The Hundredth Year of Sai

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s 100^th birthday is coming up on 23 November, 2025. The miracle boy whose birth in the tiny hamlet of Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh was preceded by musical instruments playing on their own, become famous for plucking multifarious fruits and sweets from a tree on a hill top, for his friends. He sang bhajans and counselled everyone, to be good, do good and see good, saying that this was the way to God. How simple, yet profound!

His name and fame spread far and wide. It brought many to have His darshan. Baba’s mother asked him to build a school for the children, a dispensary for medical aid and arrange potable drinking water; for these amenities were not available in Puttaparthi. Baba in His magnanimity, made the Sri Sathya Sai University, a super speciality hospital and the Sri Sathya Sai Water Project that supplies water not just to Puttaparthi, but to the entire Rayalaseema region.

The number of discourses given by Baba over the years is countless, but the essence of His teachings is summed up and etched on His Mahasamadhi – “Love All, Serve All.”

This is truly the principle of Vedanta. Baba said that the essence of the Vedas, lies in understanding that you are not separate from others, so by loving and serving all, you are truly loving and serving God. This conscious practice leads to recognising the divine in everyone and expressing it through selfless service, eventually leading to the realisation of God.

A Guru is the one who invokes the quest for spiritual knowledge in us. He goads us to ask ourselves, “Deham?” (Am I this body?) Deep contemplation leads us to the answer, “Na ham.” (No, I am not this body. I am the one who is using this body.) Then who is using this body? “Ko ham?” (Who am I then?) As we delve deeper, we reach a state of pure consciousness; rejoice and exclaim,  “Soham!!!”  (I am HE!) I am a spark of the Lord!

Baba said that in the Satya Yuga and the Dvapara Yuga it was very difficult to get Moksha because one had to perform severe austerities to attain it. In Kali Yuga, God can be realised simply by doing Namasmarana; by just singing His name. Bhajan singing and Vedam chanting are a part of the daily regimen of the Sathya Sai Organisation.

Our sons, studied Grade 11 and 12, at the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Puttaparthi. They often express that those two years were the best years of their lives. They defined for them, the basic tenets of life. The learnings in that period built the foundation for a life of character. Baba often said, “Education is for life, not merely for a living. The end of education is character.”

We may have an array of degrees on our CV but if our persona does not have basic human values like honesty, integrity, responsibility, hard work, respect for elders, empathy etc. of what value are we? These human values are what make us valuable humans.

When Baba left his mortal coil in the year 2011, I felt as if my world had crumbled. Slowly I picked up the pieces and realised that Baba had left his physical body but His presence within me, had become more potent. I could have internal conversations with Him. Baba gave immense love to all. A moment in his close vicinity or a glance from him could bring on a tempest of tears!

The memories are many; the bond is stronger and sweeter than ever before. Baba earlier said, “My life is my message.” Later He said, “Your life is my message.” In keeping with that, I strive to live each day in accordance …

The celebrations are happening in Prashanti Nilayam, Puttaparthi, as well as in all the Sai Centres across the globe. The most beautiful birthday gift that we can give Him is to conduct ourselves, so as to make Him proud. Everyone can partake of the bliss, by joining in person at any of the Sai centres or virtually. Don’t miss this opportunity of a lifetime!

 Published in the Indian Express on 17.11.2025 https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/timeless-tales-hundred-years-sathya-sai-baba-10368995/

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