Lessons From Then And Now – Shirdi Reminiscences The Dasara festival is significant for many reasons. It is that time of the year when we worship God as the mother of all beings, showing gratitude for the ‘Shaktis’ bestowed on man, for the gifts of Nature’s bounties, and seeking courage to battle the evil within. In Prasanthi the festival is marked by the grand Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yajna, the Grama Seva and the Prasanthi Vidwan Maha Sabha. In between we also have the festival where the various vehicles blessed to carry our Lord is worshipped. In the years gone by, Swami would come around breaking coconuts before the cars, and even alight the cars and the golden chariot at times. The last day of the Navaratri, Vijayadashami, is celebrated in memory of Rama’s victory over evil Ravana and also Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon, Mahishasura. There is one more reason why Vijayadashami is special for devotees of Bhagawan. It was on the Vijayadashami day of the year 1918, Shirdi Baba, the previous incarnation of Bhagawan shed His mortal coil. In that sense, Vijayadashami is the Aradhana Mahotsavam for the Shirdi Avatar. So even as we participate in the Poornahuti of the Yajnam, the final session of Prasanthi Vidwan Mahasabha (in person or virtually), and pay our obeisance to our all-auspicious Mother Sai, let us also travel back to the holy precincts of Shirdi. There in the dilapidated Dwarakamayi lived Baba, acting as mysteriously as only Divinity can; one moment He was the Mother of all beings, compassionate and caring; the other moment He was Rudra Himself, blazing with rage. He wore a ragged kafni and called Himself a Fakir, but He went out on a royal procession as the devotees extolled Him as ‘Sainath Maharaj’. And what better way to make this journey, than to do it with Swami Himself. We offer you through this article, excerpts from Swami’s discourses, where He related little stories from His previous incarnation. Please do listen, read, contemplate and offer at the feet of Baba the two coins He ever sought as dakshina – the coins of Shraddha and Saburi (Faith and Patience). At times we go back on our words. There is no greater sin than going back on one’s word. Emperor Bali said: “Can there be a greater sin that failing to keep one’s word?!” Therefore we must keep our word as sacred and protect it. When in Shirdi, many devotees would visit Shirdi. There was a siristidhar (a government officer) by name Tarkhad. He had a wife and a son of 16 years age. The wife and son had immense faith in Baba. Therefore he never obstructed them. One day the wife and son said, “We wish to go to Shirdi.” “Certainly, go and come”, he replied. This person, Tarkhad was affiliated to Brahmo Samaj and so had no desire to visit pilgrim centres. So though his wife requested him a lot, he never visited Shirdi. That too is a sort of weakness. What does it matter to which Samaj (society or group) you belong to, but one should understand the truth that God Almighty is one. Some people consider caste and religion to be of utmost importance and take to the wrong path. So this Tarkhad who belonged to the Brahmo Samaj said, “I am not coming, you both may go.” But the 16 year old boy said, “Father, I won’t go.” “Why won’t you go?” he asked. “Father, in my everyday worship, from morning to night I observe my disciplines in prayer to God as they ought to be. I take sugar candy and place them as offering to Baba. With the faith that He has accepted it, I partake of it as prasadam. As I don’t wish to give up this practice, I won’t go to Shirdi.” The father had a lot of love for his son. Since he did not want his son to be troubled he said, “Son, I will do that work, you can go.” “Will you really do?” asked the son. “Will you worship Baba as I do? Will you make the offering to Baba? Will you then accept the offering? Then give me your word, only then will I go.” The father’s heart melted seeing the determination of the boy. “How noble is this boy to be so steadfast in his disciplines? I don’t have such steadfastness in spite of my age” he thought to himself. He then gave word to his son that he will do. The mother and son then left for Shirdi while the father as promised performed the worship diligently for two three days. Offering sugar candy just like his son, eating that candy before lunch, all of this was happening. The third day was a Thursday and but he had some urgent work in the court. In the morning, he had his bath, offered worship, ate breakfast, put on his dress and rushed to office. When he returned for lunch he sat down and commanded his cook, “Get me that prasadam.” The cook replied, “Babuji, today in your hurry you have not made the offering.” He felt very bad that he could not keep up the word he had given his son. He was not distressed because of not making an offering to Baba but because he had broken the word given to his son. On the following day, Tarkhad’s wife and son came to Shirdi to offer salutations. Baba said, “Son, yesterday I visited Bandra, but no one served Me food. I did not even find the sugar candy that you keep for Me every day. I returned very hungry. Will you give Me anything now?” The boy was shocked. When he went back to his room, he buried his head in the lap of his mother and started crying.

The Perfect Birthday Offering of Unity, Purity and Divinity 5oth Birthday When the Lord comes in our midst there are two important aspects to His descent that stand out among others. One is His powerful and enchanting presence, which has the potency to transform and raise all who comes to Him. Everyone who comes to Him benefits, some considerably and few immensely, depending on one’s receptiveness. The other aspect is the message that He brings, and this has some unique benefits of its own. Adherence to the message has the power to manifest the Lord in one’s life. A tryst with Divinity could be a blessing for good acts of the past, but it is in loyalty to the message that one completely benefits and finds redemption, and also a means to express one’s devotion to the Lord. So it is indeed of paramount importance for each of us to dwell on His message. As part of the 90th Birthday offerings, we brought to you excerpts of a discourse from the Golden Jubilee Birthday Celebrations of Bhagawan. During the grand 50th Birthday celebrations, Baba gave discourses specific to the Seva wing and the Bal Vikas wing, apart from discourses revealing His own message and mission. In this concluding part we present a few clips from the discourse Bhagawan delivered on the 50th Birthday – 23 Nov 1975. Let us listen and re-listen, read and re-read even as we imbibe the essence contained. No birthday is complete without a birthday gift, and the gift must be to the liking of the recipient. So what is the gift we can offer Swami on His birthday? Truly speaking, that is something each one of us must discover for ourselves. Yet we can say one thing for sure, a good place to begin the search is Swami’s own message. So on this most joyous occasion of Swami’s 90th Birthday, let us go through a few clips from the discourse He delivered on the 50th Birthday, 23 Nov 1975. The little poems Bhagawan begins His discourses with are always special. This discourse began with three and all three describing different themes. In the first Padhyam Swami explained the importance of purity, placing it higher than intellectual acumen. In the second Swami explained that even the best of objects cannot attract those that do not recognise the value of the object. And the last one was a beautiful verse describing who Bhagawan really is. It is indeed a hint that the knowledge of His divinity is accessible only after one has earned the deservedness. But the knowledge and deservedness is worthwhile only if the opportunity leads to purity. In the following clip Swami explains the importance of human life what must be the ends we must strive for.

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.

Sanctify Human Life Through the Pursuit of Sathya and Dharma When the Lord comes in our midst there are two important aspects to His descent that stand out among others. One is His powerful and enchanting presence, which has the potency to transform and raise all who comes to Him. Everyone who comes to Him benefits, some considerably and few immensely, depending on one’s receptiveness. The other aspect is the message that He brings, and this has some unique benefits of its own. Adherence to the message has the power to manifest the Lord in one’s life. A tryst with Divinity could be a blessing for good acts of the past, but it is in loyalty to the message that one completely benefits and finds redemption, and also a means to express one’s devotion to the Lord. So it is indeed of paramount importance for each of us to dwell on His message. As part of the 90th Birthday offerings, we will begin every month from the present one with excerpts of a discourse from the Golden Jubilee Birthday Celebrations of Bhagawan. During the grand 50th Birthday celebrations, Baba gave discourses specific to the Seva wing and the Bal Vikas wing, apart from discourses revealing His own message and mission. Let us listen and re-listen, read and re-read even as we imbibe the essence contained. An important difference between a Guru or a spiritual master and an Avatar, lies in the wide reach and applicability of the message of the latter, and the variety of individuals who get to draw solace from it. This is not to belittle the role played by great masters, or to say that their message lack something. Most often than not, the spiritual message of a Guru is esoteric and the individual to be drawn to it must’ve spent considerable time in enquiring in those very lines. But an Avatar comes for all. Bhagawan’s presence elevated and continues to elevate every person that comes into contact with Him. A worldly man would be inspired to draw out the goodness from within, a good person would be prodded to a spiritual path, an aspirant would find fresh inspiration and vigour to march on, and the wise ones were filled with a ceaseless sense of fulfilment. Bhagawan’s message has welcomed into its embrace people from different faiths and belief systems, cultures and spiritual inclinations. And it is a wonder in itself how Bhagawan’s message began spreading across continents in spite of His resolve not to make trips abroad. (The only overseas trip Bhagawan made was to East Africa in the 1960s). And as Bhagawan’s name and message spread, there began to rise with it, the need to indoctrinate the basic tenets of the message. This was more to form the basic framework of what Swami expects of those who wish to associate with His name. This process began with the setting up of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisations in the 1960s. Bhagawan set an example for us all by spending enormous time and energy by personally guiding and explaining His instructions, expectations and vision for this Organisation. He did this by either talking to the office bearers in interviews or through the World Conferences that were held in HIs august presence. We bring you excerpts from the discourse Swami gave as part of the 2nd World Conference, during Bhagawan’s 50th Birthday Celebrations. The message that Bhagawan says every Avatar and Master comes to give is this – Divinity is within, and all that we do must be to enable us to manifest it. One of the key objectives of the SSSO as listed in the official website is: “To help the individual be aware of the Divinity that is inherent in him and to conduct himself accordingly.” And that is the very message Bhagawan gives even as he opens this discourse. He goes on to tell us about two important tools one may use in this process.

Building A Sacred Future Through Our Children When the Lord comes in our midst there are two important aspects to His descent that stand out among others. One is His powerful and enchanting presence, which has the potency to transform and raise all who comes to Him. Everyone who comes to Him benefits, some considerably and few immensely, depending on one’s receptiveness. The other aspect is the message that He brings, and this has some unique benefits of its own. Adherence to the message has the power to manifest the Lord in one’s life. A tryst with Divinity could be a blessing for good acts of the past, but it is in loyalty to the message that one completely benefits and finds redemption, and also a means to express one’s devotion to the Lord. So it is indeed of paramount importance for each of us to dwell on His message. The first and foremost problem of our education system is the commercialisation of it. As Swami said in the previous clip, it is difficult for a teacher to impart to the students the true ideals when the teacher has an eye on the remuneration or the exchange of knowledge becomes a business deal. When that happens, there are two commodities being exchanged, one is education and the other money. And as more importance is given to money, now in the student-teacher relationship, the student becomes the giver and the teacher the receiver. In such a scenario, the student chooses and demands what he wants. Interestingly, this was precisely the point Bhagawan made when He announced that His colleges and schools will charge no fees. He said while talking to the staff one day in the portico of the mandir in Prasanthi Nilayam, “If we take money from the students, we have to give them what they ask for. When we give education free, we can give them what has to be given!” Bhagawan goes on to describe, why an education system based on money cannot impart sacred learning. Though a significant part of the onus for this deterioration in the education system lies in commercialisation, the problem could be traced to a deeper cause. This can be recognised through a close observation of the change in our attitude itself. Why would any society wish for a system that is injurious to the progress of the society? The only cause for a system’s failure could be wrong prioritisation of the individuals in the society. But in this scenario, whose error of judgement is it? Bhagawan explains in the clip to follow.

The Yoga of Selfless Service When the Lord comes in our midst there are two important aspects to His descent that stand out among others. One is His powerful and enchanting presence, which has the potency to transform and raise all who comes to Him. Everyone who comes to Him benefits, some considerably and few immensely, depending on one’s receptiveness. The other aspect is the message that He brings, and this has some unique benefits of its own. Adherence to the message has the power to manifest the Lord in one’s life. A tryst with Divinity could be a blessing for good acts of the past, but it is in loyalty to the message that one completely benefits and finds redemption, and also a means to express one’s devotion to the Lord. So it is indeed of paramount importance for each of us to dwell on His message. As part of the 90th Birthday offerings, we will begin every month from the present one with excerpts of a discourse from the Golden Jubilee Birthday Celebrations of Bhagawan. During the grand 50th Birthday celebrations, Baba gave discourses specific to the Seva wing and the Bal Vikas wing, apart from discourses revealing His own message and mission. Let us listen and re-listen, read and re-read even as we imbibe the essence contained. In man’s life, it is only when there is a relationship, connection and communion between different components of the community that life will be happy and pleasurable. Man cannot live in isolation from society even for one moment. So to take notice of the problems of the society and through the efforts to resolve that if we seek peace and perform our Sadhana, that would be the best and sacred path to tread. Man’s good and bad are inextricably tied up with the society. It is only when the society is good that man can also be good and do good to his environment, but if the society is bad, man can become bad and can do harm to his environment. So, the proper path is for us to find out the ways in which we can do service to the society and through service to the society, we should acquire the right path of action for ourselves. In the Gita, Arjun laments how the mind is ever flickering and agitating, strong and stubborn, and controlling which is more difficult than controlling the wind. Lord Krishna acknowledges the same and replies, “Abhyasena tu Kaunteya vairagyena ca grihyate” (But oh Kaunteya, it is possible through detachment and practice.) What we hear from Swami in this discourse is a clear elaboration of the same message. That this herculean task of controlling the mind can be achieved through Vairagya or detachment that comes from selfless service, and Abhyasa or constant practice of sublimating our thoughts and using them to solve the problems in society. Clearly Seva is beneficial as much for the giver as it is for the receiver, if not more. In fact Bhagawan goes on to declare that Sadhana without service to the society we live in is futile. Path to no goal of substance will be without tribulations. Shouldn’t we expect them when the goal is the ultimate one of self-realisation and the path is that of service? But Bhagawan explains with what attitude we must take on these tests, and what can we do to prepare ourselves to face these challenges.

Building A Sacred Future Through Our Children When the Lord comes in our midst there are two important aspects to His descent that stand out among others. One is His powerful and enchanting presence, which has the potency to transform and raise all who comes to Him. Everyone who comes to Him benefits, some considerably and few immensely, depending on one’s receptiveness. The other aspect is the message that He brings, and this has some unique benefits of its own. Adherence to the message has the power to manifest the Lord in one’s life. A tryst with Divinity could be a blessing for good acts of the past, but it is in loyalty to the message that one completely benefits and finds redemption, and also a means to express one’s devotion to the Lord. So it is indeed of paramount importance for each of us to dwell on His message. As part of the 90th Birthday offerings, we will begin every month from with excerpts of a discourse from the Golden Jubilee Birthday Celebrations of Bhagawan. During the grand 50th Birthday celebrations, Baba gave discourses specific to the Seva wing and the Bal Vikas wing, apart from discourses revealing His own message and mission. The excerpts presented below are from the discourse Baba gave on 19 Nov 1975. This is the second part of the article published last month, with more clips from the same discourse. Let us listen and re-listen, read and re-read even as we imbibe the essence contained. What does it take to make education so sacred and holy? In what sort of an environment can the exchange of spiritual education take place? Bhagawan explains that for such a sacred exchange, both the receiver and the giver must be elevated. Especially a lot depends on the teacher. Swami tells us what should be the nature of a Guru, for the Guru to be an imparter of true education. The first and foremost problem of our education system is the commercialisation of it. As Swami said in the previous clip, it is difficult for a teacher to impart to the students the true ideals when the teacher has an eye on the remuneration or the exchange of knowledge becomes a business deal. When that happens, there are two commodities being exchanged, one is education and the other money. And as more importance is given to money, now in the student-teacher relationship, the student becomes the giver and the teacher the receiver. In such a scenario, the student chooses and demands what he wants. Interestingly, this was precisely the point Bhagawan made when He announced that His colleges and schools will charge no fees. He said while talking to the staff one day in the portico of the mandir in Prasanthi Nilayam, “If we take money from the students, we have to give them what they ask for. When we give education free, we can give them what has to be given!” Bhagawan goes on to describe, why an education system based on money cannot impart sacred learning. Though a significant part of the onus for this deterioration in the education system lies in commercialisation, the problem could be traced to a deeper cause. This can be recognised through a close observation of the change in our attitude itself. Why would any society wish for a system that is injurious to the progress of the society? The only cause for a system’s failure could be wrong prioritisation of the individuals in the society. But in this scenario, whose error of judgement is it? Bhagawan explains in the clip to follow.

Practice Yoga For Physical, Mental And Spiritual Well-being On December 11, 2014 the United Nations General Assembly declared 21 June as the International Yoga Day, and hence we are celebrating today as the first Yoga Day ever. Ancient India’s contribution to the world of science, technology and medicine is immense, and the immensity of which is being acknowledged increasingly now, in the modern world. Most of this recognition has been very late in coming forth. As a result, for example, we still teach children in India the Fibonacci series named after the 13th century Italian scientist, with no reference to Virahanka (700 AD), Hemachandra (1150 AD) or even the genius Pingala (200 BC) who explained the theory much before! The above being a case in point to show how we value knowledge that we have imported or begin to value what is native when validated by the western world. But one could say that Yoga is one contribution of ancient India that has been actively acknowledged and adopted by the world at large. So it is but befitting that this comprehensive science to improve one’s ‘standard of life’ be given a platform such as the International Yoga Day and thereby encourage the widespread adoption of its practice. The Asana and Pranayama are just two aspects of Yoga that have become popular for their practical value. So much so that when we speak of Yoga we only refer to these two. But Yoga by itself is a concept that is much deeper. The word ‘Yoga’ comes from the root word, ‘Yuj’ that means, ‘to yoke or to connect’. So broadly defining it, we can say Yoga means to connect or attach oneself with something. And as one’s inner Divinity is what an aspirant is supposed to be after, Yoga is a means by which one establishes a connect with one’s own Divine Self. Physical health and mental tranquillity are two milestones one crosses in this journey, or akin to two byproducts of this profound pursuit. So it would indeed be fruitful for all of us to understand the essence and recognise the value of this ancient science. And what better way than to hear from Bhagawan. To commemorate the first International Yoga Day, we present for you excerpts from the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan on 30 May 1993 on ‘The Philosophy of Yoga’. Let us all listen, learn, imbibe and practice in our everyday life the message that Swami gives in this discourse. In an international university in America, a physiology professor experimented in different ways. He was firm and determined to find the results, and so kept his focus on research. He is Carlton Cane. Just recently he arrived at the results. He discovered and concluded that, through Patanjali Yoga anything could be changed. Later, some other researchers conducted experiments at the university in Hawaii and recognised this truth too. Colleat, Sheaton and Johnson were the researchers and they conducted experiments in diversified ways. Among the three professors Johnson was quite astute. He didn’t have any inclination or faith in Yogasana, but after the research results, he understood the misconception he developed towards Yoga. It is said in Patanjali Yoga Sutra, ‘Chitta Vritti nirodhakaha’. When the vagaries of the mind are controlled one can accomplish anything in life, one can improve one’s mental and physical abilities – this was also a conclusion they arrived at. They publicised that yoga is a must if one wishes to maintain good health without spending a penny and without going to doctors.

Spiritual Education is Education When the Lord comes in our midst there are two important aspects to His descent that stand out among others. One is His powerful and enchanting presence, which has the potency to transform and raise all who comes to Him. Everyone who comes to Him benefits, some considerably and few immensely, depending on one’s receptiveness. The other aspect is the message that He brings, and this has some unique benefits of its own. Adherence to the message has the power to manifest the Lord in one’s life. A tryst with Divinity could be a blessing for good acts of the past, but it is in loyalty to the message that one completely benefits and finds redemption, and also a means to express one’s devotion to the Lord. So it is indeed of paramount importance for each of us to dwell on His message. As part of the 90th Birthday offerings, we will begin every month with excerpts of a discourse from the Golden Jubilee Birthday Celebrations of Bhagawan. During the grand 50th Birthday celebrations, Baba gave discourses specific to the Seva wing and the Bal Vikas wing, apart from discourses revealing His own message and mission. The excerpts presented below are from the discourse Baba gave on 18 Nov 1975 as part of the Bal Vikas Guru’s Conference. Let us listen and re-listen, read and re-read even as we imbibe the essence contained. Even as yet another academic year begins in Prasanthi Nilayam, it would be appropriate to take a dip in this Divine Discourse delivered on 18 November, 1975  where Swami delineates on what true knowledge is. A striking trend we notice these days which was not quite common a decade ago is the extensive advertising by educational institutions, indicating that education is increasingly becoming a commodity, or an asset which is an effective money making tool. Even if one were to overlook for a moment the Divinity of Bhagawan, it has to be conceded that His contribution to the field of education has been immense. Tens of thousands of students have graduated from schools and colleges set up by Him. No doubt they have left with secular degrees that shall help them find fine means of existence, but along with that, the sacred impulses that urge one to seek the very purpose of existence too have been planted in their fertile young minds. Who can be considered a truly educated person? What completes education? These questions can be answered if we know the true purpose of education. In this discourse Swami speaks on this very theme. In fact Bhagawan begins this discourse with a rhetoric poem that raises these very questions. Isn’t it beautiful how Bhagawan answers the question in the question itself? Wisdom and discrimination is what completes education. If education does not leave one with a better discrimination, and stronger so as to follow the right path that has been discerned, definitely the purpose of education is not achieved. But is it merely worldly discrimination that enables one to make better choices? Or is it that, the purpose of education is to grant something beyond even human existence? Swami explains using the meaning of the Sanskrit word, ‘Vidya’. Reaching Brahma Jnana may be the purpose of education, the culmination. But when do we recognise that our quest is becoming more spiritual than worldly? Is there a way we can ascertain for ourselves? Let us see what Swami has to say in the following part of the discourse.

See the Real Hidden Behind the Unreal – 19 November 1975″ “……… …….. When, the Lord comes in our midst there are two important aspects to His descent that stand out among others. One is His powerful and enchanting presence, which has the potency to transform and raise all who comes to Him. Everyone who comes to Him benefits, some considerably and few immensely, depending on one’s receptiveness. The other aspect is the message that He brings, and this has some unique benefits of its own. Adherence to the message has the power to manifest the Lord in one’s life. A tryst with Divinity could be a blessing for good acts of the past, but it is in loyalty to the message that one completely benefits and finds redemption, and also a means to express one’s devotion to the Lord. So it is indeed of paramount importance for each of us to dwell on His message“ As part of the 90th Birthday offerings, we will begin every month with excerpts of a discourse from the Golden Jubilee Birthday Celebrations of Bhagawan. During the grand 50th Birthday celebrations, Baba gave discourses specific to the Seva wing and the Bal Vikas wing, apart from discourses revealing His own message and mission. The excerpts presented below are from the discourse Baba gave on 19 Nov 1975. Let us listen and re-listen, read and re-read even as we imbibe the essence contained. The universal prayer begins with the words, Asatoma Sat Gamaya (Lead from the unreal to the Truth). In order to understand the true import of this prayer, it is necessary to delve on what exactly is ‘reality’? How do we distinguish what is ‘real’ from the ‘unreal’?Just because something is perceived (through the senses and mind), does not mean it is ‘real’ (genuinely exists). In mystical circles, believing the real to be unreal, and the unreal to be real is considered Maya (Illusion). One often needs to be jolted out of this Maya to understand ‘reality’. During His discourse on 19 November, 1975, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba delivered precisely this ‘jolt’. That discourse is a treasure for every sadhaka (spiritual aspirant) and seeker of Truth. Bhagawan makes use of day-to-day examples to enlighten us with the Truth. So is that the truth or is this the truth? Is what we experience everyday the truth, or what we observe in nature the truth? People who have studied these matters have spent a lot of time in trying to answer these questions. Many investigators who have gone into this matter and who have recognized and accepted the fact that the earth is revolving and going round, are unable to establish as an experience if we too are moving with the Earth. This means that, what we experience in this world is one thing and there is another which is the basis and the cause for all this.