All great men have emphasized that the body, mind, intellect and ego have to be purified first for the success of all saadhana. This is because we are unclean due to the effects of past karma. Moreover, we are being taught everyday about the lure and desirability of money, fame, power, and enjoyment. This produces lasting impression on the subtle body which is beyond mind and intellect and which survives physical existence. We have to think in different directions and live a different way of life to smudge the impact of these unwholesome effects. This different way of thought, action and life is called Saadhana.

The body is purified on account of selfless service and benevolent acts. This helps in obliterating the impressions of past karmas on mind. When the mind is sublimated, the seeds of devotion can be sown and nurtured within it. The barren and soil of selfish thoughts and deeds is not fit for sowing of seeds of intense love of God. This must be properly understood by the aspirants. Selfishness is a road leading in altogether opposite direction than the road to God or liberation. A man approaches God step by step, when he removes the pains of others, assists men in distress and knows the God inherent in others minds.

Similarly, it is essential to install the memory and the idol of God in the heart by incessant recitation of name and meditation on the form. This enables the subtle body (that outlives physical death) to wipe off the imprint of selfishness and to replace it by the image of God

(from Shri Sai Leela, November 1989)
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Experiences of Devotees

Kau
(Originally posted on May 4, 1999))

SHIRDI TRIP Part 2

Continued from part 1..

Dear Baba, How loving are your ways. Dear Satyabhama didi's experience is so much similar to mine. But we will come to that later. Continuing with where I left off yesterday. Baba please write your leelas. I know not what to put down here. After taking Baba's darshan, we took Baba's Udi and then went to Gurusthan. I gathered a few leaves from the Neem Tree and ate them as Baba's sweet prasad. We roamed around in the streets, but something kept calling me from the Samadhi Mandir. It was a magnetic force that kept pulling me towards it. In the evening, we went again to the Samadhi Mandir. Baba was wearing a silver dress, which was shimmering. HE looked very beautiful, I could not resist taking another picture. The more I looked the happier I felt. Dear sister Bindiya had given me a list of prayers to do and I wanted to sit in the hall close to the samadhi and pray for our Sai family here in dwarkamayi, but the attendants there pushed me away and some of them were rude. I went to the back of the hall and started praying. I had tears in my eyes and I prayed to Baba that I cannot even see you from so far. Why did you call me from across seven seas if you are not going to satiate my thirst for your darshan. My friend consoled me by saying that the PRO had given us tickets for the Kakad Aarti next morning and I would be able to get closer darshan then. We went to Dwarakamayi from there. It felt so good to be there. As I bowed before Baba's picture besides the stone where He used to sit, I felt as if He is still sitting there. It has always been my favorite photograph and I was so overwhelmed with gratitude to Baba at actually being able to touch that stone. I sensed that Baba realized that that stone had special significance for me. We went to visit Chavadi next. And then we went to the Puja room where Baba used to cure people of their ailments. We sat and prayed there for a while.

Next day was a Thursday. Early next morning, carrying some rose flowers in hand for Baba's snan meaning bath, we went to the Samadhi mandir again. This time I got a chance to sit close to the front. I felt that Baba was asking me if I was happy now that I had managed to get closer darshan. I replied in the affirmative.
The Kakad Aarti commenced. Although I did not understand the Marathi language, I was moved by the devotion in those words. I had tears in my eyes through out the Aarti and I kept staring at Baba. I felt that Baba too was looking at me and me only and I am sure that every person present there was transported into a private world of their own with just Baba besides them. It was an overwhelming experience.

After the Aarti Baba's snan commenced with rose water and milk. The pujaris bathed Baba and the Samadhi with such expertise yet with so much devotion. I just kept looking at Baba totally oblivious of the crowd of devotees who too had thronged for Baba's darshan. As Baba changed clothes, the thought came to my mind that if Baba accepts my devotion, He should wear the clothes I had offered the day before. I spoke the thought aloud and my friend laughed at me by saying that Baba had so many clothes, why should He wear that particular dress. But I was not satisfied. Baba changed into a saffron dress.

We spent the afternoon visiting another temple a few miles from Shirdi. We went back to the Samdhi Mandir in the afternoon to say goodbye. Baba had changed into another dress of golden color. As I saw that, I mentally told Baba that I know that you have so many rich devotees who offer you such grand clothes, why should you wear something so inexpensive that I had offered. As I bowed my head before Baba's samadhi, I mentally said goodbye, but I kept getting the feeling that Baba is saying its not bye right now. When we went to bid adieu to the PRO, he gave us a coconut and udi packet for prasad and asked us if we were leaving right away. We said we would be staying to watch the Palki procession at night and leave early next morning. He graciously offered us front tickets for the evening Aarti. I could not hold back my joy. To see Baba again from so much close up front... We gratefully accepted the tickets.

I got a chance to sit right in front row for the evening dhoop aarti. And guess what. Baba was so graciously wearing the same dress that had been offered by me the previous day. I was so incredulously surprised. I looked at Baba in awe and saw a twinkle in HIS eye. As if He was gently chiding me for thinking that He would be more acceptant of rich offerings and would neglect my humble request. I have no words to describe what I felt then. I did not know whether to laugh or cry. I was in this state of bliss that I had never ever experienced in my life before and that I miss so much now with every breath that I take. My friend tried to pull me back to earth by saying that someone else may have offered the same dress too and Baba was wearing that. But I told her it didn't matter to me. And HE at least did choose the same color and print to wear. The Aarti that commenced after that was a similar experience to the morning aarti. My heart was choking at every word I sang. I did not deserve such love that HE had showered on me. I am such a sinful soul and yet HE loves me.

I had mentally decided to offer a coconut at His samadhi. For those of you who have not been to Shirdi, I must explain that the coconut offered is not accepted at the Samadhi but is taken out and broken there with a machine and the broken pieces are given back to the devotee. When I got back in line to enter the Samadhi mandir with the coconut in hand, I thought I wanted Baba to touch the Coconut and not have it broken outside the machine. I did not want the coconut to be broken but wanted Baba to just accept it. I had some vague thoughts as to whether I wanted Baba to keep the coconut. As I went in, I thought of a photograph that I wanted Baba to consecrate. I handed the photo and the coconut to the pujariji and asked him to get it consecrated at Baba's feet. He touched the coconut and photo to the Samadhi and then gave the photo to the other pujariji for consecration at Baba's feet. And then he returned only the photo to me and forgot the coconut. I felt that Baba wanted to keep the coconut intact. I turned to the door I had been directed to but could not get out that way as that door had been closed. A person there asked me to get back in line again and go out the other way after passing Baba's samadhi. I felt that Baba had this way given me another chance to bow at His Samadhi. As I reached the Samadhi I saw the coconut had been put on top of the Samadhi by the pujariji. I felt that Baba had accepted the coconut just as I had wanted Him to. And that was the time I felt content. As I bowed at His Samadhi, I told him that my thirst had been quenched and I felt contentment. I felt that He was saying goodbye then.

We saw the Palki procession after that. For a moment I felt that Baba was standing in the Chavadi waving to his devotees just as it has been so beautifully described in Satcharita. We sat in Dwarkamayi for a long time after that. I kept looking at Baba's photograph with tears in my eyes and felt a similar experience as what Satyabhama didi has so wonderfully described earlier today. I prayed to Him to call me back soon. And to accompany me at all times wherever I am in the world. We left Shirdi early morning next day.

Baba, thanks for writing your leelas. Please bless all your devotees with indefatigable bhakti and shower your innumerous blessings and immeasurable love on all that come to you.
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Devotees say...

Vijaya, Malaysia
Jai Sairam. I am a new devotee of Baba. I understood a lot of stuff after subscribing to Sai Vichaar. Even though at times I don't really understand them that well...I am trying my best!!! Please guide me the correct way of how to worship Sainath. I used to go for bhajans every Thursday but now, since I am committed with my night classes, I am unable to go. Thank you.

A Blessed Devotee
Dear Krishna Alluri, SAI RAM I am very grateful for the wonderful advise posted by you for me. There is but one thing I'd like to clear here. I am not from the Hindu community but my husband is a Muslim. I was previously a Zoroastrian (not too religious) having an open mind and acceptance of all religions. That is one of the reasons I had no inhibitions about changing my religion. Religion I believe is for mankind a guidance to lead a life chosen for us by GOD. No religion can mislead mankind and on that firm belief I always think of people as people, (good or bad by virtue only) and not by accident of birth into any faith God chose for them. Unfortunately, at a very late stage in our marriage I realized my husband did not think in the same way. I was although under the impression for a long time that he did so, until he although under the impression for a long time that he did so, until he vehemently rejected the idea one day and walked out on me. Today, I am only hoping Sai Baba will lead me in the right direction and give me enough strength to fight the grief I feel inside and move on with life as per God's choice. Someday, I still hope my husband will reconsider his decision. Until then I will follow your advice and try my utmost to practice Sai's prescribed virtues for his devotees. GOD BLESS

Rosa
Sai Ram ! Could you please provide me the 'Sad Devotee' of the last Sai Vichaar e-mail address ? Or ask her to send me an e-mail because I have some questions. Thank you. (R.Djorai@Canon-Europa.com)

Subhash Mujumdar
Dear Sad Devotee, I think you should explain to your husband that Sai Baba is equally worshipped by Hindus and Muslims and he is one of the saints who had tried to bring these 2 communities together. He used to celebrate Ram Navami as well as Muslim Festivals. There are so many shrines in India such as Dargah of Haji Ali in Bombay, Dargah of Sheikh Salim Chishti in Fatehpur Sikri, Dargah of Sheikh Moinudeen Chishti in Ajmer etc which are equally worshipped and respected by Hindus and Muslims. There is nothing wrong in your praying to Sai Baba. If your husband does not believe in God as you said that he even did not follow Muslim religion properly, then you should leave him. He is not worth living with. As one saying goes in Marathi that you should leave that place (may be home, village or person) where God is not respected or worshipped. Please continue to pray to Sai Baba and He will show you the correct path. May Sai bless you.

Raj Ponnaluri
Dear Sai Devotee: I am sure I would be one of the many that may be responding to you. Your language and textual content breathes, at a minimum, a life of devotion and humility. What separates the very best from the ordinary is their ability focus and self-discipline, and to endure pain and suffering. While it is inappropriate for us to make decisions for you, it is our moral responsibility to support you to live a normal and happy life, for you are one of us who reposed your faith in Baba all this long. Is it not His way to test the very strong and not bother about those that are not sure of what they are doing? Is it not the ripe fruit that appears to fall off at the burst of a wind and not the unripened one? Is it not the very mature that appear to loose ground while the immature do not care? My take is that you only appear to have lost a lot in your life. Honestly, by virtue of your steadfastness, you may be pleasing Supreme Gods at the expense of mortal beings around you. The question is should you hang in there to accomplish what only a few beings do devotionally or to remain gloomy shadows of the recent past! He alone will guide you and provide paths that may, at rimes, appear to meander along the way ... the catch is that your life will only get better! May Baba pay close attention to individuals like you than someone like me, for you need Him and, I am sure He needs you too! God bless you.

Rebecca in Vermont
have a question for the subscribers of this newsletter. I think it is particularly for my Hindu friends of whom I know there are many. Now, with this war going on in Yugoslavia I am asking, do you think that violence in a just cause is justified. I know in Hinduism there is an actual caste for warriors and of course there is the battle of Kurukshetra. Or should this all be understood on a symbolic level. I remember in a book by Goenka, where he says that anger is a powerful force that can be used beneficially, but must be handled judiciously, which many are not capable of doing.
How do you resolve ahimsa with all this?

Aymee Minaya
Blessings to everyone. I will like to take a few minutes to ask our Lord Sai Baba to guide us trough each day of our life, to help those who are in need of his help, and to show us the path to divinity.

In regards to our sad devotee. My friend do not feel sad, or under any circumstances have doubts on your mind about Sai Baba's power. There is something you must understand. Sometimes what we want or consider to be good for us in our life is not what our Lord think is the best for us. Your husband did not leave you as a result of your prayers to our Sai Baba. Your husband is allowing himself to be influenced not only by religion, but also by his family. Sai Baba teaches the path of love, wisdom, knowledge. Learn how to love yourself most of all it is the most important factor. Life is only one and under no circumstances you should feel insecure about yourself. Always keep your self-esteem high. The following comes from the book of Gita. I hope it does some good. Also i suggest you read the book Spirit and the Mind.

Forbearance cannot be learned by studying books. It cannot even be acquired by the teachings of a guru. It is not something which can be purchased in the bazaar. It is only by faithfully sticking to your spiritual practice, when you are under trying circumstances, that you will be able to acquire forbearance. It is when you are under test, in situations which are full of problems and difficulties, that the ation of forbearance takes place. Under those trying circumstances, weaknesses which are hidden within you will show their ugly heads. They will manifest in you as anger, fear, arrogance, hatred and many other evils that cover your essential truth. It is at such times that you must recognize these weaknesses and rise above them. Whatever action you must undertake that is appropriate to the situation, your inner state must be unaffected and rooted in unwavering peace and love. This is the practice of forbearance.

A Sai devotee.
This is in reply to "A Sad Devotee" who wrote about the difficult phase she is going through, being estranged from her husband. Dear sister, I do not presume to offer any advice on how you should go about mending your marriage, or if you should try for that. But I can understand the pain and confusion that you must be going through, because I am going through a very similar situation myself. I will try to explain the one thing that I am learning during this. I do not say it as a cast-in-stone precept; I myself am too confused to assert anything like that. But perhaps, it will help you a little.

You asked whether you should try to save the marriage or just get on with life. I am learning that perhaps, what is expected from us is to accept the ambiguity, and pray and work towards whichever goal we most want in our heart, leaving the result to God. We need to develop the faith and patience to live each moment calmly despite not knowing which way things are going to turn out. So, it is not an either-or thing. We get on with our lives, but at the same time, do not give up on what our heart desires. Continue to pray, and pray for guidance also, so that we know how to act. It is very difficult to maintain this attitude, but I think that is the lesson we are meant to learn. And when praying, if we leave our heart open and listen, we will find the guidance we are seeking. We should just be brave enough, and have enough faith to accept it, whatever it is.
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Sai Activities

Shirdi Sai Center, Inverness Florida, USA

Shirdi Sai Center in Inverness Florida was inaugurated in 1996, thanks to the love and dedication of Shri R. Kantamaneni ji and Smt. Vijayalakshmi. The temple premises at present are located in an 11-acre property very well kept by Smt. Vijayalakshmi. Sadguru Sainath, Sridatta incarnate blesses devotees in the form of Naga Sai, one of the rarest manifestations of Shirdi Sai Baba. The main shrine is Sadguru Sainath gracing under the reverend Snake God with a Shiva Linga emerging from Sainath’s Vaksha (chest). Every day activities include performing of all the four arthis and other festivals are celebrated in a befitting manner. The temple priest is Shri Narayana Bhattar a vaishnaviite priest dedicating his services to the Supreme God. The temple property also includes a beautiful rose garden and an atmosphere as serene as an Ashram.

Inverness, FL is located in the Central Florida region, close to Orlando metropolis. The drive from Orlando Disney area to the temple takes about an hour and a half on a busy day. This is an excellent opportunity for devotees visiting Orlando area for vacation or business purposes. Devotees may seek Sadguru Sainath’s blessings by visiting Shirdi Sai Center, Inc. 4301 Pleasant Grove Road, Inverness FL. 34452. For more information, please call 352-860-2181.

Sai Baba Bhajans and Sai Palki Yatra at Hari Temple in New Cumberland, PA organised by Shirdi Sai Center of New Jersey.
Tel No of Hari temple is (717)-774-7750
Contact Dr. Vaju Patel @ (717)-761-6004 or Kumad Sachdev @ (732)-257-1438 for directions and more information

Programme details : Abhishek, Ganesh stuti,Sai Dhun,Ashtrotrnamavali, Devotional songs, bhajans, Hanuman Chalilsa,sai Bhavni,Sai Palki Yatra, Arti and Prasad.

Date : May 22nd 1999
Time 3.30 P.M. - 7 P.M.
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Prayer Club

Devotee
Oum Sri Sairam. Please Baba, Bestow upon us your kindness. We are going through a period of uncertainity that as resulted in lack of peace of mind. Please bless us dear lord. Humble salutations to our dear lord. Dear Devotees, Please pray to Sai Maharaj for our family. Sairam, Sai
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Question of the Week

Should God be Feared?

Avneesh
Fear - the apprehension of danger or pain, keeps us from treading on those paths that lead to reasons for fear. I think we should fear what god's wrath might do in case we do what is sinful in the eyes of the lord and all humanity. There is no reason otherwise to fear god. he wants us to love him/her not fear him. the devil wishes to rule by fear, but not the almighty god. He rules by love.

Fear sometimes makes people believe in god. They think if they do not pray, god may get angry. I don't know if that is totally true. God even tries to pull the atheists toward him/her through love, not fear. he/she will bring miracles in their life, so that they believe in the goodness of things and have faith in this ultimate superpower, that can guide them in their life and help them in making a better person of themselves. Love not fear is the method used.

I think, god would like the humans to understand, the good from evil, and realize that the good and the almighty are one and the same, and so if he/she moves away from the right path (i.e. good) then he/she is moving towards evil or badness. If a person knowingly/unknowingly goes astray, then fear is what god uses to keep that person on the right course, which as mentioned is the course of goodness and purity.

So in conclusion, fear god if you are on the wrong path, otherwise love and understand him/her to experience total bliss.

Kishore Asthana, Muscat, Oman
Should we fear God? The answer to this question revolves around the way we view God. Parts of the following may appear to be a digression, but I have tried to deal with our conception of God in its various guises. The answer to the question is implicit in this note.

Some people think God is a gardener and they are flowers in His garden They wait to be cut and put in the divine vase up above. For them, there is no need to do anything as their fate is in the hands of their caretaker. These people are fatalists who have surrendered their right to free action, either through ignorance or laziness. Some people think that God is a restaurant manager and they are guests in the Divine Café. They expect their needs to be catered immediately and get annoyed if divine assistance does not follow their raised finger. These are the perpetually dissatisfied.

Some think God is a rather frightening father figure, easy to annoy and petty enough to demand groveling self-abasement from his children as his rightful due. Such people crawl through life without the spiritual self-respect which is their right as human-born.

Some think God is either a sadistic sovereign or a Witch Doctor and they are His subjects. He demands His dues through bizarre rituals and painful asceticism. These are the egoists who negate whatever little worth there may be in their efforts, through pride in their physical excesses. They despoil their physical selves, the safeguarding of which is their first duty.

For some God is a cave where they can take shelter from the storms of life. They have surrendered their courage and go about discontented if an occasional shower strikes them, without realizing that their cave may be a creation of their own minds and without knowing that circumstances lack their imagination.

For many others God is a 'cause'. Their religion boils down to fighting others for slights they imagine have been inflicted on their God by others whose idea of God may differ from theirs. Their God is not a spiritual one, it is just an excuse to give vent to their violent selves. They are grievance collectors and attract others like themselves is an unholy dance of acrimony and death. Such people go through life with a self-righteous smirk, protecting an idea of an idea, the original of which they have no idea of.

If one were to view God beyond a universal cosmic presence, though there is no compelling need to do so, God can best be visualized in all that is good in us. No amount of external rituals can help if we do not heed the God thus defined. No 'transgressions' worthy of fear will arise if we heed this God. And the best worship will be to implement the gentle advice of the goodness in us, advice, which is so often drowned in the clamor of church and temple bells or the loudness of the Muezzins' call.

Mala Gupta, Abu Dhabi
Fear and guilt are enemies only. Love and awareness are true friends. Yet do not confuse one with the other for one will kill you and other gives you life.
Fear and caution are two different things. Be cautious--be conscious also but do not be fearful.Fear only Paralyses, while consciousness mobilises. Be mobilised and not paralysed. You have been paralysed in your relationship with God. It was only when you stopped fearing God that you could create any kind of meaningful relationship with God.If God could give you any gift, any special grace, that would allow you to find God. It would be fearlessness. Blessed are the fearless,for they shall know God. That means you must be fearless enough to drop what you think you know about God. You must be fearless enough to step away from what others have told you about God. You must be fearless that you can dare to enter into your own experience of God. And then you must not feel guilty about it when your own experience is violating what you thought you know and what everyone else has told you about God.
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