"Mirthful sportive Ram has come, has come with sackfuls of udi. This refrain only, he (Sai Baba) would sing at his own sweet will, full of joy " Shri Sai Sat Charita, XXXIII, 29.

The holy meritorious, off-white ash produced by the perpetually burning dhuni in the masjid, which Sai Baba would apply on the forehead of his devotees when they approached him for taking leave to depart, he would call udi. ‘U’ (as in full) means up and ‘i’ (as in pin) means to go. Learned men interpret "i" also to mean go up, ascending on high, soaring into heavens. So that which causes the dawn of good firtune in this and the other world for devotees of Sai Baba is called udi. She is the mother of Sai devotees, the divine Kamadhenu (legendary cow mentioned in the Mahabharatha). She removes suffering, destroys fear and calamity, gets rid of pain or sorrow, does not burn and ever gives happiness. It is not pungent, bitter, sour or saltish to the taste but sweet and pleasing. It has divine medicinal or healing virtues, and it destroys laziness, dullness of understanding, disease, sin etc. Sai Baba has created it out of great compassion for the welfare of his devotees. If it is always taken with singular devotion and loving heart, there is no doubt that it leads to salvation.

(Source: Shri Sai Baba by Swami Sai Sharan Anand, translated by V.B.Kher)
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Experiences of Devotees

Julluru Muraleedhdar Rao
I am a staunch devotee of Shirdi Sai and he never let me down whenever I approached him for help. I would like to share some of my experiences with fellow devotees.

My life was in sort of trouble in late 1997. I left the job I was doing and searching for the right one. I owed to go to Shirdi if I get the right job. By baba’s grace I got my dream job and I went to Shirdi to offer my gratitude.

I came to USA in 1999 and my employer was not treating me well. I was in a kind of fix as I can’t go back and at the same time I can’t continue to work and added to this my wife was carrying. I had to take some decision. I prayed for baba’s help and I decided to send my wife back to India so that atleast she will have peace of mind. Then it happened one weekend, one of my friends contacted me and told me that the company he is working for is looking to recruit people and he forwarded my Resume to them. I got a call from them with in a week and with baba’s grace I got a very good job. I never expected that I would get that job. But baba proved to me that he could do miracles if one has complete faith in him.

I wanted my child to be born on Thursday and baba granted that wish also. My daughter (Sai Manasa) was born on 2nd November 2000.

I am going to visit Shirdi during my visit to India in April to thank baba for what all he gave to me and to reassure my faith in his holy feet.

Om Sai Sri Sai, Jaya Jaya Sai.
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Devotees say...

Shabnam Sanyal, New Jersey, USA
OM SHRI SAI RAM This is regarding my article that you printed in Saivichaar dated January 11 2001 Vol 3 Issue 34. I had mentioned that Sri Sathya Sai Baba had gone to Prashantidham in Ujjain to do the Pranprathisthan on Shirdi Baba, but as soon as I found out that my statement was a mistake, I had put an open apology to both Sri Saidas Babaji and Shri Sathya Saibaba through this forum. My humble apologies to Sri Saidas Babaji and Sri Sathya Saibaba for having made the staement that Sri SathyaSaiBaba had been to PrashantiDham and done the Pranprathisthan of ShirdiBaba there. I was not trying to mislead anybody I just saw Photographs of this ceremony at a talk given by Sri Saidas Babaji and assumed it took place in Prashantidham, but I found out later that the photographs were taken at a different ashram. Please do post this apology in your next Saivichaar. Pranaams

Shyam Madhikarmy, Auckland, New Zealand
I do not know what impact will be by following lines and how other devotees will take it. I leave it up to our Sadguru Baba and pray for his guide that I do not inflict pain to anyone by my few personal comment. I am learning Baba’s teachings. Words may seem simple but it carries deeper and significant inner meaning of great spiritual values. Practicing up to its meaning seems not always possible for us and we start put forth excuses. Shraddha and saburi (devotion and patience) are two diamonds Baba had repeatedly taught us to follow (Sai Satcharitra). Each one of us who call ourselves as devotees has to give a thought over it whether we are living up to it, practicing it in our day to day life.

I strongly believe we should pray for welfare of fellow men. I recite Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhawantu daily. Devotees speak positive about Shraddha and saburi in favourable or good times, but in practice, it seems to me at times they still do not have attained enough faith on these two words- probably due to effect of material world- Kali Age. Devotees tend to speak positive while in good time with material possession. Once they are in loss of material possession (too much desire) they turn to Baba and ask other devotees for praying for their material gain (job, money, etc). In my opinion, at such moment they just forget the diamonds- Shraddha and Saburi. We, Sai Devotees forget to remember Shraddha and Saburi at such only apparently difficult times. Let us concentrate and contemplate on Sadguru at all time (good or bad, happy or sorrow, all are passing cloud spiritually). It may be Baba’s Leela and he is putting us under test if we have true devotion. Baba has several times indicated that devotees have not asked for one why and what He has come to give - for spiritual advancement. Not every one seriously ask and practices his teachings. Let us not always ask for material and trivial things with Baba. Let us pray Baba for His guidance in our spiritual endeavour and spiritual transformation on us. Om Sri Sai Ram

Renuka
Sairam! Our friend Shri Reddy seems to have a doubt whether one can pray to more gods than one at the same time.He has quoted the Bible .Though I've not read the Bible, out of SAI's grace ,one can very firmly say that the Super Consciousness, which verily everyone calls GOD, is one and the same..You may give it any name.All religions have stressed the innate spiritual consciousness of man-that man is a spiritual being & is not to be mistaken as a mere 'sharir dhari'. SAI ,the Mother ,has verily recognised the unity of all religions.All roads lead to Rome. All religions merge in the universal Spirit. So why should our friend entertain such doubts?

Sai Devotee
This is to clear Mr Nagendra Reddy Bandi's doubt about praying to more than two Gods, Its always good to follow one religion and one faith,and make all honest efforts to know and understand the religion throughly before jumping into any conclusions.For the sake of just knowing the religion you may read through,for ex: books on Buddism, Sikhism- and Bible it is very interesting, but to follow the priciples one has to do deep study.The answer for your question is given in Bhagavath Gita.If you follow too many faith you will not reach any where.

Dr.Gurram VidyaSagar Reddy , USA
On March 15 th Sai Vichar I have read question from Nagendra Reddy Bandi who was asking weather we can pray more than one God. It is a miracle to see this question after so many years. I used to know a boy named Nagendra Reddy Bandi , father Raghava Reddy back in 1991 in Patancheru near Hyderbad. He was from Nalgonda and I am actually related to him. I am not sure weather both are same. He used to ask lots of questions at that time mainly in general knowledge. Iam glad by Sai's grace he is doing well. I heard he was doning IIT in India and may be he is in USA right now doing MS if both are same. Please let me know. Answering your question, I strongly believe in Sai. May be because of that I pray all Gods including Jesus and Allah. I think God is one and all are same. I see Sai in Jesus and Jesus in Sai. I pray all the Gods everyday, every moment and and I feel immense satisfaction. It is very interesting. Iam not sure how many people beleive like me but for many years I have been feeling like that.
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Prayer Club

B.K.Chhetri, Bhutan
Sera Sai Followers, I am in Bhutan and beloved follower of Sai. I have son 11 years old with diagonised as Rhematism through heart murmur two years back. since then he is taking 6 lakh penidore injection every after 21 days . The child is very much worried,as the injection is painful. I have consulted few doctors but says, it is indeed neccessary to continue for another 4-5 years. Here,I would like to appeal my fellow friends and sai follower to pray for him so that, this treatment could be discontinue. I would also request doctors ( Sai Followers ) to come and advice/ suggest about its backdrop, Since i am lay man in this feilds.

Rajesh Reddy.S
Om Sri Sai Ram. Iam a faithful of sai baba of shiradi, I have been to shiradi three times till now. Iam 23 yrs old guy with lot of bad habits with me. Daily i bow to god in morning with faith and fear, and Pray to him . Iam doing a small business in my home town chennai. I have a big problem with me that is Drinking . Daily i plan not to drink in the morning but what happens to my mind i dont know automaticaly i will take 2-3 bottles of that dirty drink. Befor drinking i will think not to do so but automaticaly i will go to the shop to get that drink which i want to stop Permanentaly . Because of this i am facing lot of problems in my life I want move softly in my house with my parents and friends After scoulding them i will pray to god to forgive me And i feel very shame and sorry for such conduct.

I would like to pray to the allmighty god to guide me to stop my conduct I am a faithful devoute of sai ram Now after saying all this I feel ashame and happy that i have accepted my mistake Baba please show me your grace up on this idiot boy .Baba there is no one to save a guy like me Baba please save me falling in ditch. Baba Even little leaf and autom in the universe moves with your order only so baba please forgive me and save Baba Iam your son Its not good for the Father to allow his son getting spoiled so baba please save me.

Radhika, USA
I was given this site address by my friend. My husband is suffering from a very rare Thyroid cancer. I want to do the Saptaha. I have never done it before. I want to know the procedure. Please give details. I have to start immediately. I want Baba's blessings so he will be safe. He may undergo surgery in 2 weeks time. Please pray to baba for us.

Dr. Usha
Om Sai Ram. My grandmother who passed away many years ago was a great devotee of baba and I hear from my mother and aunt that she used to have prayers every thursday at home and distribute prasadhams. In my house my mother did not do anything so we sort of forgot about Sai. Recently when I went to bombay I had the blessings of God to go to Shirdi. We had great dharshan and now i feel Sai's love for all of us. My son who is in US is very perturbed. His h1 visa is taking time to come and that's depressing him a lot. Everytime he writes to me I sit and cry and I thought why not write to all the woderful sai devotees to pray so that he will get his H1 visa soon and feel relieved. Praying to Baba to help him and also make him a devotee.

Anu, Sydney
Hello sir, I don't know whether this is the correct place, but I wish to seek advise. I have been working with enemies of my last births in a major organisation.They keep on using me as a springboard for their promotions and they are all female.working for this organisation has sapped my energy there are times I have worked 15 hours a day but they treat me like a crook.Is this because I may have done past karma on females?what do you advise I do , this is giving me deep emotional distress and I would implore baba to help.
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Quotation of the Week

"The proof of pudding is in the eating. Baba must be treated as God for, by treating him so, persons found and find that they derived and derive adequate benefit, the same benefit they would derive by worshipping God. This is sufficient proof that Baba was and is God. Many acted and act on that faith. Myriads affirmed and affirm Baba was God and Baba is God. The special features of Baba should be seen not with ordinary eyes but with eye of devotion and love. Seen with ordinary eyes, Baba was a man and a poor fakir living in a dilapidated mosque, but seen with an eye of devotion, Baba was God or a Guardian angel" - H.H. Narasimha Swamiji

Question of the Week

Q."What did Baba say regarding the need of a Guru in one's life"?
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Sai Activities

SRI SHATHASHRUNGA VIDYA SAMSTHEE ®
NEAR CHECK POST, MAGADI MAIN ROAD,
KAMAKHIPALYA EXTENTION,
BANGALORE- 560079, KARNATAKA, INDIA
TEL : +91 080 3488157, 3283823, 3486044
SAHASRA (1000) SAI NAMA JAPA YAGNAS FOR WORLD PEACE it is proposed to conduct Sahasra (1000) Sai Nama Japa Yagnas all over India for World Peace. Minimum 3 hours in Sai Devotees home and minimum 12 hours in Sai Mandirs, Sai Samajams, etc., will be arranged on request from the concerned parties. All Sai Devotees are requested to participate in such yagnas whenever and whereever they are conducted and receive the blessings of Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj. Please contact the organisers mentioned in the enclosed list who will arrange for the SAI NAMA JAPAMS to be conducted in their respected places. B.R.RAMA PRASAD - ORGANISER

All India Sai Samaj, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004, India
Shri K.Ramaswamy, President of the Samaj when visited Pune Mr.Inamdar"s Sai function on 21st January 2001 invited His Holiness Sadguru Sri Sai Naryan Baba to make a visit to Chennai Samaj founded by Pujyasri H H Nasrasimhaswamiji. Sri Narayan Baba fulfilled the invitation by visiting All India Sai Samaj, Mylapore,Chennai on 20th March 2001, on his return from Kancheepuruam. His Holiness was received with Poorna Kumbam by the Samaj Presaident Sri K.Ramaswamy, Priests Sri Vasu and Sri Jayaraman. Swamiji gave a lecutre on the life and dedication of Pujyasri Narasimhaswamiji for Sai Prachar. Sri M.Vasudevan,Secretary welcomed Swamiji.Office bearers were introduced. Sri K.Ramaswamy profusely thanked His Holiness for fulfilling his wish within a period of two months. Swamiji invited devotees to participate Ek-Divasiya Ati Rudra Maha Yagna to be conducted on Sunday 23rd December 2001 at the Bandra Reclamation Grounds,Mumbai-400 050. For more details on the Yagna, devotees are requested to contact TeleFax 91-22-7453331 and by email narayanbaba@hotmail.com Telephone7451001
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