Guru pooja
Sai Baba revealed himself as Satchidananda Guru, a roving incarnation of Dattatreya in fakir attire. His close devotees Nana, Dasa Ganu, Dixit, Upasani and many others observed this attribute and they became the foundation stones and basic material of his cosmic mission as Guru. Baba was simultaneously helping ‘sansaric’ and materialistic men and women who had faith in him to develop as ‘Bhaktas’ surmounting their shortcomings and faults. For this recognition, Sai Baba started celebrating ‘Guru Purnima’ from 1909 onwards and this has become a regular feature.
Sri Narasimha Swamiji has noted that in 1908, Sai Baba made all Guru Bhaktas worship the pole against which he leaned in Dwarakamayi. Next year onwards he allowed them to worship his feet. He said: “I am not God. I am his servant. God dwells in the sky occupied by Brahma and operates even from a pole, like this pole in Dwarakamayi. You adore this pole, which symbolizes my fakir Guru. Guru is not an image or figure. He is a principle”.
His devotees sought a mantra to rekindle their hearts with the flame of his own heart. Baba told them that dedication and surrender to one’s Guru was the secret of Bhakti. His message ‘You look to me, I shall look to you’ is the essence of secret of Guru marga.
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