Sai Vichaar for Thursday Apr 8, 2010

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Sai Vichaar

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Thursday, Apr 8, 2010 :: Volume 12, Issue 48

 

 

(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:

 

 

"To submit articles in Sai Vichaar follow the link given in the About Email column at the bottom of this newsletter." --Editor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Sai Temples under Shirdi Sansthan's Scanner

 

Shirdi Sansthan's bolt can soon fall upon some Sai Baba Temples all over the world. A few Shirdi Sai Temples have come under the scanner of Shirdi Sai Sansthan. According to the Sansthan many temples are misleading devotees of Sai Baba by making Baba's fake Samadhi's in their temples. Shirdi is the eternal abode of Sai Baba. Shirdi is the place where Baba's Samadhi showers grace. Shirdi is the place where lakhs of devotees come to bow down to Sai Baba's Samadhi. Shirdi is the place where Baba spent his Life. Shirdi is the holy place where Baba took Maha-Samadhi. But, there are a few who are taking advantage of the faith devotees have in Baba. Many Sai Temples have built or are planning to build Baba's Samadhi at par with the original Samadhi in Shirdi. Shirdi Sansthan has planned to take stern action against such individuals or institutions, who are

using Baba's name to mislead people or who have made Sai Baba's fake Samadhi's. According to Shri.Ashok Khambekar, Trustee Shirdi Sansthan, Baba took Samadhi on 15th Oct 1918 in Shirdi itself, and so Baba's Samadhi is only in Shirdi and no where else in the world and it has come to their attention that some Sai Temples have made a replica of Baba's Samadhi, together with Baba's Idol, which is wrong and that action will be taken against them. The Sansthan said that by making such fake Samadhi's, people are playing with the sentiments of Baba's devotees and the Sansthan doesn't want Baba's Samadhi to be disgraced in any manner. They have also appealed to the people to beware of any such fake people or institutions.

 

 

 

 

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Supremacy of Perfect Master (Sadhguru)

 

While reading about Sadhgurus one is often struck with questions - is Sadhguru made by the virtue of His birth? What characteristics are expected of a Sadguru? Is the role of Sadhguru restricted to only special class or people? Are there any Sadguru's in present life and context? The line of questioning is unending. The answers to these questions lie in the fact explained in various sacred scriptures. One explanation given by Meher Baba in (GLIMPSES OF THE GOD-MAN, Vol. IV, Bal Natu, pp. 105-111) goes as follows: - "Consciously or unconsciously, directly or indirectly, each and every creature, each and every human being - in one form or the other - strives to assert individuality. But when eventually man consciously experiences that he is Infinite, Eternal and Indivisible, then he is fully conscious of his individuality as God, and as such experiences Infinite Knowledge,

Infinite Power and Infinite Bliss. Thus, man becomes God, and is recognized as a Perfect Master, Sadhguru, or Qutub. To worship this Man is to worship God." Perfect Masters had the burning desire to Know God and See God. They have tuned their ability to know and find God and listen to the song of the divine (as described in Lord Meher by Bhau Kalchuri) within them. Each one of us have the innate ability to lean towards spirituality, but we are so engrossed in our worldly duties that we concentrate only on the mundane tasks and fail to find God in our heart. Only those whose hunger to know God is intense, strive harder to elevate from the clutches of ignorance by experiencing knowledge in accordance with the Divine Law. The perfect masters namely, Shirdi Sainath, Hazrat Babajan, Tajjuddin Baba, Narayan Maharaj, Upasani Maharaj were all ordinary humans, but they had the innate burning desire of knowing God. God fulfilled their desire to be

liberated and rise above the mere humanity, and each one was lead by a Guru to realize Godliness in them. It is the disgust, detachment and righteous conduct in life that has lead them to the path of God realization. The path towards this God realization is obviously not simple, BABA says that he who has discharged the worldly duties alone can control the mind and move towards the light of God. The power of Sadhguru is incomprehensible; Meher BABA says that Sadhguru has the ability to bring the God to earth to take the form of a human, which is called Avataar. It is the love and desire to elevate the mankind to rise above the mundane matters that prompted God, to bless ordinary men with strong sense of self-discipline to be Sadhgurus, who help lead men in finding God in them. The path they have opted is not easy as is said in Satcharita:- "To tread the spiritual path is like walking on the edge of a sword. There the intellect does not count."

Let us not mistake that Sadhguru has had a life of ease or is born with power to make life comfortable for himself, in fact as their biographies point out that they had the most painful life, vis - Sai BABA of Shirdi was orphaned, was labeled as a madman, was subjected to hatred originated due to jealousy and rivalry. His state of Godliness was not discovered until much later in his life. Upasani Baba (Kashinath), was an ordinary man of low intellect, but disgusted with life and tried many professions before being sought by Shirdi Sai BABA to be made perfect. Upasani Baba, subjected himself to cruelty, starvation, lived in scorpion and snake infested temples. Tajjuddin BABA was called crazy, worked in the military during British rule and was ridiculed by people was and put in jail as he roamed naked. Narayan Maharaj was an orphan ill-treated, was disgusted with life seeking death unable to bear the pangs of hunger and stumbled across God. Hazrat

Babajan, though born a beautiful princess was more drawn towards the Song of god in her heart and treaded all the way from Persia to India, was called, mad, witch, and ridiculed. Yet they have not severed an inch from the aim of finding the song in their heart. We are fortunate to be born in the land treaded by Sadhgurus. Yet we fail to recognize the fact that when the Sadhgurus themselves have shown us the way of life, which is filled with anxieties, stresses, disappointments, failures and abuse, all that is needed is the grace of God to come out successfully through all the hurdles. Life has never been a bed of roses, not even for king of Ayodhya - Rama, yet we seek instant miracles to lift us from pain, trouble and failures when we should be accepting all the good and bad as the way of life and blessings of God based on our Karma. As Sadhgurus demonstrated we should constantly seek His companionship to give us strength to overcome any

challenges we face. (Contributed by Anitha Kandukuri, Canberra, Australia)

 

 

 

 

DEVOTEES SAY:

 

RamaI am sorry Baba I delayed in posting this article. I thought I won't get pregnant, but by Baba's grace I had a baby girl. During my pregnancy also Baba helped me a lot. Baba was with me every time. Please be with me for the rest of my life and take care of my family. Help us to settle in life. Thanks Baba for all your help. PuniThank you, Baba for giving my mother Mukti as I requested you. Please Baba now that I don't have my parent alive. Please take care of me and my family. Please shower your blessings on us. SriBaba please save me koti koti pranams to you. Baba please you are the savior of this family, why I am going through these many troubles, see my elder daughter should change her attitude and behave nicely and study well. Please see my younger ones health she should be fine with your blessings, please

see that my husband should get approval and get job. Thanks Baba, please take care of my family. SaviJai sai Ram, Baba whenever I have requested you to show me signs of your presence, you have given me such experiences which I can not express in words and which are beyond understanding. Still I doubt and wonder when you will listen to my prayers of getting your child married. You know Baba what am I asking you all the time. I tell myself you have great plans, baba when will these plans materialize, time is running and I beg you to now end our search. Your daughter really wishes a family of her own. She believes in you Baba and wishes to visit you in Shirdi. Make her visit to your abode a pleasant one and Baba please fulfill her wish. Shower your blessings on her so she is always happy and has a loving husband and a family of her own. Please do not delay anymore Sai. Baba please put your hand on my bowed head. Jai Sai.

 

 

 

 

PRAYER CLUB:

 

Al:Baba I am so upset after that Job fiasco that I am unable to concentrate on any work I am feeling a lot of distance between me and my husband. I am really feeling very low and not able to decide any way or how to proceed. Please bless me Baba with some energy and enthusiasm DevoteeDear Baba, Our 4 year old son has been diagnosed with many ailments within the past one year. We came here in the hope of getting remedy for these but Doctor\'s identified two other issues needing minor surgeries. Please shower your grace and remove these at the earliest. Give us strength to handle this tough situation. DevoteeBaba I don't understand why inspite of putting all hard and honest efforts presently things are not going in my favor. In my profession all my colleagues have started leaving me, but I still have faith in my self

and I know that one day all things will get normal. Baba please bless me and give me strength and intellect to overcome from this situation. DevoteeBaba sai, I have not been a good child of your and feel very guilty about it..I was so frustrated that the very basic needs in my life were not getting fulfilled that I gave a vent to it on you. I said many things but ever merciful You called me to Shirdi and with your motherly grace and love, we had a very good Darshan. Can't thank you enough for that. Baba, you are the One to whom I can ask what I want. You know Sai, I am not asking for anything materialistic. Please Baba.You have shown me a ray of hope from what the priest near your Samadhi told me. I believe You spoke through him. With Your grace, we will read the Satcharitra.please grant me this wish. Life is getting very difficult each moment. Thanks for granting me the Shirdi visit. Please keep Your ever loving and forgiving

glance on me and make me a good child of Yours. Love you Sai DevoteeBaba, please help my family. My mother recently lost her gold jewelry. Please help them to find it. Please keep us under your shelter. DevoteeBaba you know my husband and me are having very frequent and ugly fights. Deva, please resolve issues between us. Please bless me this time with a baby. You know we have been trying for two years now. The frustration of not having a baby is killing both of us. Baba please bless us with a baby only you can do this miracle and save us. Baba please call me to Shirdi soon.

 

 

 

 

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:

 

DeepBaba, koti pranam to you. You have done a miracle once again to me. I am so thankful to you that I cannot express in words. My husband finally got the job and the desired salary. We are very happy and it is all because of you. Baba, please see that everything further goes on very well and please be with us every second Baba. We are very much dependant on you. Please shower your blessings in future also, as you always do. Thank you very much Baba once again. DevoteeI promised myself to post this experience. As devotees believes in Baba so he looks after them and takes them out from any difficult situation. I am pregnant and had a lump in my breast, My doctor suggested an Ultra sound and the Ultra sound results didn't show clearly that its benign so they suggested for a biopsy. I was very terrified and remembering Baba that night on

Wednesday I had a dream that I am talking to my friend about Sai Baba parayan(reading of the holy book). The very next day I started Sai Baba parayan and on Monday I had a biopsy. I completed my parayan on Thursday and the whole day I was praying to Babe. That evening my husband called doctor and came to know that everything was fine. Baba has showered his blessings. Baba has given so much in my life but this time he has given life to me. I sincerely thank Baba for everything. Baba please always shower your blessing on your children. AUM SAI RAM NaraIt was in the year 2005 that I was traveling in a car from Dresden to Stuttgart in Germany. It was the same car and the driver who drove me from Stuttgart to Dresden. The car left Dresden in the evening at 17 hrs. The sky was overcast for sometime and then it started to rain suddenly. It was tough for the driver to have a hundred percent visibility. He was traveling between 120-160

km/h. He was all the time talking to a friend of his who was in the co driver's seat. I was sitting on the rear with another guy to my left. It must have been around 8:45 PM in the evening. We were about 150 km away from Stuttgart. As the car was racing round the curve, suddenly we spotted a big deer standing in front of the car. We had no choice but just shouted and banged the deer straight away. The car deviated from the lane and went to the neighboring lane. The driver tried steering to bring the car back to the original lane. But it just skidded due to the wet road and we went and banged on the grade separators. The car turned 360? once and then a bit more before it came to a grinding halt. The result; the front part of the car was completely smashed, one wheel was missing, the bonnet was on the road but all of us were safe and escaped totally unhurt. I am a lover of Sai and carry his photo everyday. I know he saved all our lives even without a

single bruise. He is just great and totally unforgettable.

 

 

 

 

 

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

 

 

Have faith and confidence in your Guru. Believe firmly that the Guru is the sole Actor or Doer - Sri Saibaba

 

 

 

 

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

 

Q: How should Sai devotees react when their wishes are not fulfilled? A. by Neelam We look upon Sai Baba as our God, our Almighty, our Father. When we need something we go to Him and pray but do we have a right to get angry on Him when our prayers are not answered. I know most people do get angry and upset but why do we forget this that He loves us more than we love Him. His love for us is far greater than our love for Him. We ask Him to give us what we want but He gives us what we need. When He doesn't fulfill our wishes we should think that He has some other plans for us; a plan which is much better than our plan. He is above us and He thinks for us better than we think about ourselves. We should just believe in Him and wait for His plan to be revealed to us.

 

 

 

 

SAI ACTIVITIES:

 

Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Hampshire, Illinois, USA Sri 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 is now open at 2509 W. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park, TX 78613. 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. Shri Sai Spiritual Center, Middletown CTSri Sai Spiritual Center welcomes everyone to visit the temple and get Baba's blessings. The center is open for darshan and arathis at 749 Saybrook Rd, Unit A101, (Next door to Udipi Restaurant) Middletown, CT, 06457. For more information please call 860-347-5878. Shirdi Sai Baba Centre Perth AustraliaSri Shirdi Sai arrived in Perth,

Australia on this year's Ram Navami to the joy of deovtees in and around Perth, For details on services or directions contact by email at maildrop(at)saibaba.org.

 

 

 

 

FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:

 

For the past several months we have been trying to work on issues related to distribution of Sai Vichaar. Our goal is to make this spiritual e-magazine rich in contribution and rewarding experience to its readers. Several factors have been responsible for delays and non-deliverability of Sai Vichaar. To receive Sai Vichaar without interruption, readers are requested to please add the from email to their address book. If you move or close your email account, please drop in a line to us so that we can update your records. Mail continued to be sent to dead accounts goes against the sender. By following these basic steps at your end will go a long way in helping us to keep our lists clean and all readers get Sai Vichaar every week. Thank you for your support and making Sai Vichaar a part of your lives. We will continue to strive to bring you material of benefit to all Sai devotees in the

years to come. Sai devotees are requested to write their submissions in English only. Some devotees use other languages in English script. Kindly note that such contributions cannot be published. "Question of the week" for this week is Q. Does Shirdi Sai tatva fit into Guru parampara? Explain why? Or Why not? 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

maildrop

 

Phone

847-931-4058

 

Fax

847-464-1567

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Copyright 1998-2010 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 Sadhguru 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.