Sri Sathya Sai Narrates the Story of Mansur

Sri Sathya Sai in Trayee Brindavan

About 400 years ago, there was a man by name Mansur in the city of Varanasi. By virtue of his good Samskaras (inherited tendencies) and his preceptor's teachings, he had developed firm faith in the Vedic dictum - ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ (I am God). When people heard him constantly repeating this aphorism, they questioned him whether he was really God. He used to emphatically tell them thrice, “Yes, I am God”. In course of time, he became the target of envy and hatred among the prominent men in Varanasi, including Vedic scholars and heads of religious institutions. They went in a body to the King of Varanasi and complained against Mansur, saying that he had no knowledge of Sanskrit or scriptures but was going about shouting, “I am God”, thereby insulting eminent scholars and Pandits. The King summoned Mansur to his court and asked him, “Who are you?” Promptly came the reply, “I am God”. The King got him examined by medical experts and found that he was not insane. Then the King advised him to give up saying “I am God”, in view of the complaints from scholars and Mathaadhipatis (heads of religious institutions) that he was guilty of blasphemy. Mansur firmly refused to obey the King's command and declared that he would sooner give up his life than forswear his unshakable faith and firm conviction in his oneness with the Divine. He questioned the King boldly, “Why do you want me to give up Truth? The Truth is: I am God; you are God; everyone is God.” 

As he did not change his attitude despite all kinds of persuasions and threats, the King ordered that his hands should be cut off for the offence of disobeying the King. As the King's minions held Mansur tightly and raised their gleaming swords to cut off his hands, Mansur went on boldly shouting aloud: “Aham Brahmasmi” unceasingly and smilingly. After severing both his hands, the executioners went to the King and reported that Mansur was fearlessly and smilingly repeating his declaration even after his hands had been cut off and he was bleeding profusely. 

The King went to the scene of Mansur's ordeal and found that the place was reverberating with the sacred sound of “Aham Brahmasmi” coming unceasingly from the tongue of the smiling Mansur as well as from the blood flowing profusely on the ground from his hands. In a short while, Mansur fell down dead with a smiling and calm face and ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ on his lips. 

The King was deeply moved and he prostrated at the feet of Mansur. He sent for the scholars, priests, Pandits and heads of religious institutions who had complained against the saintly Mansur. On their arrival, he reprimanded them saying, “What is the use of your bookish learning? You could not recognise or understand the greatness of Mansur. He was a man who established unity in thought, word and deed. You don't practise what you read and teach. You are all a pack of conceited book-worms, envious of truly great persons. Misled by your complaints, I have committed the sin of virtually murdering such a saintly person. However, he has become a martyr in upholding the highest truth of ‘Aham Brahmasmi’. In order to teach you a lesson and to provide a source of inspiration to you and your progeny, I am building a memorial for Mansur in your Agraharam itself.” 

The criterion for true devotion is not proficiency in scriptures or routine performance of so-called spiritual practices, but the realisation of the Divinity in oneself as well as in all others which can be attained only through steadfast adherence to truth, purity of heart and universal love. Where there is Chitta Shuddhi (purity of mind and heart), there will be Jnana Siddhi (attainment of wisdom). One with Chitta Shuddhi need not go to the forest or pilgrim centres in search of God. He will find God in himself and in others too. 

Source: A Great Martyr, Discourse 26, My Dear Students Volume 2, Divine Discourse on March 26, 1993 at Trayee Brindavan