Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba - Views and Voices

[Guest guest]

benefit of entire humankind. On this occasion, I extend my greetings and good

wishes to all those engaged with the Trust for the success of the birth

anniversary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Former Prime Minister of Republic of India. In the long

journey, Baba has spread His unique gospel of love. As Baba Himself says, "There

is only one caste, the caste of humanity; There is only one religion, the

religion of love; There is only one language, the language of the heart; There

is only one God; and He is omnipresent." How profound, how simple and how

timeless, ageless is Baba's message. He has, through the power of love and

selfless service, transformed the lives of countless people both in India and

abroad. Today, Baba's footprints are seen all over the world.

BORDER-BOTTOM: #eaeaea 1px solid" vAlign="top" width="89%"> Shivraj V. Patil

Home Minister of Republic of India. Words will fail to explain the various

services that Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has been rendering to the humankind

for the last so many decades. Bhagawan's teachings emphasizes on Love not only

towards other human beings but all and everything created by God in this world.

He correctly professes that the only way to attain salvation is through Love

which has been described in Gita as Bhakti Yoga. Bhakti Yoga is nothing but

Love towards God, which Bhagawan in His own inimitable style preaches to the

humankind.

solid" vAlign="top" width="11%"> Sushil Kumar Shinde Governor of Indian

State of Andhra Pradesh. I am delighted to join along with you in the

celebrations of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's 80th Birthday on 23rd November.

On this auspicious occasion one has to recall Bhagawan's contributions for the

welfare of the society, people in distress and the spiritual leadership to His

followers. Sri Sathya Sai Baba was kind enough in providing drinking water to

the villages in Rayalaseema Region, setting up of educational institutions

including a Free Super Speciality Hospital at Puttaparthi, for the poor and

needy, speaks volumes about His magnanimity. Vilasrao Deshmukh Chief

Minister of Indian State of Maharashtra. The happening of

a Phenomenon like Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is a boon to our modern society.

Man today is on a self ruinous path but the Pure Divine Love that Baba exudes

is fast making man conscious of the fact that still nothing is lost and

Paradise can be regained. He energises man and instills in Man the self

confidence that Man is not an ordinary being but a reflection of divinity.

Indeed, with the divinity called Sri Sathya Sai Baba with us we have nothing to

fear. However, we have to fulfill the only wish of Baba that we all commit to

transform ourselves and adopt the practice of the 5 Human Values of Love,

Truth, Right Conduct, Peace and Non Violence in our lives and offer Him our

heartful of Love. Justice P.N.Bhagwati …presided over the Supreme

Court of India as its Chief Justice from July 1985 to December 1986. The way

is shown by my Master…. We must remember that we are all part of the one

common humanity: all religions – whether Christian, Hindu, Sikh or Muslim –

recognise the essential unity

of mankind and our ideal must be to break down all differences that divide us

and to demolish all barriers that prevent us from coming together as human

beings regardless of what language we speak, or the colour of our skin, or the

race to which we belong, or the religion we profess to practise. Today we see a

paradoxical situation in the world. On the one hand, science and technology with

the modern means of transport and communication have brought about a near

revolution in our lives and the world has shrunk into a global village, while

on the other hand, the world is being torn apart by strife and violence,

hostilities and massacres, men forgetting their in-dwelling divinity, engaged

in killing one another. We thought that after the holocaust of the Second World

War, peace would reign on earth and there would be no hatred and violence, but

that dream was shattered to pieces. We do not find peace anywhere and that is

why we long for universal peace, peace not only in my country,

not only in yours, but throughout the world. How can we attain this universal

peace which will be a blessing for humanity? The way is shown by my master….

S.M.Krishna Governor of the Indian State of Maharashtra since December 2004;

former Chief Minister of the Indian state of

Karnataka from 1999 to 2004. I consider myself fortunate…. I often wonder,

what is so special about Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba that endears Him to

people cutting across distinctions like caste, creed, religion, sex, country,

etc. It has been Baba's constant endeavour to ensure that humanity be governed

by the universal values of Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Shanthi

(Peace), Prema (Love) and Ahimsa (Non-violence). It is in the interest of us

all to join Him in His mission, for, therein lies the welfare of humanity. I

consider myself fortunate to have received the love and guidance of Bhagawan

Sri Sathya Sai Baba in great abundance. His blessing is the biggest treasure in

my life. Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) O.P.Mehra Former Chief of Air Staff,

India; Former Governor of Indian States of Maharashtra and Rajasthan. I have

no

hesitation… In the final analysis I have no hesitation in saying that I am,

what I have had the pleasure of being, and as of today, thanks to Sri Sathya

Sai Baba – the DIVINE – the AVATAR – my MENTOR. I am convinced that everything

we see, hear, smell, touch and or taste is His. Salvation of all human lies in

laying the Soul at His Divine Feet. Sincere and genuine Love alone will ensure

merger with Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai.

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vAlign="top" width="89%"> M.K.Rasgotra, I.F.S. (Retd.) Former Indian Foreign

Secretary, Former Indian Ambassador to Morocco, Tunisia, the Netherlands,

Nepal, France and the UNESCO. None can fully comprehend… There is no way

one can fully comprehend the many splendoured personality of Bhagawan Sri

Sathya Sai Baba: with faith and devotion one may, now and then, experience His

love and grace and even get a glimpse of the divine mystery embodied in

his delicate human frame, but it is impossible to fully capture in words even

these fragmented and fleeting visions of His reality. I have never found it

easy to write about Him: the more I see of Him, try to understand and know Him,

the more the mystery deepens and words become less meaningful. Justice

Shivaraj V.Patil Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India. The hallmark

of Prasanthi Nilayam Thousands of people everyday and on occasions in larger

number gather around Baba, be it Prasanti Nilayam or Brindavan or elsewhere.

Neither invitations are extended nor publicity is given nor advertisement is

made for these people to gather. Yet people gather in large number. One knows

how difficult it is to collect people elsewhere even for occasional meetings

and, when collected in large number, in maintaining discipline. Even though

everyday large number of devotees and on special occasions several thousands

come to the Lotus Feet of Bhagawan to have His darshan and blessings, a

remarkable discipline and silence with all devotion is maintained. Bhagawan

caters to the souls of His devotees to walk on Sai path to attain realization

of the Self. Turning to students, Baba says that they must scrupulously value

and practise discipline, duty and devotion in order to reach the goal set for

themselves. Dr.(Mrs.) J. Geeta Reddy Minister for Tourism & Sugar,

Govt. of A.P., India. How fortunate are we…. How fortunate are we to live

as contemporaries of the ‘Living God', our ‘Beloved Sai'. Our lives would never

have been the same without His presence. He changes our lives from the mundane

to the magnificent. … Let us join together not only to love Him, but to love

each other and everything around us. For, did He not say that, He separated

Himself from Himself, in order to love Himself? Anil V.Gokak, I.A.S.

(Retd.) Vice-Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning;

Former Secretary in the Ministry of Fertilisers, Govt. of India. He has come

at the most critical juncture… Sai Baba is, undisputedly, a unique avatar in

the history of humanity. He has taken the human form at a time when man has

lost his Peace. Man has become more and more materialistic and self-centred,

thanks to the advance of science. Ruthless exploitation of nature by man has

also created a great deal of disturbance. An avatar is badly needed by mankind

and surely, Sai Baba has descended on the planet in the human form to guide

humanity at a most critical juncture in its history.

#eaeaea 1px solid" vAlign="top" width="89%"> Dr. G.Venkataraman Former

Vice-Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning; Formerly of Anurag, Defense Research and Development Organisation, Hyderabad,

India. Preoccupations take you to miss His wonderful shades… Most devotees

are generally preoccupied with miracles and experiences that border on the

miraculous. This obsession with the paranormal is understandable, but, in the

process, we also tend to miss the wonderful shades of the Divine in

human form. One aspect of Swami that is constant and has always fascinated me is

His extraordinary sensitivity to the needs and the problems of others. This

sensitivity is ever in operation but few bother to take note of it. Lt.

Gen. (Retd.) S.P. Malhotra A highly decorated soldier of

the Indian Army; retired as GOC-in-C, Northern Command. Love all, Serve all

Help Ever, Hurt Never Baba's teachings which He gives in His discourses are

profound, put in simple league so that everyone can understand them. His

command over language and fluency is phenomenal. His discourses are in Telugu

but He can speak all other languages. Baba's knowledge not only of the

scriptures, but medicines, science, technology and all other subjects is

unlimited. Swami's basic teachings can be summarized in just 8 words which are:

Love all, Serve all Help Ever, Hurt Never. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma

Internationally acclaimed Santoor Maestro from India. We are fortunate

indeed… I have been very fortunate to receive Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's

blessings in life. I had many experiences of Swami's omnipresence, Swami's

showering of love like a Mother, Swami's power to always protect us wherever we

are. In the last 35 years I had innumerable experiences in different parts of

the World. We are very fortunate that we have been born in this Yuga, where we

can see Bhagawan talking to His devotees and showering His divine grace on

everybody. M.K.Kaw, I.A.S. (Retd.) Former Education Secretary to Govt.

of India. The true miracle… The true miracle about Baba is not that He

produces rings, japamalas and necklaces with a flourish of His hand. That is at

the initial stages, when He sees that we are like little children and can be

tantalized by a toffee. He did this to me at our very first meeting on 1st June

1985, twenty years ago. "What is the difference between you and me?" He asked

and did not wait for a reply. Then He answered it Himself, "When you want a

ring, you go to a goldsmith, who takes lot of time to melt the gold and fashion

it into a ring. But with me," He said, with a circular motion of His palm, "I

will and it happens." And suddenly, there was a ring in His hand!

BORDER-BOTTOM: #eaeaea 1px solid" vAlign="top" width="11%"> C.L.Kaw, I.R.T.S.

(Retd.) Former Chairman, Indian Railway Board. The most compassionate God…

Miracles are in the very nature of God because He operates at a totally

different level. Moreover, He is very compassionate towards His devotees. He is

in the real sense Karma

Dhwamsine(destroyer of evil effects of bad actions). Normally every individual

has to bear the fruit of his karmas and as per karmic theory there is no escape

from this. But Swami as the most compassionate God many times helps His devotees

by softening the effect of karmas – on some occasions, suffering Himself to

reduce intensity for devotees. Dr.S.V. Chittibabu Former

Vice-Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj UniversityFormer Vice-Chancellor of Annamalai

University. Let me surrender to Thy Will with Love… Is it not our

immeasurable good fortune that Sri Sathya Sai Baba should have come into the

world as the Purna-Avatar of Sriman Narayana in human form during our lifetime

for the redemption of humanity? Swami's sublime teachings imparted through His

lofty discourses, writings, conversations as well as His living example are

nonpareil with respect to their contents and efficacy in metamorphosing the

hearts of countless millions for the better. … On this memorable occasion this

is my fervent prayer to Bhagawan Baba, the Living and Loving God, the

Enchanting Charioteer and Singer of the world with abundant love and tender

patience leading us all by his vision of truth and beauty, love and goodness: …

Above all give me the strength to surrender my strength to Thy Will with Love.

Indulal Shah Formerly, Chairman of World Council of Sri Sathya Sai Seva

Organizations. en masse transformation of mankind If one has to ask a

question as to what is the one single largest contribution of this Avatar in

the 21st century, what would the answer be? It would be "en masse

transformation of mankind and thereby the whole world". The approach of

Bhagawan Baba makes Him the most scientific Avatar when He says, "Come,

examine, experience and only then develop faith". There is no question of just

blind faith.

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vAlign="top" width="89%"> V. Srinivasan Reputed Industrialist from Chennai;

All India President, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations. There are many

instances of the Lord's omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence; all these

are like milestones in the journey of our lives to the Lotus Feet. Millions

travel on this journey with their own milestones, perhaps by separate paths but

all the same destination, the abode of pure love! C. Srinivas …from the

oldest batch of students of the erstwhile Sri Sathya Sai College of Brindavan.

Member, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. Today as we celebrate eighty years of

Sri Sathya Sai, the Mission of human transformation has grown in a manner that

defies comprehension. The Divine entrepreneur has now generated a momentum not

ever known, so much that ‘SAI TOUCH' is not felt in all corners of the world.

The uniqueness of His Mission has been that, just as much as He has gone about

accomplishing His

Task, at the core, SAI remains sweet, simple, accessible and above all, humble.

K. Chakravarthi, I.A.S. (Retd.) A Civil servant borne on the Cadre of the

Indian State of Andhra Pradesh; Currently, Secretary, Sri Sathya Sai Central

Trust. We see the faraway gaze of Swami and then the sharp piercing of His

near look. We sense His deep engagement in the world and its procession of men

and events; and a quiet disengagement from them. And in stillness and silence

profound truth is taught and learnt, as we are told with reference to

Dakshinamurthi. But at human level we need to be talked to by Swami. When He

talks, there is joy. When He is silent, there is sadness. When He smiles there

is laughter in our hearts. When He sees away there is a loneliness however much

"I keep my countenance and remain self possessed". We need to move and learn at

two levels of our being – the mental and spiritual – and unify such learning

into a coherent response to the divine. Dr. A.N. Safaya Former Chairman

of the Management Board of AIIMS; Former Medical Superintendent at AIIMS, New

Delhi; Currently Director of Sri Sathya Sai Institutes of Higher Medical

Sciences at Whitefield, Bangalore, and Puttaparthi. Swami in His countless

discourses and personal talks to individuals has given in detail valuable

advice on diet, exercise, sleep and cleanliness. He has mentioned a

number of bad habits, which have to be avoided both by the young and the old.

Not only has Swami explained at length these principles but has also practised

these principles Himself. "My Life is my Message", He has proclaimed. If

medical science is really meant for the mitigation of afflictions of disease in

man, if it is to serve mankind for its healthy survival, the Sai Health Care

Mission has given to the world the basic principles on which this science has

to develop and improve further. Dr. Narendranath Reddy A practicing

Endocrinologist from the United States; Member, Prasanthi Council, governing

body of Sri Sathya Sai Organsations, Worldwide. How blessed and fortunate are

we to have this beautiful, sweet and loving Lord to protect us and guide us. Let

us make use of this unique chance to adore Him, worship Him, practice His

teachings and merge in Him, who is the Source. Dr. Samuel Sandweiss, M.D.

Practising psychiatrist from the United States. In this year of celebration

of Swami's 80th birthday, we take stock of the infinite grace that He has

showered on us. What have we learned and put into practice? How has He helped

us to understand the real meaning of our lives? In what direction has He so

softly and persistently guided us with the

loving hands of a million mothers? … One night I had a very lovely visit from

Swami in my dream. He approached me and I bowed before Him. Upon rising I

happily blurted out, "Swami, I am bringing you a book." Swami looked lovingly

at me and softly said, "I am bringing you a book." What a wonderful reminder of

Swami's place in our lives. We are in His orbit. We are living in Him and He is

living in us. K.R.Paramahamsa,

I.A.S. (Retd.) A Civil servant borne on the Cadre of the Indian State of

Andhra Pradesh. He is 'Tat' embodied Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai is the present

day spiritual guide and companion to humankind, leading us by hand. He is the

mother taking care of our yoga and kshema. He is the non-coercive power

transforming and rejuvenating through His bountiful compassion and boundless

love. He is the catalyst helping us unleash the limitless human potential in a

positive manner for the good and well being of all creation. He is the sadguru

guiding us through the thick

and thin of our living with a view to finding answer to the all-important

question ‘who am I?' and find life's fulfillment. The spirit of the humankind,

therefore, considers in reverence that He is God-Incarnate that walks among us

in human form for our deliverance, allowing us to bask in the aura of His

Divine Resplendence.Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai is 'Tat' embodied. Sunil

Gavaskar Legendary Cricketer of International acclaim from India. I feel

grateful… I feel grateful to have been able to serve my country in my

capacity as a cricketer for many years. However, now it would give me the

greatest joy to be able to be of some small service to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai

Baba Himself in His grand mission to uplift humanity. If life has given me a

few good things, the best has been Bhagawan Himself! I cherish that above all

else and pray for His constant guidance, support and blessings.

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vAlign="top" width="11%"> S.K.Birla Noted Industrialist from India;

Chairman/Director of several Birla group ventures. Matter of intense personal

belief… I have had some occasions when non-believers appeared to question my

devotion to Bhagawan. To me Pujya Baba's Divinity is a matter of intense

personal belief, but the unprecedented extent of His works for the public good

- hospitals, schools, university, water projects and many others - must

persuade all to see Divine intervention in the affairs of men. Whenever I look

at His visage, I see only expressions of love and kindness dripping from it.

S.S.Naganand Senior Advocate, a legal practitioner of repute from Bangalore.

A Unique Experience can never be compared… Simple teachings of Swami give

solutions at every point of time in our life. It is for us to pause,

contemplate and act as per Swami's teachings. I wish to express my deepest

gratitude to the all pervading, most compassionate divine being Bhagawan Sri

Sathya Sai Baba for giving me an opportunity to be in the proximity of the

Avatar and render some small service for the fulfilment of the

grand design of Swami for the upliftment of humanity. This is a unique

experience and cannot be compared with anything else. Arjuna Ranatunga

Cricketer of International repute from Sri Lanka; Captain of Sri Lanka's world

cup winning team, 1996. Currently, Member of Parliament

and Deputy Minister for Tourism, Investment Promotion & Industries, Govt. of Sri

Lanka. Sri Lanka has always looked towards its great neighbour India for

inspiration and succour in many fields and on numerous occasions, but none so

more than in the spiritual field. India is the birth place of Hinduism and

Buddhism, which more than 70% of the population in Sri Lank adhere to. The

great philosophers down in history such as Swami Vivekananda and Sri

Ramakrishna have their followers in Sri Lanka mostly among the Hindus and among

other religious groups as well. However, in recent times, the most popular

influence on the Buddhists, Hindus as well as Christians has come from Bhagawan

Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The numbers appear to be ever increasing and are to be

found among all strata of society, though naturally much more among the more

educated upper and middle

classes. In many a home, one could see the framed pictures of Bhagawan kept in a

respected and honoured place. Prof. A. Anantharaman A management

professional with rich International corporate experience; currently Honorary

Professor at the School of Business Management,

Accounting and Finance, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi

Nilayam. The choice is yours… On this solemn occasion of the 80th year of

His incarnation, we need to make a choice. We can continue to demand from Him

tinsels and trinkets, as we have been all these years. Or we can seek from Him

what He has come to give us. We have a choice, as expressed in language of

unsurpassed beauty, by the bard of India, Rabindranath Tagore, "To take

shelter in silent obscurityOr let his Will draw you outWhen old words die out

on the tongueAnd new melodies break

forth from the heartWhen old tracks are lostAnd new country revealed in its

entire splendor!" What will you choose? Prof.H.S.Bhat (FAMS)

Academician of repute in the medical field of Urology; Currently

head of the department of Urology, SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram. It is a tragedy of

circumstances that our livelihood should be dependent on the sufferings and

pain of our fellow beings. We firmly believe that, while we can only cut, we

have minimal or no control on the healing which ultimately is in the hands of

God - a God who may be addressed in any way we wish to. We continue to see the

miracle of healing everyday by the Divine Physician in every field of activity.

His discourses are messages of life and the purpose is love in action. He

demonstrates that His religion is love; His language is the language of the

heart. His food is Love and what He does for humanity is His Love in action.

Victor Krishna Kanu Formerly High Commissioner of Sierra Leone, Africa, to

U.K., Norway and Sweden; Director of the African Institute of Sathya Sai

Education (TAISSE) at Ndola, Zambia. The Name Sathya Sai Baba is pregnant

with divine potency that invokes in anyone who believes in it and calls it an

unqualified

feeling of security, joy and hope. From my personal experience, the constant

invocation of His name places one in a perpetual state of ecstasy, bliss and

integrated awareness of God who is in everything known and unknown. The name is

also sweet to the ears and the tongue. This Name and what it stands for is the

guiding light of Africa. Dr. R.S.Padmanabhan Dentist of repute from

Bangalore. Member, Sri Sathya Sai Trust, Karnataka, India. People ask me why

Swami calls a few and not others for interview. There are tens and thousands of

aspiring people. How can He call all of them? I asked Swami about this. He says

where Karma of a person is over, He calls him. He may not cure a person of the

maladies he is suffering from. But, He gives strength to sustain them with

fortitude and faith. One has to work out one's karmas. When Swami sees a

person, it is sufficient. The Divine Glance sets things in the right direction.

Dr. (Mrs.) Hiramalini Seshadri A Senior Consultant Physician and

Rheumatologist based at Chennai; visiting Rheumatologist at the Sri Sathya Sai

General Hospitals at Prasanthi Nilayam and Whitefield. Transforming the

hearts of men… Creating objects with a wave of His hand, stopping rains,

floods, fires, turning water into petrol, multiplying food......we devotees are

old hat at all that. Resurrecting people from the dead, curing cancers, creating

even living creatures - well, all this too is history now. But the omnipotence

of the Lord manifests most when He transforms the hearts of men. N.P. Bhat

I.R.S. (Retd.) Formerly Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Govt. of India.

His real Ashram is in the hearts of devotees Some years ago, I recall, as I

was coming out of the "audience room" in Puttaparthi, I told Baba how happy and

proud I was to witness the remarkable transformation over the years, of Baba's

Ashram into a huge bustling township, complete with all amenities and

facilities. Baba, in a serene voice, told me that His real Ashram was in the

hearts of His devotees. I have been trying all these years to make my heart

Baba's Ashram. May Baba's grace and bliss be on all of us. Begum Parween

Sultana Gifted vocalist of repute from India. Koti Koti Pranams… I must

have done something good in my last birth and that's why I am getting such a

divine Guru, Father, Mother Sai in this birth. My gratitude, my grateful

thanks, my koti koti pranams at the Lotus Feet of Bhagawan for giving this

opportunity to be with Him in this birth. V.N.Narayanan A prominent

journalist of repute; formerly Editor-in-Chief, Tribune, Resident Editor, The

Indian Express, Editor, Hindustan Times; Currently Editor, Bhavan's Journal and

Principal, Bhavan's H.B.College of Communication and Management, Bangalore.

Decisive Phase of His Avatar As Bhagawan Baba enters the eighth decade of His

life on earth, He is moving into the most decisive phase of His avatar. Over the

past decade He has noticeably reduced handing out His "calling cards" to people.

The contact with devotees at the sensory level too has reduced, though at the

level of spirit it keeps growing. The SAI universe of

edifices blessed with a unique spiritual aura continues its multi-dimensional

growth. And now the phase of miracles and message-conveyance has yielded place

to the fulfilment of the Mission of the Avatar. Before I give my vision of the

Sathya Sai Mission, let me recount – in my very limited and myopic view – the

various stages of the Sathya Sai Avatar, which, if Valmiki were alive today,

would give the world a new Ramayana of epic proportions. B.N.Narasimha

Murthy Warden, Sri Sathya Sai Hostel, Brindavan, Whitefield, Bangalore. How

much do we love Him? The love for Swami that pulsates in the hearts of

millions of men, women and children all over the world is the greatest and the

surest of signs of His love for mankind. We need not look for any external

manifestation of signs of His grace; we have to just look into our own hearts

and see for ourselves, how much we love Him.

PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #eaeaea 1px solid"

vAlign="top" width="11%"> B.G.Pitre An Educationist of repute from Mumbai.

Currently, Director of Sri Sathya Sai Education, Mumbai. Come, Experience,

get transformed… These people converge in Puttaparthi to pay homage to the

Apostle of Peace, to experience happiness and joy. They come to pray at the

Feet of the Master. He seems to be saying, 'Come, Experience, get transformed.'

For, the solutions to human conflict do not lie in resolutions in an assembly of

nations, nor information of fighting forces but in ‘transformation' of hearts.

They require the cultivation of the mind-the Mind of Man – the collective mind

of all mankind. The root cause of hatred, conflict and wars has to be removed

from within us. Mandolin U. Srinivas Mandolin maestro of International

fame from India. Wherever I performed, I felt the Divine presence of Baba and

I never concluded my concerts without playing Sai Bhajans; and the moment I

started playing Sai Bhajans whether in an auditorium or at a public place, the

atmosphere totally changed into a different world. In my personal experience,

wherever I go, whomever I meet, I could see Swami's influence in everyone.

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1px solid" vAlign="top" width="11%"> A.N.Haksar A business management expert

of great reputes; Formerly, Chairman of ITC Ltd. Sitting at the feet of Swami,

the Divine Teacher there have been many lessons to learn, as Swami never says

anything or proclaiming anything that He

does not put into practice. Nimish Pandya A practising Advocate from

Mumbai; Pioneer in Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas and Education in Human Values

Programme. Yearning for

friendship is a natural phenomenon for man, as he is said to be a social animal.

The kind of friends a man has, also determines his image. It is therefore said

that, "Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you what you are." …Indeed,

for the first time in eons of time, has the Master Himself come on Earth and is

asking from within each one of us, a very simple question "Will you be my

friend?" and the only simple answer He awaits from us is "Yes, I will… I will."

Moyia O Brien …an ardent long time devotee; running a Centre for the

disabled in Brisbane, Australia. In my quiet hours I often reflect on beloved

Baba and think about how His love and grace is expanding the spiritual horizons

of the world. And I believe that one day the whole of humanity will be engulfed

in His loving care, unitedly moving in a stream of consciousness leading towards

and fulfilling His divine plan. Source:

http://www.srisathyasaipublications.org/Voice.htm