Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya Glanirbhavathi Bharatha,
Abhyukthanam adharmasya Thadathmanam Srujamyaham.
Parithranaya Sadhunam Vinashaya cha Dhushkrutham
Dharma samsthapanarthaya Sambhavami Yuge Yuge
“Whenever there is a decline of righteousness and rise of evil,
The Lord incarnates from time to time to uphold righteousness.
to protect the virtuous and to uproot the evil.”
Sri Sathya Sai Baba walked among us, fulfilling His unique Avataric mission—transforming hearts and filling minds with boundless love and compassion. His divine mission aimed at making humans realise the innate divinity within them through love and selfless service. This was no ordinary mission; it was the sacred task that HE took upon Himself, echoing Sri Krishna's vow over 5,000 years ago—to uphold righteousness and bring light whenever darkness prevails. His love was a beacon, guiding humanity toward goodness and compassion. Through HIS grace, HE brought forth a revolution of love, reminding humanity of its higher purpose and the divine potential within each of us.
He was the Divine Master to spiritual seekers, the greatest humanitarian to rationalists, and a boundless inspiration to countless youths. To His devotees, He was Divinity in human form—'The Divine Love Walking on Two Feet’ among us. His advent is a profound blessing to humanity, a manifestation of love and grace.
God takes on human form to play a role in His cosmic drama. The Supreme Lord chose to take on an exceptional form as Sri Sathya Sai Baba, lovingly called 'Swami,' on 23rd November 1926 in Puttaparthi, India. With His radiant hair, graceful saffron robe, and an aura of love, Swami captured the hearts of millions. The script of His divine play was written, directed, and enacted by Him alone.
Swami's teachings replaced religion with spirituality, rituals with service, and scriptures with education in human values. His life was an open book, and its essence was inscribed in golden letters: "Love All, Serve All" and "Help Ever, Hurt Never." His teachings centred around the five human values: Sathya (truth), Dharma (right conduct), Shanti (peace), Prema (love), and Ahimsa (non-violence). He emphasised the practice of these values as the simplest path to recognising the divine presence in all beings and experiencing the brotherhood of humanity and the fatherhood of God.
He distilled the profound truths of the scriptures into simple, accessible teachings—meant for everyone, regardless of age, gender, faith, or nationality. His message was clear: true transformation comes from living the teachings, not just reading them. He emphasised that man's true nature is divine, and the purpose of life is to awaken this 'innate divinity.' Love, He said, is the key: "Love is God, and God is Love. Where there is love, there is God." He encouraged transforming love into service and service into worship as the highest spiritual practice.
Briefly, Swami urges humanity to:
Those 85 years (1926–2011) were a glorious era for humanity—a time of pure Divine Grace. The Avatar's love flowed like a gentle stream, blessing millions and embracing everyone without distinction. His boundless compassion left a legacy of love that still inspires us today. Though His physical presence lasted 85 years, it felt all too brief—a fleeting moment of grace. Millions experienced His compassion and wisdom as He healed the broken, fed the hungry, and sheltered the lost. His presence transformed lives, offering unending love and guidance, filling hearts with hope and light worldwide.
On Sunday, 24 April 2011, the unimaginable happened—something none of us ever thought we would have to face. Our dear Divine Master, who had shared HIS teachings with us, chose to withdraw into HIS eternal, formless, and omnipresent existence. The Eternal dissolved into Eternity, leaving us, HIS beloved devotees, at a crossroads—to grow up, to stand strong, and to embody HIS teachings of human and spiritual values, practising ‘Love in Action’ just as HE did. It wasn’t easy. The departure felt like a storm without warning—a heartbreaking test that none of us were prepared for, and there was no time to recover from the shock. Yet, in that moment of deep sorrow, HIS message became clearer than ever. We had to step up, each of us playing our role in Swami’s global mission, embracing the responsibility with the right attitude and unwavering determination, besides continuing to spread HIS teachings.
The test of our devotion had begun—challenging us to find light in darkness, to prove our love when our guiding star was no longer in sight. But even in that challenge, His love never left us. It was within us, in every kind act, every moment of grace, and every effort to be His instrument in this world. It was as if Swami whispered to us, "You can face this test if you are absorbed in My teachings, with unshakable faith and sharp intellect to know what would please ME. Remember, I am within every being, omnipresent and always guiding you."
The devotees, who have tasted the divine nectar of HIS boundless love, must immerse themselves wholeheartedly in HIS work. Every spare moment should be cherished, spent reliving those golden memories that, though they have slipped so quickly into history, still glow in our hearts.
The responsibility rests on us now—to hold unshakable faith in HIS teachings, to draw courage from HIS example, and to find the determination to follow in HIS sacred footsteps. By listening to our ‘Inner Voice,’ we must let His love guide our actions, embodying His message in every thought, word, and deed. Let us honour HIS legacy not just in remembrance but in living each day as HE taught us, with love, compassion, and unwavering devotion.
The Sri Sathya Sai Global Council of New Zealand is devoted to advancing spiritual development and encouraging community service throughout the country. Its wide-ranging initiatives include offering community support, medical assistance, educational programmes, devotional services, and promoting unity among different faiths. By carrying out these activities, the Council works to bring to life the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, nurturing values of love, selfless service, and harmony among all people.
O My beloved Sai Maa, Divine Mother! How greatly indebted are we to You! Our heads bow low in gratitude at Thy Divine Lotus Feet!