WHO IS SRI SAI BABA OF SHIRDI?

March 29, 2008

5. The early decades spent by Baba at Shirdi are almost wholly forgotten. He was first living under a margosa tree leading the life of a perfect ascetic. Next, he removed to a dilapidated mosque in the village, and resided there to the end of his life. He had nothing that he could call ‘mine’. For thirty years and more, he was leading the life of holy poverty, and then his devotees whom he affectionately termed his children, pressed the pomp and show of royalty upon him. For the last ten years of his life, he appeared as a prince though he behaved throughout like a poor fakir, who either owned nothing or everything in the world. His was the life of perfect celibacy (naishtika rahmacharya with astalitha urdhvarethus), a fact which was beaming out of his brilliant tiger like eyes. His virtues were numerous - Ananthakalyanaguna - and would naturally sink into the heart of those coming in contact with him, and thus raise them

gradually on the highest. ‘Apana sarika karita tatkal’, is a saying of Tukaram, which means that great souls raise the devotees to their own level; vide Bhagavata, where Lord Krishna says, ‘Though devotees do not wish to be one with me, I pull them unto myself’. 6. Amongst his qualities, the most notable was, of course, love - uniform, all embracing, intense love, showered on all and at all times, without any idea of the extent of sacrifice involved or any idea of recompense - truly maternal love at its highest. God is love and the means to reach God is also love. Baba was nothing but the embodiment of love. This love was perpetually manifesting itself in every act, word, and thought of his, though at times hidden by his ascetic modes of life. In the beginning he would move and talk with none except under strict necessity. However, when there was any suffering in the village, he would run to relieve it and

would accept no recompense. WHO IS SRI SAI BABA OF SHIRDI?By Shri H.H.NARASIMHASWAMIJI (Founder)All India Sai Samaj (Regd.), Madras - 600 004. http://groups.msn.com/

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