The magical power of Sainath's portrait is indisputable. The saintly figure with the compassionate eyes as portrayed by blessed Jayakar draws millions of devotees and stays as the single most revered pictures of Sai Baba of Shirdi. Hemadpanth is credited with the beautiful description of Baba's posture in Sai Satcharitha; true, it is the beauty of thousand moons that Sainath reveals between His parting fingers!

Hemadpant narrates several incidents about Baba's appearance in the form of portrait to those who intended to receive Him into their hearts. Appearing in the form of portrait was also Baba's assurances of His presence and blessings to the devotees. Baba gave darshan to Shama in the form of a big portrait at the dormitory in Gaya during the former's visit. Thus, Baba had kept His earlier word to Shama that he would be ahead of Shama after doing Banaras and Prayag. In another incident Baba attended the family function at Hemadpant's house in the form of a portrait. Sai Satcharitha narrates the chain of events that led to Baba's appearance as a portrait, in the process fulfilling His assurance to Hemadpant. Portraits and pictures of Baba are at the least the signs of His omnipresence. They represent the universal love, compassion and merciful bounty of Baba's treasures.

In commemoration of the essence of Shirdi Sai Baba's message of universal goodwill and the Omnipresence of the Divinity, saibaba.org announces Shirdi Sai Baba Chitra Yatra: 2002 commencing from January 2002. The Chitra Yatra is being organized in USA to bring peace and to invoke Shirdi Sai Baba's blessings for the benefit of devotees all over the country. He who inspired millions during His life continues to be a beacon of spiritual enlightenment even today and the objective of this event is to spread His message to the ever-growing numbers drawn to the spiritual path. Let us on this Thursday, contemplate on those beautiful stories of Sai Satcharitha and pray that Baba would provide the same happiness and satisfaction to the participants of Shirdi Sai Baba Chitra Yatra. Please visit Yatra page for more details.
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Contributed Article: Why Saburi?

We are all familiar with being stuck on the road (while driving), because there has been an accident somewhere on that road. It takes away the fun out of driving. It feels unbearable to either stand still or keep on doing stop and go, when you are very tired after a full day of work and want to go home and relax. If you are driving to the airport to catch a flight, the mental agony you undergo while stuck on the road cannot be described in words. If you finally miss the flight, then it would become not merely an inconvenience but may indeed a problem. When one thinks about it, the root cause of most accidents that happen on the road is impatience; it is not malfunctioning of a vehicle. People do not want to observe speed limits, why, they want to go faster. They want to overtake others when they are not supposed to, why, they cannot wait for a few seconds to make the right move. They do not want to wait for the light to turn green. They want to run through yellow lights because even if the light turns red while they are in the intersection, it would still be legal to go forward. So, they make an accident and sometimes get seriously injured, or even die, or if not at least get stopped by the police and most of all, stop hundreds of drivers on the road for hours. By being impatient, they not only cause trouble for themselves but a lot of aggravation to many others. Such are the consequences of impatience. Suppose that in such a situation, a police is directing the traffic. When I am in one lane, because I am tired of waiting, it appears to me as though the police is letting the traffic in the other lane go, or traffic in the opposite direction go but is not allowing the traffic in my lane to clear equally often. If I now become impatient, and try to drive out of my lane without instructions from the police or go to the police and yell at him or argue with him for being unfair because I did not cause the accident and I did not deserve that plight, what does the police do? He may just send me back if he is nice, or give me a ticket or fine me. Therefore, impatience does not help even though I am not at fault. Ego is the basis for impatience. Even though the police are trying whole-heartedly to help, my show of impatience will not please him because he senses arrogance behind it. Nobody likes any other person throw temper tantrums at him/her. We cannot tolerate egoistic behavior of others but surprisingly, we expect Sai to tolerate our ego and impatience. Often, actions of one person have consequences for not that person alone but for many others, particularly so, if that person is in power. Those in power start all wars but many many people suffer as a result. Senior managers in corporations cheat because they want to make money fast and employees suffer by losing jobs. Being impatient and blaming Sai is not fair, because He is directing the traffic stuck on the road like the police. (Contributed by Shyamala Hari)
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Experiences of Devotees

Nandini Sriram
Though I was not a staunch devotee, I did believe in Saibaba's Supreme Power. My marriage was scheduled to be performed in November. Due to some inconvenience on my husband's side, the date was advanced to October, with a strict word from the marriage hall's owner that we would have to forgo the whole amount if there was going to be another change. However, 10 days before marriage my husband called up and said we could not have it in October due to some problem with his visa papers. My parents were shattered. I did not know what to do, and put the burden on God. I reached a stage when I thought I would rather go to Hell than experiencing this pain. But one night suddenly I felt Baba asking me to listen to His songs. Dutifully, I did. I not only felt better, but also felt like listening to it forever. My heart became light. My mind was free now. When I was sleeping one afternoon, I again got a feeling that Baba wanted me to visit His temple far away from my house. We had not gone there before and so my parents were thinking of how to take me there. At that time, my dad's friend came and said He would take us to the temple. We went there at just the right time for aarthi. I prayed that there should not be any change of date. But a huge blow came on the next day when my husband called up and told he would not be able to come for sure in October. Therefore, my parents prepared to forgo the money and fixed it for a different date. I still clinged to my Hope that Baba would make me get married on the same date. Just the night before my parents were about make a fresh payment, my husband called up and said he had obtained his visa and would be there for the wedding as scheduled. I was astonished. He was right when He said, "If you take one step towards me I shall a hundred towards you"

Swati
I have been a devotee of my dear loving Baba for almost 3 years now and I am happy that He has drawn me towards Him. My only prayer to Him always is that He should never separate me from His Lotus feet and keep me in His path of devotion. I have always felt Baba's presence around me and talking about one experience would be like a drop in the mighty ocean. By Baba's grace, I have been able to visit Shirdi twice in the last 2 years. The first year when I went to Shirdi, I was a girl who had absolutely no confidence in herself, someone who shied away from friends and relatives due to a sense of very low self -esteem since, being an engineering graduate, I had not been able to get a good job for almost 4 years. I had started doubting my own capabilities. That year, when Baba called me to Shirdi, I prayed to Him that if I get a good job soon, I would visit Shirdi the same year. And as per His assurance, He did get me a job .My job, a very good one, literally came walking into my hands and by His grace I performed excellently in my assignments. I had started on a very low salary. The management was pleased with my performance and within a span of 6 months, I got three increments. Accordingly, I started praying to Baba that, now that He has fulfilled my prayers, He should call me to Shirdi now. That too happened very soon. Last December, my parents, sister, uncle and three aunts set out on our way to Shirdi. We boarded a bus to Shirdi from Bombay and reached there at 3:30 AM in the morning. Since it was the Christmas day, the crowd in Shirdi was just too much. The bus in which we would come was supposed to pick us up at 12:30 the same day to leave for Bombay and my parents and me were supposed to leave for our native the day after. My father told me that there was no way we could attend the noon aarti. We saw the Kakad arti on the television sitting outside the Samadhi Mandir .I thought that if not for aarti, I would at least go and have darshan of Baba and place my head at His Samadhi. However, by the time all of us had our breakfast and my aunts and sister did some shopping for Baba's pendants, cassettes, statue, etc., it was 11:00. I was very upset by this time, since I was waiting for them and now it seemed almost impossible to go in since the queue was too long. People had queued up from morning 7:00 for the aarti at 12:00.Everyone told me that I should be happy that at least I got a chance to come to Shirdi. I was however not able to control my tears. The very thought that Baba had called me to Shirdi and not allowed me near His Samadhi was making it unbearable for me. I started praying to Baba that I wanted to touch His samadhi, or else I would have no peace of mind .I decided in my mind that I would come to Shirdi all alone very soon when it was not a holiday season, since by now it was very clear that there was absolutely no way I could go in and have Darshan. All were dejected. I felt my journey was fruitless. I was going on questioning Baba in my mind as to why He was making this happen to me. Just then, I saw my uncle speaking to a man. Before we could ask anything, he was off with that man somewhere only to return with special entrance passes. My joy knew no bounds. Before I could know anything, I was inside the Samadhi Mandir, taking in the warmth and love emanating from my dear, dear Baba.I could not believe that one moment I was out crying and now I was inside touching Baba's Samadhi .We were there for almost 6 - 8 minutes .I cannot narrate the peace, joy and happiness, I felt within after that. I was only thanking Baba repeatedly for listening to me once again. I asked my uncle how he managed to get the special entrance pass. He told that the man he was speaking to be a very old friend of his and happened to be a trustee of the temple. But it is a miracle that in that crowd, he happened to meet my uncle and recognise him and offered to give him the passes. I am convinced that it was Baba who had sent him to my uncle and that this was just one of His innumerable Leelas for his devotees. Baba has always pampered me the way a mother pampers her young one and caters to all its whims and fancies. I thank Baba for all His love, beg, and pray to Him that he continues to bestow His grace on me. God, my mother, help me to follow your teachings and be a good person in life.
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Devotees say...

Ketna
I would like t o you bout how I became a devotee of Sai Baba. I am a student at a university in the U.K. I had just finished my second year, I did well. However, after the exams in summer, I became very depressed for no reason. I started crying from June until September. I would not know why I was crying, I had no reason. I felt as if I had nothing and felt like committing suicide. I had to leave University, even though I had a year of studying left.

My family thought there was something I was not telling them, they thought something terrible had happened to me as if I was pregnant. I told them I did not know why I was feeling like this. I was going mental, I just wanted to sit on my bed in silence and do nothing.

My mother then decided to take me to the Sai healing centre in Leicester (U.K), there a very strong Sai devotee who speaks to Baba told her that someone had done witchcraft on me. She healed me and gave me vibhuti to take with water.

When I went to a Sai temple, I concentrated on the murti of Shirdi Sai Baba. Suddenly, I started crying like a baby for no reason and I could not stop. My whole body was shivering and I could not stop it. When a devotee gave me some vibhuti in water, I stopped. Ever since, I feel like my self now. I thank Sai Baba and love him very much. I hope helps everyone like he did with me.

Swapna
Dear Sai devotees, thanks for the response to the question "How will we know whether our prayers are answered or not?" Sai please help us in all ways, be with us, and take us in the right path. Please forgive our sins and help us, you know everything (our past, present and future) and there is nothing to explain more in detail for you i.e., what we want or what we do not want. Sai please help us and show your blessings on your children. OM SRI SAI RAM.

Bharathi Kunigiri
I am very thankful for baba for his help in everything and being with us all the time. I want to tell something for people who think about getting divorce. Getting divorce or breaking a relationship is easy for anybody but maintaining the relationship is very difficult and one must stick to the relationship what ever be the matter and with lots of patience only we can get him or her in our way. You can see in any family there will be lot of effort in maintainig relationship, it's not a piece of cake. So my request is please have patience before getting divorce think in all ways.
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Prayer Club

Sathya Sharma, Maryland, USA
I would like to say humble thanks for the prayers done for my husband. Ravin Gnansambadam requested this prayer in the Sai Vichaar issue of September 6, 2001. This request for prayer gave me lots of strength, knowing that many pure souls will pray and the result is that my life is blessed through your kind prayers. With your sincere prayers and Sai's Grace, now my husband is doing fine. My husband and I, both are grateful to all of you for your prayers. Sai Vichaar is our living SaiTemple where we come to pray and get Sai's blessings. I think, having a Prayer Club section in Sai Vichaar is the noblest idea and it has stamp of Baba's kind approval. I have benefited a lot through this section. May Sai bless you all with good health and peaceful life.

Neelu
Baba, my beloved, sweet, kindhearted Baba. What do I ask you for? You have given me all that I had dreamt of as a child, and still something is missing in me, which is fulfilled when I spend few moments at your feet. But lord! My busy life is not giving enough time for me to spend with you and that is very selfish. Baba, I want to spend my time with you, and think more about you, and nothing in this world should lure me away from you. Baba, please take me into your arms, place your blessing hand on me and show me my path towards you, please help me realize you - the truth. In addition, please, show me my way and hold my hand all the way. Beloved Baba, bless all to realize you.

Shalini Agarwal
You all prayed for me. I thank you very much. My son is getting stronger because of all your prayers and Sai Baba's devotee. Please pray that my whole family becomes very devoted to Baba. We are not yet. My thanks.

Vivek Gupta, Mumbai, India
Jai Sai Ram, We all are blessed by Baba for we all are one- think on the same lines and now have concern and pary for each other. This humble servent of Baba also desires Baba blessings - the blessings will come from Baba in form of your prayers. I and my entire family are passing through one of the toughest ever period in our lives. I cannot divulge the problem to the group. In short, I am being victimised by my seniors in the company. The company is making scapegoat out of me for the entire problem that is spread over all over India. I am a junior level officer. To make aware to the group, I was once nominared for president of india gold medal for bravery- for saving almost half of a city on account of fire. There was a big coverage in newspapers. Again, I was nomiated for a best officer award by the same company. Tommorow is an important day for me- I have an expecting an order that will subside the issues to rest for time being. Please pray for me. My heart also goes for shri anoopji, who has been like my advisor and have great concern for me. Today i have just entered the office and found him on teleophone. Indeed Baba is with me, else how could I get such a divine group where all have concern and love for each other. I also pray for the group and let Baba be with all of us. Jai Sai Ram

Derek Harrison
My prayer is a simple one. I have started a new/ own business. May Sai Baba grant me only that success that I deserve. May I serve my field and all those in it as a service to Sai.
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Quotation of the Week Like a loving mother forcing bitter, but wholesome medicines down the throats of her children for the sake of their health, Sai Baba imparted spiritual instructions to His devotees. His method was not veiled or secret, but quite open. The devotees, who followed His instructions, got their object. Sadgurus, like Sai Baba open our intellect and show us the divine beauties of the self, and fulfil our tender longings of devotion - Sri Sai Satcharitha.
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Question of the Week

Q. Why did Baba bemoan the loss of the brick?
A. by Azalea, USA

Early in October 1918, Madhav Phasle lifted the brick and carelessly allowed it to fall, whereby it broke into two. Baba, seeing the broken pieces, expressed his grief and said, 'My fakir's wife left me with Venkusha at Selu. I stayed with him for 12 years, and left Selu. This brick [which Baba always lovingly used to support his arm or head] is my Guru's gift, my life companion. It is not the brick that is broken now, but my Karma [prarabdha] that has snapped. I cannot survive the breaking of the brick.'

"Baba viewed the breaking of the brick, here represented as Venkusha's Gurudiksha, as ominous. This is confirmed by Mhalsapati's testimony. Baba asked, "Who broke the brick" Mhalsapati mentioned that Madhav Phasle had broken it. Then Baba got very angry with Madhav, and placed his hands on his own head and felt extremely sad. Baba said, "Sobat tutli." i.e. the companion is broken.

"Next day Kaka Dikshit came and said there was no need to deplore the breaking, as he would join the pieces with silver joints. Baba said, 'Even if you join them with gold, what would be the use This brick is my "Sobatya" [companion from his Selu days] and its breakage betokens evil.' "From that time onwards Baba was dispirited. At least that is what Mhalsapati thought."

Sri Sai Satcharita gives the same story with slight variation. It does not mention that Baba became angry, but he bemoaned and cried over the breaking of the brick. What I like in the spiritual journey does the freedom of thinking and freedom of interpretation, according to one's own understand.

While reading this story, the first question came to mind was about the significance of the brick. My thought process started like this. A potter takes a ball of clay in his hands and skilfully gives a shape to clay. Then he bakes it in the fire until it is fully baked. And after cooling it, he presents in the market. Similarly, a sishya goes to a guru as a raw material, like clay. Guru gives shape to this clay with utmost care and incomparable skills until he is satisfied with his creation. Then he bakes it in the fire of knowledge and tests how his sishya withholds the heat. Once convinced of perfection, he presents the sishya to the world for "Bahu jan hitaaya, bahu jan sukhaaya" i.e. for goodness of many, for happiness of many.

Sri Venkusha shaped the clay and baked his brick for twelve years before he presented his perfect disciple to the world. [Here, of course, the 'clay' was of rare kind and so was the guru.] The brick is also breakable representing the vulnerability of one's spiritual and mental composition. Thus reminding how one has to remain conscious of each action and thought in one's day-to-day life. Sri Venkusha gave the brick to Baba as a symbolic gift.

Baba used the brick for resting his head or his arm. This again indicates that he constantly remained in touch with his guru. He rested his head on the brick as if he was putting his head at the Lotus feet of his guru. Mhalsapati also mentioned that when Baba came to know about the broken brick, he put his hands on his own head and said, "Sobat tutli". Why did Baba put his hands on his own head in one of the ways of meditation, guru is symbolically placed on the head during meditation. Avatars like Sai Baba are always absorbed in constant meditation even while mixing with people and guiding them. Here, perhaps Baba by putting his hands on his own head touched the feet of his guru and sadly expressed to him that he lost his [guru's] constant companionship and protection.

Baba cried because the broken brick meant separation from his guru. That was why he said that he could not survive without the brick.

Q. What does Baba convey through Mrs Khaparde's experiences?
A. by Priya Srinivasan, Omaha NE

A perfect example of Guru-Disciple relationship was conveyed by Baba through Mrs Khaparde. She was faithful, devout and loved Baba deeply. Every noon, she brought naivaidya for Baba and only after Baba had it did she have her lunch. Such was the power of her devotion. She performed her daily duties sincerely without any expectations. Lord Krishna says in the Geeta that if a devotee offers the Lord a drop of water with great devotion, that will please him the most. Baba was also conveying the same message. Another interesting aspect was that Baba knew her for a long time through several births. By explaining as to how long he knew her, he has confirmed the theory of having a rebirth based on your good deeds (karmic Theory). I think the most important message conveyed was a disciple or a devotee should have BLIND DEVOTION and FAITH towards the Guru or God. Sairam.
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Sai Activities

Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 2002 in USA organized by saibaba.org
Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra is the ceremonial travel of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba in the form of a portrait across USA. Baba will stay at devotees homes all through the journey. Yatra is more than a pictorial journey, it is:

* Invoking nationwide prayer for peace and prosperity for all.
* Active participation of those involved.
* Serve Baba to the extent each one of us can.
* Seek Baba's grace in the convenience of one's home in the way one wants.
* Involve in a community event that will bring happiness and peace to one and all.
* There are no costs or fees to participate. This is purely a spiritual activity.

How can one Participate:

Host Home: Participate by being Host to Baba. Baba's picture can be brought from a Chitra Yatra Anchor Home close to you and return the picture to the Anchor home. Prayers can be offered either alone or in groups in whatever way one pleases. Help and guidance is available for those who want to perform archana, arathis, bhajans, parayan, etc. though it is not necessary. One can spend time in meditation while the picture is at home. What is most required is love and devotion while praying.

Anchor Home: Participate by being an Anchor Home to Baba. An anchor home will receive Baba's portrait and other material(like books, etc) from saibaba.org and will be responsible for keeping Baba for a prolonged time e.g. 4 to 6 months. Will help to propagate the message to others in the community by letting friends and family know about the Yatra to enable them to be a Host home. Send and receive portrait to and from Host homes. Take care of Baba with love and devotion as long as Baba has to stay in the Anchor home i.e. till it is time to go to another Anchor home or to be returned to Chicago. Provide help to other host homes and coordinate with those who want to volunteer. Provide continuous feedback to saibaba.org regarding the activity while Baba is at the anchor home. Help and guidance is available at all times.

Volunteer: Good for students, singles and others who don't have the inclination or resources for participating as a Host or Anchor home but would volunteer themselves at prayer meeting in other Baba devotees home or volunteer to drive Baba's picture from place to place or help in propagating the Yatra information through distributing flyers and posters to the local community via Grocers, temples in your area.

Donor: Good for people who can't participate any other way than voluntarily contributing financial support for the event. This is not a fund raising activity but if this is the only way one can participate, one will not be excluded. All donations are tax deductible. Seek your accountant advice on donation limits and other details.

The yatra is open to all and will start on Jan 1, 2002 from four corners of USA and will proceed till later part of the next year. The Yatra will end based on the overall response from the participants. The closing ceremony and dates will be announced next year.

Hope the information is enough to give you an idea of the concept and help you decide your level of participation. If you have any questions, please contact by email at yatra@saibaba.org or call us at (847) 931-4058.

Please do register yourselves early to enable us to work on the logistics. Any activity is only successful by active participation of all those involved. We invite you to be an Anchor home in your area and involve your family and friends that are close to you.

Please do not hesitate to send us your comments, questions, concerns and suggestions. For more information please visit http://www.saibaba.org/yatra/saiyatra.html. Register now online or download the registration form and send it by fax, email or snailmail.
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