Sai Sai

Baba Newsletter Aug 2009

Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan Los Angeles' newsletter is published 1st Thursday of every month to propagate the teachings of Shri Shirdi Sai and connect the
devotees of our Baba temple. Devotees may kindly send their articles on any section of newsletter by emailing the same to newsletter@shirdisaila.org.

Sections

From our Temple

Life of Sai Baba
About Shirdi
Sai Baba Says
Experiences, Saileela
Prayer Section
Topic of Discussion
Children Section
Priest Section
News and Events

From our Temple

Wishes for all devotees - May Baba ever guide us in all our endeavour, may we live in perfect accordance with Baba's teachings.

We had a festive month of August with blessings of Baba pouring form all corners.
The two deities we look to adore in a child's form - beautiful Lord Krishna and cute Lord Ganesha - they both blessed
us during Krishna Janmashtami and Vinayaka Chaturthi.

Continue reading

Life of Sai Baba

Babas Earliest Period

The birth and parentage of Sai Baba are wrapped in mystery. We have not come across a single person who has any direct" knowledge of
them. Sai attained his fame at Shirdi in the Bombay state by the end of the 19th Century when he was already grey. It is known that he
was not a native of Shirdi. He was very young when he first came there. In the beginning he left Shirdi off and on, and returned to it. The
date of his first arrival at Shirdi cannot be fixed. A very old lady, the mother of Nana Chopdar, said in 1900 that when she was young she.
first saw Sai Baba at Shirdi, when he was a prepossessing and attractive lad without a moustache, probably in his early teens, and of,
whom nothing was known. That so little is known aoout his early life proves that even then he was leading a secluded life, a real fakir not
hankering after the good things of the world but concentrating his attention on higher aims. He was often in solitude, not infrequently
under the well known margosa tree called the Code neeni, meaning that the leaves of one of its two big branches are not so bitter as
margosa leaves usually are and as the leaves of the other big branch are. He had no fixed residence - real fakirs have none. He would roam
about in the fields and squat at any tree-foot, and had no interest in any worldly matter. One of his later visits to Shirdi, probably the
final visit, was on the momentous occasion of Chand Bhai Patel's advent to Shirdi. Chand Bhai Patel was a rich and influential village Patel
or Headman, of Dhupkeda village in the Nizam's State not far from Shirdi. His wife's newphew was to be married to a bride at Shirdi, and
so in 1872, he came in the evening or night with a huge procession and Sai Baba accompanied him on that occasion from Dhupkeda to
Shirdi. After that time except for two months when he was under Jawar Ali Msulana, Sai Baba never left Shirdi but only made a few
occasional visits off and on to the neighbouring villages of Rahata or Nimgam, from which he immediately returned to Shirdi. So his final
residence was Shirdi from about 1872 till the end of his life in 1918. He discouraged questions on parentage, and gave mostly mystifying
answers. On one occasion, he said, his father was Purusha and his mother was Maya or Prakriti, and that in consequence, he came in as the
Dehi into this world of phenomena24. At another time he said that his uncle had brought him to Shirdi from Aurangabad25. On one
momentous occasion, very late in his life, he revealed to Mahlsapathy26 the interesting fact that his parents were Brahmins of Patri in
the Nizam's State. Patri is part of Parvani taluk, near Manwath. Sai Baba added, in explanation of the fact that he was living in a Mosque,
that while still a tender child his Brahmin parents handed him over to the care of a fakir who brought him up. This is fairly indisputable
testimony, as Mahlsapathy was a person of sterling character noted for his integrity, truthfulness and vairagya. All persons including Sai
Baba, H.S. Dixit, and others held him in very high esteem, and none would doubt his veracity. Sai Baba occasionally showed his interest in
Patri and Parvani when people from those parts came to him, by questioning them about the residents of those places. This does not take
us very far. But this is practically all that we have about the birth and parentage of Sri Sai Baba.

But who ever his parents were it is quite important to remember that from his earliest infancy he had all the associations or dissociation
or detachment a true vairagi or jnani should have. Having no parents or kinsmen, and being brought up by a fakir, he easily picked up his
foster-father's vairagya and spiritual turn of mind27. Even that fakir passed away within four or five years after taking charge of him.
The fakir directed his wife to take the young child, Baba, and leave him in charge of a noted saintly zamindar, Gopal Rao Deshmukh at
Selu. The appellation Deshmukh was not meaningless in the case of Gopal Rao but denoted an actual appointment as Deshmukh or Provincial
Governor for Jintur Parganna, and the title or sanad of Deshmukh had been conferred on him by the descendants of the Peshwas. The
exact date of the title cannot be discovered. There are ballads and some old manuscripts in the possession of Deshmukh's descendants
which show that somewhere about the first quarter of the last century, the Peshwas recognised his military capacity which enabled him,
Gopal Rao, to bring Jintur Parganna under his control with his own horsemen and other followers. Young Baba, left under the care of this
Gopal Rao Deshmukh spent the best and the most impressionable part of his life at Selu which was the centre of that Parganna, and which
had a fort and castle wherein the Deshmukh resided. The young boy was very greatly attached to his master, and the master in turn was
deeply interested in the boy. Consequently the boy was with the master at all times, whether the latter was in the field or at puja,
whether he was in the garden or in the court. Baba seems to have had no education given to him at any time, that is, no book study, and no
masters either in the regional language which must have been Marathi or Telugu or in any other language. But real education of the highest
sort, he had in plenty. This Deshmukh, unlike many other Deshmukhs or zamindars of his times, was not a dissolute and sensuous person of
brutal nature revelling in cruelty and violation of all moral rules or scruples. On the other hand, he was an extremely pious devotee greatly
attached to Tirupati Venkatesa whose image he worshipped daily in his own castle. He was rich, and liberal, and patronised learning and
piety. Hence an abundance of real education could be picked up by the young child Baba when attending on his master. This Deshmukh's
worship of Venkatesa was not of the ordinary sort. He had direct communion with his Ishta Devata, and the guidance of that Ishta Devata
in all His affairs made his life a-remarkable spiritual and temporal success. He maintained his political sovereignly against all odds, and the
ballads of his time show that his regiment was greatly esteemed by the Peshwas whom he helped and feared by the Muslim Nizam whom
he opposed. This Deshmukh, however, spent much of his time in holy pastimes. He went round visiting holy places, and at one of those
places a remarkable incident took place showing his nature. He occupied, with his retainers, a haunted house. The original owner of the
house had died and become a Brahma-Rakshas, who would appear suddenly at midnight and kill the occupants. But Gopal Rao, the devout
worshipper of Venkatesa, was not afraid. He carried on the puja of Venkatesa and Saligram right up to the middle of the night. The evil
spirit, dishevelled and hairy all over, appeared and demanded in a terrific voice, 'Who are you? How dare you come to my house?' Then
Gopal Rao coolly replied that the statement that the house was his was a mistake when there was nothing in common between him and the
materials making up the house. The- spirit, infuriated, tried to approach him, though with some fear. Gopal Rao waited, and when the spirit
came within a few yards, he hurled the abhikshekam water on the head of that spirit. At once this effected a marvellous change. The
spirit fell down prostrate, and recited its past history and prayed that Gopal Rao should take possession of the vast hoards of wealth
which the spirit had made when alive and which it had kept in the house and watched over and to utilise all that; to release it from its
Brahma Rakshas state. Gopal Rao agreed, and carried away the treasures to Kasi where he performed the requisite rites for the liberation
of the Brahmarakshas.
and always protect us."

(Source: Life of Sai Baba by Sri B V Narasimha Swamy - http://www.saileelas.org/)

About Shirdi

SACK OF WHEAT

This wheat bag is kept in a glass encased almirah next to the hand mill. Balaji Patil Newaskar rendered good seva to Baba, by sweeping and
cleaning the streets daily, through which Baba used to walk. Every year when there was a harvest in his field he would bring the whole
quantity of wheat to Baba and maintain his family on whatever Baba gave him. (Ref . ESS, Ch. XXXV). After him, his son also did the same.
This bag was replaced on every Ramanavami day by his family, now the Sansthan does it.

SAI BABA'S PORTRAIT IN FRONT OF DHUNI MAA:

This portrait is an oil painting by the famous painter Shyamrao Jaykar. Moreshwar Pradhan had brought Jaykar to Shirdi and requested
him to make two portraits of Baba. After Jaykar met Baba he on his own accord made more than two paintings, at Baba's bidding, when
Baba said "Aur Banao Jyada Banao, main guttigulli mein rahnewalla hoon". This painting was received by the Sansthan, and after Baba's
Mahasamadhi, was installed in the very place where Baba sat. Many a devotee has had unimaginable, and inumerable Leelas from this
painting. As this portrait was made with Baba's consent, it has got a peculiar feature, that when a devotee sees it wholeheartedly he gets
the living experience of Baba in it. The devotees could not leave Shirdi without Baba's permission. When they wanted to leave they came
to Baba in the Dwarakamai and asked His permission, took the Udi given by Baba, and left with His blessings. Even today devotees go to
this portrait, prostrate asking for His permission and then take the Udi and leave thus having a successful and safe journey.

Source - Adopted from Ambrosia In Shirdi by Dr.Vinny Chitluri, this book can be read
at http://saileelas.org/books/ambrosiainshirdi1.htm and this book is a
virtual guide on Shirdi with lots of rare photos on Baba
 Sai Baba Sayings

74. Keshav Naik of Tardev, when Akkalkote Maharaj was passing away (about 1878) thus addressed
him: Maharaj, if you go away, what support have we?
Akkalkote M. (giving his shoes to be worshipped) My Avatar (spirit) will be at Shirdi in Ahmadnagar District.
Go there always. Be devoted there. If you do so, you will not remember me. And you will be happy
When Akkalkote Maharaj passed away, Keshav Naik and his son Ramachandra Naik,
accompanied by two orthodox Brahmins went to Sai Baba at Shirdi.
On the way the Brahmins referred to Baba as a mad moslem fakir to whom no Brahmins could bow.
When all four reached Baba.
Baba (to Keshav Naik): You and your son may come and visit me, if you like.
(Pointing to the other two); These are Karmata Brahmins.
Baba to Ramachandra Naik-Fetch Margosa leaves. R brought some leaves. Baba distributed the leaves to the four.
Baba: Eat the leaves. How do they taste? Brahmis (with a wry face); Very bitter.
The two Naiks: The leaves are sweet. We ate plenty of the leaves.
Thus Baba parted his sheep from the goats, and confirmed the statement of Akkalkote Maharaj.
I am at Mirzgaon ('Fakir Bua') Why come here? (Kusa Bhav)
I am Bandra Moulana.
[I am Nanded Moulana] You have already given me Rs.3-14-0

75 I am with you wherever you may be.

I do not require conveyance to take me.
Sai Babas Charters and Sayings
From the book (The God and the Apostle) - By Pujyasri B.V.Narasimhaswamy
Published by All India Sal SamaJ, Chennai.

Prayers

We all know and love Suresh Uncle's family who are always there serving Baba and guiding temple volunteers.
Suresh Uncle's father passed away - we pray to Baba to rest the departed soul in peace and give strength to Suresh Uncle and Aunty.

Experiences, Saileela

Sai's Golden Test

"Om Shri Sainathaya Namaha."

Dear Sai devotee readers I am inclined to think that you all must have liked the experiences I have narrated so far. Our normal life cycle
is such that we first put on the mantle of family hood and then come across all the sweet/bitter experiences of life. On going through
them we get attracted towards spiritualism for final peace of mind. But this cycle was exactly reversed in case of my father. He first
went through all holy experiences and then had to grind the axe of tough family life. One thing was clear that because of his association
with Sai Baba he had possibly learnt the art of facing any eventuality. I also believe that the path of Bhakti is such that when one starts
practicing it, he gets better equipped to face any kind of fear in life.

By now my father had visited Shirdi ample number of times and was sufficiently rich with divine experiences to his credit. The time had
come that he faces some twisting moments. Those were the winter days when days are shorter and the nights are longer. One such day
when it was dusk and twinkling stars could be seen in the sky, Baba told my father to accompany him .It was an out of the blue invitation
because Baba would never leave Dwarkamai at that time of the day. He walked towards "Lendi Baug" and then passing through it they came
to the bank of the rivulet as described in the earlier chapter. By then it was quite dark and the moon had risen in the sky. Then Baba told
my father that he is going to show him some fun and that is the reason he has brought him to that place. My father was very pleased
because he was anyway getting some special personal attention. Then they sat down and Baba started moving the soft soil with his own
hand. He then asked my father to look in the soil whether he is able to see anything. My father saw and replied in the negative. Baba then
repeated the act and my father looked at the place for the second time and said that he can only see the soil. Then Baba repeated the act
for the third time and this time he hit the back of my father's head with his hand and told him to look carefully. When my father looked
at the place he saw some shining metal over there and it was glittering even more because of the moonlight. Baba enquired with my father
whether he is seeing anything. My father then replied that it is some metallic object and it is shining. Then Baba told him "Bhau that metal
. nothing but Gold and you can take as much as you want." Then my father told him that "Baba I do not want this. With your blessings we
have everything and I do not come to Shirdi with the intention of getting such materialistic returns from you." Then Baba cautioned him
stating that "Bhau this is Goddess Laxmi, She is pleased with you and once you decline her boon she will never ever come back to you,
atleast not in this birth. So please rethink". Then my father told him that "Baba you are putting me to some acid test and I will not fall
prey to this 'Maya' and once your blessings are there with me then I can live a peacefully comfortable life without this 'Maya'. Then Baba
moved the mud back in its place and then both returned to Dwarkamai.

One interesting thing happened at that time. One of the natives of Shirdi had seen what was happening at the bank of the rivulet. He
guessed that SaiBaba had shown some buried treasure to my father over there. He decided to visit that place late at night and dig the
same and unearth the treasure. Accordingly he got up at midnight to venture for the treasure hunt. But alas! No sooner had he laid his
hands to pick up the crow bar than a scorpion stung him on his fingers and he was uncomfortable throughout the night. By morning the pain
was unbearable so wisely he decided to go to Saibaba and pleased guilty. He had realized that he cannot disclose his last nights plan of
treasure hunt to any one other than Baba. When he entered Dwarkamai he was in severe pain. My father was present there. He saw the
native was pleading to Baba with guilt and was saying that he will never ever commit such a sin again but was requesting Baba to relieve him
from the agonizing pain due to the scorpion sting. Baba then told him that the one who was destined to have the treasure declined to take
it, which does not mean that any other person can get it. In this world the Lord has made a rule that each one will get according to his own
'Karma' and if one tries to break this rule then he is bound to get punished from the Lord. My father understood the conversation. Baba
then applied his sacred 'Udi' to the scorpion-stung finger of that native and told him not to misbehave in future. He blessed him that Lord
will relieve him out of this agonizing pain.
So such was the 'Golden Test' my father was put through to at Shirdi and I think he was successful in the same because he did not fall a
Prey to 'Maya'. But one thing was certain that in his future career he could not accumulate wealth. Goddess Laxmi had refrained from
going to him and his financial status was so but we shall not go into that history.

Source - LIVE EXPRIENCES OF THE TARKHAD FAMILY WITH SHRI SAI BABA OF SHIRDI BY VIRENDRA JYOTINDRA TARDHAD
http://saileelas.org/books/jyotindra.doc

Devotees may share Baba 's leela in their life in our "EXPERIENCES" section. Kindly email us the same.
Continue reading

Topic of Discussion

Dear devotees, from time to time, we have put Baba articles from Sri Satpathy jee in our newsletter. We are re-sending one of his
beautiful discussion.
Sri Satpathy jee has worked in the leadership role inspiring the building of more than 200 Baba temples worldwide. For the kind
information of devotees - He is visiting Chicago Sai Baba Temple (http://www.saibaba.org/) on temple's 5th birthday on Sunday August
30th - the details are at http://www.saibaba.us/wadkar/index.html

Question - Are we on the right path ?

Answer

Think Again and again on the following ideas.

Why do you come to the temple of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba? Is it because: You love Baba so much that at least without His symbolic presence,
life seems meaningless to it. Take some time out of your busy schedule and come to Baba's temple for generating a better state of mind
by praying, singing aarti and doing pooja (worship) etc. You have too many problems around you in the practical world surrounding you and
cannot fight it and therefore run to the temple for getting blessings of Baba. You have problems and want to solve it through Baba's
grace within the desired period and in the desired method.
Do you remember Baba having said that all the seeds planted need not necessarily become trees. Are you prepared to believe that you may
not get as much result as you wish by coming to the temple.
Whatever you offer to Baba, are they out of your honest income?
Do you think it is proper to make presents to Baba out of the dishonest income.
Don't you remember that Baba had refused to take Gold and silver presents from a queen who had come in a palanquin but had accepted a
single roti with an onion from an old lady.
Are you coming to temple to satisfy your sentimental requirements at the cost of your family members and other dependants? Don't you
remember Baba had forced Mhalsapati to go and stay with family because he was coming and staying at Dwakamai.
Do you come to the temple to socialize because you have known people there and to gossip about things. Don' you think it is useless
wastage of time to talk, discuss topics pertaining to issues other than that of Baba.
Don't you think that it is better to spend our time in meditating on Baba, praying, participating in aarti or by reading books like Sai
Satcharitra etc.
Since no one is perfect, Don't you think it is improper to think of the imperfection of others or gossip about them in the temple? Don't
you remember that Baba had told one person in the temple that like a pig eating dirty food, some people find fault in others.
Do you think that your devotional level is higher than that of others and therefore criticize about others way of worshipping.
Don't you agree with Shri Sai saying that we meet people and face problems because of rinanubandh i.e. debt of the past life. If we
believe in this saying of Baba then isn't it required of us to accept our own problems and not always cry and fret about the same.
Do you have the amount of Patience (Saburi) and Faith (Shraddha) needed to come closer to Baba. Do you think that your Shraddha is
constant or it changes with problems and situations?
Baba always advised people to develop qualities of kindness, impartiality, sympathy, tolerance and sacrifice to others. How much sacrifice
do you do for others at your own cost? Do you think that whatever little sacrifice you think you do is enough?
Do you remember Baba having said that that when two persons are fighting, the person that doesn't hurt the others or tolerates the
negatives is dearer to me. Do you do so?
Do you think that unbridled sentimentally which includes crying and shouting etc. are required in the spiritual path?
Don't you know by such sentiments, you, at time cause harm to others and contaminate good atmosphere. Is it not better to contain your
emotionality within yourself and not make a public display of it to establish your devotional fervor.
You want yourself to be sympathetically dealt by others and also to be understood. Don't you think that others also would be expecting
the same from you. Do you do so?
Do you think that by being jealous about others improvements even in the devotional field, you gain anything?
Whatever work you do for Baba, are you doing it honestly and with intensity i.e. purity of thought, or do you do it in a casual manner?
We want Shri Sai to take care of all our problems but do we equally try to even do a fraction of his work perfectly for his cause.
Do you think the blessings of God will come to you when you don't qualify for it, breaking the law of karma i.e. action and reaction
syndrome?
Don't you think it is proper that you first work for his cause, which qualifies for his blessings.
If you really want to have the blessings of Baba and life peacefully along with your fellow men, at first improve your own qualities on the
lines indicated in the preceding paragraphs. Think, Think, and Think,

Source - Sri CB. Satpathy

Continue reading

Children Section

"FORGIVENESS"

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by
side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed Without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a
small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of
silence.
One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work"
he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could help you?"
"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger
brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well,
he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence --
an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow."
The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that
pleases you."
The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.
The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.
About sunset when the farme r returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.
The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.
There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work,
handrails and all -- and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.
"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."
The two brothers met at the middle of the bridge, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his
shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.
"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have so many more bridges to build."
Continue reading

Priest Section

Meaning of Kakad Aarti - portion 13 in English

Composed by:: Shri Krishna Jogiswar Bhishma

Shreesadguru Baabaa Saayee hoo Shreesadguru Baabaa Saayee

Tujh waanchuni aashraya naahi bhutalee, Tujh waanchuni aashraya naahi bhutalee
Refrain :
O, Sadguru, Baba Sai, O, Sadguru, Baba Sai,
Without you there is no refuge in this world. Without you there is no refuge in this world.

Mee paapee patit dheemanda hoo Mee paapee patit dheemanda

Taarane malaa Gurunathaa jhadkari Taarane malaa Sainathaa jhadkari
I am a sinner, disgraced, and ignorant. I am a sinner, disgraced, and ignorant.
O, save me, Gurunatha, without delay. O, save me, Sainatha, without delay

Toon shaantikshamechaa meroo hoo Toon shaantikshamechaa meroo

Toon bhavaarnaveeche taaru Guruvaraa Toon bhavaarnaveeche taaru Guruvaraa
O you are the highest mountain of peace and forgiveness. O you are the mountain of peace and forgiveness. You are the boat that ferries us
across this mundane existence. You are the boat that ferries us across this mundane existence.

Guruvaraa majzasi paamaraa ataan udharaa

Tvarit lavlaahee tvarit lavlaahee
Mee budato bhavbhaya dohee udharaa Mee budato bhavbhaya dohee udharaa
Shreesadguru Baabaa......
Guruvara, Now give salvation to this sinner. Guruvara, Now give salvation to this sinner.
Save me fast, as I am drowning in the deepest waters of worldly anxieties. Save me fast, as I am drowning in the deepest waters of worldly
anxieties Shri Sadguru…….
Shri Satchitaanand Sadguru Sainaath Maharaaj ki Jai
Let us Hail! Shri Sachchidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj!

Aum Raajaadhiraaja Yogiraaja ParaBrahma Sainaath Maharaaj

Shri Satchitaanand Sadguru Sainaath Maharaaj ki Jai!
Aum! King of Kings! King of Yogis! Absolute Brahman! Sainath Maharaj! Let us Hail! Shri Sachchidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj!

News and Events

Monthly Events

Shri Sai Satya Vrat Every second Saturday - 10 am

Satyanarayan Vrat Every Poornami - 9 am

Weekly Event

Bal Gokulam Every Saturday after Madhyahana Aarti

Mahaprasad/Annadanam every Thursday evening

Daily Event

All 4 aarti and Baba Abhishekam takes place in the temple daily 7 days a week, 365 days an year at the following timings
Temple Timings
WeekDays 8.30AM To 12.30PM, 6PM To 9PM
Thursdays 8AM To 9PM
Weekends 8AM To 9PM

ARATHI TIMINGS -EVERYDAY

8:30 am - Kakad Arati

9:00 - 9:40 am - Baba Abhishekam/Archana
12:00 pm - Madhyana Arati
6:30 pm - Dhoop Arati
8:30 pm - Shej Arati

All Arathi lasts for about 15 to 25 minutes approximately.

SHIV ABHISHEKAM Monday 6.00PM

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Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, 144 South 4th Street, Montebello, CA-90640, USA.

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