History
Bal Vikas is not just a programme. It is a noble movement that took roots in the year 1968 with the founding of Sri Sathya Sai Mahila Vibhag. Swami instructed Mahila Vibhag in 1969 to
“run a Bala Vihar for young children where they will listen to stories from the Scriptures, the Epics, and the Lives of Saints belonging to all religions. Children must also be trained to sing Bhajans, enact small plays with themes selected from the classics. They must be taught to cultivate habits of discipline, for these alone can ensure happiness: both individual and social.”
“The ideal of the Bal Vikas is to raise a generation of boys and girls who have a clean and clear conscience. Bal Vikas is the primary basis of the great movement to restore Dharma in the world. The young minds of children are not polluted and hence they can be led into good ways of living, simplicity, humility and discipline.”
“Guide the children in the spiritual path, through simple and moral living; Install in the young minds, the importance of duty, devotion and discipline; Help them understand the five human values, so that they can practice these in their daily lives; Guide them to Love all and Serve all. In short help them grow into worthy citizens to serve the world; identifying the divinity present in all. Education must aim at providing the child not livelihood, but, a life worth living. The promotion of human values must become an integral part of the educational process.”
Bhagavan’s Compassionate Guidance to Gurus
Bhagavan’s Compassionate Blessings to Children
Structuring The Bala Vihars were started in the year1969 by Mahila Vibhag for the children above six years of age and they were imparted education from the content drawn from ancient scriptures with Divine guidance, through the methodology of story telling, enacting plays and singing Bhajans etc. Thus a new movement of momentous dimensions was set in motion by Bhagavan in the field of education. The children imbibed good habits through mutual help and cooperation which inculcated in them a sense of discipline and devotion. Prof. Kasturi defined Bala Vihar as a Play-Way education system imparting noble values, giving insight to Sanathana Dharma. Bhagavan later changed the name of Bala Vihar into Bal Vikas in 1971, redefining the education system created by Him as the system aiming at the Blossoming of Human Excellence . The early beginnings of the Bal Vikas movement were quite simple. During 1950’s and early 60’s Bhagavan had been repeatedly motivating parents to fulfill the spiritual needs of the children. He insisted that parents should take up the responsibility of moulding the character of children who, in turn, shape the destiny of the nation. Early in the development of Bal Vikas, Swamy emphasized that“the Bal Vikas course is designed to impart the values of Sanathana Dharma, the Perennial Virtuous Conduct. It is imperative that the guru teaches this course with full faith and confidence.” Throughout 1980, Swamy continued to elaborate on his concept of ideal education for children. Adressing students in May 1985 He said, “The process of education involves the process of self-control and self-denial. Wealth, Scholarship, Power and Prestige are all despicable if they are not directed towards moral ends”. As time passed by, slowly and steadily the Bal Vikas Programme designed by Bhagavan for children between 6 years to 14 years of age, in three groups, took shape and with the formation and expansion of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Bal Vikas spread far and wide. Training modules were developed, research went in deeper, and with Bhagavan’s active and continuous guidance Bal Vikas was crystallized into a 9 year non-formal education system for children enhancing their learning to become role models in character and also in academic performance.
Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas History – A Divine Journey Of Values And Character Building
Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas History is a meaningful subject that reflects the loving vision of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba for children and future generations. Bal Vikas means the blossoming of the child. It is not only about giving moral lessons, but about helping children grow with love, truth, discipline, devotion, respect, and service. Swami always emphasized that children are the foundation of society, and if they are guided with values from an early age, the future of humanity becomes brighter.
The purpose of Bal Vikas is to bring out the goodness already present within every child. A child is not an empty vessel to be filled only with information. A child carries natural innocence, love, purity, and faith. These qualities need proper guidance so that they do not get covered by fear, selfishness, anger, or negative influences. Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas History reminds us that real education begins when values are planted in the heart.
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba gave great importance to human values such as truth, right conduct, peace, love, and nonviolence. These values became the foundation of Bal Vikas training. Children were taught not only to know these values, but to practice them in daily life. Speaking truth, respecting parents, helping friends, praying sincerely, serving the needy, and controlling anger were shown as simple ways to live spiritually.
Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas History also highlights the role of gurus, parents, and society in shaping young minds. A Bal Vikas guru is not merely a teacher who explains lessons. The guru becomes a guide, friend, and example for children. Children learn deeply from the behavior of elders. If the guru speaks gently, lives truthfully, and serves humbly, children naturally absorb those qualities. The best lesson is always taught through personal example.
The growth of Bal Vikas was closely connected with Swami’s mission of value-based education. He wanted children to grow into good human beings first. Marks, success, and career are important, but they are not enough. If education does not create character, it remains incomplete. A child who becomes truthful, compassionate, disciplined, and service-minded becomes a blessing to the family and society.
Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas History teaches that spirituality for children should be simple, joyful, and practical. Children learn best through stories, songs, prayers, group activities, silent sitting, games, and service. Stories from the lives of saints, avatars, and noble people inspire them to choose goodness. Bhajans soften the heart. Silent sitting improves concentration. Service activities help them understand compassion in action.
Bal Vikas also helps children respect all religions and cultures. Swami taught that all religions lead to the same Divine when followed with sincerity. Children were encouraged to understand unity behind different names and forms of God. This broad vision protects young minds from hatred and narrow thinking. It helps them grow with respect for all faiths and love for all people.
Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas History is not only about classes or programs; it is about inner transformation. The real success of Bal Vikas is seen when a child becomes more obedient, loving, truthful, helpful, and peaceful. If a child learns to speak kindly, care for parents, avoid hurting others, and remember God, then the teaching has entered the heart.
Parents have a very important role in this journey. The home is the first school, and parents are the first teachers. If children attend Bal Vikas but return to a home filled with anger, dishonesty, and disrespect, the values become difficult to practice. Therefore, parents must support the teachings through their own conduct. A peaceful home helps Bal Vikas values grow strongly.
Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas History also reminds us that service is an important part of childhood training. Children should learn that happiness does not come only from receiving, but also from giving. Sharing food, helping classmates, respecting workers, caring for nature, and serving poor people teach lessons that books alone cannot teach. Service removes selfishness and expands the heart.
In modern times, children face many distractions through technology, competition, comparison, and pressure. They may gain information quickly, but they also need emotional balance and moral strength. Bal Vikas gives them inner support. It teaches them how to pray, how to think positively, how to control speech, and how to choose right actions. These lessons remain useful throughout life.
Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas History finally shows that the aim of this movement is not only to create religious children, but noble human beings. Swami wanted children to become examples of love, discipline, humility, and service. A child trained in values can grow into a responsible adult who brings peace to the home, honesty to work, and compassion to society.
In the end, Bal Vikas is a divine gift for children and humanity. It helps young hearts blossom like flowers at the feet of God. When children are guided with love and values, they become strong from within. Their thoughts become pure, their words become gentle, and their actions become helpful. This is the true beauty of Bal Vikas and the lasting message of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s educational vision.
Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas DasaMahaVidyas – III