Understanding the teachings of our Sadguru Shirdi Sai Baba through an understanding of his life

Our Guru Shirdi Sai Baba, by living a simple yet fruitful life, showed us to live (both inside and out) a healthy and balanced life. He practised moderation in all walks of life .  He was a Jnani (Jeevan mukta), who saw the divine entity in all living forms. He lived for others. He always shared with all,  the meagre food he collected by way of alms and also the food he lovingly prepared and served.  Like other Gurus and saints (realized souls) Shirdi Sai Baba, did not give discourses in Vedanta or Upanishads.  Without uttering any words, by his thought and deeds he made his devotees who surrendered at his feet, attain bliss (feeling of peace and eternal happiness).

By his way of life, he taught us self-discipline and self-contenment, through controlling our   senses, body and mind:

- eat in moderation (share with people and animals alike).

- Live a simple life and let go of attachment to material things

- Be useful to the community by doing Seva (charity), through valuable contribution of your time, money, material things and knowledge (skills).

- Do your assigned duty.

- All religions are one and the same. Practice tolerance to other religions as they guide us to follow the path of dharma and righteousness.

- Practice humanness – Be good and Do good to all life forms (Show compassion to humans, animals and plants), by thought,  words and deeds.

- Eliminate the feelings of selfishness, greed, jealousy, anger, enemity  and criticism.

- Worship the divinity found in all things around us and follow the simple path laid out by your Guru to attain self-realization.

 Let us revel in the knowledge of our Sadguru by following in his footsteps.

Everyday Prayer

Om Shri Sai Nathaya Namah

Om Sai Jai Sai Shri Sai Jai Sai, Om Sai Jai Sai Shri Sai Jai Sai,  Om Sai Jai Sai Shri Sai Jai Sai

Kaayena Vaacha Manase Indriyairva

Buddhyatmanaava prakrite swabhavath

Karomi yadyad sakalam parasmai

Narayanaayeti Samarpayaami

The actions I perform (Karomi) with my body (Kaayena), speech (Vaacha), mind (Manas) or with other senses of my body (Indriryaiva), or with my intellect (buddhi) and soul or with my natural born tendencies like the motor senses, related to my previous births – vasanas (Prakrite Swabhavath),  I offer (Samarpayaami)  everything (sakalam) to Lord Narayana. 

Note by author: Even though the name Narayana has several different meaning, we can take it to mean the “son of Primal man or prakriti (eternal)”. Nara means man, it can also mean ‘water’. In this context, we offer everything to Narayana (Vishnu), who is omnipresent, omniscient and infinite as the ocean.

Kara Charana Kritim Vaak, Kaaya Jam Karma Jam Vaa
Sravana Nayana Jam Vaa, Maansam Vaa Aparadham
Vihitam Avihitam Vaa, Sarvam Etat Kshmaswa
Jaya Jaya Karunaabdhe, Sree Mahadeva Sambho.

Please forgive all my mistakes (Sarvam Etat Kshmaswa), Lord (Shri Mahadev Sambho),Made by my hands (hands), feet (Charan), body(kaaya) or karma  (karma) ,By my speech (vaak), ears (Sravana), eyes (Nayana) or mind (Manas) ,By intent (vihitam) or through neglect (Avihitam), LordMahadeva (the greatest of all Gods) Sambho (Shiva) May all glory be unto thee, Lord.Sacred ocean of mercy (Jaya Jaya Karunaabdhe).

 Svasti prajabhyam paripalayantham nyayeana margena mahim maheesah
gobrahmanebhya shubamsthu nityam lokah samastha sukhino bhavanthu

May there be well being to the people;
May the kings rule the earth along the right path;
May the cattle and the Brahmins have well being forever;
May all the beings in all the worlds become happy;
Peace, peace and peace be everywhere!

References:

http://wiki.name.com/en/Narayana

http://archives.amritapuri.org/bharat/mantra/lokah.php