FROM SHRI C.B. SATPATHY'S MESSAGE  FROM "LIFE OF SAI BABA" BY NARASIMHA SWAMI DEVOTEE EXPERIENCE POEM: THE PRETENDER TOPIC OF DISCUSSION: GURU TRADITION DEVOTEES' FORUM READER'S REFLECTION NEWS OF SHIRDI SAI ACTIVITIES

FROM SHRI C.B. SATPATHY'S MESSAGE

……“Any attempt to understand and value the spiritual world on the basis of the purely materialistic knowledge of the material world is an exercise in futility. On the other hand, one who has tread along the spiritual path and has gained direct knowledge can handle the material world in a much better manner. Even if both spiritual and materialistic paths emanate from the same God, the spiritual path is finer and purer. It is not possible for any worldly man, to leave the material world and enter the spiritual path suddenly, sheerly by his will. Such path is for the true spiritual practitioners, known as Yogis, Munis or Sanyasis. However, the spiritual depth and value of these true spiritual practitioners cannot be assessed by contact with the fraudulent ones who can be found everywhere these days. Yet most of the gullible people get attracted to them because of their attractive attire and speech. Since most of the people live amidst the world of impurities, with a limited and distorted mind-set, they easily get attracted to these impure actors. The human beings who are purer and simpler in nature instinctively do not get attracted towards them. However, such people generally get attracted and attached when coming in contact with some purer souls like the genuine saints and Sadgurus. The impurer ones generally accept the impure human beings, projecting themselves as spiritual characters, as their gurus. The purer ones accept only the true Saints as their Gurus. This obviously leads to the conclusion that one’s Guru is what one wants and selects him to be. Or it may be said that the Guru is what one thinks him to be.

There are two types of people. Some of them are capable of seeing the positive side (Shubha) of every thing and there are others who are capable of seeing the negative side (Ashubha) of every thing. A man with an impure mental sight causes much harm to himself as his mind gets progressively contaminated with the negative traits of his own thoughts. He ultimately becomes a prisoner of his own thought and sees the worst in everyone and everything around even when in a temple or in association with the purer souls. As the worldly people going through the experience of negatives and positives in life try to evolve themselves out of their negativities, so also the spiritually evolved souls (even with lots of positive qualities) continuously strive to eradicate their remaining negative qualities. Thus, all human beings at different stages of consciousness are in the continuous process of evolution - the evil and good alike.

The theories of different religions as also the different theories of Psychology agree on the point that ultimately a man’s nature gets conditioned by what he thinks continuously. One who continuously thinks about the bad qualities of others ultimately develops those qualities in him. The same is true of continuous good thoughts. One finds an interesting story in “Shri Sai Satcharitra” about this. A person used to speak ill of another person at Shirdi when Shirdi Sai Baba was there. Later when he met Baba, the latter asked him to look at the pig devouring dirt with relish and commented – “look how happily he is eating the dirt. You have been speaking ill of your brother to your utter satisfaction and so your nature has become as evil.”

Thus in this world of material illusions even educated people, coming in contact with people harbouring evil thoughts against others, get easily contaminated. Far to speak of spiritual evolution, such an approach towards others ultimate leads them morally downwards. The best way to save one from such a situation is to pray Baba when a negative thought comes to mind or to recite his name silently or read Shri Sai Satcharitra.”…….

FROM "LIFE OF SAI BABA" BY NARASIMHA SWAMI

……“In actual life persons have various tendencies and have also the principle of variation. When a person goes on in a downward current from sin to worse sin, from crime to worse crime, some former touch with holy persons or places comes suddenly as an element of variation to interrupt the chain of worsening consequences - the chain of evil to greater evil - and thus stops him. Ajamila is one instance.

For another instance, Veerabhadappa and Basappa case may be cited. They were two persons who bowed to Baba in one janma and had bitter differences. Veerabhadrappa by reason of his greed for money with considerable power and personality was wrath with Basappa for claiming the property which came to Gowri, the wife of Veerabhadrappa. Basappa, greedy enough to get at that property, had that loathsome quality called cowardice, and lack of strength, and Veerabhadrappa vowed to drink the blood of Basappa.

Basappa sought refuge with Baba, and Baba agreed to protect him. Before the revenge was carried out both died, and Veerabhadrappa to carry out his hatred and to kill his opponent was born as a cobra; Basappa was born as a frog. The cobra was in the next janma proceeding to catch that frog, when Baba in that janma intervened and told Veerabhadrappa, ‘Cease from your hatred. Give up your attempt to harass your enemy Basappa’. Then Veerabhadrappa the snake gave up the frog. Baba said, ‘One’s evil karma will continue till one’s contact with Satpurushas saves one from further consequences’. From hatred to murder was Veerabhadrappa’s natural downfall. But Baba came in and gave him a warning.

So the working of the previous evil vasanas was suddenly stopped and a new element got into Veerabhadrappa’s life, namely, self-control, giving up of hatred and these would lead to good results. So the law of karma for good persons promotes good, and for evil persons promotes evil. So, in itself the law of karma is not a matter for regret. One must always remember that there are laws of one’s own being and God’s plan for all creatures.

Any one who wishes sincerely to achieve his own soul’s welfare would pause to study what his duties are and seek the help of great ones and Gurus to guide him in his path, then by surrendering himself to great ones, allow his evil vasanas to be crushed out and good vasanas to be developed, and ultimately to get both sets of vasanas which are part of one’s personality to be drowned in the contemplation of the Guru-God. This is the teaching about karma to sadhakas of Baba.

The law of karma is decried by people who do not understand it. Some say that Karma can never be got rid of. There is an element of truth in that statement. But the way in which it is put as above is misleading and wrong. The law of Karma is merely the law of cause and effect. To say that an effect cannot be rectified or modified is absurd. If cause A produces the effect B, it is absurd to say that B must always continue to be B and nothing can change it. Just as cause A produces effect B, cause C impinging upon B may make changes in the effect.

The fact is that most acts done with a purpose are producing certain tendencies and certain other results. One should not confuse the actual result or reward earned by an act with the tendency. The tendency can and should always be met if it is an evil tendency. To say that karma is inexorable, and nothing can change it, is positively absurd.

Generally people think of tendencies when putting forward that proposition and it is about tendencies that one can be positive that all tendencies may change by stimuli producing opposite tendencies. Sinfulness is a tendency and it can always and should always be met by virtuous actions, virtuous contacts, holy readings, Satsang, etc. As for the rewards it is often said–

Avascyam anubhoktavyam kritam karma scubha ascubham

That is, what one has earned as a reward or punishment for one’s act, good or evil, must of necessity by endured. This is, generally speaking, true. But it is not true in the way in which it is baldly put. A person who commits murder is liable to be hanged. But he may also have other forms of punishment either immediately or later on. The sentences may be altered, reduced and even completely condoned on such occasions as King’s Birthday pardons, etc. Therefore, it is not correct to say that the reward or punishment earned by conduct is unalterable.

Everything on earth is liable to change or mitigation and if we remember this, we shall be very often able to meet the objections sometimes raised to Sai Baba’s statement about karma. In the very opening Charters of Baba's Charters & Sayings, we find the statement of Baba. ‘If one puts his foot on Shirdi soil, his karma is abolished’. Many a man wonders whether that is possible, especially in view of the dictum quoted above, "Avascyam Anubhoktavyam'. Baba also told Chandorkar that certain broad decisions arrived at as to the birth and death of people are treated as facts resulting from previous acts of individuals.”……

DEVOTEE EXPERIENCE

First of all I am submitting this letter to the lotus feet of my beloved BABA.

By the grace of Baba, I share with you all, some precious segments of my life. Baba has been helping me in every possible way. But in desperate times I totally forget all that and start worrying. Now I learnt that nothing is impossible for those who believe in Baba. Neither should helplessness set in for us. He is there to help us all the time. He will never forsake us! I request all the readers not to lose hope in desperate hours. Baba is always there to take care of us. I am a mute spectator to Baba's lute. There are everyday miracles by our Baba in our everyday lives, but this particular incident is unforgettable.

My name is Narayan Swamy Mahadevan. I belong to an average family financially and have a daughter, named Sai Veena N. Swamy who is 18 years old and a son named Sai Venkatesh Mahadevan, who is 14 years old. My wife and I along with our children are all believers of Baba.

My daughter passed her XII Std. CBSE last year (2002) scoring 81 % marks and my son is presently in 9th Std. My daughter wanted to take admission in a professional course last year. She had appeared for an entrance examination conducted by Government of Kerala and the All India Entrance Examination, but she didn’t succeed. In the meantime I tried to get a seat in some professional courses in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, but that also did not materialize.

The huge capitation fees demanded by these private colleges hindered her admission because of my financial position. So I told her to take admission in any of the degree courses without wasting a year, but she didn’t want to do it. I had a strong feeling that if she was destined she would get admission in a college of her choice the successive year. Subconsciously as a father, I had a strong intuition of Baba’s grace. I was confident of Baba’s help, and that he would test us in innumerable ways. I also thought that by the grace of my beloved Baba, this time she would get admission in the college of her choice. But this year also she didn’t succeed.

In despair I wailed in our pooja room. I learnt that her friends had got admitted in some colleges dealing in various schools of medicine. As I browsed through the net I got the following message: “We should not worry. We should have implicit faith in Baba, in our Inner Pilot or in our spiritual Master. We have to feel that not only does Baba know what is best for us, but He will do what is best for us.

We worry because we do not know what is going to happen to us tomorrow, or even the next minute. We feel that if we do not do something for ourselves, then who is going to do it? But if we can feel that there is someone who thinks then we will not worry about our destiny; we will not be afraid of us infinitely more than we think of ourselves, and if we can consciously offer our responsibility to Him, saying, ‘You be responsible. You be responsible for what I do and say and grow into,’ then our past, our present and our future become His problem.

As long as we try to be responsible for our own life, we will be miserable. We will not be able to properly utilize even two minutes out of every twenty-four hours we have. When we can feel that we are Baba's conscious instruments and He is the Doer, of us infinitely more than we think of ourselves, and if we can consciously offer our responsibility to Him, saying, 'You be responsible. You be responsible for what I do and say and grow into,' then our past, our present and our future become His problem. We should not and we need not ever worry about destiny. On the strength of our surrender, we become inseparably one with Saba's cosmic Will.”

As per the above stated Shirdi Message, as per that in my practical experience, there is no need for us to worry about anything. We should have implicit faith in Baba, in our inner pilot or in our spiritual master. We have to feel that not only Baba knows what is best for us, but also he will do what is best for us.

In this critical situation I decided to go on short vacation from Jubail (from 24th July 03 to 14th August 03). Only by the grace of Baba within this period I thought of completing everything connected with admission and reached Cochin (my house) on 24th July 03. The purpose for my leave was mainly to try professional course admission for my daughter.

The day I left that was Thursday, the same day I received Shirdi Message for the week “His Grace” dated 24th July 03. That means I got green signal from my 'Sai Ma’. After seeing this Shirdi mail by ‘Baba’s grace’ I got some courage, the 24th July 03 was Thursday I was very sad, full of tension. I kept on praying, remembering Baba all the time.

During this period through Sri Sathya Sai Organization I met Dr. Sujith, and only by the grace of Baba through the help of Dr. Sujith we all went to J.K.K. Dental College on 01st August 03. With a worried mind my daughter and I entered the Principal’s room for the admission. There I noticed a Picture of ‘Balaji with Padmavathi’ and ‘Baba’. And I also noticed something written in Baba’s picture “I am always with you”. In the meantime Principal agreed to admit my daughter and also informed me to pay the fees yearly. I left everything under the lotus feet of Baba and came out from the Principal’s room with peace and happiness. Once again Baba showered His grace on us and she got BDS admission on 01st August 03 in J.K.K. Dental College, Erode & her BDS classes started on 11th August 03.

We were really surprised but not shocked as we knew as to who had done it all for us. Baba will take care of my daughter, He will arrange everything and also teach her the knowledge, good habits and impart her the power of God. After reading Sai Satcharitra I came to understand Baba's love towards his devotees. And after this incident I completed Sai Satcharitra two reading. Baba has his own ways of helping his devotees. He is always there for his devotees whenever they call him. He tests his devotees and again he rescues them from their difficulties. He is the whole and sole protector of the universe. I can never forget the ‘bhiksha’ you have given to my daughter. May Sai bless you all. For me Baba is anything and everything.

Today (that is 2nd September 03) I received one letter from my daughter stating that Baba started coming in her dream and told her to have 'Padanamaskar'

Today's Ms. Renu’s column dated 24th July 03 & Mr. R.V.S. Mani Column dated 31st July 03 brings the other side of the issues, that is Baba does not leave his devotees. All his actions have a purpose. Ms. Renu is exactly right, that anyone who believes in him strongly.. .he will show up and may be he may not always grant us what we ask for but he'll be always there with us. Still I am confident Baba always helps, he may test us but he'll never leave us with our trouble. Really Ms. Renu is lucky, she got Baba’s darshan.

I had told Baba if he helps me I'll share this with all devotee friends through this forum so that we learn not to let our faith in Baba get shaken in times of crisis. May Baba always help all his children in this way and that with every breath that we take we forever think of him only. And the best news is that by the grace of Baba we will be going to Shirdi during May 2004. I pray to Baba to let this peace remain in my life forever, as money, I think, is only secondary. I have lot of experiences in my life where Baba helped me a lot. He is always with me, with my family and everyone. As of today whatever I am, it's only by the grace of my beloved Baba. Even now also I am able to write this experience only by the grace of Baba. May Sai Baba bless everybody.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Narayan Swamy Mahadevan

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Baba, the love you have shown me, I do not want to squander
As taught by you, I am trying to be gentler and kinder
Not to hurt anyone, and to all, a warm service render
I see people pray and then with tongue and hand they plunder
Of what use is such a prayer, I always wonder
And all that you have taught, can I practice? I ponder
In spite of myself, I notice my mind continues to weakly meander
And makes me think, that for your Divine Love, I am just a pretender

The eternal Maya, makes one do things, which one does not realize, is slander
To reach you, how long and far do I have to anxiously wander?
And to test my love, how much will you make me run? I wonder
I think, many a time I do not have the strength to truly surrender
I always seem to be battle weary and walking on a thread so slender
So, please call me Baba, hold me in your arms and take me yonder
Because, I do not want, anymore, for your Divine Love to be a pretender

M. D. Kumar, Patna

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TOPIC OF DISCUSSION

Guru Tradition

To Indians, the word Guru (Teacher) is a very sacred one. It has many meanings. It may mean that which is weighty and valuable; it may mean that which is worthy of honour; it may also mean that which dispels ignorance. The word with its several meanings is known in several countries of the world, in one form or the other, both in education and in religion. Guru and Guruhood are revered.

The mother is the first Guru of a child. Then comes the father. Later, he who gives knowledge is the Guru. After that comes the Guru who teaches a person the secret of leading a good life and achieving true happiness. Last of all, when wisdom comes, one is a Guru unto oneself.

Though Gurus be many, Guruhood is the same for all. From the knowledge a disciple gains from his Guru, he himself becomes a Guru. That Guru imparts knowledge to his disciple in turn. Thus the Guru tradition has continued without a break from times immemorial. The Gurus appearing in different times taught men how to live a good and useful life. They have also given the world knowledge that is of high value to man's life. The world has witnessed many crises. The knowledge given by the Guru has survived them all.

In India, the Vedic Rishi and before him the Shiva-Yogi, the Upanishadic seers, and a number of sages such as Valmiki, Vyasa, Buddha, Shankara, Ramanuja, Basava, Madhva, Samartha Ramadas, Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, Gandhi, Ramana and a large number of other saints and Jnanis are all part of the Guru tradition. They have left something very precious for mankind and have helped to enrich Knowledge, Science, Art, Literature and Spiritual Values. Due to the influence of some Guru, every part of India is hailed as sacred. Saints are not limited by time and place. They teach no distinction of birth or status.

Religious or caste differences do not bind them. They are like the pure air that blows everywhere giving cheer to all. They are like the life-giving Amrita or ambrosia. Even though they may not speak, there is great power in their very look. The teaching or the word of the Guru can show the path of freedom from sorrow and evil in the world.

The blessings and the grace of a Guru can free us from the bondage of birth and death and free us from the illusion of maya. He alone can make us realize that the AATMA is the only thing which is real. It is the grace of the Guru through which one can have the knowledge that we are nothing but a very small part of the most powerful light that created this universe and our faith in our guru, patience and our karma alone will help us in reuniting with our creator.

My humble pranams to such a Guru, who through his kindness, shares his divine knowledge of self surrender , faith and patience to his disciples and thus keeps the Guru Tradition going...

Deepa H., USA

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Baba Sai is Universal. Barring our body and names, He resides in all beings. Sai Baba is Brahman and His sayings, Brahman is my father and Maya is my brother. Dwarka Mai is home of mercy, God Sai Baba is Salvation and will relieve us from the vortex of birth and re birth. God Sai Baba is now here, within the body and mind of humans and all beings, be they humans who have ability to think, talk and behave, animals, fruit, leaves, the soil, ants and all. Baba Sai is All. Baba Bless all. He is ever in all of us humans and all beings.

Haresh G Jagiani, Tanzania

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Having a children’s section in www.heritageofshirdisai.org is a very good idea. I have one question and that is: what about printing Sai Baba's story in a comic book format - with pictures? This should then be published on world wide basis and available in Indian shops for children? I hope and pray that Sai Baba will permit this.

Pratik Jasani, Liverpool, United Kingdom

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SHIRDI SAI BABA SANSTHAN, CANADA

Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, Canada (Toronto) holds Satcharita Paraayan, Shri Sai Satya Vrat Katha Naam Jaap & Bhajan Sandhaya on Thursdays

ANNADAAN SERVICE (Narayan Seva): Please note that SHRI SHIRDI SAI BABA SANSTHAN,CANADA (Toronto) conducts annadaan (Feeding of the Poor) on a daily basis. You can participate in the program by sending email to the support team at saileela99@yahoo.com

SHRI SHIRDI SAI BABA CEREMONIAL YATRA:

Shri Sai Baba Ceremonial Yatra…Satsang and Abhishek invoking Baba’s Presence on the third Sunday of every month at the devotees residence. Phone: 416-294-4804 website http://www.shirdisainath.org/ (Visit regularly for Event and Activity update. Post your Divine Experiences with Baba in the Guest Book.

THE RESOURCE CENTRE

Maple Crest Private School 28 Roytech Road. Woodbridge, ON L4L 8E4 PHONE - 416-294-4804 (by appointment only). Complementary copy of "Sai Satcharita" (one per family) in all languages is now available, excluding Pothi in Marathi, Indira kher ji's English Version and Hindi Pothi by Kakaria ji,. Reserve your copy today. On Line Shopping will be coming soon.
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/

NORTH AMERICA SHIRDI SAI TEMPLE OF ATLANTA

Location: 700 James Burgess Road,Suwanee GA 30024, USA

The North America Shirdi Sai Temple is located at 700 James Burgess Road,Suwanee GA 30024.Temple is open all seven days of the week. Baba's Kakad Aarti, Abhishek Puja, Madhyan Aarti, Dhoop Aarti and Shej Aarti are performed every day. Bhajans are sung on all thursday and sunday evenings. For information regarding the daily schedule, temple activities and events please visit Mandir's website: www.templeofpeace.org or call 678-455-7200

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

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 Srinivas Sadam (Secretary) Mobile: (+64) 27 463 0175 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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