Sai Baba’s Teachings – Akshaya Peeth

Sai Baba’s teachings are simple, timeless and deeply practical. They invite us to move beyond fear, impatience and division, and to live with greater faith, patience, equality and compassion.

These teachings are not meant only to be read. They are meant to be practised in our thoughts, relationships, responsibilities and everyday actions.

Shraddha means sincere and unwavering faith. It is the strength to continue trusting the Divine even when life is uncertain or the desired result has not yet appeared.

Faith does not mean that we will never face difficulties. It means that we do not allow difficulty to take away our hope, courage or inner balance.

Reflect

Where in my life do I need to replace fear with faith?

The Two Coins Baba Asked For

Radhabai Deshmukh came to Shirdi seeking a mantra from Baba and began fasting until He accepted her request. Baba taught her that the true offering required from a seeker was not a secret mantra, but the two coins of Shraddha and Saburi.

An elderly devotee, Radhabai Deshmukh, came to Shirdi with a strong desire to receive a mantra directly from Sai Baba. She decided to fast until Baba accepted her as His disciple and gave her spiritual instruction.

When Baba learned of this, He lovingly explained that spiritual progress does not depend merely on receiving a secret mantra. He narrated how He had served His own Guru for many years. His Guru had asked Him for two coins, not physical money, but Shraddha, or firm faith, and Saburi, or patient perseverance.

Baba explained that He had remained with His Guru with unwavering faith and had waited patiently without losing trust. These two qualities, He said, were the true offerings required from a seeker. Radhabai understood Baba’s teaching and gave up her fast.

What this story teaches: Faith gives direction to our journey. It helps us remain connected to hope even when the path is not clear.

Source: Shri Sai Satcharitra, Chapters 18-19, “Radhabai Deshmukh’s Story”

Saburi means patience, perseverance and the ability to wait without losing faith.

It does not mean remaining inactive. It means continuing to make the right effort while accepting that every process has its own time.

Reflect

What good effort should I continue instead of becoming discouraged by delay?

Cholkar’s Sugarless Tea

Cholkar quietly gave up sugar in his tea so he could save enough to visit Shirdi and offer sugar at Baba’s feet. When Baba later asked that Cholkar be served tea with plenty of sugar, He revealed that He knew the devotee’s private sacrifice.

Cholkar was a poor devotee who heard a kirtan about Sai Baba and developed a deep desire to visit Shirdi. However, he did not have enough money for the journey.

He prayed to Baba and resolved that if his difficulties were overcome, he would visit Shirdi and offer sugar at Baba’s feet. Until he could fulfil his promise, he stopped taking sugar in his tea so that he could save a small amount of money.

In time, Cholkar’s circumstances improved and he was able to travel to Shirdi. As Cholkar was leaving, Baba asked Tatya Patil to serve him tea with plenty of sugar.

What this story teaches: Saburi gives us the strength to continue with faith when fulfilment is delayed. Even a small effort, sustained with sincerity, can become a meaningful act of devotion.

Source: Shri Sai Satcharitra, Chapter 15, “Cholkar’s Sugarless Tea”

Sai Baba looked beyond caste, religion, wealth and social position. His life brought people of different communities together and showed that spiritual truth cannot be confined to one identity or tradition.

Equality becomes meaningful when it enters our conduct. It is reflected in the respect we show to every person, especially those who cannot offer us anything in return.

Reflect

Do I respect people whose beliefs, background or way of worship are different from mine?

Rama Navami and the Urs

During Baba’s lifetime, Shirdi became a place where Hindu and Muslim devotees celebrated together. The Rama Navami festival and the Muslim Urs stood side by side as a living expression of mutual respect.

During Baba’s lifetime, Shirdi became a place where Hindu and Muslim devotees came together. The celebration of Rama Navami was held alongside the Muslim Urs, with devotees from both communities participating in the festivities.

The celebrations included processions, music, flags and devotional observances. Rather than allowing differences to divide the people, Baba allowed the traditions to exist together in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

What this story teaches: Equality does not require everyone to follow the same path. It requires us to respect every sincere path and treat every person with dignity.

Source: Shri Sai Satcharitra, Chapter 6, “The Rama-Navami Festival”

Sai Baba’s love was expressed through care, forgiveness, protection and service. His teachings remind us that devotion is reflected in how we treat people, animals and all living beings.

Love is not only a feeling. It is a choice we make through a kind word, a patient response, a helping hand or food offered to someone who is hungry.

Reflect

Whose suffering can I ease through one small act of kindness today?

The Hungry Dog

Mrs. Tarkhad once fed a hungry dog while staying in Shirdi. Baba later told her that He had been fed, teaching that service to a hungry or suffering being is service offered to the Divine.

While Mrs. Tarkhad was staying in Shirdi, a hungry dog came to the house where she was living. She gave the dog a piece of bread.

Later, when she went to see Baba, He told her that He had been fed. She was surprised because she had not offered food directly to Baba. Baba then explained that the hungry dog was not separate from Him.

What this story teaches: Compassion begins when we recognise that every living being deserves care. Service offered without expectation becomes a form of worship.

Source: Shri Sai Satcharitra, Chapter 9, “The Story of Mrs. Tarkhad”

Explore More Teachings and Parables

Continue exploring more stories, teachings and parables from Sai Baba’s life and devotees’ experiences.

Explore More Teachings and Parables

About the Sources

The teachings and stories presented here are drawn from respected writings and recorded experiences associated with Sai Baba and His devotees.

Our references include:

Bringing the Teachings into Daily Life

Sai Baba’s teachings become meaningful when they shape our thoughts, choices and actions. Begin with one small, sincere step:

Remember Sai Baba,
Practice Naam Smaran,
Show patience,
Help someone, or
Offer your work as Seva

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