13/03/2025
Shirdi Sai Baba – The Beginning of a Divine Journey Part 1
Mysterious Arrival in Shirdi
In the mid-19th century, a young boy, barely 16 years old, arrived in the small village of Shirdi, Maharashtra. No one knew where he came from or who his parents were. He had an aura of peace and wisdom, and his eyes carried an ageless depth, as if he had witnessed lifetimes of knowledge.
The villagers were curious about this boy, who wore a simple kafni (robe) and a cloth tied around his head. He was barefoot and carried nothing but a few items. His presence was mysterious, but his actions spoke of something divine.
Living Under the Neem Tree
The boy chose to live under a Neem tree on the outskirts of Shirdi. It was an ancient tree, and many villagers believed it had spiritual energy. He spent most of his time in meditation, rarely speaking, and often sat still for hours.
Many noticed that the boy showed no desire for worldly comforts—he did not beg for food or seek shelter. Instead, he survived on whatever little the kind-hearted villagers offered him.
Over time, his simple yet powerful presence attracted a few followers. They observed his daily routine and saw that he possessed extraordinary wisdom for his age. He would often discuss spiritual teachings, Hindu and Islamic scriptures, and the importance of love, patience, and devotion.
Testing the Boy’s Spirituality
Shirdi was home to several religious figures, including a local priest named Gangabhav Joshi. He and other villagers were skeptical of the young boy’s divine nature. They decided to test him to see if he was truly enlightened.
One day, a villager deliberately hid some food to see if the boy would get hungry and beg. But to everyone’s surprise, he did not ask for food at all. Instead, he remained calm and meditative, showing no signs of discomfort.
On another occasion, a group of villagers surrounded him and asked, "Who are you? Where have you come from?"
The boy simply smiled and said, "I am but a servant of God. Everything belongs to Him."
His words were simple, but they carried deep meaning. People began to see that this young fakir (wandering saint) was not an ordinary boy.
Sai Baba’s Simple and Mysterious Lifestyle
Sai Baba did not have a home, a family, or possessions. He spent his days in prayer, meditation, and selfless service.
He would often disappear for days, wandering into the nearby forests and hills, returning only when he wished.
When he spoke, he spoke about God, faith, and kindness.
He treated everyone equally, regardless of caste or religion.
People noticed that he displayed miraculous powers, such as:
Knowing people’s past and future without them telling him.
Healing the sick and poor without any medicine.
Helping people overcome difficulties just by his blessings.
However, he never claimed to be a saint or a god. He simply said, "Allah Malik" (God is the Master).
The Neem Tree and the Underground Cell
One day, a group of curious villagers noticed that the young boy often meditated under the Neem tree at odd hours. Some elders claimed that long ago, there was a hidden underground chamber beneath that tree.
When they dug around the area, they found a small, ancient underground cell. It looked like a space used for deep meditation, and it was clear that it had been occupied by saints long ago.
This discovery led many to believe that the boy was connected to a spiritual lineage. Some even claimed that he was a reincarnation of a great sage who had lived there centuries ago.
The villagers started referring to him as Sai Baba, which means "Holy Father" or "Saintly Master." From that day, he became known as Shirdi Sai Baba.
Shirdi’s Initial Doubts and Acceptance
Not everyone in Shirdi accepted Sai Baba in the beginning. Some orthodox Hindus and Muslims were suspicious of him.
Hindus were confused because he often used Islamic words like ‘Allah Malik’ and spent time with Muslim fakirs.
Muslims were puzzled because he also lit lamps with ghee, performed pujas, and spoke of Hindu gods.
But over time, people realized that he was beyond religion. He followed no single faith, yet he respected all. He had equal love for Lord Rama and Allah, Shiva and Jesus.
Slowly, the people of Shirdi began to accept him, offering him food and shelter. Even though he was offered a proper place to stay, Sai Baba continued to live a simple life, sleeping in the dilapidated mosque, which later became known as Dwarkamai.
The First Devotees
As years passed, Sai Baba gained his first group of true devotees.
A local farmer, Tatya Kote Patil, was among the first to take care of him.
A woman named Baijabai treated him like her own son and brought him food daily.
Mhalsapati, a priest of Khandoba temple, was the first to address him as "Sai", meaning Saint or Master.
These devotees started experiencing miracles and divine blessings in their lives, strengthening their faith in Sai Baba.
Conclusion: The Beginning of a Divine Legacy
The early life of Sai Baba remains a mystery, but one thing is certain—he was no ordinary being.
From a nameless young boy meditating under a Neem tree to becoming the beloved saint of Shirdi, his journey had just begun.
As time went on, his miracles, wisdom, and selfless love made him one of the greatest spiritual figures in India. His message of faith, patience, and unity continues to inspire millions even today.
"Shraddha (Faith) and Saburi (Patience) – these two are the keys to happiness," Sai Baba would often say.
And so, from a small village in Maharashtra, a divine light spread across the world, carrying the teachings of love, kindness, and devotion.
continues in part 2....................................
