Shirdisaila.org Newsletter For October 2009

Sai Sai

Baba Newsletter Sep Oct 2009 Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan Los Angeles' email newsletter is sent every month to propagate the teachings of Shri Shirdi Sai and connect the devotees of our Baba temple. Devotees may kindly send their articles on any section of newsletter by emailing the same to [email protected].

Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, LA cordially invites you with family and friends to the auspicious event of

Deepawalee Celebration on Sat October 17; Kaartik Purnima Celebration - 3 days - Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1, Mon Nov 2, 2009 at Baba Temple

Deepawalee Celebration - Oct 17th 2009, Saturday 5:30pm Dhoop Aarti for Baba 6pm to 8pm Maha Lakshmi Kalasha Sthapana, Maha Lakshmi Sahasranama Archana, Sri Saraswati Puja(accounts book pooja), Aarti for Maha Lakshmi 8:30pm Sheja Aarti for Baba, Teertham and Prasadam, Kaartik Purnima Celebration - 3 days - Sat, Oct 31, Sun Nov 1, Mon Nov 2, 2009 Saturday October 31st 2009 Program 2pm to 5pm Lakshmi Ganapati Homam, Rudra Homam, Navagraha Homam, Poornahuti, Teertha Prasadam Sunday November 1st 2009 Program 2pm to 5pm Samoohika Satyanarayana Vratam, Monday November 2nd 2009 - Shiva Abhishekam in Evening 5:30pm Dhoop Aarti for Baba 6pm to 8pm Vighneshwara Pooja, Mahanyasa Parayana, Abhishekam for Shiva, Belvarchana for Shiva with 108 Belva Patra Aarti for Shiva 8:30pm Sheja Aarti for Baba, Teertham and Prasadam On Kartik Purnima day, Shiva Abhishekam and Belvarchana is -very good for health -protects us from all evils -removes all obstacles -very good and auspicious for everything If you wish to sponsor, donation for any puja/homam (except Satyanarayana Puja) - $21. Donation sponsorship for Samoohika Satyanarayana Puja - $51 Sections

From our Temple Life of Sai Baba About Shirdi Sai Baba Says Experiences, Saileela Topic of Discussion Children Section Priest Section News and Events

From our Temple

Sai Baba was very fond of lights. He used to borrow oil from shop-keepers, and keep lamps burning the whole night in the Masjid and temple. Chapter 5, Shri Sai Satcharitra May Baba light the two virtues of faith and patience in all hearts. May our life be a perpetual endeavour to expel the 6 darknesses within us - aham, ghamand, raag, dwesh, kaam, krodh.

Wishing You and family A very Ha pp y and Prosperous Di wa li !!! Continue reading Life of Sai Baba Babas Earliest Period Amongst the influences that mould the character of young boys, perhaps the strongest is that of the father or the -mother living with them, and shaping their mind from hour to hour. Baba had no mother or father to mould him but he had first a foster father, the fakir and next a master who ultimately became his Diksha Guru. So, the nature and character of Gopal Rao Deshmukh must first be understood to know how Baba's nature and character developed. This Gopal Rao, though a zamindar or rural chieftain of ancient days maintained a character and reputation unattained by any other zamindar of his time. One incident in his life illustrates this point. One evening as he sat on the ramparts of his fort, it was quite dusk, and in that half darkness, a fair damsel of some twenty years came very close to the ramparts on the ground level, and thinking that there was nobody, sat down and exposed her body. Seeing a nude usually provokes lust. Others in his position would have immediately ordered some one to go and carry away the damsel and bring her for their gratification. With Gopal Rao the sinful impulse lasted only for a moment. His conscience rebelled, and he at once thought of Venkatesa and appealed to him for forgiveness. He viewed every woman other than his wife as really in the position of a mother to him. Matruvat Paradarmscha says the niti sloka. That is, no lustful thoughts should be directed to any person other than one's wife. So, treating this lustful thought as an enormous sin, he rapidly went down to his worship room, and there, before his Ishta Devata's image Sri Venkatesa, he repented with bitter tears this momentary lust, and then resolved to punish his eyes for having cast lustful glances at a mother, which is nothing short of incest. He at once seized two sharp needles and poked his eyes with them. Blood issued, and he moaned. His relations soon came up and noting the fact, blamed him for the folly of losing his eyes for such a trivial matter. As his eye sight was absolutely essential for guarding them and the Jintur Parganna from the Muslims, and as they were necessary also for purposes of worship, his Guru asked him to pray to Lord Venkatesa for recovery of sight. Accordingly he prayed and recovered sight. The fame of his purity, nobility of character and ability to draw Venkatesa's power for curing ailments, spread abroad. Blind people and others came to him, and his very touch was curative. To a woman born blind, he applied chillies to her eyes with Venkatesa's name on his lips. This cured her and restored her sight. This incident, therefore, shows the nature and char¬acteristics of Baba's Guru, Gopal Rao Deshmukh. In his highest moments of absorption, Gopal Rao uttered words which were the words of Venkatesa. He became one with Venkatesa at that time. So Baba always referred to his Guru as Venkusa, a contraction of Venkatesa. Perfect chastity, thorough self-control, invariable rectitude, perfect truthfulness, generosity, and serviceability to all which were the leading characteristics of his Guru became -transplanted and took deep root in the disciple, Sri Sai Baba.

(Source: Life of Sai Baba by Sri B V Narasimha Swamy - http://www.saileelas.org/)

About Shirdi

SILVER COVERED PADUKAS IN FRONT OF BABA'S PHOTO: In front of the portrait painted by Jaykar, is a pair of silver covered Padukas. After Baba's Mahasamadhi Shyama was staying in the Dixit Wada. The Sansthan was formed and Shyama was asked to pay rent. Shyama however, left Dixit Wada and took along with him Baba's Padukas and Photo to his house. The Sansthan requested Shyama to return them but he refused at first. Then S.B. Dhumal went to his house with a big procession and Shyama handed over all the articles. These Padukas are daily worshipped by the Pujari of Dwarakamai and decorated by the Pujari of Samadhi Mandir between 11.30 and 12.00 noon. Devotees offer their'Sashtang Namaskar' to these holy Padukas. UDI STAND

The railing is attached to a pillar on which the Udi stand is fixed. The literal meaning of Udi is 'to go'. Baba gave Udi to His devotees with blessings that they should go to a higher plane in their spiritual endeavour. When Baba was in a cheerful mood He used to sing merrily about the sacred Udi 'Oh playful Rama, come, come and bring with you sacks of Udi'. "All the visible phenomena in the universe are as transient as the ash" taught Baba, so use discrimination (Ref. ESS, XXXIII). Baba used to give Udi to the devotees after the Arati and also at the time of departure. Udi has healing powers, during Baba's time it was used for scorpion sting, bubonic plague and the 'Jamner miracle,' just to mention a few. The power of the Udi is as potent as before, and is still curing the diseases and Karmic impediments. Devotees may apply this Udi daily and take it as Tirth which will eradicate their Karma, diseases, fulfil their wishes and help them in their spiritual path. Source - Adopted from Ambrosia In Shirdi by Dr.Vinny Chitluri, this book can be read at http://saileelas.org/books/ambrosiainshirdi1.htm and this book is a virtual guide on Shirdi with lots of rare photos on Baba

Sai Baba Sayings 777. Mrs. Tendulkar of Bandra daily heaped up garlands of bakul over Baba's picture in her house at Bandra for two months and then went to Shirdi. 78. Baba : Hallo, Kaka (H.S. Dixit) these two or three months I have not been at Shirdi at all. This mother has smothered me with bakul flower and I was quite dizzy, and unconscious of myself. Now I am slowly coming around. 79. Do you think of me, at meal ? Am I not present near you ? Do you give me a morsel ? 80. I am not at Shirdi, but in all. 81. He who thinks that (Sai) Baba is in Shirdi (alone) has totally failed to see (i.e., know) Baba. 82. Why do you (weep and) behave so madly. Am I not there (at Bombay) by your side? 83. He (Sai) who is at Shirdi now is also at Machandragad here. It is to teach you this I sent you here. (Manker) 84. I have just been to Kasi and had a bath. I was at Jejuri, Bagat. I was at Dhulia, did you not see me ? (to Upasani's son) When you heard my voice, why doubt? Boldted doors do not bar access to me. (Megha) Sai Babas Charters and Sayings From the book (The God and the Apostle) - By Pujyasri B.V.Narasimhaswamy Published by All India Sal SamaJ, Chennai.

Experiences, Saileela

"Granting Mukti (salvation) to Tiger" This incident took place in the year 1918. My father used to distinctly recollect this because that happened to be his last visit to Shirdi when Baba was alive. After this incident I think a week later Baba took Maha Samadhi. On that day, as usual Baba's Darbar in Dwarkamai was on and suddenly outside Dwarkamai there was a big commotion. All were anxious to know what was happening there. Four Darveshis (fakir) were carrying a full-grown Tiger who was tied up in chains; in a bullock cart. They had brought the bullock cart near the entrance of Dwarkamai and parked it. One of the Darveshis entered the Dwarkamai and pleaded to Mr. Madhavrao Deshpande (close devotee of Baba) stating that the Tiger is their source of income. They carry the Tiger from place to place and exhibit his show to people and the earnings are spent on their livelihood including that of the Tiger. But the Tiger had taken ill and while passing through Shirdi they had learnt that a great Saint SaiBaba is lived there. They also learnt that SaiBaba possessed miraculous powers and was able to cure living beings simply by his divine looks. They therefore, thought of showing the ailing Tiger to Baba provided the permission was granted to them. On checking with Baba, he granted the permission to bring the Tiger inside Dwarkamai. Darveshis took all precautions and brought the Tiger, who was walking slowly. He came close to the steps of the platform where Baba would normally be sitting. He looked at Baba and then put both his front paws forward and bent himself as though he was bowing and offering Namaskar to Baba and then suddenly gave a big roar. The sound of the roar was so loud and terrifying that it almost shook entire Dwarkamai. On giving that loud roar the Tiger fell flat on the ground and was motionless. The four Darveshi rushed forward to check the Tiger and they realized that it was dead. They declared to Baba that the Tiger was dead and now what should they do with its dead body. Baba advised them to bury the dead Tiger outside Lord Shiva's Temple near the statue of Nandi (bull). All the people of Shirdi had gathered to witness the burial ceremony of the dead Tiger. My father who had witnessed the entire episode live and in great detail felt that there was some kind of exchange between Baba and the Tiger and only after that the Tiger had passed away. My father waited for the right opportunity to enquire with him as to what exactly transpired between him and the Tiger. Baba then smiled and told my father "Hey Bhau that Tiger was in deep agony and he was requesting me to relieve him out of that agonizing pain as he could not bear it anymore. I felt pity on his miserable condition and hence I prayed to the Lord to grant him salvation. My Lord is very kind and he responded to my prayers and granted him salvation. That Tiger is free for ever from this cycle of birth and rebirth." My father was totally astonished to hear this explanation from Baba. My father told Baba that till then he had seen him showering blessings on human beings but for the first time he had witnessed him showering blessings on a wild animal like the Tiger. Of course this last visit to Shirdi was unprecedented for my father which I will narrate in the next chapter Source - LIVE EXPRIENCES OF THE TARKHAD FAMILY WITH SHRI SAI BABA OF SHIRDI BY VIRENDRA JYOTINDRA TARDHAD http://saileelas.org/books/jyotindra.doc Devotees may share Baba 's leela in their life in our "EXPERIENCES" section. Kindly email us the same. Continue reading Topic of Discussion

Question - Are PURANA events, Vishnu Loka real ? Answer - Baba's attitude to tradition can best be seen in his answers to the questions put on to him by Madhavrao alias Shama. Once Madhavrao asked Baba whether it was true that there were fifty crores of yadawas in Dwaraka as mentioned in the puranas. "Baba, Prof. Narke says that the account given by the puranas is false." But Baba replied "No, It is all true. Even Rama and Krishna did really exist." On another occasion Shama asked Baba, "Baba, is it true that one crore of vanara army assembled at the time of Rama's war against the demon king Ravana? How could so many assemble in one place?" Baba replied that it was true that so many of them had assembled and that he personally saw them gathering one above the other, as ants do. Shama said, "How could you witness what happened to long ago? If you were there then how were you?" Baba: Innumerable births went by for you and for me. You don't know but I do. I was as I am now." On yet another occasion Shama asked: "Are Vishnu and Brahma lokas real? If they are, you must show me those. For, they say that when compared with those worlds, this one of ours is trivial." Baba: "Don't worry about them; for when compared with God they are still more trivial. For those worlds are also of the same nature as our world (i.e., transient). Shama: But you must enable me to realize the truth of what you say! Then Baba asked him to close his eyes. Immediately on closing his eyes Shama could see those subtle other worlds. As he went on seeing them Baba proceeded to point out Brahma in the Brahmaloka and told him that it was Satyaloka. Next Baba showed him Vishnuloka and pointed out Vishnu seated therein, and Kailasa with Siva in it. Finally, Baba ended the vision and told Shama, "These realms of existence are not to be desired by us. What we want is different and still higher." (Source: Sai Baba the Master, by Pujya E Bharadwaja.) Continue reading

Children Section

"ONLY GOD KEEPS US GOING" One day I decided to quit... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. .. I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. "God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me... "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied. When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said. "In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. "I would not quit." He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. .. But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots.

Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle." He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots." "I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. " Don't compare yourself to others .." He said. " The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern ... Yet, they both make the forest beautiful." Your time will come, " God said to me. " You will rise high! " How high should I rise?" I asked. How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return. "As high as it can? " I questioned. " Yes. " He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can. " Continue reading

Priest Section

Madhyahna

Aarathi

Shri Satchitaanand Sadguru Sainaath Maharaaj ki Jai Let us Hail! Shri Sachchidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj! 1. ABHANG Aarti with Five-Wick Lamp - Composed by :: Shri Krishna Jogiswar Bhishma Ghewuniya panchaarati, karoo Babansi aarati Karoo Sai see aarati Karoo Babansi arati. Holding the five-wick lamp, I do Baba's Aarti. Sai's Aarti. I do Baba's Aarti. Utta utta ho bandhawa. Owaaloo ha Ramadhava. Sayee Ramadhava. Owaloo ha Ramadhava. Rise! Rise! Oh my brethren. Let us do Aarti for Ramadhava (Consort of Ram the incarnation of Lord Vishnu). Sai Ramadhava. I do Arati for Ramadhava. Karooniya sthira man, pahu gambhirira he dhyan Sayeeche he dhyan pahu gambhirira he dhyan Concentrating the mind, let us have a glimpse of the meditative figure, Sai's meditative figure. Let us have a glimpse of the meditative figure. Krishnanatha Datt Sai jado chitta tujze payee Chitta Baba paayee Jado chitta tuzhe paayee Krishna-Natha says oh, Datta (for Lord Dattatreya) Sai! Enjoin our minds to your feet. Lord, to your feet draw our minds. Enjoin our minds to your feet.

News and Events

Monthly Events Shri Sai Satya Vrat Every second Saturday - 10 am

Satyanarayan Vrat Every Poornami - 9 am Weekly Event Bal Gokulam Every Saturday after Madhyahana Aarti Mahaprasad/Annadanam every Thursday evening Daily Event All 4 aarti and Baba Abhishekam takes place in the temple daily 7 days a week, 365 days an year at the following timings Temple Timings WeekDays 8.30AM To 12.30PM, 6PM To 9PM Thursdays 8AM To 9PM Weekends 8AM To 9PM ARATHI TIMINGS -EVERYDAY 8:30 am - Kakad Arati 9:00 - 9:40 am - Baba Abhishekam/Archana 12:00 pm - Madhyana Arati 6:30 pm - Dhoop Arati 8:30 pm - Shej Arati From Nov 1st 2009 (winter daylight saving time begins), Dhoop Aarti and Sheja time is slightly different 5:30 pm - Dhoop Aarti (all days except Thursday Dhoop Aarti 6:30pm) 7:30 pm - Shej Aarti (all days except Thursday Sheja Aarti 8:30pm) All Arathi lasts for about 15 to 25 minutes approximately.

SHIV ABHISHEKAM Monday 6.00PM

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, 144 South 4th Street, Montebello, CA-90640, USA.