Shirdi Sai Baba's death anniversary
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"Man seeks to change the foods available in nature to suit his tastes, thereby putting an end to the very essence of life contained in them."
He was admired and respected by both the Hindus and Muslims. However, it could never be figured out whether he was a Hindu or a Muslim. He always gave elusive answers whenever he was questioned about his past. There was not even a need though because that, perhaps, is the true sign of the one to be followed. Sai Baba- the one who was revered by all.
Sai Baba died on October 15, 1918 and on his 97th death anniversary today, listed are some facts from his life:
1. Sai Baba was not his real name. In fact, he never revealed his name to anyone. When asked about his past, he often gave vague responses.
2. The name 'Sai' was given to him upon his arrival at Shirdi, Maharashtra. It is believed that Mahalsapati, a priest, recognised him as a Muslim saint and greeted him with the words 'Ya Sai!' which means 'Welcome Sai'. Sai is a Persian title given to Sufi saints, meaning 'poor one'.
death anniversary of Shirdi Sai Baba
3. Sai Baba's biographer, Narasimha Swamiji, claimed that Sai Baba was born as the child of Brahmin parents on the fact that Sai Baba once revealed to him that his parents were Brahmins of Patri in the Nizam's State.
4. Sai Baba also revealed that as a child he lived in a Mosque with his parents. Later, his parents handed him over to the care of a beggar who brought him up.
5. Before being known as Sai Baba, he worked as a weaver.
6. Sai Baba had also claimed to have been with the army of Rani Lakshmibai during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
7. Sai Baba stayed in Shirdi for three years before disappearing for a year. He returned permanently around 1858.
8. For four to five years, Baba lived under a neem tree and often wandered for long periods in the jungle around Shirdi.
9. Sai Baba always recommended the reading of sacred Hindu texts along with the Qur'an to his visitors.
10. It was only after 1910 when his fame began to spread in Mumbai. Numerous people started visiting him, because they regarded him as a saint with the power of performing miracles.
11. Sai Baba encouraged Muslims to study the Qur'an and Hindus to study texts such as the Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, and Yoga Vasistha. He was so impressed by the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita that he encouraged people to follow it in their own lives.
12. His teachings include leading a moral life, helping others, loving every living being without any discrimination and developing two important features of character: devotion to the Guru and waiting cheerfully with patience and love.
13. In his teachings, Sai Baba emphasised the importance of performing one's duties without attachment to earthly matters and of being content regardless of the situation.
14. Sai Baba also encouraged charity and stressed the importance of sharing.
15. The Shirdi Sai Baba movement began in the 19th century, while he was living in Shirdi.
16. Sai Baba's disciples and devotees claimed that he performed many miracles such as levitation, mindreading, materialisation, entering a state of Samadhi at will, lighting lamps with water, removing his limbs or intestines and sticking them back to his body, curing the incurably sick, and preventing a mosque from falling down on people.
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