Category: One God

Ob No distinction between Hindu Muslim and Christian

  • Baba’s standpoint similar to Mahatma Gandhi

    Baba’s standpoint similar to Mahatma Gandhi

    That is ‘Live and let live’- and To unite persons, use common joint formula.

    Mahtama Gandhi (freedom fighter of India) tried to effect a rapproachment between Hindus and Muslims. He started the formula noted below, where Rahim and Ram are put together. He also made his Hindu and Muslim followers repeat the formula or mantra.

    “Raghupati Raghava Rajaram Patita paavana Sitaram,

    Iswara Allah Tere nam, Sabko Sanmati De Bhagavan,

    Rama Rahim Krishna Karim, Sabko Sanmati de Bhagavan.“

    Mahatma Gandhi aimed to familiarise the ears of impartial and co-operatively minded Hindus and Muslims, with a mix of both cultures. This would help both groups to hear each other’s names without losing equanimity.

    This would become easier and inspiring by habit for future generations. That was the great object of Mahatma Gandhi’s formula. Baba added to Gandhiji’s plan of work. He secretly worked on the hearts of all.

    Baba was perfectly neutral and submitted to the peculiar idiosyncracies of his worshippers in order to avoid offending them. Left to himself Baba would have no mark on his forehead. Baba did not believe at all that there is a separate Siva and a separate Vishnu as Gods. ‘To him, there was only one God. It might be called Siva or Vishnu, Vittal, Rama or Datta. Khuda, Khandoba, Devi, Allah or Hari; might all be names given with equal justification’. “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”.

    If each wants to get on in his own way, he should do so. He should choose the way that suits him best. By all means, let him do so. He should not be hindered. This is the only way to unite all sincere worshippers. Sincere bhaktas’ worship of Sai is the same as the worship of God.

    That is their feeling and according to correct metaphysics and philosophy, there is no difference between the worship of Sai treated as God and the worship of God under any other name or any other form. Both achieve the same ends.

    “In whatever form you surrender to Me, in that form, I respond- BG (4) 11.

    LoSB/Part I: Ch-XIV

  • Earlier Years at Shirdi VI-Second Impediment

    The second impediment is more interesting. Baba had both Hindu and Muslim features in his body and in his actions and practice, and, HIS mission in life was to unify Hindus and Muslims into one compact mass with common religious, spiritual and worldly interests.

    As he had a Hindu Guru, namely, Gopal Rao Deshmukh alias Venkatesa or Venkusa, he was considered fitted to guide his Hindu followers.

    In order to guide his Muslim followers, initiation into Islamic scripture by a Maulana was essential according to public opinion. So, his destiny had to be fulfilled by his getting a second Guru, a Muslim. Jawar Ali Maulana was a distinguished Maulana of the last century, residing for some time at Rahata. He had extraordinary ability and learning, but had disagreed with his Rahata followers.

    He came to Shirdi and noted that Baba had a large Hindu following who worshipped him at the Mosque. He called upon Baba to come out of the Mosque and asked him whether he knew the Koran and the Shariat. Baba had learnt neither.

    So Jawar Ali Maulana ordered him to accompany him to Rahata and there Baba was living with this Guru for about two months. The Guru initiated him into the mysteries of Islamic spiritual literature.

    Baba did humble seva to this Guru, carrying water pots, fetching faggots, lighting up fire, doing hard physical work, which others would complain of. But in the case of Baba, he accepted his position as the sishya of Jawar Ali with perfect sincerity and underwent with sweet complacency, all the ordeal and the course of training given to him.

    The villagers of Shirdi, headed by Mahlsapathy who were very anxious to have Baba back again permanently settled at Shirdi, requested the Maulana to allow them to take Sai Baba with them. This was agreed to by the Maulana on the condition that with Baba he also should be taken to Shirdi, and that both he and Baba should be fed and supported by the villagers of Shirdi. So both came and lived at the Shirdi Mosque.

    Some time later, Jawar Ali was drawn purposely into a dispute with Devadas, a noted Hindu saint living in a chavadi at Shirdi, and Devadas’s questions cornered Jawar Ali. The latter had to make so many admissions that the surrounding spectators were moved to laughter. Jawar Ali resenting this humiliation left Shirdi and did not return there for long years to come.

    Baba’s worship at the Shirdi Mosque went on and gathered strength. What appeared as the second impediment tended only to increase the devotees’ attachment through Viraha and admiration and helped Baba’s mission. It must be noted here that the worship mentioned here is individual worship, each one going to Baba and placing flowers on his feet and treating him as God, Avatar or Guru.

  • ROLE OF BOSS OR MASTER TO DEVOTEES

    ROLE OF BOSS OR MASTER TO DEVOTEES

    Baba’s role of boss or Master of Devotees

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS”, About His Role of Boss or Master

    (a) Kaka Mahajani

    560.   B.: “How is Thakersey, Kaka’s (Mahajani’s) master? He has a different master to give him, bliss.”

    (b) Re: Purandhare R.B.

    1. A Devotee: His (R.B.P.’s) boss will take him to task if he overstays. B.: “I am his boss (so you are safe).”
    2. Devotee: Baba, gave me leave to catch the train; else, I will be dismissed from service.

    B.: ‘There is no other superior here (for you, except me). Take food and go in the afternoon.” (Implicit obedience to Baba’s orders was always found to be the safest course)

  • Religious Tolerance

    Baba’s Says about religious tolerance

    Para Number in the Book & About Religious Tolerance

    1. Baba. All Gods are one. There is no difference between a Hindu and a Mohammadan. Mosque and temple are the same. Yet I will respect your (people’s) susceptibilities, and not enter the temple (,as you Mahlsapathy object to the entry).

    Look at Chokamela’s life.

    1. Baba to H.S.D.(who had been just recently talking ill of Christ and Christianity at his own lodgings. “Get away.   Do not massage me.”

    (Again when H.S.D. repented and approached, Baba raised no objection to his massage.)

  • Justice and Equality

    Baba’s Says on Justice and Equality

    Para Number in the Book & About Justice and Equality

    1. “This world is funny. All are my subjects. I look upon all with equal eye, But some turn thieves. What can I do for them? People at death’s door, plot against the lives of others. These offend and hurt me much.   But I am quiet, saying nothing.   God is great.   He has his officers everywhere, who are all powerful.   One must rest content with one’s lot.   I am very powerful.   I was here, eight or ten thousand years ago”- Baba (G.S.K’s diary)
    (a) Margosa Tree Branch

    586. Baba: “You have to cut your own child, if it falls athwart the womb” (with this remark, Baba himself cut off a branch of the Gode Neem Tree, that interfered with the raising of a wall in Sathe Wada).

    (b) S.B.N.’s Mother-in-law’s Revenge

    587. Dada Kelkar. Where am I to get onion for my granddaughter’s eye?

    B.: Get it from this Ayi (pointing to S.B.Nachne’s mother-in-law)-

    M.-in-L:. Baba, this Dada abused me this morning for cutting onions. I do not care to give him anything; but if you order it, I will give him onion.

    B.: Do. (N.’s Mother-in-law had the grand revenge of returning good for evil, by Baba’s just orders).

    ( C ) Bala Patil

    588. Damia (i.e., Damodar S. Rasane) went to Baba and requested him to send Bala Patil, his attendant, who was of a low caste, to D’s house for a meal as Baba’s representative.

    B.: Yes, but do not cry “Dhut Dhut” (keep away, keep away) at him. Do not give him a place far away from your own place of eating.

    Damia adopted Baba’s advice and took Bala Patil as his guest and made him sit near him and not outside the house for the meal.

    (d) Chakra Narayan

    589. When a Christian, Chakra Narayan was appointed Police Fouzdar at Kopergaon, a devotee said to Baba : “We have got a Christian for the Fouzdar.”

    B.:    “What of that?   He is my brother”

    (e) Peston Jamas

    1. Peston Jamas and his brother-in-law went in about 1915 to Shirdi, to see “Sai Maharaj” there at the Dixit Wada, there  was much  crowding and the  rich people alone were accommodated upstairs and these two Parsis were left downstairs.

    “What sort of justice is here in this Darbar! Big people enjoying comforts above and poor people left downstairs to suffer inconvenience”, thought these Parsis.  

    When they went to Baba at the Mosque. Then, Baba (to somone present): “Take these people up. And they were given accommodation upstairs.”

    (f) Tukaram Barku

    1. Tukaram Barku, a Mahar (Harijan) was leaving shirdi in quest of employment. Baba met him and put his arm round his neck. Baba: (to Barku) “Do not go.”

    Barku: I must go and earn.   Baba:Do not go.

    Barku   disregarded   the   advice,   went,   fell   ill  and  had prolonged illness and returned earning nothing.

    Baba and Creatures

    1. Nana Saheb Dengle bringing a plateful of dainties, on a silver plate gave it to Baba and begged him to eat. Baba shouted out. A black dog ran up and licked up the food. Nana Saheb was disgusted and thought, “Is it for this pariah dog that I prepared all this?”

    Baba (flinging away the plate): Take this away.

    See 592-Baba giving away Laxmi’s bread to a dog.

  • Baba and Others Saints

    Baba and Others Saints

    Para Number in the Book -BCS & Baba’s appearance in the form of other saints

    1. Keshav Naik of Tardev, when Akkalkote Maharaj was passing away
      (about 1878) thus addressed him: Maharaj, if you go away, what support have we?
      Akkalkote Maharaj (giving his shoes to be worshiped): My Avatar (spirit) will be at Shirdi in Ahmadnagar District. Go there always. Be devoted there. If you do so, you will not remember me. And you will be happy
      When Akkalkote Maharaj passed away, Keshav Naik and his son
      Ramachandra Naik, accompanied by two orthodox Brahmins went to Sai Baba at Shirdi. On the way the Brahmins referred to Baba as a mad moslem fakir to whom no Brahmins could bow. When all four reached Baba.

    Baba to Keshav Naik: You and your son may come and visit me, if you like.
    (Pointing to the other two); These are Karmata Brahmins.
    Baba to Ramachandra Naik: Fetch Margosa (Neem) leaves.
    Ramachandra Naik brought some leaves. Baba distributed the leaves to the four.
    Baba: Eat the leaves. How do they taste?
    Brahmis (with a wry face): Very bitter.
    The two Naiks: The leaves are sweet. We ate plenty of the leaves.

    Thus Baba parted his sheep from the goats, and confirmed the statement of Akkalkote Maharaj.
    I am at Mirzgaon (‘Fakir Bua’)
    Why come here? (To Kusa Bhav)
    I am Bandra Moulana.
    [I am Nanded Moulana] You have already given me Rs.3-14-0

    75. I am with you wherever you may be. I do not require conveyance to take me.

    1. Baba (May 1914) addressing Mrs. T., a Bandra lady and her son Master T. : “Mother, I have to go thrice a day to your house.”
      Mrs. T.: Yes, Baba
      A local lady was astonished at this statement. She saw Baba daily at Shirdi. She said “Baba, what is this strange thing you say?”
      Baba: I do not speak falsehood. I am Mahalaxmi. Mother I come to your house. You give me things to eat, is that not true?
      Bandra Lady: Yes, Baba
      Shirdi Lady: Truly, does Baba go to you and do you feed him? Bandra Lady: Yes.
      Baba to Master T.: Do I not come to your house?
      Master T.: Yes, Baba.
      Baba to Shirdi Lady: Yes, mother, I go easily to Bhav’s house
      (at Bandra). In the middle, there is a wall. Jumping over it, next comes the railway line, and then Bhav’s house. (Here Baba described the crow’s flight from Shirdi to the lady’s house at Bandra).
      I have to fly across walls and excavations.
    2. Mrs. Tendulkar of Bandra daily heaped up garlands of bakul (flower) over
      Baba’s picture in her house at Bandra for two months and then went to Shirdi.
      Baba : Hallo, Kaka (ie.To H.S. Dixit) these two or three months I have not been at Shirdi at all. This mother has smothered me with bakul flower and I was quite dizzy, and unconscious of myself. Now I am slowly coming around.
    3. I went to Bandra and saw Bhav left nothing for me to eat, so I have returned hungry.
    4. Do you think of me, at meal ? Am I not present near you ? Do you give me a morsel ?
    5. I am not at Shirdi, but in all.
    6. He who thinks that (Sai) Baba is in Shirdi (alone) has totally failed to see (i.e., know) Baba.
    7. Why do you (weep and) behave so madly. Am I not there (at Bombay) by your side?
    8. He (Sai) who is at Shirdi now is also at Machandragad here. It is to teach you this, I sent you here. (To Manker)
    9. I have just been to Kasi and had a bath.
      I was at Jejuri, Bagat.
      I was at Dhulia, did you not see me? (To Upasani’s son)
      When you heard my voice, why doubt? Bolted doors do not bar access to me. (To Megha)
    10. I will go with you (invisibly). Do not worry. Mother, I take thought for your family. Well, Go. I am by your side.
    11. I am myself sitting there (invisibly), guarding you (Purandhare) and your wife.
    12. Wherever you may be, think of me, and I am by your side.
    13. Wherever you may be, whatever any of my devotees think, say or do, that very instant I am aware of it.
      (cf Quran-“And when my servants ask thee concerning me, then I nigh unto them and answer the cry of him that crieth unto me”
    14. I look equally on all. Not a leaf moves, except by my grace. I look on all with equal eye.
  • 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?
  • Baba was identified with various Gods

    Baba was identified with various Gods

    To many Devotees, Baba was identified with various Gods or Avatars. Each man saw in Baba sometimes the very form of the deity that he wanted to worship.

    • A South African doctor would respect none but Rama and did not care to approach a Muslim as Sai Baba was supposed to be. But when that South African Brahmin doctor came to the Masjid on the express stipulation that he would not bow to a Muslim Baba, he stayed for a few minutes outside and, afterwards, darted into the Mosque and fell at Baba’s feet. When asked for an explanation, he gave the answer. ‘I saw that Baba’s form was really the wonderful form of Nila Megha Syama Rama. As I found my Rama in Baba, I worshipped him’ and Baba later filled him with Parama Ananda and love. This is a typical instance.
    • A Sub-Inspector of Police M.S. Nimonkar had regard for nothing except Hanuman, and when he was looking on, Baba appeared to his eyes exactly like Hanuman with all the hair and prognathous face.
    • N.G. Chandorkar’s relative Binnewalla did not care for anything except Datta, and was anxious to go away from Shirdi, where Baba was worshipped, to some place where Datta could be seen. Suddenly to his eyes, Baba appeared with three heads, that is, as Datta. Baba excercised these marvellous powers to induce faith in persons that approached him.
    • Thus, he was Siva to Megha, Rama to the South African doctor and Madrasi Ramadasini, Krishna or Vittal to Krishna bhaktas, Maruti to Maruti bhaktas,

  • See God in all Beings.

    Once, Mrs. Tarkhad was staying in a certain house in Shirdi. At noon, meals were ready and dishes were being served, when a hungry dog turned up there and began to cry, Mrs. Tarkhad got up at once and threw a piece of bread, which the dog gulped with great relish.

    In the afternoon, when she went to the Masjid and sat at some distance, Sai Baba said to her, “Mother, you have fed Me sumptuously up to my throat, My afflicted pranas (life-forces) have been satisfied. always act like this, and this will stand you in good stead. Sitting in this Masjid I shall never, never speak untruth. Take pity on Me like this. First give bread to the hungry, and then eat yourself. Note this well.”

    She could not at first understand the meaning of what Baba said. So she replied — “Baba, how could I feed You? I am myself dependent on others and take my food from them on payment.”

    Then Baba replied — “Eating that lovely bread I am heartily contended and I am still belching. The dog which you saw before meals and to which you gave the piece of bread is, one with Me, so also other creatures (cats, pigs, flies, cows etc.) are one with Me. I am roaming in their forms.

    He, who sees Me in all these creatures is My beloved. So  abandon the sense of duality and distinction, and serve Me, as you did today.” Drinking these nectar-like words, she was moved, her eyes were filled with tears, her throat was choked and her joy knew no bounds

    Moral

    “See God in all beings” is the moral of this. The Upanishads, the Geeta and the Bhagwat, all exhort us to perceive God or Divinity in all the creatures. Sai Baba has practically demonstrated to us how to put the Upanishadic teachings into practice. In this way Sai Baba stands as the best Exponent or Teacher of the Upanishadic doctrines

  • 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.