Shirdi Sai Baba, who is also known as Sai Baba or Sai Ram, was a great saint of late 19th and early 20th centuries. Though Sai is a Persian word meaning a Sufi fakir, Baba and Ram are Hindi words denoting father and Lord respectively. However, both are god’s name and serve as beacon light to show the right path. As the definition of the name goes, the intention of the saint is go towards the Truth. Love and devotion are His two wheels and instruments to teach and infuse spiritualism in the seekers. Lord Krishna has said, “Saints are my living forms”. Hence Saints are the mirrors of God without any attachment. They have already abandoned to God in consonance with what God wills. They come with a mission and when that is accomplished go nowhere but live in the form of their ideals, teachings, instructions and guide the mankind for The Supreme Being. Sai Baba of Shirdi was such a saint, who had come to this earth in the form of Incarnation to uplift the mankind and when that was completed went on a tour to return later to play and laugh with us.
Early life of Baba is shrouded in mystery. There is no authentic document leading to the specific information of his early life. Nobody knew the parents, birth or birthplace of Sai Baba. Many questions were put to Baba and others but no satisfactory answer was received. Baba first came to Shirdi when he was a young lad of sixteen and stayed there for three years. When he reappeared near Aurangabad and came to Shirdi with the marriage party of Chand Patil , he was twenty years old. Thereafter, he stayed in Shirdi for an unbroken period of sixty years, after which Baba took His Maha Samadhi in the year 1918. Thus it can be inferred that year of Baba’s birth is approximately 1838 AD. There is one another unauthentic account which says that he was born to Brahmin parents in 1838 in a place called Pathri in Marathwada. He was abandoned soon after and was adopted by a childless Sufi Fakir and his wife. Later he was put in the care of a guru (Venkush) where he remained for 12 years. According to still another version he studied with a Sufi Master in Aurangabad where Sufism flourished. He was first seen in Shirdi around 1858 but had disappeared after a while. However the case may be, Baba was a great fakir, aulia or a sufi saint who held the view that believer of any religion could attain Almighty under the benediction of Guru, who could impart knowledge, guidance and the right path. Baba did not preach any religion, neither established any institution and nay discriminated between his followers, whether they are Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and so on. He gave all of them a universal truth – Sab Ka Malik Ek (God is one).
Baba’s stayed in Shirdi for more than 60 years. The life of Baba who is God Incarnate is as wide and deep as the ocean. The belief in simplicity was his greatest virtue. He never called himself God and always uttered “Allah Malik” (God is the Savior). He lived a life of Fakir and mendicancy and called himself to be servant of the God. Many personalities came to the Sai Darbar, some to test him or some to pay their obeisance but all were welcomed with the universal smile of Baba. Sai respected devotees’ feelings and prayed for their welfare. The warmthness of His darshan was such that even agitated and angry mind melted on seeing his form and became one with him. He was Pure Anand and always engrossed in divine ecstasy. His casual talks and behavior bestowed untold happiness on the devotees. He was Satchitanand and nectar rained from His speech and stories. Such was the personality of the Sai Baba.
Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad-Gita that “Whenever there is a decay of Dharma, I manifest Myself to protect the upright and virtuous and destruction of the vicious”. So Saints do appear at regular intervals to show and guide the right path and do away with the wicked. So, in this contemporary age, Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi came to uplift the mankind. He was the Incarnation of Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva. He was the Absolute Reality. His simple touch would remove the mountains of sins and afflictions and turn a beggar into a king. Meher Baba in his book “God Speaks” called him ‘Qutab-I-Iarshad’ or the First amongst the Masters. A Perfect one, who is beyond the finite barriers of caste, creed and religion. A Perfect Master is the highest point of Divine consciousness, and is one with God.
During the early life of Baba in Shirdi, he was called a ‘mad fakir’, as he would store burnt matches and sticks in his pocket. Those who could not recognize him were miserable and those who could were indeed fortunate and blessed. By the passage of time, people realized the significance of Baba and atoned for their sins and ignorance. Today, Sai is the household name in the world. There is hardly any country in the world, where we do not have the ‘Sai Temple’; leave alone India where perhaps we have more than 200 temples dedicated to Sai Baba. The name of Baba has become a force to be reckoned with in the whole world. This is also a testimony of the relevance and significance of Baba’s teachings.
Even the contemporary study shows him a Great saint, a Sufi saint or an Aulia for spiritual wealth and emancipation from this mundane world. Sai Baba was a magnet, who drew his devotees from across the seven seas. He was a mystique saint and strange were his methods to teach and bless people. Baba gave nine assurances to his devotees (which are given at the end of the book). The Baba’s sayings are the universal truth and stood the test of the time. Though Baba has taken Maha Samadhi, He is still alive for his millions and millions of devotees and speaking, guiding and helping his devotees from his tomb.
Baba’s methods were unique. He spoke in parables and instructed his devotees. The parables were direct orders and commands of the God and had to be obeyed without fail. Those who showed recalcitrance either suffered or faced mishaps but were reminded of the Baba’s true words. Though Baba did not preach any religion, nor initiated any disciple, nay taught or gave any specific teachings, still the philosophy of Sai Baba of Shirdi is universal, of great magnitude and was for the welfare of the mankind. His philosophy or teachings were manifold. The basis was love and compassion, universal brotherhood, religious tolerance, fearlessness, amity between Hindu and Muslims, devotion to Guru, abhorrence against casteism, and so on.
As mentioned, the early life of Baba is unknown to us. In his young days, he grew hair on His head; never had His shaved. He dressed like an athlete. In the later stages, he wore a kafni. By appearance, he looked like a Muslim but his ears were pierced – a Hindu tradition. Though he lived in a Mosque but called it Dwarka Mai and permitted Arti and Puja. He always uttered ‘Allah Malik’ but kept a sacred fire burning day in and day out. He recited Koran and Shastras with equal fervor. He encouraged Hindu and Muslims festivals and saw amity and unity between two communities in these two festivals. The festival of Ramnavmi and the Urus were celebrated side by side. Baba had some end in view that is unification of two communities. As the things stand today, the Baba’s object was achieved. The flags of both the communities still flutter the pious Majid or Dwarka Mai of Baba.
Baba was a great connoisseur of amity, love, peace and universal brotherhood. He spread the message as such. But at the same time, he was against caste system. He often said that caste is a bane and poison to the society and mankind. If it is not shunned or totally got rid of, it will engulf the whole world and the world would burn and finish in it. He preached that all people are equal. Instances are replete when Baba embraced and loved untouchables and leprosy-ridden people.
Baba was also a gospel of universal brotherhood. He loved all regardless of their disposition. He encouraged community eating, group worship and prayer. He even showed love and compassion towards animals and birds and even shared food with them. Baba was Peace Incarnate and spread love and compassion to teach people the ills of strife-ridden society and hatred.
Sai Baba while engrossed in Divine luster always thought of his devotees. His glory is beyond description. He saw Divinity in all beings. All were equal to him including friends and foes. He always advised his devotees to say ‘Sai’, ‘Sai’ – the only mean for liberation from the mundane world. Baba also taught and encouraged the company of Saints as it would advance spiritual progress and would remove our ego and destroys the chain of birth and death. He mentioned that the true saints never expect anything in return but always stand by us to protect us all the time. It reminds me of a translated version of Rumi which states that
The Sufi opens his hands to the Universe
And gives away each instant, free
Unlike someone who begs on the street for money to survive
A dervish begs to give you his life
Baba was such a fakir. He lived for people and took Maha Samadhi for his devotees. There are countless instances where Baba took on himself the ills and diseases of his devotees and made them happy.
Saints have their own way to teach us. So Baba also taught us at every step of life. Lord Krishna while enjoining upon Arjun has stated that “Whosoever offers to me, with love or devotion, a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, that offering of love of the pure and self-controlled man is willingly and readily accepted by me”. Baba reemphasized its importance to the mankind and taught the meaning and importance of Shraddha and Saburi. Both words are akin and analogous and cannot be separated. Through the medium of Shraddha or Nishta , Baba taught us faith and devotion towards Guru. If the Shraddha is pure and pious, it will carry you across the mundane existence and gives you a place at Lord’s feet. Along with the faith, if Saburi (perseverance) or patience is practiced, one will get rid of calamities, sins and afflictions and ultimately move towards the path of self-realization. Thus Baba gave advancement and sow seeds towards spiritual inspiration. Really! Wonderful were his ways to teach the people and those who took the correct purport were successful and blessed in life.
Man is born selfish and greedy. He runs after sense objects to fulfill his desires. He sees materialism as the ultimate goal of life. But Saints do appear in this universe to guide, lead and enlighten the beings. It is our misfortune if we do not catch the importance and roll in ignorance. Baba said the whole visible world is ephemeral as the ash or Udi. Everything is perishable and in the process the body will decay over a period of time and will be reduced to ashes. As we know, Udi is the sacred ash from the dhuni (ever burning fire) started by Baba. He set the Udi as the medium to cure our mental and physical maladies. He also taught us discrimination between real and unreal. The following words will further signify the importance, significance and efficacy of Udi:
He is standing on the threshold of Dwarkamai
Beckoning devotees and people alike
Besmearing Udi on their forehead; and
Placing His boon conferring hands on their heads
Udi has taught us discrimination
Holding spiritual and material significance together
Giving health, happiness and prosperity to all
Freedom from anxiety and worldly affairs
Udi has stood the test of time
Gave relief when no end of suffering in sight
Cured mental and physical afflictions all the time
It acted like medicine in times of need
Baba has said that
Those who resort to the Dwarkamai; and
Apply Udi
Will never suffer in this life
Such is the force and power of Baba behind the Udi that even today it testifies to the world its importance and significance. Really blessed are those who apply it daily as a gift of Baba to be freed from the miseries of the world.
The life of the Saints is naturally sweet. So is the life of Saint Sai. His life was not only sweet but Nectar was always oozing out from the stories, parables and teachings of Baba. Though Baba’s words were always short, concise and deep but laden with a meaning and were instructions to work out our path to salvation. Let us remember Him with love and devotion, who has taken this human form to lead us to our goal. Sai Baba has said that only remembrance of Sai brings forth many rewards to our lives and also emancipation from birth and death. We should not waste a minute and make chanting of His name a part of life. O’Merciful and Blissful Sai, we are indebted to you and can never redeem your obligations in this life. Baba always encouraged good thoughts. To ask Dakshina was order of the day in Baba’s life. Though he collected lot of money, he never kept any amount with him. In fact, it was not Dakshina, which he collected, but people’s sins to make them happy and free from this mundane existence. Baba taught us that by Dakshina Vairagya (non-attachment) advances and thereby Bhakti and Jnana (Celestial Wisdom). So give with faith, or even without it; give with magnanimity. It conduces the donor’s welfare to a great degree and speed up his liberation from the world.
Baba respected all religions and saw no distinction among them and their devotees. All were equal to him. He established no institution for the propagation of any religion. He recited Koran and Hindu Shastras with equal respect and fervor. Hindu, Muslims and other devotees were equal and none he showed importance and discrimination. To Hindus, he said, “Allah Bala Kare Ga”, and to Muslims “Ram, Ram”. He even repaired temples and mosques with equal tenacity. Those who went to make enquiries about his caste were dumb-founded and were captured by His Darshana. So none could decide as to whether Baba was a Muslim or a Hindu. He celebrated Hindu and Muslim festivals with all due formalities. Many Hindu and Muslim personalities were part of His Darbar. Hence, none could understand Baba’s religion. In fact, Baba’s religion was love to humanity. He wanted to see all communities under one umbrella – where there is no trace of caste, color and creed. He said to all irrespective of their religion and caste that “Sab Ka Malik Ek” (God is one). His mission was the synthesis and amalgamation of all religions and makes understand people the meaning of love and humanity. Also Baba never tolerated any disrespect against any God, temple or masjid and preached love and devotion to all Gods. Baba often said “He who carps and cavils at others, pierces Me in the heart and injures Me, but he that suffers and endures, pleases Me most”. Thus in Shirdi, there is as such no religion and only religion of love to humanity is practiced. On account of this, Shirdi assumes greater significance in the sense that it is only holy shrine in the world where people from all religions pay their obeisance, partake of food and sing the glory of the Sai Baba together by forgetting their caste, color and creed to fulfill His dream.
Man is ignorant by birth. If he is not awakened, he will continue to roll into the riddle of birth and death again and again. Baba, who is Satchitanand and obliged the mankind, also taught the importance of Guru. It is only Guru who is of the nature of awareness and treaded on the path of self-realization can guide and teach to the human beings the means of emancipation from this world. It is the spiritual preceptor who cleans the mind of his disciples and guides them to realize the Truth. Lord Krishna in Bhagvad Gita has said that those who wish to know the Truth must seek such Masters, who themselves are aware of it. Baba himself praised the greatness of Guru by narrating his own experiences and gave examples of real Guru Bhakti. Baba himself emphasized that we should have such Gurus who fixes our mind in Nature (self) and take us beyond the sea of mundane existence. Thus Guru’s feet are roots or worship and liberation. Let us hold the holy feet of Sai, who is our Guru and Para Brahma, to receive his limitless and endless love and compassion to attain The Supreme Being.
Guru is great and so is kindness. His kindness is beyond description. Baba has said that whose demerits have vanished take to my worship. When Baba accepts a devotee, He follows and stands by him, come what may. Satcharita is replete when Baba stood by his devotees in times of need and instill in them a sense of fearlessness. As we know, Baba was Omniscient and knew the past, present and future of all. In many cases, he forewarned his devotees of the impending danger and calamities. Those who believed and understood His words were protected and those who took it lightly and gave no importance suffered immensely; later to realize that Baba is all pervading. He often said to his devotees, “why fear, when I am hear”. In fact, Baba taught people to be fearless and confidant as long as their aim and mission is pure and aimed at achieving the good.
Sai Baba was an ocean of mercy. He showered infinite mercy on his devotees. He stayed in Shirdi for more than 60 years. Dwarka Mai was His home. He said, “She is the Mother of those who place their entire faith in her”. This place is considered very sacred and pious; for Baba preached and guided the mankind from here. It is the place where the Great Master lived and took Maha Samadhi. Baba said, “The helpless will experience plenty of joy, happiness and fulfillment as soon as they climb the steps of the Dwarka Mayee or Dwarka Masjid”. It is at this place where Baba lighted ‘Sacred Fire’ (Dhuni). Udi is the sacred ash from the dhuni (ever burning fire) started by Baba. He set the Udi as the medium to cure our mental and physical maladies. It is a gift of Baba to be freed from the miseries of the world. Hence the place has utmost sanctity, a priceless legacy descended on us from Baba’s time. The sanctity of the place is inborn and innate. Dwarka Mai is the pride of the Shirdi and has become a holy landmark. In short, the Dwarka Mai is the light of the Shirdi and whosoever steps in is absolved of all maladies, set free and experience infinite love, peace and tranquility.
Hence Baba’s philosophy and teachings are infinite and it is for us as to how we take and understand them. The relevance of Baba’s teachings in the present time is more pronounced and meaningful. In today’s time, the whole society is withered by caste and religion and is ridden with hatred and violence. As such, the seeds of abhorrence and violence is gaining ground and becoming bane and curse to the society. There is no peace and man is running for safe heavens to protect and save him. Truly speaking, the man has forgotten the teachings of love, peace and universal brotherhood of our Great Saints. Man has drowned himself in materialism and the principles of ‘I’ and ‘Me’ has overtaken him. He stands in darkness and sky is overcast and is threatening with lust, jealousy, anger and hatred to engulf and destroy the whole earth. Still the time has not run out of our hands to follow and practice the ideals and standards as set forth in our scriptures and continuously dwelt upon by great sages of our history including Sai Baba of Shirdi to save this mankind and have peace and amen on the earth.
By: Rajesh R. Anand
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