Thursday, April 13, 2006

Satsang THE GLORY OF SHIRDI SAI- issue-8-2006

THE GLORY OF SHIRDI SAI
Fourth Year of Publication
Published as Bi-Weekly
Issue 8/ 2006
13-04-2006
Hanuman Jayanthi 13-4-06 & Tamil New Year 14-4-06 SPECIAL
Please visit our Web site: http://www.saidarbar.org
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GURUR-BRAHMA, GURUR-VISHNUH; GURU-DEVO MAHESWARAHA;
GURUR-SAKSHATH PARAM BRAHMA; THASMAI SREE GURAVE NAMAHA:
Hanuman Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman.13-4-06
Lord Hanuman was born in Anjaneri (now a hilltop temple). Anjaneri is near
Triambakeshwar, Nasik - a pilgrim village in Maharashtra State. He is the son
of Anjani and Maruti, born with the blessings of 'Vayu', the wind god (also
called Pavan). He is considered to be an avatar (incarnation) of Lord Shiva.
He is one of the seven Chiranjivis and the only learned scholar who knew
the nine Vyakaranas. He learned the shastras from Suryadev, the sun god.
He is well versed with the Vedas and other sacred books.
He has exhibited astonishing physical strength and worked many miracles.
His valour, wisdom, knowledge of the scriptures and superhuman strength
attracted everybody who came near him. He had extraordinary skill in warfare.
He is the chosen messenger of Lord Rama and the minister & messenger of
Sugreeva. Hanuman is fast, the most agile and oriented god.
Hanumanji is the symbol of Devotion and Service. Like Krishna, Rama is an
incarnation of Vishnu whose elevated character and righteous actions are
designed to inspire men to divine consciousness. In liberating his consort Sita
from the demon Ravana (symbol of material illusion); Rama is greatly aided by
the brave Hanuman. Hanuman was the chief of the armies of Sri Ramachandra
and took a prominent part in the war against Ravana, the king of Lanka, in the
Indian epic poem Ramayana. Hanuman helped restore Sita Devi back to Sri Rama.
Recognizing Godhead beneath the human disguise, Hanuman consecrates
himself wholly to service of Rama. Depicted in kneeling pose of utter devotion
and humility, he symbolized the strength and purity of the Perfect Servant.
Hanumanji is known by many names as Anjaneya, Anjani Putra, Bajarangbali,
Hanuman, Mahaveer, Marutinandan, Pavanputra etc. Hanuman, worshipped
for his strength, valor, agility, is a man of great teaming.
Hanuman carried Sri Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulder to Sugreeva,
the king of all Vanars (monkeys) in Kishkindha and helped them to find
Sita. Prior to the war between Sri Rama and Ravana, Anjaneya visited
Lanka, met Ravana, created havoc and burnt down the city of Lanka
(Lanka Dahan). During the war, when Lakshmana was injured seriously,
Sushena, the surgeon/physician of the monkey army, dispatched
Marutinandan to bring herbal medicine, Sanjeevini, from the far-off
Sumeru Mountain in the Himalayas, before sunrise. Flying over the
Himalayas and unable to identify the particular herb fast, Hanuman
uprooted and carried the entire mountain in time to save the life of
Lakshmana along with the rest of the Vanar army. Hanuman was
blessed by Sri Rama with immortality (chiranjeevi) at the end of the war.
Hanuman was a bachelor (brahamachari) and is worshipped in all
the temples of India. Every temple of Sri Rama contains an icon of
Hanuman. Worship of Sri Rama is complete only with the worship of
Hanuman. There are various temples dedicated solely to Lord
Hanuman also. Sant Tulsidas composed the 40 stanzas of Hanuman
Chalisa in praise of Hanuman.
The worship of Hanuman symbolizes the worship of the Supreme Lord,
for acquiring knowledge, physical and mental strength, truthfulness,
sincerity, selflessness, humility, loyalty, and profound devotion to the
Lord. Students pray to him for intelligence and soldiers for strength.
In olden days, there used to be temples of Hanumantha, at the gates of
forts. The gymnasium of wrestlers invariably have his picture.
FromSaisatcharita--Behaviour of Sai Baba--Chapter VII
HE got almost all the temples in Shirdi repaired. Through Tatya Patil,
the temples of Shani, Ganapati, Shankar-Parvati, Village Deity,
and Maruti were put in order.
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Tamil New Year 14-4-06
The months of the Tamil Calendar gains more significance and are
deeply rooted to the faith of the Tamil People. Some months are considered
very auspicious while a few are considered inauspicious as well. The Tamil
New Year, starts in the first month of Sithirai, in the mid-April every year. It is
celebrated with much enthusiasm among the Tamil Community all over the
world. It is marked by gifting new dresses for the family members and
giving prayers to God wishing for prosperity among the people for the
coming year. The second month of Vaikaasi and the tenth month of Thai
are considered very auspicious and most of the marriages usually
happens during those months than the other months of the year. The
third month of Aadi is considered inauspicious that usually marriages
does not happen in the month. It is usually the worst month for thriving
businesses and recently this situation has changed a lot, as the
businesses started providing discount shopping during that particular
month. The fifth month of Aavani is considered auspicious among the
Tamil orthodox people, and the special occasion of Aavani Avittam
marks the month. The sixth month of Purattaasi is auspicious to the
effect that, most of the non-vegetarian Tamil people do not eat meat
during the month. The full moon days and the new moon days have
considerable importance among the Tamil people. One of the famous
festivals, the Deepavali, is celebrated on the new moon day, in the
seventh month of Aippasi. The month of Aippasi is usually characterised
by the North-East Monsoon in Tamil Nadu, which has gave birth to
a phrase, Aippasi Adai Mazhai meaning the 'Non-stop Downpour'.
The Festival of Thirukaarthigai is celebrated during the eighth month
of Kaarthigai. The nineth month of Maargazhi is characterised by the
winter in Tamil Nadu, and considered auspicious for maiden
women to find their groom. The tenth month of Thai is the month
of Harvest in Tamil Nadu. The festival of Pongal is celebrated to
mark the harvest in the first day of that month.
From Saisatcharita--Madrasi Bhajani Mela--Chapter XXIX
It was in the year 1916 that a Madrasi Bhajani Mela (Party of the
Ramadasi Panth) started on a Pilgrimage to the holy city of Banaras.
The Party consisted of a man, his wife, daughter and sister-in-law.
Unfortunately their names are not mentioned. On their way, the party
heard that there lived at Shirdi in Kopergaon Taluka, Ahmednagar
District, a great sage named Sai Baba, who was calm and composed,
and who was very liberal and who distributed money every day to His
Bhaktas and to skilful persons, who went and showed their skill there.
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THIS ISSUE CONTAINS

1. FOUNDATION STONES FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
2. SAI'S NEWS FROM TIME MACHINE
3. SAI IN DREAMS
4. QUINTESSENCE OF SRI SAIBABA'S PHILOSOPHY
5. SANATANA DHARMA& SRI SHIRDI SAIBABA
6. SAIBANISA OFFERS PRANAMS TO .....
7. DEVOTEES EXPERIENCES
8. SPIRITUAL GEMS FROM SAI SATCHARITRA
9. SAI WITH CHILDREN
10. ARTICLES FROM SAI DEVOTEES
11. LETTERS FROM SAI DEVOTEES
12. TELUGU SECTION
13. FROM SAI ORGANISATIONS
14. SAI'S BOOK WORLD
15. EDITORIAL.
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1. FOUNDATION STONES FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE:
From the Satsanghs of Saibanisa ji

http://www.angelfire.com/celeb2/saidarbar/pages/S3500055.htm
Sai Sevak Smt. Rajeswari Kasturi, Saidarbar -
Hyderabad.

220.
For life to be happier, keep away from those doubting your
integrity and avoid inquisitiveness to listen secretively to others.
221. Quality of the Gold can be assessed by rubbing against a
Goldstone. So are troubles which are sure test for true friends,
relatives and servants
222. A crow can be decorated with Gold and diamonds and
still it cannot become a swan. In the same way, a fool can
be throned, but he cannot rule the kingdom
223. A bad king with good ministers and servants is far better
than a good king with bad ministers and servants.
224. You should always be alert with your staff who are not loyal.
225. Gold gets beauty when polished and not from the fact that
it is embedded with pearls taken from the ocean. So also training
is essential for an intelligent student and not for those few born
intellectuals.
226. Trying to reform a bad person is like chasing a mirage
227. Refrain from taking loans, keep away from fire, enemies
and keep aloof from contagious diseases that can take toll of the lives.
228 It cost nothing to talk good and sweet that brings in good returns
229. A selfless person is like a candle giving light to others while
burning and finally loosing identity.
To be continued...
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2. SAI'S NEWS FROM THE TIME MACHINE:
April 1886: Baba performed Yoga kriya samadhi for 72 hours.
April 1904: Rao Bahadhur.H.V.Sathe first arrived at Shiridi.
April 1912:Baba announces the first arrival of Dhurundhara brothers from
Bombay in advance.
April1914: Baba appeared in the dream of B.V.Deo and explained as to
how to go about reading Gnaneshwari.
April 1918: Baba paid RS 25/- to person named Vaze and made him to perform Satyanarayan pooja.
April1923: First issue of Sri Sai Leela published.
April 1940: Shama (Madhav Rao Deshpande passed away at Shiridi at the age of 80 yrs.
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3. SAI IN DREAMS:
http://www.ebeacon.indiainabook.com/

These are the dream sequences and messages as received by SaiBaNiSa Ji
From our beloved GURU LORD SAINATH OF SHIRIDI. In Anticipation that this
feature will help in one's spiritual growth are hereby compiled from his personal Diary
and presented to SAIBANDHUS.

Translated and presented by RAGHU RAMAN SATULURY.
08-05-1994
I was mentally upset, as I was not able to overcome the urge for
other women in life.
I prayed Sai to offer me with a way out. Sai appeared in the
form of a friend of mine and said -
You are not compromising even to look at the woman intending to
marry you just because she is not beautiful as the inner Jnana shakti
(intelligence) is unable to differentiate between the relative beauties.
Why does the same Shakti fail in realizing that seeking other women
is like putting one's hand in to a burning kiln?
None can help a knowingly ignorant one.
09-05-1994
My mind was engrossed in thoughts on Sai philosophy.
Sai said -
When your mind stays disturbed as your children are hospitalized,
how can I live in peace idling and remain without reacting, when MY
children are in troubles?
SAI never fails in offering protection to his devotees.
15-05-1994
I prayed Lord Sainath to show me my true position.
The scene was that of a marriage stage. Bridegroom's party reaches
the venue with full vigor demanding for the dowry. Bride's father having
entrusted me with task of guarding the brief case stored with money
asked me to do the needful. I opened the Brief and to my surprise,
the money was not in place. All the elders assembled there branded
me as a thief. Bride's father tries to commit suicide by immolating
himself. I considered myself responsible for the incident and I too
try to jump into the fire. In the meanwhile, the person who stole the
money arrives at the scene laughing. Bride's father and myself then
embraced the thief .He too is perished in the whole process along
with both of us. I got scared with such a dream and got up from the
bed. What could this mean? I am not clear.
Never offer services that can cost life.
To be continued.....
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4.
QUINTESSENCE OF SRI SAIBABA'S PHILOSOPHY:
(By Late Sri Bharam UmamaheswaraRao)
"Shashi":
shashi_31@yahoo.com
22. Atma - Jnana
Atma is the active principle. From this, arises the world which is
originally inactive. So try to reach the active Atma and thus attain
peace. All worldly things arise form Atma and get merged in it
finally. Even the mind will get merged in Atma. We must know this.
Atma is self-effulgent. It will not have any change due to worldly
activities or due to time. It will always be one. This Atma is the
Self and the Atma is the Universe, both get merged in Paramatma.
The indestructible Paramatma will never get destroyed and is beyond
space, time and causation.
Atma is permanent and is without any change or alteration. It is full of
knowledge, bliss and purity. If we are in the state of Atma, we will always
be happy. So, all of us should do Sadhana and try to fix our aim and
visualize Atma. Know Atma is not an artificial, conventional thing.
The source of the Universe is the power of Atma.
If we practice the following good habits, we will have Divine perfection
and realize the Atma in ourselves. They are:
1. Purity of Anthakarna;
2. Resistance of external indriyas;
3. Reading philosophical books;
4. Straight forwardness;
5. Charitable nature;
6. Avoiding criticism of others;
7. Peace of mind;
8. Having mercy on all living beings;
9. Not having bad desires;
10. Not doing bad actions;
11. Not having wavering mind;
12. Having Saburi;
13. Having external and internal purity;
14. And not having egoism.
If we perform all these things perfectly, we will have Atma-Jyothi darshan.
To be continued.....
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5. SANATANA DHARMA & SRI SHIRDI SAIBABA
AKHILANDAKOTI , BRAHMANDA NAAYAKA, RAAJAADHI RAAJA,
YOGIRAJA, PARABRAHMA SREE SATCHITANANDA ,
SAMARDHASADGURU, SAINATH MAHARAAJ KI JAI"
From the Satsanghs of Saibanisa ji
Sai through Reincarnations
Death, is when the soul leaves the physical body and
Re entry of the soul in to another bodily form is reincarnation.
The underlying idea to be understood is that one has to pay the
price of his karmic deeds if not in this life definitely in the
lives to come. There cannot be an escape from this hard truth of
life and has been repeated by all great saints again and again. The sooner
It is realized the better it is." The seeds you sow, make the fruits
you reap". Probably Saibanisa was inspired to place before the
Lotus feet of Baba, the questions in his mind as he came across a
cross section of people suffering and undergoing hardships in their
present lives. The answers were in the form of visuals in dreams of
Saibanisa and are presented to the Saibandhus and bear relevance to
the title.
By: Sai Sevak Raghuraman Satulury
--------------------------
SANATANA DHARMA -NEWS FROM ABROAD:
King Gyanendra Inaugurates WHF Silver Jubilee Celebrations
www.kantipuronline.com
BIRGUNJ, April 7 - King Gyanendra has said Hinduism, which dates
back to the beginning of civilization itself, embraces the high ideals of
tolerance and "Vasudaiva kutumbakam" or universal fraternity, in which
ideals lies the strength in the relations amongst various faiths in this
Hindu Kingdom. The King made this remark while addressing the Silver
Jubilee Celebrations of the World Hindu Federation (WHF) at Pipara
Muth in Birgunj, on Friday. On the occasion, the King said "Based
on humanistic ideals, the Hindu culture, which espouses the precept
Sarve bhawantu sukhina sarve santu niramaya or 'Let every human
being be happy and free of disease; let every individual's well-being
be ensured,' is dedicated to the good and peace of all. " These ideals
must be incorporated into our way of life, as inscribed in the great
religious epic The Bhagawat Gita, the King added. King Gyanendra
referred to many instances where, for peace, many sages had
sacrificed their lives, and said that to establish permanent peace in
the true sense is the need of the day "Let us all pledge to dedicate
some of our time towards this noble cause," said the King, adding
the holy Vedas also lay special emphasis on peace and humanism.
Project Set Up to Trace Indian Diaspora
inwww.rediff.com
NEW DELHI, INDIA, April 8, 2006: The ministry of overseas Indian affairs'
(MOIA) effort to help persons of Indian origin (PIOs) abroad trace their
antecedents in the land of their forefathers has started bearing fruit
with the roots of eight people being traced in the district of Ballia in
Uttar Pradesh. A meeting held here reviewed the progress in a pilot
project started by the ministry, called "Tracing the Roots," which is
under way in the districts of Ballia in Uttar Pradesh and Bhojpur in
Bihar. The Uttar Pradesh government has already created an archival
database of 10,000 people who had migrated to different parts of the
world in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There are 56 names from
Ballia, where the pilot project is under way, on the list of 10,000 and of
them the roots of eight have been traced. Most of the ancestors of these
PIOs had gone as indentured labour to countries like Trinidad and
Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica, Mauritius and Fiji. A PIO, who is interested
in tracing his or her roots, will have to produce the emigration pass that
had been given to the ancestor by the then British government in India.
MOIA will then help the PIO trace his or her roots while charging a
nominal fee for the exercise. There are around a million PIOs in the
Caribbean islands - over 500,000 in Trinidad and Tobago, around
400,000 in Guyana, over 60,000 in Jamaica and over 2,000 in Barbados.
Mauritius is home to 700,000 PIOs while over 300,000 PIOs live in Fiji.
----------------------
6. SAIBANISA OFFERS PRANAMS TO "LORD SIVA"
From Sai Satcharita -chapter 28
Megha began to look upon Sai Baba as an incarnation of Shiva In order
to worship Shiva, bela leaves are required and Megha used to go miles
and miles every day to bring them and worship his Shiva (Baba).
Megha returned to the Wada, and drew a red Trident on the wall near
Baba's picture. Next day a Ramadasi Bhakta came from Poona, saluted
Baba and offered Him Pindi (an image of Shiva). At this time Megha also
turned up there. Baba said to him - "See, Shankar has come, protect
(i.e., worship) Him now." Megha was surprised to see Pindi following
Trident immediately.
Information about JyotirLingas:
5. SRI VAIDYANATHA in Parali
If one is to draw a line between Kanyakumari and Ujjain, Parali village
can be clearly seen on that line. This village is located on the slopes
of Meru or Naganarayana Mountain. Parali is an ancient village located
near three rivers, Brahma, Venu and Saraswati, because of the presence
of one of the twelve JyotirLingas of Shankara, it has become famous.
This village is also known as Kantipur, Madhyarekha Vaijayanti or Jayanti.
It is 26 kilometers from Ambejogai in the Beed district.
History of Parali Vaidhyanath jyothirlinga temple
Yogeshwari of Ambejogai was married to Lord Vaidyanatha of Parali. But
by the time the marriage party reached, the auspicious time of the
wedding had passed. As a result the people of the marriage party turned
into stone statues. Yogeshwari was waiting away from Parali. This is one
story that is frequently heard there.
When the Gods and Demons made their combined effort in Amrit Manthan
(Churning for Nectar), fourteen gems emerged. There were Dhanwantari
and Amrit Ratnas in it. When the Demons rushed to grab Amrit, Lord Vishnu
hid the Amrit and Dhanwantari in the Shiva Linga of Lord Shankara. Just as
the Demons tried to touch the Linga, flames started emanating from the
Linga. The scared Demons ran aay. But when devotees of Lord Shankara
touched the Linga, there was a free flow of Amrit from the same. Even today,
devotees touch the Shiva Linga as a part of taking Darshan. Here, there is
no discrimination between caste, creed or color. Anyone can come and
visit this place. As the Lingamurthy is supposed to have Amrit and
Dhanvantari, it is also known as Amriteshwar and Dhanvantari.
The mountains and jungles and the rivers, are full of useful medicinal
herbs. That is why Parali JyotirLinga is also known as Vaidyanatha.
It is here that Lord Vishnu successfully helped the Devas to obtain
Amrit. Therefore, this place is also known as 'Vaijayanti".
Once the Demon King Ravana went to Kailasa mountain and did a
severe penance to please Lord Shankara. Put up with cold, heat, rains
and fine and even then when Lord Shiva did not appear before him, he
began to cut his head off in order to offer it to the ShivaLinga. Then the
Lord appeared after Ravana tried to offer his tenth head. He restored
all of Ravana's heads and granted him boons. Ravana expressed his
desire to take Lord Shiva to Lanka as a boon. He said, "I want to take
you to Lanka". Shankara, who is very soft hearted to His devotees,
agreed to accompany Ravana to Lanka. He told Ravanan, "You must
carry my Linga with care and devotion, but do be careful not to put it
down on the earth until you reach your destination, or else, it will stay
at whichever place you put it down" Shiva cautioned.
Ravana began the journey homeward carrying the Shivaling. On
the way, he wanted to relieve himself by urination. He bid a cowherd
boy to hold the Linga while he relieved himself. The cowherd was
not able to bear the weight of the Linga and when he could no
longer hold it, he put it down on the earth. And the Shiva Linga put
there stayed as Lord Shiva already ordained and came to be known
as Vaidyanatheswar.
Here, the gods were sad about Ravana taking away Shiva to his Lanka.
They requested saint Narada to do something. Narada met Ravana
and said to him by way of praising his penance and Tapas. "You
made a mistake in trusting Shiva. Believing Shiva's word was wrong.
Go to him and slander him and get your way. Go to Kailasa and move
it entirely. Your success will be gauged by your art of moving Kailasa
from there". Ravana was tricked into believing Narada. Ravana promptly
carried out Narada's bidding. Lord Shiva saw the ego driven mischieves
Ravana and told him: "A unique power is soon going to born which will
destroy your pride in the strength of your arms". Narada informed the
Gods of these tidings and his success in his mission. The gods were
relieved and were happy. In the meanwhile, Ravana too was happy with
the boon he received from Lord Shiva. He returned and was in a trance
and was under the influence of Shiva's mythical power. He was heady
and drunk with power. He decided to conquer the entire universe. To
subdue his ego only God had to descend on the earth in the Avatar of Rama.
To be continued-------
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7. DEVOTEES EXPERIENCES:
4/09/2006 14:00:00 -0600
SaiRam!
I have seen the photos of Baba coming to me in miraculous ways
days after having read extensively on Shirdi Baba. On the way to a
pilgrimage, while speaking about these events with my sister, my
sister showed me his statue minutes after on the road near a
residence after traffic slowed down and yesterday thinking of him,
I again saw a small picture of his on the doorway of a bus as soon
as I sat down inside.

I am very much astounded by the way he shows his presence each
time we meditate on him. We pray that Shirdhi Baba enlightens our
path and guide us in all aspects of our life.

Also Congratulations to you people behind this marvelous website
for all the good work you are doing. May I request for a prayer for
my auntie who is seriously ill and for my getting into a new challenging
international career. Many thanks for prayers and support.
Navind
8. SPIRITUAL GEMS FROM SAI SATCHARITRA
swamymain@yahoo.com
Tue, 11 Apr 2006 22:11:41 -0700 (PDT)
Sai Ram. We have been enjoying the spiritual gems of Brahma Jnan and
how Guru takes care of His disciples in the last few chapters. In this chapter,
another great disciple of Sai, Shri Dasganu Mahraj is blessed by Sai and
Dasganu's doubts regarding the deeper meaning of Isa Upanishat are
solved by Sai Maharaj through a small drama. Sai Ram.
"Sai (Lord) was originally formless. He assumed a form for the sake of
Bhaktas. With the help of the actress Maya, He played the part of the
Actor in the big drama of the universe."
Sai Ram. Here, Shri Hemadpant describes the Nirguna nature of Sai.
Maya is the restraining influence of the Para Brahman which makes
the parts (individual souls) forgets that they are in fact of the same nature.
By trapping the awareness into physical senses which are limited in their
capacity to show the real picture, Maya allows each of the small fragments
to develop a sense of separate identity and thus sets up the stage for the
drama of the Universe to take place.
"Let us remember and visualize Shri Sai. Let us go to Shirdi, and see carefully
the programmes, after the noon-Arati. After the Arati ceremony was over, Sai
used to come out of the Dwarakamai, and standing on its edge, distribute Udi
to the devotees with very kind and loving looks. The Bhaktas also got up with
equal fervor, clasped His Feet, and standing and staring at Him, enjoyed the
shower of Udi. Baba passed handfuls of Udi into the palms of the devotees
and marked their foreheads with Udi with His fingers. The love He bore for
them in His heart was boundless. Then He addressed the Bhaktas as follows: -
"Oh Bhau, go to take your lunch; you Anna go to your lodgings; you Bapu,
enjoy your dishes".
Sai Ram. Sai was distributing Udi and love through His words and actions
and was also indirectly advising each soul to enjoy the fruits of the karma
with a sense of equanimity. It is an inescapable law of the universe that
action is followed by reaction, and that in turn sows the seeds for further
action, which in turn leads to more reaction and thus an endless cycle
is started. Only when the doer does the action without a sense of the
doership (which is possible when the limited soul realizes its true nature
of being one with every one and every thing), does the cycle stop (for that soul)?
"In this way He accosted each and every devotee and sent them home.
Even now, you can enjoy these sights if you bring into play your imagination.
You can visualize and enjoy them. Now bringing Sai before our mental vision,
let us meditate on Him, from His Feet upwards to His face, and prostrating
before Him humbly, lovingly and respectfully, revert to the story of this Chapter."
Sai Ram. One effective way of sublimating our ego is to serve the evolved
and enlightened Saints who are fully conscious of their real nature. Sai
Sadguru is indeed such and that is why we worship Him so that we too
become like Him in due course (Bhrama - keeta nyaya). Sai Ram.
We will continue with this chapter in the coming issues. Sai Ram.
S.V.Swamy
Author, Editor, Proof-Reader and Book Reviewer
www.freewebs.com/swamyreviews
To be continued.....
-------------------------------
9.
SAI WITH CHILDREN:
http://www.saidarbar.org/HTML/portraits/7.jpg
Smt. Madhu Gopal Ravada, Saidarbar,
Hyderabad.

Hello Children! I am Madhu aunty. Do you know Baba use to play with
children and used to tell stories to them? I felt children visiting Saidarbar
should be entertained with good stories. For the last 2 years I have told
you about Lord Krishna's Leelas and Lord Rama Story. Now I want to
tell the stories what heard in my child hood.
The Farmer's Donkey
One day a farmer's donkey fell into an abandoned well. The animal
cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was too old and the well needed to
be covered up anyway; so it just wasn't worth it to him to try to retrieve
the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They each
grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. Realizing
what was happening, the donkey at first cried and wailed horribly.
Then, a few shovel-fulls later, he quieted down completely. The
farmer peered down into the well, and was astounded by what
he saw. With every shovel-full of dirt that hit his back, the donkey
would shake it off and take a step up on the new layer of dirt.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the
animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon,
the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off,
to the shock and astonishment of everyone.
The Moral: Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt.
The trick to getting out of the well is to stop wailing, and not
let the dirt bury you, but to shake it off and take a step up. Each
one of our troubles is a stepping-stone. We can get out of the
deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it
off and take a step up.
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10. ARTICLES FROM SAI DEVOTEES:
"Sankaraiah Dubagunta" sainama@yahoo.com
WHO THE OLD MAN WAS??
Babu Rao Tukaram Kakade of Satara narrated his experience in June'1951 Sai Sudha as Follows:
In 1946, he started for Shirdi with his wife and children to attend Guru
Purnima. Rains were pouring in at and near Shirdi. He took the evening
train at Poona and reached Kopergoan around 2.30am, he knew none.
Rains were pouring. He was helpless. Suddenly an old man came to him
and asked him "What are you praying for?" Kakade answered "I wish to go
to Shirdi". The old man took him and his family and engaged a Tonga to
go to Shirdi and suddenly disappeared when Kakade got into the carriage.
Kakade then turned to thank him but could find no trace of him. When the
tonga reached Godavari, there was plenty of water in the river. The tonga
driver did not wish to take the risk of crossing the river with occupants in it.
Some other person appeared there and asked Kakade and wife to ford the
river by walking. As for the two children the stranger carried them in his arms
till the other bank was reached. The tonga stemmed the river freed from the
human weight. Then Kakade turned to thank him but the stranger had left
the children on the bank and disappeared."
Beloved Readers, Baba confirms from the above incident "If you cast your
burden on me, I shall surely bear it" Did not Baba Sai provide water to
Chandorkar on harischandra hills in the guise of a Bhill? What is impossible
for Omnipotent Sai?
OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI
D.Sankaraiah.
--------------------------------------
11. LETTERS FROM SAIDEVOTEES:
3/30/2006 06:01:05 +0530
Dear Sir,
We request you to publish the following in Glory of Shirdi Sai E-magazine.
"We are setting up a library of Old Shirdi Sai Baba Books in Hyderabad. In
this connection we are searching for old books on Shirdi Sai Baba in
Marathi, Hindi and English. If any devotee has the same, they may please
contact us at leedhar@rediffmail.com .We are also searching for old Saileela
Masik magazines in marathi before 1973. If any devotee has the same,
Please spare a photo copy; we will bear all the expenses."
With regards

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Satsang SAI BABA, THE GOD MAN

SAI BABA, THE GOD MAN
Sai Baba is found, one fine morning in 1910, grinding wheat in the masjid in
Shirdi. That is how the scene opens, in the English version of Shri Sai
Satcharita, to present Sai Baba and picture his glorious life. Little boys
and girls conceive of Father Time or God as a very good old man of enormous
size, growing beard and covered in a gown. That is also the picture of Santa
Claus. God in the children's dreams, Santa Claus and Sai Baba have some
common points. They are simple and grand and they love to shower gifts. A
torn kafni (gown), a scarf to cover his head, half slippers, and stick,
looking more like a club than a walking stick, complete the outfit of Sai
Baba. All these articles and more may be seen in the temple which contains
his mortal remains in Shirdi. The light in his eyes, the beard, his large
chest, broad shoulders and noble bearing compelled the reverence of one and
all that came into his personal contact. He was loved and esteemed, at
first, as a venerable patriarch by the simple villagers in Shirdi.
The Sanstan has made a splendid image of Sai Baba and put it on his tomb.
See that image of life size and join the happy singer at the arati. Then are
you brought closer to Sai Baba. Breathe in the atmosphere which is charged
with divinity in that fine, spacious, and holy Samadhi Mandir.
Sai Baba loved to mix freely with the rustics, share in their labours and in
their joys and sorrows. He treated the sick. He laid out the Lendi garden to
spend a pleasant evening, and a well in the heart of the garden to save time
and trouble in going to the Godavari to bathe and bring fresh water. His
simple ways and kind acts won for Sai Baba the heart of Shirdi. But the
grace bubbling in the deep recesses of his heart cannot be measured.
Sai Baba walked round Shirdi, ate and drank, smoked chilra in a clay pipe
and took rest in Dwarakamayi on a bed which was neither a cot nor a hammock.
He was human enough in all these acts, and people knew him as they saw him.
One day it rained hard in Shirdi. The small streets were flooded. The people
hurried to to Dwarakamayi and appealed to Sai Baba for help. Baba came out
and looking vp. he spoke to the clouds, "Stop your fury and be calm". The
rains stopped. Another day, the fire in the Dhuni threatened to leap as
flames and go up to the roof. Baba struck the ground with his wand shouting
"Come down and be calm". The fire obeyed the Master. Baba's miracles saved
the people from harm and also strengthened their faith in God These and
other works like burning lamps with water made the people understand that
they should not trifle with him. Blending of the human and divine is a
special trait in Sai Baba. His saulabya (unassuming simplicity) and karuna
(grace) remind us so much of Sri Ramachandra.
A notable point in the miracles of Sai Baba which draw so many to him is
that there is nothing spectacular in them. He seems to remain inactive, but
he helps in an invisible way. It is a common experience among the devotees
of Sai Baba that in a crisis, after all attempts to get over it are
exhausted, Baba is invoked in all humility and surrender. Some one appears
on the scene or some thing unexpected happens and saves the situation. Once
Kakaji Vaidya a priest in the temple of goddess Sapta Shringi, in Vani Nasik
Dt lost his peace of mind. The goddess bade him in his dream go to Sai Baba
in Shirdi for relief. The priest did not know the way to Shirdi nor could he
find gny to guide him to the place. He tried hard making enquiries without
any result. Shama, a devotee of Sai Baba came over to Vani and approached
the priest Kakaji Vaidya to arrange a pooja to Sapta Shrmgi on his behalf in
her temple. Learning from Shama that he had come from Shirdi, the priest
sought in his turn Shama's guidance to Shirdi. Kakaji Vaidya came to Shirdi
and by lying at the feet of Sai Baba he got peace of mind. It may be seen in
this instance how miraculously the priest was led to Shirdi and how without
speaking a word or moving a muscle Baba could grant him peace of mind. Baba
works without show, and in simple and effortless way. But he works
effectively.
-P. S. V. Aiyer (from Sai Sudha-June 1972)

Source
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/SAILEELA/special1973.htm#saibabathegodman


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Satsang Bhakta Leela Amrut by Das Ganu Maharaj

Nanasaheb Chandorkar and Nimonkar, both Sai devotees,
once went to Shirdi for Baba's darshan. Nanasaheb fell at
Baba's feet and said: "O Sai Maharaj, I am sick and tired of
this mundane life. The Shastras say that this world of ours is
meaningless, an illusion. Help me. O brother of the helpless,
to break the fetters that bind me to this mundane life, the more
one looks for happiness in this world, the less one finds it.
Misery seems to be man's lot. Wretched hope that springs
eternally in us sends us from place to place.. I am sick and
tired of it. I do not want to get involved in it."

Baba laughed at this and said:" Where do you get these

crazy ideas from, Nana? You really are a simpleton. What
you said about mundane life is true but you can not escape
it as long as the body exists. Nobody can escape it, not
even I". Our mundane life affects the body in various ways,"
continued Sai Maharaj. "Desire, envy, avarice, pride, hatred
and anger are part of our mundane life; so are the senses
of sight, hearing and taste. So indeed are our imagination
and our bodily needs. They are all inextricably mixed: they
are like a mixture the component parts of which are inseparable,

like a knot that nobody can untie. People say that one's wife
and progeny are also of one's mundane life. You too believe
so and find it difficult to get on with them. What with one's wife
and children and other relatives like brothers, nephews etc,
life is full of problems but you cannot get rid of these."

Nana said, "My previous lives were evidently ordained by

the Lord but my concern is with my present one. I do not want
any more of it bedeviled, as it is by too many problems, too
many woes. Help me to rid myself of this." Baba laughed at
these words of Nanasaheb and said. "You are responsible for
this life as well. You are the one who caused it. Now, then, can

you get rid of it? This body of yours is the fruit of the accumulated
karma of the past. Karma is the root cause of all our miseries.
All those that are born - whether men, birds or beasts - suffer from
the effects of their previous karma. Unless one bums down the
effects of one's previous karma, one cannot be rid of the body.

(To be contd...)
Source
http://www.saileelas.org/books/4chap.htm



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Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Satsang Bhakta Leela Amrut by Das Ganu Maharaj



Haripant was a devout Brahmin from Pune. He was kind-hearted and believed in
good deeds. He was rich but childless. He wished to become an "agnihotri'
but he could not do so as he was a widower. People advised him to remarry
but Haripant would not listen as he was already in his fifties. "I would
become a laughing-stock," he said, "If I were to marry at my age, I am just
not worthy enough to be a father. That is all. If, however, any saint tells
me to remarry, I may."
Sometime later, Haripant went to Shirdi. No sooner did he bow down to Baba
than he said, "Haribau, get married soon. Lord Shankar will give you a child
and fulfill your heart's desire."

Having secured a saint's permission to many, Haripant now wanted to consult
an astrologer. He came to know of a famous astrologer in Nagar. Haripant
consulted him and after getting the go-ahead from him. He got remarried with
the blessings of Baba. Needless to say, he became a staunch devotee of Sai
Baba.

(To be contd...)
Source
http://www.saileelas.org/books/4chap.htm


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Monday, April 10, 2006

Satsang Sri Sai Amrit Vani

Jai Sai Ram

I would request all the Sai Devotees of the
group in India or around it to read or recite or
listen to Sri Sai Amrit Vani at 11 AM. The collective
divine power of recitation and prayers of all Sai
Devotees will result in wounderful effect. Other pooja
can be done before or after it. Also at least read a
chapter of Sai Satcharitra every day. It works wonder,
give it a try. Devotees who can not do Recitation of
Sri Sai Amrit Vani with us at 11 AM of Indian Standard
Time may do it at their local time 11AM. Please ask
your other relatives and friend (Sai Devotees) to join
you in this venture.
Links of Audio MP3 files are given in the link section
of the home page of ' mysaibaba20' yahoogroup. Hindi
and English Script of Sri Sai Amrit Vani are also
there in the file section of the home page. To go to
home page of yahoogroup key in or click to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mysaibaba20 . Meaning
of Sri Sai Amrit Vani in English along with Romanised
English Script of Hindi is also available for those
who do not understand Hindi. Your names will be
listed for recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani if you
write to mysaibaba20@yahoogroups.com giving the names,
place and the assurance that each one in the list will
be reciting or reading or listening to Sri Sai Amrit
Vani on Thursday at their place.
It is requested to post this letter to
as many people, that you know that they are Sai
devotees.
Jai Sai Ram
Ashok Gupta
Akg_vg@bol.net.in

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Satsang Chapter 21 :Sri_Sai_Sat_Charitra_Concise(Version)

Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah
Om Sai Ram
Chapter 21:::
Story of three persons
* Once H. V. Thakur saw near Belagam a Kannada
saint named Appa. He told Thakur to read the holy book
Vichara sagar and predicted that later he would be
transferred to North and would come across a great
saint. After some time when Thakur was transferred
to Junnar he had to cross the Nanighat hills riding a
buffalo. That gave him immense pain. Shortly he was
promoted and posted to Kalyan. There he acquainted
with Nana Chandodkar and on his advice came to
Shirdi. Baba told him: 'The path here is not at easy
as Kannada saint's preaching or Nanighat Buffalo
ride.' Thus He demonstrated that He was omniscient.
*When Mr. Anandarao Patankar from Pune prostrated
before Baba, He told a story: 'A fisherman came here.
A horse also came in front of him and defecated nine
balls of excreta. The fisherman eagerly spread his cloth
and collected them.' Patankar was at a loss to know
the meaning, Dhadha Kelkar who was nearby told
him that Baba seems to have meant nine methods of
devotion. When next day Patankar came to masjid, Baba
asked him whether he collected the nine balls.
*A lawyer from Pandharpur came, prostrated before
Sai and offered dakshina. Baba remarked: 'How conceited
people are? Elsewhere they abuse us but come here and
offer dakshina.' When earlier Noolkar, the magistrate
of Pandharpur used to come to Shirdi for cure from
diseases, the lawyers used to meet in the Bar room and
ridicule him. This lawyer accepted that he was one among
them.
By A. Govindakrishnan


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Satsang Thought for the day

The 7 Ups!

1. Wake Up !!
Decide to have a good day.

2. Dress Up !!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks
.

3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen.
With two ears and one mouth..
it's meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.
"He who guards his lips guards his soul."

4. Stand Up!!
. . . for what you believe in.
Stand for something or you will fall for anything.
"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time,
we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..."



5. Look Up !!
. . . Keep yourself centered. Remember, you are important.

6. Reach Up !!
. . . for something higher.
Trust with all your heart,
and lean not unto your own understanding.


7. Lift Up !!
. . . your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything; instead
PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."


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Satsang Faith and Patience are the two Paths to Reach God Sai Bab a

Faith and Patience are the two Paths to Reach God Sai Baba

Sai Baba, the sage of Shirdi, has been pouring out his divine love and
blessings to thousands and hundreds of thousands since 1845. The unending
stream of devotees at Shirdi day in and day out is but a manifestation of
divine Love, Compassion and Pitv. Sai Baba is the most powerfull sage, who
bears all the burdens of humanity.

Like all great teachers Sai Baba has rightly been claimed as the Mother of
all virtues. Baba often told his devotees ''Your servant's servant l am. lam
your debtor". I am purified by your darshan. It is a great grace on your
part to have given Me the sight of your feet".
Lord Sai Baba often preached that the attitude of "I" and "Mine'' are the
result of ignorance. The right attitude born of knowledge is that God is the
Master and that all things belongs to Him - Once Rama asked Hanuman "How do
you like on me? Hanuman replied. "0 Rama, as long as I have the feeling of
"I", I see that you are the whole and I am a part, you are the Master and I
am you". Thus the first step in the life of a devotee is humility.

Self surrender marks the next step of a devotee. A devotee has to surrender
to God himself wholly and exclusively, including his five senses-Then he
becomes a personal servant of God. The entire responsibility for his
Maintenance and protection is taken up by the Lord. In BHAQVAD GlTA Lord
Kriehna said

"0 Arjuna. take refuge in Me. I shall deliver you from all sins". Lord Sai
Baba also said, "Cast all your burdens on Me and I shall bear them',. Also
as preached by Lord Krishna to Arjuna, Baba also said, "Do your duty and
leave the rest to me" Because once the devotee becomes free from sin and
misery, as all his actions are performed as divine duty without a thought
for the result. Let all the works be God's works all the thoughts, words and
deeds are centered in God. Everyone should see God in every thing and every
thing in God, loves all beings in the universe as manifestation of God.
Thus, the natural results of this self surrender are intense devotion
towards God and love towards all beings in the universe, such a devotee has
no disappointments in life and has no fear of death.

BABA often used to say that once a person has faith in God, he has achieved
everything. There is nothing greater than faith. The devotee's heart is full
of virtues like forgiveness, spirit of non-violence, Compassion and love.
Thus, these are the virtues of the hero and the characteristic of a true
devotee is a courageous patience or Saburi as Sai Baba has put it. Sainath
said "surrender yourself completely your body and soul to God.'' One, who
has abundant faith (Nishta) and courageous patience (Saburi), will achieve
anything what they want through the attainment of God Sai Baba

Hence, Faith, Patience and Love are the ways to fulfill our Material goals
as well as to reach 'Moksha'

Ch. SURYANARAYANA
Hyderabad-500044
(As appeared in the Dwarakamayi Magazine Published from Hyderabad August
1989)

http://saileelas.org/articles/dwarakamayi1.htm


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Satsang Bhakta Leela Amrut by Das Ganu Maharaj

Ganesh Vishnu Berey, a district inspector in the department of agriculture,
was another Sai devotee like Chandorkar. He went to Shirdi for Baba's
darshan. As he bowed down, Baba told him to leave Shirdi immediately. "Don't
waste even a single minute. Drive your tonga fast and reach Kopergaon as
early as you can." Obeying Baba, Berey left Shirdi at once. Another tonga
was following Berey's. The owner of the tonga suggested to Berey that he
should ride slowly so that the two tongas could go together. Berey paid no
attention to this request and drove very fast. He soon crossed the Godavari
and reached Kopergaon station, where he learned that the other tonga had
been stopped by highwaymen and its passengers robbed and beaten up. A
grateful Berey prayed to Baba thanking him for saving him from this
calamity.

Source
http://www.saileelas.org/books/4chap.htm


___________________