Is there a way to quantify faith? What constitutes a successful dose of patience? Some endure severest of hardships for several years, yet call themselves very fortunate. Some seem to have a short stint with time and profess to have waited patiently! Wisdom, whether through Bhakthi or Jnana should impart the ability to truly discriminate between things of transient nature and permanent. Spirituality may not be about quantifiable material gains and losses that one accomplishes, even with the help of Sadguru. It may also not be about the benefits that are only perishable. On the other hand, it may be about a total personal transformation that should take place every minute, while at sleep or awake. The effort has to come from within oneself and the external factors may be the means to accomplish them.

Baba said out of love for His devotees - "What (whether good or bad) is ours is with us, and what is another's is with him." - Ch. XLV, Shri Sai Satcharita. Even the simplest expressions of Baba have the message of greatest importance. A moment of contemplation on such comments might have the most profound effects on what we perceive as pain or pleasure. By the above statement, Sadguru Sainath has endorsed the thought that our actions precede our fruits, the consequences. He also several times advised that one have to endure the consequences of his past Karma. Devotees also have seen how Sainath, the destroyer of karma, comes to their rescue if the faith is earnest and the patience is complete. The patience is complete if the faith is earnest. He is the helmsman and His boundless coffers are open.
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Contributed Article: Bhaja Govindam

Contributed by Paritala Gopi Krishna, New Delhi, India

The basic purpose of human existence is to realize the Self. Soul is considered as the representative of God in the human body, which is made of Pancha Tanmatras, i.e., Sabda, Sparsa, Rupa, Rasa and Gandha. These Pancha Tanmatras are represented in our body by Pancha Jnanedriyas, i.e., Eyes, Ears, Nose, Tongue and Skin. If these gross aspects are properly used for the service of others with Nishkama Bhavana and for spiritual advancement, then one can overcome the innate sense-habits of body-identification and develop intuitive perception and discrimination. Discrimination is distorted by the limitations of sense impressions. The only way out of being entrapped in this quagmire or quicksand is to raise oneself above the body-consciousness. There are several ways for it. Of them, the most important are Bhakti, Jnana and Karma Yogas. Yoga means to unite; to unite with God by following one of the three paths suited to one's temperament and taste. Bhaja Govindam, a composition of Jagatguru Sri Adi Sankaracharya, shows the way to achieve this.

It is to the credit of India that it has produced Sri Adi Sankaracharya the great scholar, philosopher, a devotee, a mystic, a poet and a religious reformer. Although He was born twelve hundred years ago, His spiritual genius is still green even to this day. It is considered that God incarnated Himself as the teacher of mankind, assuming the name Sri Sankara, in order to relieve the world, when the earth was tormented by the weight of demoniac beliefs and rituals of the religion prevailing then and to arrest the religious decadence, disharmony, and discord mounting up among the various sects of the Hindus.

As darkness cannot stay in the face of rising Sun, atheism or perversity could not stay before the bright face lit up with the divine genius of Sri Sankaracharya. Like the stars that fade at dawn, the waywardness of the then religious preachers disappeared from the Indian scene at the dawn of Sri Sankaracharya. The light of wisdom spread in all the four directions. The kingdom of peace was again established in Bhartavarsha. Sri Sankaracharya, the master of the Sruti, again unfolded the Vedic truth carefully to those who were fit to receive it. The banner of Sanatana-dharma was unfurled everywhere from the Himalayas to the Cape Cameron. The gods and the manes were again delighted with the Mantras 'svaha' and 'svadha'. The Rishis -- the very embodiments of wisdom -- who were slumbering for long, were again roused up by the sacred chanting of the Upanishds. And the joy of Mother India knew no bounds. Sri Sankaracharya brought about a moral, religious and spiritual harmony, integration, renaissance and awakening in the Hindu religion and society. The impact of His teachings is so strong and deep that the roots of His Advaita Vedanta or philosophy have firmly established as long as human race exists. Bhaja Govindam is known as "Prakarana Grantham", or introduction to spiritual studies or initiation.

There is a small but popular story, which describes the circumstances in which this great poem burst forth from the lips of Sri Sankaracharya. Once in Banaras (Kasi), as Sri Sankaracharya along with his disciples was going to the Ganges for taking bath, He overheard a very old Pundit cramming Panini's grammar rules. Sri Sankaracharya was touched and moved with pity at the ignorance of the old Pundit, who was wasting away the most precious time at that age for a mere intellectual accomplishment instead of enlightenment and for release from the bondage of Samsara. Of course, it is the same state of affairs with almost every one of us today.

We all waste and while away our lives in material pursuits, earthly attachments, relegating God to one of the objects that we require for our physical comfort and convenience. We think God can also be bought like television, refrigerator, car, house, social status, etc. As we aspire for material objects so also God, and the attachment for Samsarik pleasures over-weigh our desire to have God realisation. So, ultimately God becomes one of the material objects to be acquired. But, we forget the truth due to our ignorance that if we succeed in realizing God, acquisition of all other material objects will turn out to be so simple. God is the only goal to be achieved to get release from the bondage of Samsara. Sri Sankaracharya, out of compassion for man's plight and folly, bursts forth into these Bhaja Govinda stanzas. He preaches man to spend his time in contemplation of the Lord rather than wasting away life in futile pursuits of acquiring mundane pleasures and groveling in the mire of earthly attachments, forgetting what is the purpose and goal of Human Birth.

Sri Sankaracharya attacks Moha at its roots through this composition, which was initially known as Moha Mudgara, but later on popularized as Bhaja Govindam, so as to dispel illusions and delusions and show where the remedy lies for the misery. In 31 simple, sweet and lucid Slokas, giving easy and homely analogies and illustrations for easy understanding, Sri Sankaracharya dissects the human psyche by explaining the fallacy and futility of the human life, if one does not take shelter under Dharma or Truth or God. It contains fundamentals of Vedanta, which are taught in simple and musical verses so that, even from childhood one can grow up amidst the melody of Advaita. With each sloka, He removes the veils of ignorance, dispels Maya, explains the reasons for illusion and delusion and prescribes remedy for the misery.

He exhorts each one of us through these slokas to develop discerning and discriminating faculty, which is dormant in us, due to our complete surrender to Moha and worldly attractions, in order to distinguish between the permanent and the transitory, the real and the unreal and to practice dispassion (or Vairagya). All this is possible only by cultivating devotion for realizing Govinda, the abiding Truth and making a concerted effort to be released from the bondage of this phenomenal existence.

Govinda means the One who could be known through Vedas. Go or Gobhih means (Vedic) words, statements or declarations of Upanishads. It has various other meanings such as sky, earth, voice, senses and so on. Govinda leads us from darkness to light, ignorance to knowledge and despair to aspiration. Bhaja Govindam means always sing the glory of the Lord, who is the knower of Jivatman or the destiny of beings. The Knowing One never goes wrong in handling things and events.

Bhaja Govindam Stotram is a bouquet of 31 Stanza-freshly bloomed flowers. It is full of nectar for the students who are capable of entering the bottom of Vedanta. By delving deeper into the philosophical implications of these verses, a sincere seeker will get the rare gems of knowledge in this simple composition of Jagatguru Sri Adi Sankaracharya. While reciting, it sounds like a prayer or devotional song rather than a group of few Sanskrit slokas and expounds the art of realization with a deeper diagnosis for human unhappiness.
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Experiences of Devotees

Shefali
I have experienced Sai Baba's presence in my life many times. I am dependent upon my Baba. I never put a step forward without thinking about Baba. This recent experience in my life has again proved that we are not alone; somebody surely watches us and protects us. Well, through this experience I would like to convey my message to all of the people who are waiting for Baba to show some miracle in their lives. I would like to say that one must trust Baba completely and never lose hope.

Last week there was a massive fire in my husband's apartment, the whole unit fell off except two bedrooms, one was my husband's and one was of his roommate. Both the rooms had mandir in it. We have become an anchor in Sai Yatra, so we set up a small mandir of Baba in our room. I moved to Canada, so my husband was taking care of that mandir. The bedroom was untouched by fire. I was amazed to see the condition of the building and two rooms standing amidst of all. We recovered ninety percent of our stuff. There was black smoke all over the place but our mandir was clean. Well, someone might give technical reason behind the standing of these two rooms, but I would always believe it as a miracle, Baba protected us as we leave everything upon him.

To conclude my story I would just like say that we must have complete faith in Baba and leave our problems up to Him, we must do our duties and rest is upon Him to take care of us.

A Sai devotee
I am a happy child of Baba writing this today. I cannot believe this has happened immediately after I posted an article praying to Baba to grant me a job, in SaiVichaar. Sai, please forgive me for all the times when I was angry with You, when I cried blaming You for my troubles which were actually a result of my karma. But Baba, today I am a happy girl and I owe it to You, You and only You. Last year, the whole of 2002 was a terrible one for me, with downs in all phases of life. But 2003 has begun with a happy note. I got a job on the 1st day of this year, but somehow I was not happy with it .Any how, I decided to take it up thinking, its Your wish. But I am sure You sensed my unhappiness and You have given me another job in a very great company even before I could join this previous one. Baba I am required to join day after tomorrow, i.e. Thursday and I am so happy I will be joining on Your day. Please Sai, give me the strength to fulfill all my responsibilities at work whole-heartedly and sincerely. Please give me the capacity to understand and work efficiently. I am ever thankful to You, SaiBaba.Yet another time, You have helped me and I don't know how to thank You enough. Definitely, I will try my best to live up to all Your teachings, a least service I can offer at Your feet. I thank You so much. I pray for all the Sai Devotees who are passing through a rough phase in life and want to tell them that please take my example. I have suffered for 4 years before I could get a good break in my career and then just after 2 years of a fruitful career, I was out of job again for almost a year. During this period, many people asked me , where my Baba was and why He was letting me suffer. I am ashamed to say that, many times, I too posed this question to Baba. But then, true to His words, Baba did help me. He is not far away from our cries. It is only that there is a time for everything to happen and all of us will be happy. Please don't give up on Baba.
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Devotees say...

Sarabjeet
I went to Shirdi on the 25th of Dec.2002 along with a group of 60 other devotees from Sai Mandir, Ambala. I have been visiting Shirdi for Sri Sai's darshan for almost 20 years now. Every time I went there, I felt close to HIM! But the experience this time has surpassed all others. I had taken great pains to get a chaddar made for Sri Sai. I carried this chaddar to the Samadhi Mandir when I went for HIS darshan on the 25th. Remember, 25th was Christmas day and there was an endless stream of devotees thronging the temple. There were many others before me who were carrying chaddars for Sri Sai. The pujaris were busy with managing the crowds. They would take the chadars from the devotees, touch them to the Samadhi, and then return them to the devotees. I looked up to HIM and pleaded.."Baba, please accept my offering...I have taken great pains in preparing this chaddar for You. please accept it!" Lo and behold! the pujari took the chaddar from me and went right upto Baba's statue and put it around His divine shoulders for a couple of minutes...I was dumbfounded...tears would not stop streaming down my cheeks..never before, I repeat, never before have I got such instant response for my prayers...I could feel Baba smiling down at me.....I could feel His warmth and gentle care....I just cannot explain what I felt then!! Could anyone explain me this phenomenon...I am still so very mesmerized and dumbfounded....please, would somebody please talk to me about this.....

Smita Prasad
I thank Baba for having helped me in attaining a response in regards to my question about performing a bhajan. It is His Leela that though I have been trying to get some help in this regard for sometime now, I could not till Mr.Ram wrote.

I was in Shirdi recently, and it was His will that I be there. I was planning on this bhajans, and invoked His Grace and blessings for the same. I was leaving the next morning for Mumbai from where I fly out to the US. I badly wanted Udi packets so that I could distribute it in Florida if I get to do Bhajan. It was difficult to attain 40 packets. With no time to spare, I went to the Mandhir's office and I was directed by the guard on duty to another office; as it happened, the officer to help me was not available at that time. I went back to the office, and pleaded with the guard on duty to allow me into the office. He did not, but asked me to talk to someone in the office from a locked gate, I did. I explained why I wished to have so much Udi, and in my heart, I thought that if I get Udi I would be able to perform some form of devotion to Baba. The priest in there, gave permission and I got a big packet of Udi. The Priest said that the Udi would suffice for at least a hundred people and just not 40. I was happy and my joy knew no bounds. I thanked Baba, and knew that I would be able to perform some kind of pooja or Bhajans when I go back to Florida.

The next day, I had a very wonderful experience during Kakad aarthi. I was happy to see Baba's figure, and for some reason my eyes filled with tears, tears of happiness. It was a state I cannot put in words, I never felt that kind of Bliss. It was just wonderful. I went to Baba with many prayers, for myself, for my family and friends. And Baba has blessed me with His Grace. That evening, I checked the newsletter from Mumbai airport, and my joy knew no bounds when I saw a response from Mr. Ram in regards to my apprehensions of conducting Bhajans.

Chandrasekhar Anchala
Yesterday night I finished "Sai parayan" and slept. Today, I had a Peculiar dream early in the morning. The dream content is as follows. "I went to a grocery store along with my wife. When we went to the counter to pay for the groceries, which we bought, the counter fellow asked for cash. I told him that I do not have cash and asked him to wait .Then, I decided to go to a nearby bank to draw the cash asking my wife to stay at the shop . I took my jeep and started driving to go to bank. But I did not go to bank, rather I drove to a place where Sai bhajans were going on. I participated in bhajans until the end. Once the bhajans were over, I looked up onto the sky and was surprised to see a planet so near surrounded by rings. It was so clear that I was telling others to see and giving them direction where to look. Then when I was thinking of showing the planet to my children and wife ,I suddenly realized that I left my wife at the shop two hours back. I was a little bit in panic when I realized that I left my wife alone and started thinking where she would be now and whether she reached home or not. Somebody at the bhajans told me not to worry as my wife safely reached home. That was the dream I had. I need somebody to help me what it means?.

A Kapoor
Thanks to all who answered my plight. I will control my emotions to hold peace at heart and to offer unconditional devotion to Baba. Thanks for your guidance. Mr/Ms Tayal, you mentioned Mount Sinai, where is it located ? I am based in New Delhi and appreciate if you could offer me some guidance here.

A Sai Devotee, Mumbai, India
I have been a regular reader of Sai Vichaar. I actually wait for Thursday to arrive when I can read the same. We all look at Sri SAI at a source of help and guide in our lives. Yes, there is a time in all our lives when we need some one like HIM on whom we can lean and share. In fact there is a time when one has to have some one with whom one can share all in one's life. My entire family is an ardent devotee of BABA. In fact all of us in my family strongly feel that our very existence today and what we are, is only because of BABA. If we thank him for the same in words it would not be correct. We would be reducing the effect of his generosity and his divine blessings if we do that. We only feel lucky that his "Chatra Chayya" is on our family. I share all my good and bad with BABA. I talk to Him; some times even fight with HIM. We have completely surrendered to BABA and what ever he feels good for us is acceptable to us. We do not bother for the results and accept all that he given to us by HIM. We are 200% sure that HE will only do what is good for his devotees.

Mala
Some time back in one of the newsletters I read that, there is a Sai Organization in Malaysia. And we can conduct Annadanam to an 'Anath Ashram' children, by donating. If any Sai devotee know about this matter please give me more details.
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Prayer Club

Ananthashayanam
I am having some financial problems Baba please solve the problems. I am begging You. I am at your feet Baba. Please save me from the clutches of the financial problems, Baba. Please Baba give good health to my wife and good health and good education to my son and good health to all my family members. Om Sai Ram.

Prakash
I am a devotee of Sai Baba. Last year I was jobless and with the help of Baba I have opened a small shop in Dubai. All of a sudden I got a Job in Abu Dhabi. I was in dilemma, which one I will choose, choose the Job or to run the shop. To run the shop my capital was very less, and according to my friends advice I have joined for the Job. The Job was in Abu Dhabi and every Thursday I use to go to Dubai to look after the shop. In the shop I have appointed a guy. Unfortunately he was not sincere and the things become from bad to worst, and I am forced to close the shop. Because of Sai's grace I stuck to the job. due to closing the shop I have become a debtor to many people. Now I am paying from my salary to all the people whom I have taken the loan. I request to all the devotees to pray to Baba to finish my loan and to save me from all the financial problems.

Praveena
I really don't know if you hear my prayers. I am going through hard times in my life with problems with my husband. Our main problem is money, if we have money, then we are happy. So why not let me have a better job so that I can do better things or just let me have a good job please. Will I ever have a house? Will I ever have lots of money to make my family happy, make this year a good one for me. I hope all my prayers are answerd.

A Sai devotee
Sainath I got married lat year and since April 2002 my husband is unemployed. He is very depressed. We have to live separately because he doesn't have a job . I work in Virginia and he lives in New York. It is very hard for me. Please Sainath help him to get a job. I know you are always with us. Please be with us and protect my family. Sainath my family and me need your blessings. Baba bless us. Om Sai Ram.

A Devotee
Dear Sai, Why did you do this to us? Why are we suffering every minute like this? Every second we feel tense. I have been praying for three years and why did not you still solve this problem. Also whenever I read Sai Sacharita, we feel tenser. Please don't make us become afraid of reading the Sai Sacharita. Baba help us Help us.
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Quotation of the Week
"Baba taught by His Udi that all the visible phenomena in the universe are as transient as the ash. Our bodies composed of wood or matter of the five elements, will fall down, after all their enjoyments are over, and be reduced to ashes. In order to remind the devotees of the fact that their bodies will be reduced to ashes, Baba distributed Udi to them. Baba also taught by the Udi that the Brahman is the only Reality and the universe is ephemeral and that no one in this world, be he a son, father or wife, is really ours".-Shri Sai Satcharita
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Question of the Week

Q.The leaves of neem tree under which Baba used to sit has lost their bitterness and tastes sweet. Is that authentic information?"
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Sai Activities

Get your free copy of "Shri Sai Baba Diary 2003" from Shirdi.
Saibaba.org brings you "Shri Sai Baba Diary 2003", published by Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi for your personal use free of charge. Please visit www.saibaba.org and follow the link to Shri Sai Baba Diary 2003 page to request your copy. Limited copies are available on first come first serve basis, hence please do not delay to request your copy. This service is available only to residents of the contiental United States. Devotees from elsewhere may contact the Sansthan office at Shirdi. For more information contact us by email at "maildrop@saibaba.org".

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 Prayer Center, Twin Cities, MN
By the grace and blessings of Sadguru Sainath Maharaj, Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center has started for the benefit of Sai devotees in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas of Minnesota at 725-139 NE Lake Street, Hopkins, MN. The program will include Sai Bhajans, Kirthans and Sai Naama 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)

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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