Human life cannot escape from the power of attraction of the things of worldly nature. Yielding to the stimuli of the world that is so "real" is a course that is only natural. The mind that rejoices over a positive response is the same faculty that repents over something that is not favorable. Those who once had the blessing of realizing self-surrender easily forget the initial resolve, backtracked, only to find them in the same position they have started originally! The staircase of spiritual progression gives away to the slippery mess of self-centered interests. The power of myth is such.

Sri B. Hanumantha Rao in "Sai Anusaranamu" wrote that situations such as the above help us to realize our limitations as human beings. They reveal our weakness in not being able to deal with the issues of worldly nature in the right manner. First, it starts with a thought, thoughts lead to further interest and proceed to stronger wants. Accomplishing our wants fuel the ego, while the inability to accomplish leads to anger. More people fall to this trap. When we realize our mistakes, it is important to seek the divine grace. Sadguru is the guide that leads us towards this goal. Having faith in Sadguru is the most important requirement. One must constantly strive to build on the faith that they have in their Guru. While divine grace is accorded depending on one's karma, faith in sadguru is entirely a human effort. Hence, it is important to hold on to the faith, for faith even if weak, is better than no faith at all. Sai Baba said, "Maya troubles even me, what to speak of others". Just like a small lamp can drive away the darkness, faith in Guru will slowly but surely lead to the perennial bliss.
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Contributed Article:Hindu Worship

The word Puja came from the Dhathu "Puj", which means to worship, to honor, to welcome. The root of the word Puja is "Yaja" Deva Poojaayaam" means the service or activities that one cannot avoid from doing to propitiate or please God. Every country, state, religion, caste, family and even individual has its/their/his/her own belief and ways of performing Puja. Whatever may be the method or system or practice that one adopts or follows, there are, as per Hindu scriptures 4, 5 (Panchopachar), 8, 10 (Dasopachar), 13, 16 (Shodashopachar), 24, 32, 64 or 108 types of Upacharas or activities or services to propitiate God.

The daily worship generally consists of sixteen phases or items according to a conventional practice usually referred to as Shodasopachara Puja. These sixteen items are not always necessarily the same throughout. They differ from occasion to occasion and may be from place to place or person to person. But a common sequence popularly followed by majority of the devotees is as follows:

1. Avahanam - Invocation
2. Asanam- Offering a seat
3. Padyam- Water for washing the feet
4. Arghyam- Water for washing the hands
5. Achamaneeyam- A few drops of water for sipping
6. Snanam- Bathing with water, milk or honey
7. Vastram- Garments to cover the body
8. Yajnopaveetam- The sacred thread placed across the left shoulder and the right bottom part of the trunk
9. Gandham- Sandal paste
10. Pushpam- Flower or flowers
11. Dhoopam- Burning incense for fragrance and to intensify the feelings of devotion
12. Deepam- Lighting to remove darkness, symbolizes enlightenment
13. Naivedyam- Food for nourishment
14. Tamboolam- Betel leaves with nut and other ingredients, a condiment that signifies completion of a meal.
15. Neerajanam- Offering of camphor enkindled to have a better look of the Supreme both within and without
16. Atma Pradakshina Namaskaram- Prostration before the Lord as a mark of self-surrender after making a parikrama.

(1) Aavahan or Invocation or Praan Prathishta: We invite the Invisible Supreme Soul to manifest through the idol or photo that we keep in front of us for our prayers or Puja, or we imagine that God is residing in it or we imagine that God manifested in and through the idol or photo accepting our prayers or imagine that the idol or photo has life and God is accepting our prayers through the Idol or photo.

(2) Asan or Simhasan or Throne: As we cannot and do not have the capacity to offer a magnificent throne to Lord, Who is the owner of the whole universe, we offer HIM a seat, according to our capacity, thinking that HE feels comfortable, and start decorating it inwardly with all kinds of precious stones, jewels, gold, flowers, cushions, etc., the best we can think of and request the Lord to be seated to accept our offerings.

(3) Padyam. This includes the symbolic offering of water for washing the feet. This custom dates back since the days when very few used to wear shoes or chappals and those days without convenient transport facility. Offering water to wash the dust and dirt off the feet. It is also a sign of respect to offer water to wash one's feet. We can see the references to this act in our scriptures, especially with reference to Rishis, Sages, etc. We also do Pada Puja (worshipping the holy feet) to Saints in our houses.

(4) Arghyam: As we imagine God has assumed the shape of a human being with two legs, two or four hands, one or more heads, etc., moved by our prayer, we offer HIM water with a feeling that HE would like to wash HIS hands before accepting our offerings, as we do before doing something good or important, sacred or taking food.

(5) Achaman: We do Achaman (i.e., we sip water three times with mantras like Om Govindaya Namaha, Om Narayana Namaha, Om Madhavaya Namaha, etc.) facing or sitting towards East to cleanse our inner-self (Antharangam) with the water purified with Mantras, so that any thoughts that we might have entertained either before or after starting Puja will vanish from our mind. Like this, we purify ourselves. As we cleanse our body by taking bath, we cleanse our inner-self by taking water saturated or purified with Mantras.

Again here water is offered to God with a view that HE washes HIS face. It is the tradition in our houses that whenever any guest comes from outside, after ushering him into the house, we give him water for drinking as well as washing or at least sprinkling water on the face so that the guest feels relieved of the tiredness and strain of the journey.

(6) Snanam/Bath: Bath given to the God with Ganga Jal or milk, or honey, or with perfumed water, etc.

(7) Vastra Yugmam: Then we offer good clothes to God and decorate HIM with excellent quality clothes, according to our capacity, as we do to our children on their birthdays.

(8) Yagnopaveetam: We then offer HIM Yagnopaveetam, a sacred thread placed across the left shoulder and the right bottom part of the trunk.

(9) Gandham: We offer God scented chandan (sandal paste) so as to give coolness to HIS body. The royal kings used to do this in the olden days. We offer Oordhwapundram or decorate God with Tilak or some such decoration to God's face. The next step is Alankar God with Abharanas or jewels. As we feel that by wearing such and such ornaments, we look beautiful or we beautify ourselves with all kinds of alankaras, the same way, we should also feel that the Lord is Self only and we should decorate HIM with the same feeling and purpose so that HE looks beautiful.
(to be continued...)
(A contribution by Paritala Gopi Krishna, New Delhi, India)
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Experiences of Devotees

Kamala Devi
My name is Kamala Devi. I believe Sai Baba as my grandfather who saved my mothers' life. It was in Feb 1998 when we came to know that my mother had cervix tumor. The doctors said that it was in advanced stage. I did not know what to do. On a Thursday, I went to Saikrupa where every Thursday satsang were being organized by Mrs. Annapurna Devi who is a staunch believer of Sai Maharaj. On that day, as the satsang was going on, Mrs. Annapurnadevi stared at me with tears in her eyes. I felt that Baba was calling me and went to her to narrate the suffering but nevertheless Baba is sarvantaryami, without me saying anything she asked me not to worry and that my mother be alright within 6 months and that she has to take Baba thirtham everyday 4 times and just keep faith in Baba, I felt solace and I went to my mother told her the great experience with her. My mother strictly followed the prescription by Baba . To our rejoice in june1998 we took a CTScan for her and incredulously the report came very normal that is there are no traces of cancer. Hence I feel that Baba has given gift to us and I am ever indebted to him. It is ineffable to describe his magnanimity
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Devotees say...

Sathyabhama Sharma, Maryland, USA
Guru is like a Pot maker who presses hard from the outside for the pot to take a better shape. At the same time His love never stops to overflow when He caresses it softly from inside. This Pot is His Pride and Joy. Due to our EGO, we are unable to stand unaffected in adverse circumstances. But true Guru keeps His beloved child in constant tests to learn this lesson of Sthithapragna.. Disobedience mars the beauty of the pot and leaves a big scar on the heart of Guru. Only repentance and Improvement makes the child worthy to regain the lost place. There is no place for complaints between Guru and Disciple. Obedience and Improvement on part of disciple goes a long way to heal the scar on Gurus heart. When the effort is there then no matter how wrong the child is Mother Sai will not forget to touch the child with utmost Kripa. How true it is that one has to sacrifice his/her all and become zero to secure that loving place at His holy Feet.

S.V. Swamy, Hyderabad, India
Sai Ram. The feature article made interesting reading. Once a person accepts (or is accepted by) Baba, He becomes Guru, God, Mother and Father, in fact, everything to him. Because, slowly but steadily Baba works on the mind of the devotee and makes him see Him everywhere and in everything! The devotee may not initially 'see' Sai in other people or animals or inanimate objects. But he will see Him in photos, portraits and idols. Thus Sagunopasana, esp. idol worship is the first step in the pilgrim's progress to Nirgunopasana. To the extent the Sadhaka's mind starts assimilating these eternal truths, the narrow-mindedness, which manifests as 'ego', gives way to broad-minedness, which is equivalent to ego-dissolution. And once the ego which is the 'Teli's wall (in His words)' is dissolved, what else but rapture (Bliss) can result? All Kama (Sexual desire) in the world is an imperfect tainted version of the strong desire on the part of the individual to merge with the Universal. And Sat-Chit-Ananda can result only when the last wall is broken down or dissolved in a torrent of truly selfless-love! To such a devotee, all Gods and Gurus are one! In the early stages of one's spiritual development, one may see different Gods in different forms and similarly think of different Saints as different. But Lord Sri Krishna told Sri Arjuna, clearly that whatever he offered to any God reaches Him! Similarly Sri Sai also showed several times (through Ratanji Wadia, Haribhau Karnik and may other episodes given in Sri Sai Satcharitra) that all saints are One! So in such a case, there is really no necessity for us to keep shifting from one Guru to another. But in the beginning, variety does appeal to young minds and God decides through which of the many doors, each of us enter His kingdom!

Nagalaxmi Yelleswarapu, New Zeland
Iam currently located at New Zealand. I Intend to read sai satcharitra. I would like to have some guidelines on what chapters to be read on 1st day to 8th day. The online document is not indicating the same. - Jai Sai Ram

Madhavi Alaparthy
I have a question. People say and it has been mentioned in Sai Sacharitra that nothing happens without god's will. There is a saying that even a leaf can't move without god's will. In that case, why are all these crimes being committed?

Kitty, Germany
My name is Kitty I'm from germany and 19 years old.I've got a question,you maybe can answear me: I read that Shirdi Sai Baba is the Protector of people who are afraid to fall.And people who wear an amulett are protected.Can you tell if that is true,and if it is can you tell me why.Thank you very much!

Ramesh, Australia
I live in sydney,australia. There is any shiridi sai baba temple in sydney. if there is any please give me the details. Thanking you,
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Sai Activities

Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir, Panvel, India
Contact: Bhisham Vachhani, Dubai

To all devotees of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba please visit www.surf.to/saibaba and see the messages there to get the daily thought of the day by our Sadhguru Sri Narayan Baba of Panvel. Also you can join the yahoo club to see nice pictures of Sri Sai Baba and Sadhguru Sri Narayan Baba of Panvel Om Sai Ram

Shirdi Sai Samsthan USA, Chicago
MONTHLY PUJA on Sunday, January 28, 2001
VENUE: Shirdi Saibaba Mandir,
27W321 Butterfield Road, Warrenville, IL - 60555
9:00 AM Kakada Aarti
9:30 AM Abhishek
Sri Sai Ashtothara Puja
Bhajans & Kirthans
12:00PM Madhyahna Aarti
12:30PM Mahaprasad
for directions, please visit www.saisamsthanusa.org

Saidarbar, Hyderabad, India

Six Annadhaanam (Poor feeding) programs were organized.

Sai darbar in collaboration with Om Sai Shakti Kendra conducted Gayathri Mata Mahayagna on 7th January 2001.

Smt and Shri.Anil Zutshi from Danbury, USA visited Saidarbar on 9th January 2001 and showed keen interest in starting Saidarbar at Danbury CT, USA.

Tele Satsangh of one and half-hour duration was conducted from Saidarbar, Hyderabad with Saidarbar, Colorado Springs, USA on 4th January

For further information about Sai darbar and its activities, please contact: SAIBANISA at saibanisa@hotmail.com
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Prayer Club

Jeegar
I request that all Sai Devotees please pray for Mr.Mahendra who is in an ICU in Critical condition. May lord Sai bless him with a complete recovery. Jai Sai Ram
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Quotation of the Week

"Baba would accept with appreciation any small thing offered with love and devotion, but if the same thing was offered with pride and haughtiness, He would reject it. Being Himself full of Sat Chit Anand (Existence, Knowledge and Bliss) He did not care much for mere outward formalities; but if an offering was made in a meek and humble spirit, the same was welcome and He accepted it with pleasure and avidity" - Shri Sai Satcharitha
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Question of the Week

What did Baba try to teach us through the story of Haji Siddiq Falke?
by S.V. Swamy, Hyderabad, India

Haji Siddiq Falke had to wait for nine months after his pilgrimage to Mecca and Madina. The seed of purity planted in Mecca and Madina needed that time to grow and emerge. Baba wanted to test whether Haji's humility was real or false. He also wanted to test the Haji's Shraddha and Saburi. When Baba asked through Shama whether the Haji is willing to pay Him rupees 40,000 in four installments, the Haji replied that he was willing to pay even rupees forty lacs! In fact, it was Baba, who often said that He has to give 10 times or hundred times what He takes from devotees. Here, the Haji, out of his ardent devotion or out of pride, offers 100 times what Baba asked! Similarly when Baba asks him whether he wants the haunch or the testicles of the goat, the Haji, 'humbly' replies that he will be satisfied with a small crumb from Baba's Kolamba. While to all present, this may appear as utmost humility, probably only Baba knew that there was a small seed of pride concealed deep down. Even the Haji was probably not conscious of it. So it had to be first brought up and then destroyed. This pride, Baba demolishes by shouting at him, "Why do you brag and fancy yourself great and pose yourself as an old Haji? Do you read Quran, like this? You are proud of your pilgrimage to Macca; but you do not know Me." After admonishing the Haji thus and destroying his ego, Baba accepted him. Thus the lesson that we can learn from this very significant story is that the 'greatest', 'purest' or 'humblest' of the Sadhakas may, without their own knowledge or awareness, be tainted by ego, pride. Only a Sadguru can see our innermost secrets and destroy the weeds or cancers. And on our part, Shraddha and Saburi are the only requirements for Sadguru's grace to dawn on us.
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