HE HAS COME - THE LORD SATHYA SAI BABA - III

[Guest guest]

Om Sri Sai Ram

Om Sai Jai Sai Jai Jai Sai

 

HE HAS COME - THE LORD SATHYA SAI BABA - III

 

By Patrick Gallivan,

 

 

CHAPTER FIVE

 

Prophets, down through the ages, have set down predictions of

a "Great Coming", of a Messiah, a world Teacher, an Avatar, to

herald in the New Age of Peace and Unity. The sources of these

predictions and prophesies have been many, and can be found in the

ancient texts of most cultures and religions, such as the Old and

New Testaments, American Indian culture, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims,

Mormons, as well as by the great French visionary Nostrodamus.

 

The belief that God incarnates in human form can be found in many of

the world's scriptures but no-where is it more prominent than in the

Hindu faith. In the Bhagavad Gita it is said that the full complete

Avatar is recognised by the expression of the Divine attributes of

Omniscience (all knowing), Omnipotence (all powerful), and

Omnipresence (being in all space and time). In the Mahabharata, the

ancient Hindu testament, the Lord Vishnu, the Preserver and

Protector of the Universe, foretold of a Kali Yuga, or age,

corresponding to our present age which is marked by moral and

spiritual decline, by political corruption, oppression, dishonesty,

crime and the prevalence of falsehood. Lord Vishnu said "When evil

is rampant upon the Earth, I will take birth in a family of a

virtuous man and assume a human body to restore tranquility by the

extermination of evil. In the coming Kali age of sin, I will assume

a human form that is dark in colour and I will be born into a family

in South India.

This Avatar will possess great energy, great intelligence and great

powers. Material objects needed for this Avatar's mission will be at

His disposal as soon as He will think of them. He will restore order

and peace in the world. This Avatar will inaugurate a new era of

Truth (Sathya), and will be surrounded by spiritual people; the

people of this Earth will imitate this Avatar's conduct and will

bring prosperity and peace. Men will once again take on the practice

of religious rites, educational centres for the cultivation of

Brahmic Laws. Temples will re-appear again and everywhere ashrams

will be filled with men of Truth. Rulers of the Earth will govern

their kingdoms virtuously. The Avatar will have an illustrious

reputation."

 

The Lord Buddha, the Light of Asia, went amongst the people teaching

Peace, Love and Understanding, and said, "I am not the first Buddha

who has come upon the Earth, nor shall I be the last, for in due

time another Buddha will arise in the world, a Holy One, a supremely

enlightened One, endowed with wisdom, auspiciousness and embracing

the Universe, an incomparable leader of men, a ruler of angels and

mortals. He will repeat to you the same eternal truths which I have

taught you. He will establish His Law. He will proclaim a righteous

life wholly perfect and pure, such as I now proclaim. His disciples

will number many, many thousands, while mine number hundreds...

 

Within recent times, another prophesy was discovered in a Buddhist

monastry in the Himalayas of Northern India, and one which people

there believe would soon come true. "A new era will manifest

itself," it says, "But first there would begin an unprecedented war

of all nations, when brother will rise against brother, oceans of

blood will flow and people will cease to understand one another.

They will forget the meaning of the world Teacher. Just then a

teacher appears, the Prophet of the New Age. One stone upon His

finger is worth more than all the world's treasures. Even those who,

by accident, receive the teachings of the Prophet will receive in

return a hundred-fold. Already, many warriors of the teachings of

truth are re-born, only a few years shall elapse before one shall

hear the mighty steps of the Lord of the New Era".

 

All religions have within them the same truth, the same emphasis on

universal Human Values; the importance of prayer, the need for

worship and what all are seeking, is the Grace of God.

 

The Prophet Mohammed prophecised the coming of a Great Teacher,

giving a most detailed description of He whom he called the "Guided

One". Seven hundred years ago his followers compiled his many

discourses into twenty-five mighty volumes which are called "Heldi",

or the Ocean of Light. Volume thirteen is of particular interest to

us at this time, called the "Mahdi Mood", which in Arabic means "the

Great Teacher that was promised". Mohammed is said to have given

twenty seven attributes or signs, by which El Mahdi, or the Guided

One, as he refers to Him, will be recognised, and a very clear

physical description of Him. Mohammed was asked if he was the Guided

One, he said that he was not and furthermore, that no Prophet of God

had ever come to the world who would come with the power which He,

the Guided One, would come. He went on to say that, "No Prophet was

like this Great Teacher because all the Prophets were put to death

by the people, as their powers had not been sufficient to

prevent their being killed. But, no power will be able to conquer

or to kill the Guided One."

 

Mohammed continued, "Religious people will collect under a great

tree, they will have a spot on their foreheads. His power will be

profuse. His forehead will be large and concave. The nose will be

small with a slight bump on the bridge. His front teeth will be

spaced apart. He will have a mole on His left cheek. His clothing

will be like a flame. The colour of His face will sometimes be like

copper, sometimes yellow like gold, sometimes very dark and

sometimes shining like the moon. His body will be small in size (Sai

Baba is 5' 2" tall and 108lbs). All teachings, of all religions of

the world, from the beginning of time, will be in His head. All

things which He will ask from God, He, the Guided One, will give to

you. All treasures of the world are at His feet. He will give

everyone gifts that are light in weight, (medallions, necklaces,

watches, rings, etc.) and He will go amongst the devotees and touch

their heads with His hands. Every eye which sees Him will be happy,

not only

humans but disembodied souls. He will be 96 years on earth, and in

the last twenty years of His life, He will be king of the whole

world. At that time only two-thirds of the people of the world will

believe in Him. Muslims will only recognise Him nine years before

His passing from the world. You could have stretched out your hands

and been with Him but you missed Him".

 

Five hundred years ago a learned pundit inscribed the following on a

palm leaf 36cm long by 2 1/2cm deep: "The person to whom this

horoscope relates, whose name is Sathyanarayana Raju, will renounce

the world in His boyhood, will start schools and hospitals, will

publish books for the upliftment of the world, will spend everyday

of His whole lifetime for the establishment of Dharma

(righteousness), which is His ideal and objective". It further

mentions: "He will be an Avatar amongst the Avatars".

 

Another prophesy relating to the New Age Avatar, was written 5000

years ago by the sage Shuka Muni, son of Vyasa, in the Suka Nandi,

on a rare palm leaf manuscript called, "Sai Charitamrutum".

 

It deals with the incarnation of the Lord Sai in the Kali Yuga (or

Kali Age). The name Sai was referred to, the date of birth; month,

year and even the day of the week, and noting the stars at the time

of His birth. This manuscript also states that only 1/10th of His

power will manifest until the end of the century, when His full

powers will be known and demonstrated.

 

The North American Indian, Black Elk, was born into the free life of

the Oglala Sioux plains people in 1863, before the coming of the

white man to his land. When he was nine years old he had a vision

which showed his people becoming sick of spirit, frightened,

disunited and lost in a great storm, but he was given the promise

that something beautiful was coming, as the darkness passed and a

New Age be born. He saw a great star emerge from the East and a

Sacred Being clothed in red, and as he looked closer he saw the

trees and the stones dance with joy in the glorious light. His

vision heralded a glorious message of love and understanding,

bringing the entire human race into the sacred circle, in harmony

with all living things. Later, in a second vision he was told that

the message which was to awaken his people would come from the East,

from a man who was neither a white man nor an Indian in appearance.

The young Black Elk, who lived on the Pine Ridge reservation, saw

that the people

who received this new message would "be filled with the flames of

fire," spreading into other people and those who did not accept the

new message of peace and light, would be filled with darkness.

 

The renowned 16th century French visionary, Nostrodamus, predicted

that after the Battle of Arma-geddon, a new Saviour will appear to

guide people in the way of Truth and Peace. He wrote: "He who has

been awaited for such a long time, will not appear in Europe. He

will appear in Asia...Thursday will be His Holy Day."

 

"The triplicity of waters will give birth to a Man who will choose

Thursday as His holy day. His voice, reign and power will rise

across land and sea, amid storms in the East."

 

Mankind today lives in an uncertain and precarious time, full of

disasters such as wars, terrorism, and of natural disasters like

earthquakes, floods, famines and global warming. Fear is the

dominant emotion within mankind in this century, which seemingly,

offers little hope for the future, and to the generations to come.

But Sathya Sai Baba does offer hope for the future, and has stated

so, "Love and peace will return to the earth and cleanse the horrors

and excesses of the dark ages, which today pollute the very

atmosphere"

 

Commenting further on predicted disasters, Baba stated, "Know that

you are saved. Many hesitate to believe that things will improve,

that life will be happy for all and full of joy, and that the Golden

Age will recur. Let me assure you that this divine body has not come

in vain. It will succeed in averting the crisis that has come upon

humanity."

 

He continues to reassure us that there is no reason for mankind to

be distressed about the future, He says that the Golden Age of

humanity is soon dawning, and that the Age of Truth commences from

1999 and continues through to His next advent as Prema Sai!

 

When asked about the possibility of a world war, He replied, "No. No

world war!"

 

On another occasion He went on to reassure US devotee, Phyllis

Krystal, that there would be no cataclysm in California, where she

lives, as many sources of predictions had previously suggested.

However, there would be many quakes to reduce the pressure which

builds up deep in the earth. This is one of the reasons He has come

at this time, and to prevent such calamities as nuclear war!

 

While Christians await the Second Coming of Christ, the Jews await

the Messiah, the Muslim, the Mehdi; the Hindu, Lord Kalki; the

Buddhist, the Lord Maitreya Buddha, and the American Indian, the

Pale Prophet. All faiths await the Return of the Lord, -in physical

form!

 

The similarities between all these prophecies cannot be denied, and

all seers and prophets agree that there will be born, out of this

calamitous period, a New Age of Love and Peace, based on Spiritual

Values. Further, that all these changes will be brought about by the

Advent of God on Earth.

 

When referring to Yugas, or ages, it is worth knowing that there are

four phases or ages, which constitute world cycles of time,

according to the Hindu belief. These are Krita (or Sathya) Yuga, the

original Golden Age, with Virtue dominant. Treta Yuga, Dwapara (or

Dvapara) Yuga, and Kali Yuga which is the present age of conflict,

decline and dissolution, where Virtue is rare and vice is

predominant. These four Yugas, together, make up a Mahayuga, of

12,000 years.

 

"Sai Messages for You and Me", Lucas Ralli

 

CHAPTER SIX

 

There are many similarities between the lives of Jesus and Sathya

Sai Baba. One could begin with the manner of conception of both

Avatars.

 

We know from Matthew 1: 18-25, "Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah

took place in this way. When His mother, Mary, had been engaged to

Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with

child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous

man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to

dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an

angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son

of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child

conceived in her is from the Holy spirit. She will bear a son, and

you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their

sins.'All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord

through the prophet: 'Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a

son, and they shall name Him Emmanuel,' which means, 'God is with

us.'

 

When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord

commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations

with her until she had borne a son; and he named Him Jesus."

 

Sathya Sai Baba was asked the circumstances of His birth, and He

turned to His mother, Eswaramma, who was present, and suggested the

questioner ask her. She told the questioner, a pundit named Rama

Sarma, that she dreamed of Sathyanarayana Deva (an angel of God) and

he cautioned her that she should not be frightened if something

happens to her through the Will of God. "That morning, when I was at

the well drawing water, a big ball of blue light came rolling

towards me and I fainted and fell, I felt it glide into me." Baba

turned to the questioner with a smile. "There, you have the answer!

I was not begotten. It was Pravesa, not Prasava." This was the

formless Divine Principal taking on its mantle of a physical human

body.

 

Sathya Sai Baba's teachings are identical to those of Jesus Christ.

While Jesus's teachings were set down and transcribed over a number

of years, Baba's teachings are delivered and immediately published

in the official monthly magazine Sanathana Sarathi. Baba's

discourses are directed mainly to the students in His colleges, who

will be the leaders of the nation of India in the years to come. He

said, pointing to the first group of boys being enrolled, "These

boys will grow into strong stalwart pillars of Sanathana Dharma;

they will be the guides and leaders of this land in the days to

come, to save it from vain follies and wild passions. You may say

they are only twenty in number now, but a vast country is

administered by a Cabinet of twenty Ministers, this band of students

will be ample, for the work I have in view."

 

His standards are high and discipline paramount in His schools and

colleges, and it is a privilege for any student to attend them. He

treats both the girl students and the boys, as jewels, to be

polished and valued, and they return His trust and love by

succeeding in the many fields of endeavour they choose to pursue in

their worldly careers. Baba has said, "The purpose of education is

to learn how to live, not how to make a living." Also, "The end of

wisdom is freedom. The end of culture is perfection. The end of

education is character. The end of knowledge is Love."

 

Sai Baba has said, "Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Shanti

(Peace) and Prema (Love), are the four most important requirements

for a man's progress. The combination of these is Love. It is

through this Love that one can ride over any bridge, travelling

smoothly in this world. This Love should be Spiritual Love."

 

At this juncture I feel it is important to introduce The Code of

Conduct and the Ten Principles which Sathya Sai Baba stresses as the

means of attaining a spiritual and balanced life.

 

The Code of Conduct

 

1. Daily meditation and prayer.

 

2. Devotional singing/prayer with family members once a week.

 

3. Participation in Sathya Sai Human Values programmes organized by

the Centre for children of Sai devotees.

 

4. Participation in community work and other programmes of the

Organisation.

 

5. Attendance at least once a month at Group devotional singing

organized by the Centre.

 

6. Regular study of Sai literature.

 

7. Speaking softly and lovingly to everyone.

 

8. Not talking ill of others especially in their absence.

 

9. Putting into practice "Ceiling on Desires" and utilising savings

generated for service to mankind.

 

THE TEN PRINCIPLES

 

1. Love and Serve the motherland; do not hate or hurt the motherland

of others.

 

2. Honour every religion; each is a pathway to the one God.

 

3. Love all men without distinction; know that mankind is a single

community.

 

4. Keep your home and its environment clean; it will ensure health

and happiness for you and for society.

 

5. Do not throw coins when beggars stretch their hands for alms;

help them to become self reliant. Provide food and shelter, love and

care for the sick and the aged.

 

6. Do not tempt others by offering bribes or demean yourself by

accepting bribes.

 

7. Do not depend on others to serve your personal needs; become your

own servant, before proceeding to serve others.

 

8. Observe the laws of the state and be an exemplary citizen.

 

9. Adore God. Abhor sin.

 

10. Dharma, Right Conduct or Right Living, is the most profound

philosophy and teaching of the Hindu and Buddhist religions, and

being one of the five principle requisites for man's spiritual

progress, is also one of the corner-stones of the Sathya Sai

Organisation.

 

Buddha said that Dharma is the very basis of good life. He insisted

that everyone should surrender to its dictates so that the misery

that is ever at the heels of life may be avoided.

 

The German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer, has as his fundamental

doctrine the proposition that the only essential reality in the

universe is Will. He stated that all intelligence serves originally

the will to live. "Why should a man take to the path of Dharma? To

preach morality is easy; to lay the foundation for morality is not."

 

Sathya Sai Baba, in His book "Dharma Vahini", has installed Dharma

on an unshakable foundation as the reality of all life, indeed, of

creation. He said; "Whoever conquers the ego and overcomes the

natural tendency to regard the body and its furniture as his true

self, is surely on the path of Dharma, for he would soon discover

the truth behind all this scintillating multiplicity. He would

realise that the objective world is like a gem-studded veil over

Brahman, which is the one and only Truth. When a man is aware of

this Truth, there will be no 'other'; all will be 'you'."

 

Dharma is built on the deep understanding of the depths of being.

Sai Baba continues, "Build your life on the Atmic plinth, the faith

that you are a wave upon the ocean of bliss, a spark of the Cosmic

Intelligence." He then asks; "When you worship an idol, what is it

that you really do? First, a form of God is impressed on your mind.

After that you meditate on His Power, Grace and Omnipresence, and

project these qualities upon the idol, thus enabling your

consciousness to transcend it and become unaware of the lithic

substance before you...In the same manner, imprint on to your

consciousness that form of God which delights you most and fills you

with illumination and project that form on every man, heart, bird

and insect, on every tree and plant, on every rock and rill; this

Sadhana (prayer) will make you true, good and beautiful."

 

Further, He stated in February 1995 the following, "The Dharma that

is the heritage of India is the staff of life for all men; it is the

backbone of morality and well-being. It is the nectar which can

confer immortality. Others may, in their ignorance, laugh at Indians

for taking a stone to be God, but what they do is to elevate even

the stone to God. It is transformed into God, an act, which is a

grand victory."

 

Regarding the Sathya Sai Baba Organisation, Baba has said; "The name

of SAI behind this Organisation is intended solely to promote and

spread faith in God and Godliness among mankind. The only objective

is to turn the minds of man to noble thoughts and lofty ideals along

religious and spiritual lines."

 

At the conclusion of the Sixth World Conference of the Organisation

in 1995, held at Prashanthi Nilayam, Sathya Sai Baba stated; "In

this Conference we have framed Rules and Regulations. Rules and

Regulations are essential! We have also passed resolutions. We

should conduct the affairs of the Organisation according to the

Rules and Regulations. We should also abide by our resolutions. The

world has many such Conferences. The moment you pass resolutions you

should start observing them. That is spiritual iscipline."

 

CONTINUED…

 

Jai Sai Ram

Swamy Mahadevan

Bow to Shri Sai-Peace be to all

Baba Bless you ever!!!