Spiritual pursuits, sooner or later, must give rise to a realization that life as one sees is myth, the play of Maya. A long-lasting sleep completely full of dreams and nightmares. Existing dormant in the seeker as a neglected fact, this realization will assume immense importance as one proceeds with Saadhana, an intense yearning, with the guidance of Guru. Only the Supreme soul that transcends time and space, as we define it, knows this as the Truth. Saint God of Shirdi, the manifestation of supreme consciousness told this to His children. Numerous incidents and anecdotes involve Sai belittling the perceived values of humankind only to emphasize the permanent virtues that one should long for. Preaching about Brahma Gnana to the miser merchant in Sri Sai Satcharitamritha is one such example. Understanding the limitedness of pain and pleasure may be one important step in the human life that helps accomplish the bigger goal of God-realization, which is nothing but self-realization. Let us examine the vision that Yogi Minocher was blessed with by Sadguru Sainath on June 12, 1952:

"Different faiths are like different rivers that flow from different regions but ultimately join the ocean. The object of every religion is God. He alone is worthy of worship and none else. To make sordid desires of life to dominate is to invite catastrophe. Do not be dragged in the mire of worldly temptations for they are death knells of misery and degradation. Riches are the burning bricks with which the vault of hell is built. Lust for power is a shadowy business. Do not aspire for worldly applause for it is fickle and baseless. Stain not your soul with allurements of life but keep it stainless with love and light of God.

God alone is the reality; all else is of unreal nature. Seek God in the simplicity of your heart. Renounce the gewgaws of life. Hold fast to Truth and Righteousness. Mercy and Compassion, Love and Gentility, Simplicity and Humility, Earnestness and Sincerity, Passivity and Catholicity, Sobriety and Integrity, Forgiveness and Forbearance, Patience and Perseverance. Aspire to be a Saint, a sage by getting out from the common track and following your own God. Work ceaselessly, pray to God zealously, keep your mind serene and calm even in the midst of storms and tempests. Be pure in heart and you will see God. God-realization is the goal of life, not earthly happiness which is false and effervescent".
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Contributed Article:My Sivanesan Swami ji - Part II

Contributed by Sai Premananda (Robert Meola), Berkeley, California USA, ©2002

It became clear that it was not time for me to leave Shirdi. Except for some brief one or two day trips to Newasa and Paithan, I lived in Shirdi until after Ramnavmi in April, 1985. I saw Sivanesan Swamiji sweeping and mopping the Chawdi. I saw him applying kumkum and turmeric and sandal paste to Baba's pictures. I saw him throwing coconuts into the dhuni when people requested pujas from him.

Sivanesan taught me to do Pradakshina/circumnambulation at Gurusthan and at Nandadeep at Lendi Bagh. He had me keep a neem leaf from Gurusthan. He gave me holy relics for puja. He gave me pictures of Baba. Sivanesan Swamiji provided me with every book written in English about Sai Baba that he could obtain for me to read. He was always available to answer my questions and explain things to me. Whenever I had doubts about my communication from Baba, Sivanesan was there to encourage and support my faith that I really was experiencing what I was experiencing with Baba.

Sivanesan encouraged me to meditate and I believe he was disappointed that I didn't meditate more than I did. I had only my plane ticket to London and enough money to fly back to New York when I reached Shirdi in January. Sivanesan had me give him my passport, my plane ticket and my money so that no one would take it from me while I slept below the steps outside Dwarkamai or on the platform at Dwarkamai. I handed my passport, plane ticket and money to Sivanesan Swamiji. He handed it all to Mohan Baba. More than two months later, when it was time for me to leave Shirdi, Sivanesan had Mohan Baba go to where it was all kept and return it to me. Sivanesan Swamiji arranged for me to sleep near the dhuni every night. He also arranged for my breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.

I saw Baba's devotees handing money to Sivanesan frequently. But, like Baba, he did not keep it. He had people feed me. He bought me books. He gave me pictures. He even had white clothes made for me. And, he used the money to help many people.

Baba Muktananda had given me the name, Premnath, in 1980. Sivanesan Swamiji told me that I was now Sai Premananda. When I would sit on the ledge on the wall next to Baba's dhuni to talk with Baba, sometimes women from fisher villages would come up, pranam and grab on to my big toes. I would be unable to move away or get up or prevent it from happening. Then a line of others would form to do the same thing. Some asked me to bless their children. I was embarrassed. Speaking only English, I also didn't know how to communicate with them or what to do or say. I explained the situation to Sivanesan Swamiji. Sivanesan Swamiji told me to go ahead and do as they requested me to do. He told me to allow them to grab my feet and that I should bless their children while always passing the pranams up to Baba and the requests for blessings up to Baba and allowing Baba to pass the blessings on through me.

In most places I traveled, people did not attempt to touch my feet. Yet, I had similar experiences when I visited Newasa, Paithan and Dehu. I sat briefly meditating in the room in which Jnanadev Maharaj had written Jnaneshwari. Mrs. Shanta Singh was with me. The temple pujari came in and knelt before me and touched my feet. Mrs. Singh was quite surprised. She explained to me who he was and that people who visit the temple there touch his feet and that he normally doesn't touch anyone else's feet.(to be continued...)
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Experiences of Devotees

Ganpatlal Patel
Om Sai Rama, Thank you for your newsletter. I am impressed. Sai Baba had help me lot of times every incident is different but after deeper thinking make sense. At one time I was driving car in India going from Gondal to Ambaji on the way something broke of and car just stopped. That was kind a scary area and some people on motorcycle stop by and tried to help but problem seemed to be serious. I had with me my wife and two other people. Every body were worried because if it gets dark we will be in serious problem. All of a sudden three guys on a motorcycle pulled over they suggested there was village few kilometers they know mechanic there so if I go with them to get him he be able to fix. They were three and I was forth on the small motorcycle I was scared but have no option. We went to mechanic and explain he did not have transport but he said in10 finite there will be bus leaving so we went and got the reach at the car and he fixed. I asked how much should I pay and they said they did not want anything and they were glad they were helpful. It is hard to believe such experience.

Ratna
In Jan '98, me and my husband had moved from San Jose, CA to Boston, MA. I started my masters and he was working there and our baby was due on Sept 7th '98. In May'98 he had to move back to San Jose as his group got dismantled. I wanted to finish my studies as soon as I can by Fall 1998 and move back too. I took 3 courses in Summer and enrolled for 4 courses and project for fall. I just had 2 weeks break for summer from Aug 24th - Sept 6th. I had total faith in Baba that he'll walk me through all this. On Aug 24th I went to labor and when we went to the hospital, the nurse did ultrasound and said they have to do cesarean as the baby was in horizontal position and she went to call the doctor. I could not afford a cesarean as I would have to postpone one more semester. Me and my mom prayed Baba with total devotion and I thought that I would name my son after Baba if everything goes ok. Then the doctor came and said the baby was head down and that I would deliver in couple of hours. It was such a big relief. By Baba's grace I had a wonderful baby boy within 1 1/2 hr and I could go back to school for fall and graduate by Dec '98. I certainly could not do all of this without His grace. I think the most important think is having faith in HIM.

But there is one mistake we did. After my son was born, I talked to my husband over phone and told him my thought of naming him after Baba. But my husband didn't think it was such a good idea. So, we named him Pranav. When Pranav was 2 yrs old, he started having breathing problems which turned out to be asthma. We had seen many doctors even Homeopathic but in vein. One day I realized that it could have been because of not naming him after Baba. So, I told this to my husband and we changed his name to Pranav Sai. He had been feeling better since then and I have total faith in Baba that He certainly would take care of us as He did in the past. Om Sai Ram.
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Devotees say...

Ramanathan
I would like to write in response to the devotee who asked for prayers for strength to settle all debts with her in-laws and be able to live with them as they want to get GC. Sister, remember all are Atmas and thus Sai is in all. I shall pray to Sai to give strength for you to remember that, as you asked. And to all respected Sai devotees who have read the article and to those who have also responded to it, please remember that she asked for strength. In all articles in response, I have seen that Sai devotees are judging her for her apparent disrespect to her in-laws. But if you read the article, she is asking for strength to adjust to it and not for them to leave. Respected Sai Bandus, Sai devotees write to the Prayer Club to gain strength from the Sai family. Do not assume that this venue is an area to scold them or make them feel bad that " Sai will not read their prayer". Om Sai, Sri Sai, Jai Jai Sai.

Padmini Murthy
It is indeed heartening to read the various experiences both spiritual and physical of the devotees of our Lord Sai Baba. I am a physician but after coming to the USA, I went to school and received 2 Masters degrees, but did not practice medicine. I had a good job, but I was not really happy as I felt something was missing. After I started reading the holy book Sri Sai Satcharita, one day it was as if Baba spoke through me, I told my boss that I was quitting. Then I went back and started studying to pass my Medical licensing exams so that I can practice Medicine here. Baba made me realize that the best way I can serve him is by helping my fellow humans who are sick. I can do this by going back to practicing medicine. I am confident I can achieve my goal in spite of the difficulties I am facing. Our beloved Baba made me realize that my mission is to continue to practice medicine, so that I can serve him by helping his devotees. I request all your prayers to help me serve Baba.

Vikas Malhotra, Hyderabad, India
Dear Mr. Rajput, Sai ram!! This is in reference to your experience about the circles in your left hand and about Baba appearing in your dream. I would say that you are really blessed by Baba if He himself has given you some mantra and those circles.But being a Sai devotee, I would like to bring something to your notice. Baba was totally against fasting. This is very clear in Sai Satcharita. Baba said that no one could worship or pray empty stomach. I am not at all trying to offend your belief in your fasting ritual but just wanted to share a valuable point with you. And still if you wish to fast on Thursday then pass on those meals of your day to the hungry whether as poor feeding or feeding an animal.

This is regarding the prayer of a Sai devotee who is cursing herself for whatever has gone wrong. Well at this stage she has decided to read the Sai Satcharita. I would advice her to read the Satcharita with complete meditation and she will actually overcome the bad words problem that she is facing.

Pinky Garg, California, USA
My dearest Sai Sister! I am very sad to read your plea to Sai and you are asking Sai to end your life, as you are not a good person. My dear, do not think like this, pray to Sai to guide you not to end your life. Think about your children, they need you, your husband need you. Asking for death, you are not doing justice to anyone and it is also selfish. Do not give up. I will pray for you to Sai and you know Sai never let anyone down as long as you are sincere and honest. Whenever, you get to the wrong way, start repeating "Sai Ram, Sai Ram" and close your eyes and see the Compassionate Lord Sai looking at you. My dear sister, do not give up, be very strong, face the devils of anger, lust, desires, greed with Lord Sai's sword of Love, Peace, Devotion, His guidance. Please do use your discrimination power and no emotion. You have to be a very good daughter of Sai, that is why you are in SAI' fold. Do not entertain any negative feeling of dying or doing wrongs. I must tell you the true story of a girl, who used to be like you and now in three years she is the best and very happy. Her life has changed completely. She did not even know Sai as she is from Oman(Middle East). Now she reads Koran five times and is pure love now.
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Prayer Club

A Sai devotee
Sai Ram all, I request you all to include in your prayers, Tilaka and her son (2 years old) who are in a very grave situation. Her husband one day just left the country and went back to India to his parents leaving his wife and 2 year old alone in the US. Baba, I pray to you to please help this family and let them clear any misunderstandings that may have occurred amongst them. Please do what you think is best for them. If you think the husband should come back and take responsibility for his son, please let that happen soon, if not then please give courage and strength for this young mother to take care of her young child alone in this foreign country. Please do what you think is best for them. Baba, I pray sincerely to you to please help this family in their time of need and bestow your blessings on them. Om Sri Samarth Sainath Sadguru Maharaj Ki Jai.

Olga Rodriguez
I have been receiving the weekly review, which I find very comforting. Thank you very much. My father, 77 years of age, had a brain stroke on November 4, I have been praying to Baba everyday on my own asking for his healing. I pray to Lord Sai to give him enough strength to get better soon. I also request all Sai devotees to pray for my father's fast recovery. I have always believed in Sai Baba and I am very confidant that he will take care of my father during his recovery.

Deepthi
Dearest Baba, please cure my vadina totally. Please see that there are no traces of any disease left. Baba please help my brother to settle well. Help him in all the visa formalities. Please see that all the visa procedure especially the medical will go perfectly without any hassle by your grace. Baba, I am praying with a pure heart. Please save him Baba. I beg you Baba. Please protect him under your umbrella. Baba, please ensure that no other disease would ever enter their threshold. Baba please ensure this devotee of yours by taking utmost care of my brother and his family.

Ramana
Jai Sai Ram. My sister just underwent heart bypass operation. She had some complications after the operation. May almighty Sai bless her for fast recovery.

A Kapoor
We have been married for almost a decade and haven't been yet blessed with children. I used to be a very religious person and would pray to all gods, as I do not distinguish between gods/religions. To me, all gods are actually one almighty. Last year, I had 2 miscarriages with reasons unknown. With every such incident, my ability to pray & my faith is being diminished. I think, I am angry and hurt so unable to pray. My husband & I love kids. Unable to understand why this is happening to us. My relative introduced us to Sai Baba, I promised Sai Baba that if he blessed us with a child of our own, I would become his devotee. But nothing seems to work our way. I am very depressed and hurt that I am unable to give my husband that happiness. :- I need direction & guidance. Can you please pray for us?

A devotee
Dear Baba, Please help me to concentrate and study well and help me to get good grades in all my exams. Please Baba, I have to get very good grades, otherwise I will be in a very bad shape. Dear devotees, please spare a moment for me and pray to our lord Sai to bless me with concentration and motivation to study well and come out in flying colors in my exams. Please Baba, help me like how you helped a devotee who was appearing for a law exam. Dear Lord, I trust in your holy feet. Thank you Baba and all the devotees for sparing a moment in prayer for my cause.

Sandeep Khamesra
Baba, please help my sweet sister. She has been struggling for a long time. Help her in having a baby. She has visited you in Shirdi. Why are you giving her so much pain? Baba, please help her having a baby. I would do anything you want for that help.

A Devotee
I am a Sai devotee. I have quite a few financial commitments and loans. I have returned from gulf and was slated to go back. But has not been able to go back. By Sai's grace I have a job in India but am finding it very difficult to arrange for the resources to pay off my liabilities. Further my family members do not believe in Sai and I don't get much support from them. Also my wife does not like my mother I am living away from my mother. I have been sincerely praying to Sri Sai to show me some ways to settle all my liabilities and also guide my wife and my mother so that all of us can stay together. Sri Sai has been guiding me in many of the aspects in my life but I feel he is testing me very intensely. I pray Sai to forgive me for all my mistakes and help me. Some times I feel like ending my life. Whenever I feel depressed Sai has been giving some messages but I am not able to understand or comprehend them fully. I sincerely pray to show me a way to settle my financial liabilities.
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Quotation of the Week
Humility, simplicity are not weakness, they are the biggest strength one can possess in the path of spiritual development. Let us remember this.-Guru ji Shri C.B. Satpathy ji
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Question of the Week

Q.What is Baba's dictum in performing rituals?
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Sai Activities

Akanda Sainaama Japa, Panaji and Phonda, Goa, India
Akanda Sai nama is proposed to be conducted at Shirdi Sai Mandir of Panaji and Phonda (Goa) on 19th December with the blessings of lord Sainath and pujya Sivanesan Swamiji. All are welcome to receive Baba's blessings. Reported by D.Sankaraiah, Hyderabad.

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Moorthy Prathistapana in Dubai
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Moorthy Prathistapana programe will be on December 19th 2002 in Dubai. Location for this programme is at Sindhi Ceremonial Hall second floor and programme starts form 8.00 am to 10.00 pm.

Shirdi Sai Satsang on New Year's Eve, Minneapolis, MN
Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Twin Cities, Minnesota invites all for the Satsang on New Year's Eve from 7.00 PM until Midnight. The program will include Sai aarthis, showing of the movie Manoj Kumar's "Shirdi ke Saibaba", and Sai naam jap. For details, please contact hamaresai@yahoo.com. Or call Sangeeta (651-481-6782), Kiran (952-233-1819), Ravi (651-342-0600) Bhuva (651-681-2042) or Sathya (651-739-2105).

Sai Satsang, Houston, TX
Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, Houston, Texas, USA cordially invites you for Thursday satsang at the following location: 5645 Hillcroft, Suite # 304, Houston, TX 77036, between 6.30pm to 8.30pm. For more information please call 713-789-7486 or contact Syamasundar at 713-383-6501.

Shirdi Sai Baba Chitra Yatra And Weekly Satsang, Canada
Shri Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of Canada, Toronto cordially invites you all to for Thursday satsang at the following 2 locations: Durga temple., 2691 Markham Rd. Scarborough, ph: 416 754 2983 and Shri Vithal Hindu Mandir., 5359 Timber Lea Blvd. Mississauga, ph: 905 238 0946. between 6:15pm to 7:15pm.

We invite all devotees in Canada to join us in celebrating "Shri Ramnavami festival 2003 in Toronto. Devotees joining from outside Toronto looking for accommodation please register by 25th of February - devotees interested in volunteering or those interested in offering bhajans to Baba pls call Shammi Chopra 416 402 8089 from 7 to 9am or after 9pm in the evening.

Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra in UK
Devotees may participate in Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra currently underway in UK. To invite Baba to your home and for further details please contact Manu Bajaj at bajaj_manu@yahoo.com or call at +44 7905 933 489 in Wembley, UK

Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 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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