What is the one word that comes to mind when you hear the mention of Shirdi Sai Baba?
Yes, it is: ‘Miracles’.
The reason behind Baba’s miracles is explained in his famous words, “I give people what they want so that they may want what I want to give them.”
Therein lies the inspiration behind spiritual guide and prolific author Gautam Sachdeva and popular YouTube channel host Nikhil Kripalani’s new book, Living with Faith and Patience: Sai Baba’s Teachings in the Light of Advaita. In the seminal book, Gautam has used the lens of Advaita philosophy to demystify Sai Baba’s twin concepts of Shraddha and Saburi.
Dr Bijal Maroo from ‘A Lotus in the Mud’ attended the book launch at the Sun-n-Sand hotel in Shirdi, Sai Baba’s karma-bhoomi, where he performed his life’s work. Gautam and Nikhil’s numerous enthusiastic followers and admirers were all ears at the August 25 event.
Understanding the True Meaning of Faith and Patience
Gautam Sachdeva explained that most devotees approach Sai Baba with a desired outcome in mind. To them, Shraddha or Faith constitutes an unwavering belief that Sai would fulfil their wish. Patiently waiting while Baba manifests the same is what they understand as Saburi or Patience. However, according to him, surrendering unconditionally to the Divine will (whatever happens in one’s life) is true Shraddha. And Saburi is the calmness with which one faces the trials that life presents to us.
Nikhil Kripalani spoke about the importance of offering sewa or selfless service and reading a little from the ‘Shri Sai Satcharita’ daily and reflecting on the same. Gautam elaborated that we do sewa for the feel-good factor it generates in us. Sewa diminishes the self-obsessed ego as the attention is now turned away from ‘me and mine’ to the other in a selfless way, he pointed out.
With these opening remarks, the authors threw the floor open to the audience. Several people expressed gratitude for the book, a treatise on Sai Baba’s teachings. Others were curious to know the authors’ arduous, two-year book-writing journey. The book launch ended with readers queuing up for autographs and photographs with the authors.
Nearly a century after the great saint departed his mortal form, Living with Faith and Patience is a humble yet bold attempt to demystify the cryptic messages underlying Sai Baba’s leelas. The book is a must-have for anyone who considers themselves either a serious devotee of Sai Baba or an Advaita follower.
Living with Faith and Patience is presented as a dialogue between Advaita guru Gautam Sachdeva and ardent Sai devotee Nikhil Kripalani. Nikhil serves as the introspective seeker, posing incisive questions. Gautam’s answers are simple and concise, in his trademark lucid style.
Sai Baba’s fame spread far and wide due to the spectacular miracles performed through his grace. He was known to heal the ailing, light lamps from water, and end epidemics. He could even control the elements. Once, he stopped a downpour to enable his devotees to reach their homes safely. At another time, he is known to have a river flow from his feet.
However, most of Baba’s devotees get stuck in what they want from him and fail to take the next steps towards accepting what he wanted to gift them — Self-realization!
Nearly a century after the great saint departed his mortal form, this humble yet bold attempt to demystify the cryptic messages underlying Sai Baba’s leelas dawns. Living with Faith and Patience is a must-have for anyone who considers themselves either a serious devotee of Sai Baba or an Advaita follower.
One of the most revered Indian saints
Sai Baba was one of the most revered saints of India in the 19th century. He made Shirdi, a small town in Maharashtra, his home. A temple dedicated to him and his Samadhi continues to draw hundreds of thousands of pilgrims there daily. Widespread adoration for this spiritual giant is evident in the temples established in his honor throughout the world.
The Baba of Shirdi is one of the few saints, like Kabir, to have ardent followers from among both Hindus and Muslims. His teachings combined the best of Islam and Hinduism. He advocated for the unity of all mankind, reflecting the philosophies of Advaita Vedanta as well as Sufism.
The book published by Jaico in India is available at a discounted price: https://www.amazon.in/Living-Faith-Patience-Teachings-Advaita/dp/9349358220
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