FROM SHRI C.B. SATPATHY'S MESSAGE 

……“Baba had Himself said, “those who make Me their only refuge are the dearest to Me”. To make Baba the only refuge is not an easy task. This simply means total surrender. People often say that they have totally surrendered to Baba. This is generally not true, because it is these persons who are seen to running to astrologers and Pandits to find out ways and means to improve their material situation. They worship one deity for one purpose and another for another purpose. They waste time in experimenting with Rudraksha, Tulsimala of various sizes, colours and shades, or trying with different types of Mantras prescribed by various people. Some of them are also attracted by people somewhat attiring like Baba, for example, wearing a Kafni or a head-gear, and feel that they have had the darshan of Baba. I have seen many people, moving around in Shirdi and at other places in such dress simply with the intention of gaining monetary benefits. At Delhi and other places I have heard of people attired in Baba’s style and appearing at the houses of many people or in the street in a dramatic manner predicting something for future and vanishing after taking Dakshina. Worst is the case of those who assert that they possess powers conferred by Sai Baba on them. They form a small group of devotees, collect donation, build-up a small temple and make a livelihood out of it. There are also a few who feel that they have become close to Baba and start describing some of their imaginations interpreted as experiences to others in an exaggerated manner. They feel as if they are a special class and go on looking down upon others and are seen directly or indirectly communicate to others, about their spiritual superiority at the earliest opportunity. I have heard people saying that honey or holy ash ‘udi’ is coming out of Baba’s photographs and statue in their houses. This never happened anywhere even when Baba was in His physical embodiment.

All these are limitations in the path of spiritual progress. These are games of illusion ‘Maya’ that actually distance people from Baba rather than bringing them closer. They try all their life with such activities and do not get the best out of Baba that is peace and self-realization. People in the path of devotion develop certain qualities that manifest in their daily life. They become humble, sacrificing, more universal and sensitive to the pain of others. They love Baba and flow in that stream unknowingly carrying along with them all, that come in their contact. They don’t try to pray to Baba for the fulfillment of any material requirements. They feel that Baba has a role to play to lead them ultimately to the correct path and the correct goal. They have nothing to prove and, therefore, do not allow ‘ego’ to assert itself. This is the correct path towards Baba.”…….

FROM "LIFE OF SAI BABA" BY NARASIMHA SWAMI   

……“Nana was under the delusion that he was the great supplier of Baba, and that Baba had to depend upon him for money. Nana had to be disabused of that idea. So, Baba made use of Sri M. B. Rege on one occasion, and exhausted all the funds he had by taking them out as dakshina, and when M. B. Rege said that he had no more money, Baba said, ‘Borrow’. ‘From whom’ asked Mr. Rege. Baba sent him first to Shama who had no money at all, and who was a very poor man. Shama’s explanation of Baba’s demand was that Baba wanted him and not his cash, and, therefore, he (Baba) wanted him to feel the want of cash was nothing. So saying, he sent his namaskars through Rege to Baba. Then Baba sent Mr. Rege to H. S. Dixit who also had no money with him at that time. He explained Baba’s demand to Mr. Rege thus: ‘You must not feel begging at all to be a shame, much less begging for the sake of your master’. Then Baba sent him to Nana Chandorkar. Nana Chandorkar then explained to M.B. Rege his policy. He used to leave one half of his money at Kopergaon and come with the balance to Shirdi, and when this was exhausted, he would send for the reserve at Kopergaon. When Mr. Rege reported this, Baba sent for Nana Chandorkar and took from him (by repeatedly asking for dakshina) all the money he had in his possession. Then he again asked him for dakshina before the reserve from Kopergaron arrived. Nana felt humiliated His moha received a blow. The subjects of moha and dakshia are closely connected with daana.”……

POEM

Blessings
I knelt to pray when day was done
And prayed, "O Lord, bless everyone,
Lift from each saddened heart the pain
And let the sick be well again."
And then I woke another day
And carelessly went on my way,
The whole day long I did not try
To wipe a tear from any eye.
I did not try to share the load
Of any brother on the road.
I did not even go to see
The sick man just next door to me.
Yet once again when day was done
I prayed, "O Lord, bless everyone."
But as I prayed, into my ear
there came a voice that whispered clear,
"Pause now, my son, before you pray.
Whom have you tried to bless today?
Gods sweetest blessing always go
by hands that serve him here below."
And then I hid my face and cried,
"Forgive me, God, I have not tried,
But let me live another day
and I will live the way I pray."
Source Unknown

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DEVOTEE'S EXPERIENCE

MY EXPERIENCE

After returning from Chatterpur temple on Thursday 1st December 2005 when I went to my pooja room I just felt that Baba was feeling cold. I took out a new shawl from my cupboard and wrapped it around the marble murti in my house. I promised myself that I would go and buy some yarn the next day and make a shawl for Baba.

The next day, my daughter and I went to Lajpat Nagar to buy some yarn. I really liked one pink and silver yarn and thought a shawl in that would look amazing on Him. My daughter kept saying it was too flashy and did not let me buy it. I gave in and bought beautiful baby wool and came back.

On reaching home I went to my mother-in-law thinking she would knit it faster than me. Before I could say anything to her, she started to say: " I had gone to Lajpat Nagar yesterday and thought I would pick up some yarn for your Babaji." She was holding the same pink and silver yarn in her hand that my daughter had not let me buy.

I was speechless and tears rolled down my eyes. Its amazing how he fulfills each and every thought and wish we have.

May we always serve him.

Thanks Baba …

Savita Handa, Delhi

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Share your feelings about Shirdi Sai in Devotees’ Forum

I really appreciate your starting this Sai Heritage E-Zine, the newsletter. This would help the Sai devotees to know more about Baba and share their experiences.
Yashika

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.

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