Feature of the Week: Sai-Baba of Shirdi and Humility

A well-known passage in Sri Satcharitha refers to the Saint referring Himself to human excreta! Is there any other way a realized soul can express His humility? Can it be a reflection of His disgust? Dispassion? It is His wisdom! Sai Baba has His peculiar ways of expressing Himself. They are indirect yet piercing, graphic yet subtle. Followers having faith in His predisposition still experience His characteristic miracles in their lives everyday.

Sadguru Sainath lived His entire physical life by begging food and living off of a dilapidated building reverentially referring it to masjid or mosque (place of worship for people of Islamic faith) or dwarakamayi (referring to the place of Lord Krishna revered by Hindus). We have no account of Sainath having accrued any form of material wealth. Every penny that was offered to Him throughout the day was distributed to others by the end of the day. He often said that poverty is more precious than kingship. Acharya E. Bharadwaja, one of the most blessed devotees of Sadguru Sainath wrote about Baba’s estate as follows.. "Everything is God’s creation, and God’s own. Yet, He possesses nothing and covets nothing. On the other hand he lavishes all that is His on His creatures, although only a few can receive what He gives. Others have eyes but do not see; they have ears but do not hear; they have understanding but do not consider. The greatness of a saint or prophet depends on how near he is to this aspect of God. And such God-men arise amidst us only to tell us to be perfect, even as the Father in heaven is perfect".
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Devotees Say

Srividya
This is regarding the breathlessness reported by Sai Kiran in Sai Vichar mail. I want to tell Sai Kiran, that there are many reasons for breathlessness. Most of the times it is because of allergies. No one but the person himself can tell what one is allergic to. This requires careful thinking and you need to take notice of what you eat (cereals, oils), what you use (scents, powders), pollution etc., One strange reason why one can have breathlessness is because of gas problem or Flatulence. Try changing what you eat, if you have gastric trouble. The best solution for flatulence or gas problem is to chew food well, before swallowing. Whatever be the reason, Yoga can really help improve your breathing. All Yoga asanas lay emphasis on the breathing pattern. It will do you well if you do Yoga and Pranayama. Hope this helps you. Jai Sai Ram.

A Sai devotee
I am a subscriber of Saivichaar for the last 3 months and have found it very interesting. I want to know as to where I can get a copy of Saiamritvani about which there have been a reference to many times here. I have come to Chicago in October and would like to know if there are any bhajans conducted here every week in and around the Schaumburg area. Please keep up the sincere and the good effort, the magazine is really very satisfying to a Sai devotee.

Srinivas Sharma
I wish to put forth my Opinion about the question. Who were Sai Baba's parents? I went to the site but was confused, as to where I am supposed to address the issue. Please let me know the area where I am supposed to write my opinions on this question.

Anitha Kandukuri, Australia
Sir I have read this week’s Sai Vichaar, and would like to 1. Firstly congratulate SaiVichaar organizers for the marvelous job in spreading Sai philosophy. Thank you very much for enlightening us about SAI BABA life and teachings. 2. Would like to address Sai Kiran's anxiety regarding his ill health. As you say that you were born by his holy grace you should not be having any anxiety about your health. I believe that BABA puts his devotees to test, and if you hold fast to his name and have blind faith in HIM then you would not have to worry, you are his special child and enlisted in his darbar so he will take care of you. In fact, He has to do that because you are his child. Baba loved Mahalsapathy, the priest, and also spent nights sleeping together in the masjid. Mahalsapathy was poor materialistically and BABA never gave him money and did not allow him to take money from anyone. Still Mahalsapathy was rich, he had Baba’s company and Baba saw that he never went hungry. So Faith moves mountains and this I tell you with personal experience. 3. As a Sai believer I am not interested in who Baba's parents are. Who ever they are they are blessed and fortunate to be called as parents by Baba. I am mostly interested in what and how my life has changed since I have accepted Baba as my god and guide. I have experienced many unexplained incidents and felt his presence and know for sure in my heart, that Sai Baba is taking care of me and my family. I have a great craving to read many books written by different authors and their experiences, though each one has described Baba’s birth differently. As a reader and believer I am not disturbed and in fact I am as excited as reading any thrillers or fiction written by famous authors guessing what has happened next. I do love to read many more books, which fascinate me to read new life events of Baba, and this develops unshakeable faith and firm belief that He will look after me. I humbly request you - Sai Vichaar, to give us articles and books by various authors online. I pray to Baba to listen to the prayers of his children and to remove the anxiety, illhealth and fulfil the wishes and develop firm faith in him and know that HE IS ANTARYAMI. Baba please bless us with your boon bestowing hand on our heads.

Joyananda
The Peace of God is infinite and all prevailing. My mom was in the hospital almost half of last year. A cancerous tumor was removed from her colon and complications arose so she was in ICU three times during her stay. It didn't matter. God is present no matter what the situation looks like. God worked so many miracles through so many people during her illness and recovery. She spent three months with me and just returned home to see her doctors. She rode home with a friend of mine who commented that mom has really changed. This is the healing! My mom thinks about death differently and most important at this moment she thinks about living differently. Halfway through her stay with me she cried out that she wanted to change and understand more. This is exactly what is occurring. Bless her! Bless all of you for holding the intention that we are getting better and that in this dream we perhaps have a chance to awaken. God Bless SaiBaba for all of the wonderful energy that he touches us with. Thank you God! In Love, Light, Joy and many blessings.

Arun Talpade, Mumbai, India
Regarding Mrs Veena Gupta's experiences in the Sai Vichaar dated 16th Feb, I would be grateful to have the complete address of the Saibaba Temple at Mylapur Chennai, wherefrom she bought the 4 books of Shri Narasimha Swamiji Maharaj. I have tried several times to get these books from Mylapur but have so far failed in the attempt. I also feel that the Sansthan should attempt to collect rights of several such books, which were written by persons who either knew Sai Baba very intimately or have researched his Life. Devotees would love to read them. These books of different point of views and aspects would also fill in the gaps in His Life stories, which would help in the readers' meditations. And since these books would be older than 50 years, the question of rights would seldom arise unless the authors' heirs were living.
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Prayer Club

Patricia Torres
I would ask the SAI family for its prayers for Juan Carlos Torres' heath, is quick recovery in his next chemotherapy treatment. Juan Carlos Torres is my father. Thank you very much.

Shiva and family, Malaysia
Dear brothers and sisters please pray for us to overcome our financial difficulties and debts as we are suffering. With Baba's grace let us overcome this situation and Baba's grace to be with us always.

Akila Ramarathinam, Sydney, Australia
Om Sri Sai Ram. We are devotees of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba. We live in Sydney, Australia. Our 5-year-old daughter Santoshi is suffering from "Developmental Disability" and is not able to talk. We have been giving her all sorts of treatment and speech therapy for over two years, Santoshi says only one or two meaningful words. We read Sri Sai Satcharita several times and completed within 7 days. we request all the devotees to pray Sri Sai Baba to give Santoshi the "Gift of Speech" and complete recovery from her Developmental Disability.
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Sai Activities

Sai Samsthan USA
Ugadi/Gudipadava Celebrations. April 5, 2000 at Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir, 27W321, Butterfield road, Warrenville, IL - 60555 (On Southside between Herrick & Winfield)
Phone Number: 630-653-4444. (Internet: http://www.saisamsthanusa.org)

The Ugadi/Gudipadava program is as follows:
6:00 PM - Dhoop Aarti
6:30 PM - Samoohika Sai Satya Vratam
8:30 PM - Bhajans & Kirtans
9:00PM - Shej Aarti
9:30PM - Mahaprasad

For more information Contact:
Umapathi Cattamanchi - 708-448-3016
Nagabhushanam Koneru - 847-304-0641
Ananth Sonti - 630-790-3800
Chandini Patel - 773-338-3426
Jitendra Shelke - 773-465-5605
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Devotee's Experience

MRK, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Nanasaheb Chandorker is a well-known name to Shirdi Sai Maharaj's devotees. Sri B.V.Narasimha Swamiji met his eldest daughter Meenatai Ganesh Kuvalkar and recorded her statement on June 1936 at Poona. The following is what pujya Narasimha swamiji mentions about that interview. Sai Baba mentioned to Shyama-Madhavarao Deshpande the following, "I will fulfil all the desires of devotees who with love repeat my name. I will increase their bhakti. I will protect them from all directions. Those devotees, who with full heart and surrender depend entirely on me, they will be happy to hear my devotees’ experiences. I will bestow endless happiness and permanent contentment to those who sing my glory. Believe me. My main purpose is to make devotees escape all shackles of sansara if they completely surrender to me, perform puja with bhakthi and sraddha, always think of me and keep my idol always in their mind. Every devotee of Sai must repeat these words and attain liberation.

Meenatai, eldest daughter of Nana used to visit Baba from 1899-1900. She was then 12-13 years old. She continued to visit Baba till 1918. One Chidambararao Gadgil Chitnis introduced Nana to Baba. In those days Nana's family used to stay in Chavidi. All the family except Nana wanted to leave Shirdi. Baba's powerful eyes so captivated them, that they could not leave the place. In 1900, Nana wanted to go to see collector. Baba permitted his assistant Haridas to leave, but did not permit Nana to leave. After thirty minutes, Nana had his lunch and with Baba's permission left the place. The train was late and Nana could easily catch the train. Baba knew this and desired his devotee to have lunch leisurely and directed him like wise. When Baba was the dictator to the universe, will he not know such a small event? At another time, Meenatai and her relatives had to go from Shirdi for attending a relative's marriage. Baba refused permission for them to leave. Without heeding to Baba's words, they left but the train derailed and were kept at the place of derailment for three hours. Then they realized the effect of Baba's words. In 1904 Meenatai's husband passed away. She was pregnant at that time. When she was to deliver at Jamner, Baba's vibhuti arrived and saved her from the most difficult delivery.

In 1908, Nana’s Bapurao used to go to Shirdi from Pandharpur where Nana was working and do puja to Baba. This is the first puja to Baba and from then only puja was being performed. Baba only permitted Bapurao. In 1906, somebody left eyeglasses before Baba and left. Somebody said it was given to Baba. Baba said that he does not need glasses, and his glasses are worth forty rupees. Nana explained Baba's word to mean that glasses mean self-realization and that was obtained forty years ago. All but only devotees like Nana did not understand baba’s words. Mainatai stated to BVN Swamiji that both in 1900 and 1918, Baba appeared to be aged fifty years only. From Nana, his eldest daughter Meenatai learnt the following: -1. Baba knew Nana for last four lives. 2. Baba very frequently used to utter the word Narayana. He used to say Narayana dhobi, and Narayana Theli. Having continuously heard Narayana from Baba, Nana felt that Baba was a Brahmin sanyasi. 3.Baba knew Sanskrit and He knew by heart Geeta-Bhagavadgeetha.
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