Truth alone wins : The same divine consciousness shines in all beings
Where there is righteousness, there is victory: righteousness consists of values that help human beings live happily, both individually and socially.
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Who is Shirdi Sai Baba?
Sai Baba first appeared as a 16-year-old youth in a village called Shirdi. This village is located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra state, India. At that time, Sai Baba used to sit and meditate under a neem tree on the outskirts of the village. He did not speak to anyone. No one knew about his parents, caste, or religious details. In fact, no one even knew his name. Due to certain incidents, the local people recognized that wise youth as a divine incarnation. However, soon after, the boy left Shirdi and disappeared to an unknown location.
Sai Baba first appeared as a 16-year-old youth in a village called Shirdi. This village is located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra state, India. At that time, Sai Baba used to sit and meditate under a neem tree on the outskirts of the village. He did not speak to anyone. No one knew about his parents, caste, or religious details. In fact, no one even knew his name. Due to certain incidents, the local people recognized that wise youth as a divine incarnation. However, soon after, the boy left Shirdi and disappeared to an unknown location.
He used to treat the village’s sick using medicinal plants. He served the diseased with great care. Ailments would vanish as soon as Sai touched them. After the year 1872, Sai began living in a dilapidated mosque. He named it Dwarkamai. He cultivated a garden nearby and personally watered the plants every day. He sought alms from five houses in the village. He shared that food with those around him, as well as with dogs and birds.
People began coming to Sai Baba not only from Shirdi but also from surrounding villages. Those who received his blessings found relief from diseases, solutions to their hardships, and financial prosperity. Those seeking good jobs or marriage prospects achieved their goals. Childless couples were blessed with children. By 1886, high-ranking government officials, great sages, and fakirs from distant regions began visiting Sai Baba. In 1893, Nana Saheb Chandorkar, who was serving as a District Sub Collector, visited Baba. By 1910, Shirdi was bustling with devotees every day. After 1910, Dwarkamai was renovated, and guest houses (Sathrams) were built for devotees. Stories and songs describing the miracles of Sai Baba were composed. Devotees began worshipping his portraits. Festivals like Aratis, Palanquin processions, Sri Rama Navami, Chandanotsavam, and Guru Purnima were celebrated grandly. Even national leaders like G.S. Khaparde and Bal Gangadhar Tilak visited Sai Baba. Though Shirdi developed significantly, Sai Baba continued to live as a simple fakir. He earned his food through daily alms. He wore torn clothes and lived in a mosque that lacked walls or doors. Although everyone worshipped him as God, he remained indifferent to such things. He was always peaceful, with his mind merged in the Divine. He would say “Sabka Malik Ek” (The Master of all is One) and “Allah Malik” (God is the Lord). He taught people to live together with love and harmony. In 1918, Sai Baba attained Mahasamadhi.
Sai Baba’s body was laid to rest in a stone temple built by a devotee named Gopalrao Buti. Today, millions of devotees from all over the world visit the Sai Mandir in Shirdi to receive his blessings.
Everyone should understand the values of Truth (Sathya) and Righteousness (Dharma) taught by Sai Baba. His life stories teach us these values. These principles not only enable individuals to live with happiness and peace but also foster unity and tranquility in society. The Shirdi Sai Global Mission was established with the noble intention of propagating these values.