The very premise of worshipping a Sadhguru or a Perfect Master is termed 'Bhakti'. The two major attributes of Bhakti, as defined by our Master Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi, are faith (Shraddha) and Saburi (Patience). The history of different Bhakti movements has shown us that the maintenance of steadfast faith in the Master is 'Perhaps' easier when He is in a bodily form and not as easy when He has left His body. That is so because a Master in a human form can communicate and carry on with His numerous visible activities over and above His subtle and invisible activities. When in a bodily form, the Sadhguru can be communicated with by the devotees through the different cognitive instruments of their body (ear, eyes, mouth etc.) but the same is not possible with the Master's statue, photograph or painting. Those devotees who, during the period of human embodiment of the Master evolve spiritually and establish a system of subtle mental communication with the Master (even when physically away from the Master), don't find it difficult to communicate with Him even after His taking Samadhi. However, those devotees who did not evolve when the Master was there or had never seen, heard, touched or smelt the Masters body or items (through the use of their gross physical instruments), find it difficult to maintain their devotion and faith as steadfastly as before, once the Master left His body. Gradually there is a possibility of their devotion and concentration on the form of the Master getting affected. The devotees usually get what can be termed, as a 'spiritual feeding' or 'spiritual vitalization' when in the presence of the Master. Once His body enters the tomb (Samadhi), they worship the tomb not because of its aesthetic value but because underneath the tomb lies the body of the Master whom they continue to love.

For devotees born after the Samadhi of the Master, it is a different issue altogether. Their devotion emanates from the knowledge they get or receive from old and experienced devotees. They also get lots of information from the print media (books, magazines etc.) and audiovisual media (Movies, T.V., Radio etc.) about the divine personality and qualities of the Master. Today, they can get the requisite information through the medium of the internet. Thus when they start following a Master, they read the available literature on Him, ask questions about Him, participate in discussions about Him. Once influenced by His superior divine and humane qualities, they start worshipping Him. In this process, they establish a mental and emotional connectivity with the omnipotent spirit of the Master and also realize that the spirit of the Master can guide them in the path of spiritual evolution and protect them from worldly miseries.

However, there is one school of thought which posits that a Sadhguru in a mortal form alone can guide and protect His devotees. Once a Sadhguru leaves His body, he cannot actively help His devotees. Therefore, they insist on following, what they call a "living Sadhguru".

Let us take the case of our Master Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi. Before leaving His body, Baba gave certain assurances to His devotees in unequivocal terms, popularly known as the eleven sayings (Gyarah Vachan) of Baba. The gist of these eleven sayings is that, Baba will protect and guide His devotees (old or new) from His Samadhi, where His body is entombed. Once when in a mood of divine ecstasy, Baba made a forecast to a group of devotees that in the future, Shirdi would be visited by an un-imaginable number of devotees - both big and small- and they would make a bee-line to His tomb and also that He would be present in 'Guli-Guli' (correct pronunciation Gali- Gali in Hindi which means 'every lane'). Let us examine whether Baba's forecasts have come true ninety years after His Samadhi (1918 to 2008).

During the last 90 years and particularly during the last 20 years or so, the spread of the name and fame of Sai Baba and the increase in the number of His devotees is phenomenal. There has been a mushrooming growth of temples and other related activities (medical, educational, social and religious) in the name of Baba all over the country. The number of books, magazines, souvenirs etc. created exclusively for spreading the name and preaching of Baba in different Indian and foreign languages is too numerous to be listed herein. Not only are hundreds of new temples coming up all over the globe, but also in many existing temple complexes, His statues and images are being consecrated. Various audiovisual media such as Television channels, internets etc. are regularly displaying various facets of His life and His preaching. Many devotees are experiencing His kind divine interventions in times of distress as a result of their prayers. This 'Sai Movement' is an intensely dynamic process that is flowering and prospering day by day.

This naturally leads to the belief that a Sadhguru or a Perfect Master is as potent without a body as He is with it. Therefore, the devotees of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi do not have to lament that they could not experience the physical presence or the divine activities of the Master when He was in His mortal embodiment. He is omnipresent and omnipotent and the mere lack of a physical manifestation of His power need not make His devotees lose faith and hope. This is what Baba said and this is what we should follow.

In closing, on this New Year, I pray Shri Sainath Maharaj to bless the millions of His devotees, grant them health and happiness and lead them on the path of spiritual evolution.

(Message by Shri C.B.Satpathy)
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Contributed Article: Time for Resolutions

It is that time of the year when new resolutions are made at the onset of the new year. Each persons resolution is different and as varied as their uniqueness. A lot of resolutions are made to be broken or forgotten after a few tries or few weeks. Life goes on and in front of the challenges and changes it brings many get lost. It is only the resolute and strong willed people who never forget their goals and resolutions of their life. To hang on to one's resolve against all odds requires absoulte faith and patience. Yes those two coins our Master so dearly prescribes for everyone. Evolving these traits in ones life automatically raises ones confidence and their ability to go after their resolve at all costs. If you are among the countless ones who makes resolutions at this time, then this new year make another resolution not to deter your faith in Shri Sai at any cost fully aware of the fact that both the faith and resolve would be tested to its fullest. Only those with undying faith in the Master can seek his blessings and attain what we all long for internally.
(Contributed by Sai Vichaar team)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Devotee
Whatever wrong we have done knowingly or unknowingly in our life, we have to pay for it. If we surrender ourselves to Sai Baba, he will give us courage to untoward and its affect would get lessen.

Reading Chapter 15 daily or listening to it, means complete surrender to Satchitanand Sai, because whatever we do; good or bad is as per His permission only and we have to sow what we reap.

Usha
Dear Members of Sai Vichaar, Sai Ram, Thank you so much for bringing the weekly Sai newsletter regularly and sending me a copy of it every Thursday. I feel it a blessing of the beloved Lord. May the Almighty Lord Sai always shower His Divine blessing on you all and also on all His dear devotees. Sai Ram !

Prashanth
We recently visited Shirdi form 21st Dec to 23rd Dec. Because we reached late on 21st, we could not make it to Kakad arathi on the 22nd. During the day, there was a lot of crowd for the Madhyan arathi as well. However, Baba gave us strength so that my father who is 66 yrs old and a diabetic with Renal problem and our 11 month old daughter could wait in the queue and make it. Even for the evening arathi, we stood in line but it happened to be that for Darshan so we were sent out after the darshan and we had to enjoy the Dhoop arathi outside near Gurusthan. The PRO office was closed and we could not get a pass for the Dhoop arathi as it was difficult for us otherwise. Since everyone was very tired, we decided that we would come to the kakad arathi around 4:00am on the 23rd and enjoy the kakad arathi near the Gurusthan rather than wait in line from midnight. As we were walking from our hotel to the mandir, my father stopped to drink some hot coffee at a roadside vendor. The "Utao Utao" song had just started. My mother picked up a conversation with a stranger at the coffee place and it so happened that he was a great donor also from Bangalore like us. He said that he could get us into the mandir if we were interested since he was a donor. All five of us ran with him to enter the mandir just in the nick of time before the Kakad arathi started. We had tears of joy due to happiness. Even till now, we cannot comprehend how Baba arranged all this so effortlessly and satisfied the "Mano kamanas" of his Bhaktas. Words cant describe his kindness and grace. As always, the specialty of every Shirdi trip is that Baba invites us and meticulously plans for our well being.

Pradip koirala
It may be unbeleivable to many. But it happend in my house during Kakad arati some six years ago. Baba gave me instruction to do all the arati in my house eight years before . I have followed this instruction of Baba. We are doing all Kakad, Madyani,Dhoop arati and also Shez arati of Baba in our house in Marathi language. Every day, after arati , i used to give bath to baba. Six years before, It was Saturday and on saturdays, I used to clad red dress after giving bath. Now I can sing all the aratis myself. But at that time, I used to sing together with the computer. My computer was behind me singing the Kakad arati and i was following the computer. I was holding Babas white Marble Murti in my hand and giving bath. After cleaning Baba after bath, i put the red dress in his body. That red dress was little bit shorter. kakad arati in my computer was almost at the end. The computer was behind me. I put the white marble murti in a thali, the dress on the murti was not arranged. More over, as the dress was shorter to his body, it needed a careful wearing. I stood up and clicked the computer to stop it as Kakad arati was complete. when i sat to nicely arrange the unarranged red dress in his white marble body which was in thali, It was astounding that Baba himself arranged his dress which is little shorter to his body. I was choked with emotion and cried a lot. I then called my wife and showed her. That dress is now kept in a box as Babas prasad. Who says then Baba is not living?

Devotee
It so happened that on Monday I wanted to buy an idol of baba made of marble polish a bit bigger in size from a shop where I had seen it some weeks ago. But when I went there to buy it was sold, but somehow I knew the owner would find me another one, I was obstinate that I wanted that idol at my home anyways.

He asked me to come on Wednesday and was also asking a higher price , I was not agreeing in the beginning but on Wednesday when I saw the same idol I knew it was for me . I asked the price he was stubborn that he would not reduce the price. Finally I agreed and bought the idol home and all the way I was thinking that I should have bargained as its only because of Baba that I have everything with me and I got the idol home. When my husband came back home, he gave me a good news saying that got his salary today with a very small amount being cut as tax and has received salary which he never thought of. I was so stunned and I knew it was Saimaa and nothing else. His grace is only for his devotees. Baba,thank you once again.
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Devotees say...

Devotee
Devotees, having complete faith(shradha) and patience(saburi) in baba's lotus feet will take you through.Thats what baba said follow when he was in his mortal body. Just follow this and rest baba will guide you through. Hey prabhau please take care of my kutumb and all your devotees. I love you my father.

Devotee
Mental purification is essence to our effort to progress in reaching the lotus feet of Almighty i.e Baba. Mortals like us should put conscious and strong will to over come our vanity, jealousy and lust etc. It is not one day, not one year, not one birth but a continuous improvement in our day to day living.it should become part and parcel of life life breathing. This needs supporting, kind hand like Baba's.that require poorva punya or virtues

Kumar
It is very sad to see how people ask for things like give me course waiver, give me more money, get me green card, get me h1 type of blessings. Looks like we are trading with God. God give me this; I will offer you prayer... I keep reading this list every week and I feel sad at how people ask all these wishes. No one asks for the well being of their country or state or any such noble causes.

Devotee
Last week on thursday i was so upset and felt so helpless that as soon as I thought of baba and I sat and opened my email the first mail was from saibaba org and it was the news letter. As soon as I said my prayer to Baba what my problem was felt so small and what I was blamed for was found in the clients bag I thank baba for that.
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Prayer Club:

Baba's devotee
Only with your blessings, that me and my family had the wonderful chance to visit your holy shrine. We are all really grateful to Baba. We all came specially to pray for my son to fall at your feet and submit our humble request. Baba I know that we are blessed and you are surely with my son day and night through his treatment. I asked him to have the Udi daily. One more wish is to come to your holy land with my son. Bless my son to cure completely and to come with my family there and to sing your kirtans. Baba please fulfill my wish very soon.

Savithri
I request all sai devotees in the prayer club to pray for me as I am having pain in my right side chest since yeserday evening and now also it is there. The pain is more. I request all sai devotees in the prayer club to pray for me to relieve me from this pain immediately.

Devotee
Dear Sai Ram,, With your blessings we got payment from gujarat customer. You know all the problems we are facing. Now they are putting pressure on us, and we are not having sufficient funds, we are hot having much people on hand to start the work. Now you only have to solve our company from this problem baba. Now my sir is not here to tackle the situation so i know that you will help me to solve from this problem. Please baba help our company to come out of these problems successfully to grow further baba.

Sachin
Om shri sai nathaya namah.You know me Sai from so many years. You know me what kind of person I am. Then why are you taking such a long PRATIKSHA. Iam your little child baba, please help me at every corner of my life be it good or bad. I don not know why my name is getting spoiled without any reason. Is this the reward I should get after doing such good Karmas? Please show me the right path and please stop all this thing which is happening with me. Om sai ram.

Devotee
Dear Sai Baba, I never thought that I need to write a request again. But it happend, may be this is purely because of my misfortune or lack of "Sraddha" and "Saboori". Again I need your support, I need not to spell the challenges I have, you know them better than me. How deep the problems are just solve them for me to wards for my benefit. Let me have peace of mind to concentrate on betterment. Thanks Baba.

Debarchan
Baba, please help me in this situation. I solely depend on you. I left everything on your feet. Baba I suffered a lot from past one and half year. Baba I am really very sorry for all my mistakes. Baba, please guide me and give me the right path. Baba I love a lot in this world. Please forgive me and help me. You know everything about my problem. I can not without your bless. Please bless me and remove all my tension. I beg myself in your feet for whole life. Please Baba, show me a miracle. Lot of questions in my mind why I am not able to lead a peaceful life after did everything for everybody. Baba please tell me where is my mistake.
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Quotation of the Week:

"Without Saints grace there is no knowledge. Intellect and renunciation take one closer to God."-Shri Sai Satcharita
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Question of the Week:

Purification of mind is absolute necessity for the spiritual growth..

A.) by Ravi

Purification mind is required to conquer the mind. Once we conquer our mind it is just like any other part in our body. We can adjust to any environment that surrounds us with a conquered mind. Sai Baba's life is a good example of a saint who had total control over his mind. So how do we purify our mind? I think Renunciation, self-sacrifice, love and forgiveness is the answer. Even though it is very easy to put it in words, it is very difficult to follow these here in USA. Adding to that, we don't have a framework to work on mastering these skills. Only through practice can we achieve this goal to purify the mind. In India our parents, grandparents and great sages demonstrated ways to purify and conquer the mind. They had set down society rules and framework on how to lead a simple life and conquer the mind. When we try to apply the same practices it is back-firing because we have destroyed this framework. We have started mimicking western culture by living on Loans and Credit Cards. We are living a life that exceeds our true salary. Not only that even if you live within your budget you still have to face the hidden bad karma of carrying others (karma) in the form of their debts. So freeing the Mind especially in a western culture is very very difficult. We are now into a phase which I call the phase of External World or the Media World. The External world consists of the workplace, Car life, social activities and other public events and THE ME-DIA. The media demands action. Media has become the only way to express ourselves. No wonder we see politicians and movie actors and people good at acting are more successful compared to other parts of society. You are not happy even if you are rich and don't know how to live and act in the Media world. Now that we have destroyed the inner world we must work on adjusting to this EXTERNAL WORLD. So how do we live in this external world? This leads to the answer Renunciation, self-sacrifice, love and forgiveness.
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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.

Sri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, MN
Sri Saibaba Mandir is located in Minneapolis, MN at 1835 Polk St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418. The mandir is open 7 days a week in the evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm and during morning hours from 9 am to 12:30 pm, everyday. Satsangs are conducted every Sunday mornings, 9 am to 12:30 pm. Please visit the mandir website www.hamaresai.org or call 612-789-7729 for more information on mandir activities, events and other information.

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 Temple of New England, Boston Area
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of New England is now operational. It is located at 1827 Bridge St # 8, Dracut, MA 01824. The temple is open every Thursday from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm and Saturday's from 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm. For temple hours and activities please visit the website www.nessp.org or send mail to maildrop@nessp.org.

Shirdi Sai Center in Bay Area, CA
Shirdi Sai Center is located 897-B East Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. For more information please call 408-705-7904 or 408-564-6704 or send email to saibandhu@yahoo.com. You can also visit our website is www.Shirdisaiparivaar.org.

Shirdi Saibaba temple, Los Angeles, CA
Devotees in Los Angeles area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Los Angeles area. The temple is located at - 144 South 4th Street, Montebello, CA 90640. For more information please call Krishna Samantula at 949-679-9938 or visit www.shirdisaila.org.

Saibaba Temple, Columbus, Ohio
Devotees in Columbus and surrounding Ohio locations area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Metro Columbus area. The temple is located in a leasing space at 7674 Sawmill Rd, Dublin, OH 43016. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday bhajans. For more information please call Panditjee at 614-799-8411 or visit www.saibaba.cc.

Shirdi Sai bhajans every Thursday at Maitland, Florida
Devotees are invited to participate in Sai study and bhajans on Thursdays between 7-8 pm at Meditation Gallery, 219 E Horatio Ave, Maitland, FL 32715. For more details please contact Bonnie at 407-830-1276.

Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Austin, TX
Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Austin, Texas opened at 601 E Whitestone Blvd (RM 1431), Cedar Park, TX. Daily 4 aarthis are performed to Sai Baba. As part of service to needy, a weekly sandwich seva is also conducted. For more information, please visit www.saiaustin.org.

Shirdi Sai Mandir, Dulles, VA
Shirdi Sai Mandir is located at 43671 Trade Center Place #166 Dulles, VA 20166. The mandir is open through the week in the evenings from 6pm to 9 pm. Sri Satyanarayan pooja will be conducted every full moon day. Please visit the mandir website www.shirdisaimandir.org or call (703) 661-4724 for more information on activities, events and other information.

Shirdi Sai Mandir, Toronto
Shirdi Sai Mandir Toronto is open from 7am to 9pm for darshan. Extended hours on thursdays and saturdays. For more information, program schedule or directions please call 647-444-4724
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