Maha Sivarathi, the night of Lord Siva, is an important festival in Hindusim. Celebrated on the moonless night of the month of Phalguna, which is fourteenth day in the dark half, this festival is specially dedicated to Shiva, the destroyer. This is an important day for the devotees of Shiva, who stay awake throughout the night, praying to him. On 14th night of the dark half of the month, the moon is scarcely visible, symbolizing the existence of the mind. As the object of all spiritual effort is the complete dissolution of the mind (as a pre-requisite to self-realization), the all night vigil with fasting, bhajans, japa, dhyana, on Sivarathri night represents that extra effort of the spiritual aspirant. Such effort can result in the complete conquest of the mind, symbolized by the disappearance of even the little bit of the moon on the following New Moon night.

Maha Sivarathri is particularly celebrated with fervor amongst the followers of Lord Siva. A fable as follows represents the significance and the power of this festival;

Once upon a time, there was a hunter set out for a hunting. He had upon himself a big burden of feeding his starving wife and children. He came near a pond, and for the purpose of hunting he climbed a "bel" tree (sacred to the Lord Siva). Sitting on a branch he waited for the prey. As the leaves obstructed his vision, he began to pluck a few leaves, which by chance fell on a Siva Linga ("pindi"), that happened to be under that tree. Then a herd of deer came to drink water. The hunter took aim at a hind (female deer). But as she noticed the movement of the hunter, she cried out, "Please, wait a moment, before you shoot let me go home and meet my young ones for the last time. You may shoot me afterwards at your pleasure." The hunter gave the hind permission to go home, and remained sitting on the tree waiting for her to return. Waiting the whole night he was forced to observe fast. Because he was hungry, he could not sleep. As a way to alleviate the long unappeased hunger, he began singing to himself On the Siva Linga he had inadvertently offered the "bel" leaves. With his mouth he uttered the name of Siva, thus he fulfilled the conditions needed for the observance of the Maha Sivaratri. So without knowing how, his heart was changed and he was filled with sentiments of mercy. Before dawn the mother deer came back with the entire herd. "Now you may take my life at your pleasure" she said. Seeing the hind’s honesty the hunter’s heart was further softened, and he completely gave up his thought of killing the hind. Lord Shiva was so pleased with the transformation of the hunter and the truthfulness of the deer, He appeared before them thus grating them all salvation.

According to the Siva Purana, the great Epic of Lord Siva, the Mahashivaratri worship must incorporate six items: the ceremonial People offer the cooling bel leaves to the hot-blooded deity bath representing purification of the soul; the vermilion paste applied on the linga after bathing it, representing virtue; food offering which is conducive to longevity and gratification of desires; incense, yielding wealth; the lighting of the lamp which is conducive to the attainment of knowledge; and betel leaves marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures.

Lord Sai was Siva to His followers. As the blessed Megha would have done it, let us during this holy period, remember the benevolence of Sai Siva, and seek His coffers.
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Contributed Article:Hindu Worship-Part VI

Shri Sri Yogananda Paramahansa said, "When an offering is made of flowers or incense or flame from oil lamps or candles on the altar, they represent the devotion of man to God. The flowers symbolize the fragrant love of the devotee; the incense conveys reverence; the flame typifies the light of calmness in which is revealed the Divine Deity, residing on the altar of the heart"

One may see the ritual of worship not as a mere physical exercise but as a real means through a communication between the self and the supreme is established. Understanding of such a communication is essential to reap the harvest of spiritual benefits.. Rituals may not be limited to the act of reinforcing one’s stance on earth, a religious identity. It should be the vehicle that leads one to the understanding of the entity that is fundamental to the origin of all religions. Such a communication can only be unifying and not divisive. This series may be aptly concluded by a quote from Ishopanishad, the mention of which is also made in Sri Sai Satcharitha:

Isa vasya midam sarvam yatkinch jagatyam jagat tena tyaktena bhumjidha ma grudhah kasya cit dhanam

The readers are also requested to visit http://www.mantraonnet.com/practices.html. for a good collection of explanations for different questions pertaining to the spiritual practices followed in Hinduism.
(Concluded. A contribution by Paritala Gopi Krishna, New Delhi, India, S.V. Swamy, Hyderabad, India and Mala Gupta, UAE)
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Experiences of Devotees

A Sai devotee
For the last over two years I have been thrilled to receive and go through the pearls of Bhakthi and spiritual wisdom spread around the globe by this wonderful Newsletter. May Shree Sai grace this tribe to grow in geometric proportions to spread faith and peace in our ever strife torn world. Myself and my husband have been devotees of Bagwan Shree Sai ever since He started calling us from his abode in Shirdi. We have been graced by His kindness and miracles all through these 11 years of worshipping Him. But I would like to share with you another thrilling miracle He has blessed on us recently here. I have been going through a lot of agony after I made one wrong judgement in my business dealing last year and was almost cheated in the deal. Working in a foreign location, I have a heavy responsibility and apart from regretting my mistaken judgement, I was feeling scared out of wits thinking of the prospect of losing my reputation with the organization I have served over three decades. Finally I decided to bear the loss personally and conveyed my decision to my top management feeling guilty at the same time that I am going to deprive my dear family of valuable savings we could make in such rare postings. I lost my health and sleep and went on praying to our dear Sai asking Him to forgive me and save my reputation and whatever else I deserved. Finally on the day I decided to pay off my mistake, I was stunned to receive a check by mail from the company who had all along been underground and unresponsive for one year for the Full amount along with their apology. On seeing this, tears rolled down my eyes and My dear Sai Family members, I cannot describe to you my thrill and amazement. Have Faith, my friends, He Knows how to take care of you, worship selflessly in happiness or sadness and Leave things to Him after making your sincere efforts.
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Devotees say...

Seema Pahwa, Dix Hills, NY, USA
I live in Dix Hills, NY. I would like to know if there people in the area that are interested in getting together to sing Sai bhajans and sharing their experiences. You can contact me through email seemapahwa@hotmail.com.

Sudhakar, Minnepolis, MN
Dear Sai devotees, there is a plan to construct a Hindu temple in Minnesota (Minneapolis). Efforts are being made to raise funds for this purpose. If you feel it will be convenient for you to donate some money (ANY small or big amount), it will be of great help. In my opinion, helping build a temple is a rare and wonderful opportunity to serve god and mankind. Please do not forget that our sadguru Sai himself used to spend money for repairs of temples in Shirdi. It is needless to say that following his footsteps will do us good in our spiritual path of progress. Please visit the following website for a complete description about the plan, budget, contact information and some interesting FAQs : http://209.98.181.61/hindumandir

Jayakiran, Sacramento, CA
I have been visiting this site for the past 20 days and my love, respect, faith and devotion are growing day by day. I am only one of this enormous list of people who are waiting at BABA'S glorious feet for his divine grace. I have innumerable experiences proving HIS presence near me. I wish I could attend any of those satsangs or I could visit any temple here in California. Can any one tell me if there is anything near by. I stay in Sacramento.

Veena Gupta, New Delhi, India
It is after a long time that I am writing about my interaction with Baba, inspite of meeting Him regularly on every Thursdays. Baba has continued to visit us on every Thursdays and bless us with the Udi. But on many occasions Baba bless us with more than that. I am going to narrate about that. As a regular feature on every Thursdays Udi starts coming from the Photos and Statues of Baba. The whole house smells differently. The 'Bhog' i.e. the offerings kept on the table while reciting Sai Amrit Vani, which we perform together in a group are sprinkled with Udi. On one Thursday when we were on the last leg of the Sai Amrit Vani, my lap was full of Udi and with little difficulty we were able to collect good amount of Udi from my cloths. Last Thursday on the Photo of Baba, the main photo from which the Udi comes regularly, the source from where the Udi was coming has taken the shape of OM (in Hindi), and below it was the heap of Udi. On earlier Thursday honey was coming from one photo. Honey was very thick and dark in color with a rare fragrance and with altogether different taste, as if from some rare flowers. You can well imagine our excitement, which can't be described in words. The honey was about 3-4 teaspoonful, yet it was distributed to many Sai Devotees. Honey was coming till evening and who so ever visited Baba on that day had the taste of honey. From 15th Dec to 30th Dec 2000 I was in Hyderabad with my younger son. I was not at all surprised when on Thursdays Udi was coming from photo of Baba in his small Mandir. Thus I was glad that on 2 Thursdays Baba was me even in Hyderabad. I may mention that Baba was with me when I visited Chenai. In Hyderabad I visited a few temples of Baba and liked the temples in Dilsukhnagar and Panja Kuta. In early March I am going to Singapore for a month and hope that Baba will be with me there also. Jai Sai Ram.
ps. We have been praying during Sai Amrit Vani for all those who send us a request. You may also send request on email address Veena_gupta_2000@yahoo.com or Vg20@id.eth.net or ashok@dgsd.delhi.nic.in
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Sai Activities

Sri Shirdi Sai Sansthan,Sydney, Australia
‘Parayana of the Sri Sai Satcharitra  regularly, with devotion and faith, will ward off calamities and your sins will be destroyed’. We are organizing a "Joint parayana" of the Sai Satcharitra starting from the Thursday following MahaShivratri,  22nd Feb 2001. This means all the devotees will simultaneously read the Sai Satcharitra in their own  homes, according to their convenience. The power of doing a joint parayana is not only immense for personal welfare and fulfillment of desires but when undertaken jointly by a group of devotees it yields spiritual benefit for the community as a whole. So let us together pray in the form of reading this holy book, for giving strength to the victims of the Earthquake in Gujrat. You can either do a ‘Saptah Parayana’ and do seven chapters a day and finish the following Wednesday, or do one chapter a day and finish in seven weeks. If you would like further information please do not hesitate to contact us. It would be nice if  you could let us know if you are going to participate. So we end our parayana and meet on the 22nd April in our temple for prasad. It would be nice if the Sai Devotees all over the world could join us.

Shirdi Sai Center, East Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
Mahashivratri will be celebrated on 25th Feb.'01 at Knights of Columbus Hall, Iselin, NJ from 9 AM to 12.30PM. Shivalinga abhishek, shiv bhajans, Sai Baba bhajans, Arti and Prasad. Please come one and all with family and friends to receive, Baba's blessings. For more details call Kumad Sachdev at 732-257-1438 and visit SaiKrupa.org.
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Prayer Club

Achuta Ramaiah
My brother, Murty, is in dire troubles . He needs immediate attention. He is a diabetic and his sugar level is going down. I request Lord Sai's help in getting over the problem and bring solace to us all.

Kameshwari Kollarapu
Baba, I thank you very much for getting an opportunity of my dream job to my door step. I also faced the interview successfully as Baba I call you. Please help me in processing soon with HR and let me get the additional portfolio to the present job. I badly need it Baba. I trust you .Please bless me with my dream job and make me a success at it.

Muthu
Dear Sai, I am going on an overseas trip leaving my family behind for work and studies. I Pray at Thy Lotus Feet for a successful and safe trip. Namaskars at Thy Lotus Feet. Your Humble Devotee.
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Quotation of the Week

"The proof of pudding is in the eating. Baba must be treated as God for, by treating him so, persons found and find that they derived and derive adequate benefit, the same benefit they would derive by worshipping God. This is sufficient proof that Baba was and is God. Many acted and act on that faith. Myriads affirmed and affirm Baba was God and Baba is God. The special features of Baba should be seen not with ordinary eyes but with eye of devotion and love. Seen with ordinary eyes, Baba was a man and a poor fakir living in a dilapidated mosque, but seen with an eye of devotion, Baba was God or a Guardian angel" - H.H. Narasimha Swamiji
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Question of the Week

Q."Which ancient sacred teaching did Baba help Das Ganu to understand and what is its significance"? A. (By S.V.Swamy, Hyderabad, India)

With reference to the Question of the Week in SaiVichaar, I submit the following. Sai Ram. Sri Dasganu Maharaj was an ardent devotee of Sri Sai Baba and was 'instrumental' in spreading the name and fame of Sai Maharaj with his Kirtans. He was also an author of two books, 'Bhakta Leelamrut' and 'Sant Kathamrut'. Presumably he wrote these two books in Marathi. From Sri Satcharitra, we also know that he was trying to translate and write a commentary 'Sri Isha Upanishat' in Marathi. Shri Hemadpant explains how brief this Upanishad is (just 18 slokas). It is a well-known fact that the shorter the original message, the more cryptic it will be. And when we try to magnify a small object into a big object, a lot of distortion will normally get introduced. So, when Sri Dasganu Maharaj did not feel satisfied with his intellectual efforts and when his consultations with other 'learned' scholars did not satisfy him, he turned to his 'Sadguru' Sri Sai. And Sri Sai did solve Dasganu's difficulty through Kakasaheb's maid servant. The message which Dasganu got is that the whole world is God's form and He is all pervasive. And that one must accept in humility what one is bestowed with by God. Why Sri Dasganu did not think of approaching Sri Sai in the beginning itself and when he did finally approach, why Sai sent him to Vile Parle to the house of Sri Kakasaheb instead of explaining the philosophy? It is one more of His Leelas. Sri Dasganu Maharaj got a practical demonstration of the teachings of Sri Isha Upanishad. And why did he not think of asking Sai in the beginning? He had to learn and experience the lesson that learning fades before self-realization! In fact, that seems to be the real lesson which Sai taught him. Sai Ram.
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