Who is Sathya Sai Baba?

Sri Sathya Sai Baba was born on November 23, 1926 in the village of Puttaparthi in Southern India. He has established his Ashram there which is known as "Prasanthi Nilayam" or "The Abode of the Highest Peace". Millions of spiritual seekers visit the Ashram every year to receive his Divine blessings.

As a child, Sri Sathya Sai Baba demonstrated the qualities of compassion, wisdom, the desire to serve others and great respect for elders. He also displayed remarkable miraculous powers and knowledge, and talent in drama, music and dance. He could quote from and discuss the spiritual texts without ever having studied them.

As the early age of fourteen, he left his brother's home where he lived and declared that he had work to do and that his devotees were calling him.

Walk beside me and be my friend.
"I have come to light the lamp of Love in your hearts, to see that it shines day by day with added lustre. I have not come on any mission of publicity for any sect or creed or cause, nor have I come to collect followers for my doctrine. I have come to tell you of the Universal unitary faith, the path of Love. Believe that all Hearts are motivated by the One and Only God, that all names in all languages and all forms man can conceive, denote the one and only God. Cultivate the attitude of oneness between people of all creeds, all countries and all continents. This is the message of Love I bring." – Sri Sathya Sai Baba

The Teachings of Sai Baba

The teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba are universal and simple. They are based on five fundamental human values:

  • Truth
  • Righteous Conduct
  • Peace
  • Love and
  • Non-violence

These values are espoused by all the great religions of the world. By faithfully practicing these values in daily life, individuals can rise to their highest spiritual potential. Thus the pursuit of Truth will lead to Righteous Conduct; Righteous Conduct promotes Peace; Peace enables one to Love; and Love is God.

Sai Baba says that all religions are facets of the same Truth. Through Love and understanding, Baba encourages us to forge unity of all people regardless of race, religion, colour or gender.

Sai Baba emphasized that all human beings are inherently divine. Like lost children, we have forgotten the art of living in harmony with our true nature. We have a birthright to regain this heritage. Baba is here on this earth to remind us of our roots. He is teaching us by example that, through practice of Love, compassion, generosity, forgiveness and sacrifice, all mankind can join together and usher in a new era of peace and harmony in the world.

Said Baba has come to reinforce our faith in our respective religions, and faith in ourselves and in the One All Pervading Supreme God. He says:

"Let the different faiths exist; let them flourish; let the glory of God be sung in all languages and in a variety of tunes. Respect the difference between the faiths and recognize them, so long as they do not extinguish the flame of Unity."
– Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Among Sai Baba's followers can be found people of all faiths — Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Zoroastrians, Jains, Sikhs and others. At his Ashram people of all these faiths and of all races and colours from all parts of the world gather together to receive his blessings.