This dichotomy has given rise to two major theories regarding Baba'sīackground, with the majority of writers supporting the Hindu background Stayed with Venkusa for 12 years as his disciple. Left him in the care of a Hindu guru, Venkusa of Selu and that he had On another occasion, Baba reportedly said that the fakir's wife had He had reportedly stated to aĬlose follower, Mahalsapati, that he has been born of Deshastha Brahmin parents in the village of Pathri and had been entrusted into the care of a fakir in his infancy. Replies to questions concerning his parentage and origins, brusquely īaba was notorious for giving vague, misleading and contradictory Historical researches into genealogies in Shirdi give support to the theory that Baba could have been born with the name Haribhau Bhusari. Īlthough Sai Baba's origins are unknown, some indications exist that suggest that he was born not far from Shirdi. Sai Baba referred to several saints as 'my brothers', especially the disciples of Swami Samartha of Akkalkot. He was revered by other saints as well, such as Saint Bidkar Maharaj, Saint Gagangiri Maharaj, Saint Janakidas Maharaj and Sati Godavari Mataji. Some of Sai Baba's disciples became famous as spiritual figures and saints, such as Mahalsapati, a priest of the Khandoba temple in Shirdi and Upasni Maharaj.
Thus Sai Baba denotes holy father, saintly father or (venerable) poor old man.
In several Indian and Middle Eastern languages the term Baba is an honorific signifying grandfather, father, old man or sir. The word Sai refers to a religious mendicant but can also mean God. The name Sai was given to him by Mhalsapati when he arrived at Shirdi, a town now in the west Indian state of Maharashtra. The book itself is a compilation based on accounts by his variousĭisciples and Hemadpant's personal observations observing Sai Baba from Tends to be derived from a book called Shri Sai Satcharitra written by a disciple called Hemadpant (also known as Annasaheb Dabholkar / Govind Raghunath) in 1922 in Marathi. Most definitive information about Shirdi Sai Baba Is debatable due to lack of evidence and no definitive informationĮxists to prove it. Sai Baba's date of birth including his birthplace remains unknown and He is also known to have said Look to me, and I shall look to you and Allah tera bhala karega. One of his well-known epigrams, Allah Malik ( God is King) and Sabka Malik Ek ( Everyone's Master is One), is associated with both Hinduism and Islam. His teachings combined elements of Hinduism and Islam: he gave the Hindu name Dwarakamayi to the mosque in which he lived, practised both Hindu and Muslim rituals, taught using words and figures that drew from both traditions and took samadhi in Shirdi. It remains unclear if he was a Muslim or a Hindu. Sai Baba also condemned distinction based on religion or caste. He stressed the importance of surrender to the true Satguru, who, having trod the path to divine consciousness, will lead the disciple through the jungle of spiritual training. Others, charity, contentment, inner peace and devotion to the God and
His teachings concentrate on a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping
He is decorated with jewelsĪnd all forms of Hindu vedic deities as he is believed by his followersĪccording to accounts from his life, he preached the importance of realization of the self and criticized love towards perishable things. He is attributed to be the creator, sustainer andĭestroyer of this universe by his devotees. Sai Baba is now revered as an incarnation of Sri Dattatreya and considered as Saguna Brahmaīy his devotees. He is revered by both his Hindu and Muslim devotees during, as well as after his lifetime. Sabka Malik Ek (Everyone's master is one) Sai Baba of Shirdi, also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, was an Indian spiritual master who is regarded by his devotees as a saint and a fakir.