His Divine Concern

Ashwin Venkateshwaran, alumnus of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning and currently a senior manager in Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in Whitefield shares how concerned our Divine Lord is about each and every one.

It was around 6:00 p.m. The bhajans [devotional songs] had come to a close, Bhagavan had retired to His room, and most of the boys had left. There was silence all around. The sun was slowly setting in the west. Dark clouds hovered above the earth’s surface. The merry voice of the thrush turned to the plaintive cry of a crow for solace. Everything was dull. It had poured heavily and now the rain had ceased but had left traces of its presence around the area. Crickets chirped in the green mossy undergrowth. The pigeons above were grooming themselves with their beaks, as their feathers had gotten disheveled in the downpour.

A young boy sat silently in the midst of nature’s abundance of beauty and stared at God’s wonderful creation. The synchronization and bountiful coordination of nature filled his mind with awe. The symphony of nature, with its beautiful sounds of love and light, gave place to nothing else in his mind. He was wonderstruck and silent. The person who made the world so beautiful with its wonderful exhibits took care to see that even the lowliest of the snails had a shell to protect itself from the cruel side of its life. He took care to see that even a young squirrel would have enough hair to keep itself warm during the frosty winter in the depths of its cozy home. He looked at the entire universe that He had created with so much love that it bloomed into activity.

His broad vision gave place to the most insignificant of things, and He made sure that even they were happy and were given a comfortable place in His creation. What a wonderful person God must be. The boy then took back his words. The very same God about whom he was thinking was amidst all of them just a few moments ago, talking with them, joking, consoling and loving them all as His own. Oh! What a wonderful person God is!

The Sports Meet in Prasanthi Nilayam [Baba’s residence] was proceeding with great pomp and ceremony. Bhagavan had inaugurated the program and everything was going on well. Bhagavan was on the dais and the students were displaying their talents in the form of various feats of bravery, artistic endeavor, and extreme caliber. Suddenly across the dais flew two white pigeons, one behind the other, as though in a chase. Bhagavan’s eyes darted toward this sight and pointing toward them, Bhagavan said, “The poor little things find it difficult to adjust themselves with the outside world, they were with us for such a long time.” Yes, indeed. They were the very same pigeons that Bhagavan had taken in His hand and released into the sky during the inaugural ceremony.

He cares for the smallest amongst the small and also for the biggest amongst the big. There exist no two [separate] entities for Him all are part of Him. As Bhagavan has said, “I separated Myself from Myself to love Myself. My dear ones, you are My very own self.”

His love is far more pervasive and powerful. It is 100 percent pure and selfless. There are many who say that Bhagavan’s love can be compared to that of 1000 mothers. Why only 1000? Could all the mothers in this world match the love given to us by the one Sai-Maa?

It was a few years ago that some solar heaters had arrived in Prasanthi Nilayam. Bhagavan, out of His immense love for His children, felt that it would be very cold in the morning and so the boys could make use of hot water to have a nice bath. Bhagavan decided to install the hot water system in the primary school and in due course of time in the hostel as well. So the principal was informed and the solar heating system was installed within a short period. They were anticipating Bhagavan’s arrival so that Bhagavan Himself would inaugurate the hot water system. Everything was kept ready and responding to their sincere prayers, Bhagavan obliged. The day was fixed and Bhagavan arrived as usual on time. A tap was connected by a long pipe to the solar heater. All that Bhagavan had to do was to open the tap. A bucket was placed underneath to collect the hot water.

Unfortunately, that tap was a faulty contraption that would throw water in all directions except the direction the water was supposed to flow. When Swami opened the tap, to the horror of all the people standing around, the water splashed all over Bhagavan’s face and robe. Boiling hot water drenched Bhagavan’s robe. There was a stunned silence. No one knew what to do. The principal stood horrified, not knowing what to say. Bhagavan then slowly gave a big beautiful smile and said, “See, I had the first bath.” The atmosphere was filled with a burst of laughter and all tension disappeared.

The small boy came out of his reverie and looked back at nature. It was still extremely beautiful. What a magnanimous personality our Lord has! How beautiful He is! How humble He is! The boy got up and proceeded back to the hostel.

The personality of our Lord is far too great for us to comprehend. Still we have occupied the place as Swami’s students and are kept at such a close proximity to our beloved Bhagavan. All we can pray is to be forever at His lotus feet and be the perfect instruments in His hands.

~Ashwin Venkateshwaran
Source: Sai Nandana 1995 (70th Birthday Issue)

His Divine Concern

The life and teachings of Bhagawan Shri Satya Sai Baba continue to inspire millions of devotees around the world through love, compassion, truth, and selfless service. Among the many spiritual lessons shared by Baba, His Divine Concern for humanity shines as one of the most touching and transformative aspects of His mission. Baba never looked at people merely as individuals suffering from worldly problems; He saw every soul as a part of the Divine and constantly guided devotees toward spiritual awakening, inner purity, and unconditional love. Through countless miracles, comforting words, and acts of compassion, His Divine Concern became visible in every moment of His earthly life.

From childhood itself, Shri Satya Sai Baba displayed extraordinary compassion for the poor, sick, and helpless. He understood the pain hidden in the hearts of people even before they spoke about it. Devotees often experienced that Baba knew their thoughts, worries, fears, and prayers without any explanation. This divine understanding strengthened the faith of millions and revealed that His Divine Concern extended beyond physical care to the emotional and spiritual upliftment of humanity. Many devotees who visited Prasanthi Nilayam felt that Baba personally cared for every aspect of their lives and guided them like a loving mother and a compassionate guru.

The essence of Baba’s teachings centered on love and service. He repeatedly reminded humanity that service to man is service to God. Hospitals, schools, water supply projects, and charitable institutions established under His guidance stand today as living examples of His Divine Concern for society. These projects were not created for profit or recognition but purely to reduce human suffering and spread happiness. Baba believed that true spirituality should express itself through kindness, humility, and selfless action. This message continues to inspire organizations and devotees associated with Devotional india, where spiritual values are promoted through bhajans, prayers, and acts of seva.

One of the most remarkable qualities of Shri Satya Sai Baba was His ability to transform ordinary lives through simple interactions. Devotees often narrated experiences where a single glance, smile, or word from Baba changed their outlook completely. In moments of despair, people found strength through His blessings. In times of confusion, His guidance brought clarity and peace. Such incidents revealed that His Divine Concern was not limited to grand miracles but was deeply rooted in everyday compassion and divine love. Baba encouraged everyone to cultivate faith, patience, and purity in their lives so they could experience inner peace and spiritual fulfillment.

The teachings of Baba emphasized unity among all religions. He taught that every faith ultimately leads to the same Divine truth and encouraged devotees to respect all paths. This universal outlook became a powerful message of harmony in a divided world. Through satsangs and spiritual gatherings organized by Devotional india, devotees continue to share the timeless values taught by Baba, including truth, righteousness, peace, love, and nonviolence. These principles remain relevant even today as humanity searches for meaning and balance in modern life.

For devotees, the most comforting realization is that Baba’s love never fades. Even after His physical departure, countless people continue to feel His guidance and blessings in their lives. Many devotees testify that prayers offered with sincerity receive unexpected answers and protection through His grace. This eternal bond reflects His Divine Concern for every devotee regardless of distance, language, or circumstance. Baba often said that He resides in the heart of every individual, and those who remember Him with devotion will never feel alone.

Another important aspect of Baba’s mission was character building. He encouraged young people to lead disciplined and moral lives rooted in spirituality. According to Baba, education without values could never bring true happiness. Therefore, He inspired students to combine academic excellence with compassion and humility. This message is widely appreciated among followers connected with Devotional india, where spiritual wisdom and moral living are deeply respected. Baba believed that transformation of society begins with transformation of the individual heart.

In spiritual discourses, Baba repeatedly explained that God’s love is unconditional and accessible to all. He never judged people based on wealth, status, caste, or religion. Instead, He saw only the purity of devotion. This compassionate vision demonstrated His Divine Concern for humanity as a whole. He encouraged devotees to overcome anger, jealousy, greed, and selfishness through prayer and selfless service. By practicing these teachings sincerely, one could experience divine bliss and inner harmony.

The legacy of Shri Satya Sai Baba continues to illuminate spiritual seekers across the world. Temples, bhajan centers, and service organizations inspired by His teachings remain active in spreading love and humanity. Through devotional activities conducted by Devotional india, devotees keep alive the sacred message of faith, unity, and compassion taught by Baba. His life serves as a reminder that true spirituality lies not in rituals alone but in loving and serving others selflessly.

Ultimately, His Divine Concern represents the boundless compassion of the Divine for humanity. Baba’s words, actions, and teachings continue to guide millions toward a life filled with devotion, peace, and selfless love. Those who walk on the spiritual path shown by Shri Satya Sai Baba discover that divine grace is always present, protecting and uplifting every sincere seeker with unconditional love.

-Singing for Sri Sathya Sai