- Baba lovingly urged many to remember His name and to surrender to Him,
- Yet for those seeking to understand ‘who they truly were’ (the ‘Who am I’ enquiry), He gently recommended Shravanam (study) and Mananam (meditation).
- To some, He lovingly guided
- the remembrance of God’s name,
- to others, the joy of hearing HIS Leelas /Plays,
- to some, the sacred worship of His Feet,
- and to others, the reading and studying of the Adhyatma Ramayan, Jnaneshwari, and more sacred scriptures.
- Some He tenderly invited to sit near His Feet,
- while others He lovingly sent to Khandoba’s temple,
- He advised some
- to repetition the thousands of names of Vishnu,
- and others to engage in the study of the Chhandogya Upanishad and Geeta.
- To some, He offered His guidance directly in person, and to others, through the precious visions in their dreams.
- He lovingly explained certain Mantras, such as ‘Guru Brahma’, “Raja Ram’ in their dreams.
- To one devotee,
- who was earnestly practicing Hath-Yoga,
- HE conveyed a gentle message to leave those practices aside,
- to sit in quiet and embrace patience (Saburi).
- Truly, it is an immense task to describe all of His ways and methods, each filled with love and compassion.
Tag: Worship
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Various teachings and practices, prescribed by Baba
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Wants to get rid of cycle of births and deaths?
- Baba, as a God incarnated in this divine form,
- “if any devotee
- meditates on Him
- day and night with
- complete self-surrender,
- they will joyfully experience
- profound union (without any difference) with Him,
- like the delight of sweetness and sugar, the harmony of waves and sea, the togetherness of eye and its sight.
- He, who aspires to transcend the cycle of births and deaths,
- should embrace a righteous life,
- with a calm and composed mind.
- Engaging in good actions is essential,
- diligently fulfilling his duties and
- surrendering himself, heart and soul, to Baba.
- With this dedication, he need not fear anything at all.
- Those who place their trust in Him completely, hear and share His Leelas/play, and focus solely on Him, are surely destined to attain the bliss of Self-realization.
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Now, How to visualize Baba
- Let us remember and visualize Shri Sai, now.
- Let us go to Shirdi, and see carefully the programmes, after the noon-Arati. After the Arati ceremony was over, Sai used to
- come out of the Masjid, and
- standing on its edge,
- distribute udi to the devotees with
- very kind and loving looks.
- The Bhaktas also got up with equal fervour,
- clasped His Feet, and
- standing and staring at Him,
- enjoyed the shower of Udi.
- Baba
- passed handfuls of Udi into the palms of the devotees and
- marked their foreheads with Udi with His fingers.
- The love He bore for them in His heart was boundless. Then He addressed the Bhaktas as follows:-
- “Oh Bhau, go to take your lunch;
- you Anna, go to your lodgings;
- you Bapu, enjoy your dishes”.
- In this way He accosted each and every devotee and sent them home.
- Even now, you can enjoy these sights if you bring into play your imagination. You can visualize and enjoy them.
- Now bringing Sai before our mental vision, let us meditate on Him, from His Feet upwards to His face, and prostrating before Him humbly, lovingly and respectfully
Baba in SSSC-Ch20
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Blessed knows the greatness of his Guru
“Make me the sole object of your thoughts and actions. You will, no doubt, attain Paramartha (the spiritual goal of life).
Look at me whole-heartly; and I, in turn, look at you.
Sitting in this Masjid, I speak the truth, nothing but truth.
No sadhana or proficiency in the six Shastras, is necessary. Have faith and confidence in your Guru. Believe that, Guru is the sole Actor or Doer.
Blessed is he, who knows the greatness of his Guru and thinks him to be Hari, Hara and Brahma (Trimurti -Gods) Incarnate.”
Sai Baba in SSSC-Chapter 18 & 19.
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Dearth of persons asking for spiritual matters
“Oh, My dear friend, do not be anxious, I shall immediately show you the Brahman; all My dealings are in cash and never on credit.
So many people come to Me, and ask for wealth, health, power, honour, position, cure of diseases and other temporal matters.
Rare is the person, who comes here to Me and asks for Brahma-Jnana. There is no dearth of persons asking for wordly things, but as persons interested in spiritual matters are very rare”
Baba to avaricious Man in SSSC -Ch21 When ask him to “surrender five things to get self-realization”
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Who, When, How and Why Shri Sai SatCharitra (SSSC) created?
- When seeking facts about Sai Baba,
- the remarkable work that stands out is ‘Sai Satcharitra’ by HemadPant, known as Anna Saheb Dabolkar.
- It is written in the Marathi language.
- This wonderfully crafted poetical masterpiece spans 53 vibrant chapters and over 1000 pages, narrating incidents from Sai Baba’s inspiring life.
- Written in rich and expressive Marathi, it beautifully fulfills the purpose of Puranic study, serves daily parayana.
- It offers readers a path to deeper understanding and devotion.(LoSB p6)
- Baba conveyed his heartfelt blessing to Hemadpant in 1916, when asked permission to write Baba’s life teachings and expressions,
- by providing him with udhi and placing his Asirvada hand upon Dabolkar’s head, proclaiming,
- “Let him compile a collection of My stories and experiences,
- diligently maintaining notes and memos.
- I shall assist him in this endeavor.
- He is merely an external instrument. It is I who should document my life and fulfill the aspirations of my devotees.
- When his ego is entirely extinguished, leaving no remnants, I shall personally enter within him to narrate my life.
- Listening to my stories and teachings will instill faith in the hearts of devotees, facilitating their journey toward self-realization and eternal bliss.“
- Hemadpant diligently gathered information concerning the lilas of Baba and, as a proficient writer possessing a profound command of Marathi verse and prose, along with a solid foundation in religious literature,
- aspired to compose a comprehensive study of Baba’s lilas, thereby creating a significant chronicle of Baba’s life.
- This endeavor would align with the framework established by Saraswati Gangadhar’s Guru Charitra, offering solace and happiness to individuals burdened with sorrow and the afflictions stemming from worldly existence.
- Additionally, it would provide them with Jnana, or knowledge and wisdom, regarding both temporal and spiritual matters.
- Baba’s lilas would serve as both instructive and engaging, akin to the Vedas,
- and, upon contemplation, they would facilitate laya, or union with Brahman, as well as mastery of Yoga and Yoga Ananda.
- Consequently, he resolved to compile these narratives, considering the publication as a form of upasana, or worship, of his Guru.
- This collection would be particularly invaluable to those unable to experience Baba in person, allowing them to form an understanding of Baba through this compilation.
- Baba’s teachings and expressions were the natural outcome of his boundless self-realization; it was Dabolkar’s belief that Baba himself inspired this initiative to gather and present his life’s essence.(P376. )
Shri N.V.Gunaji adapted the above Shri Hemanpant’s “Sri Sai SatCharita” and translated into English and donated the entire proceeds to the Sai Sansthan Trust, Shirdi.
- When seeking facts about Sai Baba,
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Baba is a Liturgiology Scientist
Liturgiology is study the rituals and practices of religious worship, including understanding the structure, significance, and evolution of the ceremonies.
Baba is good at Liturgiology. One of the Example, on evaluation in the rituals and practices is given below:-
Early one morning, when Megha (Devotee) was still lying down on his bed, with eyes closed but internally awake, he saw clearly Baba’s Form.
- Baba knowing him to be awake threw Akshata (rice-grains marked red with Kumkum) and
- He said, “Megha, draw a Trident” and disappeared.
- Hearing Baba’s words, he eagerly opened his eyes, saw no Baba there, but saw only rice grains spread here and there.
He then went to Baba, told Him about the vision and asked permission to draw Trident.
- Baba said – “Did you not hear My words asking you to draw Trident? It was no vision, but direct order; My words are always pregnant with meaning and never hollow.”
- Megha said – “I thought you woke me up, but all the doors were closed, so I was doubtful and thought it was a vision”.
- Baba rejoined – “I require no door to enter. I have no form; I always live everywhere. As a wire-puller, I carry on all the actions of the man, who trusts Me and merges in Me.”
Megha returned to the Wada, and drew a red Trident on the wall near Baba’s picture. Next day a Ramadasi Bhakta came from Poona, saluted Baba and offered Him Pindi (an image of Shiva). At this time Megha also turned up there.
- Baba said to him – “See, Shankar has come, protect (i.e., worship) Him now.”
- Megha was pleasantly surprised to see Pindi, following Trident.
Also in the Wada, Kakasaheb Dixit (another devotee) was standing with a towel on his head after having taken his bath, and was remembering Sai, when he saw a Pindi in his mental vision. While he was wondering about this, Megha came and showed him the Pindi, presented to him by Baba. Dixit was happy to know that the Pindi exactly tallied with the One, he saw a few minutes before in his vision.
In a few days after the drawing of the Trident was completed, Baba installed the Pindi near the big picture, which Megha was worshipping. The worship of Shiva was dear to Megha and by arranging the drawing of the Trident and the installation of the Pindi, Baba confirmed his faith therein.
In SSSC Ch-28
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Baba is a Master of “Catechectics”
Catechectics is an Art of teaching by Question and answer (as a Part of ‘How emotional investments shape our behaviors and thoughts’). Baba is in very advanced stage in this science. This is an example:-
It was in the year 1916, a Chennai Bhajani Mela (Party of the Ramadasi Panth) started on a Pilgrimage to the holy city of Kasi/Banaras. The Party consisted of a man, his wife, daughter and sister-in-law; and they had come to Shirdi to get Gift of money from Baba. There the husband got a wonderful vision in his dream one night as follows :-
He was in a big city, the police there had arrested him, tied his hands with a rope, and put him up in lock-up. As the police were tightening the grip, he saw Sai Baba standing quiet outside, near the cage. On seeing Baba so near, he said in a plaintive tone – “Hearing Your fame, I came to Your Feet, and why should a calamity befall me, when You are standing here in person?”
- Baba said – “You must suffer the consequences of your action”
- He said – “I have not done anything in this life, which would bring such a misfortune on me.”
- Baba said – “If not in this life, you must have committed some sin in your past life.”
- He replied, “I do not know anything of my past life, but assuming that I did commit some sin; then why should it not be burnt and destroyed in Your presence, as dry grass before fire? “.
- Baba – “Have you got such faith?”
- He – “Yes.”
- Baba then asked him to close his eyes.
- No sooner did he shut them, than he heard a thumping sound of something falling down, opening his eyes,
- he saw that he was free and the police had fallen down, bleeding.
- Being much frightened, he began to look at Baba who said – “Now you are well caught, officers will now come and arrest you.”
- Then he begged – “There is no other saviour except You, save me anyhow.”
- Then Baba again asked him to close his eyes. He did so and when he opened them,
- he saw that he was free, out of the cage and
- that Baba was by his side.
- He then fell at Baba’s Feet.
- Baba then asked him –
- “Is there any difference between this namaskar (Hello) and your previous ones? Think well and reply.”
- He said “There is a lot of difference; my former namaskaras were offered with the object of getting money from You, but the present namaskar is one offered to You as God”
- Then a desire arose in his mind, to get the darshan of his Guru Ramdas;
- when Baba asked him to turn back and see. And when he turned,
- lo, Ramadas was in front of him.
- No sooner did, he begin to fall at His Feet, Ramadas vanished.
- Then he inquisitively asked Baba,”You look old. Do You know Your age?”. Baba – “What! Do you say I am old! just run a race with Me and see.” Saying this, Baba began to run and he too followed. Baba disappeared in the dust raised by His foot-steps while running, and the man was awakened.
- After awakening, he began to think seriously about the dream-vision. His mental attitude was completely changed and he realised the greatness of Baba. After this, his grabbing and doubting tendencies disappeared and true devotion to Baba’s Feet sprang in his mind.
- The vision was a mere dream, but the questions and answers therein were most significant and interesting.
- Next morning, when all the persons assembled in the Masjid for the Arati, Baba gave him as prasad two rupees’ worth sweetmeats and also two rupees from His pocket and blessed him.
- Baba made him stay there for a few more days and gave him His blessing, saying, “Allah (God) will give you plenty and He will do you all good”. He did not get more money there, but he got far better things viz. Baba’s blessing, which stood him in good stead all along.
- The party got plenty of money afterwards; and their pilgrimage was successful: as they had not to suffer any trouble or inconvenience during their journey.
- They all returned home safe and sound, thinking of Baba’s words and blessings and the Anand(Bliss) they experienced by His grace.
In SSSC Ch-29
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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 -
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
"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 