Divine Images (Original Message) Swami (21) Permalink Photo from By: mahadevan12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sathya Saibaba was born in Puttaparthi, Andra Pradesh to Peddavenkappa and Easwaramma Raju in a poor family. He was christened Satyanarayana by His parents. His very birth showed significant events portraying Him as an Avatar. It is said that His mother had dreamt of Lord Sathyanarayana and saw a a blue light rolling into making her faint. It is also said that musical instruments miraculously played on their own in His house.
As a child of eight years, Sathya Sai had the powers to compose bhajans spontaneously and was highly talented in fine arts like drama, music, dance and poetry. He joined the High School at Uravakonda. On 8th March 1940, a strange behaviour took over him like that of being stung by a scorpion. Following this event He often became totally unconscious of the happenings, refused food and started reciting slokas and elaborated on Hindu scriptures. In March 1940, He claimed Himself to be the reincarnation of Shirdi Saibaba and adopted the name 'Sai Baba'. Sathya Saibaba then quit school and at the age of fourteen on October 20, 1940, started teaching bhajans to people who flocked to Him. Following this, a Mandir was built for His devotees which is now called the 'Old Mandir' and later the now existing Prashanthi Nilayam at Puttaparthi came into being. Miracles Sathya Saibaba is widely known for the numerous miracles that he worked out. He materialized small idols, vibudhi (sacred ash), kumkum, turmeric, fruits, Lingam etc in person as well in the homes of His devotees. He also displayed sudden miraculous disappearance, appearing in dreams and visions, miraculous healing etc. Miracles are reportedly happening even to this day. Teachings Sathya Sai Baba's basic teachings advocates Truth, Right conduct, Non-violence, Love and Peace. His teachings are open to people following different religions with not needing to give up their faith. Further His teachings are Advaitic in nature about the same essence being the substratum of all that is created. His teachings also emphasizes and glorifies the role of women, especially 'mothers'. Sathya Saibaba resides in the Prashanti Nilayam . He spends the summer in Brindavan, in Whitefield, Bangalore and occasionally in 'Sai Shruti' in Kodaikanal. The three primary Mandirs in India are established in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai and referred to as Dharmakshetra or Satyam, Shivam and Sundaram respectively. The daily activities in Sathya Sai ashram include the chanting of 'Om' and Suprabhatham (morning prayer) followed by chanting of the Vedas, singing devotional songs, bhajans and Darshan. During Darshan Baba walks through the people collecting letters, materializing Vibudhi and sometimes calls certain people for interviews. His interviews are said to reap spiritual benefits. The Incomparable Service The service rendered by Baba is remarkable and incomparable. Sathya Sai Baba charitable organizations take the form of educational institutions, hospitals and service projects that are spread over 10,000 centers in 166 countries around the world. His compassion towards the poor and the down trodden finds expression in the Sathya Sai hospitals that offer free of cost treatment to patients. The drinking water project completed in 1996 provides water to the drought prone region of Anantpur in Andhra Pradesh, quenching the thirst of 1.2 million people in 730-800 villages . Sathya Sai Ganga Canal completed in 2004 provides water supply to Chennai. More drinking water projects are still in queue to be completed. Future Incarnation Baba has claimed that once He sheds His body, He would later reincarnate as Prema Sai. Prema Sai is expected to be born in Mysore. The crowd flocking to Prashanthi Nilayam are living testimonials of Baba's mercy and glory. Article from Oneindia
