Shirdi Sai Baba
Who was Shirdi Sai Baba
Sai Baba was a revered sufi spiritual master who lived in Shirdi, India and performed many miracles.
He attracted devotees from various walks of life, including both Hindus and Muslims.
Sai Baba's selflessness and simplicity, inspired many to live a meaningful life.
He attained mahasamadhi (willfully left his body) in 1918.
His mysterious upbringing...
It is believed by some that Sai Baba was born to a Hindu couple, in a remote village called Patri.
Sai Baba's father was progressing on his spiritual path and developed a feeling of total detachment.
At this point both his parents decided to renounce the world and go and live in the forest.
They handed Sai baba over to a childless Sufi Fakir. He raised Sai Baba in his home but unfortunately passed away a few years later.
The fakir's wife took care of the child. After some time the wife grew tired of his ways.
Sai Baba would go to a temple and sing praises of Allah. He would enter the mosque and declare Rama is God and Shiva is Allah.
The fakir’s wife handed the boy over to a pious scholar named Venkusa. He took great care of Sai Baba.
Venkusa grew very fond of the boy causing other members of the ashram to become envious.
This is when Sai Baba left the ashram and found himself in Shirdi, his new home.
Symbol of Unity and Oneness
Sai Baba taught the principles of universal love, harmony, and unity. He was beyond religion.
He would often chant Allah Malik and was also a devotee of Lord Hanuman. He performed Fatiha of food before he ate and was a non-vegetarian.
Many other spiritual masters believe in unity and that God transcends religious distinctions as well:
- Swami Vivekananda
- Rumi
- Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
- Guru Nanak Dev
- Meher Baba
- Paramahansa Yogananda
Path to Spirituality Through Religion
Sai Baba taught us that all religions are a stepping stone towards spirituality.
He asked his disciples to first respect the religion they were born into, and only take his name if they were willing to follow their own religion first. He helped to incorporate more love for the god(ess) that they already prayed to.
Sai Baba's teachings encompassed the concepts of:
- Love
- Truth
- Righteousness
- Peace
- Non-Violence
Sai Babas 2 Cardinal Principles
Shraddha
Translates to “Love, Faith & Truth”
According to Sai Baba, love in God is the gateway to eternity. The love that is generated out of spiritual inspiration
Saburi
Translates to “Patience or Perseverance”
Patience is an important quality on the path to salvation. Without this, a seeker may leave the path midway
Every Master Has His Quirks
- Sai baba smoked the Chilum (tobacco pipe)
- He would sometimes get angry and swear
- He even threw stones at people
When Sai Baba noticed that you were to judge him on certain traits, he would know which buttons to press and how to exacerbate that trait.
He made you aware of these prejudices so that you can see beyond the physical.
Sai Baba was known for the countless miracles he performed including:
- healing the sick
- materialising objects
- bilocation
Enjoyed this article?
Follow us on Instagram to read our weekly Theology Thursday posts!
Modi Toys is a children's brand of toys and books inspired by ancient Hindu culture. We exist to spread joy and to spark curiosity in the next generation through our innovative soft plush toys, illustrated children's books and free learning resources. Our weekly Theology Thursday series covers a wide range of topics rooted in Hinduism to help us better understand the origins of traditions, the symbolic meaning of rituals, and the stories behind Hindu holidays and festivals. The more we can understand "the why" behind this 4,000 year ancient religion, and make sense of it in this modern age, the greater we can appreciate and preserve our rich Hindu culture. While we take great care in thoroughly researching the information presented, we may occasionally get some things wrong. We encourage a healthy and open dialogue so we can learn together. Please leave a comment below or email us directly at support@moditoys.com to address any concerns.
