Lessons from Ramayana

Question: Swami, although Manthara [Kakeyi’s personal maid] and Surpanakha [Ravan’s sister] are two minor woman characters in the Ramayana, both of them appear crucial in leading to major developments. What lessons should we learn

Sufferings Man Undergoes

What is that prevents man from securing enduring happiness? There are five kinds of sufferings (kleshas) which stand in the way: “Avidya” (ignorance) is one kind of suffering. What is this ignorance? In the

The Voice of Shiva

The following discourse was given by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Mahashivaratri day in 1974 just before the emergence of the lingam. He has explained in His own inimitable way the significance of

What Bhagavan Means to Them

As was reported in the August 1989, issue of Sanathana Sarathi, students from the Sathya Sai Secondary School at Vidyagiri, Prasanthi Nilayam, had been asked by Bhagavan Baba to speak at the Mandir during

Glory of Mahashivaratri

Of all the Hindu festivals, Mahashivaratri is my favorite. There is something profoundly holy about this special time of the year. My first trip to Swami, in 1991, was during Mahashivaratri. The place was

The Lord’s Response

In November 1970, I had just finished reading, The Autobiography of a Yogi, by Parmahamsa Yogananda in which he re­fers frequently to the long‑lived Himala­yan master Babaji. This Babaji seemed the highest being I

Food Habits

Question: Bhagavan, should we follow any discipline or regulation in our food habits? Is it necessary for our spiritual pursuit? Sai devotees all over the world are vegetarians because of your teachings. This is

Social Consciousness

In the following thought Swami talks about social consciousness and the transformation of all human. He says: The rich as well as the poor come to Sai Baba to seek love, peace, and liberation

The Priorities

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba spoke about how we should control our senses and achieve victory over them. The contented person is the happiest of all; the happy person is rich in equanimi­ty. Under

Out of the Mouth of Babes

As Anjali lay in bed, she thought about Swami’s birthday which was coming soon. She wondered what would be the nicest gift to give Him, after all He held the entire world in His

What Bhagavan Means to Them

Bhagavan has often referred to the students of the Sai educational insti­tutions as His only wealth. In a recent discourse in Prasanthi Mandir, Bhagavan told the students that He was devoting three‑fourths of His

How the Lord Transforms

Two and half years have passed since Bhagavan Baba’s guidance re­solved what was to me a serious moral dilemma. The growing number of hun­gry and homeless people begging on the streets of New York