Fakir Baba of Shirdi

It is hard to say what religion Sai Baba of Shirdi observes. While his origins and personal beliefs remain somewhat of a mystery, what is clear is that he had a profound impact on the lives of his devotees, and his teachings continue to inspire and guide people of all faiths to this day.

Sai Baba, leaning against the wall of Dwarakamayi, with devotees. Credits Wikipedia

In the town of Shirdi, there lived a yogi and fakir named Sai Baba. Though his birth and origins remain shrouded in mystery, his presence in the town was an undeniable force, attracting devotees of both Hindu and Muslim faiths.

Sai Baba's teachings were simple yet profound. He preached the importance of realizing one's true self, warning against the allure of fleeting material possessions. Instead, he emphasized a moral code of love, forgiveness, generosity, contentment, inner peace, and devotion to God and Guru. He believed that surrendering to a true Satguru, one who has traversed the path to divine consciousness, was essential for spiritual growth.

A striking characteristic of Sai Baba was his rejection of religious or caste-based discrimination. Whether he was Muslim or Hindu was irrelevant to him. He resided in a mosque named Dwarakamayi, yet he practiced rituals from both religions, often blending the two seamlessly. His teachings were an amalgamation of Hinduism and Islam, delivered through a language that drew from both traditions.

Sai Baba was known for his wise and comforting words to his devotees. He would often say, "Look to me, and I shall look to you," reminding them to seek him out for guidance and support. He also frequently uttered the phrase, "Allah tera bhala karega," meaning that God would bless them.

His followers revered him as an avatar of the Hindu god Dattatreya, and his teachings continue to inspire and comfort people across India and beyond. Even after his passing, his legacy lives on, a testament to the power of his wisdom and compassion.

Although many details of his life remain a mystery, one book has become the primary source of information about him: Shri Sai Satcharitra.

This book was written by Hemadpant, also known as Annasaheb Dabholkar or Govind Raghunath. Hemadpant was a devoted disciple of Sai Baba, and his book is a compilation of accounts from various other disciples as well as his observations.

As Hemadpant wrote the book, he was careful to record the teachings and anecdotes of Sai Baba, which he believed could help others find their way to spiritual enlightenment. He described the yogi's emphasis on the importance of realizing one's true self and the dangers of being consumed by material possessions.

Despite the mystery surrounding his birth, there is no doubt that Sai Baba made a significant impact on the small village of Shirdi, where he arrived at the age of sixteen. Although biographers cannot agree on the exact date of his arrival, it is believed that he spent three years in the village, disappeared for a year, and then returned permanently in 1858, just after the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

During his time in Shirdi, Sai Baba lived the life of an ascetic, meditating for long hours in a state of deep contemplation. The villagers were initially wary of this mysterious stranger, but as time passed, they began to recognize his deep wisdom and spiritual insights. Baba's teachings emphasized the importance of love, forgiveness, and inner peace, regardless of one's religious or caste affiliations.

Rigopoulos and Antonio the author of a book about Sai Baba says

The people of the village were wonder-struck to see such a young lad practicing hard penance, not minding heat or cold. By day he associated with no one, by night he was afraid of nobody.

While some religiously-inclined villagers such as Mahalsapati, Appa Jogle, and Kashinatha visited him regularly, the village children considered him mad and threw stones at him. Despite this, Baba continued his spiritual practices, spending most of his days in meditation and contemplation.

Sai Baba's real name is unknown. He was given the name Sai by a temple priest in 1858. He dressed in a one-piece Kafni robe and a cloth cap and lived under a neem tree for several years before moving into a dilapidated mosque. He tended to a garden called Lendi Baug, where temples commemorating his life can still be visited. Many of his disciples became well-known spiritual figures and saints. Shirdi Sai Baba's fame began to spread in Mumbai in 1910, and his first temple was built in Bhivpuri, Karjat.

Sai Baba remains one of the most beloved and revered spiritual figures in India, known for his simple and humble way of life, his teachings on devotion and service, and his reputation for performing miracles. His message of love and compassion continues to inspire millions of people around the world,