Bhakti means love of God or devotion to God. In other words, it is the love for the universal creator (or) God. A bhakta loves God more than anything does. The bhakti can be expressed in various personal ways. All of us have our own ways of expressing devotion to God. The creator and creation are one and the same .All is in God. God is in all. (As God is one without a second). According to Vedas, everything verily is Brahman. Therefore, if one loves the creator (God), it is implied that one has to love the creation also. All of us are created with the innate tendency of love. Every one in the world loves something or the other. Animals have sensual or instinctive love. Being evolved than animals, humans have intellectual love in addition to the above said love. The highest form of love that transcends the above said ones are the divine love- love for the divine or God.

As children we love our parents and gave them top one ranking in our loved ones list. Slowly, as we become youth and get married; the spouse starts to share the position with our parents in our love list. Later, the children, friends, and so on so forth grow the list. That clearly shows all of us have boundless love in our heart. In all these places, our love can remain constant throughout our life, if we start seeing the creator (God) in all the people we meet. The divine love is the only love that can remain Evergreen. Suppose, if one forgets the creator (God) and look at only the creation as the means and end for one's love, then one is in big problem! In many situations in life, one may feel like being victimized by others in love (or) the other way round. It leads to the feelings of sorrow, resentment, and bitterness with life

A true Bhakta sees God everywhere. Bhakti means Love for God and compassion for others. Who are those others! The others can be any one in whom one is not able to appreciate the creator (although he is present inside every one). In all those others, one is being carried away by the petty superficial differences. The differences may be in the appearance, attitude, behavior etc. The phrase, "Unconditional love", sounds more like a cliché in those times.

The situation needs help, as one gets confused. This is the point where the presence or guidance of the teacher should be sought. As the Guru starts his appearance in our lives, slowly one will start to realize the real meaning of Bhakti. He starts applying the collyrium of knowledge to the eyes of the disciple. (Even though the disciple is unaware of Guru's help). Guru is the dispeller of our doubts. The change comes gradually but definitely, it starts to sharpen our thinking skills in a better and improved way. In the beginning, we love God, and others apart from God. Later, we love God and others, but God above others. Finally, we love only God, as we came to know that everything is part of God only and we are part of the same God. Nothing exists apart from him. He alone exists. The time for the dawn of final realization may vary from fraction of a second to many life times. However, we know the lives of many spiritual stalwarts as standing examples for this living. There is an adage, "winners never quit, and quitters never win". To accomplish any thing, we need faith, patience, courage, and hard work. There is a Sanskrit saying, " Yatha drishti, and tatha srishti". As is the vision, so is the creation. Let us think I have ten rupees. I added ninety rupees to it. It became 100 rupees. What happened to the ten rupees? I did not lose it. It was sublimed in the higher. In the same way, if we start loving our fellow beings with the idea of Isvara bhava, we do not lose anything. In fact, it leads us to the highest level of Isvara bhakti. We love the God utmost in Bhakti. No one denies that .At the same time whoever comes to us we treat them with due respect as God is present in every one .It helps us to progress more rapidly in our spiritual journey.
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Contributed Article: Sri Sai Gurucharitra - Chapter VII(continued from last week)

The many incidents, which happened after this, have been described in "Bhakta Leelamrit" in 31st, 32nd and the 33rd chapters. So I am not repeating them here. I will tell you of some of the incidents, which happened later in a concise form, because the history of Sri Sai Baba is, like the vast ocean. I am unable to see its far shore. Can an insect such as I cross the vast mountain of Sai Charitra?

Now hear the experience of Haribhu Dixit. The delusion in your hearts will be destroyed by listening to this story.

This Haribhau is a Brahmin of the nagara branch. He is a highly educated man and is well versed in English. As the bee makes the lotus its shelter, he had made the lotus feet of Sri Sai Baba his shelter and stayed on in Shirdi. By the grace of Sai Baba, his personality under went a radical change. His earlier combativeness and hardheartedness gave way to a soft and placid temperament.

One morning Haribhau was sitting in his room and meditating. Suddenly his heart filled with a vast happiness and his eyes closed by themselves. That incomparably beautiful, blue colored, Sri Hari, adorned with a basil leaf garland gave him his divine darsan, with his arms on his waist standing on a brick in the form of Panduranga Vittala. He was wearing the auspicious yellow dress. His head was adorned by the peacock feather and his body was smeared with the fragrant sandal. His darsan was at once beautiful and majestic.

As he got this divine vision, Haribhau was immersed in surprise and happiness. He thought, "It is due to the kind grace of Sri Sai Baba that I could have the great good fortune of this divine vision. Even though I had no qualification or right for a darsan of the almighty, Baba in his kindness has given me this darsan. What is there left to the desired in this life than such a divine experience? "He at once went to the Masjid for the darsan of Baba.

As Baba saw him he said, "Well Kaka? Has your desire been fulfilled today? Did you see Vittoba Patil? He is a Patil (officer) of the mahatmas. The Vedas themselves were unable to describe that one who saves the world." Kaka joined his hands in supplication and said, "Baba! Your divine play cannot be described. Who else but you can know their meaning? Only the mother knows what her children need and what is good or bad for them. When you, our mother, is with us why should we worry about our weal? We are your children. What more can I say than this? It is enough to have rock like faith in your feet. I pray to you to present me with such a faith. The darsan of Panduranga Vittala is your leela. Is it proper to see the puppet show and forget the puppeteer? There is no better puppeteer or magician then you. Even that almighty is but a puppet in your hands. Even he has to work as per your dictates. You are the form of this universe. You are a mother to me. The only thing that this child asks its mother is to let me see your form, wherever my eye falls." Baba replied, "That too will come to pass in its time, Kaka. Do not be in a hurry. Have a little patience."

Haribhau Dixit was an even more ardent devotee of Sri Sai Baba then Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He had turned his eye inwards and had done a lot of sadhana. He believed that the divine vision he got was a result of the devotion he had for his guru. Why will he, towards whom the guru is well pleased, not get the vision of the almighty? Does one not get sugar cane juice to drink in a sugar cane field ready for harvest? When one has the Ganga will one face a shortage of drinking water? When one has good quality saffron in one's hand is there a lack of fragrance?

There was one Gujarati Brahmin called Megha. He was a wise man. He used to diligently chant the Gayatri mantra regularly. He was well built. His hair was matted and long. Day and night, he would chant "Siva, Hara Hara." He was a bachelor who diligently performed all the religious activities daily. He had come to Shirdi with Hari Vinayak Sathe.

Megha used to get up before dawn and have a cold water bath. He would apply ash to his body and apply the horizontal marks of the devotees of Siva to his forehead with sandal paste. He would sit on a deer skin to meditate. His body used to have an otherworldly shine by the dint of his devotional exercises and he looked like a latter day Jalandhara. He would go for the darsan of Sri Sai Baba three times a day to the Masjid. He saw Siva in Baba. To him it seemed that it was Siva himself who was ensconced in royal court at the Masjid. So he would chant the panchakshari, 'Om Namah Sivayah' while keeping his head Baba's feet. He would worship the holy feet of Baba with Bilwa leaves said to be a favorite of Siva. He would also go 5 miles to the distant Godavari River everyday and bring the water from there to perform the abhishek (ritual bathing) of Baba. If any one questioned him; he would say, "Who do you think Baba is? He is that Siva himself. He has to be bathed only with the water of Godavari. Ordinary water will not do." Sri Sai Baba was pleased by the devotion of Megha. He presented him with a Siva ling (the symbol of Siva) for his regular daily worship. This is the concise story of Megha. The able Sai Maharaj showers his grace on his devotees in the same form that they worship him. I have told you this story to illustrate this. (To be continued)

(Contributed by Source: "Sri Sai Gurucharithra" originally by Santkavi Sri Dasganu Maharaj. Translated from Telugu version by Sri SVL with an Introductory Preface by Sri Sainathuni Sarathbabuji)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Jai Upadhyaya
I would like to share my experience of the great Shri Sainath. I believe that Sai Baba is with me all the time and no matter what I do he will always be with me and guide me on the right path. Once I had a wish that I really wanted to read the Sai Satcharitra and I looked for it in all the shops in London but I couldn't find it anywhere so I went on the internet and started to read. I then said to my self that I wish I had the book as it was hard on the internet. I then left the house and went to the laundry and was sitting there waiting for the clothes to dry. There I saw a women reading the Sai Satcharita and I asked her where she got it from and she replied to that here this is yours take it. This is the way I got my Sai Satcharitra. Baba has also always helped my family members and whenever I have a problem Baba helps me and my family through.

Lakshmi
Dear Sai friends, Glory and Praise be to Our Lord Sai! I had written more than a month ago in the Prayer Club column asking for Our Lord's Grace and all your prayers for my nephew to join a merchant naval ship soon. He had passed his exams in Australia by Our Sai's Grace and also because of your prayers. He was in India for the last 3-4 months trying to get a job in one of the shipping companies. I then wrote asking for prayers for him to get a good job in a good ship. This was published around 2 weeks ago. By Our Sai's Grace, he has secured a job in a good ship all without taking any help from anyone. His parents are very happy for him and we all for them and my nephew. It is indeed a miracle. Now I pray that Our Lord should always keep him safe, healthy and happy and he should work well and earn a good name. He should also get along well with everyone and should have good friends. Thanks be to Our Lord Sai and also for all your prayers. Our Sai's mercy is boundless and His ways are remarkable!
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Devotees say...

Lakshmi Lavanya
My son in law Srinivas had a tumor in the brain and underwent surgery two years back after which he became perfect by your grace. Since a few months, he had been ill and the brain tumor was found to recur. Therefore, he underwent surgery a second time during January 2005 after which complications developed. He lost speech and is unable to walk. He is in bed and feeding on liquids sent through tube inserted through nostril and almost in coma. He is in ICU in a hospital. He is only forty years old and has two small children 8 and 5 years old. He was unemployed when he got ill. So, a job cannot be expected for his wife in his place. All are very much worried and depressed. Kindly Baba! Help him recover speedily to perfection. Only with your blessings, he can be cured. Please shower thy blessings. I appeal to all the members of the club to extend their prayers to Baba.

Pamela
Sai, I have been your devotee for several years. I have one wish that can be fulfilled only with your blessings. I wanted to construct a Sai Baba temple in Northern Virginia. I always thought that I would do what ever I can to help build the temple. But I got involved in some financial mess, which helped me open my eyes and get closer to You. Whatever I went through last year, I don't know why and the only person who knows what the truth is You. So help me Baba to look at things in a proper way and help me construct the temple. This has been my wish for so many years. Please fulfill my wish Baba. Thank you Sai for keeping our family together in spite of lot of hardships that we went through last year. Please help me not to loose my faith and patience because I know without your permission nothing can happen. Thank you Sai.

Thirumalini
I am a final year PhD student and in the process of finishing my dissertation to graduate in May. In addition, I was blessed with a little baby girl last September. I am trying hard to manage my time with schoolwork and taking care of my child. My husband and me were separated since we got married due to unavoidable circumstances. My family is in US and Canada, and due to my family member's wishes, I could not got to London, UK to join my husband. We were really trying hard to bring him to US. After so long time we got the approval for H1B visa. At that time, I was on top of the world that we are going to be together and he joined me when I was 5 months pregnant. Since that time we are trying hard to get a job and now our baby, is 5 months and still we could not find. We both are really getting frustrated due to so many difficulties, mainly financial. I really do not know what we can do now, because my visa is expired and his working visa is going to expire in another month. If we have to go back to London it will be completely new process, Baba please show me a way.
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Prayer Club:

Jayanthi
Dear Sai, I am not the near perfect devotee of yours, but I believe in you and your miracles. I seek your blessings for our dear friends in Utah. Help uncle get a good job, a permanent one and remove them from the predicament they are in now. Guide them towards you, heal uncle's heart, and fill aunt's heart with love once again. We want that our child should become healthy and breathe freely. He should grow up to be strong and healthy Baba please you are my only hope please cure me of my thyroid problem permanently. My husband too should get his problems sorted out his health his family issues and work related issues that need your blessings. I thank you for all the things you have given the things and us you have always guided us.

Subramanyam, K
Dear Sainatha, our entire family believes you and your guidance. My parents, especially my mother is going a lot of mental torture. Please give your helping hand with mercy to my parents to come out of the old age problem. Please bless them a peaceful life ahead with good health. Your blessing alone will be medicines for all of us. Please take of us forgiving all our sins and mistakes.

Neelima
Sai Baba, you know that I like him for the past 4 years and this would not have been possible without your grace. We are truly in love with each other and wish to get married. Both of us are your devotees. My parents are not willing to agree to get me married to him, because we are not of the same caste. I love my parents and also love him. Please shower your grace and help me in this regard.

Venkat
Baba, you have given every thing in my professional life and helped me in difficult times, as you know I am having personal problems since last three years and my family is worried a lot about me. Please help me in getting out of these problems. I keep faith in you as always. Please bless me.

A. Gossai
Jai Sai Satguru Maharaj, please Baba, you do know I am your child and believes in You a lot. Please help me to solve all my problems, You know what I am going through, and nothing is working out for me and my sister. Please help me Baba and always keep at Your lotus feet. Jai Sai Rama.

Shweta
Om Sai baba, thanks Baba for giving me my status in job. I am really thankful to You what You have given me in life and please always be with us. We are palnning for second baby so please help me in that because with Your kirpa I had my baby girl. I remembered how hard that time was but You made everthing easy. Now bless me for a healthy baby boy as we are now trying for a boy so we have a complete family.

Sai devotee
Om Sai, my mind is always restless, never at peace, as a result I have not been able to concentrate on what career to choose and how to proceed with my life. This is causing so much frustration that it has started affecting my family life as well. Please Sai, give me unswerving faith in your feet and give peace to my fickle mind. Help me choose a good career and give me the strength to pursue it as well. O' Sai, please eliminate all kinds of negative thoughts from my mind and help me concentrate on positive side of life. Bless me and my entire family.

Archana
I want to thank you Baba for giving me a very good job in MNC which I never even dreamt of. I visited Shirdi before and after I got the job. Thanks Baba. Baba, but I feel very depressed that I am not getting groom for marriage. My parents are also so much depressed about it. I understand that the time has to come, but I am getting very depressed. Baba please help me.

Vidya Ravi
I have felt the guiding presence of Baba several times in my life. I have been going through some health problems, and I am praying that Baba will heal me of my sinus infections and throat infections, and heal my body, mind and spirit. I am also seeking his grace that I may get an opportunity to visit Shirdi this time I go to India.
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Quotation of the Week:
"Wealth and prosperity are transient and the body is subject to decay and death. Knowing this, do your duty, leaving all attachment to the things of this world and next. He who does this and surrenders himself to the Feet of Hari (Lord) will get free from all troubles and attain bliss"-Sai Baba
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Question of the Week:

Q. What is the essence of Anandrao's vision regarding Kakasaheb's doubts about Bhakthi?
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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.

Upcoming Events: Maha Shivrathri on Tuesday March 8th, Monthly pooja (second Sunday of every month) on Sunday March 13th and Samuhika Satyanarayan Pooja on Poornima (Friday), March 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.

Florida Sai Mandir, Inverness, FL
Sai devotees are invited for the inauguration of Shirdi Sai temple in Inverness, Florida, USA. The program starts from March 25th till March 27th, 2005. For more information please call 352-860-2181 or send an email to shirdi@gowebco.com

Shirdi Sai Satsang, Canada
Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada invites all to join us for Satsang every Thursday 6:30PM at 147 Winston Castle Dr. Markham Ont. L6C 2N4. For details on other Activities and Services please call Shammi Chopra at 416-402-8089 or email us saileela99@yahoo.com
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