Sai and His Students

We all know that the relationship between Swami and his students is a unique and inspiring example of unconditional love and exemplary conduct. In a discourse on January 14, 1996, Swami said, “I do not own anything. I have only one property—my most valuable property. My students are my only property. I t is enough for me   my students conduct themselves well.” The following letter from Sai Baba to His students further illustrates His message to them and to us.

I have received the salutations you sent. The drops of love contained in them have cooled and soothed Sai’s heart.

For a kaaranajanma (a person born with a mission), the date on which he or she enters the physical body should not be the only day identified as the birthday. Such days are birthdays only for the physical body. In fact, there is no birth for that which is divine and sacred. Kaaranajanmas take up bodies in order to fulfill a purpose. They proclaim and propagate the highest ideals. Only when we put these principles into practice in our lives—and, therefore, experience them—can we say we have shown our sense of gratitude for them.

All of you undoubtedly are messengers. Each should experience, enjoy and spread the gospel and glory of God to others in the world. When you do this, you can say, “l am the messenger of God.” Second, you should install the master in the altar of your heart. Then, you can very well say, “I am the Son of God.” You become near and dear to the Lord. You should let your love be enveloped in God’s love and your heart merge in God’s heart. This indeed, is the close stage, when, on the atmic plane, you have the conviction (born out of experience) that He and you are one and the same. This stage confirms the truth of the statement, I and my Father are one.

Third, one can experience identity with the Father. The three stages are these: On the physical plane, you are the messenger; on the mental plane, you are the son; and, third, on the atmic plane, you and He are one. The day you understand the significance of these statements and translate them into your own lives and experience them, you will earn the right to celebrate the birthday of Jesus. Celebration of His birthday does not consist merely of decorating a tree, lighting candles and singing carols.

Implicitly obeying Sai’s commands and injunctions constitutes the first stage. Then, you should   transmit these to others, thereby establishing a link with the very embodiment of life in your heart, and at the heart level. This signifies the establishment of a final relationship between you and the master-who thus becomes the Father. You now secure the right to consider Him to be the Lord, the overseer, and the recipient-your everything. Gradually after this, you will come to a stage where you spontaneously become one with Him. He will become one with you and all will be His. Now there is only one kingdom, only one throne. Only that kind of love is, verily, God.

You should experience the sweetness of that love. Truly it is the blood of God, represented by the wine. The body, which God uses selflessly for service, is symbolized by the bread. When the blood and body are used together, you will understand what Jesus referred to as wine and bread. The intoxicant, wine, which inebriates a person with worldly affairs and causes desires in him, is the blood. The flesh, which craves for material sensory pleasures, is the bread. These two should be mixed together, and then by contemplating on them as God’s blood and God’s body, they should be transmuted into organs that are manifestations of divinity. Only then will they become consecrated and pure.

Blood should not be taken to mean ordinary blood. It should be thought of as Sai’s blood.

Only then will it become the offering, a maha-yoga (the ultimate unity with God), culminating in Sai. You should regard your muscles as masses of Sai’s love, and utilize them to secure Sai’s grace. Then it will become an offering to Sai and bring Him joy. This is the inner significance of the external symbolism—people taking bread and wine together in churches.

Jesus is not the original name. It is Isa. This Isa has become Sai. Isa also means Iswara (God).

The good deeds you have performed in countless previous births have resulted in your getting Sai in this lifetime of yours. Without much difficulty, you should retain and securely hold this possession. Experience it and derive bliss from it.

During the past week, the service activities you have performed in Brindavan, at the college, and in the hospital truly prove beyond doubt the spirit that prevails among you. Treating these places as your own homes, you have looked after them. Your love (blood), which is Sai’s divinity, and your steadfastness and dedication (flesh), which is Sai’s food, are indeed par excellence. You have made Sai supremely happy. You are all indeed blessed.

Oh, worthy recipients of Sai’s love, you need not be troubled. It is, of course, laudable that, motivated by Sai’s love, you are fulfilling your duty. Still, there is no cause to be afraid. Sai’s protection is on your side and is in your heart. Do not entertain fear of any sort. Be happy.

Yours,

Baba.

Source: Prema Dhaara,(a collection of letters from Sri Sathya Sai Baba to His students), 1995