WHO IS SATHYA SAI BABA?

Born on the 23rd of November 1926 in the little village of Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh, Baba’s life has been a consistent manifestation of HIS DIVINITY. His advent was heralded by mysterious omens in and around the village. The tambura (stringed instrument) and the madaala (a drum) in the family home would sometimes play sweetly on their own in the middle of the night. His father, Pedda Venkappa Raju, consulted a learned pandit about this phenomenon and was told that such music presaged an immensely auspicious event.

Soon after He was born, a miracle took place. A cobra under the sheets gently rocked the baby and the baby smiled serenely as the air filled with the sweet scent of jasmine blossom. Astrologers tell us that the events that surrounded His birth correspond to the event that precede the advent of an incarnation of God (Avatar).

Even as a young child, Baba identified himself with all living beings. He refused to eat meat and hated the killing of animals and birds for food. He displayed infinite compassion and was generous in giving charity. He could not stand the suffering of others.

By the age of eight He organised groups of His age to sing the glory of the Lord with Bhajans that he had composed Himself. Sathya composed songs about Krishna’s life and He and his group would enact the stories in song and dance. He danced well and played difficult parts with effortless ease.

Sathya was a good and lovable boy. He attended school at Puttaparthi and the neighbouring village of Bukkapatnam where He would delight his friends with displays of His remarkable, miraculous powers, manifesting sweets and other gifts from empty bags or producing, apparently from nowhere, prasad for the Bhajan singers.

Fearing that he was possessed by some evil spirit, His family tried to exorcise the spirit by various means involving bodily torture, all of which He suffered with serenity. During the course of these events He declared that He was Sai Baba - a reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi - a tiny village that lies 1000 kms to the Northwest of Puttaparthi.

On 20th October 1940, Baba announced that he did not belong to His family and that the illusion (Maya) that He had assumed had been discarded. He was going to go to His devotees who were calling Him to launch his divine mission.

As His devotees started increasing a series of miracles emanated from him for the pleasure and well-being of His devotees. These included plucking a variety of fruits from a Tamarind tree near the Chitravathi River, curing devotees of incurable diseases and materialising objects for them as symbols of His Grace and Love. Miracles of this kind are continuing to this day, not only in India but also in many other parts of the world where people searching for God are finding in Him the object and fulfilment of their search.

“I am the Lord of the universe. Have implicit faith in Me for I am you and you are Me. I am with you now, with you always, inside you, outside you, everywhere. I am your sunshine and your shadow. So blend with Me, harmonise with Me, the Divine giver of life, the very Omnipresence that you often talk about. That is what I am. You can deny Me, but I will always be with you for I am within your heart... Maintain the harmony when you live and work together for harmony in the whole world. Look for Me everywhere. Feel My presence now, in this very room. Just pause and know that I am here. I will help you, all of you, for each one of you is helping My mission in one way or another. Never doubt or have any fear.”

Baba

Click here to read a Letter by Howard Murphet regarding Sai Baba!

Sathya Sai Baba’s Teachings in a nutshell

BELIEVE IN GOD

“Who is God? Truth is God. Peace is God. Develop Truth, cultivate Love, establish yourself in Peace - you are on the road to Divinity.” - Baba

DO NOT CHANGE YOUR FAITH, FOLLOW THE TRUTH IN YOUR RELIGION

“Go into the inner meanings, the deeper significance of religious symbols, rites and ceremonies. The outer forms and formalities are in accordance with the needs of place, time and person.” - Baba

RESPECT OTHER RELIGIONS, FOR ALL RELIGIONS ARE BUT DIFFERENT PATHWAYS TO THE SAME GODHEAD

“Recognise and accept all religions as paths leading men to the same destination. All of them teach love and compassion, humility and forbearance.” - Baba

SERVICE TO MAN IS SERVICE TO GOD

“Service to man is service to God for He is in every living being. The service that you do to others is the service you render yourself.” “God has no need for your service. The service of man is the only means by which you can serve God.” - Baba

FOLLOW THE PATHS OF SATHYA (TRUTH), DHARMA (RIGHTEOUSNESS), SHANTHI (PEACE) AND PREMA (LOVE)

“... However far you are if you stick to Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Shanti (Peace) and Prema (Love), You are close to Me, and I am close to you. These are the milestones that mark the road to Me.” - Baba

THE DIVINE DECLARATION OF SATHYA SAI BABA

I shall not change my course even by a hair’s breath, as a result of what people say about Me. I am not afraid of any one or anything. Truth has no fear, untruth shivers at every shadow.

This body of Mine is named Sathya or Truth; the Principle that is in this body is also Truth. Truth enclosed in Truth has been rendered the Truth-of-Truth. This Form has been assumed in order to lead mankind from untruth to Truth.

I eat as you do, move about as you do, talk in your language, and behave as you can recognise and understand, for YOUR sake - not for My sake!

I turn you towards the Divine, winning your confidence, your love, you submission, by being among you, as one of yourselves, one whom you can see, listen to, speak to, touch and treat with reverence and devotion. My Plan is to transmute you into seekers of Truth.

I am present everywhere, at all times; My Will must prevail over every obstacle. I am aware of the past, present and future, of your innermost thought and carefully guarded secrets. I am the Inner Motivator, the Witness of all and the All Knowing.

Nevertheless, I do not manifest these powers in any capricious manner, or merely for display. For, I am an Example and an Inspiration - whatever I do, or omit to do. My life is a commentary on My Message.

I do everything, not for personal gain, but, only because I have come for your sake. I never seek another’s help; I offer help, never receive it. My hand always gives, never takes. Conclude from this that this must be Divine, not human power.

God can do anything; He has all Power in the palm of His Hand. My Powers do not abide in Me a while and then fade away. All this is apparent manipulation by Divine Will. My Body, like all other bodies, is a temporary habitation; but My Power is Eternal, All Pervasive, Everlasting!

This Body has been assumed to serve a purpose: the establishment of Righteousness and the teaching of a code of conduct. When that purpose is over, this Body will disappear, like the bubble on the waters.

Embodiments of the Divine! My Teaching is Love; My Message is Love; My Activity is Love; My Way of Living is Love. There is nothing more precious than Love in human grasp.

There is a Language of the Heart which all can understand and all would like to hear. That is the language which I speak, the language that goes from My Heart to yours. When Heart speaks to Heart, it is Love that is transmitted, without any reservation.

The trials and turmoils, the throes and thrills, the search and sorrow - these are the same in quality for all mankind. The responsive heart listens to these with sympathy and answers with love.

The snows on the mountain peaks soften during day as a result of the sun; they harden during the night since the sun is absent. So, too, your hard heart hardens Me; your soft heart softens Me.

Understand this: Each of you knows the love of a single mother only. But My Affection, My Love towards each one of you is that of a thousand Mothers! Do not deny yourself that Affection, that Love, by denying Me your Love!

That is My Path, the Path of Love, along which I shall take you. That is why I offer my visiting card to every one of you when you come to Me. I know your name, your degrees, your profession, your status and your history. But, you do not know Mine!

I have no need to know all about you from a perusal of your cards; but, I want you to know something of My Glory, and so I give you a glimpse of it, as a Mahima. But I also give you enough of My Love so that you can mix a little of it with whatever you do or feel or think, and make it sweet and palatable.

Be simple and sincere. It is sheer waste of money to burden the pictures and idols in the shrines and altars of your homes with the weight of garlands and to parade costly utensils and vessels and offerings to show off your devotion. This is deception, it demeans Divinity, imputing to it the desire for pomp and publicity. I ask only purity of heart to shower Grace.

Do not place distance between you and Me; do not interpose the formalities of the Guru-Disciple relationship, or even the altitudinal distinction of the God-Devotee relationship, between you and Me.

I am neither Guru nor God. I am You; You are I; that is the Truth. There is no distinction. That which appears so is the delusion. You are waves; I am the Ocean. Know this and be free; Be Divine!

I tell you of My Truth, for I desire that you should contemplate on this and derive joy there from, 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.

("A Recapitulation of Baba's Divine Teaching" pp 17-20)

Click here to read a Letter by Howard Murphet regarding Sai Baba!