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)