Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi --- The Matchless Saint

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SHRI SAI BABA OF SHIRDI --- The Matchless Saint

 

Sai Baba, one of the foremost saints of modern India, lived in the small

village of Shirdi in the state of Maharashtra for sixty years. Due to his

presence there even after his Samadhi, today the small village has

transformed itself as a great spiritual center to people from all religions.

 

Shri Sai Baba, inspite of his great spiritual stature, never publicized

himself through discoursing, touring and preaching---unlike today’s many

‘so-called’ saints. Rather, he discouraged unnecessary publicity. But still,

his spiritual perfection is still drawing innumerable devotees to him from

all over the world.

 

Even after his Samadhi in 1918, Sai Baba still continues to be a dynamic

spiritual force which invokes countless devotees for their spiritual and

material progress.

 

Sai Baba did never reveal his original name, time and place of birth,

especially his religion and caste, and even the names of his parents.

Through this, he has emerged as a solution to all the religious and

communal differences that are destroying the world today. He preaches that

God is Almighty and he has given all the souls on earth equal opportunity to

reach him, whichever is the religion they belong to. ‘Sai Baba’ is the name

given to him by his first devotee, Mahalsapathi – ‘Sai’ means ‘Saint’ and

‘Baba’ means ‘Father’. The name is just an expression of love, reverence and

devotion.

 

Sai Baba never discriminated between the rich and the poor. He was equally

indifferent to honour or dishonour shown to him by the people. He used to

utter the name of ‘Allah’ frequently.

 

All religious scriptures spell that any spiritual quest does not fulfill

without a proper guide or Sadguru. Shri Sai Baba has led many seekers as a

Sadguru towards spiritual progress. These seekers are either drawn to him

by himself or by other saints and deities.

 

All religions preach that God is Almighty and He is omnipresent. The

omnipresence of God is clearly manifested in the various experiences that

Sai Baba has given to his devotees--- anywhere, anytime. He once said, “He

who thinks that I am only at Shirdi has never known me. I am

omnipresent----anywhere, everywhere, all the time and in all creation. I am

at Shirdi and everywhere. I am formless and everywhere! I am everything and

beyond. All the Universe is in Me. Wherever you see, whatever you see, I am

there.” He not only preached this, but he demonstrated the truth through his

deeds (Leelas).

 

The spiritual perfection of a Sadguru consists in realizing his essential

identity with the One Spirit of all Existence (God Almighty). Sai Baba, the

Perfect Master, has demonstrated that he is in all gods of all

religions-----the various gods in Hindu religion, the Allah and the Christ.

 

The omnipresence of Shri Sai Baba demonstrated that he knows everything that

has happened, happening and will happen in the lives of all creatures in

the world. In addition to this, he also demonstrated that omnipresence of

God is also manifested in the non-living things. This provides an effective

check on the evil propensities of devotees. But still, he always said, “I am

the slave of God”; “Allah Malik”.

 

Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi once said that contact with the Sadguru continues

even after his physical death. The tomb of Sai Baba (Samadhi) today is

speaking to and leading his devotees towards spiritual perfection.

 

Sai Baba promises that he will lead his devotees both materially and

spiritually if they simply remember his omnipresence always----in everything

they do and in everybody. Study of religious and spiritual scriptures, life

histories of saints, remembering the his holy deeds (leelas), coupled with

meditation and prayer helps the devotees to do so.

 

All the mystics of the world and all saints have declared that the immediate

presence of a realized sage is one of the most potent forces in the

spiritual advancement of Sadhak or the seeker. Contact with them induces in

us inner peace and purity,

 

restores our sense of values, wipes out illusory allurements of the senses

and turns us towards spirit with renewed vigour. Besides, when approached in

a proper manner, they can enable us to realize that all the saints are One

in essence.

 

So let us all follow the great saint of today, the greatest of the great,

Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi and make ourselves better and better human beings.

Through his guidance, let us all try to make this world a better place to

live in for ourselves and fellow human beings by shedding off the ill-lead

religious and communal differences. Lets all follow him to shape ourselves

as the most lovable children of God.

 

 

(SOURCE http://www.saibharadwaja.org/Saibaba_01.html)