Beloved Children,
Om Namo Sainathaya
Sai Baba’s position in Vedantic metaphysics is unique in its attempt to resolve the nature of reality, the ontological paradox of reality as ‘one and many’ by seeing the two not as opposites, but as being complementary to each other. His philosophy presents a world in which the ‘one’ unity expresses itself in and through a multiplicity of forms, the ‘many.’ Both are held together in an organic whole, the Absolute expressing itself through multiple finite beings, immanent in them, yet transcending them. Both the Absolute and the plural world are real, and both realise their value in and through the other.
Having addressed the core metaphysical issue, Sai Baba applies this principle to map out and define Brahman as Parama Purusha, not an abstract principle, but as “God qualified by individual selves and matter”. The philosophical concept of Brahmn, the Absolute, gets merged with the religious concept of Ishwara, God, and reality is now realisable through devotional experience. The earlier where the empirical world is controlled and supported by a Saguna, personal god, and the relation between God and the plural world is described as the sarira-sariri-bhava, that is, the connect between body and soul.
That is why Baba say’s “I fill the entire creation, within and without, to the point of overflowing. This universe is directed by God and I am the one who holds the reins” (Sai Sat Charita Chap 3, Ovi 143-148)
Sai Baba’s in Sat Charita, a commentary presents a theological framework to beings consists in surrendering to Him, in the spirit of sharanagati, seeking refuge in Him. This philosophy was later elaborated by baba’s devotees.
This metaphysical position of holding the phenomenal world and the Absolute as both being real worlds, also acted as the trigger for major social reform which Sai Baba pioneered in his time. His philosophy of synthesis allowed him to view the world with a very large heart, and gave him the conviction that there can be no caste, community or gender restrictions in the eyes of God. All are equal in the opportunity to serve and realise God.
Sai Baba embraced all religions as Ramanujacharya and Shankaracharya.
As one stands before the figure of Sai Baba at the samadhi mandir at Shirdi his real nature as a bhakta strikes on, a devotee who deconstructed the abstract notion of Brahmn and turned it into a vision of a personal God who can be reached and realised through devotion.
Baba say’s “Wherever you are, and whatever you may be doing, always bear it in mind that I shall continue to be informed of the minutest details of your deeds”.
(Sai Sat Charita Chap 3, Ovi 143-148)
Yours Sai Babaly
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