Sai Baba of Shirdi

"Sai Nath" redirects here. For the university, see Sai Nath University. For other uses, see Sai (disambiguation) and Sai Baba (disambiguation).
Sai Baba of Shirdi
Sai Baba
Photograph of Sai Baba
Religion Hinduism
Philosophy Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga[1]
Personal
Nationality Indian
Died 15 October 1918
Shirdi, Bombay Presidency, India
Resting place Samadhi in Shirdi
Disciple(s) Mahalsapathi, Madhav Rao (shama), Nanasaheb peshway, Bayijabai, Tatya Kote Patil, Kakasaheb Dixit, Radhakrishnamaai, Hemadpant, Bhuti, Das Ganu, Lakshmi Bai, Nanavali, Upasni Maharaj, Abdul Baba, Sapatanekar, Nanasaheb Chandodkar, B.V. Narashima Swamiji
Quotation
Shraddha - Saburi (faith - patience)
Sab kaa malik ek (everyone's master is one)
Sai Baba of Shirdi, also known as Shirdi Sai Baba was an Indian spiritual leader who is regarded by his devotees as a saint, a fakir, a satguru and an incarnation (avatar) of God. He was revered by both his Hindu and Muslim devotees during, as well as after his life.[2][3]

According to accounts from his life, he preached the importance of realization of the self, and criticized love towards perishable things. His teachings concentrate on a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace, and devotion to the God and guru. 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.[4]

Sai Baba also condemned distinction based on religion or caste. It remains unclear if he was a Muslim or a Hindu. This, however, was of no consequence to Sai Baba.[5] His teaching combined elements of Hinduism and Islam: he gave the Hindu name Dwarakamayi to the mosque in which he lived,[6] practised both Hindu and Muslim rituals, taught using words and figures that drew from both traditions, and took samadhi in Shirdi. One of his well-known epigrams, 'Allah Malik' ('God is King') and 'Sabka Malik Ek' ('One God governs all'), is associated with both Hinduism and Islam. He is also known to have said 'Look to me, and I shall look to you.'[4]