Garland of 108 Precious Gems
Ashtotthara Satha Nama Rathnamala
1. Om Sri Sathya Sai Baabaaya Namah
Baba was sought as a Son by His 'Mother', Easwaramba, through a series of Sathyanarayana Vrathas; so, He was named 'Sathyanarayana' and called 'Sathya' until His fourteenth year, when He judged the time had come to announce that He was no other than Sai Baba, come again. He is therefore to be worshipped as Sai Baba; millions know Him as Sai Baba, or 'Sathya' Sai Baba (The 'real0 or the 'genuine' Sai Baba). Sai means Lord, Master (Shahi, Shah, Padshah, Sahi, Sayi, Sai). It also means 'Sa' Sarveswara, Sovereign; 'Ayi' Mother; Baba means Father. So, Sai Baba means 'Master, Mother and Father'. 'Namah' means 'bow down', bend with folded palms, dedicating by the ten fingers held together the ten senses (both internal and external) to God. Namah according to Baba must be done, along with the mental resolution, Na Mama, 'Not Mine' but 'Thine'. Namah must be the outward expression of that Inner Surrender - 'Thajjapasthadartha Bhavanam'. Repeat it and dwell on its meaning. "Om Sri" is to be pronounced before every name because Om in the Primal Sound that persists through all changes in all creation (as well as in the Central Spinal Cord of Man, during Yoga). It is the very signature tune of Brahman and therefore of Baba. "Sri" means Glory in all its aspects.
(From : Garland of 108 Precious Gems,
Ashtotthara Sathanama Rathnamala, by Prof N Kasturi)
