|| AUM SAI SHARNAM || AUM SAI SHARNAM || AUM SAI SHARNAM ||

Shirdi Sai Baba, also known as Sai Baba of Shirdi, was an Indian Spiritual Master who was regarded by His Hindu and Muslim devotees as a Saint, Fakir and Sadguru, according to their individual beliefs. Shri Sai Baba lived between 1838 and 1918, whose real name, birthplace and date of birth are not known. Some of His Hindu devotees believe that He was an incarnation of Shiva or Dattatreya, and also regarded as an incarnation of Kabir.

His philosophy ingrained ‘Shraddha‘ meaning Faith and ‘Saburi‘ meaning Patience. According to Him Shraddha and Saburi were the supreme attributes to reach the state of godliness.

It is believed that at a tender age of 16 yrs, Shri Sai Baba arrived at the village of Shirdi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra and remained their till His Mahasamadhi. He found shelter in Khandoba temple, where a villager Mahalsapathi in the temple addressed Him as “Sai” or Saint.

Sai Baba is worshipped by people around the world. He had no love for perishable things and His sole concern was self-realization. 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, practised Muslim rituals, taught using words and figures that drew from both traditions, and took Samadhi in the blessed soil of Shirdi.

Sai Baba left no written works. All His teachings were oral and pithy sayings rather than elaborate discourses. His sayings were short, crisp and in layman language with which the common mass could easily associate.

Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi, was unique in the sense that He lived his message through the essence of His being. He lived among the common people adorning a torn Kafni (long robe), sleeping over a mat while using brick as His headrest and got His food by begging. Such was His smile that, radiated a mystical charisma and deep seated inward look that hypnotized the people who visited Him.

Sai Baba said that, He was a slave in the service of those who loved Him. He was ever living to help those who turn to Him and that He has to take care of His children day and night. His most concise message for one and all alike was –