Bayajabai had extreme love and devotion towards Baba and she used to prepare food and take it to Baba. Baijabai, wife of Appa Kote Patil and mother of Tatya Kote Patil used to refer to Shri Sainath as her brother. Along with Mahalsapathi and Shama, Baijabai was one of the earliest people in Shirdi who recognized the divine personality of Shri Sainath. Baijabai and her son Tatya Patil remained very attached to Baba. Tatya used to call Baba, Mama or maternal uncle.

During initial days, Baba used to sit under neem tree or used to wander around in the woods. Baijabai, not minding the elements, used to take the food and walk in search of Baba in the jungles and feed Him. Baijabai used to walk long distances in search of Baba and used to feed Him lovingly. She did this diligent service to Shri Sainath for a long time until later days when Baba began to stay in the Masjid. After this, Baijabai's physical strain of walking around in search of Baba ended. She remained a strong devotee of Baba until her death.

Service or Seva is as important as Bhakthi or devotion. Baijabai, the simple-minded devotee of Sainath stands out as an example to everyone in this aspect. Her diligent service to Baba should be a reminder to everyone that treads Baba's path that service offered at the feet of Sadguru, in any form befitting Sadguru's virtues is as important as Bhakthi. Baijabai's episode stands testimony to the virtue of Seva or Service. As Baba Himself assured, Baijabai's service was amply repaid as Baba took care of her son Tatya Patil. However, that was not in the mind of Baijabai as she was humbly serving the Lord! The virtue of service should be done with humility and not with any expectation. Seva in the spirit of humility and surrender is the Seva that Baijabai personified. Jai Shri Sainath!
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Contributed Article:A Sai Bhajan

A bright young man walked into Shirdi with Chand Patil's marriage procession and got greeted by Mhalsapathi: "Come On Sai!" This is common knowledge with any Sai devotee.

What some devotees may not know is: Mhalsa is the female consort (wife) of Lord Khandoba (Shiva). In most Khandoba temples, you will notice the idol of Khandoba and Mhalsa on a horse. Mhalsapathi means the husband of Mahlsa - which is Lord Khandoba himself. Thus Shiva himself named our God-man Sadguru as Sai.

This tidbit motivated me to write the following bhajan on Sai Shiva:

Jaya Gana-Natha Sadasiva -- Subhakara Shankara Saisiva
Jaya Gana-Natha Sadasiva -- Subhakara Shankara Saisiva

Trinetra Bhasa Sadasiva -- Trimoorthi Roopa Saisiva
Vibhooti Vesha Sadasiva -- Udi Pradatha Saisiva
Kailasa Vasa Sadasiva -- Shirdi Pureesa Saisiva || Jaya Gana-Natha ||

Jatajoota Dhara Sadasiva -- Sirovasthra Dhara Saisiva
Abhisheka Prita Sadasiva -- Abinava Data Saisiva
Papa Vinasana Sadasiva -- Taapa Vimochana Saisiva || Jaya Gana-Natha ||

Pannaga Dhaara Sadasiva -- Chinmaya Roopa Saisiva
Neela Kandhara Sadasiva -- Nitya Sundara Saisiva
Nrutya Kovida Sadasiva -- Satya Bodhaka Saisiva || Jaya Gana-Natha ||

Trishula Dhari Sadasiva -- Trikala Gjani Saisiva
Chandra Kaladhara Sadasiva -- Chandana Charchita Saisiva
Kalagni Rudra Sadasiva -- Nityagni Hotra Saisiva || Jaya Gana-Natha ||

(Contributed by Prasad V Nimmagadda)
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Experiences of Devotees

Sai Eshwari
Baba said," I always think of him, who remembers me..,I require no conveyance, carriage, tonga, train nor airplane. I rush & manifest Myself to him, who lovingly calls Me " We are all aware of several incidents confirming Sainath's Omnipresence & omnipotence. Having read, heard and experienced Sai Leelas we should review how to retain Sai's grace. Baba gives what we want so that we begin to want what He wants to give. Here are some of the Merciful Leelas of our Beloved Baba, I had experienced and still experiencing. I was doing the Satcharitha Parayana and on the final day, I was blessed by BABA in a dream. I had BABA's Darshan in the dream continuously for three days. On the day of the conclusion of the Parayana, I had a great desire of visiting Baba's temple to have His Darshan. But that seemed to be a bit difficult as the transportation was not available. I just prayed to Baba to make some arrangement for me to visit the temple. Looked like Baba heard my prayers. One of our friends, who met with an accident and got her car damaged and was taking bed rest, home I never believed would go to the temple, had invited me to accompany her to Baba's temple as she got her new car the same morning (i.e., on Thursday) It was Unbelievable for me, but finally I could visit the temple and had Darshan of Baba and got a chance to offer Him Aarthi.

We have the habit of listening to Baba's songs from the net. As usual we played one of the song, it played and had stopped after sometime. I was doing my regular Parayana sitting just besides the computer and my husband was watching the TV. To our surprise.., without no one operating the computer or even touching it, Baba's song started playing by itself. Unbelievable..!! The very next day, I found a tiny piece of paper in the Washroom, on which the letters "SAI" were printed. We were really surprised to see that as we never had such piece of paper in our house before nor it was written by hand. Until today we couldn't understand from where it has come. Beloved readers, let us realize Sainath's declaration " I shall be ever active & Vigorous even after leaving this earthly body ". Baba also assured prior to His Maha Samadhi," My bones in My tomb will give you hope & confidence. Not only Myself but My tomb would be speaking, moving and communicating with those who surrender wholeheartedly to Me. (Sri Sai Satcharitha, Chap XXV). Hence we can say that Sai is more alive now than when He was living. Say Victory to thee, Immortal saint of Shirdi..!!!!

Nanjunda Rao, Mylapore, India
In Sai Satcharitra we come across a miracle by baba at Balaji Newasker's house. His wife received more people than she could feed. She prayed to Baba, put Baba's Udhi in all the dishes and served them for the guests. All who had come had a sumptuous lunch and even some food was left over. Since 1990 in Mylapore Sai Spiritual Center we observe Shirdi Sai Baba's birthday on 28th September with a weeklong service projects. This year on the 29 the September we had two weddings conducted for two poor couple. We had ordered special lunch for 60 persons. But 120 persons turned up. Our member in charge of the lunch became nervous. I narrated to her Newasker's story, gave her Udhi and asked her to have lunch served. Every thing went on well was we have purchased 60 pieces of sweet from a vendor and the caterer had only brought 10 vadas 10 Applams extra; but all the 120 got vadas and applams. It was only Baba's Miracle to save us from the pitiable situation. I have been worshipping Baba for the past 67 years and He has always been with me. He has given me a vision in His form has lunch at our house, Faith, Faith and Faith alone is needed.
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Devotees say...

Swamy
Dear Sai Bandhus, Sai Ram. By the grace of Sai, a yahoo group for discussion and help of health-related problems has been created. Those Sai devotees who need information or any other help in relation to health problems may please join 'wholistichealth' a yahoo group, which has recently been formed with Sai's blessings. For further information, they may send a mail to saiheals@yahoo.com. Sai Ram
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Prayer Club

A Sai devotee
Oh Baba. I am your child and you have to bless me to get a good job and help settle in my life. You have to be in each and every step in my career.

Rachna
Dear followers of Saibaba, we are followers of Saibaba since many years. He has been very kind to us in spite of all the odds in all these years. Life has been difficult but we have faith in him. He always showed us some or the other path & kept us alive. Since this year it has been the worst as there has been no income in the house until now & there r lots of tensions & various kinds of endless problems, bills are pending cant go to doctors because of no money. My parents are old and I am writing on their behalf. I just seek some peace and happiness for them at this age. Bless & show your miracle for they have never left your side.

Pavan
Jagadguru Sainatha, please help me find a job. I am feeling helpless and tired. I am tired of being optimistic; I am tired of waiting for phone calls and emails. I am losing my strength and hope. My survival is getting hard. Kindly help me to find a job soon. Also bless me on my new venture of moving to a new place.

Sai devotee
SAIBABA I know that your are with me in each and every step of my life. You saved me in so many difficult situations. Please help me now also SAIBABA. Please see that my brother will clear visa interview successfully. OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI

Mita
Om Sai, give us contentment and peace of mind and patience to face the ups and downs in our lives. We have firm faith in your pious feet. Let nothing swerve our faith in you. Give us the strength to chant your name day and night. Let our minds be free from all sorts of evil thoughts. Sai baba, please always guide us to the right path.
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Quotation of the Week
"There are innumerable saints in this world, but 'Our father' (Guru) is the Father (Real Guru). Others might say many good things, but we should never forget our Guru's words"-Saibaba of Shirdi, Shri Sai Satcharitha Ch. XLV.
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Question of the Week

Q. What is the significance of Mr. Sathe's vision in Sai Satcharitha?
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Sai Activities

Shri Sai camp in Nashik Kumbh
Under the guidance of Guruji Shri C.B.Satpathyji, a camp of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba has been established during the period of the Kumbh Mela in Nashik. The Kumbh started on July 30th, 2003. During the camp days daily annadan, bhajans, Shri Sai satcharita parayan, palkhi procession among other activities will be conducted at Shri Saibaba Mandir, Panchvati, Nashik. For full coverage of the camp, please visit www.saibaba.org and follow "Shirdi Sai camp at Kumbh Mela 2003" link.

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

Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mandir, Columbus OH
Sri Saibaba Temple Society of Ohio are celebrating Deepavali on October 25th at the temple. For details, visit http://www.srishirdisaibabamandir.org or email sssb_temple@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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