Let us think of a few such situations...

[Guest guest]

Shri Shirdi Sai Baba

 

Guruji Shri C. B. Satpathy Message on the occasion of Maha Samadhi

 

October 2007

 

Often during my visit to the temples of Shirdi Sai Baba and also in the

functions relating to Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi, I at times observe certain types

of conduct of devotees of Baba as also the general visitors to the temples,

which to my mind does not seem appropriate for the place or the occasion. Far to

speak of higher spiritual senses and sensibilities, even the common sense of an

ordinary man dictates that certain dress and behavioral codes are required to be

adopted in a certain situation.

 

Let us think of a few such situations i.e., a marriage party, an official

conference, a funeral procession and a golf tournament. Can any one think of

attending a marriage party in attire meant for playing golf or an official

function in attire befitting a funeral procession? The dress codes prescribed

for each of these occasions are different. Such dress specifications have

evolved gradually over a long period of time in our civilization, because they

are appropriate to the occasion.

 

The idea is to keep the environment comfortable and non-intimidating for

everyone and take into consideration the sensitivities of other human beings

around. Since to be civilized means to make compromises to accommodate the human

sensitivities and sentiments of others, it is essential that while in a place

meant for group activities one must be dressed appropriately.

 

Now let us examine the way the devotees of some religions dress or conduct

themselves while in a religious congregation. While in the church the Christians

are fully and appropriately dressed. So also is the case of Sikhs, Muslims, and

Buddhists etc. When inside the temple premises, devotees are supposed to

concentrate all their faculties for a definite purpose and in a certain manner

i.e., eyes (through which they concentrate and meditate on the image of the

deity), mouth (through which they recite mantras or aartis and bhajans in praise

of the deity), ears (through which they listen to mantras, aartis, discourses

etc.), nose (through which they smell the sweet smell of flowers and incense

offered to the deity) and skin (through which they touch the feet of the deity).

 

One can imagine the serene atmosphere of a temple, which gives a feeling of

expansion of the thought horizons and a sense of ecstatic upliftment of the

soul. The most desirable situation in the temple is where one can listen to the

prolonged euphoric notes of somber mantras, there is no hustle bustle, no high

pitched and abusive ruckus mingled with diatribes with choicest invectives.

 

It should also not give a picture of a depressed and melancholic place with

tearful devotees with sulking faces. Such devotees sulking in the temple due to

non-fulfillment of their purely material desires spoil the pleasant and peaceful

atmosphere of the temple. It needs to be a place of unison of minds and souls of

devotees, while focusing on a deity, in chanting mantras and also singing the

aarti together. When the purpose, the thoughts, the sentiments and the

activities of the devotees are merged in a prayer in invoking the deity or the

master, the love of the master or deity flows down to the devotees. This then is

the method and the purpose of going to a temple or a religious congregation.

 

On the other hand, imagine for a moment, when such a pristine atmosphere is

about to raise the souls of the devotees to a state of sublime ecstasy,

impropriety in dressing and conduct such as talking or laughing loudly by a

devotee may knowingly or unknowingly disturb the other devotees and vitiate the

atmosphere. The focus is shifted from the deity, in our case, the holy image of

Shri Sai Nath Maharaj of Shirdi towards such individuals. Then the whole purpose

of visiting a temple is defeated.

 

Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi was never in favour of his devotees and workers wearing

such clothes. Once poet Dasganu the famous ballad singer on Baba and other

saints came to Baba on his way to a religious function, where he was supposed to

give a rendition of songs on Baba. He was donned in dazzling and colourful

attire, which Kirtankars and Kathavachaks usually wear in Maharashtra and

elsewhere. Baba asked him not to decorate himself in such lavish style and

attend the function in the simplest possible dress.

 

In the light of what has been explained above, it is desirable for the Shirdi

Sai devotees to worship Baba in the temple or to participate in a congregation

of Sai devotees in modest and simple attire. Baba's teachings show that lavish

display of material aspects of life including dazzling dresses never impressed

Baba. Shri Sai Baba the Fakir with the torn clothes perhaps finds it more

comfortable to be with simply dressed but truthful people.

 

In this context I have also observed many devotees trying to wear clothes in the

style and manner of the Master, wearing Kafnis (long flowing cloth covering the

entire body) and patka (headgear). Some of them carry a satka additionally in

their hand. The famous Gurugita asks the devotees not to copy the look or the

behaviour of the Master.

 

And this is the accepted rule of law, in the master-disciple relationship in the

spiritual world. Even the famous Shri Vivekananda never imitated the attire of

his Guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. Although some Sai devotees tend to dress

like Baba out of ignorance and simply as a feel good factor, there are other

fraudulent ones who try to impress the gullible devotees in order to extract

money and other advantages. It is therefore correct on the part of the temple

trust to surely but politely impress upon the visitors to the temple to be

properly attired and behave while in the temple premises.

 

On the day of this Thursday, I invoke Shri Sai Baba's blessing for the devotees

and readers in helping them to evolve in the spiritual path.

 

C B Satpathy

New Delhi

 

http://www.shirdibaba.org/guruji/messages/dm_october_2007.pdf