To a spiritual aspirant, certain physical experiences are inexplicable. Certain people and places are capable of bringing out unseen joy and indescribable peace to a seeker. While this is a blessed experience for a seeker, skepticism may describe this as a fantastic imagination of the weak-minded. Sure, science has several definitions for such a state of mind. As an example, let us examine what a Hypnotist could do his subject. In this exercise, the Hypnotist proceeds to hypnotize his subject whose only requirement is to be a subject to the order of the hypnotist without offering any resistance. Thus, the hypnotized subject can be happy or sad, ecstatic or gloomy, only until such time the hypnotist has the spell.

One sign of the Perfect Master is to be able to possess all Maha Siddhis or Great Powers. One such power is known as "Kaivalyam", the ability to impart the state of bliss to the chosen. Shri BVNarasimha Swami ji wrote in "Life of Sai Baba, Part IV": "When they reach Atman or Brahman, Yogis are said to have the power of imparting such a state of bliss to persons fit to receive it. G.S. Khaparde was a highly cultured Sanskrit scholar, and had evidently read Yoga Sastra. He has referred to certain instances and experiences of his diary in the year 1911-12, while he stayed at Shirdi. Therein he repeatedly mentions that Baba cast yogic glances at certain persons who were immediately filled with a wave of bliss, which overpowered all their other mental activities and kept them immersed in bliss for hours without break.

Baba had the power to completely blackout some lines of thought, e.g., that of returning home from Upasani's mind for eight days after his first visit to Baba. This yogic power, which blacks out completely unwanted thoughts would evidently imply the power to give positive bliss to persons fit to receive it. If a person is comparatively free from sin and vice and could keep his mind sufficiently blank or sufficiently pure even for a while, any ordinary or sufficiently experienced hypnotist with a command could fill his mind with blissful thoughts over a considerable period of time. Baba's yoga sampoorna state enabled Him to keep several people in such happy state as they themselves have recorded in their experiences.
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Contributed Article:Bhaja Govindam Sloka 30

Praanaayaamam Pratyaahaaram
Nityaanityavivekavichaaram
Jaapyasameta Samaadhividhaanam
Kurvavadhaanam Mahadavadhaanam
Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam.....

Meaning:
Praanaayaamam - the control of all activities (of life's manifestations in you), Pratyaahaaram - the sense-withdrawal (from their respective sense-objects), Nitya anitya viveka vichaaram - the enquiry (reflection) consisting of discrimination between the permanent and the impermanent, Jaapya sameta samaadhi vidhaanam - along with japa and the practice of reaching the total inner-silence, Kuru - perform, Avadhaanam - with care, Mahat avadhaanam - with great care.

Substance:
Regulated breathing or pranas and sense control or withdrawal (from their respective sense-objects), reflection or discrimination (of values between permanent and the impermanent or eternal and the transient) along with japa on the holy name of God and meditation to reach the inner-self or to silence the turbulent mind - one has to perform these with care and extreme care.

Commentary:
The main concern of the devotee is to restrain the senses so that they will not run like unchecked horses without reins. In fact, Sri Adi Sankaracharya prescribed four fold sadhana to control and restrain the unbridled horses. They are, (1) pranaayam, i.e., control of breath, (2) withdrawal of senses, (3) discrimination, and (4) japa and meditation. All these and more are means to reach the end. Although they may not give the sadhaka immediate results, one should not feel despair and continue the efforts until one reaches the ultimate goal.

The mind is the seat of all thoughts and activities. One has to be on the alert to keep the mind free from all kinds of negative thoughts. The intelligence should ever awake and work as a guard to the mind, as only the intelligence is bestowed with the discriminatory powers between good and bad, true and false, permanent and impermanent, reality and appearance, etc.

Praana consists of five distinct modifications. They are: Praana (perceptions and reception of things into the subjective life), apaana (rejection of things and responses), Vyaana, (the digestive system), Samaana (the circulatory system), and Udaana (the capacity to lift ourselves from our present state of understanding to a nobler and better peak of thought on the mount of knowledge). All these five elements put together is called Praanaayaama.

Praanaayaama - a system of very regulated exercises of breathing - can really be achieved only through sustained and sincere practice, for sufficiently long time under the direct supervision of a trained teacher, of devotion to the Lord. While doing so, the sadhaka must control the mind from wandering away through the sense organs (Pratyaahaara). A discriminative intellect to distinguish between Nitya (Eternal) and Anitya (impermanent) should also be developed through constant and scientific thinking. To achieve this, one has to undertake Japa, a kind of training to balance the mind. As the mind gets tamed, viveka develops to understand the subtler meanings and deep imports of declarations. As one proceeds in this path, withdrawing one's mind at will without much difficulty, from all sense-objects, will become possible and one reaches a state of thoughtlessness (Samaadhi).

(Contributed by Paritala Gopi Krishna, New Delhi, India)

Contributed Poem:Oh Sai! I love you more than I can say!

Oh, Sai, I have no words to say
For the most beautiful miracle that has come my way
Only you know your infinite ways
Turning life cycle from sad to happier days
Your miracles are beyond our magnitude
Your miracles endeavor your existence
Your miracles are with selfless motive
Your miracles are your heart and soul

Oh, Sai, I love you more than I can say
Words vanish into thin air,
Feelings deriving Pure Bliss
Such a selfless soul,
Where you ask for no more
But to follow your path

Oh, Sai, I know you are there
Doesn't matter whether we see you in kith and skin
Doesn't matter whether we hear you speak
You are there, wherever we call you
You show your presence in your unique ways

(Contributed by Aparna Sanghvi)
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Experiences of Devotees

B Subrahmanyam
I wish to share my experiences with other sai devotees. After loosing job, for the last 4 years I have been trying several ways to come to terms with my sufferings. BABA was with me all through these years with me. But for his support, I wouldn't be here today. A few months back I tried for a project and appeared for an interview with the prospective clients. Baba was with me all through the interview and helped me fare better and try to convince the client about my project. As I came out of the place of interview, I could see BABA waiting for me to give confidence and moral support to say that any day I will get this project. After 4 months, the clients called me up and entrusted the project to me. For a moment, I couldn't believe myself. A dream come true, which will keep me active and energetic again? All my sufferings for the last 4 years have vanished like thin air. This is all because of BABA'S support and BABA was with me all through these 4 years showing the path and giving courage to come back to normal again. BABA please be with me all through the coming years and I have nothing to offer except surrender myself to you. OM SRI SAI RAM PRANAMS AND KOTI PRANAMS.
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Devotees say...

Raghav Shukla
Madhavi ji, I thank Sai who has inspired me to present my view in regards to your query. Its nice to know that you have thought of doing the sapthah or parayan. But there is a lot of confusion regarding the rules or regulation.

As far as I know, any conflicts in the mind show lack of faith. I don't mean that you are not a good disciple of Sri Sai. But I just want to make few points very clear to you. Any sort of mental mutiny or confusion is not an instant problem rather it owes its roots to deeply bound internal constraints or bandhan or sanskaar. Ishwar doesn't mean complexity or foundations. Ishwar means freedom (mukti) as much as possible. But mukti from what? From the constraints known as Kaam, Krodh, Lobh, Moh, Bhaya, Ahankar, Eeersha. These enemies utilizes mind to trap us establishing inside us the "value for material things." Once we achieve the material targets we become addicted for the joy that material brings. Joy and sorrow follow. Madhavi ji, keep in mind peace is a far more valuable entity than happiness or sorrow. Conditioning for joy and sorrow leads one to several confusions and questions and rules. Madhavi ji, my opinion "following no rule is the ideal rule" right now. Begin with no constraints over yourself for doing the parayan. Leave all constraints feel light. Feel as if there is nothing binding on you. (Probably the feeling of paap and punya has created such a confusion in you) there is nothing like paap or punya. Keep in mind that there are no rules for the parayan. It is something to grasp.

Rather I would suggest, you change your paradigm about the parayan, feel that it is something of enjoyment just like a novel and feel every bit of it. While doing the parayan try to keep yourself in place of the character, you like. Realize that you are the character of this play, feel that everything that is in the great holy text is happening with you, enjoy it, grasp it to the most and regarding rules just leave it to Sri Sai. Tell Baba that you will try and enjoy the text and please say, "let the gyana in the text be inculcated in me, let it stimulate my inside". You will slowly find great changes. Baba will automatically remove doubts and confusions, things would get simpler and slowly peace would start rescinding in you. Everything would seem pious yet beautiful. Life would become beautiful for the case of the rules to follow, just surrender to Sri Sai. Be open to your father Sai, clearly tell him that because there was a lot of confusion you dropped all the rules and just enjoy the holy text believe me you will be closer to Baba. If knowingly or unknowingly I have made some mistakes, kindly forgive me.

Jayanth Varma
When Baba entered into Shirdi, the people of Shirdi thought that Baba is a fakir. After some time, they changed their minds to HE IS NOT A MAD ONE, HE IS A VERY GOOD DOCTOR BABA REMAINED AS SILENT AS HE IS FROM THE BEGINING. After days, suddenly another change occurred in the minds of the Shirdi people again that Baba was a very good Pandit. But Baba remained same as he is. Changes are occurring in the minds. Again, another change occurred in the minds that Baba was God. But there were no changes in Baba. He is as he was. We are now seeing the vaibhavam of sai. The Baba that was called as a fakir is now Rajaadhiraaja Yogiraaja Parabrahma. Two important things Baba said are, I) be stable at your position what ever may you call it, karma or vidhi, ii) whatever the mind say you are not supposed to follow. The mind should follow your instructions. You are not slave for your mind whatever the changes may occur, the dark and light should be same. Maharaj Sai ki Jai!
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Prayer Club

P. Raghunatha Reddy, Tirupathi, India
A humble child of Shri Sai, Dr. Ranga Reddy, Professor in Physics, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Ananthpur left for the heavenly abode of Shri Sai. With Baba's grace, he started a Shirdi Sai Satsangh Trust and regularly organized spiritual discourses and Bhajans. This went on for some years until he passed away on 30 July 2003. Though he wasn't well for some time, still unmindful of his falling health, he went ahead constructing a beautiful temple of Shri Sai at Roddam, a mandal headquarters in Ananthpur dist. Now when the stage is set for inauguration, Baba took him away leaving everyone in a state of distress. May the merciful Lord of Shirdi give rest to the pious soul at his lotus feet and shower His grace on the family members of Dr.Ranga Reddy. May I request the Sai devotees to pray for the well being of the family members and as well for the speedy inauguration of the Temple which alone would give the peace to the departed soul.

Sai devotee
Please sai we are in trouble, please answer my prayers. Jai SaiRam.

Raghuram
I have been a your devotee from my 10 th class and you have shown me way in my life at every instant in spite of all the problems. Please help me to overcome my health problem this time, take my mind and body into your control, and make me do what ever is good. Please solve my health problem Sri Sai Nath Maharaj Ki Jai

Krishna Alluri
Om Shri Sainathaya Namah, Dear Baba,You know that I have been going through a lot of pain due to this disease I have. I don't know if its some kind of allergy or what but I tend to get a number of white and red pus filled boils on my face. This has reduced my self-confidence to zero and I don't feel like working or doing anything, even going out of the house. Please Baba, I have been praying to you, cure me of this disease. I will be ever indebted to you.

Ananthashayanam
Om Sri Sai Ram, Baba, with your help I am able to sell my house. Baba, I am praying Sai Ram japa every day and also writing Sri Sai japa every day. Baba, please be with me always and guide me to do good things. Baba, please give good nature to my tenant to vacate the house. Baba, without your support I am unable to do things properly. Baba, please give good health, good education and good behavior to my son. Baba, please give good health to all members of my family. Baba, please save me from the financial problems. Baba, without your help or guidance I am unable to move. Baba, please get me a good site in my place where I am staying. Baba, after getting a site with your help and construct the house and I want to name the house as "sai lakshmi venkatesha nilaya". Baba, I want to put your photo in front of my house to be constructed. Baba, for all these things you have to help me and guide me. Baba, please always be with me. Baba, I am always at your feet. Baba, after the house is constructed, I want to visit Shirdi, at your help. I request all the Sai devotees to pray for me. Om Sai Sri Sai jay jay Sai.

Sai devotee
Baba I pray to you every moment to help my wife recover from the major operation. She is the backbone of the family and without her actively participating in our daily life, it is impossible for us to carry on. She is getting through lots of pain and subsequently the mood is not in favor, Baba, please give me the strength and cool my temper so that I can go through the hardest time of my life. We have no one except you here. Thanks to all our Sai brothers and sisters for their prayer.

Kartik
Ohm Sri Sairam. Firstly, thanks a lot for all your favors. Please cure my father. You know that I am going through a mess both professionally and personally. Please guide me and give me strength so that I am able to fulfill my responsibility as a son, brother and friend.

Sai devotee
Ohm Sri Sai Ram, thank you Baba for uniting us at an appropriate time. We pray you for good health for both of us, bless us with sraddha and saburi and make us follow your preaching. Kindly help us to get good permanent jobs very soon. Thank you very much for giving us chance to offer our prayers to you together.

A devotee
In the office where I am working, I am facing lot of problems so I tried to go to other place. Now by Sai's grace, I will get it. My only worry is that, I do not want to neglect my family. I want to be with my family. The new job demands extensive touring. So Baba please help me. Have I done a wrong thing by opting for a change? Baba please save me. Please give me a job, which will keep me with my family. Baba you know very well. There is no one to help me other than you. I have complete faith in you. Please sai keep me with my family and guide me, give me the strength and capacity to carry out my duties at home and also in the office.
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Quotation of the Week
The Sadguru not only raises the latent divine love in ardent devotee but also leads him in a manner befitting and most convenient for that soul towards God by himself removing all the obstacles that may come in the way.-Guruji Shri C.B.Satpathy
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Question of the Week

Q. What is meant by "TRUTH"?

A. by Sai Devotee

In "Sai Satcharitra", Hemadpant says that God has created all the living beings in the universe. Those who pursue the path of spirituality will go to Heaven and enjoy the fruits of their deeds. Those who indulge in sinful acts will go to Hell and undergo suffering commensurate to their deeds.

All of us are blessed by God, to be born as human beings as He gave us the unique characteristic called "Gnana". With the help of Gnana, we would be able to attain Moksha and no other living being has this opportunity.

Every human being should utilize their lifetime to seek guidance of Sadguru to lead us in the right path and get detached from the sensory pleasures to realize the inner self. Mere reading of spiritual books and listening to lectures is not an alternative to Sadguru's guidance and wouldn't help to attain Moksha.

The ultimate truth is that only Sadguru will be able to help us to attain Moksha by giving His blessings. To have Sadguru as our companion, we should have total faith in Him and have "surrendered completely" to Him.

Q. How do devotees depend on Baba in their daily lives?

A. by A Sai devotee

This is very interesting question. I believe that whatever we do in this vast world is only by Baba's wishes. We actually depend on everything for Baba. Baba is sat within us, in our mind, in our heart, in our body and soul. We are the children of Baba. He carries us with him wherever he goes. The air we breathe is all because of Baba. The food we eat is all because of Baba. Any activitiy we do is considered Baba's wish. Most of the devotees might have had experience with Baba's chamatkaar. Even any individual who does not believe in Baba or any other God might have experienced miracles. If Baba wants us to do something , he will make sure that it is done by you. If Baba thinks it's not a good idea for you to perform certain task, it will make sure that you don't. and he will stop you at any case. So, to make a long story short, I believe nothing can be done without Baba approving it. So, we do depend on everything on Baba. Baba is everything to me, family, friend, or anything you name. Baba's the best.
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Sai Activities

Shri Sai camp in Nashik Kumbh
Under the guidance of Guruji Shri C.B.Satpathyji, a camp of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba has been established during the period of the Kumbh Mela in Nashik. The Kumbh started on July 30th, 2003. During the camp days daily annadan, bhajans, Shri Sai satcharita parayan, palkhi procession among other activities will be conducted at Shri Saibaba Mandir, Panchvati, Nashik. For full coverage of the camp, please visit www.saibaba.org and follow "Shirdi Sai camp at Kumbh Mela 2003" link.

Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, Houston, Texas, USA
Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, Houston, Texas, USA cordially invites you for Thursday satsang at 6.30pm and discourse by Mr. Gopal Rao Ravada, Saibanisa, on Aug 2 & 3 at 6pm & 5pm respectively at the following location: 5645 Hillcroft, Suite #304, Houston, Texas, 77036. For more information call (713) 789 486, (832) 567 7861, (713) 992 1453 or send an email to: baba@babamandir.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. Regular satsangs include Sai pooja, Satcharitha Parayam, Sai Bhajans, Kirthans and Sai Naama Jap. For details, please contact hamaresai@yahoo.com. Or call Sangeeta at 651-481-6782 or visit www.hamaresai.org.

Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of Canada, Toronto
Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of Canada, Toronto, invites you all to join us for Thursday Satsang. Please note new address: #203, 6 Assiniboine Road, Toronto ON M3J 1L3. (York University, Keele Campus). Please contact Shammi Chopra (416-402-8089) or Suhas Godkhindi (416-650-2934) or saileela99@yahoo.com for further information.

Sai bhajans in Orlando, FL, USA
For information on Shri Sai Bhajans at Orlando, Florida, please call 407 445 2520 for more details.

Sai bhajans in Tampa, FL, USA
Sai bhajans and Satsangs will take place at 311 East Palm Ave, Tampa. FL. 33602. Please contact 407 445 2520 or 407 458 6459 for more details.

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 still continuing with great enthusiasm across many states in the country.

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 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 www.saibaba.org and follow link to 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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