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FROM SHRI C.B. SATPATHY'S MESSAGE
……“When
a man after a long period of distress suffers desperation
and then suddenly help comes from the most unexpected quarters,
he thanks God, calling it an act of divine mercy. Baba’s
devotees, in thousands, staying in different parts of the
country used to get such help at the most crucial moments
of their life. Such divine interventions, in other words,
can be called the ‘Grace of the Master’ or ‘Compassion’
or ‘Kripa’. For example Shyama, an ardent devotee
of Baba at Shirdi was bitten by a snake. Baba without use
of any medicines saved him only by a command. Mainatai, the
daughter of Nana Saheb Chandorkar at Jamner had serious delivery
complications but a man sent by Baba reached the house of
Chandorkar with the help of mysterious Tangewalla with Baba’s
Udi at the most critical moment. Chandorkar, a Magistrate,
with all his pride and intellect was just shocked. Hundreds
of examples regarding Baba’s help received by his devotees
unexpectedly, far away from Shirdi, not only when Shri Sai
was in his physical embodiment, but also as on today have
been recorded. A very large number of them belong to the intellectual
and educated group who would never have believed what they
experienced, if such miracles were told by some one else.
Herein comes the main
question about the faith in the Master. Should miracles be
the only factor / plinth of sch faith even if a Master is
capable of creating such miracles?
The first problem that
arises when faith is dependent only on miracles created by
a Saint or Master is that. the devotee becomes miracle dependent.
I have seen some devotees not doing what they are ordinarily
supposed to do and then praying for help in a crisis. For
example, if a child is not studying well, instead of taking
care of his education through the available means, and time,
they run to the temples more frequently to get blessing for
the child’s success as if a miracle would solve their
mundane problems. Nature, which is the manifested spirit of
God tells human beings, “I have given you a body, a
mind and a soul. I have created the facilities on this earth.
Put them to the best possible use for your good and that of
others”. The house in which we stay, the food we eat,
the electricity we use, the doctor we consult, as much as
the temple we visit all are created by God. Not doing what
God has empowered us to do but merely wishing for miracles
to happen is treading an illusory path. Secondly, those devotees
who only depend on the powers. of miracles of a Master will
lose faith if the miracle prayed for does not take place.
After all miracles are also dependent .on the laws of Karma
i.e. they are a result of his noble deeds of the past and
take place only if he deserves to get such miraculous help.
The worst is that if some problem are solved through miracles
but later the desired help does not take place, faith gets
easily shaken. It is again in the nature of mind that human
beings are prone to think more of a single negative quality
of a. man even if he has many other positive qualities. They
lament on a single failure forgetting that they had many successes
in the past. Undoubtedly, if the faith is based on these powers
of miracles of the Master, then such a devotee is actually
loving the Master’s miracles more than the Master himself.
This is conditional devotion whereas true devotion or love
for the Master, in the real sense of the term cannot be conditional.
On the other hand, the
true devotees, even when they are experiencing the acts of
compassion of the Master or miraculous help, neither pray
for it nor depend on it. Tolerating the pleasures and pains
of life, they continue to do their best for the cause of the
Masters. To them the biggest miracle happens slowly but steadily.
They conquer their weakness of mind to depend on miracle and
stand out on their own in the world as great personalities
of faith. ".....
FROM "LIFE OF SAI BABA" BY NARASIMHA SWAMI
……“As
for Dixit’s own financial position, there was, for a
long time, a period of depression, but there was no positive
distress. Contentment was ingrained in Dixit, and he was always
saying to himself.
Tevile Anante,
Tase Rahave,
which is the same as
Alia Rakhega Vysa
Rahena Maula Rakhega Vysa Rahena
This means, ‘We
must be content with the lot assigned to us by God’.
So, he was generally contented and retained his mental peace
in the midst of lack of funds and income. However, special
occasions arose and his faith in Baba was tested and confirmed.
Some time after Baba passed away, Kaka had to meet a heavy
obligation of Rs. 30,000 to be paid to a Marwadi. The day
for payment was drawing near, and Kaka could not see how to
get funds for meeting this large demand. One night, as he
was sleeping, he had a dream, and in his dream, his creditor
was pressing him for payment. In the dream, he assured the
creditor, ‘Oh, don’t you fear. I have my friend
Sir Chunnilal, Sir Chimanlal etc. all of them knights, and
they will provide the money. Suddenly, he woke up and remembering
the dream, he bitterly repented his stupid folly in relying
upon ‘Sir’ this and ‘Sir’ that who
are just the persons who will fail to help at the crucial
moment. He felt that the only person on whom he could rely
for getting help was Baba, and cursed his folly in relying
upon such useless human help. He resolved not to think of
these ‘Sirs’ at all, and to rely confidently and
boldly upon Sai Baba alone to furnish him with the funds and
that too in time. His views are thus expressed in stanza 343
in Sai Natha Mananam:
Nathe nah purushottame
trijagataam ekadhipe chetasaam
Sevye swasya paadasya datari vihhow sayeesware tishtate
Yam kamchit purushaadhamam laghubalam sarakhyam alpartadam
Sahyaartham mrigayamahe naram aho mudha varakaa vayam.
which means- “While
there is our supporter Purushottama, i.e., the supreme person,
that Lord of the three worlds, worthy of the soul’s
worship, the omnipotent Sayeeswara, we (i.e. I) turn to some
weak and low person with the title “Sir” who gives
little, for help! Alas what folly is this!”
He sat up in his office
room on a chair and was waiting and waiting till the actual
date of payment came. Till the last date and last moment,
no money was forthcoming. But at the last moment, a young
man, the son of a rich friend of his, came asking for his
advice. He said that after his father’s death, he was
managing his property, and had to find an investment for his
money. He said, just then he had brought with him Rs.30,000/-
and wanted to know from Dixit what would be the best investment.
Kaka, after explaining the pros and cons of other investments,
finally told him that he himself was in urgent need of Rs.
30,000/- and he would be glad to have it on any reasonable
terms, but that it was his duty to explain to the lender that
his practice had gone down, that his income was very low,
though his properties in the shape of bungalows were there,
and that it was his duty to point out the danger and disadvantage
of lending to such a person. The young man, however, made
up his mind to lend the money to him on account of his need
and on account of his being his father’s friend, and
thus the creditor of Dixit was paid in time. But who could
know that the sum of Rs. 30,000 was with a person with a mind
to be influenced to lend it to Dixit? Baba alone could know.
Baba alone could influence the possessor of the funds. It
is just like this that at the crucial moment Baba acts often!
For instance Baba operated on the minds of Brahmins to come
to do Pitru Sraddha for Jog just at the nick of time (B C.
S. 377-8). He influenced the appellate Magistrate’s
mind to deal summary justice to his convicted servant Raghu.
He influenced the minds of Government members to refrain from
granting sanction against Khaparde for prosecution (BCS 402-5).
He influenced the minds of all and sundry to turn Upasani
Maharaj back to Shirdi in June 1911 (BCS 635). It is this
Baba who knows all facts and grips all minds who brought Kaka’s
friend’s son in time with Rs. 30,000 to clear off Kaka’s
debt, and Kaka had many instances like this confirming him
in his attitude of utter childlike reliance on his Guru even
in financial matters.
But financial matters
are not the most important. It is the ripening of the soul,
the getting rid of past vasanas, the building up of strength
and the perfecting of peace on the basis of perfect nishta
and saburi that do matter; these are higher, far higher than
mere finance.”……
DEVOTEE EXPERIENCE
Shirdi Baba came in my
dream and told me to spread his miracles, so I have listed
a few miracles that I have personally experienced.
1) I was recently on
holiday in Spain for about two weeks. I was feeling really
miserable. I had a strong desire to pray to Baba in a mandir,
but being in a foreign country in new surroundings I felt
really distant from Baba. The next day, I was out shopping
and went into shop and started talking to the owner of the
shop. I suddenly noticed that he was wearing a Shirdi Baba
ring and so started to talk to him about Baba. He told me
about Sai Baba mandir close by and I felt really excited.
I made a trip to that place the next day and could not find
it, so decided to go into the hotel to ask for directions.
I expected to find a reception desk with people, whom I could
ask about the mandir, but instead to my surprise, I was in
a beautiful hall with a huge murti of Shirdi Baba, it was
so peaceful and so beautiful. There was no one else there,
and I felt that I had a one to one darshaan with Shirdi Baba
in a wonderful mandir, and that Baba, being omnipresent had
fulfilled my desire of wanting to come and pray to Him in
such a wonderful way.
2) I had been given a
copy of Sai Satcharita and was told that if you read it in
week with a desire in mind, it gets fulfilled. The first time
I read Sai Satcharita in a saptah, i.e. one week, I had something
in my mind that I wanted and I hoped that Baba would somehow
bless me. I started it on Friday and completed it on Thursday.
That night the most beautiful thing happened, Baba actually
came in my dream and blessed me. It was amazing.
3) I had an exam for which
I had done no preparation and I knew that it would not go
well and was my worst subject. I tried to prepare for it the
night before but ended up falling asleep. That night I got
a dream where Maata Bhagwaan came and told me to read a certain
page of my book. I woke up the next morning really pleased
with my vision and quickly crammed that page. To my surprise,
in the exam, the question was from that exact same page. It
was a miracle!
Shruti Gopal,
UK
Share your
experience, articles poems etc.
POEM
The Power of Prayer
It is in prayer that we
thank you
For the blessings that you give
And with praise that we worship you
For you give us hope to live
It is in prayer that we
call upon you
For all your help we ask
To strengthen and to guide us
For troubled times to pass
And in those times of
our most need
When we forget how to pray
That's when we know your love for us
Forevermore will stay
Because in prayer you
give us wings
And teach us how to fly
Should we happen to forget
How to reach you in the sky
Share your
experience, articles poems etc.
TOPIC OF DISCUSSION
Sai's Message
To The Children
Baba once said that, although
he will not be present in physical form, his bones will guide
and help His people in times to come. In my opinion Baba is
living up to his promise and we see that Sai’s philosophy
is reaching all corners of the earth. I remember an incident
from 2001 when a friend of mine who of Polish ancestry introduced
me to his mother who was visiting him in USA from Venezuela
and I was stunned for a moment when she greeted me with folded
hands and said “Sairam”. She mentioned that she
visits the Sai Center in her hometown of Caracas and has read
about Baba and his teachings. It emphasized the relevance
of Sai’s teachings in today’s world in inspiring
people from different countries and nationalities. In today’s
difficult times when there are all sorts of distractions pulling
a person away from leading a path of righteous and spiritual
life, it becomes essential for all devotees to read and follow
Baba’s words and teachings to the best of their ability
and understanding.
Baba advised people to
see God in all beings and creatures, which if practiced in
day to day life can make this world a better place for all
beings. He said that there are many ways to reach God and
one way goes through Shirdi. He meant that in today’s
society, there is no reason for people to quarrel in Gods
name since all ways and prayers reach the same place, hence
his famous quote “Sabka Malik Aik (There is one God)”.
Baba always advised that
one should use rationale and logical thinking and not blindly
follow any rituals or practices just because it has been done
that way for years or if it is written in some revered book.
Something which was relevant and made sense in say 1800’s
may or may not be applicable in the 21st century. Baba discouraged
superstitions or mundane rituals. His advise was that in the
age of Kali, Namah Smaran (remembering Gods name) is the best
form of worship which requires no special paraphernalia or
knowledge of Shastras etc and which can be done by everyone.
Once a person starts chanting Baba’s name or the name
of his favorite deity, it can bring inner peace, happiness
and wisdom and lead a person on the path of spiritual enlightenment.
Shri Sai Satcharitra has
numerous teachings and words of Baba, which are quite significant
in today’s society and can help a person in performing
his daily duties and can quench his thirst for knowledge,
wisdom and spirituality. The best way would be to read and
assimilate Baba’s teachings and try to follow them.
Nitesh Shrivastava,
USA
Share
your views on Topic of Discussion- DAKSHINA AND SAI
DEVOTEES' FORUM
Om Sai Ram
I am one among millions, an ardent devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba,
born into a Parsi family. I eagerly look forward to and love
reading the articles on dear Sai but am disappointed that
the Zoroastrian faith, one of the oldest religions as historians
mention (approximately 5000 BC) and yet whenever articles
are written, comparisons of different faiths are made, no
mention is made either of Zoroastrians or our Prophet Zarathushtra.
One would think that one as learned and informed as the person
(s) who research and put together all this information surely
must be aware that there exists a race (Parsis as we are commonly
known as) and their religion (Zoroastrianism) brought forth
by their Prophet Zoroaster.
In fact Sadguru Sai Baba did meet Meher Baba (Meherwan Irani
from Pune) also a Perfect Master, who is a Parsi. Meher Baba
was asked to go and meet Sadguru Sai Baba by Gulrukh (another
Perfect Master known as Baba Jaan from Pune) to get the "secret
key" in short revelations. Mention has been made that
when Sri Shirdi Sai Baba saw Meher, He (Sai Baba) uttered
the word "Parvardegaar" (God Almighty).
I truly would appreciate and humbly request that in future,
your articles will try to also make a mention of Zoroastrianism
as one of the faiths when any such comparisons are made.
Thank you
Sincerely
OM SAI RAM!!
Navaz N Kayani
I feel in today's life where everyone is struggling for power
and money Sai Satcharitra tells that we should be satisfied
with whatever we get. And that is God's wish. No matter how
much wealth we acquire we can't be satisfied unless we have
internal peace. It all depends on our internal mental condition.
A rich person can be dissatisfied and a servant can be joyful
and happy. We should be thankful to God every time every minute.
Real happiness is internal and that comes from Sai's Ashirwad...
Aarushi Thakur,
Toronto
Share your
feelings about Shirdi Sai in Devotees’ Forum
READER'S REFLECTION
A Sai Baba moorti have been placed in the Ratneshawar Mahadev
Temple, Karachi. On every Monday thousands devotees visit
the temple and pay their respects to the Sai Baba moorti.
It is my first chance
to open this site and the information has deepened my devotion
to Sai's name. I pray Sai Baba daily in the morning, and my
children too pray the same way, observe fast on every Friday
and recite songs in praise of Sai daily in the evening prayer.
For the last 30 years, in October, we hold Satsang. Sai Baba
is in our hearts and we have received Sai's help in so many
ways.
Hari Motwani,
Karachi Pakistan
Saibaba is the Chief Executive
of this world sent by the combine Lord Shiva, Lord Bramha
and Lord Vishnu. As soon as Saibaba looks at you and your
worries vanish and a smile appears on your face and you feel
relaxed. This is Sai Baba's promise to everyone who worship
Him and even if devotes just remember Him.
This organisation is blessed.
Ravinder Tikoo,
Bangalore
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Reader's Reflection
NEWS OF SHIRDI
SAI ACTIVITIES
SHIRDI SAI BABA SANSTHAN,
CANADA
Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan,
Canada holds Satsang on Thursdays and third Sunday of every
month at Gur Mandir, 207 Queen’s Plate, Toronto (Etobicoke).
For other Details call 416-294-4804 or visit http://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 and holidays and in the morning and evenings on all
weekdays. Baba's Kakad Aarti, Abhishek Puja, Madhyan Aarti,
Dhoop Aarti, Satcharita Reading and Shej Aarti are performed
every day. Bhajans and Sai Naam Sankirtan in the evening on
Thursday and Saturday. For information regarding the daily
schedule, temple activities and events please visit Mandir's
website: http://www.theshirdisaimandir.com/
or send an email to info@theshirdisaimandir.com
or call 647-444-4724.
SHIRDI SAI PARIVAR
VANCOUVER
Shirdi Sai parivar in Vancouver
holds Satsang on Thursday (6.30-7.30pm)and Sai abhishek and
aarti first Sunday of every month at 8571, 118A St, Delta,
V4C 6L2. For further details contact (604) 592 4182 or email,
say.sai.sai@gmail.com.
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
the support of all Sai Devotees. For more information please
email krishna@shirdisaila.org
SHIRDI SAI CENTER,
BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
Location: 897-B E. Kifer
Rd, Sunnyvale, CA - 94086
Daily timings and activities:
Weekdays:
6:15 am – 7:40 am: Abhishekam and Kakad Arathi at 6:30 am
11.45 am – 12:30 pm: Madhyan Arathi at 12:00 pm
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm: Dhoop Arathi at 6:30 pm and Shej Arathi
at 8:30 pm
Weekends:
6:15 am – 7:40 am: Kakad Arathi at 6:30 am
11:00 am – 9:30 pm: Madhyan Arathi at 12:00 pm, Dhoop Arathi
at 6:30 pm and Shej Arathi at 8:30 pm
Every Thursday:
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm: Shirdi Sai Bhajans
For more information please
call 408-705-7904 / 408-564-6704 or send email to saibandhu@yahoo.com or
visit our website at http://www.shirdisaiparivaar.org/
SHRI SHIRDI SAI
SAMAJ MALAYSIA
No.744-1, Tingkat 1, Jln.
Sentul Selatan, Sentul, 51000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
This is a new Shirdi Baba center in malaysia. We conduct weekly
prayers/arathi at the following times:
Friday - 7pm - 10.30pm
Sunday - Noon - 2.30pm
Our official centre website
is http://saisamaj.blogspot.com/
For more information, please email mailto:hyperkinetix@gmail.com
PERSATUAN SHIRDI
SAI BABA SELANGOR, MALAYSIA
This is to inform all of
you that we have a Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Malaysia. Here
we have daily prayers and special prayers on thursday mornings
9.00am and bhajans and satsang from 8 pm onwards. Also breakfast,
lunch and dinner, cooked by our seva-group is provided to
all devotees. other than that first thursday of the month
we have talk on spirituality, second thursday on health, third
thursday satsang on Sai Satcharitra, fourth thursday talk
on general topics, by experts in the respective fields. Lot
of charitable activities are conducted by our Centre,like
sponsoring immediate services to childrens\' homes, old-folks
homes, sick and needy, etc. etc.
If any devotee, from Malaysia
or Singapore likes to join our Centre, please contact Mr.SP
Kannan at Mobile -012-2739486; usha - 006122392911; Res: 03-33717540.
Our Centre address is : Persatuan Shirdi Sai Baba Selangor,
No.2574, Jalan Seruling 59, Taman Klang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.Thank
you and Sai Ram.
SHIRDI SAI TEMPLE
SINGAPORE
The dream of having a full
fledged exclusive Shirdi Sai Temple in Singapore, will soon
come true. Thanks to the efforts of a Sai devotee in making
this happen. The Shirdi Sai Baba Centre in Singapore is now
live with the 3rd floor function hall, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman
temple, being secured and converted to a full fledged exclusive
Shirdi Sai worship centre. The Centre will be devoted to celebrating
the life & teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba only. For more
information visit our website http://www.saisansthan.com/
SHIRDI SAI BABA
SANSTHAN, AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND
Bhajans Every Thursday
Venue Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall, 13 May Road, Mt Roskill,
Auckland
7.00 pm - 7.50 pm Sai Bhajans,
7.50 pm - 8.10 pm Pravachan and Sai Ashtotharam
8.10 pm - 8.30 pm Shej Aarthi
8.30 pm - 9.00 pm Prasad distribution.
For more details Contact us Amar Alluri(President) Mobile:
(+64) 27 230 5360 Email: President@shirdisaibaba.org.nz
or Sai Krishna Tridandapani (Secretary) Mobile: (+64) 21 239
7907 Email: Secretary@shirdisaibaba.org.nz
Address: Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of NZ, P.O. Box: 16142,
Sandringham, Auckland, New Zealand. Visit our website http://heritageofshirdisai.org/newsletter/Desktop/www.shirdisaibaba.org.nz
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