Devotion to Shri Sai Baba by Sanjay M. Padia

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The first reason is most obvious. Belief in God for such type of youth is

confined to the word ‘belief’, only. That belief does not necessarily imply

that they must be devoted also, according to them.

The other group of friends tells me that though they spend a little time on

prayer, their mind remains perturbed, and there is no end to their

difficulties. This is the point that my topic in this article relates to:

To the young as well as the old, let me say that Shri Sainath is the easiest

Avatar to approach for your miseries. Baba is the only saint or Avatar who

required the least devotion and without formalities. Baba Himself is equal

to Rama, Krishna and Maruti and hence worshipping Baba is worshipping all of

them. In Sai Baba's charters and sayings by H. H. Narasimha Swamiji let us

refer to Chapter Nos 22, 24, 25 & 27. For reference and information they are

as under:

Ch 22) simply say " Sai, Sai " with heart overflowing. I care not for show and

respect of forms. I rest in such devotees.

Ch 24) I am formless and everywhere.

Ch 25) If one casts his burden on me and thinks of me I look after all his

concerns.

Ch 27) In the abode of my devotees there will be no dearth of food and

clothing.

These assurances are enough to indicate that Shri Sainath is always with His

devotees who remember Him. Even if we spend a little time only thinking of

Sai, that itself is sufficient. But we must have faith and patience as

preached by Baba to have His full blessings. And it is true that 9 out of 10

people have benefited from Him during His lifetime and even after so many

years of Mahasamadhi, His response towards His devotees is as prompt as what

it was during His life. Even today, the majority of the people find relief

when they earnestly pray to Him. For Sai Baba we need not chant so many

mantras or observe so many rites. The best recourse is to pray silently to

Him any time of the day. Many devotees believe that to please Lord Sainath

Maharaj various forms of pooja and chanting of hymns is required. In this

however they are wrong. It is no doubt very good to do a detailed pooja if

one is able to do it, but to those who cannot, it is not compulsory in Sai's

case.

 

To develop faith and patience together with increased devotion, devotees

must first read the Sai-Charitra (life-history of Sai Baba), read His

leelas, etc. By doing so, a devotee will have increased faith and devotion

to Baba thereby making him perfectly qualified for his entry into Baba's

Darbar. This very reading of the Sat-Charitra is a prayer itself. A devotee

may not follow the usual lengthy procedures for worshipping Baba but to take

recourse to an easier path one must first go through His life and leelas.

Without studying Baba's life and leelas it is not possible for any person to

develop faith.

 

Baba's innumerable material benefits conferred on His devotees are in sharp

contrast to Lord Ramana Maharashi and Lord Ramakrishna Paramhamsa both of

whom imparted spiritual instructions and benefits only. Whereas the three

Top personalities are equal in their Spiritual and Divine Powers, there are

only two differences where Baba actually differs from them:

a) Baba blessed His devotees both materially and spiritually whereas Lord

Ramana and Ramakrishna blessed their devotees for spiritual upliftment only.

b) Whereas the Samadhi of Lord Ramana and that of Lord Ramakrishna are not

active after their physical departure from this world, that of Baba is. Shri

Sai Nath Maharaj is even more active after His Samadhi than when He was

physically present.

 

These two differences indicate that Baba's mission in this world is

different than that of the other two. That is why He is continuing to help

His devotees in all ways.

 

Finally let me state that if a devotee places His confidence in Baba he is

sure to be protected whatever the circumstances may be. He need not fear for

body and soul.

 

Baba's orders are supreme. No force on earth or even in this universe or

beyond can challenge His grace and order. He has got virtual command of the

movements of this entire universe and no devotee must even doubt for a

moment that nothing is impossible for Him to do. So we must surrender

wholeheartedly to Him.

Sanjay M. Padia

Calcutta (West Bengal)

Source Shri Sai Leela June 1985.