Sai Vichaar
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Thursday , July 13, 2006 :: Volume 9, Issue 9
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(In its nineth year of publication.)
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Sai Vichaar is a Weekly newsletter distributed every Thursday and is devoted to the life, philosophy and teachings of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi. Feel free to forward this newsletter to your interested associates in its original form. |
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FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Gurupoornima Message Ever since the phenomenon of Shri Shirdi Sai extensively caught public attention in India and outside, there has been a relentless stream of speculation as well as concerted effort on the question of His parentage i.e. whether he was born a Hindu or a Muslim. The net result of such research by different researchers has turned out to be either speculative or controversial since it is based more on circumstantial evidence as opposed to primary data. However, my efforts are channelised into finding out who and what Baba is rather than what was His parentage or where he was born. There can be no denial in any quarter that Shri Shirdi Sai Baba is a divine personality of the highest order who demonstrated magnificent qualities of selfless service to all, who came in contact with Him, without least consideration of His self. He was not constrained by the limitations of any organized religion or path as is amply evidenced by His acceptance of disciples from all religions, cultures, castes and paths etc. There was no question of economic and social differentiation in His scheme of things. Besides non-possession and non-attachment, he was divinely magnanimous and empathetic towards the poorest of the poor among His devotees, as well as animals and birds. He also possessed wonderful powers of miracles, which he often used to help His disciples in distress even at distant places. Given this universal theme of His approach, one can safely conclude that Shri Sai demonstrated the highest qualities of Hinduism, notwithstanding whether He was born of Hindu or Muslim parentage. When one speaks of Hinduism at first one has to understand as to what Hinduism stands for in its essence. Some of historians comment that the word ‘Hindu’ was originally ‘Indu’ coming out of ‘Indus’ valley civilization but some foreigners called it Hindu like ‘Hindukush’ mountain. Hinduism in its quintessence is more a way of life than merely being a Hindu path of worship of deities. It prescribes numerous paths to its people and leaves them free to choose any one. It prescribes a number of divine forms (Devatas or Devis) to be worshipped and also the worship of the formless (Brahman – the ultimate God). Hinduism does not insist on the conversion of others to its fold and failing which their extinction. It has never believed in religious expansionism with the help of sword. This highest level of tolerance has led to the absorption of many conquering or colonizing races following different paths into its all embracing fold. Sufism, which truly believes in the unity of souls and tolerance among people following different paths, therefore, found a strong base in India – the soil of Hindus. FEATURE OF THE WEEK: continued.... Basically what Shri Shirdi Sai Baba practiced and taught is spiritualism and humanism as against bigotry, obscurantism and intolerance. To that extent He was a genuine Hindu and genuine Sufi amalgamated together. He often used to say ‘Allah Malik hai’ or ‘Ishwar Achha karega’ or ‘Sabka Malik ek hai’ i.e., the one and ultimate God called Ishwar or Allah is the sovereign power who controls every one and every thing. This is the monistic "Advaitya" philosophy of the Hindus. On the other hand, He never deterred His Hindu devotees from going temples to worship any deity of their faith or stopped the Muslims from taking out the Tazia procession or doing anything prescribed by their religion etc. Indeed He encouraged both and ensured that at Shirdi, tolerance towards the religious sentiments of devotees practicing various faiths, through mutual participation in each others festivals. Not only for the residents of Shirdi but also for the outsiders who used to visit Him in great numbers, He was not only a Guru but a part of their entire existence. Shri Sai had permeated into all aspects of their lives – religion, family, festivals, way of earning and spending, social conduct, moral conduct, cultural activities, births and deaths, diseases and cures and even regarding the rearing of their children and pets. Baba’s influence has been so strong and wide that even two to three generations of a family would come together to seek His blessings and advice on varied matters at Shirdi. Every one looked up to Him as a God in human form and also as the head of the family and surrendered to Him. The way of life not only for the natives of Shirdi but those visiting Him, metamorphosized to a new way of looking at life which Baba taught them through His conduct and precepts. Thus, like Hinduism, the path shown by Shri Sai has become a way of life for His devotees rather than a religious and ritualistic path alone. Even today the same Sai spirit pervades the lives of millions. This is what explains the unimaginable expansion of the Sai path not only in India, but in other countries. Shri Sai remains, as promised by Him, a living Master, with His all-pervasive spirit that controls the entire life of His devotees. Such a magnificent, universal and time-less divine personality is termed as “Vasudeva” in Hinduism. And the spirit of Shri Vasudeva is eternal. A message from Shri C.B. Satpathy ji. |
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Bhakthi Maala On this GuruPoornima day, humbly we offer our obeisance at thy Lotus Feet. Bless us with the choicest gifts from Your Treasure Box. Sri Hemadpant came to Shirdi on account of the stored merit of his Punyakarmas. You were standing in the corner of Sathe's wada. He ran, prostrated before you. Joy knew no bounds. He found more than what he had heard from Nana Chandorkar. All his senses were pacified and he forgot thirst and hunger. As he touched Your sacred feet, he began a new lease on life. You held his hand and never let go. Gaulibuva came for your Divya Darshan every year and testified with great faith that you are Pandharinath Vithal incarnate, the merciful Lord of the poor and the helpless. Sri Dasganu had a desire to visit holy Prayag You showed with mercy, Ganga and Yamuna flowing from Your Toes. Such is the significance of Your holy feet. That is where live all the Thirthas of your Bhaktas. You came to Shirdi as a young lad. Just like Krishna, children looked at You with awe and old ladies' hearts swelled up with motherly affection. At Your very first Darshan, Mahalspati heart cried out, YA SAI and You became our Sai. Bless us with the same wealth that You blessed your Mahalsapati with. Saint Gangagir came to Shirdi and seeing you carrying pitchers of water in both hands for watering the garden was amazed at Your Darshan and said, "Blessed is Shirdi that it got this precious Jewel; but He is not an ordinary fellow. As the land was lucky and meritorious, it secured this Jewell". Saint of Anandmath was lucky to find pure diamond like you. Such was the efficacy of Your Darshan that it quieted our Samsar. Mr. Cholkar's desires were fulfilled just by Your Darshan. Mr. Sathe resorted to Your feet and seeing Your form, which was like eternal Brahma, luminous, spotless and pure, his mind became calm and composed. Such was the efficacy of Your Darshan that Bhakta Pant saw his guru in You and was blessed with fearlessness. Ramdas Bhakta devotee saw her beloved Deity Rama in You. Lala Lakshmichand was so happy to have Your Darshan that he was enrapt with Your Lotus Feet as a bee with a sweet smelling Rose. Kakaji Vaidya found that there was no benediction, no words; just Your Divya Darshan filled his whole being with peace. Darveshis came with their sick Tiger at Your door for You to cure him. Tiger's head hung down on account of luster on Your face. Such fortune to have death at Your Lotus Feet. Baba, On this GuruPoornima day, bless us with the Vision like you blessed Anandrao Pakhade. Let us decorate our Hridya simhasan with gold and diamonds of all Satwick vrittis. Reside our Deva, take Your Feet out of Your Kafni and let us change the directions of our lives towards the SatyaPath. Let us direct all our senses towards our eyes wherein live You my Sai., We have placed Your Padukas in our heart. Murmur with Your sweet voice, Your eternal message that "These are the feet of the Lord". Baba, instill Your Shashwat Sandesh in our ears, "Oh! What is there in Akkalkot, and what is there in Prayag"? The Ranchod of Dwarka is in Shirdi. Come to our house for Bhiksha and let us serve You with our sweet devotion. Be pleased with it and placing Your VardaHasta on our heads, comfort us by saying, "These feet are old and holy, you are carefree now. Place entire faith in Me and you will soon get your object." (Contributed by Sathyabhama Sharma) |
DEVOTEES SAY: Anjali A Sai devotee Jyothi Minati Kalpanadevi Sandeep Abhi |
PRAYER CLUB: Praveen Swetha Sai Devotee Sandhya Indru |
EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: Radhakrishna Sankari |
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Q. Question of the week given below.... A. by SL Abhyankar
Q. Though Baba had all eight powers, "Ashta Siddhis" at His command then why did he lose to Tamboli in a wrestling bout? A. Baba was a great dramatist! His losing the wrestling bout was nothing but a drama, an excuse to change his attire. Soon after the bout he changed his attire to wear the kafni, which became his trademark attire ever since that. He must have got it ready, even before the bout. In the movie "Gandhi", the event of Bapuji changing his attire to dhoti is well depicted by Sir Attenborough. There could be many people thinking of wearing simple attire. But it takes courage of conviction to really act upon a thought or upon an idea. That is the stuff, what great souls are made of - courage of conviction. Q. Question of the week given below.... A. by Sadashiv Kavthankar
Q. Though Baba had all eight powers, "Ashta Siddhis" at His command then why did he lose to Tamboli in a wrestling bout? A. The Result of the wrestling bout with Mohdin Tamboli had little significance as compared to the change that took place in the life of Shri Sai Baba. Aftermath of the wrestling incidence. In this case Shri Sai Baba showed by actual conduct how one should get rid of egoism. After the fight, Thenceforth Shri Sai Baba changed his dress and mode of living. He donned Kafni, wore a langot (Waist band) and covered his head with a piece of white cloth, which was twisted like a matted hair. He took a piece of sackcloth for his bed and was content. A satka (short stick), which he always kept with him. Shri Sai Baba though a Siddha, but He acted like a Sadhaka. He was meek, humble and ego less and Pleased all. |
SAI ACTIVITIES: Gurupoornima at Shirdi Sai Temple, Chicago and Suburbs,
Illinois, USA Shri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis, Minnesota Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas Guru Poornima celebrations, Bay Area, California Sai Satsang, New Jersey, USA Gurupoornima in Toronto, Canada Shirdi Sai Mandir, Toronto, Canada Gurupoornima Celebrations in Sydney, Australia Guru Poornima celebrations in Auckland , New Zealand Sai Satsang in Westborough, MA Sai Satsangs in Singapore |
FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD: Sai Vichaar wishes its readers a Happy Gurupoornima. Please share with your fellow devotees the details of Gurupoornima celebrations in your community. A devotee Radhakrishna suggests the Question of the week as follows: Q. Though Baba had all eight powers, "Ashta Siddhis" at His command then why did he lose to Tamboli in a wrestling bout? Humbly Yours, |
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