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"I draw to Me, My man from far off or even across the seven Seas to Shirdi, like a sparrow with a string fastened to its feet"-Shirdi Sai Baba, Indian Spiritual Guru-God

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  • Why Shirdi Sai Baba is a Universal Spiritual Guide

    Why Shirdi Sai Baba is a Universal Spiritual Guide

    A captivating exploration of the profound themes and vital truths surrounding Shirdi Sai Baba reveals a figure of immense spiritual significance.

    I. The Nature and Identity of Sai Baba

    Sai Baba is a divine, omniscient, and omnipresent, being whose true nature transcends conventional human and religious classifications.

    • Ambiguity of Origin and Faith:
      • Baba’s identity as Hindu or Muslim is deliberately obscured, highlighting his universality.
      • He celebrated both Hindu festivals (Rama-Navami, Gokul Ashtami) and allowed Muslim practices (Sandal procession, Namaj in Masjid).
      • His physical attributes (pierced ears like a Hindu, advocacy of circumcision, but not circumcised himself) further blurred the lines.
      • No one definitely knew whether He was a Hindu or a Mahomedan.
    • Divine Incarnation and Sadguru:
      • Baba is depicted as a “Wonderful Incarnation,” a “precious Jewel,” and a “precious Diamond.”
      • He is the “crest-jewel of the Saints, who is the home of all auspicious things, who is our Atmaram (Dear Self), and who is the able refuge of the devotees.”
      • He is explicitly referred to as a “Sadguru,” a true spiritual master.
      • “Lord (God) dwells in the Saints.
        • In fact they are not different from Him.
        • Our Sai is One of these,
          • Who incarnated for the welfare of the devotees,
          • Supreme in knowledge and surrounded with divine lustre.”
    • Omniscience and Omnipresence: Baba has absolute knowledge of the past, present, and future.
      • He knew Mr.Damu Anna’s secret thoughts about cotton speculation and his desire to offer Baba a share of profits.
      • He knew Mr. Cholkar’s secret vow regarding sugar and his decision to forego sugar. Baba remarked, “Though, I am here bodily, still I know what you do; beyond the saven seas. Go wherever you will, over the wide world, I am with you. My abode is in your heart and I am within you.”
      • He knew Mr.Hari Kanoba’s name, parentage, and other details about him, even though it was Hari’s first visit to Shirdi.
      • He read Somadeva Swami’s critical thoughts about the flags at the Mosque, directly addressing them.
      • He knew about one pleader’s slander behind His back at Bar Council, demonstrating “His omniscience and His using it for correcting people and setting them on the right path.”
      • He correctly predicted and averted the death of Ramachandra Patil and foresaw Tatya Patil’s passing.
    • He is described as “omnipresent, occupying land, air, country, world, light and heaven, and that He was not limited.”
    • Detachment and Humility: Despite his divine powers, Baba lived a life of extreme simplicity and humility. He lived on alms, possessing nothing, and residing in a deserted Masjid. He begged for food daily, mixing all offerings together, and “His tongue knew no taste.” Dogs, cats, and crows freely ate from his earthen pot, and “Baba never drove them away.”

    II. The Role and Importance of the Sadguru

    The Sadguru (Guru, who realized Self) as the sole means to spiritual liberation and worldly well-being.

    • Bridge to Salvation:
      • The Sadguru is essential for crossing the “worldly ocean.”
      • “Where Real or Sadguru is the helmsman, he is sure to carry us safely and easily beyond the worldly ocean.”
      • The Vedas alone cannot achieve this; “It is only the Sad-guru, who can do so and make you, see the Lord in all creatures.”
    • Destroys Egoism and Sins:
      • The touch of the Guru’s hand is described as having “wonderful… power.”
      • It can destroy the “subtle-body (consisting of thoughts and desires)” and cleanse “sins of many past births.”
      • M. Hemadpant said, when starting writing Shri Sai SatCharitra, “Sai Baba took away my egoism and wrote Himself His stories.”
    • Catalyst for Transformation:
      • Baba’s darshan (sight) leads to profound inner change:
        • “by His darshana our thoughts are changed,
        • the force of previous actions is abated and
        • gradually non-attachment of dispassion towards worldly objects grows up.”
      • He transforms his devotees into “Himself (His nature).”
    • Teacher and Guide:
      • The Sadguru Sai teaches based on the disciple’s qualifications, without unsettling their minds.
      • He dispels ignorance (“Destroying ignorance is Jnana”) and
      • He helps the disciple realize their true Self (“You are God, you are mighty and opulent.”).
    • Unconditional Love and Service:
      • A true Sadguru expects no service or profit,
      • but instead wishes to serve his disciples, treating them as equals or even as Brahma.
      • “Baba had great love for the disciples.”
        • He “loved all beings equally.
        • He was unattached. Foes and friends, kings and paupers, were the same to Him.”

    III. Key Teachings and Practices Advocated by Sai Baba

    Baba’s teachings, though sometimes indirect, emphasized faith, surrender, moral conduct, and devotion.

    • Faith (Nishtha) and Patience (Saburi): These were presented as two coins of devotion by Baba to His Guru.
      • Baba said: “This is one pice -Faith. Patience or perseverance is the other pice. I waited patiently and very long on My Guru and served him. This Saburi will ferry you across the sea of this mundane existence.” (pice=1/100 INR)
    • Complete Surrender: “If any one prostrates before Sai and surrenders heart and soul to Him,
      • then unsolicited, all the chief objects of life viz. Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (Desire) and Moksha (Deliverance), are easily and unsolicitedly attained.”
      • “The best way, therefore, to get free from the shackles of Maya is our complete and whole-hearted surrender to Baba.”
    • Charity and Non-Attachment to Wealth: Baba frequently extracted “Dakshina” (offerings),
      • not for personal gain, but “to teach the devotees the lesson of charity and to remove their attachment to money and thus to purify their minds.”
      • He asserted that “He had to give back hundred times more of what He received.”
      • He discouraged debt for spiritual purposes: “Baba never liked people to run into debt for taking His darshan, or celebrating any holiday or making any pilgrimage.”
      • He considered “money as a danger or bar to spiritual progress.”
    • Ethical Conduct and Self-Correction:
      • He advised against discourteously turning away those who come to you, emphasizing:
      • “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 of your Home to strangers for sitting and resting.”
    • Baba condemned slander:
      • “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.”
      • He used the example of a pig eating filth to correct a slanderer, stating, “Your conduct is similar. You go on reviling your own brethren to your heart’s content.”
    • Baba taught the importance of offering everything to the Guru before enjoyment:
      • “before the senses, mind and intellect enjoy their objects, Sai should first be remembered, and if this be done, it is in a way an offering to Him...
      • all the Vrittis (thoughts) regarding Desire, Anger, Avarice etc. should first be offered and directed to the Guru.”
    • He guided devotees to remain calm and composed, engage in good actions, and perform duties without attachment.
    • Remembrance of God/Guru (Dhyana/Bhajan): Baba advised various forms of devotion, including
      • “remembering My name,”
      • “hearing His Leelas,”
      • “worship of His Feet,” and
      • studying sacred scriptures like Shri Sai SatCharitra, Bhagwat, Jnaneshwari, and Vishnu-Sahasra-Nam.
      • He stated, “If you always say ‘Sai, Sai’ I shall take you over the seven seas.”

    IV. The Human and the Divine

    • Interaction with Devotees:
      • Baba allowed devotees to serve him in their own way,
      • demonstrating his “dependency on Bhaktas” (in the sense that he allowed their devotion to manifest).
      • He engaged in normal conversation, jokes, and sometimes strong reprimands, always with a deeper purpose.
    • The Guru-Disciple Relationship: The relationship is central. Disciples are encouraged to fully surrender and trust the Guru. The Guru sees beyond superficiality and acts for the disciple’s ultimate good.
    • Transcending Form:
      • While he had a physical form, Baba’s true nature was “unattached and indifferent” and “the state of Brahman.”
      • He demonstrated “Khandayoga, i.e., separating His limbs and joining them again,”
      • His visible form was merely a “mould” for the “liquid essence of Pure Self.”

    V. Miraculous Powers (Leelas) and Their Purpose

    Baba’s “Leelas” (divine plays or miracles) are frequently cited, serving not as ends in themselves, but as tools to deepen devotees’ faith, teach spiritual lessons, and alleviate suffering.

    • Manifestation of Divine Power:Grinding Wheat: Initially misunderstood as mundane, Baba’s grinding of wheat was a symbolic act to “destroy the cholera epidemic in Shirdi” with the flour.
    • Turning Water into Oil: This demonstrated his control over natural elements(fire) and taught the Banias (Oil Traders) a lesson in /
    • ‘truthfulness.
    • Curing Diseases: He cured various ailments, including eye problems with Beeba (marking nuts-Carpus Ana Cardium) and diarrhea with groundnuts, emphasizing that “The true medicine… was Baba’s word.”
    • Saving from Calamities: He averted the snake bite for Shama and predicted/averted the death of Ramachandra Patil. He also saved Mr. Mirikar from a potential snake bite.
    • Fulfilling Desires (within divine plan):
      • The “Amra-Leela” story illustrates his power. Four mangoes, given by Sai resulted in four sons and four daughters for Damu Anna. This happened despite astrological predictions.
      • He facilitated the return of a stolen jewel-box and a stolen sum of money.
    • Disguised Blessings and Tests:Baba’s “rage” and “abuses” were often a “blessing in disguise,” as seen with Somadeva Swami, or a direct command to the poison in Shama’s case.
    • Drawing Devotees and Confirming Faith:
      • The numerous anecdotes of individuals being drawn to Shirdi, despite their initial reluctance (Hemadpant’s own journey, Kakaji Vaidya being directed by Goddess Sapta-Shringi, the “idolater” friend of Kaka Mahajani) highlight Baba’s magnetic spiritual pull.
      • His precise knowledge of hidden thoughts or distant events served to “create faith and devotion” in his devotees.
    • Guaranteeing the Welfare of His devotees:
      • “There will never be any dearth or scarcity, regarding Food and clothes in My devotee’s home.”
    • In a nutshell
      • Baba’s teachings
        • emphasize love, compassion, and faith,
        • uniting all religions and
        • inspiring devotion beyond boundaries.
      • His miraculous acts instill hope, and
      • His wisdom fosters inner peace.
  • Love as Forgiveness

    Love as Forgiveness

    Baba’s Forgiveness:

    • Transforming Initial Displeasure into Blessings: Baba’s “anger” was often a tool for spiritual correction rather than true wrath.
      • Initially enraged at the women who forcibly took the hand-mill to grind wheat, He quickly became pleased by their love and devotion.
      • He allowed Dr. Pandit to apply sandal paste to His forehead, a personal practice usually restricted to Mhalsapati. Baba explained it was because Dr. Pandit saw Him as his own Guru, showing acceptance of sincere devotion despite unconventional acts.
      • He sometimes appeared as “wrath Incarnate.” However, internally, He was “a stream of affection and motherly love.” Baba stated, “He is ever angry with His devotees.”
      • Baba used seemingly harsh words with Haji Sidik Falke. Initially, he prevented him from entering the Masjid and demanded a large sum. This ultimately led Haji to humility and acceptance. After this, Baba treated him with respect and gave him mangoes and money. This showed Baba clearing Haji’s spiritual block related to pride.
      • He confronted a Pandharpur pleader for slandering Him and others behind their backs. Baba directly addressed the pleader’s inner thoughts. “Baba’s remark was aimed at me. It was a hint to me. I should not indulge in reviling or scandalizing others”. This led to the pleader’s sincere reform. It resulted in the riddance of this “evil tendency”.
      • He initially gave Mr. Sapatnekar a harsh “Get out” upon his visit, likely due to Sapatnekar’s prior derision of Baba. Sapatnekar showed genuine penitence and perseverance. Baba then blessed him with a son. He said, “These feet are old and holy, you are care-free now; place entire faith in Me and you will soon get your object”.
      • He similarly dealt with Somadeva Swami, who initially judged Baba by outward appearances (like flags on Baba’s mosque). Baba’s “wild” response exposed the Swami’s inner thoughts, which led to the Swami realizing Baba’s omniscience and transforming into a staunch devotee. The Swami realized “Baba’s wrath was a blessing in disguise”.
      • Baba gently corrected Nanasaheb Chandorkar’s wandering mind. When he was smitten by a lady’s beauty, Baba advised him to let the senses do their work. He cautioned not to meddle with them. Baba also said, “When the heart is pure, there is no difficulty”.
      • When devotees tried to interfere with Mavsibai’s intense abdominal massage of Baba, as they feared she would hurt Him; Baba became enraged. He took hold one end of his Satka with both hands and pressed it in the hollow of His abdomen and other end on fixed on a Post ie. His body could withstand anything. This demonstrated that He permitted devotees to serve Him as they chose, and His “rage soon cooled down”, showing His understanding and forgiveness of well-intentioned but misguided interventions.
  • Can we follow other Gods?

    Can we follow other Gods?

    In BG VII(7) 21-2, Sri Krishna said “In whatever from people surrender to Me, in that very form, I serve them. Every one following his own form of worship is really following My worship’.

    God can be approached under any name and in any manner, and

    Mahlsapathy (Baba’s closest devotee),

    • though sticking to the idea that Khandoba was his God,
    • derived the advantage of getting all his
    • other needs safeguarded and provided as far as possible
    • by Baba acting as his Providence.

    Other bhaktas also

    • who have their own particular forms, who however note the need or importance of food, shelter and other things for themselves and their familes, being provided by Baba
    • would be thus encouraged by Mahlsapathy’s example to seek Baba and place themselves under his protection.
    • Baba never interfered with
      • anybody’s orthodoxy or religious worship, and
      • the orthodox now in various places need not have any fears about the loss of their existing spiritual position by contacting Baba.
      • All the while, they would get unconscious expansion and refinement of their idea of God and Gods, and become ready for reaching the “Ekam Sat-That which exists is One”

    LoSB-P245

  • Baba is a Scientist in Teaching Education

    Baba is a Scientist in Teaching Education

    Pedagogics is the art and science of teaching and education. It involves not only conveying information, but also understanding how people learn. It requires creating environments, that foster growth and development.

    Sai Baba is also not only delivering information, but create environment for learning and growing of His devotees. viz:

    • One,
      • totally devoid of any book study, but
      • possessed of
        • perfect self-surrender,
        • humility,
        • trust, and
        • love towards the Guru Baba,
        • was and is the person who could derive
        • the fullest benefits from Baba.
    • The idea that
      • one has understood all about Jiva and Paramatma and
      • the methods by which Paramatma could be reached by a Jiva,
      • forms the greatest obstacle to one’s progress.
    • It is
      • not the intellect, the keenness of intellect, that is
      • wanted from a person approaching Baba.
    • It is
      • humility,
      • receptivity, and
      • a readiness to receive all that Baba gives, that counts.
    • As Baba pointed out to the Valambi Station Master,
      • persons (evidently with much conceit of learning etc.) came to him
      • like vessels the mouth of which was kept inverted; and were therefore
      • incapable of receiving any benefits from him.
    • In the case of Nana (Devotee),
      • his very high learning and
      • great ability in official and other matters were naturally accompanied
      • by a high degree to self-assertion and egotism;
      • which make for success in
        • literary study,
        • official matters, and to a certain extent even in
        • spiritual matters.
      • But for the highest results in spiritual matters, it is just the opposite, namely,
        • utter reduction of egotism,
        • the power to relax the Ego and
        • keep it relaxed for long periods, that is essential.
    • This is why
      • the consumption of water, that was used to washing of the feet of the Guru, and
      • the acceptance of his Uchchishta tirtha (the remnants of food that have been contaminated by the Guru’s saliva) are emphasized in the
      • “Guru Gita” for a pupil’s advancement,
      • as these practices foster a profound annihilation of Ahamkara, or Ego,
      • through deep reverence for the Guru, culminating in Love.
    • In Baba’s system,
      • the Guru-Teacher imparts virtue after virtue to the sishya-Student.
      • HE trains him step by step to secure these virtues and the knowledge, he wishes to equip the pupil with.
      • This process is just as the cat carries its kittens to safe and good places.
    • The first essential preparatory step in Baba’s course is thus,
        • not book learning, but the
        • development of
          • humility and
          • receptivity.
        • These would result from
          • perfect faith, absolute faith,
          • unlimited and powerful faith in the Guru.
        • The Guru must be everything to the sishya,
          • the giver of bread,
          • the giver of life and light and
          • the giver of all that life is worth living for, and
          • at one stroke.
          • He must not regard anything else. This alone is the tyaga of Tan, Man, Dhan – body, mind and possessions.

      LoSB-Vol II’ Ch 2

      • Baba’s company was the highest education one could get. As a Mahratta saying goes, ‘Let us stay with saints. If they do not give us Upadesa, let us note what they do and say. That is the best Upadesa‘.
    • Give one and receive tenfold

      Give one and receive tenfold

      “If I take one rupee as Dakshina from anybody I have to return it tenfold to him.

      I never take anything gratis. I never ask any one indiscriminately.

      I only ask and take from him whom the Fakir (My Guru) points out. If any one is indebted formerly to the Fakir money is received from him.

      The donor gives, i.e. sows his seeds, only to reap a rich harvest in future.

      Wealth should be the means to work out Dharma. If it is used for personal enjoyment, it is wasted.

      Unless you have given it before, you do not get it now. So the best way to get is to give.

      The giving of Dakshina advances Vairagya (Non-attachment) and thereby Bhakti and Jnana. Give one and get tenfold”.

      Sai Baba in SSS- Ch31

    • Quotation 323

      Quotation 323

      ” What is this sira and who eats it? Do not say of anyone that he is your enemy”.

      Baba wanted to point out to Das Ganu (devotee) that he is the soul, which neither eats nor has any other physical function. And that all souls are in essence one and the same, viz., Paramatma.

      To one who has realised himself as Paramatma, there can be no enemy at all.

      Which means, “The one Vishnu (God) is in you, in me and others; all he endures. Your anger is senseless. See the (same) Atman in every one. “

      LoSB-Chapter 3 of Part II, to Das Ganu Maharaj who had said that “that man is my enemy”, when not getting sira/drink

    • Quotations 141

      Quotations 141

      “Oh Shama,  this book is very valuable and efficacious, so I present it to you, you read it.

      • Once I suffered intensely and My heart began to palpitate and My life was in danger.
      • At that critical time, I hugged this book to My heart and
      • then, Shama, what a relief it gave me!
      • I thought that Allah (God) Himself came down and saved Me.
      • So I give this to you, read it slowly, little by little.
      • Read daily one name at least, and it will do you good.”

      Baba to Shama in SSSC Ch-27 about the Book “Vishnu-Sahasra-Nam”

    • Sai Devotees-Do Free Service at Shirdi Temple

      Sai Devotees-Do Free Service at Shirdi Temple

      Sai Devotees, You can now do Free Service at Shirdi, under Sai Sevak Scheme of Shirdi-Sai-Baba-Temple-Management.

      Opportunity to do seva at/near our Sai Mandir at Shirdi, and get Sai Baba’s blessings, directly.

      About Sai Sevak Scheme

      • Sai Sevak ‘Group’ with maximum 21 members
      • Seva period will be 7 days only ie Every Tuesday to Monday
      • Sai Sevak Group should reach on Monday at Sansthan’s  Sai Ashram No.2 (Dharmashala) by 2.00 p.m.
      • Free facilities given:
        • 21 members accommodation, at Sai Dharmshala
        • Meals at Prasadalaya
        • Breakfast packets at accommodation
        • Tea at seva
        • Daily Darshan
        • Aarti once in 7 days.
      • Documents  required are 
        • 2 Passport size Photos.
        • Aaadhar Card Xerox.
        • Medical Fitness certificate.
        • Police (On Line) Verification or Character Certificate from Corporation Ward Member/ Municipal Chairman /Gram President.
      • No compensation/ claim for employment, against Seva.
      • Only 10 groups will be accepted for service in each week by Temple.
      • Service Places offered at:-
      • Contact:-
      • Website – online.sai.org.in
      • Email: labour@sai.org.in
      • Call: 02423 258811/10

      PS. The above details are given for information only. Contact the above, for Registration and latest updates.

      Steps in registration process
    • Mahlsapaty

      Mahlsapaty

      Mahlsapathy is the First & top most person in Sai Baba’s Court-Member of King’s Dharbar, and one among the VIBGYOR* member of Baba’s Dharbar.

      Sai Baba stayed at one Chandbhai’s [headman of Dhoopkheda village] home for some days. The nephew of Chandbhai’s wife got betrothed to a girl from Shirdi. So, Baba came to Shirdi in that wedding procession, in 1872.
      The marriage party had alighted at the pounding grounds, near Khandoba’s (incarnation of Shiva) temple, outside the village. When Baba went to the Khandoba temple, He met Mhalsapaty there.

      This Mhalsapaty was a resident of Shirdi and a goldsmith. As he was a devotee of Khandoba, and regular visitor of Khanderaya (Deity of Jejuri, who is also Khandoba), since many generations. As soon as Mhalsapaty saw Him, he welcomed Him with the words: “Welcome Sai”. Then, all the devotees of Sai Baba called Him “Sai Baba or Sai or Baba”.
      Mhalsapati brought Sai Baba into the village and introduced Him to his friends Kashiram Shimpi and Appa Jagale. These three usually served, according to their capacity, the sadhus, saints , fakirs and ascetics visiting the village, and graciously took care of them.

      Baba was an absolute “Vairagya Purusha” and never cared for wealth or women. Mahlsapalhy, being himself highly detached i.e. of a vairagya temperament and not being overned by lust or other low urges, could easily appreciate Baba, from the very beginning was drawn to Baba;

      when other people began to worship Baba, only when they saw Baba’s psychic powers e. g. when he turned water into oil to feed his lamps, and then they regarded him as God.

      An important event in Mahlsapathy’s life that was- “Baba’s trying to leave his body about 1886 and returning to it three days later”.

      Baba had made him the guardian of his body and told him, “Arre Bhagat, look after this body for three days. I am going to Allah. If I do not return, then get it buried in due course at that place, (that is, near the sacred gode neem tree).”

      Mahlsapathy supported Baba’s body on his own knee, and when officers, including the village headman karnam, etc., held an inquest over the body, declared it dead, and wanted it to be buried. Mahlsapathy with the help of others stoutly opposed their proposal, and saved Baba from losing his body.

      Thus, he rendered a valuable service in 1886, after which Baba lived for 32 years to create this huge Sai movement that has covered this World.

      If Mahlsapathy had failed in his duty, and Baba had been buried, perhaps the course of history might have been different.

      ‘Whatever a person thinks of at the time of death he reaches’. When Mahlsapathy’s death was approaching, he retained full-consciousness and control of his mind.

      That was on 11th Sep 1922, Monday (in the month of Badrapada, Ekadasi Somavara, sacred to Shiva and Khandoba), having finished all his puja, he said to his family, ‘To-day is my father’s Shraddha day. Finish cooking soon. To-day, I close my earthly life and go to Heaven’.

      So, a Brahmin came and finished the Sraddha at once; and finished the gift of balis to crows, cows, etc, and guests were fed. Then the family meals were finished.

      Mahlsapathy took betel and nuts after his meal. After chewing a bit, he put on a kupni. Having near him, Bala Gurav, Ramachandra Kothe, etc., he told them all to do Ramachandrajapa Japa.

      Muhlsapaty said to his son that ‘Spend time piously in Uttama Bhakti Marga i.e. in holy devotion. All that I told you will happen.” Then Mahlsapathy uttered the word ‘Ram’ and breathed his last.

      Thus he passed away in calm, faith and cheerfulness, on the 11th September 1922. This death was a fitting termination to a pure, lofty and dedicated life—a life of Love, faith and total surrender.

      His remains are interred in a tomb at Shirdi, which is still worshipped by many.

      * 1. Mahlsapathy 2. Narayan Govind Chandorkar 3. Das Ganu Maharaj 4. H.S. Dixit, 5. Hemadpant 6. Sri Upasani Baba and 7. G.S. Khaparde.

    • Who is Shirdi Sai Baba

      Who is Shirdi Sai Baba

      Sri Krishna, Sri Rama, Sai Baba, are all divinely gifted or perfected souls and expressions of divinity. They transform everyone who comes into contact with their divine personality. This is especially true for those who are drawn through Rinanubandha (karmic Bond) by their divinity. That is the purpose or mission of their lives.

      Baba’s Birth and Grown-up:

      • Sai Baba (1838-1918) was an Indian spiritual Guru, Yogi, and Fakir, revered as a saint by millions of devotees, both Hindu and Muslim, across the world.
      • Sai Baba stated that while still a young child, his parents entrusted him to the care of a fakir. The fakir raised him.
      • From this foster father, Baba readily acquired Vairagya (detachment from worldly pleasures and pains) and developed a spiritual mindset.
      • That fakir passed away within four or five years after taking charge of him.
      • This fakir instructed his wife to take the young Baba and leave him in the care of the renowned saintly zaminder, Gopal Rao Deshmukh (Provincial Governor) in Selu.
      • Gopal Rao was an exceedingly devout individual, deeply attached to Tirupati Lord Venkatesa. He was affluent and generous, and he supported education and piety.
      • A wealth of true education was available to the young Baba, as he was consistently in attendance on this master.
      • Gopal Rao, upon departing from this world peacefully, signaled to the young Baba with a wave of his hand, instructing him to leave Selu and proceed westward to his new abode. (Shirdi is situated along the banks of the Godavari river, directly west of Selu).
      • After some time, Chand Bhai Patel, the Headman of Dhoop (Dhukeda) Village in Nizam’s State, arrived in Shirdi with a grand procession. He had come for the marriage of his wife’s nephew at Shirdi, around 1872. Sai Baba accompanied him for this occasion. When the marriage party arrived in Shirdi, they halted at Mhalsapati’s land near the Khandoba temple.
      • Bhagat Mhalsapati noticed the young Fakir disembarking from the bullock cart and greeted him with “YA SAI” (Welcome Sai). Others began to address him as Sai, and henceforth he became known as Sai Baba.
      • Baba’s final residence was Shirdi, where he lived from 1872 until the end of his life in 1918.

      Baba’s Mission:

      Baba has not  one mission, but a hundred missions. Divine personalities have specific functions. They protect the good (virtuous). They punish or reform the wicked. They also establish Dharma (Virtue) or its hold on the people. And Baba was performing all these functions.

      His mission is to help every one, that means, of course,  everyone capable of benefiting, not persons who come in an unreceptive mood .

      Baba’s marga-Path:

      Studying  Gitas, one sees that there is no meaning in asking for ‘any one marga (path)‘ expounded by the Divine Person. Saints expound all the margas. They find which marga or combination of margas would suit each approaching devotee. Then they give the same to him.

      Thus Baba adopted every marga. In particular, one may note that the predominance in his methods was neither for ritual nor for Vedic study. Instead, it was for living in consonance with the Supreme manifestation of Divinity in himself.

      Baba distributes:

      Baba quoted occasionally his master’s or Guru’s  behest. “As he had received liberally from his master, he must similarly  distribute liberally amongst those that approached him.”  Baba was distributing not merely wealth, worldly relief and comforts. He was also giving spiritual gifts and spiritual blessings to all and sundry capable of receiving those benefits.

      Baba advises :

      • ‘Love all creatures.
      • Do not fight with  any.
      • Do not retaliate nor scandalize any.
      • When any one talks ill of you, that is,  against you, pass on unperturbed. His words cannot pierce into your body.  Others’ acts will affect them alone and not you.’

      Baba was ever active and never idle and His advice was,  ‘Do not be idle. Work, Utter God’s name. Read scriptures’.

      Baba is also advising:

      • ‘We should not harbour envy, rivalry, or combative disposition towards others.
      • If  others hate us, let us simply take to Nama Japa and avoid their company.
      • Hearken to the words of your parents. 
      • Help your mother in her tasks.
      • Speak the truth and truth alone’.

      Baba’s advice was  always simple and capable of being accepted and acted upon by even persons  of the meanest capacity.

      Baba’s moral teachings:

      Important thing for peace and happiness is love of all creation.  Baba’s moral teachings were conveyed by his own life and activity. Baba loved all creatures. The underlying motive of every act of his was love towards all human beings and all creatures.

      Baba’s Powers:

      He did not even appear to be  a teacher and was chiefly a granter of wishes. But all the same, he was a  powerful instiller of principles and virtue. He instilled these into the hearts of those capable of receiving such impress.

      Other Saints, about Sai Baba:

      One Saint, from Puntambe by name Gangagir always frequented Shirdi. When he first saw Sai Baba, carrying pitchers of water in both hands, for watering the garden, he was amazed. And said openly, “Blessed is Shirdi, that it got this precious Jewel. This man is carrying water today; but He is not an ordinary fellow. As this land (Shirdi) was lucky and meritorious, it secured this Jewel.”

      So also one famous Saint by name Anandnath of Yewala Math, a disciple of Akkalkot Maharaj came to Shirdi with some Shirdi people. When he saw Sai Baba, he said openly, “This is a precious Diamond in reality. Though he looks like an ordinary man, he is not a ‘gar’ (ordinary stone) but a Diamond. You will realize this in the near future.”

      The meaning of the name, ‘Sai Baba’:

      ‘Sa’ means ‘Divine’; ‘ai’ or ‘ayi’ means ‘mother’ and ‘Baba’ means father. The Name indicates Divine Mother and Father.

      Your physical parents exhibit love with a dose of selfishness. But this Sai, ‘Mother and Father’, showers affection or reprimands. This is only for leading you towards victory in the struggle for self-realisation.

      Sai Baba/ Sai/ Baba has achieved, the supreme task of:-

      • Sai has come to achieve the supreme task of uniting the entire mankind as one family, through the bond of brotherhood of affirming;
      • And illumining the Atmic Reality of each. This is done in order to reveal the Divine, which is the basis on which the entire Cosmos rests.
      • And also instructing all to recognise the common Divine Heritage that binds man to man. This way, man can rid himself of the animal. He can rise into the Divine, which is his goal.

      The most important facts to remember about Baba is that,

      • Baba was the embodiment of all virtues,
      • Baba did nothing  which he did not preach.
      • In Himself, all the virtues were the efflorescence of the  central root in Him, with which he began as a little child, namely:-
      • love for the Guru, 
      • love that knows no bounds of time, place, or circumstance, and
      • love that  sacrifices anything and everything at its altar.
      • Gratitude, service, equality, justice, consideration and so many other good qualities that were in him and taught by him were the direct issue of this love. These qualities could not have all been sustained without this love. This is the central point to remember about Baba.

      This enables  the sishya (student or Devotee) to get more and more like unto the Guru. By constant meditation  on him, the sishya becomes the soul of the Guru.ie

      • The sishya grows in love,
      • absorbs the love from the Guru, and
      • returns  it with all his soul and body.
      • Does not consider himself as anything except as  the lover and the beloved of the Guru.
      • Thus he attains –
      • moral perfection,
      • spiritual  perfection,
      • perfection of siddhis and
      • perfection of every sort .
      • This is the natural  result of Baba’s moral teachings.