The story behind Aarti Sai Baba

Madhavrao Adkar

Sai Baba said, "Aree Madhava (Mahavrao Aadkar), why are you trying to hide the paper? Read it aloud!"

Madhavrao read the poem devoted to his Guru Sai Baba in form of Aarti, which got composed, while he was in Shirdi in 1903-04 A.D.

On hearing it Sai Baba said, "Your this aarti will look after welfare of devotees."

Which is this Aarti of Sai Baba?

As we know there are many aartis of Sai Baba daily sung in Shirdi Samadhi Temple and temples of Shirdi Sai Baba around the world.

Aarti Sai Baba composed by Madhavrao Aadkar, which is sung in afternoon aarti and evening aarti in Shirdi Samadhi temple. Lyrics of this aarti and it's meaning are also written at the end of Shri Sai SatCharitra published by Shri SaiBaba Sansthan Shirdi.

Online you can watch this aarti video along with lyrics and meaning of the aarti on blogpost titled Aarti Sai Baba on Sai Baba videos blog.

Little more about Madhavrao Aadkar

Madhavrao Adkar was one of the contemporary devotees of Sai Baba of Shirdi. He was very good friend of Das Ganu Maharaj. Both of them had Sai Baba as their spiritual guru. Both of them had a sweet voice and sung spiritual and religious songs. They composed these songs also. Thus they were excellent medium for popularizing Sai Baba through their compositions and songs.

Das Ganu Maharaj

It was Das Ganu, who took Madhavrao Adkar to Sai Baba. Mahavrao Adkar considered and honored Das Ganu as his elder brother and had much regards for him. Das Ganu, reciprocated these feelings. To the extent that he made Madhavrao sit for puja and garland him, and touch his feet with devotion. Dasganu affectionately called him 'Baban'.

His visits to Shirdi

Whenever Madhavrao visited the sacred land Shirdi, he would stay in that divine place for longer periods of time. He sustained himself by taking private tuitions. And as soon as he felt the pull towards Shirdi, he would set off for the same.

In the year 1903-04 A.D. once while he was in Shirdi, totally immersed in devotion of Sai Baba. Suddenly a poem in form of Aarti was composed. He wrote it on a piece of paper. When Das Ganu read it he was much happy and was amazed to read that wonderful composition. Though Madhavrao himself was not much exited about it. He just put the paper with the aarti in his pocket.

Both of them went for Sai Baba's darshan in Dwarkamai. Sai Baba knew Madhavrao was trying to hide the paper. So the conversation happened which is given at the beginning of this blog post.

There few more stories of Madhavrao Adkar. Which i feel would me much better that they become part of Sai Baba stories blog and linked to contemporary devotees of Sai Baba of Shirdi.

Related articles

• Sai Baba Arati Hindi and English pdf file download (babasaiofshirdi.org)
• Sai Baba's arrival to Shirdi (shirdisaibabastories.com)
• Sai Baba's love for His devotees (babasaiofshirdi.org)
• Shirdi Sai Baba Dhoop aarti (Evening Arati) (saibabashirdivideos.org)
• Sai reham nazar karna - Lyrics - free mp3 (saibabashirdivideos.org)
• Sai Baba holy name chanting with guitar (saibabashirdivideos.org)
• Website for booking passes for Darshan Aarti and rooms in Shirdi (babasaiofshirdi.org)
• Om Sadguru Baba song with guitar (saibabashirdivideos.org)

Sai Baba's love for His devotees

Om Shri SatChitAnanda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai.

Shirdi Sai Baba is known for His love towards the devotees. His unbounded love attracts so many souls towards Him. All Sai Baba requires if intense love from His devotees. Although, most often we read or hear about Sai Baba's the fulfillment of wishes of devotees, it is but the immense love of Shirdi Sai Baba whose words we should remember are, "I give people what they want so that I can give what I want to give them."

It is for Baba's immense love towards His devotees, to divert their love towards the divine, He fulfills devotees wishes, also give them protection in many ways and on many levels of consciousness.  Also loving Sai Baba's divine form and His Name (Namasmaran), is love for divine.

So in reality, it is because of Baba's love that we devotees love Baba and the divine.

Just a night before a similar experience of Sai Baba's love happened with me. I read about Satsang (singing of bhajans in love for divine) with highly devotional hearted Vikram Hazra on 14th of Jan., in presence of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Pune . Another artist a painter, who paints beautiful Sai Baba's paintings of canvas, Sunil Shegaonkar lives in Pune.  So i thought both of them meet, on occasion that Baba loves, that of singing devotional songs and i should contact both for the same.

Soon after this thought i was reminded of watching photo copies of paintings of Sai Baba by Sunil Shegoankar in a shop exactly opposite Dwarkamai. A point from the past, me asking the shopkeeper (who also happens to be my friend) about visiting devotees responses for the photos.

Usually, the night sleeping time is best for me to contemplate on divine grace. And Baba's love and grace makes it so simple. I just have to keep my head on Sai Baba's clothes putting my hand on Shri Sai SatCharitra takes my consciousness to Baba's divine world in seconds. Am simply in love with this divinely graced book by Baba, better still, Baba's love and grace flowing through this book gives so much solace to me. There is no other way, but to love the divine book.

Somehow prior to this day Wednesday 4th Jan 2012, for about four days. The sleeping happened with chanting of Ma Kali's name, feeling Maa's divine grace from Kali Maa's Chunri from Dakshineshwar Temple, where Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsha loved the Divine Mother. More on how devotion for Maa Kali began is written on the post titled Male and female spiritual energy.

Now, on Thursday as i had mentally reached the point from the past, where i was asking my friend about Sai Baba's photos in his shop. The shop is exactly opposite Dwarkamai. So before i could complete my sentence, i felt strong grace coming from Dwarkamai. I looked back, forgot everything else. The heart and head taken over by grace, lovingly started chanting Sai Baba Sai Baba. 4 to 5 hours might have passed in this state of Sai Baba's love in Dwarkamai.

During that time mentally or say subtly i walked into Dwarkamai and each and every atom of Dwarkamai i felt was Baba. Once i even thought, we have walked in Dwarkamai so many times, and we have to walk on Baba's love, because there is no other way.

On the next night Thursday 5th 2012, i was again sleeping in Baba's grace and then too much saturated by grace got up at around 12. Had some food spent some time in home temple. At about 2 'o clock strongly felt to share previous night experience on the blog. But did not do it, thinking if i start to write, it will get over by 6 a.m., considering the break i would take at 3.30 for cleaning home-temple (Baba's room) lighting incense and attending live aarti of Sai Baba  on Tata Sky TV. Sleeping at 6 or 7 in morning would disturb the sleeping pattern.

Next day, in mail i got a picture from a devotee friend in Mumbai. About people seeing Sai Baba's face in Nimbar in Dwarkamai. Again i was reminded of the strong feeling of Baba's grace in each atom of the Holy Dwarkamai. Later on could also see a couple videos on the same on youtube videos.

Related articles

• Places to Visit in Shirdi (babasaiofshirdi.org)
• Vikram Hazra songs and bhajans (hindi-bhajan-song-videos.com)
• Sai Baba's earlier years in Shirdi (shirdisaibabastories.com)
• The kiss of Shirdi Sai Baba (babasaiofshirdi.org)
• You go; I am with you (shirdisaibabastories.com)
• Stories of Shama - Madhavrao Deshpande (babasaiofshirdi.org)
• The honor of the house is revealed by the dweller. (babasaiofshirdi.org)
• Contemporary devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba. (shirdisaibabastories.com)
• Sai Baba holy name chanting with guitar (saibabashirdivideos.org)
• Sai reham nazar karna - Lyrics - free mp3 (saibabashirdivideos.org)
• Anuradha Paudwal - Sai Bhajan (saibabashirdivideos.org)

Sai Baba blessed me with His grace and a baby boy

Following is a very heart touching leela of Shirdi Sai Baba, which a devotee sincerely wants to share with this blog readers. i have added some relevant links to the writing.

Om Sri Sai Nathay Namah

I sincerely request the team to allow this article to be published, as it will give immense strength and confidence to all baba's children who are still waiting for his amazing blessings, which CAN make their lives take a BIG U TURN!!!!

JAI SAI RAM
Shirdi Sai Baba came into my life in 2005. Although i knew about him a few years before but getting to understand him only came in 2005. It was the same year my mother-in-law was visiting us from india, and we went to his temple together. Although i had no intention of opening my heart to him but as soon as i saw him i bursted out crying (One of the 8 types of spiritual ecstasies). I had been trying for a child for quite sometime now without any success. I had a miscarriage in 2003 and was unable to conceive after that. As soon as i saw baba's idol, tears rolled down and i heard a very clear voice telling me "Ï HAVE COME HERE FOR YOU". I kept crying while the shej aarti (Shirdi Sai Baba Aartis) was being played, and felt really light after that. I came home and started praying to baba to bless me with a child. 3 years passed and i became pregnant in 2008. Me and my husband were over the moon. Everything was going fine until 21 weeks, when things started looking bad. I lost my pregnancy. I was totally devastated and couldn't stop asking baba "WHY DID U DO THIS?????"

Baba told me through a fellow devotee that this was meant to happen and soon i will be blessed with a beautiful son.

I again got pregnant in 2010 and a gorgeous little baby boy was born the same year.There are no words which can describe the merciful nature of our BABA. He proved to me that certain things are pre-destined and cannot be changed but he will hold us and take us safely across this samsara. Baba is everything for me, my friend, my brother, my advisor in fact MY LIFE.

I thank baba from the bottom of my heart for being in my life and making it so meaningful. Beyond this samsara is a beautiful beautiful almighty waiting for us with his stretched hands to embrace us and we only need those eyes to see and touch to feel it. Baba bless all your children with whatever is good for them and grant us wisdom to lead this life on your principles. Love you now and ALWAYS.
JAI SAI RAM

Related articles

• My first and other devotees experiences with Shirdi Sai Baba
• Shirdi Sai Baba Dhoop aarti (Evening Arati) (saibabashirdivideos.org)
• Sai Baba's earlier years in Shirdi (shirdisaibabastories.com)
• The kiss of Shirdi Sai Baba (babasaiofshirdi.org)
• Intense love is all that Sadguru or the God wants (babasaiofshirdi.org)
• List of good Shirdi Sai Baba books (babasaiofshirdi.org)
• Contemporary devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba. (shirdisaibabastories.com)

How do we do Sai Baba’s bhakti in Navratri?

Om Shri Sai Nathaya Namaha!

Navratri 2011 has already started. I received an email from a Shirdi Sai Baba devotee, with a question. The email was

Alpeshji,
Namaste.

Navatari ke dino me Shri. Saibaba ki bhakti kis prakar kar sakate hain? matlab, Shri. Sai Satcharit padhane ka, jaap karane ka. aur kuch aap bata sakate hain? pl. reply kijiye.
 
The question was asked in Hindi. Here is rough translation. How can we devote ourselves to Shirdi Sai Baba?
 
Further the reader gets a little more specific :).By doing Parayan of Shri Sai SatCharitra, doing jaap or Naamsmaran of Sai Baba. Or is there anything more?
 
I was reading a wonderful short story few days back. It was in a book called Words of Kabir and other stories by Sam Kerawala. i was suppose to send this book to my dear friend Vikram Hazra, who is a very good bhajan singer. He sings with bhava and devotion. A gifted soul. When he sings, a divine atmosphere is felt, the listeners minds are transported to another world. Hopefully we will get a Sai Baba Naamsmaran audio cd recorded with his devotional voice and music.
 

So coming back to the story which tells a lot about devotion.
 
The Story. (as i remember, not exactly as it appears in the book)
 
Once there was a man who had worked, all of his life as a clown in a circus. At the old age, he retired and settled in his village. He had genuine love for God. He regularly visited Church for prayers. Having spent his entire life working as a clown in circus, he did not knew much about traditional ways of prayers and rituals.
 
To please God, everyday he visited Church and performed some juggling and other clown tricks, only things he knew best. His actions went without much noticed for few days. Then, a priest got a little suspicious about this strange behavior of a new and regular visitor of the church.  
 
He hide himself to notice what exactly this man was up to. He was shocked to see the man performing silly tricks in front of Lord. This idiot should be thrown away he thought. He was about to open the chapel door to put in action of what he thought about.
 

What he witnessed, left him frozen in awe. The statue of Jesus came alive, stepped down the altar, with his very own hands and robe, he lovingly wiped the sweat of his dear clown.
 
Bhava or love is what Sadguru or divine wants. Already on this blog, a similar story of Sai Baba Himself, loving a poor devotee name Mahali who loved Sai Baba and called Him Shai Baba is posted Intense love is all that Sadguru or the God wants.
 
Sai Baba sacred book Shri Sai SatCharitra has a very special place in many devotees heart. You can read more about it - Sai SatCharitra Parayan
 
Worshiping Sai Baba is another post that i suggested in reply to the answer of the email.
 
Foe those devotees who love Japa or chanting or singing of Sai Baba name or Sai Baba mantras. Naamsmaran of Sai Baba and What's The Meaning of "Om Sai Ram"? should be a good read.
 
A very similar story is also written in the article Prayers to Shirdi Sai Baba.

Om Sai Ram!