Is it necessary to go searching everyone for help when keeping faith that "Baba will provide" is all that is required? Belittling unsolicited help or suspecting situations favorable during the hour of need is perhaps limiting Baba' omniscience because Baba manifests himself in several ways and in several situations to help the distressed. At the same time, raising unnecessary outcry over every hurdle big and small is not a hallmark of a faithful Sai devotee. Let us examine the following incident in the life of eminent Sai devotee Kakasaheb Dixit, as narrated by Pujya Sri B.V. Narasimhaswami ji.

As for Dixit's own financial position, there was, for a long time, a period of depression, but there was no positive distress. Contentment was ingrained in Dixit', and he was always saying to himself, "Tevile Anante, Tase Rahave", which is the same as "Alla Rakhega Vysa Rahena", "Maula Rakhega Vysa Rahena". This means, 'We must be content with the lot assigned to us by God.' So, he was generally contented and retained his mental peace in the midst of lack of funds and income. However, special occasions arose and his faith in Baba was tested and confirmed.

Some time after Baba passed away, Kaka had to meet a heavy obligation of Rs. 30,000 to be paid to a Marwadi. The day for payment was drawing near, and Kaka could not see how to get funds for meeting this large demand. One night, as he was sleeping, he had a dream, and in his dream, his creditor was pressing him for payment. In the dream, he assured the creditor, "Oh, don't you fear. I have my friend Sir Chunnilal, Sir Chimanlal etc., all of them knights, and they will provide the money". Suddenly, he woke up and remembering the dream, he bitterly repented his stupid folly in relying upon 'Sir' this and 'Sir' that who are just persons who will fail to help at the crucial moment.

He felt that the only person on whom he could rely for getting help was Baba, and cursed his folly in relying upon such useless human help. He resolved not to think of these 'Sirs' at all, and to rely confidently and boldly upon Sai Baba alone to furnish him with funds and that too in time. He sat up in his office room on a chair and was waiting and waiting until the actual date of payment came. Until the last moment, no money was forthcoming. However, at the last moment, a young man, the son of a rich friend of his, came asking for his advice. He said that after his father's death, he was managing his property, and had to find an investment for his money. He said, just then he had brought with him Rs. 30,000/- and wanted to know from Dixit what would be best investment. Kaka, after explaining the pros and cons of other investments, finally told him that he was in urgent need of Rs. 30,000/- and he would be glad to have it on any reasonable terms, but that it was his duty to explain to the lender that his practice had gone down, that his income was very low, though his properties in the shape of bungalows were there, and that it was his duty to point out the danger and disadvantage of lending to such person. The young man, however, made up his mind to lend the money to him on account of his being his father's friend, and thus the creditor of Dixit was paid in time.

Written by: HH Pujyasri B V Narasimha Swamiji
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Contributed Article:Bhaja Govindam Sloka 16 (Attributed to Subhoda)

Contributed by Paritala Gopi Krishna, New Delhi, India

Agre Vahnih Prishthe Bhaanuh
Raatrau Chubukasamarpitajaanuh
Karatalabhikshastarutalavaasah
Tadai Na Munchatyaasaapaasah
Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam....

Meaning:
Agre - in front, Vahnih - the fire, Prishthe - at the back, Bhaanuh - the sun, Raatrau - at night, Chubuka samarpit jaanuh - with (his) knees held to (his) chin (he sits), Karatala bhikshah - alms in (his own) scopped palm (he receives), Tarutalavaasah - under the shelter of the tree (he lives), Tadapi - and yet, Na - never, Munchati - spares (leaves), Aasaapaasah - noose of desires.

Substance:
In front the ire, at the back the sun, at night he curls up the body, he receives alms in his own scooped palm and lives under the shelter of some tree, and yet he is a puppet at the hands of passions and desires.

Commentary:
The attachments and desires, which bind a man to the things of the world, have enormous power. These devils hold sway over a person unabated even when one has become weak in all respects. Subjugation to the natural passions is a common scene, but victory of the soul by subjugating the same natural passions is possible only with the aid of Lord. It cannot be achieved otherwise. One may be old and decrepit, unable to stand the cold, sits by fire to warm oneself, one cannot stretch one's legs out due to cold and old age, not sure of next meal, yet desires bind one with their enormous power.

The tyrannies of desire are universal and natural law of nature. In spite of not having any comfort or even bare minimum necessities of life for all practical purposes and yet the iron grip of desire will never leave him unless one is completely surrendered to God. Renouncing the objects of the world is not real renunciation, but giving up desires to acquire them is the real sacrifice. One has to make every effort to perfect this impossible art. The potent bonds of desire should be eliminated from the system of the individual. Constant and consistent Atma Bodha (self-teaching) is an important sadhana to master the art of high mental purity, without which, it is just impossible to eliminate the vasanaas of desire from the mind. Desire is a natural instinct and sublimation, and not suppression, of this natural instinct is the positive development and a giant step towards spiritual evolution.

Contributed Poem: Why Fear ?

Contributed by Suresh W. Raspayle

When I fear losing my petty little possessions and security
Give me strength to never bend my knees before mighty and powerful

When I fear losing my name and identity
Give me strength to raise my mind high

When I fear losing my youth and passions
Give me strength to accept graciously the cycle of life

When I fear losing my near and dear ones
Give me strength to bear my sorrows

When I fear losing joy and happiness in life
Give me strength to surrender at Your feet

Strike me, oh Lord, strike me at the very root and
Make me worthy of your compassionate eyes
And grace me with your motherly smile.
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Experiences of Devotees

Mahesh Kommajosula
Om Sai Ram! Bow to your lotus feet and please give us the strength to take refuge always in your holy feet. This is my personal experience, which is a miracle that our Great God Sai showed me. My EAD (Permit to work in US till we get our Green Card during our adjustment of status), was expiring on April 8th.The date of 90 days after the receipt for extension received by INS was due only on April 13. (Only if it is 90 days, then we can get Interim EAD from local INS). So, during those 5 days, I was not supposed to work and other complicated issues were involved. That Thursday April 3 morning I bowed to Sai after my Sandhya during pooja, begged him to get me my EAD before the expiry date, and started reading Satcharita Saptah. Also requested him that in case, my EAD comes before hand then we will go ahead with delivery of our second child (my wife is pregnant). Wonder of wonder, when I checked my EAD Status in the web site that morning after coming to work; I was shocked to see that my EAD case was approved! The current date was for people who applied during Nov 2002 (I applied only in Jan 2003). I just couldn't believe my own eyes. Sai Baba got rid of all my complications and saved my second child too. He is great and he is always with us and within us. Om Sai Ram.

Baiju
I had participated in the ramnavami broadcast and asked for prasad on that day and I even forgot about it. On 26th April I received the udi and prasad. That day was the birthday of my younger daughter. Moreover that day we got this when we were about to take our elder daughter to her first school admission. In fact my wife came back from school to take some food for the younger one and then she found this prasad cover lying at our doorstep. Actually my younger daughter was not well, hence we did not make any thing special for her birthday, but our hearts were full as Baba sent this special gift and blessing to our children. We are so moved, and pray for all of you.
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Devotees say...

Madhu Chaudhry, Ontario, Canada
Om Sai Ram, Thank you very much Sai Baba, what ever you did for my family and me. I love you lot Sai Baba. OM SAI RAM

Amit Kulkarni
Dear Lord Saibaba, I am extremely happy to have landed a job in a good company. You have fulfilled my wish and I know you are there, I am sorry for not having faith in you earlier. I am glad you came in the form of Mr. Anil to Chicago and restore my faith in you.
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Prayer Club

Sai Devotee
Baba I thank you very much. You have blessed my husband with a good job. He is happy and I am also happy. Baba please shower your blessings always like this. Baba give me strength to do my duty selflessly. Baba make me think of you always see you always and chant your name always. In this world of Maya, sometimes I have slipped and forgotten you. Please forgive me. Please guide me always. My kid does lot of mischief. At times I loose my temper. I do not know what to do. Please bless my son and our family.

A devotee
Om Sai Ram. If one believes you sincerely, you there with them always and answer their prayers. This has again come true. I prayed to you for my cousin and his family since they were in a very bad shape. Sincere thanks to you for helping them to come up in life by your miracles. Baba, this time I praying for a kid who is going to complete 2 years and yet not speaking. Please kindly bestow your love and blessing to the little boy and make him to speak soon. Shower your blessing on us. Pranams.

Ramkrishnan
Om Sri Sai Ram. Namaskarams, I would like every one of us make a prayer for my mother Mrs. R. Mahalakshmi who is suffering from blood cancer and she 66. I have been seeing Sai in all form since her admission to the hospital, but since the proper medication can be for the cancer after one week, I would request all your lotus feet to pray and get all blessing of Baba that he should give her enough strength and trouble free treatment and return back home. Please pray for us. Om Sai Ram.

Andrej, Russia
Holy Sai Baba! Please help to save my wife who suffers from stomach cancer, stage four. I know she has a chance, but I do need help. Be blessed by thy name!

Sai Devotee
I pray to Sai Baba to bless and protect our family from all the ills that has planted on us and cure us from every thing. Baba you know that I am totally innocent and things are planted on me so please help and cure our entire family problems and bless us. Please save us and protect us form all the ills, Baba. I hope Baba will listen to our prayers and help us.
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Quotation of the Week
"What is ours remains with us. What is others remain with them"-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

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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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