Sai Baba

We have sung this prayer many a times but it was a mere mantra for me till I met Baba ...Humare Baba!

He had once said 'मुझे सदा जीवित ही जानो, अनुभव करो सत्य पहचानो।' and he has been keeping his words ever since. People have given him many names - Deva, Baba, Fakir, Sai and some of his naughty children have called him "Buddha"

Sai baba is a Sadguru and no words can do justice in providing an introduction to him. In my words he is my baba…my guru….my forefather who goes to any extent to guide me, takes care of me, loves me and helps me traverse the path to my spiritual destiny.

At every step of life I can feel his presence , his hand on my head and him carefully guiding every step in my life……like a father to a newborn!!

Here is how Wikipedia introduces him –

“Sai Baba of Shirdi (c. 1838 - died 15 October 1918), also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, was an Indian spiritual master and fakir, considered to be a saint, revered by both Hindu and Muslim devotees during and after his lifetime.

According to accounts from his life, Sai Baba preached the importance of "realization of the self" and criticized "love towards perishable things". His teachings concentrate on a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace, and devotion to God and Guru. He stressed the importance of surrender to the true Sadguru, who, having trodden the path to divine consciousness, can lead the disciple through the jungle of spiritual growth.

Sai Baba condemned discrimination based on religion or caste. Whether he was a Muslim or a Hindu remains unclear, but the distinction was of no consequence to the man himself. His teachings combined elements of Hinduism and Islam: he gave the Hindu name Dwarakamayi to the mosque in which he lived, practised both Hindu and Muslim rituals, and taught using words and figures that drew from both traditions.

Among his favourite sayings to devotees were "Look to me, and I shall look to you" and "Allah tera bhala karega" (translation: God will bless you). He is thought by devotees to be an avatar of the Hindu god Dattatreya.

त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव।

त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव।।

त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणं त्वमेव।

त्वमेव सर्व मम देवदेव।।

Origins and First Appearance

Nobody knew the parents, birth or birthplace of Sai Baba. Many inquiries were made, many questions were put to Baba and others regarding these details, but no convincing answer or information has yet been obtained. Practically we know nothing about these matters. When asked about his relatives and other details he gave only one answer:'From very long'.

Note: These words uttered by SAI BABA have been actually heard by the daughter-in-law of Mrs Bayajamaa Kote Patil. She was a witness to the dialogue between Mrs Bayajamaa Kote Patil and BABA who came for Bhiksha at Mrs Bayaja's place.

4As per Sai Satcharitra, an old woman described young baba as:

This young lad, fair, smart and very handsome was first seen under the Neem tree seated in an ‘asana’ (a Yoga posture). The people of the village were wonder-struck to see such a young lad practicing hard penance, not minding heat and cold. By day he associated with none, by night he was afraid of nobody. People were wondering and asking, when this young chap had turned up. His form and features were so beautiful that a mere look endeared Him to all. He went to nobody’s door, always sat near the neem tree. Outwardly he looked very young; but by his action he appeared to be really a Great Soul. He was the embodiment of dispassion and was an enigma to all. Nobody knew his where about and his mysterious behavior (Leelas).

It is said that one day, God Khandoba at Shirdi possessed the body of some devotee and people began to ask Him, "Deva (God), you please enquire what blessed father’s son is this lad and when did He come".

God Khandoba asked them to bring a pickaxe and dig at a particular place. When it was dug, bricks were found underneath a flat stone. When the stone was removed, a corridor led to a cellar where cow-mouth-shaped structures, wooden boards, Jap Mala were seen.

Khandoba said, "This lad practiced penance here for 12 years." When the people began to question the lad about this, He put them off by telling them that it was His Guru’s place, His holy ‘Watan’ (inheritance) and requested them to guard it well.

The young Baba thus stayed on in Shirdi for a period of three years. Then, all of a sudden, He disappeared. After some time, He reappeared in the Nizam State near Aurangabad and eventually again returned to Shirdi with the marriage party of one Chand Patil, when He was twenty years old.

Baba's return to Shirdi

There lived in the Aurangabad district (Nizam State), in a village called Dhoop, a well-to-do Mohammedan gentleman by the name Chand Patil. While he was making a trip to Aurangabad, he lost his mare. For two long months, he made a diligent search but could get no trace of the lost mare.

After being disappointed, he returned from Aurangabad with the saddle on his back.

After travelling four Koss and a half, he came, on the way, to a mango tree under the foot of which sat a fakir. He had a cap on His head, wore Kafni (long robe) and had a "Satka" (short stick) under his armpit and he was preparing to smoke a Chillim (pipe). On seeing Chand Patil pass by the way, he called out to him and asked him to have a smoke and to rest a little. The Fakir asked him about the saddle. Chand Patil replied that it was of his mare, which was lost.

The Fakir asked him to make a search in the Nala(small stream) close by. He went and the wonder of wonders! he found out the mare. He thought that this Fakir was not an ordinary man, but an Avalia (a great saint), A queer personality. He returned to the Fakir with the mare.

The Chillim was ready for being smoked, but two things were wanting; (1) fire to light the pipe, and (2) water to wet the chhapi (piece of cloth through which smoke is drawn up). The Fakir took his prong and thrust it forcibly into the ground and out came a live burning coal, which He put on the pipe. Then He dashed the Satka on the ground from whence water began to ooze. The chhapi was wetted with that water, was then wrung out and wrapped round the pipe. Thus everything being complete, the Fakir smoked the Chillim and then gave it also to Chand Patil. On seeing all this, Chand Patil was wonderstruck. He requested the Fakir to come to his home and accept his hospitality. Next day he went to the Patil’s house and stayed there for some time.

Patil was a village officer of Dhoop. His wife’s brother’s son was to be married and the bride was from Shirdi. So Patil made preparations to start for Shirdi for the marriage. The Fakir also accompanied the marriage-party. The marriage went off without any hitch, the party returned to Dhoop, except the Fakir alone stayed in Shirdi and remained there forever.

Baba becomes "Sai"

When the marriage - party came to Shirdi, it alighted at the foot of a Banyan tree in Bhagata Mhalsapati’s field near Khandoba’s temple. The carts were loosened in the open courtyard of Khandoba’s temple and the members of the party descended one by one, and the Fakir also got down. Bhagat Mhalsapati saw the young Fakir getting down and spontaneously accosted Him "YA SAI" (Welcome Sai). Others also addressed Him as Sai and thenceforth he became known as Sai Baba.

Upon his return to Shirdi, Baba stayed there for an unbroken period of sixty years, after which He took His Maha-Samadhi in the year 1918.

Initially, Sai Baba stayed on the outskirts of the village of Shirdi, then under a neem tree for four to five years at the spot now called Gurusthan, before shifting to an abandoned mosque which later became known as Dwarkamai.

Slowly his greatness was revealed and his fame spread far and wide, until by the end of his life he was attracting thousands of people to Shirdi. In the last decade of his life, Baba was worshipped with all pomp and ceremony and the mosque was likened to a maharajah’s ‘darbar’, yet Baba never changed His simple and austere lifestyle of the Puritans.

2 of Baba's key Sayings

श्रद्धा सबुरी

Shraddha Saburi - These 2 words are life changing. True to their absolute meaning - Faith and Patience.

They for me are the bedrock of living my life. Have Faith in the Malik and have patience for his kripa to come through.

Firstly you have to do Karma to become worthy of the Malik or Supreme God having his sight on you and then you have to believe he has a plan and that faith will make you cross rivers of fire. The faith that Malik is looking after me and his kripa will take me to my destiny guides you through every difficulty.

It gives you the patience, the perseverance to hold on and keep swimming even if its against the tide because one day he will help us reach destiny!!

सबका मालिक एक

Sabka Malik Ek or There is only 1 Supreme being - For me it signifies the oneness of our caretakers or God.

It tells us that we are born to fulfill the destiny set up by out Malik and he is the same for everyone.

Since we all are part of one plan - love and respect everyone and do not discriminate. Also tells me that i am neither the planner, the decision maker or the doer - i am merely an instrument in his divine plan

'जो शिरडी में आएगा, आपद दूर भगाएगा।' - साईं बाबा का मुख्‍य मंदिर शिरडी में है। इसलिए साईं कहते हैं कि सिर्फ शिरडी आने से ही आपकी कई समस्‍याएं दूर हो जाती है। लेकिन जो लोग शिरडी नहीं जा सकते हैं उन्‍हें घर के पास वाले साईं के मंदिर में जाएं।
'चढ़े समाधि की सीढ़ी पर, पैर तले दुख की पीढ़ी पर।' - साईं बाबा की समाधि की सीढ़ी पर पैर रखते ही भक्त के सारे दुःख दूर हो जाएंगे। लेकिन मन में श्रद्धा का भाव का होना जरूरी है।
'त्याग शरीर चला जाऊंगा, भक्त हेतु दौड़ा आऊंगा।' - साईं बाबा कहते हैं कि मैं भले ही शरीर में न रहूं। लेकिन जब भी मेरा भक्त मुझे पुकारेगा, मैं दौड़ के आऊंगा और अपने हर भक्त की मदद करूंगा।
'मन में रखना दृढ़ विश्वास, करे समाधि पूरी आस।' - ऐसा भी हो सकता है कि मेरे न रहने पर भक्त का विश्वास कमजोर और अकेलापन महसूस करने लगे। लेकिन भक्त को विश्वास रखना चाहिए कि समाधि से की गई उसकी हर प्रार्थना पूरी होगी।
'मुझे सदा जीवित ही जानो, अनुभव करो सत्य पहचानो।' - साईं बाबा कहते हैं कि मैं केवल शरीर नहीं हूं। इसलिए हमेशा जीवित रहूंगा और भक्ति और प्रेम से कोई भी भक्त मुझे अनुभव कर सकता है।
'मेरी शरण आ खाली जाए, हो तो कोई मुझे बताए।' - जो कोई भी व्यक्ति सच्ची श्रद्धा से मेरी शरण में आता है, उसकी हर मनोकामना पूरी हुई है।
'जैसा भाव रहा जिस जन का, वैसा रूप हुआ मेरे मन का।' - इस वचन में साईं बाबा कहते है कि जो व्यक्ति मुझे जिस भाव से देखता है, मैं उसे वैसा ही दिखता हूं। यही नहीं जिस भाव से कामना करता है, उसी भाव से मैं उसकी कामना पूर्ण करता हूं।
'भार तुम्हारा मुझ पर होगा, वचन न मेरा झूठा होगा।' - जो व्यक्ति पूर्ण रूप से समर्पित होगा उसके जीवन के हर भार को उठाऊंगा। यानि मैं उसकी हर समस्‍या को दूर कर दूंगा।
'आ सहायता लो भरपूर, जो मांगा वो नहीं है दूर।' - जो भक्त श्रद्धा भाव से मदद मांगेगा, मैं उसकी मदद जरूर करूंगा।
'मुझमें लीन वचन मन काया, उसका ऋण न कभी चुकाया।' - जो भक्त मन, वचन और कर्म से मुझमें लीन रहता है, मैं उसका हमेशा ऋणी रहता हूं। और उस भक्त के जीवन की सारी जिम्मेदारी मेरी होती है।
'धन्य धन्य व भक्त अनन्य, मेरी शरण तज जिसे न अन्य।' - साईं बाबा कहते हैं कि मेरे वो भक्त धन्य हैं जो अनन्य भाव से मेरी भक्ति में लीन हैं।

Baba ke 11 Vachan

The one who comes to Shirdi, will be free from miseries. - The main temple of Sai Baba is in Shirdi. That's why Sai says that just by coming to Shirdi many of your problems get solved. But those who cannot go to Shirdi should visit the Sai temple near the house.
The wretched and miserable would rise into plenty of joy and happiness as soon as they climb the steps of my samadhi - The one who will bow towards my Samadhi, I will change their pain into pleasure. Baba knows all your past Karmas, your present needs, and your uncertain future.
I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body - Even though I’m not in my body, I will also look after my devotees. He says, it doesn’t matter whether he is alive or not, he is omnipresent, he is watching you every time, he talks to you when you talk to him, he hears you, he takes care of you, it doesn’t matter whether you are in Shirdi or not, just remember him and he shall be there for you
My Samadhi shall bless and speak to the needs of my devotees - Your faith ought to be determined in me, and I shall grant you whatever you pray. Well, each devotee has faith, but Baba seeks your patience too. “SHRADDHA & SABURI”. You pay him your patience; your wishes shall be granted.
I shall be active and vigorous even from the Samadhi - Feel me everywhere and realize the truth. Just like his previous assurance, you need to believe he is always alive; you just need to feel him.
Nobody goes empty-handed from me, it’s my promise - The one who goes on a righteous path, the one who is not selfish, the one whose world is incomplete without SHREE SAINATH, is the one who is loved by Baba very much
I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me and who seek refuge in me - I will be there for you in whatever form you worship me, it never matters in what form you treat him; you just need to have a pious feeling and ample of love and faith for him.
If you look to me, I look to you. If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it - Baba is always hungry for the love of devotees, there are devotees for whom Baba is their priority, and they are the only ones whose problems are taken by Baba himself.
If you seek my advice and help, it shall be given to you at once - If you have faith in Baba, tell everything to him, share your pain, your happiness, your uneasiness, your barrier, your desires, your everything, talk to him as if he is standing before you, instead of seeking help from others, seek help from him and see his miracles.
The one who believes in me, I always bear his/her burden - The pain of devotees is a fire to Baba’s heart; he can never see his devotee shattered in pain and his/her eyes filled with tears. Shree Saibaba is an ocean of mercy; just for once, love him selflessly, and he shall grant you his control.
Just consider yourself to me; there would be no unfulfilled longings in you - The one who chants Sai Baba’s name every time, Baba gives him salvation, he frees him from all the unnecessary attachments, lust, and longings, her himself held the hands of his devotees and grants him everything

Some of Baba's lovely Children

We bow to all bhaktas of Baba - past and present. We feel Anyone who lives have been touched by Baba in any way is extremely lucky and we humbly prostate to them. Below are some prominent Bhakta that were luckier - they actually spent time with Baba when he was here living amongst us and also had the great fortune of being useful to Baba in different ways.

Tatya Kote Patil

Tatya Kote Patil occupies a special place in the history of Shirdi and Sai Baba, and many of his descendants are active in the local community. Sometimes referred to as Baba's "pet" devotee, Tatya had a unique relationship with the saint and was under his wing from the age of about seven. While most devotees were attracted to Baba because of his powers and what he could give them, Tatya related to Baba in a personal and human way

Mahalsapati

Mahalsapati was the priest of the Khandoba Temple on the edge of the village of Shirdi.

Mahalsapati was the one who owes the name of Saibaba as we know it today. He uttered 'Ya Sai,' when Baba made His first appearance at the Khandoba temple along with the marriage party of Chandbhai. Saibaba used to call Mahalsapati 'Sonarda,' and later on 'Bhagat' i.e. close disciple.

Abdul Baba

Abdul Baba came to Shirdi in around 1890. He came here after a fakir who was inspired in his dream by Saibaba to bring Abdul Baba to Shirdi. On his coming to Shirdi, Saibaba greeted him by saying "My crow has come". A dedicated worker Abdul Baba took care of Baba's mosque and lit the lamps in Lendi. Baba took care of his welfare, and often had him reading aloud passages from the Koran.

Bayaja Bai

The moment Baba saw Bayaja Bai, he said, “She has been my sister for the last seven births”. Right from the time she met Baba as a young lad sitting under the neem tree, the parental feelings were aroused for Baba as if He was her son. Bayaja Bai, used to go to the woods every noon with a basket on her head containing bread and vegetables to fed him forcibly

Nanasaheb Chandorkar

Nana Chandorkar was among the most prominent devotees of Baba. He was well educated and a Brahman.A Deputy Collector by profession, he had the distinction of being one of the very few disciples that Baba directly called to his side.

Bhagoji Shinde

Bhagoji Shinde suffered from leprosy and yet he was among the closest to Saibaba. He accompanied Saibaba to Lendi garden carrying a parasol to give him shade. Once Saibaba got hurt while thrusting his hands into dhuni, Bhagoji was the one who bandaged the wound and dressed him long after it had healed.

Shyama

Shama was among Baba’s most intimate devotees. He was regarded as the ‘Nandi’ of Baba and acted like his personal secretary. Baba once told Shama that they had been together for 72 generations. His parents had moved to Shirdi from Nimon (five kilometres away) when he was only two. He became a school teacher in a room next door to the mosque.

Kakasahib Dixit

Hari Sitaram alias Kakasaheb Dixit was a prominent solicitor another of Saibaba's ardent devotees. Saibaba used to call him affectionately Langda Kaka and removed fear complex from his mind. Kaka Dixit was known for his obedience to Baba's orders.

Dasganu Maharaja

Shri Ganpat Rao Dattatreya Sahasrabuddhe alias Das Ganu Maharaj, a high class Brahman was fondly called as Ganu by Baba. Dasganu was originally in police service and it was during this time that Nana Chandorkar took him to see Sai Baba. Das Ganu wrote about the lives of saints and composed kirtans (devotional songs) which he sang with great fervor. He spread the life stories of Sai in the form of hymns.

Laxmi Bai

Laxmibai Shinde was well-to-do woman, who worked in the masjid day and night. Except Bhagat Mhalasapati, Tatya and Laxmibai, none was allowed to step in the Masjid at night.Later she prepared food for Baba and served him with great love and devotion. Baba was highly grateful to her and showed his gratitude by giving her a gift of nine coins before taking Samadhi, which is thought to symbolize "nav-vidha bhakti"

Bapusaheb Booty

Sriman Gopalrao Booty was a millionaire of Nagpur. Booty became eminent devotee of Baba right from his first visit. Booty’s outstanding service to the Sai Sansthan and Baba’s devotees was that, he constructed the huge building and devoted it entirely for the Mahasamadhi shrine of Baba.This stone building was known as Booty Wada

Hemadpant

Most popularly known for being the author of the work The Sri Sai Satcharitra, Annasaheb Dabholkar was called Hemadpant by Saibaba after a well known poet of 13th Century. His work is a great insight into the life and philosophy of Saibaba.