Is there a way to quantify faith? What constitutes a successful dose of patience? Some endure a hardship for several years, yet call themselves fortunate. Some seem to have a short stint with time and profess to have waited patiently! Wisdom, whether through Bhakthi or Jnana should impart the ability to discriminate. Discrimination between things of transient nature and that are permanent should lead to detachment. Spirituality may not be about quantifiable material gains and losses that one accomplishes with the help of Sadguru. It may also not be about extending the benefits that are only perishable. On the other hand, it may be about a total personal transformation that should take place every minute, while at sleep or awake. The effort has to come from within oneself and the external factors may be the means to accomplish them.

On several occasions, Baba said out of love for His devotees - "What (whether good or bad) is ours, is with us, and what is another’s is with him." - Ch. XLV, Shri Sai Satcharitra. Some of the simplest expressions of Baba seem to have the message of greatest importance. A moment of contemplation on such comments might have the most profound effects on what we perceive as pain or pleasure. By the above statement, Sadguru Sainath has endorsed the thought that our actions precede our fruits, the consequences. He also several times advised that one have to endure the consequences of his past Karma. Devotees also have seen how Sainath comes to their rescue if the faith is earnest and the patience is complete. The patience is complete if the faith is earnest. He is the helmsman and His boundless coffers are open.
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Experiences of Devotees

B. Laghate, Ex-Sub Judge, Shaniwarpeth, Poona, wrote on 20 July 1936, as follows:

"I went to Sai Baba about 1913 or 1914. I was in trouble and I went to get his ashirwad (i.e.) blessings to get rid of the trouble. When I approached him, he asked for dakshina and I gave it. He said to me of his own accord ‘sow margosa and afterwards cut off that tree'.* I could not make head or tail of this utterance. It was evidently not the ashirvad I went to him for. I was disappointed and I never went to him again, though at about that time, I lived with Mr. H.S. Dixit (who was a staunch devotee of Sai Baba) for three years."

*There was a bribery case in the Criminal Court against him for having taken bribes and he was convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment with a heavy fine. This was confirmed on appeal. It was, pending the appeal, that he (B. Laghate) went to Baba to get his blessings for success. Margosa sowing and margosa reaping was Baba’s parable about the law of Karma. If you sow the bitter seed the result must be bitter and of the same sort. Therefore, it is better for man fully to pay the price or penalty of one’s folly, wash off one’s karmic debt and profit in the future from the lesson of the past.

(From Devotees’ Experiences of Sri Sai Baba by His Holiness Narasimhaswami ji)
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Devotees say...

A devotee from Australia
I would like of offer my opinion in response to a devotee's request in Sai Vichaar (28-1-'99) for advice regarding the astrologer's prediction about her friend conceiving.

To have Faith in Baba does not mean that we necessarily disregard others' advice at all times and rush into things. One could even think that Baba has come in that guise to warn you in advance. If someone gives an advice to proceed with wrong things, which are not worthy of offering to Baba, that advice should definitely not be taken. This also applies if we have the faintest hint that the advisor's character is not good or he/she has bad motives. Baba always said, stick to your Guru, irrespective of His abilities, as long as the Guru has good character and good motives. So if you think an adviser has the latter qualities, one can take the advice in good Faith and depend on Baba. Most important in this regard is to wait patiently, and He is sure to help. Because, as Baba said, Saburi or patience is the twin sister of Faith. Whatever you do in good Faith, will certainly be appreciated by Baba and He will respond. In regard to the story you gave about Master Tendulkar as an example, Baba directly told them to disregard the astrologer's advice so they acted accordingly. Remember a story in Satcharita about Mr. Ambedkar - with Baba's blessings, he was saved from suicide and that he later became proficient in astrology and led a comfortable life. Astrology in itself is not wrong nor is all astrologers are to be doubted. Three years after marriage is not a long wait. My sister did not conceive until 7 years after marriage! By Baba's Grace she has a wonderful boy who is nearly 3 years old now and she regards him as a gift from Baba. "Do your duty, do not be afraid in the least, steady your mind and Have Faith in my words" said Baba to Hemadpant. Seek medical advice too. Do whatever you can with the knowledge and resources you have. As with the rest, leave it to Baba and wait patiently.

Manish Saxena
Dear Sai Bhaktas, I have experienced a very big miracle recently and would like telling all of you who have been writing all sorts of rubbish, impractical, stupid suggestions regarding the questions being asked here.

I had written some time back on this site about my experience with Saibaba. I had mentioned about my case where I was asked by my management of the office I was working, to quit my job on charges that I had misappropriated my office funds and other stupid reasons which were really baseless and without any evidence. I decided to go to the court. Since there was no enquiry or any evidence, the presiding officer in the labor commissioner office wrote in his confidential report that the management had wrongly terminated my services and wrote all the facts in my favor. That document was presented in the court as an evidence of my being not guilty and as a result the case went ex-parte and I was overjoyed that Baba had finally helped me out and I wrote all sorts of good things here. Suddenly when I went to the court to get my orders I found that the management had given money or whatever to the judge and have asked to open the case again with no head and foot in it. Now I think that the case will stretch to another 2-3 years and about 3 years have already passed. I am without a job and I have a family to support, my father expired last year, and I have to look after the house.

I would like to ask the bhaktas where do I go for justice as it has been said here to keep faith in God and patience will help you. I have lost my father, my job, etc. now what is next for me? What do I do now?

Om Sairam
Manish Saxena
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Sai Activities

Sai Baba Mandir in North Bergen, NJ, USA

Address: 818 Columbia Avenue,
North Bergen, NJ 07047-1636
Tel No: 201-601-1287

Daily Activities:
8.30 AM to 9.30 AM - Vishnusahasranam Recital
3.00 PM to 6.00 PM - Sai Satcharita Reading
6.00 PM - Aarthi
Meditation, Mantra, Jaap, Dhun will be performed after 6.00 PM Aarthi.
Every Thursday - Sai Bhavani/Datt Bhavani will be performed after 6.00 PM Aarthi
Every Saturday - Hanuman Chalisa recital after 6.00 PM Aarthi.

The mandir is open everyday for darshan any time between 8.00 AM and 10.00 PM.

Devotees can get a copy of Sai Satcharita free in the language of choice (on availability) by writing any mantra in any language 125,000 times and submitting it to the above address.

Devotees are welcome to the mandir in to do meditation, perform Namajapa, Sai Satcharita, Sai Sapth-Parayan, Maun Vratha or any other religious activity at any time. Overnight stay possible with prior confirmation via telephone.
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