'Sundararupaya'
-Sathya
Sai Baba Darshan Video-
His
birthplace
/ Three
incarnations /
Sarvadharma
Symbol
/ Why
I have come
His
birthplace
Sathya Sai Baba is the
second of three incarnations of the Sai
Avatâr. The first was Shirdi Sai Baba, who
left his mortal body in 1918, after teaching the unity of
God and brotherhood of man His whole life. In particular,
He did this among the Hindu- and Muslim-communities in
Central India, who on their side considered Him as one of
them.
Sathyanarayana Raju, as
Sai Baba was named, was born on November 23, 1926,
[at 6:36 hours a.m.] in a small remote village
called Puttaparthi
in the South of India,
approximately 160 km north of Bangalore. There is now His
Âs'ram named
Prasanthi Nilayam,
which means: Place of Supreme
Peace. In Whitefield, about 25 km of
Bangalore, Baba also has an Âs'ram where He
regularly stays. This Âs'ram is called
Brindavan
(after Vrindâvana, the town of
Vrindâvana in the Mathurâ District of Uttar
Pradesh, India, where Krishna appeared five thousand
years ago).
He came into the world
with all knowledge, wisdom, power and divine love. Unlike
self-realized saints, He did not have to practice
disciplines or austerities to achieve his divinity.
Although Sai Baba only attended school to the age of
thirteen, he has complete mastery of the scriptures, of
all the sciences, arts, languages - of all fields of
study. As a matter of fact, he knows everything -
including the past, present and future of all of our
lives.
The center of
activities there is S'rî Sathya Sai Baba Himself,
who has attracted an enormous number of people, through
His unique, personal presence since His early youth. He
can only be described as the embodiment of pure,
unselfish love, of perfect peace and bliss, the essence
of kindness.
Through Him all noble,
human qualities become visible; He carries and unites all
divine qualities which are characteristics of the
Avatâra.
Sathya Sai Baba is the
Avatâra of this era. Avatâr means:
Embodiment of God on earth. He has come again as a
world teacher to lead mankind on the right path in this
critical time [Kali
Yuga].
Sathya Sai Baba has
millions of followers in India, as well as in many
countries around the world. He has incarnated at this
time to restore truth, righteousness, peace and love in
the world and to transform all our hearts so that we can
experience that we, too, are divine.
For a full account of
Sai Baba's life, see N. Kasturi's Biography entitled
'Sathyam,
Sivam Sundaram'
also available as a download
and Kasturi's
poem at this
site.
"I have the
task to lead mankind in her development and to assure all
human beings of an existence full of happiness and joy. I
have promised that I shall rescue all who roam about
uselessly, and bring them back to goodness." -
Sathya
Sai Baba
Nature obeys His will.
He has all knowledge. He knows the past, presence and
future of everybody. In His teachings Sai Baba
acknowledges all religions. He emphasizes again and again
that divinity means unity. In his personal style and
expression Bhagavân
Baba shows a majestical grace and at the same time a
delightful cheerfulness.
Among His many devotees
who surround Him, He leads a simple and humble life,
completely devoted to loving helpfulness. Not restricted
to only physical existence, He works on all levels: the
gross matter and the spiritual nature. He does this in
His physical form as well as in visions, dreams and inner
experiences. As a divine teacher, He leads the spiritual
development of His devotees, He inspires inwardly and
arranges outwardly. He illuminates the heart, transforms
the mind and reveals the biggest treasure.... the
immortal Âtmâ,
the divine sparkle in every human being.
Three
incarnations
Sai Baba says that He
will stay in the present quality as Sathya Sai Baba
within the 21st century and will reach the age of 96.
After that He will be reborn as the third and last
incarnation as Prema Sai Baba, who will finish the
Avatâra-mission started in the middle of the 19th
century.
From
left to right: Shirdi Sai (1836-1918),
(middle) Prema Sai, (2030-2126) and Sathya Sai
(1926-2022)
More
about Prema Sai
Sai Baba has two
Âs'rams in the south of India, one in Puttaparthi
and one in Whitefield, where hundred-thousands of people
from all over the world come together to experience His
Love and to receive His blessing. However, He has not
come to this earth to establish a new religion or sect.
On the contrary, he emphasizes the unity of all
religions. About this, He stresses:
"I have come to
tell you about this Universal Unity, this Inner
Self-principle, this Path of Love. All religions teach a
basic-discipline: to remove the stains of egoism and the
chasing of material satisfaction out of the soul. Every
religion teaches the human being to fill his mind with
the glory of God and to drive out narrow-minded
arrogance. Be convinced that the one and only God is the
indweller of all hearts; One can worship Him the best
through Love. Develop the inner attitude that people of
every religion from all over the world are One. That is
the message of Love I bring." -
Sathya
Sai Baba
As a teacher He leads
the spiritual development of all who turn to Him - by
now, more than hundred million people, worldwide - and
inspires people inwardly as well as outwardly. He has set
up several schools and universities, where education is
given totally for free. Also, He has built hospitals in
several places where everybody receives free care and
medication. One of the most modern hospitals has been
established in Puttaparthi, the Sri Sathya Sai Institute
of Higher Medical Sciences - Prasanthigram.
Also here, every treatment is completely given free of
charge.
The name Sathya Sai
Baba is significant. Sai means: Godly Mother,
Baba: Honored Father, and Sathya: Truth.
His mission: to bring back truth in all hearts, to
regain righteousness all over the world.
"There is only one
religion, the religion of Love. There is only one caste,
the caste of mankind. There is only one language, the
language of the heart. There is only one God and He is
omnipresent." - Sathya
Sai Baba
Sarva-dharma
Symbol
The sarva-dharma
symbol is the symbol of the Sathya Sai Organization.
Sarva: all, Dharma: divine law, is equal to
religion.
The first sarva-dharma
symbol stands for a lotus flower with six leafs, with in
every leaf the symbol for a world religion. Together
these symbols represent all religions in the
world.
The
Pillar: the
pillar (lotus) in the middle expresses the path of unity
with God, with the several steps and phases one has to go
forward. The blooming lotus is the heart that blossoms in
love; this
results in the flower of enlightenment.
Hinduism:
(the
AUM/OHM-sign) Actually sanâthana-dharma =
eternal divine law. God is One, but the wise call Him
with various names (the Gods are many aspects of the one
God). Some names are: Is'vara, Krishna, Râma, etc.,
Paramâtmâ or Brahman.
"Listen
to the primeval Pranava AUM resounding in your heart as
well in the heart of the
Universe".
Buddhism:
(the wheel) The soul of a religion does not lie in
theory or dogmas, but in the way of living. The
Buddhists, even so the Jains, do not accept the existence
of God in a certain or immediate way. They believe that
the maximum stage a human being can reach is the stage of
the Buddha. He, the Kevalin or Mukta (the
liberated) or the Buddha, the embodiment of love and
wisdom, is divine. "Remember
the Wheel of Cause and Consequence, of Deed and Destiny
and the Wheel of Dharma that rights them
all".
Parseeism:
(the fire vessel) Ahura Mazda (= light): dwells in
the heart of human beings. Fire, wide at the basis and
pointed at the top. In this way, also the differences
disappear at the highest divine level. The devotees of
Zoroaster call their God the most holiest principle in
the universe. Ahura Mazda, the God of truth, wisdom en
enlightenment. (Zoroaster: Founder of the ancient Persian
religion Zoroastrianism. The sacred text called the
Gaathas were revealed to him while in deep
meditation. Ahur Mazda is the name for the
Supreme). "Offer
all bitterness in the sacred Fire and emerge grand, great
and godly".
Islam:
(the
crescent moon with star) Islam means literally
surrendering. There is no God than God (and Mohammed is
his prophet). The Muslims call God Allah, the
merciful, the compassionate, the unique Lord of creation.
"Be
like the Star which never wavers from the Crescent but is
fixed in steady faith".
Christianity:
(the cross) Let your ego die on the cross. The life
of Jesus: 'I am the messenger of God. I am the son of
God. I and the Father are One'.
"Cut
the 'I' feeling clean across and let your ego die on the
Cross, to endow on you Eternity".
Judaism:
(the star of David) Hear Israel: The Lord our Lord is
One.
Sai Baba teaches us to
respect our own religion in which we were raised and
honor other religions. Let the various religions exist,
let them bloom and let God's glory be sung in all
languages and varieties. That must be the ideal
goal.
Respect the differences
between the religions and acknowledge them as valuable as
long as they do not extinguish the flame of unity. You
can search for God in churches and temples as the mystery
of all mysteries, you will find Him at last in the
deepest silence of your own heart.
'If
God brings you to it,
He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God'
Bhagavân
S'rî Sathya Sai Baba on Himself - Why I have
come
"I
have come to light the lamp of love in your hearts, to
see that it shines day by day with added lustre. I have
not come to speak on behalf of any particular
dharma (religion), like Hinduism. I have not come on
any mission of publicity for any sect or creed or cause;
nor have I come to collect followers for any doctrine. I
have no plan to attract disciples or devotees into My
fold or any fold. I have come to tell you of this
Universal unitary faith, this Atmic principle (principle
of the spirit), this path of love." -
Bhagavân's
Discourse on 4th July 1968 in Nairobi (Kenya, East
Africa).
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - VIII, Chapter -
22. Page: 118.
"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 (Reality of the Spirit) of each being, in order
to reveal the divine which is the basis on which the
entire cosmos rests, and of instructing all to recognise
the common divine heritage that binds man to man, so that
man can rid himself of the animal in him, and rise into
the Divine, which is his goal." -
19th
June 1974 in 'Brindavan',
Bangalore.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - XII. Chapter - 38.
Page: 229.
The
Message I Bring. "All religions teach one basic
discipline - the removal of the blemish of egoism from
the mind, restraining it from running after trivial joys.
Every religion teaches man to fill his being with the
Glory of God, and evict the pettiness of conceit. It
trains him in methods of detachment and discrimination so
that he may aim high and attain liberation. Believe that
all hearts are motivated by the one God; that all faiths
glorify Him alone; that all names in all languages, and
all the forms man can conceive denote the same divine
principle; His adoration is best done by means of love.
Cultivate that eka-bhava (attitude of Oneness)
among men of all creeds, all countries and all
continents. That is the message of love, I bring. That is
the message I wish you to take to heart."
-
4th July 1968 in Nairobi (Kenya, East
Africa).
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - VIII, Chapter -
22. Page: 118
"I
have come to help all to acquire this sattvic
(serene) nature. You might have heard people talk about
My miracles, of My creating this and giving that, of my
fulfilling all your wants, of My curing your illnesses.
But they are not as important as the satva guna
(state of serenity and calmness) I appreciate,
promote and instill. Of course, I confer on you these
boons of health and prosperity, but only so that you
might, with greater enthusiasm and with less
interruption, proceed with spiritual sadhana
(pursuit)." -
25th July 1958 in Nellore, Andhra
Pradesh.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol.- I, Chapter - 11.
Page: 62-63.
I
have not come to start a new cult. "You must have
noticed that I do not speak about Sai in My discourses,
nor do I sing of Sai during the Bhajan with which I
usually conclude My discourses. And you must have
wondered why. Let me tell you the reason. I do not want
the impression to gain ground that I desire this Name and
this Form to be publicised. I have not come to start a
new cult, I do not want people to be misled on this
point. I affirm that this form of Sai contains within it
the forms associated with all the names that man uses for
the adoration of the divine. So, I teach that no
distinction should be made between the names Râma,
Krishna, Is'vara, Sai - for they are all My names." -
on
17th May 1968 in Mumbai.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol.- VIII. Chapter - 19.
Page: 95-96. On
the occasion of the World Conference of Sri Sathya Sai
Seva Organizations.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol.- VIII. Chapter - 19.
Page: 95-96
Do
not propagate My Name. "I do not have the slightest
intention to utilise the Seva Samithis (Service
Organisations) for propagating My Name. No! I am content
only when spiritual endeavors and disciplines to elevate
and purify man progress everywhere. It is only through
these practices that My universal reality will be
revealed. So, do not limit Me to the boundaries of any
one name and form.
Your
aim should be to see the same God in all the Forms that
are worshipped, to adore Him in all the Names, nay, to be
conscious of His presence as the inner motivator of every
living being, in every particle of matter. Do not fall
into the error of considering some to be men worthy of
reverence and some unworthy. Sai is in everyone; so, all
deserve your reverence and service. Propagate this truth;
that is the function I assign to the Seva Samithis
(Service Organisations)." - From
Bhagawan's Discourse on the occasion of World Conference
of Shri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, - on 17th May,
1968 in Mumbai.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol.- VIII, Chapter-19.
Page: 96
No
annihilation now, only transformation. "Râma,
Krishna and other Avatârs had to kill one or more
individuals who could be identified as enemies of the
dharmic (righteous) way of life, and thus restore the
practice of virtue. But, now, there is no one entirely
good, and so who deserves the protection of God? All are
tainted by wickedness, and so who will survive if the
Avatâr decides to destroy the wicked?
Therefore,
I have to correct the buddhi (intellect), 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 recognising the
straight path, tread it and reach the goal. I have to
reveal to the people the worth of the Vedas, the
S'âstras (India's ancient scriptures) and
the other scriptural texts, which lay down the norms of
sacred living." -
on 23rd Nov 1964, in Prashanthi
Nilayam.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - IV, Chapter - 38.
Page: 224-225
I
am determined to correct you. "Let me tell you, it is
only those who know the scriptures, that can understand
Me. I am determined to correct you only after informing
you of my credentials. That is why I announce My Nature
by means of miracles - that is, acts which are beyond
human capacity and human understanding. Not that I am
anxious to show off My powers. The object is to draw you
closer to Me, to cement your hearts to Me. Getting to
know Me is also a part of your
destiny."
- on 24th Nov 1961 in Prasanthi
Nilayam.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - II, Chapter-26.
Page: 140-141.
I
only Echo. "If you accept Me and say yes, I too
respond and say "yes, yes, yes!" If you deny Me and say
"no", I also echo "no". Come, examine, experience and
have faith; that is the method of utilizing Me." -
Bhagavân's
Discourse on 23rd Nov 1964, 8 PM, in Prasanthi
Nilayam.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - IV, Chapter - 38.
Page: 226
Why
should the Lord Himself incarnate? When people forget
the One and run after the world, there can be no love, no
sacrifice and no spirit of detachment and hence there is
a decline in dharma. It is then that the Lord takes human
form and comes among men to restore their sense of
values. You may ask, why should the Lord Himself
incarnate? Why can He not set about the task of restoring
dharma through the many minor gods He has at His
command?
This question was placed before the courtiers by Akbar
himself for, he laughed at the Hindu idea of the Formless
adopting Form, and descending into the world as an
Avatâra to save dharma. Tansen asked for a week's
time to furnish the answer and got it granted by His
Imperial Majesty. A few days later, when he was in the
pleasure boat of the Emperor sailing across the lake with
the royal family, Tansen cleverly threw overboard a doll
made to look like the Emperor's little son, crying at the
same time, "Oh, the prince has fallen into the water!"
Hearing this, the Emperor jumped into the lake to rescue
his son'!
Tansen then disclosed that it was only a doll and that
the prince was safe. He allayed the anger of Akbar by
explaining that he had perforce to enact this drama in
order to demonstrate the truth of the Hindu belief that
God takes human form to save Dharma, without
commissioning some other entity to carry out that task.
Dharma is the son that God loves so dearly. Akbar could
have ordered the many personnel he had on board to jump
in and rescue his son; but his affection was so great and
the urgency so acute that the Emperor himself plunged
into the lake to pull out the 'son'.
The decline of Dharma is so acute. The decline of
Dharma is so acute a tragedy; the intensity of affection
that the Lord has for good men is so great that He
Himself comes. The Lord is Love itself. He comes in human
form so that you can talk to Him, move with Him, serve
Him, adore Him, and achieve oneness with Him, so that you
can recognise your kinship with Him." -
Bhagavân
Baba's Discourse on 13th Dec 1964 in Venkatagiri, on the
occasion of Prashaanthi Vidwan
Mahaasabha.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol.- IV, Chapter - 45.
Page: 262-263.
The
pious prayed, and I have come. "The Lord comes as the
Avatâra when He is anxiously awaited by saints and
sages. Sadhus (the pious) prayed, and I have come. My
tasks are primarily two: Veda Rakshana and
Bhakta Rakshana - fostering of the Vedas
(ancient Indian spiritual scriptures) and fostering
of bhaktas (devotees)." -
Bhagavân
Baba's Discourse on 25th Jan 1963 in Prashanthi
Nilayam.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol.- III, Chapter - 1.
Page: 9-10.
Dive
deep, get immersed. "You must dive deep into the sea
to get at the pearls. What good is it to dabble among the
waves near the shore and swear that the sea has no pearls
in it? So also if you aspire to benefit from the
Avatâra, dive deep and get immersed in Him.
Half-heartedness, hesitation, doubt, cynicism, listening
to tales, etc. are all of no avail.
Unflinching faith - that alone can bring victory. This is
true to any worldly activity, is it not? How much more
true must it be, therefore in the spiritual field? But if
you have already attached yourselves to a particular Name
and Form, do not change it, do not choose another in its
place." - Bhagavân
Baba's Discourse on 10th July 1959, Bangalore on the
occasion of Akhanda Bhajan.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - I, Chapter - 21.
Page: 130-131.
I
have not come for propaganda… "I have not come
for propaganda or publicity or gathering disciples or
devotees. I am yours and you are Mine. Where then is the
need for publicity? I do not give lectures but 'mixtures'
for your mental health and moral re-invigoration. So take
My words as medicine for your spiritual health." -
Bhagavân
Baba's Discourse on 25th June 1960, Gokhale Hall,
Chennai.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - I, Chapter - 26.
Page: 165.
This
human body has not come in vain. "Many hesitate to
believe that things will improve, that everyone will be
happy and joyful, that the Golden Age will ever dawn. Let
me assure you that this Dharma Svarupa (personification
of Righteousness) has not come in vain. It will succeed
in averting the crisis that has come upon humanity." -
Bhagavân
Baba's Discourse on 3rd March 1965, Prashanthi
Nilayam.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - V, Chapter - 11.
Page: 70.
Who
is Sai. I am the embodiment of Love. "I am the
embodiment of Love; Love is My instrument. There is no
creature without Love; the lowest loves itself, at least.
And its self is divine too. 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 towards the Goal
of Self-realisation, the Realisation of the Sai that
shines in your hearts."
- 19th June 1974 in Brindavan,
Bangalore.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - XII. Chapter - 38.
Page: 229.
I
am neither man nor God… "I am neither man nor
God nor an astral spirit; I am neither a brahmin
(the priestly class), nor a kshathriya (the
warrior class), nor a vais'ya (the business
class), nor a s'ûdra (the working class);
The appellations of brahmacharî (celibate)
or house-holder, or recluse or monk do not describe Me; I
am the Sathya Bodhaka, a Teacher of Truth,
as Sathyam
(Truth), Shivam (Goodness) and Sundaram
(Beauty).
Your reality too is Sathyam, Shivam and Sundaram.
Without truth there cannot be goodness; without goodness,
what does beauty avail? The effect of truth on the mind
is goodness; the joy that flows from goodness is the
genuine beauty that artists love. The three are really
one and indivisible. Experience this truth; this truth as
goodness and this goodness as beauty. That gives the
highest Bliss."
- 6th March 1970 in Prashanthi
Nilayam.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. X, Chapter - 7.
Page: 33.
Every
divine principle is manifest in this form. "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
the vision of my reality. Instead, if you swing like the
pendulum of a clock, one moment towards devotion and
another towards doubt, 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." - Bhagavân
Baba's Discourse on 17th May 1968 in Mumbai on the
occasion of the World Conference of Sri Sathya Sai Seva
Organizations.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol.- VIII. Chapter - 19.
Page: 99-100.
Supra-worldly
divinity in Human form. "…Let Me draw your
attention to another fact. On previous occasions when God
incarnated on earth, the bliss of recognising His Divine
nature was vouchsafed only after the Avatâra had
left the world, in spite of plenty of patent evidences 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 fact that
this is the Supra-worldly Divinity in Human form." -
Bhagavân
Baba's Discourse on 17th May 1968 in Mumbai, on the
occasion of the World Conference of Sri Sathya Sai Seva
Organizations.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol.- VIII. Chapter - 19.
Page: 100.
You
cannot understand the nature of my Reality. "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
spirituality 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 hundred among you do not know my Reality. You have
come here drawn by diverse needs, a taste for 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 grant you this
sacred opportunity that is far superior to what was
available to anchorites, monks, sages, saints and even
personalities embodying facets of divine Glory!" -
Bhagavân
Baba's Discourse on 17th May 1968 in Mumbai on the
occasion of the World Conference of Sri Sathya Sai Seva
Organizations.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol.- VIII, Chapter - 19.
Page: 98-99.
Do
not get deluded. "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, 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
mâyâ (delusion) that hides it from
your eyes." - Bhagavân
Baba's Discourse on 17th May 1968 in Mumbai on the
occasion of the World Conference of S'rî Sathya Sai
Seva Organizations.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol.- VIII. Chapter - 19.
Page: 99.
My
power is immeasurable… "My power is
immeasurable; My truth is inexplicable, unfathomable. I
am announcing this about Me, for, the need has arisen.
But, what I am giving you now is only the gift of a
'Visiting Card!' Let Me tell you that emphatic
declarations of the truth by Avatâras were
made so clearly and so unmistakably only by
Krishna. In spite of the declaration, you will
notice in the career of 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 which He had planned and which 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 punish the greed and iniquity of
the Kauravas and to condemn them before the whole
world.
Now, I must tell you, that during this Sai
Avatâr, there is no place for even such 'drama'
with scenes of failures 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." -
Bhagavân's
Discourse on 19th June 1974 in Brindavan,
Bangalore.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - XII, Chapter - 38.
Page: 227-228.
'Willing'
is superfluous for Me… '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
Avatâr (divine descent). I can solve any
problem however knotty. I am beyond the reach of the most
intensive inquiry and the most meticulous measurement.
Only those who have recognised 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." -
Bhagavân's Discourse on 19th June 1974 in
Brindavan, Bangalore.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - XII, Chapter - 38.
Page: 228.
Do
not attempt to know Me through… "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 would be rewarded. Not that
you should not receive whatever objects I give as sign of
grace out of the fullness of love." -
Bhagavân's
Discourse on 19th June 1974 in Brindavan,
Bangalore.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - XII. Chapter - 38.
Page: 228.
Why
argue over Me? Who exactly is the Baba, you discuss
and debate?! What does it matter to you who I am? You are
concerned about your goal, your ideal, your experience,
your effort, is it not? Why then worry about My Origin,
My Nature, My Mystery, My Miracle? When you cannot grasp
your own basic reality, why waste time in exploring the
essence of Godhead? As a matter of fact, you can
understand Me only when you have understood yourself,
your own Truth.
The gross can grasp only the gross; its categories of
knowledge can proceed only as far as that. Fish die when
they have to breathe the air above the water. Children
can learn the alphabet only with the help of boards,
slates, pencils and pieces of chalk. Sâdhakas
(spiritual aspirants) going through the primers of
spirituality need symbols, images and rituals. You cannot
discard Name and Form until you transmute yourself into
the Nameless and Formless; just as the fish needed water
and could not come up into the atmosphere, so long as
they did not transmute themselves into land animals,
giving up their aquatic nature. That is the reason why
the Nameless and Formless has often to assume Name and
Form, and come before humanity with limitations imposed
by its own Will, so that it may be loved, respected,
worshipped, listened to and followed; so that the purpose
of humanity may be fulfilled. -
Bhagavân's
Discourse on 4th March 1962 in Prashaanthi Nilayam on the
occasion of
Mahâ-S'ivaratri.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - II, Chapter-31.
Page: 164-165.
The
chief characteristic of Sathya Sai is… "The
chief characteristic of Sathya Sai is equanimity,
forbearance, sahana (fortitude). There are many
who are engaged in criticism and calumny. Many papers
publish all types of writings. Many pamphlets are
printed. All kinds of things happen in the world. My
reply to all these is a smile. Such criticisms and
distortions are the inevitable accomplishments of
everything good and great. Only the fruit laden tree is
hit by stones thrown by greedy people. No one casts a
stone on the tree that bears no fruit!"
-
Bhagavân's Discourse on 22nd Nov 1981 in
Poornachandra Auditorium, Prashanthi
Nilayam.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - XV, Chapter - 33.
Page: 179-180
You
too have the Sai principle in you … "It is
impossible for anyone to understand or explain the
meaning and significance of Swami. This is an Incarnation
which is beyond anyone's comprehension. Trying to explain
Me would be as futile as the attempt of a person who does
not know the alphabet to read a scholarly treatise, or
the attempt to pour the ocean into a tiny waterway. You
can at best only prepare yourself to receive and benefit
by the ananda I confer, the bliss I grant.
You too have the Sai principle in you, but the difference
is a matter of 'wattage'. You have bulbs of zero watt
power and also bulbs of high wattage giving dazzling
light. The same electric current passes through them no
doubt, but, how incomprehensible must be the 'Supreme'
for the molecule. - Bhagavân's
Discourse on 9th Oct 1970 in Prasanthi
Nilayam.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - X, Chapter - 28.
Page: 170-171.
Even
if the entire world opposes Me unitedly…
"Embodiments of Love! Even if the entire world opposes Me
unitedly, nothing can affect Me. My mission is
essentially Mine. I am engaged in doing good. My heart is
ever full of benediction. I have no ego. I do not own
anything. This is My truth. Those who have faith in this,
My Truth, will not hesitate to dedicate themselves to it.
Those who have doubts and defects react with anger and
fear. But the person with no doubt and defect will not
react so. I am aware of this and so I am always in
Ananda (bliss)." -
Bhagavân's Discourse on 22nd Nov 1981 in
Poornachandra Auditorium, Prasanthi
Nilayam.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - XV, Chapter - 33.
Page: 180.
The
Divine has to reveal Itself. "The Divine is now
denoted by various words that are common currency in
limited human vocabulary. They name phenomena revealing
the Divine as 'miracles', 'magic', 'wonders', etc. Of
course, man cannot contain in his mind more than he can
hold. He cannot express in words the inexpressible. Only
those who have dived deep and contacted the underlying
principle of Love can visualize Divinity with some
clarity. The Divinity that is Me has not been acquired or
earned, nor has it been added or evinced after the lapse
of some years, in the middle of this life. The Divine has
to reveal Itself through these manifestations, largely
shaped and modified by the nature of the times, the
region and the cultural environment. The signs and
wonders that I manifest are given names that do not
convey the purpose or effect. They can be called
chamathkaara (that which is inexplicable), that
lead on to samskaara (refinement), which in turn
urge one on towards paropakaara (helping others)
and finally result in saakshaathkaara (vision of
the divine)." - Bhagavân's
Discourse on 23rd Nov 1976 in Prasanthi
Nilayam.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - XIII, Chapter -
25. Page: 164-165.
Few
have realized My purpose and significance. "I never
exult when I am extolled, nor cower 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? I am
Ananda, Shaantham, Dhairyam (Bliss, Equanimity and
Courage). Take Me as your Aathma thathwam
(principle of the spirit); you won't be wrong. Resolve
from this day to see only the good in others, to develop
the good in yourselves. That is the best
sâdhana (spiritual practice)." -
Bhagavân's
Discourse on 30th March 1965 in Rajahmundry, Andhra
Pradesh.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - V, Chapter - 23.
Page: 128-129
My
power. Do not exaggerate the significance of
miracles. "You elaborate in your lectures the unique
powers of Sai, the incidents that are described as
'miracles' in books written on 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). I
may turn the sky into earth, or earth into sky; but that
is not the sign of Divine might. It is the prema,
the sahana (fortitude) that are my unique signs.
When you attempt to cultivate and propagate this love and
this fortitude, trouble and travail will clog your steps.
You must welcome them, for without them, the best in you
cannot be drawn out." - From
Bhagavân's Discourse on the occasion of World
Conference of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, in
Mumbai, on 17th May, 1968.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol.- VIII, Chapter-19.
Page: 98.
The
power of Sai is limitless. "The physical eyes 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 and inexhaustible. All forms of 'power' are
resident in this palm." - Bhagavân's
Discourse on 19th June 1974 in Brindavan,
Bangalore
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol.- XII, Chapter - 38.
Page: 226
Always
be mindful of My true nature… "People may be
very near (physically) to the Avatâr, 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..." -
Bhagavân's
Discourse on 19th June 1974 in Brindavan,
Bangalore.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - XII, Chapter - 38.
Page: 227.
My
Activities You can observe Me and My activities…
"You can observe Me and My activities; note how I adhere
to righteousness, moral order, truth and universal
compassion. That is what I desire you to learn from Me.
Many of you plead for a 'Message' from Me, to take to the
Samithi (Sai centre) of which you are members. Well, My
life is My message. You will be adhering to My message if
you so live that your lives are evidence of the
dispassionate quiet, the courage, the confidence, the
eagerness to serve those who are in distress, that My
life inspires you with." - From
Bhagavân's
Discourse on the occasion of World Conference of Sri
Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, in Mumbai, on 17th May,
1968.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol.- VIII, Chapter-19.
Page: 96-97.
I
need nothing… "I need nothing, however great or
small, in this Universe. At no moment has desire affected
me for any thing or activity. I have come to give, not to
receive. And, what you can offer Me is just this: pure,
unadulterated love. When you offer Me that, I derive
Ananda." -
Bhagavân Baba's Discourse on 23rd Nov 1974,
Prasanthi Nilayam.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - XII, Chapter - 53.
Page: 311.
My
activities are not for publicity. "My activities are
not for publicity or propaganda or even to confer joy on
others! They are for conferring joy primarily on Me! I
have no need to please others and to earn approval or
appreciation. For, I and you are not distinct entities;
you are I and I am you. I am the current that flows into
every bulb and illumines it. Those who see Me as separate
are seeing falsehood. I am in your hearts; you are in
mine. Don't be misled into doubt and distress." -
Bhagavân
Baba's Discourse on 20th July 1972, Prasanthi
Nilayam.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - XI, Chapter - 43.
Page: 281-282
I
do not need any publicity… "I do not need any
publicity, nor does any other manifestation of the Lord.
What are you daring to publicise? Me? What do you know
about Me, I ask you? You speak one thing about Me today
and another tomorrow. Your faith has not become
unshakable! You praise Me when things go well and blame
Me when things go wrong. You flit from one refuge to
another. And even before your bhakti (devotion)
ripens, you strive to lead others, you collect donations
and subscriptions and plan mandirs (temples) and sangams
(associations); all this is mere show, which brings
spiritual loss, rather than spiritual gain. When you
start publicity you descend to the level of those who
compete in collecting clientele, decrying others and
extolling themselves. Where money is calculated and
garnered, and exhibited to demonstrate one's
achievements, I will not be present. I come only where
sincerity, faith and surrender are valued." -
Bhagavân
Baba's Discourse on 15th Oct. 1964, Prasanthi
Nilayam.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - IV, Chapter - 35.
Page: 210
My
activities and movements will never be altered…
"My activities and movements will never be altered,
whatever one may say about them. Meanness may prompt
people to remark on My dress or they may talk cynically
of My hair, but I shall not be affected a bit. My
discourses, My plans for Dharmasthaapana
(establishment of righteousness), My movements, I shall
not alter in the least. I have stuck to this
determination for many years now and I am engaged in the
task for which I have come, to inculcate the path of
Prasanthi (supreme peace). I shall not stop, nor
retract a single step… Not even the greatest
scientist can understand Me by means of the categories to
which he is accustomed. I always smile at those who
deride Me, and even those who praise Me. I am always full
of happiness, whatever may happen. Nothing can come in
the way of My Smile. Derision and calumny only tend to
make it grow bigger and more joyful." -
Bhagavân
Baba's Discourse on 30th Nov 1965, Prasanthi
Nilayam.
Reference: "Sathya Sai Speaks", Vol. - V, Chapter - 42.
Page: 234-235.
'Shirdi
Sai, the first incarnation of the Sai Avatâr,
giving Udi'
Watch
Baba distributing Vibhuti
Baba
singing the Gâyatrî
Mantra /
Text
Sathyam
Shivam Sundaram
The
Life of Bhagavân S'rî Sathya Sai Baba
written by N. Kasturi.
Interview
with journalist - September
1976
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