Sri Sathya Sai Message on Education in Human Values

Monday, December 31, 1984

Bhagavan gave a Discourse to the Bal Vikas Gurus at Prashanti Nilayam on this day, during the training programme of Education in Human Values. He said:

Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

Man is an amalgam of body, mind and spirit. The senses of perception and action, which form the components of the body, are busy contacting the objective world. The mind-consciousness of the various levels, the faculty of reason and the ego - examines, experiences and judges. It decides after discrimination, which word or deed will be beneficial, favourable, fruitful and felicitous. It attempts to separate the good from the bad, the Punya (virtuous deed) from the Paapa (sinful action), the true from the false, the permanent from the momentary. The Spirit or the Self or the Atma is unaffected, stable and foundational. Its quality is Sat (is-ness) but it is ever aware, ever Chit (consciousness). And when the conscious is pure and unchanging, that state is undiluted felicity, delight or Ananda (divine bliss).

What is the purpose of -life, for man? What has to be his highest achievement. Tennyson has extolled "Self-reverence, Self-knowledge, Self-control" ("these three-alone lead man to sovereign power") as the ultimate goal.

Truth involves the Coordination of Thought, Word and Deed

The feeling 'I' has to be retained until it is submerged in the 'We' and finally in 'He' from whom it was projected at His Will.' This is an arduous process, which requires a long journey through compassion, renunciation, rectitude, fortitude and patience. These are the five vital airs which purposeful living needs. All these are subsumed under the word, 'Dama' (control of senses), in the scriptures. The person endowed with 'Dama' is named a 'Daanta,' indicating an adept in Vedanta! These five are the counterparts of Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love and Non- Truth implies more than the correct reporting of what was seen. It involves the coordination of thought, word and deed and the recognition of the Eternal Witness of all three. The Witness is the Self, a sport of the Omni-self. X may wear a brown shirt today, he might have worn a black one yesterday. "X in a brown shirt" is a true statement today; "X in a black shirt" was a true statement yesterday. This level of truth is known as 'truth for all practical worldly purposes' (Vyavahaarika Satyam). The coats do change; the body of X does change, from day today. But the Witness, the Self, is free from change.

Dharma (right action) is the code of morals that upholds and uplifts man and society. It is the superstructure on Truth. It serves the needs of the time, the society and the goal and is therefore subject to modification. The Dharma of the 'student' is different from that of the 'master of the family' and from the Dharma of the renunciant and the monk. But, through all the stages of life, the Truth, the Unchanging Witness persists. Accept Buddhi (intellect) as the charioteer, then, the practice of Dharma will lead to success.

Dharma is Love in Action

The fundamental human values all emanate from Dharma, based on Truth. If human behaviour has no such basis, it leads to disaster. Man has de-humanised himself systematically by neglect of the basic Unity. From slings to arrows, from cannon balls to bombs, from fusion to fission, man has progressed in the art of killing and entered the Darkest Age of history. The greed for wealth and power has overwhelmed the creed of compassion. The law of self-aggrandizement reigns; the law of self-abnegation has receded. When the son is acclaimed as a good fellow, the father congratulates himself; when he is ostracized as a bad fellow, the father condemns others for leading him astray!

A person who is unable to cope with the demands of worldly competition is labelled as a fool, an A-jnani, one without Jnana (knowledge). But, he can well be an A-Jnani, in Akshara (not letters of the alphabet, but the imperishable) that which is not Kshara. Jnani (a liberated person) is a person who has mastered the knowledge of the indestructible Cosmic Core and so, he is established in the highest peace. A-Jnani is one who is not aware of this imperishable principle. The Sat alone exists; the Chit is its effulgence; Ananda (divine bliss) is the consequence.

The enumeration of human values as five - Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love and Non-violence is not correct. They are all facets of the foundational humanness. They grow together; they are inter-dependent, they are not separable. Dharma is Love in Action; Love thrives on inner peace, on the absence of inner conflicts. How can one have Peace when he revels in violence of speech and action?

You are entering upon the sacred task of guiding and training teachers who will inculcate human values in. the hearts of the children. Do not treat 'Human Values' as a separate curricular assignment. Then, it will become dry and uninspiring. It must transform the way of life and should not stop with imparting information. It must be imparted more through example and practice rather than by books and formal teaching.

Humility promotes Charity and Purity

Emphasize the importance of physical cleanliness, simple Sattvic (pure) food and group activities involving mutual help. Service is Divine. Be examples of humility so that the children may learn its value and validity. Humility promotes charity and purity. Also, exert yourselves to implant in the children self-reliance by encouraging them to believe in themselves. Let them not develop a desire for imitating the vanity of others. Appreciate good thoughts, sweet speech and selfless deeds, and denounce bad thoughts, words and deeds as soon as they emerge.

Any beneficial, venture will have to overcome the obstacles of indifference, ridicule and opposition. But, you must consider this project as a spiritual Sadhana, as an exercise in Self-realisation, as a Tapas (penance). Already, 25,000 persons now engaged, in teaching the children in Primary Schools have been trained in methods of cultivating human values. This is indeed a great achievement in the field of service. Do not give room for slackness. Continue the Seva (selfless service) with full vigour. A few thousands more of teachers, are coming here in June for fulfilling their desire to become ideal teachers of fundamental values.

The world today is flooded by conflicting propaganda. Let the message of this educational revolution, insisting on the resurgence of the Divine in man, spread to every street and home. You have My blessings in ample measure. You can receive My guidance and help always in the fulfillment of this task.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digivijayam (1926-1985)

Sri Sathya Sai Addresses Brindavan Campus Students

Thursday, December 30, 1982

Sri Sathya Sai addressed the students of Brindavan campus on this day. He said:

Sri Sathya Sai at the Brindavan Campus Hostel

“The Love of God, evident as Grace, is the greatest achievement of man. This is referred to as Bhakti. The practice of Bhakti needs, as every other laudable adventure, a mind free from lust, anger, envy, greed, pride and false attachment. A room that is dark becomes the resort of scorpions, snakes and other pests. A heart that has no illumination derived from the Atmic reality will be infested by the vices mentioned above. Not being aware of the Atma is the source of darkness, the thickest of ignorances. The thought of God, the contemplation of God, the grace of God - these alone can confer the purity we need. Someone praised a young man profusely but added that he had only two tiny defects. So, he was chosen as the groom for the wedding and after the ceremony was duly accomplished, it was discovered that the two defects were: 

(1) he does not know anything; 

(2) he does not heed any one's advice. 

Most people suffer from this predicament. There is no independent thinking; there is no desire to learn. For, they are reluctant to put into practice what they learn as good and honourable.

Creation is another name for the projection of the Divine Will. Man's main purpose in life is to exemplify and stand witness to this Will. What the Divine Will has endowed us with has to be devoted and dedicated to the same Will. Whatever you do, do as an offering to Him; then, it will reach Him for certain.

At the present time, people hanker after quick material profits and not after Divine Grace and simple sincere lives. If God resides at one place or can be discovered at one spot, He can be realised and reached. But, He is everywhere at the same time. So, instead of man seeking God, what is happening is God is seeking men, who are ready to reach Him and renounce their egoistic impulses in order to do His will.

The Importance of Self-sacrifice

Knowledge progresses from doubt and discovery. Yesterday's doubt is today's knowledge. And today's knowledge becomes tomorrow's wisdom. Discover unity in multiplicity and know that it is Divinity. At the base of things, in the lowest level, is Matter. Humanity is the higher, the upper, and Divinity is the highest, the uppermost level. Humans must dread the descent into the material level.

Life must be heightened and lightened by self-sacrifice. How can a cup full of water take on milk? The water has to be poured out. When the cup of the heart is full of evil, no virtue can be stored therein. You need not renounce action; you can renounce the idea of aggrandizement or ownership when the action results in victory or defeat. Limit you greed, your superfluous desires and try to be simple in dress, speech and behaviour with others. When a man was offered free all the land he could walk around from sunrise to sunset, the poor fellow walked so fast and so long that he died before he could reach the starting point. That is the fate of the greedy.

Students are haunted today by a host of desires. Confine your desires to those that promote your studies and make you more helpful and self-reliant. Be enthusiastic to do good., to be godly. Ignore the evil that others do to you and forget the good that you do to them. Be good, do good, see good.”

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1981-1985)

Indellible Impressions with the Divine - By Ghandikota V. Sanjay

G.V. Sanjay with Sri Sathya Sai

Bhagavan’s Love is unique in that it is multi-faceted and can be experienced in a variety of different ways: for a devotee, He is God; for a daughter or son, He is Mother and Father; for the disciple, He is Guru; and for the lonely, He is the Best Friend. Each one has their own relationship with God and all can connect with His Love at the individual level. When Bhagavan gives Darshan, everyone feels His unbounded Grace personally and all equally enjoy His munificent Love. Bhagavan’s Love and Grace are freely given to all and in my case, I received Bhagavan’s Love very early in life, an experience narrated to me by my mother. 

It was in New York, in the year 1967, that I was born, a baby premature by more than two months. Needless to say, during the 1960s, the premature delivery of a child was infinitely more precarious than it is today. During the sixth month of pregnancy, my mother was hospitalized due to a severe hemorrhage and it was at this critical juncture that Bhagavan’s Divine intervention came into play.

Severe hemorrhage at such a stage of pregnancy could easily be fatal for the mother and child. Due to this fact, the doctors kept my mother in the intensive care unit of the hospital. Numerous complications arose and due to the complexity of the case, a team of doctors, some of the most renowned, arrived on the scene. Tersely put, their prognosis was unanimous; the birth would most likely be fatal to both mother and child. The future, indeed, looked grim.  

The doctors were aware of the fact that the baby would not stay its whole nine-month term but expected it to stay in place for little while longer. But again, the case took an unexpected turn and at the end of the sixth month/beginning of the seventh month itself, labor began. My father was called and informed of the grave situation. He, along with my four elder brothers, were asked to say their good-byes in case the inevitable happened. My mother was wheeled into the delivery room in a stretcher and was in the process of being put under by the anesthesiologist when Lo!, she saw a gleaming light followed by Bhagavan’s brilliant form, His Hand raised in blessing.

The doctors did not perceive anything and one of them asked my mother, “Would you like us to call anyone or do something for you?” My mother replied, “Baba!” The doctor then said, “Who is Baba? Give us his address and we will contact him.” My mother replied, “He is here!” The doctors, no doubt, saw this as a hallucination on the part of my mother and anesthetized her completely.  

The situation went from bad to worse in the delivery room and finally, the doctors declared, as we later found out, that “only a miracle can save her and the baby now!” And that is exactly what happened. All of a sudden, the situation changed dramatically for the better with signs showing a normal delivery. I was born safely, and healthy due to Bhagavan’s Grace. Two years later, my father and mother brought me and my brothers to Prasanthi Nilayam where Bhagavan affirmed that it was His Divine Intervention that saved us both. He declared, “It is for the sake of the child and the remaining children that I gave a second-life to the mother also.” Undoubtedly, it is solely due to the Lord’s Love and Grace that mother and child survived. Bhagavan lovingly materialized a photograph of Himself, encased in a type of acrylic, for my mother and instructed her to wear it around her neck as a ‘Raksha’ and I, as a child, always enjoyed touching and looking at it.

Since then, I confess that I have had a strong and immediate affinity for Bhagavan and His photographs, which perhaps was the cause of my wanting to take videos of Swami when I later became a Sai Student (which He very graciously permitted)! Indeed, my mother and father would often relate to me later that when they showed me pictures of the various forms of the Lord when I was very young, I always chose Bhagavan Baba’s photo. My brothers, while growing up, also had the same feeling as well. It is only due to Bhagavan’s enveloping Divinity, Infinite Grace and His prompting that enabled children to have such sentiments, by leaving an indelible impact upon young minds. I am ever grateful to Bhagavan for implanting such yearning in me, for “pulling” me towards Him and for verily giving me life. What makes this experience most unique is the fact that it is not unique at all. Bhagavan has similarly left indelible impressions of His Divinity on children the world over and I have had the good fortune, over the years, to listen to some of their experiences.

As mentioned earlier, Bhagavan’s Love is multi-faceted and can be experienced in a multitude of different ways simultaneously. In addition, every act which He undertakes is replete with meaning on a variety of planes.  An experience embodies these particular thoughts.

It was in the year 1981 that my grandfather and parents thought it would be the correct time for my ‘Upanayanam’ or ‘Thread Ceremony’, as it is commonly known. It was also during this time that Swami very graciously gave admission in His college to one of my elder brothers, Ravishankar. As is customary with devotees of Bhagavan, my grandparents and parents beseeched Swami to perform the Upanayanam ceremony, praying but not really expecting Him to oblige, as we felt it such a trivial thing for Him. When requested, Bhagavan immediately consented without even a trace of hesitation, reminding us once again of His munificent Love and Benevolence. 

Sanjay's grandfather - Sri Ghandikota Subrahmanyam Sastry (the sage who gave the Sai Gayatri Mantra) with Sri Sathya Sai

The date of the Upanayanam ceremony was fixed and it began punctually in Prasanthi Nilayam at the allotted hour in a flat graciously assigned to us by Swami. The ceremony was proceeding when Bhagavan arrived in all His splendour. Immediately upon His arrival, He glanced at me and enquired about my health in a very concerned manner. I had been ill for a few days and Bhagavan, being omniscient and omnipresent, was acutely aware of it.  I replied that I was better, whereupon He suddenly began to chide me for not having had my head shaved leaving five tufts of hair, as is traditionally done. Unsurprisingly, this idea did not appeal to me very much! A wave of worry swept across my face that I disappointed Bhagavan, but He then laughed merrily and compassionately added that it is not really essential as long as the spirit of the action is felt.

Suddenly, Bhagavan waved His hand in His inimitable fashion and materialized the ‘Yagnopaveeth’ or the ‘Sacred thread’. The emergence of the sacred thread was immediately followed by a delightful fragrance that seemed to permeate and waft across the entire room. The sacred thread was still wet and fragrant with sandalwood paste, vermilion, and turmeric — a sight to behold. Bhagavan then told my parents to place it around me, but my parents prayed to Bhagavan for Him to do so with His Divine Hands. Bhagavan graciously consented but added that all three should place it around me together as the role of the parent is important. Immediately after this, Bhagavan Himself performed the 'Gayatri Mantra Upadesh' or the ‘Initiation into the Gayatri Mantra’ by cupping His Hands around my ear and whispering the Sacred Gayatri. A cloth shielded us both as it is traditional that this aspect of the ceremony is done privately by the Guru and disciple in order to maintain the efficacy of the mantra for the disciple. Immediately upon being shielded by the cloth from those in the room, with Bhagavan right next to me, I perceived a sudden “hush” when, in fact, the whole room was vibrant with sound. It was at this juncture that I experienced something very difficult to translate into words. Everything seemed to turn “golden” and I experienced a blissful silence followed by the sound of ‘Om’ and the Gayatri Mantra being chanted by the very Lord Himself. Once the cloth was removed, the whole phenomenon vanished, thereby ‘bringing me back’. Bhagavan then blessed me and allowed me to have His ‘Padanamaskar’. 

Sanjay with his parents - Sri GV Subba Rao (senior officer at the United Nations) and Smt. Lakshmi Devi in the Prasanthi Nilayam Interview Room - 1985

Looking at these events more closely, it took a while for me to see that every action of Bhagavan is fraught with meaning. Replaying these events briefly, Bhagavan first entered the room and enquired about my health, just as a mother does. He then proceeded to lovingly discipline me, just as a father does. Bhagavan then placed the sacred thread around me and initiated me into the Gayatri Mantra, as a Guru does. Finally, Bhagavan blessed me and allowed me to have His Padanamaskar as Our Beloved Lord.  Bhagavan showed the love emanating from all these relationships concurrently. Namely, ‘Mata, Pita, Guru, Daivam’ or ‘Mother, Father, Guru and God’. Hitherto, I would come to Prasanthi Nilayam with my parents, brothers and sisters-in-law and would witness Bhagavan’s Love and Divinity as a child. This experience, however, left me speechless and shook me to the core in a positive way.  It was the start of a one-to-one relationship with Mother Sai, while previously most of my interaction with Swami was through my parents.

The preceding experiences left an indelible impact upon me, culminating in the realization of my fondest wish: Swami very graciously granting me admission into the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning in 1985, an event that I always feel was my greatest good fortune. I am ever grateful to Bhagavan for drawing me into His Divine Fold.  I am also grateful to Swami and to my mother and father for giving me life and for placing me at His Divine Lotus Feet.  

Sanjay receives Gold Medal from Sri Sathya Sai

By being immersed in His Infinite Grace and experiencing His teachings of practical spirituality through service and love, Sai Students are initiated into the importance of right conduct, education in human values and character development, all with Swami showering on us the bountiful love of a million mothers. Living with Swami is the Highest Education. Between the golden opportunities and the very cherished moments experienced, we as Sai Students have much to be grateful to Bhagavan and can only express our gratitude to Him by following His teachings, exemplifying the ideals of good conduct and character, and by positively contributing to the well-being of society, as He exhorts us to do. 

- Ghandikota V. Sanjay

Student (1985-1990)

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

Currently, Investment Professional, New Jersey, USA

Source: Sai Vandana 1990

Sri Sathya Sai On: The Message of Jesus Christ – Part 2

The message of ‘Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man’, which Jesus Christ proclaimed 2,000 years ago, should become a living faith for the achievement of real peace and the unity of mankind. The oneness of all creation affirmed by the ancient seers and sages must be expressed in a transcendental love which embraces all people regardless of creed, community or language.

- “Call to Sai Samithi Members”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 15, August 1981,
Prasanthi Nilayam

Man today worships inanimate idols and images, but makes no attempt to love his fellow human beings in flesh and blood. This was the first message of Jesus. Though one sees his neighbours day after day, he does not choose to love them. How can one believe that such a person can love an invisible God? If a man cannot love a fellow human being who is visible before his eyes, how can he love what is not visible to him? This is not possible. Only a man who loves living beings around him can love the invisible Divine. 

Love must start with love for beings that have form. It must be extended to all beings. This is the primary stage in spirituality. Spirituality does not mean preoccupation with meditation, worship, etc. It involves total extinction of the animal and demonic qualifies in man and the manifestation of his inherent Divinity.

When the attachments and hatreds in which man is enveloped are removed, the inherent divinity in man, the Sat-Chit-Ananda in him will manifest itself. There is no need to search for the omnipresent Divine in any specific place. When you are yourself Divine, why search for the Divine elsewhere? It is a mark of ignorance. How Jesus Christ’s message was accepted? 

Jesus performed many miraculous deeds, relieved the sufferings of many in distress, preached sublime truths to the people, and ultimately sacrificed His life. For over a hundred years after His martyrdom, Christ’s message did not have any impact. Four centuries later, Christianity was accepted by Roman emperors. Even after many centuries, humanity is yet to realize the inherent divinity of man.

A car cannot change over to another all of a sudden. A car cannot fly in the air, nor can a plane taxi along the road to the destination. ‘I am the Son,’ ‘God is My Father,’ ‘I and My Father are one’- these declarations of Christ are significant in this context. As one’s vision gets clearer and sharper, one’s knowledge of oneself and the Universal in which he is involved becomes clearer, sharper and truer, until it becomes the very breath, the very core of his existence.

- “The Journey in the Jungle”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 07, April 22, 1967, Madras

Jesus said, all are the embodiments of truth and purity, all are children of God. His teachings were based on such broad-minded feelings. He emphasized the need for refraining from hurting others.

- “Love God Wholeheartedly”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 31, November 24, 1998, Prasanthi Nilayam

Jesus Christ and the Rich Man

Jesus also set no value on wealth or position. Once, a rich man came to Jesus when He was in the house of Martha and Mary. The rich man told Jesus that despite all his wealth and possessions he was not having peace of mind. 

He was harassed by many worries and appealed to Jesus to show him a way out. Jesus told him, “There is a simple way but will you follow it? You have been accumulating riches and your worries have grown with them. What are you going to do with all this wealth, which some day you will have to leave behind? 

Distribute it among the poor and the needy and all your worries will go; accumulate instead the wealth of God’s grace through love of your fellowmen”.

This is the message that has to be understood today. What people should seek is the earning of God’s love. All other forms of wealth, including the wealth of scholarship, are valueless. 

By chastising the rich and ministering to the poor and the diseased, Jesus taught His disciples a new way of life based on faith in God. Starting His ministry as a Messenger of God, Jesus finally declared, “My Father and I are one.” St. Paul, who was in the beginning, an inveterate critic of Jesus, became the first propagator of the Christian faith after having a vision of Christ in a dream in which Jesus told him, “Every man is a spark of the Divine. When you hate me, you are hating yourself and hating God.” Paul had to face many ordeals in propagating Christ’s message. The early Christians were subject to persecution by the Roman rulers. In course of time the Christian faith established itself in Rome, which became the seat of the Catholic Church.

- “Divinity through Love”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 20, December 25, 1987, Prasanthi Nilayam

Christian worship (Christ-Upasana): Lord Jesus is the Saviour. People are by nature prone to fall into sin, knowingly or unknowingly. Jesus shed His heart blood on the cross to free people from sin and to cleanse their souls. Follow this Lord and His teachings contained in the Bible and worship Him, this is Christ worship. Sing His glory and adore Him through hymns; this is the mode of worship that this method envisages.

- “Modes of Worship”, Sathya Sai Vahini

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

The propaganda, indulged in by some propagators of Christianity, casting aspersions on other faiths, does great harm to the personality of Jesus. Jesus sacrificed His life for the regeneration and welfare of mankind. 

Today there are some who exaggerate the so-called differences between different faiths and, for their own selfish purposes, exploit these differences and thereby bring a bad name to the great founders of these religions, who were spiritual giants. No prophet or messiah asked His followers to hate other religions or the followers of other faiths. Every religion has declared that God is One and that the Divine dwells in every being, Jesus also proclaimed the truth that the One Spirit resides in all beings. When Jesus was addressing the Jews, an ethereal voice declared, “All lives are one, my dear Son. Be alike to everyone.” When Jesus was being crucified, the same ethereal voice declared that the human body is only a vesture for the Spirit. The body is subject to constant change. But the indwelling Spirit is immortal.

- “One God: Basic Truth of All Faiths”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 18, December 25, 1985, Brindavan

Do not talk ill of any one with contempt; do not think of any one as low or mean. Christ declared, “All are One; be alike to everyone.” Hating an individual, or institution, or a religion is a low act. The Atma (Soul) is immanent in every one; it is the spark of Divinity which gives him light, love and joy.

- “Nearer and Nearer”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 12, January 4, 1974, Rajahmundry

Jesus demonstrated and preached the power of faith and, ultimately, invited on Himself the supreme sacrifice of life itself. When His disciples started abusing His tormentors, His voice warned them to desist. “All are one, my son! Be alike to everyone”. By a vision, He granted to Paul who was reviling Him, He transformed him into a penitent disciple, full of faith and ardor. Today, the world is bedeviled by conflict and violence. Peace and prosperity can emerge only when people turn to the path of love and morality and lead purposeful lives. Regard yourselves as embodiments of Love and dedicate your lives like Jesus to the service of your fellow men.

- “Truth and Faith”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 19, December 25, 1986, Prasanthi Nilayam

Jesus declared, “All are one my dear son, be alike to everyone.” All are born of the same mother earth, breathe in the same air and drink the same water. 

In such a case, why should there be differences at all? Eschew all differences and live in unity. Recognize the unity in diversity and act accordingly.

- “Seek God Within”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 32 Part II, November 21, 1999,
Prasanthi Nilayam

Do not consider Jesus as an ordinary mortal. See God in Him. You often refer to someone and say “He is a man” or “She is a lady”. No, no. This is not the correct way of identification. Gents or ladies - “All are one; be alike to everyone”.

- “Anything in Life can be Achieved with Faith in God”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 40, December 26, 2007, Prasanthi Nilayam

Jesus knew that God wills all. So, even on the cross, when He suffered agony, He bore no ill will towards any one and He exhorted those with Him to treat all as instruments of His Will. “All are one; be alike to everyone”. Practice this attitude in your daily lives. 

 - “The Meaning of Christmas”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 14, December 24, 1980, Prasanthi Nilayam

In Christianity, the term “Esu” (Jesus) is used to describe Christ. This term signifies the oneness of Divinity. The inner significance of the term “Esu” is the recognition of the One Divine in all beings.

- “Develop Spiritual Oneness”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 24, December 25, 1991, Prasanthi Nilayam

Source: Sai Vani: Avatar on Mahapurushas

Sri Sathya Sai On: The Message of Jesus Christ – Part 1

Two thousand years ago, when narrow pride and thick ignorance defiled mankind, Jesus came as the embodiment of Love and compassion and lived among men, holding forth the highest ideals of life. You must pay attention to the lessons He elaborated in the various stages of His life. ‘I am the Messenger of God’ He declared first. Yes. Each individual has to accept that role and live as examples of Divine Love and Charity. The Guru must act as the alarm clock; He should awaken the sleeper to His duty to himself. “Uttishthata! Jagratha,” as the Upanishads proclaim- “Arise! Awake”, and bear witness to the God within, in every thought, word and deed.

This day, Christmas is celebrated. Bring to mind the words He uttered, the advice He offered, the warning He gave, and decide to direct your daily lives along the path He laid down. His words must be imprinted on your hearts and you must resolve to practice all that He taught.

 - “The Meaning of Christmas”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 14,

December 24, 1980, Prasanthi Nilayam

It was to teach mankind the greatness of Divine love that Jesus came.

…He resolved on three tasks; one, to be filled with Divine love and to share it with others was the main purpose of His life; two, He should not succumb to praise or censure in carrying out His mission; three, to inspire in others the conviction that the Divinity within is omnipresent. Jesus considered spreading the gospel of love as His foremost task. He encountered many ordeals in carrying out His mission, but he regarded them all as challenges to be overcome. He was determined to treat pleasure and pain, sickness and failure with equanimity. He could not bear to see any one suffer. He was opposed to the ‘trafficking of birds’ going on in the temple in Jerusalem. The affected persons turned against Him. But Jesus carried on regardless of their hostility. In the end, He sacrificed His life for the sake of others and out of His love for all.

… As a nation we have achieved freedom, but we have not achieved unity. Unity can be achieved only through love. This was the message of Jesus.

- “Realise God through Pure Love”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 28, December 25, 1995, Prasanthi Nilayam

There is one point that I cannot but bring to your special notice today. At the moment when Jesus was merging in the Supreme Principle of Divinity, He communicated some news to His followers, which has been interpreted in a variety of ways by commentators and those who relish the piling of writings on writings and meanings upon meanings, until it all swells up into a huge mess.

The statement of Christ is simple, “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 - Ba-Ba; the announcement was the advent of Baba. “His Name will be Truth”, Christ declared. Satya means Truth. “He will wear a robe of red, a blood red 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, has 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 colour of the blood that fills it.

 - “He whom Christ Announced”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 11, December 24, 1972, Bangalore 

Just as sparrows during a storm fly towards a warm shelter. Man too must take shelter in the Divine Principle to escape from the storms of life. He will be welcomed by the Divine, only when, as Jesus said, he becomes a child. Allow the children to come to me, He said. Children have no strong wishes to run after; they have no overpowering passion of hate or greed; so they are embodiments of Peace.

- “Veda Vyaasa”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 7,

May 23, 1967, Prasanthi Nilayam

The ego has to sacrifice itself so that man’s Divine nature can manifest itself. ‘Mine’ is death; ‘not mine’ is immortality. Renunciation results in peace. 

The golden key of non-attachment opens the lock which keeps the door to heaven shut. “Give up; I shall fill the gap”, says Jesus.

- “The Garden of No Grief”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 7, November 23, 1967, Prasanthi Nilayam

Jesus who attempted to rebuild mankind on the basis of Love was crucified by little men who feared that their tiny towers of hate and greed will be toppled by His teaching… Those who seek to know God must steel themselves to bear insult, injury and torture, with a smile.

- “Name, the never-failing fountain”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 8, May 16, 1965, Mumbai

You see many people suffering. In what way are you helping them? Jesus opposed the practice of animal sacrifice in Jerusalem. As a result, He had to face strong opposition. People who help mankind are put to harm. The dualities of life such as pain and pleasure go hand in hand. Pain and pleasure coexist. It is impossible to separate them. Pleasure does not exist separately. The fructification of pain is pleasure. This message of truth must be taught to the entire world. Without pain, one does not realise the value of pleasure. The value of light can be realized only when there is darkness. This was the teaching of Jesus.

- “Sacrifice Leads to Immortality”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 31, December 25, 1988, Prasanthi Nilayam

The Romans addressed Jesus as ‘persona’ meaning one of sacredness. The English word person has been derived from this. It means that there is Divinity in everyone. That is why I address you as embodiments of Divinity. I and you are one. There is Divine spirit in everybody. The very self is called “persona”. There is no life principle without Divinity.

- “God Never Forsakes His Devotees”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 34, December 25, 2001, Prasanthi Nilayam

Today, man runs after desires; he does not pursue ideals. He yearns for long life, not for a life lived in God. He does not recognize or follow the footprints of the Great. Man has reduced himself to the position of a servant of the household who has no means of knowing where the master has treasured his most precious gems. If he is the master, he ought to know. But having failed to rise to that status, he is unaware of the treasure he can command. Each one has to examine for himself whether he is clinging to trinkets or conserving gems. A lamp kept on mound illumines the area; if kept in a pit, it is as if it were not. A virtue that is practiced is a lamp that shines for all; good thoughts and good deeds have a way of influencing others. The gems of wisdom, the light of intuitive experience should not be kept away from fellowmen. They have to be shared, even at the cost of one’s life. That was the lesson Jesus taught and symbolized.

There are many who are deeply devoted to Jesus. Their duty is to glorify the great message of Jesus. The most important message of Jesus is the ‘establishment of Peace on Earth and goodwill among men’. Without peace, mankind cannot achieve progress in any sphere - material, spiritual or moral.

...There is no use in merely invoking the name of Jesus and praying to Him without regard to His most vital message, “God is in everyone. Do not revile anyone. Do not cause harm to anyone”. This was Jesus’s greatest message.

At present there is a growing tendency among propagators of the Christian faith to cast aspersions on other religions. Money is being spent lavishly to spread Christianity. None of you should have any part in such activities. This type of propaganda does great harm to the personality of Jesus, Jesus was a supremely pure and sacred person. To forget Jesus’s teachings and to profess love for Him is no love at all. You must all remember, “God is One. Love is God. Live in Love.” Only by this means can humanity, despite the many divisions that exist at present, be unified. Absorb the teachings of all the great seers and prophets. Do not despise anyone.

 - “One God: Basic Truth of All Faiths”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 18, December 25, 1985, Brindavan

Once, Jesus and Peter were going in a boat. When they reached the shore, a man approached them saying that he was hungry. Peter gave him a couple of fish. Then Jesus said, “Peter, why are you giving fish to the needy? If you give him a net, he will be able to catch fish for himself. Truly, it is not practical for you to provide him with fish or for his daily sustenance.” Instead of merely satisfying a man’s hunger for one day, try to find him a job with which he can earn for his livelihood. Due to the influence of Kali Age people expect rewards without any effort.

- “Righteous Practice - The True Sadhana”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 33, November 24, 2000, Prasanthi Nilayam

Christ’s basic teachings were related to promotion of compassion, sympathy, love, sacrifice and fellowship among human beings. Jesus was named the Christ as He was regarded as the ‘chosen’ Messenger of God.

- “Develop Spiritual Oneness”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 24, December 25, 1991, Prasanthi Nilayam

Continued...

Source: Sai Vani: Avatar on Mahapurushas

Conversations on Preparations for the Unity Cup Cricket Match at Prasanthi Nilayam

December 19, 1997

Swami : (To the band leader) Band students will be wearing white shirt and white pant. I will give you all ties. The tie will have a logo of the cup. Who are the flag students? 

(The students got up) Practice well. I will come at 8:30 am. on the day of the match and by 9 am everything should be over. It will be nice if all the students are of equal height. March briskly. Who are the students who got the white dresses stitched? (Few students got up) How many of you?

Student : 50 students, Swami.

Swami : They will carry flags of different countries in front of the car. (To the Vice-Chancellor) Let students carrying country flags be in front of the car. Where are the flags that were kept here?

The International Flag hoisted on the final day by the Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral at the Hill View Stadium

V.C. : They are inside, Swami.

Swami : They will wear white dresses and put on a tie with the Unity cup emblem!!

V.C. : Swami, they will walk or run?

Swami : No running. Let them walk with the flags.

V.C. : Swami, Sai Gita…

Swami : No Sai Gita, (pointing to students and smiling) all these are Gitas.

Student : Should we go in threes?

Swami : Yes. Go in threes.

Student : By the  side of the car, Swami?

Swami : No, flags and students will hinder the view. People cannot see. Go in front of the car.

The SSSIHL Students Flag March on the Final Day

V.C. :  With music, Swami?

Swami : No, band students will play. They will not wear the regular dress. But, white dress with ties. Flag March, bands, all these will look new and nice to the players. Usually they give a shake hand and start. It will be new. I will come at 8: 30 am and everything must be over by 9 am, even the Jyoti lighting.

Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu with Sri Sathya Sai watching the torch lighting ceremony atop the Hill at Vidyagiri in Prasanthi Nilayam

Swami : (To a student) Did you go to Sabarimala?

Student : Swami, my brother went to Sabarimala.

Swami : No, morning you were wearing black dress.

Student : Swami, I went for jogging.

Swami : Oh! Jogging…

Students : Swami, captains… Padanamaskar.

Swami : What, captains? One captain is fine. Twenty captains will spoil everything.

After the interviews…

Swami : The Ex-Vice chancellor, Dr. Saraf has passed away. (Dr. Somnath Saraf was the second Vice Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning and served in that post from 1985-1991)

Dr Somnath Saraf, Second Vice Chancellor of SSSIHL with Sri Sathya Sai - November 22, 1990

V.K.N : Swami , He was a very good person.

Swami : (Swami then went on to the middle of the first block and spoke to the Institute  Warden.) What all programmes are you putting up on 30th morning? All the programmes should be well planned. It should start at 8:30 am and end by 9 am. All the 100 students should wear ties and the special dresses must be given to them.

As Swami moved forward, another student got up and asked Swami…

Student : Swami I cannot hear properly.

Swami : It is better. What is worth in this world to listen?

Student : Swami, very bad ear pain.

Swami : (Looking at him with a mischievous smile) It will be better if you are blind also! (Looking at another student) Won’t it be better?

Student : If we are blind we cannot see You, Swami.

Swami moved on to the primary school student and spoke to him. The student was having some eye problem) (Pointing to a photograph) Can you see the photo?

Student : Yes Swami .

Swami : (Pointing towards V.K.N) Can you see that Musalivadu? (Old man)

Student : Yes Swami. 

Swami smiled and then moved on to the third block.

Source: Students with Sai: Conversations (1991-2000)