Narrator:
Salutations, Gurudev. Salutations to Shri Shri Shyamakhyapa. From Gurudev's ashram, Shanti Kunj, I, Sujata Rai, send my best wishes and blessings to everyone as I begin today's program. After a long period of secret spiritual practice, Gurudev—at our request—is now sharing his words and teachings not just in Bengal or India, but across the entire world. Through his own YouTube channel, 'Shyamakhyapa,' he discusses his spiritual life and provides solutions to the hardships and miseries of the general public, dedicating himself to the cause of world peace. Today, Gurudev is conducting a special discussion on this topic. I hope you all find it enlightening.
Devotee:
Salutations, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to you.
Devotee:
Devotees would like to hear from you about Shirdi Sai, who is considered an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. Could you tell us something about him?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look, for someone like me, it is impossible to fully describe him. However, I can tell you what I have learned. His early life remains a mystery because he never spoke of his background or his 'Purvashrama' (former life). He first appeared in Shirdi at the age of sixteen.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
He was born in September 1835 and passed away on October 15, 1918. In total, he lived for eighty-three years. As I mentioned, his origins are unknown—no one knows if he was Hindu, Muslim, or Christian, nor is anything known about his parents.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The philosophy he followed was a blend of two traditions. In Hinduism, he followed Advaita (non-dualism), and in Islam, he taught the path of Sufism. His core message was always, 'Sabka Malik Ek' (The Master of all is One). He believed that one God controls the entire universe and that there is no 'second' power.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Hindu devotees regarded him as an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. If you go to Amarkantak, you will see a temple of Dattatreya; Hindus believe Shirdi Sai was a manifestation of that divine energy.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The word 'Sai' itself comes from Sanskrit. It refers to a father, a grandfather, a gentleman, or even a divine, godly figure. It denotes someone with 'divine vision.' People called him 'Baba' out of respect, as he was like a father figure to many.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is also a profound connection between him and Ramakrishna Paramahansa. Ramakrishna was born in 1836, just one year after Sai Baba. Though they never met physically, they held immense respect for one another. Ramakrishna would often tell his disciples that there was a 'Living God' or a 'Messenger of God' residing in Maharashtra. Similarly, Sai Baba would tell his followers that there was a 'Divine Messenger' in Kolkata.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is a remarkable story from when Ramakrishna was on his deathbed in 1886. During that time, Shirdi Sai Baba went into a deep Samadhi (meditative state) for three days. It is said that in this state, he reached the divine realm and saw Ramakrishna already sitting in the lap of God. Sai Baba realized that Ramakrishna had 'applied' to return to the divine source earlier than him. When Ramakrishna passed away on August 16, 1886, Sai Baba returned from his Samadhi to his physical body and continued his work on Earth for many more years.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Sai Baba lived in a mosque that Hindus called Dwarkamai. Today, his Samadhi temple in Shirdi stands on a site originally intended for a Hindu temple. He did not differentiate between religions; he promoted both Sufism and Advaita, emphasizing that God is one and indivisible.
Narrator:
You have just heard a special discussion by the spiritual practitioner Gurudev Shri Shri Shyamakhyapa. We hope you enjoyed it. To learn about more such topics, please subscribe to, like, and share Gurudev's channel. To contact Gurudev for advice or to visit the Shanti Kunj Ashram, you must take a prior appointment via WhatsApp only. Please send your name, phone number, and location to 8080539595 between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Gurudev will call you back as soon as possible.