Sai Ram and welcome to our introductory page on Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba! Below, you will find Sai Baba’s – reverentially referred to as ‘Swami’ – descriptions of himself in his own words;
Who is Sathya Sai Baba?
Consider the meaning of the name Sai Baba. Sa means 'Divine'; ai or ayi means 'mother', and Baba means 'father'. The name indicates the divine mother and father, just as Sambasiva, which also means the divine mother and father. Your physical parents exhibit Love with a dose of selfishness; but, this Sai "mother and father" showers affection or reprimands only to lead you toward victory in the struggle for self-realization.
For this Sai has come in order to achieve the supreme task of uniting the entire mankind, as one family through the bond of brotherhood, of affirming and illumining the Atmic reality (one’s own divine essence) of each being in order to reveal the Divine that is the basis on which the entire cosmos rests, and of instructing all to recognize the common divine heritage that binds man to man, so that man can rid himself of the animal, and rise into the Divine, which is his goal.
I am the embodiment of divine love; love is my instrument. There is no creature without love; the lowest loves itself, at least. And its self is God. So there are no atheists, though some might dislike Him or refuse Him, as malarial patients dislike sweets or diabetic patients refuse to have anything to do with sweets! Those who preen themselves as atheists will one day, when their illness is gone, relish God and revere Him.
I had to tell you so much about my truth, for I desire that you should contemplate on this and derive joy therein, so that you may be inspired to observe the disciplines laid down by me and progress toward the goal of self-realization, the realization of the Sai that shines in your hearts.
Excerpt from discourse “Who is Sai?”, 9 June 1974 found in Sathya Sai Speaks IX, 88-92.
His Message
Avathars like Rama and Krishna had to kill one or more individuals who could be identified as enemies of the righteous (dharmic) way of life, and thus restore the practice of virtue. But now there is no one fully good, so who deserves the protection of God? All are tainted by wickedness, so who will survive if the Avathar decides to uproot? Therefore, I have come to correct the intelligence (buddhi), by various means. I have to counsel, help, command, condemn and stand by as a friend and well-wisher to all, so that they may give up evil propensities and, recognizing the straight mark, tread it and reach the goal. I have to reveal to the people the worth of the Vedas, the Sastras and the spiritual texts which lay down the norms. If you will accept me and say "Yes," I too will respond and say, "Yes, yes, yes." If you deny and say "No," I also echo "No." Come, examine, experience, have faith. This is the method of utilizing me.
I do not mention Sai Baba in any of my discourses, but I bear the name as Avathar of Sai Baba. I do not appreciate in the least the distinction between the various appearances of God: Sai, Rama, Krishna, etc. I do not proclaim that this is more important or that is less important. Continue your worship of your chosen God along lines already familiar to you, then you will find that you are coming nearer to me. For all names are mine, and all forms are mine. There is no need to change your chosen God and adopt a new one when you have seen me and heard me.
Excerpt from “Birthday discourse, 23 November 1968” found in Samuel Sandweiss’s book, Holy Man and a Psychiatrist.
Practice sathya(truth), dharma (right conduct), santhi (peace) and prema (love), which are dear to me; resolve to keep those ideals before you ever, in all your thoughts, words and deeds. That can confer on you the summum bonum of mergence in the supreme substance of Divinity.
Excerpt from discourse, “The Revelation – 17 May, 1968” found in (Sathya Sai Speaks VI, 210-213).
There is only one religion, the religion of Love; There is only one language, the language of the Heart; There is only one caste, the caste of Humanity; There is only one law, the law of Karma; There is only one God, He is Omnipresent. If wealth is lost, nothing is lost. If health is lost, something is lost. If character is lost, all is lost. Duty without love is deplorable. Duty with love is desirable. Love without duty is Divine.His Mission & Works
Sri Sathya Sai Baba has termed his tri-pronged humanitarian efforts social care, educare and medicare, which attend to the emotional, intellectual and physical needs of a complete human being, respectively.
Medicare Projects
- Establishment of 2 Tertiary-care equipped “Super Specialty Hospitals” in Puttaparthi and Bangalore, India that deliver free health care
- Circulating Mobile Hospital
- 2 General hospitals that serve the needs of the general populace in Puttaparthi and Bangalore
Educare Projects
- Establishment of educational facilities: Sathya Sai Elementary, Secondary and Post-secondary institutions offering free education across India
- Establishment of EHV (Education in Human Values): non-denominational, spiritual, moral, ethics-centered education
- Publication of spirituality-oriented literature: magazines, books, brochures, media products
Social Care Projects
- Adoption of villages and towns needing reconstruction and rehabilitation
- Emergency relief & natural disaster relief
- 2 Large-scale, state-wide, free water projects in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu that bring potable water to millions
The aim of this organization is to remove the obstacles that keep man away from God, that separate humanity from divinity