Selection of 100 Shirdi Sai Baba Sayings
Sai Baba of Shirdi, also known as Shirdi Sai Baba (1835-1918), was an Indian spiritual master who is regarded by his devotees as a saint (sadhu), a fakir (siddha), a satguru and an incarnation (avatar) of Lord Shiva (Śiva) and Dattatreya or Trimmurti (Brahman, Vishnu, Shiva Maheśvara) and Allah (Iśvara + Allah is Iśvarallah). Sai Baba of Shirdi is as equally accomplished as great Enlightened beings like Gautama Buddha, Ramacandra and Krishna. More over, Sai Baba known as Sainatha of Śhirdi was a celibate, remaining in one place, performing miracles, admonishing his disciples, and keeping a fire perpetually burning at Shirdi. The functions of a Guru, ascetic and saint, Sai Baba adds that of Avatar as many of his devotees and followers consider him as major incarnation of this age. Sai Baba is exemplary among the great saints of Maharashtra in western India for the ways in which he drew upon and surpassed the categories, concepts, and styles of a variety of conventionally competing religious traditions. Maharashtra is well-known for the integrative spirituality of its foremost figures, and among them Sai Baba is particularly important. The author “locates” Sai Baba in the contexts of both Islamic and Hindu traditions. Sai Baba of Shirdi is especially revered and worshiped in the states of Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Notable religious and spiritual figures at the time such as Zoroastrian Meher Baba also acknowledged Sai Baba of Shirdi as a divine avatar. The Sai Baba Sansthan temple in Shirdi, Maharashtra, India is now the second most popular shrine after Balaji Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.
Sai Baba would often talk about the Hindu gods (devas), quoting from sacred texts or even commenting upon passages of the Bhagavad gita, the Isha Upanishad, and so forth. The names of Krishna and Rama seem to have been particularly dear to him. With his Muslim followers, Baba would always talk of Allah and the Koran, often quoting Persian verses. One of his favorite expressions was “Allah rakhega vaiia rahena”, that is, “Let us be content with what we have, and submit our will to Allah.” Sai Baba interpreted the religious texts of both Islam and Hinduism. Sai Baba himself maintained an ambiguous profile, unwilling to identify with either of the two religions. His Muslim devotees were fully convinced that he belonged to their fold, identifying him as an avaliā. The Hindu bhaktas also viewed him as one of them, since he often identified himself with their gods and customs. Sai Baba wanted to belong to all and be shared by all. On several occasions, Sai reassured his listeners by saying that he, like them, was but a devotee of Allah, a humble faqir with two arms and two legs. In later years, Parsis and even a few Christians would come to Shirdi. Sai Baba respected all creeds, true to his conviction that all religions are but particular paths leading to one ineffable goal. For him, all paths were equally valid, “Ishwara” (the Hindu God, Iśvara) and “Allah” being synonymous. Sainatha of Śhirdi stressed on the unity of all religions; and particularly in India’s context; of Hinduism and Islam; He read and advice to read and meditate the Quran and Bagavad Gita. Sai is a Persian title given to the Sufi saints who follow islamic rituals of prayer.
Sai Baba’s disciples and devotees claim that he performed many miracles such as bilocation, levitation, mindreading, materialisation, exorcisms (evicting demons or other spiritual entities from a person, or an area), entering a state of Samādhi at will, lighting lamps with water, removing his limbs or intestines and sticking them back to his body (khandana yoga), curing the incurably sick, appearing beaten when another was beaten, preventing a mosque from falling down on people, and helping his devotees in other miraculous ways. He also gave Darshan (vision) to people in the form of Sri Rama, Krishna, Vithoba, Shiva and many other gods depending on the faith of devotees. According to his followers, he appeared to them in their dreams and gave them personal advice. His devotees have documented very many stories.
A Collection from Sri Sai Satcharita Sayings
Surrender completely to God (Iśvara, Allah).
Speak the truth and truth alone.
See the divine in the human being.
Avoid unnecessary disputation.
Do not kick against the pricks of life.
God will show His love. He is kind to all.
Put full faith in God’s providence.
Fulfill any promises you have made.
What you sow, you reap. What you give, you get.
Always think of God and you will see what He does.
God has agents everywhere and their powers are vast.
Let us be humble.
Mukti is impossible for those addicted to lust.
Do not be obsessed by the importance of wealth.
If you avoid rivalry and dispute, God will protect you.
If one devotes their entire time to me and rests in me, need fear nothing for body and soul.
If one sees me and me alone and listens to my Leelas and is devoted to me alone, they will reach God.
If you make me the sole object of your thoughts and aims, you will gain the supreme goal.
Trust in the Guru fully. That is the only sadhana.
Stay by me and keep quiet. I will do the rest.
What is our duty? To behave properly. That is enough.
My eye is ever on those who love me.
Whatever you do, wherever you may be, always bear this in mind: I am always aware of everything you do.
If a devotee is about to fall, I stretch out my hands to support him or her.
My treasury is open but no one brings carts to take from it. I say, “Dig!” but no one bothers.
My people do not come to me of their own accord; it is I who seek and bring them to me.
All that is seen is my form: ant, fly, prince, and pauper
However distant my people may be, I draw them to me just as we pull a bird to us with a string tied to its foot.
This body is just my house. My guru has long ago taken me away from it.
Those who think that Baba is only in Shirdi have totally failed to know me.
Without my grace, not even a leaf can move.
If you are wealthy, be humble. Plants bend when they bear fruit.
Spend money in charity; be generous and munificent but not extravagant.
Get on with your worldly activities cheerfully, but do not forget God.
Whatever creature comes to you, human or otherwise, treat it with consideration.
Do not bark at people and don’t be aggressive, but put up with others’ complaints.
There is a wall of separation between oneself and others and between you and me. Destroy this wall!
Give food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, and clothes to the naked. Then God will be pleased.
Saburi (patience) ferries you across to the distant goal.
The four sadhanas and the six Sastras are not necessary. Just has complete trust in your guru: it is enough.
Meditate on me either with form or without form, that is pure bliss.
God is not so far away. He is not in the heavens above, nor in hell below. He is always near you.
If anyone gets angry with another, they wound me to the quick.
If you cannot endure abuse from another, just say a simple word or two, or else leave.
What do we lose by another’s good fortune? Let us celebrate with them, or strive to emulate them.
That should be our desire and determination.
If formless meditation is difficult, then think of my form just as you see it here. With such meditation, the difference between subject and object is lost and the mind dissolves in unity.
If anyone offends you do not return tit for tat.
Whoever makes me the sole object of their love, merges in me like a river in the ocean.
Look to me and I will look to you.
What God gives is never exhausted, what man gives never lasts.
Be contented and cheerful with what comes.
My devotees see everything as their Guru.
Poverty is the highest of riches and a thousand times superior to a king’s wealth.
Whoever withdraws their heart from wife, child, and parents and loves me, is my real lover.
Distinguish right from wrong and be honest, upright and virtuous.
Do not be obsessed by egotism, imagining that you are the cause of action: everything is due to God.
If we see all actions as God’s doing, we will be unattached and free from karmic bondage.
Other people’s acts will affect just them. It is only your own deeds that will affect you.
Do not be idle: work, utter God’s name and read the scriptures.
People abuse their own friends and family, but it is only after performing many meritorious acts that one gets a human birth. Why then come to Shirdi and slander people?
No one wants to take from me what I give abundantly.
Do not fight with anyone, nor retaliate, nor slander anyone.
Harsh words cannot pierce your body. If anybody speaks ill of you, just continue on unperturbed.
Choose friends who will stick to you till the end, through thick and thin.
Meditate on what you read and think of God.
You should not stay for even one second at a place where people are speaking disrespectfully of a saint.
If you do not want to part with what you have, do not lie and claim that you have nothing, but decline politely saying that circumstances or your own desires prevent you.
Satsang that is associating with the good is good. Dussaya, or associating with evil-minded people, is evil and must be avoided.
Recognize the existence of the Moral Law as governing results. Then unswervingly follow this Law.
All gods are one. There is no difference between a Hindu and a Muslim. Mosque and temple are the same.
Death and life are the manifestations of God’s activity. You cannot separate the two. God permeates all.
Gain and loss, birth and death are in the hands of God.
When you see with your inner eye. Then you realize that you are God and not different from Him.
The giver gives, but really he is sowing the seed for later: the gift of a rich harvest.
Wealth is really a means to work out dharma. If one uses it merely for personal enjoyment, it is vainly spent.
Whenever you undertake to do something, do it thoroughly or not at all.
One’s sin will not cease till one falls at the feet of Sadhusò
Be ashamed of your hatred. Give up hatred and be quiet.
The Moral Law is inexorable, so follow it, observe it, and you will reach your goal: God is the perfection of the Moral Law.
Have faith and patience. Then I will be always with you wherever you are.
If anybody wants any money from you and you are not inclined to give, do not give, but do not bark at him like a dog.
Education must promote peace, security and happiness.
Calmly look at the show of all things passing before you.
If you are wealthy, be humble. Plants bend when they bear fruit.
Allah Is Sole Protector.
Shirdi Saibaba about Himself
I speak the truth.
I love devotion.
I am the slave of my devotee.
I am your servants’ servant.
I am formless and everywhere
I am in everything and beyond. I fill all space.
I do not shake or move.
I will take you to the end.
I get angry with none. Will a mother get angry with her children? Will the ocean send back the waters to the several rivers?
I give my devotees whatever they ask, until they ask for what I want to give.
I will not allow my devotees to come to harm.
I stay by the side of whoever repeats my name.
I am the slave of those who hunger and thirst after me and treat everything else as unimportant.
I think of my people day and night. I say their names over and over.
I look on all with an equal eye.
I look at everybody with an equal eye.
I cannot do anything without God’s permission.
I have to take care of my children day and night and give an account to God of every paisa.
I am not the body or the senses – I am formless and in everything.
I think of my people day and night. I say their names over and over.
If one meditates on me, repeats my name and sings about my deeds – he is transformed and his karma is destroyed. I stay by his side always.
The wise are cheerful and content with their lot in life.
To God be the praise. I am only the slave of God.
Why fear when I am here?
My business is to give blessings.
All that you see taken together is Myself.
The 11 Sayings of Sai Baba
1. Whoever puts his feet on Shirdi soil, his sufferings would come to an end.
2. The wretched and miserable would rise into plenty of joy and happiness, as soon as they climb steps of my samadhi.
3. I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body.
4. My tomb shall bless and speak to the needs of my devotees.
5. I shall be active and vigorous even from the tomb.
6. My mortal remains would speak from the tomb.
7. I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me and who seek refuge in me.
8. If you look to me, I look to you.
9. If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it.
10. If you seek my advice and help, it shall be given to you at once.
11. There shall be no want in the house of my devotees.
SAI BABA’S CHARTERS
The declarations of Divinity
I am God. I am Mahalaxmi. I speak the truth sitting as I do in the mosque. I am Vithoba. I am Ganapathy. All offerings made to Ganapathy have reached me. I am Dattatreya. I am Laxmi Narayan. Why go to Ganga elsewhere. Hold your palm at my feet – here flows Ganga. I am Maruti.
True Being of Śirdi Sai Baba
1. I am the attributeless absolute Nirguna. I have no name and no residence.
2. I embroiled myself in karma and got this body. Brahman is my father and Maya is my mother. I am formless and in everything. I fill all space and am omnipresent. I am in water, in dry places, in crowd and solitary wilderness. I am in the fire and in ether.
3. I am the Progenitor of God. Meditate on me as pure Ananda Nirakara, but if you cannot do this, then meditate on this Sai Body exactly as you see it.
4. I am not the body or the senses. I am the eternal Sakshi (Witness).
Śirdi Sai Baba wistful longing
My Master (Guru) told me to give bounteously to all that ask. No one asks with wisdom. My treasury is open. No one brings carts to take away the real treasures. I say: dig and search, but no one wants to take any pains. Be the true sons of the Divine Mother (Śri Devi Maa) and fully stock yourself. What is to become of us. This body will return to earth and the air we breath will melt into air. This opportunity will not return.
Dwarka Mayi
1. This is not just a mosque. It is Dwarka (Mercy). Those who seek refuge here will never be harmed.
2. As soon as one climbs the steps of the mosque, sufferings due to karma are at an end and joy begins.
3. When one enters the Dwarka Mayi, his goal is achieved.
Sai Baba’s assurances
1. My eye is ever on those who love me.
2. Whatever you do, wherever you may be, ever bear this in mind that I am always aware of everything you do.
3. If one meditates on me, repeats my name and sings about my deeds — he is transformed and his karma is destroyed. I stay by his side always.
4. If one perpetually thinks of me, and makes me his sole refuge, I become his debtor and will give my head to save him.
5. I am the bond slave of my devotees. I love devotion. He who withdraws his heart from the world and loves me is my true lover and he merges in ME like a river in the sea.
6. If you make me the sole object of your thoughts and aims you will gain Paramathama.
7. Look at me and I will look to you.
8. Trust in the guru fully. This is the only sadhana. Guru is all the Gods.
9. Repeat my name. Seek refuge in me. But to know who I am, practice śravana and manana.
10. I shall be active and vigorous even from my tomb. Even after my mahasamadhi, I shall be with you the moment you think of me.
Baba’s Key Teachings
Oneness of God (Iśvara, Allah).
Equality and tolerance of all religions.
Love (Preman) and respect for each other and compassion towards the downtrodden and animals.
He believed that mere reading of spiritual books was not enough, converting this knowledge to real spiritual change was essential i.e. improving oneself.
He emphasized forgiveness as a virtue and assertiveness in the pursuit of truth (the righteous path) rather than aggression.
Devotion (Bhakti) to Guru as the spiritual path leading to liberation from the cycle of birth-death-rebirth.
His path of devotion emphasized Faith (Śradha) and Patience (Saburi).
He did not believe in any major religious rituals, all he wanted was love and devotion from his devotees – they should remember him always.
He did not like devotees consuming alcohol at all; he was a non-vegetarian himself.
He believed and followed “different strokes for different folks”, for example, the life of an ascetic was required for some while for others the life of a house-holder would suffice. For some vegetarianism is essential while for others it may not be required.
Sainatha of Śhirdi Statements
There will never be any dearth or scarcity, regarding food and clothes, in any devotees’ homes. It is my special characteristic, that I always look to, and provide, for the welfare of those devotees, who worship Me whole-heartedly with their minds ever fixed on Me. Lord Krishna has also said the same in the Gita.
If my Leelas (sportive Divine actions) are written, the Avidya (ignorance) will vanish and if they are attentively and devoutly listened to, the consciousness of worldly existence will abate and strong waves of devotion and love will rise up and if one dives deep into my Leelas, he would get precious jewels of knowledge.
Really this Jiva (human soul) transcends the three qualities, viz. Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas, but being deluded by Maya, he forgets his nature which is ‘Existence-knowledge-bliss’, and thinks that he is the doer and enjoyer and thus entangles himself in endless miseries and does not know the way of deliverance. The only way of deliverance is Loving Devotion towards the Guru’s feet. The great Player or Actor Lord Sai has delighted His Bhaktas and transformed them into Himself (His nature).
Unless there is some relationship or connection, nobody goes anywhere. If any men or creatures come to you, do not discourteously drive them away, but receive them well and treat them with due respect. Shri Hari (God) will be certainly pleased if you give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked and your verandah to strangers for sitting and resting. If anybody wants any money from you and you are not inclined to give, do not give, but do not bark at him like a dog.
You are all worshipping me as a fakir with divine and supernatural powers. Some of you believe that I am the incarnation of God. Allah Malik hai. I am only his servant. I am like a father to you all. You should benefit from me. I have come into this world to divert your thoughts from materialism towards spiritualism, and establish truth, righteousness, peace and love in you and through you to the entire mankind, and bless them with peace and happiness. This is the goal of Sai Avatar. If you worship me keeping me in a photo frame like other gods, you will not benefit anything from me. But you should consider me as your ‘Guru’ and surrender completely to me and put into practice what all I teach you. Your present actions only are the foundations for your future lives and births. You should all treat today’s Vyasa Poornima as Guru Poornima and worship me as your Guru and make your lives happy.
Sadhana – Sai Baba`s Yogic Practices
As per rituals and traditions dating back to when Baba was still alive, Four Aarti’s are held daily (corresponding to the time of the day) inside the Samadhi Mandir.
Kakad Aarti (The Morning Aarti) at 4:30 (am)
Madhyan Aarti (The Afternoon Aarti) at 12:00 (pm)
Dhup Aarti (The Evening Aarti) 6:30 (pm)
Shej Aarti (The Night Aarti) at 10:30 (pm)
Ishwar Allah Eak Hai Sai Ka Sandesh Hai…
Guru Baba Guru Baba – English text
गुरु बाबा गुरु बाबा
Guru Baba Guru Baba Carana Namousthuthe Guru Baba
Sai Baba Baala Baba Sadguru Baba Shirdi Baba
Guru Vara Guru Vara Guru Baba (Jai)
Vidya Daayak Guru Baba
Śaanta Swaroopa Guru Baba Praśaanta Swaroopa Guru Baba
Guru Vara Guru Vara Guru Baba (Jai)
As described in Chapter VII of Shri Sai Satcharita, Baba knew all the processes and practices of Yoga.
Two unique yoga practices are described in detail in Shri Sai Satcharita
(1) DHAUTI KRIYA or CLEANSING PROCESS: Every third day, Baba went to the well near Banyan tree at a considerable distance from the Masjid; washed His mouth and had a bath. On one occasion He was seen throwing up His intestines, clean them inside outside and place them on a Jamb tree for drying. There are people in Shirdi, who have actually seen this and who have testified to this fact. Ordinary Dhauti is done by a moistened piece of linen, 3 inches broad 22 ½ ft. long. This piece is gulped down the throat and allowed to remain in the stomach for about half an hour for being reacted there and then taken out. But Baba`s Dhauti was quite unique and extraordinary.
(2) KHANDA YOGA: In this practice Baba extracted the limbs from His body and left them separately at different places in the Masjid. Once a gentleman went to the Masjid and saw the limbs of Baba lying in separate places. He was terrified, he first thought of running to the village officers and informing them of Baba being hacked to pieces and murdered. He thought that perhaps he would be held responsible, as he was the first informant and knew something of the affair. So he kept silent. But, next day when he went to the Masjid; he was very much surprised to see Baba, hale and hearty as before. He thought that what he had seen the previous day was only a dream.
Shirdi Sai Baba 27/28 September 1935 in Pathri
Sun close cunjunct to Venus. Jupiter on Gemini stars. Spica, Arctur, Mars, Mercury and Saturn all in hermetic conjunct each other. Uranus in Aquarius Stars.
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