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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IN THIS ISSUE:

• FEATURE OF THE WEEK
• CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
• DEVOTEES SAY
• PRAYER CLUB
• EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES
• QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
• QUESTION OF THE WEEK
• SAI ACTIVITIES
• FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD

FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Devotion - Love of God

Experiences show that intellectual endeavors, howsoever potent and mighty they may seem, have not catapulted or thrown or raised any human being to spiritual heights. History shows that the highest spiritual masters are those who were uneducated in formal sense. For example, Ramkrishna Paramhans, Shri Shirdi Sai, Namdev, Tukaram, Paltu Maharaj etc. It obviously means that there is something self-limited in the intellectualism in the path of spiritual progress. All that the spiritual masters learnt in their life and spread among others is 'Bhakti' or devotion. "Bhakti" means love of God. Since God is not sitting in a throne like an individual, therefore, how to love Him. The answer is that God is in everyone and if one has the capacity to love others, he is doing real devotion. Even doing all the worship, yoga, pranaayaam (breath control) etc., for one's own improvement is not 'Bhakti'. It is just an activity for fulfilling spiritual/occult ambition like any other ambition.

People in the path of devotion develop certain qualities that manifest in their daily life activities. They become humble, sacrificing, more universal and sensitive to the pain of others. They love Baba and flow in that stream unknowingly carrying along with them all that come in their contact. They don't try to pray to Baba for the fulfillment of any material requirements. Baba has a role to play to lead them ultimately to the correct path and correct goal. They have nothing to prove and, therefore, do not allow 'ego' to assert itself. This is the correct path towards Baba.

(Source - "May I Answer" by Shri C.B. Satpathy ji)

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Raghuvir Bhaskar Purandhare (continued from last week)

In 1920 when my wife was seriously ill of influenza, she felt sorry; she could not attend the Urs Ramanavami. That night Sai Baba appeared in her dream and said, "Do not cry. I will take you for the Urs." She got slightly better next morning and narrated this to me. Illness still continued and she expired on Ramanavami Crying "Baba, Baba" to the last. On the Ramanavami flag processions: 10 A.M., 12 Noon: Hindi Kirtan of Ram Janma begins after procession ends and flags are hoisted. Then Moslems begin reading their quran. They would take Sai Baba's sandals and go round with it in procession. We, Hindus, would accompany it. They would accompany our flag procession, so in the Arati it is recited that Sai Baba has taken birth to obliterate difference between Hindus and Mohammedans etc... I saw he had a hole in his ear and when he bathed naked, he had not been circumcised, so far as I could see. Megha worshipped Sai Baba as "Shanker" standing on one leg. Sai Baba told him in a dream to draw the figure of a Trisul on the wall of Sathe's Wada in which Megha lived. Megha did so. A lingam was added soon after and is still there, with Sai Baba's permission and was worshipped by Megha. Megha narrated an incident that he wanted to give Sai Baba a Gangasnan, i.e., a bath in the water of Ganges (Go-davari). But Baba said, "Wet this head only. Head is the chief. Put a little water on it." But Megha went to Godavari at Kopergoan and brought a tubful of water and poured it all over Sai Baba's body. However only the head was wetted. Even the clothes were not wetted. I did not see this. I have heard Sai Baba sing a song once or twice. He would gladly hear people sing to him. Occasionally, what Sai Baba talked to us, would be found when we went at once to hear Pothi, i.e., the reading of sacred works at Sathe's Wada where Bapu Jog read Eknathi Bhagvat. I had several experiences of the sort. I cannot remember details of even one instance.

Baba used to be near the Dhuni, early morning facing south, leaning on a post and doing something. I cannot say what. People were not allowed to go near, le, even 50 feet. The Sevakaries could cany on their usual service or work of clearing, replenishing fuel for Dhunl, etc. No others could go so near as they. He used to utter words like Yade Haq. They were seldom clear or audible to us at some distance. Allah Malik, Allah Vali Hai, i.e., God is the Master and Protector; he used to say often and at all times.

I once got leave from office at Bandra and from my mother to go. The next evening I had to start for Shirdi. But during the night, Sai Baba appeared to me in my dream and said, 'Don't come.' I wondered why. The morning after I was to have left, there was a strike in the workshop. If I had left overnight as I first proposed my officers would have suspected me to be at the bottom of the strike and I would be in trouble. Sai Baba saved me from that.

Yeshwantrao, grandson of Raghunath Mukund, Engineer, went with me to Sai Baba in 1911 or 1912 at Ashad Guru Purnima when cholera was raging in Shirdi. He did not wish to return before I did. But Baba told him to go and gave him his udhi. But he did not wish to start. He stayed on though I also told him to go since he had leave of Baba. That night he had an attack of cholera to which he succumbed at Shirdi the next morning. Sai Baba went to Megha, when the later was dying, shed tears there and covered the corpse with flowers and went to the funeral ground where Megha's corpse was burnt. Megha lay ill for two or three days before death. Baba used to give him Udhi then.

(Contributed by continued...)

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: continued......

Once Sai Baba prevented me from going away to Bombay even after 4.30 pm. The last train at Kopergoan for Manmad would leave at 6.30 pm. It was a Bazaar day (Monday). I got a bullock cart. Baba told Rege to go with me. We reached the river at 6.45 pm. and reached the Kopergaon station at about 7.45 pm. The train had gone away. There was a special train; however, running that night which stopped at 8.15 pm. at Kopergaon and took us to Manmad and thence we reached our homes. There were no trains to Manmad from Kopergoan at night, i.e., after 6.30 pm. in those days.

On the very first occasion of my seeing Baba, he told me to go to "Sala". Mr. Dixit explained to me that "Sala" was the residence of Radhakrishna Ayi. I went there. She did not open the door, but inquired from within who I was, etc. I replied. But she would not let me in. After waiting for about ten minutes, I went to the Masjid. Baba asked me if I went to "Sala". I said I did but had been kept outside the bolted door by Ayi. Baba told me to go again. I obeyed. This time Ayi opened the door, fell at my feet, held my feet fast and was crying. I was greatly puzzled, as I had not known her nature. But from that day forward, she loved me up to her death, with a deep motherly love. Thenceforward, she was all in all to me. I spent every minute of my time at Shirdi in service to Sai Baba, in accordance with the directions of Ayi. She made me work hard all day long for Baba, mostly at her residence, often at Masjid and elsewhere. Radhakrishna Ayi was a personality of a strange sort. She would sing charmingly and with deep emotion. Suddenly, she would break into laughter or melt into tears and either continue slowly with choked voice or stop the song altogether by her sobs.

Often Baba detained me at Shirdi, even after my leave expired. In 1912. e.g., he thus detained me. When Syama or anyone mentioned that I had to go back lest my boss should find fault with me, Baba would reply, "I am his boss" and keep me on. Thus in that year after long overstaying my leave, I returned and went at 1 pm. on a Thursday to the office. The foreman of the shop called upon me to explain and reported about my absence without leave. I handed him my resignation. My officer, Mr. Wilson, the Deputy Superintendent, sent for me and asked me where I had been. I said I was at Shirdi. He knew everything, tore my resignation paper and put it into the waste paper basket. The foreman was discontented but was powerless to do any harm. The Chief told the foreman that I was not his, i.e., the foreman's servant or subordinate. In six months time I was promoted and that foreman became my subordinate. (Concluded)

(Contributed by from "Devotees Experiences of Sri Saibaba" by Pujyasri BV Narasimha Swamiji)

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Ek Shaam Shri Sai ke Naam - in Minneapolis, MN!

On Sep 9th 2006, Sai devotees in Minneapolis, MN witnessed Sai bhajan festivity in the form of "Ek Shaam Shri Sai Ke naam", an evening of Sai bhajans at the auditorium in the newly constructed Hindu Mandir in Maple Grove, MN. The program started after dhoop arathi to Baba, with a Sai naam jap by Shri Ajit Kadkade per devotees wish. The most sacred two-letter word coming out of the revered voice of Shri Kadkade ji perfumed the air inside the auditorium setting a stage for the feast to come. For the next two hours, Shri Kadkade, Shri Rohidas ji on Tabla and Shri Prakash ji on the harmonium rendered a truly soul stirring Sai bhajan session. Although at the end of the program tour in the US, the bhajan team showed the same zeal and energy as if it were their first program of the tour. It was evident from the beginning the devotion and love that Kadkade ji had for Baba and Guruji Shri Satpathy ji as he rendered one lyric after the other by Shri Satpathy ji. Sai devotees thoroughly enjoyed the treat. The event ended with a vote of thanks and a "khade khade" standing ovation for Shri Kadkade ji and his party, and Shej arathi to Baba was performed. The event was well attended by devotees living in Twin Cities are surrounding areas. The event was well organized by the Sai devotee volunteers and the support of the Hindu Mandir is very well appreciated.

(Contributed by Ravin)

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE: Ek Shyam Shri Sai Ke Naam - in Somerset, NJ!

Pandit Ajitkumar Kadkade enthralled devotees with a feast of Shri Shirdi Sai bhajans as part of "Ek Shaam Shri Sai Kay Naam" (one evening with Shri Sai), which was organized in Somerset, NJ on September 10th 2006. This event was held in 11 cities of USA from 29th July and concluded in Somerset, NJ on 10th September, 2006.

The hall was filled to capacity with devotees and maha-prasad was served at the end of the event. The audience was spellbound by the devotion, humility and spirit with which Shri Pandit Ajitkumar Kadkade sung several Baba's songs. Shri Ajitkumar Kadkade encouraged all the devotees to participate in the bhajan by clapping and singing along with him as "Shraddha" and "Bhava" are more important than "Sur". During the program, devotees were reminded about how Baba is hungry of true devotion from His children.

Some of the songs were "Fakir mera kitnaa dayala hain...", "Sai ki chitti aayin hain...", "Daya karo mere Sai..." and "Wo shahar ajeeb sa lagtaa hain...". Devotees clapped, sung during the event and some devotees were dancing sitting in their chairs. All the songs were composed by Guruji Shri Chandra Bhanu Satpathy ji, who is spearheading the moment of Baba's prachaar throughout the world. Shri Satpathyji sets an example in front of people that one can live in this materialistic world of money, relations and linked duties and still be pious and a detached saint at heart.

(Contributed by Prasanna Miapuram)

DEVOTEES SAY:

Ravin
To a question whether everyone that comes to Baba gets the benefit, Baba said that not all flowers on the tree would yield to fruition, only a few will. Baba said that His business is to give blessings. He also said that he would give whatever His devotee wants until the devotee asks for what He wanted to give. A sadguru's mission is manifold as it appears but eventually it is to make a sadbhaktha experience what the sadguru himself has experienced. Depending on one's individual orientation, these pursuits may assume different names and forms, but for a Sai devotee the purpose of living is not a mere two-way dealing of receiving the material riches from Baba. The life is worth spent contemplating on what else Baba can give besides the material. It is said that true needs are always fulfilled. Now, the prerogative becomes a contemplation of what one's true needs are! It is in this context one might want to question and know the "benefit" that Baba wanted to give. While everyone who came to Baba's fold gets benefited, a few souls through their own rigor and Baba's grace accomplish in realizing that state which Baba has himself experienced. Rigopuolos wrote in his "The Life and Teachings of Saibaba of Shirdi" that Baba during his last days lamented that none comes to him to receive what He wanted to give. One of Baba's rhetoric was that people came to him like vessels with mouth upside down meaning that there was no urge to return with vessels filled. What a Sai devotee might do perhaps could be to inquire and know what the needs are with reference to one's standing with Baba, how and why Baba fulfils our wishes and what else is there that Baba can give us. If this urge is the true and the only need, it will be fulfilled by Baba.

Geeta
Om Sri Sai! Dear Baba, please forgive me for losing my temper and causing hurt to others. I do not mean anything I said. I pray sincerely that You guide me at all times and turn me into a gentle human being who always meditates on You. Hope you will forgive the foolishness of Your child. Bless me, Baba. I humbly surrender myself to You.

Rahul
I was financially in problem for two and half months. I came to know about Sai Vichaar through my friend and became the member of the same. The day the first newsletter came in my email box, my loan proposal was accepted by bank after trying continuously for two months. This is all because of Baba. Baba you are great!

Nainesh
I have been waiting for my daughter's job interview reply whole week and today Thursday as soon as I picked up Sai Satcharitra I got the phone call from my daughter that she got the job. Thank you Baba for your help as I promised that if she will get the job I would share my experience with other devotees.

PRAYER CLUB:

Achutaramaiah
I pray unto you to help my grand daughter that would help in turn my daughter's state of mind and our state of mind as you always done whenever appealed to.

Kavi
I am really worried about my brother who drinks heavily everyday due to which there is no peace at home. Please relieve him from this bad vice and bring happiness and peace in my parents house. Please help him to believe in you and both my brothers start talking to each other. Baba I know you have heard my prayers and I know you will hear this time too.

Sriram
Dear Baba please answer our prayers. My intensive research period is coming to an end and with Your guidance I want to submit my thesis on time and pass my exams.Kindly make our visa transit smooth and keep us together. You have always answered our prayers Baba and I hope the same happens on this occasion too. You have stood by us through many testing times and safely brought us to where we are. Our koti pranaanms to you Sairam.

Sai devotee
Baba please help her to come out of the pit. Please Baba!!! please show her Your gracious blessings and miracles. Sai!! You are everything to us. Please Baba don't let us down and make my parents dream come true. Please Sai save us at Your lotus feet. Please fulfill our earnest interest.

A devotee
Sai Baba, my well wisher and friend is suffering a lot from his subordinates and could not do his official duty comfortably. Please help him to come out of this situation. You know his personal problem aslo very well. Please cure it and make him to live comfortably. As I am not in a position to help him I can only pray for him. I know if you wish, Baba, poorva janma karma can be removed quickly like hay in the fire. Baba please solve his problems and take care of him.

Madhuri
Baba, You know what I want, but I believe that You are trying to give me what I need. Please give me the strength to handle the present situation. I am almost ready for a break down. Please help me.

Padma
Dear Sai Baba, I am in very confusion with my husband's job. I am vey much depressed in this problem. Please bless us which is good for us. Please bless me complete my land purchasing work and build a house. I am very much worried about my husband's behaviour. Please guide him to become Your devotee, so that all the problems will be solved.

Tejaswini
Baba! my husband has been trying for jobs. Please bless our family with a good job in IT field. You know that till today we did not settle very well. You blessed us a baby girl. We would like to give her with proper education and everything. Baba I have been praying for Your showers for a long time ago. I believe in You very much since my childhood. Please help my husband with a nice job as soon as possible and let us settle in a good manner. Thank you and please be with us always and guide us in the right direction and show Your mercy at all the time to us.

Sai devotee
My dear Lord, this is a prayer for my brother and his family. There has been an order for his transfer from Mumbai. This will disrupt his and his family's life. His family and he are well settled here in Mumbai and any such thing will require lot of adjustment and change which neither he nor his children can afford to undergo at this juncture. My Lord, You have been very kind in the past and have helped to overcome many things. Please listen to my prayers and do this for my brother and his family. Let him be in Mumbai itself till his retirement. He and his family are very anxious and worried. Please cancel this transfer of his as this will be the best present he can have now. In our faith, my Lord, we seek Your blessings. Dear Sai brethren, please pray for us.

Sheeba
Baba is always with us when we think of Him whole heartedly and rescue us from any calamity. Today again I pray for the well being of my family. My son has eczema and looks like it is getting worse. He is already weak and underweight. Please Baba take away all his allergies and make him physically strong. Another request is that my husband is being promised of promotion from past two years and he is still eagerly waiting for the same. As you know Baba he is very dedicated and sincere at his work and everything else is secondary to him. Please help him get his promotion as soon as possible. Please take care of our health and keep us happy and never leave us Baba.

Sai devotee
Baba, please bless all of us and be with us. I know You are always with me and given the strength, solutions, ways even before problems could come to me. Baba, one of my friend's husband is not keeping well. He is suffering from severe backpain. Yesterday he has undergone through a scanning. Today he will be seeing doctor with that report. Please take care so that no surgery is suggested and he becomes healthy once again. Baba, You know how good people they are. Please help them Baba.

EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:

Raj
Dear brothers and sisters, I would like to share with you some of my experiences that have changed my life by Shri Saibaba's blessings. I came to know about Shri Saibaba while doing my Masters in USA. I used to attend Bhajans every month but I have to admit that my initial visits were solely intended to savor the food brought by all devotees. I heard about many miracles performed by Saibaba and also used to read a lot about Him on the Internet. My professor helped me a lot in coming closer to Saibaba. But it was still hard for me to accept the fact that Saibaba is God. During my last semester, I sincerely prayed to Saibaba to get me a job before the semester ends. I was an average student and had very few friends. Lot of my seniors were struggling to get a job since it was recession during 2002. Believe it or not, I got a full-time job just before I completed my semester. I think it's impossible for me to get a job in that period without Saibaba's blessings. It proves the fact that if we draw one step towards Him, He will take ten steps towards us. There are many such instances in life where Saibaba helped me. I feel guilty about the fact that I keep on breaking promises that I make to Saibaba. But Saibaba always helps me no matter whether I live up to my words or not. I have started to believe in Saibaba and hope I will become a true devotee.

Sreelatha
Recently, on August 23rd, 2006 my family of four, went on a vacation to a resort at Wisconsin Dells. Before going on vacation like always I prayed Baba that we should reach safe and enjoy our vacation. We reached Dells at 11.00 am. At the resort our room was not ready so we took our water park wristbands and we entered the park to have fun. Before entering the park my husband and me left our cell phones and our valets in the glove box of our van. Once we entered the park we left our van keys and kids t-shirts in the locker room. We had fun up to 2.30 p.m. Our room was ready so we thought of checking in. We walked up to our van. No van keys. My husband had the keys and he could not remember whether he put them in the locker or in his shorts. I was very upset, because the kids were hungry and we all are wet. My husband with my older son went to check at the locker room and I walked with my younger son to resort registration to ask them if any one returned any keys. No luck both places, but the front desk lady told me to contact lost and found department. As, I was walking tears rolling from my eyes and I was praying Baba and I said to him, "You said if we remember You will remember us" and "who chants Your name You are in front and around them to help them." I said Baba please help me. We all reached the lost and found desk, I asked a young lady about the keys and she said they would clean all the parks after 9.00 p.m. And if they find it they will return it tomorrow after 9.00p.m. I was very disappointed. There was another old lady at the desk that was on the phone, told me to wait. Then she said the locker room found some keys and she said let me call them. I knew they are my keys. The lady called the locker room and she said what does it say on your keys and I didn't know what to say. She said Toyota of Naperville, I said yes smiling. You proved again that You are always with us and watching over us and protecting us.

Anandi
I am a happy working mother of two small kids. One day I got this severe backache and the pain radiated to the entire right leg, which was very hard and painful to walk and do other usual household chores. I tried all painkillers and spasm lotions but nothing really helped. At one point the pain was unbearable and I went to the doctor's office, where he gave me a medicine used for muscle relaxation. My husband went to pick up this medicine from the pharmacy and at the counter, the pharmacist told my husband that this medicine will cause severe drowsiness and I shouldn't drive while taking this medication. The medicine was a strong one and each pill was of 800 mg. As I have to drive to work, I decided not to take it until I get some vacation. But I was still in pain. This went for nearly three weeks and I told my best friend in New Jersey about this problem and asked her to pray Baba for the same. She is a staunch devotee of Baba and she has been there for me during my bad times. She assured that Baba will not let me down and asked me not to lose hope and trust the Almighty. Amazingly, within a day or two, she read about a similar problem described by a Sai devotee in the weekly Sai Vichaar email under the Eeprience of Devotees section. That person experienced the same symptoms and was given a similar medication and she recovered with Baba's grace and she wrote her experience in the Sai Vichaar. My friend insisted me to take the prescribed medication and I believed that Baba had sent this message through her and I started taking the medicines immediately. As we all know, Baba makes wonders in our lives. With His Grace I recovered from the pain completely. I have seen many such miracles of Baba in the past four years since when He accepted me as His devotee. Baba is great and He keeps reminding His devotees that He is there for them, when they pray to Him earnestly.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

"Come what may, leave not, but stick to your Bolster (support, i.e. Guru) and ever re-main steady, always at-one-ment (in union) with him."-Shri Sai Baba

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Q. Question of the week given below....

A. by ......

Q. Although He was the personification of Brahman then why did Baba say that Maya troubles even Him?

SAI ACTIVITIES:

Sri Shirdi Saibaba Punyathithi (88th) celebrations at Shirdi Sai Temple, Chicago
Shri Sai Baba Punyatithi (Mahasamadhi ) will be celebrated for three days from September 30th to October 2nd, 2006 at Chicago Shirdi Sai Temple. Vijayadashmi day in 1918 was also an auspicious day when Sri Sai Baba took Mahasamadhi in Shirdi and ever since this day has been celebrated in Shirdi in honor and rememberance. For program details please visit www.saibaba.us or call 847-931-4058.

Saibaba's Mahasamadhi celebrations, Minneapolis, USA
Sri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis celebrates Sri Saibaba's 88th Mahasamadhi on September 30, 2006, at Geeta Ashram, Brooklyn Park, MN. The event will start at 5:00 pm and included Saibaba arathis, Sri Sai abhishek, Bhajans, naama jap, palki procession, and Mahaprasad. Please visit www.hamaresai.org.

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.

Saibaba Mahasamadhi Celebrations, Toronto, Canada
Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, Canada, cordially invites all to join in Mahasamadhi Maha Utsav on Sunday, Oct 08 2006 from 7:00 am to 8:30 pm. Program highlights: all four Aartis, Maha Abhishek, Bhajan Sandhaya, Akhand Naam Jaap, Palki Procession and much more. To participate and volunteer please call 416-294-4804 or email: saileela99@shrishirdisaicanada.org or visit:www.shirdisainath.org

Shirdi Sai Mandir, Scarborough, Canada
Devotees are invited to attend and participate in Shirdi Sai Baba Murthi Pratishta Mahotsav during the auspicious days of Navratri from Friday, Sep 29th until Monday, Oct 2nd - Vijaya Dashami, Baba's Maha Samadhi day. Pranapratistha ceremonies will be conducted on Shirdi Sai Baba's life-like Murthi across four days to the accompaniment of sacred Vedic rites, Bhajans, Naam Sankirtan and Satcharita Prayan. Garba, Dandia and other cultural activities are also planned during all days of Mahotsav. Please mark your calendars and do not miss this rare opportunity to receive Baba's Grace and be immersed in Divine Bliss. For details 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.

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.

Shirdi Sai Mahasamadhi and Dassera celebration in Sydney, Australia
Shree Shirdi Sai Sansthan Sydney invites you with family and friends to join Dusserah and Baba's Punyatithi (Mahasamadhi) day on 24th, 30th September and 1st, 2nd October 2006 at 420 Liverpool Road, Strathfield South, NSW 2136, Australia. For detailed programme or Sansthan's activities, please contact Sansthan Info-Line at 0500 524 724.

FROM THE EDITORS KEYBOARD:

Sri Saibaba's Mahasamadhi(Punyathithi) celebrations take place all over the world during Vijayadasami. The festival dates in Shirdi are from October 1st to 4th 2006. Please share your activities with other devotees by writing to Sai Vichaar for publication.

The "Question of the week" for this week is suggested by devotee Radhakrishna as follows,

Q. Baba being personification of Brahman said that Maya was bothering Him and that it was very difficult even for Him to get out of its clutches. Why did He say so?

Humbly Yours,
The Editor

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