Khuda apne waliyon se hotaa hain raazee
Milegee ye dar se hamein sarfaraazi
Yahan dil se maango Ye Sayee ali hain
Khuda ki wali hain...Khuda hi khuda hain

It's an agreement between God and His chosen few
The abode of which is the source of our blessings
Ask from the bottom of your heart Sayee, the messiah
He is the God's messenger...the God Himself!

Saibaba said, "I have to take care of my children day and night and give an account to God of every paise".

The humble Lord of Shirdi also said that He is a servant of God. Are God and His servant one and the same? Let us question the Omniscience of God, we shall find the answers ourselves. The manifestation we see is in fact the Omnipresent conscious appearing closer to us lest our ignorance shall fail to grasp!

No body can seek Saibaba unless he is destined to. The loving assurance of the Saint God that He is responsible to those who come to Him is yet another unique feature of Sai path. Baba said, "I draw to Me My man from far off, or even across the seven seas, like a sparrow with a string fastened to its feet." He also made it clear to him that if he be not Baba's man, he would not be attracted to Him and given a darshan. Once such a "rinanubandha", the Karmic Indebtedness is established and if one were to be the fortunate sparrow, what is his prerogative? Just to believe that Saibaba was a Saint, a realized soul who bestows material wealth? Or who by miracles make the impossible happen? Or more than the above?

Saibaba laments that everyone wants to ask what he or she wanted but none wants to receive what he wanted to give. What could that be? How does one receive it? Is one capable of receiving it? Most important things do not come without asking and nothing is impossible in Baba's path.

Seek Baba as Rama, Sai Krishna, Dattatreya, or Jesus. See Baba in anyone and in anything at your convenience. If any of the above would seem to limit the magnificence of the Saint, for any reasons, see Baba as Baba! Top to toe, in and out. Neither is a need to institutionalize Baba nor radicalize! Read, write, talk and sing, dwell on the thoughts of the benevolent fakir and none else, day and night, day after day! See Baba in hunger and deprivation; see Baba in wealth and prosperity. See Baba in dirt and clean, in pain and anger. In captivity and freedom. In Sattwa or Tamas or beyond. Seek Baba in every attribute until the imagination exhausts itself. See Baba until you know that you are not capable of seeing anything else. In that surrender, in the sweet incapacity, perhaps lies dormant what Baba wanted to give you!

Let the desire and fear vanish. Let the material die. Let the spirit be known.
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Contributed Article:Perfection in Devotion

It is a known fact that spiritual path is not easy to tread. Devotees of Shirdi Sai are scattered worldwide. It is natural to assume that when people resort to the holy feet of the lord they would be spared the pain inflicted physically and emotionally. Yet one finds that there is increased restlessness, pain, suffering and melancholy in the world. The reason for this is clearly explained in Satcharita. Damu Anna once thought, "There are so many crowding to Sai Baba. Do they all get benefit from Him? To this, He (Baba) replied orally - "Look at the mango tree in blossom. If all the flowers brought fruit, what a splendid crop it would be. But do they? Most fall off (either as flowers or as unripe fruits) by wind etc. Very few remain".

All the devotees of Baba are subjected to severe tests in life. These are nothing but the hurdles one has to cross to reach the final abode - namely Salvation. Very few people remain steady in their devotion towards God while being subjected to tests and turmoils in life. The rest give up and fall behind or seek solace from elsewhere in the search for unburdening their problems. The people who succeed the tests posed by God have special characteristics in them, which make them unique. These characters are summarized as:

1. No trace of Ego "When his (devotees) ego is completely annihilated and there is left no trace of it, I Myself shall enter into him and shall Myself write My own life. Hearing my stories and teachings will create faith in devotees' hearts and they will easily get self - realization and Bliss" Shirdi Sai Baba.

2. Humility and humbleness "The beloved of the Almighty are the rich who have the humility of the poor, and the poor who have the magnanimity of the rich." - SA'DI

3. They shower nectar through the words they speak "Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless." - Mother Theresa.

4. Unflinching faith in the almighty "A cheerful, Courageous smile perennially dancing on our lips is the visible proof of our invisible faith in God" - "Smiling Tears" Sriram

5. Accept hurdles in life as stepping stone to the knowledge "The little gap between the knowledge of truth and the experience of truth is filled with tears" - "Smiling Tears" Sriram

6. Awareness that to receive the love and kindness of the lord one has to be kind towards others too.

7. Relentless and dedicated service to god. "Whatever work you do for Baba do it with honesty and intensity - i.e., pure of thought" - C.B Satpathy

The above mentioned are mandatory characters of a true devotee. These people are also aware that the problems and hurdles in the present life are the result of their previous karma. They accept good and bad bestowed on them as the gift of God. Such people do not measure the love of god based on the progress of events in life. They remain steady fast in their devotion towards Guru immaterial of the external or internal pain inflicted on them. When the things do not go according to their wishes then such people are aware that Lord knows what is best and when the time comes things will fall into place. Such people are always content and find happiness in the sorrow and know that happiness is in the state of mind rather than in the physical or materialistic things. They do not compare themselves with others but remain steady in their situation and accept everything as it comes.

It is hard for common folk to adhere to the path and be called true devotees. But constant practice, evaluation and introspection of ones behavior would automatically tune them to follow the spiritual path, which a handful of them have treaded. When one removes the ego and consciously makes the effort to strive and stick to the path as prescribed by Baba and read Satcharita regularly, remain steady fast in their faith and love towards Baba irrespective of the misfortunes or happy events in life and one who accepts everything in life as gods decision based on the Karma and march ahead with a firm belief that everything that one undergoes in life is with a purpose to purify their life to be closer to god, such people will flower into true devotees of Baba.

(Contributed by Anitha Kandukuri, Canberra, Australia)
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Experiences of Devotees

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Devotees say...

Natasha
I am going through a depression phase at the moment. I need devotees to pray for me to come out of this stage immediately as I am getting married soon. I am depressed at the way things are at home and with the attitudes of the people I am staying with. I realized last night with my fiancé that I am not a priority in his life, I pray that after marriage we can stay on our own but I don't see that possible, I pray that I am doing the right thing and I pray that his family do not come between the two of us. I am a very soft person and a lot of people take advantage of that I pray things will be different when we get married. I do not wish to break the relationship he has with his family but I don't expect them to break the relationship that we have. I pray to Baba's divine lotus feet that he will be with me every step of the way even when I cry and nobody else is there to see me but swami. I don't want to enter a troubled marriage, I want to be independent and raise my own family with my husband on my own, no interference. I pray we can be independent and do things and go away on our own. Swami I pray to you that you will show me to do the right thing. I had a terrible life up here and now I just want to enjoy my life and I pray you would allow me to do that.

S.V. Swamy
While it is true that many devotees come into Baba's fold with desires for health, wealth and happiness etc., and while it is also true that all prayers, sincere or otherwise are heard by Baba, who is Sarvantaryami (seated in the heart of each of us, one and all), results of such prayers are dependent on the prarabdha karma of the individual. In one phase of our spiritual development, our prayers are answered so that our faith in Baba becomes strong. After our faith becomes strong, it is tested by Baba, by not sanctioning the prayers. This is a very important phase of our spiritual progress. Do we then continue to accept that Baba knows best what is good for us and continue with Shraddha and Saburi or do we go in search of someone else? Thus implying that we differentiate between Baba and other Gods/Saints? Thus not realizing that Baba is One with all other Gods/Saints as correctly realized by Shri Hemadpant on the first page of Sai Satcharitra?
Thus these are different phases in the developmental phases of individual egos. True surrender is ultimate and after that there is no ego to question the action of Sai.

"Is there a right way of showing faith? Or is there some other explanation why some seem to have their prayers answered while others don't."
There are many ways of showing faith but all have one in common, viz. faith. Whether we worship Sai in Saguna form, as a Saint, as God, in Nirguna Form, or talk to Him as our friend, philosopher, guide, father, mother.... what we need is the faith that He knows what is best for us.

The second part of the question is answered by the first part. Since He knows what is best for us, He decides whether to give what we pray for or not. The child asks for sweets but the mother knows that sweets are not good for the child and so forces bitter medicine down the throat and then soothes the child by kissing and may be giving it a sweet. What is called Prarabdha Karma is what we have brought with us to resolve in this birth. And because of our merits in previous births, we have become Sai devotees. Or rather, it is Sai, who has so kindly pulled us to him. Now, let us be near Sai (that is the real meaning of Upavas) and let us realize the goal of this human life, viz., to get free of the cycle of birth-and-death. Sai Ram.

This is for the sister who wrote about her husband..
Sai has not abandoned you. It is you who have gone away from Sai. Please do your job, which is pray to Him. Now, relax and let Him do His job. Don't dictate terms to Him, and ask Him do this, do that...Sorry to be so brusque with you, but have Faith. And accept what happens. Sai Ram. Please do parayana of Guru Charitra and Sai Satcharitra. Don't ask your husband to change. That is Sai's job.

S Gopalan
Sai devotee has posted a letter expressing her experiences and ordeal in keeping her marriage. This is an assurance to her that Sai is there for all of us. Please do remember His golden words of assurances Shraddha and Saburi. Your husband will be yours, your marriage will be safe and you will have children Continue your prayers without any doubts, don't worry about the consequences this life is given to us to be useful to others, so divert your attention and serve others in distress without minding about your state of affairs, you will learn many truths and will realize how true our Lord Sainath Maharaja is. I will also pray for you. We should learn to make meaning out of everything that happens in our life. Be brave to face the challenges. Sat charita Parayan is the best medicine it will cure any kind of deficiencies.

Dev
Sainath is always everywhere but you still have to face the consequences of your karma. By prayers he can lessen it and help you but that needs a rock like faith. If you don't have kids today, it's happening because you did not value them one time and you made a fun. Now you realize. The objective of coming to this world is that you realize and love and respect every one. Take help of doctors as well. May be you have a RH-negative syndrome that produces stillbirth. It can be now managed and children can be produced. There are lots of women and men who don't value what they have. Once you realize your karma will be settled and your prayer should begin and you will have children. Jai Sai Ram
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Prayer Club

Sai devotee SP
Om Sri Sairam! Baba, both my husband and me are trying for good jobs. Our attempts to secure jobs are not hidden from you. Nothing is possible without your blessing. You have undoubtedly helped us in our earlier trials. Kindly help us succeed now Baba. Please help us settle down. Baba, bless us so that we are fortunate to read satcharitha everyday. Bless us so that we can think of you all the time. Bless us so that we are always humble and ego less. Help us Baba.

Keshab
Om Sairam, Om Sairam, Om Sairam, please help us. My job is no more secured from the next month. All the staff in my office are wondering that what will happen in future, as there is no certainty. My wife is also having trouble in her office. I don't see any opportunity wherever I try for a job I receive very negative response. People think that I am not trying for another job. I can't tell them about my problem. I have my small children to nurture. Beloved God please help me and give me courage and blessing to prevail over all my obstacles.
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Quotation of the Week
"I require no door to enter. I have no form; I always live everywhere. As a wire-puller I carry on all the actions of the man who trusts Me and merges in Me".-Sai Baba of Shirdi
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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 Satsang, Minnesota
By the grace of Sadguru Sainath, Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center is established in Minneapolis-St.Paul, of Minnesota. Regular Sai activities in the Twin Cities, MN are being conducted at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, 725 Lake St NE, Apt #139 Hopkins MN. For details, please contact hamaresai@yahoo.com. or call Sangeeta (651-481-6782), Kiran (952-233-1819), Ravi (651-342-0600) Bhuva (651-681-2042) or Sathya (651-739-2105).

Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, Houston, Texas, USA
Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, Houston, Texas, USA cordially invites you for Thursday satsang at 6.30pm 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 Saibaba Sansthan of Canada, Toronto
Devotees in Toronto invite you all to join in our weekly Satsang every Thursday at the two Locations mentioned below. For other information please call 905 887 1752 or email at saileela99@yahoo.com. (1) 271 Ridley St. Avenue Rd. and Wilson South of Hwy 401 for details Ph: 416 4813593. (2) 5359 Timberlee Blvd. # 10in Mississauga Call Mrs. Dastoor for details Ph: 905 812 8290

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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