Day -97. “Om Shri Sai Sama Sarvamata Sammataya Namaha.”

          Shirdi Sai Ashtotramala –Meaning, Meditation and Miracle 

        Day -97. “Om Shri Sai Sama Sarvamata Sammataya Namaha.”

Meaning:

Humble salutation to Him who preached and practiced equality and oneness of all religions (Shirdi Sai Trust).

Reflection:

“Allah” is the only name of God recognised by Islam.  Many of the events, names, stories, places and peoples are shared by both Khuranic literature and Biblical literature, with the variations of dialect time and communication distortion over years. While Jehovah is the name of God in the Old Testament, New Testament often refers God as “Lord”, the Supreme Being. Many Arabic speaking Christians call God as “Allah”!

Islamic religious literatures describe “Allah” (The God) as the most compassionate, most merciful, and loving and He is the Creator, Sustainer, the Wisest and the Kindest. Allah (The God) is eternal and all powerful.

Bible starts:”In the beginning God created Heavens and Earth”. Bible says “God is Love”. God commands over His creation. God is eternal and all powerful.

Vedas and Upanishads of Sanatana Dharma and the literature of its different formats say the Universe is the display (manifestation) of the Brahmam who creates, sustains, absorbs, hides and shows again (by the illusion of mind- Maya).  From this understanding flow the concepts of God, spiritual and material forms, demonstration of universal energy, power, time and eternity.  Brahmam, God or Guru is eternal and all powerful.

Invariably all groups of humans across all continents while organising themselves into a society, demonstrated the awareness of a Super Power. This awareness was exclusive to humans, not even to their immediate predecessor in the process of evolution. Other animals had and have some extraordinary awareness limited to their survival, like the four stages of a butterfly being created.  But this awareness does not relate to a Super Power beyond the limitations as humans have.  Because humans understood the relationship between cause and effect and could also trace the cause for an effect. Consequently, when saw the Universe and admired it as an effect, they wanted to see the cause and found Brahmam, God or Guru. It is amazing that at different times and locations, almost every group, independently was attracted to this Super Power and tried to identify itself with the Super Power and adored it in different names and sought blessings. Depending on the immediate necessities of the society, capacity to accumulate and pass on the research and knowledge, the knowledge of Super Power took different forms in the form of different religions.  Over a long period Sanatana Dharma recognised the fact that the thought on Super Power – Brahmam, God or Guru can have different names forms, procedures, mythologies, beliefs and approaches depending on the seeker’s spiritual development and needs. Sanatana Dharma perceived any religion or religious procedure as a way to understand and unite a seeker to the Creator- Brahmam God or Guru. Sanatana Dharma recognised and facilitated this unification with the Super Power- Brahmam, God or Guru by recognising any of the three ways, Gnana Marg, Bhakthi Marg and Karma Marg.   

“Sai Baba knew all Yogic practices.  He was well versed in the six processes including Dhauti ( Stomach cleaning, by a moistened piece of linen 3’’ in breadth and 221/2’  feet in length), Khandyog, i.e. separating His limbs and joining them again and Samadhi etc. If you though that He was a Hindu, He looked like a Yavan.  If you thought Him to be a Yavan, He looked like a pious Hindu.  No one definitely knew whether He was a Hindu or Mohammedan.  He celebrated the Hindu festival of Ram Navmi with all due formalities, and at the same time permitted the ‘Sandal’ procession of the Mohammedans.  He encouraged wrestling bouts in this festival.  When the Gokulashtami came, He got the ‘Gopalkala’ ceremony duly performed, and on Id festivals, He allowed the Mohammedans, to say their prayers (Namaz) in His Masjid.  Once during a Moharrum festival, some Mohammedans proposed to construct a Taziya or Tabut in the Masjid, keep it there for some days and afterwards take it in procession through the village.  Sai Baba allowed the keeping of the Tabut for 4 days and on the fifth day got it removed from the Masjid, without the least compunction.  If we say that He was a Mohammedan, His ears were pierced (i.e., had holes, according to Hindu custom).  ...    If you call Him Hindu, He always lived in the Masjid; if Mohammedan, He had always the Dhuni sacred fire-there, and the following things, which are contrary to Mohammedan religion, i.e. grinding on the hand mill, blowing of the conch and bells, oblation in the fire, giving of food and worshipping of Baba’s feet by means of Arghya (Water) were allowed there.  If you think He was a Mohammedan, the best of Brahmins and Agnihotris, leaving aside their orthodox ways, fell prostrate at His feet.  Those who went to make enquiries about His caste were dumbfounded and were captured by His darshan.  So, none could definitely decide, whether Sai Baba was a Hindu or a Mohammedan.  This is no wonder for he who completely surrenders himself to the Lord, by getting rid of his egoism and body consciousness, thus becomes one with Him, and has nothing to do with any questions of caste or Nationality.  Baba saw no difference between any two castes and even between beings.  He took meat and fish with Fakirs but did not grumble when dogs touched the dishes with their mouths.

He belonged to all His devotees irrespective of their religion when He walked in the Masjid in Shirdi. Today His Samadhi is the Mandir for millions belonging to all religions.  He is Sama Sarvamata Sammataya.