FEATURE OF THE WEEK: A man should always be doing something
It seems Baba did not like that any of His able-bodied
devotees should remain idle and be a burden on society or his kith and kin.
He always preached, "A man should always be doing something." He Himself
never sat idle but was always busy doing something. In the noon when no work
was at hand He would just take a needle and repair His torn out Dhoti or His
robe etc. and if at such a time somebody would turn up and question Baba,
"Why should you take this trouble when we all are ready and willing to do
this for you?" He would at once reply, "One has to be always busy doing
something and so far as possible he should avoid troubling others for his
own piece of work."
How a man seeking to escape the discharge of his worldly
duties by running away for good from it on the excuse of going on a
pilgrimage, was persuaded by Baba to return home and to shoulder his
responsibilities like a man, is best seen in the life of one Janardan
Moreshwer Fanse alias Haribhau Fanse. Wearied with carrying on the burden of
his worldly cares, informing his mother Haribhau left his home for Rameshwar;
however as Shirdi was on the way to Rameshwar, with a view to have the
blessings of the far famed Shri Baba he came to Shirdi and felt so much
attracted by Baba,. That he stayed at Shirdi for a week. When thereafter he
asked Baba's permission to go to Rameshwar. He ordered him to go home,
saying his mother had abstained from food since the day he had left home and
if he failed to return home she might die. The mother was very much pleased
to see her son back at home and was convinced that Baba was omniscient.
In the meanwhile a person of his village being attacked with
Cholera approached him; he administered to him Shri Baba's holy ashes and he
was cured. This led the people to believe that he was a physician. The holy
ashes were however soon exhausted and so Haribhau was embarrassed as to how
he should deal with another Cholera case, if he got one. But luckily for him
Cholera left his village since that day. Thereafter he happened to go to a
nearby village and casually met some Marwadi merchant known to him. The
merchant seeing that a simple devotee had come to meet him, told Haribhau,"
Look here, my brother is seriously ill, all physicians, doctors have tried
their utmost to cure him but they have all failed; now since you are Shri
Sai Baba's devotee, if your Sai Baba is really a saint, He must cure my
brother through you." Haribhau saw the patient found the case to be serious,
was therefore anxious to slip away but as it was night, he could not leave
for home. At night when Haribhau's Bhajan (prayer) time became due, the
patient himself made the necessary preparations for Bhajan and throughout
the Bhajan sat concentration on Baba's Photo. This surprised all and the
Marwadi now said," Whether the patient dies or survives I will have his
medicine form none but you." To shirk the responsibility Haribhau purposely
quoted his fees in excess of those of the Civil Surgeon, at Rs.200/-. The
Marwadi agreed to that. That night Baba appeared in Haribhau's dream and
told him what the disease was and the medicine to be prescribed for it.
Haribhau prescribed the said medicine and the patient started taking this
medicine; the patient full recovered after a time and so the Marwadi offered
Rs.200/- the stipulated fees to Haribhau, but Haribhau would not accept it
stating he had done nothing, it was his Guru's work.
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: continued.....
The Marwadi could not rest satisfied till he requited
Haribhau's labour in some form or other so he bought a scarf worth Rs.200/-
and going to Haribhau's house when he was out, left it there. Haribhau could
not now refuse the acceptance but he felt that the price-amount of the scarf
should be sent to Baba. However as he was penniless and Baba had also left
off His body in the meanwhile, while offering his usual night prayers, tears
rolled down his eyes. That very night Baba appeared to him in his dream and
said, "There is famine all round at present, so sell off the scarf and
purchase rice from this amount of Rs.200/-, sell it at under price for the
present; carry on this rice business till this amount of Rs.200/- runs out.
Then sell rice at profit and you will be able to make a living." Following
these instructions Haribhau prospered, became happy and then never thought
of deserting home.
(Source: Shri Sai The Superman by Shri Sai Sharananand) |
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CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Read with Pleasure!
Oh Sai
Read with pleasure
Your Sai Satcharita
Like Ramayana every day
Nay it has done lot of good
To me and my family.
Yes it makes me
See the world differently
Its shades, Its hues
And above all the human struggle
One has to undergo
Every hour, day and year
To merely remain alive
I pray thee Oh Sai
to make the Sai Leela Magazine
As good as the Sai Satcharitra
That brings tears of joy
As I read the magazine
Revealing the devotees prayers
And experiences of Sai
As if you are still Alive
Roaming the streets like of yore
Protecting one and all.
(Contributed by Achuta Ramaiah) |
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DEVOTEES SAY:
Janakiramayya
During Durgaastami celebrations, on Saturday I went to Sai temple with my
wife and son, reached home after couple of hours and my son went to play
outside and lost his gold ring which has Sai photo. My wife and me were
worried a lot and searched for the ring Saturday evening and Sunday morning
but no luck. On Sunday afternoon, we went outside and while coming back home
we prayed Sai that we will sponsor Sai bhajan and will post our experience
in Sai Vichaar if we find the ring and was surprised that my wife found the
ring at the main door where we searched 10 times. No doubt it is just Baba
miracle. Baba, please continue showering Your blessings and be with us
always. Koti namaskarams to Sainath.
Alok
When I was so desperate with my work I said I will not pray to Saibaba until
there will be a sign of success in my work in the next two days. The first
day went as such nothing happened, the next day I felt so embarrassed that
what a nonsense thing I have thought and so I asked for His forgiveness and
surprisingly I heared the good news in the evening. I could not even imagine
to act like a child in front of our Sai.
Deandh
Thank you for the safe delivery. It was very smooth and painless only
because of Your guidance. Please continue to guide us all and shower us with
Your blessings.
Rakesh
I was able to cross a big hurdle at my work place. And not only that, with
Your blessings I got promotion and I was congratulated time and again by my
boss on my promotion. He was very happy on my promotion and on the reward of
my little bit of hard work.
Aditya
My wife had a small lump in the breast. Number of doctors had diagnosed it
about a year ago and advised us that there is nothing to worry about. After
a year, we showed it to one of our close relatives/friends here in Australia
who is a doctor. He arranged an appointment for us with a top surgeon. The
surgeon had the same opinion but advised us to go for ultrasound to make it
confirmed. But there was a conflict of opinions between the surgeon and
radiologist and surgeon decided upon going for surgery and removes the lump.
Now we were quite worried but as always Sai saved us!!! She had a surgery
last Friday, the results came out this Friday and everything is normal. My
wife is back to work and recovering well. I thank Sai from the bottom of my
heart. Sairam.
Vandana
There was a time when I was having nothing (my parents, my own house and not
even a child). But by Baba's grace I have everything. I had never thought
that I would be able to have my own house ever in my life but by Baba's
grace today me, my husband and child are very happy, even I was not having a
child for last 7 years but by Baba's grace last March I had a baby girl.
Baba has done a lot of miracles in my life all I have toady is just because
of Baba , Please Baba always be with us. |
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PRAYER CLUB:
Muktha
Please pray for my dad who is going to have an open heart surgery soon also
there is lot of tension in house because of some other family problem,
please Baba give my dad a long healthy life.
Sriranjini
Please bless her with your mercy and let her have some peace of mind. Please
protect the children Baba.
Simi
Baba, your son Cherry is not well, he has blood disorder. He is your small
child - just of 10 years. Baba please grace him with your loving blessings.
We are not able to see him suffer; he is our Krishna, our light. Please give
him speedy recovery. We have no one except you to look forward to. Make him
well fast. Let his disease vanish with your loving gaze. Baba, Please also
give us strength to take proper care of Cherry. Request all devotees to
please pray for our dear cherry, for his speedy recovery and let his blood
get cured of all abnormalities.
Sai devotee
Baba, this is a crucial exam for me. I just have three weeks time and this
is becoming difficult. Please help me pass this exam.
Rajani
We are facing tough time in our life all of a sudden it has been very hectic
and depressing. Me and my husband went for blood tests last week and are
waiting for the result. Please be with us once again and let us get out of
these problems.
Mala
Baba my husband has to go for an MRI next Tuesday. Please take care him. Our
pranams at your Lotus Feet.
Meena
Please solve the problems at home regarding my brothers and their family.
Please bring peace at home and good jobs for my brothers.
Nainesh
Baba, You know the relation between me and my sister are not good at the
moment. Please Baba shower Your krupa on us so that everything between me
and my sister can sort out.
Sai devotee
Oh kind Sai you are too great. Thank you for making my sister deliver a baby
boy without any problems. You have answered all our prayers. Kindly bless
all couples without issues with a child. Thank you also for solving my
husband's problem at work and for making him get the promotion. Please be
with him and guide him in his new role. Kindly shower Your blessings on all
our family members. |
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EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Shefali
In the month of August I joined this job of teaching in the University with
Baba's grace. Recently the students took an exam. When I came home and
graded the papers I found that one paper was missing. I knew, the student
was present for the exam. I was worried and after thorough searching, I just
did not find it. I did not know what to do. I prayed to Sainath that this
was my first term for teaching and it creates a bad impression on the
teacher. The next day I went to work thinking how to tell about this and to
whom. I looked in my office but all in vain. It so happened that another
Professor who was with me on that day came up to me with the paper after
grading it and returned the paper. Thank you Baba for helping me to keep a
good impression during my first term of the job.
Jayanth, Abu Dhabi
Ever since I became an ardent devotee of Sai, I had been receiving lots of
miracles in life. I got a better job with a good package of more 80 percent
of what I was drawing, which I did not expect. Recently while driving with
my family near a 'T' junction in Dubai, I stopped my car for the vehicles to
pass. Suddenly, there was a major jolt from behind. A big Four wheeler
rammed from behind my car. Luckily, at that moment there was no car in front
of me but it was just five feet away. We all had our seatbelts on, because
of that we avoided being hit on the windscreen. I just prayed to Sai and got
down. Even the driver from the Four wheeler came down to me and apologized
before even seeing the damage of my car. He came to me running and said if
any damages he will take full responsibility as it was his fault. So, I said
let us see the damage first. To our shock and surprise there was not a
single scratch in my car. I really could not beleive my eyes and even that
driver said, its really a miracle. Because the impact was such, I thought
that it will take time to get repaired and then there is police case etc. I
really take it as His blessings that nothing happened. This is one of the
miracles, I will post again about some more which happened to me. Baba, You
are really great. Please shower Your blessings to all and peace prevail
everywhere and eradicate greed, hatred, jealousy, selfishness and cruelty. |
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QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"Sai knows fully the desire of His devotees and fulfills
the same. Hence they get what they want and are grateful. So we invoke Him
and prostrate ourselves before Him. Forgetting all our faults let Him free
us from all anxieties. He who being overcome with calamities remembers and
prays Sai thus, will get his mind calmed and pacified through His
grace".-Sri Sai Satcharita
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Why did Baba call Masjid as Dwarakamai? What is the
significance of Dwarakamai?
A. by Ramaa Prasad
As S. Ramani has rightly stated it in the previous issue of
Sai Vichaar "Dwaraka" means the place with all its doors open to all
irrespective of their religious affiliations for accomplishment of the four
"purushaarthas" as per "Skanda Puraana". Baba has added "mayi" to "Dwaraka",
signifying that every one can get motherly love from His "Dwaraka". "Mayi"
or the Mother at this holy "Dwaraka" is none other than Paramaguru Sai Baba
Himself, who has descended to Earth to guide humans on a clean spiritual
path.
Baba who is personification of love, compassion and kindness, said on
several occasions that who steps into this holy "Dwarakmayi" receive all
help, love, compassion and kindness irrespective of his/her religion, caste,
creed and race. Countless number of people got solace and comfort at this
holy place, which I am fond of calling "Vikuntha" the abode of Lord Naryana
in human form. Sai Baba said that "Dhuni" was installed at "Dwarakamayi" to
rid his children of their sins. The original dilapidated mosque or "masjid",
which Sai Baba made His abode at Shirdi was dear to Muslims; but Baba opened
it to Hindus and all other categories of people, making it "Dwaraka" with
Himself being "Mai" or Mother there. It is Baba's spiritual power and
ingenuity that converted a simple dilapidated mosque into a sacred holy
shrine to one and all, all over the world. There is no other shrine in the
entire world to my knowledge other than Baba-Mayi's Dwaraka, which attracts
such a wide range of people belonging to diverse sects, races and religions. |
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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@....
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 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.
Shri Sai Paduka Pooja, Toronto, Canada
Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, Canada, cordially invites all to join in for
Shri Sai Paduka Puja and receive Baba's blessings, on November 19th, 2006 at
11:30 am at Gur Mandir, 207 Queens Plate Dr., Toronto, followed by
Mahaprasaad. For details on this event or Thursday Satsang visit
www.shirdisainath.org or call 416-294-4804. |
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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 send
your suggested topics for the same.
The "Question of the week" for this week is,
Q. Why did Baba call Masjid as Dwarakamai? What is the
significance of Dwarakamai?
Humbly Yours,
The Editor |
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