Volume 2011-08

The Glory of Shirdi Sai Ninth Year of Publication - Published as Bi-Weekly www.saidarbarusa.org ~ an affiliate of www.saidarbar.org

Y E A R

श्रद्धा

2 0 1 1 — I S S U E

2 1 - A P R I L - 2 0 1 1

0 8

गुरुब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णु: गुरुर्दे वो महे श्वर: |

गुरु: शाऺात परब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः:||

सबुरी

CONTENT Satsangs of SaiBaNisaji Time Machine Shirdi Dairy Shri Sainath Stavan Manjari The Dreams Train Devotees Corner Children Section Spiritual Gems From Sai Satcharita Quintessence JAI SAI RAM

FROM THE SATSANGS OF SAIBANISA JI Shri Sai accepts with appreciation any small thing, offered with love and devotion but if the same thing is offered with pride and haughtiness, He would reject it. He is a Sat Chit Anand and is not worried about the outward formalities. Any offering that is made with a modest and humble spirit is always greatly appreciated and accepted overflowing with pleasure.

Pray to Him everyday consistently when you can. Prayers offered to the fullness of your heart finds an echo in the Mind of Shri Sai. They tend to create waves after waves with divine power bringing in new energy into our life. It always gives us a new light, a great impulse, a healing of wounds which nothing else can cure or heal. Prayers are a great remedy, which purifies our mind and soul.

To offer our prayers to Shri Sai is a privilege to everybody, whether he be a wealthy person or not. It is the greatest weapon which a human form has for betterment in his/her life. Prayers are always answered and Lord Himself is eager to lead his devotees. Make Him the target of your life's journey and you will reach your goal.

The best way to love our Shri Sai is being humble and to serve him with pure heart. *** Bow to Shri Sai ~ Peace be to All

PAGE

2

SAI’S NEWS FROM TIME MACHINE

See the divine in the human being. ~ Baba

Mahlsapathi was probably the first to introduce himself to Shri Baba; he was so much impressed with conversation he had with Baba that he thereafter saw Him daily and introduced Baba to his other friends Kashinath tailor and Appa Jogle, saying that a Fakir Sai Baba has made a sudden appearance in the outskirts of the village near the debris of village wall, that He is far above the common average man, a pure and holy man worth paying respects; from that time onward He came to be known as Sai Baba. This trio-of Mhalasapati, Kashinath and Jogle-daily visited him and paid their respects to Him and supplied whatever little requirements He had. The news that one Sai Baba had manifested Him-self near the nimb tree at the outskitrts of the village, reached the ears of the late Appa Patil Kote and one day he with his wife went to Baba to pay respects. It is said that when Baba saw them coming He left His seat, got up and cordially welcomed Appa and told his wife that she had been veritably His sister. The lady his wife, Bayjabai on seeing Baba was so much impressed that she decided never to take her food without first feeding Baba.

SHIRDI DAIRY

BY SHRI G.S. KHAPARDE

1910, 12 December Monday, Shirdi.

In the morning after prayer we saw Sayin Maharaj passing out as usual & then sat talking among ourselves as usual. Mr Dixit appears to have turned a new leaf altogether & spends a good deal of his time in prayer & his temper which was always mild, appears to have acquired the peculiar sweetness which is entirely due to internal calm. Rao Bahadur Rajarampant Dixit came soon after from Pulgaon. He said he had no intention of visiting Shirdi when he left Nagpur, but some how, at Pulgaon, he made up his mind to the visit very suddenly and made the journey practically on the spur of the moment. I was very glad to see him. We all went to see Sayin Saheb later on. I was a bit late & missed a very interesting story told by him. He teaches in parables.

It was about a man having a very beautiful horse, which, do what he could, would not go in pair. It was taken all round and given all the usual training to no purpose.

At last a widwan suggested its being taken to the place from which it was originally brought. This was done & then the horse went all right in the harness and became very useful. I heard the fag end of the parable. Then he enquired when I was going. I replied that I would go when he gave me permission of his own accord to go. He replied “you go today after taking your meals,” and later on sent curds by the hand of Madhava Rao Deshpande, as prasad to me. I had it at meals, & soon after it went to Sayin Saheb. He confirmed his permission to go as soon as I went. My son did not feel sure of the permission & so asked expressly & the permission was given in clear words. The Sayin Maharaj today asked Dakshina of others but nothing of me or my son. I was very low in funds & he appeared to know it. After saying goodbye to Mr Nulkar, Mr Dixit, Mr Bapusaheb Jog, Babasaheb Sahasrabuddhe, Madhavarao Deshpande, Balasaheb Bhate, Wasudeorao & others we left with Patwardhan, Pradhan, Kaka Mahajani, Mr Tarkhad and Mr Bhide who came today. We caught the train about 6.30 P.M. at Kopargaon & travelled to Manmad, Mr Bhide getting down at Yeola. I & my son will soon leave Manmad by the Punjab Mail. Last night I dreamt that I saw Uzizuddin & another whom I could not recognize.

THE

GLORY

OF

SHIRDI

SAI

YEAR

2011—ISSUE

08

PAGE

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 To save the sinners, You came to Shirdi; Pouring water into earthen lamps, You made them burn,

….99

The wooden plank of absurdly small measures You turned into your bed, truly; Thereby displaying to the devotees Your amazing yogic powers !

…100

The barrenness of many women You have completely dispelled ; The diseases of many You have cured with the " Udi " !

…101

To ward off worldly difficulties Is not impossible for you.

The weight of an ant, Does the elephant consider as a burden?

…102

So be it, GURURAYA, Have mercy on the humble one.

I surrender at your feet, Do not turn me away.

…103

You are the king of kings, You are richer than KUBER himself, You are the Heater par excellence.

No one is superior to you !

…104

for the worship of other deities.

The ritual is as prescribed.

But, for your worship, There is nothing worthy of you !

…105

Will be continued......

3

PAGE

4

THE DREAMS TRAIN (Dreams Of Saibanisa after Undergoing Bypass Surgery on 17-5-1996) Compiled by Saibandhu Raghu Raman Satulury

12-02-1997: Sai appeared as a fakir and said: Having bid good-bye to the past, opt for a peaceful life by adopting Sraddha and Saburi for reaching the destined goal.

Reaching goal is of greater importance.

DEVOTEES CORNER Do not kick against the pricks of life. ~Baba

Please tune in and listen to non-stop bhajans at: www.saibhaktiradio.com

Now you can view this eNewsLetter from iPhone at

DEVOTEES EXPERIENCE Sai Ram To All This happened in January 2008, when I was on a visit to Pune. I landed in Pune airport around 12 noon. As I had the official work only the next day, I wanted to make a trip to Shirdi and be back in Pune. I realized that I forgot to carry my Debit Card and all I had was about Rs.500 and a credit card. I had a nice darshan of BABA at Shirdi and returned to Pune around midnight. I was searching for a decent hotel to stay for the night. All I had was Rs.200 in cash and credit card and my return flight ticket to Chennai. I was desperately searching for a budget hotel where credit card is accepted. Suddenly an autowallah approached me and said he can accommodate me in a decent hotel with credit card acceptance. He took me to the hotel about 20 minutes drive from the bus station. I checked into the hotel using the credit card. I never use credit card to withdraw cash from the ATM. So withdrawing cash from ATM was ruled out. The next morning I got ready to go the place of work, about one hour from the place where I was staying. All I had was Rs.100/- with me. I went down and checked with the hotel guy about the auto fare to that place. I was told that autowallahs charge Rs.200/- to reach the place. I came back to my room and prayed to BABA to help. I took out the SAI SATCHARITA from my bag and I opened randomly by closing my eyes. Lo! To my surprise, I found Rs.100/- in that page. My joy knew no bounds and reached the place after paying Rs.200/-. I returned to the airport in a cab arranged by the staff of the company. This miracle is an ample example, that once again BABA protects his devotees at all times.

http://worldofsai.com.

- Sai Devotee

THE

GLORY

OF

SHIRDI

SAI

YEAR

2011—ISSUE

08

PAGE

Sai Ram Every small gesture I consider as Baba's miracle and it makes me very happy. This is one small incident, which happened a year and a half ago. I shifted from home to another place for my engineering course (which was again Baba's plan, the whole situation I will send as another article later). At home I have a beautiful picture of Baba. It somehow got left back there. When someone went there, I asked my parents to send it to me with him or her, but an event turned up because of which they forgot to send (the person couldn't meet them or something like that turned up). I was very sad but I know that my Baba is always with me so I cheered up again. Then around 2 weeks later, I went to my cousin's place for Diwali. They had just been to Shirdi and they came. My uncle said he got a picture of Baba for me from Shirdi, which he put on Baba's tomb and near Baba's feet. I took the picture and opened it and GUESS WHAT?? It was the EXACT SAME, and I mean EXACT SAME, to the finest detail it was the exact same poster (picture) of Baba I have at home. Baba sent it to me. He knows everything and will do everything to keep his devotees happy. I jumped in joy. Baba is always with all of us. Om Sai ram, please keep blessing, protecting and taking care of all of us Baba.

- Nirmala Courtesy: www.saibabaofindia.com

ARTICLES FROM DEVOTEES (A RECORD OF THRILLING EXPERIENCES OF (LATE) DR.P.S.RAMASWAMI AN ARDENT DEVOTEE OF SHRI SHIRDI SAI BABA)

BABA'S MIRACLE THROUGH GURUJI-5 " A breath can make them as a breath has made" - Goldsmith

HOW BABA'S UDHI CURED A REFRACTORY CASE OF CANCER OF THE THROAT AND CONVERTED AN AGNOSTIC INTO A DEVOTEE This concerns a Parsee gentleman named Doongajee, Sessions Judge at Jabalpur in the sixties, who became affilicted with cancer of the throat. This led him to resign the position and go to Bombay to get first class treatment. His wife, however, coming of pious Maharashtrian stock, had faith in Baba and would have liked him to do likewise but in vain. However, the best available treatment, including radiation therapy, proved futile. The lady having known about Guruji at Shri Sai Baba Darbar, Jabalpur and some of the miracle-cures effected by him through Baba's grace, got into touch with him on her own and sought his help. He replied that he would certainly pray to Baba and do his best on one condition, namely, her husband, if cured, should be devoted to Baba. This was an anchor held out to a drowning man, and it was accepted. Guruji then made 21 small packets each containing a big pinch of Udhi and sent them with the instruction that they were to be taken for 21days first thing in the morning with honey. As was to be expected, once again, Baba exhibited His 'Chamatkar' and there improvement from day to day Leading to a cure, and without any need for further prompting Mr Doongajee became an ardent devotee of Baba*.

Glory be to Shri Shirdi Sai - Grace be to all The Doongajees were seen attending Shri Sai Baba Durbar which was proof enough that the cure had taken place.

5

PAGE

6

ARTICLES FROM DEVOTEES (A RECORD OF THRILLING EXPERIENCES OF (LATE) DR.P.S.RAMASWAMI AN ARDENT DEVOTEE OF SHRI SHIRDI SAI BABA)

BABA'S MIRACLE THROUGH GURUJI-6 HOW UDHI CURED AN ADVANCED CASE OF CONSUMPTION Shri B.N. Konar is a clerk in the Bansagar Project Circle office at Rewa. In the Sixties he began suffering from consumption which reached an advanced stage. He began vomitting blood. Being a grand nephew of Guruji (Shri R.N.Konar, who attained samadhi in 1981) of Shri Sai Baba Durbar at Jabalpur, he approached the latter for redress. As was his wont in such cases, Guruji made 21 doses of Udhi and sent them to be taken for 21 days first thing in the morning with honey. It was accordingly done and, stage by stage, the cure was completed. Today B.N.Konar is in good health, married and blessed with a bonny baby boy.

Glory be to Shri Shirdi Sai - Grace be to all

Look to me and I will look to you.

Note : Guruji used to prescribe Udhi with honey in the morning , as a panacea for many ills. H.H. Shri Narasimha Swamiji, a great apostle of Baba used it as the only medicine par excellence.

——————————–—————————————————————-

Om Sai Ram English and Telugu Version of SHIRDI SAI NATHUNI MADHURANAMAMRUTHAM (Prema Maniharam) is now available.

~ Baba

Diamond Necklace to Shirdi Sai Baba Publisher: Sterling Publishers This book is about 108 names of Shirdi Sai with Detailed Meaning + Miracles + prayer for each name Please contact:

Sai Giridhar Ari http://www.shirdisaiashtothara.com/ http://shirdisaimadhuranama.blogspot.com/ http://www.sterlingpublishers.com/bookinfo.asp?na=9788120758681

THE

GLORY

OF

SHIRDI

SAI

YEAR

2011—ISSUE

08

PAGE

RAMANAVAMI IN SHIRDI In 1897, Gopalrao Gund proposed holding an urs in Shirdi as an expression of his gratitude to Baba for having been granted the birth of a son after many childless years. Baba gave his permission for the celebration and fixed the day for Ramnavami. This was an ingenious touch of Baba's. Urs is a Muslim festival honouring a Muslim saint (usually one who has passed away); by holding the urs on the day of a Hindu festival, the two communities were brought closer together in a natural yet remarkable way. The festival gradually grew in importance and in 1912 some devotees asked Baba if they could celebrate Ramnavami, since it fell on the same day (Ramnavami is the anniversary of Lord Rama's birth). Baba agreed and the festival was held in grand style. From that day, says the Sri Sai Satcharitra, "the urs was transformed into the Ramnavami festival".

In Shirdi, two locally historic rituals are carried out during this festival: the sack of wheat that is kept in Dwarkamai is changed and the old one taken to Prasadalaya to be used there, and secondly, the Dwarkamai flags are replaced. When the urs was first celebrated, Gopalrao Gund prevailed upon his friend to supply a flag for the procession. This was Damu Anna Rasne of Ahmednagar who had similarly been blessed by Sai Baba with sons, having come to Baba for this purpose on the recommendation of Shama's father-in-law. In addition, Gund asked Nanasaheb Nimonkar to supply a second flag with embroidery. This was also done and both flags (described as "huge" by M. W. Pradhan, who saw them) were taken in procession through the village and fixed at the two corners of the mosque. Descendants of these two devotees continue this tradition and flags are brought and offered at Baba's samadhi before being taken on a grand procession. The procession begins - as it did in Baba's time - at the house of the three carpenters who did the bulk of the repair work on the mosque (Tukaram, Gabaji and Kondaji, the first of whom personally served Baba for several years). In the evening, the descendants of Abdul Baba perform a traditional "sandal procession", finishing at Dwarkamai and applying the sandalwood paste to the nimbar there.

7

t i on c e S n e r d Chil

Learn and Participate

Story for this Week: ― The Story of an Elephant and a Tortoise‖ Long long time ago, two brothers, Vibhaasa and Suprateeka used to live. Both of them used to wake before Sunrise, take bath and do morning prayers and other rituals and then with great discipline perform puja to Parabrahma. However once the younger brother, Suprateeka asked Vibhaasa to give him his share of the father’s property. Then Vibhaasa replied “Dear Brother! People with greed only divide things. We are brothers. We must not have greed. In addition love to wealth leads to misery. Some evil minded people may interfere between us and increase the conflict and With that both of us will be destroyed. Hence let us share and live, forget about division. Elder Brother is equivalent to Father and you are like my Son. However Suprateeka didnt accept. He said that property must be divided. Seeing this, Vibhaasa got angry and cursed his younger brother “you dont have respect to elders. Become a Elephant in Mahaaranyam”. With greater anger Suprateeka cursed back “In a pushkarini (lake) in the same mahaaranyam you will become a Tortoise”.

Both of them left pious human body and took birth according to their curse.

Elephant used to come near pushkarini (lake) and roar wildly; the Tortoise used to created huge waves. The battle used to start. Everyday they used to fight each other. Also both of them had extremely huge physical body. So no other animal was able to peacfully live. No one could use the pushkarini (lake). In that mahaaranyam all the animals were being disturbed by these huge creature’s fights.”

This story was told by Kashyapa maharshi to Garuda Bhagavaan, when Garuda Bhagavaan asked His Pita, Kashyapa maharshi, to give him some food and then Kashyapa Maharishi continued “Oh my Son! If you take these two THE

GLORY

OF

SHIRDI

SAI

creatures as Your food, then all the animals in the mahaaranyam will live happily.

The pushkarini lake will then again become a place to live for many creatures�. Garuda Bhagavaan then did Namaskaaram to His Father and flew to the Mahaaranyam.

Morals in the story: The Pitrubhakti (Respect to Father) and Vinayam (Humbleness) of Garuda deva are well shown in the story. Though He was extraordinarily strong, capable, still He asked His Father to give him some food! The greatest quality of such great being is Humbleness. However great or strong you may be, you must be humble and respectful.

Justice is what is concerned to an individual. Righteousness concerns a society.

Hence in order to protect the creatures in the Mahaaranyam, the two trouble causing animals had to be killed. Hence, the Great sage Kashyapa maharshi, asked his son to take the elephant and tortoise as His food.

The wise quotes of Vibhaasa must be remembered. Greedy and excessive love to acquire wealth always lead to difficulties. Try to live happily with what you have.

A family where brothers remain united like Shri Raama and Lakshmana will always prosper; a family where the brothers fight each other like Vibhaasa and Suprateeka will be destroyed with their own anger.

PAGE

10

SPIRITUAL GEMS FROM SATCHARITA ~ CHAPTER 43&44 Contributed by: swamy@saimail.com

Baba's Passing Away Preparation - Samadhi-Mandir - Breaking of the Brick - 72 Hours' Samadhi - Jog's Sannyas - Baba's Nectar-like Words.

Chapters 43 and 44 continue the story of Baba's Passing away, and therefore they are taken together.

Previous Preparation No one It is the general practice amongst the Hindus that when a man is about to die, some good religious scripture is read out to him with the object that wants to his mind should be withdrawn from worldly things and fixed in matters spiritual, so that his future progress should be natural and easy. Everytake from body knows that when king Parikshit was cursed by the son of a Brahmin Rishi and was about to die after a week, the great sage Shuka exme what I pounded to him the famous Bhagawat Puran in that week. This practice is followed even now and Gita, Bhagawat and other sacred books are give read out to dying persons. abundantly Sai Ram. Satsangatve Nissangatvam, Nissangatve Nirmohatvam, Nirmohatve Nis~ Baba chala Tatvam, Nischala Tatve Jeevanmuktih Bhaja Govindam Bhaja Govindam Govindam Bhaja Mudha Mathe says Sri Adi Sankara also in His Bhaja Govinda Stotram. The efficacy of Sadhu Satsang and remembering God (God's name) is well known. The idea is to remind the ego that the body is not permanent and the goal of the birth was to realise one's true nature and at least in the last few days, hours and final moments the mind should be fixed on the feet, name and form of the Lord so that the latent seeds of desires are burnt and liberation from the cycle of births and deaths is achieved. It is also told clearly in Gita and many other scriptures that the last thoughts of a man determine his future birth (seed now sown will grow into a plant in future). That was also the reason that Baba asked Sanyasi Vijayanand to take up the reading of Ramavijayam and Srimad Bhagawatam in his last days.

Sai Ram. Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all

THE

GLORY

OF

SHIRDI

SAI

PAGE

11

Quintessence from Shri Sai Baba’s Philosophy (By Late Sri Bharam UmamaheswaraRao) ~ Contribution by "Shashank"crazydiode@gmail.com, Mrs and Mr Anand

Chapter 36: The Value of Human Birth God has created crores of living beings in this world. He has created divine beings, men, animals, insects etc. Some of the living beings live on land and some live in the water and some in the air. Those who do good acts, they go to heaven, live there some time and later they are driven out of heaven back to the world of mortals. ‘kshine punye martya lokam visanti’ Those who do bad acts go to hell and reap the fruits of bad actions. Those who have done good and bad acts equally are born as human beings and they have the opportunity to attain salvation. When they get rid of the fruits of bad actions, their mind becomes pure and then they can try for salvation. So every thing depends on the actions performed and purity of the mind.

To all living beings, food, sleep, fear and procreation are common. But human beings possess an extra qualification i.e. wisdom. With the help of this wisdom, human beings have got such an opportunity to attain salvation. Because of this, even the person living in the heaven wants to be born as human beings on this earth.

Man can easily recognize the transient nature of life by observing his own body. However much he protects his body with food and many other comforts, it deteriorates and finally dies. Death may devour a person at any moment. So it is necessary to try for one’s own salvation as soon as possible and this should be the main aim in life.

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.

THE

GLORY

OF

SHIRDI

SAI

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 He who would know the Truth should constantly discriminate between the real and the unreal, between oneness and division, between what leads to the Truth and what pushes away from it. When one so discriminates and follows only the way of Knowledge, the path is straight, wide, open and free. But if one were to choose the ways of ignorance, his path becomes crooked, devious, narrow and imprisoning.

To increase one’s consciousness is to grow in knowledge; to persist in unconsciousness and sink into it is to wallow in ignorance. One is the royal road to liberation; the other is the way to stay in captivity. ~~Rig Veda 4.2.11

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