11 Holy Sayings - Whoever puts his feet on Shirdi Soil, his sufferings would come to an end.

[Guest guest]

As far as Shirdi is concerned, along

with our will, Baba's call is essential. He invites you, waits for you, makes

all arrangements for you, takes care of you, showers hospitality on you and

loves you. He loves his devotees. He treats them as his kith and kin.

 

Sai Baba often said that -

let My man (Devotee) be at any distance, a thousand

miles away from Me, he will be drawn to Shirdi, like

a sparrow, with a thread tied to its feet. Sparrow

is ignorant. It leads its life instinctively. It goes in search of food to any

place in any direction. Prompted by its vision of the eye, it goes to get its

food. It does not know that its legs are going to be tied by somebody. Unaware

of the thread tied to its legs it goes as it lives in search of food. But it is

pulled by the puller and it goes to him. Similarly, when Baba draws us to Shirdi, we can't resist him. Our free will loses its

freedom. Since the sparrow is tied by a soft silken thread, it does not feel

wounded. There is no friction.

 

Gently and slowly, gradually and steadily, the puller pulls the

sparrow towards him if it yields willingly to the pull, the journey will be

easy and comfortable. The sparrow tries to look sideways and stay in places of

pleasure and mirth. Now and then, it tries to free itself from the thread and

the pull. All its efforts are in vain. The puller wants the bird. Therefore he

draws it towards him. The bird can't resist anymore. It is ultimately taken to

the hands of the puller and it is given food and shelter, pleasure and peace,

in the owner's garden. Sai Baba is our gardener. He

draws us to his garden and he provides everything for our comfort and peace.

 

If we do not understand why Baba is calling us, we may feel uncomfortable

initially like the bird. If he is drawing us away from the world and the

worldly attractions, it is certainly for our good. We think world and its

attachments are the source of pleasure, but really they are the source of pain.

It is better we respond to the call of Baba and proceed towards Shirdi. Let us not be caught in ignorance. Let us not lose

ourselves in Maya. Let us respond to the loving call of Baba.

 

(to be contd….)

(Source Eleven Holy Sayings of Shirdi Sai Baba by Pujya Shri Ananda

Sai Swamy)