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Sai Vichaar 01.Feature of the Week: Servant Versus Minister 02.Contributed Article: Mystic Master 03.Experiences of Devotees 04.Devotees Say 05.Sai Activities 06.Prayer Club 07.Quote of the Week 08.Question of the Week 09.Subscribe to Sai Vichaar 10.Email Newsletter to a friend 11.Submit Articles to Sai Vichaar 12.Un-Subscribe Sai Vichaar 13.From the Editor's Keyboard 14.Disclaimer From the Editor's Keyboard... Sai devotee Pran Razdan suggested the "Question of the Week" as follows:
Interpretation of this shaloka as given in "Bhagvat Gita As it is" by Swami Prabhupada is "Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according to their own natures". The emphasis according to this interpretation is on praying to the Supreme Lord Krishna and not others called demigods. We call Sai as Saikrishna and believe that through Him we can attain the spiritual freedom and become one with the Absolute. "Why is therefore a distinction made here between Supreme Lord and other gods and who are demigods?" Humbly yours, The Editor
Disclaimer Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site organization is not
responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
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Feature of the week:
Servant Versus Minister
It is said that when the disciple is ready for the Guru, the Guru reveals himself to the disciple. Examples to this effect are abound in Sai stories. While everyone is entitled to Sadguru's grace, it does not come without efforts on part of the disciple. Baba also used the analogy of the tree in blossom to explain how rare are the blessed ones that remain until the end, their pursuit fructified. On a similar note, His Holiness Shri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji of Sri Datta Peetham explains the will of Sadguru in imparting the wisdom to the persistent few; Tava shishyohamityukte rnate siddhyati shishyataa Prabhunaa hi pradaatavyaa mantritaa dasataathavaa "Just because you claim that you are a disciple, you do not become one. Whether it is the post of a minister or of a soldier, isn't it the king who makes the decision?" The first part of the above Sookti (the moral) tells in no uncertain terms that you do not become a disciple just because you claim to be one. Agreed, it does not confer disciple-hood. What does one need to do to become a disciple? The second part of the Sookti gives the answer. It says 'studentship is not something that you can earn by your efforts. It is something that a Guru has to confer out of compassion'. What should one do to become eligible to receive Guru's compassion? The Sookti does not answer this question directly. Instead, it does so figuratively. How is it done? A king received several applications for the post of a minister and servants. The king selected one candidate for the post of the minister. He also selected a few persons as servants. Being a king, he did not need the approval of anyone to confirm their appointment. No one is above the king. The person should satisfy the king. There are no other criteria here. Similarly, even in the case of a Sadguru, there is no one above Him. To decide if you are fit to become a disciple is his left to Him. No one can question it. You should satisfy Him. Only then, you will become His disciple. Among the many applicants, not all may possess the qualifications required for the post of the minister. Even if they possess minimum qualifications, the king may give them at least the job of servants. If they do not have even minimum qualification, the will simply remain ordinary. Similarly, if you have the ability to satisfy the Guru, the Guru will bestow studentship to you. Although many aspirants have the qualifications, the king can make only one person his minister, and among the remaining applicants, he will chose a few people as servants. Similarly, the Guru bestows studentship only on a few. If you do not have the required qualifications, you will remain a devotee. However, you will be a devotee who is constantly longing to become a disciple by enhancing your qualification. If you do not have this attitude, you will just remain a wanderer, traveling back and forth. This meaning is figuratively implicit in the second part of the Sookti. There are two words - Mantritaa and Daasataa (Mantri=Minister, Daasa=Servant). Here, the word Mantri does not merely mean minister. It also means 'one who is engaged in spiritual pursuit through Mantra'. What does this meaning imply? It implies that the Guru, who has blessed you, knows as to which path is good for you - the path of spiritual pursuit or that of Bhakthi (devotion) and decides accordingly. It also implies that unless the Guru makes some decision, you will not get the status of studentship. You will become a disciple only after the Guru decides. If the Guru becomes compassionate about you, He will show you the path. For the Guru to show you compassion, you must first become eligible. How to earn that eligibility? From the above discussion, we have come to know that the Sookti does not give a direct answer. Let us see were the answer is hidden in the Sookti. By indirectly saying that the Guru will show you either the path of Upaasana (spiritual practice) or Daasya Bhakti (path of surrender and devotion), it gives you a hint about how one can enhance one's eligibility. The previous step to the path of Upasana is Nama Sankeertana. The step preceding the path of surrender/devotion is listening to discourses on mythological scriptures and serving the devotees. To do this, one does not require a formal initiation. Anyone can do this. You must develop a natural interest in these. Once you become interested and begin to make conscious effort to enhance that interest, you will get the eligibility of becoming a disciple. When you get the qualification, you, (who used to serve the devotees) will automatically become eligible to serve the Guru. If you were hitherto engaged in Nama Sankeertana, you will become eligible to step in to the path of Upasana. Either way, you will rise from the level of a devotee to become a disciple. This is the way of satisfying a Guru and becoming his disciple - is the indirect message hidden in the Sookti. By the grace of the Guru, after having acquired the status of a disciple, one should continue to carry on one's pursuit in accordance with the directions of the Guru. One should not forget that the pursuit would go on only as long as one has the blessings of the Guru. One should therefore strive to become eligible to get more blessings. One should also realize that the blessings of the Sadguru are both the means and the fruit of one's pursuit. Can a minister ever think, "I have become a minister now? Why do I need
the king's benevolence?" Even after becoming a minister, his duty
continues to be that of pleasing the king. This is the purpose of
comparing the status of a disciple to that of the minister. That is, the
disciple should continue to do things that please the Guru. This is the
hidden meaning of the Sookti. By the grace of Lord Dattatreya, may this
message reach your heart and may you all become good disciples of the
Sadguru. Jaya Guru Datta.
Contributed Article: Mystic Master
Contributed by Sivakumar H. H. Sri Vidyanarayana Theertha Swami
Mystic Master Lord Shirdi Sai Baba, with His mystic ways in silence and
in words speaks to those loving devotees in their own way and own
language and console those intently seek solace in Him. His form in full
splendor and radiance is above us, amidst us to teach us the essentials
of Sanathana Dharma and to inculcate in us simplicity, humbleness,
devotion, dedication, love and bring peace. The mystic saint can only be
realized, only if one follows the principles He taught and demonstrated
in His earthly life in day to day practice, second to second, minute to
minute and hour to hour. I can not quote any other saint such as Jesus
Christ, Guru Nanak, or others, but my inner consciousness reveals that
all masters are in Him.
The Maya in us, around us needs to be observed carefully. The Maya can
not be set right until qualities like mada (conceit), matsarya
(jealousy), moha (delusion), lobha (greed), krodha (anger), kama (lust),
mamakara on worldly things (attachment), abhimana (pride or ego) are
overcome. The only way is a complete surrender to Sai and follow his
inscrutable instructions. Parabramha Sai is amidst us in the form of
bikshaku, ready to take all our difficulties, remove all negativity, and
give us what we want and deserve. He is one of infinite grace and
benevolence.
Very long ego, Lord Siva in the form of Adi Shankara was amidst us,
restored sanathana dharma, distributed pure wisdom, and made us
understand His leelas. Adi Shankara did not suggest idol worship, did
not advocate the division of society, and exhorted all people to
understand the Ultimate, brought unity at intellectual and spiritual
levels to understand the Divine.
Lord Sai, in a similar way distributed the grace, made us aware of Him,
and propagated the principle of adhering to simple and practical
principles with devotion, dedication, and perseverance. The Ultimate,
the Bhagavat-thava lies beyond the principles of one ness and duality
can only realized in Sai path.
We need to remember that we have been in touch with Him, the Ultimate,
the Supreme master regularly in the process of evolution of our souls.
He knows and we do not. We need to remember that we are essentially
divine sparks, with soul continually evolving, with a human experience.
We can avail His grace, following the dharma principles, treating Maya
as guest, which deserves to be treated with respect which alerts us to
remind that we stick to SAI path, with assistance from friends (innate
or pure qualities) simplicity, humbleness, love, dedication and other
good qualities.
OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI
Subbalaxmi
When we opened the paper at the said time, there was nothing and found
there is no money. We lost all the money. I am not worrying about money.
All this time I was praying BABA "If he is not a genuine person, Please
send him out". So many times BABA helped me a lot. But this time, why he
is calm. I am unable to understand this. If BABA asks me either in
swapna or through a genuine person Rs.3000/- I can happily give him. Now
I am in a worry that the person deceived me using the name of BABA. Why
BABA allowed all these things. Still I am thinking it is done by BABA
only. Please some one help me understand this.
A Sai devotee Being a Sai devotee, I am unable to comprehend what is happening in my life. A year ago I took a decision based solely on Sai's blessing in Saibaba's temple at his feet. I left everything else in life based on Baba's assurance. Now after a year the thing I asked for Baba and which he assured for me, is gone. I have nowhere to go now. I lost everything. Now I feel like killing myself, as I have nothing left for me. Can Sai's words and assurances go wrong? Can he disown his own sons who have taken bold decisions in life based on his assurances? The assurances that he promised when bowed our head in total surrender and total faith. How can anyone survive when they see their world coming down in to which they have given everything with assurance from Sai...? Dear Sai bandhus..This is my status now. Baba's assurance that he will be with me and help me achieve my goals is gone in a moment I am broken now totally. No where to go. I believed only him and nobody else and I do not have anything now. Everything is gone off my hands. What should I do now? I cannot blame Sai. He is someone whom I can not live without..and I have nothing to live with .. to live for. I am extremely agitated and feel like killing. If my own god deserts me what can I do...? Sai bandhus..Please pray to Baba to take care of me. I am unable to pray for myself. Pray so that my faith remains strong even if I lose everything. I may lose even myself now but I do not want to lose faith in him. Please pray for me. SARVAM MAMA DEVA DEVA. SARVAM SAMARPAYAMI. Raju Divakarla
Lavanya
Trimbakeshwar Pershad
A Sai devotee
A Sai devotee
Srividya Gogulapati
Sarabjit Lakhia
"Baba would accept with appreciation any small thing offered with love and devotion, but if the same thing was offered with pride and haughtiness, He would reject it. Being Himself full of Sat Chit Anand (Existence, Knowledge and Bliss) He did not care much for mere outward formalities; but if an offering was made in a meek and humble spirit, the same was welcome and He accepted it with pleasure and avidity" - Shri Sai Satcharitha by Hemadpant. 
Back to Menu Q "What is the significance of Baba's cross-legged sitting posture with one leg over the knee of the other and placing his hand on his feet with his fore finger and middle finger a little apart?" Priya Srinivasan, Omaha, USA
Sai Utsav 2001 - Sydney Australia
Shirdi Sai Sakti Dham, Sai Nagar, Vikas Puri, Jagadhri Road, Ambala Cantt. India. Swami Satyanand has organized a wonderful All religious devotees' conference at Ambala Cantt. from 18 April to 22 April 2001. Many ardent devotees from various parts of the country participated. Shri K.Ramaswamy, President, All India Sai Samaj, Chennai came with a group of devotees and coordinated the activities of the conference. Shri Ramaswamy, in his address explained how Pujyasri Narasimhaswamiji spread the Sai movement across the country during the period 1935 to 1956. He stressed that Shirdi Sansthan owe a lot to Pujyasri Narasimhaswamiji for his untiring effort of spreading Sai movement by visiting every nook and corner of the country and established many Sai Institutions. Swamiji"s publications are authentic and anyone can publish the same in his own language for the benefit of devotees as Pujyasri Narasimhaswamiji did not restrict the rights of his works. Shri I.P.Mehta, President, Sai Samaj, Chandigarh welcomed the delegates and explained how Shraddha and Saburi take care of everyone. Shri. K. Sharma, Shri J.K.Puri, Shri Goel, and other eminent Sai devotees spoke during the session. Devotees explained their experiences to the knowledge of other devotees during the session "Devotees Experiences". Special buses took devotees to Kurukshetra, where Sai Baba temple under the inspiration of Mr.Goel was started. Shri Satyanand swamiji and Shri K.Ramaswamy performed pooja, on opening the Sai temple here. On 20 April, delegates were taken to Sai Mandir, Parvanoo, Himachal Pradesh. Warm welcome given by the organizers of Sai Samaj, Parvanoo. Mementos to the various participants of the program were given on behalf of All India Sai Samaj, Chennai and Sai Samaj, Parvanoo. The organizers thanked Mr.K.Ramaswamy for participating in the function, coming all the way from the other end of the country (Himachal Pradesh in the North end and Chennai, near about south end) and his valuable Prachar high lighting Pujyasri Narasimhaswamiji's inspiration to Sai movement. On concluding day, devotees were felicitated by Sri Satyanand and Sri K.Ramaswamy. The aim of the Ambala Sai institution is to help the weaker section without caste and creed for their medical facilities, helping mentally retarded and handicapped persons and establish old age home. Lot of funds are required for these activities and devotees through out the world are requested to contribute their mite by check in the name of Shirdi Sai Sakti Dham, Sai Nagar,Vikas Puri, Jagadhri Road, Ambala Cantt .India. Jai Sai Ram Shri Dattatreya Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir, Unit of: Sri Shathashrunga Vidya Samsthe ® Sai Snehadhama Vrudhashrama Premises, Metipalya Village, Tavarekere - Sondekoppa Road, Tavarekere, Bangalore - South, Karnataka, India. INVITATION With Baba's blessings, we have planned to celebrate the 85th Birth Day of Pujya R.Radhakrishnan (Sai Jeevi) Hubli, Karnataka which falls on 17th June'2001 (Sunday). VENUE: DATTATREYA SHIRDI SAI BABA MANDIR, Sai Snehadhama Vrudhasharama Premises, Tavarekere - Sondekoppa Road, Tavarekere Hobli, Bangalore South Taluk, Karnataka, India. Sai Jeevi is well known to the SAI WORLD and he is the chosen instrument of Sri Baba to organize/conduct SAINAMA JAPA YAGNAS all over the country since 1982. The places include Shirdi, Selu, Pathri, Dhupkheda, and Kanyakumari Etc., also he has been helping (arranging funds from Philanthropists) for many Sai institutions/organizations etc., to build Sai Temples, and other Sai activities. Sai Jeevi helped Sai Temples at BTM Layout, Bangalore, Sai Temple at Pathri, Ganagapur, Hyderabad, Davanagere, Hubli, and Trichy. The Dinning Hall at Sai Snehadhama Vrudhashrama , Metipalya, Bangalore South Taluk was also built with assistance of Shirdi Sai Trust, Chennai through Sai Jeevi. His soul-stressing Sai Articles are being published by all Sai Magazines like "Sai Sudha, Chennai, Sai Padananda, Bangalore, Sree Sai Leela, Mumbai and the devotees who go through them are immensely benefited. We are blessed by Lord Sai to have - this simple, humble, egoless for devotees amongst us and it is a privileges given to us to celebrate his 85th birth day along with many other activities. We pray to Baba to bless him to live for more years to do selfless Sai Service benefiting humanity at large. On this auspicious occasion we invoke the blessings of Baba to shower his choicest blessings on SHIRDI SAI TRUST, CHENNAI". Sri M.Krishnappa MLC, Sri H.M. Revanna M.L.A Magadi Constituency and others who are helping us, from time to time, in carrying out charitable activities in a phased manner. We request all the Sai devotees to participate in the function in large numbers and receive the blessings of Samartha Sadguru Sai Baba. For Details Contact: - Dhanjaya Babu, Public Relations Officer, Tel: (O) 3488157, (R) 3492661 Email: saishathashurnga@hotmail.com, saishathashrunga@usa.net. Voluntary contributions/Donations in kind and cash will be accepted with
great reverence against paid receipts donations to SRI SHATHASHRUNGA
VIDYA SASMTHE ® are Tax Exempted under 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act
1961 from 01-07-2001 to 31-03-2003.
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