SAI DEEP magazine which was released on Sri Rama Navami Day 2002, is purely to give wide publicity among the Sai Devotees about Baba's leela's and Devotees Experiences. It is requested that Devotees who desire to send articles for publishing are requested to send it to the following address:

Shirdi Sai Prachar Seva Communication Centre,

46/19, Elango Salai, Teynampet,

CHENNAI-600018,

Tel: 52059009

This magazine will be published on every Sri Rama Navami Day, GuruPoomima Day, Baba's punniyathithi Day (Vijaya Dasami) and on New year Day regularly. As such Sai Devotees are requested once again to send articles on Baba's leela and also their experiences in Day to day affair and give your helping hand & support in bringing out the magazine in an appealing manner.

JaiSairam.

Editor.

Editorial board members does not accept responsibility for the views addressed in the articles published.

Message by H.H. Narasimha Swamiji for Guru Poornima on 10th July 1949.

Today is a highly blessed day. A very very auspicious day. We are now celebrating the worship of our Guru Sri Sai and of every other Guru of ours. Sri Sai has always identified himself with the other Gurus of his devotees. Today i.e. Jyeshta Poornima is prescribed by Agamas as the appropriate time to approach the Guru with articles of worship and hearts overflowing with devotion. The Guru also accepts the articles and devotion and agrees to stay for two or four months consecutively by the side of his devotees whereby the devotees have not merely the instruction expressly imparted by the Guru, but also vivifying and spiritualising personal proximity of the Guru. Vyasa being the author or codifier of the Vedas. Upanishads, Mahabharatha and the Puranas, is appropriately the centre of worship today and the Radiator of all Spirituality. Sai is Vyasa, Vyasa is Sai - an identity which those who lose themselves in Samadhi when contemplating the picture of either or both of them will necessarily experience, A Guru worship without meditation is like taking rice without butter, ghee or milk. The flower of the ceremony of worship is meditation and the fruit is realisation of Supreme Bliss.

May Sri Sai enter into the hearts of one and all of you and enable you to go on with daily or atlesat periodical scriptural study and meditation leading to Realisation and Bliss.

(Courtesy "Gurupoornima Messages")

GURU OR SPIRITUAL TEACHER

On the question of the necessity of a Guru there is amongst many people a good deal of speculation. Some of them assert with vehemence that a Guru is not at all necessary for the spiritual progress of an aspirant and that his own personal effort is sufficient; others, with equal emphasis declare, that no spiritual progress in an individual, however hard he may strive for himself, can be possible except through the grace and guidance of a Guru. Before we discuss this important subject, it is essential in the first place to understand the true significance of the term "Guru"

Guru is understood to be the awakener of the dormant spirit of the aspirant to the consciousness of the immortal Self or God. Guru is the guide and the leader. Guru is the Truth personified. Guru imparts the knowledge of the highest Truth, leading the thought of the aspirant to the comprehension of the deathless life. Guru is he whose life has mingled with God's life, who is intoxicated with the bliss of the external and whose heart is overflowing with compassion and love for all creatures and beings in the world. The touch, society or even a sight of such a great and illumined personality would at once bring a sense of indescribable relief to the struggling soul, and set him on the path of immortality, peace and bliss. What does the Guru say to the soul in tribulation? He exhorts: "Go within yourself and behold therein the splendour and glory of the eternal Truth. Therein resides your ultimate home of perfect release, happiness and peace. Therein find the life that never fades, that never changes, but ever blesses and sanctifies. Be in tune with that Reality, if you sincerely crave for the highest consummation of life". It is thus the Guru awakens you, and thereafter you are always awake. This is the real conception of a Guru.

Now to return to our question, let us consider whether it is possible for a person to evolve physically, mentally or spiritually without the help of a teacher. It is admitted on all hands that development on the physical and mental planes requires the aid of a proficient guide or master. This is the law of nature holding true in all cases of mental and physical revival and progress of mankind. To flout or deny this universal law in matters spiritual is to deliberately ignore the lessons which his or her own experiences have held out. From the time the child is born until it departs this life, having passed through its various stages of growth to old age, it does inevitably become both the teacher and the taught. He who argues against the need of a teacher invariably assumes the role of a teacher himself. This is a paradox which he alone would be able to explain if he could.

It is an incontestable fact that a great mother, a great professor or expert or a great saint is responsible for the enlightenment of the heart, head and soul of a human being. If we, with a clear vision, study the lives of all the great men and women of the world, past or present, we cannot fail to observe that a dominant power for good at the back of them had influenced and moulded their career. Sometimes, this power may have acted in such a subtle and mysterious manner that the recipients of it could hardly have recognised it. These cases of non - recognition are happily very few. It is these that contend that a Guru or a spiritual teacher is a superfluity. Based on this averment, many ignorant people, who have neither the initiative nor the humility for the spiritual adventure, parrot-like repeat the words of the above masters. They forget that by so doing they are also blindly and unconsciously accepting those great Ones as their teachers. But those who are distinctly alive to the transforming influence of a great Soul on them, which brought about a permanent change in their angle of vision from the ephemeral to the eternal valurs of life, boldly declare that without the healing and elevating touch of a spiritual teacher there is no hope for the deluded soul.

It is light of the above presentation of the problem, everyone who would take thought may judge for himself or herself whether a Guru is an absolute necessity or not for the progress of the soul towards God.

(courtesy "The Vision July 2004)

By Swami Ramdas

BABA IS DIVINE

H.H. Narasimha swamiji [Excerpts from Sri Swamiji's Writings]

Baba had by his previous training fully developed himself in self-realisation and God-realisation. His Guru had blotted out his ideas that he was the body and made him realise that he was nothing but the soul, Paramatma or Parameswar. in Baba, this Parameswar essence of his began to beam out with increasing effulgence. The more he was worshipped, the more the divine in him beamed out, asserted itself and proved itself to be really divine, and the proof is still going on.

As for nature, Baba declared time and again that he is God, that is, that he has completely realised God or merged his identity with not merely the Impersonal Brahman but also the Personal God known under various names and forms such as Lakshminarayan, Hari, etc. Baba has used the terms, 'Maim Allah hum' and '! am Lakshminarayan' etc. as sysnonyonous. To Baba, God is the same under or without any name and form (most of us firmly believe in differences of personality in God according to Name and form). What are the nature and powers, etc. of Lakshminarayan? Everyone knows Lakshminarayan is a form or name of 'Maha Vishnu', the Supreme Iswara's protecting Aspect though it is inseparable from ceration and salvation, which are the other aspects. So, Baba's mission and work, as Lakshminarayan, were and are to protect devotees anywhere and everywhere and underall conditions.

Baba's powers were far above the human level. None of us can take interest in even a dozen at a time and look after their affairs. Baba, however, was looking after the interests of hundreds or thousands of devotees, disciples and bhaktas and keeping watch over them all at all times and in distant and different quarters that they occupied. This sort of power to know and power to protect can only be called divine. No other term would fit (for this omnipotence, omniscience and abiquity).

Shirdi maje Pandharipura Sai Baba Ramavara

This means, "My Pandharpur or place of Pilgrimage is Shirdi, and the God that sanctifies that place (Vittal) is Sai Baba". That is, Sai is Mahavishnu from whose feet Ganges is perennially flowing. This song is sung by many and atleast a few really think in their hearts that Sai Baba is really Maha Vishnu. For, What is Maha Vishnu? Maha Vishnu is the protecting form of God. God has three functions, namely, creation, protection and final withdrawal, which also is a form of protection. The Protecting aspect of God is called Maha Vishnu. So, Sai Baba, the person who has protected Das Ganu and innumerable others, and who is doing it even today on a vast scale from one end of the country to the other, is certainly exercising the functions of Maha Vishnu. All divinity is one. Call it or Him by any name and carry on your worship according to any religion and adopt any set of doctrines or metaphysical or philosophical basis for your ideas and actions, the end reached is the same, the one pure and perfect Bliss. When the goal is reached by the most advanced souls of any country or sect, the experience is the same. But before the end is reached, the modes adopted and the explanations given by sets differ so greatly sometimes as to cause religious differences of a bitter sort and quarrels, battles or wars are waged on account of religious or sectarian zeal. The common run of men look to externals alone and the inner kernel of all religion is beyond their grasp.

Sri Sai Baba declared himself to be the one Iswara, the antaryami of all, and, therefore, he wanted his best pupils to realise him as their Ishta Devata or God first and next find him and feel him in every creature that they met. The Bhagavad Gita says in Chapter VII that Brahman has two forms, the entire universe or Apara Prakriti is one, and that which is beyond the universe, Para, is the other. The manifest and the unmanifest are the two forms of Brahman. Unless a person feels that his God is in every manifestation in the universe, he has not understood God fully. So, God being divine and the invisible power that now appears visible as everything in the universe, one has, in order to arrive at a perfect understanding of his Iswara, to realise one's Iswara in everything. This is not easy at all. Sai Baba declared that his own Guru helped him over the stile in this matter. Baba said, 'My Morshad (Guru) has taken me away' (pointing to his body). That is, his Guru helped him to see and feel that the body was not he, but that he was the one force which was resposible for manifesting itself as everything in the universe. If you are not your body, and 1 am not my body, it is easy to infer that you and I are the same, the difference being caused only by our bodies and not by our real nature.

In Srimad Bhagavata (Skanda IV, Ch.3-22&23) Siva mentions how he bows to persons.

Pratyudgama prascrayana abhivadanam

Vidheeyate saadhumithah sumadhyame!

Prajnaih parasmai purushaya chatasa

Guhaascayaaya eva na deha manine!!

Satvam Viscuddham vaasudeva scabditam

Yadeeyate tatra epuman apaavritah!

satve cha tasmin Bhagavan Vaasudevo

hyadhokshajo me manasa vidhiyate!!

This means, "O Parvati, when wise ones go out to greet, bow and prostrate to each other, in their hearts they do these to the Supreme, the Great one, the Para Purusha, dwelling in the heart and not to the man who thinks himself to be his body. In the pure satva guna called Vasudeva, there is the Soul or Purusha, i.e Personal God. In that satva my mind pictures Bhagavan Vasudeva or God." Siva in effect advises us thus : "Mentally fancy that God is inside each being and make your mental pranams to that being or person". So, various devotees of Sai Baba like Kasinath have been directed by him to adopt this process of mentally conceiving Sainath as being inside each creature they meet.

The very moment you are thinking that everything is God, your spirit is part of God, you cease to be your body and no harm can befall you. This is the most valuable teaching and training that Baba gave under this heading of cosmic feeling of Godhood.

Baba, like Sri Krishna and other forms of God appreciates prema or love and takes immense trouble to keep watch over his bhaktas, their Puja, offering and conduct with a view to ensure their welfare. His eye of vigilant supervision is ever on those who love him. This loving universal watch at all times and places can only be termed divine.

Baba's very darshan has made sensitive or suitable people feel that Sai Baba is a divine agent to show a way out of all temporal and spiritual difficulties. Feeling thus, the visitors to Baba bowed, prostrated and surrendered their tan-man-Dhan to Baba. This was prapatto. To such a person a discussion about Baba's caste would be absurd, for he has already followed the direction in Srimad Bhagavata, Skanda Purana, Srahmavidyopanishad and Guru Gita, that the Guru must be treated as all Gods put together (sarvadeva mayo guruh) including Brahma, Vishnu, Siva and all the Pantheon of Hindu Gods.

Compiled by S. Seshadri.

MARGA DARSANAM (ENLIGHTMENT)

In small or big matters, God's (SAD GURU'S) Grace & Blessings is quite essential, otherwise the aspirant / sadhak will not get success - (will not achieve his goal} both in Mundane Existence, as well as spiritual elevation (advancement).

On the pursuation of Shri. NANA SAHEB CHANDORKAR (PRANT OFFICER), his close friend Sri ANNA SAHEB DABHOLKAR (Author of original Marathi SAI SATCHARITA) planned to go to SHRIDI - He purchased the ticket to DADAR and to catch the train for MANMAD, from there he has to go to SHIRDI by bus. But, while the train was to start, a Mohammaden came hastily to his compartment, asked him where he was bound. After knowing his plan, (to get down af DADAR & catch Manmad train) the Mohammaden (Fakir) suggested that he should straight go to BORI BUNDER (Victoria Terminus) as the Manmad Mail do not stop at DADAR. If this little miracle or leela had not happened, he would have not reached SHIRDI next day as settled (planned) and many doubts would have asailed him. (chapter II Sai Satcharita)

Likewise, when young Venkataraman (later known as world famous RAMANA MAHA RISHI) without informing anyone in his house started for TIRUVANNAMALAI (Hundred years ago), he boarded a train at MADURAI, found a seat and was absorbed in the self, when he opened his eyes he saw a kind ‘MOULVl’sitting in front of him and looking at him. The conversation took between them as follows:

Boy Venkataraman : I do not think this MOULVl was there when I boarded the train, perhaps I did not notice him.

MQULVI: You are going to TIRUVANNAMALAI. Is it not so? Why, I am also going there.

VENKATARAMAN : Directly there, Sir, Does this train go there?

MOULVI: You are a surprising child!! You say are going to TIRUVANNAMALAI, yet you ask me whether the train goes there.

VENKATARAMAN : Well, I have a ticket to the nearest place TINDIVANAM.

MOULVI: You need not go so far as TINDIVANAM, YOU MUST GET OFF AT VILLUPURAM and change train for TIRUVANNAMALAI.

VENKATARAMAN : Thank you Sir, Thankyou very much, and went to sleep.

As the train reached Villupuram at 3.00 AM the next morning-porters shouting (in those days) Villupuram! Villupuram!

VENKATARAMAN : the Moulvi said that I should get down here. Where is he? He said he was going to TIRUVANNAMALAI as well. Mysterious is his coming & going.

(Courtesy - The RAMANA WAY March'99 & April published

by RAMANA MAHARISHI CENTRE FOR LEARNING, BANGALORE)

Now the readers will understand how God(SAD GURU) guide their Devotees to reach the God. In the case of Sri Anna Saheb Dabolkar Lord SAI appeared in the form of Mohammaden Fakir & guided him in his first visit to SHIRDI.

Similarly in the case of SRI RAMANA MAHARISHI Lord Arunachala (whom Venkataraman wanted to meet being his Ishta Devata) appeared in the form of 'MOULVI' and guided Him.

Wounderful & Mysterious are the ways of Gods {SAD GURUS) who guide their Devotees at the appropriate time to attain salvation in this Mundane Existence.

OM TAT SAT, SHANTI, SHANTHI, SHANTIHl

R.RADHAKRISHNAN

(SAIJEEVI)

SRI SAI SAHASRANAMAVALI -BABA'S ALL PERVASIVENESS

The seventh 'Nama' in the Sai AshtottarashathanamavaJi (108 names) is 'Om Shri Sai Sarvahrunnilayayanamaha' which means "salutation to Pranvaswarupa Sai who dwells I the hearts of all creatures". The sixty eighth nama is "Om Shri Sai Sarvahrunnilayayanamaha" which means 'salutation to Sai who is all pervasive'. All pervasive Sai only can dwell in the hearts of all creatures. Our Geetha i.e. Shri Sai Satcharita gives a number of incidents to show the above attributes of Sai. Sai Baba Himself declared "I am the inner ruler of all and I am seated in their hearts. All the insects, ants, the visible, movable and immovable world is my body or form". (Chap,III). A God incarnate only can declare that He pervades everywhere. Not only He declare so but He also proved it by His actions as discussed below.

One day Baba was sitting as usual in the Dwarakamayi (In the year 1910). Instead of pushing logs of wood in the ever burning Dhuni_f He pushed His arm into it, unmindful of burning of His arm to save a black smith's child, who slipped into the furnace at a far off place. Is it not an indication of His Omni presence and bhaktaseva? Once Mrs. Tarkhad, a close devotee of Baba, gives a piece of bread to a hungry dog before going to Dwarkamayi for the noon arati. Baba was pleased with this act of the lady and said to her, "Mother you have fed me sumptuously upto my throat, my afflicted pranas have been satisfied. First give bread to the hungry and then eat yourself. The dog which you saw before meals and to which you gave bread is one with me so also other creatures (cats, pigs, flies etc.,) are one with me. I am roaming in their forms. He who sees me in all creatures is my beloved. (Chap IX). On another occasion Baba called Laxmibai Shindle and said "oh! Laxmi I am very hungry" She immediately ran to her house prepared bread and vegetable and brought it to the Masjid. Baba who was very hungry gave it to a dog. When Laxmibai was unhappy to see that Baba did not eat her bread, Sai said to her, "The appeasement of the dog's hunger is the same as Mine. The dog has got a soul as Mine. The creatures may be different but the hunger of all is the same. He who feeds the hungry, really serves me with food. Regard this as axiomatic truth". How wonderfully Baba has taught us, His children, to see Him in all creatures?

Are we feeding Sai by feeding hungry creatures? If we pose this question to ourselves we know how far we are implementing Baba's advice to Laxmibai Shinde. You all will agree with me that Baba taught this simple but great lesson to all His devotees for all time not to Mrs. Laxmibai alone. If we love all creatures we can have unlimited and unwavering love towards Him. When we love animals are human beings we naturally take pity on the hungry souls and whole-heartedly part with our food to satisfy Sai's hunger through these hungry souls. In Sahasranama'S (1000 names) and Ashtottarashat namavali (108 names) we describe the attributes of God by whatever name we call Him. Will the repetition of these names without understanding the meaning help us? In chap XV of Sai Satcharita Omnipresent Sai declares "Though I am here bodily still I know what you do beyond the seven seas. Worship Me always who is seated in your heart as well as in the hearts of all beings. Blessed and fortunate indeed is he, who knows Me thus" Baba says that he who knows that He seated in all hearts, is blessed and fortunate one. We may add here one can conquer lust, anger, greed, jealousy, hatred and egoism (six enemies of man). If one thinks that every other man's heart is Sai's abode. It is because we cannot hate Sai, we cannot be jealous of Sai so on and so forth. We have to respect and love every creature, who is a Sai Swarupa.

Let us pray to All merciful Sai to give us the eyesight to see Him in all creatures.

D. Sankariah

8-3-1113/2,

Kesavanagar,

Hyderabad 500-073.

A.P. INDIA

Ph.:040-23748649

SAI BABA TEMPLE - A GOLDEN SAGA

For over five decades upto 1918 a Mahapurusha lived in a remote hamlet called Shirdi in Maharashtra. Thousands of people from different strata of society, different faiths and communities, flocked at the feet of this Mahapurusha, considered to be a weird saint, mainly to derive variety of material benefits. However, he was known only in Maharashtra and its borders.

By 1934 a mendicant from Tamil Nadu who was moving from place to place on spiritual quest, in quest of God-realisation, was drawn to Shirdi where in the Samadhi Mandir of the Samartha Sadguru Sri Sai Baba he reached his ultimate destination. Not only that, he also got a command from the Master to carry on the Mission of propagating his wounderful Life and Teachings. He was Sri Narasimhaswamiji, earlier known as Salem B.V. Narasimha lyer, a leading lawyer, a staunch patriot, an ardent member of Annie Besant's Home Rule Movement and a Member of the Madras Legislative Council.

Sri Narasimhaswamiji began in right earnest his mission, the Sai Mission. He met a large number of people who had the privilege of direct personal association with the Master, collected and recorded their statements and experiences. He launched upon propagation by travelling extensively to various parts of the country, distributing literature about Baba, delivering lectures and conducting bhajans and pujas.

Under his inspiration Samajas and Mandirs for Sai Baba were established in various cities and towns. Sri Swamiji founded the All India Sai SamajatMylapore, Chennaiin 1941. In 1940 he started a Monthly Magazine 'Sai Sudha'.

With no place to call its own the All India Sai Samaj was functioning at various locations from 1941 to 1952 - to start with in Venkatachala Mudali Street, Triplicane {1941-42), T.S.V. Koil Street, Mylapore (1942-43), Ramakrishna Mutt Road (1943-1949) and in Venkatesa Agraharam, Mylapore (1949-1952). The land where the All India Sai Samaj and the Sai Mandir stand today was acquired by Sri Swamiji in 1951. After putting up minimum structures, he moved to this place in July 1952 - prana prathishta for Baba's portrait was done. In 1953 the Mandir with its shrine and tower was constructed and Mahakumbabhishekam performed on 19.10.1953. It was a herculean task for Sri Swamiji to mobilise the required funds for both the land and construction. He was able to provide only a Zinc-sheet-roofed hall in front of the shrine. In 1966 at the time of the Silver Jubliee of the All India Sai Samaj a permanent structure with RCC roof (with inverted beams) was constructed due to the tireless efforts of a few young Sai Sevaks with the blessings of Baba and Swamiji.

Immediately thereafter in 1967, thanks to the munificence of one ardent devotee from Mumbai, Sri N.K. Subba Rau, the portrait of Baba in sitting posture similar to the one in Shirdi Dwaraka Mayee was brought and a small block was constructed to the left of the main shrine, as per Shirdi pattern.

By 1954-55, the adjacent vacant land (roughly 10 grounds) to the right of the Mandir cameup for sale by auction through the court. By the grace of Sri Sai Baba, this land also was acquired by Sri Swamiji with the help of a few ardent devotees.

Sri Swamiji made known Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi to millions of people with the result Shirdi, the village where Baba lived for over five decades and where His Samadhi is believed to answer the prayers of the multitude of devotees efficaciously has become one of the largest pilgrimage centres in India. The name of Sai Baba, a peculair divine manifestation, with parentage, place of birth, date of birth, name given to him as a child and other similar details still shrouded in mystery, is today a household word.

The Sai Mandir at Mylapore where Sri Swamiji, the Founder is still believed to be guiding in an astral form, attracts lakhs and lakhs of devotees. During the last three to four decades, the revenue has multiplied by almost 100 times.

The All India Sai Samaj has as its wings a free dispensary, a Printing Press, a school called Sai Vidyalaya and a Library named after the Founder President H.H. Narasimhaswamiji. Annadanam is a special seva of the Samaj.

In 1991 a Mahakumbabhishekam of the Sai Mandir was performed to synchronise with the 50th year of the establishment of All India Sai Samaj.

Now in 2004 to commemorate 50 years of Sri Sai Baba's benevolent showering of His Grace on several millions of devotees from this Holy Shrine, third Mahakumbabhishekam taken place on June 27, 2004.

S.SESHADRI

Nanganallur

GURU NEVER DIES

"The Guru never dies because he lives in the disciple. That he may so live, he spends his life entering into the disciple in the form of his idealism, his ideas, his vision, his attitudes, his sense of values. His aim and objective for living is to ceaselessly and continuously strive and work so that he may live forever in and through each and every one of his disciples. The bright light of a candle never ceases to shine once its flame has lighted another candle. It itself may be snuffed out, but it is already burning brightly upon another candle through another wick - the selfsame light.

Ponder this well! You are the being through whom the Guru lives. This is an honour. This is a privilege. This is a great good fortune. It is also a responsibility ; it is a duty ; it is a truth to be known and kept in mind always : "I must be what the Guru has taught me to be. I must be what the Guru was".

You must make the vibrant spirituality of the Guru live within you, the sublime idealism of the Guru live within you, the spiritual teachings of the Guru live within you. His loftiness and character and conduct should live within you. His divine nature and the divine way he lived his life should be relived in you. Looking at you, the world should understand the divinity of your Guru".

If you revere some being, you would also wish to carry out his instructions and orders, to walk the way that he wants you to walk, the way that he has shown by his teachings as well as by his living. To live fully in accordance with, and not contrary to, his will, would be the genuine manner of showing reverence in a practical way.

The devotee who has devotion and reverence for God does this. He tries his level best to live his life in accordance with the will of God. He does not go contrary to the will of God. Reverence and devotion and contrariness to His will cannot coexist. They cannot both exist at the same time in the same person. If there is reverence there is obedience. If there is reverence, there is the attempt to carry out His will in thought, word and deed. If we say that we revere and do not do this, then it means that there is something wrong. There is an essential inner contradiction.

Similarly with the Guru. Our life should be a Guru - oriented life. Our life should be a life of harmony with his will and teachings. That would be, therefore, the way we express our reverence for the Guru. And that we should do daily. We should live a Guru - oriented life in close accordance with his teachings to us, not only daily but hourly from morning till night.

We must be aware that this orientation in our life is one of the essential ingredients of discipleship. Then indeed all blessings will be ours. Then indeed, day by day, we will proceed and progress towards the goal. The Guru's teachings will find fulfilment in the disciple's living, and all blessedness will follow.

To this end we must sincerely, earnestly and diligently strive without ceasing. Our supreme good and highest welfare lies in this. May the divine grace of the supreme and the benedictions of the Guru enable us to do so and live so.

(Courtesy "THE VISION" July 2003)

By Swami Chidananda.

Extract from "SAINATH PRABHU"

The Dakshina Bhiksha Samstha was established during the year 1915 to serve the needs of piligrims visiting Shirdi. The samstha published a journal called "SAINATH PRABHU" (vide Sri Sai Satcharita, chap 2). The information furnished here - under is taken from the journal as every Sai devotee would like to know more about Shirdi alias Sheeladhi alias Saiabad of 1915 and also what Baba spoke / taught to the visiting devotees of yesterday. The then population of Shirdi was 1500 only. They considered Sheeladhi as Mukthi - Kshetra of the Yuga with Shree Sai Baba as Mukthi - Data. Many of His Bhaktas heard Him saying that Shirdi with three other villages had been given to Him by His Malik. Shirdi was His ancestoral place. Baba declared more than once that He had come to stay there permanently after an interval of about two hundred years. Maharaj did not say the name of the original place from where He came. But He often mentioed that, that place was inhabited by typical men well versed in all arts and professions besides being kind hearted and God - loving. Even Shirdi which was barren and forsaken village during the early period, it was an excellent citadale encircled with pleasant groves of fruit trees. Its Bazars were large enough to have kept His favourite Marwari - vysyas in great affluence. Again with the advent sainath the spiritual importance had steadily grown. Baba's unique pure and divine love, His simple way, His scanty and ordinary food enhanced observer's regard for Him. Baba saved many sufferers from bodily ailments. Though He did not leave Shirdi, His body was seen in distant lands attending to His beloved Bhaktas.

In his own words, "Me kutra, manjar, Dukkar, hovun hi jatha" (I am moving in the form of dog, cat and pig). The sick and the wounded expect miraculous cure from Amritaic Vibhudhi. Many an atheist had changed and become his sincere bhakta. With the increasing fame of .. JBhri Sainath the importance of Shirdi also had grown and it is reckoned as an important piligrim centre in the world. The good and deserving attempted.to reach His paramarthic goal under His safe and sure guidance. Sainath Maharaj had practically shown to the world that the platform of Dwarakamai was a sight to see where devotees of all religious faith father for common prayer irrespective of their caste, creed, sex, region. Not a single disturbance had ever been witnessed during so many years of such congregated worship, consequent on any religious difference. No doubt Baba Sai Accepted Dakshina or Arpans from visiting Bhaktas. "Jyonchekadoon paise hote tyancha kamala te paise lavathe. Te mala katha karatche" (If I borrow money from somebody I will utilise for his work why I require his .money). Ofcourse Baba did not ask Dakshina of every one or did He accpet everything offered everybody. He was often heard saying that He had to keep an account for the owner and Government. "Mala he shob te vayla lagto malik ka karitam (sarkara karitam)" Perhaps associations or individuals who revive money should bear in mind that every paisa has to be accounted to the giver as well as to Government as the collection is in his name. Sainath Prabhu used to disburse dakshina amounts among sevakaris bhaktas, gosevis, fakirs, bairagis and children. Seasonal fruits were purchased and distributed. His care for the poor, the needy and crippled worth moulding. Baba used to say, who else would see the poor except myself. He used to impress on the devotees such charities would confer extraordinary benefits on the giver. We may conclude this article with Sadguru Nath's invaluable assurance. "Pannas hazar aale, aani chappan hazaar gele, tyanchasi apiavala kay karanche! Jyanchi nista ghad aaye ani iman sabath aahe tyamla saath samud myahala kareen! Maza manasana 72 nid yaniryanth meech ambhalathao, Fifty thousand people may come and fifty - six thousand may go. Why we should bother? A person whose faith is firm and integirty is established he can cross seven seas. I look after my people for 72 generations OM SAI SRI SA! JAVA JAVA SAI

D. SANKARIAH

Email: sainama@yahoo.com

TO WHOM SHALL I TURN, IF NOT TO THEE?

How profoundly moving is the story of Draupadi's plight in the court of Duryodhana!

Pulled by her hair by Dusshasan who was eager to strip her naked, Draupadi turned to the five Pandava brothers who hung their heads in shame. They felt utterly helpless for they were now the slaves of Duryodhana. They could do nothing. Even Bhima, who was second to none in strength, now felt powerless to help her.

Then Draupadi turned to Lord Sri Krishna. "But for Thee, who is there who will come to my rescue at this time of dire need?" she cried out in anguish.

It is said, Sri Krishna appeared to her and said, "Draupadi, tell me! Tell me-if at any point of time you have given even a single piece of cloth to someone in need. If you have done so, then through that tiny piece of cloth, I shall be able to save you but I must have a starting point somewhere!"

As a queen, countless must have been the instances when Draupadi had given away gifts of all kinds, including bales and bales of cloth. But at this crucial moment, all she could recall was a simple and spontaneous act of generosity. One day. ?He remembered, she was standing on the river, bank sanyasin was taking his bath. Suddenly, a powerful current of water swept away the single loin cloth in which the sanyasin was clad, leaving him naked!

She saw and understood the plight of the sanyasin. Without a moment's hesitation, she tore a piece out of her own saree and threw it to the sanyasin so that he could cover himself with it and come out of the waters.

This was all that Sri Krishna needed to save the honour of Draupadi. Out of that tiny piece of cloth, He drew out bales after bales of material, till Dusshasan fell to the ground, exhausted and defeated.

From "Snacks for the Soul" by JP Vaswani

(Courtesy "THE VISION" July 2003)

Release of Shri Sai Sat - charita

Sai devotees are informed that Mr. M. Krishna Kumar with the blessing of Sadguru Shri Sai Baba has edited the Shri Sai Sat - charita in English. According to the Editor an attempt has been made to rejuvenate the Original. The Sacred Book is slated to be released on 22^nd October, 2004 i.e. Punyathithi / Mahasamadhi day of Sadguru Shri Sai Baba. The Sacred Book will be published by the Editor and printed through voluntary contributions / donations from the Sai devotees / Temples so that it can be sold at an affordable price. The cost price will be fixed by the contributors / donors and also their names with address will also be printed in the Sacred Book. The sales of the Sacred Book shall be through the i Sai Baba Temples, direct sales through devoted retired , employees, educated unemployed, housewives, widows, | orphans, physically handicapped etc. The Editor is confident that the Sacred Book shall receive good response from the Sai devotees both within and outside India. For details devotees can contact:

M. Krishna Kumar

004 Ground Floor,

Arizona Heights

Plot No. 79/A Teachers Colony,

East Marredpally, Secunderabad - 500 026.

EMail; gurusthan@rediffmail.com

NEWS IN BRIEF

Akshaya Sri Sai Dhyana Sabai has celebrated its 3rd Sri Rama Navami utsav on 29-3-2004 at the Sabai premises, 49/19 Elango Salai, Teynampet, Chennai -18. Programmes as usual went on well as per the agenda, starting from Kaked Arathi to Shej Arathi. Annadhanam was done to the orphan children of Thiruvalluvar Gurukuiam, Saidapet and to the needy in and around Sabai premises. Devotees attended the function had the blessings of Sri Sainath Maharaj.

Shirdi Sai Trust, Krishnan Karanai, Pattipulam (PO), East Coast Road has celebrated its 2nd Sri Rama Navami Utsav at their complex on 29.3.2004. Programmes went on well as mentioned in their invitation. High light of the day's programme was screening of Shirdi Ke Sai Baba (Tamil copy) by their Managing Trustee for the benefit of the local people in and around their complex. All who have attended the function had the blessings of Sri Sai Baba.

Shirdi Shri Sai Baba Information Centre, No 41,11th East Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Vellore - 632006 has conducted Sri Sai Nama Sankeertan (continuous chanting of OM SAI SRI SAI JAVA JAVA SAI by Bhajan groups in different tunes) from 1.4.2004 to 4.4.2004 at Sri Kumaran Mahal, Alamelu mangapuram, Vellore - 9. The organizers of this centre Sri.B. Kalaivannan, Sri. Gudarmul Bhandari, Sri. Loganathan & Sri. Manickam and other devotees have wonderfully arranged the function including lodinging and boarding for outside devotees and Bhajan groups. All the days (1-4-2004 to 4-4-2004) devotees and others who have attended the fuction had blessings of Sai baba and enjoyed Sai bliss.

Shirdi Sai Satsang, Kamaraj Raod, Bangalore -42, has conducted Sri Sai Padananda Radha Krishna Swamiji's birthday and performed Laksharchana from 23-4-2004 for 1 0 days, and on 2-5-2004 concluding day a small book written by Sri Sai Ananda on Sri Sai Padananda Radhakrishnaswamiji's about "Love Love & Divine Love" and got released in their premises. All who have attended had the blessings of Sri Sainath Maharaj and Swamiji. All the 10 days Laksharchana was performed duly chanting Sri Sai Sahasranamavali. The function was well organised by their President Sri.B.H. Chamaraj with the co-operation of Sri.S. Natarajan, Sri. Srinivasan and other devotees of theSatsang.

Shri Saibaba Seva Sadhan ashram (Sai Dharn). Dhupkheda, Aurangabad Dt, has celebrated its 5th Anniversary day on 29-4-2004 duly starting from Kakad Arathi. The function was well organised by its chief Sri. Swamy Baldev Bharti and a souvenir was released on that day in commenration of 5 years completion of Ashram and its activities. Most of the dignitaries who have attended were well honoured by him and all had the blessings of Sri Sainath Maharaj.

Shri Shirdi Saibaba Mahamandal, Shirdinagar, Hubli -32; Shri Shirdi Sai Sad bhakta Mandali, near court complex, Hubli - 20; Shri Sai Aradhana Charitable Trust, Bhavani Nagar, Hubli - 23; have jointly organised 28th All India Sai Devotees convention at Shri Sai Sabha Bhavan, Shirdi Nagar, behind Unkel Railway Station, Hubli on 15th & 16th May 2004, duly forming a committee under the leadership of Sri.R. Radhakrishnan, Sai jeevi, Hubli. The function was started with Benign presence of H.H. Shri. Basavalinga Swamiji of Rudrakshimath, Hubli presided by the committee President, Sai Jeevi Sri.R. Radhakrishnan, Inaugural address was given by Hon'ble Shri.S.R. Bannurmath, justice, High Court of Karnataka, Bangalore, and chief guest speakers Shri.S. Seshadri, Ex.Secretary, AISS, Mylapore, Chennai - 4, and Shri Shantaram R. Mirani, Trustee, Sri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi and Shri M.R.

SAIDEEP ^ 27 Goodwala, Rtd Dist judge have given their valuable speech on thier experiences in Sai movement. On 16.5.2004 concluding day Valedictory function was held under Benign presence of Parama Poojya Swami Nirubhayanand Saraswathi, President, Ramakrishna Vivekanand Ashram, Gadag - Bijapur and chief guest speakers Sri.V.S. Kuber, President, Akhand Sai Seva Trust, Bangalore and Pandit Shri. Pandarinathacharya Galgali, Hubli have given their valuable speech on Sai movement.

On both these days delegate sessions were there and many delegates have spoken on their experiences in life and all who have attended this convention enjoyed Sai bliss and had blessings of Shri Sai Baba.

Akhanda Sai Seva Trust, Bangalore has organised its 13th Sai Nama Sankeerthan (Triyaham) from 24-6-2004 to 27-6-2004, under the able leadership of its President Sri.V.S. Kuberji. All who have attended, enjoyed Sai bliss and had blessings of Sri Sainath Maharaj.

All India Sai Samaj, Mylapore, Chennai - 4 has conducted its Mahakumbabhishekam from 24-6-2004, duly renovating the temple entrance for the sake of devotees. Main day being 27-6-2004 Abhishekam to Baba's idol as well as to the Kalasam with the Punitha theertham after the completion of Yahasala Pooja were carried on with the recital of mantras. All who have attended were blessed by Sri Sainath Maharaj & Sri Swamiji.