Sai Vichaar For 23rd April 2009

Sai Vichaar Thursday , April 23, 2009 :: Volume 11, Issue 50 (In its eleventh year of publication.)

www.saibaba.org

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. Please do not reply to this email. All replies will be ignored. To contact us please see information at the bottom of this newsletter. IN THIS ISSUE: •

FEATURE OF THE WEEK

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CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE

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DEVOTEES SAY

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PRAYER CLUB

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EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES

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QUOTATION OF THE WEEK

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK

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SAI ACTIVITIES

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FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD

FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Service If silence is the language of the spiritual bliss, how does one communicate it? If it is thought to happen at His will and His alone, how does one receive it? Only because someone wasn't silent! One may wonder if that amounts to being egotistic to go around telling people about God's miracles in their lives and the message shared through them. If that were being egotistic, equally egotistic would be choosing not to do the task of sharing and spreading His love within one's means. However, one has to be careful about the double-edged sword known as the sense of individual identity or the self. The self that makes one rise above the obstructions and render service may also come back and impart the doer with the sense of doership. Service, in any form, is a way of spreading God's message and sharing His love with fellowmen. Such service needs to be done, diligently, meticulously, with whole heart and spirit, and most importantly humility. Such service, whether for a social purpose or to promote spiritual awakening, will be successful. Shri Dabholkar wrote Sai Satcharithamritha only after duly humbled by Sainath. The humility of Dasganu Maharaj reflected in his costumes. The most humble Booty was abundantly blessed for his construction was consecrated due to Baba's samadhi mandir. If one word describes the nature of a Sai devotee, it has to be "Humility". God of Gods, Shri Sai Baba called Himself, simply a servant of God. Portrayed as the humblest of the humble and the most merciful, Baba has several times stressed the importance of humility. Humility is the most required attribute of a Sai servant and only those who believe this and practice are honored at Baba's court. The services of such, whether towards a spiritual cause or other, will accomplish its objectives. CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Baba's Universal Appeal

Recently I have come across many Sai Baba devotees who profess not to eat meat and ask others to become vegetarian because of their faith and belief in Sai Baba. Firstly I must say that Baba requested everyone not to preach about how we should or should not worship him. According to a very prominent chapter in the Sai Satcharita, Sai has requested that people be allowed to serve him as they see fit and we should not adopt any 'holier than thou ' attitude towards others- so recently when I heard that a 'guru' mentioned to people to abstain from eating meat on account of Sai Baba I was rather surprised- the Sai Baba that we all know and love enjoyed 'mutton palao' and actually made it with his own hands. Sai Baba is tolerant of all and he has preached no hard and fast rules for anyone. All who have read the Sai Satcharita will agree with me of just how tolerant he was of everyone's views, and ideologies. These traits of his are what really endears him to all and helps us in turn to be more understanding of opinions and views of others. If one wishes to abstain from eating meat that is their desire and not because Sai has told him to do so -the beauty of Sai Baba's teachings are their simple yet profound nature. Baba sees man not for who he is but for what he is -religion with him was always an identity and he taught of one God that is father to us all. In the notes he left behind he asked us never to fast as he rightfully maintained 'God is not available on an empty stomach' this is so true cause if one is hungry you will find that your concentration is low. In this same way Baba teaches us so much in order to make us all better citizens of tomorrow -every moral and lesson is valuable and we take it away in the true spirit of being Sai Baba devotees. This article is written solely because I feel that Sai Baba devotees should take decisions (like the one mentioned above) reason out what they feel and what their heart desires-Sai is always there for us and all decisions taken with care and concern for ourselves and others will fructify and our faith will grow stronger. (Contributed by Havovi Medora) DEVOTEES SAY: Raveendra Kona Thanks a lot Baba for getting our Work permit approved and for getting visa stamped fro my wife. Ganeshbabu This ugadi, wife, my son and me together paid a visit to Shirdi and spent three days here. We really felt that we are relaxing in the nice lap of saimatha. Baba is always ready to share his lap to all his children. We attended artis, samadhi darshan and enjoyed the love of BABA in all forms. I wish we the children of Sai can enjoy the bliss and bless of Sai lap. Shweta P Jai Sai Ram. Baba thank you so much for giving me work from home so that I can take care of my child as well. Baba, always have bless us and help us to nourish good thoughts so that we always try to help others. Lalita The recent turnaround of a decision against my daughter shows us again how you stand by those who have entrusted all at your feet. A million thanks to you! Sumangala Baba Thank you for sending Sai Vichar. Whenever I am in bad situation you rescued me. Thank you Baba. Baba I am alone. Nobody is here to take care of me. Some times I will face lot of problems in my office. I am 52 years old lady; I am not in a

position to work as earlier due to health problems. Baba I had made a mistake, that I done 8 days Roti Pooja given by my neighbor. I have to give that one to 2 persons to continue that one. Nobody is available to take that one, and I give that one with banana to Cow. PRAYER CLUB: Sai Devotee Om Sai Ram.. Baba please bless Chikuji. You know he is hospitalized since more than one month. Baba please your blessings on Him, as he needs them. Baba please take care of him. Om Sai Ram Narayana Thank you Sainath for everything you gave. My son passed his semester with your blessings. Please shower your blessings for his bright future. Lakshmi Baba we want our sons to be well settled with their family close to us. They should live with love and brotherhood. Bless them with bhakti. My elder son is not financially sound. Help us all to clear our debts and bring peace and harmony in our home. Give us bathtub in you, lead us always be with us always. Selvan Dear sainath. I do not know what is happening in my life. Again I am un-employed. Dear lord kindly bless me to get a site. I will visit your temple and take prasad for devotees. Shakila Om Sai ram, Wednesday is the appointment of my son, I pray that no surgery is advised and everything is through medication. Please Sai bless him and always be there with us for we only look at you for everything. He should be healthy as before, I pray to you for his quick recovery. Rajnish Baba Thank you very much to listen all of my prayer. With your blessings my work visa got approved in less then one month and my personal experience is that you always listen to all your devotees and solved their problems. Please shower your blessings on all of us. Srujana Oh Baba, Please bless my husband with no problems with his projects and extension of his visa. Preethi I am totally lonely - have tried all means to complete - but this month I have reached the dead end. The rented house should be vacated, lots of family function - all are awaiting our house warming ceremony - but no idea how u are going to help. PLEASE SAVE ME. I had asked a loan form my office after long after thought only. I have not received any reply. Saipriya Sai, You know that I need a job desperately. It is causing lot of problems; please help me get a suitable job Sai. Help me Sai, please. I beg you. Jagan My son, Sanjay is out of job since last 10 months. He, my wife and I are very distressed over this. Please help him in getting a good placement in Delhi very soon

through showering your blessings and taking him under your fold and helping him. You have been helping me all through my life and without your blessing and boon conferring hand; we would have never been where we are to day. Please grace him also and relieve him from this misery of joblessness. Pragya Baba pls accept ours pranam. Baba you know everything and last night we were very upset. Baba we don't no why that has happened but we r very upset. Please show us right path and help us to get that money. And all other fronts regarding our job. Please help us and always be with us. Baba pls help in profession front also. Raje My son is having an infection in his eye for the past one week. The medicine given by the doctor does not seem to be working, as there is no improvement in his condition. I am quite worried as I hope there is no serious infection. Kindly shower your blessings on him and cure him from this problem Baba. I promise to write to you again once he is better. Thank you Baba for all your grace and blessings on our family. Lakshmi Namaste Baba... Sainatha, you are everything for me...with all your blessings I am going through a treatment for baby. Please be with me through out the process and bless us with a child of your blessings. Please keep our mind to be focused at you and shower your blessings on all your devotees. EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: Harish Hello all the SAI Devotees, I would Like to share 1 of my best experiences of our GREAT SAI GURU. Baba is saving me in each and every work I do, wherever I go he follows me, OM SAI RAM. My life changed after I became a devotee of SAI BABA. Now he his everything for me, I can't live without him for a second. This happened to me in January 2009. I was looking for the job change in December, I had total of 1 year Experience, my salary was very less in the first company, financial condition in my home was going worst, day by day. I started praying to Baba, that I should get the job with good company with the best salary, I had reached Shirdi in December 2008 for the first time, I started believing SAI only from June 2008 Guru Pournima, I came to know about Saibaba from one of SAI Devotee. I prayed in Shirdi, that I should get good job soon. Then, I had told my BABA, what was the salary package I was expecting, and you know miracle happened in the next 20 days Itself, I got a call from the good company in Bangalore MNC, and I got the best salary, it was the same salary that I had asked Baba to give me, Interview went so smoothly, interviewer agreed to the package that I negotiated, I got 100% Hike in my salary, I was so happy, now day by day by financial condition, is getting better because of SAI's Blessings. I Love SAI BABA.OM SAI RAM. My Life is NIL with out SAI Let SAI bless all of us. Alka I remember when I was 15 years old, somebody gifted me Baba's Photograph at that time I was not even aware of who this supreme Power is! But once I saw his photograph I starting praying and slowly I realized that I have found the supreme that I was looking for since years. The journey began from there. From that date and time I only pray to my beloved Baba. Once I formed the connection with the supreme all problems starting creeping in and for every problem I talked to Baba

andhe guided me, showed me the right track and way to handle the problems. When I look back & ask these questions to myself: Why somebody gifted me Baba's photograph? Why all problems starting creeping in my life, after I started praying Baba? How come my family has as well started praying Baba? And when I sit in silence and try to find answers; Baba answers. As you are my favorite child that is why the photograph was gifted to you. So stay with me. Baba knew that I am going to be surrounded by so many problem, so I need strength andguidance. He knew that I was the hook for him for the entire family to be pulled towards lotus feet. So that Baba's devotees always surround me. Thanks Baba for everything. I have no word to express how much Baba has helped and blessed my family and me always. I always pray to my Baba. Be there for me and my family and let me go form this world while thinking andthanking You. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: "Have consideration for the poor and the wretched" - Sri Saibaba QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. Can intellect be an obstacle to devotion? SAI ACTIVITIES: Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA Sri Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 7:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m.(Summer hours). Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 7 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 [email protected]. Sri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, MN Sri Saibaba Mandir is located in Minneapolis, MN at 1835 Polk St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418. The mandir is open 7 days a week in the evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm and during morning hours from 9 am to 12:30 pm, everyday. Satsangs are conducted every Sunday mornings, 9 am to 12:30 pm. Please call 612789-7729 for more information on mandir activities, events and other information. 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. Shirdi Sai Temple of New England, Boston Area Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of New England is now operational. It is located at 1827 Bridge St # 8, Dracut, MA 01824. The temple is open four days from Thursday to Sunday. For temple hours and activities please send mail to [email protected]. 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 [email protected].

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. Saibaba Temple, Columbus, Ohio Devotees in Columbus and surrounding Ohio locations area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Metro Columbus area. The temple is located in a leasing space at 6599 Dublin Center Drive, Dublin, OH 43017. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday bhajans. For more information please call 614-799-8411. Shirdi Sai bhajans every Thursday at Maitland, Florida Devotees are invited to participate in Sai study and bhajans on Thursdays between 7-8 pm at Meditation Gallery, 219 E Horatio Ave, Maitland, FL 32715. For more details please contact Bonnie at 407-830-1276. Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Austin, TX Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Austin, Texas opened at 601 E Whitestone Blvd (RM 1431), Cedar Park, TX. Daily 4 aarthis are performed to Sai Baba. As part of service to needy, a weekly sandwich seva is also conducted. Shirdi Sai Mandir, Dulles, VA Shirdi Sai Mandir is located at 43671 Trade Center Place #166 Dulles, VA 20166. The mandir is open through the week in the evenings from 6pm to 9 pm. Sri Satyanarayan pooja will be conducted every full moon day. Please call (703) 6614724 for more information on activities, events and other information. Shirdi Sai Mandir, Toronto The Mandir is located at Unit 7 & 8 2721 Markham Road Toronto ON M1X 1L5 Canada. Daily services offered to Baba include abhishek and all aartis. For Mandir hours and activities, please call 647-444-4724. Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, Canada -Toronto Devotees in Toronto, are invited to join in Sai Namavali, Satcharita reading, Bhajans, Aarti and Prasad every Thursday from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. at GUR MANDIR 207 Queen's Plate Dr. Etobicoke - Hwy27 South of Finch for more info call (416) 294 4804 Sai Mandir, Baldwin New York Devotees in New York and surrounding locations are informed about Sri Sai Mandir in Baldwin NY. The temple is located at 1889 Grand Avenue, Baldwin, NY 11510. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday Panchamruta Abhishekam and bhajans. For more information please call at 516-867-8008. Shirdi Saibaba Temple, Iselin/Edison New Jersey Devotees in New Jersey and surrounding locations are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Iselin NJ. The temple is located at 465 Lincoln Highway (Route 27) Iselin, NJ 08830. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday Panchamruta Abhishekam and bhajans. For more information please call at 732-283-1800. Shirdi Saibaba Temple, Flushing New York This temple is located near the famous Ganesh Temple, Flushing, New york. All the day-to-day rituals at the temple are being conducted in a manner similar to that in Shirdi. The temple is located at 46-16 Robinson Street Flushing,NY,USA 11355. For more information please call 718-321-9243. FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:

Saibaba.Org is undertaking relocation, migration and technology upgrade projects during 2009. The relocation phase has been completed. The upgrade and migration project is expected to be completed in phases during the year. The team will try to ensure that no services are interrupted for a long time but at times it will become necessary to bring down the equipment for maintenance and upgrade. Due to which there may be disruption in the distribution of Sai Vichaar. If this happens, you can always retrieve back copies of Sai Vichaar from the website by visiting the whatsnew page. We request your cooperation and regret inconvenience caused to you if any in this regard. In the true spirit of Sai devotion, contributors are requested to remember to suit the content, language, style, and presentation, appropriate to a worldwide readership. It should also be noted that when a section from any material other than their own is quoted or referred to, it is the authors' responsibility to acknowledge the source appropriately. Sai Vichaar requests the devotees to continue to submit to Sai Vichaar using the pages intended for various sections of Sai Vichaar. Sai Vichaar gratefully appreciates the patience of its readers during the past few weeks of revamping of our database. The "Question of the week" for this week is, Q. Can intellect be an obstacle to devotion? Humbly Yours, The Editor ABOUT THIS EMAIL: This newsletter is not sent unsolicited. This newsletter is e-mailed to you because of at least one of the following reasons: 1. You have subscribed through our on-line subscribe page, 2. You have visited our web site and shown interest in the Sai topics and asked for information, or 3. You have been gifted a subscription by a friend or a relative. To Subscribe Sai Vichaar for receipt by Email please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the subscribe option from the menu. If you are subscribing the newsletter for your friend or a relative, we request that the person concerned may be notified about receiving the newsletter and the willingness to receive the newsletter be confirmed. To Un-Subscribe receipt of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the unsubscribe option from the menu. If you have problems accessing the web page due to network problems, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with the words "Unsubscribe Sai Vichaar" in the subject line. To make a contribution to any of the sections of Sai Vichaar, please visit the URL http://www.saibaba.org/newsletter.html and select the Submit Articles to Sai Vichaar option from the menu. Back copies of HTML version of Sai Vichaar can be accessed by visting the URL http://www.saibaba.org/whatsnew.html. For any questions or more information regarding this e-mail or our web site, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and your inquiries will be attended to promptly.

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Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha (A non-profit organization) 12N950 State Route 47 Hampshire, IL 60140, USA [email protected] 847-931-4058 847-464-1567

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