Feature of the week: Thanksgiving

What is the method of teaching that Baba followed? Did He install any institution or a particular way of thought for His followers to propagate? For that matter, has there been any record of Sadguru Sainath appointing anyone to continue His mission?

Inscrutable are His ways! This is a famous phrase from Nagesh Vasudev Gunaji’s English version of Shri Sai Satcharitha. It turns out to be true. During His lifetime and after, Baba showed a peculiar way of teaching and guiding His followers. He had asked some to be more disciplined, perform rituals, and undertake reading of sacred texts, while some were asked to keep quiet or just wait. Some were commended for their piety while some denounced for their orthodoxy!

Baba seemed to have answers to the innermost of the questions His followers had. He seemed to have a certain way of giving "individualized instruction" depending on one’s earnestness. However, He seems to be very particular in emphasizing certain virtues in His followers. The two pice (two cents) He demanded were faith and patience. Invaluable! By calling Himself as a servant, Baba has stressed the importance of humility, because humility is a virtue that reaps rich harvest in one’s pursuits. By insisting on the surrender of the self and accepting the will of the supreme over the individual, Baba stressed the existence of a unifying higher order. His views on the purpose of religions were simple, "There is only one God and the purpose of every religion is the same". In a unique way, Sai Baba of Shirdi also had asked His followers to investigate the "self". He also expounded on the obstacles for such a pursuit, native as well as acquired. Is it possible to categorize this unique way of spiritual leadership?

For some, Baba’s life and teachings might look like a paradox, but in reality, His ways are as simple and natural as it could be! He did not give any set of rules to follow for His disciples. On the other hand, He was present in the minds of earnest devotees who sought His guidance on matters, big and small. For such people, in His words, He guarded them from front, back, and sides. To those who would differ with His advice, Baba said simply, "God will do good". Neither was there an insistence on a rigorous stewardship. Faith and patience are two traits common to everyone and by invoking these qualities common to every human being, Sai Baba of Shirdi has indeed simplified the pursuit. How shall one thank Sainath of Shirdi for this? On this Thanksgiving Day, let us be happy for being so fortunate and reflect on these thoughts.
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Experiences of Devotees

Gopala Rao Ravada, SaiBaNiSa, Hyderabad, India
I am sure that all devotees have read the 42nd, 43rd and 44th chapter of Sai Satcharitra where, in SAI attaining his heavenly abode was described and how people of Shiridi felt orphaned at that time. May be foolish but a thought crept in to my mind that I should be a party to witness a similar incident involving death of a great saintly person. Probably this was very unfair on my part to ask such a thing to happen. Sai gave me an opportunity and I humbly place it before the readers.

My paternal uncle and aunt, the Somayyajulu couple has brought me up under their care, and custody, as they were issueless. My parents were away in Northern India by virtue of my father's job placement. My uncle was a Telugu pundit and was instrumental in educating many a poor. They were very charitable, offered food and shelter to the deserving boys in studies. During his 78th year, he suffered from an attack of fever on January 23, 1992. Myself and his adopted son admitted him in a local Nursing Home. On January 25, 1992, Doctors after assessment of all the pathological reports have concluded that his chances of survival are bleak. He stopped all oral intakes from 27th. Shri Sai also suffered from fever from 28 September, 1918 and stopped taking food orally from October 1, 1918.

Shri. Somayyajulu's adopted son has completed construction of his new house and an auspicious date for Gruhapravesh was fixed for January 29, 1992. All arrangements were made way back. He was now worried whether the program would go as planned and whether his father would be present or not for the occasion after having spent 4.00 lakhs of Rupees. The situation was similar in context to Shri. Gopal Mukund booty's in those days when he was doubtful whether Baba will ever live in Booty wada specifically constructed for him after having spent a lakh of rupees as promised.

I was a moved by this pathetic situation and prayed upon Baba to see that my uncle recovers and fulfills his son and every body's desire. I am happy to state that Baba has listened to my prayer and he graced the function having come home in an Ambulance and things appeared going on well. As saying goes "Man proposes and God disposes", things took a different turn and his position deteriorated. On the night of 29th, he was again shifted to Gandhi hospital. I reached Hospital in the morning of January 30, 1992, and the Doctors were now less hopeful. I approached my uncle who wanted me to open a page from Sai Satcharitra and read out its contents. At random I opened a page which happened to be from 27th chapter and it carried advisory message from Baba to Khaparde's wife, as follows " Chant Raja Ram, Raja Ram If you do this your life's object will be achieved, your mind will attain peace and will be immensely benefited ". I read the message, and he started uttering continuously the Mantra and at noon he wanted me to read Madhyanna Haarati and I read it slowly to him in his ears. After completion, he again commenced chanting of Rama mantra. Doctors declared that he is nearing his destiny and may live only for a few hours. At 13:20 hrs he was not able to pronounce the mantra and I put "THULASI THEERTHA' once in to his mouth and trial for second attempt has gone in vain and it spilled out. Baba had a similar end in the lap of Nana Sahib Nimonkar at 14:30 hrs on October 15, 1918. Shri. Somayyajulu expired in Ekadasi thithti and Baba left for heavenly abode Dasisimi Ekadasi transit. Shri Somayyajulu's mortal remains were brought to his son's newly constructed house. I bathed his physical body with Gangajal and on January 30, 1992 Thursday by evening hours his adopted son performed the last rites. In all these events I could see and feel Sai's maha samadhi. BOW TO SAI PEACE TO ALL
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Sai Activities

Monthly Pooja, Shirdi Sai Samsthan USA, Warrenville, IL
Shirdi Sai Samsthan USA has scheduled its monthly pooja on November 29, 1999 at Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir, Warrenville, IL. The Program is as follows;
9.00 AM Kakada Arti
9.30 AM Abhishek, Ashtothra Pooja, Bhajans and Kirtans
12.00 PM Madhyahna Arti
12.30 PM Maha Prasad

Shri Shirdi Saibaba Mandir, Warrenville, IL, is located at 27W 321 Butterfield Road, Warrenville, IL, 60555. The Telephone number for the Mandir is 630-653-4444. For directions and more information please contact one of the following:
Umapathi Cattamanchi - 708-448-3016
Nagabhushanam Koneru - 847-346-0641
Ananth Sonti - 630-858-2643
Manju Panjwani - 847-677-6654
Jitendra Shelke - 773-465-5605
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Devotees Say

A Sai devotee
I don't know whom to address to tell something that strangely happened recently (4 november). I decided to subscribe to Sai Vichaar. I believe in Sai Baba but I don't know why I prefer Shirdi Baba and when I'm difficulty normally I thought first of Shirdi Baba - I know you would say that both are the same persons or avatar or God! But what's my feeling are - I dreamed of Sai Baba just afterwards and in my dream I found it strange that I was sitting next to him, I was telling him that it's not possible that I am sitting at the same table, he replied "can't you feel a lump in your throat as if you want to cry" and I said "yes" then all of a sudden I found blood on the table as if someone killed him (I know these words are cruel because our love for him is immense)....when I peeped on the table where there was blood I found a light moving in a circle as if showing me he is still alive what I am seeing is nothing and my dream ended.

I have skin disease vitiligo - on my legs, ear, arms. But I'm not feeling sad about it because I can walk, talk and I am working in a well known firm in Mauritius. I feel bad only when people look at me strangely at bus stops. I am married to a wonderful man, thanks to Baba it came like a dream because being a person with these skins problem normally none would care to marry you. I have a daughter of one year old, quite like a miracle all these happened. Now, I want Baba’s blessing so that I can look after my daughter Magheswaree, her father Pazhanivela, my in laws, my parents, friends, and others I don't even know. I want a special blessing to stop this feeling of "suicide". At times I want to quit this world feeling bad to fight so hard for a mere living, I know you would say with the love of God we can fight all these "mayas" but I can't.
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Question of the Week

"What is the purpose of miracles?"

Bhuvnesh Kumra
Sir, According to my opinion, the purpose of miracles is to re-install the faith that the common people have in GOD. It also gives a proof that a scientific mind would expect to believe that GOD does exist and is always looking after all of us, even if we are not his devotees. The middle letter O in GOD stands for ORDER of the world. Hence, another purpose of miracles might be to set right the Order of the status of this world. Waiting for an early reply. Thanking you, Regards Bhuvnesh Kumra (a Sai Devotee).

Raghu Vissamraju
Any form of event, which is beyond human conception, is a Miracle. When we look deeper at the nature, we can feel the Miracle. Life and death of beings are such examples. They are miracles even to Scientists. So humans when cannot identify and realize with the use of human brain feel that they are different from Divya-athma (Realized souls) and could not feel the power of their own self or Athma because they remain in dark and think that they are different from Sadguru or Supreme God. The reason for Sadhu's to show their Miracles is that humans tend to observe them deeper and get moved with those Miracles and they bring humans close to Sadguru. Sadguru also indirectly telling the humans that there is a force and strength behind entire universe which we are not trying to understand and ignoring all the time. Initially we do not realize that we possess the same power's Sadugu has but never realize them within ourselves. In this instance we recall in Satcharithra, it is mentioned that there is no difference between a Guru and Sishya (disciple). They both are Prana and Aathma. One cannot be without the other. So a Sadguru, who is the true incarnation of Brahma or the Supreme God has at his Command all the supreme powers which he never craves and struggles to obtain, in fact they come to his feet by themselves. Baba once mentioned to Shyama - when Shayama asked him "Why do you create anxiety and commotion in our lives and clear them all later!?". Baba's reply was "Shayama! Though I wouldn’t do anything by my own - people think that I am doing everything myself. However, the fact is that I only pray the Almighty more number of times than you people do - he is doing everything for me and his fame is coming to me with fortune". Since Baba is a Jagadguru and pride less he stated that he is insignificant. JAI! SAMARDHA SADGURU SAINATH MAHARAJ KI --- JAI!

Sheena Bhatia, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Mracles, different people take it in different ways. Some think that they are a way for Baba to express HIS love and presence. I used to think the same way until I read someone 's message in Sai Vichaar. Initially, I used to get really disappointed that Baba shows miracles to everyone but me and it must be because I always ask for something from Baba and I am becoming selfish. Then I realized that if we ask and we get it there is nothing wrong and selfish about it. By HIS miracles, Baba shows us that He is there for us always and our faith and devotion is still more strong. Sai Baba is my friend and my God and I don't think anything is impossible without Him holding our hand. Love you a lot Baba. Bless us all.
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