Feature of the Week: Everyday Monsters

The most important thing a saadhaka (spiritual aspirant) should do is to acknowledge the limitation nature has imposed on the self. Senses are double-edged swords; the ones that help realize the self are the same that takes away from the self. Self-realization at some point probably needs to encounter this predicament. Senses that hear God's glory, witness His grandeur, experience His presence are not so blessed when they involve in acts of self-indulgence, in blatant ignorance of the purpose self may have. Bombarded by lethargy, anger, lust, passion, and self-gratification even at its slightest level, human mind is in constant turmoil. This is the root cause even the greatest of aspirants have fallen to. These everyday monsters pleasing to the senses at first, lead as a sequel to indolence and self-delusion. Is there a way out?

Let us see what the simple God of Sikhs and Parsees, Christians and Jains, Hindus and Muslims, and everyone that believed, said: "What do I do? Maya (delusion) troubles even the likes of me. What to say about everyone else?"

By consenting to the existence of this innate limitation, the Saint Lord of Shirdi has in unequivocal terms points out what could be done. A rise is always followed by a fall. Senses that define a happy state of mind are the same ones that declare the catastrophe. Logic in its several forms ratifies the cycle of gaiety and gloom. Allah Maalik! The Master said, "be aware of the delusions, remember me always, believe truthfully in being the humblest, and realize that the real Kingship exists in the poverty".

Knowing the existence of monsters must in fact bring one closer to the Master. Faith and patience, is the rope that should hold one to the pole. A calf restrained to the cow itself can never be lost.
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Devotees Say

Sangeeta Rao
Jai Shri Sai Ram. I want to thank all Sai devotees who prayed for my family. In my last prayer request I had prayed that my husband gets the job. He did. We are very happy with the job offer. We received the offer letter by mail today. Today is a Thursday and with Baba's grace we received his blessings today. I have no words to express my gratitude. Bow to Shri Sai Peace to be all.

Haresh Shamdasani, Shamdasani Foundation Hong Kong
Om Sai Ram. Since the passing of my father, I have received a lot of correspondence and e mails, to my business address. I humbly request Sai devotees who may wish to communicate or send their condolences, kindly to do so at site www.saibaba-fund.org or at email address info@saibaba-fund.org. Thank you for your help and understanding

Srikant Kalluri
I am a devotee of Baba and for last many years I have started unconsciously started taking Baba's name before any thing I do. I have believed in the words "Shradda" and "Saburi" whenever some thing went wrong thinking that Baba is there to take care of me. Now, recently, I wanted to shift my job from a Private Bank in Hyderabad, India to a leading financial institution and also to another bank. But in vain. Baba, why is there a obstruction to my path ? What is best for me ? When will I settle in my life? I want to be on par with my classmates who are occupying high positions and are getting good salary. I want most importantly a peace of mind. Please guide me Baba. Show a "Path" for my career. Please allow me to have faith in you and ensure that I have both "Shradda and Saburi" irrespective of whatever that comes.

Venugopal Banda
I appreciate your work to bring the people together by this newsletter. I have one request for you. In this newsletter please try to include at least one page from Baba's life story as in the book "SAI BAABA THE MASTER" every week. Because some people look for the experiences of the devotees when BAABA was present with body in Shiridi. Even I have also subscribed this newsletter for Reading "BAABA SATHCHARITA" not for reading devotees experiences. So every week when I read this newsletter I look for the "BAABA SATHCHARITA" and I am not getting this from last 5 weeks. Anyhow I appreciate your work.

Raghu Vissamraju
Dear Nishal Kumar, Aum Sai Ram, with Baba's instinct I am writing this message for you in response to your concern expressed in "Sai-Vichaar". On the onset please understand that Baba's philosophies look very simple (but hard to follow) and more practical. According to my knowledge he has not given any separate advises and do's or don'ts for students. His life itself is a big message for us. However, since you are still a student and cannot understand the deep inner meaning in his actions. But in "Sai-satcharithra" we will come to know so many incidents where parents seek Baba's blessings before their Children appear for any examinations and they seem to be successful in their attempts. Let me tell you my own experience. I am reading "Sai-Satcharithra" daily one chapter from my 16th year. Now I am going to be 40 yrs. I passed through so many problems and turmoil during my tenure as a student. Ours is a very big family. My father retired while I was studying my High School. So I had to pass through so many financial constraints to finish my degree. There were also many pressures that made me to think to continue the education or not. Baba gave me the courage and confidence to pass through all the problems. Finally I could able to finish my Graduation in merit. I also completed post graduation subsequently. I got a good job with good pay after that and of course, now I am very well settled by Baba's grace and living in New Zealand. I was a great favorite of Swami Vivekananda in my Childhood. I used to read lot of his books written for students. One gets fire of confidence and courage lit in his heart besides giving strong devotion and liking for God. I did not find any difference between what he preached to his disciples with Baba's philosophy. Please understand that during your age it is wise that you should read this sort of scriptures besides "Sai-Satcharithra" then one day you will get a vision inside you without your knowledge and gives you a path to follow and slowly turns you out to be a wise man. Sai-ram

P. Gopikrishna, New Delhi, India
An Emperor who invaded India was told by his teacher to go and see some of the sages there. After a long search for one, he found a very old man sitting on a block of stone. The Emperor talked with him a little and became very much impressed by his wisdom. He asked the sage to go to his country with him. "No," said the sage, "I am quite satisfied with my forest here." Said the Emperor, "I will give you money, position, wealth. I am the Emperor of the world." "No," replied the man, "I don't care for those things." The Emperor replied, "If you do not go, I will kill you." The man smiled serenely and said, "That is the most foolish thing you ever said, Emperor. You cannot kill me. Me the sun cannot dry. fire cannot burn, sword cannot kill, for I am the birthless, the deathless, the ever-living omnipotent, omnipresent Spirit."

B. Ravi Shankar
In the article 'FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Sai Apostle: Maata Krishna Priya!', in the issue of the 'Sai Vichaar' referred to above, the author referred to the messages given by Baba in the banana leaves- "Mataajee was taking naivedyam to the room where she did puja to Shirdi Sai and would bring them back to the devotee. These bananas used to have printed letters on the bananas, which would be the message/command of Sai to the devotee. These messages looked like print in Telugu (which I saw)" The above piece is, I feel, not suitable for the general consumption of the public, as Baba does not believe in magic. This is primarily due to the fact that magic and miracle, if performed by a Great Person, is with a specific purpose and though the fact may be true, the general public being gullible in the face of severe adversities, will easily get attracted by such miracles which can be cashed in on by undesirable elements. One another point I wish write about is, there is no such thing as Good Guru and bad Guru. One is either a Guru or not a Guru.

Shuba Kamath
Sai Ram, this is my opinion to Dipak Anchan's question, "Sirkar" and "Allah Malik" mean one thing, The Supreme. By using these terms Shri Sadguru Sainath is only reminding us that we are all answerable to God. I don't think Sainath tried to convey a meaning of gender by using the terms, rather he was promoting his preaching which when followed properly lead us to God.

Ramesh, Boston, MA, USA
Sai devotees, if any one willing to participate in bhajans or know of any temple in Boston area, please share with us all through publishing the information in Sai Vichaar.
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Prayer Club

Raj Nagarajan, NY, USA
We are going through very hard times and each and every one in our family is suffering. We are praying for Baba's blessings that every obstacle should vanish from our path. It has become hard to meet everyday life. We pray for Shirdi Baba's love and compassion to our family. We pray for mental peace . We pray for strength and knowledge and we pray for His presence. We pray that He show up now.

Roselene Saba, Redwood Shores, CA, USA
I humbly request all your prayers for my Didi (this is what I call her by) and her father who is seriously ill in India. Didi sent me a short message saying that she is leaving for India immediately as Dad is not doing well. Please all my brothers and sisters join me in praying for her and her Dad. I know she is a firm believer of our beloved Guru but at this time she needs all our prayers and well wishes.

Balasubramaniam
Sai Ram, dear brothers and sisters. Eleven months ago, my mother had a stroke and now she is having difficulty to walk. However, with Sai Baba grace , she is able to walk with stick. But now my father is very worried about my mother and he is sick. Whenever I call, I receive some complaint about his health . Please Sai devotees , pray for their long health and long life.

Meenu
I am a Sai devotee and wish to go to Shirdi once. I don't know when my wish will be fulfilled. Moreover Baba knows about all my secret wishes and expectations in life. He had always helped me whenever I had a problem. I know he is everywhere to help me. Please pray for the fulfillment of my wishes.

Anand Turaga
Sai Ram, I request all of you to pray for my sister and let Sai Baba take care of her pain every moment. Please pray Baba to give her, her family and all of us the strength in facing this difficult situation.
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Sai Activities

Sri Sai Narayan Baba world tour:
Sri Sai Narayan Baba arrives in Hong Kong on May 16th at 08:15 pm. Details are available at http://www.saibaba.org/narayanbaba_tour.html. Contact Numbers: Hong Kong - M.D.Veer - 852-2549-4224.

SAI IN ANNADANAM 10 by Sai Darbar:
NIRMALA SHISU BHAVAN, MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY, 75 SD ROAD, SECUNDERABAD-AP INDIA Smt. Revathi Sriram of Singapore had requested Saidarbar to perform Annadanam, two meals - lunch and dinner, at any orphanage. Volunteers of Saidarbar identified Nirmala Sishu Bhavan, an orphanage run by missionaries of charity, performing the Annadanam and made arrangements for the same with the management of the orphanage. Lunch was served to children by the staff of the orphanage. Volunteers of Saidarbar reached the venue at 7 PM and joined the children in offering prayers. On seeing two small premature babies in the incubators in the orphanage it was realized that it is impossible for Human beings to understand the leelas (plays) of GOD. On completion of prayers, children along with volunteers of Saidarbar reached the dining hall. Dinner was served to children by volunteers of http://www.saidarbar.com led by Sai devotee Sri Srinivasa Rao Kasturi. While the children were happily enjoying the meal, the volunteers could visualize Saimata (Sai mother) in the photo of Mother Theresa displayed in the dining hall. Annadanam program was completed by 7:30 PM. Smt. Revathi Sriram of Singapore had sponsored this noon's lunch and evening's dinner through Annadanam program conducted by http://www.saidarbar.com Sri Sainath blessed Smt Revathi Sriram and her family. Volunteers of Saidarbar thanked the sisters of missionaries of charity after completing the Annadanam for giving them an opportunity to serve. Reported by Smt Rajeswari Kasturi for http://www.saidarbar.com Hyderabad India.

SHRI SAI SAMITI , NOIDA :
Balakrishna Panday, Shri Sai Samithi 64-D / 2, F-Block, Sector 40, NOIDA-201301 India We at Sai Mandir in Noida (across Yamuna River and sprawling Apollo Hospitals on way) perform 'Mangal Snan' and four 'artis' daily. The devotees 4000 or so on Thursday evenings, have their bounty of Baba's blessings. We invite you to have the heavenly 'Darshan' when you come to Delhi. We are a Registered Society with Govt. of India in the name of the venerable saint Sai Baba of Shirdi, established over 10 years ago. A plot of 1100 sq. mtrs. allotted by Noida Authority has now a building structure with five levels. The Managing committee and 200+ life members are Sai devotees. Our activities include,

(a) Free medical aid to the poor by experienced doctors including diagnostic laboratory services. (b) Primary education to children from poor families that can not afford school costs. (c) Poor feeding. (d) Distress relief during natural calamities. (e) Free library and reading-room facility

We invite global participation by Sai Devotees to make 'Sai Sansthan' at NOIDA achieve the goals. Financial donations will greatly help the sustenance and expansion of the above social programs. Life Membership at Shri Sai Samithi NOIDA requires US $120 or an equivalent of Rs. 5100. Please send Checks/Bank drafts payable at New Delhi, made out to SHRI SAI SAMITI NOIDA.

Sai Naam Jaap at Kanipaakam, Chittoor, AP, India
D. Sankaraiah, Hyderabad, AP, India, (sainama@yahoo.com)

Dear SaiBandhus! Jai Sairam. Your org. is giving importance to Sainama prachar. As the days we are passing through are very bad we have intensified Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai prachar in India. As a first step we did mobile Nama prachar on 9-10, March from Shirdi to Rui to Neemgaon to Rahata. Now proposed to do 24 hours non-stop Sainama at Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple Kanipakam (Chittoor, AP, India) on 29-05-2000.There after it is proposed to do at 108 different centers for a minimum time of 12 hours to maximum 168 hours. depending in the will and convenience of the host. Please inform your members who hail from India to sponsor Namajapa yagna at their birth place, in-laws place or any holy places, that their representative can watch and report about the event .We wish pray that rain should come through Sai nama japas. There will also be Homa, ANNADANA AND NON-STOP NAMAJAPA. Please watch WWW.SAIDARBAR.COM for information on Shirdi Sai and also for my contributions. Jai Bolo Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai

Sai Baba, USA moves to New Location:
Sandeep Sai Baba.

Sai Baba, USA and Four Doors is moving to a bigger location. In our new location we will be able to have larger area for what the Temple. Our library will be installed in this new location and will soon be open to the public. The computer learning center will be up and running. And we will still continue to raise fund for the Temple Project as well as our Broadcasting Project. We received a donation which has taken us closer to the completion of the Temple. We still require more funds for the completion of this project. So we are now asking for donations from Sai devotees to get us closer to the amount we need. Please do consider helping us in the area! It is tax deductible. Please contact us at the following address for more information: Sai Baba, USA 4848 N. Mesa Suite 67 El Paso Texas 79912 USA. Phone: 915-351-2410.
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Experiences of Devotees

D. Sankaraih, Hyderabad, India. (sainama@yahoo.com)
Doctor's Doctor Sai Nath Maharaj

We are all aware of several incidents confirming Sainath's omnipresence and omnipotence Baba during early period of his stay at Shirdi used to give medicines and later 'UDHI' for curing diseases. It is my sincere appeal to all readers to understand greatness of our beloved master from my own experience.

I was a patient of Hypertension and neglected for more than two decades. I always used to say "Man dies only once, when the time comes none can escape" one day I had massive heart attack but ignored thinking it was a gastric problem. The conventional sweating chest pain, back pain and hand pain was not there except breathlessness. I did not got to a doctor for 2 days. Even the third day I went to have endoscopy test. There I was asked to take an E.C.G. The Technician ran to the doctor giving a very bad picture. I was immediately admitted to CDR hospital. All tests were done only to confirm 95% of the heart was damaged .Doctors suggested by-pass surgery. CDR hospital doctors informed my family that I could not withstand surgery. For some other conveniences sake I was shifted to NIMS hospital where Dr.Mullapudi assured of successful operation after three weeks observation .After opening the chest doctor found new defects and told my wife "He is lucky. Blood circulation was going on through a sub-way a rare feature." Dr. Mullapudi who had done more than 5000 bypass surgeries in USA and India had done successful operation but bleeding could not be controlled. He advised my people to wait and see but they were disheartened as another patient died on account of profuse bleeding though operation was successful. After 48 hours bleeding was stopped and I was shifted to a special room for recoupment. Operation was done on 21.07.1995.I started attending Sainama sankeerthanas from Oct 1995.Before I was taken to the theatre my wife only was allowed. She asked me "Say SaiRam". I replied "What Sairam, this is the result of my seva". I apologized to mother Sai for such dejected comments. This was in brief the incident. Later I came to know the following facts indicating Baba's motherly care of her children. The purpose of this article is only to project greatness of Baba.

One Mrs. Rahmanbee (70 yrs) was taking care of my children for the past two decades. She silently developed faith in Sai on account of our devotion, weekly Bhajans, Shirdi trips etc. She had some experiences of Sri Sai leelas. During my treatment in CDR hospitals she had a dream in which she was dancing while throwing coins on my dead body. (It is custom in some parts to shower coins and flowers on the dead body while carrying to burial ground). Suddenly Baba appeared on the scene and shouted "Stop it, He is not dead. He will live. He will be alright. After shifting to another hospital ". After this dream she was confident of my survival but did not disclose the dream as the prevailing situation was such that nobody would believe the dream of a servant maid. During the same period one Mr. Seetharam Rao of Andhra Bank, Vemsoor, Khammam dist. had dream. The venue was SaiBaba mandir, Punjagutta, Hyderabad. Mr. Rao saw my dead body duly covered with white clothe suddenly Baba from marble moorthy informed "Sankaraiah is not----HE WILL SURVIVE" By then he was not aware of my ill health. He was 300km away from Hyderabad. After the dream he wrote a letter to Sri Sivaprasad and asserted how in a casual way, Sri Prasad wrote back that I had successful heart surgery.

One month after operation he came to Hyderabad and saw me with tears of joy in his eyes Added to this, after some days a middle aged employee of Secretariat was admitted for minor heart problem. After check up the doctors felt surgery would help the patient. Unfortunately the patient collapsed after opening of the chest. All the employees assembled and started blaming the doctors. One such employee who is a neighbor of my friend N.S.Moorthy. He questioned the doctor how Sankaraiah of Srinagar Colony whose heart was totally damaged could survive. Immediately the doctor told "Oh! that Sai devotee Sankaraiah", We were doubtful but suddenly a ray of light passed on his body in the early hours. Next morning we found bleeding was stopped. Sai Baba only saved him as I was on duty on that night I could see. See the greatness of our beloved Master. Fifteen days prior to surgery I prayed to Baba "If you extend my ration card, please see that I am in Sai seva not in another seva. At the same time I should not be confined to bed for ever, otherwise take away".

Though a big photo of lord Sainath was kept in the Special room. I was not looking at it with wholehearted love and devotion. It was a routine exercise. I admit my ungratefulness to Baba Sai just because I suffered. I beg of his pardon for the inexcusable omission.

To speak truth, from Dec 95 onwards, I am in his seva. Now I realize our unwritten agreement is literally implemented by Sai seva. If we read experiences of devotees we notice one thing that we realize Baba has done, Baba has come after the incident. Beloved readers Baba's ways are always inscrutable and mysterious. Are you not convinced that Sainath Maharaj is chief of chief Doctor! I have unfulfilled desire of erecting Baba's Bikshatana pose statue of 36' high on a platform of 9' high to be installed at Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, Chennai, Bangalore etc including New Delhi. Some devotees/Samajams may take up the monumental work.
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Question of the Week

"How does a Sai devotee define complete surrender to Guru?"

Shanmughapriya Srinivasan, Omaha, NE, USA.
Complete surrender is when you forego everything and fall at the feet of the Guru. Baba has always stressed that Atma Jnana can be attained by the guidance of a sadguru. Those who worship their Guru everyday will attain Jnana Marga. The incident in which Baba asks Dixit to cut the goat comes to mind. Even though Dixit was a Brahmin, he obeyed Baba's words and was ready to kill the goat. This itself is an example of complete surrender to the Guru.

"What is Saadhana?"

A Sai Devotee, Vancouver BC, Canada
Jai Sai Ram and peace to all. The topic of Sadhana (spiritual endeavors or means of accomplishments) is touched several times in Shri Hemadpant's Shri Sai Satcharita. Sacred scriptures prescribe a number of different sadhanas for different ages making it extremely difficult for those not knowledgeable and capable enough to choose how to, where, when and what sadhanas practice. The teachings of Sai Baba, on the other hand, are unique, peculiar and at the same time, crystal clear and He essentially lived His sadhanas Himself. As simple as His messages are, they are hard core and have proved time and again to bear fruitful results. For the present (Kali) age, the easiest path or sadhana for the salvation and self-realization is simply remembering the name of the Lord (Sai Baba) always. What can be easier than remembering Sai's name, which can be done anywhere, any time and in any place and can be practiced by anyone, irrespective of cast, creed, color, culture and nationality. Associated sadhanas are reciting His name or Vishnu-Sahasra-Naam, singing and hearing the stories and the glories of the Lord (Sai Baba), having faith and confidence in Guru, believing fully that the Guru is the sole Actor and Doer and accepting Guru to be Hari, Hara, Brahma incarnate, and practicing charity, particularly giving food to the hungry. Sai also clearly indicates some essentials and impediments for such sadhana. The essentials include devotion or Bhakti, satisfying of hunger, but not fasting or overeating, purification of mind, and the need for a Guru and His graceful blessings. The impediments are any traces of greed in mind and egoism, both of which are to be eliminated to successfully practice remembering of the Lord Sai Baba. Thinking, talking and doing the right thing at the right time and place are the essentials for peace and harmony for humans and simply remembering Sai's name will surely guide us in the right path. Jai Sai Ram.
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