Who is Sri Sathya Sai Baba?
Sri Sathya Sai Baba is one of the most highly revered spiritual masters of our time. He is lovingly addressed as Baba or Swami by millions across the World. Sai Baba means Divine Father and Divine Mother. His life and messages have inspired millions of people throughout the world. People are drawn to Him and His teachings as bees are to honey, for the simplicity with which He has elucidated the most profound and fundamental truths mentioned in world religions.
Millions of people around the world from different religions worship Him as an Avatar (Sanskrit) or God who has come in a human form to transform the world. On His advent as an Avatar, Baba declared, “The Lord incarnates in a human form to bless and rescue those who cannot rise to the level of the Divine. Incarnation is an act of benediction”.
His life reflected His message and He often said, “My Life is My Message”. He never sought to start a new religion. On this, He declared, “All religions are facets of the same truth. I have come not to disturb or destroy any faith, but to confirm each in his own faith, so that the Christian becomes a better Christian; the Muslim, a better Muslim; and the Hindu, a better Hindu.”
Baba was born on November 23, 1926 in a small village called Puttaparthi in the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India. Even as a child, Baba demonstrated exemplary qualities of compassion, sacrifice, tolerance, selfless love, and wisdom. It wasn’t until 1940 that Baba declared that His Mission was waiting for Him and He would have to yield to the prayers of his devotees. He declared, “I have come to light the lamp of love in your hearts, to see that it shines day by day with added lustre. I have not come on any mission of publicity for any sect or creed or cause, nor have I come to collect followers for my doctrine. I have come to tell you of this unitary faith, this spiritual principle, this path of Love, this virtue of Love, this duty of Love, this obligation to Love.”
Baba lived in the ashram, Prashanti Nilayam (Abode of Peace) till the age of 84. Millions around the world came to be in His physical presence and receive His Love and Grace. On April 24, 2011, Baba left his physical body. Millions, who sought to be in His physical presence in Prashanti Nilayam, now feel him as the indweller of their spiritual hearts.
Sri Sathya Sai Organization
The Sathya Sai Organization provides a platform where spiritual seekers learn, practice and share the teachings of Baba, the common thread weaving through them being Love. The Organization seeks to transform the world by helping its members to spiritually transform themselves.
About the main objective of the Sathya Sai Organization, Baba said, “The Sai Organization is simply a gathering together of people who have a common goal in personal development and in helping man to recognize the divinity that is inherent in him. The Sai Organization should be motivated by Love. You join the Organization to give, to receive, to progress, to learn, to become inspired and to serve; to ensure that all human relations are governed by the principles of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Non-violence and Love. Your duty is to emphasize the One, to experience the One in all you do or speak. Do not give any importance to differences of religion or sect or status or color. Have the feeling of oneness permeate every act of yours”. Founded by Sathya Sai Baba, the Sathya Sai Organization has made its presence felt around the world, quietly ushering in timeless values of Truth, Love, Right Conduct, Peace and Non-Violence in everyday lives.