The Invisible Hand of Sri Sathya Sai - By M. Rama Mohana Rao

Sri Rama Mohana Rao with Sri Sathya Sai at Kodaikanal - 1980s

The invisible hand having writ, writes on… “Divinity shapes our ends, rough hew…” said Shakespeare. The invisible and compassionate hand of God presides over our life and directs our destiny. This is the invaluable lesson that I have learnt in my life. Little did I know when I passed out of the portals of Andhra University as a student of M.A. (English Literature) in the year 1970 that the invisible and compassionate hand of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba was directing my life and deciding my destiny. Like many of my classmates I was also on the lookout for a job. A dear friend of mine who was living in the state of Odisha wrote to me that there was a vacancy for a lecturer’s post in Dina Krishna College, Jaleswar, in the district of Balasore, Odisha. I booked my tickets and started my journey in quest of a career. 

I reached the sleepy town of Jaleswar, met the Principal and enquired about the vacancy in his College. He was pleasantly surprised at my meeting him and said to me, “Do you know the importance and significance of this day?” It was 23rd November, 1970. It sounded like any other day to me and I did not know in the least about the significance of the day. When I replied in the negative about the significance of the day, he kindly said to me, “Today, 23rd November is the birthday of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the living God on Earth. Being a person from Andhra Pradesh, don’t you know the glory and grandeur of Bhagavan? Don’t you know that He is God walking on Earth?” When I confessed my ignorance about Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, he remarked, “I feel that Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is instrumental in bringing you here to begin your career on this most auspicious day! You are very fortunate”.

Little did I know, 45 years ago, that I had made a tryst with destiny on that day. Having been a teacher for the last 45 years, I am one with Shakespeare who said, “Divinity shapes our ends…” This Divinity is none but Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba who orchestrated my life, pressing the right notes at the right time and producing melodies eternally new. Little did I know at that time that I would have my tryst with God in the form of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, nine years later, when I saw God face-to-face for the first time on 12th July, 1976. On that momentous day of my life, I prayed to Him from the bottom of my being, to be the Director of my life and shape my destiny. Bhagavan, in His infinite compassion, heard the prayer of my heart and gave a new dimension to life, a new meaning and purpose. Bhagavan in fact indirectly entered into my life towards the end of the year 1975 when He blessed me with an opportunity to experience the miracle of transformation wrought in a colleague of mine who was a lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Science College of Chatrapur, Odisha. He was a happy-go-lucky young man, ambitious about his career, but a chain smoker. He smelt of cigarettes and he would smoke the cigarettes to glory at all times except when he was in the classroom.

Rama Mohana Rao with Sri Sathya Sai - 1970s

I witnessed an amazing spectacle when the school reopened after the winter vacation. I found my friend sitting serenely in the staff room sans smoking! His demeanour struck me. I asked him out of curiosity what had happened to him. He looked at me sternly and declared, “I have seen God. I have seen Him walking, talking, caring, nursing, nourishing and divinizing humanity, for He is the embodiment of Divinity! Come to my room in the evening if you want to know more about Him”. When I went to him that evening to hear the tale of his transformation, I saw a different person altogether. Previously when I had gone to his room, the entire room was littered with cigarette butts, reeking with the foul stench of cigarettes. But I saw a different scene altogether. The entire place was spic and span, breathing heavenly aroma. I saw a new Avatar of my friend, clad in holy silk dhoti and performing Pooja to the photo of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. I said to myself, “Oh God, He must be really a God to bring out such an incredible transformation in my friend!” My friend spoke to me at length about the Divinity of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Bhagavan chose him as an instrument to bring transformation in me.

I wanted to apply for the post of a lecturer at a College in Hyderabad after seeing an advertisement in a newspaper. When I told my friend that I was going to Hyderabad to appear for the interview, he said to me gently, “Puttaparthi is not far from Hyderabad. Why don’t you go to Prasanthi Nilayam and see God face-to-face”. I replied to him that I would consider going to Puttaparthi as I was not sufficiently convinced about the Divinity of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. On reaching Hyderabad, I hired a Tonga to take me to a hotel. Suddenly a thought flashed in my mind. I decided to throw a challenge to Sai Baba. I said to Him mentally, “Oh Sai Baba, I throw a challenge to you. If You really are Divine, make my childhood friend, whose whereabouts in Hyderabad I did not know, appear on the road and meet me. If you accept this challenge of mine, I am yours forever”. Wonder of wonders! The incredible happened! I saw my friend riding on his scooter, right ahead of me on the road! He shouted at the Tongawala to stop his Tonga and hugged me. When I told him that I was going to a hotel for accommodation, he invited me to stay with him at his house in Hyderabad. I stood thrilled at the way the things turned, demonstrating in unmistakable terms the Divinity of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. I said to myself, “Oh God, this Sai Baba is really God! He picked up a passing thought of mine and proved His Divinity instantaneously”.

Sri Rama Mohana Rao translating the Divine Discourse into English at the Poornachandra Auditorium - 1990s

I decided to go to Prasanthi Nilayam to meet God face-to-face. I boarded a bus when it was already leaving the bus stand and reached Anantapur at night. I spent that night in a hotel, travelled by a bus in the morning and reached Prasanthi Nilayam at 10.30 am in the morning on 12th July, 1976.

The moving hand having writ, writes on… When I reached the Ganesh gate, a young man took my luggage and led me to Ganesh shed. When I wanted to pay him, he exclaimed, “What sir! I am a Seva Dal. Do not insult me by paying for my little service”. This was another shock which I received in Prasanthi Nilayam. It was my experience to be robbed of my money mercilessly by the coolies whichever pilgrim centre I visited. Another pleasant wonder was that wherever I moved, the exotic fragrance of Vibhuti haunted me! In the canteen and outside the canteen, on the road and outside the road, in the shed and outside the shed, I felt the powerful fragrance of Vibhuti!

When it was time for Darshan, I rushed along with others to find a place on the sands surrounding the Mandir. While I was waiting for Bhagavan’s Darshan, a Bengali gentleman who was sitting with his son related to me the wonderful cure that Bhagavan had affected on his son. He told me with tears trickling down his eyes, how a year ago he had come to Prasanthi Nilayam along with his dying son. He had mortgaged his wife’s ornaments and came to Prasanthi Nilayam. Baba did not even bother to look at him and his son, let alone curing his son! The teeming crowds that swelled day-by-day at Shivaratri time added to his displeasure. He lost patience and decided to go back to Bengal. He dragged his son and wife to the bus stand to board the bus to reach Dharmavaram railway station and go back to Calcutta.

When he stood at the Puttaparthi Bus Stand for the bus, a Seva Dal announced loudly, “Bengali babu! Bengali babu! Sai Baba is calling you for an interview!” Truth sounds stranger than fiction. When the Bengali Babu rushed to the Mandir and entered the Interview Room along with his son and wife, Bhagavan created Vibhuti and rubbed it on the ailing body which was festering with boils. Bhagavan assured him that his son would be cured during the journey to Calcutta and added, “Devotees should have patience”. When the Bengali Babu said that he came to Prasanthi Nilayam to express his gratitude for curing his son, I was in for another shock. He showed me with moistened eyes his son who was sitting by him, hale and healthy. I could not believe my eyes. I said to myself, “Oh God, this Sai Baba must verily be God!” 

Sathya Sai Darshan at Prasanthi Nilayam

Then a hush fell and everyone became alert. I saw Sai Baba walking softly on the sands. I remembered Jesus of Nazareth ministering to the deaf and dumb, the lame and the blind. I recalled Jesus who was born in Bethlehem carrying out His mission. Then I saw Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba walking towards me and I saw God face-to-face. I made my tryst with God!

- M. Rama Mohana Rao

Faculty Member (1979-2016), Department of English 

Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School

Prasanthi Nilayam

Source: Sai Nandana 2015 (90th Birthday Offering)

Sri Sathya Sai Message on Duty, Discipline and Devotion

Sri Sathya Sai in the Campus Auditorium

Bhagavan addressed the staff and the students of Prashanti Nilayam Campus at the Institute Auditorium at Prashanti Nilayam on 9th February 1984. Prof. V.K. Gokak gave the welcome speech. Bhagavan, in His Discourse, deplored the indifference of present day students to ethical ideals and their obligations to society. He stressed the need for discipline among devotees and students, and said that devotion without discipline had no meaning. He gave a vivid account of His recent tour of Tamil Nadu and commended the excellent work that was being carried out in the villages by the Sai Organisation of Tamil Nadu. He said:

“The world attracts man in innumerable ways. Either in speculation or in exploration, man cannot go beyond the Universe. Whatever knowledge he acquires, however much he develops his powers of understanding, his knowledge is confined to things of this world and does not go beyond it. He can know about the objects in creation, but cannot understand the Supreme Principle that is at the base of all creation.

Physics is concerned with the physical properties of material objects. Chemistry teaches the composition and qualities of created things. Botany deals with plants and trees found in nature. Zoology is concerned with the study of living beings, till that man learns about these things relates to the natural sciences. It is not knowledge relating to the Supreme. Man, who is immersed in the temporary pleasure derived from his knowledge about the Panch Bhootas (five basic elements) that constitute the physical Universe, does not know what is his own future, what is in store for him the next moment. He behaves like a mouse which is attracted to the onion in a mouse-trap. Caught up in the knowledge and skills he has acquired and satisfied with the benefits from them, man does not try to find out the truth about his future and his real destiny.

Man lacking gratitude forfeits the Grace of God

The teacher should serve as the signpost for the community. The student determines the future of the nation. Together, they help to promote the greatness and welfare of the nation. Both teachers and students should realise that their welfare is bound up with the well-being of society as a whole. Individuals are prepared to engage themselves in various activities for the sake of their own personal comfort and for the acquisition of wealth and position and for ensuring the good of their kith and kin. But few of them are prepared to make any efforts or sacrifice for the general good of society. It is not realised that all the pleasures and comforts enjoyed by one are really derived from society and are not solely got from one's own means. Man does not show any gratitude to the society which has enabled him to enjoy his wealth, position and power. A man lacking gratitude is worse than an animal. He forfeits the grace of God.

To secure the grace of God one must adhere to right conduct and observe purity in thought, word and deed. Kindness and compassion are the hall-mark of a true human being. Young men of to-day are ready to listen to a thousand lies, but do not have the patience to pay heed to a single truth. One honest man who speaks with love is better than a hundred flatterers.

Young people do not realise the value of health and strength they enjoy during their years of youth. They should learn to lead purposeful, unselfish lives even while they have the benefits of youth and health, instead of dissipating all their energies and talents in the pursuit of sensuous objects and evil desires. An evil-minded person in a village is more harmful to the community than even a polluted pond.

Young persons take great pains to acquire degrees for securing good jobs. But they hardly take any trouble to develop their character and personality. Good conduct and character are the most essential requisites for a man. They are the basis for the spiritual life. If the spiritual aspect is neglected, man becomes an artificial, mechanical being with no genuine human quality in him. Young people today do not understand what is meant by spirituality. It is the knowledge of Divinity, which is 'the core of man's true nature. Spirituality reveals the basic principle that is immanent in everything and sustains the entire Cosmos.

Vijnana without Viveka will destroy millions

Young people today lack a broad-minded Universal outlook which will enable them to lead exemplary lives. They are too much self-centred and, like frogs in a well, are preoccupied only with their narrow selfish interests. It is essential that they should broaden their vision and develop large-heartedness.

The uneducated persons in the world may not appear to be great patriots, but they do not do any harm to their country. The world is being destroyed by the highly educated who claim to be patriots. For example, there are great scientists in the United States of America and in the Soviet Union. Out of narrow considerations of national interest, they are busy producing monstrous bombs which will destroy millions. They do not realise that their country is only a part of this world. They are in perpetual dread of the destructive power of the weapons they have created. What is the reason for all this? It is the fact that while Vijnana (science) has progressed, there has been no growth of Viveka (wisdom) at all. It is only when wisdom and science march together that the true character of science will be realised.

A loving heart is the only means to Divine Grace

Who is entitled to wield authority? Is it the person who has high educational qualifications and feels puffed up by his knowledge? No. Or is it the person who claims that he has all material resources and can use them as he likes? No. No one who is filled with pride and conceit is fit to wield power. It is only the person who is imbued with humility and appears to be not very knowledgeable that is fittest to wield authority. Hanuman is an example of such a person. Although he was endowed with enormous prowess, he appeared as a simple person. This humility enabled him to leap over the ocean. Socrates, who was hailed as the wisest man among; the Greeks, always professed that he knew nothing.

The knowledge that is paraded is like a seed ostentatiously planted on a rock for all to see. It will not sprout and yield fruit. It is only the seed that is planted in the soil will grow into a tree and bear fruit. The scholar who is humble and respectful towards everyone is the truly great man. One who lacks these qualities, however knowledgeable he may be, is only an incarnation of egoistic pride. The truly educated person should not have the slightest trace of ego. You may achieve great distinction in sports or in your examinations or in any particular field of study. But if you develop pride or arrogance as a result, it will bring; about your downfall.

You must realise that the grace of the Divine cannot be got by sweet talk or staging songs. When your hearts are pure, the Divine will dwell in them. The Divine is not pleased by showy offerings or expensive paraphernalia. A loving heart is the only means to Divine Grace. 'All the study of scriptures will be of no avail for realising the Divine.

Five types of duties laid down for man

Five types of Dharma (duties) have been laid down for man. 

One is Kula Dharma (duties relating to his occupational group). 

The second is Desha Dharma (duty to the nation). 

The third is Mata Dharma (duties pertaining to his religion). 

The fourth is Gana Dharma (duties relating to society). 

The fifth is Aapat Dharma (the duty when he faces danger). 

All these five types of duties are related to one's life in the phenomenal world and are not concerned with the Supreme Reality. All these duties have penalties for their violation. Without these penalties organised life is impossible. Such punishments should not be regarded as unwarranted impositions. On the contrary, they should be considered as essential corrective measures conducive to one's good. Only the person who has been subject to such restraints can achieve anything great in life. Discipline is like the reins which regulate the movements of a horse. It is like the goad that controls the elephant. Without discipline and the punishment that may be inflicted if it is violated--man will not be able to correct his mistakes.

Seeing the change that the Sai devotees in Tamil Nadu are effecting in the lives of people around them, while transforming their own lives by their Sadhana, devotees elsewhere should ask themselves whether they are doing all they can to elevate their own lives and contribute to the improvement of others. Many have been coming to Bhagavan for many years. They must examine in what way they have improved their character and conduct. How far have they shed their undesirable qualities? What good habits have they cultivated? How far are they living up to the teachings of Bhagavan? How far do they adhere to the disciplines of the Ashram? These disciplines are intended for the benefit of the devotees themselves. Devotees coming from abroad have been strictly carrying out the instructions given to them.

Life must be lived for a purpose, an ideal

I expected that at least the students would observe strict discipline and set an example to others. It was unfortunate that this was not always the case. The students were a small number and it should be easy to develop unity among them and real fellow-feeling. How can they hope to serve the country well if they have not learnt to cooperate with each other while at College?

Students! 

Education should serve to teach you two things: What is life and how you should live. Life is not mere existence. It must be lived for a purpose, an ideal. A life without ideals is utterly worthless. Only character and humility can lend meaning to life. Students should strive to develop these qualities. Earning of money cannot be the sole purpose of education. If money was all that mattered, it could be got by other means than education by begging or stealing. Education should help one to acquire good qualities.

The Sai educational institutions have been established not to enable students to earn a living but to make them acquire good traits and lead ideal lives. I wish that henceforth you should concentrate not only on your studies but also on the development of your character so that you may serve as an example to others and promote Sai ideals everywhere by your actions.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1926-1985)

Sri Sathya Sai on: Lessons Abraham Lincoln learnt from his Mother

The light of spirituality which is beyond comprehension and description lies within. The Americans, the British, the Japanese, Germans consider their achievement due to individuals. All the achievements are due to the tender-hearted, sacred-minded youth, youngsters and students.

16th President of USA - Abraham Lincoln 
(1809 - 1865)

What was the qualification of Churchill? He was the Chief of the Army. He went on encouraging everybody. Such people who encourage others to proceed in the right direction are responsible for the advancement of the strength of the nation. The topmost dignitary, the American President; what was his qualification? While he was young, his mother had taken care of him. Because of poverty, she had to maintain the family working as tailor stitching worn out clothes. That son became the President of America. His name was Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln while sitting on the lap of his mother went on feeling sad, sharing with his mother, the thought that he was disrespected and put to shame by his classmates. The other classmates were wearing prestigious dresses. And Lincoln could not afford the costly dresses. As he was wearing old, dirty dresses he was not accepted by his classmates and they maintained their distance from him. Though people had isolated him, because he enjoyed the benediction and blessings of his mother, he could reach great heights in life. It was his mother who said to him that poverty, though cheap in the sight of the public, will finally one day help him gain respect. Always speak the truth unmindful of your financial position. And because of her advice Lincoln became very famous in later times. Lincoln clearly declared, “You may disrespect me, but the truth cannot be disrespected. The truth will be triumphant. I proceed on the path of truth and my mother is my ideal”. Infact those people with the blessings of their mothers, happen to be leaders of different countries. Infact such good and noble mothers are present in this land of Bharat. But today we do not find such people who encourage their children inspite of their conditions. However in the recent times, we do have some noble mothers. The parents because of their love for their son sacrifice everything. This is ultimately responsible for the esteem and prestige earned by their son. Infact Lincoln used to proceed to school, after rendering salutations to his parents. While all other friends used to proceed in groups, he used to walk all alone. It is humility that makes you deserving and affluent and eventually helps you attain Divinity. Therefore humility is most important. We should always respect and revere our parents and consider this education as their gift. It is for that reason that since ancient times people have been speaking very highly of parents. The scriptures declare Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava, Atithi Devo Bhava (Mother is God, Father is God, Teacher is God, Guest is God) and Truth is God; follow the path of righteousness. There are many people who have attained and achieved these values.

Respect Your Parents 

Students! Your parents are responsible for all the education you are receiving here. They undergo so many sufferings to educate you. They pay your fees. At times for this they may even have to fast. But in our University there are no fees, whatsoever. Everything is available to you totally free of charge. Sports is free. There are no examination fees. We do not collect even a single naya paisa. Therefore it is important on your part to bring a good name. You should emulate the example of Lincoln. You should be as great as that person. That is true education. Your education begins with respecting your parents. We should foster the patriotic spirit and uphold national values. To maintain the prestige of the family, we should revere our parents. You can be a true student only if you are humble, only if you are obedient, only if you respect your parents. You should not be artificial; you should not simply do these things to win the praise and acclaim of the people around.

Students! What you need is humility. Students with humility and obedience will progress in their career. Such students are needed today. We have good lot of such of students here. They did not have a scope to express these values earlier. I have now willed to give them a number of chances in the future, so as to manifest all the values latent in them.  You should demonstrate to everybody that humility and obedience are of prime importance.

Source: Humility: The Essence of Education, My Dear Students, Volume 2, Discourse on February 24, 2005 at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Auditorium

Sri Sathya Sai Addresses Anantapur Campus Alumni Association

Sri Sathya Sai at the entrance of the College with Principal Prof. Hemalatha

Bhagavan inaugurated at Anantapur the Alumni Association of the Anantapur Campus, ‘Kingdom of Mother Sai’, on 5th February 1981. Bhagavan in His Discourse said that the former students of this College should by their example and actions, inspire and instruct others to lead pious and purposeful lives. He said:

"Embodiments of the Divine Atma, Teachers and Students, 

Sri Sathya Sai at the Anantapur Campus Auditorium with Prof. V.K. Gokak

Man has achieved immeasurable progress in science and technology. But, in the field of morals, he is still unable to rid himself of narrow cynicism, limited outlook, and the demonic hold of selfishness, pride, envy and other evil traits. When we examine the basic cause for this state of affairs, we discover that it is the consequence of egoism that has struck deep roots in the heart of man. It has reduced man to the status of a puppet. It pollutes his thoughts, words and deeds. It directs him to gather and hoard material riches. It does not allow the Atma to shine forth. When the veil of egoism is set aside, the Atmic Essence, and with it Ananda and Jnana, will be revealed.

Time is invaluable; do not waste even half a minute. The hours that have passed cannot return; the wheel of time will not halt for any person. So, examine your thoughts, words and deeds and find out whether spending precious time on them is worthwhile or not. Death is always waving its sharp sword over the head but, unmindful of this imminent and inescapable fate, many are lost in plans to build rich, prosperous and luxurious lives for themselves. They live in hope and dreams of better days. The Fire of Wisdom alone is capable of reducing these plans and hope

into ash.

Education must broaden the vision

You are striving to gain education in this College in order to earn your livelihood. But, it is very hard to earn riches, to use them rightly and to keep them safe. When riches accumulate, pomp and pride become more insidious. As a result, one's character is lowered. Vemana says that when one loses wealth, his bad qualities also become too weak to hurt him and others. When the calf grows in age, the horns become longer and sturdier; so too when pride grows, the horns of greed and envy become stronger and sturdier. Education today does not feed the roots of law, justice and morality, three fields which ought to receive special attention. Can a system concerned with food for the stomach, train pupils to meet the challenges of life which require a strong self-reliant character? No. It can only smother even the inborn virtues of love and truth.

Education must instill the fundamental human values; it must broaden the vision to include the entire world and all mankind. When earning money is held as the goal, the system fosters falsehood and injustice, it restricts the vision to family and community, and brings in its train, anxiety, sorrow and hatred. Education must equip man to live happily, without making others unhappy, to evaluate things, pleasure and possessions correctly and without prejudice, and to fix one's attention ever on the highest and the most precious achievement of all, the Atmic victory.

The spiritual stream must flow in the heart as the source and spring of all endeavour. Women are the makers of the home, the nation and the world. You are the mothers who shape the generations. So you must enshrine in your hearts the spiritual urge towards Light and Love, Wisdom and Bliss.

Mind works havoc when left alone

The human body is spoken of as a temple where the individual Jeeva is installed. I would prefer to describe it as a house taken on rent by you. God is the master, the owner. The Jeevi (tenant) has taken it on rent and is occupying it. The rent has to be paid in the form of good deeds, good thoughts, good speech and good conduct. But, the tenant ignores the owner and does not pay the rent. So, the Master has to compel the man to vacate. He sends 'notices' reminding him of the need to vacate, unless he pays the rent. "Grey hairs are the first intimation; the tenant dyes his hair and pays no heed to the warning," The teeth fall out; that is the second warning. The tenant gets a denture fixed and ignores this reminder too. Cataract in the eye is the next warning of the need to leave the house; an operation helps him to pass it by. Glasses restore his sight. The skin becomes loose, wrinkled. This warning too is unheeded; the man hides the signal with the help of cosmetics. So, the owner has to send his emissaries - a few fatal illnesses - and force him to clear out of the house.

Why stick on, for years, like crows? Far better to live happily like a royal swan, albeit for a short span. Live ideal lives through controlled minds. The mind is like a sheet of paper; once rolled in one way, it will always roll along that direction only. You will have to roll it in the opposite direction in order to flatten it. It is now rolled outwards. So, roll it inwards to normalise its ways. Left alone, the mind works havoc. Witness the communal and caste conflicts, the fight between regions and religions; the discontent and disruption in campuses. The primitive fears and desires of man have not yet been overcome; they persist in various forms and explode, when opportunities arise.

There are four Houses - the House of God, the House of Education, the House of Food and the House of Medicine. In each of these, you must seek only that for which it is dedicated. Of course, in the hotel you ask for food and in the hospital, you ask for medicine. But, in the House of Education, you do not seek education. You carry into the process of education other needs, wants and cravings. There is no concentrated craving for what good education can do for you. In the temple too, the same is the case. You enter it for one purpose and you pursue other purposes. In the temple, you do not seek to become aware of God. In the college or school, the process of self-education is disturbed and delayed, by extraneous activities.

Use spare time in holy activities

The old students of the Bangalore Sathya Sai College have formed the "Kingdom of Sathya Sai" and they have decided upon projects of social service. Here, too, you have formed the "Kingdom of Mother Sai" and you are praying to be allowed to take up service to the community. Of course, girls cannot venture as freely as boys into this field; still, they too can successfully translate their precepts into practice. Use your spare time in holy activities. If you cultivate faith in compassionate service, it will be of immense value for the uplift of society. Old students of the College can by the example of their lives inspire and instruct others to lead pious, purposeful lives. 

Sri Sathya Sai on the Jhula in the Quadrangle of the Anantapur Campus Building with staff and students

Prices of articles have risen sky-high today, mostly because the desires of man have increased wildly. Limit desires, decrease the demand and the prices will have to come down. Develop Vairagya as Vedanta instructs. Vairagya means 'renunciation' - not renouncing property and family ties, but renouncing the hold that the mind, and the desire it breeds, have on you. Burn all traces of envy, pride and greed. Fill your hearts with selfless Love. Be examples to others, I am sure by this means the people of this land can live in peace and prosperity."

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1926-1985)

Sathya Sai Baba's Greatest Gift - By Phyllis Krystal

Late Phyllis Krystal with Sathya Sai Baba - July 2007

As I look back, since I heard about Bhagavan Baba for the very first time in 1972, and went to see Him the following year, so many rich and varied memories flood into my mind and fill me with a feeling of profound gratitude for the great privilege of meeting Him in this lifetime. 

Many people are impressed the most by His miracles, the importance of which He Himself discounts. He explains that the intrinsic value of the various objects He materializes for individual devotees is their least important aspect. They are intended merely to act as a link between Himself and the recipient. Whenever the person urgently needs His help, the image of the gift will flash before His eyes to alert Him to hasten to the rescue. 

I have experienced this phenomenon on several occasions when help appeared almost miraculously when I most needed it, and always in a form most appropriate to each situation. There was never any doubt that He was directly responsible for the help that arrived so unexpectedly and quickly each time. One of His favourite sayings is, "Why fear when I am near?" He has proved to me many times that when I truly believe that, and really trust Him, all fear evaporates, and I am helped through the difficult episode, whatever it may be. 

Consoling the afflicted at Prasanthi Nilayam

Some people flock to Him, drawn by the numerous reports of the various healings devotees have received at His hands, hoping to be freed by Him from their own ailments. I can also personally vouch for such healings. The most impressive one was the eventual relief from the incapacitating headaches that had caused so much suffering for so many years. 

Still other people visit Bhagavan Baba with the one burning desire for the coveted interview, during which they envision being given the opportunity to ask Him all their urgent questions, and for Him to wave a magic wand to transform their troubled lives from misery to bliss, by removing all their problems. 

My own experience has been that my mind invariably goes blank whenever I am in His presence, and I discover, to my dismay, that I am absolutely incapable of recalling a single question I had intended asking Him, however hard I try. Of course, He is always well aware of this reaction, as it is, apparently, quite a common one, and often laughingly recites the questions I had formulated, word for word, as if reading from my list. At other times, He will lean forward and lift out of my pocket or handbag the list I had made as a reminder, always with a delightfully amused expression on His face. 

As for waving a magic wand and removing all my problems; it has seemed instead, as if the reverse were more accurate, and that they multiply instead of disappearing. I sometimes have an image of Him stirring a witch's brew composed of all our negative thoughts, habits, tendencies and attitudes, to bring them all up to the surface of consciousness, where they can be recognised and acknowledged, instead of remaining carefully hidden from ourselves and others. But, we can hide nothing from Bhagavan Baba's x-ray gaze! But He has promised to accelerate the working out of our negative karma and help us to balance or erase it. In addition, He assures us that we will never be given more than we can handle at any given time.

But by far the vast majority of visitors appear to be magnetically attracted, like bees to honey, by the extraordinary unconditional love He unceasingly emanates and makes available to all who open their hearts to receive it. He tells us that He needs to give us both a father's and a mother's love, which we have craved all our lives, but have rarely received in fulfilling amounts from our human parents, usually because they did not receive it from their parents. It is a chain reaction from one generation to the next. 

Baba most certainly filled a void for me as soon as I began to open my heart to accept the love that had been so lacking in my early life.

Over the years, such boons have indeed been wonderful, but none of them approach the unique blessing He freely gives to all who will listen. It is the answer to the oft-asked question, "Who am I? " His answer, above all others of His many gifts, seems to me to be the most significant, simply because it assures every one of the true freedom and complete security we all seek.

Many people have been taught to equate their identity or worth with their bodies, intellects, egos, personalities and even in some cases, their family and possessions. But Bhagavan Baba teaches that our true identity is none of these. He points out that we are all actually three people; the one we think we are; the one we show to the world; and the one we really are. He admonishes us to merge all three into the one real one, which is not the body, mind and emotions, but the invisible spark of Divinity residing within the physical sheath. Since it is our real identity, we are equal in worth. That means, none are better or inferior to anyone else, whatever their sex, age, race nationality, intelligence, social position. financial status, occupation, political or religious affiliation, or anything else. How could we be either more or less worthy than others when we are all identical parts of the Universal God-force, in which we live and move, and by which we are kept alive? To me, this assurance is Baba's most valuable gift to everyone who will listen. 

When I was a little girl growing up in England, I would often hear the quotation from Tennyson, "Closer is He than Breathing, nearer than hands and feet," yet, at the same time, I was given the impression that God was seated on His throne in some far-off heaven, obviously beyond the reach of a small child. This apparent contradiction continued to puzzle me. No-one ever explained it, so I was left with all my questions unanswered. However, they would surface from time to time to haunt me, and they prodded me to continue to seek their clarification. 

Phyllis Krystal with Sathya Sai Baba - 1970s

On our first visit to Bhagavan Baba in 1973, He set the stage for the teaching He would be giving me. At our farewell interview, I asked Him when He would like us to return. Instead of directly answering my question, He said, "First, remember that you do not need to come back to see this little body," pointing to Himself. He watched my reaction and then continued, "Find Me in your own heart. "After another pause, to determine if I had fully understood his important message, He added, "But you will come back to be re-energised”.

Bhagavan Baba repeatedly says, "Yes, I say that I am God, but I also say, "so are all of you. The big difference between you and me is that I know this to be true, whereas you do not yet know it." To help us to believe Him He suggests that we repeat, "l am God", as often as possible during the day. This practice will help us to identify with who we really are. When I first heard these statements I was deeply shocked. It sounded like sacrilege especially to one Who grew up with a dismally low self-image as a result of the extremely harsh discipline meted out to me by my very strict mother. How could I now believe that I was God? But He refers, not to the personality, but to the real Self. 

Another of Baba's teachings is that we should not really for our security on anyone or anything in the outer world, including even His physical form. He explains that to do so is sheer folly, because all forms are transitory and can die or be destroyed, be lost, or in numerous other ways, prove eventually to be unreliable or disappointing. In contrast, real Self is indestructible, always available and completely to be trusted to provide us with permanent security and everything we need. 

I can recall another time when Baba expressed this truth in a very personal way. He was holding in His hands. the manuscript of a book I had just completed, and which I hoped He would bless. So, I asked Him if it was the way He wished it to be. His wonderful eyes seemed to pierce through to my core, as He pointed His finger at me and said very slowly and solemnly, "Incorrect, Mrs. Krystal ! Is it the way YOU want it to be? Emphasizing the word you", to remind me that He was referring, not to my outer person, but to His counterpart within. Again, He was reminding me that I too am God and must turn within to find answers, instead of seeking them in the outer world from other people, books, information and ideas, and even from Him!

But, even when we do believe and try to remember that we are God, we repeatedly forget. It is so hard to comprehend fully what He means. We can understand and even accept it with our minds but that is not enough. It must become part of our experience, which takes longer, as the knowledge has to sink to deeper levels of our consciousness. 

However, Bhagavan Baba understands this human dilemma and gives us repeated-reminders, but, even with so much help, we still forget and fall to allow our real Selves to be fully expressed, and repeatedly fall back into old ego controlled habits of identifying with our worldly lives. 

One time, when I was particularly frustrated at my forgetfulness, I asked, in meditation, for help in remembering my true identity. The answer that came into my mind developed into a short daily ritual which I would like to share, as I have found it to be most helpful. It is best practiced each morning upon awakening and repeated intermittently throughout the day. 

I ask Bhagavan Baba to 1) Think through me, 2) Feel through me, 3) Speak through me, 4) Act through me, and above all, 5) Love through me, all day. I find I am especially aware of its effectiveness when, for some reason, I omit the practice, and I am forced to observe what a difference it makes. 

As an additional aid, I try to remember to repeat at regular intervals during the day, similar to chanting a mantra the following statement. "I surrender; I trust and I accept. "That means, I surrender to who I really am; or God; I trust that I will be given whatever I need; and I accept whatever I am given, whether I happen to approve of it or not, for that is trust in the God-Self. If we cannot trust it, who can we trust? 

Gradually, in this way, we can all move a step at a time towards remembering who we are and eventually be ready and willing to merge our outer personalities with the inner spark of Divinity. What freedom and security that must surely provide us, for it means that we do not need to search for God outside of ourselves. Wherever we are and at any time, we can make immediate contact with our God-Self, and allow it, instead of Our egos, to guide us. That should remove all sense of worthlessness, of being unloved or unlovable, rejection, loneliness, fear and worry. 

Please, Beloved Bhagavan Baba, help us all to accept Your wonderfully reassuring gift, and thank You for taking human form at this time to make it available to us.

About the Author

Born in London, England and graduated from Bishop Otter College, Chichester, in Education; migrated to the United States in 1937, has been a devotee since 1972. Her book entitled "Sai Baba - The Ultimate Experience" a monumental publication contains her experiences with Bhagavan. She has also authored a book “Cutting The Ties That Bind" and another book "Cutting More Ties That Bind" with a sub-title, 'Education of Children and Re-programming of Adults'. She has addressed several gatherings of Sai devotees in Prasanthi Nilayam and globally. She merged at the Lotus Feet in 2015.

Source: Sai Vandana 1990 (65th Birthday Offering) 

Sri Sathya Sai Message for Rural Progress

Saturday, February 02, 1985

Bhagavan, during His visit to Madras in 1985, visited the village Nallathur on this day. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome by Major General Mahadevan, President of the Sathya Sai Organisation of Tamil Nadu, and Sri T.G. Krishnamurthy. 

Sri Sathya Sai giving Darshan to the villagers; following Him is Major General Mahadevan

He inaugurated a new building, ‘Sri Sai Sundaram’, that was to be utilised as the service centre for the villages covered by Tiruthani Sathya Sai Samiti. Bhagavan unfurled the Sai Flag and blessed the Bal Vikas students. Sri T.G. Krishnamurthy gave a welcome speech. This was followed by Bhagavan’s Address to the villagers. Excerpts are included below:

Samskaras (right actions) make human life meaningful and edifying. The goal of man is to realise the divinity that is in him. This can be achieved only by getting rid of all bad qualities and filling one's mind and heart with love and compassion. "Love is God and God is Love." A life without love is sterile and barren. Whatever one's difficulties or troubles, one should try to help others to the extent possible. Selfless, loving service to others, is the highest form of Sadhana. It represents true devotion - Bhakti. Such Bhakti is not affected by the reverse of fortune or changes in circumstances. One should not be concerned only about one's own welfare, career and prosperity. It is not for the enjoyment of personal possessions and comforts that man has taken birth. He has greater goal to achieve, something more permanent and lasting. It is the realization of oneness with the Divine, which alone can give lasting bliss. Even while being engaged in the activities of the secular world, we should strive to sanctify all actions by dedicating them to the Divine.

There must be unity and harmony among the villagers in the reconstruction of their social life. Look upon each other as brothers and sisters and develop the sense of unity, dust as all the fingers in the hand combine to work together, all the individuals in the village should combine to strive in unison for the welfare of the village and the progress of the nation. Petty differences over minor matters should not be allowed to create divisions amongst them. By recognising the divinity that is in everyone, they should come together and act as one, whatever their differences may be.

Heart-to-heart unity

For people consuming Rajasic food, it may not be easy to control anger or passion. But such feelings should not be allowed to grow into hatred or bitterness. There are in Bharat more than 70 crores of people. If all of them were to feel as one and act as one what is it that cannot be achieved by them? Unfortunately, there is no unity amongst them. If four persons in a house have four different opinions, how can they achieve anything? Without unity, we cannot have either peace or happiness. Life will be meaningless like that of jackals and dogs.

You have been waiting in the hot sun for my rival. It shows your devotion to me and your yearning to see me and listen to me. The patience with which you have borne the heat of the sun is a form of Tapas (penance) which you have performed out of your love. Your yearning for Swami and the joy I have given by my visit and address represent real unity of spirit. There is no use in mere talk about unity. There must be heart-to-heart unity based on mutual love. Promote love. Wake up with love. Do every act with love.

Love is divine in its essence

Love in different contexts is called by different names. The love between a husband and wife is called Moham (fascination). The love between mother and children is known as Vatsalyam (maternal affection). The love of relatives and friends is described as Anuraga (mutual regard). The love of God is described as Bhakti (devotion). Although these forms of love are described differently, essentially love is one, divine in its essence. Love of anyone is a recognition of the divinity in everyone, When we become conscious of the omnipresence of divinity, our thoughts, speech and actions will become pure. We will not use offensive language against anyone or think of causing harm to anyone.

Engage yourselves in social service for the uplift of your village. Banish all differences and unite in the cause of promoting the welfare of everyone in the village. When the villages grow, the cities and the States grow and the nation on the whole prospers. The progress of the nation is based upon the progress of the villages. Everyone should be interested in the welfare of the villages.

What has been done in your village so far is gratifying, but much more remains to be done. You will have my blessings and support for all your undertakings in a spirit of service and dedication. After the day's labours, everyone of you should devote some time to thoughts on God and purify your hearts by sacred actions. From today you must cultivate unity of spirit and work harmoniously for the prosperity and the progress of your village. You have the assurance that the Sai Organisation and Sai Sevaks will help you in every way.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1926-1985)

Sri Sathya Sai On: Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s Message For Humanity

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Idol at Belur Math, Kolkata

It is silly to raise such questions as, ‘Where is God? How will He help?’ By raising such questions only our faith is weakened. That is the reason why 

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa said, “If you want to pray to God, be like an innocent child”.

- “The Crowning Virtue”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 21, January 7, 1988, Prasanthi Nilayam

Your pet dog will wander in the bazaar for scrapings from dustbins, if you do not feed it full at home. Give the dog a nice full meal; it will lie under the porch and guard your house! The mind too can be weaned away from vicious desires if you feed it on good thoughts, good resolutions, tenderness and love. Then only will it serve your best interests.

Ramakrishna Paramahamasa told an addict that he must not consume more than a given quantity of opium; he gave him a piece of chalk, to weigh every day the quantity of opium he can eat, no more, no less! But, he imposed a condition, whose usefulness in helping him to conquer the bad habit the addict did not realise then. It was that every time he used the weight he had to write on a slate, the Pranava (Om), before putting it on the scale of the balance. The fellow obeyed, the chalk was reduced in weight with every Om, until it was eliminated in full; the opium habit too was reduced out of existence! The Om also helped to transfer his attachment from the opium-induced tranquillity to the everlasting Bliss of God-intoxication.

- “Pilgrims! Do Not Tarry!”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 6, November 24, 1967, Prasanthi Nilayam

Some people remark that, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa said that Siddhis are obstructions in the path of the Sadhaka (spiritual aspirant). Of course they are; he may be led astray by Siddhis; he has to keep straight on without being involved in them. His ego will increase if he yields to the temptation of demonstrating his Siddhis. This is the correct advice, which every Sadhaka should heed.

- “Ishwara Grants Aishwaryam”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 04, 

August 12, 1963, Venkatgiri

You can remain in the family but do not have the family in you. Describing this aspect, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa said, “You may put a boat in the water, but you should not put water in your boat.” You should live in the world but do not accumulate things for the future and get yourself worried. True Vairagya refers to doing your duty at a particular time and to think of what is relevant at that time.

- “Love Lives by Giving and Forgiving”, Summer Showers in Brindavan 1978, Brindavan

What is good of burdening yourself with desire when you do not have the qualification to fulfil it? Mathuranath once asked Ramakrishna Paramahamsa for a chance to enjoy what was known as Nirvikalpa Samadhi (super-conscious state of Bliss), about which he had heard. 

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa in Samadhi

Though Ramakrishna demurred because he had no qualification and preparatory training for it, he insisted; so when at last, the Master acceded, and made him lose consciousness for three days, the poor man protested and appealed for an end to that experience. It was a burden too heavy for his weak shoulders.

- “The Sandalwood Tree”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 4, August 15, 1964, Chennai

...If inside our heart and outside our body, we create an environment which is good in ideas and good in actions, the strength and faith in our heart will never diminish, waver or change in any manner. For illustrating this, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa gave a striking example. 

An incense stick, when lighted has fire in it. If someone lights a cigarette, there is fire in it. If a forest is burning, there is fire in it. If a cooking stove is working, there is fire in it. These are all fires of different strengths. If you take a bundle of dry sticks and put it near the incense stick or the cigarette, the dry sticks may not catch fire. Not only will they not catch fire, they will even put out the fire in the incense stick or the cigarette. On the other hand, even if you take a bundle of raw and green plantain trees to the forest fire, they will not succeed in putting out the forest fire but will themselves become part of the fire.

The reason for this is that the forest fire is rich in quality and in quantity. It is therefore able to burn everything that comes into contact with it. The fire on the incense stick and on the cigarette has neither the quality nor the quantity and therefore it itself is extinguished. If the good qualities in you are feeble, they will be extinguished under the pressure of bad company. If they are strong, they will extinguish everything bad that comes into contact with them.

- “Seek the Company of Good People”, Summer Showers in Brindavan 1973, Brindavan

In order to escape being tossed about on the waves of joy and grief, one should cultivate unconcern (Upeksha), an attitude of welcoming either, as a sign of Grace. Sri Ramakrishna said that if you must avoid the sticky fluid in the jack fruit from contacting your fingers when you peel it, you have to apply a few drops of oil on them. So too, said he, “If you do not want the world and its reactions to stick to you, have a few drops of ‘unconcern’ applied on your mind.” This unconcern leads to the deepest yearning for God.

- “The Windows of the Mind”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 7, October 9, 1967, Prasanthi Nilayam

On one occasion, someone came to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and wailed, “My mind is troubling and torturing me”. Ramakrishna gave a very witty reply, “Oh is your mind giving you so much trouble? Catch hold of it and bring it to me. I will punish it”. Ramakrishna wanted to stress only that the mind is but his imagination. It is our desires alone that create the phantom of the mind. If desires are subdued, the mind vanishes.

- “Eternal Harmony”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 15, 1981, Dharmakshetra

Source: Sai Vani: Avatar on Mahapurushas

Blessings and Parker Pens for Examinations…

February 8, 2002 (Friday)

Swami came to the Ganesh portico at around 5.00 pm. He called a student who was holding a letter.

Swami : What is there in the letter?

Student : Swami, leg pain. (Pointing to his ankle.)

Swami : Cut it and throw it! (Smiling)

Swami then created Vibhuti for the boy.

Student : Swami, brother is having G.A.T.E. exam (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering).

Swami : Manchidi (Good).

Student : Swami, this year I have Board exams.

Swami : Manchidi. Velli Koorcho (Good. Go and sit down).

The Class XII students were holding their computer projects. Swami called them and blessed all their projects.

Sri Sathya Sai with Students in Sai Kulwant Hall

February 9, 2002 (Saturday)

Swami came out at 4.10 pm and gave Parker pens to students from Alike who were seated near the garage. Swami asked a student who had participated in the Lion Dance event…

Swami : You are the lion’s back. Where is your head? 

Swami then gave him a Parker pen. Swami then called all the Lion Dance event students and started distributing pens to them. 

Swami : (Swami then took some pens in His hand and distributed them to the teachers who were seated in the front. Swami gave the pens to both the School and Institute Wardens. Swami then enquired with Prof. Anil Kumar) Are these pens good?

Prof. A. K. : Yes, Swami. Parker pens. Standard ones. They write beautifully.

Swami then asked him to write. Before he could write…

Swami : They will not write. There is no ink in it! 

Source: Students with Sai: Conversations (2001-2004)