JOIN USBhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi had his earthly sojourn from 23-11-1926 to 24-4-2011. He took up the cause of humanity and spread the universal message of Love and Compassion. Religion, language, gender, nationality or colour did not matter to Him.
The essence of Baba’s teachings is: Service to man is service to God. While Baba travelled outside India only once to Africa in 1968, his message of universal love spread to all corners of the world. Baba exuded love and compassion.
At a tender age, Baba renounced his family. He truly lived and practised the greatest virtue of “Tyaga” or sacrifice. He often said his students and devotees are His only assets.
Baba took up and completed mega projects without fanfare or publicity and provided drinking water to millions of needy people. These projects, which cost Baba’s Trust over Rs 500 crore, were successfully maintained for one year and then handed over to the government free of cost. These projects stand out as sparkling diamonds in the firmament of Baba’s universal message of love, compassion and service.
Baba set up several free schools. Baba’s devotees set up 99 Sathya Sai Schools all over India. Lakhs of students are getting good education while imbibing the message of compassion and service. Baba founded the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning with campuses at Prashanti Nilayam, Ananthapur, Brindavan, Whitefield, Bangalore and Muddenahalli in Chikkaballapur, Karnataka.
Baba’s love has attracted experienced devotees as faculty from many IVY League Universities in America, prestigious institutions all over India and administrators par excellence from the Indian Administrative Service. Internationally renowned personalities and heads of state have considered it an honour to be invited to deliver the convocation address. The University provides education of a high quality, completely free.
The Gurukula pattern is followed, requiring students and teachers to be in each other’s company throughout their stay in the university. Students inculcate the discipline of the system and take part in a wide range of activities meant to infuse the spirit of service and universal love, all pervasive in institutions set up by Baba.
The unique concept of ‘Educare’, which Baba propounded, is based on the ancient concept of “Trikarana Shuddhi” — unity of thought, word and deed. The inculcation of ancient and well-accepted principles elucidated by the Taittiriya Upanishad viz., Satyam Vada and Dharmam Chara, meaning “Follow the path of truth and lead a life of righteousness.”
Baba commenced his medical mission in 1956 by starting a small dispensary in Puttaparthi, and in 1968 in Bangalore. These have grown into huge general hospitals. In 1991, the first Super Speciality Hospital for cardiac and other tertiary health care was set up in Puttaparthi.
In 2001, a bigger super-specialty hospital was set up at Whitefield. The entire cost of these projects has been borne by Baba’s Trust. The best equipment in the world was procured. All this was to cater for the poorest sections of society.
After the Maha Samadhi of Baba, millions of devotees the world over have felt the loss, as a personal loss. Over six lakh devotees filed past Baba’s mortal remains in 48 hours. Some devotees have since contributed money for the construction of Maha Samadhi being unveiled for public view on Guru Poornima (July 15, 2011).
The Trustees of Baba’s Trust have now formulated a code of conduct for themselves. The Trust will be administered in a transparent manner so as to continue public service along the path laid down by Baba.
Let us rededicate ourselves to the sublime tenet of “Love All Serve All” and become worthy sishyas or followers.