Santhan kaa Baadshah Sayee sab kaa pyaaraa
Andhon ki duniya mein Sayee ujiyaaraa

Our beloved Sai, You are the King among Saints; the light for the world of the blind.

Just wonder what a stranger would see as he walks into Saidarbar in Shirdi today. The vibrant idol of Lord Sainath sitting on the throne lovingly glancing at those blessed visitors. In no time, the lively marble statue will attract any stranger and one cannot miss Talim's artisanship in etching the minutest of the details including the tear on Sadguru Sainath's kafni. As the curiosity builds, the Sadguru is bathed, dressed, and scented. To top everything, the Crown is placed on the divine head and thus shines the King. Unperturbed by all the meddling, the Lord God of Shirdi continues to sit on the throne in Shirdi as well as on the hearts of those miles and miles away. The one that wore a torn rag is decorated with jewelry and diamonds!

Saints are the repositories of virtues. The hallmark of Saints includes benevolence, charity, compassion, and poverty. Saibaba possessed all the above to their fullest. His humility is as well known as His willingness to guide those in distress. Although a perfect siddha possessing all the eight powers, He humbly said, God is Great, as if he was only a saadhaka, thus giving humility a very new dimension. It is said that at any given time, the spiritual world is always guided by Perfect Masters whose function is to awaken the spiritual longing in those swept away by the material current. Hailed by even those Perfect Masters, the Saint of Shirdi remains the most unique of all, the Perfect of the Perfect. Let us bow to the King of Saints and let us pray that peace shall prevail. And true, it will.
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Contributed Article: Fruits of Action

Deeds and the results of one's deeds are fundamental aspects of the karmic cycle. Once this "every action has a reaction" phenomenon is understood, the limitedness of the individual's role in the bigger realm of things should become clear. However, as it may seem due to the ignorance, the craving for the ownership is an irresistible eventuality. It is as involuntary as the heart beat. How could one yield to the cycle of action and reaction, and yet contemplate on what the Sadguru is capable of giving? Baba said, its Viveka (wisdom) that leads one to Vairagya (detachment). It is the "stateless state" that could only be perennial. It is possible only by surrendering the "self" to the Sadguru.

The following is an interesting passage from Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swami ji's "Bhakthi Maala". The fruits of action and the experiencing of those fruits in this world are dependent on the effort we put in. If one works hard in the fields, one gets good harvest. But the fruits of action, like the grains that one grows, will be spent after some time. To replenish it, one will have to work hard again. Happiness in the other world also depends upon the amount of merit earned by us in this world. More the effort, more the merit and more the happiness. With more and more effort, one might become eligible to go to Vaikuntha or Kailasa or Brahma loka. But it must be remembered that even this merit is like a bag of grains. It will be exhausted sooner or later. In this world, there is a possibility to preserve a part of the harvest for producing crops again. In other words, here it is possible to experience happiness as well as to strive hard to earn merit. It is not so in the other world. There, it is not possible to earn Punya while enjoying the fruits of merits earned previously. One will have to experience happiness completely, exhaust his merit, and then return to this world to earn more Punya.

By this, we can realize that the happiness of the other world is not only temporary, but is also troublesome to us because it drains us of our merit and sends us here to strive hard again and again. When this knowledge sets in, you will automatically lose interest in the pleasures of this and the other world. The detachment should be so strong that even if someone offers you heaven, you should turn it down and look upon it with disgust. To reject a cake when the stomach is full does not constitute Vairagya. Real Vairagya is that state in which an individual shows no desire for any sort of pleasure - here or hereafter. Yes, it is possible only by surrendering the "self" to the Sadguru.

(Contributed by Sai devotee)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Ritu
Three months back I gave an interview in some very good organization. I was in need of the job/change due to financial position of my family, also I was not holding the position which I deserved. I prayed to Baba to get me the job. But it did not happen. I had heard that if you complete Sai Satcharita within 7 days you get whatever you asked from Baba. Keeping faith in Baba I started reading Sai Satcharita. It was very difficult to pass even a single day as I was waiting for the call very eagerly. I completed Sai Satcharita but no call came. I didn't say anything to Baba and thought maybe this will be best for me. After two months I got a call from the company to come for the final round. I thought let's try, because I was not sure whether I will get selected or not. To my surprise when I went for the interview they just asked me when I can join. I was surprised and got a very good jump too. Then I realized one thing that 'Shraddha' and 'Saburi' actually means a lot. When I came for the interview earlier there were two or three girls for the same. One was in very bad need of the job as her company was shutting down. I came to know that she got selected first and worked for some time and then left. It means Baba gave the job to her first as she was in need of it and than given her the better opportunity and fulfill my dream too. So we should always have faith in Baba. He listens to everything. Thanks Baba for giving me this opportunity. Please take care of smooth going of my job and let me fulfill my dreams that I have. Help me in proving myself and give me peace of mind too. Thank you very much Baba, You have done wonders in my life.
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Devotees say...

Suchitra
Baba thanks a lot for healing Khushi's fractured hand, now she is back to normal. You are her good luck charm God says my elder daughter. You do miracles sometimes like she likes to put your udi, go to sleep when I say "Om Sai, Sri Sai". Be with her always and show our family the right path in whatever we do, may be small or big things in life. Thanks for everything, Baba. You are great.

Hitesh
Thank You Sairam for helping me to pass the CSTE Exam. It is only because of your grace and blessings that I have passed the CSTE Exam. Please continue to bless my family and every living being in this Universe.

Soundarya
Om Sai Ram, I would like to thank Sai for my brother wife visa and my mother's eye surgery was done successfully. Without your grace nothing would have happened. Please be with us in each step of our life.

Vidya
Dear Vandana, there is a Sai center at Edmonton, Canada I studied in Edmonton and have been there for 4 years. It is on Whyte Avenue, 97 Street. It is the only Sai center there so you will not have any difficulty finding it.

Navaz
Om Sai Ram! I want to sincerey thank Sri Shirdi Sai Baba and as promised want to post this aritcle. After 15 years of hope, struggle, disappointments, frustration, spending a lot of money after attorneys and something or the other always going wrong, I finally received my green card. Baba came into my life in the past 3 years, and after that everything fell into place. On October 13th, 2006 (I take this as a very auspicious sign from Baba himself and true followers will understand why I say that) I was successfully interviewed for not more than 10 minutes and received my green card. May Baba bless one and all with His kind grace and choicest blessings for good health, peace, love, harmony and prosperity.

Sai devotee
I would like to share my experience with all Sai devotees. I had a job for 10 years and last year I was made redundant. All my efforts to get another job in the same organization proved futile. I thought Baba was not listening to me and not willing to help me. I thought that all the ways to get a good job was closed that I won't get the sort of position, I had. I was praying to Sai Baba to get me a job which will give me peace and finally "He" gave me a more responsible position at higher grade. All along I have been under rating myself in my previous job and Baba pushed me out of there to get a better position. With Baba's blessings, I will be able to survive in the new place. I remembered the words in Sai Satcharitha " When I am waiting to give you a silk dhothar why are you stealing the rags". If we practice Baba's words "Shradha" and "Saburi" He will show us a good path for sure. I prayed to Baba that I would write my experience once I get another job.
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Prayer Club:

Sai devotee
Baba don't take my pariksha, bless me with a good job as I rely on You totally and now it is Your responsibility to provide me a job. With full trust on You, hoping for miracle to happen.

Farah
Dear Sainath, I've just got news that I might have to shift to another branch office. This news has upset me terribly as the new branch is quite far away from my residence and since I first have to drop my year old daughter to my in-laws place in the morning and then go to work, this will be very problematic. It would be almost like a double trip for me every morning. I dont know what to do. Om Sainath, please help me out. I'm at such a stage that I cannot even think of leaving my job. Please help me Sai.

Sai devotee
Oh Lord of the Lords, Sainath please help us in our critical time. Please give us the strength to bear all this. Please help us Baba. I know whatever happens would be for my best. Please give me strength.

Rama
Oh! Deva, You know all my requirements. At present to come out of the financial crisis, without selling our property and for my son to get admission into an institute as per wish. I know without Your wish even a single leaf will not move. If You wish a beggar can become a king. Please show your mercy to us on these issues. Please always keep me near Your lotus feet.

Sai devotee
Please Baba cure my daughter who is suffering from wrist pain. Baba help her get better soon so she can lead her life normal. Baba, You have always helped me, please daya on this time too. She has never hurt anybody she is young. Please Baba take care of her.

Rajesh
Sai Ram Baba, I ask You every day to guide and look after us and my business. You have always been there, you look after me and always guide me and my family. Baba I ask for You to help my father who is sick. My father has always been there for us when I was a small boy. I lost my mother and my dad look after me and my brother and about 9 months ago I lost my brother. Baba all I ask You is to help my dad, he is very sick. He needs a kidney but I know that You will look after him. Baba please help me I cannot live without my father.

Prasad
Baba, with lots of zeal and enthusiasm we purchased a flat and we are anxiously waiting for the power connection so that we can move in. Started paying back EMIs of the housing loan and as well spending huge sums towards monthly rental for the current flat, where we are currently put up. Baba, as you know we in our family are all strong believer of You and have nothing that can move without Your grace and blessings. Unless You kindly clears the hurdle, we are stranded and need Your immediate help and blessings. As promised, we will have Sai bhajan in our new flat once we move in. Kindly favour Your children who are all in deep distress. With all our prayers to You.

Ananthashayanam
Baba, with the grace and guidance, I have solved some of the problems. Baba, I am very fed up in my life becuase of some bad debts(credit card problem). Baba, now and then I am receiving phone calls and threatening me to pay the dues. Baba, I am unable to pay the dues without Your grace and guidance. Baba, please help me in solving this problem. Baba, I am very disturbed for the last one week for which I am receiving phone calls every day. Baba, please help me. Baba, one of the credit card company even threatened that they will issue legal notice. Baba, I am always at your lotus feet. Baba, please help me to solve this problem, I am very much frightened to come to office. All the devotees are requested to pray on behalf of me to solve this problem. Baba, please give good health to all the members of my family. Baba, please give good education, good knowledge, good health and good behaviour to my son. Baba, my son is having IPU exam from the first week of March. Baba, please be with him always and guide him to write the exam to score high marks and good percentage. Om Sri Sai Ram.

Radha
I have just finished reading the Sai Satcharitha within 7 days with the sole purpose of asking for Your grace for my son in passing the exam he has taken for and joining the foreign service and get admission to the Law faculty as well this year. He needs Your divine grace to get started on the correct career path this year.
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Quotation of the Week:

"What (whether good or bad) is ours, is with us, and what is another's is with him."-Shri Sai Baba
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Question of the Week:

Q. Why did Saibaba scold a person who changed his religion into another one?

by by Vandana

There are a number of disciples who would worship and pray a particular religion and guru. If they do not gain anything, they would change the gurus and religion. They run to their guru or god to who fulfilled their wishes. Such persons are after materialistic benefits and not under spiritual advancement. So Sai baba would tell them " what is required is not another guru or religion but showing true devotion, love and faith towards your guru. Alla malik hai. People in the name of caste, religion, and wealth do atrocities and are even ready to kill someone. Om Sainath maharaj ki jai!
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Sai Activities:

Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 8:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m (Winter hours). Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 8 a.m. followed by Abhisek. Madhayana Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop Arathi at 6 p.m. and Shej Arathi at 9 p.m. 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.

Shri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saibaba activities in Minneapolis were conducted at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer center since the year 2002. Now, with the grace and blessings of Baba and the support of devotees, a new Saibaba Mandir has begun to function at 1835 Polk St NE, Minneapolis from July 11th 2006. Please visit www.hamaresai.org for all details.

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 Center in Bay Area, CA
Shirdi Sai Center is located 897-B East Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. For more information please call 408-705-7904 or 408-564-6704 or send email to saibandhu@yahoo.com. You can also visit our website is www.Shirdisaiparivaar.org.

Shirdi Saibaba temple, Los Angeles, CA
Devotees in Los Angeles area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Los Angeles area. The temple is located at - 144 South 4th Street, Montebello, CA 90640. For more information please call Krishna Samantula at 949-679-9938 or visit www.shirdisaila.org.
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