The great legend, Samudramanthana i.e., churning of the ocean has great value in our life as it a reminder to 'Churn the ocean of your heart and win the nectar' for yourself. The heart full of sathwaguna (quality of purity and poise) is the ocean of milk. The steady contemplation of the Divine is the Mandara mountain pleaced in it as the churning rod. Vasuki (The serpent) that was wound round the churning rod as rope is the group of senses emitting poisonous fumes during the process of churning. The rope is held by the good and the bad impulses eager for the results eager for the results which each has set its heart on. The Grace of God is the Tortoise incarnation. Once you are earnestly seeking the secret of Immortality, the God comes silently and unobserved holding the manana (reflection) process unimpaired and serving as the steady base of all spiritual practice. During churning (sadhana), Many things emerge from the mind but the wise sadhaka wait patiently for the appearance of 'Guarantor of Immortality' and seize upon it with avidity. This the lesson of the great legend and it is also summary of Athmavidya i.e., Science of the Self.

Remembrance of the Lord's name is the method of crossing over the ocean of the worldly life for this age. The Lord is Aanandamaya (of the nature of Bliss) and he is also Aananda (divine bliss) which is to be tasted through the Name. He is Sath-Chith-Aananda (Being-Awareness-Bliss Absolute). The recitation of the Name is like the operation of boring to tap underground water. It is like the chisel-stroke that will release the image of God imprisoned in the marble. Many yogis gained navaneetham by churning the milk in their hearts with constant remembrance of God and offered the navaneetham (fresh butter) at the lotus feet of Krishna. Never doubt that 'How a small word like Rama, Sai and Krishna can take you across the boundless sea of worldly life'. The raft need not be as big as the sea.

A parched land appears to be free any crop but the seeds and roots underneath the soil change the waste into a carpet of green when the first showers fall. Similarly, A man may study all the textbooks of spiritual practice, all the scriptures and he may even lecture for hours but he will slip into error when temptation confronts him. Fill your heart with sathya, dharma, shaanthi and prema (truth, right conduct, peace and divine love) so that it will then become a pilgrim fit for repeating holy name or symbols, meditation, religious vows, pilgrimage and ritualistic worship. Reforming of one's tendencies and character is an uphill task.

There are three types of minds -
1. Minds like ginned cotton - These people are ready to receive the spark of highest wisdom and to give up in one instant blaze, the weakness and prejudices of ages.
2. Minds like dry wood - These people with this kind of mind will succeed but only after some little time.
3. Minds like green logs - These people resist the onslaught of the Fire of Jnana with all their might.

Equip your mind with consciousness that you are a person of realization and get ready to receive the spark of highest wisdom and give up all weakness and prejudices of ages. The man of realization (jnaani) is ever ready to east off this encumbrance and escape from the prison of name and form and never loses the consciousness of the Oneness. You are no longer subjected to the limitation of birth once you know that you are the limitless aathman (self or the soul which is the infinite consciousness). This 'knowledge of self' will dawn only as a result of long process of sharpening the intellect and by purifying the emotions and the impulses.
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Contributed Article: Sri Sai Gurucharitra - Chapter VI(continued from last week)

At such a dawn, Pundaleekarao of Nanded and his friends, had visited Sri Vasudevananda Saraswati and prostrated in front of him with devotion. The Swamy received them with kindness and asked about their welfare. It was natural for the name of Shirdi to crop up in the conversation that followed. As he heard the word Shirdi, Sri Vasudevananda Saraswati exclaimed happily, "Sri Sai Baba may be a Mohammedan. But he is my elder brother." He continued, "Although we are Brahmins by birth, the Moslems are our own - says the ancient saying. In the olden days, our mahatmas used to reach thus. If we follow their teachings, we will not face any difficulty until the end of the world. In truth, where is the difference between Hindu and Moslem? All these differences have been invented and setup by us. These are mere differences in perception and only outward differences but they are not the truth. He who sees merely these outward differences, and thinks that they are true is ignorant. Do the Hindus have three ears and the Moslems three and a half ears? It is by the peculiarity of attire and such outward differences that one recognizes the religion. Do not be surprised that I call Sri Sai Baba, a Muslim my brother. Well even if you go once to Shirdi and have the darsan of that great incomparable Maharaj, it will do you a world of good. If however you do not feel like having his darsan (with the feeling that he is a Moslem) please do not speak to me too. What Pundaleekarao, do you agree?"

Pundaleekarao joined his hands in supplication. He replied softly, "We will definitely visit Sri Sai Baba in this month." As he heard this, the swamy was pleased. He said, "Very good. Do not show any negligence in this matter. Go and have the darsan of that mahatma as soon as you can." He gave a coconut to Pundaleekarao and said, "As soon as you visit Baba, please put this coconut in his hand and tell him that it was offered by me to him.

Please convey my prostrations to him. I may be a sanyasi and it is not a tradition for sanyasis to prostate before each other; but Sri Sai Baba is an exception to that rule. He may seem a common fakir to the outward eye but he is verily the sun of knowledge. There is no place for discussion of any nature about seemliness or unseemliness or tradition in his respect. Pundaleekarao obeyed the swamy and took the coconut. They all started within a month for Shirdi. They traveled by train and got down at Manmad railway station. There was some delay before the next train to Kopergoan was due, so they decided to eat a light meal. They all went to a well nearby and ate the chivda they had brought with them. The chivda was very hot as it had an excess of chilli powder in it. So they broke some coconuts, which they had with them and scraping the sweet meat of the nut, mixed it with the chivda to make it less hot. By mistake one of those coconuts was the one given by Sri Vasudevananda Saraswati to be offered to Baba. They started from Manmad and reached Shirdi by the afternoon.

When they had the darsan of Sri Sai Baba, he told Pundaleekarao "Is this seemly? Does one give one's word and fail to keep it? My brother sent me a coconut through you. You have used it for yourself. Bring me my coconut." Baba assumed anger, "By your carelessness you have lost my property. It is the bad company you keep which is responsible for this." Pundaleekarao turned pale with embarrassment and fright. His throat refused to co-operate in talking. He bent his head in shame and said softly, "Maharaj, it is true that we have eaten your coconut at Manmad along with the chivda. A great sin has been committed by me. Please show me kindness and excuse my impertinence. If you agree I will bring another coconut in place of that one and will offer it to you." He tried to stand to go out and get another coconut.

Baba caught his hand, preventing him from rising and with a pleasant countenance said, "I do not want another coconut. Will it equal the coconut which my brother Vasudeva has sent me? Does the water of the common well equal the holy water of the swift flowing Godavari? Alright, what has happened has happened. You are all my children. Why will I be angry with you?"

These days we talk proudly of telegraph and wireless. But, in the past, the mahatmas knew everything without needing them. They did not have any use for wireless or telegraph. The one who has eaten the food of his house including sweetmeats- does such a one need to beg for alms?

Listeners, by what I have told you now you must have realized that the mahatmas were embodiments of total and complete love and that they had feelings of affection for each other. He who has neither love nor knowledge in his heart and tries to show off, he is the one who harbors envy, hatred, argumentativeness and dishonesty.

The almighty cannot be seen, he has no form. The almighty we can see and who has form is Sri Sai Baba. He is a walking, talking god. He is the embodiment of pure satchidananda. He is the almighty who has incarnated to save his devotees and make them walk the right path. He is the embodiment of love, the repository of kindness and grace who is ever vigilant in the protection of his devotee. He always has his kindly eye on the devotees to protect them from harm.
Oh able one! Oh, perfect guru! Oh Sai Maharaj! This Dasganu always remembers you in his heart. Please let your glance of kind grace fall on him always.
Oh listeners! This'Bhakti Saraamrit' is pure nectar. Drink your fill of this history of mahatmas, which teaches you the right way of life.
This book is offered to Hari and Hara. Weal be to all

This is the end of the 52nd chapter of 'Bhakti Saraamrit' written by Dasganu Maharaj (Chapter VI of Sri Sai Gurucharithra Concluded)

(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:

A Sai devotee
I had injured myself around 10 days back when I slipped and fell. The fall resulted in a constant pain in the lower part of my spine. I had to be careful when I sat down, stretched or bent. I ignored it because I didn't want to go to a doctor as it would mean getting into the health insurance maze. Somehow the pain kept getting worse and my movements were getting more restricted by the day. On the day before yesterday, I sent up a fervent, silent prayer to Sai asking him to cure the pain completely. As I prayed, the usual doubts haunted me -- "What if the pain doesn't go away? Will Sai actually cure it?" etc etc. I pushed down those doubts, thinking to myself firmly that Sai will cure it if I ask Him. Within a few minutes, I could feel the pain receding a bit. Of course, my doubts did not go away even then. I thought, "Maybe the pain won't go away completely". But again, I pushed the thought out and went about my day. At the end of the day, I was surprised to find very little pain and when I thought back, I realized that I had been able to move really freely through the day. The next day i.e. yesterday, the pain had all but gone and I was almost back to normal. Today morning when I woke up, I realized there was absolutely no pain (I used to have some pain when I slept in a certain way). I was overjoyed. I still cannot believe how incredibly lucky I am to have Sainath listening to me. I can hardly be called a devotee -- I have very little willpower and more often than not, my attempts at expressing my devotion succumb to my bad habits. But, He is so very merciful.

Devi
All Sai devotees, I want to share my wonderful Sai Baba's experience with you. We went to Shirdi 18 years ago, where we met a nice family. Later on, we became good family friends. On one Sunday afternoon, our Shirdi friends told us that his colleague is looking for match for his son who is in America. Later on by Baba's grace, I got married to the groom in America. It was a dream come true for me and to my family. We never thought this is possible. Without his abhaya hasta, I cannot even imagine my life. On our wedding day Sai himself came and ate at my wedding lunch and went off as quickly as he came. People still talk about the experiences of meeting Sai at my wedding. Sai Baba, Sata Koti pranam for giving us everything and guiding us in your way. Sometimes I blame you for not responding quickly, but I understand you do things in your way. Forgive me for all mistakes that I did with ignorance. Thanks again for all your blessings and generous grace.
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Devotees say...

Mithun Boda
After a lot of struggle I completed my MS .I am searching for job. Please help me in this. It has been 1yr since I got my EAD. Until now, I could not find job. I am very depressed now. I completed your parayana 10 times.

Vimla
I had submitted my article in Sai Vichaar and that time I had thought in my mind that if my article publishes it would be a sign that I will meet my eternal love with whom I have been departed. To my surprise on 9 Feb, Wednesday evening I met him. We had a talk for hours. and to my more surprise morning on Thursday when I opened my pc, this Sai site I saw my article in the Sai Vichaar. You do not know Sai what happiness you have given me. I am humbly honored. Now I only desire and hope that this is your love to us. I do not know how to thank you. Sai maa please keep on blessing like this.

Lavi Vanka
Sai, it has been 6 years I started praying you. I started strongly believing in You since two years, You have done a lot to me. I would like to thank You for everything you have done to my family. You know I have a strong wish to start a Sai temple but due to some obstacles we are not able to find a path, please Sai I want to see You in a temple rather than moving You where ever the bhajans are conducted. I am writing this because I believe that once I keep my request here, You will definitely show us a way. By your grace I am doing a good job Baba, by your grace we got green card .Please don't make us greedy and show us away to start the temple anywhere near to Milpitas or Fremont.
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Prayer Club:

M Patel
Baba, you have helped me for everything in my life. I need your help this time too. Help my dad with his business. I really want him to come to India with us for my brother's wedding. Only you can do some miracle and send him there. I know you will take care of everything at my brother's wedding. Baba, I have complete faith in you. Koti pranam in your lotus feet.

Bharathi
Please Baba, both my children are suffering from wheezing, life has become miserable for them. I cannot see my children suffering. Baba everything looked good for sometime and now everything is back to square one. Please Baba cure my children from this illness.

Krishna
As you know, I have no job since last 6 months. I know that this pain that I am undergoing is due to my past bad karma. O Mother please does not give up on me; give the strength to go through this phase with courage, wisdom and discrimination.

Sridhar K
Dear devotees, one of our very close friend has been diagnosed with cancer just two days ago. It has completely affected one of his kidneys and appears to be malignant. He is currently in a private hospital in Chennai and should be moved to Adyar Cancer Hospital in a day or two. But the doctors words are not so encouraging and we all feel let down. My friend's family is in state of shock, as he got married just a few months ago. He has a sister who is still studying. He is the only son in his family. We strongly believe that prayers can move mountains. God will answer sincere prayers by good-hearted human beings. We kindly request every Sai devotee to spend a few minutes praying to Sai and invoke His blessings that will work a miracle on my friend's health condition.

Beenu Chaurasia
I am pregnant Baba, my husband and me pray to You for a healthy baby and I always pray for success and long life of my husband. Please always be with us Baba.

Anjana, Auckland, NZ
Last year in 2004 in the month of May, I got a weird skin problem on my face. It was a disease called acne vulgaris. I got eczema too and it left some dark brown spots all over my face. I am very young and very conscious of how I look. However, being young and pretty, I am very concerned about how I look. I do not know what sins I have done, why all this happened. I am still waiting for God's mercy and I do believe that without his Yes nothing on this earth will happen. I am just 20 years old. And my life is still ahead of me. I do not want to live with these spots. Does anyone have anything to say about this? Does sharing grief under this column really help?

Sonia K
Om Sai, I have been trying to find a job for so long but have not been successful, my interviews go ok but I do not get any information back. Baba by your grace I have seen miracles happening and by your grace impossible can also be achieved, so please Baba help to get any job. Baba please show Daya, Kripa and Shama.

Sai devotee
Baba, you know what we are going through, please take care of my little daughter. Please show some karuna, Baba please forgive us if we have done any mistakes. Please Baba get rid of the disease and make my little girl's skin normal. Dear devotees please pray for my daughter who is just 6 years old.

Shweta
Pranam Sai baba, all I have is with your blessings and kirpa. I am really very thankful to you, but suddenley something happened and You know that, so please help me in that matter and show me the way .Only You know what is right and what is wrong so help me out. Om Sai Baba!
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Quotation of the Week:
Love is not selective, desire is selective. In love there are no strangers.-Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
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Question of the Week:

Q. Sai Satcharitha says, "Debt and enmity has to be atoned for". Please comment?

A. by Ravin, Minnesota

In scriptures, there are probably other references to this saying. Nevertheless, a mention in Sri Sai Satcharithamritha is of sufficient importance to a Sai devotee to merit a closer look. One utterance of Saibaba that comes to mind is "what is yours remains with you and what is others remains with them". This simple utterance imbibes a dynamic truth of the karmic cycle; you reap what you sow. In a world where borrowing power is sign of a desirable enterprise, this saying about atonement for debt seems to stare square into one's conscience. A thing that doesn't belong to us is not ours. If such a thing exists, than it has to be atoned meaning should be agreeable, be one with or in harmony with. At least, lesser it is the better. Baba did not keep a penny with Him at the end of the day when thousands of rupees were distributed to others; only He knew those transactions!

What about enmity? Enmity is the result of hatred. Hatred is the function of jealousy due to comparing or competing oneself with the others. When one cannot achieve or accomplish what others have seemingly achieved or accomplished, the resulting desperate helplessness is easily occupied by the monster evil jealousy - the wish that the other person doesn't gain or even lose so that some how it is equated. This is sign of spiritual falling. One easily forgets that what others have seemingly achieved or not achieved is entirely to do with their actions and consequences, if not in this life, previous. What if one becomes an object of enmity without his awareness? If one feels that he is being considered as an enemy, he should question his own actions that led to such a perception. This should be the divine opportunity for a transformation. True repentance is atonement in itself.

In spiritual terms, one should even question the often used word a "healthy competition", the race might start in a positive way with a false sense of inspiration soon to be replaced by the greed to get to the result even by unscrupulous means. Baba said that the wise are cheerful and content with what they have. When Sadguru is seen as the source, the only source, of one's fulfillment, any vacuum or a feeling of lacking will vanish. For a true seeker, self is the only reference to compete against and Sadguru the only target. What one sows, he reaps.
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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.

Upcoming Events: Samuhika Satyanarayan Pooja on Poornima (Thursday), February 24th, Maha Shivrathr on Tuesday March 8th and Monthly pooja (second Sunday of every month) on Sunday March 13th.

Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Minnesota
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.

Shirdi Sai Satsang, Canada
Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada invites all to join us for Satsang every Thursday 6:30PM at 147 Winston Castle Dr. Markham Ont. L6C 2N4. For details on other Activities and Services please call Shammi Chopra at 416-402-8089 or email us saileela99@yahoo.com
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