Shirdi Sai and Sathya Sai are One
and the Same
By Arjan D. Bharwani
48. SMALL - YET BIG!
i) Embodiments of Divinity, that is
both the Sais dissuade, discourage and disallow devotees from
incurring monetary debts to undertake pilgrimages for darshans at
Shirdi or Parthi.
ii) The current 'Oneness' is also
edified by the fact, that Shirdi Sai was born in 'Pathri' and
Sathya Sai in 'Parthi'. They were both recipients of affectionate
guardianship by a Muslim in their respective childhood.
iii) In response to prayers of their
devotees, both the Sais are well-known to advise the adherence to
one's chosen Form of worship. Needless to say that once the
devotee followed the advice, with heart-felt and sincere prayers,
the response was invariably positive. Once a disciple of
Ramakrishna had come to Sathya Sai, praying for the cure of an
acute ailment. Baba's advice to him was to hold fast to his Ishta
and to pray him. He even tutored him on the technique of
meditation on one's guru.
iv) There exists an obvious oneness
in the performance of miracles. Perhaps to suit contemporary
times, the present Avatar performs them in greater perfusion,
whereas these were some what limited to the fewer devotees
that He had as Shirdi Sai.
v) Both are 'Trikaal-jnanis'
-possessing knowledge of the past, present and the future.
vi) Incidents deny enumeration of
the two Babas, manifesting themselves in their own or even other
forms, in response to ardent calls of devotees.
vii) 'Bhakta Samrakshana' features
prominently as a common phenomenon between the two.
viii) To these can be added the
common avowed purpose of 'Yogakshema Vahamayam'.
ix) Then there is the oft-witnessed
cure of diseases, even the ones that are beyond the ken of
contemporary medical science.
x) Shri H. Sunder Rao writesin the
Sanathan Sarathi of March 1966, in conclusion to his article, "So
Pathri and Parthi are the two Points which a single miracle of
Divine Manifestations has spanned, thus releasing into the world
In our times a power at once unique, potent, and irresistible"
xi) Thousands thronged to Shirdi to
the easily accessible, responsive and remunerative Sainath. One
sees the celestial scene once again enacted at Parthi - the only
difference being that what was a steady trickle of a river of
devotees at Shirdi, has become a surging sea of humanity at Parthi,
often in tidal proportions. The communication between the Divinity
and the devotees, however, remains the same now? as it was then ,deeply
heart-felt with no artificiality.
xii) In the days of Sainath of
Shirdi as well as currently at Parthi, the pilgrimage of the
devotees is culminated in a physical and direct live contact with
the Embodiment of Divinity!
xiii) Bhaktas today off-load the
cargo of their worries, fears, anxieties, tensions, stress and
strain on the Lotus Feet of the Lord at Prasinthi Nilayam.
Devotees used to walk out from Shirdi leaving the load of burdens
there (even do so now).
xiv) To the Sainath of Shirdi the
devotees went as the affectionate progeny of a 'Loving Father'.
The bhaktas today go to the 'Siva-Sakthi Swarupa (Sathya Sai)' -
the one who represents a combined manifestation of the beloved
mother and father. The boundless and allÄencompassing love, that
is bestowed by Bhagavan at Parthi, defies description and can only
be experienced. Calling it a love of a thousand mothers put
together; is only at best an infinitesimal mention of His Grand
Glory!
xv) I here has been an abundant flow
of Divine Grace at Shirdi and one experiences a manifold quantum
expansion of the same at Parthi. The bestower of this celestial
and providential gift remains the same.
xvi) Many devotees have testified to
_le fact of similar experience and feelings in the presence of
both the Sais. A Shirdi devotee writes, "When I was in the
presence of Baba, I felt so strongly moved as if God Himself was
before me". Another one says, "When Shirdi Baba looked at me, it
seemed as though His eyes burnt all the evils and hatred in my
heart". One of ten hears Parthi devotee narrating that they felt
in the presence of Bhagavan as if they had gone out of this world
and experienced being lifted to an ecstatic and charming feeling
of Supreme Peace and profound Bliss.
xvii) Harassed by problems and
depressed by difficulties, Shirdi devotees used to run to Baba,
who by a glance or a touch or a few solacing words, would provide
much needed solutions and assuage difficulties. Disheartened,
dejected, disappointed and disillusioned devotees with the
vicissitudes, trials and tribulations of their lives, run to
Parthi Sai for solace. In the same vein with deep compassion and
by an understanding look, assuring 'abhayahasta' Divine blessings,
encouraging words or by giving of materialised precious vibhuti
and other gifts, Bhagavan provides the much needed and lasting
relief .
xviii) Internal transformation of
the devotee to the path of goodness and righteous behaviour remain
the most potent influence in case of both the Sais. The change was
effected at the Dwarkamayee in Shirdi and in the interview room at
Prasanthi Nilayam or Brindavan. There is also the subtle and
imperceptible spiritual influx which brings about the change of
innate nature of the bhakta, even though there may not have been
any physical contact or even darshans.
xix) Both the Sais have always kept
the promise given to some devotees of physical darshan at the time
of their exit from earthly habiliment.
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