Feature of the Week: A Prayer to Shri Sainath

Possessing peaceful mind and wisdom supreme
Sainath the compassionate you are the ocean of kindness,
truth incarnate and destroyer of the darkness of ignorance. Protect me protect me Shri Sainath of Shirdi You are the sun of Divine knowledge
The bestower of choicest blessings
Oh fabled HAMSA of the mind of the devotees
Protector you are of those who surrender to you.

You are the BRAHMADEV Creator of the world
You, the sustainer of the world VISHNU
The destroyer of the three worlds you are that very RUDRA
There is no place of this earth where you are not omniscient oh you Sainath

You dwell in all our hearts Forgive us all our sins
I implore you And those waves of doubts and delusions repel instantly
You are the cow and I the calf You are the moon and I the stone melted by its light
At your feet which are like the Ganges Respectfully the slave (Your Name) bows down.

Place on my head your hand and bless me oh Lord
Ward off my sorrow and worry for this (Your Name) is your servant.
With this eight-fold prayer I prostrate myself before you
My sins and demerits suffering and poverty ward off immediately.

You are the cow and I the calf You are the mother and I the child
Do not harbor any harsh feelings towards me.
You are the sandalwood from Malagiri I am a thorny shrub.
You are the life giving waters of the Godavari and I the greatest of sinners.

If after having your DARSHAN the impurities of my mind remains unchanged
GURURAYA who will then call you sandalwood.
The proximity of MUSK(KASTURI) makes even the dust more valuable.
The fragrance of flowers is transmitted to the thread which ties the garlands.

This is the way of the great whosoever they come in touch with to him they impart a part of their greatness.
Sacred ashes loin cloth and the bull made SHIVA symbolic parts of himself
Therefore these objects are praised in all quarters
For the amusement of the cowherds at Vrindavan the Lord of the world played DAHI KALA
That too has earned recognition from wise men.

Similarly I am a sinner but I am under your protection will you not redeem me
oh GURURAYA from my sinful state.
Worldly or spiritually in whatever objects I seek satisfaction I have no doubt
oh GURURAYA that you will grant me these.

With your grace control my mind
If the oceans are sweetened there is no fear of their being salty.
To make the oceans sweet truly you have the powers therefore
this supplication of Das Ganu please concede.

Whatever my shortcomings they are all yours.
You are the foremost among the spiritual masters so do not stint while giving.
Why should I speak more you are my refuge
the child held in the mother's arms is naturally without fear.
So be it this hymn of praise whosoever read with love their desires fulfill oh Lord.
Your blessings for this hymn I entrust

May the difficulties of he who recites this sincerely be warded off within a year. After performing all ablutions should this hymn be recited regularly with a pure and sincere feeling in you heart and if this be not possible then on every Ekadashi this hymn should be read to realize the beneficial effect. One who recited this with faith will ultimately progress spiritually by the grace of GURU who will satiate the material desires readily and thereby deliver him from bondage. With repeated recitations of this hymn dull wits will be sharpened. Wherever wealth is wanting KUBER the Lord of wealth himself will come to stay on reading this hymn This is the truth and so it shall be. To the childless, children will be born on reciting this hymn and the ailment of one who recites this hymn will be dispelled in all directions. Fear and worry will disappear and prestige will increase He will realize the imperishable BRAHMAN with the regular recitation of this hymn.

Regarding this hymn oh wise ones have faith in your hearts about the efficacy of this hymn and give no place to doubts and misconceptions Go on a pilgrimage to Shirdi and concentrate on the Lotus feet of Baba who is the succor of the poor and the meek the wish fulfilling tree of the devotees. It was because of the inspiration received from him that this hymn has been composed how else could have an insignificant ignorant like me have written it.

In shaka 1840 in the bright half of the BHADRAPAD month on GANESH CHATURTHI day Monday in the second PRAHAR this humble tribute of praise to Shri Sainath was completed in Maheshwaram by the sacred banks of the Narmada near Shri Ahilya Devi's Samadhi At Maheshwaram the famous TIRTHA the hymn was completed. Shri Sainath made me utter every word by becoming part of my mind. The disciple Damodar became the scribe truly I Das Ganu am only an obedient servant of all the saints and sages. Peace be with you and may this humble tribute of praise to Shri Sainath help you cross the worldly ocean This is the prayer with faith and respect of Das Ganu to Shri Panduranga. Let this be offered to Shri Hari Hara Bless us oh Lord PUNDALIK VARDA (Fulfiller of wishes) I recall Sitakanta Hail Hail Rama Parvati Pate Har Har Mahadev. Hail to Shri Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Shri Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Shri SAdguru Sainath Maharaj I offer this to you Bless us oh Lord.

BOW TO SHRI SAI PEACE BE TO ALL

(A Contribution by Sai devotee Havovi Medora, New Jersey, USA)

Sainatha..Sainatha...A tribute to Sadguru

Sainaatha Sainaatha Sainaatha Sadgurum
Yogiraaja Yugapurusha Bhaktakoti Vanditham
Kripanidhi Tapodhani Sainaatha Paahimaam
Divyateja Bhavyamoorthi Punyacharana Poojithaam ...
Sainatha ..

[O Lord Sri Sainatha True Teacher/Sadguru, You are the King among the Yogis (Yogiraja). You are the Supreme Person of the Yuga (Yugapurusha). You are the One worthy of obeisance from the legion of Your devotees (Bhaktakoti Vanditam). I bow with all reverence to You (Pahimam). O Sainatha You are One of great penance (Tapodhani) and treasure house of grace or kindness (Kripanidhi). O Divine effulgence (Divyateja), having a magnificent personality (Bhavyamurthi) and having Holy Feet (Punyacharana) worthy of worship (Pujitam). Commentary: In this Kali Yuga, it is very very difficult to get a Sadguru like Sri Sai Baba, who never wanted anything from anybody, including His devotees, except their Shradhdha and Saburi. He lived like a Fakir. He transformed the lives of innumerable devotees. He suffered for them. He made our mundane lives worthy of living by taking HIS name. Unfortunately, we, on our part, have not forgot our ego, which is the root cause of all evils in us. One can count Yugapurushas on one's finger tips like Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Vivekananda, Yogananda Paramahansa, Swami Sivananda, Sri Satya Sai Baba, Kanchi Kamakoti Paramacharya, Mata Amritanandamayi, Mata Nirmala Devi, Mata Atmanandamayi, who saved their devotees from distress, pain, suffering and many other physical, psychological and mundane ailments. Of course, every suffered for HIS or HER devotees. Like wise, every Saduguru has HIS or HER own way of responding to HIS or HER devotees. The first four lines show how magnanimous Lord Sainath was, is and will be to HIS devotees and mere words will fail to describe HIM or explain HIS Bhavyamurthi. It is, therefore, goes without saying that all the words in this song were chosen by HIM alone and NO ONE ELSE]

Ajnaanapu Andhakaaramu Drunchuma O Bhaaskara
Janana Marana Bhayamulanu Baapuma O Devara
Kalilo Aakali Bhaadalu Deerchuma O Dayaanidhi
Kashtasukhaalalona Thoduneedavu O Varada ...
Sainatha ..

[O Illuminating Power (Bhaskara), kindly nip my darkness of ignorance with Your powerful radiance (Ajnanapur Andhakaramu Drunchuma). O Lord (Devara) remove the fear of birth-death cycle (Janana Marana Bhayamulanu Bapuma) O Treasure House of Compassion (Dayanidhi). O Savior (Varada), You are the companion in pain and pleasure or sorrow and joy (Kashta Sukhalalona Toduneedavu). Commentary: Lord Sai Baba is such a Sadguru that HE gives boons the moment a devotee prays HIM with Shradhdha. For HIS devotees, HE is always there with them both in pain and pleasure. But, unfortunately, we devotees forget HIM in our pleasures. Let us question ourselves, how many of us really want HIM for a nishkama karma, for such a work, without expecting any fruits of it and for the benefit for of the people around us. Probably one or two in a million. But, still HE responds. That is the beauty of the Great Guru. Let us inculcate the habit of praying for others and praying for the society at large. Then, our prayers will be heard by HIM instantaneously, I say with conviction and confidence]

To be continued...

(A contribution by Sai devotees GopiKrishna, New Delhi, and PN Murthy, Hyderabad, India)

Sai Kirtan
Oh Sai Vidhata
Vidhata has taught us
To readily accept our Fate
Good or bad
Cry not, Weep not
Accept Graciously!!

But then Sai appeared
To tell US that WE can UNDO fate
By turning towards Sadguru
To Him Alone ,to Him Alone

Pray to Lord Sai
Night and Day
Moment to Moment
Every Moment
In Sleep or while Awake
At all Times

Sai the Learned
Would shield us
From all misfortunes
All Obstacles, all Sins
Because he is
The messenger of God
Who writes the vidhata

So Sai please
Bless us all
The Unread ,Unholy
Your very Bhaktas
Not Understanding your leelas
But think of Sai ALL THE TIME
The times tested mantra
( A contribution by Sai devotee Achuta Ramaiah)
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Devotees Say

MRK, Phoenix, AZ, USA
MRK, Phoenix, AZ, USA Bhakthi-it is said that there are nine paths of devotion. They are 1.Kirtanam, 2. Sravanam, 3.Vishnu smaranam, 4 Pada sevanam, 5. Archanam, 6.Vandanam, 7.Dasyam, 8.Sneham, and 9. Atmanivedanam. Let us see, how one thinks of bhakthi. Both Bhagavatgeeta and Vishnu sahasranamam tell us about. Some think of God because he wants to achieve his desires, another to cure himself or his kith and kin. Very few for attaining liberation. When do we approach God? When we desire something and do not achieve it through our efforts. . You realize that your desire +effort is not equal the fulfillment. You will realize that you need the unknown facto. So, desire +EFFORT+X= the result, x being the unknown. By that time you realize that there is some greater force than yourself that can give result. That is actually the grace of God. By the help of YOUR FAITH, you achieve the desired goal. Then what happens? You either forget the benefit God bestowed on you or you wake up to the fact that some superior force has bestowed you and want to praise and try to realize what this is. As Shirdi SAI BABA said, you stick to the tree of faith to Guru and do not wander about to find the goal of life-realize him. What is available with us to seek him. Guru makes our path easy as he knows not only God but also he knows the way to reach Him. So you approach Guru. GURU may be an idol, living or guru who is no more in physical body but who showers his grace all the time. In choosing Guru, one has to choose wisely. there are gurus and gurus. some take money and give you manthra, talisman,etc. there are other gurus who only desire your happiness and your spiritual growth but do not want anything for themselves. the first category are neecha gurus you must eschew and follow the genuine gurus who are self realized souls who always bestow grace on the devotee. Shri Shridi SAI that exalted guru who only gives and never takes. any taking is only to reduce your evil tendencies. We are born with a garland of vasanas. Vasanas are traits (tendencies) of the mind which is the net result of all good and bad we did or do. In this life we can add or subtract this heavy garland on our neck. So if we pursue bhakthi in any of the nine ways suggested above, we realize grace of Guru who will take us to liberation. Dasyam, as a servant, we can take the example of Hanuman. He approached Rama to serve him. When he brought Sanjeevee for curing Lakshman, Rama embraced him and said that he is equal to his brother Bharatha, who scorned the throne and came all the way to Rama offering the kingdom of Ayodhya. By his service, Hanuman got his king Sugriva his kingdom. He backed Vibhishana as he had saranagathi and made him king of Lanka. He was bestowed the nine siddhis from Sitha. He was chosen to inform Sitha of Rama's arrival. That is the effect of serving God as against serving money and worldly pleasures. For sneha we may take example of Arjuna. He served Krishna as a friend and received Githopadesam. Saints like Valmiki , Vasisht are examples of Atmanivedanam. By praising him, by hearing of him, by repeating his name , by complete surrender to his feet, by doing puja and prayers, by prostration to Him by surrendering all your will called saranagathi also we will reach him. Let us not stop the path of spiritual progress by getting a temporary benefit of our guru's grace and forget him but continuously reduce worldly desires and submit to his will till we realize the self and merge in him, the eternal, omniscient and omnipotent.

Being with the Master on Guru Poornima - Robert Kirk, New York, U.S.A.
Besides stressing one pointed meditation, our Gurudev, Sai Baba of Shirdi, also prescribed various scriptural works to be studied and contemplated upon.

On Guru Poornima day, devotees often came to Baba with a book in their hands. They presented it to Him for blessings so that its course of study would be fruitful. Generally, Sri Sai returned the book to those who offered it to Him: however, on occasion, he gave the book of one to another. As the devotees approached the Master, Sainath commented on their offerings.
To Kakasaheb, Baba advised, "Yes, these two are quite enough! (Adhyatma Ramayana and Eknath's Bhagavata)
To Lakshaman, "Read Tilak's Gita Rahasya."
To Kusa Bhau, "When you enter this mosque, be reading Sri Guru Charitra. You should also read Dasa Bodha."
Baba commented upon G.C.Narke's offering. You are reading an excellent book (Yoga Vasishta). Get me fifteen rupees dakshina from that."
To Upasni Maharaj, "The Panchadasi is our treasury. It contains all we want."
To M.Lele Shastri, "For ten days, repeat the Upanishad Taittariya."
To B.V.Dev, "Read the Jnaneshwari and the Ramavijaya."
Bhakta M.B.Rege of Indore came to darshan with no book at all. Baba replied, "You are right! Do not read any book. These people think that they will find Brahman in books; however, they only find bhrahma (confusion). It is enough if you keep me in your heart and make the heart harmonize with the head."

I hope this Guru Poornima holiday finds all Sai's Bhaktas, happy and in peace. I spent the day imagining how wonderful it must have been for these blessed devotees. I am reminded of past Guru Poornima holidays spent with my teachers who were Sai Bhaktas. How much I miss them. I thought today, "What would I come to our Sainath with on this Guru Poornima holiday?" I am reminded how little studying I do these days and would probably come with no book at all; however, my mind has entered my library and reached for the Sri Tripura Rahasya and Sant Jnanadev's Jnaneshwari. I would lovingly give these spiritual majestic works to our Babaji and whisper in His ear, "Gurudev, I have not yet studied a translation of Sri Eknath's Bhagavata. Happy Guru Poornima!"

Happy Guru Poornima to all. Satguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai.

Pravin
In the last newsletter it was mentioned not to pray for others. Please clarify as it is causing lot of confusion. That is giving out a wrong message I never heard of.

Raghu Vissamraju
Thanks to Sai bandhu SV.Swamy whose kind and appropriate message has impressed me in solving my doubt. Feature of Weak in Sai-Vichaar by SV. Swamy is really inspiring and resolves all my doubts. This tells me the deep inner meaning in Sai's preaching. I understand as to why Sai used to advice his devotees "DO NOT INTERFERE" with the method and practice of worship co-devotees are adopting. Everyone is allowed to worship/pray Sai, as per their own conscious so that they make attempt to dissolve the thick layer of ego, which is separating them from Sai. Because it is Sai who is deciding and prompting them to do so for their own benefit and well-being. SAI-RAM
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Prayer Club

Shyamala Pattisapu
Om Namo Sri Sai Ram. I have been a Sai Devotee for a very short period of time compared to many great souls. I became a Sai devotee when he showered his miracles on my family. Since then he was kind enough to take care of our family and we all feel his presence in our lives. Today me and my husband are faced with a tough decision relating to my husband's career. We have been praying for a good opportunity and by Sai Baba's grace he got it, but now we are not sure if he has to take it or not. Please pray Baba for us, so that we can take a wise decision and later will not regret. May everybody in the world be happy and get whatever they want. Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai.
Sri Sai Roopam Sirasaanamaami.
Sri Sai Naamam Sirasaanamaami.

N.Venkat Raman, Howrah, India
Om Sairam ! I humbly request all the Sai devotees prayers. My brother is working in a public limited company. At present his company's position is not good as before. In our family we are all Sai devotees. We are always praying Baba for my brother's company position to change. For the last 4 years he is facing so much problems in his office. Please all of you pray for my brother.
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Sai Activities

Sai in Annadanam -16
Stree Nivas - Home for ladies and children (orphans), Yousuf Guda, Hyderabad -500 016 (AP) INDIA. 29-05-2000. This Annadanam program was conducted on the request of Smt &Sri Sanjeevi Dhawan, Sri Kandula Vara Prasad of USA at Stree Nivas, on 29/05/2000. Archana, a ritual worship in the names of Sponsors and their family members was performed at Sri Shiridi SaiBaba temple, Sainik Puri, Hyderabad. Saidarbar team was coordinate the feeding program for 50 Destitute women and 30 Orphan. Please visit "ANNADANAM IN CAMERA" at http://www.saidarbar.com for viewing the pictures of this event. May Sai bless us all.
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Experiences of Devotees

Veena Gupta, New Delhi, India
I have not written any letter, as there was nothing new, nothing unusual. Udi comes from Baba’s photos and statues, some times from as many as 8-10 photos. It was only on the 3 occasions that Udi had not come in the last many years. Once when a baby child was born in our family in Dec 1999 as there was 'Sutak' in the house. 2nd when I was in Chennai with my elder son, at that time Udi did came at Chennai and not at New Delhi. And lastly when I was in Shirdi during Nav Rathera this year. At this time again Udi did came in our Hotel room and not in New Delhi. Thus Baba always remains with me and me with Baba. I also do not want to say much about Baba as every one loves ones own dear ones and praising our own ones is not good. Since Baba visit us every Thursdays we have started reciting Sai Amrit Vani for some months now and during this period people attending Sai Amrit Vani have different experiences of their own. Different voices coming from the Audio tape of Sai Amrit Vani. Knocking of the already open door. Roaming of a shadow among ourselves. Feeling of Baba's presence in many ways. Sprinkling of Prasad with Udi etc. This Thursday a strange thing happened. After the Sai Amrit Vani I prayed Baba for the peace for all those present and found Udi in my laps. It was increasing and increasing. We collected this Udi also. On 16th it was Guru Poornima Day but due to Lunar Eclipse Guru Poornima was observed here on 15th. That day Udi Started coming from the photo of Baba at Around 9:30 AM. We recited Sai Amrit Vani from 4 to 5 PM.
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Question of the Week

"Can we have faith in only one God and in one form?"

A Sai devotee, Vancouver BC, Canada
Jai Sai Ram and prayers to all. Let us briefly review Sai Baba’ way of life in trying to respond to this intriguing question. Sai always encouraged his devotees to follow their trusted form of Guru or God. Many such incidences are provided and they include the way Sai reminded.

While there are innumerable stories, for example, when villagers complained about Rohilla shouting "Allah ho Akbar" and disturbing them, Sai took the side of Rohilla as He liked the prayers and cries to God and asked the villagers to be patient and abate the nuisance, which He said would abate in due course. While nobody dared to apply sandal paste on Sai’s forehead, He allowed Dr. Pandit to do so because the latter believed Sai to be the same as his Guru, Raghunath Maharaj, and he imagined his Guru when he applied the sandal paste to Sai. Megha who used to first worship God Khandoba before offering prayers to Sai was sent back once when Megha went to the Masjid directly as the temple doors were closed. Megha went and found the doors open, worshipped the Deity and returned to Sai, as usual.

A second clear moral that Sai provided is "See God in all beings" for example to Mrs. Tarkhad by encouraging her to feed the hungry, as she did to a dog and telling that the dog and all other creatures are one with Him. Sai Baba provided this important message and also enabled Das Ganu to clear his doubts about Isha Upanishad through the maidservant of Kakasaheb Dixit.

From the way Sai Baba encouraged His devotees to maintain and strengthen their faith in the form of Guru or God and conveying to them that "God is in all beings", Sai Baba seems to suggest that we can have faith in only one God and in one form!

Alhad G Sathe
The Sanskrit shloka "Sarva devo namaskara Kehavam Pratigachati" means that we can follow one of many divine paths but every divine path will ultimately reach Paramatma. So we can have faith in one God. Followers of religions other than Hinduism do believe in one God. It is sometimes better to ultimately surrender to your favorite Deity as it creates a bond between Bhakta and that Deity. Bhakta can concentrate rather than go running around several deities. However one should always respect other's path or religion. Just like any stream of water reaches the ocean, Bhakti (devotion) done to fullest extent will reach the same Paramatma.

There are two forms of God; Sagun and Nirgun. Sagun is what we see or perceive. When we have an idol, photo or even a stone and with our strong faith and devotion we pray and make it Sagun (with qualities or visual form). But a God is beyond that. It is Nirgun or non-visual beyond any perception. Just a source of energy of love. Nirgun is difficult to perceive and understand. So many people perceive Sagun Bhakti. Even in Christianity there is a cross or Virgin Mary in a Church. Moslems pray towards Mecca looking for a Kaba. Whatever one does, do it for God. Live and love for God.

ShanmughaPriya, Omaha, USA
SaiRam We can faith in only one god and one form. Even though the Supreme Being (GOD)is formless, God has taken several forms and hence the birth of mythology. Baba has always said 'Allah Malik Hai'. There is only one formless God. When God gave Moses the 10 commandments, he took the form of fire. When God did leelas in Shirdi, he was in the form of Shirdi Sai Baba. People who worship Baba or Rama or Krishna or Allah or anybody else with Faith and devotion, are all equally going to gain God's Karuna because God does not differentiate as to who the people worshipped. Water, Pani, thanneer, Vallam etc... represent water, even though the word 'water' is represented differently in each language the substance is the same. Let's consider the incident in the Sai satcharita where a person meets Nana Chandorkar (who was on his way to Kalyan) and asks for Baba's Udi. The person had a friend whose daughter was seriously ill and hence he had asked for the Udi. Since Nana did not have any with him, he took little bit of sand from the ground and with full faith on Baba, he applied the sand on his wife's fore head and said 'I consider you as that little girl who is suffering and this sand as Baba's Udi. Let the girl be cured of her disease'. At about the same time the girl's health started to improve and she was cured in a few hours. This was because Nana had faith in Baba. Having faith in God is what matters. The form(s) does not matter at all. SaiRam.

Quotation of the Week

Be the real and true sons of the mother (Dwarakamayi) and fully stock your magazine. What is to become of us (this bodily life)? Earth will return to earth, and air (breath) will return to the air. This opportunity (human body) will not return. - Sai Baba of Shirdi
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