When one reads Sai Satcharita one finds Sri Sai teachings as basic and advanced to help various kinds of proclivities in the minds of the devotees. Sai urges his devotees to lead a life of contentment and dharma. At the same time Sai adds to do our best and God will take care of the rest. This teaching mainly focused on the values of life is the basic foundation in spiritual life. For the people who are practicing the values and morals and for whom dharmic way of life has become a sahaj or natural sthiti, Sai advised them on self-knowledge. For these people Sai or Brahman is the only reality or essence of life.

It is not the idea that Sai divided the devotees into categories. A mother knows what is best for each child in her family. In the similar way Sai Ma advised the devotees depending on their Vasanas (proclivities of mind). Sai makes all his devotees to climb the ladder of spiritual sadhana at their own pace. There is no competition or comparison, as a matter of fact; He discouraged those ideas of comparison etc in his devotees.

Sri Sai advised his devotees not to create divisions in God. There are different kinds of sweets available; the constant thing in all these sweets is Sugar. Similarly the reality (Sugar) is only one but it is worshipped in different ways (different sweets) .For example, Imagine lot of people doing mountain trekking. Every one starts climbing the mountain depending on the guidance and advises of their guide. There is no hard and fast rule that everyone has to start from the same point. Practically it is not possible. At the same time one should be aware that the goal of reaching the top of the mountain is same for everyone. There is no need to feel anxious or jealous about the other mountain trekker. It is indeed waste of time and dangerous too. If one does not take care of their own trekking there is the danger of fall and one may get hurt too. But the question is why every one insists that their method is the best! It is because of ignorance of the total truth or limiting oneself to the part of the truth. This creates a feeling of my truth (ego) is the best or real. This creates the conflict between the people. There is nothing wrong in claiming that my deity or my God is the best God. But the problem comes when one claims that it is THE only best and all other Gods are not the best. It is all right to love our children and to take care of them, but at the same time we have no right to hate our neighbor's children. In fact we are supposed to love all the children. Even if one cannot climb those lofty heights of loving every one, it does not mean one has to fall down into ditch of hating others. Flowers may be different but worship is the same.

Sri Sai advised his devotees to live a life following the Dharma. Truth or Dharma is defined as the one that binds all the living beings harmoniously together.

Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti (The single truth is told by the Wise scholars in different ways.)
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Contributed Article: A Sai Miracle!

Baba had declared in His manifest form that after He attained Samadhi, His tomb would bless and speak to the needs of His devotees. Like millions of His ardent devotees, over the last 89 years, I too have been experiencing His divine miracles in my day to-day activities. "All that You did while in the body, still continues even after merging with the unmanifest and those who worship You, have the same experience even today." Chapter 48, Verse 24, Sri Sai Satcharitra. There were several occasions in the recent past, when I yearned for His beneficence and I have received it reverentially. Having been caught in a bizarre debt-trap to the tune of Rupees 3.5 million, I have become a bete noir among my family members. In extreme frustration, I went to consult a self-publicized spiritualist, residing on the third floor of a flat in South Delhi. While musing on the sequence of misfortunes that had befallen me, I noticed the window by which I was sitting was open and there was no movement of wind. I impulsively decided to end my life by jumping through the window. All of a sudden, a mysterious gust blew the window shut, which left me non-pulsed for a moment. I then remembered the story of one disillusioned Gopal Narayan Ambedkar of Pune who, while staying with his family in Shirdi for two months, had contemplated to commit suicide by jumping into a well near the bullock cart in which he was sitting. Just then Baba hastily intervened through Sagun Meru Naik and that momentous event changed the complexion of Ambedkar's life.

Three months ago, after desperately searching for a job in Delhi, I thought, I was fortunate to have been engaged by a Delhi based hardware and software products manufacturing company to market their products and services for the first time in South India. So I reached Hyderabad all agog to introduce and promote them there. A few days later, I was dismayed to realize that it was very tough to make a foray into a fiercely competitive market, particularly where the company was yet to have a facility to render technical support to its prospective clients. Ironically, the small sum of money that I had on me, ran out soon and my survival had indeed become very difficult. I had no money even to buy food, leave alone pay my outstanding hotel bill. In utter despair, I pleaded with the Director of the company to help me urgently with some money. But he mercilessly berated me on the plea that since I had failed to sell his company's products, I was not eligible to receive any payment from him.

In Hyderabad, I did not know anybody, who could help me immediately with food and accommodation; yet my resolute faith in Baba did not diminish at all. The transition had propelled me into an uncanny situation. I fervently prayed to Baba and beseeched Him to provide me with succor. Shortly thereafter, He invisibly directed me to the hotel owner who was apparently moved by my pathetic plight and lent me Rs.500/- for my survival. On the following day, Baba mysteriously guided me to respond to the advertisements in the Deccan Chronicle of Hyderabad that sought applications from candidates for immediate employment. Surprisingly, I was called for an interview by a domestic engineering company, whose HRD Manager not only selected me for the job, whose requirements suited my career profile, despite my advanced age, but also graciously rescued me from the impending disaster by advancing Rs.7,500/- to settle the hotel bill and relocate my residence to a paying guest house, not very far from my place of work. What could be more amazing than these divine interventions of Baba? I am confident, my abiding faith in Him will, in due course of time, bail me out of my monumental monetary debt as well. "He on whose lips, Sri Sai's name is present all the time, and in whose heart dwells a deep love for Sri Sai, and the Karma that he performs is only for Sai, such a one Sai is greatly indebted." Chapter 49, Verse 24, Sri Sai Satcharitra.

(Contributed by Srinivasan Raju)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Divya
Dear Sai devotees, I would like to share with all the recent experience Baba gave my mother. My mother reads Baba's Satcharitra regularly. She had a dream last week that she was visiting Baba's temple in Injambakkam, Chennai and she was frantically searching for 8 Rupees in her purse to offer to Baba as dakshina. She has never been to this Baba temple before. We usually visit the temple in Mylapore. She remembered the dream when she woke up and then decided to visit the temple as soon as possible. This weekend my parents visited Baba's beautiful temple at Injambakkam and my mother saw that the temple she saw was exactly the same as the one she saw in her dream. She offered 8 Rupees as dakshina to Baba what she wanted to do in her dream in addition to her usual offering. I am thankful to Baba for this wonderful experience. I pray to our God Baba that His kind grace and blessings be always on His devotees and that we are always at His feet. Baba please be with everybody, help them, protect them and guide them from all dangers. Om Sairam.

Rajkesh
Two years ago, my very beloved nephew, then 7, had come here to attend a wedding. On the day of wedding he had to leave very early. When I tried to wake him up he was having a high fever. I immediately gave him some Udi to swallow and spread a bit on his forehead all along praying to Sai. The fever subsided and came almost close to normal in the next five minutes. That is our Sai.
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Devotees say...

Dhiraj
I am writing this experience as promised to Baba. A few days before, I was very tensed and disturbed because of certain problems in my life. I was in depression. At that time Baba helped me through 'Shri Sai Satcharitra'. When I started to read Shri Sai Satcharitha on first day of 'parayanam', I felt relaxed. When I completed Shri Sai Satcharitra on seventh day, I was very happy and my mental stress fled away. This is possible only because of Baba's grace. I want to say that anyone who will read Shri Sai Satcharitra will be blessed by Shri Saibaba and his problems whatever it may be will come to an end surely. But you have to read this with 'Shraddha' & 'Saburi'. Thank You Sai Baba.

Kumbheswaran
Our precious daughter was blessed by Baba. After she was born, I advised my friend, who was also desperate for a baby for six long years. We ordered the Satcharita book online from www.saibaba.org and sent the same directly to him, asked him to read the same and pray to Baba. He started Satcharita Parayan and within 3 months they got confirmed of the good news and recently they have become proud parents of a wonderful and cute baby boy. Thanks Baba for helping my friend. We feel so happy that someone followed Baba and got their prayers answered.

Rathnakumari
I am very thankful for you, Baba. Now I am six months pregnant. I am very happy to say this. I would like to share this happiness with Baba. I am very thankful for Him, for the blessings showered on me until now in my life. And I request Baba to take care of my Dad's health and request Him to get a good proposal to my sister.

Vandana
I wish to know if there is Saibaba's temple in Edmonton, Canada. If there is one, I would like the address.

Sai devotee
Before receiving the Sai Vichaar mail, I was so much mentally disturbed and was loosing my confidence and will-power and I was payring to Baba that in spite of doing good to all my family members, why I am always being blammed and be responsible to all disturbances in the family. After reading this mail, I have become more confident and sure that Baba is still there and is always listening prayers of His devotees and taking care of His children.

Farah
Thank you Sainath for curing my daughter from her fever and flu. I was very worried about her health but your Udi did wonders once again. By your grace, my husband has quit smoking and become more loving and responsible. Thank you Sainath for showing him the right path. Time and again You have proved that You are indeed with us in difficult times and for that I bow my head to You. Om Sai Ram, please continue to envelope us in Your blanket of love and bless my family always. My sister is due any day now; please help her have a safe and normal delivery and keep the baby healthy.
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Prayer Club:

Darshan
Sai, You know the pain I am going through. Please help me. The pain is making me angry towards my kids too. They are innocent. Please help me relive my pain and help me get a good job.

Pankaj
Please help us Baba, I know whatever happens would be for my best. Please give me strength to go through it.

Sai devotee
Jai Sai Ram. Baba please help me in sorting problems with my husband. Baba make a good relation of my husband with my family. He always misunderstands them. He should respect them so he should be respected by them. Baba please help me to solve this problem. Baba please help my husband to differentiate between good and bad. Baba make him Your devotee so I could come to your bhajans. Please Baba do something when my parents come to me they should not think anything bad for my husband. Baba problem of money between my brother and my husband should solve nicely. I would do 10000 times jaap of Jai Sai Ram and I will write my letter to Sai Vichaar. Baba my husband does not take care of his health. He doesn't listen to me. Please make him understand. Baba shower Your blessings to my family. Baba koti koti pranam.

Nilanjan
Sai's blessings have helped to pass my CA(Entrance) exams. I am preparing for the next levels of CA exams and I need all blessings of Sai Nath. Sai I believe in You and I am sure that You will help in passing the coming exams. I will work very hard through day and night to pass with good marks. Please help my sister so that she can get married to a good person with all Your blessings.

Praveena
Koti pranams to you Sai! You've always supported us in tough times and now there is another one. Please help us tide through the same and let this option take shape. We submit ourselves to Your feet. Sairam.

Saravanan
Dear Baba, I am really in a big mess at work and I am bound. I am being tormented for no reason of mine. Please help me to solve this problem and come out successfully of this situation as I used to be before by Your blessings and help. I want to start my own business but its not happening. Please Baba help me .Please shower some light on Your poor child who is in distress. Please teach the bad people around me a lesson. Help me Baba. I have big faith in You.

Sai devotee
Koti Pranams Sainath. Dewa, please help us get a good driver. Our previous driver was very good and he was also Your devotee. Since he got a job in a company he had to leave us, since then we especially my husband is having problem travelling in rickshaw cause of his health. Sainath you know everything, with Your blessings a good driver should approach us. Sainath thank you for giving us a good darshan when we along with my three month old grandson came to Shirdi. Sainath we hold on to Your lotus feet. Om Sai Baba.

A devotee
Baba, my son will be getting his A level examination next week. I am praying to You Sainath that he will be able to go to our local University. If he does not qualify, he is planning to go overseas for studies which I dont like the idea as he is my only son I would feel very lonely. I want him to be with us Baba, please help. He seems to be less confident but I did tell him that Baba is there to help him and not to worry so much and wait till his results are out. Please help Baba.

Ajay
Sai Baba, I pray for my family, for the betterment of all. I don't know where I am going and on what path I am going. Sai please guide us for the right path. We know that You are feeding all of us and taking care of all of us. Sai please come to us and guide us for the right direction.
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Quotation of the Week:

"Baba is the master of making the impossible possible, the unattainable attainable".-Sri Sarathbabuji
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Question of the Week:

Q. Why did Saibaba scold a person who changed his religion into another one?

by Ramaa Prasad

One day Bade baba converted a Hindu youth to Islam and presented him proudly before Sai Baba. Sai Baba slapped the youth on his face and said, "You fool! Are you not ashamed of changing your father?"
Parmaguru Sai Baba always exhorted His disciples and every one to adhere to one's own religion or 'swadharma'. He clearly said that all religions are equal, leading to one God. He always used to say, "Sab ka malik ek hei", meaning that every one's God is one and only one. If that is so, why did he admonish the youth who changed his religion? Sai Baba Himself clarified this issue long back in Dwapara Yuga in His Sri Kishna Avataar. Lord Krishna said in Gita,

"Shreyaan swadharmo vigunaha, paradharmaat swanushtitaat,
Swadharme nidhanam shreyaha, para dharmo bhayaavaha" (Bhagawadgita, III.35)
In other words, Lord Krishna exhorted that one should adhere to 'swadharma' despite its deficiencies, instead of 'para dharma' that is practiced well and could be apparently more appealing. It is better to die practicing 'swadharma' as 'paradharma' would render one apprehensive and as such is full of pit-falls.

Dharma is the means to elevate mankind to the level of feeling the presence of God. Different religions have evolved among peoples living under different sets of socio-geographic situations depending upon the socio-cultural factors prevailing in different geographical regions and spiritual needs of the diverse populations. Despite the apparent differences among the religions, all of them have the same goal, i.e., paving the spiritual path to experience the Ultimate Reality or Brahman or Allah. Hence there is absolutely no need for religious conversions. Let every one practice his/her own religion in which he/she would feel more at home and let there be harmony and understanding among different religions. Then, where is he need for religious conversions?

Sai devotee raised a question in Sai Vichaar issue of Feb 1, 2007, if Baba allowed marriages among people pertaining to different faiths. I have not seen that Sai Baba prohibited any one marrying a person outside his/her faith. I understand that main cause of marriage is love, which cannot be restricted by religious boundaries. However, persons of different faiths coming together in wedlock should freely practice their respective faiths or 'dharma' even during their married lives in the same way as the did prior to their marriage.

Paramaguru Sai Baba belongs to all religions, without affiliating Himself to any one religion. Nevertheless, Sai Baba never encouraged any religious conversions, which is in accordance with the theme given by Lord Krishna in Bhagavad-Gita. Baba always advocates harmony among the peoples of different religions. He is the bedrock of the entire universal spiritual ethos. He is striving for the spiritual evolution of all seekers irrespective of their religious affiliations. He is the beacon light to the current day world ridden with religious strife and prejudice.

Q. Why did Saibaba scold a person who changed his religion into another one?

A. by Pratyusha M

All religions are equal and every religion teaches the same. Which ever religion you follow, the ultimate goal is to realize that God is all pervasive and to become detached from worldly materials. Saibaba always respected all his devotees and their religious beliefs equally. He obliged to both flag procession by Hindus as well as sandal procession by Muslims on Ramnavami. Baba disliked if anyone changed his religion into another because when one has understood that God is almighty and all pervasive, he wouldn't think that another religion is greater or lesser to his religion.
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Sai Activities:

Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 8:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m (Winter hours). Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 8 a.m. followed by Abhisek. Madhayana Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop Arathi at 6 p.m. and Shej Arathi at 9 p.m. 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.

Shri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saibaba activities in Minneapolis were conducted at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer center since the year 2002. Now, with the grace and blessings of Baba and the support of devotees, a new Saibaba Mandir has begun to function at 1835 Polk St NE, Minneapolis from July 11th 2006. Please visit www.hamaresai.org for all details.

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of DFW Metroplex is located at 2109 West Parker (Parker Plaza), Suite 212, Plano, TX 75023. For temple hours and activities please call the temple office at 469-467-3388 or visit the website www.shirdisaidallas.org.

Shirdi Sai Center in Bay Area, CA
Shirdi Sai Center is located 897-B East Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. For more information please call 408-705-7904 or 408-564-6704 or send email to saibandhu@yahoo.com. You can also visit our website is www.Shirdisaiparivaar.org.

Shirdi Saibaba temple, Los Angeles, CA
Devotees in Los Angeles area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Los Angeles area. The temple is located at - 144 South 4th Street, Montebello, CA 90640. For more information please call Krishna Samantula at 949-679-9938 or visit www.shirdisaila.org.
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