One would wonder what was going on in Tatya's mind as the angry fakir tore apart his headgear and threw it in the fire. Did it occur to him that he was going to be rewarded with a new headgear by his beloved Deva? Probably not! Why does this Master of Cryptic messages resort to this sort of blessing that only seems like cursing? No one knows! Hemadpanth illustrates several incidents of Baba's strange behavior that were mistaken for His indifference in the beginning only to spell relief later.

Some times the reason was to teach a lesson. Some times it was to make a point. Most of the times, it is not known. When He dissuaded Damu Anna from grain dealing business, Baba saved him the agony of losing money in an unprofitable venture. When the Haji was kicked out, it was only to make him more closer. When He burnt Tayta's pheta, it was only to give him a better one! Burning is symbolic of the end. The end of perhaps a forgettable past!, the closure to an unappealing present? May be just a reminder as to who calls the shots! Nevertheless, it is the new beginning. Anger of the mad fakir can only be a miracle that is unseen. A short move in His bigger plan. Towards bigger and better. Let us on this Thursday think about those miracles that we do not see for those are the real spiritual treasures hard to seek.
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Contributed Article: Sufism

Sufis assert, the attainment of the knowledge that comes with such intimacy with God is the very purpose of the creation. God is referred to have said, "I was a hidden treasure and I loved that I be known, so I created the creation in order to be known." Hence for the Sufis there is already a momentum, a continuous attraction on their hearts exerted by God, pulling them, in love, towards God. They experience the joyful ecstasy of being gently drawn to their Eternal Beloved, yet this primordially blissful return seems to have been interrupted.

Sufism seems to have a rather distinct division, into what are termed as Practical Sufism and Philosophical Sufism. Practical Sufism is based on practice while philosophical Sufism focuses on the verbal explanation of the practice, history or principles of Sufism. Such explanation, even though useful, yet without doubt, can always be conditional. It is conditioned upon the level of one's understanding of Sufism and on his or her level of prejudice, personal qualifications, likes and dislikes. Philosophical Sufism can also be bound to the limitation of language and words used to describe a practice. It is well known how the meaning behind the words varies from one culture to another. Even though these two systems of Sufism are different from each other, it is not always easy for an observer to distinguish between the two, especially since sometimes ceremonies and traditions may become more interesting, therefore easily replacing the quest for the truth which lies in the heart of Sufism. One enlightened Sufi has said, "It is necessary for us to remember that the verbal explanation of an experience is different from the experience itself. The word "water" or its description does not quench thirst, its drinking does. Imagining the Divine will not lead to understanding the Divine, inner discovery will. Ceremonies will not open the door towards Unity; Divine unity is attained through passing from the limited self and dissolving in Divinity, without any medium, and becoming the messenger of la illaha illa Allah, there is nothing except Divine Unity. One cannot confess such truth without being that truth and the truth does not change with the changing of cultures and times".
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Experiences of Devotees

Ravin Gnanasambandam, Ithaca, NY, USA.
The return journey from Shirdi was confirmed. I knew when Baba wanted me to get out of His abode. Will He really get me in there in time, with the type of schedule I had? Visit to Shirdi is always with that expectation, and fear. After some real kicking around, Baba gave us all nice places to sleep during the journey and an excellent place to stay in Shirdi, Sai Mahal. Reminded me of the cursing fakir of the yesteryears that only spelt benefit to those cursed! I knew He would bless me after all He is the most merciful.

Just to feel the earth, share the sky and the breeze that was once my Lord blessed with His physical presence, is a thrill beyond imagination and expression. Mangal Snan, the auspicious bath conferred on the King, how could one just explain the bliss of watching it over and over and over. Lucky are those, doing it every day, day after day.

This was a visit to His abode after a gap of almost three years. Very special for me this time, because I had my two sons with me visiting the Baba they have seen and sung for the first time. The hamlet has changed quite a bit. There are new constructions, lodging houses and other facilities. The new facility for the waiting devotees is simply exquisite, with all the facilities for young and old, men and women. The shrine remains as peaceful and sacred as ever before. The blessing of a slow movement of the line inside into the shrine makes one forget the hours of waiting outside. The king was sitting on the throne giving the same message to everyone. The message of peace, love, guidance, and guardianship. One look will make anyone forget all the queries and every qualm. I had several questions to ask but was simply dumbfounded during those five minutes near His shrine. Makes us realize the sole objective of the senses. Singing His glory, partaking the vision, and hearing to His names. Walking backwards, away from the shrine, I stopped and prostrated in front of the greatest statue ever built. Slowly, as everything around me was dim and faint, I heard the tingling of just two coins from my shirt pocket jump and dance in front me on the marble floor. Yes, two coins, I hear you my Lord! I came out of the shrine completely forgetting that I wanted to take a picture of the shrine. Do I really need a picture of Sai to remember Him? Sai Ram.
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Devotees say...

Vijayanand, KP
Dear Sai devotee Rajesh, Hope you must have seen a little baby trying to stand on its feet. Also you must have observed, that in doing so the child will fall on the ground many a times. Since the child is not having enough strength and balance, it falls again and again. If it stands it feels happy else it cries and later tries its best to stand again. This process may take several months and years till the child grows physically strong and gets a proper balance of body and one day it will master the art. Do not panic, do not curse. It's the stage where you are growing spiritually and you lack enough strength and balance. I fully empathize with you for you are similar to the child. I do not suggest you to stop drinking but definitely I would like to stress that "remember Sai" before you eat/drink or do anything. First present it to Lord Sai and then partake it. The very beautiful eyes of Lord Sai is a huge ocean of mercy & love. He will forgive your sins and will definitely bless you. Have faith in Sai and yourself. Cultivate patience & self-control for it will take sufficient time for you to get rid of bad things. Leave bad companion, which has brought you to this present state of being. Make friends with Sai devotees and I believe that there are countless devotees around the world who will offer friendship and assist & advise you timely. Believe that one-day you will be as good as you pray today earnestly. Bow to Shri Sai , Peace be to all.

A Sai devotee
Today I was reading Abhay Pathania's Experiences in Sai Newsletter, it was great and I personally experienced the change of facial expressions on Sai Baba's photo too. And exactly as Abhay said, when Baba smiled that day turned to be a good one and when He showed a different face, I had to be more careful. This makes me feel Baba's presence a lot in His picture. So, I share all my feelings with Him. I became Baba's devotee 7 yrs back, and at this point if I turn and look back into my life, I realize that I was nothing before I discovered Baba, and now I am much more refined, mature, successful and happy. I am nothing without Him. The more the time passes the more He increases my Faith and Love for Him. We only need a little patience, wait and see, how He blesses you. Have that Faith, He never turns His back on you. Let all the things in this world turn against you, but Baba will ALWAYS be with you. He holds that much of Love unto us. He is the Ultimate truth. We ask Him so many things, He goes on Blessing us by fulfilling our wishes, but if you look into that Beautiful Sai's face, you'll realize how much He loves you and all these materials mean nothing in front of that sweet love he holds. No wish, no want can ever match that Love in His eyes. Whatever I say, it still falls short in front of Baba's Love and Power. So, lets just pray Sai to increase our Love, Faith and Devotion towards Him in us. JAI SAI RAM.

VS
Dear Abhay, It was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING to read your experience. Let me share another thing here as to WHY I am just AMAZED! This is EXACTLY what I have been doing in the last 6 months and I have had the experience of Baba's expression changing daily. On 26th March, Thursday - morning, I was talking to Baba through his photo in the Sai Satcharitra and was wondering whether others also experience this change of expression that I feel. this guiding force. And behold ! Just as I read this newsletter and your experience, my hair stood on their end, its like Baba heard me and this was his way of responding to my question. I have firm believe that HE is all around and besets things to happen. HE knew what was brewing in my mind and HE made you reply to it. Similarly, Baba KNOWS thoughts of ALL and I am sure many people in this forum have experienced HIS Divine presence.
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Prayer Club

Satya
Sai Ram. Baba, Please help us have faith in you and believe that you are there with us in every part of our life. Help us realize the words of Sai Satcharitra "What we have right now is all as per the wish of Baba and will do us good ultimately. Let us not aspire for things that others have. What ever is happening to us is as per his wish and for our own good." Baba Please have Mother Tortoise look towards us and let us(your children) just remember you every time as done by baby tortoise. Please give us Patience to withstand and bear what is going on in our lives and have faith in you.

Ananth
Om Sairam. I am a faithful devotee of Saibaba. Baba please arrange a good married life to my sister. You are the only refuge to us, please help us. Please forgive our sins and help us to find a good partner to my sister. Dear Sai devotees, please pray to swami on behalf of us.
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Quotation of the Week

"God pervades the entire universe. He is the Swami of the scene. We are His integral ingredients. So, why should we ask for something and pine for not getting it? Are we beggars? Nay, we are Masters! We should not be attached to worldly object by the bonds of desire or lust. We should not be pained to part with pleasures, power or wealth. We should stick up to this Godly approach. If we do this, we will join ourselves to God and be free from pleasure, pain or greed" - Sai Baba

Question of the Week

Q."What did Baba say regarding the need of a Guru in one's life"? A. by Muthender Velishala, IICT Campus, Hyderabad, India
For traversing the path, the help of a good guide (Guru) is absolutely necessary. However learned a man may be, or however deep his study of Vedas and Vedanta (sacred literature) may be, he can not go to his destination safely. If the guide be there to help him, and show him the right way, he would avoid the pitfalls and the wild beasts on the journey and everything will be smooth-sailing.. Baba's experience in this matter, the story which He gave out Himself, is really wonderful, which,. when attended to, will give us faith, devotion and salvation. Baba said "Let us do our prescribed duty and surrender our body, mind and five pranas (life) to the Guru's feet. Guru is God all pervading. To get this conviction, strong unbounded faith is necessary" To stress this point narrated in a story of four learned men who rambled through the woods in the quest of God. in Vanjari words: "Without knowing the woods fully you should not wander at random. If you want to walk through forests and jungles, you should take a guide (GURU) with you." Though an Incarnation Himself, He respected a low Vanjari, by accepting his food with the firm belief that "Food is Brahman" and showed how those, who rejected Vanjari's hospitable offer, suffered; and how it was impossible to get Jnana without a Guru. To stress the need of Guru Baba told another story of His dream "The master (Guru) mentioned above, was of different type. By his grace, realization flashed upon Me of itself, without effort or study. I had not to seek anything, but everything became clear to Me as broad day-light. The Guru alone knows how the topsy-turvy Suspension, "with head down and feet up" can give happiness!"
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Sai Activities

Saidarbar, Danbury, CT, USA Contact: Anil and Rita Zutshi
Dear Sai Bhakhtas, Saidarbar has opened a new chapter in Danbury, Connecticut, USA. The center commenced on April 2,2001, the Rama Navami day as the auspicious day for this. The address is, 93 - Park Avenue, Village Sq. Apt # 902, Danbury - CT 06810 Tel. # 203 778 8192. Kindly pass on this message to other Sai devotees in your area and also any of your friends living in the Danbury area. Saidarbar has planned monthly Satsangs at the above mentioned location. Please contact at the above phone number or zutshi@msn.com for more details.

Sai Activity at Ambala Cant., India
Shri K.Ramaswamy, President, All India Sai Samaj, Mylapore, Chennai, India informs as follows: Swami Satyanandji has taken great effort in establishing Sai Mandir at this place Amnbala Cantonment. He is organizing "Panch Divsis Akhil Bhartia Sai Bhagat Sarva Dharam Sammellan during the period 18th April to 22nd April at Shirdi Sai Shakti Dham, Sai Nagar, Vikaspuri, Jagadhri Road, Ambala Cantt.
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