History

Saint Ramadas (1608–1681) flourished in the 17th century and fulfilled to a great extent his mission of protecting the helpless cows and Brahmins against the Yavanas powerful (Mohammedans or Followers of Islam), but within two centuries after him, the split between the two communities – Hindus and Mohammedans widened again, and it is believed that Sai Baba came to bridge the gulf.

His constant advice to all was to this effect. God is the only One Almighty Master of all souls and never discriminates while showering his Love on the souls who are all equals before him.

Sai Baba opposed all persecution based on religion or caste. He was a perfect incarnation of spiritual harmony and embodied the universal religion of Love that transcends all boundaries.

There are many so-called Gurus (imposters) who go about from house to house with cymbals and veena in their hands, and make a show of their spirituality. They blow mantras into the ears of their disciples and extract money from them. They profess to teach piety and religion to their disciples, but are themselves impious and irreligious.

Sai Baba never thought of making the least show of his worth (piety). Body-consciousness, he had none, but he had great love for the disciples.

He taught through his own example, living a life of complete humility and service. His methods of teaching were unique and tailored to each individual disciple, communicating deep spiritual truths through simple actions and everyday incidents.

Udi is the sacred ash that Sai Baba used to give to his devotees. It was prepared from the sacred fire (dhuni) that Sai Baba kept burning continuously in the Dwarakamayi mosque where he lived.

Sai Baba would regularly tend to this sacred fire, and the ash produced from it was considered to be very powerful and sacred. He would apply this Udi to the foreheads of devotees and also give it to them to take home.

The Udi was not just ordinary ash but was believed to be charged with Sai Baba's divine energy and blessings. Devotees reported miraculous healings and protection through the application and consumption of this sacred ash.

Sai Baba's personality was a unique blend of simplicity, compassion, and divine authority. He was known for his penetrating gaze that could see into the hearts of people and his ability to understand their deepest thoughts and needs without being told.

He was approachable to all, regardless of their social status, religion, or background. Rich and poor, learned and illiterate, saints and sinners - all were treated with equal love and respect. His compassion was boundless, and he would often go out of his way to help those in need.

Despite his supernatural powers and divine nature, Sai Baba lived a life of utmost simplicity. He possessed nothing and lived on alms (biksha) that he collected daily from a few houses in Shirdi. Whatever he received, he would distribute among the poor and keep almost nothing for himself.

He had a mysterious way of teaching. Sometimes he would be extremely loving and gentle, and at other times he would appear harsh and angry. But devotees understood that both aspects were manifestations of his divine love, meant to guide them on the spiritual path according to their individual needs.

Sai Baba wore a simple long white robe (kafni) and a cloth cap. He would tie a cloth around his head and wore minimal clothing despite the varying weather conditions. His appearance was that of a Muslim fakir, though his teachings and practices incorporated both Hindu and Islamic elements.

His daily routine was fairly consistent. He would wake up early in the morning, tend to the sacred fire (dhuni), and then go for his rounds of collecting alms (madhukari). He would visit only a few selected houses to collect food, which he would then distribute among his followers, keeping very little for himself.

Throughout the day, he would sit in the mosque or under the neem tree, receiving devotees, answering their questions, and solving their problems. He would often grind wheat in a hand mill, which was later understood to symbolize the grinding away of devotees' karma.

In the evenings, devotees would gather for the lighting of lamps and singing of devotional songs. Sai Baba himself would often join in the singing or sit in silent meditation. He would retire late at night, often spending the night in meditation or in conversation with close devotees.

Sai Baba's teaching style was highly unconventional and uniquely tailored to each individual. He rarely gave formal sermons or discourses. Instead, he taught through his own example, through parables drawn from everyday life, and through seemingly casual conversations.

He had an extraordinary ability to understand the spiritual level and needs of each devotee. To some, he would speak in plain terms; to others, in riddles and paradoxes that required contemplation to understand. He would often communicate deep spiritual truths through simple stories about ordinary people and everyday situations.

Many of his teachings were imparted through actions rather than words. For instance, his daily practice of collecting alms taught humility and the dissolution of ego. His distribution of whatever he received taught detachment and charity. His maintenance of the sacred fire taught the importance of constant spiritual practice.

He was known to test his devotees in various ways - sometimes through apparent neglect, sometimes through harsh words, and sometimes through impossible-seeming demands. These tests were designed to strengthen their faith and help them overcome their limitations and ego.

Despite his simple lifestyle and informal teaching methods, Sai Baba demonstrated profound knowledge of Hindu scriptures, Muslim texts, and spiritual practices from various traditions. He could quote from the Bhagavad Gita, the Quran, and other sacred texts with equal ease, showing that he had mastered the essence of all religions.