Sri Sai Satcharitra

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

COURT ON BABA

The discussion as to whether Sai Baba is a Hindu or a Muslim continues even today. In recent times, efforts have been made to declare Sai Baba and His temples legally and officially as Hindu. In 1995, a legal question was posed as to whether a Sai Baba temple could be declared exclusively Hindu, and the issue ended up going all the way to the Supreme Court of India. The Andhra Pradesh Government sought the Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple at Chaderghat, Hyderabad, India, to be declared a Hindu religious place. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal however, and the ruling came down that it could not be held to be exclusively a Hindu Temple.

The Court held that:

“If a temple dedicated to Shirdi Sai Baba was to be treated as an exclusively Hindu Temple, it would be a grave contradiction and negation of the composite religion of universal character which the saint had preached all his life”. The Court further noted that “Baba’s philosophy was neither exclusively Hindu or Muslim or Christian. He believed that God was not bound by the fetters of caste, creed or religion. The Baba used to preach that God did not live in either a temple or a mosque”.

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Disclaimer

The posts in this blog are adapted from Sri Hemad Pant's "Sri Sai Satcharitra" published originally in Marathi in 1929. They are not a verbatim reproduction of the original. An attempt is made here to include all the information available from 1929 till date and present the same in a language easily understood by the present generation. It is believed that every epic needs to be retold to each new generation without distorting the spirit of the original. No originality is, or can be, claimed in such an attempt. Any errors that might have crept in inadvertantly in this humble attempt may please be brought out in the comments.

Foreword

Sri Sai Satcharitra is a very sacred book. It is to be read with utmost devotion. Where ever it is read, that place becomes as sacred as the banks of Godavari River, as holy as Shirdi and invariably Sai will manifest there. He will mitigate all the sorrows and tribulations of those who read it. There is no necessity of performing any japa or tapas or any other difficult sadhanas. Mere reading of Sri Sai Satcharitra will please our beloved Baba. All Sai devotees are kindly requested to use the book in the following manner:

1. Get the book, 'Shri Sai Satcharitra' in whatever language one chooses to read. Neatly wrap it up in a piece of new cloth, and place it near Baba's photograph or idol with due sanctity.

2. Whether at home or elsewhere, one should always read a few pages of the book every night before going to sleep. Every devotee should try to keep Baba as the last thought before sleep.

3. During crisis it should be read devotionally for a week, as is mentioned in 'Shri Sai Satcharitra'. If possible, reading should begin on a Thursday or on some other auspicious day, such as Ramanavami, Dasara, Gurupoornima, Janmashtami, Mahashivratri, Navaratri, etc. After it's completion on the seventh day one should feed the poor and destitute either in the temple/home or wherever possible.

4. One should read it sitting in some isolated corner in the temple or in front of Baba's statue or Photograph/painting. If other people are present, then it should be read to them or with them as well. Group reading always enhances our love and devotion for Baba.

5. Wherever and whenever possible, it should be read continuously from sunrise to sunset in the temples on auspicious days. Devotees may be asked to read it by turn as is done in chanting the holy name i.e. Naamjap. Encourage children to read this book.

6. 'Shri Sai Satcharitra' should be read to the devotees - sick, old aged and those nearing death as much as possible. All of them will get peace.

At times, of distress and agony if one sincerely searches for the answers from 'Shri Sai Satcharitra' he will not only find the answers but also solace. His faith in Baba will grow. I pray Shri Sainath to reveal the divine knowledge and mysteries contained in this book to the devotees in the same manner in which he had inspired Hemad Pant to write this book sitting in his heart. Shri Sai Satcharitra should be read by all Sai devotees like Geeta or Ramayana or Bhagavata.