Baba..Sai Baba..Baba..Sai Baba....

At the young age of 16 a young man showed up in Shirdi
Showing his love and power to everybody
Nobody believed it thinkin he was crazy
Until they saw what was meant to be
Him telling everybody what to do
And what not to do
While keepin the evil away from people like you and me
So listen up and lets believe that there is the one and only

Baba..Sai Baba..Baba...Sai Baba....

And lets not forget who we all represent
The man who will be there no matter where u be
It all doesn't matter to him coz he wants us to be
The followers that we are meant to be
Going for peace and avoiding insanity

Man, there are so many ways to tell this to you
No matter what you think is true
Coz it all comes down to whether Baba is in you
Once he is in you money, business and all trouble will mean nothing to you
Love, grace, and bliss will hit you
Then you will come to realize what is all true

So pray to baba
and see what is inside of you
no matter what you do
the man will be there for you
So c'mon lets all get together and do the prayer

Baba..Sai Baba..Baba...Sai Baba....
And lets not forget who we all represent
about the man who will be there no matter where you be
it all doesn't matter to him coz he wants us to be
the followers that we are meant to be
going for Baba and avoiding insanity

There will be many times in life when u will feel like you out of it
but get down on your knees avoid it
Baba stories ain't fiction
Once you come to realize that life is all nonfiction
where everything is possible for people like you and me
to reach the glory of the one and only

And don't forget...the power of his feet are unbelievable
so sacred that we gotta place 'em in our hearts and pray
until we come to realize that everything is all for Sai
the one and only who will bring all the glory that we can ever seek

So lets all get together and do the prayer
and stay together all for grace of our one and only father...Sai Baba

Baba..Sai Baba..Baba...Sai Baba....

(Contributed by Dhiraj Manchiraju, age 15, California, USA)
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Contributed Article: Sri Sai Gurucharitra - Chapter V(continued from last week)

The Maharaj who was a mountain of merit heard the lambadi patiently. He said, "You are a fool. You do not know about this cow's udders. This cow has kept her udders secret from you for these many years. Give me that vessel. I will myself milk this cow." That mahatma put his hand on the back of the cow. The moment the mahatma's hand touched her back, the milk started spouting thickly from the udders of the cow. The cow, which did not give any milk for 15 years, gave three liters of milk! That milk was rich, thick and sweet. The Maharaj held the hand of the fakir boy and said, "Drink this milk. Do not stay any where in these parts. Go west wards along the southern shores of Godavari, far away from this area."

He removed the bandage around his head and wrapped it around the head of the boy. He said, "This piece of cloth which I have given you is your entire fortune. The three litres of milk which I have given you are Karma, Bhakti (devotion) and Jnana (discriminate knowledge). I have written holy mantras in that milk. Drink the three liters of milk. You will get true wisdom." The fakir boy knelt at the feet of the Maharaj and drank the milk. As he finished drinking the milk; he saw the entire world filled with Brahman. This is the grace of Guru. The Maharaj clasped the boy to his heart. He said, "My boy, you were Kabir in your previous life. Now you have assumed this body in this life. In your past life you had given away your wife wholeheartedly to the bania. That is why you had stayed a continent bachelor and gained merit. Do not see the world and god as different from each other. Keep your mind always on the almighty. You will always be immersed in bliss. I am Ramananda. I was your Guru in our past lives in Kasi. I have not taken sanyas in this life only for your sake. In your past life as Kabir you used to write poetry. Maintain silence in this life or talk very briefly. Stay in one place and lead all those who surrender fully to you to salvation.

I will now go to Selu and enter samadhi. My work in this life is now finished." He looked at the people who were nearby. He said, "Why are you hiding your faces in shame from me?" they ran to his feet and prostrated. "Maharaj, please forgive us. Please give life back to our companion who had thrown the brick at you. Or it will be a black mark against your fame." They prayed to him most earnestly. The Maharaj replied, "I have no powers left with me. Beg this boy if you wish your companion to live." They immediately went to the boy and prayed to him, "Baba, you are the full moon of knowledge. Please do not delay any longer. Please make this dead man live again." The orphan heard their request but he did not know what to do. He looked in askance in the direction of his guru, the Maharaj with a feeling of pious devotion. The Maharaj inclined his head in assent and made a sign to give life back to the corpse. He declared, "As far as the people are concerned, from now on you are my child, my representative." The fakir boy took some dust from the feet of his Guru, the Maharaj and applied it to the forehead of the corpse. Immediately life rushed back in to the dead body and he sat up. They were all very happy and took the Guru and disciple in a procession to Selu. The next day was the Ekadasi day of the Margasira month. The Maharaj ordered all his disciples to near him and said, "Today I am going to Vaikuntha, the abode of Sri Hari. A fig tree will come up in the place of my funeral pyre. If you dig at its foot to a depth of five feet you will find a gray colored statue of the four shouldered lord Venkateswara. Consecrate the idol there itself and build a temple. Look upon that temple as my samadhi. Do not build another samadhi for me." He told each of his devotees their duties and responsibilities and after his bath did the worship of sandhya. He formally read the Bhagavadgita. He asked every one to repeat the holy name of Narayana. He kept looking at the fakir boy.

He took off the cloth covering him, threw it to the boy, and made a sign of leave taking. He immediately said loudly,

Jaya Jaya Narayana Sri Hari!
He Venkatesa! Putanari!
Pahimam! Pahimam! Murari.

He said this three times loudly and left his mortal coil. Every thing happened as forecast by the Maharaj. The disciples of Maharaj followed his instructions. They constructed the temple and consecrated the statue of lord Venkateswara with all the due ceremonies. The construction of the temple and the consecration ceremonies were conducted with great pomp. That temple has become very famous as a temple of great power.

The fakir boy wore the cloth presented to him by the guru as a kufni and left the area. It is my firm belief that the boy is none other than Sri Sai Baba. Presently, the fifth generation of Gopalrao Desmukh's family are at Selu. His name is Srinivasarao. The people of Selu visit Maharaj's samadhi every Friday with devotion and perform an utsav there. I salute the fakir boy blessed by Gopalrao Maharaj with devotion and faith. I prostrate in front of that excellent saint. Those who cannot go to Tirupati to may go to Selu to have the darsan of that great god, the granter of all boons, lord Venkateswara. May they obtain all weal from that munificent lord.

Dasganu prays to the almighty to grant salvation to all devotees who read this 'Bhakti Saaramrit'. This book is offered to Hari and Hara. May the almighty bless all.

Here ends the 26th chapter of 'Bhakti Saaramrit' written by Dasganu Maharaj!

Notes and references

It is the custom to call Mahatmas and Sadhus as Maharaj in Northern India. This is the first fictional story, which tells us of Sri Sai Baba's birth and antecedents. There is no authentic proof to the facts narrated in this. Dasaganu Maharaj himself revealed this subsequently. In the 31st chapter of "Bhakta Leelamrit" he says, "No one knows his antecedents or his previous history. What can I tell you of these details when I too am as ignorant as the others? If anyone asked Baba this question, he would answer, "As the rain falls when the clouds in the sky peal with thunder, I too have fallen on this earth. I have no name or place. I am without any attributes. I have assumed this body due to the inevitable karma, which does its work, immutable and unalterable. I am known everywhere as a body. The whole world is my abode. Brahman is my father- the impenetrable Maya is my mother. It is by their conjoining that I have assumed this body which you see with your eyes." Later Sri Dasganu had, under the urging of the muse, for the needs of singing his ballads more effectively has, in 1925; or 7 years after Baba's mahasamadhi written this Selu story in 'Bhakti Saaramrit'. This chapter has not been read as a pothi in the presence of Sri Sai Baba in the Masjid. (Source: "Sri Sai Gurucharithra" by Santkavi Sri Dasganu Maharaj.)

(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:

Surendra
I have asthma from childhood. Now I am 25 years old. Often I used inhalers to avoid asthma. I prayed to Baba that I will not be able to bear such health problems, for that along with my friends I visited Shirdi on October 26th. After taking blessings of Baba at Shirdi I came back to my home and from that day itself my health is in good condition. I have no need to take any medicines for asthma. Whenever I remember this miracle of Baba I have tears in my eyes. Sadhguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai!!!

Srinivasa
I received a call from my cousin to get ready for going to Tirupati and they all got reservation for darshan on 19th of November, and asked me to get token for darshan on 19th. When I went to TTD service center they said that there are no darshan until 23rd November, I am very much worried and thought to cancel the trip .My cousin said to come, when starting to Tirupati I prayed to Saibaba that at least to provide me one darshan but by Sai Baba's grace I got three times darshan of lord Venkateswara within one hour per darshan and I am very much satisfied with the darshan. I will not forget this experience lifetime. Om Sai Jaya Jaya Sai.
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Devotees say...

Nithin
I have been reading the Sai Vichaar regularly now and also the prayer club section. What I have noticed is that by reading other people's problems we come to know that our problems are nothing as compared to others. Please Sai, please take care of the Tsunami victims. One of the prayers by S.Kapur, really touched my heart. Eventhough the one she loved was engaged to someone else, she was praying for him and his future partner for happiness. This is a mark of a true Sai devotee. Hey Sai, please bless everyone and give them courage to face this difficult world. Om Shree Sainathay Namah.

Shobha
Shobha,Om Sai Ram, thanks for whatever you have done till date and I want you to be with me and my family throughout our life. As you know Baba the groom is in India and my family was expecting a call from them but did not receive any till 3rd January and everyone was very depressed and upset. I prayed to you Sai Baba that if I receive a call from them I will write my experience in Sai Newsletter. On 4th January I happen to speak to him and he said that his mother will call our home to inform about their trip to Bangalore. The same evening she calls and informs that they are not able to get tickets and might come to our house on 9th January. Baba please they should get their tickets and come to my house on 9th January. The groom and his family members should like me a lot and I should be engaged to the same groom on the same day and the wedding day should also be fixed. They should not have any demand. Please all the Sai devotees pray for me that this groom should marry me and we should lead a happy and peaceful life. Thanks in advance.

Rema
I have full faith in Baba. Whenever I pray to Baba, I get what I want. That is for sure. I try to follow Baba's teachings in my life. Last 2 years we have been having many experiences in my day-to-day life. My family also believes strongly that Baba takes care of our lives. I am grateful to him for teaching me how to be good to others and how important it is to do seva in our life. Although I learned many things from Sai Satcharitha I am sure I have to read again and again to learn many other important duties, which we have to do in this life. Baba please bless me to read the book again so that I will be blessed. I want my daughters also to get the blessings from Baba by reading the book. Please bless them to read the book .my prayer is, Baba please is with my husband at his job and let him be in good health for many years and also guide my children through the right path and take care of them. Jai Sai ram

Dhiraj Manchiraju, California, USA
My sole purpose of writing this rap song (Feature of the week) is to reach the youth and the youth in heart so they can get to know Baba in their own terms. In order to reach the youth I expressed Baba in a modern way where they can see that Baba can be reached in many ways. Also, I thank all the people of the Sai organization for giving me the opportunity to express my love for Baba and for publicizing the message of Baba to all.
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Prayer Club:

Suresh
Baba koti koti pranam, Sometimes I became worry by facing many types of problems. Some of them are very difficult to face and solve. That problem comes and vanishes it is solved .I have experienced many situation even very critical problems. We pray you, you are our Lord Shiva, and You are our Lord Krishna. You hear our prayer. You are protector of this universe. You protect us. My father suffering from larynx Cancer. He had gone treatment in 2003.He is having a happy life due to your blessings. Now he is having problem of this disease. He is under treatment in AIIMS, New Delhi. Please bless him and our family so that my father and mother along with other members should have better life. You can give us life. Please Baba forgive us if any mistakes we may have done in our knowledge or without our knowledge. You please save us. I have great expectations that all of my family member should visit your holy shrine at Shirdi. When will we keep foot on the holy soil of Shirdi, I do not know? You can call us and help us so that we can see your holy lotus feet at Shirdi. Baba save us always. Without your blessings we cannot live. We will live with help of your blessings.

Chitra
Please pray for my new business to florish. My brothers should get married and settle in their life. My mother is suffering from parkinsons disease and should be out of it. Baba please bless our home, business and brothers.

Sheela
Om Sai Ram. Baba bless me. Not to say that I have too much of problems but only to You I can talk to. Baba please help my brothers because they face a lot of problems, to achive in their life. Hope Baba can solve their problem. Main problem is money and job. Bless us with good life.

Praveen
Om Sai Ram, Baba, Please forgive our sins. You know very well our problem. Please help us to conceive. Bring some happiness in this New Year and bless us. Please help us.

Sai devotee
You are our only resort and You have been with us all along. Do not let me down now- a marriage in the family is the last thing we could have dreamt off and now by Your grace it is happening. I do not want anybody to be burdened and with all the faith in You, I have committed myself. I know You will support me till the very end, but now things are not looking promising and it is worrying me a lot. I surrender everything to You- please be with me and help me pass through this successfully.

Jyoti
Shri Sai Baba I believe that who so ever prays in front of you he or she is blessed with what he or she wished for, so I do want to pray that I am married for about 2 years but didn't blessed with a baby as yet, I got a miscarriage last year, after that I didn't conceive. Baba please blesses me with a child.Baba I am in need of your blessings desperately. Please forgive me for my sins and bless me with a baby.

M V Rajan
Om Sri Sairam. I get the pleasure of speaking through this forum, as if speaking to my Lord Sri Sadguru Sai Baba. I am His devotee since 1991. Have seen many solutions to problems through his Blessings. My second child was born on with bilateral cataracts. Two surgeries were done to her at very young age of 45 and 75 days old. For five and half years she was under medical advise of a famous hospital in Chennai. Every time, the doctor would say she was fine, and with IOL fixed in her eyes, she could see normally. However, in the last check up (when she was 5 and half years old) the same hospital sent a shock to us saying that the optic nerves of the child were very pale and that she would turn blind slowly. Naturally, as any parents in such condition, we turned to religious methods - pranic healing, visiting temples, offering pujas, etc. Thanks to Sai, my child still has her vision, though very minimal. I would request all devotees to pray for my child's recovery of full vision. She is now 14 years old. The medical complications have also led her to spasticity and probably due to excessive administration of anesthesia, her brain is also damaged. Still, she is quite independent and intelligent all due to HIM.

Madhusoodan
This is a prayer to you O Mother Sai. There has been a lot of devastation and panic because of the developments after the Tsunami has hit. O Mother nothing is more powerful than you. I put my head at you humble feet and pray to you to take mercy on your children. Please calm the earth and the ocean o mother. Let there be no more loss of life or damage because of the fury of Mother Nature. Take care of us and protect us. Those who have gone because of this event there is nothing that can be done. Please see to it that those who are left are not affected. There is news that the Tsunami might strike again. Please protect us and see to it that nothing happens and the fury of nature is controlled.

Lakshmi
Some time ago I had asked for prayers for my nephew to pass his merchant navy exam in Australia. He did so by our Lord's grace and I also posted this experience on the website. Now I want your prayers for the next step. My nephew has approached a few shipping companies but nothing concrete has materialised for his break in a ship. Its true that Baba Who made him pass will also help him get a good job. Even then, if all would pray for this to happen soon for my nephew, it would be good. My humble prayers to my Baba to make this happen soon!
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Quotation of the Week:
"True repentance entails constant regret of your sins. Without remorse, good deeds, be they abounding, could be eclipsed by pride that follows piety. Remorse for a sin is superior to good works. Never forget your transgressions to save yourself from conceit" -As Islamic proverb
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Question of the Week:

Q. Should one believe in astrological predictions?
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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.

Events for this month: Monthly Pooja( 2nd Sunday of every month) on Sunday January 9th, Makar Sankranti and Pongal festival on Saturday January 15th and Samuhika Satyanarayan Pooja on Poornima(Tuesday), January 25th.

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.
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