NINE GEMS OF DEVOTION TO SAI (Sai Bhakti)

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM !!!

NINE GEMS OF DEVOTION TO SAI (Sai Bhakti)

Source : Gujarati Magazine 'Dwarkamai'

The style of living of saints is really very sweet even though
it seem to be full of hardships. They have manifested for us on this
earth, since God themselves could not come in the form of human beings.
Saints show us the way to achieve self realization. They make us to
follow the path of their own remembrance which ultimately leads us to
union with God. Sai Baba was one such saint, but the only exception was
that He was God Incarnate but lived like a saint, a human, among others.
He never claimed to be God, but always uttered that He was faithful servant
of His mater (God).

Due to merits of past births, we have got the birth of a human being. So we
should be ever conscious to attain the objective of our life i.e. self realization.
We should leave all our ego, intelligence, laziness and be alert to reach to our
goal. This goal can be achieved by remembering Sai Baba in some or the
other way.

It is very well known incident that Sai Baba gave nine coins to Smt. Laxmibai
before leaving His mortal body. This indicated nine types of devotion of Him.
Moreover Sai Baba has emphasized nine types of Bhakti

1. Shravan (hearing)
2. Kirtan (praying)
3 .Smaran (remembering)
4. Padasevan (resorting to feet)
5. Archan (worship)
6. Namaskar (bowing)
7. Dasya (service)
8. Sakhyam (friendship)
9. Atmanivedan (surrender of the self).

All these types of Bhakti are included in the Nine Gems of Sai Bhakti as under
(arranged in descending order of their importance), if practiced regularly would
surely make you pass the Bhavsagar (ocean of life).

1. Shri Sai Satcharitra

This sacred book written by Govindrao Dabholkar is as much important as
Guru Charitra for Sai devotees. This book is originally written in Marathi
language and including preface there are in all 53 chapters (adhyayas). Along
with Sai Baba’s biography and various miracles, it also consists of a very wide
range of Sai Baba’s updesh and description of Vedant. This book was written
when Sai Baba dwelled in His mortal body with His permission. So it has been
proved to be very fruitful. Many Sai devotees does parayan (continuous reading
for 7 days i.e. a week) and many of them reads at least one chapter everyday.

2. Shri Sai Nath Stavan Manjari

This stotra, composed by Dasganu Maharaj, was completed on 9/9/1918 i.e. it was
completed when Sai Baba was among us. It consists of 153 ovis (poem). This is Sai
devotee’s favourite bhajan and many have been benefited by it. If not recited daily,
Sai devotees can recite it on every Thursday and on Ekadashi day (11th day of full
moon phase and 11th day of no moon phase).

3. Shri Sai Nath Mahim Stotra

This Mahim stotra is in Sanskrit language and it is composed by Upasani Maharaj of
Sakori during his stay in Shirdi in the year 1911. It is chanted in Madhyayan Arti and
Dhoop Arti in Shirdi Samadhi Mandir. Mahim means Mahima i.e. importance and stotra
means poem in the form of Stuti i.e. remembering God’s name. In Sanskrit language
Shiv mahim stotra is very famous. Upasani Maharaj has composed this stotra from
Shiv Mahim stotra only. In all the verses, Sai Baba is said to be Sadguru and God.
But in verse 8 and 10, Sai Baba is called Parabrahma and Lord Ram in the form of
Sai Baba.

Like Shiv mahim stotra is also best instrument to achieve our family deity Sai Baba.
In the last verse i.e 15 th verse, Upasani Maharaj has added that if a devotee reads
this with full devotion and heartily, Sai Nath should surely shower His grace on him.

4. Shri Sai Baba Ashtottrashat Namavali

It is 108 names of Sai Baba in Sanskrit and is recited during holy bath of Sai Baba in
Shirdi by the poojari. It is composed by a famous Sai devotee of Madras,
Late Shri Narsinghswami. It consists of many difficult words, but if it is learnt by heart,
it can be recited in 4.5 minutes very easily.

These words appear in the last page of Stavan Manjari composed by Dasganu Maharaj
and published by Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan.

5. Arti Sai Baba

This famous Arti is recited during Madhyayan Arti and Dhoop Arti in Shirdi. It appears i
n chapter 33 of Sai Satcharitra. It is composed by a devotee named Madhav Aadkar.
It has importance due to following incident.In chapter 33, Sai Baba made Shama
(Madhavrao Despande) to write it on a page and gave it to Bapugir Bua to be given
to Nanasaheb Chandorkar to save his daughter from death, who was away many miles.
This shows that this Arti was accepted by Sai Baba himself. The Arti consists of a verse :

कलियुगी अवतार सगुण परब्रह्मसाचार अवतीर्ण जालासे स्वामी दत्त दिगंबर, दत्त दिगंबर

This means Sai Baba had accepted that He was one with Lord Dattatreya.

As soon as Nanasaheb Chandorkar received the Arti he started reciting it and his daughter
was relived from the pain of delivery. Moreover she could deliver safely and at the same
point of time. Today also this importance is fulfilled and devotees may very come to know
once they have started it.

6. Udi of Sai Baba’s Dhuni Maa

To Sai devotees Udi is like sanjeevani (a life giving herb) which cures all diseases of
body and mind. Many devotees have assured of Udi working for them in the said way.
The moment one applies it, he/she can feel that the body has now became pure and holy
and as if Sai Baba has put His Holy Hand on one’s head to give blessings. Devotees become
happy with the divine bliss.

7. Darshan of Samadhi Mandir and Dwarkamai

Sai Baba is present everywhere there is no doubt in this. So if we pray to Him sitting in
our homes also, so it is not at all necessary to go to Shirdi or any other Sai Mandir. But
in Shirdi Sai Baba’s mortal body is present. One should go to Shirdi to charge
himself/herself at least once in a year. Likewise when a vehicle’s battery has to be
charged again and again when the battery power goes low, in the same way by going
to Shirdi once in a year, we can charge up the battery of devotion.

8. Sai Baba’s Name

This is the easiest way of devotion and moreover it is the best method. Sai Baba liked
Naamsmaram (chanting of God’s name) and He made His devotees to do Naamsaptah
(continuous chanting of God’s name for a week).

9. Sai Baba’s Meditation

No saints had said this type of devotion, but Sai Baba had said to Radhabai of Sangamner
and clarified it to her. Leaving other types of devotion, devotees must meditate in front
of Sai Baba’s photograph or idol by sitting alone. Even while doing other work, one can
bring Sai Baba Sagun form ( bodily form) in front of their eyes. we should keep Sai Baba’s
picture in front of our eyes, and can meditate on Him. Sai Baba would be present there also.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!