The theory of relativity by Albert Einstein has revolutionized the way the universe around us is perceived. It is considered the greatest scientific discovery of all times that says that space and time, which form the basic fabric of our lives, are relative. For instance we can talk of time only relative to something else for e.g. a clock or by the span of sunlight or moonlight around us. Similarly space is consumed of objects from the tiniest to the largest. Space is talked about the same way in relation to some other space. The theory further derives that at greater speeds, which are not readily perceived by our sense matter or mass and energy interchange. Such is our universe that everything comes out of only one and is various manifestations of that source. What is that source continues to baffle even the greatest scientist.

Whatever we express follows this law of relativity of nature and we define an object in some relation. It is how you describe the relation with that object that you perceive that object in that way. As it is said in Baba's arathi, as you approach Baba so do you experience Him. And how one approaches stems out of the relationship one defines. So also in perceiving Shri Sainath, it is how you describe the relation within yourselves with Him that defines how you will interact with Him. As one keeps experiencing Baba more then they are redefining their relationship too. That relationship could become stronger or weaker depending on our behavior and actions.

A stronger relationship evolves into a deeper faith that could help one tide over the various facets of this life and beyond. In the final hour what matters is whom can one depend on for their future journey? That the soul is ever living and journeying has been emphasized repeatedly in all religions and by Baba himself when he tells Nana Chandorkar that He knew Nana since over 72 lives. So it is necessary not only to think just about this life but also the one beyond, the one which do not know and fear about to the extent that we don't want to talk about it. It is perfect masters like Shri Sainath who provide the comfort and direction to their devotees and believers. May Shri Sainath ever bless those whose faith in Him ever increases.
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Contributed Article: Baba the Parent

Knowing the parental instincts of Baba and understanding His ability to carry the load of millions is the first step to comprehending His enormous power. As a consequence of viewing the incomprehensible nature of this Lord, one begins to see the reason why He does what He does best; i.e., to aid those in real need and to support spiritual progress by first meeting the mortal needs of all people - His devotees or not. He is flexible to assist the advancement of devotees so long as the latter are willing to stay course during a long and bumpy ride because the path to material fulfillment and then to self-realization is a mixed bag of fragrant roses and piercing thorns. It is the responsibility of a devotee to demonstrate trust and patience along the way, for the person has not seen the larger map with paths leading to Him. Developing a discipline to work hard with dedication and devotion will help realize the greatness that Baba truly is; especially in light of the Lord himself declining any glory and, to that simplicity we flock to Him.

(Contributed by Raj Ponnaluri)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Vijaya Nair
Once I was returning from Shirdi after the darshan (audience) in a shared taxi to Manmad station to board the train for Nagpur. Total six persons were there including the driver. I was at the rear seat along with an old couple. I kept a carry bag and my purse containing so many things including my return ticket and cash near my feet. The water bottle was on my lap. When I got down at the station, I picked up my small suitcase, the carry bag and water bottle but totally forgot to pick up my purse, kept near my feet. I sat in the waiting hall. There was still half an hour for the train to come. Why not buy a magazine to kill the time, thinking I went to the bookstall. I selected a magazine and when I wanted to pay, I remembered that I had left my purse in the taxi itself and I did not even remember the taxi number. Oh, Baba, help me, I prayed and ran from there to the taxi stand. The taxi drivers saw me rushing towards them in panic so all of them came to me and asked what had happened. I told them about my purse. One of them said that he saw me got down from a taxi and that taxi was parked at the corner of the parking place. We all went there. The taxi driver was about to start the vehicle, as he got a booking. When he saw me, he came out of the taxi and asked me what the matter was. Before I could open up my mouth all the drivers said that please check at your rear seat, madam had left her purse there. He put the lights on and looked inside. My purse was lying under the seat. He than said, madam, you are lucky. Had you been late by a minute, I would have gone and perhaps, you could not have traced me. I thanked him and rushed to the platform.

Padma
Recently, we went on a holiday trip. But before going, I had bad dreams and I was scared. I prayed Baba to look after us, take care of us and be with us all the time. I also promised Baba that I would write the experience once I come back. Sai Baba was with me all the time during the trip. Once I reached the destination, my cousin played Saibaba's songs in the car, I felt happy because Baba is telling me that he is with me. Later my cousin asked me if I wanted to visit Sai Baba temple, I gladly agreed to visit His temple, but Baba did not allow until Thursday. So it was Thursday morning we got a chance to visit Baba's temple. When we went there arathi was going on. I had a desire to attend arathi and now it was fulfilled. In the temple, there were two lady devotees. One lady told me that she was about to close the temple but again she thought of doing arathi second time. She told us that it is Sai Baba's leela, Baba made her to wait because we are coming. I felt very happy, it shows that Baba is taking care of us. I would have been disappointed if I could not visit Baba that day, since we have to come back that day. Also, on that Thursday morning I had a dream in which Baba was applying Udi on me and saying that I will be all right. When we went for sightseeing, I saw a tall building with big letters "Sai" on it. Only Sai and no other letters. I really felt very happy again. Sai baba showed that He is with us wherever we go. We had a safe and pleasant trip and I thank Shri Shirdi Sai Baba for all that he has given me and continue to shower His blessings on all of us.

Hema
Baba, I thank you very much for listening to my prayers and helping me in every aspect of my life. As I promised, I am writing a miracle that happened recently. We went to a builder to build a house and he showed the site plan. We liked one lot among the available ones but we were not sure to reserve it right away. So, we called them again after three days and it was taken by someone. I was so disappointed and I did not like any other lots. But I prayed to Baba and asked him if it is good for us please make it available. Then after two weeks the builder called and said that the lot is now available. I felt so happy and I know it is because of Baba's grace.
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Devotees say...

Uma T
I used to read various articles regarding miracles performed by Baba in different ways. I did not believe in them totality even though I believed in Baba since childhood. This was because I felt that any believer who said that Baba has done this and Baba has done that for them and that too in difficult and adverse situation and after many prayers for the things they wanted. But the things which are fulfilled in a routine manner on the correct time and place without any apparent effort made by individuals and special prayer is also a miracle of Baba. It is my sincere belief that many things being performed in day to day affairs, for e.g. sleeping, awakenening or eating etc is routine for every person. Further for the routine matters the believers do not thank Baba for the miracles which are due to Baba but for other matters regarding visa, money problems, marriage etc, they approach Baba without even putting in hard work at the outset. This approach, according to me, is purely selfish and using Baba's faith for personal ends. In fact we should feel the miracles of Baba in providing all things, including normal routine matters and giving time to believers to think about Him. My personnel experiences are that even if any one who is not a firm believer of Sainath Baba and unconsciously seeks his help and which is correct for us, Baba fulfilled the wish. Baba also fulfills those wishes if expressed once only. It is not necessary to ask his help repeatedly on the same matters by putting forward different conditions. Baba shows his compassion and grace if a believer prays no matter whether a person is sincere or not. Further, if the wish is not correct but is conducive to us but we are ignorant regarding the negative effects, then also Baba will grant only those wishes which are good for us.

SL Abhyankar
What makes a person become devout? I guess, this can become a good "Question of the week"! I am prompted to frame this question when reading a response from Mr. SV Swamy, Hyderabad, India, in response to an earlier question, "How to read Sai Satcharitha?" Mr. Swamy has raised some points worth deliberating upon and one of the points, as I see it, is What makes a person become devout? Mr. Swamy already has some answer, where he says, "You have been inspired to read Sai Satcharitha, most probably because of some difficulties". I would consider this as part of the answer to the broad question. A more comprehensive answer is probably found in just one verse in the seventh chapter in Geeta, "Chaturvidha Bhajantey Maam Janaah Sukrutino-rjuna | Aarto Jidnyaasu-rarthaarthee Dnyaanee cha Bharatarshabha" This verse identifies four prompts for a person to become devout. Hemadpant himself was attracted to Baba, not because of any difficulties in his own life, but more as an inquisitive person, a Jidnyaasu. His inquisitiveness became more fuelled when he became a witness to the incident of grinding of wheat (chapter 1). Mr. Patankar from Pune (Chapter 21) had studied the scriptures vast and intensely. Yet he was unsure of his spiritual progress. The most important element lacking in his learning was devotion, for which Baba told him the story of the merchant who did not fight shy of collecting the excreta of a mare. Patankar was a Dnyaani and became devout after Baba's blessing. Devotion of Damu-anna Kasar of Nagar was wholesomely based on personal gains (chapter 25) - whether he should indulge in Cotton-trade or trading in grains and whether he will have progeny. He was Artharthee. People who suffered afflictions and maladies, as many as 7 of them in one single chapter (chapter 13) were all Aarta, desperate people. So was Amir Shakkar in Chapter 22. So, whereas Geeta summarizes the philosophical thought, Sai Satcharita exemplifies it!

Wayne
I am an Australian who a few years ago had an experience of Shirdi Baba in the astral regions. I sought help to a word I uttered while looking at Baba, no one seems to have heard this word before maybe there is someone who knows its meaning. (I was in a cave inside a large mountain listening to Baba speak, on his fire which was unlit, was a huge iron pot with old coins and a few precious stones. He told me to take some but not all for he wanted some as well. As Baba led me to the entrance back out of the cave I started to walk away with a big smile of love, when suddenly on the side of the mountain right in front of me appeared (Visnu-Shiva-and Brahma) with great joy and excitement I looked back at Shirdi Baba who was smiling, I was pointing at this beautiful sight yelling out with joy the word LUMAH. Over and over with excitement I called out that one word, LUMAH). Has anyone heard it before, if so please tell me its meaning. Om Sai Ram.
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Prayer Club:

Sudha R
Please help me Saibaba to realize my dreams and aspirations. Guide me through these turbulent times. I know you r listening to me Sai but please give me a sign that I would get what I have asked for.

Bhuvana
We are so confused in the job of my husband. He has not received the UGC scale but his juniors had that. So he is upset. Now there is a vacancy in my organization. We are confused in taking a decision. Please let me know your decision. Can he apply to my organization?

Indrani P
Please cure my health problems. Take care of my both sisters' families. They are struggling very much with their husbands. You only solve their problems and make my mother happy.

Sai devotee
Baba please help me and show me the way. Baba as of now it is going to be five years and we did not get baby. Also, I am badly in need of a good job. Please show me the way how can I get.

Nita
Please Baba kindly show me the path. Please bring him back for the sake of the little baby who is suffering for no fault of hers. Please Baba withdraw all the legal cases. Baba you know Sona's birthday is on 14 September, before that kindly make all things fine in the way that nothing had happened. Please do something that all bad memories are wiped out from everybody's mind and a new life is started full of happiness and only love.

Subramanian
Dear Sai, please bless me and cure me from my back pain of seven years as it is becoming unbearable now. I have none else to look up to in this regard, as all else has failed. Please I beg you to burn this past bad karmas of mine and grant me a happy and pain free life.

Kanya
Om Sai Ram!!. Your blessings are always with us. You have given me whatever I have asked. I trying to conceive from one year but I am unable to conceive. Please shower your blessings for progeny.

Rajani
Dear Baba, I sincerely pray to You to shower mercy on us; especially bless my parents and brother and my family with good health and mental peace. Make us feel that You are there for us always. Give us the strength and attitude. Help us in remembering You every moment in our lives. Koti pranams, Baba.

Sai devotee
Baba please shower your blessings to my husband. so he can be your devotee. Because without him I cannot come to your temple. Baba I don't have drivers license. Please help me and show me a way so I can get my driving license. Baba please do some thing so my husband could be your devotee. I pray You for this. Please bless me and my family.

Sudhakar
Dearest Shree Shirdi Sai Baba, With your grace I got a good job. Please help me in performing my duties up to the expectation of my employer. Also keep us happy, peaceful, healthy and protected in our new house. Baba keep my parents, all members of my family happy and healthy.
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Quotation of the Week:
"Be contented and cheerful with what comes".-Saibaba
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Question of the Week:

What is singleminded devotion?

A. by Pratyusha Muppala

Single-minded devotion means that one has determined or resolved themselves to believe in SaiBaba dedicatedly. One should completely surrender at the Baba's feet for seeking self-realization, not long for any favor from him, but only pray to him with pure heart and faith. Baba had said" To him who surrenders unto Me totally I shall ever be indebted."

Q. What is singleminded devotion?

A. by S.P.Srivastava

The importance of single-minded devotion for progress on the spiritual path can hardly be overemphasized. Lord Ram explained this to Vivishan in Sunderkand of Ram Charitmanas. This has been alluded to at great length in Gita and Bhagwat. In the ultimate analysis it is achieved only when one sees God (or Sadguru) in all beings and all beings in Him. In Chapter VI (Sloka 30) of Gita, Lord Krishna assures His devotee that He never distances Himself from one who sees Him in all beings and all beings in Him. It implies gradual euthanasia of the concept of duality from one's mind.

In Sai Satcharita, this has been enlightened at several places. Hemadpant mentioned if only we see Sai Baba all the world assumes or becomes the form of Sai Baba. Baba himself mentioned to Bholkar in Chapter XV " Always worship Me who is seated in your heart as well as in the heart of all beings. Blessed and fortunate is he who knows Me thus." Baba graciously told Mrs. Tarkhand in Chapter IX of Saisatcharita that one who sees Me in all the creatures is My beloved. He asked her to abandon the sense of duality. Baba who is God Incarnate Himself assumed various forms to bring home this truth. Some devotee saw in Him a vision of Ram. Some had a glimpse of Vithal, Pandurang. Some disciples of other Gurus when they saw in Him their own Gurus. They all were spellbound and remained for sometime in a state of mind akin to mystical contemplation. Baba's only purpose was to foster and instill in them faith and unwavering trust in their own Guru or deities and to teach them never to deviate from their single-minded devotion. Examples can be multiplied. Sai Satcharita has remained and will remain a living document of faith, trust and single-minded devotion.
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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, Sunday Sepetember 11th and Samuhika Satyanarayan Pooja on Pournima, Saturday September 17th.

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 Saibaba Satsang, Seattle, WA
We are happy to inform and invite you for Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Satsang at HTCC Temple, Seattle, WA. On Sunday, September 04th 2005 from 4.00 pm. The following will be the schedule of program: 4.00 - 4.15 pm- chanting Sri Sai Ashtothara Sathanamavali (108 names); 4.15 - 5.00 pm- reading Sri Sai Satcharitha (Life History and Teachings of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba) and sharing Devotees' experiences; 5.00 - 5.30 pm- bhajans; 5.30 - 6.00 pm- evening Aarathi to Sri Shirdi Sai Baba and Prasadam distribution. For directions and more information about HTCC Temple, please visit www.htccwa.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.

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of DFW Metroplex is located at 2109 West Parker (Parker Plaza), Suite 212, Plano, TX 75023. For temple hours and activities please call the temple office at 469-467-3388 or visit the website www.shirdisaidallas.org.

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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