• The same Supreme Being who saved Prahlada by appearing from the pillar and punishing his demonic father, the same Supreme Being who came to the rescue of Kuchela, the same Supreme Being who descended from Vaikunta to save Gajendra (the lord of the elephant) has now come to the world as Satchithanandamurthi, presiding over the hearts of all as 'Puttaparthi Chakravarthi'. You should realise that I have come to remind you of your reality, that in fact, everyone of you is an embodiment of satchithananda.
• The One who has come to teach,

• You are singing with Me, conversing with Me and filling your eyes, ears and hearts with My utterances and activities. This is not a mere physical body composed of the five elements, nor this day My Birthday though you may call it thus. This body might have a birthday, but I have no birth. You say I am fifty four years old but I have no age which can be counted.

The ever-effulgent Atman is Sai forever.

• When I am in the midst of men, I am a Man. When I am amidst women, I am a woman. When I am amidst children, I am a child. When I am alone, I am Brahman. Not only I, even you, when you are midst of ten elderly men, you behave as an elder. When you are in the midst of ten women, you exhibit femininity. When you are amongst children, even if you are a supreme court judge, you behave like a child.
• I have come to reform you. I won't leave you until I do that. Even if you get away before I do that, don't think you can escape Me. I will hold on to you. I am not worried if you leave Me, for I am not anxious that there should be a huge gathering here around Me. Who sent invitations to you? Yet you have come here in thousands. You attach yourselves to Me. I am unattached. I am attached only to the task for which I have come.

But, be assured of this, whether you have come to Me or not, you are all Mine. This 'Siva maatha', this 'Sai maatha' (mother of all) has the love of thousand mothers towards her children, that is why I do so much Lalana (fondling) and so much Palana (protecting). Whenever I appear to be angry, remember it is only love in another form. For, I have not even an atom of anger in Me. I just evince my disappointment that you do not shape as I direct. When I direct you along a line of action, reflect on My advice. You have full liberty to do so. In fact I shall be happy if you do so. I do not like slavish obedience. If you feel that it will help you reach the goal, follow it. If not, go to some other place. But let Me tell you one thing. Wherever you go, you meet only Me. I am everywhere.

• The purpose for which I have come is not to fulfill small desires or attend to the small incidents like what you have now heard about. There are great Truths which I have to establish. There is a considerable change in human outlook which I have to bring about. No one can stop Me or deter Me form fulfilling tasks for which I have come namely the establishment of one unchanging Truth. You have a part to play in the fulfillment of the Sai mission which remains ahead of us. Establishment of Dharma is the task to which we have to attend immediately and I hope that you will all play your part, however small it may be in completing the Sai work. Everything depends on Truth and such Truth is not something which has to yield (something) to anyone. Untruth has to sub-ordinate itself to almost everyone with whom it comes into contact. Truth will never sub-ordinate itself to anyone. This form is the form of Sathya Sai or the embodiment of Truth.
• Everyone must imbibe higher values and consider himself as Atma and follow the Atma Dharma. That is the Mission for which I have come. All men are Mine. So the whole world has to be saved from the consequences of ignorance or limited knowledge. I will get all My people near Me, for they are Mine and I am theirs. Then I will start teaching and training them, until they become entirely ego free.

For the last 25 years, it had all been sweetness, kindness, soft persuasion. Hereafter it will be different. I will drag them, place them on the table and operate. That is to say, I have no anger or hate, I have only Love. It is Love that prompts Me to save them, to open their eyes before they get deeper into the morass.

Unless the child starts wailing the mother will not feed it. But this Mother is different. She knows that the child must be fed and when it is to be fed. The advent itself was according to My Sankalpa. Every step in this Avatar is due to My own Sankalpa, not due to the prayer or petition of devotees. The devotees seldom know what is good for them.

You are listening to Me and what do you get when you so listen? You agree that I am giving you Anandam, is it not? Well what do you give Me in return? Give Me the Aacharana of what I am telling you. practice what I teach, that is enough, that is all I ask.

• Avatars choose the time and the mode of announcement of their Advent and their glory. Even in this Avatar, such miracles had to be done when I decided that the time was opportune for taking the people into My secret.
• Now, Bharatamaatha is in a similar plight (similar to that of Draupadi). Dharma, the very clothes that she has worn since centuries, which is the expression of her natural style, is now seized by wicked irreverent hands. They wish to dress her in unbecoming styles, as their own initiative or frenzy dictates. So Krishna has to come again for rescuing the victim of the wicked.

• There is one point that I cannot but bring to your special notice today. At the time when Jesus was merging in the Supreme Principle of Divinity, he communicated some news to his followers, which has been interpreted in a variety of ways by commentators and those who relish the piling of writing on writing and meaning upon meaning, until it all swells up into a huge mess. The Statement itself has been manipulated and strangled into a conundrum. The Statement is simple : "He Who Sent Me Among You Will Come Again!" and he pointed to a Lamb. The lamb is merely a symbol, a sign. It stands for the voice Ba - Ba. The announcement was of the Advent of BABA. "His Name Will Be Truth", Christ declared. Sathya means Truth. He wears a robe of red, a blood-red robe(Swami pointed to the robe he was wearing). He will be short, with a crown(of hair). The Lamb is the sign and symbol of Love. Christ did not declare that He will come again . He said, "He who sent me will come again." That Ba-Ba is this BABA.

And, Sai, the short, curly hair crowned, red-robed Baba, is come. Not only in this Form, but, he is in every one of you, as the Dweller in the Heart. He is there short, with a robe of the colour of the blood that fills it.

• You should offer your knowledge for the benefit of the people. You should set an example to your fellow-men. Cultivate the spirit of oneness of all mankind. It is to teach this message that the Sai advent has taken place. Sai has come to indicate the omnipresence of God. The Avatar has come down to declare that God is present everywhere. This is as necessary as the need for someone to light a lamp even if you have a lamp holder, oil and wick. The Avatar comes not only to proclaim the eternal virtues but also to shower His love on all mankind. But each one will get the benefit according to the size of the vessel he holds.
• You are celebrating this day as the Birthday of Swami, and deriving Ananda through various programmes carried on with enthusiasm by you. But, infact, I have no wish to consider this as a special day, because it is the Birthday and celebrate it as such. I have come on a purpose to reveal to man the mystery of his reality and the goal of his life. I have not come to set them the task of celebrating Birthday or to arrange any pompous or personal festivals. I have no such desire at any time, in this or any sojourn.

On what day do I celebrate my Birthday? On that day when all of you experience genuine Ananda in your hearts! Now, When your hearts are surging with manifold fears and anxieties, and torn by miseries and losses, and driven asunder by grief, declaring this day as My birthday seems to be barren of meaning!

While on this subject, it is essential that I warn you of another subject also. Do not spend your time to understand Me. Do no waste time in that attempt. The reason why I am saying this is, It is beyond anyone's capacity to understand Me. So, in trying to do the impossible, you are also wasting our time and your effort. It is only when you succeed in knowing yourself that you can know Me.

I need nothing, however great or small, in this Universe. At no moment has desire affected me for anything. I am the person who has come to give, not to receive. And, what you can offer Me is just this, Pure, unadulterated Love. When you offer me that I derive Ananda.

• I must tell you another fact. Swami's birthday is being celebrated at Puttaparthi, because so many thousands are coming from far-off places, in spite of great difficulties during the journey and the expense. Do not be under the impression that Swami's birthday is being celebrated and therefore, you are coming. I have no desire to have My Birthday celebrated. Such trivial thoughts can never come into Me. My only desire is to share Ananda with You, to encourage you to lead lives full of Ananda. My mission is "Loka Samasthah Sukino Bhavanthu".
• When this body had attained the ninth year, I had written a drama on the fundamental trait of common man, that is saying one thing and doing another. (Cheppinatlu Chestara).
• I have not until today revealed this incident anywhere to any one. It was 1937. This body was then 11 years of age. I was then moving the whole day with groups of boys who gathered around Me. I was then at Kamalapur with the boys. On seeing Me, one person (Wolfe Messing) ran up to Me, took Me in his arms and kissed Me, with tears pouring down his cheeks and uttering the words, "I am so happy. I am so happy". He was also madly dancing with joy repeating, "I love you. I love you". My companions who were watching all this wondered, "Who is this white man? He looks like a lunatic. Evidently, he is planning to kidnap us." As we moved off he was standing riveted to the spot wistfully watching Me until I disappeared from view. The chief characteristic of Sathya Sai is, let Me tell you, Equanimity.
• In this context, I may recall a poem I wrote at the age of seven. It was as follows:

• Some of you may imagine that it is a source of joy for the Lord to take a human form. If you are in this state you will not feel so. I am always aware of the future, the past, as well as the present of everyone of you. So I am not moved so much by pity. Not that I am hard-hearted or that I have no daya. If you bolt the doors fast, how can the rays of My Grace be available to you. "Swami!" you cry. "You have no eyes. I am yearning to see you. Don't Your heart melt at my plight?" Of course if this pitiable condition melts your hearts, will it not melt mine! But since I know the past, the background, My reaction is different. If only you knew you too will act differently. It is the consequence of evil, deliberately done in previous births, and so I have to allow all suffering to continue, modified, often by some little compensation. I don't cause either joy or grief, you are the designer of both the chains that bind you.
• There are many who do not understand the Sai principle. Who is this Sai? Why are certain things happening in this manner? These questions are asked. I am not a sanyasi. I am not a yogi. I am not a Bhogi (pleasure seeker). I am not a Thyagi (renunciant). I am 'I'. This 'I' is the first name given to the Atma. A sanyasi is bound by certain restrictions. The Bhogi is bound in many other ways. I have no restrictions. I am limitless. Mine is boundless bliss My name is 'I'. It is not a name given after one's birth. To understand Me, everyone has to realise that the 'I' present in everyone, the 'I' used by everyone in every context, whether he is a millionaire or a pauper, this 'I' is Brahman. Everyone uses the 'I' from dawn to dusk without understanding its meaning.
• You must take a path by which you can see deep into My heart and experience the various Divine aspects of Mine. You must understand the all-knowing power in Me. Do not be led away by people who always talk of having got a locket, a watch or a ring from Me. These things have no deep meaning. If you can earn My grace, it is as good as getting the entire world. Do not talk about My miracles but talk of the Prema which you can get from Me by your conduct. This is what is most important and you must make an attempt to get it. When there is an invaluable diamond in Me, you must try and acquire that. What is the meaning in your wanting to acquire smaller things. You must not go away from this invaluable treasure. You must be as close to it as possible. It is necessary for you to take and treasure it. You may ask what is the necessity for us to earn such a thing as Divine Grace and Prema. In this context it is useful if you know of the kind of love which comes from the Divinity present in Me.

I would have given a protective Talisman to a devotee and that individual would have worn it either on his need or some where on his body. You do not have to constantly think of Swami. He will be with you and looking after you, even if you do not have a protective talisman on your bodies. My grace is always available to all people. The purpose of the talisman is that if the individual wearing it is in some danger or difficulty, then the talisman will immediately bring to Me in a flash the news and goes back with My Grace to you. This is the function which the talisman that I give performs. It constitutes of a kind of link between the wearer and me in times of danger. Such material gifts have been protecting thousands of people. Why I am telling this to the young people sitting here is to make them realise that My aspect is such that it reaches the hearts of the people. These external things and material gifts provide the link from heart to heart and they function when they are required most. Such experiences are happening not by ones or twos but by thousands. In fact, such incidents are as many as this (pointing to the hair on His head).

One member of the audience asked Me whether it was necessary for India to equip itself with atom bombs in view of the fact that both affluent America and communist Russia had huge piles of atom bombs. I replied, "What folly is this! When there are millions in the country who lack food, clothing and shelter, the provision of these necessities is the most urgent task and not manufacturing of atom bombs. Of what use are bombs when you cannot feed the people? Crores are being wasted on armaments. I cannot agree to such wastage".

Then another member asked, "How are we to meet an attack from outside?" I replied, "Our country's name is Bharath. For this country the Mahabharatha is the another guidebook. The heroes in this epic are the five Pandava brothers. Among them, Arjuna and Bhima are incomparable warriors. Nevertheless they submitted themselves to Dharmaja, the eldest brother. If India upholds Dharma, then America and Russia will have to respect Bharath. Confronted by Dharma, anyone, however powerful will be cut to size. Therefore, the most vital thing for Bharath is Dharma."

• In the name Sai Baba, 'Sa' stands for Divine and 'Ayi' stands for Mother. And so Sai stand for Divine Mother. 'Baba' means Father. This name Sai Baba thus means Divine Mother and Father. The words Samba Siva and Sai Baba have the same meaning. 'Sa' 'Amba' 'Siva' means Divine Mother and Father, so does the word Sai Baba. Because there is the aspect of mother and father and because both are present, this form is rightly to be described as Siva Shakti Atma Swarupa.

Like mother I will be tender and soft and give you happiness and like father, I punish you, criticise you when needed and through these methods I take you to a high level. Even your own mother and father in the worldly sense will sometimes become selfish and may punish you in a manner which smacks of selfishness but, this Divine Mother and Father in Me has not a tinge of selfishness.

• In rendering service, there should be unity of heart, head and hands. Only then service becomes sanctified. The significance of the three letters in SAI should be understood. 'S' stands for Service. 'A' stands for Adoration. 'I' stands for Illumination. These three represent Karma, Bhakthi and Jnana respectively. Sai teaches these three. All the three concepts are equally important. Sai is the combination of three spiritual paths of Action, Devotion and Wisdom. Just as the Pranava sound is made up of the three letters 'A', 'U','M', "SAI" stands for the triple forms of spiritual sadhana.
• No trace of fear can tarnish the purity of the heart that is shining in the splendour of truth. I am Sathya Sai. Like the name Sesha Sai with which God is known as one who is based on, who reclines on the massive coils of the poisonous snake Sesha, the meanig of Sathya Sai is one who is based on Truth. Truth knows no defeat, Truth knows no fear. It marches on heedless of acclamation or declamation.
• I am always happy and peaceful. Even when some people wish Me 'Happy Birthday', I tell them that I am always happy and the wishes should be addressed to those who are not happy. Another feature of patience is not being elated by praise or depressed by adversity. I am not affected by pleasure or pain. It is the perfect state of samadhi (Sama + dhi), which means equanimity both in pleasure and pain.
• There is no Sathyam without Sivam, there is no Sivam without Sundaram. Truth alone can confer Mangalam and Mangalam alone is the real beauty. Truth is beauty. Joy is beauty. Falsehood and grief are ugly because they are unnatural. Buddhi, Chittam and Hrudayam, these are the three centers in the individual where resides Jnana, Karma and Bhakthi. The effulgence of Sathyam will reveal Sivam. Do Karma which is approved by the higher wisdom, not Karma which is born of ignorance. Then all Karma will be Sivam, auspicious, beneficial, and blessed. The experience of that Sivam is what is called Sundaram. For it confers real Ananda. That is My reality. That is why My life is named "Sathyam, Sivam, Sundaram".
• Some of you may ask why there should be a Hospital at all here? Why should not Baba cure diseases by an exercise of His will? That is the question. Well, for one thing, this Hospital is not My only Hospital. Hanumantha Rao has a Hospital in Madras where disabled children are treated and trained to be useful and self respecting individuals. That too is My Hospital. In fact all Hospitals, everywhere are Mine. I visit them all. Why, all those who call out from their hearts for succor in whatever language, form whatever climate whether from hospitals or home, are Mine. Do not confine Me to these few acres round the Prasanthinilayam. Wherever a person craving for Prasanthi, lives and prays, there a Prasanthinilayam exists.

Death comes swooping like the falcon on chicken feeding on the ground. The man who dies, prays to Me to receive him. The person who weeps at his departure prays to Me to keep him alive. I know both sides of the picture, the past and the present, the crime and the punishment, the achievement and the reward and so I carry out what is just, though modified by Grace. I am not affected in any way, by arrival into the world of some or departure from it of some others. My nature is Nityanandam. You can share that Anandam by following My instructions and practising what I say.

• I am not affected by either joy or sorrow. Mine is Samadhi or Intelligence which is Sama (steady), unaffected, unchanging wisdom.
• Whatever I say is for the good of others. I say only sacred things and nothing that is unholy. Whether you believe or not, I may tell you that all the time I only think of what good I can do to better the lot of the people. Swami never thinks about Himself.

I declare that I am in everyone, in every being. So do not hate anyone, or cavil at anyone. Share Prema always, everywhere. That is the best way of revering me. I am beyond your understanding. Pray or worship for your own satisfaction and contentment. But to say that I will respond only if I am called or that I will save only if I am thought of, is wrong. Have you not heard the declaration, Sarvathah Pani Padam? You can hear My Foot steps, for I walk with you, behind you, beside you. When you cry out in agony, "Don't you hear my hearts complaint? Have you become so stone hearted?" My ear will be there to listen. Ask that I should protect you like the apple of the eye. My eye will be there to watch over you and guard you. Have incense sticks (Dhoop) and scent sticks for the Puja and I smell them. I answer to whatever name you use. I respond to whatever request you make with a pure heart and a sanctified motive.

• Sai's heart is as wide as the sky. Even the sky may have its limits. Sai's heart is boundless. Some say Sai is in the hands of some persons. Yes, I am indeed bound. Bound by the devotees as well as by the wicked. In my view, I have more love for the wicked than for the good. The good devotees remember me only occasionally. But the wicked remember me all the twenty four hours. I am thus in the hearts of the devotees as well as the wicked. I can not be caught in the grip of anyone.

In regard to every matter, my thoughts are always sublime and exemplary. You must note that Swami's life is in His own hands and not in those of anyone else. If I will it, I can live for as long as I please. I can also terminate it at will. It is my will that decides and not any other person. The reason is my purity, selflessness and Divinity. What other testimony is called for? The life of the pure hearted is in their own hands and not in those of others.

• There are many who are engaged in criticism and calumny. Many papers published all types of writing. Many pamphlets are printed. All kinds of things happen in the world. My reply to all this is just a smile. The reason is such criticisms and distortions are the inevitable accompaniments of everything good and great. Embodiments of Love! Not these only, but even if the entire world opposes unitedly, nothing can affect Me. My Mission is essentially Mine. I am engaged in the good. My heart is ever full of benediction. I have no ego. I do not own anything. This is My Truth. Those who have faith in this, My Truth, will not hesitate to dedicate themselves to it.

• You might infer, "Swami is doing this. Swami is doing that." But, it is not for My sake. For My sake (believe it or not) I do not spend even a naya paisa. Whatever I do, I do for society only. Though 56 years have passed, I have not stitched even one shirt or gown for Me spending a naya paisa. I am wearing only what is given by a student, of the Kingdom of Sathya Sai. Not today, but since the beginning, the thought that "I must have this or that" has never arisen in Me. It is not rising now. It will not arise at any time. Whatever thoughts arise in Me are only for the peace and welfare of the world, for the progress of youth, will lead others along the path. You must dedicate yourselves for rendering enthusiastic service to the people of the world, recognising. that the Sai principle has no egoistic urge.

You may not be able to see it, but it is clear before My eyes. As days pass, even those who are not able to recognise now the Truth of Sai will have to approach with tears of repentance and experience Me. Very soon, this will be worldwide. Swami is now firmly restraining this development. When once it is allowed to manifest, the whole world will be transformed into Prasanthi Nilayam.

• These are My three resolves and I am determined to fulfill them and to set an example. You may believe in it or not. I must tell you that total adherence to truth, absolute selflessness, Universality and spontaneous outpouring of Love are to be seen only in Sai and nowhere else. Sai has not an iota of self-interest. Sai is motiveless. Sai deals with Sadhakas according to their deserts. Sai will continue to love even those who revile him. Sai will not forget anyone, even if he forgets Sai. But occasionally, Sai will appear to ignore those who may have forgotten Sai, acted against his injunctions, set at naught Sai ideals or traduced Sai. From these, Some persons may imagine that Swami is angry with some persons or dissatisfied with some others. It is not without any reason, that Sai avoids meeting or talking to some persons. I donot wish to waste My words on persons, who do not respect Sai's directives or follow Sai's ideals. I do not wish to speak to those who have no regard for My words. That does n't mean I have no Love towards them.

When we delight, as He keeps us close and near

• This body will enter its seventieth year on the 23^rd. As far as I can remember, I have not done all these years, any harm to anyone in any form. Even the idea of causing harm to anyone has never entered my mind. Because of this, inspite of my seventy years, I appear like a small boy. As I don't find the time or the opportunity, I don't run, but I can do so. Where from has this strength come? There are three factors responsible, the three P's, Purity, Patience, Perseverance. If you develop these three qualities, you can also acquire the same strength.

There is no need to glorify what I have done. I have given back to the people what was given by them. I have given to you what is essential for you. Nothing is mine. If anything can be called mine, it is You. You are my greatest property. If you are happy, I am happy. If you pursue the right path, that is my food. When you are united, I feel happy. Therefore, do not speak about what Swami has done. Swami served to you what you offerred to Him. I have nothing in My hands. People call them empty hands. But this nothing is everything.

Today, most people lack purity. Whether you believe it or not, I must tell you that there is no trace of self interest in Me. I am keen to do something or the other for this or that person, but have no concern about Myself. Develop this attitude and you will experience your Divinity.

• Society today is rampant with jealousy and hatred. Jealousy is a disease, which gives rise to hatred. Develop forbearance and good will. That is the cure for jealousy. I have often declared, "My Life is My Message." Often many have extolled Me and many have denied Me. I do not get elated by praise or depressed by criticism. I treat everything alike (Samatwam). "Samathwam Yogamuchyathe". That equal minded-ness is Yoga. What do I lose when some one criticises Me? That is his opinion. It does not affect Me. Those who criticise Baba are suffering from a disease, like those who reject a sweet because they suffer from diabetes. The fault lies in the person and not in the sweet. They know that Baba is engaged in beneficial activities. They want Him to fulfill their desires. But because their selfish interests are not satisfied they turn against Swami. This is a malady. When you see the facts in this light, you will realise the truth.
• I will never I am the witness of your activity, not the participant. I am like the electric fan. Switch it on, it gives cool breeze. Switch it off, it allows you to swelter in the heat. I have no likes or dislikes. Those who talk ill of Me are also remembering My name and deriving joy therefrom and perhaps earning a few paisa thereby. They are happy when they write falsehood. You are happy, singing the Truth. I am unconcerned with either. I have come for a task which I have imposed on Myself. That task will go on, from victory to victory, irrespective of praise or blame. It can neither be halted or hindered.
• forget those who come to Me and be with Me . This is a certainty!

When thus I move and I work and speak, say, how My Name can tarnish be.!

I shall not slacken My Task, My Activity, MyDetermination. For Me, reputation, fame, blame, calumny - all are equally insignificant. I am quite unconcerned with the whole lot.

I speak and act, only to help the world and for the sake of people. But, let me tell you, I have no Name, no Place, no Possession. By whatever name I was called with, I respond!. To whichever place I am called, I go and make my appearance. I have this as My very first, My Vow, My Self-imposed Task.

I have not spoken of this to anyone so far. I am not a part of this world. I am far, far away from it. But yet, I engage Myself in the uplift of its inhabitance. My Shakthi, My Power, My mystery can never be understood, whoever studies it, how so ever intensely and well.

• When "near-dear relationship" is established, one can delve a little into the Sai mystery. That is the highest achievement possible. I am saying all this, not out of anger or resentment, but solely through a desire to declare My Truth.
• "My Life is My Message." Many will be criticising Me, while many others will be praising Me. But I am neither depressed by their criticism nor elated by their praise. Why? Because, if some people mention about whatever qualities are actually in Me I need to pay any attention to them. If anyone attributes to Me what is factually not in Me, I need not be worried about it. For instance, if some one calls Me "Butta Thala Sai Baba" (Sai Baba with a basket-like crown of hair), I should by all means accept their remark, because I have such a bushy hair on My head. On the contrary if anybody accosts Me as "Batta Thala Sai Baba" (bald-headed Sai Baba), why should I accept it? I have no bald-head. So if defects which I do not have are pointed out directly even in My very presence, I do not accept them and hence I am not upset by them. That is the right "determination", indicating selfconfidence
• I am showing you by My example how you must fill every moment with useful beneficial activity. You talk among yourselves. "Swami is having His rest hour. Swami is sleeping". But I have never craved for a minute's rest or sleep or relief. Shall I tell you at what time I feel restful, relieved, content? When I know that you are all earning supreme bliss through detachment and spiritual discipline. I am ever engaged in some activity or other for your benefit . Things I could get done, I do not entrust to others. I do them Myself, so that they may learn self-reliance and get experience thereby. I always have your progress, your comfort, your happiness in mind. You can note it in the slightest act of Mine. I do all work pertaining to Me. I open all letters addressed to Me and they are legion.
• In this connection, I should like to tell you something. Whether you believe it or not, I do not have any worry. When I embarked on the construction of such a big hospital (the Super Speciality Hospital), Joga Rao used to say, "We are drawing up such gigantic plans. We don't have enough money. How are we going to construct this hospital?" He was highly apprehensive. I told him, "What we are undertaking is good work for the welfare of others. There is no selfishness in Me. We are doing everything for the well-being of the world. Do not give room for these depressing thoughts. It is bound to come up. Have this confidence."
• Truth is the life of the plighted word. My words bear the imprint of truth. I cannot depart from truth. I don't speak to those who attach no value to My words. This should be realised by those who complain that Swami does not talk to them. When people heed My words, I am ready to help them in every way and confer happiness on them. I do nothing for My own sake. This is My truth.

• I have no devotees. You may describe yourselves as Sathya Sai devotees. I am Myself a devotee. Whose devotee? A devotee of those who claim to be My devotees. My duty is to fulfill their desires. I belong to you and you belong to Me. Understand and strengthen this relationship. This is My sole desire.
• I am prepared to help anyone from any village, any state or community, I do not cherish differences of any kind. Whether you believe it or not, I may assure you that I respect only one caste, the caste of humanity, only one religion, the religion of love, and only one language, the language of the heart. I shall never say "No" to anybody who seeks My help, whatever his caste, religion or creed may be. A good many devotees are gathered here. I am prepared even to part with Prasanthinilayam to meet your requests. I am prepared to do anything for the good of the people. That is My only concern.
• You must have freedom not only from fear, but from hope and expectation. Trust in My wisdom. I do not make mistakes. Love My uncertainty, for it is not a mistake. It is My intent and will.
• Birth and death are like jokes for Me, though you may not know it. When someone comes to Me and wails "My husband has passed away", I remark: "Santhosham" (happy). She may remark "How can you be happy if my husband has passed away?" All events are the same to Me, I am always happy. One lady comes to Me and says that she is suffering from an unbearable stomach ache. I observe: "Very happy" (chaala santhosham").
• I do not need any publicity. What are you doing to publicise Me? What do you know about Me, let Me ask. You speak one thing about Me today and another tomorrow. Your faith has not become unshakable. You praise, when things go well, and blame when things go wrong. You flit from one refuge to another.

And even before your Bhakthi ripens, you strive to lead others, you collect donations and subscriptions and plan mandirs and sangams. All this is a mere show, which brings spiritual loss, rather than spiritual gain. When you start publicity you descend to the level of those who compete in decrying others and extolling themselves.

Where money is calculated, garnered and exhibited to demonstrate one's achievements, I will not be present there. I come only to places where sincerity, faith and surrender are valued. So spend the silent hours in meditation and Namasmarana in your own homes and deepen faith. I do not need Bhajans, which like gramophone records reproduce songs and Namavalis, without any feeling or yearning while singing. Hours of shouting is not needed, a moment of concentrated heartfelt prayer, is enough to melt and move God.

• Ghandikota Shastry said that I gave him a Sivalingam for puja (worship) with remark that it was My swarupam. I do not like this contribution to publicity. I want publicity for teachings and the message. I want 'Thathwa - Prachara' and not 'Vyakthi Prachara'. Publicity of principles, not of individuals. That is more important. There is no need to talk about Me.
• I did not like the fulsome praises with which you flooded Me in the Address which was read out when this meeting started. I am yours and you are mine. This is a family get together. As a matter of fact all the gatherings that I meet are family gatherings. The entire mankind is My family. It sounds very improper when a member of the family is extolled by another before the rest. This is a habit, a ceremony that is borrowed from political life, where politicians are given addresses wherein they are praised. So that some benefits may accrue to the place which they are visiting and which present those praises.
• Swami's will is firm. No one can alter it. Swami's glory, fame and sacredness has not been achieved through publicity. They are the results of Swami's actions. I have no concern with publicity. Action alone counts. What is achieved through publicity will disappear through publicity. Sai will not be affected by propaganda. The world may be affected by propaganda but Sai will remain the same. Many of you are pained by the calumny. Some papers are indulging in disregarding Me. Many are urging that something should be done about it. But I am holding everyone back because that is the best way to deal with praise and blame. The ocean knows no overflowing or drying up. It is ever full, ever majestic, ever unconcerned.

I have been advising you to do good to others, to make others happy, to help others live comfortably. This is called Sat Karma (beneficial acts). Now, these papers that live on falsehood are able to scrape together a little money from the people with low tastes. The people who spread such fantastic absurdities, knowing them to be false and knowing that they are manufactured by their own brains, get joy out of this exercise. Do not stop them from it, for without spending a single naya paisa, you are now able to give them joy. Let them revel in their own mind. Joy is what one desires from one's own mind. when the mind is vicious, it derives joy from vicious things. when it is pure. Only purity can give it joy.

• I am surprised that you read out a welcome address to Me and extolled Me as Jnanaswarupa, Premaswarupa etc. I must tell you that I am no stranger and therefore need no welcome. I am no stranger anywhere, much less here, of all places where I took birth! I belong to you. I am very near to you. Besides I do not like these praises, for praise places you at some distance, whereas I take delight in being with you, beside you, around you. No father likes his sons to praise him! No son approaches his father with a welcome address, in which his scholarship, wealth, strength, virtues are listed and extolled. Kinship evokes kindliness. There is no need or chance for formal ceremonial behaviour.
• I have no other purpose than this: To lead you to the path of Ananda. I have no special attachment to Vidwan Mahasabha because I have established it. All sabhas, sanyasis and individuals that do the same task, according to their capacity and means are dear to Me. I do not call upon you to cultivate faith in Me or worship Me. I want only that you should cultivate faith in yourselves and worship the Lord who is utilizing you as His instrument.

I do not like demonstration and show. They are against My very Nature and purpose. I love all those who come to Me, as well as those who stop coming, those who stay in the Nilayam, as well as those who stay away, those who praise as well as those who blame, for no one is beyond my boundary of Love. As a matter of fact, I am Prema Swarupa. I do not need any rest in My efforts to give you Ananda. I am unattached to any event or plan. I am not worried at all by fear or failure for I know that My plans must succeed.

I live upon the Ananda that you derive when you sing the name and glorify the Form of the Lord. That is My food, My daily sustenance. So I have no need to talk to you, it is sufficient if I sit here and draw in the Ananda that you feel when you do Bhajans. I do not like pomp and show. I do not derive any joy out of it.

• With regard to the drinking water project people have been praising Swami in laudatory terms. Swami is not happy with these eulogies. Nothing is Mine. All these gifts are from devotees. They have taken the form of water. To demonstrate the exemplary character of this devotion, I launched the water project. I am only a trustee. I am a postal runner. Whether the messages delivered by the postman are pleasant or unpleasant, only the recipients can know. Hence, it is not right to attribute to Swami, that He is responsible for everything. God seeks nothing. What you have to offer to God is only your love.
• Some persons are building new Mandirams in My Name. This, I do not appreciate in the least. I never call upon devotees to start new Mandirams. When the existing Mandirams are fast falling into ruin, why build new ones? And, they go about with donation registers for this purpose. These Bhakthas call themselves spiritually bent and devoted. But, it is through such people that atheism grows in the land. Do not give even a naya paisa to any such plan. Do Bhajans, be engaged in Puja, that is enough. Do these gladly, in your own houses. Install Me, establish Me firmly, in the Mandirams of your hearts. That is enough. That is what will give you maximum joy and peace. That is what will give Me maximum joy.
• If you accept Me and say "Yes!," I too respond and say "SSS!" If you deny and say "No!," I also echo "No!" Come, examine, experience and have faith, that is the method of utilising Me.
• After the Summer Course was over, Indulal Shah, V.Srinivasan and others casme to me with plans for various projects to be carried out in the next three years. Each year they wanted to carry out one project. I told them: "You should not do anything for Me. You may do anything you desire for the sake of the people, the society and the poor." I told Srinivasan I have three desires. Even if I have some desires, not for My sake. "Today, middle class farmers are experiencing difficulties in cultivating their fields. Owners of five of six acres are not able to get labourers to work on their farms and do not have cattle for ploughing the fields. Therefore, you get 70 tractors to be presented to small farmers on My Seventieth Birthday (in 1995)". Action followed right in the wake of My words. The Escorts people were immediately contacted on the phone and the tractors were brought for the selection of those that would be suitable for small farmers. As Swami was offering the tractors free to small farmers, the Escorts people offered a concession in price. Orders were placed immediately for 70 tractors.

Srinivasan asked what was Swami's second wish. Swami said that young people were going about in Puttaparthi without any occupation and taking to bad ways. Some useful work should be provided for them. The Super Speciality Hospital is far from the township. Even the Post office is at a great distance. Many people are having difficulty in going to these places. To provide employment to these unemployed youth and provide an essential amenity for the public, Swami suggested that 70 autorikshaws may be provided to the unemployed. "If these young men are given these vehicles, it would please me." As I Said, Orders have been placed for these autorikshaws. The third wish was this: There are a number of women belonging to good families, who have no independent means to sustain themselves and are not in a position to take up jobs outside. I felt that they can earn some income independently. Immediately 70 sewing machines have been purchased.

A fourth wish: Marriages should be performed for 70 poor couples without regard to caste or creed. The marriage should be such that they should feel happier beyond all their previous experiences in life. It is not enough to give them wedding clothes and the Mangala Sutram. The Mangala Sutram should be attached to a gold chain. In addition, to enable them to lead a life of ideal householders, each couple should be provided with a home.

In this manner, all my thoughts are devoted to promoting the good of others. Is any Government or wealthy person thinking along these lines? None at all. When such sacred things are being done, jealousy rises its head in some persons. This is the outcome of their sins. These envious folk will not do anything good themselves, nor will they allow others to do good. This is not a human quality. A true human being should be filled with large-hearted sentiments.

• (Baba was brought down the winding stairs into the Private Room on the ground floor, in Prasanthi Nilayam because He insisted on giving Darshan to the thousands of devotees who had come on that auspicious day. He had an attack of cerebral thrombosis (of tubercular meningitis) and was in bed for eight days from the morning of Saturday, 29^th June to evening of 6^th July (1963). His left hand, leg and eye was affected. His right hand had also slight palsy. The speech was indistinct and the face was twitching. He was placed on the silver chair in the Prayer Hall and His hand and leg was adjusted in proper position. As soon as He was seated, He communicated the following message which was interpreted and announced).

This is not Swami's illness. this is an illness which Swami has taken on, in order to save someone. Swami has no illness, nor will He get ill at any time. You must all be happy, that alone will make Swami happy. If you grieve, Swami will not be happy. Your joy is Swami's food.

(Then, Baba signalled to Sri Kasturi to speak, and after his short speech was over, Baba wanted the mike to be held before Him. He spoke:"Vinipisthunnada!" (can you hear me) But though He asked again and again, the voice was so indistinct that no one could make out what it meant. He then signed for water and when it was brought, He sprinkled a little with His shaking right hand on the stricken left hand and on his left leg. He stroked His left hand and His left leg. Immediately, He used both hands to stroke His left leg. That touch was enough to cure it. He doffed the disease in a trice! He started to speak! It was the same musical voice!).

"Dikkuleni vaniki devude gathi" (For those who have no refuge, God is the refuge.) That is exactly the reason why I had to take on the disease that one helpless bhakta was to get. He had to suffer this dire illness, as well as the four heart attacks that accompanied it and he would not have survived it . So according to My Dharma of Bhaktasamrakshana, I had to rescue him. Of course, this is not the first time that I have taken on the illness of persons whom I wanted to save. Even in the previous avatar at Shirdi, I had this responsibility, the suffering that you saw was too much for this particular devotee and so, I had to save him, by Myself going through it. This is My Leela, My nature. It is part of the task for which I have come, sishta samrakshna.

Persons who were near Me during the last week were asking Me to give them the name of the person whom I had saved. I told them that it will make them angry against that person, for, they would feel that Swami had to undergo so much of pain in order to save that person. Then they replied, that they would honour that person, because of the extraordinary Bhakti that persuaded Swami to run to his rescue on Saturday evening.

Some people even asked Me whether it was this person or that, giving names of those who had attacks of paralysis, especially on the left side! This is even more ridiculous, because when I save a person, I save him completely. I do not wait until he gets the disease and I do not leave in him a fraction of the disease so that he may be identified later. It all looks so funny to Me, the guesses and surmises that you make.

Even in Shiridi, Dada Saheb, Nandaram, Balwant, all were saved by this means. Balwant was destined to get plague, but the bubo was taken over and the boy was saved.

This is perhaps the longest period when I kept the devotees wondering and worried. This was because of the heart-attacks which had to come later on the Bhaktha and from which he had to be saved. There is another reason too, why the eight-day period had to be observed. Well, I shall tell you why. That means I must tell you about Myself, about something I have not disclosed so far, something which I was keeping with Myself for the last 37 years. The time has come to announce it. This is a sacred day and I shall tell you.

You know I declared on the very day when I decided to disclose My identity, My mission and My advent, that I belonged to the Apasthamba Sutra and Bharadwaja Gothra. This Bharadwaja was a great sage who studied the Vedas for full one hundred years: but finding that the vedas were Anantha (endless), he did Thapas for prolonging life, and from Indra he got two extensions of a century each. Even then, the Vedas could not be completed, so he asked Indra again for another hundred years. Indra showed him 3 huge mountain ranges and said "What you have learned in 3 centuries is only 3 handfuls of the 3 ranges, which the Vedas are. So, give up the attempt to exhaust all the Vedas. Do a Yaga, (sacrificial) instead, which I shall teach you: That will give you the fruit of Vedic study, full and complete."

Bharadwaja decided on performing the yaga. Indra taught him how do it. All preparations were completed. The sage wanted that Shakti must preside and bless the yaga. So he went to Kailasa but, the time was not opportune for presenting his petition. Siva and Shakti were engaged in competitive dance, trying to find out who could dance longer.

Eight days passed thus, before Shakti noticed Bharadwaja standing in the cold. She just cast a smile at him and danced along as before! The Sage mistook the smile as a cynical refusal to notice him. So he turned his back on Kailasa and started to descend. To his dismay, he found his left leg, hand and eye put out of action by a stroke. Shiva saw him fall. He came up to him and consoled him, Bharadwaja was told that shakti had indeed blessed him and his yaga. Then, Shiva revived him and cured him, sprinkling water from the Kamandalam. Both Shiva and Shakti granted the Rishi boons. They would both attend the yaga, they said.

After the yaga was over, they were so pleased that they conferred even more boons on the sage. Shiva said that they would take Human form and be born in the Bharadwaja Gothra (lineage) thrice, Shiva alone as Shirdi Sai Baba, Shiva and Shakti at Puttaparthi as Sathya Sai Baba and Shakti alone as Prema Sai later. Then Shiva remembered the illness that had suddenly come upon Bharadwaja at Kailasa on the eight day of the waiting in the cold on the ice. He gave another assurance. "As expiation for the neglect which Shakti showed you at Kailasa for 8 days, this Shakti will suffer the stroke for 8 days, when We both take birth as Sathya Sai, and on the 8^th day I shall relieve her from all signs of the disease by sprinkling water, just as I did at Kailasa to cure your illness."

It was the working out of this assurance that you witnessed today, just now. This had to happen, this stroke and the cure. The assurance given in the Treta Yuga had to be honoured. I may tell you now that the poor forlorn Bhaktha who had to get the stroke which I took over, was a convenient excuse, which was utilized. You see, a railway engine is not made available to haul just one bogey. It waits until a number of bogeys are to be taken along and then, they put the engine gets into action. So too, the disease had to be gone through, the Bhaktha had to be saved, the assurance to be carried out, the Mystery had to be cleared, the Divinity had to be more clearly announced by the manifestation of this grand Miracle. All these were accomplished by this one incident.

Let me tell you one more thing. Nothing can impede or halt the work of this Avatara. When I was upstairs all these days, some people foolishly went about saying, "It is all over with Sai Baba" and they turned back many who were coming to Puttaparthi! Some said I was in Samadhi, as if I am a Sadhaka! Some feared I was the victim of black magic, as if anything can affect Me! The splendour of this Avatar will go on increasing, day by day. Formerly when the Govardhanagiri was raised aloft by the little boy, the Gopis and the Gopalas realised that Krishna was the Lord. Now, it is not one Govardhanagiri, a whole range will be lifted, you will see! Have patience, have faith.

Yesterday, when I came into the hall, I could see the agony you all felt. That was because you identified Me with this body, that was having the illness. If you had known Me truly, you would not have been sad. Infact, if you had known the truth, that would be enough. The illness came and went. I was its master throughout. One day, when it reached its climax, I was watching its behaviour and directing it to finish its Dharma. For I had taken it on Myself and so, I must allow it to do its Dharma! All kinds of silly stories were circulated when I was ill! Some people feared that when I went to the South recently, some black magic was inflicted upon Me and that the stroke was the consequence. Let Me tell you that nothing evil can affect Me. Nothing can harm Me. I am the master, the Shakthi that overpowers everything else. I knew the explanation some people were giving that I was in Mounam or Samadhi. Now why should I keep the vow of silence? If I am silent, how can I carry out my task of reforming you and making you all realise the aim of life? And why should I seek Samadhi, I who am the Anandaswarupa and the Premaswarupa Himself?

• I am 70 years old now. I can see even an ant that is far away. It is not due to Divine power. It is physical power. What is the reason? Diet Control. My weight has remained the same for over sixty years, 108 lb. only. Proper balance must be maintained throughout life. There must be balance in respect of knowledge and several other things. Students pollute their knowledge by seeing bad things, listening to bad things and by bad thoughts. Their minds are reverted by addiction to films. They should learn to lead pure lives. Only then they will experience bliss and health.

I am always happy. I should like to run, but there is no place where I can do so. I can lift anybody at this age. This strength is present potentially in everyone. But it is being wasted. If the energy in everyone is properly conserved he can do anything.

• There is nothing beyond the power of the Divine. Although there is excruciating pain on account of the injury, through self sontrol My mind does not think about it. If the mind had been dwelling on the pain, the pain would have been greater. The best medicine for this pain is diverting the mind. Everytime, the body turned, there was a kind of shock. I was wholly engaged in reading the numerous letters from the devotees and was oblivious to the state of the body. If I rid myself of any ailment instantaneously, people may comment, "What a selfish person is Sai Baba?. He cures His illness immediately. But He does not remove the pain of others." Whether it is your body ailments or somebody else's, attempts can be made to treat it, to teach the sufferer how to control his mind and strengthen the powers of resistance. But it cannot be got rid at the one instant. The time required for healing has to be allowed.

During the past four days, My mind did not bother about the injury. I did not give up any of the normal activities. I did not come out only because of the entreaties of the devotees. I take the ailments of others. I do this for My Own delight and not out of external pressure. But in case of every illness, control of the mind is needed to bear with it. This is what everyone of you should bear in mind. This is the message of My Life. I am exercising various kinds of self-control to serve as an example for you. Why should I be concerned about this body? You must take note of this important fact. This body is not Mine. It is yours and therefore I have no concern with it. Your bodies are Mine.

Nothing can do Me any harm. Occasionally there may be any troubles which are incidental to the nature of the body. But these are passing clouds. If you realise the true nature of Divinity, you will not feel that Swami is experiencing great pain and that He should take some medicine. Out of their Love for Swami, devotees are appealing Swami to take rest. But I don't need any rest. "Karmanyevaadhikaarasthe" (You are entitled to do your duty). That is My Message to You. Although I have been told by the doctors not to move, I get up at 5 in the morning, attend to my ablutions and take My bath as usual. All of You should forget your troubles and try to be as happy as possible.

There is no use in doing japas and meditation for the sake of Swami. It appears artificial. What you have to bear in mind is that no trouble can affect Swami now or in future and that everything is apart of My Play. Such things happen to the Divine. They come and go. I take no account for them. Here is another example of how the Divine works. The fact that I have been standing here for a long time is itself a miracle. The legs have been strained to the limit. There has been considerable pain. But in the joy of addressing you I am unaware of the pain. Likewise, in all your sufferings and troubles, you must turn your mind away from them. It is to teach this lesson to you that I chose to speak to you today. I do not know whether you are aware of Swami's nature. When Some one comes to Swami and says that he is suffering from an unbearable stomach ache, Swami says, "Anandam, Anandam" (" Happy, happy"). When a a woman comes wailing over the loss of her husband, Swami says, "Chaala Santhosham" ("Very Happy"). Swami is always in a state of bliss. Happiness is the very nature of the Divine.

• How to lead a healthy life? Let me tell you about my own health. I am sixty-eight years old, and believe it or not, My weight has been constant at 108 pounds only. It never went up nor came down. You can lead a healthy life once you achieve this kind of balance and moderation. I never eat even a little bit excess. I observe the principle of moderation whether I am invited for food by a millionaire or a pauper. Even though I am sixty-eight years, My body is in perfect trim! I do not suffer from aches and My heart is as sound as a rock. There is none who can work like Me and exert himself as much as I do! The secret of My sound health is My regulated food habits.
• I know that many of you, who know that I have been taking only a cup of buttermilk daily for the last two months, are genuinely grief stricken, though I have been telling you that no work of mine has been stopped or delayed as a result of what they call My "reduced intake of food". That is a sign of their prema. Really, I live on your Ananda, not on this material food at all. I wish that you realised this and stop worrying or weeping. I cannot bear to see you suffering.
• The truth can be known only when one comes and sees what is being done here. Instead, if men whose hearts are filled with the poison of envy indulge in all kinds of slander from remote places, it can be described only as demonic conduct and not that of a human being. Now, here in the world can you see the kind of work that is being carried out here. Is free Education offered elsewhere in or outside India on the lines offered here? One has to spend atleast Rs.20,000/- to get a child admitted in the 1^st Standard. Here, from kindergarten to post-graduate studies, education is totally free.

As for heart surgery cases, in hospitals outside, no patient will admitted unless Rs.4 to 5 lakhs are deposited in advance. In our Hospital, we are spending one crore Rupees a month (Rs.10 million). Which Government or millionaire is doing such a thing? There are some such persons who spend 10 lakhs of rupees in a Hospital with the hope of earning Rs.10 crores. They are making it a business. Here, we are not charging anything. There is no place for business here. It is not proper that such good and sacred work should be misrepresented.

• My Power is immeasurable. My Truth is Inexplicable, unfathomable. I am announcing this about Me, for, the need has arisen. But, what I am doing now is only a gift of a visiting card! Let Me tell you that emphatic declarations of the Truth by the Avatars were made so clearly and unmistakably only by Krishna. Inspite of the declaration, you will notice that in the career of Krishna, He underwent defeat with his efforts and endeavours, on a few occasions, though you must also notice that those defeats too were part of the Drama which He had planned and which He Himself had directed. When many kings pleaded with Him to avert the war with the Kauravas, He confessed that his mission to the Kaurava court for ensuring peace had 'failed'!. But He had not willed that He should succeed. He had decided that the war would be waged. His mission was intended to punish the greed and the iniquity of the Kauravas and so condemn them before the world. But, I must tell you, that during this Sai Avatar, there is no place for even such a "Drama" with scenes of defeat and failures!. What I will, must take place. What I plan must succeed. I am truth. And truth has no need to hesitate, or fear, or bend.
• Krishna was the embodiment of Prema. His Prema had no bounds. How fortunate you are that you have today the same Krishna, the complete Prema Avathara, moving among You!. I shall show you the very Kousthuba that I was . wearing at that time. (Here Baba waved His Hand and in a trice a brilliant flash of light revealed a unique jewel in His palm - The Kousthubha. A big-sized Emerald of unexcelled green blue, rectangular in shape, bordered by splendours diamonds, hung on a gold chain).
• After the long pilgrimage to the shrines and the holy spots of Bharath, Rama had a few years, until he was aged 14, of apparent introspection and solicitude. He disliked food and regal apparel. He was not interested in materials and men. He waved His fingers and palms for no clear reason. He wrote on the air only He knew what. He laughed without any reason. In short His actions and movements were exactly the same as Sai Baba's (Mine) when He (I) too was in His (My) early teens. Vashistha attempted to bring His mind back to normalcy but that was only a stage which all Avatars are in, before they enter upon the task for which they have come down.
• Jesus was Love. Sathya Sai too is Love. That explains the unity of Christians of all sects, which we see here.

In Rome today, Catholics gather to celebrate the Advent of Jesus. The Protestants celebrate it by themselves in their churches. The Jews are not welcomed at all. But, in the Presence of Sathya Sai all are equally welcome. The Jews chagrined Jesus and demanded that he should be punished. In this Presence, the Jews are adoring that very Jesus. The Prema of Sathya Sai as transformed and transcended those memories. It has made them realise that there is only one caste, the caste of humanity. There is only one religion, the religion of Love. Each of You has a living mother though you may not be aware of the depth of that love. Know that Sai Love is the Love of a thousand Mothers. Naturally, you will find it impossible to gauge the intensity of My Love. And understand this . If you place yourself outside that Love, you will place yourself outside the Love of all mankind. Mine is Love that is pure, free, selfless and unconditional. It is a great good fortune to receive such Love

• The sense of values has to be restored and faith in the Divinity of Man has to be restored. That is the task for which I have come
• You do not realise your boon in getting Me as the guide. I shall not rest until I reform all of you. The basement of My work has been completed. Now the structure will rise upon it. I go round the world along with no paraphernalia and no publicity, because I am established in My own Glory, in My own Truth. I have Atmic relationship with all, and so I am always succeeding.

The distance from Me and you is the same as the distance from you and Me, is it not? But, you complain that I am for far from you, through you are approaching nearer. How can that be? I am as near you as you are near Me.

• The very first lesson I gave when I declared My Identity at Uravakonda was, "Manasa Bhajare gurucharanam, dustara bhava sagara tharanam".

Upadhi (attachment) must disappear. That inferior status of manhood that now satisfies must give place to the status of Madhavathwam which is the genuine status. That is the task for which Sai is calling. That is the work for which I have come.

I have to give you the courage to conceive yourself as the "parathathva" you really are to give you Dheeshakthi (to grasp the reality). I have come to reform you. I won't leave you until I do that. Even if you get away before I do that, do not think you can escape Me. I will hold on to you.

Whenever I appear to be angry, remember it is only Love in another form. For I have not even an atom of anger in Me. I just evince My disappointment that you do not shape as I direct. When I direct you along a line of action, reflect on My advice. You have full liberty to do so. In fact I will be happy if you do so. I do not like slavish obedience. If you feel that it will help you to reach the goal, follow it. If not go to some other place, but let Me tell you one thing. Wherever you go, you meet only Me. I am everywhere. You cannot run away from Me. I will demand good conduct, good habits, good thoughts, good company wherever you go, seeking for refuge.

You might ask Me to speak about My own Mystery. It is not easy to understand it. When you have the chances, gather all the joy you can. There is no use of bolting the door after the thieves have robbed and fled from the house.

After losing the chance, do not repent later that you have missed the opportunity. Remember, you have to come to Me, if not in this birth, at least within ten more births! Strive to acquire Grace. Grace is the reward for Sadhana: The highest Sadhana is to follow the instruction of the Master.

• Man is now possessed by the ghost of Delusion. He is speaking a language which is unbecoming, behaving like an animal moving in a zigzag manner, climbing and sliding. I have come to exorcise the ghost. That is part of My work.

I am not attracted by learning or scholarship, which does not lead anywhere except towards egoism and pride. I am drawn only by devotion. Bring to Me whatever troubles you have. I shall take them on and give you Ananda. When I like My Bhakthas, I like their faults too, though some here, turn up their noses and laugh at the peculiar follies and foibles of people who come from all the various provinces. I am drawn by the love which brings you from long distances through great difficulties which makes you happy in spite of the want of comforts to which you are accustomed.

I have heard discordant voices emanating from this town, and whispers that if Sathya Sai Baba is really Divine, why is the Bukkapatnam tank dry during the greater part of the year? Some of you here might have heard such statements made by irresponsible persons who have no knowledge of the workings of the cosmic Laws. What is the relationship between My Truth and the tank getting filled in your village. It is really an absurd idea that since Sai Baba is within four miles of this place, the Bukkapatnam Tank must be full all the year round and the lands below it must yield good profit for the owners! Why should I expend my grace especially on this tank, as if proximity gives greater attachment? All places are equally near for Me and, if they turn away from good ways, all are equally far! For Me distance is not to be measured by miles. A tank in another continent might be as near to me as a tank across the Chithravathi.

• The success of the Task on which I have come will very soon reverberate throughout the world. To tell you the Truth, this Kali era is the most beneficent of the four. For, you have now amidst you, the Eternal Embodiment of Ananda in a Form which you can approach, adore and learn from

• Now about My Truth. It is impossible for anyone to discover and declare the Truth that is Sathya Sai. To ensure peace and prosperity is the task on which Sathya Sai has come amidst you. "Lokaah samaasthaa sukhino bhavanthu". Let all the worlds be happy. All mankind have to be happy. All must be gladly engaged in fulfilling their duties. I long to shower Ananda on all. You should come with empty hands, without even the traditional offerings of Patram, pushpam, Phalam, Toyam (leaf, flower, fruit and water). Come with clean hands, hands that supplicate, not supply, hands that proclaim that they have renounced attachment to riches, then, I fill them with Grace. I must say I expect certain things, before giving you that Grace.

I demand and take Sathya, Dharma, Shanthi and Prema. I seek the gifts of truth, virtue, peace and love. I draw you to me and then reform and reshape you. I am a kind of a smith, who repairs broken, leaky and damaged hardware. I repair broken hearts, fragile minds, warped intellectuals, feeble resolutions and fading faith. This day, I am announcing some news which will give you great joy. Sai is ever full of joy. Anxiety, grief and unrest cannot approach Sai even as near as millions of miles. Believe it or not, Sai does not have the slightest experience of anxiety. For, Sai is ever aware of the formation and transformation of objects and the antics of time and space and of the incidents therein. Those who have no knowledge of all this and those who are affected by circumstances are both affected by sorrow. Those who are caught in the coils of time and space become the victims of grief.

• I do not expect anything from You. Only develop love within you. Regard all mankind with fraternal feelings. Recognise all as the children of God. Bear no ill-will or hatred towards anyone. Do not hurt anyone's feelings. Only such a large-hearted attitude will confer on you the everlasting Bliss. If you are celebrating Swami's birthday, this is all that I desire from you. Have unity among yourselves. Strive to revive and promote the Glory of Bharath.
• Why am I engaged in various activities?. Why I am concerned about My Devotees?. Why have I established so many institutions?. This is My Duty. (As Krishna declared to Arjuna) . To promote the welfare of devotees is the duty the Lord has taken upon Himself. I am undertaking so many activities for thier sake. But people do not recognise this fact. And owing to this failure, they are missing their great good fortune.
• 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 illuminating the Atmic Reality of each being and 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 and rise upto the Divine, which is the goal.
• It was said that I have taken up this form in answer to the prayers of Sadhus and others. There are some mothers who feed the baby only when it starts crying . The more considerate and loving mother knows when the baby is hungry . she need not be called to its side by a loud wail. This MOTHER is that type of mother. I have come, because I felt I had to come. I resolved upon this. There is no need now for tears or despair, either among the repositories of the Vedic wisdom or among the good who suffer from the cruel winds of Adharma. This campaign will succeed. It will not fail. The welfare of the world will be ensured, through the fostering of the Godly everywhere, and more particularly of these reservoirs of the ancient wisdom of this land.
• Why has Truth come down on earth in this Form? To place man on the road to Truth, to plant in their hearts the yearning for Truth, to help them reach the goal of truth through instruction and illumination.
• Therefore, I move with you in order to correct and console. I eat and talk, I laugh and teach, I speak and travel, in the manner you do, so that I can lead you onto the Truth from which you have strayed away. I make you laugh and weep. I appear before you here and there, to harden you and to ease your burden, so that you can reach Truth.
• I have come to re-establish the rhythm of righteousness in the world. Hence, all the hours of day and night, every second I fill with activity suffused with love, Activity designed to further your progress in the pilgrimage to the truth, that is Myself. For, Truth alone can confer on you lasting Bliss and, the Bliss you gain is the Food on which I sustain Myself.
• And, there is something more. I have resolved to enfold the people s of the world, in the fostering care of Sanathana Dharma, the Dharma laid down in the Vedas,. This is My task . It is not My task to spread awe and wonder in the world, by My Power and draw men to Me thereby. I shall sustain Truth, and uproot Untruth. I shal render you happy and ecstatic, in the splendour of that triumph. This SAISWARUPAM is the SAKTHISWARUPAM which will achieve that triumph, and confer that Bliss.
• This Sai has come in order to achieve the Supreme task of uniting as one family, the entire mankind, through the bond of Brotherhood, of affirming and illumine the Atmic Reality 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, and rise into the Divinity which is his Goal.
• Thyagaraja too had developed doubts about Rama's prowess and later realised that Rama would not have commanded the allegiance and devotion of men like Lakshmana and Bharatha if He was not all powerful. From this one episode, you have to understand that if Sai did not have unique power, would he be able to attract persons from America, England and other countries? If there is no power in Sai how do you imagine devotees from so many countries come to Him? Are they such innocents? Or are they witless persons?
• There is a vast gulf between the Sai Force and these (evil) forces. Now that the necessity has arisen, this has to be referred to now. There is none, who can stop or diminish My splendour. It has no bounds. It can meet no obstacle. You may believe it or not, but, I can transform the earth into sky and the sky into the earth, and that in a moment.
• This is just the occasion when I have to tell you the Truth, the principle, that underlies this (Swami's) body. So, I am telling you this. Therefore, these words are not intended to announce any superiority or to claim greatness. Let me tell you of one instance. The astounding expressions of power which Swami is manifesting, the Power, the Majesty, the Wonders-these are characterised by some persons (who cannot bear with this Divinity) as miracle, mesmerism or magic. They indulge in this kind of vile propaganda. Mine is no miracle, mesmerism or magic. Mine is authentic Divine Power.
• The optical sense cannot visualise the truth. It gives only false and barren information. For example, there are many who observe My actions and start declaring that My nature is such and such. They are unable to gauge the sanctity, the majesty and the Eternal reality that is Me. The power of Sai is limitless. All forms of 'Power' are resident in this Sai Palm. But, those who profess to have understood Me, the scholars, the Yogis, the Pandits, the Jnanis all of them are aware only of the least important, the casual external manifestation of a infinitesimal part of the power, namely, the "miracles"!. They have not desired to contact the source of all Power and all Wisdom, that is available here. They are satisfied when they secure a chance to exhibit their book learning and parade their scholarship in Vedic learning, not realising the Person from Whom the Vedas emanated is in their midst, for their sake. This has been the case, in all the ages. People may be very near (physically) to the Avatar, but, they lead their lives unaware of the fortune, exaggerating the role of miracles, which are trivial when compared to My Glory and My Majesty, as a mosquito is in size and strength to the elephant upon which it squats. Therefore, when you speak about this 'miracles', I laugh within Myself out of pity, but you allow yourself so easily to lose the precious awareness of My Reality.
• How can anyone determine "Sai-sakthi"? Here are people from Argentina and Australia. Are they dull-witted? Are they not intelligent and affluent people? What is the meaning of their coming to Swami? If Swami did not have the power why would they come? This one fact is enough to show how they recognise the truth about Swami.
• No matter where you go, always know that I will be there, inside you, guiding you. In the years to come, you will experience me in different manifestations of My forms. You are My very own, dearer than dear to me. I will protect you as the eyelids protect the eyes.
• My Task is this: To confer on man Fullness of joy, to Guard, to Guide.

• I am in you and for you. You are for Me and in Me. Yet, I have an urge to tell you a little about Me and guide you. I am not won by adulation or lost by disregard. I am won by Truth, Genuineness, Sincerity. For, I have come with this human physical apparel for upholding the Truth. I am the Truth of the Truth, the Truth in all truths. This Form bears the Name, Truth (Sathya). The vitality within this Form is Truth. That is the Power which overpowers all powers.
• I had to tell you so much about My truth, for, I desire that you should contemplate on this and derive joy therefrom, so that you may be inspired t observe the disciplines laid down and progress towards the goal of self-realisation, the realisation of Sai that shines in your hearts.

• Remember that this present Avatar was assumed with the sole object of giving Ananda to the Bhakthas. Sai yearns for the love of a true Bhaktha even more intensely than the Bhaktha longs for Sai's Love. Sai Baba is a veritable Kalpavriksha to His true devotees. He wants only nischala Prema not adambara and ahamkara (pomp and pride). He is always in the devotee's heart, (hridaya nivasi), and when one is aware of this constant presence, all of you will be exalted and become worthy of My Love and Grace.
• Thanks to the Lord's Grace you young people have come to Swami. You may not appreciate all that I have said at this age of yours. But you will realise the truth of Swami's words in due course. You have been fortunate to secure something which few others have got. You are discarding it lightly. You are slighting Swami's injunctions. You do not heed the words of Swami. "People do not listen to words of the wise, but easily fall a prey to bad advice. How can such people hope to understand Swami? Of what use is all their education?" (Telugu poem). "They will not listen to good advice. But bad talk they will listen with both ears!" How can they expect to know Bhagawan? Can an ant fathom the depths of the ocean? Likewise you cannot cognise the truth about Swami? But you can make good use of the opportunity that has come your way. "Sai has come to you because of your great merit. Arise! Wake up!"
• You will see in due course that even the blind and the ignorant will declare: "Swami is God"
• Though Sai is involved in events conditioned by time and space, Sai is ever established in the Principle that is beyond both time, place or circumstance. Therefore, you must all recognise the uniqueness of the will of Sai, the Sai Sankalpa. Know that this Sankalpa is Vajrasankalpa, it is irresistible. You may ignore its expression as weak and not significant. But, once the will is formed, whatever else undergoes change, it cannot change. The Life of Sai, the Message of Sai, the Ideals Sai holds forth the lesson that Sai teaches the world are all enshrined in one word, Love.
• No one can understand "Sai Sankalpa" (will of Sai). Thought and action are simultaneous like the light and sound that come out when a gun is fired. hence it is not easy for everyone to understand Sai's resolve.

• Devotees from all the nations of the world have gathered here. Therefore, I should not fail to tell you about a certain matter. World Conferences or Conferences of different faiths or Assemblies of spiritual aspirants from all nations have taken place. But, they have happened, after the Divine inspirer has left the world. This Conference, however, is taking place, when this Body and the Name associated with this Body are present in the world. This has to be considered by you. The basic cause of this uniqueness is the reality of My Advent. Ninety nine out of a hundred among you cannot delve into that Reality. You have gathered here, drawn by diverse needs. Some have come seeking spiritual upliftment. Some have come seeking the progress of institutions and organisations, in which they are interested. Some have come prompted by mere love and reverence. Some have yielded to the temporary urge of enthusiasm.

To every one, My Reality is unreachable. Unreachable it will be, not only today but, for a thousand years of inquiry by all the people of the world, even if they sought it unitedly. But, the Bliss emanating from that reality (Thatwa), that has come in this sacred Body within your reach and the reach of the nations of the earth, and you can partake of it quite soon. When you observe Me moving among you, talking as you do and eating as you do, and thence conclude that I am but human, you are perpetrating a mistake. In all the ages, this has been the lot of man. Men have failed to recognise Me, for I am enveloped in humanness. This is My Reality.

This is a Human Form, worn by the Principle that manifests Itself as all the God-Forms adored by Man. I must say that I confuse you through words and actions. But, however confused, if onl you install in the altar of your heart, steady faith in My Divinity, you can achieve the Vision of My Reality. If, instead, you swing like the pendulum of a clock, one moment to one side and the next to the other, you can never comprehend My Truth. Let Me draw your attention to another point. On other occasions when there was the advent of the Incarnations of God, the world bent before Them, often for reasons other than Divine, namely, imperial authority or some such related power or influence. But, now, in this Kali Age of rampant materialism, in this Manifestation of SATHYA SAI, all the people are adoring It, because, as must be clearly evident to you, It is the Godhead that is the Prime Principle, beyond all. This SATHYA SAI SWARUPAM (Manifestation) is Daivaswarupam (Divine Reality). You are fortunate that you can grasp this Truth, not at some future date when this Human Frame has been discarded, but luckily, even while It is with you, before you. You will soon be awarded the chance to witness the homage of adoration that all countries will offer to India (Bharathadesa), and to listen to the Declaration by all peoples of the Divinity of the Sathya Sai Manifestation.

• You must see, hear, study, observe, experience and reflect. Only then, can you understand Me. You will learn then that I am Love (Prema). That I give only one thing, bliss (Ananda) through Love. My task is to grant solace, courage, and peace (shanti). That is to say, my characteristics are the ancient, authentic ones. Only the manifested form is new. My desire if I can put it that way is this, more and more should yearn for Me. That desire can be realised only if I assume this form and come among you. Those of you who have been following the unfolding of My story will have discovered this by now. My purpose can be understood in a general way only by earnestly and vigilantly watching, trying to get to the meaning of every word and acting with patient attention.

• What is My directive? What is it that will please Me? What is it that I desire? Only one thing, 'Love! Love! Love!'. That is Sai's most potent weapon. Was any invitation sent to any of you to come here? So many of you have gathered here were attracted solely by the power of Swami's love.
• I have not come to set afoot a separate cult. I do not want people to be misled on this point. I affirm that this Sai form is the form of all the various names that man uses for the adoration of the Divine. So, I am teaching that no distinction should be made between the name Rama, Krishna, Ishwara, Sai, for all are My forms.

You can observe Me and My activities how I adhere to righteousness, moral order, with and universal compassion. That is what I desire you to learn from Me. My life is My message.

You elaborate in your lectures the unique powers of Sai, the incidents that are described as Miracles in books written on Me by some persons. But I request you not to attach much importance to these. Don't exaggerate their significance, the most important and significant power is, let me tell you, 'My Prema' . I may turn the sky into earth and vice-versa but that is not the sign of Divine might. It is the Prema, the sahana in Me that is the unique sign.

• "Willing" is superfluous for Me, for My Grace is ever available to devotees who have steady love and faith.

I can solve any problem, however knotty.

Only those, who have recognised My Love and experienced that Love can assert that they have glimpsed My reality. For the path of Love is the royal road that leads mankind to Me.

• I am the Embodiment of Love. Love is My instrument. There is no creature without Love. The lowest loves itself atleast. 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 parade themselves, as atheists will one day, when their illness is gone, relish God and revere Him.
• Every year summer courses used to be conducted (in Brindavan). In view of the growth in number of students at Brindavan, we undertook to build a new hostel for them. That year I took all the students to Ooty during the summer. All the arrangements for the summer course were completed successfully. Swami told the students a day before they were to leave Ooty, "Boys! You have had the chance to come to Ooty. You had better go on a sight-seeing trip and enjoy the grandeur and beauties of the Lord's creation." Swami asked them to go out sight-seeing, but they insisted on Swami also coming with them. The boys are a stubborn breed. Swami told them that if He came with them, large crowds would gather wherever He went and they would not be able to see anything. Modern boys have stubbornness of their own. They said they would not leave unless Swami also came with them. Swami relented and made arrangements for all the students to leave by buses for Dodabetta, the highest point in the Nilgiris range.

They wanted to take photographs with Swami on the top of the hill and Swami agreed to follow them to take photographs with them. Swami left half an hour later from Nandanavanam to Dodabetta. Two young men went to Nandanavanam to see Bhagavan. They were told that Swami had left for Dodabetta. Immediately the two young men got up on their motorcycle and started driving at high speed to catch up with Bhagawan's car on the road to Dodabetta. Their only anxiety was somehow to get a glimpse of Swami. Swami noticed the boys and wanted to know who they were. Someone in the car remarked, "They might be some rowdies." Swami remarked, "No, no. Without knowing the truth you should not make such remarks. They might be boys eager for Swami's darshan."

When Swami's car was taking a turning, the boys came at high speed near Swami's car. At the turning the motorcycle fell on a side. Both the boys fell down from the vehicle. Immediately, I stopped My car, went near them, wiped the mud from their bodies, and enquired of them, "Boys! Have you suffered any injuries! Why did you drive at such a high speed? You should not have done so. If you wanted to see Me, you could have come to Nandanavanam". I sought to comfort them and gave them two Kamala oranges to eat. The two boys, who were local college students, said, "Swami! We came to have Your Darshan, but we also had Your sparsan, sambhashan and prasadam. If this accident had not happened, would Swami have come near us, wiped our backs and spoken so endearingly to us? Swami! We yearned for Your Darshan. We earnestly sought You. We got all three, darshan, sparsan, sambhashan (see you, touch you and speak with you). Any trouble is worthwhile if these three can be got. Please give us always such troubles".

• Today this body enters on its seventy-first year. This body is made up of the five elements and is essentially impermanent. Do not attach much importance to the body. Take to heart the Love Principle that is being conveyed to you. My entire life is filled with love. I have never put anyone at any time to any kind of suffering. I have never done any harm to anyone. I have hated no one. I have no aversion to anybody. What is the reason? It is My love that is transforming others. I may act as if I am angry on some occasions, but the anger does not stem from the heart but is confined to the tongue. From head to foot I am filled only with love. It is this love which has attracted the whole world.

• As part of the sixtieth birthday celebrations, I am prescribing a test, which you have to accept. When you undergo it and emerge victorious you can be pronounced as real humans. The farmer polishes the field, sows the seed and watches the crop grow, until the grain is harvested. The next process is winnowing. The light chaff will then be carried away by the wind and the hard grain will stay. I shall start winnowing form now, the test will remove the chaff. Sai's philosophy does not lie in encouraging devotees to sit in a corner, control their breath and go on uttering "Soham! Soham! Soham!" "Oh!, Sadhak! Arise, gird up your loins! Plunge into social service". This is the Sai Message. No room should be given for laziness and indifference. In matters concerning expenditure, My attitude is strict. For anything that is legitimate and essential, I am prepared to offer even lakhs of rupees.

But I will grudge giving even a paisa for something unnecessary and useless. This is because money breeds all the evils in the world. In this context I shall recall what I told the students the other day. "Do not walk in front of Me, I may not follow you. Don't walk behind Me. I may not lead you. Walk beside Me and be My friend." If you attempt to walk in front of Me, you may be taking the wrong path. If you walk behind Me, you may possibly desert Me. Walk abreast of Me. Then there is no chance of your going astray or away from Me, because I am with you.

The stars are Brahman.

Regard me as an illustration of this truth. I have love for all, even for those who are bad. I have greater love for those who deride me and I draw them nearer to me. I derive great joy from this. Hence My Life is My Message. With Me it is always sacrifice and giving (thyaaga) and not enjoyment (bhoga). Sacrifice itself is enjoyment to Me. I do not know the meaning of rest. I do not need rest. I shall go on with My work. This kind of equanimity cannot be felt by anyone except the Divine.

• I do not stray, despite the fact that I am aware of all that is and was and will be, despite My knowledge of all that is enveloped in Time and Space. I desire you to note this well. For, whosoever finds himself in positions high or take up the reins of leadership has to walk straight and steady, so that all who follow, may do likewise and reach the goal.

• Do not regard what I am going to say as an exaggeration. There is not a trace of self-interest in me. Whatever I do is only for the sake of others. I do not regard you as "others". All of you are My own people. Such an encompassing feeling cannot be empowered by anyone anywhere in the world. Have you seen anywhere else an organisation which has grown so stupendously in fifty years? In the case of earlier Avatars, their fame grew only long after their passing. In the case of the present Avatar, in His own lifetime, a University, a big hospital, an aerodrome and many other things have been established for the benefit of the villages and many more will follow in the years ahead. Many persons have doubts as to how all these things are accomplished. The advent took place 64 years ago. All these years, this Hand has not been stretched any time to seek anything from anyone. I have not asked anyone. I will never ask anyone and there will never be an occasion for it. How then are these things happening? For any good work, there is no impediment in Bharath. When you want to do any good work wholeheartedly, money flows in torrents. The narrow-minded who never undertake any work will never be satisfied. They cannot understand the actions of those who are large-hearted and broad-minded.

Do not consider Sai Baba as a mere figure five feet three inches tall. His Presence will be felt all over the world. Wait and see. In a few days the entire world will come here. Therefore, at least from now on make the best use of the opportunity that has come to you and strive to redeem your lives.