Who was Sai Baba of Shirdi?

[satyaroop]

i've got family members who are hardcore (with a capital h) devotees of shirdi sai baba

growing up i was advised to read the sri saitcharitra, and was also frequently given vibhuti from shirdi

i was also taken maybe a couple of times to shirdi
completely unrelated, but i remember one occasion where me and my sister got into a fight in the hotel room in shirdi, we were fighting over food

personally i haven't had much interest in shirdi sai baba

some time back i was somewhat/mildly curious about shirdi saibaba, so i decided to look for a decent book; i came across the author, kevin r d shepherd
his books seem quite informative, i didn't buy any of his books, not enough motivation/interest i guess, but you might want to check out this author

here's a bit from the same author online
Shirdi Sai Baba and the Sai Baba Movement

 

[ajay0]

Shirdi Sai Baba's temples are noted for their liberal outlook and were open to foreigners and foreign Hindus too when they were debarred from other Hindu temples.

His samadhi site, which is now a place of pilgrimage, is also open to all regardless of religion or race, nationality,caste or creed.

 

[Viraja]

Any specific reason he's being held with Ganesha? You're not the first person who's mentioned Shirdi Saibaba being placed with Ganesha. Does it happen to just be the norm or is there a specific reason behind it.

Generally Shirdi Saibaba is considered one with Dattatreya. Dattatreya is all 3 supreme gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva combined in one. Beyond this, I am not able to see a reason for enshrining Shirdi Saibaba statue with Ganesha statue.

 

[Viraja]

Yes, I am wondering why. Maybe it was to do with some miracle in the presence of a murthi, and that spreading? You do know how quick the Tamil gravevine is. Even my priest here, I noticed a picture on his personal home shrine that wasn't even there 3 years back. Lots of folks here sort of alternate between our Ganesha temple and the Shirdi Sai temple.

Quite possible.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Sai people equate him with all Hindu Gods. It is a irritating as Bahais saying that Hinduism is their's.

 

[Viraja]

Sai people equate him with all Hindu Gods. It is a irritating as Bahais saying that Hinduism is their's.

Absolutely true!

My sister and my mother are very great fans and devotees of Shirdi Saibaba.

My sister has the habit of offering the cooked meal at home each morning to Shirdi Saibaba before consuming. Therefore, since I too have the habit of offering food to my ishta, Lord Krishna, I tried making something in the afternoon special for Lord Krishna and offer him that food. My sister insisted that I offer that too to Shirdi Saibaba, as in her words, "Saibaba is all gods, including Krishna, Rama, Srinivasa, and anybody else possible out there!".

 

[ajay0]

A colleague of mine in work was a devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba. He took leave and went on a pilgrimage to the Shirdi Sai tomb and temple. Returning back, he gave me some photos of Sai along with some prasad. It was my first acquaintance with a Sai devotee then.

Within a few months, some of his main aspirations were fulfilled. So I kind of feel the Sai trip turned out to be auspicious for him.

 

[TravisJC]

Got Sai Satcharitra a couple of days ago, so far really enjoying it!

 

[stvdv]

Generally Shirdi Saibaba is considered one with Dattatreya. Dattatreya is all 3 supreme gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva combined in one. Beyond this, I am not able to see a reason for enshrining Shirdi Saibaba statue with Ganesha statue.

Ganesha stands for remover of obstacles

Shirdi, according to Satcharita, promises similar (something, if I remember correctly, like "whoever steps into Shirdi ... I will take care"). Although such a phrase I can easily understand the followers made it up (if followers like to attract more followers).

I hope Shirdi is going to correct me (I did step into Shirdi when I was in India). Although what I have read about Shirdi, I better not anger/upset Him too much; He seemed to have some hot temper. Although, I would prefer a Shirdi angry at me above a Shirdi not showing up at all.

 

[stvdv]

Got Sai Satcharitra a couple of days ago, so far really enjoying it!

I was just about to offer you the Satcharita.pdf. But no need anymore I see now, reading the book is much better in my experience. I loved reading it. When I came to India and saw images of Shirdi, I got a really good feeling of Him. I instantly fell in "Love" with this Saint.

 

[stvdv]

I come today to ask some questions about Sai Baba of Shirdi.
1) As a follower of Lord Shiva,
2) did Babaji consider himself a reincarnation of Lord Shiva
3) or is that something his followers believed he was?

1) Why you think He is a follower of Lord Shiva? If He is an Incarnation of Lord Shiva, considering Himself a follower of Himself is weird IMO
2) Only Shirdi can answer that question. As I understand Hinduism: Humans "reincarnate", Shiva "incarnates", He does not "reincarnate"
3) Even if His followers believe it, then still it can be true also.

 

[stvdv]

Also, I intend to start learning more about his life and have seen that many say Shri Sai Satcharitra is a good book to read about his life, teachings, and miracles

I enjoyed the Satcharita Book very much, so to me it was a good start. But what I like even better about Hinduism is the personal experience. You can pray to a Saint and He, the real Saint, can come to you in dreams and visions etc. Then any doubts will be removed instantly.

He has a huge following in present day but is that something he ever commented on in terms of after his death, did he want devotees to continue on with how things are now?

As I understand Hinduism, it's about "personal transformation". Surrender to God is an important step. The Bible declares "the road is small". Probably there is a Hindu similar quote also. My Master advised not to waste money ... just praying in your room is enough, keep your house simple

 

[stvdv]

I've read that he was the embodiment of a true saint and that is something I can respect; however, what specifically caused many to believe he was a avatar?

When I saw His picture, I felt very good about Him. Even His pictures radiate silence, purity, truth in my experience.
Why many believe he is an Avatar? That is simple:
1) If it is true, then the belief is correct
2) If people believe something they are uncertain, so brainwashing themselves repeating He is the best (Avatar), until they believe it themselves, boosts their confidence in their belief.
3) Many people are gullible, they like to belief in something special.
4) And when seen from Advaita I can also understand. We have all the Divine Spark in us; the Scriptures, I read, declare this. If that is true, then it is understandable that you fancy "Avatars", because you are one yourself, only unaware of its full glory in this moment. But having just a glimse of Divinity, it's naturally you want more of it, so it's naturally you will love embodiments who show this to you.

 

[stvdv]

Absolutely true!

My sister and my mother are very great fans and devotees of Shirdi Saibaba.

My sister has the habit of offering the cooked meal at home each morning to Shirdi Saibaba before consuming. Therefore, since I too have the habit of offering food to my ishta, Lord Krishna, I tried making something in the afternoon special for Lord Krishna and offer him that food. My sister insisted that I offer that too to Shirdi Saibaba, as in her words, "Saibaba is all gods, including Krishna, Rama, Srinivasa, and anybody else possible out there!".

So from that day you ate the food yourself I guess. Shirdi will be very happy, don't eat too much though, Shirdi might get constipated

I do remember a Shirdi story that a hungry dog wanted to eat some bread and the man chased the dog and hit the dog with a stick. Then the man went to Shirdi Baba and Shirdi got very angry at the man telling the others that the man had been hitting him etc

My Master gave another view about offering food. He said "Some offer healthy fruits and coconuts to Me, and eat themselves the unhealthy salty and fried stuff. Much better you offer the bad food to me, and you better eat the healthy food yourself". Of course if you want to eat bad foods, then most important to offer it first to God (and praying that He will take the negative karma out of it).

 

[Aupmanyav]

I would also say the same. Give me the bad food and bad drinks. You eat good food and good drinks (milk, fruit juice, etc.).
Yeah, I am back after a break.

 

[Shantanu]

Namaste Hindu DIR,

I come today to ask some questions about Sai Baba of Shirdi. As a follower of Lord Shiva, did Babaji consider himself a reincarnation of Lord Shiva or is that something his followers believed he was? Also, I intend to start learning more about his life and have seen that many say Shri Sai Satcharitra is a good book to read about his life, teachings, and miracles. He has a huge following in present day but is that something he ever commented on in terms of after his death, did he want devotees to continue on with how things are now? I've read that he was the embodiment of a true saint and that is something I can respect; however, what specifically caused many to believe he was a avatar?

Thank you for reading and hope to hear from some of you soon.

He was like saying that Hindus and Muslims should tolerate and be friendly with one another so people respected him. I do not know what claims he had to avatarhood other than this.

 

[Vinayaka]

He was like saying that Hindus and Muslims should tolerate and be friendly with one another so people respected him. I do not know what claims he had to avatarhood other than this.

I don't think he claimed himself to be an avatar. That came later from enthusiastic devotees. The term 'avatar' has become commonplace, like an honorarium bestowed upon teachers.

 

[Shantanu]

I don't think he claimed himself to be an avatar. That came later from enthusiastic devotees. The term 'avatar' has become commonplace, like an honorarium bestowed upon teachers.

Unless a person claims to be an avatar of a particular God or 'the God', it should be discounted. If he did not say himself that he was an avatar it should be discounted.

In my understanding everyone is an avatar of a particular god or goddess if he or she takes directions from that deity. Only the person himself or herself knows this.

 

[Vinayaka]

Unless a person claims to be an avatar of a particular God or 'the God', it should be discounted. If he did not say himself that he was an avatar it should be discounted.

In my understanding everyone is an avatar of a particular god or goddess if he or she takes directions from that deity. Only the person himself or herself knows this.

Personally, I don't believe in avatars at all, so for me, it's just observation of other sects of Hinduism that do believe in avatars. Most certainly I discount self-proclaimed ones, even as great teachers. That's ego. Sri Ramana Maharshi didn't do any of that.

 

[Shantanu]

Personally, I don't believe in avatars at all, so for me, it's just observation of other sects of Hinduism that do believe in avatars. Most certainly I discount self-proclaimed ones, even as great teachers. That's ego. Sri Ramana Maharshi didn't do any of that.

I do not know if Sri Ramana Maharshi was a great teacher whos teachings would withstand critical scrutiny. As far as I know he is dead and so not available to scrutiny by me.