Om Sai Ram BABAS TEACHINGS - QUALITIES OF A DEVOTEE Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi descended on the earth to lead mankind to the realm of eternity. As the divine mother He gave his immense love and as the divine father He gave direction to our search for truth. His mission was to make people conscious of their divine nature. The people who follow His teachings and preaching are indeed blessed souls. The cardinal principles of Sai Path are Shraddha and Saburi. Sai Baba explicitly asked for these two qualities in His devotees by giving his self-experiential instance that his Murshid or Master asked from him only two pice - one Shraddha and other the Saburi. Shraddha Shraddha in a Sanskrit word, which has no equivalent in English, at best it can be understood as, faith with love and reverence. Such faith or trust is generated out of conviction, which may not be the result of any rational belief or intellectual wisdom, but a spiritual inspiration. Baba sowed the seeds of spiritual inspiration in the hearts of people who knew of him. This Divine inspiration was so instant and profound that they automatically took refuge in Him. Baba reiterated that steadfast love in God as the gateway to eternity. He used the instance of mother tortoise to illustrate this point. The mother - tortoise may be on the other side of the river, whereas her children are on the far side. She does not transfer food and water to her children by way of her loving glances. Yet, her loving looks are enough to protect the children. Similarly, people who lovingly look at God get His reciprocity. Gods looks offer peace, protection and prosperity for His children. Babas teaching, both direct and indirect explicate the significance of Shraddha. Baba reiterates the spiritual guidance of Shri Krishna to Arjun - Who-so ever offer to Me with love or devotion, a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, that offering of pure love is readily accepted by Me. Saburi Saburi; is patience and perseverance. Saburi is a quality needed throughout the path to reach the goal. This quality must be ingrained in a seeker from day one, least he looses his stride and leaves the path half way. As a hunter waits patiently and motionlessly for his target a devotee too has to wait patiently for attaining his goal. There are many trying situations in life. A test may come in the form of frustration, distress, agony, illness, mishaps, prolonged wait or a loss. In such moments we should seek support from the Master and hold on him. If patience means anything it should last till the end, and faith will see us through every turmoil of life. Purity : Baba never approved of austerity for the sake of austerity. He emphasized the need for inner purification than outer austerities. No amount of physical and external cleansing would serve any purpose if the man remained impure in mind and heart. Therefore, Baba cautioned His devotees not to make austerity as an end itself, least they should indulge in physical mortification. His spiritual radiance brought about such transformation in the seekers that they inclined away from the impurities in word, deed or thought. Baba never preached in this regard, He radiated such influence that absorbed the impure tendencies and prepared the aspirant to keep himself chaste, pure, simple and upright, so as to be fit to receive His Grace. Compassion : Baba Himself was the epitome of compassion and love. It was this ‘love aspect’ of Him that He embodied Himself to help the suffering lot. The warmth of His divine compassion touched all the creatures equally. Baba often told His devotees, ‘Never turn away anybody from your door, be it a human being or animal’. At several instances He identified Himself with any form like dog, horse, cow or even a fly, to prove His presence in the consciousness of all the creatures. ~Malini Selvarajah
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 14:11:36 +0000
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