THE GLORY OF SHIRDI SAI - 24
A FORTNIGHTLY E-MAGAZINE
(ISSUE-XXIV/ 2003)
SPECIAL ISSUE OF SAIDARBAR MOVEMENT
16-12-2003 to 31-12-2003
Please visit
our Web site: http://www.saidarbar.org
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" Wish you All A Happy & Prosperous New Year
2004."
FLASH:
1. "Saidarbar
movement" is entering in the sixth year on 25-12-2003.
2. "The Glory of Shirdi Sai" is celebrating its First
Birthday on 01-01-2004.
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THIS ISSUE CONTAINS:
1. NEWS FROM TIME
MACHINE
2.
SAI PHILOSOPHY
3. SAI IN LETTERS
4. SPIRITUAL GEMS
FROM SAI SATCHARITRA
5. JOURNEY THROUGH
THE OCEAN OF HEMADRI PANTH
6. DEVOTEES
EXPERIENCES
7. SAI WITH
CHILDREN
8. LETTERS FROM
SAI DEVOTEES
9. FROM SAI
ORGANISATIONS
10. EDITOR'S DESK
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1
SAI'S NEWS FROM THE TIME MACHINE:
25th
December 1910: Lala Lakshmichand of Santacruz came to Shirdi.
December
1911: Kashinath Upasani composed the famous
"Shri Sainath Mahima Sthostra" in Sanskrit.
December
1911: Bubonic plague raged at Shirdi. (Lasted up to March 15 next year).
5th
December, 1911: Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti arrived at Shirdi again with
family and stayed there for three months in Shirdi
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2.
SAI PHILOSOPHY:
SAI PHILOSOPHY FROM THE DIARY OF SAI.BA.NI.SA.
These messages are the outcome and essence of the dream
sequences of Saibanisa as given by Lord Sainath, which reflect the Sai
Philosophy and his high thinking. They carry a sense of deep meaning and are
generally thought provoking, enough to set one’s thinking process.
41) 29th
December 1995: You turn richer when you serve a thirsty rich person with much
needed water without any envy and anticipation of returns.
42)
30thDecember1995: Possession of
"ARISHADVARGAS" is like cancer to the physical body. Remove them from
the roots to live with peace.
43) 2nd January
1996: Once born "DEATH" follows you like shadow, how long can you run
away from it? Do not be scared of the shadow.
44) 11th
January 1996: When thieves rob your house you complain to the police. Think
where to complain when affections and attachments totally engulf your mind and
heart?
.
45) 13th
January 1996: While in search of the ultimate, depend only on yourself. At the
end, the experience would be that of sweet water drawn from a well. Depending
on others will be like chasing a "MIRAGE" rudderless.
Translated and
presented by RAGHU RAMAN SATULURY
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3. SAI IN LETTERS:
Madhusudhan Nori, Hyderabad, India
AUM SRI SAIRAM
SAI IN LETTERS(Saibanisa's letters to
his Son)
http://www.saidarbar.org/HTML/ocean_of_mercy/sai3.jpg
Translated from the Telugu original
into English by Sri Sai Devotee
Madhusudan Nori.
Secunderabad - 28 February 2000
I request the readers to read first Sri Sai Satcharitra in English by Late
Sri Nagesh Vasudev Gunaji, before reading these letters. http://www.geocities.com/seenukv/day-01-thu.htm
OM SAI
Hyderabad
29
January 1992
Letter
- 24 ( Chapter - 26)
Dear Chakrapani,
Hemadri Pant described in detail the
way one must worship mentally and the procedure thereof in this chapter. If one
truly gets an idea to worship in that way then ones mind will be filled with
happiness. When you are about to touch a person's feet in reverence to pay your
respects, please see Sri Sai in that person, wholeheartedly, recall Sri Sai'a
form and pay your respects to derive feeling of Bliss. Sri Sai, on seeing a disciple of another
saint, says these profound words in this chapter - WHATEVER MAY HAPPEN, DO NOT LOOSEN YOUR GRASP, HAVE RECOURSE TO
ONLY IN YOUR PRECEPTOR, ALWAYS STAND FIRMLY BY HIS SIDE AND IMMERSE YOURSELF IN
CONTEMPLATION ON HIM AT ALL TIMES.
We have developed faith in Sri Sai because of our good providence. Our Soul is
the only witness to our happiness. Sri Sai always respected HIS contemporary Yogeeswaras (GOD realized Souls) and
honored them. We must respect this
tradition of HIS. Sri Sai considered suicide as a great sin and Hemadri Pant
describes the way Sri Sai saved HIS devotee Sri Gopal Narayan Ambadekar from
committing suicide in this chapter. Please
read carefully this episode and understand its significance. Every human being
will be subjected to miseries at some time or other in one's life and
committing suicide is not a solution to such problems in the view of Sri Sai.
Towards the end of this episode Hemadri Pant writes about Sri Ambadekar - Sai Baba wanted him to become a
devotee of Sri Akalkot Maharaj in the footsteps of his father
Now what I aspire for is that you also
must become a Sri Sai devotee. Won't you fulfil my wish?
In service of Sri Sai,
Your Father.
Translated from the Telugu Original
into English by Sri Sai devotee Madhusudan Nori.
Secunderabad, 05 July 2000
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4. SPIRITUAL GEMS FROM SAI SATCHARITRA
"SV.SWAMY"
svswamy1@rediffmail.com &
swamyswarna@yahoo.com
12/15/2003
16:48:16 -0000
Sai Ram
This
article is being submitted for a very special issue of 'Glory of Shirid Sai'.
An issue commemorating the completion of 5 years in Sai Seva, through
www.saidarbar.com, now www.saidarbar.org . My own association or entry into the
Darbar took place on 17th December 1999, a date etched in my memory, a day that
marked a major turning point, a day that started the realization of the
fruition of many years of devotion to God and a serious yearning for
liberation. A transformation that had an important stage in December 1997, when
I met the Swamyji of Hampi Virupaksha Vidyaranya Peetham, whose blessings were
the stepping stone to a visit to Shirdi, grace of Sai through His devoted
servant Abdul Baba, a visit to Ganagapur and a visit to Hampi, blessings of
Shri Vidyaranya Swamy, who left His physical body centuries ago...
To come back to December 17, 1999. That was the day that I met Saibanisa whom I
knew for several years but in a different way, and who, on that day asked me to
write articles for Saidarbar, thus passing on a command from Sai Maharaj, which
is being obeyed even now. We, the members of Sai Darbar, and the organisation
passed through several interesting and educative phases, some of them quite
painful at the time, but all the more educative because of that very nature.
Today, as Saidarbar completes 5 years, we, the servants of that Maharaj,
rededicate ourselves for service at His Lotus Feet. Sai Maharaj ki Jai.
In my own humble individual capacity as a servant of Sai Maharaj, I offer
felicitations to the whole team of www.saidarbar.org and to Saibanisa for this
memorable event. Sai Ram.
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Spiritual Gems from Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 9
Sai Ram. We have recently completed for the time being, one of the most
important chapters of Sai Satcharitra. Now, with pranams to Sai Maharaj, let us
dive into the 9th Chapter of Satcharitra.
"At the end of the last chapter, it was barely stated that the Bhaktas,
who obeyed Baba's orders at the time of taking leave, fared well and those, who
disobeyed them, suffered many a mishap."
Sai Ram. This statement needs a little clarification. It is not as if Sai
wished misfortunes on those who disobeyed Him. It is just that He was able to
look ahead and warn the devotees of the consequences of some actions and
advised them to desist from that. He could have prevented them from taking up
that action if He wished to do so. However, He chose not to exercise that power
and allowed the individual to act freely and learn the Spiritual and Karmic
Lessons therefrom.
"One special peculiarity of Shirdi-pilgrimage was this, that none could
leave Shirdi, without Baba's permission; and if he did, he invited untold
sufferings, but if any one was asked to quit Shirdi, he could stay there no
longer." Sai Ram. This is in line with what is written above.
"Tatya Kote was once going in a tanga to Kopargaon bazar. He came in haste
to the Dwarakamai, saluted Baba, and said that he would go to Kopargaon bazar.
Baba said, "Don't make haste, stop a little, let go the bazar, don't go
out of the village". Pl. see the sequence of Baba's words. Since Tatya was
in such a great hurry, first He told him Don't make haste. Then he asked him to
stop a little. Then he tod him further to forget about the bazar. Then finally
He asked him not to go out of the village.
"On seeing his anxiety to go, Baba asked him to take Shama (Madhavrao
Deshpande) at least with him." Sai Ram. This statement is very
significant. When some devotee was insistent to do something, which Baba was
advising against, Baba was offering Shama as protection. In Satcharitra there
is another incident where Baba asks another devotee to take Shama along with
him. That man first declines but later takes Baba's advice and is saved.
Similarly when Nanasaheb and Kakasaheb Dixit insist for Baba attending some
ceremonies in their respective houses, Baba asks them to take Shama instead. It
is thus clear that Baba gave Shama a special place in His Darbar.
"Tatya was not much hurt, but was reminded of Mother Sai's direction. On
another occasion while proceeding to Kolhar village, he disregarded Baba's
direction, and drove in a tanga, which met with a similar accident." Tatya
was young and rather impetuous it looks. And he had great love for Baba but
also thought that he is against the rules and regulations that apply to other
devotees. So, sometimes he took liberties. Baba did protect him but taught him
an important lesson that a Chela, a devotee, a disciple has to follow Guru's
directions totally.
"One European gentleman of Bombay once came to Shirdi, with an
introductory note from Nanasaheb Chandorkar, and with some object in view. He
was comfortably accommodated in a tent. He wanted to kneel before Baba and kiss
His hand. Therefore, he tried thrice to step into the Dwarakamai, but Baba
prevented him from doing so." Sai Ram. Baba had His own reasons for doing
so. And when He did not will it, no one could step into that Dwarakamai.
"He was asked to sit in the open court-yard below and take Baba's darshan
from there. Not pleased with this reception he got, he wanted to leave Shirdi
at once and came to bid good-bye." Thus showing that his ego was as yet
not ripe to receive Baba's grace.
"Baba asked him to go the next day and not to hurry. ...He was immediately
released; but had to go and lie in Kopargaon hospital for the treatment of the
injuries. Because of such experiences all people learnt the lesson, that those
who disobeyed Baba's instruction met with accidents in one way or the other,
and those who obeyed them were safe and happy."
Sai Ram. Baba mentioned many times that He could see a bit further into the
future and thus was acting in the best interests of those souls that were given
into His charge. But He didn't always interfere with their freedom of choice
since the humans were endowed with the faculty of discrimination and thus could
be expected to take due care. They also had to realize that their egoistic
vision had definite limits unlike Baba's Who was One with All.
So, Baba did allow some freedom of action like a watchful mother allows the
child to play but rushes to its rescue when it gets into trouble. After a few
such incidents, the child does realize that its own limited knowledge is
inadequate and accepts the directions of Mother willingly.
Now to return to the question of mendicancy!
A question may arise in the minds of some that if Baba was such a great
personage - God in fact, why should He have recourse to the begging bowl, all
His lifetime? Sai Ram. Baba never differentiated between His and others. So,
why should He feel diffident to beg? He was begging from Himself!
"This question may be considered and replied from two standpoints. (1) Who
are the fit persons, who have a right to live by the begging-bowl? Our Shastras
say that those persons, who, getting rid of, or becoming free from the three
main Desires, viz. (1) for progeny, (2) for wealth, (3) for fame, accept
Sannyas, are the fit persons to live by begging alms. They cannot make cooking
arrangements and dine at home. The duty of feeding them rests on the shoulders
of householders. Sai Baba was neither a house-holder nor Vanaprastha. He was a
celibate sannyasi, i.e., sannyasi from boyhood. His firm conviction was that
the universe was His home, He was the Lord Vasudeo - the Supporter of the
universe and the Imperishable Brahman. So He had the full right to have
recourse to the begging-bowl." Shri Hemadpant gives such elaborate and
eloquent arguments in support of Baba's action, which never occurred as odd to
Baba. Sai Ram.
We shall continue with these gems in the next issue. Sai Ram.
Yours truly,
SV Swamy
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5. JOURNEY THROUGH THE OCEAN OF HEMADRI PANTH: QUIZ
leela
dhar : leedharart@yahoo.co.in
Quiz
for Issue - 24
Chapter
XL
1)
Mr.B.V.Deo was the Mamalatdar at
a)
Kopergaon b) Raita c) Ahmednagar d) Dhanu
2)
Deo wrote a letter to _______ asking him to request Baba to attend the Udyapan
Ceremony
a)
Bapusaheb Jog b) Hemadpant c) Nana d) Kaka
3)
Baba Said ____ people will attend the ceremony
a) 4
b) 3 c) 5 d) 10
4)
The Sanyasi professing to work for the protection of ____ came to the Station
Master
a)
Goats b) Humans c) Cows d) Donkeys
5)
What was the complaint of Deo against Baba?
a)
Breach of promise b) Non fulfillment c) Wanton staying away d) Ignoring of Deo
6)
When did Hemadpant had a vision
a)
1910 b) 1917 c) 1920 d) 1915
7)
Hemadpant had contact of Baba for _____ years
a) 10
b) 8 c) 9 d) 7
8)
Who were the two men who gave the picture?
a)
Shama and B.V.Deo b) Rohila and Abdul c) Mhalasapathi and Shama d) Ali Mohammed
and Moulana Ismu Mujavar
Chapter XLI
1)
Ali Mohammed told the story of the photo to Hemadpant after ______ years
a) 9
b) 12 c) 1 d) 5
2)
Ali Mohammed was suffering from
a) TB
b) Leprosy c) Abcess d) BP
3)
Ali Mohammed got the picture of Baba Abdul Rahim from
a)
Hemadpant d) Md.Hussain Thariya c) Hussain Baba d) Baba Tajuddin
4)
Who was the Guru of Ali Mohammed?
a)
Abdul Rahim b) Baba Tajuddin c) Sai Baba d) Moulana Mohammed Hussain
5)
Where did Ali Mohammed throw all the pictures of the Saints?
a)
Dustbin b) Gifted it away c) Lake d) Sea
6)
Who did Ali Mohammed consult for disposing off the picture of Sai Baba?
a)
Moulana Ismu Mujaver b) Hemadpant c) Baba Abdul Rahim d) Sai Baba
7)
The native place of B.V.Deo is
a) Dhanu
b) Thana c) Shirdi d) Poud
8)
Who asked Deo whether he read Gnaneshwari?
a)
Hemadpant b) Kaka c) Job c) Sai Baba
(9)
Whom did Deo asked how he secured Babas devotion
a)Jog b) Balakram c) Shama d) Hemadpant
10)
Whom did Baba send to call Deo?
a)
Chandru b) Balakram c)Shama d) Booty
11)
How much dakshina did Baba ask Deo in the afternoon?
a)
Rs.10 b) Rs.12 c) Rs.20 d) Rs.25
12)
When did Baba give dream vision to Deo?
a)
2nd April b) 10th April c) 14th April d) 15th April
Answers
Chapter
XL
1) d
2) 1 3) b 4) c 5) a 6) a 7) d 8) d
Chapter
XLI
1) a
2) c 3) b 4) a 5) d 6) a 7) d 8) c 9) b 10) a 11) b 12) a
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6. DEVOTEES EXPERIENCES:
New Experience of Saibanisa On 08-12-2003, DATTA JAYANTHI:
Normally
Saibanisaji will not attend the outside programs, (as his health
does not permit) but today he was sitting in the homam continuously for three
hours. We were surprised and asked the question to him as to how he was able to
sit three hours in front of the Homagundam? Then he narrated the following
beautiful experience he got today (08-12-2003).
He told that during the meditation in the early morning hours ( Brahmi Muhurat)
Baba has taken him to a pond where Rushis were taking bath and he asked
Saibanisaji to take the three dips in the name of Brahma, Vishnu, Maheswara
(Lord Dattatreya is incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu, Maheswara). Afterwords, He
handed over Saibanisaji to Hanuma, who has taken Saibanisaji
to his master Lord SriRama. After that Lord SriRama has vanished and
Saibanisaji could see Lord Sainath of Shirdi in SriRama's place. With this
experience Saibanisaji could able to sit in the function of Dattatreya Homam
for three hours. Really it was Baba's Leela and Saibanisa - GopalaRao Ravada
Garu is fortunate Soul.
Sai
Sevak SrinivasaRao Kasturi.
From Saidarbar - Hyderabad.
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7.
SAI WITH CHILDREN:
