I have most amazing experience in my life that I want to share with you. I am sure most of you would have heard that Canberra - Australia's National Capital was engulfed in fire. I am from Canberra. Last 24 hours have been a nightmare for us. Australia is known for its bushfires but what we saw in the last 24 hours was unheard of in the history of Australia. We live in that part of Canberra where there is plenty of bush and scenery. My house is about 3 minutes drive to my work and there are all mountains behind my work place. For the last 4 days, the area behind the mountains was burning and as it was a reserve, we did not think much of it. We went to work and came home without a thought that we are soon going to be doomed. Yesterday at afternoon 2:00, our whole family went to shops just behind our house. In the shop, we heard about the fire. We rushed out of the mall only to find darkened sky with red globe and ash and embers everywhere. We rushed home and were in a state of panic as were all the people on the road. My kids started crying helpless sensing the danger. We wanted to salvage important papers, passports citizenship certificates, other stuff, and few clothes. We had the radio on full blare and were told that whole of Canberra is declared under state of emergency until further notice. We were upset and were deciding to hose down the fence and roof of the house. Our neighbors told us to evacuate as the fire is sure to reach us as the mountains, the suburb next to ours was ablaze, and the wind was traveling at the speed of 100 KM/hour. We were lost. We could not make up our mind. Then I told my kids to grab their important stuff, fill the bathtub with water, and put damp towels at the doors to keep them occupied and I asked my husband to give me half an hour. I locked myself in a room and read Vishnu sahasranamam. Then in my usual fashion when I am in state of confusion I seek answers from Sai Satcharita.

I begged and implored BABA to guide us and tell us whether to leave the house and go away or stay at home. I closed my eyes, thought of my BABA and opened the book - and BABA the merciful answered me with this -

"This is our Dwarakamayi, where you are sitting. She wards off all dangers and anxieties of the children, who sit on her lap. This Masjidmayi (its presiding Deity) is very merciful, she is the mother of the simple devotees, whom she will save in calamities. Once a person sits on her lap, all his troubles are over. He, who rests in her shade, gets Bliss". Then Baba gave him Udi, and placed His protecting hand on his head. When Balasaheb was about to depart, He again Said- "Do you know the "Lamba Bava" (long gentleman), Viz. serpent?" And then closing the left arm like fist He brought it near the right elbow, and moving His left arm like the hood of a serpent, He Said- "He is so terrible, but what can he do to the children of Dwarakamayi: When the Dwarakamayi (its presiding deity) protects, what can the serpent do?""(chapter 22 - Sai Satcharita).

From this I understood that our house was Dwarakamayi - as we worship BABA in our house and HE is our MASTER. I cried holding this book to my heart. I showed it to my husband my nine and half year old and my five years old son. We were very emotional. We then decided to leave the bags in the car and we started hosing down the house and decided we shall stay put in the house - if we were to evacuate then the emergency department would come and tell us. We were outside watering and preparing for the worst.

WE heard that winds would worsen from noon 6:30, it would be blowing towards our direction carrying balls of fire and that situation was grave. We were constantly looking out. 6:30 came and went earlier we could not see anything more than 10 meters away as it was covered with thick smoke. Instead of getting worse the smoke cleared and by 8:30 there was cool soft breeze. Our suburb, which was on red alert, was not even mentioned as being at risk though we were surrounded by suburbs, which were on alert. Houses gutted and were engulfed in fire when a ball of fire swept over unexpectedly and 400 and more people lost their houses in the western part. There was no power in most of the places. Canberra was in a blackout. Except for few of our houses in our suburb where we lived rest of houses in most affected parts of Canberra were in blackout. At night, we saw the mountains behind my office burn. My friends who were presumably in safe area and offered us to stay with them as we were at high risk, had to evacuate themselves as the flames licked towards their houses. They had no power for 12 hours or more.

We were SAFE. We had electricity. The things we always took for granted - we realized the essence of it. We had water and we were all together. All because I followed what BABA told me through the book, and HE assured that HE would save us. Had we left in panic then we would have been engulfed in fire on the road. By staying at home, we were safe and we did not suffer anything other than mild inconvenience for inhalation of smoke. My husband's office is burned down, his boss called on Sunday morning asking him not to bother going to work until Wednesday. Businesses shut down. There is utter chaos, grief, shock that brought out love, concern, empathy and best of people coming to the rescue of others in need. My nine year old asked me - "Mum BABA hit his stick and brought the fire down, cant he do that now'? I said HE would if we pray.

My kids both sat and prayed. My 9 year old is voracious reader and loves to read AMAR CHITRA KATHA's about Gods, mythology and stories. He read book on Shirdi Sai BABA. I was amazed at his thoughtfulness. We are richer now, richer with new experiences, richer in our faith getting stronger towards the holy feet of BABA. Most important my children learnt that BABA never lies once HE promises. They practically saw what we went through and learned through it. I am grateful for being given this chance to survive and learn from this experience. I am grateful to god for teaching me the value of air that we breath, for the electricity without which the food which I bought in preparation of my little ones birthday party would have gone off in the freezer. We became richer - in compassion and empathy, showing concern for our other friends momentarily forgetting our needs. This is a learning opportunity provided to us by BABA He did this only to show HIS presence in our lives and that HE alone is our caretaker. It is a learning to show our gratitude towards what HE provided to us and to take things for granted. Let us count our blessings in the little things that make our life comfortable.

Let us show compassion. love and concern. Tomorrow we might need it and what we pass around comes back to us. We all have the ability to feel HIS presence all we have to do is open our window of understanding and love. 6. To thank god for the small mercies and there are others who are in graver situation than ours are. Be content with what we have, and not to compare ourselves with others and make ourselves miserable. I beg you all to pray for those victims of fire who lost their homes and loved ones, for all those brave firemen, military and other emergency services working nonstop to control the fire. Let us collectively bow down to BABA for HIS constant vigilance and guidance in our lives. For us there is no other adviser than HIM and we seek HIS blessings.

Contributed by Anitha Kandukuri, Canberra, Australia
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Contributed Article: Bhaja Govindam Sloka 2

Contributed by Paritala Gopi Krishna, New Delhi, India

Moodha Jaheehi Dhanaagamatrishnaam
Kuru Sadbuddhim Manasi Vitrishnaam
Yallabhase Nijakarmopaattam
Vittam Tena Vinodaya Chittam
... Bhaja Govindam ..

Meaning:
Moodha - O fool, Jaheehi - give up, Dhanaagamatrishnaam - the thirst to possess wealth, Kuru - create, Sadbuddhim - thoughts of Reality, Manasi - in (your) mind, Vitrishnaam - devoid of passion, Yat - with whatever, Labhate - you get as a reward of your past actions (Yallabhase), Nijakarma - by your actions, Upaattam - obtained (Nijakarmopaattam), Vittam - the wealth, Tena - with that, Vinodaya - entertain, Chittam - your mind.

Substance:
O Fool, give up your (insatiable) thirst or desire to possess or amass wealth and earthly objects, devote and develop your mind to thoughts of serenity, contentment and Reality, be happy and satisfied with whatever you get as a reward of your past actions and entertain your mind with such noble thoughts.

Commentary:
After attacking the desire of acquiring mere scholarship in the first sloka, Sri Adi Sankaracharya attacks the desire of amassing wealth in this sloka. The extrovert human being goes away not only from Reality but also from himself. He searches for happiness outside himself in possessing or amassing earthly objects, wealth, name, status, fame, etc.While struggling for these mundane pleasures, he loses equipoise due to greed, lust, power, and many such evils.

He completely immerses in samsaara, invites sorrow, and enjoys temporary happiness. He forgets his originality, which is endless peace and selfless love. Every such extrovert is a fool as one is suffering from one's own ignorance, because all the satisfaction that one gets from wealth and worldly objects is temporary. Acquiring wealth is not wrong, but the insatiable desire to keep on acquiring wealth is a sin and one has to give it up sooner than later. There is no need to condemn those objects, which give physical happiness, but one's relationship with them is always limited and transitory. While meditating on Reality, it is easy for one to use one's discriminatory intelligence and enjoy the worldly objects with a passionless mind. The whole problem is with the mind. If mind is withdrawn from the sensory objects and the objects of entertainment, it stops from dissipating itself on mundane pleasures. It will become empty and its infinite power starts working. So, it is very important to cleanse the mind off its lust for objects, greed for possessions, covetousness for wealth, hungry for power, and worry for status in the society and apply the same mind to contemplate on Reality, the Eternal Brahman. One has to live in this world in contentment and satisfaction with whatever one gets as a result of one's past deeds. Desires multiply as long as we keep on satisfying them. With increasing hunger to satisfy desires, one gets deeper and deeper into that quicksand, loses peace of mind, and ultimately ends up in frustration. Wealth can purchase only sense-gratification that too for a limited period but if one wants permanent peace of mind, the only recourse is to contemplate on God. So, all methods we apply to acquire wealth will only lead us to disarray, disintegration, and results finally in degradation, as attachment brings endless worries. True enjoyment stems from true renunciation. The fundamental truth is that one will never get God through greed for wealth.

Contributed Article: Poem

Om Sai ka naam pyare jine ka sahara,
is ke sahare mujhe mila hai kinara.

Om Sai ki dhun hi mujhe jahaan bhi sunayi de,
apna pyara Sai mujhe hansta dikhaye de.
sab bhaktone ko lagta hai pyara,
is ke sahare mujhe mila hai kinara.

Om Sai ka naam pyare jine ka sahara,
is ke sahare mujhe mila hai kinara. Om Sai ke mahamantr mein jaane kitna bal hai,
om Sai ke mahamantr se dhulta maan ka mal hai.
ek baar dhuayega to dhuayega dubara,
is ke sahare mujhe mila hai kinara.

Om Sai ka naam pyare jine ka sahara,
is ke sahare mujhe mila hai kinara.

Om Sai ka jaykara kya se kya ker deta hai,
jo bole usko khusiyon se bhar deta hai,
ek baar bolega to bolega dubara,
is ke sahare mujhe mila hai kinara.

Om Sai ka naam pyre jine ka sahara,
is ke sahare mujhe mila hai kinara.

Hum ne apne satguru se shardha saburi sikha hai,
Sai ko rijhane ka Sai jaap hi tarika hai,
Sai Sai bolega to Sai mil jayega.
is ke sahare mujhe mila hai kinara.

Om Sai ka naam pyre jine ka sahara,
is ke sahare mujhe mila hai kinara.
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Experiences of Devotees

Madhu
Hey Sainath, We are thankful to you for giving us such a wonderful life and your blessing. This is for all Sai Devotees, Baba is there with everyone, just surrender to him and he will be there always. After reading devotees experience and prayers in Sai Vichaar, I thought of sharing my experience with everyone. I remember going to Sai temple in Delhi, I have never tuned back since then my faith in SaiBaba has grown and grown. Many times Baba has helped me directly or indirectly, thank you Baba. Whenever I have doubt, question, or some request I write to Baba and put that in temple.

In 1996, we came to US and I was expecting my first child, Baba helped me twice. First time on September 11' 1996 I was ready to go out for my usual walk and as I stepped down on stairs, I fall down rolling over almost nine stairs and I was eight month pregnant, I started crying thinking that something happened to my baby, my husband immediately took me hospital and and by Baba's grace everything came out normal. Second time (2- Oct- 1996) when I was on delivery table. I was pushing hard to have a normal delivery but when doctor saw me she said that I am totally exhaust and will not be able to push anymore, so she decided to operate. My husband got very upset as we had no help from India, so he requested the doctor for wait for another 10 more minutes, I don't know why she agreed on that and at that time I prayed Sainath (I was holding Baba picture in my hand) and I don't know what happened suddenly I passed out for almost one minute, it was 11:00PM that time, at that time I saw totally white surrounding and SaiBaba is holding me in his both hands and telling me " Why to fear when I'm hear" (I can never ever forget those words). At 11:01PM, my baby came out and I came back to my senses and saw doctor telling my husband Oh it is a boy and everything is normal. I do not remember pushing between 11:00PM to 11:01PM timeframe. I started crying thanking Baba for saving my son and me.

Dr G Gulati, Manchester, UK
I have come abroad for clearing some exams in medicine. However, I made mistakes in the exam, was dejected, and decided to come back to India. Then Baba gave me a vision and I did the Saptaha of the Satcharita and decided to stay abroad until the result. I passed with the grace of Baba. Such is His Love for his devotees - unparalleled. And such is His nature - omnipresent. Bow to Shri Sai Baba - Peace be to All.
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Devotees say...

A Sai devotee
This is in reference to the article written by Sarabjeet who narrated that in spite of standing whole night, he could not get to the main hall, and he felt bad. Sarabjeet remember one thing in your mind that god does not bless person according to the hall in which he is standing but god blesses person according to the devotion with which the devotee is craving for god. There are various people like me who at these moment are in crisis situations in life, who cannot even leave everything and visit Shirdi and cry at Baba's feet. But my Devotion and faith in my god is so strong that I know that he is With me, I can feel him, I speak to him in my dreams. Similarly strike a bond with Baba and be able to communicate with him, probably devotees in the main hall who you Said had come with VIP passes may have much more glaring problems and needed Baba's help more then you needed. One tear in your eye and you go to any temple and you can see Baba consoling you. Just faith and faith is the solution.

S.V.Swamy
Sai Ram. A belated happy new year to you and other Sai Devotees. I felt compelled by Sai to respond to the experience of the devotees posted by Sarabjeet. Firstly I would like to compliment him for his faith in Baba and his feeling of Satvik emotions (like getting tears) when he sees Baba's idol or thinks of him. About his reaction to the VIP Pass system, I offer my sympathies to him since that reaction is human. However, I would like to assure him that his trip to Shirdi and his wait overnight to see Kakada Arathi have not been wasted. I would request him to read Chapters 18 and 19 of Sai Satcharitra, English edition by Sri Gunaji (How Hemadpant was accepted and blessed). I am sure he will get the answers to his feelings.

Kapil, Mumbai, India
Dear Sarabjeet, I remember and am many times reminded of what as friend, Vikram from SaiBaba's Chhatarpur temple, Delhi told me and I have found it coming true all along since then. He told me "if you think about yourself, Baba will no longer think of you because He will feel you take care of yourself. But, if you put others before you and put your own ego behind, Baba will think, here is one person who does not have anyone to think for him, neither he cares for himself. Therefore, Baba will Himself make it a point to look after such a person and think for him on his behalf. And when Baba does that, a person is likely to attain many times more than he could aspire for by thinking for oneself. Therefore, I am reminded of Shri Hemadpant's saying in Shri Sai Satcharitra that Sai Baba is superior to even Kalpataru, the wish fulfilling tree, which gives us, only what we aspire for, but Baba gives us the ultimate, He gives us knowledge of reality. You seem to be a great devotee of Baba for I can't imagine myself taking pains of standing all night in queue for the holy aarti. But, at the same time, spirituality is not a race and let it be free from all aspirations.

Sunitha
Some days before I have attended an interview conducted by TCS Chennai for a software programmer job and I prayed to Baba and wrote my wish to get the job on a piece of paper and kept it in my pooja room But I could not get the job. In addition, it was hard to accept it, however I was feeling in my heart, that how can Baba could not listen to my prayer. On 15th January I attended a telephonic interview conducted by TCS company of Mumbai and today, 16th Jan 2003 I got a call saying that I got thru the interview and I have to attend another round of HR interview. Thanks Baba, today I am very happy for listening to my prayers and please Baba see to that I get a job by passing another round of interview also. Thanks Baba and I really believe you and trust You all the times, Baba I want You to be always with everyone of my family to whom no one are there except You, they really need your blessings Baba. Thanks Baba I want to get this job in TCS, please help me in next interview also, be always with me I want you always, do not go away from me Baba.

N.Narasimha Rao, Hyderabad, India
This is in reply to Sarabjeet's letter in January 16, 2003: Volume 5, Issue 35 of Sai Vichaar. Some years back I also experienced the same pain as you have expressed. But some deep thought with an open and unbiased mind gave me the answer, which is convincing to me. It is like this. The question of VIPs (CMs, PMs, Presidents etc) getting easy Darshan through their clout, of the Lord, be it Lord Venkateswara of Tirupathi or for that matter any Deity of a big Temple should never worry the True Devotee. It is to be understood that it is their good fortune, may be due to their past good karma that they were able to get nearer to the Lord. Our greatness lies in accepting this fact without any pain in the heart and remorse towards anybody. Fix the Lord firmly in your heart and that makes the difference. At the abode of Lord Venkateswara i.e Tirupathi, people wait for hours together in serpentine queues to get a glimpse of the Lord. At the same time, VIPs continue with their easy Darshans! So, the bottom line is as long as God is in your loving heart, you will not worry about anything.

Sai Devotee
This is in reply for the message posted by Amit, Michigan, USA. After reading your prayer, I just had to let you know that do not think that you are the only one out there with this problem. I personally am going through the exact same job trouble with in the same field. Well what I am trying to say is that there are many other people who are facing the same problem due to the economy. Don't be so hard on yourself (I know its easier Said to be done) But hang in there and as I am told by a very caring friend of mine, do not lose faith and hope cause without that you can't go on.

Sameer Choudhary
I took my civil service exam last Saturday. I had studied for it but, what appeared on the exam was (20 questions out of 60) different. If I do not make it, I do not have a job. Why is it that I pray to Malik when I need something like, passing the exam? I consider this very low to ask Sai for his help when I truly need help. Can you please tell me how I can be a good disciple or bhakt?

Harish, Singapore
I would like to know is there any prayer club in Singapore organized by Baba's bhaktas. I can be reached via e-mail inform_harish@yahoo.com . Even otherwise, if anyone is interested, do drop mail to me if you are interested to join in one if we organize.

Sheeja
Dear Sai Devotees, A new website WWW.VENGUSASAI.ORG has been introduced by Sai devotees of Coimbatore, TamilNadu, India. Requesting all the devotees to visit the site. Thanking you.
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Prayer Club

Sai devotee
Sri Sai maharaj, pranams. Sai ma, please help my daughter -so many years this health problem is troubling her- all treatments no use- we both do pooja every single day for you and cry and visited you first thing, please -cure her of the disease-you are the only hope -please Sai devotees -I beg you all to pray for my daughter's health and forgive our sins.

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, please help my daughter find a suitable match soon. Please listen to my prayers please bestow your blessing on my family.
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Quotation of the Week
"One has to reap what one sows, and there is no escape unless one suffers and squares up one's old debts and dealings with others, and that greed for money drags the greedy man to the lowest level and ultimately brings destruction on him and others"-Ch XLVII in Shri Sai Satcharitha
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Question of the Week

Q. "In this way, all the Vrittis (thoughts) regarding Desire, Anger, Avarice etc. should first be offered and directed to the Guru and if this practice be followed, the Lord will help you in eradicating all the Vrittis". What did Baba mean by the following statement?

A. by Sadha

The life we have is too precious to be wasted in anger, hatred, avarice and bad thoughts. It is mentioned in Gita that there are three gateways to hell - Lust, anger and avarice. We as human beings may not at all times be in a position to control our desires, actions and reactions. Sadguru is the only person competent to protect us from the ocean of day to day activities. It is mentioned in Saicharita that the work of mind is to think and if you give it Sadguru, it will think of Sadguru. How can one meditate on Sadguru while carry on his daily activities? I feel that Baba should be remembered not at the times you are upset, or at times you need some help from him but at every step in your life. If you are angry, think of him and he will guide you. If you are at cross roads, he will definitely help you choose the right path. If you think you are going in the wrong way, he will chide you. Thus giving your thoughts of desire, anger, hatred, avarice is of help in two ways. One you will be guided by Baba in such situations so that you do not do anything by which you will repent in future, and two is that you will be engaged constantly in the exercise of remembering him. Your mind will be engaged regularly in good company and you will reach your goal, Baba.
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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".

People having problems with Online Registration may please send an email with their name, mailing address, contact phone number and their email address to "maildrop@saibaba.org" with the subject line Shirdi Sai Diary 2003.

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 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.

Sri Shirdi Sai Prachara Yagna Committee, New Delhi
Sri Shirdi Sai Prachara Yagna Committee, New Delhi invites you all on the auspicious occasion of SHRI SAI SATYANARAYANA POOJA AND NAVAGRAHA & MRUTYUMJAYA HOMAM by Eminent pundits of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi on Sunday 9 February 2003 at "T" Park, Lodhi Road Complex Opp. Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. All the devotees are requested to participate in the program and obtain the divine blessings of Sri Sai Baba. For details contact one of the following in New Delhi: K.P.Sunder Rao @ 26527924, Vinay Ratta @ 26834731,Wing Comm. Sharma @ 25036108, Sanjay Gupta @ 24368346, Mrs. P.V.S.Lakshmi @ 24108388, Dr.V.Subba Rao @ 24363747, S.M.Krishna @ 26534667, Jitendra Ahuja @ 22616474, N.R.S.Rao @ 25279382

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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