Experiencing the Divine grace of Sri Sathya Sai Avatar

1. How Will You Know When I Am Near?

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

When on a sultry night,

everything is hot and still;

the first cool breeze

brushes your cheeks –

I am caressing you –

Think of Me!

When the pangs of hunger

are satisfied

and loneliness is pierceing

and you hardly speak –

I am soothing you –

Think of Me!When the cloud of death disappears;

first are the openings

of a baby’s smiling eyes –

Think of Me!

When I sprinkle your face

with rain and wash the earth,

the first smell of clean rain,

Think of Me!

When steadfast eyes are horrified

by cruelties of life;

the first glimpse of a silent sun –

I am comforting you –

Think of Me!

2. My Reality

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Ninety-nine out of a hundred of you do not strive to know my Reality. You cannot understand my Reality, either today or even after thousands of years of austerity or inquiry, even if all mankind join in that effort. But, very soon, you will be aware of the Bliss showered by the Divine principle, which has taken upon Itself this Body and this Name. Your good fortune, therefore, is greater than what was the share of sages and saints and even personalities embodying facets of Divine Glory.

Since I move about with you, eat like you and talk with you, you are deluded into the belief that this is but an instance of common humanity. Be warned against this mistake. I am also deluding you by my talking with you and engaging Myself in activities with you. But, any moment, My Divinity may reveal itself to you. You have to be ready, prepared for that moment. Since the Divinity is enveloped by humanness, you must endeavour to overcome Maya (Delusion) that hides it from your eyes.

This is Human Form in which every Divine Entity, every Divine Principle, that is to say, all Names and Forms ascribed by Man to God are manifest. Do not allow doubt to distract you; if you only install in the altar of your heart, steady faith in My Reality as Sarvadaivathwaswarupam, you can soon have a vision of My Reality.

Instead, if you swing back and forth, like the pendulum of a clock, you can never succeed in comprehending the Truth and winning that Bliss.

Let me draw your attention to another fact. On previous occasions when God incarnated on earth, the Bliss of recognizing Him as Incarnation was vouchsafed only after the Physical Embodiment had left the world, inspite of plenty of patent evidence of His Grace. The loyalty and devotion they commanded from men, arose through fear and awe, at their superhuman powers and skills, or at their imperial and penal authority. But ponder a moment on this Sathya Sai Manifestation! In this age of rampant materialism, aggressive disbelief and irreverence, what is it that brings to it the adoration of millions from all over the world? The reason is, it is Supra-World Divinity in Human Form.

How fortunate you are that you can witness all the countries of the world paying homage to Bharat! You can hear also adoration to the Name, Sathya Sai reverberating throughout the world, even while this Body is before you not at some future date when it has departed, but when it is with you, and before your eyes!

You can also witness very soon the restoration to its genuine and natural status of Sanathana Dharma, the Dharma laid down in the Vedas for the good of all the peoples of the world, the Vedic Dharma, That is the Sai Sankalpa (resolve

I will sustain Truth; I will uproot Untruth. I will make all of you exult in ecstasy on that victory and that achievement.

This is the Sai Sankalpam.

- Sri Sathya Sai Baba

(Declaration at the World Conference of Sai Devotees at Bombay, 11-5-68)

3. Experiencing the Divine

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

To illumine a lighted lamp, you won’t need another lamp. Likewise, it is foolish to try to illumine the effulgent Atma by the right of any other knowledge.

It is a sign of ignorance to embark upon a search for the Atma principle which is all-pervading, effulgent and unchanging. Every individual tries to search himself in the world outside. Similarly, is a sheer ignorance to search for the Atma when he himself is the Atma (Soul) ?

Bharat has been propagating this sacred truth over many aeons. Bharat is a birth-place of spiritual enquiry, generosity and righteousness. It was the place of peace and non-violence. Nowhere in the world can be seen that interest – the pursuit of Truth which Bharat had.

The seven great sages were born in Bharat. It is the land which gave birth to Adikavi Valmiki and the great codifier of the Vedas, the sage Vyasa. It is the sacred land where Lord Krishna delivered his message. It is the sacred land where Rama established Rama Rajya. It is the most sacred land of the Buddha. From ancient times, Bharat has never been bereft of people reveling in righteousness and charity and dedicated to the contemplation of God.

Faith and Enquiry

In the contemplation of God there can be no difference of caste or creed, no distinctions based on age or language. It is open to everyone. Like food for the body, God is vital for the mind. In the practice of devotion there may be some ludicrous exercises. But even in such exercises, there is a spiritual under-current. For instance, a student may pray to God for passing in his examination. A litigant may pray for success in his dispute. Why go so far? Some people pray even for securing a seat in a bus! In this manner Bharatiyas have looked to God for help in trivial and serious matters. This may be regarded as a form of craziness or a kind of religious delusion, or even foolishness. Whatever people may say, each one is entitled to his madness. Each has a right to his beliefs, his faith and his appetite. No one has the authority to deny their right. Their beliefs are their business.

However, beliefs may require some basis. The discovery of a bridegroom does not decide the marriage of a bride. Finding some money will not ensure the launching of a business. Other accessories are needed for the purpose. By merely learning the alphabet, one cannot start writing letters. Letter-writing calls for knowledge of words and sentences. Likewise, knowledge of worldly matters will not enable the understanding of God. Spiritual knowledge is also necessary. The acquisition of spiritual knowledge calls for enquiry into truth.

The Cosmos and the Divine

To start with, every man has to understand the nature of the universe. He should also understand the life principle. Only those who understand the nature of living beings in the Universe can know the secret of the Divine.

From ancient times, wise sages and scientists have been investigating the secrets of the Universe. Galileo discovered some facts about the movement of planets. The earth is going round the sun at the rate of 18,000 miles per second. It completes the round in 365 days. Who is responsible for the earth’s motion? Why is it rotating? ON what basis is it revolving?

We find that night and day are caused by the earth revolving on its axis. The earth’s motion round the sun is the cause of season, which enable man to raise food, etc. Whatever the Divine does, whether it is something small or great, it is for the good of mankind. There is a power at work about which we are ignorant. This was described as the Agyat Shakti (the unknown power). The ancients called it the power of God (Divya Shakti).

Another scientist, exploring the secrets of Nature, came to the conclusion that understanding the powers of Nature means understanding God. The great scientist Einstein discovered the convertibility of matter and energy and declared that energy is convertible into various forms but cannot be created on destroyed.

Science and Spirituality

Students who perform experiments in the laboratory should bear in mind an important truth. They know that water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen. But who created hydrogen and oxygen without which there can be no water? Thus water is based on hydrogen and oxygen. Likewise nothing can exist without a basis. Science is concerned with substances that are liable to change. Spirituality is concerned with the basic unchanging entity.

The term spirituality is bandied about in various ways. We talk about culture and spirituality. Culture was defined as a way of life. In Sanskrit parlance, it is called ‘Samskriti’ or the refinement of behaviour. It was declared that for this refinement of behaviour spirituality is the means. What is spirituality? People regard various rituals and forms of worship as spirituality. Spirituality is concerned with the spirit of love. Science is engaged in split of love. The splitting process in science results in changes. The Spirit of love in spirituality is permanent and unchanging. Hence, culture grows out of the spirit of love. There can be no culture without love. Spirituality implies a power that is associated with love.

Einstein felt that unchanging power that underlies energy may be described as divine. But he could not go any further.

Discovering God

However, many spiritual seekers undertook various exercises to discover God. At one time, some aspirants approached Buddha and asked him whether he had any awareness of God. On this issue, Buddha remained silent. Later on he told his disciple: Son, there is no meaning in having controversies over the unknown. Don’t go into such questions. Divinity is not perceptible. It is beyond human comprehension, not within the reach of the mind or speech. However, the Divinity that I know has three forms: Truth, Righteousness and Non-violence. I consider these three as the embodiments of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara. First of all, follow the truth and act according to Dharma. Lead a life of non-violence. This is true spiritual sadhana.

Truth is God. The Vedas declared: Speak the Truth; follow Righteousness. There is no greater divinity than these two. Where truth reigns, there Divinity is present. Where Righteousness is prevalent, there the Divine exists as Dharma.

It was because Rama stood by the plighted word, pursued Dharma, renouncing the Kingdom and choosing to live in the forest, that Vasishta hailed him as the very embodiment of Dharma. To honour the promise given by the father, the son was prepared to undergo such an ordeal. He sacrificed everything for truth. He ceaselessly practiced Dharma. He was regarded as God incarnate. Anyone who adheres to Dharma, whoever he may be, is verily the embodiment of God.

In our own times, some people approached Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and put him the question: Swami! Have you seen God? Oh yes, I have seen Him. They then asked: In what form did you see Him? I saw Him just as you are seeing me, declared Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. How is that possible? they asked. This is possible. You do not have that intense yearning needed to see God. You take endless trouble to acquire possessions. You shed tears over petty matters, you weep night and day for the sake of riches. Have you shed a single tear for God? Ramakrishna Paramahamsa told them: You are totally absorbed in worldly desires. How can you experience God?

The Apparent and the Invisible

Atheists, the Charvakas and the scientists want to have direct perceptible proof for the existence of God. They ask: How are we to believe in something which is not visible to the eye, and cannot be grasped by the hand?

Scientists who demand such proofs should be considered extremely foolish. For instance, you see an individual. His height is 5 feet 6 inches. His complexion is fair. He has a bald head. All these are evident to the eye. Is this the truth about him? Yes, so far as the external measurements and appearances are concerned. But the men has kindness, determination, spirit of sacrifice, compassion, all of which are not visible to the eye and cannot be measured. You cannot notice them even if he is dissected. On this account can it be said that he does not have them? It is these qualities which make him a useful being. It is the invisible qualities which lend meaning to the visible features. It follows that what is not apparent provides the proof for what is apparent.

"You fool! Realise that what is not

apparent is that which makes you

suffer the consequences of past

actions"

To deny what is not perceptible by the senses as non-existent is foolish. Equally, to consider the apparent as the only reality is foolish. For example, you see a tree full of branches. The scientist sees it and says that is the truth. But the spiritual Jnani looks at the roots, without which the tree cannot exist. The one who looks at the branches will not see the roots, the one who looks for the roots will not bother the branches. The question arises: Which are more important, roots or branches? If the roots are there, the tree will remain even if the branches are cut. But if the roots are gone, the tree will not survive. It is the unseen roots which enable us to see the branches. Likewise, there is an invisible Divine power which underlies all that is seen in the phenomenal Universe. It is because of that power that we are able to perceive the universe.

Here are some more examples: You have the fragrance of a flower. You have love. Fragrance has no form but you enjoy it. Can its existence be denied because it is not visible or can be touched or tasted? Likewise, love has no form, but the mother who shows love has a form. Fragrance has no form but the flower which exudes it has a form. Similarly, bliss (Ananda) has no form, but there is a form for the Divinity that confers bliss. What is that form? It is a form beyond comprehension by the senses. It may be associated with anything.

Forms of God

Yet another example. Air has no form. What is the form of water? Water is visible. Air has no form but you can experience its presence. When does air acquire a form? When a football or a balloon is filled with air, it acquires their form. Water assumes the form of the container. Likewise, whatever the form in which the devotee worships the Divine, God appears in that form. What is the reason for this? The feelings of the devotee endow the form for the Divine. This is called Bhaavaroopam (the form caused by the feeling). Meditation (Dhyaana) is the means by which the form is experienced. Whatever the feeling (about the form) which the devotee cherishes, God assumes that form (for him). The Lord appears in the form that you envisage. Divinity cannot be defined in this way or that. That is why it is said that God has myriad feet, myriad eyes, myriad heads and He encompasses everything in the cosmos. He is omnipresent.

Everything in the universe, from sub-atomic particles to the biggest star, has a form. It was this fact that impelled the ancients to worship the earth as a Mother (Bhu-Maata). Some scientists ridiculed this adoration as a superstitious worship of mud and stone. They asked what is the meaning of worshiping mud and stone? The answer is: "That mud is the source of our food. The air (over the earth) is enabling us to breathe and live. The sun is enabling the crops to grow. Hence, no one is entitled to ridicule the worship of Nature. It is proper to worship those who help us. What help the five basic elements are rendering to mankind! Without these elements, there will be no world. What, then, is the harm in adoration?

Worship of Symbols

Some others ask: Apart from the five elements, you are worshipping stones. How can these stones be treated as God? The answer is: You crazy one! Everything is an embodiment of God. Why should not they be worshipped? They have no qualities. They have no consciousness. Why do you worship something which is inert and inconscient? In answer to this, mention may be made of an appropriate example. On August 15th the National Flag is hoisted and it is honoured in various ways. Why is the flag respected? It is a piece of cloth, made up of threads. It has no virtues. It is inconscient. It sways if there is wind. Otherwise it is still. Why is respect shown to such an object? Because it is regarded as a symbol of the freedom that we gained after a struggle. Divinity has to be regarded in the same manner. You have to place your faith in some symbol. In every country, its national flag is honoured. If a flag can be honoured though it has no consciousness, what wrong is there in worshipping a stone idol if it has no consciousness? The Divine consciousness is universal.

In our daily life, there is an object of general worship. It is wealth. eople offer worship to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, in elaborate rituals. People even consider a hundred rupee note as sacred and press it on their eyes before placing it in the pocket. What is this hundred rupee note? It is made from some pulp. What virtue or merit is there in it? Both theists and atheists value the note for its value as currency.

People worship the photo of the father or the grandfather after they have passed away. The reason is that the picture is a reminder of one’s ancestor. Similarly, the worshipper of a stone idol is entitled to say: Doubtless, it is a stone. But the stone bears the image of the God I worship. The devotee’s devotional feelings are imprinted on the idol.

If one goes about enquiring in this manner, he will realize that God is present in everything. No one is qualified to criticize another’s beliefs and practices. You may keep out of them if you like. But you have no right to interfere in other’s beliefs.

The Quest for Truth

Although there have been a variety of beliefs, the ancients laid stress on what they called the quest for truth. What is the rationale of this quest? The reason is that Truth is one. Here is an example: With the same eyes a man sees his mother, his wife, his sister, his child, aunt and several others. The eyes that see are one and the same. But the perspective from which the mother, the sister and all the others are to be seen calls for anveshana (enquiry into the truth about what is seen). The mother has to be viewed as a mother, that is, with filial feelings. This is the search for truth. You cannot treat all alike. You can see them with an equal eye, but the feelings will vary.

Likewise, we have the five senses, each has its own functional role. Enquiry into truth calls for an understanding of what is true and false. A distinction has to be made between an apparent fact and the real truth.

For instance, seeing a flat piece of ground one may say the earth is flat. In a limited sense this is a fact. But when the nature of the earth is explored, it is proved to be a globe. Moreover, apparent facts are liable to change. A man who is seen wearing certain clothes today, may be seen in a different dress tomorrow. Facts relate to momentary appearances. Truth relates to the unchanging reality. It is changeless in all the three categories of time – past, present and future. That is Divinity. What pertains to the individual is subject to change. But what is opposed to both the permanent and the changing is false.

God is one only

In spirituality, you have insights into such truths. This has been termed the secret of truth Why should there be any secrecy about truth? There is a secret within this secret. That is why the Vedas declared: The Truth is one, it is described variously by the wise. The Vedanta declared: Brahmam is only one, without a second (Ekameva advitheeyam). Why did they not stop with saying that Brahmam is only one? Why should they go on to say There is no second? It is to emphasise the oneness of Brahman that the second statement is added. By stating that God is only One and not two all room for doubt is eliminated. In this manner the scriptures reveal profound truths.

The scientists also conducted numerous experiments and came to the conclusion that there is a unique power, without calling it God. People can call it by any name. But the substance cannot be altered. There is water in this tumbler. That water is given different names in different languages. The names vary but the water remains the same. Likewise, different people adore the Divine under different names and forms. But one thing is common to all of them. God exists. There is only one God. He may be worshipped in different names and forms.

Without God there is no universe. It is essential to enquire into the nature of God to strengthen one’s faith. For instance, when you examine a piece of cloth you find that it is made up of threads, which are made out of cotton. Cotton is the basis. Threads and cloth are changes in form.

Purity and Truth

A child believes whatever the mother says because of faith in her words. The faith may be ascribed to innocence. But in that innocence there is the transcending of ignorance (Amaayakatvam). Jesus used to say: How happy would I be if only I could be a child for some time in a day! In that childlike innocence there is freedom from all the lies and deceits of the world. That is purity of mind. In that purity dwells truth. Today we are discarding that purity and leading a polluted life.

Don’t get involved in controversies about Divinity. Recognize that there must be a basis for everything. Nothing can exist without it. What the scientists have found so far is an infinitesimal part of the totality of knowledge. They are making much of it. But he who knows everything remains calm and quiet. The argumentative man knows little. If you mean to be a true scientist, you must first learn to control the senses and develop love. There is nothing greater than love. God is love. Love is God. Live in love. Develop Love. It has to emanate from the heart. It expresses itself as kindness and compassion. Today people behave without compassion.

God has been described as the ’Hridayavaasi(inddweller in the heart) It has been said that a heart filled with compassion is a shrine of the Divine. When you develop that compassion, you will have the vision of God.

4. Understanding The Mystery of Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Dr. S.P. Ruhela

Introduction

Millions of people all over the world have heard of Sai Baba as a great spiritual leader, social worker, healer and educator. Countless people in almost every country in the world have been and are witnesses to these aspects of Baba’s life and Avataric mission.

His followers are not members of a sect or cult, but people of all walks of life, cultural backgrounds and religions, for Baba enhorts us to seek the underlying unity and divinity in ourselves, in others and in our lives. He says There is only one religion, the religion of Love; there is only one language, the language of the Heart; there is only one caste, the caste of Humanity; there is only one God and He is Omnipresent.

Baba inspires us not only through his teachings but through his example. He lives austerely and in ceaseless service to those around him, making himself approachable and available to thousands daily, while maintaining a tireless programme of lecturing, writing, and encouraging the students.

Baba’s manner is always patient, gracious, often humorous and playful. Although invited countless times to visit other countries, Baba has so far stayed in India, (excepting one visit to Africa) maintaining that one has to put one’s own house in order before advising others.

His birthplace, Puttaparthi, once a tiny interior village is now a beautiful university town with schools and college lining its main street. In addition, hundreds of villages in surrounding areas have been adopted by Baba’s voluntary workers who have built roads, bridges, schools, dug wells and provided clean drinking water for them. Regular medical camps care for the health of thousands of local people. Baba’s Education programme has been implemented in schools in India and other countries.

It is not only his example which inspires but his extraordinary level of being, which shines through his teachings and has an impact on all those who come into his presence.

His frequently witnessed and documented healings, materializaitons of objects, telepathic powers and appearances in more than one place at once are due to powers he was born with, not developed by special disciplines. He is not just a fully realized man but the Avatar of this Age; his life certainly fulfills prophecies in several religions. He says I know who I am; I have come to help you realize who you are.

What can we infer from this? Could a man who left his school at 13 have such a profound knowledge of the world religions, spirituality and the ability to teach and explain them with sayings and stories of wisdom and simplicity?

Baba says, Come, test, inquire, taste, experience. He also says, …do not be attracted simply by stories of what I create by a wave of the hand. Do not jump to conclusions with closed eyes; watch, study and weigh…

SAI BABA’S WARNING TO THOSE WHO TRY TO UNDERSTAND HIS MYSTERY

"My Shakti, My Power, My Mystery can never be understood, whoever may try for however long a period, by whatever means."

Not even the biggest scientist can understand Me by means of his laboratory experience.

Baba is beyond the keenest intellect, the sharpest brain.

How can the limited know the depth of the unlimited? How can the ant delve into the mountain? It is beyond you to know how and why I create things in My hand.

Donot worry about My Advent, worry about our own future.

Your worldly intelligence cannot fathom the ways of God. He cannot be recognized by mere cleverness or intelligence. You may benefit from God, but you cannot explain Him. Your explanations are mere guesses, attempts to cloak your ignorance in pompous expressions.

The Lord has no intention to publicise Himself. I donot need publicity, nor does any other Avatar of God. What are you daring to publicise – Me?

SAI BABA’S DECLARATIONS ABOUT HIS AVATARHOOD

On 23rd May, 1940 the fourteen year old Sathya Narayan Raju (the young Sai Baba) announced before his parents in Puttaparthi village:

"I am Sai Baba. I belong to Apastama Sutra, the school of Sage Apastamba and am of the Spiritual lineage (gotra) of Rishi Bhardwaja. He told an officer of Penukonda, a worshipper of (Late) Shirdi Sai Baba You cannot recognize the very Sai whom you are worshiping. Thus he declared Himself to be the incarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba who passed away in 1918, eight years before His birth.

On 6th July, 1963 (Guru Purnima Day), Sri Sathya Sai Baba declared:

"I have been keeping back from you all this one secret about Me. The time has come when I can reveal it to you. It is a sacred day. I am Siva-Shakti, born in the gotra of Bhardwaja, according to a boon won by that sage from Shiva and Shakti. Shiva was born in the gotra of that Sage as Sai Baba of Shirdi; Shiva and Shakti have incarnated as Myself in his gotra now; Shakti alone will incarnate as the third Sai in the same gotra in Mysore State (now Karnataka State)."

Baba has prophesied that the third Sai Baba, his Incarnation, would be known as Prema Sai Babaand he will be born in Gunaparthy village in Mandya district of Karnataka State, after his passing away. Baba has even materialized some photos of the next incarnation of Prema Sai Baba, and has even revealed that N. Kasturi, who was His official biographer, editor of His mission’s monthly magazine ‘Sanathana Sarathi’ and a very close devotee of Baba, would be reborn as mother of Prema Sai; that the father of Prema Sai Baba has already taken birth a few years back.

While inaugurating the first World Conference of Bhagavan Shri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations held at Bombay on 16th May, 1968, Sri Sathya Sai Baba declared

"This is the first time in the history of this world that a World Conference is being held in the immediate physical presence of an Avatar and under the direct supervision and observation of the Avatar Himself."

In the following messages given to his British devotee Lucas Ralli, 14 Oxford Square, London, published in the rare book SAI MESSAGES FOR YOU AND ME (Vols. I & II; London, Vrindavanum Books, 1985), Sai Baba has authentically and emphatically declared the following about his Avatarhood:

"I am the Lord of the universe. Have implicit faith in Me for I am you and you are Me. I am with you now. With you always, inside you, outside you, everywhere. I am our sunshine and your shadow. So blend with Me, harmonise with Me, the divine giver of Life, the divine supporter of life, the only source of life, the very omnipresence that you often talk about. That is what it is. You can deny Me, you can despise Me, you can ignore Me, but I will always be with you for I am within your very heart.

…Today you are gathered here (for the satsang) in complete harmony. Maintain that harmony when you leave and work together for harmony in the whole world. Look for Me everywhere. Feel My presence now, in this very room. Just pause and know that I am here.

I will help you, all of you, for each one of you is helping my mission in one way or another.

…I bless you all. I am with you now and will always be with you. Never doubt or have any fear." (Vol. I, pp. 67-68).

I came out of nowhere to speak to you because I am everywhere, always with you. So I am always communicating with those who are open and ready to receive My messages. (Vol. I, p. 63)

"I am the Lord of the Universe, the Creator, and I have created each one of you individually, hence I know and recognize each one of your when you come to see Me in India. I know all about you. I am with each one of you now so I know the thoughts of every single person, as well as what you were thinking yesterday and day before. Watch your thoughts because it is through these thoughts that you create your own future.

I created you in a state of perfection because you are part of Me. But, during the passage of many lives, you are tossed by the waves of life and you lose your awareness of divinity. As you get lost, you get more and more drawn away by the materialistic attractions of life in the flesh, life with body, life on earth and you get more and more confused. Then quite suddenly omes the awakening and it may come at any time. This is the rebirth, the reawakening to the awareness of divinity within…" (Vol. I, p. 118)

…the opportunity of awakening eventually comes. For many, it has already come in this life time due the presence of the divine Avatar in your midst. You should realize that you have been given this unique opportunity, a chance which may never come to you again in the same form." (Vol. II, p. 17)

"My children, awaken now while the divine Avatar is here to guide you. The way ahead is clear, sign-posted through the teachings of the Lord and you have this unique opportunity to escape from darkness into light simply by putting those teachings into practice in your daily lives.

…Love has always been the motivating force in the universe, and I AM THAT." (Vol. II, pp. 27-28)

"No Avatar has done like this before – going among the masses, counseling them, guiding them, consoling them, uplifting them, directing them along the path of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti and Prema.

SAI BABA’S DECLARATION OF HIS POWERS AS INCARNATION:

All Gods and Goddesses rolled into one in His Body:

"This is a human form, in which every Divine entity, every Divine Principle, that is to say, all the names and forms ascribed to God are manifest… You are fortunate that you have a chance to experience the bliss of the Sarva-Daivata-Swaroopam."

Omniscience (All knowing)

Wherever and whenever you think of Me, I shall be with you. Whenever you call me, I shall respond. (Baba: Quoted in Murphet, Sai Baba Avatar, p. 252)

If you pray in all earnestness, I shall be before you, ready to grant the boon. My ears, hands and feet are everywhere, to listen, to grant, to walk in. Quoted in: Kasturi, Garland of 108 Precious Names, p. 47)

Powers to create and destroy:

This Body has come through the Lord’s resolve to come… Remember, there is nothing that Divine power cannot accomplish. It can transmute earth into sky and sky into earth. To doubt this, is to prove that you area too weak to grasp great things and grandeur of the universe.

(Baba, Why I Incarnate in Ruhela & Robinson, Sai Baba & His Message, p. 27)

Armed with the greatest instrument of Love:

Love is my medicine and it can cure all the ills of the body and soul… God is Love, and Love is the medicine which can cure all your present ills. "Baba: Quoted in: Lucas Ralli, Sai Messages for You & Me (Vol. II, pp. 60-61).

"Love is infectious. As you express love, you are a channel for My Love, that very same love through which I created the universe in order to see My love manifesting itself in the world. It is my leela or God’s play. Life is just one constant flow of love." (Ralli, Op Cit. Vol. I, pp. 5-6).

Knows the past, present and future of everyone:

I am always aware of the future, the past as well the present of everyone of you. So, I am not moved by mercy. Since I know the past, the background, the reaction is different. It is your consequence of evil deliberately done in the previous birth and so I allow your suffering to continue; often modified by some little compensation. (Baba: Why I Incarnate)

Omnipotent:

What I will, must take place; what I plan must succeed. I am Truth, and Truth has no need to hesitate or fear or bend. (Baba: Who is Sai)

Power to grant Mukti (Liberation) and other powers:

Baba can Prolong one’s age, make a dead person alive, take over someone else’s illness on Himself; He has power to create articles, living beings, desired connections or coincidence, power to shower any kind of Grace and Special Grace on any one.

PURPOSES OF THE ADVENT SRI SATHYA SAI AVATAR:

"I have come to correct buddhi, the intelligence by various means.

I have to counsel, help, command, condemn and stand by as a friend to all so that they may give up evil propensities and recognizing the straight path, tread it and reach the goal."

I have to reveal to the people the worth of the Vedas, the Shastras and other spiritual texts, which lay down the norms.

"I have come to feel the roots of Sathya (truth) and Dharma (righteousness). Lord Krishna came to foster Shanti (Peace) and Prema (Love). Now all these four are in danger of being dried up. That is why the present Avatar has come."

"The establishment of Dharma – that is My aim."

"I have come to give you the key of the treasure of Ananda (bliss), to tell you how to tap that spring…"

I have come to give you liberation itself.

"Let me assure you that this Dharmaswaroopa – this Divine body – has not come in vain. It will succeed in warding off the crisis that has come upon humanity."

Baba’s reply to Blitz editor R.K. Karanjia’s questions:

In my present Avatar, I have come armed with the fullness of the power of formless God to correct mankind, raise human consciousness and put people on the path of truth, righteousness, peace and love to divinity.

Karanjia: Why had this task to be divided into three separate incarnations of Shirdi, Sathya and Prema Sai Baba’s?

Baba: "…The previous Avatar, Shirdi Baba, laid the base for secular integration and gave mankind the message that duty is God.

The mission of the present Avatar make everybody realize that the same God or Divinity resides in every one. People should respect, love, and help each other irrespective of colour or creed. Thus all work can become a way of worship.

Finally, Prema Sai, the third Avatar, will promote the evangelic news that not only does God reside in everybody, but everybody is God. This will be final wisdom which will enable every man and woman to go to God.

The three Avatars carry the triple message of work, worship and wisdom."

(Quoted in ‘Spirit & The Mind’, p. 238)

"…Sai has come in order to achieve the supreme task of uniting as one family all of mankind, through the bond of brotherhood; of affirming and illumining the atmic reality of each, being in order to reveal the divine, which is the basis on which the entire cosmos rests; and of instructing all to recognize the common divine heritage that binds man to man, so that man can rid himself of the animal, and rise into divinity which is his goal."

(Baba: Discourse in Sanathan Sarathi, July 1974)

I rescue all those who worship and adore Me…I will never give up those who attach themselves to Me.

(Baba’s letter to his elder brother on 25th May, 1947).

THE EIGHTEEN DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF SRI SATHYA SAI BABA INCARNATION

He is a unique divine personality who wields unparalled mystic supernatural as well as temporal (this worldly) powers in the world today; no Godman, saint or mystic or religious leader of any religion of country enjoys so much veneration and following as Sri Sathya Sai Baba does with His millions of followers and ever-increasing popularity throughout the world.

He has rightly said about Him:

"No Avatar (in the past) has done like this before – going among the masses, counseling them, guiding them, consoling them, uplifting them, directing them along the path of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti and Prema." (Baba: Why I Incarnate)

Unlike most Godmen, religious Saints or Prophets who have started their own religions, sects or schools of thought and rituals and vigorously tried for mass conversion of people in their new religion or sect, Sri Sathya Sai Baba has clearly declared thus:

"I have not come to set afoot a new cult, I do not want people to be misled on this point.

I affirm that this Sai form is the form of all the various names that man uses for the adoration of the Divine. So, I am teaching that no distinction should be made between the names Rama, Krishna, Ishwara, Sai, for they are all My names…Continue your worship of your chosen God along the lines already familiar to you. Then you will find that you are coming nearer and near to me, for all names are Mine and all forms are Mine. There is no need to change your chosen God and adopt a new one when you have seen Me and heard Me."

He upholds the sanctity, dignity and living unity of all religions of the world, and He has demonstrated it by:

Putting the religious symbols of all great religions of the world in the official symbol of the Sai Mission: Om of the Hinduism; Cross of the Christianity; Moon and Star of Islam; Fire of the Zorostrianism, Wheel of the Buddhism, and the pillar of all religions erected by Baba in the centre of all of them.

Encouraging his devotees to sing the glories of the names of Allah, Christ, Buddha, Mahavir, Zoroastra, Nanak, Rama, Krishna, Hanuman, Paduranga, etc. etc., i.e. chosen Gods of all people of all lands in their prayer songs.

(iii)Celebrating festivals like Christmas, Dashera, Onam, Krishna Janmastmi etc. in His ashram.

(iv)Baba gives stories and references from the lives of Mohamed, Christ, Hindu Gods and Saints and the like freely in His discourses.

Thus real international integration and ideal secularism have been attempted

by Baba in various ways.

Baba does not recognize any differentiation in matters of spirituality on the grounds of race, caste, religion, nationality, sex, political background, social class etc. Without the need to disclose any one of these peculiarities of his social stratification any one can enter his Ashram, join the Bhajan (community singing) sessions, listen to His discourses, and enjoy any of the programmes of spiritual development, service and take food in the canteen of His ashram.

Baba is the champion or pioneer of the concept of ‘Spiritual Socialism’ in the world. A unique experiment as such is being carried out not only in His ashram but in all Sai Service units throughout the world in which all kinds of Seva (service) activities including menial activities like sweeping the compound, cleaning gutters, cleaning the used utensils in canteen, working as watchmen of the campus, working as labourer, serving the food, cooking the food etc. are done honorarily by poor, middle class as well as very rich millionaires, belonging to all sorts of professions – from lowest to highest, in the spirit of service to God through service to man, according the maxim taught by Baba: Manav Seva, Madhav Seva i.e. Service to man is service to God. It is indeed a unique effort to teach mankind, how to forget their differences and rise up spiritually through service of man with no motive of worldly name, fame or reward in mind. Only the charismatic Divine Incarnation of Sri Sathya Sai Baba has been able to get this accomplished in this world torn with hatred, strife and materialistic insanity.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba is the unique Guru (Teacher) of Mankind for He teaches that:

"There is only caste – the caste of humanity;

There is only one religion – the religion of love;

There is only one language – the language of the heart;

There is only one God – He is omnipresent."

This indeed is the quintessence of all the Vedas, Upanishsads and other spiritual texts of all the religions of the world. Due to the high potency of this integrating dose of spirituality in such a straightforward manner that we find people of all races, nationalities and religions are seen rushing towards Sri Sathya Sai Baba to satisfy their spiritual hunger, to seek His love, blessings and hand of protection and enlightenment.

Sri Sathya Baba is the greatest moral teacher of the world today. He repeatedly asks people to respect their parents, elders and the mother country. He is pioneering the cause of human values, and has started a world-wide movement of EVH (Education in human Values). He has Himself started a University, some colleges, a number of schools in India to impart modern education duly inspired by the highest universal values and ideals, and has inspired his devotees in Europe, Africa, Americas, far East and India to hold many seminars, workshops and training camps for orienting teachers, parents and public in education in human values on a scale unprecedented in the entire history of human civilization. His ideas and programmes have been officially accepted by the Governments of many countries including India, UK, and many African countries.

While every saint claims that he knows all about us, yet people know how hollow often are such claims of many living saints, Godmen or Yoga teachers of today. But Sri Sathya Sai Baba has proved and is proving daily in countless instances that He indeed knows each and everything about every human being and about every living creature – even birds, animals and insects, since He is omnipresent and omniscience Incarnation. He often startles almost everyone in his interview room by disclosing the most secret thought, agony, past incident or problem of the person concerned on whom He chooses to shower His grace of granting interview. Not only things of this life in the world are disclosed by Him, but he sometimes even tells people about their actions in previous births and also in some cases He even tells them about their future births. For instance, He has already told Dr. Gadhiya of UK that he too would be born in his next life and serve Him when He incarnates as Prema Sai in Mandya District of Karnataka State. He has already told that Sri N. Kasturi, his ardent devotee of this life, will be reborn as mother of Prema Sai; that Vivekananda has already incarnated in this life in Sri Lanka; he has advised and guided many of His devotees about the future calamities, positions and other happenings.

He has given exact date of the starting of Mahabharat and revealed innumerable real happening of thousands of years back and even evidenced his revelations by materializing the Kostubha diamond worn by Lord Krishna, a diamond worn by Rama’s mother when she was not yet married, cross and a figure of Christ on it. This cross is a piece of wood on which Christ was crucified. To find a piece of that wood after two thousand years presented some difficulty. This is image of Christ on the cross – not as people have imagined Him and as historians have told about Him, but as he actually was with stomach pulled way in and ribs all showing because He had no food for eight days. (Sandweiss, Sai Baba: Holy Man and the Psychiatriast, pp. 144-177).

In the interview room…Swami disclosed that He is coming back as PREM SAI in Mysore State, and in my next birth will also be there to serve Swami, the same way I am serving Him now. (Dr. D.J. Gadhia, in The Divine Grace of Lord Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Wolvarhempton, UK, p. 19)

Fantastic and thrilling Miracles done by Baba:

Creation of articles: like photos, pictures, statues, lockets, rings, diamonds, ornaments, sweets, toffies, nectar, honey, scents, watches, pens, anything he likes; He has created even cross of the original wooden cross on which Christ was crucified.

Creation and even destruction of living beings: created and them vanished a monkey.

Creation of natural phenomenon: rainbow, stopping rain etc.

Giving life back to dead persons: examples of Cowen, Radha Krishna, etc.

Creating photos of past and even future happenings: Created some photos of the Prema Sai incarnation years back.

Creating strange and happy coincidence, connections in devotees lives.

Helping atonce people in distress who remember His name in