Shirdi Sai Baba ASK & RECEIVE AS SHIRDI REMAINS VERY ACTIVE TO THOSE OPEN

 

Shirdi Sai Baba

ASK & RECEIVE AS SHIRDI REMAINS VERY ACTIVE TO THOSE OPEN TO RECEIVING HIS GRACE IN EVERY WAY GJ

"The humblest of all is the highest of all." —ADA

Sai Baba of Shirdi was an Indian spiritual Master considered to be among the highest category of Yogis and seen as a manifestation/Avatara of Lord Dattatreya. He was equally revered among both Hindus and Muslims and is now worshipped all over the world.

The sacred book about the first incarnation of Lord Dattatreya ‘Sreepada Sreevallabha Charitaamrutam‘ written during his lifetime [1320-1350] prophesied the incarnation of Sai Baba. It claimed him to be an incarnation of Lord Hanuman.

The teachings of Baba were focussed on Devotion, Self-surrender to the Sat-Guru, Service, and Compassion.

Sai Baba’s actual name remains unknown, and no documented evidence regarding his birth and parents exists. He first showed up as a young lad of sixteen years sitting under a Neem tree in Shirdi. When the young Fakir returned to Shirdi after a short absence, he was welcomed with the words ‘Ya Sai’ [Welcome Sai], after which people started calling him ‘Sai Baba.’ Sai Baba stayed in Shirdi initially for three years, following which he disappeared and returned in the year 1858. He led a strict, ascetic life sitting under a Neem tree, meditating with total indifference to cold, heat, or rain. Later he moved to a dilapidated mosque.

Sai Satcharitra, the life story of Sai Baba written by his disciple Hemadpant, focuses on the relationship between Guru and disciple and the glory and importance of the Guru principle. Sai Baba is considered as Samartha Sat-Guru, meaning ‘the Competent Master.’ Sai Baba insisted on complete self-surrender to Guru as the definite path to Enlightenment. He strictly followed his own Master Venkusa for twelve years, during which he was rigorously trained, following which he attained self-realisation.

Why did Hemadpant write the biography of Sai Baba? In his words, the answer is plain and simple. ‘The life of 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 Divine Knowledge and Devotion [Bhakti], and distribute them to the aspiring public. The stories, parables, and teachings of Sai Baba are wonderful. They will give peace and happiness to the people afflicted with sorrows and are heavily loaded with miseries of this worldly existence. They bestow knowledge and wisdom, both in the worldly and spiritual domains. If these teachings of Sai Baba, which are as interesting and instructive as the Vedic lore, are listened to and meditated upon, devotees will get what they long for, whether it is union with Brahman, mastery in eight-fold Yoga, Bliss of Meditation, etc. So I considered that calling these stories together would be my best Upasana [devotional service]. This collection would be most delightful for those simple souls whose eyes were not blessed with Sai Baba’s Darshan. Therefore, I set about collecting Sai Baba’s teachings and expressions – the outcome of His boundless and natural Self-Realisation. Sai Baba inspired me in this matter; in fact, I surrendered my ego at His feet and thought that my path was clear; and that He would make me quite happy here and in the next world.’

Sai Baba always condemned discrimination based on caste or religion. His teachings had elements of both Hinduism and Islam. He gave the name DWARAKA MAI to the Mosque in which he lived. Many devotees experienced miracles under Baba. He cured incurable diseases in miraculous ways, and many visitors had higher spiritual experiences under his guidance.

On the 15th October of 1918, Baba entered his Mahasamadhi; the place where His body is kept is now called Samadhi Mandir. Baba promised his devotees that he would continue to work from his Samadhi itself. Millions of devotees visit the holy place of Shirdi each year as it has become one of the biggest pilgrimages in India.