God’s Own Children

God’s Own Children

– Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thirty year old ChinnaNagamma of Jagrajpalli had darkness staring into her. Future seemed bleak. Her husband had recently passed away. She had four young children. No land of her own. No house to stay in. And like a majority of the rural women in India, she was illiterate. To provide her children with one square meal a day was a daunting challenge. With none of her so called kith and kin coming forward to bail her out of this pathetic situation, she silently, cried out for help in her heart in the hope that if there was a God somewhere, may be He would respond.

Her prayers were not in vain. After a few months of her suffering, she heard from someone that Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba was starting a project that would rehabilitate destitutes like her and that anyone deserving could come and register themselves. Immediately, she came with her children to Puttaparthi and met the people concerned with the project. When she told them her story, they melted. They registered her and sent her back to her village with the assurance that she would be called soon after verification. Chinna Nagamma spent about a week full of anticipation. Yet, no word came from Puttaparthi. Was this project too one of those nonstarters, as with the many government schemes? Or was she found not deserving ? Whose life could be more disastrous than hers? she thought. A few days later, when she was returning from the forest after taking the cattle for grazing, a policeman accosted her. Upon enquiring her name, the policeman broke the news to a trembling Nagamma : You have been called by Bhagavan to stay in Puttaparthi, along with your children. Nagamma could not believe her ears. She was convinced that if at all there was a God, it had to be Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Today, Nagamma, along with eighty others is a happy resident, of Sathya Sai Nagar at Kammmavaripalli behind the ashram complex. Each of them has a story to tell about how compassionate Swami has been to them. The Sathya Sai Nagar is the result of The Sathya Sai Deenajanoddharana project taken up by the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust in the year 2001. The project had its genesis in 2001, when Bhagavan, made a declaration that He would take up the cause of as many destitutes as possible and rehabilitate them. He recounted how he was moved by the news of a mother who committed suicide by consuming poison after poisoning her three children as she could not combat the abject poverty they found themselves in. He declared that he would provide food, shelter and clothing to as many destitute children as possible, besides educating them to be self-reliant.

Sai Sankalpa (resolve) is Vajra sankalpa. Action followed with lightning speed. To begin with, construction began for two room tenements to house the first come orphans and destitutes, converting His own orchard into a housing colony. Swami himself laid the foundation stone for the project. Sixty boys from such families were selected from Bukkapatnam, Kothacheruvu and Puttaparthi mandals. Some among them had no mother. Some had no father. Some had none. But as soon as they came to Prasanthi Nilayam, they found a loving mother in Swami. Swami would give them clothes, suitcases, blankets and would bless them with His kind words. During the period of construction of Sai Nagar, the boys and their widowed mothers were housed in specially allocated sheds and given some orientation. Volunteers started taking informal classes according to the age of the boys, until they were formally accepted in the upcoming school at Sai Nagar. There were in total 58 boys, the age ranging from 4 to 14 years. The mothers were ten in number

Meanwhile, the construction was progressing fast under the able execution of Nagarjuna Construction Company , a reputed firm in Andhra Pradesh. Bhagavan was involved at every stage of the project, offering practical advice on all aspects. On June 19th 2002,the festival of Gurupurnima, Swami inaugurated the fully completed Sathya Sai Nagar . The grateful boys sang songs of gratitude while the mothers watched them from a distance with tears in their eyes. Bhagwan himself was totally lost in the innocent love of those young children. He listened to their songs with rapt attention, patted them and blessed them profusely.

ater in the year, on 22nd November 2002, the annual convocation of SSSIHL, Bhagwan handed over a cheque of sixty lakhs to Sri Paramahansa , the project in charge, in the presence of the president of India Shri A P J Abdul Kalam. The money was to be used, Bhagavan declared, for making a fixed deposit of one lakh rupees in the name of each boy!

Today, the Sathya Sai Nagar is an ideal of community living. It is more or less an example of a self-sustained, self-sufficient village. When the idea of making a cover story came to H2H, we contacted Sathya Sai Nagar over the telephone, saying we wanted to come there. Within minutes, there was a car in front our office with Sri Prakash , the caretaker of the village and a young driver who must be no more than 14 years of age. When asked about it, Sri Prakash replied that they train their boys in all skills, including driving! Believe us, He was a pretty good driver!

God’s Own Children – A Divine Message Of Love, Innocence, And Human Values

God’s Own Children is a beautiful spiritual theme that reminds us that every child carries purity, innocence, love, and divine potential within the heart. Children are not merely young members of society; they are precious gifts entrusted to parents, teachers, and the world. Their minds are soft, their hearts are open, and their character can be shaped through love, guidance, discipline, and noble values.

In spiritual understanding, childhood is a sacred stage of life. A child may not know philosophy, scriptures, or complicated prayers, but the natural qualities of trust, joy, simplicity, and love are already present. This is why children are often seen as closer to God in feeling. They forgive quickly, smile freely, and love without calculation. Adults can learn much from their innocence.

God’s Own Children teaches us that children must be protected not only physically, but also emotionally, morally, and spiritually. They need food, clothes, shelter, and education, but they also need affection, encouragement, security, and values. A child who grows with love becomes confident. A child who grows with fear may become restless. A child who grows with values becomes a blessing to family and society.

Parents have a sacred responsibility in shaping the life of a child. The home is the first school, and parents are the first teachers. Before children learn from books, they learn from the atmosphere around them. If they see kindness, prayer, honesty, respect, and patience at home, these qualities slowly enter their hearts. If they see anger, dishonesty, and harshness, those impressions may also affect them deeply.

God’s Own Children reminds us that education should not be limited to marks, exams, and career success. True education must help children become good human beings. It should teach truth, right conduct, peace, love, and nonviolence. A child may become successful in worldly life, but without compassion and character, that success remains incomplete. The real aim of education is to bring out the goodness already hidden within.

Teachers also play a powerful role in the lives of children. A good teacher does not only explain lessons; they shape confidence, discipline, and moral strength. Children observe how a teacher speaks, corrects, encourages, and behaves. A loving teacher can inspire a child for life. A harsh or careless teacher can wound a young heart. Therefore, teaching is not only a profession; it is a sacred service.

God’s Own Children also highlights the importance of protecting innocence. In today’s world, children are exposed to many distractions, pressures, and influences through technology, competition, and social comparison. They may learn quickly, but they can also become anxious, impatient, or confused. Adults must guide them with wisdom. Freedom should be balanced with discipline, and knowledge should be balanced with values.

A child’s heart needs encouragement more than constant criticism. Correction is necessary, but it should be given with love. When children make mistakes, they should be guided patiently. Harsh words can create fear, while loving correction can create understanding. The purpose of discipline is not to break the child’s spirit, but to help it grow in the right direction.

God’s Own Children teaches that every child deserves dignity, care, and respect. No child should be judged by wealth, background, appearance, ability, or social status. Some children may learn fast, while others may need more support. Some may be quiet, while others may be active. Every child has a unique nature and hidden talent. Love helps that talent bloom.

Service to children is one of the purest forms of service. Feeding hungry children, educating poor children, protecting vulnerable children, and giving emotional support to lonely children are sacred acts. When we serve children with love, we are serving the future of humanity. A society that neglects children weakens its own foundation. A society that nurtures children builds hope for tomorrow.

God’s Own Children also reminds us that children should be taught compassion from an early age. They should learn to share, respect elders, care for animals, protect nature, help classmates, and speak kindly. Values learned in childhood often remain throughout life. If love and service are planted early, the child grows into a responsible and peaceful person.

Spirituality for children should be gentle, joyful, and practical. They can learn through stories, prayers, songs, silence, service, and good examples. They should not be frightened in the name of God. Instead, they should feel that God is loving, protective, and close to their heart. A child who grows with faith gains inner strength during difficulties.

God’s Own Children finally teaches that adults must become worthy guides. Children listen to words, but they follow examples more deeply. If we want children to be truthful, we must live truthfully. If we want them to be kind, we must be kind. If we want them to pray, serve, and respect others, we must show these values in daily life.

In the end, children are not empty vessels to be filled with pressure and ambition. They are living flowers that need love, care, sunlight, and guidance. When they are nurtured with values, faith, and compassion, they become bright lights for the world. Every child carries a spark of divinity, and it is our duty to help that spark shine beautifully through goodness, confidence, and love.

God is Love, Live in Love