Message on the occasion of Sri Shirdi Sai Maha Samadhi on 15.10.2007

[Guest guest]

…… " Baba had Himself said, " those who make Me their only refuge are

the dearest to Me " . To make Baba the only refuge is not an easy

task. This simply means total surrender. People often say that they

have totally surrendered to Baba. This is generally not true,

because it is these persons who are seen to running to astrologers

and Pandits to find out ways and means to improve their material

situation. They worship one deity for one purpose and another for

another purpose. They waste time in experimenting with Rudraksha,

Tulsimala of various sizes, colours and shades, or trying with

different types of Mantras prescribed by various people. Some of

them are also attracted by people somewhat attiring like Baba, for

example, wearing a Kafni or a head-gear, and feel that they have had

the darshan of Baba. I have seen many people, moving around in

Shirdi and at other places in such dress simply with the intention

of gaining monetary benefits. At Delhi and other places I have heard

of people attired in Baba's style and appearing at the houses of

many people or in the street in a dramatic manner predicting

something for future and vanishing after taking Dakshina. Worst is

the case of those who assert that they possess powers conferred by

Sai Baba on them. They form a small group of devotees, collect

donation, build-up a small temple and make a livelihood out of it.

There are also a few who feel that they have become close to Baba

and start describing some of their imaginations interpreted as

experiences to others in an exaggerated manner. They feel as if they

are a special class and go on looking down upon others and are seen

directly or indirectly communicate to others, about their spiritual

superiority at the earliest opportunity. I have heard people saying

that honey or holy ash `udi' is coming out of Baba's photographs and

statue in their houses. This never happened anywhere even when Baba

was in His physical embodiment.

 

All these are limitations in the path of spiritual progress. These

are games of illusion `Maya' that actually distance people from Baba

rather than bringing them closer. They try all their life with such

activities and do not get the best out of Baba that is peace and

self-realization. People in the path of devotion develop certain

qualities that manifest in their daily life. They become humble,

sacrificing, more universal and sensitive to the pain of others.

They love Baba and flow in that stream unknowingly carrying along

with them all, that come in their contact. They don't try to pray to

Baba for the fulfillment of any material requirements. They feel

that Baba has a role to play to lead them ultimately to the correct

path and the correct goal. They have nothing to prove and,

therefore, do not allow `ego' to assert itself. This is the correct

path towards Baba. " …….