WHO IS SRI SAI BABA OF SHIRDI?

[Guest guest]

29. We may very well close this short pamphlet with the practical question (1) what are the benefits that Baba can confer? And (2) what has one to do in order to obtain these benefits? The first may be met by a counter question. What benefits does one expect when he is approaching Baba? Are they temporal or spiritual? Whatever they may be, there is no benefit that is beyond the power of Baba to confer. He is worshipped every day with phrases like ‘All-powerful’ (sarva sakthi murthaye namah) etc., and the experience of devotees proves that he is able to confer benefits of every sort -

curing disease, both physical and mental, giving relief to departing and departed spirits and to those who are suffering from obsessions or infirmities, removing domestic troubles, etc. 30. One more word about these labels and comparisons. People are sometimes unconsciously assuming to themselves ability to judge of all

grades of spiritual nature and power and say that Krishna is superior to Rama, Budda is superior to Chaitanya, etc., and cause irritation to others and confusion in their own minds. If we find the water in one creek or bay saltish, should we say this creek or bay is superior or inferior to the ocean? God is one. Divinity manifests itself in innumerable places and ways and according to the needs of the times, and each god-man does the work of alleviating man’s miseries and raising him upward. When the question is asked, why should one give up his Siva or Rama worship and go to Sai, the answer is that there is no need. If one feels Sai is different from Rama or other Ishta Devata and that the latter serves all the purposes of the Devotees, if one is thus

satisfied and contented, Sai Baba has never asked and does not ask such a person to change his position. Baba is highly conservative and wants each man to stick to his religion, caste, guru. Ishta Devata, Idol, mantras and sampradaya. It is only if one feels that he is still left with a desire for further benefits which his customary contact with his Ishtamurthi, guru, mantras, etc., does not acquire for him, and if he is disposed to place faith in Baba’s powers to grant these or other benefits, that Baba allows or directs him to come to his feet. Baba does not interfere with his loyalties. Faith in Baba is added on to the old loyalties. That faith works miraculous benefits and tends to strengthen

itself. Gratitude and love follow faith and the resultant benefits. Through these, Baba purifies the heart and draws the devotee higher and higher up the spiritual ladder. That man who came for worldly goods finds his desires purified, his mentality changed and thinks more and better of Baba till at last, finding that Baba is only one of the numerous names and forms assumed by God, resigns himself to Baba. He then realizes the absurdity of instituting comparisons between Sai and other names or forms and of asking why one should go to Sai. It is only those who are specially blessed by poorvakarma that can be drawn by each of these personalities, and when so drawn no question arises, and all doubts are driven off.

One huge wave of faith, love and knowledge drowns the soul and draws it to the feet of God, in Sai form and in all forms. WHO IS SRI SAI BABA OF SHIRDI?By Shri H.H.NARASIMHASWAMIJI (Founder)All India Sai Samaj (Regd.), Madras - 600 004. http://groups.msn.com/

between 0000-00-00 and 9999-99-99