The Glory of Shirdi Sai Ninth Year of Publication - Published as Bi-Weekly www.saidarbarusa.org ~ an affiliate of www.saidarbar.org
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गुरुब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णु: गुरुर्दे वो महे श्वर: |
गुरु: शाऺात परब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः:||
सबुरी
CONTENT Satsangs of SaiBaNisaji
FROM THE SATSANGS OF SAIBANISA JI
Time Machine
Chanting His name.......
Navavidha Bhakti
Chanting the name of Shri Sai will save us from fear, doubt, and anxiety. Supreme knowledge is ultimate devotion to Shri Sai. Whatever we do will be seen by Him. Sparks are beautiful as long as they are in the fire. Similarly, we have to remain in the association of our Guru and always be engaged in his devotional service whenever possible. Only with this we shall be brilliant and illuminating. As soon as we fall off from the service of the Guru, our brilliance and illumination will be immediately extinguished, and we turn into materialistic world.
Shri Sainath Stavan Manjari The Dreams Train Devotees Corner Children Section Spiritual Gems From Sai Satcharita Quintessence JAI SAI RAM
Pure love to our Shri Sai is eternally established in the hearts of living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting His name our living soul also gets awakened. Simply by hearing and chanting His name our heart could be directly purified. When the name is chanted our heart is automatically cleansed of all material contamination. Our human mind is always looking and aiming objects which give us happiness. We always think “This will make me happy” or “That will make me happy” or “Happiness is here” or “Happiness is there”. In this way the mind is always taking us anywhere and everywhere. It is as though we are riding on a vehicle pulled along by horses which are not under our control. To change this mental status and to bring them under control, we have to depend on the process of specifically chanting “Om Sai Shri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai” and then our mind will gradually come under control. Therefore, on this Thursday we have to guide our consciousness into the simple process of chanting the holy name of our Sai and try to reach his feet.
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SAI’S NEWS FROM TIME MACHINE One of the devotees of Baba lived in Shirdi and his wife used to do Naam-Jap regularly. Once when she was sitting near Shri Sai in Shirdi, He said, "My mother you grind a lot of grains, but the outcome is useless." Sai was referring to the chanting or remembrance of God's name in a mechanical way. When the name is chanted, sung or remembered, it should have the feeling of love, bhava, with it. So the name of God, chanted or remembered, without any love or feeling is useless. When we chant His name let it be a call for His divine love, Let us call Him from the very depth of our heart seeking His presence. The yearning for Him, should be there.
NAVAVIDHA BHAKTI (Source: Sai Leela Magazine July-Aug 2004)
** Novelty of Nine ** It was on the second of November 1909 that Dixit met Sai for the first time and had a meritorious and purifying darshan. On the nineth of December, he took Baba’s permission and considered that very day to be an auspicious one, for laying the foundation stone.
Why fear when I am here? ~ Baba
Even if he (i.e. Bhajani) had not been available, Kaka would have performed the kirtan, because he knew by heart the composition about Ramnavami composed by Das Ganu. That old Haji stayed in the Chavadi facing the north. For the first nine months Baba was displeased with him and was not ready to meet him. They met after nine years. Their joy knew no bounds. The doctor also went after him unconsciously, into the Masjid. Amir Shakkar lived at the Chavadi for nine months. Just as one climbed the steps into the Chavadi, right in front, he spread out his bedding in the middle of the room. Amir was asked to live there for nine months and was prohibited from coming fordarshan even in the Masjid. Immediately on reaching home, he took out and placed three more in his hand, totalling nine rupees. Yet the fakir was not satisfied. As soon as the note came into his hands, he returned the change of nine rupees and the fakir left the same way he had come, walking with great speed. Otherwise, why did the fakirwho had nineteen rupees with him including the ten rupees note, give Appa nine rupees only ? It was because of Appa’s intense desire to give ten rupees, only. Later, from 10th December 1909, Baba’s worship in the Chavadi, bhajan etc. also began. The interesting story related to the nine lights of the Rishabh lineage; that is, of Kavi, Hari, Antariksha and others (Prabudha, Pippalayan, Avirhotra, Drumil, Chamas and Karabhanjan). It was both instructive and pleasing. All the nine of them were God Incarnate. They were the embodiment of forgiveness and peace. When they expounded the glory of Bhagvat Dharma to King Janak, he was still and spell bound. The path of Bhakti is the thorny path, like the path through the prickly Babul forest. It is full of pits and potholes. One or two steps, in the right direction, takes you really close to God. You should avoid the thorns and step forward. You will reach the destination without fear. This is the only remedy, says the Gurumayi very clearly.
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SHRI SAI NATH STAVAN MANJARI (A Humble Tribute of praise by Dasganu Maharaj)
(Translated from the marathi by Smt.Zarine Taraporevala and edited by Dr. Smt.Indira Kher, Ex.Executive Editor, Shri Sai Leela Magazine)
A HUMBLE TRIBUTE OF PRAISE TO SHRI SAINATH You are the sun in the sky of knowledge. You are great mine of virtues ! Oh,you are the ladder to heaven ! ….57 Oh, pious, purest one, Oh, embodiment of peace and bliss, Oh the supreme self, Oh the non-dual one, the ocean of knowledge;
….58
Oh, incarnation of the supreme wisdom, the best among men, Oh, abode of forgiveness and peace, Oh, refuge of devotees, Bless me, bless me ! ….59 You are the Sadguru MACHINDER18 You are the Mathama JALANDER19 You are NIVRATINATH, DNYANESHWAR, KABIR, SHEIKH MOHAMMED, EKNATH you are.
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You are BODHLA 20 You are SAVATAMALI, You are truly RAMDAS You are TUKARAM Sainath, You are SAKHA 21 You are MANIKPARABHU22
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Your present manifestation, And your manifold nature are really difficult to understand ! The knowledge about your caste and creed You do not reveal to anybody.
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Some say you are a Muslim, Some say you are Brahmin. Thus like Krushana, You too, are inscrutable!
….63
18. The great founder of nath Panth. 19. a great yogi of Nath Panth 20. Mankogi Bodhale of Dhamangaon. 21. SAKHaram Maharaj of Loni. 22. Saint from Humanabad.
Will be continued......
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THE DREAMS TRAIN (Dreams Of Saibanisa after Undergoing Bypass Surgery on 17-5-1996) Compiled by Saibandhu Raghu Raman Satulury
22-01-1997: Sai appeared as a Bus driver and said: If you want to advance spiritually, the first step would be to discharge all your duties and responsibilities placing faith in God. Then only goal can be accomplished. Faith in God alone is the only known keyword for reaching the goal. I am formless and everywhere.
~Baba
Please tune in and listen to non-stop bhajans at: www.saibhaktiradio.com
Now you can view this eNewsLetter from iPhone at
DEVOTEES CORNER DEVOTEES EXPERIENCE Sai Ram, I want to share the Miracle with all the Sai Devotees. I am from Abu Dhabi. In the month of October, I have to go for my vacation to India. For this, I have to get my passport renewed, as it was to expire on 15th of this month. When I went to renew the passport the Indian Embassy required my maiden passport. I never knew where it is, as it was very old. I searched here in Abu Dhabi but couldn't find the same. I called my parents who are in Madras and asked them to search for it. They also didn't get it. We have a house in New Delhi, so I requested my Dad to go to Delhi to find whether it is available there. Meanwhile I received a message to read the SatCharithra within a day. I took the book to my office and found difficult to read it in the office. After office, hours came home and finished the house holds work and managed to complete the book in time. My dad left all his work and went to Delhi to find the passport. He searched in all the rooms but was not able to find it. Finally he said only Sai Ram has to help in this case and entered the Puja room. There he found a small box and when he opened to his surprise found the passport on the top. It was exactly one week after I finished the book my mummy called from Madras that Dad had found the old passport in Delhi. It's really a great miracle and Sai again proves that he helps the devotees who really believe and surrender to him. ~A Devotee , Abu Dhabi, UAE
http://worldofsai.com.
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Sai Ram This is one of the incidents, which I want to share with you. I was working with a multinational company and was staying alone in New Delhi, India, away from my home. Suddenly due to certain circumstances, I resigned from my job and I had no job in my hand at that time. I trusted in Saibaba I stayed very cool. Gradually I had no money left and had I had to pay my house rent. I just trusted in Sai Baba and left everything on him and I knew he is going to look after me. I gave a post dated cheque to my land lady thinking that in the mean time I could arrange for money .I was depressed but deep in my heart I had a feeling that he is going do everything fine. My landlady presented the cheque in the bank on the mentioned date and I just didn't know what to do. Three days passed and I was very scared that my cheque is going to bounce and my landlady will create a problem for me. Four days passed nothing happened. I went to her and asked her that whether she has presented the cheque or not. She said that she ! has and it is cleared also. I was shocked to hear that. I checked it out with my bank and they told me that they have not received any cheque. I again enquired with my landlady and asked her to cheque it with her bank once again. She again checked and told me that the money has been credited to her account. I knew its Saibaba who has saved me. Till date u have no clue of it that how it happened .I prayed to him and in a weeks time I got another job with a big multinational company where I am earning very well. Every time when I was in a difficulty he has some or the other way saved me. I have no words to describe how it feels to have his hand on you.. It's just the faith in him which always help his devotees. Om Shri Sai Ram. May almighty Saibaba bless everyone. ~ A Devotee WHY FEAR WHEN I AM HERE ? ~ Sri Sai Baba Why fear when I am here? Have patience and faith in me. You have to get everything from me. Feed the hungry first, then feed thyself. Entertain always noble thoughts. Avoid falsehood and needless disputation. Resort to the wise for guidance. Why are you anxious? I take all care of you. How can I allow My children to fast or starve? Ego must be killed out. Not a leaf moves except by My grace. If I do not save My children, who else will? All the universe is Me. My business is to give blessings Have consideration for the poor and wretched, Efforts must be made to make the mind steady. Remember, I look on all with an equal eye. Even from the tomb, I shall be active and vigorous. ~ Source: AN ANTHOLOGY OF PRAYERS AND PRECEPTS compiled by B.S. NARAYANAMURTHY
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ARTICLES FROM DEVOTEES BABA'S MIRACLE - 17: ~ (A RECORD OF THRILLING EXPERIENCES OF (LATE) DR.P.S.RAMASWAMI ~ (AN ARDENT DEVOTEE OF SHRI SHIRDI SAI BABA)
"I will not let my devotees to come to harm........And, if a devotee is about to fall, I stretch out my hands to support him, and thus with four, (i.e. a number of) outstretched hands at a time save him" - Baba's Charters & sayings, edited by H.H. B.V. Narasimha Swami
I am in everything and beyond. I fill all space. ~ Baba
The above charter of Baba granted for all time by Him during His Incarnate stay at Shirdi is continuing to find fulfillment both materially and spiritually. Two instances of how. He averted imminent danger to life are being narrated here. Sometime during 1978, I developed what is known as periarthritis in my right shoulderjoin for which there is no cure in allopathic. One afflicted with it, cannot move the affected limb beyond a limited latitude without being subjected to excruciating pain. The only treatment to be had is physiotherapy which, for this particular ailment, at any rate, happens to be an euphemism for third degree torture as far as the patient is concerned! for example, in a case like mine involving the arm, one exercise is for the person concerned to rotate a big wheel hinged to a pinion with a handle and fixed vertically above shoulder-level, which can be done only by stretching up the arm fully for every revolution, bringing tears to the eyes for sheer pain. I underwent this grueling ordeal for over a month without any improvement. During this period, I had to commute to and from the hospital by bus almost always overcrowded. One day, while getting out, rather being squeezed out, as it were, through the human mass blocking the way and overflowing the entrance, I was swept back by the in rushing mass just as I was stepping out but before my feet could touch the ground. The result was that I found myself wedged in mid-air, my hands stuck to my sides, in the midst of bunch of men on the footboard on one side and those desperately hanging on to whatever thy could hold on to precariously on the other. I had nothing to hold on to nor foothold! I was in such a fright as one caught between receding and onrushing waves. Now, the bus began to move. Any one around me moving forward or back would have spelt my doom by forcing me to drop down and be injured seriously if not fatally. I was reminded of David Livingstone describing his feelings when he was caught in the jaws of a lion in Africa. He knew what was happening, but "Nature, a mother kind alike to all" had numbed his senses, like the spinal anesthesia before a surgical
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operation. My condition was similar. Then the miracle happened. A hand from outside, forcing its way through the surrounding mass of human sardines, dragged me out forcefully. I staggered on to the ground half-dazed. I found my savior to be a young man. Before I could collect my senses to thank him for saving me from the impending danger, he had disappeared in the moving crowd making my search futile. I have no doubt that it was Baba incognito. Who else could have seen through the human wall and so unerringly caught hold of my arm and pulled out in a split second before it was too late! I decided that I had had enough of this treatment which was proving worse than the endurance of the trouble. Impelled by Baba, I am sure, I resorted to hot fomentation with salt crystals and the use of Udhi with progressive improvement leading to cure. In retrospect, I have no doubt in my mind that, through such varied and intensive suffering, Baba made me expiate for my 'Runaanubandha' to grant redress when I had thus paid for it. Even then it was a rare blessing, because I know many persons having to carry the cross of this affliction for life. The second instance is this. After getting into a bus in the city to reach our area, I learnt it was a wrong one. My wife was with me. Immediately, I asked her to get down and followed close behind. As she put one foot down, the bus began to move. I did the stupidest of things in the circumstances. I gently pushed her as if pushing her to her doom. She tattered, and would have fallen headlong but for a good Samaritan, I saw close-by who caught her arm and held it till she steadied herself, and went away. Meanwhile some one shouted to the driver to stop, and I too got down. My wife was quite shaken. While feeling grateful to Baba for having averted a great danger, I told her what I saw and said, "Thank Baba for sending a person in the nick of time to save you from a fall". "There was none by my side to help me", exclaimed my wife, somewhat mystified, adding, "I didn't see anyone, nor feel someone holding me by the arm!" It was my turn to be mystified, because it was so clear to me that some one did stand there gripping her arm and preventing her fall. Who else could it be but Baba Himself, the Bhakta Paraadina in the form of a stranger!
Glory be to Shri Shirdi Sai - Grace be to all
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t i on c e S n e r d Chil
Learn and Participate
Story for this Week: “ A Child’s Dedication to Parents” In ancient India, there once lived a sage named Shantanau and his wife. Both were very old and blind. The couple had a young son named Shravan. Shravan had devoted his life to serving his blind parents. He took care of each and every wish of his parents. Shravan's whole life centred around serving his parents. Once his parents said to him, "Son, we are old and do not have much time to live. Before we die we wish to go on a pilgrimage to Bharat's holy places." Shravan agreed at once to fulfill their wish. He made a kavad, a special carrier, for his parents. He carried the kavad on his shoulder and they left on the pilgrimage. Shravan was so devoted to his parents that he did not feel their weight. A few months later, they reached the outskirts of Ayodhya, the holy birthplace of Shri Ramchandra Bhagwan. Shravan's parents were very thirsty. Shravan put the kavad on the ground. He took a waterpot to fill the river Saryu flowing nearby. As he bent down to fill the pot with water, an arrow pierced his chest. King Dashrath had hit him by accident. The king was in the forest hunting for a deer. In the fading light of the dusk he mistook Shravan for a deer because of the gugling sound from the pot. As soon as the arrow hit him, Shravan cried out in agony. Dashrath realized his mistake and he ran to the young boy. Shravan was lying in a pool of blood. He was hit badly in the chest. Dashrath was immensely pained at the sight and asked forgiveness. THE
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Shravan told him, " My old parents, are very thirsty. Please take this water to them and quench their thirst." After saying this he died. Dashrath took the water to the blind couple. He told them about his mistake and about their dear son's accidental death. The parents were very sad to hear this and wished to be taken to Shravan. Dashrath carried the kavad and took them to the body. The old couple grieved at their son's death. Dashrath bowed at their feet and begged for forgiveness. Shravan's Father said, "King, we do not want to curse you, as the power to curse is only in God's hands. But we can see your future. As we shall die shortly longing for our son, you too shall die longing for your son." Soon they died, longing for their dear son. The couple's words later turned out to be true for Dashrath. He, too died, longing for his son Shri Ram. Today, we remember Shravan for his sincere service, duty and devotion to his parents. Source: http://kids.baps.org/
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Respecting elders and parents is one of the foremost principles of Indian culture. One must never evaluate an elder for respecting them. According to our culture, they must be respected
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SPIRITUAL GEMS FROM SATCHARITA ~ CHAPTER 41 Contributed by: swamy@saimail.com
Story of the Picture - Stealing the Rags and Reading of Jnaneshwari Continuted from last issue‌..
All that you see taken together is Myself.
~ Baba
Deo was much pleased to hear the words of Baba, for He asked him to start reading Pothi (Jnaneshwari). He thought that he got what he wanted and that he could read the book with ease thenceforth. He again prostrated himself before Baba and said that he surrendered himself to Him and that he should be treated as a child and be helped in his reading. He realized then what Baba meant by 'stealing the rags'. What he asked Balakram constituted the 'rags' and Baba did not like his behaviour in this respect. As He was ready to answer any question, He did not like him to ask others and make unnecessary enquiries and therefore He harassed and scolded him. Deo thought that He really did not 'harass and scold' him but taught that He was ready to fulfill his desires, and there was no use asking others in vain. Deo took these scoldings as flowers and blessings and went home satisfied and contented. The matter did not end here. Baba did not stop with only issuing an order to read. Within a year He went to Deo and enquired about his progress. On 2nd April 1914, on Thursday morn, Baba gave him a dream-vision. He sat on the upper floor and asked him whether he understood the Pothi. "No" answered Deo. Baba - "Then when are you going to understand?" Deo burst into tears and said, "Unless You shower Your grace, the reading is mere worry and the understanding is still more difficult. I say this definitely." Baba - "While reading you make haste, read it before Me, in My presence." Deo - "What shall I read?" Baba "Read Adhyatma (spiritualism)." Deo went to bring the book when he opened his eyes and was awakened. We leave the readers to imagine what ineffable joy and bliss Deo felt after this vision. Sai Ram. There is a lot of divine symbolism in the amount of dakshina that Baba took from Deo. Deo offered one rupee as dakshina, indicating his offering of his ego / ahamkara. Baba asked for 20 rupees as dakshina - the five karmendriyas and 5 jnanendriyas, and the karmas done with them. Thus karmakshalan started. Because Deo was asking Balakram about Baba's ways of showeing grace, Baba again asked and took 20 rupees the next day too continuing the cleansing. Baba sent Chandru (who rules the mind), who happened to be a leper indicating that Deo's mind was indeed highly contaminated. Baba took 25 rupees (5 times 5) cleansing several layers of Deo's aura. After a severe scolding of the internal enemies of Deo, Baba asked for 12 rupees to indicate that He has finished off the internal and external enemies of Deo, who were obstructing his spiritual sadhana. The date on which Baba gave a dream vision to Deo to check on his spiritual progress is also siginificant as it adds to 12 and finally to 3. The number 3 is highly significant since it indicates the Trinity, and the need for Trikarana Suddhi. Sai Ram. Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
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Quintessence from Shri Sai Baba’s Philosophy (By Late Sri Bharam UmamaheswaraRao) ~ Contribution by "Shashank"crazydiode@gmail.com, Mrs and Mr Anand
Chapter 35: The Wheel of Time and the Pangs of sorrow and Death 8. Whatever form you think at the end of your life, you will attain that form in the next life. If you meditate on Ananta Paramatma you will attain Him only. In the Universe, know which is permanent (Ananta) and which is impermanent. Expect the Supreme God all other lives and matters have to end one day. 9. Happiness and grief are imagination. Know that worldly happiness is not real. Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsara are all false impressions. Always remember the death may reach you at any moment and be prepared to continue the journey of Jiva. Then you will attain the blessed state. 10. Without depending on friends and relations and without leaving your philosophical activities to them, keep your aim on Me. Death may snatch your life without prior notice. Then your relatives and friends may not be able to remind you about God and there may not be any one by your side to pray God for your future welfare. Understand this and surrendering all your thoughts to Me, meditate on Me and be peaceful. 11. Knowing that constant divine remembrance alone can you take you to deathless state, try for God’s mercy and you will attain the state of God-hood which is beyond all Gunas. 12. When the Jiva leaves the body, the life will extinguish and person dies. At the time of death, speech etc will get merged in Mind, the activities of the mind get merged in Prana, the Prana gets merged in Teja. When the man is about to die, you observe the heat of the body and that heat is Tejas. To every living being at the time of birth itself the time of death is fixed. This is the open secret of life. Try hard to attain the Supreme Godhood. Will be continued….
सत्सङ्गत्वे ननस्स्ङ्गत्वं ननस्सङ्गत्वे ननमोहत्वम ् | ननमोहत्वे ननश्चलतत्त्वं ननश्चलतत्त्वे जीवन्मक्ु तः ||
For all SaiDarbarUSA activities in Greater Philadelphia, please visit www.saidarbarusa.org. Sai Temple, Downingtown, PA. (http://www.saitemplepa.com/.) Temple is open on Thursdays and Sundays after 2:00 pm. Please contact Mr. Raj Singh at 610-656-1396 or Sai Temple at 610-269-1112 for more details about the temple activities. For more event info please visit http://www.saitemplepa.com/. UDI Prasaad From Shirdi Now Available in Canada for Distribution : Devotees of Greater Toronto Area can visit Sai Darbar and receive UDI from Baba with His Blessings - Darbar is open for DARSHANbetween 10:30am to 4pm every Thursday. (visits after 4pm pls call to confirm). Devotees in the OTHER PARTS OF CANADA can receive UDI PRASAAD by submitting their request by email at saileela99@gmail.com orSubmit your willingness by visiting www.shirdisainath.org giving your full family name - Phone number postal and email address.
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Disclaimer: The editor does not accept any responsibility for the views expressed in the articles published. This e-magazine is intended for private circulation only. Information contained in this email is about Sri Shirdi Sai Literature and Sanatana Dharma. You have received this magazine because you are either subscribed to this directly or through one of the email groups receiving "The Glory of Shirdi Sai". To Subscribe: You or your interested friends and family members can subscribe for THE GLORY OF SHIRDI SAI by sending an email with the subject line ‘Subscribe’ to members@saidarbarusa.org. To Un-subscribe: If you are a direct member and do not wish to receive this e-magazine in future, please email to members@saidarbarusa.org with the subject line ‘Unsubscribe’. Please send your feedback to feedback@saidarbarusa.org From the Editor’s Desk All the sacred books, all holy sacrifice and ritual and prayers, all the words of the Vedas, and the whole past and present and future, come from the Spirit. With maya, His power of wonder, He made all things, and by maya the human soul is bound. Know, therefore, that nature is maya, but that God is the ruler of maya, and that all beings in our universe are parts of His infinite splendor. ~ Krishna Yajur Veda, Svetasvatara Upanishad 4.9-10. upm, 92
Sai devotees may continue to write about their Sai-related activities, essays, articles or poetry and send to the email id editor@saidarbarusa.org. We shall put in our best efforts to include them in the upcoming newsletter. Unless the author of the articles explicitly instructs not to publish his/her email id, we will publish them as a matter of routine practice. JAI SAI RAM
Publisher and Editor: Badri Narasimhan Editorial Team: Radhika Nistala, Kanchana Kumar, Sumathi VijayBhaskaran, Sneha Narasimhan Email: editor@saidarbarusa.org
BOW TO SHRI SAI ~ PEACE BE TO ALL