THE GLORY OF SHIRDI SAI
Third Year of Publication
Published as Bi-Weekly
Issue 25 / 2005
08-12-2005
SAI DATTATREYA JAYANTHI SPECIAL ISSUE
http://www.saidarbar.org/dattatreya/saidatta.htm
We recommend the devotees to do The Gurucharitra Parayana
From 09-12-2005 to
15-12-2005
---------------------------------------------
Please visit our Web site: http://www.saidarbar.org
GURUR-BRAHMA,
GURUR-VISHNUH; GURU-DEVO MAHESWARAHA;
GURUR-SAKSHATH
PARAM BRAHMA; THASMAI SREE GURAVE NAMAHA:
SAI - SAMPOORNA DATTAVATAR
Saibanisa GopalaRao Ravada- Saidarbar – Hyderabad.
SAI DATTATREYA JAYANTHI IS ON 15-12-2005
Most of you must be aware that the origin of Guruparmapara
traces back to Lord Dattatreya. Firstly, let me offer salutations to Lord
Dattatreya before proceeding further. After Lord Dattatreya, the tradition of
Guru parampara continued with Sri Sripada Srivallabha, Sri Narasimha
Saraswathi, Sri ManikPrabhu, Sri Akkalakota Maharaj and Sri Shirdi Sai Baba.
The last three incarnations have taken place during the Nineteenth century.
Lord Dattatreya has taken incarnations in various personalities but the main
aim and objective remained centered around to offer protection to HIS devotees
and rid them from miseries and drive towards Spiritualism.
Please refer Sai Satcharitra – Baba has indicated indirectly
that He is the incarnation of Lord Dattatreya in various chapters. In the story
of Goa Gentleman, He has taken Rs.15/- from a Datta Devotee, which he owed to
Lord Dattatreya. When Nanasaheb chandorkar, a Datta devotee arrived at Shiridi
along with his co- son in law, Shirdi bypassing his normal visit to the Datta
Mandir at Kopargaon, Baba told him not to repeat such things in
future. On a Guru Poornima day, Baba advised Dhadha Kelkar to worship the
‘Pillar’ at Dwarakamai, indicative of telling to worship Lord Dattatreya –
considered as the pillar of Datta Parampara. At the request of all the
devotees, Baba finally allowed His devotees to worship Him. With this, Baba
confirmed that He is incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. Baba instructed Hari
Vinayak Sathe to read Guru Charitra twice and Kushabhavu 108 times. With this
Baba has indirectly told His devotees, His origin and the connectivity with Sri
Dattatreya. We should make a note that Baba never told that He is God. He
always used to say that He is the servant of the God. Precisely I feel that must
be the reason why HE never expressed directly that He is the incarnation of
Lord Dattatreaya.
SriDattatreya is an incarnation of the Divine Trinity
Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. The word Datta means "Given", Datta is
called so because the divine trinity have "given" themselves in the
form of a son to the sage couple Atri and Anasuya. He is the son of Atri, hence
the name "Atreya".
SriDattatreya is usually depicted with three heads, symbolizing
Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara; past, present, and future; and the three states
of consciousness: waking, dreaming, and dreamless sleep. He is portrayed
sitting in meditation with his shakti beneath the audumbara (wish-fulfilling)
tree. In front of him is a fire pit, and around him are four dogs. These are
sometimes said to symbolize the four Vedas.
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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. SAI IN DREAMS
5. QUINTESSENCE OF SRI SAIBABA'S PHILOSOPHY
6. SANATANA DHARMA& SRI SHIRDI SAIBABA
7. SAIBANISA OFFERS PRANAMS TO …..
8. DEVOTEES EXPERIENCES
9. SPIRITUAL GEMS FROM SAI SATCHARITRA
10. SAI WITH CHILDREN
11. ARTICLES FROM SAI DEVOTEES
12. LETTERS FROM SAI DEVOTEES
13. TELUGU SECTION
14. FROM SAI ORGANISATIONS
15. SAI'S BOOK WORLD
16. EDITORIAL.
-------------------------------
1. FOUNDATION STONES FOR THE SPIRITUAL
LIFE:
From the Satsanghs of Saibanisaji
http://www.angelfire.com/celeb2/saidarbar/pages/S3500055.htm
SaiSevak Smt. Rajeswari Kasturi, Saidarbar – Hyderabad
130. To protect the banks of a fully filled tank, you have to release the excess
water for cultivation of paddy fields etc., in a similar way, surplus money
should be utilized for charities.
131. Keeping all the mighty forces with you and not protecting
the weak, keeping the excess money with you and not helping the poor are one
and the same.
132. The way the water gets accumulated in a coconut, the money
accumulates in life. If you do not drink the coconut water, it will evaporate
in the coconut it self. In the same way, if you are not utilizing the money
what you have earned, it is lost.
133. You should not be lazy in earning money. Once you have
earned the money, you should not be a spendthrift in spending. You should
maintain a balance between earning and spending.
134. You have to save the money to such extent which will
be useful to your wife and children for meeting the minimum needs.
135. The rivers will not drink its own water; the trees will not
eat its own fruits. In the similar way, a noble person will not spend all the
money he earned for himself; he will definitely spend towards charities.
136. The rich person is not recognized by his bank balance. He
will be recognized only by the way he spends the money for GOOD or BAD.
137. The person who earns money by way of hard work is the best.
The person who survives with his parental money is better. The person who lives
on others money is the worst.
138. You should be careful with a person who steals your money
in the small amounts daily without your knowledge than a person who steals the
money at a time.
139. The money you spent for self, your family member’s survival
and charities is only your money. The rest what you got is not yours. You are like
a custodian for it which is in no way useful to you.
To be Continued…
--------------------------------------
2. SAI'S NEWS FROM THE TIME MACHINE:
10th December, 1909: Devotees began to offer regular worship to
Baba in the Chavidi, where Baba slept on alternate days.
25th December, 1909: Baba gave darshan in the form of SriRama to
a doctor who was an ardent devotee of Sri Rama who came with a Mamlatdar
to Shiridi.
10th December, 1910: Hon'ble Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti first
visited Shirdi.
10th December, 1910: Foundation stone of Dixit Wada was laid
with Baba's permission.
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3. FOOT STEPS OF THE HOLY FEET –18
http://www.ebeacon.indiainabook.com/other_books.htm
EXPERIENCES OF SAI.BA.NI.SA WITH SHIRDI SAI
In the initial days Sai was giving medical aid to people
suffering from diseases and earned a good name as a doctor in Shirdi. Sai in my
case was gracious enough to forecast 5 years in advance the disease and also
presented me a suitable medicine to be used at a later date and thus saved me
from which otherwise could have been a traumatic experience of life time.
It was during the month of December 1991 I went to Ajmer on
receipt of a telegram that my friend's mother passed away. The normal religious
rituals were performed. On the next day's morning I set out to visit a very
poplar local shrine "The famous Darga" in an auto. This place is
visited by people drawn from all the faiths. While traveling in the auto I
prayed to Sai to see that my visit to the Darga is fruitful. I was forced to
become alert and noticed an old man from a business community stopping the
vehicle and asking the driver to take him also to Darga. Auto driver demanded
Rs 4/- as fare for transportation. I was struck when the old man said that he does
not offer any body more than Rs 2/-. Momentarily a through ran through my mind
that Sai himself in the from of this old man is traversing with me.
I requested the driver to accommodate the old man and offered to
bear the total fare myself. The old man look to me and said "You appear to
me to be a chaste Hindu Brahmin, Does your consciousness permit you to bow down
and offer salutations in a Darga. I replied that I am a devotee of Shirdi Sai
and I salute the great people from all faiths and walks of life. The journey
continued. At a nearby lane to Darga the old man requested the vehicle be
stopped and advised the driver to carefully take me over there to Darga and got
down with the parting words "You offered me Rs 4/- for the fair and made
me indebted to you.” I do not keep any body's debt on me." "You
accept this medicine and preserve it". "In future to come you will
suffer from severe pain and will be bedridden." "Apply locally this
medicine and massage - you will be cured."
I completed my prayer at the Darga and came back to Hyderabad.
Time waits for none and days were passing on. It was during the year 1995 I was
totally confined to bed due to Sciatica. The pain was unbearable and I couldn't
move my leg. It got combined with back pain also. As usual I took to refuge in
Sai. The thought then struck to me and I ordered my wife to look for and get me
the medicine I got from the old man when I had been to Ajmer. I fully followed
the instructions of the old man and I was greatly relieved from the pain and could
start walking in a matter of two days. This was made possible only due to Sai Krupa
(divine gestures).
BOW TO SAI -
PEACE TO ALL.
------------------------------------------
4. SAI IN DREAMS:
http://www.ebeacon.indiainabook.com/
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.
10-02-1994
Yesterday’s visuals have given me immense satisfaction.
I was piloting a Railway engine all alone. Towards the end of
the line, there was a wall across. I reduced the speed as I was nearing the
wall. I heard someone telling me to stop the engine, as that was the end of the
track. Also there was no other option available except to retrace the path.
I felt Sai was hinting at me that, soon I shall be nearing a
stage when I have to travel all alone by foot on the spiritual path as the wall
was indicative of the end of all the materialistic obstacles in the world”.
Spiritual journey begins when the worldly affairs take the
backseat.
15-02-1994
I spent the whole day in Sai smaran (chanting HIS name). An
unknown person says-
Sai’s power can turn even an enemy into a friend.
Sai shoulders responsibility for the well being of HIS
devotees.
The life content is same in both vegetarian and
non-vegetarian food.
Who takes what is a matter of choice and question of
availabilities.
The first step on the spiritual path enthuses an individual to
renounce the World, but that should not lead to stand in front of his house
with a begging bowl. It would be better to traverse the spiritual path while
fulfilling the Gruhasthasrama dharma”.
Renunciation is not a pre-requisite for spiritual progress.
20-02-1994
Sai spoke-
“Why are you running after to punish the children plucking the
guava fruit from the tree when you, cannot practice truthfulness in maintaining
your own accounts”.
Ideals are to be practiced before preaching others.
24-02-1994
An unknown person spoke-
“What to say when a couple opts for divorce after twenty five
years of married life over an argument and a newly married couple opting for
separation in the prime of their wedded life. Remember such things happen only
due to the lack of the divine grace and not because of mismatch in the
Horoscopes”.
Ultimately it
is the God’s wish that prevails.
To be continued…..
-------------------------------------
5. QUINTESSENCE OF SRI SAIBABA'S
PHILOSOPHY:
(By Late Sri Bharam UmamaheswaraRao)
"Shashi": shashi_31@yahoo.com
20. On Humanity
In a life that blossoms forth from the inner light; there is no
discrimination. Sri Sai Baba say’s: ‘The humanity is like a garland of varied
blossoms strung in a single thread of luminous self-consciousness. If the
collective life of humanity sprouts out, from the seed of inner harmony, then
there shall be no room for egoism born out of ignorance. If your mind is
limited, so shall be your life. Hence you are unable to overcome the narrow
mindedness.
Baba said: Flaws of difference cease to exist once this ghost
created by MAYA is put to an end. The root cause. is mistaking the Anatma for
Atma. Elevate yourself and see all as ATMAN. Otherwise you will fall.
Baba further said: all man made creations are are mirages.
However hard your sadhana is, it will not yield results, as long as you
entertain such passion. If you do Soul-searching thoroughly and remove the
curtain of illusion i.e. Maya, you can visualize Me. Then this malady will be
gone an ignorance will be rooted out. Don’t have discrimination in human beings.
Your thinking only makes all the difference. If you shed Name and Form all that
is left in everyone, is sentience (Chaitanya) only. That is the only Truth. ‘KNOW
THYSELF’ - Until you know yourself, you cannot know who you are. True form of
Atman is no where else but within you. Truth is that, which in the past,
present and future is devoid of all differences. The one that is eternal is BRAHMAN.
The one that is transitory is the Universe.
To be continued…..
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6. SANATANA DHARMA & SRI
SHIRDI SAIBABA
AKHILANDAKOTI , BRAHMANDA NAAYAKA, RAAJAADHI RAAJA,
YOGIRAJA, PARABRAHMA SREE SATCHITANANDA ,SAMARDHASADGURU, SAINATH
MAHARAAJ KI JAI”
Sai In Ramayan: By Sri
SAIBANISA Gopal Rao Ravada
Importance of Namasmarana:
Lord Shiva is also called as Garlakanta or Neelakanta. He is
called so because; he consumed the deadly poison and kept it in his throat
without swallowing. If he spit it out the entire universe would be in flames.
It is a very difficult task but Lord Shiva could manage this because every
moment He used to utter the taraka mantra “Ram, Ram”, and He could bear the
pain and the ill-effect of poison by uttering Rama nama.
In Chapter X of Sai Sat Charita, Hemadpant says that Baba never
prescribed any asanas, sitting between the fires, sacrifices or eight fold yoga
to his sishyas. He told them to leave all cleverness and always utter “Sai,
Sai” and by uttering the name of Sai all our shackles will be removed and we
will be free. Sai Ram is the taraka mantra and in this Kaliyug, in which Baba
lived, only namasmarana can remove our fear and carry us safely across the
ocean of worldly existence.
Godliness not realized
In the Tretya Yuga, Ram is portrayed in the beginning only as a
human being and not as an incarnation of God. But the divine qualities that Ram
possessed made people conclude that Ram was an avatar Purusha - the incarnation
of Lord Srihari. This happened only towards the end of Ramayana.
Similarly, when we begin to read Sai Sat Charitra, we think of
Sairam only as a human being. Only after reading all the fifty-one chapters, we
come to realize that Sai is God. Even though Mahalsapati invited Sai, he did
not allow Him to stay in the Kandoba temple but asked Him to stay in the
Dwarakamai because Sainath looked like a fakir. Sairam took His Mahasamadhi in
the year 1918, and even till 1918 many people did not realize that He was an
avatar Purusha.
Blessings for a male child
In Ramanyan, King Dasaratha had all the prosperity but he was
gloomy and sad because he had no son. He got sage Rishyasringa to perform
Putrakameshti Yaaga (a yaaga for childbirth) and was blessed with 4 sons Ram,
Lakshman, Bharatha and Satrugan
In Sai Sat Charita there is a similar incident. Ratanji Shapurji
Wadia was a multi millionaire. But with all this wealth, he was totally unhappy
because he did not have a son. When he approached Baba and gave Rs 5/ as
dakshina, Baba told him that he had already given Him Rs 3 and 14 annas and
took only the balance. But at the end Baba blessed him saying, “God will
satisfy your heart’s desire”. Baba’s words were true and Ratanji was blessed
with a son.
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SANATANA DHARMA –NEWS FROM
ABROAD:
Hindu Festival Celebrated in Kathmandu
KATHMANDU,
NEPAL, November 30, 2005: A large crowd of devotees gathered Wednesday at
Pasupatinath temple, one of the most important Hindu temples of Nepal, on the
occasion of local Balachaturdasi festival, Radio Nepal reported. "The devotees
came from across the country and gathered since early morning to mark the
festival," the radio said. Seeds of various grains are sown at 108 Shiva
lingams and temples praying for peace to the departed souls of one's family
members. Devotees sow seven types of seeds including paddy, barley, sesame,
wheat, gram, maize and kaguno at the temple area, the radio noted, adding,
"Seeds are sown with the belief that each grain sown amounts to a grain of
gold given as alms from which the departed soul receives salvation."
Thousands of devotee’s lit oil fed lamps whole Tuesday night and chanted
devotional hymns around the temple, which is one of the world's heritage sites
of Nepal, the radio noted.
Website Posts Ganga
Worship Video
CALIFORNIA, USA, November 27, 2005: The Atma Jyoti Ashram in
California sends the following press release:
The most sacred river of India is the Ganga, which Hindus
literally believe flows from heaven to earth for the purification of all whom
its waters touch. To a Hindu the Ganga is divinity in the form of a river.
Originating high in the Himalayan mountains range, the Ganga emerges on the
Indian plains at the holy city of Hardwar (also called Gangadwar-the Gateway of
the Ganga). The Kumbha-mela is held here every twelve years.
Any bathing in the Ganga is considered supremely purifying and
meritorious, but the most auspicious place in Hardwar for the sacred bath is
known as the Brahma Kund (also known as Hari-ki-Pairi). Every night at about
6:00 p.m. there is worship (arati) of the Ganga at the Brahma Kund. The
arati-worship consists of an elaborate ritual of offering large lamps to the
Ganga accompanied by the loud banging of ceremonial songs, the playing of
musical instruments and the singing of hymns in praise of the Ganga.
In February of 2003, pilgrim-monks from the Atma Jyoti Ashram in
California participated in the Ganga worship, which they also videotaped, as
well as the shrines and religious goods shops located around the Brahma Kund.
Thanks to improving video web technology, the monks have been able to edit a
fifteen minute version of this footage in QuickTime streaming video format
which can be seen free on their website at "source" above. Lovers of
India will enjoy this slice of the daily life of Hardwar
Sivan Tirukkovil-
Colombo--Sri Lanka
According to Puranas, this grand shrine was very popular and
extremely holy as many Sivalilas were demonstrated in the dim past. It is
deemed to be one of the three peaks of Kailas and considered as the Dhakshina
Kailas. Among the Navalars, Sambandar paid rich tributes to the presiding deity
and described its superb location and its glory elaborately. The whole region
was redolent of Saivism and Tamil culture. It still retains its former glory,
as regular worship according to Agamas is performed and periodical festivals
and celebrated with great religious fervor. This shrine houses all the
important icons, like Mother Parvathi, Ganesh, Murugan, Nandi, Dhakshinamurti
in grand and befitting niches. For Ceylonese Tamils it is the Eh Dorado of
Saivism and they visit more often than not, whenever any auspicious occasion
takes place in their houses. It is more or less a centre of pilgrimage to them.
Compiled by
SaiSevak SrinivasaRao Kasturi
Saidarbar – Hyderabad.
------------------
7. SAIBANISA OFFERS PRANAMS TO “LORD
DATTATREYA”
http://www.sreedattavibhavam.org/dattatatwa.htm
The Glory of Dattatreya: -Lord Dattatreya is Jagatguru, Guru of
all gururs and present even now and he will come at all times. Lord Dattatreya
is not an incarnation like Bhagavan Sreekrishna or SreeRama. He is a visible personality,
physically available for darshan to us, if we would have the faith and devotion
at his sacred feet. It is believed by the followers of Datta -sampradaya that
Datta is in flesh and blood of devotees. He is an Avadhootha. He is Yogiraja
.He is Gnaana pradaatha. Lord Dattatreya had been a guru to Brahma, Parashurama,
prahlada, patanjali, lord Subramanya, Kings yedu, alarka, KartaveeryaArjuna.
Datta is a kaarana yogi, Kaarana purusha, a kaarana Avatara to give the message
of guru sampradaya and guru bhakthi.
Lord Dattatreya is an avathara of trimoorthis Brahma, Vishnu and
Maheswara. Lord Dattatreya is an Ocean of knowledge and advance spirituality
.Every person who is interested in spiritual advancement is welcome as a
follower of Datta tradition. Every person who is having faith, Dedication and
surrendering at the sacred feet of lord Dattatreya is a must to worship Datta. Individual
results may vary in spiritual advancement but it will be assured. No one is
barred and there are no limitations for datta .As an incarnation of lord, Datta
Came down to spread the universality of true religion. Any one can be his
follower regardless of his background and for house-holders no limitations are
prescribed. No matter what sect or religion the true seeker follows eventually
he comes under the guidance of lord dattatreya. Datta's Presence is not limited
to any one country or sphere. He is the guru of all gurus, the all-being all powerful,
ever-present link between god and Man. The lord datta is endowed with all wealth.
He is all pervading and resides in the heart of all beings. He is the great
maayavi, sporting with his own maaya. He is Brahma, he is Vishnu and he is
Rudra. He is Indra and he is also the gods of heaven and all other beings. He
is East, he is West, he is North, he is South, he is below and he is above. He
is everything. This is the glory form of lord Dattatreya.
--------------------------------------------------
8. DEVOTEES EXPERIENCES:
Sat, 03 Dec 2005 23:36:19 +0000
Sairam!
I am thrilled to get back to you with the events of the
pratishtapana Divas held in Canberra.
Firstly I like to apologise for lack of contribution and also
inconsistency in messages to you. I seek your forgiveness. We had havan on the day of the anniversary
followed by bhajans by a group.
Canberra being a nation’s capital, with less Indian population and more
over most of the people not into the religious activities we did not expect
more than 100 people. We were
overwhelmed by the response though there were around 200 people. The food was surplus.
At the start of the pooja during Kakad AArthi the list of
prayers were kept at BABA's feet and I sought His grace on all those asking for
fulfillment of their wishes and most for the suffering, sick and needy. The whole program went on well. As my usual practice I requested BABA's
presence on this day, to come and bless us.
I thought, if BABA accepts our prayers and if He listens to all the
prayers then I sought to see His photograph somehow or the other. THe whole program went off and we cleaned
the temple and returned home at 5:30 exhausted, but happy.
One of our interstate guests staying in our house came to me
just before leaving with a packet in her hand.
She had visited Shirdi in August but did not get the prasad. I believe she put in the sea mail. She came to me and said she received her sea
mail last week and the prasad was in it.
So she got me a photograph of BABA with Udhi from Shirdi. What a marvelous coincidence!! Perhaps this is my over reaction but doesn't
BABA always work in this manner. Making
events fall into place so as to experience HIS presence and wish? The mail could have arrived anytime but why
only last week. The lady could have
forgotten to get the prasad but she remembered it. Being hectic day she could have gone off to her home without
giving the prasad but BABA made sure she remembered it. I was thrilled, amazed and felt
blessed. 'THINK OF HIM AND HE IS ALWAYS
THERE IN FRONT OF US'. I offer
congratulations to you all the members of Sai Family, for it is the faith and
intensity of our devotion that has been accepted by BABA and HE demonstrates
HIS presence to us through some means or the others. I pray all the wishes be fulfilled. Thanks for being there always for me.
Humble Pranams
Anitha Kandukuri
http://www.angelfire.com/sd/SaidarbarCanberra
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu,
1 Dec 2005 21:24:04 +0300
Sairam,
With the
blessings of Baba and with His permission, I am forwarding herewith the experience
of my friend MR Srinivasarao (chitturi1@gmail.com ) which he had in Shirdi,
for the Magazine, The Glory of Shirdi Sai.
Jaigurudatta
LVS Satyanarayana
Sai
ram,
1)
When I visited shirdi in May'05, I gave some good amount to Baba as dakshin
Since
it was a big amount I gave it in donation office in installments on the same
day in different offices & at different times to get more udi packets (when
ever we give some donation in donation office they give
Udi
packets). My intention behind it was to get more udi packets, so that I can
distribute
to those who need it.
When
I visited last time (in October ‘05) I decided to give the same donation
Amount
which I gave it in May'2005.I thought that if I give that money in
installmetslike before I can get more udi packets, but at the same time I
had a feeling thatI may be doing
business with the money which I am going to give to Baba
So I
decided to stop that business & gave the entire amount at a time in the
donation office, I didn’t ask anything to Baba. You can't believe it that
donation office after taking my money he poured a big heap of udi packets in
front of me (total 25 packets, at a time)
2)
Since my mother was unable to stand for a long time in queue, I decided to go
for darshantwo times only. when we were in the queue for second darshan on one
day before vijayadasami(imagine the rush) all of a sudden queue movement was
stopped for 10minutes, due to a VIP
(Maharastra minister) visit, he offered some pooja, that time we all of us are
at the piller close to Baba Samadhi.
Ome
Sai Namonamaha, Sri Sai Namonamaha, Jai Jai Sai Namonamha, Sadgurusai Namo
Namaha.
------------------------------------------------------
9. SPIRITUAL GEMS FROM SAI SATCHARITRA
swamymain@yahoo.com
Sat, 3 Dec 2005 07:15:23 -0800 (PST)
Sai Ram. We had a really rich feast of spiritual gems from the previous two chapters dealing with quick Brahma Jnan. Actually, the same topic is continued here, though it is not explicitly mentioned in the book.
"In
the last two Chapters, Hemadpant described, how a rich gentleman, aspiring for
quick Brahma-Jnana, was treated by Baba, and now in these two Chapters, he describes
how Hemadpant, himself, was accepted and blessed by Baba, how Baba encouraged
good thoughts and fructified them; and gives His teachings regarding Self-improvement,
slander and remuneration for labour."
Sai
Ram. Sai, the sadguru knows what is going on in our minds and gives us the
right upadesh at the right time. Like impatient children, we ask for many
things for which we are not yet ready, like that gentleman and like Shri. Hemadpant
himself. Like the loving mother, Sai gives us what we need and gradually guides
us and walks with us on the path of spiritual progress. SaiRam.
"It
is a well-known fact, that the Sadguru looks first to the qualifications of his
disciples; and then gives them suitable instructions, without unsettling their
minds
in the least, and leads them on towards the goal of self-realization." Sai
Ram. Some sadhakas tried to progress too fast and got mentally and/or
physically affected. Some of them came to Sai and got benefited. As already
mentioned, Sai knows whether we are ripe enough better than ourselves. Sai told
one of His devotees in another chapter as follows: "Oh, why do you
prostrate yourself now and then? One Namaskar offered with love and humility is
enough." Similarly one parayana of Sri Guru Charitra by Sri Sathe (as told
below) was enough to get him Baba's vision in dream since it was done with
sincerity and sraddha.
In
this connection by Sai's grace, a story comes to mind and will not be out of
place. A man wanted to dig a well for getting water which will help him with irrigation
and for day-to-day use. He asked the advice of a learned man who pointed a spot
in a corner of the land and advised him to dig up to a depth of 60 feet and
assured him that he will get a good and abundant supply of sweet water from
that well. The man was very happy and started digging. At the end of the day,
he finished digging to a depth of 15 feet and stopped the work for that day.
The next morning, another expert saw what this man was doing and told him that
he was digging at a wrong place and showed him another spot
in
another corner of that land and again advised and assured him that if he digs
upto 60 feet depth, he will get a good, clean, abundant and sweet source of
water.
The man, lacking sraddha in his mind, accepted the second expert's advice and
started digging in the new spot. Again he could dig up to a depth of 15 feet by
the end of that day and stopped the work.
The
story repeated itself the next day morning. Another expert showed the man a
third spot and needless to say, the man stopped the work on the
second
spot and started work on the third spot. Again the digging went up to 15 feet
and was stopped for the night. The story repeated on the fourth day and the hapless
man started digging at a fresh, fourth spot. You can imagine what happened. The
fourth spot too went up to 15 feet.
On
the fifth day, a kind person took pity on this man and advised him as follows:
"Oh, poor man, water is there everywhere in your land and you would have
got a good yield if only you had continued digging at one spot. Now, stop this
madness and stick to one advice. Dig at the first spot and you will get
water." As predicted, the well gave a very good yield.
Sai
Ram. Sadhana done with intensity will give good results. Sraddha and Saburi are
the two legs for a sadhaka to move ahead spiritually. Sri Hemadpant had just a
twinge of jealousy at the good fortune of Sri
Sathe
and Sai immediately corrected him and advised him further and put him on the
right path.
"In
this respect, some say that what the Sadguru teaches or instructs, should not be
divulged to others. They think that their instructions become useless, if they
are published. This view is not correct. The Sadguru is like a monsoon cloud.
He pours down profusely, i.e., scatters widely his nectar-like teachings.
These, we should enjoy and assimilate to our heart's content; and then serve
others with them, without any reserve. This rule should apply, not only to what
he teaches in our waking state, but to the visions he gives us in our dreams.
To quote an instance: Budhakowshik Rishi composed his celebrated
Ram-raksha
stotra, which he had seen in his dream."
Sai
Ram. If the upadesh of the Guru is indeed secret, the Guru Himself gives
suitable instructions that the same should not be divulged. Like Sri Siva tells
Sri Parvati or Sri Krishna tells Sri Arjuna not to reveal what is told to
persons not found fit. Of course, even that may be a test. There is a beautiful
story of Sri Ramanuja, the great Saint of 11th century who was tested thus by
His guru. Sri Ramanuja was given the Astakshari Mantra by His Guru and was
assured that this Mantra will give Moksha to whoever listens or chants it. So,
Sri Ramanuja forthwith goes to the top of the Temple Spire (Gopuram) at
Srirangam and calls everyone and tells them the Mantra. The other disciples of
the Guru complain to him about Sri Ramanuja and he is called and admonished by
the Guru. Sri Ramanuja confesses his crime and tells the Guru
that
he is ready to go to hell for violating the Guru's instructions when so many
thousands and lakhs of people are benefited by listening and repeating the mantra.
The Guru is quite pleased by Sri Ramanuja's compassion for fellow human beings
and gives him his blessings. Sai Ram.
S.V.Swamy
Author,
Editor, Proof-Reader and Book Reviewer
www.freewebs.com/swamyreviews
To be continued…..
-------------------------------
10. SAI WITH CHILDREN:
http://www.saidarbar.org/HTML/portraits/7.jpg
Smt. Madhu Gopal Ravada, Saidarbar, Hyderabad.
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. For the last 2 years I have told you about Lord
Krishna's Leelas and Lord Rama Story. Now I want to tell the stories what heard
in my child hood.
THE GOLDEN BIRD:
Long long ago there was a great king. He had a large beautiful
pond in his palace. There, many beautiful golden colored swans had made their
home. Once in a month, these swans used a drop of golden feather for the king
to keep. In return, the king let them stay in the pond and some servants used
to feed the swans every day. One day a golden water – bird flew to the pond. He
made the pond his home. He had feathers of pure gold all over his body. When
other swans saw this, they felt very jealousy. They felt threatened by the
arrival of new, uninvited guest to the pond. They called a meeting. When the
discussion began one of the swans said, “Friends we give only one gold feather
to the king once a month. But this golden bird has so many that surely the King
will start preferring him to us. We will be no longer important or valuable for
the king. If we want to keep our importance and value as usual, we must chase
this bird away.” The other swans agreed to him in unison. So one of them went
to the golden bird and said, “Please will you go and make your home in a some
other pond? We are afraid that your presence will lessen our value in the eyes
of the king. He will care only for you and we will be left unattended.”
But the golden bird was a stubborn one. He insisted on staying
in that pond only. Soon an argument began which soon changed into a major
fight. When the servants saw the swans fighting with the golden bird, they went
and told the king. The king ordered “Go and cage the swans. They are being
foolish to fight with a guest like this. They must be taught a lesson.” When
the servants approached the pond with cages, an old swan saw them. He warned
the others, “Quick, get ready to fly off. The king’s men are here to catch us.
He must have heard of our fights.” So all the swans took flight and flew
away from the pond. So by not accepting a guest they had lost their home and
comforts provided in the palace pond.
-----------------------------------------------
11. ARTICLES FROM SAI DEVOTEES:
"Sankaraiah Dubagunta" sainama@yahoo.com
Origin of Rama Mantra
OM SRI RAM JAYA RAM JAYA JAYA RAM
Samarth Ramdas of Sajjanghad had propagated the above Nama for
Rama Sakshatkar. He did 13 crore times and had Rama Darshan.Sri RamDas who is
dearly called 'Beloved Papa' of Khananghad, Anandashram by prefixing
"OM" assured that one would have Rama Darshan if he repeats 9 crores
of times. This Ashram has a target of 15,500 crores for world Peace and Prosperity.
They have been doing for over seven decades. The Shirdi Sai Sharan group of Florida,
US has fixed a target of 100 crore of "OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI"
Nama japa for World Peace and Prosperity. Some of you may like to know how the
'Rama Mantra' was originated.
Sri Swami Sivananda Maharaj narrated in 1944 October issue of
Sai Sudha as follows:
Once upon a time, Sri Rama after His return from Lanka was
sitting in His Darbar with Sage Narada, Viswamitra, Vasishta and host of other
people. Suddenly Sage Narada posed a question “Whether Naam (LOrd's name) or
Nami (Lord HImself) is superior?" As they could not arrive at a
conclusion, Sage Narada Himself gave the verdict "Certainly Naam is
superior to Nami." He wanted to prove his verdict and played a small
drama. He told Hanumanji not to salute Viswamitra, a Rajarshi. Sri Hanuman
obeyed this and incurred Viswamitraa's displeasure. Narada approached
Viswamitraa " O Great Rishi!!! Hanuman didnot respect you. Please punish
him." Enraged Viswaamitra went to Rama and explained how he was insulted
by Hanuman and also suggested to award death sentence.
Hanuman was very much agitated and told Narada he did as per the
latter's suggestion only. Sage Narada assured nothing would happen "Repeat
Maha Mantra 'SRI RAM JAYA RAM JAYA JAYA RAM', it would protect you." Next
day Hanumanji had a bath in Sarayu river, with folded hands repeated the
Mantra. Though Lord Rama rained the arrows on Hanuman, even Brahmastra would
not touch Hanuman. On seeing Rama's helpless condition Narada approached
Viswamitra and told Rama should be given rest as He was tired. He further added
“You have understood the Glory of Sri Rama's Name." Then Hanumanji
prostrated to Rama and also Viswamitra.
Sri Ram ----- 'Sambhodhana' or the locative addressing Rama
Jay Ram ----- Is His praise
Jay Jay Ram ---- Total Surrender to Him
While repeating this Mantra, have this in mind "O Rama!! I
Salute Thee, I Surrender to Thee"
OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI
D.Sankaraiah.
--------------------------------
12. LETTERS FROM SAIDEVOTEES:
Sun, 4 Dec 2005 07:18:29 -0800
Dear
Sai Devotees:
Sai
devotees in Nandiwada has started building a temple for "Shri Shirdi Sai
Baba". Nandiwada is near Gudivada, Krishna dist. Andhra Pradesh.-India
We
request you earnestly to provide funds or services for completing the Sai
Temple Project. No matter how small the amount you wish to contribute, Sai
devotees will be thankful to you for helping them to complete the temple
construction.
BABA
in his preaching taught us "If you are in a position to help someone do it
and I will speak to your needs". If you have any questions and need more
info regarding this mission you can contact our USA coordinator on E-mail: skachanta@gmail.com
Jai
SaiRam
Satish
Kumar Achanta-USA
-------------------------------------------
13. TELUGU SECTION:
Please visit:
http://68.88.118.16/telugupages/Misc/ShiridiSai/shirdisai.htm
Please visit for Sai Aartis in Telugu:
http://www.angelfire.com/celeb2/saidarbar/PDFS/pdfs.htm
Please visit for Sai Aaratis Audio:
http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/main_English/saibaba/saibaba_aarti.asp
-------------------------------
FOR STARTING A SAIDARBAR CHAPTER OUT
SIDE INDIA:
Please contact: saidarbar@saidarbar.org
& saidarbar@gmail.com
------------------------------------------------
14. FROM SAI ORGANISATIONS:
Saidarbar Laurel, MD USA: murali_krishnamurthy2003@yahoo.com
11/22/2005 07:04:06 -0800
Report: Saidarbar Laurel, MD USA November 2005
Jai Sai Ram.
Saidarbar Laurel MD USA November 2005 satsangh was held on Nov 18th,
2005 with the blessings of Shirdi Sai. Sizable devotees attended and hope it
will grow more. We read saisatcharithra chapter - 2 , Did Nam Japa and Arathi.
Jai Sai Ram
Murali Krishnamurthy
-------------------------------------
Saidarbar Chennai: saidarbarchennai@yahoo.co.in
For Activities of Saidarbar Chennai
Contact saidarbarchennai@yahoo.co.in
Chennai Saidarbar Team.
---------------------------------
"Ramesh and Anitha" kandra@iprimus.com.au
Sat, 3 Dec 2005 21:28:35 +1100
Saidarbar-Canberra
For Further details visit:
http://angelfire.com/sd/SaidarbarCanberra
------------------------------------
Shirdi Sai Baba" technical@saidarbarusa.org
Saidarbar Wallingford-PA- USA:
For further details please visit
www.saidarbarusa.org
----------------------------------------------------
"Shanthi Ramakrishnan”: shanthi@sigmacgi.com
11/22/2005 21:20:12 -0800
Sai Darbar Portland OR USA for the month of October 2005
Sai Ram !
We had a wonderful session of our monthly Sai Darbar on October
29th
Saturday.
We started the session with OM, Gayatri and Sai Gayatri followed
by Sai Ashtothram and sang a Ganesh Bhajan. Then we read 1st & 2nd chapters
in Sai SatCharitra. Sai Darbar was concluded with Aarti & prasad.
We completed
one round of our reading last month. We started from 1st chapter from October
05 onwards.
please contact shanthi@sigmacgi.com
Shanthi
------------
A.S.Rao, - raoas@zamnet.zm
For Activities of Sai Darbar Kitwe, Zambia
Please contact: raoas@zamnet.zm
--------------------
Anil Zutshi: zutshi_anil_k@sbcglobal.net
For activities of Saidarbar Danbaru-Canitcut-USA
Please contact: zutshi@msn.com,zutshi@magnai.com
-------------------
Satish Achanta: vskachanta@hotmail.com
For activities of Saidarbar Woodland Hills-CA-USA-
Please contact: vskachanta@hotmail.com
-----------------
Ravi Subramanyam: sai_ravi@hotmail.com
For activities of Saidarbar Livermore-CA-USA
Please contact: sai_ravi@hotmail.com
-------------------------------------------
Suresh Vaghela: suresh@vaghela.net,suresh@somtek.com
For activities of Saidarbar-London
Please contact: suresh@vaghela.net,suresh@somtek.com
-----------------------------------------------------
"Raja" rajamm@starhub.net.sg
12/1/2005
12:35:25 +0800
Sai Sansthan,
Singapore
Weekly Satsanghs on all Saturdays
Venue: Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, 555 Serangoon
Road
Singapore
218174
Time Program
6.30 pm Start of the Bhajan Session.
Playing of Sai Baba's mantra CD
7.00 pm Reading of Sai Satcharitra
7.30 pm Sai Baba Bhajan - Singing
/ CD
8.00 pm Sai Baba's Aarti
8.15 pm Distribution of prasadam
More details on www.saisansthana.com
-------------------------------------------------
"The Shirdi Sai Mandir, Toronto": events@theshirdisaimandir.com
11/24/2005 08:40:27 -0500
The Shirdi SAI Mandir, Scarborough, Toronto, Canada
The Shirdi Sai Mandir located at 2721 Markham Road,
Scarborough, ON M1X 1L5 (Intersection of Markham and Nashdene) is open Monday
to Friday from 6.30 p.m to 8.30 p.m and Saturday to Sunday from 10.30 a.m to
8.30 p.m. Dhoop aarti - 7.30 p.m everyday. Bhajans - Saturday, from 5.00 p.m
onwards.
For other temple activities and information please visit www.theshirdisaimandir.com
or send an email to info@theshirdisaimandir.com
Sincerely,
Suhas Godkhindi
-------------------------
"Atlanta Sai Temple News": webmaster@templeofpeace.org
Mon, 5 Dec 2005 17:26:45 -0800
Dear Devotees,
Please take a note of the following upcoming events and
announcements:
Sai Vrath - Saturday, December 10th
Continuing our tradition of celebrating Sai Vrath on every
second Saturday. Pooja will be performed from 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM, Please bring
your friends and family to witness this pooja and receive Baba's blessings!
Datta Jayanti - Thursday, December 15th
Datta Jayanti will be celebrated on 15th of this month. .
North America Shirdi Sai Temple of Atlanta invites everyone to
come and celebrate the New Years Day celebration with family and friends on
Sunday January 1, 2006, from 12 noon to 9 pm. Archanas will be done throughout
the day.
Atlanta Sai Temple
700 James
Burgess Road, Suwanee, GA 30024
---------------------------------------
"Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center": sai@hamaresai.org
For Further details Visit: Web Page:
http://www.hamaresai.org/
Email: hamaresai@yahoo.com
--------------------------------
"Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of DFW" USA:
shirdisaidallas@yahoo.com
Baba Pada Puja & Abhishekam
This event repeats on the first Saturday of every
month.
Event Location: 2109 W. Parker Road, Plano, Texas
It will be followed by Vishnu Sahasranamam at 11:00am.
Please email your questions, comments or suggestions
about the web site
to: admin@shirdisaidallas.org
http://www.shirdisaidallas.org
-------------------------------------
"Om Sai Mandir" saisandesh@omsaimandir.org
Sai Sandesh's
present issue and archives can be read at:
http://www.omsaimandir.org/newsletter1.cfm
----------------------------------------------------
"S Chopra" saileela99@yahoo.com
SHIRDI SAI BABA
SANSTHAN, CANADA invites all to join every Thursday for Satsang at 6:30PM - Sai
Dwarkamai, 147 Winston Castle Dr. Markham ON
L6C 2N4
Ph: 905-887-1752 or email: saileela99@yahoo.com
Shammi Chopra
----------------------------------------------
babamandir@babamandir.org
Om Sairam!
Mandir Pathrika is now in its third Year of
publication. We request all devotees to contribute
articles to Mandir Pathrika.
Articles can be any information on Saibaba, Jalaram
bapa or devotee Experiences, suggestions etc.
Please email your articles to
babamandir@babamandir.org
You can view all previous issues by opening the
following link.
http://www.babamandir.org/mandir/OnlineResources.html
Vijay
---------------------------------------
30 Nov 2005
16:42:46 -0000
SHRI SHIRDI
SAIBABA TEMPLE, 46-16 ROBINSON ST, FLUSHING, NY
SCHEDULE
FOR DECEMBER 2005
The following
is the schedule for December 2005
12/10/2205
Saturday Sai Satya Vritha Katha
12/13/2005
Tuesday Pradosham (Shiva
Abhishek)
12/15/2005
Thursday Satyanarayana Vritha
Katha
12/25/2005
Sunday Sai Satya
Vritha Katha
12/28/2005
Wednesday Pradosham (Shiva Abhishek)
Temple
Management
-------------------------------------------------
voora srinivas : voora@yahoo.com
Mon,
05 Dec 2005 15:18:24 -0000
Sri
Shirdi Sai Florida Center
4707
S. Pleasant Grove Road
Inverness,
FL 34452
December
17, 2005
Datta
Jayanti Celebrations
8:30
AM Kakada Arathi
9:30
AM Ganapathi Pooja
9:45
AM Maha Sankalpa
10:00
AM Kalasa Sthapana (Dattatreya
Aavahana)
10:15
AM Dutta Havana
Praramb (Dattatreya
Mulamantra)
11:00
AM Purnahuthi
11:30
AM Baba Abhisheka
12:30
PM Baba Arathi
1:00
PM Prasadam
---------------------------------------------------
15. SAI'S BOOK WORLD:
Books in English:
1. OUR GURU – GOD
SHIRDI SAIBABA
Author: SAI ANANDA
Published by: SHIRDI SAI BABA SATSANG
KBRS BUILDING, KAMARAJ ROAD,
BANGALORE – 560 042.
Price : Rs. 50/-
2. THE ETERNAL SAI
Author: S. MANEEY
Published by : SRI SAI SPIRITUAL CENTRE
SAIBABA MANDIR ROAD, I BLOCK, THYGARAJA NAGAR,
BANGALORE – 560 028
Price: Rs. 25/-
Books in Telugu:
1. SRI SAI STUTI MALA
Author: KANAPARTI RAMAMOHAN RAO
Published by : SRI SAI FOUNDATION
POST : PEKERU
VIA: DANGERU
MANDAL: K. GANGARAM
DIST : EAST GODAVARI