Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

“Who is Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba?” is a question many people ask. To a spiritual aspirant, he is a Divine Master par excellence; to a rationalist, the greatest of humanitarians on earth; to the millions of modern youth, a leader with a dynamic vision and a colossus of inspiration; to a devotee, he is simply Divinity in human form.

His life and message is inspiring millions of people throughout the world to lead more purposeful and moral lives. Sri Sathya Sai Baba publicly declared his mission in 1940, at the age of fourteen. Since then, he has, by personal example, exhibited the cardinal human values of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love, and Non-violence. He has often stated, “My life is my message.” Each and every day, innumerable pilgrims make their way to the tiny hamlet of Puttaparthi in southern India, where Sathya Sai Baba’s ashram (spiritual headquarters) is located.

His greatest miracle is the power to transform. It takes ages even to bring about an iota of change in a person’s attitude and vision. However, Sri Sathya Sai Baba could transfix and bring about a complete metamorphosis in the human personality in an instant through a mere smile, a word or a gesture. For over seven decades, he performed the same actions of walking amidst devotees, receiving their letters, and speaking a word of solace each time with renewed enthusiasm and joy.

His love and concern for mankind led to the establishment of phenomenal institutions in the field of education, healthcare and social welfare which now act as role models worthy of emulation, across the globe. All these initiatives have been undertaken under the auspices of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, which was founded by Sri Sathya Sai Baba in 1972, and for which he was the Founder Trustee since its inception. By sheer conviction and by outstanding personal example, he guided and spearheaded all the initiatives to fruition and enabled them to reach the exalted state that they have achieved today, thereby carving a special niche for India in the field of socio-spiritual activities.

Education for Human Transformation

Among the many institutions established by him is the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Deemed to be University), the 109^th university in independent India. It provides a unique system of higher education called the Sri Sathya Sai System of Integral Education which is inspired by the ancient Indian system of education modelled to suit the needs of contemporary times. He has been the Founder Chancellor of the Institute since its inception in 1981, giving a unique vision, mission and philosophy to higher education; one that – over the past several decades – has moulded generations of young men and women who would be responsible citizens with an ideal blend of the head (knowledge), heart (compassion leading to balance) and hands (skills).

His philosophy of education has been hailed as a landmark change in an era where education is an industry that is commercially motivated and focused on wealth creation and employment. His dicta, ‘The End of Education is Character’ and ‘Education is for life, not merely for earning a living’ are the watchwords which guide and inspire the staff and students of His educational institutions in their noble pursuit of higher learning.

In addition to the University, the Sai Educational Mission based on His philosophy of Educare has inspired nearly half a dozen Sri Sathya Sai Colleges and 99 Sri Sathya Sai Schools across India, and over thirty more around the world across all continents. Additionally, there are over twenty-five institutes of Sathya Sai Education in different parts of the world for providing training to teachers and administrators in the Sathya Sai System of Education.

For further information on Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s life, message and work, kindly visit the following official websites:
Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust
Sri Sathya Sai Media Centre