In the July 12, 2001 issue of Sai Vichaar, a lead article appeared titled, 'Non-discrimination'. The composition was very well written; however, after looking carefully at the revelations of the author, I sense contradictions. I wish I had the time to dissect these words, image-by-image, brick-by-brick, to reveal the strength and weaknesses of its foundation.

The author writes, "After all, even bhakti is a state of emotion! Double edged as it may appear; senses are to be used to identify that state of being, which is beyond our perceptible senses. However, a natural mind trained to relate to everything in physical dimensions, soon realizes the limited returns of such a pursuit." The author then describes the state of true knowledge acquired through viveka and vairagya, which moves one toward the goal of eternal happiness. He gives the state of happiness a title, 'Attributeless Self'. The author states that enormous effort must be endured to control the mind, the body, and one's speech in order to accomplish this state of awareness.

These are very insightful words that I do not necessarily disagree with; however, I believe that this form of Jnana is also a state of emotion. I believe that it reveals analytical mind trappings, and it is an attempt to describe a state, which may be beyond the author's experience. The greatest error committed, which became the incentive required for me to compose this piece, is the patronizing false representation of the state of Bhakti yoga. Love through attachment to the world of sense objects is not Bhakti. Bhakti is love generated from the inner Self to an object of worship. Every true Shirdi Sai devotee knows that the evolutionary development of Bhakti is a science of various stages. It is also the quickest and the surest means to reach the goal of Self-realization.

One chooses the path of Jnana yoga or Bhakti yoga according to one's temperament. For those blessed by Sadguru's grace, these two paths are simply other sides of the same coin. I cherish the sacred writings left by those who walked before me; however, words pale into insignificance when attempting to describe the path to, and/or the experience of Atman. I agree that meditation is very important. Just sitting on the inner shores to watch the dawn of Self-awareness, lifts one into the most extraordinary state of love. Nothing can compare to, or words describe, the exalted depth of universal love and rapture upon merging in the state of Atman. Any learned knowledge then becomes bondage, binding psychic knots, which shackles one's consciousness to physical reality. When one returns from this state of Self-absorption, the mind, the body and speech, becomes purified of it's own accord in the fires of Guru worship. If the final state is love, what value is Jnana yoga compared to the purity of Bhakti yoga? In my opinion, the thought that one can achieve Self-awareness through the processes of the analytical mind is futile. In essence, there is very little disagreement between the author of 'Non-discrimination' and the author of this composition. It is simply a matter of approach and, with all humility, perhaps experience, and bhakti.

Recently I had the good fortune to witness an interview with a world leader in Genome research. I sat spell bound as this seemingly normal man described his work uncovering and charting the fabric of life. What impressed me most about his words was that with all the greatness of his endeavors and accomplishments improving the future for mankind, he said that the more he uncovered and learned, the more vast was the unknown. He remarked that what he learned made him humble. He continued by stating that all people were essentially the same in genetic make up. We also share genetic makeup with all we see around us. Essentially, we are connected with this world, which is made up of shared building blocks of life. We are part of everything. Everything is part of us.

Isn't this, what Sri Sai has been trying to teach us through his connections with everyone and with everything? Shirdi Sai Baba: "My method is quite unique. Remember my words. They will be very useful. To attain Self-realization, meditation is necessary. If you practice it continuously, the vrittis (waves of thoughts) will be pacified. Become desireless. Meditate on the Lord residing in all creatures. When your mind becomes concentrated, your goal will be achieved." Aum Sai Ram!

(A contribution by Rober Kirk, New York)
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Contributed Article: Sai through Reincarnations

The thought to pen down 'Sai in Janma Janmantar' has come to my mind after hearing Saibanisa explaining the subject to the gatherings during his discourses at different places. The incidents are compiled and placed before Saibandhus with the intention that these may perhaps serve as food to their spiritual hunger. Baba in various contexts told his devotees that they were known to him from their past many lives.

Baba often talked with full knowledge and precision about the visitor's past and future. We find such instances are quite often depicted as we go through Sai Satcharitra and even in other epics where Divya and Mano - dhrusti were involved. Quoted from Sai Satcharitra: Lord Sainath was eating food offered to him by Lakshmi Khaparde and simultaneously he was speaking about her previous lives. She in her earlier life was a cow in a businessman's house. Afterwards she was born in a Gardener's family, then followed her rebirth in a family of Kshyatrias. Baba said, "now in the present life as the daughter of a Brahmin she is feeding me". The stories of two brothers who constantly fought with each other, after death were reborn as two goats. Dubaki, the poor woman had mortgaged her land with a moneylender. In the next birth, the same woman was born as Chennabasappa and the moneylender as Veerabhadrappa. These two persons Chennabasappa and Veerabhadrappa lived as enemies all through their life and were reborn as a snake and frog, thus continuing their mutual hatred in their next life too. There are instances where human beings are reborn as animals to complete the spilt over 'Vrunanubhandha' from their previous lives. The tiger about to die was brought and made to stand before Baba. The tiger lifted it's tail, looked into the powerful eyes of Baba and then collapsed at the lotus feet of Baba. Baba then said to the keepers'- " it is now relieved from the debts of the past life, after having served you all along, is now freed from all the bonds". Jadabharatha, a saint developed deep attachment towards a pet deer having nurtured it from the infancy. Jadabharatha was reborn as a deer in his next life in order to satiate his love towards the animal.

From the Epics: A certain reindeer (mother-in-law of one male deer) to wreak it's vengeance was reborn as a human being and is quoted from an incident that took place in Ramayana. The king of Kaikeyi kingdom killed a male deer while hunting. An elder female deer requested the king to give the wounded deer so that she could treat and save the wounded one from dying. The king was adamant and refused to hand over the wounded to their kith and kin. Instead, he prepared a dish out of it and ate it. The female deer cursed the king with the words that she would one day become the source of agony to the king, he would then die a similar death weeping for his son-in-law. After death, the deer was reborn as Mandhara, the central character of the Epic Ramayana and becomes the cause for the death of King Dasaradha, the son-in-law of the king to the Kaikeyi kingdom. As you are all aware, one of the princesses among Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika was born as Shikandi to take revenge on Bhishma in Mahabharatha.

From a Magazine: In order to clear the debts of a friend - as appeared in the magazine -The Asian Age dtd: 22-06-1997. A tailor was living in a village and in order to perform the marriage of his daughter, took loan from a landlord. The tailor could not clear the debt as he died prematurely due to illness. The tailor, one day appeared in the dream of the landlord and told him that, he would be reborn as a He-buffalo in another friend's house and that he should purchase it from him. "I shall then grow up, work in your fields and thus clear my debts". Initially, the landlord hesitated but then on seeing the birth of a he-buffalo in his friend's house, purchased it as advised. As said it grew up strong enough to work in the fields. He buffalo then worked with the landlord for four years and one day, the tailor again appeared in the dream of the land lord and said to him " my debt now stands cleared, so please relieve me from the bonds of service". The landlord then stopped extracting work from the he - buffalo, simply kept it tied to a tree. It was patiently waiting for its death and one day it took a bucket full of water and died. Soul is eternal where as the physical body decays. Death, is when the soul leaves the physical body and re entry of the soul in to another bodily form is reincarnation.

The underlying idea to be understood is that one has to pay the price of his karmic deeds if not in this life definitely in the lives to come. There cannot be an escape from this hard truth of life and has been repeated by all great saints again and again. The sooner it is realized the better it is."The seeds you sow, make the fruits you reap".

(Contributed by Raghuraman Satulury, Hyderabad, India)
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Experiences of Devotees

Rakesh, Suman and Yatindra
I am Rakesh a Sai devotee. This happened to me recently, in fact, last week only. I planned a trip to SAI SAMSTHAN Lemont, IL, USA with my family. We started on last weekend Saturday, 7/14/01 to take Baba's darshan. It was my deep desire since I came to USA. It was 4-5 hours drive from my place to SAI SAMSTHAN, Lemont IL. We reached there around 4 PM and saw one temple called Hindu temple of Greater Chicago. We stopped there and took darshan in Ganesha and Rama temple. Then we started to look for Baba's Ashram as per the direction. We looked here and there for almost an hour but could not find to locate as per the direction we had with me. We almost lost and just about thinking to go back but one thing came in mind and I asked Baba in my mind that we came to take your darshan and would you send us back without giving your darshan. Suddenly one gentleman came in his small truck and asked us what address we were looking for? I showed him the address and he explained the way to Baba's Ashram. I again followed the way he told me but again I lost came back to same place where that gentleman told me the way to Ashram. Now at that point of time we were completely tired, lost the hope, and decided to come back. Again one cop came and I asked him the way. He also told the way and followed as per his direction but again I took the wrong turn. I did not know that he was following us and he came behind us and showed the right way. Finally, we reached to the Ashram. I have read SAI SATCHARITH few times and I know in that book also there are couple of same stories. This is not just a story, It has happened with me and I am sure that those two gentlemen were Baba himself.
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Devotees say...

Usha Sastry
This is reply to brother Praveen Kumar's prayer. We are all Sai bandhus. We are all facing some sort of difficulties. Dear brother, do not lose hope. In my prayers I will include you also. Once we realize he is the only one to help us in our hard times, we should not lose patience. Sai saranam Sai Saranam Sai Saranam.
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Prayer Club

Sankar
Today my great Sister Kiran is not in a good mood, the moment I saw her face and she is not talking normally today. I am very much worried. Please Baba if there is any problem to her please make me to take all her burdens in the name of you. I need my sister with full of joy. Because I am not able to leave this sister again. I Love my sister very very much, I believe u, and I promise u, u take anything from me even my soul, I need my sister's happiness. Please Baba, please help her and save her from evil and problems. I need my sister Kiran always my sister upto my life end.

Raj Mirpuri
I am married with two daughters and now my wife is expecting. I would like for you all to pray that Baba bless me with a baby boy. Here business is getting from bad to worse and need Baba's help and guidance as to what to do now with the baby coming and things getting bad. With the help and prayers of Sai devotees, I am sure Baba will listen to my prayers, guide me through this difficult time, and settle me I a place of peace and happiness.
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Quotation of the Week

"One must seek the shortest route and faster means to get back home-to turn one's inner spark into a blaze and then to merge and identify with that greater fire which ignited the spark" - Swami Nityananda

Question of the Week

Q. What is the significance of offering sacred rice and flowers at Baba's lotus feet during Sai Ashtothra Pooja?
A. Syamasundar, Saibaba temple,Houston TX
Om Sairam. Holy rice and flowers are necessary items of any Hindu worship or auspicious ceremony. Holy rice is made by mixing turmeric powder with white rice grains. Holy rice is also called as akshitas, means full or whole (in Sanskrit kshita means diminishable, akshita means un diminishable). Devotees during Sai ashtottara, offer this holy rice with each name of the Lord symbolizing their total reverence or wholehearted devotion to God Sainath. The Hindu priests and elders bless their younger ones with akshitas for longer life and prosperity.

Similarly, a flower symbolizes a devotee's heart in tenderness and devotion perfume. A devotee offers a flower with each name at Sai's lotus feet symbolizing his total reverence to the Lord. Thus, holy rice and flowers symbolize devotee's complete reverence and devotion. Om Sai Sri Sai Jai Jai Sai Many Prostrations to ShiridiBaba, the mercy infinite, for His showering blessings and inspirations!

Q. What is the significance of offering sacred rice and flowers at Baba's lotus feet during Sai Ashtothra Pooja?
A. S.V. Swamy, Hyderabad, India
The sacred rice is called "AKSHATA" which literally means "UNBROKEN or FULL". So the significance of offering FULL GRAIN RICE, colored yellow or red is that, the Jeevatma is actually pure (White) but is now symbolized by mind that is having desires, i.e., color. Thus, the colored rice grains represent ourselves (body, mind etc.). The flowers also are white or colored and carry a pleasant smell (SUVASANA). Vasana means smell but it also means Desire. Thus, we pray for fulfillment of our good desires. Similarly 'dhoop' 'agar bathi' or 'chandan' etc., also are symbolic of our good desires. Offering them at the Lotus Feet of Sai Maharaj is our way of offering ourselves, our mind, intellect, ego and desires to Him, since He is the best judge of what is right for us, His devotees. This type of Puja is White Magic (Pl. refer to Sai Satcharita, Chapter 7, Page 40, footnote giving the experience of Smt.Kashibai Kanitkar, English edition by Sri Gunaji) and is used by Sadhakas for the welfare of themselves and the whole world.

Now I would like to add my perception to the contributed poem, "In a Market place." All our prayers to Him for fulfillment of our desires are Trading Activities, i.e. Market place. Even offering of AKSHATA, Flowers etc., is business. And SAI said "all the oilmen and grocers of Shirdi teased Me a lot." He meant all the devotees who were flocking to Him for fulfillment of materialistic desires and after they were fulfilled, hungered for more without simultaneously opening their spiritual doors. All His life, He taught us the virtues of DAKSHINA and told that we have to give to receive. And He promised to give tenfold or even hundredfold of what He took from us. So, while it is OK for us to pray to our God and Guru SAI for fulfillment of material desires, (He differed with a devotee who was advocating against such prayers), we should not lose sight of our ultimate goal and mission, i.e. to get Liberation from the Cycle of Birth and Death, which is possible only when we develop detachment to results of our Actions. Sai Ram.
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Sai Activities

Shirdi Sai Utsav in Middlesex, UK - August 27-28, 2001
Shirdi Sai Utsav will be celebrated at Shree Kutch Leva Patel, Sports & Community Centre West End Road, Northolt, Middlesex UB5 6RE United Kingdom, on 26th and 27th of August 2001. For further details, please contact Pravin Unadkat on +44 7967 443 250 or visit http://www.shiridisaiutsav.org.

SHIRDI SAI MAHOTSAV in Chicago, USA - September 1-2, 2001
SAI SAMSTHAN USA, Chicago
Program details for SHIRDI SAI MAHOTSAV include - Swarna Pushpa Archana, Vishwa Shanthi Homam, Festival of Lights, Pallaki Seva, Inter-faith prayers, Discourses, MUSIC RECITAL BY SHOBHA RAJU, and much more. We request all the devotees to kindly participate in this GREAT event take the divine blessings of SHRI SHIRDI SAIBABA.

The details for the upcoming "SHIRDI SAI MAHOTSAV - September 1-2, 2001" are now available on-line on our website (http://www.saisamsthanusa.org). The Registration forms can now be downloaded from our website. Just follow the blinking icon on our website to find more details about this event.

Registration forms are available at: http://www.saisamsthanusa.org/saimahotsav/mahotsavregform.pdf

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS: We are looking for volunteers to help us for this event from now until the MAHOTSAV. Please download our Volunteer-Registration form from our website or send e-mail to volunteers@saisamsthanusa.org and one of our coordinators will contact you. Volunteer-Hospitality Form: http://www.saisamsthanusa.org/saimahotsav/volhosp.pdf

Sainath in Hindu Sangam, Milpitas, California
(Reported by Krishna Rupanwar)

A Shirdi Sai Baba booth was set up in Hindu Sangam at Milpitas High School, Milpitas, CA on July 21, 2001 with an objective to bring Baba's message and to share with the visitors to the booth, the various activities going around the world on Sainath under the auspices of Guruji C.B.Satpathy and others such involved in the service of Sai Baba.

Hindu Sangam was a religious and cultural event organized and sponsored by various hindu temples and other organizations in the Bay Area. The day was full of religious seminars, workshops, cultural events for all ages and concluded with a bhajan concert by Sri Anup Jalota.

Shirdi Udhi, Baba's pictures with handouts on Shirdi Sainath were distributed freely to about 900 to 1000 people who visited Baba's booth during the day. A three hour video highlights of the daily pooja program in Shirdi including abhishek to Baba, four arathis, items used by Baba and paalaki procession was played. Numerous books including Sai Satcharita in all languages, publications, lockets, audio and video casettes were made available for the benefit of Sai devotees. Arathi to Baba was also offered at the booth. Noted singer Anup Jalota paid a visit to Baba's booth before his concert to seek Baba's blessings.

Pictures of Baba's booth at Milpitas are available at Baba's booth page and at shirdibaba page. Your comments and suggestions for future such events are welcome.

Sai in Vidyadanam (Help for the education of the deserving poor)
(Reported by: SrinivasaRao Kasturi for Saidarbar-Hyderabad, India)
The Vidyadanam program was conducted in a function held at 9.00 am in the premises of Saraswathi Vidya Mandir School, Kandigal Gate, Hyderabad on Wednesday, 18 July 2001. The function was attended by Saibanisa, Sri Janardhan Reddy, Member Saraswathi Vidya Mandir Board and Dr.P.Sadasiva Rao, Retd.Professor, Osmania University, Hyderabad. Sri Bhasker Reddy, Head Master of the school presided over the function. The little children impressed everyone present by the way they conducted themselves. In vidyadanam, school uniforms were distributed to twenty poor but meritorious students. The donors of the school uniforms are Members of Saidarbar, Colorado Springs, USA. SAIDARBAR prays Lord Sainath to shower HIS Blessings on all the members who contributed for this noble cause. The following is the list of the twenty students who were the recipients of the school uniforms; Names of the Students and the classes/grades in parentheses are, YadaGiri Reddy (IX), C.Venkat Reddy (VI) ,Krishanam Raju (VII), D.VijayKumar (VI), A.Rakesh (VII), L.Mallesh (VII), J.Srinivas (VIII), G. Raju (VII), Mallesh Yadav (II), P.Rameshwar (IV), NagaRaju (II), A.Ramadevi (VI), A.Swapna (VII), C.Sreelatha (VII), R.Kalyani (VII), K.Lakshmi (VIII), D.Shilpa (VIII),Vijaya Lakshmi (V ), Radhika (II), and A.Sangeetha (VI)
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