Sai ( means "Saint" in Persian) was incidentally and instantaneously coined by Bhagat Mhalsapati when he accosted a handsome young fakir circa 1858 AD.. Little did he know that the world inherited from that moment the word that would be repeated enormously and with utmost devotion by people all over the world. The divine role of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba in the present embodiment covered a period of about 64 years between 1854, when He made His first appearance in Shirdi, and 1918 when He left His body. However, sixty years of stay at Shirdi on his second appearance between 1858 and 1918 manifested the depth and expansiveness of his unique role. The period in which Shri Sai lived and influenced scores of people is as historic and universal and replete with inter-religious and inter-cultural interactions as was his philosophy in life. The Indian fabric was woven with racial, cultural and religious threads.. The Mughal empire was on the wane and the British Empire was in the process of laying its foundations. Western culture and Christianity were slowly entering into the mainstream of Indian life. Religious and cultural intolerance were raising their ugly heads in the Post-Sepoy-Mutiny Scenario of India. The scenario cried out loud for a leader, a messiah who could bring about harmony among the divergent religious, cultural groups in such a situation. This formidable task could only have been possible by a human bestowed with the qualities and power of God, who could dare and accomplish the task of bringing unity between the different religious and social groups. Shri Sai was the manifestation of this Godliness as was proven by the association of a large number of Hindu Parsi and Muslim devotees with him. Christians and Sikhs also used to visit Him. His own antecedents are unknown to mankind and history. Was he a Muslim since he uttered "Allah Bhala Kare"? Was he Hindu since he was well versed in all Hindu scriptures and Holy Books? The vibrant religious harmony were reflected in his words "Sab Ka Malik Ek" ( One God governs all). All were treated alike by him. Under his umbrella, both the Hindus and Muslims happily took part in each other’s religious festivals. The caste scheme of the Hindus had no relevance with Shri Sai. He had introduced the tradition of group worship, group prayer and group dining for all and would share his "Chillum" ( tobacco pipe) with all. He even showed highest compassion for animals and birds and encouraged his devotees to feed and take care of them. He recognized no difference in temporal status of human beings. He refused to accept food brought in silver and gold utensils from a queen but relished a single piece of hand made bread from a beggar woman and showered all His blessings. In Him were vested the philosophy of all saints: He practiced and preached humanism and universal brotherhood prophet like. He established superiority of love and compassion above egoism Christ like He taught simplicity of livelihood and excellence of human virtue reflected in day to day conduct – Buddha-like. In the post industrialized world of today, humankind is looking for fast-paced, magical solutions to the problems it created yesterday. All intellectual exercises to bring about peace in the world and happiness to mankind have failed for these efforts are not based on humanism, universalism and love as taught by Shri Sai. The ever multiplying number of Sai temples and devotees of Shri Sai Baba in India and other countries establishes the ever increasing relevance of His preachings today. Jesus as a human embodiment is gone but the spirit of Jesus remains. The body of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi cannot be seen but the magnetic pull of His Divine Soul Is felt by all those who merely think of Him and particularly those who visit His tomb at Shirdi. Baba promised that whosoever would put his feet on the soil of Shirdi, his miseries would end or marginalize. All devotees of Baba find His promise come true,even eighty years after He left the mortal body. Baba used to call His devotees as children and like the true father, kept busy day-in and day-out for their temporal as well as spiritual upliftment. In today’s world the children of God, torn asunder by religious, social and sectarian strife, run to the father to experience that love which can only unite them. Human beings may conquer all the planets and stars before they learn the magic formula to conquer the hearts of their fellow beings. The formula has been given by the Master. It is for us to follow to make the world a better place to live in.