::THE WORKING OF HUMAN MIND AND MEMORY::
                                                             (MIND OVER MATTER)
Philosophy tells us that the mind decides, not merely the goodness or badness of a thing or experience, it creates all things and all experiences. Without the mind, there can be no object or feeling or emotion. No mind, no matter! The mind revels in name and form; it imposes name and form and thus, helps in creating things and experiences. It cannot contact or operate upon anything without name and form. That is why the mind is helpless when meditation has to be done on the nameless and the formless. It clings ever to name-form. Mental pictures have concretised themselves as objects and as ideas; so, the Shruthis declare: "Yath bhaavam, thath bhavathi" ("As the thought, so the consequence.") (Sathya Sai Speaks on 24/11/1974)

The mind can remain unaffected by the storms of emotion only by bending to the yoke of buddhi (intellect). It should escape from the grips of the senses and yield to the reins of the reasoning faculty, and obey unquestioningly its dictates. The senses are inert, so long as the Self keeps away from inducing the mind to accept the information submitted by them. This mike before me helps those who are sitting all over this vast Auditorium to listen clearly to My words. But, the mike and the loudspeakers are inert metallic things.The eye that sees is inert; all objects 'seen' are inert; only the seer is 'intelligent.' And, the current of intelligence is supplied by the aathma, which is your Reality. When the current does not activate, the eye might look on but it does not see; the ear might be hearing, but, the hearer does not react or recognise. For, the mind is elsewhere. It has to function with the help of the Divine Consciousness within.(Sathya Sai Speaks on 24/11/1974)

The mind is like a fragrant flower; it emits fragrance whether it is held in the fight hand or in the left, whether the person who holds it is good or bad. It walks blindly along, irrespective of the lie of the land. It is blind; and so, someone has to take it on tow. When you invite ten blind people for dinner, you have to lay twenty plates. For, each blind person brings with him, and has to so bring with him, a guide who can lead him to your home. So, the mind too must have a guide who knows the way, the obstacles, the shoals and ferries.The mind has to be watched vigilantly, and warned against its own tricks. It is a clever actor, embroiling you in many a close adventure. The mind is like the revered old gentleman who appeared alternately in the houses of the bridegroom's party and the bride's party during a marriage festival and issued orders to all and sundry, which were honoured by both, since each party thought he was a person with authority coming from the other party! His very pomposity aroused the suspicious of both, before long, and when they jointly sought him and asked him who he was, he took to his heels and made himself scarce. The mind too is just like the gentleman. Catch it and inquire wherefrom it secured credentials to order you about; it will disappear in no time!The only method which you can adopt to escape from the coils of the mind is the cultivation of pure intelligence. This is the sum and substance of all spiritual discipline. And, the intelligence gets cleansed of all partiality and prejudice, hatred and greed, only by the adoration of God through love poured out to all the beings created by God and standing witness to His Glory and Beauty. Share love with all; earn the treasure of love, store it in your heart and invite all to share in it.(Sathya Sai Speaks on 24/11/1974)

Remember the mind is a very talkative imp, it can never keep quiet even for a second. You have been listening to Me since more than an hour and perhaps you are under the impression that your mind has been quiet all that time. No. The mind has been holding conversation with itself, when it is supposed to be silent! Give it perpetual tasks. Ask it, (as some rishi did to a demon who acted as his servant but threatened to devour him the moment he did not have any task allotted to him); ask it to climb a pillar and slide down it, whenever it has no other work. The pillar is Soham, (I am Thath), a manthra (sacred formulae) that the breath is repeating from birth to death, 'So' when you inhale and 'ham' when you exhale. Let it repeat Soham all the time.(Sathya Sai Speaks on 24/11/1974)

The body is only a temporary rest house for the Spirit. Vedanta declares: "The body is a shrine for the eternal Spirit inhabiting it." It is necessary in this context to know what enables the body, the mind, the senses and the intellect to develop or to deteriorate. The whole Cosmos is made up of Pancha Bhoothas (five basic elements: Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth). Their subtle qualities are represented by sound, touch, form, taste and smell. All these have emerged from Sath-chith-ananda (Being Awareness-Bliss), the Primal Source.Akasa (Space or ether) provides the initial impulse. It is comparable to an infinite container. The other four elements air, water, fire and earth--are contained in it. These elements vary in their subtlety. Water is subtler than earth and is more expansive and lighter than earth. Fire is subtler than water and air is subtler than fire and more pervasive. Akasa is subtler than air and is allpervasive. Each of these elements is covered by a Kosa (sheath). The mind, the intellect, the will and the ego are enveloped by these sheaths.Akasa (space or ether) is activated by what is called Athi-gathi (very high-speed motion or vibrations). These vibrations, by their movement, give rise to air. The movement of air results in fire or heat. It is a scientific fact that friction causes heat, as in the case of rubbing of the palms. To generate heat air is necessary. When the heat cools off, water is produced. Fluids solidify into earth. Hence, the starting point for the five elements is Akasa (space). These elements have come into existence for sustaining the universe and demonstrating the omnipresence and omniscience of the Divine.(Sathya Sai Speaks on 02/10/1988)

In the human being, the Antha Karana (the inner psycho-somatic instrument) is made up of the mind, the intellect, the will and the ego. The ego is linked to the Prana (life principle). It is encased in the Vijnanamaya Kosa (the sheath of integrated awareness). The mind is linked to the Chitta (Will) and is encased in the Manomaya Kosa (the mental sheath). Thus between the individual soul and the Prana (vital principle), the mind functions. The life principle functions between the mind and the body. The Buddhi (intellect) functions above the level of the mind. The vital principle functions below the mind. Both the intellect and the Prana are surcharged with Agni (heat). It is their combined presence in the body that accounts for the heat in the body.The mind should not be treated as something trivial. Man comprehends the world through the mind and hence its workings should be completely watched. Because the mind is located between the Buddhi (intellect) and the Prana (vital principle)----both of which are filled with the fire principle---it tends to melt. The presiding deity for the mind is the Moon. The Moon represents coolness and fluidity. Fluids like water have a tendency to flow down and find their level. Fire, on the contrary, has a tendency to go up. The mind, because of its watery nature, has the tendency to move downwards to get interested in petty things. Efforts have to be made to make the mind look upwards.It should, however, be remembered, that the mind, the intellect, the will and the ego are made up of the five elements, which are all emanations from the Supreme--the Sath-chith-ananda (BeingAwareness-Bliss). This is their Primal Source from which they have emanated like innumerable sparks from a fire. From this source they emerge as billions of atoms and assume countless forms. Man should realise that he has also come from the same Divine Source.Endowed with the human form and gifted with sense organs, the mind and the will, man nevertheless is failing to remember the source from which he came. What is the cause for the body? The root cause is ignorance. Ignorance robs man of the power of discrimination. Lacking this capacity, man tends to inflate his Ahamkara (ego). Egoism breeds hatred, which is the cause of attachment and desires. All karmas (actions) are born of attachment and desires. Hence, the primary cause of birth in a human body is one's Karma.(Sathya Sai Speaks on 24/11/1988)

What is the ignorance that afflicts man? It is the false vision which makes one mistake the unreal for the real and the real for the unreal. An episode in the Mahabharata illustrates how this happens.What is the inner meaning of this story of the Maya Sabha? The cosmos itself is one vast Maya Sabha (a mansion of delusion). Attachment and hatred are represented by Duryodhana and Dussasana. Dussasana means one who is the violator of the rule of law. Duryodhana is one who misuses his strength and abilities. In every man, there are these traits of Duryodhana and Dussasana. In life everyone has to adhere to certain regulations. In the Sathya Sai Institute, for instance, there are regulations relating to conduct of students in the hostel and elsewhere. It is only when these regulations are observed strictly that they can call themselves Vidhyarthis (seekers of knowledge). When students misuse their talents and skill, they beome weak and go astray.How does this misuse take place? The eyes are misused by looking at undesirable objects. The tongue is misused by indulging in evil talk. The ears, the heart and the hand are all misused in different ways. Misuse occurs whenever a divinely endowed capacity or talent is used for wrongful purposes. It is misdirection of energy. If students indulge in such misuse, they turn into Duryodhanas and Dussasanas and come to grief like them. Hence, no one should misuse any of the powers with which he is endowed. It amounts to an affront to the Divine which is the source of all powers.Everyone thinks that it is his sense organs; his eyes, ears, etc.--that enable him to experience and comprehend the world. How true is this? In the dream state none of the senses is functioning. And yet, one has the experience of seeing, talking, heating, walking and doing other actions. What is the eye that sees in the dream? What is the tongue that talks? In the dream state the mind does all the functions of the sense organs, which are dormant at that time. When you feel in a dream that you are walking through a forest, it is not your legs that are walking. It is the mind which does the walking. It is the mind which assumes all the functions of the senses. The entire world is the projection of the mind. When the mind is properly directed, all the senses will be under control. When you water the roots of a tree, all the branches and leaves will get the benefit.(Sathya Sai Speaks on 24/11/1988)

Your senses, like the eyes, the ears, the tongue, are God-given gifts. They should be used only for sacred purposes and should not be misused. There is only one royal road to realising God. It is the path of Divine love. You have come from the Divine and your destiny is the merger with the Divine. Entertain only sacred thoughts and engage yourselves only in sacred deeds. Thereby you will be sanctifying your lives.The mind is subject to fancies and aberrations. In poor light you mistake a rope for a snake and are filled with fear. When light is brought, you find there is no snake. The appearance and disappearance of fear are entirely the result of mental aberrations. The rope alone was there all the time. The idea of the snake was superimposed on it by the fancies of the mind.How misconceptions and doubts can arise may be seen from a scientific example. When you hold the mirror before you, your image is reflected by the mirror. But the image is not in the mirror. The reflection is seen because of the mercury-coated surface at the back of the mirror. You imagine also that it is a true reflection of yourself. This is not true. In the image, your right eye appears as your left eye and the left eye as the right eye. Hence, the image is not the true reflection of yourself. Likewise, Nature is a vast mirror. You regard as real the varied objects you see in Nature. But they are all different forms of the Divine. "The One willed to become Many." This is the truth recognised by all religions. But man forgets this truth and leads a life divorced from faith in the Divine.(Sathya Sai Speaks on 24/11/1988)

It all depends on the mind and its proper discipline. The weapon of Love will disarm every opponent. Love begets Love; it will be reflected back, it will have only Love as reaction, Shout 'Love'; the echo from the other person's heart will also be 'Love'.The mind hops from object to object with incredible speed. It rises to the heights and drops to the depths with every wink of the eye. It hides, deludes and distorts. One can subdue it through concentration only. The process can be practised in either of two directions--the A-ruupa or the Sa-ruupa. A-ruupa means 'unbound' by form." One feels that he is not the doer or enjoyer; he is only an agent of God, a tool, an instrument. One is not affected, well or ill, when the act results in good or bad. One has no identity with the ruupa (form or body). Sa-ruupa meditation gets lost in dualities of pleasure and pain, profit and loss, for it considers the name and form, the body and its activities as valid.Similarly, Man has the choice of two paths---the Pravritthi Maarga (the path of involvement) or the Nivritthi maarga (the path of non-involvement). When involved, man is confronted with the six internal foes---lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride and hatred. When non- involved, man is helped by six internal friends---sense control, mind control, fortitude, contentment, faith and equanimity. The human body is deified as a temple, yes, but the foes have to be evacuated and the friends admitted before the Divine can establish itself there.(Sathya Sai Speaks on 06/05/1983)

Akashik Records:

The akashic record is like an immense photographic film, registering all the desires and earth experiences of our planet. Those who perceive it will see pictured thereon: The life experiences of every human being since time began, the reactions to experience of the entire animal kingdom, the aggregation of the thought-forms of a karmic nature (based on desire) of every human unit throughout time. Herein lies the great deception of the records. Only a trained occultist can distinguish between actual experience and those astral pictures created by imagination and keen desire.The Akashic Records are the energetic records of all souls about their past lives, the present lives, and possible future lives. Each soul has its Akashic Records, like a series of books with each book representing one lifetime. The Hall (or Library) of the Akashic Records is where all souls’ Akashic Records are stored energetically. In other words, the information is stored in the Akashic field (also called zero point field). The Akashic Records, however, are not a dry compilation of events. They also contain our collective wisdom.Your problems are not happening in a haphazard manner and they are not meaningless roadblocks. Your life is working even when you don't think so, and you can move through your life with less resistance when you understand it. On the other hand, when you don't have the proper reference points, psychic readings can become yet another attempt of problem-solving.(Sources:THEOSOPHICAL WISDOM)

You might have heard the name of Chitragupta in Indian mythology. Chitragupta is the name of the private secretary to the 'lord of death'. This means that this Chitragupta keeps an unerring account of the good and the bad which the individuals do in their lives. You may be amused at this and wonder if there is really a 'lord of death' and if he has a private secretary with the name Chitragupta. All this may give you the feeling that the 'lord of death' is being described in terms of an office and thus your faith may be shaken up a little. This name Chitragupta is inside the body itself. The mind is hiding inside the human body and this hidden mind is calledChitragupta. All the thoughts that arise in one's mind are imprinted upon his heart. If someone asks something you may hesitate and give an answer which is not right one but if the question is asked in one's own heart, one cannot give a false reply. Even a thief, who has entered another's house and committed a theft, may say that he has not committed a theft when confronted by the police. This is only for external appearance. His heart knows fully well the truth that he has committed a theft. That which has been so imprinted on your heart is called Ruta. The truth about the idea which generate utterance with your mouth, of the idea that has been imprinted on your heart, is called the truth. Putting the words that have been uttered with your mouth into practice is called right conduct. The meaning of right conduct will, therefore, be evident and correct only when there is complete coordination and an inseparable association between the idea that has arisen in your heart, the word that you have spoken with your mouth and the action that you may have undertaken with your body. Thus, if there is complete coordination between thought, word and deed, one would call it right conduct.                                                                                                                                    ( Sathya Sai Speaks 24/02/1971) The mind plays many tricks with you, the chief of which is to foster the ego and hide the Prompter and the Power within.Chitragupta maintains a register of the good and the bad done by each living being and on death he brings the books to the Court and strikes the balance between debit and credit. Yama, the King then metes out the punishment that can expiate and educate. The Chitragupta has his office in the mind of man, all the time awake, alert. The word means 'the secret picture'; what he does is is to 'picture' all the secret promptings that blossom into activity; he notes the warning signals as well as the occasion when those signals are ignored or wantonly disregarded. You must see that the warning of the Divine against the merely human, or even the bestial inclinations are heeded.( Sathya Sai Speaks on 24/02/1971)

      Women Empowerment in New India Synchronizing with PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat
In our country, respect for women, their status in society and their contribution has proved to be awe inspiring to the entire world, since ancient times. There has been a long tradition of Vidushis… women exponents or women champions. Many Vidushis of India have contributed in composing the verses of the Vedas. Lopamudra, Gargi, Maitreyee…it’s a long list of names. Today, we talk about ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, ‘save the girl child, educate her’. But centuries ago, it has been mentioned in our ancient texts, in the Skand Puran(PM Modi on 28/01/2018)

This means, a daughter is the equivalent of ten sons. The ‘Punya’ that you earn through ten sons amounts to the same earned through just one daughter. This underscores the importance that has been given to women in our society. And that is why, in our society, women have been accorded the status of ‘Shakti’. This woman power binds closely together society as a whole, the family as a whole, on the axis of unity & oneness. Be it the erudition of the Vidushis of the Vedic Period… Lopamudra, Gargi, Maitreyee; be it the learning & devotion of Akka Mahadevi or Meerabai, be it the governance of Ahilyabai Holkar or the valour of Rani Lakshmibai, woman power has always inspired us. They have always brought glory to the Nation.(PM Modi on 28/01/2018)

Today women are not just advancing in myriad fields; they are leaders. Today there are many sectors where our woman power is playing a pioneering role, establishing milestones. A few days ago, Hon’ble President took an initiative. He met a group of extraordinary women who have achieved something significanty new in their respective fields.Women achievers of our country… the first female Merchant Navy Captain, the first female passenger train driver, the first female fire fighter, the first female Bus Driver, the first woman to set foot on Antarctica, the first woman to reach Mount Everest… ‘First Ladies’ in every field. Our woman power achieved extraordinary feats, breaking the age old shackles of social mores, creating new records.They proved that through perseverance, grit and a firm resolve, all kinds of obstacles and barriers can be broken & crossed, to chart out an all new path… a path that could act as a beacon of inspiration not just to their contemporaries, but for generations to come. It will infuse a fresh energy, newer enthusiasm into them. A book has been compiled on these women achievers, first ladies, so that, the entire country comes to know about the power of these women and derive inspiration from their life & work.(PM Modi on 28/01/2018)

Time and again we keep hearing people utter ‘There is something special that we as a people possess… no threat is big enough to annihilate our existence’. What is that ‘Special Something’? That ‘Something’ is flexibility, the ability of transformation. Leaving out things that are beyond the constraints of time and accepting betterment in things wherever necessary. And this is a salient feature of our society… relentless efforts towards self-improvement, self correction. We have inherited this Indian tradition as a cultural legacy. The benchmark of any living society is its self correcting mechanism. In our country, there have been unending endeavours against social ills and evil practices, both individually & collectively. Just a while ago, Bihar launched an interesting initiative. In order to uproot social ills in the state, the world’s longest human chain spanning over thirteen thousand kilometers was formed.This campaign made people aware of social maladies such as child-marriage and the dowry system. The entire state thus resolved to fight against these social evils. Children, the elderly, the youth full of energy and enthusiasm, women, girls turned out to participate in this battle. The human chain that commenced formation from Gandhi Maidan in Patna gained momentum, touching the state borders.(PM Modi on 28/01/2018)

On 22nd November, 1981, while announcing the inauguration of the University, Bhagawan, in His address to the students, declared, “Remember that all those whom we are accepting now as leaders, whom we respect as holding positions of authority, whom we worship as elders, were, some years’ ago, students like yourselves. Therefore, you, in your turn, will be the leaders, power-wielders and elders of tomorrow. Do not forget this destiny of yours….Along with subjects related to worldly knowledge, this University will impart instruction in ethical, moral and spiritual codes and sadhanas. It has, as its goal, the cultivation of the students’ minds on these lines. Virtues, purity of the mind, adherence to truth, dedication to the Supreme, discipline, devotion to duty – these qualities will be fostered and promoted in this University. Such seats of learning were established in ancient times by the sages and seers of India and, as a result of their self-sacrificing efforts, they have left for posterity the priceless heritage of Bharatiya culture.”(Excerpts from Sathya Sai Speaks)

One of the truly remarkable features of the Sri Sathya Sai System of Value-based Education is that Bhagawan, the Great Divine Teacher, has envisioned a process of continuing transformation for His students. Education in Bhagawan’s Institutions does not finish with the acquisition of academic degrees. The values of love and service imparted to the students during their period of study have to, necessarily, be carried forward into society, and, from thence, to the world. The ends of education at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning are Spiritual Upliftment, Self-discovery and Social Service.

At Anantapur, right from the inception of the Sri Sathya Sai Arts & Science College (for women), Bhagawan’s instructions were that the girls should be taught all the household arts and skills, along with academic studies, since His idea was to uplift the status of women without jeopardising the social fabric of traditional Indian society. Therefore, the girl-students had to sweep their rooms themselves, cut vegetables, roll chapattis/puris, clean the campus surroundings on Sundays, manage the dispensary, oversee the water-supply, weed the gardens, etc. Apart from all this, they were trained to take literacy classes for the adult workers on the campus, and Bal Vikas classes for the children of the workers. Though this routine may sound strenuous, regimental and demanding, since alongside these variegated activities, the girls had also to study for examinations at the end of each year, Bhagawan was very firm about the details of this discipline being meticulously observed, as the girl-students of those early years will testify.

Bhagawan’s visits to Anantapur, in those early days, were Gifts of Grace. He would advice the students about the need for women to be ideals to society. He shared with them His vision of a resurgent India in which women, no longer ‘abalas’ or weak, were endowed with the moral strength to create a cultural revolution.During one of Bhagawan’s visits to Anantapur in 1968, He told the girls that, being the upholders and protectors of Culture, women had to be educated in a different way than men. It was the duty of the elders, Bhagawan suggested, to see that the girl-students do not leave the institution without securing the ‘priceless treasure left by the sages of the past.’ A Women’s College, He said, ‘has the added responsibility to practise and preserve the essential values of Bharatiya Samskrithi.’ Thus, under Bhagawan’s Divine Guidance, an ‘Indian Culture’ Class was introduced - to be held every Thursday - to impart lessons on culture.

Blessed was it in that dawn to be alive, to be young was very heaven. Bhagawan’s Divine Plan for the redemption of humanity charged every student with a sense of ‘mission.’ Though not the recipients of Bhagawan’s proximity with equal measure as the boys, the girls hoped to participate in the unfoldment of Bhagawan’s Plan, if not by doing Great Things, then by doing Small Things in a Great Way.

The “Messengers of Sathya Sai” undertake all service-oriented activities as a humble and loving offering at the Divine Lotus Feet of Beloved Bhagawan, in gratitude to the Lord for all that He has given them, and taught them – a definitive spiritual goal, a noble path, and the loving way of walking it.

The Declaration at the bottom of the application form to “Messengers of Sathya Sai,” which every student seeking membership has to sign, sums up the sentiment:

Men should realise the high status of women, and honour and respect them accordingly. They should not make women weep and shed tears. A home where the woman sheds tears will be ruined. Men should therefore, as much as possible, lead their lives by giving women an honourable place and their due importance. The archetypal woman is described as Adhishakti (the primal source of all energy) having a whole array of powers.

he word Sthree is a combination of three syllables. They are the consonants, 'Sa', 'Tha and 'Ra'. Just as in the Aumkara we have 'A, U and M', in the word Sthree we have 'Sa, Tha and Ra'. First and foremost, 'Sa' signifies the Satvik nature of women. This is what leads to Salokyam (being in the same sphere of existence), Sameepyam (proximity) and Sayujyam (mergence). So it is the 'Sa' that represents the Divinity in Salokyam, Sameepyam and Sayujyam. Most women are endowed with this Satwik nature.After which comes the 'Tha' which signifies the Tamasik quality or Tamo Guna. But this Tamasik quality is not indolence, gluttony and slothfulness. Tamo Guna includes qualities like humility, kindness, shyness and modesty. The woman in all her humility serves the cause of the family and society honour in the right spirit. There is a saying in Andhra Pradesh: 'Judge a home by its mistress.' As is the woman, so is the home.The third and the final letter is 'Ra' which represents the Rajoguna. This does not mean pugnacity or aggression. This quality signifies the preparedness of women to even sacrifice their lives for the sake of their honour and the reputation of their family. Bharath’s history is replete with examples of women who fought valiantly and gave up their lives to protect their husbands and their honour. This is the quality of Rajo guna. To uphold the truth, they sacrifice everything; this is the main quality of Rajo guna. Hence the embodiment of Satwa, Rajas and Tamas is Sthree.(Excerpts from Sathya Sai Speaks)

                                        True Vision Towards New India(Golden Age)

(1) (J.Hislop. Conversations with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. SSSBB&PT, India. Ch.XI, p.39)

Hislop: Swami, these young college students who are in Swami’s college here, they have a first-class external education - highest examination scores and so on. And they are also building an inner character of strong morality. Will not these students become the leaders of India? Their fine education will get them positions, and their strong morality will sustain them?

Sai: That is the purpose of Swami’s college.

Hislop: Then in 20 or 30 years we should look for a great change in the Indian nation.

Sai: Twenty years? In ten years.

Hislop: But Swami, in 10 years they are still in their late twenties. People come to power in the late thirties, in their 40’s and 50’s.

Sai: In India people reach positions of power and influence earlier in life. Even now there are a number of examples throughout the nation.
(This conversation took place between 1968 and 1978)

2) (J.Hislop. Conversations with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. SSSBB&PT, India. ch.XXXIV, p.111)

Sai: Countries are like carriages. The engine is God. The first carriage is India.

According to the astrology of ancient times, the change in world conditions to be brought by Swami’s influence will come in about 15 years (this conversation was in December 1968). This was predicted 5600 years ago in the Upanishads. The coming of Baba, the Sai Avatar, which includes the three incarnations is all forecast quite clearly. People born in this present generation may consider themselves quite fortunate.

(3) (J.Hislop. My Baba and I. SSSB&PT, India. p.188)

SAI: Crime has become very bad in India. There is no safety.

JOHN HISLOP: Swami, this is not particular to India. The same is true all over the world. How will it end?

SAI: To the good. In a few years, all will be peaceful.

JH: But Swami, it is getting worse, and it is the Kali Yuga (a world period of diminishing virtue).

SAI: No. It is not as bad now as it was. It is like in the ocean. There is a time of high waves, and there may be some peak waves that crash heavily on the shore, but this is followed by a calm and peaceful sea. […]

JH: We are fortunate to be alive so that we may see this peaceful world.

SAI: You will all see it. Even the old men will live to see it.
(Interview of 1978)

Today, in the world, there are several economic problems which are troubling us. We should also enquire from the spiritual angle, how these economic problems have arisen. We should first try and understand what this economic problem is. Today, the available commodity is limited, and our desires are unlimited. As our needs and desires are high and the available commodities are low, this kind of economic imbalance is arising in the world. Many people, without realising its significance and importance, only make attempts to increase the commodities that are available to us. As a consequence of that, all kinds of reactions are coming up. To take only the steps which will increase the economic output is not the correct thing to do. It is indeed a weak point. If you can find an easy and convenient way of solving this problem, then you will reduce misery in the world. The shortest cut for this is to contain our desires to match the available material. If we want to increase the available material and commodity, it involves a lot of expense and effort.If we learn to contain our needs, there is neither effort nor expenditure. This aspect of decreasing our desires and needs has been described as vairagya in our Vedantic parlance. The word vairagya does not mean that you should run away from your family and sit in a forest and close your nose and put yourself to physical torture. This is not the meaning of vairagya. The true meaning of vairagya is that you should stay in the society, do your duties, and learn to contain your desires and needs. Our life is like a long journey. In this long journey of life, you should make an effort to diminish your needs and desires. It is part of vairagya to see that the food that you take is just sufficient and there is no waste.(Excerpts from Sathya Sai Speaks at Ooty,1976)

4) (J.Hislop. My Baba and I. SSSB&PT, India. p.189)

SAI: In all countries there is a rapid deterioration of the human quality.

JOHN HISLOP: When will it change for the better?

SAI: Soon there will be a change.

JH: When is soon, Swami? Twenty years? Ten years?

SAI: No. Now. Already there is some slight improvement in India. One cause of the general deterioration in the world is rapid communication.

This allows advertising and publicity to have a strong influence on people. Your American election is an illustration of how the leaders are television actors.

JH: Swami, there is no evidence of a change for the better.

SAI: If there is a change, it will be a universal change. Not local. It will occur every place.
(Interview of 1980) 

In the world there are agitations, there are revolutions, and these are common. In the midst of such revolutions in the world, man must make an attempt to distinguish the right from wrong and separate truth from untruth. People who are young have to make a long journey in this train which we call a society. The older people in this train are such that they will drop out on wayside stations. In this train of society, you are the people who have to travel a long distance, and you should be prepared to take the necessary steps to rectify the defects in that train. You are to set right the faults in this country, and you should imprint the good ideas in your mind. Today, if you think that a particular thing your elders are doing is not right, you should not yourselves do the same thing when you grow up. When you become older you should be prepared to put into action what you now think are the good actions of your elders.(Excerpts from Sathya Sai Speaks at Ooty,1976)

I will now announce what I am going to do in future for this country, India— and for the rest of the world. It will now be shown to you on what I am going to materialize. What I have materialized contains a map with all the eighteen different components in India. The map also shows where the memorial stupas (pillars) will be which represent the work that is going to be done by Me in pictorial form on this medallion which I have just now materialized. On the medallion the work and the future tasks which I am going to fulfill  is inscribed in Sanskrit. All the things that are going to happen in time, in the future is present on this.  I shall prepare individuals capable of spreading the Bharatiya culture and spirituality to the whole world. In the case of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, he had to use only one or two persons (for the fulfilment of Ramakrishna’s mission), Vivekananada and Brahmananda, who were sannyasis (renunciants). You don’t need to become sannyasis. In this particular task of Mine, I am going to use you young people in a large measure, as you are, putting you on the right path. I will use you as My instruments for doing all that is intended to be done. Where the instruments will be and what will be their qualities - all that is described here on this materialized item.(Part-1 of Famous Ooty discourse)

The rest will be looked after by Me. I belong to you, and I am with you. Why do you think (only) of what I have produced (materialised)?Moreover, in future you will see Me in many different forms which are manifestations of Myself.Swami had, right from the beginning, the plan to implant His Divinity and Divine Power all over the world. For the sake of this, Swami has established educational institutions all over the world. In the name of education I brought all the students here. I will tell you how this Divine power, how these sound waves and electric waves and jyothi (Divine light) power --will function in the future. When Swami is talking in the auditorium, Swami may be seen in mandir. When Swami is seen in the auditorium, He will been seen in the classrooms - that too, when Swami is receiving Aarthi in the temple - actually through this jyothi power. Even in My discourses, when Bharathiya (ancient Indian) culture is being explained, Swami will be just giving you these experiences through experiments.It is easy to tell. What is essential is that you should experience it. You will all experience this. You will all experience this. You will all enjoy it. You will also distribute it and you will expand your heart. This is the primary goal of our Institute and aim of our Institute.

Stay with that faith, devotion and conviction - Shraddhavan Labhate Jnanam. (Part-1 Ooty discourse)

I have also resolved that very soon I will be launching on a massive programme of revitalising our ancient customs, our ancient treasures, our ancient traditions, and all the scriptural truths—about all people and in all lands. You need have no doubt whatsoever that we will be successful. Victory is bound to be ours. We will surely experience the trumpet of victory.  Don’t give yourself to doubt or distress. Don’t get hassled by doubts. We shall be very soon blowing the conch of victory all around. This is a certainty. This is a certainty.What the future holds is beyond your sight, beyond your understanding. But I can see what the future is going to be like. A time will come when the whole world will be at My Feet. A time will come when the whole world will rejoice, in having understood My true Divinity, My true Nature. It is a great effort that I am making thereby. At present I am confining Myself; I am not letting not letting My glory spread all over, all of a sudden because the world cannot possibly put up with it (now). But certainly a day will come, when the peoples of the world would recognise what Swami is; His Majesty, His grandeur. The world will very soon become a big Prashanti Nilayam by itself. They will all come flocking in their lakhs and their millions. Even those who have the golden opportunity of sitting so close to Me understand this truth now. Make the best of the opportunities that are coming your way. Listen to Swami’s words. Live in His love. Experience His bliss which is very much your own. Do not fritter away this golden opportunity for you will not get this later. (Excerpts from part-2 of famous Ooty discourse)

1978 - Time Not Ready for Publicity

[Hislop:] Leelas [miracles] are happening throughout India in tens of millions of homes. Swami keeps His hand down so that publicity about the leelas will not spread. The rulers of the country know, but they keep it quiet. If the facts were to have publicity, millions would converge on Swami. The Government would surround Him with security guards, and devotees could not get close to Him. The time is not ready. (CSSB, 1978, 27.)

1978 - Baba's Declarations about the Golden Age

Presently, there is great disorder amongst both politicians and students. This will continue for a time, but at a certain point Swami will step in and bring about some order. (CSSB, 1978, 100.)

SAI: Crime has become very bad in India. There is no safety.

JOHN HISLOP: Swami, this is not particular to India. The same is true all over the world. How will it end?

SAI: To the good. In a few years, all will be peaceful.

JH: But Swami, it is getting worse, and it is the Kali Yuga (a world period of diminishing virtue).

SAI: No. It is not as bad now as it was. It is like in the ocean. There is a time of high waves, and there may be some peak waves that crash heavily on the shore, but this is followed by a calm and peaceful sea.

JH: Many people are saying that, very shortly, we will enter a period of great catastrophe.

SAI: There may be some peak waves, as I mentioned, but the world will be happy, peaceful, and prosperous.

GUEST: No world war?

SAI: No. No world war.

JH: We are fortunate to be alive so that we may see this peaceful world.

SAI: You will all see it. Even the old men will live to see it.

GUEST: Then Prema Sai will not have much work to do! Swami will have made the world peaceful.

SAI: That is some 40 years away. At that time the world will be peaceful. That is the Name: Prema Sai. All will be love -- love, love, love everywhere.

GUEST: It would be good to be reborn in the time of Prema Sai!

SAI: It is best to merge with God. No rebirth. (Excerpts From Dec. 1978 talk in MBI by Bhagwan Baba, 188-9.)

1978 - Foster Righteousness

If God Himself is here to foster Dharma, and you engage yourself in the same task, then you are worshipping Him. Then you are near and dear to Him, for you are serving Him, His devotees, and yourself. (CSSB, 1978, 41.)
SWAMI AS PROBLEM SOLVING GOD:

"Many brought their problems before Baba and prayed for solutions. They returned happy and restful, for their problems received Baba's clear analysis, deep diagnosis, intimate unraveling and effective remedy."

(Sathya Sai Speaks Part IV, pg 108)

"Baba is the indweller in each human heart. He gathers people around Him day after day and deals with them in Love and Compassion. Physical illness, mental work, psychic disorder, economic want, family discord, intellectual deficiency, professional set-backs; He handles each problem as it comes with supreme and unfailing skill."

(Sathya Sai Speaks Part III, pg 319)

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is the 'Problem Solving' God.

1979 - Humanity is One Family

There is only one race really, and that is the race of mankind. We now consider petty distinctions of nationality, race, religion and language as vital and hold back Love which must flow to every one from the heart. (SSS, XI, 14; from talk given Dec. 25, 1 979.)

1981 - Baba on the Golden Age

Many people are scared because they believe that the Kali Age in which we live will witness the ultimate Deluge. Others call it the Kalaha Age, the Age of Conflict, for it is now well-nigh omnipresent. No, no. This age is the Golden Age for the seekers of God, for earning and learning Viveka. (SSS, XI, 186; from talk given June 11, 1981.)

1984 - On Life in the Universe

The question about life in the universe arises because you project your own particular circumstances. You feel that other ways of life would be intolerable because such ways of life would be intolerable for you. In the hot, blazing Sun, for instance, beings are living. This life exists in circumstances considered to be intolerable by you. Elsewhere in the universe, life feels it is Divinity, is one with Divinity, and is quiet happy, and feeling all is right. ... This small planet Earth is very special. It is unique in the universe. One who can understand the mystery of the Earth is great indeed. He is infinite. (MBI, c1985, 226; Oct. 23, 1984.)

1986 - Use This Opportunity

My children, awaken now while the divine Avatar is here to guide you. The way ahead is clear, sign-posted through the teachings of the Lord, and you have this unique opportunity to escape from the darkness into light simply by putting those teachings into practice in your daily lives.

Open your hearts and let the love flow, knowing that love can overcome all barriers. See God in everyone and everything and become part of the universal whole which is My reality. ("Birthday Message, 1986," SMFYM, II, 1988, 28.)

My children, the time of awakening has come and that time is NOW. But for many of you it will pass without any positive action or participation on your part until, one day, you experience something traumatic which finally awakens you from your placid sleep. (SMFYM, II, 1988; c1986, 31-2.)

1987 - Transition has Begun

The transition from that unhappy state to the state of bliss cannot be achieved overnight, but the changes have begun and the seeds are sown. Man is living at the dawn of a Golden Age and he himself will determine the timing of the transition by his own acts and thoughts. (SMFYM, II, 1988; c1987, 71.)

The time has indeed come for a great awakening, when the days of ignorance and illusion are replaced by a new Golden Age. That Golden Age is here now, just waiting for man to move into it and find the peace that has eluded him all this time. (SMFYM, II, 19 88; c1987, 73-4.)

Ring materialized by Bhagwan Sathya Sai Baba for G. Venkat Raman of Prema Sai

 "This billet shows the Cosmic Form of the Lord. Embedded in it are the forms of Shirdi Baba and Swami. I have left some space for Prema Sai also. Shall I include Prema Sai also?" We remained silent, stunned by the experience. He then smiled and said, "No I shall not include Prema Sai because you faithless fellows would desert Me and go after Him!" We all laughed.Swami then took the billet, held it near His mouth and started blowing on it. I thought He was going to make it disappear; instead, it became a full-fledged ring, shining brilliantly! Swami held it high showing the ring to all of us, even as we were dumbstruck. He said, "A goldsmith would take fifteen days to make a ring, but I have done it in less than fifteen seconds!" He then asked me to stretch my right hand. I simply could not believe myself.(As told by Bhagwan Baba to Padmashri G. Venkata Raman Sir-ISRO Scientist)

"You are indeed fortunate because you have got this opportunity of Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan. It is your duty to keep your parents happy.Within the next 18 years the whole of the world will become one big family and the Sanathana Dharma way of life will be adopted by everyone.(Sathya Sai Speaks on 14/02/2009)

My Dears! The time will come when the whole of this dream will vanish. To everyone of us there must come a time when the whole universe will be found to have been a mere dream, when we shall find that the soul is infinitely better than its surroundings. In this struggle through what we call environments, there will come a time when we shall find that these environments were almost zero in comparison with the power of the Soul. It is only a question of time, and time is nothing in the infinite. It is a drop in the ocean. We can afford to wait and be calm.

 

Sathya Narayana has also been called Vishnu, that is explained in detail in the Vishnu purana. Vishnu moves in the world as Sathya Narayana. Sathya is His hallmark. Why did I not speak for 10 days? All spoke in their own ways. It is to declare the truth that I speak. I love those that love me and also those that hate me, the demons. But people do not understand this. They say Swami is not talking with me. Is He angry? I have only hunger for devotees and not anger towards them. God is the embodiment of love and Navaratri is celebrated to demonstrate this principle of truth. People worship in different ways that they choose. But there is no difference for Bhagavan. All are embodiments of love and must mingle as brothers and sisters. Remember that men are more valuable than all the wealth of the world. Have faith in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Have love and treat everyone well. People stay away from you till they are able to have a glimpse your love; once love is there, they will come instantly. All those who spoke based it on their experiences and feelings. That is not wrong. But there are very few who have known the path of truth.(Sathya Sai Speaks on Vijayadasami,2008)

All that Sathya Narayana says will manifest in the future. Those who are incapable of thinking of the future alone think of them as untruths. You will soon see the manifestation of this truth. The age of this body is 83 years. Till today, I have not forgotten anything. I may appear forgetful but there is nothing like forgetfulness in my life. I am the eternal witness. And today, that sakshi (witness) is being neglected. I have chosen to speak it today and I have never done so before. As the time is fast approaching, I have to reveal all this. People have spoken their thoughts in the past few days. That is not the truth. But there is nothing wrong in it since they have spoken of their own thoughts and feelings. People have to recognize the truth. Truth has no hatred, enmity, anger or differences. I have no difference. You consider others with differences. All are equal; all the children of Sathya.(Sathya Sai Speaks on Vijayadasami,2008)