Never Stop Listening, Learning & Thinking

Once upon a time a very strong woodcutter asked for a job in a timber merchant, and he got it. The pay was really good and so were the work conditions. For that reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best.

His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to work. The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees.

"Congratulations," the boss said. "Go on that way!"

Very motivated by the boss' words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he only could bring 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he only could bring 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing less and less trees. "I must be losing my strength", the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.

"When was the last time you sharpened your axe?" the boss asked. "Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees."

Our lives are like that. We sometimes get so busy that we don't take time to sharpen the axe."

In today's world, it seems that everyone is busier than ever, but less happy than ever. Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay sharp?

There's nothing wrong with activity and hard work. But God doesn't want us to get so busy that we neglect the truly important things in life, like taking time to pray, to love, to read, to see all the beautiful things around us, to care. We all need time to relax, to think and meditate, to learn and grow.

If we don't take time to sharpen the axe, we will become dull and lose our effectiveness. So start today. Think about the ways by which you could do your job more effectively and add a lot of value to it & apply the same virtue to one's own life to make it peaceful & fruitful for years to come.

Never Stop: Listening, Learning and Thinking.

"No one can go back & change a bad beginning, But WE can start now & create a successful ending."

Secunderabad,Andhra Pradesh to Shirdi - Bi-Weekly Express Trains

Aum Sai Ram

As announced in the Railway Budget 2010-11, the Secunderabad-Manmad Bi-Weekly Trains running up to Manmad have now been extended to run up to Sainagar, Shirdi on a regular basis.

Train No.17002 Secunderabad - Sainagar Shirdi Bi-Weekly Express
Departure: Secunderabad at 16:40 Pm every Friday and Sunday.
Arrival: Sainagar Shirdi at 09:15 Am every Saturday and Monday.

Train No.17001 Sainagar Shirdi - Secunderabad Bi-Weekly Express
Departure: Sainagar Shirdi at 17:10 Pm every Monday and Saturday.
Arrival: Secunderabad at 09:20 Am every Tuesday and Sunday.

Stops (Both Ways):

Secunderabad Jn, Begampet, Lingampalli, Shankarpalli, Vikarabad Jn, Zahirabad, Bidar, Bhalki, Udgir, Latur Road, Parli Vaijnath, Gangakher, Parbhani Jn, Manwath Road, Selu, Partur, Jalna, Aurangabad, Lasur, Rotegaon, Nagarsol, Manmad Jn, Kopargaon, Puntamba, Sainagar Shirdi.

- SECUNDERABAD TO SAI NAGAR SHIRDI BI-WEEKLY EXPRESS TRAIN -

- SAI NAGAR SHIRDI TO SECUNDERABAD BI-WEEKLY EXPRESS TRAIN -

Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh to Shirdi -Tri Weekly Express Trains.

Aum Sai Ram

As announced in the Railway Budget 2010-11, the Kakinada-Manmad Express Train running up to Manmad has now been extended to run up to Sainagar, Shirdi on a regular basis.

Train No.17206 Kakinada Town - Sainagar Shirdi Tri Weekly Express
Departure: Kakinada Town at 06:15 Am - Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
Arrival: Sainagar Shirdi at 09:15 Am - Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Train No.17205 Sainagar Shirdi - Kakinada Town Tri Weekly Express
Departure: Sainagar Shirdi at 17:10 Pm - Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
Arrival: Kakinada Town at 19:20 Pm - Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Stops (Both Ways):
Kakinada Town, Samalkot Jn, Rajamundry, Nidadavolu Jn, Tadepalligudem, Eluru, Vijayawada Jn, Madhira, Khammam, Dornakal Jn, Mahbubabad, Warangal, Kazipet Jn, Secunderabad Jn, Begampet, Lingampalli, Shankarpalli, Vikarabad Jn, Zahirabad, Bidar, Bhalki, Udgir, Latur Road, Parli Vaijnath, Gangakher, Parbhani Jn, Manwath Road, Selu, Partur, Jalna, Aurangabad, Lasur, Rotegaon, Nagarsol, Manmad Jn, Kopargaon, Puntamba, Sainagar Shirdi.

- KAKINADA TOWN TO SAI NAGAR SHIRDI EXPRESS TRAIN -

- SAI NAGAR SHIRDI TO KAKINADA TOWN EXPRESS TRAIN -

Why Vada Maalai for Lord Aanjaneya

Aum Sai Ram

Once some Devotee from North India came to pay respects to Mahaa Periyava (Kaanchi Swaamigal).After a comfortable darsan the devotee was lingering with worry written on his face. Periyava noticed this and asked the devotee what was bothering him. The devotee had some doubt about Aanjaneya for quite some time. He had made enquiries but no one could provide proper solution to clear his doubt. When the devotee was pondering if he can put forward his doubt to Periyava, Periyava on his own enquired about the reason for the worried look on the face of the devotee.

The devotee hesitatingly told that he had some doubt to be cleared about Aanjaneya. The devotee continued "devotees in Southern India propitiate Aanjaneya with a vada maalai made with Ulundu / Urad, black pepper etc., whereas we in Northern India propitiate with jhangri maalai. Can you kindly explain the reason for this?" The devotee from North India as also the other devotees eagerly waited for the response of Periyava.

With a smile on his face Periyava said: "Ladies of the house take the tiny tots outside the house show them the moon and divert them and the tiny tots with the diversion and good air outside eat the food. For the tiny tots, moon was a toy but for Aanjaneya the shining Sun was a ripe fruit and HE wanted to pluck it and consume. Aanjaneya,the son of Vaayu, immediately flew towards the Sun. Devaas were stunned to see baby Aanjaneya racing towards the Sun and no one dared to stop HIM. At this time Raahu also was flying towards Sun to generate Grahana. However, Raahu could not match the speed of Aanjaneya.
Raahu blessed Aanjaneya with a recognition(angeekaaram). Any one who propitiates Aanjaneya with eatable out of ulundu (the favourite dish of Raahu) and worships, they will be free from the affliction of Raahu and Raahu will not trouble them. Raahu also described that the eatable should have the shape like him (that of a snake).
So people afflicted with Raahu, worship Aanjaneya they will have lesser affliction.
As there is plenty of salt in the southern part of the country, ulundu, black pepper etc., are mixed together and vadai is prepared. There is plenty of sugarcane crop in the northern part of the country, and they like sweet, jhangri is made out of ulundu and dipped in sugarcane juice and Aanjaneya is adorned. As long as Raahu is pleased, it is immaterial whether the vada maalai is salty or sweet."

Devotee from North India and other devotees were pleased and convinced by the explanation given by Periyava prostrated at his feet.

Courtesy:
Article: Mrs. Padma Ramaswamy. Mumbai
Author: Sri.P.Swaminathan

Chennai Central to Shirdi ~ New Superfast Weekly Express Train

Aum Sai Ram

As announced in the Railway Budget 2011-12, Southern Railways has introduced a new Train:

"Chennai Central - Shirdi Weekly Superfast Express" on a regular basis and with a new route via Bengaluru and Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam. Puttaparthi.

Train.No.22601 Chennai Central – Sai Nagar Shirdi Superfast Express:
Departure: Chennai Central at 10:10 Am on Wednesdays
Arrival: Sai Nagar Shirdi at 11:30 Am on Thursdays.

Train.No.22602 Sai Nagar Shirdi – Chennai Central Superfast Express:
Departure: Sai Nagar Shirdi at 08:25 Am on Fridays
Arrival: Chennai Central at 09:40 Am on Saturdays.

Coach Composition:
One AC 2-tier,
Two AC3-tier,
Seven Sleeper Class,
Six General Second Class
and Two luggage-cum-brake van coaches.

Stops (Both Ways):
Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Bangarapet, Krishnarajapuram, Yelahanka, Hindupur, Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam, Dharmavaram, Anantapur, Guntakal, Adoni, Manthralayam Road, Raichur, Wadi, Gulbarga, Solapur, Daund, Ahmednagar and Puntamba. On the return journey Train.No.22602 will stop at Perambur, Chennai also.

Devotees Experience at Shirdi by Mrs. Padma Ramaswamy, Mumbai.

Aum Sai Ram.

This is the first time i've put a Devotees experience with Shirdi Sai Baba at Shirdi. This Article has been sent to us by Mrs. Padma Ramaswamy from Mumbai. We are happy to publish the same. I hope that Sai Devotees reading this Article be blessed by Sai's Divine Grace & that they too experience his Love & Affection. The Narration of the Devotees Experience is as below.

-- Devotees Experience--

With the Blessing of our Sadguru Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, I would like to narrate my divine experiences at Shirdi this time. It has been my cherished dream to do the Sai Satcharita Parayan at the Parayan hall in Shirdi. So this time I got a chance to visit Shirdi during May 2011 along with my younger daughter and co-sisters and we all decided to complete the parayan in 3 days. As always this time too before leaving for Shirdi, I wrote down all my deepest desires of visiting all those places where Baba had gone in the Satcharita and prayed for a safe and blissful journey. We took the Volvo bus from Mumbai on friday. We were enjoying our journey listening to Sai bhajans. The bus halted at Sinnar for around 5 mins, where I got down to stretch my legs. Just then I felt a prick in my left toe and all of a sudden I had a shooting pain extending up to my thigh. I was almost in tears. It has always been my practice to carry Udi with me wherever I go.

So I immediately applied it and also took in some with water. I also gave some Reiki healing. But the pain seemed just unbearable. Then finally we reached Shirdi around 9pm. Somebody then suggested we go to the Sansthan Hospital. The doctor there gave an injection and some medicines but the pain failed to subside. The doctor over there suggested me that i should get admitted in the hospital as as it was an unknown insect bite. I got terrified. I told him to let me go as i was very sure nothing can happen as Baba is only testing me. My relative even suggested we return back to Mumbai, but I was very sure that I wanted to do the parayan and took it as Baba's way of testing me. I was crying in pain and had a sleepless night. Next morning a local doctor told it is the bite of a particular insect called 'Vinchoo' and suggested that such insect bites would be best cured by mantra shakti though he gave me an injection. That's when a local fellow suggested me to visit the 'Veerabhadrappa' temple in Rahata(mentioned in Chap.5.Sai Satcharita).

Then I realised that as I had written down my wish in the Satcharita, Baba wanted me visit this place where he had been. No one can comprehend his way of doing things.

The pain which refused to come down with injections and medicines came down immediately by the Grace of Baba.

Then immediately after that mantra treatment I started my Satcharita parayan and successfully finished it in 3 days. In the meantime I also had the privilege of visiting other places where Baba had been for instance-Khushalchandji's house in Rahata, Panchamukhi Ganapathi temple, Tapovan bhoomi, Upasani Maharaj's ashram at Sakori and finally Sai Dham at Kopergaon. There we also met Chauhan Baba. The moment Chauhan Baba looked at me he told that I have been in a lot of pain since I came to Shirdi and that Baba was near me only all the time. Saying so he blessed us all.

I had this deepest wish of doing some Seva in the Sansthan so when I enquired about it in the Sansthan they said no such thing took place there. I was a little upset over it but dint lose heart. Meanwhile on the last day I decided to go for Kakad aarati and got up early and was about too leave when I suddenly started feeling very uneasy and started throwing up. But I made up my mind to go for the aarati. I went to the temple at 3'o clock but somehow there too I felt very uneasy and came out and rushed to my hotel where I started throwing up again. And then I just left it to Baba and took some rest.

Around 7am I still had the urge to atleast go for the Mukhdarshan. I went there and then suddenly the sansthan workers asked if I could do some seva by sorting out the currency notes. My joy knew no bounds and I immediately agreed. After about half an hour's time they told me to take Bab's darshan and leave. I was so happy. He fulfilled this desire of mine too. As said in the aarati 'Jaya mani jaisa bhaav taya taisa anubhava.'

In the last 5 years since Baba has entered into my life,I have realised that though Baba gives us all that we want, he at the same time keeps testing us to see whether we have imbibed into us his two divine coins of 'Shraddha' and 'Saburi'.

I am really thankful to Baba for giving me a very new and divine experience this time. He arranged everything from our travel to stay.

I would like to mention here about a local auto driver Ganesh who knew all those places very well. His contact number is +91 98228 81977.

Thank you Baba. Love you. Om Sai Ram.
Best Regards,
Padma Ramaswamy

Courtesy:
Article: Mrs. Padma Ramaswamy, Mumbai
Edit: Raghav N.

1008 Mangoes Offered to Baba at Sai Temple,Santhapet, Ongole Dist. Andhra Pradesh

Aum Sai Ram

On Sunday 12th June 2011, amidst religious fervour, Sai Devotees offered 1008 Mangoes to Baba at the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Santhapet`Ongole, Andhra Pradesh in India.

After performing the "Sahasranama pooja", the devotees offered 1,008 Mangoes to Baba with ‘Shradha & Saburi' (Faith and Patience). The Devotees majorly included a large number of women, seeking Baba's blessings for Children.

Significance of offering Mangoes to Sai Baba:

According to the Amra-Leela (4 Mango Miracle) mentioned in the Shri Sai Satcharitra Chapter 25, Shri.Damu Anna, who had no children, was blessed with 4 Sons & 4 Daughters after his wife ate the 4 Mangoes given to them by Sai Baba himself.

Sai Baba stressed the need for Faith and Patience for those yearning for Progeny. He said: "Look at the Mango tree in blossom. If all the Flowers brought fruit, what a splendid crop it would be. But do they? Most fall off (either as flowers or as unripe fruits) by wind etc. Very few remain".

Coutresy:
Article: Rohit Behal, Mumbai
Soucrce: The Hindu