Sai Vichaar For Feb 19th 2009

Sai Vichaar www.saibaba.org Thursday , February 19, 2009 :: Volume 11, Issue 41 (In its eleventh year of publication.) 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.

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

FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Servant Versus Minister It is said that when the disciple is ready for the Guru, the Guru reveals himself to the disciple. Examples to this effect are abound in Sai stories. While everyone is entitled to Sadguru's grace, it does not come without efforts on part of the disciple. Baba also used the analogy of the tree in blossom to explain how rare are the blessed ones that remain until the end, their pursuit fructified. On a similar note, His Holiness Shri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji of Sri Datta Peetham explains the will of Sadguru in imparting the wisdom to the persistent few; Tava shishyohamityukte rnate siddhyati shishyataa Prabhunaa hi pradaatavyaa mantritaa dasataathavaa "Just because you claim that you are a disciple, you do not become one. Whether it is the post of a minister or of a soldier, isn't it the king who makes the decision?" The first part of the above Sookti (the moral) tells in no uncertain terms that you do not become a disciple just because you claim to be one. Agreed, it does not confer disciple-hood. What does one need to do to become a disciple? The second part of the Sookti gives the answer. It says 'studentship is not something that you can earn by your efforts. It is something that a Guru has to confer out of compassion'. What should one do to become eligible to receive Guru's compassion? The Sookti does not answer this question directly. Instead, it does so figuratively. How is it done? A king received several applications for the post of a minister and servants. The king selected one candidate for the post of the minister. He also selected a few persons as servants. Being a king, he did not need the approval of anyone to confirm their appointment. No one is above the king. The person should satisfy the king. There are no other criteria here. Similarly, even in the case of a Sadguru, there is no one above Him. To decide if you are fit to become a disciple is his left to Him. No one can question it. You should satisfy Him. Only then, you will become His disciple. Among the many applicants, not all may possess the

qualifications required for the post of the minister. Even if they possess minimum qualifications, the king may give them at least the job of servants. If they do not have even minimum qualification, the will simply remain ordinary. Similarly, if you have the ability to satisfy the Guru, the Guru will bestow studentship to you. Although many aspirants have the qualifications, the king can make only one person his minister, and among the remaining applicants, he will chose a few people as servants. Similarly, the Guru bestows studentship only on a few. If you do not have the required qualifications, you will remain a devotee. However, you will be a devotee who is constantly longing to become a disciple by enhancing your qualification. If you do not have this attitude, you will just remain a wanderer, traveling back and forth. This meaning is figuratively implicit in the second part of the Sookti. There are two words - Mantritaa and Daasataa (Mantri=Minister, Daasa=Servant). Here, the word Mantri does not merely mean minister. It also means 'one who is engaged in spiritual pursuit through Mantra'. What does this meaning imply? It implies that the Guru, who has blessed you, knows as to which path is good for you - the path of spiritual pursuit or that of Bhakthi (devotion) and decides accordingly. FEATURE OF THE WEEK: continued.. It also implies that unless the Guru makes some decision, you will not get the status of studentship. You will become a disciple only after the Guru decides. If the Guru becomes compassionate about you, He will show you the path. For the Guru to show you compassion, you must first become eligible. How to earn that eligibility? From the above discussion, we have come to know that the Sookti does not give a direct answer. Let us see were the answer is hidden in the Sookti. By indirectly saying that the Guru will show you either the path of Upaasana (spiritual practice) or Daasya Bhakti (path of surrender and devotion), it gives you a hint about how one can enhance one's eligibility. The previous step to the path of Upasana is Nama Sankeertana. The step preceding the path of surrender/devotion is listening to discourses on mythological scriptures and serving the devotees. To do this, one does not require a formal initiation. Anyone can do this. You must develop a natural interest in these. Once you become interested and begin to make conscious effort to enhance that interest, you will get the eligibility of becoming a disciple. When you get the qualification, you, (who used to serve the devotees) will automatically become eligible to serve the Guru. If you were hitherto engaged in Nama Sankeertana, you will become eligible to step in to the path of Upasana. Either way, you will rise from the level of a devotee to become a disciple. This is the way of satisfying a Guru and becoming his disciple - is the indirect message hidden in the Sookti. By the grace of the Guru, after having acquired the status of a disciple, one should continue to carry on one's pursuit in accordance with the directions of the Guru. One should not forget that the pursuit would go on only as long as one has the blessings of the Guru. One should strive to become eligible to get more blessings. One should also realize that the blessings of the Sadguru are both the means and the fruit of pursuit. Can a minister ever think, "I have become a minister now? Why do I need the king's benevolence?" Even after becoming a minister, his duty continues to be that of pleasing the king. This is the purpose of comparing the status of a disciple to that of the minister. That is, the disciple should continue to do things that please the Guru. This is the hidden meaning of the Sookti. By the grace of Lord Dattatreya, may this message reach your heart and may you all become good disciples of the Sadguru. Jaya Guru Datta

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Carrots and Sticks Baba said, "There are several ways. One is from here", meaning that He is the Sadguru capable of helping one in the pursuit that a life may have. Having dissolved the myth the surrounded the requirements for a spiritual upliftment, Baba further simplified the path saying, "You can reach God from where ever you are". Baba also cautions the seekers to be vigilant about the wolves and tigers from the outside and those within. Does the path simplified render the pursuit any simple? The way Sai guides His children should emphasize one fact of spirituality. There are several ways by which one could pursue the spiritual path. Sai did not set a particular protocol nor did He force upon His believers, a rigid path to traverse upon. Even while some of the Gurus looked at people dissecting straight into their social status, religious standing, and origins, Sai embraced the untouchable, the Moslem, the leper and the likes with equanimity. He had a different way of gauging the merits of those who flocked Him, then and now. Some were outright reprimanded for their behavior while some were reformed without a word spoken. The learned had to wait while Baba welcomed the vagabond. The Antaryami showed the avaricious Madarasi, the path of truth through a peculiar vision. Dasganu's scholarly question was promptly directed to Kaka's maid. While Sai worked internally on some, His outrage was visible in case of others.. While some were offered carrots, yet others had to face the stick. The communication between Baba and His child is unique and the rarest one of its kind. Let us on this Thursday contemplate on that individual communication we have with Baba. The goal is as universal as the pursuit individual. Perhaps an important aspect of spirituality may lie in understanding the significance of carrots and sticks. (Contributed by Saivichaar Team)

DEVOTEES SAY: Varalakshmi Sri Baba, Thank you very much for accepting my prayer and blessing me with a son. Due to this miracle and your grace I am also requesting to bless me to win on the hurdles Baba, as a daughter I am requesting you, please solve my problem. Baba, please show your miracle in this matter too. I feel very comfortable as I could get the message to you. I am very sure you will surely solve my problem. Suresh Dear Saibaba.org team, May I convey my gratitude and congratulations on the wonderful work you are doing as the conveyors of Baba's grace to all the world. I look forward to your weekly mail. It gives me another opportunity to remember Sai with gratitude for all that He has done for me. Thank you very much for giving me so much happiness. Yours in Sai. Devotee Thank you baba for always remaining on my side. Please bless me with your eternal and divine love. Baba help me to score really good marks in the courses I have this semester. Also make my faith stronger towards you and truth. Sai devotee

Thanks Baba, thank You so much, as promised I am posting my thanks here, thanks for being with us, my husband is feeling lot better now, and I know he will be alright with Your grace soon, Baba no words to express my gratitude, thank You my Baba, without You nothing is there in my life, please increase my faith on You my Baba, I bow my head at Your feet, accept us and bless us and be with us always, love You Baba. Devotee We lost our dearest beloved brother - passed way due to Flu. At a tender young age and still full of life. We pray to our sadhguru sainath to rset his soul and give him a place in his kingdom. We pray at his lotus feet to provide our family the bakthi, sakhti and give us the blessing to pass through this time . Devotee Dear Baba, I would like to thank you for letting us come to Shirdi and attend your Aarti.It was something which was very difficult with the date being a big concern & after reaching there it was such a big line and then suddenly we are the lucky few who get to sit it the big hall and attend your Aarti.Baba thank you for favoring us and making the whole trip so pleasant without any hassles.

PRAYER CLUB: Karthik My Father is admitted in hospital in a serious condition. He has lost his memory and is in unconscious and unable to respond. He is bedridden for the past 8 months after a fall and had an injury in his spinal chord. He was speaking very well until 15 days back. Now his condition is very critical, and he does not know that he is in hospital for treatment and all the intake foods are fed through tube. We are all very much worried. I beg you Sairam to save his life and give back a fresh life to him. We have lot of confident in you and definitely you will cure by father. Please give life to my father. Devotee I kneel upon you and hoping you would bless us with children. I have waited patiently for 7years. I only think of you and the miracles that you have made happen and very sure you will bless me to become a mother, which I have waited very long. I cannot wait to feel the joy of being a mother and would like to make my beloved hubby a father. Please help me and my husband and guide us thru without any problem and bless us with children. Devotee Dear SaiBaba devotees, please pray for my father. Please pray Baba for his health. Please pray Baba.He had a cardiac arrest recently while he was in the car, by the time he was taken to the hospital it was late. The brain can withstand without oxygen and blood supply for 4to5 minutes. His blood and oxygen supply to the brain stopped due to the cardiac arrest and his brain got affected due to this. The only way he can become normal is by getting back his consciousness by him self which is in Baba's hand's. Devotee Sai natha, Please help my son to get in to a nice college. I will bring him to your lotus feet, please forgive me for my sins. I am surrendering at Your lotus feet. Thanks Aiya for guiding me and helping me, giving hands to hold during my agony and afflictions. Devotee

Baba I am making a prayer to you. I know everything is possible when your blessing is with me. Baba, please show me the way and guidance to find out the right person and family for my daughter's marriage. Baba as the time is passing I am getting depressed and my spirit is going down. Baba, please help me to come out from this situation It is only you who can help me and show me the right path. Baba my only hope is YOU. Please forgive me if I have done any mistake. I am your child please help me. I have come to your sharan and you have promised that one who comes to your sharan you help him without delay. Yes I remember your word of shradha and saburi but Baba it is getting very late and I am loosing heart please help me. Jayanti Please grant my children and wife some sense to stay away from others wealth and prosperity. All that glitters is not gold and we must learn to live within our means. Teach them this lesson to live on their own to feet and ask baba for any help they need and not the others. Please help them to go to their desired school and Universities so that they will have more faith in you. Please show some wisdom to my wife that she puts her heart where it belongs and worships you with devotional heart and not just rituals.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: Jayanthi I have been a devotee of Baba from childhood since my parents prayed to Baba.But I really never understood his worth till after I got married. There is one very important thing Baba taught me way back in 2001. In his book, Sai Satcharitra, he mentions the importance of Vishnu sahasranamam. Initially I tried reading the book and found it very difficult to read. Then I started playing the CD while driving to work. So for 30 mins everyday, I would listen to the CD and be at work after that. That really helped because I got all the pronunciations correct. I know Vishnu sahasranamam by heart now. And all I can say is that the Sahasranmam is extremely beneficial and has helped me in many ways and in every aspect of life. Baba has emphasized the importance of that book and I read it almost everyday now and without Baba's guidance and blessings, nothing would be possible for me.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: "If I take one rupee as Dakshina from anybody I have to return it tenfold to him. I never take anything gratis. I never ask any one indiscriminately. I only ask and take from him whom the Fakir (My Guru) points out. If any one is indebted formerly to the Fakir money is received from him. The donor gives, i.e. sows his seeds, only to reap a rich harvest in future"-Sri Sai Baba

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. What is the attitude of Sai devotees towards raising their children? A. by Sai Devotee By constantly thinking, praying, following Sai, Children also definitely get rid of ego, develop love to all, patient, service, sacrifices, give up hatred, bad

thoughts. By propagating the miracles that are happening because of SAI, provides a positive vibration to all the kith and kin around. By reading Sai Satcharita daily, one could get out of any obstacle that comes the way, which gives us the feeling that whatever happens is ordained by HIM. The place around oneself who is always thinking of Baba definitely brings peace and are able to take things positively. Positive traits are the key for the children who lead their life only with the shelter and blessings of BABA.

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 847931-4058 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 visit the mandir website www.hamaresai.org or call 612-789-7729 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 or visit the website www.shirdisaidallas.org. 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 every Thursday from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm and Saturday's from 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm. For temple hours and activities please visit the website www.nessp.org or 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]. 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. 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 or visit www.saibaba.cc 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. For more information, please visit www.saiaustin.org. 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 visit the mandir website www.shirdisaimandir.org or call (703) 661-4724 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 visit www.theshirdisaimandir.ca or call 647-444-4724.

FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD: 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. The "Question of the week" for this week is, What is the attitude of Sai devotees towards raising their children? Humbly Yours, The Editor

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From and Editor: Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha (A non-profit organization) Mail: 12N950 State Route 47 Hampshire, IL 60140, USA Email [email protected] Phone 847-931-4058 Fax 847-464-1567 © Copyright 1998-2009 saibaba.org, Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha - Sai Vichaar Weekly may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter. Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.