Revision as of 23:48, 18 July 2014

Shirdi Sainath's Universal Prescription

M N Kundu

The Times of India Jul 15 2014

Whatever their faith or belief, millions of suffering devotees seek compassionate refuge in the incredible Sai Baba of Shirdi with deepest devotion. For mitigation of worldly suffering and smooth movement from the mundane to the Divine, Sainath prescribed a sevenfold doctrine of love, kindness, devotion, faith, equality of outlook, compassion and peace. Reverence and patience are the two foundation stones Baba wanted us to develop on which everything else can be built. Emphasising unity in diversity of religions he said, “Sabka Malik Ek“. God is the single supreme sovereign of entire creation to reme sovereign of entire creation to be realised by intense devotion to God and sincere surrender to sadhguru.

As a realised master Shirdi Sai Baba was one with God and performed innumerable miracles with the power of his practice and constant anchorage in oneness with Spirit and Nature. That is why suffering people worship him as a divine incarnation; he attracts people in this way and turns them to the Divine with progressive realisation of the apparent and the ultimate. Root cause remedy of universal suffering should not be more intolerable than the disease and spiritual transformation must be a smooth process.

The nucleus of our earthly existence is desire or craving and every human activity is directly or indirectly intended to satisfy the same. If we can be free from all desires we will not need to worship God or even exist in delusive reality . The path of Sainath is direct, frank and free from religious hypocrisy .

The Gita teaches us that whatever may be the purpose or way of worship it invariably reaches the Lord of the universe. It also reveals that people worship God for protection from danger, acquisition of desirables, realisation of truth and identification with innermost Self. Our devotion is proportionate to immediate motivation and we cannot sustain devotion for mere abstraction for long.

Baba made it categorically clear, “I give people what they want with the hope that they will want what I want from them.“ He felt the pulse of the people and diagnosed that to a man with empty stomach food is God. Higher spirituality calls for higher eligibility which is rare and his devotees must go through a systematic process.

Once devotees develop sincere spirit of reverence, devotion and surrender even for the sake of fulfilment of desires, further spiritual growth will be a natural process. There will be gradual eradication of ego and thereby realisation of the utter futility of earthly cravings and their fruition. This is a unique process of Sainath suited to the suffering multitude for their redemption.

Sainath emphasised more on inner Sainath emphasised more on inner awakening of devotees through service and surrender rather than on external rituals. Those who are obsessed with external rituals and boundaries of religions can find fault with him. But they are oblivi ous of the fact that externals of religions are intended as aids to inner awakening and those secondary aspects are not compulsory .

Guru kindles the divine flame which reveals the supreme Self according to the capacity of the lamp or receptivity of the devotee. The altitude of Self-realisation can be reached through the stepping stones of suffering and sincere surrender. Either as a sadhguru, one with God or as a divine refuge, the everpresent Sai Baba attracts the multitude interested in practical spirituality with his immortal assurance like Christ, “Ask and it will be given, seek and ye shall receive, knock and the door shall be open unto you.“

Popularity and economics of the Shirdi temple

Saibaba temple earned Rs 1,441 crore in last five years

PTI | May 15, 2013

PTI

An idol of the Sai Baba of Shirdi

In 2008, about 20,000 devotees used to visit the Saibaba's shrine daily, but presently figures show that around 60,000 people come to visit the temple every day and the number goes up to about one lakh on weekends.

Saibaba Sansthan trust has recorded Rs 1,441 crore income in the last five years, with 22 per cent higher donations received every year, Sansthan's executive officer Kishor More said on Wednesday.

The trust has spent Rs 828 crore on various beneficial works for devotees, including Rs 160 crore on hospital, 'prasadalaya' and funds allotted in the form of donations to various charity trusts, More said, quoting the figures recorded after the Sansthan's audit conducted recently by a government recognised agency.

Five years back, about 20,000 devotees used to visit the Saibaba's shrine daily, but presently figures show that around 60,000 people come to visit the temple everyday and the number goes up to about one lakh on weekends.

During special festivals at least two to three lakh devotees visit the famous shrine, More said, adding that the daily income now was around Rs 45 lakh, as compared to Rs 20 lakh per day five years back.

The trust has contributed funds on building super-speciality hospital, Shirdi's roads, water arrangements, various developmental works including Chief Minister's Relief fund and Shirdi's airport, he said.

The audited report of the Sansthan will be tabled in the state assembly during the winter session for grant, he said. When asked about 'hidden donations' in boxes like gold ornaments, cash and foreign currency, More said the trust has not a separate machinery to check such things because when devotees come to seek blessings of Saibaba they donate money, but from where they get it is difficult to know.

Instead of counting donated money once in a week in practice five years back, now it is being counted twice a week and an officer from charity commissioner's office and Sansthan's officials remains present at the time of opening and closing of donation boxes, a video recording of which is also done, More added.

2014: The Dwarka Shankaracharya's comments on the Shirdi Sai Baba

Sai vs Shankaracharya: Conflict may turn ugly TNN | Jul 3, 2014 The Times of India

The 90-year-old pontiff's comments hurt a legion of Sai devotees.

An unusual confrontation arose in July 2014 when Dwarka Shankaracharya, Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, ran down the followers of Shirdi Sai Baba, saying they ought not to worship the 19th century mystic who was no god, and remove his photographs and idols from temples where he gets the pride of place with Hindu deities.

The 90-year-old pontiff's comments hurt a legion of Sai devotees. In Varanasi, protests broke out soon after the Shankaracharya's observations, while the 'sanatani' followers of the seer hit the streets of the temple town in the seer's favour.

Sai devotees burnt Shankaracharya's effigy and scores of 'dandi sanyasins' (staff-wielding sadhus) supported the pontiff and sat on fast condemning filing of case against the seer by Sai worshippers.

The Shankaracharya, known to be a Congres [political party] backer, also took a dig at BJP leader, Union minister Uma Bharti, saying he thought a devotee of Lord Ram had become a Union minister, but she turned out to be the "worshiper of a Muslim" — meaning Sai Baba.

Bharti said looking upon someone as god was a personal opinion. But the seer wasn't impressed, who said she seemed not to have seen pictures of Sai Baba depicted like Hindu Gods including Shiva and Vishnu. "Statues of Sai Baba are being installed in homes. What if they were installed in our temples?" the Shankaracharya asked. (Indpaedia: They have been since around 2010, when mainstream Hindu temples--e.g. the Vaishnav temple behind Delhi's Khan market--installed the saint's idol in a room built specially for him within the temple complex.)

The conflict grew with Swami Narendra Giri, mahant, Baghambari Mutt and member of Akhara Parishad, telling The Times of India that Sai Baba devotees have two days to withdraw their protests, failing which the parishad would press the fearsome Naga sadhus to settle the dispute. With their state of undress, matted hair, ash-smeared bodies and swords, the Nagas inspire fear and fascination in equal measure, and the subtext of the Akhara Parishad's warning is the defenders of faith would be let loose on those protesting against the Shankaracharya.

Narendra Giri said. "Sai followers have left only one alternative (for us), and that is damaging and defacing their temples just as they did with the Shankaracharya's images and photographs," Giri tadded. Mahant Hari Giri, secretary of Juna (ancient) Akhara that controls the Nagas, said, "Naga sanyasi are protectors of (the institution) of Shankarachrya, and if there's an attempt to malign him, the sadhus are free to take to the streets and attack them."

But an unperturbed trustee of the Shri Saibaba Sansthan in Shirdi, Shailesh Kute, said the temple wants the controversy to rest. "The four Shankaracharyas hold an exalted position in Hinduism. The institution of Shankaracharya is a university that awards religious degrees like the 1008 Mahamandaleshwar," Kute said.

"On the other hand, Sai Baba is a faqir without degree. Baba's followers are growing not just in India but across the world. The Shirdi temple is the third largest in the country in terms of financial turnover and devotees. It's possible certain segments feel threatened because Sai temples are visible on street corners. Nearly every temple to Lord Ganesh, Shri Ram and Hanuman also has an idol of Sai. People place pictures of Sai in their household shrines. Offerings to him are increasing as well," Kute added.

On the Shankaracharya's claim that Sai Baba is not representative of Hindu-Muslim unity, Kute said, "It's true we don't receive as many Muslim worshippers on a daily basis, but the community participates in the 10am aarti and offers floral chadar regularly. Shirdi is the only place where Ram Navami and Urs are celebrated every year."

What The Seer, Shankaracharya, Said

"Hinduism is governed by Shastra and Vedas and there is no mention of Sai Baba. He should not be worshipped with Hindu gods... Muslims don't revere Sai Baba as much as Hindus do, who seem unaware of the 'adharma' they commit by worshipping him."

"They may burn my effigy or even send me to jail, but my campaign to protect the sanctity of the Hindu religion will continue.... Sai Baba was a Muslim faqir who cannot be compared to Hindu deities or worshipped like them."

(With inputs from Rajiv Mani in Allahabad, Bella Jaisinghani in Mumbai)

In the 20th century there were attempts to erase the Muslim phase of Sai Baba ji's life. His Holiness the Shankaracharya has at least confirmed that Sai Baba was a Muslim faqir.

The Shirdi Sai Baba Controversy: a devotee's take

Meena Om

The Times of India Jul 08 2014

The Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath recently unwittingly stirred up a controversy by saying that the Shirdi Sai Baba ought not to be regarded as a Bhagwan ¬ presum ably because no one knows if he were Hindu or not. One wonders if this really matters, when we all need to be moving towards Oneness.

Everyone needs some kind of spiritual support to get through life. So, does it matter if someone gets it by placing faith in Sai Baba or some other master? People will follow someone or something so long as it works for them; it's trial and error. With due respect to the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath and any other custodian of `Hindu Dharma', let's face the fact that people would have approached them too if that helped them in any way .

The question arises, as to what use are discourses given on vedas and upanishads when they are unable to address the fact that human relationships are deteriorating and instances of violence and abuse against women continue to rise? Why has no guru come out to address these issues substantively? Even in the Mahabhara ta, learned men, revered custodians of so-called dharma, stayed put in their seats in Dhritrash tra's court when Dushasana dragged Draupadi by her hair in court and humiliated her.

`Hindu' is a geographical term; it is not the name of a religion. Hindus were known to live in sync with Nature and this was their way of life, truly spiritual. The sun shines and exudes heat and energy; it has been doing so for ages; it is sanatan, eternal. No individual, faith leader or religion can lay claim to the Sun. That which is sanatan is not the property of any one cult or religion.

Everything on this planet is composed of panchtattva, the five elements ¬ earth, fire, air, space and water. These are sanatan. Let's revere, respect and worship Nature. Strive to be comfortable and in tune with universal energies because you are a product of these energies, the five elements which are manifest in each one of us.

The basic guna of every human being is to act according to Nature ¬ which is whole and complete ¬ something that is perfect for natural evolution of all species and expansion of the Universe. One has to be part of this magical and divine cosmic play and this is the highest joy of being human.

We are here to celebrate life according to laws of Nature, enhancing each other towards growth, glory and grace. Religions created by us pale in significance before this most spectacular, grand and wonderful eternal divine cosmic play.

Kabirdas said: “You collect Kabirdas said: “You collect stones and build a mosque and on it stands the mullah and recites his prayers loudly; is the Khuda hard of hearing?“ “If by worshiping stone you can “If by worshiping stone you can find Hari, then i will worship the mountain itself; better to worship the grindstone... “Time sieves out all imperfections. Such is cosmic play . Time is a great sieve.“

When cosmic messages come, they reach only those who are constantly tuned in to the Universe's frequency . With time, those who are not tuned in to universal energies, or have f even an iota of imperfection, falsehood and ego ¬ get sieved out. Whoever remains, how; ever few, are the ones who are constantly work ing to stay tuned ¬ the true recipients of the . eternal ¬ sanatan knowledge. Time is eternal, f sanatan, and that which is eternal stays with time. Follow Meena Om on speakingtree.in and post your comments there.