotees. They helped me a lot, she took very good care of me just like my mom.

Getting a right person at right time is very important. I thought Baba send her

to help me. Then doctor told me the insect bite will need 1 to 2 hour surgery,

on the same day after an hour. I was scared because surgery without your near

and dear ones is a pain. Then I talk to Baba and asked him to stay there with

me at the time of operation and give me strength to bear this pain. It went out

good. Now after 3 month, I am fully recovered. Saibaba is always there for you;

you just have to open your eyes. Have faith and He will take care of you, no

matter where you are.

LataThis was in the month of May on a Saturday when I had organized Sai bhajans

at our place. This incident happened with my son Avinash around 3 p:m. I had

finished making prasad and wanted some snacks to be added to the prasad. My son

immediately agreed to go and quickly buy some samosas from a store. It so

happened, during this month we were also in the process of moving from an

apartment to our Baba's blessed house and so I had a mover come in and give us

an estimate for his labor charges. This all happened so quickly, one side my

son left to get samosas and the other end this gentleman arriving. He went

around the place and finally came to the kitchen where I was busy talking to

Baba which is my normal habit asking my Master if the prasad cooked was OK and

this man enters the kitchen and says, Wow that dal really looks delicious, low

behold I realized my Baba has answered my question. Now before leaving, this

man wished me goodbye 3 times coming again and again and telling me: "I'm

going, I'm in a great rush". At this very moment, I realized it was my Baba all

the time giving me some message and I could actually feel my Baba in him. Well I

just felt it was my assumption. After a while, I called my son on his cell

asking him to come soon and why did it take so long not realizing that he met

with a major car accident. He never told me, infact he told me there's a big

traffic jam so it might take little longer but within me something was warning

me so I decided to sit with Baba and chat with Him till devotees arrived. There

and then, my husband forced my son, whom he had already informed about the

accident, to call me and let me about the accident. Of course, I started crying

and praying to Baba that everything was OK with him and he was in one piece.

contined....Thus, I waited for them to come home and explain, and soon before

the bhajans started they both arrived and my son explained everything in detail

as to how Baba actually brought him out of this accident unscratched whereas the

car was totally damaged. So just a small humble request to all Sai Baba

devotees, have utmost faith in Master and leave the rest to Him.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

"What is our duty? To behave properly. That's enough"-Sai Baba

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Q. What is Contentment?

A. by Maddipatla VR Prasad

I understand contentment as the experience of happiness due to a sense of

fulfillment. However, the happiness or the sense of fulfillment coming from

material gain is temporary. Happiness accrued from 'inner peace' is permanent

and that is the real contentment. In other words, inner peace or tranquility of

soul brings in a state of mind that makes a person happy and satisfied

irrespective of his circumstances. How can one attain inner peace? The

turbulence of mind comes in the way of attaining inner peace. Why? The

continuous stream of ever changing desires and consequent search for ways and

means of fulfilling these materialistic desires are the root cause for this

unrest within. Can we ever over come this problem? I think that we should

understand that our desires that keep on changing do not reflect our true

needs. We really do not know what we need; but Baba knows what we need. I feel

that answer lies in attaining the realization that Sadguru Sai Baba knows

better what we need and that He would not go without fulfilling our needs. Once

we surrender ourselves to Sai Baba, we come to the stage of minimizing our

desires, for He knows what we need. Then slowly we would march towards

"desirelessness". Automatically, we will be enveloped by a feeling of gratitude

to Him; for all that He has done to us and is doing to us. The expression of our

gratitude to God for granting us human birth is an important component of our

prayer to Him that would bring us inner peace and consequently contentment. Did

not Sadguru Sainath Maharaj say, " Remain as God has made you". He also did say,

"What man gives is temporary and what God gives is everlasting." Lord Sai Baba

has set an example by His personal life for us to attain contentment.

It may be argued that this kind of state of mind would turn the person into a

"lotus eater" leading him to inaction. This argument is not valid for the

reason that a person with inner peace and contentment will be enthusiastic to

act, as he considers action in the world as his duty to God. With this kind of

conviction man will carry out his duty unbiased and unattached not craving for

fruit or reward.

Q. What is the two-fold importance of Khandoba temple in Baba's life history?

A. by SP Srivastava

Khandoba temple has a deep rooted and meaningful significance in the life

history of Sai Baba. What strikes at first sight is it was in the yard of

Khandoba's temple Baba got down from his cart and Bhagat Mhalspati welcomed him

as 'Sai', a name which has since become immortal. It could not be a mere

coincidence in commemoration of the advent of Baba in Shirdi where he was seen

under a Neem tree, Baba's Padukas were brought from Khandoba temple and then

installed under the foot of the Neem tree. God Khandoba indicated the details

of the cellar where Sai Baba practiced penance for 12 years. This may also

explain why Sai Baba chose Shirdi to fulfill his divine mission. Elaborating

this issue, it is worthwhile to mention there are several links to substantiate

Lord Shiva's incarnation as Sai Baba. Further, it has also appeared in a learned

journal 'Heritage of Shirdi Sai', Khandoba is the most popular avatar of Lord

Shiva and the dogs that are associated with Sai Baba are an incarnation of

Khandoba. Readers of Sai Satcharitha will recall Baba blessed Mrs. Tarkhad

profusely when she gave a piece of bread to a dog nearby saying that the dog

was one with Him. In a similar incident when Sai Baba said to Laxmi Bai, he was

very hungry and she prepared bread herself in haste and brought it for Baba.

Baba without eating a morsel gave it to a dog and on her expressing resentment

said the appeasement of the dog's hunger was the same as His. When Megha,

Baba's devout devotee who regarded Sai Baba as an incarnation of Shiva came to

the Masjid without worshipping Khandoba, Baba sent him back to Khandoba Temple.

Baba also used to refer some devotees to Khandoba temple for spiritual

upliftment. Khandoba's temple has thus a very special significance in Baba's

life history.

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.

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, Toronto, CanadaShirdi Saibaba Sansthan invites all to join

for satsangs every Thursday 7:00 pm at Sai Dwarkamai, 147 Winston Castle Dr.

Markham, Ontario, L6C 2N4, phone 416-402-8089 or email: saileela99 .

To request a pooja for yourselves, your friends and family for any occasion at

your residence, please call. Devotees can request udi or Holy water (Abhishek

Jal) from the Holy bathing of Baba by sending us an email or by phone.

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. Dhoop aarti at 7:30 p.m everyday and Bhajans 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.

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.

FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:

"Sai activities" section is a good opportunity to spread the word about various

activities, celebrations, and festivities of Sai mandirs across the world.

Postings on Sai activities are very useful for new visitors and for those who

would like to know more about Sai activities in theirs and other areas. Sai

Vichaar receives several emails for Prayer Club. They will be posted in the

order they are received, please indicate if you do not want to include your

name. Sai devotee Subhadra suggests the "Question of the week" for the week as,

Q. What is the two-fold importance of Khandoba temple in Baba's life history?

Humbly Yours,The Editor

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