Feature of the Week: When the Star was born!

Sai bhar de jholi hamaree...Sai bhar de jholi hamaree... Thum hain daatha...sab ke maalik...Main hoon ek bikaari...

Mysteries may remain, but the message is clear. It is about hundred years ago that Baba’s fame stared spreading. From the hamlet of Shirdi, the glory of the saint God began to spread covering the central plains of Maharashtra, later to the Deccan and the rest of Bharath. Blessed are those servants that carry His message across the seas of space and time.

Baba did not care much to announce who He was or where He had come from. Several people felt several ways. Some felt He was a Sufi saint, some the Lord of Pandharpur. The Europeans of those days felt His power and the magnificence. Some close to Baba, thanks to Sainath’s anecdotes, were able to locate Baba’s birthplace. Published accounts indicate that some saw Baba inquire about acquaintances in Pathri. Baba, during His second visit to Shirdi when He was welcomed by Mahalsapathy was described as a youthful fakir. He stayed in Shirdi for over next sixty years. Some accounts say that Baba was born on 28th of September. Some disagree.

How important is to know about the Baba’s birth? As much as the origin of a river or the beginnings of a Saint. Birth and death are the markers of time and none more. Universal spirit can not be confined; eternity can not be judged by physical measures, whether time or space. As this September 28 passes by, let us rejoice yet another reason for glorifying the Lord. Let us bask in the good times that Sai has lead us to. Let us remind ourselves once again of the abundant fortunes of the mysterious Saint and His clear message.
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Devotees Say

Ashutosh Jaiswal
Dear Sai devotees, I wish to express my deepest thanks to all who were caring enough to write in. I believe each one of us is a chosen messenger of Baba, to each other. He is guiding us to share with each other, our experiences and thoughts. He puts up the questions and he answers them too. In the process, he guides us in our troubles and sends messages to us, through each other among us- his Children. These are all his "leelas" that we are witnessing and participating in. It is rightly said in one of Baba's bhajans: " The difference between me and you is that I am 'Nar' and you are 'Narayan'....the world holds me and you hold the world....". It could take one innumerable lives to understand his 'leelas'. May he bless one and all. Jai Sairam.

Revati, Australia
Dear Sai brothers and sisters, Thank you so much for this lovely newsletter. After a long time, I started reading the Satcharita. And when I opened my email there was SaiVichar with sayings from the Satcharita. Indeed, Baba has Showered His Blessings. For those brothers and sisters whose problem I read, please know that our Mother Sai will always look after us and will Guide us in the right path. Please do not lose heart. My family has been led by both Parthi Sai and Shirdi Sai, we have battled with so much of life's problems that what we are today is because of Sai's Grace being showered on us. I will offer a special prayer to all of you. Thank you. Loka Samastha Sukino Bhavanthu.

Balakrishna
Om Sairam. This is in response to the devotee from Prayer Club’s mail. What I would like to say is " see the positive points in your life. You are working, you can spend 10 hours outside, 8 hours in sleep. The pain you have to suffer is 6 hours; I believe 2-3 hours you have to spend your time in kitchen. Try to tolerate this 3-4 hours patiently. Imagine people who have to stay at home and face this type of torture 24 hours. I believe you have an opportunity to relieve your stress by diverting all the anger and frustration on your work and achieving success at your work. I hope this mail does not hurt you. Women especially Indian women have to face this type of suffering. It is very easy to give advice... But to follow it requires lot of patience and tolerance. Explain everything to Baba ...ask him to give you strength to bear this type of abuse. When you face that situation "continuously say Sai namajapam" don’t answer or argue. Your husband should understand and try to judge properly. So pray to Baba that he should understand you. Try to divert his attention from silly issues to good things like poojas, yatras. Plan a trip to Shirdi. Stay there for a week. Shirdi yatra will definitely change people. As far as possible try to avoid lengthy discussions. "we have to accept what we cannot change .try to change what we cannot accept... But we should pray to Baba to give us wisdom to distinguish between these two.
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Prayer Club

Sai Utsav 2000, Chicago
We seek Baba's blessings for the grand success of Sai Utsav 2000 in Chicago during thanksgiving weekend.
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Sai Activities

Sai Utsav 2000, Shirdi Saibaba web site organization
Sai Utsav 2000 is scheduled to take place in Chicago, USA from November 23-25, 2000. The Event is free and includes meals and refreshments. Registration is on first come first serve basis and will stop upon reaching venue capacity. Registration is required for issuance of food passes. For more details and to download the registration form please visit Sai Utsav 2000 page .

All India Sai Samaj, Mylapore,Chennai-600 004
82nd Mahasamadhi celebrations of Lord Sainath
27th September 2000
5.15 a.m. Sri Ganapathi Homam, Sri Suktha Homam, Sri Navagraha Homam, special abhishekam to Lord Sainath, Sri Sahasranama archana,arati
6 p.m.- Kalasa sthapanam, pooja, Sri Sai Sahasranama archana, Prasad
28th September to 7th October 2000;
Daily morning and evening-Sri Sahasranama archana, Sri Lalitha sahasranamam, Sri Durga Sri Lakshmi, Sri Saraswathi ashtothrams pooja Prasad and Narayana seva Evening Music performance by leading artists
8th October 2000 Sunday Dashami-Ekadai Lord Sainath Mahasamadhi Day
9 AM- Aradhana, special Ruder abhishekam to Lord Sainath Sri Sai Sahasranama archana, prasad, lunch to all persons 9th October 2000 Procession of Lord Sainath portrait

Sai Centers in California and Nevada
Sai Baba Prayer Place, 4092 Meadow Grove, Las Vegas, NV 89120. Phone: 702-456-8060
Sai Baba Prayer Center, 8 Santa Eulalia, Irvine, CA 92606. Phone: 949-552-0070

Baba Prayer Center, Ashok Nagar, Chennai, India
Navarathiri Celebrations
Baba prayer centre, Ashok Nagar, Chennai - 83
daily evening program
28 September 2000 Baba prayer, Baba sahasranamam
29 September 2000 Lalitha sahasranam
30 September 2000 Vishnu sahasranamam
1 October 2000 to 6 October 2000 108 pottrigal and evening prayer, Om sai Sri sai jai jai sai chanting
7 October 2000 Baba maha samadhi day, abhisekam, Vishnu sahasranamam, sath sangam, annadanam.
E-mail prayer: babaprayercentre@usa.net babaprayercentre@hotmail.com babaprayercentre@yahoo.com kumarbabaonline@hotmail.com Web site: http//babaprayercentre.faithweb.com

Sai Pratishtapana, Shirdi Sai Mandir, Pittsburgh, USA
Sai Baba temple in Pittsburgh announces the idol consecrating ceremony (Sai Pratishtapana) on Saturday, October 7th 2000 at Sai Baba Mandir, Pittsburgh, USA. Please contact Raghu Malyala at 412-374-9244 for more information.

SAIDARBAR - HYDERABAD -INDIA
As a part of Vijaya Dasami celebrations this year, we intend to perform "SAI VAG YAGNAM"- OVER Telephone in Saidarbar on 07-10-2000 which also happens to be the day of "PUNYA THITHI" of BABA. It is expected that 51 devotees from all corners of the globe will participate in this event from 28-09-2000 to 06-10-2000 and 'sarvasya saranagathi' will be undertaken on 07-10-2000. Each devotee will be asked start with prayer to Baba in their minds and then shall read out the contents from any chapter of his choice(From SAI Satcharitra).The time allotted will be 5 minutes for each participant. SAI BANISA shall record the recitation and will come out with audio recording of the 'VAG YAGNA PROCEEDINGS' and reply in SAIDARBAR on the day of VIJAYA DASAMI. Those of the Saibandhus intending to take part in this 'YAGNA'(RECITATION)are requested to inform SAIBANISA by Email, Date, Time in IST and the chapter number of SAI SATCHARITRA during the above mentioned dates(28-09-2000 to 06-10-2000). No money needs to be paid to participate in this program. Contact saibanisa@yahoo.com for mail confirmation. After the YAGNA Prasadam will be send by post. It may please to be noted that only 51 participants can be accommodated and the time limit of 5 minutes will be adhered to. The book to be followed is SAI SATCHARITRA in English by SRI GUNAJI or SAI SATCHARITRA in Telugu by SRI PATTI NARAYANA RAO. Intending participants are requested to register their names with saibanisa@yahoo.com Telephone number will be given after confirmation.
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Experiences of Devotees

Gurumurthy Naga
I went to Shirdi for the first time during my recent trip to India. I reached Shirdi in the evening around 7.00pm. At around 9.15-9.30, I went to the Samadhi Mandir to see the night arati. Even though it was late, by His Grace I got a nice spot to sit and enjoyed the arati. I have never sat in the floor for that long and usually my legs go numb within a short while, but this time I had no problem. Above all, I felt a calmness in myself that I have not experienced before. Then, I wanted to see the other 3 aratis the next day! I got up early next day (around 3.00-3.30) and stood in the line for the morning arati. Unfortunately, this time I had to sit behind a pillar and was not able to see a thing. I felt bad and apologized to Baba if I had done anything wrong. At that time, I vowed to read Sri Sai Satcharitha fully before end of the day. I bought a copy of Sri Sai Satcharitha and wanted that to be consecrated by Baba before I started reading it. So, there I was again in the line with a copy of the book in my hand. This time I wanted to buy a bunch of red roses for Baba. Since I can't speak Hindi, I didn't want to deal with the street hawkers. I went through the queue and as I was close to Baba's samadhi, the person ahead of me (whom I never knew and who has no chance of knowing my desire to offer Baba some red roses) gave me a bunch of red roses from his hand and asked me to offer it to Baba. I was moved. Then, I gave the book with the bunch of red roses to the priest. The priest consecrated the book by keeping it in Baba's feet. The next thing he did - he returned the book with a big garland of red roses to me. I was speechless - the Gracious Baba gave me a big garland of red roses when I didn't even make the effort to buy him a small bunch of red roses. He is Love Incarnate. I started reading the Sai Satcharita by sitting in a pavement next to the Samadhi Mandhir. After a while, I stood in line for the madhyana arati. This time I had 2 prayers (both temporal...). Me being a mean child of His wished that if Baba acknowledges them he must be wearing a violet colored silk shawl similar to a saree that I had gotten by sister a few days ago. There I was in Madhyana arati, got a very good place to stand near Baba. Guess what - after the arati Baba was wearing a violet colored silk shawl. I was moved to tears and promised that I wouldn't make such silly demands again. I once again continued reading Sri Sai Satcharitha and it was almost 2.30 in the afternoon. I thought I will return after taking my lunch. I went to Goradia's had my lunch and having gotten up early I thought of taking a small nap so that I get up for the evening Arati on time. I overslept and got up at 8.00. I cursed myself and then went for a darshan again. Note that I didn't finish reading the Sat Charitha.

The next morning I went to Dwarakamai before I started. On the way back I read Sri Khaparde's diary and didn't bother to complete my vow of completing the Satcharitha. I reached Bangalore in the evening and my flight to Madras was delayed by several hours. I had planned other trips from Madras the next day early morning. Then, I realized my mistake and started reading the Satcharitha. I finished chapter 38 at night 11.00pm and they said I can board the flight now! Once I boarded the plane, I didn't make an attempt to finish my parayana. I dozed off. The flight landed in Coimbatore and stayed there in the runway for 3 hours. No technical or administrative reasons were cited. Once again I cursed myself and started reading from Chapter 39. By the time, I completed Chapter 50 (or 51) the pilot announced that we are taking off. Baba, I implore you to forgive my laziness. Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai

Revathy Sekhar, Howrah, India
I am a Sai devotee last 5 years. I have a daughter born on 25.1.2000. Her name is Sai Nirmala. Now she is 7 months old. In my family we give respect to Baba as our boss. When my child was 5 months old she was suffering from pain in her throat and we went to the child specialist. He checked her throat and showed it to me that there was a little (pepper size)white color infection there. The doctor gave some medicines and asked us to come after one week. We gave the medicines as per his advice and after one week we went again, still the infection was there. Then he advised us to go to an ENT specialist and asked to stop the medicine which was prescribed by him. We prayed to Baba. In my family we felt very sad for her. I have got "dhuni vibhuti" from my friend who is also a Sai devotee. I mixed the vibhuti with milk and gave it to the child immediately. We did not meet any ENT specialist. After one week, we went to the same child specialist for vaccination. Before giving the vaccination he checked her throat but to our great surprise there was no sign of infection or no white color was seen. We did not given any medicine for the infection. Baba is the great "hakkim"(doctor). Till now whenever she has any suffering Baba saves her. We have started bhajans since July my house every Sunday evening. Jai sai ram !

Ramakrishna, US
This is my experience. My employment authorization in US was expiring in the last week of Sep. Though I had applied for the renewal quite early, due the procedural delays in INS, I did not get it till the last moment. Last Monday, I talked to the INS officer, who told me that the card is not yet printed and might take few more days. I was worrying that I may not get the renewal before the expiration of the present authorization. I prayed Lord to help me and to my pleasant surprise when I went home, I found the renewal in the mail box. This is one of the many miracles happened to me.
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Question of the Week

Why did Sai Baba prevent Mahalsapathy, His impoverished humble servant, from receiving the sum?
Raghu Vissamraju, New Zealand
Woman & Wealth (2 W's) Sai wants his devotees to get rid off before they are blessed by him. I humbly request woman devotees not to misunderstand this belief. Baba's reference to "Woman" is not to gender form of human body. It is the lust that has to be ridden off but not the woman. How can God's creation sustain - getting rid of woman!? It is so unfortunate to note these days man is completely under the control of Wealth, which is created by him. Baba wants to save his devotee "Mahalsapathi" from this agony. Besides, If some one is poor or rich it is basically because of their past karma but nothing else. Baba mentioned in Satcharithra that "Whatever is left with us whether good or bad - it is ours - whatever is with others it is for them to have it!" So everything is decided by him and is given by him - so our happiness lies only in accepting the fact and bear with it. If someone tries to counter act their destiny they will have to face the music. Baba stopped Mahalsapthy from accepting wealth - because it is not wise to accept money just for nothing (This act binds him with indebtedness to that person). In this situation let us recall Baba's message that "We should get rid of debt and enmity", that we have with others before we could face the death. Also Baba knows that Mahalsapathy is poor (just because of his past deeds) and he wants him to grow rich by getting rid of his attachment with wealth. Let us again recall Baba's message that "To attain wealth in future - we should donate our wealth now to others" - " To enjoy the crop in future - we have to sow the seeds now ". The secret behind this concept is "Attachment in detachment". A devotee on union with Guru (Parabrahma) not only attains self realization but also attains those worldly benefits (though he never asks for them) automatically.
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Quotation of the Week

"Poverty holds the highest sovereignty, a thousand times greater than the grandeur of the nobleman. Allah befriends the poor", so would say Sai, always - Shri Sai Satcharitha by GR Dabholkar, translated by Indira Kher
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