With temple bells pealing on the eminences around,
Enriched by the tank built by Chikkaraya
Ajacent to the town that bears the name of Bukka
The far-famed Emperor of Vijayanagara,
Puttaparthi is the abode of both Lakshmi and Saraswathi
- Old Village Song
It was here, that a new awakening was about to take place. It was here that humanity would be afforded a new beginning…
Prasanthi Nilayam, ˜The Abode of Supreme Peace, is the Ashram (spiritual resort) of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba near the village of Puttaparthi in the Anantapur District of the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Nestled amongst a chain of hills and with the river Chitravathi flowing towards its east, this valley houses the Mandir (shrine), residential complexes for devotees, the headquarters of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization and the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust.
Bhagawan Baba spends most of the year in Prasanthi Nilayam, and hence, this hallowed township is the destination for thousands of spiritual aspirants of varied cultures, faiths, races, languages and socio-economic strata from all over the world to behold His divine form and experience His pure love.
Prasanthi Nilayam is located in the Anantapur District of the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba was born as Sathyanarayana Raju on November 23, 1926 in the village of Puttaparthi, in the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India. Even as a child, His spiritual inclination and contemplative nature set Him apart from other children of His age, and He was known as Guru and Brahmajnani(knower of Brahman or Godhead) among His peers and others in the village. However, it was not until October 20, 1940, the day He made the historic declaration of His Avatarhood, (Avatar – Divinity Incarnate) that the world at large learnt of this divine phenomenon. Today, millions of devotees from all over the world, professing various faiths, and hailing from various walks of life worship Him as an Avatar, and an incarnation of the Sai Baba of Shirdi. Thousands gather every day at Prasanthi Nilayam, His ashram established beside the village of Puttaparthi, for His Darshan, when He moves among devotees blessing them and providing spiritual succour and solace.
The festival of Maha Shivarathri is one of the most important festivals in India. It falls on the 14th day of the (Krishna Paksha) dark fortnight of the Magha month of the Hindu calendar. The very word ‘Shivarathri’ means auspicious night. All over the country, people throng Shiva temples and spend the night in worship and contemplation of the Divine. According to Hindu belief, the moon is the presiding deity of the mind and the 16 phases of the moon represent the 16 aspects of the mind. On Shivarathri, which falls a day prior to the new moon, only a streak of the moon is visible. This is symbolic of the waning influence of the mind, when 15 aspects have already merged in the Self and only one aspect remains. Hence on this day, it is easier to control the mind and direct it towards God. Therefore, the night is spent in contemplation and adoration of God, so that the vagaries of the mind can be totally subdued and transcended to attain realization of the Atman.
Maha Shivarathri is generally celebrated by performing Akhanda Bhajana (continuous devotional singing) throughout the night. Shivarathri, as a festival has gained a lot of importance in Prasanthi Nilayam because it is during this festival that Baba, the supreme Iswara (Godhead), chooses to reveal His divinity. Baba, out of His infinite love for humanity, materializes lingas (an oval shaped object which is the fittest symbol of divinity) in the Shivarathri evening from within His being. This emergence of the Linga is called ‘Lingodbhavam’.
Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam Dusthara Bhava Sagara Tharanam
Guru Maharaj Guru Jai Jai Sai Natha Sadguru Jai Jai
Om namah Shivaya Om Namah Shivaya Om Namah Shivaya Shivaya Namah Om
Arunachala Shiva Arunachala Shiva Arunah Chala Shiva Aruna Shiva om
Omkaram Baba Omkaram Baba Omkaram Baba Om Namo Baba
O! mind without worshipping the Lotus Feet of Guru Sai Nath, it is not possible to cross the ocean of life and death. Victory to Noble Teacher, Lord Sai Natha.
Chant “Om Namah Shivaya”. Chant the name of Lord Shiva, Who resides in Arunachala. Chant the name of Lord Baba, Whose form is OM.
A Bhajan & Aarti sung to ‘Sai Natha’ (abhisheka to the Lord Sai) by a local school group in the back-streets of Puttaparthi, India, in preparation for Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations.
In His previous incarnation Sai Baba was known as Shirdi Sai Baba. The one most beautiful name Sai Ram, is also known as Allah. Take pity on us, bless us and guard us, Lord. The one most beautiful is Sai Ram.
It is omnipresent. But not recognising this truth, people pray to God in various ways. These prayers are not to God. They are prayers addressed to the guardian deities of the Lord. These guardian deities examine the merits of each case and make their recommendations to God.” – Sathya Sai Baba (Sanathana Sarathi April 1995 p.86)
“Prayers for worldly ends do not reach God. They will reach only those deities who deal with such restricted spheres. But all prayers arising from pure love, unselfish eagerness to render service and from hearts that are all inclusive will reach God.”- Sathya Sai Baba (Sathya Sai Speaks Vol. XI p.68)
Ganesha (Samadhi Grounds of Swami Parents)
“Vinayaka (Ganesha) is one who drives away all sorrows, difficulties and miseries. He is the enemy of all obstacles. He will not allow any obstacles to come in the way. He is the destroyer of obstacles. He confers happiness and peace (on his devotees). He is the master of all these powers (Buddhi and Siddhi). What is Siddhi (fullfillment)? When there is purity of mind you achieve peace (which is Siddhi). Vinayaka is thus Lord of Buddhi (the intellect and Self-Realization). Hence every human being should aquire control over the mind…
Vinayaka is the Lord of learning (Vidya). Does learning mean bookish scholarship? No. Everything pertaining to the cosmos is included in the term learning (Vidya). Walking, talking, laughing, sitting, eating, strolling, thinking – every kind of activity is related to learning. Vinayaka is the master of every kind of learning…
“Whenever people want to commence any undertaking, they first offer worship to Vinayaka (Ganesha or Ganapathi)…Ganapathi is one who gives us spiritual potency and endows us with Supreme Intelligence…” – Sathya Sai Baba (Sanathana Sarathi April 1996 p.94)
“He is one who instills purity in body, and fearlessness in the mind.” – Sathya Sai Baba
“What is the inner significance of worshipping the elephant-faced deity? The elephant is a symbol of might and magnitude. The elephant’s foot is larger than that of any other animal. The elephant can make its way through the densest jungle. In this way, it signifies the quality of a leader who shows the way for others. The elephant is also known for its faithfulness and gratitude. These are the lessons man should learn from the elephant. Intelligence without gratitude is valueless. Every man should be grateful to those who have helped him”. – Sathya Sai Baba
- Divine Discourse: 7 September 1997
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated on the Chaturthi, i.e., the fourth day of Indian lunar month of Bhadrapada. It usually falls in the month of September in the English calendar. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God is usually worshipped before commencing any activity in order to remove obstacles and ensure success of the endeavour. He is also the bestower of worldly intelligence and spiritual wisdom.
The festival is usually celebrated for a period for three days in Prasanthi Nilayam. On the first day, the students sing devotional songs and Stotrams (hymns) and present cultural programmes in the Divine Presence and Bhagawan grants His discourse.During the next two days, students and staff of Bhagawans Institutions worship idols of Lord Ganesha in their respective premises. On the third day of the festival, the idols are brought to the Sai Kulwant Hall in a grand procession of colourful and exquisitely designed chariots amidst chanting of hymns and singing of Bhajans. After offering final worship and Arati, it is customary to immerse in the idol in a nearby lake or pond as it is the belief that Lord Ganesha takes with him the troubles and the bad tendencies that act as obstacles on the spiritual path.
Ganesha Chaturthi Pooja & Aarti performed in the back-streets of Puttaparthi
Temples of Healing
“Health is an essential requisite for man; it is the very foundation for all his endeavours in the pursuit of the four objectives of life: Dharma (Righteousness), Artha (Wealth), Kaama (Desire) and Moksha (Liberation)”
- Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
“Vaidyo Narayano Harih” – God is the Supreme Healer. Embodying the truth of this ancient Indian saying, Bhagawan’s mission encompasses the physical, mental and spiritual welfare of all humanity. To this end, He has established medical institutions that provide quality healthcare irrespective of caste, creed and religion, in an atmosphere suffused with Divine Love and Peace. In these hospitals, all services including diagnosis, investigations, surgery, medicines, diet etc. are provided absolutely free of charge.
These ‘Temples of Healing’ are Bhagawan’s gift to mankind and an expression of His compassion. What makes these hospitals unique is not just the state-of-the-art technology or the highly skilled medical professionals, but the atmosphere of Divine love that pervades the hospital and makes the healing possible. For Love is the Supreme Healer.
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in Puttaparthi
