1. religion and spirituality
2. hinduism

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A Special Talk Given by Professor Anil Kumar
“How to Worship Swami on Mahasamadhi Day”
March 10, 2012
Om Sri Sai Ram
SATHYA SAI GAYATRI MANTRA
Om Sayeeswaraaya Vidmahe
Sathyadevaaya Dheemahi
Tannah Sarvah Prachodayaat
Om
Let me meditate on Lord Sai.
Oh God of Truth, give me higher intellect.
Lord of all, may You illuminate my mind.
(The “Sathya Sai Gayatri Mantra” was chanted before the start of Prof. Anil Kumar’s talk.)
THE TRANSCENDENCE OF DIVINITY
Sai Ram! We are close to April 24th, the day when Bhagavan withdrew from His body. We
can see that date as the day of transcendence. It was the transcendence of Divinity over the
body, mind and intellect. He transcended all limitations of space and time, and is now allencompassing and universal. He is no longer limited to the physical frame.
THE AVATAR HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH KARMA
It is in this context that we should know a few fundamental points relating to an Avatar or
Divine Incarnation. We humans lead life-after-life because of our karma (the effect of our
thoughts, words, and actions, which must still be experienced).
So the consequences of our past and present life have to be faced, and that eventually leads
to our rebirth. Thus birth and death is a regular cycle in our lives for which karma, the fruit of
our action, is responsible.
But the Avatar has nothing to do with karma. It is His will which brings Him on earth. We call
that day, „the day of Bhagavan‟s birth‟. It is also His will when He withdraws from the body; it
happens only when He decides. Nothing on earth can prevent His will manifesting; nothing
can come in the way of His Divine inscrutable will.
GOD HAS NO BEGINNING AND NO END
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Just as we observe the anniversary of the death of our loved ones, we also wish to have a
ceremony marking the end of the physical life of an Avatar. However, my friends, we are
totally wrong if we think that God has a beginning and an end. God has no beginning and no
end. The One without any beginning or end is God.
THE BIRTH OF AN AVATAR
However, to give us the physical experience, to bless and guide us with His dear proximity,
and to set an example to all humanity, He takes a human form. We call this the „birth of an
Avatar’ and we mark the event with a celebration.
There is Krishna Janmashtami for the Avatar Lord Krishna, Sri Rama Navami for the Avatar
Lord Rama, Mahavir Jayanti for the spiritual leader Mahavir, and Christmas for Lord Jesus
Christ. Each one, out of His individual will, has taken birth to lead humanity and set an
example. So that‟s how we have to understand the birth of an Avatar.
THE AVATAR DECIDES WHEN TO WITHDRAW FROM THE BODY
In addition, the „end‟ for the Avatar is different from a normal death at the worldly level. We
humans have no control over when the end comes; it simply happens when the karma is
exhausted. But in the case of an Avatar, the withdrawal from the body is decided by the
Avatar.
Nobody could keep Bhagavan on the worldly plane beyond the date of His determined
withdrawal. He had decided to leave on 24th April, and nobody could hold Him for a day
more. National and international doctors attended on Him, but they could not keep Him from
leaving the body. It is He who decides; it is not in our hands.
And He said so many times. We were amazed and even frightened when He said in
Kodaikanal, “Though I said ninety-six years would be the age when I drop My body, I may
continue until I am one hundred years old, or one hundred and five years, or even more. And
if I decide, I will withdraw now.”
Therefore my friends, the date of Samadhi (the day of the passing of an Avatar or saint) is
His decision. It occurs according to His will. He even said this a long time ago: “This is the
place where the Samadhi (Bhagavan‟s tomb shrine) is going to exist. This is the place where
this body will be laid to rest.”
WHAT SHOULD WE DO FOR THIS OBSERVANCE?
Now, what should we do as an observance on the 24th of April, the day when Bhagavan
withdrew from His body? In the case of humans, it is a question of a ceremony praying for
the peace of the soul and for a better higher birth. It is for ensuring a place at a higher plane
in the vishwa or universe. These are the objectives behind a ceremony in the case of a
normal mortal.
But in the case of an Incarnation, when an Avatar withdraws from the body, it is a totally
spiritual and transcendental event. Therefore, the purposes for a ceremony are not the same.
CELEBRATE THE 24TH OF APRIL AS A THANKS-GIVING FUNCTION
In other words my friends, let us celebrate the 24th of April as a thanks-giving function. We
thank God for having come down in the name and form of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
We thank God for having moved in our midst for eighty-five years, with Prashanthi Nilayam
as His headquarters! From there, the light radiated all over the world.
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It is an occasion for the expression of gratitude: Swami, we are grateful to You for all the
blessings and directions You have given us. We thank You for all the institutions You have
established, and the mighty international organisation You started. We thank You for the way
You have inspired us, and for the Divine discourses that have motivated millions all over the
world. Your message and Your mission are universal and everlasting. We are forever
grateful.
Therefore, April 24th is a thanks-giving function. It is an expression of gratitude to God for all
that He has done on earth in the name and form of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
THE USUAL PRAYER AND RITUALS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE
As mentioned in the beginning, the passing of an Avatar and the death of a human are not
the same, and so the observance of this anniversary should have different features. In this
context, I would like to tell my friends to see that we give up a certain level of human
approach to the observance of the 24th of April.
Some people think about conducting a ceremony with prayers for the peace of Bhagavan!
Foolishness! Because God is peace and peace is God. Baba is peace and peace is Baba.
His place is the abode of peace—Prashanthi Nilayam! Your prayers are not needed for Him
to be in peace, as He is already peace itself. So do not think about it that way.
Some people observe it in a ritualistic way. There is a Vedic (from Hindu scripture) ceremony
full of mantras (sacred formulae) and slokas (prayer verses), performed by the priestly class.
The ceremonies are something like a yagna (Vedic rite) or a homa (worship through a fire
offering). All this to me, as far as I know Bhagavan, is nonsense.
SAI BABA IS PRESIDING DEITY OF THE YAGNA AND HE IS THE MANTRA
We should not do that. Why? During Dasara, (Hindu festival to the Divine Mother, celebrating
victory of good over evil), a yagna is conducted. The yagna is conducted to please the Yagna
Purusha (Master of the Yagna). But who is the presiding deity of the yagna? It is Bhagavan
Sri Sathya Sai Baba! All yagnas are meant for Him. Also He said, “I am the mantra”. Thus,
no mantra is needed as He Himself is the mantra.
So my friends, let us not observe His Samadhi anniversary in a ritualistic way or involve the
priestly class. Let us not observe it with mantras in an unknown language—even unknown to
those who chant!
APRIL 24 SHOULD BE A FESTIVAL OF THE UNITY OF FAITHS
Then what is the befitting tribute? What are the ways in which we should celebrate the 24th of
April, and the one or two days following that?
My understanding of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is this: Sathya Sai Baba stands for the
unity of faiths (all religions). We should not be dogmatic, fanatical or biased, allowing one
religion to dominate over the others. Accordingly, let us have an event where representatives
from all religions gather together because the audience (of devotees) comes from all different
religions. In other words, those attending are heterogeneous, not only Hindus.
So let all representatives of different religions gather. It cannot be totally Vedic scriptures. It
should include readings from the Bible (Christian faith), the Koran (Muslim faith), the
Dharmapada (Buddhist faith), and the Bhagavad Gita (Hindu faith) as well, in order to
represent and demonstrate the unity of faiths.
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The program on that day can begin with heads of different religions offering prayers in their
own traditional style. Let them sing songs or hymns in their way and read from their
scriptures in praise and thanksgiving, expressing their gratitude. Then towards the end, let us
have sarvadharma bhajans and prayers. (Sarvadharma means „all sacred truths‟, including
all religions.) In this manner, April 24th should be a “Festival of the Unity of Faiths.” That is
pleasing to Bhagavan Baba.
Our Prashanthi symbol represents all religions, so let us translate the spirit of Baba into
action by celebrating Hi Samadhi day in this way. Then this day becomes an occasion to
show what Baba stands for.
BABA’S SERVICE FOR HUMANITY
For instance, Baba initiated and directed a number of service projects. If there is time and
resources, let us show His service to humanity. I would suggest the display of large posters
with photos of the educational institutions and super-specialty hospitals founded by Him.
Photos of the water projects supplying the villagers with clean drinking water can be shown
too. By these means, His activities in education, health care, and village welfare are
portrayed to the general public.
We can also organise the distribution of clothes, feed the poor, visit hospitals and
orphanages, or homes for the aged, to help and console them.
Slide shows on the purpose and Divine mission of the Avatar of Bhagavan Baba can be
made. These can be projected with an appropriate commentary on huge screens on the dais.
Let us also show and speak about the international medical conferences held here in
Prashanthi Nilayam, as well as the conferences of top bankers and vice-chancellors from
different universities.
Besides this, let people see national and international visuals from the Sai organisations, and
show how the Prashanthi spiritual festivals such as Buddha Purnima, Christmas, or Dasara
have been observed. Everyone has the chance to know of Swami‟s work from such an
exhibition.
SAI ORGANISATIONS TO MEET AND PLAN
Members of the Sai organisation and office-bearers from different levels can meet and plan
with vision and fortitude. “Vision of Sai” could be discussed by the office-bearers. We should
also plan the second line of leadership. On this special occasion, the youth can gather and
discuss what Baba has said to them, guiding their future activities.
Then this is also an opportunity for teachers of Bal Vikas (spiritual education for children),
and teachers of the Education in Human Values (EHV), and all Sri Sathya Sai education
teachers to discuss “Educare”, which He also started. The discussion could focus on “What
is Educare?” and “How to Introduce Educare into our Institutions”.
ALL SHOULD BE INSPIRED
So let us develop these programs in this time together. In this way, let us show and speak
about the three-dimensional activities of service, education, and spirituality undertaken by
Bhagavan for society. This should inspire the whole audience.
The 24th of April should stand for purity in our hearts. It should fill our hearts with love. This
purity should lead us to unity in the center and unity of action, ultimately giving us the
experience of Divinity. Therefore, the 24th, 25th and 26th of April should inspire everybody.
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MORALITY IN SOCIETY
“Purity, Unity and Divinity” is the preamble for this session. This is possible if we as
individuals transform ourselves, thus bringing about a change in the community around us,
and ultimately experiencing Divinity.
Vyashti, the individual, and samishti, the community, should come together and merge into
Parameshti, Divinity. This can happen by following the three essential principles: fear of sin,
love of God, and morality in society. Fear of sin, papa bheeti, develops when you have love
for God, Daiva preeti. When you have Daiva preeti, you will have papa bheeti, and therefore
there will be morality in society, sangha neeti.
A FITTING TRIBUTE TO BHAGAVAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA
This is the fitting tribute to Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who is the eternal, immortal,
blemishless, all-encompassing, universal Divinity. This is an occasion to experience Him
within, and to rejoice and sing His praise.
This occasion to meet together with the whole Sai family, to exchange our experiences with
one another, is also an occasion of deep inner connection and contemplation. From now on,
as we experience more and more Baba within, we should dispel the feeling that He is no
more amongst us. He is eternal, the only One-without-a-second!
Sai Ram.
Samastah Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu!
Samastah Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu!
Samastah Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu!
Om . . . Om . . .Om
Asato Maa Sadgamaya
Tamaso Maa Jyotirgamaya
Mrityormaa Amrithamgamaya
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai!
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai!
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai!
© Copyright Prof. Anil Kumar Kamaraju - Puttaparthi All rights reserved
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