Mankind has achieved an immeasurable growth in the way it has molded its life. As the most intelligent species in the universe, at least as evident at this point in time, human race has come a long way in looking at itself and its surroundings. Advances made in every category of rational knowledge has resulted in the manner our physical lives exist today. While people have responded to the science of physical nature for their betterment, the same cannot be said about the attempts to quench the yearning beyond our physical boundaries. Difficult times lead one to question those factors beyond our reasoning, while good times do not have that quest as a priority.

The ingenuity of the scientists of physical world has bettered our lives and may be by doing so, has also distanced ourselves from the conscious within us. The quest to seek the conscious within for reasoning the unknown is like a dying fire that has to be fuelled. The fire is kept alive by appearance of realized souls from time to time, as if conforming to a plan unknown to humanity. Sadguru Sai Baba is one such soul that appeared as a spark at the dawn of this century. The spark has steadily grown into a beacon that shines light in the lives of innumerable people that has faith in Him. His Holiness Shri Narasimhaswamiji wrote in his "Glimpses of Sai Baba" that seers like Sainath of Shirdi are scientists of the soul. These Scientists in their own way kindle and re-kindle the quest to know the within and thus help realize the purpose life may have. The scientist of Shirdi is unique in His own way. He stood with everyone, stayed beyond the divisions of caste and religion. He stood out as the unifying force common to all, like the sky, moon, light, and water.
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Contributed Poem: Birds of Providence!

Landing on the porch of Sadguru
They search for the directions standing right on the destination
Oh! The birds of providence!

"How"s and "when"s, "If"s and "whether"s
Spend and expend every possession that they think they own
The birds of providence!

Shall I and Should I? Bitter sour, "do"s and "don't"s
On their way to sweet surrender to the serene smile of Sadguru
The birds of providence!

Some strangers in their own backyard, and
Others decked like brides and grooms at someone else's wedding!
To the tunes and dances of the procession of perpetuity

The birds of providence!

(Contributed by Ravin, Minnesota)
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Experiences of Devotees

Arun Kumar
Om Sai Ram. I thank Baba for giving me an opportunity for sharing my experiences of Baba with all of you. Last year in July, I my wife and my two and half year old son went to Shirdi. After reaching Shirdi in the afternoon we went for darshan to the temple, it was Thursday. When we reached the main hall in front of Baba, it was arathi time and we were made to sit in the big hall in front of Baba, the arathi started and half way through the arathi, my 2 and half year old son started feeling little bit uneasy and started asking water to drink, in a hurry to have Baba's darshan we had forgotten to take water with us and we pacified him till the end of arathi, as soon as the evening arathi was over people started moving for the darshan by forming two lines we took the left side line of Baba, the line was moving fast till we reached the small hall where all photos of Baba's devotees are kept. My son's thirst grew more and he was total uneasy and started crying and the line stopped moving completely could see nor control my son's thirst as he was crying, there itself I closed my eyes and prayed to Baba, to control my son's thirst or if someone was carrying water to give to my son. For another five minutes, nothing of the above happened, nor the line moved. My son was uncontrollable with thirst, finally the line started moving slowly, when we reached the stone pillars on the left side of the entrance of the samadhi, I found a mineral water bottle with water in between two stone pillars, I was in a shock to find the bottle there because the place where I found was not a place where you will usually find a bottle of water. I was so happy, thanked god for this wonderful experience and I give water to my kid and his thirst was quenched, and he was ok after that. Still now I am remember has it has happened yesterday. It was really wonderful experience and showed that Baba will not let down his devotee when they need him. Om Sai Ram.

Pradip Koirala
I want to share a recent experience of mine with the Sai community. I want to get the implication of this experience of mine from more prominent Sai bandhus. I perform regular Kakad Arati, Dhup Arati, saikalin arati and shej Arati in my home. I have small pooja place in my house. I also download Sai picture in my monitor. My son is in Bangladesh for study. He is a Sai sebak and in March 7 mailed me some very important original Baba's photo. I made up my mind to download one of these photos every day in my monitor and perform Aratis as I always used to do. In March 8, I started my Kakad arati and downloaded Baba's original camera photo, which was taken at 1915 by a devotee. This photo is also available in picture gallery of saibaba organization. Baba is there seen in black gown type dress with white garland. At the time of Kakad arati of March 8, I felt that this original photo of Baba is very powerful. I performed the Kakad arati as I usually used to do. Then after arati, took my meal and lay down in my bed. But that photo and its immense power continuously hunched my mind. While lying down, I was concentrating myself on the photo. I roughly estimate for 7 to 10 minutes, I concentrated my self on said original photo. To my great surprise, suddenly, the photo was not there but there was Diya with light (Jyoti) instead. I took darshan of Jyoti. Will any prominent devotee help me by writing the implication of this experience in the next issue of the Newsletter? OM SAI RAM.

Vamsi Krishna
We would like to share with you all an incident of Shirdi Baba's appearance during a wedding. The incident of Baba's appearance, the version of which we have heard, is as follows. This was the mail I got from my friend.

The bride who is a devotee of Baba went along with her parents to Shirdi a few days before her marriage. She grew so emotional there that she wept before the Samadhi of Baba with an invitation to attend her marriage. Later the marriage was performed as planned. After the marriage celebrations was over the bride remembered her prayer to Baba at Shirdi and then wept in the night just before going to bed that she never experienced Baba's presence during the marriage. That night Baba came in her dream and said: "Do not feel sad. I was there during your marriage. Open the album of photographs of your marriage and see the photo where you are all going in the procession. You can see me in that photo.
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Devotees say...

Sisu
Dear All, I have been a regular reader of the Sai Vichaar, from the past two years. I was introduced to this site by a friend. Though my parents staunchly believe in Baba, I haven't been so very staunch in my rituals or devotion to Baba. The reason why I seek counsel today is, that, I wanted to mention a couple of thoughts that arise in my mind -- if not all times, but many a times. Whenever I see Baba's picture, he seems to me like an elderly member of the family. I cannot gather myself to recite shlokas in front of the picture or observe Thursdays and poojas; instead it's a monologue that goes on.it seems to me as if I am talking to the picture...not asking for anything.but asking for forgiveness for wrong done unintentionally or otherwise. I have tried reading the Satcharitha, but on completion of Chapter 2, my mind doesn't seem to concentrate on what I read. This has happened umpteen number of times. On the contrary, whenever I visit a temple and close my eyes, I can see only Baba's picture and not the deity that is installed there. I find myself thinking only about Baba than the deity/idol that's very much in front of me. This is something that's been going on for long. I find this very strange. Is this the hallucination of my mind, or, is it a normal thing that everyone goes through. Or is it some indication that I need to listen/follow. I would appreciate your guidance on this.

Sai Ratnakar
Dear Devotees, it has been great pleasure receiving so many emails from several devotees in response to my earlier email of writing a book on Sai Temples with Sai's blessings. Mails are coming to me still from several devotees. With Sai's blessings, I am compiling the information needed to start the book. I will keep posted everyone through this newsletter about the progress. Once again, Sai will write about himself how his fame has spread from a small village in Shirdi to this distant land of America. I am just an instrument chosen by him and feel every minute whether I will be able to complete this ardent task. Then, I get a new mail which gives me a support and that the message from Saibaba is clear. I bow my head to the lotus feet of Shri Sai Baba and my humble pranams to all devotees who are helping me and all other devotees who are greater than me in several respects.
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Prayer Club

Chitra S
Dear Sai Devotees, I am praying for health of my mother, who is suffering from breast cancer. Even though it has been detected at very early stage, we are concerned about it. Doctor has started his treatment for the same and has assured us recovery. We all know that our great God Sai Baba is the sole savior of all of us. We are sincerely praying for his grace and cure this deadly disease. Bring my mother back to normal self. He is great God for us always. He protects everyone at all the time, who has full faith in him. I sincerely request all my beloved sai devotees to pray for my mother's health and full recovery. SRI SATCHITANAND SADGURU SRI SAINATH MAHARAJ KI JAI!

Sai devotee
Baba you know what my son did on Friday. Give him strength so he depends on himself only. Baba, teach him right from wrong. Baba I went to the temple and brought a flower from Baba's feet and Baba said (or I felt he said) some problems will come your son's way, But I will watch over him! I think that is a big relief for me. Baba always loved us and will always love us again.

Madhavi
Baba, when will this problem be solved. I know it is temporary and I am 100 percent confident that you will solve it. But when BABA? I can no longer see my sister crying and my parents weeping. I want my family to be happy. You have given us everything whatever I have asked for, so far. Please grant this wish also. This is more important than anything else is. I don't why and how, but my mind says that you will remove all the tensions from our minds very soon. I am just waiting for that day to come. When it arrives, I will be the happiest person in the world.

Keshab
Om Sairam ! God we are very pleased because of your blessing where our son got admission in the school as per our desire. He is staying in school hostel please take care of him.

Ramamurthy
Om Sai, I am a devotee of Sai Baba for many years. How I became his devotee? I am now 66 years old keeping up good health by the grace of Sai. Nature had given me so many tests - as far as I recall - it might be more than 10 - at the infant stage of 6 months, serious typhoid about to be declared as dead; at 10, caught in heavy current waters of Cauveri; then innumerable rocket attacks and air bombardment; bomb explosion in front of the house killing about 60 people while in service in Kabul (Afghanistan); gall bladder removal surgery at the age of 51; paralytic attack in 62; by-pass heart surgery at 65 - but I prayed to Baba all the time and thus he saved from me. Now it is time for me to serve other devotees of Baby in Shirdi in any form - I am specialized in Accounting & Auditing and I want to work voluntarily, without any remuneration, in Shirdi. Hope Baba will continue to help and utilize my services, time, devotion etc. With whole-hearted prayers.

Dev
Dear Baba, please get me out from the problem and give peace of the mind to me and my family. I do not need money, I need your krupa. By your grace, I have enough. By your grace, my family is fine now. However, the deal of proerty I made in your name is not going smoothly. Please help me and let there be smooth transaction. You have heard my prayers and done so many miracles, I am sure you will bail me out this time as well. Om Sai Ram.

Sai devotee
I am a devotee of Baba and of late I am experiencing nervous break down, I am shattered because which ever man I like moves away from me. I need to get married as early as possible. Please pray that I find my soul mate as early as possible and get settled. I have faith in some people who happen to be close to Sai baba but I really don't know whether they are genuine or not.please help me Baba.
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Quotation of the Week
"Nobody that comes to me shall return empty-handed. This is my promise".-Saibaba of Shirdi
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Question of the Week

Q. "Describe in detail Baba's Handi and express your thoughts about it."
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Sai Activities

Sri Rama Navami Celebations, Toronto, Canada
SHIRDI SAI BABA SANSTHAN OF CANADA, requests your benign presence on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami Celebrations on April 3 2004 and our weekly Thursday Prayers to receive Baba's blessings. For more Details please send us an email: saileela99@yahoo.com or call us at 905 887 1752

Sri Ramanavami/Urs Celebrations, Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Minnesota
Shirdi Saibaba Prayer center, Minnesota invites Sai devotees to participate in the Sri Ramanavami/Urs celebrations on Saturday, April 3, 2004 at Geeta Ashram, Brooklyn Park, MN. The event includes, Sai aarthis, Devotees' experiences, Bhajans, Kirtans, Chandan Utsav and Palki Procession. Please write to hamaresai@yahoo.com. 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 visit www.hamaresai.org or write to hamaresai@yahoo.com. Or call Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center at 952-938-2983.

Shri Ramnavami Festival 2004 at Shri Saibaba Sansthan, Shirdi
Please visit the following link to know more about Shirdi Sai Sansthan's Ramanavami festival celebrations: http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/shirdi/ustav04/ramnavmi2004.asp

Sai Aashish by Sai Swar
Sudhir Dalvi eminent film artiste who is known worldwide for his portrayal as Shri Saibaba Of Shirdi in Manoj Kumar's movie "Shirdi ke Saibaba" and later in Deepak Balraj Vij's "Saibaba" has formed "Sai Ashish" a stage performance group consisting of Suhas Dalvi, Tushar Parte, and Suchitra Parte. Sai Aashish is a performance troupe ideally suited for occasions and festivities on Saibaba of Shirdi. For more details, please visit www.saiswar.com
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