Beloved Children,
Aum Namo Sainathya
Sainath Parabrahman, an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya made Dada Khelkar narrate to children at Shirdi a story in the scriptures about Dattatreya learning from twenty-four Gurus.
Dattatreya, a revered sage of the ‘Treta Yuga’ in the Hindu tradition, embodies the trinity Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva; his teachings transcend sectarian boundaries, offering timeless principles for spiritual seekers. Dattatreya goes in search of devotees to bless them. Sai Maharaj himself is a Dattatreya-incarnate. He is depicted with three heads, representing the three deities, and six arms, each holding a drum, a disc, a conch shell, a rosary, a kamandal – an oblong waterpot, and a trident, accompanied by a cow and four dogs.
His trident represents balance and control over the mind, body, and soul. Lotus denotes purity and spiritual awakening; the conch signifies the divine sound of creation (AUM) and eternal truth; the rosary embodies meditation; the water pot symbolizes detachment and simplicity; the disc represents the destruction of ignorance and protection of righteousness. Together, these objects convey a path toward enlightenment.
His teachings emphasize the importance of learning from the world around us. In the Avadhuta Gita, he extols the virtues of adopting nature as a teacher. Dattatreya identifies twenty-four gurus from nature, including the earth, wind, fire, and even animals like deer and snakes. Each of these gurus imparts a unique lesson.
The Earth teaches patience and forbearance. Just as the earth bears the burden of humanity’s actions, so should a seeker cultivate tolerance. Sai Baba calls it ‘Saburi.’ The wind moves freely, untouched by the objects it passes over. Similarly, one should move through life unattached to material possessions and desires. The snake teaches the value of solitude and prudence, living in peace without excessive attachment to one place. These teachings reflect an intrinsic harmony with the natural world and underscore the need for humility, observation, and introspection in the quest of knowledge.
Nonduality is the central theme in Dattatreya’s philosophy.
The perceived duality of the world between self and other, good and evil, joy and sorrow are an illusion born of Maya. To transcend this illusion, Dattatreya advises meditation and the cultivation of inner stillness. Through self-inquiry and detachment, one can perceive the unity underlying all existence. His teachings call for intellectual understanding and emphasize direct experiential realization.
Dattatreya advocates a life of simplicity and renunciation, not necessarily through physical abandonment of worldly duties but through inner detachment, highlighting the importance of living as a Paramahamsa, one who is unperturbed by fluctuations of life, soaring above mundane concerns like a swan flying over a lake.
True renunciation, according to Dattatreya, is not in renouncing possessions but in renouncing attachment to them. He instructs seekers to maintain equanimity in the face of success and failure, joy and sorrow. Liberation is attained not by escaping the world but by living in it without being ensnared by its illusions.
While Dattatreya is associated with the unorthodox path of a renunciate who transcends societal norms, his teachings also stress the importance of discipline. He encourages meditation, selfless service, and devotion to a higher power.
In his view, devotion is not blind ritualism but a heartfelt surrender to the Divine. Discipline, when coupled with devotion, accelerates the journey towards enlightenment. Dattatreya emphasizes compassion, truth, and self-awareness. His wisdom reminds us that divinity resides within each being and that liberation is not a distant goal but an ever-present reality waiting to be realized.
One can align with the eternal truth by learning from nature, embracing nonduality, practicing detachment, and cultivating discipline. In a world mired in conflict, Dattatreya’s message shines as a timeless beacon, inviting all to embark on self-discovery and liberation.
When you visit Shirdi, please go to Lendi Baugh and offer your worship to Lord Dattatreya. Then, only your pilgrimage to Shirdi is fulfilled.
Yours SAI BABALY,
The SAI AURA Team
Misfortunes are blessings, which happen for good if we surrender to Sai Maharaj,
– Dada J. P. Vaswani
“To be a devotee of Sai Maharaj, learn to be as simple as possible.”
– Sri Narasimha Swamiji
“With Recitation of Vishnu Sahasranama daily
You will have mastery of your life”
– Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
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