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Sai Vichaar 01.Feature of the Week:Contentment and Equanimity! 02.Contributed Article: Significance of Gurupoornima 03.Experiences of Devotees 04.Devotees Say 05.Sai Activities 06.Prayer Club 07.Quote of the Week 08.Question of the Week 09.Subscribe to Sai Vichaar 10.Email Newsletter to a friend 11.Submit Articles to Sai Vichaar 12.Un-Subscribe Sai Vichaar 13.From the Editor's Keyboard 14.Disclaimer From the Editor's Keyboard... GuruPoornima 2002 promises to be a spiritually fulfilling celebration at Sai satsangs all over the world. Please refer to Sai activities section for more particulars about Guru Poornima celebrations in your area. A devotee raised the following Question of the week", There are two ways of approaching our Lord Father Sai for the fulfillment of our desires. One is pestering and demanding obstinately like a child asks his mother, and the other is watching silently for Him to fulfill your demand with the conviction that He knows what is best for you. Which way is better? Humbly Yours, The Editor
Disclaimer Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or saibaba.org is not
responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
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 Feature of the week: Contentment and Equanimity! Devotees seek Baba in anger and in peace. Sadguru is sought during times of distress as well as at times of festivities. The compassionate father also reveals Himself to the devotee full of love and compassion. The demands put forth in front of the wish-fulfilling tree are fulfilled. Everything asked shall be received sooner or later. Faith also teaches the other requisite namely patience. However, the peace experienced at Sadguru's feet is always challenged. The pursuit of Sadguru does not make one immune to the perils of Karma. Baba said, "If you have not done anything wrong in this life, you probably did some actions in your past life and you are bearing the consequences now". Several stories in Sai Satcharitha and other works on Baba refer to the incidents in which a faithful devotee is fully tested and stressed to the extreme before being brought back to normal by Baba, the "Karma Dwamsi", the destroyer of Karma. Such episodes reinforce faith in Sadguru and in the process the state of contentment is experienced. A complete understanding of the role of Sadguru in karmic cycle should naturally lead one to the state of contentment. Is there anything beyond the state of contentment that one experiences in Baba's path? Yes! Equanimity! True contentment should transform itself into equanimity, the active
state that constantly defies the lure of pleasures and the fear of pain.
If it does not, then the contentment experienced in Sadguru's fold is
probably just an imagination, far from realization. The difference
between contentment and equanimity is subtle yet significant.
Contentment is the result of faith and patience while equanimity is
accomplished through Sadhana, the active pursuit, by Sadguru's grace!
Contributed Article: Significance of Gurupoornima
Gurubrahma guruvishnu gurudevo maheshwaraha Guru is Brahma, Vishnu and the lord Maheshwara. Guru is the embodiment
of the philosophy of life. Therefore seek refuge in him.
All our actions are the embodiments of Guru's wishes. Nothing happens
without his wish. Those of us who have sought refuge in guru, know for
sure that - Guru, is lord Narayana incarnate, all the actions in this
world are ordained by him we are mere instruments carrying out his
wishes accordingly. Initially because of our spiritual immaturity, it
seems difficult for us to comprehend the Mystique of Guru's work. But as
we keep holding on to the sacred feet of guru, the realisation dawns
upon us by itself, without us making any effort. Shirdi Sai BABA has
promised to this effect in Chapter 16/17 of Satcharita written by
A.S.Dabokar alias Hemadpanth. In Gurucharita it is given that Brahma has
defined guru to Kaaliyuga - "the 'Ga' sound in the name guru gives
siddhi (ultimate victory over the self). And the 'Ra' sound annihilates
all sins. The 'U' sound depicts the unmanifested form of Vishnu". Such
is the importance of Guru. To show gratitude to Guru, Vyasa poornima
falling in the month of Aashada, is celebrated as Gurupoornima. Vyasa
was the author of Mahabharata which describes victory of good over evil.
In the same way sadguru helps us gain victory in controlling evil
actions by good deeds and thoughts.
In gurucharita by SRS Mohana, Siddha explained in detail the dynasty of
gurus to which Sri Guru was ordained. He said, "This seat of great gurus
was first started by Lord Shiva. Maha Vishnu was the next guru. Then
came Brahma. These three form the fundamental seat of the dynasty. Next
in the order was Vashishta, and other gurus. Sri Guru was successor of
Sri Krishna Saraswathi. The duty of the gurus was protecting the ways of
good, the pious and the noble".
One desiring to acquire spiritual knowledge must have a guide, who would
show us the correct path, Guru - the true embodiment of the Lord, is the
only one who can give us such knowledge. Our Vedas and puranas also
stressed the importance of a guru, even "the Lord of the three worlds,
Rama had Vasishtha as his guru and in his life as Krishna he learnt
under Sandeepani. When lord takes the birth as a human being, he is
bound to act in the same way as his peers" (gurucharita- chapter 12).
Hemadpanth in Chapter 10 of Satcharita writes "Guru is the only God. If
we believe in Sad-guru's holy feet, he can change our fortune for the
better. If we serve Him nicely, we get rid of our Samsar. We need not
study any philosophy like the Nyaya and the Mimansa. If we make Him our
Helmsman, we can easily cross over the sea of all our pains and sorrows.
As we trust the helmsman in crossing rivers and seas, so we have to
trust our Sadguru in getting over the ocean of worldly existence. The
Sadguru looks to the intense feeling and devotion of his devotees,
endows them with knowledge and eternal bliss. "
On gurpoornima day the disciples offer their love and gratitude to guru,
by sarvasva sharanagathi - complete surrender of mind, body and soul at
the holy feet of the Sadguru. One often wonders as to what can be
offered to guru who has imparted such invaluable knowledge to us. In
Satcharita chapter 26 Hemadpanth Hhas given us a novel form of worship.
"Let us, he says, use hot water in the form of tears of joy to wash the
Sad-guru's feet, let us besmear His body with sandle-paste of pure love,
let us cover His body with the cloth of true faith, let us offer eight
lotuses in the form of our eight Sattwik emotions and fruit in the form
of our concentrated mind; let us apply to His head bukka (black-powder)
in the form of devotion and tie the waistband of Bhakti and place our
head on his toes.
After decorating the Sad-guru with all jewelry in this way, let us offer
our all to Him and wave chamar of devotion to ward off heat. After such
blissful worship, let us pray thus:- "Introvert our mind, turn it
inward, give us discrimination between the Unreal and the Real and
non-attachment for all worldly things and thus enable us to get
Self-realisation. We surrender ourselves, body and soul
(body-consciousness and ego). Make our eyes Yours, so that we should
never feel pleasure and pain. Control our body and mind as You will and
wish. Let our mind get rest in Your Feet".
It is very simple for us to please our guru, we need not practice
rituals and subject our body to austerity for earning the grace of our
guru. Let us on this occasion of Gurupoornima, hold on to the holy feet
of our guru, and invoke His grace in remembering and chanting his name
constantly, for even a leaf does not move without his bidding. Only when
guru wishes, we can show our gratitude to Him by assimilating his
teachings and following the same. Let us give our two pice of dakshina
namely 'Shraddha and Saburi' to him, as mentioned by BABA in satcharita
chapter 18/19. Guru will take us the rest of the way towards our goal.
Glory Be To The, Lord and Master Shi Shirdi Sainath Maharaj.
(Contributed by Raghunadha Reddy, Tirupathi, India)
Contributed Article: Fear Not! Baba is living with us! Saints never die, they visit this earth, regulate the society and
leaving the earth after satisfactory completion of the task given by God
to them. Several devotees were frightened at the idea of Baba leaving
them to themselves by leaving his body. Baba told one of the Mumbai
ladies, Mrs. Tarabai Sadasiva Tarkhad, "Mother, I DO NOT DIE. Wherever
you are, if you think of me, I am there at any time you please (whether
I am in the body or out of it), and in Sri Sai Satcharitha, we have read
Baba had given similar assurance to Damodar Rasne. Both the above
blessed children of Baba experienced Baba's presence even after
Mahasamadhi. Sri Rasne saw physical, living and moving body of Sai Baba
with his own eyes any number of times and talked with that body. Mrs.
Tarkhad said, 'Baba has not altogether vanished, he is still living with
us now and gives ample proof of his powers and protecting care in many
matters off and on, though the impressions about these, because of his
body being invisible, are not so great as those that the devotees
enjoyed when they sat in his presence at Shirdi.'
Abdullah Jan, originally of Tarbella, Mazra district near Peshawar, was
a Pathan, living at Korhale, near Sakori - once expressed his fear that
Baba would expire and that all his work and influence would pass away
with him. Baba said, 'Turban Hun Danda Hani', which is the Marathi
expression for 'From within the tomb I will beat with sticks.' This
statement is further strengthened with the following incident, which
happened 18 years after Baba's Mahasamadhi. Imam Bhai Chote Khan, aged
about 65 years and residing at Vijapur, Aurangabad district, told HH
Pujyasri B V Narasimhaswamiji. About 1936, Chote Khan and Madhav Fasle
were at the Mosque one night. Chote Khan heard Baba's voice 'Ye Madhav.
Get up, I want to pass urine.' But Madhav in his deep sleep did not get
up. Early in the morning, both of them found in the hollow at the place
where Baba used to sit, scented water. The hollow was filled water. Baba
had passed urine and it had become scented water.
In our life everyday we are coming across so many incidents that Baba is
still living with us and helping to ward off our troubles and
calamities. Fear not - Baba is living with us, simply follow his
doctrines "You need not go far in search of Me. Barring your name and
form, there exists in you as well as in all beings, a sense of Being or
Consciousness of Existence. That is Myself (Sri Saisatcharitra Ch.XLIII)
Always worship Me, who is seated in your heart as well as in the heart
of all beings (Ch.XV). Hence Baba is within us, helping us and guiding
us.
Bow to Sri Sai, Peace be to All.
(Contributed by N. Sivanandam, Coimbatore, India)
Sonia Nagpal Amit But now see SAI's Leela:- After two weeks a letter came from the same
college stating "That she has been admitted for the course and she
should come to college immediately and deposit the fees." With Baba's
grace she has joined the college. This a not possible without SAI's
blessings. What a wonderful leela of SAI! Om Sai Ram!
Sharma Vidya Bansal Harini Shirin Lakshmi Jyothi Shalini Agarwal A Sai devotee A Sai devotee A Sai devotee A Sai devotee from Minnesota Sai Devotee A Follower A devotee Shalu Reddy
Quotation of the Week
Q. "In the case of Amir Shakkar, Baba helped in discovering a snake near Amir's bed, and finally, the snake was killed in His presence (vide Ch: 21, Sri Sai Satcharita). However, later, Baba Himself expresses the view that whether snakes or scorpions, one must desist from simply Killing them, as they can do no harm as long as God did not Will them to do so. Can anyone explain this contradiction?" A. by Kishore Asthana, Muscat, Oman Regarding the case of the snake near Amir's bed, the explanation could be as follows: There could possibly have been a spiritual connection between the snake-entity and Baba. Baba knew about this and was aware of the fact that the snake had come there to be killed in Baba's presence, so as to be released from some bondage. This has been known to happen and one comes across similar cases in our mythological literature. However, Baba did not want this to be misunderstood by the devotees who would then launch a killing spree against snakes, thinking that this is what Baba wanted. Thus his remark one must desist from simply killing them, as they can do no harm as long as God did not Will them to do so. Ramana Maharshi was also against killing animals and when a lot of bees stung him, he blamed himself for having disturbed them. A. by Shyamala Hari Some time ago, I heard a story like this. Like all Sadgurus, a Guru once told his disciples that God is everywhere and one should try to see Him in all beings. One day, one of his disciples was walking on the street and saw a parade coming in the opposite direction. There was an elephant in the front of the parade and was being guided by a trainer sitting on its back. Seeing the parade approaching, people walking on the street were moving to the sides to give way to the parade. The disciple however, went on walking forward closer and closer to the elephant. In his mind he was thinking "God is in me and also in the elephant, where is the need for me to step aside and let the elephant go. How can there be a conflict or contention for space or anything." As he was going closer to the elephant, the elephant's trainer on its back shouted to him from above, to step aside and get out of the elephant's way because otherwise it would hurt him. But the disciple did not listen. He thought "My Guru said God is in all beings, so God in the elephant would never want to hurt me who is also God." Finally, the elephant found him as blocking its way, lifted him up with its trunk, and threw him far away. He was hurt all over from the fall. The next day, he went to his Guru and told him what happened and complained that aches and pains were his reward for following the Guru's teaching. The Guru said, "What I told you is still true. God is not only in the elephant but also in its trainer. Did not the trainer shout to you to get out of its way. Why did you not listen?" Similarly, when Baba said, "God lives in all beings and creatures, whether they be serpents or scorpions. He is the Great Wire puller of the world, and all beings, serpents, scorpions etc., obey His command. Unless He wills it, nobody can do any harm to others. So we should take pity and love all creatures, leave off adventurous fights and killings and be patient. The Lord (God) is the Protector of all." Baba meant what He said. He is asking us to be patient and avoid killing them when possible and not necessary. In Amir's story, it was dark at night and Abdul had to bring in the lantern to see it. Probably they were not sure that the serpent would not return if they let it go. We do not know the circumstances in the Masjid that night, to say that killing of that serpent could be avoided. After all, it is also Baba's will when and how to end that serpent's life. A. by Srinivasan Radhakrishnan A. by Fatima E Gurupoornima 2002, Twin Cities, MN on July 20, 2002 GURU PURNIMA CELEBRATIONS -2002 AT SAIDARBAR - HYDERABAD, India. For more details please contact: saidarbar@saidarbar.com GURU PURNIMA CELEBRATIONS On 24-07-2002 AT DUBAI-U.A.E. Devotees in U.A.E wish to participate in above program, please contact: Mobile Phone: 050-6266539 or on E-mail : roman69_ae@yahoo.co.uk Gurupoornima 2002, Houston, TX The program is as follows:
The venue is Hindu worship temple (Near intersection of I10 west and 610north.) For route and other details pl. contact at 713-383-6501, sai_syam@hotmail.com. or rajesh_yadlapati@hotmail.com Gurupoornima celebrations at Sydney, Australia Venue: 420 Liverpool Road, Strathfield South, NSW 2136
Programme:
For more information on Guru Poornima celebrations and Sansthan's activities, please call Info-Line 0500 524724 (0500 JAI SAI). Gurupoornima at Canberra, Australia Gurupoornima celebrations in the Bay Area, CA Gurupoornima at Toronto, Canada Gurupoornima at Shirdi Sai Baba Prayer Center, South Brunswick, NJ Shirdi Sai Baba Prayer Center, VA Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 2002 in UK Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 2002 in USA 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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