SAIRAM Shirdi Baba’s choice of Kabir as an exemplary model is attested to the following dialogue with a Magistrate of Dulia’s court Commissioner ; What is your name? Baba ; They call me Sai Baba Comm. : Your father’s name? Baba ;Also Sai Baba Comm. ;Your Guru’s name? Baba ;Venkusa Comm. ;Creed or Religion? Baba ;Religion of Kabir Comm. ; Caste or race? Baba ;Parvardigar (GOD) Comm. ;Age please? Baba ;Lakhs of years Sai Baba’s statement of belonging to “The Religion of Kabir” is important, It could imply his connection to the vast movement of the Kabir panthis or even his being a member of it indeed. Many Baba’s devotees consider him as an emanation from vast spiritual movement which Kabir originated. During my research in India, The first word uttered by N.Kasturi, late biographer of the present Sathya Sai Baba, when asked about Shirdi Sai Baba’s origins, was “Kabir panthi”. >From the Book “Life and teachings of Sai Baba of Shirdi” By Antonio >Rigopoulos Kabir panthis refer to a true home (The fourth world beyond the three worlds , SATHYA LOK the abode of Supreme Purush/Sathya Purush, which is free from the impermanent five elements and three gunas)from where we all are descended on our own accord to experience this world of duality. Salvation is through Sad guru Bakti and the guru works internally to release the Atma/Amsa from the clutches of Body-Mind complex. It is spiritual not religious, in fact free from all religions. The followers needs to observe exactly what sathya sai propounds ,Devotion to the Supreme God ,Speak the truth, No Meat ,gambling and liquor, non stealing of material and other’s wife. Swami some time speaks about Kabir in his discourse. Swamy says: About Worldly life;"However high a bird may soar, it has sooner or later to perch on a tree top, to enjoy quiet. So too a day will come when even the most haughty, the most wilful, the most unbelieving, even those who assert there is no joy or peace in the contemplation of the Highest Self, will have to pray: God grant me peace, grant me consolation, strength and joy." About Spiritual life; Sooner or later, a devotee has to move on from the external vision and experiences of the form of Sathya Sai and begin the inward journey, away from suffering and illusion, to the truth of human life, and to the true home of all humanity. This journey is the product of self-understanding and Self-knowledge, the grace of the Lord, and Divine Love. Kabir says that all your apparent charities and pilgrimages, while your heart lingers for the worldly objects, shall not take you one step nearer to Him whom you say you love. "The heart shall be looked into" is the only one rule that applies to all. Not the turning of the beads, nor the growing of long mats of hair, nor even the idol worship, nor the tinkling of temple bells, nor the recitation of texts of scriptures, nor the holy pilgrimages to the distant temples and mosques will help. The inward journey alone leads to His Eternal Home. The door is closed to nobody, to whatever class or nationality one belongs. (From;In Quest of God A Spiritual Seeker's Journey By V.K. Narasimhan and By P. P. Arya) Recommended Books; Kabir vani, Bijak Anuraga sagar,Devi bagwadam and shiva puran. SAIEESA SARANAM, SARANAM SAIEESA
