Can knowledge be an obstacle to anything? It is not too rare to hear the experiences of the educated that admit their discomfort at topics related to spiritual matters that defy their logic and elude any conclusions. How could one train the mind so used to completing a book or a thesis and take home the message in minutes, to accept the reality of an unfinished treatise? God's wisdom is as infinite as space. Skepticism in spiritual path is destructive. In the mad rush to defy nature, human logic so bound to advancing itself, conveniently neglects to contemplate on its very purpose. Sad would be the situation when the spirituality remains eternally parallel and its fruits forbidden.

Skepticism, the initial bar to spiritual progress ends as soon as the necessity for the Unknown and the Unseen felt. Necessities may arise due to causes as simple as a material shortcoming. Once in the path, the difficult bar called ego takes over the reins, at times almost in complete control of the pursuit! This attribute is the one that makes the seeker, accept and reject, rejoice and condole, elate and deject, and in the process making believe that s/he is responsible. This is the attribute that makes one think how "Right" his/her pursuit is, and how pitiful is the others' plight. This attribute establishes the superiority of one Religion over the other, and denounces everything dissimilar.

"Maya (myth) troubles even me", said Sainath. But, He also assured that those seek Him will be saved from its perils and those who turns away, lashed. What could be easier than resorting to the Merciful Fakir that never stopped anyone from asking? The one who taught by His very living? How difficult would that be to listen to the most benevolent Sai who does not expect His children of rigorous rituals, but just faith and patience? How inconvenient could that be do simply submit to that Guru whose demands are love and devotion? Stay with Him and the ego will vanish!
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Contributed Article: SRI SAI GURUCHARITRA -Chapter I(Continued from Last week..)

One another occasion Baba gave a taste of his power and divine play to Sri Narayana Krishna Pense. Pense's wife was a very pious woman and a devotee. She was very kind hearted. She was eager to have the darsan of Baba ever since she had heard of him. One day she approached her husband and said, "Heed my plea, I have heard that the incomparable, divine Sai Baba is at Shirdi, let us go to that purest of pure places bathed in his effulgence and have the darsan of that great soul. Let us immerse ourselves in the bliss of being near his holy feet." Pense replied, "There is no holy man at Shirdi as you claim. There is only the mad Mohammedan there. He is totally insane. He has settled there with the sole aim of cheating the whole world and relieving poor innocent people of their hard earned wealth. Some innocent people believe that he is god. My love, heed my words, believe what I say. Do not be stubborn in your own belief. What you will get there is not ambrosia but the barren, bitter brine of the salt pan. Can one get gold from base tin? Do not fall into the trap of that mad fakir. He is a mere beggar who begs alms from the houses of Shirdi to fill his stomach." Pense's wife was deeply troubled hearing these blasphemous words of her husband. She was eagerly awaiting her turn to have the darsan of that great mahatma. "When, oh when can I have the great good fortune of seeing the lotus like feet of that gem amongst saints" wondered Pense's wife. Once Pense was to go on an official tour and had taken his wife along. They came to Shirdi on the tour. As Pense was engaged in government work, his wife was free to do as she pleased in Shirdi. She eagerly went to the Masjid and prostrated in front of Baba, that most compassionate saint. She placed her head on his feet, the feet that are the succor and refuge to all devotees. She at once gained great mental peace by the darsan of that most excellent mahatma who mitigates the suffering and the weariness of worldly life.

Later she ecstatically recounted the details to her husband. "I have had the darsan of that ocean of kindness - Sri Sai Baba. He is verily the depository of all merit. I want you to stop criticizing and talking ill of that gem amongst the saints and have his darsan immediately," she said. Pense could not refuse his wife's importuning and went to the Masjid for the darsan of Sri Sai Baba. As Baba saw him he shouted, "Do not come close." He took a stone in his hand and threatened. "Take a step forward and see what happens to you. I will hit you with this stone. I am charlatan and cheat. Why do you need to see me? I am a low caste, and mad man and a Mohammedan to boot. You are a great Brahmin of the highest class. You will suffer from myla even if you enter this Masjid." Pense was struck dumb. He was petrified by the enormity of his impertinence. "This Sai Maharaj is omniscient. He knows the past, present and the future as well as he knows the palm of his own hand. He is a mountain of wisdom. He has recounted all that I have said against him in the privacy of my own home without a single mistake. Verily he is a great saint who can read what is written on the mind also." He repentantly went to Appa Kulkarni, and through his good offices could finally have the darsan of that perfect Brahman, the greatest of the yogi's -Sai Baba.

Let the devotees now play attention to what happened a few days later. Baba one day told Appa, "Some thieves have entered our village. They are not ordinary thieves. Their methods are entirely different. They enter each house and examine it minutely. They only steal the most valuable things from each house. They are such expects in their vocation that one does not even realize that a theft has happened in one's house. They will first come to your house. You go to your house and see to its security." Appa could not understand Baba's words or their inner meaning.

He hired some people to guard his house and he too joined them standing guard though that night. An hour or so after night fall, Appa started vomiting and had diarrhea. He was afflicted with that dreadful disease- Cholera. His body lost its temperature and he started twisting in agony. His eyes lost focus and protruded. His pulse was not palpable. The villagers saw the condition of Appa and were saddened, losing all hope of his survival. Appa's wife, fearing the imminent death of Appa, ran at once to the Masjid to that mountain of kindness and the sole refuge of all in this world. She fell on the Baba's feet and pleaded with tears streaming from her eyes, "Baba, my husband is in the last stages of his life, please give my husband some Udi along with your blessings. It will save my husband and bring him back from the doors of imminent death. Please save me from wretched widowhood"

Baba said, "Oh mother, do not cry. All those who are born have to die, someday or the other. To be born, to live and to die are all decided by the almighty. He is in everything and every where. It is not in our hands to change his plans. Who is it that is born? Who is it that dies? Get hold of your self and examine this with dispassion and true knowledge. You will also realize the truth. If the cloth we wear is torn, we throw it aside. We lose whatever liking we had for it too. The all-merciful god has covered the ever living soul with this cloth of a body. That soul is the ever living, infinite, indivisible, attribute less, formless God. Do not show love for the worn out cloth of the body of Appa and try to protect it by applying Udi to it. Do not come in Appa's way and cause him harm. Let him reach his destination as per his destiny. As I have been talking to you here, he has already left behind the worn out cloth of his body. Do not interfere any more.

Appa will achieve salvation. You will not be able to see it with your worldly eye. Let what ever happens happen. Baba consoled her thus and she went home reconciled to Appa's death. By the time she reached home, Appa was dead.

The next day two or three more people died in the village of Cholera. The villagers were all terrified by this scourge and went to Baba who was their sole refuge. They prayed to him, "Baba, cholera is dancing her dance of death in the village. Do something and get her out of the village. What is the use of having you here if we are all to die by cholera?"

Baba replied, "Seven people have to die in the village. After that cholera will go away from here." This turned out to be literally true. Seven people died at Shirdi due to cholera. No further deaths occurred. How wonderful is Baba's knowledge. What he says will happen.

(Contributed by Source: "Sri Sai Gurucharithra" originally by Santkavi Sri Dasganu Maharaj. Translated from Telugu version by Sri SVL)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Jyothi
Om Sri Sai, I had so many experiences and with each experience, my devotion is becoming deep. I have been doing parayana for 10 weeks. I was very busy that I could not find any time to finish the last week parayana. I thought I would finish it on Wednesday but I had to go out for jewelry shopping for my brothers marriage. When we are ready to go, we could not find the gold we kept in a purse, which had to be taken along with us. We were so much tensed, I cried and prayed Baba why is this happening when I had been doing parayana for 10 weeks, then I said to Baba, I will start reading all the chapters and by the time I finish Wednesday's chapter I must find the gold. My mother and aunt were searching and I was reading Satcharita. When I finished all the chapters upto Tuesday and as soon I started Wednesday's chapter, my aunt came to me saying we found the purse. I was really surprised and was in tears .it means Baba wanted me to finish the last week parayana, so all this had happened. I also said that if I find the gold I would write my experiences in this site. In addition, my mother prayed that if we find the gold she would start parayana. Here is another experience. I am afraid to visit my in-laws place, because they quarrel for no reason. I prayed Baba to help me and see that they won't say anything to me. I stayed there for 10 days, they started small fights but ended up very soon before it became serious. They didn't say much about me. Apart from that they talked to me very well, I was surprised. I thought it is Baba that controlled them. I thank him once again deeply. Baba once again proved that he is with us and he is watching us.

Lakshmi
I am very happy to share this wonderful news with all the Sai brethren. A month or two ago, I had written in the Prayer Club about my nephew who was undergoing his merchant navy course in Australia. He had just one chance left for him to successfully complete his orals. At that point of time, I had written with a lot of tension and worry and had asked for Our Baba's blessing and for your prayers. Moreover his visa was expiring by end of September. I am very happy to state here that he has passed his orals successfully and will be back in India this week. His family is ecstatic and their faith and devotion has been well rewarded. We are planning a visit to Shirdi now to worship Baba in his own place. Thanks to Our Lord who has wrought this miracle and thanks to all you devotees of Sai who took time to say a prayer for us.
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Devotees say...

SV Swamy, Hyderabad, India
Sai Ram. This is in response to the prayer of a "Sai Devotee" regarding his chest pain. Inspired by Sri Sai, I am sharing with you what I submitted and what has recently been published in "Glory of Shirdi Sai" Issue No.18.
On 15 August, my wife and I were scheduled to leave our house at about 8 AM to catch a train at Secunderabad Railway Station. The train was scheduled to leave at 09:20 hrs. I already finished my bath and Puja etc. and my wife was getting ready. In another few minutes, we were supposed to leave the house and catch an auto rickshaw to the Railway Station. I had to go the toilet and then to my shock, I passed red blood along with the stools. I didn't have piles problem to my knowledge and except for some such recurrence long ago after intake of some spicy food, I did not have such problem. It being a Sunday and that too being early in morning, there was no scope of seeing a doctor and getting any medicine. Also, the program could not be postponed to some other day as we had already postponed it once. We were to go to Khammam and return by night.

My only option was to get a quick relief of the problem and who but Sai can give such a quick relief? The doctor of doctors came to my rescue, as usual (I got some good experiences earlier too). I prayed to Him and took a little Udhi in water. My wife saw me taking the Udhi water and sensed that something was wrong (she knows that I don't resort to that except in emergency) and asked me what was the problem. I was feeling a little weak and explained my problem. I also told her that we are going ahead with our program, as I was confident that Sai would take care of the problem. As expected, my problem stopped and we went and returned safely. Not only that, the problem did not recur so far.

VN Rao
I am a chartered accountant and devotee of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba from last16 years. I normally visit Baba temples on Thursday. I go to Shirdi minimum once in every colander year. Yes, Baba will answer all sincere and reasonable wishes of every one who seeks his help. I would like to request all devotees instead of asking Shri Sai every time, just think why you should not help one person or one noble cause every now and then as your resources permit.

Please read Sai Satcharita with an intention of understanding and practicing at least few of his noble preaching. We will be more close to Sai by following his preaching. Over a period we become much improved human beings. May be a few births we attain moksha this way. Please believe that Sai is speaking to all of you through me to convey these few lines to each of you for your lasting peace and spiritual prosperity.
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Prayer Club:

Sanjay
I request all Sai devotees to pray for me on my immigration hearing scheduled after 12 years. I have complete faith in my SAI.

Vimla
Sai you have always helped us in trouble. Today I really need your help. Who else can better guide me than you can? You know our present, our past and the future. Please help my great saint I am helpless without you. You know what phase I am going this movement I am so helpless I don't know what to do what step I take. Please help me. You know what is going in my mind. Whom I adore. About whom I am thinking what I want everything you know. U only created this situation in my life and you only have to solve it. Why you did so Sai to me. I had never asked for it I had asked for what you know I think. But what you gave me separation, which I never expected. Why with me. Why all pains separation in my life only. When you knew it is not possible why you send it. Now you only have to make me out from this situation and help me. Please save me. Please sai send him as soon as possible to me. Before the end of this week. Send him tomorrow. Tomorrow is your day. Please show miracle to me. You can do anything. Please help me. I have so many doubts in my mind. I want to clear it. I want to share my feelings what is going this movement with him. Please send him soon. God bless everyone.

A Sai devotee
Om Sri Sai Ram. My brother is undergoing treatment for Lung cancer. He underwent Surgery and chemotherapy last year and now is having radiotherapy for a recurrence. We are sincerely praying to Sainath for His Grace. We are reading Sai Sat charita daily. Kindly suggest if we can do anything more. We will be grateful for additional prayers from other devotees.

Sumathi
Oh Sai, We have been having a lot of domestic problems for the past one year. Kindly shower your grace on us and guide us through this difficult time.

A Sai devotee
Baba, I beg you and pray to you. Please help my husband to get his job and hold on to it. He has behavioral problems and has lost several jobs and I am in constant agony because of this. Pl. find him something suitable close to home and help him hold on to it. In spite of being well qualified, he cannot hold on to the job. Pl. Baba forgive my sins and end this suffering for me. You have blessed so many people, why not me? What did I do to suffer endlessly? Have mercy Baba.

Ananthasayanam P
Om Sri Sai Ram, Baba, I am facing financial problems for the last two days. Baba, I am praying your name every day. Baba I am always at your lotus feet. Baba, please solve my credit card problems, bank loan problems. Baba, I want to construct first floor in the new house, which I had constructed. Baba, please give your permission and help me to construct the house. Baba, please help me to solve my financial problems. Baba, my son is having exams from 10 September 04, Baba, please guide him to do the examinations and get him good marks. Om Sri Sai Ram
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Quotation of the Week:
"I give my devotees whatever they ask, until they ask for what I want to give" - Sai Baba
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Question of the Week:

Q. How does one develop the habit of chanting Baba's name, Sainam incessantly?

A by Sai devotee

To remember God's name all the time needs lot of sadhana. It is said that repeated thoughts become action, repeated actions form a habit, repeated habits form a character. Everything starts with the thought. Therefore, it is advisable for us to follow a discipline of praying and chanting God's name on a regular basis in our leisure time. However small it may be, it does not matter. Chanting with sincere heart matters. In Sai Satcharita, Sri Hemadpant, tells us that Sri Sai made him to finish the pothi, which he had left unfinished during that day. (ch.18). This shows the importance of discipline in life. We start ascending upwards with our efforts and it is sure that God's grace descends on us. Sri Sai is such a kind mother and looks after us once we surrender to him. Whether we remember him or not in times of crisis, he is there to help us. But, a smooth running flow of thought, (like chanting and remembering Sai), especially in times of crisis, saves us a lot of wastage of energy from our nervous system (due to unnecessary anxiety) that means more energy and more vitality in times of stress comes to us by remembering Sri Sai's name. Some times, our brain becomes blank in frightening situations. This should not deter us from our sadhana. The situation resembles a clogged fountain with abundance of water supply. All of us love Sai very much (abundance of water supply), but sometimes, our mind conditioning (clogged fountain) prevents us from chanting and remembering the name of Sai at the exact moment of crisis. The regular practice and prayer enables us to remember Sai all the time. Practice makes man perfect. Let us pray to Sri Sai to grant us the Shraddha and Saburi needed for the practice.
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Sai Activities:

Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 7am followed by Abhisek. Madhayana Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop arathi at 6pm and Shej Arathi at 9pm. Archana, Homams, Sahasranama and sponsored poojas continue in between the Arathis. To request a pooja for yourselves, your friends and family, please call. Devotees can request water (Abhishek Jal) from the Holy bathing of Baba by sending us an email or by phone. Temple is located 25 minutes drive west of Schaumburg on intersection of IL Route 47 and Plank Road in Hampshire, IL. For more information please call 847-931-4058 or send email to maildrop@saibaba.org.

Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, 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 Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center at 952-938-2983, and to read the monthly newsletter Sai Sandesh, visit www.hamaresai.org.
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