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FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Will Hari Provide?
A child does not ask for the nourishment, mother who feeds
and clothes the child brings upon its care. As the child grows, its demands
increase. However, the child is still not equipped to procure its needs.
Although the child knows what it wants, it is the prerogative of the
caretaker to provide the demanding child with its wants. The child as it
enters the adulthood loses the luxury of being cared for by others. The
adult gets what he or she works for. The process of spiritual advancement is
analogous to the above. Baba pulls His child to Himself and provides the
infant with the necessities without being asked for. The later stages
involve the growing child command for its wants. Baba gives. Smilingly. This
stage is the audacious lag of the journey, every prayer answered, every
benefit awarded. Soon this stage should end. The realization dawns once the
power of temporary bliss wanes away and the longing for something bigger
begins to take a shape. How is the intangible realized? The inexplicable
mastered?
Will Hari provide? Hemadpanth wrote beautifully, "If there be
my Hari (Lord), He will feed me on my cot". This proverb is only true in
respect of food and clothing, but if anyone trusting in this sits quiet and
do nothing in spiritual matters, he will be ruined. One has to exert himself
to his utmost for attaining self realization. The more he endeavors, the
better for him.
Mercy of Sadguru sees one safely through the stages of infant
and the growing. Constant contemplation on the nature of the self, in
whatever name it is called, is the endeavor for the adult. Yes, the adult
has to work for it and gets what he or she works for! |
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CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: The Knowledge of Love
Mohabbat ka rastha jisne dikhaaya
Shraddha saburi se jeena sikhaaya
Sayee ko mere laakhon pranaam
Jab gaatha hoon mein Sayee kaa naam
"The one that showed the path of love, to live with faith and
patience,
Oh Sai unto you I bow countless times as I sing the glory of your name"
What did those learned say about the path shown by Saibaba?
Is it bhakthi marg, the path of devotion, or jnana marg, the path of
knowledge? If it is bhakthi, devotion, what is devotion? Is devotion, mere
love of God? How different is this from the "love" of other things? If it is
knowledge, Knowledge of "what"? Is it the Knowledge of love? Or perhaps the
path itself is "prem rog", the healthy disease of love that culminates with
the death of the self!
How does loving anything that doesn't last long be considered
as sane practice? A serious contemplation on this is perhaps the means and
purpose of any knowledge. Transience is the proof of falsehood and the real
is eternal. Saibaba is the concrete form of one that is eternal. Acquiring
any amount of knowledge on the nature of eternity is still halfway unless it
transforms into everlasting love towards that which is eternal. Sri Rajaji
said jnana is mere tinsel, a flashy glitter, unless it is transformed into
bhakthi.
In the path of Sadguru, no matter however learned one may be,
the knowledge he acquires is no more than a tool to experience the loving
devotion for Sadguru, the love and devotion to the exclusion of everything
else.
(Contributed by Sai devotee) |
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DEVOTEES SAY:
Disha
Saibaba, thanks a lot as I told that I will thank You through Sai Vichaar
once my mom gets a job offer and as it happened as desired thanks Baba. Do
take care of our case and bless me and my mom always.
Sumit
I am 21 yrs of age. It happened so on the month of November, I was fast a
sleep when I saw Baba getting up from his Samadhi and started walking
towards me and with smiling face He said" beta why are you worried, don't
worry I am with you." I never used to believe in God but it all started one
fine morning in May 2005 I started believing in Baba and only in Baba. This
above incident made me believe in Him even more. Baba I know You are with us
I can feel you even when I am writing this. Baba, I have devoted myself to
You, I know I will reach my goals with your blessings. Whenever I go wrong
You get me back on the right track.
Nikhila
I want to thank Lord Sai for helping my husband to get the job which he had
been longing for a long time. Due to the grace of Lord Sai my husband is
happy with his new job. I prayed to Sai to post this.
Geeta
Koti pranams to you Sai Baba. I had prayed to Baba that if my daughter's
blood test report was read normal by the doctor, I will post it on Sai
Vichaar. As always, He showered His Grace on us and the report turned out to
be normal. Thank You, Baba. Ever shower Your kindness and grace on the
family. |
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PRAYER CLUB:
Aparna
Please Sai help me pass this exam so that I can be independent and earn
money. Please be with me Sai during the exam and help me pass it.
Sanjeevarani
Baba my daughter is going to write 7th Board exams. Kindly help her in
getting Ist rank. Baba solve my brothers court case. Baba please be with him
in all obstacles.
A Sai devotee
Baba, please bless me, I am waiting for Your blessing since last five years
and going through tough time, shower Your blessing on me.
Mamatha
I am a Sai devotee, I have been having too many marital problems, please
pray for me, thanking you all.
Sai devotee
My son is sitting home for many years doing nothing. Kindly bless him, show
him the right direction so that he may not waste his precious life like
this. Please Baba there is no one I can go and ask for help. Please Baba
shower your grace on our family.
Durga
Sai please help my grandfather to recover from his illness and please help
me through my project. |
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EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Chaitanya
I had landed up in the toughest of all problems at my end, which ultimately
forced me to approach the higher authorities. I couldn't believe as to why I
had so much bad luck - the New Year began with the worst times in my life. I
am a hard of hearing student living and studying independently in Canada,
and Sai Baba has been guiding me since 2003 when I started my studies. It
was no doubt a very difficult time for me - Baba wanted to put me to test,
so that I learn to fight back the odds. Being just 21 and handling life
independently and responsibly has been a very big challenge for me. Every
single day of my life here would begin with a smile, and end with a
disappointed look. Somehow I wonder as to why my "never-ending problems"
don't get solved out sooner. I have been crossing the darkest of the tunnels
in my life and am still waiting to see some light. I get impatient at times,
because I am desperate to succeed in my challenges and get eternal
happiness. I had given up all hope, being totally frustrated over a hundred
issues at my end but I always thought of my SadGuru and my dear parents. I
just needed patience to wait and get all matters sorted out, and one fine
day, things started to get better. Though not all matters have been sorted
out yet, I am still grateful to Baba for showing me the right path. Baba's
ways are strange - he knows my past, present and future. He only asked for
two things, i.e. Faith and Patience and in return he would give me whatever
I asked for. Sounds simple to surrender yourself at the Guru's feet, or
remember these two things? It is extremely difficult to have complete faith
and be patient 'all the time'. If Baba wills it, he would give me the
opportunity to do a Nam-Saptah (prayana) or visit Shirdi. I don't know how
else to thank Sai Baba for guiding me at every step I fall. Without my
strong faith in Baba and his guiding light, I really wouldn't have completed
three years of university successfully.
Nainesh
I would like to share my most recent experience which occurred last
Thursday. Actually it all started on Wednesday. We are doing some work in
our back yard so I had to get a permit. In order to apply for it they needed
my copy of the Deed. I took this with me along with the original. However
when I returned home I discovered that I had lost my original copy. I
searched everywhere including going back to the township, but had no luck. I
came home and read Sai-Satcharitra as I do everyday but my mind was worried
and kept thinking about the deed. Next day on Thursday I prayed and while
reading Sai-Satcharitra thought it would be nice if it would show up today.
To my Sai who is always with me he made it show up in the mail that day some
one had found it and mailed it back to me. My joy knew no bounds I thanked
Sai and now I am sharing this with you all. He is always with us.
Vaishali
I would like to share my recent experience of Baba's miracle. My in-laws
lost their Passport and ticket at Miami airport. They did not realize till
they came home and it was 9:30 pm and all information desks at airport were
closed. Miami airport is too big and my in-laws were not sure where they
lost it. Next day morning I called Miami airport office and inquire about
their passport. They did not have any information. My husband and I decided
to go to airport personally. My mother-in-law and I both are devotee of
Baba. On our way to airport we both prayed to Baba and I promised Baba if I
would get the passport I will share my experience. At the airport, we went
to lost and found office and asked them about the passport. The lady at
counter told us she just received their passport. Our eyes were filled with
tears and once again Baba showed us that He is always with us. It was
impossible to get the passport back without Baba's grace. Baba, please be
with us all the time. I would like to request all devotees please have faith
in Baba all the time, He will definitely take care what you need.
A Sai devotee
After reading Sai Vichar last week, I felt as if Baba is reminding me about
my promises. Baba saved me on numerous occasions. On last Vijaya Dasami day
which was also a Thursday I was in hurry to reach Sai Mandir in our place to
witness the sandhya arati. I stopped at a red light and was waiting for the
green to come. There were four cars ahead of me. When the green light came I
applied gas without giving much attention to the car in front of me. I hit
pretty hard from the rear to the car in front of me. The driver got annoyed
and started yelling at me. We both pulled our vehicles to a side to check
the damages. We both were surprised to note that there was no trace of any
damage on his car but it was only my license plate which got distorted. I
was praying to Baba while exchanging the insurance information. The other
car driver apologized for his behavior. I promised Baba that I would put in
the Sai Vichar if there are no claims on my insurance. It is really a
miracle and there were no claims. On another occasion at my work one day I
took a decision not to process certain files from the customer as we were
running out time for next set of jobs. Later on we came to know that there
were transactions for very huge amounts in the unprocessed file. I was
called for explanation and after talking to the office, I promised Baba that
I would put in Sai Vichar if the issue gets resolved. Next day we came to
know from the customer that they sent wrong file with wrong amounts in it.
It was a big relief for me. Baba saved me on many occasions and these are
just few out of many showed by Him. Baba is a part of my life and there is
no life without Him. |
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QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"If anyone offends you do not return tit for tat"-Saibaba
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. What is the best way to worship Sai baba of Shirdi? What
should be our routine?
A. by Sadashiv Kavthankar
There are two aspects of God or Brahman i) The Unmanifested (Nirgun),
ii) The Manifested (Sagun). The Nirgun is Formless, while the Sagun is with
Form. Shri Sai Baba was first Nirgun, but on account of the devotion of his
Bhaktas, He was obliged to take a form. Shri Sai Baba respected the feelings
of His devotees and allowed them to worship as they liked. Some waved
Chamara or Fans before Him, some played on musical instruments, some gave
betel nut with leaves and other things and some others offered Naivaidya.
Shri Sai Baba has taught and advised us that before the
senses, mind and intellect enjoy their objects, He should be remembered and
if this is done, it is in a way by making an offering to Him. If this
practice is followed, then the object that is not fit to be enjoyed will be
shunned . Shri Sai Baba said those who are fortunate and whose demerits have
vanished, take to my Worship, If you always say 'Sai, Sai' I shall take you
over the seven seas; Believe in these words and you will be certainly
benefited. I do not need any Paraphernalia of Worship - either Eight-Fold or
Sixteen-Fold. I rest there, where there is full Devotion. One should
respectfully hear Shri Sai Baba's leelas or stories and mediate on them. If
they do this as a routine they will easily attain the object of life.
God is not attained on an empty stomach. When all our organs
get their proper nutrition and are sound, we can practice devotion and other
sadhanas to attain God. Devotees brought and offered various dishes of food
as Naivaidya to Shri Sai Baba. The quantity of Naivaidya offered by them was
so much that Fakirs and Paupers could feed themselves to their heart's
content. Sometimes He would make up his mind to prepare and distribute food
to all. He cooked personally various dishes like sweet ricel, ambil, varan
and pulava with meat. He ensured that while distributing non-vegetarian food
as Prasad, only those, who were accustomed to, were given, while those who
were not accustomed, were not allowed, even to touch it. So, If we are
non-vegetarian and do worship Shri Sai Baba, it is fine and O.K.
Q. What is the best way to worship Sai baba of Shirdi? What
should be our routine?
A. by Geeta Nair
Verse from Sai Satcharita - Chapter III, Page 11- "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.{Stories from Sai Satcharita) Believe Me that if anybody sings My
Leelas, I will give him infinite joy and everlasting contentment. 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. How can they be conscious of worldly objects and sensations,
who utter My name, who worship Me, who think of My stories and My life and
who thus always remember Me? I shall draw out My devotees from the jaws of
Death. If My stories are listened to, all the diseases will be got rid of.
So, hear My stories with respect; and think and meditate on them, assimilate
them. This is the way of happiness and contentment. The pride and egoism of
My devotees will vanish, the mind of the hearers will be set at rest; and if
it has wholehearted and complete faith, it will be one with Supreme
Consciousness. The simple remembrance of My name as 'Sai, Sai' will do away
with sins of speech and hearing". This is how one should worship Shri Sai
Baba. Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all. |
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SAI ACTIVITIES:
Sri Ramanavami celebrations in Chicago, USA
Sri Ramanavami and Urs festival celebrations are the first major celebration
of the year for Shirdi Sai devotees. The tradition started in 1910 and
continues each year. Shirdi Sai temple, Chicago will be celebrating the
event for three days starting from Thursday April 6th to Saturday April 8th.
The program comprises of Aartis, Maha Abhishek, Homam, Palki procession,
Satcharitra parayan, bhajans and much more. For complete details please
visit http://www.saibaba.us/index.html or call 847-931-4058.
Sri Ramanavami-Urs celebrations, Minnesota
Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center invites all to Sri Ramanavami-Urs celebrations
on April 8, 2006 from 4:30 pm onwards at Geeta Ashram, Brooklyn Park, MN.
The event includes Sai abhishek, Sai aarathis, parayan, naam jap and
bhajans, palki procession and chandan utsav. Please visit www.hamaresai.org
for more details.
Shirdi Sai- Ramanavami Celebrations in Dallas-Fort
Worth, Texas
Welcome to Sri Shirdi Sai Baba temple at Dallas-Fort Worth, a place of
worship for the devotees of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba. Ramnavami will be
celebrated on April 6th and April 8th 2006. For details on Sai activities
and services please visit http://www.shirdisaidallas.org or write to
shirdisaidallas@yahoogroups.com
Shirdi Sai-Ramnavami celebrations in Bay Area,
California
We welcome all of you with family, to join us for Shirdi Sai-Ramnavami
celebrations in Bay Area, California on April 8th (Saturday) in Sunnyvale
between 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Venue: Sanatan Dharma Kendra, 897 E Kifer Rd,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086, (Located in Reliance Technical Service complex). For
RSVP and Info contact: saibandhu@yahoo.com or 408-564-6704
Sai Satsang, New Jersey, USA
Shirdi Sai Dham, Inc regularly conducts Sai bhajans followed by Aarti and
Parsad on every 1st Saturday of each month at Durga Mandir, Kendall Park,
New Jersey from 3 pm to 5 pm (Winter Hours). All are requested to kindly
come and receive Baba's blessings. For more information, please call us at
609-275-1334 or visit www.shirdisaidham.org or email us at shirdisaidham@hotmail.com
Ram Navami celebrations, Toronto, Canada
Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada cordially invites all to Join in
Celebrating Ram Navami festival on Saturday, April 8th 2006 at 3:00 pm
followed by Mahaprasad (Preeti Bhoj) The program highlites are Abhishek -
Paduka Puja and Bhajan Sandhaya. Location: Gur Mandir, 207 Queen's Plate Dr.
Etobicoke M9W 6Z7 (Highway27 and Rexdale just south of Humber Valley Blvd).
For details please call 416-402-8089 or 416-895-7905 or email:saileela99@yahoo.com
Shirdi Sai Mandir, Scarborough, Canada
The Shirdi Sai Mandir located at 2721 Markham Road, Scarborough, Ontario,
M1X 1L5 (Intersection of Markham and Nashdene) is open Monday to Friday from
6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m to 8:30 p.m.
Dhoop Aarti is at 7:30 p.m. everyday. Bhajans are on Saturday from 5:00 p.m.
onwards. For other temple activities and information please call
647-444-4724 or send an email to info@theshirdisaimandir.com.
Sri Ramnavami celebrations in Sydney, Australia
Shree Shirdi Sai Mandir invites you to with family and friends to join Shree
Ram Navami celebrations on 1st, 2nd and 6th April 2006 at 420 Liverpool
Road, Strathfield South, NSW 2136, Australia. For detailed programme or
Sansthan's activities, please contact Sansthan Info-Line at 0500 524 724.
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FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:
Devotees are requested to refer to Sai activities for
information on Ramnavami celebrations. Sri Ramanavami is celebrated during
the second week of April 2006. Please write to maildrop@saibaba.org if you
would like to publish about Sai activities in your area.
Sai devotee Poonam Arora suggests the following "Question of
the week" for the week,
Q. What is the best way to worship Sai Baba of Shirdi? What
should be our routine? If we are non-vegetarian, is it OK?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor
source:
http://www.saibaba.org/whatsnew.html.
Back copies of HTML version of Sai Vichaar can be accessed by
visiting the URL
http://www.saibaba.org/whatsnew.html.
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© Copyright 1998-2006 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba
Sanstha |
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