Sai Baba drew people to Himself for granting them various reliefs and finally led them on to the one God who is nothing but Love, who is common to not only Hindus, but Muslims, Christians, Parsees and others also. He demonstrated to all that the only God that they could deal with was something visible, something in human form, something with wonderful love, power, and mercy, so that they were compelled to bow down to it and accept it for their good in every department of life. So, Hindus, Christians, Muslims, and all practically worshipped Him. With the advance of time, numbers that follow the great saint will be increasing large and it will be so large that others will actually drift into union with them. Humankind has no power of resistance against divine currents. This is proved by the history of great saints in every land. Thus, we have a fair basis for hope that the present Sai and the future Sais that might develop out of the present Sai will furnish the entire world with a uniform religion, in some form, some shape, and some beliefs that we cannot define or describe now. There is excellent ground for hoping that this achievement may come to pass and we may rest in confidence that Sai's spirit will accomplish the same. (From Shri Narasimha Swamiji's Life of Sai Baba, Vol. IV)
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Contributed Article: Conduct of A Devotee

I often keep wondering whether I am acting in accordance to BABA's philosophies. Have you ever pondered about your behavior, that what you are doing is not enough and you need to do more to please BABA? Perhaps give up home and family and live like a recluse away from the materialistic world and attachments as was done by sanyasis and rishis in the Himalayas? Well until recently that is what I thought, till I accidentally came across Guruji CB Satpathyji's MAY I ANSWER section in Shirdibaba.org. As is the experience of any Sai devotee when in earnest you seek solution to your queries, HE arranges for the answers. There I read about Guruji's answers to queries as to how to conduct oneself while balancing a family life and at the same time being devoted to BABA, by remembering BABA constantly for all the things bestowed on us in the life. I was impressed and whilst at the same time the significance of BABA's teachings as written in Satcharita also made sense and the true meaning between the lines of Sat charita dawned on me. Here is my interpretation of a conduct of a devotee.

BABA wanted us, his devotees to execute the duties of the life sincerely whilst simultaneously thinking of Him and remembering Him at every stage and turn of life. What use is the life of a person who is very devoted to God and inflicts mental and physical harm to the family who are dependent on him? Is BABA going to be proud of such a devotee? As BABA said "Will Shirdi help him in any way?" BABA wanted his devotees to live happily with their families and love every body and all things. He exhibited this innumerable times. For example take Tatya Patil for instance, Tatya slept with BABA in the masjid for 14 years, and enjoyed BABA's love and company, and their relationship was unique. But after Tatya's father passed away Tatya had to shoulder the household responsibilities and sleep at home. He started leading the life of Gruhastha. Tatya conducted himself properly according to BABA's wishes simultaneously fulfilling his duties and responsibilities towards his family.

BABA always granted materialistic desires and fulfilled the wishes of the devotees. Whilst man is born to fulfill his responsibilities, if his desires are not fulfilled will he have any concentration towards God and his teachings? BABA made it possible for the person to work towards his desired object. BABA was a guide, a mentor, enabling people achieve their objectives in life, and creating a feeling of disgust for the materialistic things in people gradually and leading towards achieving their final goal of deliverance.

Let us consider the dialogue between BABA and Jog with regards to achieving the final goal in life:

Jog asked Baba - "I have served you so long, my mind is not yet calm and composed, how is it that my contact with Saints has not improved me? When will You bless me?" - Hearing the Bhakta's prayer Baba replied - "In due time your bad actions (their fruit or result) will be destroyed, your merits and demerits will be reduced to ashes, and I shall consider you blessed, when you will renounce all attachments, conquer lust and palate, and getting rid of all impediments, serve God whole-heartedly and resort to the begging bowl (accept sannyas)." After some time, Baba's words came true. His wife predeceased him and as he had no other attachment, he became free and accepted sannyas before his death and realized the goal of his life.

I would like to quote Guruji CB Satpathyji in his discourse at the Pranaprathishtaphana at Hyderabad, "one's good deeds is the right path towards God. Rudraksha maala jap can not take one to God, it is an important medicinal herb, keep it as herb and use your good deed to reach the Sadguru. He went on saying that use your precious time for giving sanskar and give the message of love to mankind, to your loved ones and to God."

Let us take this lesson to heart and act accordingly and start our good deeds from our home practicing on our family members, because the good or bad things start from the family and extend towards the world. Let us not shy away from our duties, let us please the God, residing in the hearts of people in our family, and begin our day, thanking HIM for making us think of Him and for giving this life to Serve HIM by serving the people who are dependent on us.
(Contributed by Anitha Kandukuri, Canberra Australia)
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Experiences of Devotees

Murali
I am a staunch devotee of Sri Sai.Until last year my married life was in shambles. There were misunderstandings between my wife and me.Though I know that I was more adamant and I am mainly responsible for the trouble, I couldn't correct myself. I lost interest in life and started living mechanically. But the only hope I had was Sai would give me an opportunity to correct myself. My faith in him didn't fail, one day when I was reading satcharitra, I did introspection and felt ashamed of myself for what all I did. I corrected myself since then. I am always grateful to Sri Sai for helping me and I am sure one will never feel alone by keeping faith in him. Om Sai Ram

Shri Sai Baba Chitra Yatra Anchor Home, Orlando, FL
BABA's miracle during the Trip to Longwood, Florida We had promised to be with Baba's picture around 5:15 PM on March 1'2002. We were running late, so in a hurry, we forgot to take Baba's UDI From Shirdi to the BABA's Host Home in Longwood, Florida. On the way, I was feeling sad about it and informed my friends and relatives who were travelling with me in our SHIRDI VAN.(That is the name plate for our VAN). Suddenly on our way, I was trying to pick and clean certain papers while driving and trying to find an audio cassette to play in the Van, I got the same UDI packet in the VAN, which cannot have happened without BABA's presence or GRACE. There is no logic and it was very hard for everyone to believe. How Could suddenly we have same UDI packet in a VAN, where we don't carry or take the packet anytime. This cannot have happened-we could not find a reason or logic or coincidence or there is no scientific explanation. This is not coincidence. This is absoultely SAISINCIDENCE. Bow to SHIRDI SAI BABA. Peace to be ALL. WE are really Blessed and Fortunate to have such things happened to us.

Ashok Kumar Gupta, New Delhi, India
It was 24th Feb and we were not at all surprised when we saw the Udi coming from the Statue and the Photos of Baba. We were expecting that it will happen and Baba will come to bless Mrs.Veena Gupta on her Marriage Anniversary. On 24 Nov, it was my birthday and there was no Udi from any photo. At about 12 noon I made a sort of complaint to Mrs. Veena saying that Baba is blessing you only and does not care for me and immediate I saw the Udi coming from the photo. I thanked Baba for His visit and His Blessings. This day, Udi started coming from the statue and photos since morning. Mrs. Gupta started her pooja early at 8 in the morning as we were expecting many telephone calls and visitors. As she was performing pooja, some drops of transparent liquid like water appeared on the photo of Baba and it started falling from the photo. People present there collected it and taken the prasad of it. Then immediately instead of water, some brown like thick liquid started coming on the photo and started falling on the paper below the photo. It was the other portion of the photo from where the Udi was still coming. We were not prepared for this type of thing. We immediately tried to place a plate below the photo. We had to try 3-4 plates before placing the photo in the tray. The liquid was collected in the tray and when took the parsed of it, it tasted like honey. Some of it also fell on the different plates, we tried. There was a spoonful of it. This type of Baba's blessing is in addition to His normal visits on every Thursdays. When He bless us with Udi from as many as 10-12 photos and the Statues. Some time He also does things, which are strange to us. Some times the small statue of Baba moves in the mandir. Some time Sindoor comes from the hand or the nail of the foot of Maa. Symbols of Cross, OM Ram are the most common things to appear on the photo. During the Sai Amrit Vani recital, people have different feelings and different experiences. Their Prasads are sprinkled with Udi as a mark of acceptance. I try to attend the Sai Amrit Vani regularly but sometimes due to office work, I have to skip it and Baba understands it. Jai Sai Ram

Shri Sai Baba Chitra Yatra Anchor Home, Nashua, NH
Om Sai I have been a devotee of Sai for a long time and I strongly believe what ever I am just because of Sai. He was with me when ever I was in trouble and I tried to remember him always even when not in trouble its gives me peace and satisfaction, he helped me during important stages of my career; from getting into engineering college to getting funding in a US University. Every incident is great to remember. I am excited knowing about Sai chitra yatra. I hope I got a good chance to do some service to my lord. I have been suffering from eye infection from long time and that got increased from the time I came to USA. But its getting reduced from the time Saibaba entered my house and I am sure if any I am able to achieve something or have a healthy and peaceful life it has to be with the blessings of Saibaba. I am confident he takes cares of all his devotees and makes things all things happen as he thinks we deserve. Raghuram Cherukuri

A Sai devotee
Dear Baba, Thank you very much for helping me everyday. I was working on a project for quite some time and I could not finish it due to some technical problem. I was not very knowledgeable in that area and it was taking a lot of time. Then, I prayed to Baba to do it for me and immediately on the same day, I resolved the problem. It was so amazing. It is clear that if we give up our ego, do everything in the name of Baba, and ask his help, he will surely do it for us. We should not feel proud that we are doing it; everything is done by the almighty. Baba, thank you very much and please continue to bless me in my work. May Sai bless everyone in our efforts.
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Devotees say...

Mrs Saradha Gopalan
I want to thank you for helping sai devotees to offer prayer through the virtual pooja room. For many years now we have been offering tulsi mala, various other fragrant flower garlands from our own garden but since we came here on a new assignment we happen to live in a flat and no flowers. We were a bit worried about this state and your site is the real blessings from God that our Sadguru cares for everyone. Now it is a routine and I dont feel lonely, the computer is on, the sloka is playing and I can offer as many flowers as I want, amazing technology, amazing ideas, May our Lord Sai bless you to continue to give us more and more opportunity to serve Him. I have informed all my friends , near and dear to visit. Still many more are to be contacted. Om sai sri sai Jai jai sai. Sadguru Sai nath maharaj ki jai. Sai chitra yatra is another milestone reading about it is so interesting. Even though we are far away from the US we can visualise as we can understand the joy of participating in such an event.

Shri Sai Chitra Yatra Host Home, Columbia, SC
Sairam, We are living in Columbia SC. Since we did not know about any anchor home in our city, we went to Charlotte NC and got Sai Chitra from Mr. and Mrs. Kashyap. They were kind to share the Sai Chitram with us as they were a lot of Sai devotees in Columbia. We got it on a Wednesday night and began performing poojas by Thursday. Every night a different family hosted Saibaba for nearly one week. It was a great experience for all the Sai devotees of Columbia.

Thyagarajan
Everyday Morning I visit Saibaba.org. I opened Telugu Website. I do not know Telugu. But I am searching for any Sai photo. Wow! I got the 46 Slide show. Fantastic. Excellent. I am impressed with Sai's face close-up photo...I cut and paste into my desktop. Thanks to Saibaba.org team. My humble namaskarams to Guruji. I know about Guruji that he has built a Temple in Madras-Injambakkam.

Sujatha
Jai Sai Ram. Om Shri Sacchidananda Sadguru Sai Nath Maharaj Ki Jai. Baba, I know that you are always there for us, always. The confusion that had been there in our lives has now started to relieve. It has been possible only because of you. You have given my husband a job, a chance to prove himself. Thank you. Please Baba help my brother also similarly, and provide him also a job and remove the sufferings of my brother and my parents. Be with them and take care of them. Next, Baba give me also a job to prove myself. I am trying hard but have not been successful until now. I am going through a stage of self-doubt and self-pity. I need to prove to myself that I am capable of something. Help me. Take care of my family. Be with my husband, my son, my parents and my brother. Help my son study well and become somebody good in life. Always be with us in such a way that we always remember you and be always devoted to you.

Meenakshi Verma
I love Shirdi Sai Baba with all my heart. I was a total atheist until I happened to go to his temple at Lodhi garden, Delhi. I fell in love with his gentle and kind face and never stopped believing in him thenceforth. I used to pray to him everyday and write a page of his name everyday for five years regularly. I got married to a wonderful man and now have a wonderful baby boy. I owe it al to his divine grace. The best thing he has done for me however is lead me to my Guru through whom I have Mantra diksha. I owe it all to him. Now I have embarked on this journey to discover the nature of my true self thru everyday recitation of the Mantra given to me by my Guruji. To all you people who subscribe to Sai Vichaar I wish to share this with you. God is not distinct from you. All of us can reach that state of Absolute Bliss and commune with the divine through recitation of Mantra given by a saint. It is not enough to pray to him for material gains. One must totally merge with him and efface this ego. That is real prayer and that is what he would like each one of us to do. That would make him happy. Therefore, Sai devotees do not waste your time asking him for material rewards. Chant his name continuously so that you become one with him. I would love to hear from anyone who is truly interested in achieving this goal.

A Sai devotee
Dear Baba, Thank you very much for helping me everyday. I was working on a project for quite some time and I could not finish it due to some technical problem. I was not very knowledgeable in that area and it was taking a lot of time. Then, I prayed to Baba to do it for me and immediately on the same day, I resolved the problem. It was so amazing. It is clear that if we give up our ego, do everything in the name of Baba, and ask his help, he will surely do it for us. We should not feel proud that we are doing it; everything is done by the almighty. Baba, thank you very much and please continue to bless me in my work.
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Prayer Club

Sai Devotee
Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai Dear Baba - I am fortunate to have you in my home next week for 4 days. I will try my best to pray with shraddha. You already blessed me with a job. Since I have to work to support the family. look after my health also. Please bless my son to get admission into good university this year. Please also look after my other family members, who are facing some problems. Koti namaskarams to my Sadguru Sainath.

Rugmony Sivasubramanian
SaiRam. For the post 6 months, I am praying to you to give good job to my husband. Why are you not listening to me? I am a daily reader of Satcharitha. . Please do not test me more as you know i how much i cried before you yesterday. Not getting salary also. I am unable to work hard, bless my husband with a good job with regular salary. Please pray for us, devotees.

Lavanya
I am devotee of Shirdi Sai from 10 years. During this period, I have experienced many miracles of Baba. Now I do not know whether Baba is testing My "Sraddha and Saburi" Or IT is just my fate. I have been going through lots of pressure and tension. We have been blessed with baby boy, which was with all Baba's blessing only. But after having baby we have no happiness, my husband is facing many problems all of a sudden. We did not even think of those things would happen for us. My husband and myself are praying Baba to forgive us if we did anything wrong and guide us in a right Path. "Dayakaro , Kshamakaro , Rakshakaro Sri Sai Ram". Sometimes my husband is saying to me, why does Baba is not blessing us, Even though I Believe in him. So Baba Please I Pray you to show your miracle to my husband in some form of you and I want to hear from him, saying that Baba "Really blessed us and I'm happy now". Baba so please bless us. OM SRI SADGURU SAINATH MAHARAJ KE JAI.

Subhendu Sai
You know how deeply broken I am. I am undergoing a very traumatic patch of my life, which I have never faced before on both professional and personal front. I am without job since last almost 3 months. Is it not enough for me to suffer for any of my misdoings? Please I can bear no more. Just after one of my last visits, you had promoted me at my job, but just after last visit in October, you took away my job. Why is it so? Please if you can listen to my prayer and see my silent cries, you have to make me to have me feel your presence. You have to advice me what I should do next as all my paths are almost closed. In addition, I have to go back to my native place if I do not get a job within next 1 month. You know my problems on personal front also on my marriage. Please show me the right direction. Please help me having my faith intact. Please do not turn back. I am sure you will but when?

Krishna
Dear Sai, Please help me to solve my problem in the office. I have a heavy load at my job, but seeing your picture and thinking about you I am able to finish my job, without anyone help. For past two years, I am not in good terms with a person in the office. Both of us have hurt each other over last two years. We do not talk each other anymore for quite a long time. Even when we walk side by side, we ignore each other and everyone notices that. We were in love before. My friends all advice me now that I should talk with him. I am trying my best to see him and give him a smile. But he does not want to see my face at all. I feel so sad and mind is so disturbed. I hope for a miracle to happen where both of us can be friends. If this is a match, I want to get married with him. You are only hope and I know I can leave this burden at your feet.
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Quotation of the Week
"Not only was he (Sai Baba) present at all places when his physical body was in one place, say the mosque, but he was also able to do various things with his invisible body" - Mrs Tarabhai Sadshiv Tarkhad
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Question of the Week

Q. What is the significance of Amra leela in Sai Satcharitha??
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Sai Activities

Shirdi Sai Satsang, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Please contact Ravin or Sunitha at 763-862-3910 for Shirdi Sai Baba Chithra Yatra and Sai Satsang in Minneapolis, St. Paul area of Minnesota, USA.

Shri Shirdi Sai Chithra Yatra,Tampa, FL
This week-March 9'2002-we are having a SATSANG and BHAJAN at TAMPA ANCHOR HOME at Mr.Jitu's place. Please let us know, if this is convenient to any surrounding areas so that they can attend Baba's Bhajan and SATSANG. Day: Saturday- Appx around 3:30 PM EST. Please contact jp@floridamotels.org or shirdisai2001@yahoo.com

Shri Shirdi Sai Chithra Yatra, Plainsboro, NJ
I am a devotee of Sai Baba and by my Baba's grace, I am one of the anchor homes in Plainsboro,NJ. This is a message to all devotees in and around Plainsboro,Princeton,Newburnswick,NJ that i received the picture. If any body wants to contact me, please write an email to shyama_45@yahoo.com or contact me at my phone number at 609-716-8995. shyamala krishnamoorthy

Shri Shirdi Sai Chithra Yatra, Charlotte, NC
I am pleased and honored to inform all Baba devotees that I have been an Anchor home since January and the response has been enormous.Though we have had no reponse from Charlotte itself but from our neighbouring town Columbia.As of today Sai poojas have been hosted at around 10 homes in Columbia.All the host homes have been eager to have Baba visit them and Baba has been welcomed with open arms.We feel very honored to be Anchor home and get this kind of a response. Anyone else interested in hosting Babas Chitra in and around Charlotte can contact me at RDKashyap@aol.com.

Shri Shirdi Sai Chithra Yatra,Tampa, FL
This is a message to all devotees in and around Tampa that i received the picture. If any body wants to contact me, please write an email to drenu@yahoo.com Renu Kumari

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 yatra page 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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