Sri Sathya Sai On: The Message of Sri Madhvacharya on Dvaita Vedanta

Sri Madhvacharya (1238-1317)

In the 12th century, Madhvacharya propounded that Jiva, Brahman and Prakruti were more distant than what had been conceived by the earlier schools of thought. He propounded that Jiva and Easwara are to be regarded as distinct and separate from each other and that they can never get close to each other. 

Madhvacharya opposed and contradicted the view of Shankara according to which Brahman was the only reality and the world was illusory. He asserted that Brahman, Jiva and Prakruti were distinct and that each one of them was as real as the other two. We have to interpret this as simply meaning that Madhvacharya preached the concept of Salokya (constant thought of Godhead) and that Jiva simply lived in the domain of the Lord but it was not identical with the Lord. 

- “Karma Marga, Jnana Marga, Bhakti Marga: All lead to the Same Destination”, Summer Showers in Brindavan, 1974, Brindavan

The Upasana (sitting near, steady worship) of Dvaita; the Jivatma and the Paramatma relationship is as the wife-husband relationship. The Full Free Supreme Vishnu is the husband, the master, the Lord, the ruler, the provider. The individual is the ruled, the dependent, and the wife. 

This method of Sadhana has been taught by Madhvacharya. Without devoted attachment to the Lotus Feet of the Lord, that is to say, without Bhakti, liberation from the cycle of Samsara, why even purity of intellect and emotions is impossible of attainment. For those who have the spring of ecstatic devotion to the Presence of the Lord within them, though they may not have any texts to ponder over, the very contemplation of the beauty, grace, and power of the Lord will give them bliss of super conscious Bhakti. One cannot discover what prompts the experience. In that ecstatic mood, they discard all sense of shame and personality, and yearn to become the beloved of God, in blissful union. They will then dance and sing aloud and be merged in genuine joy and Ananda. Sadhana in conformity with this faith have been laid down by Madhvacharya. The agony of the lover to attain the beloved is the true sign of Dvaitopasana (worship using external means, Dualistic philosophy). This has been elaborated in a thousand ways by others who came after.

- “Values in Later Texts”, Sathya Sai Vahini

Sri Madhvacharya addressing
his disciples

Madhvacharya was the exponent of Dualism. Madhvacharya viewed the problem in this way. He declared, “Oh Lord! I do not want either sugarcane juice or sugar. I wish to be born as an ant that relishes the juice or the sugar. 

The sugar does not know its own sweetness. Only the one who consumes sugar can know its sweetness. O Lord! You are the very embodiment of love. I do not wish to be mere love. I want to be one who enjoys love. You should remain as God and I should remain as Jivi (individual soul). It is only when the individual is separate from God that he can enjoy the Divine”. This is the essence of dualism; the distinction between God and the individual self. 

- “The Four Beacons”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 29, June 18, 1996, Prasanthi Nilayam

God - The Only Friend

Madhvacharya described true devotion as regarding God as the only unfailing friend. All others may be friends for some time and turn inimical later. Thus all worldly friends may turn into enemies some time or other. God is the only true friend. Madhvacharya defined true devotion as the manifestation of the love for God, considering Him as the greatest friend.

  - “The Triple Purity”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 29, January 1, 1996, Prasanthi Nilayam

The goal is mergence, as the rivers know and strive for. The waters of the sea are raised by the Sun as clouds into the sky and the clouds pour them as rain back onto the earth, to flow back into the sea through many a ravine, as a stream or tributary-fed river. Merging in the Source from which one took form, is the ultimate destiny. The river has the passion of overwhelming love which leads it down the slopes until it reaches the loved one, where the lover, loved and love, all three merge in one illuminating ecstasy. 

Prema (highest love) is the attachment to God that does not allow anything to interfere or diminish its quality or depth. God is loved by the Bhakta (devotee) for His sake and not for any incidental benefit or blessing. It is spontaneous, sustaining and sublime, like a child before the mirror enjoying the reflections of its own pranks and gestures. Complete surrender to the extent of the annihilation of one’s own individuality is also beyond most aspirants. Sugar cannot be tasted and enjoyed by sugar; you have to be an ant so that you can revel in the sweetness of the stuff. This craving of man was sought to be satisfied by Madhvachaarya, who declared that the Jiva (individual soul) will remain ever separate from the Universal, and there can be no merging.

- “The Sai Religion”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 13, October 1, 1976, Prasanthi Nilayam

However, qualified Advaita was an experience not easily accessible to ordinary men. They would put their faith in a compassionate, all-knowing, all powerful God to whom they can pray and offer life and love. Madhvacharya, whose original name was Anandateertha, declared that man is totally distinct from God, that man is neither God nor Divine. 

Serve and Adore like Radha

Man’s highest destiny is to serve God, as Radha adored Krishna. Longing for the service, yearning to see and fill one’s eyes with the beauty and majesty of the Lord-that is the most potent Sadhana. The aspirant would much rather be an ant nibbling molecules of sugar than becoming a lump or a mountain range of sugar.

- “The Royal Road to God”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 18, August 28, 1985, Prasanthi Nilayam

About Madhavacharya:

Known as Vasudeva at birth, Sri Madhvacharya was born in the year 1238 in Karnataka. A Hindu philosopher and founder of the Dvaita (Dualism) school of Vedanta, he is believed to be an incarnation of Vayu (Wind) God. He has several literary works to his credit including commentaries on Vedanta. He was the founder of the Brahma Vaishnavism sub-sect. Sri Madhvacharya established the famous Sri Krishna temple Math at Udupi. It is believed that he disappeared from the sight of his followers in the Badri mountains in the year 1317.

The Sri Krishna Math and Temple at Udupi established by Sri Madhvacharya

Source: Sai Vani: Avatar on Maha Purushas

Sri Sathya Sai elaborates on the Significance of Sivam for Hyderabad

October 25, 1972

Exactly a year after Swami had laid the foundation stone, and while the construction of Sivam was under progress, Swami gave the significance of Sivam. Excerpts are included below:

Sri Sathya Sai Speaks at Hyderabad

The construction of this Mandir named Sivam is a special Sadhana for the residents of Bhagya Nagara (Hyderabad). Its appearance is unique, for it is to be built in the shape of a Linga, the form most approximate to the conception of the formless, attributeless Absolute. The Linga is the form of God, emerging from the Nirakara (formless) to the Sakara (form-filled). Other Akaras (Forms) are all subsumed in the Linga Form. Prakriti, the objective world, is the base; it signifies that the Lord is established in that manifestation of His, which is the concrete presentation of His play, His potentiality and His Shakti (Power). That is why the Lord is described as Shiva Shakti Atmaka Swaroopam: "the Supreme which became the Shiva and the Shakti," the latent and the patent.

Sivam - Sathya Sai Mandir, Hyderabad

You will notice that the base has a horizontal superstructure, over which the cylindrical Linga is placed. The base is Satyam, the structure over it is Sivam and the Linga is Sundaram. One is the flower, the second is the perfume and the third is the wind, the Formless that wafts the fragrance, which is the symbol of Mangalam (auspiciousness) which is Sivam. Satyam or (Truth) is the base on which the Universe and all that it implies rest.

The message this building will convey is that man is the embodiment of Satyam, Sivam and Sundaram, and it will call on all to live up to that glory. He has to realise the Truth and demonstrate in thought, word and deed that Truth is the very basis of his existence. Know the Truth and the Truth shall make you strong, steady kin with all, and free from the bonds of lust and hate. Man has to learn the lesson of Sivam: swallow the poison of anger and greed, and make it ineffective in its effort to harm the world. Spread consolation and comfort through speech and action.

Man has to realise that he is Sivam

Shiva wears the crescent on His crown so that the soft moonlight might mark out the pilgrim route to God, and make the journey less toilsome. He spreads joy and peace. But, the fiery, ferocious poison, Shiva hides behind the blue patch on His throat. That is a lesson for man: keep under restraint, within you, the qualities and tendencies that are anti-social, the poisonous hatreds and competitive greeds. The Sivam does not mean any particular God or unit of the Trinity. It includes all mankind, for man has to realise that he is Sivam. Then, the Sundaram too is a reminder that Truth is beauty, and Beauty is Divine, not mere physical beauty but, moral and spiritual beauty. Give up ugly thoughts, unpleasant speech and disgusting acts. Have the ideal of beauty ever in mind.

Satyam (bottom-left), Sivam (right), Sundaram (top-left)
Sathya Sai Mandirs in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai

Avadhaani said just now that such buildings are the landmarks of the Sai Era and that they should be built all over India. I have no such desire. I do not appreciate or encourage such accumulations of stone and cement, of brick and mortar. I long to reside in your hearts, fragrant with the incense of fine virtues, merciful intentions and compassionate emotions. That is the Sivam I desire, the Mandir built of Truth, Beauty and Goodness.

Inner Charm is the genuine Beauty. Seeta interned in Ashoka Vana in Lanka, was suddenly confronted by a monkey; but, that ugly creature struck her as full of beauty, when it brought her the long awaited message from Rama! The loveliness of the Vana (garden), the appealing scenery, the bright beautiful ware that Ravana spread before her could not win her heart; but, the one word, Rama endeared her to the strange monkey crouched on top of the tree under which she was encircled by ogresses.

Smog of hatred and greed tarnish the temple towers

The beauty of Nature is but a reflection of the Beauty that is God. But, like all images, it is not substantial. Flowers fade, clouds scatter into new patterns, physical charm is but a flash that disappears in a moment - but, Divine Beauty is eternal, full, free. That Sundaram, is Satyam, unaffected by the passage of Time, unchanging with the location; that Sundaram is the real Sivam, the only Good that is. Pursuing paltry physical beauty leads man astray; it is as calamitous as the pursuit of trivial joy.

Sivam is Goodness; the Body is for realising God-ness, which is total goodness. But, the body is not itself goodness or God-ness; it is an instrument that breaks down every moment and that is rebuilt every moment getting weaker in the process. The father says proudly, My son is growing fast, but really, his life is ebbing fast. The body is valuable, only on account of its use in realising God. So also, a Mandir or this Sivam is valuable only when you are able to realise the God that dwells therein. 

The Gopuram (Tower) of a temple or Mandir is like the raised hand of God calling on the weary pilgrim to halt and take rest, and proceed faster to the Goal he is seeking. In most places, these old towers are hidden in the forest of chimneys that have crowded around them in recent times. The smoke from these factories and the smog of hatred that emanate from faction and greed tarnish the atmosphere of the temple towers.

Even the temples have been denigrated by the bargaining for fees and the collection of toll for religious services. The stream of Ananda that flows from worship is interrupted by demands for monetary contributions. Temples are not allowed to pour into the social mind a constant stream of peace and joy.

"Why this Mandir? you may ask. Is it for My stay whenever I happen to visit Hyderabad? I do not need a huge building, nor the furniture and appliances you are proposing to collect here. It will serve more the needs of those who have now to follow Me around from house to house. Since I have no fixed residence, they are hard put to it, women and children, the well and the ill, to know where I will be available. This building will give them a place where they can await Me. It also gives Me another excuse to come to Hyderabad for, I am surely coming to 'open' this Sivam, when it is completed!

Source: Divine Discourse at Sivam, Hyderabad

Sri Sathya Sai Narrates a Story on Chanakya

October 18, 1998 

Swami asked students to distribute Prasadam. Students were distributing from the middle of the block. Swami called one boy and asked him to distribute from the sides…

Swami: Chalukya was once travelling through a village. There an old lady invited him for food. He sat down to eat dosas along with her grandson. Seeing the boy eating the dosas from the middle she said to that boy, “Oh boy, you are making the same mistake as that of Chandra Gupta. He too concentrated his army only at the capital, thereby ignoring the boundaries. The enemy attacked and he lost his kingdom.” Chalukya immediately understood the message and left the place. What is Chalukya’s other name?

Student: Kautilya.

Chanakya (BC 371-283); Also known as Chalukya, Kautilya and Vishnu Gupta

Swami: What is his real name?

Student: I don’t know, Swami.

Swami: Vishnu Gupta.

Evening

Swami had given apples to all the students…

Swami: (To a student) Show the apple that you have got. (The student showed the same) Quite big! It is proportional to your size. I separated the small ones from these big ones and sent them to hostels to make juice. 

(To a teacher) Did you get an apple? 

(When he showed the apple) It is big enough. Will you give it to your wife?

Teacher: Yes, Swami.

Swami: Yes, She is your Ardhangi! (In Sanskrit, wife is referred to as ‘Ardhangi’ meaning one half of the body) So, cut it into two halves and give her one half. Don’t be selfish. 

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

Why Fear When I Am Near! - By Maj. Gen. (Retd.) S. P. Mahadevan

Sri Sathya Sai Darshan at Sundaram, Chennai

As a student of Ramakrishna Mission, from my very young days I had learnt to respect sages and saints. As a Battalion Commander in Sikkim, as a Brigade Commander in Badrinath-Kedarnath-Gangotri area of U.P. Tibet border and later as a Divisional Commander in Ladakh region of Kashmir on Indo-Tibetan border I met many Rishis, Lamas, and other evolved souls. When I saw Bhagavan Baba first time I felt extraordinary force of Divinity in Him. I was overwhelmed by His love of service to the poor and the needy. His sayings I found to be practical and down to earth simplifying high philosophical ideas to be easily understood and practiced by all irrespective of religion, race, caste or community. His teachings are universal in nature and are based on love. Motivated by His utterances like "Love all and serve all" and "Help ever hurt never", I started doing small kind of social service even while serving as an Army Officer and later as Chairman, Public Service Commission, Tamil Nadu. After retirement I have the good fortune of spending all my time as Sai worker doing social and spiritual service in urban and rural areas.

In September 1955, a fellow Army Officer gave me a photo of Bhagavan at Mhow cantonment near Indore and told me all about His miracles. As an old devotee of Shirdi Sai, I have decided to worship Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba as fish worships water. From that day onwards, my Army career took an upward swing. 

By His Grace I was selected to be a member of the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Congo (Africa) and later was sent to many foreign countries in the West and East on Government missions. Though I was wounded in several military operations in and outside India, I was not afraid of death because Bhagavan had told me in one of His interviews in Brindavan "Why fear when I am here". Though I had read earlier about His sayings "Why fear when I am here" this is the first time He gave me an assurance that why to fear when he is there. May be to assure my military mind that He is always near me and not far away in Prasanthi Nilayam or in Brindavan. 

On many occasions on the War front in many areas, He has kept His word given to this ordinary military devotee like Lord Rama kept His word given to Sugriva and Vibhishana and like Lord Krishna kept His word given to Pandavas. Later in the snow covered areas He had been "with me, in me and around me" saving me from Helicopter Crash, snow avalanches and also from sniping during my visits to the front line of my Division. 

In service of the Master - Maj. Gen. Mahadevan with Sri Sathya Sai at Sundaram, Chennai

In April 1986, during my visit to Hyderabad as Chairman of Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, I had suffered a heart attack Bhagavan not only saved me from this heart attack but in July 1986 came all the way to my house in Madras unannounced just to bless this ordinary devotee and to save me from having a second heart attack I am fully convinced that nothing moves or happens in this wide world without His will. 

In December 1977, Bhagavan saved my youngest son, who is a Naval Officer, from a major scooter accident and in June 1985, He saved my second son who is a pilot in the Air Force from an air crash. You may ask how are we so sure that it Was He who saved them. On both the occasions, when my wife and I went with our sons to thank Bhagavan, before we could open our mouth, He narrated the entire event in the correct sequence confirming the actual time, dates and the place of the accident apart from how He saved them. After this can anyone doubt His Omnipresence? 

The biggest Sai miracle in my opinion is the transformation of persons who come in contact with Him. As a senior Army Officer I used to be haughty, high-browed and short-tempered. After coming nearer to His Lotus Feet I became humble and unassuming. I used to be hasty at times. Bhagavan used to remind me by saying "Haste is Waste, Haste is hurry, Hurry is worry, Worry is bad for health". As Chairman of Public Service Commission I wanted to resign on two occasions. Bhagavan advised me not to resign till I complete my full tenure of six years and added - 'You need not oblige all the time but you can always speak obligingly.' This advice made my job easier and made me also become popular. Since then I realized that by practicing one of the Sai teachings "speak softly and sweetly to everyone" we gain high respect and regard in the society. 

I would like to mention about the transformation of one Brigadier and one Colonel who used to drink like a fish, smoke like a chimney and eat anything except human flesh. The Brigadier was lucky to get Bhagavan's Darshan in January 1978 when Bhagavan visited my house to bless us. Bhagavan advised him to drink milk. When asked, the Brigadier informed Bhagavan that he was from Kashmir but posted in Madras. He prayed for a posting to Kashmir to sort out his family problems. Lo and behold, he received his posting orders within 48 hours to his home town of Baramulla. When he came to thank Bhagavan he was advised by Him to set a good personal example by doing selfless service. The other Officer, Colonel, who was also blessed, not only got the posting of his choice but also got promotion by Bhagavan's grace. They both have since become complete teetotalers, non-smokers and vegetarians doing Sai service in their respective places. 

Spreading the Message of His Master - Maj. Gen. Mahadevan speaking in the Divine Presence at Chennai

Many people ask me why so many foreigners come to Bhagavan. My answer to them is that most of the foreigners who come have enough money to buy all the material comforts but they come to Bhagavan for getting peace of mind, which they cannot buy with money. Like me, they also believe that Darshan (divine glimpse) of Baba removes all their problems and worries of the world, Sparshan (touch of His Louts Feet or a casual touch of His dress) removes all their illness and Sambashan (conversation with Him or listening to His discourse) energizes them with fresh zest and enthusiasm to face the world. Out of millions of people who come to Him, I have not seen any one going back unhappy or dissatisfied because they, in some way or other, imbibe His Divine vibrations which in turn remove or lessen their burden of life. His teachings also have universal appeal bringing out the unity in diversity of all religions of the world as depicted in the Sai Emblem. He practices what He preaches as per His saying "My life is my Message". He keeps on reminding us to love all believing in "Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of man." 

Sri Sathya Sai blessing an Arab visitor at Chennai

Many people may be wondering as to why Bhagavan spends bulk of His time for the students, with the students and about the students. His Divine design is to use the students as His media to carry forth His teachings to the world and to be shining examples to the society after going through the rigorous training in the human values of Truth Righteous Conduct, Peace, Love and Non-violence. Here is a new generation inspired by love and faith in Bhagavan schooled in academic excellence and spiritual discipline which is being transformed and equipped to provide moral leadership to the world. 

I have realized that Sai discipline, which is essentially spiritual in nature, is based on love unlike the military discipline based on fear of punishment. The sense of achievement and joy one gets in performing Sai work is much more than what one feels after a successful military operation as the latter entails casualty to human lives and damage to people and property. I always feel happy to recollect the various revelations I had of Bhagavan's Omnipresence, Omniscience and Omnipotence. In fact, I feel the constant need to recollect these to get over confusions, crisis and contradictions which cross my mind periodically. From experience I came to realize whatever Bhagavan says or does has an inner significance. By example, He teaches us never to expect or demand any material benefit for the services we render. 

Following the footsteps of His Master

Though I have been having ups and downs in my health, remembering Bhagavan's assurance ‘Why fear when I am near’ gives me courage, confidence, energy, and enthusiasm. I keep on doing spiritual, educational and social service as Sai worker in my State, unmindful of my age and failing health, because I am under the good care of the greatest healer on earth — Lord Sai. I firmly believe that Lord Sai is our breath, we survive because of Him. Lord Sai is our Charioteer and so we are safe, secure and successful. Lord Sai is a loving father and doting mother proving on many occasions. In His infinite mercy, He has been giving us motherly love and forgiving us our mistakes committed knowingly or unknowingly and at the same time guiding us and guarding us. May this living God who is also the loving God continue to bless us all to be worthy of His Grace. 

About The Author

Late Maj. Gen. (Retd.) S. P. Mahadevan retired from India's Armed Forces after a long distinguished service and was awarded AVSM for his outstanding services. After retirement he served as the Chairman of Tamil Nadu Public Services Commission. An ardent devotee, he served as the State President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Tamil Nadu, for several years. 

Source: Sai Vandana 1995

Sri Sathya Sai On: Why is Yajna important in Indian Culture?

You have been receiving these ten days highly nutritious spiritual food which has filled you with strength and vigour. I shall therefore talk to you about the ways in which this strength and vigour have to be utilised for the highest purposes of life. When you know the way; endeavour will become more effective. Wandering will be given up. Life becomes worthwhile. When the Queen Kaikeyi persuaded her husband to agree to her two requests - enthroning her son Bharata as the Crown Prince and sending the legitimate Rama into exile for fourteen years - Lakshmana, another brother of Rama and Bharata, did not acquiesce tamely. He argued that man must meet every little crisis with courage and self-reliance, and that he should not yield craven-like, to the machinations of intrigue. He boasted that his arrow can avert any crisis!

But the arrow is an inferior weapon, even a negligible weapon, when compared with the efficacy of Love. Rama heard him coolly and advised him to desist from that hasty karma (action); "Dharma (virtue) must guide Karma," He said. Then alone can it be praiseworthy and successful. Kaushalya, the mother of Rama, reconciled herself to the sudden turn of events; she blessed her son when He left as a hermit for the jungle, "May the Dharma which you represent guard you." That Dharma is expressed as Love, Love towards man, sub-man, super-man, animal, bird and beast.

Mother Kaushalya blessing Rama as leaves for the exile

Conducting Yajna is the most precious activity

The coconut tree thrives best on the sea coast; the tree of Brahma-Tattva grows best on the soil of Prema. The region of the heart has to be transformed into a region of compassion. Man's native characteristic is Prema; his nature is Prema, his breath is Prema. The fog of desire clouds Prema and distorts it. Like the dog which took its image in the canal as another dog and started to bark it off, man too barks at his own image (fellow-men) who are as much images of Brahman as he himself is. To separate the image from oneself is the basis of conscience. Fix your attention on the identity, not the difference. That is the road to peace.

Sri Sathya Sai offers sacred Akshatas in the Yajna

Investigate the Truth as far as your intellect leads you; you will come up against the principle of love. Sage Yajnavalkya was questioned by Janaka about the basis for all activity; he replied, "It is Light". When the Sun sets, the Moon sheds light; when there is no Sun or Moon, the ear is the guide; behind the ear is the mind, behind the mind is the Atma, which is a spark of the Supreme. The final offering in the sacrificial fire which you saw is called Poornahuti (the full offering). It is when the flames rise high that darkness is fully destroyed. Surrender all that you have - all that you have so far believed to be valuable - in the sacred fire. See them being reduced to ashes before your very eyes; look on it without a quiver, as Janaka saw, when Mithila was aflame. It is a call to dedicate all that you now assess as valuable and desirable to the Divine purpose. The Yajna (sacrificial fire) is a symbolic sacrifice, of both earthly riches and heavenly aspirations. This is the most precious activity - this dedication and surrender. People see only the outer ritual, not the inner meaning; so, they concentrate on the external pomp and exaggerate the exhibitionist aspect by means of competitive pageantry!

Good thoughts feed the roots of virtue and love

The Yajna is an occasion for the fixation of the mind on Mantra, that is to say, on the formula or sound symbol that saves (Tra) when it is meditated upon (manana). The poet is called Mantra Drashta (he who sees Mantras, through his mystic insight, the discoverer of the secret key to inner peace). The effect of the utterance and glorification of these sound-symbols of the Eternal Absolute is felt all over the world. So it produces Loka-Kalyaana (peace and prosperity all over the world). Good thoughts have a way of purifying and cleansing, of feeding the roots of virtue and love. To judge things dedicated to God, God alone is competent. I like Yajnas; I direct that Yajna be done. You have no authority to judge because you have no knowledge. You have no mastery of the science of Yajnas and of Mantras.

Sri Sathya Sai makes final offerings in the Yajna

All is Brahman; the Yajna Mantras delineate Him in various ways; they declare that all creation is Brahman; it is not something different and distinct. You should revere Nature as Brahman; Sarvam Brahma-mayam (all this Nature imbued with Brahman, is Brahman, is immanent Brahman). It is to cure the vision that perverts Nature as 'not- Brahman' that Yajna is ordained. You have to pour into the fire the limited vision and earn in exchange the larger vision. The Yajna is Sadhana (spiritual exercise) in sacrifice and surrender.

Overcome the tendency of inflicting poison

Transmuting humanity into divinity is the task allotted to man; his thought, word and deed are instruments for this unavoidable destiny. By unremitting practice, this has to be achieved. The priest in the temple has to ring the bell with the left hand and wave the camphor-flame with the right hand - an exercise in manual co-ordination which comes only as a result of practice. A new priest will wave both hands or shake the camphor plate! Vemana (a saint-poet from Andhra Pradesh) has said that while the serpent has poison in its fangs and the scorpion in its tail, man is capable of inflicting poison through his tongue, eye, hand and mind. He has to overcome this acquired tendency and remind himself that he is Amritasya Putra (the child of immortality) conferring sweet nectar, not death dealing poison.

By means of Sadhana, this consummation can be achieved. Believe that you are the imperishable pure Atma. Then, no gain or loss can affect you; no sense of humiliation or despair can torment you. Only men with weak foundations can dread these. The strong man casts them away without any regret. When the senses are dominant, equanimity is a dream. Be their master; you can be yourself undisturbed and free.

Source: Divine Discourse on October 2, 1968 at Prasanthi Nilayam on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami

Sri Sathya Sai On: Who is Saraswati?

Devi Saraswati at the Brindavan Campus

Mantra is not a mere collection of words. It is a compounded set of words pregnant with enormous significance. It emanates from the inner power of man. Filled with such power, the Mantra (sacred formula), when it is pronounced properly, brings out the Divine power in man. The vibrations produced by the utterance of the Mantra, uniting with the Cosmic Naada (primal sound) in the Universe, become one with the Universal Consciousness. It is these Cosmic vibrations which assumed the form of the Veda (sacred revelations of spiritual knowledge).

For all the Mantras, the primary Mantra, which enshrines the attributeless, Omniself, is the Omkara. The Omkara embodies in the form of sound the Supreme Brahman. For this sound, the presiding deity is Saraswati. In common parlance Saraswati is regarded as the consort of Brahma (Demi God of Creation). It is the union of Brahma and Saraswati that accounts for all the knowledge in the world. 

Sri Sathya Sai with
Saraswati idol at Prasanthi Nilayam

Who is Brahma and who is Saraswati? Saraswati is commonly worshipped as the Goddess of Speech and as the deity who has to be propitiated for acquiring knowledge. She is also described as Varade (the giver of boons) and as Kamaroopini (one capable of assuming any form). But Saraswati is not one who conforms to these descriptions. Saraswati is present in all beings as the Goddess of Speech.

Omkaara is the manifesting of Brahman as sound

The body is regarded as Brahma and the tongue is regarded as Saraswati and the vibrations emanating from the heart find expression in sound through the union of the body and the tongue. Although there are many letters and words, the fundamental Aksharam (letter), which has primacy of place, is the Omkara. "Om Ityekaaksharam Brahma (the single letter Om is Brahman Itself) 'says the Geeta. All other letters and words are linguistic creations. They do not possess the unique sacredness and divine character of 'Om'. The special significance of 'Om' is not generally recognised or understood.

The Mantra Shastra (ancient scripture related to sacred formulas) has laid .emphasis on the letter 'Om'. Omkara has no form. It is the manifestation of Brahman as sound. It is present in all creation. It is effulgent. It is in all speech. It is ever blissful. It is Paratparamayee (embodiment of the Supreme). It is Mayamayee (the repository of illusory power). It is Shreemayee (embodiment of prosperity). The Omkara is the only sound that has these 'eight divine attributes, according to the Mantra Shastra.

Only by elimination of ego can Brahman be realised

What is the difference between the Omkara and all other sounds and words? The Omkara has a unique, distinctive quality in the way it is pronounced and the goal it represents. When other letters are uttered, the lips, the tongue, the cheeks and the jaws are in action. But when the Omkara is 'pronounced, none of these move at all. This is a unique characteristic of Omkara. Hence 'Om' alone can be regarded as Aksharam (imperishable). All the other sounds are expressions of different languages.

The Omkara is the base for the Veda. To grasp the full significance of Omkara, which is all-pervasive, it is necessary to have the same kind of self-control which one has to exercise to bring the sensory organs under control. In reciting any Mantra the primacy to be accorded to OM should be recognised. The Mantra ends with the word Namah (as for example, in Om Keshavaya Namah: Prostrations to Keshava). In the Mantras Keshavaya Namah, Govindaya Namah, Narayanaya Namah, the significance of Namah which occurs at the end of each Mantra should be noted.

The worshipful attitude signified by the term Namah will be lost if the word Om is not used at the beginning of each Mantra. It is only when Om is said at the beginning and Namah at the end that the full purport of the Mantra will be brought out. The integral connection between Om and namah should be recognised. Namah represents Prakriti (objective world). In ordinary parlance Namah is understood to mean Namaskaram (salutation). But it has a wider meaning. It means Prakriti (the phenomenal world). OM connotes Purusha (Divinity). The purpose of the Mantra is to reveal the connection between Prakriti and Purusha. Based on the inner significance of this, the Mahavakya (great declaration) Tat Twam Asi (That Thou Art) has to be understood. Asi is the link between Tat and Twam. In Aham Brahma Asmi, Asmi provides the link. In the Mahavaakya 'Prajnanam Brahma', Asi does not figure. 

Only by elimination of ego can Brahman be realised

If in the Mantra 'Om Keshavaya Namah' the word Keshava is omitted, and Om Namah is uttered, the unity of Shiva-Shakti (Purusha and Prakriti) is established and the dualism implicit in the Mantra is removed. The Mantra states, "I am offering obeisance to Keshava," thereby positing two entities, besides the action of obeisance itself being a third element.

To eliminate this dualism, the Mantra Shastra laid down that if instead of Namah, Na Mama (not for my sake) is employed, the identity of the worshipper and the worshipped will be established. "Om Keshavaya, Na Mama" would mean "for Keshava, not for me." By this process, the ego is destroyed. And only by the elimination of the ego can the attributeless Brahman be realised.

Source: Divine Discourse on October 1, 1984 at Prasanthi Nilayam

Premabandham with the Divine Mother - By Sai Laxmikanth

I am very fortunate to have been chosen by my dear Sai Maa to enjoy His Divine proximity as His student and it is indeed my privilege to pen down some experiences with my Lord. When I was admitted in the Primary School on the very first day, I felt homesick and that night before sleeping, I started crying. I used to cry and then sleep. I used to miss my parents so much that I couldn’t stop it at all. In those days, whoever just joined the first standard would have around twenty days or a month off, which meant they were exempted from all routine. Four days after we joined the school, Swami had sent a message, asking how many students had just joined the Primary School, to which the headmistress replied, “Sixty boys and thirty girls”. Immediately that afternoon, Swami sent some chocolates for us and He also sent word that His children must always live happily. It was that incident, which made me realise who Swami really is. I have realised that He is so incomparable. This was how I took a step towards Him and He took a thousand steps towards me.

As the years passed by, I prayed for more opportunities to speak to the ever compassionate Lord. So the Lord again chose to speak to me. It was on the morning of the second day in the month of August when we had gone for Darshan; I prayed to Swami very sincerely to give me a chance to talk to Him. So He came gently and slowly reached me and gestured by His hand to walk to Him. I was so excited that I was completely out of words. Swami asked me, "Bangaru, Emi Tinnavu?" meaning - 'Dear one, what did you have for breakfast?' I replied, “Swami, I had five Idlis”. Swami was very happy with me and told me, “Good Boy”. He asked me another question, “Bangaru, are you happy here?” I replied, “Swami I am very, very happy”. Such was the love showered upon me when I just made a sincere prayer from the bottom of my heart.

Swami once summoned four doctors from each district in the state of Andhra Pradesh for a conference. My father was chosen as one of the doctors. My father told us, “If Swami is calling the entire family, then He will arrange everything for us so that we can safely reach His Divine abode”. I was then only four or five years old and since we did not have any ticket, we sat on the floor and fell asleep. At around 2.00 am, the ticket supervisor came to my father, woke him and asked him politely, “Sir, there are three to four vacant seats in the compartment and would you mind occupying those seats?” My father literally was in tears. My father could not express his gratitude to that ticket collector. He could not find that person even after a frantic search. After this, it did not take much time for my father to realise that it was none other than Bhagavan Baba Himself who came there. 

It was the Navaratri festival time and devotees thronged the Ashram. So my father prayed to Swami, “Swami, I have complete faith in You that You will give us a room in the Ashram, because it was You who summoned us to You”. Saying this He went to the accommodation office. The person-in-charge greeted my father with a ‘Sai Ram’ and said, “Sir you are the most fortunate person to get the last bunch of room keys present in this room for accommodation purposes”. My father was overjoyed with these events and he did not know how to express the gratitude to Swami. We went to our room inside the Ashram, got ready and went to Sai Kulwant Hall. Not even five minutes were over when Swami had summoned all the chosen doctors to come for an interview session with Him. So, my father, mother and I went inside the Interview Room. Swami started talking on some topic, which was too high for me to understand. Swami had finished His discourse and then started interacting with each doctor. When my father’s turn came, Swami asked something, to which he gave a reply. Suddenly, I interrupted and with my innocence and love and with my hand stretched out towards Him, I asked, “Swami, Mee School Lo Seat Ivvara?”(Swami, could You bless me with a seat in Your school?) Swami replied, “Tappakunda Bangaru”; meaning ‘Surely, My child’. It is purely because of His Grace that I am here today.

In my second standard during the Navaratri festival time, I was indeed very lucky to have been a part of the Vedam Group of Primary School. The Vedam teacher and the Headmistress tied the costumes and sent us to Mandir. Swami came gliding gently and sat on the dais. After some time, Swami asked the people who were chanting the Vedam to stop and told us to continue the Vedam chanting. The Mother was indeed very proud of Her children who were glorifying Her with their devotion. After we finished chanting, Swami called each boy and gave him a tiger biscuit packet and jovially told us, “If you eat this biscuit, you will become tigers”. I was one among them. Every word uttered by Swami has many dimensions of interpretation. By consuming the biscuit of Sai’s love, the energy derived there from should be used to kill the evil that exists in us. Every word, gesture and action of Swami speaks volumes about Him. It is important that we understand it in the manner He wants us to understand so that we can become closer and closer to Him.

- Sai Laxmikanth

Alumnus, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School

Prasanthi Nilayam

Source: Sai Nandana 2015 (90th Birthday Offering)

Memorable Moments with Sri Sathya Sai at the Chitravati Riverbed

Friday, October 16, 1959

A few days after the Vijaya Dasami on this day, Bhagavan took all His devotees to Chitravati river bed. Dr. Bhagavantam talked about the influence of Bhagavad Gita on science. Baba suddenly materialised from the sands, a copy of the Bhagavad Gita which He handed over to the famous scientist.

Sri Sathya Sai with devotees at Chitravati Riverbed

Later, Baba took the badge which Sri Kota Reddy pinned on his shirt. There was a photo on this badge. Baba held the badge in his hand and explained that the photo was of Kusuma-Harnath, the couple, who had started the Namasankirtan Movement in North India. 

He was considered as an incarnation of Gowranga. Baba then suddenly materialised from the sands, a charming idol of the couple and an exact proto-type of the figures on the badge. On the forehead of Kusuma, could be seen a fresh kumkum dot! Baba gave the idol to Sri Kota Reddy for worship at his own home.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1926-1985)

Sri Sathya Sai On: Shirdi Sai Baba (Last Days and Miracles after Mahasamadhi)

Baba had told His close devotee, Kakaji, in the year 1916, that Dada would be shedding his mortal coil in 1918. Kakaji thought that Baba was mentioning only about Dada Sahib, another devotee, and never thought the reference was to Baba Himself.

On September 28, 1918, Baba developed high temperature. Two days earlier He had collected food by seeking alms in some houses. He took that food and at noon, He expressed His wish to His devotees that He should be taken from the Choultry to Bootywada. He hoped to have a quiet time there. In that ward, a Muralidhar temple had been built by a devotee by name Booty. He wanted Baba to install the idol of Krishna in the temple. But Baba was putting off the installation on one pretext or other. Booty did not want to install the idol without the blessings of Baba. Until His end Baba did not say anything about installation of the idol. He directed Booty and Kakaji to go and take their lunch. Feeling that Baba was better, they went out. Baba had nine rupee coins under His pillow. He took them out and gave them to Lakshmi Bai. Then Baba summoned Shyam to come near Him. Shyam sat close to Baba. Baba reclined on Shyam’s shoulders and passed away.

- “How Devotees are Tested and found wanting”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 25, October 06, 1992, Prasanthi Nilayam

It was the year 1918. Pradhan’s wife, who was living in her native village, had a dream in which Baba appeared to have passed away. Pradhan was in Shirdi. On waking up, Pradhan’s wife started crying over the passing of Baba in her dream. At that moment she heard a voice in the house declaring: “Don’t say that Baba has died. Say that Baba is in a state of Samadhi”. Samadhi means equal-mindedness. “Life and death are alike. Joy and sorrow, profit and loss are the same. Hence, there is no such thing as death for Baba” – this was what the voice declared. 

When she was trying to find out where from this voice came, she received a message from her husband conveying the news of the passing of Baba. That occurred on Vijaya Dashami day (in 1918). September 28, 1835 was His date of birth. On Vijaya Dashami day, He gave up His body. 

- “Revelations about the Sai Avatar”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 23, September 28, 1990, Prasanthi Nilayam

Mataji Krishna Priya came to know that Baba had left His mortal coil at 2:30 p.m. on Vijayadasami day in 1918. She came to know of this and felt very sad the whole day. The next day she closed all the doors and windows in her house because of the severe cold in Shimla. While she was resting in the house, a tall and well-built monk arrived at the next door and enquired about Mataji’s house. He made enquiry not because He did not know where Mataji lived, but only to make others know that He was physically present in Shimla. The neighbour sent a servant with an umbrella as it was snowing, to show the stranger Mataji’s house. He knocked at the door. Mataji opened the door and could not believe the evidence of her eyes. She wondered how Baba, who had passed away the previous day, could come to Shimla. She asked: “How did You manage to come so soon? It takes at least three days to come from Shirdi to Shimla”. Baba said, “Beti (dear daughter), I am everywhere. You have worshipped Me in the form of Krishna. Is this all that you know about Me? I am feeling the cold. First get Me hot tea”. She prepared tea and offered it to Baba. After taking the tea, Baba said that He was hungry after His long journey. Krishna Priya brought Him chapatis and brinjal curry which Baba used to like very much. After taking the food Baba washed His hands and wiped them in a towel. He then told her: “The purpose for which I came is over and I am going away”.

In those days nobody dared to exchange words with Baba. If anybody opposed or said anything to the contrary, Baba would wield the stick against them. He never brooked any contradiction. Hence Krishna Priya could not tell Him anything. He gave her a jasmine garland. Krishna Priya watched Him as He went out walking through the bazaar. In Shimla, on the roadside, there are usually deep valleys. As Baba was walking along, some workmen were engaged in some road work. Noticing that Baba had fallen down from the road, they ran to rescue Him. But they could find nobody there. Baba had just disappeared.

Before taking leave of Krishna Priya, Baba whispered in her ears: “See me in 1926”. She did not know where to see Him, how to see Him. When I went to Shimla about fifteen years ago Krishna Priya came to see Me. She was shivering on account of age and the cold weather. She asked: “Baba, have You forgotten the promise that You made to Me long ago?” I told her: “It is you who have forgotten, not I. I never forget what I promised”.

These are some of the aspects of the Shirdi manifestation. When Shirdi Sai sought to impart wisdom, it was not through discourses. Everything was taught by stern methods. It was because of the conditions prevailing in those days.

On September 28, 1918, Baba developed fever. For 17 days thereafter He was quite well. On October 15, Baba was not to be found anywhere. Nana, Kaka, Das and Lakshman Rao made a search for Him all over the place. There was a small well nearby and they went to see whether He had fallen there. When they returned to Baba’s abode, they found Him standing near the door. Baba told them: “Where are you searching for Me? I am in one place and you search for Me elsewhere. I am in all pure hearts. You are searching for Me in all polluted places. How can you find Me?” He then sat down.

Shirdi Sai Baba with devotees in Dwarkamayi Mandir

Baba left His body only on October 15. He developed high temperature on September 28. He was keeping well for the next 17 days. After Baba left His body, several controversies arose. Mohammedans came there and claimed that the body belonged to them. The Hindus claimed that the body belonged to them. Baba used to declare from time to time, “Allah Malik! Allah Malik”. On account of this, Mohammedans claimed that Baba was a Muslim. At other times, Baba used to say: “Rama Malik! Krishna Malik!” For this reason the Hindus claimed he was a Hindu. Because of these rival claims, the body was kept for 36 hours as no decision could be arrived at regarding the manner of disposal, of the body.

To prevent clashes between the Hindus and the Muslims, the Collector, the Police Superintendent and other officials arrived there. They asked all the residents of Shirdi to assemble there. They decided to take the vote of the people to find out how the majority of the local population wanted the last rites to be done for Baba. Everybody favoured the Hindu way of disposal of the body. When this decision was arrived at, a pit was being dug in the Booty Mandir. Some persons opposed the digging. The dispute went on and ultimately the Collector and the Police arranged for the Samadhi to be consecrated in the Muralidhar temple. That temple is the present Samadhi Shrine of Baba.

At this time a remarkable incident occurred in Shimla. The garland given to Mataji Krishna Priya was placed on the idol of Krishna by her in the presence of all in her residence. Many wondered why she was garlanding the Krishna idol when she was a devotee of Sai Baba and there was a picture of Baba there. Bhajans were going on at that time. The garland placed on the Krishna figure dropped on the picture of Baba. The garland placed on the picture moved to the figure of Krishna. Everyone in Shimla rejoiced in the discovery that Krishna and Sai Baba were one.

When all the people came there the next morning, they found that the garland given by Baba was no longer on the figure of Krishna. That garland was found on the Samadhi of Baba in the Booty Mandir.

The first Samadhi Mandir at Bootywada - The frame existed before the statue was installed

Why did Baba manifest such miracles? In those days there were bitter differences between Hindus and Muslims. With a view to ending such communal differences, Baba wanted to show, through His miracles, the truth that Baba is the Supreme master of all beings. He has no differences of caste or community. His religion is common to people of all faiths. It is good for everyone. It is observed by all Godly persons. This is the creed for all mankind.

- “How Devotees are Tested and found wanting”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 25, October 06, 1992, Prasanthi Nilayam

Source: Sai Vani: Avatar on Avatar Purushas