Bluish eyes, wrinkled skin, all the Universe contained within, the absolute walked
Is that what one calls the dust, on the streets? Precious diamonds for they bore His weight!
The golden rays of Sun hesitantly touch the wheatish skin as He strolled in search of food.
How fortunate art thou Laxmibhai for the Lord stood in front seeking a morsel!

Jasmines and roses, marigolds and chrysanthemum, just waiting to adorn the conch of His neck
Some with fragrance and some without, all of them found their purpose just right!
Fortunes of fortunes for those who heard Him speak, Bhagoji to Bade Baba!
Also for those to whom He did not at first, Haji to Megha!

The stick He held, the shoes He wore, and the pipe He smoked
Worth to be trading places, who calls them lifeless clay, leather and wood
Durandhar inhaled the divine breath only to be cured
The leaves of the best kind, perfuming the wind!

Sai, Oh Sai, Oh Sai, show us unto You, blessed are we to listen to your stories
Shama, Kaka, Nana, Tatya, the best of their kind unto them the glories
The Sun amongst stars, the closest amongst the farthest,
Stay, Stay, Stay with us, our thoughts and actions and speech, our humble behest
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Contributed Article: Sufism

Sai Baba gave Abdul Baba Islamic preachings and explained the lineage and various aspects of Sufism periodically. Abdul Baba used to make notes of Sai Baba's sayings and later used them as reference when people approached him with problems. These sayings were translated into English in the book by Dr. Marainne Warren titled Unravelling the Enigma, Shirdi Sai Baba in light of Sufism. Sufi theory and practice reveals a very similar path to reality as any other spirtiual path and is briefly outlined below.

The Sufi methods can be considered broadly under four headings a)Shariat, b)Tariqat, c) Marifat , d)Haqeeqat. By their definitions one may say that the first phase of "Shariat" is the moral code laid down by institutional religions. Once a person adheres to these social and individual norms of conduct he qualifies for "Tariqat" which is the discipline laid down by the master for him to move up the spiritual ladder. This is determined by the master according to the needs of the disciple. Once the disciple adheres firmly to both social conformity and the master's discipline he enters the third phase of "Marifat" which means awakening to a state of inner consciousness on the path to the transcendent truth or reality. It is a state or comprehension. Once these three preliminary stages are crossed the disciple enters the fourth and final stage of "Haqeeqat" which is merger with the transcendental truth or reality.
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Experiences of Devotees

Lakshmi Viswanath
In the SAI SATCHARITHA book, there is a chapter about fasting. SAI BABA never liked any of his children to fast and this was proved in my case also.

In 1998, my parents visited me in end of March. I was in Denver at that time. In April, I had to go to Chicago for training. As I had many friends there, I took my parents with me. We stayed with two of my best friends there in Chicago. During the day, I used to go for my training and in the evening, my friends and I used to go out with my parents. One evening when we had been to the famous Devon Avenue in Chicago that is famous for all the Indian shops, we saw the flyer about some Aarathis and Bhajans being conducted in a newly built SAI temple in the suburbs of Chicago. We all wanted to go for it. My two friends whom we stayed with are also SAI devotees. Therefore, that Thursday, after coming from work, we all left for the temple. It was about 30-40 minutes drive from the place where we stayed. I had the directions with me and was driving. The temple was supposed to be open only until 8:30 p.m. It was already 8:15 p.m. and I was still driving and trying to find out where the temple is, as I could not find the street where this temple was situated. I felt very bad. My parents and friends were very anxious to reach the temple before 8:30 p.m. I felt that I would be disappointing everyone if I were not going to locate the temple before 8:30 p.m. I told my parents and my friends that in case if they were not able to have SAI darshan that day because of me, I would not eat dinner as a punishment. I made this statement around 8:25 p.m. Well, SAI had something else for me. Within couple of minutes, I was able to locate the street. Some of the roads in Chicago have two names one for each direction. I had not seen the name because of this. The way to the temple was dark and there was no signboard or light. We somehow managed to go to the temple. It was already past 8:30 p.m. and I prayed SAI that the temple should be open. A few other families were also entering the temple before us. I was a bit relieved that the temple was still open. When we went inside the temple, to our great surprise, the Arati had not begun yet. So we got the opportunity to attend the Arati session of BABA. After the Arathi was over, we were about to leave, when one person from the temple came and told us that we have to stay back for Dinner as they were serving dinner for all the devotees who have come. I was taken by surprise. My dad told me, "You told us that you are going to punish yourself by not eating. But BABA has planned a grand dinner for you!" I really felt that BABA had come in the form of this person and invited us for having dinner. The dinner was a full course dinner with all kinds of rice, sweets, and pickle. I was reminded of the chapter in Baba's Satcharita where Baba made one Mrs. Ghokhale, who had made up her mind to fast for three days, eat Puran-Polis. I thanked BABA with all my heart for being so kind to me and prayed to BABA to always shower his ever kind glances and love on us and show us the right path to lead our lives.
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Devotees say...

Naveen Goswami
To Shwetha Waghray, Your question about Temple in California. There is a beautiful Mandir in South San Francisco, California. Please visit www.osaibaba.com for directions and address.

Ganesh Babu, Guntur, AP, India
Let Sai Krishna be born in our hearts, which is the true significance of lord Krishna's birthday, Janmastami. Let our master tune all of us like a murali having navarandhras. Amrita nada will be poured out as a result. Let us submit our selves to our great master Sai Krishna, he tunes us well.

Anupama Padmaraju
My respects to Sai devotees. Sai Baba has given me a good life, in the way I wanted. We are planning to have our second baby. Therefore, I am in need of Sai Baba's blessings. I request all Sai devotees to pray for me. Thank you.

Harini
This message is for devotees like Shwetha Waghray. Sai Baba Temple in Houston is near Hillcroft and Harwin Streets. The address is 645, HillCroft Road, Suite #305, Houston, TX-77036-2236 Phone: (832) 251 7862 This temple is in the same shopping plaza in which you have Raja Sweets and Saree Sapne, and 22 Karet Jewelry store, and Keemat grocers. Go to above street address, and go to Saree Sapne store and they have a key to the Temple, which is situated at the back. Another storeowner too has the key and they will open the Temple for you. This temple is run by the old lady who is founder & trustee. Her name is Laxmiben B Thakkar. Their website is http://www.shirdibaba.com/ In California, following is the only information I have to share, Puja is performed every Sunday at 6:30pm (in Fremont, CA). - Vishnu sahasra nama archana - Sai Baba bhajans If you would like to attend -- please contact Mr. Anjan Rojanala at (510) 797 7323 for details. May, Sai shower happiness and peace to all.
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Prayer Club

Swati Pai
Just two days back I had sent a prayer to my Baba through this medium requesting him to safeguard my career. And as always Baba has yet once again proved that this child is still loved by Him. He has done another miracle. I am safe and Baba , I'll ever be grateful to you for being with me each and everytime I needed you. Baba has showed yet once more that he responds to his children when they are in trouble and helps them out. Baba, I beg you to keep me under your Lotus feet always and never deprive me of your love. Also help me to remain a good child of yours and forgive my mistakes which I may have done knowingly or unknowingly. Jai Sai!!!

Rama Nagpal
Om Sai Ram. We are new Immigrants in Canada. As usual, we are facing many problems of job and a good day care for my son. With grace of Babaji, I got an interview call from center, which was linked with my field. I went for the interview and the person there told me I did well. Now I am waiting for their reply. I am very much in need of this particular job. Please all of you pray for me to BABAJI.I am sure with all your prayers and BABAJI'S blessings I will get a call from them. Here they do say that you have done well and we will call you but they do not call. Please pray for me.
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Quotation of the Week

"The Holy Prophet once declared that God Himself told him that He far transcended the highest heights, the lowest depths, the earth, the sky and all the heavens; but strange as it might seem, He could comfortably rest in the heart of His devotees, and he who wished to meet Him could find Him there" - by Saint Kirpal Singh in his book, 'Godman'

Question of the Week

Q. In interpreting Verse 34 of Chapter 4 from the Gita to his learned disciple Nanasaheb Chandorkar, Sai Baba asked about the meaning of the words "prostration", "questioning" and "service". What was Baba's explanation of these words?
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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

SHIRDI SAIRAM SANSTHAN
DAKSHIN SHIRDI, THRIUVILWAMALA, TRICHUR DIST, KERALA - 680588
SRI SAI BABA TEMPLE 12TH ANNIVERSARY, ASHTABANDHA, MAHAKUMBABHISHEKAM
INVITATION

PROGRAMME FOR KUMBABISHEKAM

20.08.2000 - Monday
6:30pm Holy ritual begins - The Vedic team will be led by Namboodri, Offering Koora and Bouthra Prasada Suddhi, Asthirakalasa puja, Rakshobana homa, Vasthu homa, Kalasam vasthu bali

21.08.2001 - Tuesday
4:30am Sathu: Suddhi, Dhara - Panchakavya, Panchakam, Bhimpa Suddhi, Kalasa Puja - Abhishekam
6:00pm Bhramakalasa puja, Balikalasa puja, Athivasa homa, Kalasadi homa, Bagawathi seva Arthakala puja, Prayers

22.08.2001- Wednesday
5:30am Ganapathi homa, Kalasa puja, Parikalabhishekam, Valiapani, BHRAMA KALASA ABHISHEKAM Kalabhishekam (Sandal offering)

For more details please contact Kandaswamy in Kerala, India at 0091 422 313525 (R), 00 91 9843178095 (mobile) or email at asosse@emirates.net.ae

SAI NAMA SAPTHAHA (Non-Stop Chanting of Baba's Tharaka Mantra "OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI" for seven days - 168 hours) from 09 September'2001 to 16 September' 2001
It is brought to the kind notice of all the Sai devotees and General Public that a Sai Baba and Datta Mandir (Separately) was built and inaugurated on 23.08.2000 at Sri Sai Snehadhama Vrudhasharam Premises, Unit of Sri Shathashrunga Vidya Samasthe ®, Metipalya Village, Tavarekere - Sondekoppa Road, Bangalore South Taluk, Karnataka, South India.

The Shathasrhunga Vidya Samsthe ® Magadi Main Road, Kamakshipalya Extension, Bangalore - 560079 are managing the affairs of Sai mandir, Kamakshipalya and Sai Datta mandir and Vrudhashrama Complex and they have proposed, "with Baba's blessings", to arrange/conduct SAI NAMA SAPTHAHA (Non-Stop Chanting of Baba's Tharaka Mantra "OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI" for seven days - 168 hours) from 09 September'2001 to 16 September' 2001 to commemorate Baba's First anniversary (Benevolent appearance - Vijayam) on 09th September'2000.

Please contact for full details: - b.B.R. Rama Prasad, Founder, H.A. Nagavenamma, Hon.Gen. Secretary, Sri Shathashrunga Vidya Samsthe ® Near Check Post, Magadi Main road, Kamakshipalya Extention, Bangalore-560079 tele: +91-080- 3488157, 3486044. Email:saishathashrunga@hotmail.com
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