|  FROM SHRI C.B. SATPATHY'S MESSAGE
……“While
at Shirdi, Baba used to mutter something occasionally, a sort of loud-thinking,
which only He understood. At times, He would say astound¬ing things either
completely out of context for the listeners or out of reach of their imagination.
On one such occasion, He was heard telling a devotee that in future big buildings
would come up in Shirdi, big people would visit the place and also that people
would make a bee-line there. The meanings of His divine utterances were not understood
then. Today a crowd - at average of about thirty thousand, is visiting Shirdi
every day. People from all parts of India, both the richest and the poorest, are
visiting Shirdi. Baba can never be wrong as He had knowledge of the past and future,
not only of the individuals meeting Him but also about events before and after
the duration of His physical existence.
Incarnations like Baba playa role, both at micro and macro levels. At the micro-level,
they take care of the individual souls, not only of human beings but also of other
species, who are drawn to them by their mighty will like chained birds, as Baba
used to say. Baba used to recall His past life relationships with many of them,
in one case, stretching as far back as seventy-two lives. He also spoke about
the past lives of other species. At a macro-level, Baba once commented that during
1854 and 1858, He was busy with Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, thereby, indicating his
role in the transitional phase of Indian history. Earlier, Baba had spoken about
Mughal Emperor Humayun and the birth of Akbar in which he had a role to play.
Limited human intelligence can
only perceive the activities at micro-level of the Perfect Masters; it can never
perceive their role at the macro-level. History, therefore, is a limited projection
of human activities at micro-level. No historian so far, has been able to bring
about the hidden game of the Perfect Masters behind all the temporal powers on
this earth.”…….
FROM
"LIFE OF SAI BABA" BY NARASIMHA SWAMI
……“So
far as Lobha is concerned, it is excessive greed and is looked down upon even
in an ordinary person, and much more in a person who aims at spiritual uplift.
But so far as Nana was concerned, Lobha does not appear to have been a defect
in his character. In any case, Lobha is only an exaggeration of one's attachment
to moneys and goods. Baba took very good care to see that Nana’s attachment did
not reach excessive heights. Baba adopted his usual methods for this purpose.
It is ‘Dana’ that is the exact opposite of, and, therefore, the antitode for,
the venom called attachment or greed. This truth comes from even the date of the
Brihadaranyaka. Prajapati was approached by his three sets of children, the Devas,
the Naras, and the Asuras. Each of these came and said, ‘Please give us instruction
as to what we should do’. Prajapati answered. ‘Da, Da, Da,’ to each of these.
In the case of the gods, the ‘Da’ required for them was Dama that is, self-control,
moderation. In the case of the Asuras, the ‘Da’ required was Daya, i.e. mercy.
Their excessive cruel nature had to be met by the spirit of compassion, which
was the antidote for their cruelty. In the case of men, the ‘Da’ was ‘Daana’ i.e,
charity. Man’s natural instinct is to grasp, to be greedy, and to get more and
more, and the best way of checking this greed is by making man give up all that
he has got. Daana forces a man to part with his money, etc. and by constant parting,
he will get accustomed to feel quite nonchalant, quite unaffected while parting
with moneys or when moneys are lost. Thus ‘Da’ (Daana) is the recipe given to
men as the rule of their life by Prajapati. The
importance of eradicating greed from one’s nature may be seen from the simplest
and one of the best of all the 108 Upanishads-viz., lsavasya Upanishad, so much
praised by Mahatma Gandhi. In the very first verse of this Upanishad, the order
is given, ‘Ma Gridhah Kasyasvid Danam’. That is, ‘Covet not wealth whosesoever
it may be.’ Or it may be translated thus, ‘Covet not; whose is wealth?’ This means,
what is your wealth today is mine tomorrow and somebody else’s on the third day.
So there is nothing fixed about wealth, and one need not concern oneself so much
about this fleeting possession. Therefore, Daana has been specially insisted upon
not only in the Vedas and Upanishads (dakshina is prescribed for all the rituals)
but also by Baba in his daily practice. Baba the Soul of Vairagya never cared
to ask for moneys in the beginning. But when visitors began to rush upon him in
crowds, in hundreds, he began to ask for dakshina, which had various meanings
and explanations. One way of keeping out undesirable people, the over-greedy people
who think of nothing except money is to ask for dakshina. A lawyer, who went to
see Baba when alive, noted that he, a lawyer, accustomed to get money from others,
was being asked to pay money to Baba. So he felt repelled and never again visited
Baba during his life time. That is evidently one of the ideas underlying Baba's
demand in some cases. In many other cases also, the demand of dakshina serves
the purpose of reducing attachment. In the case of Nana, Baba used to demand off
and on various sums, and so Nana was accustomed to take with him large sums like
Rs. 300 or Rs. 400 whenever he visited Shirdi. Whenever Baba asked for money,
Nana would give him money. This constant giving of money to Baba would naturally
reduce his attachment to wealth.”……
POEM
The room was filled with pure gold light,
By HIS presence,
it shone,
And when the man woke up,
He was not alone. Beside
him was his Baba,
Holding his hand,
And Shri Sai Baba did not leave him,
As they walked throughout the land. The
man became poor and helpless,
Old age got the best of him,
And when he
would struggle,
Baba tended to his every whim. The
poor sick man turned around one day,
And saw footprints that he thought were
his,
But Baba's footprints were gone,
What was the meaning of this? "Oh,
Baba! You said you were always with me,
"Baba, you have lied,
You're
not with me in sickness!"
The poor old man cried. "Those
footprints are mine,
There is no limit to my love,
In sickness, I have
carried you."
Said Baba's voice from above. Pallavi Shankar Share your experience,
articles poems etc. DEVOTEE'S EXPERIENCE Baba's
Miracles in my Life How
we entered Baba’s kingdom
Baba had entered our household in the year 1982
when I was a child. My brother was around 8 months old and had diarrhea, which
was not getting cured despite medication. On the advice of a neighbour, my parents
took my brother to Shirdi. And immediately my brother's diarrhea was cured. Thus
we were included in Baba's durbar for life. Nothing
much had happened in my life till the year 2000 when I suddenly and occasionally
witnessed Baba’s miracles. I started doing Baba’s Parayan and used to chant Vishnu
Sahasra Namam daily. I was having
tooth ache, I could see a black decay in my tooth. I wanted to go to a dentist
but somehow my visit would get postponed. One night I had a dream that there was
a doctor and he was drilling my tooth and giving me treatment. The next morning
I woke up and checked my tooth and to my delight my tooth decay had gone. This
was a miracle, which I had not asked for but I am sure it is Baba’s miracle to
show me I am under his patronage. In
the year 2001, I was working in Mumbai and my fiancé was in Hyderabad.
We used to fight frequently even thought we loved each other very much, as there
were serious problems between us. One day I broke my engagement with him. This
was a very difficult period in my life and I suffered a lot mentally. My fiancé
then came to Mumbai to make up with me. But I was unsure and so decided to leave
everything to Baba and started parayanam. On the last day of parayanam I suddenly
felt that I should marry him. I attribute this decision to BABA. After
my marriage, I came back to Mumbai. My mind was very disturbed as my mother in
law was a Christian convert and that had an effect on my husband. That night in
the train I saw Baba in my dream, and then I saw Christ, then again Baba and then
again Christ. I felt that through this Baba had given me the message that Christ
and Baba are not different. In
the year 2002 another miracle happened in the context of my Visa. My application
for a study visa had been rejected on two earlier occasions. So when my company
applied for a visa on my behalf the consulate did not give it but put it on observation.
I thought my visa had been rejected this time also. I kept praying to Baba. One
night I dreamt that some sadhu had come to my house and told me “Do not worry
, you will get a visa” and disappeared. Then 2-3 days after which I got a call
from consulate that I could go and collect my visa. I
was very happy and thankful to Baba. However, while I went to the US, I returned
prematurely within 2 months. This left me very disappointed and depressed as I
do not understand why Baba did not make me settle there. Now I have so many responsibilities
that I cannot go there though I still aspire to go. I
was married in May 2002 but stayed in Mumbai. I could not get a transfer to Hyderabad.
In November 2002 I went to Shirdi and prayed for my transfer. I became pregnant
in December 2002 and had to take continuous bed rest. Citing this as a strong
reason I again applied for a transfer. I was facing difficulties in the process.
Then on 7th February 2003 night I had a dream in which I saw a fakir and I felt
he was Baba. He asked me for Dakshina, I gave some amount, he asked me for more,
which I gave. I felt he was testing me to see if I would give him everything I
had. He again asked me for dakshina, and I said I don’t have anything left. He
then said: “Do not worry, your transfer will be done”.
On Monday when I contacted
my manager, he asked me to leave for Hyderabad. Now this was a miracle because
none of my papers had been approved and signed, and were still pending but I was
asked to leave. What is a greater miracle then this leela of Sai. In
April 2003 I was in my 5th month of pregnancy. I was working in an office 5 km
from my house. I received a relocation letter to another office which was quite
far away. I was very tense as I was not keeping good health and the doctor had
advised me rest. I was praying to Baba and was sure He would take care of me.
I called one of my colleagues who worked in that office earlier. To my surprise
and utter cheer she told me that the office just shifted on the previous day to
some other place, which was 7 km from my house. I really thanked Baba for caring
for me. My mother in law had converted
to Christianity and before I came to her house in Hyderabad she told me that I
should not put any photos and I should not light Diya. But does Baba leave his
kids? To my utter surprise when I came to Hyderabad my Father in law gave me a
calendar with Baba’s photo. I had stuck that calendar on the wall with a gum.
One day the calendar fell down, and I did not put it back on the wall. After few
days I wanted to do parayanam of Baba. And I could not find the calendar photo.
I searched frantically for it and thought that my Mother in law had thrown it
away. It was Wednesday and I was wondering whether to buy a new photo of Baba
since I wanted to start parayanam the next day. But
can you imagine what had happened? While rearranging the clothes on the shelves
my mother in law found that calendar and gave it to me. What a great miracle.
Baba had not only come to me in time but also proved that my Mother in law was
innocent by giving me calendar through her. Om
Sai Ram Bharani Share your experience,
articles poems etc. DEVOTEES' FORUM An apology
to BABA
Dear BABA,
'I' have prayed a lot and 'I' believed that
when I prayed, all my problems would be solved. I kept many fasts. Yet my problems
always remained. I was told not to lose trust in you so I persisted in my prayers.
I continued my prayers and my wish list kept on increasing.
I thought I would
be safe if I pray to you, but what is this BABA? I am get hurt, meet with accidents,
fall sick. This is not why I pray to you. I ask you to take care of 'MY' family
but we have some problem or the other with matters of health, money and studies.
But 'WHY' is it so, have 'I' not prayed to you enough? 'I' keep looking for a
decent job and kept 'MY' requests at your feet; instead I end up doing casual
work. Now I am angry with you because YOU do not answer my prayers. I need to
pray to ANOTHER God who listens to me and fulfills my prayers. The others who
NEVER pray to you are always happy, I Pray, yet you allow me to be miserable?
Are you talking to me? I hear words in the wind, is that you BABA? Ok now that
I said I will stop praying to you and look for comfort elsewhere you have decided
to talk to me? I am listening……
Oh! I am so ashamed of my behavior BABA. I
have been so selfish all these days. I prayed to you with a selfish intention,
yet you held me close to your heart. I asked for things, which were small, yet
I did not see beyond my wishes. You gave me better things in life yet I held a
grudge for little things and did not appreciate the bigger things.
You never
let me starve and always gave me a job either casual or otherwise yet I have been
ungrateful to you. When I fell down and had the accident you rescued me and bore
the pain of the impact otherwise I would have been crippled for life. I escaped
with a bruise and worked out my karma.
When things were not going the way
I wanted them to, I did not realise you had better plans for me. I only kept the
negatives in my heart and forgot to thank you. I did not realise that what I wanted
and you did not give it to me is what I did not need.
You always took care
of my family and protected and guided them. Hence, they were able to overcome
their weaknesses and be stronger and successful in every venture. The failures
you gave me BABA, I now realize, are stepping stones to make me resilient, strong
and capable to survive in this harsh competitive world. When I did casual jobs
you wanted to break my ego and respect every work. Yet I did not know your intentions.
When I hurled abuses at you for not listening to “MY” prayers and not being
sensitive to “MY” needs you still kept holding me and consoled me during times
of disappointment by giving little surprises which I took for granted.
BABA,
today I realised how selfish I am. This note is to apologise to you for my selfishness,
for my narrow minded views, for not taking everything in my life as your wish,
as you wanted me to be better person. From now on I will not wail, let your will
prevail. After all I am your child and you are my parent, how can you see me suffer?
I will do my duty. I leave the result in your hands. I accept your judgment and
gratefully accept your decisions. I will be disappointed for sure when I do not
get what I aim for, but I ask you to give me the strength to get over my disappointments
and never give up perseverance. Thank you for every meal, thank you for every
failure. Thank you for NOT fulfilling all my wishes for I know you have a bigger
plan for my future.
Humble pranams
Your daughter
Anitha
Kandukuri
Canberra, Australia. Share your feelings about Shirdi Sai in
Devotees’ Forum READER'S REFLECTION As an ardent
devotee of Shirdi Sai since very long time, I found this site interesting as it
gives an opportunity to know more about several devotees and from Shirdi Sai ashirvadam.org
site as well. I shall try to subscribe to the magazine and also to contribute
some articles. Lanka Venkata Subba Rao, Visakhapatnam.
Your magazine can become a number one on Shri Sai Baba. A good vibrant
editorial based on knowledge on the functioning of a magazine and the devotees
should have an urge to go in for the magazine they are looking for. M
Krishna Kumar, Secunderabad Share
Reader's Reflection NEWS
OF SHIRDI SAI ACTIVITIES SHIRDI
SAI BABA SANSTHAN, CANADA THE
RESOURCE CENTRE
Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, Canada is pleased to announce
the establishment of it's first Resource Centre in Woodbridge, Toronto. All visits
are by appointment only. Shri Sai Satcharita is available in all languages. The
Resource Centre is open Mon to Friday between 10:00 - 5:00PM. Location: Maple
Crest Private School - 28 Roytech Rd. Woodbridge, On L4L 8E4 Ph: 905 - 652-6666
For other Details call 416-294-4804 or visit http://www.shirdisainath.org/ SHIRDI SAI MANDIR, TORONTO, CANADA The Shirdi Sai Mandir located at 2721 Markham Road, Toronto,
Ontario, M1X 1L5 (Intersection of Markham and Nashdene) is open through out the
day on Saturday, Sunday & holidays and in the morning and evenings on all
weekdays. Baba's Kakad Aarti, Abhishek Puja, Madhyan Aarti, Dhoop Aarti, Satcharita
Reading & Shej Aarti are performed everyday. Bhajans & Sai Naam Sankirtan
in evening on Thursday & Saturday. For daily schedule, temple activities &
events information please visit Mandir's website : http://www.theshirdisaimandir.com/
or send an email to info@theshirdisaimandir.com
or call 647-444-4724.
PERSATUAN SHIRDI SAI BABA SELANGOR, MALAYSIA
I belong to the Shirdi Sai Group (registered as Persatuan Shirdi Sai Baba,
Selangor), Malaysia. Sai Ram everybody. This to inform the Baba devotees in Malaysia
and Singapore that every Thursday we conduct prayers in the morning at 9.00 am
and bhajans and satsang in the evenings 7.30 pm onwards. Anyone who is interested
in joining us may please contact SP Kannan at 012-2739486; or Usha at 012-2392911;
or Res: 03-33717540. Also if you come across any Malaysian devotees, please direct
them to us. Thank you and Sai Ram. Share News from your part of the world
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