The efficacy of Bhakthi or devotion as means of salvation can never be fully emphasized. Its power and the results one gains through this chosen path are such. Guru bhakthi is the one where the disciple loves and serves Guru and accepts Him as the God. For such a disciple there is no other thing in the world which is more important, meaningful, and fulfilling than the Guru is. When the disciple performs his duties with reverence, Guru empowers him with unusual boons and showers His grace in the form of capabilities to perform miracles. The disciple who by now has succeeded in surrendering his body and soul to the supremacy of the Guru can only perform his duties in a selfless manner without moving even a bit from his disposition of humility.

Shri R. Parthasarathy in "God who walked on earth", a classic work on sadguru Sainath, wrote, "Baba stressed the importance of devotion to one's Guru and treating him as God. It was seeing God in, through and as the Guru and identifying the Guru with God that marked the bhakthi path shown by Baba. Baba's method of teaching varied. He would simple touch with his palm the head of the devotee and that would have one kind of influence. Sometimes, He pressed His hands heavily on the devotee's head as though he was crushing out some of the low impulses. On occasions He would pat on the back of the devotee or would press His palm over his hand. Each had its own effect affecting the sensations and feelings of the persons concerned. Apart from touch, He effected an invisible operation on the devotee which brought about a great change in him".

In the same work, an incident narrates the boon given by Baba to Kusa Bhav, a devotee. "Henceforth", He said, "you will have the power to produce udhi from the dhuni of Mayi of Shirdi by merely remembering me and holding forth your hands. Give this udhi freely. It will help all people and you will get punya". Kusa Bhav gave this udhi to Narasimha Swamiji when he met him in Pune. Kusa Bhav closed his eyes and stretched his hands with uplifted face and suddenly his palm was full of udhi and he said: "Hold your hands and receive the udhi". Narasimha Swamiji found the udhi to be warm coming as it did fresh from Dhuni Mayi in Shirdi on a cold day.
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Contributed Article: News from Shirdi :: CT Scan facility in Saibaba Sansthan Hospital

On Gurupoornima occasion, CT Scan along with Color Doplar and Angiography service was started in Shri Saibaba Sansthan Hospital in Shirdi. This service was inaugurated on Thursday July 21st 2005 by the Sansthan's Chairman. The cost of CT Scan Machine is about 4.5 crore rupees and it will run on no-profit-no-loss basis. It will cost a devotee approx. Rupees 6000 for Angiography, Rupees 1000 for Eye CT scan and Rupees 3200 for Stomach and Chest CT scan. The same services cost in thousands of Rupees in private hospitals. In future Sansthan is planning for multi speciality hospital to provide Sai devotees with world class health care facilities on no profit no loss basis.

(Contributed by Smita Deshmukh)

Contributed Article: My Experience with Saibaba

We went back to India in 2003 after having stayed in the USA for more than 10 years. My husband's company and work compelled him to stay back in India. I also supported his decision to work in India. In January, my daughter (6 yrs old) and I returned to stay in the US to apply for our Citizenship. Though I was here on my own with my daughter for the first time, and I got a taste of what it is to be a single parent, Baba never left my side. I felt all along that Baba was with me, helping me. He made sure my daughter and I were comfortably settled and I had a very good support and help of my close friends. We had our Citizenship interview on June 30th. We were told that since we were away from US for 2 years and as my husband was still working in India, our chances of getting citizenship was slim. As my daughter's school in India was starting, we thought it best to send her back to India and by Baba's grace; she got re-admission in a good school in Bangalore. Though everything was going smoothly - it was getting extremely difficult for me emotionally to stay away from my family and especially my daughter on whom I dote. She is Baba's gift to me and the most wonderful child. The more Baba tested my endurance the more I felt like holding on to his feet and praying. I told Him I have nowhere to go, so if He does not accept and bless me I would rather die at His feet. I can get refuge nowhere if my guru, my all, rejects me. In my deepest prayers I heard Him respond. He gave me strength to go on. In the consolation that my close friends gave me, I heard His reassurance. When I opened the Sai Satcharitha on one such frustrating day - it opened to this page and the words resonated with this clear message: "Doubts and difficulties surround us, just to move us and confirm our faith. We are tested as it were. If we only hold on steadily to Baba, with full faith and continue our endeavors, our efforts will be ultimately crowned with success."

I doubled my prayers to Him with renewed vigor and with full attention and focus. After 3 weeks of suspense, today I got the news that our citizenship was approved and we have the Oath in a few weeks. Your greatness is unfathomable. I cannot express the gratitude I feel. There was never a doubt that you would respond. You have taught me valuable lessons of Shradha and Saburi, yet again and showered your grace and blessings on me. I urge all of you to work towards His cause with increasing faith, devotion and total surrender. Think this body is but to serve Him. Increase your efforts and work with total faith in one-ment with Him. Give up the tendencies for discussions and arguments. Being strongly opinionated, being hurt by others words or saying hurtful things to others, finding fault, nagging etc. is a clear indication that we see ourselves as being separate entities - egos ! We should guard ourselves well against this. Baba puts us in those situations to test us. And how many times we fail - yet He gives us another chance and is full of love and compassion. He understands our failings as a mother does of her child and helps us. The whole world may forsake us but Baba will not.

Baba says, the path of devotion to me is like walking on the edge of a razor. I am oft reminded of the allegory of the three monkeys - hear no evil, speak no evil and see no evil. The mind is a fickle monkey no doubt and what we feed it will depend on how it is going to behave. God comes to us when your mind is calm, peaceful and pure, with honeyed thoughts and when we are positive and happy, not otherwise. So if we want Baba to come to us, we have to make this mind like a temple, so he can stay there peacefully! What can we do to serve Him better? What can we give Him that is not already His given?

(Contributed by Savita Jayaram)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Maddala Sugana
I had good a job and family. I have resigned my Govt. job and started living a simple life. But I was missing my career. More than money, I was craving for recognition. More than recognition, I wanted reassurance for myself, that I am special. One day after my children and husband went to office, I took out Sai Baba's Parayana book and started reading it saying to myself, "Saibaba, I am reading this. Just mechanically, because watching a song on T.V. is more easy and interesting than reading this book. It is up to you to show me a miracle and create faith."

I did not even complete a week's time. I had to go to my Sister-in-law's place. There I happened to see an advt. about a workshop on Organic cotton for farmers. I wanted to attend that, because that is my area of interest. I talked to my sister-in-law and her husband. Left the children in their home. Contacted my friends with similar interest, by phone and told them that I would accompany them. But I could not meet them at the Railway station. I got into the train. No address. No invitation. Missed my friends.

If I had met my friends, we would have spent the time in conversations. On the other hand, I wanted to contribute something to the workshop. I had poster preparation in mind. But in train, it is not possible. I do not know how it has happened, but in half an hour's time, a parody song on organic cultivation was ready in the tune of "Tooneega.. Tuneega .. Endaka parigedatave raave naa vanka". The song was most popular at that time. The beauty of the song was that half of the original lyric is retained with subject content that can compete with any research article. Now I practically understood the meaning of Potan's "Palikinchedi vaadu Raamabhadrundata." and the submission of Sai Satcharitra's author while writing the book, that Sai will write his own life.

After that, I could meet my friends at the destination and participated in the workshop. Then I was asked to sing on the stage, once more time and particularly liked and asked by farmers. Also, there was a small test for drawing a farmer's picture, one for first drawing and another for best drawing. I got both. I returned with confidence in myself. Later, I realized. This is what I wanted. Saibaba showed me the miracle within a week. It is a sort of Cinderella experience for me. Following this I got some good assignments. Many times, I got solutions for my trivial problems in some way or the other, which make me feel the presence of Saibaba.

Even submission of this article is his help. Once, when I saw some Saibaba magazine, when I entered a library, I told myself that I would contribute an article about my experience, but I never could do it, although it was lingering in my mind very unpleasantly. None of my works is being published. Is my owe keeping them from seeing the light of the day. If that is the case, You only show me a way to do it and relaxed. Today when I was talking to my cousin, she asked me to see Saibaba in a marriage photo. And when I was surfing the net, I chanced to see this site and my owe is fulfilled. My own experiences, in such a short period would fill a book! How can Saibaba look after so many people! Then I remember devotees saying "Samardha Sadguru, Sainaadha Maharaj ki Jai". But, now I long to see him. May be it is an atyaasa. Why to worry, when he is there! It is up to him. If I deserve, he gives a darshan or even when my friends are getting his darshan, I am happy. My friends' darshan is Sai Baba's darshan for me.

Praveen Katakam
My prayer was posted in prayer club section one Thursday before Gurupoornima. I asked baba to help me in finding a job and promised that I will never waste time again and work hard. Exactly one week later on Guru Pournima (Thursday) as I was entering the Saibaba temple premises I got a call that I got confirmed on a project. Baba's blessings grow exponentially. Baba is taking care of me from a very long time. Baba please be with me and help me in working hard and doing my job well.

Pallavi Anumula
Om Sai Sree Sai Jaya Jaya Sai! Namasthe Sai Devotees, I want to share my recent experience with all of you. I thought that I would share this experience once my wish is fulfilled. My experience reveals that Shri Sai Baba is always with a person who believes in Baba completely. I started my Sri Satcharitha Parayana on July 14 and I successfully completed the reading of the book by July 21. I did the parayana and made an earnest wish. I asked Baba to give a job to my brother by August 6th. My brother called me on the 26th July and said that he got a job. After hearing the news, I went running to the pooja place in our house and kneeled down in front of Baba's idol and I automatically started crying having realized that Sai Baba is with me now and forever. In my past Baba has fulfilled many wishes of mine. I strongly say that without Baba in my life, I would not have reached my current position in life. So I sincerely request all the Sai Devotees to have firm faith on Shri Shirdi Sai Baba. He is with us forever. May all your wishes come true with the grace of our Sadguru. Jai Sree Sai Baba.
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Devotees say...

Madhavi
It is a wonderful moment in my life to convey my thanks to Baba as I become pregnant now. This week I am going for my first ultra sound, and please see that every thing goes smooth.

A Sai devotee
Baba, as per my promise, I am writing to Sai Vichaar. I got in a project for 2 months. Baba, you know everything, how much I have gone thro to get a project. Finally, by your grace, I got this project. Pls bless me so that I can perform well there.

Anitha Ellappan
Please accept my humble pranaams. Thanks for getting me a job. You know how much our family depended on this. Please bless us that we will always have you in our mind.

Surekha R
I am very scared for everything and was very scared to drive and my husband used to upset whenever I commit mistake during learning. I was really fed up, but by Saibaba's grace now I am able to drive nicely without any mistakes. I prayed Saibaba that I should learn driving easily be able to drive confidently. I pray Saibaba that when I go for driving test I should not make any mistakes and get the driving license very soon.

Sai Padma
Last month I had severe throat infection due to which I had high fever. I had difficult breathing and became very weak. My husband seeing my condition asked Saibaba to cure me. From that moment, itself the fever came down slowly and I was completely normal. The throat infection was also cured in a day. I thanked Baba so much and was very happy.

Nandini
Early in the morning, I thought I will submit my experience if my sister-in-law gets her job after waiting for 5 long months. She had her interview in the morning and came to know the result just know that she got her job finally. I am so happy for her and very thankful to our Baba.
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Prayer Club:

Rajesh
I lost my only daughter. Sai you gave us courage to overcome this irreparable loss. We are now trying to bring our daughter back. I have faith on you and patience too. We have failed the first trial. I know you are trying to test our patience. Today we are going for the second trial. I do not know how long our patience will be tested, but believe me we will try whatever is in our hands since we can only put our best effort rest all is in your hands. Baba ab apka hi sahara hai.....raham kijiye....

Savitha Luthra
Dear Baba, I pray to you to have mercy on us. Mere Deva please bless my daughter. For me it is taking lot of courage to submit my prayers. I did it earlier also but that did not appear in Sai Vichaar. Baba I know you are teaching me a valuable lesson of patience. But Baba please do not delay anymore. Please all devotees, pray for my daughter's happiness.

Shailaja
My dear Lord Sri Sai, please bless me with peace of mind, as I am very much worried about my future, career, family.

Praveena
I have been hoping You would listen to my prayer and give me an indication of success in this venture. After completing a sapthaham, today on Guru Poornima, I invoke Your blessings. Please be with me through out this exercise and help me emerge successful. You know how important it is for me to get through this.

Saisou
You know what is happening in my life. I am waiting for my certain things o come especially my husband applied the Green card and we are waiting for year. Baba please it should happen as early. He should get into the University this year winter and finish the course with out trouble.

Shanti
My younger brother went abroad to study. He is 21years old. He studied well for the first year. He got several medals and praises. Towards the end of his project during the visa extension, during the medical tests it became known that he had a kidney failure and he had to get a transplant done in year and half from now. Baba he is the only son of our parents and my parents have several hopes on him. My mother is a heart patient and I wonder if they can take this news at all. Ours is a middle class family and we do not have enough money to go for transplant either. Already we have several debts to be cleared. Baba he is still abroad and he does not reveal anything to us here Baba thinking we will get worried. I do not even know what his problem is exactly. Baba I am unable to bear this uncertainty. Please help him Baba to think in the right way and to act in the right way.

Sai devotee
Om Sai Ram. Baba Please help my friend's daughter who knows everything but, she is not able to speak and able to hear but does not interpret what she hears and does not behave like a normal child. It is very sad to see such a beautiful baby not talking and playing like a normal kid. Baba, please help the child.

Kiran
In June of 2005, my husband was returning from work when his car was hit from the back and was totaled. Now the person who hit us; his company is paying us a small amount which we feel is an unjust sum as our car was in perfect working condition and we will not be able to buy a new one with what they are paying us. So, I pray to you Baba and all the devotees to help us by praying that justice is served and we are paid what is rightfully due to us.
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Quotation of the Week:
"Other people acts will affect just them. It is only your own deeds that will affect you".-Sai Baba
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Question of the Week:

Q. How to read Sai Satcharitha?
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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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