Shri Sai Chalisa

First, I bow my head at Sai's feet. How Sai came to Shirdi, I shall narrate the entire story.

Who is His mother, who is His father—no one has ever known. Where Sai took birth remained a puzzle.

Some say He is Lord Ramachandra of Ayodhya. Some say Sai Baba is Hanuman, the son of the wind.

Some say Sai is the auspicious form of Lord Gajanana. Some say Sai is the enchantment of Gokul, the son of Devaki.

Many devotees consider Baba as Shankara and worship Him. Some say He is an incarnation of Dattatreya and perform Sai's worship.

Whatever you consider Him to be, Sai is the true Lord. He is very compassionate, friend of the poor, and has given the gift of life to many.

I shall tell you an incident from many years ago. A wedding procession of some fortunate person had come to Shirdi.

Along with that procession came a very beautiful boy. He came, settled there, and sanctified the town of Shirdi.

For many days He wandered, begging from door to door. And He performed such a leela that became immortal in the world.

As His age increased, so did His glory. In every home in the town, the praise of Sai Baba began.

Then the name of Sai began to resound in all directions. Protecting the poor and distressed was Baba's work.

Whoever goes to Baba's feet and says "I am poor," Baba shows mercy on that person, and the bonds of sorrow are broken.

Sometimes someone begged, "Baba, give me a child." Saying "Evamastu," Sai would grant that boon.

Baba Himself became distressed seeing the condition of the poor and afflicted. The heart of Sai was vast like an ocean.

A devotee from Madras came, very wealthy at home. He had immense wealth and treasure, but no child.

He began to propitiate Sai Nath, "Baba, have mercy on me. My boat is tossed by the storm; please take me across."

"Without the lamp of the family, all wealth and illusion are useless. Today, becoming a beggar, I have come to Your shelter."

"Grant me the boon of a son; I will remain indebted to You for life. I have no hope from anyone else, only trust in You."

He pleaded and entreated greatly, placing his head at the feet. Then, pleased, Baba gave this blessing to the devotee.

"Allah will do good to you; a son will be born in your home. His grace will be upon you and upon that child."

No one has yet fathomed the extent of Sai's grace. By giving the jewel of a son to the man from Madras, He blessed his world.

Whoever worships Him with body and mind, his salvation happens in the world. Truth is never scorched; falsehood always loses.

I am always under His support; I will always remain His servant. I have found a Lord like Sai—is that not enough hope?

I too had such a day when I did not get even a roti. Clothing was far away; only a tiny loincloth remained.

Even though a river was before me, I remained thirsty. My bad days were raining fire upon me.

Apart from the earth, I had no support in the world. I became a beggar in the world, knocking from door to door.

In such a state, I met a friend who was a great devotee of Sai. Free from entanglements, but in this world he was like me.

Together we decided to have the darshan of Baba. We became ready to see Sai, the embodiment of compassion.

Going to the holy town of Shirdi, we saw the enchanting form. Our birth became blessed when we saw Sai's countenance.

Since we had darshan, all sorrow vanished. All troubles ended, and calamities ceased.

We received honor and respect from Baba in the form of alms. We became reflected in the world through Sai's radiance.

Baba has given me honor and respect in this life. With this support, I will go through life smiling.

The leela of Sai had such an effect on my mind that it feels He is present in every particle of the world.

"Kashiram," a devotee of Baba, lived in Shirdi. He used to tell the world, "I am Sai's, and Sai is mine."

He himself sold cloth in villages, towns, and markets. The string of his heart was vibrating with the melodies of Sai.

The night was still; all were asleep. The night's lap held the moon and stars. Hand could not see hand due to darkness.

"Kashi" was returning from the market after selling cloth, alas! A strange coincidence—that day he was coming alone.

Crooked, unjust people stood blocking his way. The sound "Kill, cut, loot him!" was heard.

After looting and beating him, the wicked ones fled from there. Struck by blows, wounded to the core, he lost consciousness.

He lay there in that condition for a long time. Who knows when he regained consciousness in some moment.

Unknowingly, "Sai" escaped from his mouth. Its echo reached Baba in Shirdi.

His mind became agitated; Baba became restless. It seemed as if the entire incident happened before Him.

Like a madman, Baba began to wander here and there. Whatever came before Him, He began to throw.

And into the blazing coals, Baba thrust His hand. Everyone there became alarmed, seeing that unique, fierce dance.

All people understood that some devotee was in trouble. They stood agitated there, immersed in wonder.

It is to save that devotee that Baba is restless today. His heart is pained by that devotee's pain.

Just then, destiny showed its strangeness. Seeing it, the river of people's devotion surged.

A carriage arrived there, carrying the unconscious devotee. Seeing the devotee before Him, Sai's eyes filled with tears.

Calm, patient, grave like an ocean—Baba's heart. Today, for some reason, it kept becoming restless.

Today, the embodiment of compassion Himself became the healer. And for the devotee, today the Lord became the gatekeeper.

Today, Kashi had succeeded in the severe test of devotion. The townspeople had gathered just to see him.

Whenever and wherever any devotee falls into trouble, Baba comes to protect him in a moment.

This is the truth for ages; it is no new story. When a devotee is in distress, the Inner Knower Himself comes.

Sai was a worshipper beyond discrimination, of humanity. As dear as Hindus and Muslims were, so were Sikhs and Christians.

Baba broke and discarded the discrimination of temple and mosque. Ram and Rahim were all His; Krishna, Karim, Allah Ta'ala.

Every corner of the mosque resounded with the echo of the bell. Hindus and Muslims met each other; love increased day by day.

What a beautiful miracle this body gave. And even in the bitterness of neem, Baba filled sweetness.

Sai gave love to all; He gave equal love to all. Whatever anyone desired, Baba gave them that.

Whoever always chants the name of such a loving Lord—even if sorrow is like a mountain, it is removed in a moment.

We have never seen a giver like Sai, by whose mere darshan all calamities are removed.

Keep Sai in your body, Sai in your mind; chant "Sai, Sai." Losing awareness of your own body, be mindful of Him.

When you give up your own awareness and become mindful of Baba, and day and night you keep repeating "Baba, Baba,"

Then Baba, being compelled, will have to take notice of you. He will have to fulfill every wish of yours.

Do not wander in forests, O mad one, searching for Baba. In one place only, in Shirdi, you will find Baba.

Blessed is that being in the world who has found Baba. In sorrow and in joy, every hour, he has sung Sai's praise.

Even if mountains of troubles fall, or lightning strikes, always take Sai's name and stand firm before all.

Hearing the miracle of this old one, you will be amazed. Many clever and wise people were stunned hearing it.

Once in Shirdi, a hypocrite sadhu came. He was deceiving the simple, innocent townspeople.

Showing herbs, he began to give a speech. He said, "Listen, audience, my home is Vrindavan."

"I have a medicine with amazing power. By consuming it, one becomes free from sorrow."

"If you want to be free from troubles and diseases, then this is my humble request to every man and every woman."

"Buy this; its methods of consumption are unique. Although it is a trivial thing, its qualities are very great."

"If those who are childless here take my medicine, they will obtain the jewel of a son and get the desired fruit."

"Whoever does not buy my medicine will repent all life. A being like me will hardly come here again."

"The world is a two-day fair; you too enjoy and have fun. If this gives everything, you too take it."

The people's amazement grew seeing his handiwork. He too was inwardly pleased seeing the people's foolishness.

A servant ran to inform Baba of this news. Hearing it, Baba's brow furrowed, and all discretion was forgotten.

He ordered the servant, "Quickly catch the wicked one and bring him, or drive the deceitful one away from Shirdi's boundary."

"While I am here, who is such a low person who dares to deceive the simple people of Shirdi?"

"In a moment, such a hypocrite, deceitful, low robber—I will send him into the great pit of destruction for life."

The cruel, crooked, unjust impostor got a hint. "Death is now dancing on my head; Sai is angry."

In a moment, he stopped the whole game and fled, putting his feet on his head. He was thinking in his mind, "Now there is no safety from God."

It is true that a giver like Sai cannot be found in the world. Sai Baba is a part of God; nothing is difficult for Him in the world.

Wearing the ornaments of love, gentleness, and kindness, whoever walks on the path of human service in this world,

He conquers the hearts of all people in the world. His single sadness makes the world restless.

Whenever the burden of sin increases in the world, an incarnation comes to remove it.

Removing all sin and injustice from this world, He drives away the demons in a moment.

A stream of nectar of love begins to rain in this world. People begin to embrace each other.

Such an incarnation, Sai, came to the mortal world and taught this lesson of equality, effacing Himself.

Sai named the mosque in Shirdi "Dwaraka Masjid." He removed pride, fever, and affliction—whatever came.

Sai always remained absorbed in the remembrance of Ram. Every hour, Sai chanted the name of Ram.

Whether dry or stale, fresh or stale, or even delicacies—all were equal for Sai, who was always hungry for love.

Whatever people gave with love and devotion, Baba would sanctify that food with great delight.

Sometimes, to divert His mind, Baba would go to the garden. Delighted in mind, He would behold the beauty of nature.

The colorful flowers of the garden, swaying gently, would fill even the desolate wilderness of the mind with the water of love.

Even in such a sweet time, people afflicted by sorrow, calamity, and distress would surround Baba to narrate their heart's pain.

Hearing their pitiful stories, His lotus eyes would fill. Giving vibhuti, He would remove all pain and fill peace in their hearts.

Who knows what wonderful power was in that vibhuti? Whoever applied it on the forehead, it removed all sorrow.

Blessed are those humans who obtained the direct darshan of Sai Baba. Blessed are the lotus hands that touched His lotus feet.

If only you too could have met Sai fearlessly! Your garden, desolate for years, would bloom again today.

If I had held His holy feet, I would not have let go for life. I would have certainly won Him over, even if Sai were angry with me.