Updated at 1951 on July 22, 2011
To millions of Devotees all over the world, Bhagawan Baba has been God personified. They worshipped and adored Him; they prayed only to Him in times of joy and sorrow; He was their friend, guide and philosopher. Many still continue to have the same attitude towards Him and He still answers their prayers in His own unique way, which we cannot even begin to comprehend and understand. Bhagawan continues to manifest his miracles all over the world. Each individual has his own special experiences of Baba’s Divinity. The greatest joy for Sai devotees is to share and listen to these leelas. Through these conversations, which are in fact satsangs, each one’s faith and devotion is reinforced and strengthened.
All of us were greatly attached to Bhagawan’s wondrous physical form. We eagerly looked forward to the daily darshans for which all of us waited patiently for hours without caring for our bodily discomforts or inconveniences. The darshan was everything, and if by chance Baba looked our way, or even more heavenly, spoke to us, we were transported to ethereal joy.
Baba had repeatedly told us that I am not this body, and you are not this body which you carry. He wanted us to realise the Universal Atma which he personified and of which each one of us is also the container.
Today, there is a sense of being lost for many devotees. The road ahead is not clear to them and they are also plagued by the reports of the various controversies. They seek solace from each other but are not sure whether they should really exchange thoughts and news. They wonder whom to turn to for some guidance on what will happen to the future of all the institutions and the Sai Centers, Samithis and Bhajan Mandalis.
The time has come for us to understand what is the real legacy of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba!
To me, the legacy of Bhagawan consists of several parts.
First are the Institutions that He has set up, such as the University, the Hospitals, the Schools, the Ashram,etc. These are mainly administered by the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and the University Trust. With His vision and foresight, Bhagawan has set up adequate Corpus funds for His Institutions to enable them to continue to function well on the income from these funds, which are all deposited in the fixed deposits with nationalised banks. They will continue to offer free education and medical treatment to all, irrespective of religion,caste,creed, etc. Bhagawan had set up these Institutions to be models to prove that it is possible to offer free high quality education and the most modern medical treatment totally free of cost without seeking assistance from the Government for everything. The proof has been there for more than twenty years of working of these Institutions. Lakhs of the poor and needy have benefited and they are indeed the living proofs of Baba’s Compassion and Love. These Institutions are for those that need them and hopefully will motivate others as Bhagawan wished, to set up similar citadels of Love and Service to Humanity.
These are the material parts of His Legacy, which are there for the whole world to see and experience.
The second part is a manifestation of the purpose for which the Sai Avatar came. He was Love personified, a Love which transcended all barriers and limits, a Love which encompassed the entire creation. He has lit the lamp of love in millions of hearts, the brlliance of which inspires them to transform their lives and engage in the projection of that love into their daily lives. This love makes those individuals caring and sharing persons, who collectively engage in a society and by their actions, motivate others to also be caring and sharing, leading to a general improvement of Society, though this may be a slow process. Baba’s inspiration of Love to millions of individuals is translated verily into Love in Action all over the world.
This Love transforms lives every second. Life acquires a new meaning. There is a new path of Prema Yoga, which to Sai devotees embodies all the other yogas of Karma, Bhakti and Gnana within itself. Bhagawan has said “Live in Love” and that is the way for our continuous communion with Him.
LOVE is therefore Bhagawan’s greatest Legacy, which may not be touched but is real and universal and experienced by all. It belongs to all Mankind, not to just a few. It cannot be appropriated by anybody but can only be shared and experienced, for the redemption of one and all.
The third part of His Legacy is Education. While many others talked about it, Bhagawan postulated and introduced in His Educational Insitutions Human Values Based Educational Curricula. The system of Integral Education implemented in the Sai University is unique and unlike any other. Education in Human Values has many concepts introduced by Bhagawan-3-HV, Educare. The Education given in His Institutions is for Life and not for living. Right from the stage of childhood, such value based Education is avaialable in the Bal Vikas classes which are conducted throughout the length and breadth of India and in many other countries, the primary and other schools and then in the University. This legacy of Education is His gift to Humanity for posterity.
The fourth part of His Legacy is the Sathya Sai Organisation, which is active in all the states of India and in 125 countries of the world. The Organisation is an instrument created by Bhagawan to enable all to perform their sadhana through it. The Organisation has three wings-the spiritual, educational and service. One can choose any one of them to do their seva and sadhana. Today in India alone, there are 600,000 members who voluntarily serve with Love and devotion. They include government officers and bureaucrats, doctors, engineers, judges and lawyers, professors and teachers, legislators, farmers, and students. They work in over 2700 villages, and in slums, hospitals, old age homes, jails, orphanages, in disaster areas, inspired by Bhagawan that service to man is service to God. Many of them have never even had a chance to talk to Swami, yet they have been supercharged by Him and have dedicated their lives to selfless service. We see the Seva Dal volunteers from every state of India regularly in the ashram, in the hospitals, and in all places at Prashanti Nilayam. They come here at their own expense, giving lovingly of their time and effort. For these volunteers, doing such seva is their method of communion with Bhagawan Baba, since they know that Bhagawan is pleased when we serve the poor and needy with Love and their faith is that Bhagawan is there where His work is done. This Seva has transformed their lives and they will continue to engage in it till the end of their lives. Nobody can take their Bhagawan away from them for He is always with them. Nobody need force them to do anything, since they serve with love and devotion. For those that are served, this seva brings Bhagawan into their lives and transforms them also to in turn love and serve others.
The Organisation’s activities continue and increase and will do so continuously in the future. The Youth are giving a new dynamism and energy to the Organisation, using new tools and technology to improve the efficiency of their Seva. This Legacy of Bhagawan created for Human good and welfare is always His, never to be taken away by anyone but only to be shared and experienced by personal involvement.
The Sai Organisation is now active in 125 countries of the World. Bhagawan belonged not just to India and Indians but for all the citizens of this earth. They came in their millions for His Love and Inspiration: they will continue to do so for He has become a part of their lives forever.
This therefore, dear brothers and sisters, is Baba’s legacy of Love. His Legacy is His eternal message to Humanity. Blessed are those who knew Him. even more blessed are those who share His legacy of LOVE ALL, SERVE ALL.
Jai Sai Ram!
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Updated Friday, Jul 22, 2011 1900 Hrs. IST
Appointment of a new Secretary
The Sri Sathya Sai International Orthopaedics Conference on pelvis and lower extremity trauma began at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences (SSSIHMS), Prasanthigram on July 22. The release by the Institute is available here.
Continuing the festive season in Prasanthi Nilayam, 121 devotees from California arrived on a pilgrimage from 21st to 30th July. They got an opportunity to present a song medley, "From Many To One". The programme was presented by the Glendale-Arcadia Sadhana Group and the Glendale Balvikas of Southern California.
The programme had 2 parts. The first part was entitled "Many Voices" and it contained Devotional songs from the Religious and Cultural Traditions of the United States of America. It started with a song of surrender, "Humble Thyself" and continued with the songs "Go Out With Joy", "Shema Yisrael" (Listen, oh Israel), "Oseh Shalom" (He who makes peace), "Demos Gracias"( We give you thanks) and finally the first part concluded with the Cherokee Morning Song sung with a lagged echo effect.
The second part of the programme "One in Adoration" had the participants singing with the an unsullied adoration emerging from the hearts of all. "There is No Birth, There is No Death" was the first song, followed by the Bhajan, "Brahmanda Nayaka" to be continued with some well composed swaras to lead into the song, "You are my Mother, You are my Father", and concluding with the Bhajans, "Allah Eswar Tu", "Saakshaat Parabrahma Sai" and finally "Yuga Yuga ke avataara". Arati was offered at 1800hrs.
Meanwhile a large contingent from Medak District has arrived in Prasanthi Nilayam for their Parthi Yatra. They are scheduled to have a two day session starting tomorrow which includes cultural programmes, talks and a group Lakshaarchana.
At age 15, Peter Sklivas began his yoga practice. His 30+ years experience includes TM, Dzochen Tibetan Buddhism, Kripalu Staff & Bikram YTT. Since his 1999 opening of Yoga Passion, Peter has taught 4000 Bikram, 1000 Kripalu, 1000 Power & 2000 HotCore classes. In 2008, Peter created HotCore Yoga combining his ecumenical approach to Hot Yoga with core body mechanics, ujaya breath, bandhas, energy lines, psycho-spiritual awareness & his passion to embrace/share the lineage of yogis tracing back into vedic times. Each HotCore class is an exciting adventure into the Higher Self. Peter teaches in Beverly Farms, MA. RSS Feed / Gumby Backbend Yoga Passion TV
This photo was taken on Guru Pournima Day, the day the Maha Samadhi was unveiled.
You could share this high resolution picture with others as well.
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What to Do When the Guru Drops Dead?
Charismatic gurus operate as spiritual lightening rods for extreme controversy & devotion. Inevitably cynics will try to defrock such leaders as unscrupulous charlatans while disciples will stridently declare them as illuminated avatars destined to lead all humanity into the New Age. No guru stood longer in this seemingly crazy making swirl of highly charged intense points of view than Sathya Sai Baba. At age 13 when he announced that he was in the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba, one of India’s most beloved saints, this youngster was propping himself up onto the fast track to public scrutiny. Even at this age he got noticed for conjuring objects out of thin air & renouncing all worldly relationships. In short order devotees were flocking to him.
Sathya Sai Baba Died April 24, 2011
In 1999 while traveling through Aurangabad I mentioned that the next stop on my pilgrimage was to sit in darshan with Sai Baba. My host who served as the local police chief asked questioningly, “Shirdi Sai Baba?” to which I innocently said, “No, Sathya Sai Baba.” He replied, “Shirdi!” I could see a tension rising in this man’s reddening face. Again I chimed, “No, Sathya Sai Baba.” Now the police chief raised his voice louder and shouted, “SHIRDI!” What was I supposed to do here? Aurangabad was a pretty out of the way place with no English speakers at the bus stand. So my girlfriend & I needed directions from this man to get on the correct bus. The fact that Shirdi Sai Baba had died 80 years ago seemed to be no impediment to this man. He took a deep breath and explained that Sathya Sai Baba was a complete fraud. In no uncertain terms he warned us that our souls would be in great peril if we exposed ourselves to this black magician. What would you have done in our shoes?
Anne & I got on the bus & made the 3,000 kilometer journey to the Whitefield ashram outside Bangalore. The first time anyone walks through the ashram gates for darshan with a famed Indian guru is going to be startling. Thousands of devotees were crammed into scores of queues lined up side by side in long rows. Men waiting to enter the right of the temple. Women on the left side. I randomly picked a queue in which to stand. Eventually the person at the front of each queue reached into a bag & pulled out a numbered token which determined the order in which devotees filed into the white marble floor mandap. Once given permission to proceed, no one needed to be nudged. In fact, every devotee was sprinting like mad man out of a loony bin. They were hurrying to sit down in the one perfect spot that Sai Baba was likely to pass by. Fortunately I had been clued in enough to park my Mexican blanket down on the edge of a block. The huge room was laid out in many blocks of men and women packed into as close to each other as possible. It was on these edges that devotees had some chance of getting close to Sai Baba and maybe touching him. Or maybe talking to him. Or maybe handing a letter to him. Or, even better, being selected to receive a private darshan with him. To these ashramites this last boon was akin to winning the Power Ball lottery. Nothing was more highly sought after than a private darshan with the guru.
That first morning when Sai Baba entered the mandap, the place was remarkable silent. Everyone was craning their necks to follow his every movement. When he walked, his head did not rise and fall with his steps. Nor was there a gait to his stride. It was as though he was floating across the marble floor at a constant steady velocity until he decided to stop.
Without question I felt a tremendous lifeforce energy (Shakti) radiating from this man. Sometimes devotees feel this energy more when gazing at their guru. For me it was stronger with my eyes closed. Of course I did not consider myself a disciple of this man. And I was not looking for a guru. I’d already had a guru or two who had cracked open my heart. First, Maharesh Mahesh Yogi, as the guru behind TM (Transcendal Meditation) which I had started practicing when I was 15 & continued to practice daily into my college years. And second, Yogi Amrit Desai, as the guru of Kripalu Center back when it was a vibrant ashram with a Shiva-Shakti lineage. My purpose in going to India was to journey like a pilgrim to different high energy places & people to awaken my soul.
When he passed by me, I was surprised by how short the man was. Even with his famous afro, which made him look like a cartoon figure who’d stuck his finger in an electric socket, Sai Baba still looked tiny. Even fragile. He was surrounded by a formidable team of bodyguards. Later I was told it was when Sai Baba walked between the blocks of female devotees that these bodyguards were most prepared for action. Apparently in the past, stampedes of excited women devotees had threatened to trample their guru.
During the few days I spent at the ashram, I thoroughly relished each meditation I shared with Sai Baba. Each time I was fortunate enough to get an edge seat. And each time he walked past me. Once he took a letter I’d written requesting that he release all my samskaras (past life impediments) & bestow his blessing upon me. What always shocked me was how quickly devotees bolted out of the mandap as soon as Sai Baba left. I always lingered long after so I could put my forehead on the marble floor where Sai Baba had walked. Getting as close to the front of the lunch or dinner queue didn’t excite me. Or rushing to shop. I wanted to soak up Sai Baba’s energy for as long as possible.
While I never got that highly sought after private darshan, I can close my eyes today & invoke his presence. When the great gurus die, it is cause of celebration. Not a time of mourning. The great ones become more accessible when let go of their bodies. Try it. Close eyes & ask Sai Baba to fill you with his love. His most famous quote aptly sums up the message of this guru. “Love All, Serve All. Help Ever, Hurt Never.”
Have a Sai Baba story to share? Please comment.
High Resolutions Photo of Swami's Samadhi Attached....
Sai Ram!
This photo was taken on Guru Pournima Day, the day the Maha Samadhi was unveiled.
You could share this high resolution picture with others as well.
PROF. ANIL KUMAR
Sunday Satsang at Prashanti Nilayam & Other Locations
Sunday Satsang at Prashanti Nilayam & Other Locations
SRI SATHYA SAI CENTRAL TRUST
PRASANTHI NILAYAM
Press Release No. 13 – July 21, 2011
PRASANTHI NILAYAM
Press Release No. 13 – July 21, 2011
The Board of Trustees of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust at their meeting on 15th July inducted Sri K.Chakravarthy, Secretary as a member of the Board of Trustees. Consequently, the Board of Trustees have appointed Sri G.S.R.C.V. Prasada Rao as the Secretary of the Trust with effect from the date he assumes charge.
Sri Prasada Rao is a Senior IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre. He retired as the Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department (Services) in 2001. Prior to this he had held several senior positions in the Government including Secretary to Government (Panchayat Raj Department). After retirement from the Government he also served as a member, Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal until 2004. Since then he has been a permanent Resident of Prashanthi Nilayam, which he has been visiting for over 45 years.
Sri Prasada Rao is a Senior IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre. He retired as the Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department (Services) in 2001. Prior to this he had held several senior positions in the Government including Secretary to Government (Panchayat Raj Department). After retirement from the Government he also served as a member, Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal until 2004. Since then he has been a permanent Resident of Prashanthi Nilayam, which he has been visiting for over 45 years.
Prof. A. Anantharaman
Media Coordinator
Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust
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