The enigmatic master of Shirdi

Sai Baba of Shirdi was a Sadguru. By that is meant that he was a spiritual master who was steeped in transcendental wisdom.

He was a self-realized saint who seldom gave lectures or wrote articles or books. His method of instruction was direct and the message went straight to the heart. The difference between a Sadguru and other gurus lies in the fact that only a Sadguru can take ownership and responsibility of devotee's spiritual and worldly advancement.

Shirdi Baba was such a Guru. He was unique in everything he did. Such masters are not easy to understand. Having completely effaced their egos, they appear like ordinary people but they are in reality extraordinary figures with unlimited powers at their disposal. They do not make an exhibition of their powers as they prefer to allow Nature to take her course. But when circumstances demand, they do not hesitate to use them. They do so to instill faith, devotion and surrender in the hearts of their devotees and not for purposes of public display. This characteristic of Baba helped people who initially approached him to view him as an enigmatic figure. But in reality he occupied an exalted state. He represented that knowing which all this is known.

The assurances he gave his devotees were powerful and left nobody in doubt of his divinity: "My eyes are ever on those who love Me Or My eye is ever on those who love me." Again: "Whatever you do, wherever you may be, ever bear this in mind that I am always aware of everything you do. And again: "If one meditates on me, repeats my name and sings about my deeds -- he is transformed and his karma is destroyed. I stay by his side always."

On another occasion, he said: "If one perpetually thinks of me, and makes me his sole refuge, I become his debtor and will give my head to save him. I am the bond slave of my devotees. I love devotion. He who withdraws his heart from the world and loves me is my true lover and he merges in Me like a river in the sea."

Finally: "Trust in the Guru fully. This is the only sadhana. All Gods are contained in the Guru."