Om Sai Ram

Shirdi Sai & Parthi Sai

(Swami with the silver Shirdi idol kept on a throne during the Dassara Yagna, October 1989)

The two bodies are different, but the Divinity is One. The first advent (Shirdi Sai Baba) was for revealing Divinity. The second advent (Sathya Sai Baba) is to awaken the Divinity (in human beings). The next advent (Prema Sai) is for propagating Divinity. The three Sais are Shirdi Sai, Sathya Sai, and Prema Sai. The reason for relating all this is that today happens to be the birthday of Shirdi Sai Baba (September 28, 1835). Shirdi Baba attained samadhi in 1918. Bodies are transient. These vestures are assumed only for the sake of devotees. Unless the Divine comes with a form, no one can develop faith in the Formless. The Divine in human form is the preparation for comprehending the formless Absolute.

- Baba

Divine Discourse September 28, 1991
(From Digest II, A collection of Sri Sai Baba's Quotations)