Category: Justice and Unity

Religious Tolerance

  • UBIQUITY OF BABA

    UBIQUITY OF BABA

    Para Number in the Book-BCS & His Universalities

    1. I am formless and everywhere.
      I am in everything.
      I am in everything and beyond.
      I fill all space. All that you see taken together is Myself. I do not shake or move.
    2. All that is seen is my form; ant, fly, prince, pauper.
    3. I am in the water, in dry places, in woods, amidst crowds, and in the solitary wilderness. I am in the fire and in ether. I am not limited to any place.
    4. Feeding the hungry bitch is feeding me. I have the feeling of my hunger being satisfied, when hers is satisfied.
      Baba to Laxmi Bai Sciedhe: I am hungry.
      Laxmi Bai Scindhe; Shall I go and bring food?
      Baba; Do.
      Laxmi Bai Scindhe; Then brought food; Baba took nothing from it and placed the entire plate before a hungry bitch.
      Laxmi Bai Scindhe: Baba why do you do so?
      Baba: Is not the bitch also a Jiva? We talk, bitches do not. She is hungry; she and I are one and the same. It is the same if I eat or she eats.
    5. I am still belching with the heavy feeding you gave the dog this morning. I am also in the mire besmirched pig (that you did not feed, though it came to you).
      To serve me, give up differentiation, (to Bombay Lady)
    6. Sometimes I come as dog, sometimes as pig.
      The devotee who recognises me in each form and treats me adequately is blessed.
    7. You have been with me eighteen years Nana. Does “Sai” mean to you only this 3’/2 cubits height of body?
      I am in the ant and fly.
      Whenever you see this sign, remember that I am there and that I can eat food through ants, flies etc.
      72-A. Baba: This body is but my house. My guru Mourshad has long ago taken me away from this.
    8. I went as a cat to drink this man’s Hansraj’s curds to save him, despite his cussedness. But he beat me to day.
      I was the black dog.
      I was the sickly sudra. I am in everything, and beyond.
      I was the fakir who begged of you, at Bombay.
      I was the spirit, you saw at midnight under the tree.
      [I am Akkalkote Maharaj.] I gave you Rs. 2, Pitale(Devotee)
      73-A. Baba as a cat is beaten.
      Baba to Hansraj, an Asthma patient: Do not take curds or taste sour things. But Hansraj was daily preparing curds overnight to drink it, at the noon meal. Daily a cat drank it off and one day he beat the cat.
      Baba to others, in the presence of Hansraj: “There is an Urphatia. a cussed, cross-grained man. I told him not to take curds. But he daily prepared it. Daily I went as a cat and drank it off, to save his life. Today 1 went again. Do you know what he did? He beat me over the shoulder. See here. (Hansraj looked and found a fresh weal on Baba’s shoulder, though it was a cat, he beat with a stick on the shoulder) cf. 359.
      73-B. Baba as a dog and sickly Sudra:
      Kasinath Govind Upasani-KGU Maharaj, who lived at Shirdi in 1911-4, prepared his food which a black dog was watching. Offering nothing to the dog, K.G.U. went to the masjid and offered it to Baba.
      Baba: Why did you bring it here? I was there.
      K.G.U.: Baba, there was none there, except a black dog.
      Baba : I was that black dog.
      Baba refused to accept food that day.
      Next day K.G.U. prepared his meal at his quarters and found no dog there. But a sickly Sudra(Lower caste) was standing, leaning on a wall and looking at the food. The orthodox K.G.U. drove him away from that place and brought the food to S.Baba.
      Baba : Yesterday you did not offer me food. Today also you drove me away. Why bring the food here?
      K.G.U.: Where were you there, Baba?
      Baba.: I was leaning on the wall.
      K.G.U.: What! Could you be in such a person?
      Baba: Yes I am in all things and beyond.
      Purusha Sukta -i.e. HE pervades the earth and transcends it.
  • BABA’S NATURE

    BABA’S NATURE

    Para Number in the Book-BCS and Baba’s saying on His Own Nature

    1. I am god (Allah)
      I am Mahalaxmi: I speak the truth-sitting as I do at the Mosque.
      (I am Vittobha of Pandhari) Baba to NG Chandorkar: Go, I am at Pandhari
      (I am Ganapathi): Mother, all offerings you made to Ganapathi have reached Me.
      (I am Dattatreya): Are you puffed-up? Where was male progeny in your destiny? I tore up this body and …..gave you a son. (In answer to the prayer, you offered before Datta at Gangapur)
      (I am Laxmi Narain): Why go for Ganga elsewhere. Hold your palm at my feet. Here flows Ganga.
      What matters it, whether in your meditation you see this (Sai) figure or the figure of Laxmi Narayana?
      (I am Maruti): My father dedicated me to Maruti.
      I make gestures before his temple, telling him I am his brother.
    2. (I am Krishna): Saibaba (seated in Dwaraka Mayi) to Uddhavesa Bua: “Give me Rs.11 dakshina”.
      Uddhavesa Bua: I have given my ten Indriyas(5 Sense organs & 5 Action organs) and mind.
      Baba: No. Who are you to give them? They are mine already. Read Pothi i.e., do Parayana.
      Uddhavesa Bua: Of what Purana?
      Baba: Of that in which I have spoken to you, and in which I still speak to you
      Uddhavesa Bua: Is it Gita? Jnaneswari?
      Baba: Go and fetch, what Bapu Saheb Jog is reading

    Uddhavesa brought XI skanda of Srimad Bhagavatha from Jog.
    Baba: (slipped his finger into the book suddenly and said) Read this. [It opened at Krishna Uddhava samvada] Daily read this, and then sit at my feet and meditate on it.
    [N.B: That meditation is the gift of 11 INR, eleventh Skanda to Baba, Sai-Krishna, seated in the heart.]

    1. All that (viz, other Gods) is Allah (to Rohilla)
    2. Devotee: Baba, who are you? whence?
      Baba (in the absolute mood): I am the Attributeless, Absolute, Nirguna. I have no name, no residence.
      (Again in the mood of Duality): I got embroiled by Karma, and came to a body. (So) I got a name and abode. Dehi, i.e., the embodied, is my name; and the world is my abode. Brahman is my father and Maya, my mother. As they interlocked, I got this body. The world is evanescent, mutable.
    3. I am Parvardigar (God). I live at Shirdi and everywhere.
      My age is lakhs of years.
      My business is to give blessings.
      All things are mine.
      I give everything to everyone.
    4. I am in Gangapur, Pandharpur and in all places. I am in every bit of the globe.
    5. All the universe is in me.
    6. Stick to the one whom you worship or revere. God will protect you soon.
      65-A. Baba To Shankar Rao Gowhanker : ‘”They had many, giving them trouble. As they were with me, they did not suffer by that trouble. God punished the troublers. See, God rewards the doers of good and punishes evil-doers.
    1. I am the Progenitor of God. Mediate on me as pure Ananada Nirakara; but if you cannot do so, meditate on this this Sai Body exactly as it is.
    2. I am not the body or the senses. I am the sakshi-witness of all these.
      I do nothing. I receive nothing.
    3. Devotee: Baba burn on your hand to be treated. It must pain you so much.
      Baba: what fun will it be (for me) to stand by and see the whole of this (Sai Baba) body burning on a funeral pyre of cow dung cake fuel?

  • Whether Sai Baba was a Hindu or a Mahomedan

    If you think that He was a Hindu, He looked like a Yavan.

    If you think Him to be a Yavan, He looked like a pious Hindu.

    No one definitely knew whether He was a Hindu or a Mahomedan. He celebrated the Hindu festival of Rama-Navami with all due formalities, and at the same time permitted the ‘Sandal’ procession of the Mahomedans. He encouraged wrestling bouts in this festival, and gave good prizes to winners.

    When the Gokul Ashtami came, He got the ‘Gopal-Kala’ ceremony duly performed and on Id festivals,

    He allowed Mahomedans to say their prayers (Namaj) in His Masjid. Once in the Moharum festival, some Mahomedans proposed to contruct a Tajiya or Tabut in the Masjid, keep it there for some days and afterwards take it in procession through the village. Sai Baba allowed the keeping of the Tabut for four days, and on the fifth day removed it out of the Masjid without the least compunction.

    If we say that He was a Mahomedan, His ears were pierced (i.e. had holes according to Hindu fashion).

    If you think that He was a Hindu, He advocated the practice of circumcision (though according to Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who observed Him closely, He was not Himself circumcised. Vide article in Sai Leela on “Baba Hindu Ki Yavan” by B.V. Deo, page 562).

    If you call Him Hindu, He always lived in the Masjid;

    If you call Him if Mahomedan, He had always the Dhuni – sacred fire there, and the following things which are contrary to Mahomedan religion, i.e., grinding on the handmill, blowing of the conch and bells, oblation in the fire, Bhajan, giving of food, and worship of Baba’s Feet by means of ARGHYA (water) were always allowed there.

    If you think that He was a Mahomedan, the best of Brahmins and Agnihotris, leaving aside their orthodox ways, fell prostrate at His Feet.

    Those who went to make enquiries about his nationality, were dumb-founded and were captured by his darshana.

  • UBIQUITY

    Sai Baba declared the followings(Para Nos.) in the Book ‘Sai Baba’s Charters and Sayings‘

    • 66) I am formless and everywhere.
    • I am in everything.
    • I am in everything and beyond.
    • I fill all space.
    • All that you see taken together is Myself. I do not shake or move.
    • 67) All that is seen is my form; Ant, Fly, Prince, Pauper.
    • 68) I am in the water, in dry places, in woods, amidst crowds, and in the solitary wilderness.
    • I am in the Fire and in Ether.
    • I am not limited to any place.
    • 69) Feeding the hungry Bitch is feeding me.

    I have the feeling of my hunger being satisfied, when hers is satisfied:

    (Baba to Laxmi Bai Scindhe: I am hungry.

    LBS; Shall I go and bring food?

    Baba; Do.

    LBS; Then brought food; Baba took nothing from it and placed the entire plate before a hungry bitch.

    LBS: Baba why do you do so? 

    Baba: Is not the bitch also a Jiva? We talk, bitches do not. She is hungry; she and I are one and the same. It is the same if I eat or she eats.)

    70) Baba to A Bombay Lady:-

    I am still belching with the heavy feeding you gave the dog this morning.

    I was also in the mire besmirched pig (that you did not feed, though it came to you).

    To serve me, give up differentiation,

    71) Sometimes I come as dog, sometimes as pig. The devotee who recognises me in each form and treats me adequately is blessed.

    • 73-A) Baba as a cat is beaten.

    Baba to Hansraj, an Asthma patient: Do not take curds or taste sour things. But Hansraj was daily preparing curds overnight, to drink it at the noon meal. Daily a cat drank it off ;and one day he beat the cat.

    Baba to others, in the presence of Hansraj. “There is an Urphatia. a cussed, crossgrained man. I told him not to take curds. But he daily prepared it. Daily I went as a cat and drank it off, to save his life. Today I went again. Do you know what he did? He beat me over the shoulder. See here. (Hansraj looked and found a fresh weal on Baba’s shoulder, though it was a cat he beat with a stick on the shoulder)

    • 73-B) Baba as a dog and sickly Sudra:

    Kasinath Govind Upasani Maharaj who lived at Shirdi in 1911-4, prepared his food which a black dog was watching. Offering nothing to the dog, K.G.U. went to the masjid and offered it to Baba.

    Baba: Why did you bring it here. I was there.

    K.G.U. to Baba, there was none there, except a black dog.

    Baba : I was that black dog.

    Baba refused to accept food that day. Next day K.G.U. prepared his meal at his quarters and found no dog there. But a sickly Sudra was standing leaning on a wall and looking at the food. The orthodox K.G.U. drove him away from that place and brought the food to S.Baba.

    Baba : Yesterday you did not offer me food. Today also you drove me away. Why bring the food here?

    K.G.U.: Where were you there, Baba?

    Baba: I was leaning on the wall.

    K.G.U.: What! Could you be in such a person?

    Baba: Yes I am in all things and beyond.

    i.e. He pervades the earth and transcends it.

  • Conversion of the heart, which makes a man lose his sinful and bestial nature and climb up to Godhood

    Conversion of the heart, which makes a man lose his sinful and bestial nature and climb up to Godhood

    Unity of God is the central principle in both Hindu and Muslim religions,  and the one God has always to be revered and adored by prayer for protecting  oneself and one’s dependants and country. For this purpose, therefore, Hindus  and Muslims can always join, and in fact have often joined.

    In national calamities  and crises, differences of opinion have not prevented people from joining  together. They pray to a common God for relief from great distress and peril. 
    Similarly when an emperor ordered, people were able to join together and pray to  a common father. For some time Akbar’s experiment proved to be practical and  successful.     Unfortunately, his ideas and practice did not take root, and his  successors had widely different ideas from his. Aurangazeb’s policy was  extremely opposite to his.

    When we  discover a mistake committed in the past, it is our duty to discover and adopt the  correct policy.  “Live and let live.” Freedom to all people to adopt their  ideas of approach to God as far as possible  must be the basis on which society must be founded.  Any compulsion in religion will destroy religion and society also.

    This cardinal  principle is noted to be one of the main features of Sai Baba’s dealings with his multifarious devotees. These include Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis, and others.  Anything like compulsion or for that matter any attempt for conversion is  absolutely destructive of the work of religion. We can have neither religion nor  unity where compulsion is adopted.

    Conversion is very often the result of either  compulsion or low motives. Baba knew this fact very well. On one  occasion, a Hindu convert to Islam was brought by Bade Baba to him. Saying, ‘Baba, this man has been converted to Islam’. He struck the convert on  the cheek and asked, ‘Have you changed your father?’ Changing one’s father is  absolutely unthinkable, and an absurd idea.

    Each religion makes God the father of its followers. When one has got a useful, accredited father, it looks absurd to think of changing either the physical father who begot one. It also seems absurd to change the Universal Father that is adored in religion. So, Baba always dissuaded people from changing their religion. It did not matter if it was from Hinduism to Islam or from Islam to Hinduism. Baba also discouraged changing from Christianity to Hinduism, and vice versa.

    What is most important is not mere external conversion. Conversion of the heart makes a man lose his sinful and bestial nature. It helps him climb up to Godhood. That real conversion is not called conversion by people because it generally has no external marks to denote it. Baba’s object was that all people should be really converted and should have God in their hearts. They should get firmly attached to God so that all of them will be soaked through and through with the idea of God. In consequence, there will be no friction between one person soaked in God and another person soaked in God.

  • What to do, If any man or creature come to you?

    “Unless there is some relationship or connection, nobody goes anywhere. If any men or creatures come to you, do not discourteously drive them away, but receive them well and treat them, with due respect.

    Shri Hari (God) will be certainly pleased, if you give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and your verandah to strangers for sitting and resting.

    If anybody wants any money from you, and you are not inclined to give, do not give, but do not bark at him, like a dog.

    Let anybody speak hundreds of things against you, do not resent by giving any bitter reply. If you always tolerate such things, you will certainly be happy.

    Let the world go topsy-turvy, you remain where you are. Standing or staying in your own place, look on calmly at the show of all things passing before you.

    Demolish the wall of difference that separates you from Me; and then the road for our meeting will be clear and open. The sense of differentiation, as I and thou, is the barrier that keeps away the disciple from his Master, and unless that is destroyed the state of union or atonement is not possible, “Allah Malik” i.e.

    God is the sole Proprietor, nobody else is our Protector. His method of work is extra-ordinary, invaluable, and inscrutable. His will will be done and He will show us the way, and satisfy our heart’s desires.

    It is on account of Rinaubandh (former relationship) that we have come together, let us love and serve each other and be happy.

  • How to bring religious harmony?

    Baba’s constant advice to all was to this effect. “Rama (the God of the Hindus) and Rahim (the God of the Mahomedans) were one and the same; there was not the slightest difference between them;

    You ignorant folk, children, join hands and bring both the communities together, act sanely and thus you will gain your object of national unity.

    It is not good to dispute and argue. So don’t argue, don’t emulate others.

    Always consider your interest and welfare. The Lord will protect you. Yoga, sacrifice, penance, and knowledge are the means to attain God. If you do not succeed in this by any means, vain is your birth.

    If any one does any evil unto you, to do not retaliate. If you can do anything, do some good unto other.” This in short was Sai Baba’s advice to all; and this will stand in Good stead both in material and spiritual matters.

    SSSC Ch 10

  • Religious peoples fighting among them, since they are following different religion. how to approach this and how to solve this, Baba?

    SSSC-Ch26 says

    All the things that we see in the universe are nothing but a play of Maya — the creative power of the Lord.

    These things do not really exist. What really exists is the Real Absolute.

    Just as we mistake a rope of a garland or a stick for a serpent on account of darkness, we always see the phenomena, i.e. things as they outwardly appear, and not the Noumenon which underlies all the visible things.

    It is only the Sad-guru that opens the eyes of our understanding and enables us to see things in their true light and not as they appear.

    That is: You both are God. See his soul, not his outer; your soul connection will help mutually. There will be no hate; only mutual helps.

  • BABA could see everything

    One day when Megha went to Khandoba Temple; Upasani Maharaj , who lived there, had bolted the door from within , and he could not enter into the temple and worship Khandoba . So he returned to Baba .

    Khandoba’s temple is a very long way off from Baba’s Mosque and is not visible from there . When Megha went to worship Baba on that day , Baba told him . ‘ You have not yet done worship at Khandoba’s . If you go there now , you will find the door open . Do the puja of Khandoba and then come here ‘ ( B.C.S. 158 ) .

    Megha then went to Khandoba and saw the door then open as stated by Baba . After doing that puja also , he went to Sai Baba for puja.

  • Baba laid the foundations of future World Unity

    Love is a principle on which all religions must unite. That love gets identified with God and perfection in man.

    Baba achieved in himself that perfection, and therefore was able truly to declare that he had reached the highest Anandam Brahmeti Vyajanath. Baba showed that he was the Paramatma of all, that he was the Antaryami of all, and that he had in him perfect bliss, which we call Satchidananda.

    To Muslims Baba is the Sufi. Kabir panthis, being part of the contributors to Sufism recognised Baba as the perfect Sufi.

    Hindus including the most advanced in Bhakti and Jnana recognised him as the perfection of divinity or Satchidananda. Therefore believers in the principle of love as embodied in Godhood found it demonstrated in Baba. No doubt, success in this is not achieved in a day, but he has laid solid foundations for the edifice of inter-religious unity and, as time advances and as other world movements also advance, Baba’s pioneering efforts will be recognised and followed by the masses and also thinkers.

    This is imminent; one can see glimpses of it even at present. Let none think that Baba is gone and has ceased to work. See the latest lilas. That enables us to see that Baba is the emblem and cause of the unity of religions in India and the world.

    Regarding world unity, we are reminded of Abdul Bahai who attempted in 1830-40 to make people accept him as the Messiah of unity and to establish one religious, economic and social order into which all countries will fit in their systems harmoniously in accordance with his principles and directions. But history records the failure.

    Baba’s work was similar to Bahai’s, i.e. promoting love, cooperation and harmony. But Baba was preeminently practical and he saw with his wonderful prescience how limited the progress will be at the outset and for a considerable time; and Baba laid the foundations of future World Unity in all essential matters to the extent that was possible.