As fate would have it, I was leaving New York on a jet flight that took off 45 minutes before the unthinkable happened. By the time we landed in Detroit, chaos had broken out. When I grasped the fact that American security had broken down so tragically, I could not respond at first. My wife and son were also in the air on separate flights, one to Los Angeles, one to San Diego. My body went rigid with fear. All I could think about was their safety, and it took several hours before I found out that their flights had been diverted and both were safe. Strangely, when the good news came, my body still felt that a truck had hit it. Of its own accord it seemed to feel a far greater trauma that reached out to the thousands who would not survive and the tens of thousands who would survive only to live through months and years of hell. And I asked myself, Why did not I feel this way last week? Why did not my body go stiff during the bombing of Iraq or Bosnia? Around the world my horror and worry are experienced every day. Mothers weep over horrendous loss, civilians are bombed mercilessly, refugees are ripped from any sense of home or homeland. Why did I not feel their anguish enough to stop it? As we hear the calls for tightened American security and a fierce military response to terrorism, it is obvious that none of us has any answers. However, we feel compelled to ask some questions. Everything has a cause, so we have to ask, What was the root cause of this evil? We must find out not superficially but at the deepest level. There is no doubt that such evil is alive all around the world and is even celebrated. Does this evil grow from the suffering and anguish felt by people we do not know and therefore ignore? Have they lived in this condition for a long time?

All this hatred and anguish seems to have religion at its basis. If there is a deep wound, doesn't it affect everyone? What are you and I as persons going to do about what is happening? Can we afford to let the deeper wound fester any longer? Everyone is calling this an attack on America, but is it not a rift in our collective soul? Isn't this an attack on civilization from without that is also from within? When we have secured our safety once more and cared for the wounded, after the period of shock and mourning is over, it will be time for soul searching. I only hope that these questions are confronted with the deepest spiritual intent. There can be no safety until the root cause is faced. In this moment of shock, I do not think anyone of us has the answers. It is imperative that we pray and offer solace and help to each other. But if you and I are having a single thought of violence or hatred against anyone in the world at this moment, we are contributing to the wounding of the world.

(From an article by Deepak Chopra. edited for size by Sai Vichaar. The contribution is hereby gratefully acknowledged)
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Contributed Article: Geet Sai ke liye...

Those who know Guru ji Satpathy ji can not but marvel at the all-round abilities of this IPS officer and the most blessed son of Sainath. One facet of Guru ji's activities is producing and recording Sai bhajans. The latest in that line is an album titled, "Geet Sai ke liye". Those regular to listening to Sai bhajans may admit the increasingly commercial nature of Sai music recording and sales. Nonetheless to say, even eminent artistes have failed in their recent attempts to evoke the devotional response in the listener due this reason. One must understand that commercial nature of the business is such. The album "Geet Sai ke liye.." is a wonderful collection of Sai devotional songs that breathe fresh life to Sai Bhajan music.

Geet Sai ke liye.. differs from the previous albums that came out from Guru ji's group. Although, there is no question about the devotional fervor and the efforts put together by the artistes, the previous albums do suffer from technical shortcoming in the recording, except perhaps "Hey ..Sai..apne charanon mein." from the album "Sai Sharan mein", which is an excellent song well recorded. Geet Sai ke liye has come a long way technically. All songs written and composed by Guru ji, this album is well orchestrated. The first number is rendered by Guru ji himself along with the chorus, a nice number for Sai bhajans at every Sai household. The number titled, "Na jaanu mein" sung by Moushmi is a truly soul-stirring rendition. Baba willing, we will hear more from this artiste. I was delighted by the folk tune of "Mere Sai ke darbaar mein..."., This only goes to show the comprehensive talent this group has. All in all, this album is a refreshingly different brand of Sai music one may enjoy. Geet Sai ke liye is produced and marketed by Sri Sai Seva Trust, Malaviya Nagar, New Delhi, India

(Contributed by Ravin Gnanasambandam, Ithaca, NY, USA)
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Experiences of Devotees

Manthripragada Vijaya Kumar
Sai is Great. I stay in Delhi and I was hit by a massive heart attack on 29 March 2001. It was at 11.30 in the night and the only people next to me were my 10 year old son who was deep asleep and my wife who did not know what to do as I collapsed near the bath room door. With her help, I managed to crawl back to my bed. I was sweating profusely and gasping for my breath. It was then that my wife started chanting the name of Sai and applied vibhooti on my forehead and chest. We did not even know that it could be a heart attack. Next day, when I got my ECG done, the doctor was shocked to know that the attack happened in the night and I walked into his clinic the next day morning On his advice, I got admitted to the Apollo Hospital Delhi and stayed in the ICCU for a week. The specialists there told me that I have to undergo the balloon angioplasty procedure as early as possible. Sai came to my rescue again. When I shifted myself to Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad for the angioplasty, the specialist was further shocked to note that the 95 per cent clot has dissolved by itself and I do not need any procedure after all I am on medication and am back to normal work again within a period of three months Thanks to the Great Sai
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Devotees say...

MRK, Phoenix, AZ, USA
During these times of mental anxiety and worry, one has to pray Guru's name, read, reread books about Him, and obtain peace. SHRI SAI SATCHARITRA is such a book for all Shirdi Saibaba's devotees .As we go on reading and reread the book, we will find pearls of wisdom and philosophy. In the first chapter, Hemadpant, describes the cholera and the grinding of wheat and spreading it around the village to destroy cholera and at the end mentions that Baba did the business of grinding almost every day the sins, the mental and physical afflictions and the miseries of His innumerable devotees. The two mills of His mill consisted of Karma and Bhakti, the former being the lower and the latter the upper one. The handle with which Baba worked the mill consisted of Gnana. It was the firm conviction of Baba that knowledge or self realization is not possible unless there is the prior act of grinding of all our impulses, desires, sins and of the three gunas viz. Sattva, Raja and Tama and the Ahamkara which is so subtle and therefore so difficult to get rid of. In a short space, Hemadpant described the unity of paths of Karma, Bhakti, and Gnana. Seekers unnecessarily quarrel one or the other paths is greatest putting down other paths. If you sincerely take to one path and with patience and faith work out that way, all other paths are included in that path and so a Sadhaka must surrender and serve one path with his full strength. That is the most important thing. That path which he puts all his efforts will get rid of bad impulses, desires and sins help us to get through the three gunas and finally ahamkara leading to self realization.

Havovi Medora, New Jersey, USA
What strife, disaster, devastation and a sense of despair. What have we come to? The Americans and the world watched in horror to see people hurling themselves out of the two buildings rather than perish in the roaring flames, it was heartwrenching, and then, to see those two graceful buildings built with so much for the future of mankind collapse in a matter of seconds. Stunned disbelief all around, tears and fears. For a long time, I went around doing my daily work numb and quite speechless. What words could one say to console or reason? No consolation, no reason just a quiet silence. Through all this my only one sense of sanity was the sweet compassionate face of my Sai Baba except this time you could see the sadness in his eyes as if to say I am grieving too! People asked questions how did God allow this to happen. Why did God allow this to happen? How did evil manage to triumph? No. God did not allow this to happen he is blameless for just as he has the power so does evil and we must accept that where there is so much good in this world there is also evil and to remember the words of Sai Baba to his devotees "I need you as much as you need me for it is your faith in me that help me fight the bad" People panicked they saw every Muslim as a potential enemy all were classed as one and that's where I began my reflection-- Sai Baba came into this world to show us that there is only one God You may call him by a different name but for the Hindus, Muslims, Christian, Jews, Parsees, Sikhs ,Buddhists, Jains he is one and the same. He told the people of Shirdi to embrace one another Hindus Muslims should stand side by side as brothers for they both worship the same God. Religion was given as an identity as all could not be one all could not bee the same so identities were made but the aim of all religions are the same and all religions pray to the one God. No one can blame anyone else, those who did this will get their justice, and it will come from a power so strong and so immense. But the message to us here is carry on with your life, do whatever you can to help others. Do not discriminate and carp for it might come back to haunt you. Pray to our Sai Baba who is there for us everyday of our lives he never leaves our side. On the next day of the disaster, I got an email from a friend who happened to be so close to the scene of chaos and he wrote to reassure his friends that he was safe. I wrote back to say "Robert, you are a Sai Baba devotee I knew you were alright." So, dear devotees, have faith and patience and to whatever you can do to make this world a better place remember it is all the good things we do and the love we have for our Sai Baba that helps him fight for the peace and tranquility for mankind and make the world a better place for generations to come. May Sai bless you all with peace and comfort especially in this dark hour but this too will pass and His Will, will be done.

Anitha Kandukuri, Canberra, Australia
In response to Saumya Rajesh's query in Sai Vichaar dated 20 September 2001, Saumya, just wanted to let you know that I have passed through the same phase that you have mentioned, I fully understand what you must be feeling. I have recently realized that - everybody is different, and every individual has a right to choose his or her friends. Just because I like somebody, I realized, I could not expect him or her to like me too. It is their choice to choose friends, and I feel it is their bad luck if they did not like me I have nothing to loose - I like them and offered the hand of friendship and if they refuse it is their loss. As a Sai devotee, I realized one thing, though people do not appreciate what I do to help them or make their life easy, or might take me for granted (it annoys me the most), I realized that BABA never ignores me, HE knows every deed and act I do, and believe me, I have got the reward for my kindness, only it took me a long time to realize that, life I lead, comforts and luxury I enjoy and take for granted are the GIFTS which HE gave me in appreciation for my kindness to people around me. So do not get disappointed when people do not respond positively to your love, For BABA says HE resides in the hearts of all living things, so our kind actions will result in good outcome for us. Another thing I learned is to stay clear of the people who raise negative thoughts in me with their attitude and thoughts. This helps me to keep my mind fixed on good thoughts and doing good deeds. You seem to be a very caring and sensitive person, I pray BABA guide you through your hard time. BABA be with you.

Subrata Mitra
I understand Dr.Gadhia will be soon visiting the USA. Please let me know how I can get in touch with him in USA. Thank you, Sai Ram

Murty Hari
Is Ati Rudra Yajna for world piece being organized with the direction of Shri Narayana Baba? If so, could you please tell me how those in U.S.A can do contributions in US dollar currency. Can a checque with any bank be mailed to a particular address? Please reply Thanks
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Prayer Club

Srikanth
Dear Sai Baba You have given lot of things in my life which I cannot have achieved with your great help. Right now I am passing through difficult situation, I know you will help me and guide to over come this. Please bless me and give strength in over coming this situation. JAI SAI RAM

Shanti
Dear Baba...this special prayers are for the person I love very much. I know I do not have to write, as you know everything. Please bless him, and guide him.

Krishnan Nathan
Dear Baba, Please forgive me for all the sins I have committed. I have no words to defend myself or to the acts that I have committed, I have hurt many people, my loved ones especially, people who care about me and people who love me. Baba, please help me, please support me, Please Forgive me. Baba please be with me always to help me differentiate between short term Good and Permanent good, please help me to take the correct decision all the time. Baba, please please please help me.

Rakesh Misra
JAI SAI RAM! Baba's eyes are always on his devotees. He always takes good care of all his devotees. SHRADHA and SABURI are the two secrets disclosed by Baba. If one follows it strictly and makes it part of his life, he will always be very satisfied and happy with the way his life goes ahead.

With the tragic bombing in America, we have all seen where the dreaded disease of terrorism has taken humanity. I request all SAI DEVOTEES to pray to BABA to bring peace and love on this planet and make humans realize the importance of humanity, love and peace. OM SAI RAM!
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Quotation of the Week

There are many different viewpoints of a mountain peak from its base and a Master may turn his light on one or another and on the path leading up from it; such paths, illuminated by various Masters, may cross as they wind up the mountain side, so that the short-sighted geographer can prove that they run in opposite directions, but the Master knows the summit, which is one, and knows that they all lead there - Arthus Osborne in "The Incredible Sai Baba: The life and miracles of a modern-day saint"

Question of the Week

Q. "WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NANDADEEP AND NANDANVAN IN SHIRDI?"
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Sai Activities

Sri Shirdi Sai Kalyanam Trust, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
Established in 1999 with the blessings of Lord Sainath and Guruji Sri C.B.Satpathy, Sri Shirdi Sai Kalyanam Trust, is committed to spreading of Shirdi Sai teachings and philosophy. The trust runs a quarterly magazine 'SAI KIRANALU' comprising sections in Telugu, English and Hindi. Sai devotees are requested to contribute articles/experiences with Sai in Telugu, English or in Hindi for publication. Devotees from countries like US, Australia, Canada etc., who visit Tirupati in India, are requested to contact them. For details mail to: saichandrabhanu@yahoo.co.in. OR write to: P.G.Prasuna, Sri Shirdi Sai Kalyanam Trust, Sai Chaaon, F-304, KCR Apartments, 551-Balaji Colony, Tirupati, A.P India-517 502. Tel: 91 8574 21634.

New Shirdi Ke Sai Baba - Feature Film at Minneapolis, Minnesota
Friday Sep 28 at 6:30 PM: SHIRDI KE SAI BABA. All shows are at Brookdale 8 Cinema, 5810 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Ctr. Minneapolis Minnesota. There is a charge for tickets, $8 for adults and $5 for kids under five. For ticket details and further information, kindly call Manoranjan Movies at 651-481-9068 the day of the showing to confirm movie and showtimes. Email: manoranjanmovies@hotmail.com
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