It Is Sai Who Gave Meaning To The Word 'Guru'

In the sacred chronicle of Shirdi, there arrived a learned scholar named Muley Shastri from Nasik. He was a devout Brahmin, deeply versed in the Vedas and rigorously devoted to the Agnihotra (fire rituals). His life was governed by strict adherence to purity and scriptural study. However, alongside his devotion lay a subtle rigidity—a belief that sanctity was confined to specific rituals and attires. He was also an expert in palmistry and intended to examine Baba’s hand, thinking, 'If I get hold of his hand, I will study the lines to see what makes this being an avatar. I shall treat him as study material.'

But the Master of Shirdi, who reads thoughts before they are spoken, denied him this intellectual indulgence. Instead of offering His palm, Baba handed him four bananas and dismissed him. Later, as the midday Aarti approached, Baba commanded, "Go get Dakshina from that rigid Brahmin." Muley Shastri, then dressed in his sacred sovala (pure ritual silk), was hesitant. He thought, 'I am a pure Brahmin; if I enter the mosque in these clothes, I will be polluted.' Yet, unable to refuse the wealthy Bapusaheb Booty who brought the message, he walked to Dwarkamai but remained standing in the sabha mandap below, refusing to climb the steps to preserve his ritual purity.

As the Mantra Pushpanjali began, Muley Shastri threw flowers toward Baba from a distance. But in that moment, the veil of illusion lifted. Where Sai Baba sat, Muley Shastri suddenly saw his own late Guru, Gholap Swami—dressed in saffron robes, holding his staff, exactly as he was in life. Overwhelmed with emotion and forgetting all rules of pollution, he rushed up the steps and fell at the feet of the Master, tears streaming down his face. When he opened his eyes, he saw Sai Baba again. Through this divine play, Baba silently taught him that the Guru principle is one. The form may change, but the Spirit is universal.