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FROM SHRI C.B. SATPATHY'S MESSAGE
……“Some people view
and see scientific knowledge as a method of understanding
the different laws of nature with a view to control and
apply these for the benefit of the human race. They view
the scientific discoveries, inventions, newer technologies
from intellectual, empirical and utilitarian points of
view which can be cognized directly through the cognitive
faculties like the eyes and ears or indirectly through
artifacts created by them (for example: radio, transistor
transmitting electronic waves). Whereas this is not contradicted,
there are very few people who interconnect their rational
approach with the spiritual approach pursued by some others.
These two separate approaches if not looked at in a holistic
manner, lead to certain contradictions. The purely spiritual
group says that there is a God who cannot be seen and
proved in the manner in which scientific evidence is established.
He can only be experienced. On the other hand, the purely
scientific groups argue that but for such evidence, the
so called God, his mythological concepts and miracles
cannot be accepted. These two approaches at the extreme
end would have rendered the human civilization apart had
not the majority of humanity believed in the existence
of a supernatural power called God or called by whatever
name. Although human societies have changed, their economic
and political factors have changed, yet the God concept
has never changed. For the Hindus, Ram remains Ram, for
the Christians, Christ remains Christ and for the Muslims,
Prophet Mohamed remains Prophet Mohamed, notwithstanding,
the fact that societies propounding such faiths have undergone
vast changes in their economic, social and political lives
over time. All such thoughts bring to mind a fundamental
question - can there be a God who has created two unrelated
and independent principles- scientific principles and
the spiritual principles? Is it that scientific principles,
like the discoveries and technology created by the human
brain, are a mere chance occurrence in the gradual process
of evolution or can they be viewed from a spiritualistic
angle or vision? Yesterday, when Einstein expounded his
theory on inter-connectivity between matter and energy
in his famous formula, E=MC2 he tried to explain the entire
universe through this single equation. He could not succeed
because he could not comprehend the interconnectivity
between consciousness, energy and matter. Nevertheless,
Einstein was a genius and he did acknowledge that he experienced
an infinite subtle world much beyond the perceptible matter
and energy world, which he was unable to explain. In other
words, Einstein, the great scientist experienced and had
the intellectual honesty to express his limitations about
the subtle energy field existing in the world beyond.
Had a genius like Einstein gone a little ahead and approached
the issue from a different angle as has been explained
in many spiritual books like the Gita and the Bible, he
could, perhaps, have been able to connect the apparently
diversified theorems into a single formulation. Had he
developed the sixth sense of the spiritual practitioners
and saints, he could have unearthed more about the subtle
forms of the universe and nature. If Einstein is taken
as a model, it means that it is possible for the scientific-oriented
minds to have a different approach towards the unearthing
of the mysteries of nature in the manner followed by the
great seers of various religions. But rarely have human
beings come across such great personalities like Pythagoras
of ancient Greece. When the spiritual masters in different
forms gave a spiritual thrust to the nascent human civilization,
they obviously did not jump steps and straightaway start
teaching theology and philosophy. At that stage what they
did was to generate certain types of logic in the human
mind without which it would not have been possible for
them to pick up the finer aspects of nature. Hence, the
simple logic generated in the minds of human beings was
used to grow greater logic at later stages. What they
taught was simple arithmetic (relating to numbers) and
geometry (relating to shapes) and out of this mathematics,
other branches of science developed. Through these symbols
they could explain the different phenomena of the vast
world of nature more easily. At the second stage they
gave the concepts of architectural designs, alchemy, etc.
Like a newborn child looking at the world around with
a surprised look, the human race started picking up these
concepts rather anxiously. Once they were ready, their
brain cells were geared to make higher scientific discoveries,
etc. through the use of this logic. A few individuals
who were ready for it were then systematically given the
thought process and it is these individuals who propounded
the theories of science like Marconi’s Law of Radio
waves, Newton’s Law of Gravity or Einstein's Law
of Relativity. Today, such discoveries and the related
technology have gone to great extents like conquering
the space, cloning, genetic engineering, etc. which yesterday
if done by any human being would have been construed as
a divine act. Logically, therefore the secrets of nature
are being revealed to the human beings with a purpose
of expanding the horizons of their knowledge through the
expansion of the brain capacity. Given this background,
it is evident that the very basis of scientific thought
has emanated out of the thrust given by these spiritual
beings who had incarnated on this globe with a superior
intelligence. Obviously, when the earth had not experienced
the subtle thought processes some souls stirred them and
those souls must have carried such superior intelligence
from their evolution in past lives. Commonly defined as
transcendental intelligence, they could not have achieved
such levels of excellence in a single life time. The inspirational
revelations of many spiritual personalities holding such
transcendental intelligence on this solar system (of which
earth forms a part) is a near probability. Today in scientific
literature, we can well see the imaginative depiction
of such characters/events as inter stellar warfare, UFOs,
etc as in the concepts. The present fourth human civilization
is on the threshold of transcending to the fifth human
race. More and more scientific discoveries and experimentation
will be undertaken by a few generations of human beings
and this will create a group, which will have the potentiality
of controlling the subtle forces of nature without the
help of artifacts. That is, as the time progresses, they
will depend more and more on their inner faculties to
capture and use the subtler forces of nature than to depend
on the machines created by them. For example, they will
communicate with each other through the subtle faculties
of their brain, rather than using a telephone. The sixth
sense of the intellectual faculty is bound to expand much
more than it is today. Therefore, we have to look at the
world of religion and the world of science from a totally
different perspective. That perspective is to find the
roots from which both scientific approach and religious
approach evolved and establish their interconnectivity.
Thus, if the contradictions between the two approaches
can be reconciled, then the benefit of science and technology
shall not be used for destructive purposes. It would be
coloured by the spiritual approach of kindness and tolerance.”…….
FROM "LIFE OF SAI BABA" BY NARASIMHA SWAMI
……“So, Baba wanted to
make him feel (firstly) divinity more and more in Baba
and (secondly) the fact that Baba’s divinity is
not confined to the Baba body but extends to all creatures
as Baba is their Antaryami or soul or self. These two
are closely connected. Baba said, ‘I am not at Shirdi
alone. I am in all creatures, in the ant, etc’.
Intellectually this was understood, but at heart, Nana
did not realise it. Baba wanted him to realise it more
vividly, as that was very important for higher spiritual
progress.
So on one occasion,
when Nana came up, Baba told him to prepare 8 pooran polis
(cakes) for naivedya and then take his food. When Nana
placed before Baba eight pooran polis, Baba did not touch
them, but flies sat on them. Then Baba asked Nana to take
away the prasad (i.e. remnant of food which Guru had first
tasted). Nana insisted that Baba should eat some. Baba
said that he had eaten. ‘When?’ asked Nana.
Nana said, ‘All the eight polis are there’.
Baba said he had eaten it at some time. Then Nana got
vexed and went away to the chavadi. When Baba sent for
him, the same conversation was repeated. Finally Baba
told Nana, ‘I say you have been living with me for
18 years now. Is this all your appraisal of me? Does Baba
mean to you only the 3 1/2 cubits height of this body?
Am I not in the fly and the ant that settled upon the
polis?’
Nana said that he knew
that, but could not realise it. If Baba could make him
realise it, Nana said, he would take and eat the polis
as prasad. Then Baba lifted his hand and made a gesture.
He thereby revealed a secret which Nana was hiding very
deep in his heart; and Nana discovered that Baba knew
the secret. How? The only explanation was that Baba was
the antaryami or the inmost soul in his heart. If Baba
was his antaryami, he must be the antaryami of the fly
and the ant also. So he agreed to take the pooran poli
as prasad, and was satisfied. Then Baba told him, ‘As
you see the gesture I make, you must remember that I am
in all creatures’. Thus Baba gave him a very valuable
lesson and took him up one very important rung of the
ladder, that is, realising God in one form after another
and not confining Him to the object worshipped at home
or in a temple.
Baba had to teach
several other valuable lessons, most of which are embodied
in the Gita. When Nana was cross-examined about the Gita
sloka, he finally prayed that Baba should teach him the
gist of the Gita. Baba told him to come up everyday, after
going through part of the Gita, and to sit at his feet.
Then when Nana did so, all that he had read in the Gita
flashed as realisation in his heart. This is what is mentioned
by the Svetasvataropanishad, last stanza, namely,
yasya deve
para bhaktih, yata deve tatha gurow
tasyaite kathita hyarthaah prakaascante mahaatmanah
This means, ‘To
him who has intense faith in God and equally intense faith
in his Guru, (to that Great Soul), these truths of the
Upanishads (about realisation of Brahman) will shine forth’.
Nana had full faith in Baba, and, as he sat before Baba,
the full gist of the Gita, chapter by chapter, flashed
before his heart and helped him to realisation.”……
DEVOTEE EXPERIENCE
This incident happened
when I was in Brazil as visiting professor at Fundacao
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul.
In the year 2002, there was some important function at
our home in India and my presence was necessary. The date
for the function was informed to me just 4 days in advance.
I went to a travel agent to book my ticket. After much
effort she could find multiple airlines to perform the
journey via Johannesburg (South Africa). The entire journey
consisted of three sectors; Porto Alegre – Sao Paulo,
Sao Paulo – Johannesburg and Johannesburg –
Mumbai. I was waitlisted at 90 in the Johannesburg –
Mumbai sector.
Since there appeared
no chance, they refused to issue me the ticket from Sao
Paulo to Johannesburg. During those days, all countries
had imposed restrictions on transit due to terrorist attack
on World Trade Center, New York the previous year, and
I did not have a transit visa for South Africa. There
was no time to apply for one. I was disheartened but requested
the travel agent to keep trying for a possible chance.
That evening I came back home from work, took my bath
and stood in front of my Guru Lord Saibaba and narrated
the entire tale to Him. Well, I am aware that He knows
everything even without our saying a word. I earnestly
sought his help. I did not offer Him anything in return
for this favor, because Baba doesn’t need anything
from us except pure devotion and remembering Him with
love.
Next day when I enquired
about the status, the travel agent told me that there
was no change in the position, so they could not issue
the ticket for one international sector (Sao Paulo –
Johannesburg) when the other sector (Johannesburg –
Mumbai) was not confirmed. My anxiety grew because international
long distance travel is a grueling experience and there
was no way I could reach home to attend the function.
That day, once again very intensely I prayed to Lord Saibaba
and begged him to come running to help me. Only two days
were left and my travel was uncertain.
My wife and children
(were in India already) were also very anxious. I called
my brother (his name is Sainath) and asked him to pray
to Lord Saibaba. On the penultimate day afternoon, the
agent called me and said that my ticket was confirmed;
she also wondered how that happened. I know it is our
Lord Saibaba’s mercy that worked this wonder. I
quickly went to travel agent’s office and collected
my tickets and performed the journey safely and went back
to Brazil.
Lord Saibaba is God.
He loves all his devotees very much, as he promised that
He would cross seven seas to help His devotees, He came
to my rescue. He indeed crossed many seas, well for Him
the entire universe is a small object in his palm. The
important issue to note here is that Saibaba is present
everywhere, listens to the prayers of his devotees from
anywhere and helps them in time to see that they lead
a happy material life. With such miracles He wants us
to build faith and move towards most desirable goal: salvation.
Dr. Y.V.B. Sarma, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat,
Sultanate of Oman
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experience, articles poems etc.
POEM
I NEED YOU LORD
When
the life is riddled with burdens
Going gets tough.
When I lose hope.
I need you then lord, to reassure me and give me strength
to keep going.
When I am busy doing
you work.
I get lost and wander aimlessly.
When I look for guidance
I need you then lord, to guide me all the way.
When the world has
shunned me.
Near and dear foresake me.
When I am rejected.
I need you then lord to befriend me and hold me to your
heart.
When I am disappointed.
Things do not go as I plan.
When I abuse you and wish you were gone.
I need you then lord to forgive my ignorance.
When I am happy,
Everything falls into place.
When I feel world could not have been a better place.
I need you then lord to share my joy.
When I look at the
morning sun.
The beautiful nature and fresh crisp air.
The dancing of the stars in the dark moonlit sky.
I need you then lord to accept my gratitude for giving
me this life.
Every time I call
out your name.
This is all I seek from you...
Your company, your blessings, your love.
I need you always lord like I need air to breathe.
Anitha Kandukuri, Canberra, Australia
Share your
experience, articles poems etc.
TOPIC OF DISCUSSION
Religion and
Spirituality
Only Spirituality
can bring the lasting happiness or contentment that each
of us seeks through anything we do. This is because spiritual
practice is the tool to experience our divine nature (soul)
or God - the only source of lasting Bliss. Everything
else in this world, such as external objects, relationships,
career, wealth, etc. are temporary in nature and hence,
give fleeting happiness and unhappiness. In fact science
of Spirituality states that the very reason we are born
is to experience our true Blissful nature by completing
our Destiny and making spiritual progress through spiritual
practice!
The following further
explains why Spirituality is important and should be practiced
by one and all:
80% of our problems, especially major ones like grave
illness, failure in marriage or career, etc., are due
to factors like destiny, negative energies, etc. Practicing
Spirituality alone can reduce these problems, giving us
a better quality of life.
As one studies and
practices Spirituality one progresses spiritually and
merges with the Omniscient God principle. Thus, Spirituality
alone can bestow the knowledge or truth behind everything.
Even at the level
of society, one can see the tremendous decline in spiritual
and moral purity due to the decline in spiritual practice.
The rampant unrighteousness, corruption, terrorism, immorality,
etc., can only be eliminated if the people purify their
attitudes by undertaking the spiritual path.
Below is a glimpse
of the benefits of Spirituality in day to day life:
Since spiritual practice
works at the subtle, attitude level, it alone brings lasting
reduction in undesirable attitudes or personality defects
like anger, envy, intolerance, etc., gradually improving
our day to day interactions.
By reducing unnecessary
thinking or activity of the mind, Spirituality increases
concentration, improving performance in any activity.
It has therapeutic
benefits in mental illnesses, especially in conditions
like obsessive-compulsive disorders.
It also helps develop
a philosophical attitude and inner strength, that help
one calmly face even dire or uncontrollable circumstances
like accidents or incurable disease, aging, death, etc.,
in our life or that of our loved ones.
It helps develop a
positive attitude, increasing our joy in life.
The importance of
Spirituality for our well being at all levels - physical,
psychological as well as spiritual - cannot be emphasized
enough. However, Spirituality is a science of experience,
that is, its benefits have to be experienced by doing
actual spiritual practice daily.
Baba Said: "As
a devotee is resolute and determined, so is Baba's immediate
response. Sometimes Baba puts the devotees to severe test
and then gives them `Updesh' (instructions)".
Swamy Mahadevan
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your views on Topic of Discussion- DEVOTION
DEVOTEES' FORUM
Before going to Mumbai my husband told me to visit Shirdi
and get one photo of Baba. Due to my tight schedule, I
did not get a chance to go to Shirdi. However I visited
"Sai Niwas" at Bandra. I saw a very good photo
of Saibaba hung on the wall. I asked Appasaheb Dabolkar
(grandson of Hemadpant who wrote Sai Charitra) where to
get that photo. He said, "I have the same photo with
me. Somebody gave it to me a few months ago. Neither I
gave it to somebody nor did anybody ask for it. You are
the only one who asked for it so I believe it was meant
for you".
I was overwhelmed. Baba has indirectly told me that I
am everywhere. You need not go to Shirdi to get me. I
returned home not only with Baba's photo but the thought
that I have almost visited Shirdi by visiting Sai Niwas.
Milan Sule, Singapore
You can adore God according to your own fancy and pleasure.
He remains unchanged even when the names and forms by
which you adore Him keep changing. The effectiveness does
not lie in which name or form you worship, but depends
on the extent of yearning and depth of feeling with which
you adore Him in your heart. God will assume that very
form which you pray to and fulfill your yearning; that
is the indication of His grace and the boundless love
He has for you.
God's
grace is the greatest wealth. To consider the amassing
of money, gold or other material objects, as the ultimate
goal is not right. The goal of life, instead, should be
the acquisition of the divine wealth of God's grace. Try
to win His grace by reforming your habits, reducing your
desires and refining your nature. One step makes the next
one easier; that is the unique quality of the spiritual
path. With each step, your strength and confidence increases
and you feel the Lord's grace all the more.
Arun N Reddy,
London
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feelings about Shirdi Sai in Devotees’ Forum
READER'S REFLECTION
For the past few months I wanted to thank you for the
Ramnavami issue of Heritage of Shirdi Sai Magazine. I
received it by registered mail in the last week of April
but for some reason or the other, I could not write back
to you. It’s a wonderful magazine. The messages
of Shri C.B. Satpathy ji are like blessings for devotees
like us who live so far away. The articles written by
Sai bhakts from different parts of the world simply interpret
their enormous faith and devotion in Baba and those messages
inspire not only my faith in Baba but they also inspire
me to share the wonderful leelas of Baba that I have witnessed
in my life. Thank you so much for making this magazine
possible. It could not have been possible without the
hard work and determination of the Heritage of Shirdi
Sai team and of course nothing is possible without Sai's
kripa. Keep up with the good work. May Sai always bless
you and your team for this noble and thoughtful deed.
Good wishes to you always
Deepa
H, Seatle, USA
I would like to thank
the Heritage of Shirdi Sai organisation for bringing out
this wonderful newsletter. Reading it deepens our faith
in Sai, the one and only who takes care of His devotees
at all times. Sai has helped me many times in my need
and this newsletter gives me immense joy and peace, and
I feel closer to Sai. Thank you very much. I have forwarded
it to some of my friends who are Sai devotees. Thanks
once again.
Anita Krishnakumar
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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, Unit# 8, 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.ca
or send an email to info@theshirdisaimandir.ca
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
SRI SAI BABA
MANDIR OHIO USA
Location:7674 Sawmill
Road, Dublin, OH-43016
Daily timings and activities:
Weekdays:
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM 9:00 AM Kakad Arati, 12:00 Noon:
Madhyan Arati 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm: 6:00 PM: Dhoop
Arathi, 8:30 PM: Shej Arathi
Weekends:
Temple is open from
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Every Thursday:
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm: Sai Bhajans followed by Mangal
Arati and Shej Arati at 9:30 PM.
For more information
please call at 614-799-8411 or visit www.saibaba.cc.
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
www.shirdisaibaba.org.nz
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