There are two aspects of God or Brahman : (1) the Unmanifested (Nirgun) and (2) the Manifested (Sagun). The Nirgun is formless, while the Sagun is with form, though both denote the same Brahman. Some prefer to worship the former, some the latter.
Our love and devotion do not develop unless we worship Sagun Brahman for a certain period of time, and as we advance; it leads us to the worship (meditation) of Nirgun Brahman.
Shirdi Sai always emphasized the importance of faith in our devotion. He reassured us that he will bless us no matter what. He appeared as Rama, Datta, Hanuman, Shiva, and all other forms when his devotees prayed to him in those forms. Hemadpanth talks about Dr. Pandit’s story in Sri Sai Satcharita where Baba appeared as Sri Guru Raghunath from Dhopeswar (Kaka Puranik).
Dr. Pandit came to to Shirdi only once to see Baba. When he went to Dwarakamai, Baba told him to go to Dada Bhat. Later he came along with Dada for Baba's worhip. Dada is a staunch devotee of Baba and till then no one had dared to apply fragrant paste (gandh) “ tilak ” (circular, auspicious mark on the forehead) to Baba. Baba would not allow anyone to apply the fragrant paste to his forehead. Only Mhalsapati smeared it on his throat; others applied it to his feet. But this Pandit was full of devotion. He took away Dada's puja dish, and holding Sree Sai’s head, he smeared him with the three fingered parallel lines; (tripundra). Watching this Dada’s heart began to beat fast. He thought that Baba would be enraged. Thus the impossible had happened! Baba did not utter a word. On the contrary he seemed quite pleased and did not get angry with him at all. So be it. He let that moment pass. When Dada asked Baba why he let Dr. Pandit paste tilak and why not others. Baba said, " He saw his Guru in me and I had no choice except to let him do the worship". Then when Dada spoke to Dr. Pandit he confirms that he saw his Guru Raghunath from Dhopeswar (kaka Puranik) in Baba.
Sai is even greater than all the seven forms that we all worship – Image of God, Sacrificial altar, fire, supreme light, sun, water, Brahmin (those wearing the sacred thread). Through this story, Baba taught us how to merge with Guru with worship. Sai wanted us to learn how to love our Guru and to have single mindedness in worshiping your Guru.
Om SriSairam!
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