The very skills, attitude, knowledge that one learns become a source of hindrance for one's ability to embark on a spiritual journey and to realize GOD. Human beings like any other thing in this universe are a creation of Nature. Being caught in the illusion and the worldly affairs, the soul gets lost. Mind and intellect pump up the ego. Thus the "I" and "ME" clouds us and makes it difficult to see the reality. One becomes a slave to the various senses and gets caught in conflicting theories and concepts proposed by the Human race! Human beings tend to become creators forgetting that we ourselves are a part of nature's creation!

What eternal thing could we create as a species when we ourselves do not survive too long? Nothing! Yet we base our lives justifying our existence on worldly affairs and modern concepts of convenience and the appeasement of ego! Scientists from all branches of science invent or discover new insights to Nature's creation and how it works. The creations and inventions that have thus far happened are nothing more than GOD revealing a nature's secret through the scientist's thoughts! Even the greatest scientists of all times give up after reaching a point because Nature is unfathomable, can not be understood and can not be perceived without divine help and interference! If that is so, then what is our role and goal? Where did the world come from? Who created it? How does it function? Such questions have been and continue to be asked by intellects as well as ordinary persons since the creation of this universe. The Supreme and divine soul, of which we are all but a part, taught the purpose of Human life, its role, how it should be lived, and its ultimate destination as well as the creation of this universe through the ancient scriptures. In today's times, the ancient teachings are neither understood nor practiced by an average person. It is very difficult, although not impossible, to understand, perceive and live these teachings in the times we live in. Does the diligent following of a religion provide the answers? Path, though it is, blindfolded at times due to our own selfishness; otherwise, could there any single life be lost in the name of religion? Who provides the answers?

For this reason, the divine soul manifested itself as a common person to teach the eternal truth. Composed of infinite love, infinite knowledge, infinite compassion, infinite power, infinite bliss "SAI BABA" came into our lives to lead the souls of his devotees out of misery, pain and illusion to set them on the right path towards the ultimate destination. Singing, reading, hearing, talking, preaching, reflecting, contemplating, etc on the life and teachings of "SAI BABA" will awaken the soul and start to make it walk towards the right path. Said Baba to His intimate devotee Nana, "Awaken the inner-self.. you will see the magnificence". On this peaceful Thursday, let us all gather and sing the praise of that Lord who will bring us all to the path to destination.
Back to Menu

Contributed Article:Hindu Worship-Part V

The idol or photograph of any God or Goddess is not just Stone or paper or whatever other material but is a symbol of the true deity so that we can focus our attention to the deity. With constant Puja, even a personal photo or idol worshipped by a devotee acquires a distinct identity of its own and starts responding to the devotee. The idol of a deity in a temple is all the more powerful since the Deity is invoked by Mantras and regular Pujas. As prescribed in the AGAMA SASTRAS, Yantras are also installed under the idols to increase the power of the deity many fold. Thus a powerful aura is built around the idol. Any object, be it ARATI, kum kum, turmeric, sandal paste, or holy water or even the clothes used to adorn the deity acquire a part of the aura. Thus we get a part of the deity's powerful and beneficial aura when we bring any of these sacred objects near to us. Scriptures say that humans have nine RANDHRAS, (Navarandhras) i.e., orifices in our physical as well as astral bodies. Out of them, seven are in our head (mouth, two nostrils, two ears, and two eyes). The other two are meant for excretion of waste products from the body situated at the posterior end. Thus when we bring the palms, which are placed over the ARATI to our eyes, not only our eyes but our nostrils too get charged with the positive aura. When we hear the hymns and bells, our ears get purified. When we take the holy water our mouth gets purified. When the SATHA GOPURAM (the bell shaped piece in a Hindu temple with the feet of the God, placed on the head of the devotee by the priest at the end of the worship) is placed on our head our SAHASRA CHAKRA gets charged.

Thus ARATI and other holy articles which are taken into the close proximity of the deity and are then given to us act as carriers or vehicles of the positive energy from the deity to us. The purpose is thus probably different from the ARATI given to small children to protect them from evil eye.

The first is of course to do with light. Many temples in India are dimly lit and Arati gives an opportunity to get a better view of the God. Thus the light is physical and the devotion it evokes in the mind of the devotee helps kindle the spiritual light. While Arati is performed with many types of lamps, camphor is the most common ingredient in all temples. Camphor has excellent medicinal properties; especially it protects against many diseases in a hot climate that pervades most of India. The camphor and other aromatic substances purify the atmosphere and when the devotees place their palms over the Arati and bring the palms to their eyes and nose, they absorb the medicinal benefits. This is born out by the books on Homeopathy.

The camphor used for Arati lasts for a little time thus signifying the short span of human life and the Avidya or Agnana caused by the attachment Maya, in the shape of physical and sensual pleasures. Thus, Arati inspires the devotee to seek God who is permanent and all pervading. "Make hay while the sun shines" is a popular adage. Since Arati lasts for a little time only, it compels the devotee to focus his attention on the God.

Bells are usually rung while the Arati is given. The rhythmic sounds of the bells have a nice soothing and calming effect on our mind and help us seeing and sensing the shapeless God in the physical image that is being worshipped in front of us. In many temples, the Arati is also accompanied by chanting of Vedic Mantras or beautiful songs, which extol the virtues of the presiding deity, especially the all-pervasiveness. This activity reinforces the devotion of the devotee in his chosen path to reach spiritual enlightenment.
(A contribution by Paritala Gopi Krishna, New Delhi, India and S.V. Swamy, Hyderabad, India)
Back to Menu

Experiences of Devotees

A Sai devotee, Boston, MA
Dearest Sai Family, I have come back after two months of my trip to India. I was in the seventh heaven on the 24th of January as Dearest Baba allowed me to visit Shirdi on that day. He arranged everything so beautifully and systematically to fulfill my long cherished desire.

Due to many health problems, I was discouraged by some of the family members to travel to Shirdi. I had resigned to Baba's Will. He made it possible for me to travel most comfortably and enter the temple without having to stand in a line for the Madyahn Aarti. Once in the temple, I was in the third or the fourth row from the front feeling quite emotional about His Grace. Suddenly I started feeling very giddy and I could sense the attack of Asthma coming on me. I started gasping for air. There was no way I could go out as in minutes the temple was filled with innumerable devotees. I was tearful that Baba brought me to Shirdi without any problem, arranged everything so lovingly and now I will not be able to attend the Aarti. Someone standing next to me told me to go out from the front door which is located on the left side of Baba's Murti. I tried to go out but there was a rope across the poles. The ladies in front of me were naturally very annoyed with me as I was trying to go out and in the process I was disturbing them. Fortunately Aarti had not started as yet. Suddenly a man perhaps a volunteer came near the rope and very politely told me not to worry and he opened the passage for me to go out. He asked me to sit on the floor in front. I could not do that either because of the prostheses in my legs. With the cold fresh air coming from the door, I was able to breathe a little easier. I asked the gentleman whether I could stand near the side of the door just outside the main sanctuary. He kindly gave me his consent. I suddenly realized that I had absolutely unobstructed view of Baba's mangal murti and tears rolled down... Within a few seconds the aarti started. I started breathing somewhat easily and was able to stand near the door leaning against the grill of the door. As the Aarti started, so many names of our Sai Family started popping up in my mind and I started offering pranam on behalf of all that entered my mind. At the end I offered pranam on behalf of all the members of our Sai Family.

Now just see how the mind works. Half way through the aarti, I thought that Baba put me out of the main temple. Right at that moment the lady in front of me, who was holding a baby wanted to come out so that the child could move in the hallway a little freely. So I exchanged the place with her. I was inside the temple and was able to lean against the wall and had the most beautiful view of Baba's murti.

Throughout the aarti I witnessed that Baba's eyes were moving in all directions as if watching all His devotees. This was not an illusion. He also looked down where the priest was offering the aarti. I could not believe my eyes..

At the end after I offered my pranam to Samadhi, the priest gave me one of the garlands that was offered to the Samadhi. While I was rearranging the prasad and garland that I received from the priest in the office which is adjacent to the temple, one of the men who was dressed in Maratha cap and angarakha, who stood in front with the priests came to me and gave me a handful of white flowers that he apparently brought from the Samadhi. I was surprised. As I was going out he asked me where I had come from. As I was going out of the temple from the back door he called me again and asked the priest to give me some more flowers. I got white flowers again. The gentleman was amazed that I was getting all white flowers. I was so overwhelmed that I did not even think of asking him the significance of white flowers.

I visited all the main places. The very fact that I was able to walk through the streets of Shirdi was a gratifying experience. I did not stop for any shopping... I had got everything from Baba.. His love, blessings, prasad, flowers, unexpected amount of udi... what more did I need? I had to return to Pune on the same day. That day I was so happy that I had to share my joy with at least one of the members of our Sai family. I called up Gopi Krishna in Delhi. It was such a pleasure to talk to him..

Then came the crashing news of the earthquake in Gujarat, the place where I had stayed for six weeks until the previous week. While the immediate blood relatives were out of danger, it was not a consolation. I was devastated by the destruction created by the Mother Nature. The TV stations covered all the affected areas and the agonizing scenes wrenched the hearts of the viewers. My brother's daughter was missing for 24 hours, but was found safe. It was the worst 24 hours the family spent. Just imagine the families who lost everything including the lives of the dear ones. The family members quarrel over the land and properties. God laughs at human beings making them realize that nothing belongs to them. Sri. Ramakrishna used to say that God laughs when brothers quarrel over the land saying that the land belongs to them and when a doctor says that he saved the life of a person. The situation in the state of Gujarat is just terrible. Surrendering to His Lotus Feet is the only answer.

Thus I had two extreme humbling experiences within two days. May Baba remain in our hearts all the time and guide us on our spiritual path.
Back to Menu

Devotees say...

S.V. Swamy, Hyderabad, India
Havovi Medora says Sai Vichar should not be used for some negative purposes and is critical of the devotee who is praying to Baba to give him (or her) the control over his temper so that he (or she) can be nice to the maid. I beg to differ with Havovi. When we fail in improving our habits in spite of our best efforts, there is nothing wrong in praying to Baba, to remove our faults and to give us strength of Shraddha and the virtue of Saburi! Another devotee had a doubt that when it is said in Sai Satcharitra that not even a leaf will fall without His will, then why should there be crime etc. in the world? The answer is this: Where there is light, there is bound to be shadows. Where there is love, the other side of the coin, hate is bound to be there. Just like good things happen by His will, the so-called bad or negative things also happen by His will only. They happen either as a result of past actions or as events to teach some important lessons to the souls involved. If one truly believes in God or Guru and accepts that whatever happens is due to their will, then one will not have fear, anxiety etc. and will accept everything in true humility. Such a person is then and there liberated!

Now here is a Sai Leela, concerning Mr. Robert Kirk's excellent response to the question about Haji Siddik Falke.. And yes, to his hope that Gurudev and Haji do approve the explanation, I can answer partly. On January 21, 2001, i.e. after I sent 'my' response to the same question, probably when Mr.Kirk was composing his answer, I had the following perception. This occurred during my reading of Satcharitra, Chapter 11 (I keep reading Satcharitra continuously by His grace, not as Saptah but at a speed dictated by Him). I got this perception about the "narrow footpath near the Barvi well', that Baba is asking the Haji through Shama whether he is willing to enter the narrow and difficult path of true Bhakti? Thus the perceptions given to Mr. Kirk in this matter are correct (Sai devotees can recall how He appeared in dreams to Bapusaheb Buti and Shama at the same time and asked them to build a Wada and similar incidents). And yes, the whole episode was a test to Haji and needless to say, he passed it by accepting Baba's abuses as blessings. From a religious to a spiritual being was the transformation effected, in his case. So, let us once again bow to the Master Sai and pay our respects to His great student (who showed the power of Saburi) Haji Siddik Falke!

Praseeda Kondepudi
I was very excited by your website. I was moved by reading Babas stories.

Sonali Harsole
This is an excellent site. I am in US right now. Every year (when I was in India) I have been visiting Shirdi at this time of the year. This time after browsing throgh this site, I feel having visited Shirdi. Could you add some more pictures of Shirdi like Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai. It would make people like us(far away from our hometown) feel like having visited Shirdi.

Sunil Kumar
Today's Sai Vichar has been really uplifting I. Hope to get Baba's help, grace and forgiveness in any way we have hurt him. my life is not easy but still hoping on Baba. Thanks again for the uplifting Vichar of Baba. Om Sai Ram Om Namah Shivayah.

Jackson Hedrick
Thank you for the feature of the week "Spiritual Oasis". "Only the Guru; how true; Only the Guru".
Back to Menu

Sai Activities

Krishnaveni Penumaka
We are having Sai Satsang every Friday at our apartment in Gaithersburg, MD. The event is going on well without any problems by Baba's grace. We start puja exactly at 7.30PM, start with Deeparadhana, followed by ashtottaram and aarati. Then we sing bhajans for 30 mins. After Bhajans, one of us read from Gurucharitra. Then distribute Prasad. The whole event is of 1.30min. We just received the Calendars, Greeting cards and others sent by Sri. Prasanna Vadan of California. Thanks a lot Mr. Prasanna, we will distribute them to the devotees this Friday.
Back to Menu

Prayer Club

Kameshwari Kollarapu
Om Sairam Sairam Saisairam. Baba please help me and relieve me of all physical and mental pains .Please look after my son's leg pain . See that my family is healthy to see you in healthy perspective. be with us and lead us in righteous way. Let the good things happen soon and give us strength to form a Satsang. Om Sairam.

Pran Razdan
Pita, I do not believe that what I am asking of you is not known to you. I also believe that if what both of us are aspiring for is getting delayed must be in our interest because nothing will come your devotees' way which is not good for them. But still I can not resist my desire to put my appeal in this auspicious book of my Pita. It is the appeal for the marriage of our two sons which is getting delayed and their ages are also advancing. Despite their having everything that a perfect young man should have why do they not agree to marry. Please put Bhakthi in their minds so that their lives become meaningful. My own little wishes are secondary but surely deserve your consideration.

A.S. Vijayaraghavan, Chennai, India
A Sai Devotee has requested for prayer as he has done some mistakes in the past for which he is feeling now. The very act of him of feeling sorry for the mistakes done itself a cure for him. Let us all pray to the miracle GOD Sai Maharaj and he will certainly do the needful and help that person to forget about the past and concentrate on the future and he should remember once thing of not committing any mistake of any nature in future. This will certainly help him. May Sai be with him and with all of US in bringing peace/harmony.

A Sai Devotee
My daily prayer that is based on Gaythri manthra coupled with Das Ganu’s humble tribute of praise to Shri Sai Baba, has been very helpful for me and hope that m ight benefit some other devotees as well. It goes like this:

Oh! Shri Sai Baba, As you are omniscient, omnipotent and all pervasive and as you are the source of concentration and consciousness, energy, and power, please transform me through your forces of WEALTH (water, earth, air, light, truth and fire - heat), and eliminate in me all the vices (anger, anxiety, back-biting and fault-finding nature, desire, envy, ego, evil, fear, greed, hatred, jealousy, and lust); and fill me up with your virtuous traits (benevolence, calmness, charity, control of mind and body, desirelessness, devot ion, egolessness, forgiveness, humility, faith and patience, and lustless love) so that I may become pure in my thoughts, words and action. Oh Sai Baba, as I believe that truly you are the actor, doer and results-bearer, make sure that you will only perform such thoughts, words and actions through me that are worthy of offering them to you at your feet. Jai Sai Ram!

Quotation of the Week

"He (Sai Baba) swerved not an inch from Samadhi. The name of Allah was always on His lips. While the world awoke, He slept; and while the world slept, He was vigilant. His inside was as calm as the deep sea. Though he sat in one place, He knew all the transactions of the world. Though a Siddha, He acted like Saadhaka" - Shri Sai Satcharitha, English version by Nagesh Vasudev Gunaji Ch. IV.
Back to Menu

Question of the Week

"Which ancient sacred teaching did Baba help Das Ganu to understand and what is its significance"?
Back to Menu

You may subscribe to receive the newsletter by e-mail.

Fill out your e-mail address and hit the subscribe button: