most famous holy men. His influence extends
through several spiritual teachers who were
influenced by him. MEHER BABA spent time with
both Sai Baba and one of Sai Baba’s followers, Sri
Upasani Baba. SAT YA SAI BABA considers himself
the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi. Both
Meher Baba and Satya Sai Baba have worldwide
movements.
Further reading: Arthur Osborne, The Incredible Sai
Baba (New Delhi: Orient Longmans, 1957); P. D. Sham
Rao, Five Contemporary Gurus in the Shirdi (Sai Baba)
Tradition (Madras: Christian Literature Society, 1972);
Kevin R. D. Shepherd, Gurus Rediscovered: Biographies
of Sai Baba of Shirdi and Upasni Maharaj of Sakori (Cam-
bridge: Anthropographia, 1986).
Saiva Siddhanta
Saiva Siddhanta is a form of SHAIVISM practiced in
Tamil-speaking regions, particularly Tamil Nadu
and northern Sri Lanka. It is based on the 28
Shaivite AGAMAS, authoritative texts that interpret
and extend Vedic knowledge, and on the teachings
of the 63 NAYANMARS, the Tamil Shaivite saints.
Other authorities include MANIKKAVACAKAR, who
wrote the beloved TIRUVACAKAM (Sacred utter-
ances) (c. 10th century), and Meykanda, with his
Sivajnanabodham (Awareness of the knowledge of
Siva) (c. 13th century).
Saiva Siddhanta focuses on the three cat-
egories of pati, pashu, and pasha. Pati is SHIVA,
transcendent and pristine. Though he takes on
a manifest aspect to enter the world, the worldSai Baba of Shirdi (c. 1856–1918), the shrine of a holy man and miracle worker in Maharashtra (Gustasp Irani)
Saiva Siddhanta 375 J