Jahan karam chhuthaa hain punya ko
Aur dharam chhuthaa hain bhakthi ko
Sayee wahan tumhaara aashish hain
Sayee wahan tumhara aashish hain
- Guruji C.B. Satpathy ji

Oh, Sai! Let Your blessings be upon us
As our deeds lead to noble consequences
In the path of devotion for that is our only righteous duty
Oh Sai! Let your blessings be upon us!

Intense pursuit of at-one-ment with Sadguru leads a saadhaka to completely believe that it is the Sadguru that defines every deed and to him the consequences are credited to. His reminders of our spiritual duty in the path of devotion are perhaps the only cognizance a saadhaka should pay attention to. There is no need for any other form of discrimination. A diligent focus on this simple truth should eventually dismiss all other forms of discrimination. What is more futile than spend a life's time on the convenient facts, the concoctions of the intellect! Faith, patience, humility, love and compassion by any definition are indiscriminate expressions that Sadguru requires of a devotee. These expressions have only origin not a destination, just like the warmth of the sun and the comfort of a cool breeze. Indiscriminate!
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Contributed Article:Bhaja Govindam Sloka 17 (Attributed to Sureshwaracharya)

Contributed by Paritala Gopi Krishna, New Delhi, India

Kurute Gangasaagaragamanam
Vrataparipaalanamathavaa Daanam
Gyaanaviheenah Sarvamatena
Bhajati Na Muktim Janmasatena
Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam...

Meaning:
Kurute - goes to pilgrimage, Ganga saagara gamanam - to where the Ganges meets the ocean, Vrataparilamanam - observes the vows, Athavaa - or, Daanam - distributes gifts away, Gyaanaviheenah - devoid of experience of Truth, Sarvamatena - according to all schools of thought, Muktim - release, Na - not, Bhajati - gains, Janmasatena - even in hundred lives.

Substance:
One may bath in the holy Ganges, at the confluence of Ganga and ocean, or observe vows and performs many charities, yet devoid of jnana. Unless one has the glimpse of Truth or God, one will not gain mukti or realize from the birth-and-death cycle even in hundred lives, according to all schools of thought.

Commentary:
Unless one has not attained Jnana, one cannot get rid of the great delusion. A person may go in pilgrimage to holy places, bathe in the holy Ganges or even at the meeting point of Ganga with the ocean or distribute gifts in charity, but only after realizing what is Truth or having a glimpse of God, that one is relieved from the vicious cycle of birth-death-birth.

The knowledge acquired from book-learning does not mean anything (as I am doing now), but the same knowledge born out of knowing the Truth will emancipate one from the hold of birth and death. Once it is achieved, the mind will become free from all attachments. One may be well read, have good command over many languages, adept in making discourses, yet if the same person is a victim of delusion and attachment, then it does not mean that one has acquired Jnana.

All the above actions are wonderful exercises for developing healthy habits and attitudes to life and these may help one on to the path of study and contemplation, but without knowledge of the Infinite Reality, liberation from sense objects will not be achieved. Generous and positive actions may give some gainful results, but not liberation from birth even in hundred years. It is true from any school of thought that one wishes to refer. Even these positive actions, one has to perform with faith, dedication, devotion and sincerity.

Pilgrimages, vows, charities, etc., are all exercises to prepare the seeker's mind for the great path of meditation and through meditation, until the Highest is actually apprehended, total freedom from the natural human weaknesses can never be gained, not even in hundred lives.
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Experiences of Devotees

Chitturi Srinivasa Rao
Being a follower of Sai for the last 13 years, I have been seeing several miracles of Baba in my family. Since1999 due to some unavoidable family problems I could not spend enough time for pooja and rarely read Sai Satcharithra. But I keep two Riyals (Qatar currency) in front of Baba, seeking Nishta and Saburi. I habituated to offering my food first to Baba before eating. On 1st May 2003 night I had a dream, I am standing in front of a Baba's golden yellow colored statue, I noticed that his body starts moving from leg, slowly Baba statue changed as live Baba. Immediately I took the opportunity and start feeding him with rice, after eating second time he advised me in a single sentence about a discussion which I had with my wife on 30 April 2003 about belief. He is within us. Om Sri Samartha Sadguru Sai nath maharaj ki Jai.

A Sai devotee
I am a student at Iowa State University. We usually pay off our tuition at the beginning of the semester. But given my family's financial condition at present, I end up giving my fees at the end of the semester. It was only at the end of last semester that I called my parents to send over a draft for $7000, a huge sum. If I failed to pay this amount, I wouldn't be allowed to continue the semester and would have to fly back to India or join a community college (with no courses I can really take), this being University policy. Our bank mailed the draft by UPS in a couple of days and I expected the draft to be here 20 days before the payment deadline. But something prevented it from reaching at this anticipated date, and I was growing impatient. One fine day, a week before the payment deadline, I find a UPS memo stuck to my apartment door that mentions an attempted delivery of a package (my draft); but since I was away, they would try 2 more times to deliver it.

What can I say? I decided to wait for them the days they didn't come! And when I went to the office, a lady informed me that certain packages are held only for 5 days, and that my package was sent back just an hour ago. Questions as to whether the truck could be contacted were answered in the negative. You may well imagine my disposition at that point in time. I felt guilty for not being responsible enough to pursue the end of getting my draft somehow and waiting until the weekend for this. Above all, I felt scared as to my fate. My roommates emanate nothing but genuine friendship. They are the friends people should pray for. But $7000 was something beyond what they could manage. I thought of asking many people, including my aunt, but this was not a paltry sum. What was the guarantee? Did they know my parents? (save my aunt, but that's a different story!) What if I ran away? Sad, but genuine doubts nevertheless. I realized why the Sufis abhorred money and praised love to be the true wealth.

All my resources exhausted, I sat in front of my table and an uneasy calm spread over my poor soul. Not anger at myself for a minor indiscretion that would lead to something catastrophic; not a fear of what the magnitude of this catastrophe was to be. It was a calm. It was Sunday, and I had to pay my tuition on Monday. And I had a two-digit figure in my bank account. On my table is a medium sized statue of Sai Baba. My glance landed on his face and I discerned a benign smile, fit to adorn the face of a king. I lie not. It was a novel experience. The words "you just wait and watch!" seemed to descend on me like an epiphany, out of nowhere. I was bathed in an ethereal calm. While I sat there, looking at the statue with an expressionless face, it suddenly occurred to me that I should ask this acquaintance if she could help me. What was the worst that could happen? She'd say "no".

A word about her: we absolutely DO NOT get along. She was the type who wouldn't give me a ride in heavy rain if she drove by. Slandering people incessantly was a part of her person, and I never liked this. Besides, I hadn't spoken to her in a month. She was the last person I would ask for help. So this was the unlikely person I went to. I told her about my problem, and a face that showed a venomous distaste in even saying "Hi!" was now all concerned. She asked me what went wrong and how much I wanted, and I told her. To my disbelief, she said "okay" and cut me a check for $7000. This from a person, who would treat everyone else in a group to coffee, except me! I cashed it, and am glad to say that I'm still in this country!

Of the few "miracles" Baba has done for me in the 19 years I've walked this planet (those I know of, that is), this I consider the most supreme. I found it hard to explain to my anxious parents about this sudden change in events, my mother sending up prayer after prayer, and my dad calling all the banks and asking anyone he could (although he knew he couldn't get any sum to me in a day).

All I have to say is, that our Baba doesn't let go. Never. Faith and patience and a resignation to his will and grace will get us into and out of any situation in life. I believe it was he who gave me the thought of asking this acquaintance and helped me out through her. Just at a point when my meditations and prayers and readings were gradually being forgotten by me, he sets up a hapless situation and, with my poor soul as a pawn, solves it, and reminds me of him and blesses me. A fakir and $7000. What a beautiful lesson! How lucky we all are to worship this saint! Peace and joy to all!
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Devotees say...

A Sai devotee
Dear Anil, I feel there is no need counting naam japa, one can keep chanting Baba's name all the time. Baba is with his devotees every second. Believe me taking Baba's name or keeping Baba's name in mind definitely helps you to feel closer to Baba always. This is my personal experience. Another Sai devotee wrote in spite of his efforts have feelings of jealousy. I'm sure chanting Baba's name all the time in heart will make a difference. Jai Sai Jai Sai Jai Sai Om

A Sai devotee
During my semester exams, one day the alarm clock stopped working. I have the habit of reading early morning around 4.00 am. So when the alarm clock stopped working I was afraid if whether I will get up the next day to read for my exam. That night before sleeping, I prayed to BABA to please wake me up around 4.00 am. The next day morning I felt like somebody pushed me, when I woke up I saw the time was quarter to 4.00 am. I believe that Sai is the one who woke me up at that time. I am thankful to him for his grace on me. I felt more confident in writing the exam.

Mukesh Kumar
One person always thinks good, do good and try to be good, but what is the result? Other people think, he is mad and will not say anything; he is weak and cannot do against us. On the other hand, a person never does any thing good for others but the things are in his/her favor, nobody can oppose, WHY it is so?

Latha Srinivas
Baba! Salutations to you. Thanks a lot for bringing about a change in my sister's attitude and behavior. I am glad that my prayers through the website have been heard. Please help her to concentrate on her studies and get good results. I am sure you will also show your Karuna in getting a job for my husband. Please continue to shower your blessings on us. Jai Sairam

A Sai devotee
Baba, forgive me for any of my mistakes in my life. I am waiting for my ambition to be fulfilled in my life. I want to do M.S in USA. I have put the efforts to achieve that. But Lord, the rest is in your hands. Please help me achieve what I want to be in my life. Even family problems are chasing me now. I am waiting for your answer. Until now, you have helped me in everything and I believe I can receive your blessings all over my life.
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Prayer Club

Sai Devotee
I am under a lot of stress at home, work and school. Nothing seems to be going right. I am always being caught up in some problem or other. I desperately need You to show me a sign that You are with me and things will turn out fine. I have no hope but You. Please hear my prayers.

Sai devotee
Please save from this struggle Baba. You know the problems for which I am facing. So please reduce them and give me energy to grow. I want to get change as early as possible in my life. I will be waiting for you blessings.

Shalini
Baba you know what I am asking, please guide. Stop his smoking Baba.

Sudha
Dear Baba, please help Rabin find a job in Phoenix so that he does not have to return to India in July. Sairam.

Sai Devotee
Om Sri Sai Ram, Pranamamulu, Baba you are with us and continuously showering your blessings on us. I just wrote to you on 1st May 2003 about my husband's visa and by 3rd May we got the visa. Baba, we are all so happy with your blessings in our dreams and in reality. We together offer our prayers to you throughout our lives. Baba please bless us with viboodi, kumkum and prasadam. Bless all of us for healthy life and to offer our prayers to you continuously all thruough our lives. Namaskaramulu to the Lotus Feet of Baba.

A Sai Devotee in Sydney
My mother is suffering from breast cancer for more than a year now. While we were feeling relieved that her cancer on one side is under control after removing the breast, recently the doctors have told us that it has spread to the other and we are all very worried. Dear Sai, please take pity on her and us and help her to recover from this serious condition. A friend has given us Sai Satcharita in English, which we are reading to her.

Sai Devotee
Though I am married I am not with my husband, he is great alcoholic, tortures, have no children. Though have finished my ICWAI inter I have no work. I am a great devotee of Saibaba, I read Sai Satcharita and always keep chanting Ohm Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai. Oh Baba please do something good to me as am in deep trouble.

Vijay
Namaskaram Baba, I am the devotee of you more than 10 years, I used to come Shirdi frequently, but now I went abroad so I not able to have Darshan of you. Just I came to India, so I planned to come Shirdi by 2nd half of this month. I have one problem, I made a mistake at office, now I realize what I done it. But now I want to solve the problem and I also request you to not to repeat such type of mistake in my life, please bless me, so I request you to help me to solve the problem. I hope u will do the needful in this regard.
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Quotation of the Week
"By all means attend to your duties. Action, in which you are not emotionally involved and which is beneficial and does not cause suffering will not bind you. You may be engaged in several directions and work with enormous zest, yet remain inwardly free and quiet, with a mirror like mind, which reflects all, without being affected"-Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
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Question of the Week

Q. What did Hemadpanth mean when he said about Megha, "Baba worked on Megha internally so that Megha changed considerably"?
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Sai Activities

Gurupoornima 2003 - Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Minnesota
Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center will celebrate Gurupoornima 2003, on Saturday July 12, 2003 at Geeta Ashram in Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis, MN. The activities will include, Sai pooja, traditional aarthis, activities for kids, bhajans and kirtans, and mahaprasad (dinner). Please watch "Sai activities' section for for more details.

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. For more information call (713) 789 486, or send an email to: saibabahouston@yahoo.com

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. For more information devotees send email to: sssb_temple@yahoo.com.

Shirdi Sai Utsav 2003 - Orlando, FL, USA
Sai devotees of Orlando, FL are organizing Shirdi Sai Utsav 2003 on 4th and 5th of October 2003. The proposed program includes Akhanda Naam Jap, Bhajans and Satsangh. For further details, please contact: Sai Sharan by phone at (407) 445 2520 or by email at : shirdisaiutsav2003@yahoo.com

Sainama Ekaham with Saitarakanama
Akhanda Sainama Sapthaha Samithi, Sai Datta Nivas, B3/F15 New Krupa Complex, Anandbagh, Hyderabad-500047 (Tel. 27225895) has arranged a Sainama Ekaham with Saitarakanama "OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI" at the famous Dattakshetram Mahur near Nanded from 10 A.M. on May 11th 2003 to May 12th 2003. The nama is going to be presented with music. All are welcome.

Shirdi Sai Baba Chitra Yatra And Weekly Satsang, Canada
Devotees in Toronto, are invited to please join us in Sai bhajans, Sai Namavali, Satcharitra readings Aarti and Prasad every Thursday from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. 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.

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.

Visit 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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