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FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Sai Baba's Sacred words to Abdul
Abdul was amongst Sai Baba's close devotees and lived with
Sai Baba in Shirdi for a continuous period of twenty nine years before Sai
Baba's Mahasamadhi and then remained in Shirdi for a further thirty six
years until his own samadhi in 1954. Abdul wrote down some of Sai Baba's
utterances and explanations and over the years these notes accumulated into
a small volume. After Sai Baba's Mahasamadhi, this old notebook manuscript
became very precious to Abdul as he made use of it, according to Sri
Narasimhaswamy, as a 'Book of Prophecy' through which Sai Baba's message and
guidance could be obtained.
Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Marianne Warren, Abdul's notes
have been fully translated and published in her book - "Unraveling the
Enigma - Shirdi Sai Baba in the Light of Sufism" published by Sterling
Publishers, India. In foreword to the book Dr. N.K.Wagle of University of
Toronto says: "Dr. Marianne Warren's work is the first scholarly attempt to
provide a historical context to Sai Baba's teachings. An equally original
point argued convincingly by Dr. Warren concerns Sai Baba's knowledge of
Islamic Theology. Dr. Warren has translated the Saibaba manuscript in which
Sai Baba gave discourses on Islamic history and thought to his pupil, Abdul,
his personal attendant, whose tomb rests near Sai Baba's shrine". For
Devotees who want to advance spiritually, and are looking for gems to
collect as Baba used to say, these sayings are invaluable and should be
taken as word personally spoken to each one of us without any prejudice,
argument, discussion or controversy.
Abdul's notes on Sai Baba's teachings:
Page 12: The religious emotion is purely spiritual. Only secondarily it
relates to the material world. O Parvardigar! - Universal Sustainer. O God!
O Habib! - My Beloved! What we see in this material state is not real
because you cannot understand it through the intellect or by inference.
Those who consider the spirit as without beginning, this opinion is
incorrect because thinking itself is not permanent. And life is the real
thing. The body is subordinate to it... Page 14 : To understand the true
form of God is difficult. In the Qur'an, it is forbidden to picture God with
form. If you walk on the path of righteousness, then you will not feel the
need for it. It requires great effort to walk on the path [of righteousness]
i.e. tapas. When a person practices taps (riyajat), divine insight (ma'rifa)
will automatically come. A sura from the Qur'an says something to this
effect, Ajjain jahidu fina tabulana riyajat - He who performs tapas, I
regard him to be on the path. It would not be proper to give him full
knowledge about it. But before you proceed on the path of Allah, you must
discipline the mind. It is strategic to strengthen the defenses, with
fortifications. If an army does not move how can the war of righteousness be
fought. O dear friend! Know this that the body is the kingdom of the heart.
Do not think that the heart has many armies. The Qur'an says: Maya alam
rabbuk janud ilahu - The army of Allah, do not think that it has to besiege
the mind/heart. The heart is created for the realization of God. To find the
way to attaining a vision of God is a man's true task. For the vision of
God, divine sight is necessary.
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: continued.....
Page 20: [Similar to page 12 but longer and written at a
different time]
Religious emotion in full is purely spiritual. It is not material. Secondly
it means that you will see the world as material or only relatively real
(until you have a vision of God). Parvardigar! O Dear One!., O Dear One! the
material (relative state) world is unreal. There is no place for intellect
and inference. Those who regard the spirit as without beginning, this is not
true. It is wrong to address the spirit because it is dependent on others.
The real form of man is prana - life force. The body is under the control of
prana. The people who equate the spirit with the body are wrong. The body is
impermanent. Animals also have a spirit, which is also impermanent, called
dil or heart, which seeks the mercy of God.
(Source: Unraveling the Enigma - Shirdi Sai Baba in the Light
of Sufism by Dr. Marianne Warren) |
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CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Baba's mission
The term "Mission" is derived from the Latin "Mitto" meaning
"to send". So, a missionary is the one who is sent with a message or
direction. As used in the Christian literature, a mission was the most
valuable characteristic of the lives of such great Prophets as Moses, Jesus,
and others. Jesus' mission was by His own death to absolve mankind from
hereditary or original sin, that is, the sin derived by being the
descendents of the first sinners, Adam and Eve. His death was considered as
a sacrifice on behalf of entire humanity. Others' mission, for example,
Moses' was to lead the Jews from captivity in Egypt on towards the Promised
Land. The idea of a missionary is practically that of an agent. In the case
of Sai Baba, he declared, "God has agents everywhere, they have great
powers". Baba added, "I also have great powers", implying thereby that he
was also an agent of God. He also expressly told D.S. Rasane, "I can do
nothing except when God orders". He did not give a kupni to G.G. Narke
saying, "The Fakir (God) has not permitted me to give you a kupni", i.e.,
the rope of a sanyasi or begging fakir, as G.G. Narke was to be a family
man, an earning Grihastha, according to God's plan and not a beggar. As an
agent, he said that he had vast powers. The powers and the mission have a
close relation. The mission has to be worked through the powers given and
the powers are given only for carrying out the mission. Baba had by
concentration on God practically every siddhi (Great Power) that one can
think of. Srimad Bhagavadgeetha says, "What power is there that can not be
got by concentration on God with conquest or control of mind and senses and
breath?"
Baba's vast powers were always utilized for the benefit of
mankind, promoting individual benefits that were obvious, seen, and well
understood, and general benefits which were not so equally obvious or well
seen and understood. We have to consider the mission of Baba based on the
possession of His powers and notice what general benefits were conferred on
the country or mankind, though these are not yet obvious to most people.
(From "Baba's Mission" by Pujya B.V.Narasimha Swami ji as
appeared in "Sai Prabha" dated October 1987)
(Contributed by From "Baba's Mission" by Pujya B.V.Narasimha
Swami) |
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DEVOTEES SAY:
Nandini
I thought I will post in Sai Vichaar if my sister gets her visa. With Baba's
grace she got her visa without any problem and I am very happy and thankful
to my Baba for that.
Chaya
Koti pranams and thanks to Sairam for helping and guiding my husband to get
results in his research work which was stuck up. It was possible only by
Your kripa. We are very thankful to You.
Namrata
Baba I have no words to thank you for what u have done. Baba, I had given up
hopes when I came to Shirdi and you were my only hope. Baba, I feel blessed.
Always shower your blessings on me and my family. Love you Baba.
Ram
Baba, please kindly forgive all our mistakes and bless us. Baba, You stood
by your son and helped him pass his exam, how can I thank you. Baba, always
take us under Your kind shadow, and help us love everyone and be loved by
everyone.
Swapna
Thanks a lot to our beloved Guru Sri Sai Baba for granting visa to my
parents. Please continue Your blessings on all your devotees.
A Sai devotee
With Saibaba's blessings my son was able to buy a condo. He did not have
much financial resources but Saibaba was there with us and we were able to
overcome all the difficulties one by one. I know he is there with us all the
time. I want to share this experience with others. Have faith.
Jayanthi
Recently I had done a mistake in my work, which later I came to know where
no correction could be made. I was frightened so much where my superior will
take to task; I was afraid where I will loose job also. I prayed to Baba to
solve this problem. When that mistake was told to the superior he easily
took the matter and never told anything. I was so much relaxed after that.
Thanks for your help Baba very much.
Vaishali
From last two weeks my one year old daughter had stopped eating food and
drinking milk. I was too much worried as she lost lots of weight. I pray to
Baba everyday to make everything normal. Yesterday evening when we were
doing prayer in prayer room my daughter picked up Prasad (she picked up one
of the almond) and tried to put prasad in Baba's mouth. I was very thrilled
to see that scene. Now I know in my heart she will get back to normal
routine very soon. I thank you very much Baba for being with us all the time
and taking care of us. |
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PRAYER CLUB:
Rajiv
Please bless me with concentration. I am not able to concentrate on things
as I used to be. Please bless me and improve my financial condition. Please
bless my brother in law to clear his CA final exams this time.
Nalini
Baba, please save me sisters married life. Please change her husband's mind.
Please bless us.
Padma
Baba, I have an important account that I am negotiating. Please let the
other party agrees to work with me on the project and please give me your
blessings. I need this project very badly in order to succeed in my career.
Sharma
Please see that Sailakshmi's health should be good. Please Saibaba, see that
tomorrow I should pass the test.
Sarita
Pranaam Saibaba. Please cancel my trip this time. I don't want to go. Shower
your blessings on me.
Alka
Where should I go? Pleas give me life partner. I am praying You from bottom
of heart. Please show me the way.
Monica
I am traveling to India with my kid. I have a few issues to be solved in
India. Please shower us with Your blessings.
Vasanthi
Please bless my husband to get the lease for the location close to home and
hold on to it. Please bless my daughter to be of good character and study
well and come up in life.
Praveen
Om Sri Sai Ram, Baba please help us in the problems what we are facing now
in the business. We don't know why it is happening, kindly help us Baba.
Nothing is hidden from you, even we work efficiently the fruits are not
coming. Please come and help us in the problems to solve.
Chakry
Dear God, I am depressed for past couple of months especially due to the
Visa pending process. My research and entire career is at stake and is
totally frustrating. My follow up for expediting the Visa process is of no
use. Please help to get over this problem and move on into the spiritual
journey.
Sai devotee
Baba I am very depressed, I am really tired Baba, you know what is going on
in the family. Every time I try to talk he shouts at me saying that I have
loud voice, he keeps on calling names. Baba please see that he changes and
it is effecting the kids and me a lot. Please see that we buy a house in
India, Baba, see that I have a good job and a better pay so that I can save
some for the kid's future. I am really lost, please show me a way. You are
the only one. |
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EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Srinivas
I want to share some of my experiences where Baba has come to my rescue. I
had an accident a few years back whereby I had a fracture in both my hands.
After a lot of pain and time, and physiotherapy, I got healed and started to
live as normal. But within three months of this accident, I again met with
an accident. This time I was hit by a truck from behind while I was riding
my bike. I fell down and felt that the truck would go over me. In that
instant, I just remembered Baba and prayed him earnestly to save me. It all
happened in a flash, the accident, the prayer and I could see the truck go
beside me damaging my bike and I escaped with a few bruises. I believe it is
because of Baba, Iam alive today. Thank you Sai.
Roy
Sai has helped me in more ways than one. I had prayed that I will post my
experiences if they come true. I had started Sai Satcharita Parayan on
Thursday and got an interview call the very next day. Though the final offer
came almost twenty days later, I got the confirmation on Thursday. This was
the much-needed break for my career for which I am extremely grateful to
Sai. Also, I believe Sai was instrumental in getting my sister-in-law
married. She was over 30 and was facing huge problems in her marriage. It
seemed like a distant possibility, because of which there were immense
problems at home. I faced so much mental agony even during my pregnancy and
would cry regularly to Sai. It was then that we met a Divine Soul who helped
us sail through our problems. I would like to thank Sai for standing by us
and I pray that he help me get closer and closer to Him.
Sreenath
This happened when I was in USA. It was April 2006. I was looking for a
suitable job in Salt Lake City in Utah State. One day, I received an e-mail
from an Operations Trading Manager of an Investing Company based in New
York. The Manager said in his e-mail this is a part-time job which involves
wire transfer of funds from a Western Union location in Salt Lake City to
his agent in London. A few days later, he sent a Bill Check for $3,744.00 by
mail. I cashed it in a Wells Fargo Bank. I wire transferred around $3,400.00
from a Western Union location in Salt Lake City to his agent in London.
Around June 1st week. I received my Wells Fargo Bank Statement. It showed I
had a Bank Originated Debit of $3,744.00 on June 1, 2006 in my Checking
Account. This meant I owed $3,744.00 to Wells Fargo Bank. I was shocked and
disturbed. I didn't have any savings to pay the debt nor was I having any
earnings. I prayed to Baba crying to help me come out of this crisis. I
swore to Baba that if he bails me out of this crisis, I would publish my
experience in Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan's web site. Subsequently, I
received my Wells Fargo Bank Statement which showed I had a balance of
-$3,807.91 as on 07/26 in my Checking Account. It also showed the closing
balance on 08/01 was $0.00. I was overwhelmed by Baba's greatness and
thanked him for bailing me out of this crisis.
Meera
With Baba's grace I have been able to get admission in LLM in Canada. Not
only did I get a Visa and flew from India on Thursday but I also got a job
along with on Thursday. Baba takes good care of his devotees. In addition to
these miracles, when I arrived here I was desperately looking for a job. I
prayed to Him and He would constantly make me read some pages of a book by
Kher wherein devotees sacrifice sweet food till such time that their wishes
are fulfilled by Baba. So that was a signal to me and I decided to quit
sweets till such time that I get a job and I decided once I get to know
about it, I would go to temple with halwa. It had barely been a week and one
night I dreamt that I am making halwa with lots of almonds in it and next
day I told my aunt that I think I will get the job. It was Wednesday morning
and by the time I checked my email, it was late night and there I see an
email stating that I have been selected. Baba had his own way of telling me
that he would fulfill my wish.
Lakshmi
I have been looking for a job for nine months. Finally, I thought that I
will do sapthaham and pray to Baba. And lo and behold I have started working
from today! I had interviewed in many places and always had problem finding
a position - internal promotion, job was removed, etc. I am so thankful to
Sai. Now please bless my husband the same way and bless us with a son as
well. |
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QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"Oh mother, My Guru never taught Me any Mantra, then how
shall I blow any Mantra in your ears? Just remember that Guru's
tortoise-like loving glance gives us happiness. Do not try to get Mantra
or Upadesh from anybody. Make Me the sole object of your thoughts and
actions; and you will, no doubt, attain Paramartha (the spiritual goal of
life). Look at Me whole-heartedly, and I in turn look at you
similarly"-Saibaba to Mrs. Radhabhai Deshmukh
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Baba said, "What is our duty? To behave properly. That's
enough!" Comment?
A. by Meera
Dwarkamayi is the place where Baba used to spend most of his
time. It is not relevant why he chose Masjid to be called Dwarkamayi, we
should look at the fact that 'Mayi' is added to the word, signifying mother.
This is the reason that whenever a devotee would go to Shirdi, he/she would
find peace in Dwarkamayi as one finds in mother's lap as a child. We all are
Sai's children and by calling it Dwarkamayi he made it clear that he would
be there as a mother in Dwarkamayi. Some people may draw irrelevant
inferences that he chose masjid to be called Dwarkamayi as he wanted to show
superiority of Hindu religion or to show his inclination towards Hindu
religion. But that is a myth to be broken. If he had lived in temple, he
would have offered his prayers like he did in Masjid. For him and for his
devotees, there is only one God. What is important is that Dawrkamayi is the
place where Baba would appear like a mother to us. He would sit and talk to
us, smile at us, shower his love on us and he does that every time we step
in Dwarkamayi. |
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SAI ACTIVITIES:
Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 8:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m (Winter hours).
Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 8 a.m. followed by Abhisek. Madhayana
Arathi at 12 noon, Dhoop Arathi at 6 p.m. and Shej Arathi at 9 p.m. Archana,
Homams, Sahasranama and sponsored poojas continue in between the Arathis. To
request a pooja for yourselves, your friends and family, please call.
Devotees can request water (Abhishek Jal) from the Holy bathing of Baba by
sending us an email or by phone. Temple is located 25 minutes drive west of
Schaumburg on intersection of IL Route 47 and Plank Road in Hampshire, IL.
For more information please call 847-931-4058 or send email to maildrop@saibaba.org.
Shri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saibaba activities in Minneapolis were conducted at Shirdi Saibaba Prayer
center since the year 2002. Now, with the grace and blessings of Baba and
the support of devotees, a new Saibaba Mandir has begun to function at 1835
Polk St NE, Minneapolis from July 11th 2006. Please visit www.hamaresai.org
for all details.
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of DFW Metroplex is located at 2109 West Parker
(Parker Plaza), Suite 212, Plano, TX 75023. For temple hours and activities
please call the temple office at 469-467-3388 or visit the website
www.shirdisaidallas.org.
Shirdi Sai Center in Bay Area, CA
By Baba's grace, Shirdi Sai Parivaar is pleased to announce the grand
opening of Shirdi Sai Center in Bay Area. The center is located at 897-B
East Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. For more information please call
408-564-6704 or 408-705-7904. |
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FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:
Sai Vichaar thanks you for your support for the Question of
the Week feature. This feature is intended to initiate useful discussion on
topics related to Sai philosophy, His message, and Sai devotion. Please
participate by sending your contributions as well as suggested topics for
the same.
The "Question of the week" for this week is,
Q. Baba said, "What is our duty? To behave properly. That's
enough!" Comment?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor |
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