God takes birth now and then on our planet Earth in human form. Sambavame yuge yuge.. Mainly to restore Dharma, righteous living by Mankind, when there is deviation from the correct path of living. As Sri Sai Baba told, God created this planet by the Five Elements Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Sky, and these five elements are available for every living being and enough for all we need. We often forget that without Air which we breath, we die in a few minutes. and, Water and Earth which gives us food for our sustenance. Though Earth is a small planet in the Universe and gets Light from Sun, which is only one Star in millions of Such Stars among millions of Galaxies.

Two thirds of our Earth Planet is covered by Oceans. There is abundant Wealth under Seawaters (Diamonds. minerals, Crude oil etc.) But even 1/3rd of Earthen Surface has got abundant resources. We will be awe struck if we really contemplate on Sky. Not only what we can see with naked eye, but what we know with our limited Knowledge about the Universe. Man in his ignorance and greed, exploits nature and wants to grab for himself whatever is possible. That, he is doing to his best of Capacity in case of Earth and it's resources. Thank God, he is does NOT have a grip over Sky and Air.

Jagad Guru Sri Saibaba has (present sense is used since Baba is eternal) complete Knowledge and Control on FIVE ELEMENTS.. He has perfect mastery over these Five Elements and their Nature and Powers. We came to know about 200 years or so back, how to generate Electric Energy from Water. It was there earlier also. Jagad Gurus like Baba, as He himself said are Lakhs of years old. They know everything; there is nothing they do not know.

So, with above few things in Mind, let us pray to Him to give us Real Knowledge, the Absolute Truth. Baba is very kind and, He will answer our Prayer

(Contributed by TPSS Murthy)
Back to Menu

Contributed Article: Sri Sai Gurucharitra - Chapter III

All hail to Sri Ganesa! Ganesa! Thou art beyond the trigunas! Thou art also the embodiment of the trigunas! Thou art filling all the corners of this world! Thou art also beyond the confines of this world! Thou art the embodiment of existence-knowledge-bliss! Thou art the start of all activity! Thou art the creator of sound, and also the embodiment of sound! Oh able one! Thou art the one who talks and who makes us talk. Without thy kind grace if I try to say anything, I am struck dumb. Thou the embodiment of all auspiciousness! Thou art the creator of all auspiciousness! When I am in your lap what inauspicious can befall me? There is no need to even talk about the inauspicious.

Nanasaheb Chandorkar, devotee of Sri Sai Baba, came again to Shirdi, after a few days for the darsan of Baba. He prostrated in front of Baba and clasped his feet. He said, "Baba, please teach me what you promised to teach the last time I came here". Baba was pleased at Nana's eagerness to learn. He said "Pay careful heed to my words. The destruction of the entanglements caused by happiness and sorrow is liberation (mukti). Follow my teachings to reach that state of liberation. When you are afflicted by prarabdha you should be ever vigilant to inquire in to its nature by the right thought. One should not relax this vigilance at any cost. What ever happens to us in our natural state occurs as a result of prarabdha. What happens to us as a result of karma (action) is not happening by prarabdha. For example, some people commit theft. They are caught and punished. This punishment is a result of karma but not of prarabdha. One dies upon consuming poison. It is a result of karma. The servant may cheat his master of money and may become rich. This too is a result of karma. As the servant becomes rich, he may buy houses, carriages and horses and think that he is happy. But the resultant karma of cheating his master will follow him relentlessly.

This is called the sanchita karma which he has to under go in the next life. Rebirth is inevitable when sanchita karma is prevailing. The wise understand this and model their behaviour to avoid it. The foolish do not know and do not bother about it." "By the prarabdha he got the situation of a servant in this life. That has now become the cause for another birth. If we question as to what he has achieved in this life, he has only laid the seed or foundation for another life. How can we escape from this relentless march of births and deaths? Some achieve high posts and use their power to dominate others. Some roam the world teaching spiritual truths. Some become yogis. Some become merchants and set up shops. Some become teachers and teach children in schools. Teacher, shopkeeper, yogi, spiritual teacher and official - all these are holders of posts and stations in life. Can you tell me how they have all got these different posts? All this is the result of prarabdha. They are not due to karma."

Chandorkar was puzzled. He said, "Baba, you say that the person committed theft and becomes a thief. You say that it is due to karma. You again say that the rest in the result of prarabdha. I am at a loss to understand your meaning. Could you please elucidate further the distinction between these?"

Baba, the kindness incarnate, heard the question of his beloved Nana. Now hear with all your attention to how Baba answered him. Do not waste time. Baba said, "Narayana1! Rein in your mind from wandering and then question. Some commit theft and cleverly escape from justice. Some are adjudged guilty and imprisoned. Some escape altogether and roam about as if they were gentlemen of means. You let me know what is the result of karma in all this? It is all the result of prarabdha. Both have committed theft. One is caught and jailed, the other escapes. The prarabdha is beyond karma. The thief who escaped imprisonment has not got away scot-free. His karma will make him take the next birth. That is why I say that one should be vigilant to follow the canons of dharma when one is undergoing the effects of prarabdha. This means that one should cultivate the company of the good and spend time with them. One should avoid even the shadow of the bad, the wicked and the atheists in the society. Do not eat forbidden foods. Do not give room to arguments and rivalry. Always stick to the truth. God will be happy with you. If you give your word to any one; back it up. God is distanced from those who give their word and fail to back it up."

"Narayana, when sensual desire is beguiling you, you should indulge in it only with your wife. Do not see beautiful women and feel passion from them even in your mind. Do not be too desirous of even your own wife. Do not be over sensual. Those who are slaves to the frailty of the sensual do not achieve salvation. This frailty of sensual desire is very strong. It does not let our mind stay in peace. Of the six enemies to us, this is the strongest. So one should yoke a restraint called discrimination and wisdom to it and keep it under control. We should not become a slave to it. Those who conduct themselves thus are the wise of this world.

When one is experiencing the result of the prarabdha one should use the six enemies to salvation in moderation only. One should forever keep chanting the holy name of the almighty. One should not let one's mind wander towards sinful activities. One should be eager for salvation and emancipation from this cycle of birth and death. One should repent of sin, recanting from such life, turn the mind towards the spiritual, and try to make the almighty his own. One should not give place so pride. One should listen to the stories of the holy persons and saints. One should respect and take care of the wise with a pure heart. One should give due respect and take good care of one's parents. One should respect one's mother with the respect due a thousand holy places of pilgrimage and respect one's father as a god. Such people are deserving of respect by all. One should love one's brothers and sisters and treat all with impartiality. One should love one's wife but should not be under her control. Take her advice, regarding the running of the household as far as it is practical. Do not show any differentiation between your son and daughter-in-law. Do not enter their presence when they are alone. Do not engage in horseplay or joking with the children. Limit those activities to your friends. Do not show a spirit of equality with your servants. Do not engage in giving or obtaining dowry.

Do not marry your daughter to an old man seeing his money or his status. The son-in-law should be well suited to your daughter. This is the dharma pertaining to men. Those who know this and conduct their life accordingly will not be entangled in the worldly" "The woman should be modest and humble. She should not display her body immodestly. She should not talk to visitors alone when her family members are not present. Even if the visitor is her own brother - she should not talk to him alone. The position of the woman in the house is a matter of great delicacy.

As the goat is a food for the fox, so is the woman a food for the sinful. As we fence and protect the goat from harm, so should we fence the woman with restrictions and be ever vigilant in her protection and care. So oh Nana! Be very careful in dealing with women." "The women should teach the children good qualities. She should teach them morals and the right conduct by telling them stories and looks after them. The only right training for the children is one which keeps them virtuous. The woman should not dislike her mother-in-law or father-in-law or the other relatives in her husband's home. She should have a loving disposition towards the other wives of her husband, should he have any. She should a model of rectitude and of right conduct".

"I have now told you about the right conduct for the men and women. By following this, men and women will escape entanglement" (to be continued)

(Contributed by Source: "Sri Sai Gurucharithra" originally by Santkavi Sri Dasganu Maharaj. Translated from Telugu version by Sri SVL)
Back to Menu

Experiences of Devotees:

Sai devotee
Let me share my wonderful experience that happened only just because of Baba's immense mercy. Baba solved our family problem in his unique way simply. I do not know how to express effectively. My sister's marriage was a big problem in our family. No match is getting finalized. She dint even settle with a job. All our prayers are always aimed at her settlement. I used to pray to Baba always about her welfare. My first plea to Baba was always about her settlement in life. Both my spouse and myself always prayed for her. Three years back Baba (in the form of a very old man) once appeared in my husband's dream and in that he asked Baba as to when he will settle her marriage. He did not remember the date but he remembered the month that Baba told i.e. somewhere in August. He told all this to me and I was very happy that the old man is none other than our Baba. From then we always waited in the month of August every year that something would happen and she will get settled. But in vain. But my faith never turned low. I always felt that Baba's words never go false. Even a chapter in Sai Satcharitra has emphasis on this. So many things happened. Three years passed. But somewhere I always got reminded that Baba would definitely do something and help us. I tried many times to post in Prayer club requesting devotees to pray on behalf of my sister but it was not published all the times. Then I thought that Baba has something in his view and stopped posting articles and decided to post only after she gets married narrating the mercy of my Lord. One match came, which was almost settled, and everything was OK. But in that case also I dint ask Baba that he should settle this match. I just prayed " Baba you know what is best for us. If it is your will then this match will be finalized. Everything is your mercy". The match got finalized. I don't know what is going to happen.

Somehow from the very beginning my spouse didn't have good impression about the match after observing the way they are behaving. All of a sudden they said they don't want to go further and just disappeared without any contact or any intimation. We were totally shocked. Our family was in total despair. Did not know what to do. I collapsed on hearing the news. I wept before Baba about the matter. Then somewhere my inner voice told that Baba would never allow His devotee to perish in despair. I got reminded of the words from Sai Satcharitra " Baba never turns down his devotees. He knows better than anyone what is good for his devotees according to their eligibility. He will never let anything adverse to happen. Keep unflinching faith in him. Keep Shraddha and Saburi." These powerful words consoled me. From then I did not ask Baba about her marriage or anything. I simply prayed to Baba to just take care of us and totally surrendered to him and put the burden on him. My faith increased in that tough time. One day early in the morning a wonderful dream came in which I was in Baba's temple and glaring at Baba's Murthy silently. Suddenly the Moorthi turned into a vibrant, glowing live Baba with golden Mukut and he just started smiling at me. I just prostrated before Baba and again I asked when my sister's marriage would happen. Baba again smiled in his usual way. Then he started giving Prasad but I told him the worship of your feet is more than anything and I just held Baba's feet with reverence, shedding tears of joy on his feet". I woke up and I was in great joy. What a wonderful dream? How lucky am I. I touched Baba's feet in my dream. What else is required other than a place at His holy feet? I was in total ecstasy. I felt everything in this world is trivial other than Sadguru's mercy. I told my husband about the dream. I thought Baba has something in his mind. Just after 4 days one match has come.

They came and they got interested in our match and immediately the same day they expressed their willingness. Next to next day engagement was over and the marriage was celebrated very grandly within two weeks of time in August only as Baba told. We were very happy. The guy n his family is very good. See Baba's miracle. Even though we had very little time everything got arranged very well in time and the function was very successful. We dint expect that we can make such arrangements. It's all Baba's mercy. He rescued our family. Not only in this issue but Baba helped us always and he was always there with us in our toughest times lending his Abhayahastam. What we are today is Baba's Bhiksha. It is all Baba's mercy. I don't know how to express my gratitude except to worship him and pray sincerely. I request humbly everyone to keep faith in our merciful Lord Sai Ram and try to follow his principles in our daily lives. Rest Baba will take care of us. All glories to Sai Ram. All glories to the great devotees. Jai Sai Ram.
Back to Menu

Devotees say...

K.Ramaswamy
Shri Shirdi Saibaba Maha Samadhi day was celebrated on 22nd October 2004. Non stop chanting of Saibaba's Mantra "Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai" was performed for 24 hours from 9.30 a.m. on 21-10-2004 to 9.30 a.m. on 22-10-2004. Saibandhu R.Radhakrishnan (Sai Jeevi) of Hubli, Karnataka participated with his team saibandhu Guntur Ramakrishnan & party (16 members), Vijayawada saibandhu Bangaru Saheb & Party (16 members) in the non-stop chanting of Saibaba's Mantra. On 22nd October, 2004 after spl.abishekam and homam, Sri Sai Sahasranama archna was done by Saibandhu K.Ramaswamy. Many devotees from the nearby villages participated in the function and all were fed Lord Sainath Prasad. Saibandhu K.V.Ramani, Managing Trustee of the Shirdi Sai Trust presented mementos to all participants through the hands of Smt. &Sri R.Radhakrishnan. This Sai temple is on the fortieth Km from Chennai on the East Coast Road enroute to Mahabalipuram. All are welcome to visit this temple, which has three different postures of Lord Sainath Marble Murthi sculptured by Mr.Talim's grandson. Mr.Talim sculptured Lord Sainath Murti at Shirdi Samadhi Mandir, Shirdi
Back to Menu

Prayer Club:

Sai devotee
Shridi Baba , please help me. I am in a trouble, I don't have a job at the moment and I am looking for one.

Sriram
Bhagwan Sai! Please help me come out of the family crisis I am in now. I meditate upon you sincerely and I know this is a Test for me to prove my faith. You are a "Trikalajnani" and you know everything... You are omniscient and omnipresent, Baba! Give me the strength to withstand this test and re-unite me with my wife and son! I am reading the "Satcharitra" every day for comfort and solace. Om Sai Ram! Jai Sai Ram! Om Namo Sainathaaa Namah!

Sai Devotee
Well, by your grace everything has been taking shape well so far. Since I have resorted to you, I never had to ask what I wanted. You knew it and you granted it. You know I have something in my mind and I would like it to happen immediately. I do not know if it is a reasonable expectation, but it will re-juvenate me and give me the energy to sustain longer. The other things should also take shape in time. Please give us the clarity- we know you take complete control of the situation and we don't have to worry. Please bless us and the family- we surrender ourselves to your feet.

A devotee
Dear Sai, I have come in your feet to beg for your blessings, your forgiveness and your mercy. Please Sai forgive me for all the sins I have committed, for all the mistakes I have made. I hate myself for what I have done to my family. It really depresses me, I hate living with this fact, this fact makes me restless and I keep thinking about it all the time. I want to get out of it with your blessings. I don't mind being punished for it because I know I deserve it. Please Sai give me and my family the strength to overcome all the obstacles, troubles and pain that can come our way with a positive attitude towards life. Thank you Sai for everything that You have given us. I love You very much Sai. You are my father, my creator, my preserver and my destroyer.
Back to Menu

Quotation of the Week:
"One who means well will do well. If you do good, good will follow"-Sai Baba
Back to Menu

Question of the Week:

Q. What is "rinanubandha"?

A. by Ravin Gnanasambandam

Rinanubandha can probably be defined as the cosmic or karmic attachment or relationship between two individuals that transcends the time, as we know. It is often said that the unexplained indebtedness is the reason for the closeness between two individuals. It might seem although one chooses a companionship or situation, it is pre-ordained for certain purpose. Saibaba said that He knew some and had taken care of them for several generations. He said that God has handed over a certain number of lives to him and that he is answerable to God for those souls. When Nana Chandorkar was first not very excited about the prospects of meeting the Muslim fakir, Baba sought him repeatedly until finally Nana could not escape the loving bondage of Saibaba and spent rest of his life in the sweet company of Baba. Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj said, "One does not become a disciple by conversion, or by accident. There is usually an ancient link, maintained through many lives and flowering as love and trust". What does this inexplicable attachment means to a devotee of Saibaba? It is natural for us to think that we became Sai devotee due to such and such reasons and our faith in Baba has increased due to certain reasons. But, Baba said that no one comes to Him until he is destined to and its is Baba that chooses the ones; he emphatically said that he would draw his devotees to himself like a sparrow drawn by a thread tied to its feet. Hence, the moment a Sai devotee understands that the "rinanubandha" brought him or her close to Sainath, a sense of assurance and blissful gratitude should naturally follow. The assurance that Baba is aware of one's necessities and will do what is needful. On devotee's part, the blissful gratitude should only mean that Baba becomes a part of the life without whom the life is just mere living. When such a realization dawns on the devotee begins the special journey in Sadguru's hands.

A. by Venu Gopal

Rinanubandam is the relation, which is eternal; because of rinanubandam you are child to your parents, spouse to your spouse and parent to your child. We see that some people don't have children it means that they are not in rinam with any one. There is a saying that if we are rinam with others the we have to repay it either it is in our current life or in the next life. Sometimes we give amount to somebody with no reason that is what a rinanubandam, if a mother and father has four children out of them only one child will look after them, though the parents wishes to go to other child he won't look after them this is what a rinanubandham if that anubandham is there god will provide the way to maintain the relation.
Back to Menu

Sai Activities:

Diwali celebrations at Shirdi Sai Temple, Chicago Illinois
Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs invites you with friends and family to Diwali celebrations all day from 8am to 9pm on Thursday November 11th 2004. The program includes Kakad Arathi, Mahaabhishek, Vishnu Saharanama Alankar, Madhyana Arathi, Satcharita Parayan, Dhoop Arathi, Sri Sai Deva Paada Pooja, Sri Mahalaxmi pooja, Palkhi procession, Bhajans, Shej Arathi and individual or family sponsored poojas. Please call temple office at 847-931-4058 for sponsorship details or questions if any.

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 Minneapolis, St.Paul area 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.
Back to Menu

You may subscribe to receive the newsletter by e-mail.

Fill out your e-mail address and hit the subscribe button: