THE GLORY OF SHIRDI SAI
Fourth Year of Publication
Published as Bi-Weekly
Issue 3 / 2006
Please
visit our Web site: http://www.saidarbar.org
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GURUR-BRAHMA, GURUR-VISHNUH;
GURU-DEVO MAHESWARAHA;
GURUR-SAKSHATH PARAM BRAHMA;
THASMAI SREE GURAVE NAMAHA:
http://www.saidarbar.org/dattatreya/saidatta.htm
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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.
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1. FOUNDATION STONES FOR THE SPIRITUAL
LIFE:
From the Satsanghs of Saibanisaji
http://www.angelfire.com/celeb2/saidarbar/pages/S3500055.htm
Sai Sevak Smt. Rajeswari Kasturi, Saidarbar –
170. To avoid the unrest in the country, a good Government with good leader is
required. Electing such leader is also a Yagna. So everybody should perform the
Yagna properly.
171. The society should have fear
or bhakti towards God. Then only society will prosper.
172. A minister with Ahankara (pride),
rich person with Greed, and highly intellectual person surrendered to the vices
are a burden to the society.
173. A Lion is powerful in the
jungle. If he sits in his cave without hunting it can’t survive. In the same
way, an intellectual person idling at home cannot survive.
174. The friendship with bad
persons will be like long shadows of morning and evening which represents your false
image. But the friendship with good ones is like shadow of the
175. The friend in need, the bravery
of warrior in the war, the wife’s role in poverty, and moral support of relatives
in troubles are time tested.
176. You should be fair and frank
when you are dealing with the matters connected with money, food, enemies,
dance and music.
177. A wise person will take
future steps in the life after keenly observing other’s steps.
178. Secrecy is of value so long
as it remains a secret.
179. Tying a stick to dog’s tail
will not lead to straightening it. Similarly good words spoken to a bad person
will not bring any change in him.
To be continued…
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2. SAI'S NEWS FROM THE TIME MACHINE:
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3. FOOT STEPS OF THE HOLY FEET –22
http://www.ebeacon.indiainabook.com/other_books.htm
EXPERIENCES OF SAI.BA.NI.SA WITH SHIRDI SAI
In the 51st chapter of Sai
Satcharitra, details about PHALA- SRUTI, reward for reading the Holy Book i.e.
SAI SATCHARIRA, with devotion is given. It is said that miseries disappear for
those people who read it with full faith and love towards SAI. It is also said
that completion of PARAYAN in seven days time and worshipping him there after,
all the hurdles disappear and even material desires are fulfilled. It is my
routine practice to read one chapter from SATCHARITRA every day. Every time on
completion of reading 51 chapters, I experienced a state of mental bliss and
some thing or other happening to increase my faith further. This is one such
typical and memorable experience of mine. This will be the last episode in the
series titled - EXPERIENCES OF SAI BANISA WITH SHIRDI SAI.
I was deputed to
All of a sudden as if to make
matters light, Mr. Lee came forward, with a proposal and offered to take us to
LORD BUDDHA'S
My eyes got wet and with full devotion I
prostrated before him. He helped me up, hugged and embraced me with utmost
affection. I felt as if his eyes were questioning me whether I felt happy or
not at that particular moment. The silver Dollar, which I consider as a gift
from BABA in Lama's form and a precious possession is preserved in my prayer
room forever.
BOW TO SAI - PEACE TO ALL
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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.
(On camp at
Yesterday, I fulfilled the desire
of my visit to
The tragic end of mine comes to
me. A senior colleague of ours was about to light the pyre. A saint resembling
Sai dropped two copper coins on the pyre and I got up from the pyre and
gathering around was whispering about the event. I reached
I welcomed the change and could
see Sai’s corrective actions glaringly.
Shraddha (faith) and Saburi
(patience) will solve most of our problems.
Today my thoughts centered round
SAI devotees and people engaged in the spread of Sai philosophy. I prayed on
Baba to render proper guidance to all. Sai advised
-Not to run after everyone
boasting to be a Sai devotee and adhere only to Sai Satcharita by Hemadpanth.
-Not to discuss Sai philosophy in
friends circle as it is to be talked only in the company of like-minded people.
-Utilize God’s grace only for the
benefit of society without any interior selfish motives.
Sense the mindset of the people
before you speak.
Yesterday, I was thinking about
the life cycle and importance attached to GURU in the whole process before
going to bed. I had a dream that went like this-
I board a bus with two
manuscripts Sri Bhagavad-Gita and Sri Bhagavtham kept inside a small handbag.
On the way, I get down the bus to have a cup of tea. The bus starts off at the
specified time, leaving me in the middle. How should I catch the bus was the
need of the hour as I was standing helpless. I spotted a person clad in full
white dress and with white beard, approaching on a motor bicycle. He offers me
lift with an assurance to leave me at the destined place, safe at the right
time. I hesitantly took the pillion seat. He carried me to the place without my
getting tired even though the road was quite rough.
Samardha Sadhguru Sai alone can
ensure such safe passage to the Destination.
To be continued…..
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5. QUINTESSENCE OF SRI SAIBABA'S
PHILOSOPHY:
(By Late Sri Bharam UmamaheswaraRao)
"Shashi": shashi_31@yahoo.com
22. Atma – Jnana
Atman
or Brahma is one. But the hearts it occupies are different. It is one and the
same. Atman that runs through all the hearts. As per pain and pleasure, these
are not the functions of Atman, but only of the hearts. To make the heart, a
heart, is the function of the Atman.
Sri
Sai Baba advocated Atma – Tatwa as ‘Sat-Chit- Ananda’ involved in the body-mind
complex. The involved Atman is called ‘Jiva’. The pure heart, the Divine spirit
in the body, the real self is ever, as it immutable. The individual soul is
internal. The creation of soul is only secondary. Birth and death are only to
the body and not to the soul. What originates is its connection with its gross
and subtle bodies which are unreal. The soul is pure intelligence which is
never lost under any circumstances. The soul is really Brahman and its identity
with Brahman is known in meditation only. Soul springs from Brahman like sparks
from the fire. In the stage of bondage, it is atomic, but this is not its true
nature.”
Baba
always says: “Human birth is wasted if Atma is not realized. Freedom from
Samsara cannot be obtained without self realization.
The
form of one’s Atman be distinctly visualized by one, in the same manner as
one’s image is seen in the mirror. One should enquire into the Self by the
Self. One should enter into Self. Self is hidden. Self is the goal for the
Self. Therefore, attain Self-mastery by the Self, like a trader who protects
his horse.
The
supreme subject is subtle, that which existed in the past, present, and future,
that forms the basis of this world of names and forms. That which is the
Paramatma constitutes the Atma for this body. Being deathless, it is the Truth.
That becomes the resting place for the individual soul during the state of
Susupti and death.
Atma
is the subtler than the subtlest. That God-hood is known as Atman. The Supreme
one is our real nature. We are neither the doer nor the enjoyer nor the giver.
We are the Pure Consciousness embodied in the form of Supreme-Self.
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
The best of bhaktas honored
When Ravana kidnapped Sita,
Jatayu, king of eagles, attacked Ravana. In the encounter, Ravana unsheathed
his sword and cut both the wings of Jatayu. Ram saw the bleeding Jatayu on his
way and Jatayu after conveying to Ram that Ravana had taken Sita to Lanka, died
in Ram’s arms. Ram’s sorrow knew no bounds. He embraced Jatayu and lamented
loudly. Though Ram knew Jatayu only for a very short time, Jatayu won the heart
of Ram by exhibiting true love and devotion to Ram. Ram, who could not to
perform the last rites for His own father, performed the last rites for this
eagle father, honored Jatayu and gave him Moksha.
Same is the case of Megha in Sai
Sat Charita. Megha was an illiterate Brahmin, and an ardent devotee of Lord
Shiva. He served Baba only for a very short time. When he first came to Shirdi,
he refused to bow before Baba whom he thought was a Muslim. Baba read his
thought and drove him away. But Megha, who had realized Baba’s divinity, came
again and again to Baba and became one of his closest devotees. He started
worshipping Baba with bilva leaves and
Epitome of love and devotion:
In Ramayana, Ram on his way to Lanka,
visited the ashram a tribal woman Baktha Sabari, on the banks of
Similarly, in the year 1914, on a
Ram Navami day, a poor old woman came to take darshan of Sai Ram. She brought
three rotis to offer to Sairam. But there was a huge crowd and she could not go
near Sai. She was very hungry as she had traveled all through the day by foot
to meet Sai and so she started eating the rotis which she had brought to offer
for Sai. Sai knew it and he called Shama and asked him to bring the old lady
from the crowd. When the old lady came near, Sai snatched the remaining half
roti that she had in her hand and ate it. Such was the greatness of Sai. He
expects only pure love and is ready to accept anything that is offered to Him
with pure love and devotion.
A lie to benefit Mankind
When Ram was going to the forest,
King Dasaratha ordered minister Sumantha to bring back Ram. Dasaratha told
Sumantha that as a king Ram had to obey his orders and return immediately to
Ayodhya to ascend the throne. But to Ram no pleasure was higher than honoring
his father’s pledge (pitruvakiya paripalana). Ram also knew that He was going
to the forest to kill Ravana .So He told Sumanta to tell a lie that Ram did not
hear him as the crowd was shouting wildly. Ram told a lie for the first and
last time in his life to fulfill his father’s word and to uphold dharma.
Baba has told in Sat Charita, “I
never tell lies” but Baba has told a lie, to teach the world, the importance of
Vishnu Sahasranama. Shama was a very intimate devotee of Baba and Baba wanted
to favor him by giving him a copy of Vishnu Sahasranama. A Ramadasi had the
habit of reciting Vishnu Sahasranama at the Dwarakamayi daily. Baba once told
the Ramadasi that He was suffering from intense stomach pain and asked him to
get a particular drug for him. When the Ramdasi went out, Baba took the
Vishnusahasranama, which the Ramdasi was, reading and gave it to Shama and
asked him to read it. At the same time, He convinced the Ramadasi saying that
He wanted everyone to read Vishnu Sahasranama. to save them from the miseries
of worldly existence. Sai told this lie for the benefit of His devotees. Such
is the efficacy of Vishnu Sahasranam. Baba has once told me in meditation, “When
you are traveling in the boat of Samsar on the ocean of worldly troubles, when
ever you have a problem, hoist the flag of Vishnu Sahasranam on your boat and
it will save you”.
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SANATANA DHARMA –NEWS FROM ABROAD:
Hindu temple coming up in north
http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=90381
In the latest example of exquisitely carved
Hindu temples in
has arrived to build a temple in
There are several Hindu temples
in towns across
featuring idols and stonework
brought from
experts brought in from
The most popular of such temples
is the Swaminarayana temple in Neasden,
--------------------------
Talks by Swami Nirmalananda On Yoga Sutras
www.atmajyoti.org
World's Tallest Murugan Statue Unveiled At
thestar.com.my
CompiledbySaiSevakSrinivasaRaoKasturi
Saidarbar–
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7. SAIBANISA OFFERS PRANAMS TO “LORD
SIVA”
From
Sai Satcharita -chapter 28
Megha
began to look upon Sai Baba as an incarnation of Shiva In order to worship
Shiva, bela leaves are required and Megha used to go miles and miles every day
to bring them and worship his Shiva (Baba).
Megha
worshipped Baba in two places; in the Dwarakamai he worshipped Baba in person
and in the Wada, Baba's big picture, given by Nanasaheb Chandorkar. This he did
for 12 months. Then in order to appreciate his devotion and confirm his faith,
Baba gave him a vision. Early one morning when Megha was still lying down on
his bed with eyes closed but internally awake, he saw clearly Baba's Form. Baba
knowing him to be awake threw Akshata (rice-grains marked red with Kumkum) and
said, "Megha, draw a Trident" and disappeared. Hearing Baba's words, he
eagerly opened his eyes but did not see Baba, but saw only rice grains spread
here and there. He then went to Baba, told Him about the vision and asked
permission to draw Trident. Baba said - "Did you not hear My words asking
you to draw Trident? It was no vision but direct order and My words are always
pregnant with meaning and never hollow.
Megha
returned to the Wada, and drew a red Trident on the wall near Baba's picture.
Next day a Ramadasi Bhakta came from
Maha Shivaratthri-Sunday 26 February--2006
http://www.saidarbar.org/sarwam/shiva.jpg
Information
about JyotirLingas.
What
is jyothirlinga?
Worship
of shivalinga is considered the prime worship for the devotees of Lord Shiva.
This jyoti swarUpa of God exist in all the shivalinga forms, there are
prominent abodes across Indian subcontinent, where it is in a splendid form.
These are renowned as 12 jyotirlingas. These are held at much great esteem
since the ancient pre-historic times. Puranas talk in many sections as well as
in detail about the glory of these abodes. Devotees have been getting pulled
towards these kshetras due to the highly benevolent divine presence in these
abodes, since ancient times.
The 12
jyothirlinga temples
Mahadev,
the Lord incorporates in Himself, the aura and the holiness of all the twelve
JyotirLingas. The grandeur of these places is unique. Devotees line up in great
numbers to take a look and get a Darshan of all the JyotirLingas.
Location
of the jothirlinga temples
Those
of us who go to these temples of Shubhankar Shankar- Jyoti-Sivasthan, receive
the holy blessings of the Lord, and come back happy, peaceful and blessed. This
in indeed depends on one’s devotion and experience too.
1. Somnatha
located at Prabhas Patan in Saurashtra in
2. Mallikarjun in Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh).
3. Mahakaleshwar in
4. Omkareshwar in Shivpuri (Madhya. Pradesh)
5. Vaidyanath in Parali (Maharastra)
6. Nageshwar
near Dwarka in
7. Kedareswar in Kedarnath --
8. Tryambakeswar in
9. Rameshwar in Setubandanam (Tamilnadu)
10. Bhimashankar in Dakini (Maharastra)
11. Visweswar in
12. Ghrishneswar in Devasrovar (Maharastra)
Those
who chant the Dwadasa JyotirLinga Stotram or prayer will attain salvation and
enlightenment and be released from this cycle of human existence with all its
travails. By worshipping the Lingas, people of all castes, creeds and colour
would be freed from all difficulties. By eating the holy offering made to these
Lingas (Naivedyam) one would be rid of all the sins instantly.
As a
matter of fact, we do the Darshan of the JyoritLingas as a part of our daily
life. Sun, Fire and Light etc., are indeed a part of that great Light. “
“Agni”
or fire is a great light. For all the activities on the earth, “Fire” is the
pivot.
Deepajyoti
or light and its greatness, is known to all of us, and we offer our prayers.
Let us celebrate the glory of light. Light is offered a place of pride at
welcome celebrations and on all auspicious occasions.
This
light removes the darkness from the lives of one and all. Darkness means
ignorance and it is destroyed by this light. The natured light of God makes all
our wishes come true, when we take a Darshan of it.
Thus,
by taking a Darshan of these twelve JyotirLingas, the auspicious air
surrounding them and the holy pilgrimage, will bring happiness, peace and
satisfaction to all.
To be
continued-------
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8. DEVOTEES EXPERIENCES:
From the files of Saidarbar:
Just couple of months ago, we
were waiting for the birth of our first baby. Sumedha, my wife, had completed
37 weeks of pregnancy. It was the night of 19 July (Sunday) when she suddenly
started feeling strong labor pains. Pains were so strong that she was hardly
able to talk or communicate well. I took her to the hospital immediately, and
soon her doctor and nurses were working with her. When the nurse checked her
dilation, it was hardly one centimeter. This made everyone much worried because
such a small dilation would lead to a long and very painful labor period. My
wife was crying badly. Doctor immediately decided to give epidural (a strong
pain medicine given through spinal chord) to her. In such a panic, I remembered
SAI BABA and asked for His help. I always keep a photo of BABA in my purse. I
took that out and showed that to my wife. Immediately after that moment, I saw
one of the biggest miracles of my life by SAI KRIPA. My wife's dilation, which
was just one centimeter five minutes ago, suddenly became ten centimeter, which
is just appropriate for delivery. Everyone in the room just jumped out of
surprise. And, in next 5-10 minutes, the baby was out without any problem. So,
SAI BABA helped her by giving her relief from the severe labor pain, and she
was too happy after giving birth to a cute girl. Doctor and nurses, all
accepted that they have never seen such a miracle in their lives. It was the
shortest labor period they had ever observed for a first time pregnancy, just
30-35 minutes. And, we both knew that this all happened because of SAI KRIPA.
I came to know BABA in 1994, and
since then, I have felt that He listens to His followers and helps them in
whatever way. I have personally felt His blessings hundreds of times. I
remember one more miracle, which happened in 1995 to me when I came to
(This experience was received by
Saidarbar during the year 1998)-Editor.
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9. SPIRITUAL GEMS FROM SAI SATCHARITRA
Sai Ram. Let us continue with the
spiriuital gems from the chapter.
"Hemadpant said all that
they talked about was very pleasant, and that specially the story of the old
lady was most wonderful and that on hearing it, he thought that His Leela was
inexplicable, and under the guise of that story, He really blessed him. Baba
then said - "Wonderful is the story. How were you blessed? I would like to
know everything in detail from you, so tell Me all about it."" Sai Ram. It is wonderful indeed! Baba knew
everything; spoken or unspoken that goes on in His devotee's mind. Still, He
asked like a common man since He wanted Hemadpant to speak out the bliss of his
experience for the benefit of devotees like us.
"Then Hemadpant related in
full the story which he had heard a little while before, and which had made a
lasting impression on his mind. Hearing this Baba was much pleased and asked
him - "Did the story strike you and did you catch its significance?"
He replied - "Yes, Baba the restless-ness of my mind has vanished and I
have got true peace and rest, and come to know the true path." Sai Ram. Baba asked a very pointed question
to Hemadpant. Hearing a story is important but understanding the significance
of the story is crucial.
"Then Baba spoke as follows:
- "My method is quite unique. Remember well, this one story, and it will
be very useful. To get the knowledge (realization) of the Self, Dhyana
(meditation) is neces-sary. If you practice it continuously, the Vrittis
(thoughts) will be pacified. Being quite desireless, you should meditate on the
Lord, Who is in all the creatures, and when the mind is concentrated, the goal
will be achieved. Meditate always on My formless nature, which is knowledge
incarnate, consciousness and bliss. If you cannot do this, meditate on My Form
from top to toe as you see here night and day. As you go on doing this, your
Vrittis will concentrate on one point and the distinction between the Dhyata
(meditator), Dhyana (act of meditation), Dhyeya (this meditated upon) will be
lost and the meditator will be one with the Consciousness and be merged in the
Brahman. The (mother) tortoise is on one bank of the river, and her young ones
are on the other side. She gives neither milk, nor warmth to them. Her mere
glance gives them nutrition. The young ones do nothing, but remember (meditate
upon) their mother. The tortoise glance is, to the young ones, a down-pour of nectar,
the only source of sustenance and happiness. Similar is the relation, between
the Guru and disciples."
Sai Ram. In these few sentences
Baba gave a condensed and concentrated form of the same message that He gave in
detail in the earlier chapter to the gentleman who wanted quick Brahma Jnan.
Just as Bhagawan spoke through Sri Krishna in His Gita, Baba's body was the
instrument in this Sai Gita! Sai always maintained and amply demonstrated that
He was not bound by His body. His true nature is Sat, Chit and Ananda. Since it
is difficult for most of us to meditate on the formless nature of God, the
worship of Form is prescribed. And when the Vrittis subside, the meditator, the
act of meditation and the object of meditation become one. This is the essence of
Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama (Vishnu is Yagna, Yagna Pati etc.), and Sri Laitha
Sahasranama too! (The Divine Mother is addressed as Dhayana, Dhyatru Dhyeya
Roopa). And meditation is remembering one's true nature, which is beyond the
conscious mind. Super consciousness is the state of one's true self.
"When Baba uttered these
last words, the chorus of the Arati songs stopped and all cried out loudly in
one voice: "Victory be to our Sadguru Sai Maharaj, Who is Existence,
Knowledge and Bliss." Dear readers, let us imagine, that we are at this
time, standing amongst the crowd in the Dwarakamai; and let us join them in
this Jayajayakar."
Sai Ram. Let us also join in the
chorus of jay jay to Sainath Maharaj!
"After the Arati ceremony
was over, Prasad was distributed. Bapusaheb Jog advanced as usual, and after
saluting Baba, gave into His hand a handful of sugar-candy. Baba pushed all
this quantity into the hands of Hemadpant and said to him, "If you take
this story to heart and remember it well, your state will be sweet as the
sugar-candy, all your desires will be fulfilled and you will be happy."
Hemadpant bowed before Baba and implored, "Do favor me like this, bless
and protect me always." Baba replied - "Hear this story, meditate on
it and assimilate its spirit. Then you will always remember and meditate on the
Lord, Who will manifest Himself to you."
Sai Ram. Meditation and similar
shadhanas are needed to understand the deeper meaning of several messages and
stories. Such stories help in purifying the mind and removing the vasanas so
that the mind is always connected (remembering is becoming a part of the whole
and thus reconnecting) with the Divine. At the appropriate time, the Lord will
manifest Himself to the sadhaka in a form which is pleasing to the sadhaka.
Bhagawan gave such a manifestation to Sri Arjuna - first in the Universal Form
and then with His Four Hands form). Sai Ram.
Dear readers! Hemadpant got
Prasad of sugar-candy then; and we now get the Prasad of sugar-candy or nectar
of this story. Let us drink it to out heart's content, meditate on it, and
assimilate it, and be strong and happy by Baba's grace. Sai Ram. Yes, we are indeed fortunate in
having this sea of stories, each with so many spiritual gems.
We will continue with this
chapter. Sai Ram.
Swamy
Author, Editor, Proof-Reader and
Book Reviewer
To be
continued…..
-------------------------------
10. 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. 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 Seven Weavers and the Field of Flax
Seven
weavers once started on a moonlight journey. They had not gone very far from
their home when they lost the road. After trying to find their way, they came
to a field of flax, which they took to be a river, as the field was in flower,
and they fancied the blue color of the flower to be that of water.
They
stripped themselves and began swimming. After hard labor, they got across. To
make certain that no one was drowned, they took the precaution of counting
themselves before resuming their journey; but they discovered that one of them
was missing, as each forgot to count himself.
Grieved
at the loss of one of their company, they had not the heart to pursue their
journey, but returned home.
-----------------------------------------------
11. ARTICLES FROM SAI DEVOTEES:
Sai Eshwari: saiers_1999@yahoo.com
Subject: The Power of Nama Japa
The Lord Himself has settled the nature of His worship for
every age. Bhakti Marga is Kali Yuga's simplest and safest way for Realization
of soul for all. Though the scriptures relate that there will be a decline in
dharma in this Kali yuga, man can take heart from the fact that it is in this
age that the method for Realizing God is easy. Chanting of His Holy name is the
prescribed sadhana for the present age, which gives immense pleasure &
peace to attain Moksha in one's life. Easy to adopt by anyone it does not have
any restriction in the manner, time or place for its recitation. There are
different methods in which the Divine names can be handled, Nama Japa, Nama
Sankeertana, Bhajans and Recitation of Sthotras, being some of the popular
methods followed according to one's preference. "Nama Japa" means constantly
chanting the name of one's beloved God or Guru with respect and devotion to
invoke God's blessings and free one from material (worldly) attachments to move
towards Spiritual Realization. The Holy name is the Divine medicine to save us
from the chronic disease of worldliness. Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh had said
that Namasmaran is the 'Namopathy', the best of all Naturopathy, Homeopathy and
Allopathy medicines in curing the physical and mental ailments. He gave the
gospel 'DIN' that means 'Do It Now.'
The power of Nama Japa is well known to all. In the
epilogue to the great Vishnu Sahasra Nama, Parvathi asks Lord Shiva: How do the
wise chant the thousand names in brief? And Lord Shiva responds with the
well-known couplet "Sri Rama Rama Rameti, Rame Raame Manorame" Rama
Nama, he says, is singularly equal to the thousand names. Scriptures say that
the celestial Narada Muni once asked Srimannaryana "Which is your
permanent abode?” To this Sri Vishnu replied "Naham Vasami Vaikunte,
NahiYogi Hridaye, Yatra Mad Bhakta Gayanthe Tatra Thistami Narada!" which
means "Oh Narada, I am not in Vaikunta, nor in the hearts of yogis, you
will feel my presence where my devotees sing my name with love and
affection". Lord Sainath was very
fond of Nama Smaran and Nama Sankeertan. He always uttered 'Sab Ka Malik Ek'
and in His presence made others sing God's name continuously day and night for
seven days. This is called Nama Sapthaha. In 1913 during the Sri Rama Navami
Festival, Sai asked Radhakrishna Aayee to do Nama Sapthaha. Once He asked Shri
Das Ganu Maharaj to do Nama Sapthaha and blessed him. Baba in His immortal Sri
Sai Satcharitha stated thus “The simple remembrance of my name as 'Sai, Sai'
will do away with sins of speech and hearing."(Chap 3) "If you always
say 'Sai Sai' I shall take you over the seven seas, believe in these words and
you will be certainly benefited."(Chap 13).
When Arjuna asked
Lord Krishna, "Oh Lord, how can I perceive when I am engaged in worldly
activities?" To this Lord Krishna replied, "Oh Arjuna, you can always
do my Namajapam by which you will remain in my pure consciousness".
(Bhagvadgita). Meerabai turned ecstatic when she discovered the potency of Rama
nama. It was like coming upon a
treasure - " Payoji
In Baba's words “Leave
off all your cleverness and always remember Sai, Sai. If you did that all your
shackles would be removed and you would be free."(Chap 10) Friends,
constant remembrance of Sai is possible only through Nama Japa as there are no
restrictions. Let us do the Japa feeling God's presence in everything and
everywhere. Let us draw closer and nearer to Him while repeating His name. Let
us think He is shining in the chambers of our heart and witnessing the
repetition of the Mantra, as He is the witness of our mind!
--------------------------------------
12. LETTERS FROM SAIDEVOTEES:
SaiRam!
“The glory of Shirdi Sai issue
2-2006” is good.
Thanks a lot.
Suneetha.
---------------
1/25/2006 12:14:17 -0700
SaiRam!
The site http://www.saidarbar.org is so wonderful and the pictures of SAI are
extraordinary. Hats of to all the people involved in taking the pain to construct
this site
Usha.
-----------------------
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
SAIDARBAR - SATSANGHS
How Holy Company Transforms
* The human mind is a very receptive
instrument. If you place it in evil company, it will acquire evil tendencies.
If you place it in holy company, it will acquire divine traits.
* Bright ideals infuse an urge to grow into
their likeness. Evil examples also have a similar effect if the mind is not
guarded.
* If you go to a sage, there will
automatically come a feeling of purity and peace within you.
* Just as cold, fear and darkness depart
from one who approaches fire, so does weakness, worldliness and ignorance
depart from him who keeps himself near to the saints.
* Saints at once purify those who go near
them, whereas Ganga purges the sins of only those whom its water comes in
contact with in ablution.
* Saints cleanse the sinners at once at the
very sight of them.
* The sight of a sage is delightful. To
live with him is always peaceful. To converse with him is blissful.
* The moment the mind thinks of sage,
immediately all evil desires, base passions are brushed aside.
* At the time of thinking of saintly
personages, the mind gets moulded into the shape of the qualities of which it
thinks, and thereby becomes pure.
* Meditation on the lives of saints is
equal to holy company. Study of their teachings is equal to holy company.
* To think of the lives of saints, to live
in their company, to have the good fortune of receiving their blessings, is to
draw forth upon yourselves a shower of purity, inspiration and divine
consciousness.
* The very company of sages and saints has
a tremendous transforming effect on the lives of true seekers. It lifts them up
to the heights of sublimity, purity and spirituality. It does not fail to
affect even the rank materialists.
* By association with saints even for a
short time, the aspirants acquire strong faith in the Lord.
* The sage is very silent. He speaks a few
words. These words produce a tremendous impression. They give a new life and
joy to all who understand him and his message. In his presence alone all the
doubts of the aspirants are cleared, though he remains mute.
* The company of saints generates love for
God. The love for God brings salvation.
* One moment of company with the holy
builds a ship to cross this ocean of life.
How to Benefit from the Company
of Saints
* Jivanmuktas or the liberated sages are ever
ready to help those who are still climbing to reach the peak of wisdom. This is
their work in this world. It is the duty of the aspirants to seek their aid and
have a receptive attitude.
* To benefit from the company of saints,
you have to prepare yourself first. Do not go with any preconceived notion or
prejudice. Go with an open, receptive mind. Go without expectations. Approach
them humbly, respectfully. Assimilate what appeals to you. If some of their
teachings do not appeal to you, do not form a hasty opinion. If you do not like
them, you need not take them to head. What may be suitable to another may not
be suitable to you. Yet, with regard to broad fundamentals, there can be no
difference of opinion.
* One should possess the right desire to
cross the ocean of Samsara and to attain Knowledge of Brahman through Satsanga.
* When you go before a sage, do not ask him
questions out of mere inquisitiveness. Sit in his presence humbly. Observe him.
Listen to him without prejudice. Ask him only such questions about which you
really need clarification.
* Ask him only pertinent questions. Do not
draw him into politics or public bricketings.
* Meditate in the presence of a sage. You
will get inner light which will clear your doubts.
* An intelligent man only will understand
and realize the Truth in the company of a sage.
------------------------------------------------
14. FROM SAI ORGANISATIONS:
Due to space constrain of E-magazine we are not able to
give the full report on activities of organizations, we are providing their
contact e-mail ID and web site address.
------------------------------------------------------
The Following Saidarbar chapters
are functioning around the Globe; devotees may be contacted for necessary
information about their activities to the following E-maid ids:
Saidarbar Orlando, Florida USA: sathgurusai2002@yahoo.com
Saidarbar Laurel, MD USA: murali_krishnamurthy2003@yahoo.com
Saidarbar Chennai-India: saidarbarchennai@yahoo.co.in
Saidarbar-Canberra -AU: kandra@iprimus.com.au
For Further details visit: http://angelfire.com/sd/SaidarbarCanberra
Saidarbar Wallingford-PA- USA: technical@saidarbarusa.org
For further details please
visit: www.saidarbarusa.org
Sai Darbar Portland OR USA: shanthi@sigmacgi.com
Sai
Darbar Kitwe, Zambia : raoas@zamnet.zm
Saidarbar Danbaru-Canitcut-USA: zutshi_anil_k@sbcglobal.net
Saidarbar Woodland Hills-CA-USA: vskachanta@hotmail.com
Saidarbar Livermore-CA-USA: sai_ravi@hotmail.com
Saidarbar-London UK : suresh@vaghela.net,suresh@somtek.com
Saidarbar
– Hyderabad -INDIA: saidarbar@saidarbar.org
For
Further details visit: http://www.saidarbar.org
--------------------------------------
Sai Activities in NJ Visit: www.shirdisaidham.org or email at shirdisaidham@hotmail.com
--------------------------------------
Sai Sansthan, Singapore: www.saisansthana.com
-------------------------------------------------
"The Shirdi Sai Mandir,
Toronto": visit www.theshirdisaimandir.com
Or send an email to info@theshirdisaimandir.com
-------------------------
"Atlanta Sai Temple
News": Visit: www.templeofpeace.org
Or send an email to webmaster@templeofpeace.org
---------------------------------------
"Shirdi Saibaba Prayer Center": Visit: http://www.hamaresai.org/
Email: hamaresai@yahoo.com
--------------------------------
"Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of DFW" USA: Visit: http://www.shirdisaidallas.org
E-mail: admin@shirdisaidallas.org
-------------------------------------
"Om Sai Mandir" Visit: http://www.omsaimandir.org/newsletter1.cfm
E-mail: saisandesh@omsaimandir.org
--------------------------
SHIRDI SAI BABA SANSTHAN, CANADA:
saileela99@yahoo.com
----------------------------------------------
SaiMandir-Houston-TX-USA: Visit http://www.babamandir.org/mandir/OnlineResources.html
E-mail: babamandir@babamandir.org
---------------------------------------
SHRI SHIRDI SAIBABA TEMPLE,
46-16 ROBINSON ST, FLUSHING, NY
-------------------------------------------------
Sri Shirdi Sai Florida Center: E-mail:voora@yahoo.com
-----------------------------
15. SAI'S BOOK WORLD:
Books in English:
1. MY LIFE WITH SRI SAI BABA
Author: Smt. Bharam Mani
Umamaheswara Rao
Published by: Sri Sai
Publications
Flat No.12, Sai Towers
4th Line, Brindavan Gardens
GUNTUR – 522
006-AP-INDIA
Phone: 0863--2351381
Books in Telugu by Late Sri Bapatla Hanumantha Rao
1. Emi Ninnu Upekhintuna – Part I
Price: Rs.80/-
2. Emi Ninnu Upekhintuna – Part
II
Price: Rs.98/-
3. Sri Sai Anusaranam
Price: Rs.116/-
4. Sri Sai Karuna
Price: Rs.62/-
Published by: Sri
Sai Hanuma Sai Kuteeram Trust
Sri Sai Nilayam,
CEERUVU (Post)
Bapatla Mandal, Guntur
(Dist)
A.P – 522 113
Phone No: 08643 250 165
-------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------
E- Books from Saidarbar:
1. SAI A BEACON FOR HUMANITY:
You can obtain your copy at
http://www.ebeacon.indiainabook.com/other_books.htm
2. SAI IN DREAMS
You can obtain your copy at
http://www.ebeacon.indiainabook.com/
Contact for further details: Sai
Sevak-Vijay Agarwal:
vijishvanya@gmail.com
or vijishvanya@yahoo.com
----------------------------------
SAIDARBAR – HYDERABAD:
http://www.angelfire.com/celeb2/saidarbar/pages/S3500041.htm
We will be happy to conduct Tele-Satsanghs to cities out side Hyderabad,
India on prior intimation. For further details please contact saidarbar@gmail.com
-------------------------------
16. EDITORIAL.
Things impressed me from this Magazine:
A wise person will take future
steps in the life after keenly observing other’s steps.
Secrecy is of value so long as it remains a
secret.
Tying a stick to dog’s tail will not lead to straightening
it. Similarly good words spoken to a bad person will not bring any change in
him.
Baba always says: “Human birth is
wasted if Atma is not realized. Freedom from Samsara cannot be obtained without
self realization.
Sai devotees may write about
their Sai activities in their place, essays, articles and poetry on Sai to
"The Glory of Shirdi Sai" – they may be address their
contributions to E-mail id:
saidarbar@saidarbar.org with a copy marked to webmaster@saidarbar.org
We shall put in our best efforts to include them in the Glory of Shiridi
Sai- the bi-weekly E -Magazine. Unless the author of the articles instructs,
not to publish his/her E-mail id, we will publish them as a matter of routine
practice.
You can subscribe for THE GLORY OF SHIRDI SAI for a friend /relative by
submitting e-mail ID in the main page of http://www.saidarbar.org
Also read the old issues from:
http://www.saidarbar.org/glory.htm
If you are subscribing this
E-magazine for your friend or a relative, we request that the person concerned
may be notified about receiving the same.
Editor does not accept responsibility for the views expressed in the articles
published.
This e-magazine is intended for Private circulation only.
Submitted by Sai Sevak: Srinivasa Rao
Kasturi
P.S. In case you do not like to receive "The Glory of Shirdi Sai
", Kindly reply UNSUBSCRIBE for our necessary action.
----------------------------------------------------
