SRI SATHYA SAI BABA BOOK & INFORMATION CENTRE

58B, Arlington Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6G 3K8, Canada

Official Book Centre of the Sai Organization in Canada
Phone: (416) 481-7242  Website: http://www.saibooks.org
Email: saibooks@hotmail.com
NEWSLETTER OF THE CANADIAN SAI BOOK CENTRE
December 2002 Volume 8 No. 3

We wish all the readers a Very Merry Christmas. There are several events planned for this holiday season to make our hearts fresh and clean worthy for the Lord to reside in it. Please check our events calendar on the web site at www.saibooks.org for more information and feel free to drop in at our Sai Book/Spiritual Centre and participate in the events.

The items in the current issue are categorized into four groups: Discourses, Shirdi Sai, Devotees' experiences and Miscellaneous. We begin the reviews with the 4 books of Divine Discourses of Baba followed by couple of books of Shirdi Sai Titled Sai Baba of Shirdi – a Unique Saint & Shirdi to Puttaparthi followed by more on devotees' experiences titled Path of the Pilgrim and the brand new Seventy Five Blossoms. The miscellaneous section at the end of the newsletter contains the books of 108 names of God, a book of quotations & calendars for 2003.

This book is a compilation of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Convocation speeches as Chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Deemed University). They now total 15 in all, since its opening on November 22, 1981. Entitled Benedictory Addresses of Bhagavan, this is a compendium of knowledge on Swami's views on the role of education, the youth, their ideal behaviour and future role in society, as well as the acquisition of wisdom versus mere book knowledge. He said in the 14th convocation: "True education should promote morality, character and spirituality".

Price: $4.50; US$3.15

Swami's discourses to the multitudes who gather around him are really His private conversations with each one of us at the gathering. In this book Swami begins his discourse on Sense Control and then speaks about Love and the ways and means to develop these values within us which is the only way to Self-Realization, the ultimate goal of Human Life. Swami narrates from the personal lives of people like Napoleon to a down to earth cowherd boy to drive home his message of love. He also describes his own role as Sai. Swami's Divine Love for all beings flows into our hearts through these words. Read and Enjoy!

Price: $9.95; US$7.00

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has been conducting for many years since 1961, a seven day Vedic Fire-Sacrifice at Prasanthi Nilayam. Such a Yagna has been performed from 25th September to 1st October 1998 in Poorna Chandra Auditorium. Yagna is the means from securing awareness of the Divine and peace and happiness in society. Swami's discourses during the seven days of the Yagna are veritable feasts for the thousands of devotees from here and abroad. Baba explains in the simplest language the profoundest vedantic Truths in these discourses. He forcefully conveys the message of the Advaithic (Non-Dualism) wisdom of the oneness of the individual Self and the Supreme Self. This indeed is the real purpose of the Yagna.

Price: $2.00; US$1.50

The author of the book Dr. R T Kakade was a highly evolved soul who dedicated his entire life in the service of mankind. He was a brilliant medical doctor and contributed his services for free and alleviate the sufferings of many poor people in India. He was also a very ardent devotee of Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi. He was in the habit of reading Sai Satcharita which contains the life story of Sai Baba, almost everyday. While reading the book he felt how fortunate the devotees such as Mahalsapathi & Dasganu were to actually be in the presence of Sai Baba and wished he were born earlier so he could also be closely associated with Baba. This wish of his led him to the physical presence of Sri Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi and serve him in his most humble way. The pages containing the author's spiritual experiences resonate with his intense Bhakti (Love for God). Hence the book helps any serious spiritual aspirant to intensify his own sadhana (a psychological process through which one attains self realization).

Price: $4.95; US$3.50

Baba wants that every one of us should first get established firmly on the foundation of Truth so that our lives may be spent in the Righteous way, so that each of us may be unaffected by the ups and downs of life, strong with the quality of Santhi (Peace) and so that each of us can shower Love on all mankind because we ourselves are embodiments of Love. Truth therefore, is the very first attainment that we must seek, in order to deserve is the very first attainment that we must seek, in order to deserve the Grace of Baba. This book of Extracts from His discourses and writings will help us to clarify our understanding of Truth.

Price: $4.00; US$2.80

The readers will find in our catalogue books about the life of Shirdi Sai Baba written by several authors. The present title Sai Baba of Shirdi – A Unique Saint offers the readers a complete account of his life and mission including the history and the social environment of the place where Sai Baba physically lived. As a bonus the lives of Saints who lived in and around this area before the advent of Sai Baba at Shirdi can also be found in this book. the other titles containing the life story of Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi we currently have on our shelves are God Who Walked on Earth, Comprehensive life sketch of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba written in a devotional style, Sai Story, Sri Sai Baba by Swami Sai Sharan Anand & Sri Sai Satcharitha by Gunaji as well as the Sri Sai Satcharita written by Hemadpant (translated by Indira Kher) in an archaic style.

Price: $7.95; US$5.60

Path of the Pilgrim is an engaging first-person account of the author's journey to, and experience with, Sri Sathya Sai Baba – claimed by millions to be the Avatar of the current age. A high school psychologist in East Los Angeles, Richard Selby shares his personal experiences and the insights he has gained from his trips to Prashanthi Nilayam, Sai Baba's Ashram in Puttaparthi, India. He recounts 'miracles' that occurred to him and others, and the inspiration that has filled him with the faith and trust in God that carries him through his life.

Price: $9.95; US$7.00

The present collection of poems is inspired by the author's (Mrs. Kanaga Ranganathan) relentless spiritual quest for divinity culminating in her surrender to the "Twain Lotus Feet" of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. She is able to translate what we Sai devotees experience, feel and derive joy from into eloquent poetry for the benefit for all of us, for these poems echo our joyful experiences with swami and help relive them reinforcing our faith. In her humility she attributes everything to His Grace, "remembering The Twain feet, yearning to worship… is all but an act of Thy Grace". 'My child, find Me within and without' summarizes succinctly the all pervasiveness of the Lord. In Oh Listen, she experiences the divinity within us with all her senses, mind and in fact, her entire being. Darshan at Prashanti Nilayam transports us instantly to the Lord's earthly abode. For her, the birthday of Baba stands for the birth of awareness of divinity within. This volume is not only a testament of Kanaga's qualification as a poet, but also for her depth of knowledge of Sai literature, and her total devotion to His Feet.

Price: $11.00; US$7.70

• GOD LIVES IN INDIA: We are now offering this new CD containing Bhajans from the famous Raviraj Nasery.
  
  Price: $12.00; US$8.40
  
  
• MY LIFE IS MY MESSAGE: An interactive CD takes us on a journey into the life and teachings of Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba. Contains many pictures of Sai Baba and lots of melodious bhajans and interactive stories for children underlining human values.
  
  Price: Please call (416) 481-7242 or email saibooks@hotmail.com
  
  
• 76th BIRTHDAY VIDEO: The various events of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's 76th birthday have been captured on a video, which is now available.
  
  Price: $44.00; US$30.80
  
  
• 77th BIRTHDAY VIDEO: : Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's 77th Birthday Celebrations 18th - 23rd November 2002.
  
  Price: $25.00; US$17.50
  
  
• LORD KRISHNA'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: : : Lord Krishna's birthday (Krishna Janmaashtami) which was celebrated on 31st August is now available on video which includes Sri Sai Baba's divine discourse on this day.
  
  Price: $25.00; US$17.50
  
  For those viewing this newsletter on-line please click on the green play buttons ()to listen to a sampling of the music for the CD containing English Bhajans.
  
  
• ENGLISH BHAJANS FOR SAI: This CD is produced & distributed by Sri Sathya Sai Book & Information centre. All the Bhajans in here are composed by Michael and Marianne Warren. All the songs contain lovely lyrics set to a melodious tune. There are altogether 17 songs invoking deities such as Ganesha, Shirdi Sai, Parthi Sai, Shiva, Rama, Krishna, Hanumanji, Jesus and finally ending with a song containing the Sarva Dharma (all faiths) theme. The songs contained are:
  
  
  1. Ganesha Sharanam
  2. Is God far away
  3. I bow to the feet
  4. Hey Shirdi Sai Hey Parthi sai
  5. Krishna in Mathura
  6. Shiva Shiva Auspicious Shiva Sai Shiva
  7. Triple Avatara
  8. Rama Krishna Hari
  9. 70th Birthday Bhajan
  10. Ganapati Lord Vigneswara
  11. Pranams to the Mystic Sai Baba
  12. How can I show my Love for Thee?
  13. Say the Name of Sathya Sai Sadguru Sathya Sai
  14. Easwaramma
  15. Hanumanji
  16. Let me follow in the footsteps of Jesus
  17. All faiths are but facets of the one Truth
  
  Price: $12.00; US$8.40
  
  
• A FESTIVAL OF JOY: In this CD 'Surmani' Pravin Godkhinde weaves his magic on the flute. Music here is composed and arranged by the artist himself. Both the pieces heard here are meditative, romantic and transports the listener to a mystical world of heavenly beauty, perhaps depicting the divine bliss of the Gopikas (cowherd devotees) dancing with their beloved Lord Krishna. The CD contains a total of 45 minutes of relaxing music. The first piece is called The Journey and the second rendition is titled Partaking of the Feast.
  
  Price: $12.00; US$8.40
  

• We currently have 108 names of Ganesha, Rama, Krishna, Vishnu, Shirdi Sai Baba and Shiva. These are pocket sized books that make lovely gifts for your loved ones.
  
  Price: $4.50; US$3.15
  
  
• For an individual whose life may be miserable, sorrowful, worthless, stop and think again if this is true. You may want to think again. Obstacles are bound to take place, but with guidelines, love and joy, obstacles can be overcome in a gentle way. This little book titled Reflections for Life has been written to provide readers with simple guidelines for a better living and a happy environment.
  
  Price: $1.00; US$1.00
  
  
• A 6 sheet 2003 Wall Calendar with Swami’s colour photographs printed on high quality art paper.
  
  Price: $3.00; US$2.00
  
  
• The 2003 Desk Calendar contains 7 sheets (back to back print) with 12 color photographs of Swami in diverse emotions. Each photo is accompanied with one Swami’s quotation to brighten every month. The carefully chosen size 8.5” X 5.5” fits any table perfectly. The best place would be Study/Office desk.
  
  Price: $5.00; US$3.50