Today is 80th Birth day of Sri Sathya Sai Baba :

A mirror of triumph of virtue over evil

Today is the 80th year of the advent of the avathar, Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Sai Centres all over the world are celebrating this great event of Swamy's life. Puttaparthi is a hive of activity, with lakhs of devotees congregating over there. What was once an inconspicuous water - starved wilderness had been transformed into an urbanised pulsating area, surrounding Prasanthi Nilayam, the abode of eternal peace.

How is it possible to bring about such a miraculous transformation, by a single Individual, who continues to draw millions of devotees towards Him, throughout the world? He is none other than God Himself' in the form of an 'Avathar' who had descended on earth for the ascent of man.

Lord Muruga destroyed the 'Asuras', a triumph of virtue over evil for the same reason Lord Krishna destroyed the Gowravas and so too Lord Rama destroyed the Arakas. But Bhagawan Baba descended on earth not to destroy man but to correct him and guide him along the spiritual path. That is the omnipotent Sai's mission on earth.

How does He do it? He draws His devotees towards Him through miracles which are His 'Visiting Cards'. There is a global awakening about Swamy's selfless service, the way He transforms people on to the spiritual path and the way He answers their prayers promptly.

Swamy's omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotent nature has been experienced by many. To illustrate this I present my personal experience, as a 'Sevadal', I had at the Super Speciality Hospital at Putaparthi. I was serving at the R.H. canteen which caters to the next of kin of the patients.

As usual one day after serving lunch we found that there remained a considerable quantity of rice. Bearing in mind Swamy's saying' Annam Bramah' and His instructions not to waste food, we decided to utilise this quantity of rice for dinner and instructed the cook to prepare lesser quantity to substantiate this.

In return what does He expect from us. He expects every devotee to be simple, unassuming and egoless, to shed all bad habits and to follow faithfully His guidance as laid out in His 9 points code of conduct. Above all He expects us to do selfless service to man while radiating love. He gives the utmost importance to these two aspects.

Just like the birds fly with the help of their two wings'

so also man should reach the goal of life quickly with

the help of the two wings; Love and Service - Baba

Earlier Swamy said, "My life is my message". Now He says," your life is My Message". It means that we should be of exemplary characters, leading a virtuous and spiritual lives, upholding His 3 'P'S-Patience, Perseverance and Purity which are traits worthy of emulation.

Today most devotees would lament for not being one among the vast multitude of devotees at the Prashanthi Nilayam celebrations. But it is needless for anyone to lament, for His blessings are for all, irrespective of whether the person is at Prashanthi Nilayam or far away in distant lands. Omnipresent Sai is inside us, outside us and moves along with us.

Celebrations at Prashanthi Nilayam or elsewhere bear equal significance and each and every devotee is equally blessed on this great occasion, wherever he is.

"His state is kingly, thousands at His bidding speed

And post o'er land and ocean without rest,

They also serve who stand and wait" - John Milton

C. Kamalaharan.