Shirdi Sai Baba, who is also known as Sai Baba or Sai Ram, was a great saint of late 19th and early 20th centuries. Though Sai is a Persian word meaning a Sufi fakir, Baba and Ram are Hindi words denoting father and Lord respectively. However, both are god’s name and serve as beacon light to show the right path. As the definition of the name goes, the intention of the saint is go towards the Truth. Love and devotion are His two wheels and instruments to teach and infuse spiritualism in the seekers. Lord Krishna has said, “Saints are my living forms”. Hence Saints are the mirrors of God without any attachment. They have already abandoned to God in consonance with what God wills. They come with a mission and when that is accomplished go nowhere but live in the form of their ideals, teachings, instructions and guide the mankind for The Supreme Being. Sai Baba of Shirdi was such a saint, who had come to this earth in the form of Incarnation to uplift the mankind and when that was completed went on a tour to return later to play and laugh with us.
Early life of Baba is shrouded in mystery. There is no authentic document leading to the specific information of his early life. Nobody knew the parents, birth or birthplace of Sai Baba. Many questions were put to Baba and others but no satisfactory answer was received. Baba first came to Shirdi when he was a young lad of sixteen and stayed there for three years. When he reappeared near Aurangabad Aurangabad
Baba’s stayed in Shirdi for more than 60 years. The life of Baba who is God Incarnate is as wide and deep as the ocean. The belief in simplicity was his greatest virtue. He never called himself God and always uttered “Allah Malik” (God is the Savior). He lived a life of Fakir and mendicancy and called himself to be servant of the God. Many personalities came to the Sai Darbar, some to test him or some to pay their obeisance but all were welcomed with the universal smile of Baba. Sai respected devotees’ feelings and prayed for their welfare. The warmthness of His darshan was such that even agitated and angry mind melted on seeing his form and became one with him. He was Pure Anand and always engrossed in divine ecstasy. His casual talks and behavior bestowed untold happiness on the devotees. He was Satchitanand and nectar rained from His speech and stories. Such was the personality of the Sai Baba.
Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad-Gita that “Whenever there is a decay of Dharma, I manifest Myself to protect the upright and virtuous and destruction of the vicious”. So Saints do appear at regular intervals to show and guide the right path and do away with the wicked. So, in this contemporary age, Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi came to uplift the mankind. He was the Incarnation of Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva. He was the Absolute Reality. His simple touch would remove the mountains of sins and afflictions and turn a beggar into a king. Meher Baba in his book “God Speaks” called him ‘Qutab-I-Iarshad’ or the First amongst the Masters. A Perfect one, who is beyond the finite barriers of caste, creed and religion. A Perfect Master is the highest point of Divine consciousness, and is one with God.
During the early life of Baba in Shirdi, he was called a ‘mad fakir’, as he would store burnt matches and sticks in his pocket. Those who could not recognize him were miserable and those who could were indeed fortunate and blessed. By the passage of time, people realized the significance of Baba and atoned for their sins and ignorance. Today, Sai is the household name in the world. There is hardly any country in the world, where we do not have the ‘Sai Temple ’; leave alone India
Even the contemporary study shows him a Great saint, a Sufi saint or an Aulia for spiritual wealth and emancipation from this mundane world. Sai Baba was a magnet, who drew his devotees from across the seven seas. He was a mystique saint and strange were his methods to teach and bless people. Baba gave nine assurances to his devotees (which are given at the end of the book). The Baba’s sayings are the universal truth and stood the test of the time. Though Baba has taken Maha Samadhi, He is still alive for his millions and millions of devotees and speaking, guiding and helping his devotees from his tomb.
Baba’s methods were unique. He spoke in parables and instructed his devotees. The parables were direct orders and commands of the God and had to be obeyed without fail. Those who showed recalcitrance either suffered or faced mishaps but were reminded of the Baba’s true words. Though Baba did not preach any religion, nor initiated any disciple, nay taught or gave any specific teachings, still the philosophy of Sai Baba of Shirdi is universal, of great magnitude and was for the welfare of the mankind. His philosophy or teachings were manifold. The basis was love and compassion, universal brotherhood, religious tolerance, fearlessness, amity between Hindu and Muslims, devotion to Guru, abhorrence against casteism, and so on.
As mentioned, the early life of Baba is unknown to us. In his young days, he grew hair on His head; never had His shaved. He dressed like an athlete. In the later stages, he wore a kafni. By appearance, he looked like a Muslim but his ears were pierced – a Hindu tradition. Though he lived in a Mosque but called it Dwarka Mai and permitted Arti and Puja. He always uttered ‘Allah Malik’ but kept a sacred fire burning day in and day out. He recited Koran and Shastras with equal fervor. He encouraged Hindu and Muslims festivals and saw amity and unity between two communities in these two festivals. The festival of Ramnavmi and the Urus were celebrated side by side. Baba had some end in view that is unification of two communities. As the things stand today, the Baba’s object was achieved. The flags of both the communities still flutter the pious Majid or Dwarka Mai of Baba.
Baba was a great connoisseur of amity, love, peace and universal brotherhood. He spread the message as such. But at the same time, he was against caste system. He often said that caste is a bane and poison to the society and mankind. If it is not shunned or totally got rid of, it will engulf the whole world and the world would burn and finish in it. He preached that all people are equal. Instances are replete when Baba embraced and loved untouchables and leprosy-ridden people.
Baba was also a gospel of universal brotherhood. He loved all regardless of their disposition. He encouraged community eating, group worship and prayer. He even showed love and compassion towards animals and birds and even shared food with them. Baba was Peace Incarnate and spread love and compassion to teach people the ills of strife-ridden society and hatred.
Sai Baba while engrossed in Divine luster always thought of his devotees. His glory is beyond description. He saw Divinity in all beings. All were equal to him including friends and foes. He always advised his devotees to say ‘Sai’, ‘Sai’ – the only mean for liberation from the mundane world. Baba also taught and encouraged the company of Saints as it would advance spiritual progress and would remove our ego and destroys the chain of birth and death. He mentioned that the true saints never expect anything in return but always stand by us to protect us all the time. It reminds me of a translated version of Rumi which states that
The Sufi opens his hands to the Universe
And gives away each instant, free
Unlike someone who begs on the street for money to survive
A dervish begs to give you his life
Baba was such a fakir. He lived for people and took Maha Samadhi for his devotees. There are countless instances where Baba took on himself the ills and diseases of his devotees and made them happy.
Saints have their own way to teach us. So Baba also taught us at every step of life. Lord Krishna while enjoining upon Arjun has stated that “Whosoever offers to me, with love or devotion, a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, that offering of love of the pure and self-controlled man is willingly and readily accepted by me”. Baba reemphasized its importance to the mankind and taught the meaning and importance of Shraddha and Saburi. Both words are akin and analogous and cannot be separated. Through the medium of Shraddha or Nishta , Baba taught us faith and devotion towards Guru. If the Shraddha is pure and pious, it will carry you across the mundane existence and gives you a place at Lord’s feet. Along with the faith, if Saburi (perseverance) or patience is practiced, one will get rid of calamities, sins and afflictions and ultimately move towards the path of self-realization. Thus Baba gave advancement and sow seeds towards spiritual inspiration. Really! Wonderful were his ways to teach the people and those who took the correct purport were successful and blessed in life.
Man is born selfish and greedy. He runs after sense objects to fulfill his desires. He sees materialism as the ultimate goal of life. But Saints do appear in this universe to guide, lead and enlighten the beings. It is our misfortune if we do not catch the importance and roll in ignorance. Baba said the whole visible world is ephemeral as the ash or Udi. Everything is perishable and in the process the body will decay over a period of time and will be reduced to ashes. As we know, Udi is the sacred ash from the dhuni (ever burning fire) started by Baba. He set the Udi as the medium to cure our mental and physical maladies. He also taught us discrimination between real and unreal. The following words will further signify the importance, significance and efficacy of Udi:
He is standing on the threshold of Dwarkamai
Beckoning devotees and people alike
Besmearing Udi on their forehead; and
Placing His boon conferring hands on their heads
Udi has taught us discrimination
Holding spiritual and material significance together
Giving health, happiness and prosperity to all
Freedom from anxiety and worldly affairs
Udi has stood the test of time
Gave relief when no end of suffering in sight
Cured mental and physical afflictions all the time
It acted like medicine in times of need
Baba has said that
Those who resort to the Dwarkamai; and
Apply Udi
Will never suffer in this life
Such is the force and power of Baba behind the Udi that even today it testifies to the world its importance and significance. Really blessed are those who apply it daily as a gift of Baba to be freed from the miseries of the world.
The life of the Saints is naturally sweet. So is the life of Saint Sai. His life was not only sweet but Nectar was always oozing out from the stories, parables and teachings of Baba. Though Baba’s words were always short, concise and deep but laden with a meaning and were instructions to work out our path to salvation. Let us remember Him with love and devotion, who has taken this human form to lead us to our goal. Sai Baba has said that only remembrance of Sai brings forth many rewards to our lives and also emancipation from birth and death. We should not waste a minute and make chanting of His name a part of life. O’Merciful and Blissful Sai, we are indebted to you and can never redeem your obligations in this life. Baba always encouraged good thoughts. To ask Dakshina was order of the day in Baba’s life. Though he collected lot of money, he never kept any amount with him. In fact, it was not Dakshina, which he collected, but people’s sins to make them happy and free from this mundane existence. Baba taught us that by Dakshina Vairagya (non-attachment) advances and thereby Bhakti and Jnana (Celestial Wisdom). So give with faith, or even without it; give with magnanimity. It conduces the donor’s welfare to a great degree and speed up his liberation from the world.
Baba respected all religions and saw no distinction among them and their devotees. All were equal to him. He established no institution for the propagation of any religion. He recited Koran and Hindu Shastras with equal respect and fervor. Hindu, Muslims and other devotees were equal and none he showed importance and discrimination. To Hindus, he said, “Allah Bala Kare Ga”, and to Muslims “Ram, Ram”. He even repaired temples and mosques with equal tenacity. Those who went to make enquiries about his caste were dumb-founded and were captured by His Darshana. So none could decide as to whether Baba was a Muslim or a Hindu. He celebrated Hindu and Muslim festivals with all due formalities. Many Hindu and Muslim personalities were part of His Darbar. Hence, none could understand Baba’s religion. In fact, Baba’s religion was love to humanity. He wanted to see all communities under one umbrella – where there is no trace of caste, color and creed. He said to all irrespective of their religion and caste that “Sab Ka Malik Ek” (God is one). His mission was the synthesis and amalgamation of all religions and makes understand people the meaning of love and humanity. Also Baba never tolerated any disrespect against any God, temple or masjid and preached love and devotion to all Gods. Baba often said “He who carps and cavils at others, pierces Me in the heart and injures Me, but he that suffers and endures, pleases Me most”. Thus in Shirdi, there is as such no religion and only religion of love to humanity is practiced. On account of this, Shirdi assumes greater significance in the sense that it is only holy shrine in the world where people from all religions pay their obeisance, partake of food and sing the glory of the Sai Baba together by forgetting their caste, color and creed to fulfill His dream.
Man is ignorant by birth. If he is not awakened, he will continue to roll into the riddle of birth and death again and again. Baba, who is Satchitanand and obliged the mankind, also taught the importance of Guru. It is only Guru who is of the nature of awareness and treaded on the path of self-realization can guide and teach to the human beings the means of emancipation from this world. It is the spiritual preceptor who cleans the mind of his disciples and guides them to realize the Truth. Lord Krishna in Bhagvad Gita has said that those who wish to know the Truth must seek such Masters, who themselves are aware of it. Baba himself praised the greatness of Guru by narrating his own experiences and gave examples of real Guru Bhakti. Baba himself emphasized that we should have such Gurus who fixes our mind in Nature (self) and take us beyond the sea of mundane existence. Thus Guru’s feet are roots or worship and liberation. Let us hold the holy feet of Sai, who is our Guru and Para Brahma, to receive his limitless and endless love and compassion to attain The Supreme Being.
Guru is great and so is kindness. His kindness is beyond description. Baba has said that whose demerits have vanished take to my worship. When Baba accepts a devotee, He follows and stands by him, come what may. Satcharita is replete when Baba stood by his devotees in times of need and instill in them a sense of fearlessness. As we know, Baba was Omniscient and knew the past, present and future of all. In many cases, he forewarned his devotees of the impending danger and calamities. Those who believed and understood His words were protected and those who took it lightly and gave no importance suffered immensely; later to realize that Baba is all pervading. He often said to his devotees, “why fear, when I am hear”. In fact, Baba taught people to be fearless and confidant as long as their aim and mission is pure and aimed at achieving the good.
Sai Baba was an ocean of mercy. He showered infinite mercy on his devotees. He stayed in Shirdi for more than 60 years. Dwarka Mai was His home. He said, “She is the Mother of those who place their entire faith in her”. This place is considered very sacred and pious; for Baba preached and guided the mankind from here. It is the place where the Great Master lived and took Maha Samadhi. Baba said, “The helpless will experience plenty of joy, happiness and fulfillment as soon as they climb the steps of the Dwarka Mayee or Dwarka Masjid”. It is at this place where Baba lighted ‘Sacred Fire’ (Dhuni). Udi is the sacred ash from the dhuni (ever burning fire) started by Baba. He set the Udi as the medium to cure our mental and physical maladies. It is a gift of Baba to be freed from the miseries of the world. Hence the place has utmost sanctity, a priceless legacy descended on us from Baba’s time. The sanctity of the place is inborn and innate. Dwarka Mai is the pride of the Shirdi and has become a holy landmark. In short, the Dwarka Mai is the light of the Shirdi and whosoever steps in is absolved of all maladies, set free and experience infinite love, peace and tranquility.
Hence Baba’s philosophy and teachings are infinite and it is for us as to how we take and understand them. The relevance of Baba’s teachings in the present time is more pronounced and meaningful. In today’s time, the whole society is withered by caste and religion and is ridden with hatred and violence. As such, the seeds of abhorrence and violence is gaining ground and becoming bane and curse to the society. There is no peace and man is running for safe heavens to protect and save him. Truly speaking, the man has forgotten the teachings of love, peace and universal brotherhood of our Great Saints. Man has drowned himself in materialism and the principles of ‘I’ and ‘Me’ has overtaken him. He stands in darkness and sky is overcast and is threatening with lust, jealousy, anger and hatred to engulf and destroy the whole earth. Still the time has not run out of our hands to follow and practice the ideals and standards as set forth in our scriptures and continuously dwelt upon by great sages of our history including Sai Baba of Shirdi to save this mankind and have peace and amen on the earth.
SADGURU
In the contemporary age, there are many illusory Gurus. While some of them make a show of their spirituality, give incantations to their devotees, runs after fame and money, there are others who are least concerned with pomp and show and worldly honors but work for the welfare of the universe. If we understand Him (Sadguru), He can change our fortune for the better and makes us cross over the sea of pains and sorrows. The Sadguru develops in us good qualities, purify our hearts and set us on the path of salvation, the other gurus acts to the contrary. Therefore, Sadguru is one who himself has experienced or aware of self-realization, fixes our mind in Nature (self) and carries us beyond the ocean of world existence.
Sadguru is one, the recitation of whose name only abate the consciousness of this world and give rise to the strong waves of devotion and love and whosoever dives, picks up precious jewels of knowledge. He is above this worldly existence, which is very difficult to cross. Thus Saduguru is Eternal and Imperishable, while the world is ephemeral and transitory.
Such is the disposition of Sadguru that all thoughts and desires that prick us in this mundane existence are dissolved by His mere touch. His personality is such that on seeing Him, we are absolved of all sins and attain tranquility of mind. He is of such prowess and strength that by surrendering to him, all the chief objects of life are unsolicitedly attained. His company is such that we get disgust for the sense enjoyments and can discriminate between Real and Unreal and thus attain God-Realization. Sadguru is a worthy soul – whose aim is to impart spiritual wisdom and liberate the mankind. He sees God in all and sundry and loves them without any distinction and discrimination.
Sadguru is a bridge between God and people. With one hand He serves the God and with other he delivers the mankind. Though he is a God but He never calls Him to be God. Strictly speaking, there is no difference between Him and the God and one who sees the difference is not yet ripe for disciplehood. He is formless but assumes form to uplift the mankind and gives solace and comfort to all. Lord Krishna has said that Saint is my soul and He and I are one.
Sadguru is one who by his discourse creates in us a distaste for the enjoyments of this mundane world, make us rise above from this physical world and give us a taste of self-realization and is well versed in both the theoretical and practical knowledge (self-realization). The main characteristic of a Sadguru is that he is the abode of peace. He is never restless and ruffled. He has no pride of his learning. All, poor and rich are same to him irrespective of their status.
Sadguru is Nirguna, Sat-Chit-Anand (Existence, Knowledge and Bliss). He has indeed taken human form to elevate mankind and raise the world. But His real Nirguna nature is not destroyed thereby, even a bit. His beingness (or reality), divine power and wisdom remain undiminished.
Sadguru is one who gives instructions, in both temporal and spiritual matters, to His devotees and makes them happy by enabling them to achieve the goal of their life. He when places His hand on their heads, transfers His powers to them, and thus destroy the sense of differentiation, makes them attain the Unattainable Things.
Sadguru is one whose grace removes out fear of the mundane existence, opens the path of salvation and turns our misery into happiness. Simply remembering of Him brings fortunes and rewards to life, troubles come to an end and death loses its sting.
Sadguru is an ocean of mercy. The recitation of His name frees us from the bond of Karma and leads us to the path of self-realization. His sweet name is the easiest way for the devotees. His mere touch destroy our sins of many past births, vanish our Rajas and Tamas qualities and Sattwa qualities and righteousness gain predominance in life. Guru and Sadguru are one and the same and everything is possible if we completely surrender to His feet.
It is Sai Baba Himself who has obliged this universe in the form of Sagun Brahma to lead and guide us from this illusory world. We should completely surrender to Him and meditate on Him. His name is the only reality and meditation on His name is best of all. There is no better means than this for snapping the bondage of this samsar (world). If we do so, Sadguru Sai is bound to help and liberate us.
Oh Omniscient Sai, bless us to recite your life rejuvenating stories to work out our meaning of this life. You are the wonderful Incarnate as sorrows of our many past births are destroyed on seeing your blessed face. If Sai, who is the crest jewel of the Saints look at us, our bondage of Karma is immediately snapped and we are led to infinite happiness. Oh, Perfect Divine Bliss, blessed is Shirdi and blessed is Dwarkamai, where our Sai lived until he took Mahasamadhi. Blessed are the people of Shirdi, whom he obliged and for whom he came from such a long distance. Equally blessed are the womenfolk of Shirdi, their whole and unwavering faith in Him who sang the glories of Baba while doing their household chores. Blessed are pebbles and earth who kissed and played with the feet of the Lord when He walked from door to door of the devotees to collect their sins in the form of Bhiksha. Oh Lord of Lord, we crave for your darshana to do away with our Rajas and Tamas qualities and allow righteousness to dominate in our life to speed up our self-realization.
It is rightly said in Shri Sai Satcharita that “when a man takes a plunge into the sea, he get the merits of bathing in all the Tirthas and sacred rivers. Similarly, when a man takes refuge at the feet of Sadguru, he gets the merit of bowing to the Trinity, i.e. Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and also Para-Brahma. Victory be unto Shri Sai, the Wish-Fulfilling tree and the Ocean of Knowledge ocean of Maya
The study showed that he who teaches us Veda and Vedanta or the six shastras, he who controls the breath or gives pleasing discourses regarding Brahma, he who gives mantras to the disciples but does not assure them any result in a definite time, he who explains his knowledge and the Ultimate Principal but has himself got no experience or self-realization cannot deliver us from this mundane world. But he, who by his discourse creates in us, a distaste for the enjoyments of this world, induces Vairagya and gives us a taste of self-realization, who he is well versed in both the theoretical and practical knowledge (self realization) deserves to be called Sadguru. A Sadguru does not ever in his dream expect any service or profit from his disciples. On the other hand, he wishes to serve them. He does not think that he is great and the disciple small. The main characteristic of a Sadguru is that he is the abode of peace.
The belief in simplicity is the greatest virtue of Sadguru. Baba was such an Incarnate. He never called himself God and always uttered Allah Malik. He lived a life of Fakir and mendicancy and called himself to be servant of the God. Many personalities came to the Sai Darbar, some to test him or some to pay their obeisance but nobody went empty handed. Sai accepted all of them and prayed for their welfare. The warmthness of His darshan was such that even agitated and angry mind melted on seeing his form and became one with him. Such was the personality of Sai Baba. He was Pure Anand. There was no need for any mantra to work out the salvation, His casual talks and behavior bestowed untold happiness on the devotees. Baba is all pervading. He is nowhere but within the devotees’ heart. What is needed is the true devotion to Baba.
So this ocean of mundane existence is very hard to cross. Lust, anger, ego predominates the human birth. Waves of infatuation and greed prick us and break down our grit and determination. The breeze of egoism blows forcibly and makes the ocean rough and agitated. Hate and jealousy also play their part and very difficult to get rid of. The philosophy “I and Mine” looms large and envelopes the entire mankind in the form of censure and avarice. Even the innumerable births will not help us to reach the goal of self-realization. The best course is to resort to the feet of Sai and hold them fast, lest they should leave and run away from you. Sai is bound to help and liberate us. In Shri Sai Satcharita it is well said vide Page 235 that if Baba accepts a devotee, He follows him and stands by him, day and night, at his home or abroad. Let the devotee go anywhere he likes, Baba is there ahead of him in some form to help and guide him. So let this ocean be so fierce and terrible, Sadguru Sai Baba is its Agasti (Destroyer). Our Sadguru is the boat and the only hope, which will safely take us across this ocean and liberate us from the riddle of birth and death.
DAKSHINA
The life of the Saints is naturally sweet. So is the life of Saint Sai. His life was not only sweet but Nectar was always oozing out from the stories, parables and teachings of Baba. Though Baba’s words were always short, pithy, deep and full of meaning, they were instructions to work out our path to salvation. Let us remember Him with love and devotion, who has taken this human form to lead us to our goal. The only remembrance of Sai brings many rewards to our lives and also solves the riddle of life and death. We should not waste a minute and make chanting of His name a part of life. Blissful Sai, we are indebted to you and can never redeem your obligations in this life. We will sing your leelas, bhajans, and stories so that your form is always fixed in our mind and eyes and that should be the sole object of our life.
Let us come to the subject of the topic. It is said in our Shastras that Puja of God is not complete, unless a golden coin is offered to the Divine or Supreme with a pure heart. The Vedas further exhorts us that we should never go empty handed to see God, King, Saint or Guru. Taittiriya Upanishad also lays down to practice charity and other virtues. It goes on to say that “Give with faith, or even without it; give with magnanimity”.
Baba asked for Dakshina to remove people’s attachment to money and purify their minds. It was not Dakshina, which he collected, but their sins to make them happy and free from this mundane existence. Baba said, “He had to give back hundred times more of what he received”.Donation or charity induces Vairagya – non-attachment to money and other worldly affairs to speed up man’s liberation from this world.
Baba always encouraged good thoughts. Though he collected lot of money by Dakshina, he never kept any amount with him. He would distribute the whole amount the same day and the next morning, he would become a poor Fakir as usual. Dakshina does not necessarily mean pecuniary amount. One day Baba asked Rs.15/- as Dakshina from Prof. G.G. Narke, who replied that he, did not have even a pie. Then, Baba said, “I know you have no money; but you are reading Yoga-Vashistha. Give me Dakshina from that”. In other words it means that deriving lessons from the book and lodging them in the heart where Baba resides. In another case, Baba asked a certain lady Mrs. Tarkhad to give Rs.6 as Dakshina. The lady felt pained and got desponded, as she had nothing to give. On explaining by her husband that Baba wanted six inner enemies (Lust, Anger, Avarice, Jealousy, Ego and so on) to be surrendered at his feet. Baba agreed with this explanation.
Continuing with the importance of donation or Dakshina, Baba once asked Kaka for Rs.15/-, which he gladly gave it. Then Baba said, “if I take one rupee as Dakshina from anybody, I have to return it tenfold to him. I never take anything gratis. I never ask any one, indiscriminately, I only ask and take from him, whom the Fakir (My Guru) points out. If any one is indebted formerly to the Fakir, money is received from him. The donor gives i.e. sows his seeds, only to reap a rich harvest in future. Wealth should be the means to work out Dharma. If it is 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 ten fold”.
Mr. B.V. Deo of Thane, retired Mamlatdar, and a great devotee of Baba in his article on Dakshina summed up that charity given in a holy place and to a holy personage conduces to the donors’welfare to a great degree. What is more holy than Shirdi and its Presiding Deity – Sai Baba?
MEANING OF
Is it “OM ” or “AUM” ? The syllable AUM is a Sanskrit word and is pronounced as A+U+M (AUM) and while symbol OM is more like English oriented and hence recited as O+M (OM). However, there exists no difference and is part of our most revered religious scriptures. OM is also undeniably the central pillar of Hinduism and the part of its traditions and literature over the ages. It is the essence of all mantras and Vedas and has the sound of infinite Brahman.
AUM has more than hundred meanings and one of them is “Welcome to the God”. Though its origin and history is shrouded in mystery but it is undoubtedly a gift or jewel from the Vedic Rishis (seers). AUM is the name of the divine cosmic spirit. It is not separate or different from the supreme god. The word AUM itself is total divinity manifested, invincible supreme god. This palpable world is an expression of that divinity. It is considered to be the oldest mantras of our time. The word has enormous power and significance, simple recitation dispel all our worldly thoughts and instill a new vigor in our body.
We do not find any specific mention of OM in early Vedic period or Rig-Veda. However, we do come across an indirect reference in one of the hymns in the form of ‘Akshara' meaning Imperishable – and has the same meaning as OM. The world ‘Akshara’ is a synonym for OM in many scriptures including Bhagvad Gita. The possible reason for Omission of syllable OM in early Vedic life could be due to its utmost ‘sanctity and purity’ attached to it and was not allowed to be used outside the text of the Vedic sacrifices. It was used with utmost care and caution and passed on from preceptor to the disciple and from father to the son in strict confidence. However the case may be, recitation of any Vedic hymn would not be complete unless it is prefixed with the syllable OM. Over a period of time, the society became more relaxed and flexible and we find its first mention in Yajur Veda.
History is replete in praise of OM though it had different names and meanings at different periods. Swami Sankarananda alluded it to word Soma and concluded that OM represents Sun. Similarly notion is propounded in Aitareya Brahmana, which says that the object, which glows, illuminates, and give light [sun] is OM. The word ‘Akshara’ which is eternally unchanging and part of the Supreme Being points to OM. In the early Upanishads, it is called ‘Symbol of God’. Another later term for OM is ‘tara ’ – meaning crossing the mundane existence. In our earliest Upanishads it was also known as ‘udgitha’. Hence, AUM represents light, which is not other than infinite Brahma. However the case may be, it is symbol of God and on recitation dissolves the mind in the Divinity. It is also strongly believed that OM is the embodiment of all sounds in the universe. The AUM of Hinduism also possibly became the sacred word of “Hum” of the Buddhists, Amin of the Muslims and Amen for Christians.
After a lapse of two millennia an unknown sage who composed the brief Mandukya Upanishad and sought to unfold its importance or expound its metaphysics i.e. Ultimate Nature of Existence. Though it is short but subtle of all the major Upanishads, yet the most revered scriptures of Hinduism. In this Upanishad, we have the classic exposition of the meaning of AUM, the most sacred of all mantras. It is the quintessence of Vedanta. OM is spoken in this Upanishad as the primeval word, which stands for the entire universe permeated by Brahman and therefore Brahman itself. The English translation of the mantra in the Upanishad is something like this:
Hari AUM. AUM, the word, is all this.
A clear explanation of it is the following
All that is past, present and future is verily AUM
That, which is beyond the triple conception of time, is also truly AUM.
According to Katha Upanishad also the goal that all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at and which men desire when they lead the life of continence, it is OM. The syllable OM is indeed Brahman. Whosoever knows this syllable obtains all that he desires. This is the highest and best support. Whosoever knows this support is adorned in the world of Brahma.
Significance of OM is wide and deep and has been the subject matter of discussion of the Upanishads, Vedas, Bhagvad Gita and other religious scriptures over the myriad of connotations that they stand for. AUM is made of four-syllable a+u+m and fourth one is Silence. OM has been an important aspect of teaching and represents four stages of Brahman – Ultimate Reality.
A - Stands for earth or Creation of the Brahma. It envelops the whole universe including minutest particles and corresponds with our waking state.
U - Stands for Preservation and atmosphere. It represents cosmo hemisphere inhabiting all deities, gandharvas, rakshas and pichasas and beyond our mind and thought and is creation of Vishnu. In other words, it is our dreaming state of mind.
M - Stands for Dissolution and cessation of all worldly thoughts because we are into complete unconsciousness or deep sleep and is creation of Shiva. Though we are not conscious but still remember in the morning that we went to sleep. The Mandukya Upanishad says that in the state of deep sleep the aatman (soul) has been the witness to the sleep of the body and it is this which brings back the memory. It is the aatman (soul) that is above the three stages and this fourth stage refers to the Silence.
The fourth stage ‘Silence’ is present in all of them. It represents Consciousness that illuminates the three above stages and pervades them all and is independent of each of them. It is Eternal, Supreme and Imperishable. Gaudapada in his commentary on this Upanishad said that if we identify three stages with the Silence one and on continuous meditation, one would realize one’s self and there would be no return for a man to the sphere of empirical life as it ushers in true peace, releases the mind from the tyranny of ego, renunciation of worldly thoughts, objects and motions and so on.
The three portions of AUM also represent to the three gunas, which are Rajas, Satvik and Tamas. It also indicates three parts of existence, heaven, earth and netherworld. The syllable OM has endless meaning, explanation and glorification.
Hence AUM is a part of divinity and represents as such to Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. AUM is the sound of Sun, the sound of Light and the sound of assent (affirmation) and ascent as it has an upward movement and uplifts the soul, as the sound of the divine eagle or falcon. It has the sense of totality as is evident from the English word of Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent.
Thus, OM is the ancient and sacred symbol, which represents the sound of all creation. It symbolizes infinite, eternal and is inclusive of all religions, caste, color and creed. OM is the most sacred syllables, the first sound of Almighty – from which all sounds emanate. If chanted with correct intonation, it can resonate in the whole body and merge in the fourth stage as mentioned above. It is past, present and future.
The efficacy of OM is unbound and limitless. Its recitation absolves us from all errors, sins and removes impediments in the performance of our worship. It is an unending source of energy. This is the highest mantra for mankind. It removes our negative emotions and protects us from all misdeeds.
BABA IS ALL PERVADING
The recitation of Sai Naam is a powerful tool to offset all obstacles in life. In Shri Sai Satcharitra, Baba has time and again stressed the recitation of Sai Naam Japa in various chapters.
Once a devotee of Baba organized “Laksharchana” and was expecting a large turn out of devotees. The number fell short of his expectation and he chided Baba for making his whole affair a mockery. He approached his Guru and explained everything that had happened. Guru knowing everything enlightened the devotee and said that persons who have good karma in their credit can alone get the opportunity to take part in the Naam Japa or group prayer. As Baba has said in Sri Sai Satcharita Chapter 25 “Look at the mango tree in blossom. If all the flowers become fruit, what a splendid crop it would. But do they? Most fall off either as flowers or as unripe fruits by wind etc., very few remain”. Guru continued and said it is really pity many people do not realize what is good for them. They miserably fall off due to samsaric or Maya wind. One must understand this universal fact and utilize such rare spiritual opportunity.
The devotee felt guilty and asked Baba to be pardoned for being childish and foolish. He thought in his mind that who is he to determine the quantum of devotees? All actions in this world are His play. Baba made you an instrument to do a particular job without your consciousness or knowledge.
Baba is in the heart of all and activates us according to our karma. If we honestly offer prayers to Sai Baba, the prayers shall be answered. Baba said, “I always live everywhere” in Satcharita chapter 28. Baba will hear our prayer through His All Pervading ears. Thus someone has rightly said that “everywhere He has ears; everywhere He has eyes, to listen to our prayers and answer them.
