The study of Saibaba becomes incomplete if one misses the portion of His immense love of lighting lamps. Lighting of lamps has a lot of significance in all faiths in general and to Hindus in particular. A lamp apart from spreading light in dark night/space stands as a symbol of enlightenment in Hindu faith. Thus any worship starts with lighting lamps .In the light of a lamp a devotee beholds the idol of the Lord in a temple. In the realm of spirituality, a lamp symbolizes the imperishable Atman.

Baba when started living in the masjid, used to light lamps every night by collecting oil from the village merchants. He could not stop His most loved habit even on the memorable historic night when the merchants denied the oil. Baba with His yogic power turned water to oil and lit the lamps to the wonder of the secretly watching merchants. After that wondrous event, the people of Shirdi, and slowly the rest of the world started looking at Baba with an eye of admiration and devotion.

Later Baba started lighting lamps as Nandadeep in Lendi garden. Until date, Nandadeep continues to shine in Lendi. On one occasion, a devotee named Dengale brought a small wooden plank of few inches width as a gift. Baba tied that plank to the roof of the masjid with feeble rags and to the amusement and astonishment of the onlookers used to sleep on it by keeping four lamps at four corners. In fact, the people watching this unusual feat could not fix the exact moment of Baba's jump.

Also in the early days of Baba's stay in Shirdi, when the villagers dug under the neem tree, they found a cellar in the light of four burning lamps. Baba told that was His Gurusthan and there He served His Guru for twelve years. It is no wonder that Baba is continuing lighting the lamps of wisdom, devotion, faith, and patience in the hearts of millions. Blessed are those who find their path in the light shown by Baba!

(Feature by Syamasundar Davuluri, Houston, TX)
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Contributed Article: Never lose faith in Baba

Dear Sai Devotees, this write-up is for those people in particular who have believed in Baba and due to certain reasons are not having that firm faith which they early had or are in some kind of doubt. I was married for two years and was expecting a baby it was only two months and was aborted on the third month. I thought maybe after few months I will have another but months passed by and nothing happened than it was a year and half and I was desperate as to what has happened why I am not having a baby so started praying to Baba and praying really hard to have it but nothing happened. I had lost the patience which Baba always ask for and which was not in me by that time. I consulted a doctor. During the treatment, I had a bad reaction to the medication, my weight increased, and by the end of first week, I weighed 7 Kg. The pain was unbearable, during the day, it used to be all normal, but night used to be painful. I started medicines for sleeping and by few days the body got used to the sleeping injection too and it was miserable. I was daily pierced 5-6 times for blood testing. I used to always say one thing "Oh Baba what have I done that I am facing all this pain, I don't remember I have ever hurt any one".

Finally, on a Wednesday I told my husband to go to Sai temple and pray to Baba and ask him for the final help and if he wished things will be all right very soon, but the situation was so that he couldn't leave me even for a minute. On Thursday he left for the temple and there he prayed very sincerely asking Baba to forgive us of our sin and that he would quit smoking which was very difficult for him and will be his devoted devotee all life long. My husband became Sai devotee after marriage). He returned from the temple gave me prashad and felt relieved at heart that may be things will be better now. That evening, the doctor came and said that she has a new treatment. She wanted someone from my family by me, so, immediately called my mother and father. My mother is a very blind devotee of Baba and as she came my pain, my trauma all started reducing as though Baba had come along with her. I started recovering to the relief of all the doctors. However, Baba had something else in his mind as I learnt that I am pregnant and doctor was concerned that it was not safe to have baby in this condition. I was desperate for a child since so long and there was this health crisis too. Doctor decided to do the ultrasound once again after a week and what she found was more surprising I had not one but two babies! We cannot explain what we were thinking; the happiness of having not one but two babies and than the tension of their survival was tremendous. But finally we all decided that we will keep the babies and that she will cut down on medicine and I have to recover my self fast to support the babies in the womb. My energy/stamina had gone so down that if I walked 15 steps I would faint and was supplied with lots of glucose, the main concern now was the survival of the babies as by this time my nausea had started and the frequency of vomiting was so much that I couldn't eat anything. At this time I started criticizing Baba, complaining him for not reducing my pain, or crying as though he is seeing everything still he is not helping me. I had become very negative in my thoughts towards Baba especially after I heard about my pregnancy as I wanted to safely cross that period and here I was still suffering. I have two lives dependent on me instead he should make my pregnancy comfortable, every time I had any problem. I would look at his photo and cry every time I suffered. It was my mother who always quieted me by saying that I was under weakness and recovery that is why I am being restless and irritating there is nothing Baba is doing he is in fact helping us, may be I would have not survived but Baba all over again blessed me this beautiful life and bear the beautiful babies.

For six months, my mother was the only one who was confident on BABA that he will do everything all right as he has given this blessing of two babies to us he will take care of them. She went to Baba's temple, left rice, tea and non-veg food for me, bought flowers from Baba's paduka and made me touch it, read Sai Satcharitra and Sai Geeta daily and went to other temple too as we are at Nagpur it was near to Shirdi she would send some money to Shirdi for poor and pledged that everything will be alright she would go to Shirdi. After seven months, we decided to go for an early operation consulted Baba by chit and took out the date though the time for delivery was safe as I had crossed the safe period and that was the day when Baba showed his presence my mother gave me UDI to drink with water before operation and my mom made me speak Baba's name few times and there I was in operation, after half hour I heard the first crying voice of the baby and after a minute another and than little later doctor came and congratulated. My elder son weighed 3 Kg and the younger son weighed 2.75-kg s she said they are more than healthy. I folded my hand sincerely and thanked Baba for the first time in all that period for listening my mothers prayer and taking care of me and boys I asked forgiveness to Baba for having doubting his love towards me. I also repented for having cursed him for all that I underwent and since than my faith increased in many folds now I regularly go to Sai temple every Thursday and have more shradha and saburi. My boys are growing beautifully and whenever I look at them smiling and making those cooing noises, I immediately thank Baba. Please all of you Sai devotee I personally ask you to never ever loose faith in Baba as to whatever situation you are in, just keep shradha and Baba will take care .No wonder why he said "IF YOU LOOK AT ME I WILL LOOK AT YOU". All Sai devotees who are interested to contact me can contact me at following e-mail- manishabisht@hotmail.com

(Contributed by Manisha Bisht, Nagpur, India)
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Experiences of Devotees

Bharath Sanyal, New Jersey, USA
SaiRam. These are difficult times and I would like to share my experiences over the last few months with you; so that you may draw strength and comfort in the knowledge that Baba loves you all and will guide you through good and bad times. One Friday afternoon I was called and told that my services were no longer needed. I could not understand why and was offered no explanation other that the management had decided to part ways. At the time, I felt that this was most likely a blessing in disguise and that the next job would definitely be much better. I told this to the management, thanked them for all their help during the years I worked there. They thanked me for the work I had done for them and we parted amicably. Later that day I told my wife what had happened. She was supportive and said everything would be fine. However, everything changed on Monday. Panic set in. What would happen now? Many things/processes/lifestyles would be interrupted. How would I cope with all these changes? It was 9.00am and I was still home - something did not feel right. My heart was sinking fast. During the day, I would go through cycles of hope and despair. Was it something I did? Could this have been avoided? I went through these feelings for the next few weeks. I would like to point out that I am fortunate that Shri Shirdi Sai Baba occasionally communicates with my wife and her friend Nita. During these hard times, he communicated that this was his will and he was providing me an opportunity to spend some time with my family and children. During the panic attacks, Baba would say - These are helping you cut your karmas. He instructed me to say "SAIRAM" whenever I felt dejected and helpless - so that remembering him would comfort me. Though He knew where I would go next, it was not yet time; and I should have patience and faith. One day He asked me to take the family out to the beach that Thursday, forget about my worries and have fun. I have a problem with getting sunburned and was not sure how much fun I would have. Of course, Baba knew all about it. By the time we reached the beach, the sky became overcast, hazy, and stayed like that. We had a great time! Occasionally I would have conversations with friends about my loss of job and my efforts at finding a new job. I would like to point out that: He always chided me whenever I said anything negative about my former boss - no matter how small it may be. HIS explanation was that this was his decision and I should not accumulate bad karmas by saying negative things since ultimately he is hurt when I say bad things about others. HE would always encourage me to spare no efforts at sending out resumes to recruiters, Internet job sites, applying online at company sites. Whenever I would reach an end to my efforts, He would through a friend or acquaintance provide new leads. In short, He was telling me that one has to put a certain amount of work and efforts before He can provide a solution. Not all efforts would bear fruit, but these are essential to reach the objective - to find a job! HE indicated that in addition to my efforts there are two things necessary: My undying faith in Him and an intense desire on my part to get a job. After all, He cannot give me a job unless I desire it with all my heart. One Sunday Nita called in the morning. During the conversation, I asked her why Baba's devotees had to go through want of money. She reminded me that Baba himself was not wealthy during His stay on earth. HE only assures His devotees that there will be no want of food and clothing. The next few weeks I continued my efforts at job hunting. Baba guided me to call my new employer. This was a company I was not going to call and thought would never hire me due to certain issues. Baba had other plans! Through an acquaintance, He indicated that I should call this company. Reluctantly and without much hope I called. The person I spoke to was supposed to out-of-town that day, but Baba made him postpone his plans. Very carefully, He arranged for everything. The day of the interview, I put Udi on my throat and prayed to Baba to do all the talking during the interview. HE DID. The interview was a success. A few days later the company made me an offer. It was better than my previous job but still I wondered if I could have done better. I would like to state that all Baba seeks from us is Shraddha and Saburi. Complete Shraddha enables you to get complete guidance. Partial Shraddha gets you partial guidance since you cannot fully understand Him. Baba does not tell you what to do unless you seek His intervention, but once you ask Him and are guided by Him, you would do well to stay on His guided path since He knows what is best for you. May Baba shower His grace on all of us and give us the strength and wisdom to stay on His guided path.
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Devotees say...

A Sai devotee
Dear Readers, the recent article on Shradha & Saburi was most fulfilling and guiding. It lit a spark in me to share some moments that have transformed my life. Though my family has been closely associated with Baba since 1978, I came close to Baba only 3 yr. back when things were a bit low and I was without a job. That time my focus was Job and money. By Baba's grace I was able to visit Shirdi and soon after got a most fulfilling job too. It took me abroad, made me make good money etc. These were blessings showered onto me by HIM. But at the same time, what I had not noticed was the change that I had undergone from within. I had started daily worship and loving Baba. I had started including HIM in all my thoughts and actions. I did not like to hear Bad Vibes for anyone. I had started to internalize! Later when things again went a little for the downturn financially, I have stood unconcerned with full Faith and Patience in HIM. It does not matter until I have HIM with me and HE proves to me from time to time that HE is there around. So, please do really believe in Shradha & Saburi. As Baba had said, it can take u across rivers of misery. Just believe and you will see the Miracle of Life.

Atul Handa
Lincoln N your experience was inspiring. May Sai Bless you and help everyone realize that one should not ask for specific material objects or favors from Him...just surrender to His Holy feet wholeheartedly...the rest will follow.

Asha Yenduri
Dear BABA, I am so happy to be your Devotee. You are always my Friend, My Brother, and my Guide/Guru. Whenever I am tired and lose all hope, I still get some inner strength thinking that you are there with me everywhere and every time. We need your blessings. My husband needs a job and one single quick project can change our whole efforts to get Green Card. Please be with us at all times and guide us in the right way. We are your kids and You are our God. I can only ask you to shower your blessings on all of us.

Kiran Dhulipala
Dear Vandana, I can very properly understand your situation. In this kind of atmosphere, there is always a leader who guides the others, and the others who follow the so called diplomatic game leader, may be good but as they lack proper individuality, they are not able to properly judge the good from the bad. Let me tell you, all those who are making fun of you are a bunch of fickle minded and weak characters.

Now the very first thing you should do is changing the way in which you react when they make fun of you. Do not ever again, in your future show yourself that your feelings are hurt by the fun they make. If they laugh at you, then you too start laughing along with them. As if your are one among them and you enjoy along with their enjoyment.

Let me tell you how this works. If you show that they hurt you then psychologically, you are making yourself separate from the others. But if you start laughing along with them, this shows that you are one among them and are willing to share their humor. I can understand that it is a bit hard to do it but it is not impossible. Now start doing that and after a month do write your home environment to Sai Vichaar again.

Also try reading the book "THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE" by "Stephen R.Covey", and you will enjoy the book and see tremendous changes in you and your in laws. Do not just try to read it like a novel but take your own time, may be 3 weeks, 4 weeks and implement the things he wants to teach you. This is a very good book. Shri Sai Baba will definitely help you in your way.
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Prayer Club

Usha Sastry
When I am in bed whole night I sleep less and keep doing your nama japa" Om sai sri Sai jaya jaya Sai" It gives me peace of mind and I do not feel tired next day due to loss of sleep. You never came in my dreams but you are listening to me always that I know. I am trying for a job. Please bless me and I am very eager to see you in my dreams, if I am lucky for your darshan at least in dream. Please protect our family.

Rugmony Sivasubramanian
Sai Ram. Aneha kodi kodi namaskarams. I request you to bless my husband with a good job. Please help us and bless us.

Bharathi Vedurumudi
I am a Devotee of Sri Sai Baba. I request all the Sai devotees to pray for me, my family, and my friend Jyothi for good career, life, and peace of mind. I pray Sai Baba not to test people too long and give them what is good for them soon.

Smita Prasad
Om Sai, Baba, it was your wish that I get married to the person I love. I was very happy with it, that it is very hard to bear the consequences of divorce. We still love each other, and if it were not for our parents/elders conflicts, we still would be. I pray that you resolve them, and give us our marriage back. I pray to you Lord, to please give me the strength, faith, and perseverance to keep up until then. Please Baba, give us our marriage back. I thank you for everything.

Subash D. Gayakwad
Baba, I have a firm faith in you. But since past two months I am facing a lot of problems. I cannot sleep at all. I am very much distribued and worried. I dont have peace of mind at all. Always negative thoughts come to my mind. Even though I pray and chant your holy name, the negative thoughts (evil thoughts) are worrying me. I am loosing hope. I dont know what to do. Please help me god. Please purify my mind and heart with your holy bleesings. Please protect me and be with me always. Guide me and guard me every moment. You are the only suport I have, please shower me with Your blessings..all the time. Sai, I beg You please bless me to remember Your holy and sweet name each moment. You are everything to me. Please keep me under Your caring umbrella.

Anil Bhandarkar
Almighty Baba. Please bless my child.He is 5 years old and does not walk or talk.He has faced a lot of hardships.Please bless us all.Jai Sai Ram.

Vera Boatwalla
I and my wife Roshan are staunch believer of his Holiness SAI BABA.It was by chance that I found the book SAI SATCHARITA sometime in late 1996 and have been reading everyday one chapter of this precious book, which has given me peace of mind and taken me more towards SAI BABA. I am still praying and hoping that SAI BABA in his infinite mercy would help me and my family to lead a quite family life. I have suffered a lot and am still suffering for I do not know what wrong I have done. Please SAI BABA forgive me and help me and my family. Awaiting SAI BABA help.

Amit Kulkarni
Dear Baba, Please help me so that i secure an co-op or Internship in the coming semester, also help me with my thesis. Please help me i am real Desperate to secure a internship or a co-op in the Summer semester. OM SAI Ram

Presad
Aum Sai Ram. Swami please have mercy on me and my family . Please with your kind grace bless us to remove the I in myself. I am very grateful for the leelas I have been blessed with and very sincerely beg you to continue to shower all of us with your blessings. Please put me back on my feet and please guide me to the right destination. Sai Ram Sai Ram Sai Ram.
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Quotation of the Week

"The teachings of a Guru are of no use to a man who is full of egoism and who only thinks about the material objects. Purification of mind is absolutely necessary. Without it, all our spiritual endeavors are nothing but a useless pomp. My treasury is full and I can give anyone what he wants but I have to see whether he is qualified to receive it" - Sai Baba of Shirdi

Question of the Week

Q. "What are the most important requirements for undertaking Sai Baba's activities?"
A. by Raj Salian

Sairam Dear readers, the most important requirements for undertaking our Lord's activities are many. To name a few, - One should follow the path of Selfless Love. Whatever/Whenever he/she is undertaking an activity (be it anything) that should be done without any thinking about WHAT that would result for the doer. If there is results awaited for the activity, the activity never holds any importance in the eyes of our lord.

- When we do anything, we should do it with the utmost devotion, love, and obedience. We should feel that we are not the doers, the doer is our Sai himself. After all, we are nothing but mere instruments in his hands for HIS work to get accomplished. We should treat the activity recipient as though they are our own.

- To whom we serve.... To whom we deliver our seva/activity, we should see our lord in him/her. Sai has given a wonderful instance about this to Mrs. Tarkhad in the Sai Satcharitra. When Mrs. Tarkhad fed the hungry dog with a piece of bread, the dog relished the food. When she met Baba, Baba said that it was he himself who had come in that form. The food that the dog ate appeased his hunger and he was still belching with the great food. He said, he will be in all the forms may it be, cow, flies, dog, etc. This was an important lesson to everyone, that Sai will be present in everyone and everything. When we deliver our seva or activity, we should always think that we are doing it for our own Sai.

- Take the best for the seva/activity. When we do an activity, we have to give the best from ourselves. To quote an example, our beloved lord Sai showed this. A lady used to do Narayana Seva in her town. She used to buy Rs.2 rice for the seva. For the family, there was Rs.5 rice bought. The Rs.2 rice was filled with Stone, and was not very good for anyone to have. When in an interview she was mentioning about the seva she had been doing for such a long time and Swami should bless more, her pride was knocked. Baba went inside his room and bought a red bag of rice with him. He asked her, "Is this not the rice you have given me when I visited you?". It was the same bag she had offered him when Baba visited her seva in an unrecognizable form. This is indeed a lesson to everyone, that whenever we do HIS work, we have to deliver the BEST of the BEST. Bow to Sai, Peace be unto all.
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Sai Activities

Saibaba.org, USA
Sai Vichaar and Saibaba.org would like to draw your attention to the new activity planned by the web site, "Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Chithra Yatra 2002" starting in January 2002.

After successfully conducting Sai Utsav 2000 in Chicago last year, the web site would like your participation in this ceremonial tour of Sainath of Shirdi in the United States to foster universal peace and harmony.

Actively involve yourselves in this unique nationwide prayer and benefit immensely by hosting Sai Baba's portrait in your homes. Sign up either as an Anchor Home or a Host Home.

Get more details by sending us an email at support@saibaba.org. For updates on the Chitra Yatra visit http://www.saibaba.org and follow the link to Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 2002 page. Register early to help us work out the logistics.
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