In a small village near the countryside, there lived a simple, naïve peasant. He was a God devotee and a noble hearted person. One day, God came in his dream and told him that he would visit the peasant's house tomorrow. On waking up in the morning, the peasant joy knew no bounds. He made breakfast and lunch for the God and started waiting eagerly. Meanwhile, he noticed an old, hungry looking person outside the door. Being kindhearted, the peasant called the old man inside and offered him the breakfast. It became afternoon. The peasant waited patiently for the previously mentioned God's arrival. Then, he saw a sick person lying helplessly in front of his door. He called the person inside and served him hot soup to drink. He gave a small amount of money towards the medicines. Slowly, it became evening. The peasant lingered on to the hope of God's arrival. He saw a quarrel between an old woman with fruit basket and a kid .It seemed that the boy was trying to steal a fruit from her basket. He persuaded the old woman not to yell at the kid. He made the kid to apologize to the old woman. By this time, it became dark. The peasant went to sleep with disappointed heart, as God did not come as promised. In his dream, God came again. God revealed his form in all the three people the peasant helped that day.

Lot of devotees experiences in Sai Satcharitha reiterates the similar essence. The story of udyapan by Deo stresses the same fact. In another story, when Smt. Laxmibai brings the bakri, Sai feeds it to a hungry dog. Similar incident happened in Smt. Khaparde's life also. Sri Hemadpant's own experience about Sai's bas-relief confirms the same truth. All these stories repeat the same universal truth; one in many, many in one. This tells us that even though Gold ornaments differ in name and form, the underlying essence of Gold remains unchanged. With simple examples, Sri Sai taught us to look at the unity in diversity.

Always, whatever one gives, one should give with the thought of serving the Lord. Otherwise, even the giving (charity), may act to boost up the Ego. The very purpose of detachment with money (dana) would become the attachment to inflated ego. Dana or charity is like a beautiful flower. Giving Dana with the idea of serving the Lord or as an instrument in the hands of God is like adding pleasant fragrance to the flower of Dana, making it elegant.
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Contributed Article: Sri Sai Gurucharitra - Chapter VII(continued from last week)

"The other castes which have listened to the arguments of Brahmins and Kshatriyas say, "These arguments are all lies, a mere show to fool us. To tell the truth they are both thieves. One has committed theft and the other has hidden the things stolen by them. They have combined with each other and gave the punishment to us for the crimes committed by them. Now the old cooperation is gone and they are each making public, the crime committed by the other. But they are cleverly hiding the true facts. They have come to an agreement and fabricated the puranas to say that god has incarnated twice as a Brahmin in the form of Vamana and Parasurama and twice as a Kshatriya as Rama and Krishna. You may say that Vamana and Parasurama, the brahmins were not given the greatness attributed to Rama or Krishna. The crux of the matter lies here itself. Rama and Krishna may be very great but their gurus are brahmins. Sri Rama may be the almighty but he had to prostrate to Vasista. It is as if the Sun wanted to read a book and borrowed an oil lamp for light. In the same way Sri Rama who was none other than the almighty went to Vasista for knowledge. But they did not let god go to Vaisyas or Sudras. How can we describe the extent of the lies told by these two castes? Gautama was born in the Kshatriya caste. But he disliked his caste so much that he went away and established Buddhism. Basava was born a brahmin but he hated the sins being committed by his fellow brahmins so much that he left his caste. It will be funny to hear what the brahmins say about how the Kshatriyas were born. They say that the Kshatriyas were born from the shoulders of Brahma. They made the Kshatriyas take birth like a nit from the shoulders. They say that the Vaisyas were born from the junction of the waist and thighs. We innocently believe this to be true. They made the Vaisyas equal to the worms of the excreta but we are not learning the truth.

They have made the Sudras reportedly born of the feet of Brahma, equal to the mud and bacteria of the fungus-effected feet. The Brahmins and Kshatriyas may have had some differences but until the 19th century, they were together. They are both in this together. The puranas make this very clear. Once a camel told a donkey, "Friend! Your song is excellent! Your song is very melodious." If they hear your song the celestial beauties will leave heaven and come running to you." The donkey was well pleased. It praised to the camel, "Friend what is you say about my song is pleasing to my ears. But, what about your beauty? Even the cupid will look ugly besides you." The Brahmins and Kshatriyas are like this."

Listeners! The four castes are fighting with each other like this, saying that each is superior to the other and they are causing harm to the Hindu society. Nobody benefits by this infighting. The Jasmine, Lily, Marigold, Chrysanthemum, the Rose all grow in the same garden. They do not have enmity towards each other. They do not try to destroy the other. By their being unified and staying in one place the fame of the garden will increase and spread far and wide. In the same way when all the various castes of the society come together in unity and work for the common weal, the society at large will progress in all respects. The Hindus have various castes. The Moslems have the Shias and Sunni's. The Jains have the Swetamber and Digambers. The Christians have Catholics and Protestants. In the same way in the animals and birds there are many varieties. These varieties of life will always be there. But one should not keep harping about the supposed superiority or inferiority of the castes. From the time the ears are pierced at Upanayana (the coming of age ceremony of the male Brahmin) until the time the brahmin widow's head is shaved upon the death of her husband, nothing can be done without the barber.

Is it reasonable to look down upon the barber saying that he is a low caste? A lady may be of the brahmin caste but if her child passes urine or excreta does she not clean it? In truth, she is doing the same work as the low caste man. Looking at it this way, no matter what their caste; all mothers are low caste. To not recognize this truth and feel disgust at another individual, who has taken birth like us from the human womb, just because he is a remover of excreta is illogical. It is unjust. Think it over. Do not twist the story of the various castes being born from the various parts of the body of Brahma. The purusha sukta has taken the society as a whole as an individual and gave a poetical representation of the work of various castes. The castes themselves were created by the work they did rather than any perceived superiority or inferiority. Do not give way to this aberration.

This society is a temple to god. Vyasa had spread the dharma in this society. Adisankara had placed some mattresses, arranged the windows of good conduct and morality, and put Valmiki as the curtain on the windows. The sastras have painted the temple. In this way many mahatmas have made arrangements for us to live happily in peace and harmony in this society. But after Sri Sankaracharya, dharma suffered. To rescue the society and to resuscitate true spirituality Sant Tukaram and many other mahatmas have incarnated. They have brought the lamps of karma, Bhakti and knowledge, poured the oil of sincerity, devotion and faith into the lamps, and lighted them. But all this has been lost now. The differences based on caste, lack of faith are the dust and the six enemies of lust, anger, covetousness, delusion, pride and envy are the rubbish, which has filled the temple tarnishing it.

That is why, my patient listeners, I pray to you with my hand joined in supplication; let us all get together and get brooms to sweep the pollution out from this temple of god. Let us make it gleam again with love. If the brothers of a family fight they both become bankrupt; their lawyers grow rich. Let us open our eyes before we too suffer the same fate. Let us remove this mutual hatred from this society, which is our temple, and live together in happiness as brothers. By such behavior, we will all be happy and we will all benefit. Do not delay. Do not keep postponing the good day. Let us start now and explore the truth.

Please consider me as one of you. It is a result of my accumulated merit that I have been able to talk to you of these things today. You need a broom to rid this society, which is a temple to god, of all the rubbish and the dust of differences and hatred based on caste, creed. Use me as that broom. That is my prayer to you. (To be continued)

(Contributed by Source: "Sri Sai Gurucharithra" originally by Santkavi Sri Dasganu Maharaj. Translated from Telugu version by Sri SVL with an Introductory Preface by Sri Sainathuni Sarathbabuji)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Ashwani Kumar Marwah
I am so grateful that Sai Nath Maharaj is always with me. There have been many cases where I got into some problem or the other but Sainath has always pulled me out of these so smoothly that I don't even know how it all happened. Recently I was visiting USA and during transit, the airline lost my luggage. I was very worried and the airline had no clue for 2 days on the luggage. In my heart, I started praying to Baba and asked him whether he was testing me. I had my meeting with my buyer on Monday and until Saturday night, I had no news from the airline. All my notes and meeting articles were in the bag. I just closed my eyes and prayed to Baba and said please do not test me and help me in getting my bag back. I was surprised to get a call from the airline in the next two hours saying that they have found my bags and will be delivering the same by Sunday afternoon. They also told me that they would pay me as compensation for delayed bags as well. It was just a miracle that in just few moments Baba had set everything into place and saved me from loosing my face in front of the customer. I believe very strongly that we just need to call Baba and pray to him sincerely and Baba will always be there with us. Om Sai Ram.

Mamata Muttagi
Om Shri Samartha Sadguru Sainathaya namaha. Dear Sai, I would like to thank you for everything you have done for me. After I started believing in you and after I read your Sai Satcharitha in 7 days, I got a job. Because my husband was a consultant we had to move to a different places in six months to one year, but after believing in You, we have stayed in one place for almost two and half years even though my husband is still consulting, I have a permanent job. However my husband had to suffer from severe stomach pain and was admitted to hospital. We did not have good insurance and I was afraid about the hospital bill, he was in hospital for about 5 to 6 days. I prayed to You and read your Satcharitha one more time within seven days. The hospital has waived off our hospital bills and we had to take care of doctor charges. Thank you Baba, Thank you very much. I strongly believe in you Baba. And I pray that your blessings are always on us all the time, Please bless and take care of my mother, father, brother, sister, in-laws and my husband.
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Devotees say...

Sai devotee SP
Recently, I had a wonderful experience. I had a dream where me and my family members and some other known people in our locality had gathered for a puja, then I suddenly saw a person walking past me, everyone said that Sai baba has arrived and then the puja began I was moving around in a room near the puja hall and I saw Baba singing. He was at a place far away from our place. I returned back to the room and suddenly found myself asking Baba for a job. It's been three years and I'm still unemployed. I don't know if I'll ever get a job?. All I want to know is that, what is the significance of this dream? Can someone tell me? I still can't find a clue, please help!

Malathi
Baba, Thank you so much Baba. You have accepted my prayers and answered my prayers. Thank you so much for uniting me with him with the blessings of my parents and his family members. Whatever I pray Baba you are answering my prayers. I am so lucky Baba. I begged you to unite me with him and you blessed me. I begged you to change my parents mind and accept our relationship and you blessed us.

Narsing Rao
Jai Sai Ram. Sai Maharaj has been an integral part of our lives and has been our savior from innumerable problems. We have overcome from many crises only through his blessings. I would like to share the most recent crisis in our family, which was overcome with his blessings. My wife had developed gynecology problem and was advised that she might have to undergo hysterectomy. A second opinion was also sought from another gynecologist who also advised the same. But our faith in Sai has lead to a senior and experienced gynecologist who has calmed my wife out of her fear of third surgery. Now she is doing fine without any medication or surgery which was only possible by the shower of Sai Maharaj's grace and blessings proving again and again that only our unwavering and unflinching faith on his Lotus Feet would absolve us from our mundane problems and put us on a path of service to mankind. Jai Sai Ram.

Devika Vinod
I always had Baba's blessings. I got married to the same person whom I loved. My sister was against but until now, we do not know the reason how she agreed for our marriage. It all happened very fast as if it was a dream. I used to write letters to Baba saying all my worries. He helped me to marry. Then after one year, I got a baby girl on Thursday at 1:59 pm. Thanks to Baba. Now I am trying for a good job. I am sure that Baba will get me a good job very soon. I am also very happy for giving me the opportunity to read Sai Satcharitha. I was working as a sub editor for a magazine before my delivery. Last week I submitted an article about Sai Orphanage Trust to the magazine. I hope that article will be published. From the trust, I bought the book and was able to read it within 7 days. I believe that Baba will get me a good job soon and will take care of my family. Baba please be with us always.
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Prayer Club:

Kalpana
Baba O Sadguru, who guides his devotees all the time, please bless us with a child very soon. May we soon have a wonderful baby with your blessings. Om Sai Ram

Vimla
Please make my believe stronger in you. I strongly put my desire in your lotus feet that this is the high time of my age. Please let him propose for marriage and in this 2005, I should get married soon. Nothing is impossible for you and you have made even the impossible things the possible. Please fill my life with love, peace, compassion all good virtues. Please forgive all my past and previous life sins.

Preetha Nair
May you give me Shraddha and Saburi to me always. O Lord Sai! be with my family and me always. May we always be able to continue giving naivedyams, and garlanding the picture of yours at our home every Thursday by your grace. Now, Baba show me the way to sing your bhajans every Thursday in Hindi, which I had vowed earlier.

Usha
Baba I strongly believe you always that you do whatever is good for me. and Whatever Happens Happens for my best. So I left the decision to you Baba. Whatever you decide is fine for me Baba. I am ready to face. Please give me enough courage to face all difficulties. If you think that my relation with my fiancé should not broke up then please change his mothers mind and please bless for my marriage. If you think our relation should broke up then please give me enough courage to face it.

Vandana
Baba we got married four years back but till now we are not having any baby. Baba please bless us with a child as earlier as possible. You know how much I have suffered.

Kashinath
Dear Baba, please help me. I have undergone so many problems since 98 and I have somehow got out of it all with your grace. But off late my mind is so restless, I feel so depressed as I am having terrible financial, career and personal problems all at the same time. This is making me so feeble. I am not even able to pray for 5 minutes with a peaceful mind. Please answer my prayers Baba.

Ranjini
Baba, thank you very much for everything. My brother's marriage had been settled and marriage went on very well and with your blessing had very good darshan at Shirdi. Thank you for everything you gave till today, without Your support I would not have been here. I do not know whether the things will be coming are safe or not. Please recover the kids health. With your blessing we got the Green Card. Thank you very much Baba. Please do the needful Baba.

Gokani
Dear Baba, please shower our family and me with your blessings and courage to help us go through a difficult period. My mother was taken into hospital last week with broken hip. She is old and had an operation this week. She is finding it difficult to cope and I sincerely wish and hope that she will recover. Also, please give me sakthi and bakhti to progress through life with the ever endaevouring tasks of settling down in marriage and with a family in my own house. Bless all in need.

Puja
Hey Sai deva I worship in your feet and pray that you always stay with me and my family. You gave me all pleasures of life and a good family and I think I should not ask for anything else. But now I became selfish again and offering my prayers for something. My husband is wishing for something which You are very well aware of .You know how desperate he is though it is a worldly pleasure. Please fulfil his wish and by this draw him near to You, so close that all the worldly pleasure becomes secondary for him. It will also solve lot of our problems for future. Please bless your daughter whom you gave me as the best gift of life with good health as she keeps so unwell and allow me to spend more time with her. Please show my younger sister with a right direction and bless her with good and happy marriage. Bless my elder sister with a smooth delivery and a healthy child. I request all to pray for us and I hope Baba fulfill everyones wishes and prayers here. Help me overcome all problems at work Baba. I bow my head on your samadhi, Baba please call me to Shirdi at the earliest.

Jyothi
Baba please help us, we are in deep distress and are eagerly waiting for your help. Baba you know that nothing is getting better, the lashes of karma is getting stronger and stronger day and day. As a kind mother forgive all our sins and help us. Baba please help my husband get a job and cure my disease and Baba bless me with kids.
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Quotation of the Week:
"The Guru and man's inner reality are really one and work together towards the same goal - the redemption and salvation of the mind. They cannot fail. Out of very boulders that obstruct them, they build their bridges".-Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
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Question of the Week:

Q. What is the essence of Anandrao's vision regarding Kakasaheb's doubts about Bhakthi?
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Sai Activities:

Sri Ramanavami celebrations in Chicago, USA
Sri Ramanavami and Urs festival celebrations are the first major celebration of the year for Shirdi Sai devotees. The tradition started in 1910 and continues each year. Shirdi Sai temple, Chicago will be celebrating the event for three days starting from Friday evening April 15th to Sunday April 17th. The program comprises of Aartis, Maha Abhishek, Homam, Palki procession, Satcharitra parayan, bhajans and much more. For complete details please visit http://www.saibaba.us/index.html or call 847-931-4058.

Sri Ramanavami - Baba's Urs Celebrations in Minnesota
Shirdi Saibaba Prayer center, Minnesota invites Sai devotees to participate in the Sri Ramanavami-Urs celebrations on Saturday, April 16, 2005 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 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.

Florida Sai Mandir, Inverness, FL
Sai devotees are invited for the inauguration of Shirdi Sai temple in Inverness, Florida, USA. The program starts from March 25th till March 27th, 2005. For more information please call 352-860-2181 or send an email to shirdi@gowebco.com

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

Shirdi Sai bhajans in Bay Area, CA
We would like to invite all Sai devotees in the Bay Area to attend Sai bhajans every Thursday. The prayer hall is located at "Odd Fellows Temple", 20589 Homestead Road, Cupertino, CA 95014. For more information please call 408-564-6704 or send an email to saibandhu@yahoo.com.
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