A beautiful Garuda was flying high up in the skies. Two birds sitting on the ground watched the Garuda soar into the sky and float majestically at an incredible height. The younger bird felt waves of despair rise in its heart and said, "What is the use of flying? We should fly like the Garuda. If we cannot, it is better to burn away our wings. I am not going to fly at all hereafter". The older bird replied: "This is not the right attitude. We also have wings and we can fly. We should not yield to despair. There is beauty in doing what we can". Saying so, the older bird flew away. The younger one had not got over its dejection. Then a hunter came along and easily caught it. Similarly, A saint (Garuda) is ever soaring into the Divine and floating in the transcendental regions of Divine Bliss. Not all people can do that. But everyone has been endowed by God with some good qualities and some talents. Wisdom lies in utilizing them as much as you can Otherwise, you are likely to fall a prey to Tamas (hunter) and sink lower in the ocean of Samsara.

A farmer knows that if seeds are bad, his efforts become fruitless and so good seeds must be sown for getting a rich harvest. So, Sow the seeds called Name of God in the well-prepared field of the heart; feed it with the manure of Faith; have Discipline as the fence to keep out stray cattle. Prayer must come from the depths of feeling because Lord looks for bhaava (sincerity of feeling) but not baahya (outward pomp). The bhava (feeling) on God can make the heart bloom in joy. Control over sense organs can be attained by singing the names of the Lord devoutly and fervently.

There are differences of innate characteristics, impulses, attitudes, prejudices, excellences and character tendencies, which mark out man from man. One should not compete with others regarding earthly statuses, superiorities and inferiorities but should compete with others in the quickness with which you march on to God. You are like beggars living in a house of gold. You are not aware of the precious metal that surrounds you. Discover it and you are saved! This is called Praaptha-praapthi (attaining the already existing).

Our ancient scriptures are called A-pourusheya (not ascribable to any particular author). Our elders "saw" Sanathana Dharma and Vedhas in their moments of ecstatic intuition. So, Vedhas have to be practiced as they provide the knowledge necessary to liberate oneself from bondage and blindness i.e., Brahmajnana. The path of bhoga (Worldly happiness) is full of ignorance, hatred, greed, wickedness and competition. So follow the path laid down by our elders who trained themselves to be impartial and detached. Sugarcane should not be equated with any cane! Only those who do not know the taste of sugar will do so. Similarly, those who know the value of 'Path of Realization' will never compare with any 'path of worldly happiness'. Care more for Sarveshwara Chintha (thought of All pervading Lord) but not Sareera Chintha (thought of the care and upkeep of the perishable body). You praise your ancient seers (sages saints) but discard their heritage; revere the texts they collected but disregard their teachings; expound their doctrines and discoveries but decline to practice them.

Dhanavathwam (Evil Nature) is caused by Thamas and Manavathwam (human nature) is stabilized by Rajas. But, Sathwaguna fertilizes the upward tendencies of man, cleanses the mind, removes the weeds of evil and guarantees the elevation into divinity. The very pursuit of the goal will evoke the sathwa guna (quality of serenity) and weaken the hold of the inferior Rajas and Thamas (qualities of passion and inertia) in your composition. Good Conduct has to be the main key to life of men. Nothing can be more powerful on earth than character. A person is as good as dead if he is not following the path of virtue. It is easy to - Conquer anger through Love; Attachment through Reasoning; Falsehood through Truth; Bad thoughts through Good; Greed through Charity.

Sadhakas are like patients suffering from anxiety, fear, despair, cowardice, greed, envy and the consequent weakness of mind and body. The Shasthras are like doctors that can confer peace, courage, confidence, contentment and friendliness on him unless he would take the first step of obeying their dictate (God). Because the first lesson they teach is the Immanence of God i.e., God is in the heart of every being. There is no other support than God in times of dire need. The highest goal of man is To know Him; To cling to Him and To merge in his immeasurable splendor.

Bargaining and calculating are useless in the spiritual field. You will lose all once you ask for proportionate rewards from the Lord. God cares more for the motive behind the deed and ideal (bhava) that prompts the effort but not the baahya (outer pomp).

(Contributed by Sai devotee Sathyanarayana)
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Contributed Article: Sri Sai Gurucharitra - Chapter V(continued from last week)

Those days, the jagirdars were rapacious men of no morals. They were despotic bandits. They usually had many wives and concubines and using money for their many pleasures used to live with no regard for god. Their houses were more like shops with only the talk of money day in and day out. Even when sunk in the morass of debt, they were blind with pride and sin and used to behave as they willed. Gopalrao was unlike these people. He was the personification of all the good qualities and humility was his only ornament. He used to have a kindly disposition towards all and would look upon all with an equal eye.

Once, an event of great importance occurred in his life at Selu. I will tell you what it is. One day, Gopalrao walking about the turrets of his fort. A woman of the farmer class, aged about 25, came on some work and sat a little distance away from him. It is not necessary for me to describe the beauties of her body to you. It was evening. Dusk was falling. The cattle were returning from the forest to their biers after having had their fill of grass. Gopalrao, who was seated in the turret of the fort, started drinking in the beauty of the woman with his eyes. As Siva was once infatuated with a bhil (tribal) woman so was Gopalrao infatuated by the beauties of the woman displayed in the soft lights of the dusk. Immediately he realized his mistake in looking at someone else's woman with his eyes filled with desire. "Oh cupid! How cruel is your shaft! Who knows when you will take us unaware?" cried he in anguish. He rushed to the room where he did his daily worship.

He sat before his god, the lord Venkateswara and taking two needles in his hand pierced his eyes with them, destroying his sight. "Oh manifested form of the universe! Oh invincible one! Oh Brahman! Oh Raghava Rama! Oh, succor of devotees! Oh Venkatesa! Oh, the one as dark colored as the rain bearing cloud! How sinful are these eyes of mine! Oh, Consort of Kamala! I am falling in to sin and maya by the deceit of these eyes. Oh Deva! Could one steeped in sin ever realize you? I had no alternative but to destroy these eyes which were leading me astray. Oh my mother! Oh Vittala! You are the directing force of all my organs from now on. Oh, consort of Rukmini! You are the lord of my mind. We are all puppets in you hand. Oh embodiment of mercy! My sensory organs, intellect and mind are always in your service. How can he, who is enmeshed in this impermanent, evanescent worldly life ever, reach you- who is the embodiment of the truth? This great boon of human birth has been granted to us to realize you, not to sink in the morass of sensual enjoyment. You, who have given us this life granting us a chance to reach you, have shown great kindness towards us all. But, I have wasted this opportunity given by you. Oh Panduranga! Will I never get a human birth again?" He started weeping piteously at his fall from grace.

The news that Gopalrao had blinded himself spread throughout the village. All the villagers rushed to see him. Some said, "Maharaj, why have you done such a deed? Why have you pierced your eyes? This world has now become a very dark place to you now. The world and its sights and beauties which we enjoy so much have become non-existent for you." They started weeping seeing his condition. His wife and son came to know of the blinding and came running beating their breasts in anguish.

They cried, "What is this tragedy? Why did you get the volition to do this awful thing to yourself?" Gopalrao replied, "Look at the way the people conduct themselves. They are leaving aside the truth and accepting the lie. These dastardly deceitful eyes of mine were trying to destroy me. That is why I have punished them thus." Some said, "This desmukh has gone mad. Is it dispassion to pierce one's eyes?" In this manner, each expressed his own opinion.

While this was so, god in his infinite kindness granted enough sight to Gopalrao that he could read the spiritual texts and the mantras when he sat for his daily puja. God also granted him the strength to read these books day and night. He became famous as a saint and his fame spread far and wide. People started coming from far off places for his darsan. As Pandaripur, as Paithan, Selu too became famous because of Gopalrao.

One day a woman came for his darsan to Selu. She prostrated in front of him and clasping her hands prayed, "Oh able one! I am blind since birth. There is none who protects me. I will deem it a great boon if you can grant me the sight even in one eye. Even if this world is present for the fortunate - to me it is as if it is absent; because I do not have even one eye to see this beautiful earth. They say that of all the organs the eye is the foremost. But that unkind almighty has seen fit to leave me sightless. All the sastras say that the mahatmas are greater than the almighty. That is why I have come to you for succour. Please take pity on me Oh saint. Present me with the boon of sight. I will not leave your feet till you grant me what I seek." The Maharaj heard her patiently. He said, "I will give you the boon of sight if you will tell me what you will do when you get your sight back."

That woman joined her palms in respect and said, "I will be able to lead a better family life. My husband is neglecting me now as I am blind." The Maharaj laughed with wonder, "How interested are the men and women in the life of a householder." He obtained some chilli powder from a servant who was grinding chillies in the courtyard and applied the chilli powder with his own hands to the eyes of the blind woman. She could see immediately! Wonder of wonders! How can one see if the eyes are rubbed with chilli powder? How powerful are these mahatmas? It is certain that the mahatmas are the very forms of god in this age of Kali. In this way, Gopalrao used to cure many diseases. I cannot describe them all. The eight siddhis were Gopalrao's servants. However, he never cared for them and would always be meditating on that Murari who was existence- knowledge- bliss incarnate and who was always in the heart of Gopalrao. As Janaka the father of Sita resided at Videha so did Gopalrao reside at Selu.

(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:

Suchithra Muppavarapu
OM SAIRAM. I thank Baba for giving me an opportunity for sharing my experiences of Baba with all of you. I experienced many miracles of Baba for the last 10 years. I would like to share this experience with you all. I graduated last year and looking for a job. I am not a dynamic person and I am not so confident about getting a job as I think I can't do anything. I graduated by the grace of Baba. I never ever thought I would do masters in my life and I got admission for my masters by Baba's grace and graduated without any hassles. I owe everything to Baba. I am so depressed with my job hunt and so tensed. I thought I would come to Shirdi and do pradakshanas if I get a job. And by Baba's grace, I got a job. My husband is looking for a better job and I told Baba that I would write my experience in Sai Vichaar if he gets a job he wanted and he got job. So I am sharing my experiences with you all. I hope Baba blesses everyone and create faith in everyone. Although we cannot see baba he is always with us, listening to us, helping us every time we honestly prays to our dear Baba.

Padmavathi Venkatesappa
I am a devotee of Lord Sai from past 6 years. I immigrated to Canada 2 years ago with my husband and two children. Landed in a big city of Canada we were doing good initial days but after some time problems started in our job places which of those almost immigrants facing. We decided to move to another city for better positions and life. My Husband decided to go airport by bus because of financial problems hence our luggage is more as usual around 8to 9 big suitcase it won't fit for one taxi, we need to hire big vehicle for high rent. I was feeling very afraid how can we four of us carry from the bus stop to inside airport. I am the person who prays Lord Sai in my each and every breath. So the moment came we came down stairs in front of our apartment in the front door a middle age person was standing said hi to my husband and asked him are you going to air port even I am going to air port with some stuff you can put your luggage in my van it was a big van have enough space for luggage my husband asked how much money? He told what ever you want to give that's it. It was happened with in one or two minutes. I was so excited started crying while get into the van. I cannot believe this because in this country the person who doesn't know us before offering a big help that to in kind of situations thanked Sai with full heart Oh Sai my god you always with us. Then I asked my husband how did you know that person he told may be only once or twice I have seen him in this compound I never spoke to him. Like this some more other experiences, I like to share with Sai devotees in future. Thank Sai giving me a opportunity to share my thoughts.
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Devotees say...

Pranati Shukla
Baba, please help my friend who has been told that she will lose her job on 7 January. She is an extremely hard workingwoman and I think it is very unfair that she is losing her job due to change in circumstances. Baba, please help her and let her stay in the same group she is now. She is invaluable to the group but her managers and supervisors do not realize that yet as they are new. Please let some miracle happen that she will be asked to stay on as a permanent employee at the current job. Please take care of her Baba and let her stay in the current position. Let the new managers change their mind about her and offer her a permanent position. Om Sri Sainath Maharaj ki Jai.

A Sai devotee
My humble and noble Pranams to Baba Sai. I have been an ardent devotee for a very long time (ever since I first visited Shirdi in 1987), and regular reader of Sai Vichaar. When I see fellow devotees posting in Prayer club for Sai community to Pray to the Almighty, I would close my eyes and truly pray, so ones wishes are fulfilled as requested by the individual and I am sure Shirdi Sai would answer and remove obstacles with a cool smile. Now is my turn to ask you to pray for me, as I lost my job a Month ago, still no sign of getting any opportunities. I think, Satchidaanda Sai would grant me my wish, if we all humbly pray to him in Unison.

Rathi
My Dear Sai I am so thankful to you. You have also heard my prayers, please help my "life" with all her problems. Send her back to me safe and sound without any problems. Bless us with your blessing and always be with us. I love you Sai. Guide us in all respects and forgive us we have done some mistakes.

Gupta
OM SAI RAM. I am married since last 5 years now. After my marriage me and my family came to know that my wife and her parents lied about her education even though they knew that my family is well educated. She never respected my parents, treated them badly, and always used to give false information to me. I wanted a divorce but as all laws are in favor of girl, we could not take the step. Many times our parents organized meetings for her to change her behavior but all was in vain. Due to all this tension, my father got ill and died. I expected some change in my wife but her behavior towards my mother has worsened but I keep telling my mom to be quiet and calm. Due to all these tensions, I did not plan for a baby and now when after forgetting everything about past I planed for a child, then she cannot conceive. I took her to doctor for treatment but now there are more complications and we came to know she has a disease called leucoderma. This disease can be transferred to child also and I thought of adopting a child but she is against it. I have got fed up of all this but I believe in sai baba and I hope he will help me definitely in getting the divorce peacefully from her. I want sai baba to help me and no complications should occur in getting the divorce. I want her to go away from my life peacefully and be happy in her future life to whomever she gets married and so that my life also improves. Sai baba please help my family and me and show us good and peaceful path for a good and healthy prosperous life.'OM SAI RAM'
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Prayer Club:

Sai Devotee
Baba, I do not know how to say this. I suspect my husband is doing dirty things and I cannot ask him about it. Please help him Baba, cure him of his dirty habits. He does not believe in nay god. Please draw him close to you. Let him start with belief in some god. I am afraid that my kids will also learn his habits. Please Baba let him stop what he is doing, concentrate on being a good father, and teach my kids good things. Please Baba I cannot talk to anyone about this. Please Baba you know what he is doing. I am so worried about this that I am scared to leave my kids with him Please Baba do something. Om Sainath Maharaj ki Jai.

Indera Somanathan
Koti pranam to Sai's feet. Sai rama you know that my husband is suffering from heart's blood vessel block and doctors are saying that by-pass surgery is necessary. But they are not giving guarantee about the operation. Please sairama cure my husband's heart disease without operation. Saibaba I am in a confused state that whether I can go for this operation or not. Please help us to take a decision. Please save my husband. Sai devotees please pray for my husband.

Devotee
Sai Baba, I recently lost my Job and had to resort to now working with peeple who are difficult to work with. Please bless me to get a better job, settle down and buy my own property. I have full faith and devotion in Your pranam.

Prem
Namasthe, please pray for me, I am suffering from financial problem and family problem. Because of finance problem my family is also not happy with me, please Baba I am your child and great devotee of yours. Please Baba sort my problem. I request all devotees to do mass pray for me. Thanking you in advance.

Srinivasa
Sathguru Sai please help my husband to get rid of his bad habits and turn his mind to family side.Om sai sri sai sathguru sai sachidananda sai there is no other happiness than chanting your namas. Sai plese help me in getting back my money from the house owner, and please help me to purchase new house or flat. I will not forget your micracle at Tirupati for having three times of darsanams ina peak period.
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Quotation of the Week:
He protects all with same love as a tortoise has for her young one. The fee for such protection is one-pointed devotion and singular surrender. With him there is place for all - the man of sorrows, the seeker of knowledge, he who seeks personal ends and the man of vision.-Swami Sai Sharananand in the book, "Shri Sai Baba"
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Question of the Week:

Q. How is Sadguru dependent on his bhaktas?

A. by Ravin, Minnesota, USA

Man, over ages, has used every thing in his intellect to explain the greatness of Sadguru. But, every eloquent eulogy offered to Sadguru comes short of truth. It is the experience that depicts Sadguru in his entirety to the self. Nothing is more truthful in the terms we understand, than the experience is. In general terms one may lay out the way Sadguru comes in need. However, the personal encounter with Sadguru establishes the unique transaction between Sadguru and the bhaktha. Rarely any common ground fit all the bill. One size doesn't fit all. Thus, it is probably not appropriate to question anyone's experience but the experienced has to question his or her own truthfulness. While it comes easy to say that Sadguru is all powerful and there is nothing that He is want of, a little observation on one's part will reveal that this feeling is not completely true for the most. Feigning innocence that one is helpless can be self-assuring in the path of Sadguru but it is not complete truth. On the contrary, it may prove to be a little logic of convenience that one must be aware of and should question. The dry intellect should give way to the innate human emotion of love, both the help and the helplessness of love, and these emotions will bring one close to Sadguru.

Baba said, "Listen to my words carefully, You will be benefited; "I know you for several generations"; "I can give anything to anyone but they have to qualify to receive it"; "I give my devotees whatever they ask, until they ask for what I want to give"; "If all the flowers (on the tree) brought fruit, what a splendid crop it would be. But, do they?" "God has entrusted some lives to me and I am answerable to God for them".

Now, is Sadguru dependent on his bhaktha? If one understands the personal relationship with their Sadguru, the answer becomes clearer. Baba is dependent on his bhaktha perhaps as much as a mother on the cooperation of her suckling infant is!
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Sai Activities:

Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm(Winter hours). Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 8am 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.

Datta Jayanthi celebrations on Dec. 26th
Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and suburbs invites you join in Datta jayanthi celebrations on Dece. 26th from 8:00 am with Maha Abhishek followed by Samuhika Satyanarayana Pooja. For more information please visit www.saibaba.org and follow the link "Shirdi Sai Temple Chicago" or call 847-931-4058.

Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Twin Cities, Minnesota - New Years' Day
New Years Day at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center, Minneapolis. Activities include Sai Aarathis, Parayana, Sainaama Jap, Sai Abhisheka Pooja, Bhajans and Kirtans and Telesatsang. The Prayer Center is located at 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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