The other day my first grader son walked in from school with the weekly newsletter from his class. On the note, a kid's name was displayed as "Star of the Week". I was curious about the title and asked him why was that he (my son) did not get the title. He said he did not know. I asked him to enquire about it with the teacher as to what should he do to get the title.

I kept thinking about the above incident as my curiosity arose, I knew there was a message from Baba through this incident. After a few days, I asked my son,

"Did you ask your teacher?"
"Yes", he said.
"What did you ask"?
"I asked her what I should do to become start of the week", he replied.
"What did she say?" I asked getting very curious as to what Baba's direction here was.
"She said, "You have to do nothing. I will select". He replied.

Experiences of Sai in whatever form it is manifested within or outside makes one happy. As days of complete bliss goes by without any trace, the days of grumpiness sets in as if He had kicked me out into open without any cover. Each day is a naked crawl on a hot desert under blazing sun. Crawl is what I do as His shade runs away and away from me. As the suffering is intense, clueless to me, He comes right over on to me with the Himalayan protection from the blazing sun! No logic explains the process, but submission does. Willful submission with love and devotion not slavery I might add! When He keeps me happy, let me be happy! When he keeps me grumpy, let me be grumpy! I have to do nothing. He will select.
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Contributed Article: Bhaja Govindam

Contributed by Paritala Gopi Krishna, New Delhi, India

Bhajagovindam Bhajagovindam
Govindam Bhaja Moodhamathe
Samprapte Sannihite Kaale
Nahi Nahi Rakshati Dukrinkarane

Meaning:
Bhaja - Seek, Govinda - The Lord Govinda, Moodhamathe - O Fool, O Ignoramus, Samprapte - (When) comes, Sannihite - appointed, Kaale - Time, Nahi - Surely never, Rakshati - Saves, Dukrinkarane - Grammar rule.

Substance:
Seek or Worship Govinda, Seek Govinda, Seek Govinda, O Fool or ignoramus. When the death comes at the appointed time, grammar rules will not save or rescue you.

Commentary:
By repeating the words "Bhaga Govindam" thrice in the very first two lines of the first sloka itself, Jagatguru Sri Adi Sankaracharya is trying to bring home the point that human being has no other escape except immersing oneself in the thoughts of Lord, and praying with utmost sincerity, reciting the Divine Namas of the Lord rather than getting engrossed in anxieties to possess wealth or acquire social status or achievements. Here the rules of grammar mean all secular knowledge and earthly acquisitions or possessions. The one who runs after materialistic gains is Moodhamathi.

The purport of these words is that any amount of knowledge cannot save the soul when death knocks at the door of this limited body. At that time, one has to leave behind one's material benefits and social status. These acquisitions will not help one gain the knowledge of the Soul, which is permanent, when the impermanent body withers, it turns out to be a dead-wood.

It does not mean that one should shun away the pursuit of living for knowledge, but, at the same time, one should understand its limited capacity, and one should seriously try to acquire that knowledge which alone can save a person from the slavery of imperfections. We should remember the truth that it is a manifested world and it is impermanent. Other than God or Soul, everything else is temporary. Death will snatch away the existence of the body and the manifested world. What is the use of all the acquisitions and knowledge then? So, while living in this secular world, or materialistic world, one should endeavor to understand and master the secret of purposeful life. One should identify oneself with the Lord, who can only give solace to the parched materialistic lives. One should progress spiritually after each death, instead of getting deeper and deeper into mundane pleasures. It is rather sad that quite a few of us are of the opinion that spirituality is for those who retired from employment or aged people. The intellect, which has not been trained to remember God until one attains sixty years, will never resort to spirituality after that. Even if it does, for argument sake, what is guarantee that the cruel hands of death will not embrace one before that? So, one should understand the fallacy of this argument and train the mind from the childhood itself to start practicing recitation of the Lord's name with every breath that one inhales and exhales, otherwise it is just impossible to remember God's name at the time of death. It is, therefore, imperative that one should keep repeating the Divine Names of Lord at every possible moment.( continued below.....)

Bhaja does not mean monotonous and routine ritual with mechanical chanting of some selected Namas or Mantras. It is rather much deeper than that. The true Bhajan of Lord is to offer True Seva or Service to Lord with Love and devotion and in that sense, every human being is a Lord. Bhagavan is Bhava Graahi. He is not enamored or attracted by the pomp and show of the devotee. He looks deep into the heart of the devotee to see how much sincere one is while worshiping Him or serving the needy, treating them as the God Himself (i.e., Manava sevahi Madhava seva).

There are nine types of Service to be offered at the feet of Lord. A devotee can adopt any one, according to one's choice and temperament. They are (1) Sravanam (listening to the stories or glory of Lord), (2) Keertanam (Singing the glory of the Lord), (3) Smaranam (Constantly thinking about the nature and beauty, divine qualities and characteristics of the Lord, (4) Paadasevaram (Adorning the sacred feet of Lord in a spirit of self-obliteration), (5) Archanam (Worshiping the Lord with rituals, mantras and with self-less love), (6) Vandanam (Salute or to pay obeisance to the Lord), (7) Dassyam (Serving the Lord), (8) Sakhyam (Invoking an affectionate friendship with Lord, and (9) Aatmanivedanam (To offer oneself with complete dedication or total surrender to the Lord as a humble gift at His altar). Every devotee has the liberty to choose a path that is convenient and appealing to one to realize the God.

In all the above modes of worship, the spirit of Bhaja is visible. With this bhava, the devotee has to worship the Govinda, who is the knower of each atom of this universe. He is the very essence of all animate and inanimate beings in this universe. So, Govinda is the Atman, Govinda is the Brahman, Govinda is the Highest Reality and the very Essence of this Universe. Each devotee should seek one's identity with that Spirit, Force, Reality, Truth and Supreme Braman or God, instead of wasting one's time in materialistic pursuits of secular knowledge for worldly possessions, name and fame.
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Experiences of Devotees

Sarabjeet
On every visit to Shirdi, I feel closer n closer to Baba. Every time it is a new and better experience. Baba's darshan is so enchanting and mesmerizing. Every time my reaction on seeing Baba is different and beyond description. I was in Shirdi for Christmas last month. The moment I saw Baba before me, tears began rolling down my eyes. I just could not control my emotions. I seemed to be in a trance! Baba has such captivating effect on His loved ones! However, I would like to put before you my personal feelings and experience of the last time that I was there. The whole of Wednesday night I waited in the queue to be able to go into the Samadhi Mandir for Baba's Kankad Aarti. I was heart broken when I was ushered into the temple on Thursday morning. I was among the first five people who had waited the whole night. And in spite of this, I was made to sit in the third hall i.e. the Abhishek hall. The two halls ahead were "ALREADY" full with people. These people, I was told, had got inside the temple in the morning, just minutes before the Kaka Aarti began, ON A VIP PASS! Oh God Almighty what VIP's? For a moment, I was disheartened and quite bitter. What was the need for me to wait the whole night if people could gain entry into the sanctum sanctorum through VIP passes? This was but a fleeting thought that crossed my mind that moment. Anyway, to them their own! Their presence in front of me made no difference to my chemistry with HIM. HE was and is always in my heart. I do not need to be physically close to HIM to be able to communicate with HIM. We all have experienced the closeness of Baba. He has very truly said. "Mujhe sada jivit hi hano, anubhav karo satya pehchano." I ask you, dear readers, what is your reaction to an incident like this. Does it equally pain your heart to be in a situation like this? My aim of putting this question to you is just out of inquisitiveness. I do not want to kindle any controversy. I have always found Sai Vichar to be a beautiful platform for discussing our sentiments, questions and feelings that we have with respect to our astha in Sri Sai. It is indeed a pillar of strength. Every Thursday I look forward to a new edition of Sai Vichar! May Sri Sai bless this Herculean and humanitarian effort! May it grow day by day! Sri Sai.

J. Naidu
I am experiencing some difficulties in my family life. I have always prayed to Baba but now with a greater intensity as there are distinctive needs. About a week ago I was afraid and decided to take Baba's Murthi a pretty 8 inch silver model to my bed and as I talked to him before I Fell off to sleep. This behavior might sound strange so I ensure no one is in my room. I am so thrilled to report that each night I have been dreaming of Baba and other deities in various forms. Last night I was awestruck around 2am I dreamed of a beautiful blue form of Lord Krishna when he was a baby. He was talking. Wish I remembered what he said. The blue body with red lips and feather are unforgettable I also saw the most beautiful lotus feet of Ma Durga as she presented them for my namaskars. There was much flurry and activity at the altar and I felt truly in the presence of God. I pray that Baba will stay with me forever and continue to reveal Himself to us.
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Devotees say...

Sailaja Sridhar
My Husband and I are devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba and we would like to know if there are any bhajans or activities conducted in Orange county area.

Madhu, Cincinnati, OH
Dear Sai Devotees, as a part of SaiChitra Yatra, Baba's Picture is now in our house and all Sai devotees in and around Cincinnati are invited to visit our house and have Darshan of Baba. Please call me or my wife Aruna at 513 398 3967 for directions.

Smita Prasad, Florida, USA
With Baba's Grace, guidance and blessings, I am having a day of Paarayan and Puja at my home on 18 January 2003. The tentative schedule of this event is put up at http://www.geocities.com/smitaprasad/ShirdiSaiBaba.html . I request the presence of each one of you to join hands with me in devotion to Baba. Do let all your friends and family know about this event and they are all invited. Address: 470 NW 20th St, Apt 214C Boca Raton, FL-33431 Email: smitaprasad@yahoo.com

Ravichandran
A friend of ours gave the Sai Satcharita book in the month of Oct 2000 and asked us to read the book in one week. At that time, we were going through some financial trouble. My wife read it and found no result. Therefore, she hastily returned the book to our friend. Within a week, my wife found a job of her choice and began working for a good supervisor. She has been working there since and her supervisor is very helpful.

Last year with the Sai chitra yatra, we were happy to invite Sai Baba to our house from Charlotte, our neighboring city. Our sincere thanks to Kashyap family in Charlotte for letting us take the Sai picture. Soon after that my wife became pregnant and with His grace we had a baby girl in December 2002; so we named her Sai Mathangi. Many devotees expressed their desire to be blessed by Sai with a child. We are aware of a reproductive endocrinologist from India near our place. Please feel free to contact us by email: mravichandran@hotmail.com. We will share the doctor's phone after getting permission from the doctor. We are in Columbia, South Carolina, USA.

Mohanambal
Sai Ram! I was employed in a local bank for the past twenty years. Sometime in August 2002, I was terminated from my job by my employer due to some errors caused by me even though there was no financial loss to the bank or any financial gain for me. Since then, I have not been able to secure a decent job. BABA, I am honestly and sincerely sorry for the errors I did up to now. These errors were not in any intentional, just human errors. Furthermore, this is the first time such an incident occurred in my years of service with the bank. I am praying to BABA to guide and be with me and to give me a better job so as I can be a better and worthy human being. My prayers to BABA are to seek forgiveness for all the wrong things I had done in my life. I want to prove to all my family members and to some close friends that I am a worthy person. I can fulfill this only with BABA'S blessings to go through all my problems i.e. my work problem, financial and family problem. OM SAI RAM.
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Prayer Club

Selvan Rajah, Toronto, Canada
I live Toronto, Canada with my wife and three lovely daughters. I am a strong devotee of Baba since 1976. Recently I had a heart attack, and I have to go for a by-pass surgery in Feb 2003. I am very scared. I beg my dear Lord to be with me always. Please pray for us.

Prasanna
Dear Baba, last month I posted the message here. I could not see it, I know it reached you. I am in the same condition, Baba. Please help me to survive in this world. Only You can help me in my life. Please give me solution. Please help me.

Amit, Michigan, USA
I am in distress. I am looking for a job for last few months without any luck. Since everyone needs people with experience and I have no experience in technical field, all my experience is in academics. I had an interview in first week of December in a contract company, which did not go as I expected. They said they do have vacancy but it is for people with technical experience. Baba please help me to secure a job in this company or any other company, please help me Baba.

A Sai devotee
Mere Baba, after reading prayers in Sai Vichaar and people experiencing good result after praying, I thought of sending my prayers also. Mere Baba, nothing is hidden from you; you know everything how my parents are suffering. They are looking for a good match for my sister (who is already 31 yrs of age now and very depressed) and have not found one, without your grace, nothing can be done, please show some mercy. Not only this brothers too does not have any happiness. Please Sai devotees pray for my brothers, sister. My parents and sister has started questioning me so many times that why baba is not listening and where is he. So please baba do the needful, show shower of happiness in their lives too as you have shown to me.
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Quotation of the Week
"I am God. I am Mahalaxmi. I am Vithoba, Ganesha, Dattatreya. I am Narayan."-Saibaba of Shirdi
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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?"

A. by Syamasundar, Houston, TX

Saibaba found seated under the neem tree when Shirdi people saw Him for the first time. Also after His second appearance, before moving to Dwarakamai Baba lived under the sacred tree for a considerable period. In Saisatcharitra, one finds the reference that the branch of the tree under which Baba was seated lost its bitterness and its leaves tasted sweet. Upasanibaba in his hymns of praise (Sadaa nimbavrikshasya mooladhi vaasaath....) to Sai reiterated the same fact.

Now the question is whether it is true that the leaves under which Baba seated turned sweet. For this one finds an elaborate explanation in the book "Sri Saimaster Pravachanamulu" by Paramapujya Aacharya Sri Bharadwaja. The leaves in fact taste neither sweet nor bitter but tasteless. Sweetness symbolizes happiness, comfort and good action (punya karma) whereas bitterness symbolizes the opposite attributes such as unhappiness, discomfort, bad action (papa karma) etc.. The above two are the pair of opposites, which ultimately lead to bondage. That is why Lord Krishna in Gita reiterated that Sthithaprajna (a person with an equanimity of mind) should raise above the pairs of opposites and do nishkaama karma, which never binds the doer of action. That is why Baba made the leaves neither sweet nor bitter but tasteless.

The neem tree symbolizes the universe. To a common man the tree is bitter but to a known ayurvedic medical scholar the tree offers many benefits. Similarly, the universe or the creation is the platform where one evolves for better or for the worse depending upon ones actions. As an example the playground where two teams play the game, remains the same though one team evolves as winner and the other as loser. In Guru Gita, Avadhutha learned from 24 teachers of nature such as the earth, sky, fire, sun, dove, pantheon, ocean etc.... Thus, the creation is a teacher to one, with an open eye and mind.

Baba is seated at the root of the neem tree or at the root of the creation. One who sees and realizes this fact and surrenders to Sai evolves for better, as a winner of the match and he who looks and feels the bitterness of the tree/creation gets lost.

A. by Pranav Agnihotri

Neem leaves though bitter, but later sound sweet as there is no substitute to hard work. One gets true happiness only after suffering. That's when the bitter taste of neem leaf sound sweet.

A. by Prasanna Raja

Yes. Neem leaves taste sweet. Any thing is sweet when you believe Him.
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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".

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
Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of Canada, Toronto, cordially extends to all the best wishes for the New Year hoping with Baba's grace you will leap into 2003 with prosperity health and happiness and 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.

Shirdi Saibaba Temple, Flushing, NY
Shri Shirdi Saibaba Temple, located in Flushing, New York started in a basement in early 90s by a very devoted couple from Hyderabad. The temple was moved to the present premises at 46-16 Robinson Street in 1994. All rituals at the temple are being conducted just as it is observed in Shirdi. Guru Poornima and Dessera festivals are the two biggest events at the temple. Prasad is being distributed after every Arati. Our devotees are increasing steadily and we now feel the urgency to construct a temple at this site to accommodate and fulfill to the aspirations of our devotees. We therefore request you to extend your help. For more details contact us at info@ dwarakamaishirdi.org or Call 718-321-9243.

Shirdi 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, Texas, 77036 between 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Sai Satsangs in Hyderabad, India
Sai Satsangs were conducted on 18 December 2002 at Sri Shirdi Sai Temple, DilsukhNagar, Hyderabad, and on 19 December 2002 at Sri Shirdi Sai Temple, Shivanagar, Secunderabad. On December 24, 2002, the satsang was conducted at Sri Shirdi Sai Mandir, Dr.A.S.Rao Nagar, Hyderabad. Special Sai Poojas were held to mark the anniversary day celebration of installation of Sai's deity. Please visit www.saidarbar.com for more details.

SAI NEWS FROM THE TIME MACHINE -
11th December-1911: WamanRao Patel (Swami Sharananda) first arrived at Shirdi (Aged 22 years)
13th December-1911: Chandrabhan Shet Marwadi, uncle of Khushalchand of Rahata passed away.
16th December-1911: Dr.Capt.Hate first visited Shirdi.
19th December-1911: SaiBaba's Great devotee and a great saint of Nath-panth order, Shri Rama Maruti visited Shirdi.
December 1915: Mrs.Tharkad sent a pedha, which was already offered as Nivedya and that too with Balakram's son Govindji who was in mourning. Yet, Baba swallowed it with great eagerness and Love.
30th December-1915: Construction work of Butty's Wada was in progress.

Satsang in Tokyo, Japan
Om Sairam.I would be grateful if some one gives information of Tokyo based devotees and Satsang place. My telephone no is 090 6040 4903 and mail id venkat_vagga@yahoo.com.

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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