Baba had indicated that Das Ganu should quit his job and dedicate himself to Lord's service. However, Das Ganu was in denial of this command. He refused to quit his job as a Police Constable on more than one occasion.

Once, when Das Ganu was the second in command at the station, the station officer left him in-charge. And Das Ganu in a lordly way wanted to enjoy his time, and went home leaving a constable in charge of the station. Just at that time, a village munsif had sent up a thoti with a fine collected from some persons against whom a warrant had been sent for collection. That money, Rs. 32/- was left by the thoti with the constable there in charge, without any person to witness. The constable told the thoti that the Station Officer was on leave, and asked him to leave and that the receipt would be sent to the village in due course. So, the poor thoti went away, and the constable swallowed up the money.

Ganpat Rao (Das Ganu) knew nothing of it. However, the authorities finding that Rs. 32/- had not been collected, concluded that it was Ganpat Rao's mischief. Ganpat Rao was asked for an explanation. He said he know nothing. But there was no escape the fact that money had been sent that day, and was paid at the station as the thoti testified. Then Ganpat Rao, finding that there was not only no chance of his getting the Sub Inspector's job but a good chance of getting into the jail, solemnly swore to Baba that this time he would positively quit service. He went further and mentioned his willingness to resign to the enquiry officer who, thereupon, made him pay up Rs. 32/- and then discharged him.Thus Baba succeeded in making Ganpat Rao quit his service, a service, which would prevent Ganpat Rao from becoming the high spiritual personage that he was subsequently to develop into.

Baba used to call him 'Ganu'. When Ganpat Rao came and said, 'I have now left my service; I and my wife have to stand in the streets, as we have no property or income.' Baba said, ' Ganu, I shall provide for you and your family'. (Compare Sri Krishna's promise "Yoga Kshemam Vahamai sham" BG (9) (22). Baba then asked him to go on with his Brahminical duties, puranic studies, and kirtans at which he was excellent. Ganpat Rao was never in want of food or clothing, and has even become a landlord that yielded him sufficient support. In 1919 his wife died issueless, leaving him without any encumbrances.

Das Ganu had a fine metallic voice and he was a very able performer of kirtans. He would hold an audience of 2000 people spell bound in rapt attention listening to him for six or eight hours, and as he never asked for even one pie and made no collections, his kirtans were popular, and in all his kirtans, he would place Baba's picture next to him and even though his katha was about Tukaram or Namdev or Jnanadev, yet he would always refer to Sai Baba as the living Saint or Sat purusha i.e., as the present Great Saint, whom it would be a great blessing for people to have darsan of, as the very darsan would purify and benefit the visitor.

As soon as his kirtans ended, people started in numbers to go to Shirdi and see Sai Baba. These numbers included high officials of good and great positions, as also the poor. Thus he has been the means of sending some tens of thousands of people to Baba. Baba developed his nature and purified it by making him spend his time whenever he went to Shirdi in reading Vishnu Sahasranama. Das Ganu Maharaj's purification and development are marked in various ways and Baba's favor to him on the spiritual side is so vast and varied that it is impossible to sketch them out in detail.
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Contributed Article:Vishnu Sahasranama in Sai worship

Contributed by Sai Premananda (Robert Meola), Berkeley, California USA, ©2001

While visiting Baba Prakashananda in Nasik Road and planning on making a pilgrimage to Shirdi, I met Prabha. She had recently come from Shirdi and she showed me a photograph of Sai Baba I had never seen before. It was the photo of Baba begging in the street near the Chawdi. I had always been drawn to pictures of Shirdi Sai Baba since the first one I'd ever seen in 1977. But this photo of Baba was so beautiful. Prabha told me a wonderful swami in Shirdi had given her the picture.

I knew I would go to Shirdi and look for this swami and attempt to obtain a copy of that picture of Baba.The first time I went to Shirdi in November 1984, I expected this swami to be wearing orange clothes. At Baba's samadhi I asked the swami in charge who wore a red loongi about the photo. He wasn't the man I was looking for and he didn't understand what I was asking about the particular photo of Baba.

I left Shirdi without meeting the swami or seeing the photo. Soon thereafter I was on a bus. It was in December 1984. I don't remember where I was going. I think I was coming from Aurangabad or Yeola. But I suddenly changed my destination and headed back to Shirdi.This time I somehow found myself outside the Chawdi and a man with a beautiful grin and shining eyes greeted me. He wore white, not orange. He turned out to be the swami Prabha had told me about. He told me, "Baba has called you." I remember at various times that if I was leaving Shirdi, Sivanesan Swamy said, "Baba will call you again." And when I returned he told me, "Baba has called you again".Sivanesan Swamy gave me a copy of the photo of Baba begging. And he gave me so much more. I came to realize that Sivanesan Swamy was always giving and always serving Baba.Sivanesan took me to Dwarkamai and instructed me to look at Baba in the dhuni picture and talk to Baba. I did that.Baba told me, "Go home, young man." I understood him to mean at that time that I should go back to the United States.

But, although I had been sick a lot since arriving in India and I had very little money to stay in India much longer, I felt I had not yet seen enough of India and I was not yet ready to leave and "go home." I had been to holy places in Maharashtra as well as Gandhian places. But, I felt I needed to go north before I could return to the U.S.A. I made a few stops along the way and got as far north as Rishikesh. When I returned to Bombay in January 1985, I decided to make one shorter trip to Shirdi before returning to the United States. I had a cassette tape recorder and I wanted to record the sweet bhajans I'd heard Sivanesan sweetly singing in the Chawdi in the evenings. Although I didn't understand the words, I loved them. I bought what I thought was a long blank audio recording tape in Bombay. When I attempted to record Sivanesan's bhajans, I discovered I'd purchased a counterfeit tape that was only a few minutes long. I thought I'd returned to Shirdi to record Sivanesan's singing.

But that was not really why I'd returned. It was Baba's lilla. When I returned to the Chawdi in late January, Sivanesan was there. Mrs. Shanta Singh was also there. She'd never seen me before. She'd just been meditating. She said she'd just seen my face in her meditation. She didn't know why. Sivanesan Swamy asked me if I'd talked to Baba when he'd left me by the dhuni in December. I told him I had done so. Sivanesan asked me what Baba had said to me. I explained to swamiji that I'd said various things to Baba and that Baba had told me to "go home" and that I wasn't ready to go. And as I was saying this to Sivanesan Swamiji I suddenly realized what Baba had really meant and said to me. Baba had told me to go home to my own self, to God within me and to Sai Baba. Sivanesan did a dhuni puja and asked Baba to come to me in a dream that night. I slept by Dwarkamai. The next day Sivanesan asked me if Baba had come to me in a dream. Baba had come to me and I told Sivanesan. (to be continued..)
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Experiences of Devotees

Darshan Kulkarni

We met a lady Rajani, a single parent with two beautiful little daughters. She came to visit BABA with prasadam and distributed to all of us. Incidentally it was her birthday on Saturday. After praying to BABA for 10 minutes, she suddenly started telling us everything about her life story. It goes like this as narrated by her:

When Rajani was in her 10th grade in Nagpur was down with severe fever and couldn't be normal in spite of all the efforts put in by her father, a Baba's devotee. Finally he took her to Shirdi and laid her at BABA's feet and prayed. To the greatest surprise of everyone Rajani was normal in 3 days and went back home with perfect health. After that she became a thorough devotee of BABA and prays him regularly. She also said in her marriage life also faced lot of struggle (married this person even if BABA said to her NOT TO in her dreams). Even after her divorce she went through many problems for her home. Her in-laws were said to be very good to her. But when she prayed to BABA and left everything for him to decide, within a short period got her home back and living with her children and leading a comfortable life working as a teacher. And now she says is very happy and awaiting BABA's blessings to find her a suitable, caring, understanding person who values her feelings and takes care of her children. I pray to BABA to bless with all her wishes.
MAY BABA BLESS YOU ALL WITH HAPPYNESS AND JOY.
SRI SATCHIDANANDA SATGURU SAI NATH MAHARAJ KI JAI! OM SAI RAM!
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Devotees say...

Krishnamohan
Dear Editor/s, this is in reference to an article in Dec 05, 2002 Volume 5, Issue 29, by a person called Bindu under the 'Devotees Say' Section, who was apparently responding to another article in the Sai Vichaar two weeks ago by a person who was worried about her in-laws staying with her. I read it and would humbly request the Editors of the Sai Vichaar to exercise their discretion in not publishing such articles. I personally and very humbly feel as a Sai devotee, that a magazine such as Sai Vichaar, which is doing this great service of bringing the teachings and philosophy of Sainath to the world, should not encourage articles that are very personal in nature for example about the problems between daughters-in-law and parents-in-law. However, I personally feel that articles of personal nature such as sickness or other issues, which do not refer to other person/s may by published. This is again my personal view and final decision rests with the editors. Having read the response of Madam Bindu, I am compelled to say that the response of Madam Bindu, is quite distressing when she makes statements such as - "If others can take care of your husband's parents happily, why you have to take the burden?" - according to our Hindu Dharma, old people are to be revered and should not be considered as a burden. The following Sanskrit verse amply proves it - "Mathru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava, Atithi Devo Bhava". Her other statement - "But in Indian standards, most old people think that the daughter in law has to be their servant and she has to suffer". This statement is a very sweeping statement and only reflects the personal prejudice of the writer. Sainath expected his devotees to be humble and compassionate. Compassionate not only to humans, but also to animals. What Madam Bindu has written, are her personal views that should not have been published. In publishing the same in Sai Vichaar, I personally feel that the Editors have not done justice to the objectives of the Sai Vichaar that is spreading the teachings and Philosophy of Shirdi Sai Baba. I felt I have to bring this to the notice of the editors, and in doing so, if I have inadvertently hurt anyone's feelings, I humbly seek their apologies and pray to Sainath to forgive me.

Professor Tiwari
I have read some messages and prayers in your newsletter. It sounds to me belittling of Baba. Some one wants a green card, other wants in-laws to be fixed, and others want ...... When you pray to God or Baba, there has to be some wisdom, some compassion, some internalization of what Baba has preached. I see you all have forgotten the basics; you all are suffering from American religion-- the religion of money-- which makes you blind, deaf, and selfish.

Soumya Rajesh
Hello Kishore, Yours is a very unique experience indeed... although I have felt Baba's presence in my life at every stage for the last 4-5 years, I have never had the same experience. But I would like to share one thing that happens every time... whenever I need something really badly, I go to the Sai picture on my desktop or in my 'mandir' at home and say "Sai, You have never turned away from your devotee's needs... You have always seen that they don't go empty-handed... Please grant this small wish of mine... please let me have this OR I really want this O Sai OR Please help me find this thing that I have lost" It always works... Sai has never let me down... always gives me what I really need and deserve... Sai is really great... and I have full faith that he will be by my side even in future... But if I have not got something by now it means there is still time for it to come into my life... As it is said - "samay se pehle aur bhagya se adhik kisi ko kuch nahi milta"

JH
This mail is for Kishore Rajput... Regarding circles in your hands and your dream... my humble request to you is any and all kind of spiritual experiences should be kept secret from any and all except your "GURU". I myself do not understand what circles mean but the pooja and/or mantra that was given to you should be remembered and followed as part of your daily pooja since it came directly from BABA. In this Kaliyuga, it was decided by higher ups that no higher up will come down and give Darshana in physical form like it used to happen in Satyuga, So, dreams are the only vehicle for them to converse with you but secrecy is a MUST. Please, have that unshakable faith in BABA and you will progress further and faster on spiritual Marg.

Nikhil D.Bhat
Dear Saima, whenever I had faced any problems, you have always pulled me out from them, and shown me the true path. This time again when I deviated from my true path but you made me realize my mistake and gave me sadbuddhi. Heartfelt Thanks for everything you have done for me. Please forgive me for my mistakes. Bow to Sri Sai, Peace be to All.

Anita Nagarajan
I subscribe to the weekly Sai Vichaar newsletter and I have a question if it could be posted for your section on "Question of the Week". My question is, In the Sai Satcharitra swami says never to fast. I can't remember what chapter it was, but the example that was given in the book was of an old lady that wanted the blessings of Sai Baba and so she decided to Fast. Baba in turn said that you can't reach God thru an empty stomach and that fasting was not a way to reach God. But reading your newsletter and hearing some of the devotees speak about fasting on Thursdays really puzzles me. Is it right to fast or not? Please someone answer this.

A Sai devotee
Dear Ragini Palani, I read about your experience in Sai Newsletter. Would you please explain how your husband got order from Baba to resign from the job? I write letters to Baba and kept it in Saisatcharithra. I am still expecting a reply for that letter. Many other devotees may also wish to know how your husband got an order from Him. So please say more about your experiences. Hope, it will help us in strengthening our faith. May Baba bless you.
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Prayer Club

Prakash
Om Sai Ram, I have been working in a Government Organization for the last 20 years and have been posted in Library. Presently I am an Assistant in the Library. Having completed Masters degree in Library Science, I have applied for a promotion to the post of Asst. Library Information Officer. So far nothing has happened. SAI BABA please do help me to get the promotion as Asst. Library Information Officer. Om Sai Ram

Revathi Santhanam
My mother is 77 years old and she just had a heart surgery back in India. She is going through lots of pains right now. I pray to Lord Sai to give her enough strength to get better soon during her post recovery period. I also request all Sai devotees to pray for my mother's fast recovery. I have always believed in Sai Baba and I am very confidant that he will take care of my mom during her painful recovery. I feel very sad that I am not able to go to India to be with my parents right now. Please pray for my mom and dad also to have enough strength.

Sudhakar
I wrote my prayer before also. My wife had developed infections in one of ovaries. Due to your blessing blood test for suspected TB was negative. But doctor suspect there is a blockage in one of ovaries. And doctor wants to do Fluoroscopy & X-ray now to find out actual situation. Meantime my wife has joined yoga class & attending one dietician. Who has promised everything will be alright. Baba as you know we do not have children since last 4- ½ years of marriage. We both are confused now. This infection has put fire on our problem. Baba come to our rescue as you did for many people. Cure my wife's problem and bless us with children. Om Sai Ram.

A Sai devotee
Baba, What is happening to me? I am such a bad person. I am not fit to a mother to my children. I am a bad daughter, sibling, wife and mother. If so, Baba what is the purpose of my living. I think it will be a great relief to all if I die. Baba, why are you letting me live and cause misery to my family. They are so hurt by my words and actions. Baba, I know that I am living for the sins I have committed in the past. If so, Baba, please cause me pain and suffering, not my children. I have not taught them any good; all I have taught them is wrongs things and wrong words. Baba, how could you have created just a bad person is me. I pray to you regularly Baba asking for your help, but obviously my prayers are not sincere since you have not helped me. Please let me know what I should do. Please do not let my children, husband and parents and in-laws suffer because of my thoughtless dirty words. Baba, I beg you, at least for their sake, take me away from this world. There is no other human on earth as bad as me. Baba, there is one last thing I am going to try and if that fails I am not sure what I will do. I will do Satcharitra parayana this coming week and pray that you cleanse my mouth and actions. Please Baba, take care of my children and let them not be hurt by me. Jai Sai Baba

Sai Mamatha, Korea
I'm a SAIBABA devotee. My problem is my husband's job is over by this month end. We need extension to stay in Korea. First my husband's professor said he is giving for another year but now he is telling only next week he will tell us weather he will give extension or not. We are tensed up, BABA has to help us in this regard and get us extension for another year. We are praying BABA to help us in this trouble. BABA will save us from this trouble. Please pray for us.

Simon
This is a letter to all, please pray for me so that I get married my family are worried a lot I am to, it seems whatsoever I do, I never succeed, please Baba forgive me for all my sins and mistakes and help me. It is very sad to see my family unhappy because of me. Baba, bless me and please help me, so I should get married. Om Sai Ram.
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Quotation of the Week
The almighty avatar on earth Saibaba cannot make totally new alteration in one's prarabdha karma but He can soft-pedal the effect to reduce tension in man to a bearable extent. He is like the Railway who never enquires of a passenger if he had a comfortable journey for the money he paid but only supervises and safeguards your life train travels according to already God-fixed karma without derailing on the way.-from "Light of Wisdom: Shirdi Saibaba" published by Sri Sai Spiritual Center,Banglore, India
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Question of the Week

Q."What is the significance of rotating around the self while standing (pradakshina) during Baba's aarathi?

A. by Gopikrishna, New Delhi, India
Ramana Maharshi observed: Pradakshina (the Hindu rite of going round the object of worship) is 'All is within me.' The true significance of the act of going round Arunachala is said to be as effective as circuit round the world. That means that the whole world is condensed into this Hill. The circuit round the temple of Arunachala is equally good; and self-circuit (i.e. turning round and round) is as good as the last. So all are contained in the Self. Says the Ribhu Gita: 'I remain fixed, whereas innumerable universes becoming concepts within my mind, rotate within me. This meditation is the highest circuit (pradakshina).
(Taken from the Talks of Sri Ramana Maharishi, Sri Ramanasramam)
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Sai Activities

Sai Satsang, Houston, TX
Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, Houston, Texas, USA cordially invites you for Thursday satsang at the following location: 5645 Hillcroft, Suite #304, Houston, Texas, 77036 between 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Shirdi Sai Baba Prayer Center, Twin Cities, MN
By the grace and blessings of Sadguru Sainath Maharaj, Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center has started for the benefit of Sai devotees in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas of Minnesota at 725-139 NE Lake Street, Hopkins, MN. The fortnightly Satsang is scheduled on December 14, from 4.00 PM to 8.00 PM and the program will include Sai abhishek, Bhajans, Kirthans, Sai Naama Jap and Dhoop aarthi. For details, please contact hamaresai@yahoo.com. Or call Sangeeta (651-481-6782), Kiran (952-233-1819), Ravi (651-342-0600) Bhuva (651-681-2042) or Sathya (651-739-2105)

Shirdi Sai Baba Prayer Center, Kendall Park, NJ
Saibaba.org invites you to join for Sai puja, bhajans, Saicharitra readings, aarti and prasad every sunday at Durga Mandir,Kendall Park, NJ from 11am-1pm. For further details or directions contact Kumad Sachdev at (732) 257-1438, Shyam Addanki at (610) 648-0191 or email us at maildrop@saibaba.org.

Shirdi Sai Baba Chitra Yatra And Weekly Satsang, Canada
Shri Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of Canada, Toronto cordially invites you all to for Thursday satsang at the following 2 locations: Durga temple., 2691 Markham Rd. Scarborough, ph: 416 754 2983 and Shri Vithal Hindu Mandir., 5359 Timber Lea Blvd. Mississauga, ph: 905 238 0946. between 6:15pm to 7:15pm.

We invite all devotees in Canada to join us in celebrating "Shri Ramnavami festival 2003 in Toronto. Devotees joining from outside Toronto looking for accommodation please register by 25th of February - devotees interested in volunteering or those interested in offering bhajans to Baba pls call Shammi Chopra 416 402 8089 from 7 to 9am or after 9pm in the evening.

Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra in UK
Devotees may participate in Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra currently underway in UK. To invite Baba to your home and for further details please contact Manu Bajaj at bajaj_manu@yahoo.com or call at +44 7905 933 489 in Wembley, UK

Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra in USA
"Shri Shirdi Sai Chitra Yatra(Pictorial Journey)", started in USA on Jan 01, 2002. With anchor points across USA concurrently participating from day one, this unique event is off to a great start.

The journey which involves the ceremonial travel of Baba in the form of a portrait will stop at all Baba devotees homes who are interested in being a host to his protrait. The Yatra which will run till fall of this year, is open to one and all. There is no fees or charges involved to take part in this event. You may participate either as a host home or serve as an anchor point in your community.

Vist online at yatra page for all the details and to register.

For questions, comments, suggestions or to get details on an Anchor home in your area, send us an email at maildrop@saibaba.org with the subject line of "Shri Sai Chitra Yatra".
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