Sai’s smile is not merely a physical expression but a source of good fortune, a tool for teaching, and a manifestation of Supreme Bliss.
1. The Smile as a Bridge from Anger to Love
In the opening of the Source* text, Baba uses his smile to transform a tense situation into one of spiritual affection.
- Chapter 1: When village women attempted to “loot” the flour Baba was grinding, he initially feigned anger. However, upon seeing their genuine love, his “anger turned into love and Baba started smiling”. This illustrates that the divine smile is the natural result of a devotee’s sincere devotion.
2. The Smiling Face as a Bestower of Fortune
The source emphasizes that simply witnessing the smile of a Saint is a spiritual milestone for a human being.
- Chapter 20: The author Shri Hemadpant notes that “the smiling face of a saint – bestow the devotees with good fortune”. This expression is described as a “nectar” that washes away sins and brings internal satisfaction.
- Chapter 44: Reflecting on Baba’s persona, the text asks, “How wonderful was Sai’s smiling visage which granted the purest of happiness!”. It is described as a sight that allows a devotee to “forget all worldly sorrows” and find immediate contentment.
3. The Smile of Omniscience and Understanding
Baba often used a smile to signal to his devotees that he was aware of their innermost thoughts and past actions.
- Chapter 11: When discussing a devotee’s perceived inconsistency in worship (tilak of paste to Sai’s forehead), “lovingly Sai smiled” before delivering a sweet remark about the nature of true faith on Guru.
- Chapter 21: Upon meeting a gentleman , Kanarese Appa had told he would meet a great man, Baba said to him ‘The path of this place is not so easy…even as thebuffalo ride in the ghat’ with a smile of understanding, as he was omniscient”. This smile served as a confirmation of the divine prophecy.
4. The Role of the Smile in “Splendid Humour”
Baba’s smile was an integral part of his unique method of teaching through wit and parables.
- Chapter 24: The source describes Baba’s “splendid humour” as being accompanied by “a smiling face and playful eyes,” which added to the sweetness and effectiveness of his jests. These smiles helped “impress on us the most profound teachings” in a way that was easily remembered.
5. The Smile as a Goal for Human Learning
Smile is the “first learning of each human.” The sources support this by presenting the Saint’s smile as the ultimate refuge for the human mind.
- Chapter 44: The author suggests that for a fortunate devotee, a single “glance at your smiling face was enough to forget all worldly sorrows”.
- Chapter 49: Even when addressing a devotee’s inner infatuation or mental disturbance, Baba’s calm and potentially smiling guidance aimed to make the “mind get steady and calm, slowly and gradually”.
Source*:English Translation of Sree Sai Samartha Satcharita (2004) by Zarine .
Visit the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple and experience the warmth of Sai’s smile, a symbol of love and devotion that fills your heart with happiness and tranquility.
