Dear Sai, I want to say Thank You for all your Blessings and Grace. But, where shall I start. Should I say Thank You for being blessed with this human birth to experience You? Should I say Thank You for the tender parental love and care that YOU fed me when I was a child? When my little girl laughs and plays in my lap, it is Your laughter and Your life...how can I repay this debt to YOU? Should I say Thank You, whenever I see the glorious night sky filled with stars and planets and I realize that, it is You who has breathed life into these heavenly bodies and created me to admire them? O essence of all Knowledge, You revealed the messages of divine scriptures and music that have thrilled me to my core. Merciful one, what can I give as Guru Dakshina to YOU? Dear Father, I have lost count of the times that I requested, and received, your support. When all seemed lost, your helping hand steadied my flimsy boat. Can mere words suffice to thank you? With deep humility, we bow, in body, mind and soul to your Holy Feet. Please continue to be the Divine Light in our lives.

Thou Art our Mother,
Thou Art our Father.
Thou Art our Friend,
Thou Art our relative.
Thou Art Knowledge,
Thou Art Riches.
Oh Sai! You are our everything!

Contributed by Subramaniam Ravi.
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Contributed Article: Bhaja Govindam Sloka 4

Contributed by Paritala Gopi Krishna, New Delhi, India

Nalineedalagata Jalamatitaralam
Tadvajjeevitamatisaya Chapalam
Viddhi Vyaadhyabhimaanagrastam
Lokam Sokahatam Cha Samastam
Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam ..

Meaning:
Nalineedalagata jalam - the water (drop) playing on a lotus petal, Ati - extremely, Taralam - uncertain (existence), Tadvat - so, Jeevitam - life, Atisaya - ever (greatly), Chapalam - unstable, Viddhi - understand, Vyaadhi Abhimana Grastam - consumed by disease and conceit (Vyaadhyabhimaanagrastam), Lokam - the world, Soka - with pangs, Hatam - is (riddled) beset, Cha - and, Samastam - whole.

Substance:
The water drop on the lotus-leaf is very unsteady and has extremely uncertain existence, so also is life. Understand that the world is equally unstable and it will be swallowed by disease and conceit. Life is ultimately nothing but worry, misery and grief.

Commentary:
After giving a stern warning in the first three Slokas against the arrogance of knowledge, the lure of wealth and the lust for sex, Sri Sankaracharya speaks of the nature of life in this sloka.

It is a natural phenomenon in the world with all the intelligent creatures that they wish to possess more and more to enjoy, thinking that one gets relieved form the sense of insecurity by having wealth. Even the richest man in the world is not really happy with his earnings, as his wants are more. The imaginary mansions one builds around oneself with money or wealth will not stand to protect one when the death knocks at the door. The more the number of possessions, the more one has to feel insecure and fear, as one day one may lose them, if not at the time of death, but at least when one is not careful and cautious in one's dealings.

Contributed Article: Shri Sai Satcharita in new languages

Contributed by Krishna Rupnawar

Shri Sai Baba's life and relevance of his teachings are growing in importance in people's life that finally his pothi is now available for the benefit of devotees who read languages such as Urdu, Sindhi and Malyalam. There is nothing more significant than reading the pothi in one's mother tongue or native language to get the full meaning and relevance of his teachings. Readers can now enjoy this great work in Urdu, Sindhi and Malyalam which is available online by visiting the online store at www.saibaba.org.
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Experiences of Devotees

Sai Devotee
Sai vichar of Jan 23 moved me very much after reading Sai sister's letter from Canberra. Glad that she shared it with other devotees. Sai will always help in the utmost time of need.Patience and perseverence are his special teachings. He will prove his presence when he feels that it is the right time to whole heartredly realise him. This is not a general statement but from personal experiences as well.

My wife and I are doctors who came to UK in june 2002 for higher studies or work. No success with any application for various jobs along the entire length and breadth of the country. My visa was to expire on dec 7th and my wife's on dec 25th,2002. We had no job until then, pressure mounted, tension headaches for my wife and sleepless nights for me (at home people make fun of me for such great tendency to fall asleep easily). In the cold UK weather I used to get up at 3-5 am everyday when the whole neighbourhood was dark and the sunrise was not earlier than 7 am. Not knowing what to do I read few chapters of Satcharitra everyday. Sai was testing us really. He showered his blessings to give my wife a job first ,so I became a dependent on her and our stay in UK for the next year was sorted. Then Baba graced me with a job in another 3 weeks time. Patience and perseverence were truly his lessons.Henceforth I request all Sai devotees to hold HIS feet and never doubt HIM. Who can if HE cant? Jai bolo Sri Sainath maharaj ki jai.

K. Varadarajan
We started to Shirdi by 05:30 am, enjoying the trip by site seeing and talking on various matters. When we reached Shirdi about 09.00 am we entered the hall and started moving through the queue thinking that we will reach the prayer within some time. But it took more than 4 hours to arrive at the main hall by when my daughters were feeling tired. Particularly our younger daughter became nervous, almost exhausted. She did not say but we felt she was not happy anymore to worship or remain even half an hour. Somehow we managed and finished the darshan and came out. We felt so much about the darshan we had and also the way, the authorities had arranged the darshan system, etc, we even praised them. On our way home I was telling my wife that I have to visit Shirdi again if things go ok. Next morning, my wife casually narrated about the Shirdi trip with our landlord at Pune who was living upstairs of my daughter's residence. Within a few minutes, the landlord called me and said that he had arranged a trip to Shirdi and I should come with him. I was stunned and surprised. I was enjoying his words and told, "yes" to him. Accordingly, next day at 3 am we started to Shirdi..Oh, Baba, what was your mercy! He gave His darshan within 15 min. from the time of our arrival there at Shirdi. I couldn't believe myself what's going on. I could standing in front of him for any number of minutes I liked. How graceful He was and is. The same daughter was told that she had fever, which should be attended immediately and that she should continue medicines for the next 6 months. I prayed to Shirdi Baba and also made my daughter consume the medicines regularly. Normally she was not very much keen on taking proper food or medicines, but after the visit to Baba's place she is very regular and she completely recovered from all illnesses.
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Devotees say...

Prerana Kamath
I am a Sai devotee. I stay in Bangalore,India. For the past two years I am not able to visit shirdi. But Baba has said he is every were. hence I pray from my place. My husband also started beleiving Sai Baba after our marriage. Every sunday he takes me and my son to Sai mandir. Unfortunately, he lost his job one and a half years back.Till today he has not got a job. I beleive in Baba a lot. He is my everything. I cannot think of anything without Baba. Many miracles have happened in my life. I used to tell my husband about the miracles happened in my life and I also told him to beleive Sai. From then he started beleiving. But now he says there is nothing in all this. He even stopped praying to God and also stopped lighting lamps.He is without a job since 18 months. He has lost interest in every thing. He told me once that only if he gets a job he will go to Shirdi. I feel very hurt. I pray Sai to forgive all our sins and help us.Please pray for us. We are going through a difficult time. February 6th is my husbands birthday.Sai I beg you, I want to see the smiling face of my husband.I want to see him happy. I dont expect much. You know every thing. Please bless my husband with a job.

Sai Devotee
Blessed are the people who have heard, read or experienced mother Baba. It is difficult to pinpoint when Baba's blessings and love has not touched me because I have felt his love at all corners of life. I was born with his blessings as my mother had on a visit to Shirdi when she was pregnant with me, prayed that if she had a daughter she would bring her(ie me) to Shirdi for darshan. That was 31 years ago and we were, due to one reason or the other not able to fulfil this prayer. Two years back I came to Gulf and that made it even more impossible for us to go as I could visit my hometown only once a year. But as they say, nothing is impossible if Baba wills.

On my last visit to India, as though by the push of an invisible hand, we were able to make arrangements to go to Shirdi. I understand what the other devotee said about tears flowing when we see Baba's beautiful statue. The feeling is indescribable. On route our trip to Shirdi, in the train we encountered a person carrying Baba's photo. When a station came, this person got down and placed the photo of Baba in front of our compartment, outside our window itself. Had better way of showing us that we had his blessings. We needed vibhuthi to be brought to Gulf. Even though they were only distributing one packet per person, I got extra packets. All these years I wanted to go to Shirdi and always wondered when he will call me. This trip was my kasi yatra. My family's sins were washed away. Baba continue to place your loving hand on us. Please help my uncle who is suffering from cancer and my friend who has been in coma for the past two years. Whenever I am depressed or sad I read the Sai Satcharita and I immediately feel peace. It is my bible. I came to know about Sai Satcharita after coming to Gulf. I am really thankful to my colleague, who introduced me to this. Today my entire family has a copy. Thank you Baba.
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Prayer Club

Sai Devotee
I want to sincerely thank Baba again and again for helping me through the difficult process of my exams for medical certification in the United States.Baba has shown me time and again that he is there and will never let down his devotees.I chose to be a believer and am glad I did so, for with Baba I know I will find peace that is everlasting.I pray to keep everyone in the world happy and peaceful. Baba is the only one who can do that.Thank you Baba and please guide me so that I may never hurt anyone in my life, knowingly or unknowingly.

Sai Devotee
Baba, please help us out of this financial difficulty. Due to no fault of mine I am being asked to pay back a huge amount. I am willing to pay that, but please help us in negotiating a period of 3 years or so to pay this amount. There is no way we can pay this amount today. Baba, please help us. Baba, all these years I have never asked for ay help from you in financial matters. Please Baba shower yor blessing on us and help us ride through this situation bravely. Om Sri Sachidananda Samarth Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai.

A Sai devotee
Please guide and bless my family, make my son understand what we say is for his own good. Please help my friend.

Sai devotee
Sai Mahaprabho Koti Namaskarams. Please take care of our jobs and health. Please Baba also give my son mental strength to succeed in his studies. I know You have been hearing my prayers and looking after us but I continue to open up myself through these few lines.

Ashok Thapa
Om Sai Ram. My brother-in-law and his wife are devout Sai devotees and so was their eldest daughter, who left this world to be with Him some months ago after losing her battle with breast cancer for some years. They prayed for her recovery, journeyed to the holy place almost yearly, (my sister-in-law found much solace in being one of many thousands of volunteer workers) while at the same time continued medical treatment, to save her precious daughter. Still a single and working as teacher she was their only bread winner. Her father is a retired tea research scientist with no pension, as a result they have no financial security. She had as would any loving daughter told them she would look after them in their old age and there was nothing to worry about. We all know everything happens in our lives as willed by Him but for many of us it will take time to realize whatever happens, happens for better. But this is beyond our understanding because not long after their main supporter has gone 'home' they have been served a notice to vacate their rented basement apartment, in which they have been living for decades, by the new owner of the building. This is really a terrible situation for them in their old age. They do have two sons, one is married with a small daughter, and another daughter also married with one teenage son. May I through your website request all Om Sai devotees to pray for them.

Lalitha
Dear Baba, Pranams. My sister's husband's health problems are increasing day by day.I request you all to pray for him. Saima, please cure him. Sai Ram.

R. Seshadri
Om Sai Ram Baba. Kindly pray for my sister's health who is suffering from brain tumour. All Sai devotees are requested to pray for my sister's recovery.

Ananthashayanam
Baba, please be with me always and guide me to do good things. Baba on 25 January 2003, some officials of credit card came to my house and abused me in unparliamentary language. Baba, I am very frightered to face these people. Baba save me from this. Baba, I have to pay some amount, but I could not pay the same because of some problems. Baba, by the grace of you I telephoned to the police, before police came they went away. Baba, on that day I could not eat and I was terribly shaken. When they came I was doing pooja. They even threatened me. I request all the Sai devotees to pray for me and my family members.Now a days I am terribly upset in my life. I even went to commit suicide but Baba, I think you only stopped me for doing this crime. I am writing 'Sri Rama Nama' every day. Baba, I am remembering you always by chanting 'Om Sai Sri Sai Jay Jay Sai'. Baba, every minute I am praying. Baba, once again I am begging you to be with me always and guide me. I am eager to visit Shirdi, but due to financial problems I could not do so. Baba, you only help me to come to Shirdi and have darshan. Baba give good health to my son who is suffering from dust allergy. Baba, give good education to my son who is writing 7th standard exam. Baba, please give good health to my wife, my sisters and other members of my family. Baba, I am always chanting your name. Om Sai Ram.

T.K.Madhumoorthy
Revered Baba, I am an ardent bhakta of Sai Baba. Of late my devotion towards Saibaba has become intense that I feel an urge to go to Shirdi immediately. I have infact planned to go over there in the month of Feb 2003. I have been facing lot of problems for quite some time now. My marriage has been a failure and my wife has walked away from me after quarelling for 2 years for everything on flimsy grounds. I tolerated her to the maximum extent possible but I couldn't succeed. She has opted to live with her parents with our son. My son is now 3 years old. The days I have been with him can be counted. She never came to Chennai from her native place. I had to undergo mental torture for three long years because of her behaviour.

On the job front, the company in which I am working now is not performing well and we are in the verge of loosing our jobs. I am trying for a job and am yet to succeed. In the meantime my spiritual urge to know my SELF is rising and forcing me to take a path towards spirituality leaving everything behind. Under these circumstances I am in a confused state of mind, unable to decide what to do. I pray to thee BABA to give me a solution for all my problems and make my life more peaceful and smooth, for I have undergone pains for long time now. I expect a reply to my prayer, soon. My pranams to thee.

Sai Devotee
Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai. Dear Baba I would like to thank you very much for giving us the courage to face all the problems. It was possible because of your blessings. Please let your gracious presence be with us for our forever and I wish the same with everyone. Baba you know very well about our family friend's daughter. She is 12 years old and she is still like a baby. Neither she nor her family members enjoyed a single second of her entire past. She doesn't know what is happening around. She can not talk or express her feelings. She doesn't even know what is happening with her life. Even the doctors in this country are not able to identify her problem and treat her properly. Baba, Please show your kind mercy on her and her family who are under going this pain since she was 2 years old. Baba, please show a miracle for her and for the entire world. I pray Baba about this cute little girl and would request each and every one to pray to Baba to cure her problem and make her a normal girl.
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Quotation of the Week
Unless a man discharges satisfactorily and disinterestedly the duties of his station in his life, his mind will not be purified.-Sai Baba of Shirdi
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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?
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Sai Activities

Guruji Shri C.B.Satpathyji visits Sai Ka Angan, New Delhi, India
Sai Ka Angan will be celebrating "Basant Utsav" on Thusrday, February 6th with traditional welcome, prayers and a cultural evening featuring bhajans and folk dance highlighting the avatar of Shirdi Samarth Sadguru Shri Sainath. The program will start in the evening with traditional lighting of lamp by shradeha Satpathy ji and end with shej (night) arathi followed by distribution of prasad (langar). The daily pooja services and arathis will continue all day in the temple. All devotees in and around Gudgaon and New Delhi are invited to attend to take advantage of this wonderful event and experience Baba's love and grace. For more information and program in detail contact the temple at: Sai Ka Angan E Block, Sushant Lok, Phase 1. Gudgaon Phone-0124-5041378.

Get your copy of "Shri Sai Baba Diary 2003" - Last chance.
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 "http://www.saibaba.org" and follow the link to Shri Sai Baba Diary 2003 page to request your copy. Only a few copies are left and this is the last week of this notification. Interested devotees are requested to register before 8th Feb 2003 to avoid disappointment 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".

Saibaba.org designates month of March 2003 as " Annadanam month"
Saibaba.org is designating March 2003 as Annadanam month. During this month annadan service will be conducted at different venues to be announced in the next few weeks. Please watch next week's issue for more details or send us an email to maildrop@saibaba.org

Sri Sai Naam Japa-Sai Maa's New year's gift
We ,Shirdi Sai devotees of Orlando(USA) have been inspired and made instrument by our Lord Sainath to offer one billion flowers in the form of Sai Naam Japa at the lotus feet of Eternal Sainath on the occasion of His 85th Mahasamadhi Utsav falling on 4th Oct 2003. With the Divine Grace of Lord Sainath and with the co-operation and guidance of Sai devotees across the globe , we were able to start Sai Naam Jaap on January 9th 2003. For more details contact Sridhar Rangaswamy at shirdisai2001@yahoo.com.

Akhanda Sainama Sapthaham in Hyderabad, India
Akhanda Sainama Sapthaha Samithi, B3/F15, Anandbagh, Hyderabad - 47. The 8th Aradhana of Pujya Sri Sivanesan Swamiji of Shirdi is being performed with a Sainama Sapthaham between 2-2-2003 to 9-2-2003 with the Sai tarakanama "OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI", to be concluded with annasantharpana on the last day. The programmme is going on so ecstatically and melodiously. We share this bliss with all the Sai devotees and request them to participate in it by chanting this nama to their might at their own stations.

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.

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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