Sai Vichaar for Thursday Dec 24, 2009

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Sai Vichaar

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Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 :: Volume 12, Issue 33

 

 

(In its twelfth 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.

This is a post-it email only, any replies to this email will be ignored. To contact us please see information at the bottom of this newsletter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Tip of the Week:

 

 

"New Feature! You may send a tip of the week to the editor for placement here."

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Jesus from Shirdi

 

Jesus Christ was a personification of divine Love. Christmas stands for love, giving, and forgiveness. Shri Sai Baba was an apostle of love just as Christ was known to be. Some of the miracles performed by Sai Baba are very similar to miracles performed by Christ as described in the Bible. Stories of Baba healing the sick and the ailing and even those suffering from incurable diseases like leprosy are well known and too many. With Baba's touch and without any drops or medicine being put in the eyes, some blind men got back their sight. With His gracious look, some lame ones got their legs. Bhimaji Patil had chronic chest-disease that developed into Tuberculosis. Baba assured him that "the Fakir in the masjid is very kind and He will cure the disease, and protect all with love and kindness." Baba cured his disease by giving him two dreams! Bala Ganapat Shimpi was cured of

malignant Malaria. Alandi Swami was cured of severe pain in the ear. Shama was cured of snakebite. The Jamner episode of helping Chandorkar's daughter out of a difficult delivery by sending her Udi and Arti is a series of miracles. Baba's Udi cured people of Bubonic plague many times. The very first chapter in Satcharitha says that Baba pushed the Cholera epidemic out of the village by grinding wheat and throwing it on the village outskirts! These stories are simply too many. Sometimes, He took the sufferings of His devotees on Himself. He assured Mrs. Khaparde whose son was down with plague saying, "the sky is beset with clouds; but they will melt and pass off and everything will be smooth and clear." but as He lifted up His Kafni, four fully developed bubos, as big as eggs were visible. He diverted the death of Ramachandra Patil and averted Tatya's death taking it on Himself. Baba was in the habit of borrowing oil form the shopkeepers

of the village for his little lamps that he kept burning the whole night, in both the masjid and the temple. Once, these merchants refused this little service to Him. Quite unperturbed, Baba filled his lamp containers with water and lighted the wicks-and lo, they started burning, and kept burning all throughout the night as if in defiance of the shopkeepers who later repented and became His disciples. Bible has a similar story of Christ turning water into wine to save the host of a wedding party from embarrassment. Christ like, he could command the winds and the rain. One evening there was a terrible and destructive storm at Shirdi and the little village was flooded with incessant rain. The many local deities were sought to be appeased but in vain. At last, people flocked to the masjid and prayed to Baba to quell the storm. The great yogi came out to the edge of the masjid and ordered the storm to stop. At once, the winds, the rain, and the

lightning obeyed His will and became still. Most of all, Shirdi Baba was known for His motherly love towards all around Him, people, animals, and birds alike. He loved them as much as He loved His devotees and followers. He promised, "If one turns all his attention towards Me and worships Me heart and soul, is meek and humble, avoids the company of atheists, irreligious and wicked people, he will get ETERNAL HAPPINESS. His dishes will be ever full and never empty."

 

 

 

 

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Resurrection

 

In 1886 AD, Sai Baba left His physical body for three days entrusting it to the great devotee Mhalsapathy. Mhalsapathy sat for three full days with Sai Baba's body on his lap waiting for Him to return. The epitome of faith and patience, the greatest of Sai devotees Mhalsapathy's prayers were answered and Sai returned after 72 hours. Recorded incidents show that during this period of absence from His physical body, Sai Baba appeared to His devotees several hundreds miles away. The coming back to "life" of Sadguru Sainath has a similarity to the resurrection of Jesus Christ who rose to life three days after He was put to death. One source on the Christ says, "If only His earthly body was dead, then He was the same "spiritual being" with all the power and glory in the three days His body was in the grave that He has now or had before He came to earth". How true! A careful examination of

these incidents shows the limitlessness of the divine. Sai said, "My tomb will speak". This proved right as millions of his devotees still listen to Him even after several years of His physical demise. On the eve of Christmas, the celebrated of spiritual times, let us remind ourselves of His true nature that transcends time and space and His ever presence in our lives and His glory. (Contribued by: Sai Vichaar Team)

 

 

 

 

DEVOTEES SAY:

 

ManavJai Sai Ram, I want to describe our experience of Sai miracle here. I have applied for H1/H4 visa extension. This was getting delayed too much. We were worried as these days there are lot of scrutiny on visa process. One day, we received Prasad from Shirdi and my wife said that she will eat this Prasad only after getting positive news about visa and we decided to visit Chicago Sai Temple. Next day we found status to be approved. This was wonderful. Sai Baba is with us and with all of those who have firm faith in Him. H4 approval is still pending. We firmly believe that will also come soon with Baba blessings. May Sai bless all of his devotees. We place our heads in your feet. Please guide us always. RaveendraThanks a ton for your blessing Baba. I was tensed that my work permit may not get extended but you proved again that we should

have faith on you and you will take care of the rest for us. Thanks again and please bless us like this all through our life. DevoteeSai Baba, thanks is a small word in this big world of your mahimaa. I cant in anyway thank you.. But I will stick to the path you have shown me time to time, and do the needful. Thanks for making my journey comfortable; kindly take care of me when am traveling back. Thanks a million my lord.

 

 

 

 

PRAYER CLUB:

 

DevoteePlease Saibaba, please see that my wife should get this job. Sai DevoteeDear Sai Baba, you know very well, how all our life changed after the death of our father. We beg you to find a suitable boy for my sister and bless her to get married as soon as possible. Don't make us so miserable and distress anymore Baba. Please bring some light in our life. Please get a nice boy for my sister and get her married. Very soon Baba, we waited for many years. It's very hard for us to wait any longer. Bless us. Give us some smile on our face, give us happiness. A Sai devoteeRequest you to please help me achieve all this, please grace me. Let my mind never forget you name. Baba, please give us a child. PayalBaba you know that my mother is suffering from Appendix at last stage and doctor has

suggested doing operation today on 17.12.09. You know Baba we r not having finance arrangement also mummy is not in a position for operation. I request you Baba to cure my mother such that doctor should say no to operation and only medicine will cure my mom or a you can say I m expecting miracle that there should be no Appendix at all. This time Baba really I m expecting some miracle from you. I know my mummy is suffering because of me. My in-laws are doing something on my mom so that she will not care for me and I will go back to my in-laws. Please Baba help & save my family and me. We all are at your holy feet PoornimaHey Sai, only you know how much I am struggling to get my dream job. You and only you can help me. I am trying my best. But Sai without your blessings nothing can happen. Oh generous Sai please have mercy on me and grant my wishes. Sairam. DevoteeYou know how much I suffered with

all that chemo, why is again there is some problem with my throat. As doctors guess, I pray sincerely and surrender to you, that it should be a reflux problem and I should be cured soon and I promise to avoid the foods that doctors have advised. Baba forgive all my sins, and help me to have a healthy peaceful life with my family. Give my husband courage to face any problem we come across.

 

 

 

 

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:

 

Ahmednagar, Shirdi Earlier this year, Appasaheb Bhimraj Dhus a Sai Devotee from a rural area of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra (India) took the Blessings of Baba by hovering above the Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi and offering Flowers to Baba from his Paraglider high above while down, many devotees watched him from their rooftops and the Temple Complex before embarking on his mission. (Picture courtesy Zee News)

 

 

 

 

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

 

 

"What do we lose by another's good fortune? Let us celebrate with them, or strive to emulate them" - Sri Saibaba

 

 

 

 

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

 

Q: What can one know from the experiences of Prof. GG Narke with Saibaba? A. Your answer can go here

 

 

 

 

SAI ACTIVITIES:

 

Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USASri Shirdi 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, everyday. Satsangs are conducted every Sunday mornings, 9 am to 12:30 pm. Please 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. 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 four days from Thursday to Sunday. For temple hours and activities please visit their website. 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. 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. 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 6599 Dublin Center Drive, Dublin, OH 43017. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday bhajans. For more information please call 614-799-8411. 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. Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Austin, TXSri Shirdi Sai Temple of Austin, Texas opened at 601 E Whitestone Blvd (RM 1431), Cedar Park, TX. Daily 4 aarthis are performed to Sai Baba. As part of service to needy, a weekly sandwich seva is also conducted. Shirdi Sai Mandir, Dulles, VAShirdi Sai Mandir is located at 43671 Trade Center Place #166 Dulles, VA 20166. The mandir is open through the week in the evenings from 6pm to 9 pm. Sri Satyanarayan pooja will be conducted every full moon day. Please call (703) 661-4724 for more information on activities, events and other information. Shirdi Sai Mandir, TorontoThe Mandir is located at Unit 7 & 8 2721 Markham Road Toronto ON M1X 1L5 Canada. Daily services offered to Baba include abhishek and all aartis. For Mandir hours

and activities, please call 647-444-4724. Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, Canada -TorontoDevotees in Toronto, are invited to join in Sai Namavali, Satcharita reading, Bhajans, Aarti and Prasad every Thursday from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. at GUR MANDIR 207 Queen's Plate Dr. Etobicoke - Hwy27 South of Finch for more info call (416) 294 4804. Sai Mandir, Baldwin New YorkDevotees in New York and surrounding locations are informed about Sri Sai Mandir in Baldwin NY. The temple is located at 1889 Grand Avenue, Baldwin, NY 11510. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday Panchamruta Abhishekam and bhajans. For more information please call at 516-867-8008. Shirdi Saibaba Temple, Iselin/Edison New JerseyDevotees in New Jersey and surrounding locations are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Iselin NJ. The temple is located at 465 Lincoln Highway (Route 27) Iselin, NJ 08830. Please

attend daily Aaratis and Thursday Panchamruta Abhishekam and bhajans. For more information please call at 732-283-1800. Shirdi Saibaba Temple, Flushing New YorkThis temple is located near the famous Ganesh Temple, Flushing, New york. All the day-to-day rituals at the temple are being conducted in a manner similar to that in Shirdi. The temple is located at 46-16 Robinson Street Flushing,NY,USA 11355. For more information please call 718-321-9243. Sri Sai Amruta Narayana Sarveswaraalaym, Richmond, VAThe temple is open from 5.15 am to 9.00 pm, everyday (no lunch break etc). We have all 4 aarthis every day and Baba's paalki seva on every Thursday after Dhoop Aarthi. Further information can be obtained by calling the temple at 804-708-0867. Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, Houston TXThis temple was inaugurated on August 28th 2009 with idols of both the saints Shri Sant Jalaram and Shri

Shirdi Sai Baba. The temple is open for darshan and arathis all day. It is located in Sugarland and more information can be obtained by calling 281-433-4706. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Detroit, MISri Shirdi Sai Baba temple, Livonia welcomes everyone to visit the temple and get Baba's blessings. The temple is open for darshan and arathis. For more information please call 248-471-6474.

 

 

 

 

FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:

 

Please visit the Sai activities section for details of upcoming events. To post an event in your temple, please send details by email. We are continually striving to upgrade our technical capabilities. We thank you for your patience and contiuned support. Please check your email folders before deleting to make sure Sai Vichaar is not delivered into Spam mail. It will also help greatly if you send us email to update any changes in your email accounts as that will prevent us from sending Sai Vichaar to closed or discontinued email accounts. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source

appropriately. "Question of the week" for this week is Q. Sai devotees have a practice of greeting each other with "SaiRam". How and when did this practice originate?Humbly Yours,The Editor

 

 

 

 

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From and Editor:

Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site

 

 

Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha

 

 

(A non-profit organization)

 

Mail:

12N950 State Route 47

 

 

Hampshire, IL 60140, USA

 

Email

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