Why I have come

I have come to light the lamp of love…

“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 to speak on behalf of any particular Dharma (religion), like Hinduism. I have not come on any mission of publicity for any sect or creed or cause; nor have I come to collect followers for any doctrine. I have no plan to attract disciples or devotees into My fold or any fold. I have come to tell you of this Universal unitary faith, this Atmic principle (principle of the Spirit), this path of love.”

 - Bhagawan’s Discourse on 4th July 1968 in Nairobi (Kenya, East Africa).
Reference: “Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. – VIII, Chapter – 22. Page: 118

This Sai has come in order to achieve the…

“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 (Reality of the Spirit) of each being in order to reveal the Divine which is the basis on which the entire Cosmos rests, and of instructing all to recognise the common Divine Heritage that binds man to man, so that man can rid himself of the animal in him, and rise into the Divine, which is his goal.”

- 19th June 1974 in ‘Brindavan’, Bangalore.
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. – XII. Chapter – 38. Page: 229

The Message I Bring

“All religions teach one basic discipline - the removal of the blemish of egoism from the mind, restraining it from running after trivial joys. Every religion teaches man to fill his being with the Glory of God, and evict the pettiness of conceit. It trains him in methods of detachment and discrimination so that he may aim high and attain liberation. Believe that all hearts are motivated by the one God; that all faiths glorify Him alone; that all names in all languages, and all the forms man can conceive denote the same divine principle; His adoration is best done by means of love.

Cultivate that Eka-bhava (attitude of Oneness) among men of all creeds, all countries and all continents. That is the message of love, I bring. That is the message I wish you to take to heart.”

- 4th July 1968 in Nairobi (Kenya, East Africa).
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. – VIII, Chapter – 22. Page: 118

I have come to help all to acquire serenity

“I have come to help all to acquire this Sathwic (serene) nature. You might have heard people talk about My miracles, of My creating this and giving that, of my fulfilling all your wants, of My curing your illnesses. But they are not as important as the Sathwa Guna (state of serenity and calmness) I appreciate, promote and instill. Of course, I confer on you these boons of health and prosperity, but only so that you might, with greater enthusiasm and with less interruption, proceed with spiritual sadhana (pursuit).”

- 25th July 1958 in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol.- I, Chapter – 11. Page: 62-63

I have not come to start a new cult

“You must have noticed that I do not speak about Sai in My discourses, nor do I sing of Sai during the Bhajan with which I usually conclude My discourses. And you must have wondered why. Let me tell you the reason. I do not want the impression to gain ground that I desire this Name and this Form to be publicised. I have not come to start a new cult, I do not want people to be misled on this point. I affirm that this form of Sai contains within it the forms associated with all the names that man uses for the adoration of the Divine. So, I teach that no distinction should be made between the names Rama, Krishna, Ishwara, Sai - for they are all My names.”

- on 17th May 1968 in Mumbai
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol.- VIII. Chapter – 19. Page: 95-96
On the occasion of the World Conference of
Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations.
Reference: “Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol.- VIII. Chapter – 19. Page: 95-96

Do not propagate My Name

“I do not have the slightest intention to utilise the Seva Samithis (Service Organisations) for propagating My Name. No! I am content only when spiritual endeavours and disciplines to elevate and purify man progress everywhere. It is only through these practices that My universal reality will be revealed. So, do not limit Me to the boundaries of any one name and form.

Your aim should be to see the same God in all the Forms that are worshipped, to adore Him in all the Names, nay, to be conscious of His presence as the inner motivator of every living being, in every particle of matter. Do not fall into the error of considering some to be men worthy of reverence and some unworthy. Sai is in everyone; so, all deserve your reverence and service. Propagate this truth; that is the function I assign to the Seva Samithis (Service Organisations).”

- From Bhagawan’s Discourse on the occasion of
World Conference of Shri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations,
- on 17th May, 1968 in Mumbai
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol.- VIII, Chapter-19. Page: 96

No annihilation now, only transformation

“Rama, Krishna and other Avatars had to kill one or more individuals who could be identified as enemies of the dharmic (righteous) way of life, and thus restore the practice of virtue. But, now, there is no one entirely good, and so who deserves the protection of God? All are tainted by wickedness, and so who will survive if the Avatar decides to destroy the wicked?

Therefore, I have to correct the buddhi (intellect), 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 recognising the straight path, tread it and reach the goal. I have to reveal to the people the worth of the Vedas, the Shastras (India’s ancient scriptures) and the other scriptural texts, which lay down the norms of sacred living.”

- on 23rd Nov 1964, in Prashanthi Nilayam
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. – IV, Chapter – 38. Page: 224-225

I am determined to correct you

“Let me tell you, it is only those who know the scriptures, that can understand Me. I am determined to correct you only after informing you of my credentials. That is why I announce My Nature by means of miracles - that is, acts which are beyond human capacity and human understanding. Not that I am anxious to show off My powers. The object is to draw you closer to Me, to cement your hearts to Me. Getting to know Me is also a part of your destiny.”

- on 24th Nov 1961 in Prasanthi Nilayam
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. - II, Chapter-26. Page: 140-141

I only Echo

“If you accept Me and say yes, I too respond and say “yes, yes, yes!” If you deny Me and say “no”, I also echo “no”. Come, examine, experience and have faith; that is the method of utilizing Me.”

- Bhagawan’s Discourse on 23rd Nov 1964, 8 PM, in Prasanthi Nilayam.
Reference: “Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. – IV, Chapter – 38. Page: 226

Why should the Lord Himself incarnate?

When people forget the One and run after the world, there can be no love, no sacrifice and no spirit of detachment and hence there is a decline in Dharma. It is then that the Lord takes human form and comes among men to restore their sense of values. You may ask, why should the Lord Himself incarnate? Why can He not set about the task of restoring Dharma through the many minor gods He has at His command?

This question was placed before the courtiers by Akbar himself for, he laughed at the Hindu idea of the Formless adopting Form, and descending into the world as an Avatar to save Dharma. Tansen asked for a week's time to furnish the answer and got it granted by His Imperial Majesty. A few days later, when he was in the pleasure boat of the Emperor sailing across the lake with the royal family, Tansen cleverly threw overboard a doll made to look like the Emperor's little son, crying at the same time, "Oh, the Prince has fallen into the water!" Hearing this, the Emperor jumped into the lake to rescue his ‘son’!

Tansen then disclosed that it was only a doll and that the prince was safe. He allayed the anger of Akbar by explaining that he had perforce to enact this drama in order to demonstrate the truth of the Hindu belief that God takes human form to save Dharma, without commissioning some other entity to carry out that task. Dharma is the son that God loves so dearly. Akbar could have ordered the many personnel he had on board to jump in and rescue his son; but his affection was so great and the urgency so acute that the Emperor himself plunged into the lake to pull out the ‘son’.

The decline of Dharma is so acute...

The decline of Dharma is so acute a tragedy; the intensity of affection that the Lord has for good men is so great that He Himself comes. The Lord is Love itself. He comes in human form so that you can talk to Him, move with Him, serve Him, adore Him, and achieve oneness with Him, so that you can recognise your kinship with Him.”

- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse on 13th Dec 1964 in Venkatagiri,
on the occasion of Prashaanthi Vidwan Mahaasabha.
Reference: “Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol.- IV, Chapter – 45. Page: 262-263

The pious prayed, and I have come

“The Lord comes as the Avatar when He is anxiously awaited by saints and sages. Sadhus (the pious) prayed, and I have come. My tasks are primarily two: Veda Rakshana and Bhaktha Rakshana - fostering of the Vedas (ancient Indian spiritual scriptures) and fostering of Bhakthas (devotees).”

- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse on 25th Jan 1963 in Prashanthi Nilayam
Reference: “Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol.- III, Chapter – 1. Page: 9-10

Dive deep, get immersed

“You must dive deep into the sea to get at the pearls. What good is it to dabble among the waves near the shore and swear that the sea has no pearls in it? So also if you aspire to benefit from the Avatar, dive deep and get immersed in Him. Half-heartedness, hesitation, doubt, cynicism, listening to tales, etc. are all of no avail.

Unflinching faith - that alone can bring victory. This is true to any worldly activity, is it not? How much more true must it be, therefore in the spiritual field? But if you have already attached yourselves to a particular Name and Form, do not change it, do not choose another in its place.”

- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse on 10th July 1959, Bangalore
on the occasion of Akhanda Bhajan
Reference: “Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. – I, Chapter – 21. Page: 130-131

I have not come for propaganda…

“I have not come for propaganda or publicity or gathering disciples or devotees. I am yours and you are Mine. Where then is the need for publicity? I do not give lectures but ‘mixtures’ for your mental health and moral re-invigoration. So take My words as medicine for your spiritual health.”

- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse on 25th June 1960, Gokhale Hall, Chennai
Reference: “Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. – I, Chapter – 26. Page: 165

This human body has not come in vain

“Many hesitate to believe that things will improve, that everyone will be happy and joyful, that the Golden Age will ever dawn. Let me assure you that this Dharma Swarupa (personification of Righteousness) has not come in vain. It will succeed in averting the crisis that has come upon humanity.”

- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse on 3rd March 1965, Prashanthi Nilayam
Reference: “Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. – V, Chapter – 11. Page: 70

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