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Sai Vichaar 01.Feature of the Week: Devotion and Self-realization 02.Contributed Article: Baba's begging 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... Shirdi Saibaba Chitra Yatra organized by Saibaba.org is having a phenomenal impact on uniting Sai children at various locations. Such a union has an opportunity to blossom into Shirdi Sai Satsangs, celebrating the love and message of Sainath of Shirdi. We have seen an example in the form of successful Gurupoornima celebrations in several parts of the country. Mahasamadhi, the symbolic demise of Saibaba of Shirdi is one occasion that Sai devotees observe all over the world. Baba's Mahasamadhi falls on October 15, 2002. Please share with Sai Vichaar about Mahasamadhi activities planned in your area. Sai devotee Radhakrishnan wrote to us the following "Question of the week" In Sai Satcharitra, Ch. 11, Baba assured us that he would give vision. How does Baba give His visions to the devotees? 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: Devotion and Self-realization Sadguru is the substance of all scriptures and He is the wisdom that pervades eternity. The purpose of the seeker is to seek the depths of such an entity in order to quench the thirst; the blessing only mankind is bestowed with in nature. Known as sadhana, such a pursuit is the subject of discussions, arguments, speculations and postulations suited to the human convenience. True, religions and sects all talk about the same, yet we have many religions and sects. Let us not however forget that Baba refutes any argument in the name of God and he said without mincing words, "All are same", and "God is One". Baba's statement through Anantrao Patankar's episode in Sai Satcharitha that devotion is the most important qualification required to realize the supreme has most profound impression on His followers, then and now. Bhakthimaarg or the path of devotion is sure to lead one to God that exists in the self and elsewhere. Baba had stressed repeatedly the importance of realizing the self; the story of merchant seeking Brahma Gyan (the knowledge of the Supreme that exists within and out) in Sri Sai Satcharita is an excellent example. How does devotion lead to the pursuit of the knowledge of the self? Even before we ask that question, one may wonder whether something known as "self realization" really exists. The surprising answer to the question is Yes! Mankind completely dwells in the realization of grosser perceptions; the abilities that define the self to its fullest beauty, " I realize, therefore, I am! However, the term self-realization in its spiritual context is completely subtle and difficult to comprehend. Baba said that His coffers are open and those who seek shall be given.
In this context, the subtleties of realizing the self assumes enormous
importance if one were to pay attention. Let us all on this beautiful
Thursday spend a moment on seeking Sadguru's treasures that lead us to
our own subtle nature, the material that is all pervading.
Contributed Article: Baba's begging
Chale hai Baba bheekh mangney
Man is influenced by many external forces; these could be reading books,
songs or discourses while pursuing the spiritual path. In the path of
Sai-ism, one often finds that BABA provides us with opportunities to
learn new things. I have come across this particular song, which has
moved me a lot. There are plenty of songs on Shirdi Sai BABA, but why
did this song move me - only BABA can give an answer for it. Those who
have not heard this song, it is a folk song describing the leelas of
Shirdi Sai BABA. When it comes to these lines every time that I listen I
become teary and act in a most silly manner that one could perceive of a
sane person. It is not once, every time I listen I cry. There has to be
a reason for this insanity. I guess insanity can be only associated with
Shirdi Sai BABA, as he himself was considered crazy 'old man'. So I take
comfort in knowing that I try to be an insane follower of Shirdi Sai
BABA's teachings and it is understood that it is surely a very hard
task.
Numerous works have been done in spreading Sai philosophy worldwide by
ardent followers of Sai BABA who have read and assimilated Sai and His
principles. They do it with so much vigor and passion, which is evident
from the selfless works and efforts they have put into it. The main
reason behind such works done by Sai followers is to bring about change
and influence the thoughts of man in this Kaliyuga and to show the path
of humanitarianism, there by accomplishing the spiritual needs that are
laid down by the Shastras and Vedas. This particular piece of work by
Guruji has touched my heart very deeply. While listening to this
particular song, a thought was put into my head. Lord Sainath himself
purely triggers these thoughts and any imperfections are mine. So please
bear with me.
- Why did Baba have to go begging for food when people flocked him and
served tasty dishes wherever he was?
- BABA was an Anantha, the supreme lord of the universe, who had the
whole universe in him. He was beyond the senses of Hunger and thirst, so
there has to be a reason for begging.
- What is the writer trying to say when he wrote these lines about BABA
and his children? Satcharita explains purely about love and compassion
through various incidents and anecdotes that were documented by
Hemadpant. The reason for BABA resorting to begging bowl is also very
beautifully elaborated in Chapter 8 and Chapter 9 of Satcharita. I
personally feel that BABA's begging denote the selfless act of
compassion and love that a mother has for her children. BABA begged to
satiate the hunger of dogs and the servant who cleaned the floor. How
could a mother see the hunger of his children? He took upon himself to
beg on behalf of his children whom he loved most. His love for us
(devotees) is unfathomable. It has no scales or boundaries to measure.
Though Vasudev Himself, He has gone to streets begging not just food,
but also begging for happiness and welfare for His children from Lord
Narayana dwelling in the hearts of people. This begging denotes calling
for love, it is not food that BABA was looking for, and it is love He
sought from his devotees. BABA lived on love and preached love. BABA
himself being Narayana how could He distinguish and rate love that He
got from different houses? For Him who loved the Universe, Love had one
face and color. Hence, He collected and mixed food together and tasted
the love of His devotees. BABA shared that love with all living
creatures, how fortunate was the lady who took bread from the kolamba.
How fortunate were the dogs and cats, which partook the same food. While
giving alms, it is laid out in Shastras that one must give with
humility, love, compassion, and liberality and with reverence, knowing
fully well that serving a hungry man is equivalent to serving God.
Giving away something belonging to us also denotes developing detachment
and removing the tag of "I" or "mine" attached to the things. BABA
himself has clearly demonstrated this philosophy when He tested the
seeker of Brahma jnana when BABA asked him for Rs 5 (chapter 16/17).
BABA explicitly said that "For seeing Brahman one has to give five
things, i.e. surrender five things viz. (1) Five Pranas (vital forces),
(2) Five senses (five of action and five of perception), (3) mind, (4)
intellect and (5) ego." Each of the houses that BABA begged denotes the
five senses, which when surrendered to the feet of Hari, the man then
attains salvation. Look at the compassion this frail old man had for His
children. HE took upon Himself the ailments suffered by them, as he took
on the bubo's of plague suffered by Mrs. Kaparde's son at a distant
place. BABA is like a wick in the lamp, which burns slowly to give light
to others. He is not worried about His hardships, all He thought was
happiness of His children only. This selfless act and love of BABA
brings tears to eyes. One who understands this unconditional love of
BABA surely questions as to what have we done to deserve this love? What
does HE expect in return? - SHRADDA and SABURI.
(Contributed by Anitha Kandukuri, Canberra, Australia)
Sai devotee Last year I had a cyst in my hand, which I ignored for some time taking
painkillers when the pain was too bad, slowly it grew in size and a
doctor told me to operate the area and get rid of it. For some time I
kept praying to Baba, why not cure mine without an operation, similar to
the incident mentioned in Sai charitra wherein Baba helped one Dr.
Pillai get rid of the guinea worms in his leg with the help of a "crow"
Abdul. Thinking in this way I was walking around the house when by
accident my hand hit the wall so hard in the cyst region that I
experienced excruciating pain for a few minutes, not long after that I
found the cyst had disappeared, the doctor told me somehow you have done
the operation yourself and your hand is alright now. This incident
happened a month ago still when I think of it tears come into my eyes
and I keep thanking Baba for all that He does for me. I have a Daughter
who is special but thanks to Baba and goddess Mahalakshmi she continues
to surprise us and makes us proud. Of course His other prasad my elder
daughter is every parents dream. I would like to use this medium to
thank Baba and to continue showing us the right path and shower his
blessings on all Sai devotees like me.
A Sai devotee Mahalakshmi Ashok Kumar Gupta, New Delhi, India A Sai devotee Krishnaveni Saradha Hemant Naik A Sai devotee My darling mother, my father; my wife, my son, my daughter, my sister, my brother, my father-in-law, my mother-in-law, all may be annoyed with me but never my Dattaguru, my mother Sai, be annoyed with me. We all know that these are few lines from Saibaba's evening Aarti
composed by B.V.Dev. As long as we have our Sai besides us, we don't
have to worry about what other think of us. We should only cultivate
good ideas and keep our mind and heart pure which is mandir of saiBaba.
Baba by your grace we are buying a house. Thursday is the closing day,
please be with us always. As long as you are with us, we feel secure.
Give us good qualities, pure thoughts that are liked by you.
Quotation of the Week
Q. In all Baba's original photos, Baba's face is not the same. Why?
Is Baba a mortal or an avatar in mortal's form? Is HE the Saguna roopa
to guide us to realize the Nirguna Brahma? The answers to these
questions shall solve the puzzle of Baba's different faces in different
photos. When I look at the serene gaze of Baba, I am filled with bliss,
the essence of SatChitAnanda permeating every part of my consciousness.
I am thankful for being born as a human being, blessed with the
intellect to come across Sainath through WHO I shall hopefully prevail
the storms of this bhavasagar and become one with HIM. Sri SatChitAnanda
SadGuru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai
Shirdi Sai Activities in Nellore, AP, INDIA Guruji Shri Chandra Bhanu Satpathy from New Delhi has kindly consented to grace these programmes. PROGRAMME DETAILS:
31-8-2002, Saturday 6-40AM onwards till 1-00PM:
31-8-2002, Saturday, 5-00PM onwards till 8-00PM:
For further details and requests for accommodation etc., please contact P.Raghunadha Reddy, on these numbers 91 8574 21634 or 91 98480 45869. Sai Activities at Hyderabad, India SAI'S news from the Time Machine: Shirdi Sai Baba Chitra Yatra, Toronto, Canada Shirdi Sai Baba Prayer Center, South Brunswick, NJ GuruPoornima, Houston, USA Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 2002 in UK 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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