Events such as those of last week raise many questions on the way we see living as well as dying. True tests of spiritual strength, such events pose several questions. The faithful will not have untimely death nor their sins will remain. Is this not the essence of Akaala Mrithyu Haram...? If so, why this calamity? what is a timely death? Does one have a control over this?

When Tatya pleaded to His God to save his dying mother, Baba replied that he would save Bayaja Mai from the jaws of death on the condition that Tatya should show at least one household where there has been no death, ever! Do not we know how Booty and Laxmibai pleaded with tears and those devotees stood with anguish to see their beloved Deva lie listless? Sri Madbhagavadgeetha says, the body is just a covering and the soul remains in tact.

"He who takes the Self to be the slayer and he who thinks He is slain, neither of these knows. He slays not, nor is He slain" - Geetha

The above is well depicted in Sri Sai Satcharitha when Baba said that nothing be effected upon anybody without God's knowledge. As the pain heals, the absolute truth uncovers itself. The enormity of the events will strengthen the soul aiding further understanding of the spiritual nature of the Self. The material self perhaps should call for the action, the action that enlightens humanity in every deed, every thought, and every word. The action that shows the unifying nature of all those inhabit mother earth for that is the biggest force, bigger than that brings about material destruction. Absolutely and positively.
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Tragedy in USA: A message from Guruji C.B.Satpathy

Mr. C.B.Satpathy, a prominent devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba, revered and respected by millions of Baba devotees around the world, lovingly addressed to as "Guruji", issued the following statement in wake of the tragedy in United States.

The acts of terrorism in the United States on September 11, 2001 are very unfortunate. It is an attack on all humanity around the world. Civilization has been compromised. The events portray hatred of one community against another indicating a dangerous trend dividing communities and countries. In a situation like this of shock and terror, the extreme thinking people may attempt to take on the lead role. This is a transition phase of the world. The saner souls of the world now have to come together and lead the transition, migration that is painful, long term, needs love, compassion and also understanding of ground realities.

It has been reported that Hindus and Sikhs due to misidentification have been attacked. Similarly, Indians have been misunderstood as people from Afghanistan or other Arab countries. Hate crimes in USA are on the increase and have been reported in other parts of the world. Whereas the Governments and their intelligence could understand the difference, the average person in USA may not have the knowledge or experience of the co-existence of the diversities in the Middle East and South East Asia. If anger has to be ventilated, it is better to direct that anger in a constructive way rather than in a destructive manner.

Indians or people of Indian origin represented in the United States by the various religious, linguistic, cultural, philanthropic, geographic, professional, industry, business or other associations, groups and organizations should come together at this need of the hour to sensibly deliberate on the issue in detail to resolve against human violence currently playing all over the globe in the nature of terrorism, extremism and fundamentalism. The resolutions such passed need to support and clarify the stand of all Indians in consensus with the decisions of the Government of India proclaiming all out assistance to USA and the rest of the world to combat terrorism. This information should be propagated, by press releases, Internet, E-mails, and other resources available, to the Indian community at large and to other groups assisting in various states. The various groups and organizations should cooperate with the Federal and State agencies involved in the relief work and assist in what ever way they could including material and financial support.

The Indian community should also sympathize and help heal the injuries of the tragedy by providing mental support to the needy. No adverse reactions or negative thoughts need to be entertained against sporadic and limited incidents by people who are yet to understand and differentiate between Indians, various religions and countries. For the time being marks of identification can be wore by people to protect themselves similar to Hindu ladies wearing a bindi or kumkum on their forehead which will not only differentiate them but also their spouses who are traveling with them. All Indian organizations should come together and resolve to help, empathize and protect this great land and the entire world at these difficult times and should include additional or modify their resolutions to include the local conditions and should initiate all such actions that will be beneficial to society.

(Mr. C.B.Satpathy can be reached at Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Chattarpur, New Delhi, India in the evenings on Thursdays and Saturdays).
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Experiences of Devotees

Anupama SaiRam
I am a regular reader of Sai Vichaar and by Baba's grace, I am writing a big experience of our life. My mother had a very good experience on JAP SHAKTI. I know it is very powerful as it gave life to my father back in the year 1980-81. It happened this way that me my brother and my other had gone to Sidhawari (at that time the Mandir's construction was going on) on a school trip. My father there at Delhi got heart attack and was admitted in the hospital in ICU. My mother there in Sidhawari got news that some relative have got admitted in the hospital so have to come back as soon as possible. There in the pundit had told my mom to do namasamran and write it on the paper so that the papers are kept down under the statue of Shri Ram Bhagwanji. During this time, my Masiji was also ill. She thought of her and came near the Hanumanji's statue to pray. Whenever she was bowing down to Hanumaji's feet, she was getting a view that my father was in the hospital. When we went back we really found my papa was hospitalized and had no chance to live further. My mother kept me and brother at home and she started staying in the hospital. However, she did not stop writing Ram Naam in the paper. She was crying and writing Ram Naam but without any thoughts. Doctor used to ask her to bring the required things necessary like medicine etc, but after those breaks, she continued Writing Bhagwan Ram Naam. The doctor came out and said he is out of their hand and they cannot do anything further and so she may call all her relative. She telephone my Mamaji to ask everyone to come and after she again started writing Ram Naam. Suddenly a miracle happened as she saw a glittering golden color light come out of the paper and there she saw a big "RAM" written on the paper with all bright shining colors and she shouted " Hey Ram, I just want my husband and nothing else!" To our surprise, doctor said that was a miracle! He said that my father had come back. He was discharged from the hospital next day! On the way, home my father told my mother that he came back from death! This is a beautiful experience of Ram Naam and its shakti! We have come across many miracles in life like this! I will write my experience with Baba in my next letter. MAY SAI BLESS YOU AND ALSO, BE WITH YOU ALL!
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Devotees say...

Venumadhav
Dear Baba, Please forgive me for all the sins I have committed. I have no words to defend myself or to the acts that I have committed, I have hurt a lot of people, my loved ones especially, people who care about me and people who love me. Baba, please help me, please support me, Please Forgive me. Baba please be with me always to help me differentiate between short term Good and Permanent good, please help me to take the correct decision all the time. Baba, please please please help me.

Anuradha Wusirika
If You Look To Me, I Will Look After You. This is the message given to me by Baba. Baba You helped me in all my troubles and happenings. I owe you a lot in my life. Please help me in getting the job. I am looking at you I know you will look after me and you are with me. I belong to Sai Baba. All that happens to me is part of His plan for my good. I feel His strength flowing within! Baba's delays are not Baba's denials. Give me more strength. Please hold my hand & be with me as I do not know where are the pitfalls in this big universe. Sairam

Saumya Rajesh
This is in response to the article posted by Anitha Kandukuri, about human values and how people suffer setbacks on account of their actions. She says 'Love begets love, do no harm to others you will not be harmed'. I feel that this philosophy is not quite true, at least in my case. I have had instances when I have helped people and been nice to them and the same people have retaliated against me. For instance, my roommate to whom I had always been very affectionate fought with me and walked out on me and now treats me very contemptuously. She had insulted me earlier a couple of times and the other day, after the disaster at New York, I called her to find out how her friends, whom I personally do not know, are doing. She was very contemptuous of the fact that I had called to enquire and asked me deliberately with vehemence who I was. The pain that I experienced at that point was terrible, all I had tried to do was to be nice, and I could hardly hold back my tears. I prayed for a while to Baba and I felt stronger at heart. I have not deliberately caused harm to her or to anyone.

Baba says that you should do a good turn to others even if they hurt you, whenever it is possible. It is a concept that is very difficult to follow especially when some people are determined to hurt you. Now I certainly do not want to keep in touch with my former roommate for fear of getting hurt again. There are a lot of people in this world who think that they can get away by hoodwinking others and by lying, but these lies will always catch up with them. They will one day be answerable for them to God. This is the concept that gives people like me strength.

Jagdish Masand, New Jersey
A Sai Ambassador And A Sai Messenger - Dr. Gadhia
Dr Dhirubhai Gadhia hails from a prominent business family from Tanzania, East Africa. He has been living in Leicester, England, UK since early 1970s. He gained his medical degree from Bangalore University (India) and graduate degrees from Liverpool University in UK.

In 1978 Dr. Gadhia first participated in a Laksharchana (Namasmarana, reciting Gods name or a mantra or a sloka about 100,000) at Bolton Sri Sathya Sai Baba Center, UK. Over the years, he has held laksharchana programs, given countless talks and Sai bhajans or sathsang in Sai Baba Centers all over UK and many countries. He is well known for Shirdi Sai Satcharitra saptahs or sessions (reading of Shirdi Sai Baba's biography in 7 or 9 days) where after each chapter he talks on the inspiring teachings and miracles. These have been video taped in Gujarati and English. He has also composed and sung many Sai Bhajans, which are available on audiotapes.

He is visiting USA this month and please take a look at his program in the Sai Activities section.
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Prayer Club

Atul Handa
I request all the devotees of BABA to join me in prayers for the people who have been touched by the tragedy in New York. All the Baba's devotees are familiar with the power of prayer. So lets pray together to BABA and earnestly ask Him alleviate the grief the people and families who have lost dear and loved ones. Just take a moment, while you read this...and pray with all your heart for the numerous people who are suffering the loss of friends and family members...BABA will surely help them to endure the pain and sorrow, if we are sincere in our prayers.

MRK, Phoenix, AZ
Let us pray to Sai Maharaj to bless all innocent souls who while in line of duty perished at New York and Pentagon. Shirdi SAI MAHARAJ'S life is a clarion call for unity and love. Nobody knows whether Shirdi Sai is a Muslim or Hindu. He knew and cherished both the religions. He had devotees who were Hindu, Muslim, and Christian. He treated and loved all of them with the same love and unified all conflicts in religion as reflection of one truth and love. He transformed and is transforming human beings to better and better humans by his universal love. He taught his devotees truth of love and that all religions are good and preach to serve and love. Love ever and hurt never. He also preached to eschew jealousy, hatred, and envy. He allowed Koran to be read. Equally he explained GITHA to Hindus and allowed festivals of both Muslim and Hindu festivals conducted before him. He is thus epitome of love truth and unity. Let us pray to Him at this moment of crisis. All religions teach peace, happiness truth mercy, and compassion. God is one. Each may call him by different names. Let no one blame any religion. The man's greed, envy, and hatred create abominable devils. We had Hitler once preaching racial superiority. Now we have this misery perhaps due to the misunderstood misinterpreted understanding of religion. May we pray to the everliving loving SAIMAHARAJ TO BLESS ALL HUMANITY WITH PEACE AND HARMONY.
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Quotation of the Week

"You see mysterious is the path of action. Though I do nothing, they hold Me responsible for the actions which take place on account of Adrista (destiny). I am only their witness. The Lord is the sole Doer and Inspirer. He is also most merciful. Neither I am God nor Lord. I am His obedient servant and remember Him often. He, who casts aside his egoism, thanks Him and he, who trusts Him entirely, will have his shackles removed and will obtain liberation". - Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi

Question of the Week

Q. "WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NANDADEEP AND NANDANVAN IN SHIRDI?"
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Sai Activities

Dr. Gadhia's visit to New Jersey and New York.

1. NEW JERSEY
Date: Friday, September 21, 2001
Time: 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Place: Clinton Manor, 2735 Route 22 West, Union, NJ 07083
Program Includes:
SAI BHAJANS,Talk in Gujarati language, Questions and Answers, AARTI,
MAHAPRASAD
For further information contact
Mr. Narendra Dave @ Tel: (908) 686-7214 or
Mr. Jayant Sawla @ Tel: (732) 801-5955

2. NEW JERSEY
Date: Saturday, September 22, 2001
Time: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Place: Robertsville Elementary School, 36 Menzel Lane,
Morganville, NJ 07751
Program Includes:
Sai Bhajans, Laksharchan, Talk
For further information contact
Mr. Ramesh Sharma @ Tel: (732) 525-0987 or
Mr. Arjun Seth @ Tel: (609) 588 0567

3. NEW YORK
Date: Sunday, September 23, 2001
Time: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Place: Parvathi/Lakshmi Hall Hindu Temple,
45-57 Bowne Street, Flushing, New York
(Main Entrance on Smart Street)
Program Includes:
Sai Bhajans, Paduka Puja, Talk, followed by Questions and Answers
For further information, please contact:
Shashidharan @ Tel: (212) 369-2356 or
Krishnan Iyer @ Tel: (718) 460-8188.
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