DwarakaMai Sai

[SS91]

The way of Sai Baba is not only unique but simple and unfolding as well. He is in his Gurusthan at Shirdi. Sri Baba leads us to the highest goal on the easiest path. Let us not leave Baba, because his way is simple and sure of success. To dispel all ignorance and to be free from all sufferings, please make Sadhana.
 
Please go to Shirdi. Until Shirdi enters into you, you repeatedly enter into Shirdi. Until Shirdi is established in your heart, visit Shirdi. Until you see Sai Baba in your heart during your state of wakefulness dream and sound sleep gaze at him incessantly.
 
Shirdi removes your sufferings. Shirdi grants you peace. Shirdi drives away your ignorance. Shirdi grants you knowledge and wisdom. Shirdi reveals your own self. Shirdi unravels the mysteries of the cosmos, Shirdi cuts off the cycle of birth and rebirth. Shirdi will prove the statement of Baba that it will remove all anguish.
 
Shirdi is the Gurusthan of Sai Baba. Shirdi will grant us Moksha undoubtedly. My dear devotees of Sai Baba, in this vast universe, you are living with Shirdi Sai Baba. Live in Shirdi, Shirdi will live in you. You cannot afford to be away from Baba. He is in you. You are in him. Know this truth and serve your Sadguru.
 
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all.

[SS91]

When things are down
And you are out of your mind
Remember just remember
Sai is so Kind.

When your life is in darkness
And nothing is right
Remember just remember
Through the darkness, Sai is The Light.

When nothing makes sense
And everything seems dense
Remember just remember
Sai is The Wise.

When times are troubled
And no one seems to care
Remember just remember
Sai is so Fair.

When your heart is breaking
And your pain makes you fall
Remember just remember
Sai Sees it all.

When you are weak
And the road seems long
Remember just remember
Seek strength from The Strong.

When life is a burden
And everything is unstable
Remember just remember
Sai is The Able.

When the way is cloudy
And there is no one by your side
Remember just remember
Sai is The Only Guide.

When no one wants to listen
Or is willing to lend an ear
Remember just remember
Sai is always ready to hear

When you are poor and penniless
And you are stuck in a niche
Remember just remember
Sai is The Rich.

When you are down in your misery
And there is nowhere to run
Remember just remember
You can always run to The One

And when your scars are hurting
And your heart is in fear
Remember just remember
Sai is always near so why fear.

SAI IS LIGHT

[SS91]

When Jesus was born three wise men followed a star to reach his place of birth.

Seeing the new-born babe they bowed to the divine child in their hearts.

One sage told Mary: "He loves God."

 The second sage said: "God loves him."

 The third man said: "He is God.

" What is the inner significance of these three pronouncements about Jesus?

The first statement implies that Jesus is a messenger of God.

A messenger may love his master, but the master may not so easily love his messenger.

The second statement implies that he is the son of God, for a father loves his son most dearly.

The third statement proclaims the unity of the Father and Son.

It means that as the Son of God he is entitled to ascend to his Father's place. - Baba

[SS91]

God has created this beautiful world, and it is our duty to appreciate its beauty.

The mind will get steady and calm slowly and gradually.

When the front door is open, why go by the back door ?

When the heart is pure, there is no difficulty, what so ever.

Why should one be afraid of any one, if there be no evil thought in us.

-- Shirdi Sai Baba

[SS91]

SAI BABA - The Saint who lightened the lamp with water

The land of Maharashtra, is fortunate enough to have seen on it a good number of saints, who by their virtuous life, and teachings affected the masses to illustrate, Samartb Ramdas, Gajanan Maharaj. Tazuddin Baba, Avtar Mehar Baba, Nivratti Gyandev, Sopan, Muktabai, Janardan, Eknath, Namdeo, Tukaram, Kanba, and Narhari, are the names of some of such saints, whose activities, though centralised in Maharashtra, were later on worshipped all over the nation due to their teachings.

In the above said tradition the name of 'Sai Baba' also should be mentioned, who made 'Shirdi' a place of pilgrimage by his appearance there.

So far, no body could identify, as to whether 'Sai Baba' was a 'Muslim' or a 'Hindu'. To those who intensified their search about the above matter, Baba magically changed their minds to such an extend that they forgot their original question.

If anybody wished Baba with 'Pranam' he would bless him with 'Allah Rakkhe', and for 'Salam' his reply was 'Ram Rakkhe'. He was staying in a Masjid which was named in Hindu style as 'Dwarka Mai', contrary to Muslim traditions. In the Masjid 'bell' 'fire' 'flour grinder' etc. were there. During Moharram days 'Tajias' were kept in the above place, and on 'Ram Navami' the festival of the birth of Lord Ram, was celebrated with full spirit and zeal.

On the one hand 'Sai Baba' possessed fair knowledge of 'Quran', and on the other he was well versed with 'Geeta' and 'Vishnu Sahasranam'.

As a matter of fact -Sai Baba' had no differentiation between 'Ram' and 'Rahim', or 'Krishna* and 'Karim'. He believed that 'Master' of all is one, and religions are different paths to reach Him.

Let me tell you an incident from Baba's life. Sai Baba used to take round of shops every evening to beg for oil. The oil thus received, he used to pour in a pot, and it was distributed to different earthen lamps, which were lighted in the Masjid. This programme of Baba which was continuing for a long time, annoyed the shopkeepers, and one day they decided not to oblige ‘Baba' henceforth.

The next day, when 'Baba' took his usual round, nobody obliged him by giving Him oil. He returned with the empty pot. The shopkeepers, who had not obliged him, were eager to see the disappointment of 'Baba' and they followed him.

Baba put some water in his mouth, and poured it in the empty oil pot. This water he drained in the earthen lamps, and lighted them. To the utmost surprise these lamps, with water continued to burn in the Masjid for the whole night as usual.

The shopkeepers, who had been witnessing all this magical event, bowed before. Baba, and asked for an apology. In reply Baba, cautioned them to be careful about their behaviour.

As a matter of fact, charity does not go in vain. Baba, in one of his sayings had declared that whatever he received through charity he bad to repay ten times.

His Godly acts, are beyond the understanding of men like us. Such was the wonderful saint 'Sai Baba'.

V. K. Thakur

[SS91]

Dwarkamai is situated to the right of the entrance to the Samadhi Mandir. It was here that the Saibaba healed the sick and the sufferers who came to him. It is said that when Shri Sai Baba first came to Shirdi with a marriage procession, he stayed at Dwarkamai and remained there till the very end of his life.

The site was an old dilapidated mosque to which the holy seer restored its sanctity. The building has a large portrait of the Saibaba. His personal effects have been lovingly preserved and you can see the famous big stone that was his favored seat, along with the Kolamba, water pot and the grinding stone that he used. JaiSaiRam

[SS91]

   

1  Aarati - The Prayer Song

Oh Sai Baba,we wave lights before you,the bestower of happiness to the Jivas.Give us - Your servants and devotees rest under the dust of your Feet,burning (destroying) desires.You remain absorbed in Your Self,and show the Lord (God) to the aspirants.As one feels intently for you,you give him experiences or realizations accordingly.Oh Kindhearted,Your power is such!meditation on Your name removes our fear of the Sansar.Your method of word is really unfathomable as You always help the poor and the helpless.In this Kali age - the all-pervasive Datta,have Incarnated as Sagun Brahma.Ward off the fear of Sansar of the devotees,who come to You every Thursday,so as to enable them to see the Feet of the Lord.Oh Gods of Gods,I pray that,let my treasure be the service of Your Feet.Feed Madhav (the composer of this aarati) with happiness as the cloud feeds the Chatak bird with pure water,and thus keep up your Word.Amen!

[SS91]

  2 Saibaba’s Sweet and Nectar-like Words

One day at noon,after Arati,devotess were returning to their lodgings,when Baba gave the following beautiful advice
“Be wherever you like,do whatever you choose,remember this well that,all what you do is known to Me.Iam the Inner Ruler of all and seated in your hearts.I envelope all the creatures,the movable and immovable world.I am the Controller - the Wire-puller of the show of this universe.I am the Mother - origin of all beings - the Harmony of three Gunas,the Propeller of all sense,the Creator,Preserver and Destroyer.Nothing will harm him,who turns his attention towards Me,but maya will lash or whip him,who forgets Me.All the insects ants,the visible,movable and immovable world is My body or form”.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all.

[SS91]

3 Sai as Sagun Brahma

There are two aspects of God or Brahma : (1) the Unmanifested (Nirgun) and (2) the Manifested (Sagun).The Nirgun is formless,while the sagun is with form,though,both denote the same Brahma.Some prefer to worship the former,some the latter.As stated in the Gita (chapter XIII) the worship of the latter is easy and preferable.As man has got a form (body,senses,etc),it is natural and easy for him to worship God with form.

Our love and devotion do not develop,unless we worship Sagun Brahma,for a certain period of time,and as we advance,it leads us to the worship (meditation) of Nirgun Brahma.So let us start with Saugn worship.

Image,altar,fire,light,sun,water,Brahma are the seven objects of worship;but Sadguru is better than all these.Let us,on this occasion,bring to our mind the form of Sai,who was non-attachment Incarnate,and Who was a resting-place for His devotees.Our faith in His words is the Asan;and our Sankalpa (determination to accomplish the puja) is the bhakta abandonment of all our desires.Some say that Sai was a Bhagwad-bhakta (devotee of the Lord),others say He was a Maha-Bhagwat (a great devotee);but to us He is God incarnate.He was ever forgiving,never irritable,straight,soft,tolerant and content beyond comparison.Though,He looked embodied (as having the form),He was really dis-embodied,emotionless,unattached and internally free.

The Ganges on its way to the sea,cools and refreshes the creatures affected with heat,gives life to the crops and tress,and quenches the thirst of many.Similarly,saints (Souls) like Sai,while they live their own,give solace and comfort to all.

Lord Krishna has said that the saint is My soul,My living image,I am He or He is My pure form (Being).This in-describable Shakti or power of God,known as pure Existence,Knowledge and Bliss,incarnated in the form of Sai in Shirdi.The Shruti (Taittiriya Upanishad) describes Brahma as Pure Bliss.

This,we read or hear daily in the books,but the devout people experienced this Brahma or Bliss in Shirdi.Baba,the support of all,required no prop or Asan from anybody.He always used a piece of sack-cloth for His seat,which was covered with a small mattress by His bhaktas and had a bolster,placed by them,rest as His back.Baba respected the feelings of His devotees and allowed them to worship Him as they liked.Some waved Chamar or fans before Him,some played on musical instruments some washed His hands and feet,some others applied scent and Chandan,some gave betel nut with leaves,and some others offered Naivaidya.Though,He looked like living in Shirdi,He was present everywhere.This all-pervasiveness of His was daily experienced by His devotees.Our humble prostration to this all-pervasive Sadguru.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all.

[SS91]

04  Love All

Hearing of Saibaba stories will always enchants you.One should follow these stories and apply in real life,then he will be successful in all aspects.

The following incident tells us how Sai Baba loves all.Just mediate on these stories and you will be always protected by Sai.

Once,Mrs.Tarkhad was staying in a certain house in Shirdi.At noon meals were ready and being served,when a hungry god turned up there and began to bark.Mrs.Tarkhad got up at once and threw a piece of bread which the dog gulped with great relish.In the afternoon when she went to the Masjid and sat at some distance,Sai Baba said to her,”Mother,you have fed Me sumptuously,My famished Pranas (life-forces) have been satisfied.Ever act like this,and this will stand you in good stead.Sitting in this Masjid I shall never,never speak untruth.Take pity on Me like this!.First give bread to the hungry and then eat yourself.Note this well!” She could not understand at first the meaning of what Baba said.So,she replied, “Baba,how could i feed You? Iam myself dependent on others and take my food from them on payment”.Then,Baba replied,”Eating that lovely bread I am heartily contended and I am still belching.The dog,which you saw before meals and to which you gave the piece of bread,is one with Me,so also other creatures (cats,pigs,flies,cows etc) are one with Me.I am roaming in their forms.He,who sees Me in all creatures,is My beloved.So,abandon the sense of duality and distinction,and serve Me as you did today.”Drinking these nectar-like words she was moved,her eyes were brimmed with tears,her throat was choked and her joy knew no bounds.

Moral

“See God in all beings!” is the moral of this incident.The Upanishads,the Gita and the Bhagawat,all exhort us to perceive God or Divinity in all creatures.In this way SaiBaba stands as the best Exponent or Teacher of the Upanishadic doctrines.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all.

[SS91]

05 Baba’s control over the Elements

This is our Sai,an Incarnation of God.He will bless any man,who will prostrate and surrender himself to Him.

(1) Once at evening time,there was a terrible storm at Shirdi.The sky was overcast with thick black clouds.Winds began to blow with great force,clouds roared and lightening began to flash and rains started pouring,in torrents.In a short time,the whole place was flooded with water.All creatures,birds,beasts and men got terribly frightened,and they all flocked to the masjid for shelter.There are many local Deities in Shirdi but none of them came to their rescue.So,they all prayed to Baba - their God,Who was fond of their devotion,to intercede and quell the storm.Baba was much moved.He came out and standing at the edge of the Masjid,addressed the storm in a loud and thunderous voice,”Stop,stop your fury and be calm!”In few minutes,the rains subsided the winds ceased to blow,and the storm came to stop.Then,the moon rose in the sky and people went back home well-pleased.

(2)On another occassion at noon the fire in the Dhuni began to burn brightly,its flames were seen to be reaching the rafters above.The people who were sitting in the Masjid,did not know,what to do.They dared not to ask Baba to pour water or do anything to quench the flames.But Baba soon came to realize,what was happening.He took up His Satka (short stick) and dashed it against a pillar in front,saying, “Get down,Be calm”.At each stroke of the Satka,the flames began to slow down,and in few minutes the Dhuni became calm and normal.

How wondrous our Saint Sai Baba is? We pray Him and We worship Him daily.

Jai Sairam!

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all.

[SS91]

 

06 Manifestation of Brahma

Though,Sai Baba looked like a man,three cubits and a half in length,still He dwelt in the hearts of all.Inwardly,He was unattached and indifferent but outwardly,He longed for mass welfare.Though,inwardly,an abode of peace,He looked outwardly restless.Inwardly,He had the state of Brahma,outwardly he seemed engrossed in the world.Some times He looked on all with affection and at times He threw stones at them;sometimes He scolded them,while at times He embraced them and was calm,composed,tolerant and well-balanced.He always abided and was engrossed in the Self,and was well-disposed towards His Bhaktas.He always sat on one Asan and never travelled.His ’satka’ was a small stick,which He always carried in His hand.He was calm and thought-free.He never cared for wealth and fame,and lived on alms.Such a life He led.He always uttered “Allah Malik” (God is the real owner).Entire and unbroken was His love for the Bhaktas.He was the mine or store-house for self-knowledge and full of Divine Bliss.Such was the Divine Form of Sai envelopes the whole universe (from a stone to Brahma),incarnated in Sai Baba.The really meritorious and fortunate people got this treasure-grove in their hands,while those people,who not knowing the real worth of Sai Baba,took Him to be a mere human being,were indeed unfortunate.


Jai Sairam!

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all.

[SS91]

07 Ganges Bath

On one Makar Sankranti day Megha wanted to smear the body of Baba with sandal-paste and bathe Him with Ganges water.Baba was first unwilling to undergo this but at his repeated requests He consented.Megha had to traverse a distance of eight Kos (going and returning) to bring the sacred water from the Godavari river.He brought the water,made all preparations for the bath at noon and asked Baba to get ready for the same.Then Baba again asked him to be spared from this bath saying that as a Fakir He had nothing to do with Ganges water but Megha did not listen to Him.He knew that Shiva is pleased with Abhishek (Sacred Bath) on that auspicious day.Baba then consented came down and sat on a wooden board and projecting His head said,”Oh Megha do at least this favor,head is the most important organ of the body,so pour the water over that only - it is equivalent to the whole bath”.”All right “,said Megha and lifting the water pot up began to pour it on the head but in doing this,he was so much overwhelmed with love that he cried out,”Har Har Gange” (Hail goddess Ganga) and emptied the pot on the whole body.He kept the pot aside and began to look at Baba,but to his surprise and amazement he found that only Baba’s head was drenched while the body quite dry.

Jai Sairam!

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all.

[SS91]

DwarakaMai Sai Says    DwarakaMai Sai Says   DwarakaMai Sai Says   DwarakaMai Sai Says   DwarakaMai Sai Says   

  "If a man utters My name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes, increase his devotion. And if he sings earnestly My life and My deeds, him I shall beset in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees, who are attached to Me, heart and soul, will naturally feel happiness, when they hear these stories. Believe me that if anybody sings My Leelas, I will give him infinite joy and everlasting contentment. It is My special characteristic to free any person, who surrenders completely to Me, and who does worship Me faithfully, and who remembers Me, and meditates on Me constantly. How can they be conscious of worldly objects and sensations, who utter My name, who worship Me, who think of My stories and My life and who thus always remember Me? I shall draw out My devotees from the jaws of Death. If My stories are listened to, all the diseases will be got rid of. So, hear My stories with respect; and think and meditate on them, assimilate them. This is the way of happiness and contentment. The pride and egoism of My devotees will vanish, the mind of the hearers will be set at rest; and if it has wholehearted and complete faith, it will be one with Supreme Consciousness. The simple remembrance of My name as 'Sai, Sai' will do away with sins of speech and hearing".

                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          - Sri Shirdi Sai Baba

[SS91]

08 Love and affection of our Sai

God was originally formless.He assumed a form for the sake of Bhaktas.With the help of Maya,He played the part of an Actor in the big drama of the universe.Let us remember and visualize Shri Sai.Let us go to Shirdi and see carefully the programme after the noon-Arati.After the Arati ceremony was over,Sai used to come out of the Masjid and standing on its edge,distribute Udi to the devotees with very kind,gracious and loving looks.The Bhaktas also got up with equal fervour,clasped His feet and had the bliss of Udi.Baba passed handfuls of Udi into the palms of the devotees and marked their forheads with Udi with His own hands.The love He bore for them in His heart,was boundless.Then He addressed the Bhaktas, “Oh Bhau,go home to take your lunch,you Anna,go to your lodgings,you Bapu,enjoy your meal”.In this way,He accosted each and every devotee and sent them home.Even now you can have the pleasure of these sights,if you bring into play your imagination.Now,bringing Sai in our mental vision,let us meditate on Him,from His feet upwards to His face,prostrating yourself before Him humbly,lovingly and reverentially.