Shirdi Sai - Udi's significance

We all heard about the miracles of Udi (Sacred ash). This Udi denotes the transient nature of this world. We need to understand that this whole universe is not permanent and one day all these elements will be integrated into the space. In a similar way, this body vanishes too. When the soul leaves the body, this body will collapse and proves that this is nothing but ash. You and I will undergo the same stages. So that you should remember this and I should also be aware of it, day and night, I give the vibhuti. The entire universe is full of Maya. Brahman is the only reality, while the universe is illusory. Bear this in mind that this is what the udi teaches. No person belongs to anyone in this world – be they wife, son, uncles or nephews. Naked you come and naked you will return. The udi is a reminder of it”. If this udi is applied to the body, then physical and mental sufferings are cured. But the true significance of the udi is deep and it is meant for discriminatory detachment.  Baba reiterates this fact and that’s why he gives Udi to every one and is trying to teach us the renunciation. 

Baba used to sing a song related to Udi. “Ramate Rama ayogee; Ayogee; udiyon ka Goniya Layogee”   “O playful Ram has come! And brought sacks of Udi” were the two lines he sang. Whenever he was in a happy and joyous mood, he sang this refrain repeatedly, in a melodious voice. Of course that is the sweetness of Lord Rama’s name. This could be understood only when we give offerings (Dakshina) to Sai and take Udi from him.  The greatness of this udi is beyond limits. 


Narayan was a devotee of Baba and used to live in Nasik. Once he comes to Shirdi with his mother. Baba tells his mother that he no longer has to serve anyone for his job and he can start his own business. He then started a boarding home by name Ananda ashram. It thrived really well. One of his friends was stung by a scorpion and was in extreme pain. They were looking for Baba's udi but they could not find none. Then Narayan goes to his pooja mandir and gets ashes from joss-stick. He invokes Baba and thinking that this ash is Baba's udi puts it on the seat of pain. Then pain disappears. They felt delighted and moved by Baba's miracle. 

Another time one devotee of Bandra came to know that his daughter was down with bubonic plague. He had no Udi so he requests Nana Chandorkar to send himsome Udi. At that time Nana was traveling and did not have any Udi with him. He then gets some dust from the place and prays to Baba and gives it to the person who came. This made his daughter get better. 

Baba's Udi saved lives of Mainatai (Nana Chandorkar's daughter) and her unborn child. Baba took care of so many calamities like plague, cholera and some natural calamities. 

Baba is always with us if we show faith in him and we can face any pandemics or calamities.

OM SRI SAIRAM!