Friday, February 09, 2007

Satsang In which temple Sri Saibaba's sacred tooth was kept?

In which temple Sri Saibaba's sacred tooth was kept?

A sacred Tooth of Sri Saibaba is kept in a Sai temple at
Shivaji Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India. Sri Saibaba
gave his tooth to Kasibai. Please go through the article
published in Saipatham February 2001 magazine to learn
how tooth came to Shivaji Nagar temple from Kasibai.
One of the Sai temples of Pune, the Sai temple at Shivaji

Nagar, has a great history behind it. This temple is located
along the banks of the picturesque Mutha River in the
Rasne Chawl (Rasne tenement) on the outskirts of Shivaji
Nagar in Pune. As the river was going into spate every rainy
season and the water was overflowing the banks and

approaching the temple, a wall was constructed and a road
was laid along the wall to prevent the water from surging in.
Devotees who visit the temple are transported with joy by
the darshan of Sri Saibaba.


Sri Damodar Pant Rasne is a fortunate soul who visited Sri
Saibaba when he was alive and was blessed by him. His son,
Nanasaheb Rasne, set aside two rooms in his tenement
(Rasne Chawl) in 1945 and started worshipping Sri Saibaba
with ceremonial offerings. As the aratis were being performed
regularly during the course of the day, many devotees started
coming to the temple.


Sri Nikham of Khed village was a sergeant in the police. He
was a spiritually inclined person and dedicated his whole life
to the service of the Sri Saibaba temple at Shivaji Nagar after
being called by Sri Nanasaheb Rasne. He not only took part
with devotion in all activities of the temple, but also presented
the temple with a tooth of Sri Saibaba which was in his possession.
This changed the fortunes of the temple and people started
coming in greater numbers from all over the country to visit it

and to have darshan of Sri Saibaba’s tooth. The circumstances
leading to Sri Nikham acquiring the Saibaba’s tooth are most
interesting.

(to be contd...)
Courtesy of Sri Sai Leela Magazine April 1977

Satsang When and where the First Ever Saibaba Mandir was constructed?

Part 3

In a few days Pradhan built a small temple near his house
at Bhivpuri and ceremoniously installed the statue of Baba;
regular worship was started. This temple is located in a
place which is green with trees and beautiful to the eye. In
the silence of the night the sound of the temple doors
opening would sometimes be heard. Baba’s form would be
seen coming out of the temple and resting under a tree in
the front yard. The sound of the temple doors closing would
be heard again at three in the morning. All these leelas were
experienced not only by Pradhan and his family but also by

their guests who stayed overnight. Pradhan had no doubt
that Bhivpuri was indeed his Shirdi and he became an even
more ardent devotee of Baba. The temple was developed to
include an inner chamber, a big hall in the forecourt, a
verandah and guestrooms for the use of visiting devotees.

Sri V. V. Gupte, Pradhan’s son-in-law, took an active part in
conducting the various affairs of the temple and helped further

develop it. Sri Gupte had first visited Shirdi in 1936 and
experienced bliss at the sight of Baba’s samadhi. He prayed
fervently to Baba to make the temple at Bhivpuri as glorious
and awesome as the Samadhi Mandir at Shirdi. Baba answered
his prayers and the Bhivpuri temple became famous with more
and more devotees visiting it.

Pradhan passed away in 1939 and responsibility for the temple
fell on Gupte’s shoulders. He started an organization for running
the temple called the “Sri Sadguru Sainathuni Seva Sanstha”.
The rush of visitors increased and the existing facilities became
insufficient. Funds were inadequate to do all that was necessary
to meet the huge influx of devotees. Finally, Baba’s help was
sought. A devotee called Narayan Purohit started the formal
reading of Saibaba’s life. On the fourth day Baba came to him in
a dream and said, “Where is my dhuni? How can this be Shirdi

without a dhuni? How can my temple be complete without a
dhuni?” As he had the dream twice, Purohit informed Gupte
and it was decided forthwith to build a dhuni as instructed by
Baba. Sri Valvalkar, the grandson of Sri Hemadpant (author of
Sri Sai Satcharitra – Baba's life story and leelas), first lit the dhuni
on the Ramanavami day of 1949. Ramanavami and Baba’s

samadhi festivals are celebrated here with great fervor and glory.

--Saileela Masik September 1976

Satsang When and where the First Ever Saibaba Mandir was constructed?

Part 2

The friends reached Shirdi and stayed in the wada. As it was
time for the noon arati, Pradhan’s friend went to the mosque
but Pradhan stayed in the wada. The bell rang from the
mosque for the arati and Pradhan could hear it from his room.
The deep gongs of the bell stirred him as never before. He was
enchanted by the sound and unknowingly started walking to
the mosque from where this heavenly sound was issuing forth.
He reached the mosque and sat in a corner. Looking at Baba,
he was immersed in a state of bliss. After the arati was over the
other devotees took udi (the ashes from the ever-burning fire,
called a dhuni, kept by Baba) from Baba and left the mosque.
Pradhan was still in a state of bliss and was unaware of
everything but Baba. Sri Sai then called Pradhan to draw near
and asked him for dakshina (in India, it is the custom when
visiting a saint to present him or her with a gift). Pradhan had
Rs 2500 in his pocket. This was the amount he had collected
for his employer from the various debtors. He took out the entire
cash from his pocket and, placing it all in Baba’s hands, returned
to his room still in the same state of bliss. A little later, Pradhan
came to realize that he had given the entire amount to Baba and
was surprised that he could do such a thing with his employer’s
money. His friend told him not to worry as Baba would take care
to see that Pradhan would not get into any trouble because of
this.

Pradhan started back via Kopergaon from Shirdi in a horse-cart.
It was only after he reached Kopergaon that he realised that he
had no money, even for the hire of the cart. He requested the cart
man to take his ring, sell it and return the remaining cash after
taking his fare. While this was going on a well-dressed gentleman,
unknown to Pradhan, arrived. After inquiring about the matter he
not only paid the cart man but also bought a ticket to Mumbai for
Pradhan and left as mysteriously as he came.

Pradhan reached Bhivpuri. He did not know how he could face his
employer and tell him that he had used all the money which he
had collected. To gain time, he sent word to his employer that he
was sick and would come to work once he had recovered. The
employer sent word back granting leave till Pradhan was well
enough to return to work. He also wanted to know why Pradhan
had sent double the money he had collected and what he was to
do with the excess? Pradhan saw Baba’s hand in this and was
thrilled to the core of his being by the kindness shown to him by
Baba. He was electrified that Baba had showered his grace on
him to such an extent in the very first darshan. He became a
staunch devotee of Baba and would often go to Shirdi to visit
Baba and take his blessings. Pradhan would plead with Baba to
come to Bhivpuri whenever he went to Shirdi. Once, in 1916, Baba
gave his photo to Pradhan and said, “Go to Bhivpuri. Build a temple
for me there. Keep this statue in the temple and worship it. You
need not come to Shirdi any more.” Pradhan returned to Bhivpuri
but did not follow Baba’s instructions. When he next came to
Shirdi Baba said, “When I have come to your house, why have you
come here? Bhivpuri is your Shirdi. Go there and do as I told you.”


(to be contd...)
(Source Saipatham Magazine)

Satsang Did Sri Saibaba sacrifice his life to save Tatya's life?

(Part 3)
Further; Sri Saibaba is an incarnation of god whose birth,
growth and death is tied with the karma and salvation of
many devotees. Baba had saved many devotees from death
and indeed had even brought back alive many who were
dead too. To save Tatya from death was an easy task for him,
it was not necessary for him to sacrifice his own life to save
Tatya’s. As Hemadpant stated, he may have, in his natural
cryptic style, indicated his death in advance and said Tatya’s
name instead of his own. The feeling of the people that he
had sacrificed his life to save Tatya mirrors their belief that
he had indeed loved Tatya more than his own life.
(Source: Saipatham Magazine July-August 2001)

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Satsang When and where the First Ever Saibaba Mandir was constructed?

The first Saibaba temple was constructed at Bhivpuri in 1916
when Sri Saibaba was still in his physical body. Bhivpuri Road
is a small railway station which comes before Karjat on the
train route from Mumbai to Pune. If one gets out at this station
and looks right towards the fields, a temple spire is clearly
visible. This is the Sai temple at Bhivpuri. It is a short walk
across the fields to the temple.
This temple was constructed by late Sri Keshav Ramachandra

Pradhan. Please go through the article published in Saipatham
magazine January 2001 to find out the story behind the temple
construction.

Sri Saibaba has become a part of the mainstream of Indian
spiritual and temporal life within a short period of attaining
mahasamadhi. We can now see Sai temples not only in the big
cities but also in small towns and villages of India, and more
and more temples are being built. In this and subsequent issues
we will investigate the details and stories behind these temples,
built not only in this country but also abroad. The Sai temple
built at Bhivpuri 1916, when Sri Saibaba was still in his physical

body.

Bhivpuri Road is a small railway station which comes before Karjat
on the train route from Mumbai to Pune. If one gets out at this
station and looks right towards the fields, a temple spire is clearly
visible. This is the Sai temple at Bhivpuri. It is a short walk across
the fields to the temple.

This temple has a very interesting history. The story behind its
construction reveals the astonishing manner in which Baba pulls

his devotees to him. It is unbelievable but nevertheless true that
the founder of the temple, the late Sri Keshav Ramachandra
Pradhan, was initially an atheist.

Sri Pradhan was working for a Parsee gentleman of Mumbai as a
pedhi (a collector of debts owed to his employer). He lived in
Bhivpuri and would commute to Mumbai to work. In the course
of his job he would frequently go to Manmad, Nasik and Kopergaon.
Pradhan had a close friend who was a devotee of Saibaba. He would
often go to Shirdi and return after having darshan of (seeing)
Sri Saibaba. Once, Pradhan visited his friend when he was about to
leave for Shirdi. He asked Pradhan to accompany him and to have

Baba’s darshan. Pradhan, who had no belief in God or Godmen,
initially refused to go with him. Finally, however, he gave in to his
friend’s persuasion and agreed to go, but not to set foot inside the
mosque where Baba lived. His friend accepted the compromise and
they set out for Shirdi together.
(to be contd...)
(Source Saipatham Magazine)

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Satsang Thought for the day

Whatever you give away today or think, or say, or do....
Will multiply tenfold and then return to you


It may not come immediately....nor from the obvious source
But the LAW applies unfailingly through some invisible force


Whatever you feel about another be it love....hate or passion......
Will surely bounce right back to you in some clear or

secret fashion

If you speak about some person a word of praise or two........
Soon tons of other people too will speak kind words to you


Our thoughts are broadcasts of the soul........not secrets of the brain
Kind ones bring us happiness and Petty ones.......untold pain


Giving..... works as surely as reflections in the mirror
If hate you send......hate you'll get back but loving....... brings loving


nearer

Remember..... as you start this day ......and duty crowds your mind
That kindness comes so quickly back to those who first are kind


Let that thought and this one direct you through each day
And never forget ...... that the only things we ever keep
.....are the things we give away!


~ Author Unknown ~

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Satsang Did Sri Saibaba sacrifice his life to save Tatya's life?

(Part 2)

As Ramachandra Patil and Bala Shimpi feared, Tatya fell seriously
ill as the Vijayadasami of 1918 approached. Baba too fell ill around
the same time. Tatya’s condition worsened day-by-day and turned
critical one or two days before Vijayadasami. He could not even
come to the mosque for the darshan of Sri Saibaba. One day Baba
sent word to him to come to the mosque and have his meal there,
but as Tatya could not summon enough strength to even rise from
his bed, some devotees helped him to go to the mosque where Baba
fed him with semolina pudding with his own hands despite his ill
health. Tatya could only swallow a couple of mouthfuls with great
difficulty. Baba told him, “Tatya, I have arranged for two swings
(carriages) for us initially.

But I have changed my mind. I alone will go on now presently. Now
you may go home.” Tatya understood the import of Baba’s words
and started sobbing. He said, “Baba, why do you not send me first?”
Baba replied, “I am a fakir, there is no one to cry for me when I go
away. But all your people will grieve if you go.” Tatya heard the
tone of finality in Baba’s words and his sorrow intensified and he
started weeping piteously. He said, “Baba, if I go, it is only my
relatives who will grieve. But if you go, you will make many people
of this world orphans. If you live on many people will attain salvation
by your mere darshan. What of me? My life is a burden to me and
to my relatives too.” Baba would not brook any further talk in this
vein from Tatya. He scolded him lovingly, “Alright, no more talk
from you. Go home.” He put udi on Tatya’s forehead and sent him
home, watching him with a heavy heart until he was out of sight.

The day of Vijayadasami dawned and Baba entered mahasamadhi.
Tatya’s health astonishingly started improving a few hours after
Baba’s mahasamadhi and fully recovered in a couple of days.

The people believed that Baba had sacrificed his own life to save
Tatya’s. Hemadpant brings this out in the 42nd chapter of Sri Sai
Satcharitra. “It seemed that they both (Baba and Tatya) exchanged

a life for a life and a death for a death. The people believed that Baba
had sacrificed his life for the sake of Tatya. Baba alone knows whether
this is true or not. In this manner Baba had stated Tatya’s name but
indicated his own mahasamadhi.” It was not surprising that the people
believed thus seeing that Baba had loved Tatya more than his own life
itself. But this is just a blind belief on their part and in fact has no
foundation. This is because Baba has clearly stated that he had first
arranged for two swings (carriages), one for himself and the other for
Tatya. But he had changed his mind and sent one swing back and that
only he will be going away. He did not say that he had got only one
swing ready for Tatya and that he would be going in that instead of
Tatya. Tatya also only requested Baba to send him first but not to
send him instead of Baba.

to be contd......
(source Saipatham Magazine)

Sai Vichaar for Thursday, February 01, 2007

Sai Vichaar www.saibaba.org
Thursday , February 01, 2007 :: Volume 9, Issue 38
(In its nineth 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: Topsy-Turvy
"In bliss supreme I was. How can a fool like Me describe the

joy I experienced?". This was Baba's reply to His guru for the
question as to how He felt hung feet tied and head downwards
in a well for five hours. This is one of Baba's important parables.
Hemadpanth described further on this account as follows: "We

think that this description of the topsy-turvy position in the well
for 4 to 5 hours should not be taken too literally; for no one can be
at ease and feel bliss if he be suspended with a rope-head down
and feet up in a well for hours together. On the contrary it might
amount to torture. This seems to be a figurative description of the
trance or Samadhi state. There are two sorts of consciousness,
(1) Sensual and (2) Spiritual. When our senses and mind, which
are created by God with an outgoing tendency meet their objects,
we get the sensual consciousness in which we feel pleasure or pain,
pure or mixed, but not bliss supreme or happiness. When the
senses are withdrawn from their objects and are given opposite or
topsy-turvy direction, i.e., when they are introverted and fixed on
the self, we get the other, i.e., spiritual consciousness in which we
feel unalloyed joy or bliss which is ineffable. The words, "In bliss
supreme I was, and how can I describe the joy I felt?" indicate that
the Guru put Him in a trance and kept him above or aloof from the
waters of restless senses and mind." (Sai Satcharitha, English
translation by Nagesh Vasudev Gunaji, Chapter XXXII.

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Words of Wisdom
Only persistent effort, personal experience, and intensive feeling

can realize the existence of God. Once the "I" in you is erased, you
become one with God. For He is the only Reality. You see Him in
all humanity. The ultimate reality can be perceived only by constant
practice. Even the highest learning of shastras supported by logic
and creative imagination can take us only to the lower level of
awareness. Man is not the mere physical body. He is the Atman
(self) encased in the body. The Atman seeks release to join the
Paramatman. The sacred mission of Man is to help this process.
Logical arguments and eloquent speeches do not help to feel the

presence of God. In the process of material progress, one should not
lose oneself in the trifles. Man should not forget the real purpose for
which he is created on earth. One who cleans his inner self is ready
to receive the grace of God. His inner self reflects in good conduct
(sadachar) which is the excellence of his external conduct. When
youth vanishes, you cannot control the mind. When body is worn
out, you cannot do sadhana. Strive now earnestly to attain spirituality
and the highest perfection.

The whole world lives, moves, and has its being in God. Dharma is
the means to
elevate mankind to the level of feeling the presence of
God. Man should practice Dharma to react this Divinity. Saints
attained their sanctity through the adoration of God. Seeking refuge
in God solves all your problems. Let your minds be imbued with love
and devotion to God. Seeking refuge in God solves all your problems.
External enemies of man can either be conquered or befriended.
However, his internal enemies like desire, anger, greed, pride,
attachment, and jealousy remain concealed, causing untold havoc.
They can be vanquished only through His Grace. So let us pray and
fit ourselves to be the recipient of His Grace. Control over sense organs
is very much needed for the realization of God.

Singing the names of the Lord devoutly and fervently enables such
control. True spiritual pursuit leads the Saadhaka into Samadhi in
which the Jagat (universe) and the Jeeva (life) disappear. All relative
existences vanish leaving behind only the Brahman, the Absolute.
Thoughts and feelings rise in the minds of the ordinary people like
waves on the sea. But the mind of a yogi is like a wave-less sea. This
placid state is due to his mastery over the self. The yogi is a Sanyasin
as his individuality subdued and his desire utterly annihilated. This
state of actionlessness is the blissful state or Brahmavastha. Those
who make an exhibition of their temple going without real devotion
are hypocrites. Temple-visit is in reality an outward manifestation of
the inner urge to see His Idol, which is symbolic of the ideal, and to fill
the mind and heart with His thoughts.

Listen to Guru's teachings and follow them in practice. It is by the
triple process of Sravana, manana and Nidhi-dyasana that knowledge
is attained. When the mind is stilled, the Bliss in the self can be directly
grasped. Forget yourself when you are in sorrows. Then peace comes to
you of its own accord. Zeal and courage of the mind can be acquired by
serenity. Draupadi's episode reveals that absolute surrender to the Lord
alone makes Him shed His Grace on the devotee. The progress to
perfection is through pain and suffering. Hard flint must come into
collision to produce sparks.
(Contributed by Excerpts from Poojyasri Ganapathi

Sachchidananda Swamiji's discourse)

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: continued....
Grief grows from desires and attachment. Happiness cannot be
attained from
satisfying the desires as new desires crop up. Hence,
happiness lies in contentment. Happiness leads to peace of mind.
Peace of mind results in concentration. Concentration is the basis
of meditation. Through meditation mind is united with
Sachchidanada. There is no happiness higher than this. Experience
of the supreme Bliss is the greatest happiness. One should not
proclaim that he knows everything. One should be free from ego,
pride, and prejudice. One should develop self-confidence. Man
aspires to enjoy the Supreme Bliss. This can be possible by
renouncing the worldly things and by offering the following eight
flowers: Nonviolence, Control of senses, Sympathy, Patience, Peace,
Austerity, Meditation and Truth. Sage Kapila offered these eight
flowers to God and attained union with Him. One cannot realize
one's soul until the ego vanishes. When the ego is submitted, then
occurs a total surrender to God. One can experience supreme bliss
by feeling the presence of God. In such a state, the minute soul will
be merged with the Universal Soul and there will be no difference
between Nara and Narayana. All agonies can be easily averted if
only man feels that God is the responsible spirit behind all the
progress. Bhakti, Karma, Jnana are just means to the same end.
Each charts out for us a route towards God. When the highest
knowledge dawns on us, the final release is obtained. Manava J
eevans has come to us as God's greatest boon. Let us not throw it
away in ignorance.
(Contributed by Excerpts from Poojyasri Ganapathi
Sachchidananda Swamiji's discourse)

DEVOTEES SAY:
Swetha
"Baba " this word is enough to solve any of your problems, but the

only condition is that it should come truly out of your heart. Since
the first day when I started believing Him till today my life has
been through many ups and downs (most of them were ups
because of Baba's grace). He has been there for me when I called
Him and also on the days when I forgot Him. Till now I got every
result of mine good except for one that was my want to become a
doctor.
Even now I believe that there is something lacking in me because
of which I didn't get my MBBS seat. Still I am thankful to Baba for
what He has given me. I want Him to continue His grace upon me
like this and see that I don't commit any mistakes because of
which I'll have to get parted from Him. Baba, please continue to
bless me because I am what I am today only because of You, Baba.

Sai devotee
We live in a society where there are multiple religions and

numerous castes. People from all the sections of the society take
up multiple posts irrespective of their religious and caste beliefs.
People from all the varnas perform duties according to their
educational and family standards. When people from different
castes and religions come under the same roof to take up the
ideal jobs, it is normal for them to have emotional and friendly
bonding towards each other which, can ultimately turn towards
love and end up in marrying each other. My question is, did Baba
allow people to marry even though, when they belonged to
different castes and religions? I was reading a book on devotee's
experiences, where Baba scolded a person who changed his
religion into another one. I wondered what made Him to scold
when He considered that all religions are same. Please answer
my query.

Nainesh
My Son or should I say Sai's son, since everything is His by His

grace nothing is ours, got sick earlier in the week with fever.
Usually when he gets fever it lasts about a week. I prayed to
Baba and applied Udi to my son's head within 24 hours the
fever was gone. Thanks Baba, may Your grace be always on us.

Sai devotee
I had faced lot of hassles when coming back to USA from India
due to my
tickets confusion. I was not even sure I would get my
connecting flight at New York after clearing immigration and
customs under an hour. Thanks to Baba, everything went off well.
One thing that I was reminding myself was to have faith, but I
also realized how tough it was. May Baba forgive me and all for
any such lack of faith and give us the strength and courage to
face all situations by taking refuge at his holy feet.

Manish
Baba this time I got C.A. degree. Please always keep your hands

on our head and give us space on Your feet. Please always shower
your blessing on us.

Madhu
Each day, it has been all too easy to get caught up in the "busy-ness"

of just living. "Sai Vichaar" brings things back in perspective. I have
been a subscriber for about a year now. More often than I would have
liked to admit, it has happened that I have not opened the mail the
same day or even the next. And then, by some miracle, when I do
open the weekly emails of Sai Vichaar, it seems to address the issue
that I am grappling with at that time. It seems then as though it was
meant for me alone! My heartfelt gratitude for the unstinting work
that all of you have put in day after day to publish the issue week
after week unfailingly. Thank you.

Hetal
Sairam, first of all I should say sorry to Saibaba for late posting of

this message. Thanks a lot Saibaba, I promised Saibaba that I will
publish this experience once my sister gets an admission in MD
and I get scholarship for two semesters. My sister got an admission
in New York downtown hospital and I got scholarship for fall and
winter semester. As my sister is very hardworking student she
deserves that admission which was given by Saibaba. By Saibaba's
grace my sister is pregnant. I am really thankful to my Sai to whom
I love like crazy.

PRAYER CLUB:
Megha
Baba, please accept my namaskars. My parents are going through

a lot of tensions and also health problems. All of a sudden I have
developed a negative feeling. Nothing is hidden from You. Please
bless my parents with good health and a calm mind, resolve their
problems and help me overcome my negative emotions.

Sai devotee
Sai, I want you to help, that myself and my spouse don't fight. Even
though we
understand the reality, we shout at each other and then
come to a stop. Our child is getting affected. I want my career to
get an uplift. Help me to concentrate in my work and learn and
score good marks in exams. I want the health of my child, my
spouse and myself to be in good condition. All the basic concepts
should be fine for me. Our child should be good in all activities.
We should finish our debts as soon as possible. My spouse should
get a good opportunity to other countries. Please Sai help us to
sort out things and be with us in every moment in our life.

Padma
Koti Namaskaram to your lotus feet Baba. Please Baba help my
son to get Education Loan, we are trying for this like anything but
not able to get even the application form from the Banker and they
are not even bothering us asking us to come several times to Bank
with no result. Please Baba help me in this regard.

Shyama
Baba today whatever I am, it is only because of You. You have always

helped me. Please help my children always and take care of them.
Please guide me in the right direction and solve my problems. Please
bless my son.

Sai devotee
Sai Bhagwan, I am going through a lot of mental agony since past one

month for the situation that You know. You have already helped me
in the very initial stage of this problem. Now, I pray to Your lotus feet
Baba! Kindly help us to clear this problem and get along with our
routine. I shall transform myself and be alert from now onwards.
Thank you so much Baba!

Sudevi
Baba! please bless my parents and sisters. We just don't know what

is going to happen. Why this happen to us. Please Deva forgive us
for our sins and make us peaceful and happy. We are constantly
going through lot of tensions and depression. Deva!!! what is this
play of Yours, You only know. Please bless us and take us out of this
big problem.

Ramesh
Thank you for Your blessings in solving our problems. Without You,

it was difficult one. Please give me strength to pray for you, have good
thoughts and do good deeds. Jai Sai Ram

Sai devotee
A thousand namaskars to You Oh kind Sai. Please let my daughter

get a position in the childcare center we want her to go to. Please let
me also get a suitable job so that we can buy a house. Kindly bless
all Sai devotees and their families. Continue to shower Your blessings
on us, kind Sai.

A devotee
Dearest Sairam, please keep Your blessings on us. My job is in mess,

Baba let me come out of this mess and make me tension free. As You
are aware last week my BP was up because of tension. All bless my
sister and her family. Her childrens have walking problems, let them
come out of it.

Zenobia
Saibaba I am your child and therefore would like You to help my

daughter get a house in the same colony where I live. I know that
my prayers have always been answered and even this request will
be taken care of. Koti namaskars.

Ajit
Om Shri Sai Nath Maharaj, Baba Koti Koti Pranam. Please help

me since so many days I am trying for the good job in IT Company
for that I need to do one course but due to problems I am not able
to do this. One more thing I am trying for our new house, I am
struggling but not getting any financial help for the down payment
and registration and stamp duty payment please help me with this.
I have been transfered to a new location and my boss is expecting
good results from me but things are not moving favourable please
help me. Baba please help me for these three things I will be very
thankfull to You. I know Baba you are always with me and my
family please give me Your blessings.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:

Sai devotee
I was angry with my Baba since He rejected my brother?s visa, I

had stopped praying Him. He gave such a experience in my life
that I became a firm devotee of Him. In a unknown country my
mother and I faced such a problem which is unbelievable. My
mother was leaving to India in a day so we were doing our last
minute shopping. I met a friend in the indoor mall and my mother
was walking and went outside the store, those items were not
paid and she was out with the cart. The lady there was so rude
and she said my mother did shop lifting, I said we are sorry it
was a mistake. She said that since none of the items were paid
it is a retail theft and the police/cops charged us for this. Me
and my mom who are Baba's devotees cried so much for the
thing happened.

The charges against me would have affected my job and
residency. We were so scared and cried in front of Baba and
thought everything is ruined. With Baba?s grace the attorney
my husband hired was such a wonderful person as if he was
sent by Baba, after hearing the whole thing he talked with
the State attorney and explained my situation. With Baba?s
grace the charges were changed to a minor. Then still I had a
fear that this will be in my records which may affect my job. I
had a court date after a month, we pleaded in front of Baba,
but we were not sure what was going to happen were very
scared. For my mom, they did not charge any fine or anything,
they asked to pay the court fees for me and they charged me
fine and after one year it won't be in my records. Usually they
don?t reduce the charges like they did for me but it?s a miracle.
It is hard to put in words the everyday miracles I saw from my
?Sai? during this phase. I started reading Sai Satcharita seven
times.
continued...
I had 2 dreams, one in which a very old lady (face not seen only

I could see is the feet) asking for a chadhar if this problem is
solved. I never use a chadhar word. Then in another dream Baba
says I need to solve your 3 problems, two I will do but the third
is difficult but I will do it. To the wonder it was my job, citizenship
and being in the record forever. Dear devotees I am not able to
put all the experience in detail I went through, but all I can say
is in every step Baba is there protecting His children. I learned
such a lesson in my life, which is very hard to express. Please
surrender yourself to Baba, he will do wonders of wonders. Believe
and have faith rest is up to our Sai Baba. He is still alive and He is
around us all the time, it is a 'True Fact'.

Sudha
I live in Qatar at present. Baba, thank you for what all you did to
me and for
clearing my doubts that whether I was suffering from
Breast cancer. After mentally depressed for 2 years I went to the
hospital to clear my doubt on Thursday. Without any appointments
everything happened automatically, because where I live we have
take appointment for everything. Doctor checked me first, and then
they did scan. After that they took biopsy sample. Everything
happened one after other. Then the doctor told me that I will get
my result next Thursday. I was very worried. I prayed to Baba for
the whole week to help me. And by Baba's grace on Thursday my
result where negative. I thought I would post my experience in
Sai Vichaar with His grace.

Kumar
Koti pranams to Sai Baba. I was really worrying about getting into

new job and the situations at home were really bad. This is the time
I really had to be in job at least for my family responsibilities. Last
week there was an interview where I excelled, but I didn't get the
job. I thought this opportunity is completely gone and the recruiters
said to look for something else. I prayed to Sai and thought He will
take care of me. Today, Thursday morning I get a call from the
recruiter saying that the company wants to hire me! Not only that
but with a good pay. This is really incredible and all thanks to
Sai Baba.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
Unless a man discharges satisfactorily and disinterestedly the

duties of his station in his life, his mind will not be purified.
-Shri Sai Baba

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Comment on what Saibaba said to Dasganu Maharaj.
A. by Ramaa Prasad MV
Q. Saibaba said to Dasganu Maharaj, "Why do you want all this

paraphernalia-coat, uparani and pheta etc, do off all that before
Me, why wear them on the body?" - Comment?
A. One day, while getting ready to go to give "kirtana" / "Harikatha"

(Story in praise of Lord Almighty God), Dasganu Maharaj dressed
himself pompously with a customary Maharatha turban and a showy,
full-length oriental jacket. As he was about to leave, Baba called him
back and remarked sarcastically, "Ah!

Look at this bridegroom! He is getting ready for the marriage!" Dasganu
responded saying that he was going to give "Harikatha". Then Baba
pulled him up, ", "Why do you want all this paraphernalia-coat, uparani
and pheta etc, do off all that before Me, why wear them on the body?"
To an on-looker it might give an impression that Baba was pouring
cold water on the enthusiasm of Dasganu Maharaj, who was zealously
getting ready to give "kirtana' / "Harikatha". An experienced devotee,
however, would perceive that Baba was not discouraging Dasganu, but
only instilling the quality of simplicity in him, which is the basic
requirement that would enable the 'saadhaka' to climb the ladder of
spirituality step by step. The external appendages such as pompous
dress etc. would only augment the ego as suggested by Shri Vipul Desai
in Sai Vichhaar dated January 18. As a consequence that would erect a
barrier between him and his goal. This in turn would result in the seeker
spending more time in making himself presentable with a gorgeous
dress, rather than the actual spiritual tasks that he would undertake.
Any undue attention to superficial materialistic attributes would
in turn mask the core that is the spirit, submitting to the play of
"maya". The basic character of the spiritual seeker should be simplicity
coupled with devotion. Any activity devoid of devotion would be like
an artificial flower devoid of the original fragrance that is inherent in
a natural flower. The essence of devotion is a combination of humility
and fervent service to Almighty God / Sadguru and His Messengers.
A sincere devotee would only plead, ``My Lord, I want only You and
none else and nothing else''. This naturally demands the extinction
of one's ego and in consequence desire for the superficial materialistic
possessions. Such an unadulterated sincere devotion would lead to
"desirelessness". By uttering the above words of invaluable advice,
Baba was only suggesting the value of simplicity coupled with
devotion in the pursuit of seekers' spiritual activities. Dasganu, a
sincere devotee of Baba, understanding the implications of the
advice of Paramaguru Sai Baba, promptly removed the showy dress
and went bare-chested only with a garland to perform "Harikatha"
as per the example set by the divine saint Naarada. Baba's words
of advice are not only meant for Dasganu Maharaj, but to every
"saadhaka."

SAI ACTIVITIES:
Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
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@saibaba.org.

Shri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saibaba activities in Minneapolis were conducted at Shirdi

Saibaba Prayer center since the year 2002. Now, with the grace
and blessings of Baba and the support of devotees, a new Saibaba
Mandir has begun to function at 1835 Polk St NE, Minneapolis
from July 11th 2006. Please visit www.hamaresai.org for all details.

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Sri 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 Center in Bay Area, CA
By Baba's grace, Shirdi Sai Parivaar is pleased to announce the
opening of
Shirdi Sai Center in Bay Area. The center is located
at 897-B East Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. For more
information please call 408-564-6704 or 408-705-7904.

Shirdi Saibaba temple, Los Angeles, CA
Devotees 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.


FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:
Devotees who are interested in receiving Sai Vichaar are

requested to visit www.saibaba.org/saivichaar.html and
subscribe for Sai Vichaar, the Newsletter from Saibaba.org.
Devotee's cooperation is sincerely appreciated.
The "Question of the week for this week is,
Q. Why did Saibaba scold a person who changed his religion

into another one? Humbly Yours,
The Editor

Monday, February 05, 2007

Satsang Dispute after Sri Saibaba's Mahasamadhi is religion differences or opinion differences?

Dispute after Sri Saibaba's Mahasamadhi is religion
differences or opinion differences?

On the day when Baba entered mahasamadhi, Panduranga
Balaji Kavade and Vaman Ranganath Gokhale interviewed
several prominent devotees. Kavade is the author of the
Marathi history of Saibaba, Sri Sant Sai Maharaj Yanche
Charitra, which was first published 1956. Gokhale wrote

Nirvanicha Sakha – Shirdi che Sainath Maharaj Yanche
Jeevan Charitra, first published in Marathi in 1965. They
had met many of the elders of Shirdi, including Ramachandra
Kote Patil, Ratnaparkhi and other devotees, and later published
these interviews. An examination of the events of that day shows

that, contrary to widely held opinion, the dissension of that day
was not between Hindus on the one side and Muslims on the
other. Rather it was the result of the differences of opinion about
where Baba's body should be interred. Not all those who voted
to keep Baba's body in Booty Wada were Hindus, nor were all
those who preferred to place it in the burial ground Muslims.
Both parties had Muslims and Hindus amongst them. In fact
Ramachandra Kote Patil, in the interview, is especially
appreciative of the help given to him by a Muslim police
functionary during the dispute.

(Source: Saipatham Magazine October2002)