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Sai Vichaar 1.Feature of the Week:Dedication 2.Activities 3.Experiences of Devotees 4.Devotees Say 5.From the Editor's Keyboard 6.Subscribe to Sai Vichaar 7.Disclaimer From the Editor's Keyboard... Sai Vichaar wishes Happy Hanukah to our Jewish brethren celebrating the festival of lights. Please also refer to Sai activities section for details on the monthly pooja performed by Sai Samsthan USA at Shri Shirdi Sai Mandir, Warrenville, IL, a Chicago suburb. We also wish to draw your attention to the unfortunate and sudden demise of Rajendra Naik in Plano, TX. Shri Raj Naik leaves behind his wife Jayashri and infant daughter Shruthi. A fund has been set up for Rajendra Naik. We urge readers to respond in the spirit of helping out a distressed family. The fund is set up for a very short duration. Please refer to the appropriate section for more details and refer to the persons listed before sending your contributions. Please send us your comments/suggestions on Sai Vichaar by writing to the Shirdi Sai Baba web site organization. Humbly yours, The Editor
Disclaimer Sai Vichaar is devoted to the philosophy and teachings of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi, and will take every measure to avoid topics or themes contradicting the same. Sai Vichaar team or the Shirdi Sai Baba web site organization is not responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
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Feature of the week:
Dedication
The village merchants conspired together to deny the oil that Baba used to get everyday. Baba used this oil to lit lamps in the Masjid. Unperturbed, Sai Baba swallowed some water, spit it back into the container and used it to lit the lamps and the lamps burnt whole night. What a wonderful sight that should have been! It is a miracle that could be performed only by a soul that controlled all elements. What does Baba signify by this incident? Is this just another miracle for His followers to marvel at? While we are awestruck at this miracle of Sainath, we should also notice the perseverance and dedication of Sai Baba in carrying out His tasks without giving up. Instead of walking away from the merchants that denied oil, Baba chose to use the incident to set an example for how dedicated one should be in carrying out their duties. The ritual of lighting lamps signifies the entrance of the light of wisdom in our lives to drive away the darkness of ignorance. Baba, like a dedicated warrior fighting ignorance stuck to His duty of lighting the lamp of wisdom in our lives. Let us remind ourselves of our duties and let the example of Sainath’s dedication be our guidance and inspiration.
Happy Hanukah Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated for eight days, commencing on the 25th day of the month of Kislev (November/December), to commemorate the victory of the Jews over the Hellenist Syrians in 165 BCE. Hanukkah is celebrated this year from December 13. Hanukkah in Hebrew means dedication and the story goes as follows: The Maccabees, sons of the Priestly Hasmonean family led the Jews in their revolt against the Syrian overlords. After their victory, they cleansed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem defiled by the Syrian invaders, dedicated it again to the service of God and in memory of their victory, the Maccabees celebrated the first Hanukkah. Judah Maccabee and his associates, while making ready to rededicate the Temple were unable to find enough clean oil to light the lamps. However, in one of the Temple chambers, they finally came upon a small cruse of oil, which, under normal circumstances, would have lasted only one evening. Miraculously, this small amount of oil kept the Temple lights burning, not for one night, but for all the eight nights until new oil fit for use in the temple could be obtained. This is the miracle commemorated by the kindling of the Hanukkah lights. The most important observance associated with Hanukkah is the kindling of the Hanukkah lights on the Menorah or Hanukkiya, a seven- or nine-branch candelabrum. On each night, more light is kindled, beginning with one candle on the first night of Hanukkah and ending with eight on the final evening. The chanting of appropriate blessings and the singing of songs accompany the lighting. The ninth branch is reserved for the shamash, the servant light, which is lit first and used to kindle the other lights of the Menorah. Hanukkah light symbolizes the light of religious, national and cultural freedom won by the Maccabees for their people. It gave new force to the faith that had waned under the influence of Hellenism and Jewish culture began to flourish again. In addition, the Hebrew language, which had been largely supplanted by Greek, came into its own once more. Hanukkah is a joyful family festival for Jews all over the world. They celebrate this festival of lights by praying, exchanging gifts, children playing games and having parties. Special delicacies during this period includes latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (doughnuts). These are delicacies made with oil, long associated with Hanukkah.
Activities
Sai Samsthan USA, Chicago has scheduled their monthly pooja at Shirdi Sai Baba mandir, Warrenville, IL, on Sunday, December 27, 1998. The program is as follows: 9.00 AM Kakada Arthi Shri Shirdi Sai Baba mandir is situated at 27W321 Butterfield Road, Warrenville, IL. 60555. For directions, please call the mandir at 630-653-4444. Other Activities: Appeal for Rajendra Naik Fund By Mallige Kannada Sangha Rajendra Naik, a 32 year old Member of Scientific Staff at Nortel, was diagnosed with acute Lukemia and after a brave battle succumbed to its complications on November 27, 1998. Rajendra leaves behind his wife Jayashree and his three month-old daughter Shruthi. The medical costs associated with this tragic event have mounted to over $50,000.
This is an appeal for donations for Raj Naik's family.
Please help Raj’s wife Jayashree and their three-month-old baby Shruthi, by contributing generously within the next week. Please make your checks payable to "TANTEX Rajendra Naik Fund" and mail it to, If you need any further information, please call(USA Numbers) Havovi Medora, Bombay, India Last weekend I had the good fortune to visit Shirdi. I went in a car with three other devotees and received the most wonderful darshan. There Baba sat - like a King, while millions thronged and craned their necks to get a glimpse of their beloved Sai. Yes, it was my destiny to go in comfort and get a VIP pass to stand right at Sai's feet, but the feeling of all those who had walked miles, clutching a few dried up flowers, children and babes-in-arm, oh what an overwhelming sight! Tears streamed ceaselessly down my cheeks as I witnessed their devotion. I have been to so many places of worship but I have never seen devotion like this. What is it about this simple humble soul who came to this little village? What every devotee had in common was the unconditional love for this unique being who chose to go around begging for his food. At this point, I wish to tell a story from the Sat Charita about a devotee, Kaka Saheb Dixit. He suffered from total restlessness of the mind. No matter what he did, no matter how much he prayed, his mind knew no peace. One night he had a dream in which a Hindu goddess appeared and told him to go to Sai Baba. Unfortunately, he awoke before confirming where he had to go. So he went to a few holy places, prayed and did the usual rites, but still he remained restless and knew no peace of mind. In a subsequent dream, he learned that he should go to Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi. He made all arrangements to undertake the journey. As soon as Kaka Saheb saw Baba his mind lost its restlessness. He felt calm and at peace - what wonder! Baba said nothing, did nothing; just his glance was enough. Yes, my dear fellow devotees, just to look upon him one feels that sense of calm. Mental worries seem to disappear and we are left there standing steadfast with a power and strength to take on what this world has to offer. It was a beautiful weekend in Shirdi. In the early hours of the morning, as Baba sat there patiently allowing his pujaris to bathe him with milk and rose water, it was truly a sight for the gods. We were all there - Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis - poor, rich, black and white. But we all had one purpose. We all wanted the same thing. Our Sai Baba. He has touched people from all over the world. The Incredible Sai Baba.
Perez Chandra To Dear Sai Bhakt, Namaste. I was recently in Shridhi for a few hours. It is very disturbing to learn very reliably that the shopkeepers crowding around the temple, especially the ones situated just outside the lane connecting Gurustan and Dwarkamai, are ganging up and instigating the villagers. Their cause of ire is due to the fact that finally the temple has an executive officer in one Shri Pawar who is a go-getter, every one confesses. Shri Pawar has decided to demolish the shops in question and provide the badly needed wide road. From the present location of the shops, for the road widening and for free empty space, it is proposed, as per my brief understanding, to demolish all structures upto 30 mts. No doubt, it will give a lot of free space and unhindered movement to the devotees whose numbers are ever on the increase. Of course, the greedy shopkeepers and other vested interests will have nothing of that. Now what is most disturbing is the fact that the shopkeepers, almost all, belong to one political party with connections at high places. In order to thwart the designs of the traders, it is time, we all send in, from all over the world, messages of support to the honest mission of the executive officer. Let us flood the government and news papers with letters. Let us warn and caution the government. Let us advocate the promulgation of a Presidential Ordinance, if needed, to restore holiness and tranquility to Shridhi, which has emerged as the second most important
pilgrimage after Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh. This is very urgent and I have been directed by Baba to bring to your notice to put a world wide alert. (I got the direction as I was paying my respects in Baba's Samadhi on 8th of this month.)
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