THE GLORY OF
SHIRDI SAI – 12
Third Year of Publication
Published as
Bi-Weekly
Issue 12 / 2005
Please visit our Web site: http://www.saidarbar.org
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THIS ISSUE CONTAINS:
1 FOUNDATION STONES FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
2. SAI’S NEWS FROM TIME
MACHINE
3. FOOT STEPS OF HOLY
FEET
4. SAIBANISA OFFERS
PRANAMS TO …..
5. SAI IN DREAMS
6. QUINTESSENCE OF SRI
SAIBABA'S PHILOSOPHY
7. DEVOTEES
EXPERIENCES
8. SPIRITUAL GEMS FROM
SAI SATCHARITRA
9. SAI WITH CHILDREN
10. ARTICLES FROM SAI DEVOTEES
11. LETTERS FROM SAI DEVOTEES
12. TELUGU SECTION
13. SAI’S BOOK WORLD
14. FROM SAI ORGANISATIONS
15. EDITORIAL.
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1.
FOUNDATION STONES FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE:
Rajeswari
Kasturi, Saidarbar –
From the Satsanghs of SaibanisaJi
http://www.angelfire.com/celeb2/saidarbar/pages/S3500055.htm
21.
To lead the life on a good path, energy is needed to the physical body. One has
to have his own ways and efforts to fulfill it.
22.
While traveling in the spiritual path, beware of the people who try to deviate
you from your spiritual journey.
23.
To lead a peaceful life, you should maintain good relations not only with your
kith and kin but also with your neighbors.
24.
You should develop a helping nature so that others will follow you to help the
underprivileged.
25.
You should live amongst your kith and kin the way the Lotus plant survives in
the mud water with out having any attachment with mud.
26.
When you are doing the pooja rituals to the God, you will feel you are doing
the routine job. But if you serve the Saints, you feel that you are nearer to
God.
27.
You will reach your destiny safely if you avoid traveling in the wrong path /
avoiding too much dealing in monetary matters / a pomp and show.
28.
You try to understand your capacities and accordingly accept the work load.
29.
There is no parameter in the Spiritual life so you should lead the spiritual
life till your last breath.
30.
It is your duty to analyze everyday progress and you should not have
contentment in the spiritual life.
To
be Continued……..
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2.
SAI'S NEWS FROM THE TIME MACHINE:
June
1911: Kashinath Govind Upasani visited Shirdi for the first time at the age of
41 years.
June
1929: Hemadri Pant (Anna Saheb Dhabolkar) completed writing Sai
Satcharitra in Marathi
June
1940: Sakhram Balvanth, a staunch devotee of Baba and an advocate from Nashik
passed away at the age of 67 years due to heart attack.
---------------------------------
3.
FOOT STEPS OF THE HOLY FEET – 5
EXPERIENCES OF SAI.BA.NI.SA WITH SHIRDI
SAI
When
Hemadri Panth (Anna Sahib Dhabolkar) contemplated to write Sai Satcharita, Sri
Sai advised Shyama (Madhava Rao Deshpande), the mediator to see that Hemadri
Panth sheds his Ahankara and take recourse to his feet, then I myself shall
complete the writing. Sai was always instrumental in removing ahankara (ego)
from the mind of his devotees and thereby contribute to the spiritual
advancement of his devotees. In this experience, the 5th under the
series, I shall show how Sai tackled with my ahankara.
It was a cool morning of winter during
the month of December, 1990; I offered prayers at the
Like a statue I listened to these
sermons and realized my grave mistake. How did this fakir on road capture
thoughts reeling in my mind? Definitely I consider it was none other than Sai
Baba himself graced in fakir's form to put a check on my growing ahankara and
guide me on to the path of righteousness. Unmindful of the surroundings and
with tremors in my body I touched his feet and requested him to pardon me while
quickly dumping a two rupees note in to his palm. After coming out of Pandu
Ranga Vittal's
BOW TO SHRI SAI - PEACE BE TO ALL
To
be Continued….
-----------------------------------------
4. SAIBANISA OFFERS PRANAMS TO “SANT JNANADEV”
Jnanadev
lived in the
Jnanadev's father had been a sadhu ascetic who later abandoned the renunciate
life to marry and raise children. This was shocking to orthodox authorities and
the family was generally shunned. Jnanadev was one of four siblings. His
sister, Muktabai, was a great poet and saint in her own right. When the
children were all very young, their parents died and the children had to
survive by begging.
Though his life was extremely short, he composed four great works: the
Jnanesvari, (a translation of the Bhagavad-Gita Gita into Marathi, along with a
commentary that is still devoutly studied today for its wisdom and insight),
the Amritanubhava, the Abhangs, (spiritual songs and poetry), and the
Changadeva Pasashti (a story of conversion from hatha yoga to a more deeply
philosophical approach to God). He was a strong influence and inspiration for
other poet-saints in the region who followed, such as Namdev and Janabai.
Traditionally
Jnanadev is said to have felt he had completed his purpose in life and left the
body in conscious mahasamadhi (the final spiritual union of a saint at death),
exiting life at the young age of 22, having already been acknowledged as a
great saint and poet.
To be Continued….
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5. SAI IN DREAMS:
These
are the dream sequences and messages as received by SAIBANISA from our beloved
GURU LORD SAINATH OF SHIRIDI. In Anticipation that this feature will help in
one’s spiritual growth are hereby compiled from his personal Diary and
presented to SAIBANDHUS.
Translated
and presented by RAGHU RAMAN SATULURY.
Dated:
The
dream contents of the day have increased my sense of detachment. While I was
young, I was strongly in love with a lady. She got married to some one else and
I could not forget her even with passage of time. Today after lapse of many
years, Sai has shown her to me in a different form. She became old
with wrinkles writ on her face, fallen teeth and that beautiful long hair was
totally lost. She looked no longer charming. Sai then uttered the
words that; physical body will gradually weaken and perish one day or other. I
got up in the morning but my mind was fresh with what I have seen in the dream.
It was very difficult proposition to imagine her in that position but a hard
fact of life. I have then gone through the reading of Satcharitra and it
happened to be the thirty-first chapter. Sai tells to Vijay Anand that wealth
and youth are only a passing phase in one’s life and are temporary in nature.
The physical body will decay one day or other and shall fall to ground. Know
this truth and fulfill all your commitments. This made me to think as to what
is my responsibility? And the immediate need of the hour.
Work for some thing that is permanent in
nature.
Dated:
Sai appeared in the form of a fakir on the seashore. I bowed
down in front of him with all devotion and respect. He addressed me thus in the
words- Life is like a shore. Tidal waves are the happy moments coming once in
away. When high tides are encountered, the water as the carrier, sometimes bring
happy moments to the shore. Along with water, some other elements like ego
(snakes), difficulties (fish) and corals with pearls (spiritualism) also manage
to reach the shore. They present a beautiful scene to the eye. When the water
recedes, the snakes and fish struggle to survive and finally die down. How-
ever, the corals no matter where they are, they live
shining and appealing. So I suggest you to follow the path set by the corals
and develop a spiritual bent of mind. I got disturbed and woke up. I started
searching for the meaning of the dream. The 16th and 17th
chapter where in Sai says that life
is full of jealousy and ego. In 51st chapter, Hemadri panth says
that anger and jealousy are in built qualities of a person. We can overcome
them and their damaging effects under the influence of our Samrdha Sadhguru
Sainath.
Spiritualism is the only fallback tool
in difficult times.
Dated:
Before
retiring to bed, I prayed Baba and asked him whether I would
breathe my last at his lotus feet and also whether I can complete all my
responsibilities towards my wife and children. The dream visuals have totally
made me happy. I was present in a large gathering. Sai appeared in the form
of Governor
of a State. Many VIP’s were circled round him to have a glimpse of him and also
to get noticed by him. He then called me by name. I walked towards him and
expressed my desire. He readily agreed to it and I bowed down to touch his feet
traditionally. Slowly, I was loosing my sight and senses. I got up from my
sleep. I was grateful to him and again I went in to another spell of sleep.
Next, my grocer called me up from where I purchase all our monthly requirements
for the house. He said to me “ with the money given, I
have just now dispatched life time requirement of provisions for your wife and
children to your house. I got up from my sleep contended with the firm hope
that Sai
will certainly take care of my family and I have nothing to worry or
look back.
Sincere prayers are always attended.
To be
continued……
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6.
QUINTESSENCE OF SRI SAIBABA'S PHILOSOPHY:
(By Late Sri Bharam UmamaheswaraRao)
"Shashi":
shashi_31@yahoo.com
16. What is God? Who is God? How are we to see God?
Baba said- Prayer is the answer. Sincere
prayer is always answered. Detach and know that the world is temporal and an
illusion and that Self alone is Real. Through the
expansion of the self, you develop Universal Love and Universal Consciousness.
This leads you to service and sacrifice. The fact of surrender merely means
that you do not think about the fruits of actions. God likes the person, who
knows and does his Swadharma. It is in this sense that work is worship.
“What
is the easiest way to achieve God’s REALISATION?” asked Chandorkar.
Sri
Sai Baba said- The easiest way to GOD REALISATION is to repeat constantly God’s
name and make it pure. Then happiness will surely follow. God will certainly
come and dwell in your heart. You must possess intense desire and longing to
realize Him. Meditate on God’s name through the form of God that bears thy
name. While uttering the name of God feel always that He is before you. There
are always difficulties which come your way of Realizing God. These will be
overcome by the power of your devotion. God’s name is the boat that ultimately
carries every one across the ocean of life.
Baba
further said- REALISATION does not consist in running away from home life,
leaving one’s devotion by the performance of worship without having any real
devotion or sincere aspiration. The Realization of Truth or the vision of
Reality can be achieved only by one who performs his allotted work in life in a
silent way, without losing sight of his own ideal in view, offering everything
and every act of his to the Divine without caring for the results thereof,
always thinking and singing the glory of the Lord even though he may be engaged
eternally. Thus Realization depends purely on the development of the inner
being rather than the external one. For the attainment of real happiness and
infinite peace, it is necessary that the glamour for I and MINE and the
individual egoistic consciousness should be merged in the
To
be continued…..
-----------------------------------------------
7. DEVOTEES
EXPERIENCES:
From Saidarbar
files:
Hello friends/Sri
Shirdi Sai's web site viewers, the following is very interesting and it really
happened to me this day
I am working as a
software consultant here in
I thank Sri Shirdi
Sai website organizers to let me share this with you all and look forward to
see more later on the same wonderful Sai's site.
-------------------------------
8. SPIRITUAL GEMS
FROM SAI SATCHARITRA
Venkateswaraswamy
Swarna" swamysv@rediffmail.com
& swamymain@yahoo.com
Sai Ram. Let us
continue with the Chapter 15.
"Initially, Baba was known in
"The audience, who come to hear the Kirtans have different tastes. Some like the erudition of the Haridas; some his
gestures, some his singing, some his wit and humour, some his preliminary
dissertation on Vedanta, and some others, his main stories and so on; but among
them, there are very few, who by hearing the Kirtan get faith and devotion or
love for God or saints. The effect of hearing Dasganu's kirtan on the minds of
audience was however electric, as it were. We give an instance here."
Sai Ram. Sun shines equally on all beings but the effects are different. Rain
falls equally in an area on all but again the effects are different. Similarly,
the darshan, shravan and keertan etc. of Dasganu and other Haridasas on the
audience is bound to be different, depending upon the individual soul's
preparation and readiness. "Dasganu
was once performing his Kirtan and singing the glory of Sai Baba, in the
Koupineshwar temple in
"As good luck would have it, Mr.Cholkar did pass the examination and did
get the permanent post and now it remained for him to fulfill his vow, the
sooner the better." Sai Ram. It was Mr.Cholkar's destiny (which manifested
as good luck at that point of time) that he passed his examination and got the
regular post. A vow should be fulfilled at the earliest. Satyanarayana Vrata
Katha also emphasises the same point. The story of Sugriva in Ramayana of
forgetting the promise made to Sri Rama (that he will send his army of monkeys
to search for Sri Sita) and being reminded / admonished by Sri Lakshmana also
emphasizes the same point. Sakuntala reminds her husband King Dushyanta of the
great importance of truth in Mahabharatha, when under the curse of Sage
Durvasa, Dushyanta forgets that Sakuntala is his wife and questions her
relationship to him. Sai Ram.
"Mr. Cholkar was a poor man with a large family to support; and he could
not afford to pay for the expenses of a Shirdi trip. As is well said, one can
easily cross over Nahne ghat in Thana District or even the
"After he was able to save some money in this way, he came to Shirdi, took
Baba's darshan, fell at His Feet, offered a coconut, distributed it with a
clean conscience along with sugar-candy as per his vow and said to Baba that he
was much pleased with His darshan and that his desires were fulfilled that
day." Sai Ram. Mr.Cholkar was indeed a very fortunate and spiritually
blessed man. Only a spiritually advanced soul like Mr.Cholkar feels fulfilled
instead of making fresh demands when taking the darshan of a great Saint like
Sai. "Mr. Cholkar was in the dwarakamayi with his host Bapusaheb
Jog. When the host and the guest both got up and were about to leave the place,
Baba spoke to Jog as follows: - "Give him (your guest) cups of tea, fully
saturated with Sugar." Hearing these significant words, Mr. Cholkar was
much moved, he was wonderstruck, his eyes were bedewed with tears, and he fell
at Baba's Feet again." Sai Ram. I was moved to tears when ever I read this
part of the story since the devotion of Mr.Cholkar was indeed extraordinary. I
used to pray to Sai to give me too that sort of steadfast devotion. By His
grace, I can now say that though the mind by its very nature keeps wandering,
He, like a loving mother brings it back to Him and He has been hearing my pleas
and cries for help, thus assuring me His steadfast support. Let all of us
develop the sort of steadfast devotion like Mr.Cholkar. Sai Ram. Baba indicated
by these words that He was fully aware of Mr.Cholkar's resolve to give up sugar
so that he can save enough money for coming to Shirdi.
"Mr. Jog was also curious about this direction, regarding the tea-cups to
be given to his guest. Baba wanted by His words to create faith and devotion in
Cholkar's mind. He hinted as it were, that He got the sugar-candy as per his
vow and that He knew full well his secret determination not to use sugar in his
diet. Baba meant to say, "If you spread your palms with devotion before
Me, I am immediately with you, day and night. Though, I am here bodily, still I
know what you do; beyond the seven seas. Go wherever you will, over the wide
world, I am with you. My abode is in your heart and I am within you. Always
worship Me, Who is seated in your heart, as well as,
in the hearts of all beings, Blessed and fortunate, indeed, is he who knows Me
thus."
What a beautiful and important lesson was thus imparted by Baba to Mr. Chokar!
Indeed it is a beautiful lesson to all of us. Sai Ram.
We will continue with this chapter in the next issue too. Sai Ram.
S.V.Swamy
Author, Editor, Proof-Reader and Book Reviewer
www.freewebs.com/swamyreviews
To be Continued…….
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9. SAI WITH
CHILDREN:
http://www.saidarbar.org/HTML/portraits/7.jpg
Smt.
Madhu Gopal Ravada, Saidarbar,
Hello
Children! I am Madhu aunty. Do you know Baba use to play with children and used
to tell stories to them? I felt children visiting Saidarbar should be
entertained with good stories. Baba told before He took His Maha Samadhi that
He is Muralidhar and would like to play in Booty Wada (Samadhi Mandir) with His
devotees. So far you have enjoyed Krishna Leelas. Baba has also established his
identity with Lord Sri Rama. Now I will take you through our epic Ramayan. Tell
your parents to read the Glory of Shirdi Sai – Bi-weekly E-magazine and narrate
Ramayan from this magazine.
HANUMAN IN LANKA:
When the rains were over and Rama heard
nothing from Sugreeva he sent Lakshmana to Sugreeva to remind him of his
pledge. The angry Lakshmana went to Sugreeva and said, “What type of friend are
you? My brother have kept his promise to you and with
the help of him you have recovered your kingdom and wife. And when your turn
came to help us you are backing out. Do you not remember your pledge?” Sugreeva
begged his pardon said politely that he has not forgotten his promise. He told
him that he had started working in that direction, that he had already sent
messages to assemble the entire army of apes. He said, “I was thinking of
coming to both of you after my entire army had assembled”. Sugreeva and his
ministers accompanied Lakshmana to Rama. Sugreeva begged Rama’s pardon and told
him about the arrangements he had made for the search of Sita. Sugreeva’s whole
army of apes assembled at Rishyamuka mountain where
Rama and Lakshmana lived. As they did not know where Ravana had hidden Sita,
Sugreeva divided his army in four divisions and sent them in four directions
with the instruction that they were to report back within a month.
Hanuman
was one of the leading members of the south-going members of the south going
division. Considering Hanuman to be ablest of all the members of the division,
Rama gave him his ring and said, “Give this ring to Sita, if you find her. She
will then be sure that I have sent you.” Hanuman accepted the ring and then the
party set out in search of Sita. The south-going division was under the
leadership of Hanuman, Jambuvanta and Angad,
Hanuman
remembered Rama and prayed for success, and filled with power yet unknown to
himself he leapt into the air. He flew over the vast and limitless ocean. On
his way he met Surasa, the mother of snakes, who grew herself in size to
swallow him, but the brilliant Hanuman reduced himself to a very small size and
having entered her mouth came of out her nostril. Seeing this Surasa was highly
impressed and blessed him of all success in his mission. Having crossed miles
and miles of ocean Hanuman reached the glittering golden Lanka. He landed on
the top of Trikut mountain, and from there he looked
at the magnificent city of gold. He reduced himself to a very small size and
entered the city in search of Sita. Hanuman entered all the houses, all the
palaces and gardens, but could find no trace of Sita. He, during his search
even entered Vibhishana’s palace. Ravana’s brother Vibhishana,
was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, and he did not like Ravana’s evil ways. He always
gave good advice which Ravana never heeded. He could find no clue there either.
Hanuman was not discouraged. He kept on searching and at last he did succeed.
He found Sita sitting under a tree in a grove. He remembered Jatayu’s brother
had told that Sita was confined in Ashokavatika. Hanuman whispered to himself,
“So this is Ashokavatika.” Hanuman looked around and found a large number of
demoness guarding her. Sita was remembering Rama and looked very sad. But
before Hanuman could present himself to Sita, he saw Ravana coming towards
Sita. Hanuman hid himself among the leaves of an Ashoka tree and began to watch
what happened there.
To
be Continued……
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10.
ARTICLES FROM SAI DEVOTEES:
Sankaraiah Dubagunta" sainama@yahoo.com
SAI (SAI NAMA) GOES TO
SAJJANGHAD
Lord Sai Nath in His own
mysterious way arranged Sainama Sankeertan from 16th March to
Having gone to His place, we
felt we should do 108 times non-stop Hanuman chalisa of Goswami Tulasi
Dasji.keeping in tune with the tradition we did 3 hours non-stop Rama Naam
ie,"SRI Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram".Ofcourse, we have done 12 hour
non-stop "Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai"as the very particulars of our
visit was this. As this place is also considered as Datta Sthan we did for
about 2 hours "Digambara Digambara Sripada vallabha Digambara".
Perhaps this was the first time a big Dwarakamai photo was kept with Akhanda
Deep and Sai Nama Sankeertana was done at this holy place. Grateful
to Baba for sending us there and also to Samartha for inviting.
Sainath assured He will be
active even after leaving the body. So also Samartha Ramdas assured he would be
in touch with devotees through Parayana of 'Dasbodh' and 'Atmaram'.Devotees who
get oppurtunity shall not miss to visit this holy place and enjoy Divine Grace
automatically without any human effort. The spiritual head of this great mutt
is very simple and always be in service of devotees or the institution. Perhaps
many of us including Heads of Ashrams should learn from them 'service to
humanity is service to God’ and also no human is greater than God. Jaya Jaya
RaghuVeer Samartha!
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11.
LETTERS FROM SAIDEVOTEES:
"Ramesh
and Anitha” kandra@iprimus.com.au
I
pray BABA guide Saidarbar and its associated branches in spreading and
spearheading the glory of BABA in all corners of the world. Good luck and
best wishes to your team in spreading Gods Glory. Sairam
Anitha
-------------------------
Siri
kethu sirikethu@yahoo.com
Saibandhu,
I
am very blessed seeing Baba in our website www.saidarbar.org ; I have no words to write
that you are doing excellent work for all Sai devotees
Thanks,
Saibandhu.
-------------------
12. TELUGU
SECTION:
Please
visit:
http://68.88.118.16/telugupages/Misc/ShiridiSai/shirdisai.htm
-----------------------------------
13. SAI’S BOOK WORLD
Book: LIGHT OF WISDOM – SHIRDI SAI BABA.
Author’s Name: Sai Ananda
Publisher: Sri Sai Spiritual centre, 1st
Block, Thygarajanagar,
Telephone: 6766922.
Price: Rs.50/-
BLURB
The present book by ‘Sai Ananda’ completes
the trilogy of the author on Baba. Having been a follower of Poojya Narasimha
Swamiji, Poojya Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji and Poojya Narasimha Baba,
‘Sai Ananda has been a silent Sadhak. While his first book focused on the path
of Dharma propounded by Baba, the second one highlights the role of Sadguru.
The present volume ‘The light of wisdom – Shirdi Sai Baba’ complements the
Guru’s role as a destroyer of darkness unto light. Hardwork and a lot of
patience have gone into the book. To serious students of SAIISM, the present
volume along with the two others mentioned above is a must.
-----------------------------------------------------
Please Note:
Those desirous of using this facility
(Sai’s Book World) to spread the word about their books may send ONE new copy
of the book to Saidarbar, for details contact, webmaster@saidarbar.org saidarbar@saidarbar.org saidarbar@hotmail.com
Acknowledgement of receipt of books will
be done by E-mail only.
Book(s) sent to Saidarbar will be
retained by Saidarbar and cannot be returned.
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14. FROM SAI ORGANISATIONS:
Visit http://www.angelfire.com/sd/SaidarbarCanberra/index.html
for SAIDARBAR -
Visit http://www.viswasaidarbar.com
for SAIDARBAR - London Activities.
Visit http://www.saidarbarusa.org
for SAIDARBAR - Walling ford Activities
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Ramesh and Anitha” kandra@iprimus.com.au
Saidarbar
Canberra
For Shirdi Sai Bhajans in
http://angelfire.com/sd/SaidarbarCanberra
--------------------------------
Shirdi Sai Baba technical@saidarbarusa.org
Next Satsang on
Dear Sai Bandhu,
Our next Sai darbar and satsang will be
held on
For activities of Saidarbar Wallingford
Please contact: technical@saidarbarusa.org
-------------------------------------
Shanthi Ramakrishnan: shanthi@sigmacgi.com
Sai Darbar
For Activities of Sai Darbar
