Sanathana Sarathi, meaning The Eternal Charioteer, stands as one of the most divine and enduring legacies of Bhagawan Shri Sathya Sai Baba. First published in February 1958, this sacred magazine emerged from Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi — the very heart of Bhagawan’s divine mission. Conceived and blessed directly by Baba Himself, the Sanathana Sarathi was not merely a publication; it was a spiritual lifeline, a sacred channel through which His divine teachings, discourses, and messages of universal love reached devotees around the world.

The name Sanathana Sarathi symbolizes the eternal principle of the Divine as the inner charioteer — guiding every human being through the journey of life, steering them from ignorance to wisdom, from restlessness to peace, and from the transient to the eternal. In the grand epic of the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna served as the charioteer to Arjuna; in the same divine manner, Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba became the Sanathana Sarathi — the charioteer of humanity, guiding souls toward righteousness and realization of the Self.

From its very first issue in 1958, the magazine was published in both English and Telugu, ensuring that the sacred word of the Avatar reached people of all walks of life. Over the decades, translations and editions in various Indian and foreign languages allowed the message of Sanathana Dharma to transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries. Each page carried the fragrance of divinity — His Discourses, Letters, Interviews, and Divine Guidance — becoming a source of inspiration and transformation for seekers across the globe.

Between 1958 and 2021, the Sanathana Sarathi chronicled the unfolding of the divine mission — from the early years of Prasanthi Nilayam’s establishment to the creation of monumental projects in the fields of education, healthcare, water supply, rural upliftment, and spiritual service. The magazine became a living archive of the Sathya Sai movement’s growth — documenting landmark events such as the founding of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, the Super Speciality Hospitals, the Water Supply Projects, and the World Conferences of the Sathya Sai Organisation.

Each issue resonated with Baba’s universal message: that the essence of all religions is Love, and the goal of human life is the realization of one’s inherent divinity. The five eternal values — Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Shanthi (Peace), Prema (Love), and Ahimsa (Non-Violence) — formed the core philosophy that guided every word printed within its pages. The Sanathana Sarathi served as a guiding light, urging readers to live a life of moral integrity, devotion, and service to humanity, reminding all that true spirituality lies not in ritual, but in righteous action and pure heart.

Over the years, it became much more than a magazine; it was a spiritual movement in print, uniting devotees worldwide in a common bond of faith and service. Even after Bhagawan’s Mahasamadhi in 2011, Sanathana Sarathi continued to radiate His teachings, carrying the eternal assurance that He has not gone anywhere; He lives in every heart that beats with love and truth.

By the time it completed its divine journey from 1958 to 2021, Sanathana Sarathi had transformed countless lives, guiding generations toward higher ideals and spiritual awakening. It remains a timeless beacon of Sanathana Dharma, reminding humanity that universal Ananda (divine bliss) is not found in material pursuit but in living a life of love, sacrifice, and selfless service. Through the Sanathana Sarathi, Bhagawan Shri Sathya Sai Baba continues to be the eternal charioteer — leading mankind from darkness to light, from ignorance to wisdom, and from the ephemeral to the eternal.