As you know the Ten Commandments were given to Moses who was a Jew. Jesus was also born of Jewish parents and Jewish faith and then started the Christian religion. When the commandments said "Thou shalt have no other Gods before me" it did not apply to any religion or religions. It applied to the fact that there is one God and idol worship and the worship done by people over the decades and centuries to various beasts etc were not to be. That is the beauty of Sai Baba who came and never preached any religion and never asked you to leave or not follow your religion. But Sai told us of the One God and although he is called by many names like Allah, Ahura Mazda, Ram, Rahim he is but one. We all on this universe have only one God and the religions that were formed were because we needed an identity. All of us could not be the same therefore Sai Baba stands out among all the Grand Masters who walked this earth and his doctrines and teachings have shown us the futility of man hating man because of race. color and religion. Do not ever feel that by calling on Sai you are slightly someone else for Sai and they are one and the same. Reminds me of an incident when I also felt I was going into my Fire Temple and bowing before the fire the words out of my mouth were always "Sai Baba" I asked him if I was being disrespectful to Zarathusthra. A few weeks later I happened to be in the fire temple and when I was bowing before the fire I heard him say "Look up" At the entrance to the room where the fire was kept was a silver Toran (garland) and the garland represented pictures of Zarathustra holding a staff and in front of my eyes all the pictures of Zarathustra changed, and there was Sai Baba smiling at me with his hand up to show faith and patience. I knew then that I had been lucky to Know the one God. The God of all, My Incredible Sai Baba. If you go to Shirdi you will be surrounded by people of all religions, race, color, rich and the poor all standing there in the presence of Sai Baba. Consider yourself fortunate to know and love Sai, erase your doubts and believe unquestionably as for those who believe no explanation is necessary and for those who don't no explanation is possible and as the Bible said Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.
(A contribution by Havovi Medora, New Jersey, USA. Originally written as a response to devotee Nagendra Bandi)
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Experiences of Devotees

Sriram Rachakonda, Singapore
Baba is everguiding and everhelping me in each and every aspect in my life from the very next moment I started believing him. I can say, without second thought, if today I am happy and in this comfortable position, that is the only kindness of Baba, but not anything else.

Last time when I came to India, I went to Shirdi and had darshan of our Sadguru Maharaj very happily. I offered 3 shawls to Baba on behalf of my colleague in Singapore, for which he had requested me through an email and also had told he would give the equivalent money for the shawls once I reach Singapore back. after some time I again came back here and given the udhi and prasad to my colleague, but both we forgot about the money for shawls. suddenly after a long time he called me one day and asked me to take the money for shawls immediately as there should not be any delay in this kind of issues. on the next day I went to collect the money, Rs.300 for which I bought 3 shawls in Shirdi, from the person.

Now see the miracle of Baba!!!! At that time he had only one 10$ note and remaining some 50$ notes with him, but no smaller notes. so he had given a 10$ note together with some coins, summing to $11.30C. he searched and even asked others present there, but no one had any more coins. the next day when I saw the money exchange rates, I was astonished to know that the sum $11.30 is exactly equivalent to 300 Indian Rupees. how great and kind of Baba? he doesn't want me to remain with 'runa' (in loan to) and this incident proves he is omnipresent & omnipotent even after samadhi.
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Devotees say...

Harini, Austin, TX
Sairam ! I'm an ardent follower of Sainath. could, any one tell me for the presence of a SaiMandir near by Austin . I happen to hear about many Sai temples coming up across USA. It would be delightful, for any such plans over here in Austin too. MAY BABA SHOWER HIS GRACE UPON ALL!!!

Bindiya
I just read about your contributed article Sufism and Baba. A very good book about it is Marianne Warren's Shirdi Sai Baba in the Light of Sufism. Baba's Sufi aspect is often overlooked since we like to see him as only our religion deems us to see. In order to fully appreciate his divine glory, in order to fully appreciate that he is a "perfect master" and something more than just a fully realized soul, we need to look at his Sufi outlook. Here I am quoting what Marianne Warren has said in her Author's Preface...

" With an upsurge of devotion to Sai Baba of Shirdi currently sweeping India and the installation of the moortis there and around the world - this book presents Saibaba's divinity in the light of Sufism... I felt that if one could understand him better, a more sympathetic picture would be revealed. In uncovering the facts, I never dreamt that it would turn out to be such a detective story.... However, it was only after coming into terms with the evidence that Sai Baba was, as consistently stated by his Hindu biographers, both a Muslim and a mystic-which by definition makes him Sufi - that his life and teachings began to fall into place. Once I started to investigate him from a Sufi standpoint and began to realize how important Sufism has been in the Deccan in the past, only then did I begin to understand and appreciate the full and often awesome significance of Sai Baba."

This book is available in the online store on http://www.saibaba.org/online.html or is available in the Satya Sai Baba Canadian book center, the website address is http://www.saibooks.org. It is a must read for a serious spiritual aspirant.

A Sai devotee
I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for this service of Sai Vichar and also write couple of lines against couple of items that devotees have sent. The thoughts put forward by Shri Shyam Madhikarmy, NZ are really thought provoking and do really need us to keep in mind.

Rajesh Reddy, If you read Sai Satcharitra, you will come across a chapter in which it is mentioned that GOD made MAN and was glad as he could appreciate HIS creation as he has the power of acquiring KNOWLEDGE. So please use your MIND and apply strong determination to end what you call yourself "dirty". I can say that YOU CAN do it by yourself, as it has been done in my case. And do a Satcharitra Parayan [Saptaha] with a request to Sai that you should get determination by the end of parayan and you are sure to get your objective. Dr. Usha - It is disappointing to see a mother write this kind of letter through this Sai Vichaar. Your title shows you are highly qualified and capable to counsel your son on what all he can achieve WITH OR WITHOUT a H-1. And it is the devotion within us that Shri Sai Ram is going to see but NOT the prayers that others make for us. If we go the prayers with strong determination and apply Shradda and Saburi then your end is sure to be achieved. I would like to appeal to all of the SAI DEVOEES to NOT to look at H-1 and GREEN CARD are the only ways to prosperity. But these definitely are opportunities to alienate yourself from your culture and more importantly the generations next. Not every one can be blessed to carry on the culture in the Alien Land. This contribution maybe hurting the devotees who sent in the requests and also some of the readers but I believe that these lines have come only through divine inspiration.

Vijayanand, K.P., UAE
Sai devotee Rajesh, Hope you must have seen a little baby trying to stand on its feet. Also you must have observed, that in doing so the child will fall on the ground many a times. Since the child is not having enough strength and balance, it falls again and again. If it stands it feels happy else it cries and later tries its best to stand again. This process may take several months and years till the child grows physically strong and gets a proper balance of body and one day it will master the art.

Do not panic, do not curse. It's the stage where you are growing spiritually and you lack enough strength and balance. I fully empathize with you for you are similar to the child. I do not suggest you to stop drinking but definitely I would like to stress that remember Sai" before you eat/drink or do anything. First present it to Lord Sai and then partake it. The very beautiful eyes of Lord Sai is a huge ocean of mercy & love. He will forgive your sins and will definitely bless you. Have faith in Sai and yourself. Cultivate patience & self-control for it will take sufficient time for you to get rid of bad things. Leave bad companion, which has brought you to this present state of being. Make friends with Sai devotees and I believe that there are countless devotees around the world who will offer friendship and assist & advise you timely. Believe that one-day you will be as good as you pray today
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Prayer Club

Neelu Bhatnagar
Jai Sai Ram I have shifted to a new country. I was working previously back home in a very good company. I have been looking for a job for the past 8 months now but in vain. I would like to request all Baba devotees to pray for me that I get a good job soon. I have blind faith in Baba but sometimes it just starts making me a bit frustrated. But as it is said: "For people who don't believe in God, No proof is sufficient" "For people who believe in God, No proof is necessary".

Usha Sastry
Oh Dear Shiridi Sai, I believe in you and pray day and night. Please show us a way. We are in a new country struggling. I will do my best to keep you in my heart.
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Quotation of the Week

A saint should not be judged by the character of those that gather around him. Prostitutes, women-hunters, avaricious people and sinners of all sorts came to him (Sai Baba) with a view mostly to gain material advantage. But when they failed to improve themselves and on the other hand fell into evil ways, he let them suffer. His justice was severe. He said, "You have to sever your own child from the umbilical cord when it falls athwart the womb" - as stated by Prof. Narke in "Devotees' Experiences of Sai Baba".

Question of the Week

Q."Why did not Baba leave any successor?"?
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Sai Activities

SHIRDI SAI BABA MANDIR, BANGALORE
UNIT OF SRI SHATHASHRUNGA VIDYA SAMSTHE ®
NEAR CHECK POST, MAGADI MAIN ROAD, KAMAKSHIPALYA EXTENTION,
BANGALORE-560 079. Tel: +91 080 3488157, 3283823 , 3486044.
e-mail : saishathashrunga@hotmail.com
INAUGURATION OF DHUNI

As ordained by Shirdi Sai Baba, it is scheduled to Inaugurate Dhuni, Dwarakamayee on 06-05-2001 (Sunday) 1. 30 P.M. under the Guidance of Pujya Guruji Puttanna, Sai Padananda Sathsangh, Tyagarajanagar, Bangalore. and Pujya R.Radhakrishnan, President, Sai Aradhana Kuteera, Hubli & ardent devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba. The Holy ash(UDHI) that drops from the fire Dhuni have great healing powers, Udhi has cured many incurable diseases at times when the doctors have given up hopes. The Holy Fire expected to arrive on 04-05-2001 from Sai Mandirs. The Sacred fire (DHUNI) lit by Baba in SHIRDI is ever burning. Sai Devotees are requested to participate in it and receive the blessings of SAMARTHA SADGURU SAI NATH MAHARAJ. The out station devotees are requested to inform on phone, e-mail or by post well in advance , for arrangement of boarding and lodging. Contributions / Donations in cash or kind will be accepted with great reverence against paid receipts. Donations to the SHATHASHRUNGA VIDYA SAMSTHE are Tax Exempted under 80 G. of the Indian Income Tax Act.1961.bearing No. 718/10G/545/2000-01/CIT-11 Dt.13-02-2001. Valid From 1-4-2001 to 31-03-2003 and Registered under Foreign Contributions Regulations Act 1976 bearing No.094420772 dt. 20-05-1999.

Shirdi Sai Shakti Dham, Ambala Cantt, Haryana, India
With the Blessings of Samartha Sadguru Sai Baba, a five day All India Religious congregation is being organized through the efforts of Swami Satyanand Maharaj during the period 18th to 22nd April 2001 at the above address. Swami Pragyanand Maharaj of Delhi, Sri Narayana Baba of Panvel, Sri Dharmacharya of Saket, New Delhi, Sri Mahendra Swami, Indore, Haji Hamid Baba, grandson of Sai Bhakt Haji Abdul Baba, Shri Mahendra Mastan, President of Sai Baba Mandir, Naseerabad, Maa Salija, grand daughter of Saibhakt Lakshmi Bai, Shri C,B.Satpathi, Chattarpur Sai Baba Mandir, Delhi, Mahant Basant Giri Maharaj of Ahmedabad are all likely to participate in the congregation.

The visiting devotees from out station will be provided free lodging and boarding facilities. Shri K.Ramasamy, President, All India Sai Samaj, Mylapore, Chennai, will participate and co-ordinate with other institutions for the success of this congregation Shri K.V.Ramani, Chairman, Shirdi Sai Trust, Chennai has extended some facilities for the success of this congregation. Shri Gopinath Bayagi Kote Patel, Shri Prabhakar T.Borawak, former Trustees Shri Arun Dhigambar Rasane, Trustee, Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi are likely to participate. All devotees are cordially invited to participate and obtain the Blessings of Lord Sainath. There will be Sai Bhajan by Saxena Bandhu, discourses, and session for Devotees Experiences during this period.
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