Celebrating 75 Years Of Avatar Declaration
20 October is a historic and momentous day. Bhagawan would often refer to this day as ‘the day the change happened’. Recollecting that day Bhagawan would recount how on the way to school He lost a collar pin that was gifted by the Municipal Chairman of Bellary. With the pin the last strands of worldly connections dropped away, He would say. And for our redemption and thousands like you and me, He declared Himself to be Sathya Sai Baba. This day is even more special this year as it happens to be the 75th year since that grand declaration. As part of this special Sathya Sai Speaks Series, we have been offering discourses Bhagawan gave as part of the 50th Birthday Celebrations. But for this month of October, to commemorate this special occasion we bring you the divine discourse Baba delivered on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Avatar Declaration Day, on 20 Oct 1990.
In this plane of existence that is bound by the dictates of time, the One who is beyond Time manifests. We refer to this phenomenon as the Avatar. Though He adorns the limitations of Time, He is ever beyond it too. Though He appears and disappears, comes and goes, He is ever present. Bhagawan elucidates:
If such is the inseparable connection between us and God, if we are mere limbs of the Divine, what makes us fall and wilt under the might of Time? What makes us impure when our source is Purity itself? Bhagawan explains beautifully in the clip to follow. He also hints at what has to be dispensed with if we wish to return to the state of the absolute again.
Bhagawan explained how this entry of these feeling of like and dislike, attachment and hatred leads us away from the state of Divinity to impurity. But in everyday life this impurity manifests itself as restlessness. Swami would often say, “Shanti (Peace) is my Swabhava (nature).” When we move away from this state, we become targets of restlessness and agitation. But there is a way to work back too. Bhagawan explains in the following clip.
After those profound messages Bhagawan reflects on the grandeur in the growth of Puttaparthi and the subtle message therein. After all it was the celebration of the day that would make Puttaparthi the home for many millions from different parts of the world. It was after His momentous declaration that Baba promised His mother that He would make Puttaparthi the centre of all His activities.
If this is what Bhagawan had to say 25 years ago, one can imagine the growth, crowds and festivities in the past few decades. In the end we conclude with Bhagawan expressing what He expects of us, when we claim to be His devotees and followers.
But wouldn’t it be a wasted opportunity if we do not make use of this sunshine in our lives? As Bhagawan would say, “The devotee is the cultivator for the field of his heart, who must irrigate the field with the water of Prema, manure it with Sadhana, sow the seeds of the divine name and fence it with spiritual discipline.” Thinking of Him inspires love in us no doubt, but it is indeed important to embrace the Sadhana of going through HIs words with sincerity and following the discipline of practicing the message there in. Hoping we all will take Bhagawan’s words as our very breath and live by it, we conclude with the Bhajan Bhagawan sang after the discourse.
Celebrating 75 Years Of Avatar Declaration – divine grace for positive awakening
Celebrating 75 Years Of Avatar Declaration is not only a remembrance of a sacred moment; it is a call to understand the divine purpose behind the Avatar’s presence. Such a celebration becomes meaningful when it awakens love, faith, service, purity, and devotion in human hearts. The true value of any divine declaration is not limited to history; it continues to guide life through its message.
An Avatar does not come for personal glory. The Divine descends for the welfare of humanity, to restore righteousness, protect sincere devotees, and guide people from darkness to light. When human beings become trapped in ego, selfishness, fear, and confusion, divine compassion takes a form that people can love, follow, and understand.
Celebrating 75 Years Of Avatar Declaration reminds us that the Avatar’s mission is always rooted in love. Love is the force that heals sorrow, removes hatred, and unites all beings. The Avatar teaches that love should not remain only in words or emotions. It must become action through kindness, forgiveness, service, and respect for every person.
A sacred declaration becomes powerful only when devotees live its message. If we celebrate outwardly but continue anger, jealousy, pride, and selfishness, the celebration remains incomplete. The best offering is a transformed heart. When our thoughts become pure, our speech becomes gentle, and our actions become helpful, we truly honor the divine mission.
Celebrating 75 Years Of Avatar Declaration also teaches the importance of unity. The Divine does not belong to one group, caste, religion, nation, or community. The Avatar comes for all humanity. Differences in language, culture, and worship should not create separation. When we see the same divine presence in all, life becomes filled with harmony and peace.
The Avatar’s message is not difficult to understand. It is simple, practical, and universal: love all, serve all, help ever, hurt never. These teachings may sound small, but they contain the essence of spiritual life. If every person practiced them sincerely, families would become peaceful, society would become compassionate, and the world would become more united.
Celebrating 75 Years Of Avatar Declaration is also a reminder of service. Service is love made visible. Feeding the hungry, helping the sick, guiding the confused, comforting the sad, and supporting the weak are sacred acts when performed without ego. True service does not seek praise. It sees God in the one who is served.
The Avatar comes to awaken the sleeping divinity within every soul. Human beings often forget their higher nature and identify only with body, name, position, and possessions. But the true self is divine, pure, and eternal. Spiritual teachings help us remember this truth and live with greater courage, patience, and inner peace.
Celebrating 75 Years Of Avatar Declaration should inspire devotees to examine their own lives. Are we becoming more loving? Are we reducing anger? Are we speaking truthfully? Are we serving without pride? Are we remembering God in daily life? These questions turn celebration into self-purification.
Faith is another important lesson. Life brings difficulties, delays, losses, and misunderstandings. During such times, faith becomes a lamp. The Avatar’s grace may not always work according to human expectation, but it always works for spiritual growth. Faith helps the heart remain steady even when situations are uncertain.
The celebration also reminds us that divine presence is not limited by time. The physical form may belong to a particular period, but the Avatar’s message is eternal. Whenever a heart practices love, truth, peace, right conduct, and non-violence, the divine mission continues. Every noble action becomes part of that sacred work.
Celebrating 75 Years Of Avatar Declaration finally means renewing our commitment to live as instruments of divine love. Grand programs, prayers, and decorations have value, but the highest celebration is character. A pure life is the real garland. Selfless service is the real worship. Universal love is the real offering.
When we remember the Avatar with sincerity, we should not only ask for blessings; we should become blessings for others. We should carry light into dark places, hope into sorrowful hearts, and peace into disturbed relationships. This is how devotion becomes living truth.
The sacred declaration continues to speak to every generation. It calls humanity to rise above selfishness, to live with compassion, and to recognize divinity in all. When this message enters daily conduct, life becomes peaceful, meaningful, and blessed with divine grace.