Divine wisdom and authentic devotional practices from Shirdi traditions
Before leaving His physical form, Sai Baba gave these 11 assurances to His devotees. These sacred promises continue to guide and comfort millions of devotees worldwide.
Sai Baba's teachings are universal, emphasizing spiritual truths that transcend religious boundaries. Though He rarely gave formal discourses, His wisdom was conveyed through everyday interactions, parables, and His own exemplary life.
The central pillar of Sai Baba's teaching was the oneness of God. He emphasized that all religions worship the same Divine Reality through different forms and practices. He demonstrated this by participating in both Hindu and Muslim rituals, maintaining a sacred fire (dhuni) while also regularly uttering "Allah Malik" (God is Master).
Sai Baba frequently emphasized these twin virtues as the foundation of spiritual life. Faith (Shraddha) in the divine and patience (Saburi) to wait for divine timing were His constant teachings to devotees who sought immediate results or miraculous solutions.
Baba exemplified simple living through His own life. He lived in a dilapidated mosque (Dwarkamai), wore a torn kafni (robe), and collected alms in a small tin pot. Yet, His spiritual wisdom was profound and His inner wealth immeasurable. He taught that material simplicity creates space for spiritual richness.
Sai Baba taught that serving others with love is the highest form of worship. He personally tended to the sick, fed the hungry, and provided for those in need. He encouraged devotees to see the divine in all beings and serve humanity as a form of worship.
Complete surrender to the Guru or God was a fundamental teaching of Sai Baba. He taught that when one surrenders their ego, desires, and attachments, divine grace flows unobstructed. His famous saying "If you look to me, I look to you" emphasizes this principle of reciprocal divine response to surrender.
Sai Baba emphasized the importance of the Guru's grace (Kripa) for spiritual advancement. He taught that spiritual progress is not merely the result of individual effort but requires the transformative power of grace from a realized master.
Baba taught non-violence in thought, word, and deed. He demonstrated this by sharing His own body with animals, allowing them to rest upon Him, and by teaching devotees to see the divine in all beings. His care for animals, especially dogs and tigers that approached Him, exemplified this teaching.
Sai Baba taught the importance of contentment with whatever one receives through divine will. He distributed all offerings He received and kept nothing for Himself, demonstrating perfect contentment and absence of greed.
Devotion to Sai Baba is simple yet profound, focusing on love and surrender rather than elaborate rituals. The following practices are traditional ways to worship Sai Baba, based on authentic Shirdi traditions.
Begin and end each day by remembering Sai Baba with a simple prayer or repetition of His name. Many devotees recite "Om Sai, Sri Sai, Jai Jai Sai" 108 times with japa mala (prayer beads) or simply offer greetings like "Sai Ram" or "Om Sai Nathaya Namah" upon waking and before sleeping.
Reading the Sai Satcharitra, the sacred text documenting Baba's life and teachings, is considered highly auspicious. Many devotees practice Saptah Parayana (complete reading in 7 days) or Parayan (continuous reading) during special occasions or personal difficulties. Even reading a single chapter daily is beneficial.
Sai Baba maintained a sacred fire (Dhuni) at Dwarkamai. The ash from this fire, called Udi, is considered highly sacred. Devotees apply Udi on the forehead or consume a pinch with water for healing and protection. Modern devotees can maintain a symbolic Dhuni by lighting a lamp daily.
Performing aarti (ritual of light) before Sai Baba's image, accompanied by devotional songs (bhajans) is a central practice. The four main aartis performed at Shirdi are "Kakad Aarti" (morning), "Madhyan Aarti" (noon), "Dhoop Aarti" (evening), and "Shej Aarti" (night).
Offering food to Sai Baba before consumption is a traditional practice. Baba was fond of simple foods like chapati with dal, khichdi, and shirdi ladoo. Modern devotees offer a portion of their meal before consuming it and may distribute food to the needy as prasad.
Baba often asked devotees for dakshina (monetary offering) not for personal gain but as a spiritual practice of detachment. Modern devotees continue this tradition by offering coins or currency before Baba's image and later donating to charitable causes.
Creating a sacred space dedicated to Sai Baba in your home establishes a focal point for daily devotion and creates a spiritual atmosphere. Here's how to set up an authentic Sai Baba shrine:
Choose a clean, quiet corner or space in your home, preferably facing east or north. The area should be elevated from the floor, such as on a small table or shelf.
Place a picture or statue of Sai Baba as the central focus. The most traditional image is the one from 1911, showing Him seated on a stone with His right hand raised in blessing.
Thursday (Guruvar) holds special significance for Sai devotees as it is traditionally associated with the Guru. Many devotees observe special practices on this day to receive Baba's blessings.
Many devotees observe either complete fasting or partial fasting (consuming only fruits and milk) on Thursdays as a mark of devotion to Sai Baba. This practice creates spiritual discipline and focus.
Some devotees observe Sai Vrat on Thursdays for a specific period (usually 9, 11, or 21 consecutive Thursdays). During this vow, they follow strict discipline, dietary restrictions, and intensified devotional practices.
Following Baba's emphasis on charity, many devotees distribute food, clothing, or money to the needy on Thursdays. Some cook special meals for distribution or contribute to community feeding programs.
A more elaborate worship ritual is performed on Thursdays, often including abhishekam (ritual bathing of Baba's image), offering of special foods like khichdi, and recitation of Baba's 108 names (Ashtottara).
Traditional Thursday offerings include yellow flowers, coconut, bananas, jaggery, and incense sticks. Many devotees also light oil lamps with ghee or sesame oil as a special offering.
Reading specific chapters of Sai Satcharitra on Thursdays is considered especially beneficial. Some devotees observe the practice of reading one chapter every Thursday, completing the entire text in one year.
Aarti is a devotional ritual where light from wicks soaked in ghee or camphor is offered to the deity while singing devotional songs. The four main aartis performed at Shirdi have specific timings and significance.
| Aarti Name | Timing | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Kakad (Morning) Aarti | 5:00 AM | Awakening the deity, begins with "Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh" followed by "Shirdi Majhe Pandharpur" |
| Madhyan (Noon) Aarti | 12:00 PM | Offering lunch, begins with "Sai Baba Noon Aarti" and followed by "Madhyan Aarti" |
| Dhoop (Evening) Aarti | 6:30 PM | Sung at sunset, the most famous aarti "Shirdi Sai Baba Aarti" composed by Pandit Bhishma |
| Shej (Night) Aarti | 10:30 PM | Putting the deity to rest, includes offering night prasad and chanting "Shej Aarti" |
"Sai Ram, Sai Shyam, Sai Bhagwan
Satya Sai, Parthi Sai, Om Sai Ram"
The essence of Sai Baba worship lies not in elaborate rituals but in sincere devotion and applying His teachings in daily life. Sai Baba emphasized love, service, and inner transformation over external displays of worship.
Whether you follow a simple daily prayer or elaborate worship practices, the key elements of Sai devotion remain:
Cultivate complete faith in Baba's guidance and the patience to wait for His divine timing. These twin virtues (Shraddha and Saburi) form the foundation of the relationship between Sai Baba and His devotees.
True worship is the surrender of ego, desires, and worries to Baba. As He promised, "If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it."
Extend Baba's love to all beings through selfless service. Seeing the divine in every being and serving them as a form of worship embodies Sai Baba's universal teaching of love and compassion.