SRI SAI BABA OF SHIRDI --- The Matchless Saint

Aum Sairam

Sri Sai Baba, one of the foremost saints of modern India, lived in the small village of Shirdi in the state of Maharashtra. Due to his presence there even after his Samadhi, today the small village has transformed itself as a great spiritual center to people from all religions.

Sri Sai Baba, in spite of his great spiritual stature, never publicized himself through discoursing, touring and preaching, unlike today’s many so called saints. Rather, he discouraged unnecessary publicity. But still, his spiritual perfection is still drawing innumerable devotees to him from all over the world.

Even after his Samadhi in 1918, Sri Sai Baba still continues to be a dynamic spiritual force which invokes countless devotees for their spiritual and material progress.

Sri Sai Baba did never reveal his original name, time and place of birth, especially his religion and caste, and even the names of his parents. Through this, he has emerged as a solution to all the religious and communal differences that are destroying the world today. He preaches that God is Almighty and he has given all the souls on earth equal opportunity to reach him, whichever is the religion they belong to. ‘Sri Sai Baba’ is the name given to him by his first devotee, Bhagat Mahalsapati – ‘Sai’ means ‘Saint’ and ‘Baba’ means ‘Father’. The name is just an expression of love, reverence and devotion.

Sri Sai Baba never discriminated between the rich and the poor. He was equally indifferent to honor or dishonor shown to him by the people. He used to utter the name of ‘Allah’ frequently.

All religious scriptures spell that any spiritual quest does not fulfill without a proper guide or Sadguru. Sri Sai Baba has led many seekers as a Sadguru towards spiritual progress. These seekers are either drawn to him by himself or by other saints and deities.

All religions preach that God is Almighty and He is omnipresent. The omnipresence of God is clearly manifested in the various experiences that Sri Sai Baba has given to his devotees anywhere, anytime. He once said, “He who thinks that I am only at Shirdi has never known me. I am omnipresent anywhere, everywhere, all the time and in all creation. I am at Shirdi and everywhere. I am formless and everywhere! I am everything and beyond. The entire Universe is in Me. Wherever you see, whatever you see, and I am there.” He not only preached this, but he demonstrated the truth through his deeds (Leela's).

The spiritual perfection of a Sadguru consists in realizing his essential identity with the One Spirit of all Existence [God Almighty]. Sri Sai Baba, the Perfect Master, has demonstrated that he is in all Gods of all religions, the various Gods in Hindu religion, the Allah and the Christ.

The omnipresence of Sri Sai Baba demonstrated that he knows everything that has happened, happening and will happen in the lives of all creatures in the world. In addition to this, he also demonstrated that omnipresence of God is also manifested in the non-living things. This provides an effective check on the evil propensities of devotees. But still, he always said, “I am the slave of God”; “Allah Malik”.

Shri Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi once said that contact with the Sadguru continues even after his physical death. The tomb of Sri Sai Baba [Samadhi] today is speaking to and leading his devotees towards spiritual perfection.

Sri Sai Baba promises that he will lead his devotees both materially and spiritually if they simply remember his omnipresence always in everything they do and in everybody. Study of life histories of Saints - Mainly Life history of Sri Sai Baba; Previous Incarnations of Lord Dattatreya; Life histories of other saints, Prescribed religious and spiritual scriptures, remembering his holy deeds [leela's], coupled with meditation and prayer helps the devotees to do so.

All the mystics of the world and all saints have declared that the immediate presence of a realized sage is one of the most potent forces in the spiritual advancement of Sadhak or the seeker. Contact with them induces in us inner peace and purity, restores our sense of values, wipes out illusory allurements of the senses and turns us towards spirit with renewed vigor. Besides, when approached in a proper manner, they can enable us to realize that all the saints are one in essence.

So let us all follow the great saint of today, the greatest of the great, Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi and make ourselves better and better human beings. Through his guidance, let us all try to make this world a better place to live in for ourselves and fellow human beings by shedding off the ill-lead religious and communal differences. Lets all follow him to shape ourselves as the most lovable children of God.

Allah Malik