Sai Baba was a great saint who lived in Shirdi, Maharashtra, India from the year 1854 until 1918 when he entered Mahasamadhi. Sai Baba never preached nor did he deliver any sermons. Neither has Sai Baba any philosophical compositions to his credit. Hence he was not theoretically a philosopher as were Kapila and Sankara or Kaul and Hegel or Whithead and Russell. And yet his way of life has influenced far many people than have a thousand books of armchair philosophers. Baba had no needs and no desire for anything material. If he was living, it was for not himself, but wholly in order to do good to others. Only for this purpose he maintained his body, for the physical sheath itself he didn’t care a whit. This completely selfless fakir was even in unison with God and that is why his very presence had an elevating influence on those who came for his darshan, and that darshan taken even once was enough to transform even a casual visitor-an atheist to a believer, a pessimist into an optimist, a sinner into a God’s man.

Philosophers have written dissertations and treatises, but these by themselves have not changed the world. A great philosophy moulds a certain Man of Destiny who by his deeds brings about great reforms and even revolutions. Sai Baba was such a man of action - a living embodiment of many former philosophies. Therefore by "philosophy of Sai Baba", we mean his way of life which exemplified certain principles.

Sai Baba identified himself with all creatures in nature - not only human beings, but birds and beasts, reptiles and insects. Not for him was the man-woman distinction. Differences of man made caste and creed had no place in the eyes of Sai Baba. That Sai Baba never revealed his caste and religion has a deep significance. Sai Baba brought to practice the equality of people once they stepped into Dwarakamyi, they are neither rich nor poor, neither a Raja nor Praja (subjects), neither landlord nor a laborer. The common meals which Sai Baba cooked and served with his own hands in Dwarakamyi was an object lesson in equality. It was just for this reason that Baba never consented to be a Guru and never made any disciples by himself, for this institution of Gurus leads to ownership and property rights which Baba strictly opposed.

This prophet of the modern world literally lived by example, the principles of the humanity. That is Sai Baba’s philosophy, if it can be so called.

(An abstract from Children’s Sai Baba by Prof. D.D. Parchure)
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Experiences of Devotees

Srivatsa Kilambi, Sacramento, California, USA
I am thankful to Sai Vichaar for the way you are spreading the greatness of Lord Sai Baba. I have been a devotee of Sai for the past 6years.I became a devotee of Sai when I met with a serious accident while I was doing my engineering first year. I was hospitalized for three months. During those days one of my uncles gave me Sri Sai satcharitra and asked me to do paarayanam daily. So right from that day, I started doing paarayanam and as usual I became a devotee of Sai Baba and after that I got well pretty sooner than expected and I started walking normally. Even in getting visa for me to united states "LORD SAI BABA WAS WITH ME". Even after coming to California, I am facing some personal problems in terms of my studies, financial support and others. but I started doing paarayanam from last Thursday and everything started changing suddenly and everything is going in my favor right now. I am confident that everything is possible in this world but only when we devote, surrender ourselves completely to lord Sai Baba. Right now, everyday is becoming a good day for me and that is all because of Sai sadguru. I bow my head with full devotion towards Sai's feet and I pray for the well being of everybody. Let us keep this going. OM SAI RAM

SRI SACCHIDAANAND SADGURU SAI NATH MAHARAAJ KI JAI OM SAI SRI SAI JAI JAI SAI OM NAMOH SRI SAI BABA
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Devotees say...

Janardhana Reddy, Colorado Springs, CO, USA.
My name is Janardhana Reddy Yaramaka and staying at Colorado Springs. Every Thursday conducting Satsangs here. I would like to invite all Sai bandhus to attend Satsangs whoever are staying in the vicinity of Colorado springs and particularly for Sivakumar who is asking for in SAIVICHAR.I am really getting unbound happiness while reading Saivichaar.
Contact E-Mail addres : Janardhana_R_Yaramaka.MCIBSM@notes.mcit.com

Vittal Anup, Phoenix, AZ, USA (vittal_anup@htc.honeywell.com)
Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai. I am a devotee of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba. I have recently arrived from India and am now in Phoenix, Arizona. I am not sure if there are any mandirs of Shri Sai Baba in Phoenix or surrounding areas. I have been trying hard to locate one, but without any success. If any of the readers of Sai Vichaar can help me in locating a mandir either in or close to Phoenix, I would be grateful. Please help!

Krishna Ghosh, Canada
I would like to know if women are restricted from reciting the gayatri mantra. If so, what alternative mantra, can women chant, which is equivalent to the gayatri mantra. Also, I am not a brahmin. Does that also restrict one from chanting this mantra? May Sai bless all my brothers and sisters.

Raji Gopi , Toronto, Canada
My humble pranams to our Bhagwan Sai Baba our beloved lord. I would like to sincerely thank Shirdi Sai Baba Web Site Organizers for providing such valuable and devotional information. Indeed your newsletter gives us a chance to know devotees experiences and we can learn more about our lord Shirdi Baba. When you read Baba's Satcharitra and the miracles you are drawn more towards Swami. One will definitely get the grace of our lord if we surrender ourselves with full faith and devotion to BABA. Bhagwan looks after,protects and guards his devotees without fail. I read and enjoy your newsletter regularly and have learnt a lot from it. I wish you all good luck. You will always receive my support. Keep me informed. Swami says to chant Gayatri Mantra all the time. Sai Devotees, please keep chanting the mantra. It will protect you from everything. My regards to all our fellow Sai Sisters/Brothers and friends. I Bow Down to our Beloved Sai Bhagwan's Lotus Feet. Sai Ram Sai Ram Sai Ram.

Havovi Medora, USA
Leda, I was so amused to read your little paragraph in the June 24 Sai Vichaar. Do you know that Baba listens to everyone: big and small, far and wide. Let me tell you of an experience I had recently. We live in Bombay and my husband was unexpectedly transferred to the USA. Everything happened so quickly. But I got a chance to go to Shirdi just before I left India. I was nervous and apprehensive of leaving all my loved ones, family and friends and going to a strange land where I knew nobody. We arrived in Shirdi for the evening aarti (prayer). As I entered there were loud shouts of "Praise be to Sai Baba". Thousands of people and what a din! But as I entered and saw his beautiful statue it was as if he shut out all the sound around me and said, "Go where you will in this wide world, over the seven seas I shall be with you." I had tears running down. I felt as if all my fears and apprehensions were lifted. Soon I was caught up in his song and praise. So you see, Leda, who am I? Just an ardent devotee of Sai and there were thousands there but he knew the reason for which I had come to Shirdi and comforted me like he comforts all who seek him. Have faith and patience, two great virtues we can all learn and benefit from it, for he will hear you.

Response from Krishna Alluri, Vancouver, BC, Canada to the question of the week
Sai Ram! Your question for the week - What is subtle ego? - is extremely difficult one, both to appreciate and to understand what it means and more so to get control over it (subtle ego). Yet, I seek Sai Baba's help to express my humble view. The topic is briefly mentioned in Sai Satcharita in the Chapter 1: "It was the firm conviction of Baba that knowledge or Self-realization is not possible, unless there is prior grinding of -the Ahamkara, which is so subtle and therefore so difficult to be got rid of".

Many of us might be trying to control our ego, without much success! Some instances that most of us might face on a day to day basis may be useful to interpret subtle ego. For example, looking forward to any recognition either for ourselves or for our near and dear and trying to associate ourselves with those who is recognized. Recently, upon receiving one of the Sai Vichaar issues, instead of reading from the beginning, I was in a hurry to see if what I contributed has appeared in that issue - looking for my name - that is subtle ego! Let me from now onwards present myself as a Sai Devotee only.

Expecting 'thanks' or appreciation after performing some worthy action or expecting an apology or 'sorry' from someone who offend us. 'Subtle ego' may thus be our inability to perform action without expecting reward. Another common occurrence is looking at ourselves in the mirror and appreciating our own appearance.

In Chapter II of Sai Satcharita, it is said, "it is egoism which breeds discussion". Again, 'subtle ego' makes us unable to stay calm and quiet when we have knowledge or a different opinion on a topic being discussed. Sai was a living example of "Forgiveness, Calmness, Desirelessness, Benevolence, Charity, Control of mind and body, and most of all Egolessness", virtues that are worth trying very hard to adapt. What might be a start, is to always remember that in reality only Sai is the Doer or Actor and hence the Results Bearer, while we are simply instruments or 'nimitham'. It might help us if we minimize and if possible eliminate our desire to seek recognition to our (illusive) name, appearance, and actions. Hopefully that might lead us to develop some level of control over 'subtle ego'.

Response from a Sai Devotee to the question of the week
What is ego? In short, it is the I in us. Take for example, the story in SAI Satcharithra where a very rich man came running to Bhagavan Shri SAI Maharaj to get Brahma Gyana. Even when Baba sent a person to various for few rupees, he was not willing to pay few rupees though he was ready to get Bhrahma Gyana. What made him not desirous of paying. It is the ego. The I-ness. He believed he is the body, which owns the money. Any person will speak I ate, I slept, I own. This I is not seen outside but felt by every body. If we analyze this I, we will see that it is actually not the body. When we sleep, we dream. we EXPERIENCE THE DREAM as if things are happening and you are partaking the events. Who experiences the dream? It is I, though the body is still. As this I feeling is thus in the thought. Thought is not seen and hence it is subtle. If we further analyses we find mind is not I. For example, a mad man, unconscious man has no mind, but he exists with I. Is it the breathing that is I? A person who controls breath also has an I. The I or ego is subtle. this comes because we think I is this body mind and breath, but actually it is only a myth created by ourselves. If we cut off this feeling I am the body, the mind and breath, we become God. EGO-eswara-go. IF I. GOES, IT IS ESWARA.
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Sai Activities

Baba Prayer Center, Ashok Nagar, Chennai, India Baba Prayer Center, B-13, Gokul Flats 53,
12th Avenue Ashok Nagar, Chennai. India 600083.
Telephone 91-044-4892259
email: kbxy@hotmail.Com

Sri KUMAR BABA has started the PRAYER CENTRE 3 years back under divine inspiration and support from SHIRDI SRI SAI BABA. The main activities are prayers (group meditation) at the center every Thursday from 6:00pm to 7:00pm and Anna daanam (distribution of food to poor and needy) on Pournima Days (full moon days) and other astrologically important days like change of planets of Saturn and Guru (Jupiter) from one house to another.

Sri KUMAR BABA is a devotee of Goddess Meenakshi also. The activities are further detailed below:
1.Six Week’s Prayer: Those who participate in Group meditation program six continuos Thursdays will get fulfillment of their legitimate desires. Prayer timings are 6:30 to 7:00pm(main timings); it actually starts at 6:00 p.m. itself.
2.Annadhanam (Food Distribution to Poor & Needy): Those who participate in this will get their evil effects of planetary disposition in their horoscope mitigated. This is done every Full Moon Day and on important days like change of planet from one house to another.
3.Pornami Pooja (Full Moon Day Pooja): Those who observe the Full Moon Day Pooja (with 1000 names i.e. SAHASRA NAMA) of the Vigraha (divine metal idol) of Sri Sai Baba (which was duly consecrated by one lakh chanting of BABA’s names and given to the devotee) with offerings of flowers with each name at 7:30 p.m. in their house will have SRI SAI BABA in their house to help them in all their legitimate aspirations and efforts.
4.Meenakshi Kalyanam (Marriage Of Goddess Meenakshi): Every year GODDESS MEENAKSHI KALYANAM is celebrated in MADURAI CITY .The same day Meenakshi Kalyanam With Vilakku Pooja (Divine Lamp Pooja) Is Celebrated At The Center. Those women who participate in it will get obstacles for their marriage removed, will beget children, will have the life of their husband enhanced (Mangalya Bagyam).
5.Annual Celebration: Sri Kumar Baba’s birthday also falls on the annual day celebration-27th March. This is celebrated in CHENNAI at BABA PRAYER CENTRE.
6.Guru Poornima Day: Every year on the FULL MOON DAY falling in JULY, 7 hours continuous chanting of Divine Name and Poojas is performed to honor all great souls.
7.Sri Baba Maha Samadhi Day (Vijaya Dasamy Day): All nine days of Navarathri (Festival of nine Nights) Divine idols are arranged and SAHASRA NAMA POOJA (Chanting Of 1000 Divine Names) Is Performed. On The Tenth Day Or Vijaya Dasami Day (The Day On Which Sri Sai Baba Attained Maha Samadhi) Abhishekam (Consecrated Bath Of The Idol With Milk, Scented Water, Honey, Fruit Juices Etc) and Aradhana will be done to the Idol of Sri Sai Baba.

Those who want more information can contact Baba Prayer Center at above address or telephone or send email. those who have health problems can also send details to the Prayer Center to enable them to get the blessings of Sri Sai Baba and for attaining good health and freedom from disease.

Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir, USA
Sai Samsthan USA, 27 W 321 Butterfield Road, Warrenville, IL

Sai Samsthan USA is celebrating Guru Poornima at Shri Sai Baba Mandir on Wednesday, July 28, 1999. Sri Sai Baba is considered as an incarnation of Lord Datttreya, the parama Guru who propogated the "guru" tradition and knowledge. Later, Bhagawan Vyasa propagated the same through his "Puranas". The letter "gu" stands for darkness (ignorance) and "ru" represents its destruction. Guru, therefore, is one who destroys the darkness of ignorance. Sri Sai Baba acknowledges the importance of a Guru when He indicates the need for a guide who can take us straight to our destination avoiding all difficulties on the way. Baba personally instructed His devotees to celebrate Guru Poornima.

As a special event of Guru Poornima celebrations this year, Vishnu Sahasranaama Homa will be performed. The study of Vishnu Sahasranaama purifies the mind and hence Sri Sai Baba thrust this on His close devotee Shama in a unique way. We request you all to participate in the Guru Poornima celebration by sponsoring for one or all events. Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir is located at 27W321 Butterfield Road, Warrenville, IL 60555. Phone Number 630-653-4444. For more information on Sai Samsthan USA, please contact Shri Ananth Sonti at 630-790-3800
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Prayer Club

Hari Kiran
This is my sincere and heartfelt request to all Sai brethren world over- you all must be aware of the warlike situation prevailing between India and Pakistan-in Kargil. Every morning when I open the newspapers, and read about the soldiers fighting for us and some of them laying down their lives, tears roll down my eyes. I think of their families- their parents, wives, and children. These soldiers, be they Indians or Pakistanis, are continuously and bravely fighting while we are sitting in the safety of our homes with our families and worrying over petty issues. My heart goes out to each of these soldiers. I request our Sai family to pray for all these heroes on both sides of the border- for their families. Baba, let this tension filled situation calm down, let there be more tolerance and Peace. Let us all live together with no difference of nationality and religion. Om Sai Ram.
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