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Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

A Life Dedicated To Humanity - Ever since his birth on November 23rd, 1926 , Sri Sathya Sai Baba had been destined for greatness. According to popular legend, his birth was heralded by supernatural occurrences such as musical instruments playing by themselves and a cobra emerging from the house.

Even at a very tender age he was marked out as different and special as compared to other children. He turned vegetarian and would keep away from places where animals were killed or tortured. Filled with compassion, whenever a beggar appeared at the door he would beg and plead with his parents to donate grains or food. He banded together a group of children of his age and taught them to sing Bhajans that he had composed in praise of the glory of the Lord.

Miracles have been a part of his life since the early days and have been the pointers to his divinity. He would relieve ailments that had been pronounced incurable, distribute sweets from an empty bag, pluck various fruits from a tamarind tree (since then known as Kalpavruksha) etc.

On October 20, 1940, when he was all of 14 years old, he left home saying he belonged to the world and it was time to launch his divine mission and dedicate his life to serving mankind. He settled on a rock in the Excise Inspector's bungalow. As the news spread like wildfire, people came from every direction bearing flowers and fruits and singing songs in his praise.

The first prayer he taught to his devotees was :

“Maanasa bhajare gurucharanam,
Dhushthara Bhava Saagara Tharanam”
“Meditate in thy mind on the feet of the guru,

It is the only thing that can take you across the difficult sea of samsara” as his fame and popularity grew over the next few years, hundreds and thousands of visitors from far and wide came to see and meet him. he propagated that he was a reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi and his devotees started calling him Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

On the occasion of Baba’s 25 birthday, Prasanthi Nilayam, his abode at Puttaparthi, was inaugurated. Baba himself decided on the engineering and designing and his sens e of perspective and aesthetics were acknowledged even by professionals.

since Puttaparthi was off the beaten track, construction posed daunting challenged with huge girders to be transported from Penukonda through rough terrain. but all problems were successfully overcome with the ‘karuna’ and blessings of Baba.

The main part of Prashanthi Nilayam is the Central Prayer Hall, which has a platform on either side. on the western platform is the shrine, where the portraits of Shirdi Sai Baba and Sathya Sai Baba have been installed. the hall is adorned with imaged of saints and seers such as Shankaracharya, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Surdas, Meerabai, Tukaram, a crescent and so on. Meditation, ‘japams’ and bhajans are conducted here twice a day.

To serve society in various ways, a trust called the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust has been set up. its activities can broadly be classified into 4 categories: Education, Medical Care, Relief to the Poor and Service for General Public Utility. The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences. Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning and other projects initiated by Baba are run under the auspices of the Trust. Another Trust, Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust takes on the responsibility of publishing books and journals, which promote causes that are close to Baba’s heart.

Today Baba has followers speread over 165 countries covering around 3000 Sai Centres and groups. In India , there are over 7000 Sai samithis and groups all over the country.