Chapter XII
(Devotees are requested to read Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XII, translated by Gunaji before
attempting this quiz)
21) After Baba blessed the Doctor, the Doctor left
for his home town and he was in a state of bliss for
____ days
a) ten b) twelve c) fourteen d ) thirty
22) Can any devotee could visit Shirdi at his will
and leave at his will.
(a) Yes (b) No (c) Dependent on the Village President
(d) Depended on Babas will
23) Kaka Mahanji wanted to Stay back at Shirdi and
enjoy Gokul Astami. Baba asked him to go tomorrow.
He left the next day and on his return he found
(a) That he promotion in the work (b) His munim was ill
(c) His parents were ill
(d) He had some visitors waiting for him.
24) Bhausaheb Dhumal the pleader was going to attend
a court case. Baba did not permit him to leave.
The Magistrate there ____-
(a) Fell sick (b) Took Mr.Bhausaheb to task for absence
(c) was on leave (d) was happy that Mr. Bhausaheb took
Babas Darshan
25) Mrs. Nimonkar wanted to go to Belapur and see her
sick son and her husband permitted her to travel for a
day and before leaving she prostrated before Baba and
(a) Baba told her to enjoy for 10 days
(b) Did not permit her to leave Shirdi
(c) Asked her to obey her husband words
(d) Asked her to stay for 4 days and be calm.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Satsang BABA'S BLESSINGS
BABA'S BLESSINGS
TRUELY speaking I did not know much about
Baba until 1956 except hearing casually regarding
greatness of Baba through a very close friend of
mine, whose grandfather, being a staunch devotee,
had been fortunate to be blessed with the Baba*s
darshan in his life time.
In 1956 I was convalescing after I suffered badly
from T. B. for about 11 years. I had in my flat a
small portrait of Baba. I do hot remember as to
who brought it and placed it there. I used to have
a glance of the portrait but not with much
devotion. At the beginning of 1957, I had a vision
of an old person with features quite similar to
those of Baba, who was moving up and down
on a small plank in a dilapidated house.
Therefrom a sort of feeling leading to devotion
started develop ng in course of time. In 1958
(during Holi vacation), as a result of inner urge,
I visited Shirdi. It was rather unprecedented to
find that nobody connected with the
establishment of the temple demanded or
accepted, even if offered, money from devotees
and that there were no thefts of the sort generally
expected at such places, I found the employees
of the temple advising the devotees to put money,
which they offered to them as a token of courtesy,
into the boxes meant for the purpose. I feel that
this was unusual and uncommon manifestation
of integrity imbibed in them by the grace of Baba.
I did not start icgular worship of Bada till late 1959.
An interesting instance occured then. My wife lost
her gold ear-ring in my apartment. She rummaged
the entire house thrice but in vain. She suspected
the maid servant in the usual way. But she
restrained herself from making any wild allegation
against her openly, except mentioning to her about
the missing ear-ring in a casual manner. I and my
wife could come to firm conclusion that the ear-ring
was lost once for al!. At that stage, we both, in
ourselves, thought of testing the grace of Baba. Next
day morning, the maid-servant, while cleaning the
house, restored the ear-ring to our utmost
astonishment, I have no comments as to how and
wherefrom she could get it after about a week since
it was lost. Thenceforth Baba instilled unwavering
faith in me. So, as a weak human being, I started
regular worship of Baba which I continue to do
till to-date with all devotion and faith.
In 1961, Baba created an urge to visit Shirdi. I
started for Shirdi with "an idea that I should come
back to Hyderabad before rush of people for Ram
Navami festival starts at Shirdi. I completed my
pooja on Thursday. On Friday I participated in
Noon-Arati and went to the Chief Executive to
take leave of him formally. By that time, some
people from Bombay and other places, started
arriving for the festival. The Chief Executive
instead of formally permitting me to leave Shirdi,
insisted on me to stay over for the festival. I took
it as the order of Baba through the Chief Executive
and stayed over for the great festival. Although
there was a great rush of people, I was
accommodated comfortably in the guest house by
the grace of Baba. There was a gathering of more
than 50,000 people belonging to different faiths
viz., Sikhs, Jains, Zorastrians, Muslims, Christians
apart from Hindus who were found eager and
enthusiastic to participate in all phases of the
festival and offer prayers in the Samadhi Mandir
according to their wish and vow. Of all the aspects
of the Festival, the most spectacular and significant
was giving bath to Baba with sacred Godavari
water carried by thousands of devotees individually
on their head. Among these devotees were even
children of 10 to 12 years, women and men, old in
age, besides a multitude of others. After Baba was
thus given bath of devotion, the devotees, started
getting ready to offer garlands. At that curious
juncture, I just looked around at other devotees,
who were holding very costly and grand garlands
and wished in myself that I would be fortunate if
Baba accepted my garland first before that of any
one else, although mine was not so grand as those
of some others nearby the rostrum. The very
moment, the pujari made a gesture towards me
and took my garland and offered it to Baba as the
first one on that great festival. Believe me, I
became so overwhelmed with joy that I have no
words to express it. Thus Baba blessed me.
M. Ganga Reddy B. Com.
HYDERABAD
(source Shri Sai Leela Magazine may 1977,
this magazine can be read at www.saileelas.org)
TRUELY speaking I did not know much about
Baba until 1956 except hearing casually regarding
greatness of Baba through a very close friend of
mine, whose grandfather, being a staunch devotee,
had been fortunate to be blessed with the Baba*s
darshan in his life time.
In 1956 I was convalescing after I suffered badly
from T. B. for about 11 years. I had in my flat a
small portrait of Baba. I do hot remember as to
who brought it and placed it there. I used to have
a glance of the portrait but not with much
devotion. At the beginning of 1957, I had a vision
of an old person with features quite similar to
those of Baba, who was moving up and down
on a small plank in a dilapidated house.
Therefrom a sort of feeling leading to devotion
started develop ng in course of time. In 1958
(during Holi vacation), as a result of inner urge,
I visited Shirdi. It was rather unprecedented to
find that nobody connected with the
establishment of the temple demanded or
accepted, even if offered, money from devotees
and that there were no thefts of the sort generally
expected at such places, I found the employees
of the temple advising the devotees to put money,
which they offered to them as a token of courtesy,
into the boxes meant for the purpose. I feel that
this was unusual and uncommon manifestation
of integrity imbibed in them by the grace of Baba.
I did not start icgular worship of Bada till late 1959.
An interesting instance occured then. My wife lost
her gold ear-ring in my apartment. She rummaged
the entire house thrice but in vain. She suspected
the maid servant in the usual way. But she
restrained herself from making any wild allegation
against her openly, except mentioning to her about
the missing ear-ring in a casual manner. I and my
wife could come to firm conclusion that the ear-ring
was lost once for al!. At that stage, we both, in
ourselves, thought of testing the grace of Baba. Next
day morning, the maid-servant, while cleaning the
house, restored the ear-ring to our utmost
astonishment, I have no comments as to how and
wherefrom she could get it after about a week since
it was lost. Thenceforth Baba instilled unwavering
faith in me. So, as a weak human being, I started
regular worship of Baba which I continue to do
till to-date with all devotion and faith.
In 1961, Baba created an urge to visit Shirdi. I
started for Shirdi with "an idea that I should come
back to Hyderabad before rush of people for Ram
Navami festival starts at Shirdi. I completed my
pooja on Thursday. On Friday I participated in
Noon-Arati and went to the Chief Executive to
take leave of him formally. By that time, some
people from Bombay and other places, started
arriving for the festival. The Chief Executive
instead of formally permitting me to leave Shirdi,
insisted on me to stay over for the festival. I took
it as the order of Baba through the Chief Executive
and stayed over for the great festival. Although
there was a great rush of people, I was
accommodated comfortably in the guest house by
the grace of Baba. There was a gathering of more
than 50,000 people belonging to different faiths
viz., Sikhs, Jains, Zorastrians, Muslims, Christians
apart from Hindus who were found eager and
enthusiastic to participate in all phases of the
festival and offer prayers in the Samadhi Mandir
according to their wish and vow. Of all the aspects
of the Festival, the most spectacular and significant
was giving bath to Baba with sacred Godavari
water carried by thousands of devotees individually
on their head. Among these devotees were even
children of 10 to 12 years, women and men, old in
age, besides a multitude of others. After Baba was
thus given bath of devotion, the devotees, started
getting ready to offer garlands. At that curious
juncture, I just looked around at other devotees,
who were holding very costly and grand garlands
and wished in myself that I would be fortunate if
Baba accepted my garland first before that of any
one else, although mine was not so grand as those
of some others nearby the rostrum. The very
moment, the pujari made a gesture towards me
and took my garland and offered it to Baba as the
first one on that great festival. Believe me, I
became so overwhelmed with joy that I have no
words to express it. Thus Baba blessed me.
M. Ganga Reddy B. Com.
HYDERABAD
(source Shri Sai Leela Magazine may 1977,
this magazine can be read at www.saileelas.org)
Satsang Sri Sai Amrit Vani
Sri Sai Amrit Vani
18th Jan 2007
Jai Sai Ram
This Thursday we were in Shirdi and we did the
Madhyan Aartee in the Samadhi mandir just before
Baba, curtsy Trustee of Shirdi Sai Sansthan. We
joined the thousands of devotees in the Madhyan
Aartee. Mr and Mrs Adlakhas from Columbia, Mr.
Ravinder Thota from Canada and Mr. V Vasudeva
Rao and Family from Hyderabad were with us at
the noon Aartee. We were in Shirdi for two full days
and attended all the Aartees from Kankad Aartees to
Shej Aartee. Except the Shej Aartee on Thursday
as we attended the Palki procession and did the
Aartee there itself. We also had the Prasad
(Lunch and Dinner) in the Prasadlya in the trustee’s
room. We took dress for Baba and deposited the
same in the Samadhi Mandir office.
Towel and inner cloth were used in the morning
itself after the Bath and the outer dress and the
cloth for the Smadhi were used in the evening.
Devotees can well imagine the joy to see Baba
wearing the dress that you have brought.
All the devotees were prayed for,
before Baba and all the money given by devotees for
Baba were also dropped in the Hundi one by one and
taking the name of the devotee by Mrs Gupta. I am not
listing the names of the devotees who have written the
letters and recited Sri Sai Amrit Vani this week.
Next Sri Sai Amrit Vani on 25th Jan will
again be held in Sidhartha Extension, New Delhi.
Devotees interested in attending it in person may
contact on phone nos. 26346942, 9810714688 or
9312494767 only after 11 AM (IST) on any day except
Thursdays but no calls on Thursdays PLEASE. They
should NOT bring any bhog with them and be in time.
Put the mobiles in silent mode during Pooja. Kids are
also not allowed in the hall.
Script of Sri Sai Amrit Vani is available in
Tamil, Telgu also, besides in Devnagri (Hindi) and
English, in the file section of the yahoogroup. Links
of Audio MP3 files are given in the link section of
the home page of ‘ mysaibaba20’ yahoogroup. To
go to home page of yahoogroup key in or click
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mysaibaba20 .
This activity of Sri Sai Amrit Vani will be
in addition to any other pooja or sewa or prayer
that you are doing.
Jai Sai Ram.
Ashok Gupta
mysaibaba20@yahoogroups.com
akg_vg@bol.net.in
veena_gupta_2000@yahoo.com
18th Jan 2007
Jai Sai Ram
This Thursday we were in Shirdi and we did the
Madhyan Aartee in the Samadhi mandir just before
Baba, curtsy Trustee of Shirdi Sai Sansthan. We
joined the thousands of devotees in the Madhyan
Aartee. Mr and Mrs Adlakhas from Columbia, Mr.
Ravinder Thota from Canada and Mr. V Vasudeva
Rao and Family from Hyderabad were with us at
the noon Aartee. We were in Shirdi for two full days
and attended all the Aartees from Kankad Aartees to
Shej Aartee. Except the Shej Aartee on Thursday
as we attended the Palki procession and did the
Aartee there itself. We also had the Prasad
(Lunch and Dinner) in the Prasadlya in the trustee’s
room. We took dress for Baba and deposited the
same in the Samadhi Mandir office.
Towel and inner cloth were used in the morning
itself after the Bath and the outer dress and the
cloth for the Smadhi were used in the evening.
Devotees can well imagine the joy to see Baba
wearing the dress that you have brought.
All the devotees were prayed for,
before Baba and all the money given by devotees for
Baba were also dropped in the Hundi one by one and
taking the name of the devotee by Mrs Gupta. I am not
listing the names of the devotees who have written the
letters and recited Sri Sai Amrit Vani this week.
Next Sri Sai Amrit Vani on 25th Jan will
again be held in Sidhartha Extension, New Delhi.
Devotees interested in attending it in person may
contact on phone nos. 26346942, 9810714688 or
9312494767 only after 11 AM (IST) on any day except
Thursdays but no calls on Thursdays PLEASE. They
should NOT bring any bhog with them and be in time.
Put the mobiles in silent mode during Pooja. Kids are
also not allowed in the hall.
Script of Sri Sai Amrit Vani is available in
Tamil, Telgu also, besides in Devnagri (Hindi) and
English, in the file section of the yahoogroup. Links
of Audio MP3 files are given in the link section of
the home page of ‘ mysaibaba20’ yahoogroup. To
go to home page of yahoogroup key in or click
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mysaibaba20 .
This activity of Sri Sai Amrit Vani will be
in addition to any other pooja or sewa or prayer
that you are doing.
Jai Sai Ram.
Ashok Gupta
mysaibaba20@yahoogroups.com
akg_vg@bol.net.in
veena_gupta_2000@yahoo.com
Sai Vichaar for Thursday, January 18, 2007
Sai Vichaar www.saibaba.org
Thursday , January 18, 2007 :: Volume 9, Issue 36
(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:
How Baba does it?
Faith in Saibaba slowly leads one to believe that Baba
is behind the things done or undone. This realization
works easy when the things happen to one's
satisfaction while it falters if things are not pleasing.
The path to the complete surrender at Sadguru's lotus
feet chops away the difference between the pleasant
and unpleasant.
If one completely understands how Baba's intent or
sankalpa translates to tangible actions to its minutest
details, contentment naturally fills in the heart and as
the consequence equanimity. Rare and great are such
souls. Or, if one would say that somehow Baba will
do it, is indicative of a blind faith in Sadguru's
disposition. This is a feeling that rain or shine, it is
Baba! Any trace of ignorance in this regard will be
washed away in the constant company of the Sadguru.
But judgments of others actions such as "what does he
or she think he or she is doing? Its all Baba's doing", is
blatant arrogance. One can easily understand this
feeling with a little bit of contemplation. These
thoughts should be nipped in the bud, as they are
signs of spiritual falling. Baba didn't materialize
anything out of thin air. Baba's "miracles" happen
through people and situations in our surroundings
in the most inconspicuous ways. This truth is
articulated in the most eloquent way by
Sri Sarathbabuji as follows: "Miracles of Sai do not take
place as something falling from the sky. We experience
it through mercy, compassion, and protection from
those around us in a natural way. We pray to Baba,
"Baba! I need money". I am in difficulties". We offer
naivedya to Baba and go to bed, but we do not see Baba
keeping a lakh rupees under the pillow! Someone will
come to us and suggest a solution to our problem. Baba
Himself said, "Not a single leaf moves without my
order". When the wind blows, the leaves on the tree
move. When even the movement of a leaf from an
inanimate tree requires Baba's order, His intent and
grace, how can we think that everything is in our hands?
When this awareness crops in us, the ego that makes us
think, "We are doing something, we have to do it, we
have to accomplish and we have accomplished because
we have done something", will vanish. The realization
that "He does everything. And we are not capable of
doing anything" is called as "Complete Surrender".
However, this should not become the dry and wry
philosophy of uttering around, "Its all Baba's sankalpa,
what do I have to do? He has done it". The cognizance
of "complete surrender" should remain as just an
inspiration, a background to the pursuit of our desires,
ideals, and trials. Unless we get to completely
experience the intent of Saibaba in every action, we
should not use the term "complete surrender" for
our convenience.
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE:
A Devotee's Experience
I want to share my recent experience on how Sai will
teach and set straight his devotees. I was a smoker for
the last ten years. I unsuccessfully tried many times to
quit. Also, I was a rash/careless driver. My wife
always requested me to drive carefully and quit
smoking. I really tried couple of times to quit and
couldn't hold myself for more than a week. I even
promised Sai that I would quit smoking and was
never able to keep the promise. I realized it is
impossible to quit because of the work pressure and
related issues. One day as part of my regular routine,
on my way to work, I was taking my child to day-care
center. It was raining and foggy. Before I realized
what was happening my SUV was skidding out of
control and within a fraction of time, I was over the
median and towards the opposite traffic. I hit a vehicle
(head-on collision) coming from the opposite side.
Both the vehicles were in a very bad shape. I
immediately looked back at my child (1 Year old) to
see how she is and she was crying but looked fine.
The only thing I uttered was the word "Sai". I then
picked my daughter from the car seat and got down
the vehicle to ask the other passenger on how she
was doing. She said she had some pain in the foot
and then next the emergency vehicle came and took
her to the hospital and I thought she would be ok.
After few days my insurance lawyer called me to
give me a heads up that I will be getting a court
notice for personal damages, I have incurred to her
due to the accident. After a couple of months, I was
asked to appear for a deposition and other process
of the court and a court date for the case had been set.
All the time and all through these processes, I was
kind of depressed and was counting on Sai that He
will take care of everything. One day it occurred to
me that because of the smoking habit, all these bad
things were happening to me and hence I decided to
quit. Miraculously I was able to stop smoking from
that day onwards. It has been 9 months since I quit.
Last week I got a call from the lawyer saying that the
other party settled the case out of court within the
insurance limit and to my surprise their medical
expenses were the same as my insurance limits. They
weren't asking anything for personal pain. I strongly
believe all this was because of Sai. I now think that
all this happened because He wanted to teach me a
lesson on how important life was and how careful I
have to be and also I have a wife and kids who are
dependant on me. Thank you Baba for everything.
(Contributed by Venkat)
DEVOTEES SAY:
Rajyalakshmi
Baba! Thanks for blessing my parents with visa without
any delay. We all are very much thankful to You. As
promised I am thanking you by writing in this
newsletter. Bless my parents with a smooth and
peaceful and happy journey to Singapore as per their
schedule and also a cheerful trip throughout their stay
in Singapore. My entire family is Your devotee. Please
bless me with a normal delivery and a healthy baby
here without any trouble.
Kiran
I read in Sai Satcharitha, with Sai's grace one of the
devotees got permission to read Pothi (Janeshwari).
I expressed if Sai's grace would be with me also.
On the same day when we went to Indian Stores, I
received a calendar as gift and found "Durga Devi"
portrait with "Arati" of Durga. I felt Sai Baba gave a
message saying that victory is near, I need to keep
patience. Later on Thursday, I expressed my concern
that why things are not moving forward regarding
my interview for the new job. I got reply in Sai Vichaar
that, things will move and I will get my desire
accomplished. Om Sai.
Sravanthi
I started doing Baba's Parayanam and completed it
today. Before doing the parayana my heart was filled
with lot of tension and unknown fear, which I could
not share with anyone except Baba. Then I decided to
do the saptaha parayanam. Luckily my husband
who is not a devotee cooperated with me the whole
week. Also he allowed me to put the vibuthi and
everyday ate the prasadam. In the middle of the
parayana, I started feeling so happy and my tensions
and unwanted fear disappeared. I realized it is only
God who can save us from any kind of trouble and
give peace.
Vivek
I would like to thank Baba for giving me a very good
start in the job of my choice. It took sometime but I
understand that I must follow Your message of faith
and patience. Thanks a lot Baba for being with me.
A devotee
I have been trying for a job from 3 months; by Sai
grace I had an Interview on Thursday. I received
Shirdi prasadam and Tirupathi prasadam from my
Mom in India on the same day. On Tuesday I got
the news that I got the job. All this happened only
because of Sai's blessings and the confidence He
gave me. Please bless me perform well in the job
and bless me have no problems at the work place.
Be with me in my every walk of life and give me
the strength to fulfill my responsibilities.
Vimala
I am married for two years, and was not able to
conceive. On November 23rd 2006 I was in Shirdi.
I have lost my parents and He is everything to me.
Today within two months after visiting Shirdi
with His grace I have conceived. Sai Ma, You are
everything to me, please shower Your blessings
and bless me with a health child. It is very true
that anything you ask in His name will be
answered; only trust matters.
PRAYER CLUB:
Sai
We already had two miscarriages Baba. Please
Baba bless me with a healthy baby. Please
forgive us for all the sins we have done.
Alka
I don't have a place to stay. Where should I go?
Please Baba, give me one place from where
nobody will say go from here.
Kamala
My mother is a strong willed 78 year old lady
who has never done any harm to anyone in her
life. Recently she has suffered brain stroke twice
and has a pacemaker in her heart. To top it all
she has suffered a hip fracture and needs
immediate surgery. With all her illnesses
including diabetes, I am afraid Baba. Baba
please make my mother alright.
Latha
I have some health problems due to which I am
not able to conceive. Dear Sai devotes please
pray for me.
Sangita
Please take care of my father. He is very sick
and suffering and going through a lot of pain.
Please help him Baba and make him healthy
and strong. I want to take his blessings for my
son and I want to visit him with my child. He
has not seen my child and I want him to see
my baby.
Veena
I am having difficult time for long time now.
I really want some solution to my problem
soon as I cannot prolong it anymore. Please
help me find solution and give me some
peace and happiness.
Vaishali
Please shower Your blessings to my friend
who is trying to conceive from a long time.
Rashi
SaiBaba please take care of my daughter. She
got her head injured a little by falling down
yesterday. She has little pain, make her well
soon.
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Nalini
Recently I had a great experience that Baba is
there to help us always. One day we had a
demo on a new project. On the day of the demo
I got a problem in the project for the demo and
without fixing it, the demo cannot be continued.
The demo was scheduled at 2:00 pm. My project
manager called me at 11:00 am to find out the
status of the project. I was not able to think
anything else but just pray to Baba. Just after
5 minutes the manager called again and told
me that the demo was postponed. It was Baba's
miracle. I know that without Baba's help it was
impossible. Baba please be with us always and
shower Your blessings on us.
Alok
I dont have any the words to describe my
feelings whenever I experienced the miracles
of Saibaba. Since last night I was so disturbed
about my wife, she was not well and I am so
much worried about her that I was not able to
control my emotions. When I get up in the
morning I was not able to think anything. As I
am the devotee of Saibaba, but now I was
becoming hostile to Him because I didn't feel
any improvement. I thought that no one is
going to help me now. I will do everything,
but slowly I felt I am thinking very wrong
because Saibaba has helped me every time. I
begged to Him and He will not leave me as
such like a father could not see his son crying,
how can He see me crying and I walked out
of my home and then this miracle happened.
I said in my mind if You are with me Sai, then
give me Your darshan and in the very next
second I saw a man carrying a big poster of
Saibaba. This picture was so real that it seemed
that Saibaba himself had come to bless me and
to give me this trust that He cannot see me
crying. Our Saibaba cannot see His devotee
crying for any reason. He is a father to all His
devotees. I am so small and have no words to
describe His kindness.
Pooja
Thankyou Saibaba for helping us. I had trouble
all through my pregnancy and we were worried
how the delivery would be. But we kept praying
Baba for safe pregnancy and delivery. As prayed,
the delivery was normal and we have been
blessed with a healthy baby. Thank you Sainatha
for being with us and helping us in every stage
of this life changing event. As promised we are
publishing Your blessings on us in Sai Vichaar
newsletter. Sai, please continue showering Your
blessings on us ever. Always under your feet. We
apologize for the delay in writing this note.
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"My treasury is full, and I can give anyone, what
he wants, but I have to see whether he is qualified
to receive what I give".
-Shri Sai Baba
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Comment on what Saibaba said to Dasganu
Maharaj.
A. by S.Karthikeyan
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. Simplicity - no paraphernalia. This is Baba's
message. I recall many devotees wanting to
read Sai Satcharita (parayanam) getting worried
over details, often dwelling about the number
of days in which it is to be completed in, about
the offerings to be made, flower arrangements
to be made and so on that reading Satcharita
becomes a gargantuan task often stressing the
devotee and their family members. Baba has
stressed the need for simplicity, suggesting
that no paraphernalia is required to reach Him.
Q. Comment on what Saibaba said to Dasganu
Maharaj.
A. by Vipul Desai
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. All these things create ego in person. Baba
always said that if you want moksha first take
out ego, be simple, don't poke your nose in
others matter. You are wearing all these to
show that you are superior then others.
Q. Comment on what Saibaba said to Dasganu
Maharaj.
A. by Vandana
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. The God of Devotion Naradha Maharishi
himself did not wear any cloth on his top.
He wore a Dhoti. With veena in his hand he
used to sing about the Lord. Same way, the
message about God should be conveyed to
all in a simple way. So Baba did not like all
artificial materialistic forms and He ordered
Das Ganu to convey the message in a simple
manner so that it reaches to all kinds of people
good or bad, rich or poor.
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 grand 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.
Inauguration of Shri Shirdi Sai Temple in
Montebello, CA
All devotees along with friends and family
are invited to participate in the inauguration
of Shri Shirdi Sai Temple on January 21st, 2007
from 9:35 am. 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. Due to the volume of email IDs that needs
be handled, the subscription is automated as above.
Devotee's cooperation is sincerely appreciated.
The "Question of the week for this week is,
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?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
Thursday , January 18, 2007 :: Volume 9, Issue 36
(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:
How Baba does it?
Faith in Saibaba slowly leads one to believe that Baba
is behind the things done or undone. This realization
works easy when the things happen to one's
satisfaction while it falters if things are not pleasing.
The path to the complete surrender at Sadguru's lotus
feet chops away the difference between the pleasant
and unpleasant.
If one completely understands how Baba's intent or
sankalpa translates to tangible actions to its minutest
details, contentment naturally fills in the heart and as
the consequence equanimity. Rare and great are such
souls. Or, if one would say that somehow Baba will
do it, is indicative of a blind faith in Sadguru's
disposition. This is a feeling that rain or shine, it is
Baba! Any trace of ignorance in this regard will be
washed away in the constant company of the Sadguru.
But judgments of others actions such as "what does he
or she think he or she is doing? Its all Baba's doing", is
blatant arrogance. One can easily understand this
feeling with a little bit of contemplation. These
thoughts should be nipped in the bud, as they are
signs of spiritual falling. Baba didn't materialize
anything out of thin air. Baba's "miracles" happen
through people and situations in our surroundings
in the most inconspicuous ways. This truth is
articulated in the most eloquent way by
Sri Sarathbabuji as follows: "Miracles of Sai do not take
place as something falling from the sky. We experience
it through mercy, compassion, and protection from
those around us in a natural way. We pray to Baba,
"Baba! I need money". I am in difficulties". We offer
naivedya to Baba and go to bed, but we do not see Baba
keeping a lakh rupees under the pillow! Someone will
come to us and suggest a solution to our problem. Baba
Himself said, "Not a single leaf moves without my
order". When the wind blows, the leaves on the tree
move. When even the movement of a leaf from an
inanimate tree requires Baba's order, His intent and
grace, how can we think that everything is in our hands?
When this awareness crops in us, the ego that makes us
think, "We are doing something, we have to do it, we
have to accomplish and we have accomplished because
we have done something", will vanish. The realization
that "He does everything. And we are not capable of
doing anything" is called as "Complete Surrender".
However, this should not become the dry and wry
philosophy of uttering around, "Its all Baba's sankalpa,
what do I have to do? He has done it". The cognizance
of "complete surrender" should remain as just an
inspiration, a background to the pursuit of our desires,
ideals, and trials. Unless we get to completely
experience the intent of Saibaba in every action, we
should not use the term "complete surrender" for
our convenience.
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE:
A Devotee's Experience
I want to share my recent experience on how Sai will
teach and set straight his devotees. I was a smoker for
the last ten years. I unsuccessfully tried many times to
quit. Also, I was a rash/careless driver. My wife
always requested me to drive carefully and quit
smoking. I really tried couple of times to quit and
couldn't hold myself for more than a week. I even
promised Sai that I would quit smoking and was
never able to keep the promise. I realized it is
impossible to quit because of the work pressure and
related issues. One day as part of my regular routine,
on my way to work, I was taking my child to day-care
center. It was raining and foggy. Before I realized
what was happening my SUV was skidding out of
control and within a fraction of time, I was over the
median and towards the opposite traffic. I hit a vehicle
(head-on collision) coming from the opposite side.
Both the vehicles were in a very bad shape. I
immediately looked back at my child (1 Year old) to
see how she is and she was crying but looked fine.
The only thing I uttered was the word "Sai". I then
picked my daughter from the car seat and got down
the vehicle to ask the other passenger on how she
was doing. She said she had some pain in the foot
and then next the emergency vehicle came and took
her to the hospital and I thought she would be ok.
After few days my insurance lawyer called me to
give me a heads up that I will be getting a court
notice for personal damages, I have incurred to her
due to the accident. After a couple of months, I was
asked to appear for a deposition and other process
of the court and a court date for the case had been set.
All the time and all through these processes, I was
kind of depressed and was counting on Sai that He
will take care of everything. One day it occurred to
me that because of the smoking habit, all these bad
things were happening to me and hence I decided to
quit. Miraculously I was able to stop smoking from
that day onwards. It has been 9 months since I quit.
Last week I got a call from the lawyer saying that the
other party settled the case out of court within the
insurance limit and to my surprise their medical
expenses were the same as my insurance limits. They
weren't asking anything for personal pain. I strongly
believe all this was because of Sai. I now think that
all this happened because He wanted to teach me a
lesson on how important life was and how careful I
have to be and also I have a wife and kids who are
dependant on me. Thank you Baba for everything.
(Contributed by Venkat)
DEVOTEES SAY:
Rajyalakshmi
Baba! Thanks for blessing my parents with visa without
any delay. We all are very much thankful to You. As
promised I am thanking you by writing in this
newsletter. Bless my parents with a smooth and
peaceful and happy journey to Singapore as per their
schedule and also a cheerful trip throughout their stay
in Singapore. My entire family is Your devotee. Please
bless me with a normal delivery and a healthy baby
here without any trouble.
Kiran
I read in Sai Satcharitha, with Sai's grace one of the
devotees got permission to read Pothi (Janeshwari).
I expressed if Sai's grace would be with me also.
On the same day when we went to Indian Stores, I
received a calendar as gift and found "Durga Devi"
portrait with "Arati" of Durga. I felt Sai Baba gave a
message saying that victory is near, I need to keep
patience. Later on Thursday, I expressed my concern
that why things are not moving forward regarding
my interview for the new job. I got reply in Sai Vichaar
that, things will move and I will get my desire
accomplished. Om Sai.
Sravanthi
I started doing Baba's Parayanam and completed it
today. Before doing the parayana my heart was filled
with lot of tension and unknown fear, which I could
not share with anyone except Baba. Then I decided to
do the saptaha parayanam. Luckily my husband
who is not a devotee cooperated with me the whole
week. Also he allowed me to put the vibuthi and
everyday ate the prasadam. In the middle of the
parayana, I started feeling so happy and my tensions
and unwanted fear disappeared. I realized it is only
God who can save us from any kind of trouble and
give peace.
Vivek
I would like to thank Baba for giving me a very good
start in the job of my choice. It took sometime but I
understand that I must follow Your message of faith
and patience. Thanks a lot Baba for being with me.
A devotee
I have been trying for a job from 3 months; by Sai
grace I had an Interview on Thursday. I received
Shirdi prasadam and Tirupathi prasadam from my
Mom in India on the same day. On Tuesday I got
the news that I got the job. All this happened only
because of Sai's blessings and the confidence He
gave me. Please bless me perform well in the job
and bless me have no problems at the work place.
Be with me in my every walk of life and give me
the strength to fulfill my responsibilities.
Vimala
I am married for two years, and was not able to
conceive. On November 23rd 2006 I was in Shirdi.
I have lost my parents and He is everything to me.
Today within two months after visiting Shirdi
with His grace I have conceived. Sai Ma, You are
everything to me, please shower Your blessings
and bless me with a health child. It is very true
that anything you ask in His name will be
answered; only trust matters.
PRAYER CLUB:
Sai
We already had two miscarriages Baba. Please
Baba bless me with a healthy baby. Please
forgive us for all the sins we have done.
Alka
I don't have a place to stay. Where should I go?
Please Baba, give me one place from where
nobody will say go from here.
Kamala
My mother is a strong willed 78 year old lady
who has never done any harm to anyone in her
life. Recently she has suffered brain stroke twice
and has a pacemaker in her heart. To top it all
she has suffered a hip fracture and needs
immediate surgery. With all her illnesses
including diabetes, I am afraid Baba. Baba
please make my mother alright.
Latha
I have some health problems due to which I am
not able to conceive. Dear Sai devotes please
pray for me.
Sangita
Please take care of my father. He is very sick
and suffering and going through a lot of pain.
Please help him Baba and make him healthy
and strong. I want to take his blessings for my
son and I want to visit him with my child. He
has not seen my child and I want him to see
my baby.
Veena
I am having difficult time for long time now.
I really want some solution to my problem
soon as I cannot prolong it anymore. Please
help me find solution and give me some
peace and happiness.
Vaishali
Please shower Your blessings to my friend
who is trying to conceive from a long time.
Rashi
SaiBaba please take care of my daughter. She
got her head injured a little by falling down
yesterday. She has little pain, make her well
soon.
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Nalini
Recently I had a great experience that Baba is
there to help us always. One day we had a
demo on a new project. On the day of the demo
I got a problem in the project for the demo and
without fixing it, the demo cannot be continued.
The demo was scheduled at 2:00 pm. My project
manager called me at 11:00 am to find out the
status of the project. I was not able to think
anything else but just pray to Baba. Just after
5 minutes the manager called again and told
me that the demo was postponed. It was Baba's
miracle. I know that without Baba's help it was
impossible. Baba please be with us always and
shower Your blessings on us.
Alok
I dont have any the words to describe my
feelings whenever I experienced the miracles
of Saibaba. Since last night I was so disturbed
about my wife, she was not well and I am so
much worried about her that I was not able to
control my emotions. When I get up in the
morning I was not able to think anything. As I
am the devotee of Saibaba, but now I was
becoming hostile to Him because I didn't feel
any improvement. I thought that no one is
going to help me now. I will do everything,
but slowly I felt I am thinking very wrong
because Saibaba has helped me every time. I
begged to Him and He will not leave me as
such like a father could not see his son crying,
how can He see me crying and I walked out
of my home and then this miracle happened.
I said in my mind if You are with me Sai, then
give me Your darshan and in the very next
second I saw a man carrying a big poster of
Saibaba. This picture was so real that it seemed
that Saibaba himself had come to bless me and
to give me this trust that He cannot see me
crying. Our Saibaba cannot see His devotee
crying for any reason. He is a father to all His
devotees. I am so small and have no words to
describe His kindness.
Pooja
Thankyou Saibaba for helping us. I had trouble
all through my pregnancy and we were worried
how the delivery would be. But we kept praying
Baba for safe pregnancy and delivery. As prayed,
the delivery was normal and we have been
blessed with a healthy baby. Thank you Sainatha
for being with us and helping us in every stage
of this life changing event. As promised we are
publishing Your blessings on us in Sai Vichaar
newsletter. Sai, please continue showering Your
blessings on us ever. Always under your feet. We
apologize for the delay in writing this note.
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"My treasury is full, and I can give anyone, what
he wants, but I have to see whether he is qualified
to receive what I give".
-Shri Sai Baba
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Comment on what Saibaba said to Dasganu
Maharaj.
A. by S.Karthikeyan
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. Simplicity - no paraphernalia. This is Baba's
message. I recall many devotees wanting to
read Sai Satcharita (parayanam) getting worried
over details, often dwelling about the number
of days in which it is to be completed in, about
the offerings to be made, flower arrangements
to be made and so on that reading Satcharita
becomes a gargantuan task often stressing the
devotee and their family members. Baba has
stressed the need for simplicity, suggesting
that no paraphernalia is required to reach Him.
Q. Comment on what Saibaba said to Dasganu
Maharaj.
A. by Vipul Desai
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. All these things create ego in person. Baba
always said that if you want moksha first take
out ego, be simple, don't poke your nose in
others matter. You are wearing all these to
show that you are superior then others.
Q. Comment on what Saibaba said to Dasganu
Maharaj.
A. by Vandana
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. The God of Devotion Naradha Maharishi
himself did not wear any cloth on his top.
He wore a Dhoti. With veena in his hand he
used to sing about the Lord. Same way, the
message about God should be conveyed to
all in a simple way. So Baba did not like all
artificial materialistic forms and He ordered
Das Ganu to convey the message in a simple
manner so that it reaches to all kinds of people
good or bad, rich or poor.
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 grand 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.
Inauguration of Shri Shirdi Sai Temple in
Montebello, CA
All devotees along with friends and family
are invited to participate in the inauguration
of Shri Shirdi Sai Temple on January 21st, 2007
from 9:35 am. 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. Due to the volume of email IDs that needs
be handled, the subscription is automated as above.
Devotee's cooperation is sincerely appreciated.
The "Question of the week for this week is,
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?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
Friday, January 19, 2007
Quiz on Chapter XII of Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XII
(Devotees are requested to read Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XII, translated by Gunaji before
attempting this quiz)
21) After Baba blessed the Doctor, the Doctor left
for his home town and he was in a state of bliss
for ____ days
a) ten b) twelve c) fourteen d ) thirty
22) Can any devotee could visit Shirdi at his will
and leave at his will.
(a) Yes (b) No (c) Dependent on the Village President
(d) Depended on Babas will
23) Kaka Mahanji wanted to Stay back at Shirdi and
enjoy Gokul Astami. Baba asked him to go tomorrow.
He left the next day and on his return he found
(a) That he promotion in the work (b) His munim was ill
(c) His parents were ill
(d) He had some visitors waiting for him.
24) Bhausaheb Dhumal the pleader was going to attend
a court case. Baba did not permit him to leave. The
Magistrate there ____-
(a) Fell sick (b) Took Mr.Bhausaheb to task for absence
(c) was on leave
(d) was happy that Mr.Bhausaheb took Babas Darshan
25) Mrs. Nimonkar wanted to go to Belapur and see her
sick son and her husband permitted her to travel for a
day and before leaving she prostrated before Baba and
(a) Baba told her to enjoy for 10 days
(b) Did not permit her to leave Shirdi
(c) Asked her to obey her husband words
(d) Asked her to stay for 4 days and be calm.
(Devotees are requested to read Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XII, translated by Gunaji before
attempting this quiz)
21) After Baba blessed the Doctor, the Doctor left
for his home town and he was in a state of bliss
for ____ days
a) ten b) twelve c) fourteen d ) thirty
22) Can any devotee could visit Shirdi at his will
and leave at his will.
(a) Yes (b) No (c) Dependent on the Village President
(d) Depended on Babas will
23) Kaka Mahanji wanted to Stay back at Shirdi and
enjoy Gokul Astami. Baba asked him to go tomorrow.
He left the next day and on his return he found
(a) That he promotion in the work (b) His munim was ill
(c) His parents were ill
(d) He had some visitors waiting for him.
24) Bhausaheb Dhumal the pleader was going to attend
a court case. Baba did not permit him to leave. The
Magistrate there ____-
(a) Fell sick (b) Took Mr.Bhausaheb to task for absence
(c) was on leave
(d) was happy that Mr.Bhausaheb took Babas Darshan
25) Mrs. Nimonkar wanted to go to Belapur and see her
sick son and her husband permitted her to travel for a
day and before leaving she prostrated before Baba and
(a) Baba told her to enjoy for 10 days
(b) Did not permit her to leave Shirdi
(c) Asked her to obey her husband words
(d) Asked her to stay for 4 days and be calm.
"SAI ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE" (contd...)
Gopichand is a famous man of letters in Telugu. His
father was too well known as an athiest and he
continued to walk in the foot prints 'of his father. In
1954, he was working as Director of Publicity in the
Government of Andhra at Kurnool His wife was
admitted to the Govt. Hospital for confinement and it
was found to be a case of hard labour. Three days
passed and there was no relief, Gopichand spent
restless days and sleepless nights. On the third day,
he chanced to pass by the side of the Sai Baba
Mandir constructed on the bank of Thungabhadra. In
his deep anguish and distressed state, he addressed
Sai, "people .say you are God, you possess vast
powers and that you come to the rescue of the
distressed If this is true, then come to my aid now
and see that my wife has a safe and painless delivery.
Then I will believe in your Omnipotence". So thinking
he wended his way to the hospital.
By the time he reached the hospital he found that his
wife had an easy and safe delivery. She gave birth to
a male child. A little later, when he met his wife in
the confinement room, she told him that an old man
with a beard and angarkha and a satka came and sat
on her bed and said "My dear child, don't worry, I
have come to give you relief. You will have a painless
delivery here and now". "So saying he applied Udi on
my forehead & made me dri&k water mixed with Udi.
No sooner did I drink the water than I delivered this
child. I have no pains now. I am now safe and alright."
Gopichand asked the time when the old man came
to her. She told him of the time. Gopichand was then
convinced that Sai appeared before his wife
immediately after he threw the challenge mentally
and was convinced of the Omnipotence of Lord Sai.
He mentally bowed and thanked Sai for the timely
succour given to his wife. The greatful father named
that child as Sai Baba. All those who knew him felt
the shock of this tremendous transformation.
Gopichand passed away a few years back, his son,
Sai Baba is now a grown up young man.
The spiritual history of India is replete with such
conversions and transformation. No body knows when
the grace of the Lord descends on man and effects
the transformation. Without His grace, no spiritual
progress can be achieved. It is because of overflowing
grace of Sainath that we have become His devotees.
Let us, therefore, strive hard to merit his grace and
progress further on the spiritual path till the goal of
self-realisation is reached.
Let me conclude with what Hemadpant says in his
"Sai Satcharita". "Baba's speech established its
efficacy or greatness while he was living in the flesh,
but wonder of wonders, it did the same even after his
passing. Baba said, "Believe me, though I pass
away, my bones in my tomb will give you hope and
confidence. Not only myself but my tomb would be
speaking, moving and communicating with those
who would surrender themselves wholeheartedly
to me. Do not be anxious that I would be absent
from you. You will hear my bones speaking and
discussing your welfare. But remember me always,
believe in me heart and soul and then you will be
most benefitted".
P. V. Satyanarayan Sastry B. A.
Retired Tahsildar, GUNTUR 1 (A. P.)
(Source Shri SaiLeela May 1975
this magazine can be read at www.saileelas.org
father was too well known as an athiest and he
continued to walk in the foot prints 'of his father. In
1954, he was working as Director of Publicity in the
Government of Andhra at Kurnool His wife was
admitted to the Govt. Hospital for confinement and it
was found to be a case of hard labour. Three days
passed and there was no relief, Gopichand spent
restless days and sleepless nights. On the third day,
he chanced to pass by the side of the Sai Baba
Mandir constructed on the bank of Thungabhadra. In
his deep anguish and distressed state, he addressed
Sai, "people .say you are God, you possess vast
powers and that you come to the rescue of the
distressed If this is true, then come to my aid now
and see that my wife has a safe and painless delivery.
Then I will believe in your Omnipotence". So thinking
he wended his way to the hospital.
By the time he reached the hospital he found that his
wife had an easy and safe delivery. She gave birth to
a male child. A little later, when he met his wife in
the confinement room, she told him that an old man
with a beard and angarkha and a satka came and sat
on her bed and said "My dear child, don't worry, I
have come to give you relief. You will have a painless
delivery here and now". "So saying he applied Udi on
my forehead & made me dri&k water mixed with Udi.
No sooner did I drink the water than I delivered this
child. I have no pains now. I am now safe and alright."
Gopichand asked the time when the old man came
to her. She told him of the time. Gopichand was then
convinced that Sai appeared before his wife
immediately after he threw the challenge mentally
and was convinced of the Omnipotence of Lord Sai.
He mentally bowed and thanked Sai for the timely
succour given to his wife. The greatful father named
that child as Sai Baba. All those who knew him felt
the shock of this tremendous transformation.
Gopichand passed away a few years back, his son,
Sai Baba is now a grown up young man.
The spiritual history of India is replete with such
conversions and transformation. No body knows when
the grace of the Lord descends on man and effects
the transformation. Without His grace, no spiritual
progress can be achieved. It is because of overflowing
grace of Sainath that we have become His devotees.
Let us, therefore, strive hard to merit his grace and
progress further on the spiritual path till the goal of
self-realisation is reached.
Let me conclude with what Hemadpant says in his
"Sai Satcharita". "Baba's speech established its
efficacy or greatness while he was living in the flesh,
but wonder of wonders, it did the same even after his
passing. Baba said, "Believe me, though I pass
away, my bones in my tomb will give you hope and
confidence. Not only myself but my tomb would be
speaking, moving and communicating with those
who would surrender themselves wholeheartedly
to me. Do not be anxious that I would be absent
from you. You will hear my bones speaking and
discussing your welfare. But remember me always,
believe in me heart and soul and then you will be
most benefitted".
P. V. Satyanarayan Sastry B. A.
Retired Tahsildar, GUNTUR 1 (A. P.)
(Source Shri SaiLeela May 1975
this magazine can be read at www.saileelas.org
Quiz on Chapter XII of Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XII
(Devotees are requested to read Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XII, translated by Gunaji before
attempting this quiz)
16) BABA ignored the request of Mr.Mule Sastri
and gave him ______ instead.
a) Udi b) Four plantains c) Mangoes d) blessings
17) “Take some Geru, we shall today don saffron
coloured cloth”. Baba said these words before
starting for _______
a) Dwarakamayi b) begging c) Lendi d) Rahata
18) ______ asked Mulesastri whether he would
accompany him for the Arati
a) Mr.Nimonkar b)Mr.Dixit c) Mr.Booty
d) Bapusaheb Jog
19) “Get some Dakshina from the New Brahmin”
who went to collect the Dakshina
a) Mr.Nanasaheb Nimonkar b)Mr.Booty
c) Mr.Chandorkar d) Bhausaheb Bhumal
20) The Doctor began a fast and absented himself
from the masjid resolving not to go there until
BABA blessed him. BABA blessed him on the
_____ day
a) seventh b) fourth c) tenth d) second
(Devotees are requested to read Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XII, translated by Gunaji before
attempting this quiz)
16) BABA ignored the request of Mr.Mule Sastri
and gave him ______ instead.
a) Udi b) Four plantains c) Mangoes d) blessings
17) “Take some Geru, we shall today don saffron
coloured cloth”. Baba said these words before
starting for _______
a) Dwarakamayi b) begging c) Lendi d) Rahata
18) ______ asked Mulesastri whether he would
accompany him for the Arati
a) Mr.Nimonkar b)Mr.Dixit c) Mr.Booty
d) Bapusaheb Jog
19) “Get some Dakshina from the New Brahmin”
who went to collect the Dakshina
a) Mr.Nanasaheb Nimonkar b)Mr.Booty
c) Mr.Chandorkar d) Bhausaheb Bhumal
20) The Doctor began a fast and absented himself
from the masjid resolving not to go there until
BABA blessed him. BABA blessed him on the
_____ day
a) seventh b) fourth c) tenth d) second
Quiz on Chapter XII of Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XII
(Devotees are requested to read Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XII, translated by Gunaji before
attempting this quiz)
11) Mrs. Nimonkar wanted to visit Belapur to see
her_______ who was sick
a) sister b) brother c) son d) uncle
12) Mrs.Nimonkar wanted to visit Belapur and
stay for few days, but her husband asked her
to return the next day, Baba gave permisson to
stay for _____ days
a) five b) six c) four d) ten
13) Mr.Mule Sastri was of the _________ Brahmin
Sect
a) Agnihotri b) Bharwadwaj c) Madhava d) Pandit
14) Mr.Mule Sastri belong to the ______
a) Ahmednagar b) Malegoan c) Nasik d) Rahata
15) Mr.Mulesastri as a ______ wanted to see
BABA _____
a) palmist, hand b) Astrologer, kundali
c) face reader, face clearly
d) Astroleger, Babas date of Birth
(Devotees are requested to read Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XII, translated by Gunaji before
attempting this quiz)
11) Mrs. Nimonkar wanted to visit Belapur to see
her_______ who was sick
a) sister b) brother c) son d) uncle
12) Mrs.Nimonkar wanted to visit Belapur and
stay for few days, but her husband asked her
to return the next day, Baba gave permisson to
stay for _____ days
a) five b) six c) four d) ten
13) Mr.Mule Sastri was of the _________ Brahmin
Sect
a) Agnihotri b) Bharwadwaj c) Madhava d) Pandit
14) Mr.Mule Sastri belong to the ______
a) Ahmednagar b) Malegoan c) Nasik d) Rahata
15) Mr.Mulesastri as a ______ wanted to see
BABA _____
a) palmist, hand b) Astrologer, kundali
c) face reader, face clearly
d) Astroleger, Babas date of Birth
Satsang Thought for the day
What Is Maturity ????????????
What is maturity ? Maturity is the ability to control
anger and settle differences without violence or
destruction. Maturity is patience. It is the willingness
to pass up immediate pleasure in favor of the
long-term gain. Maturity is perseverance, the ability
to sweat out a project or a situation in spite of heavy
opposition and discouraging set-backs. Maturity is
the capacity to face unpleasantness and frustration,
discomfort and defeat, without complaint or collapse.
Maturity is humility. It is being big enough to say,
"I was wrong." And,when right, the mature person
need not experience the satisfaction of saying, "I
told you so." Maturity is the ability to make a
decision and stand by it. The immature spend their
lives exploring endless possibilities; then they do
nothing. Maturity means dependability, keeping
one's word, coming through in a crisis. The
immature are mastersof the alibi. They are the
confused and the disorganized. Their lives are a
maze of broken promises, former friends,
unfinished business, and good intentions that
somehow never materialize. Maturity is the art
of living in peace with that which we cannot change,
the courage to change that which should be
changed -- and the wisdom to know the
difference.
What is maturity ? Maturity is the ability to control
anger and settle differences without violence or
destruction. Maturity is patience. It is the willingness
to pass up immediate pleasure in favor of the
long-term gain. Maturity is perseverance, the ability
to sweat out a project or a situation in spite of heavy
opposition and discouraging set-backs. Maturity is
the capacity to face unpleasantness and frustration,
discomfort and defeat, without complaint or collapse.
Maturity is humility. It is being big enough to say,
"I was wrong." And,when right, the mature person
need not experience the satisfaction of saying, "I
told you so." Maturity is the ability to make a
decision and stand by it. The immature spend their
lives exploring endless possibilities; then they do
nothing. Maturity means dependability, keeping
one's word, coming through in a crisis. The
immature are mastersof the alibi. They are the
confused and the disorganized. Their lives are a
maze of broken promises, former friends,
unfinished business, and good intentions that
somehow never materialize. Maturity is the art
of living in peace with that which we cannot change,
the courage to change that which should be
changed -- and the wisdom to know the
difference.
Satsang Wishing you all a very Happy and blessed New year
Prepare it one day at a time
out of these ingredients.
Mix well into each day
one part of faith,
one part of patience,
one part of courage,
and one part of work.
Add to each day
one part of hope,
faithfulness, generosity,
meditation, and one good deed.
Season the whole with a dash of
good spirits,
a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play,
and a cupful of good humor.
Pour all of this into a vessel of love.
Cook thoroughly over radiant joy,
garnish with a smile,
and serve with quietness,
unselfishness,
and cheerfulness.
Have a blessed New year!!!!
Wishing you and your family a very
Happy New year with lots of good luck,
joy, success and good health along with
Sai's grace and blessings...
Sai bhakt,
Deepa H
out of these ingredients.
Mix well into each day
one part of faith,
one part of patience,
one part of courage,
and one part of work.
Add to each day
one part of hope,
faithfulness, generosity,
meditation, and one good deed.
Season the whole with a dash of
good spirits,
a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play,
and a cupful of good humor.
Pour all of this into a vessel of love.
Cook thoroughly over radiant joy,
garnish with a smile,
and serve with quietness,
unselfishness,
and cheerfulness.
Have a blessed New year!!!!
Wishing you and your family a very
Happy New year with lots of good luck,
joy, success and good health along with
Sai's grace and blessings...
Sai bhakt,
Deepa H
Thursday, January 18, 2007
"SAI ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE" by P. V. Satyanarayan Sastry B. A.
"SAI ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE"
The devotees could never approach Baba unless he
meant to receive them If their turn did not come,
Baba did riot remember them. ('SRI SAI SATCHARITA')
Saint Purandaradas is a household name in South India.
He is the grand father of Karnatac Music, while Saint
Thyaga-raju is considered the father of that form of
music.
The original name of Purandaradas was Srinivas Nayakar.
!-'He-was a multi-millionaire carrying on business in gold
and diamonds. He was a confirmed miser. He spent his
life in business and never for a second, thought of God.
By the accumulation of merit of many previous births, his
turn for acceptance by the Lord came. Panduranga (Vithal)
of Pandharapur came to him, one day, as a Brahmin and
requested him for charity for performing the marriage of his
daughter. Srinivas asked him to come the next day. When
the Brahmin turned up the next day, Srinivas asked him to
come on the morrow. Thus the Brahmin was made to
come daily to Srinivas for six months. The Brahmin at last
approached the wife of Srinivas and told her of his plight.
The generous- wife presented the Brahmin with her
diamond nose-ring worth some thousands of rupees. The
Brahmin took the nosering to Srmivas and offered it for
sale. Srinivas immediately recognised it as his wife's
and striking the bargain asked the Brahmin to-come the
next day for the-money. He kept the nosering in- his
iron safe and locked it up and went home and asked
his wife for the-nose-ring. The wife, who knew the
temperament of her husband, went inside a room and
wanted to end her life by taking diamond poison.
Accordingly she prepared the poison and was on the
point of swallowing'it, when Loj something fell into the
cup making sound. when she put her hand into the cup
she found her own nose-ring. Tears of gratitude flowed
from her eyes profusely and she heartily thanked the
Lord for the timely succour. She took the nose-ring
and gave it to her husband. The husband was frightened.
He immediately ran to his shop, opened the iron safe and
found the nose-ring missing. He was all the more dumb
founded. He went home and asked his wife to tell the
truth. The wife narrated everything in detail. The mental
eye of Srinivas was opened. He now realised that the
Lord himself came in the form of the Brahmin to redeem
him. He recollected how he spent this precious human
life in fleeting pleasures of the flesh and money. He was
now a changed man by the grace of the Lord. He gave
away his enormous wealth in charity to the poor and
became a begger. He, with his wife, wandered from
place to place singing the glory of Lord Vithal living
on a begger's food. He brought the Lord numerous
homes and created spiritual atmosphere wherever he
went. He occupies a prominent place in the galaxy of
the devotees of Lord Panduranga (Vithal.)
Balasaheb Bhate spent his life even as a student in a
wild manner. He was a confirmed "Charvaka" (atheist)
having the motto "Eat, drink and make merry for,
tomorrow we may die" which happens to be the essence
of Charvaka Philosophy. He became, in course of time,
the Mamlatdar of Kopergoan and earned the reputation
of an honest and efficient officer. He was loved by the
English Collectors and Commissioners of the day. Several
friends of his, became devotees of Sainath. On their way
to Shirdi, they used to stay with Bhate for the night or for
a day. Bhate used to scoff at them for their devotion to
Sai. The friends used to remonstrate. "If you only go to
Sai, you will come to know what he is. Without seeing
Him, without knowing Him, why should you criticise Sai
and laugh at us". Bhate never took their remonstrances
seriously and indulged in reveling i>ai and His devotees
whenever an opportunity afforded. Things were going on
like this for some-time, turing the course of his official
tour of his Taluq, Bhate once happened to camp at
Shirdi. Out of curiosity, with no serious purpose, he
went to Dwaraka Mayi and sat before Sai. Sai, all of a
sudden, covered his head with cloth. Bhate was at
once transformed. All his vasanas and .samskaras
(uatencies) were completely eradicated. He became a
devotee of Baba and spent his life at the feet of Baba.
As one affected by religious melancholia, he was
prematurely retired and granted a pension by the then
ruling Britishers. It is this Bhate that argued with
Hemadpant of pre-destination as against free will.
Bhate performed the obsequies of Baba along with
Upasani Baba, after his Mahasamadhi. Every friend
and acquaintance of Bhate was surprised at the
transformation of this virtual Char-vaka into a great
and staunch devotee of Baba. This transformation
took place while Baba was in his mortal soil Baba
similarly effected transformation in the case of a
confirmed atheist some thirty six years after his
Mahasamadhi.
(to be contd....)
P. V. Satyanarayan Sastry B. A.
Retired Tahsildar, GUNTUR 1 (A. P.)
(Source Shri SaiLeela May 1975
this magazine can be read at www.saileelas.org
The devotees could never approach Baba unless he
meant to receive them If their turn did not come,
Baba did riot remember them. ('SRI SAI SATCHARITA')
Saint Purandaradas is a household name in South India.
He is the grand father of Karnatac Music, while Saint
Thyaga-raju is considered the father of that form of
music.
The original name of Purandaradas was Srinivas Nayakar.
!-'He-was a multi-millionaire carrying on business in gold
and diamonds. He was a confirmed miser. He spent his
life in business and never for a second, thought of God.
By the accumulation of merit of many previous births, his
turn for acceptance by the Lord came. Panduranga (Vithal)
of Pandharapur came to him, one day, as a Brahmin and
requested him for charity for performing the marriage of his
daughter. Srinivas asked him to come the next day. When
the Brahmin turned up the next day, Srinivas asked him to
come on the morrow. Thus the Brahmin was made to
come daily to Srinivas for six months. The Brahmin at last
approached the wife of Srinivas and told her of his plight.
The generous- wife presented the Brahmin with her
diamond nose-ring worth some thousands of rupees. The
Brahmin took the nosering to Srmivas and offered it for
sale. Srinivas immediately recognised it as his wife's
and striking the bargain asked the Brahmin to-come the
next day for the-money. He kept the nosering in- his
iron safe and locked it up and went home and asked
his wife for the-nose-ring. The wife, who knew the
temperament of her husband, went inside a room and
wanted to end her life by taking diamond poison.
Accordingly she prepared the poison and was on the
point of swallowing'it, when Loj something fell into the
cup making sound. when she put her hand into the cup
she found her own nose-ring. Tears of gratitude flowed
from her eyes profusely and she heartily thanked the
Lord for the timely succour. She took the nose-ring
and gave it to her husband. The husband was frightened.
He immediately ran to his shop, opened the iron safe and
found the nose-ring missing. He was all the more dumb
founded. He went home and asked his wife to tell the
truth. The wife narrated everything in detail. The mental
eye of Srinivas was opened. He now realised that the
Lord himself came in the form of the Brahmin to redeem
him. He recollected how he spent this precious human
life in fleeting pleasures of the flesh and money. He was
now a changed man by the grace of the Lord. He gave
away his enormous wealth in charity to the poor and
became a begger. He, with his wife, wandered from
place to place singing the glory of Lord Vithal living
on a begger's food. He brought the Lord numerous
homes and created spiritual atmosphere wherever he
went. He occupies a prominent place in the galaxy of
the devotees of Lord Panduranga (Vithal.)
Balasaheb Bhate spent his life even as a student in a
wild manner. He was a confirmed "Charvaka" (atheist)
having the motto "Eat, drink and make merry for,
tomorrow we may die" which happens to be the essence
of Charvaka Philosophy. He became, in course of time,
the Mamlatdar of Kopergoan and earned the reputation
of an honest and efficient officer. He was loved by the
English Collectors and Commissioners of the day. Several
friends of his, became devotees of Sainath. On their way
to Shirdi, they used to stay with Bhate for the night or for
a day. Bhate used to scoff at them for their devotion to
Sai. The friends used to remonstrate. "If you only go to
Sai, you will come to know what he is. Without seeing
Him, without knowing Him, why should you criticise Sai
and laugh at us". Bhate never took their remonstrances
seriously and indulged in reveling i>ai and His devotees
whenever an opportunity afforded. Things were going on
like this for some-time, turing the course of his official
tour of his Taluq, Bhate once happened to camp at
Shirdi. Out of curiosity, with no serious purpose, he
went to Dwaraka Mayi and sat before Sai. Sai, all of a
sudden, covered his head with cloth. Bhate was at
once transformed. All his vasanas and .samskaras
(uatencies) were completely eradicated. He became a
devotee of Baba and spent his life at the feet of Baba.
As one affected by religious melancholia, he was
prematurely retired and granted a pension by the then
ruling Britishers. It is this Bhate that argued with
Hemadpant of pre-destination as against free will.
Bhate performed the obsequies of Baba along with
Upasani Baba, after his Mahasamadhi. Every friend
and acquaintance of Bhate was surprised at the
transformation of this virtual Char-vaka into a great
and staunch devotee of Baba. This transformation
took place while Baba was in his mortal soil Baba
similarly effected transformation in the case of a
confirmed atheist some thirty six years after his
Mahasamadhi.
(to be contd....)
P. V. Satyanarayan Sastry B. A.
Retired Tahsildar, GUNTUR 1 (A. P.)
(Source Shri SaiLeela May 1975
this magazine can be read at www.saileelas.org
Satsang In The Vision of Sai
In The Vision of Sai
By Shyamala A.K. Bhombore
We were at Shirdi on the 20th October 1988, to
participate in the 'punya thithi' festival of Sai Maharaj.
We stayed on in the Samadhi Mandir to enjoy Sai-bliss
and take part in all the programmes going on. In the
early hours of 21st morning we had to leave Shirdi for
Bombay. At 3 a.m. we took leave of Sai Baba and left
for the bus stand to catch the bus to Manmad, to
catch the Panchavati Express for Bombay.
We had a dilemma as we started for the bus stand. We
had five packages to be carried and at those early hours
on the main road, we could not locate any porter too. I
did not know what to do except cry for Sai's help.
Sai-grace is open to all those who knock at his door. Soon
we could see a middle aged man dressed in white coming
towards us. We took him for a porter and sought his help
to carry our baggages. He bluntly refused to do so as he
is not a coolly but a flower vendor.
I virtually pleaded with him to help us out of this
predicament at least by locating a porter for us and
we moved towards the bus stand. Even before we had
moved a few yards, he had a change of heart and
asked us to hand him all the luggages. He carried
them on his head and shoulders and moved towards
the Bus Station. We were half way through and saw
a bus coming out of the stand. Our good friend
stopped the bus and asked us to get in saying that
it was bound for Manmad. He helped us keeping the
luggage inside the bus too. He refused to accept any
money for the benevolent services he rendered us.
He took leave of us with a smile and assured us that
our journey would be pleasant. Indeed it was Sai Baba
who gave his darshan to us and blessed us.
(Source Saipadananda April 1989)
By Shyamala A.K. Bhombore
We were at Shirdi on the 20th October 1988, to
participate in the 'punya thithi' festival of Sai Maharaj.
We stayed on in the Samadhi Mandir to enjoy Sai-bliss
and take part in all the programmes going on. In the
early hours of 21st morning we had to leave Shirdi for
Bombay. At 3 a.m. we took leave of Sai Baba and left
for the bus stand to catch the bus to Manmad, to
catch the Panchavati Express for Bombay.
We had a dilemma as we started for the bus stand. We
had five packages to be carried and at those early hours
on the main road, we could not locate any porter too. I
did not know what to do except cry for Sai's help.
Sai-grace is open to all those who knock at his door. Soon
we could see a middle aged man dressed in white coming
towards us. We took him for a porter and sought his help
to carry our baggages. He bluntly refused to do so as he
is not a coolly but a flower vendor.
I virtually pleaded with him to help us out of this
predicament at least by locating a porter for us and
we moved towards the bus stand. Even before we had
moved a few yards, he had a change of heart and
asked us to hand him all the luggages. He carried
them on his head and shoulders and moved towards
the Bus Station. We were half way through and saw
a bus coming out of the stand. Our good friend
stopped the bus and asked us to get in saying that
it was bound for Manmad. He helped us keeping the
luggage inside the bus too. He refused to accept any
money for the benevolent services he rendered us.
He took leave of us with a smile and assured us that
our journey would be pleasant. Indeed it was Sai Baba
who gave his darshan to us and blessed us.
(Source Saipadananda April 1989)
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