Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Sai Inspires Apr 21, 2025

What is the greatest obstacle on the path of surrender? How can we overcome it? Bhagawan clearly and lovingly guides us today.

The greatest obstacle on the path of surrender is ahankara (egoism) and mamakara (mineness or possessiveness). It is something that has been inherent in your personality since ages, sending its tentacles deeper and deeper with the experience of every succeeding life. It can be removed only by the twin detergents of discrimination and renunciation. Bhakti is the water to wash away this dirt of ages and the soap of japam, dhyanam, and yoga (repetition of God’s name, meditation, and communion) will help to remove it quicker and more effectively. The slow and the steady will surely win this race; walking is the safest method of travel, though it may be condemned as slow. Quicker means of travel mean disaster; the quicker the means, greater the risk of disaster. You should eat only as much as you feel hunger, for more will cause disorder. So, proceed step by step in Sadhana (spiritual effort), making sure of one step before you take another. Do not slide back two paces, when you go one pace forward. But, even the first step will be unsteady, if you have no faith. So, cultivate faith.

- Divine Discourse, Aug 01, 1956.

Sai Inspires Apr 20, 2025

What is the role of masters like Jesus Christ in this world? Bhagawan lovingly reminds us on this holy Easter Sunday, so that we may learn from his life!

It is the destiny of man to journey from humanity to Divinity. In this pilgrimage, he is bound to encounter various obstacles and trials. To illumine the path and help him overcome these troubles, sages, seers, realised souls, divine personalities, and Incarnations of God take birth in human form. They move among the afflicted and the seekers who have lost their way or strayed into the desert and lead them into confidence and courage. Certain personalities are born and live out their days for this very purpose. They can be called karana-janmas, for they take on the janma (birth) for a karana (cause, purpose). Of course, there are many aspirants who by their devotion, dedication and disciplined lives, attain the vision of the Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and Omniscient One. They are content with the bliss they have won for themselves. There are others who go out to share this bliss with those beyond the pale; they guide and lead and are blessed thereby. They teach that multiplicity is a delusion and that unity is the reality. Jesus was a karana-janma, a Master born with a purpose, the mission of restoring love, charity, and compassion in the heart of man.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 25, 1978.

Sai Inspires Apr 19, 2025

Why is it that we seem to lack peace of mind in spite of all the wealth and comforts we have earned for ourselves? Bhagawan presents the diagnosis for us today.

Once a wealthy man decided to go on a pilgrimage of sacred places. To escape the trouble of carrying too much luggage, he tied only very essential items in a bedroll and embarked on his journey. As the saying goes, ‘less luggage, more comfort makes travel a pleasure’, he could conveniently see all the sacred places of pilgrimage such as Kashi, Mathura, Brindavan, etc. During the day, he saw many temples, worshipped beautiful idols of various deities in them, took bath in sacred rivers and performed various acts of merit. After spending the whole day thus, he became tired at night and lay down on his bed to sleep. But he did not get even a wink of sleep. Though he performed noble deeds at physical level, he did not attain mental peace. What was the reason? The reason was that there were numerous bedbugs in the bed he brought with him. Due to the biting of these bedbugs, he could not get any sleep at night. The same is the condition of man today. At physical level, he has amassed many comforts and conveniences and appears to be quite happy. But he harbours within himself the bedbugs of bad qualities, evil thoughts and wicked motives which destroy his peace. As long as he gives room to negative feelings and thoughts, he cannot attain peace.

- Divine Discourse, Jun 24, 1996.