Sai Vichaar 01.Feature of the Week: The King Among Saints 02.Contributed Article: Destroy Teli`s Wall 03.Experiences of Devotees 04.Devotees Say 05.Sai Activities 06.Prayer Club 07.Quote of the Week 08.Question of the Week 09.Subscribe to Sai Vichaar 10.Email Newsletter to a friend 11.Submit Articles to Sai Vichaar 12.Un-Subscribe Sai Vichaar 13.From the Editor's Keyboard 14.Disclaimer From the Editor's Keyboard... Today marks the beginning of the fifth year for Sai Vichaar on the web. Thank you all for your contributions in the form of writings. One of the most fulfilling functions of Sai Vichaar is to exist as a medium for sharing Sai activities across the globe. Please refer to Sai activities for one such event, Akhanda Sainaama Jaap in United Arab Emirates, first of its kind in that part of the world. Sai devotee Shyamala Hari suggested the "Question of the week" for this week, "Does Baba punish one for his/her bad actions?" 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 saibaba.org is not
responsible for the opinions expressed by individual contributors.
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![]() ![]() Feature of the week: The King Among Saints Santhan kaa Baadshah Sayee sab kaa pyaaraa
(Our beloved Sai, You are the King among Saints; the light for the world of the blind) Just wonder what a stranger would see as he walks into Saidarbar in Shirdi today. The vibrant idol of Lord Sainath sitting on the throne lovingly glancing at those blessed visitors. In no time, the lively marble statue will attract any stranger and one cannot miss Talim's artisanship in etching the minutest of the details including the tear on Sadguru Sainath's kafni. As the curiosity builds, the Sadguru is bathed, dressed, and scented. To top everything, the Crown is placed on the divine head and thus shines the King. Unperturbed by all the meddling, the Lord God of Shirdi continues to sit on the throne in Shirdi as well as on the hearts of those miles and miles away. The one that wore a torn rag is decorated with jewelry and diamonds! Saints are the repositories of virtues. The hallmark of Saints includes benevolence, charity, compassion, and poverty. Saibaba possessed all the above to their fullest. His humility is as well known as His willingness to guide those in distress. Although a perfect siddha possessing all the eight powers, He humbly said, God is Great, as if he was only a saadhaka, thus giving humility a very new dimension. It is said that at any given time, the spiritual world is always guided by Perfect Masters whose function is to awaken the spiritual longing in those swept away by the material current. Hailed by even those Perfect Masters, the Saint of Shirdi remains the most unique of all, the Perfect of the Perfect. Let us bow to the King of Saints and let us pray that peace shall
prevail. And true, it will!
Contributed Article: Destroy Teli`s Wall
Contributed by D. Sankariah, Hyderabad.
Ravi Rajasekharuni
I was worried and planned to be there at Hyderabad before the surgery was to be performed. I was going to Hyderabad from the USA after more than 10 years since I left India. I have been praying to Baba daily since last year for giving me opportunity to visit my parents at Hyderabad, serve them for at least a month, and make them happy. I left for India on 13 Dec 2001 via Singapore. At Singapore, my younger brother coming from Sydney to go to Hyderabad joined me. This was a pure coincidence as I was unaware of his trip to Hyderabad on the same day. Both of us reached Hyderabad on 16th December2001. My father was admitted to hospital on 20th of Dec. He underwent a successful operation to his blocked artery in the neck. All my family members felt happy and my father was discharged on 25th of December. The doctor told my father is to undergo his bypass surgery around 10th of January 2002. Meanwhile, my brother and I decided to go to Shirdi. We booked tickets on same day to catch the bus at 6.00 PM. In the meanwhile my father said he was having difficulty urinating around 4.00 pm. We consulted a neighborhood family doctor who told us to wait. My mother was worried, as my self and my younger brother are getting ready to catch Shirdi Bus. Seeing the situation, my self and my brother decided to cancel the Shirdi trip and I started from home to cancel the tickets. When I reached the travel agent, I got a call to my cell phone from my brother not to cancel tickets, as my father and mother wanted us to go Shirdi. We boarded the Shirdi bus around 6.30 PM and worrying all he way about our father. We reached a stop around 10.00 PM and called our home and nobody answered. We tried another three to four times to call my parents but no one was answering. We were worried and thought my father might be having some serious health problem. The bus was supposed to start in about 5 minutes and we were undecided whether to go further or return home. My brother flipped a coin and the result suggested us to go back home. We took our bags from the bus and tried to find information on how to go back to Hyderabad. We tried to stop several trucks/vans bound for Hyderabad direction, but unsuccessful. Finally one big truck stopped and the driver, a Muslim gentleman asked where are we going. We told our plan and he agreed to take us to Hyderabad for a very nominal amount. We sat in the driver's cabin and I was praying to Baba all the time for my father's safety and health. When we reached Hyderabad, we decided to go to Mediciti hospital instead of home as we felt father may have been admitted there. The truck driver dropped us in front of the hospital. We thanked him and paid him twice the original amount. He felt very happy. We ran inside the hospital and found that my father was admitted and when we went to the room, my elder brother was present. He and my father were surprised on seeing us. We told them everything that happened so far. My father felt happy to see us back but felt very unhappy about our cancelled Shirdi trip. My father was discharged in 2 days time. Unfortunately, due to urinary infection and side effects of medication, my father was re-admitted to same hospital on 30th of Dec. My father passed away on 14th of January early morning even before his scheduled bypass surgery. This leela his showed that Sai wished that we spent time with our father by canceling our Shirdi trip. Sai knows my father's life is ending soon and performed this miracle and fulfilled our wish to be with him and serve him in the available time we have. Sai also fulfilled my wish regarding serving my parents for at least a month. I started from USA on 13th December night and my father expired at around 2:00am on 14th of Jan 2002, which is a month's period. Even though I felt extremely sad for I could not do much for my father in my life, Sai granted this opportunity to be with my father at Hyderabad during his last days. I firmly believe that the truck driver was none other than Sai. Bow to Sri Sai. Allah Malik. Nirav Shah, London
Once a year we try and do our Satcharitha and every time Saibaba comes in the form of some guest or friend or relative we never have to call them because in our heart we always wish that Baba would come to our place for meal. Last month when it was Ramnavmi, I did my Satcharitha and that time I was anxious to see who was going to come for partaking the meals and I was shocked. Just before we were going to sit down and eat, our meal came one English woman to sell some of her products. I made sure that I gave here what she could eat in this case it was "gulab jamun" and she ate with her heart's delight.....the feeling of happiness I cannot express but all I can say is Baba is always with us. The other incident happened some time back. I met my friend Sandeep who
had many problems with job and immigration. He did not want to go back
to India as he had spent so much money behind his education that if he
went back all would go to waste and he would have to listen to a lot of
foul talks by people over there. One day he told us about this and we
gave him a Baba's murti to keep and said that thing will be fine in a
months time and believe it or not He went for an interview on Thursday
and got the job then he got offered a better and permanent job and then
also he found an NRI and he is now engaged to be married. See how much
Baba has done for him without him even doing anything at all. All I can
say is that if you do Sai pooja with devotion then he will always take
care of you no matter what.
Sai Devotee 'V'
Raghunath
Shashwat Raizada
Padma
Om Sai Ram, My daughter (who is 22months old) also suffered a lot from Eczema since 4 weeks old. When she was about 16 months old, the eczema became severe and came all over her body and she scratched herself till she bled in some places. I took here to the doctor almost every week. Finally we got it under control. 1. Eczema is caused by allergy to something. After a long time I figured out that she is allergic to any kind of soap or shampoo. Even Baby shampoo was not suiting her. So, we use lever 2000 with no perfume, on her now and also on here hair. 2. I also tried soy milk and soy formula for a few months to make sure she was not allergic to regular milk. 3. She has sensitive skin so we started using DREFT detergent for her laundry and any clothes that she comes in contact with. 4. For severe eczema, please use ELOCON (prescription) ointment. This cures instantly. I tried hydrocortisone, Protopic, Nystatin and a lot more but Elocon gives instant relief and within 2 hours the rashes heal and itching stops. 5. use Tavist-D antihistamine for night time sleep so that the baby does not get disturbed. Around Midnight every day my baby would wake up scratching herself. One of the doctors told me that at midnight, the natural steroids in the body come to a low point and that increases the itchiness. My baby used to wake every night for more than a month when I met this doctor on a doctors visit at urgent care when he gave me this suggestion. Thankfully, my baby's eczema is under control. 6. Now and then my baby still get rashes, but it is under control. I
just apply hydrocortisone. Elocon is only for severe eczema.
Sushma Prasad
Garapaty Ram Manohar
Smita Prasad
Today I come to you with another prayer. I recently came across a person who has misunderstood me throughout. Though I have tried to explain and make him understand, it was of no avail. Please remove that misunderstanding and give us another chance to get to know each other better. Please take care of him and his loved ones. Please give him peace of mind, and the wisdom that will overpower his anger. Please be with him when he travels, when he is upset and when he needs You. Please give him success in all that he endeavors, and the initiative in all his dreams. Give him serenity and calmness Lord. Forgive me Baba for having behaved without compunction. Om Sai Ram Vinay Rajput and Family
Quotation of the Week
Q. Does Baba punish one for his/her bad actions? BL Venkatesh Murthy
S.V. Swamy, Hyderabad
On the other hand, if we identify ourselves with Him (Baba, God, call whatever you will), i.e. in true Advaita (non-dual) mode, then we will approach the question from a different perspective. Who does the karma, punya/papa, good/bad actions? Is it the body, mind, the intellect or something else? Who is that doer? What is our true nature? If we accept that we are not different from God (pl. see Baba's teaching of BG Sloka 13-4 to Sri Nana Saheb Chandorkar), or putting it a little differently that the Sishya is not different from the Guru and that both are actually Gyanamurties, the only difference being that the Sishya is deluded, while the Guru is not, then we are unaffected by actions. We too, will accept everything as God's will and will observe it like a witness. Baba Himself used to say that, people unnecessarily attribute to Him many things good or accuse Him of not doing good. He said that He just looks a little ahead and tells them whatever is in store and that He is a Witness. He also said that He is just an obedient servant of God and He remembers Him often. Pl. recall what Baba said when Shama goes back to Him after visiting his sister-in-law, who recovered from plague in just one night, thanks to Baba's Udhi. From a philosophical point of view, destiny is of three types; what has been brought from the past, what is being accumulated and what is in store for future. Our mind, acts as per the previously accumulated destiny, which modifies the present and thus paves the way for the future. It is as if we are floating in a raft without any oar or rudder, down a river. An observer seeing from a higher height can see ahead the path of the river and May guide us or caution us. He may, if powerful enough, throw a rope to us and pull us to safety if needed. Baba was certainly in that position of spiritual height and power. He knew Allah's will and acted accordingly. All actions and the fruits of the actions have only one purpose, viz.,
to teach us to go beyond our limited ego and learn to play our allotted
role in the drama of life without pride of doing. Once our intellect
takes control (and our intellect will be awakened thanks to Sadguru Sai
Baba, if we do 'Tadviddhi pranipatena pari prasnena sevaya...'), and we
start our journey to discover our true self, our desire for rewards of
actions is snapped and we are no longer affected by them. So neither
reward nor punishment affects us. We accept everything as His Will. Jai
Sai Ram.
Baba's Murthi Stapana Divas It has been one year since Baba's holy Murthi graced Sydney. The Beautiful Murthi (Idol) of Baba was unveiled by Pujya Guruji, Shri Chandra Bhanu Satpathy jee on Queen Birthday long weekend last year, coinciding with Sai Utsav 2001. To commemorate the occasion, Shree Shirdi Sai Sansthan Sydney invites you all with Family & Friends to attend and celebrate 1st Anniversary of Baba's Murthi Sthapana, and seek Shirdi Baba's Blessings. Spreading Sai Consciousness, Philosophy and Spirituality, which was the principal objective of SAI Utsav 2001 has been achieved with the increasing and overwhelming support and patronage of Devotees since Baba's arrival in Sydney. It is indeed miraculous as we witnessed the increase in the number of Devotees attending various activities of the Sansthan. Though the Year has passed very quickly, the memories of Sai Utsav 2001 and Baba's arrival are still fresh in every devotee's mind. Please join us in reaffirming our commitment to sing the glories of Lord Shirdi SAI. Programme:
Monday 10th June 2002 - Temple open from 9:30am till 8pm for Darshan
Any devotee wishing to contribute Prasad can make Annadanam Donation at the Temple, as Prasad will be prepared at the Mandir unlike in the past. For more information on Baba's Murthi Stapana Divas celebrations or Sansthan's activities, please see the Organising Volunteers at the Mandir or call Sansthan's Infoline 0500 524724. Akhanda Sainaama Jaap, United Arab Emirates
For details please contact: Shri D S Agarwal (adexport@vsnl.com); Shri Daulat (mpile@emirates.net.ae); Shri Sanjay Pal (Tel:0504941815); Shri D Sankaraiah (sainama@yahoo.com) Shirdi Sai Baba Prayer Center, VA Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra, Austin, TX Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra, Charlotte, NC SAI ACTIVITIES- SAIDARBAR- HYDERABAD.
Sai Satsanghs were also conducted on May 9, 2002 at Saidarbar, KamalaNagar, Hyderabad, May 11 at Sivanagar Colony, Secunderabad, and on May 12 at Sri Shirdi Sai Mandir, Bagh Lingampally, Hyderabad. SAI'S NEWS FROM THE TIME MACHINE:
For further details regarding conducting Satsanghs please contact: saidarbar@saidarbar.com or visit http://www.saidarbar.com Sai Mandir, Ambala Cantt. India Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 2002 in UK Shirdi Sai Baba Prayer Center, NJ Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra, Toronto, Canada Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra and Sai Satsang, Twin Cities, MN Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 2002 in USA The journey which involves the ceremonial travel of Baba in the form of a portrait will stop at all Baba devotees homes who are interested in being a host to his protrait. The Yatra which will run till fall of this year, is open to one and all. There is no fees or charges involved to take part in this event. You may participate either as a host home or serve as an anchor point in your community. Vist online at yatra page for all the details and to register. For questions, comments, suggestions or to get details on an Anchor home
in your area, send us an email at maildrop@saibaba.org with the subject
line of "Shri Sai Chitra Yatra".
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