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Sai Vichaar 01.Feature of the Week 02.Contributed Article 03.Experiences of Devotees 04.Devotees Say 05.Sai Activities 06.Prayer Club 07.Quote of the Week 08.Question of the Week 09.Subscribe to Sai Vichaar 10.Email Newsletter to a friend 11.Submit Articles to Sai Vichaar 12.Un-Subscribe Sai Vichaar 13.From the Editor's Keyboard 14.Disclaimer From the Editor's Keyboard... In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember the global nature of Sai Vichaar readership. Therefore, the content, language, style and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership will be more rewarding and fulfilling. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately. The "Question of the week" for this week is The Post Script to Chapter 15 of Sri Sai Satcharitha states that those those who respectfully read this Chapter or study it daily, will get all the miseries removed by the grace of the Sadguru Sai Baba. What is the significance of this chapter? Humbly Yours, The Editor
Disclaimer Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadhguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or saibaba.org is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
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Feature of the week:
Maha Samadhi
Every incarnation has an end. The supreme power that manifests itself in a physical form has to follow certain temporal rules and Sadguru Sai Baba's mortal form came to an end on Vijayadashami day, a Tuesday, the 15th day of October 1918. The day was also significant for other reasons; Moharram and Buddha Jayanthi, two important occasions for the people of Islamic and Buddhist faith, were observed on the same day. The day resulted in an enormous grief for the followers of Sai Baba who had the divine fortune of living with Him for several years. These included Bhagoji Shinde, Mhalsapathi, Madhavrao Deshpande, Nana Chandorkar, Booty, Laxmi Bhai, and Tatya. Sai Baba's mortal remains were placed in Booty's bhavan, which was initially constructed for as a temple for Murlidhar, and Sai Krishna has Himself become Murlidhar. During His last moments, Sai Baba in His own characteristic way demonstrated the virtues of devotion, sacrifice and faith. His emphasis on devotion came through His charity to Laxmi Bhai, a devout soul who was with the Sadguru when the end came. Sai Baba gave Laxmi Bhai, nine coins symbolizing nine forms of devotion, Shravana (hearing) , Keerthana (praying), Smarana (remembering), Padasevana (resorting to His feet), Archana (worship), Namaskara (bowing), Dasya (service), Sakhyatha (friendship), and Atmanivedana (surrender of the self). Sai Baba always mentioned that if any of the above is faithfully followed, God will be pleased. It is also believed that Sai Baba had sacrificed His life for Ramachandra Dada and Tatya Patil two devotees who fell ill at the same time as Baba's passing away. While Ramachandra Dada got well a few days prior to Vijayadashami, Tatya's condition grew worse. As Vijayadashami dawned, Tatya's pulse became weaker and he was expected to pass away very shortly. Truly inscrutable His ways are, Tatya became all right but Sadguru Sainath's physical form came to an end. By averting the death of His devotees, Sai has proved that it is the duty of the Lord to protect the devout. The virtue of sacrifice is stressed similarly in the life of Jesus Christ, who sacrificed His life for His followers. Shri Hemadpanth wrote in Sai Satcharitra (Ch. 42) ... ...next morning (16th October 1918) Baba appeared to Das Ganu at Pandharpur in his dream and said to him - "The Masjid collapsed, all the oilmen and grocers of Shirdi teased me a lot, so I left the place. I therefore came to inform you here, please go there quickly and cover me with 'Bhakkal' flowers." Das Ganu got the information also from Shirdi letters. So he came to Shirdi with his disciples and started bhajan and kirtan and sang Lord's name, all day before Baba's samadhi. Sagun form is the most convenient form of worship since human being can relate to an existing physical entity. However, Sai Baba always said that God exists everywhere and in every being. To emphasize this fact, Sainath appeared in the dreams of Das Ganu and directed to His devotees to have faith in His words and see Him even after His physical end. The words of Sainath is so true that even today, His presence is felt in Shirdi and seven seas across by anyone who has faith. Thus, Mahasamadhi is the day for the devotees of Sainath to remember His teachings on virtues of devotion, sacrifice, and faith.
Contributed Article: Sri Sai's attitude towards reading and self-enquiry
Saibaba appears to have understood that the literary forms are only a focus for the underlying truths that are not nearly so susceptible to ethnic and religious pigeonholes. At one time, pupils at Shirdi were in the habit of approaching Saibaba with books that each found inspiring. The objective was to obtain his blessings in their studies. On one of these occasions a visitor came empty handed. The others expected the adept to rebuke this man, but instead Saibaba gave him an expansive smile and told him that he was wise - since wisdom could not be assimilated even by reading many pages of the scriptures. True wisdom was concealed in one's own atman. Even in respect of understanding meditation, one must first understand the meditator. The human psychology is a mass of contradictions and conflicts he stressed - how then can a man assimilate anything from outside? The impressions of such a confused and un-integrated psychology would inevitably be unreliable.
"We have only to see the Self and the rest becomes revealed" he is reported to have said on another occasion. But it is apparent that he considered this to be a rare event. Hence he repeatedly urged some of his pupils, probably the more attentive ones, to: Think always about this question - Who am I?
This stress on vichar (self-enquiry) did not mean any neglect of the teacher, as is sometimes thought by persons intent upon self-remembering. The essential emphasis in Saibaba's verbal injunctions was the need for rapport with the teacher. The living potency of his baraka (blessing) was the proof here, something stronger than scriptures or dogmas. Pupils found that stray remarks of his caused an impact out of all proportion to a pedantic analysis of his words. One sentence from Saibaba was enough to acutely affect someone's life for days, weeks, or even months and years on end. His words might sting or they might heal; none could predict what would come.
His words might be in the form of an instruction, something which had to be carried out no mater what if the pupil wished to continue further. This might well involve the elimination of an undesirable personal trait, or the elimination of a new and more desirable one - although this would not be explicit in the order given. It might be something which appeared to have no connection at all with the "spiritual life" as normally understood. It is this concrete application to life events which distinguishes the real teacher, something quite apart from standard religio-mystical attitudes.
Sandhya Ravinder Walia On that summer night when water cooler was running at full throttle, time was around mid-night I was in deep sleep. I had a vision. A person in his late thirties, about 6 feet tall sound built, trimmed black beard, wearing white robe came to me and woke me up telling that; " get up & see, some body is stealing your car". I got up instantly without thinking who woke me up, and walked to the balcony. I saw the car (Maruti 800) was where it was supposed to be. There was deep silence in the atmosphere. All lights were off, except streetlights. I thought it must have been a bad dream. There was cool air blowing. I felt a need to inhale some fresh air before returning to the bed. As I was standing there; I saw a young man in his early twenties, slim built, wearing jeans appeared on the corner of our quarters lane. My first impression was that he might be a guest or boy returning from late night film, going to some quarter in the front lane. As he was heading in that direction, he suddenly stopped by my car that was almost in the middle of the lane. I saw him touching the driver side front door window; I shouted "thief", "thief", "thief". He ran back through the gate he entered. My wife and daughter too got up and we all came down and saw the driver side door glass about one inch down. Nobody but a professional thief can pull the secured glass down by slight touch. As I was climbing stairs back to the bedroom, I was thinking who woke me up. Who is so concerned about my very little material possession and me? If "HE" he is so caring about my possession and me; should I stop worrying about things and seek "HIM". But, being a human, these good thoughts of seeking "HIM" kept playing hide and seek. I never gave a serious thought expect extending my due reverence when ever and where ever possible. Can U tell me; who "HE" was? To be honest I am not the greatest Sai Bhakat. But I have firm belief that there is some energy out there that runs the universe at its extended and quantum level so perfectly. I used to visit Lodhi Road Sai Temple on and off, during my stay in New Delhi (1995 to 2002). I have never been to Shirdi, and I have never read Shri Sai Satcharitra. But, lately I have been experiencing a pull towards Sai baba. Let us see, where he takes me!!!
Prakash Banu Devotee Amruthia Prasad Devotee Devotee Devotee Devotee Devotee Devotee Vasudevan Devotee Suneel Bhakt
Quotation of the Week:
"I am not confined to these three and a half cubits of body."-Sri Saibaba
What is the significance of chapter 15 of Sri Sai Satcharitha? A. by Devotee This chapter narrates a beautiful story of one Mr. Cholkar, a poor man who had a large family to look after and very limited source of income. Such a person, overpowered by his adverse circumstances was one day, listening to Das Ganu maharaj's kirtan. He was so absorbed in the personage of Sai Baba as was being discoursed by Das Ganu, that he then and there mentally took a vow that he would distribute sugar candy in Baba's name, should he pass the departmental exam and get a permanent post. It does happen that many a times, when one is overcome by anxiety and calamities, a small knock of help on that person's door provides one with a great hope and relief. Baba rescued his devotees and freed them from their troubles and anxieties either by giving them visions, talking to them by appearing in their dreams and giving them proper directions and guidance about their lives, or taking any form and appearing before them. Other methods in which Sai Baba dragged his devotees to Him was by creating interest in His stories, His actions and His way of life. This is what happened in Mr Cholkar's case. True to his word and vow, Mr. Cholkar stopped using sugar in his diet to save money as expenses for his Shirdi trip. And when he went to Shirdi for fulfillment of his vow, thanked Baba and fell at His feet to express gratitude and distributed sugar candy in His name, Baba knew of his devotee's determination and sincerity and asked Bapusaheb Jog to give his guest "cups of tea fully saturated with sugar". These words moved Mr. Cholkar and brought tears in his eyes. Only Baba and he knew about his secret determination not to use sugar in his tea until his vow was fulfilled. These words were very touching and strengthened Mr. Cholkar's faith in Baba. Quoted from Sri Sai Satcharita - "If you spread your palms with devotion before Me, I am immediately with you, day and night. Though, I am here bodily, still I know what you do; beyond the saven seas. Go wherever you will, over the wide world, I am with you. My abode is in your heart and I am within you. Always worship Me, Who is seated in your heart, as well as, in the hearts of all beings, Blessed and fortunate, indeed, is he who knows Me thus." This story shows that Baba's answer or help is in immediate response to the devotee's intention, faith, resoluteness and sincerity. For those who believe in Him and love Him, there's nothing hidden from Him. He is our best friend who is constantly listening, watching, talking to us through our own feelings, thoughts and instincts.
Navarathri and Punyatithi Celebrations in Chicago - Oct 7th to Oct 9th Sri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, MN Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas Shirdi Sai Temple of New England, Boston Area Shirdi Sai Center in Bay Area, CA Shirdi Saibaba temple, Los Angeles, CA Saibaba Temple, Columbus, Ohio Shirdi Sai bhajans every Thursday at Maitland, Florida Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Austin, TX Shirdi Sai Mandir, Dulles, VA Shirdi Sai Mandir, Toronto
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