Who is Sai? 19 June 1974Sri Sathya Sai Baba(From Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. IX, pp. 88–92) Editor’s Note In this discourse, Swami speaks about the nature of God, the religion of Love, and His Avatharhood. He explains why He materializes rings and sacred objects, the inner meaning behind these acts, and the profound significance of the name Sai Baba. God is inscrutable. He cannot be realized in the outer, objective world; He resides in the very heart of every being. Precious gemstones are found deep beneath the earth; they do not float in mid-air. In the same way, seek God in the depths of your own Self—not in the dazzling, ever-changing panorama of nature. The body has been granted to you for this supreme purpose. Yet, you misuse it—like the person who cooked his daily food in a gem-studded golden vessel that came to him as a sacred heirloom. Man praises God as omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent, yet ignores His presence within himself. Many attempt to define God and describe His attributes, but these descriptions are only guesses—reflections of personal preferences and limitations. Who can declare that God is only this, or deny that He is that? From the vast ocean, each person can collect only as much water as his vessel can hold. From that limited measure, how can one comprehend the immeasurable? Each religion defines God within its own boundaries and then claims complete understanding. Like the seven blind men describing an elephant as a pillar, a fan, a rope, or a wall—based on the part they touched—religions describe fragments and assert total vision. They forget that God is all forms and all names, all attributes and all assertions. The true religion of humanity is the essence of all religions—and that religion is Love. Just as all parts of the elephant are sustained by a single stream of blood, all religions are sustained by one stream of Love. The outer eye cannot perceive Truth; it often distorts reality. Many observe my actions and hastily conclude that my nature is such and such. They fail to grasp the sanctity, majesty, and eternal reality that I am. The power of Sai is limitless. It manifests eternally. All forms of power reside in this Sai palm. Yet scholars, yogis, pundits, and jnanis who claim to understand me are aware only of the most superficial manifestation of an infinitesimal part of that power—what they call “miracles.” They do not seek the source of all power and wisdom, which is available here. They parade their scholarship and Vedic learning, unaware that the One from whom the Vedas emerged is present before them, for their sake. This has been the tragedy in every age. People may live physically close to the Avathar and yet remain ignorant of their good fortune. They exaggerate miracles, which are as insignificant compared to my glory as a mosquito is compared to the elephant it rests upon. When people speak endlessly of miracles, I smile inwardly, saddened that they lose awareness of my true Reality. My power is immeasurable; my truth is unfathomable. I declare this now because the need has arisen. Yet what I reveal is only a visiting card of my Reality. Among Avathars, only Krishna declared his divinity openly and unmistakably. Even then, in his life, there appeared to be defeats—but those too were part of the divine drama he himself designed. When Krishna said his peace mission to the Kauravas had failed, it was because he willed that war should occur—to expose greed and injustice before the world. In this Sai Avathar, however, there is no place for such apparent defeat. What I will must happen. What I plan must succeed. I am Truth, and Truth does not hesitate or bend. For me, even “willing” is unnecessary. My grace flows naturally to those who have steady love and faith. Because I move freely among you—talking, singing, laughing—many fail to grasp my divinity, power, and mission. Only those who recognize my Love and experience it can claim to have glimpsed my Reality. Love is the royal road that leads to me. Do not attempt to know me through external vision. When you stand before God in a temple, you close your eyes—why? Because you know that only the inner eye of wisdom can reveal Him. Do not crave trivial material objects from me. Crave for me, and you shall receive everything. Accept with gratitude whatever I give as a sign of my grace—but know its deeper meaning. I give rings, talismans, and rosaries to signify the bond between me and the devotee. When calamity befalls them, the object reaches me instantly and returns instantly, carrying my protective grace. But this grace is not limited to those who wear these gifts. Love alone is the bond that wins grace. Consider the meaning of the name Sai Baba.Sa means Divine.Ai or Ayi means Mother.Baba means Father. Thus, Sai Baba represents the Divine Mother and Divine Father, just like the name Sambasiva. Earthly parents love with some degree of selfishness; but this Sai Mother and Father guide, correct, and bless solely to lead you toward victory in self-realization. This Sai has come to unite all humanity as one family, bound by brotherhood; to illumine the Atmic Reality within each being; to reveal the Divine foundation upon which the cosmos rests; and to help man shed his animal nature and rise into his true Divine destiny. I am the embodiment of Divine Love. Love is my instrument. There is no being without love—even the lowest loves itself. And that Self is God. Therefore, there are no atheists in truth—only those temporarily afflicted. Just as a sick person dislikes sweets, those who reject God do so due to spiritual illness. When the illness is cured, they too will relish and revere God. I have spoken of my Truth so that you may contemplate it, draw joy from it, and be inspired to follow the disciplines I prescribe—progressing steadily toward self-realization,

The Message I Bring The Message I Bring This has been called the “milestone” discourse. However, it is believed to be not a real discourse by Sathya Sai Baba but a series of sentences crafted from previous discourses by N. Kasturi. This speech does not appear in the Sathya Sai Speaks series, and no old-timer at Prasanthi NIlaym remembers it.This article indicates where each sentence came from.This video was developed by the late Richard Bock in 1968-69. Kasturi reads this “discourse” while we see darshan scenes. The speech also appeared on a long-playing (33RPM) record and appears in Sam Sandweiss’s book The Holy Man and The Psychiatrist.

The Revelation 17 May 1968Bombay (Mumbai)Sri Sathya Sai Baba(From Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. VI, pp. 210–213) Editor’s Note This is the concluding portion of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s discourse delivered at the World Conference of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations in Bombay on 17 May 1968. In this historic address, Swami clearly and directly declares His divine identity—as an Incarnation of God who has come to restore righteousness (dharma). Since devotees have assembled here from many nations and faiths, I must reveal one important truth. Conferences on religion and spirituality have been held earlier, as have gatherings of followers of specific faiths. But all such conferences occurred after the physical departure of the founders or divine inspirers. This is the first time in history that a World Conference is being held while the Incarnation is present, before you all—having assumed this body for that very purpose, bearing a name chosen by the Incarnation itself. I must tell you this, because ninety-nine out of every hundred among you do not know My Reality. You have come here drawn by many reasons—personal needs, interest in spiritual matters, enthusiasm for developing institutions, admiration, affection, love, reverence, or the joy of sharing spiritual experiences with others. In truth, My Reality cannot be understood—not today, not even after a thousand years of intense austerity or inquiry, even if the whole of humanity joins in that effort. Yet, in a short time, you will become aware of the bliss showered by the Divine Principle that has taken upon itself this sacred body and this sacred name. Your good fortune is far greater than that enjoyed by anchorites, monks, sages, saints, and even those who embodied aspects of divine glory in the past. Because I move among you, eat like you, and speak with you, you fall into the illusion that this is ordinary humanity. Do not make this mistake. I deliberately sing with you, converse with you, and participate in your activities—yet, at any moment, My Divinity may reveal itself. You must be prepared for that moment. Since Divinity is veiled by humanness, you must strive to overcome the maya (delusion) that conceals it from your vision. This is a human form in which all divine principles are present—all names and forms that humanity has attributed to God are manifest in this one form. Do not allow doubt to distract you. Install steady faith in My Divinity on the altar of your heart, and you will gain a vision of My Reality. But if you oscillate like a pendulum—devotion one moment, disbelief the next—you will never comprehend the truth nor experience that bliss. You are extremely fortunate that in this very life you have the opportunity to behold the Sarvadaivathwa Swaroopam—the form that embodies all forms of God. Consider another important truth. In earlier incarnations of God, recognition of Divinity came only after the physical form had left the world, despite ample evidence of divine grace. Devotion arose through fear, awe, or reverence for superhuman powers, authority, or majesty. But reflect upon this Sathya Sai Manifestation. In an age dominated by materialism, disbelief, and irreverence, what draws millions from across the world in devotion? The only answer is the supra-worldly Divinity clothed in human form. How fortunate you are to witness nations across the world paying homage to Bharat, to hear the name of Sathya Sai resounding globally—not in the future, but now, while this body walks among you. You will soon witness the restoration of the Ancient and Eternal Religion—Sanathana Dharma—to its true and natural glory, the righteousness laid down in the Vedas for the welfare of all humanity. The revival of Vedic Dharma is the Sai Sankalpa—the divine resolve. This movement is not driven merely by attracting people through manifestations of power (shakti) or capacity (samarthya). This is not bhramathathwam, a phenomenon of delusion. This divine manifestation will establish truth, uproot untruth, and in that victory, fill all of you with ecstatic joy. That is the Sai Will. Some people—even those in positions of leadership—have begun trading Vedic formulas and Bharatiya cultural principles for money, treating them as merchandise. Even Westerners are eager to purchase them. These truths are not commodities to be sold or bought. Therefore, I shall soon travel to Western countries to make known their true value and to put an end to this commercialization. Authorities from universities in the United States of America and student leaders have already written, inviting Me and preparing programs. Only yesterday, passports were brought requesting My visit to Africa. I shall go there before the month of June. Therefore, make full use of your association with Me. Follow My directions as swiftly and sincerely as you can. Obedience to My instructions alone is sufficient—it will benefit you more than the most severe austerities. Practice Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Santhi (Peace), and Prema (Love)—values dear to Me. Resolve to uphold them in every thought, word, and deed. This alone will grant you the summum bonum—mergence in the Supreme Divine Reality.

Shiva Shakthi Gurupurnima Day 6 July 1963, 6:30 PMSri Sathya Sai Baba Editor’s Note This discourse is historically significant for two reasons. First, Swami publicly demonstrated His divine power by curing Himself—within seconds and before thousands—of a severe stroke that He had borne for eight days, explaining the deeper purpose behind it. Second, for the first time, Swami revealed the advent of Prema Sai, His next incarnation. This is not Swami’s illness; it is an illness that Swami has taken upon Himself in order to save someone else. Swami has no illnesses, nor will He ever become ill. You must all be happy; that alone will make Swami happy. If you grieve, Swami will not be happy. Your joy is Swami’s food. (Then Baba signaled to Kasturi to speak. After his brief speech, Baba asked for the microphone. He tried to say something—“Vinapisthundaa!”—but His voice was indistinct, and no one could understand it, even after repeated attempts.) He then gestured for water. When it was brought, He sprinkled a little with His trembling right hand on His stricken left hand and left leg. He stroked His left hand with His right. Immediately afterward, He used both hands to stroke His left leg. That single touch was enough. The disease vanished instantly. He began to speak again—in the same sweet, musical voice as before. “For those who have no refuge, God is the refuge (Dikku lenivaniki devude gathi). That is exactly why I had to take upon Myself the disease that one helpless devotee was destined to suffer. He would have endured this terrible illness along with four heart attacks and would not have survived. Therefore, as part of My duty—bhakta samrakshana, the protection of devotees—I had to rescue him. This is not the first time I have taken upon Myself the illness of those I wished to save. Even in My previous body at Shirdi, I bore this responsibility. The suffering you witnessed was far too intense for that devotee, so I went through it Myself. This is My play—My leela—My nature. It is part of the task for which I have come: shishya rakshana, the protection of those who surrender.” People who were close to Me during the past week kept asking Me to reveal the name of the person who was saved. I refused, saying it would only make them angry—thinking that Swami had to endure so much pain for one individual. They replied that they would instead honor that person for the depth of devotion that compelled Swami to rush to his rescue. Some even guessed names, pointing to people who had paralysis, especially on the left side. This is amusing. When I save someone, I save them completely. I do not wait for disease to strike, nor do I leave behind traces so someone may be identified later. All these guesses are mere imagination. Even in Shirdi, devotees such as Dada Saheb, Nadaram, and Balawanth were saved in this manner. Balawanth was destined to suffer from plague; I took over the disease, and the boy was saved. This was perhaps the longest period during which I allowed devotees to remain worried—because the heart attacks that were to come upon the devotee also had to be taken over and neutralized. There is another reason why the eight-day duration was essential. Today, I must reveal something about Myself—something I have not disclosed for the last thirty-seven years. The time has come. This sacred day demands it. You know that when I first declared My identity and mission, I said that I belong to the Apasthamba Sutra and the Bharadwaja lineage. Bharadwaja was a great sage who studied the Vedas for one hundred years. Realizing that the Vedas were infinite, he performed penance and received extensions of life from Indra—two centuries more. Even then, the Vedas could not be exhausted. Indra showed him three vast mountain ranges and said, “What you have learned in three centuries is only three handfuls from these mountains of knowledge. Perform a sacred ritual instead; I shall teach it to you. That will grant you the full fruit of Vedic study.” Bharadwaja prepared for the ritual and wished Shakti to preside over it. He went to Kailasa, but Shiva and Shakti were engaged in a divine dance. Eight days passed while Bharadwaja stood waiting in the cold. Shakti merely smiled and continued dancing. Misunderstanding the smile, the sage turned away—and was immediately struck by paralysis affecting his left side. Shiva rushed to him, consoled him, and cured him by sprinkling water from His kamandalu. Both Shiva and Shakti granted Bharadwaja great boons and promised to attend his ritual. Afterward, Shiva declared that They would be born in human form in Bharadwaja’s lineage three times: Shiva further said that as expiation for the eight days Bharadwaja was neglected at Kailasa, Shakti would endure a stroke for eight days during the Sathya Sai incarnation—and on the eighth day, Shiva would cure it by sprinkling water, just as before. What you witnessed today is the fulfillment of that ancient assurance. The suffering of a devotee provided the occasion for its execution. Many purposes were fulfilled through this single incident: the devotee was saved, the promise was honored, the mystery was clarified, and the Divinity was proclaimed through a great miracle. Let Me tell you clearly: Nothing can obstruct the work of an Avatar. Some foolish people said during these days that it was all over with Sai Baba. Some claimed I was in samadhi, others feared black magic. Nothing can affect Me. The splendor of this Avatar will continue to increase. When the child Krishna lifted Govardhanagiri, the cowherds recognized His divinity. Now, not one mountain—but an entire range—will be lifted. Have patience. Have faith. Tomorrow morning, I shall give each of you the Namaskaram Blessing that you missed today.