God is simple. He is seen, heard, felt, sensed, loved, and despised. However, the most difficult thing for us is to explain how simple God is. It is the intellectual limitation of our species. Why do we have so many Gurus, Gods and Religions? For the reason that God may be made simple to understand.

How blessed are the religions? Perhaps not so blessed as long as they do not realize the very function of religion. As long as they do not underline that religion is a path and not the destination. Blessed is the mankind, stars dawn on our horizon occasionally. The Supreme Conscious that walks the earth with the message that God is too big to fit into any single religion. The entity that represents timeless conscious; just like the begging fakir of Shirdi who cautions that human life is just a frozen frame of a few years and the actual idea should be to zoom ourselves out to eternity. The Super Star who simplifies our pursuits that any single religion has perhaps failed to accomplish.

During His tenure at Shirdi, inscrutable were His ways. Someone was sent to every temple in Shirdi before entering His abode. The other was kicked out after entering from other temple. One was sent to high mountains, the other was made to read scriptures. And, one was simply made to, wait! Let us be those fortunate children of God that does not confirm to one form. He is Dattatreya and the Crucifix. He is Allah Maalik. He is the burning fire, and the Banyan tree. Let us love everyone and their religions too. Let us truthfully attempt to see His message of unification. By this simple God's grace, for that is the beginning.
Back to Menu

Contributed Article: Hazrat Sai Roshan Ali Shah Part II

Sai Roshan Ali Shah took initiation from his own father and made abundant references in his lyrics to the greatness of his master and to the instructions and directions he received from him and the benefits he derived from that. He says that his preceptor gave him secret instructions, he followed those and that love arose in him, and divine mysteries were revealed to him and he attained the supreme realization and bliss: "The holy murshid has taught me Lessons of the secret path, I sacrifice myself entirely at his feet Who has enlightened me about the secrets. And My concentration was fixed on the vision within, As I entered the grand abode of love, I saw the entire field within the self Under right guidance of the murshid. And If you wish to attain the goal, Follow the direction of the guru; By his unbounded grace, The murshid has suggested to you the path. Understand breath rightly within, And thus realize the Beloved. Attain the beloved in your mind, By your endeavors, O Roshan. And Satguru has revealed the secret And promoted such devotion within I have the vision constantly now. I have met the wonderful satguru, secrets are revealed now, I am blessed in every birth. Satguru has done good to me He has shown me the Nam within And has put my foolish mind on the right path. Satguru has kindled the light, The interior is cleansed, The Beloved has done all favors, Roshan is in love with Nam, all doubts and illusions have vanished, This has been the command of the Master.

Sai Roshan Ali Shah succeeded his father as Murshid. He was highly selective for granting initiation and accepting a person as his disciple. Once a devotee requested Sai for initiation, but Sai refused. It was after a long wait and repeated requests for four years, that Sai agreed to his request and initiated him into the spiritual path. Though Sai had many devotees, he granted initiation to a very small number of disciples. He loved his disciples as his children. His devotees included both Muslims and Hindus. Once a Hindu devotee brought him a basket of fruit. At that time his two grandsons were sitting on his lap. Also in the group of devotees in front of him, there was a boy of about 3-4 years, a son of a Hindu devotee. Sai Roshan Ali Shah took a fruit from the basket and gave it to the boy. Upon this, his eldest grandson cried out, "Lala! Who is he? While we are sitting here, he has been given a fruit first". Sai said to him, "Like you, this child too is my progeny. You are progeny of my waist and he is a progeny of my sight (noor)." He disciple why hew was slow in writing to him. The disciple replied that he remembered Sai very much but was slow in writing letters. Upon this Sai said to him, "Yes, my child, I too remember you. God has ordained, 'Remember Me, and I shall remember you". Sai Hadi Baksh, the eldest son of Sai Roshan Ali Shah, had a clear premonition of the departure of his father some days prior to the event. In January of 1932, Sai Roshan Ali Shah had an attack of pneumonia. After 12 days he left his mortal frame. Sai was cheerful and quiet during his illness. There was a glow in his eyes. The shine on his forehead increased every day and it became very brilliant after he left his mortal frame. It is commonly held that Sufism is an Islamic sect. The lives and teachings of the saints in the Sufi Galaxy as occupied by Hazrat Sai Roshan Ali Shah, by his Father (his preceptor) and his successors, rightly place Sufism in its correct perspective. In the words of Dada Sai "Sufi is he who enjoys the eternal bliss of oneness (non duality). The word Sufi is not a monopoly of any particular caste or creed. It is of Arabic Origin and can be attributed to anybody having the qualities of a Sufi. He who lives pure, eats pure and is pure in thought and deed is a real Sufi, whatever his caste or creed.

(Contributed by MRK, Phoenix, AZ, USA)
Back to Menu

Experiences of Devotees

Ashok Kumar Gupta, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi, India
Write-up no 26 Dated 24th Oct 2001 Today is the 24th of Oct and Ashtmi and Mata has blessed Mrs. Veena Gupta with Sindoor. Sindoor is coming from Her hand and is dropping from there on the photo of Baba and finally on the paper. It is the biggest photo in the center of our mandir. There is also some Udi coming from the photo of Baba. It was during the pooja that Udi started coming from the main photo of Baba in our Mandir. It followed by Sindoor coming from Mata's hand. Seeing this Mrs. Veena Gupta started weeping in Joy. Udi also came in the prasad offered by a devotee. Mrs. Veena Gupta is very close to Baba and I feel much fortunate that I am with her. On18th, we have not performed the Sai Amrit Vani in the proper way and simply played the cassette and there was a common feeling that Baba came at that time and tears were there in His eyes. Two years ago also this type of thing happened. When our grand daughter was born. That Thursday also Udi did not come and at the time of Hawan, Pandit Ji informed us that Baba has come as Udi has started coming. Ever since Udi is coming on Every Thursday and important days for us. Mrs. Gupta devotes much of her time with Baba and hence I am writing this write-up. Please write to veena-gupta_2000@yahoo.com or vg20@id.eth.net
Back to Menu

Devotees say...

Anitha Kandukuri
I read about the request of the mother who is pleading for the welfare of her grown up son. I would imagine the agony that the mother is going through. I am sure there are more mothers like you who are waiting for a miracle to change the lives of their Children. I would like to organize the reading of the Chapter 1 of Sai Satcharitra which describes the grinding of Wheat by BABA. I thought of doing it 108 Parayana of this chapter. If anyone of you are interested could you please email me at a_kandukuri@hotmail.com. Depending on the number of responses, we could divide the reading amongst us so that it finishes 108 times. This prayer is for all those who need HIS grace in their lives. We invoke his grace to bless all HIS children.

Padma
I am very well convinced that Sai Baba is an avatar of god himself, since my experience way back in 1991 has paved this way for me. Before I was very rational and very immature and childish. I was about 21 yrs then and my parents were very worried about my marriage and my future. Once a group of pilgrims from Shirdi visited our colony and was passing by our street. Suddenly a young man from the group came over to our house and to my astonishment asked for my mom who is a very staunch believer of shri Sai Baba. He told my mom not to worry about my marriage and that a suitable proposal is on the way with the blessings of Sai Baba. He also said that Sai Baba directed him to our house to convey this message and that he did not want any alms. Saying that he left our house to join his group but not before we thanked him. Just 2yrs after the incident I got married into a very well to do family. Since then Sai Baba is my guru and my spiritual guide in every walk of my life. My ultimate spiritual goal is to surrender myself to the service of shri Sai Baba.

Vandana
Sai Baba appears to his devotees in many forms. Saivichar magazine is one of the forms of our BABA. It not only gives answers to our problems, its is like Sai parayanam (reading Baba's book). Baba Satcharitra tell us about his life story and miracles and how he brought his devotees towards him when BABA was in his human form. By reading Sai Vichaar and knowing devotees' experiences, we know how BABA is with us always even now. Could someone explain me Is it a good idea to play diplomatic games? I was brought up religiously and not able to play this with my in-laws. They behave differently in front of my husband towards me and completely different when he is not around. I always get hurt, put my crying face, and got bad image in my husband's eyes. They talk behind me and it is so difficult to know what they feel about me. I do not think I can ever play diplomatic games, and whatever good I do to them, they are not going to recognize it. What should I do to get my husband's love? I never want him to ignore them; I want him to feel my importance also. Baba always said in Sai satcharitra do not worry about what others do to you, be good and I will reward you. How to be good when nobody need our goodness all they want is to put me down? Please guide me Baba.
Back to Menu

Prayer Club

Nisah
Om sai ram, I have lots of problems ,hope with the help of Baba I will be able to find solution and I want to have happy life now.

Vishal
Dear Baba, Yet one more time, i seek blessings from you sai baba..Please show me the ray of light..

Banu
To the Lotus feet of Baba! Baba you know that I belive in you whole and soul but still you are testing me. You know every problem of mine . I am litereally begging for job but still you have not blessed me and my financial position is not good. I am only begging you for your blessing and awaiting for that day to come. Please do bless us always. Yours devotee
Back to Menu

Quotation of the Week

"The question to what school of philosophy Baba belongs, is strictly unanswerable except by saying that he belongs to no school or to all schools. One must always remember that Baba was Ritambara Pragna or Chitta Samvit". - HH Narasimhaswami ji in "Life of Saibaba Part IV"

Question of the Week

Q. "What are the most important requirements for undertaking Sai Baba's activities?"
A. by Ravin Gnanasambandam, Ithaca, NY, USA

No body knew how it was done, but Baba accomplished things in a skillful way. Every activity in Shirdi bore testimonial to Baba's sure way of completing the projects. While several people, from Gopalrao Gund to Radhakrishna Mai, Hemadpant to Booty were credited with the accomplishments, it is to be noted how these individuals remain in our memory for their accomplishments. They are remembered because they did not seek to be remembered as accomplished! Several learned men came to Baba, but it was Govindrao Dabholkar who wrote Sai Satcharita. He set out to do it after being humbled and blessed by Baba. While so many rich men came to His abode, Booti is remembered for Samadhi mandir. Booti was rich, but more than rich, he was very humble. Booti, Noolkar, and Khaparde are the only devotees who would not open their mouth in front of Baba. Such was their obedience.

Humility, obedience, reverence, and devotion are the most important attributes to successfully accomplish any Baba's activity. Baba did not approve any of His devotees to go into debt for making pilgrimage. Therefore, it is the subtle pride, not humility, that would prompt one to jump into an activity without having the means to accomplish it. On the other hand, Baba will always bless an honest and truthful longing of a submissive seeker whose only motive is to spread God's glory. Setting about doing Baba's activity is a saadhana in itself. Everyday reveals His presence and every move His judgement. Melmaruvathur Adigal, a realized soul from Tamil Nadu said, "Be always a servant, a worshipper. Do not aspire to become the worshipped". Bapatla Hanumantha Rao wrote in "Sai Anusaranamu", "unless the seeker considers himself to be the last one (show utmost humility), he can not progress towards the realization". Profit making or the sense of doership, the subtler pride, can not accomplish the objective. Project management even in its advanced form can only be a state of mind. Virtues required are those from the heart. Sai will lead and He will accomplish. Bow to Sri Sai, Peace be to all.
Back to Menu

Sai Activities

Baba's Stall at Sunnyvale, California
organized by Shirdibaba.org & Saibaba.org
Please visit us at Baba's stall being organized on Saturday November 10th and Sunday November 11th at Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, Sunnyvale, California between 10am and 8pm each day.

Devotees can recieve information about Shri Sai Baba activities, Baba's Udhi, pocket calendar, walletsize pictures, magazines, handouts, etc at no charge. Various books, periodicals, cassettes, CD's and literature on Baba will also be available.

Those who requested for Baba's Charan and pictures of Sadguru's during the previous stall at HinduSangam in Milpitas are advised that they can collect them during this weekend. These are also available to others interested too.

For directions and further information please call call 510 657 4053 / 510 469 6973 or contact us by email at maildrop@saibaba.org

Saibaba.org, USA
Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 2002.- actively involve yourselves in this unique nationwide prayer and benefit immensely by hosting Sai Baba's portrait in your homes. Get more details by visiting http://www.saibaba.org and follow the link to Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 2002 page. Register early to help us work out the logistics.
Back to Menu

You may subscribe to receive the newsletter by e-mail.

Fill out your e-mail address and hit the subscribe button: