Shuklam-Baradharam Vishnum Shashivarnam Chaturbhujam |
Prasanna Vadanam Dhyayet Sarva Vighnopa-Shantaye ||

Quarterly Newsletter
Voulme 5

August 2006

Nori Foundation Inc.

Shirdi Sai Baba's Eleven Assurances

1. Whosoever puts their feet on Shirdi soil, their sufferings will come to an end.

2. The wretched and miserable will rise to joy and happiness as soon as they climb the steps of the mosque.

3. I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body.

4. My tomb shall bless and speak to the needs of my devotees.

5. I shall be active and vigorous even from my tomb.

6. My mortal remains will speak from my tomb.

7. I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me and who seek refuge in me.

8. If you look to me, I look to you.

9. If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it.

10.If you seek my advice and help, it shall be given to you at once.

11.There shall be no want in the house of my devotee.

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Register your children in Bal Vikas Program

Registration begins on Sunday, September 10^th at 10.00 A.M.

Minimum Age 5 Yrs.

Om Sai Ram

Sathya Sai & Ganesha

(Swami seated near the Ganesha statue in front of the Prashanthi Mandir during the celebrations marking the 25th Anniversary of the Andhra Pradesh Sri Sathya Sai Organizations, November 1988)

Who is Vinayaka? In the sloka beginning with the words, Suklaambaradharam Vishnum, only the form of the deity is described. But there is another inner meaning for the name Vinayaka. Suklaambaradharam means one who is clad in white. Vishnum means he is all-pervading. Sasivarnam means his complexion is grey like that of ash. Chathurbhujam means he has four arms. Prasannavadanam means he has always a pleasing mien. Sarvavighnopasaanthaye means for the removal of all obstacles. Dhyaayeth, meditate (on him). Vinayaka is the deity who removes all bad qualities, instills good qualities and confers peace on the devotee who meditates on him

Vinayaka means that he is totally master of himself. He has no master above him. He does not depend on anyone. He is also called Ganapathi. This term means he is the lord of the ganas - a class of divine entities. This term also means that he is the master of the intellect and discriminating power in man. He possesses great intelligence and knowledge. Such knowledge issues from a pure and sacred mind. This knowledge leads to wisdom (vijnaana). Because he is the master of Buddhi (intelligence) and Siddhi (wisdom or realization), he is described as the Lord of Buddhi and Siddhi. Buddhi and Siddhi are referred to as the consorts of Vinayka.

The mouse is the vehicle of Vinayaka. What is the inner significance of the mouse? The mouse is considered as the embodiment of the sense of smell. The mouse is a symbol of the attachment to worldly tendencies (vaasanas). It is well known that if you want to catch a mouse, you place a strong-smelling edible inside the mouse-trap. The mouse also symbolizes the darkness of night. The mouse can see well in the dark. As Vinayaka's vehicle the mouse signifies an object that leads man from darkness to light. The Vinayaka-principle, thus, means that which removes all the bad qualities, bad practices and bad thoughts in men and inculcates good qualities, good conduct and good thoughts.

- Baba

(Discourse: Ganesh Chathurthi - September 12, 1991)

The Story of Ganesh

Indian Mythological sources stress the need for recitation of the name of Lord Ganesh before starting any work. The relevance of this becomes clear as the story of Lord Ganesh unfolds in the following pagaraphs.

Lord Ganesh is the virtual son of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvathi. The story of creation of ganesh is a very fascinating one.

A long long time ago when Lord Shiva, was away fighting for the gods, the lady of the house, goddess Parvathi was alone at home. On one occasion, she needed someone to gaurd the house when she was going for a bath. Unable to think of an alternative, she used her powers to create a son, Ganesh. She instructed Ganesh to keep strict vigil on the entrance to the house and not to allow anyone into the house. Ganesh agreed and stayed on the strictest of strict vigils.

In the meantime Lord Shiva returned happy after a glorious victory for the gods, only to be stopped at the entrance by Ganesh. Ganesh, acting on Parvathi's orders verbatim, did not allow Shiva to enter the house. Lord Shiva was enraged beyond control and in a fit of rage slashed the head of Ganesh. In the meantime Paravti came out from her bath and was aghast at the scene. She was very very angry at her lordship for what had happened and explained him the situation.

Lord Shiva wanted to make it up to Parvathi very badly and agreed to put life back into Ganesha by putting the head of the first sleeping living creature that came in sight which was sleeping with its head to the north. He sent his soldiers to go in search of the creature. The first creature which came in sight was an elephant. So Lord Shiva re-created his son with the head of the elephant. Hence the trunk of Lord Ganesha.

Parvathi was still not totally happy with the deal and wanted more. Then Shiva granted Ganesha a boon that before beginning of any undertaking or task people would worship Lord Ganesh. Thus the reason for worship of ganesha before start of any work.

GANAPATI BAPPA MAURYA!!!

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Pay a Visit to Geeta Mandir next door . The Idols truly look life like! You will feel the presence of Divinity. We encourage and welcome you to take Lord Krishna’s Blessings!

TWELVE NAMES OF GANESHA

1. Pranamya Shirasa Devam Gauriputram Vinaayakam
Bhakataavaasam Smare Nityam Aayuh Kaamartha Siddhaye

Meaning:Every day, I bow down to that Lord, the son of Gowri, the Lord who lives in the heart of the devotees, blessing them always with good health and prosperity.

2. Prathamam Vakratundam Cha Ekadantam Dviteeyakam
Thriteeyam Krishna Pingaaksham Gajavaktram Chaturthakam

Meaning: Starting from here, the twelve names of Ganesha are mentioned and he is worshipped in those different forms. The first as the Lord with the curved trunk; second, as the one with only one tusk, third, as the one with black (red/brown) eyes, fourth, as the one with giant structure.

3. Lambodaram Panchamaam Cha Shashtam Vikatameva Cha
Saptamam Vighnaraajendram Dhoomravarnam Tathaashtamam

Meaning: Fifth, as the one with a big (long) stomach, six, as the one with a huge body, Seven, as the remover of obstacles, eight, as the one with smoke gray color

4. Navamam Phaalachandram Cha Dasamam Tu Vinaayakam
Ekaadasam Ganapatim Dvaadasam Tu Gajaananam

Meaning: Ninth, as the one with moon on the front of His head, tenth, as the foremost leader, eleventh, as the leader of the ganas, twelfth, as the one with elephant face.

5. Dvaadasaitaani Naamaani Trisandhyam Yah Pathernnarah
Na Cha Vighna Bhayam Tasya Sarva Siddhikaram Prabho

Meaning: Any person, who remembers these twelve names of Ganesha, three times in a day, will have all their obstacles and fear removed and will attain success. (This group of verses is said to be sage Narada's offering to Lord Ganesh.)

Upcoming Events

September 23^rd to

October 2nd Baba’s Punyathithi Celebrations &

Navarathri Celebrations

September 28^th Shirdi Sai Baba’s Birthday Celebrations

October 2^nd Vijaya Dasami and Baba’s Punyathithi Celebrations

October 21st-22^nd Deepavali Celebrations

November 4^th Kartika Purnima

Samoohika Sathya Narayana Vratham

November 23^rd Sathya Sai Baba’s Birthday and Thanksgiving Celebrations

Every Last Tuesday of the month!

Sai Mandir has started a new and exciting program for the adults.

We will be addressing social, cultural , spiritual and medical well being issues.

As a part of this program, Sri Gambhirah Chaitanya (from Arsha Vidya Gurukulam) will be giving a talk on Tuesday, the 29^th at 7.00 P.M.

Topic: “How to put spiritual principles in to daily practice”

Ganesh Gayathri - Recite this Ganesh Gayathri to clear your path from bad luck and fill it with good fortune, before you start any new project to ensure success and prosperity. Recite it every morning before you begin your day. The power of this mantra will ensure smooth sailing of life even in the most turbulent of times.

Om Ekadantaye Vidmahe 
Vakratundaye Dhi-Mahi 
Tan No Buddhih Prachodayat

Past Events

We celebrated several religious functions and hosted spiritual discourses during the period of April - August 2006. Devotees participated with great enthusiasm in the Sita Rama Kalyanam on 06^th April, Sri Rama Navami Day. Special Poojas were performed to Baba’s Idol on May 1^stin connection with Shankar Jayanthi. Hanuman Jayanthi was celebrated by chanting Hanuman Chalisa and performing Poojas on 22^nd May. The 4^th anniversary of Sai Mandir was observed with great pomp and gaiety on 4^th July.

The auspicious Guru Poornima Day was celebrated on 10^th of July with devotion and reverence to Sadguru Sainath. Devotees performed Samuhika Shirdi Sai Vratham and participated in Abhishekams and Archanas to Baba’s Idol and sang Bhajans. This quarterly news letter was commenced last year on this day to inform devotees about the functions held from time to time and visits of renowned persons and propagate Baba’s messages and anecdotes from Sai Sat Charitra.

The most memorable event of the year is the inauguration of Geeta Mandir and installation of majestic life size marble idols of Radha & Krishna in the erstwhile Dwarkamai building. On 4^th August large number of ladies performed the sacred Varalaksmi Vratham with great devotion. On 15^th August, Krishnastami day, the birth of Bhagawan Krishna was celebrated and several devotees attended the day & night functions.

Famous musicians Sri Bala Murali Krishna and Vani Jayaram visited the temple, performed pooja to Sai Baba and enthralled the devotees with devotional songs. World renewed Hindu Spiritual leaders Swamy Vishwamji Maharaj, Swamy Sadbodhananda, Swamy Priyaji and Mother Vani (Hyderabad, India) gave discourses on spiritual topics, shared their personal experiences of Sai Baba’s Leelas and blessed the devotees.

(By: Bala S. Nori)

Vakratunda Mahakaaya
Suryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Mey Deva
Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada

Meaning:The Lord with the curved trunk and a mighty body, who has the luster of a million suns, I pray to thee Oh Lord, to remove the obstacles from all the actions I intend to perform.

Photographs from various events by: Bala S. Nori