'Trust', 'faith', 'devotion' and 'surrender' are the words that need to be valued most by a spiritual aspirant. Without love there is no faith. Devotion arises through love and faith. Implicit faith in guru leads one to surrender all their actions at guru's feet. A man who believes that world is illusionary and only God alone is real and can help achieve his goal reaches his destination earlier. A person who has complete faith and has surrendered to God does not wail during hard times. Such a person knows that good and bad events are originated based on the prarabd or previous karma and controlled by God, would remain unaffected by the passing events. One never asks God "why have you given me so much of happiness?" Or "why have you fulfilled all my wishes?" One takes the positive events that happen as planned or expected as good fortune and thank God. At the same time if things do not go as planned then there is the questioning God "Why me?" Or "why should I suffer while the rest of the world is happy?" Or "why is that I never get what I want?" Then in quest for fulfilment of that desire one changes God, guru, saint, or seeks a spiritual person in the hope of achieving the goals. One even takes up austere spiritual practices to achieve what is desired passionately whilst so called 'faith' towards one's guru takes a 'hike'.

Baba has clearly said in Chapter 16/17 of Satcharita that "It is, therefore, better for one to take only what he can digest and assimilate. My treasury is full, and I can give anyone, what he wants, but I have to see whether he is qualified to receive what I give. If you listen to Me carefully, you will be certainly benefited. Sitting in this Masjid, I never speak any untruth." What one gets depends on one's capacity to handle things. Just as a mother gives the task to a child based on the capacity and capability so also does Universal mother sees if one is fit to handle what they are asking for.

All the happiness attached to that material or emotional thing is unreal; one looks only for the momentary satisfaction rather than looking into future and sees its consequences. Guru knows the future and also capabilities and hence gives what is best for a person. In spite of all the hardships that one undergoes, still one manages to live and get by, that is all because of the grace of the guru.

The best example of Shradda that one can derive from Satcharita and emulate the actions is - Mahalsapathy. He is the premier devotee of BABA. Mahalsapathy knows no other world other than BABA. His faith in Baba was ever-steady inspite of the hardships that he and his family underwent. Mahalsapathy gave up everything including his profession and lived by begging food to feed his family. He spent all this waking and sleeping hours with BABA. He rejected monetary help and charity from others too, unless Baba asked him to accept it. Mahalsapathy's faith in guru's words is a pinnacle that cannot be scaled by the greatest of the great devotees. He was the one who guarded BABA - his Shiva, like Nandi; when Baba was in transcendental state for 72 hours (Samadhi). Mahalsapathy guarded His body day and night for three days and refused to bow to the pressure of the villagers to bury the body. His faith in Baba's words "Protect My body for three days. If I return, it will be all right; if I do not, bury My body in that open land (pointing to it) and fix two flags there as a mark" was enough to control his bodily functions and remain steady in his determination and did not let anybody touch Baba's body till the third day. This state can be achieved only when there is grace of God. Though an ordinary goldsmith by profession Mahalsapathy has set an example to the world the kind of devotion, love and faith one must have towards guru.

There is also an incident cited in "Life of Sai BABA" by Sri BV Narasimha Swamiji where in it is noted that in 1896 Baba asked Mahalsapathy, who was then sleeping with Baba in Masjid and Chavdi on alternate days having developed disgust with family life and burdens; to go and sleep in his house so that Mahalsapathy would be blessed with a son. But Mahalsapathy initially declined to do so but on pressure from Baba obliged to his words and within a year a son was born. After begetting a son Mahalsapathy resumed his old vow of not developing samsara and gave company to Baba and resumed sleeping in Masjid or Chavdi. Mahalsapathy's faith in Baba remained steady and he was an epitome of perfection even in the face of distress.

One ought to take the lessons from Satcharita and lives of such great devotees and implement in practical life. Problems come and go but if one holds on to steadily to the feet of the guru with the rope of faith and love then one is sure to be saved. One would recall many incidents in life where in life was unbearable without job, ill health, and not finding a suitable life partner, wanting to go to abroad for betterment in career and life etc., but if one analyses the present situation against the past then would appreciate the way lord has taken the strings of life into his hand and saved from every situation in a loving manner. One must constantly train mind in analysing the events in life and to accept it as the blessing of the lord and abide by His will. When one holds on to the feet of the lord with complete faith and surrenders then that person shall experience supreme bliss. May Sadguru Sainath bless one and all to achieve the unflinching faith and love towards Baba, as did Mahalsapathy.

(Contributed by Anitha Kandukuri, Canberra, Australia)
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Contributed Article:What do I know about my hunger?

What do I know about my hunger?
Can I stop after two morsels and say I am done with it?
Is it my guarantee that I do not wake up in the middle hungry?

How capable am I to define what nourishes me?
What is my distinction and what is my discrimination?

If the plate in front of me is full and if I walk out, what is my fortune?
What is misfortune?

Living under the glass sealing
Sealings that are already present and the ones I created, why is this suffering?

What is my intelligence and what is my memory?

If every morsel is Sadguru, every grain is Sai; He is the appetite, and the digestion. What is my choice? Is it to "choose" to walk away after two morsels? Spiritually Lean? Hearty? How healthy is that?

(Contributed by Ravin Gnanasambandam, Minnesota, USA)
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Experiences of Devotees

Sangeetha
Om Sairam, Baba is great. I really want to thank the devotee Mr.Koirala, who posted his experience about the Guru Charitra. Through him I learnt that the library section of Florida Saibaba temple has Guru Charitra online. I read the entire Guru Charitra in two days and found it extremely wonderful. I felt very happy reading it. We live in Illinois, which is 16 hrs drive from Florida. During the December of 2002, Sai Baba appeared in my dream, which prompted my husband and me to start the Satcharitha parayana. Like a miracle we were drawn to the Florida temple all the way from Illinois. Baba's miracle did not stop there. My husband and me wanted to perform Satyanarayana Vratam and my husband had taken an oath to read Hanuman Chalisa for 7 Saturdays morning and evening. The day we were driving was the 7th Saturday and as we were in the middle of the drive he could not read in the evening. When we reached the temple, a family was preparing to perform Satyanarayana Vratam. We took part in the entire Vratam and also did Abhishekam to Swami. After the Vratam, the pujari asked us if we could sing and we sang in front of Baba. As it was a Saturday, the pujari asked if anybody wanted to read Hanuman Chalisa and my husband's joy knew no bounds. His oath remained unbroken and he successfully completed the 7th Saturday's reading. Later due to the long journey we both were very hungry and were wondering what to do about the dinner, the pujari on his own accord offered us dinner at his residence. In this way Baba fulfilled all our wishes and gave us an opportunity to perform various sevas to him until the temple was closed that day. Sai Baba is great and so far this year I could see his miracles in more than one-way in our lives and I am certain that He is with our family every single moment guiding us. All he asks from us is unflinching faith and patience. I pray to Baba to bless us this way all the time.
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Devotees say...

Janaki Mohan
This a response to devotee who had two still birth's, two miscarriages and whose husband left her. Dear Sai Devotee, Om Sairam, I am a lady and understand your feelings. My uncle and Aunty are very close devotees of Swami. They will definitely help you. May be they might even talk to Swami personally about you and may get you an opportunity to talk to Swami. Just consider this as Swami's message to you (I never wrote any article in this website before, I think it is Swami who made me write this to you) No one knows what are his plans. Every one has to pay for the karmas we commit in our all births. SAI never abandons his devotees. He gives courage and strength to face all the difficulties and when the right time comes he will execute his own plans for you.

Swamy
Dear Sai Bandhus, Sai Ram. By the grace of Sai, a yahoo group for discussion and help of health-related problems has been created. Those Sai devotees who need information or any other help in relation to health problems may please join 'wholistichealth' a yahoo group, which has recently been formed with Sai's blessings. For further information, they may send a mail to . Sai Ram.
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Prayer Club

K.G. Ramaswamy
My beloved Saima, I am writing these prayers for some noble souls who are working in a well-known company in Santa Cruz, Mumabi. Due to the pressure of their high earning Senior Officials, many long-term experienced employees have either resigned or searching for another job. In addition to their own job, senior people are dumping their work also to the subordinate by running away from their responsibilities by taking huge amount as salary. I am praying for the hardworking, truthful devotees should come up in good position everywhere in the world. Abolish bribery, chamchagiri etc.. from the job front. Please protect the innocent truthful devotees everywhere from the clutches of false Swamijis, matajis and Babas.. Thanking you in advance for granting the boon which I am asking from my heart--Sata Koti Pranams to Saima for every one

Sai Devotee
Jai Sainath!! Baba, I want some work. Please help me for getting any kind of job.

Rishi
Om Sai Ram, Baba, you know all the issues today happened with me. While going at Deputy Commissioner's office, I was having lots of faith, confidence on you. While coming in evening, all the issues were sorted out and all the related problems solved. This is all because of You. You only made this possible. Now also show some miracle regard to my job and my own house. Also please look after my both kids, give them all good things and please keep your shadow on them. Baba, please forgive me for all my sins. Om Sai Ram.

A Sai devotee
Sai Baba please listen to my prayers, help my daughter find a suitable match soon. Baba's blessing be always with our family.
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Quotation of the Week
"Other people's actions affect them and not you. Only your own deeds affect you".-Sai Baba of Shirdi
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Question of the Week

Q. What is the significance of Mr. Sathe's vision in Sai Satcharitha?

A. by K.G. Ramaswamy

Even today many are experiencing Shri Sai Baba's Grace like Mr.Sathe. When he lost in trade and other adverse circumstances & trials fell upon him, he directed his march towards Lord Sainath. When our past bad karmas effect nullifies, God listen to our prayers and appearing in the form of Sadguru. Same thing happened in the case of Mr.Sathe. As per his friends advise he left to Shirdi in 1917 A.D. for Darshana. Seeing pure, Eternal Para Brahman his mind calm down and composed to the Divine. He started reading Gurucharitra. When the reading was finished within 7 days, that night he got a vision of Saibaba holding Guru Charitra in His hand and explaining the meaning to Mr.Sathe. After he woke up, he remembered the dream and told another Sai devotee Kakasaheb to ask Baba the meaning of this dream vision. Then Shri Sai Baba told Kakasaheb to ask Mr.Sathe to continue the reading of Guru Charitra for another 7 days (saptah).

Reading of Gurucharitra will grant the Grace of God, when we read it with due respect and true devotion. Lord will grant liberation from the bondage of birth and death. His Grace will take us across the Bhavsagar.

Any Good scriptures if read will give the same effect. Shri Sai Baba always encouraged the good thoughts, good deeds & good action. Through Mr.Sathe's vision Shri Sai Baba proved his Omnipresent, Omnisicient nature and HIS nearby presence in another sphere of Consciousness--dream state. Normally we are getting three types of State. AWAKE (JAGRATH), SWAPNA (DREAM), SUSHUPTHI (DEEP SLEEP). Fourth stage of Consciousness is Turiya (Pure Consciousness). Grace of Samarth Sadguur like Shri Saibaba can take us to that stage by doing continuous sadhana like Japa, dhyana & singing the Glory of God.
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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 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 Satsang, Minnesota
By the grace of Sadguru Sainath, Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center is established in Minneapolis-St.Paul, of Minnesota. Regular Sai activities in the Twin Cities, MN are being conducted at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, 725 Lake St NE, Apt #139 Hopkins MN. 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 Saibaba Sansthan of Canada, Toronto
Devotees in Toronto invite you all to join in our weekly Satsang every Thursday at the two Locations mentioned below. For other information please call 905 887 1752 or email at saileela99@yahoo.com. (1) 271 Ridley St. Avenue Rd. and Wilson South of Hwy 401 for details Ph: 416 4813593. (2) 5359 Timberlee Blvd. # 10in Mississauga Call Mrs. Dastoor for details Ph: 905 812 8290

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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