Sri Shirdi ke Sai Baba By Sri, S. Gopalakrishnan,

[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 All India Sai Devotees

held at Bangalore)