The word 'Samadhi' is generally understood as a spiritual state of a person,in which he experiences not his body state and mind condition as everyone experiences, but a super-conscious experience, which opens up before him much wider knowledge and experience of his self in relating to the universe. Regarding such a state of experience two concepts called 'Savikalpa Samadhi' and 'Nirvikalpa Samadhi' are often used in Hinduism.

'Savikalpa Samadhi' is a state of spontaneous self-knowledge of a Yogi or Siddha but such state of consciousness is not un-interrupted. When one awakes from the Samadhi his divine conscious state is disturbed. But in case of 'Nirvikalpa Samadhi' the state of divine consciousness is un-interrupted. There is a third type of Samadhi called the 'Sahaja Samadhi' which the Sadgurus experience when in their human embodiment. It is an effortless spontaneous state of super consciousness which means that the Sadgurus donot have to try to enter into a state of 'Nirvikalpa Samadhi'. In their case the 'Nirvikalpa Samadhi' it self is their very nature - Swabhav.

But the word 'Maha Samadhi' is different. When a Saint leaves his body and is capable of remaining in a super conscious state without the body, it is called 'Maha Samadhi'. Spiritual practitioners at lesser levels do not have such post-death awareness. Spiritual Masters and Jivan Muktas or Mazoobs can be correctly said to be in a state of Maha Samadhi i.e. a continued state of Samadhi even after leaving the body. The minimum qualification necessary to be a Sadguru or Perfect Master is to be a "Jeevan Mukta" i.e. one whose consciousness is not affected by death or birth. For them death is not process of total annihilation but only a discardance of body, which they had been occupying to carry on certain duties towards humanity. They know exactly when to leave their body and also when to be born with a new body. They are capable even of entering into some body else's body as was seen in the case of 'Shankaracharya'.

Therefore, the Maha Samadhi day of Baba simply means that on the 15th October, 1918, he had decided to leave his mortal body as the work he wanted to perform with the use of the body was over. There is enough of evidence to prove that Baba had known about his Maha Samadhi even two years before, on the day of Dussehra in 1916, which Baba had called the day of 'Seema Langhan' and which means crossing the boundaries from a mortal existence to an immortal existence. When the consent to construct the present Samadhi Mandir at Shirdi was given by him, he had said that "after the wada is completed, I will come there to stay". Before his Mahasamadhi Baba had sent some money to Bade Miyan a Saint of Aurangabad for conducting Kawali, Mauli and Nyas saying that the light that Allah had lighted will be taken back by him on 9th Muhharram in 1918 which incidentally was the 15th October, 1918. Therefore, Baba the Perfect Master who was a Jivan Mukta had decided to leave his body as his last days and last minute actions indicate.

When the Master is with a human body he outwardly looks like a man but internally he was carrying on his universal divine role. But when he left his body did his divine role end? The all merciful Sai, before leaving his body had clearly stated about his role after his Mahasamadhi, lest the devotees he had been protecting and helping would feel like orphans. He had promised that he will look-after his devotees even from his tomb and also that they only will have to approach him through their hearts and with love to get his love and support. Today the experiences of millions of devotees through out India and everywhere else indicate that Baba's divine activities in helping and evolving his devotees continues with all its manifestations and glory. Reports of thousands and thousands of devotees getting unexpected help for temporal, mental and spiritual development are coming from numerous places in India and the world. Experiencing his grace, self-motivated devotees are building up thousands of Sai temples through-out the world and carrying on various types of activities in propagating his deeds and philosophies all over the globe. It seems as if Shri Sai without a human body is many times more active in removing the suffering of his devotees than the Sai, when he was with a body. Those days the number of his devotees were much less than the number of devotees today and the activities to spread his name have multiplied a thousand times.

Sadgurus as the embodiments of divine mercy are ever in a state of full divine consciousness, and beyond the states of life and death. They take a human body out of their infinite compassion for the suffering devotees. Sadguru Shri Sainath Maharaj had taken his Maha Samadhi eighty four years back. But because of his Maha Kripa (infinite compassion) his love and protection for the devotees continues.
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Contributed Article: Nirakara and Sakara Shirdi Sai

God is formless. No words can describe Him. He is Sathyam Sivam Sundaram. If one can meditate on the formless he should do it, but how could one comprehend an entity without any form? This is very difficult for most of us. This involves utmost sincerity and constant contemplation. God takes shape in form of avatar, guru and saint. In Geetha, God declares He is in the heart of realized souls apart Himself coming down as avathars. Baba himself told us to contemplate on form as it is very difficult to contemplate Him as formless and merge in Him. We are every second surrounded by forms, our own bodies, other bodies and the world. With our impure minds, it is difficult to keep up our mind surrendered to formless and it is easier to concentrate on Guru by namajaapa, puja etc. Meera, Andal attained glory of Krishna and Narayana by contemplating the forms. Bhakta Ramadas and Tukaram attained Rama through their bhakti. Thyagayya attained His grace by singing His glory. All of them merged in God in contemplating God in form. Pujya Narasimhaswamiji, stayed in Ramana ashram contemplating God in formless form but took to Shirdi to seek the God in human form for his surrender. Hence, when Guru’s grace is obtained, it will not be impossible to contemplate on nirakara Brahman.
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Experiences of Devotees

Anu Wusirika
I want to share a great experience of my parents. My mother under went cataract operation at L.V Prasad hospital at Hyderabad in 1997 and she is fine after that. They usually spent most of the time in spiritual way, bhajans, gita recital vishnusahasra nama etc. In 2000, she realized that everything looks blurry, and she is not able to read properly. She has been taken to L.V Prasad & the doctor did laser but her sight is not normal. Finally one day she broke down in pooja room crying at Baba's feet that I can't see you or read any book of you what should I do? I don’t want to live like this. Seeing this my father got disturbed. He prayed Baba for mercy; if she gets her eyesight back to normal, we will do 1crore Sainamajapa. Next day they went to L.V Prasad hospital. The doctor said there is nothing much they can do, may be a laser again. Suddenly the doctor who did first time operation to mommy came & enquired about it. She asked them to come next day so that she can try something else. After few minutes she again came & requested them if they can stay for 5hours at the hospital because she wanted to do the operation right away. Doc started the operation and she is removing the layers in eye & the new ones are forming so she tried a new method of breaking the layer into pieces with laser so they will not form again. After 5 hours mommy opened her eyes but she couldn't see all that well. Leaving everything to Baba, they left the hospital. Next day morning as usual she opened her eyes & looked at Baba' photo. She could clearly see Baba; with tears rolling through her eyes, she thanked Baba for the miracle. Soon they both started for 1crore nama japa. With the help of rice & japamala as counters, they finished their namajapa in 5 months. I thank Saibaba for his miracle & mercy. Always remember his nama, never loose your faith in him. Offer what ever you are eating first to Baba, he will be with you forever.

A Sai devotee
Jai Sai Ram! I had a wonderful experience last week, which I wanted to share with all the devotees. I work in US and my married daughter is in India. When I was at work at 7.30 on one morning, my wife called me to say that my daughter was having some domestic problem for the last 3-4 days and she was feeling very lonely. Daily, as soon as I come to office, I start the day’s work with Baba’s puja (thanks to the wonderful facility provided through http://saipatham.com/pages/saibaba.swf). I was actually doing the Aarthi at the time when I received the call from my wife. My wife and I naturally felt depressed. Immediately, I prayed to Baba and reminded him that he sent Vibhuthi through a stranger, arranged a Tanga for him to help a family at a far off place and He could do so many miracles for His devotees. I prayed and requested Him to take care of my daughter and help her to come out of the distress. Believe me! Within half an hour, my wife again called me to say that my daughter called her from India to say that the problem was solved and that her entire family was very happy. I had nothing to say except bow to Sainath for His kindness! Jai Sairam!
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Devotees say...

Jaya Binod
This special letter is only to thank you my dearest sai for being with me at my hour of need. Thank you very much.

Veena Gupta
This Dusshera is very special day for the Sai devotees, it is coinciding with actual date and day of Baba's Nirwan day, which is 15 Oct and Tuesday and the time was 2:30 PM. It is indeed a great day, I would advice all the Sai devotees to do pooja as usual but read the 42nd, 43-44th Chapters of Sri Saisacharitra also.

Pradip Prasad Koirala
I am visiting Shirdi with six members of my family. We have already started saptaha parayana, which we will end on Tuesday at Shirdi. I request all the sai devotees to request Sadguru to make our saptaha parayan success and to fulfill our parayana wishes, which Baba already knows.
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Prayer Club

Praveen Pranati
Om Sai ram. Baba you know how my wife is suffering these days. It is very painful to see her day and night in pain (osteoartheritis). She is a strong devotee of your feet. Please my god bless her with your blessings. Help her to remove this pain and she gets well soon. Om Sairam.

Neelu
Thank you for all your blessings. You’ve always guided us at every moment in our lives. We will continue to always need your guidance in every path of our life. Today I pray for your blessings to all my dear friends, colleagues, well-wishers and all the mankind, in need of our prayer’s. I also have couple of colleagues (Ms. Gowri & Ms.Trupthi ) who are seeking your special blessings, as they would like to settle down in a suitable family. You know what is the best for them. We bow to you Baba. Pardon us for our flaws. Please help all of them to have more & more faith and patience in you.- Om Shri Sainathai Namaha.

A Sai devotee
Sairam, You are my father, mother, everything. I think you are there behind me in each point of my life. You saved me in so many situations. SaiRam, now I am in dilemma. So please took me out of this dilemma. Get me the answer to my situation by appearing in my dreams.

Sai devotee
Baba please take care of my sister's problem Please. She prays to you only. Wake up her husband and make him realize what he is doing. Please keep the family together. She is very torn.

Naveen
I have been out of work for more than 60 days. I have been doing all the best as I can, but I haven't had much luck. I still believe in You and I'm sure you can do miracles to people. I am starting to loose my faith in things and nothing is working out for me. I need a miracle and I request all the devotees to pray for me and all the other people who need help in this difficult time. Thank you all.
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Quotation of the Week
"Don't be anxious, your hundi (death-warrant) has been withdrawn and you will soon recover, but I am afraid of Tatya Patil. He will pass away on Vijayadashami of Shaka 1840 (1918 A.D.). Do not divulge this to anybody, nor to him, for he will be terribly frightened." – Saibaba of Shirdi to his devotee Ramachandra Patil.

But a curious thing happened. Tatya remained, his death was averted and Baba passed away in his stead. It seemed as if there was an exchange. People said that Baba gave up His life for Tatya (vide Sri Sai Satcharitha Chapter 42).
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Question of the Week

Q. Why did Baba cry like an ordinary man during the death of a few of His devotees?
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Sai Activities

Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra
Saibaba.Org has received several requests from Sai Chitra Yatra anchor homes and devotees to extend Chitra Yatra. To accommodate the necessities of devotees wanting to host the Sai Chitra Yatra, the Chitra Yatra is extended through this winter. The dates will be communicated to the anchor homes. If you have any questions, please contact maildrop@saibaba.org.

Shri Shirdi Sai Thaali for India – A Holiday Gift Service from www.saibaba.org
Shirdi Sai Thaali is a unique gift giving opportunity for devotees residing in far away land to their loved ones in India. This service includes sending a gift package consisting of Sai material including books, magazines, audiotapes, CDs and pictures of Saibaba in a custom made platter consecrated at Shirdi.
Sending a gift is an act of giving. Giving develops detachment. Keeping in line with our mission, the Thaali concept is developed after careful consideration and deliberation and around material relating to Shri Sai Baba. The results of this program can only be measured by the happiness and peace one gets when one receives the thaali. Talking to someone who has actually received a Thaali and knowing their feelings only will make one realize the true value of Shri Shirdi Sai Thaali.
We hope that Sai devotees around the world will use this opportunity to send Shri Shirdi Sai Thaali to the beloved in India this holiday season. To request a Shri Shirdi Sai Thaali, please visit http://www.saibaba.org. For any questions or concerns, please contact us by email at support@saibaba.org. Shirdi Saibaba Website Organization is a Non-profit organization.

Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Twin Cities, MN
Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center of Twin Cities, Minnesota invites all to participate in Sadguru Sainath’s 84th Mahasamadhi celebrations on October 12, 2002, at Geeta Ashram, Brooklyn Park, MN. The program will include Sai abhishek with devotees’ participation, Vishnu Sahasranama Parayan, Dhoop Aarthi, Bhajans and Kirtans, Sai Paalki Seva, Sai Naam Jap, and Shej Aarthi. Please visit www.geocities.com/hamaresai or write to hamaresai@yahoo.com for more details.

Mahasamadhi at Toronto, Canada
Devotees are invited to attend Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Punya Tithi and Vijay Dashami Puja at Sri Vithal Mandir, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada on the 19th of Oct. 2002 at 10:30am. For program inquiries please contact Shammi Chopra 416 402 8089 or write at saileela99@yahoo.com

Dusserah & Baba's Punya Tithi (Mahasamadhi), Sydney,Australia
Shree Shirdi Sai Sansthan Sydney invites you with family and friends to join blissful evenings of Bhajans, Parayan and Satsang to commemorate Dusserah and Baba's Punya Tithi (Mahasamadhi) at Shirdi Sai Temple,420 Liverpool Road, Strathfield South, NSW 2136.For more information please contact Mrs.Sujata Hemchander Rao on 02 98710163 or Mrs.Uma Parmar on 02 7447757 or Mrs.Bhanu Chandra Mouli on 02 97631951.

Shirdi Sai Baba Prayer Center, Kendall Park, NJ
Saibaba.org invites you to join for Sai puja, bhajans, Saicharitra readings, aarti and prasad every sunday at Durga Mandir,Kendall Park, NJ from 11am-1pm. 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.

Saibaba Mahasamadhi Celebrations, Dilsukh Nagar,Hyderabad, India
Saidarbar, Hyderabad will be playing an active role during the 84th Sri Shirdi Sai Mahasamadhi celebrations (7th to 9th Oct 2002) to be performed by Shirdi Sai Baba Mandhir, Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad. Further details can be had from Shri.Raghu Kumar on phone 091-40-4066566.

Shirdi Saibaba Temple, Pondicherry, India
The temple is located by the side of the Pondicherry University and nearby to the seashore. Mahakumbhabhishekam was performed on 21-09-2002 in beautiful natural surroundings. Saibanisa GopalaRao Ravada and Sainama Sri.D.Sankaraiah Garu were invited to deliver discourses on Lord Sainath. Saibanisa talked on the chosen topics ' Sai in Bhagavatham and Sai in Ramayan' on two consecutive days. The speeches were well received. Sainama Sri.D.Sankaraiah garu has briefed the audience about the activities of Saidarbar, Hyderabad. President of the temple Sri.Arunachalam garu has honored Saibanisa GopalaRao Ravada and Sri.Sankaraiah garu. It is suggested that those of the Sai devotees visiting Pondicherry must visit this temple and have the blessings from Baba. For details about the temple, interested people may contact 091-413-655601.

Bus Yatra to from Edison NJ to Shirdi Sai Baba temple in Baldwin, Long Island NY - October 13, 2002
All Sai devotees living in the area are invited to join the Bus Yatra on October 13, 2002 (Sunday). The bus will leave at 8.30-8.45am from Oak Tree Road. Temple activities planned for that day are: 10.30-12.00am Kumkum Puja along with Lalitha Sahasranam. This will be followed by Bhajans, Aarti and Mahaprasad. Following that the bus will leave around 2.15 from Long Island back to New Jersey. There is NO COST to participate in the yatra. Devotees may bring Naivedya to the temple. For details, please contact Bharat Sanyal at 732-940-2226 or email at saiyash@yahoo.com.

Shirdi Sai Baba Chitra Yatra And Weekly Satsang, Canada
Devotees in Toronto, are invited to please join us in Sai bhajans, Sai Namavali, Saicharitra readings Aarti and Prasad every Thursday from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. For venue and directions, call 416 402 8089. Devotees can participate in Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra currently underway in Toronto and Calgary. To invite Baba to your home and for further details contact Shammi Chopra at 416 402 8089 or saileela99@yahoo.com, m_narasimhan@hotmail.com or visit www.saibaba.org

Poor feeding at Sabarimala, India
Reported by BL Venkatesh Murthy With reference to the Annadaanam program referred to in Sai Vichaar about two weeks ago, kindly log in to the following website for all the information you need, or else please contact Shri.Gopalakrishnan at dattaguru_bhadara_trust@yahoo.co.uk. www.saiayyappa.onlyhere.net

SAI'S NEWS FROM THE TIME MACHINE:
Bhadrapada 1910: H.H Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon left his mortal coil. At the same time Shirdi Sai Baba grieved profusely and said " Hallo! My Gajanan is gone". Bhadrapada 1922: Mahalsapathi passed away on September 11, 1922

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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