The Agony Of The Avatar…

The Agony Of The Avatar…

Students are the very foundation of the nation. To make the foundation strong, the people, the government, the parents, the teachers, and the students all have to co-ordinate their plans and efforts. These five elements, these five vital forces have to work together towards the end…says Bhagawan. It is no secret that Bhagawan often cherishes and takes great personal pride in declaring His students as His ‘Real Property’. The Divine in His persona has set a higher benchmark for this most privileged lot. What does He expect from ‘His Properties’ whom He often refers to as future leaders? Read on an extract from Sanathana Sarathi published in July 1983, originally taken from the book “The Greatest Adventure” by Late Dr. M.V.N.Murthy, to find His greater expectations on His ‘White Army’.

The other day, Bhagawan spoke to a student of His College who had just finished his examinations and was leaving for Madras (now Chennai) to spend the holidays with his parents. “Beautiful lotus flowers bloom in the pond. The frogs in the pond do not enjoy the fragrance and the nectar; they hop, leap and croak. Bees know the fragrance and the sweetness of the nectar; they come in swarms from afar. The frog uses the lotus as a perch! You do not realise what a blessing it is to be near to Swami. Look at all these persons who come to Swami from far off places!…” said Bhagawan.

The boy was standing next to me; so, I could see the expression on Bhagawan’s face and also sensed the ‘anguish’ underneath those words. Surely they were not meant for him alone. There were other boys within hearing and many elders. It was meant for all. He came near the boy and said, “Come back early. Have you applied for admission to the post graduate class? Come in time for the admission test. Bring your brother’s son too for joining the primary school.”

Here was the Lord, the Avatar of the Age, the Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, speaking so intimately, so affectionately to His students, asking them not to miss the chance of continuing to be under His loving care.

What amazed me was the `agony’ of the Avatar, the ‘anguish’ born out of extraordinary love. I had heard Him declare repeatedly, “If you ask Me, I would say, students are My property. I have no other property.” His efforts to establish educational institutions, to equip them with the best; the Love and care He bestows on teachers and the students are evidences of His concern for the future of this great country; and of a world on the brink of a disaster.

Baba’s unspoken message was, “O! Dear children! I Am doing so much for your sake. I need no gain or dread any loss. You are all potentially Divine, Amritasya Putrah, Children of Immortality. You have the capability to become Madhava, Master of Maya. Why do you love to be just puny little men?” He told the boy from Madras, “Be near Swami. Everything will be added to you.”

The feeling of ‘agony’ is adopted by the Personality of the Avatar to awaken our faith. If Bhagawan sometimes pretends anger, that too is born out of His Love; He expresses ‘sorrow’ and ‘disappointment’ that all His boys do not realise what they are missing. He has nothing but their highest good in His Mind.

The Agony Of The Avatar – A Sacred Reflection On Divine Compassion And Human Suffering

The Agony Of The Avatar is a deep spiritual theme that helps us understand the pain the Divine accepts for the sake of humanity. An Avatar does not descend for personal need, comfort, or glory. The Lord comes out of boundless compassion, taking a human form so that people may feel His love, hear His message, and rise from ignorance to divine awareness.

Human beings often think of the Avatar only through miracles, blessings, darshan, and joy. These are beautiful aspects of divine presence, but behind them there is also great sacrifice. The Avatar carries the sorrow of devotees, the burden of human weakness, and the pain caused by ignorance, selfishness, and lack of love in the world.

The Agony Of The Avatar teaches that divine suffering is not ordinary suffering. It is accepted willingly for the welfare of others. A mother may lose sleep to care for her child, yet her sacrifice comes from love. In a far greater way, the Avatar bears the pain of humanity because His heart is filled with infinite compassion.

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba came to awaken love, truth, righteousness, peace, and non-violence in human life. He guided, corrected, comforted, healed, and uplifted countless hearts. Yet, seeing people ignore His message, hurt one another, and remain trapped in ego must have been a silent pain to the Divine heart.

The Agony Of The Avatar becomes meaningful when we realize that the Lord’s greatest sorrow is not physical discomfort, but the spiritual decline of man. When human beings forget their divine nature and live with hatred, greed, jealousy, and violence, they move away from peace. The Avatar comes to bring them back to the path of love.

Many devotees approach God only with personal requests. They ask for health, success, money, protection, and relief from problems. These prayers are natural, but devotion must mature. The devotee should also ask, “How can I reduce the burden of the Lord? How can I live His message? How can I become an instrument of love?”

The Agony Of The Avatar also reminds us that divine love is often misunderstood. When the Avatar corrects, people may feel hurt. When He delays, people may doubt. When He remains silent, people may think He is distant. But every action of the Divine comes from wisdom and compassion, not indifference.

A true devotee should not add to divine sorrow by living carelessly. If we praise the Lord but speak harshly, our devotion remains incomplete. If we worship Him but hurt others, we have missed His teaching. If we remember His name but ignore service, our love has not fully blossomed.

The Agony Of The Avatar finally teaches that the best response to divine sacrifice is transformation. The Lord does not ask for empty admiration. He asks for pure conduct, loving service, self-control, humility, and unity. When one devotee becomes more truthful, peaceful, and compassionate, the Avatar’s mission shines through that life.

Prayer, namasmarana, bhajan, meditation, and seva help us become worthy of divine love. Prayer softens the heart, the divine name purifies the mind, bhajan fills life with devotion, meditation brings inner silence, and service removes selfishness. These practices turn emotion into spiritual discipline.

The Avatar’s pain also reveals His closeness to humanity. He does not stand far away from suffering. He enters it, understands it, carries it, and transforms it through grace. To the lonely, He becomes companionship. To the weak, He becomes strength. To the confused, He becomes guidance. To the sorrowful, He becomes comfort.

We must remember that divine compassion should awaken responsibility in us. The world becomes better not only through prayers, but also through loving actions. Feeding the hungry, comforting the sad, forgiving others, speaking truth, and avoiding harm are ways of honoring the Lord’s sacrifice.

Every devotee should ask daily whether his life reduces pain or increases it. Do our words heal or wound? Do our actions serve or disturb? Do our thoughts carry love or negativity? Such self-examination brings us closer to the heart of the Avatar’s message.

In the end, The Agony Of The Avatar is a sacred reminder that the Divine accepts suffering only to lift humanity toward love, purity, and God-realization. It asks us not merely to admire the Lord’s compassion, but to live His teachings sincerely. When we transform ourselves and serve others with love, we help fulfill the divine mission and become worthy of His grace.

“It’s Done…You Can Go…”