Human behavior is conditional and influenced by the environment. The way we interact with friends' relatives and children is conditional. We were taught to behave in an acceptable manner to the standards laid down by the society. If our behavior deviates from the set standards, then we are called antisocial or lunatics or something that perceivably fits our behavior.

The statements such as "this is what I am and so be it" or "I can't change, accept me as I am" or "I got these qualities by birth so can't help it" is a mere façade, to hide our reluctance to make a positive effort to change. When we are treated indifferently by some friends, we tend to behave in the similar fashion towards them. We also help people and expect help in return. This is not what BABA has taught us. Service and love should be without expectations. As children of god, we have every right to have expectations from God, who is our father, but doing service in anticipation of a return favor is not what we are taught by God. Our behavior takes a turn when people do not behave as we expect them to behave. We keep dwelling on their bad characters or thoughts. Guruji CB Satpathyji said "do not ponder over negative traits in other, for then they will take root in you". This is a fact. When we think only of negative in people we respond to them in the similar manner, hence we are no better than those that we condemned. We are conditioning our mind and behavior to match those of the people who cause us displeasure and provoke our anger. In such situations, it is better to walk away rather than indulge in arguments and exchange of words. BABA said the same in chapter 22 of Satcharita where BABA said all the actions of the person are ordained by God and not to involve in arguments.

In Satcharita Hemadpant says, "mind cannot remain without thinking, if you give it an object it thinks about that object similarly if you give it guru it keeps thinking about guru". Well here is a case of habituating our thought process to think of God when faced with uncertainty and disturbing situations. A person, sincere in efforts to evolve in the spiritual path tries harder to practice what their guru has taught. Initially it is difficult to practice what is taught but conscious efforts to keep thinking of BABA will help us overcome our weaknesses and remain fixed in doing good even in face of negative external influences. Ultimately such a sadhak sees the guru as the friend, guide and master. When we have the Master of the universe as our companion what is there to fear? Let the world dessert us, we remain happy and do good to serve people around us.

A man can be called a perfect siddha, only when he overcomes his senses in the face of temptations such as kama, krodha moha, lobha, and madha. One who is amidst these situations can only conquer them. Once all these qualities are conquered then the person evolves into a higher state of spirituality. Valmiki, Vishwamitra, Tulsidas, to name a few, rose to the height of spirituality only after overcoming their senses and changing their behaviour. A person who has not come across these hurdles in life does not have the opportunity to control the behavior, as these senses lie dormant and would rise when fanned in a given situation. It is normal for kids to make mistakes while learning, so also our lord and master looks at us, HIS children, and forgives our sins. It is okay to falter in the path of spirituality, but he who can successfully tread the path towards Sai in the face of temptations and rise above is a true follower of the sadguru.

We need to seek the guidance and blessings of guru for success. Constant thought of sadguru's name would make the journey even through the "narrow footpath near the Barvi well" a stroll under the moonlight. When we enshrine guru as our companion in our hearts all the difficulties in life seem smaller. Let us earn the grace of guru by constantly thinking of him and conditioning our mind to think positively, live in hope, and take one step at a time. Let us march ahead being aware that it is okay to make mistakes, but repentance and effort to avoid such pitfalls by holding on to the holy feet of sadguru, will get us through the sins and helps us evolve spiritually. Sai Satcharita is the only answer for our spiritual evolution.

(Contributed by Anitha Kandukuri, Canberra, Australia)
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Contributed Article:Bhaja Govindam Sloka 14 (Attributed to Totakacharya)

Contributed by Paritala Gopi Krishna, New Delhi, India

Jatilo Mundee Lunchhitakesah
Kaashaayaambara bahukritaveshah
Pasyannapi Cha Na Pasyati Moodho
Hyudaranimittam BahukritaveshahM
... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindan

Meaning:
Jatilah - one ascetic with matter locks, Mundee - one with shaven head, Lunchhitakesah - one with hairs pulled out one by one, Kaashaaayaambara bahukritaveshah - one parading with ochre robes, Pasyan api cha - seeing, Na - never, Pasyati - sees, Moodhah - a fool, Hi - indeed, Udara nimittam - for belly's sake, Bahukritaveshah - these different disguises or apparels.

Substance:
An ascetic with matted locks, a person with shaven head, one more with hair pulled or plucked out and another parading with ochre or any other colour robes, all these are for a livelihood. They all have eyes but yet do not see. All these are indeed disguises and deceptions for the sake of filling one's stomach.

Commentary:
Renunciation does not lie in external appearance but in inward thought, feeling and attitude. One has to renounce everything Manasa, Vacha and Karmana. Surrender does not mean barter system. It has to be total. As the head and body bows before the deity, the manas and the vachanam should also portray the same attitude and this attitude shuld continue to grow deeper and deeper. Swami Vivekananda beautifully expresses this while describing His Guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. He says that, "In the presence of my Master, I found out that man could be perfect, even in this body. Those lips never cursed anyone, never even criticized anyone. Those eyes were beyond the possibility of seeing evil, that mind had lost the power of thinking evil. He saw nothing but good. That tremendous purity, that tremendous renunciation is the secret of spirituality". That is the pinnacle of surrender or complete surrender to God and with such a one-pointed sadhana, nothing becomes impossible.

When the desires for materialistic pleasures burning in the heart are not weeded out, these external forms mean nothing. They are only for show business or a kind of propaganda about oneself. Such a person will be exposed soon. In the present day world, we often come across people using sanyaasa as a means for power or influence.

A person resorts to unethical methods if one wants to earn things in an easy way. History and the present-day world stand as witness that whenever man's desire exceeded the rightful means of possession, one becomes obsessed with it and to fulfill it, one never hesitated to become barbarous. These persons are dangerous to the society. With them, the whole society suffers, which include the noble souls as well. Great personalities like Bhishma Pitamah, Dronaacharya, Kripaacharya, etc. are typical example of this fact.

Due to base instincts such as hunger for power and wealth, there are wrong people in every walk of life and unfortunately, in the present-day society these elements are more visible than earlier. Their external appearance and behavior are not what they are actually by themselves. All these disguises are just for filling one's own belly. Such persons may not be as dangerous in the society as they are in the path of spirituality. Once in the line of spirituality, one may be intelligent and knowing quite a few intrinsic facts, but when one fails to live up to these noble expressions, it is just useless. It means, one sees but yet one fails to see and implement the noble lessons of life.

If so, what is the use of all these disguising appearances, if not for the sake of filling one's own stomach?
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Experiences of Devotees

Sai devotee
An incident happened today where I got Sai's message: "YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D MAKE IT . THOUGH YOUR JOURNEY WAS OUT OF THE WAY, I WOULD BE ON YOUR WAY " I'M THERE FOR YOU .. - SAI

A Sai devotee
I had a problem with my ear and the doctor treated me with some medicines but it was not being cured. Finally, he said he has to do an operation so everybody in the family got prepared. We took Thursday as the day for the operation. But when I went to the operation theatre, the doctor said let me see through this magnifying microscope to see how far the infection is. And then after seeing he said -oh the infection is not there I think if you take tablets for 1 more week then no operation is required. Therefore, we came back home, went to Sai baba temple, and thanked him for his help. My belief in sadguru Sai baba has helped overcome this operation. So I think everybody should have firm faith in Sai baba and he is always there looking after us. I thank saibab.org for giving me an opportunity to share this experience with everybody.
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Devotees say...

Mala Rajendran
Baba, please accept my humble thanks to you. Baba I tired posting my thanks twice before and you have not accepted it. Baba you know how many miracles you have done. Baba without your wish, your miracles, your blessing, no way I could be even writing this thank you letter to you. Baba I am also trying to follow the path of your teaching, trying at some moments and not but want to seriously follow your teachings. Please baba help me do that. Again, nothing can be done without your wish. Baba my job is in a very very bad position, looks like I can lose the job any time, you know the best. Baba like your many other miracles, please shower your blessings and miracles, so that I can find a job. Baba without your wish nothing can happen. That is my rule of thumb. Baba please accept my prayers and thanks. Baba please shower your blessing on every soul on this earth so that there is peace everywhere. Why do you have so much of variance in your creation? Baba please let every mind that you created think about peace.

A Sai devotee
For the devotee who has a child who is not progressing developmentally. I too have a son (11 months old) who does not sit/crawl etc and also has seizures. I know what you are going through and feel for you a lot. My kid is on medication to stop his seizures, and is taking him for Physical Therapy once a week. My son's doctor (neurologist) and other doctors, say that Physical therapy is the only way to help him develop. So, stimulate (talking/ touching/rubbing his skin/playing music) your child as much as you can, don't be disheartened. Do all this and have full faith in Baba and He will surely cure you child. If you can't take him for physical therapy, you can do some exercises at home, like trying to make him roll over, sit, stand, be on his knees and hands all with support. If you go on doing these exercises, he will eventually learn it all. Baba will surely make your child normal soon.

Sai devotee
My sincere thanks to Saibaba.org team for the wonderful Sri Ramanavami programs. My day was blessed with Baba`s Kakad aarthi. Thank you Baba for giving me this wonderful opportunity. Please give me peace of Mind Baba!

A Sai devotee
It was due to Baba's grace I got the easiest experiment in board exam practical. I got "logic gates" experiment that I got three times consecutively. Thank you, Baba.

Sasikanth
Though we were in India for many years and we know the significance of Sri Ramanavami celebrations in Sai's Satcharita, we never got a chance to visit Shirdi during Sri Rama Navami. "Unless God wants, nothing can be done". We are so glad that Our Lord Sai has given us an opportunity now to see Sri Rama Navami celebrations through this channel, though we are thousands of miles away. We felt like we really are in Shirdi while watching Sai Baba Idol. We are so grateful to you all who contributed in broadcasting these programs. It brought us immense happiness.
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Prayer Club

A Sai Devotee
Om Sairam. Please bless the child in our family. Baba bless her and heal her let her grow up to be a normal healthy child. Thank you baba for giving us so much in life. Please Baba see that our future is bright. Everything is in your hands help us to always prosper in the right way. Guide and be with us always.

A devotee
Om Sai Ram! Baba you know I am going very difficult time. Baba my husband wants to give me divorce and doesn't want to live with me. You know Baba I am struggling long time. I don't know when I am going to get my green card. Baba pl help him to understand marriage is not a play or game so that whenever you want you can get married and whenever want you just break it. Baba I am very depressed and I have one son he is very upset too. It will be no good if I have to go back to India. Baba I have faith in you and I know only you can help me. Help me & my son Baba. All Sai devotees please pray for me. Om Sai Ram.

Anuradha
I sincerely pray Sai Nath to solve my problems in finding good match for my son for marriage. Whoever I see nothing works out, now I have corresponded with one girl who is BE Computer graduate, good-looking girl, I have in mind that girl for my son. Hope Baba will definitely help me in solving my problem by showing the best choice to my son. We both are old, we cannot travel much to see girls etc. Only Baba should help us solving our worry and tensions in life. My son is handsome, having good job etc etc, he is devotee of Saibaba too. Hope my problems will be taken care by our Lord Sainath.

Mrs. Subramanian
Sairam, You know I have been looking for a good alliance for my daughter for the past one year.You even answered my prayer that you will take care of it . I pray to you Swami to get a good alliance for her very soon. Please be with my family and guide us in all our actions. Jai Sairam

Harish
Sri Sai, you have given all that I have asked for. You gave a good job to Sharmila. Now I pray You to get my friend Sharmila married to a guy of her dream, good job to my friend Sunil. He needs a job badly. Give Rajesh also a job of his taste. I will pray for me, when all my prayers for others are turned true. O Lord! I am asking all for my friends, without being selfish, so you need to bless them.

Sai Devotee
Om Sai Ram, please Sai Baba listen to my humble prayers and get my daughter married soon. Always keep your grace on our family.Sai Ram

Sai Devotee
After five years of marriage second time my wife tested blood for positive on last week Friday and she started bleeding (spotting only). On Monday we went to see Gynecologist and tested blood. Surprisingly came negative. So Dr Suggested to repeat the test after one week. He also scanned and we could see that. We pray Shri Shirdi Sainath to help us in getting next blood report positive and help her throughout her pregnancy.

Airaj
Keep every one happy, my mother and father, my brother, my wife, my kid, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law, and my brother-in-law. Whatever the problem please solve it, You know what it is. Everyone in world give happiness.

Manohar
Om Shri Sainatha Namah. Hey Bhagwan, I am jobless for the last six months. I am 54 yrs old, kindly help me with a suitable job immediately.

Sai devotee
Dear Baba, You knew all my problems. I am been suffering with some problems since few months. But in my heart I have the confidence and hopes on you. Please consider my problems and you are the only god, who can solve my problems and who can give me a happy life. You know how I am feeling these days. You are everything for me. Please Baba, nannu inka badha pettaku, I can't tolerate more. Dear Sai devotees please do consider my case and you all please pray for me. Thanks for giving this opportunity.

P N Krishnamurthy, Chennai
Sairam brothers please pray for us. Sairam help me to get enlistment in job. Little more encouragement is required. No increments/promotion for the past four years, no job satisfaction. Please make me to satisfy. My brother with a daughter and wife is job less. He is suffering for daily survival. Please help him to get a job. Sai I know You will do it while writing this prayer letter. Jai Sairam.
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Quotation of the Week
"What is meditation? Real meditation is to lose one's false individuality into the ocean of cosmic divine personality."-Saibaba of Shirdi
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Question of the Week

Q. What did Hemadpanth mean when he said about Megha, "Baba worked on Megha internally so that Megha changed considerably"?
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Sai Activities

Sri Ramanavami/Urs Celebrations, Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Minnesota
With the grace and blessings of Saibaba, Sri Ramanavami/Baba's Urs celebrations were celebrated at Geeta Ashram, Brooklyn Park, MN, on 4-12-03. Over 400 devotees participated in this event and received Baba's blessings. The program included Abhishek, Chandan Utsav, Aarthis, Palki Seva, and various activities for children. Sai devotees of Minnesota thank one and all for helping this event successful and memorable.

Sri Ramanavami Celebration at Toronto
Sri Ramanavami was celebrated on April 11, 2003 with well-attended audience who received Baba's blessings. The Program included Puja to Lord Sainath followed by Messages from Sainath's life and concluded with Arathi and Paduka's sparsa of Lord Sainath.

Shirdi Sai Utsav 2003 - Orlando, FL, USA
Sai devotees of Orlando, FL are organizing Shirdi Sai Utsav 2003 on 4th and 5th of October. The proposed program includes Akhanda Naam Jap, Bhajans and Satsangh. For further details, please contact: Sai Sharan, 5230 Cona Reef Court , Orlando, Florida 32810-4075, USA Ph: (407) 445 2520 Email: Shirdisaiutsav2003@yahoo.com Or Sai Bandhu, Sri at sathgurusai2002@yahoo.com . Ph(407) 445 2520 Sai Bandhu, Smita at smitaprasad@yahoo.com Ph: (561) 416 5282

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. For more information; Phone: (713) 789 7486, (832) 567 7861; Web: http://www.babamandir.org; Email: saibabahouston@yahoo.com

Shirdi Saibaba Satsang in Columbus, OH
Satsang in Columbus, OH has been taking place for the past few years. We are grateful to our Lord Sainath who has taken us to the 5th consecutive year. We always have felt him among us in our Satsang sessions making us feel blissful. Devotees around Columbus, OH area can visit: http://www.srishirdisaibabamandir.org or email: sssb_temple@yahoo.com for more details on events and join us in serving Mother Sai.

Sri Shirdi Sai satsangs in Auckland,New Zealand
Sri Shirdi Sai Sansthan,NZ is celebrating Sri Ramanavami on the Sunday 13th April 2003 at the Mt Eden war memorial hall, Mt Eden, Auckland. The morning will start with reciting Sri Sai Sahasranamavali, followed by Bhajans, Pravachan, Arathi and Maha Prasad. Also all Sai devotees are invited to participate in Sai Bhajans, discourse and arathi every Thursday at 7:30 pm.The venue is located at Balmoral Mandir, Balmoral, Auckland, NZ. For more details please contact Dr Ram Prasad at prasads@quicksilver.net.nz.

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.

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.

Visit 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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