Jee karta hain mere Sayee.. main Shiridi mein hee bas jaaoon
Lekin jab tak thoo na chaahe.. main Shiridi main kaise aaoon
Shiridi mein mujhe bulaale re...
Shiridi mein mujhe bulaale re..

I wish I could come stay in Shirdi for ever and ever Oh Sai!
But, how could I? Unless you wish I could!
Call me to Shirdi my Sayee....Call me to Shirdi!

Baba said, "I draw to Me My man from far off, or even across the seven seas, like a sparrow with a string fastened to its feet." He also made it clear to him that if he were not Baba's man, he would not be attracted to Him and given a darshan. Baba also said that He is not the three cubits long body that lived in Shirdi but He will manifest wherever there is true longing and devotion. The above statements may appear to contradict unless one sees the real context in which they are uttered or used. Realizing Baba in places other than Shirdi is a true pursuit of Baba in the attempts to see Baba in every being. However, visiting a pilgrim center such as Shirdi is a recommended practice for a Saadhaka. It is a suggested that every Muslim must do Haj at least once in his lifetime. It is also true that visiting Babylon is one of the desires of most Christians.

The physical presence of a devotee in Shirdi, the taste of its water, soil, and breeze, the perfumes of the air and the chanting of the aarthis in the presence of so many other devotees has a magical effect. Standing in the Samadhi mandir, in front of the piercing eyes of love and compassion does away with the pain and suffering of the visitors with one stroke. The assurances of material and spiritual wealth come to reality. Once a devotee steps on the soil of Shirdi, his life is set on a different course. One immense longing that a devotee leaves Shirdi with is that he should return to Shirdi. The power of the magic soil is such!
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Contributed Article:Shirdi Saibaba Activities in New Zealand

Sai Baba said, " My tomb shall bless and speak to the needs of the devotees." I am pleased to inform that Sri Shirdi Sai Baba devotees are increasing day by day. This is evident from the huge gathering of around 1000 people on the occasion of Guru Poornima Pooja at Mahatma Gandhi Center, Edden Terrace, Auckland, NZ on 13th July 2003. It was celebrated in a grand manner with full devotional fervor with the co-operation and support of everyone.

Further the devotees' strength in the weekly satsang every Thursday at Bharatiya Mandir is increasing. We also conduct satsang at Radha Krishna Mandir on the second Saturday of every month and we plan extend our bhajan programs very shortly at other temples in Auckland.

Since last year Sansthan has been performing Shri Shirdi Sai Baba satsang in Tauranga where devotees' response is growing strong. Very soon we are expecting to perform in Hamilton. Sai Baba's four arathis are being performed once a month at the residence of one of the devotees by turn as a regular feature of satsang. The four arathis are conducted similar to what is being done at Shirdi, to feel the power of Baba.

As you are aware one of our main objective is to build SaiBaba's temple in Auckland, New Zealand. For this noble cause Sansthan is conducting various fund raising programs. One such Program is "Donate a Brick". Devotees are responding overwhelmingly to this project. Many such fundraising programs are lined up in future for which your involvement and continuous support are very much essential.

We are also very keen to spread Baba's philosophy and teachings throughout New Zealand; in this regard we are organizing Bal Vihar classes for children and Sai Baba study circle for Adults.

So far Sansthan has organized two Blood Donation Camps this year and about 70 devotees participated in the Blood Doantion. The Sansthan is very much grateful to them and we expect similar response in future too. As of today Sansthan has more than 100 financial members (Life & Annual) including those from USA, Australia and Singapore apart from New Zealand.

Remember, whatever we are doing is, "For Baba, Of Baba and By Baba". We are only tools acting according to His will. My final word is that " Just being with the Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan is your greatest Contribution! "

(Contributed by Laxman, NZ)
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Experiences of Devotees

A Baba devotee
I would like to share one of Sai Baba's blessings: I am very bad at my studies during graduation. I worked hard but I could not do well in my exams. But every Sunday I used to offer one rose flower and some sweet to Sai Baba and ask him to help me in passing my examinations. After the examination if I look at my answer sheet I was 100% sure that I will fail. You will not believe, I had 70% in all my semesters. No one would believe this not even my Lecturers. Just for one rose flower and sweet Sai Baba showered his blessings on me to complete my graduation without any problems. (Out of all Sai Baba's blessings towards me this is just one small one)
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Devotees say...

Sai devotee
This is to reply to the person who had asked to send an answer for his question regarding the number 93 which he always gets in his dream and wanted an answer from the book 'Your Question, Sai Baba's answer'. I have managed to get a reply to this from the book and here is the answer: "Leave belongingness. Surrender to Shri Sai and then things will take place as desired." Trust this answers your prayers.
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Prayer Club

A Sai devotee
Dear Sai Babaji, please help my friend's father to recover quickly. Everyone is confused about what actually is wrong and all attempts are going futile. My friend is like my sister Sai and she is an ardent devotee of yours and I have full faith in you that you are going to be with her and bless her always because she deserves it. I know I am not the one to see who deserves what but Baba she is a wonderful person. Please take care of her. Baba I have wanted to do a Sai sandhya in my house since a long time and now with your grace we are having it on the 10th of October. I want everything to go well and everyone to get your darshan to their hearts content. Please come to our house baba and make the ceremony complete with your blessings. I will wait for you.

Devotee
OM SAI RAM. I just pray to SAI RAM to be with all, as HE has been with me always. Since the time I started praying and following HIM, I have always experienced HIS hand on me. As I did recently, I was very frustrated with the job I was doing and was searching for a new job. Most of the offices I visited, I was rejected entry. I felt really bad about this. Within few days I got such a good offer from an organization where I always wanted to work. It was all HIS grace that I was able to get a job of my choice. JAI SAI RAM. Currently my dad is going through a major financial crisis, but I have full faith on SAI RAM that HE will always help and be there for all of us at all point of time whether good or bad... SAI BABA please give me and my family so much strength that we face this crisis with ease...OM SAI NATHAY NAMAH...BLESS ALL...

Mahesh Kumar
Sai, my sister is suffering for the last 6 years and we all in the family are praying to you. Sai do something to that girl so that she can get married.

Ananthashayanam
Baba I am unable to express my problems and troubles. Baba I already moved to sell the house, but the tenant is coming in the middle and cancels the selling. Baba, please give my tenant good nature and guide him. Baba, without your help I am unable to sell my house. Baba, I don't know how to express my feelings. Baba, I am always at your lotus feet and praying daily. Baba, please give my son good knowledge and he is having I term exams from 15 October 2003. Baba, please guide him to do well in the exams. Om Sri Sai Ram. Om Sai Sri Sai Jay Jay Sai

Chandra
Please Baba help me, I want to get rid of my leg ulcer, which I have it for a very long time and want to lead a normal life. I am worried about it. I want to visit my sister in Fiji for a holiday and settle our property problem. I want to know if she wants to sell it, or not. I am left on the dark side, I do not know what is happening. Please help me Baba!!!

Sai devotee
Sarvam Sri Sai Padarpanamastu, Sarva Barabruthe Namaha, Sai Natheva Rakshathi. Dear Baba, thank you for blessing my family members and me. I know that you will always be with us, as you are our strength and every thing in our life. Baba, you know what I am seeking from you now and also I know that you alone can give me life, in this situation. Please Baba, bless me and my family members to have good health, peaceful long life. Also bless me to have opportunity to spend happy time with my family members. Baba, 14th October is my birthday. On this occasion I pray for your blessings to have good health and to overcome all my worries. Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai. Gurudeva Datta.
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Quotation of the Week
"This Masjidmayi is very merciful. Those who step into her lap, all their difficulties will be removed "-Saibaba of Shirdi
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Question of the Week

Q. What is Sadguru's love compared with?

A. by Ashish Bhola

Sadguru's love can be compared with love of Mother/maa. In Shri "Sai Satchitra" Baba mentioned that his guru used to take care of him like a mother, as he was his real "sadguru". Also Baba says, "Have faith in me, and I will protect you from all sins, misdeeds and ill fortune". This is just like the true love of mother. Just as our mother takes care of us, loves us, teaches us morals, our duties, the distinction between the right and wrong, in the same manner a sadguru teaches his devotee the Real values, the path to "Brahman" or "supreme truth". As without mother the child's life gets spoiled, without sadguru a devotee's life is a waste. The way to god is through sadguru only. The lesson is that one should never take his/her guru (saimaa) for granted and should be thankful to god for blessing us both with mother and guru (saimaa) to show us light in the darker paths of life.
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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.

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.

Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of Canada, Toronto
Devotees in Toronto invite you all to join in our weekly Satsang every Thursday. Due to certain limitations, we are temporarily moving the venue for Thursday prayers from Durga Temple. For details on Chitra yatra, location of Satsang and other information please call 905 887 1752 or email at saileela99@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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