Feature of the Week: Stones and Diamonds

To be able to visit the Holy Shrine in Mecca is a matter of great significance to the followers of Islam. Even if done once in a lifetime, Muslims revere the occasion as the most blissful moment of their entire life. Those who successfully complete this pilgrimage to Haj are respectfully addressed as Haji and they command a high social status. Sidik Falke from Kalyan, Maharashtra, India, was one such blessed follower of Islam who visited Mecca and Madina and came to be known as "Haji" Sidik Falke. In his quest for spiritual fulfillment, Haji came to Shirdi to take meet Baba. Shri Hemadpanth narrates Haji’s visit to Shirdi and how he was treated by Baba (Shri Sai Satcharitha Ch. XI, English version by Shri NV Gunaji).

How could a spiritually inclined person, Haji, a Saadhaka in his own right, be ignored at Baba’s court? Why did the merciful fakir ignore this apparently pious man? Baba told Shama, "You are too young to understand this. If Allah does not allow, what can I do?" After giving Haji, the necessary lessons in humility, Baba threw away His kolamba (mudpot), rushed towards Haji and said, "Why do you brag and fancy yourself great and pose yourself as an old Haji? Do you read Koran like this? You are proud of your pilgrimage to Mecca, but you do not know me". His ego completely annihilated, blessed Haji was enlisted in Baba’s court.

Even great men fail due to this "giving in" to the myth of ego. Guru’s grace will be on those that can successfully isolate the "self" component and shatter the walls. Once Guru’s grace is obtained, it is the spiritual responsibility of the seeker to sustain Guru’s grace. Intense practice is necessary to ward off the creeping ego. Experiences at the end of any spiritual pursuit should if any, be limited to satisfaction, for even a little slip here awakens the pride. Diamonds are the ones that glow, being hollow of any obstructions to the divine light.
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Devotees Say

Mala Gupta, Abu Dhabi, UAE
May remembrance of God be the companion of life? That which eats away the virtues is PLEASURE or HAPPINESS and that which eats away the vices is PAIN or UNHAPPINESS. Happiness and unhappiness are the products of desire; fulfillment of desire gives increase to the greed. Greed alone can result into evils. If backbiting become a habit, it is so enough in itself that the necessity of committing other wickedness pales away. Being desireless comes the freedom from feeling of pain and pleasure. ------Just opposites. Desire fans the fires of greed; non-fulfillment of desire begets anger. Thus, the outcome of desire is never healthy. The result of anger affects him who is in anger. During a fit of anger one is infatuated and does not understand what he is speaking. While in that state of anger any amount of advises was of no avail. It would be appropriate to advise him which anger cools down. There is no desire where there is perfection. Desire is always concealed in imperfection. We shall be happy when we meet certain individuals or obtain certain gifts. Such presumption is very strange. If we think and try to analyze whether Happiness lies in fulfillment of desire or in non-fulfillment. We are little bit confused? Yes, of course. If we desire a particular gift, Will we feel happy after getting it? Our answer immediately will be NO-----------, Happiness lies during the moment of expectation between the rise of desire to get the gift and acquirement of the gift, since no sooner our desire to get the gift is fulfilled, another desire will arise in us. This will go on repeating and repeating to form a vicious circle, which again will cause unhappiness. So the conclusion is we all should have no separate will or desire of our own. When we live merging our all wills and desires in God's will then we can never be unhappy. Success, failure, joy, sorrows--- all these lie in the hands of God. Why, not even a leaf stirs except by his command. This is why it is so important to have faith in God. With faith, we get rid of despair. With faith, we live in a world of hope. He who lets God lead him, will always stay ahead. We human beings are an extremely impatient, especially when it concerns matters of our happiness and success. We all must believe, If we do not have the faith that sun will rise tomorrow, how can we ever be happy? God made us all; He fulfills our desires. He gives us life and death. He is all-powerful. He only made this universe when we believe in this, we need never worry. Have faith and be free from wants and worries. Faith can carry us through' sickness and sorrow. Faith can carry us through' times of fear Let God be our navigator on the river of life. Remember always "God, yours will be done." Let us all pray together to just keep one and only one thought in our mind: "O, God! Your wish be fulfilled."

Sailaja Mangipudi, USA
I had not known about Sai two years back. But then my roommate gave me the "Shri Sai Satcharitam" and as I was reading that book I started praying him as GOD. That used to be the general way like I pray the other gods the lord Venkateswara and Lord Shiva. I got married in FEB 1999 with the blessings of Sai Baba to a very kind and gentle person. I have come to US along with him. Everything is going well as regards our family. Except that he wants to change job and I want new job and nothing positive is happening. I have done parayanamu about three times now. And when I read that book these days, I really understand the actual Sai saying about "Shradha and Saburi" and about being content with what we have in life and whatever we have is the given by god and is for our good. And that Sai blesses all that seek his help. I feel that my friend who has told me about Sai as my "true friend" and I wish to thank her for all the help. Now I really feel the power of Sai Baba. I want to be his true believer and I wish to pray to Sai Baba to give me and my husband the Strength to implement his preaches in our own life and to be good to all and think positively. I am sure his blessings will not only give the material gains in life but also make us realize the power of Atma Sakshatkara. I want him to make me believe that he is with us in every walk of our life. I am sure he will help us in getting good challenging jobs, which really will make our family and us happy. I want to go to Shirdi Sai mandir and fall on his feet and pray him to forgive all our mistakes sit and talk to him. I wish to give him dakshina. Hope some day that will all come true. I request all Sai devotees to pray Sai not only for our well being and ourselves but to wish the same for others too.

Alka, Kenya, E.Africa.
This in reply to Monica of USA whose letter appeared in Sai Vichaar dated February 24, 2000. Dear Monica, You do not have to look for a mandir anywhere. Baba says he is always in your heart which is a mandir. Look within into your heart and you will see him there. You do not have to be afraid to be alone because Baba is always there with his devotees. Always see Baba everywhere and in everyone and you will always feel safe. Lastly I hope and pray to Baba that everything will be alright for you and your family.
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Prayer Club

Dinesh, Tulsa, OK, USA
Hi I am a student from Nepal. I have been in the US for two and half years. I am a Sai devotee since three years. Back home I had panic attack two times during the period of two year. After I had the second panic attack, I always felt scared to be myself. One of my friends told me about Sai Baba and I became his devotee. Just after I became his devotee every thing went well and I started to feel good as well. But, now a days I am feeling bad again. I am scared that I will have the same kind of attack and I will have to live the sad and dark life. I think it is because of the past experience. Every moment I pray Swami and I know he says, " Be faithful and Patience", but I still feel scared. Every day I have to drive about 30 minutes to go to school and I feel so scared and bad in the Highway to school. I have been seeing a psychologist, I think that is not helping either. I use to read Sai News letter, and I have read that many people got better after they asked devotees to pray for them. That's why I thought this is a place where I can get help. So, could you please pray for me? I am really worried and scared. Thank You.

A Sai devotee, Coimbatore, India
To all devotees of Sai Baba Please pray for our home/family and me. I have been going through a very bad time, emotionally, financially, and physically. Also, I have lost my very very dear father Kansing Sippy of Coimbatore. I am so shattered. Dad was 90yrs, led a great life, but my tears cannot stop. His teachings are impeded in my mind. He was my strength and I feel so weak. Please pray for me to have shakti. I worked very hard in my whole life. My eldest son has given me too much pain. He is also suffering, in a very bad relation with parents, no peace in my home. I wake up at 3 AM in the morning. I have to give up this home because people cheated us too much. I want unity in family. I am so unhappy, just weeping-being woman I have to solve all burdens. Please pray. I am new Baba devotee and grasping for assurances from his books-Please pray.
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Sai Activities

Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site Org.,
Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site Org is pleased to present the "CYBER TOUR OF SHIRDI" - a pictorial presentation of important places of Shirdi. You will need the Real Player G2 to play this presentation. Please visit the Cyber Tour page at http://www.saibaba.org/cybertour.html.

Lifetime Poor feeding Program - Baba Prayer Center, Ashok Nagar, Chennai, India. Email contact: kbxy@hotmail.com
By the grace of Shirdi Sai Baba, Narayana seva (Annadanam) for 100 poor people is being conducted by Baba Prayer Center, Chennai, India on every Poornima (Full moon) day. It is proposed to form a trust for Annadanam with donation from 100 persons, each contributing Rs5000 that would go towards feeding one person. The total amount Rs5 lakhs thus collected will be deposited in a nationalized bank in the name of the trust and the interest will be used for Narayana seva. It is a onetime donation for Annadanam and already 15 persons have given their contribution. Special archana will be performed in the name of each donor at Baba prayer Center on every poornima day. Those desirous of contributing to this cause can contact Baba Prayer Center by email or by telephone. Those who want to contribute in the U.S, please contact Harikrishna Boddupalli, at harikrishna_b@hotmail.com for more details about sending the payment.
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Question of the Week

"Why is woman and money considered greatest obstacles for spiritual growth?"

Nagaraj
SaiRam, In my humble opinion, we should not bring gender into picture whenever we read any of our (Hindu) scriptures. Here Baba used woman because this is most common incident in our daily life. Every one knows and sees man's lust for woman. We do not see the other way round. That is one aspect. Regarding question: As told by Sri Sathya Sai Baba, when man (here again it applies to woman also) is bachelor, he walks on two legs. As soon as he gets married, he starts walking on four legs (he/she has to consider their respective other's needs, desires, etc.). When they have child, and then they walk on six legs, two children, then on eight legs. Think of restrictions we will have from stage to stage. Same goes with walking with two legs to eight legs. This is one of the obstructions. Regarding money, man always builds his desires/expenses according to his income. As far as I am concerned, when I get 1000 monetary units raise, immediately I think of moving to bigger apartment or how much I can save, what can I buy in installment, etc.... However, I do not think about how much I can spend that money for charity. I may say thank to God or Baba for giving me an increase. If there is no raise and expenses increase, then I increase my prayers to Baba or God so that I can get a raise. Therefore, as money inflow increases, it is difficult to focus your mind on Baba for a normal man. Same way if you have desire for opposite sex, it is difficult to control your mind. (Although in Gita, Lord Krishna says "we can control our mind by practice", it is very difficult for me to control). Once he/she goes into HIS umbrella, he/she may not think in this manner. I pray Baba to take away my negative thinking or bad qualities so that I can realize and see HIM in my own heart.

"Who were Shirdi Sai Baba 's parents? "

MRK, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Shirdi Sai maharaj faced questions by commissioner appointed by court. Once Baba's devotee falsely got involved in a criminal case of theft. As that accused mentioned that Baba gave him the articles seized from him, Dhulia court ordered examination of Baba. On request of devotees, he dispensed his presence in court and directed commissioner to examine him in Shirdi at his own place. The exam went as follows: - Commissioner: What is your name?
Baba: All these people call me Saibaba.
C: What is your father's name-
S: That also is Sai Baba.
C: Who is your guru?
B: Venkusa
C: Religion?
B: Kabir
C: Caste
B. God
C: Your Age?
B: Lakhs of years.
C: Say correctly?
B: I never lie.

There are number of bases that Baba's age is immeasurable. When Akkalkot maharaj was attaining nirvana, he told his devotee that his own avatar is available in Shirdi, indicating that earlier he was that saint who was reincarnation of Narasimhaswamy who was Datta himself. Balakrishna Upasini Baba met one very old sadhu in Rishikesh long before he met Baba. When he met Baba, Baba proved that he was that old saint, indicating that he existed even before Shirdi Baba was born. Sai once told a devotee that Humayun without kingdom was roaming about and he blessed him to have a son who was Akbar, and that one Mukunda Brahmachari in earlier life was born as Akbar. This also indicates that Baba was there centuries before his birth as SAI BABA. Sai Baba also said that he was Kabir and lived in the times of Ramayana and Bhagavata. (Based on Sai Leelamrutam by Bharadwaja Yekkirala)

Havovi Medora, New Jersey, USA
"For those who believe no explanation is necessary, for those who don't believe no explanation is possible." How true these words are. Why is every one so concerned about Baba's parentage? Does any community wish to lay claim to him? Baba expounded repeatedly that he is everyone and everything. "Sai Baba" was the name given to him by Mhalsapathi when he saw Sai coming towards the Mandir. He realized that this was no ordinary being. Baba is not like the Grand Masters who came before him. He taught no religion. He came to tell us about the one God for all, who was called different names by different religions. Who are we to question and probe - can't we just accept? Sai himself saw no need to tell anyone, so why should we think as to who, why and where? Baba is God incarnate and needs no family. We are all his children the good, bad, beautiful, ugly, black and white. He saw no difference between rich and poor. Remember, he never preached religion so we would unite, as there is only one God, and our mission on this earth is to do well unto others and unto ourselves. Please, fellow devotees, concentrate your thoughts on him and not wonder who he was? Is it going to make a difference in your lives to know whether he was a Hindu, Muslim, Parsi or Christian. It makes me understand that He is God incarnate. Baba has no "hidden truth" and the only 'authentic source' is Sai himself.
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