|
Sai Vichaar 1.Feature of the Week: The story of two lizards 2.Experiences of Devotees 3.Devotees Say 4.Sai Activities 5.From the Editor's Keyboard 6.Subscribe to Sai Vichaar 7.Disclaimer From the Editor's Keyboard... We received a mail from Behram JK Desai, USA suggesting a few changes in language and expression used in Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar for the most part is written in English (USA) and the contents are contributed by devotees/readers from all over the world. The contents are edited using standard word processing software (USA). The contributions on the experiences of devotees are edited for spelling and appropriateness. However, the language, contents, and size of these contributions are retained as they are. This is done in order to retain the originality reflecting their love and devotion to Sadguru Sainath. Some of the material for the feature of the week are translated from other Indian languages. In order to keep this feature brief and due to vast differences in the language and style of the original versions, use words like "righteous demise", "mundane material", become necessary for lack of suitable words representing the original content. However, we consider the suggestions from Behran Desai, very timely. We will work on achieving a uniform language, style, and expression for Sai Vichaar that appeals to every reader. We once again thank those devotees for contributing to Sai Vichaar and sharing their experiences with others. Please do not hesitate to write your comments or suggestion to the web site administrator. We would like to feature the details of festivities and celebrations at Shirdi Sai centers all over the world. Please write to us about the activities planned in connection with Maha Samadhi, Vijaya Dasami, Diwali, and other activities of the center. Humbly yours, The Editor Disclaimer Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site organization is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
|
Feature of the week:The story of two lizards Shri Hemadpanth narrates the story of two lizards in Sai Satcharitha (Shri Sai Satcharitha Chapter 15, in the English Version by Sri Nagesh Vasudev Gunaji). This story narrates an incident where Sai Baba answered a devotee who was curious about a lizard that was tick ticking. Sainath replied that the particular lizard was overjoyed as her sister was coming from Aurangabad. The devotee sat there, not able to make anything out of this strange reply from Baba. Immediately, a gentleman came to see Baba from Aurangabad on a horseback. As he was trying to open the bag of grams to feed the tired horse, a lizard jumped out of it. In the presence of everyone there, this lizard climbed up the wall, rushed towards her sister. Soon they began playing and dancing with joy. The writer ends this chapter in Sai Satcharithamritha with a post- script that those who read this chapter with respect will get all his miseries removed by Sadguru Sai Baba. What is so significant about this chapter? For a rational mind, this incident may be quite puzzling. How did Baba know about those lizards? Did he know the minds of animals and their language? Has He been informed that the gentleman from Aurangabad is going to arrive at that time? On the other hand, for a devotee, this would be the acceptance of just another miracle of Sai Baba. This story may seem so trivial, but, a careful attention to this story reveals the magnificence of His wisdom and the knowledge of every incidence that takes place. Contemplation by the devotee on the thoughts of His awareness of things big and small will reveal the true nature of His self. This strengthens the faith in his caretaker resulting in the acceptance of His disposition. At times, we get agitated when things around us go haywire. Some times, it appears as if things are out of our control and we are not making any progress. However, the realization that He knows everything that goes on and He is the wirepuller who will eventually give us what is good for us will remove all our concerns. Shri Ammula Sambasiva Rao, in "Life story of Shirdi Sai Baba", referring to the above incident wrote as follows: Baba, who read the minds of the devotees said, "Not only about these lizards, but what is happening in every atom in the world, I know. Without permission the leaves on the tree also will not flutter. God is all-powerful. All should know the rules of this creation. Even I cannot go against them. God is the creator of all Universe, Allah Malik hai."
Just couple of months ago, we were waiting for the birth of our first baby. Sumedha, my wife, had completed 37 weeks of pregnancy. It was the night of 19 July (Sunday) when she suddenly started feeling strong labor pains. Pains were so strong that she was hardly able to talk or communicate well. I took her to the hospital immediately, and soon her doctor and nurses were working with her. When the nurse checked her dilation, it was hardly one centimeter. This made everyone much worried because such a small dilation would lead to a long and very painful labor period. My wife was crying badly. Doctor immediately decided to give epidural (a strong pain medicine given through spinal chord) to her. In such a panic, I remembered SAI BABA and asked for his help. I always keep a photo of BABA in my purse. I took that out and showed that to my wife. Immediately after that moment, I saw one of the biggest miracle of my life by SAI KRIPA. My wife's dilation, which was just one centimeter five minutes ago, suddenly became ten centimeter, which is just appropriate for delivery. Everyone in the room just jumped out of surprise. And, in next 5-10 minutes, the baby was out without any problem. So, SAI BABA helped her by giving her relief from the severe labor pain, and she was too happy after giving birth to a cute girl. Doctor and nurses, all accepted that they have never seen such a miracle in their lives. It was the shortest labor period they had ever observed for a first time pregnancy, just 30-35 minutes. And, we both knew that this all happened because of SAI KRIPA. I came to know BABA in 1994, and since then, I have felt that he listens to his followers and helps them in whatever way. I have personally felt his blessings hundreds of times. I remember one more miracle, which happened in 1995 to me when I came to New York for a new job. The day I landed in New York, I fell seriously ill and became very weak in just 2-3 days. At that time of distress, I prayed to SAI BABA and asked for his help. I also asked my BABA to take me back to Delhi to my family, although it was next to impossible because my employer had paid for my air tickets and was not ready to send me back to India. I prayed my BABA to take me back in next 24 hours, and said that I will go to Shirdi to thank him. And, then this miracle came from nowhere. Suddenly, overnight everything was changed. My employer decided to send me back that too on his expense, and within 24 hours I was flying back to India. This was probably the first miracle of my BABA that I felt. And, when I went to Shirdi to say thanks to BABA, that place looked so familiar to me as if I have some kind of relation with it. And, I know there is a relation. BABA ne bhi kabhi kaha tha - jo mujhe jis bhav se pukarega main usi bhav se sununga. JAI SAI BABA. Ravi Kant Shukla, Santa Clara, CA
Om Sri Sai Ram
Manish Saxena Kishore Asthana wrote to us:
Sai Baba, like Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj, or, indeed, like Jesus Christ, has said that we should strive to know 'our self'. Indeed, once we shed the mistaken notion that we are the body or the mind, we view this physical existence from a different perspective. The important thing is that while we are in this form, we should work and live with honesty and joy in being alive. Manish, too, has shown this honesty and no doubt, his father was happy that his son was vindicated. Let him not reduce his joy in being alive. Those who pass away after living a full life have completed their term in one class. To wish them to stay indefinitely with us is like asking a student to continue in the same class until we can also pass. It is selfish In addition, unreasonable. Manish appears to think that destiny is pre-ordained. Had this been so, there was little point in taking birth. While we come to this life with a certain learning plan, our will takes over. Therefore, while our plan has given us tendencies, details have to be worked out by us. Many of us forget the original intent and use the wrong tendencies, regressing therefore. I would like to tell Manish that our days are numbered and the clock starts the moment we take birth. However, he already knows it. Let him keep faith in Sai Baba and trust this to help him in his life. Perhaps Manish's faith could have increased his father's life span, (and, maybe it did) but eventually a time would have come when this, too, was over. Manish's faith should not be shaken because his prayer to change one of the basic laws of the Universe was not granted. One more thing, those who pass away sometimes view us from the other plane. Perhaps we cause them anguish by our laments at their departure. They have the dual burden of knowing that those they love are sorrowful, and that this sorrow is based on the mistaken belief that they are not 'alive' any more. Let Manish not be a party to this, and let him live his own life without the handicap of this sorrow. Keeping the above in mind, I have written a few lines to my son. I enclose these, as they may be of relevance to Manish, too. GRIEVE NOT FOR ME One day
I was young when you were born
Now you are young and I am old
Grieve not for me, son, for I have lived
Just use your time wisely
Kishore Asthana, Muscat, Oman Sarika writes from Belize...
Dear editor Thank you for posting the 108 names of Sai Baba. As I am not very fluent in the Hindi language, I would truly appreciate if you could give an English version of the names. You may either email me directly or post these on next issue of Sai Vichaar for non -Hindi speaking devotees. Millions of thanks.
Sai Ram Adarsh Lamba
Sai Vichaar Team
Sai Activities Sai Samsthan USA informs us of their elaborate schedule of festivities in connection with Shri Shirdi Saibaba Mahasamadhi Celebrations on Thursday, October 1, 1998. The Program is as follows:
The above program is scheduled at Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir, 27W321 Butterfield Road, Warrenville, IL 60555. Phone 630-653-4444 Evening program at Rambletree clubhouse, 325, Ramblewood Drive, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137, is as follows:
Ashtothra Kalasa Abhishek is a unique ritual that includes sanctification of 108 kalasas with Vedic chants. Sri Sai will be invoked into those kalasas filled with holy water. Kalasa pooja will be followed by Shakthi havan. The Samsthan intends to have 108 sponsors for this ritual. Each sponsor would be presented with a kalasa which can be later kept in their pooja mandir. Ekadasa phala rasa abhishek on Sri Sai will be performed with 11 types of fruit juices and Mahasamadhi Pooja will include recreation of Mahasamadhi of Baba, decoration with different flowers and performance of pooja to the samadhi. Devotees are requested to be a part of this great event and be blessed. The sponsorship for Maha Samadhi pooja (all events on October 1, 1998) is $ 101.00 payable by check or cash to Sai Samsthan USA. The sponsorship for other individual events is $ 51.00 each. Sai Samsthan USA is a non-profit organization and the US tax ID No. is 31-152595. The monthly pooja schedule of Sai Samsthan USA for the months of August and September 1998 are August 30th and September 27th , from 9.00 AM to 12.30 PM at Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir, 27W321, Butterfield Road, Warrenville, IL 60555. For more information on the activities of Sai Samsthan USA, please contact:
Back to Menu
Back to Menu |
© 1996-1998 by Shirdi Sai Baba web site Organization, all rights reserved.