The village merchants conspired together to deny the oil that Baba used to get everyday. Baba used this oil to lit lamps in the Masjid. Unperturbed, Sai Baba swallowed some water, spit it back into the container and used it to lit the lamps and the lamps burnt whole night. What a wonderful sight that should have been! It is a miracle that could be performed only by a soul that controlled all elements. What does Baba signify by this incident? Is this just another miracle for His followers to marvel at? While we are awestruck at this miracle of Sainath, we should also notice the perseverance and dedication of Sai Baba in carrying out His tasks without giving up. Instead of walking away from the merchants that denied oil, Baba chose to use the incident to set an example for how dedicated one should be in carrying out their duties. The ritual of lighting lamps signifies the entrance of the light of wisdom in our lives to drive away the darkness of ignorance. Baba, like a dedicated warrior fighting ignorance stuck to His duty of lighting the lamp of wisdom in our lives. Let us remind ourselves of our duties and let the example of Sainath's dedication be our guidance and inspiration.
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Contributed Article: Sri Sai Arati - A Sail from the I-land

To the majority worship in a congregational setting is helpful in more than one way. In a communal prayer devotees can pray in a space charged with the homogeneous devotional fervor of a group. While singing devotional songs in unison, beating time to a rhythm, a devotee can cut across the cussed insulations of the ego and merge easily into the group rhythm. It induces a sense of expanded consciousness in which one tends to lose the individual 'voice'. The sense of being 'apart from the world' is subtly replaced by an awareness of being a part of a 'Whole'. And what is more, wrapped up by the warm emotional fervor of the group, one's enisled iceberg of the sense of separate identity melts into the mainstream of collective consciousness. Besides, the involvement of intense visual (such as an aesthetically decorated idol), acoustic (such as group singing in accompaniment of gongs, cymbals and bells) and, olfactory (such as aromatic incense, fragrance from flowers, etc.) stimuli in the performance of arati, redounds in inducing a kind of airy and rhapsodic ecstasy in the hearts of the participants.

Prolonged singing of psalms in arati is not a mere breath consuming vocal performance. If grasped properly, it is indeed a breathtaking technique of pranayama. While offering pancharart, for instance, the devotee sings, "With the fire of devotion glowing in our hearts, we offer Kakad arati Burning our five vital forces and the sense of ego as wicks in the arati lamp, we offer arati, etc. No doubt the concept is inspiringly profound. But, how to make the five pranas (vital forces) and the ego as offering? The use of such symbolic jargon, like pranas pancha tattwas, etc. presupposes a minimum knowledge of the esoteric terminology for a meaningful performance of arati. If that is so, how can the rituals such as arati be reckoned as simple spiritual methods meant for the practice of the common masses? How could the great masters of the School of Mystic Devotion the laity ? The above quoted arati-song, for instance, was composed by no less a master than Sant Tukaram who minded much for the many. A clue to this question can be found in the tenets of the Vedic Tradition itself. The practice of Vedic recitation (swadhyaya) was conceived as a kind of oblation of speech to the internal vital fire (pranagnihotra). Respiration itself is conceived as an unceasing oblation. Kausatiki Brahmana Upanishad (II-5) Says for instance, "The Inner Agnihotra. . . so it is called. As long, verily, as a person is speaking, he is not able to breathe. Then he is sacrificing breath in speech. As long, verily, as a person is breathing, he is not able to speak. Then he is sacrificing speech in breath. These two are unending immortal oblations; whether waking or sleeping, one is sacrificing continuously, uninterruptedly."
(Contributed by Source: "Arati Saibaba" by Sri Sainathuni Sarathbabuji)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Sai Devotee
It gives me immense pleasure to share my experience with you all. I have been a Baba devotee for many years now and time and again Baba has blessed me and done numerous miracles and this is one of them.

I live in California and there are two Baba temples near my house. In April this year, I thought about offering Baba clothes for those two idols. I called my Mom in India and told her to get those robes stitched according to measurements. As my sister's in laws were visiting U.S, I thought they can carry the clothes with them. I was working as Contractor in a big company here and I was very tensed as to whether my contract with them would be renewed or not and the economy was also not doing well. My sister's in laws were supposed to visit US, so I asked then whether they could get the clothes for Baba, they arrived in US in end of May and got the clothes that my mom had sent. I offered clothes to Baba on my husband's birthday in one of the temples near my house but I could not offer clothes in the other temple as there was huge wait list to offer clothes on Thursday, so I happen to get a date on August 7th, a Thursday. I was not happy with the delay as I was telling Baba that why do you want me to wait for two more months, but then I realized in my heart that Baba had a plan, may he was going to do a miracle in the mean time. I would often pray to Baba to get me a good job. In end of June, my employer told me that my contract would not be renewed and it would end on July 31st. I was so tensed because I had just one more month to look for a job. In my conversations with Baba I realized that Baba had a plan with him and that he wanted to wait have patience and I often said in mind that Baba please do a miracle for me.

Sheetal
Buying a house was always there in our minds. But it never happaned when we were in the position to organise the resources. But two months back we just started the process suddenly after seeing an ad in the newspaper. The price was much higher than what we had hoped. The last two months were very taxing, arranging funds and negotiating with the bank. We kept praying to Baba to make it happen inspite of all the hurddles. Finally all is done with Baba's blessing. Keep having faith and pray to Baba, all problems you can sail through.... Koti pranams to Baba!
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Devotees say...

R.V.Subrahmanyam
Dear Baba, Thanks, when ever I am in crisis when ever I am asking you some thing, you are pulling me out of that crisis and you are giving me what I am asking. This is really surprising, why you are doing it for me? I haven't did anything to you. As usual I need your help, please help me in getting and fulfilling my desire of doing the products. Thanks a lot for giving me the promotion and increment, as I told you let me have contentment in my life first next what ever you say I do that. Let me have moral encouragement from all.

Shishya
BABA please forgive me if i do any wrong in my daily works and Daily life. May be I have done mistakes with known or unknown mind, I Request you that please forgive me and give back what I have lossed. Solve this problem without any tension and risk and give good concentration, knowledge.daring, power, health and energy. Remove all bad things, thoughts, qualities from my body and mind keep allways with fresh of mind and happiness.Give a good eduacation,career, position and money to help others also through me. Dont make me do wrong things again. I want to be always right and perfect. Please resolve all problems and give chance to start again new with new day and life. I am always with you please dont leave me. Thank you Very much..

Devotee
I have married in Aug 13,2006. Since after my marriage my mother in law has treated me badly. My husband never supported me anything. He only supports his father and mother always. He listens to them whatever they say and keeps quiet with me. My mother in law gave lots of problem to me and my family. Within 7 months they send me to my mother's place and never called me back. I am girl who never give back answer, neither scold or do the argument. I am just a silent girl. I never fought with anyone in my life. Now they have decided to give me divorce. They don't want me back. So we decided to go for mutual understanding instead of putting case. Now it is pending since long time. Plz sai baba help me out of this. I was doing bakthi of Sai baba lot. I was doing vratha-by reading book of sai baba every thursay (i.e by reading 52 chapters within 7 days). I live with my mother now. Daddy has expired in 2004. So I take care of her. I am facing a lot of problem. Kindly help me out of this.

My mother is suffering from joint pains. I have showed to many big doctors, all are saying that bones are melting due to calcium low. It can not be cured. All her fingers bones are melting. I have also done ayurvedic medicine, but it did not work. She is always tensed about my future. Sai baba please help. She is a great bhaktha of sai baba. Kindy suggest what she has to do to cure the desease.

Devotee
Today I am feeling free from all my thoughts and have totally surrendered to Baba, I have faith and patience and am sure Baba will take care of me with utmost love. Thank you for everything Baba, I love you

Devotee
Baba, please, help me surrender to You and let this surrender be complete and absolute and with love, without any hesitation and without any prejudice. Let there be a ring of positivity around me at every instant in everything I do or don't with my five tatvas, five indriyas. Let my every act be guided by you My Master, and your love and grace be infused in everything I do at any time, in any space, in any part of this existence or any other existence, if any. Rather you do everything and let there be oneness all over, and let there be no second.
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Prayer Club:

Savithri
I once again request all Sai devotees in the prayer club to pray for mother and sister who were not treated properly by my brother's wife. She is completely going beyond her limits and not bothered about anything and she is thinking we all are burden to her and even we all were treated by the same way my mother and sister were treated. Give our brother's wife a good heart and bless her kindness towards our mother and sister at least.

Devotee
Dear Sai baba, Please fix my current health problem. Thanks

Sai devotee
I want to humbly ask devotees to pray for me, firstly I want them to pray for my exams when myself and my husband write next week, we are writing very difficult papers and we are trying our level best to complete out studies as swami no the reasons for that. Secondly I ask for your prayer that me and my husband find a flat with swamis blessings and help us have a peace of mind in our lives. We pray to swami for him to help us graciously. And I pray that my husband also don't change his mind about getting our flat.

Devotee
Baba, I am very sorry to bother you . I am a total loser. Please keep me out of trouble. I will never do this again. promise. I am going to remove all of it. please let them forgive me. please do not let any trouble come to me. I am suffering because she actually liked me and I destroyed it. I guess I deserve this suffering. I request that I come back. I am suffering. Please always look after our extended family. I will not give you any more trouble. I just want to come back.

Sai Devotee
Humble prostrations to you oh Kind Sai. Please make our neighbour David get well soon. He's in the hospital in the intensive care. Please make his heart respond to the medications and no operation should be needed. They are very good neighbours, so please shower your blessings on them and take them out of this difficult situation. Kindly bless my family and all Sai Devotees.

Sai Devotee
Dear Baba, As you know, I am going through one of the most difficult periods of my life. I pray to you to pardon me for all the mistakes I have made in my life and give me an opportunity to redeem myself. All my life, You have always protected me and its only with Your blessings that I have survived so far. I pray to you to help me and my family and give me good job soon, so that I can start afresh in my life. I pray to you to pardon me for all the sins I have done. I hope and pray that you will pardon me and answer all my prayers and give me a chance to redeem myself. I am eternally thankful to you for all that you have done for me, for showing me light in darkness and always protecting me and I am very indebted. I trust that You will Bless me and come to my rescue.
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Quotation of the Week:

"Sai Baba is always full of mercy. What is wanted on our part is whole-hearted devotion to Him. When a devotee has got firm faith and devotion, his wishes are soon fulfilled"-Sri Sai Satcharitha
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Question of the Week:

What is the significance of chapter 15 of Sri Sai Satcharitha?
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Sai Activities:

Navarathri and Punyatithi Celebrations in Chicago - Oct 7th to Oct 9th
Shirdi Sai Temple Chicago will celebrate Navarathri from Sep 29th and Dasherrah and punyatithi celebrations from Oct 7th to Oct 9th. For event details please visit www.saibaba.us and follow the links to the event page. Please send email to maildrop@saibaba.org for more information or call the temple line at 847-931-4058 for sponsorship and volunteer details.

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 maildrop@nessp.org.

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 saibandhu@yahoo.com. 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 7674 Sawmill Rd, Dublin, OH 43016. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday bhajans. For more information please call Panditjee at 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
Shirdi Sai Mandir Toronto is open from 7am to 9pm for darshan. Extended hours on thursdays and saturdays. For more information, program schedule or directions please call 647-444-4724
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