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FEATURE OF THE WEEK: How to Recognize a Perfect Master
"You will never be able to understand thoroughly how great
Sai Baba is. He is the very personification of perfection. If you know Him
as I know Him, you would call Him the Master of Creation" - Meher Baba (1894
- 1969)
Meher Baba said that when a sincere and patient seeker of
Truth comes into contact with one who is spiritually perfect, he would
observe certain outer signs that are inseparably associated with inner
spiritual perfection. The most important of these signs are three: firstly,
Perfection is not only "Oneness with God," but also the continual and
uninterrupted experience of "Oneness in everything." A Perfect Master
continually, without break, experiences and realizes his own Self as the
Self in all. This inner experience objectively manifests itself in the
spontaneity of love that such a one feels or expresses towards all Creation.
To him nothing is attractive or repulsive. Good and bad, saint and sinner,
beauty and ugliness, wisdom and idiocy, health and disease -- all are modes
of his own manifestation. When embodied Perfection loves, fondles or feeds
any living creature, it feels and enjoys as if it were loving, fondling and
feeding its own Self. In this stage no vestige of "otherness" is left.
The second sign is the atmosphere of bliss that Perfection
radiates in its immediate vicinity, an atmosphere that a stranger in search
of it cannot help feeling. A Perfect Master not only enjoys infinite bliss
but also experiences universal suffering. The acuteness of suffering however
is nullified or subdued by the overwhelming feeling of bliss. Hence
Perfection can outwardly appear blissfully calm in the face of every kind of
suffering and persecution.
The third sign of Perfection is its power to adapt itself to
any level of humanity. It can be as nonchalant on a throne as in a gutter.
It can very naturally be thrifty with the poor, extravagant with the rich,
regal with kings, wise with the learned and simple with the illiterate and
the ignorant. Just as a Maser of Letters teaches English in different ways
to beginners and graduate students, so also a Perfect Master adapts himself
to the level of those whom he wants to uplift spiritually.
Sadguru Sainath is the foremost of the Perfect Masters Meher
Baba resorted to during his quest to seek realization. Meher Baba, a great
Yogi himself, felt that if one knows Sainath as he had known him, he/she
would accept Him to be the Master of the Creation. Sainath of Shirdi is the
rarest of such Perfect Masters who is perfect in and out. |
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CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: The Winner
To return to other stories of Baba, there was a wrestler in
Shirdi, by name Mohiddin Tamboli. Baba and he did not agree on some items,
and both had a fight. In this, Baba was defeated. Thenceforth, Baba changed
His dress and mode of living. He donned Kafni, wore a Langot (waistband) and
covered His head with a piece of cloth. He took a piece of sackcloth for His
seat, sackcloth for His bed, and was content with wearing torn and worn out
rags. He always said, "Poverty is better than Kingship, far better than
Lordship. The Lord is always brother of the poor" - Sri Sai Satcharitha,
Chapter V - The English version by Shri N V Gunaji).
Baba lost the fight. However, He won the world and beyond.
Stories of lives of saints are uniquely impregnated with interesting events.
Some times the events may sound trivial, but every incident seems to have
its message. Human life is constant struggle and competition. Usually, the
assessment of a person or an event is shaped by the outcome and such a
judgment itself in reality is the ego ratified. Sainath's contention is
perhaps the same. Accomplishing victories of mundane nature may ratify one's
ego, but does not necessarily guarantee the permanent happiness, a pursuit
every human birth longs for. Accepting God's dispensation and long for, if
any, His grace will bring permanent happiness. True winners are those who
accept God's will, surrender their selves to His cause, accept their roles
in His play and strive for the permanent happiness.
(Contributed by Sai Vichaar team) |
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DEVOTEES SAY:
Sai devotee
I consider myself blessed that Sai has shown me so many times that he is
with me. Even after being in the United States for 7 years, I did not drive.
I was very scared. But after I had my daughter, I had to drive to take her
to the classes, etc. I did saptah and the next thing I know is I am on the
road driving. Forgive my mistakes and be with us always Baba.
Subbarao
I relocated from US to India last year. This year I filed my US Tax returns
for which I got refund money. My friend got the check and posted it to my
bank. But Bank rejected it and sent to wrong address. I thought I lost the
money. With Baba's miracle, the bank got the returned mail and sent it to me
by mail to India. Baba this is purely because of your miracle that I got the
money back.
Madhavi
My friend had lot of problems in his marriage life he was undergoing lot of
stress I prayed to Saibaba and told him that if his problems get solved I
will post my experience, Surprisingly next day both husband and wife talked
to each other on Thursday and they are together now. Thank you Saibaba for
helping me and helping them. Keep faith in Saibaba.
Rama
Recently I got sick and hospitalized. I was undergoing so much pain I was
praying on one side and wishing for a death on the other and that is what I
told our Baba. But Baba took care of me; I got well in no time and back to
my normal. Thank you Baba for removing my suffering. Take care of me, my
health and take care of all your children.
Lakshmi
My brother is getting married its just all because of you. Please take care
of my family & bless each and everyone who needs you.
Suresh
I had prayed Sainath that if I get a good job I will publish this in
Devotees Say section in Sai Vichaar. By the grace of Sainath I have joined a
good organization one month ago as Vice President. This is nothing but
Baba's miracle.
Sandhya
Om Sai Ram, as promised Baba I want to thank you immensely for helping me
sort out the problem between my brothers. I was scared but in my heart I
knew that I dont have to fear about anything as You are here and You will
solve all the problems and You will remove all the hatred that they had in
their hearts and they will be in good terms again. Thank you Baba for
everything that You have done. Please help me to score good marks in all my
subjects in the forthcoming exam and help me to get a good job and a house
of our own so that we can live together and in good terms. Once more thank
you Baba. |
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PRAYER CLUB:
Sai devotee
I am going through lots of problems please help my brother get his documents
all right and please enable me to be able to pay my fee and go to University
please help me.
Nikhil
Baba I had made some mistakes in my life please forgive me for my mistakes
and bless me so I do not repeat this mistakes again in life and bless my
small family that we stay to gather forever.
Ezhilmurugan
I am completely down in life at present. I request you to guide me and help
to come over this and relieve of my problems and to overcome the problems
successfully. I would like to have a peaceful life with your grace. Kindly
help me to have peace of mind with your grace.
Pallavi
Baba, help us getting settled in India. And help me getting a good job in
India. Please shower your blessing on our family Baba.
Anita
How many ever few days my family and I live please have it filled with good
mind, healthy mind and honorable life. Our happiness is at your feet. You
know how difficult life seems at time to live. Bless my husband with huge
success in his career.
Tushar
Sai Baba please do bless us with a child, my wife is under severe stress and
I'm afraid that if she does not conceive soon she may go into depression.
You are the only hope that we have.
Annapurna
Baba, You know what's going on with my cousin. Please shower Your blessings
on her son who is fighting for life for the past 4 days. Baba I heard and
read your Miracles happen but please do some miracle and bring his life
back. Baba I have faith on You and You can do this if you want.
Santosh
Baba we thank You for all that You have given us in life, we are very
grateful to You. Baba, You know all our problems and pains. Please solve all
our problems, relieve us of all our pains. Give us good health, good luck,
see that we get our share of all the property, money that is due to us at
the earliest without any problems, give us good name, peace of mind and
success in life. Please fulfill our good wishes and give us the strength and
the good fortune to come to Shirdi at the earliest and regularly, offer our
prayers and fulfill our vows.
Ravi
Dear Sai Ram, so long I only know about You and your works to me. I am still
running my life without any settlement in my life. I pray to You Sai please
give me courage and strength to withstand all the troubles which I come
across in my US Visa process. By Your blessings I got my Ph.D study
opportunity in MUM (IOWA). I once again pray to you Baba give me confidence
in winning Visa interview process. I should not have any hurdles in bringing
myself to MUM and also my family to MUM and get a good exposure there. I
will be happy to serve there in a such good University for life long. I pray
to You kindly bless me with this path because I do not know other things in
my life expect teaching and lecturing and research writing. Sai bless me in
a good place of MUM and let me settle my life peacefully with that
University for all my career paths.
Sudhir
Jai Sri Sainath, Oh Sadguru I have full faith in You and You have given
everything for what I had desired in life. For every pain there was a
relief, for every problem I faced there was a solution and it did work all
the time, and this would have not happened without Your grace, my Sainath.
Since Your miracle has been talked about in Shirdi and now spread across to
many parts of the world, your bhaktas are increasing day by day in many
folds. Oh Saibaba, one such bhakta of yours is a friend of mine working in
the gulf. Due to the closure of his company where he was working he has been
temporarily being appointed in another firm and is wating for his residence
visa. There are some obsatcles which is delaying the process and my friend
is real confused with the current situation as he has got his family along
staying with him. I beg from You Sai to have this obstacles removed from the
path of my dear friend and put him on the track of success with faith and
devotion in You. On having his residence visa transfered to the new
employer, my friend will post the experience in the newsletter. Thank You
Sai and always shower your blessings to your bhaktas as usual.
Sai devotee
My son needs Your blessing and guidance Baba. He is in his teens. This is
the age where all teenagers can go astray. Baba be with him and help him to
make wise decisions in all matters. He is doing his final year in college.
He seems to be getting very tired and not concentrating in his studies. This
past block test he did very badly. Be with him Baba to concentrate in his
studies and till he goes to the University. He has only 3 months for his
finals. He has only known You as God Baba and no one else. Whenever his
needs anything, he only pray to you. If he does not do well Baba he would
not be able to go to the University and all his life studying will be a
waste. Please, Baba be with him. He would get his result next year in March.
I will thank Youu by writing in Sai Vichaar. Please help him. |
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EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Sumesh
Dear all Sai devotees, I would like to share a recent experience in my life
where Baba played a major role. I am working in a company in Bangalore and
have been posted to Singapore as regional manager. But I faced lot of
difficulties in getting an employment pass from the ministry of manpower. So
I used to travel back to India every 15 to 25 days as my immigration is only
for 14 days. Already 4 to 5 times my application was rejected without any
reason and I got fed up applying again and again. I got angry at Sai Baba
whom I consider as my father and every time my application is rejected. Even
I broke the idol of Baba, which was given by my girlfriend at the time of
leaving to Singapore. But on 23rd June 2006 I received a letter saying that
my EP has been approved. I had a vow that I will submit this article when I
receive my EP. In my 12 years as a staunch devotee of Shirdi Saibaba I got
angry several times and will throw away Baba's photo and books but in few
months I will come back to His feet again with new knowledge. Like a bird
tied to string He will pull me wherever I am. I am not writing this letter
because I got my EP to work in Singapore but the awareness I got that
Saibaba of Shirdi is the Antharyami-who is residing within. Saibaba is not
something confined to photo or idol it is all that has to be experienced.
Now I can feel that He is directing me ahead in my day-to-day life. What to
do and what not to do. I am sure he will help me reach my final destination.
My word to Sai devotees is do not ask for anything to our Sai. Just tell
your problem and let Him take the decision, as He knows what is best than us
and feel the miracle.
Rupa
We were vacationing in some Caribbean islands and since I am not a swimmer,
I was feeling bad that I wouldn't get to snorkel or go diving to see all the
colorful fish under water. When we were discussing sightseeing plans with
the hotel's front desk, the lady said she had the perfect thing for me.
There was an activity where non-swimmers still get to go 25 ft under water
by wearing a helmet that supplies oxygen. I didn't have to breathe
differently or even know how to float, as there were railings under water to
hold on to. I couldn't believe it and we took the trip. The day we were
supposed to do this sea trek, it started raining and I was quite nervous too
as I had never gone under water like that. The first group of people that
went down while it was still raining. I just felt so bad and a bit scared
that while it was raining a bit hard outside, how to get under water etc.
But by the time the first group returned and it was our turn to go down, I
started praying to Baba for courage and asked to take care of me. Guess
what, it stopped raining and the sun came out. And I clearly felt I saw
Baba's smiling face in the sky and felt so reassured all of a sudden. So
instead of being terribly scared, I became excited to do this and went down
saying Baba's name. I had the most awesome time watching colorful fish and
didn't want to get out of water. All this and any other miracles in my life
reinforce my faith in Baba. He is the kindest and most loving God. We just
have to learn to put our faith in him and he will do the rest. Jai Sairam! |
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q. Question of the week given below....
A. by Nainesh
Q. Though Baba had all eight powers, "Ashta Siddhis" at His
command then why did he lose to Tamboli in a wrestling bout?
A. I feel the reason why Baba though had all eight powers, "Ashta
Siddhis" at His command he lost to Tamboli in a wrestling bout, too show his
devotees to be humble. Like Shree Krishna who let his mother tie him up
after many attempts that failed by her when her rope fell short, finally
giving into her. Baba followed this way to show I will let you beat me but I
will win you in the end.
Q. Question of the week given below....
A. by Ratan Irani
Q. Though Baba had all eight powers, "Ashta Siddhis" at His
command then why did he lose to Tamboli in a wrestling bout?
A. Sai Baba's losing to Tamboli was just an example he wanted
to set about being humble. He always stood by the fact that being poor was
better than being a king. He who could calm a storm or put down the fury of
a fire did not really need to win a wrestling bout to prove anything to
anyone. |
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SAI ACTIVITIES:
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.
Shirdi Sai Temple of Chicago and Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Shirdi Sai temple is open daily from 7:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m (Summer hours).
Daily program includes Kakad Arathi at 7 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 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, Toronto, Canada
The Shirdi Sai Mandir located at 2721 Markham Road, Scarborough, Ontario,
M1X 1L5 (Intersection of Markham and Nashdene) is open Monday to Friday from
6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m to 8:30 p.m.
Dhoop Aarti is at 7:30 p.m. everyday. Bhajans are on Saturday from 6:00 p.m.
onwards. For other temple activities and information please call
647-444-4724 or send an email to info@theshirdisaimandir.com.
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 Akshaya Meditation, Malaysia
We have regular gatherings, bhajans on Thursdays at Sri Shirdi Sai Akshaya
Meditation Centre, Brickfields, Kualalumpur, Malaysia. For more information
please call 60322606030 or send email to daewanand@yahoo.com. |
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