Shirdi Sai Baba

Allah Malik = God is the Ruler

Contents

Overview and Significance

Life History

Tradition and Gurus

Teachings

Sacred Practices/Sadhana

Miracles

Contemporary Masters

Holy Sites and Pilgrimages

Bibliography

External Links

Overview and Significance

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.

His famous quotes are :

Sabka Malik Ek = Every One’s Master is One

Shraddha and Saburi = Faith and Perseverance

Allah Malik = God is the Ruler

Allah Bhala Karega = God will do Good

shirdi-sai-baba

Life History

There is no documented evidence regarding Sai Baba’s birth or his parents. Few close associates claimed that he was born of Deshastha Brahmin parents in the village of Pathri and was entrusted into the care of a Fakir in his infancy.

Whenever someone asked him regarding his birth, he would answer that it was unimportant and used to give vague answers.

In the middle of the 19th century, when Sai Baba arrived, Shirdi was a very small and insignificant village in Maharashtra, unknown to most people. It is in the district of Ahmednagar. One has to cross the Godavari river at a place called Kopargaon before reaching Shirdi. For some inexplicable reason known only to himself, this was the place chosen by the great Saint to make his appearance. Today it has become a flourishing town attracting millions of devotees from all over the world because it was on this blessed spot that Sai Baba played his immortal ‘lilas’ [divine plays].

The life of Shirdi Sai Baba is remarkable in as much as nobody knows his parentage, name, birthplace, or caste. Many people asked him these questions, but he always parried them and refused to answer any question regarding his personal life. He revealed himself under a neem (margosa) tree just outside the village. He appeared to be about fourteen years of age and was sitting and practising meditation under the tree for days, without caring for the heat or cold or rain. The simple folk pestered him with questions, but all he said was that it was under this tree that his Guru had practiced penance. After this, the boy disappeared for some years.

His next appearance was with a marriage party that arrived in the village of Shirdi from the town of Dhoop. The marriage party was led by a Muslim called Chand Patil. This man had lost his horse on one of his journeys, and though he searched everywhere, he couldn’t find it. As he was walking back dejectedly, he saw a fakir (holy man) sitting under a mango tree. The fakir beckoned to Chand Patil who went near and saw that he was preparing to smoke a chillum (a kind of pipe). He asked Chand Patil what he was looking for, and when he heard about the lost horse, he advised him to search near the creek. To his amazement, Chand Patil found the horse quietly grazing at the exact spot pointed out by the fakir. 

He realised that the man was not an ordinary person. When he returned to the fakir [Sai Baba], the latter was just about to smoke his pipe, but he had neither of the two things necessary to light it. There was no fire and no water to wet the cloth to put over the pipe. The fakir casually took his stick and thrust it into the earth and came out with a live ember, which he put into his pipe. Then he dashed his stick on the ground, and immediately water started to trickle out. The Fakir prepared the pipe, drew hard at it, and handed it over to the astonished Chand Patil. The latter now invited him to go and stay in his house. This invitation was accepted, and in a few days, when Chand Patil’s marriage party set out to Shirdi, the fakir also accompanied him.

When the marriage party came to the outskirts of Shirdi, it stopped just outside the temple of Khandoba. A person called Mahalsapati was the priest of this temple; when he saw the young fakir, he was so struck by his looks that he addressed him as ‘Ya Sai’ (Welcome Sai). This name stuck to him, and ever since, people started addressing him as Sai Baba. Nobody knew his real name if he had one. From that day onwards, Sai Baba lived in Shirdi till his Mahasamadhi in October 1918. He lived all his life in a broken down masjid or deserted mosque, which he called Dwarakamai. He kept a dhuni or sacred fire burning all day and night and distributed the ashes from this to people with his blessings. This ash had miraculous powers, and even today, it is capable of curing all ailments. Today Shirdi has become a bustling town to which hundreds of people come to worship at the shrine which contains the mortal remains of the great Saint. He had prophesied that his tomb would speak, and anyone who came there would be blessed. And so it has come to pass.

Baba used to speak highly about his Guru Venkusa under whom he practiced for twelve years. Baba considered his master Venkusa to be his mother, father and guide, and everything. His Guru was the sole object of meditation and worship for Baba during that period. His Master, Venkusa, exposed him to rigorous training.
Baba had complete knowledge of the past, present, and future. He could communicate and understand the language of every creature. He could cure many medically incurable diseases and even prevented a Cholera epidemic in the village of Shirdi.

Baba insisted on continuous remembrance of God or Sat-Guru for his devotees to become free of the clutches of Maya (illusion). Baba allowed his devotees to worship him as they liked. Baba used to say that nobody can enter Dwarakamai without Divine Will, and even more, that Baba doesn’t take money as Dakshina from anyone without some Divine Purpose. He used to roam in forests at noon and be in a state of ecstasy during meditation. A lady named Bayaja Bai used to search for Baba in the dense forest walking over bushes and shrubs in the afternoon and placing a leaf in front of him, and arrange food for him. Baba was extremely pleased with her service. Later, Baba stopped going into the forest and had his lunch in Masjid/ Dwarakamai itself.

SAMADHI OF 72 HOURS

In the year 1886, on a full moon day, Baba had a severe attack of asthma. Baba asked Mhalsapati to protect his body for three days, and if he did not return, Baba ordered his body to be buried in the nearby open land. By 10 pm, his breathing and pulse stopped. All villagers gathered, and many wanted to bury the body, but Mhalsapati resisted. After three days, at 3 am, Baba opened his eyes, and his breathing continued as normal.

DEPARTURE

Baba had a brick on which he rested his hands and even leaned on during the night. One day, a boy, while sweeping the floor, accidentally slipped and broke it into two pieces. Baba cried and said, ‘It is not the brick, but it is my fate, which split into two parts.‘ Nobody understood what it implied until Baba left his mortal frame just a few days later.

Just before leaving his physical body, Baba gave Rs/-9 to Lakshmi Bai Shinde, which is symbolic of nine forms of Bhakti.

Before his departure, Baba informed Ramachandra Patil that Tatya Patil, who was seriously ill at that time, was going to die on the day of Vijaya Dasami, but Baba himself died as if it was an exchange of karma.
On Tuesday, 15th October 1918, at 2:30 pm, Baba entered Mahasamadhi. On Wednesday morning, he appeared in the dream of his devotee Lakshman Mama Joshi and informed her, ‘Get up soon, do your worship and Morning Arati.‘

On Wednesday evening, his body was placed in Wade’s centre (Garbha), which was actually planned to be the place for the idol of Muralidhar (Lord Krishna).
Before his death, Baba promised to continue his work from his Samadhi and continue to guide his devotees. Today Baba is more active than ever, and many stories are told about his ongoing miracles and blessings.

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Tradition and Gurus

SWAMI SAMARTH OF AKKALKOT AND SHIRDI SAI BABA, ONE CONSCIOUSNESS

Swami Samarth’s connection with Sai Baba, both from the same lineage, is from the Dattatreya Tradition. When Swami Samarth left his body, a part of his soul merged with Sai Baba, and Sai Baba became more powerful. So Swami’s presence started spreading further. Akkalkot Swami’s presence is very, very powerful even now. Those who connect to Swami will know. After he attained Mahasamadhi, some of his devotees were coming to Akkalkot. Swami came into their dreams and said, ‘Go to Shirdi; I am sitting there.‘ When they came to Shirdi and looked at Sai Baba, they could see Akkalkot Swami also. So Masters are all one; it’s one Consciousness, operating in different bodies.

Teachings

Sai Baba’s teachings revolved around devotion, universal love, compassion, and selfless service. Sai Baba insisted on the importance of the Sat-Guru, and complete surrender and devotion to the Sat-Guru. Baba used to collect Dakshina [devotional offering] from his devotees to inculcate the spirit of service. He taught humanity that He resides in every creature, and that service of any creature verily reaches Him.

Baba advised Hindus to read Bhagavad Gita and Muslims to read the Quran. He advised many devotees to do Naam Saptah, chanting the name of God or Saint continuously for seven days. For a few, Baba advised reading Vishnu Sahasranama. A pillar of his teaching is that Faith and Perseverance are crucial for the spiritual aspirant.

Baba’s core tenets were staunch faith and obedience to one’s spiritual Master, and strictly abiding by his orders as a definite way to Self-Realisation.
Baba severely condemned any discrimination based on caste or religion and advised people to see one’s Self in every being. Baba taught devotees to drop their ego of doership and told them that God alone is the doer.

BABA’S ELEVEN PROMISES

  1. WHEN YOUR FEET TOUCH THE SOIL OF SHIRDI ALL YOUR SUFFERINGS WILL BE PREVENTED FROM HAPPENING.
  2. WHOEVER CLIMBS THE STEPS OF MY SAMADHI HIS SORROW WILL BE DEFEATED.
  3. EVEN IF I CAST OFF THIS MORTAL BODY, NEVERTHELESS I WILL COME RUNNING TO THE AID OF MY DEVOTEES.
  4. MY SAMADHI WILL FULFILL YOUR VOWS. HAVE INTENSE, IMPLICIT & STEADFAST FAITH IN ME.
  5. I AM IMMORTAL, KNOW THIS TRUTH, AND FOREVER GET EXPERIENCES OF MY IMMORTALITY.
  6. SHOW ME, DO SHOW ME ANYONE WHO SOUGHT REFUGE IN ME AND WAS FORSAKEN.
  7. WITH WHATEVER INTENSITY, PASSION, AND DEVOTION A DEVOTEE PRAYS TO ME, WITH THE SAME INTENSITY, I RESPOND AND RECIPROCATE.
  8. I WILL CARRY THE BURDEN OF YOUR LIFE FOREVER, TILL ETERNITY, OR THIS PROMISE OF MINE WILL BE UNTRUE.
  9. KNOW THAT THEY WHO SEEK MY HELP WILL RECEIVE IT ABUNDANTLY, AND THEY SHALL RECEIVE WHATEVER THEY ASK FOR.
  10. HE WHO SURRENDERS TO ME COMPLETELY, WITH TOTAL SURRENDER OF BODY, SPEECH, MIND, SENSES, INTELLECT, AND INNATE BEING, I AM INDEBTED TO HIM FOREVER.
  11. HE WHO IS ARDENTLY DEVOTED TO ME, WHOSE FAITH IS STEADFAST AT MY FEET AND CONTINUOUSLY CHANTS ‘SAI SAI’ HE BECOMES ONE WITH ME AND WILL BE FILLED WITH MY GRACE AND BLESSINGS.

QUOTES OF SAI BABA FROM SRI SAI SATCHARITA

  • He, who sees Me in all these creatures, He is My beloved. So abandon the sense of duality and distinction, and serve Me.
  • Rama (the God of the Hindus) and Rahim (the God of the Mohammedans) were one and the same; there was not the slightest difference between them; then, why should their devotees quarrel among themselves?
  • Those who are fortunate and whose demerits have vanished; take to My worship. If you always say ‘Sai, Sai,’ I shall take you over the seven seas; belief in these words will undoubtedly benefit you. I rest where there is full devotion.
  • I draw My people to Me from far, or even across the seven seas, like a sparrow with a string fastened to its feet.
  • Be entirely prideless and egoless in all things, and thus your spiritual progress will be rapid.
  • Mere knowledge without love is dry; nobody wants such knowledge. Without love, there is no contentment, so we should have unbroken and unbounded love. Where there are real yearning and feeling, God manifests Himself. It includes love and is the means of liberation.
  • Though I am here bodily, I still know what you do beyond the seven seas. Go wherever you will, over the wide world, I am with you.
  • My abode is in your heart, and I am within you. Always worship Me, Who is seated in your heart, as well as in the hearts of all beings. Blessed and fortunate, indeed, is he who knows Me thus.
  • Where there is greed, there is no room for thought or meditation of Brahman. If there is even a little trace of greed left in the mind, all the Sadhanas (spiritual endeavors) are of no avail.
  • Unless egoism is dropped, avarice got rid of, and the mind made desireless (pure), Self-Realisation is impossible. The idea that ‘I am the body’ is a great delusion, and attachment to this idea is the cause of bondage. Leave off this idea and attachment if you want Self-Realisation.
  • Saburi [Patience] is manliness in man. It removes all sins and afflictions, gets rid of calamities in various ways, casts aside all fear, and ultimately gives you success.
  • Make Me the sole object of your thoughts and actions, and you will, no doubt, attain Paramartha (the spiritual goal of life).
  • Look at Me whole-heartedly, and I, in turn, look at you similarly. Sitting in this Masjid, I speak the truth, nothing but the truth.
  • Have faith and confidence in your Guru. Fully believe that Guru is the sole Actor or Doer. Blessed is he who knows the greatness of his Guru and thinks him to be Hari, Hara, and Brahma (Trimurti) Incarnate.
  • This is our Dwarakamayi, where you are sitting. She wards off all dangers and anxieties of the children who sit on her lap. This Masjidmayi (its presiding Deity) is very merciful. She is the mother of the simple devotees, whom she will save in calamities. Once a person sits on her lap, all his troubles are over. He, who rests in her shade, gets Bliss.
  • God lives in all beings and creatures, whether they be serpents or scorpions. He is the Great Wirepuller of the world, and all beings, snakes, scorpions, etc., obey His command. Unless He wills it, nobody can do any harm to others. The world is dependent on Him. No one is independent.
  • Unless we surrender our ego to the feet of our Sadhguru, we will not succeed in our undertaking. If we become egoless, then our success is assured. There is no difference between the Guru and God. He who sees any difference in them sees God nowhere.
  • I require no door to enter. I have no form nor any extension; I always live everywhere. I carry on, as a wire puller, all the actions of the man who trusts Me and merges in Me.
  • If I take one rupee as Dakshina from anybody, I have to return it tenfold to him. I never take anything gratis. The donor gives, i.e., sows his seeds and reaps a rich harvest in the future.
  • Wealth should be the means to work out Dharma. If used for personal enjoyment, it is wasted. Unless you have given it before, you do not get it now. So the best way to receive is to give — the giving of Dakshina advances Vairagya (Non-attachment) and thereby Bhakti and Jnana. Give one and receive tenfold.
  • I always think of him who remembers Me. I require no conveyance, carriage, tanga, nor train nor airplane. I run and manifest myself to him, who lovingly calls me.
  • He who loves Me most always sees Me. The whole world is desolate to him without Me, and he tells no stories but Mine.
  • He ceaselessly meditates upon Me and always chants My name. I feel indebted to him, who surrenders himself completely to Me and ever remembers Me. I shall repay his debt by giving him salvation (self-realisation).
  • I am dependent on him who thinks and hungers after Me and who does not eat anything without first offering it to Me. He, who comes to Me, becomes one with Me, just as a river gets to the sea and becomes merged (one) with it.
  • You need not go far or anywhere in search of Me. There exists in you and all beings a sense of Being or Consciousness of Existence. That is Me. Knowing this, you see Me inside yourself, as well as in all beings. If you practice this, you will realise all-pervasiveness and thus attain oneness with Me.
  • We have to reap now the fruit of what we sowed in our past life; there is no use in crying about it.
  • A Sadhguru does not, even in his dream, expect any service or profit from his disciples.

Sacred Practices/Sadhana

HOLY DAYS

Sai Baba took Samadhi on the 15th of October, 1918, on the day of the Hindu festival Dussehra and is now observed as a holy day by all Baba’s devotees.
Sai Baba used to celebrate the Muslim festival Urus along with the Hindu festival Ram Navami.

HOW TO INTENSIFY DEVOTION

The best way to intensify devotion is to read the Lord’s leelas [divine plays] and continuously chant his holy name.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES AND MANTRA

Baba never gave his devotees mantras, but he advised his devotees to utter his name ‘Sai, Sai.’

For a few devotees, Baba used to advise Vishnu Sahasranama [repetition of the holy names of Vishnu].

For a few other devotees, Baba advised doing Naam Saptah [continuous chanting for seven days] of Rama Nama.

Baba taught his devotees that God pervades everywhere and resides in every creature. Baba advised practicing Anna Dana (food donation).

Baba advised strict obedience to one’s spiritual master as a key to spiritual success.

INSTRUCTIONS OF BABA TO DEVOTEES

  • If a man utters My name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes, increase his devotion. And if he sings My life and My deeds earnestly, him, I shall beset in front and back and on all sides. Believe Me that if anybody sings My Leelas, I will give him infinite joy and everlasting contentment.
  • My special characteristic is to free any person who surrenders completely to Me, who worships Me faithfully, who remembers Me and meditates on Me constantly.
  • If My stories are listened to, all diseases will be gotten rid of.
  • The best way to receive is to give.
  • The giving of Dakshina [offering for a sacred purpose] advances Vairagya (Non-attachment) and thereby Bhakti and Jnana. Give one and receive tenfold”.
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Miracles

  • Sign of Omnipresence

    Once a devotee gifted a horse to Sai Baba. Its name was Shyam Sunder. At one time, the horse was not eating grass, and Tukaram lost his patience and hit it with a stick. After reaching Sai Baba, Baba asked him why he hit Baba with a stick? Saying so, Baba lifted his kafni to show a bruise on his body. This proved to Tukaram that Baba was omnipresent and all-knowing.
  • Sign of Omniscience

     

    Once Baba, along with some devotees, was sitting in the Masjid when a lizard tick-ticked. Baba said that the lizard was overjoyed as her sister from Aurangabad was coming to meet her. Devotees couldn’t comprehend this statement. Immediately a gentleman from Aurangabad arrived on horse-back to meet Baba. A lizard jumped from a bag of grains, and in front of everyone, climbed the wall. When the two lizards saw each other, they kissed and danced with love. Everyone who witnessed was spellbound!
  • Baba Pervades Every Creature

    When Kashinath [Upasani Maharaj] was cooking food for Sai Baba, a black dog was watching. Kashinath did not bother to offer food to the dog. When he took the food all the way to Baba, the dog followed him. When he offered the food to Baba, Baba replied, ‘Why did you take the trouble to bring food to me? I was there just near you‘ Kashinath said that no one had been beside him except a black dog, and Baba replied, ‘Yes, yes, I was the dog who came to you.‘
    The next day when Kashinath was again cooking for Baba, a low caste Shudra came up to him, begging for food. Kashinath sent him off and came to Baba with the food. Baba replied, ‘Yesterday, you did not give me food. Today also, you did not feed me. Do not bring me any food hereafter.‘ Baba told him that it was He who had come as Shudra. 
    Then Upasani realised that Baba pervades every creature.

  • Baba’s All Pervasiveness and Mercy                                                          In the year 1910, Baba was sitting near the Dhuni on Diwali and warming Himself. He was pushing firewood into the Dhuni, which was burning brightly. A little later, instead of pushing logs of wood, Baba shoved His arm into the Dhuni. His arm was scorched and burned immediately. This was noticed by the servant Madhava and also by Madhavarao Deshpande. They ran over to Baba at once. Madhavarao clasped Baba by His waist from behind and dragged Him forcibly backward and asked, ‘Deva, why have you done this?’ Baba then came to His senses and replied, ‘The wife of a blacksmith in a distant place was working the bellows of a furnace when her husband called her. Forgetting that her child was on her lap, she got up hastily, and the child slipped into the furnace. I immediately thrust My hand into the furnace and saved the child. I do not mind My arm being burnt because I am glad that the life of the child was saved.’
  • Babu Tendulkar was preparing day and night for a medical examination. He consulted astrologers who said that he must appear for exams next year as the planetary positions were not favourable for him. A few days later, his mother went to Baba and explained the situation. Baba said to have faith and belief in Baba, set aside all predictions and horoscopes, and continue his studies. He passed the examination in that very academic year.
  • Moolay Shastri was an orthodox Brahmin who was a great pandit but hesitant to worship Baba. But during the afternoon Aarti, Moolay Shastri saw his Master Gholap Swami sitting in place of Baba and fell at his feet, realising his mistake and stood up folding his hands with his eyes full of tears.
  • A devotee of Lord Rama sees Rama in Sai Baba – Once a devotee of Lord Rama came along with his friend to Sai Baba. He said that his deity was Rama and that he will not bow in front of anyone except Lord Rama. But everyone was wonderstruck when he made salutations to Baba. When enquired why he worshipped Baba, he exclaimed that he saw Lord Rama verily in Sai Baba.
  • A devotee named Bala Ganapat Shimpi suffered from a severe form of malignant malaria, which did not respond to any medication. Baba advised him to offer a black dog rice mixed with curd in front of the Laxmi temple. He did so and was cured!
  • A patient suffering from tuberculosis, by the name of Bhimaji Patil of Narayanagaon, tried all sorts of medicine. On the advice of Nanasaheb Chandorkar, a devotee of Baba, he visited Shirdi and got cured by the Grace of Sai Baba.
  • A swami from Alandi, who had a severe earache that did not even allow him to sleep, was cured by just a Darshan of Sai Baba.
  • A man from Harda suffered from severe pain in the abdomen for almost fourteen years. Baba placed his hand over his head and gave Udi with His blessing. He got relieved of his abdominal pain.
  • Kaka Mahajani’s elder brother was suffering from abdominal pain for many years. Baba touched his belly and said, ‘God will cure.‘ From then onwards, he did not have any more pain in his abdomen.
  • An Iranian gentleman had a young daughter who had seizures almost every hour. After knowing about Baba, he tried to procure sacred Udi, mix it with water, and give it to his daughter every day. Initially, the seizures decreased in frequency and later stopped completely.
  • An old gentleman from Harda was suffering from bladder stone, for which surgery was advised. However, he did not consider undergoing surgery because of his elderly age. He procured Udi of Sai Baba and mixed it with water, and drank it. Within five minutes, the stone was dissolved and passed in the urine, and he was relieved.
  • A woman in Bombay used to have unbearable pain during her previous deliveries. Her husband’s friend was a devotee of Baba and advised them to stay in Shirdi for the next delivery. The couple remained in Shirdi for a few months and worshipped Baba. When the time of delivery arrived, she began to suffer labor pains and was frightened. One neighborhood lady came to them and gave Udi to mix in water and drink. Within five minutes, she had delivered painlessly!!
  • Baba could put his bare hands into the burning Cauldron to check whether the food was cooked or not. He could churn the whole mass from side to side in the burning utensil. There was neither a burn mark nor any sign of fear or pain in him.
  • DHOUTI KRIYA– Many people have seen him taking out his intestines, cleaning them, and placing them on a tree, at a nearby well, for drying.
  • KHANDA YOGA– Baba used to separate all parts of his body and place them at different places in the Masjid. Once a gentleman went to the Masjid and was shocked to see this and informed the Village officers that someone had murdered Sai Baba. However, the next day, he was surprised to see Baba whole and healthy sitting in the Masjid!
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Contemporary Masters

For contemporary manifestations of Sai Baba please see the following books:

  • Sai Baba Is Still Alive, by Wahi Jaya
  • 108 Pearls of Baba Sai, by Wahi Jaya

Holy Sites and Pilgrimages

Shirdi ( Maharashtra, India)

What to look for in Shirdi

  • Samadhi Mandir- The place where the physical body of Sai Baba is present in the state of Samadhi. Millions of pilgrims all over the world visit this place and have darshan of Sai Baba.
  • Chavadi – Chavadi means meeting place, where the villagers of Shirdi gathered and even taxes collected and records placed. Baba, during his final years, used to sleep here frequently.
  • Dwarakamai – A dilapidated Masjid [mosque] where Baba used to stay. Sai Baba maintained a Dhuni [sacred fire], about which He said that it burned the sins of his devotees. The Dhuni is burning to date, and the sacred ash (Udi) is still received by devotees to ward off diseases.

Sai Baba Temple, Trichy, Tamil Nadu. This temple is the biggest temple of Sai Baba in Asia.

Bibliography

Devotees can read Shri Sai Satcharita online at the following websites
www.saidhamsola.org

To read Sai Satcharita in regional languages, devotees can refer to this website
www.sai.org.in

The list of books given below would help the devotees for further reading.

  • Shri Sai Satcharitra – by Hemadpant
  • Shri Sai Satcharita – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar
  • Life History of Sai Baba – Ammula Sambasiva Rao
  • Shirdi Sai Baba – Vinny Chitluri
  • Sai Baba’s 261 leelas – a treasure house of miracles – Balkrishna Panday
  • The incredible Sai Baba – Arthur Osborne
  • Sai Baba of Shirdi, a unique saint – M.V. Kamath

SAI BABA REVEALS HIMSELF AS AN AVATAR OF LORD DATTATREYA

In a miraculous vision, Sai Baba Himself revealed that He is none other than an Avatar of Lord Dattatreya. Guruji Pujya Dharamdas Baba, an enlightened mystic, shares his divine experience. He takes us through his private journey toward Shirdi Sai Baba in a lyrical and spellbinding way.

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