Is running away from the daily world the only solution for a person that is not in a position to detach himself from the worldly affairs? Somdev did such a thing. He reached Shirdi after his pilgrimage to Kedarnath and saw Baba's grandeur, flags and chariot, and devotees flocking around Sainath. With questions about Baba's detachment and feeling proud about his achievement in being away from the family, Somdev approached Baba with a contempt that was not uncommon with the doubting Thomas's of those days in Shirdi. Baba struck at him straightaway, without any compassion said, "get that rascal away!" Somdev was puzzled, his pride running watery. Later, Baba, the one who knew past present and future, reprimanded Somdev for running away from his family in search of deliverance, and let out the words of wisdom; there is nothing more sinful than renunciation as a means to escape from inability and weakness. In fact, such an act amounts to selfishness!

Sri Ammula Sambasiva Rao in his "Life History of Shirdi Sai Baba" narrates an incident involving Nana Chandorkar and Sadguru Sainath as follows: One's closeness to Baba was the result of good deeds over many births, and such a person was Nana Chandorkar. He learnt many things from Baba. He found this samsara (worldly life) to be like a fearful ocean. The samsara appeared to him like an obstacle to his spiritual progress. He learnt this truth by practical experience. In the year 1918, one day when Baba was alone, Nana said to Him, "Baba, I am finding the samsara very fearful. My mind is not interested in worldly affairs. Somehow, give me salvation from this worldly affairs". On hearing this Baba smiled and said, "There is some truth in what you said. But the remaining is untruth and meaningless. You are under the impression that by taking to forests, one can escape from trials and tribulations of the samsara. But this is not correct. It is only an illusion, because wherever you go, your body and mind are with you only. They will never leave you but will be giving you some kind of happiness. Our past actions are the basis for our present troubles and happiness. They should be faced courageously and with tact, and you should lead a family life in the proper way. By getting away from samsara, one cannot attain happiness. Everyone who proceeds in the spiritual way will have to face all these problems and to think of renunciation (escape) as a solution is not correct". This is the message of Baba.
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Contributed Article: Compassionate Fakir

Sri Sai Baba made his appearance in Shirdi to show people, through his infinite love and immortal teachings, the glorious path to salvation, by wiping out their ignorance. His true divine nature made his disciples learn the true meaning of Life. Baba's love for his disciples was seen in every episode of the days in Shirdi and elsewhere.

In the year 1910 on a Diwali day Baba was talking to his devotees at Dwaraka Mai and was stoking the fire, all of a sudden Baba shoved his arm in sacred fire. The devotees were dazed at this unexpected act of Baba's and pulled His arm out of the fire, but by then His arm had already sustained severe burns. After recovering from the shock, the devotees summoned enough courage to ask Baba about the matter. Baba replied with a smile "The child is saved and that in itself is a matter of satisfaction to Me." puzzled, the devotees wondered aloud:" But, Baba, there is no child here."

Sai Baba enlightened them by saying:" Do not take Baba to be a mere five -foot person in the flesh that you see everyday. Listen, a blacksmith's family lives in a village hundred miles away from here. They are My staunch devotees, chanting My name every moment. They have a young son. Once the husband fell sick and his wife was handling the job at the fire, with her infant son on her lap. Her husband called out to her and while she in a hurry stood up attend her husband, the infant slipped into the fire. Bewildered mother cried out, "Baba" and I had to fetch her son safely out of the fire. That is what made Me put my hand in to the fire to bring him out".

This is how Baba helps us when we are in trouble. There are moments when a mother forgets her child, but Baba never forgets His devotees even for a fraction of a second.

(Contributed by Anitha Pandurangi)
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Experiences of Devotees

Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra, Sai's Experience
Shirdi Sai picture was brought to my house on Sunday, August 11 2002. We started our prayer on Sunday with Sathyanarayana pooja and started reading the Shirdi Sai Satcharita and all other prayers that we do daily. The next day also we did the same. On Tuesday, we got a call from India at around 5-5.30a.m. that my father-in-law was very sick and he is hospitalised in Cochin. We did our prayers in the morning and then called our travel agent to try for a ticket for my husband to go to India. We came back from India just two weeks ago. That day I went to work very late. My husband called me at work many times to find out when I will be home. So I decided to come in the afternoon. I called my friend 's mom from my cell phone and told her about the bad news from India. When I reached home my friend Sabitha's husband was already home. We talked for a while and then the travel agent came to give the confermation paper. After they left, I went to the kitchen to warm up the food. My husband came to the kitchen and told me about the dream he had in the morning. He told me that he has seen Shirdi Baba in his dream, the same picture but he was looking at me. My husband was not sure whether Baba was looking at him. So he turned and looked behind him and to both sides. Baba was still looking at him. My husband turned back and looked again. The third time he did not see Baba's face but he saw his father's face. He then woke up and sat on the bed. I remember him waking up and when he saw me turning to other side he thought he is going to wake me up and went back to bed. After about half an hour the telephone rang and it was the call from India to inform us that my father-in-law was very ill and the doctors in India told the family to inform everyone, and he was on respiratory machines as he was not able to breathe on his own. When he mentioned to me about the dream I told him that Sai Baba is telling you not to worry about anything and everything will be ok. My husband went to India that evening. It was my youngest son's birthday that day. We sang for him and then my husband left for the airport. He called me couple of times from the airport. His two sisters also travelled with him from L.A. The next morning I got up at 5.30 to do my prayers, and I was sad that I have to do my prayers without my husband, and I prayed to Sai to give me a sign for me to know that everything will be ok. I lit the lamp and started chanting my prayers. I was done with my prayers around 6.15-6.20. I did the arathi at the end and as I was doing the arathi I saw something on the right side of Sai's hand. I thought it was spider web. It was like a string. I touched it and then I saw lots of wet spots on the picture. It looked like rain drops. The spot that I touched was sticky so I tasted and then I knew it was "amrutha" the sweet nector. It was Sai's way of telling me that everything will be ok. After the arathi I called my house back home and told my parents about the incident. They were very happy for me and speechless. My father then told me that my father in law was doing better and the doctors have taken the respiratory machine off. Then I knew Sai was giving me a sign saying that it will be ok. My husband called me from Singapore the next day , and I told him about what has happened. He was speechless. I thank my friend and his family for giving me this opportunity. May Sai's blessings be there always for everyone of us. Sai Ram, Geetha

Pradip Prasad Koirala
To all the respected Sai devotees, I want to share am interesting event regarding Baba changing his face. In my house, I used to meditate on Baba's long appearance of Samadhi mandir. My wife and I visited Shirdi last January. We reached Shirdi at 10.30 AM and directly entered Samadhi mandir to attend Madhyana arati. To my surprise, I felt that Baba's samadhi mandir appearance is not long, but round. We stayed in Shirdi for two days and attended at least five arati. All along these aratis, I felt that Baba's face is round. On Sunday, we went to Samadhi mandir for farewell darshana. It was a long queue and we reached Samadhi mandir image after one and half hour. It was a big surprise to me and my wife that Baba gave darshana with his long face, the face that I used to concentrate for dhyana in my house. Baba, give saranagathi to my family, protect us and take care of all the respected Sai devotees.
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Devotees say...

Mythili Sundaresan
Sairam brothers and sisters, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you my experience with the GREAT LORD SAI. This vacation we had the grace of SAI to visit him in SHIRDI. After a satisfactory darshan and on our return to Chennai, we felt his divine presence with us. My sister-in-law suddenly was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and 2-3 doctors diagnosed it to be in the final stages and prescribed surgery and removal of the breast. Now my sister-in-law has suffered too much in her life and surely, I did not want her to undergo this suffering. I accompanied her for the tests the doctors prescribed for her. Alongside, my husband and me were applying the vibhuti on her forehead, affected part as well as mix with water and gave her to drink. This was the only remedy we could ever think of. But deep in my mind, some voice kept on telling me not to worry and everything will be alright. I had full faith on SAI and I knew HE will take care of everything. Unfortunately, our leave was limited and we had to return to Kuwait without knowing the results of the tests done but we were constantly in touch with her in Chennai. Sometimes we were dejected to hear that the doctor has said it is really cancer. Another time we became happy to hear that the doctor said it is actually not cancer and some infection only. But the grand finale is yet to come. Just two days before i.e. 19th, my mother-in-law called me and told me the doctor finally said there is no cancer and no surgery required not even medicine required. We were overwhelmed with joy and deep in our hearts, we knew it was SAI who was her doctor. THANK YOU SAI.

Lalit
Thank you for sending me news letter. I really apreciate the precious gift of Sai devotees for this beautiful website that makes me having a special mandir of Saibaba at my home-in my room. I can do puja , reading of books, hearing devotional songs etc. that also at my own convenience. In this Kali yuga God has become so convenient "just think of Me and I am at your service." but we do not believe in God- Sai. I feel very fortunate and indebted to all Sai devotees. Krishna says in Bhagavad-Gita "My devotees are more merciful than Me." Devotees give so much of mercy, are ready to receive it? Just open yourself /go in the courtyard to get drenched wet in Mercy-shower that much you have to do yourself. My question, in this Sai vichar Guruji mentions surrender of five things i.e. Five vital forces, what are they?
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Prayer Club

A Sai devotee
BABA, You know what's going on in my life now. BABA, I know I have no right to ask You. But, I feel why this is happening. This is the second time my husband was laid off. Baba, what are my sins. Please forgive me BABA for any of my sins. I am a third rated disciple of yours (who does mistakes over and over again and ask you for forgiveness). BABA, you shower your love and affection on even very bad people. Please shower it on me too. Please make my life settled. All I wanted is good jobs for my husband and me. I never prayed for million dollars or any great positions. When everything was coming to one place and when I am about to join my MS for this fall semester, my husband is laid off. Now his MS, my MS, and our GREEN CARD everything came to stand still. BABA, last time u gave him job in 15 days. Please Baba, this time also help him get a stable and permanent job. Baba I believe that whatever happens is for my good only, but every time when his salary was due for raise he is being laid off. The result is we are where we are 3 years back. BABA, I remember what I prayed to you when I was in INDIA, "just give me a chance to go to US then never again I will ask you anything". but I know my mistake now BABA, at every moment of life, we need your help and support .It can never happen that I will not ask u anything. Every moment we need your loving hand on our heads. Please provide me with that BABA. Please give me the shakthi to pray for you forever in my life and please shower your divine love on our family. SAI Bhaktas please pray for my husbands job. I will be grateful to u all in my life.

Sai devotee
Baba please guide me always, I sincerely pardon for any mistakes that I have done so far, Please bless me and help me to come out of this situation.

Krishnaveni
Thanks for whatever you have given us until now. Please make my depression vanish and give me good health and peace of mind. Make me succeed in my job and career and bless me.

Sai devotee
Please take care of each one of us. Please bless us and see that we come out of our troubles. I request you to please take care of my fathers health and our financial, physical and psychological well being. Please have my brother complete his studies and help me in finding a right "Life Partner" and a good job.

A Sai devotee
Please bless me to do my exam very well. I am struggling a lot. If I do not do well I will not be able to face anybody. I am feeling very ashamed of my self. Without your help, I cannot get through this. Please have mercy on me. I am loosing my confidence in life. I have taken this exam a couple of times. I am attempting one more time. Baba, please do it for me. I cannot do it on my own anymore. I am just leaving it to you. Help me concentrate and study well and work hard. When it is difficult I am beginning to loose confidence. Please dear lord have little bit of mercy for me and relieve me from this anxiety and please I beg you to do the exam for me this time. This is very important for my life and to gain minimal respect in the eyes of my family, friends and relatives. I don't know what else to write, you know everything dear lord. Please help me. Dear devotees, please pray that I should clear this exam. Please spare a minute and pray. I believe prayers can move mountains and I believe prayers can help a dull-headed person like me to get through this exam. I beg each of you to pray I should get through this exam. I hope you will get to read this before my exam.

A Sai devotee
Om Sai Ram, I have chosen Commonwealth Sec Sch for my daughter as the first choice Baba, there are two streams, one is normal (5 years) the other is express (4 yrs). Baba, please bless my daughter to get into the express stream, she can do it if she puts her heart to study, but she is feeling that she can never score 250 points To enter into Commonwealth Sec Sch. Please pray that she will do well & make everyone proud. My husband is driving her up and down for tuition every day hoping that his daughter will do well. We hardly stay at home after work. It's so tiring but we have no choice, our children education come first. Her exams are starting From 7 th October to 10th October. Please Baba, be with her & give her all the strength & confidence to do well in her PSLE. Om Sai Ram.

Baba! please help me to get out of this situation. YOU know all about me and the problems I am facing. Please help me Baba. I do not have anybody except you. You are my teacher, father, mother and everything to me. You know well about me that always I am trying to fulfill my responsibilities successfully. But, in each and every step I am getting many troubles. And this time, nobody can help me except you. Baba! show me some miracle so that I can get my papers soon and get my daughter here immediately. You know how hard it is for child as well as for a mother to be apart from each other. Baba! please show mercy on us. You tested well enough that there is nothing left. Baba please help me to get out of this situation and live peacefully by offering seva programs to you and raising my daughter. Baba! Please bless me and my child to be successful and happy in every step of our lives.

Sai devotee
I wrote in the Sai Vichaar dated 25 July 2002, that I am badly in need of a job and requested all of you to pray for me. On 31 July, I applied for a position. I did not hear from the advertisers for almost 20 days and therefore lost hope, though in my heart, I always believed that BABA would help me, as he has been doing ever since I became his devotee. A few days back, in the evening, I received a call from the advertisers of the position, asking whether I am willing to attend an interview. I was very thrilled, and thanked BABA, because getting an interview call is a major hurdle. So, I was happy that I could come to this stage with BABA's grace. The interview is on this Monday (26/08) and I request all of you to please pray for my success in the Interview and that I get the job. Dearest BABA, I will be ever indebted to you through out my life and future lives for all you help guidance and blessings.

Hemant Naik
Dear lord Sai, I finished all the chapters of Sai Satcharitha, and I am very glad that I did that. Sai, you very well know that I am unemployed since over 10 months, but I am glad I took this wonderful precious time to finish the Sai Satcharitha. Please Sai! bless me and my family for a wonderful happy, peaceful, no stress and a healthy life. Thanking You and bow in obeisance, dear Sai.

Siva
Sai, I am confused. I need your help. By your grace I got a Job two years ago. In recent times my ego has made me think that I got it because of hard work some years ago. I know that is wrong. I am not working properly ever since. Iam wasting my time, sitting at work and thinking of other materialisticthings. Sai, help me to work sincerly. I should justify my getting paidby doing my Job properly. I want you to help me my god. Baba, You know Iam going through some bad time. But, do not let me fall for the vices.Help me to be good person. Sai, push me out of my lazy shell and show me your light. Sai, Please help me.

A desperate devotee
i beg you baba and i surrender unto you. please help my son in getting a job.please come in the form of any devotee and give a helping hand. let my cry be heard and answered. thank you
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Quotation of the Week
"I always think of him who remembers ME.I require no carriage, no conveyance, tonga, or train. I run and manifest Myself to him who lovingly calls ME." - Saibaba of Shirdi
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Question of the Week

Q. In all Baba's original photos, Baba's face is not the same. Why?
A. by Havovi S Medora

Over the years I have realised that all photos of the Incredible Sai Baba are never the same. You see when you look at a photo of Sai any size and any kind it comes instantly to life for he is looking back at you. his eyes seems to follow you around the room. I had a spanish maid in the USA who once came running down from my room as she was afraid of the photo. She insisted that his eyes were watching her work and she got a bit nervous. She wanted to know who Sai was and by the time I was ready to leave the USA she had become a believer and asked me for a photo of him which she carries in her wallet. Sometimes his face is full of love and compassion sometimes he looks as if he has just enjoyed a joke and sometimes he looks annoyed and angry. If I have done something wrong I avoid looking at him for I know that my beloved Sai would be displeased. But a few minutes later after I realise my mistake and ask for forgivness his calm placid countenance stares at me again. To recall in the Satcharita he told one man who had come to Shirdi that he had known him for four years. The man was perplexed and did not understand it but later recalled an incident where he had seen a portrait of Sai in a shop and had bowed before it exactly four years ago!!! I must also tell you that little children have seen this very change of face in photos, statues and all things that depict our beloved Sai, this is proof of his presence, proof of his love for us and proof of the one true God.
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Sai Activities

Shirdi Sai Activities in Nellore, AP, INDIA
Members of Shirdi Sai Bhakta Mandali, Parlapalli village, Nellore District, AP, Shirdi Sai Bhakta Samajam, Ayyappa Temple Centre, Nellore, and Shri Shirdi Sai Kalyanam Trust, Tirupati, AP, India, cordially invite the devotees to participate in the following programmes and receive the blessings of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba.

Guruji Shri Chandra Bhanu Satpathy from New Delhi has kindly consented to grace these programmes.

PROGRAMME DETAILS:
30-8-2002, Friday, 5-00PM onwards till 8-00PM:
Inauguration of Dhuni by Guruji at Shirdi Sai Temple, Parlapalli Village, Vidavalur Mandal, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh. Discourse by Guruji, Sai Bhajans and Annadanam follow.

31-8-2002, Saturday 6-40AM onwards till 1-00PM:
Vigrahaprathista of Shri Sainath, Mahakumbabhishekam and Abhishek by Guruji at Shirdi Sai Mandiram, Ayyappa Temple Centre, Nellore followed by Annadanam.

31-8-2002, Saturday, 5-00PM onwards till 8-00PM:
Discourse on Shirdi Sai Baba and his philosophy by Guruji at Kasturiba Kalakshetram, Near Police Parade Grounds, Nellore. Sai bhajans and cultural programmes follow.

For further details and requests for accommodation etc., please contact P.Raghunadha Reddy, on these numbers 91 8574 21634 or 91 98480 45869.

Sainaama Jaap, Hyderabad, India
The 24th Annual Sai Akhanda Naama Japa Sapthaham will be celebrated in "Sri SAI hall" at the residence of Sri.R.V.Subba Rao, H.No: 3-5-941, Susheelwadi, Himayatnagar, Hyderabad -500029. Ph: 3226039. The program is from Thursday 29th August 6.AM to Thursday, 5th September, 2002 6.AM (Non-Stop). All Sai devotees are invited for the program.

Shirdi Sai Satsang, Twin Cities, MN
Dear Sai Bandhus, by the grace and inspiration of Sadguru Sainath, Shirdi Sai Satsang, Twin Cities, MN has arranged for Sai Naam Jap on September 1 from 6 AM until Noon. The Naam Jap will be followed by Madhyahna Aarti and Maha Prasad. The venue at 3205 Harbor lane Regency Pointe apt homes, Plymouth, MN-55447. For any questions / suggestions / help with directions please send reply to this mail or contact SivaRama Kurra (763) 694 0663

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

Shirdi Sai Baba Prayer Center, South Brunswick, NJ
Saibaba.org invites you to join for Sai puja, bhajans, 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 or email us at maildrop@saibaba.org.

GuruPoornima, Houston, USA
With Baba's immeasurable grace, our Gurupoornima celebrations excelled the expectations of one and all. It was a day of immense satisfaction to more than 300 devotees who actively involved, participated in the proceedings. One could sense their feelings from jubilant faces. We were fortunate to have the blessings of H.H. Sri Guru Sai Narayan Baba of Panvel, Bombay. We performed Abhisheka pooja to Baba's idol and the same idol was worshipped by Narayan Baba for about 35 years and gifted to a team of our devotees last December. Our other programs included bhajans, recitation of Saimahima, special bhajans, arathis, and talk on Saitatwa etc. These proceedings gave us renewed strength and confidence in conducting future programs. Our salutations to Sadguru Sainath the source of our strength.

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

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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