Duabi : For the first time in Dubai, a special Sai Satsang was organized to honor the spirit of Shirdi Saibaba, bringing together devotees from all walks of life.
The evening was graced by the presence of Gurujee Chandra Bhanu Satpathy, a spiritual master who has spearheaded the global Sai movement for over four decades.
As the chief guest of the event, Gurujee shared profound insights into the exponential growth of Shirdi and the essence of Saibaba’s divine presence.
Gurujee began by highlighting the remarkable transformation of Shirdi, once a small village with a population of just 1,500 people, into a thriving town of over 60,000.
He pointed out that Shirdi now boasts a railway station and an airport, with daily visits from 50,000 to 60,000 devotees.
According to government reports, an estimated 2 crore people visit the sacred town annually. This meteoric growth, Gurujee explained, is a testament to the powerful and enduring impact of Sai Baba’s spiritual legacy.
The question that arose was why is Shirdi growing like this?
What is so special about this saint?
To answer, Gurujee shared his own profound experience during his first visit to Shirdi and elaborated on the ways in which the Sai movement has spread across the world.
He said Sadgurus are different than Rishis, Munis, and Acharyas, He explained that Sadguru, in particular, guides the soul on the path of spiritual evolution, bridging the relationship between God and the devotee.
Gurujee named revered saints such as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Shirdi Sai Baba, and Ramana Maharshi as true Sadgurus, whose divine presence transcends miracles and is more known for their immense compassion and kindness.
“Miracles happen with Sadgurus,” Gurujee remarked, “but their greatest legacy is their selfless service to humanity, helping devotees without expecting anything in return.”
He emphasized that Sadgurus are deeply committed to human elevation and excellence, always putting the well-being of their followers above all else.
Gurujee also noted that great saints like Kabir and Guru Nanak transcended religious boundaries, understanding that divinity resides in every living being. “A true Sadguru has the power to see God in every creature,” he said, further emphasizing that in the modern world, science itself is revealing the divine presence.
Describing Sai Baba as a divine presence that stood between his devotees and their suffering, Gurujee spoke about how Sadgurus serve as examples of cultural assimilation, embracing and uniting people from all backgrounds, all in the pursuit of spiritual growth.
He noted that the 16th century saw the rise of the Bhakti movement, with saints like Tulsidas, Ravidass, Sankardeva of Assam, and the Panchasakha of Odisha contributing simple yet profound spiritual literature. In this, the Sadguru remains the simplest among the simple, guiding the soul through humility and devotion.
Gurujee also shared an interesting historical tidbit, revealing that the British government’s intelligence report once acknowledged Shirdi Sai Baba as a true saint, a testament to Baba’s widespread influence and credibility.
The evening was marked by soul-stirring cultural performances, with the renowned playback singer Suresh Wadkar rendering beautiful bhajans written by Gurujee.
Antara Chakraborty from Odisha captivated the audience with her melodious voice, while devotees from different parts of India performed cultural events, reflecting the diverse but united spirit of the gathering.
One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the performance by the child artists, and grand Maratha-style welcome to Gurujee and Palki procession in the end. The event was truly divine, as the atmosphere was filled with devotion, joy, and unity.
The gathering was graced by dignitaries such as the Consul General officials from Dubai, G. Satish Reddy, former scientific advisor to the defence minister, and Rajiv Joshi, a former senior bureaucrat, among many other distinguished guests.