One God governs all

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            On 15th of October, we prayerfully remember a great saint of India, Sai Baba of Shirdi. Ninety four years have passed away since his death. India cannot ever forget him for he was a guiding star for aspirants treading a path beyond communal restrictions. Nobody is still sure about his religious standing. He proved that his teachings of love, forgiveness, charity, contentment, inner peace and devotion to God fit not only Hinduism and Islam but also all the other world religions. ‘Sabka Malik Ek’ (One God governs all), is one of his well known epigrams. Shirdi Sai Baba never loved anything perishable, and his only intention was enlightenment. He promoted the rituals and traditions of both Islam and Hinduism. He was an Indian Guru, fakir and yogi in the true meaning of these words. He was also considered as an enlightened Sufi Pir or a Qutub. Some argue that he was incarnation of Krishna while some others hold on to the view that he was incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. It is said that the attribute ‘Sai’ (Persian title given to Sufi saints) was added as he came to Shirdi. ‘Baba’ at the same time is a respectful word that means father, grandfather or a respected old man.

            Even though there are many communities which still claim his lineage, nobody is clear about his birth, real name, lineage or heritage. His devotees from around the world comprise basically from Islam and Hinduism. If ever somebody has shed some light into his early life it was one of his disciples, called Das Ganu. Das Ganu states that Sai Baba grew up in Pathri (Parvani taluk, near Manwath in Maharashtra state), with a fakir and his wife. It is said that he came to the village of Shirdi at the age of 16. The young ascetic was first found sitting on meditation, motionless under a neem tree. The people of the village were wonder-struck to see a young lad practicing hard penance, not minding heat or cold. Some considered him mad and even threw stones at him. It is generally accepted that Sai Baba stayed in Shirdi for three years, disappeared for a year, and returned permanently around 1858. It was around this time that he adopted his famous style of dress, consisting of a knee-length one-piece robe (kafni) and a cloth cap. This attire contributed to Baba's identification as a Muslim fakir, and was a reason for initial indifference and hostility against him in a predominantly Hindu village.

His manner was said to be withdrawn and uncommunicative as he undertook long periods of meditation. He was eventually persuaded to take up residence in an old and dilapidated mosque and lived a solitary life there, surviving by begging for alms, and receiving itinerant Hindu or Muslim visitors. In the mosque he maintained a sacred fire which is referred to as a dhuni, from which he gave sacred ashes to his guests before they left. The ash was believed to have healing powers. Sai Baba also delivered spiritual teachings to his visitors, recommending the reading of sacred Hindu texts along with the Qur'an. The first temple devoted to this saint was built at Bhivpuri, Karjat. India respects him as one among the most popular Indian saints of India.