Sankranti Discourse

This talk by Sathya Sai Baba was given on January 14th soon after the Sports Meet where Students of the Sathya Sai Institute present their physical talents and skills to Swami. In this compelling discourse Sathya Sai Baba gives a personal demonstration of how we can separate ourselves from body consciousness.

“If all your ambitions do not materialize,
do not waver or become depressed.
He is a realized one who is cheerful
in the face of all adversities.”
(Telugu Poem)

Embodiments of Love! Men and women students!

Ekaamsena Sthitham Jagat, the whole universe is based on one fragment of the Divine. Just as the sun’s rays do not exist in the absence of the sun, so also the world cannot exist without divinity, the primordial basis. Here on this table you find a flower, a cup, a mike and a handkerchief. The word “is” is used to connote the existence of all these items – with the emphasis on the word “is.” There is a picture; there is a pot; there is a person. The word “is” proves their existence. This explains the principle of divinity in full.

The shakti (power), leelas (divine play), and the effulgence of God are limitless. The five elements are responsible for the protection and sustenance of the world. Earth, the first element, is the basis for mountains and hills, rivers and oceans, villages and cities, jungles and forests. You can very well imagine the immense power of the earth, which supports all that. The earth is endowed with infinite power. Scientists discovered that the earth rotates. Logically speaking, the rivers, oceans, mountains, villages, and cities should also rotate when the earth—their basis—rotates. In reality, it is not so. Only the earth rotates. The train track is the basis for a train to move. If the tracks also started moving, what would the passengers’ plight be? From this, it can be inferred that the track is the aadhaara (basis) and the train, the aadheya (the one supported). This table is the basis (aadhaara) for the mike(aadheya) to rest on. Make an effort to understand the relationship between the support (aadhaara) and the supported (aadheya). The earth, which is the repository of all powers (such as electrical and magnetic), forms the basis. Therefore, it sustains and protects all the objects on it. There is no power that is not present in the earth. The earth is able to support all the beings on it because of its infinite powers.

Water, the second element, is present all over the earth, whether seen or unseen. Water sustains the life principle of humanity. It supports life on earth and is responsible for life’s evolution.

The third element, Agni (fire), is also all-pervasive. It is present in the form of Jataraagni in the human body. Jataraagni maintains the temperature of the human body at 98.4 degrees. There is even fire in the ocean—called Badabaagni. There is fire in trees. When two branches rub against each other, fire is generated. Fire is present even in a stone. It emerges when two stones are struck together. Investigation into this area will reveal that no place is devoid of fire.

Similarly, the fourth and fifth elements, vayu (wind) and akaasha (space) are all-pervasive. Akaasha is the basis for all. It is the origin of sound. In fact, all the other elements originated from akaasha. We can conclude, therefore, that the divine power, which is omnipresent and omnipotent, is present in all the five elements. When the five elements themselves are so powerful, how much greater the power of God should be! Though the five elements, which are essentially divine, are present in man, he is in quest of divine power, which he feels is present elsewhere. These powers are insignificant for God, who is aware of the past, present, and future. Make an attempt to understand the omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent nature of God.

The entire world is a conglomeration of the five elements. The world cannot exist in the absence of even one element. Whether you see them or not, the five elements are present everywhere. Here is a small example: Though air is invisible and intangible, it is all-pervasive. Similarly, divinity is invisible and intangible, yet, is omnipresent. Without realizing the divinity within him, man becomes egoistic and feels that all his accomplishments are due to his own education, intelligence and physical prowess. But, in reality, divinity protects and safeguards man at every step from womb to tomb. No one has the power to protect himself. Only the divine power and the divine will can enable man to protect himself. Only divinity has free will—none else.

Whatever God says or does is for the welfare of humanity. God is selfless. Not a trace of selfishness resides in Him. Does the sun benefit from its own rising and setting? Not at all. Sunrise and sunset are for the benefit of mankind, enabling him to discharge his duties during the day and rest at night. Similarly, every act of God is for the benefit of mankind, not for His own benefit.

As Narsimhamurthi (the previous speaker) pointed out, Kasturi (the first editor of Sanathana Sarathi and the translator and editor of the Vahinis and many other books) once urged me not to neglect this body in the process of saving a devotee. I replied that this body has come for the sake of devotees and will be used to do anything and everything for their welfare. Body attachment is human; total detachment is divine. Attachment to the body is responsible for all suffering and misery. Since God does not have body attachment, He does not attach any importance to the suffering of His body.  Once He assumes a body, many things are bound to happen to it. Whatever happens is for the welfare of the whole world.

Students, both boys and girls, are very good. They participate in various activities—academics and sports—with a desire only to please and satisfy Swami. I am very well aware of this fact. Students strive to please Swami and make Him happy. But they do not inquire what actually pleases and satisfies Him, what makes Him happy. Will He be pleased if you display your valor by jumping through a ring of fire—or, for that matter, jumping from a lorry moving at high speed? Will it satisfy Swami if you show your courage by performing dare-devil stunts on motor bikes—such as jumping over ten or twenty people lying on the ground? I am pleased when you are safe and sound, and when the audience is happy with your performance. He is the blessed one who conducts himself in a manner that hurts neither himself nor others. You should be safe and secure and, at the same time, desist from activities that cause apprehension in others. That is what I want. I am pleased with nidarsana (setting a good example), and not pleased with pradarsana (exhibitionism). Even a small action done with a heart full of love pleases me.

I am very well aware of the fact that the year of Pramaadi (year thirteen in the South Indian calender, literally meaning upheavel/madness) is fast approaching. January is the first month of the New Year. If you experience happiness in the beginning, you will be happy throughout. Start early, drive slowly and reach safely.

While returning from Bangalore (in the month of December, 1998), I instructed the warden (of the college hostel in Brindavan) not to bring the boys for Sports Meet (an annual event for Sathya Sai Institute students, held in Puttaparthi). They attributed various  reasons to this word of mine. There may be many reasons, but what I am interested in is the action. I told the vice chancellor that I do not object to boys participating in various sports and games such as badminton, tennis, volleyball, and so on. At the same time, I cautioned him to insure that no harm would be caused either to the participants or to the audience during the course of the program, scheduled for January 11 (the day of the Sports Meet). Students are tender-hearted, full of noble feelings and love for Swami. They planned various programs with a view toward pleasing me. I was very well aware of the impending danger. But students were not receptive to my words. I felt there was no point in advising them in such a situation. Only when they face the consequences of disobeying my command do they realize the value of my words. Until this moment, no one was aware of exactly what happened on the morning of the eleventh. They said the sports meet was a grand success. I, too, am happy when you are successful.  Students performed extremely well. Each contributed to the success of the event based on individual capacities and capabilities.  That morning, as I entered the stadium, I spotted two lorries.  Immediately, I could visualize the danger lurking in the corner.  I saw the lorries with huge scaffolding placed over them. The boys planned to perform a few acrobatic feats on them. I knew that one of the rods was not fitted properly and was about to give way—an event which would cause the boy to suffer a major head injury and spinal breakdown. I willed that the boy should be saved. I decided to take it upon myself.

A while back, a boy suffered a spinal breakdown and was admitted to the Bangalore hospital. I willed that such an untoward incident should not recur, because once the spinal column breaks, it is impossible to set it right again. At that time, I immediately arranged for an ambulance to take the boy to the hospital and gave 10,000 rupees to defray the immediate expenditure. I also made sure that our doctor accompanied him. The parents shed tears of gratitude when they learned of the love showered by Swami on their son. The doctor said that because the boy’s spinal column was badly damaged, he would not be able to sit or lie down. I told him, “Don’t entertain any misgivings. Do as I say.” Miraculously, by the time the boy reached the hospital, he could sit. When he entered the hospital, he sat on the bed. He regained sensation in all his limbs, which had been numb. He was in no danger whatsoever. He was protected because of my infinite mercy and boundless grace. All students should be safe and secure. I have repeatedly declared that students are my property. I consider the students’ welfare as my welfare, their happiness as my happiness. I never think of my own happiness and comfort. My only concern is that the students not be disappointed or put to any inconvenience.

A day before the meet, I instructed four boys to surround the chariot and keep a vigil. They are full of love and devotion for Swami. But I noticed that none of them were present at that spot.  Nobody is to blame. No one did this deliberately. Swami is the very life-breath of the students.

I asked the driver to stop the chariot. A senior devotee was driving the chariot with all sincerity, love, and devotion. He stopped the vehicle in accordance with my command. Just when I was about to speak to the vice chancellor, the driver accidentally put his foot on the clutch instead of applying the brake. That resulted in a jerk and I fell down on the chariot. As a result, I suffered injuries to my head and hand, and my spinal column was badly damaged. What the boys had to face, I took upon myself. Many men and women were seated in the gallery, but I took care that none noticed my injuries. I pretended nothing had happened. The vice chancellor was worried, thinking Swami was unable to get up.  I knew that any further delay would cause anxiety in the minds of devotees. So I got up immediately, forgetting the pain, and started blessing the devotees, waving my hands. The pain was very intense and the cut on my hand was as deep as though it had been pierced with a knife. But the sleeve of the robe covering my hand was intact. This incident gives you a glimpse of the infinite power of Divinity.

I was in an awkward situation. I had to walk up to the dais without letting anyone notice my injuries. I willed that no one notice them, lest the viewer become anxious. I went up and took my seat. But in the meantime, the dhoti below the robe had become drenched in blood. Concerned that the devotees might learn of this, I walked discreetly into the bathroom. The available towels were insufficient to wipe away the oozing blood. I did not want to leave the bloodstained towels in the bathroom lest someone see them. Though I had excruciating pain, I washed the towels myself with soap, squeezed them out, and hung them up to dry. Under no circumstances would I reveal my suffering, pain and fatigue. Some boys were curious to know why I went to the bathroom repeatedly.   I replied, “Why are you concerned? It is My job.” Usually I go to the bathroom only twice a day, morning and evening. Since the wound was bleeding profusely, I had to go there five or six times in a short period. In the meantime, two students came and prayed so that the flag could be hoisted. When I rose from the chair, the sensation was such that I felt as if I had been subjected to electric shock. Reflecting on the incident now, I feel like laughing. I could not stand firmly on the ground. I thought I should not be deluded by the attachment to the body, so I walked forward, smiling, to hoist the flag. Then I lit the lamp. Afterward, I found myself in an embarrassing situation. I could not sit in any posture comfortably. Because I exhort all devotees to give up attachment to body attachment, I myself should set an example in this regard. Talking to myself in this manner, I conducted myself accordingly.

The primary school children performed extremely well and desired to have a photograph taken with me. Acceding to their prayers, I walked up for the photograph. I did not want to disappoint them.  Subsequently, I had to walk up to the playing field five more times for photographs with other students. In this manner, I detached myself from the body. My body was numb. It had no sensation whatsoever. My head was reeling. I resolved to make them happy no matter what happened to the body. Deciding to keep this to myself and concerned that the bloodstains might be visible as I returned to the dais from the playground, I ascended the steps leading directly to my seat. Is it possible for a human being to conceal such a major injury from the public gaze for a long time, even amidst such a huge gathering?  No. I was seated on the chair for five long hours. I am relating all this so that students and devotees may comprehend the nature of divinity. Anyone in my predicament would not have been able to sit in the chair even for a second. It would have been impossible to take one step forward.  It felt as though an electric shock were piercing my body. An electric current gives shock – but when I am the current myself, where is the question of my being subjected to shock?

With that feeling, I sat through the entire proceedings and returned to the Mandir. The Central Trust members followed me, unaware of what had happened. The senior devotee apologized for what had happened. Then I said to him, “Why do you worry about the past? Past is past. I am happy. Do not worry about me.” All of them had their lunch. After lunch, the injury started bleeding again. All the students were waiting outside for photographs.  Again I went into the bathroom to wipe away the blood. Noting this, Indulal Shah (a senior devotee) cried out, “Swami, what is this?” I told him lovingly, “Indulal Shah, whatever had to happen to the body has happened.” Saying this, I showed them the injury and, seeing blood all over, they all cried out in agony. I told them that in the future I would not reveal anything if they expressed their sorrow like this. No one knew about it until I reached the Mandir.

At various points in time, I have taken upon myself the untold suffering of students and devotees in order to protect them. No one is responsible for this mishap. You may find fault with one or another individual, but no one is responsible for this. Whatever had to happen, happened. That is all.

Telugu Proverb:

“You are bound to experience the pain and pleasure that you are destined to have – even if you hide yourself in a dense forest. When the time comes, your body is bound to perish, in spite of your utmost precautions.”

Even the mighty emperors and kings who took all precautionary measures, had to give up their bodies at the appointed hour.  Whatever is bound to happen will happen. One should not resist this unduly.

The year Pramaadi is fast approaching. There will be dangers in all fields—politics, education, and so on. This is an indication of the forthcoming dangers. No one needs to worry about my welfare. I can do anything and everything. Here is a small example. During the Mahabharata war, Krishna was Arjuna’s charioteer. Krishna diverted all the arrows aimed at Arjuna toward Himself, protecting Arjuna in the process. As a result, every arrow wounded Krishna and soon he was bleeding profusely. Because Krishna was the charioteer, He had to receive instructions from Arjuna on which direction the chariot should move. In those days, there were no left and right indicators as we have today.  Therefore, Arjuna had to press the region beside the right eye of Krishna with his iron boot to indicate that the chariot should move to the right. To indicate a turn to the left, he had to press the region beside the left eye. As a result, Krishna’s face was  bleeding and His entire body was drenched in blood. No one saw this because it was wartime and everyone was busy discharging his duties, and also because Krishna was seated at a level much lower than that of Arjuna. Because of that, Arjuna alone could be seen, not Krishna. Krishna protected Arjuna as He had promised earlier. When Arjuna and Duryodhana approached Krishna for help before the war, Duryodhana opted for Krishna’s seven-lakh strong army, whereas Arjuna preferred Krishna to the army. Then Krishna assured him, saying, “Arjuna, you don’t need to fear. The army is comparable to the compartment of a train—whereas, I am the engine. [At this point, the audience cheers.] Train cars can move only when the engine pulls them. So, do not worry, the engine is with you, Arjuna.”  Arjuna replied, “Krishna, it is enough if you are with me.”  Krishna took upon himself all the dangers that would have befallen Arjuna. In history, there are many incidents of God protecting His devotees.

So, what happened on that day was entirely due to my will.  Neither the students nor the driver are responsible. [Cheers]

The students asked every day why I was walking so slowly. I told them, “I don’t have anywhere to run. If I had such a place, I would be ready to run.” I conversed with them with a smile on my face. I am narrating this episode only to affirm the fact that I will go to any extent to protect my devotees who obey my commands. [Cheers] When I returned to the Mandir, I called those four boys.  They noticed my injuries and were crestfallen. I chided them for not obeying my command, then asked, “Why were you not present at the time I commanded? If only you had obeyed my command, this incident would not have occurred.” I told them not to feel sorry about it.

All the dangers that are to happen during the course of this year have happened. So, follow the divine command: be safe and secure, earn a good name for the institution, and make your parents happy.

Tomorrow marks the commencement of holy Uttarayana. For this auspicious moment, Bhishma, lying on a bed of arrows, waited 56 long days to give up his mortal coil. Tomorrow the sun begins its northward journey; that is most auspicious. In olden days, people sang songs describing the arrival of Sankranti.

Whatever I will has to happen. Nothing can come in my way. I would like to mention one more point. Last year, on Novemer 19, all the women gathered to celebrate “Ladies’ Day.” They said, “Swami, we are wearing the saris You gave us and experiencing the bliss of Your divine presence. What can we do in return to express our gratitude? Please give us a chance to serve You.” I replied, “You don’t need to do anything. Always be happy. That is enouqh.” But some of them pleaded to have a chance to provide food to the Sevadals—a large number of whom are coming from various parts of the country to render services in Prasanthi Nilayam. I assured them that I had already willed it and that it would materialize in a short time. I have willed that the Sevadals be provided good food, entirely free of cost, for 365 days a year. I have already made arrangements for this. I have had the sheds put up. All the necessary items – gas cylinders, utensils, plates, spoons, rice, dhals, and the like—have already been procured. None is aware of this. SATHYA SAl IS A SILENT WORKER. From tomorrow onward, food will be served for Sevadals free of charge forever. Then I summoned the members of the Central Trust and asked what work they were doing. “What is the use of occupying high positions if you do not discharge your duties sincerely?” I asked. People from all walks of life and from different strata of society are coming to serve as Sevadals every year. I will provide them with free food, but who will bear their travel expenses? The railway fare is going up day by day. Once, 20 rupees were enough to reach Madras from here, but these days 200 rupees are insufficient. I commanded them to approach the railway authorities for concession travels for the Sevadals. I talk sweetly; at the same time, I am stern when it comes to the question of discharging one’s duty. I told them either to do the work or to resign. The Central Trust members negotiated with the railroad authorities and got the travel concessions sanctioned. Man plunges into action only when told strictly. The railroad authorities were very happy. They thanked me saying, “Swami, it is our good fortune to have the opportunity to serve Your devotees.” Not only this, but in order to ensure that the Sevadals and devotees reach Prasanthi Nilayam without inconvenience, the central government has sanctioned 50 crore rupees for the construction of a railway station near the petrol bunk. [Cheers] We will have trains connecting Penukonda, Dharmavaram and Prasanthi Nilayam. Railway officials recently made this decision at a meeting in Delhi. Everyone should be able to reach Prasanthi Nilayam comfortably for Swami’s 75th birthday.  One may board a train in Bombay, Madras, Delhi, Hyderabad, and many other places, to reach Prasanthi Nilayam.

Once upon a time, Puttaparthi was a small hamlet with a population of barely 100 people. In such a small village, who would expect a university, an aerodrome, a Super Speciality Hospital and a railway station to be built in such a short period of time? All these things are happening during the lifetime of the Avatar—something unprecedented in the history of mankind. During the time of no other Avatar were such stupendous tasks achieved in such a short period of time. Many more wonderful things are going to happen. Today you are able to see me from close quarters. But after some time, you may have to see me from a distance of a few miles.

So make best use of the divine proximity of Sai. Once you lose this precious chance to serve the Lotus Feet, you will never regain it. Sai confers on you devotion, power and, ultimately, liberation.

I have taken this suffering upon myself only for your sake. Now, in response to your prayers, I have decided to cure myself for your sake. Don’t allow any room for anxiety. Swami is now 100 percent perfect, perfect, perfect.

Follow Swami’s command, earn a good name, secure good marks, and set an ideal for the rest of the world. That is what I want. We are making an effort to provide adequate accommodations for the devotees by constructing 100 more sheds. To provide accommodations for foreigners, a 150-acre piece of land has been acquired on the hillock. Who knows where one will be placed for the seventy-fifth birthday? But if you have Swami’s grace, you belong to Swami, wherever you may be. Swami is always with you. Never entertain the feeling that Swami will be away from you. Have firm faith in Him.

In future, you can conduct your programs without hindrance. In the coming year, you can organize the sports meet in ways more grand than this. I will not put any brakes on your activities. But in certain aspects, you must follow my commands. It is for your good and not mine. Be safe and secure and lead an ideal spiritual life. These days, we see restlessness, anxiety and worry prevalent everywhere. Spirituality is the only solution to all the ills of society. Due to lack of spirituality, man is subject to depression and disease. Diseases are the product of the mind, not the body. Lack of peace of mind results in depression, which in turn leads to disease. Develop physical strength, have faith in God, experience bliss, and share it with your fellow beings. Whatever may happen, never give up spirituality. It is only devotion to God that protects Bharat, nothing else. Distance yourself from animal qualities and develop human qualities. Be one with the divine. How can you understand divinity when you are not able to understand the importance of human values? First practice human values, then divinity manifests itself. Take the path of spirituality and go to the four corners of the country propagating spiritual ideals. Strive for the welfare of the world at large.