Sai Vichaar for Thursday , January 17, 2008

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Sai Vichaarwww.saibaba.org Thursday , January 17, 2008 :: Volume 10, Issue 36 (In its tenth 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 WEEKCONTRIBUTED ARTICLEDEVOTEES SAYPRAYER CLUBEXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEESQUOTATION OF THE WEEKQUESTION OF THE WEEKSAI ACTIVITIESFROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARDFEATURE OF THE WEEK: Begging and HumilityBaba's begging continued until His Mahasamadhi. During His final days, when His movements were restricted due to illness, Baba delegated the honor of begging His food to others. Such was His insistence on the honorable act of bowing in front of others for the daily bread. Begging aids in the purgation of pride and brings in humility. Humility is an easy path to God. Baba's insistence on begging is only to highlight this axiomatic truth. Scriptures say that the duty of feeding a mendicant falls on the society, as the renounced do not earn their livelihood by other means. However, mendicancy is not a way for everyone. Only a few can tread that path. Mrs. Shaila Hattiangadi in "Sai's Story" wrote as follows: Baba never recommended Sanyasa. "Sanyasa", He said, "is not the way for you. In fighting desires which are normal, you will lose all your strengths. The more you fight, the larger the temptations will become. And if you drain your energy and strength in trying to fight and overcome them, you will have no power left in you to reach God. Instead, live a normal, natural life, reserve the energy and use it positively to find God". "Sanyasa", he would say to His devotees, "is a path for select few, to be followed under divine guidance and directive, and not by one's inclination alone. It is very difficult path.The real significance of Baba's begging is glorification of the virtue of humility and not just as an act of a mendicant. Let us on this Thursday, resolve to emulate our Sadguru and emphasis on the virtue of humility in our own way.CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Inwardly the SameIf Sai Baba was a Sufi saint, one may ask, how is it that he has been so readily interpreted and embraced by the Hindu community? Deccani Sufism with its poet-saints has similarities with the strong devotional heritage of the Bhakthi movement of Central India. Echoing the devotional goal of God-realization of both the Sufis and the bhakthas, which the former call ma'rifa and the latter brahmavilasa. Sai Baba said, "reaching God is the aim". Although the eleventh-century Muslim scholar, Alberuni, visiting India declared, ' The Hindus entirely differ from us in every respect', at the mystic and devotional bhakthi level there is a fundamental similarity of thought and practice, and indeed they share the same goal to have a direct experience of God. Their inner experiences tally closely, although externally they may appear very different - in their customs, languages, rituals and appearance. In climbing to the top of spiritual mountain, it can be said that the Sufis take a direct structured route with formal way-stations, where as the bhakthas take a more informal, gentler path, but both eventually reaching the summit. Once a bhaktha is able to transcend the boundaries of his formal religion he enters into a state common to all mystics. The Sufi goes beyond the Muslim law (shar'at) and is preoccupied with the way to enable him to experience (tariqat) the ultimate reality (ma'rifa). The poet saints were also intent on proclaiming through their poetic outpourings how to reach God-realization, placing great stress on saying the name of God (namasmarana), a practice that the Sufis also embrace (dhikr). Essentially, they are no different.(Contributed by From "Shirdi Sai Baba in the Light of Sufism" by Marianne Warren)DEVOTEES SAY: NeerajaI have been sick for a year now before I became a Sai devotee. Since I have become a devotee, I have had only good test results and I have been feeling a lot better. Thank you Sai for blessing my family and me.SrinivasOm Sai Ram, suddenly my son started blinking his eyes more frequently than normal. I got worried about that. I prayed to Baba, if his eyes become normal then I would publish in Sai Vichaar. The following day morning he was doing good. Thank you Baba, Please bless us a happy life.Sai devoteeDear Baba, like every time, this time also You came to my rescue. My niece was suffering from chicken pox and was in bad shape and pain. I prayed to Baba and from the next day it started getting better and she is relieved from her pain. Baba please don't leave any marks on her face as she is young and is very pretty. Baba please make everything alright between her parents and make them lead a happy life. Please baba bless my family, inlaws, siblings and mother with good health and a long life.

SoumyaWhen my brother was small he somehow got the Hepatitis B bacteria in him, and it did not go away as it does for most. It stayed and came up on some reports earlier but we ignored as the doctors always said it was passive. But recently he got jaundice (very mild) but for some reason my mom wanted to get this also tested, and the doctor this time was alarmed at seeing this in the report. Then we researched on the internet about this bacteria and found very disturbing things saying that the person might die, or face punishment of bad health all his life and that there is no one time permanent cure. We all were disturbed to core. Amidst all this chaos all of us had one small hope burning that we had our Baba with us and that He will make everything alright. This continued for two months, we showed my brother to the top specialist and awaited the results. That was when I decided to read Sai Satcharitra in one day and that too sitting in front of Him in the temple and also to post this article if the report comes out good. Sai I will read the Sai Satcharitra soon. The report came and all of us cried out in relief when we saw the report, it said he had the bacteria in him but it was in so minute quantity that it wouldn't harm him as much as we feared, almost none. Yes but he has to be a little more careful all his life about what he eats and all. But we couldn't believe what he had for so long, what all we read on the internet, all the affects of this on him everything was nothing now; all because of our great Sai Ma! Noone else! We bow to Him with our hearts filled with love, our eyes filled with tears of joy of having him with us, Shraddha and Saburi. Hadn't it being Sai, my mother would not have got the idea to get this checked in time and it would have stayed unattended. We cannot thank you enough Sai Natha, stay with everyone in the same way.HemaThankyou so much for the calendar with Baba's photos in it. I was waiting for it, everyday I would check the mail and got dissappointed. But today on Thursday, after I did my puja and arathi for Baba and read Sai Satcharitra and went outside to get the mail and there it was! I was so happy, I cried while looking at Baba's photos. Thankyou again.

SuchitraThank you very much Baba for helping my husband at work. It was really tensed month and I thank you Baba for helping my husband and my family.PratibhaRecently I was in a car accident. I was so scared when the police came, as I was new to this country, living alone. Baba helped me come out of the court case without any charges. Baba helped me get through many obstacles in the past also.SrujanaDear Sai, I am very thankful to You as you blessed me with a nice and great husband. I wish Your blessings and love between us will keep on doubling.PRAYER CLUB: MadhurimaSai, You know my marriage problem. Please solve it and help me lead a happy life. Please help in settling marriage problem and help me in living life as I wish. Please change their minds.UshaBaba, my son is going to appear for the 10th board exams this year March. I pray to You sincerely to shower Your grace on him so that he prepares with concentration for the exams and is able to pass the exam with distinction.SuchitraWith Your blessings may we all brother and sisters work together and solve our family problems.SudhakarDearest Shree Shirdi Sai baba, since my job application was rejected my mind is not in peace as I was thinking this company is very good. I know You did not want me to join this company and You will give me a better job than this. Baba please fulfill our wishes and always bless and protect us. Keep our family healthy and in peace.Sai devoteeHey Sai Ram, as always you know what I am asking from You, You have given a lot more than what I had expected. Now fulfill my this wish also, I hope and wish that in this month you will shower Your blessings.RamaBaba, Koti koti pranamam. With Your blessings my life is going cool. Baba I am trying to get a job since 3 years, please show your blessing on my family and me to get a good job. My parents are old, they are also suffering with problems. Please help them Baba. Please bless my husband and kids. Baba, I don't know how to write and talk in English, with Your blessings I wrote this. Please help me to improve this.Sai devoteeMost beloved Sai, I am approaching You through the prayer club. Right from the beginning I have experienced only ill luck, may it be academic, spiritual or dometic and I have suffered in silence with tears. Both of my children do not listen to me when it comes to the topic of marriage. The way things are going on, are in different directions.Kindly make them understand the hardships their parents have faced so far and make them obey their parents and keep them happy. Please listen to our prayers. Please do help oh! the ocean of kindness.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: BhoomaMy baby was very ill. She had developed an infection in her uterus and the doctors were worried that it could become septic. Many tests were done. On the day of the surgery I had to go to work and my mother, who was not very well herself, had to take my daughter to the hospital for the surgery. I was extremely tensed and worried. All of a sudden, I remembered the Sai Nammavalli. I prayed to Sai and promised that I would read the Nammavalli for 3 days, if only my daughter would become better. I recited the prayer once. That evening my mother called me at work and revealed that Rasathi's surgery has been completed without any complications and that we could take her home.PriyankaI had applied for the H1B visa and since there were many applications, they decided to have a lottery system. Baba selected my application in the lottery. I was very nervous for my interview and to relieve me of the stress Baba gave a dream to my brother that the interviewer would not ask any questions and would chit chat with me for some time and grant me the visa, and it happened exactly the same. Thank you Baba for getting me the visa so effortlessly. Koti koti pranam to you Baba.MangammaOm Sai, I had a c-section exactly a month back and was given epidural, I have a toddler son whom I have to take care also so I could not get much rest and had very bad back pain. I prayed to Baba and said Baba please help me, I have no help my mother's visa has expired so take care of me. Immediately next day my back pain was gone. My daughter is 22 days old and she has loud snore sound, we were very much worried. Doctor thought it could be some sleeping issue or bigger but I asked Baba to take care of her and next day I called my brother-in-law in India and he said not to worry it is only calcium deficiency. My son is two and half years old and has been with my mother since his birth but because of visa status she had to leave to India after he turned 2 and half I was very worried that he would miss her and cry for her. I asked Baba to take care of him and surprisingly he never asked for her and after a week he brought the phone and asked me to dial Grandma's number, I was shocked that he knew she left to India even though we never mentioned in front of him. Baba is everywhere, He listens to his devotees when they call him from heart and leave everything to him, just surrender yourself.QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: "Avoid needless conflicts and falsehood."-Shri Sai BabaQUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. In Satcharita, What lessons can one derive from the Episode of Madrasi Sanyasi?A. by Ramaa PrasadThe foremost lesson that emanates from the episode of Sannyasi Vijayanand is that every one should adhere to his / her 'dharma'. Vijayanand despite taking to saintly life or sainthood could not adhere to the 'dharma' of a saint, thereby facing spiritual fall. He could not get rid of his worldly attachments and longed to get back to family ties. Another indicator was that a 'saadhaka' embarking on spiritual path should not be bogged down by the trails and tribulations that go with it. Having decided to proceed on pilgrimage to Manasa Sarovar, saint Vijayanand desisted from taking up the journey scared by the difficulties that go with it, unlike a genuine saint. Noticing the frailties of Vijayanand, Parmaguru Sai Baba cautioned him about the necessity of sticking to 'Swadharma'. Baba could see the short earthly life of Vijayanand and prevented his impending spiritual fall. Baba said, "Prosperity is never permanent. The body is transient. There are thieves readily waiting to rob. Conduct yourself according to 'dharma'. Close all doors and remain vigilant. Concentrate on the Eternal Reality and discharge your dharma." Thus Baba hinted that he should quiet his senses, keep his soul secure devoid of the influence of 'vasanas' and concentrate on Almighty God. Vijayanand started 'paaraayana' of Holy Scripture 'Bhagawat' as guided by Parmaguru Sai Baba and left his earthly life. Thus his 'sadgati' was facilitated by Parmaguru Sai Baba.The most important lesson that one could learn from this episode is to surrender (sarvasya saranaagati) to Paramaguru Sai Baba and be guided by Him, adhering to to 'Shraddha' and 'Saburi.' That is the most relevant and correct approach to be taken by 'sadhaka' realizing the transient nature of one's body and material possessions, which accentuate the role of 'Maya'. Unconditional surrender to Paramour Sai Baba, who is none other than Almighty God, shall free the 'saadhaka' from the bondage of 'Maya', thereby ensuring his 'sadgati'.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.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, except Mondays. 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.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 Temple of New England, Boston AreaSri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of New England is now operational. It is located at 1827 Bridge St # 8, Dracut, MA 01824. The temple is open every Thursday from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm and Saturday's from 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm. For temple hours and activities please visit the website www.nessp.org or send mail to maildrop.Shirdi Sai Center in Bay Area, CAShirdi Sai Center is located 897-B East Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. For more information please call 408-705-7904 or 408-564-6704 or send email to saibandhu. You can also visit our website is www.Shirdisaiparivaar.org.Shirdi Saibaba temple, Los Angeles, CADevotees in Los Angeles area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Los Angeles area. The temple is located at - 144 South 4th Street, Montebello, CA 90640. For more information please call Krishna Samantula at 949-679-9938 or visit www.shirdisaila.org.Saibaba Temple, Columbus, OhioDevotees in Columbus and surrounding Ohio locations area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Metro Columbus area. The temple is located in a leasing space at 7674 Sawmill Rd, Dublin, OH 43016. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday bhajans. For more information please call Panditjee at 614-799-8411 or visit www.saibaba.cc.Shirdi Sai bhajans every Thursday at Maitland, FloridaDevotees are invited to participate in Sai study and bhajans on Thursdays between 7-8 pm at Meditation Gallery, 219 E Horatio Ave, Maitland, FL 32715. For more details please contact Bonnie at 407-830-1276.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. Question of the week for this week as follows: Q. How should we live our lives so as to achieve the grace of Saibaba?

Humbly Yours,The EditorABOUT 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, or 3. 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 webmasterFrom and Editor:Shirdi Sai Baba Web SiteShirdi Sai Baba Sanstha(A non-profit organization)Mail:12N950 State Route 47 Hampshire, IL 60140, USAEmailmaildropPhone847-931-4058Fax847-931-4066© Copyright 1998-2006 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.