Once Sai Baba performed a miracle before which all other supernatural powers pale into insignificance. This was to revive the dead. The daughter of the maternal aunt of Vasudeo Sitaram Ratanjanakar, who had come to Shirdi, had this experience. Tuberculosis had developed out of low fever the daughter was getting. As treatment of doctors had proved ineffective, she was being given only udi of Sai Baba as medicine. She also began saying that unless she had the darshan of Sai Baba, she would not get well. Though the girl’s condition wad delicate , Ratanjanakar brought her to Shirdi and took her for Sai Baba’s darshan. Baba let off a volley of abuses and said, "Let her lie on the kambal (coarse blanket) and keep her on water." Accordingly, she was given only water for seven days and on the eighth day the girl died in the morning when it was time for Sai Baba to wake up. That morning Sai Baba was in chavadi but he did not get up at the usual time. It was eight 0’clock and yet Sai Baba was asleep! It was the first time in the history of Shirdi for Sai Baba to wake up so late. People began attending to the arrangements for the funeral of the girl. The girl’s mother and Ratananjanakar’s mother were weeping and other devotees were trying to pacify them. Just then the girl made some movement, yawned and looked around bewildered. All were gladdened on seeing this. Then the girl narrated the following account: A black man was forcibly taking her away when she called out to Sai Baba. Immediately Sai Baba belabored the man with his staff, rescued her and took her to chavadi. The girl had not seen chavadi but she described it vividly. While all this was happening in Dikshitwada where Ratananjanakars were staying, people were discussing animatedly why Sai Baba was still asleep. Suddenly, Sai Baba got up in Chavadi, shouting loudly, and striking his staff on the ground, ran in the direction of Dikshitwada. There was excitement all around, and the hearts of the bhakthas (devotees) were filled with joy and wonder at the miracle Sai Baba performed in this mortal world.

( From Shri Sai Baba by Swami Sai Sharan Anand, translated into English by V.B. Kher)
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Experiences of Devotees

MRK, Phoenix, AZ, USA
In first part of Shri Sai devotees experiences. Sri B.V.Narasimha Swamy's book, he discussed Chinnakistna Rajasaheb Bahadur B.A.LLb. Here are some extracts: On 11th June 1936, he spoke of Baba. He said that he is seeing Shri Sai Baba as the Creator, Protector, and Destroyer. Before his samadhi in 1918 and later, he is looking to him this way. As far as he is concerned, Baba did not go anywhere. Even now, He is here. There are no limits to him. When he was with us, he was with a physical body. Even now, that experience of his physical body is being felt. I think of him as a spiritual entity. In Baba, both the saguna and nirguna aspects are embedded. After Baba's samadhi, he remains with us as nirguna swarupa.

Chinnakistna was close and with Radhakrishna ayee, and along with her, he used to get rotis from Baba. Ayee was a singer and she used to sing, playing sitar. Baba used to sing with his sweet voice and used to dance also. Kistna and Ayee thought that doing Japam was good and started doing Japam (recital/meditation). Once Baba sent for Kistna when they were doing japam. Baba asked him what he was doing. He said that they were doing japam. Baba asked him-JAPAM ABOUT WHOM. He replied, you know. Then Baba said, "do that, that is good". Japa is the best step for mukthi (deliverance). Baba used to say that nothing is unattainable with love. Love is the best bridge to reach God. This method of japam with love is the best way to reach him.

Devotees used to bring books and offer to Sai Maharaj and take back books given by Him. Sometimes Baba used to exchange books. Thus Baba used to make the devotees read all books and not to stick to only one book. Baba looked at Chinnakistna and said-These devotees seems to believe that Brahma is locked up in these books. You do not do this. Always you do my smaran only. Chinna did not do any dharmic acts but his problems used to be solved. But Chinna used to suffer that he could not do service like other devotees. In 1912 Chinna wanted to visit Baba for gurupurnima. When he reached Manmad, he saw huge garlands in the hands of numerous devotees . Chinna felt very depressed for his not bringing any garlands to his sadguru, who is the ultimate to him. Baba lifted up all the garlands and said that all of them are his (Chinna’s). Chinna felt immersed in joy for the great kindness, and love bestowed on him by Baba

Raj Dasaee, Florida, USA
I am devotee of Sri Sai and my wife is great devotee of Sri Saibaba. I own convenience store in Orlando, Florida. One night at 10pm, I was at my store and my manager was in cooler. We were to close our store at 10pm but two customers have requested me to give them some food from my deli and I did give them pizza and they sat down in my restaurant area at back of my store. After few minutes, one guy came on bike and asked me for something, I have requested him to come in, but he left without buying anything. Within one minute two guys with bandanna on their face rushed in carrying guns and immediately shot me in my leg. I fell on floor and was bleeding very heavily. One of the robbers put his gun on my head and asked for the keys to the safe. I was constantly praying to Sri Sai Baba and I was requesting that robber not to shoot me on my head. At that moment two customers sitting in my restaurant came out and my manager came out from the cooler. Both robbers thought that I was alone but they got nervous to see three people and they both ran away without taking anything. All this time, I was constantly praying Sri Sai Baba. I was sure, my prayer was answered because of my wife's full faith in Sri Saibaba. Those two customers that came at 10pm was very unusual because they came walking from the neighborhood. They were sent by Sri Sai Baba to protect me. This is one of the example, how Sri Sai Baba is taking care of his devotee like me, if we pray to him with sincerity and full faith.

Jayashree Sunkara
I want to share the miracle of Saibaba with all. A few weeks ago, I met with a car accident. A sixteen-wheeler came and banged into me while I was taking a right turn. Nothing happened to me, my car got just minor dents and taillight was broken When the police came they first saw the car and asked if I was fine and then since there was not much so they said that there is no need for a report, but then the Truck driver said that he could not go as his truck would not move and we all were surprised as how a small car could damage that big sized truck. We then noticed that the front bumper of the truck was totally bent and had gone in and that blocked the tires from moving. The police officer was so surprised that he again went to see the car if it was damaged more than he thought. So, it was nothing but Baba's miracle that nothing happened to me or to the car. I am very thankful to Baba for helping me and guiding me at all times. I take this opportunity to thank Baba and also want to ask Him to help my husband finish his contract soon in India and to come here in US as soon as possible.
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Devotees say...

Vrinda Kumar, Sydney, Australia
I was just wondering what controversial discussions like one by S.V. Sankaran, Chennai, India, regarding 'chanting of mantras by women' Doing in a forum meant for propagating Sai Baba's teachings. On the other hand, The write up about 'orthodoxy and Baba' by Havovi Medora was so correct. More and more devotees should understand this and concentrate more on the deeper meaning of Baba's teachings and develop a wider outlook in life. This is more important than following mere rituals and ceremonies. All he ever wants is Shradha and Saburi . Have complete faith in Him and He will lead you securely all the way. The lesser the restrictions the easier it is to follow His path. I fail to comprehend why there are still so many restrictions on women regarding religion. The features in last two issues were good too. Do keep up the good work. We really look forward to the newsletter every week. May Sai shower his blessings on everyone.

Vasanthi, Chennai, India
I have a question to ask, how important is adherence to religious festivals? Should one follow every festival as the custom or culture dictates or is it enough if one pays obeisance to god on such days as every other day? When I see people celebrating festivals month after month with amazing passion, I am filled with guilt as I don’t feel inclined to do the same. I rather pray to god, light the lamp, offer a simple offering of fruit and think of him

Bhima and Mary
To the Sad devotee, Sai Ram. I am writing to you to share with you that I have been totally"broken" also. Who was there to lift me up? Sai Baba working through others, and myself who were showing me love, a drug addict, alcoholic, and convicted felon. I have always thought of myself as a Black Sheep, a leper, unworthy of his attention or love. But let me tell you friend that you are not alone. My wife is disabled, and I have been diagnosed with Hepatitis-C. We must live very remotely and this makes for many difficulties, and yet we feel very close to Baba's love, and that is the blessing. Both or us have experienced hitting bottom. Hitting bottom is the first step towards a new beginning, With Sai Baba as the General Contractor to guide and direct you towards the goal, you can not fail. But it will take some Faith and work. We are never given more Karma than we can handle in any one birth (thankfully). God does not punish he correct, It's our very own actions, or inaction that cause Correction (punishment), we can be fortunate enough to earn his grace and go through the Karma/Correction, and yet feel little pain. Remember not to view the giant boulders as immovable objects in your pathway, but rather Stepping Stones to Victory. Our prayers are with you.

Ravin Gnanasambandam, Ithaca, NY, USA
It was interesting to see the explanation given by Sri S.V. Sankaran from Chennai, regarding prayers by women. If recitals and rituals is the only important aspect of devotion, I wonder what would be the fate of deaf, dumb, and physically challenged. Are they in any way less blessed? The humblest of the humble and the most merciful, Sainath would not even drive out poor animals hovering around the premises of Chavadi. How would Sainath of Shirdi impose any such restrictions? During situations where there are such paradoxes, thanks to the religions, the best way for an aspirant would be to follow the instructions laid down by Sadguru. Yet another pointer highlighting the virtues of total surrender. I have always enjoyed writings from Kishore Asthana, Muscat, Oman. Kishor ji, where are you? Bow to Sri Sai Peace be to all.
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Sai Activities

Shanthi Yajna, Pickering, Ontario, Canada
The Annual Shanthi (Peace) Yajna will be held in Canada at Satyanarayana Mandir, Pickering, Ontario, Canada, on October 9, 1999. Please contact Sri Shirdi Sai Baba temple, Pittsburgh, PA at (412) 373-9244, for more details. The calendar of events at Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Pittsburgh from October 1 to October 15 includes the following:
October 2, 1999, 9.00 AM - Birthday Celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi
October 7, 1999, 10.00 AM - Masa Sivarathri
October 10, 1999, Sarat Navaratri Begins. Commencement of the 8th Anniversary Celebrations of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Pittsburgh, PA. The temple is located at 1449&1551 Abers Creek Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15146.
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Question of the Week

Reena Tailor
"Does God punish?" I feel that God has his own way of making us realize where we have gone wrong in our lives. I feel god does this by causing us to fight, for example, if we have been disrespectful to someone, or you have done wrong in your life or hurt someone, that hurt will eventually come back to you. I think this is Gods way of making us realize what we have done wrong, and making us better people by giving us these grief which we see as being punishment.

A Sai devotee
Yes god is always in a punishing mood. Throughout our lives we keep thinking to our selves for what reason God has punished us ? What is our sin? We are made to understand that we had sinned in our past lives and that is why we are being punished. It is so ridiculous that we are being punished for sins that we don't remember.

A Sai devotee, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Jai Sai Ram! This is a very difficult question and I pray for Sai's guidance in trying to share what comes to me from the readings of Shri Sai Satcharita. Let us get back to basics, as taught by Sai: God pervades everything and hence whatever He bestows on us is for our good. The virtues of God (Sai) are Forgiveness, Calmness, Love, Charity, Benevolence, Desirelessness, Egolessness and Control of mind and body not punishment.
Baba's advice (Chapter III ) was that "Nothing will harm him who turns his attention towards Me, but Maya will lash or whip him who forgets Me". In Chapter IX, how Tatya Kote Patil and an European gentleman who disobeyed Sai's advice to delay their departure from Shirdi, suffered through accidents are given.

Baba told Dr. Pillai (Chapter XXXIV ) who was suffering from guinea-worms, that we all have to suffer and get over the result of our past actions or karma, which is the cause of our happiness and sorrow. Similarly, the moral from Chapter XLVII is that one has to reap what one sows, and there is no escape unless one suffers and squares up one's old debts and dealings with others. Sai says that if we put up with whatever comes to us and surrender completely to God (Sai or Allah), He will take care of us. Mr. Pundalikrao confesses his guilt of breaking and consuming a coconut offered by Shri Tembye Swami to Sai and asks for Baba's pardon (Chapter L). Baba told the devotee that he should not take the responsibility of the actions on him and that he should not entertain the sense of doership in doing either good or bad deeds and should be entirely egoless in all things in order to attain spiritual progress. Based on above, as difficult it is, we need to realize that the body is not the soul and that God, the world and Jiva are all one. So, barring our name and our form, there exists in all of us as well as in allbeings, a sense of Being or Consciousness of Existence - That is Sai Himself. If we can succeed in doing that then we will be able to detach our physical form and name from this Maya and attain Self-realization. Then whatever (good or bad) happens, we will be able to view them as the actions of Sai's. That understanding and attitude will enable us realize that God does not punish anyone and all our experiences are only His Blessings.

Vishal, Toronto, Canada
"Does God Punish?" Yes. I have no doubt in my mind that God does punish whoever act against the thoughts and will of him. God sees everything and knows everything. The punishment by god can only be avoided by following guru's direction which are to lead us in right direction. If one was to do the opposite of what god requires us to do, then he/she is most certainly punished. However, if one acknowledge his mistake and do prayaschith (repentance) by not doing the same thing next time, I believe god does forgive him/her.
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Prayer Club

Desigan Pillay, Zambia
Please include my prayer. My name is Desigan Pillay, I am currently in the final year of my schooling career, and I would humbly appreciate if you say a prayer that I obtain excellent results and that everything goes well for me. My Sai bless us all.
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