Offer Simple Prayers to Baba from your Compassionate Heart
An event titled “VARDAAN SAI KA” was organized at Talkotra Stadium, New Delhi On 28th October 2017, to celebrate Shri Shirdi Sai Baba’s life and teachings and hosting of “Baba’s Paduka” from Shirdi. Dr. Satpathy received Shri Shirdi Sai Baba’s Silver Paduka brought from Shirdi by Shri Bhausaheb Wakchaure, the Trustee of Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi at Jhandewalan, New Delhi. A procession comprising hundreds of devotees accompanied the Palki that was carrying the Paduka. Following are some of the key learning from Dr. Satpathy’s keynote speech:
If we study the life of the ardent devotees of Baba as illustrated in Shri Sai Satcharita, one would find that they were all people with an ordinary background and social significance. They became exemplary devotees of Baba by their sheer love for Him and by remaining associated with Baba through thick and thin, while carrying out their family and social obligations.
Never compare your devotion with anyone and do not get into the mechanism used to express devotion. Devotion arises inside us when Baba resides in our heart. Devotion is synonymous with Love for the Almighty. Love is the basis of devotion.
Refrain from miracle mongering. The Greatness of Sadguru spreads on its own accord and doesn’t require assistance from devotees. Beware of those individuals who foster blind belief in devotees in the name of Baba. It is the duty of every Sai devotee to object false propaganda in the name of Baba. if you are unable to protest physically, at least disapprove such practices at the intellectual level.
During his stay in Shirdi, Baba drew countless devotees towards him by first conferring temporal benefits, and then later opened their eyes to the true meaning of life, brought about their spiritual awakening. By His personal example, Baba showed Himself to be a great unifying factor and a universalizing force. He taught people to overcome meaningless barriers of separation between them and made them realize the brotherhood of all humanity. Service and Kindness towards all living beings is synonymous with Baba. We should awaken the divine qualities like compassion, forgiveness, human service, non-violence within us.
whatever is cooked at home for ourselves, the same should be offered to Baba and can be distributed among others as Prasad. Whatever is offered to Him with a pure thought will be acceptable to Him. It is only our love or bhava behind such offerings is accepted by the Sadguru.
It is futile to ask someone to read Shri Sai Satcharita when one is starving to death. It makes no difference to him. Instead, if you can feed him with two slices of bread, you might save his life. At that moment, God enters his body in the form of bread. When Draupadi was being insulted by Kauravas, she prayed to Lord Krishna. At that moment, Lord Krishna didn’t physically appear there. He appeared in the form of the unceasing roll of sarees.
Neither yearn for blessings nor be afraid of curse. Make efforts to delight your parents and seek blessings from them. Simplify your mode of payers to Baba. While worshiping Him there is no need to fast, or neglect your family and duty. These should be avoided. Look at Baba as you would do if you parents live with you in your Home. Offer Baba the simple prayers from your compassionate heart.
In today’s world there is a lot of intolerance among the people of various religions and sects. We must believe that all human faiths may be different but the goal is one. Shirdi Sai devotees are equal before God.