"When Dharma was showing signs of decline, Avatar manifests to protect the earth. When the forces of wickedness had grown to greater proportions Poornavathar Krishna manifested to uphold Dharma. But compared to Dwapara yuga, present kaliyuga is more complicated & wickedness emerging many places in many forms as terrorism. We can pray to the Almighty to manifest Himself as Sri Krishna in everyone's heart to transform internally to promote Dharma & Peace everywhere. The word 'Krish' denotes the attraction. What type of attraction?

Attraction that is beyond senses. Beyond the material pleasure. Lord Krishna was always embodiment of happiness and miracles. Sri Krishna was immersed in Bliss. Whether it was a battlefield or palace, He remained the same. He selected the battlefield to give upadesh to Arjuna. 5000 years ago, Lord Krishna gave his support to Pandavas with who were truth, righteousness, and justice. Lord Krishna performed his duty as a Raja.

Lord Krishna is called by many names. Yasodanandana, Devakinandana, Chittachora etc.. Lord Krishna in his boyhood days played leelas to steal the Navaneetham (butter). It shows the inner meaning. He is the thief of our Chitta (Heart). When He will come to steal? When our heart will melt like butter with devotion. When our heart becomes pure and clean through intense sadhana and japa, Lord will come and steal our heart.

Shri Saibaba became Sai Krishna, the Muralidhar that Booty wanted to install. Shirdi Sai Baba always told His devotees, "This masjid is Dwaraka mayi. Whoever stepped into this will be relieved from all kinds of miseries". In Sai Satcharitra chapter IV, a footnote says that Shirdi comes in the limits of Pandharpur, which was the southern most center of Dwaraka, and therefore, Shirdi is Dwaraka itself (vide Sai leela, Vol.14, nos.1-2-3). Shri Sai Krishna declared. " Who is this ME?". (Sri Sai Satcharita chapter XLIII&XLIV) "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 attain oneness with Me". Like Lord Krishna, once again Shri Sai Krishna gave this "SAI GITA" to all of us.

We will pray to Sai Krishna to manifest His Divine Love in everyone's heart and spread Peace and Harmony everywhere.Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna Sai Krishna Hare, Hare..Hare Rama, Hare Rama Sai Rama Hare Hare--OM SRI SAI RAM

(Contributed by K.G. Ramaswamy)
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Contributed Article:Have Faith in your Guru

Faith is the state of mind towards the all supreme. It is a devotional surrender for the protection and grace of the lord.

Sri Sai Baba preferred the sadhanas involving faith and bhakti. He advocated worship of several things -images, coins, pictures, padukas etc. He has no mean place for the guru, the giver of Ghana and the solidifier of faith.

The path to the goal is rugged, and Sri Sai Baba warns us that it is infested with hungry wolves and tigers and with yawning pits to negotiate and stresses the need for a guide or guru. In brief, the attainment of gnana is largely upon our Guru. Trust in the guru fully and wholeheartedly. Leave off all doubts that is the only sadhana. Guru is God. Guru is everything. He is brother, father, well-wisher, relative and true friend. Seeing all as Guru is the highest state and he who feels him in every creature verily becomes Myself.

To aspirants for gnana, the mere acquisition of a Guru alone can never suffice. Lucky indeed must be he that finds the proper guru at whose feet he is privileged to sit and learn. Hindus, before they start on any of their prayers, first invoke their Gurus to lead them aright and to be acceptable to their Gods. A subjugation of the mind and will and absolute faith in the guru are the essentials of a true Bhakta.

Sri Sai Baba Says: "Stick to your own Guru with unabated faith whatever the merits of the other gurus. We must not give up our attachment to our own Guru but even more firmly rest in Him and Him alone."

You may have an idea of what constitutes Bhakti and how every one of us old and young, men and women, rich and poor strong and disabled, cultured and uncultured- can follow the path of devotion to attain salvation. To be deeply devoted to God, we should have an idea in the first place. God is everywhere. There is no place where He is not. Everything rests in Him, He resides in the heart of every being. He is in the king, in the beggar, in the animal, in the minutest worm, in plants and also in inanimate objects. That is why in the Gita the Lord said, "He who sees me everywhere and seeth everything in me, of him I will never lose hold and he shall never lose hold of me."

Holiness Guru Swami Kesavaiahji chosen apostle of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba deprecated the practice of being lured by those who exhibit occult powers, but He always insisted in his articles that infinite faith in the Guru would ultimately give satisfaction and bliss to those who respect tradition and religion. Swamiji stresses on saying all saints, Guru's are one. Service to suffering humanity is Baba's Dharma. He taught catholicity of religion. Everyone should serve and help others to his capacity. It is only the good we do, that accompanies our souls. Hatred and jealousy should be forbidden. Honesty and truthfulness are necessary. God recedes from those who are dishonest and untruthful. Character and truth are essential. Truth and righteousness alone save us. The ignorant youth is running away from religious and moral discipline because he gets no religious education either at home or at school to mould his character. Now-a-days science and politics are considered the 'Be all and end all' of man's life. The responsibility to teach their children, the devotion to God reverence to one's Guru, obedience to their elders, and to make them speak truth always is on the mothers.' May Sri Sai Baba guide us all in the path of devotion and bless us!

(Contributed by Arun R Nukala, New Delhi, India)
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Experiences of Devotees

John Maynard
Some few months ago I was suffering from an acute sciatic nerve problem. This had been with me for about six to eight weeks and despite visiting several different types of medical practitioners, no relief was found. Every aspect of life was affected by this pain - sleep, sitting, working; all were extremely uncomfortable. After one particularly difficult night, I went into my living room and looked at the spine of a book in the library there, thinking it was a book in the wrong place. As I pulled it from the shelf, I noticed it was not the volume that I had believed it to be but another. It was Sri Sai Satcharitra. The following series of events make no logical sense whatsoever, but I will do my best to relate this accurately. I sat down and let the book fall open where it would and then read three chapters immediately, from near the back of the book. As I read a feeling of power and peace came over me and I then felt an urge to place the book over the affected area of my back and upper leg. The peaceful flow continued and I let the book rest there for some time. Not three minutes had passed and the pain eased and subsided. Within thirty minutes, it was completely gone and has not returned now for over two months. After this, the meditative feeling continued and I wrote a note of thanks. My gratitude goes to Shirdi Sai for this healing and to all the Saints who continuously help us, somehow!

Rupa
My husband went to New Zealand for clearing his exams but unfortunately, he was not able to clear them. I was in India with my parents for that period. In the mean time, he applied for his permanent residency, which took him long time. I had complete faith in Baba that He will make him succeed. One night I was feeling very depressed thinking its been one year & nothing had happened till now. I cried a lot in front of Baba that night. In the morning at 6 a.m. I got a call from my husband that we have been granted our residency. It was a Dussherra day too. Baba has given me lot of courage in my life to face hurdles in life. I feel the presence of Baba in my everyday life. Thanks Baba for all that you have given me; be with me all the time.
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Devotees say...

Syamasundar D, Houston, TX
Symbolism and Significance of Rs 600 in Shri Sai Satcharitra.

The reader of Sai Satcharita finds figures/numbers at many places. To mention a few Sai offered two paise (Sraddha and Saburi) as dakshina to His Guru. Sai asked six rupees (surrender of 6 inner enemies; Kama, Krodha.... etc) as dakshina from Mrs.Tarkhad. Baba asked Rs 15 (15 chapters of Yogavasishta in his heart where Baba resides) from G.G.Narke. Similarly, Baba gave nine rupees (9 ways of devotion, navavidha bhakthi) to Lakshmibai Shinde. In Chapter XXXII of Satcharitra Baba said a story of His boyhood as follows: "When I was a youngster, I was in search of bread and went to Beed. There I got embroidery work, sparing no pains. The employer was very much pleased with Me. Three other boys worked before Me. The first got Rs 50/, the second Rs 100/ and the third Rs 150/. And I was given twice the total of this amount viz Rs 600/. After seeing my cleverness, My employer loved, praised and honored Me with a full dress, a turban and a Shela etc. I kept this dress intact without using it thinking that what a man might give does not last long, but what My Sarkar (God) gives, lasts to the end of time. No other gift can be compared to His. My Sarkar says, " Take, take", but everybody comes to Me and says "Give, give". Nobody attends carefully the meaning of what I say.

In Dhulia court, Baba said that His religion was of Kabir's and His age lakhs of years

"My bones will speak from My tomb" Baba's assurance.

Let us now carefully view the above statements and correlate:
Saint Kabir lived during the period 1398-1518 A.D. Add 50,100 and 150 and the total comes to be 300. After approximately 300 years of Kabir, Baba's incarnation came in the year 1838 and continued until 1918. Baba was given Rs 600 by His Sarkar. Add 600 to 1918, we get the figure 2518. This means Baba's Shakthi (power) will rule the world till 2518 year as He didn't spend the amount of Rs 600/ for Himself. There might be three incantations of limited period of 50,100 and 150 years influence, in the form of some other saints between Kabir and Shirdi Saibaba.

One can find examples in epics to illustrate the power of bones. Indra, the God of Heavens won his battles against demons with his mighty Vajrayudha. Vajrayudha was made by the backbone of the sage Dadeechi. In Mahabharath, Sakuni with his dice (made by the side bones of his father) ultimately destroyed Duryodhana, though he acted as helping Duryodhana. These illustrations thus show the important role of bones in the annihilation of evil. Similarly, Baba's bones continue to help and answer His devotees until 2518.

As Baba is Adiparashakthi (age lakhs of years), His eternal power will continue even after the year 2518 to eternity. (The above views were expressed by Sri Sai Ba. Ni. Sa.(Sri Ravada Gopala Rao) during his discourse in Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, Houston on 3rd.Aug 2003. These views are only his personal)

Vijay Subhash
I have been experiencing the leela of Sai since 4 years. Before that, I don't know anything about Sai. Now He is everything for me. Without him, I cannot survive in this world. He supports me in each and every activity of my life. How big the issue may be He is always there with me. I feel it. I pray Sai to give me all the nishta and saburi on him. I am nowhere without Him.
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Prayer Club

Shree
Baba, I don't know how to say things to you. You know what I am going through Baba. Please help me Baba. Baba please keep me and my husband in the jobs. You know we have no source of income otherwise. Baba I know how you answered me the other day. Baba please give me an answer. I think I am very confused and don't know what to do. Baba I know you are there with me always without which I couldn't have come this far in life. But Baba I am very discouraged and loosing confidence in myself. Baba I have no one else to share my pains other than you. No one else understands what I am going through. Baba please help me in some form. My eyes and ears are starving to see you or hear you. Baba I know you are staying with me but I think I am totally lost; I am not able to find me. Baba please help me, bless me. Baba please accept my prayers. I tried to send one before as well but it never went through, Baba please listen to this prayer of mine. Baba please give me courage and confidence to face this issue. Koti koti pranams at Your lotus feet.

Swathi
Baba by your grace I was so happy feeling everything was going on smoothly in our family. You have helped us to achieve so much in life with so little time I am so thankful to you for all this. But, Baba please bless our little child we keep worrying about her. Make her normal very soon. Lay your hands on her make her sit, walk and be normal soon. Please forgive our sins. I request all the devotees please pray my little girl to be normal and healthy soon.

A devotee
Om Sai Ram. Baba my brother is trying to come up in life by making an honest living. He & his wife are going through a lot of financial problem because of this. There has been a lot of struggle for the past one year & yet no improvement is seen. In fact, he's in the verge of losing more than he already has. I believe no home of your presence will run into trouble. Babas with your presence in their home please bless & shower them with your blessing to overcome all this hurdles in the soonest possible. Baba please take them into your heart to help them out in guiding them to do the necessary & overcoming this problem. Baba I'm leaving my plea under your lotus feet. Om Sai Ram.

Jagdish
Baba, my mother, brother and I are very depressed in life because my father died in Nov 30,1999 and we lost money in our business and on Feb 28,2003 my mother and my baby's gold ornaments were robbed when we were not home. And after that my mother's health got bad. So please Baba help us and bless my family in all the ways. Now my mother is searching a bride for me that is also becoming very late. Baba now we are totally bankrupt so please show us way in everything that we had problem.

Sai devotee
Dearest Shri Sai Baba, Jai Sai Ram, Jai Sai Krishna, Baba please bless us. Fulfill our wishes and forgive our sins.

Saradha
Dear Sri Sai baba, I know that you are there to protect all your children. However there are times that we have to send our prayers through this forum. Please encourage readers to accept these as very important and pray to You for the sake of the devotees without getting impatient about such items being included in the newsletter. When many hearts extend few minutes and pray to Baba the sufferings of those who need help get minimized, bearable or nullified. All will need such help at one time or another. Hey Sai Ram, Deenanath, protect us all, we have shraddha and saburi and will continue to chant your name, read Satcharita (parayan), offer prayers through the virtual pooja room and spend time usefully and extend help to others in whatever way possible. Baba being our Satguru we have no shortage of food clothing and shelter. The world peace is the greatest asset. Please bless us to live in peace and harmony.
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Quotation of the Week
"Once I suffered intensely, My heart began to palpitate, and My life was in danger. At that critical time, I hugged this book to My heart and then, Shama, what a relief it gave me! I thought that Allah Himself came down and saved Me. So I give this to you, read it slowly, little by little, read daily one name at least and it will do you good."-Saibaba to Shama as He was presenting Vishnu Sahasranama (1000 names of Lord Vishnu)
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Question of the Week

Q. What do we learn from the experiences of Sai devotee Raghuvir Bhaskar Purandhare?
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Sai Activities

Guruji Shri C.B.Satpathyji visits Nashik Kumbh Sai Baba Camp
Guruji Shri C.B.Satpathyji will be visiting Nasikh Kumbh Baba Camp on Wednesday 27th 2003 evening and on Thursday 28th 2003. Along with Baba's arathi, abhishek, annadan, Guruji's discourse and regular pooja, there will be bhajans and special Palaki procession of Baba in Kumbh Mela. Devotees visiting Nashik Kumbh on the occasion of Shahi Snan on 27th are invited to attend Baba's camp and get Baba's blessings. For more details of the camp, please visit www.saibaba.org and follow "Shirdi Sai camp at Kumbh Mela 2003" link or send an email to maildrop@saibaba.org.

Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, Houston, Texas, USA
Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, Houston, Texas, USA cordially invites you for Thursday satsang at 6.30pm and discourse by Mr. Gopal Rao Ravada, Saibanisa, on Aug 2 & 3 at 6pm & 5pm respectively at the following location: 5645 Hillcroft, Suite #304, Houston, Texas, 77036. For more information call (713) 789 486, (832) 567 7861, (713) 992 1453 or send an email to: baba@babamandir.org.

Shirdi Sai Baba Prayer Center, Twin Cities, MN
Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center invites all for Sai Satsang on Saturday August 16, 2003 in Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center located at 725-139 NE Lake Street, Hopkins, MN. The program includes Sai pooja, Satcharitha Parayam, Sai Bhajans, Kirthans, Aarthis and a discourse on Saibaba, "My bones will speak from my tomb", by Saibanisa Sri Gopalarao Ravada of Saidarbar, Hyderabad. For details, please write to hamaresai@yahoo.com. Or call Ravin Gnanasambandam at 763-862-3910 or visit www.hamaresai.org.

Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of Canada, Toronto
Devotees in Toronto invite you all to join in our weekly Satsang every Thursday. Due to certain limitations, we are temporarily moving the venue for Thursday prayers from Durga Temple. For details on Chitra yatra, location of Satsang and other information please call 905 887 1752 or email at 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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