His devotees swear Baba is God and why not? Baba, although a human being, had all attributes of God. He was omniscient, he was aware of everything that happened anywhere and everywhere including what passed through the minds of human beings and creatures. He would read the past and the future of his devotees. He was omnipresent. He was simultaneously present in a number of places to the utter surprise and delight of his devotees and this has been vouched for by devotees who saw him in Bombay at the puja room of a devotee and in Shirdi (at the same time). He controlled the elements and he shaped events to happen differently from what they would have in the normal course. He read men's thoughts hundreds and thousands of miles away and no one who came to Dwarakamayi could have thoughts without Baba being aware of them the moment they originate. He proved oneness with all Gods and Saints. And more than anything else, his love and compassion for all creations of God were so deep and all embracing that only God could shower them in such abundance. What devotees prayed to the deities they worshipped in home or temples they received by the mere glance of this living God who assured them protection and security, fulfilled all their desires and made them happy. Is it then any wonder that they came to believe that he was God walking on earth? It did not matter to them that he appeared to belong to another religion (and he was supremely indifferent and did not think it necessary to reveal his true self to them) but he was God all the same to them and some called him "Muslim Vishnu".

(From "God who walked on earth" by Shri R. Parthasarathy)
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Contributed Article: Dear, Chant the name of Sai

Oh man of riches
And inflated ego
Relax, take a deep breath
Dear, chant the name of Sai

Hatred, deceit has no value
In the grandeur of
Music of clouds
Silky sun rays and
Cool moonbeams
Dear, chant the name of Sai

Listen to the music of heart
Clam your inner dialogue
Loosen all the boundaries around
Things, Ideas, People
Slip into the gap of infinite
And be free
Dear, chant the name of Sai

The day is not too far when
Death will pale and crumble you
Into the dust
Sooner than later
Dear, chant the name of Sai

(Contributed by Suresh Raspayle )
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Experiences of Devotees

Muthayya Neela
I am working in a civil department as a store supervisor. Recently, in Jan 2002, I lost two expensive items in the store during the shifting of the department to a new complex. If I could not find the item, there will be a very big inquiry and investigation that will affect my job and my career. I did not know what to do and started to pray to all my gods. Just at that time, I bought a new computer at home, and went into the news and browsed as I found the site of Shirdi Baba's web page. When I opened it, I saw Baba's smiling face and there was a song in the web page, it really touched me and it made me listen to it daily where by I started to pray and tell my problem to Baba. I made a vow to Baba that if i could find the item back, I will come to his temple in Shirdi and pray to him and do what ever I can there. Miracle happened. After losing the item for 5 months and just as I was to give up my prayers was answered, the item was found in a place where no one would just think of looking for. I felt the moment very relieved and thanked to Baba for answering my prayers. He has saved me from all the trouble and saved me from paying such a large amount of money of $10.000 dollars. This amount, I can't even pay from my pocket, I do not have any savings. I thank Baba for being so kind to me. I will go to Shirdi next year during my vacation and pay my respect to him and from now, onwards I will pray to him daily.

Rajesh Rai Anand
Dear Sai Devotees, I am a regular reader of Sai Vichaar. It is the wonderful medium to share our experiences with Baba - who is all pervading and with everybody at all times. I bow to Him before I write anything. My wife and I are devotees of Baba for a very long time. I am mentioning one of the miracles happened to her. She is as dear to Baba as I am. She kept Baba with her all the time either in the form of His picture or wearing His locket. The other day when she came from work and while changing her clothes, she found to her surprise that the locket of Baba was missing or not on her. We both made a wild search but could not find anywhere. We were both sad and dejected. A pall of gloom hung on her face. It was not the locket which was worrying her but Baba itself who was lost from her. She cursed herself to be careless and did not know what to do then.

She was upset the whole night and the following day. She was thinking as to how it was lost. Her mind was totally upset and could not concentrate on anything. As usual, next day she went to the office and had new clothes on her of course. When she came back in the evening and changing her clothes - she felt a little pain in between neck and upper part of chest as something is oozing out. To her surprise, the same locket was there. We do not know as to how. Baba read her mind and devotion and it was sheer leela of Baba. My wife was indescribably and unfathomably happy and elated. Her eyes were bedewed with tears, thanked, and bowed to Baba repeatedly. There are other miracles of Baba too - which are happening in our life day to day life. We both have taken a pledge to construct a Baba Mandir in New Jersey. With his blessings, everything is going on well so far.

We both have decided to start a magazine titled "Sai Sudha" on the life, teachings, and experiences with Baba of the devotees. In this connection, help of all Sai devotees is required. Please send your experiences/articles. I shall ask Sai Baba to give me strength and courage to accomplish this tremendous task and request Sai Vichaar to publish it.
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Devotees say...

Devi, USA
Sai Vani is superb! Initially when I have seen about sai vani in saivichar, I was thinking when will we get that chance like to listen. I did not know that you people are going to put it in our site. It is simply superb! Sairam

Pravin Pathak
This is in response to Krishna Alluri's question about broken Idol of Baba. Once in Calcutta, in the Kali temple constructed by Rani Rasmani, a Gopala idol fell down and its foot was broken a little. Since many elders declared that according to the Sastras a broken image should not be worshipped, Rani Rasmani arranged to get a new one made by sculptors. Ramakrishna heard of this and he reproached the Rani, saying: "Maharani, if your son-in-law breaks his leg, what will you do? What is the correct thing to do? Bandaging the foot and setting it right, or discarding the son-in-law and getting another in his stead?" The Elders and Pundits were dumb-founded; the broken foot of Gopala was set right and the image was installed and worshipped as before. See, when Bhakthi is purified and is ascendant, the Lord will be patent even in a broken idol. This too is the Dharma declared in the Sastras

N. Sivanandan, Coimbatore, India
Beloved Sairam, it is Baba's wish that His devotees never face any bitter experience in their life. Yet, we are facing many such events in the life because your attitudes are not matching with Baba's expectation. I hope you have read Sri Sai Satsaritram many times and all His advices are in your mind. If you are very sincere in following His advice in your life, there is no such eventuality now you are facing. Baba said "It is not good to dispute and argue; so don't argue and don't emulate others" SSS Ch.X, "If anyone does any evil unto you, do not retaliate" SSS Ch.X, "Let there be no insistence on establishing one's own view: SSS Ch.II. You yourself accepted that you are rude and stiff towards your associates. Because of your retaliation the situation turned to worst. Baba never likes such attitude from His devotees. Please surrender totally to Baba and get His advice before talking any word to anyone. "Try to get Lord's Grace and blessings and be honored in His court" SSS Ch.VI. As you are blessed child of Baba and had talk with Him earlier, now He had given an opportunity to change your attitude as per His wish and definitely Baba will help you and guide you to face all difficulties in your life. Bow to Sri Sai - Peace be to All.

Vara Prasad, India
As an answer for the question of broken idol , it is ones beautifully answered by Sri Rama Krishna paramahamsa that a broken Idol need not be discarded. It can be properly fixed up using synthetic gums and you can carry on the worship as usual. Ask to pardon your mistake if any committed unknowingly and continue your prayers. Baba will never punish anybody, He will test the faith only. Remember "NEVER,NEVER,WORRY TO THE END OF YOUR LIFE " was the Baba's saying to his devotees.

Sukku
I read your letter in Sai Vichaar,I know that you are very devastated by the situation(accidenatlly wrecking the Murty)that's nothing much anyone can do about it..but pray BABA for forgiveness..I am sure you must have done it. BABA is everywhere..installation of Murty is nothing but focusing our concentration on that object..You see BABA with your heart and mind! I do believe in idol worship..such mishapps do happen...so do not worry about it..get a nice new idol in Silver!(about 4''tall) may be HE wants it that way!! Baba has differnt ways to express Himself! so try it.Jai Sai natha!!..AmmaSai..

HK Pria
In reply to Mr. krishna alluri, you might want to repair the broken idol and worship it. Since the idol is more than an "idol", treat it as some one you like adore someone very much alive. If someone got hurt, you would treat them and continue to live with them don't you? treat the idol the same way.

Nagaraj, USA
Sai Ram Mala, You are not alone in this kind of situations. I perfectly understand how you feel. I have and had similar experiences but I am fortunate enough to have wonderful dad, who constantly reminded me that they are also my mom and dad and keep respecting them..... That helped me. I thought that I am running away from those situations by moving to US. But in US, also I faced same situations from different persons. Sometimes people don't realize that you are trying to help them.

Regarding their actions, as long as you think about past situations, your patience will be depleted and you will react badly even on smallest prevocation. So just submit the incidents to Baba, don't dwell on them. Then you can handle those situations without doing any hurtful actions to others. Another way to think, "Live is trying to teach something through all the people whom you think don't understand". Think about that angle also. People are people, you can't change them, but you can change yourself. I like this prayer in this situations: "Lord, allow me to accept things which I cann't change, allow me to change which I can change......".

Shubha
Hi Mala, Please do not take anything personally even if it is meant to be. Always remember Sai's name and chant it especially when you feel you have no place to go. Do not get affected by the attitude you receive from others. Just do your duty with Sai's name an your lips and always remember Him as your Guru. You will surely get peace of mind if you remember Him. In the Sai Satcharita it has been explained in one of the chapters that if you remember Sai before experiencing any feelings and offer those feelings first to Him then you will slowly get rid of any bad feelings such as anger, sadness etc. since you would only want to offer something good to Shri Sai. Once you begin to feel happy from within you will not need other people to make you feel good. Ultimately you will have more peace and happiness. May Sai bless you with a lot of happiness. Regards

Shree
We were glad to know that you found your lost Laptop and Dairy, can you please narrate the whole experience.

Veena
Om Sai Jai Jai Sai. My husband works as a Software engineer in the US and I stay at home. Financially, we are o.k. But not that stable to start a family. Therefore, I thought of doing babysitting at my house as this could fetch us some extra money. This, I thought was a blessing from Baba, as he knew very well our financial situation. I baby-sit a 2-year-old boy at my place and recently his parents have requested me to take care of him for the weekend (the whole day as they were going out of station). I readily accepted. But my husband told me to not to accept this and blamed me that I have become greedy for money. I feel that in whatever means if I am getting some extra money it is only by Baba's grace. He knows what's good or bad for us and I think I should accept this as a blessing from Baba. Whenever I ask something from Baba, Baba answers me. He has never failed me anytime. I have committed lots & many sins in my life but Baba has forgiven me every time. I have left everything in the hands of Baba. My husband is not a staunch devotee of Baba; he has still not realized the omnipresence of Baba. My husband says that my babysitting money is just a bonus for us and that we could manage our lives without this extra money. But I know very well, how expensive life is in US. Now we are also expecting our first baby. I feel Baba, we need this extra money. Now that my husband has accused me of being greedy, I want to know from all Sai devotees whether am I being greedy for money. Should I feel guilty about this? Please Baba tell me, is it ok if I crave to get some extra money just to keep us stable financially..... Please tell me Sai devotees am I being greedy?

Niru
Baba! Oh, Divine! Thank you for your love and care through out my life. You have done miracles in my life. Idea of marrying my husband came in Shirdi with your grace and it went without any hurdles. We had tough times waiting for a break in career and that was when you helped us with good offers. You helped us in finishing our degrees. Whatever I do to you is very less. I have started writing SAI koti and please help me in doing that. Also, give me more concentration when reading your Charitra. Baba, I have another request. Please bless us with a child. I NEED YOUR HELP AS ALWAYS....PLEASE BE WITH ME! MAKE ME FEEL YOUR PRESENCE ALL THE TIME.........OM SAI RAM!

Vivek Chander
This is in response to Krishna Alluri's article about the broken statue of Baba. I can fully appreciate the shock this would have given you and the doubts/misgivings that may be tormenting you as a result. However, I think that by the statue getting broken Baba has taken onto himself some great calamity that could have struck your house or your son. Possibly something to do with his neck. Maybe your son narrowly avoided getting hurt, or something of that sort.

Punipriya Misri
Is there any Sai organization in Singapore? If not, can we all Sai Devotees in Singapore start something (like getting together, doing Sai Kirtans, Bhajans etc.)? Any Ideas?
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Prayer Club

Sonia Nagpal
My dad went for a heart surgery last Thursday, unfortunately things did not go too well and he is in the ICU. Please let him get better Baba. I am counting on you. Too many people need him right now. Please don't take him away. I pray and ask all Sai devotees to pray for my dad. I hope that by the time this actually is printed, he is much better. Please help him Sai.

Krishna
Sadguru Sri Sainatha Maharaj Ki Jai. O! Deva, please help me from in getting a good job. Presently I am in deep trouble. Baba, I want your help. I have lot of confidence and faith on you. Please help me in giving a good job.

A Sai devotee
Baba, I attended an interview and I really want that job. Please Baba, help me get that position. You know what is best for me. Dear devotees, please spare a second to pray that I get this job. Thank you Baba and my beloved Sai devotees.

A Sai devotee
Dear Baba, please protect my parents, my sister, her family, my brother, his family, my husband & I. Please be there with us always & help us. I pray to you to give my brother the determination and the strength to quit smoking, I am worried. Please show all of us the right way. Thank you for all that you have done for us and please bless us. My parents are all by themselves, please be there for them and protect them.

A Sai devotee
Baba, please bless me with a good permanent job. You know everything lord. There is nothing else for me to tell you. Please bless me with a good job. Sai devotees, please pray I should find a good job. I need to settle in life. Thank you.

Usha
I am very grateful for all the things happening in my family. My son is facing complications in his admission to University. Please help him Baba. I know you will take care of everything but i keep asking you because of my faith in you. If I do not ask you, I do not have peace of mind. Om Sai sri Sai jaya jaya Sai.

Preeti
Dear Baba, Sadar Charansparsh. By publishing my last letter you have made me aware that you are always there to look after me. Baba you know that I have always been such a bright girl but after my marriage, I have somehow submitted myself to the whims of my in laws and have not performed up to my own satisfaction. Baba help me to do very well both professionally and personally. Help my husband in his service & health- his horoscope is showing a bad patch for his health but when you hold a hand over your devotees- who can defy your blessings? Help my daughter get admission in the best of schools and help her and all of us to rise both spiritually and worldly wise in life and be good human beings always happy and devoted to your lotus feet.

A Sai Devotee
OM SAI RAM SRI SAI RAM JAYA SAI RAM We are staunch devotee's of Sai Baba. We are married since 5 years, but we do not have kids. We are praying to Baba very strongly for kids, Maybe he is testing us. Baba if we have done any mistakes, Please forgive us and shower your blessibgs on us to have kids. I request all Sai devotees to spare a few mintues for us and pray Baba for kids.

Sumathi Vijayakumar
Om Sai Ram. I am deep lover and devotee of Shri Saibaba. This month I am going to have the treatment for baby. I want to pray for me with the name of Shirdi Saibaba. Thank you.

Sanju
Jai Sai Ram, Kripa, mere Ishwar. I ask for your forgiveness for all my sins. Prabhu, please make my life peaceful. Please make my mother and my wife patch-up or my life will be ruined. I am already teared apart by their conflict. Now the point has come when they don't talk to each other. I know it is only a misunderstanding between them. Neither of them is wrong. But none of them is willing to submit, which is making me perturbed. I think separation is not the final solution, but Baba just guide me to wade safely through this storm. I know only YOU can make this happen. You have always kept me near you feet, blessing me. Now again I ask for your help.
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Quotation of the Week
Baba never talked, nor ever made any fuss about the things, which he wanted to accomplish; but he so skillfully arranged the circumstances and surroundings that, the people were surprised at the slow but sure results attained. - Shri Hemadpant in "Shri Sai Satcharita"
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Question of the Week

Q. In Shri Sai Satcharitha, what did Hemadpanth refer to by mentioning that it is fortunate to be born in a Brahmin family?

A. by S.V.Swamy
Shri Dabholkar (Hemadpant) probably meant by that word Brahmin, one who is in pursuit of Brahmajnan, who is aspiring to be in Brahma. Access to Vedas and other Itihasas, Puranas etc., was easy to them and the food (in those days) consumed by Brahmins was Satvik. A similar thought is expressed in Viveka chudamani, by Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavatpadacharya. In sloka 2, He says, "Jantunam nara janma durlabhamatah punstvam tato viprata...." The meaning is that, for Jivas, getting human birth is difficult, getting a male birth is much more difficult and then getting birth as a brahmin is much more difficult etc. Probably Sri Hemadpant was echoing those thoughts.

In the earlier days, Brahmins had only one thing to do and that was to study. Even after the Anglicization of the education, traditional education was not neglected and so they were instructed in Vedas, Puranas, and Upanishads etc. So some of them at least were turned away from materialistic thoughts and pursued the Brahmajnan, which alone is the key for liberation. Hence the 'importance' given to birth. Now a days of course, the situation is different and Upanishats have become accessible in all languages to all sections of the people. But how many are willing to tread the narrow path? If one continues to give in to Rajasic and Tamasic desires and tries to acquire Brahma jnan, one will not succeed. If we refer to Chapter 16-17 of Sai Satcharitra about the qualifications necessary for Brahma Jnan, we find that Baba gave many conditions but caste/birth was not one of them. But the conditions were more favorable in some sections of the society that's all. Sai Ram.

A. BL Venkatesh Murthy
Shri Hemadpant mentions in Chapter 8 of the Sri Sai Satcharita that one is indeed fortunate to be born a human being, as it is only the human intellect which can comprhend His Nature, and strive to achieve Brahma Jnana. This is possible only through total surrender at the Feet of the Sadguru(of whom Sri Sai Baba was the foremost), and through constant meditation upon His form and teachings. Further, he says that it is even more fortunate if a person is born in a Brahmin family. The Shaastras enjoin a Brahmin to follow a spiritual and simple life, and at least in the social conditions prevailing then, a Brahmin was highly respected by society due to his superior learning, knowledge of the Shaastras and religious texts and above all, as a person who always thought about the good of others in the society. Therefore, what Hemadpanth must have meant is that by being born a Brahmin (and living as per Shaastric injunctions), a person could progress spiritually much faster (due to the conducive environment in his household). Having said this, Hemadpanth finally says that above all, it is most fortunate if a human being surrenders at the Lotus feet of a great Sadguru like Sri Sai Baba. Being born in a Brahmin family is in no way a precondition for that. So let us all meditate on and surrender at His Lotus Feet. Jai Sai Ram.
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Sai Activities

Sai Vani, USA
Sai Vani a one hour radio program dedicated to Shri Sadguru Shirdi Sai Baba will air on 89.3FM radio station in New Jersey, USA every Sunday from 8am to 9pm. The same program will also be aired for the first few weeks on Thusrdays. For the broadcast timings listen to the promotion on 89.3FM radio in NJ. The program is available on the net at http://www.saibaba.org/saivani/saivani.html.

Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra, Twin Cities, MN
As part of Sai Chithra Yatra in Twin Cities, MN, Shirdi Sai Satsang, will be conducted on June 15, 2002, Saturday at 332 Oakwood Drive, Shoreview, MN 55126. The program will include, Kakad Aarthi, Satcharitha Parayan, Bhajans and Kirtans, Madhyahna Aarthi, and Mahaprasad. Please contact Sangeeta Chopra at 651-484-1671 to confirm your participation and directions.

SRI GAYATRI SHIRDI SAI BABA SEVA SAMITHI, India
Gayatri Nagar, Moula - Ali , Hyderabad -40, cordially invites you for the Celebration of VIGRAHA PRATHISTA of GODDESS SRI SRI SRI GAYATRI DEVI AND LORD SRI SHIRDI SAI BABA on Thursday 13-06-2002 at 8-21 a.m. For further details contact the temple committee.

Shraddha Aur Saburi - CD by Avijeet Sarkar, Sydney, Australia
The Shirdi Sai Sansthan Sydney is releasing a new Sai bhajan CD titled, "Shraddha Aur Saburi" on 10 June. All proceeds from the CD sales will go to the Sansthan. Please refer to Sai Vichaar vol. 5, Number 3, for more details.

Saidarbar, Hyderabad, India
All India Sai Samaj -Chennai which was initially started by Sri.H.H.Narasimha Swamiji celebrated it's diamond jubilee during 1-2nd June 2002 at Vedantha Desika Hall, Mylapore, Chennai. On the inaugural session on 1 June 2002, Guruji Shri.C.B.Satpathy from New Delhi spoke on 'Relationship between Samardha Sadhguru and his devotees'. On the next day Saibanisa gave a discourse on ' Sai in dreams - a reality', followed by a question and answer session. More than 250 delegates from all over India and about six hundred local devotees attended.

Shirdi Sai Baba Prayer Center, VA
Saibaba.org invites you to join in Shirdi Sai prayers, Bhajans, Kirtans, arathis, etc every sunday at Compton Village Community Center from 10am to 1pm starting Sunday, May 26th. For more details contact Padma Balusu at (703) 631-0972, Kumar Swami at (703) 352-6704 or email us at maildrop@saibaba.org

Shirdi Sai Baba Prayer Center, South Brunswick, NJ
Saibaba.org invite you to join us for Sai bhajans, Sai leela, Saicharitra readings, aarti and prasad every sunday at VFW hall at Henderson Rd, Kendall Park, South Brunswick, NJ from 3pm-6pm. For further details or directions contact Kumad Sachdev at (732) 257-1438, Shyam Addanki at (610) 648-0191, Prasanna Miapuram at (510) 469-6973 or email us at maildrop@saibaba.org.

Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 2002 in UK
Devotees may participate in Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra currently underway in UK. To invite Baba to your home and for further details please contact Manu Bajaj at bajaj_manu@yahoo.com or call at +44 7905 933 489 in Wembley, UK

Shirdi Sai Baba Chitra Yatra, Toronto, Canada
Devotees in TORONTO, are invited to please join us in Sai bhajans, Sai Namavali, Saicharitra readings Aarti and Prasad at Durga Mandir 2691 Markham Rd. Unit #5; Ph: 416 754 2983 every Thursday from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Devotees may participate in Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra currently underway in Toronto. To invite Baba to your home and for further details and directions contact Shammi Chopra at 416 402 8089 or shchopra@trebnet.com or visit www.saibaba.org

Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 2002 in USA
"Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra(Pictorial Journey)", started in USA on Jan 01, 2002. With anchor points across USA concurrently participating from day one, this unique event is off to a great start.

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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