Category: Resources

A curated library of books, magazines, online publications, and media for devotees seeking to deepen their knowledge of Shirdi Sai Baba, His life and His teachings.

  • Significance of Sai’s smile

    Significance of Sai’s smile

    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.

  • AUM: The Divine Sound for Spiritual Growth

    AUM: The Divine Sound for Spiritual Growth

    The sound ‘AUM’ (or Aumkar) serves as a primary vehicle for enlightenment in the Satcharita by acting as the mystical symbol and vibration of the Supreme Spirit (Brahman).

    According to the sources, ‘AUM’ facilitates the spiritual path in the following ways:

    The Essence of Divine Nature

    • Connotation of the Divine: Baba revealed that the symbol ‘AUM’ expresses His true nature and that He is the only connotation of it. He identified Himself as “the sacred letter ‘AUM’” and the “Truth”.
    • Representation of Brahman: The entire nature of Brahman is seen in the representation of ‘AUM’. It is the sign and symbol for both the unmanifest (Parabrahma) and the manifest (Apar Brahma), and it is intended to be meditated upon and worshipped forever.
    • Primeval Sound: It is described as the “primeval sound” upon which the eternal and ancient soul rests.

    The Core of Spiritual Practice

    • Essence of Tapas: ‘AUM’ is described as a word, a sentence, and a letter that constitutes the essence of all tapas (austerities and spiritual practices).
    • Source of Enlightenment: The text states that while the very utterance of ‘AUM’ reveals its meaning, constant repetition of the sound gives enlightenment.
    • Essence of Knowledge: It is considered the “thought behind all knowledge” and the core essence of the four Vedas.

    Facilitating Oneness

    • Modes of Speech: In the yogic tradition, ‘AUM’ symbolises para, the highest of the four modes of speech, which is practised by yogis to transcend physical articulation.
    • Meditation and Death: The sources suggest that meditating upon ‘Aumkar–Brahman’ is so powerful that a person who dies while in this state of meditation, remembering the Lord, is considered truly blessed.
    • Bridge from Unmanifest to Manifest: ‘AUM’ is the spoken word from which the unseen form of Brahman manifests into the world; by meditating on it, a seeker can transition from material involvement back to a state of oneness with the Supreme.

    Ultimately, ‘AUM’ facilitates enlightenment by helping the seeker introvert the senses, move from gross to subtle perceptions, and eventually reach a state of unity consciousness where the distinction between the meditator and the divine disappears.

    Source Book: Shree Sai Samartha SatCharita

  • Studying this work will provide

    Studying this work will provide

    Correct knowledge of facts connected with the lives of saints is good for the individual who knows them. It is also beneficial to society. In the long run, it promotes social unity. It encourages ethical, spiritual, and religious study and endeavor.


    Lives of saints provide more than information, for the reader’s brain. They offer sustenance and strength for the heart. They also support the overall advancement of mankind’s temporal and spiritual interests.


    By the study of such lives, basic ignorance and illusions are dispelled. Rajasic and Tamasic qualities such as egotism, pride, and hatred are reduced. Cruelty is suppressed.
    Noble virtues like humility and earnestness grow. Love to all, service of saints, Guru Bhakti, and Jnana are cultivated. These in due course lead to the goal of God-realisation.


    God-realisation is a personal experience and can’t be obtained or explained through the written word.

    Those who understand Hindu thought can realise the importance of a Guru. Absolute faith in a Guru is essential for quickening spiritual growth.
    “All things are possible to him that believeth”. But faith is founded on experience and confidence is increased by tangible proofs. To create such faith, God or a God-man Guru must confer wished for benefits on the disciple or devotee. This act of conferring benefits is the tool God uses.
    The less a devotee cares about his bodily or material comforts, the more perfectly he can carry out God’s will. He executes God’s programme more perfectly.

    This book /Work proves beyond doubt. Sai Baba took responsibility for the maintenance of his disciples and devotees. He looked after their health and prosperity.
    The advent of Sai Baba was for the uplift of mankind. Studying this work will provide readers with incalculable benefits. These benefits are both spiritual and temporal, in this world and beyond.

  • Self-Affirmation from Chapter XXIV of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees

    Self-Affirmation from Chapter XXIV of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees

    1. 💃By worshipping Sai Baba, I attract both worldly and spiritual blessings, and I experience peace and happiness in my life.
    2. 👂I respectfully hear and meditate on Sai Baba’s Leelas (stories) to easily attain Bliss.
    3. 🕉️Before enjoying any object, I first remember Sai Baba.
    4. 🛐Remembering Sai Baba before enjoyment helps me shun vicious habits and improves my character.
    5. 🥴I regard Guru and God as one, knowing that he who sees any difference sees God nowhere .
    6. 🧿I focus my mind on the Sagun Form of Baba before my mental vision, so devotion and salvation will be mine .
    7. 🫂I understand the lesson of not eating alone, but of sharing and remembering God before consuming anything .
    8. 🤞I appreciate the beauty of the world but curb the senses rightly and properly, maintaining control over the body .
    9. 😷I allow others to serve Baba as they choose, as He is capable of gauging the merits and worth of the service rendered to Him.
  • Self-Affirmation from Chapter XXIII of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees

    Self-Affirmation from Chapter XXIII of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees

    1. 🧘I embrace my nature as ‘Pure Consciousness-knowledge-bliss’, recognizing that I am not merely the doer and enjoyer, but beyond miseries, aware of the path to deliverance.
    2. 🧞I am an obedient servant of God, setting an example of proper conduct, as Baba himself did.
    3. 🧅I am able to digest the ‘onion’ (transcend worldly attachment) to gain knowledge .
    4. 🙏I surrendered completely and get the solution to my difficulties, knowing that Sai Baba’s words are efficacious .
    5. 💆I trust the Merciful Fakir will save me; I believe in Him, remain fearless, and have no anxiety .
    6. 🦶I remember Sai Baba’s feet in my heart as the only way to cross the ocean of Maya .
    7. 🧍I strive to possess firm faith, intelligence, and patience, which are necessary for my spiritual goal .
    8. 🕺I adhere to implicit and prompt compliance with the Guru’s orders, recognizing this as my highest dharma .
    9. 🤼I am always ready for further instructions from Baba and Baba appears and lead me on, in my spiritual path to perfection
  • Self-Affirmation from Chapter XX of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees

    Self-Affirmation from Chapter XX of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees

    1. 🚦I trust that whatever Sai Baba spoke, must come true; His word is the decree of the Brahma (Almighty) .
    2. 🧠I realized that all our feelings of pain and pleasure depend upon the attitude of our mind only.
    3. 😌I enjoyed whatever God bestows on me, He besets everything and whatever happens is for my good .
    4. 🥁I believed that inactivity is the canker of the soul; I spend my life performing actions in resignation to His will .
    5. 🤹I am content with what I have, so I am not covet another man’s property
    6. 💎I trust Sai Baba’s unique method of teaching, knowing that His purpose is my spiritual elevation .
    7. 🎁I understood that Sai Baba ensures that all spiritual teachings lead to the realization that the Lord pervades everything .
    8. ⚖️I accepted the lesson that all feelings of pain and pleasure depend upon the attitude of my mind .
  • Self-Affirmation from Chapter XVI & XVII of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees

    Self-Affirmation from Chapter XVI & XVII of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees

    1. 🔥The Fire of Freedom

    I seek freedom. I long for freedom. With unwavering resolve, I walk toward freedom.

    2. 🍂Sacred Detachment

    I release the world. I release its rewards. In detachment, I enter the realm of the Spirit.

    3. 🧑‍🦯Journey Within

    I turn inward. I trust my inner Self. In the quiet depths, I discover my immortality.

    4. 🧬Purity and Peace

    I cleanse my actions. I calm my mind. In purity and peace, knowledge awakens within me.

    5. 🚶Truth and Discipline

    I live in truth. I walk in discipline. Through purity and restraint, I move toward God‑realization.

    6. ⚖️Choosing the Good

    I choose Shreyas, the Good. I release Preyas, the merely Pleasant. I walk the path that leads me upward.

    7. 🎯Mastery of Mind and Senses

    My intellect guides. My mind steadies. My senses obey. I journey toward liberation with confidence.

    8. 🛌Purification and Non‑Attachment

    I discharge satisfactorily and disinterestedly my duties, thus purifying my mind. I release ego, desire, and the illusion of the body. I rest in the Real.

    9. 💡Grace of the Guru

    I honor the Guru. I welcome guidance, as no one achieves himself alone. With the Guru’s light, my path becomes clear.

    10. 🌟Divine Grace

    I seek the Lord’s pleasure. Wisdom descends. Detachment blossoms. By Divine Grace, the Self reveals itself to me.

  • Self-Affirmation from Chapter XV of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees

    Self-Affirmation from Chapter XV of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees

    1. 🤲I spread my palms with devotion before Sai Baba, He is immediately with me, day and night, wherever I go .
    2. 💝I look upon Sai Baba, who is seated in my heart and in the hearts of all beings, as my true worship .
    3. 👍I trust that whatever happens to me is divinely ordained and is ultimately good for me .
    4. 🧠I realize that all my feelings of pain and pleasure depend upon the attitude of my mind .
    5. 🛑By realizing the oneness of all things, my infatuation and grief cease to affect me .
    6. 🧏I accept that Sai Baba’s method of teaching is unique; He can solve my problem through any person or object .
    7. 📖I am blessed and safe from all calamities by studying this chapter daily with faith and devotion .
  • Self-Affirmation from Chapter XIV of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees

    Self-Affirmation from Chapter XIV of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees

    1. 👂I daily hear the stories of Sai Baba; so I always see Him, day and night and merge with Pure Consciousness.
    2. 🧎I am always cautious and achieve the object of World viz. self-realization, for getting a human body is the result of past merits .
    3. 💰I trust that Sai Baba is omniscient and knows my past vows and all my financial transactions
    4. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑I believe Sai Baba is all-pervading and can identify Himself, heart and soul with any saint or person.
    5. 🔟I heed Sai Baba’s teaching: I give one and receive tenfold in return .
    6. 🚸I understand that Sai Baba’s main object in taking offering /Dakshina is to teach me the lessons of Renunciation and Purification .
    7. 6️⃣I surrender my six inner enemies (Lust, Anger, Greed, Attachment, Ego, Jealously) as the true offering /Dakshina.
    8. 🪙I keep the money returned by Baba (Temple) in my shrine for worship, knowing it will benefit me immensely .
  • Self-Affirmation from Chapter XIII of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees

    Self-Affirmation from Chapter XIII of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees

    1. I always say ‘Sai, Sai,’ and HE shall take me over the seven seas .
    2. I trust that as soon as I remember Sai Baba, my sufferings have come to an end; and I am on the pathway to happiness .
    3. I recognize that my cure is due to past evil karma being worked out, and Sai Baba’s intervention hastens this .
    4. I express grateful remembrance, keep unchanging faith, and show devotion to Sai.
    5. I show implicit obedience and prompt compliance with Sai Baba’s order, which is the true dharma .
    6. I am satisfied that Sai Baba is the Sadguru who, by His simple word and touch, relieves all maladies.
    7. I trust Sai Baba even when He suggests remedies, like groundnuts for diarrhea, that may not align with modern knowledge, believing His word is true.