The Saint of Shirdi

 

                  

                    

                                         

                                                     

1.          He viewed Masjid and Mandir as one

      He treated all religions and creeds as same     

      He lived as a mendicant and craved not fame

      He is above all desires, meditating on Brahman

      To bring unity among all religions, his life’s mission;  

      His equanimity wiped out all distinctions

      He cared not divisions and shallow proscriptions.

      Ever absorbed in penance under the neem tree

      He experienced supreme bliss unattached and free.    

            

2.             No costly possessions and jewels he had

         Except a begging bowl, a clay pipe and a staff

    Though branding as a mad fakir, people laugh

    He wandered in the jungle in torn clothes clad

    Unaffected by people’s views, he seemed ever glad.

    But some devotees noticed his divine glow

    Detached from worldly things, on his radiant brow

    A young lad of sixteen ever engaged in penance

    They asked him his name and came from whence.

 

3.       A mysterious smile they got in response and none

   Knew about his parents and his native place

   He came with a bridal group after a few days

   The temple priest welcomed him as “Sai” and everyone

   Called him by same name; to stay in the mosque, none

   Objected; he lived in the mosque, though too old

   He stayed there unmoved by rain or winter cold.

   With his presence, became holy, his dwelling place

   On all people who came, he showered his grace.

 

4.      He lit lamps which glowed throughout the night

  He cured people with the ash of sacred fire

  With his holy chants, devotion he did inspire

  Among saints, he was praised as a rare diamond bright;

  Though he seemed simple, he meditated on divine light;

  He renovated surrounding shrines at his own expense;

  He cooked food and himself served with love intense.

  He gave sage advice to help people in need

  To their prayers he responded with speed. 

 

5.     He called himself as a humble servant of the Lord;

 Though people gave him precious things with respect

 He gave away all to his devotees and nothing he kept;   

 As mighty God, devotees treated him with regard

 He deemed himself as a servant of God;

 By his holy touch all maladies he did cure

 He showed no distinction between the rich and the poor

 When devotees fed animals and birds, happy he felt

 To share his food from his vessel, even animals he let. 

 

6.     He treated all creatures alike with loving care

He made people give up their vices and lead

A virtuous life, and he fulfilled their needs;

He took care of his devotees everywhere.

The ailments of his devotees he gladly did bear

He drew his devotees even from seven seas

He blessed and gave them blessings and peace.

His miracles supreme never did he reveal

But to help his devotees and their sufferings heal.

 

7.    As omniscient Brahman he knew everyone’s thoughts

Their past, present and future, even of birds and beasts

The sick, suffering, restless tiger looked at his feet

And got quick Liberation too; so many people sought

His grace to get relief from their troubles; he taught

Religious tolerance, fortitude and trust

He stressed total surrender to Guru, a must.

He fostered devotion and true spirit of service

He preached peaceful co-existence without malice.

 

8.    God Himself came down to uplift people in deed 

A true incarnation of Dutta, the mystic recluse;

Shirdi, a tiny village, God Himself did choose

To help and guide devotees from selfish greed

And save them from adversity whenever they need.

All forms of God manifested in him, they found

Despite all powers, he begged food from houses around.

As a crest jewel among saints, acknowledged by all

Transcending all bounds he responded to people’s call.

 

9.    Irrespective of religion, caste and creed

     He assured protection that he would save

    And shower his blessings even from his grave;

    Constant remembrance of Sai, enough to lead

    People to get guidance and help with speed;

    No complicated rituals and chants with costly things 

    Remembrance of his name enough-his mercy brings.  

    He himself served his guru with steadfast care

    For twelve years-- of his surroundings unaware.

 

10.  His advice when followed gave people fruitful gain

       His words and stories with meaning profound

       Right proper solutions in them, people found

       Though some tested his worth with false pride vain

       They were humbled by him and never defied again

       His grace is enough their doubts and fears to dispel

       Though he left his body, still in immortal form Sai dwells

       And responds to devotees if they sincerely pray

       Sai, the greatest form of God helps them in every way.

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      (Dedicated to the lotus-feet of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba)

     31st October 2025                          Somaseshu Gutala

      

Note: Shirdi Sai Baba is a familiar name to all people. None knew about his native place and his parents. He was seen first in Shirdi (a village in Rahata Taluka in Ahmednagar District in Maharashtra) as a lad of sixteen years meditating under a neem tree. After staying there for a few years, he left that place. He appeared again along with a bridal party in 1858. Priest Mahalsapati addressed him as Sai which means holy father. He was dressed in a kafni (long robe) typical of Sufi sect. He was persuaded to live in an old mosque named as Dwaraka Mai. He used to beg alms from nearby houses. He maintained Dhuni (a fireplace) and he used to give sacred ash from Dhuni to cure his devotees. He followed both Hindu and Muslim traditions and preached about religious harmony and importance of love to every creature in the world. People wondered at his profound knowledge and his curing powers. He saved lives of many people by timely warning and guidance.

His miraculous touch cured many diseases. He used to cook food and distribute it as prasad every day. He planted a garden called Lendi Baugh. After his demise on 15th October 1918 (Vijaya Dashami), his body was interred in Buti Wada (Now called “Samadhi Mandir) in Shirdi. Even after his demise many devotees got help and relief from their sufferings by praying to him. Sai Samsthan trust undertook many spiritual and charity institutions. Many saintly persons like Madhav Rao (Shama), Abdul Baba, Nanasaheb Chandorkar, G.S.Khaparde, Bayajabai, Tatya Kote Patil, Laxmibai Shinde, Sriman Bapusaheb Buti, Hemad pant, Das Ganu Maharaj, Radha Krishna Mai, Appa Jogle, Bhagoji Shinde and Kakasaheb Dixit are some of his closest disciples. Hemad Pant (Anna Saheb Govind Raghunath Dabholkar) composed “Sri Sai Satcharita” (1930) describing the life of Sai baba, his miracles and his preachings.  

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