
SRI SHIRDI SAI BABA is worshiped as the Incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, who in turn is
considered as the Creator-Maintainer-Destroyer of this creation. Lord Dattatreya had graced
Shri Sai Baba with the combined qualities of Lord Shiva, Lord Ram, Lord Krishna and Lord
Hanuman. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba taught about religious harmony among human beings, among
various sects and religions. Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi is worshiped as a manifestation of the Divine,
the Sadguru (the Ultimate Guru or Teacher). He, through his simple yet profound teachings
taught people how to cultivate peace of mind in a world full of strife through love and selfless
service to all. The cardinal principles of His teachings are ?Shraddha? (Faith) and ?Saburi?
(Patience). Sai Baba asked His devotees to have Faith and Patience combined with love and
reverence towards all. Yet, He did not encourage His congregation of devotees to abandon their
diverse belief systems, but rather pursue their own with unshakable faith, devotion, forbearance,
and strong conviction that it?s the same one God that everyone is trying to call upon by different
names. The latter was His favorite phrase which He iterated over and over to impress upon
people that the God they worship through myriad names, languages, rituals, attitudes, festivals
and prayers is but One. This message, He demonstrated in practice through a day-to-day life
that was brimming with boundless love for human beings, animals, and plants. His simple and
practical teachings helped people around Him to pursue fruitful lives in peace and harmony, and
continue to hold good today, as profoundly as at any other time. The following Sanskrit verse is
a prayer to Sri Sainath Maharaj: ?Sada Nimbavrikshasya mooladhivasat Sudhasravinam
tiktamap-apriyam tam Tarum Kalpavrikshadhikam sadhayantam Namameeshwaram SadGurum
SaiNatham? ?I bow to Lord Sainath, who by his constant stay at the foot of the neem tree ?
which although bitter and unpleasant, was yet oozing nectar ? made it better than the wish-
fulfilling tree. I bow to Lord Sainath, who always takes delight in resting under the neem tree and
bestowing material and spiritual prosperity upon his devotees who lovingly attend on him.? In
human life, the Guru?s place is prominent. By keeping utmost faith in the Guru alone, everything
is obtained. A devotee?s entire strength is due to his Guru.