Sri Sathya Sai: Most Loving Master - By Dr. Naren Ramji

A lady was sitting in the verandah of the old Mandir and was musing about Bhagavan. She started asking herself as to what made all these people so reluctant to leave Him? Why were they so attached to Him? It then dawned on her that it could only be the love that Bhagavan gave to each one of them that touched their hearts and made them yearn to be always with Him. As she was engrossed in her thoughts, she heard Bhagavan's voice telling her that she was thinking on the right lines and that if she continued thus, she would reach her goal. She turned back to find the all-knowing Lord standing there. This was the experience of my grandmother on her first visit to Puttaparthi about forty year’s ego.

Sri Sathya Sai in Puttaparthi - Early 1950s

What was it that brought my grandmother to Bhagavan? Bhagavan says that when the time comes, He calls His devotees to Him. The instrument responsible for this journey was an insignificant postcard written by a devotee to his brother in Delhi. The latter was a vocal artist working at the Delhi Station of the All India Radio. He was teaching my mother (who was a young girl at that time) Carnatic music. It was by chance that my mother came across this postcard which described Bhagavan and His miracle. 

Bathed in Bhagavan's love on the first visit, the family kept coming back every summer to Puttaparthi in order to spend the vacation in His loving presence. Attachment had grown. The family would be in tears every time while leaving Puttaparthi. In order to tease and make the trickle of tears into a flood Bhagavan used to sing a tearful song in Telugu that described the anguish of the devotees at the moment of leave taking. 

Prasanthi Nilayam in the 1950s
(Aerial view of the Mandir rear side with sheds on the right where East Prasanthi currently stands)

The translation of the song is as follows: 

However long we may stay here, 

Our feet do not permit us to leave this Swami, 

Who is born in Kaliyuga and showing all these mahimas. 

We are submerged in this Maya Samsara. Without any way out O, Baba, 

But O Lord Sai, You are sending us back. 

Saying that mukthi lies in this very same samsara, 

Please bless us that we may go and return again, 

Upon you O, Swami, lies the burden of 

Calling us back to Parthi as soon as possible. 

I have had the opportunity of enjoying Bhagavan's Darshan and proximity periodically ever since I was a child. In spite of this, the materialistic atmosphere of the world did considerably influence my thinking and sense of values. 

I recall vividly on one particular visit to Puttaparthi, Bhagavan admonished me for my way waywardness. I was touched by the loving way in which He pointed out my faults. I took His words more in the spirit of advice than of rebuke. This was a veritable miracle for I normally never accepted any admonition quietly. This was the beginning of the transforming influence of Bhagavan's love for me. 

My joining this Institute as MBA student marked the beginning of a silent but rapid change in my outlook and way of thinking. In His loving way Bhagavan gave my life a new and meaningful direction. What no force or disciplining could ever accomplish in me, was done by Swami's all-encompassing compassionate love. 

The first batch of SSSIHL MBA Students with Sri Sathya Sai in Kodaikanal - 1987
(Dr. Naren Ramji is in the last row)

From the very early days, Bhagavan had told my grandmother to come for festivals like Dasara and Birthday and serve as a volunteer. On one occasion Dasara was approaching and my grandmother was in a dilemma. My mother and aunt, who were small children then, were taking their examinations and there was no one, other than grandmother, who could stay and look after them. She decided that come what may, she was not going to attend Dasara that year. She felt what she was doing was correct. That night she had a dream in which she saw herself standing on the sea shore and Bhagavan standing nearby. In a small swimming pool, by the side of the sea, some children were learning to swim. Bhagavan turned to my grandmother and asked if she would allow her children to learn swimming in that pool. She replied in the affirmative. Then Bhagavan asked her if she had any objection to their swimming in the sea once they had learnt to swim in the pool. She said that she had no objection. She then told Bhagavan that she too wanted to learn swimming. Bhagavan's reply was "you want to learn to swim, but you are already in the sea". When she woke up, the meaning of the dream was not clear and so she went to the shrine and prayed. It then dawned on her that what Bhagavan meant was she was already floundering in the ocean of Samsara. Where was the question of her helping the children cross it? It was Bhagavan who was taking care of all of them. It was better to leave everything to Him. She then decided to go for Dasara and leave the children in His care. Just a few days before her departure, a relative arrived and offered to take care of the children while she was away at Puttaparthi. 

Once in Puttaparthi, my grandmother and another member of the family were making chapattis for their lunch. They did not take particular care to see that the chapattis were uniform and circular in shape. They reasoned that, as the chapattis were for their own consumption, they need not have to be perfect. At that moment a person came asking for a few chapattis for Bhagavan. He said, Bhagavan had sent him to them as they were from Delhi and were sure to have well-made chapattis. My grandmother was at a loss for none of the chapattis were good enough to be sent to Bhagavan. Bhagavan, in His inimitable way, was conveying the message that all the work we do should be done as worship and we should strive to perform all our tasks perfectly. 

There was a time when devotees used to prepare tasty dishes which, after being blessed by Bhagavan, were distributed as Prasadam to all present at the end of the evening Bhajan. Once, it was our family's turn to prepare the sweets for Prasadam. Instead of taking all the sweets to the Mandir, a few pieces were kept aside for the children of the family. In the evening after Bhajan, when Bhagavan was leaving the Bhajan hall, He told the priest, not to distribute the sweets. My grandmother immediately realized her mistake of retaining a few sweets. She intensely prayed to Bhagavan for forgiveness. Bhagavan had left the Bhajan hall. He was entering His room when He suddenly turned back, came to the Bhajan hall and told the priest to distribute the sweets as Prasadam. When we sincerely repent and pray to Bhagavan from the core of our heart, He responds immediately and forgives us. 

Dr. Naren Ramji (as Registrar) with his Loving Master - SSSIHL Convocation 2010

Lord, we pray that you teach us to be vigilant and tireless in Thy service.

- Dr. Naren Ramji

Student (1986-1988), Faculty (1988 onward), Currently, Dean, 

Faculty of Management & Commerce

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

Prasanthi Nilayam

Source: Sai Vandana 1990

Bharatiyas are all descendants of sages

If you are in bad company, you will get bad thoughts. That is why, while doing meditation in a group, two bodies should not touch each other because in doing so the thoughts of one will flow into another. So, you should not simply touch others, as their thoughts will get passed onto you. If you are in bad friendship, you will get evil thoughts only. Tell Me your company and I shall tell you what you are. You are whatever your company is. Therefore, run away from bad company. Join the company of spiritual men. Do good deeds, day in and day out. Give up bad company whether it is father, mother or brother. Give up anything bad. Run away from bad company and join good company, then you will get good friends. Do good deeds always. That is the kind of relationship that you should have with others. The place also has the power to affect your mind. This place is that of the Rishis. We are all descendents of the sages. Today, in the villages, they enquire, “Which sage’s descendents are you?” Some say, “I belong to the lineage of Agastya.” In this way there are lineages of sages like Agastya, Vasishta, Vishwamitra and so on. We should realise that we are all sages, and then only we can progress. 

The body of Swami, not Swami Himself, belongs to the Bharadwaja Gotra, Apastamba Sutra and Ratnakara Vamsha. People usually enquire about the Gotra and Sutra. But today, we have forgotten all these things and have become foolish. The Indian culture has been lost today. Nobody even listens to these things. After passing the exam, students go to foreign countries and learn undesirable practices. Can you not learn good things in India? You have two hands to work and a small stomach to fill. Can you not work enough to fill your belly? You go to America, wash plates there, and sweep the streets there to earn money. Such money and such work are disgraceful. You can earn the same money in your own country. Can you not do the same thing for your country? It will even be helpful to the motherland. But, you do not do that. Today, you adopt that foreign culture. But the culture of Bharat is the greatest. No other culture has the value of Indian culture. Our culture is very great. The Muslims and the British came and ruled over this country. But none could change the culture of this country. None can change our culture. The British ruled over India for 300 years and yet, they could not bring about a change in our culture! But today Indians themselves are getting diseased and infected by foreign culture. Rama had said, “Janani Janmabhumischa Swargadapi Gariyasi - Mother and Motherland are greater than heaven. My motherland is itself heaven for Me; there is no heaven higher than that.” Today, we are forgetting that. People are moving only after materialistic pursuits and worldly ambitions today. Boys should get a good name, go to a good place and experience good things. Don’t go for greatness. If you yearn for ‘great’ness, you will go to the ‘gate’ and then thrown out of the gate! So, don’t try being great. Good work is God’s work. Think that everything is good work and do that work.

Source: Progress from Greatness to Goodness, Discourse 6, My Dear Students Volume 5, Divine Discourse on May 23, 1999 at Trayee Brindavan

Sri Sathya Sai Summer Courses in Indian Culture and Spirituality (1977-1979)

Sri Sathya Sai Speaks at the Brindavan Campus Auditorium

Thursday, May 19, 1977 to 

Sunday, June 19, 1977

Fifth Summer Course

The Summer Course on Indian Culture and Spirituality was held at Brindavan between 19th May and 19th June 1977. Swami arrived at the College Auditorium in a procession. The function started amidst Vedic chants. Prof. V.K. Gokak delivered the welcome address. Swami lit the lamp at 10 am on 19th, and inaugurated the Seminar on Ramayana. After Swami’s Inaugural Discourse, Dr. Diwakarla Venkatawadhanulu, Dr. Raghavan and Sri Nakul Sen spoke on the Ramayana.

Brahmasri Pandit Kooganti Seetharamacharulu, Dr. Kulasekhara Rao and Brahmasri Ramabhatla Lakshmi Narayana Sastry spoke on the same topic that evening. Sri Venu Mukund, the Veena artist, performed in the Divine Presence. Swami then gave His Message. The seminar on Ramayana concluded on 26th May. Thereafter, the programme of lectures designed for the Summer Course started. 

Sri Sathya Sai with the Summer Course Students in the Brindavan Campus Hostel - 1977

The summer camp concluded on 16th June 1977. The Convocation of the Summer Course was held in the College Auditorium on 19th June 1977. Swami came in a procession accompanied by the Members of the Central Trust, Members of the Education Foundation, the State President of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, and the participants of the Course. Swami distributed the certificates and prizes to the winners of various competitions held during the Course. He blessed the students with His Valedictory Message.

Summer Course students leaving for Nagar Sankirtan from the Brindavan Ashram

The Divine Discourses can be accessed here.

Friday, May 19, 1978 to 

Tuesday, June 20, 1978

Sixth Summer Course

Swami arrived in a procession to the Sri Sathya Sai College, Brindavan, at 9 am on 19th May 1978, and inaugurated the Saraswati Statue installed at the centre of the college building. Swami then proceeded to the College Auditorium accompanied by the Governor of Karnataka, Sri Govind Narain; his wife Smt. Chandra Narain; and Sri Subbbaiah Setty, Minister for Education, Karnataka. Smt. Narain lit the lamp at the auditorium and inaugurated the Summer Course on Indian Culture and Spiritualiy. Sri Subbaiah Setty, Smt. and Sri Narain addressed the gathering prior to Swami’s Discourse. The summer course was held at Bridavan from 19th May to 20th June 1978. Dr. Benito Reyes, President of the World University in Ojai, California, was one of the course participants. He commented in high appreciation of the benefits derived from the course by westerners who had no knowledge of the spiritual wealth of Bharat that was so vividly perceptible in Swami. He quoted T.S. Eliot and asked, “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?’ and answered ‘It is here’. He had found the answer in Swami!

Sri Sathya Sai with a batch of Summer Course Students from Andhra Pradesh - 1978

During the course, Swami revealed that Krishna Avatar drew away from this world His physical form at midnight between 17th and 18th February in the year 3102 BC.

Sri Sathya Sai with a batch of Summer Course Students and volunteers from Tamil Nadu - 1978

The Divine Discourses can be accessed here.

Sunday, May 20, 1979

Seventh Summer Course 

The Summer Course on Indian Culture and Spirituality was held at Brindavan from 20th May 1979. Swami went in a procession to the College auditorium in His car with the Judge of the Supreme Court, Sri V.R.Krishna Iyer and Sri M. Santhappa, Vice Chancellor of Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati; and all the participants of the course at 8.30 am on 20th morning. The Judge inaugurated the summer course and gave his inaugural address. Sri Santhappa presided over the function and then Swami delivered His Inaugural Discourse.

A packed auditorium of Brindavan Campus during the summer course sessions - 1979

On the 21st, Swami inaugurated a 5 day central camp for 190 District Conveners of Seva Dal from all over India and Addressed them at the College auditorium. Prof. V.K. Gokak gave an illuminating talk on the inner significance of Seva at the College auditorium. Swami addressed the participants on all the 30 days of the course.  

Students of Sathya Sai College presenting a music programme during a Summer Course session

As soon as the summer course ended, Swami returned to Prashanti Nilayam with a large number of students from various colleges who desired to spend a few more days in His Presence at the international temple of the Sai Avatar.

The Divine Discourses can be accessed here.                                                          

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1926-1985)

Sri Sathya Sai at The Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple in Gujarat

May 17-20, 1970

The visit to Somnath is vividly described by Prof. Kasturi, who was present that day in the sanctum sanctorum. He writes:

"The 17th was an epoch-making day. Baba 'charged the Somanath Shrine' that day with Divine potency. He also fulfilled the prayers of the late Jamsaheb of Nawanagar, the person primarily responsible for the renovation of that historic temple, by visiting the place and allowing His Name to be associated with a structure that is a limb of that complex. The Rajamata succeeded in persuading Baba to inaugurate the imposing architectural gem called Dig Vijaya Dwar (after Sri Digvijaya Singh, the late Jamsaheb), the Gateway of Victory. 

The Majestic Somnath Temple on the Shores of Arabian Sea in Gujarat

This temple is situated on a spot celebrated in the Vedas and Epics. The shrine is of Shiva, as Sauma, with Uma, as Shiva-Shakti. Baba has come as Shiva-Shakti in human form to charge the ancient shrine with Divine potency. The Shivayogis who specialized in Soma Vidya and the followers of the Paasupatha cult founded by Sage Lakulisa about 200 AD, spread the fame of this temple from sea to sea. They established Somanaths with Somesvara Shrines all over the land, in Ratnagiri, E. Godavari, Purnea, Jodhpur, Mysore, and South Kanara Districts. 

Somanath was one of the richest temples of India. When the Muslims conquered and ruled over the Punjab and Sindh, it attracted the plunderers. Depredation, desecration, destruction, reconstruction and re-dedication became recurring chapters of its long history. The infamous raid by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 AD was the third in the long list of catastrophes. The fifth temple too met with a similar fate, at the hands of the rulers of Delhi. 

Somnath Temple Ruins - late 1800s

On Diwali Day, 1947, when the Indian Army entered Nawabdom of Junagadh and liberated the pathetically dilapidated pile of stone recognized by many as Somanath, it was rescued from those who could not appreciate the value and validity of idols, images and symbols of the Unknown and the Unknowable. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel announced that day, amidst the joyous roar of the waves of human and saline seas, "We have decided that Somanath should be reconstructed. This is a holy task in which all should participate." 

Sardar Patel and Jamsaheb at Somnath Temple post-1947

The new temple (named Mahameru Prasad, like the previous ones) was planned closely on the basis of the earlier temples and now, the Gopuram, the main gateway through which seekers would enter into the portals of Jyotirlinga, was to be inaugurated by Someshwara, come in human form: Shiva-Shakti, come as Sathya Sai! 

Baba declared that He would reveal, that day the genuine Somanath! This declaration filled us with wonder and enthusiastic exuberance. So all roads converging from Jamnagar to Somanath were shouting Jais in exhilaration. Baba was received at the decorated Shamiana in front of the Digvijaya Dwar by the trustees of the Somanath temple, as well as by the high officers of the District and States. Amidst strains of temple music, He walked on the red carpet laid on the steps, and opened the lock on the artistically carved and silver-embossed door with a silver key. Then, He proceeded along the festooned pathway, between rows of fresh banana trees, to the main shrine of Someshwar, the focal point of the faith of millions for millennia! 

The 'Digvijaya Dwar' at the entrance of the Somnath Temple that was inaugurated by Sri Sathya Sai

He entered the holy of holiest; Brahmin Pundits were reciting Vedic Hymns, which reverberated from the arched and conical roof, from the finial 150 feet above the ground! He directed that a plate be brought. He spread the fingers of His right hand and shook it over the plate, 108 silver Bilva leaves and 108 golden flowers fell from His hand in a clinking shower. Devotees’ reverentially touched them for it is on their behalf and for their sake that he was undertaking the process of ‘charging the 3 feet high Lingam’. This Lingam had been recently installed, when Rajendra Prasad, President of India, inaugurated the Temple. He poured the leaves of silver and flowers of gold on the Linga, as He had done at Srisailam when He was set on revitalizing the Linga there. It was like Ganga water poured into the stream of the Ganga. 

Within seconds, He waved that Divine hand! Lo and behold, a ball of brilliant light manifested in His palm. The Somanatha Linga is the only one of the twelve which is adored as Jyotirmayam, "Imbued with the splendor of light." And, Baba had the "Linga of Light" right now in His grasp! What a great moment was this, I wondered. Then I remembered Baba's announcement: "I shall show you the genuine Someshwara Linga today!" so, this was It, the Genuine One, installed, as legend says, by Brahma Himself, and worshiped by the Moon-God, the God who presides over the mind of man. 

In a pamphlet issued by the tourist department, it is said that Skanda Purana mentioned thousands of years ago that "the Sparsha Linga of Somanath is a 'Swayam-Bhu' (self-originated) Linga, of great prowess, as bright as the sun, of the size of an egg of a hen, which is situated underground." It is a characteristic of Vayu, air. These are the other Lingas representing the other four elements: Akash, Tejas, Jal and Pruthvi. 

Sri Sathya Sai in the Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum) of the Somnath Temple with the materialised Sparsha Linga in His Right Hand

So the oval ball of light in His hand was the authentic Someshwara He had resolved to bring up from its underground niche, kept away since many centuries from depredation and desecration. The Sparsha (touch) Lingam was nestling for centuries under the Linga in the Shrine. This information was given to us by Baba, as well as by the priests and trustees. Baba waved His hand again and created a silver stand on which it could be placed. He gave it to the chief priest, "Let it be in the full light of day hereafter! Let pious eyes admire its brilliance and imprint its glory on their hearts. There is no need any more to keep it away. The Avatar has come to remove all fear," Baba declared." 

To make the triumphant emergence of Someshwara, Baba unfurled the flag on the towering finial over the central shrine. Thousands acclaimed 'Jai Bhagawan' as He gave Darshan on the temple steps." 

Baba left for Rajendra Bhavan at Veeraval and at 2 pm, He motored to Keshod aerodrome from where He enplaned for Bombay. Over 30,000 devotees were awaiting the arrival of Baba at Dharmakshetra, Bombay. 

Swami visited Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on the 18th in order to bless Dr. K. M. Munshi. Swami left for Brindavan on the 20th. Swami graced the inaugural function of the Bharat Engineering Workshop on the 25th. He gave a Discourse at the function.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1926-1985)

Sai Baba: The Messiah of Mankind - By Ajit Haksar

It is beyond the capacity of an ordinary mortal, such as myself, to even begin to comprehend the smallest part of Bhagavan Baba's Divine Majesty and Power and have the appropriate words to express even a glimpse of His Mission to mankind seeking solace and salvation. However, I am making a modest attempt to place my thoughts and feelings at His Lotus Feet on the occasion of His 65th Birthday as my humble homage. 

Lord Rama was born in Treta Yuga to show us the path of Dharma which is Righteousness in our daily life through His example as a son, husband and father, to rid the earth of evil which is mankind's own creation. Lord Krishna was born in the Dwapar Yuga also to show the path of dharma — righteousness, but with Nishkama Karma in the changing scene of realism with action and reaction by men on earth, by doing one's duty without desire and attachment, with Karma (action) Dharma and Bhakti as the keynotes of His Mission and Message. Bhagavan Baba, our Lord, has taken birth in the Kali Yuga when the forces of evil and corruption of the earlier ages pale into insignificance with those of the present age, wherever we may look and whatever turn we take. What better time and age, and how blessed are we, for the Kali Avatar to human form when darkness surrounds us and the bad is rampant in all walks of our lives. I bow down and kiss the Lotus/Feet of Baba, our Divine Guru, who is with us to redeem us and show us the true path for our salvation. To the extent we ordinary mortals can get even a glimpse of Bhagavan's Mission and Message, He has embodied everything of the messages of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna to lead us out of darkness through His path of the Universality of all Religions and Beliefs synthesized in Love as the medium and panacea of all ills to overcome evil, first in ourselves, before we can even think of carrying His Message to others.

This is not an easy journey and it is a long one. We can embark on it with Bhagavan as our Sole Guru and with confidence as He assures each of us that He is with us, within us and all around us, to realize God in ourselves in the recognition that Man — minus ego + desire is God, as the 'Atma' in the mortal is a part of the 'Paramatma'; a drop of water no different to the water in the ocean of His creation. 

I grew up in a religious home which made me conscious that there is a God and I was a witness of the unwavering faith of my parents but my wife had no belief in God nor any kind of faith. But neither of us can really claim to have real belief in God or having done anything to express it, other than sporadic ritualistic puja or invoking God as a reflex action when faced with what seemed to be insurmountable problems. Our journey to realizing Bhagavan Baba as God Incarnate on earth began in 1973 when, on the urgings of my sister-in-law who was a devotee, we visited Shirdi and felt the aura of Sai. Shortly thereafter, my wife, hospitalized at Breach Candy in Bombay, was presented Howard Murphet's book 'Man of Miracles', followed closely by visiting the Kamani family in Bombay who gave us a beautiful picture of Bhagavan and a number of books about Him and His teachings. We framed the picture keeping it in our bedside and read about Bhagavan. We began to believe and see Bhagavan as Divine. From 1973 to 1980, we started attending Bhajans at the homes of devotees from time to time, involved ourselves in trying to do some little good in furtherance of Bhagavan's tenets and became part of a small group, calling itself ANOSAG (coined out of Anonymous Sai Group) made up of devotees to do Seva and set up medical assistance to the poor and needy. Then we saw a beautiful film on Bhagavan, creating a hunger to have His Darshans in person that knew no bounds. During those years when visiting Bangalore on work, I had the great good fortune of having Bhagavan's Darshans on a couple of occasions sitting under the banyan tree in Brindavan, Whitefield, near Bangalore. On these occasions ego took the upper hand desiring to be singled out by Bhagavan to touch His feet. This did not happen. 

Sri Sathya Sai Darshan at Brindavan
under the Banyan Tree

Then, quite out of the blue, a Mr. Raghavendra Rao of Hyderabad, whom we had never met, visited our home in Calcutta and came to see me in my office. We look upon this as a miracle and Mr. Rao as a messenger from Bhagavan. His visit gave us conviction and made it possible to move closer to Him to change our lives. Mr. Rao told us his wife was a doctor in Bhagavan's hospital in Whitefield and his son (popularly known as Cheena) was Bhagavan's Sevak He talked about Bhagavan and His Divinity. Between 1981 and 1989, my wife and I have gone to have Bhagavan's Darshans at Brindavan and Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, on more than one occasion every year. These times, having Bhagavan's Darshans, we cherish more than anything else and consider ourselves blessed, always praying to Him to help us to be devotees as He would wish us to be. We have been blessed to be in the presence of Bhagavan and in close proximity to Him in His audience on more than one occasion. But this too has not quenched our endless thirst to have more and more of His Darshans, to recharge our flagging batteries and to receive His Grace. For each visit to Bhagavan is a new revelation. 

Darshan at Prasanthi Nilayam in the early 1980s

My wife. and I can claim to be no more than fledglings, aspiring to be dedicated devotees as many others we have met in Bhagavan's ashrams, in India and from abroad, who have been able to surrender totally to the Living Truth, by banishing what He calls the monkey-mind, and who glow with the Grace Bhagavan has showered upon them. My wife and I consider ourselves more than blessed, and so, our journey continues as our experiences, the manifestations of His Divine Majesty that we have witnessed and His Godliness for all to see, has led us to the firm belief, that He is not just one of the enlightened in the galaxy of those down the ages, that He is truly an Avatar, God on earth in human form, come to save the earth from self-destruction, as did Lord Rama and Lord Krishna before Him. He is Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Mahavir, Jesus, Allah, Guru Nanak and all the saints and sages wrapped in the Universal One, our Bhagavan, the very embodiment of the Unity of all faiths and beliefs in Love. It is open for all to experience that Bhagavan Baba is more than the messenger of Love. Indeed, He is Pure itself and His very being is love. The reader may well ask what the experiences have been and the emanations of Bhagavan's love seen. Before relating only a few instances of the many, it needs to be said that some occurred even before the first audience with Bhagavan in March 1981, others transcend the human limitations of time, space and distance, still others are the smallest of gestures indicative of the depth of concern and yet others of continued compassion even though time has elapsed. 

Whether it is at Brindavan or Prasanthi Nilayam, as devotees sit in silence for Darshans, as soon as Bhagavan emerges from the Mandir, the very first sight of Him raises the spirit in everyone, giving a feeling of great joy and happiness. To the extent that one can almost see and hear the silent aura of something unworldly indeed of Divinity, with the feeling that Bhagavan is reaching out to every individual out of just His presence. The faces of the students, who Bhagavan terms as his only property and who are more disciplined than can be witnessed anywhere, glow with love and reverence; this is something to be seen to understand the intensity. The total atmosphere is so charged by His presence, that it seems that it is something real that can be cut with a knife. At discourses, when Bhagavan asks someone to speak, and before doing so, the person (young or child) seeks His blessings by touching His Lotus Feet, He blesses with one hand and protects the head of the speaker with the other, so that the table which is in front of Bhagavan does not hurt him; how simple and yet how deep. When the Arati is done and Bhagavan does inside the Mandir, the Darshan leaves everyone in a euphoric state as though flying in the clouds and full of contentment. The love is so great that the devotee hungers for it, dreading the thought that, as Howard Murphet’s puts it, the time may have come to be put into the workshop to learn how to overcome ego. 

Bhagavan has said that if we take one step towards Him, He will take ten towards us and we can pass our burdens on to Him. When my wife is faced with serious anxieties, she always prays to Bhagavan for His help and sometimes also writes a letter. These are followed by seeing Bhagavan in her dreams. That this has happened on almost every such occasion. With vividness, followed by relief from the worry expressed, leads us to believe that these are visitations by Bhagavan in response to calling out to Him, and not just the symptoms of an overworked mind. In February 1974, in bed with severe thrombophlebitis, on the critical day of the illness, the Doctor said Bhagavan was at her bedside, her prayer would be heard, and it was, to make a complete recovery. In 1977, when she was in England, her prayer on anxieties connected with our son's health just when he was to sit for his Bar exams and about my problems at work in India, were answered by dreaming of Bhagavan coming to the house, asking for something to eat and then blessing everyone. The worries were resolved and our son distinguished himself in his examination. In August 1984, Bhagavan appeared to her in a dream when she, her mother and sister were surrounded by water and said you want miracles, you cannot believe without them? In the dream, He took one scoop and emptied all the water. Soon, thereafter, her brother was seriously ill and the worst was believed, when she wrote a letter to Bhagavan and, as in the dream, all came out well. 

Ajit Haksar with Sri Sathya Sai at the
Prasanthi Nilayam interview room

Bhagavan teaches us that health is wealth. He always knows when we are in need and becomes the Divine Healer. My wife is convinced that Bhagavan put her thrombophlebitis right. On another occasion, having fallen and fractured her left foot in America in 1982, she developed trouble with the motor nerve being trapped causing constant pain, a limp and making it very difficult for her to walk The trouble persisted despite all the medications till 1984 when, in Brindavan, Bhagavan knowing what her trouble was, said she should come to Puttaparthi and He would cure her. This is exactly what occurred. In 1985 our grand-daughter suddenly developed white spots. In panic, my wife wrote to Bhagavan. The spots started disappearing. Later we took her for Bhagavan's Darshans in 1987, He remembered her problem of the past, blessed her and has, since then, on several occasions remembered our grandchildren and given us chocolates for them. Whenever Bhagavan has given us an audience, as the Divine Healer. He has always asked me about my health. My answer has always been that I am well and, as the All Knowing, He has always pointed out when this has not been so. On one occasion, I arrived in Brindavan with three broken ribs on my left side and was in severe pain. Bhagavan enquired, I said, I was well. He called me closer, materialized some vibhuti, lifted my kurta and rubbed the vibhuti over the three exact broken ribs. I was almost instantly healed and never had to see a doctor after that. On another occasion, I was suffering from a stone in the kidney and was having bad bouts of renal colic. Immediately, after check-up x-ray showed the stone clearly in a very awkward position. I went to Hyderabad on my way to Puttaparthi. The colic struck me in Hyderabad through one night; on the following morning I flew to Bangalore, drove to Puttaparthi and a day later was in audience with Bhagavan. He enquired. I said, I was well. He turned to my wife and said, every time I ask Haksar how he is, he says well, when I know he is not, is that not so? My wife blurted the truth. Bhagavan called me to His side, put His hand on my head, saying it was gone and then cautioned me about prostrate problems for which I should never get operated but go to Him. Immediately upon returning to Delhi, I had another x-ray check-up and told the doctor he would find nothing. When this turned out to be true, the doctor asked me how I knew as this was not possible! There have been other instances. 

Sri Sathya Sai in Prasanthi Nilayam interview room

Bhagavan has said that all matter is the product of Cosmic Energy. We know there are skeptics who refer to Bhagavan's miracles. Over a period of almost ten years, my wife and I, have witnessed innumerable occasions when Bhagavan has showered His blessings, on rich and poor alike, by materializing a wide range of comforting things that He knows to be most appropriate for the devotee. Those who have witnessed this phenomena recognize these not to be miracles as in common parlance, but the manifestation of Divinity and the Cosmic Energy thereof. 

The reader may well ask what have been the 'products' of the journey to Bhagavan and of His 'Upadesh' so far? Those common to my wife and me are: 
(1) Belief in God as the Supreme knower and the need to have Faith.
(2) Belief in Baba, as God on earth in human form, as the Divine Anchor and Harbour around and in which the ship of life can sail in calm waters, protected from the storms in the open sea; as the Divine Master guiding us to try and realize ourselves for what we are to attain peace; as the Divine Father under whose "charge" we can find solace as do children from parents. 
(3) The regimen, out of desire, to try and meditate every day, praying to Bhagavan as our Divine Guru; the desire is such that until this is done or when it is delayed, we feel uneasy. 

Although there is still a long way to go, for myself, I feel I have come nearer, compared with the past, to:
(1) Inner confidence and strength with less ruffled feathers to deal with and tackle the problems in life.
(2) Tranquility of mind and inner peace. 
(3) Banishing the urge to acquire things material with a ceiling on desires. 
(4) Greater humility in respect of intellectual conceit and arrogance that may go with it 
(5) being a more sensitive and better human being. 
(6) The ability to cope with worries and anxieties in my stride. 
(7) Happiness that comes from contentment. 
(8) Always seeing the 'positive' in people and issues. 
(9) Better battling with ego. 
(10) Understanding fellow man together with a desire to be of greater help. 

Book authored by Ajit Haksar

As a student of management, Bhagavan has led me to have a better insight and understanding of: (1) The purpose of Education with practical training and experience following the classroom at every stage to progress from learning to wisdom, knowledge to judgement and to the final goal of discrimination. 

(2) The treasure in our heritage and ancient books that can help in developing our own national style of management. 
(3) The importance of Nature, a divine Creation, and learning from it 
(4) Managing people as fellow human beings through Consciousness, Conscience, Consideration, Concern, Care, Compassion and Credibility. 

Bhagavan Baba. 

We are Thy servants, use us as your instruments to serve Thee, 

Drown us in our faith in Thee and in the shadow of Thy Glory, 

Give us the knowledge, wisdom, enlightenment to tread the path of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema, Ahimsa without ego, desire, envy, jealousy, 

Take care of our health, body and mind and shield us against evil and our enemies, 

Show us the way,

Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

About the author:

Mr. Ajit Haksar, after having done his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School U.S.A. in 1949, was with ITC Limited and rose from a pupil (Training) in Marketing to be Chairman of ITC Limited (June 1969 to January 1983). He was Chairman Emeritus of ITC Limited from 1983 till his death in 2005. He was also Founder Member of the Board of Studies of Business Management at SSSIHL.

Source: Sai Vandana 1990

Sri Sathya Sai Visits in Mumbai - 1982 and 1983

Sri Sathya Sai in Sathya Deep, His residence at Dharmakshetra, Mumbai

Wednesday, May 12, 1982 to 

Friday, May 14, 1982

Bhagavan reached Bombay visit on the morning of the 12th of May 1982 on a four day visit. Sri P. K. Sawant welcomed Bhagavan to the 14th Anniversary celebrations of Dharmakshetra and Bhagavan gave a Discourse to the business community of Bombay, on the role of spirituality in economic progress. Bhagavan inaugurated a Homoeopathic clinic as an extension to the existing medical facilities at Dharmakshetra, and met the parents of Dharmakshetra school children. He also released the first three volumes of the ‘Saints of India’ series and part of ‘Path Divine’, brought out by the Bal Vikas Wing. 

Dr. V. R. Subramanian, Finance Minister of Maharashtra, presided over the meeting of industrialists at Patkar Hall. Sri Sanat Mehta, a Member of Dharmakshetra Trust, welcomed Bhagavan. Prior to Bhagavan’s Address, Sri S.B.Chavan, Union Minister for Planning, addressed the gathering.

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay

Bhagavan visited the Baba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) at Trombay by special invitation on the 14th of May. Dr. Krishnamurthy showed Bhagavan the different departments. Bhagavan showed keen interest in the researches being carried out in the field of cancer treatment using radiation therapy. Commenting on the researches on food preservation, Bhagavan observed that the new groundnut varieties developed at BARC could be useful for improving the cultivation of groundnuts in Rayalaseema. To the surprise of many senior scientists present there, Bhagavan spoke to a lady scientist enquiring about her family, recalling them by name. He informed the scientists that He had performed the ‘Aksharabhyasam’ of the lady scientist 24 years ago and was seeing her again for the first time after that ceremony. He advised the BARC scientists not to segregate themselves on linguistic or other considerations, but to work unitedly towards building our nation. Bhagavan invited the scientists of BARC to hold their next Annual Conference at Prasanthi Nilayam and later visited Anushakti Nagar, the residential complex of the scientists, and blessed them with Darshan.

Wednesday, May 11, 1983 

to Friday, May 13, 1983

Bhagavan flew from Brindavan to Bombay in the morning of 11th May 1983. Bhagavan inaugurated a symposium on ‘Science and Spirituality’ at Shanmukhananda Hall that evening. Dr. A. K. Ganguly, the Former Director of the Chemical Group of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC); and Prof. Rao of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), spoke on this occasion. 

Sri Nani Palkiwala’s key note address was read out since he could not be present on this occasion. Bhagavan then delivered His Message. He mentioned that the real end of science should be action and not mere knowledge. He questioned when the benefits of science would reach the masses? 

On the 12th of May 1983, the 15th Anniversary of Dharmakshetra, the Bal Vikas and students of the Dharmakshetra School presented cultural programmes at Dharmakshetra. A group of 200 students participated in the drawing competition held on the spot at Dharmakshetra. Bhagavan enjoyed witnessing both the groups of children. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sri Vasant Dada Patil, was the Chief Guest for the occasion; and the Union Minister for Planning, Sri S. B. Chavan, was present on the occasion. They both addressed the gathering. 

Bhagavan released the Marathi version of Prof. V. K. Gokak’s book ‘Advent of the Avatar’, that was translated by Sri M. S. Gandhi. Bhagavan also released the Marathi version of Sri V. S. Page’s book, ‘Dialogue with Divine,’ which was translated by Sri D. L. Nene. Bhagavan awarded the Diplomas to the Bal Vikas students who passed out of the Pre-Seva Dal examination. Bhagavan then delivered His Discourse. 

Bhagavan inaugurated on 13th May, three charitable dispensaries, a bus shelter and a bore well, built in two villages of Vasai Taluk under the rural upliftment project by the Sai Organisations of Maharashtra. Bhagavan also visited other villages adopted by the Organisation to observe the progress made in the villages under the adoption scheme. Bhagavan blessed at Dharmakshetra on the 13th evening, the Seva Dal who had gathered from 64 villages of Maharashtra.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1926-1985)

Revere the Physical Parents and the Permanent Parents

Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

All beings in creation, except man, live according to the laws of nature and carry out their functions. Without any concern for the morrow, they lead their lives, content with whatever they can enjoy. Nature sees to it that they do not lack anything needed for their existence. Man, on the contrary, is never contented, however much he may acquire and whatever comforts he may enjoy. He yearns for various things and looks upon the desire for these objects as love. But if such attachment to objects is fostered, there is no end to the process. He does not realise that such love is based upon self-interest and self-centredness. It should be clear that what passes for love today in the world is really selfishness and self-interest. In every thought, every word, every action of his, the demon of self-interest is present. Man has become a plaything of selfish impulses.

Caught up in the coils of selfishness, his entire life becomes a delusion and a snare. He is prisoner of his selfishness. Such a person can never experience what is real freedom.

True love will remain unaffected

What, then, is true Prema (love)? Pure, unselfish love towards all living beings, considered as embodiments of the Divine, with no expectation of reward, is true Love. "Adweshtaa sarvabhootha-naam. Maitrah, Karuna evacha" ("Free from dislike, friendly and compassionate towards all beings"). With this attitude, when one regards divinity as present in all beings, only then he can have true love. Whatever be the vicissitudes one may face, whatever be the personal sorrows and privations one may undergo, true love will remain unaffected. Today, when any difficulty arises or when some trouble crops up, love turns into hatred. True love is the sweet fruit that grows out of the fragrant flower of good deeds. Love rules without recourse to the sword. It binds without laws.

Only one who has such true love can be described as human. The man without such love is only human in form. Like the lotus which blooms when the sun rises, the heart of man blossoms when love enters it. Like the glow of the flame in a fire, like the rays of the sun, like waves in the ocean, divine love is the basic quality of a true human being. It is only when one is filled with pure, unselfish love that he can be called a human being.

Understand the nature of Divine Love

It is the association of such pure, divine love with the desires and concerns of the body that affects its purity. Who are one's parents? Who are one's children, relations or friends? Who are we? What were we in our previous lives? What will be our future? Immersed in thoughts of these impermanent relationships, we are losing sight of the Divine Love that is everlasting and unchanging. Even in experiencing temporary relationships, the nature of Diane Love should be understood. Human birth implies the existence of parents. But the relationship between a son and his parents is corporeal. The parents are instrumental for the birth but they are not the cause. However, even as instruments, elements of the Divine are present in them.

It should be understood that human birth is the progeny of Truth as father and Love as the mother. Even if one's natural parents are absent, one should nor forget the real parents - Truth and Love. When Truth and Love beget Jnana (Wisdom) as son, the true lineage of man is established.

Truth is sacred. It is valid for all time; past, present and future. It is unchanging. Love is eternal. It is indescribably sweet like nectar. Can such Truth and Love beget an unrighteous and evil-minded son? Only one who is wise and free from illusion and ignorance can be a true human being.

Ignorance is not the inherent characteristic of man. There is no room for aberrations in him. Egoism is out of place. He should revel in the ecstasy of Jnana (the consciousness of the Divine). His true form should be bliss. Discrimination should be natural to him. Today, this true nature of man is being forgotten.

It may be asked whether Truth and Love have begotten only a son (Jnana-wisdom) and not a daughter. There is a daughter, who can be identified as Shanti (peace). Hence, wisdom should be the characteristic quality of men and peace and serenity should be the distinguishing quality of women.

Students' Duty to their Parents

Who are to be regarded as friends and relatives? The Yogis should be looked upon as friends and good qualities should be considered as true kinsmen. Yoga does not consist of meditation and austerities or various forms of breath-control. True Yoga is the mergence of the individual soul in the Omni-Self It is the withdrawal of the senses from external objects and turning them inwards. To allow the senses a free rein is not Yoga but Bhoga (sensual enjoyment). Such indulgence will lead to Roga (disease). Yoga implies self-control and renunciation, leading to the experiencing of Ananda (bliss).

You owe a supreme duty towards your parents who are responsible for all that you are. You will be less than human if you do not show your gratitude to them for all that they have done to you. Parental love means for the children what the sun's rays mean for the blossoming of a flower. Wherever you may go, whatever you may achieve, whatever position you may occupy, you must always remember your mother with love and reverence. The man who fails to remember the mother and the motherland with affection is a veritable demon. There is nothing human in such persons. One should cherish one's mother and the land of his birth with the deepest regard. There is no birth without a mother. Because the mother is responsible for one's existence, devotion and love for the mother are the marks of a true human being.

Develop unselfish, unbounded love

To have the qualities and lead the life of a human being worth the name, one must develop pure, unselfish, unbounded love. Man delves many kinds of benefits from animals, birds, plants and trees. They do not confer these benefits out of any self-interest or the desire for reward. Man enjoys these benefits without displaying any sense of gratitude. Today man not only does not help others but even harms himself by his actions. He is thereby de-humanising himself. There is, therefore, a compelling need for youth to develop the. true spirit of love through the Sadhana of Seva (service) and sublimate their life. They should not fritter away their life-span in the pursuit of ephemeral pleasures and comforts. They make no effort to understand the basic purpose of human life, what is permanent and enduring. They are promoting dissensions and differences instead of cultivating unity and harmony. Selfishness is the root cause of these undesirable tendencies. Without abjuring selfishness there can be no true Ahamkaram (egoistic conceit). Adambaram (ostentation) is the son. Those who are filled with envy and ostentatiousness are really the children of conceit. The first requisite is to get rid of Ahamkara. All evil traits arise from this Ahamkara. 

Royal road to secure God's grace

What is the basis for this conceit? If one is conceited, there must be something which justifies the feeling. If there is nothing in one which warrants his conceit, what is there to gloat over? You may be a scholar or a wealthy person, or very clever and intelligent. But all these do not help you to secure God's grace. Saint Tukaram sang: "Oh Swami! I am not endowed with knowledge. I am incapable of performing Yajnas and Yagas or doing severe penance. Here is one easy path that I know to win your grace. That is the path of Divine Love. It is the royal road that will lead me to the Presence of Rama." Tukaram declared emphatically that Rama cannot be realised by any other path except the path of love. This is the inner meaning of the statement: Love is God and God is Love.

Hence, in this precious period of your youth, in this sacred golden time, you must cultivate sacred thoughts and holy attitudes. You must be filled with a sense of selfless dedication. This can come only through Seva in which there is no egoistic pride. You must revel in giving rather than receiving. When the Divine is there to give all that you need, why seek or receive anything from others?

All your actions must be aimed at purifying your minds and hearts to experience the Divine. When the heart is pure, the light of wisdom shines. The illumined heart becomes the receptacle of pure love. Love is everything. A person without love is a living corpse. Love is not the relationship between man and man, or between man and other objects. It is inherent in every being. "Mamatma Sarvabhootaatma" ("I am the Spirit immanent in all beings"). The Divine Atma is present in all beings. The Atma has no form. It is experienced as Love. If there is no Love, there is no Area. hence, love is our life-breath. Love is our soul. Love is our everything. It should be unchanging. Young people should cultivate unwavering love and a steady vision.

Bhrama and Brahma

The basic things we should know are: Karma is the root cause of our birth. The root cause of Karma is sorrow. Ignorance is the cause of sorrow. Ignorance itself is the result of Bhrama (the delusion which makes one regard the real as unreal and the unreal as real). And as long as Bhrama persists, the Brahman cannot be recognised. When we are rid of this delusion, then sorrow will cease. When sorrow goes, ignorance disappears. 

Daiva Preeti (Love of God) and Papa Bheeti (fear of sin) are the two requisites for sanctifying our life. You have to strive constantly to please your parents. If you do not show your gratitude to the parents who have brought you up with so much love and labour, to whom else are you going to be grateful? You must cultivate a broad heart and develop love towards all beings as emblems of the Diane. You have to live up to the Upanishadic injunctions to regard your father, mother, guru and guest as God.

Your love should not be based only on the physical forms. Bodies are perishable and impermanent. Beyond the biological parents, there are permanent parents whom you should revere. They are Truth and Love. Though the body may go, Truth remains as the permanent father. Likewise Love is the eternal mother. It grows with the passage of time and never diminishes. By regarding Truth and Love as your parents, as essential for your existence as your eyes or as the two wings for a bird or the two wheels for a cart, lead worthy lives. On this sacred day of remembrance, firmly enshrine in your hearts reverence for Truth and Love, and make your lives sublime by rendering dedicated service to your fellowmen and women.

Source: Divine Discourse on May 6, 1985 (Easwaramma Day) at Prasanthi Nilayam