Every year thousands of Indians take a pilgrimage to a city called Shirdi, located in Maharashtra State, in India. This is where a man called Sai Baba took shelter in a mosque in the eighteenth century. No one knows his real name or when and where he was born. He was referred to as Sai, literally meaning “savior,” by one of the villagers he came in contact with while he was there.
Baba strongly believed in the uniformity of religion and was revered by Hindus and Muslims alike. Many Hindus believe that he may have been an incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva.
Villagers became curious about this man who came to be known as a saint. They realized that this was no ordinary man but one who had godly powers. He displayed unlimited knowledge, power and love and encouraged charity. He donned a kafni, a white robe, wrapped a cloth around his head with a large knot and sat day and night under a neem tree and practiced a rigid atonement.
“Why should any fear when I am there?”
Baba’s most valuable message to the people was, “Why should any fear when I am there? Cast all burdens on Me, I shall bear them.” He described himself as a humble servant of God and began performing miracles.
Lighting Lamps With Water
This is one of the earliest miracles performed by Baba. He was fond of lighting lamps in temples and in his own mosque. Because Baba didn’t have the money to buy oil for the lamps the grocers in the village would donate small amounts. It wasn’t long before the grocers could no longer afford to give him free oil. Baba didn’t argue but went back to his mosque and poured water into one of the lamps. The wick lit and the earthen lamp burned throughout the night.
Raising the Water Level In a Well
There were no basic facilities in Shirdi when Baba first arrived there. A well was put in but it had no natural spring water. Baba’s followers were celebrating a day that was assumed to be his birthday in an event called Ram Navami. There was food at the celebration but no water. Baba went to the well with a plate of food that had flowers, leaves, what was left of the alms that he was given earlier in the day at the celebration and prasad (blessed food). He dropped these things into the well and watched as the water began to rise from the bottom filling the well completely.
Baba continued this mission until the day he died
He left his earthly body on October 15th, 1918. His dying words were, “Allah malik hai,” Allah is my master. His body was laid to rest in a Samadhi Mandir (temple) that was built upon his request by his disciples before he died.
Shree Sai Baba of Shirdi has offered eleven assurances to his disciples:
-Whoever puts his feet on Shirdi soil his sufferings would come to an end.
-The wretched and miserable would rise into plenty of joy and happiness as soon as they climb the steps of my mosque.
-I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body.
-My tomb shall bless and speak the needs of my devotees.
-I shall be active and vigorous even from my tomb.
-My mortal remains would speak from my tomb.
-I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me and who seek refuge in me.
-If you look at me, I look at you.
-If you cast your burdens on me I shall surely bear it.
-If you seek my advice and help it shall be given to you at once.
-There shall be no want in the house of my devotees.
” He who loves me most, always experiences my presence. The whole world is desolate to him without Me.” -Shree Shirdi Sai Baba
