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FEATURE OF THE WEEK: The Power of Bhakthi
The efficacy of Bhakthi or devotion as means of salvation can
never be fully emphasized. Its power and the results one gains through this
chosen path are such. Guru bhakthi is the one where the disciple loves and
serves Guru and accepts Him as the God. For such a disciple there is no
other thing in the world which is more important, meaningful, and fulfilling
than Guru. When the disciple performs his duties with reverence, Guru
empowers him with unusual boons and showers His grace in the form of
capabilities to perform miracles. The disciple who by now has succeeded in
surrendering his body and soul to the supremacy of the Guru can only perform
his duties in a selfless manner without moving even a bit from his
disposition of humility.
Shri R. Parthasarathy in "God who walked on Earth", a classic
work on Sadguru Sainath, wrote, "Baba stressed the importance of devotion to
one's Guru and treating him as God. It was seeing God in, through and as the
Guru and identifying the Guru with God that marked the bhakthi path shown by
Baba. Baba's method of teaching varied. He would simple touch with his palm
the head of the devotee and that would have one kind of influence.
Sometimes, He pressed His hands heavily on the devotee's head as though He
was crushing out some of the low impulses. On occasions He would pat on the
back of the devotee or would press His palm over his hand. Each had its own
effect affecting the sensations and feelings of the persons concerned. Apart
from touch, He effected an invisible operation on the devotee which brought
about a great change in him".
In the same work, an incident narrates the boon given by Baba
to Kusa Bhav, a devotee. "Henceforth", He said, "you will have the power to
produce udhi from the dhuni of Mayi of Shirdi by merely remembering me and
holding forth your hands. Give this udhi freely. It will help all people and
you will get punya". Kusa Bhav gave this udhi to Narasimha Swamiji when he
met him in Pune. Kusa Bhav closed his eyes and stretched his hands with
uplifted face and suddenly his palm was full of udhi and he said: "Hold your
hands and receive the udhi". Narasimha Swamiji found the udhi to be warm
coming as it did fresh from Dhuni Mayi in Shirdi on a cold day. |
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CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Emphasis on Bhakthi
Sai Baba of Shirdi is considered as the humblest of the
humble and the most merciful Guru. Sadguru Sainath placed an enormous amount
of importance to Bhakthi or devotion as a means for attaining salvation.
Devotion is an emotion that is basic to every human and an attitude that
could be cultivated by everyone regardless of one's religious preference.
Let us observe what Smt. Mani Sahukar says in her beautiful work, "Sai Baba,
the Saint of Shirdi", on Sai Baba and devotion: "As a matter of fact, with
the advent of the Saint of Shirdi, the great and traditional movement of
Bhakthi (Devotion), as a virile Sadhana for attaining salvation, received a
tremendous impetus. Sai Baba brought about a powerful renaissance of the
cult of devotion. For this contribution alone has the Master earned Himself
an immortal name in the annals of spirituality."
Conscious of the beauty and power that reside in devotion
that is tendered to the divine, Shri Sai Baba exhorted men and women to
adopt Bhakthi as the most rewarding Saadhana. It must not be imagined
however, that Sai Baba in any way decried the value and importance of other
paths. After all, the goal is the same, declared Baba. Shri Sainath did feel
that intellectual concepts have an uncomfortable and an infinite capacity of
varying and multiplying with individuals. There are as many systems of
philosophy as there are philosophers, and, as such, these concepts, more
often than not, become causes of tension among seekers. However, Bhakthi is
different. Bhakthi or love (love towards God is the principle emotion
involved in Bhakthi), is the most natural and vital feeling of the human
heart. Like a true and sensitive psychologist, Sai Baba recognized that the
need to adore is inherent to human heart and as such, he felt that the
saadhana of devotion could well become the basis of an inter-religious
dialogue.
Shri Sai Baba, therefore, descended as the Avatar of Love. It
could be said that after Jesus Christ, there has not been a greater apostle
of love than Shri Sai Baba, the Saint of Shirdi.
(Contributed by Sai devotee) |
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DEVOTEES SAY:
Praveen
I thank you for helping my wife pass her exams even though they were tough.
I strongly believe that you will guide her to get her job as she wants it
with out giving any fake experience.
Beenu
Om Sai Ram, I saw Sai Baba and Shirdi Temple in my dreams when I was 19 yrs
old and in that dream I was talking to Baba while my family was annoyed that
I was talking to a stranger. Till I saw that dream I didn't know much about
Sai Baba. Then I met a girl who eventually become my best friend, she was
going to Shirdi with her family and asked me if I would like to go with her.
I got the permission from my parents and went to Shirdi. When I reached the
Shirdi Temple I was really surprised because it was the temple I had seen in
my dream, it was simply unbelievable. I was 26 years old when I first went
to Shirdi and now I am 33 yrs old. Baba has helped me always and I hope he
will always be with me and my family.
T Singh
I was looking forward to admission to a PhD program in US, there was no hope
as all requirements were to be met and I had only four months. There was lot
of difficulties in appointments for GMAT and TOEFEL exams and results being
in times, I had nearly given up hope that it was impossible to get in. I
prayed to my baba and I do not know how it happened, I cleared my exams
after twenty years of break in education, applied for and got my admission
papers processed in one week what normally takes months. Baba was by my side
always and helping and getting things done and I do not know how it happened
and before I knew I was in the university of my choice and my subjects and
have done one semester. How please don't ask me as I could not have done it
without my Baba's hand. Baba please protect all of us, I cannot say as where
you have brought us from where we were. Please bless us and give us the
strength to help others and serve others in our Society. I have a dream to
serve others Baba, please help me fulfill it in your name. Bless all of us
and may there be peace amongst your people all over
Vijay
I resigned my job in India and came to US. I was searching for job for past
two months and nothing was being finalized. Slowly I started loosing my
confidence and doubted about my skills. Yesterday was Thursday and I prayed
seriously before Idol of Baba. Today with God's grace, I got a job which I
was never expecting. Thank you Sai, I got this job just because of Your
blessings.
Rajashree
Sai, You are with me all the time. It's been six years I have come in touch
with Sai. Since than Sai has helped me in everything. Sai, You helped my
husband in jobs, buying home, good health and green card. I have so much
faith in Sai that I know He is always with me in whatever I do. Saying
thanks to Sai will not be enough; nothing can repay what Sai has given to me
and my family. Sai please keep on blessing all of us. We just bought our
dream home with Sai's blessing. Sai bless my daughter and son to settle in
their new schools and have good friends. Thank you Sai, thank you very much. |
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PRAYER CLUB:
Pooja
My husband and I are extremely stressed out with our Green Card process. We
are trying our best but things are not picking up. Please take care of our
Green Card process. I am placing it in Your hands now and I have complete
faith in You.
Rajani
Hardly have 20 more days to register for next semester. You know my
situation; I can't leave my family to go to school. I need my family too but
at the same time help me to continue in my studies. Please help Baba. Please
bless our family.
Rajeswari
Please help my mother to overcome her sorrows and grief, at present she is
undergoing many problems.
Sachin
Please help me pass the CFA level three exams in which I appeared on 4th
June 2006.
Chandra
I and my wife are living separate for many months. I can't live without her.
I ask You Baba to give blessings for getting Visa for my wife.
Dhwani
Deva, I pray that let my husband be healthy and live a long life.
Rajalakshmi
My husband has taken VRS from govt service on June 1, 2006. He has started
his own business. He is yet to receive his settlement and housing documents.
Please help us Baba.
Punam
Baba I am going for my IVF after the failure of all treatments. As you know
now this is the last option I have. Baba please be with me and bless me with
a child this time.
Srinivas
Oh Sai! we are facing a financial stress in our lives for the first time
ever. You are the Divine Lord! You know everything. We always pray You. If
at all You feel that our prayers are not sincere, please forgive us. Oh
Baba, please see that I do well in my job and me and my wife do very well in
our business too, so that we lead a financially independent life. I am also
ready to do a second job part-time besides my business and first job. Please
help me Baba. Please see that I buy a big house by the end of July 2007.
Please shower Your divine blessings on us Lord. See that all of us in our
family maintain a very good health. Show us Your miracle Baba. We have total
faith in You.
Sheeba
Baba has always helped us at time of crisis. Today again I pray whole
heartedly for my daughter who is sick and suffering from cough and breathing
problems from a long time. I cannot see her getting weak day by day. Please
all devotees take a moment to pray for my daughter's good health to Baba.
Sai devotee
Dear Sai devotees, please pray for my ex-colleague who is suffering from
bilateral kidney failure and other complications all of a sudden. He has got
a 19-month-old child. He will be undergoing his transplantation probably
this week and he has so many other complications all of a sudden. So all Sai
devotees please pray for him that he should be alright by Baba's grace and
become normal ASAP. Baba I will write in Sai Vichaar once he gets alright. I
have full trust on you Baba. He can be alright only by Your blessings and
nothing else because You know his present condition very well. Please take
care of him and his family especially his father who had paralytic attack at
the same time. So please bless them and be with them and save them. Love you
Baba.
Nitin
Baba, please help me. As You know I am not able to perform at work. Inspite
of my efforts, things are just not moving in the right direction. I am
loosing focus every now and then. Please help me Baba.
Venkatachalam
Please pray for me, as I am going under tremedous pressure, my job is not
going well and I am unable to concentrate on my prayers too. |
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EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Sai devotee
In January of 2006 I and my husband visited the Sai temple in Chicago, after
losing our way couple of times we made it to the temple but missed the arati.
We were facing a lot of problems in life my health, his situation at work
etc. The week after we got back my husband lost his job. Seeing the current
economic conditions we were very upset and were very worried. My husband
told me that when he was in the temple he felt unusual peace and was sure
that everything will be for the best. However worried about our financial
situation I started praying to SaiMa. Things did not look very bright. On
Ramnavami day we went to the local Sai Sanstha pooja. There the volunteers
kept approaching us to participate in Sita Kalyanam. Due to time constraint
we refused at first but on repeated request we decide to participate. It was
a wonderful experience. We both were thrilled to have been a part of the
pooja. It was 9:30 at night when we got done. We stepped out of the temple
when my husband realized that he had couple of missed calls on his cell
phone. He called back the number and was very happy to know that it was one
of the recruiters offering him a project. He had to move away from home, but
by Baba's grace everything went smoothly. No qualifications matter, all you
need is His blessings.
Sahana
A couple of days ago, my fiancé' had a knee surgery in NY and we were coming
home from NY to NJ. It was evening peak time traffic and we were stuck on
the speedway. His anesthesia was fading and the pain was increasing, so we
got at Newark exit which I believe is crowded at peak time. But to my
surprise it was completely empty. Then through Newark we drove to Garden
State Parkway. But again there was a traffic jam at the toll and at this
point his pain was increasing very much, and he was not able to bear it. I
was just asking Baba to get us out of this traffic so that we could buy him
his medicine and within couple of miles we passed the toll and the parkway
was clear even though it was evening peak time. We drove in full speed and
reached home safely and gave him medicines. It was only because of Sai we
were able to get off the traffic which at that moment looked so impossible
and with his pain increasing, it was definitely our Baba that saved us.
Thank you Baba, and it is just one such miracle or Sai Leela that I have
written. Many such miracles keep happening, every time Baba reassures his
presence. Om Sai Shri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai.
Prakash
I saw Sai Baba's photo almost more than 10 years back, because my manager
was stanch devotee of Sai. Even most of the employees in that company are
Sai devotees, but nothing attracted me, since I am very much influenced by
J.Krishnamurthy's teachings. Then few years back my neighbor told me about
Sai's temple at Injambakkam, Chennai on the East Coast Road (ECR) on the way
to Mahabalipuram. As I bought a new vehicle we used to drive on ECR during
weekends. So, whenever we go on ECR we visit this temple and slowly we have
been attracted towards Sai. Surprisingly my father had a small statue of Sai
for longtime in our pooja room, which I noticed only recently. Whenever we
had problems we prayed to Sai and he always answered to our calls. My
brother-in-law is suffering from vision problem and could not complete his
BE final semester. We tried all kinds of treatment for the last 6 years. He
is suffering from Optic Neuritis, as of now it is under research and no
treatment is available. We also tried stem cell operation but the doctors
told us that all the cells are dead in his eyeball and even stem cell
operation will not bring back the vision. He tried suicide couple of times
but not successful. So, we decided to find some social organization, which
can provide some training and get him a job, but nothing clicked. We prayed
to Baba and also bought ring or dollar with Sai's photo but either it will
break or he will misplace it. Few months back we gave another dollar with
Sai's picture which he is still wearing now. Finally now he is undergoing
training at National Association for Blind at Bangalore and they will also
find a suitable job for him. He strongly believes that his life changed for
better only after wearing Sai's dollar. Also my father-in-law is an atheist
and never visited any temple. Surprisingly few months back when we went to
Sai temple in Mylapore, Chennai, he accompanied us. Thanks to Sai for
everything. |
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SAI ACTIVITIES:
Shirdi Sai Temple Chicago Anniversary celebrations Aug
19th 2006
Shridi Sai Temple Chicago is celebrating its second anniversary celebrations
with live renditions of Sai Bhajans by Pandit Ajitkumar Kadkade on Saturday
August 19th 2006 at the temple from 6 p.m. onwards. Please join with family
and friends for this free admission event. Mahaprasad will be served. For
volunteer opportunities, directions and other questions please call the
temple at 847-931-4058 or email at maildrop@saibaba.org
Live Sai bhajans by Pandit Ajitkumar Kadkade in North
America
Pandit Ajitkumar Kadkade will be performing live Sai bhajans in North
America in "Ek Sham Shri Sai Ke Naam", organized by Saibaba.org. To learn
more about program venues, dates and Ajitkumar Kadkade, log on to
www.saibaba.org and follow link to Ajitkumar Kadkade page or call at
847-931-4058.
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 Satsang, Bay Area, California
Shirdi Sai Parivaar invites all to join us for Satsang every Thursday 7:30
pm at Odd Fellows Temple, 20589 Homestead Road, Cupertino, CA 95014. For
details please call 408-564-6704 or send email to saibandhu@yahoo.com or
visit www.ShradhaSaburi.org.
Sai Satsang, New Jersey, USA
Shirdi Sai Dham, Inc regularly conducts Sai bhajans followed by Aarti and
Prasad on every 1st Saturday of each month at Durga Mandir, Kendall Park,
New Jersey. All are requested to kindly come and receive Baba's blessings.
For more information, please call us at 609-275-1334 or visit
www.shirdisaidham.org or email us at shirdisaidham@hotmail.com.
Summer Sai activities for Children, Toronto, Canada
Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of Canada cordially introduces "Character and Moral
Values"- a unique 4 Week Summer Program for Children of all ages. The
Guiding Principal of the program is "Shraddha" "Saburi" with its curriculum
based on the Teachings of our Sadguru Shri Shirdi Sai Nath. For details to
enroll or volunteer visit www.shirdisainath.org or send email saileela99@yahoo.com
or call 416-402-8089 or 416-895-7905.
Shirdi Sai Mandir, Scarborough, Canada
The Shirdi Sai Mandir located at 2721 Markham Road, Scarborough, Ontario,
M1X 1L5 (Intersection of Markham and Nashdene) is open through out the day
on Saturday, Sunday and holidays and in the morning and evenings on all
weekdays. Baba's Kakad Aarti, Abhishek Puja, Madhyan Aarti, Dhoop Aarti,
Satcharita Reading and Shej Aarti are performed everyday. Bhajans and Sai
Naam Sankirtan in evening on Thursday and Saturday. For daily schedule,
temple activities and events information please visit
www.theshirdisaimandir.com or send an email to info@theshirdisaimandir.com
or call 647-444-4724.
Shirdi Sai parivar, Vancouver, Canada
Shirdi Sai parivar in Vancouver invites you all for Sai satsang on Thursday
from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm and first Sunday of every month from 11:30 am to 1
pm, at 8571, 118A St, Delta, V4C 6L2. For further details contact (604)592
4182 or email at sai_ish@hotmail.com.
Sai Satsangs in Singapore
Dear Sai devotees in Singapore, Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan (Singapore)
conducts regular Sai bhajans every Saturday from 6:30 p.m. at Shri
Vadapathira Kalliamman Temple, Serangoon Road, Little India, Singapore.
Please visit the web site http://www.saisansthan.com for more details.
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Dattatreya Mandir Seventh
Anniversary celebrations
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Dattatreya Mandir invites you to the Seventh Anniversary
celebrations Akhanda Sai Nama Sapthaha and daily Anna Prasada from September
3rd to 10th, 2006 at Sai Snehadhama Vrudhasrhama premises, Metipalya
Village, Tavarekere, Sondekoppa Road, Bangalore South Taluk. Please call 080
57744468 in Bangalore, India for more details.
Janmashtami celebrations at Sai Mandir in Sydney,
Australia
Shree Shirdi Sai Sansthan Sydney invites you with family and friends to join
for Janmashtami celebrations on Sunday, August 20th 2006 at 420 Liverpool
Road (corner of Hill Street and Liverpool Road), Strathfield South, NSW
2136, Australia. For detailed programme or Sansthan's activities, please
contact Sansthan Info-Line at 0500 524 724. |
