Human mind has a natural propensity to delve into the unknown mysteries of nature. What a man already knows, does not interest him as much as what he newly discovers. This new discovery again loses importance when newer ones come to his knowledge. If such discoveries are logically explainable through scientific methods to which his mind is attuned, then it's acceptance is spontaneous and easier. It is so because the human brain is conditioned to think and understand the world around or solve problems through the use of such reasoning faculties. Where he is confronted with a new discovery, fact or revelation, which his logical intellect fails to comprehend or even if it comprehends, fails to accept, there arises a problem. This is the predicament which most of the devotees face many a times when facing the inscrutable aspects of a Masters personality or actions. Even if they would like to believe in an unexplainable phenomena happening around a Master, yet their mind continues to play its favorite game of doubting again and again. At times they believe that such unexplainable faculties which are known as subtle powers creating miracles are with the Masters or they believe that the Master being at the highest spiritual level reached by a human being, are capable of using such powers in a subtle way not known to the ordinary human beings.

When in a state of devotional, contemplative mood they experience and accept these unexplainable phenomena more easily than when they are operating in their normal state of mind guided by the common human intellect. Thus, they waver between acceptance and rejection and are unable to be in a stable state of mind. Quoting an example from Shri Sai Satcharitra, when the grocer shop owners refused to give Oil to Baba on a Deepawali day, the Master burnt the lamps throughout the night with water in the most miraculous way.

As to why on that day and at that time Baba wanted to demonstrate His power is a separate issue, but fact remains that it is not easy for any ordinary human being to accept such an unexplainable and inscrutable phenomenon as a reality. Those devotees, who were a witness to this miracle, suddenly realized that Shri Shirdi Sai was no common Sadhu but was a divine personality with occult powers. Such was the electrifying effect of this miracle at that time that the suspicious and mischievous village folks immediately turned to a group of devotees. This is the typical human reaction to anything surprising, sudden or unexplainable when it happens. However, this does not mean that their minds had fully accepted this fact and that they had no further questions to ask to Baba having accepted him as the all-powerful divine entity. If one goes further through Shri Sai Satcharitra, one would see that hundreds of events/activities around Baba were happening in the most miraculous way. In fact, at the first stage it is the news about the miracles that spread like wild fire and brought many devotees to him from far and wide. Once they came to Baba, the great Master started guiding and helping them, both through visible and invisible methods in the path of spiritual evolution. The treatment given to each devotee was in accordance with his requirements, which the Master surely knew.

No doubt, many of the close devotees coming from outside and some belonging to Shirdi, who were in daily contact with Baba, witnessed and experienced his miracles and divine play as a daily affaire at Shirdi. Faith was generated in them because of the immense help they used to receive from Baba, some times, in the ordinary way and at times, in the most unexpected manner.

When a man after a long period of distressed suffers desperation and then suddenly help comes from the most unexpected quarters, he thanks God, calling it an act of divine mercy. Babas devotees, in thousands, staying in different parts of the country used to get such help at the most crucial moments of their life. Such divine interventions, in other words, can be called the 'Grace of the Master' or 'Compassion' or 'Kripa'. For example Shyama, an ardent devotee of Baba at Shirdi was bitten by snake. Baba without use of any medicines saved him only by a command. Mainatai, the daughter of Nana Saheb Chandorkar at Jamner had serious delivery complications but a man sent by Baba reached the house of Chandorkar with the help of a mysterious Tangewalla with Baba's Udi at the most critical moment. Chandorkar, a Magistrate, with all his pride and intellect was just shocked. Hundreds of examples regarding Babas help received by his devotees unexpectedly, far away from Shirdi, not only when Shri Sai was in his physical embodiment, but also as on today have been recorded. A very large number of them belong to the intellectual and educated group who would never have believed what they experienced, if such miracles were told by some one else.

Herein comes the main question about the faith in the Master. Should miracles be the only factor/plinth of such faith even if a Master is capable of creating such miracles?

The first problem that arises when faith is dependent only on miracles created by a Saint or Master is that the devotee becomes miracle dependent. I have seen some devotees not doing what they are ordinarily supposed to do and then pray for help in a crisis. For example, if a child is not studying well, instead of taking care of his education through the available means, and time, they run to the temples more frequently to get blessing for the child's success as if a miracle would solve their mundane problems.

Nature, which is the manifested spirit of God, tells human beings, "I have given you a body, a mind and a soul. I have created the facilities on this earth. Put them to the best possible use for your good and that of others". The house in which we stay, the food we eat, the electricity we use, the doctor we consult, as much as the temple we visit all are created by God. But not being able to do what God has empowered us to do but merely wishing for miracles to happen is treading an illusory path. Secondly, those devotees who only depend on the powers of miracles of a Master will lose faith if the miracle prayed for does not take place. After all miracles are also dependent on the laws of Karma i.e. they are a result of his noble deeds of the past and takes place only if he deserve to get such miraculous helps. The worst is that if some problems are solved through miracles but later the desired help does not take place, faith gets easily shaken. It is again in the nature of mind that human beings are prone to think more of a single negative quality of a man even if he has many other positive qualities. They lament on a single failure forgetting that they had many successes in the past. Undoubtedly, if the faith is based on these powers of miracles of the Master, then such a devotee is actually loving the Master's miracles more than the Master himself. This is a conditional devotion where as true devotion or love of the Master, in the real sense of the term cannot be conditional. On the other hand, the true devotees, even when experiencing the acts of compassion of the Master or miraculous help, neither prays for it nor depends on it. Tolerating the pleasures and pains of life, they continue to do their best for the cause of the Masters. To them the biggest miracle happens slowly but steadily. They conquer their weakness of mind to depend on miracles and stand out of their own in the world as great personalities of faith.

(Guruji Shri C.B. Satpathy ji)
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Contributed Article:Sri Sai Pancha Sooktam: Sooktam 5

Vibhootinam KaruNaalaya Sesham
Subhapradam AruNaaruNa Paadam
Swayambhuvam SaraNaagata Dhaamam
Sri-Saainaadham Sirasaa Namaami

Meaning:
Vibhootinam KaruNaalaya Sesham - Your Vibhooti (Udi) is filled with mercy/medicine - and is the remainder (whatever is left after fire burns things
AruNaaruNa Paadam Subhapradam - Your pinkish foot is auspicious to your devotees
Swayambhuvam SaraNaagata Dhaamam - You are a self-manifestation of God, You are the 'final destination' for those that surrender to you with faith and patience
Sri-Saainaadham Sirasaa Namaami - Oh Sainaadha! With all my thoughts (head) focused on you I offer prayers

(Contributed by Prasad V Nimmagadda)
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Experiences of Devotees

Vidya RS
Dear Sai Bhaktas, Jai Sai Ram My experiences during the summer where during each stage of my journey I felt Sai was around me all the time making sure all my religious commitments were fulfilled with ease. " He is with us whenever and where ever we think of Him ". Trivial and insignificant it may seem to some but I would like to share my experiences with you all. My first stop was Tirupathi. I wanted a comfortable darshan without having to deal with the pushing and jostling crowds as I had 2 small children with me. A friend who took us talked to some officials and we were allowed to join the queue where it comes to a single file formation, not only that we were allowed to stand for a few minutes and allowed to have darshan to our hearts content. Even here I was not satisfied and prayed to Sai for even closer darshan, and to my surprise next morning I could view the deity very close and was immensely satisfied. Our next stop was Shirdi. I wanted Udi to last me at least 2 years. Here also with the least effort on my part I was able to meet an official too happy to oblige me. My daughter wanted to present a rose garland. She wanted it to be decorated on either the statue or the photo of Sai; I told here it was not possible as the pundits may put it on the samadhi only. But to our surprise, seeing my daughter trying her best to carry the heavy garland which she wanted to, a pundit called us ahead and after offering it at the feet of the statue asked his assistant to take us to the dyan mandir and offer the garland to the Sai photo there. Even this small desire was fulfilled. Our next trip to Mata Vaishno devi shrine In Jammu was also completed with ease with the Mata gracing us with a very good darshan thanks to the all pervading grace of Sai. Not only that our return trip was also completed with ease and once back here I got a Job I had been hoping for. In conclusion, how we feel earnestly, He realizes it and fulfills it what is needed is unwavering faith.
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Devotees say...

PP Koirala
Sadguru Baba is a god incarnate. It is proven, a Factum Valid. Eighty five years has passed, when Baba took Samadhi. World has witnessed his material as well as spiritual grace to Sai sevak and to the humanity at large. But, we so called Sai sevak suffer from the double standard. At the time of adversary, we pray for Baba's grace and achieve it and the trouble vanishes like a passing cloud. We forget that time that the trouble is the product of our wrong deeds in the past. We also forget that Man is the instrument of God. When happiness comes, we think it is because of our action and Sad guru has no role in our happiness. We also give a reflection of insincerity towards Baba by reducing our time spent for Namsamaran and Meditation. Baba, Please give us THAT SUPREME WISDOM, which realizes that we are responsible for all the bad days, and for all the happiness we get, the grace of sadguru Baba is responsible.

Raman Sridharan, Mumbai, India
Sai is known as the Ocean of Love. Every drop of his love is the ultimate `prasad' for HIS devotees. He protects with love, feeds with love, solves the problems of HIS devotees with love and HIS love knows no boundaries. HIS form forms the Universal love and in the present days of violence, we, the devotees have been left with no other alternative but to hang on at HIS lotus feet with sincere prayers to restore peace in the world and to bless all of us with his overflowing love so that we, under HIS shadow are protected. May SAI be with us is my prayer at HIS lotus feet.

A Sai devotee
It is interesting that there are still people who are obsessed with the wanting to know if Baba was a Hindu or Muslim. There have been such quests by many an individual to find the truth but to no avail. I would like to put forth a different perspective in this regard. Why are we so eager to know the antecedents of Baba? He himself never brooked this argument or encouraged it and definitely never tried to clear it. Indeed, once he threw away his clothes and stood stark naked in frustration and asked people to judge for themselves whether he was a Hindu or Muslim. All this shows his disinclination to reveal this answer. Even after His Mahasamadhi we read about how the people were arguing whether Baba's body be buried or interred. He whose life was dedicated to uniting the two religions would have never liked that to happen. He never wanted people to fight over religious issues. Does it really matter if we know the answer? Aren't these associations only for the physical body while the soul is untouched by caste and creed. Isn't Baba the Universal Spirit, limitless and eternal residing in all existence, beyond the religion and beyond the man made boundaries, still living and ever responding the call of devotees, ample proof to stop such a quest. Still we are eager to ascribe Baba to a religion to satisfy our own ego or pride in our religion or just to assay our curiosity. Baba never required a body to travel even while He was 'alive'. There are many references in Satcharitra and other Books on Baba about how his devotees saw Him in remote places while He had not moved from Shirdi or even seeing Him in more than one place at the same time. Nor does he require to be 'alive' to appear even now in His physical form - many are the fortunate devotees who have had His darshan even today. These incidents speak for themselves about our omnipresent and omniscient Baba who is beyond form, time and space. Jai Sai Ram

Subramanian Ravi
Reading the Sai Newsletter is indeed a spiritual experience. In devotee's prayers and experiences we see a microcosm of the whole world. We see some devotees exclaiming in delight at having obtained Sainath Maharaj's grace. There are other devotees sorely troubled in mind or body, praying to the Most Merciful one for help. There are words of wisdom provided by the learned, reading which we understand the Sadguru's teachings. Invariably some prayer or narrative resonates deeply with us. Dear Father, we are your children. We are playing in your great house confident in our belief, that come what may, we can always run back to your lap and take shelter. It is this faith in You that sustains us. May Your Grace provide guidance to all. Baba has blessed me several times I have failed to realize it? Why is it that I only realize Baba's presence after the event?

Sai devotee
Hey Shirdi Sainath I am getting married this week. Please Shower your blessings on us.

Manoharan
Om sarvadevta swaroopam!!! Sainath guru meri maai, charano-me sthan de do Sai! Datta raja guru meri maai , charano-me sthan de do Sai!
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Prayer Club

Latha Srinivas
Sai Maharaj! You are aware of the problems that I am facing in my life. Plsease help my husband to settle down with a permanent job or business in his life. Also, seek your guidance to proceed with our house construction. Too confused at this point of time, which you are very much aware. Please be with my family and me always. Let your blessings be ever with my parents and sisters always. Hail Sai Ram!

A Sai devotee
OM SAI RAM, Submitting myself at the lotus feet of my dear Baba. We are staying abroad. Last year we had many difficulties. My husband was admitted in the hospital suddenly after checkup and had to undergo a major surgery. At the same time we had to change our flat. We were really very worried and prayed to baba with full heart. Without our asking our neighbors and friends came to our help. By Baba's kripa the operation was a success and we also shifted our flat without much difficulty. We faced more trouble that also was solved by baba for us. For all these helps done to us we will always be graceful to baba. Please continue to shower your blessings on all and us.

Sai devotee
Baba please be with our family always. Thank you for giving us so much in life. Protect us always and guide us. Help us to be helpful to others always. Forgive our sins.

A Sai devotee
Sainatha, Our family is going through the toughest crises of all times now. My sister's life has shattered to pieces. My parents and sister are very depressed with the recent happenings. Please Baba, show us a way out of this problem. Help my sister get out of this situation. Relieve all of us from this tension, show my sister a way. Baba, you have proved many times that you are with us every minute; you have blessed us to be able to read the Satcharitha on a regular basis, you have helped us out of many troubled situations before, Baba, now kindly help us deal with this situation, lead us on the right path so that all of us can help my sister handle the situation better and kindly help us solve the problem baba. We need you every single second, kindly help us. Please show my sister the way to the next step in life. Kindly help Baba.

A devotee
I request all the ardent sai devotees to pray for my sister. She needs all your sincere prayers. Thank you.

Marcel Bischoff
Dear Shri Sainath!!! We all need Your help so very much. Please bless us again and again. Without Your help we are truly lost in this world.

A Sai devotee
OM Shri Sai Baba !!! Sadguru Sainatha Maharaj ki Jai. Baba so may times I prayed for my welfare and for my sisters. I never prayed for my brother who for many years irresponsible, in bad habits. You helped me always when I prayed. Please Baba, help my brother and see that he changes in to a new person. You are my last chance to help my brother.

A devotee
Baba, my husband doesn't know who to talk well and gets into complex situations at work because of this. It has also cost him his job many times, please baba please be with him and let his work go smoothly. Pl. always be with us Baba and help us have a peaceful life.

A Sai Devottee
Sai Baba, Please bless me and my family with your blessings and love. Your constant guidance and grace are my virtues I always bear in my heart. I seek your blessings for bringing the fame to my country in the alien country and this leads to the path of progress, happiness and success. Baba please keep guiding me at all the steps, as you are the only one I have to confide in. Please bless me in all my efforts.
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Quotation of the Week
"The Guru and man's inner reality are really one and work together towards the same goal - the redemption and salvation of the mind. They cannot fail. Out of very boulders that obstruct them they build their bridges".-Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
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Question of the Week

Q. What is Sadguru's love compared with?

A. by Sai devotee

As rightly pointed out by a devotee, Sadguru's love can be compared to a mother's love. As human beings, the purest, most unselfish love that we experience is that of a mother. No matter how strong any other bond is, there cannot be one stronger than between a mother and her children. A Sadguru's love is slightly different from that of a mother. A mother may sometimes be angry, emotional, upset with her children and may say or do something which she wishes later she should not have done or said. A Sadguru, and Sai Baba epitomises this, is never angry or upset with you. Baba will always be with you and love you, no matter how bad you have been. But this comes with a corollary - unswerving, unflinching faith in Him. While saying this, I would request all devotees to think back on this - when we compare Baba's love with a mother's love, how fair, responsible, dutiful have we been towards our mothers? My mother is the apple of my eye and I have tried to serve her to my best ability but cannot even repay a fraction of what she has done for me. Let us think on this and see if we can change something in the way we treat our mothers. OM SAIRAM.
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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.

Saibaba Mahasamadhi Celebrations 2003, Minneapolis, MN
Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Minnesota, invites you to join Saibaba Mahasamadhi Celebrations on October 11, 2003 at Geeta Ashram, Brooklyn Park, MN. The program includes Sai shodasapochara pooja, aarthis, devotees' experiences, parayan, kids program, bhajans and kirthans and Palki procession. Please visit www.hamaresai.org for more details.

Saibaba Mahasamadhi Celebrations, Toronto, Canada
Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada invites you all to join in to Celebrate Vijay Dashami and Baba's Maha Samadhi on Oct 4th 2003. For Further Details Please call the number below or refer to Community News. Due to certain limitations, we are moving the venue for Thursday Prayers from Durga Temple. For details on Chitra Yatra, Location of Satsang and Program information please call 905 887 1752 or email at saileela99@yahoo.com

Shirdi Sai Mahasamadhi and Dassera celebrations in Bay Area, CA
We invite all to join us for Shirdi Sai Mahasamadhi and Dassera celebrations on October 5th(Sunday) from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Venue: Las Palmas Park Building, 850 Russet Drive, Sunnyvale, CA (Located off of Remington Drive and Spinosa Drive) For more details send an email to saibandhu@yahoo.com

Shirdi Sai Utsav 2003, Orlando, FL
A festival to reminisce, exalt and perpetuate the spiritual guidance and theism of Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi is being organized in Orlando, Florida, USA. The festival is scheduled to be held on the 4th and 5th of October 2003, commemorating the Mahasamadhi of Baba. For further details, please visit www.saisharan.org or send an email to shirdisaiutsav2003@yahoo.com or sathgurusai2002@yahoo.com or by phone at 407-310-7933.

Dusserah and Mahasamadhi celebrations at Sydney, Australia
Shree Shirdi Sai Sansthan Sydney invites you with family and friends to join the Dusserah and Mahasamadhi on 3rd, 4th & 5th October 2003 from 5pm onwards at Sai Mandir, 420 Liverpool Road (Cnr. Liverpool Road & Hill Streets), Strathfield South, NSW 2136. For details please call 0500 524 724 or visit http://www.omsrisai.com

Shirdi Sai Mandir, Baldwin, NY
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Punyathithi and Dussera celebration begin on September 27th and will go on until October 6th 2003. For further information please call 516-867-8008 or visit www.saimandirusa.org. or Sai Mandir USA, Nori Foundation Inc., 1889 Grand Ave, Baldwin, NY 11510. Telephone: 516-867-8008. Free Municipal parking available right across, behind Grand Avenue on St.Lukes place.

Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mandir, Columbus OH
Sri Saibaba Temple Society of Ohio are celebrating Mahasamadhi/Dasara starting from Sep 26 - Oct 5. For details, visit http://www.srishirdisaibabamandir.org or email sssb_temple@yahoo.com.

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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