Sri Shirdi ke Sai Baba

[Guest guest]

Sri Shirdi ke Sai Baba

By Sri, S. Gopalakrishnan,

Hon. Secretary Sri Sai Samaj. Bangalore.

 

Nobody knows who Sai Baba was, where he came from, who his parents were, and

where he was born. According to the 'Sri Sai Satcharitra', Sai Baba came lo

Shirdhi when he was about sixteen years old, stayed there for some time and

left. It seems he came again to Shirdhi after four years and remained there for

nearly sixty years. Therefore you may conclude that Baba was born somewhere in

1838. However, Baba attained Mahasamadhi on Vijayadashami day in 1918.

 

Swami Vivekananda advocated the doctrine of the " Oneness of man. On the other

hand Baba not only taught the oneness of man but also the oneness of God. He

used to preach that 'Sri Ram' of Hindu and 'Rahim' of Muslims are different

manifestations of the One and Only Supreme Being. He preached unity among all

castes and creeds and exhorted all to live in harmony and peace forever without

indulging the mutual conflict and strife's. Baba was concerned in the welfare of

his devotees and helped them to follow their usual path of ritual but made them

achieve the highest goal of life. He saw those who came to see him and predicted

their future as well even though they did not ask for the same.

 

There are many Saints who left their homes, their kith and kin and took about in

the Himalayas or Ashrams to lead a life of seclusion. But Baba lived among his

devotees. He taught us the way to live and let others live. We and our country

are very fortunate in the sense that Baba's Avatar took place in India.

 

Many people worship Baba as God and always utter His name in all fields of

activity. They are the blessed ones. When Bhagavan Krishna could worship the

great Rishis and saints of His time, it is no wonder that we the common people

worship Baba as God.

 

Baba led a simple life like any other common man. He never preached yoga or

mantras. But he used to advise to His devotees to destroy their ego and made

them utter the word 'Sai' to solve the problems of mankind. Baba is omnipresent,

omnipotent and omniscient. Sri Sai Baba, in his mortal coil was to His devotees

the embodiment of the supreme spirit lighting the path of His aspirants by His

teachings and deeds.

 

We must cultivate faith and patience, which can be achieved only if we

adhere to truth and we must surrender to Him completely, shedding our

ego if we want our ambitions fulfilled. We should not seek trivial

things from Him since He is ready to give much more than what one wants.

 

One must participate in Satsangs and sing Bhajans on the glory of the

Lord. He, who meditates on 'Sri Sai' casting his burdens on Him and

thinking on Him always, can be sure that he will be freed from all

obstacles in his life. This is the experience of most of us. No harm can befall

on His devotees. Sri Sai Baba, in order to dispel the greed for money in his

devotees used to collect small amounts of money and in turn He blessed them with

plenty, prosperity and peace. The small amounts collected by Him from such

devotees were distributed by Him to the poor and the needy.

 

Baba used to say that people who could overcome their sins and those who are

fortunate would worship Him. Those who believed in His sayings would always be

happy. He did not want pooja articles brought to Him for worship. 'Bhakti' was

the only one offering which He sought from His devotees. Baba was not a medical

practioner by any means. But still He cured the devotees even from chronic

ailments and incurable diseases. Such was His Power!

 

The old Masjid in Shirdhi where Baba used to live and give darshan to

His devotees became a pilgrim centre. Many devotees used to visit this

Masjid which was named as 'Dwarakamayi' by Baba. He used to foretell the dangers

ahead of His devotees and his devotees have witnessed many of His miracles.

 

Once, one of His devotees Sri Babasaheb, while traveling to a particular place,

halted at Shirdhi to have Baba's Darshan. Baba then enquiring about his welfare

warned him of a snake bite and asked his disciple Shyama to accompany him. They

reached the destination in the night and halted at a temple. In the temple, a

snake descended from the roof and settled on Babasaheb. Shyama immediately took

a stick and killed the snake. Thus Babasaheb was saved.

 

Sai Baba used to beg for oil for lighting the lamps in his abode,

'Dwaraka Mayi'. This was going on for sometime. Suddenly one day the

shopkeepers decided not to give oil to Baba. Baba returned empty handed. He took

the empty oil container, poured some water inside and drank the same. He then

took the earthern lamps poured in them and lighted them.

 

(Source 26th Convention of Sai Devotees Meet)