Geet jaisa main hoon akela.. 
Tumhare sur bina.. 
Sai.. tumhare sur bina

Kaagaz ke phool jaisaa hoon main...
Tumhare sugandh bina.. 
Sai.... tumhare sugandh bina

(Like a lyric without tune, a flower without fragrance, this is what I am Sai.. without You!)

Knowledge without experiencing is no knowledge at all. This is in essence purports the advaitic philosophy of realizing the nature of Sai. While the statement not necessarily derogates the pursuit of knowledge whether it is from scriptures or Sadguru, it does points out to the limitations of the knowledge. Examples are abounding in the scriptures pointing to how great people even with all the knowledge could not accomplish the purpose of their pursuit. Knowledge is the entity gained by the outward pursuit of mind whereas the experience is the inward investigation. It is of utmost importance for a seeker to know the distinction between the two. Knowledge as a function of logic is easily explained while experience remains with the self, only to be experienced! Does the inability to explain the experience mean that it does not exist? Absolutely not. One of the most eloquent and illuminating commentaries on the experience of the self can be found in "Tripura Rahasya", when the woman ascetic spoke to Ashtavakra in King Janaka's court:

"Hearing it a thousand times over will be useless unless one verifies the teachings by means of investigation into the Self with a concentrated mind. Just as a prince labors under a misapprehension that the string of pearls still clinging to his neck has been stolen away by another and is not persuaded to the contrary by mere words but only believes when he finds it around his neck by his own effort so also, O youth, however clever a man may be, he will never know his own self by the mere teaching of others unless he realizes it for himself. Otherwise he can never realize the Self if his mind is turned outward. A lamp illumines all around but does not illumine itself or another light. It shines of itself without other sources of light. Things shine in sunlight without the necessity for any other kind of illumination. Because lights do not require to be illumined, do we say that they are not known or that they do not exist? Therefore, as it is thus with lights and things made aware by the conscious self, what doubt can you have regarding abstract consciousness, namely the Self?

Lights and things being insentient cannot be self-aware. Still, their existence or manifestation is under no doubt. That means they are self-luminous. Can you not similarly investigate with an inward mind in order to find out if the all-comprehending Self is conscious or not conscious? That Consciousness is absolute and transcends the three states (wakefulness, dream and slumber) and comprises all the universe making it manifest. Nothing can be apprehended without its light.

Will anything be apparent to you, if there be no consciousness? Even to say that nothing is apparent to you (as in sleep) requires the light of consciousness. Is not your awareness of your unawareness (in sleep) due to consciousness?

If you infer its eternal light, then closely investigate whether the light is of itself or not. Everybody falls in this investigation however learned and proficient he may be, because his mind is not bent inward but restlessly moves outward. As long as thoughts crop up, so long has the turning inward of the mind not been accomplished. As long as the mind is not inward, so long the Self cannot be realized. Turning inward means absence of desire. How can the mind be fixed within if desires are not given up?

Therefore, become dispassionate and inhere as the Self. Such inherence is spontaneous (no effort is needed to inhere as the Self). It is realized after thoughts are eliminated and investigation ceases. Recapitulate your state after you break off from it, and then will know all and the significance of its being knowable and unknowable at the same time. Thus realizing the unknowable, one abides in immortality for ever and ever.

(Inspired by "Tripura Rahasya" by Swami Sri Ramanananda Saraswathi)
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Contributed Article: Ramadan

Baba's views on the unification of religions are of eternal nature. His universal message of brotherhood beyond the religions is well depicted in Sri Sai Satcharitha vide Chapter VI in the English version where an account is given on how Baba permitted both Ram Navami, a Hindu festival and Urs, a Muslim celebration to be celebrated together. On this holy month of Ramzan, let us take a moment to observe and respect Sainath's values on religious harmony. Let us know about the significance of Ramzan the values of which are fundamental to other religions as well.

The holy month of Ramzan is very auspicious and significant to the Muslims all over the world. It is celebrated on the day after the crescent moon (Idd ka chand) is sighted during the 10th lunar month of the Islamic calendar. The Muslims are ordained to observe fast for 30 days starting with the sighting of the new moon and end it after seeing the new moon a month later. Holy Quran is believed to be compiled during this month. Prophet Mohammad who compiled this was an illiterate person. But he was chosen by God to be His messenger. He would get "Vahi" (inspiration from God), and would speak out spontaneously. All these utterings were written down by His disciples and during this month they were compiled in the form of the holy Quran. It is believed to be a message from God to the humankind.

Ramzan is considered as a period signifying discipline and declaration of subservience to the laws of God, enumerated in the holy Quran. A Muslim is told to give Sadaqa (charity) and Fitra (alms given during Ramzan) to the poor before the Idd prayers and recite Quran intensively during the holy month. The last 10 days of Ramzaan are more important as the faithful watch for Lailathul Qadr (the Night of Power) during which the revelation of the book to the Prophet was completed. Observers keep awake all night praying or listening to sermons by Ulema or the high priest.

The fasting during Ramzan is mandatory for all healthy adult Muslim men and women. Those who cannot fast, have to arrange to feed at least one needy person in lieu of the days one missed out on fasting. Fasting is practiced by followers of all religions in one form or other. It is said to enable one to understand the privations of hunger and thirst and be kind to the poor and the needy. Ramzaan is a month of brotherhood, compassion and festivity and the rigor of fasting ends with the celebration of Idd.

(Contributed by Sai Vichaar Team)
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Experiences of Devotees

Vidya Bansal
I would like to share my experiences with the readers of 'Sai Vichaar' which I have had in cases where I had real and no-doubt faith in Baba. I have had lot of minor accidents in my Honda Civic car; my car tires were stolen, I banged into other cars while driving during rush hours, etc. I never felt safe in that car until I put a small murti of Sai Baba in the car. I told my husband that now Sai would take care and save us from any accident. Just this weekend, I was at a red light trying to make a right turn waiting for my turn to go. All of sudden the car right behind me hit my car. However, to my surprise when I got down and checked the car, there was not a single scratch on car and I was fine too. The car behind me had banged me with enough force to create at least a small dent. Nothing like that happened.

This is just one instance in my life where I have experienced Baba's miracle due to complete faith in Him. He will also remind you of any forgotten vow that you made to Him. I was supposed to start reading Sai SatCharita on this Thursday, which was part of Sai Paraynam started by Anita Kandukuri and I had completely forgotten about it. In the evening, I was disturbed due to some personal problems and felt like praying so I went in my pooja room and sat down to bow in front of God and all of sudden I saw Sai Satcharita and it struck me that I had to start the reading today. I completed my reading and felt better too. If you have any doubts and have a wavering faith in Him, I suggest do one complete reading of Sai SatCharita in 7 days and you will see results.

Mrs.Jaya Venkat, Abu Dhabi
Sai Ram. Me and my family are a staunch devotee of Sai Baba. In each and every step he is been blessing and showing us the right path. I would like to share my recent experience of his way of blessing us. I am working in a Multi national company. Just two weeks before Diwali I had sent a request to our Head Office in Germany for providing me the Login name and the password for a site to order brochures. I was following up with them in regular basis but all in vain. Out of the blue in the same Diwali Day i.e. 14th November, 01 when I was checking my mails I saw a reply from the Head office regarding the password etc. Go to see my Login name was given as Jaya and the password is given as SAIRAM. Out of joy and excitement tears came. I was so curious to know how come they gave me this Password. I immediately sent them a mail asking for it. I got a reply saying that they just pick up words in random. So, in conclusion I came to know that one more way of Baba blessing me especially in the Diwali day.

Sajeevan Nikathil
Dear Readers, I mention here how I met Baba .My friends Mrs & Mr Kosouri were going to Shirdi. Myself & Asha were newly married & took the oppurtunity.At Shirdi we saw Baba during the early morning arati. To my disbelif (as i used to be skeptical during other pilgimiages) I found Baba's statue alive & speaking to me. We were moved to see His begging bowl & could see people still feeding on that. My wife also felt the same & till this date we got help at any needy hour. We can't forget feeding milk to the dogs of Shirdi nor buying bread for a few hungry people. We found shirdi was a blessed land where we can distingush from the soil, the fruits. We thank Kosuris & also remember Mr & Mrs Vissamraju & family who lived with us in NZ
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Devotees say...

Nehal Desai
I am 27 year old and I have been married for four and a half years. I have been trying to get pregnant for the past couple of years. I was going through many advanced Medical and Infertility Treatments. I went through operation and a lot of pain. I was angry at Baba for not listening to our prayers and upset I had done something wrong and that he was punishing my husband and my family more than me. I asked for help and asked to help me understand what was happening. I had the support of my family and my husband. I was scared and negative. Yesterday, I found out I was pregnant and I cannot tell you How it feels. I want to ask for forgiveness from Baba. I am so sorry I had lost faith and patience. I love you Baba and I promise I will stay positive. Jai Sai ram

swati
Om Sai Ram, I am devotee, who is looking for helpt to fulfil my wish. I have heatd from my friend to pray sai baba and he will fulfil your wish. I am praying but I am praying but iam not succeed. Please help me I don't know what to do. Do sai baba will fulfil my wish? if yes, how?

Smita
OmSai In response to Sai Devotee Swapna's question as to how we know if prayer answered or not, I have another question to ask. There were times when I would ask Baba to help me, and ask for something specific. He did not answer my prayers for more than 2 years. After which he did. But it was not what I asked for. He knew that it was not good for me, and he did not answer my prayer. But surprisingly, he made me meet my husband, and he answered my prayers and we were married. After a year of marriage I got divorced, for no reason whatsoever. The divorce came as a shock and least expected. I wanted to know why that had happened. Is he testing my patience or faith in Him. I want to believe that my ex-husband and I will get back again, because my ex-husband and I still talk with each other. Also Baba had answered my prayers at the time of marriage. But the divorce, has also been unbelievable, that it has made me lose focus on my career, parents, and life. I try to make believe that Baba is there watching, and that He wont leave my side in these times. But I don't understand, what is happening in my life. Why is it so? What could Baba want of me? Why did he answer my prayers and marry us, and then later get us divorced? I keep having these apprehensions and doubts in my own relation with Baba. I am afraid of coming to a point where Baba may not be there for me. I would appreciate any advice on this. OmSai.

Safaee, Iran
salam hazrate baba: thank you.

Shahla, Shiraz Iran
hazrateh baba: ba arzeh salam mamnoon az mantra. we are very glad. and we hope you will help us.
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Prayer Club

A Sai devotee
Om Sai Ram. Baba, please forgive for all the wrongs I have done and please help me when I am straying, please guide me and support me for everything I do and also please take care of everyone in my family, I have been disappointing the people I love, Baba please help me and support me, I know you are with me all the time, Baba help me in giving up myself for you. Help me to take the path that you always wanted your devotees take. Please help me and guide me, please hold my hand and lead me, Baba help me become the kind of soul you want your devotees to be, above small things, and Baba. Please always bless all your devotees with the love you have for them, Baba you live in the souls of your devotees, please forgive me for all the mistakes/sins I have committed, I remain at your Lotus Feet. Jai Sai, Om Sri Sacchidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai.

Natarajan Venkatesh, K
Dear Fellow devotees, I believe the collective prayers of all the devotees will help me immensely in removing the hurdles faced by me in my business. I have been working for the past 18 months in Ghana with very slow progress in the business; my entire business plan is being upset because of the first step not being right. I request Sai devotees to spare a minute and pray to the lord on my behalf to remove the hurdles both within and outside me.

Boman Boatwalla
I have been reading SAI SATCHARITA since 1998 daily since I have Nishta and Saburi in SAI BABA, and with deep faith, I shall continue the same. Due to this reading my health has improved and so of my wife. The only thing that is troubling me is that until today I have not been able to find a job, which I lost in 1996, when I was in Abu Dhabi. I request in my daily prayer to SAI BABA to please help me in this, for I am quite restless, and feel bad to stay with my daughters and cannot contribute anything for the benefit of my family. I require help from SAI BABA, and sincerely hope HE shall not fail me now. SAT CHIT ANAND SHRI SAI BABA. AP KI BARAKAT SA, MERE DUA KABUL KARNA, OM NAAM SAI.

Smita Prasad
Om Sai, My husband lost his job recently, but Baba you have been there and heard my prayers and got him an interview call. Also he did well in the interview. Baba please make his visa transfer a smooth process. Though he did get the job, the visa papers have not been filed by the company yet and almost 3 weeks have passed. I am keeping all my faith in you Baba and please help us as you have been with us in times of joy and happiness. Om Sai.

Smita Prasad
Om Sai, Baba, you know what my brother is going through. Please make him to realize life, and help in his present predicament. You are his only hope now. Please look after him well. Om Sai.

Surya
Saibaba Maharaj, You know our situation, all the four of my family members are suffering from some kind of ailment or the other. I request you to help me out from this situation. You know that You are the only one for me in this world. I pray you to bless me,my husband, meghana and teja with health and happiness. with all my heart and prayers

Lakshmi yanamandra
Dear Sai brethren, This is a prayer for my sister who is married with two teenage children. Since her marriage, she occasionally shouts at night in her sleep as though she is seeing someone and getting frightened. It is going to be twenty years now since her marriage but she still continues to have this problem sometimes (even till the day before yesterday). Her children and all of us are very worried about this. I dont want to blame anyone or anything for this. Nothing is impossible with our Sai Baba and so I pray fervently to Him and also make a request to you all to pray that she be cured of this habit.

Vanie Cattigan, South Africa
Please pray for me! thank you

Das
Baba, Please help me get a good job which helps in contributing towards our home. Bless me also that I do well and work hard this time. I cannot do it without your help.

Madhavi
Baba, please help me out of this situation. I have been suffering lot since long time. Please forgive me if i did any mistakes. Please help me to get a job and give my mother good health. Please help me to settle my life please.
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Quotation of the Week

The path of Dattatreya embraces all spiritual paths and is the source of all other traditions. He who treads the path of Truth, regardless of what religion he belongs to, is treading the path of Dattatreya. As an incarnation of God, Datta came down to spread the universality of true religion. Anyone can be his follower, regardless of cast, creed, status, be they student, householder, recluse or renunciate. No matter what sect or religion the true seeker follows, eventually he comes under the guidance of Lord Dattatreya, the Eternal Spiritual Guide of all humankind - Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swami

Question of the Week

Q. "How does one know whether their prayers are answered or not"?
A. by Subramanyeswara Prasad Nimmagadda

Before we come to conclusions as to whether our Prayers were answered or not We should first know what "Prayer" is and how humbly, are we doing it. Today when I/we question myself/ourselves are we really doing it right, Well I/we will never be able to truly answer to this question. If there is one thing that we can do together to help us with problems, fulfill Our needs, give us strength, draw us closer, enhance our lives, build us up, and transport us to higher spiritual planes of communion with our beloved lord SAINATH - What would that one thing be?

Prayer! - With SRADDHA and SABURI It certainly can do that and much more. The power or prayer with its limitless resources is virtually untapped. Our beloved lord SAINATH repeatedly told us that "LIFE IS A SERIES OF PROBLEMS, SOME OF THEM ARE APPRENTLY UNSLOVABLE, DO NOT TRY TO SLOVE SUCH PROBLEMS, MEDITATE, REPEAT MY NAME, ALL SUCH PROBLEMS WILL SOLVE THEMSELVES", means to pray him with pure love and devotion.

Prayer is our connection with our beloved lord SAINATH. It transcends the limitations of earth, time and space to draw us near to our beloved lord SAINATH. Our lord repeatedly told us that he would draw all his devotees to him like a sparrow tied to a string.

Acceptable prayer involves many things. We must approach our beloved lord SAINATH with reverence praying. Acceptable prayer is not done for how, but to sincerely pour out our needs and our thanksgiving to our beloved lord SAINATH, " But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions. For your lord SAINATH knows things you have need of before you ask him. Acceptable prayer is offered with a spirit of obedience, " And whatever we ask we receive from our beloved lord SAINATH, because we keep his Commandments (SAINATH's assurances) - "IF YOU LOOK AT ME I WILL LOOK AT YOU", and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Prayer does not need miracles to work its power, if we have faith and confidence in our beloved lord SAINATH the prayers will be answered, let us not doubt that our prayers will be answered, "But let us ask lord SAINATH in faith- with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Always we devotees with firm faith should remember that our beloved SAINATH characteristic is that he clings tenaciously to his devotees, as much as he expects his devotees to cling to him. Our beloved lord SAINATH told us to persist in repeating his name "SAI. SAI" with pure love and devotion and he will hear us, In the last years of his life, he said to his devotees with a mother's solicitude, "Do not grieve when my body passes away. My tomb will live, move, and speak with all those who make me their sole refuge." Happily, though we have commemorated the 50th year of his mahasamadhi, lord Sainath's promise is abundantly fulfilled today. Through half a century of void there comes echoing down the years the gracious message -- " Lo, I am beside you always.

Now that we should understand that if we pray to our beloved lord SAINATH with pure love devotion and confidence, that if we ask him anything according to his will, Lord SAINATH will hear us and always clings to you. Let us not doubt and put this question, whether our prayers are answered or not? - To conclude please have "SRADDHA and SABURI" LORD SAINATH will be always be with us all, at all times.

Q. "How does one know whether their prayers are answered or not"?
A. by Raj Salian

Sairam Dear Readers, Some prayers are answered the moment we pray and before we open our eyes. There are prayers, we may seem that has/was never answered. Keep in mind, this is our view of looking. But, in our Lord Sai's view, it has been answered or is in the process of being answered. How? We need to analyze that. He is the Master. He is the Sutradhaari. We are nothing but Sutras (Threads) tied to him. We have left the faith and devotion to him to take care of our Sutra (part). That is what we need to give him. The FULL CONTROL. He knows what is best for us. He will answer with WHAT is BEST for us. He will answer, it is only that we do not judge or take the time to do a thinking of how and what happened.

Mrs. Geetha Ram is one of Sai Baba's nearest devotees from her childhood. With her permission, I would like to take the liberty to state one of her divine experiences she shared with us sometime back. In Bangalore, Mrs. M. S. Subbalakshmi's concert had been arranged. Geethaji wanted to attend this concert very badly. She was literally praying and waiting for this occasion for a long time, so that she could hear her live. When the time and the day came to attend this function, this is what happened. Geethaji had been assigned the duty of cleaning the altar for bhajans on the same day. She asked her mother to help her that day so that she could go to the concert and her mother would do the entire thing. Her mother gave her a big NO and whatever had been assigned to her, she had to finish and go to the concert. Being disappointed and not with full-mindedness, she started to clean the altar. Swami was walking around looking at the way Geethaji was doing her duties. He came to her and asked her why was she so restless. Geethaji answered him complaining about her mother that she would not do a little favor for her in spite of her knowing that how much she wanted to attend the concert. Swami took the side of Geethaji and said, "Ya, it's bad that your mother did not help you. But don't worry, you can do it really fast and can then attend the concert". Geethaji with not a good mood completed her job. Unfortunately in the evening, Geethaji came to know that the concert had been cancelled. We can understand what would have gone through Geethaji's mind. Being sad and dejected, she was getting prepared to attend the evening bhajans. Swami was looking at her and smiling. At this time, a curious thing happened. When Geethaji looked at the door, she found Mrs. M. S. Subbalakshmi walking into the bhajan hall. Knowing that the concert was cancelled and as she was Baba's devotee for a long time, she wanted to have the divine darshan of Baba and attend the bhajans. Can we imagine the bliss and happiness Geethaji had when her beloved lord had answered her prayers in the fullest extent possible? She could hear Mrs. M.S.S right there in front of her singing to her. This was all part of Baba's Planning that made Geethaji receive her answers.

What did we learn from her story? A simple message from the lord himself, that we will get all our prayers answered. It is only the DTF (Devotion, Time and Faith) factor what we need to take care about. Every prayer will be answered, it is only how we take the answers as they come and the right analysis we do regarding this. When we really look into this, Baba always gives us the BEST. What we pray to him is to give a mere touch of him, but what HE gives us is the tightest embrace. Jai Sai Ram!!!!
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Sai Activities

Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra 2002 organized by saibaba.org
Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra is the ceremonial travel of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba in the form of a portrait across USA. Baba will stay at devotees homes all through the journey. Yatra is more than a pictorial journey, it is:

* Invoking nationwide prayer for peace and prosperity for all.
* Active participation of those involved.
* Serve Baba to the extent each one of us can.
* Seek Baba's grace in the convenience of one's home in the way one wants.
* Involve in a community event that will bring happiness and peace to one and alL.
* There are no costs or fees to participate. This is purely a spiritual activity.

How can one Participate:

Host Home: Participate by being Host to Baba. Baba's picture can be brought from a Chitra Yatra Anchor Home close to you and return the picture to the Anchor home. Prayers can be offered either alone or in groups in whatever way one pleases. Help and guidance is available for those who want to perform archana, arathis, bhajans, parayan, etc. though it is not necessary. One can spend time in meditation while the picture is at home. What is most required is love and devotion while praying.

Anchor Home: Participate by being an Anchor Home to Baba. An anchor home will receive Baba's portrait and other material(like books, etc) from saibaba.org and will be responsible for keeping Baba for a prolonged time e.g. 4 to 6 months. Will help to propagate the message to others in the community by letting friends and family know about the Yatra to enable them to be a Host home. Send and receive portrait to and from Host homes. Take care of Baba with love and devotion as long as Baba has to stay in the Anchor home i.e. till it is time to go to another Anchor home or to be returned to Chicago. Provide help to other host homes and coordinate with those who want to volunteer. Provide continuous feedback to saibaba.org regarding the activity while Baba is at the anchor home. Help and guidance is available at all times.

Volunteer: Good for students, singles and others who don't have the inclination or resources for participating as a Host or Anchor home but would volunteer themselves at prayer meeting in other Baba devotees home or volunteer to drive Baba's picture from place to place or help in propagating the Yatra information through distributing flyers and posters to the local community via Grocers, temples in your area.

Donor: Good for people who can't participate any other way than voluntarily contributing financial support for the event. This is not a fund raising activity but if this is the only way one can participate, one will not be excluded. All donations are tax deductible. Seek your accountant advice on donation limits and other details.

The yatra is open to all and will start on Jan 1, 2002 from four corners of USA and will proceed till later part of the next year. The Yatra will end based on the overall response from the participants. The closing ceremony and dates will be announced next year.

Hope the information is enough to give you an idea of the concept and help you decide your level of participation. If you have any questions, please contact by email at yatra@saibaba.org or call us at (847) 931-4058.

Please do register yourselves early to enable us to work on the logistics. Any activity is only successful by active participation of all those involved. We invite you to be an Anchor home in your area and involve your family and friends that are close to you.

Please do not hesitate to send us your comments, questions, concerns and suggestions. For more information please visit http://www.saibaba.org/yatra/saiyatra.html. Register now online or download the registration form and send it by fax, email or snailmail.
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