In commemoration of the 80 birthday of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Bhagawan is addressed in many names by his devotees such as 'Swami', 'Baba', 'Sai', and 'Bhagawan'. But He has been 'Bhagawan' to me always. More the blessings Bhagawan showers upon an individual, more the physical and intellectual service one has to perform.

It is purely a matter of give and take. Bhagawan wants us to serve the society with the knowledge we have acquired in our lifetime "My grace is proportional to your effort. Try to win grace by reforming your habits, reducing your desires and refining your higher nature.

One step makes the next step easier that is the excellence of the spiritual journey. With each step the strength and confidence increase and one gets greater instalments of grace. When the gift is conferred, extend your hand to receive it."

"You claim to have devotion on me, but you must examine and discover whether I am pleased with you. You must examine yourselves every moment whether you are observing the discipline I have laid down, the programmes of service I have marked out.

That is the way to earn my love. Love others and serve them, then you can win my love" Bhagawan stresses on the value of discipline in the society at various levels. "A sense of discipline must be cultivated from early childhood. Discipline cannot be learned from pages of a book.

It is only through practice that discipline gets strengthened. The captain's word must be implicitly obeyed. Though there may be excitement, enthusiasm and high emotion among the players, they standstill as soon as they hear the whistle on the playground. The orders issued by the commander or teacher should be meticulously implemented."

Discipline is absent today and indiscipline is rampant. Students are on the rampage. Universities are closed down. There is instability among political parties, there is turmoil and trouble in several spheres of life. National character and discipline are at low ebb. If dharma is practised by all, there will be peace and security in the country.

I am happy to say that I am a practising Buddhist with a fair knowledge of other religions. Guidance by our parents in childhood has gone a long way to mould our personality. Also at this juncture I remember all my teachers with gratitude who helped me to be what I am today.

Bhagawan guided me immensely in my spiritual journey. He has always been loving and kind like a mother to all of us, reprimanding when necessary. We learn to love others the way Bhagawan loves every one of us. We respect all religions. We should treat every one alike, irrespective of caste, creed or nationality. Sri Lanka should be an example to be followed by other countries.

I sincerely hope and pray that every one of us will try to build our country, our nation and the whole universe together by armouring ourselves with compassion and love to all, which are the fundamental principles and foundation of all the religions. We look forward to the "Dawn of the Golden Era" in the near future, in the whole world, where there is Peace Supreme, with absence of poverty, dissention, hatred, jealousy and presence of Sathya (Truth) Dharma (Right Conduct), Shanthi (Peace), Prema (Love) and Ahimsa. (Non Violence), under dharmic benevolent rulers.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has already accomplished His task of moulding the future leaders of India. The spiritual heart of the world is India. The Buddha, Rama, Krishna, were born in that yoga bhoomi, where there is spirituality: punya bhoomi were meritorious acts are performed: thyaga bhoomi where ascetics are: karma bhoomi where religious observances are practised on a large scale: If the world is a train its engine is the Indian continent. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba will fulfil His mission in the near future with a religious renaissance enveloping the whole world ushering in peace, love and unity.

There are people who have more experiences and more understanding of Bhagawan, than I have. The little I have understood, experienced, is put down in writing. All of us can get near Bhagawan, if we have faith and confidence in him and perseverance plus determination to make ourselves better.

Bhagawan is ready to lead us on his path, correcting and advising us when we make mistakes on our way, only if we are ready for correction and accept him wholeheartedly. All of us can improve ourselves, with Bhagawan's guidance and we consider ourselves very fortunate to have been born in this era, in spite of the vast unrest and problems in the society and countries we live in.

Bhagawan has reprimanded me, ignored me, and has been very strict with me till the stage of transformation for the better has taken place. Bhagawan will make you from good to better, from better to the best, till you become a real devotee and serve others in some way, carrying the message of love, peace, compassion and unity.

"There is only one religion, the religion of love,

There is only one caste, the caste of humanity,

There is only one language the language of the heart,

There is only one God, who is omnipresent."

To establish harmony, unity, love and kindness among all the people in the world, this is the only path to follow, to realise oneness in all the whole world is a family. What is important is the transformation of the heart.

Every time you see Bhagawan, every moment He speaks to you, every minute you worship him, dharshan, sambhashan and sparshan will elevate your spirituality, feelings and the outlook. One's thoughts, actions, behaviour change for the better, this transformation in you will be felt and noticed by your associates, your family, everyone you deal with or come across.

Bhagawan has transformed millions of hearts in his unique way with divine love. Man will abhor violence, crime, hatred and start loving and caring for each other. Even disasters like tsunami bring the people together and spirituality comes up like a bubble and unites all with love and care disregarding the hatred and jealousy, and enmity that was rooted previously.

With the dawn of the golden era, brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God will be realised and practised by everyone.

Our prayer for Peace

Let there be Peace in our hearts
Let there be Peace in our homes
Let there be Peace in our villages
Let there be Peace in our cities
Let there be Peace in our country
Let there be Peace in the
whole World

- Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu

An extract from the Book "My Personal Interactions with Baba My Father", written by Dr. (Mrs.) Vasantha Jayasuriya, Chairperson, Suriya Foundation.