Who is Sai Baba – An Introduction
Dedicated At The Lotus Feet of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Kaliyuga Avatar
Om Om Om
SAI RAM
Who is Sai Baba
Compiled
by: Mohan Seepersad
(Chairman
of Central Region/Trinidad, W.I.)
91 d
Main Road Montrose, Chaguanas,
Trinidad
W.I.
Tel:
1-868-665-7337
Fax:
1-868-665-8839
Email:
mohan@tstt.net.tt
First
Published 1st May, 2000
Copyright
Mohan Seepersad, 2000
Layout
& Design by Skywriter Graphics
Chasevillage,
Chaguanas.
Printed
by HEM Enterprises Ltd,
Trinidad,
W.I.
Sathya
Sai Baba- a short history
Experience
Me - Do Not Try To Understand Me
World
Regions of the Sai Organisation
Sathya
Sai Baba’s letter to His brother
Swami
talks about God and His Avatar-Hood
We are
grateful to the many people who have helped to produce this book.
We are
especially grateful to Ms. Charlene Leslie-Chaden for her timely and kind
permission to use information from her book
A Compendium of Teachings of
Sathya Sai Baba (A compendium of TSSB).
The web
site www.sathyasai.org.com was also a great source of help.
We
are grateful to Mr. Dwarika Nath
Maharaj(B.A.,M.Ed.) who put everything aside like a true devotee and graciously
proof read this manuscript in preparation for publication. Bhagwan Baba worked
through all the many people who helped in this publication. May he bless them
eternally.
We
thank Bhagwan Baba for allowing us this
opportunity to serve by way of this publication.
Jai Sai Ram
“One
need not drink the whole ocean to taste it, a drop will give the taste,” says
Baba.
This
booklet has been compiled to whet the appetite by giving a taste of Bhagawan
Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The material presented in it has been carefully selected
with a view to introducing Bhagwan Baba to the reader who has just heard of
Baba. Even serious and seasoned devotees of Baba upon reading this booklet,
will have their faith strengthened. Many books are available which attempt to
answer the question “who is Sai Baba?” However, this booklet is intended to
provoke the reader to further inquiry. Ultimately, each individual discovers
Baba in his own time.
A
glimpse of Baba’s life is shown through His major tangible Works, His Mission,
His Miracles, His Teachings and a sample of His ornate speeches. Most of what
you will be reading will be His exact words even about Himself when he made
divine declarations. Subtler than His major works and even more significant is
His transformation of the minds and hearts of His devotees through Love.
Bhagwan Baba says “Love is My form” and truly we come to realize this as
we learn about Him through our experiences both direct and indirect. “Love
is My greatest Miracle,” He says, “My Love for you is that of a thousand
mothers”. This can be experienced and understood in Prasanthi Nilayam as He walks in darshan lines talking,
consoling ,commanding and condemning as he guides us, through His infinite Love
and Compassion.
The
section on prophecies may cause eyebrows to be raised but these are all well
documented and have been thoroughly investigated by professionals who in their
turn were skeptics and “doubting Thomases.”
New
devotees or people who have just heard about Bhagwan Baba will on reading this
booklet have a clearer perspective of this divine phenomenon. All references
have also been included so that the reader can now avail himself of the
pertinent source books to get the context of all quotations. Bhagwan Baba has
given discourses on every spiritual subject over time so that the range of
information is vast to say the least. The discerning reader will be delighted
to learn of the range of available literature concerning Bhagwan Baba and about what He has said.
Baba Himself has said in Jnana Vahini “ Knowledge is acquired by uninterrupted
inquiry”.
In
service, with humility & love.
Gita Seepersad.
SATHYA
SAI BABA — a short history —
Sathya Sai Baba was born in Puttaparthi, a
small village in South India, on November 23, 1926. As a child, he demonstrated exemplary qualities of compassion,
generosity, and wisdom, which clearly distinguished him from the other children
of his village.
On May 23rd, 1940, at the age of 14, he
declared to his family and to the people of his village that he would
henceforth be known as Sai Baba and that his mission was to bring about the
spiritual regeneration of humanity by demonstrating and teaching the highest
principles of truth, righteous conduct, peace, and divine love.
His mission was further amplified in a
letter he wrote to his brother in May 25th, 1947. “I have a task,” he said, “To
foster all mankind and ensure for all of them lives full of bliss. I have a vow: To lead all who stray away
from the straight path again into goodness and save them. I am attached to a work that I love: To remove
the sufferings of the poor and grant them what they lack.”
Sai Baba’s ashram, built by his devotees
close to the village where he was born, was inaugurated on November 23,
1950. It is called Prasanthi Nilayam
(the Abode of Divine Peace). It has been
the gathering place of millions of spiritual pilgrims of various faiths from
all over the world. Every day, Sai Baba
graciously walks among them to guide, comfort, console, and uplift them.
The small temple dedicated in 1950 has
grown into a spiritual oasis of unprecedented magnitude. The temple and the darshan area in front of
it, which is completely covered by a beautiful roof, together encompass an area
that is over 10,000 square yards.
During the period 14 -23 November 1995, the celebrations of the 70th
birthday of Sathya Sai Baba took place in Prasanthi Nilayam. More than one million people, including the
President and Prime Minister of India, assembled in Prasanthi Nilayam to pay
homage to Sathya Sai Baba during the 70th birthday celebrations.
He teaches by example. He says ‘ First be, then do, then tell’.
His
greatest miracle is Love. He is able to radiate Love to tens of thousands at
the same time morning and evening without fail in the physical form, over the
last sixty one years, without even one day off. No one has ever seen Sai
Baba sleeping .
He advises that “Service to man is service
to God”. “Hands that help are holier than lips that pray”. He advocates ‘free
education, free drinking water and free medical facilities for all”. He is
doing this by example of His massive water project, His many hospitals and many
educational institutions from primary to University level are all free of
charge. Some of his works are listed later on for your information.
“Religion is three-quarters character. ‘No
person can claim to be religious if he merely observes the sacraments and
rules, and fails to be upright and compassionate. He performs many Miracles on
a daily basis including healing the incurable, raising the dead on numerous
occasions, materializing vibuthi (sacred ash) and many articles of gold,
silver, diamonds and other precious metals. He is known not only to materialize
objects but to dissolve them as well. Only God is capable of this act of
creating and dissolving. All this He does without any fanfare or attempt to
advertise, in other words, without ego. ‘Man without ego is equal to God’, He
says. You will read more about His Miracles and what Baba Himself has to say
about them later on in this booklet.
His greatest Gift is Liberation itself.
Every moment of the life of this Avatar is spent trying to teach mankind how to
achieve this Gift. In brief He has given the Nine point Code of Conduct, and
the Ten fold Principles of Life as a
guide.
The Sri Sathya Sai Baba Organization has
been formed to assist man in this noble and supreme task of attaining Moksha or
Liberation.
“The main objective of the Sathya Sai
Organization — which you must always keep before you — is to help man recognize
the divinity that is inherent in him.”
“ So, your duty is to emphasize the One,
to experience the One in all you do or speak.
Do not give any importance to differences of religion or sect or status
or color. Have the feeling of one-ness
permeate every act of yours. Only those
who do so have a place in this Organization; the rest can withdraw.” Sathya Sai
Baba Sathya Sai Speaks IX, 35, 187-188.
There is not a single sector of social
life which has not benefited from His healing touch. He finds time to perform
marriages, name babies, perform the thread ceremony, reform and spiritualise
education, provide food and medical relief and organise aid during
calamities. His concern for humanity and human virtues gets translated into
everyday action. On special occasions he clothes and sumptuously feeds the
hungry. At all time, even in the midst of His heavy, hectic schedule, He speaks
with great love to everyone making them immeasurably happy. His work is
stupendous in conception, timely and steady in its realisation, and victorious
in its results. “This Avatar will not fail in its Mission,” He says for
“everything happens by My will.” Here
are some of His sayings (may be
repeated later) which will give you a glimpse of His teachings.
“
Truth is what I preach
Dharma is what I practise
Prema is my form
Shanti is my nature”.
“Love
All, Serve All”.
“Help
Ever, Hurt Never”.
“
There is only one caste - the caste of Humanity.
There is only one religion - the religion of
Love.
There is only one language - the language of
the Heart.
There is only one God - He is Omnipresent.
There is only one law - the law of Dharma.”
“Politics
without principles, education without character, science without humanity, and
commerce without morality are not only useless but positively dangerous.”
“Let
the different faiths exist, let them flourish, let the glory of God be sung in
all the languages, in a variety of tunes, that should be the ideal. Respect the
differences between the faiths and recognise them as valid as far as they do
not extinguish the flame of Unity.”
“If
there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.
If
there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home.
If
there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.
When
there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world”.
“So,
your duty is to emphasize the One, to experience the One in all you do or
speak. Do not give any importance to
differences of religion or sect or status or color. Have the feeling of one-ness permeate every act of yours. Only those who do so, have a place in this
Organization; the rest can withdraw”.
Sathya
Sai Speaks IX, 35, 187-188.
He urges people who are interested in
making spiritual progress to become vegetarian.
He materialises Vibuthi very often as a
cure to a particular ailment or assistance to devotees on the spiritual path.
He has raised the dead on many occasions.
These have been accurately documented. The first documented case was that of Dr. Walter Cowan. His wife later built
the entire hostel for the Whitefield College as an offering to Baba. She was
given a robe by Baba and eventually placed it on the wall of the Sri Sathya Sai
Baba Centre of Marabella which
incidentally was the first Sai Centre in the West Indies.
Another documented case was that of Radha
Krishna. On one of his visits to Baba’s Ashram in Prasanthi Nilayam he passed
away. His family members had tremendous faith in Baba and waited for His decision.
On the third day following his death when his body was already in an advanced
state of decomposition Baba went into the room where the body was kept and came
out with Radha Krishna alive. Needless to say Radha Krishna was free from all
disease and enjoyed good health until he passed on.
He has given us the five values of Sathya
(truth), Dharma (Right conduct), Shanti (peace), Prema (love) and Ahimsa
(non-injury) as guides. However His teachings are captured in several
series, namely “Sathya Sai Speaks,” the “Vahini Series” and “Summer Showers” as
you will see later on in this booklet. Also through the journal ‘Sanathan
Sarathi’ (Eternal Charioteer), which was started in 1958, Swami’s divine
discourses are providing enlightenment and eliminating ignorance.
Sathya Sai Baba is a highly revered
spiritual leader and world teacher, whose life and message are inspiring
millions of people throughout the world to turn God-ward and to lead more
purposeful and moral lives. His
timeless and universal teachings, along with the manner in which he leads his
own life, are attracting seekers of Truth from all the religions of the
world. Yet, he is not seeking to start
a new religion. Nor does he wish to
direct followers to any particular religion.
Rather, he urges us to continue to follow the religion of our choice
and/or upbringing.
Sathya Sai Baba publicly declared his
mission on 2oth October, 1940, at the age of 14. Since then, he has daily exhibited in practical and concrete
terms the highest ideals of truth, right conduct, peace, love, and
nonviolence. He has often stated, “My
life is my message.” Each day, hundreds
of pilgrims make their way to the tiny hamlet in southern India where Sathya
Sai Baba’s ashram (spiritual headquarters) is located. They come not only from India but from
virtually every country of the world.
Over the years, followers have organized to foster the construction of a
variety of buildings and facilities to house and otherwise accommodate the ever-increasing
number of visitors. The name of Sathya
Sai Baba’s ashram is Prasanthi Nilayam, which means “abode of the highest peace”.
Sathya Sai Baba interacts with all people
on a heart-to-heart basis. There are no
intermediaries between himself and those who yearn for knowledge and experience
of God. Every day for more than 60
years, Sathya Sai Baba has walked among and talked with the spiritual pilgrims
who gather around him in increasing numbers.
He offers solace and inspiration to all sincere seekers of truth. One of
the injunctions in the Nine point Code of Conduct is to do (seva) selfless
service to humanity. By example He has done extensive work on Education, Health
Care and Water Supply to villages free
for all. Sathya Sai Baba has given His life, selflessly and magnanimously, to
the service of mankind. Some aspects of these three projects are listed for
your information.
EDUCATION
Sathya Sai Baba places great importance on
proper education for young people.
Parents and community leaders are urged to concern themselves with the
informal as well as the formal experiences to which their children and young
adults are exposed.
He has established a model education
system, which includes primary schools, secondary schools, and an accredited university
with three campuses, (Puttaparthi,
Whitefield, and Anantapur).
Undergraduate, Masters, and Ph.D. degrees are
offered. No fees are charged to students, and admission is open to all,
regardless of race, religion, or economic condition.
In addition to emphasizing the pursuit of
academic excellence, Sathya Sai Baba’s system of “integral education” is
designed to foster self-discipline and pro-social conduct. Students are required to take courses on morality
and spirituality and to devote several hours each week to some form of community
service. Sathya Sai Baba says that “the end of education is character.”
“ The nations progress and good name are
dependent on the behavior of the students. Students are the foundation of the
nation, hence their conduct should be exemplary.”
Baba has said that “the present
education system does very little for the purification, the enrichment and the
spiritual unfoldment of man. It has merely brought society to the brink of
disaster. Education must help to weaken all narrow loyalties and strengthen the aspiration for
establishing a world, peaceful and prosperous ; it must promote in the
individual consciousness ,unity and
tolerance and equality. Education without character, science without
humanity, commerce without morality are useless and dangerous.”
Girls
and boys are kept in separate schools without compromise.
Baba has said much about education. Some
quotations are listed hereunder.
“ Any
system of education that does not help…. to discriminate between right and
wrong, that does not instill the fear of sin and the love of God, that does not
train you in the codes of humility and reverence, that does not widen the
horizons of your wonder, nor encourage you to worship fully, nor serve your
skills and attainments to the progress of your family, village, community,
country language and nation stands condemned. The corruption and cruelty that
are rampant can be traced to this grave defect. As science and technology
advance, humility and love should also develop to the same extent; otherwise,
man becomes a menace to man.” A compendium of TSSB p 163
“ Who are responsible for this? In the
home, the parents are responsible, in schools and colleges, the teachers and
outside, the Governments which have failed to provide a proper system of
education and the administrators who have not recognized their obligation to
train young people on right lines. The responsibility thus rests on all of them
and not on any single agency. In the homes, the parents should teach the
children to cultivate good qualities and noble ideals. Bookish knowledge alone
is not enough. It is superficial and not practical. Students need also general
knowledge and common sense.
Teachers! Inspire your students by
your example. Give no room for anger, jealousy or hatred within you. Teach the
children the three P’s: Purity, Patience, Perseverance. Armed with these three
qualities, they can protect the nation better than any army or atom bombs. When
Truth and Righteousness are protected, the nation will be secure. Truth is God.
This is true for all countries, everywhere, without regard to nationality or
creed. Both Truth and Righteousness transcend barriers of space and time Right
education leads to refinement of conduct. With refinement of behavior, one’s
life gets sublimated. Good intellect alone can lead to happiness which is the
source of peace. Proper education brings about association with good people.
The company of the good is peace itself. Good education redeems one’s life and
ensures liberation as a consequence.” A Compendium of TSSB p 165-166..
“The end of education is character,
and the end of knowledge is love”.
—Sathya
Sai Baba, in Sathya Sai Speaks IX, Chap. 43, 219 (old edition).
“Education must teach a person what life is and its goal. It must purify the heart and clarify the vision. It must prevent pollution of the heart and hands by habits injurious to the individuals, the society and the nation. It must promote virtues and raise the moral and spiritual standards of the educated.
There
is an ancient maxim that says education imparts humility; humility ensures
credibility; credibility brings wealth; wealth induces charity; charity confers
peace and joy, here and here-after”.
“Education must include the education of
the mind of man, of his impulse to hoard, to fight to defame. It is not merely the acquisition of certain
skills, by which the materials found in nature can be reshaped into utility
products; it is not merely the acquisition of information, about laws of
nature”.
“Education should serve to teach you two
things: What is life and how you should live.
Life is not mere existence. It
must be lived for a purpose, an
ideal. A life without ideals is
utterly worthless. Only character and
humility can lend meaning to life.
Students should strive to develop these qualities”.
“If you cannot use education to be near
the feet of the Lord, what is the purpose of this knowledge? You must have God in
your heart and recognise all living beings as equal. You must make every effort to overcome the four obstacles, namely
lust, anger, attachment and greed”.
“Do not tarnish the spotlessly clean minds
of children by creating distinctions between one child and the rest. Impart instruction equally, sympathetically,
and with equal care to all. Select
stories from the scriptures of all religions in order to interest children in
the values of good life. Speak to them
of the moral heroes of the lands, the saints of all faiths and all climes”.
“True education consists of sanctifying
everything you utter and every action and thought of yours”.
SATHYA
SAI SPRITUAL EDUCATION
Education, or Sai Spiritual Education, is
one of the three wings of the Sai Organization (the other two being Devotion
and Service). It is sometimes called
Education in Human Values, the primary values being divine love, truth, peace,
duty (dharma), and nonviolence.
“ Spiritual education for children (Bal Vikas) can serve children of all
faiths. Do not talk about the differences in religions in the beginning; stress
the obvious similarities. Bring to the
pupils the common good advice about human conduct that is contained in the
scriptures of all religions”.
—Sathya
Sai Baba, Sathya Speaks IX, Chap. 1, 10; X, Chap. 22, 107; X,
Chap. 33, 210 (old edition).
“ Spiritual education is not a separate
and distinct discipline. It is part and
parcel of all types and levels of education”.
Sathya Sai Baba, Sathya Speaks IX, Chap. 50, 257 (old edition).
“Children are precious treasures; our task
is to rear them to become devoted servants of God”.
Sathya
Sai Baba, Sathya Speaks II, Chap. 34, 293 (old edition).
The whole world has been looking for an
effective way to inspire and educate the children of this generation in order
to reverse the present trend of violence, crime, substance abuse and
apathy. In this regard the Sathya Sai
Education in Human Values Program, a curriculum for character development was
introduced.
Sathya Sai Education in Human Values, is a
multi-cultural, multi-faith, self-development Program designed for children and
young people all over the world. It is
a simple educational tool designed to help develop positive values in the young
so that children and young adults become fit for life, and not just for earning
a ‘good’ living.
The Program is rapidly spreading in
popularity and has been developed and culturally adapted for use in numerous
countries, across all continents around the world.
Over 175 countries now use the Sathya Sai Spritual Education in Human Values Program at a local (Center level) if not
national level.
Another
program for “ integrating Human Values in Education “ has been introduced by
the Sri Sathya Sai Education in Human Values Trust. This program attempts to
fuse the Sathya Sai Education in Human
Values with the existing School programs. The success of this program far
exceeded all human expectations .Teachers are trained by members of the Sri
Sathya Sai Baba Organisation , and they
in turn train the students. This program is commonly referred to as EHV or “Education
in Human Values”
The EHV program has received a
favourable response from UNESCO, whose Director General in 1985, Mr. Frederico
Mayor, gave the Program recognition, and wished it success in furthering the
cause for world peace through education. In
September of this year 2000, UNESCO is participating in the World
Conference for Education in Human Values (EHV)
in Prasanthi Nilayam in the
presence of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. UNESCO is doing this with the hope
of instituting Sai Baba’s
EHV program throughout the world.
How does the Sathya Sai Spiritual
Education Program work?
In today’s multi-cultural and multi-racial
society, with its changing social norms and expectations, it can be difficult
for a young person to know what is right.
The Program is therefore designed to help
young people to be in touch with their own feelings and nurture awareness with
the qualities within themselves which form good character and behaviour.
It is not the purpose of the Program to
dictate the actions of the individual, but rather, to offer them a secure base
from which they may arrive at their own informed decisions.
The Program seeks to draw out the basic
human values of right conduct, peace, truth, love and non-violence, which are
inherent in the fundamental make up of the human personality. It is these eternal core values which raise
man above the level of the animal kingdom and are indeed shared and recognized
world wide. Learning takes place
through lesson plans based on practical, meaningful and fun activities using
the five components of:
· Stories – about life, identity &
relationships;
· Quotations, poems and prayers;
· Songs and music;
· Silent sitting – exercises leading to inner
calm and peace;
· Activites e.g. drama, discussion, games,
role play, community service, etc.
In working through the lessons that
comprise these components, the importance of the triple partnership for education
becomes apparent: teachers will inspire
children in their schools, if they are value conscious adults; parents’ example
affects the conduct of their children; and children when reaching a certain age
need self-discipline to balance their generally natural exuberance.
SATHYA
SAI BABA AND
HEALTH CARE
Health
is an essential requisite for man; it
is the very root of all endeavor in the four fields of human achievement:
dharma, wealth, desire, and liberation. – Sathya Sai Baba
Sathya Sai Baba has built an ultra-modern
300-bed hospital close to the university and ashram. Highly specialized operations, including open-heart operations
and kidney transplants, are performed routinely. There is absolutely no charge to the patient for
professional or hospital expenses.
Motivated by the desire to serve humanity, doctors, nurses, and workers
in the hospital render extraordinary, compassionate, and loving care to all
patients.
In addition He has established other
Hospitals in other parts of India where the services are free of charge and
available to all . Presently another hospital is being constructed in
Whitefield, Bangalore.
SRI SATHYA
SAI INSTITUTE OF
HIGHER MEDICAL SCIENCES
Prasanthi Nilayam Tel:
91-8555-87388
Anantapur Dist. Fax: 90-8555-87544
Andhra Pradesh 515134, INDIA
The
Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, which opened on 22 November
1991, the day before Swami’s birthday, provides heart, kidney, and eye
surgery. The hospital is entirely free to
all patients. Nothing is ever charged
for operations, doctors, nurses, room, or board. It is located in Puttaparthi, close to the Sri Sathya Airport.
Swami’s words on the Sri Sathya Sai
Institute of Higher Medical Sciences:
“When
any educational or medical institution is established, the sole aim is to make
a business of it. There are few who are
ready to set up institutions to provide free facilities for the poor. Therefore, from the start we decided to set
up a hundred-crore hospital near Prashanti Nilayam. Even as higher education is free here, ‘higher medicine’
also will be free. People spend some
lakhs to get heart surgery done in the U.S.
What is the plight of the poor? Who looks after them? If they go to the cities, they will not get
even basic medicine. Recognizing this
fact, we have launched this big hospital project. Whether it is heart bypass operation, a kidney transplant, a lung
operation, brain surgery or eye surgery, everything will be done free. This has been decided upon from the very
start of the project. The hospital will
be opened on November 22, 1991."
Declaration on establishing the
Institute of Higher Medical Sciences,23 November 1990.
“Puttaparthi
has become the cynosure of all eyes in the world. Above all, you should enquire why a highly sophisticated and most
modern hospital, which should be
located in a well-developed metropolis, has been set up in this rural
area. The wealthy can go anywhere and
get medical relief with their abundant resources. But the rural poor cannot go far from their villages for
treatment. It is for the sake of such
poor folk that this hospital has been established. This is a gigantic project.
It is intended to benefit people for a
thousand years. This hospital
has been set up to provide relief to villagers suffering from ailments. No distinction is made, however, between
villages and cities. Diseases do not
afflict only villagers. Sickness makes
no territorial distinctions. Likewise,
there will be no differentiation in providing relief. Our intention is to provide relief to all who come, without any
charges whatsoever”.
SRI
SATHYA SAI DRINKING
WATER SUPPLY PROJECT
“Avatars are engaged in selfless service
(seva); that is why Avatars happen.
Offering service to mankind pleases Avatars … I am active and busy
twenty-four hours a day … I have never craved a minute’s rest or sleep or
relief.” –Sathya Sai Baba, in Sathya
Sai Speaks X, Chap. 19, 123,; VII,
Chap. 59, 350; VI, Chap. 58, 288 ( old
edition)
This page will highlight Sathya Sai Baba’s
project, begun in 1994, which brought water to more than 700 villages in the
Indian state of Andhra Pradesh (where Prashanti Nilayam is located). This project was directed by the Sri Sathya
Sai Central Trust and carried out by Larsen & Toubro Limited, with the
collaboration of the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The project cost over U.S. $63 million, which was donated to the
Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust without any kind of solicitation.
For the moment, here are some statistics
on the project.
Project Highlights
No.of villages covered 750
Population covered
900,000
Design population 1,250,000
Project cost US $63 million
Sathya Sai Baba encourages us to recognize
who we are. We are not these physical
bodies. We are the eternal spirit that
temporarily occupies these minds and bodies.
We can appreciate and become who we really are by turning inward with
faith in God and in intense yearning to know Him. Our conscience is a reflection of the eternal spirit. Sathya Sai Baba tells us that our conscience
is our master. When we follow our
conscience, our thoughts, words, and deeds will be noble and consistent. Spirituality is having the courage and the
determination to follow our conscience in all things and at all times. In doing so, we recognize that we are all
united in God. We are bound together by
divine love.
“I have come to light the lamp of love in
your hearts, to see that it shines day by day with added luster. I have come to tell you of this universal,
unitary faith, this spiritual principle, this path of love, this duty of love,
this obligation to love. Every religion
teaches man to fill his being with the glory of God and to evict the pettiness
of conceit. It trains him in the
methods of unattachment and discernment, so that he may aim high and attain
spiritual liberation. Believe that all
hearts are motivated by the one and only God; that all faiths glorify the one
and only God; that all names in all languages and all forms man can conceive
denote the one and only God. His
adoration is best done by means of love.
Cultivate that attitude of oneness between men of all creeds and all
countries. That is the message of love
I bring. That is the message I wish you
to take to heart.”-SSS Vol. VI - p. 185
“Let the different faiths exist, let them
flourish, and let the glory of God be sung in all the languages and in a
variety of tunes. That should be the
ideal. Respect the differences between
the faiths and recognize them as valid as long as they do not extinguish the
flame of unity.”
SATHYA
SAI BABA—THE ESSENCE
OF HIS TEACHINGS
At the age of 14, Sathya Sai Baba declared
to his parents that he had come to this world with a mission to re-establish
the principle of Righteousness, to motivate love for God and service to fellow
man. Since then, he has
consistently called on all mankind to “Love All, Serve All” and has
repeatedly asserted that the essence of all scriptures is “Help Ever, Hurt
Never!”
Through his speeches and writings, Sathya
Sai Baba has offered a veritable ocean of knowledge and guidance on all
aspects of spiritual, religious, and value-oriented living. He has often repeated that it is not
necessary to drink the whole ocean to know its taste, that it is not necessary
to read all scriptures to live a life of joy, peace, and love. It is enough to put into practice one aspect
of spiritual teaching.
A few drops of the ocean of Sathya Sai Baba’s teachings, an attempt to
encapsulate its essence, follows.
Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba while
placing the Sai movement throughout the world on a firm footing with
established Universal Principles such
as those shown below has also
proclaimed as a guiding light for a devotee’s spiritual and personal
development - the Nine Point Code of Conduct and the Ten Principles.
Universal
Principles
· Belief in GOD- for there is only ONE GOD
for all mankind - though He may be called by many names.
· Follow sincerely their respective religions
and live their daily lives in consonance with the teachings of good behavior
and morality.
· Respect all other religions – for no
religion advocates the negative and lower qualities of man.
· Perform selfless service to the poor, the
sick, and the needy without thought of reward or fame.
· Cultivate in their lives the values of
truth, divine love, right conduct, peace, and non violence and promote these
values among all.
· Be patriotic and respect the laws of the
country in which they live.
Nine
point code of
Conduct
· Daily meditation and prayer.
· Devotional singing/prayers with family
members once a week.
· Participation in educational programs (Bal
Vikas) conducted by the Organisation for children.
· Attendance at least once per month at group
devotional programs conducted by the Centre.
· Participation in community service and
other programs of the Organisation.
· Regular study of Sai literature.
· Putting into practice the principle of
‘Ceiling of Desires’ and utilize any savings thereby generated for the service
of mankind.
· Speak softly and lovingly with everyone.
· Avoid talking ill of others especially in
their absence.
Ten
Principles
· Treat as sacred the land in which you were
born. Have patriotism to your nation- but do not criticise other nations or put
others down. Not even in your thoughts
or dreams.
· Respect all religions equally.
· Recognise the Brotherhood of man — treat
all as brothers — Love all.
· Keep your house and surroundings clean -
for this will promote hygiene and health
and help you.
· Practice charity - but do not encourage beggars
by giving money. Provide food, clothing, shelter and help them in other ways
(do not encourage laziness).
· Never give or take a bribe - never give in
to corruption.
· Curb envy and jealousy, expand your vision
and outlook, treat all equally regardless of caste or creed.
· Try and do as much as possible by yourself.
You may be wealthy and have servants, your servants can help, but service to
society must be done by yourself.
· Have and cultivate’ Love for God and Fear
of Sin - Have hatred for Sin’.
· Never go against the Law of the land - follow these diligently - both in word and in the spirit. Be an exemplary citizen.
Experience me — Do
Not try to
understand me —
“ In truth, you cannot understand the
nature of My Reality either today, or even after a thousand years of steady
austerity or ardent inquiry even if all mankind joins in that effort. But, in a
short time, you will become cognizant of the Bliss showered by the Divine
Principle, which has taken upon itself this sacred body and this sacred name.
Your good fortune, which will provide you this chance, is greater than what was
available for anchorites, monks, sages, saints and even personalities embodying
facets of Divine Glory”!
A
Compendium of TSSB p446
“There was no one to know who I am until I
created the World at My pleasure, with one Word! Immediately, mountains rose
up; oceans, seas, land and watersheds, sun, moon, and the desert sand sprang
out of nowhere to prove My existence. Came all forms of being, men, beasts and
birds—flying, speaking, hearing. All powers were bestowed on them under My
orders. The first place was granted to mankind and My knowledge was placed in
man’s mind”. Loving God p372
“Each new day should be celebrated to
remind everyone of their divine nature and of the unity of their existence. God
is the embodiment of time. Everything is found in God, time is the very soul of
God. Your real focus must be only toward God. When you know God, you know
everything. Unfortunately today, many of you have forgotten the Creator
and are focused on that which is created. Only if you can really understand the
Creator then you can understand the creation in the fullness of all of its
aspects”. A Compendium of TSSB p99
“See in me, yourself, for I see Myself in
you. You are My life, My breath, My soul, You are all My forms. When I love you, I love Myself. I separated
Myself from Myself and became all this so that I may be Myself. I wanted to be
Myself, that is, Anandaswarupa, Premaswarupa (embodiments of limitless Divine
Love and limitless Divine Bliss). That is what I am and I wanted to be that.
How can I be Anandaswarupa and Premaswarupa? And give Anand and give Prema? And
to whom am I to give Anand and to whom am I to give Prema? So I did this. I
separated Myself from Myself and became all this.”
A
Compendium of TSSB p500
“I have resolved to enfold the people of
the world in the fostering care of Universal Love. . . . . . . . For the world is my mansion and the
continents are the halls therein. I
have come to inscribe a golden chapter in the history of humanity, wherein
falsehood will fail, truth will triumph, and virtue will reign. Character will confer power then, not
knowledge or inventive skill, nor wealth.
Wisdom will be enthroned in the councils of the nations. Do not be misled. It is not my purpose to strike men dumb by the display of
miraculous might. I have come to
confer the boon of blessedness, the benediction of bliss, as the reward for
genuine spiritual endeavor, and to lead mankind to Liberty, Light and Love”. My
Baba and I. p138
“Love is My distinctive mark, not the
creation of material objects or of health and happiness, by sheer exercise of
will.
You
might consider what you call miracles as the most direct sign of divinity, but
the Love that welcomes you all, that blesses all, that makes Me run to the
presence of the seekers, the suffering and the distressed in distant lands or
wherever they are, that is the real sign. It is that which declares that I am
Sai Baba.
Prema
is My task, My Mission, My breath.” Baba Sathya Sai part 11 p 148
“You can understand me only if you
understand yourself, your own Basic Truth.
You
must see, hear, study, observe, experience, reflect; then only you can
understand Me.
You
will learn that I am Prema itself; that I give only one thing, Ananda, through
that Prema. My task is to distribute solace, courage and santhi. That is to
say, My characteristics are the ancient authentic ones; only the Manifested
Form is new.”SSS Vol 11 p 152
“Sarva
roopa dharam, saantham
Sarva
naama dharam, sivam
Sat
– chit – ananda roopam, adwaitam
Sathyam
Sivam Sundaram.
I am all forms ascribed to the Almighty: I am the Embodiment of Perfect Peace. I am known by all the names through which the Almighty is addressed and adored by man. I am the Embodiment of Goodness : I am Being – Awareness - Bliss, Atma, the one without a Second, Truth, Goodness, Beauty.” Digest p 70.
“Every man seeks to achieve unalloyed happiness
(Ananda) through some means or other and engages himself in ceaseless efforts
for this purpose. But pure happiness eludes him because he does not know its
real nature and where to find it. Ananda cannot be found in the phenomenal
world, or in material objects like houses, wealth and vehicles, or got from
kith and kin. When the Bliss he is seeking is his own true nature , what is the
use in seeking it elsewhere ? True happiness consists in realizing one’s
Reality.
Your Reality is the Atma (God viewed as
the particular), a wave of the Paramatma (God viewed as the Universal). The one object of this human existence is to
visualize that Reality, that Atma, that relationship between the Wave and the
Sea. All other activities are trivial;
you share them with birds and beasts; but, this is the unique privilege of
Man. He has clambered through all the
levels of animality, all the steps in the ladder of evolution in order to
inherit this high destiny. If his years
between birth and death are frittered away in seeking food, shelter, comfort
and pleasure as animals do, man is condemning himself to a further life
sentence.” A Compendium of TSSB p445
“The yearning for God should be
nourished. Qualities such as
back-biting, spreading scandal and searching for the faults in others are not
human but demonic. People should cultivate good thoughts, good words, good
hearts and good conduct. This is the way to God. That man is redeemed who follows this path.” A Compendium of TSSB
p394
“Recognize the Divinity that is manifested
in the Cosmos. All things in Nature observe their laws with undeviating
regularity. The sun and the moon, the
seasons observe their respective laws.
Man alone violates the laws of his being. Animals obey their instincts and have their seasons for
regulating their lives. Man is the
exception. He needs to be taught the
rules of right living (Dharma). He has
to cultivate morality and integrity.
There is only one way by which this can be done. It is by the spiritual path. Without spirituality, man cannot discover
the light within him.” A Compendium of TSSB. p394
“Never stray from the path of right,
whatever the trouble or temptation. Do
not loosen the grip; do not turn back.
Do not allow faith to be upset.
If you attach importance to riches or children or fame or fortune, you
are thereby announcing that you are devoted, not to God, but to riches,
children, and the rest. If you are
devoted to God, how should you manifest that devotion? Let me tell you how. By manifesting divine qualities, divine
virtues, divine love, divine strength.
Become Sai; be Sai.” A Compendium of TSSB p394
“I will not ask you to give up your
critical faculty; evaluate, discriminate, experience, and analyze your
experience. Then, if you are convinced,
accept. Devotion, Action and Knowledge
are three doors to the same Hall. Some
come this way, some that, but all enter the same Hall. The knowledgeable man (jnani) sees
everything as the Divine Substance; the devoted man (bhakta) sees everything as
the divine play (leela) of God; the man who acts intelligently and without
attachment to the result of his actions (karmayogi), sees everything as service
of the Lord. It is all a question of
aptitude and taste, as well as the stage of development of reason and emotion…
When the grace of the Lord is won.
Wisdom will prevail and the delusion of
separateness will be recognized to be powerless.
How can this Wisdom be won? By a slow,
systematic process, eliminating all limiting factors: greed, lust, pride, envy,
hate, and all that snaky brood of possessive instincts and impulses; by the
educative influence of Dharma, the body of rules laid down by the experience of
living; by study, rumination, and practice; by analysis of the experiences of
the waking, dreaming, and sleeping stages; by learning to be a witness of all
this passing show without getting involved in its tangles; by overcoming all
trends that divide and differentiate.
In a flash of insight, I recognize the
effort which is required of us in the ascent from the ordinary mind to the
over-mind. It is as Baba has told us,
‘You take one step toward me, I will take one hundred toward you.’ When we make the effort to remove the sheaths
which seem to separate us from Him, He will step forward to meet us, hold out
his hands, and say, “I will take that.” A Compendium of TSSB p394-395
“Strive –that is your duty. Yearn—that is your task. Struggle –that is your assignment. If only you do these sincerely and steadily, God cannot keep back for long the reward of realization.” A Compendium of TSSB p395
“All faiths are inter-related and mutually
indebted to each other for the principles they teach, and the disciplines they
recommended. The Vedic Religion was the
first in time; Buddhism which appeared about 2,500 years ago, was its son;
Christianity, which was influenced much by the Orient was its grandson. And Islam, which has the Prophets of Christianity as its base was
like the great-grandson. All have Love
as the fundamental discipline of the mind, in order to chasten it and merge man
with the Divine”. SSS VOL VII B Chap 15 p 113.
“ There
is only one caste - the caste of Humanity.
There is only one religion - the
religion of Love.
There is only one language - the
language of the Heart.
There is only one God - He is
Omnipresent.
There is only one law - the law of
Dharma”.
“ Let the different faiths exist, let them
flourish, let the glory of God be sung in all the languages, in a variety of
tunes that should be the ideal. Respect the differences between the faiths and
recognise them as valid as far as they do not extinguish the flame of Unity.”
“Listen
to the primeval Pranava AUM resounding in your heart as well as in the heart of
the Universe”.
“Offer
all bitterness in the sacred Fire and emerge grand, great and godly”.
“Remember
the Wheel of Cause and Consequence, of Deed and Destiny and the Wheel of Dharma
that rights them all”.
“Cut
the ‘I’ feeling clean across and let your ego die on the Cross, to endow on you
Eternity”.
“Be
like the Star which never wavers from the Crescent but is fixed in steady
faith.”
“Names may be different, but the Almighty
Providence is denoted as Absolute and Eternal. The terminology may be different, but the concept is not.
Bhagwan is referred to as Allah and prayer may be called Namaz, pundits may be
known as Khajis and scholars may
be hailed as mullahs. The Vedas may be in the form of the Holy Koran ,but the
undercurrent of energizing power in all cases is Love; Love towards all beings.
The founders always had in view the Unity of all life and the progressive march
of man towards Divinity.”
“It is sad that instead of uniting mankind
in a common endeavor, Religion has become a system of walled enclosures, guarded
by fate and fanaticism. So, each religion is an armed camp, sunk in self-
aggrandizement, trying to wean others into itself and prevent defections from
its ranks. Religion, therefore, is being condemned as the root cause of chaos
and conflict. In spite of great progress in many other areas of life, religious
animosity is aflame even today in many
parts of the world. It has to be emphasized that religion is not the root cause of the state of
affairs. The factious and fanatic hatred are due to the unruly ego that is
given free play. Religion strives to destroy just this vicious tendency; so, it
has to be supported and not condemned. What has to be condemned is the narrow,
perverted attitude of hating those who do not agree with ‘us’ or hold different
opinions of the mysterious force that animates the Universe.”
“The motive behind the formation and
propagation of all these different faiths is the same. The founders and
propagators were all persons filled with Love and Wisdom. Their goal, their
target, their purpose and their aim were all the same. No one had a design to
divide, disturb or destroy. They attempted to do good, see good and be
good.” A Compendium of TSSB p459
“It is because the doctrine of human unity
based on the spiritual oneness of all beings , is not propagated in the right manner that we have today many
divisions leading to many conflicts.
Creeds,
ritual, religion and different theologies are all derived from man’s yearning
for the vast Reality beyond - and flow in the thousand different forms,
fertilizing many fields, calming many communities, refreshing tired people and,
at last , carrying people to the ocean of Bliss.”
“The mysteries of creation are
marvellous. When two persons meet at
any time or place, the differences between them are patent. Their forms and manners differ. They differ in their cleverness and
intelligence. Their opinions also vary. Without understanding what underlies these
differences, the materialist thinker emphasizes the differences. Today, a growing number of intellectuals,
ignoring the unity that underlies the diversity, propagate the cult of
differences. The good persons who
realize the unity behind the apparent diversity are dwindling in numbers from
day to day. This is highly
unfortunate.”
“Man’s foremost task is to recognise the
unity that underlies the multiplicity.
If one enquires into the matter with a pure and unselfish mind, one will
see what is common to all beings. Birth
and death are common to all men. Hunger and thirst are experienced by every
person. These are truths that apply to all persons, whether they are destitutes
or millionaires, whether they are scholars or ignorant men.” A Compendium of
TSSB p601
“Forbearance is a potent instrument. Dharmaraja (the eldest of the Pandavas) was able
to score many victories with the weapon of forbearance. Forbearance is not a sign of weakness or
cowardice. No other weapon has the
power of forbearance. It should not be
used only as an individual instrument.
It has to be experienced collectively also. That is the reason why the scripture has commended collective
forbearance at the very outset of the spiritual quest. What is its inner meaning? ‘Let us live and move in harmony. Let us grow together. Let us cherish the wisdom that we have acquired
together. Let us live in complete
harmony without any misunderstanding.’
Therefore, do not have any misunderstanding amongst you. All of
you should live in amity as the children of one mother.” A Compendium of TSSB p600
“Unity is vital for all, wherever they are
and whatever their country, religion or sex.
Love should be the unifying force…..Teachers! Promote the sense of human unity among all people, without regard
to race, religion or caste.”
A Compendium of TSSB p600
“When individuals change, society will change. And when society changes, the whole world will change. The welfare of the individual is bound up with the welfare of society as a whole. Unity is the secret of social progress, and service to society is the means to promote it. Everyone, therefore, should devote himself to such service in a spirit of dedication. One who does not dedicate himself to such work is like a rusting machine. Concern for one’s own welfare and prosperity should not blind one to one’s social obligations or spiritual destiny….A society in which the individuals are concerned only about material welfare will not be able to achieve harmony and peace.” A Compendium of TSSB p602
The inspiration of Sathya Sai Baba’s
example and message of unselfish love and service has resulted in the
establishment of over 1,700 Sathya Sai Baba Centers in 175 countries throughout
the world. This number is ever
increasing.
The Sathya Sai Baba Centers constitute a
genuine spiritual movement. We are moving
away from body consciousness and selfishness to God consciousness and
selflessness. We are moving away from a
world in which force maintains order, away from a world in which selfish goals
are the foundation of human interactions and institutions. We are moving toward a world where
acknowledgement of and love for God results in the harmonious and loving
interaction of all members of the holy human family. Love is the fuel for our spiritual movement. The quality and constancy of our love
determines the speed and duration of our journey.
The members of Sathya Sai Centers are
united by a common bond - -love of God – and a common goal – spiritual
growth. Center activities include the
study of the teachings of Sathya Sai
Baba and the sacred literature of all religions, group devotional
singing, spiritual meditation, and selfless service to the community, society,
the world, and the environment. The
membership includes people from all walks of life and the Center programs are
compatible with all the major religions.
There is never a fee for membership in a Sathya Sai Baba Center, and
members are never required to purchase books or materials. Donations are never solicited. Books are
sold all over the world through the Organisation at cost price.
“When an organization has started, it has
to lay down for itself certain rules and regulations. But our rules are of a different nature altogether. Our rules emphasize that members must first
put into daily practice what they stand for. Whatever you desire others to do ,
you must first put into daily practice sincerely and with steadfastness.
The organization must be such that members find them congenial places to deepen their spiritual discipline (Sadhana), to cultivate their virtues, to overcome their ego, by contact with workers who are free from the least trace of that deadly poison”. Sathya Sai Baba Sathya Sai Speaks VI, 7, 35-36.
WORLD
REGIONS OF THE
SAI ORGANIZATION
Region
0: India
Region
1: United
States
Region
2: Latin
America & Puerto Rico
Region
3: Europe
North. Austria, Belgium, Belo Russia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
Region
4: Europe
South. Bosnia & Herzegovenia,
Croatia, Italy, France, Greece, Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain,
Switzerland, Rep. of Yugoslavia.
Region
5: UK
& Ireland
Region
6: New
Zealand, Fiji, & Pacific Islands
Region
7: Australia
& Papua New Guinea
Region
8: Far
East. Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines,
Indonesia.
Region
9: Far East II
Region
10: Far East III. China PRC, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
ROC.
Region
11: Canada
Region
12: West
Indies
Region
13: Africa
I
Region
14: Africa
II
Region
15: Sri
Lanka
“Today, let it be anyone, whether one
deems himself a devotee or not, he should give up meat eating. Why? Meat eating
promotes only animal qualities. It has
been well said that the food one consumes determines one’s thoughts. By eating the flesh of various animals, the
qualities of these animals are imbibed.
How sinful is it to feed on animals, which are sustained by the same
five elements as human beings! This
leads to demonic tendencies, besides committing the sin of inflicting cruelty
on animals. Hence, those who genuinely
seek to become devotees of God have to give up non-vegetarian
food. Calling themselves Sai devotees
or devotees of Rama and Krishna, they fatten on chickens. How can they be deemed Sai devotees? How can God accept such a person as a
devotee? Therefore, whether they are
devotees in India or outside, they should give up from this instant meat
eating… those who aspire to become true devotees of God have to give up meat,
liquor and smoking.” A Compendium of
TSSB p609.
“It is a fact that plants also have life
like animals. But animals are endowed with mind, and nervous systems too while
the plants do not possess the same. The
animals cry and weep when they are being killed. It is not the case with plants; as such, equating killing of
animals and destruction of plants is faulty logic. Further, killing the animals
and eating their flesh leads to the creeping or dissemination of the animal
qualities and behavior into the man (meaning that man acquires beastly qualities by eating animal flesh). Thus follows our acquiring
beastly qualities- Tamasic nature-of the buffaloes or the sheep. Hence, meat eating should be discarded. Food
conditions the nature of the mind. Mind
guides the thinking. Thinking results
in action. Action leads to commensurate
or matching results and effects. This
chain of action between the food we eat and the result of our action highlights
the fact that meat eating leads to beastly action and the concomitant evil
effects.” A Compendium of TSSB p609.
“Meat is all right for those who
concentrate on the body and want to have strength, but for spiritual aspirants
it is not good.” A Compendium of TSSB p609.
“There should be some regulations with
regard to food. Many doctors emphasize
the value of proteins and recommend meat, eggs, etc. Proteins in this form build the body but do considerable harm to
the mind. Doctors are primarily
concerned with the gross, physical body.
They pay little attention to the subtle form of the mental makeup. Most of the diseases that are prevalent
in the world today are related to the mind.
Mental illnesses seem to outnumber physical ailments. The Vedas have declared that the mind is the
cause of bondage or liberation. This
means that the mind has to be used properly and turned godward. Equally, the mind is responsible for health
or sickness. In this context, food is
all important. Proteins are present in
milk, curds and vegetables as well as in meat.
If, in the matter of diet, the
doctors give the right prescription, diseases can be averted.” A Compendium of TSSB p609.
“Research has revealed that
non-vegetarians and alcoholics are more prone
to heart ailments than vegetarians.
If the vegetarian food consumed is balanced and wholesome, it should contain liberal amounts of vitamin
C and vitamin E, which are available in vegetables like carrots, etc. The
presence of these vitamins prevent heart ailments in large measure. Every effort should be made to keep the human
body healthy. Health is wealth. The
acquisition of wealth cannot be enjoyed by a person with poor health. Health is more important because it gives
physical and mental strength.” A
Compendium of TSSB p609.
“Vibhuti is the most precious object in a
truly spiritual sense… (it represents the burning of desires that agitate the
mind and cause confusion.) When there is no desire to warp the mind, love will
be true and full. What greater offering
can you give to God to glorify Him than the ash signifying your triumph over
desire? Ash or vibhuti is the ultimate condition of things; it cannot undergo
any further change….. It should inspire you to give up desire and offer to God
the ashes of destruction of tantalizing desires as the most valuable of all the
articles you have earned. Ash cannot
fade as do flowers in a day or two; it does not dry and disappear; it will not
lose its color as leaves do in just a few hours; it does not rot as fruits
after a few days. Ash is ash forever
and ever. So burn your vile tendencies,
your vices, your bad habits. Worship
God, rendering yourself pure in thought, word and deed.” A Compendium of TSSB
p612
“What I materialize is a manifestation of
divinity with a potent significance as well as symbolism. It is symbolic
of the cosmic, immortal and infinite nature of all forms of God, Atma or the
spirit – that is what is left when everything worldly, transient and changeable
has burnt away. I have spoken to you of
the imperative of desireless life.
After Siva has burnt the God of desire, Kama, into a heap of ashes, he
adorned himself with the ash to shine as a conqueror of desire. When Kama was destroyed Prema (Divine Love)
reigned as the Goddess of Love. Such is
the significance of ash.”
“In the first place, it is symbolic of the life-death cycle in which everything ultimately reduces itself to ash. For dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou returneth. Ash or dust is the final condition of things. It cannot undergo any further changes. In the spiritual context it constitutes a warning to the receiver to give up desire, to burn all passions, attachments and temptations, and make one pure in thought, word and deed. It is in order to press home this lesson that I materialize ash for those who come to me with love and devotion. Like other materializations, it also acts as a talisman, healing the sick and giving protection to those who need it. It is the symbol of divinity, quite different from the magician’s trickery mentioned to you.” A Compendium of TSSB p612-613.
SATHYA
SAI BABA’S LETTER
TO HIS BROTHER, 25 MAY 1947
On 25 May 1947, at the age of 20, in
response to a letter from his brother who was concerned with what he was doing,
Sri Sathya Sai Baba wrote the following letter. This letter disclosed his mission.
“My dear One! I received the communication
that you wrote and sent; I found in it the surging floods of your devotion and
affection, with the undercurrents of doubts and anxiety. Let me tell you that it is impossible to
plumb the hearts and discover the natures of jnanis, yogis, ascetics, saints,
sages, and the like. People are endowed
with a variety of characteristics and mental attitudes, so each one judges
according to his own angle, talks and argues in the light of his own nature. But we have to stick to our own right path,
our own wisdom, our own resolution without getting affected by popular
appraisal. As the proverb says,
“it is only the fruit-laden tree that receives the shower of stones from
passers-by.” The good always provoke
the bad into calumny; the bad always provoke the good into derision. That is the nature of this world. One must be surprised if such things do not
happen.
The people have to be pitied, rather than
condemned. They do not know. They have no patience to judge aright. They are too full of lust, anger, and
conceit to see clearly and know fully.
So, they write all manner of things.
If they only knew, they would not talk or write like that. We, too, should not attach any value to such
comments and take them to heart, as you seem to do. Truth will certainly triumph some day. Untruth can never win.
Untruth might appear to overpower Truth, but its victory will fade away
and Truth will establish itself.
It is not the way of the great to swell
when people offer worship and to shrink when people scoff. As a matter of fact, no sacred text lays
down rules to regulate the lives of the great, prescribing habits and attitudes
that they must adopt. They themselves
know the path they must tread; their wisdom regulates and makes their acts
holy. Self-reliance, beneficial
activity –these two are their special marks.
They may also be engaged in the promotion of the welfare of devotees and
in allotting them the fruits of their actions.
Why should you be affected by tangle and worry, as long as I am adhering
to these two? After all, praise and blame of the populace do not touch the
Atma, the reality; they can touch only the outer physical frame.
I have a “Task”: To foster all mankind and
ensure for all of them lives full of bliss (ananda). I have a “Vow”: To lead all who stray away from the straight path
again into goodness and save them. I am
attached to a “work” that I love: To remove the sufferings of the poor and
grant them what they lack. I have a
“reason to be proud”, for I rescue all who worship and adore me, aright. I have my definition of the “devotion” I
expect: Those devoted to me have to treat joy and grief, gain and loss, with
equal fortitude. This means that I will
never give up those who attach themselves to me. When I am thus engaged in my beneficial task, how can my name be
tarnished, as you apprehend? I would
advise you not to heed such absurd talk.
Mahatmas do not acquire greatness through someone calling them so; they
do not become small when someone calls them small. Only those low ones who revel in opium and marijuana but claim to
be unexcelled yogis, only those who quote scriptural texts to justify their
gourmandry and pride, only those who are dry-as-dust scholars exulting in their
casuistry and argumentative skill—only those will be moved by praise or blame.
You must have read life stories of saints
and divine personages; in those books, you must have read of even worse
falsehoods and more heinous imputations cast against them. This is the lot of mahatmas everywhere, at
all times. Why then do you take these
things so much to heart? Have you not
heard of dogs that howl at the stars?
How long can they go on?
Authenticity will win.
I will not give up my mission, or my
determination. I know I will carry them
out. I treat the honor and dishonor,
the fame and blame that may be the consequence, with equal equanimity. Internally, I am unconcerned. I act but in
the outer world; I talk and move about for the sake of the outer world and for
announcing my coming to the people; else, I have no concern even with these.
I do not belong to any place; I am not
attached to any name. I have no “mine” or “thine”. I answer whatever the name
you use. I go wherever I am taken. This is my very first vow. I have not disclosed this to anyone so
far. For me, the world is something
afar, apart. I act and move only for
the sake of mankind. No one can
comprehend my glory, whoever he is, whatever his method of enquiry, however
long his attempt.
You can yourself see the full glory in the
coming years. Devotees must have
patience and forbearance.
I am not concerned, nor am I anxious, that
these facts should be known. I have no
need to write these words; I wrote them because I felt you would be pained if I
do not reply.”
Thus,
your Baba
SWAMI
TALKS ABOUT GOD
AND HIS AVATAR-HOOD
9 June
1974 (Satya Sai Speaks IX, 88-92)
“God is inscrutable. He cannot be realized in the outer objective
world; he is in the very heart of every being.
Gemstones have to be sought deep underground; they do not float in mid
air. Seek God in the depths of your
self, not in tantalizing, kaleidoscopic nature. The body is granted to you for this high purpose; but, you are
now misusing it, like the person who cooked his daily food in the gem-studded
gold vase that came into his hands as an heirloom.
Man extols God as omnipresent, omniscient
and omnipotent, but, he ignores his Presence in himself! Of course, many
venture to describe the attributes of God and proclaim Him to be such and such;
but, these are but their own guesses and the reflections of their own
predilections and preferences.
Who can affirm that God is this or thus?
Who can affirm that God is not of this form or with this attribute? Each one can
acquire from the vast expanse of the ocean only as much as can be contained in
the vessel he carries to its shore.
From that quality, they can grasp but a little of that immensity.
Each religion defines God within the
limits it demarcates and then claims to have grasped Him. Like the seven blind men who spoke of the
elephant as a pillar, a fan, a rope or a wall, because they contacted but a
part and could not comprehend the entire animal, so too, religions speak of a
part and assert that its vision is full and total.
Each religion forgets that God is all
forms and all names, all attributes and all assertions. The religion of humanity is the sum and
substance of all these partial faiths; for there is only one religion and that
is the religion of Love. The various
limbs of the elephant that seemed separate and distinct to the eye-less seekers
of its truth were all fostered and activated by one single stream of blood; the
various religions and faiths that feel separate and distinct are all fostered
by a single stream of love.
The optical sense cannot visualize the
truth. It gives only false and fogged
information. For example, there are
many who observe my actions and start declaring that my nature is such and
such. They are unable to gauge the
sanctity, the majesty, and the eternal reality that is me. The power of Sai is limitless; it manifests
forever. All forms of ‘power’ are resident in this Sai palm.
But those who profess to have understood
me, the scholars, the yogis, the pundits, the jnanis, all of them are aware
only of the least important, the casual external manifestations of an
infinitesimal part of that power, namely, the ‘miracles’! They have not desired to contact the source
of all power and all wisdom that is available here at Brindavan. They are satisfied when they secure a chance
to exhibit their book-learning and parade their scholarship in vedic lore, not
realizing that the person from whom the Vedas emanated is in the midst, for
their sake. They even ask, in their
pride, for a few more chances.
This has been the case in all ages. People
may be very near (physically) to the Avatar, but they live out their lives
unaware of their fortune; they
exaggerate the role of miracles, which are as trivial, when compared to my
glory and majesty, as a mosquito is in size and strength to the elephant upon
which it squats. Therefore, when you
speak about these ‘miracles’, I laugh within myself out of pity that you allow
yourself so easily to lose the precious awareness of my reality.
My power is immeasurable; My truth is
inexplicable, unfathomable. I am
announcing this about me, for the need has arisen. But what I am doing now is
only the gift of a ‘visiting card!’ Let me tell you that emphatic declarations
of the truth by Avathars were made so
clearly and so unmistakably only by Krishna.
In spite of the declaration, you will notice in the career of the same
Krishna that he underwent defeat in his efforts and endeavors, on a few
occasions; you must also note that those defeats too were part of the drama
that he had planned and that he himself directed. For example, when many kings pleaded with him to avert the war
with the Kauravas, he confessed that his mission to the Kaurava Court for
ensuring peace had ‘failed’! But, he had not willed that it should
succeed! He had decided that war would
be waged! His mission was intended to
publish the greed and iniquity of the Kauravas and to condemn them before the
whole world.
Now, I must tell you that, during this Sai
Avatar, there is no place for even such ‘drama’ with scenes of failure and
defeats! What I will, must take place; what I plan must succeed. I am Truth; and Truth has no need to
hesitate, or fear, or bend.
‘Willing ‘ is superfluous for me. For my grace is ever available to
devotees who have steady love and faith.
Since I move freely among them, talking and singing, even intellectuals
are unable to grasp my truth, my power, my glory, or my real task as
Avatar. I can solve any problem however
knotty. I am beyond the reach of the
most intensive enquiry and the most meticulous measurement. Only those who have
recognized my love and experienced that love can assert that they have glimpsed
my reality. For the path of Love is the
royal road that leads mankind to me.
Do not attempt to know me through the
external eyes. When you go to a temple
and stand before the image of God, you pray with closed eyes, don’t you?
Why? Because you feel that the inner eye of wisdom alone can reveal Him to
you. Therefore, do not crave from me
trivial material objects; but, crave for me, and you will be rewarded. Not that you should not receive whatever
objects I give as sign of grace out of the fullness of Love.
I shall tell you why I give these rings,
talismans, rosaries etc. It is to signalize the bond between me and those to
whom they are given. When calamity
befalls them, the article comes to me in a flesh and returns in a flash taking
from me the remedial grace of protection.
That grace is available to all who call on me in any name or form, not merely
to those who wear these gifts. Love is
the bond that wins grace.
Consider the meaning of the name Sai
Baba. “Sa” means ‘Divine’; “ai” or
“ayi” means ‘mother’, and Baba means ‘father’.
The name indicates the divine “mother and father” just as Sambasiva ,
which also means divine mother and father, your Physical parents exhibit love
with a dose of selfishness; but this Sai ‘mother and father’ showers affection
or reprimands only to lead you toward victory in the struggle for
self-realization.
For this Sai has come in order to achieve
the supreme task of uniting the entire mankind, as one family through the bond
of brotherhood, of affirming and illumining the Atmic reality of each being in
order to reveal the Divine that is the basis on which the entire cosmos rests,
and of instructing all to recognize the common divine heritage that binds man
to man, so that man can rid himself of
the animal, and rise into the Divine, which is his goal.
I am the embodiment of divine love; love
is my instrument. There is no creature
without love; the lowest loves itself, at least. And its self is God. So
there are no atheists, though some might dislike Him or refuse Him, as malarial
patients dislike sweets or diabetic patients refuse to have anything to do with
sweets! Those who preen themselves as
atheists will one day, when their illness is gone, relish God and revere Him.
I had to tell you so much about my truth, for I desire that you should contemplate on this and derive joy therefrom, so that you may be inspired to observe the disciplines laid down by me and progress toward the goal of self-realization, the realization of the Sai that shines in your hearts.”
17 May
1968 (Sathya Sai Speaks VI, 210-213)
This is
the last part of Sathya Sai Baba’s discourse at the World Conference of
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations in Bombay, 17 May 1968. It states
plainly and directly that Sathya Sai Baba is an incarnation of God, come to
restore righteousness (dharma).
“Since at this place those who have
devotion are gathered and people of all nations have come, I cannot but tell
you one fact. World conferences
dedicated to religion or spiritual problems have no doubt been held before;
also, conferences of followers of particular faiths. But these have been held only after the demise of the founders
and divine inspirers. This is the very
first time that a World Conference is held, of persons devoted, while the
incarnation is present before every one, with the body assumed for the purpose,
bearing the name that is chosen for it by Itself. I must tell you this fact, because ninety-nine persons out of a
hundred among you do not know my Reality. You have come here drawn by diverse
needs, a taste of spiritual matters, eagerness to develop the institutions to
which you are attached, admiration or affection, love or reverence or a spurt
of enthusiasm to join others and share with others your own exultation.
In truth, you cannot understand the nature
of my Reality either today or even after a thousand years of steady austerity
or ardent inquiry even if all mankind joins in that effort. But, in a short time, you will become
cognizant of the bliss showered by the divine Principle, which has taken upon
itself this sacred body and this sacred name.
Your good fortune which will provide you this chance is greater than
what was available for anchorites, monks, sages, saints and even personalities
embodying facets of divine Glory!
Since I move about with you, eat like you,
and talk with you, you are deluded into the belief that this is but an instance
of common humanity. Be warned against
this mistake. I am also deluding you by
my singing with you, talking with you, and engaging myself in activities with
you. But, [at] any moment my Divinity
may be revealed to you; you have to be ready, prepared for that moment. Since Divinity is enveloped by humanness you
must endeavor to overcome the maya (delusion) that hides it from your eyes.
This is a human form in which every divine
entity, every divine principle, that is to say, all the names and forms
ascribed by man to God, are manifest… Do not allow doubt to distract you;
if you only install, in the altar of your heart, steady faith in my Divinity,
you can win a vision of my Reality.
Instead, if you swing like the pendulum of a clock, one moment devotion,
another moment disbelief, you can never succeed in comprehending the truth and
win that bliss. You are very fortunate
that you have a chance to experience the bliss of the vision of the
Sarvadaivathwa swaroopam (the form that
is all forms of the Gods) now, in this life itself.
Let me draw your attention to another
fact. On previous occasions when God
incarnated on earth, the bliss of recognizing Him in the incarnation was
vouchsafed only after the physical embodiment had left the world, in spite of
plenty of evidence of his grace. And
the loyalty and devotion they commanded from men arose through fear and
awe at their superhuman powers and skills or at their imperial and penal authority. But ponder a moment on this Sathya Sai
Manifestation; in this age of rampant materialism, aggressive disbelief and
irreverence, what is it that brings to it the adoration of millions from all
over the world? You will be convinced
that the basic reason for this is the supra-worldly Divinity in human form.
Again how fortunate you are that you can
witness all the countries of the world paying homage to India (Bharatha); you
can hear adoration of Sathya Sai’s name
reverberating throughout the world, even while this body is existing – not at
some future date but when it is with you, before you. And again, you can
witness very soon the restoration of the Ancient and Eternal Religion
(Sanathana Dharma) to its genuine and natural status, the righteousness
(dharma) laid down in the Vedas for the good of peoples of the world. The revival of vedic dharma is the Sai
sankalpa (the resolve that Sai has) not only drawing people toward me,
attracting them by the manifestation of my shakti (power) and samarthya
(capacity). This is not a
bhramathathwam (phenomenon of delusion).
This phenomenon will sustain truth, it will uproot untruth, and in that
victory make all of you exult in ecstasy.
This is the Sai sankalpa (will).
Some persons, even those who have reached
a certain stage of leadership and authority, have started exchanging the Vedic
formulae and the principles of Indian (Bharathiya) culture for lucre, selling
them, in fact; and westerners too are inclined to purchase them!
These truths and discoveries are not
merchandise to be sold and bought.
Therefore, I am going to western countries
soon, in order to apprise them of their real worth and put a stop to this
bargaining.
Already, the authorities of universities
in the United States of America and the leaders of the students of those
universities have written that they are eager to welcome me and they have drawn
up programs for me. It was only yesterday that passports for my visit to Africa
have been brought, praying that I may visit those countries soon; I am
proceeding to Africa before the month of June.
So utilize the chance of association with me as much as possible, and endeavor as quickly and as best as you can to follow the directions that I have been giving. Obeying my instructions is enough; it will benefit you more than the most rigorous asceticism. Practice sathya, dharma, santhi, and prema, which are dear to me; resolve to keep those ideals before you ever, in all your thoughts, words and deeds. That can confer on you the summum bonum of mergence in the supreme substance of Divinity.”
Forty-Third
Birthday Discourse, 23 November 1968.
(Sai
Baba – Holy Man and the Psychiatrist, by Samuel Sandweiss.)
In this
discourse, Swami speaks for almost the first time in a major discourse about
his being the Avatar and proclaims his mission on earth: the establishment of
righteousness
“For the protection of the virtuous, for
the destruction of evil-doers and for establishing righteousness on a firm
footing, I incarnate from age to age.
Whenever disharmony (asanthi) overwhelms the world, the Lord will
incarnate in human form to establish the modes of earning peace (prasanthi) and
to reeducate the human community in the paths of peace. At the present time, strife and discord have
robbed peace and unity from the family, the school, the society, the religions,
the cities, and the state.
The arrival of the Lord is also anxiously
awaited by saints and sages. Spiritual aspirants (sadhus) prayed and I have
come. My main tasks are fostering of
the Vedas (Hindu scriptures) and fostering of the devotees. Your virtue, your self-control, your
detachment, your faith, your steadfastness: these are the signs by which people
read of my glory. You can lay claim to
be a devotee only when you have placed yourself in my hands fully and
completely with no trace of ego.
You can enjoy the bliss through the experience the Avatar confers. The Avatar behaves in a human way so that
mankind can feel kinship, but rises into his superhuman heights so that mankind
can aspire to reach the heights, and through that aspiration actually reach
him. Realizing the Lord within you as
the motivator is the task for which he comes in human form.
Avatars like Rama and Krishna had to kill
one or more individuals who could be identified as enemies of the righteous
(dharmic) way of life, and thus restore the practice of virtue. But now there is no one fully good, so who
deserves the protection of God? All are
tainted by wickedness, so who will survive if the Avatar decides to uproot?
Therefore, I have come to correct the intelligence (buddhi), by various
means. I have to counsel, help,
command, condemn and stand by as a friend and well-wisher to all, so that they
may give up evil propensities and, recognizing the straight mark, tread it and
reach the goal. I have to reveal to the
people the worth of the Vedas, the Sastras and the spiritual texts which lay
down the norms. If you will accept me
and say “Yes,” I too will respond and say, “Yes, yes, yes.” If you deny and say “No,” I also echo “No.”
Come, examine, experience, have faith.
This is the method of utilizing me.
I do not mention Sai Baba in any of my
discourses, but I bear the name as Avatar of Sai Baba. I do not appreciate in the least the
distinction between the various appearances of God: Sai, Rama, Krishna,
etc. I do not proclaim that this is
more important or that is less important.
Continue your worship of your chosen God along lines already familiar to
you, then you will find that you are coming nearer to me. For all names are mine, and all forms are
mine. There is no need to change your
chosen God and adopt a new one when you have seen me and heard me.
Every step in the career of the Avatar is
predetermined. Rama came to feed the
roots of truth (sathya) and righteousness (dharma). Krishna came to foster peace (shanti), and love (prema). Now all these four are in danger of being
dried up. That is why the present
Avatar has come. The righteousness that
has fled to the forests has to be brought back into the villages and
towns. The anti-righteousness that is
ruining the villages and towns must be driven back into the jungle.
I have come to give you the key of the
treasure of bliss (ananda), to teach you how to tap that spring, for you have
forgotten the way to blessedness. If
you waste this time of saving yourselves, it is just your fate. You have come to get from me tinsel and
trash, the petty little cures and promotions, worldly joys and comforts. Very few of you desire to get from me the thing
that I have come to give you: namely, liberation itself. Even among these few, those who stick to the
path of spiritual practice (sadhana) and succeed are a handful.
Your worldly intelligence cannot fathom
the ways of God. He cannot be
recognized by mere cleverness of intelligence.
You may benefit from God, but you cannot explain him. Your explanations are merely guesses,
attempts to cloak your ignorance in pompous expressions. Bring something into your daily practice as
evidence of your having known the secret of the higher life from me. Show that you have greater
brotherliness. Speak with more
sweetness and self-control. Bear defeat
as well as victory with calm resignation, I am always aware of the future and
the past as well as the present of every one of you, so I am not so moved by
mercy. Since I know the past, the
background, the reaction is different.
It is your consequence of evil deliberately done in the previous birth,
so I allow your suffering to continue, often modified by some little
compensation. I do not cause either joy
or grief. You are the designer of both
these chains that bind you. I am the
embodiment of bliss (Anandaswarupa).
Come, take bliss (ananda) from me, dwell on that bliss, and be full of
peace (shanti).
My acts are the foundations on which I am
building my work, the task for which I have come. All the miraculous acts which you observe are to be interpreted
so. The foundation for a dam requires a
variety of materials. Without these it
will not last and hold back the waters.
An incarnation of the Lord has to be used in various ways by man for his
uplift.
The Lord has no intention to publicize
himself. I do not need publicity, nor
does any other Avatar of the Lord. What
are you daring to publicize? Me? What do you know about me? You speak one thing
about me today and another tomorrow.
Your faith has not become unshakeable. You praise me when things go well
and blame me when things go wrong. When
you start publicity you descend to the level of those who compete in collecting
plenty by decrying others and extolling themselves.
Where money is calculated, garnered or
exhibited to demonstrate one’s achievements, I will not be present. I come only where sincerity and faith and
surrender are valued. Only inferior
minds will revel in publicity and self-aggrandizement. These have no relevance
in the case of Avatars. Avatars need no
advertisement.
The establishment of righteousness
(dharma): that is my aim. The teaching
of dharma, the spread of dharma: that
is my object. These miracles, as you
call them, are just a means toward that end.
Some of you remark that Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (an Indian saint) said
that yogic power (siddhis) are obstructions in the path of the spiritual
aspirant (sadhaka) Yes, yogic powers may lead the spiritual aspirant
astray. Without being involved in them
he has to keep straight on. His ego
will bring him down if he yields to the temptation of demonstrating his yogic
powers. That is the correct advice which every aspirant should heed. But the mistake lies in equating me with a
sadhaka, like the one whom Ramakrishna wanted to help, guide and warn. These yogic powers are just in the nature of
the Avatar – the creation of things with intent to protect and give joy is
spontaneous and lasting. Creation,
preservation, and dissolution can be accomplished only by the Almighty…no one
else can.
Cynics carp without knowledge. If they learn the Sastras or scriptures, or
if they cultivate direct experience, they can understand me. Your innate laziness prevents you from the
spiritual exercises necessary to discover the nature of God. This laziness should go. It has to be driven out of man’s nature in
whatever shape it appears. That is my
mission. My task is not merely to cure
and console and remove individual misery but is something far more
important. The removal of misery and
distress is incidental to my mission.
My main task is the reestablishment of the Vedas and Sastras (spiritual scriptures), and revealing the knowledge about them to all
people. This task will succeed. It will not be limited. It will not be slowed down. When the Lord decides and wills, his divine
will can not be hindered.
You must have heard people say that mine
is all magic. But the
manifestation of divine power must not be interpreted in terms of
magic. Magicians play their tricks for
earning their maintenance, worldly fame, and wealth. They are based on falsehood and they thrive on deceit, but this
body could never stoop to such a low level.
This body has come through the Lord’s resolve to come. That resolve is intended to uphold truth
(sathya). Divine resolve is always true
resolve. Remember there is nothing that
divine power cannot accomplish. It can
transmute earth into sky and sky into earth.
To doubt this is to prove that you are too weak to grasp great things,
the grandeur of the universe.
I have come to instruct all in the essence
of the Vedas, to shower on all this precious gift, to protect the ancient
wisdom (sanathana dharma) and preserve it.
My mission is to spread happiness, so I am always ready to come among
you not once, but twice or thrice – as often as you want me. Many of you probably think that since people
from all parts of India, and even foreign countries outside India, come to
Puttaparthi, they must be pouring their contributions into the coffers of the
Nilayam (Prasanthi Nilayam: name of Sai
Baba’a ashram). But let me declare the
truth. I do not take anything from
anyone except their love and devotion.
This has been my consistent practice for the last many years. People who
come here are giving me just the wealth of faith, devotion, and love. That is all.
Many of you come to me with problems of
health and mental worry of one sort or another. They are mere baits by which you have been brought here. But the main purpose is that you may have
grace and strengthen your faith in the divine.
Problems and worries are really to be welcomed, as they teach you the
lessons of humility and reverence.
Running after external things produces all this discontent. That type of
desire has no end. Once you have become
a slave to the senses, they will not leave hold until you are dead. It is an unquenchable thirst. But I call you to me and even grant worldly
boons so that you may turn God-ward. No
Avatar has done like this before, going among the masses, counselling them,
guiding them, consoling them, uplifting them, and directing them along the path
of truth, righteousness, peace and love (sathya, dharma, santhi and prema).
My activities and movements will never be
altered, whoever may pass whatever opinion on them. I shall not modify my plans for the establishment of
righteousness ( dharmasthapana), my discourses, or my movements. I have stuck
to this determination for many years and I am engaged in the task for which I
have come: that is, to inculcate faith
in the path of the highest spiritual peace (prasanthi). I shall not stop or retract a step.
Not even the biggest scientist can
understand me by means of laboratory knowledge. I am always full of bliss.
Whatever may happen, nothing can come in the way of my smile. That is why I am able to impart joy to you
and make your burden lighter. I never
exult when I am extolled, nor shrink when I am reviled. Few have realized my
purpose and significance, but I am not worried. When things that are not in me are attributed to me, why should I
worry? When things that are in me are mentioned, why should I exult? For me it
is always, “Yes, yes, yes.” If you give
all and surrender to the Lord, he will guard and guide you. The Lord has come for just this task. He is declaring that he will do so, and that
it is the very task that has brought him here.
I know the agitations of your heart and its aspirations, but you do not
know my heart. I react to the pain that
you undergo and to the joy that you feel, for I am in your heart. I am the dweller in the temple of every
heart. Do not lose contact and company,
for it is only when the coal is in contact with the live embers that it can also
become live ember.
Cultivate a nearness with me in the heart and it will be rewarded. Then you too will acquire a fraction of that supreme love. This is a great chance. Be confident that you will all be liberated. Know that you are saved. Many hesitate to believe that things will improve, that life will be happy for all and full of joy, and that the golden age will recur. Let me assure you that this divine body (dharmaswarupa) has not come in vain. It will succeed in averting the crisis that has come upon humanity.”
‘Among the various prophecies in ancient
scriptures of the world, and those by sages and seers contained in palm-leaf
volumes carefully preserved by Sanskrit scholars, and of which photographs have
been seen giving details of the advent of the Sai Avatar in the 20th century
(the Shuka palm-leaf manuscript,
thought to be approximately 5,000 years old, even gives the date, month and day
of birth, as well as the stars at the time, and the name of Sai), none appears
to be so amazingly detailed as the prophecy by the Prophet Mohammed’.
‘Some years ago, an Iranian writer
browsing at a bookstall in Teheran, was irresistibly drawn to a huge volume. It
was the 14th edition of the discourses of Mohammed, in 25 volumes
translated as The Ocean of Light. It is said that these discourses were
collected together some 700 years after Mohammed’s death.
‘Volume 13 of The Ocean of Light is
called Mehedi Moud in Arabic, which
means ‘The Great Teacher that was promised.’ This teacher is also referred to
as ‘Master of the World’, ‘Master of Time’, ‘God’s President’, ‘A Great Part of
God on the ground’, and ‘God speaking and advising’. Moreover, Mohammed
gave copious signs or marks by which the great teacher could be recognized.
‘Asked by his disciples if he, Mohammed,
was ‘The Master of the World’, he said that he was not, and that no prophet of
God who had ever come to this world had come with the powers with which He will
come. Here are the details:
· His hair will be profuse
· His forehead will be large and concave
· His nose will be small, with a slight bump
at the bridge
· His front teeth will be spaced apart
· He will have a mole on his cheek
· He will not have a beard but will be
clean-shaven
· His clothing will be like a flame
· He will wear two robes (one an under-robe
or dhoti)
· The color of His face will be sometimes
like copper, sometimes yellow like gold, sometimes very dark, and sometimes
shining like the moon
· His body will be small in size, but his
stomach will tend to be large
· His legs will be like those of a young girl
· All the teachings of all the religions of
the world will be in His heart from birth
· All the science and knowledge of the world
from the beginning of time will be in His head
· All things which you will ask from God, He
(the Master of the world) will give to you
· All the treasures of the world are under
His feet
· He will give gifts that are light in weight
· His devotees will collect under a great
tree (the huge banyan tree)
· Many of them will have a spot on their
foreheads (Hindu kum-kum spot)
· He will go around among devotees and touch
their heads with His hands
· Every eye who sees Him will be happy, not only humans but disembodied souls
· His devotees will crane their necks to see
Him
· He will live 95 years on earth. (Sai Baba
says He will retain this body until the 96th year. Indians very logically call the actual day of birth the first
birthday
· In the last years of His life, He will be
‘King of the whole world’, but at that time only two-thirds of the people of
the world will believe in Him (from A.D. 2001). Moslems will only recognize Him nine years before His passing
from the world (A.D. 2012).
· He will live on a hill. ( The ashram, Prasanthi Nilayam is situated
on a hill)
· His house will be square
· He will make the world light and full of
peace
· So as not to be deceived, you should know
that the Master of the World will bring things ellipsoid in shape out of His
body, through His mouth.’ A Compendium of TSSB p428
As
per HINDU TEXT. “When the Pandavas were doing Vanavasam, Lord Vishnu
revealed these truths to Sage Markendeya who was with them: He was told that in
Kaliyuga, in South India, an Avatar with full characteristics would descend to
the Earth. All those characteristic are
to be found in our Swami….This is
mentioned in five scriptures: Agasthyanadi, Brighunadi, Sukhanadi, Brahmanadi
and also in the Mahabarata. In Agsthayanadi, it is recorded that this
particular Avatar shall cure all diseases with the power of Sankalpa (Will),
faster than lightning. With the mere
sankalpa He will heal people and free them from diseases. He will also
establish many educational institutions. He will leave His parents and will
promote spiritual progress in the World.
His previous Avatar would be Shirdi Sai Baba… In Brighunadi, it is
mentioned that He will always be in a state of Eternal Happiness and Bliss, His
name will be Truth. He will be the
ultimate power, come down to the Earth for deliverance of mankind. In Sukhnadi, it is recorded that this Avatar
shall establish and spread eternal happiness by propagating Sathya, Dharma,
Santhi, Prema and Ahimsa. His abode
will be called ‘Prasanthi Nilayam’. He would be happy serving humanity and He
would be the Divine Avatar descended to Earth!…
“In the life of this Avatar, Thursday will
be a very holy day. He will keep
calling himself a human living in Puttaparthi, hiding his godhood in the veil
of maya, pretending to be an ordinary mortal.
He will have the name of Sathya Sai.
He will be a Shiva-Shakti Avatar.
His Avatar will follow Shirdi-Sai Avatar. In Brahmanadi and Brighunadi, it is recorded that in a place
called Prashanti Nilayam, the world will witness God in human form. His previous form will be Shirdi Sai. His name is Sathyanarayana. He is the Paramatma who has come down to
earth for the upliftment of humanity. As per Mahabharata, while the Pandavas
were residing in the forests, sage Markandeya told Yudhistira all these matters
as told by Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu,
the protector, creates a Golden Age on earth to promote righteousness whenever
Adharma prevails on earth….
The greatest thing about this Avatar is that no Avatar was as extensive as
this. This was told by Sage Markandeya
to the Pandavas at the end of Dwaparayuga. The sage also said that this
particular Avatar shall draw unto Himself all the people from every
religion. There shall dawn a day when
everyone shall have faith in Him…
“It is written (in the Mahabharata) that in Kaliyuga, God shall come down to
Earth in a small village, in an ordinary family of South India. It is recorded
that He shall wear saffron colored robes, that He shall have curly and bushy
hair, that he shall be regarded by all religions as God, that He shall have the
power of creating anything by mere sanlkalpa (will) ; He shall live for 96
years and that He shall also have the power to increase His lifespan if need
be. He shall be the King of Kings and
the ruler of the World in the last 20 years of His lifespan. From His 70th year onwards, He shall rule
all the countries. It is also written
that this Avatar shall produce things from His mouth…He shall also materialize
things from His hands…
From the SHUKA NAADI: “He will be
possessing all powers and Siddhis. This person of Divine aspects was previously
Shirdi-Vasi. He is Sankalpa - Siddha
(whatever He wills, happens). He is in
Nirvikalpa Samadhi state and living only for Dharma paripalana (establishment
of righteousness), Prajopakar (welfare
of people), Dharma-Prachar (Propagating Dharma) and the place He stays will
become Punya Bhoomi (Sacred Land). He
can go in different forms and give darshan.
He will establish an Ashram near a place ‘Bahuchakra Vahana (Rail) (Whitefield?), and will establish
educational institutions that show spiritual strength. He will show His Omniscience in many ways –
He will be a Brahmachari, will exhibit equal attitude towards men and women –
will move like a mother amidst women – He will be a Premaswaroopa,
Anandaswaroopa and Jnanaswaroopa, but only the enlightened one will be able to
experience Him as Ananda (Joy) –He can be experienced but not expressed – Total equanimity will be His.”
“He will be for Lok-Kalyanam (good of
Mankind). As Adharma (evil) rises to
the uttermost, His powers will come into play and He will be known in the World
and His efforts to save the World will increase ten-fold. He alone can control the fury of
Nature. He will also plant a tree and
that place will become a Siddhikshetra and the tree Kalpa Vruksha. The good will accrue to anyone who sees Him,
everything about Him is for the good of the World. His greatness will spread and there will be a Universal Worship.
He will show Himself simultaneously in many places. When He publicizes any aspect of Himself or His activities, which
is not always, He does so only for the growth of righteousness, instilling good
ideas of life. This Avatar will have
healing powers and powers to cure Himself just by Sprinkling of water, He will
use this power not only for humans but also for Devataas. At times he will save them from the curse
and illwill of others by taking upon Himself their illness and sufferings. In such cases, He will cure Himself when the
danger has been averted. When Kaliyuga
influence grows even more intense, the people will see His true might and
acknowledge that He is the Supreme Power.
Mankind will bow to Him and He will be revered as ‘Mahapurusha’ – a form
of Great Vishnu Himself. He is fully Divine, fully God, a life of total
sanctity fully endowed with Brahmajnana – He will perform even more wondrous
and greater miracles. Once He will keep
an airplane airborne for a long time after it runs out of fuel through His will
alone. He will retain a youthful look,
age not withstanding. He will teach
great truths.”A Compendium of TSSB p429, 431
As per VISHNU PURANAM: “This Kalki
Avatar will display great superhuman power in establishing the New Age of
Truth. His parents will be devotees of Lord Vishnu and will reside in a village
worshipping the cow herd form of Sri Krishna (Swami’s family was devoted to
Vishnu – this village was earlier known as Gollapalli, i.e. Multitude of
ant-hills due to a cobra’s curse and Lord Gopala Swamy – Cowherd form of
Krishna was being worshipped when Sai Baba was born).”
Kalki Avatar, “Maharishi Markandeya once told Pandava brothers about
the talk he had with the Lord Vishnu, who told him, how light would come to
earth when Kaliyuga had reached a level that required the direct action of God
– “When evil is rampant upon this earth, I will take birth in the family of a
Virtuous man and assume a human body to restore tranquility. I will assume an inconceivable human
form. In the Kali Age of sin I will
assume an Avatar, dark in color. I will
be born in South India. Material objects needed for this Avatar’s mission will
be at His disposal as soon as He thinks of them. This Avatar will inaugurate a New Era of Truth and will be
surrounded by Spiritual people – adored by spiritual people all over the
World. Educational center for knowledge
of Brahma will again reappear – Rulers will govern their kingdom virtuously.”
As per NOSTRADAMUS: ‘Predicted new light
will be thrown on his work which will make people of that century extremely
happy (111.94). Some of his revelations
pointed out Descent of God in our present age’-
‘He who has been awaited for such a long
time will never appear in Europe. He
will appear in Asia. One from the league issued from the Great Hermes. His power will rise over all the other Kings
in the Eastern Countries’. (X – 75) (References to Hermes the Greek Messenger
of the Gods is a clear clue to the advent of the Divine Principle).
‘The triplicity of waters (3 sided seas –
India) will give birth to a Man who will choose Thursday as His Holy day. His voice, reign and power will rise across
land and sea, amidst storms in the East’. (1.50)
“The one who will be responsible for
destroying the shrines and sects which have changed out of sheer fancy of
caprice will come to harm the rocks than the living beings. His ornate speeches everybody will be
willing to hear (1.96). Sacred Shrines
that were once built in the Roman way will be rejected as broken foundations. They will fall back on their early human
laws (Sanantana Dharma) chasing away most of the cults of the Saints.”(11.8)A
Compendium of TSSB p432
As per
THE HOLY BIBLE - Book of Revelations
1XX vs X1 - X111.
In one
of Baba’s discourses he referred to the above chapter while saying;
“He who sent me among you will come
again!” and he pointed to a lamb. The
lamb is merely a symbol, a sign. It
stands for the Voice – BaBa; the announcement was the Advent of Baba. ‘His Name
will be Truth’, Christ declared. Sathya
means Truth. ‘He will wear a robe of
red, a bloodred robe’. (Here Baba pointed
to the Robe He was wearing!). He will
be short, with a crown (of hair). The
Lamb is the sign and symbol of Love.
Christ did not declare that he will come again, he said, ‘He who made me
will come again’. That Ba-ba is this
Baba, and Sai, the short curly-hair-crowned red-robed Baba, is come. He is not only in this Form, but He is in
every one of you, as the Dweller in the Heart.
He is there, short, with a robe of the color of the blood that fills
it.” SSS VOL VIII p144
BABA
Although Baba is without ego, and wishes
no publicity, and has no desire whatsoever except to make His
devotees desireless he has given information, out of His immense compassion
about some miraculous events that will occur by His will.
Bhagwan Baba Himself has said that “just
as Krishna lifted the Goverdhan Giri peak, I will lift a range of mountains,
just be patient”.
He also
said that he will keep an airplane aloft for several hours without fuel.
He said that He will leave this body at
the age of 96 years and will return as Prema Sai to complete His mission 8
years later. He materialised a ring for Dr . Hislop with a picture of this
Prema Sai form ,the picture itself took ten years to be fully developed.
He predicted no harm can come upon Him, no
force present can stop His mission even for an instant, and that the Golden Age
will be here faster than we can possibly imagine.
As Shirdi Sai, I was like a mother who
prepares food in the kitchen and who does not want the children to disturb her;
as Sathya Sai, I will be serving the food to each and all in the world; as
Prema sai , we will all enjoy the fruits of this divine meal.” A Compendium of TSSB p. 494.
The time will soon come when this huge building or even vaster ones will be too small for the gatherings of those who are called to this place (Prasanthi Nilayam). The sky itself will have to be the roof of the Auditorium of the future; I will have to forego the car and even the airplane when I move from place to place, for the crowds pressing around them will be too huge; I will have to move across the sky; yes that too will happen, believe Me. You will witness this Puttarparthi becoming Mathura Nagara (the place where Krishna was born). No one can stop this development or delay it. I will not give you up nor can any of you give Me up. Even if you lose faith you will repent and come to this refuge very soon, clamoring for admission. I shall be in this body for 58 years more (1961 ) ; I have assured you of this already. Your lives are intertwined with my Earthly Career. Act always in accordance with that great privilege.” A compendium of TSSB. p. 494.
There are over one thousand books
containing numerous accounts of miracles which Baba has performed. All can
experience them depending on their awareness or consciousness. There are many
materialisations of objects and vibuthi on a daily basis at Prasanthi Nilayam.
As mentioned before, there are documented cases of raising the dead. However,
Baba says that all those miracles are intended to bring us closer to him
so that He can give us what He really came to give “ Realisation itself”.
Referring to his miracles, Baba says:
“You elaborate in your lectures the unique
powers of Sai, the incidents that are described as ‘miracles’ in books written
about Me by some persons. But I request
you not to attach importance to these.
Do not exaggerate their significance; the most significant and important
power is, let Me tell you, My Prema (Love) and My Sahana, (fortitude). I may turn the sky into earth or earth into
sky, but that is not the sign of Divine Might.
It is the Prema, effective, universal, ever-present, that is the unique
sign. When you attempt to cultivate and
propagate this Love and this Fortitude, trouble and travail will dog your
steps. You must welcome them, for
without them, the best in you cannot be drawn out.” A Compendium of TSSB p354.
“Baba is a switch. The switch is turned on and all goes forward
automatically. As the key is
turned in a car, then all parts of the car work automatically. In a similar way, the universe is
automatically regulated. So-
called ‘miracles’ are not miracles, nor
do they prove divinity. Baba’s endless
work in all the worlds is easy, no weight, always happy- that is the ‘miracle.”
A Compendium of TSSB p354
“The manifestation of Divine Power must
not be interpreted in terms of magic.
Remember there is nothing that Divine Power cannot accomplish. It can transmute earth into sky into
earth. The human magic is the Divine’s
logic.” A Compendium of TSSB p354
“There can be no limit for Sai Power, no
hindrance, no opposition or obstacle.
You may believe it or you may not, but, Sai Power can transform earth
into sky, the sky into earth. Only
there is no call for that transformation.
This Divine behavior is far distinct from the mean exhibitionistic
tricks of the inferior powers. This is
spontaneous manifestation; those are calculated to collect customers and
exploit the ignorant.”
“I assure you there is no such thing
as transfer. It would be cheating the
company or breaching the patent (gift of an Omega or HMT watch) if it were a
case of transfer of the watch from one place or the other. But I do not transfer, I totally create. Whatever I will, instantly
materializes. I know of no company that
has complained about any breach of patent.” A Compendium of TSSB P354
“ I use My Shakti (power) to attract
people and to draw them towards the Godward path. These miracles are merely baits with which I lure them towards
Me. Once their faith is firmly established, they begin to look beyond the
miracles and slowly start stretching their hands out for what I have really
come to give- Knowledge and Bliss.”
“This Sathya Sai Incarnation is one where you
see the full manifestation and exercise of all the sixteen attributes of a
Poorna Avatar. This happened only once
before, at the time of Krishna Avatar.
I am the Embodiment of Shiva and Shakti, that is Universal Consciousness and
Universal Energy. And I show evidences
of both to the fullest and maximum extent.”
A Compendium of TSSB p355
“Do not crave from me trivial material
objects: but crave for Me, and you would be rewarded. Not that you should not
receive whatever objects I give as signs of grace out of the fullness of
love. I shall tell you why I give these
rings, talismans, rosaries, etc. It is
to mark the bond between me and those to whom they are given. When calamity befalls them, the article
comes to me in a flash and returns in a flash, taking from me the remedial
grace of protection. That grace is
available to all who call on me in any Name or Form, not merely to those who
wear these gifts. Love is the bond that
wins grace.” A Compendium of TSSB p354
“My miracles are part of the unlimited
power of God and are in no sense the product of yogic powers which are
acquired. They are natural,
uncontrived. There are no invisible
beings helping me. My divine will
brings the object in a moment. I am
everywhere.” A Compendium of TSSB p355.
SOURCES
OF INFORMATION ABOUT SRI
SATHYA SAI BABA
A number of stores all over the world sell
books by or about Sathya Sai Baba, as well as cassettes and videos about Sathya
Sai Baba. The Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam provides
books written by this Avatar and those about Him
Whether the reader is looking for introductory books on Sai or is
studying his teachings this collection hereunder will prove valuable. Please
note that this catalogue gives descriptions of only a few of the many books
relating to the life and teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. .
VAHINI SERIES
Vahini, in Sanskrit, means “stream”. These writings are Swami’s streams of
thought on a range of subjects: meditation, right action, wisdom, peace, divine
love, and Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads and the
story of Rama. The Vahinis originally appeared in the
ashram’s monthly magazine Sanathana Sarathi (The Eternal Charioteer).(S)
Books
written by Bhagawan Shri Sathya Sai Baba:
· Bhagavatha Vahini (The story of the glory
of the Lord).
· Dharma Vahini (The path of virtue)
· Dhyana Vahini (Practice of meditation)
· Geetha Vahini (The divine gospel)
· Jnana Vahini (The stream of eternal wisdom)
· Leela Vahini (The cosmic play of God.)
· Prasanthi Vahini (The bliss of supreme
peace)
· Prasnothara Vahini (Answers to spiritual
questions)
· Prema Vahini (The stream of divine love)
· Ramakatha Rasa Vahini, Part I (The sweet
story of Rama’s glory)
· Ramakatha Rasa Vahini, Part II (The sweet
story of Rama’s glory)
· Sandeha Nirvarini (Clearance of spiritual
doubts)
· Sathya Sai Vahini (Spiritual message of
Sathya Sai)
· Sutra Vahini (Analytical aphorisms on
supreme reality)
· Upanishad Vahini (Essence of Vedic
knowledge)
· Vidya Vahini (Flow of spiritual education)
SATHYA SAI
SPEAKS SERIES
(Discourses
by Bhagawan Shri Sathya Baba). These
are new editions, with the discourses now appearing in chronological order.
· Vol
1 (Years 1953-1960) to Vol XXX (Years 1997)
SATHYAM SIVAM
SUNDARAM SERIES
(Life
of Bhagawan Shri Sathya Sai Baba)
· Sathyam Sivaram Sundaram Part I, Birth to
1962.
· Sathyam Sivaram Sundaram Part II,
1962-1968.
· Sathyam Sivaram Sundaram Part III,
1969-1972.
· Sathyam Sivaram Sundaram Part IV,
1973-1979.
SUMMER SHOWERS
SERIES
During
the 1970’s, Sathya Sai Baba initiated a series of Summer Courses on Indian
Culture and Spirituality at Brindavan, His ashram in Whitefield, outside
Bangalore. These were open to students
from all over India as well as to observers and guests from around the
world. This series contains all of Swami’s discourses from these courses.
Summer
Showers in Brindavan,- Ten volumes -
1972 to 1979 inclusive, 1990, 1993 and 1996.
CHILDREN’S
BOOKS
· Chinna Katha I
· China Katha II,
· Stories for Children, Part I
· Stories for Children, Part II.
OTHER
BOOKS
· Africa for Sai Baba, by Dare Ogunkolati.
· Conversations with Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai
Baba,
by Dr. John S. Hislop.
· Divine Memories of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, by
Diana Baskin.
· Easwaramma – the chosen mother of Bhagawan
Sri Sathya Baba.
· Garland of 108 Precious Gems (108 Holy
Names of Bhagawan).
· My Baba and I, Dr. John S. Hislop.
·
My Beloved, by Charles Penn.
· Namasmarana.
· Prasanthi – Pathway to Peace, by N. Kasturi
· Sadhana – The Inward Path.
· Sai Baba – the Ultimate Experience, by
Phyllis Krystal.
· Sai Ram, by Charles Penn
· Sathya Sai Education in Human Values.
· Sathya Sai Book of Thoughts for the Day.
· Sathya Sai Baba, God Incarnate, by Victor
Kanu.
· Sathya Sai, The Eternal Charioteer.
· Sai Baba’s Mahavakyas on Leadership, by
General Chibber.
· Sanathana Sarathi Commemoration Volume
(70th Birthday).
MISCELLANEOUS
· Avatar of Love.
· Sai Bhajan Mala (Australia).
· Shirdi to Puttaparthi.
· Guide to Indian Culture and Spirituality.
· Daily Prayers to Bhagawan.
· Life is a Game, Play It, by Joy Thomas.
· Life is a Challenge, Meet It, by Joy
Thomas.
· Vision of Sai, Part II.
· The Greatest Adventure, by Dr. K.V.N.
Murthy.
· Sai Messages to You & Me, Part III.
· Sai Messages to You & Me, Part IV.
NEW PUBLICATIONS
· Journey to God, Part I, by J. Jagadeeshan.
· Journey to God, Part II, by J. Jagadeeshan.
· Loving God, by N. Kasturi.
· Life is a Dream, Realize It, by Joy Thomas.
· Life is a Love, Enjoy It, by Joy Thomas.
· Catholic Priest Meets Sai Baba, by Dr. M.
Massaloni.
· Seva – a Flower at His Feet.
· Recapitulation of Baba’s Divine Teachings,
by Grace J. MacMartin.
· Baba – the Breath of Sai.
· Sai Baba and You: Practical Spirituality.
OM SHANTI SHANTI
"Love All Serve All"
"Help Ever Hurt Never"