It is a special characteristic of Shri Shirdi Sai to encourage divine thoughts and feelings in his devotee in the form with which his devotee is comfortable and confides in. There are many stories in Satcharita testifying this. When one devotee visited Baba, He appeared to him in the form of his Guru Gholap. To another one, He appeared as his chosen deity Shri Rama. To another one He gave darshan as Swami Akkalkot Maharaj. Baba clearly directed one to anchor themselves on any one object and put full focus on it and not run after each and every form they come across. But he advocated caution and testing of the object before settling down and accepting that form as their Guru or spiritual teacher.

Further Baba also said that having accepted one as their Guru, always be faithful and be confident about their Guru and not be perturbed by hearing about other Guru's, whatever be the merits or demerits of their own Guru. In other words, keeping focus on one object to the exclusivity of others is the key inspite of lures and attractions by others. Like a mother or may be more than a mother one's Guru is aware of ones needs and what is good or bad for one.

The Guru is ever watchful of our actions and will guard us from failures and pitfalls only when we have exclusive faith in him. Faith differs in its intensity and practice. Some think that performing mere rituals is faith in divine. Some think that giving some x amount of time or praying for some x amount of days or years is faith. They are unaware that the level of faith that is asked by the Guru is much more intense than mere superficial definitions of faith. Faith in one's Guru is severely tested time and again till the devotee is reduced to accepting Guru as part of one's life and can't think of living without the Guru. In other words the devotee and the Guru merge into one.

The Guru need not be physically present to impart training to the devotee. They have the power and capability to educate and take care of their devotees anywhere and at anytime. They transcend all boundaries known to mankind and are not bound by mere physical laws of nature. Such a Guru is Shri Sai Samarth. Having taken him as one's Guru there is nothing more to fear. Developing faith in Him and evolving our patience becomes our lifelong struggle.
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Contributed Article: News from Shirdi :: Gurupournima Celebrations in Shirdi

Gurupournima celebrations commensed in a traditional way in Shirdi from Wednesday July 20th to Friday July 22nd. There were over 4.5 lakh people in Shirdi on the main day, 21st July which coincidently was a thursday. Queue for Darshan was about 3 km long. Darshan started at 5 am in the morning and continued till midnight. It took about 7 to 8 hours for devotees to take Baba's darshan. Sansthan officials were well prepared for the heavy rush so things ran smoothly. District Superintendent of Police and Police commissioner were stationed in Shirdi for two days to tackle the law and order issues.

On Friday the celebrations continued with mangal snan and Rudrabhishek starting at 6 a.m. At 10.30 a.m. Gopal Kala, Kirtan and Dahihandi were performed. In Sansthan bhojangraha(dinner hall), Devotees enjoyed feast with sweets on all three days. At least 75,000 people had Saiprasad in bhojangraha every day. Evenings were celebrated with devotional singing by Usha Mangeshkar, Anup Jalota and Nitin Mukesh . There was a huge stage erected in Sainagar near 200 rooms in Shirdi. Thousands of people enjoyed the devotional concert by these reknowned artists on all three days. The Musical feast stared with Usha Mangeshkar on Wednesday and concluded with Anup Jalota on Friday. Palkhi processions came from Pune, Mumbai and Nasik.

(Contributed by Smita Deshmukh)

Contributed Article: Beedkar Maharaj

Shri Beedkar Maharaj was one of the foremost-celebrated disciples of Shri Swami Samartha of Akkalkot (popularly known as Akkalkot Maharaj). Shri Swami Samartha was another form of Sadguru Sai Baba. Shri Beedkar Maharaj visited Shri Sai Baba in 1873.

His original name was Ramananda Beedkar. He lost his father in his child-hood; but developed a spiritual out look in his earlier stages of life. As a young man, he performed several pilgrimages and settled down in jewelry, perfumery and sandal wood businesses in Pune. He strived very hard and acquired the capacities to transform different metals into gold. Thus, he became enormously rich. Along with wealth he acquired some vices and got into an infatuation for a woman in Gwalior, when he went there on a business tour. However, due to his spiritual background, he felt very guilty of his deeds and tried to get rid of the vice. A saint whom he approached for redemption, advised him to go through a penance and worship Lord Hanuman to conquer the carnal desires. During his prayers to Lord Hanuman, he received a divine instruction to take refuge under Swami Samartha of Akkalkot.

He immediately reached Akkalkot, but could not see Swami as he was with the king. Beedkar, however, decided not to leave with out the darshan of Swami and hence spent two nights doing namasmarana by reciting Swami Samartha's sacred name. Then Swami appeared before Beedkar and asked him as to why he was there. Beedkar replied, "I want your grace that is a strong spiritual base!" Swami tested Beedkar's devotion by strongly scolding him and showering abuses on him. Beedkar appealed to Swami, "I treat all your scolding and abuses as sweet blessings. Even if you kill me, you are my ultimate refuge". Swami sent a 'spiritual wave' through Beedkar's body, due to which he reverberated, leading to a blissful state. With that experience, Beedkar's mind attained enormous peace and solace.

Consequently, he was always found in an uninterrupted state of samaadhi. On Beedkar's next visit coinciding with day of maagha poornima, Swami Samartha remarked about his spiritual status, "The mango is partially ripe. It will take some more time for the mango to ripen fully." It took another three years for Beedkar to have the next darshan of Swami, when he decided to remain at Akkalkot serving Him endlessly.

One day, he was serving Swami by gently pressing His feet for a long time; but Swami did not ask him to stop. The service continued through out the night. Then in the early hours of the next morning, a cobra materialized with its hood raised in between Swami's feet, ready to sting Beedkar. Beedkar, however, was not afraid. He thought, " It is my good fortune to die serving Swami". Miraculously, the snake vanished; but Swami got up shouting at Beedkar, "You are a tough nut to crack!" Swami slapped Beedkar on his face and shouted, " You stubborn fellow, get out!" With this Beedkar experienced enormous bliss and deep happiness and got into a state of samaadhi.

After getting out of the state of samaadhi, Beedkar decided to feed thousand persons as per the hint from Swami. He wanted to earn the needed money by selling perfumes. However, on his way, he met with an accident and all the bottles of perfume were lost. With great difficulty he could offer food to Swami alone, instead of feeding one thousand persons. Swami smiled and said, " You have fed me no doubt. You are yet to give me dakshina. Can you do it? What would you give me?" Beedkar responded, "I shall do as per Your orders." Swami again smiled and said, " No, You cannot do it". Beedkar again affirmed, " Swami, I promise You. I will obey your orders." Swami laughed aloud and said, " Well, the dakshina you can give me is this. Give up making gold!" Beedkar was aghast at this demand of Swami for he never thought that Swami would demand his Guru dakshina this way.

Nevertheless, he gave up making gold as his guru dakshina. On his subsequent visit, Swami instructed Beedkar to carry out pradakshina of River Narmada. Beedkar obeyed Swami's order; but confronted several hazards including attack by tigers and wild animals in his spiritual venture. However, he succeeded in accomplishing the task since Swami's grace protected him at every impediment and crisis. Finally, Goddess Narmada appeared before Beedkar and blessed him. In accordance with the instruction of Goddess famous divine saints such as Shri Vasudevanda Sarswathi and Shri Swami Satchidananda gave darshan to Beedkar, culminating his spiritual quest.

All the while, Beedkar Maharaj was experiencing the immense grace of Shri Swami Samartha. As he reached a pilgrim center Maheshwar, Shri Swami Samartha attained maha samaadhi. On the same night Swami appeared to him in his dream and said, "I have not passed away. I am very much alive!" After making several pilgrimages, he established a sanctuary or matt and became famous by the name Shri Beedkar Maharaj. Under his guidance, several people attained spiritual enlightenment and many saints were trained to guide citizens. When he met with Sadguru Sainath in 1873, Shri Beedkar Maharaj stated, "Sai Baba is no ordinary saint! He is Jagadguru! He is Swami Samartha Himself in another form!" Shri Beedkar Maharaj attained maha samaadhi on April 4, 1913.

(This article on Shri Beedkar Maharaj is prepared based on the information from "Swami Samartha" (in Telugu language) by Achaarya Sri Ekkirala Bhardwaja, "Sai Baba of Shirdi - a Unique Saint" by M.V. Kamath & V.B. Kher and some personal communications from elderly and saintly persons whom I met with at Shirdi).

(Contributed by Maddipatla V.R. Prasad)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Jayanti
I want to share my experience as to how Baba listens to our prayers and grant wishes. I might seem a tiny issue or some thing silly but it matters a lot to me. Here is my experience. My mother had sent a package on international postage for my birthday. She took time off from her busy work schedule, shopping around in the hot sun, temperatures soaring up to 42 C in India. She called me and said she mailed a package so I can receive it on my birthday or earlier. However, to my utter disappointment, I have not received any thing until 25 days after my mom had mailed it and I started count down, bugging the mailman everyday as to check for my package. My mom was very anxious too and the long awaited birthday had come but I did not receive my gift. I was very upset as I can feel my mom's curiosity whenever I talk to her and the unfathomable affection with which she sent the gift to me. Every moment I used to pray Baba that I should receive the package. Even my husband and my kids joined me in my prayers. I promised Baba that I would share my feelings if I receive my package in Sai Vichaar site. To my utter delight, I received the package the very next day. Though I do not have it on the special day, at least it reached us without getting lost. I often feel that its not written in my destiny to get the package but I got it only because of Sai's grace and my mom's well wishes. Sai's choicest blessings be showered upon all of us. Bow to Sai. Peace to be All!

Karuna Chauhan
Thanks to Baba, I was cured from Bals palsy in just two weeks. I was told by the doctor that there was no guarantee that I would be completely recovered. Due to Bals palsy, I had slurred speech, the left side of my face partially paralyzed and I could not close my left eye. I was unable to say Baba's name. I had Baba's audiotape in my car, which I never got a chance to listen to. My glance fell on the picture of Baba on the tape, I got very emotional. I prayed to Baba to cure me as soon as possible. Continuously, for two weeks I did speech therapy by reciting Baba's bhajans and saying Baba's name out aloud. On the second Thursday, early in the morning I was smiling in my sleep and could feel complete sensation on the left side of my face. When I woke up I was all recovered, I still had to massage my face but now my smile was back I was able to pronounce the words correctly. I am so thankful to Baba for being with me through this ordeal and giving me the strength that I needed at that time. I believe that Baba is with us all the time. Never to let go of faith. Thank you Baba for everything.
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Devotees say...

A Sai devotee
I am grateful to You and have been able to find employment and would like to express my sincere thanks and would also like to continually seek your Blessings to guide me to endeavor to always strive to deliver to the very best of my abilities towards my family, my employer, my business associates, my relatives, my friends, and all around this wonderful Universe.

Neelima A
From my 11th standard, I am praying Sai baba and I love Baba very much. He is helping me from past 10 years. If I get any problem, first I will go and sit in front of Him. Every time Sai Baba helped me in solving my problems. Some of my experiences are: after my intermediate, I did not get in EAMCET. I was very disappointed and joined Degree, but I used to pray Sai to get me in to Engineering and I decided to write the exam next year. With Sai Baba's grace, I got seat in mechanical engineering and I finished my BTech. Baba also helped me in making my parents accept for my marriage with the person I am in love. With Baba's continued blessings, I got my visa, got admission in MS Computer Science and graduated. Baba please continue to take care of my husband, our families and me.

Baba's devotee
Koti Koti Pranams to Sai Baba. Firstly I want to thank Sai Baba for listening to my pray and helping me to save my position in organization. I work with computers in my company, were an important server disk was crashed and the data was lost. I was not worried since the up-to-date data is backed up in the media. But surprisingly none of the media was working and the data lost was very critical and crucial for the organization. I tried many similar devices and even the media(s) of previous years too but no luck. Once I felt tried and pained I started praying sincerely to Sai Mother. I got the device replaced on the same system on which the data was lost. Again, after trying different media, I could not restore the data. Now finally, I thought of last try, I prayed Baba that only your miracle will work now, and I submitted the job and left for the day. Next day I was very delighted to see that the media which was giving errors and had some problem, is functioning properly and the Data was restored. Please be always with your devotees and guide and guard them every time.

Pingali Durga Deepak
Sri Satchindananda Samartha Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai. Sai with your blessings I could get a job this week and I sincerely thank you because without you I know I would not have achieved anything. Once again thank you for answering my prayers and bless all the Sai devotees.

Sai devotee
Recently, we were alerted to a problem regarding our son. We were very much worried and could only get a specialist appointment after four weeks. In the meantime, I earnestly prayed to Shiridi Saibaba and started reading Sai Satcharita and am presently completing the third reading. Throughout the reading I kept getting messages of encouragement and hope and continued to keep my faith in Baba. True to His word, the specialist has given him a clean chit of good health and assured us that there is nothing to worry about. But in all this, something important had happened. We were made aware of certain changes that we needed to make in order to ensure his continuing welfare. This "alert" was indeed a wake-up call to us, and we are eternally thankful to Baba for opening our eyes in time.
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Prayer Club:

Mrs. Sethi
Dear Sai Baba, First of let me thank you for all that you have given us. Baba you know our daughter is getting married in October. Baba please bless her so that marriage takes place beautifully and that there is no visa problem and she goes with her husband after marriage. Baba you know that she loves you and at this point needs your blessings. Baba always keep my daughters healthy and very happily married. Baba I wish to come to Shirdi to give the first card to you. Please help in fulfilling my wish.

Anju Munshi
My family is in your custody. It is your family too, do look after it. My husband is an extremely humble and god-fearing gentleman but he never gets what he deserves. If hard work and devotion towards the ultimate divine forces is the benchmark then he beats anyone to it. He is going through a turmoil please help him out.

Chandana T
Baba, my parents are much tensed about my marriage. I know you will always give me the best. I told them also the same thing as to not to get anxious, but they are very tensed and started crying when I rejected one match. They are worried that it is not easy to get an alliance with the required profile, as we cannot give much dowry. But I have total faith on you, let them understand.

Mehak
Dear Saibaba, Please help him regaining his health, he has got stomach inflammation and high cholesterol please Baba bless him on his birthday.

Shwetha
Om Sai Nathaya Namah! Hey Baba, You know very well what I am going to ask from You. Please Baba help me out . You are always with me on every difficult sitaution. By your grace I have everything in my life but in this sitautaion I need you Baba. Please be with me. I have to complete 3 important tasks (good job, test and baby). so please hear my prayers Baba and also help me out in situation that is coming ahead Baba.

Prabha
Jai Sadguru Sainath, thank you for helping me get my visa and be with my daughter through her pregnancy and delivery. With your blessings she delivered a healthy baby girl. Thank you also for helping my husband who also travelled and was with us. Now we are both back in India, dear Sai my prayers are that my other daughter should also conceive and have a healthy child. Since last 3 years she is having a lot of problems after she had a preterm delivery, You are great so you know what all she underwent and is undergoing. Om Sai let there not be any surgeries on her and let her be blessed with a child. Sai devotees please pray to Lord Sai that my daughter and all other childless couples be blessed with a child. Bow to Sais lotus feet.

Veena
I have completed my studies with the grace of Saibaba. I am now desperately looking for a job which is so difficult. Please pray for me. I know Baba will shower his grace on me.
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Quotation of the Week:
"It is My special characteristic, to free any person who surrenders completely to Me and who does worship Me faithfully, and who remembers Me, and meditates on Me constantly".-Sai Baba
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Question of the Week:

Q. How to read Sai Satcharitha?

A. by Manav Sharma

Sai Satcharitha is the book which contains the stories, miracles, principles and the advise of Sri Sai baba. Baba had mentioned that He will help and Himself write his biography and Hemadpant will be the only outward instrument.

Therefore mere reading of this great book is not enough, it has to be acted upon in our day-to-day behavior. There is no special method or place for reading the Sai Satcharitha. The devotee can read it the way he or she wants. Baba had mentioned at various times that there is no particular method to worship him. Similarly, there is no particular method to read Sai Satcharitha. It should be read with love and faith. And, if it is read with concentrated mind and the moral of the stories are followed and acted upon in everyday action, it certainly gives peace, happiness and fulfils the desires of the devotee.
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Sai Activities:

Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 7 am followed by Abhisek. Madhayana Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop arathi at 6 pm and Shej Arathi at 9 pm. 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: Monthly (second sunday of every month) Pooja, August 14th, Samuhika Satyanarayan Pooja and Raksha Bandhan on Poornima day, Friday August 19th and Temple Anniversary Day, Friday August 19th and Saturday August 20th.

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, Bay Area, California
Shirdi Sai Parivaar invites all to join us for Satsang every Thursday 7:30 pm at Odd Fellows Temple, 20589 Homestead Road, Cupertino, CA 95014.For details please call 408-564-6704 or send email to saibandhu@yahoo.com or visit www.ShradhaSaburi.org.

Shirdi Sai Satsang, Ontario, 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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