Thursday, Mar 07, 2013
Quote:
“The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence and if they add patience to these, their spiritual goal will not be distant”-Shri Sai Satcharita
Announcements:
Saibaba.Org announces the start of Initiative to help those helplessly suffering all alone. Read more in the article below. If you can help, plese contact us.
Upcoming Events:
Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on Pradosham, Trayodasi Tithi on Saturday March 9th.
Mark your calendars for a day of prayer and service to Shri Sai.
Share your story and picture with other devotees by clicking here.
Devotees Say:
Sunanda
Thank you very much for newsletters. By Baba's wish, we are able to see Baba and the thoughts around him again
Suresh
Leave this chanting and singing and Diyas and Aartis! Come out of your prayers and Bhajans and leave aside those flowers and incense! Whom do you worship in this temple? Open your eyes and see your Sai is not before you! He is there where the farmer is farming the hard ground and where the workers are breaking stones. He is with them in sun and in rain, and his garment is covered with dust. Put off your holy mask; and even like him come down on the dusty soil! What harm is there if your clothes become tattered and stained? Meet him and stand by him in toil and sweat. What do you desire all your life? Money, fame, health, security, children, long happy life? His Darshan? Where will you get his Darshan? You will not even recognize him - when he visits you in the form of a common man - and later you will regret that he was the Sai. Remember, our Sai himself has joyfully taken upon him duty of caring us; he is bound with us all forever. You will see him inside your heart and outside among the ordinary people.
Devotees Experience:
Karnad
I was suffering with severe pain along my shoulder blade and it was limiting my mobility. I woke up with this pain on a Saturday morning and I was expecting it to go away by next day, but it was not getting any better. I applied ointments and took medicine for pain relief and nothing worked. I was wanting a massage and I did not have anyone to do that either. On Monday, I was cleaning my bag and found Baba's prasad and that afternoon after praying to Baba to cure me, I took the prasad and the next day it started getting better and today is Thursday and I am back to normal. Baba is always there by our side. Thank you Sai for helping me and curing my pain. Your prasad was my medicine.
Dharani
Baba! Thanks for everything. The faith in Baba grew with my age. I requested him that my older one shouldn't get myopia like me, and by His divine grace, her eyes are healthy. I requested Him that my younger one's myopia should stop getting worse, and He again listened to my prayers. Such is His grace! I do not have words to describe His kindness. Best of all, He saved my husband from falling into the hands of death. We were going on a vacation to Araku Valley, in Andhra Pradesh, and while getting on to the train; my husband fell between the platform and the train itself. By His divine grace, someone saw this and pulled the chain, which made the train stop. They pulled him out, who came in one piece. We took him to the local hospital, and they suggested surgery as he had a fracture in his pelvis. We were scared and took him to Hyderabad, and by His miracle, the doctors said there was no need to do any surgery. He had to rest in bed for 6 weeks, after which we came back to US. We were worried about what the doctors would say in the US. Again we depended on Him and went to the orthopedic surgeon, who said there was nothing to be done as he was already recovering. By Baba's grace, now he is all right and even goes hiking. We are ever thankful to Him.
Sarika
Close to the end of my student days in USA, I got a new job in a different city. So, I needed a car to travel and live alone in a new place and also work night and weekend shifts. The bank would issue a loan only if I had a cosigner, as I was an international student. Luckily one of my professors helped out as cosigner and I purchased a beautiful car. Imagine my joy when I drove the new car home with SAI in the form of HIS picture sitting in the passenger seat! Two years went by without any issues; SAI saved me from many accidents and misfortunes along the way. I survived the worst snow falls, traffic accidents, etc with SAI's constant presence in car, udhi packets and listening to SAI SATCHARITRA. Sometimes while driving long distances between states, I would imagine SAI sitting on the car bonnet with HIS Kafni and head wrap/scarf flying in the air and driving HIS car to safety or sometimes just sitting in the passenger seat enjoying a joyride. Testing times then came around, troubles cropped up in the third year, my job contract was not extended, I could not find a new job, I ran out of money and did not know where to go or what to do. By SAI's grace, the same professor arranged a temporary job with a small pay and the bank allowed few months of nonpayment on the car loan. Even after 6 months I was unable to earn a good job and I was thinking of selling or returning the car. Delinquency reports were sent on both my cosigner's accounts and mine as monthly payments were not made in time. As I had lost all hopes, I turned to SAI and prayed for a solution. SAI played a wonderful miracle and allowed 3 more months extension of nonpayment and also returned our credit history to good standing despite being reported by the bank. A friend, who I believe SAI HIMSELF sent to help me out, made the pending installments. SAI rushed to my aid in less than 1 week of my prayer and I got a call from the bank that the delinquency report has been withdrawn. I felt so joyful that SAI has taken care of every small detail in this issue and saved me from a lot of trouble and loss of the car and money that I invested in the last two and a half years. This is just one of the innumerable miracles that SAI has showered on me.
Weekly Question:
Q. Out of devotees of Sri Saibaba depicted in Sri Saibaba literature who do you like most and why?
A.) by Rajesh
Even though there are many ardent devotees like Mahalsapathi and Shama, I personally like Hari Sitaram Dixit, better known as Kakasaheb Dixit. His faith in Baba was complete and he completely surrendered himself to Baba. As we read in Sai satcharita chapter 23 he says to Baba "Your nectar like word is law unto us, we do not know any other ordinance. We remember You always, meditate on Your Form and obey You day and night, we do not know or consider whether it is right or wrong to kill, we do not want to reason or discuss things, but implicit and prompt compliance with Guru's orders, is our duty and dharma". JAI SAIRAM.
Q. Out of devotees of Sri Saibaba depicted in Sri Saibaba literature who do you like most and why?
A.) by Anitha
I love Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama) one of Sai's intimate devotees. I like him for his innocence and impulsiveness when Baba would tease him. I would love the interaction between Sainath and Shama in the teleseries Baba Tere Hazaron Haath that was pure bliss. His childlike innocence and his relationship with Baba was more like friends. Most of the times when I am cross with Baba I feel I am trying to be like Shama. In this age of sophistication and materialism Shama like devotion and relationship with Baba is enough to give a soul God consciousness and liberation. The way Shama would talk, share and argue with Baba shows the unparalleled love and attachment of Baba with Shama. Such a relationship with Guru is enough to pale all the riches of this mortal world.
Q. Out of devotees of Sri Saibaba depicted in Sri Saibaba literature who do you like most and why?
A.) by LVS Rao
We find many ardent devotees of Shri Sai Baba depicted in Shri Sai Baba literature played very significant roles in helping any individual who may be seeking Blessings from Lord Shri Sai Baba and in fact, Lord Shri Sai Baba knowing all that made the devotees to work out in the way as ordained. It is great pleasure that Shri Dasganu Maharaj, the devotee of Lord Shri Shirdi Sai Baba, held spellbound inspirational kirtans Spontaneously (instantaneously), in the presence of Lord Shri Shirdi Sai Baba and even when he was away from Shirdi. Once, when Dasganu sought permission from Shri Sai Baba to go to Prayag, Shri Sai Baba said that it is not necessary to go so long and wonder of wonders, when Dasganu placed his head on Shri Sai Baba's feet, out-came or streams of Ganga-Yamuna water from both the toes of Shri Sai Baba. Seeing this miracle, Dasganu was over whelmed with feelings of love and adoration and inwardly he felt inspired and his speech burst forth into a song in praise of Shri Sai Baba & His Leelas. (Vide, English version of Shri Sai Satcharita-Ch.4-page-20). Such was the Spontaneous (instantaneous) inspiration of Dasganu Maharaj. Lord Shri Shirdi Sai Baba entrusted the kirtan of singing the glories of Lord Shri Sree Rama in the function," Shri Ramanavami" festival held at Shirdi. It may be seen from Ch.20 of Shri Sai Satcharita, that Shri Dasganu translated the Isha-Upanishad into Marathi, however, much perturbed to comprehend the gist or essence of the Upanishad, and felt that he who himself attained self-realization can only give true or correct interpretation of the Upanishad. When he approached Lord Shri Shirdi Sai Baba in this regard, Shri Sai Baba said that the maid-servant of Kakasaheb Dixit would solve the doubts. Shri Dasganu having faith on Shri Sai Baba went to Kakasaheb Dixit's house at Vile Parle where he has attained the bliss of essence of the Isha-Upanishad as told by Lord Shri Sai Baba. He did not hesitate as to how an illiterate maidservant can solve the doubts on such Upanishad. Such was the Faith and Trust of Dasganu on Shri Sai Baba. Shri Dasganu wrote "Shri Sainath STAVANA MANJARI"(A Humble Tribute of Homage to Shri Sainath) which is a Holy pious Hymn and wrote there-in that it was elicited at the Inspiration of Shri Sai Baba. Thus, he stood for the concept that, Love of GOD is eternal; it must come from the deepest feeling that arises in heart, no matter what one gains from prayers.
Sai Vichaar For Thursday, Feb 28 2013
Feature: Tujha waanchuni aashraya naahi bhutalee
Shree sadguru Baabaa Sayee
Shree sadguru Baabaa Sayee
Tujha waanchuni aashraya naahi bhutalee
Sri Sadguru Sai Baba, where else shall I take refuge on the face of the earth except in You!
Oh Sainath, we, lowly folk, are miserably drowned in this ocean of samsara and gasping with fear and frustration!
Sai devotees cherish singing of the above verse from kakad arathi. The emotional outburst of the destitute is nicely captured in the words of Shri Krishna Jogiswar Bhishma, the author of the above verse and similar such verses in Sri Sai arathis. However, the irony is when we see "Sai devotees' letting go of the above sentiment as quickly as they come in while singing them and run to every direction in search of solace, appeasing everyone and bowing to every feet. How pathetic would be the situation when one forsakes his own father and forgets that there is no need to go anywhere?
Confidence is the cardinal sign of faith in Sadguru and having complete trust in Baba "no matter what" is the hallmark of a true Sai devotee. When Baba is there to provide even unasked, where is the need to hunt the whole world and pacify all and sundry?
Let this be a day in contemplation of the fact that Sri Sai is the sole provider for a Sai devotee and to Him is offered all pleas and none else.
Contributed Article: Key to a Happy and Meaningful Life!
Human beings carry within their selves the two opposing aspects of nature: good and bad. Usually, that which gives pleasure is considered good and which gives pain is considered bad. In this context, pleasure includes both pleasure of body and mind. Our bodies and minds need satisfaction at every moment from the smallest things say such as, adding a little sugar to our morning cup of tea to setting up a Sugar factory. At the mental level, a person may be inspired by the photograph of a film hero in a magazine or the wish to become a hero. All the time human beings are seeking instant gratification of the multi-dimensional aspects of their lives at the desired level and in the desired style. If we make a daily assessment of the number of physical and mental activities that gives us pleasure, then we may find that at least some of these desires never got fulfilled. That area of dissatisfaction becomes something like an area of deficit, sort of an emotional hole.
At the end of the day, some people often forget these fulfillments and remember the areas of deficit only. Let us, for instance, place all the activities of life under twelve categories, namely parents, brothers, sister, wife, children, health, job, money, property, fame, religion, God etc. With certain rare exceptions, most people want the greatest possible satisfaction in all such desires that they nurture simultaneously.
Satisfaction of the temporal status of human beings is not material in this situation because all the aforementioned aspects are human aspects and are common to all human beings all over the world. History tells us that no person on this earth, howsoever powerful or great had ever been fully satisfied in all aspects of his life. For the sake of argument, however, let us assume that someone got complete satisfaction in ten or eleven aspects of life and incomplete satisfaction in one or two aspects. Even in such a scenario, we find that this person will spend more time and energy in brooding over only these two aspects of life, which he lacked. At times such deficits or unfulfilled aspects are taken too seriously.
Sometimes, the waste of time and energy on the smaller areas of life are able to cripple or even destroy the other happier and vital aspects of life. Let us take the example of a person who has everything else but has a crippled body due to an accident. History is studded with examples of such people who achieved many things despite their physical disabilities. However, some of these people due to their pessimistic outlook have a propensity not only to disturb their own lives and also that of everyone around. Because of their peculiar mental state (sometimes magnified due to their imagination or selfishness) they become a liability for others. Such a state of mind often creates complex psychological condition or even adverse health condition. Many of these people even become self-destructive leading to suicide such as in cases of failure in love and exams etc. Some people consider such extreme reactions in them with a sense of idealism and believe that to remain dissatisfied is a great virtue. They are often shocked to find some other people happy even despite great adversities in their lives. Sometimes they look at such balanced people as insensitive beings or as persons who are escapists or careless.
Thus in the ultimate analysis it will be seen that the enjoyment of life depends on the level of one's satisfaction. Life gives certain things and denies certain things to all living beings. Therefore one should not be over happy when life offers certain desired pleasures and should not break down when certain things are denied by life or go wrong in life. Shri Shirdi Sai Baba often used to tell his devotees to be happy and satisfied with whatever God has given them and to patiently watch the changing patterns of life dispassionately. This, then, is the key to a happy and meaningful life.
(Source: Compilation of Messages & Question-Answers in Shri Shirdi Sai Faith by Shri C.B.Satpathy)
Contributed Article: Help To EndureSM Initiative to help those enduring with hard times alone
Dear Readers,
Pain and suffering come uninvited, and nobody is immune to the perils
of bad times. As we all lead our lives under Sri Sai’s benevolent gaze,
we endure the hard times with the faith that help comes to us in
different shapes and forms.
To illustrate a real situation, imagine the challenges of being an
International student away from home. On top of it imagine
the cruel play of fate and being engulfed by a terminal illness with no
major health coverage and under a pile of medical bills! Imagine one in
prime youth, instead of being a ray of hope and joy to support retired
parents, he himself needs support! Enduring all physical, emotional and
financial pain, one continues to fight the disease against all odds.
Such are the real stories of these Children of Sai who are
trying to survive a day at a time, struck by the dreaded disease like
Cancer! Fighting cancer is difficult, prolonged, and expensive. It
drains out all the resources one has!
When we see such a dire situation, it pains us, makes us feel thankful
for what we have and it motivates us to do something. When
even the best medical care can’t provide cure in such a situation, what
it is we can do? We can Help To EndureSM
by sharing our blessings through most generous gift we can give.
Help To EndureSM, raises money to fight cancer,
to raise awareness of cancer in the community and help families endure
in their fight against cancer; one family at a time. It is a
community-developed event run by volunteers. All your
contributions go towards activities supporting those fighting cancer.
We know there are many more men, women, and children who will seek our
– and your – help. The need is greater than ever. Please send
your gift today. Please spread this message or sign up to volunteer for this cause.
For more information write to Help to EndureSM
support team at maildrop(at)saibaba.org