If everything is predisposed, and what one gets is according to his karma, why not just accept it? How does the loving mother of a charming infant dying of cancer could accept this thought? How could a good natured, responsible, guileless individual witnessing his downward spiral in sincere pursuit consent to this concept? While contentment with what one possesses is one of the dimensions of spiritual growth, restlessness, dejection, and disappointment is equally important stage of human growth on the spiritual lines. After all, human minds are oriented towards responding to its environment, both good and bad. Naturally!

Shri Hemadpanth narrates a wonderful incident in Sri Sai Satcharitha. Bhimaji Patil was a patient suffering from tuberculosis. He was advised by Nanasaaheb Chandorkar to resort Baba's feet for a relief from the dreaded disease. Let us read what Hemadpanth wrote about this episode: "Relying on Mr. Nanasaaheb's advice, he made preparations for going to Shirdi. He was brought to Shirdi, taken to the Masjid, and placed before Baba. Mr. Nanasaaheb and Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande) were then present. Baba pointed out that the disease was due to the previous evil karma and was not at firstly disposed to interfere. But the patient cried out in despair that he was helpless, and sought refuge in Him as He was his last hope and prayed for mercy. Then Baba's heart melted and He said, "Stay, cast off your anxiety, your sufferings have come to an end. However oppressed and troubled one may be, as soon as he steps in the masjid, he is on the path to happiness. The Fakir here is very kind and he will cure the disease, and protect all with love and kindness". The patient vomited blood every five minutes, but there was no vomiting in the presence of Baba" (Sai Satcharitha, Chapter XIII). The patient was eventually cured of the disease.

"My coffers are open. Ask, Ye shall be given". So, ask! Ask for the self, for the kith and kin, ask with devotion, and ask with love. The unique Saint of Shirdi is the rarest of its kind who supports asking for material possession. However, natural course for such a pursuit is to realize the limitedness of mundane possessions in giving perennial happiness. This should automatically stimulate one to take a careful look at what the Master said. If not today, some day, for our soul's sake!
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Experiences of Devotees

Prasuna, Virginia, USA
Om Sai Ram.
I have been reading the Sai Vichaar for quite some time now and I have been noticing how many people have been losing faith in the Lord. I hope this message particularly help those who think their prayers are being un-answered. I feel, Baba is like a mother and we are like infants. A mother always knows what her infant child needs. She feeds him, washes him, guides him and when the child makes a mistake, spanks him. Our Baba has the love or thousand mothers. Imagine how much love he has for us? He knows what we need. We don't even have to ask him to give us things. And I know everyone of you will agree most of the time we don't even realize what we need!

Let me give an example. Every one living in Washington DC area will remember the unexpected snowstorm we had a couple of weeks ago. I was at my work early that morning and did not know about the snowstorm. My husband called me and said may be I should head for home at my earliest convenience as its risky to drive when the traffic gets bad and the roads are mushy. I started for home immediately. While I was driving on 66, I felt a strong intuition that I should not take 495 south exit and take the next exit even though I would have to drive an extra 2 miles to get home. I did not pay attention to this. I was on the ramp when suddenly my car skid and went into the snow piled up on the side of the ramp. I tried getting out by putting my car in the reverse gear but it only skid closer and was just hair width away from the ramp!

I got out of my car. I did not know what to do since I did not have a cell telephone. Even if I called for any assistance, It would take at least a couple of hours for them to arrive because of the road conditions. I thought I would be stuck here in the cold without even a proper jacket for a long time. Then, a man driving on the same ramp stopped his car and offered me his cell phone to make a call. He called for roadside assistance. He even offered me to give a ride home. But I did not want to leave my car there. So, I thanked him for his help. He was very kind in offering me various options. Meanwhile, another car pulled over and two guys got out of the car. They were very skinny. They offered help and suggested that I should get in my car and doing a reverse again. I was skeptical because there was less than once inch space between the front of my car and the railing. They insisted. I got in my car and did as they suggested. They pushed my car from the front and in a split second; my car was back on the road!

I did not get a proper chance to get out of my car and thank them as I was blocking the ramp and more than 15 cars had already queued up. To this day, I am wondering how two skinny people could push a car out of the snow. When the whole mess was cleared, I began driving home and thanked Baba for helping me out of this mess. Immediately I felt a strange feeling as if someone was saying, "I told you not to take this exit".

My point is, I did not even know I would be needing help until I actually landed in the mess. And all along, I was never left alone or deserted! I believe that Baba came to me in the form of three people to get me out of trouble. He knew I would go through this and hence was always there with me in the form of three gentlemen.

So, dear devotees, Please don't loose hope and faith. He is our mother and he knows what is best for us. When a child gets attracted to fire, a mother always pulls the child away. The child may cry for a little While. However, when he grows up, he will realize his mother was right. Never loose faith. The lord is watching and taking care of us in many ways we don't even know. Do your duty and leave the results to him. Sai Ram.
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Devotees say...

Soma Somalingam, Sydney, Australia
Dear Editor Sai Vichaar & Beloved Shirdi Sai Devotees "Allah Maalik". Many Many Happy Ugadi (New Year) greetings. Nice to see you all back. Hope everything is fine and everybody is happy. With love on Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, I offer this very small article to everybody.

BEING HAPPY ALL DAY ALL LIFE
After becoming the devotee of Baba, I always analyzed, the experiences happened to me, with the tools I had, which is nothing but Baba's Philosophy, to the BENEFIT OF MY SELF and OTHERS.
I WANTED TO BE HAPPY 24 HOURS A DAY ALL MY LIFE People say it is normal to have difficulties in life. But I was afraid to face the downs and always yearned for ups which always made me happy.
I started dedicating all actions in my daily life to Baba. Eating, sleeping, bathing, walking, shopping, chatting, brushing my teeth, AND EVERYTHING I DO IN A DAY. I use to think all the actions I do are for BABA . After all, I am an instrument for Baba. So why waste my life HERE AND THERE? BABA says, "WHEREVER YOU ARE, YOU ARE WITHIN MY REACH" so why confine him self for 10 minute prayers and for bhajans ONLY? While the rest of my actions take up 98% of my time IN A DAY. Therefore, I dedicate all actions to Baba. BY DOING THIS, I GIVE ALL THE RESULTS TO BABA AND I TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAKING ACTIONS ONLY. SO I FEEL HAPPY ALL THE TIME, AND I PRAY ALL OF YOU TO BE HAPPY TOO (MAY SAINATH HELP EVERY ONE OF YOU TO OVER COME DIFFICULTIES, IF ANY, AND GIVE YOU ALL WHAT YOU NEED.)

Rebecca, Vermont, USA
Dear Rena and Meher, Thank you for replying to my question and I will try and have faith and hang in there.

Saroj Thetty, USA
Dear Devotees I would be grateful if anyone can give me a Baba’s vibhuti because I am here in USA with my husband but we don't have a car (as u know car is the top most necessity in US) that’s why I am not able to go to the doctor every time, I would be glad if anyone can arrange to send me a "Baba's Vibhuti"
sthetty@rocketmail.com I am Baba's devotee from my childhood, in my family everyone believes in Baba, and I have countless experiences of Baba. I am suffering from piles when I was in India, my aaee(mom) was taking care of me but here only BABA so I require devotees prayer for me. I believe if I take his Vibhuti, I will recover soon because he is everything for me my father/mother/doctor/friend everything.

A Sai Devotee
In reply to Rebecca's question, and in order to address the question of the devotees who had lost a father, I wish to excerpt from an article attributed to a great spiritual leader, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda who founded the Self-Realization Fellowship. This is from an article of his called 'How to smile away your troubles'. I quote from the article below: "Through every trial we grow. All the suffering we experience has a meaning. Though it seems very cruel, it is like fire that smelts the iron ore: the steel that emerges from that furnace is beautifully strong, useful for many purposes. The steel of wisdom that we forge out of the searing fire of trials - that is something marvelous. The Lord is refining away the dross in us, so that we can love in this world as pure, steel-like souls, able to bend without breaking under the pressure of our difficult experiences. We should not lose sight of that truth. there is purpose behind everything that happens under the sun."
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Sai Activities

Ram Navami Celebrations, Sydney, Australia
Vrinda Kumar, Sydney, Australia
By the grace of Shirdi SAI BABA, the Sydney Shirdi Sai Sansthan is holding Ramnavmi Celebrations.
To be held on the 25 March 1999 Thursday, Devotees will gather at the following address: 416-420 Liverpool Street, South Strathfield for Bhajans, puja and prasad. Time: 7:00PM - 9:00PM Beginning from Gurupurnima last year to Ram Navmi today, by the grace of Baba may we continue to enjoy Baba's blessings and propagate his message and goodwill.

Shirdi Sai Center, Inc. New York, NY
Announcement from Shirdi Sai Center, Inc. NY, Shirdi Sai Center, 46-16, Robinson Street, Flushing, NY 11366 Tel./Fax: (718) 321 9243

Sri Rama Navami, Thursday, March 25th
Morning Session:
8.00 - 8.30 am Kakad Aarti
8.30 am - 9.00 am Abhishekam
9.00 am - 10.00 am Archana & Alankaram
10.00 am - 12.00 am Sita Rama Kalyanam
12.30 pm - 1.00 pm Madhayana Aarti followed by mahaprasad

Afternoon Session:
2.00 pm - 6.30 pm Ramayana Parayana, Hanuman Chalisa Sai Naam Jaap, Vishnu Sahasra Naam
6.30 pm - 7.00 pm Dhoop Aarti
7.00 pm - 8.30 pm Special Bhajans 27 minutes: Sai Naam Jaap Hanuman Chalisa: 9 times
8.30 pm - 9.00 Shej Aarti followed by Mahaprasad

Sai Samsthan USA, First Anniversary Celebrations

Sai Samsthan USA has successfully completed one year. To celebrate this event and also for universal peace and happiness, Sri Sai 24 hour Akhanda Naam Jap is being organized on Saturday, March 27 1999 which concludes on March 28, 1999, followed by Sai abhishek and Pooja. Sai Samsthan USA, Sai Baba mandir is located in Warrenville, IL, a Chicago suburb. Sai Samsthan USA requests active participation in the Naam Jap. Please contact 630-653-4444 for more information.
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Prayer Club

Paritala Gopi Krishna, New Delhi, India
Pray for my friend's son
I request to pray for the child -- Master Harsha Vardan (Pet name Bobby), who is around 12 years of age. This boy is the son of one of my best friends. He is suffering from what is known as Retinis Pygmentosa -- the pigment in the eyes erodes gradually, as he grows old. All these days my friend kept it a secret, as most of the people do not understand what it is, and they may express sympathy with the child or family, whenever they meet. So, they do not want to expose the child to the psychological ill-treatment intentionally or unintentionally) of the known people. But, now having undergone psychological suffering from this fact for almost 10 years, they told me this very recently. Having known my limitations, I was sad, had no idea how I can help them, except praying to God. I request you all devotees to pray for him, as this is only remedy and nothing else.

Rajalakshmi, India
Humble Pranams to Baba. Kindly bestow upon my second daughter the grace of marriage. Her marriage is getting delayed. Kindly bless her with a good alliance of love and understanding at the earliest, dear lord. My grand son, SaiPrashant should have a good, healthy, and long life with your grace all the time. Please take care of the child Baba. Please be with us and guide us always. Sairam.

Surekha Kapoor Tayal. New York, USA
Sairam to all those who read this SaiVichaar. The more I read wonderful experiences of people, the more I get attached to Sai's lotus feet. HE listens to everybody's prayers and especially those, which are done without any selfishness. I would like to request all of you, if you can pray for my aunt (mother's sister) who is residing in Delhi with her daughter and has been suffering with cancer. Couple of months ago doctors had said that she would have few more weeks to live. She is being tortured day by day. Please pray for her health, so she can be relieved of this tremendous pain and suffering. May Sai grant healthy few more years of life to her!

Julie
I have been feeling very unhappy with myself recently. Why I am feeling like this is because there are many problems at home with in-laws. I love to have my own home. My father in law had a meeting sometime last year and offered us to buy the home, which we are living in. I said it is okay with me but since that meeting, I have not heard anything from him. I am also having many financial problems with my accounts, and I cannot make ends meet. Please give me advice and guide me Saibaba.

V T Reddy
For the last three years I have been undergoing innumebarle problems and unable to honour my commitments what I promise myself to do. Every step taken by me goes wrong and I appear as a lier, though I am confidently say that I never intent to do so. I have not done any sin knowingly. perhaps, whatever I committed un-knowinly, I seek the forgiveness of His Holiness and seek his blessing. I beg the devotees while praying, pray for me too. perhaps, the word "I" is repeated ; neither EGO is in me nor I forget the ALMIGHTY.
Om Sai Ram.
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"How is Sri Sai Satcharitha Parayan performed"?

Shankar Rao Abburi
I have been performing Sai Satcharitra Parayana regularly and I had just finished it yesterday (wednesday) and got a phone call offering me part time consultancy for a very reputed international company. I was virtually doing nothing for last six months. But I never gave up and did parayana all through. I have experienced this another miracle since last April 1998 when I started regularly to read Sai Satcharitra. There is no hard and first rule how you study this book. It is preferable to finish it in one week, starting on a Thursday and finishing on Wednesday the following week. After that you should do a short Harathi/any prasad, keep some money in front of Baba's photo, and re-start the parayana again. Those who are office going and are short of time can read two or three chapters a day and finish it in 3 weeks also. MOST IMPORTANT IS BELIEF AND DEVOTION, not ritual reading.

ALSO I STRONGLY RECOMMEND GURU CHARITRA PARAYANA (by Achaarya Sri E. Bharadwaja, Sri Guru Paduka Publications, Lawyer Peta, Ongole 523 002, India) which is also very very powerful and produces excellent results. All the stories and anecdotes in GURU Charitra are also full of meaning and carry lot of inner significance. There is no complex vocabulary and very easy to understand.

Amit
(pg 259 i.e Epilogue has a more detailed view ..and blessings)

1)After bathing in the sacred Godaavari and after taking the darshan of the Samadhi in the Samadhi-Mandir in Shirdi , you should read/hear the Satcharita.

2) Casually think about stories of Sai , give out to others , you will get an ever-new flavour of them and save the hearers from feature misery.

3) if anybody after bathing, reads this with love and faith , and completes it within a week.

4) With concentrated mind, if you read a chapter daily , it will give you unbounded happiness,one who has his own welfare at heart , should study it carefully and then he will remember Sai gratefully and joyfully in birth after birth.

5) This should be read at home specially on Guru Pourniam , Gokul-Ashtami, Rama Navami and Dasera.
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