Every action has consequence. If "actions" are distinctly identified, then the "consequences" are also quite clearly felt. One need not be spiritually enlightened to notice this. However, the spiritual understanding of this action-consequence sequence leads one to believe that the consequences are not just physical happenings but responses to every deed, word or even a thought. Thoughts precede words and actions. Thus, purification of thought is said to be a very important priority in the pursuit of the Self. How is this possible? How capable is one in bringing about this purification? It turns out that this is the most difficult part of saadhana. Deeds and words can easily be made cosmetic to suit the occasion - a benevolent act can be advertised to the awe of everyone or a sweet discourse can be given on topics related to Sadguru without purified minds! Occasional feelings of the cleansed soul because of Saadhana does not stay for long for the mind of a seeker for a large part remains the curved tail of a dog!

Surrendering to Sadguru with thoughts, pure as well as impure, is a step that takes one closer to purification of mind. One need not even contemplate on the discrimination between pure and impure because the intellect is easily deceived. Faith is not! Sainath said that He knows and guides His devotees during their course through several births. Stories in Sai Satcharitamritha depict His guidance that spanned several births as the soul dons different costumes. If this truth is firmly placed in one's mind, then, it should become quite clear to anyone that Baba pervades every thought and He is the observer. One may choose to forget this observation, but Baba continues His mission until the curved tail is straightened. Is this possible in one birth? The least one could do in the understanding of Sadguru Sainath is to not doubt His supreme power!
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Contributed Article: Bhaja Govindam Sloka 8

Contributed by Paritala Gopi Krishna, New Delhi, India

Kaa Te Kaantaa Kaste Putrah
Samsaaroyamateeva Vichitrah
Kasya Tvam Kah Kuta Aayaatah
Tattvam Chintaya Tadiha Bhraatah
... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:
Kaa - who is, Te - your, Kaantaa - wife, Kah - who is, Te - your, Putrah - son, Samsaarah Ayah - this Samsaara, Ateeva - supremely, Vichitrah - (indeed) wonderful, Kasya - of whom, Tvam - are you, Kah (Tvam) - who are you, Kutah - from where, Aayaatah - have come, Tattvam - of that Truth, Chintaya - think, Tad Iha - that here alone, Bhraatah - O Brother.

Substance:
Who is your wife? Who is your son? Very strange is this family bond or samsaara. Of whom are you? From where have you come? O Brother, ponder over that Truth here.

Commentary:
If one starts reflecting on the course of worldly life, which is a mysterious enigma, one is faced with questions like, whence did one come, where was one previously, who is one's wife, one's son and other relations and what is the existence of oneself and the relation or the bond between one and another, etc. Starting with these simple questions, one will be puzzled by many more such questions and the reasons for one's anxiety and attachment. As one keeps on contemplating and meditating on such questions, the delusion will vanish and one will be at peace. One will understand that the body is perishable and the soul is imperishable and one should not become victim of erroneous attachments and the transient nature of these relations. These bonds may teach us or influence us to be tolerant, understand the limits of one's freedom, necessity of sharing, relieve from the selfishness and save us from many such negative aspects, but if one looks at the other side, it may lead us to get entangled in worldly attachments and become the root cause for our anxieties and worries. So as to get over these pitfalls, one has to learn to live life with detachment at home itself. The only possible antidote for the follies of delusion is complete surrender to Lord and through intelligent enquiry choose "shreyas" instead of "preyas". Naturally, the first questions is who am I? then who is my wife? Who is my son? etc. On simple analysis, one understands that one's wife is another's daughter, sister, or some such relation. Having born independently, in the journey from birth to death, one acquires many such relations and bonds and when the death descends, all these relations vanish in thin air. Ultimately, one realizes the truth that one belongs only to the Divine Father or Mother and nobody else. All relations other than the relation with the Main Source of Universe is false, causes unhappiness, anxiety and worry.
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Experiences of Devotees

Akila Subramanian
I am writing one of the many experiences that happened to me. I went to madras for 2 months vacation to see my sick mother. She is in the final stage Renal Cell Carcinoma. Doctors have said that she is not going to survive any more. She is dieing every day slowly. My mom knows that she is suffering from cancer. She believes in Sai very much. She thinks Sai will do good to her. My time to leave to USA was nearing and I went to Mylapore Sai mandir to get his darshan and say bye to Sai and pray for my mother. I bought a beautiful mala for Sai and was hoping that he accepts my garland. But to my surprise, the priest out there, came to me directly was if he was waiting for it and took the garland, without me asking he put the mala to the beautiful Sai's picture sitting in the simhasan. I was very happy. Not only that I never thought I wanted to stay there for aarti. Once my prayer was over, I was about to leave the temple, as I was getting late. All the time the priest was looking at me trying to tell me to stop and stay back for some reason. But I went away. When I stepped out of the temple, the arthi bell rang and I asked the flower vendor if that was arthi time. He said yes and I ran into the mandir back. The priest was happy to see me back. Why should he be? Then some thing surprising happened. I have been going to the mandir every Sunday until I was in India and never I could see Mr.Ramaswamy until that time, who is a very staunch devotee of Sai (like shama). I respect him very much and always wanted to talk to him. I was praying to Sai, if I could ever talk to Mr.Ramaswamy and tell about my mothers condition, may be he can go and convey this to Sai and may be I can get his blessing for my mom and get some vibhuthi.

Believe me, Mr.Ramaswamy just came to me and asked me something. I was so shocked I didn't hear what he was asking me. All I told is "my mom is suffering from cancer. Everybody says she is going to die..Can you pray to baba for me". He then immediately asked me to wait, he would give Baba's vudhi, and my mom will be alright. And on my way back, he stopped me again and gave a packet of prasad that has just come from Shirdi, which I was longing to get for a long time. Why is this all happening. Anything I think in that mandir, Sai listens .My mother is slowly sinking. She is unable to get out the bed. If anybody looks at her, they won't say she will survive. My brother and sister in madras are very down. But I still believe in him. I am not in a state of denial. He gave me a very wonderful dharsan that day and promised to save my mother. What ever happened that day could be a coincidence for some body. But I took it as Sai's blessing and assured that he will save my mother. There will happen a miracle. Her cancer will run away with out any trace. I also believe one day I will write my mother's survival story in Baba's latest miracle. Anywhere anytime if you think of him, he listens. He is not keeping quiet .He is working for us. Somehow, he will get us there, wherever we want to be, whatever we want to have. How much true is your devotion towards him, so much closer he comes to you? Have faith .Be Patience. He will answer.
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Devotees say...

A devotee
In Mid Oct, I went to India and had a deep desire to go to Shirdi. Though I couldn't go to Shirdi, my sister in law got me Baba's murti and agarbatti stand. For a moment I felt as if Baba has come himself to me and had a deep desire to get Baba's udi too. With the agarbatti stand, wish to have Baba's udi was also fulfilled. I feel fortunate are those devotees whom Baba calls to Shirdi but one should never forget that Baba is always with His devotees. Jai Sai

Laxmi Surya
Sairam! It was great watching the video. It is a great service to the devotees who are unable to attend any temple on an auspicious occasion like Shivarathri. Thank you for your effort. May Baba guide us like this forever.

Savitha
Hello saibaba.org team, yesterday's Shivarathri program was too good. I was so happy to watch the program online. Thanks for arranging the same. I wish the team more and more success in all your future endeavors.

Syamasundar
I could visit the website on the special program of Mahasivarathri celebrations on 1 March for some time. It was really a great idea and so nicely executed. Hope such programs will follow in future .We at Houston conducted Abhishekam to Baba and Lord Shiva on that day.

Madhavapeddi Ramakrishna
Yes, I am actually hearing Sri Satpathy's music. We humbly pray for such streaming live program increase, may be with Sai round conferences of different program At different places Shirdi, Illinois and others on important dates like Sriramanavami-making a garland of flowers or necklace at Shri Shirdi Saimaharaj feet-as pada puja. Congrats, for your wonderful work as video and audio is bringing all of us visibly together

Anil Kotian
Recently, on Saturday 22 February 2003, I visited Shirdi with three of my friends. After taking Darshan of Sai Samadhi thrice in a space of 15 minutes at around 8.45 p.m., (the place was not crowded perhaps because of the 12th std and school examinations going on) we went into the Dwarkamai. After passing the Dhuni - fire that was lit by baba, we proceeded round and opposite to a seat where people were touching two molded feet prints with their forehead. I was contemplating whether I should touch these feet impressions with my hands and touch my forehead or whether I should touch the impressions with my forehead. When the gentleman before me got up, I just knelt down and touched the feet prints with my forehead. As I silently prayed with my forehead touched down, there was a continuous patting on my shoulder. I thought that the Security guard present was asking me to finish my prayers so that the queue behind me clears faster. With eyes still closed, I was consciously being irritated with the tapping and turned to have a look at who was tapping. To my surprise the person who was patting my shoulder was a little boy about5-6 years of age behind me who was with his parents and as our eyes met he was smiling with a look which said to my action of touching the feet impression with my forehead - "good - a job well done". The tapping on my shoulder was a mature patting of an adult and not of the kid behind me. It was a wonderful experience as I looked into the innocent smile and eyes of this little boy behind me. Back home, I could not help telling my wife about this; to which she said that Baba must have approved my act of touching his feet with my forehead, and hence the approval through the hands of the little kid. I try not to read too much into the incident but the incident keeps coming back again and again as I think of my wonderful trip to Shirdi last week. Best wishes to all!

Sashidhar Guntur
Hello, I thank Sai for whatever he has given me and whatever he wishes to. I am going through a bad phase, but I know this is just to clear my karma. I would like to go through them now and do not want to postpone it or try to avoid it. I know it is for the good. Sai, please bless me. I do not mind going through all experiences, but just the thought you will be with me is enough for me. This miracle happened when I was going to India to visit my parents. I am a student at a state university in Kansas and I was so excited to be visiting home after such a long interval. In my excitement, I forgot to turn in my I-94 form to the immigration authorities at my port of embarkment which will facilitate my return to the States. When I was on the plane, enroute to Korea, I realized this and immediately went into a panic since I did not know what to do. On reaching Seoul, I met a kind Indian man, who suggested I contact the Korean airline manager at the airport and tell him of my dilemma. I immediately went to the manager and after listening to my problem; he said that he would send back my i-94 with the next Korean flight. I was so apprehensive of this because if they misplaced it anywhere, I would not be able to enter the States on my return. I was worrying about this all the while at home and when I was coming back, the same manager was on duty at the airport again and I asked him if he has sent it and he said that he did and I will not face any problem. Thankfully, with Baba's grace, I could reach Kansas without incident, as the immigration people did not bother me at all. It was due to Baba's help that I could overcome this situation. My profound faith in Baba has been proved yet again. I will remain faithful to him and seek his blessings all my life. Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai ! Bolo Satguru Sainath ki Jai !
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Prayer Club

Devotee
sayee devaa you know all my problems. please give me a good job and good life, otherwise take me immediatly without fail. sai i believe you and you know how many steps i have taken towards you, but i did not realise how many steps you taken for me. so, sai please bless me and help me sayee hiruthayavihara aapath banthavaa pranams to sai baba shiridi baba

Sai Devotee
Aum Sai Ram. Sai Thank you very much for all the things given to me. Baba, you know our family problems. My husband doesn't have a job since 2 years. Still with complete faith in you , We are waiting for your blessing. Baba please forgive all our sins committed by me, my husband, my son knowingly or unknowingly in all our past births. Don't be angry on your children. I had wished for something and by your grace, I got it. Now I have to complete my vow. But without your grace I cannot start nor fulfill. So I need your blessings to fulfill this . Baba my husband lost the job 2 years back and Iam responsible for the same. Please baba, forgive all my sins and bless my husband with a good job.

Devotee
Please BABA I never ask for any thiing else but for this I'll have to face my mom .Please if i get through it I'll give her the happiness of highest order BABA please not for my sake but for my mom's happiness get me a good score in GATE2003 so that I accomplish something very substantial. Thank you BABA always at your service BABA any time call for any service from me for you or your faithful ones Please save me from all the dangers or be my strength at the time of distress pain and loss and be my best companion for my life BABA.And be my strength in completing my duties towards this world as successfull messenger of yours please never leave me BABA. Thank you BABA

Sai Devotee
Hey Sai Mahaprabho, please forgive me . I thought I was doing the correct thing, I enquired but may be I am mistaken and may be I acted proudly, please father , please excuse me for this time and please forgive me. Protect everyone Baba, You are everything for me, Baba you know what all I went through in life , just these few years are a bit better and You took care of me but for you I won't be here . You know how I help everyone,so Baba , I promise you, this I will not do again and never be rude and listen , be compassionate -You are my protector please save me Baba. Yours obediently, your Sai devotee.

Sai Devotee
My son, K.R. Shankar, born in 1974 is mentally deranged for the last 10 years. His condition is becoming bad to worse daily. I pray to Shri Shridi Baba to bestow his blessings for the speedy recovery of my son. I am also in financial problems for the treatment of my son. I would be grateful if prayers could be held for the recovery of my son and for my financial improvement, so that I can give good treatment to my mentally ailing son.

Sai Devotee
Dear Baba, My Husband is a is truely, hard working and sincere person despite all his experience and academic qualification he has not moved up in his career. Please help us get improve our life. Sometimes it seems that we are moving backward instead of moving forward and progressing in life. I am writing to you so that other SAI devotees join me in praying for a better future. We have been looking nearly a year nothing has happenned since. Please help. Last time my husband needed a job you came in my dream and told me the date he would find a new job, and he did on the same date. Please help him this time too. Help us with some stabily and progress in life without the humiliation and despreration every few years for a job. Please Baba, please help.

Sai Devotee
I have been reading sai satcharita for the past one month.It gives me an immense relief especially I am able to overcome all my unwanted thoughts and feelings which has been revolvng around me.But anyway I would sincerely pray shiradi saibaba to help my husband to have his job more secured and he should get good and big projects.he has been working very very hard since he is getting good income on sais blessings.To make him more job satisfaction I sincerely pray shradi saibaba and holding his feet I beg him to overcome my husbands plight.saibaba I still continue to read the book saisatcharita .please be kind enough to help my husband as I believe you more than anyone in this world.saibaba please hear to my prayers and bless me with happiness.om sairam.I wish to visit shiradi very soon when I have a chance to visit India.I am very eager to seek your blessings at shiradi.thanking you.
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Quotation of the Week
"When the devotees surrender themselves completely to their Sadguru, He sees that the religious functions in their houses are duly executed and complied with all the necessary formalities".-Shri Hemadpanth in "Sai Satcharitha"
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Question of the Week

."What is the nature of that Viveka (knowledge) which leads to Vairaagya (detachment)?"
A. by Alphanso

Knowledge is intuitive, omniscient, and beyond all divisions of time and space. The impermanent has no reality; reality lies in the eternal. Those who have seen the boundary between these two have attained the end of all knowledge. Knowledge can be obtained with the absolute surrender to the Lord in all obedience and without out any wavering. On the other hand, attachment is what the material world offers and how we take care of it; seeing to this, neglecting that, setting one thing against another etc.

Attachment craves pleasures, cares for wealth or even religious duties of salvation. In craving for the pleasures of the senses, one suffers from attachment. The nature of that Viveka (knowledge) which leads to Vairaagya (detachment) can best be illustrated if ones life is compared to a glass filled with ice blocks. The ice blocks in the glass could be compared to the attachments of the world. Now to the extent of ones submission to the Lord, the sun of Knowledge rises, the blocks of ice melt away, and detachment takes place.

The ice blocks (attachment) are replaced by water (knowledge), which leads to detachment. It is a process but it is either knowledge or attachment. The spiritual aspects of life are beyond the material things that we see in our surrounding existence. It requires faith and inner feelings and allows one to feel a sense of detachment from the material world that which is transitory and constantly changing. We are in this world but not of it.

A person falls, because of his attachment to wealth, relatives, home, or his own body. Therefore, one should shift his attachment from the world to God. Thus, the attachment to and love for God make a person free. There is no other way. God is extremely compassionate. If one takes one step Towards God, He comes a hundred steps towards you. It is true. If some one could say wholeheartedly, with mind and speech united, "Lord, I take refuge in you; I have none else." the Lord will definitely accept him. Seek refuge in the attitude of detachment and you will amass the wealth of spiritual awareness. Side by side, those who know the Self and those who know it not do the same thing; but it is not the same: the act done with knowledge, with inner awareness and faith, grows in power. That, in a word, tells the significance of OM, the indivisible. On the other hand, what good is a man's knowledge unless it prompts him to prevent the pain of others as if it were his own pain? Better indeed is knowledge than mechanical practice (of religious ritual). Better than knowledge is meditation. Better still is surrender of attachment to results (of one's actions), because there follows immediate peace. Let our lives so shine His light.
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Sai Activities

Annadanam seva (Feed the hungry service) from saibaba.org
Saibaba.org is designating the month of March 2003 as Annadanam (Feeding the hungry). Annadan is considered as the noblest means of charity and Baba did this for His children. The proposed venue and dates information on the annadanam seva to be held in March 2003 are as follows:

1. Venue: Leper's Colony, RKPuram Delhi: There will be bhajans followed by feeding dinner to all residing in the colony every Thursday in the month of March. This activity is being coordinated locally by Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in RK Puram in Leper's Colony, Delhi.

2. Venue: Spatics Society, Gudgaon, Haryana. There will be feeding to mentally retarded and handicapped residents of Spastics Society every Friday of the week in the month of March. Sai Prakash Spiritual and Charitable Trust, Gudgaon are coordinating this activity.

3. Venue: Saipuram, Chennai. There will be annadanam at Saipuram after Shej Arathi every Thursday of the week in the month of March. This activity is being coordinated by Shirdi Sai Spiritual and Charitable Trust, Saipuram, Injambakkam, Chennai

4. Venue: Shirdi Sai Mandir, Nagalapuram, Chittoor. There will be two annadanam services at this location one on 13th march and another one on 27th March, 2003. Shirdi Sai Seva Sangam, Nagalapuram, Chittoor are coordinating this activity.

5. The annadanam seva will end in partnership with Food Bank to serve the hungry here in USA. This activity is to be coordinated by Illinois Food Bank, IL.

Those interested, please visit the Annadan page on the website or send an email to maildrop@saibaba.org.

Ramanavami - Urs Celebrations - Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Minnesota, USA
By the grace of Sadguru Sainath, Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Twin Cities, Minnesota is preparing to celebrate the Ramanavami - Baba's Urs festival on April 12 at Geeta Ashram, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The program will include Sai Shodasopachara Pooja, Sai aarthis, Sai naama Jap, Flag and Chandan procession, Bhajans, Kids programs, and Palki Seva to Baba. For details, please contact hamaresai@yahoo.com. or call Sangeeta (651-481-6782), Kiran (952-233-1819), Ravi (651-342-0600) Bhuva (651-681-2042) or Sathya (651-739-2105). Regular Sai activities in the Twin Cities, MN are being conducted at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, 725 Lake St NE, Apt #139 Hopkins MN.

Shirdi Saibaba Satsang in Columbus, OH
Satsang in Columbus, OH has been taking place for the past few years. We are grateful to our Lord Sainath who has taken us to the 5th consecutive year. We always have felt him among us in our Satsang sessions making us feel blissful. Devotees around Columbus, OH area can visit: http://www.srishirdisaibabamandir.org or email: sssb_temple@yahoo.com for more details on events and join us in serving Mother Sai.

Shirdi Sai Baba Chitra Yatra And Weekly Satsang, Canada
Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of Canada, Toronto, cordially extends to all the best wishes for the New Year hoping with Baba's grace you will leap into 2003 with prosperity health and happiness and invites you all to for Thursday satsang at the following 2 locations: Durga Temple, 2691 Markham Rd. Scarborough, ph: 416 754 2983 and Shri Vithal Hindu Mandir, 5359 Timber Lea Blvd. Mississauga, ph: 905 238 0946. between 6:15pm to 7:15pm.

We invite all devotees in Canada to join us in celebrating "Shri Ramnavami festival 2003 in Toronto. Devotees joining from outside Toronto looking for accommodation please register by 25th of February - devotees interested in volunteering or those interested in offering bhajans to Baba pls call Shammi Chopra 416 402 8089 from 7 to 9am or after 9pm in the evening.

Shirdi Sai Satsang, Houston, TX
Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, Houston, Texas, USA cordially invites you for Thursday satsang at the following location: 5645 Hillcroft, Suite #304, Houston, Texas, 77036 between 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Sri Shirdi Sai satsangs in Auckland,New Zealand
Sri Shirdi Sai Sansthan,NZ is celebrating Sri Ramanavami on the Sunday 13th April 2003 at the Mt Eden war memorial hall, Mt Eden, Auckland. The morning will start with reciting Sri Sai Sahasranamavali, followed by Bhajans, Pravachan, Arathi and Maha Prasad. Also all Sai devotees are invited to participate in Sai Bhajans, discourse and arathi every Thursday at 7:30 pm.The venue is located at Balmoral Mandir, Balmoral, Auckland, NZ. For more details please contact Dr Ram Prasad at prasads@quicksilver.net.nz.

Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 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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