 |
| Sombari Baba |
Though Sombari Baba was a great devotee of Lord Shiva, had a Shiva Lingam installed at the temple, and held a bhandara every Monday in the name of Lord Shiva, he also respected and loved other paths. The jyoti lamp was always kept burning in the ashram in the name of the Divine Mother. During navratri (a fall festival of nine days in the honor of the Mother Goddess), Baba would worship the Divine Mother. After having his bath every day, he would recite the name of Lord Rama. He also had great respect for Jesus Christ and the Prophet Mohammed. Baba would also speak highly of the path of worshipping fire followed by the Parsi community.
Baba sometimes listened to the recitation of holy scriptures, but he did not encourage worship with too much external paraphernalia and rituals, or very loud incantations of holy scriptures. He focused more on the use of mantras and inner spiritual practices. The main principle of his teaching was that if the “diet” (of thoughts, speech and action) is pure and loving, then the essence gained from such a “diet” is automatically bound to be positive.
===========
 |
| Lokenath Brahmachari |
(From "The Incredible Life of a Himalayan Yogi: The Times, Teachings and Life of Living Shiva: Baba Lokenath Brahmachari"):
In later years at Baradi, Baba Lokenath taught the world about the universality of all religions. The subtle way in which he chose to impart his wisdom is difficult to understand. He surprised his devotees by calling himself a ‘Mussalman’ (Muslim), though he was a Hindu by birth. Asked why he had called himself a Mussalman, Baba said, “The word Mussalman is derived from ‘Mussalam Imaan,’ which means one in whom there is total Divinity.” In the same spirit of universality, Baba said, “I have travelled extensively all over the world and have found only three Brahmins: Abdul Gaffar, Trailangya Swami and myself.” A Brahmin according to Baba is the Knower of Brahman, the Supreme Truth, rather than a person born into a family of the traditional Brahmin caste. Though Abdul Gaffar was Muslim by faith, he was a Brahmin in the purest sense as the Knower of Brahman, Absolute Reality.
Baba’s statement, “I am Mussalman,” and his reference to Abdul Gaffar as a Brahmin have deep spiritual significance. He made these bold and controversial statements when religious dogmatism was at a peak to establish that an individual can reach beyond human limitations by sincere spiritual practice, despite conditioning imposed by sects of Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity.
==========
From ("Quintessence of Sai Charitra"):
"What is your religion or path?"
"Kabir."
By saying Kabir was his religion, Say Baba meant that he is not confined to any sectarian religion like Hindu, Sikh, Islam, or Christianity, and that he is beyond the dogmas of any traditional religious beliefs. Kabirdas ji (another great saint of India) also live his life above all religious affiliations and was established in his natural state of God Consciousness. The conflicts between Hindus and Muslims never could touch him. He vehemently opposed the religious fundamentalism of both Hindus and Muslim communities through his Dohas, couplets, as he was a mystic poet. These couplets have been the source of true inspiration to millions of Hindus and Muslims over the last 500 years. Just as Kabirdas ji was revered and followed by devotees of both communities, similarly, Sai Baba was revered and worshipped by a large number of devotees from both Hindu and Muslim communities.
==========
 |
| Neem Karoli Baba |
(From "Miracle of love"):
Maharajji honored purity of spirit, no matter what the tradition or lineage. He kept drawing us back from our concerns about individual differences, back beyond the forms, with his oft-reiterated remark, “Sub Ek (All one)!
He used to say, "All religions are the same. They all lead to God. God is everybody .... the same blood flows through us all, the arms, the legs, the heart, all are the same. See no difference, see all the same. you must honour Shiva through love. Ram and Shiva are the same. Ram worshipped Shiva, Shiva worshipped Ram, they are only one.
It is deception to teach by individual differences and karma. See all the same. You can’t realize God if you see differences. Learn to find the love within."
A Muslim devotee invited Maharajji to attend a religious festival at his home. The whole family and many of their friends gathered together to sing Sufi songs and to hear readings from the Koran. Many Muslim mullahs (priests) and scholars attended the festival to perform the rituals and read the scriptures. When Maharajji arrived, the devotee escorted him to the place of honor in front of the scholars. They immediately ceased their singing and complained to the host. They said that they couldn’t continue the rituals in the presence of a Hindu. Maharajji verbally abused them for their prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He quoted from the Koran and from some great Sufi poet-saints on the oneness of all religions. Maharajji asked for some prasad. When it was brought he distributed food, sweets, and money to the scholars. Happy again, they started their chanting. Maharajji accompanied them for many hours, singing “La Il Aha El Il Allah Hu.”
Maharajji: "The best form is to worship god in every form.
You must accept everyone and see in them the Lord. There is no other need for a saint.
Everyone is a reflection of my face."
No comments:
Post a Comment