The Wonderful Life and Teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba

The Wonderful Life and Teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba

“What is new in the world? Nothing. What is old in the world? Nothing. Everything has always been and will always be.” – Shree Sai Baba Shirdi

Sai Baba of Shirdi, also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, was an Indian spiritual master who was regarded by his devotees as a saint, fakir, and satguru, according to their individual proclivities and beliefs. He was revered by both his Hindu and Muslim devotees, and it was uncertain if he was a Hindu or a Muslim. This, however, was of no consequence to Sai Baba. He stressed the importance of surrender to the true Satguru or Murshid, who, having trod the path to divine consciousness, will lead the disciple through the jungle of spiritual training.

Sai Baba is worshipped by people around the world. He had no love for perishable things and his sole concern was realization of the self.

He taught a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace, and devotion to God and guru.

He gave no distinction based on religion or caste. Sai Baba’s teaching combined elements of Hinduism and Islam; he gave the Hindu name Dwarakamayi to the mosque in which he lived, practiced Muslim rituals, taught using words and figures that drew from both traditions, and was buried in Shirdi. One of his well known epigrams, “Sabka Malik Ek” (“One God governs all”), is associated with Hinduism, Islam and Sufism. He also said, “Trust in me and your prayer shall be answered.” He always uttered “Allah Malik” (“God is King”).

1. If you are wealthy, be humble. Plants bend when they bear fruit.
2. Spend money in charity; be generous and munificent but not extravagant.
3. Whatever creature comes to you, human or otherwise, treat it with consideration.
4. See the divine in the human being.
5. There is a wall of separation between oneself and others and between you and me. Destroy this wall!
6. I get angry with none. Will a mother get angry with her children? Will the ocean send back the waters to the several rivers?
7. What is our duty? To behave properly. That is enough.
8. God is not so far away. He is not in the heavens above, nor in hell below. He is always near you.
9. If you cannot endure abuse from another, just say a simple word or two, or else leave.
10. I stay by the side of whoever repeats my name.
11. Do not be obsessed by egotism, imagining that you are the cause of action: everything is due to God.
12. Do not fight with anyone, nor retaliate, nor slander anyone.
13. All gods are one. There is no difference between a Hindu and a Muslim. Mosque and temple are the same.
14. When you see with your inner eye. Then you realize that you are God and not different from Him.
15. To God be the praise. I am only the slave of God.
16. Choose friends who will stick to you till the end, through thick and thin