Om Sri Sai Ram

PEARLS OF SWAMI’S MESSAGES

"Many of you come here to me with problems of health and mental worry of one sort or
another. They are mere baits by which you have been brought here. But the main purpose
is that you may have grace and strengthen your faith in the divine."
"Whatever talent a person has should be dedicated to the rest of humanity indeed to all
living beings. Therein lies fulfillment. Service to man will help your divinity to blossom, for
it will gladden your heart and make you feel that life has been worth while. Service to man
is service to God, for He is in every man, and every living being, in every stone and stump.
Offer your talents at the feet of God."
"Man is the Divine poured into the human mould, just as everything else, alive or inert, is;
but it is the privilege of man alone, to be able to become aware of this precious truth. This
is the message of the Upanishads to man. The same message is echoed by the scriptures,
and declarations of countless saints."
"Scatter the seeds of Love in dreary desert hearts; then sprouts of Love will make the
wastes green with joy, blossoms of Love will make the air fragrant, rivers of Love will
murmur along the valleys, and every bird will beat, every child will sing the song of Love....
Cultivate nearness with me in the heart and it will be rewarded. Then you too will acquire
a fraction of that supreme love."
"If you have faith, the Lord who is the core of your being will manifest Himself. He is
within your grasp. Be aware of Him who is the eternal Witness: He sees and knows all."
"When you know that nothing happens without His will (Sankalpa), everything that
happens has a value added to it. When you know that the Lord is the cause, the source of
all, you deal with everyone in a humble, reverential manner. That is the path which will
lead you quickly to God."
 I often tell you not to identify even me with this particular body. You do not
understand. You call me by only one name and believe I have only one form, but
there is no name I do not bear and there is no form which is not mine.

I often tell you not to identify

even me with this particular
body. You do not understand.
You call me by only one name
and believe I have only one
form, but there is no name I do
not bear and there is no form
which is not mine.
Sathya Sai Baba

KALKI AVATAR - THE PREDICTION

Just before the beginning of the current age in which we are living (known in the East as
the Kali or Iron age), the sage Markandeya recorded a conversation he had with God
Vishnu (the embodiment of the preserver aspect of the trinity). In a passage in the
Mahabharatha text, it is recorded that Vishnu spoke of a time during the darkest period of
the Kali Age when human values would deteriorate, violence and injustice would be
widespread, falsehood would triumph over truth, oppression and crime would be
prevalent. Vishnu told how he would take a human birth in order to intervene and set the
world on a new course. Here is the text of that statement.

When evil is rampant upon this earth, I will take birth in the family of a
virtuous man, and assume a human body to restore tranquility by the
extermination of all evils. For the preservation of rectitude and morality, I
will assume an inconceivable human form when the season for action comes.
In the Kali Age of sin I will assume an Avatar form that is dark in color. I will
be born in 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 be
victorious with the strength of virtue. He will restore order and peace in the
world. This Avatar will inaugurate a new era of truth, and will be surrounded
by spiritual people. He will roam over the earth adored by the spiritual
people.
The people of the earth will imitate this Avatar's conduct, and there will be
prosperity and peace. Men will once more betake themselves to the practice
of religious rites. Educational centers for the cultivation of Brahmic lore, and
temples, will reappear again 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 Avatar mentioned in this text is referred to as the Kalki Avatar. The advent of this
Avatar has been known of and predicted for thousands of years in various holy books and
obscure texts including the Book of Revelations, Nostradamus in his book Centuries, The
Ocean of Light (an ancient Persian manuscript of the revelations of Prophet Mohammed),
and the Shuka Naadi Grantham - containing detailed prophecies of the Kalki Avatar
written on hundreds of palm leaf manuscripts by Sage Shuka over 5000 years ago. The
time of great evil mentioned in the prophecies corresponds to the Twentieth Century with
its World Wars, regimes of mad dictators and authoritarian rulers, nuclear weapons,
famines, diseases, pollution, crime, violence, catastrophes, and worldwide decline of
morality.
MYSTERY OF THE AVATAR
The Western mind is capable of believing in Jesus as the Son of God, at least on the part of
some of the population, but seems unable or unwilling to grasp the concept of the Avatar as
an incarnation of God. By contrast, the average Indian is aware of historical Divine
personalities and Eastern literature is full of descriptions of the various Avatars. The
Bhagavatha text is precisely about the various Descents of the Divine on Earth.
Millions of people around the world accept Sathya Sai Baba as the Avatar of this age. How do
we know that Sathya Sai Baba is truly an Avatar? Each person must answer this question
individually. Skepticism is natural and must be overcome by evidence and intuition. The
important thing is to make a proper investigation. Sai Baba himself says:

No one can understand my Mystery. The best you can do is

to get immersed in it. It is no use your arguing about pros
and cons; dive and know the depth; eat and know the taste.

You must dive deep into the sea to get the pearls. What good
is it to dabble among the waves near the shore, and swear
that the sea has no pearls in it and that all tales about them
are false? So also if you must realise the full fruit of this
Avathar, dive deep and get immersed in Sai Baba. Half-
heartedness, hesitation, doubt, cynicism, listening to tales,
all are of no avail. Concentrated complete faith - that alone
can bring victory.
 In truth you cannot understand the nature of My Reality,
either today, or even after a thousand years of steady
austerity or ardent inquiry, even if all mankind joins in that
effort. But, in a short time, you will become cognizant of the
Bliss showered by the Divine Principle, which has taken
upon itself this sacred body, and this sacred Name. Your
good fortune, which will provide you this chance, is greater
than that which was available for anchorites, monks, sages,
saints, and even personalities embodying facets of Divine
Glory. Do not allow doubt to distract you; if only you will
install in the altar of your heart steady faith in My Divinity,
you can win a vision of My Reality.

THE DIVINE IN HUMAN FORM

When Krishna lived on the Earth, few were aware of his divinity although he successfully
accomplished his mission of ridding the earth of many powerful and evil personalities. Shirdi Sai
Baba was an incarnation of God Shiva but most regarded him as a very great saint. Only a few of
his closest devotees knew him to be an incarnation. It is difficult to grasp the implications of the
Divine in human form. If we accept the Adwaita philosophy that there is One only without a
second; nothing but God throughout the manifested universe and beyond, then logically we are
in God, God is in us, we ARE God. The Atma within us - our innermost awareness is the Eternal
Witness, a spark of the Eternal Flame. God enjoys the play of this universe by sporting inside the
various manifested forms as the Atmic awareness of each. All this apparent diversity is the only
the illusion of Maya - the formless taking on form, the Eternal manifesting in time and space and
then indwelling each form as the Atmic spark within. Thus He sees all, knows all, is all. Really
the form of the Avatar is like a focal point wherein this colossal Divine force can contact the
human in the tiny knot of energy that is our Earth, on the fleeting time scale that is a human
lifetime. But the Avatar is in no way limited by the constriction of bodily confinement because
He is one with the source of all.

The Avatar takes the human form and behaves in a

human way so that humanity can feel kinship with the
divinity. At the same time he rises to godly heights so that
mankind also can aspire to reach God.
 People could not stand the Lord in super-human form. ...
If the Lord came in all His majesty people would be
afraid and would have no opportunity to know and love
him. It is only when the Lord comes in a human body
that people are able to approach him and learn to love
him and know him even a little bit. But one should not
make the mistake of thinking that is all there is. ... For
instance, the airplane flying high in the sky descends to
the airport. But one should not make the mistake of
thinking that the plane is a ground machine because they
see it on the ground. In like fashion, although the Lord
has made a landing here on earth, so to speak, He is not
limited to His human form.

I am new and ever ancient. I come always for the

restoration of Dharma (righteousness), for tending the
virtuous and ensuring them conditions congenial for
progress, and for educating the "blind" who miss the way
and wander into the wilderness. Some doubters might
ask, can Parabrahmah assume human form? Well, man
can derive joy only through the human frame; he can
receive instruction, inspiration, illumination only through
human language and human communication.

THE DIVINE LIVES IN THE HEARTS OF ALL

The Avatar appears to be human and we are misled into thinking of him in these terms but
the Avatar himself warns us against this error. Sathya Sai Baba once responded to a
devotee who asked when he should return for another visit: "First understand that you do
not need to come back to see this little body", he said pointing to himself. Then he added -
"Find me in your heart".
In his previous embodiment as Shirdi Sai Baba (1835 - 1918) he made a similar statement
to his devotees:
"Though, I am here bodily, still I know what you do; beyond the seven seas. Go wherever you
will, over the wide world, I am with you. My abode is in your heart and I am within you.
Always worship Me, Who is seated in your heart, as well as in the hearts of all beings."          
Shirdi Sai Baba

Sathya Sai Baba, who is Shirdi Sai Baba come again, echoes this thought in many of his
statements:

You may be seeing me today for the first time,

but you are all old acquaintances for Me. I know
 Wherever you walk, I am there. Whomsoever
you contact, I am in that person. I am in each.
From each, I will respond. You can see Me in
one place and miss Me in another. You cannot
escape Me or do anything in secret.

REASON FOR THE DIVINE'S DECENT INTO MATTER

In past ages, when the power of evil reached a certain stage, the Divine descended into form to
suppress the evil and to foster the good. In the Kali age in which we are living, evil has reached
new depths. Of all the various ages - each with its own characteristics, the Kali age is the age of
the deepest descent into matter and form, away from spirit. We have passed through the lowest
point of the pendulum, the dark times of this 20th century and are now beginning the upward
climb. The appearance of the Avatar coincides with the darkest hour of the Kali Yuga.

People tell me that mankind is on the brink of

destruction, that the forces of hypocrisy and hate are fast
prevailing on all continents, and that anxiety and fear are
stalking the streets of every city and village in the world;
there is no need to tell me this, for I have come precisely
for this reason. When the world is on the verge of chaos,
the Avatar comes to still the storm raging in the hearts of
men. Prashanthi, the higher Peace, will be established
soon; the demonic deviations from the straight Divine
Path will be corrected. Dharma will be revived and re-
vitalised in every human community.
 God incarnates for the revival of Dharma
(Righteousness), which includes morality, truth, virtue,
love, and a host of other qualities that uphold the
communities of man as well as the individual. The other
purposes usually given - serving the devoted, destroying
the wicked, re-establishing the sacred tradition - these are
all secondary. For, he who is righteous will be guarded
from harm, by righteousness itself; he who is unrighteous
will fall into disaster through the evil that he perpetrates.
The one task includes all else.

For the protection of the virtuous, for the destruction of

evildoers and for establishing righteousness on a firm
footing, I incarnate from age to age. Whenever asanthi, or
disharmony, overwhelms the world, the Lord will
incarnate in human form to establish the modes of
earning prasanthi, or peace, and to re-educate the human
community in the paths of peace.

MISSION OF THE AVATAR

The Avatar comes to transform humanity but this must take place through the
transformation of individuals making up humanity. To raise bread we mix a pinch of yeast
into the dough and the action of the yeast spreads throughout the mix, eventually leavening
the entire loaf. So the Avatar works through individuals, transforming them into the
divinity they essentially are. The light from the many individuals gradually dispels the
darkness of ignorance, impacting all of humanity.
Through interviews with devotees who come to see him Sai Baba reveals that he knows
intimate details of their lives including physical problems and issues dominating their lives,
sometimes even events they themselves have long forgotten. Though he left school at the
age of fourteen saying "My devotees are calling me" and never read a book, he has been
known to speak to people from all over the world using words from their own language.
Though he never read the Indian classics he liberally sprinkles appropriate stories from
them in his talks. He quotes long passages in the ancient mother language Sanskrit, and
assists Brahmin priests in correctly carrying out elaborate Vedic rituals. He tells of
undocumented events and conversations in the lives of sages, holy persons, and historic
persons as if he were there at the time of their happening. To all who come to him he makes
them feel as if he were their own. He constantly exudes bliss and love and all who come to
him regard him as they would a loving parent.
Sai Baba never appears rushed or hurried and yet he accomplishes more than ten or even a
hundred humans ever could. He is in constant motion from early morning until night greeting
visitors, going over plans, giving Darshan (sight of a holy person) and interviews, taking letters,
attending Bhajans (religious singing), taking part in and planning ceremonial events. He
dedicates his entire life to his devotees and his mission with absolutely no attachment to
possessions, personal time, or ordinary human pursuits.

My work is ceaseless and so your work, too, is

without end. Know that I am within you and
without you. There is no difference. Rid
yourselves of petty matters forever more. You are
now ME and I am now THEE. There is no
difference. My Darshan will pour forth from ME
to and through you. You may be unaware of this
constant action. Be ever pure in heart and soul,
and mankind in your lifetime will benefit from
your unique qualities.

This is a great chance. Be confident that you will

all be liberated. 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 dharmaswarupa, that this divine body, has
not come in vain. It will succeed in averting the
crisis that has come upon humanity.
 In my present Avatar, I have come armed with the
fullness of the power of formless God to correct
mankind, raise human consciousness and put
people back on the right path of truth,
righteousness, peace and love to divinity.
In this Avathar [Divine Incarnation], the wicked
will not be destroyed; they will be corrected and
reformed and educated and led back to the path
from which they have strayed.

OUR PART IN THE MISSION

We have a unique opportunity to take part in the transformation of our planet during this time of
great change. We must start by transforming ourselves.
I have come to give you the key to the
treasure of ananda, or bliss, to teach you
how to tap that spring, for you have
forgotten the way to blessedness. If you
waste this time of saving yourselves, it is just
your fate. You have come to get from me
tinsel and trash, the petty little cures and
promotions, worldly joys and comforts.
Very few of you desire to get from me the
thing that I have come to give you: namely,
liberation itself. Even among these few,
those who stick to the path of sadhana, or
spiritual practice, and succeed are a
handful.
I am determined to correct you only after
informing you of my credentials. That is
why I am now and then announcing my
Nature by means of miracles, that is, acts
which are beyond human capacity and
human understanding. Not that I am
anxious to show off my Powers. The object
is do draw you closer to me, to cement your
hearts to me.
I ask only that you turn to me when your
mind drags you into grief or pride or envy.
Bring me the depths of your mind, no
matter how grotesque, how cruelly ravaged
by doubts or disappointments. I know how
to treat them. I will not reject you. I am
your mother.
Why fear when I am here? Put all your faith
in Me. I shall guide and guard you.
 The godliness, which is present in everybody
in the form of a little spark, exists in me as
the full flame, and it is my mission to
develop every little spark of God in
everyone to the fullness of the divine flame.
Where there is a desire for mental
tranquility, I hurry to grant tranquility.
Where there is dispiritedness, I hasten to
raise the drooping heart. Where there is no
mental trust, I rush to restore trust. I am
ever on the move to fulfill the mission for
which I have come.
I never utter a word that does not have
significance, or do a deed without beneficial
consequence.

What I will, must take place; what I plan

must succeed.

Transformation must begin with the

individual. When the individual changes,
the world will change. This transformation
has to take place in the minds of men. Right
thoughts will lead to right actions.
Do not bother about what has happened in
the past. Get immersed in the tasks of the
present. Render service with a pure and
selfless heart. The delight of the individual
gladdens the Divine. Equally the Divine
esteems you. Do everything with the Lord's
name on your lips. Develop all that is good
in you and share that goodness with one and
all.

THE DAWN OF A GOLDEN AGE

Everything points to the terror of conflagration coming; and my mission is to preempt the
fires by reestablishing dharma and the spiritual law of one God, one religion, one language
[of the heart] embracing one humanity... I want to build one humanity without any
religious, caste or other barriers in a universal empire of love, which could enable my
devotees to feel the whole world as their family.
God Himself is here to foster Dharma, and you engage yourself in the same task, then you
are worshiping Him. Then you are near and dear to Him, for you are serving Him, His
devotees, and yourself.
My Mission has now reached that point in time when each one of you now has work to do.
This planet has a purpose in the great galaxy in which it is held. That purpose is now
unfolding before your eyes. I call upon you to radiate the Devotion within you so that its
unseen power will envelop all who come into your orbit. To successfully perform your part
always remains centered upon me. Allow yourself to impart that purity of heart within you
towards all human beings and all living creatures and do not reach for the fruits of your
work. This part of My Mission is performed in absolute silence. You are My instruments
from whom My love will pour. Be always aware that the moment you let your ego descend
upon you, My work ceases. When you have overcome your negative unmindfulness you will
again become My source. The multiplication of My Love will be felt throughout the world.
I have drawn you to Me. I have made great steps in My Mission over these past
Incarnations.
In your lives, by your examples, live and practice My message, knowing that some will
understand and others will not. Have no concern with the outcome of your efforts, for some
people are ready and others are not. Each one is free to go his own way in his own time.
Many will choose to remain in darkness with all the attachments that hold them back from
the true path. But, eventually, their time will come and, one day, all will be re-united in the
Kingdom of God.
Today the seeds are still in the ground, slowly germinating, as the teachings of the Lord
begin to spread throughout the world and infiltrate the mind of man. Soon those seeds will
begin to grow, and what emerges will brighten the world as the beauty of the absolute truth
begins to reach so many people. It is a process, which takes time, and the new Golden Age
will evolve gradually.
So you should live in hope.... Let the divinity within shine forth and become one of the great
beacons to light up the world and hasten the arrival of the new Golden Age. It is there now
for some, those enlightened souls who have already reached the state of God realisation. It
is that awakened state that will lead to the new age.
There is only one nation - the nation of humanity
There is only one religion - the religion of love
There is only on language - the language of the heart
There is only one God - And He is Omnipresent
*****