How do we see Baba ?

Some people go to the temples and see Him in the ‘form’ that is carved‐out in a statue. Some feel Him in the aarti/shlokas or devotional songs. Some try to find Him in Shri Sai Satcharita, as a character that affected the lives of millions. There are some who always seek His miracles, like unexpected favorable happenings, unusual connections of events in mundane life or even in dreams.

There are only a few who find Baba in all their actions i.e. ‘Karma’. The luckiest are the ones who identify their own actions as the outcome of inner motivations generated by Baba. The best devotees are those who, in every motivation and action find His ‘Leela’ or Divine play.

Baba had himself said, “Those who make Me their only refuge are the dearest to Me”. To make Baba the only refuge is not an easy task. This simply means ‘complete surrender’. People often say that they have totally surrendered to Baba. This is generally not true, because it is these persons who are seen running to astrologers and Pandits to find out ways and means to improve their material situation. They worship one deity for one purpose and another for another purpose. They waste time in experimenting with Rudraksha, Tulsimala of various sizes, colors and shades, or trying with different types of Mantras prescribed by various people.

Some of them are also attracted by people somewhat attiring like Baba, for example, wearing a Kafni or a head‐gear, and feel that they have had the darshan of Baba. I have seen many people, moving around in Shirdi and at other places in such dress simply with the intention of gaining monetary benefits. I have heard people saying that honey or holy ash ‘udi’ is coming out of Baba’s photographs and statue in their houses. This never happened anywhere even when Baba was in His physical embodiment.

All these are limitations in the path of spiritual progress. These are games of illusion or ‘Maya’ that actually distance people from Baba rather than bringing them closer. They try all their life with such activities and do not get the best out of Baba that is ‘peace’ and ‘self‐realization’.

People in the path of devotion develop certain qualities that manifest in their daily life. They become humble, sacrificing, more universal and sensitive to the pain of others. They love Baba and flow in that stream unknowingly carrying along with them all, that come in their contact. They don’t try to pray to Baba for the fulfillment of any material requirements. They feel that Baba has a role to play to lead them ultimately to the correct path and the correct goal. They have nothing to prove and, therefore, do not allow ‘ego’ to assert itself. This is the correct path towards Baba.

[Excerpts from the ‘Guru Purnima’ Message (1998) by Dr. C B Satpathy]