I traveled far and wide
To knock at every alien door.
Finally, to come to your door Sai.
I have had my invitation to Shirdi
And thus, my life has been blessed.
My eyes strayed for a while in awe
Before I shut them and said
" Here is Sai".
The prayers I came to sing
remains wordless.
Now I ask,
Has the moment in my life come
to touch your holy feet ?
I melt into tears , when
Your compassionate eyes said
"Yes, my dear "

(Contributed by Suresh W. Raspayle)
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Contributed Article:Bhaja Govindam Sloka 20 (Attributed to Dhridhabhakta)

Bhagavadgeetaa Kinchidadheetaa
Gangaajalalavakanikaa Peetaa
Sakridapi Yena Muraarisamarchaa
Kriyate Tasya Yamena Na Charchaa

Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam..

Meaning:
Bhagavat Gita - The Bhagavad Geeta, Kinchid - (even) a little, Adheetaa - has studied, Gangaajalalavakanikaa - a drop of Ganga water, Peetaa - has sipped, Sakrit api - at least once, Yena - by whom, Muraarisamarchaa - worship of the Lord Murari (Murasta ari - the enemy of Mura, a Raakshasa), Kriyate - is done, Tasya - to him, Yamena - with Yama, the Lord of Death, Na - never, Charchaa - quarrel (discussion).

Substance:
Even a little study and understanding of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, or sipping of even a drop of the waters of holy Ganges or even a little worship of Murari will surely save one from confrontation with Yama, the Lord of Death.

Commentary:
While Srimad Bhagavad Gita explains in detail what exactly is the secret essence and goal of life and what are the methods by which these can be achieved, the perennial river Ganges symbolizes the "spiritual knowledge" for the Hindus. Until the ego (or shall we call it Mura, the Raakshasa) in us is annihilated, there is no hope of realizing the Real Truth or Knowledge. Man is bound by the body-consciousness and the ego-sense, arising out of false identification with matter. This can be removed only by devoted worship and prayer at the alter of the very Destroyer of Ego (Murari). In the process, one has to withdraw one's mind from all other preoccupations and keep reminding it of the goal and then nurture of the self is the only method by which one can reach the destination. The one, who has acquired the real knowledge, i.e., Sastraas, and has the burning desire to reach the goal should put in untiring efforts to reach the destiny and such a sadhaka will not have fear of death.

(Contributed by Paritala Gopi Krishna, New Delhi, India)
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Experiences of Devotees

Saroj
Sai Ram to all, I am Sai devotee since my childhood. I used to go to Sai temple with my dad on every Thursday. He helped us a lot. I thank to my dad who introduce me to Sai. My dad has passed away 7 years ago. He was staunch devotee of Baba. He used to read Baba's stories to us at nighttime. Baba is taking care of my family since long time. By Baba's grace, I got married with a wonderful person in Sai temple. Indirectly he did my kanyadan. We were worried about my younger sister's marriage. I told my Baba that its his duty to look after us since our dad is not there. Baba is the only one male in our family. One proposal came for my sister's marriage from someone who lives in the same complex. When his mother knew about this, she didn't agree for this marriage and used words to hurt my mother and my family. My sister was in tremendous tension for so many days she broke off the relationship. I told my Baba that it's his duty to solve this problem and please bless them. I started doing Baba's saptah for my sister's marriage on 8th of May'2003 since it was Gurupushyamrut day. Between there was still 10-15 days left for my monthly cycle. So I thought of doing it. I finished reading eight chapters on Thursday but next day I got my monthly periods. I was very surprised because my monthly cycle would never started so early ever in my life. And this time it started before 10 to 15 days early. I was so depressed and asked my baba that why this has happened because I wanted to do saptah for my sister. I was very depressed and cried a lot because this thing came in between. I was very quiet....but in my mind, I was thinking about my sister. When I called India, I came to know that my sister's wedding was fixed and she was getting married to a nice and well-qualified person on 13th of May in Sai Baba's Temple. I was so overwhelmed and overjoyed that baba heard my prayers. I cried so much on that day. I had just finished 8 chapters of Sai Satcharitra and he completed my wish.

Veena
Om Sri sai ram. Baba, thank you very much for whatever you have done for my family and me. My family has gone through real tough times since past few years and you have rescued us in all our difficult times. My dad had an open heart surgery last year and only because of your grace & blessings he is now heart and healthy. Baba, I am doing parayan for the first time all by myself without the help of my parents. I am seeking your blessings to help me complete the parayana in one day. Please ward off any obstacles that may come our way. Baba, I want u to bless our house and shower your cloud of protection always on my family and me. Baba, I need a job. I am willing to do any kind of job. Just call me for an interview and please give me a job. Baba, I have dignity in doing any job. So please baba give me a job so I could, in a small way, help my family. Baba, one last thing, Help my husband to revive faith, trust and devotion in you Baba.

Sai Devotee
Aneka Koti Namaskarams to our Sai Maharaj. With the grace of Sai Maharaj, Upanayanam for my son was fixed for 22 May (Thursday) and went off very well. Before starting the distribution of invitation cards, I sent the first copy to Sai Sansthan, Shidi and prayed that he should bless the child on the occasion in some form. Function went off very well but for a lay person like me, could not feel that HIS presence is always with us. On 23 May, a close friend of us gave a small statue of Sai Maharaj with the Prasadam stating that he is straight from Shirdi. Our joy knew no bounds.

Surprisingly originally to facilitate everyone to attend the Upanayanam, 4 May (Sunday) was scheduled, for some reason it got postponed to 22 May (Thursday). Self and my Son read Sai Satcharita everyday without fail before leaving our house for job/school. My son is in +2 now and request all to pray that he should do exceedingly well in his common exam and get into one of the premier colleges in the country. Bow to Shri Sai and Peace be to all.
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Devotees say...

Madhu Kuruvada
Dear Sai Devotees, as a part of Sai Chitra Yatra,we are acting as the anchor home for the Cincinnati area. Please feel free to call me or my wife Aruna at 513 398 3967 if anyone needs to host Baba in his/her house. kuruvada@hotmail.com

Geeta
Dear Sai Vichar Team, Congratulations on successful completion of 6 years. Thanks a lot for the wonderful service offered by you for countless devotees of the Lord Sai. Keep up the good work. Baba will always be with you in all your endeavors. Sadjuru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Sai Devotee
Sairam! By Sai's grace I have become fine here. Last time same month I was in hospital undergoing major investigations,Sai saved me from all calamities. Being a human being, desires are endless. I now request Baba to bless me with a good job with my wife nearby/same place. The all merciful Sai help us.
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Prayer Club

A Devotee
Sai, you know what I want. I say it to you daily. Please make me successful in getting the PwC graduate job. Please help me. You know the hard work and effort that I have put in my graduate applications this year, and through the recruitment process. So please give me the fruit of my work. I don't know what I will do if I don't get this job. Please Sai, get me this job! I will fulfill all the promises I have made. I also read the Sai Satcharita and completed it within the 7 days. I know I didn't understand bits of it but I still read it with devotion. I have faith in you so please just make my faith even stronger. Please Sai, I beg of you. I have a gut feeling that I wont be successful but please don't let this be true. I wont have the strength to do it again. Please Sai..Please!!!

Subramaniam
Om Shri Sai Maharaj, For the past few weeks, I have been posting articles under "Prayer club" Regarding my job allocation in my organization. None of them was published in the newsletter so far and am worried whether my prayers are reaching you or not. Sai Maharaj, yesterday I went to NR Colony Sai Mandir in view of my wedding anniversary. There I got the prasadams and it was my pride to say that I got a photograph of your Lotus feet (Shirdi Sai's). Thanks Maharaj. I have not received any good information about my job allocation, promotion and place of posting. I again sincerely pray to you, Lord Sainath that I am posted here itself where I live with my family. Please bless me to get higher responsibilities and promotion, which will suit me, well I request all Sai devotees to pray for me for a few seconds. Thanks.

A Sai devotee
Koti Namaskarams Sai Maha Prabho. You have been taking care of all my problems so far. Please help us always. I have not yet had your image in dream once. I do not get good sleep at all and keep chanting your name but never you gave me darshan in my dream. Please give me strength to be in this spiritual path forever. Guide me always in everything.

Lord Shirdi Sai Baba, My Praanam, I bow & kiss your feet because that's what gives us, my family & myself the blessings to live peacefully & happily with the rest of the world on a day to day basis.

My dearest Baba, I've written to you two times before this letter & on each occasion, I've been blessed. I feel you've always been next / guiding me in all my endeavors & I have always been very successful in whatever I've wanted to achieve in life. Once again, MY HEAD IS BOWED IN RESPECT & I TOUCH YOUR FEET IN THANKS & FOR THE DIVINE BLESSING WHICH I DERIVE FROM THE SAME.

Sai devotee
Lord Shirdi Sai Baba, with your blessings we set-up an office in a foreign country in August 2001. You're aware; that the initial business that we realized was very humble to small & even then, I was so delighted & thanked you for the successful start. It's now been over 18 months since we received any new business & even with the best of my efforts, there seems to be no improvement, MY BABA, 'WHAT SHOULD I DO'?

Baba, I only know if, the end was to be failure, then you would not have made it a reality in the first place. Am I in the wrong place at the wrong time or is it that I do not deserve to be SUCESSUFUL, which one is it?

Lord Shirdi Sai Baba, once again, at this stage I only ask for your guidance, blessings & for your correct advise as to how I should go about it from here onwards. I'm very confused, disheartened & feel all my efforts / hard work could go to waste until & unless I get some sort of a message of encouragement from you soon.

Finally, Shridi Sai Baba, I once all over again thank you for showering your blessings on my family & me. We're very happy to know that, behind us & in every waking / sleeping moment of our existence there is the blessings of your hand on us. Once again THANK YOU.

SVP
Dear Sai, I am vey greatful to you for your blessings and care. Please contine to shower your blessings on us and protect us from these tought times. Please take us closer to you guide us and destroy our bad Karma. Loka samasta sukino bhavanthu. Aum Sai Ram. Aum Sai Raksha.

N Markanday
Dearest Beloved Sai Baba, Pranam. It has been my earnest wish to make it known to You, although I know that You are All Knowing, that I have been pursued by bad luck for as long as I can remember. It affects all areas of my life. Therefore, please Baba, can you remove the life long curse from my life. Many thanks

Sai Devotee
SAI RAM, MY HUMBLE PRANAMS TO THE LOTUS FEET OF BAGAWAN. PLEASE SWAMI HELP MY SON TO GET THE BEST FULLTIME COMPUTER JOB FOR HIM , HE CAME TO SEE YOU AFTER HE GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE BABA HELP HIM AND I AM PLANNING TO COME TO SEE YOU SOON SO BEFORE I LEAVE PLEASE BLESS MY SON WITH A JOB I ALWAYS LOVES YOU SWAMI.

Devotee
Dearest Shri Sai Baba, Jai Sai Ram, Baba please fulfil our wishes. Please forgive our sins and give good Buddhi and Jnana for not committing any sins. Yours loving devotee.

Sai Devotee
Please Sai Baba listen to my humble prayers, help my daughter find a suitable match soon. may your grace be always on our family. om sai ram
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Quotation of the Week
"Baba never prescribed any asan, regulation of breathing or any rites to His Bhaktas, nor did He blow any mantra into their ears. He told them to leave off all cleverness and always remember "Sai" "Sai"."-Shri Sai Satcharitha
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Question of the Week

Q. How does a Sai devotee define "Truth"?
A. by Sai Pattabiram

Truth: Single minded faith in the Sadguru's blessings - firm belief that he will always ensure the best for me.
Truth: There is nothing called as bad; everything that happens is for the good as my sadguru is the doer I am only the tool.
Truth: My sadguru & me are one & the same (timeframe is what is different ).
Truth : Oneness with my Sadguru is my goal in life.
Truth: All creation is god & one with me as without his Ideas nothing natural nor man made could have been created.
Truth: This reply in itself is his creation, inspiration & ideas. I am just a mere instrument for his expressions & teachings. With best regards & love to all gods creations

Q. How does a Sai devotee define "Truth"?
A. by Ashish Bhola. Faridabad, India

For a sai devotee "sai" is the only supreme truth. Truth emerges from baba only and assimilates at his supreme feet. A sai devotee can only attain peace at the abode of his/her "sadguru : Shri sai baba", and Truth lies where we get peace. Also Baba's "dhooni" is the supreme truth. Baba teaches with his "dhooni" that we should burn our desires, greed's, jealousy, anger, ego and hatred in the fire of guru-bhakti and assimilate with him:"the Supreme truth".

Q. How does a Sai devotee define "Truth"?
A. by Shyamala Hari

In Satcharitra, Baba says "I am dependent on him who thinks and hungers after Me and who does not eat anything without first offering it to Me. He who thus comes to Me, becomes one with Me, just as a river gets to the sea and becomes merged (one) with it. So leaving out pride and egoism and with no trace of them, you should surrender yourself to Me Who am seated in your heart." Baba also explained Who this ME is "You need not go far or anywhere in search of Me. Barring your name and form, there exists in you, as well as in all beings, a sense of Being or Consciousness of Existence. That is Myself. Knowing this, you see Me inside yourself, as well as in all beings. If you practice this, you will realize all-pervasiveness, and thus attain oneness with Me."

Satcharitra is full of stories in which He actually demonstrated this truth by being omnipresent and omnipotent. Though He lived in Shirdi, He knew what happened outside far away from Shirdi. He knew the past, present and future, and could identify Himself heart and soul with anybody. To Mrs. Tarkhad who fed a dog, Baba said, "Eating that lovely bread I am heartily contended and I am still belching. The dog, which you saw before meals and to which you gave the piece of bread, is, one with Me, so also other creatures (cats, pigs, flies, cows etc.) are one with Me. I am roaming in their forms. He, who sees Me in all these creatures, is My beloved. So abandon the sense of duality and distinction, and serve Me, as you did today." A doctor who would not bow before a Musalman, when he saw Baba, totally lost his resolve and bowed to Him. When asked why he did so, the doctor replied that he saw his beloved Deity, Rama, on the seat and he, therefore prostrated himself before Him. These are just two of several such stories.

In Hemadpant's own words, "seeing Sai Baba's handsome form, awakened I am He (Brahman)' consciousness, brought the joy of self-realization, and dissolved the distinction of I and Thou, then and there, made me one with the Supreme (One Reality). When I begin to read scriptures, at every step I am reminded of my Sadguru Sai Baba who assumes the form of Rama or Krishna and makes me listen to his Life. For instance when I sit to listen to Bhagawat, Sai becomes Krishna from top to toe, and I think he sings the Bhagawat or Uddhava Gita (song of teachings by Lord Shri Krishna to His disciple, Uddhava) for the welfare of the devotees."

Baba explained what Truth is and what Delusion is. The idea that 'I am the body is a great delusion, and attachment to this idea is the cause of bondage. Leave off this idea and attachment if you want Self-realization, that is, to see who you really are. The Self cannot be gained by the study of Vedas, nor by intellect, nor by much learning. To realize Brahman or the Truth, one has to surrender the mind, the intellect, and the ego. Unless his mind is at rest, one cannot gain self-realization, even by means of knowledge. To Thakur, Baba said "What Appa told you was all right, but these things have to be practiced and lived. Mere reading won't do. You have to think and carry out what you read, otherwise, it is of no use. Mere book-learning, without the grace of the Guru, and self-realization is of no avail. Bookish knowledge is worthless. Let us do our prescribed duty and surrender our body, mind and five pranas (life) to the Guru's feet. Guru is God, all pervading. To get this conviction, strong unbounded faith is necessary."
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Sai Activities

Baba's Moorti Sthapana Divas at Sydney
Shree Shirdi Sai Sansthan Sydney invites you with family and friends to join in Baba's Moorti Sthapana Divas (2nd Anniversary of Shirdi Baba gracing Sydney) on Monday, 9th June 2003 from 6pm At Sai Mandir 420 Liverpool Road, Strathfield South, NSW 2136

For program details, volunteer activities, directions and further information call Mrs. Sujata Rao 02 9781 0163 or Mrs. Bhanu 02 9763 1951 Or Mrs. Uma Parmar 02 9744 7757.

Sai Parayan at Dilsukhnagar Sai Samsthan, Hyderabad, India
The Parayan is taking place at Dwarkamai, Sai samsthan, Dilsukhnagar temple. It starts from morning seven to evening seven. The readers change every hour. They carry over the satcharitra from where the previous person has stopped. We have started this parayan on november 7th 2002. The programme has been going on very successfully. We want more people to participate in this. We are reading Bhardwaj master''s Sai leelamrutham in telugu. We take in a batch consisting of twelve readers on tuesday. They come continously for one week.They come at their fixed hour and read the book for one hour.

Anyone interested in giving their time for reading this book at dilsukhnagar sai samsthan can contact vijaya phone no 040---55821954 or sai samsthan dilsukhnagar hyderabad India or lakshmi_vijaya@ hotmail.com .

Shirdi Sai temple in Atlanta
It is our pleasure to welocome all the sai devotees to newly opened Shri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Atlanta, Georgia. Temple is located in Suwanee area. For details about temple and directions pl. visit the website www.templeofpeace.org The temple is new and there is a long way for its completion. Your generous donations are most welcome. On June 7, 2003 (Saturday), a fundraising cultural program has been organized at Shakti Mandir in Atlanta. For tickets (dinner is included) or donations please contact 404-320-9194. Let Shri Sai bless us all!

GURU SAI MANDIR, Faridabad, India
This has reference to the construction of GURU SAI MANDIR that is on in full swing at Sector 11, Faridabad, Haryana, India. I appeal to all the Sai devotees to contribute generously for the same. To all of us the divine work is happening all around on this globe but some have the duty of propagating it amongst the devotees so that if anybody wants to be associated with it can get the same divine information otherwise how can one know about such events that happen and are created by the divine himself on our mother earth as MIRACLE PLACES. Interested devotees are requested to verify information accuracy and may contact Dalip Langoo for more information by email at : daliplangoo@now-india.net.in.

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 future editions of Sai Vichaar under "Sai activities' section for for more details.

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.

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 still continuing with great enthusiasm across many states in the country.

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 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 www.saibaba.org and follow link to 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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