The nature of human conscious is nothing but true bliss at birth. However, it is thrown into the chaotic web of sorrow, grief, pain, pleasure, anger, passion and the countless grades of different states these emotions may have. The involvement in the cause and the effect is a tough whirlpool, a situation that can not be dealt with any other means but yield. Scriptures are unequivocal about one fact, the significance of sadguru and the faith in His predisposition. Encounter with the chosen path of salvation has to be the single most significant event in one's life. However, human mind sensitive enough to perceive the pleasures and perils of life, sometimes dismisses the key to eternal happiness as irrational and illogical.

Dr. S.P. Ruhela in " Shirdi Sai The Supreme" wrote, " With the speed of education and emergence of the age of logic, science and concern for functionality in every sphere of life, educated people of today do not have much interest and faith in divine or spiritual personalities and spiritual matters, their miracles and teachings which they ususally consider to be rather very traditional, superstitious or out of tune with modern times. But on the other hand, the sociological fact is that there is a widespread anomie (normlessness), misery, immortality and resultant insecurity and unhappiness in the world. Only the inervention of Prophets, Saints and their teachings of the right kind of moral and spiritual values, which focus on universlity and nobility of man's existence can save the crisis-ridden contemporary world".

Devotion for the most begins with the gratitude. Human mind normally fills itself with joy when the going gets good. When a calamity befalls, lo, the confidence in the self crumbles, and the mind goes in pursuit of the power that would deal with the insolvency. Then follows the gratitude towards the helmsman only to be overshadowed by the power of the mythical world, the whirlpool. This is the game of high and low and the life is one of unresolved spirits. Is devotion just an emotional gratitude to one's savior, a feeling of thankfulness for a temporary material benefit? Perhaps not! It is just a beginning of a blissful process, a sign of more magnificient things to come. Let us dwell on these thoughts as the New Year dawns. Let us resolve to seek the coffers He has open for us. Let the New Year bring the awakening, the beginning of our spiritual journey with our beloved guide, the Saint God of Shirdi.
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Sai Activities

SAI NAAM JAP at Shirdi Sai Center, New York

Shirdi Sai Center, NY is organizing AKHAND NAAM JAAP, (24 hours). Baba's name chanting will begin on Friday Jan 1st at 8.30 am and will continue till Saturday Jan 2nd 8.30 am. All of you are invited with family and friends to chant Baba's holy name. Naam Jaap is the most powerful spiritual practice and all of you will benefit by participating.

For those of your'll who cannot physically make it to the center, please mentally join us by concentrating on Baba's name chanting for as much time as possible. Baba's Taraka naam "OM SAI SHRI SAI JAI JAI SAI" will be chanted for 24 hours. The Venue for the Naam Jaap is:

Shirdi Sai Center Inc.,
46-16 Robinson Street,
Flushing, NY 11366

For further information please contact Dr. Ganagadhar Rao at (718)321 9243

Newyear Day Celebrations at Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

The schedule of events at Shirdi Sai Baba temple in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 1, 1998 is as follows:

8.00 AM Kakad Aarthi
10.00 AM Abhishek
Navagraha Homam
Shri Sai Baba Homam
11.30 AM Noon Aarthi
4.00 PM Bhajans and kirthans
6.00 PM Evening Aarthi
108 Jyothi Aarthi
Ashirwad
7.30 PM Shej Aarthi

For more information, please call Sri Panduranga Maalyala at 412-374-9244 Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Pittsburgh is located at the following address: 1449, 1551 Abers Creek Road Pittsburgh, PA 15146 Phone: (412) 374-9244 Fax: (412) 374-0940

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Experiences of Devotees

Anitha Ramesh Kandukuri, Canberra, Australia

On December 21st evening after returning from work, kids were playing in the living room while I was cooking. I heard a news headline by accident since the cartoon cassette that my five-year-old son was watching had finished. It was on National news and the Head lines said "255 women at maternity ward in THE CANBERRA HOSPITAL at risk of contracting Hepatitis B and HIV A, after undergoing surgical proceedures by a health care worker". I did not give it a thought but somehow they kept repeating it again and again. When I thought I would just listen, I heard them say that women who have undergone some procedures in the Hospital between since January 1998 and December 11, 1998 were at risk. It was further siad that 255 women on whom this particular health care worker has done procedures in the maternity ward were shortlisted.

I dismissed this news thinking this was not relevant to me. Somehow it kept flashing back in my mind and I realized soon that I was in the ward during that period and Shamukh Sai, my second son was delivered there. Just as a routine measure and to be on the safe side, I thought I would ring the hospital Hotline for and find out if it had anything to do with me. The hotline, which was set up only for this particular catastrophe, was busy and I could not get to talk to them. Some how my anxiety was increasing and I was feeling distressed. I prayed to BABA and I have this old habit of asking BABA for guidance through Saicharitra. I asked him if this would affect me anyway, praying to Lord Sai I opened the book and there was this sentence "No, have no fear and anxiety, Shyama and myself will be there before you". This is in relation to Shyama's trip to Bhuvaneshwar in Hemandpant's Saicharita. I called my General Practitioner at home (which I do only in emergency) at night 7.30, apologised for the inconvienience, and told them about what I heard on the TV and my anxiety. GP said that I did not have to worry as I had not been contacted by the hospital. However, to rest my mind she said she would write a prescription for blood test and leave it at the reception so I could collect it and get the tests done.

Later that night when Ramesh, my husband, came home at 9.00 PM after a busy day, I told him what I heard on TV and what the General Practitioner had said about it. He was anxious to know more details and tried to call the hospital. On third attempt Ramesh was able to get through to the hospital hotline for this matter and I spoke to the lady identifying myself and saying I have had a baby on 21st January and is there anything that I had to worry about regarding this issue. The counsellor on the other end said she will get back to me immediatly and hung off. This further increased our anxiety levels. I got a call again after 10 minutes and the same lady asked me my date of birth, other medical details related to delivery. Finally she said,"I have to confirm all the details before I give the information to you, and drop the bombshell, yes you are on our shortlisted names of people who has had a procedure and delivery done by the health care worker who is infected. I am sorry to do this to you before the Christmas and Newyear. How do you feel about it". My world came to an end I couldn't breathe. I thought I am not only infected but I have also passed it on to my children and husband. I asked her why was I not contacted earlier. I was given the reason that someone did try to contact me but could not and the lady went on counselling. I broke down, I cried my heart out for my kids and my husband. She spoke to my husband too, who could hardly speak. She made and appointment for next day 8.00 AM at the hospital pathology for me to have the test first, and if it was positive then for the whole family.

It was the worst night in my whole life. We couldn't sleep. Next day I went for the test, got it done and had to wait until 3.30 in the afternoon for the results. It was the worst fifteen hours in my life. I did not go to work, I was affraid to feed my kids and sent them off to baby sitter. I asked the nurse why they thought I was at risk and what were the criteria for classifying me under high risk. She explained that it was because I had a surgical procedure done on me after the delivery by the health care worker who tested positive for those infections. At last, at 3.30 when I went for the results they told me "good news, negative for both tests so no infections, have a Merry Christmas". My husband and I cried in relief and thanked BABA for his mercy.

This experience has deepened my faith in Him and showed me that He listens to us in need and never leaves His children. May BABA give you all a very happy and prosperous New Year.

Bow to Sri Sai Peace be to all
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Devotees say...

Dear Sai Vichaar Team

The peaceful "ship" I have travelled is "friendship" so from the bottom of my heart I send you this e-mail greetings, with words that is changing my life...day by day...everyday. -Sai Ram
With thousands of love
Arumuganathan (Soma) Somalingam, Australia

We all here at Sai Vichaar thank you very much for your greetings and heartily reciprocate the same!
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