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Sai Vichaar is a Weekly newsletter distributed every Thursday and is devoted to the life, philosophy and teachings of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi. Feel free to forward this newsletter to your interested associates in its original form.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

• FEATURE OF THE WEEK
• CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
• DEVOTEES SAY
• PRAYER CLUB
• EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES
• QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
• QUESTION OF THE WEEK
• SAI ACTIVITIES
• FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD

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FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Only a few remain

Damu Anna had a question in mind. There are so many crowding to Sai Baba. Do they all get benefit from Him?. Baba replied lovingly, " Look at the mango tree in blossom. If all the flowers brought fruit, what a splendid crop it would be. But, do they? Most fall off either as flowers or unripe fruits. Very few remain.

Yes, only a very few remain. It is said that resorting to Guru is a big fortune. Those who are at least to a little extent drawn towards Guru must consider themselves very fortunate. However, spirituality when viewed as a pursuit of intangible rewards renders the material minded to yield to the gravity of the mundane riches. If Sai Baba is seen as only a source that does miracles and will help in crisis, the very foundation of spirituality is rattled. Understanding the karmic cycle and its effects on our lives must be an important aspect of spiritual growth. A true yearning must in fact make one realize that this cycle affects only the physical being and the soul is untouched by Karma. Baba said, "the body may disease, but the soul has to be kept clean".

Even for those, who completely realize the above truth, the realization evades in the ups and falls of the real world, a myth. Is saadhana (spiritual pursuit) difficult? Perhaps not, if one realizes the natural tendency of the physical self and its orientation towards the sensual. Saadhana may not be that difficult if we realize what makes the most of the blossom wither away. Saadhana may not be that difficult if the taste of its fruits is felt, even remotely. Saadhana may not be that difficult when the loving Guru takes ten steps towards us, if we take a step towards Him. Our heads may be turned away now, but let our feet lead the way. Let us be the very few that remain!

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Dasganu's plight!

It is our nature to enthusiastically share our convictions about Sai devotion with others and expect them to follow the same. Those who have seen the miracles of Lord Sai tend to wish that the grace that they have received should also be bestowed upon others. Thus, every Sai devotee is a Sai servant involving in spreading the love and message of Sai. While some indulge in Sai activities with voluntary willingness, others accomplish the same indirectly by sharing their experiences with Sai. It is natural that the good results of everyone's such actions depend on their capabilities and the extent of their involvement. However, what God wants is the true love and devotion but not the magnitude of their gross efforts! In the great epic Ramayana, the efforts put forth by the squirrel on the sand is considered equal to that of mighty Hanuman. Lord Rama looked at the specks of sands that squirrel contributed to the bridge with the same love and appreciation as that of the boulders moved effortlessly by the monkey God.

Occasionally, an intense participation in spreading God's words and involvement in such service leads some to believe that their service to Sai is superior and not those of others. This leads to feelings of jealousy and hatred amongst Sai children eventually leading to their spiritual downfall. Only Lord Sai, the merciful Sadguru can save those from such eventuality.

Once, Dasganu Maharaj had to face a similar situation. The one that inspired thousands of listeners through his spellbinding Sai gospel, Dasganu was averse to one particular female devotee in Shirdi Village. He used to criticize her in others' presence, some times in a very acrid tone. Once, as Dasganu was indulging himself in such a deplorable act, Sainath Maharaj summoned Dasganu and chided him for his behavior. Baba scolded Dasganu that people involved with God's work must not possess arrogance and that Dasganu should seek forgiveness at the feet of the woman devotee who was the subject of Dasganu's contempt. It was not easy for Dasganu, the most revered kirtankar of his times who commanded respect from his followers, to scoop down and fall at the feet of a woman. However, he had to obey the Great Master and in the process he was reformed to a humble servant of God and not an arrogant apostle who thought himself to be superior to others!

(Source: "Sri Sai Gurucharithra" in Telugu with explanatory preface by Sri Sarathbabuji, based on Santkavi Dasganu Maharaj's works on Saibaba of Shirdi in Marathi)

(Contributed by Source:Based on Santkavi Dasganu Maharaj's works on Saibaba of Shirdi in Marathi)

DEVOTEES SAY:

Tanaz
Sri Sai you blessed me with a job. Thank you very much. I will always be grateful to You. My job is good. Baba please always guide me and show me the right path. Baba please help me to achieve my sales target and work sincerely. Thank you again. Baba my son is waiting for his results please bless him for getting good percentage thanks once again.

Subramanian
This happened almost 5 or 6 years back, my father had severe lower back pain for some time. My brother took him to a doctor, who said it could be a TB or there could be an abscess in the bone (a kind of bone Cancer). Our family was very much terrified and worried hearing the 'C' word. We did not inform our father as to what the doctor said as we know he would be very worried over this which in turn would further deteriorate his health. That year on the Guru Poornima day, I prayed to Lord Sai Baba that the diagnosis should not turn out to be bone cancer based on the test results. Sai Baba listened to my prayer and the doctor diagnosed it to be TB, which got cured through medication. My family is so grateful to Shri Shirdi Sai Baba for helping us during this and other difficult times. Om Shri Sai.

Bharathi
Since early 70s, my Baba is with my family and me and taking care of us every second. Any difficult movements He is there to rescue, only thing I have to remember that my Baba is there for me. Thank you my Sai and Love You Deva.

Arun
I have surrendered at Lord Sai's feet. The miracles are endless, it was just that they went unnoticed by me. The latest is me getting back what I had lost, a good job. After testing times and after making up for the past mistake He has blessed me once again. Going ahead now there is no more career plannings and moves, He has found me this job and He will be the appraising authority, He will fire me, He will hire me. I did visit Shirdi several times but realized very lately that Sai is like a mother turtle on the other bank of the river looking at its eggs that she has laid on this bank knowing that they will hatch.

PRAYER CLUB:

Shilpi
My husband is very depressed because of his present job. He is waiting for good opportunity. And he has strong faith in You, please bless him, help him to get a new and suitable job. Please shower Your blessings on our family.

Ramanathan
Sairam. My uncle's friend's daughter Maitreyi is in ICU for the past three days. She is in Ventilator support. Please Baba, bring her back to normal soon. She is in 10th grade now, please shower your blessings and get her back with full strength and without any complications. All Sai devotees please pray for her quick recovery.

Rajiv
I cry in pain and tears that I may be relieved of the pain. May my parents also be relieved from the pain and my brother be given wisdom so that he may not trouble them anymore.

Lakshmi
Sai Baba, please bless my son to focus in his studies, as it is final year of school.

Ravi
Dear Sai devotees, please pray for the health and proper employment, and marriage of my younger brother who is 32 years old and who is yet to get a good job. This is causing lot of strain and anxiety on my old parents and all of us. Your prayers will make Satguru make a miracle.

Manish
I am doing C.A. I have given again the Final Year exam and the result will be declared on 12th or 13th July 2006. Please Baba help me this time because I am loosing my hope.

Arthi
I am confused and anxious about the career path I have chosen. Please bless me and show the direction. Help me to settle in the career soon and solve the difficulties for my family to join me here.

Jayanthi
Please help my husband in getting a good and suitable job in Bangalore itself with good salary. So that all our financial problems will be solved.

Laxman
Gurdeva, we are totally dependent on you, my father has Liabilities, which we cannot fulfill, and You are the one and only one who can resolve this. I request You take care of him.

Shilpa
My dear Baba, You know what is my problem and You know the solution so then Baba, what are You waiting for. Please help me Baba, my patience is all over. I feel all so lost and confused. I feel nobody can understand my state except for You Baba. I am writing this letter to you Baba with lots of hope. Baba please bless us all. We all need You in every step of our life. Won't You please help me my Baba.

Krishnakumar
Koti Pranam Saibaba. Thank you very much for making my son get good marks in Class X. We pray that You continue to shower your blessings on everyone and guide us to be a good human being throughout our life.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:

Neetu
I would say this episode in my life brought me near to Baba. Before this I never had faith in Baba and was loosing all my hopes. This happened when I was in my final year of my studies and was married for 7- 8 months, at that time I and my husband used to stay at two different places because of my studies I lived in Utter Pradesh and he in Calcutta. My exams were three months away and I was getting frustrated from my life as I, after marriage didn't get to stay with my husband. That night while studying I got bored and thus switched on my TV, there the movie "Shirdi SaiBaba" was coming and I watched it spell bound till the end, although I had so much tension in my head of the fast approaching exams. While watching the movie a thought occurred to me, if I prayed to Baba from my heart that He will make me and my husband meet, although it was not possible as we didn't have so much funds and the tickets were not booked, and then a miracle happened after finishing the movie I slept and the very next night my husband called saying that he had got a free return ticket as he had won some competition. That was a miracle and from that day on Baba has showered His grace on me though I am a doctor I have a belief that it is Baba who cures the illness I am just a medium. May this world be a peaceful place to live in without boundaries and terrorism, Amen.

Savitha
My husband and I have gone through a lot of problems from last year. We have constantly sought Baba's help and he has not once let us down. He has kept his promise of 'Trust in me and your prayers shall be answered.' For many of the problems at that time we felt Sai didn't listen to us and He did wrong. But only after few months did we realize that what he did was for our own good. He knows what is good for us. The most important experience was my husband's job. We relocated to a new city due to my studies and my husband had to get a job. After many difficulties and compromises he got a job. He took that job only because he saw Baba's presence there. We weren't very happy about it but inside we felt, as Baba was there, everything would be fine. Due to some problems in the company, within a month he had to resign. We were shattered and I was very depressed, angry and confused with Baba as to Him being there we thought it was a positive sign. But within one week he got a much better job and without much tension. He is totally happy now. This experience has made us believe in Sai more and we know that all He does is for our good. Thank you Sainatha.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

"Come what may, leave not, but stick to your Bolster (support, i.e. Guru) and ever remain steady, always at-one-ment (in union) with him."-Shri Sai Baba

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Q. What does Sai Baba say about the wealthy/rich?

A. by Rama Prasad

We should be clear as to what we mean by 'wealthy or rich'. One may be endowed with material wealth but may be devoid of spiritual wealth. I think such persons are not really rich. Material wealth alone does not make a person rich or wealthy. Material wealth will result in ego, if not accompanied by spiritual wealth.

As far as I understand, Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi did not give any importance to material wealth. Baba used to say that wealth serves the purpose when put to proper use. Here the word "proper use" means, being useful for larger causes such as amelioration of human suffering and larger social interests. In other words, if wealth is not put to "proper use", it becomes not only useless, but could be an impediment for spiritual progress of the person. Baba implicitly pointed out that material wealth used for excessive personal consumption and aggrandizement is wasteful, bad and spiritually degrading. He said that a person living a modest and simple life despite his being a king is really rich. A person possessing large material wealth should act as its custodian or trustee using the wealth for the welfare of the needy and society at large.

Sai Baba set an ideal example himself in this regard. The sums of money that used to come to Baba as "dakshina" was very large. Sai Baba, however, neither accumulated it nor used it for His personal purposes. He used the money to distribute among those around Him. A part of the money was also used to renovate the local temples. Sai Baba kept His needs to the bare minimum and led the simplest life possible.

He did not give any preferential treatment to the rich. Baba treated them no better than he would treat any one else. On one occasion of "Rama navami" a very large crowd was waiting for Baba's darshan. There were a number of rich people too in waiting crowd. Baba, however, sensed the difficulty of a poor old woman in negotiating the crowd to get Baba's darshan. He sent His attendant to escort the old woman in the crowd, while very rich devotees waited for His "darshan". Sai devotees know too well how He treated the rich and powerful British Officials viz., Sir George Curtis, his wife and MacLean who came to see Him. They were asked to wait till Baba completed His routine activities. Likewise, members of princely families visited Shirdi from time to time. In 1904 a princess of Gaekwad Royal Family of Baroda came for Baba's "darshan". She placed two plates, one filled with rupees and another with guineas, before Sai Baba; but He returned them without even touching them. The lady subsequently offered some guineas to Mahalsapathi who was sitting next to Baba. Baba told Mahalsapathi, "What do we have to do with guineas? Our poverty is good enough for us!" Of course, Mahalsapathi declined the offer of wealth. Among His devotees there were also a number of rich people like Gopalrao Buti, Hari Vinayak Sathe and Moreswar Pradhan who used their money for causes such as construction of "Wada" or lodge for the benefit of the devotees visiting Shirdi from far off places. Gopalrao Buti using his personal wealth for this purpose, as per Baba's instructions, built the beautiful "Samadhi Mandir", wherein the vibrant life size statue of Sai Baba was installed behind His "samadhi".

SAI ACTIVITIES:

Gurupoornima at Shirdi Sai Temple, Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Gurupoornima celebrations will be held in Shirdi Sai Temple, Chicago from Tuesday, July 11th through Thursday, July 13th 2006. Program highlights: Maha Abhishek, Aarthis, Satcharita parayan, Sri Sai Satyanarayan Vratha, Sri Datta Moola Mantra Homam, Palaki procession and more. For program details please visit the temple website www.saibaba.us or contact the Temple office at 847-931-4058.

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 will begin to function at 1835 Polk St NE, Minneapolis from July 11th, Gurupoornima day. The day program will include Sai satcharitha parayan, Sai aarathis, bhajans and Sai Naama jap. 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 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.

Sai Satsang, New Jersey, USA
Shirdi Sai Dham, Inc regularly conducts Sai bhajans followed by Aarti and Prasad on every 1st Saturday of each month at Durga Mandir, Kendall Park, New Jersey. 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.

Summer Sai activities for Children, Toronto, Canada
Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada cordially introduces "Character and Moral Values"- a unique 4 Week Summer Program for Children of all ages. The Guiding Principal of the program is "Shraddha" & "Saburi" with its curriculum based on the Teachings of our Sadguru Shri Shirdi Sai Nath. For details to enroll or volunteer visit www.shirdisainath.org or send email saileela99@yahoo.com or call 416-402-8089 or 416-895-7905.

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 6:00 p.m. onwards. For other temple activities and information please call 647-444-4724 or send an email to info@theshirdisaimandir.com.

Shirdi Sai parivar, Vancouver, Canada
Shirdi Sai parivar in Vancouver invites you all for Sai satsang on Thursday from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm and first Sunday of every month from 11:30 am to 1 pm, at 8571, 118A St, Delta, V4C 6L2. For further details contact (604)592 4182 or email at sai_ish@hotmail.com.

Sai Satsangs in Singapore
Dear Sai devotees in Singapore, Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan (Singapore) conducts regular Sai bhajans every Saturday from 6:30 p.m. at Shri Vadapathira Kalliamman Temple, Serangoon Road, Little India, Singapore. Please visit the web site http://www.saisansthan.com for more details.

Sri Shirdi Sai Akshaya Meditation, Malaysia
We have regular gatherings, bhajans on Thursdays at Sri Shirdi Sai Akshaya Meditation Centre, Brickfields, Kualalumpur, Malaysia. For more information please call 60322606030 or send email to daewanand@yahoo.com

FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:

Sai devotees staying in Singapore please refer above for Sai satsang details in Sai Activities section. Gurupoornima is celebrated on July 10th to 12th 2006 in Shirdi. The festival celebrating Sadguru Sainath Maharaj's love and grace is important to all Sai devotees. Please share with your fellow devotees the details of Gurupoornima celebrations planned in your community.

A devotee suggests the Question of the week as follows:

Q. What does Sai Baba say about the wealthy/rich?

Humbly Yours,
The Editor

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