The Grace of the Sadguru is Immeasurable
An explanation about the role and greatness of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi would remain incomplete without the understanding of the life of Kashinath Govind Upasani Sastri, who later came to be known as ‘Shri Upasani Maharaj’. Shri Sai’s life was full of miracles, but the greatest miracle was His elevation of this once inconsequential person to the status of a Sadguru within a period of four years! To protect Kashinath from all external factors that affect spiritual growth, Baba asked him to go and sit in the Khandoba Temple and do nothing, so that Shri Sai would be able to do whatever He wished to do i.e. to work within Kashinath and evolve him.
Like a mother protecting its child from the onslaughts of nature and of people around, even at the cost of her own life, Shri Sai protected Kashinath wholeheartedly and openly. Before the assemblage of jealous devotees, who asked the reason for His extreme grace, He said, “Yes, yes, everything has been given, whatever he is, good or bad, he is mine. There is no distinction between him and me. Now, the whole responsibility for him rests with me.”
The grace of the Sadguru is immeasurable. The Sadguru is responsible for everything, good or evil, done by the pupil. At this stage, the Sadguru virtually remains at the mercy of the disciple. By this total sacrifice of Himself, the Sadguru evolves the disciple to a state of perfection, i.e. His own state.
Shri Sai once told one of His close associates that the endeavor should be to create these perfect men so that they can, in turn, spiritually uplift thousands and millions of other souls from the state of Jivatma (bonded souls) to the state of Shivatma (perfect souls). To begin His work, Sai told Kashinath “Sit quiet, somehow. Have nothing to do with anyone.” Sai wanted Kashinath not to create further “samskaras” or impressions for himself by attachment with other people, but to draw his mind inwards. As he followed the master, a series of mystic reactions happened in Kashinath and around him. Through a couple of experiences, Baba taught Kashinath that God and Shri Sai are in everything and that the essence of God pervades everyone and everything.
Like a man turning a piece of stone by the use of hammer and chisel into a beautiful piece of sculpture, the Sadguru can change a gross individual to a perfect soul.
Source : Shirdi Sai Baba and Other Perfect Masters by Dr. C B Satpathy