A Master of Nature
It was on a cloudy June evening that Sathya Sai Baba was addressing an open air meeting at Mercara. The sky was overcast and gloomy rumblings of approaching rain could be heard, not far away. In fact, the rain poured on the hills on the horizon, stepped nearer and nearer, and came as far as Mahadevpet, half a mile away. Baba spoke quietly and calmly, holding the audience spell-bound, for over an hour and a half; at the end, He said, ” Now, you can go home, for in about ten minutes you will get the rain that ought to have drenched you by now. “And, wonder of wonders, the rains came, as announced, ten minutes later, to the very second!
The Chitravathi River at Puttaparthi is subject to sudden floods, for it rises in the Nandi Hills and heavy rains in that region in Mysore State will bring down the waters many feet deep all along the miles. The Prasanthi Nilayam was built on an eminence away from the village to avoid these periodical floods which in some years invade the old Mandir, entering the prayer Shed, the kitchens and all the surrounding area. On many such occasions, Baba has stood on the edge of the water and said, “Ganga! It is enough, go back.” and the waters have not risen more. Some years ago, during Navarathri, when the (Narayana Seva) feeding of the Poor was on, it rained all round the Nilayam, but not a drop fell in the precincts where people were being fed!
A Master of Nature – A Divine Reflection On Harmony, Power, And Spiritual Wisdom
A Master of Nature is a beautiful spiritual theme that reminds us that true mastery is not domination, control, or pride, but harmony with the divine laws of creation. Nature is not separate from God. The mountains, rivers, trees, sky, sun, moon, wind, animals, and seasons all move through a sacred order. A wise person learns to respect this order and live with humility.
Human beings often think they are powerful because they can build, invent, travel, and change the environment. But nature quietly teaches that human power is limited. A storm, drought, flood, earthquake, or disease can remind mankind that life is fragile and dependent on forces greater than human planning. This understanding should not create fear; it should create humility and gratitude.
A Master of Nature teaches that divine beings and great spiritual masters live in perfect harmony with creation. They do not misuse nature for selfish gain. They understand that every element has a sacred purpose. Water nourishes, fire transforms, earth supports, air sustains, and space holds everything. When these elements are respected, life remains balanced and peaceful.
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba often reminded humanity that nature is a gift of God and should be treated with reverence. He taught that human desires must be controlled, because greed leads to misuse of natural resources. When people take more than they need, disturb the environment, and forget gratitude, suffering increases. Simplicity and contentment protect both the heart and the world.
A Master of Nature also reminds us that the outer environment reflects the inner environment. A restless mind creates restless actions. A selfish heart creates selfish systems. But a peaceful and loving person naturally becomes careful, kind, and responsible. If we want harmony in nature, we must begin by creating harmony in our thoughts, words, and actions.
Nature is a great teacher for spiritual seekers. The tree gives shade without asking who deserves it. The river flows without pride. The sun shines without discrimination. The earth bears everyone with patience. The flower spreads fragrance silently. Each part of nature teaches selfless giving, balance, patience, humility, and service.
A Master of Nature becomes meaningful when we understand that real mastery begins with self-mastery. A person who cannot control anger, greed, jealousy, pride, and desire cannot truly master anything outside. The first nature to be conquered is human nature. When the mind becomes disciplined and the heart becomes pure, life becomes guided by wisdom.
The five elements are also present within us. The body is connected with earth, water, fire, air, and space. Therefore, caring for nature is also caring for our own life. Pure food, clean water, fresh air, sunlight, and peaceful surroundings help the body and mind remain healthy. Spiritual living includes respect for the body, society, and the environment.
A Master of Nature also teaches that miracles of nature are happening every day. A seed becomes a tree, clouds become rain, sunrise brings light, and the heart beats without our command. People often search for miracles far away, but creation itself is a daily miracle. A grateful heart sees God’s hand in every breath and every sunrise.
In the life of saints and avatars, nature often responds to purity and divine will. This does not mean that spirituality is a show of power. It means that when a being is completely united with God, the laws of creation are understood at a deeper level. Such mastery is always used for compassion, protection, and upliftment, never for ego.
A Master of Nature finally reminds us that humanity must move from exploitation to reverence. Planting trees, saving water, avoiding waste, protecting animals, living simply, and serving society are spiritual actions when done with love. The earth is not merely a resource; it is a sacred trust given to us by the Divine.
In the end, nature teaches us to live with balance, gratitude, purity, and service. The one who truly understands nature does not become proud, but humble. Such a person sees God in creation, respects every form of life, and uses every blessing responsibly. When human life becomes harmonious with nature and guided by divine values, the world becomes more peaceful, beautiful, and blessed with grace.
The Cave of Vasishta