Sai Baba's famous parables and off guard cryptic remarks are well known. These comments were always impregnated with a message directed towards the individual who is addressed. Once, a devotee wanted to take a photograph of Baba. When Baba was approached regarding this, He said, "No, it is enough if he knocks a wall down". The devotee stood confused. Later, an explanation was given as follows: The photograph is one's likeness of Baba. The wall is "I am the body" idea which is an obstacle that interferes with identifying the spirit.

One straightforward remark of Baba has always been "awaken the self". The nature of self is not easily explained. The pursuit to know the self is as varied as the individuals themselves. However, it is said that one must have an honest yearning and God's grace to know the nature of self.

Now, why should one know the "self"? The most famous Hindu scripture The Geetha says,
" With the self unattached to external contact, he finds happiness in the Self; with the self engaged in the meditation of BRAHMAN, he attains endless happiness".

Swami Chinmayananda on his commentary on The Geetha explains further, "Why should I deny myself the brilliant flashes of momentary joys in exchange for a steady stone-like, impregnable monotony, call it equilibrium or equaninimity, peace or God-hood? Any sensible seeker entering the halls of spiritual study with his intellect bright and clear should come to doubt its efficacy and utility. Though the process of self development is essentially a process of detachment, this technique of negation does not take us to an empty and purposeless zero, but when we have negated all that is false, we come to experience and live a total positivity. When the dreamer has renounced all his contacts with the dream world and thrown away his dream personality, he does not become a non-entity, but he re-discovers himself to be the more vital, more effective personality, the waker".

Sadguru Sainath's remarks on awakening one's self refers to this state of awakening that is more vital, blissful and permanent.
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Contributed Article: Sri Sai Gurucharitra - Chapter III(continued from last week)

"Now I will tell you about the characteristics of the entangled person. Listen to me with a concentrated mind. The one who does not know what is the right conduct and wrong conduct, one who does not revere god and one who does not have the right feelings in his heart may be considered to be entangled or bound. The one who commits sin, the one who behaves deviously and commits sin talking harshly may also be considered as fettered. Those who are forever immersed in worldly activities without taking care of saints are also bound. Those who are rich but do not give to charity and indulge in frivolous and fallacious arguments are also bound. The one who spends other people's money and the one who does not take care of saints and good people are also bound."

"Some people seek to increase their fame by defaming others. They act as if they are good and virtuous people while conducting them selves sinfully. This worldly life is the sole object of their endeavor. This world is their god. Their concentration is always on this world. They are also the entangled. The one who hates his friends, has enmity towards his guru, and has no belief in the words of the guru is also bound. He who does not attain a purified mind even after reading many good books is also bound. The bound do not get the company of the virtuous or a good ending. They suffer from great sorrow and go to hell after death".

"Now I will tell you of the qualities of the sincere seeker of truth (mumukshu). Listen to me with diligent care. He who hates his state of entanglement, who is ever thinking to remove his bad qualities by right thought and is ever burning with eagerness and working hard for the darsan of the Almighty, is a mumukshu. He who is interested in the company of the virtuous or satsang and hates this world as being of no account is a mumukshu. He who lives the life granted to him by prarabdha with no discontent is a mumukshu. Know that such a person is a mumukshu who is ever fearful of committing sin and always speaks the truth. He who sincerely repents of his mistakes is a mumukshu even if he be fallen. He who believes in god, has a humble and respectful attitude towards sadhus and who respects the right conduct and puts it in to practice is a mumukshu."

"He who does not leave the company of the virtuous and pious even for a second and constantly repeats the holy name of God is a sadhaka. He who considers the worldly matters as poison and is ever eager to learn about spiritual is a sadhaka. He who is always meditating on the almighty and lives in solitude -know that his is the stage of sadhaka. He whose throat parches and words form indistinctly in happiness at hearing the name and attributes of the almighty is a sadhaka. He who forgets the worldly entirely and is ever involved in the service to the saints and keeps god constantly in his mind is a sadhaka."

"He, who regards praise and blame as one; who regards individuals and god as one and has an equal disregard for fame or blame, is a siddha -a realized person. He who is influenced not a whit by the six enemies such as lust, anger, covetousness, delusion, pride and envy is a siddha. He who has no place for desire or doubt and no differentiation between I and you - know that he is a siddha. He who knows that the body is impermanent and that he is verily Brahman, he who accepts as equal happiness as well as sorrow - know that he is a siddha."

"Think and analyze the above four states with care. The god is every where in this universe. There is no place, where god is not. But his divine maya or delusion confuses and confounds us. The maya suppresses our desire to know and realize god." (to be continued)

(Contributed by Source: "Sri Sai Gurucharithra" originally by Santkavi Sri Dasganu Maharaj. Translated from Telugu version by Sri SVL)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Roopa
I feel blessed to share my experiences with you all. I have been to Shirdi Baba temple a couple of times with my friends but never really believed in him. I have been praying Guru Dattatreya for some time now but never felt the urge to pray to our Baba. Recently, I don't know how/why, I felt like reading Sai Satcharitra. I got this sudden feeling to pray Baba and then I started reading it on the net and from then on, I have been experiencing his presence in our lives.

The first time I finished reading Sai Charitra, we received prasad from a friend. He had never come home before and I never knew that his family was a devotee of Baba. The second time I finished Sai Charitra, we accidentally came across a DVD (movie) of Sai Baba and we bought it. It had a big picture of Baba on the cover and I felt that Baba himself had come home. I kept on reading Sai Charitra on the net and on a Thursday my husband found the book in his friend's house and got it for me. It was a new book and this friend had received the book from another person. By Baba's grace I had the original book with me to read from.

I got to know that there was a function organized in our city for Baba's Mahasamadhi and we planned to attend it. When we went to the temple, we were given an opportunity to do abhishek for the Baba murthi and serve him as volunteers. I even got the actual prasad and Udhi from Shirdi.

I continued praying to Baba and things started improving in our life. My husband got a job offer from an excellent company. We had to go to the consulate for our visa stamping and unfortunately we were late. We had to park our car in the 'Subway' parking lot but the parking lot was full and was closed. We were very tensed and did not know what to do. Then an old man came to the parking lot and immediately the door opened! He told us to follow him and search for a parking place. I ran to see if we will find any place but I could not see any open place. My husband who does not believe in Baba, for a change, prayed to Him and he immediately found a place! I had literally checked all the lots and was surprised for I knew that there were none. The stamping went on without any issues and we will be moving to a new country very soon.

I know Baba is with us and that he will be with every devotee who prays with devotion. I am an egoistic and self-centered girl and with Baba's grace, I am trying to become a good human being.
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Devotees say...

Vimla
Shri Sai Jai Jai Sai Namoh: Namah: My Sai I have written so many times in this newsletter. You know everything about me. What phases I have gone through. What prayers I have made to you. What decisions I left on you. What I asked prayed for and what you have given me. Know Sai Maharaj when I accepted your decisions wholeheartedly why in the eyes of world you made me down. Why you put tears in my eyes. My Sai, you were and are always my savior than why you have made me alone in this world. Why you did not save me before when I literally cried before your in your lotus feet. When I begged you for what I wanted. Know when I devoted my self fully to your's will why you did this to me my sai. Where I went wrong. Know what I will do. Who will save me.

My Sai, you do miracles. Please do some miracle and make things easier, going smoothly. With your blessings, this worst thing can convert into the happiness of all. Please do it fast Sai as very less time has been left. Please pardon me if at any time I have hurt anyone. Please save my life my savior. Please help me my Sai to come across this difficult phase. I have always come first to you and all my gods and have never made me down. This time Sai Maharaj, this is the question of my life. Please he replied today or very soon with answer in positive that he has done what has been questioned to him. Sai with your blessings anything can happen. Why Sai you do not want that I come in pair under your lotus feet in the month of December. Please show path and do miracle. I have never hurt anyone willingly in my life. Please help me Sai. This is what I received given by you. So now, it is your responsibility that I live happily without any burden difficulty with it under your blessings. Please do something and very soon as very less time is being left.

Mithun Boda
Jai Sai Ram, first of let me thank Sai baba for being always with me, dear Sai devotees I would like to share a latest miracle with you. I am in US and my wife is in India, one day she called me and told me that she was not able to find her gold necklace very old and her mother gave to her, and she searched the whole house and bank locker also but she could not find it. I told her not to panic and asked her to search thoroughly, then I prayed to Baba and asked him to guide my wife in searching it. I thought I will write it in Sai Vichaar if my wife finds it and started reading sai Satcharitha, when I finished one chapter I got a message on my IM that she found it, I immediately thanked Baba. I really felt that Baba was there with me, and he is listening to me, I pray to Baba to bless all his devotees. Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity.
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Prayer Club:

Lakshmi
Sairam, we are your ardent devotees. We are grateful and thoughtful for all the blessings showered on us from time to time. We cannot forget the favors you have done to us. You know everything that goes on in our life every second. Sairam for a long long time. My family is having some important issues, which has not been resolved. This prayer is for my dear ones; my husband to find a job that he would have good career prospects. My sister who has crossed her marriageable age, to settle down with a good alliance. My brother to complete his education and find a job. Sairam, please bless us, my parents are quite old and have been your devotees for a long long time. They should not suffer any more. Baba please bless them.

A Sai devotee
Sai Baba please make me aggressive and active. Make me self-confident. Getting scared for each and everything. Remove that attitude from me. Please Baba help me. Remove my fears and make me bold to attend interviews. You know what I am going through. Baba please make my wish come true, which only you know.

Srinivasa
Om Sai sri Sai jaya jaya Sai sathguru Sai sachidananda Sai .You know what is happening in connection with purchase of house. Please help me in getting back my money. You know in what are all difficulties I am facing. Om Sai sri Sai, nobody is there for me except You. You have provided me a decent job I will not forget the right help in right time. Please help me to get my money back. Shirdi Sai jaya jaya Sai sathguru Sai sachidananda Sai, you yourself show me a path to purchase a house or a flat.

Sai devotee
Hey Sai, You helped me in all occassion. You help me to get rid of this breathing problem and You, only You can cure this. I request all Sai devotees to pray for me and your prayer will solve my problem.

Srinivas
Baba, please make us to remember your wonderful leelas always. Make us to chant Your name always. Bless all of us with stable faith and patience.

Sai devotee
Sai Ram ji, Baba please help me, my daughter is 30 not married yet not doing well in her work also, she is very hard working and nice person, I have no one to help me to find her a good match, please baba do some thing soon, listen to my humble prayers Sai ram ji.

Devotee
Om Sai Ram. Thank you Baba for all that you have done till date and I also hope that You will be there throughout my last breath. Baba, please take care of my son. I am worried about his study. He is not taking his study seriously as he has to attend XII class examination this year. Please help me in this important juncture as You always do. My life is indebted to you. Friends, please pray for me to Sai Maharaj. Om Sai Sri Sai JaiJai Sai

Praveena
Pranams, You know us very well. You have brought us up from nothing and you are still doing us good. You know why I am here far from my family. Give me the strength to be able to deliver the assignment against all the odds coming my way. Give me the patience, the power to complete every task in a succesful manner. I know you have been with me all along and you will continue to be. Seeking your support always,

Sai devotee
Sai Ram,I enjoy reading your magazine every week. I have a son who will be three years old this year. He is born with spine bifida myelomeningocele wince his birth (malformation of the spinal cord). He is completely paralysed from the waist downwards and cannot move his feet. It is really very hard to see him in this condition. I sincerely wish that all of you pray for the recovery of my son with Baba's grace. Thanking you. Sai Ram.
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Quotation of the Week:
"True spirituality is not bound by any limitation and transcends all seeming differences between religions. This is the kind of spirituality that has been so powerfully taught by Sri Saibaba"-Sri Babuji
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Question of the Week:

Q. What is "rinanubandha"?

A. by Sai devotee

The word, "Rinanubandha" denotes that, a relationship exists between all living beings on Earth. This relationship forms the basis for the various bondages in one's life both physically and emotionally. Rinanubandham helps us to understand some of the strange encounters and the situations in life. Once the accounts of runam are tallied for this life, we transform from one form to another form from lifetime to lifetime. In this transformation, we may go from higher to lower form and vice-versa, depending on our actions in the present birth. In Sai Satcharitha, the tale of Veerabhadrappa and Chennabasappa, and the tale of two goats, show us the transformation from human to animal forms. Where as the story of Mrs. Khaparde tells us the evolution to a human from a cow. Sri Sai mentions to MadhavaRao that they were related since seventy-two generations .It is note worthy to note that Sri Sai told Kakasaheb dikshit that, "I too waited for you patiently". Sri Sai called the Durandhar brothers as people from his own durbar.

Summarizing all this, the Rinanubandham can be in the form of positive credit or a negative debt .In Sai Satcharitha; Sai showed us the way to overcome both these types, so that we can reach ultimate freedom. Sri Sai told us that whomever we meet in this life is linked to us somehow and someway in our previous lives, which we may not remember. So, Sai asked us to treat every one we meet in a kind and loving way. This makes us slowly to forget our individual separate boundaries and helps us to see the underlying universal oneness.

Sri Sai Satcharitha is a bottomless, unfathomable ocean, which contains uncountable number of precious jewels. It is up to every one to dive deep and enjoy the bliss.
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Sai Activities:

Diwali celebrations at Shirdi Sai Temple, Chicago Illinois
Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs invites you with friends and family to Diwali celebrations all day from 8am to 9pm on Thursday November 11th 2004. The program includes Kakad Arathi, Mahaabhishek, Vishnu Saharanama Alankar, Madhyana Arathi, Satcharita Parayan, Dhoop Arathi, Sri Sai Deva Paada Pooja, Sri Mahalaxmi pooja, Palkhi procession, Bhajans, Shej Arathi and individual or family sponsored poojas. Please call temple office at 847-931-4058 for sponsorship details or questions if any.

Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm(Winter time). Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 7am followed by Abhisek. Madhayana Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop arathi at 6pm and Shej Arathi at 9pm. Archana, Homams, Sahasranama and sponsored poojas continue in between the Arathis. To request a pooja for yourselves, your friends and family, please call. Devotees can request water (Abhishek Jal) from the Holy bathing of Baba by sending us an email or by phone. Temple is located 25 minutes drive west of Schaumburg on intersection of IL Route 47 and Plank Road in Hampshire, IL. For more information please call 847-931-4058 or send email to maildrop@saibaba.org.

Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Minnesota- Diwali Satsang on November 13, 2005
Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Minnesota invites all devotees for Diwali Satsang on November 13, from 5 PM to 9 PM. Regular Sai activities in Minneapolis, St.Paul area 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 Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center at 952-938-2983, and to read the monthly newsletter Sai Sandesh, visit www.hamaresai.org.

Shree Shirdi Sai Mandir, Sydney, Australia celebrates Diwali
Shree Shirdi Sai Mandir, Sydney, Australia invites you with family and friends to join and celebrate Deepavali on 12th & 14th November 2004. Please pass this invitation to all your near and dear. If you wish to volunteer or contribute in kind for the above event, please contact Mrs.Sujata Rao at 02 98710163 or Mrs. Bhanu at 02 97631951 or Sansthan's Info-Line. For detailed programme or Sansthan's activities, please contact Sansthan Info-Line 0500 524 724.

Sai Baba Kirtan and Pooja at Brookfield, CT
Om Sai Ram. With grace of Sai Baba we are conducting Sai Baba Kirtan and Pooja followed by Aarti and prasad. All devotees in nearby areas are invited for this pooja. Place: Brookfield, CT (2 miles from Costco on Federal Road) on 25th November 2004 (Thursday) Thanksgiving Day! from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm followed by Aarti. For all details and directions to the house please contact Naina or Mahesh Thakur at (203) 740 9005 - Home Phone or (203) 730 1989 - Cell Phone.
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