Is it necessary to go searching everyone for help when keeping faith that "Baba will provide" is all that is required? Belittling unsolicited help or suspecting situations favorable during the hour of need is perhaps limiting Baba' omniscience because Baba manifests himself in several ways and in several situations to help the distressed. At the same time, raising unnecessary outcry over every hurdle big and small is not a hallmark of a faithful Sai devotee. Let us examine the following incident in the life of eminent Sai devotee Kakasaheb Dixit, as narrated by Pujya Sri B.V. Narasimhaswami ji.

As for Dixit's own financial position, there was, for a long time, a period of depression, but there was no positive distress. Contentment was ingrained in Dixit', and he was always saying to himself, "Tevile Anante, Tase Rahave", which is the same as "Alla Rakhega Vysa Rahena", "Maula Rakhega Vysa Rahena". This means, 'We must be content with the lot assigned to us by God.' So, he was generally contented and retained his mental peace in the midst of lack of funds and income. However, special occasions arose and his faith in Baba was tested and confirmed.

Some time after Baba passed away, Kaka had to meet a heavy obligation of Rs. 30,000 to be paid to a Marwadi. The day for payment was drawing near, and Kaka could not see how to get funds for meeting this large demand. One night, as he was sleeping, he had a dream, and in his dream, his creditor was pressing him for payment. In the dream, he assured the creditor, "Oh, don't you fear. I have my friend Sir Chunnilal, Sir Chimanlal etc., all of them knights, and they will provide the money". Suddenly, he woke up and remembering the dream, he bitterly repented his stupid folly in relying upon 'Sir' this and 'Sir' that who are just persons who will fail to help at the crucial moment.

He felt that the only person on whom he could rely for getting help was Baba, and cursed his folly in relying upon such useless human help. He resolved not to think of these 'Sirs' at all, and to rely confidently and boldly upon Sai Baba alone to furnish him with funds and that too in time. He sat up in his office room on a chair and was waiting and waiting until the actual date of payment came. Until the last moment, no money was forthcoming. However, at the last moment, a young man, the son of a rich friend of his, came asking for his advice. He said that after his father's death, he was managing his property, and had to find an investment for his money. He said, just then he had brought with him Rs. 30,000/- and wanted to know from Dixit what would be best investment. Kaka, after explaining the pros and cons of other investments, finally told him that he was in urgent need of Rs. 30,000/- and he would be glad to have it on any reasonable terms, but that it was his duty to explain to the lender that his practice had gone down, that his income was very low, though his properties in the shape of bungalows were there, and that it was his duty to point out the danger and disadvantage of lending to such person. The young man, however, made up his mind to lend the money to him on account of his being his father's friend, and thus the creditor of Dixit was paid in time.

(Written by: HH Pujyasri B V Narasimha Swamij)
Back to Menu

Contributed Article: Chanting is the way to Moksha

We are gifted with a human body as a result of merits in the past births. So, one should make utmost use of this human form as one cannot be sure of getting human body again. Hence, with our body, we should attain devotion and liberation.

In Bhagavat Gita, Lord Krishna says, "He who remembers me in his last moment in this world comes to me. Otherwise, he goes to whatever he thinks of, at his last breath ". We cannot be certain that we will be able to recollect the Lord's name at our last breath and we never know when we will breathe our last. Hence, constant practice of Nama Sankeertan is very essential.

Different methods have been prescribed in different Yugas. Bhakti Marga is Kali Yuga's simplest and safest way for Realization of soul for all. Chanting of His Holy name is the prescribed Sadhana for the present age, which gives immense pleasure & peace to attain Moksha in one's life. There are infinite forms of devotion, of which chanting of the Holy Name is the foremost.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has given the following five principal forms of devotion: association of Sadhus, chanting of the Name, hearing of the Bhagavatam, dwelling in transcendental realm of Mathura Dham, and worship of Deities with firm faith. Out of these, Nama Sankeertan is the best. It is a spiritual exercise, which is simple, sustaining and universally acceptable. Chants form part of many religious rituals, and diverse spiritual traditions consider chant a route to spiritual development.

Japa, or the repetition of God's name, helps to activate a resource centre in our system that is otherwise dormant. Most people pass through life entirely ignorant of this spiritual facility, or they underestimate it.

In the epilogue to the great Vishnu Sahasra Nama, Parvathi asks Lord Shiva: How do the wise chant the thousand names in brief. And Lord Shiva responds with the well-known couplet: " Sri Rama Rama Rameti, Rame Raame Manorame …… " Rama Nama, he says, is singularly equal to the thousand names.

"Understanding the Vedas is difficult even for scholars. Nama Japa, reciting the names of God, on the other hand is so easy. Nama Japa therefore is more glorious than the Vedas "(From the Gems of Saint Tukaram)

Sri Sai Satcharitra states thus, "The simple remembrance of my name as 'Sai, Sai' will do away with sins of speech and hearing."(Chap 3). "If you always say 'Sai Sai' I shall take you over the seven seas, believe in these words and you will be certainly benefited."(Chap 13).

Recollecting Baba's words "Leave off all your cleverness and always remember Sai, Sai. If you did that all your shackles would be removed and you would be free." (Chap 10)

Friends, let us Chant day and night Lord Sai's Name and Glory, Surrender at His Lotus Feet and attain Moksha !
(Contributed by Sai Eswari)
Back to Menu

Experiences of Devotees:

Anuradha
Om Sri Sai Baba Ki Jai! For the past 6 months I used to get very bad dreams, I am afraid of it, and I could not sleep for the whole night. After praying to Sai Baba with my whole heartedly, what a surprise! I am not getting any bad dreams and I am having very good sleep. One day when we go out, I said to Baba that I am afraid to go out, please come with me, he gave me his vishvarupadharshanam, from the road to the sky, I was so touched about this, and I thanked him for his presents with me every moment. Shri Siradi Sai Baba Ki Jai.

Anandhi
Om Sai Ram! This happened a week before to me. I think Baba not as my guru but as my grandfather & so does my son. But even at times I loose hope in him. 2 weeks before a friend on mine was inconsolable because her sister's son (3 year old) was in ICU for convulsions & fever. He was in hands of best hospital. Poojas were done. Even they read satcharita by his bedside. Gave udi. But nothing. I just like that within my heart fought with Baba & said, "I will start reading satcharitha sapthaham. Help the boy. I could not believe you will help me personally but this is for someone else". I know it is childish. People in pain at times loose faith in God. He does not need to prove himself. However, it is we humans look for miracle to prove to ourselves that God is here. I started reading Satcharitha. But until the 7-day afternoon, I had completed only 60 -70 %. I thought I would never finish. Somehow, he made complete the book by not allowing any disturbance for nearly 2 hours in the evening and exactly at 6.20pm I finished reading, gave Baba aarti & prasad. 36 hours later, I got a call from my friend that the boy's fever started reducing from one day earlier and was shifted to general ward. I believe so do everyone around me that it was Baba's miracle nothing else. Might be reading this would help devotees like me who keeping loosing faith in him.

Manju
Its just happened on 7 of august around 6 in the evening I was returning back to home after attending campus interview in college and I met with an accident. At the time of fall I just shouted alla malik and I fell from my bike and my head hit the road. My helmet was on but the impact I hit there was a small crack on the block but not a single scar on my helmet. Baba helped me to escape with minor injuries and a small fracture on my right hand little finger. Thanks Baba for saving my life please be with me and my family and thanks for saving her life too.
Back to Menu

Devotees say...

Radha
Om Sai Ram, it is only because of Baba's blessings my mother could withstand the anti TB drugs for 7 months at the age of 80 in spite of having lot of drug side effects. Thank you Baba and bless all Sai devotees

Vidya B
As per His command, we are supposed to donate wheel chairs. Can any one help us to complete this assignment? If you can advice how and where to send the money for the wheel chairs, so that a necessary person receive it.

Sai devotee
Every time I read about Sai Prashanwali. Can anyone tell me where I can get that also if it is available online please let me know the website?

Minal
Dear Sai, thanking you in millions for the inspiration you send through my friend. I have been called for the second interview. With your grace and blessing, I am sure to get the job.

Mayuri
Sairam, I want to share with you all the eternal power of Sai Baba. I am married since 12 years and I have been trying for children. I went to the doctors and took many treatments, I was conceived for couple of times, but they were not successful. I was so much disappointed and depressed. All my cousins, my friends they had babies and I use to think why it is not happening to me. Then this year in April I planned for treatment again and thought I will give last try. But the same month I didn't get my periods and had to go to ER, there they did the pregnancy test and I found out I was pregnant. When the nurse in the hospital came and told me that I am pregnant, I felt he was like Baba. And that day was Thursday early morning. My husband, all my family members and me are so happy. Baba listened to my prayers and did a miracle. I always used to pray to Baba and ask him to do a miracle. Thanks to almighty Baba for his miracle in my life. And I found out that I am going to have a baby girl. I pray to Baba that my pregnancy should go smoothly and I should deliver a healthy baby. I request all the Sai devotees to pray to Baba for me. May Sai Baba bless you all.
Back to Menu

Prayer Club:

Sai Devotee
Please babji, let me receive a full tuition scholarship for my undergraduate studies at SHU, get into the honors college, please deport and keep s and d home, and remove the testosterone that has infected my body please, nothing can be accomplished without your grace... I promise to fulfill my duties as well.

Sai Devotee
Baba, I really do not know what I am doing , I do not know what to do, please help me. I leave marinda, arya, arvinnd, aiden and Tanya in your hands to look after. i leave everything in your hands.really sorry to be such a pain.

Sai Devotee
Prabhu Sairam, Please show me the path to come out of this situation. Please forgive us for all our past sins and stop us from doing such sins in future.Bless all.Thank you.

Sai Devotee
Koti pranams to you our dear Sainath for making my husbands and my pilgrimage visit to Mata Vaishnodevi temple and Kashmir without any hassles. We could feel your presence wherever we went. Thank you my Sainath. Dear Sai Baba please cure my daughters eye problem. She is abroad and the treatment is being given, please be with her and cure the eye problem. Please bless my family and let us all holeon to your lotus feet. Jai Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai.

Sai Devotee
Sai Deva, Healer of Healers, Docotor of Doctors. You alone can help my son who is suffering from severe abdominal pain. Doctors are afraid to give him anaesthesia to do tests on him as he is a special child. It breaks my heart to see him writhing in pain. Sai Deva I surrender at Your Lotus feet. Please cure him and keep him healthy till the end. Please let there be no problem with his kidneys, stomach or any other part of his body. Please give him a long happy life with us.
Back to Menu

Quotation of the Week:

"I take care of my people generation after generation, birth after birth"-Sri Saibaba
Back to Menu

Question of the Week:

Q. Sri Saibaba said, "Purification of mind is absolute necessity for the spiritual growth, without this all sadhanas are of no use" - Comment?

A. by Kiranmai

By will of Grace, the mind, which has no strong 'sankalpa' - is pure and detached.

That 'sankalpa'/intent can be any in spectrum of worldly [family, status-quo] to culture/faith segregation - that means mind needs to be sattwic foremost and be above influence of rajasic [achievement sankalpa] and tamasic [limited understanding/narrow-mindedness]. To enter God's Abode, it is only expected that we go beyond the petty mindedness and develop 'sattwic' [Faith with no expectation of reward] as predominant quality in one's life.

As per Holy Bhagavad Gita, Sattwic actions are defined in their motivation. Lord Krishna in His dialogue with Arjuna on topics of karma yoga - thought/action - tells that motive is more important than action. And it's not how big or small the action that counts but 'love' behind that action defines the degree of purity.

I would say, that is why Baba always emphasized on Faith and Patience.
Back to Menu

Sai Activities:

Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 7:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m.(Summer hours). Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 7 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.

Sri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, MN
Sri Saibaba Mandir is located in Minneapolis, MN at 1835 Polk St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418. The mandir is open 7 days a week in the evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm and during morning hours from 9 am to 12:30 pm, everyday. Satsangs are conducted every Sunday mornings, 9 am to 12:30 pm. Please visit the mandir website www.hamaresai.org or call 612-789-7729 for more information on mandir activities, events and other information.

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 Temple of New England, Boston Area
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of New England is now operational. It is located at 1827 Bridge St # 8, Dracut, MA 01824. The temple is open every Thursday from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm and Saturday's from 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm. For temple hours and activities please visit the website www.nessp.org or send mail to maildrop@nessp.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.

Saibaba Temple, Columbus, Ohio
Devotees in Columbus and surrounding Ohio locations area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Metro Columbus area. The temple is located in a leasing space at 7674 Sawmill Rd, Dublin, OH 43016. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday bhajans. For more information please call Panditjee at 614-799-8411 or visit www.saibaba.cc.

Shirdi Sai bhajans every Thursday at Maitland, Florida
Devotees are invited to participate in Sai study and bhajans on Thursdays between 7-8 pm at Meditation Gallery, 219 E Horatio Ave, Maitland, FL 32715. For more details please contact Bonnie at 407-830-1276.

Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Austin, TX
Sri Shirdi Sai Temple of Austin, Texas opened at 601 E Whitestone Blvd (RM 1431), Cedar Park, TX. Daily 4 aarthis are performed to Sai Baba. As part of service to needy, a weekly sandwich seva is also conducted. For more information, please visit www.saiaustin.org.

Shirdi Sai Mandir, Dulles, VA
Shirdi Sai Mandir is located at 43671 Trade Center Place #166 Dulles, VA 20166. The mandir is open through the week in the evenings from 6pm to 9 pm. Sri Satyanarayan pooja will be conducted every full moon day. Please visit the mandir website www.shirdisaimandir.org or call (703) 661-4724 for more information on activities, events and other information.
Back to Menu

You may subscribe to receive the newsletter by e-mail.

Fill out your e-mail address and hit the subscribe button: