Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi is verily called as Sadguru, Fakir, Awalia, Maha Yogi and most importantly "the Incarnation of the Age". When Baba was in Shirdi some spiritual personalities used to visit that place.

On seeing Baba as a young person at Shirdi one such personality Shri Gangagir commented that the young Sai was like a jewel under a heap of cow-dung and also that one day His divine shine will bring glory to Shirdi.

Meher Baba, (a disciple of Upasani Maharaj who was the Prime disciple of Baba) has commented that as he knew Shri Sai is like the beginning and end of creation. Upasani Maharaj has spoken a lot on Shri Sai, saying that Shri Sai is everything.

Thus, a lot has been spoken and written on Shri Sai. Hundreds of epithets have been used in His name. The "Sai-Ashto Hari" glorifying the names and divine qualities of Shri Sai are recited in most of the temples of Baba. People during His time and as also today have exhaustively written on this majestic and un-fathomable divine personality on the past and present miraculous deeds related to Him and on emotional attachment of the devotees with Him. Crores of people are being drawn towards Him and thousands of temples have been built all over India and some in other countries. His photographs can be seen everywhere. The process of such expansion continues. Today He is the Sai - the Master and father to so many. The number of devotees is, ever on the increase and this "Sai Wave" is slowly but surely engulfing humanity.

Speculations apart, fact remains that the divine status of Shri Sai has not been exactly defined. The Hindus use all terminologies and epithets quoting from their scriptures to explain the divine attributes and Leelas of Shri Sai. Shri Sai is worshipped as Sai Maharaj, Sai Bhagwan, Sai Ram, Sai Krishna, Sai Vithala, Sai Mouli (means mother), Sai Param Brahma, Sai Shiva, Sai Dattatreya, Sai Vishnoo, Sai Shankara, Sai Avatara and Sai Ishwara, etc. Would one analyses these divine epithets He would be drawn to the conclusion that Sai Baba played the role of a Sadguru i.e. a Perfect Master while at Shirdi, He is much beyond that. Shri Sai left His human embodiment long ago, without institutionalizing his movement and without leaving a heir-apparent as most of the Gurus do. He came to serve His devotees for their spiritual evolution, although he rendered temporal benefit to all of them more by His kind acts than through speech. An analysis of the visible personality of Shri Sai would indicate that he was totally detached from all material needs, was sometimes in a Jalali (spiritually intoxicated) state, used his spiritual powers for the benefit of his devotees in abundance, treated all equally not-with-standing the barriers of caste, religion, creed, language, temporal status, etc.; was divinely compassionate to all including animals, was in a state of God-intoxication and beyond all behaved like an ordinary man in a village without any assertion of His divine hierarchy (as many Gurus do). He lived in one place and left His body having served who-so-ever came to Him for 60 years without seeking any returns.

Today Shri Sai is a name known to most of the people of India. Shirdi has become a 'Tirath' with devotees from all over the world bee-lining there. The "Saism" as many call it, is expanding very fast. Such expansion by sheer self- motivation of His devotees indicates the power that "Shri Sai" is even eighty six years after His Samadhi. This is what had happened to all the incarnations in the past.

Let us pray Shri Sai, "the Incarnation of the Age" on the New Years' day to guide and bless us.

( Guruji Shri C. B. Satpathy ji )
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Contributed Article: Sri Sai Gurucharitra - Chapter V(continued from last week)

Once the Maharaj started with his family on a pilgrimage to Kasi. The vast entourage of the palanquin carriers, cooks, servants, family friends and the vast number of relatives, friends who were his dependents, pundits and priests also accompanied him on the pilgrimage. En-route they had to stay at a village for the night. The villagers provided them with a house, which had all the facilities for comfortable stay. But it happened to be a haunted den of the devil. All had finished their evening meal and slept. It was approaching midnight. The sky was moonless and dark. At that time, suddenly a grotesque shape came and stood in front of the Maharaj. It had vermilion smeared on its forehead and had long fangs. It had uncombed hair falling in a disorderly manner to its waist. It was pitch black in color and it was making obscene gestures with its hands and shouting and jumping about. The Maharaj was seated in silence on a wooden plank and was immersed in contemplation of the almighty. The devil could not summon up the courage to approach him. From afar, it shouted at the Maharaj, "Why had you come to my house?" The Maharaj replied, "Where indeed is your house. It is your ego and the feeling of mine which has brought you to this dismal state. This house has been constructed with wood, mud and stone. Please let me know what have you created among these? Why are you claiming something which is not yours and in which you have nothing to be attached to?" The devil was annoyed by the words of the Maharaj. It took a burning brand in its hands and started raving and ranting. The Maharaj took some holy water, in which the god's images have been bathed, in his palm and threw the water on to the devil. The devil immediately regained the memory of its past and clasping the Maharaj's feet begged him, "Maharaj, please release me from this state. I was a rich moneylender in the past. In the pride of my wealth, I never use to care for anyone.

I was a miser and did not give even a paisa to charity. I had my wife aborted and I drove her away from the house fearing that it would be an additional expenditure to care for the children if she bears them. I was such a miser I drove my wife many times to her parents house fearing the expense of feeding and clothing her. I had a younger brother. I did all sorts of harm to him. I did not even want to spend for the ceremony of my father's death anniversary and made a big scene about it. In this way I earned a lot of money, hid it all in a pot, and died a miserable death craving for more and more money even in my last hours of life. I had entangled myself in that whirlpool of thirst for wealth and became a devil like this. Please save me from this miserable ending." The devil showed Maharaj the money it had hidden and requested him to use that vast wealth for charity and in doing good works. It said, "Maharaj please save me or it will be a black mark against your own fame. If one bathes in the vast ocean and body is still dry how insulting is it to the ocean? If the fragrance of musk does not spread to the dust too on one's body will it not besmirch its fame as a perfume?" The Maharaj took pity on the devil. He consoled the devil and promised to spend the vast hoard on charity and thereby grant it relief from its wretched existence. He got all that buried treasure put in carts and readied for the journey the next morning.

The villagers all came the next day and were surprised to find the Maharaj and his entourage still alive. They said, "Any one who stayed in this house had travelled straight to Hades the very night." "How has the Maharaj managed to stay alive," they wondered. They concluded that he was not an ordinary man but a great saint who had realized his Self and fell at his feet. Maharaj recounted to them the story of the devil and the villagers were happy that they were going to be rid of the devil very soon.

The Maharaj used all the money for charity at Kasi and released the devil from its wretched existence. The Maharaj visited Kasi, Prayag and later went to Ayodhya located on the banks of the Sarayu River. From there he went to Kurukshetra, Brindavan, Gokulam, Mathura, Dwaraka, Somnath, and Paithan and went to Junagarh to have darsan of Mehta. Later he went to Ahmedabad and had the darsan of Surag Shah's dargah. The history of Surag Shah has been written by Mahipathi in 'Bhakta Leelamrit' in chapter 43. I will relate to you the divine leela which occurred when the Maharaj visited Surag Shah's dargah.

As the Maharaj neared the dargah, the dargah started sweating, and then proceeded to speak. It said, "Salaam alaikum. You were Ramananda Maharshi in your past life. Oh ocean of kindness you have not forgotten me. I have been able to recognize you even though you are the desmukh of Selu village in the Nizam kingdom. About 10 miles from Selu village is the village Manawat. Your disciple Kabir has taken birth there as the son of a fakir. This is the truth. The Selu village is blessed by your residing there." The keepers of the dargah were surprised as to from where the words were coming. They realised later that it was a conversation between two mahatmas. The Maharaj started from there and visited Dakur pattan and Sidhapura and later reached Selu.

(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:

Thota Ravinder, Canada
May I once again share my experience of Lord Saibaba manifestation in Canada? It was on Nov.29, 2003, very foggy and snowy weather here in Canada. I returned from India after performing the last rites of my brother in law who died mysteriously in a car accident in Libya. I had a Baba sticker on the left side of windshield since I bought the car five years ago. I never had any engine problems although I drove many a times to States. My car was parked in my garage for a quite a longtime till I returned to start once again. It wouldn't start and made few attempts but in vain. I called for Booster Battery Assistance to start the car to pull out of the garage. I noticed later on radiator was leaking and is stalled to fix the problems after long idleness in the garage. I summoned mechanic to tow the car, check and fix all the problems. My car is ready now for driving. While I was driving my car, I observed that my Baba Sticker is missing on the windshield. I stopped the car aside and look for it all over the floor and inquired from the mechanic the same. I felt uncomfortable to drive the car without Baba's presence in my car. I went to a small restaurant nearby and wondering why Baba is missing on my birthday? I was very upset about this happening and cursed myself that I would done something which Baba is not happy and hence all this happenings. I went into the restaurant to have a beverage and drive home to search for Baba sticker if any and place it on the car. Trust me Sai devotees, when I opened the car door, I observed the Baba unique sticker on my driver seat. I never had this before nor I don't know where it is from. It is no wonder Baba's manifestation to reinforce Faith in Him. Baba has once again testified 'Why Fear When I Am Here'. I plead Sai devotees to have firm Faith in Him and He will navigate your life hassle free. He is omnipresent and omniscient. Lord Baba is always there whenever you call Him with sincere Faith and Love.

Raj
This incident has told me that I have experienced Baba's presence. It was Thursday that day and my 6 year old daughter she usually stays in school after the school ends until we pick her up. But that day she came home by bus and nobody was at home. She stayed outside of the house in cold crying for an hour. Fortunately, our neighbor saw her and took her inside. Without Baba's grace and ashirwad, anything could have happened to her. Thanks to Shri Sai Baba for helping and saving my sweet little child. Koti namaskars to Shri Sai Baba.
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Devotees say...

Kala Bhaskar
JAI SRI SAIRAM. BABA please accept our pranams and thanks. I express my sincere thanks to all the Sai devotees who responded to my request for a prayer for my brother. My special thanks to the Sai devotee who suggested that we recite Gayatri in addition to the parayan of Satcharita. My brother had a recurrence of cancer following treatment for lung cancer. Subsequent to the prayer request, my brother had two follow up visits to the specialist. The recurrence in the throat has responded to the radiothrapy and since then there has been no progression of the disease in the lungs. I bow to SAI for HIS GRACE. JAI JAI SRI SAIRAM.

Meenakshi Kumar
Om Sai Ram. I just want to clear one confusion if a pandit predicts some bad future for you. Should you believe him? Also are there any Sai Ram mandir in Dubai.

Usha
Saibaba you know everything. Please help my would be in getting his job and his H1. Now it has been months since we are waiting for these things. Day by day, we are loosing patience as things are going worse. I got job only because of you but this job might end soon. I am not able to bear health tensions and job tensions. At least Please help my would be so that we can get married and lead a happy life. Please bless us baba. I am eagerly waiting to come to Shirdi and do some good things. Please give me this great opportunity to go to India for my marriage, visit Shirdi and do good anna daanam sevas. I love you Baba.
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Prayer Club:

Venkat Rao
You were with me during all these five years witnessing ever moment of my agony and at the same time soothing and supporting my life with a new hope towards revival. Though, I was ignorant about your indications for right direction, my prayer to you my lord is to induct me into a right path, an honest path, a progressive path, an acceptable path to you and to every genuine one, which not only provides me mental peace but at the same time contribute towards my prosperity in monetary, social as well as spiritual terms. Give me what I want. Restore my noble friends. Restore my lost wealth, restore my lost glory, restore my family and pave a progressive way for my sailing. I am aware, you are able to answer this prayer by the end of this year, which is going to be the fifth successive year of my agony, and I guarantee my fellow devotees and readers of this article that I am certainly going to share my new experience in this direction within short.

Ashok Seema
Srisatchitanand Sainatha maharaj. Please bless your children. You are aware of our passage through a very turbulent phase in life, where we feel stuck in the tunnel, and see only darkness ahead. Please bless us all and show us light at the end of the tunnel. Help us to achieve our hearts desire and lead us to the right path.

Sai devotee
I pray for the fast recovery of the people in India and abroad who are affected with the recent tragedy of Tsunami.

Seema Bhal
Baba, need your blessings always. This life is full of testing times one test you clear with your grace the other one is ready to test your patience. Baba, I want to just remain in your Lotus feet, away from this materialistic world. Baba, with your blessings I want to be the flower which brings fruit, in other words God's entrusted lives to you for whom you are responsible and answerable to God. If you bless then only I will be able to qualify for this place.

S B Roy
My dearest Sai, We have been desperately looking for my sister-in-law's marriage but none materialized until now, because of which my family had to see so much unhappiness and depressions at home. I bore everything silently even during my pregnancy. Dear Sai, I fall at your feet and beg of you to please arrange her marriage with a boy whom she is currently interacting with. He should be like what she had wished in him and she should lead a happy married life with him. If this doesn't work out for her, she will lose herself and disaster will strike my entire family and affect my helpless 8-month old son. Please Sai, please arrange her marriage with this boy at the earliest and I will be eternally grateful to you.

Sai devotee
Om Sai Sri Sai jaya jaya Sai sathguru Sai sachidananda Sai. Sai I am in troubles in all the sides please help me I don't no what to do who will help me except you. Sai please help me even in the night I am not able to sleep I am helpless please guide to be brave. I am suffering mentally. Babas please save me otherwise take me to your place. Please baba please save me from all my sufferings. Sai please help me please help me. Please solve all my problems I will come to Shirdi with all my family members. Baba please save me.

Kiran
My humble pranams to Sri Sadguru Sainath. Baba, my Mother has developed problem with her Liver. Doctor suspects a cancerous tumor in her liver. She is suffering with great pain and I cannot imagine the situation she is going through. Because of her age, getting Biopsy done is also difficult. I pray you to cure her illness at the earliest and grant her a long, happy, healthy and pious life.

Srinivas
Oh Sai Bhagwan! Please help me to perform my duties to the expectations of my bosses and help me in earning a great name. Please take care of me. I am sure you are always with me. See that I am not troubled by any at work and outside that affects my job negatively. I also started a part-time. You know what. Please help me establish myself in that and earn wealth, name and fame. See that my wife also gets a good job. Oh Lord help us. See that my daughter studies well and goes in a good path always. Guide her Baba. Thanks for everything.
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Quotation of the Week:
"Do good and God will bless you. Do evil and you will displease Him. I am everywhere and in all places and the whole world"-Saibaba of Shirdi
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Question of the Week:

Q. Should one believe in astrological predictions?
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Sai Activities:

Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm(Winter hours). Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 8am 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.

New Year celebration at Chicago Shirdi Sai Temple
New Year celebrations on Jan 1st 2005(Saturaday). 9:00 am Maha Abhishek, followed by Alankar, Archana and Neeranjanam. For sponsorship please call the temple at 847-931-4058.

Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Twin Cities, Minnesota - New Years' Day
New Years Day at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Minneapolis. Activities include Sai Aarathis, Parayana, Sainaama Jap, Sai Abhisheka Pooja, Bhajans and Kirtans and Telesatsang. The Prayer Center is located at 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.
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