Feature of the Week: The power of Bhakthi

The efficacy of Bhakthi or devotion as means of salvation can never be fully emphasized. Its power and the results one gains through this chosen path are such. Guru Bhakthi is the one where the disciple loves and serves Guru and accepts Him as the God. For such a disciple there is no other thing in the world which is more important, meaningful, and fulfilling than the Guru is. When the disciple performs his duties with reverence, Guru empowers him with unusual boons and showers His grace in the form of capabilities to perform miracles. The disciple who by now has succeeded in surrendering his body and soul to the supremacy of the Guru can only perform his duties in a selfless manner without moving even a bit from his disposition of humility.

Shri R. Parthasarathy in "God who walked on earth", a classic work on sadguru Sainath, wrote, "Baba stressed the importance of devotion to one’s Guru and treating him as God. It was seeing God in, through and as the Guru and identifying the Guru with God that marked the Bhakthi path shown by Baba. Baba’s method of teaching varied. He would simple touch with his palm the head of the devotee and that would have one kind of influence. Sometimes, He pressed His hands heavily on the devotee’s head as though he was crushing out some of the low impulses. On occasions He would pat on the back of the devotee or would press His palm over his hand. Each had its own effect affecting the sensations and feelings of the persons concerned. Apart from touch, He effected an invisible operation on the devotee which brought about a great change in him".

In the same work, an incident narrates the boon given by Baba to Kusa Bhav, a devotee. "Henceforth", He said, "you will have the power to produce udhi from the dhuni of Mayi of Shirdi by merely remembering me and holding forth your hands. Give this udhi freely. It will help all people and you will get punya". Kusa Bhav gave this udhi to Narasimha Swamiji when he met him in Pune. Kusa Bhav closed his eyes and stretched his hands with uplifted face and suddenly his palm was full of udhi and he said: "Hold your hands and receive the udhi". Narasimha Swamiji found the udhi to be warm coming as it did fresh from Dhuni Mayi in Shirdi on a cold day.
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Devotees Say

Havovi Medora, New Jersey, USA
I have been reading the articles and following the various ideals and thoughts of people all over the world. It is phenomenal to see that there are Sai devotees from all over, even Africa. To think that Baba went nowhere, taught or preached no religion, I would say that this is a miracle in itself that we are scattered all over the universe and all of us are Sai devotees. Yes, there are lots of experiences people have had of his awesome power that I can relate to. To the ones who feel hopeless and desolate, it's not that you are doing something wrong or that Baba is not listening. Sai is always there listening and he knows your thoughts before they even enter your mind, but he mainly taught two things - FAITH and PATIENCE. Rome was not built in a day. Yes, we can feel the frustration, desolate, hopelessness but always remember that those who have firm faith know that no matter what the delay Baba will come through. You also have to be aware of what it is you are asking for, know your on mistakes ,ask forgiveness for them, then you can turn to him. Sai is most compassionate and merciful. As for praying, the best prayers are your own. Sai listens to you. By someone else praying in proxy is not going to make him listen better!! Baba never said NO to any of his devotees, so have faith and patience, and your prayers will be answered. I have written this simple poem to show you how simple it is to reach Sai.

WHEN EVERYTHING SEEMS HOPELESS, SAD AND LOST
HE COMES LIKE A SHINING LIGHT
HE ENVELOPS ME IN HIS LOVE
AND THEN HE HELPS ME FIGHT

HIS MERCY AND LOVE ARE SO PROFOUND
HIS DEVOTEES A GLOBAL TROOP
SAI IS THERE FOR ALL OF US ALWAYS
EVEN WHEN WE FLY THE COOP

LIKE A LAMB THAT'S STRAYED, HE'LL STEER US BACK
GENTLY INTO HIS LOVING EMBRACE
HE CARES FOR EVEN THE LITTLEST ANT, HEN, DUCK OR DRAKE

SO THAT'S MY SAI, THE ONE I LOVE
WHO TEACHES ME RIGHT FROM WRONG
HE'S THE ONE I LEAN UPON
WHO HELPS ME TO BE STRONG

NOTHING SEEMS HOPELESS SAD OR LOST
WITH SAI BABA BY MY SIDE
INFACT THE WORLD'S A BETTER PLACE
BY HIS WILL THEN, LET US ABIDE

Sai Venkat, Sharjah, UAE
Sai Ram. I would request you to e-mail the latest SAI VICHAAR . Please ensure to e-mail this unique publication to me regularly. I recently got a copy the Sai Sahasra Namaavali from your web site. I am impressed by this universal and selfless service May His Grace and blessings shower on each and everyone of your dedicated team. You will agree with me that when translating our language in English or any other versions, one must take adequate care to give the correct vowels, correct words and/or nearest substitutes and proper splitting. This divine verse should be correctly presented to reap the rich bounties of the Sai Aaradhana . Sai devotees all over the world will agree with me that this will help them chant the correct version of our shlokas and mantras .

Please note that the existing version needs several corrections and proper-splitting . You will agree with me that correct vowels, words and/or near substitutes and correct word-splitting will serve all Sai devotees to chant this Universal Sahashranaama correctly and meaningfully. Most of them are alien to our languages . I pray Sainath that you would kindly adopt all measures to review, amend and correct all errors in the existing version . With humble prostration and obeisance to Sath-Chit-Ananda Sadguru Sree Sainaath.

Ravin, Ithaca, NY
This is in response to devotee Rebecca’s comment a few weeks ago on a reference to Muslim devotees vs. Mahalsapathy in a book on Sainath. I presume the reference is made to Sri R Parthasarathy’s book on Baba, “God who walked on earth”. It is a notion by most vegetarians in India that meat eating folks are physically stronger than those that doesn’t. It is probably true because a morsel of meat could add a lot more nourishment to otherwise less nourishing bowl of rice and condiments as could be the case in a poor household. Highly nourishing vegetarian food is still a luxury to the most poor. Perhaps, the point made by the writer was to refer to this aspect and enunciate the fact that the frail goldsmith (Mahalsapathy) stood there like a shivering lamb in the presence of angry men that did not approve of his devotion. The reference may not construe anything derogatory towards one way of eating or the other. However, I must confess that I personally feel most of the writers approach writing on Baba from their own perspective and in the process stress those opinions and experiences dear to us. R. Parthasarathy explicitly declared that Baba was a vegetarian! Dr. Marianne Warren wrote a very interesting book on the Sufi roots of Sainath that may come quite surprisingly different to those who want to believe Baba to be otherwise. The uniqueness of this great saint lies in the way each and everyone of us relates to Him. Bow to Sri Sai, Peace be to all.
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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, Chicago
Registrations are open for Sai Utsav 2000 to be celebrated in Chicago, USA from November 23-25, 2000. The capacity at this three-day event is limited to 2500 people and will be offered on first come first served basis. For more details and to download the registration form please visit Sai Utsav page. Please register early to avoid disappointment.

Saidarbar, Hyderabad - India.
"VISWA SAIDARBAR" was inaugurated on the day of GuruPoornima from Saidarbar-Hyderabad. The Site http://www.viswasaidarbar.com was finally launched on VijayaDasami day (07-10-2000) from London, U.K. The Site is dedicated to all Shiridi SAI Devotees. Devotees are requested to visit the site and record their valuable suggestions for improvements at : info@viswasaidarbar.com.

All India Sai Samaj, Mylapore,Chennai-600 004 India.
Pujyasri Narasimhaswamiji founded All India Sai Samaj, Mylapore, Chennai in the year 1940. He is responsible for the Sai movement all over the world as he spread the teachings of Sai in every nook and corner of the country untiringly for many years from 1936 to 1956. He brought out many Sai literature in simple language and made them available in English, Tamil, and Telugu. He used to distribute Lord Sai photos/lockets to many and spread Sai prachar. He used to celebrate Mahasamadhi for many days with archana, music etc., thereby drawing many into Sai fold. Even today we are following his footsteps by celebrating Mahasamadhi of Lord Sainath with gaiety and pomp. This year, 82nd Mahasamadhi celebrations is scheduled for the period 27th September to 16th October, spreading for twenty days. Every day till 8th October, morning and evening Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam Sri Durga,Sri Lakshmi, Sri Saraswathi astothrams and Kannika pooja for seven/nine Kannikas were performed and prasadam distributed to all.

In Last week's issue the details during the period 27th September to 3rd October were narrated. On 4th October evening music performance was given by Kumaris Nithya and Divya of Kottivakkam. In the night Smt.Nikila Shyamasundar rendered music. On 5th October, being Thursday, very large number of devotees participated in the abhisek to Lord Sainath in the morning around 5.15 a.m. Everyone assembled were allowed to perform milk abhisek to Lord Sainath. At 10 a.m., Sai Bhajan was performed by Smt.Satyabama and group, a well organised Bhajan mandali. In the evening Shri N.Shivakumar gave flute recital. At night Shri T.K.S.Kalaivanan rendered devotional music with his orchestra. On 6th October, Smt.Jayanthi Mohan, popular singer of All India Radio gave music performance. In the night, discourse on Life of Sai was rendered by Kalaimamani Sri Ilayavan. On 7th October, Saraswathi pooja was performed in the morning at the Sanctum Sanctorum. In the evening there was Veena concert by Mylapore Sri Sethuraman. In the night young talented artist Master M.Balamuralikrishna rendered music. On 8th October, Sunday, Lord Sainath Mahasamadhi Day was observed. Here many wanted to know why All India Sai Samaj and some other Institutions are observing Ekadasi day as Mahasamadhi Day whereas Shirdi is observing Vijayadashami day as Mahasamadi day. Sri K.Ramaswamy, President of All India Sai Samaj very clearly explained to devotees that Pujyasri Narasimhaswamiji was following Ekadasi day as the Mahasamadhi day from the inception of All India Sai Samaj, as when Lord Sainath entered Samadhi it was the beginning of Ekadasi, as such Mahasamadhi being celebrated on Ekadasi Thithi and many Institutions follow Swamiji's way even today. Being Sunday very large number of devotees participated in the Mahasamadhi day function. Aradhana pooja was performed by the President Sri K.Ramaswamy. Rudra Abhiseka with panchamirtam, fruits, milk, sandal paste, rose water and Ganges water were performed. All the devotees were given lunch in the form of prasad. In the evening Master Praveen gave music performance. In the night Madurai M. Ramachandran rendered devotional music. On 9th October, Smt.Lakshmisree gave violin recital. In the night Lord Sainath and Swamiji's portraits were taken round along the Mada street of Sri Kapaleeswarar temple and Alarmelmangapuram with Nadaswaram, Karakattam, Peacock dance. During the procession, crackers were burst. Very large number of devotees participated in the procession which returned to temple around midnight. On 10th October Palakad brothers Sri Murali and Sri Vaidyanathan gave vocal recital. In the night Smt T.R.Gayathri gave wonderful devotional songs.
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Experiences of Devotees

MRK, Phoenix, AZ, USA
THE INCREDIBLE SHIRDI SAI-present past, and future
Om SAI RAM. My humble salutations to Sai. He came to me in the shape of painting made by a colleague of my eldest daughter. She was not expected and she suddenly came from Hyderabad India. I just finished looking into Saivichar and feeling happy that I could contribute short articles on bhakti, raja, gnana and karma yogas with little knowledge I had. Within one hour this incredible picture came in. I never asked for it, but I felt Baba sent his blessings this way- his way as he once a sent a photo to a devotee to whom he promised to visit at the time of lunch in his house. This event fulfils two of my desires. It was in 1937 as a boy of fourteen years, I requested Pujya B.V.Narasimhaswamiji to allow me to translate his book of Shirdi Sai devotees experiences into Telugu, but he told me that I was too young and asked SRI Bapatla Hanumantha Rao garu to do it. Thus my desire to write in connection with Shirdi Sai is satisfied. When Pujya B.V.Narasimha swamy came to my house in 1936 and stayed with us, my father desired to have Shirdi Sai's picture. Within ten days of Sri Narasimha swamy left our house, a gentleman came to my place with a full size photo painted by him. He said he had a dream in which Baba showed himself and asked him to paint him and give the picture to my father. This was hanging in the front of my house from 1936 to 1971 when my mother died. I desired it but my third brother took it away and kept in his place. I was happy as this resulted in his wife translating experiences into Telugu and Hindi, but still desired to have one myself. Now it -His painting by another devotee came to me. This is how Shirdi SAI SATISFIES OUR DESIRES.

Earlier he did many things for me. My eldest son about 1971 got a seat in IIT Madras. We were very happy. But a short time after wards, it was found that he had an aortic valve leakage. we lost all our happiness and were very depressed. Through late Sri Sangamesam garu of Madras, he assured us that he will have long life and we will definitely pass away before him. It is he who is looking after us in our old age. This assurance, gave us courage at that critical moment. Few months later, I had to visit Bombay on official work. I flew from Madras, but CBI case was adjourned though I planned to stay for a week. Saturday early morning Baba came in my dream and directed me to go to Shirdi from Bombay. I did not know how to go. He arranged a seat in the bus by just canceling one ticket and making the passenger offer the ticket to me. Somebody in the bus took me to place of residence, showed me all places and made me do Satyanarayana puja and put me back in bus to Bombay. I never thought of going to Shirdi but he arranged everything. I never had surplus money but always had all I need and wanted. Thus Baba always was and will be with devotees. SADAA SAATH RAHO SADAA RAKSHA KARO SAI RAM Om SAIRAM

Sarita
Each of us has our share of problems in life. The guru's guidance helps us steer clear of pitfalls and problems, and his grace? Oh where would we be without his divine grace, what would become of us. Here is a personal experience:

Although I claimed to be a Sai devotee I was in the habit of getting ruffled by the most trivial things. Then one day trouble really did knock on my door, I was diagnosed with a disease that could lead to blindness. I realized how much I had taken all of BABA's Blessings for granted. How I had worried and fretted over needless things. I was beginning to wonder if maybe my realization was too late. As always I turned to BABA, as always my dearest friend and guide came to my rescue. In the second session for treatment, the doctor claimed the diagnosis was wrong. I was normal. BABA had given me a new lease of life. It also made me aware of all the disease and suffering in the world. I'm going to try to make a difference in my own little way. I hope each one of you does too. It's the only way we can hope to show our gratitude to our dearest friend and guide. Please let's work together in spreading BABA's message and in lightening other people burdens.
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Question of the Week "What is the social purpose of a spiritual ritual?"
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Quotation of the Week

“ Most of the religious scriptures and holy men seem to suggest that one ought not to aspire for this or that material goal, in being devoted to a guru. Sri Sai Baba never laid down such a rule. Indeed, once when a self-assured devotee dissuaded a few visitors who came to Sai Baba for the fulfillment of material needs, the Master told him not to do so” – Acharya E. Bharadwaja in “Sai Baba the Master”.
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