Sri Sathya Sai: My Divine Master – By Dr. Sanjay Mahalingam

My Divine Master – By Dr. Sanjay Mahalingam

Sri Adi Sankara, in his Viveka Chudamani attributes a human birth, the desire for liberation and the protective care of a perfected sage to God’s grace (Daivanugraha Hetukam). But when the Lord, the supreme transcendent principle in a human garb Himself assures protection and care, it is not just shower of grace, but a torrent of Divine compassion. Blessed are those who have been recipients of that Divine love, on contact with which all the flux of the heart is removed, all the wounds healed and all miseries dissolved, just like overnight mist before the rising sun. Not only does Swami love us like none has ever before and none will hereafter, but He also labours incessantly and resolutely to make us understand how much He loves us. The redemption of man lies in knowing the love of God and an Avatar comes to show Man how much God loves him.

One night, due to some reason, I could not get sleep till late at night. After long struggle the Goddess of sleep finally gave me her restful embrace. The next morning Swami called me for an interview. Before I could say anything, Swami said, “You know, yesterday night I could not sleep properly for a long time”. I asked “Why Swami?” Swami almost casually remarked, “When you did not get proper sleep, how can you expect Me to sleep soundly”. I was too choked with emotions to say anything, but I thought within myself that why should the Almighty Lord, the Cosmic person that Swami is, be bothered about such a trivial, issue as the soundness of my sleep. Swami, as if divining my thoughts, most tenderly said,“Bangaru! You are My property and I, yours. All your pain is My pain and all your joy is My joy.” What is sleep, or the lack of it, for the One who is ever awake to the absolute reality of His glorious Self! But the point being driven home is that Swami never misses an opportunity to drench us in the shower of His unfathomable and unconditional love. Only the Divine Mother in the fullness of Her Divine love can make such a statement. It is said that fortunate are those who get to enjoy a mother’s love in their earthly sojourn. How is it possible then to express in words the blessedness of those who bask in the love and grace of the Divine parent?

Swami once asked me what I planned to do after my MBA. I promptly replied that I wanted to serve Swami. Swami said, “Serve Me, but I do not need servants. I am everybody’s servant. You are all Masters.” I vehemently protested saying that Swami was the only Master and all of us are His servants. Swami was in no mood to give in and stuck to His point. I too was not prepared to buckle down before the ‘Divine blasphemy’. Points and counterpoints were exchanged. Finally Swami came up with an irrefutably sound piece of logic. He said, “I always keep doing whatever you want. My only concern is to give you joy. But do you all always do what I want? No. Now tell Me, who is whose servant?” I was left speechless, struck by the profundity of Swami’s statement. Here is love incarnate willing to do anything to ensure our peace and bliss. All that He asks is that one tiny step towards Him, which when taken, He assures that He will take a thousand towards us.

There is a fundamental question that all of us have to ask ourselves though. Who is Swami? Is He this ochre robe-clad 5 feet 3 inches frame that walks in our midst filling us with joy supreme? Swami’s answer is a categorical “NO”.

Once upon a time the great king Janaka, an earnest spiritual seeker, gathered all the great scholars of his kingdom in his court and asked them to reveal the ultimate truth that will appease his spiritual hunger. As the discussions were going on, a man entered the court. His looks were repulsive and his body was deformed at eight places. The entire court burst into laughter at the sight of this terrible looking man. A smile escaped even the lips of king Janaka. Seeing everyone laugh, the man, a sage named Ashtavakra burst out into laughter himself. On being asked the reason for his behaviour, sage Ashtavakra said that he was laughing at the plight of the king who expected to find the ultimate truth in this assembly of cobblers.

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This was more than the king could take, for nobody could get away after calling the most esteemed scholars of his kingdom cobbler. He demanded an explanation from the sage. Ashtavakra thundered back, “Oh King! Cobblers cannot see beyond leather and these so called scholars cannot see beyond this body, a leather bag full of bones, fat, blood and filth. They cannot see my reality as the ever resplendent, effulgent, undecaying Atman.” This struck a chord somewhere deep in the king’s heart and he immediately recognised Ashtavakra as a man of intense realisation and fell at his feet. What followed next was a wonderful exposition of the highest Advaitic principles that we today call the Ashtavakra Gita.

The above story illustrates the folly of identifying oneself or others with the transient ephemeral body. Then, who is Swami? Swami says that He is the one Eternal Divine Principle, the real Self of all, the substratum of the entire universe, the one existence. Swami does not stop at that. He says again and again that the eternal Atman is not only His reality but ours too. In fact there is no ‘His’ or ‘our’. Swami repeatedly demolishes by His nectarine words and, on close observation, by His actions too, any idea of a separate individual existence. All that ever existed, exists now or will ever exist is the one universal consciousness. Swami see Himself everywhere. In fact, He never recognises anything other than Himself. He sees any misery anywhere as a remnant of disharmony in His own self and rushes to alleviate it. Swami does not ‘love’ others. He is others. Once talking to boy Swami made a remarkable revelation. He said, “Boys! As I see you all, I can only see an ocean of light, the light of universal consciousness”.

The story is told of a man, who used to make out his meager living by begging and used to beg standing at the same place, day after day, month after month. The man spent his entire life begging. When he finally passed away, it was thought wise to bury him on the same spot where he spent his life begging. When barely a few feet were dug, the clink of metal was heard, and to everybody’s utter surprise a huge treasure was found. The treasure, when excavated was found to be great enough for seven generations to roll in wealth and luxury. How pitiable was the beggar’s situation that standing on wealth immeasurable, he spent his life begging and in abject penury! How pitiable is our state that being the inheritors of Bliss Infinite we spend our life in misery begging from the world little sense pleasures! If only the beggar had stopped begging and dug a little, all his problems would have been solved forever. If only we stop running after the world and dig into our ‘selves’ all our suffering too shall cease and forever. Nobody pointed out to the beggar of our story his folly. We have our Swami, not only showing us the way all the time but also assuring all help and guidance, nay much more. “Take one step towards Me and I will take a thousand towards you, you do your best, I will do the rest”, says He. If there ever was an opportune time to stop ‘begging’ and start’ digging’, it is now.

My Divine Master – By Dr. Sanjay Mahalingam

The relationship between a devotee and a Divine Master is one of the most profound and transformative experiences in human life. It is a bond that transcends ordinary understanding, touching the deepest layers of the heart and awakening the soul to its true purpose. A Divine Master is not merely a teacher who imparts knowledge but a living embodiment of wisdom, compassion, and unconditional love. Through His guidance, countless seekers discover the path to inner peace, self-realization, and lasting fulfillment.

The title My Divine Master reflects a deeply personal journey of devotion, gratitude, and spiritual awakening. For every devotee, the Master becomes a source of strength during moments of uncertainty, a beacon of hope during times of difficulty, and an eternal presence guiding every step of life’s journey. His teachings do not remain confined to words; they become living principles that shape thoughts, actions, and aspirations.

A Divine Master possesses the unique ability to transform lives without demanding anything in return. Through a simple glance, a kind word, or a silent blessing, He can inspire profound changes within an individual. Many devotees find that their priorities, attitudes, and understanding of life gradually evolve under His influence. Material pursuits begin to lose their dominance as spiritual values such as love, humility, truthfulness, and selfless service gain greater importance.

The journey described in My Divine Master is often one of gradual discovery. At first, a devotee may be attracted by the Master’s teachings, miracles, or compassionate nature. Over time, however, a deeper realization emerges. The devotee begins to understand that the Master’s true purpose is not merely to solve worldly problems but to awaken the awareness of the divinity that resides within every individual. This realization marks the beginning of genuine spiritual growth.

One of the greatest gifts a Divine Master offers is the understanding that life has a higher purpose. In a world filled with distractions and constant activity, people often lose sight of their spiritual identity. The Master gently reminds them that they are not merely physical beings pursuing temporary goals but eternal souls on a sacred journey. This awareness brings clarity, meaning, and direction to life.

The influence of a Divine Master extends far beyond formal teachings. Every action, every interaction, and every expression of compassion becomes a lesson. Devotees learn not only through listening but also through observing the Master’s example. His life becomes a living scripture, demonstrating how divine qualities can be expressed in everyday circumstances. Through this example, seekers gain practical guidance for applying spiritual principles in their own lives.

In the presence of a Divine Master, many experience a sense of peace that cannot easily be explained. Worries seem lighter, the mind becomes calmer, and the heart feels uplifted. This inner transformation is often one of the most significant aspects of the spiritual journey. It is not dependent on external circumstances but arises from the recognition of divine grace operating within one’s life.

The theme of My Divine Master also highlights the importance of surrender and trust. Spiritual growth often requires individuals to let go of fear, doubt, and excessive attachment to personal desires. By placing faith in the wisdom and guidance of the Master, devotees learn to navigate life’s challenges with greater courage and acceptance. They discover that even difficult experiences can become opportunities for growth and learning.

For many devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Divine Master is both a loving guide and the embodiment of the Divine itself. His teachings on truth, righteousness, peace, love, and non-violence continue to inspire millions around the world. Through His example of selfless service and universal love, He demonstrated that spirituality is not separate from daily life but should be expressed through every thought, word, and action.

The gratitude expressed in My Divine Master arises from recognizing the countless ways in which the Master influences and blesses the lives of His devotees. Some experience dramatic transformations, while others witness subtle yet profound changes in their attitudes and understanding. Regardless of the form it takes, the Master’s guidance leaves a lasting imprint on the heart.

Ultimately, a Divine Master leads seekers toward the greatest discovery of all—the realization of their own divine nature. His mission is not to create dependence but to awaken inner strength, wisdom, and spiritual awareness. Through His love and guidance, devotees learn to see God within themselves and within all creation. The journey with a Divine Master becomes a path of continuous growth, devotion, and self-discovery, culminating in the experience of unity with the Divine. Such a relationship remains one of life’s most precious blessings, inspiring gratitude that endures forever.

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