It occurred to me one day that if Baba were to come and stand in front of me at any moment, What would I say? What would I ask? What would I pray for? Of course like others, I do have my own share of misfortunes and desires that I want taken care of. But is He not doing that already? Is He not taking care of us every moment of our lives! Then what does it benefit to ask the same things that He is already providing? I started thinking hard. What can I seek that He is not already providing? Can I ask for things like Brahma gnana or Universal Knowledge or Nature's secrets? Well he already laughed and taught a lesson to a seeker who had no control over him self but ventured out to seek this sacred knowledge.

The quest continues for the one thing that I could ask Baba. Should I ask for his blessings? I am already blessed else why would he be standing in front of me? Should I ask to do his work? He would laugh and tell as he told Hemadpant, "Surrender onto me and I will myself do the work, using you as my instrument!" Should I seek his blessings to reduce the suffering of humanity? I see that answer very clearly; "Each human being suffers or enjoys the fruits of their Karma. If one comes to me with love and devotion, his Karma I will remove by taking on his sufferings on myself!"

I am thinking now that he knows everything, what is there to ask? I should just keep quiet and pay my respects. What ever he gives is acceptable. If that is all there was to it then why should he come in front of me? Why should he leave millions of his other devotees and come to me? Why do I deserve this visit? No, there has to be something that he wants me to ask or pray for. I am feeling helpless by now. I am running out of things that I could ask from my Lord that I could cherish forever. Wait, what was that? I should ask for something that is forever!

With renewed hope, I continue to ponder. Lord, I need something that is eternal? I do not know what it is, but it has to be forever? Sounds strange but that is the reality! What we know or have knowledge of serves nothing to us at the end of this life. I do not know what happens after death. I have to rely on what the scriptures say. And why should I not rely on them? Aren't they the word of God as recorded by sages centuries ago? Why should I believe on today's astronomer who says he or she has discovered a star based on the density of a spectrum without having actually seen the star with naked eye? If that analysis can be believed in the name of science then why not the analysis of the sages and seers who have traversed on the spiritual path before? Are they not talking from their experience and observations as today's scientist is?

Having thought such, the mind is now focused on coming up with one thing that I could ask my Lord which is eternal. What could it be? So called Nirvana? So called God realization? What happens after that? The soul will not exist any more. It would have gone back to its creator and merged in nature. That is the supreme goal of each soul is what the scriptures say. But the path is very difficult is what Baba already said. So even though the goal is clear, I can't reach the goal without Herculean efforts. Who will provide me the necessary will and tools to accomplish my goal? If that goal is permanent then who will lead me the way? It gets difficult as each thought passes by to come up with one thing that I would ask my Lord.

I am now to a point where things are getting too confusing. I have a life to live, a family to take care, a job to work for and a yearn to accomplish the goal set in the scriptures. Such diverse and contradictory roles to perform. It is getting close to the time when Baba might come at any time. That is what the heart says. I have very less time now to decide what I want to ask. I myself do not know any more what I want. All I know is that I want to be with my Baba. But being with Baba means what? A life of seclusion like Upasani Maharaj? A poor life like Mahlsapathi? A life of public service like Nana? A life of relationship like Tatya?, A life of renunciation like Das Ganu? A millionaire's life like Buty?. Being with Baba means doing what Baba says. Following his instructions to the last dot even if that means a life without his physical presence! The light bulbs start glowing, the tube lights lit up! Now I know what to ask my Baba, "grace and ability to understand, practice and expound his teachings and instructions", because that is the path that will lead me to eternity! - A soul

Contributed Article: Staying at His school!

Praising the name of Lord Sirdi Baba is nothing uncommon these days. What is uncommon, though, is serving in His name and seeking little fame. Many a person visited Sirdi; some visited Him many times. A few see him in their daily lives - next to them, in front of them, and especially on the side of road. I personally experienced, what I then thought were mere ordinary happenings. But when I look back and carefully analyze the events, I believe that He was there when I needed Him the most, when I least expected help to come through, and when normal expectations were only to be violated. It almost seems as though He is watching over us at all times. He alone knows when to lending a helping hand. I watch my 3 year-young daughter playing around and I know when to help her and when not to. I imagine Baba doing the same with me. Sometimes you help another person because they really need the help and at other times you know they need to help themselves and grow. I picture Him reading my mind, Him advising me to help myself, and Him trying for me to build self-confidence.

And when all else fails, He makes the executive decision. I try learning as to how He may think - I know this is a daunting task. His decision, to me, has invariably been to support me when my unspoken request pertained either to help others or when my own life and survival are in question. I know of a particular situation when He did everything, from raising money to providing an organ, for the survival of an important life. I have little doubt in my mind as to whether or not He listens to each request from each person at each moment from each corner of the world. And the answer is a resounding positive note.

If your request is unanswered the way you wanted it to, then it may be you chance to take a hard look at your own self first. Do not get me wrong when I say this. Self-help is what Baba advocates each day from the time people saw him as teen sitting under a neem tree is Sirdi. He wants people to rely on themselves. He is truly a teacher who can teach you the letters of the alphabet but would not take a test for you in April to pass through to the next grade after the summer vacation. He will surely rain on you in June when you help yourself and lead you to the beautiful winter skies of September. Then will come flying times in January followed by another chance to head onto the next level. The good thing is that He is willing to still remain your teacher in your next class. And that is the beauty of Baba. He will never leave you. I hope I made some sense for I wan to bring a moral to the story. I am still in school with Him and would want to stay there. (Contributed by Raj Ponnaluri)

Experiences of Devotees

Subash Gayakwad, Hubli, Karnataka, India
Om Sai Shri Sai Jai Jai Sai. I want to share my experience with all the Sai Devotees. My name is Subash. I am 25 years old. From past 1 year I was suffering from severe stomach pain and I also had kidney stone problem. I had no peace of mind. I was not able to sleep at night. I was not able to concentrate on my work. The pain was very severe and I could not tolerate the pain. I had consulted nearly 10 famous doctors. It did not help me. I was not knowing what to do. I am a Sai bhakta since 6 years. I started to pray to Sai to help me out. At the same time while I was browsing the net, I came upon this site. I was very happy when I read the devotees experiences. My bhatki increased towards sai and I realised that it is only SAI (my God, my friend) who can help me. From that day onwards I started reading the miracles of baba and the experiences of the devotees. It helped me alot. By the grace of baba my pain reduced and within a month I was completely fine. I could not believe it. It is a miracle of SAI, which I have experienced myself. I have no words to explain my joy and happiness. Now, I am very happy. I and my family members are grateful to SAI. Last month I and my family members visited Shirdi (first time) to receive Baba's blessings and by the grace of SAI I and my family members are experiencing the miracles regularly. Om Sai Ram. O Mere Sai sometime you are very near to me and sometime You are too far. Why? I know I am wrong, I am still not able to devote much time for your Pooja, but still I am your child. Do punish me for the mistake I committed in my life, and still committing. I have surrendered myself to 'shree Sai Charano par'. Give me your love and affection which I need badly. Please be with me and my family always, everywhere, everytime, in my happiness and sorrow. Om Shri Sai. I am a regular visitor to this site. I am very grateful to the team of SAIBABA.org for providing the devotees of baba this beautiful site. I request you to inform me regularly about your activities and any information about baba. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to share my experience and feelings with all the SAI DEVOTEES. Give peace and happiness to one and all. "OM SRI SADGURU SAINATH MAHARAJ KI JAY"

Shri Sai Chitra Yatra Anchor Home, El Monte, CA
Baba reached at His home in El Monte 2nd week of January, We had Baba's welcome Bhajans on Feb. 2, 2002. I scheduled this bhajans in the 3rd week of January. However last Thursday evening I was listening to the weather report and it was reported that there will be 3rd storm in on Friday Feb. 1 and 2nd. I was just so nervous because I have invited 60-70 people and Baba's this home is small, so where will we adjust 60-70 people. I cried and asked Baba, please postpone this rain just by one day, otherwise You are in all the devotees, and it will pain me a lot when I see You in their form wet and inconvenient. Baba you raised the Goverdhan to protect your cows and the people of Mathura, you at Shirdi stopped the rain and saved the blessed people of Shirdi from rain storm, please Baba do something or I have to postpone the bhajans. I was talking to Baba for a while. My husband and son came back from the mall and I shared this news with them and asked them if we should postpone the bhajans. My husband flatly said,"no not at all, once you invite so many devotees, it can not be cancelled, just have faith in Baba". I was still very worried. I came in asked the same question to my son and he replied,'Don't you have faith in Baba". I was praying to Baba all the time just for this, I did not ask you so much, but please, please, Baba change this prediction. You can do anything. Please Baba Help us. On Monday I was talking over the phone with a friend of mine and asked her to please pray to Baba just to postpone rain for one day. She said no there is no rain for next five days. My Good God! my happiness knew no bounds, I have tears in my eyes and was so grateful to Baba for listening to my prayers. He is so kind all the time that whenever I call Him, He comes with no time and shows His confused daughter the way and takes me in His protection. Thank you Sai Maa. I also want to invite any devotee who wants to see Baba or want to take Dearest, the most beautiful and the most compassionate Loving Baba in their home, please feel free to e-mail me at pinkydg@aol.com.

Shri Sai Chitra Yatra Anchor Home, Charlotte, NC
I received Baba's pictures in the beginning of January and was least expecting it as we had just moved in to our very own home after renting for a number of years. So when I saw that Sai was here to be with us I feel so blessed as there is some meaning in all this that Baba was one of our very first visitors. We know now that"we have no fear when He is near". We feel truly blessed. Also just to let everyone know of his miracles I will tell you of Baba's story relating to us. My husband and I were looking to buy a house for a long while but something always came up and evaded us. Last November, when I read about Sai Chitra Yatra,I signed up immediately to be a host or Anchor home. That weekend our realtor called to show us a house and we liked it and put up an offer on it and even bought it within a month. And here we are with Baba there to protect us. Om Sai Ram. Please contact us for further information and if interested in being a Host home at RDKashyap@aol.com
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Devotees say...

Shri Sai Chitra Yatra Anchor Home, Cary, NC
OmSaiRam. I had signed my place for bringing Baba's picture in Cary. On January 19, 2002, with baba's blessings, we had organized "ShiridiSai Vrathamu" at our place from 11:00 am - 1:30 pm. We had around ten devotees at our residence and with Baba's blessings we served prasad. Baba's picture is so powerful that all the prayers offered to him reflects as if we are praying to baba directly and we felt Baba is present in our house. I received SaiPhoto and other material on Jan 15th. That day we put Sai Chitray Yatra CD on my computer. We set wall paper which contain this message "In what ever form men worship me, So do I render to them". Actually. I am ardent devotee of Lalitha Devi. On jan 26th we did a Saivrathamu. That day one of my friend brought one Gayathri photo along with Sai greeting card. When I saw Gayathri photo I felt very happy. I think Sai came to my house in the form of Gayathri photo. Any one interested being a host home let me know. my email id is jyothisanka@hotmail.com.

Shri Sai Chitra Yatra Anchor Home, Edison, NJ
By Dear Saibaba's grace , we were selected as Anchor home and Baba arrived yesterday in his house in Edison NJ . It's great to have him with us. I hope God cures the lameness of my mind and helps my husband in getting a job for which he has been struggling so long . If any of Sai devotees are interested in being host home around NJ (Edison area) you are welcome to contact me at monaabs@yahoo.com or call me at 732-985-7798. OM Shri Sachidanand SaiNath Maharaj ki Jai

Sai Devotee
Humble pranams to you, dear Sainath. You are clearly leading me to my goal of finding a new job, by making me meet people who were totally unknown to me, and now promise to help me. Your kind words through them has instilled lot of confidence in myself, and with your blessings, I am sure I shall achieve my goal. Please continue to bless me with self confidence and courage to take up this big challenge of switching jobs at this stage of my life. Bless my family for a better future.

Sai Chitra Yatra Anchor Home, FL
Om sai Sree Sai jai jai Sai. I have received Sree Shirdi Sai baba's picture on 11th jan 2002. I am very fortunate to get this opportunity to serve Sree Sai Maharaj. We (roughly 20 families) usually perform Sai bhajana every alternate thursday and we do Sree Lalitha Sahasra namarchan on every other friday. We have either Sai bhajana/Lalitha sahasra namarchana on weekly basis. I have started taking Baba's picture to Shirdi sai bhajana. We have organized Sai bhajana on one saturday from 7pm to 8:30pm. We were like 20 people gathered made it success. I wanted to say that Javier Fermandez had joined us and sung all the bhajanas. We distributed all the small pictures, prasadam and fruits to everybody. We had taken Sai Baba's picture to several thursday bhajans held at my friend's place. Please let me know if anybody wanted to be host in Miami area. Mail me to Saroja11@hotmail.com.
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Prayer Club

Sai Devotee
Om sai sri sai jai jai sai. Sai ram you are the only saver in this world. You know what i want. In my life you have done lot miracles. I sincerely thank you for all that you have done to me. Please fulfil the wishes of my Husband. I pray that he should get a good job soon and i should settle down happily. I have faith that you will do this soon for me. We all are at your feet and you should only save us.

RUGMONY SIVASUBRAMANIAN
hay sai ram ! aneka kodi kodi namaskarams. thank you very much ffor giving ajob to my husband. i pray to you to help to change his visa and make his job permanent. seeking your blessings always.bless us.

Lakshmi
Hello Devotees, I am Lakshmi and I am a Devotee of Sairam From my schooldays. I would request all the Sai devotees to pray for me and my husband as we are trying to have a child for past 2years, I hope that saibabs grace and your prayers would helps us to succeed Om Sri Sairam

Dear Baba
I am your devotee from calcutta. I have heard a lot about your miracles and hope that you shall definitely help me in sorting my problem. At the moment I have got very deeply attached with a girl without whom I cannot stay. She resides in a different city from me. I keep thinking of her whole day and night. I do not want anyone else to enter her life. I am willing to do everything and anything for her. I am really very upset for her and also very worried about her because of which I am very depressed nowadays. I pray to you baba that you fulfill my this only wish that this girl never gets married to anyone else and her full responsibility falls only on my shoulders. I pray to all devotees of baba to pray for me so that this wish of mine is fulfilled.

Sai Devotee
Baba, I have everything in life but I do not have peace of mind. Some nameless fears are bothering me. Please stay close to me and drive the fears away. Your humble devotee.

Sai Devotee,
Om Sat Chit Annanda Sadguru Sai Baba. Please, Dear Sai my family and I have suffered so much in our lives that I am now tired due to this and need your help now. Forgive us for any wrong doings that we might have done and help us to have a better life. Om sai namo nama. A devotee of his holiness Sai Baba.

R.Amin
Dear Shri Sai Baba, I am a great devotee of you. I had suffered a lot of problems in past because of my ill-health. I am not able to concentrate on my future due to lack of self confidence. Please bless me with self confidence, good health and prosperity. Please be with me Baba and help me to overcome any difficulty. I also pray for my family members. Shower your blessings on us. Om Sai Ram.

Sudhir Gaur
Sai Baba, You know what I want & what is best for me. If it is good for my overall being, it is Ok but otherwise please change it for better. I think I should have good & better Job, A Child, Some Money & lot of your blessings.

Shyama Qazi
Namaskar Sai Baba, I am your dhasi. I am praying Baba to help my children. Baba please take care of my children. Baba sometime you are very near to me and sometime you are too far.Why? I know I am wrong, I am still not able to devote much time for your pooja, but still I am your child. Give your love to my son and his family. Baba give your love to my daughter and her family. OM SAI. your dhasi.
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Quotation of the Week
"I have no disciples in this world, I have countless devotees. You do not recognize the distinction between a disciple and a devotee. Any one can be a devotee, but that is not the case with the disciple. A disciple is one who carries out implicitly the commands of Guru. The mark of the sishya is total devotion to the perceptor(Guru). Only the man who says, "I have none in the world other than the perceptor" is a discple." - Baba quoted in Shirdi Sai Baba and the Contemporary Saints: A Research Study by S.P.Ruhela
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Question of the Week

Q. What do we learn about Baba's Guru?

A. by Shyamala Hari
In the book "Devotees Experiences of Sai Baba" by Narasimha Swami, Baba told some of His devotees that His Guru's name was Venkusa. Mhalasapati and other Shirdi devotees knew that Baba loved the Neem tree, where Baba first appeared in Shirdi as a young boy of sixteen and meditated for days together, and regarded it as sacred. He told His devotees that this place was the resting place (Samadhi-Sthana) of Baba’s Guru and they used to prostrate before it. The book "Devotees Experiences of Sai Baba" also has an episode in which a Shirdi resident involves Baba as a witness in a law suit against him. A commissioner was sent to Shirdi to take down evidence from Sai Baba. The story says that to the commissioner's question "Your Guru’s (Master’s) name? " Baba replied "Venkusa". In Satcharitra, to Radhabai Deshmukh, who decided not to eat until Baba gave her some Upadesh, He said "I had a Guru. He was a great Saint and most merciful. I served him long, very long. Still he would not blow any Mantra into My ears. I had a keen desire, never to leave him but to stay with and serve him and receive some instructions from him. But he had his own way. He first got my head shaved and asked Me two pice as Dakshina. I gave the same at once. If you say that as My Guru was perfect, why should he ask for money and how should he be called desireless? I replied plainly that he never cared for coins. What had he to do with them? His two pice were (1) Firm Faith and (2) Patience or perseverance. I gave these two pice or things to him, and he was pleased. "I resorted to My Guru for 12 years. He brought Me up. There was no dearth of food and clothing. He was full of love nay, he was love incarnate. How can I describe it? He loved Me most. Rare is a Guru like him. When I looked at him, he seemed as if he was in deep meditation, and then we both were filled with Bliss. Night and day, I gazed at him with no thought of hunger and thirst. Without him, I felt restless. I had no other object to meditate, nor any other thing than My Guru to attend. He was My sole refuge. My mind was always fixed on him. This is one pice Dakshina. Saburi (Patience or perseverance) is the other pice. I waited patiently and very long on My Guru and served him. This Saburi will ferry you across the sea of this mundane existence. Saburi is manliness in man, it removes all sins and afflictions, gets rid of calamities in various ways, and casts aside all fear, and ultimately gives you success. Saburi is the mine of virtues, consort of good thought. Nishtha (Faith) and Saburi (Patience) are like twin sisters, loving each other very intimately. My Guru never expected any other thing from Me. He never neglected Me, but protected Me at all times. I lived with him, and was sometimes away from him; still I never felt the want or absence of his love. He always protected Me by his glance, just as the tortoise feeds her young ones, whether they are near her or away from her on the other side of the river bank, by her loving looks." Life History of Shirdi Sai Baba by Ammula Sambasiva Rao has two chapters on Baba's Guru. It talks about one by name Gopalarao who was called Venkusa because He was an ardent devotee of Lord Venkateswara. Venkusa not only brought Baba up from 4 to 16 years of age, but He also made Baba His spiritual heir. The brick that Baba use to sit on was supposedly a gift to Him from His Guru and that is considered one of the reasons why Baba was sad when the brick broke.
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Sai Activities

SRI SHIRDI SAI SAMSTHAN
1889 Grand Avenue, Baldwin, New York 11510, USA
Recently a life sized Baba's murthi has been placed at Baldwin Long Island New York. Darshan starts in February 2002. For further information contact: romeshnyc@hotmail.com or sunildevalla@yahoo.com

HAPPY NEWS TO THE SAI DEVOTEES OF TWIN CITIES IN AP, INDIA
Guruji Shri Chandra Bhanu Satpathy, an ardent Sai devotee who is spearheading the Sai movement across the globe is visiting Hyderabad on 25th and 26th February to participate in the Prana Prathista celebrations of Shri Sai in the newly constructed temple at Shri Lakshmi Nagar colony, Saidabad, Hyderabad. Besides He will be visiting Sai Brindavan(Deshmukh village,after Ramoji film city) on 25th afternoon. On 26th Morning Guruji will be inaugurating the newly built meditation hall at Koneru Sai Temple, Secunderabad. On 26th evening Guruji will address the devotees at Hanuman Vyayam Sala Public School, Sultan Bazar, Koti. Sai bhajans and cultural programmes follows. Guruji will inaugurate the Bilingual(Telugu and Hindi) website www.shirdisaiashirvadam, brought out by Saibaba.org(USA) and Shri Shirdi Sai Kalyanam Trust, Tirupati. For Details contact : Sri OSVD Prasad: Ph.4078898 fax:3315236 Email.osvd@Rediffmail.com Or Sri Sambasiva Sashtry Ph.4077103

Shri Sai Chitra Yatra, IN
I am a devotee of Saibaba and by my Baba's grace, I am one of the anchor homes in Indiana. This is a message to all devotees in and around Indiana that I recieved the picture. If any body wants to contact me, please write an e_mail to anithajay@hotmail.com or contact me at my phone number at 317-579-0747.

Shri Sai Chitra Yatra, Shaker Heights, OH
Dear devotees, Let me first thank Baba to have selected our home as anchor home. We are really grateful and can feel Baba's presence through the picture. I was not sure whether our house will be selected as anchor home or not. I had left it to Baba, thinking that if he wills to come then he will definitely come. I leave everything at his feet. I would like to inform anybody near our home who would like to participate in this Chitra Yatra to please contact me through e-mail preetha9@hotmail.com or tele. 216-721-9335. May Baba shower his blessings to all. Om Sai Shri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai

Shri Sai Chitra Yatra, Indianapolis, IN
I am a devotee of Shri Saibaba and by Baba's grace I am one of the anchor homes in indianapolis -indiana. This is a message to all devotees in and around Indiana that Baba's picture has arrived to our home on jan 17th i.e on thursday. May baba be with each one of us and always guide us. Anybody who is interesed to participate as host home, please contact me at mayu_76@hotmail.com. OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI.

Shri Sai Chitra Yatra, Tampa, FL
Om Sai Ram, I am very happy to be part of Shri Sai Chitra Yatra 2002.I received Baba's picture in second week of January. By Baba's grace, our home is the anchor home in Tampa, Florida. All devotees who would like to participate and would like to contact us regarding the yatra, our email id is drenu@yahoo.com.

Shri Sai Chitra Yatra, Pullman, WA
SaiRam, We have received the pictures of Sri Baba on Thursday and the second packet today. We have framed the picture and placed it in our Bhajan room. The Bhajan room feels like Shiridi now. All devotees who would like to participate and would like to contact us regarding the yatra, our email id is jandhyala@wsu.edu

Shri Sai Chitra Yatra, Columbus, OH
By Baba's grace we are the anchor home for Columbus, Ohio. If anybody is interested in hosting baba to their home in this area, please contact me at avn5@hotmail.com and I will be more than happy to assist them. SRI SADGURU SAINATH MAHARAJ KI JAI

Shri Sai Chitra Yatra,Belle Mead, NJ
Om sai ram, Our home is the anchor home for Baba in Belle Mead, NEW JERSEY. All devotees who would like to participate and like to host contact us. Our email id sumita1@hotmail.com. ph# 908-359-5357. OM SAI SRI SAI JAY JAY SAI

Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 2002 in USA
"Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra(Pictorial Journey)", started in USA on Jan 01, 2002. With anchor points across USA concurrently participating from day one, this unique event is off to a great start.

The journey which involves the ceremonial travel of Baba in the form of a portrait will stop at all Baba devotees homes who are interested in being a host to his protrait. The Yatra which will run till fall of this year, is open to one and all. There is no fees or charges involved to take part in this event. You may participate either as a host home or serve as an anchor point in your community.

Vist online at http://www.saibaba.org/yatra/saiyatra.html for all the details and to register.

For questions, comments, suggestions or to get details on an Anchor home in your area, send us an email at maildrop@saibaba.org with the subject line of "Shri Sai Chitra Yatra".
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