Feature of the Week:Service

Sayee bhakth kare jo kucch bhee….accha ho parinaam…
Jo bhee unke dar pe aaya…banthe bigade kaam…

If silence is the language of the spiritual bliss, how does one communicate it? If it is thought to happen at His will and His alone, how does one receive it ? Only because someone wasn’t silent! One may wonder if that amounts to being egotistic to go around telling people about God’s miracles in their lives and the message shared through them. If that is being egotistic, equally egotistic would be choosing not to do the task of spreading His message within one’s means. However, one has to be careful about the double edged sword known as the sense of individual identity or the self. The self that makes one raise above the obstructions and render service, may also come back and impart the doer with the sense of doership.

Service, in any form, is a way of spreading God’s message and sharing His love with fellowmen. Such service needs to be done, diligently, meticulously, with whole heart and spirit, and most importantly humility. Such service, whether for a social purpose or to promote spiritual awakening, will be successful. Shri Dabholkar wrote Sai Satcharithamritha only after duly humbled by Sainath. The humility of Dasganu Maharaj reflected in his costumes. The most humble Booty was abundantly blessed for his construction was consecrated due to Baba’s samadhi mandir.

If one word describes the nature of a Sai devotee, it has to be “Humility”. God of Gods, Shri Sai Baba called Himself, simply a servant of God. Portrayed as the humblest of the humble and the most merciful, Baba has several times stressed the importance of humility. Humility is the most required attribute of a Sai servant and only those who believe this and practice are honored at Baba’s court. The services of such, whether towards a spiritual cause or other, will accomplish its objectives.
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Contributed Article:Sai Apostle: Guruji Shri Chandrabhanu Satpathy ji

In a search of Sai apostles of the present day, the first name that comes to a Sai devotee’s mind is that of Shri Chandra Bhanu Satpathy. Shri Satpathy ji in his fifties now, is a religious and devout person with inborn divine qualities nourished and blossomed under very pious and caring eyes of his father.

Shri Satpathy ji has been a police officer all his life and was a recipient of the President's gold medal for bravery. As an IPS officer, he had worked for the ministry of Civil Aviation, and as the Director of Vigilance in India. Yet, to the hundreds of people, he is simply a man with the healing touch. Fondly called by a number of people as "Guru ji", Sri Satpathy ji truly embodies the tradition of "Guru" providing guidance to those who seek his help. Several hundreds flock to him every Saturday at the Chatterpur Sai mandir in India, to find solutions to their mundane and spiritual problems. To some Shri Satpathy ji is like a brother while some look at him as a father figure. Guru ji treats everyone like a dear and beloved child of Shri Sai and addresses every lady very affectionately as 'Maa' (Mother). Satpathy ji is no professional astrologer, but it's his divine instinct and the willingness to help prompts his predictions.

Shri Satpathy ji’s enormous motivational and organizational skills are the reasons for the spread of Sai message and teachings in India today. He has inspired and influenced several devotees to come forward and lend a support to the Sai movement in India and abroad. Religion of love knows no boundaries. Guru ji preaches that a single drop of tear from the eyes of a pious person can move - be it Shri Sai or Christ, in a fraction of a second. Thus Guru ji does not recommend the path of running away from the world in search of God but encourages and lends spiritual support to seekers, to become pious and find Shri Sai within us while fighting the materialistic battle. One can live in this materialistic world of money, relations, and duties and still be pious and be a detached 'saint' at heart. Guru ji says that the easiest way to spiritual evolution is to:

1. Believe that the Sadguru is the Divine incarnation to lead people towards temporal and spiritual development.
2. To follow the path laid down by Him as reflected in His earthly conduct and preaching.
3. To understand that no man how much ever he strives, can evolve in the spiritual field beyond a certain limit without the help and kindness of a Sadguru. Even incarnations like Shri Krishna and Shri Rama, in the process of experiencing the God-hood in Them, had to be helped by Sandeepani and Vasishta, the Sadgurus of the time.
4. To focus the entire spiritual consciousness on the Sadgurus, both in Sakara (formed) or Nirakar (formless) and worship them.
5. To believe that the Guru is the repository of all Divine powers -and therefore, He alone should be made the mainstay of one's life. All needs, worries and questions should be projected to him (Guruji Shri Chandrabhanu Satpathy ji has blessed and consented to be present at Sai Utsav 2000. Please visit www.saibabaofshirdi.net for more information on Shri C.B. Satpathy ji, his mission and message)

Ekadasi Sai Gayathri

(A contribution by Malathi Jandhyala, Washington, USA)
These are the eleven Gayathri Mantras on Shirdi Sai, known as Ekadasa Sai Gayathri. Ekadasa Sai Gayathri is chanted after taking a morning shower, wearing fresh clothes, applying Udi on the forehead and sitting facing east, north or northeast directions.

Ekadasa Sai Gayathri
Om Digambaraya Vidmahey
Avadhutaaya Dheemahe
Tanno Saiee Prachodayat

Om Digambaraya Vidmahey
Paanchajanyaya Dheemahe
Tanno Saiee Prachodayat

Om Ayim Gurudevaya Vidmahey
Kleem Parabrahmaney Dheemahe
Sauh Tanno Guruhu Prachodayat

Om Shiridi Vaasaaya Vidmahey
Dwarakamaye Dheemahe
Tanno Saiee Prachodayat

Om Gnananandaya Vidmahey
Sacchidananda Dheemahe
Tanno Sadguruhu Prachodayat

Om Samardhaya Vidmahey
Sadgururaaya Dheemahe
Tanno Saiee Prachodayat

Om Sarvagnaaya Vidmahey
SadhuVeshaaya Dheemahe
Tanno Saiee Prachodayat

Om Tatvagnaaya Vidmahey
Tatpadaardhaaya Dheemahe
Tanno Saiee Prachodayat

Om Sai Raamaaya Vidmahey
Sai Krishnaaya Dheemahe
Tanno Saiee Prachodayat

Om Atmaroopaya Vidmahey
Yogiraajaaya Dheemahe
Tanno Saiee Prachodayat

Om Brahmathejaya Vidmahey
Parabrahmaaya Dheemahe
Tanno Saiee Prachodayat

Devotees recite the following chant while partaking Baba’s Udi

Mahagraha Peedaam Mahotpaatha Peedaam
Mahaaroga Peedaam MahaTeevra Peedaam
Haratyaasutey Dwarakamayi Bhasma
Namasthey Guru Sreshta Saeeswaraaya
Sreekaram Nityam Subhakaram Paramam Pavithram
MahaaPaapaHaram Baba Vibhutim Dharayamyaham

Paramam Pavithram Baba Vibhutim
Paramam Vichitram Leela Vibhutim
Paramaartha Ishtaartha Moksha Pradaatim
Baba Vibhutim Idamasrayame
Saiee Vibhutim Idamasrayame
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Devotees Say

MRK, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Sri SAI SASATCHARITA. Hemadpant -Dabholkar- wrote events and miracles of Shirdi Sai MAHARAJ in chapters. He not only discussed the events/miracles, but indicated spiritual guidance for a devotee/seeker. In the first chapter, he mentions the philosophical significance of grinding by Baba. He points out that guru as he is , Baba grinds the sins, the mental, and mental afflictions and miseries of his innumerable devotees. IT also gives devotees the path to follow by crushing our own sins by using karma and Bhakthi with the knowledge of Gnana. How do we do it. We have to act in life with full surrender to guru with the knowledge that complete full surrender to the Guru will relieve us of all our physical and mental miseries. Once you surrender to Guru, you will be performing acts with leaving the result of our acts to the Guru's will who will give us what is best for us and not what we crave for, by giving sreyas and not preyas. Githa says that practice, knowledge, dhyana-meditation and karmaphala thyaga are better consecutively. By the process suggested you will not only get worldly benefits but also obtain final salvation (to be continued)

Rebecca
I was happy to see Ravin's comment on my letter. I had written my reaction to a quotation in a book about Baba which seemed derogatory to Muslims. One of the big things that attracted me about Shirdi Sai Baba is his message that all religions are really equally valid and we should practice the one that works for us. In fact I attend Christian church service, practice Buddhist meditation and pray to Baba. Just to tell you a bit about myself. I have always learned that spirituality would ultimately lead to ceasing of the idea of "us and them" which, quite frankly is a big problem in India between Muslims and Hindus. Today, in church, a young man was speaking about his work in Kosovo for an AID agency. I asked him what he thought could have caused those young Serbian men to have been so brutal. They must have thought of the Albanian Muslims as very bad and low to be able to behave that way to them. I have also learned that any emotion that exists in other people, can be found in ourselves too. That is, the terrible anger, or fear, or whatever emotion it is that allows a person to be violent. Of course the feelings of love and kindness by the same token. I am reminded of the emotion I felt when my next door neighbor threatened to shoot my dog. I was angry enough to kill him and found it a very enlightening experience. I digress a bit. But still , these days with the violence in Israel and the anger and racism (us and them) we see, makes me think about these things.
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Prayer Club

A Sai Devotee
Om Sai Ram. Lately my family and myself have been going through problems which are known to Baba for he knows all. Patience and Faith are the two virtues which everyone should have; lately I am loosing my patience. My only hope is my Baba, pray he gives my old parents and myself the strength to withstand the problems. May Baba, bless everyone and grant them their wishes. Jai Sai Ram
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Sai Activities

Sai Utsav 2000, Chicago, IL, November 23-25, ,2000
For kind attention of devotees attending Sai Utsav from New Jersey and neigbouring areas:
Dear Sai devotees, we are inviting devotees to join in a bus yatra from NJ to Chicago, IL to attend the Sai Utsav during Nov 23-25, 2000. The details are: Luxury bus, A/C, 49 seats, toilet facility, AM/FM/Video, reclining seats. There will be 2 drivers so that the trip is non-stop (except for refreshments). Refreshments/Food will be served during the trip. Transportation to and from the hotel/BAPS mandir. Sightseeing during stay in Chicago. Cost: $125.00 per person/seat. Note: a. Trip subject to full occupancy in the bus. b. You will be responsible for your registration to the SaiUtsav. c. Arrangements will be made for stay in Chicago. Lodging/boarding not included in the above cost. For details please contact: Bharat S. Tel#732-309-3327 or forbharat@hotmail.com

Sai Samsthan USA, Chicago, IL
Sai Samsthan USA has scheduled its monthly pooja on October 29, 2000, Sunday. Please visit, www.saisamsthanusa.com for more details.

All India Sai Samaj, Mylapore, Chennai, India. – Mahasamadhi celebrations
(Reported by Sri K. Ramaswamy, President, All India Sai Samaj, Chennai, India)
This year being 82nd Mahasamadhi, many good programs took place drawing very large crowd. On all the days there was special Sri Sai Sahasranama archana in the morning and in the evening. On 11th October Sri G.V.Kannan gave devotional music in the evening and in the night children of Suravanthitha dance school gave Bharatha Natya performance. Lord Sainath used to enjoy such performing arts during his life time. On 12th October, Thursday, Md. Sahul Hussain rendered "Kuran" for about an hour (Lord Sainath lived in masjid during his life time and as such Kuran has got its own importance). In the evening Smt. Shyamala Ramachandran, niece of great staunch devotee of Lord Sainath and Pujyasri Narasimhaswamiji, by name advocate V.Venkataramaier (known popularly in those days as VV) gave discourse on "GURU MAHIMA". In the night after arti, Smt. Radha Parthasarathy gave wonderful music performance. On 13th October, Founders day was celebrated in a grand manner. Pujyasri Narasimhaswamiji passed away on Pournami day after Mahasamadhi function of Lord Sai in the year 1956.From that time onwards every year after Mahasamadhi day, the pournami day used to be observed as Narasimhaswamiji aradhana day. Morning aradhana, archan and arti to Swamiji and all the devotees were provided lunch as Prasad. Evening there was a public meeting where Sri K.Ramaswamy, President of the Samaj presided. Eminent devotees like Sri R. Rajagopal (responsible for bringing out Life of Sai Baba four volumes, dictated by Narasimhaswamiji and Sri Rajagopal took the pleasure of taking down in shorthand and typed for printing during Swamiji's days). Sri S.Seshadri, Former Secretary, and many committee members spoke. Sri M.Vasudevan, Secretary proposed vote of thanks. In the night Sri Kulandaivelan, an ardent Sai pracharak, gave Villupattu depicting Lord Sainath Life Story.

On 14th October, Saturday, Pudukottai Brahamasri G.Sanjeevi Bhagavathar performed Guru Dhyanam, Astapathi, Divya Namam, Dolothsavam started in the afternoon went upto 3.30 a.m. in the night. Very large devotees enjoyed the events which include Divya Vilakku Prathakshinam etc. Bramasri Sundarakumar great exponent of religious discourses participated in the function. On 15th October after Unchavarti by Sri Bhagavathaswami,"Sita Kalyana uthsavam"was performed. Eminent Bhagavathas in the field like Sri Samasiva Bhagavathar Sri Ranga Subramaniam,Sri N.S.Natarajan. Sri A.L.Krishnamoorthi from Hyderabad participated. Swami Namananda Giri, disciple of Swami Haridas Giri also participated. Being Sunday the mandir was over crowded with devotees. Everyone was provided lunch. In the evening felicitation to Brahma Sri Sanjeevi Bhagavathar in connection with his 80th birthday was arranged. Sri K.Ramaswamy, President of All India Sai Samaj, was requested to preside over the function. Brahma Sri Jayarama Sharma, Sri A.L.Krishnamoorthy, Sri Subramania Jayaraman, Harikatha exponent, Sri S.Seshadri, and others spoke about Sri Gopalakrishna swami and his son Sri G.Sanjeevi Bhagavathar and how the Bhajan Pandadhi is still kept by these eminent persons and how many others brought into this forum for the present generation. In the night Dr.Shankar Srinivas gave music performance.

On 16th October, there was Kuthuvilakku Pooja by more than 140 ladies. In the evening there was music performance by Kumaris Charumathi, and Indumathi. Later there was devotional music by Mathurai Srnivasan. Anjaneya Utshavam was performed in the late night. Sri K.Ramaswamy profusely thanked all the member of the management, staff, artists, Poojaris, and all others responsible in one way or other for the successful function of the 82nd Mahasamadhi of Lord Sainath. He also thanked all the devotees for their good cooperation.

Sai Mandir, Panvel, Maharashta, India (Sri Bhagawati Sai Sansthan - Regd.)
Sai Baba Mandir in Panvel, Maharashtra is situated about 40 Kms from Mumbai(Bombay). Spirtual head of the Mandir is Guruji Sri Sai Narayan Baba. The Temple activities start at 3.15am with Abhishek of 5'6" idol of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba and ends with Shej Arathi at 8.00pm. Devotees visiting India are urged to visit Panvel ashram and seek HIS divine blessings. For more details or pooja sponsorships at Panvel Ashram, please contact Sri Bhisham Vachhani at bhishamv@hotmail.com.
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Experiences of Devotees

Revathysekhar, Howrah, India
I read the SaiVichaar Magazine dt.5th October. I read the experience of Mrs. Meenakshi Dixit. The same incident happened in my life also. I got labor pain on 25th January, 2000 morning at 8.00 a.m. Already my friend who is also a staunch devotee of Baba given me UDHI for Normal delivery. I have mixed UDHI in a glass of water and drank it and prayed Baba than I have admitted in hospital by my parents. The pain also increased. I have repeatedly said that Sairam Sairam Sairam. Outside my husband reading ARTI for normal delivery. I have delivered a female child at 3.38 p.m. and the delivery also normal on 25th January, 2000. After that I heard in that hospital on the same day five delivery cases are cesarean my case only normal delivery.
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Quotation of the Week

“My mother was greatly rejoicing that she had got a son - me! I was, for my part, wondering at her conduct. When did she beget me? Was I begotten at all? Have I not been already in existence? Why is she rejoicing over this?” – in “Sai Baba of Shirdi a Unique Saint” by MV Kamath and VB Kher.
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