Human disposition is aimed at looking towards various means in order to be "happy", the definition of which varies from person to person. In the process of seeking this happiness, a man subjects himself to a lot of stress, anxiety and problems. Man measure happiness in terms of external resources such as wealth, achievements, children, physical well-being or status in the society to name a few. Chapter 14 in Satcharitha says, "Providential dispensation is such, that no one in this world is completely happy and rich". Isn't this true? Law of nature says that no Human is ever free from anxiety or worry. One has to pass through the phases of good and bad events based on prarabdh (previous acts). Even Prince of Ayodhya - Rama; an avatar of lord Vishnu, had to undergo 14 years of turmoil, separation, anxiety and misery. When god cannot be spared from miseries of this world then what to speak of humans.

Man has access to various scriptures written by the age-old spiritual masters, which would guide him in his quest for spirituality. Man is also endowed with intellectual capacity, which enables him to learn, comprehend, and practice those teachings in day-to-day life. Man is so fixated in chasing happiness that he has not realized that happiness is nothing but the "state of mind" and he is the controller of his happiness. If man decides that he will be happy, then no matter what catastrophe befalls him, his state of happiness will not be robbed from him. In chapter 20th of Satcharitha Hemadpant mentions that "The Ishopanishad gives a valuable mystical description of the Atman, a description of the ideal sage, who stands unruffled in the minds of temptations and sorrows; and adumbration of the doctrine of Karma-Yoga as later formulated, and finally a reconciliation of the claims of knowledge and works." In short, one ought to discharge their duties with a sense of detachment knowing that atman alone is real and body is temporary.

Mahalsapathy, a blacksmith by profession is one of the prominent devotees of Baba. Sri BV Narasimha Swamyji, in his research titled "Life of Sai Baba Vol II" has given a detailed account of the simplicity of this humble devotee. Mahalsapathy did not have any riches. In fact, he was so poor that he could barely make both ends meet. He even had to subject to his family to starvation as he did not earn enough in his profession and lived only on the offerings given in the plate at Khandoba temple. Yet, Mahalsapathy was happy and contented. His mind was calm and composed, and never yearned for wealth and many a times did refuse the money from Baba as well who knew his financial situation. Mahalsapathy was well looked after by Baba though he did not have riches Mahalsapahty had the invaluable blessings, care and companionship of Baba.

When we lift our hands in prayers let us not read out wish list to god. Let us not measure our happiness in terms of wealth. Baba said, "Fakir (Mendicancy) was the real Lordship as it was everlasting, and the so called Lordship (riches) was transient". Keeping this mind let us implore Him to be our constant companion and bless us with the ability to surrender all actions and thoughts to Him. Let us beg Him "to keep us always in the path of devotion and constantly focus on Him and His teachings". Also, help us to keep in mind that "all the actions are originated from Him and He is the sole actor and doer, whatever be the consequences of our prarabdh, to give us strength to bear good or bad karma". When the path of salvation is so simple the reason why not all people take to it is, because God has not created in them the will and need to "See, Feel and Communicate" with Him. Let us make the start and first and foremost seek His blessings.

Let us make the start and first and foremost seek His blessings. Let us remember that when we try to think using our intellect, the six vices of kama, krodha, madha, mastya, lobha and ahamkar surface with alacrity, but if we surrender thoughts to God and seek His guidance, then our mind is pure and calm, and we are blessed with ability to internalize our thoughts and actions and act in a positive way that is dear to Baba and we are content knowing that it is God's will. Let us also remember that those who take to the worship of Baba, they are well taken care. In chapter 6th of Satcharitha Hemadpant writes about Baba's promise to His devotees - "If a man utters My name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes, increase his devotion. And if he sings earnestly My life and My deeds, him I shall beset in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees, who are attached to Me, heart and soul, will naturally feel happiness, when they hear these stories. Believe Me that if anybody sings My Leelas, I will give him infinite joy and everlasting contentment. ...." Baba always stands by His promises. May Baba bless us all to always keep focused on His Holy feet to attain happiness.

(Anitha Kandukuri, Canberra, Australia)
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Contributed Article: Response to "Spiritual Paradox"

This is further to my previous posting in response to the featured article "Spiritual Paradox". There is an interesting instance in Sai Satcharitha, which I have been studying for nearly one and half years now.

Somebody brought a plank with an idea of making a cot for Baba. Of course, one narrow plank was not enough for making the cot. But before more planks could be collected, Baba hoisted the plank near to the ceiling and tied it with thin and withered rags.

Question had been asked in my pratham A examination of panchshila to explain Baba's couch on the narrow plank hoisted high with rags.

Another interesting aspect of that couch on the narrow plank hoisted high with rags was that nobody could ever see how he went up the plank and how he came down. Venerable Dabholkar alias Hemadpant has made a very poetic guess on this, saying, "May not one bestowed with 'siddhI's become a fly and go up there or come down from there?"

It occurred to me when writing my answer that Baba making a couch up there, away from all world was sannyasa (renunciation), going up there as a fly was siddhi attainment and being unconcerned whether the narrow plank was comfortable enough or not was samAdhi equanimity - all the three approaches rolled in one single instance, same as their having been quoted together in the verse 3-6!

In the context of this instance, one can also wonder whether Baba ever slept. Would God ever sleep? In this context it is interesting to relate this question with verse 2-69 in Bhagavad-Gita, "Yaa nishaa sarva-bhootaanaam, tasyaam jagarti sanyamee, yasyaam jaagrati bhootaani saa nishaa pashyato muneyH" When the people retire to sleep, sanyamee, one with unpurturbing mind yet stays alert, (caring for the world?) and when the world is up and kicking, the Muni is oblivious to it all, even when seeing it all. Baba exemplified all this.

People tell that the philosophy of Geeta is not just for reading and understanding but also for imbibing into one's life. But one needs examples to show how this is done. Sai-Sat-Charita is full of such exemplary directions for one to improve one's life! This then becomes also an answer to the question of the week, "How to read Sai-Sat-Charita?"

(Contributed by SL Abhyankar)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Hari
I thought of writing this after the experience I had; although it may seem trivial to many. I have planned to go to India this weekend and on Sunday, I just checked if I needed a transit visa. The airline asked to check with the embassy, but there was no response to my email. The French Embassy takes only 60 entries per day and I had to drive to New York, so was worried if I would reach early enough to beat the traffic. After my morning bath, I took up the Sai Satcharitha to read, and lo behold; I had chapter 33 - The Greatness of Udi. I remembered to apply the Udi before I left. I reached there at 8 and found around 25 people ahead of me and I was happy. Then I realized there were people with appointments and hence it was possible my chance will not come. The people nearby had made repeated visits and said they do not allow more than 5-10 people from the line. So I was bit scared. But then I had full faith that my chance would come; especially after the morning reading, but still I was skeptical. All the while, I was chanting, and it was 11.30 and still I was not in. I just prayed that if by noontime I get in, I do would write this experience since the consulate closes at 1 pm and I was reminded of the morning chapter where Bapugirbua comes just in time to give the Udi to Nanasaheb. And as it should happen, I did get in at noon and I got the visa stamped, without which my plans to go to India could have been in trouble. It was a great realization once more to me that Baba was with me to help me out, but more important was that in-spite of all the premonitions, how skeptical we are in times of distress. Just pray to Baba to give me unshakable faith and devotion and that he gives me opportunity to be his humble devotee.

Munmun Banerjee
I have been a Baba devotee since 1999 and since then Baba has showed us many miracles and blessed us. My husband was in need of a document for his GC processing, we were waiting for a long time, and somehow we were not able to get the document from the Indian govt agency. Time was passing by and we were really tensed. Then my husband started reading the Satcharitha, one chapter a day. He completed the book this week on Wednesday. Thursday we went to the temple and did the aarati. We also did aarati at home. Friday I got a call from my dad saying that he was able to get the document ready and he actually posted it on Friday. What we believe is with Baba's blessings nothing is impossible May he bless us all.

Anuj Jaiswal
I would like to share one of my various wonderful experiences that I have had while being under the guidance of our Guru God, beloved Sri Sai Baba. I have applied for my permanent residency in Australia and due to Sri Sai's grace; I was getting all the hurdles solved without even my knowing about them. In my inner heart, I had the feeling that my each step will be solved on Thursdays. In my case I got the first step: clearance from computer society on Thursday, second step: I got case officer allocation & medical request from immigration on Thursday and third step: by Baba's grace immigration officer send me my permanent residence approval on Thursday 11th Aug. Isn't this Baba's grace! I would like to deliver the message that Baba is always with us and he will always step in the picture when ever he thinks is best for us. Dear devotees, it doesn't depend which religion we follow, but when ever we are in guidance of Sri Sai Baba as our Guru and savior, he will bless us with happiness and will always help us.

Jagdeep Nagdev
We were at a critical stage of our Greencard process and I really wanted that stage to go through without any problems. We submitted the response for the additional information to USCIS, I started reading Satcharitha on Thursday and the next Thursday as I finished reading it we get to know that our case has been approved. Baba is great.
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Devotees say...

SL Abhyankar
The theme of the article "Spiritual Paradox" seems to be that renunciation itself is not enough. I do not see much paradox in it, because the principle that renunciation itself is not enough has been well emphasized by Lord Krishna in Bhagavad-Gita. See second line in verse 3-6 "Na cha sanyasanaadeva siddhim samadhi gatchati". This line is beautiful where three approaches are summarised, Sanyaasa (renunciation), siddhi (accomplishment or attainment), samadhi (equanimity). They are all important on the spiritual path. But individually they are not enough. They all have to combine together for consummate self-realization. It is also not adequate to have a flash of self-realization. Self-realization ought to become second nature.

Deepa Misra
Thank you Sai Baba for giving me this job. I am confused and scared .I need this job but do not know how to tell my old employer that I am leaving as I am still confused whether I am taking the right decision. Please guide me Baba. You are the only one who can show me the way. Baba please bless me when I take up this job.

Rajiv Bhatia
Samarth Sadguru Shree Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai. This was the first time I got the incentives from my company in cash. I was very happy and in sheer happiness, I forgot to zip my bag in which the money was kept in my organizer. I started on my way back to home. As I went about one k.m from my office, I checked my bag and I was shocked. The money and one phone were missing. I went back and checked all the way to my office. I got the phone on the first instance but did not find the money. I searched there for about an hour everywhere but all in vain. Then I proceeded back to home. At that same place where I found my things missing, I stopped and prayed to baba that if I didn't find my money I will stop praying your name and I again went back to check for my organizer in which money was kept. I started searching again, even below the cars and simultaneously praying to baba. One person from MTNL asked me that what I was looking for. I immediately caught his feet and said " Please give my organizer back to me ". He smiled and said that you must drive slowly and carefully keep your things and after saying this he handed over my organizer to me. I found my money intact in the organizer. I was sure that He was Baba only as there is very less chance that if someone finds money and has the courage to return it back. Baba thank you for your mercy shown on my family and me. I will surely write in other sections of these newsletter about my experiences in which baba has fulfilled my desires. Pranam to you baba. I am coming to Shirdi to have your holy darshan on 26th of August.
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Prayer Club:

Usha
Baba you know what happened to me. Please take care of my fracture and save me from this accident. Please give me strength and knowledge to succeed in my job. Baba you have done everything for my son, please help him to settle down permanently in a good city. Koti namaskarams to Sai Mahadev.

Puja
Hey Sai thank you for reminded me to write about a wish I vowed for in a miraclous manner. I want to thank my Baba for making my sisters delivery safe an d less painfull and blessing her witha healthy babay boy. Baba please help her in the sutuation where she needs my parents. Please help my father in getting an early date for visa interview and a visa so he and my mother together cab visit my sister in the moment when she needs them the most. Help us Baba. Baba I want to ask something, I know you will listen. Help me in doing some great work and achieve something different so that on my bosses visit to India, I can prove my worth to them. Please Baba don't let me down . Please Baba help me. Love you Baba. Help my friend come out of the situation I faced earlier.

Chanchal
Jai Sai Ram, Baba I want to thank you for so much you have given. I know I have never been appreciative, but I do now after going through all that we have gone through. I understand everything now, please forgive and thank you once again.

Lata
This is my humble request to You to keep all 3 of us: my son, husband and myself always covered in Your univeral white light with your strong protecting arms around us. Baba please bless me to get school teachers job effective this school term from grades:K-3 as this is my passion, my love and prayer to be amongst children as this has been my career, teaching in Mumbai all along for 15 years. Baba always keep your blessing hand on our small little family. And once I get school teachers job, I promise will write my experiences with Baba all along in my life. Baba please give me a chance. Koti Koti Pranams, Love you Baba.

Sai devotee
My son who is employed in USA is in dire straights. His employer is teasing him to a maximum extent by not paying the salary and perquisites in time. For all the requirements under the law for which he has to pay, he is pressuring my son to make the payments. Mentally and physically my son has lost peace and therefore I surrender to Baba for solving his problems. Even in the days of distress my son's affection to Sai increases and hence Baba is the person to interfere and do the needful urgently.

Premakumari
Dearest Sai, I earnestly pray to you that my daughter should be cured of her skin problem (pityriasis versicolor) at the earliest. Sometimes I am so confused please help me Sai, my daughter is very good child of Yours please solve her problem. Tomorrow with your grace I will take her to the doctor. Give her a solution Sai. But she is taking homeopathic medicines also. I hope there is no problem. Please given a solution Baba and cure her. Thank you Sai, thanks for giving this oppurtunity to write to You.

Raju
Dear Baba, please give me peace of mind and solve all my problems which are becoming intensified day by day from the last 5 years. Please save me. However thanks for solving the problems temporarily all these while.
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Quotation of the Week:
"Selfishness is the cause of suffering. There is no other cause. It is only with separateness and self-seeking that real suffering appears in the world".-Sri Nisargadatta
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Question of the Week:

Q. How to read Sai Satcharitha?

A. by Pratyusha

It has been a week I have known this website. It is doing a great job for Sai Baba devotees. I started reading Sai Satcharitha from last month. It was given to me by my father in Shri Shirdi Sai Mandir, in the prayer hall. He advised me to read the book by spending few minutes everyday by reading only one chapter per day and to completely absorb its essence. I am reading it in the same way. In other 2 weeks, I will complete the book. I recommend the devotees to follow the same, please read daily one chapter and you see the miracle and please let people know about it through Sai Vichaar.
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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: 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.

Shirdi Sai Satsang in Vancouver, BC, Canada
Shirdi Sai parivar in Vancouver invites you for bhajans, every Thursday (6.30pm - 7.30 pm) at 8571,118A Street, Delta,V4C 6L2.For further details contact Ritu (604)592 4182 or email at sai_ish@hotmail.com
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