Guru Purnima: Sai Baba of Shirdi, Shraddha and Saburi.

Dhyanamoolam Guru Murti
Pujamoolam Guru Padam
Mantra Moolam Guru Vakyam
Moksha Moolam Guru Kripa

~ Guru Gita, Guru Strotam

The Guru's form should be meditated upon
The feet of the Guru should be worshiped
His words are to be treated as a sacred mantra
His grace ensures final liberation.

Today marks a very auspicious occasion in the Hindu Calendar, it's the full moon night of 'Guru Purnima', a festival dedicated to the great Indian sage, Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata and the Brahma Sutras. It's a day that celebrates the 'Guru-Shishya Parampara' or the 'Teacher-Disciple relationship' by reinstating the ideals of honesty, commitment and dedication in this time-honored relationship... a relationship that calls for inner growth and learning but is never marred by tangible material influences. The blessed land of India has been incredibly rich in this regard producing several spiritual Masters over the course of history, who have selflessly imparted their wealth of wisdom to sincere students helping and guiding them through their personal journey to enlightenment.

One very notable among them is Sai Baba of Shirdi, the Spiritual Guru, very much alive in the heart of His countless devotees, not in form or flesh but in words... eternal treasures that continue to enrich the poverty-ridden feeble minds even today. Baba considered Himself the servant of the Father and stressed on the moral principle values of 'Shraddha and Saburi': Complete surrender to your Teacher (Shraddha) by truly practicing what is preached coupled with patient perseverance (Saburi) for your efforts was His ultimate lesson to all His students in humanity.

Even as we speak about Guru Purnima, commemorating the occasion is a huge gala celebration in the pilgrim town of Shirdi today, with a swarm of devotees gathered to express their heartfelt gratitude and seek blessings from Sai Baba in their own individual ways. Though I could not attend the festival in person, but could never miss this festive opportunity to express my sincere gratitude nevertheless -a little poem... a gift from my heart, in His feet...

My humble reverence to Thee.

-------------------------------- * -------------------------------- 


When life spirals out of control,
And, I find no answers for questions deep inside your soul. 

When yesterday is gloomy, today pressed,
And, tomorrow seems messed.

When there appears no promising way,
And, plans go frighteningly astray.

When there’s no one to hold,
And, life acts nothing but confusing and cold.

When I have done my best,
And, I got no option but to leave the rest.

That is a golden time…
A time I remember the two timeless words,
Those that Shirdi Sai Baba said,

- Shraddha and Saburi -

A poster of Sai Baba from the markets of Shirdi
"Look to me and I will look to you." ~ Sai Baba.

In the therapeutic resonance of faith,
I find my sanity, 
In the tranquil echo of patience,
Peaceful trails I tread.

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Happy Guru Purnima!

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17 Comments

  1. A heartfelt tribute and prayer for our Gurus. only in our country such wonderful selfless traditions could have emerged. Let us hope some of these traditions continue for the generations to come.

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  2. if you have faith,GURU is always to guide you ! HAPPY GURUPURNIMA !

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  3. So true Arti! The two words Shraddha and Saburi. I can relate with the feelings of the poem. :-)

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    1. Me too, Mohini :-) Shraddha and Saburi are indeed the ultimate healers of life.

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  4. Love your poem Arti - a wonderful tribute to the Guru! Love for a happy weekend!

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  5. Thanks so much for your kind appreciations, @everyone - Pankaj, Martina, Anjali and Rupam da, very happy to hear from all of you! :-)

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  6. Heartfelt Post Arti.Great tribute to the Guru. :).

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  7. Arti i beg to differ on this guru tradition.Can we trust any guru today?

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    1. I totally understand your sentiments, Induji. I agree - trust is indeed a rare commodity, especially in today's day and age. Guru Purnima, for me personally, means embodying 'the teachings' of whoever we put our faith in or learning from whoever draws our heart. Doesn't really matter if that teacher or guru is living or dead (in body) .. a true Guru always remains immortal in the hearts of His students though His timeless teachings.

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    2. Every time i come here i am awed by your spirituality.

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  8. Your touching poem made me think this;while I have my share of worries, sadness, or misfortunes which are somehow manageable with my conviction, patience, conscience and the help of loved people in the course of the time, I hold my breath to see the dazzling insanity and chaos in the world. Isn’t the world getting filthier and more dangerous? I hope everyone takes this timeless magical words “Shraddha and Saburi” to each heart.
    I stopped by to say summer greetings to you, Arti. Sending summer greeting post card is summer custom in my country. I’ve heard about the terrible heat wave in India. Now we are enduring scorching and sizzling weather. Wish you and your family a healthy summer.

    Yoko

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  9. A beautiful post Arti ... Faith makes mountains move and believe me dear blessed are those who have this unquestioning faith in Lord. It took me some time truly understand 'shraddha' and 'saburi' ..your post is helpful in my own journey too ... :)

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  10. That poem is truly touching. Somehow it made me thing about my life and priorities. It's kinda difficult for me to see beauty in the environment, to find good in people and I stuck in this way now. But anyways I love my life, my job and I rarely fell lonely actually. I really like your poem, I'm kind of writer actually. I write for students and here you can buy college research paper from me, I'd like to help anyone who needs help. Sincerely love your blog, keep going with it.
    Best regards.

    - Catherine

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