Life & Teachings of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi

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Life & Teachings of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi

 

Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi is a unique phenomenon on the horizon of

spirituality. Sitting on a rugged stone, His eyes full of compassion and

concern for the suffering humanity, with a torn kafni (a dress) on His

body, Shri Sai Baba presents a picture of a sage who has descended on

this earth to answer the calls of His innumerable devotees all over the

world, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

 

His Manifestation:

Shri Sai Baba first manifested Himself under a neem tree in Shirdi

(Maharashtra - India) as a young lad of sixteen and then disappeared for

a while. He returned to Shirdi with a marriage-party. The village priest

Mahalsapati saw the young Fakir descending from a cart and accosted him

'Ya Sai' i.e. welcome Sai. Thenceforth others also started addressing

Him as Sai and He became known as Sai Baba. He began to stay in a Mosque

which He later on named as 'Dwarka Mai'.

 

No body knew the parentage, birth or birthplace of Shri Sai Baba. Many

queries were put to Him but no satisfactory answer was ever obtained.

Who so ever tried was dumb-founded and captured by His unique

personality. No body could ever know which caste, creed or religion He

belonged to. It is no wonder; for he who had completely surrendered

himself to the Lord by getting rid of his egotism and body consciousness

and had become one with Him, had nothing to do with the question of

caste or creed.

 

His food, He begged from a few houses and shared it with men and animals

on a common platter.

 

His Teachings:

Shri Sai Baba advocated Harmony, Love, Kindness and Universal

Brotherhood, He came to bridge the gulf between various communities. His

preaching to every one was that God in whatever form worshipped was one

and the same. When it is so, then why men should quarrel amongst

themselves. Not only this but He celebrated the festivals of Hindus and

Muslims alike.

 

The Life of Shri Sai Baba is as wide and deep as the infinite ocean and

all can dive deep into the same and take out precious gems of Knowledge

and Bhakti (devotion). The teachings of Shri Sai Baba give peace and

happiness to the people, who are afflicted with sorrows. If these

teachings of Shri Sai Baba, which are interesting and instructive as the

Vedic lore, are listened to and meditated upon, the devotees will get

what they long for, i.e., Bliss of Meditation, Peace and Moksha - the

Eternal Union with God.

 

His Impact:

Seeing Him immensely benefited people. He is known for answering the

prayers of His devotees by granting them boons and satisfying their

legitimate wishes. He comes to their aid in times of dire necessity and

saves them from awkward and difficult situations. He cures incurable

diseases as if by magic; Leprosy was cured in some cases, some blind men

got their sight and lame ones got their legs. Many got their desires

fulfilled. Students appearing in examinations, candidates applying for

jobs, parents planning the marriage of their children, litigants seeking

favorable disposal of their cases, businessmen aspiring success in their

undertakings, women seeking issues throng in large numbers to worship at

Lord's feet for Mercy and Benevolence and get their desires fulfilled.

 

The Sadguru (Supreme Master) looks to the intense feelings and devotion

of His devotees, endows them with Knowledge and Eternal Bliss. To solve

the riddle of life and death, the easiest way of worship is to chant His

name any time and every time.

 

Today Shirdi Sai Baba's name is ringing not only in India but the World

over. He is God, Sadguru and Guide to religious and God fearing people.

Devotees considered Him as God incarnate when He was in " flesh and

blood " . Baba took Mahasamadhi (Eternal rest) in 1918 and in Mahasamadhi

Baba is even more powerful. People experience His near presence as the

Universal spirit, even after so many decades of His having taken

'Mahasamadhi'.

 

His Assurances:

1. No harm shall befall him who sets his foot on the soil of Shirdi.

2. He who cometh to My Samadhi (Eternal resting place), his sorrows and

sufferings shall cease.

3. Though I be no more in flesh and blood, I shall ever protect My

devotees.

4. Trust in Me and your prayers shall be answered.

5. Know that My Spirit is Immortal. Know this for yourself.

6. Show unto Me he who has sought refuge and been turned away.

7. In whatever faith men worship Me, even so do I render to them.

8. Not in vain is My promise that I shall ever lighten your burden.

9. Knock, and the door shall open, Ask, and ye shall be granted.

10. To him who surrenders unto Me totally I shall ever be indebted.

11. Blessed is he who has become one with Me.

 

His Healing Touch:

Shri Sai Baba always sat near Dhuni (Sacred Fire), which He lit and kept

it burning day after day. The unbroken fire known as 'Dhuni Mai' (Mother

Fire) yields the Sacred Ash - Vibhutti - Udi which is ever potent

because of the blessings and omnipresence of the Lord. It was in the

healing of sickness that Baba's powers were lavishly displayed. At first

He used to prescribe herbs but soon he dispensed with them and gave

every one the sacred Vibhuti (Ash). The devotees have been using this as

His blessings for remarkable cures. The Vibhuti alone does not work the

wonders but the devotees' bhakti (faith and devotion) play an important

role in the wonderful results of the Vibhuti. It has played a very

important part in the grace shown by Shri Sai Baba to people all these

years. It is still being sought and used by the people all over and it

could bring you blessings you seek if only you have sincere faith in

Him.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all

Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Society

Faridabad