Sai Baba of Shirdi or Shirdi Sai Baba
(c. September 27, 1838 - October 15, 1918),
born under an unknown name, was an
Indian guru and fakir, who is regarded by
his Hindu and Muslim followers as a saint.
In his life and teachings he tried to embrace and reconcile
both faiths: Sai Baba lived in a mosque, was buried in a
Hindu temple, embraced Hindu and Muslim practices,
and taught using words and figures that drew from both
traditions. One of his well known epigrams says of God:
"Allah Malik" ("GOD is the Owner of us All.") 2
Sai started an ever-burning
dhuni fire, and distributed its
udhi (ash) among his followers.
(Ash has symbolic meaning in
Hinduism.)
He often demanded money
(dakshina) from his visitors,
which he gave away to others
the same day.
Followers believe that this
action was meant to help them
be rid of greed and material
attachment. 3
Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi, to His devotees, has
come to stay as ‘Para Brahma Swarupa' (God
Incarnate), Supreme Spirit, Primary Cause of the
universe and Pure Consciousness.
Baba lived a saintly life at Shirdi during the
period 1858-1918.
His actions are unique in nature, diverse in
purpose and different in character.
Baba showered His grace on the devotees in
multiple ways:
to some He appeared in dreams, to some in
physical form and to selective few He showed
His Godly form (Self).
4
Human being is subjected to `Karma' for his
actions in the past lives as well as the present
one. It is cumulative in effect. Redemption from
`Karma' in its duration, magnitude and intensity
is in the hands of God. As such, faith in God and
prayer to Him are essential to eliminate `Karma'.
`Namasmarana‘ is one of the potent sadhanas
which washes off `Karma'. Complete
annihilation of `Karmic action', arrests rebirth
and thus builds-up a state of liberation --
freedom from `Karma'. It is only through
complete elimination of `Karma', the soul ceases
to have any further life and merges with the Lord
(God). 5
Sri Sai Baba never revealed any information
regarding His parents, place of birth caste or
religion. People hailed Him as Saint and Aualia.
He did not even reveal His name, if any,
consecrated by his parents. When He came to
Shirdi with a marriage party. Sri Mahalsapathi, a
priest in a local Khandoba temple welcomed Him
saying 'Ayeeye Sai’. The word Sai meant Swamy.
Ever since, He was known as Sai Baba. 6
He used to stay in an old Maszid which He
named as "Dwarakamai" and He planted a Tulsi
plant in the Maszid. This plant is referred by
Hindus as a sacred plant. He burnt a holy fire
before Him in the Maszid and distributed 'Udi‘
(ashes) to alias prasad this prasad gives
miraculous benefits to the devotees even to this
day. For Him Mandir and Maszid were equally
sacred places for worship. Ram and Rahim were
on a Him. 7
Sri Sai Baba advised his devotees to bear Nishta
{faith} and Saboori (patience) and remember His
name. He said that those who visit His Samadhi at
Shirdi would be able to end their vows. He preached
love, tolerance and respect to other religions. His
sayings are in agreement with all the scriptures of all
religions. Regular reading of the sayings of Sri Sai
Baba and His sacharitra will free one and all from
mental tensions and worldly worries and provide
peace and desirelessness. 8
In the present day world, with several stresses
playing dominant role on the physical and mental
framework, human being is looking forward to
develop the inner spirit.
For this purpose, control of body and mind are
essential through meditation. Similarly, soul needs to
be uplifted and purified through prayer and
meditation. Namasmarana is a kind of prayer by way
of repeating the name of God (Sai). 9
The process of chanting the precious name of
God (`Om Sai Ram' or `Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya
Jaya Sai', Allah Malik, Baba and so on) with
pure heart is one of the important steps in
Sadhana. It has tremendous spiritual potential
and almost takes a `Sadhaka' nearer to the
final goal of God realisation. Ultimately, the
total effect of "Namasmarana" results in the
development of an "elevated soul". 10
Human being is subjected to `Karma' for his
actions in the past lives as well as the present one.
It is cumulative in effect. Redemption from `Karma'
in its duration, magnitude and intensity is in the
hands of God. As such, faith in God and prayer to
Him are essential to eliminate `Karma'.
`Namasmarana‘ is one of the potent sadhanas
which washes off `Karma'.
11
Complete annihilation of `Karmic action', arrests
rebirth and thus builds-up a state of liberation --
freedom from `Karma'. Then only, the soul ceases
to have any further life and merges with the Lord
(God). Soul is like an uncut diamond. Just as a
diamond needs to be cut and polished on several
edges and faces to reveal its true brillance, so
also the soul needs to be purified through various
steps of `Sadhana' -- prayer, penance, sacrifice,
service and surrender to the Lord (Baba).
12
Single elevated (evolved) soul saves the sins
of millions of people. As such, evolution of
millions of people. As such, evolution or
upliftment of the soul is important in the
process of God realisation. Sacrifice and
surrender to the Lord (God) are needed for
salvation of the soul. Desires of the body
have to be suppressed through meditation to
brighten the soul.
13
The only hope and path for deliverence of the soul
from bondage to the body and rebirth is prayer.
Wisdom derived through `Sadhana‘ put into
practice salvages the soul for eternal bliss.
Through `Sadhana', one can also awaken the
Divinity within and free the soul from bondage.
The process in totality, if pursued, would
help complete merger of the soul with the
Almighty (`Moksham'). 14
*
*"Divinity within has to be awakened,
*For this, sacrifice from human being
is needed in many ways,
*Elevated soul through sacrifice finds
a place with the Lord,
*This is the ultimate goal of life -- this
life or repetition of lives".
15
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.
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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.
http://saibaba.ws/avatar/shirdisaibabaselevenssayings.htm
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1. No harm shall befall him who sets his foot on the
soil of Shirdi.
2. He who cometh to My Samadhi, his sorrow and
suffering shall cease.
3. Though I be no more in flesh and blood, I shall
ever protect My devotees.
4. Trust in Me and your prayer shall be answered.
5. Know that My Spirit is immortal. Know this for
yourself.
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6. Show unto Me he who sought refuge and been turned
away.
7. In whatever faith men worship Me, even so do I render
to them.
8. Not in vain is My Promise that I shall ever lighten your
burden.
9. Knock, and the door shall open. Ask and ye shall be
granted.
10. To him who surrenders unto Me totally I shall be ever
indebted.
11. Blessed is he who has become one with Me. 19
"The seat for Guru (Spiritual Master) and
Daivam (God) is the heart of the devotee.
If that seat is worshiped with special prayer
(Abhishekam) with emphasis on `Namajapam',
the soul gets purified. This brings the devotee
nearer to God.
Human being merges with Lord Almighty with
the purification of the soul. That is salvation of
the soul -- `Moksham'." 20