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 FROM
SHRI C.B. SATPATHY'S MESSAGE
……“Pain and pleasure as
defined by the rationalists are unwelcome and welcome experiences.
When a man goes by this theory, he creates a small universe
for himself in which he always tries to avoid pain and gain
pleasure. In such a state of mind he restricts himself within
his isotopic atomic individualism. The universes created by
God and the Laws of Nature running these universes have limited
use for him or so he thinks. But this not being the reality,
he faces a situation of double pain when confronted with pain
- the first pain is the one physical or mental, given to him
and the second pain is the disintegration of the universe
which he has built up so strenuously throughout his life,
during the evolution of his life. It takes a longer time for
him to adjust with God’s Universe as his own. However, those
who view their little universes as parts of the God’s Universe
are in a much better state. No doubt, they will also suffer
pain of body or mind, which otherwise may be defined as disintegration
but they will not see the breaking of their self-created little
universe.
Numerous atoms and molecules
are integrated to form the body and they are kept together
by the life-force. An injury and death lead to partial or
total disintegration of these body particles. One puts his
life’s earnings in an integrated form in a bank account (i.e.
adding one rupee to another) and when it exhausts, the life
is disintegrated. A person through a process of manipulation
and exhibition has integrated many persons to believe that
he is good and noble and basks in that glory for some time.
However, a single wrong action on his part has the potentiality
of totally shattering this positive thought process of others.
Human universes emanating out of their ego have the chance
of disintegration.
Thus, disintegration
of body and mind is a continuous process between the two terminal
points called birth and death. With the death of his body
his painfully arranged universe ends. However, the only non-
disintegrating factor, i.e., the soul, after death goes back
to the universe of God, leaving the universe of man, and is
eternal.
To get into the universe
of God, one has to break the universe of man. A sealed water
container in an ocean needs to be broken if it’s water were
to have universal expanse in the sea. Most of the people I
happen to meet are asking me for various components required
to build their own little universe like a child, a house,
a job, money or honour. They pray to Baba for the same although,
their emotional attraction towards Him can’t be denied. How
unfortunate that the mighty divine power of attraction of
Baba is converted to the attraction of money, job or land.
The same spiritual force of Baba which can become the various
forms of nature i.e., deities like Ganesh, Maruti etc., now
is desired and prayed by devotees to convert into the state
of money and land. In the quintessence, those who pray Baba
for money want to experience Him as money, those who pray
for land will experience Him as land and those pray Him for
women will experience Him as woman. No doubt they are experiencing
Baba, but at a much lower state of consciousness. Those who
want to experience Him in a higher state will have to go beyond
this state of mind. If they have to experience His original
state (Swaroop) they have to focus their concentration i.e.,
power of attraction to Baba only and not other objects. Then
they will get Baba in His Swaroop i.e. the original eternal
form, and not His changeable and convertible form like money,
land etc.
What should be the correct
path then? To help them to create their own universe or to
help them to break their own universe and merge in the universe
of Baba?
Theirs is a highly individualistic
and egoistic universe created by illusion (Maya). Sri Sai
has the ultimate answer for His children. But here I am, standing
miles away from a lamp-post, can’t clearly see the midway
figures (in their own universes) better than I see the lamp-post.”…….
FROM
"LIFE OF SAI BABA" BY NARASIMHA SWAMI
……“Another
stanza, which may be quoted next, sets out the names of a
number of loving bhaktas so that they may ever remain in one's
heart and show how bhakti achieves its ends. The end of bhakti
is not achieved by the offer of money to God or by mere learning
or by age or beauty of a person, God does not want any of
these. God wants only your heart, that is, your self, and
he will not be satisfied with anything else. The stanza runs
as follows,
Vyadhasya
Acharanam Dhruvasyacha Vayah Vidya
Gajendrasya ka
Ka-jatir Vidhurasya Yadavapateh U grasya
Kim Pourusham
Kubjayah Kamaniya Rupam Adihikam
Kimtat Sudhamno Dhanam
Bhaktya Tushyati Kevalam
Natu Gunaih, .Bhaktipriyah Sripatih..
This means,
as for the hunter Kannappa what Achara or religious course
of conduct had he?
For Dhruva,
what was his age?
For the elephant
Gajendra, what education or degrees and titles had he?
Had Vidura
favourite of Krishna any qualification in respect of caste?
He was the son of a slave or dancing girl.
For the king
of Yadavas called U grasena, who was favoured by Krishna what
manliness had he? He was a great coward.
Fur Kubja
also was favoured by Krishna, had she any great beauty? She
was deformed in person.
For Sudhama,
known as Kuchela who also was favoured by Krishna, had he
any wealth?
Therefore,
God is pleased with and wants only bhakti or devotion. God
is captured by prem or love. The above stanza refers to well
known bhaktas who received great help or favour from Krishna
or God on account of their bhakti. One’s profession or conduct,
that is, whether one is a hunter or a Vaideek Brahmin, whether
one is young or old, whether one is highly learned or a creature
without education, whether one is a high caste person or the
son of a slave whether one is a brave man or a coward, whether
one has beauty or wealth, none of these are the reasons for
God's help and favour. God is pleased by bhakti alone and
bhakti can capture Him. This contains the essence of the doctrine
of bhakti or devotion, and, therefore, earnest readers who
are anxious to study the history of Sai Baba, who realised
in himself the perfection of Godhead by attaining Purnalaya,
concentrating his mind always on God with intense love from
his earliest period of life, and thereby attained Aikya, so
that he could say Mainm Allahum, that is Aham Brahmasm and
could exhibit all the powers of God; would find the use of
the above stanzas. Sai identified himself with Krishna and
with every other form of God. As the object of everyone should
be to please God in Sai form or in any other form, one may
note how in point of historical fact, from this biography,
numbers of people were drawn to Sai Baba and achieved the
love of Sai Baba, and thereby achieved every object of human
existence. The succeeding chapters of this book would deal
with the details of a large number of devotees being drawn
to and benefiting from Baba, and would fully illustrate the
truth of the above verses. At present we have sufficiently
satisfied highly sensitive readers who wish to have the essence
of Sai Baba's Marga placed before them, before we deal with
the expansion of the Sai movement and the details of persons
who approached him, and the problems that arise for consideration
in the life of Baba.”……
POEM
Gifts of Love
Love is a gift from God to man.
Obedience is a gift from Master to man.
Surrender is a gift from man to Master.
One who loves desires the will of the Beloved.
One who obeys does the will of the Beloved.
One who surrenders knows nothing but the will of the Beloved.
Love seeks union with
the Beloved.
Obedience seeks the pleasure of the Beloved.
Surrender seeks nothing.
One who loves is the
lover of the Beloved.
One who obeys is the beloved of the Beloved.
One who surrenders has no existence other than the Beloved.
Greater than love is
obedience.
Greater than obedience is surrender.
All three arise out of, and remain contained in,
the Ocean of divine Love.
"THE EVERYTHING
AND THE NOTHING",
Meher House Publications, 1963.
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TOPIC OF DISCUSSION
RELIGION
AND SPIRITUALITY
Man is fortunate to have
choices in life, using sense of discrimination he can evolve
by making a right choice. Unlike in olden times man has the
freedom to choose his religion as well. With his ability to
rationalize and be informed about the values and practices
and ideology of a particular religion, he chooses to move
away from the religion he is born into.
The main aim of choosing
religion is to follow and attain spiritual progress and be
at peace. Often one mistakes religion and spirituality to
be one and the same and uses these words interchangeably.
There is subtle difference between both terms. Religion is
a set of practices, rituals and beliefs that one conforms
to either in an institutionalized setting or at home. On the
other hand spirituality is the understanding and following
the religious values in life, conforming more to the innate
spirit of an individual unlike the temporal practices of religion.
A man initially follows
a religion aiming at progression towards spiritual evolution.
His spiritual progress is ascertained only when he is able
to internalize the values governing that religion and apply
it in day to day life. The basis of every religion is simple
and it comprises being pure in thought and behaviour, love
for all beings, compassion to fellow beings and being content
with what one has and being charitable. These values are easier
said than practiced. Living and being entangled in the materialistic
world it is hard to be filled with pure thoughts and behaviour
when the fight is for survival of the fittest.
For one who wants to
progress in spiritual life, he has to constantly remind himself
that in order to progress at the spiritual level one has to
imbibe the values and live by them in one’s daily routine.
One step at a time and one conscientious act of kindness with
humility, love and generosity is required to tame our wild
and erratic mind. For practicing these virtues and progressing
in spirituality one need not be isolated from the world. All
it needs is adapting these values in our daily routine. Hoarding
is result of greediness and it pulls man to the lowest levels
of behaviour. In order to get rid of his attachment to the
materialism, charity is prescribed in scriptures. It is easy
to love our relatives, but he who loves one who hurts him
is the true devotee of God. It is difficult to accept one
who harms us, but the greatness lies in forgiving such a person
and winning him over with love.
A man who makes such
a conscious effort to live a simple life by accepting everything
as the will of God and follows values as laid out in the religious
scriptures, such a man progresses faster spiritually. Of course
one needs guru’s blessings to overcome obstacles and also
to persist in the efforts to follow these spiritual values
in daily life.
O Master! Give us your
blessings to practice spiritualism in daily life.
Anitha Kandukuri,
Canberra
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your views on Topic of Discussion- Revevance of Sai In Todays Society
DEVOTEE'S EXPERIENCE
OM SRI SAI RAM, I would
like to share my recent experience with Sai Devotees about
how Shri Sai helped my friend overcome a very critical situation.
It was in the month of April 2000, I called my friend’s home
in Canada to learn that he has been in the intensive care
unit (for two months) with a massive third Cardiac arrest
followed with multiple ailments. Doctors had not given any
hope and were waiting to let the critical period pass. I rushed
to their house with Sai’s picture and Udi (sacred ash) in
my pocket and with prayers to Baba. I went to the hospital
with his spouse and two little kids. I silently prayed in
my heart that if “Sai if You are here, You must help to revive
the condition of this patient”. I took out the Sai Picture
and Udi from my pocket, which was then mailed by an ardent
Sai devotee in New Jersey USA, I requested the ailing patient’s
spouse to place the Sai Picture on his chest and sincerely
pray Lord Sai “Please reconcile the condition of my Husband
and I shall be ever indebted to you”. The lady did prayers
and took a pinch of Udi and put it in his mouth. The patient
was on an intravenous diet and oxygen pipes. Then with closed
eyes I prayed “O Lord Sai, please shower your richest blessing
on this traumatic and depressed family. Reassure your faith
and miracles on this patient.”
The miracle of Sai happened
on the next day, the patient was able to move and open his
eyes slightly, which gave everyone a ray of hope for survival.
Doctors declared that critical moment had gone. They felt
he would revive in a couple of days. Since then I kept on
inquiring about the condition of the patient. One week later
I could directly speak to the patient in hospital over the
phone and was glad to hear his voice once again, "Ravi
I am improving now." If BABA had not showered his Blessings,
the whole family would have been in distress by now. Now the
patient is at home and living a normal life with slight care
and supervision on and off from the specialists. However,
those moments in the hospital are unforgettable for me. PRAY
SAI THAT RICHEST BLESSINGS BE WITH HIS FAMILY FOREVER AND
ALSO SAI DEVOTEES.
Ravinder
Thota
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DEVOTEES' FORUM
It is sometimes really difficult to bring spiritualism regularly
in daily life but whenever we do some work we can chant our
Guru SAI name in our heart or we can write also, Babaji You
are here for us. We just have to take one step towards Him.
Saloni
From the
time I have brought the Photo of Sri Sai and become a member
of Sri Sai Sansthan and read the book on Sri Sai, all my problems
are solved and all my family members are happier and business
too has improved. I am tension free and all my work gets done
smoothly. I visited Shirdi some 30 years earlier and will
visit again with the permission of Sri Sai Nath. Udhi has
cured many of my mental and physical ailments. Jai Sri Sai.
Vinod Khullar,
India
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Devotees’ Forum
READER'S REFLECTION
Thank you for sending Shri Sai Baba's Newsletter. Since I
do not get the hard copy of the issue (as I'm in the US) it
is good that at least I get to read the online version.
You and the team are doing excellent work in promoting interest
and awareness of Shri Sai Baba. I am a devotee of Baba and
have supreme faith in Him. He has never failed to help me
in times of my need!
Samir Vyas, Durham,
NC
This is a good website and Sai photos are realy beautiful
Nandakishore A.R., Bijapur.
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Reader's Reflection
NEWS OF
SHIRDI SAI
ACTIVITIES
SHIRDI
SAI BABA SANSTHAN, CANADA
RUDRA ABHISHEK
- SHIVRATRI CELEBRATIONS Toronto, Canada
Sunday Feb18TH 2007 - 9:00AM - Parayan "Rudra Adhaya"
- Navaidaya Offerings - Mahaprasaad(refreshments & Lunch)
207 Queen’s Plate Dr. Etobicoke M9W 6Z7, (Highway27 &
Rexdale just south of Humber College Blvd ). For More details
visit www.shirdisainath.org or call 416-294-4804
Annadaan Service – Charitable Food Drive, Toronto,
Canada
Annadaan or food giving has been recommended as a means of
charity since ancient times. Baba also said , "Sitting
in this masjid (dwarkamai) I shall never speak untruth. Take
pity on me like this: first give bread to the hungry and at
yourself. Note this well" (Shri Sai Satcharita). Shri
Sainath also further said, "Know for certain that he
who feeds the hungry, really serves Me with food. Regard this
as an axiom truth". (Shri Sai Satcharita).
Keeping that tradition alive, Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of
Canada will be performing annadaan service by Participating
in Charitable Food Drive this Maha Shivratri Celebration.
Please Drop off Non perishable food items at the Lower Level
on February 18th 2007 between 9:00am to 12:00pm - Location:
207 Queen's Plate Dr. Etobicoke M9W 6Z7 ( East of Hwy 27/
south of Finch)
REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS:
We solicit for volunteers from Different locations who want
to assist in collecting food at their location for other occassions,
please write to us via email address
saileela99@yahoo.com or call our phone number for further
enquiry.
416-294-4804, email: saileela99@yahoo.com, Visit:
www.shirdisainath.org
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 Monday to Friday between
10:00 am - 5:00 pm. 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 Baba’s 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 from 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.
Shri Shirdi Sai
Sansthan Los Angeles
By the grace of our Shirdi
Sai we are happy to announce the inauguration of Shri Shirdi
Sai Temple in LA region in the city of Montebello. We need
support of all Sai Devotees. For more information please email
krishna@shirdisaila.org
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