Shirdi Sai Baba: Death and life are the manifestations

Photo: Shirdi Sai Baba (28 September 1835 – 15 October 1918) resided in Shirdi and is an Indian spiritual master who is regarded by his devotees as a saint, fakir, and satguru, according to their individual proclivities and beliefs. He was revered by both his Hindu and Muslim devotees, and during, as well as after, his life it remained uncertain if he was a Hindu or a Muslim. This, however, was of no consequence to Sai Baba. He stressed the importance of surrender to the true Satguru or Murshid, who, having gone the path to divine consciousness, will lead the disciple through the jungle of spiritual training. He had no love for perishable things and his sole concern was self-realization. He taught a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace, and devotion to God and guru. He gave no distinction based on religion or caste. Sai Baba's gave the Hindu name Dwarakamayi to the mosque in which he lived. He practised Muslim rituals, taught using words and figures that drew from both Hinduisn and Islam. He was buried in Shirdi. One of his well known epigrams, "Sabka Malik Ek" ("One God governs all"), is associated with Hinduism and Sufism. He also said, "Trust in me and your prayer shall be answered". He always uttered "Allah Malik" ("God is King").