Sai Baba’s Vibhuti/Udi is a beautiful Sai gift. Udi is eternal; exists from times immemorial and shall continue to be. For Udi is holy ash, which comes from fire. Udi is a miracle cure, a divine presence in every Sai devotees home. A reminder that Baba is there, looking after the welfare of the entire family. Despite its’s infinite existence, Udi conveys a lesson in transience…of life.
Udi occupies a place of prominence in every Sai devotee’s home. Replenishing Udi when its nearly over is crucial to those who value its holy presence in their homes! Hence, when Udi is held in high esteem one can safely declare that dreams about this powdery, grey holy ash, the creation of Dhuni, Sai Baba’s eternal fire, gain great significance in the lives of devotees. Those who have or have had dreams featuring Sai Baba’s Vibhuti/Udi deem themselves blessed. Significantly, Sai dreams convey a message, they mean to communicate Sai Baba’s wish. Analysing one such dream, about Baba’s Udi, is the express purpose of this post.
Which dream are we referring to? You might want to read it here in an earlier post of the same blog. A simple, short, and straightforward dream about Baba gracing with a shower of Udi. How lovely! But then what could His message have been? Experiences gain greater clarity when recollected in tranquillity. Their significance is understood over time because in those precious moments one gets engrossed in relishing the flavours of the experience itself. So did this writer. Today, Sai has lifted the veil of ignorance and the light of understanding shines! 😇🔆
A dark cave, well-lit… What does it signify? Does it suggest the presence of light amidst darkness? Brightness because Baba Sai is present. The cave could also be an allusion to our ignorance, the darkness within us, that which clothes the light of knowledge and understanding. This knowledge reveals when Sai worship begins in earnest. Contrastingly, the cave is emblematic of security, safety- a baby in the mother’s womb. Here, the babies being the devotees and the cave Sai Baba’s Sharan or His loving embrace. Once, a devotee is warmly ensconced in Baba’s arms all fears, and anxiety dissipate. In free, joyous abandon worship begins, emanating from the heart, pure, love filled devotion flows. Sai responds. He showers Udi.
The presence of the picture on the boulder, instead of Baba Himself could be an outcome of worshipping Sai daily in the form of pictures and idols. He is no longer present in His Visible Form. It could also indicate- whether it is Baba Himself on the boulder or His picture placed there, it amounts to the same, provided our mind & heart are directed towards His sewa, His devotion. Loving commitment is the only requirement here. The picture refers to the essence of Sai. LOVE 💖is what Sai yearns. The pic is a reminder of His presence both before us and within us. We may as well capture this image and store it in our mind’s eye, seeing Him each time we close our eyes to meditate on Him. An inherent lesson is that of progressing from in Form worship to picture worship and eventually Formless worship when no pic or idol is essential and a devotee experiences Sai within her/him as well as in every being!
Presence of several bhakts in the dream indicates the numbers flocking to Sai Baba. Numbers also speak of rinanubandh. The collective and unified presence in the well-lit cave speaks of a common purpose, a single goal: Sai Bhakti. Doesn’t matter if bhakts know each other, are related by blood to each other, know names etc. It does not make a difference what their caste or place of residence is, or for that matter principles or worship styles. There, in the warmth of the cave, seated across Sai Baba’s picture, they are engrossed in singing collectively for Sai Baba, overcoming all differences, uniting in a common cause. Pure bliss. Sheer joy!😊
The boulder is about solidity, firmness, inflexible bhakti. The boulder was, is and will be. So should our worship for Sai Baba. Further, the presence of the boulder symbolises the presence of Sai. Eternal. Quiet. Waiting.
Sighting Udi all of a sudden could indicate three points: One the worshippers were lost in chanting Baba’s name and hence were oblivious to any other occurrence. Their intense devotion fetched them a reward- Udi. It shows Baba has accepted their payers. It shows He is present in the cave, albeit in the Picture Form. Udi and Baba are concurrent, they co-exist and that is our reality too. From dust we rise and to dust we shall return. The one absolute truth is service and devotion to our Guru, to our fellow beings, to all creatures.
However, Udi finishes before everyone gets Prasad. Sai sport? Perhaps! So that we value the gift, we seek it, we understand it’s true merit and beseech Baba for more. That’s exactly what happens. One devotee asks Baba for more. And Baba obliges. True intent, sincere prayers are rewarded. Nothing is impossible. Baba’s picture showers Vibhuti. Just like He did, in person, after the noon Aarti in Dwarkamayi. One needs to practice utmost Shraddha. To show courageous patience and then rewards come their way.
Every Sai dream leaves us spell bound, speechless. It is thus not surprising that this writer, finds her voice choked and can only gesticulate. Words lose significance after a point of time. Communication can happen otherwise too.
They say early morning dreams come true. This one too did. The transience of life manifested in the form of Covid affliction. But the presence of the picture shows that Sai is the permanence in every transience. Since He took over, the disease couldn’t exercise its ravaging effects on the two of us. It’s severity could not snatch the strength to serve Sai Baba every day.
Friends, it is a great blessing to share that the Udi in the dream manifested on the puja room floor when we were ailing. (Did not light any incense during that time to avoid irritating sore throats). One day there was a sprinkle on the cloth which we wipe Baba’s idol.
Sai sewa before self is the motto of every bhakt. This belief keeps them on the spiritual path.
Sai grace be with all! 🙏🌈
Here’s a translation of a beautiful Sai saying in Hindi:
What Sai Baba has explained to us through His message today He asks us to accord significance to the virtues of Patience and Faith Sai says, I expect nothing from you other than Fortitude and Faith I admire true worship and love, not superficial, outwardly display O my children I do not ask or long for your money or wealth All I want is you choose, at all times, the path of Patience and Faith.
Om Sai Ram 