EXPERIENCE SHIRDI GUIDO - A JOURNEY TO REMEMBER
Feel the shirdi spirituality
Shri sai baba
Baba stated that his mission is to “Give Blessings” without discrimination to all, and he proves it in myriad ways by healing the sick, saving lives, protecting the vulnerable, averting accidents, granting offspring, facilitating financial gain, bringing people into harmony within themselves and with each other and, above all, in effecting the spiritual evolution and transformation of those who came to him as the last resort.
Baba is, as one of his contemporary devotees put it, “The embodiment of the Supreme Spirit lighting the sadhaka's (seekers') path by His every word and action”.
To his devotees, Baba is nothing less than a GOD. This has been a matter of experience and not imaginary.
“I look at all with an equal eye”
An outstanding aspect of Sai Baba is that he is beyond distinctions of religion, caste or creed. He embodied all religions and preached the Universal religion of Love.
Devotees of all faiths find their meeting point in the Sai and people from all communities and all walks of life are united by the great love and reverence Baba inspires in them. Baba had great regard for his Hindu devotees and their Gurus and he responded to their needs and permitted worship according to the Hindu and other religious rituals. At the same time his dwelling place was a Masjid (Mosque) and the name of Allah was ever on his lips. HE described himself as in Service to GOD (ALLAH) and as a soul ever remembering ALLAH -(YAD - A - HAKKA)
People today flock Shirdi in ever-increasing numbers to pay homage to the Divine and to experience the truth of Baba’s promise that He would be active in answering devotees' prayers even from his tomb. Like Ten Commandments BABA has given eleven assurances to humanity for welfare.
Baba said that he was a slave in the service of those who loved him that he was ever living to help those who turn to him and that he has to take care of his children day and night. He then taught the values of total surrender to the Almighty Master (ALLAH MALIK EK- The only ONE) and experience his grace.
In coming to Baba’s Shirdi His children experience the truth how BABA unfailingly fulfil his commitments to his devotees by coming to their rescue in times of crisis.
Sai Baba’s Advice
Saint Ramadas (1608-1681) flourished in the 17th century and fulfilled to a great extent his mission of protecting the helpless cows and Brahmins against the Yavanas powerful (Mohammedans or Followers of Islam), but within two centuries after him, the split between the two communities -- Hindus and Mohammedans widened again, and it is believed that Sai Baba came to bridge the gulf.
His constant advice to all was to this effect. God is the only One Almighty Master of all souls and never discriminates while showering his Love on the souls who are all equals before him. He loves every soul irrespective of his/her vices or virtues. "Rama (the God of the Hindus) and Rahim (the God of the Mohammedans) are one and the same; there is not the slightest difference between them; then why should their devotees quarrel among themselves? You ignorant folk, children, join hands and bring both the communities together, act sanely and thus you will gain your object of national unity. It is not good to dispute and argue. So don't argue, don't emulate others. Always consider your interest and welfare. The Lord will protect you. Yoga, sacrifice penance, and knowledge are the paths (means) to attain God. If you do not succeed in this by any means, invain is your birth. If any one does any evil unto you, do not retaliate. If you can do anything, do some good unto other." Baba shall always support any truthful thought or action.
This, in short, was Sai Baba's advice to all; and this will stand in good stead both in material and spiritual matters. Baba assured, without any discrimination, all the seekers (MUMUKSHUS) His divine and unfailing support for material welfare and spiritual elevation. There is no soul in the world who has not experienced Baba's instant support and protection in moment of crisis.
Baba Personality
Sai Baba conquered this Samsar (worldly existence), which is like a deep sea, very difficult and hard to cross. Peace or mental calm was his ornament and he was the repository of wisdom. He was the home of Vaishnava devotees, most liberal (like Karna) amongst liberals, the quintessence of all essences. He had no love for perishable things and was always engrossed in self-realization, which was his sole concern. He felt no pleasure in the mundane things of this world or of the world beyond. His Antarang (heart) was as clear as a mirror and his speech always rained nectar. The rich or poor people were the same to Him. He did not know or care for honor or dishonor.`
Baba was the Lord of all beings. He spoke freely and mixed with all people, saw the acting and dances of ‘Nautchgirls’ and heard Gazhal songs. Still, he swerved not an inch from Samadhi (mental equilibrium). The name of Allah was always on his lips. While the world awoke, he slept; and while the world slept, he was vigilant. His abdomen (Inside) was as calm as the deep sea. His Ashram (life-stage) could not be determined, nor his actions could be definitely determined and though he sat (lived) in one place, he knew all the transactions of the world. His darbar was imposing. He told daily hundreds of stories; still he swerved not an inch from his vow of silence. He always leaned against the wall in the Masjid or walked morning, noon and evening towards Lendi (Nala) and Chavadi; still he at all times abided in the Self. Though a Siddha, he acted like a Sadhaka. He was meek, humble and egoless, and pleased all. Such was Sai Baba, and as the soil of Shirdi was trodden by Sai Baba’s feet, it attained extraordinary importance.
By day he always sat under the neem tree, sometimes under the shade of a branch of a babul tree near the stream at the outskirts of the village.
Many Sanyasis, Sadhakas and all sorts of men aspiring for salvation came to Sai Baba. He always walked, talked and laughed with them and always uttered with His tongue ‘Allah Malik’ (God is the sole owner). He never liked or encouraged discussion or arguments. He was always calm and controlled, though irritable at times, always preached full Vedanta and nobody knew till the last the real Baba.
