|
FROM SHRI C.B. SATPATHY'S MESSAGE
……“Ever since the phenomenon
of Shri Shirdi Sai extensively caught public attention
in India and outside, there has been a relentless stream
of speculation as well as concerted effort on the question
of His parentage i.e. whether he was born a Hindu or a
Muslim. The net result of such research by different researchers
has turned out to be either speculative or controversial
since it is based more on circumstantial evidence as opposed
to primary data. However, my efforts are channelised into
finding out who and what Baba is rather than what was
His parentage or where he was born.
There can be no denial
in any quarter that Shri Shirdi Sai Baba is a divine personality
of the highest order who demonstrated magnificent qualities
of selfless service to all, who came in contact with Him,
without least consideration of His self. He was not constrained
by the limitations of any organized religion or path as
is amply evidenced by His acceptance of disciples from
all religions, cultures, castes and paths etc.
There was no question
of economic and social differentiation in His scheme of
things. Besides non-possession and non-attachment, he
was divinely magnanimous and empathetic towards the poorest
of the poor among His devotees, as well as animals and
birds. He also possessed wonderful powers of miracles,
which he often used to help His disciples in distress,
even at distant places.
Given this universal
theme of His approach, one can safely conclude that Shri
Sai demonstrated the highest qualities of Hinduism, notwithstanding
whether He was born of Hindu or Muslim parentage.
When one speaks of Hinduism at first one has to understand
as to what Hinduism stands for in its essence. Some historians
comment that the word ‘Hindu’ was originally
‘Indu’ coming out of ‘Indus valley civilization’
but some foreigners called it Hindu like ‘Hindukush’
mountain. Hinduism in its quintessence is more a way of
life than merely being a Hindu path of worship of deities.
It prescribes numerous paths to its people and leaves
them free to choose any one. It prescribes a number of
divine forms (Devatas/Devis) to be worshipped and also
the worship of the formless (Brahman – the ultimate
God).
Hinduism does not
insist on the conversion of others to its fold and failing
which their extinction. It has never believed in religious
expansionism with the help of sword. This highest level
of tolerance has led to the absorption of many conquering
or colonizing races, following different paths, into its
all embracing fold. Sufism, which truly believes in the
unity of souls and tolerance among people following different
paths, therefore, found a strong base in India –
the soil of Hindus.
Basically what Shri
Shirdi Sai Baba practiced and taught is spiritualism and
humanism as against bigotry, obscurantism and intolerance.
To that extent He was a genuine Hindu and genuine Sufi
amalgamated together. He often used to say ‘Allah
Malik hai’ or ‘Ishwar Achha karega’
or ‘Sabka Malik ek hai’ i.e., the one and
ultimate God called Ishwar or Allah is the sovereign power
who controls everyone and everything.
This is the monistic
“Advaitya” philosophy of the Hindus. On the
other hand, He never deterred His Hindu devotees from
going to temples to worship any deity of their faith or
stopped the Muslims from taking out the Tazia procession
or doing anything prescribed by their religion etc. Indeed
He encouraged both and ensured, at Shirdi, tolerance towards
the religious sentiments of devotees practicing various
faiths, through mutual participation in each others festivals.
Not only for the residents
of Shirdi but also for the outsiders who used to visit
Him in great numbers, He was not only a Guru but a part
of their entire existence. Shri Sai had permeated into
all aspects of their lives – religion, family, festivals,
way of earning and spending, social conduct, moral conduct,
cultural activities, births and deaths, diseases and cures
and even regarding the rearing of their children and pets.
Baba’s influence
has been so strong and wide that even two to three generations
of a family would come together to seek His blessings
and advice on varied matters at Shirdi. Every one looked
up to Him as a God in human form and also as the head
of the family and surrendered to Him. The way of life
not only for the natives of Shirdi, but those visiting
Him, metamorphosized to a new way of looking at life which
Baba taught them through His conduct and precepts. Thus,
like Hinduism, the path shown by Shri Sai has become a
way of life for His devotees rather than a religious and
ritualistic path alone. Even today the same Sai spirit
pervades the lives of millions.
This is what explains
the unimaginable expansion of the Sai path not only in
India, but in other countries. Shri Sai remains, as promised
by Him, a living Master, with His all-pervasive spirit
that controls the entire life of His devotees. Such a
magnificent, universal and time-less divine personality
is termed as “Vasudeva” in Hinduism. And the
spirit of Shri Vasudeva is eternal.”…….
FROM "LIFE OF SAI BABA" BY NARASIMHA SWAMI
……“Dixit had such perfect
reliance on Baba that before taking any step in any important
matter, he would go to Baba and get His orders and follow
the same to the very letter, even though the course was
running counter to his own judgment and feelings or those
of his friends and relations. Baba once tested and proved
his implicit obedience while enjoying the fun of the test.
B.C.S. 619 gives the account which shows that Bade Baba,
Shama, and Ayi all shrank from assisting Baba or carrying
out His order that a goat thoroughly weak and about to
die should be slaughtered with a knife at the mosque -
while Kaka Dixit alone stood the test and was bringing
down a knife over the neck of the creature ¬in implicit
obedience to an apparently horrid command B.C.S.619 gives
the account thus.
619. Once a goat entered
the mosque, old, famished and just about to die.
Baba (to Bade
Baba):-Cut that goat with one stroke.
Bade Baba-(Looking
at it with pity) How are we to kill this? So saying, he
went away from the mosque.
Baba:-Shama,
you cut it. Fetch a knife from Radhakrishna Ayi.
(Ayi sent a knife;
but learning the purpose, recalled it)
Shama:-l
will go home to fetch a knife.
Shama went home and
stayed away there.
Then Baba
to H.S.D: - ‘You fetch a knife and kill
it’.
H.S.D. went and fetched a knife.
H.S.D:-Baba,
shall I kill it?
Baba :-
Yes.
H.S.D. lifted up the
knife and held it up in hesitation.
Baba :-What
are you thinking of? Strike.
Dixit obeyed and
was bringing the knife down.
Baba:-Stop.
Let the creature remain. I will kill it myself but not
at the mosque.
Then Baba carried
the creature a few yards, after which it fell dead.
Some might suppose
that such intimate relation and dependence of the disciple
might snap if the Guru left the body. But that was not
so. After Baba left the body, Dixit, like several other
staunch devotees, intently concentrated on Sai Baba, and
after prayer cast chits before Baba, and asked some child
to pick up a chit at random, and the directions of the
chit were Baba’s orders and were safe to follow
always.
One instance may be
cited of Dixit’s trust in consulting Baba through
chits and its proving a reliable method and Baba's proving
a reliable helper of himself and his relations. After
Baba's samadhi Dixit tried to revive his practice especially
for the sake of others. His brother Sadashiv Dixit, BA,
LLB., tried to practice at Nagpur, etc., and failed to
secure any practice or appointment. Dixit then consulted
Baba through chits and acting on the chit-accrued order
brought Sadashiv over to Bombay. But even at Bombay, Sadashiv
failed to secure any success. Kaka wondered how Baba's
order of advice should prove so useless.
He was thinking of
sending his brother away from Bombay, but as Deepawali
festival came in, the brother was detained for that festival.
Just at that time, leading persons from the Cutch Samsthan
came to consult Kaka Dixit as to which person should be
selected as a sufficiently reliable officer on a high
pay of Rs. 1000. When Kaka suggested Sadasiva's name,
that was readily accepted, and he became Dewan of that
State.
Baba springs his surprise
at the last moment when he gives His blessing and justifies
the fullest confidence reposed in him by Dixit, etc. Damodar
Rasane employed a similar practice, and says in his experiences
(Vide Devotees' Experiences, Volume II) that Baba's answer
on chits to him were always found to be correct (N. B.-Powerful
faith alone can elicit a reply).”……
DEVOTEE EXPERIENCE
My daughter had taken my car
keys from my pocket, while I was asleep, to practice driving
on her own to prepare for the Driving Test next day. She
had taken her friend as
a co-passenger and was driving along the road through
the Driveway of a fast food restaurant, McDonalds, in
the vicinity. She took a sharp curve in the driveway and
drove onto the curb. She could not reverse the car as
the path was too narrow and she was afraid of hitting
the car behind her. She accelerated, could not control
the car and drove on the road dividing McDonald and a
Gas station and hit a tree. This stopped the car from
hitting and exploding the Gas Pump. The property manager
of the Gas Station summoned the police. She was crying
and telephoned me. I prayed Lord Sai to help.
When I reached the accident
spot, I found that my car Steering Air Bag had saved her
life. Her co-passenger was also slightly hurt The Police
Officer on site interrogated me about my daughter and
her friend. My daughter had no insurance and license to
drive independently without a qualified driver next to
her. The Police Officer was very co-operative and warned
her not to do it again. Who else in the western world
would pardon such a major car accident? It is only Lord
Sai who has manifested in human form and averted this
mishap and helped my family in this crisis.
Devotees, Lord Sai is Omnipresent
and always there when you call Him with Faith and Love
and will share every burden of yours in every walk of
your life.
My daughter experienced the
vision on the sticker of Lord Sai on the windshield. She
has turned an ardent devotee since that day. May Lord
Sai protect His devotees and grace them with Happiness
and Joy forever.
Jai Sai Ram!!!
Ravinder Thota,
Canada
Share your
experience, articles poems etc.
POEM
Thirst
Thirst
in life never ceases,
there is thirst for riches,
children, power,
more life and siddhis.
There is thirst for
joy
sense pleasures,
materials, and worldly indulgence.
Thirst keeps the mind
occupied,
never lets God enter,
keeps it centered in matter,
whether in mosque or temple.
Thirst does not let
you see
even with eyes, that
at death everything remains here,
it makes a person blind.
Thirst keeps increasing,
every desire fulfilled
brings only bondage,
unhappiness and misery.
Thirst makes a person
struggle
with no gains,
keeps him always disturbed,
with no mental peace.
Thirst with desire
for God alone
brings harmony,
contentment and bliss
long-awaited; for the whole of our life.
By S. Modi,
Delhi
Share your
experience, articles poems etc.
TOPIC OF DISCUSSION
Devotion
Devotion to me means
complete faith and great love. You can be devoted to a
cause, to your family. But the ultimate devotion is to
the Guru who is God incarnate.
When you have faith
and great love for your Guru you need nothing else. All
of the world and the rest of the universe is included
in the Guru. The Guru reciprocates giving you greater
love and His blessings.
If you are truly
devoted to the Guru you can face whatever life offers
up; both the good and the bad can be equated. There is
a constant feeling that he is there - omnipresent, omnipotent.
There seems to be a reason why things happen in life.
Indeed there seems to be a meaning to existence itself.
Even at the worst of times there is a glimmer of hope
because you have left everything to Him whom you adore.
Nirmala Pandit,
Chennai
Share
your views on Topic of Discussion- PRARABDH
DEVOTEES' FORUM
ONE PARAGRAPH THAT EXPLAINS LIFE!
Arthur
Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which
he got due to infected blood he received during a heart
surgery in 1983.
From world over, he received letters
from his fans, one of which conveyed: 'Why does GOD have
to select you for such a bad disease'?
To this Arthur Ashe replied:
'The world over -- 50 million children
start playing tennis, 5 million learn to play tennis,
500,000
learn professional tennis, 50,000 come to the circuit,
and 5000 reach the grand slam,
50 reach
Wimbledon, 4 to semi final, 2 to the finals,
when I
was holding a cup I never asked GOD 'Why me?'. And
today in pain I should not be asking GOD 'Why me?' '
'Happiness
keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrow keeps you
Human,
Failure keeps you
humble and Success keeps you glowing, but only Faith &
Attitude Keeps you going...
Shipra Shukla,
Delhi
Due to medical reasons, my husband had to opt for early
retirement. This means we are getting no income for almost
five months. At the same time my son Girish managed to
top the University in Newcastle, Australia, with Honours
in Mechanical Engineering and he was offered 75% scholarship
from the University to do his Doctorate. I was very upset
that Baba gave me some good news and some difficulties
as well. Nevertheless, my son went back to Australia to
resume his studies.
My husband said, Baba knows our pain and helplessness
and he will find a way to help us. On this auspicious
Thursday, I am hoping that Baba will help us see through
our difficult times. I am praying that my husband gets
employed again till my son can help us financially once
he finishes his course. We also hope he gets his PR status
soon.
Allah
Malik and Sai help all of Us!!!!
Mrs Sobha
Jeevan, Singapore
Share your
feelings about Shirdi Sai in Devotees’ Forum
READER'S REFLECTION
Jai Sai Ram! I am just so so shocked after reading a
devotee's experience in your Magazine. That devotee's
name is "Vandana Ritik" from New Delhi. I cannot
thank you enough for sharing your experience with us.
I am still so so moved.
I read
Shri Satpathyji's Guru Purnima Message with the utmost
of devotion and really it was something that I totally
identified with particularly with regard to psychological
dependence on Baba; wish to establish intense relationship
with him and periodical emotional vacuum when one feels
as if Baba is no more "in Touch" with us my
reaction to it initially was I used to get upset about
it. Gradually I begin to accept it and felt calmer. I
realised that Baba is always there when I need him and
he has innumerable devotees to look after. This intensified
my Faith in Him and 'Saburi' too. True, as Shri Satpathyji
says, one is always looking to collect photographs and
trinkets of Baba Sai Nath. Many times I have felt Baba's
subtle Presence and His Kind Grace in many emotional difficulties.
What more can I say about the Master of Universe? I am
speechless. I always look forward to read Shri Satpathyji's
article on Baba as I feel very connected to Baba Sai through
them. Thank you.
Seema Poddar,
Kolkotta
I am very, very grateful and thankful to those Sai devotees
who made this website of Heritage of Shirdi Sai happen.
I am a true Sai Baba devotee and always get good margdarshan
through the newsletters. Shri Satpathyji's messages are
a great guiding force for all of us towards the way of
spiritualism and towards our own Shri Shirdi Sai Baba.
Baba is with us every moment of life and will always be.
I am very fortunate to experience His presence in my life
and the experiences He gives me.
Anand
Joshi, Dubai
Share
Reader's Reflection
NEWS OF SHIRDI
SAI ACTIVITIES
SHIRDI
SAI BABA SANSTHAN, CANADA
INVOCATION
OF BLESSINGS ON AUSPICIOUS THURSDAYS
Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan,
Canada, (Toronto) cordially invite Devotees to attend
- participate -Receive Baba's Grace and be Immersed in
Divine Bliss on the AUSPICIOUS day of THURSDAY 6:30PM
at the GUR MANDIR 207 Queen's Plate Drive., Etobicoke
(South of Steeles on the East side of Highway 27 on Queen's
Plate)
Invocation of Baba's Divine
Blessings Ceremony will be conducted with Sacred Ashtotra
Namavali to the accompaniment of, Bhajans, Satcharita
Paraayan, Naivedaya Offerings Dhoop Aarti and Mahaprasaad
(Preeti Bhoj) Naivedaya Offerings: Devotees are welcome
to bring a dish for Naivedaya Offerings as inspired by
Baba.
CEREMONIAL
YATRA IN TORONTO
DEVOTEES in TORONTO,
are invited to participate in Shri Shirdi Sai Ceremonial
Yatra currently underway in Toronto.Invite Baba to your
home and invoking His Grace immerse in Divine Bliss. For
Program details and Location call 416-294-4804 or saileela99@yahoo.com
OTHER SERVICES
IN TORONTO
Three Annual Events celebrated:
Ram Navami Guru Purrnima, and Vijay Dashami, Monthly Weekly
and daily Activities: Abhishek - Akhand Parayan - Bhajan
Sandhaya - Aarti - Annadaan..."Prepare a Meal"
- Chitra Yatra - Paduka Puja - Palki Pothi & Portrait
Procession - Volunteer Sevices - Character and Moral Values...
A Youth Program based on Baba's Teachings.
THE RESOURCE
CENTRE IN TORONTO
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. For pictures - posters -
CD's - VCD's- Baba Murtis and other books on Baba visit
the Resource Centre. On Line Shopping coming soon. HERITAGE
OF SHIRDI SAI MAGAZINE AVAILABLE IN CANADA: Send your
request for subscription. Limited copies only. Email:
saileela99@yahoo.com
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
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 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
Share
News from your part of the world
|
