Sai Samaj
Forges Unity
Recently I
visited the largely attended Sai Baba anniversary celebrations during the
Ramanavami in the Community Hall on the Panchkuian Road, Delhi. The hall was
packed ; men and women sat on 'durries' facing Sai Baba's life-size photograph.
Bhajans were being sung , qawalis followed.
To go deep into the life and teachings of Sai Baba (as he is popularly
known) of Shirdi, I called on Mr. C.S. Rao (in Western Extension Area, Karol
Bagh) who has been an ardent Sai devotee for nearly three decades. With folded
hands. Mr. Rao in touching humility said: "I am a humble Sai sevak, still
groping in darkness to know the greatness of this 'Avtara Purushottama'. It is
only by individual experience the greatness of this saint is realised".
This made me
more inquisitive. Mr. Rao narrated his own life's happenings and experiences of
some other devotees. He spoke freely on the life and teachings of Sri Sai (Sai
means swami, master) Baba.
He gave me some
books, periodicals and pamphlets on Sai and particularly asked me to read 'Sai
Sacharitra' with care.
I read the books
and the magazines. A few days after, I visited Mr.Rao’s residence on a Thursday, the divine weekly
day of Sai Baba. I participated in puja and bhajans and experienced lingering
cheerfulness.
Mr. Rao's house
is a miniature Sai mandir. Every room has fragrance and is decorated with
Baba's photographs in Colour and black and white. Anyone can go to his
residence for worship of Sai or any help.
His wife is also
a devotee. Before she was married, someone told her to pray to Sai Baba for a
good husband. And, she said a good husband she did get. Mr. Rao was already a
devotee, perhaps with a similar wish. May be by the grace of the Baba these two
Sai devotees came together.
The Baba's early
life is shrouded in mystery. One fine morning, when he was about 15 years of
age he appeared (as if from nowhere) at Shirdi a hamlet near Ahmednagar
(Maharashtra State). His name and fame spread like wild fire and people from
different parts of India started pouring into Shirdi to get a glimpse of Lord
Sai and His blessings. Baba fulfilled their desires and aspiration in life, cured
serious diseases with medicinal herbs or 'udi' (holy ash) depending on the
seriousness of the malady. In performance of the miracles, the Baba's philosophy
has been : "I first please my devotees with temporal benefits and then
gradually wean them over to good life.
To a Hindu Sai
Baba appeared a Hindu, to a Muslim a Muslim. He used to say "Allah ho
Akbar" (God is great). "Allah achchha Karega" (God will set it
right). He once said to a devotee "Don't blame me for not giving you a
'Kupni' (flowing robe). That Fakir has not permitted me to give you one."
The Baba attributed the benefits reaped by his devotees to the blessings of the
'maalik'.
His teachings
were simple as his life was. He inculcated the love and essence of universal
brotherhood in his following. And his philosophy is nothing but a synthesis of
the religions of the world. He forgets unity and harmony among the different sections
of the populace. In Sai system, the Baba assumes full responsibility of the
devotee. The devotee becomes the stamped child to the Guru, the superhuman.
Sai Baba's
music is different. At Sai puja congregations with 'bhaniks' and 'qawaals,' the
audience claps or sings along. Sai Baba used to sit with the gathering everyday
for 'namasankirtana'. At times he amended the 'ragas' in the singing process.
At times he burst into song himself with the virtuosity of a classical singer.
The All India Sai Samaj brings out a
monthly journal "Sai Sudha", (in English Tamil and Telugu) which
portrays the human nature of the guru. Sai Baba's charters and sayings are now
available in English, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada. Some of the publications
in English are : "Thus spake Sai Baba" (in four volumes),
"Sources of Sai History, "Devotees, experiences" (Parts l to III),
"Is Sai Baba Living and Helping Now?
Sai mandirs
have come up in several places. Now the gospel of Sai Baba's teachings is
spreading in foreign countries also. His devotee, Basheer Baba has created a
world Sai movement through the world Sai Prachar Sabha. The AH India
headquarters of the Samaj is at Mylapore, Madras.
The Sai Bhakta Samaj (regd.) Delhi is a socio-religious-cultura! organisation, It brings people of different faiths under one roof.
From the most
prosperous (those living in Sundar nagar and Defence Colony) down to humble
workers (those living in some J. J. Colooies) a good cross-section of Delhi
people have unquestioned faith in the Baba,
Mr, R. S.
Chitnis the President of the Delhi Sai Bhakta Samaj with the co-operation of
the devotees and their generous donations is planning a memorial temple for Sai
Baba for which the Samaj' has acquired about 650 metres of land near
Maharishis' plot in Lodi Colony. Mr. Chitnis has dedicated his life and
fortunes for the Sai cause. He is easily accessible at home or at his
place of work. He distributes free Baba's photographs (in different sizes)
lockets souvenirs packed prasad etc, those who wish them. The Delhi Sai Bhakta
Samaj has immediate plans to open a library, a free dispensary and school to be
named after the Baba for the growing Ssi society in Delhi.
V.
N. CHHIBBER
(An
Extract from Daily News Wednesday June 16, 1971)