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23rd Nov.
Latest Photographs: 80th birthday close-up of Sai Baba - Large size pictures -
recently submitted Pictures must see!
 

• Photo Album Part- 2: Complete - Birthday album - morning & evening 29th Nov.
  
   

• Photo Album Part- 1: Complete - Birthday album - morning & evening
   

• Latest  birthday Photos large size   

• Swami's arrival in the morning & cheerful devotees -    
   

• Latest live report 1 
   

• Latest live report 2 
   

• Over 60 New Photos of 80th birthday & report from Hill view stadium
   

• The highlights of Swami’s Discourse today: 23 -nov-05  at 8.52 a.m.  
   

• Offering: Proclamation by Mayor Jim Dailey - Sai Baba
   

•   Sai in Media
  
  
   23rd Nov. Evening:

• evening program- report  1   - 
  
   

•  evening celebrations Photos   
  
   

• evening report -2 (SBOI-group post)  -  evening report-3 & Over 30 photos.
   

• Birthday Video Clips:   9 video clips From 80th Birthday Celebrations -  
   

• Morning & Evening Session  
   

• Audio Clips: Audio Clips From 80th Birthday Celebrations - Morning Session
   

• updated : Added  today 28 Nov. "blissful sai" a wallpaper with Swami's recent photo in white robe.

At around 7:40 a.m. Swami arrived at the Stadium  amidst a cheering crowd expressing happy birthday wishes.  Swami drove from His residence at appx. 7:25. The mood in the streets is very cheerful (like Diwali) and there is constant flow of devotees towards Hill view stadium, apparently, a never ending rush of devotees, at the moment main road is quite alive. Police is quite visible today and there is also an extra vigil. All the Sevadal people have been given instructions on how to handle crowds and briefing on related security issues. Things are running efficiently except for minor accommodation problems and very small numbers of lost and found issues. Bearing in mind the number of people here, it is a remarkable job done by Ashram authorities, Sevadal and the local/state administration. Police too is doing a superb job in making sure that flows of traffic and ill-behaved elements or characters do not spoil the joy of hundreds of thousands ordinary and well behaved devotees on this auspicious day. We’ll update as the Sainews happens. May your visit be a blessing! -Happy birthday top    click on pictures to see large size

"The morning celebrations have just finished in Puttaparthi. Swami arrived at stadium at 7:30 am and was accompanied by the marching bands. The fireworks went as soon as Sathya Sai Baba entered the ground. The ground was a sea of humanity. Swami was heart fully welcomed by all the devotees. Then Swami gave blessings to the entire guest. Half of the Indian Cricket team arrived for the event. Sachin Tendulkar wished Swami happy birthday and said that he was very happy to be in the presence of Swami and privileged to be here for the 80th birthday.
 click on pictures to see large size
Then there was a song by Bala Subramanyam well known Indian singer
(S.P. Balasubramanyam is the only Indian singer to have sung more than 30000 songs in a career spanning over 3 decades. He has also sung in most of the Indian languages. He has extraordinary talent to render beautifully all kinds of music such as Classical, Folk, Devotional, POP and what not!)  who sang for Swami from the dais which was erected in the ladies stand. After the songs two devotees gave speeches one of them was the international sai organization leader Mr. Goldstein. He spoke about how devotee should see Swami in them and they should thing about asking, who am I to themselves before asking who are you. Then After that Swami gave a discourse Started with saying that "Kindness and help should be done with rightness and truthfulness. Only then they will be of value. Swami also said that now people are doing Show work rather than doing social work. Swami asked the devotee to see the god in themselves. Swami said that there is no use changing gods every time something happens. God is one and pray to one God from birth to death. Swami said that devotees should not aspire for worldly pleasures and should seek spiritual life. Swami said at the end of the discourse that he was very happy that so many people showed their love to Swami by attending the event. Swami wished them all a peace full, happy life. Mr. Anil Kumar missed the happy life so Swami repeated it again. And the crowd clapped their hearts out. After the discourse Swami accepted presents from the guest. Many of them gave Swami gift even the Indian cricket team did. After that Swami sat for a while then the Arathi started ending the morning event. There will more programs in the evening at 5:00 pm. Announcement was made that Prasadam will be distributed at the food counters where free food was being give. Then Swami left the ground at around 10:10 am. top

All through the event there was drizzling but never did it rain hardly enough to stop the proceedings. By the end of the discourse the rain was completely gone and it was getting warmer."
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Report 2

 
"Om sri sai ram"
Pranams at the Lotus feet of our beloved Swamy....and sairam to the members of this Holy group

Amidst slight drizzle and fantastic climate, the birthday celebrations of our beloved lord started this morning in the Sathya Sai Hill view stadium. It rained heavily the last night, symbolising the birth of our Lord Sai Krishna. The rain calmed down, as the sun was rising. Thousands of devotees from 180 countries were eagerly waiting for this morning. The queues to the stadium started as early as 4am. The crowd was uncontrollable, even to the 2000+police force and equal number of Sevadals. The stadium was beautifully decorated with flowers and the flags of various countries displayed around the stadium, symbolizing ONE universe and ONE universal Lord. Balloons all over and on the top of the hill, near the mighty Hanuman statue were balloon palm trees, which looked very attractive. At least 15 cameras were seen all over. Swamy came around 7:30 am amidst cheers and prayers. Swamy, was clad in His beautiful spectacular white robe, wearing the most beautiful smile. There was not even a iota of pressure on His face, in spite of organising such a mighty task.
He was seated on the beautiful silver throne on the stage. Swamy was hardly visible to the devotees seated at the rear end of the stadium, but was very nice that two giant screens were put on, one on ladies’ side and one on gents’ side.
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Another surprise was at least half a dozen of Indian cricketers attending the celebrations, including our MASTER BLASTER Sachin Tendulkar. One was surprised to see them, because there was only one day left (25th ) for the 4th one day match to be played in Eden gardens, Kolkata. All of them were seated on the floor, Sachin bit closer to Swamy.
The stadium was JAM packed with people from all over the world. I should say, the number would be at least 2lakhs(2 hundred thousand), every body on their toes to have a glance of Swamy. After Mr.Indulal Shah and Mr. Goldstein finished their talks, Swamy stood up to give His birthday discourse, which is always special. He started His divine discourse at 8:55am and went on for an hour
He started Prema Swaroopulara (embodiments of love) and again with the this verse
SATHYA DHARMA PREMA SHANTULU LEKUNNA
CHADUVU LANNI CHADIVI VILUVA SUNNA
(if truth, righteousness, peace and love are absent, all your wordly education is equal to a BIG zero)
SATHYA DHARMA PREMA SANTHULU LEKUNNA
BAHULA SATH KARYAMBULU VILUVA SUNNA
(all your sacred deeds are of no use)
SATHYA DHARMA PREMA SANTHULU LEKUNNA
PADAVULANU ELI VILUVA SUNNA
(all the exotic positions are of no use)
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He continued, People say that they are doing social work, uplifting people but in reality, not social work but SHOW WORK. If any one comes to your door asking for alms, you scold them and sent them away. Man is not behaving like a man. Hatred and jealousy is ruling the day. there is no love for human beings, no love for parents.
You say, I'm praying to God, but God is not giving any thing to me rather ask what you are giving to God. What ever God has given to man kind, is pure, but human beings are making it impure and blaming God.
He gave on example, one devotee was worshipping Lord Siva. After some time, he didn’t experience peace of mind, so took the idol of Shiva and after keeping it in an alma rah, started to worship Krishna. Initially, he was enjoying Krishna’s company, but later his mind was again disturbed. After deciding that Krishna is no longer conferring the bliss, keeps the idol in the alimarah, and worships Rama. Again he had the same experience. One day, one lady suggested him to worship Goddess. Accordingly he started worshipping Goddess. One day, Goddess manifests and says, O foolish man, there is no need to change Gods or idols. What are these idols. They are made you (Man). Look inside, God is within you. Realise this TRUTH and you will be always happy. top

Swamy continued, Many people contemplate on God, only in old age. In child hood they play with kids, in adult hood, they spoil themselves with bad company. You run after temporal things like money, positions, worldly things. At the end, they say, I have got every thing in my life, exept PEACE OF MIND…where is this peace of mind… its within you….
Many people sow seeds when there is no rain and some people don’t sow seeds in spite of rains (interestingly when He was speaking about rains, it started raining of course not heavily, the ROMANTIC drizzle as we call locally)
This Human Body is like a water bubble. You don’t know when you will leave this body. This Human life is GOD’S GIFT. Make use of this body for noble purposes. Pleasure and Pain co-exist. There is happiness in pain and pain in happiness. A devotee should not be worried at all.
You have come here, after undergoing lot of trouble. I am very happy for you all. I will be much more happy, if you practice My teachings. That is true devotion. top

Swamy’s voice was very strong. HE was standing till He finished His discourse. At the end He said, IAM BLESSING ALL THE PEOPLE ASSEMBLED HERE WITH A LONG LIFE, HAPPY LIFE, PEACEFUL LIFE AND DIVINE LIFE. WITH THIS WORDS I BRING MY DISCOURSE TO AN END…
Swamy then sat on His Silver Thorne for more than 30 minutes while bhajans were sung on the back ground. Mean while prasadams were brought and Swamy blessed them and distributed the prasadams personally to dignitaries on the stage including cricketers. After that a Big birthday cake was placed in front of Swamy, and Swamy very graciously cut the cake with a long knife(while HE was still seated on the Throne). The dignitaries were standing beside Swamy. Sachin Tendulkar (whom we cricket fans call as Master Blaster) came forward to Swamy and got some advice from the Divine master, while He was holding Swamy’s hands. I first saw Sachin Tendulkar, when he came to play a match in puttaparth in 1997. He batted fantastically and Swamy with love slapped on His cheeks, and exactly after a month or so, He devasted the Australian bowling with two consecutive centuries in sharjah. One would not be surprised if he makes a century in Eden gardens, Kolkata on 25th Nov against South Africans.top

Prof. Anil Kumar, announced that Prasadam will be given to devotees with lunch at various FREE food counters in Mandir. Swamy then left the stadium in His TOYOTA PORTE car which has the automatic wheel chair. While leaving the stadium, the car went bit fast, with at least 15 men surrounding the tiny car amidst cheers from the vast gathering.
Over all it was a fantastic morning, to all those lucky devotees who could make it to Parthi to witness the 80th birthday celebrations. Some people sounded bit irritated with the crowd and sweared will never come to Parthi when such a big crowd is around, some said, it’s a different feeling and lots of FUN.. but the fact is its HIS will, when ever He calls you have to be here, even if you like it or dislike it…
May Swamy bless all of us with His choicest blessings to help us to know the divinity with in us and the courage and strength to fight the demonic qualities in us… top

Swamy YOU ARE BEYOND TIME AND SPACE.. YOU DON’T HAVE A DAY CALLED BIRTHDAY IN YOUR DIVINE DICTIONARY…BUT YOU HAVE GIVEN US THIS OPPORTUNITY JUST TO MAKE US HAPPY… THANK YOU VERY MUCH SWAMY….. WE LOVE YOU.. WE LOVE YOU… WE LOVE YOU…..  "
With Swamy from Puttaparthi    group post SBOI

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23^rd November 2005 14:00 Hrs. IST Reporting from Prasanthi Nilayam

Festival of Bliss

Finally THE DAY ushered in! Much before the Sun made its appearance in the eastern horizon, the chunk of Sai Fraternity from all over the globe thronged to this Spiritual Capital, occupied their position well in advance to ensure a rare glimpse of the most beauteous form of the Lord walking on two feet, whose physical frame entered into the 80th Year of His sojourn on planet Earth. Yes, it is eighty years now since the world of today began to see God in human form – a rare privilege that is reported to have been enjoyed by human race in the Tretha and in the Dwapara. But today’s world is certainly more fortunate than that in the earlier Yugas, for now only the Lord chose to move with His creation more freely revealing His identity occasionally making the coveted access to the Avatar of the Age possible for all with no discrimination. …and TODAY was yet another occasion to taste His greater magnanimity, greater benevolence!!! The Lord of Compassion, Lord of Love…Who is often hailed as …Love in Action…Love that Conquers…was out there...just for the happiness of His Own…His Own Reflections!!! …as was reiterated by Him over and over again, to the tune that there is no birthday festival for Him; Just for the sake of fulfilling devotees desire and fill them with joy that He goes on celebrating birthdays.

The overcast conditions and shower during the penultimate night and another bout of rains during the previous afternoon cast a pall of gloom on the last minute preparations at the main venue, Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium. But, it was indeed His sheer Grace that Willed and made it possible for the proceedings to continue unhampered, in spite of intermittent drizzle that was reluctant to stop on a day when sun was forced to take backstage under the overcast conditions.

The Lord was accorded a traditional, grand, red carpet welcome that was majestic and just, unmatched by any, by Bhagawan’s pet elephant Sai Geeta., the Veda Chanting students followed by Bhangra dancers at 7.40 a.m. IST. It was indeed a sight to see, as the whole of the stadium went agog with bursting colourful ribbon crackers as Bhagawan made His grand entry in His open car, in the backdrop of a welcome song hailing His Advent. Bhagawan went straight on to the specially decorated Shanti Vedika to occupy the Special Throne to grand His coveted Birthday Darshan. It was indeed a wonderful sight to see the Lord in His white shining robe benevolently smiling at the devoted gathering that filled every nook and corner and galleries of the Stadium.

Soon the stage, which was specially erected at the western end was taken over by a group of dancers who were dancing to the tune of a welcome song which was followed by Telugu film star Sai Kumar who paid glowing tributes eulogising the Lord on the 80th Year of His Advent on earth. Soon after, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, an ardent devotee of Bhagawan for the last three decades took over the mike to pay His obeisance on his behalf as well as all others assembled at the Stadium. Simultaneously, there was a procession of devotees from different continents with diverse cultures united with one single thread of Love for Bhagawan paying obeisance at His Lotus Feet in their traditional style. Sri Gavaskar who compered the show in English introduced Maj. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, India’s Silver Medalist at the Athens Olympics, followed by members of current Indian Cricket Team, namely, V.V.S. Laxman, Murali Karthik, R. P. Singh, J.P.Yadav, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Sreeshant, and Sachin Tendulkar. Maj. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was invited by Sunil Gavaskar to hoist the Global Peace Insignia for the well being of humanity. Maj.Rathore after receiving blessings from Bhagawan took it out of Shanti Vedika went on to the specially erected stage to show the Insignia to the mammoth gathering before hoisting the same to the high end near Hanuman Statue. Soon a scroll rolled down on the western slope with the message, “May there be Peace, Unity and Love in the World”. Sachin Tendulkar in his prayer to Bhagawan said they are extremely honoured to be in His presence on this auspicious occasion. He further prayed on behalf of the entire cricket team members to bless them and stay with them.

The first speaker for the session was Sri Indulal Shah, formerly World Chairman of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, and currently Advisor to the Prasanthi Council, the overseeing body for Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Overseas. Mr. Shah while offering his prayerful salutations at His Lotus Feet mentioned that he has been under the Divine Grace and Protection for the past forty years under whose Guidance he could see the birth and growth of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations. Bhagawan’s Message of Love is beyond countries, culture, religion and race and it is time for all of us to blend into Brotherhood of Mankind.

Dr. Michael Goldstein, Chairman, Prasanthi Council, the overseeing body for Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Overseas in his exhilarating speech highlighted that the era of peace is here for us to experience. Bhagawan is fathomless, never ending Divine Love and we have the golden fortune to be here on this day of age when God walks on Earth. Talking about the Divine Mystery of Bhagawan, he said that he had the temerity to ask Bhagawan to see the world through His eyes for which Bhagawan replied that if he was allowed to see through His eyes, he would not want his family, his wealth, his body or anything in life. Dr. Goldstein then prayed to Bhagawan to bless the huge concourse of devotees with His Divine Benedictory Message.

Bhagawan in His Divine discourse highlighted the importance of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti and Prema in one’s daily conduct. These seminal values should permeate one’s conduct from dawn to dusk. Man is not ‘Manava’ if he does not help fellow humans in distress. Referring to people who involve themselves in social work, He said that people instead of doing social work do ‘show’ work. Realisation of one’s innate divinity is one’s goal of life. But, unfortunately man today craves for the deep wine of worldly pleasures instead of pursuing the path of self-realisation. Bhagawan asked people to emulate His ideal of selfless love and service for humanity. In all His Divine discourses He invariably speaks on the values of Truth and Love. The quintessence of His teachings is Truth and Love. He expressed His joy at the vast concourse of humanity that throng the Hill View Stadium and blessed them to enjoy long, peaceful and happy life. He said that people would derive real ananda by practising His teachings.

After His Divine Discourse there was display of fireworks and Bhagawan personally distributed prasadam to each member of Indian Cricket team.

The highlights of Swami’s Discourse: 8.52 a.m.

Premaswarupulara, without Truth, Righteousness, Love and Peace, everything is useless. Be it charity, good actions, exalted position or any other thing. Man is born to be peaceful. There are so many people with high positions and great designations. But what is the use? Have they been able to improve the position of the poor people? Everybody does Show Work, not Social Work. Man will enjoy Truth, Peace and Love if he is compassionate.

We must help our fellowmen. All face difficulties in life. But we must consider joy and sorrow alike. In order to progress in life, we must develop a sense of equanimity. Without Samaanatva (a sense of equality), how can there be Samaaja (society)? There is pain embedded in pleasure. But today man gets very disturbed even with the slightest difficulty. If you ask any common man, he will say that he has got all the comforts, wealth and money, but he has no peace. How do you expect to get mental, peace? We always ask everybody – who are you, but we never put the question to ourselves - who am I? Once you know your reality, you will be free from all difficulties.

We have no right to call ourselves humans without practicing human values. God does not expect you to keep worshipping Him all the while. He wants you to work and set an ideal for the community. Man is actually Divine. Jiva is negative and Divinity is positive. Both together form man. One must do Atma Chintana to understand this. Once you do Self enquiry, I will manifest in you. The Cosmic Principle is present in all. You do not need to exclusively search for God. He is in all.

You all are forms of Atma, not merely the body. The indweller is permanent. It has no bondage or liberation. Can anyone say, ‘My Atma is dead? No, this is not possible. Even after this body made up of five senses perishes, the Self continues to exist. Without an object, there can be no reflection. There is no separate sun for India and America. It is the same sun that is seen in both places but the time varies. So too, existence is the same everywhere.

Remember, if you are in conflict with somebody else, you are actually in conflict with yourself. You may think that the other person has lost against you but in reality you yourself have lost. Never differentiate between each other. Who are you? Some may say - I am the body. How long will it last? Body is like a water bubble, it can burst any minute. Others may say - I am the mind. What is the mind? It is merely a bundle of desires. It can give way any time. It is monkey mind. You must not be a monkey mind, you must have a man mind.

Think that I am God in human form. Leave aside the body and consider yourself as God. You are ready to worship a statue that has been built by you but you are not ready to worship your own Self within. Have Atma Vishvasam - Self confidence. You go to Tirupati and say that Lord Venkateswara is my family deity. Somebody else goes to Ayodhya and says that Lord Rama is my family deity. All are one. Consider God as one, and then only you will get peace. Desires may be many, but the reality behind them is one. Good and Bad are also two different words, but in essence they are one. Today, you may call somebody as good, tomorrow as bad. All these are relative terms.

Human life is very precious. Do not consider yourself as simple human beings. You may have different names and forms but the Self is the same. Do not go merely by the form. Understand the spirit behind the form.

Unless the husk is removed from the rice it will keep growing again. This is the reason for birth and death. Remove the husk and make it into rice grains, then it will not sprout again. Idli, Dosa, Puliyora, Sakar Pongal are all rice preparations. Rice is the same but it is the mode of cooking that makes the difference. This cooking or refinement is called Sanskara. It is the transformation process.

Man is getting spoilt because of his materialistic vision. He has to transform this vision on his own. God has bestowed everything on man in a very pure form. You are spoiling them using your mind. Therefore annihilate or withdraw the mind. Then all will be fine. You all are sacred, but the clouds of desires appear and spoil you. However, these clouds will pass away. Once it is cleared, you can see the sun.

In childhood, we while away our time playing. In youth, we get deluded on account of our age and ego. In old age we keep repenting for all that we could not achieve. At the end we may have experienced everything but there is no peace. The stages of your life may change, but you are one and the same. Change your vision (Drushti). Do not try to change Srushti (creation). That is God's domain. He can do anything if He wishes.

Just as Muslims chant "Allah Ho Akbar" which means "You are our only refuge", so too Hindus must say, "I want only God". But today no one wants Divine, all go for Deep Wine.

At this point Swami narrates the story of the devotee who kept changing the object of his worship. He starts with Shiva, Rama, then Krishna and finally Devi. He gets some satisfaction with each one but then slowly starts losing interest. Finally, when the devotee tries to stop the fragrance of the incense sticks lighted for Devi from going towards the other photos locked inside the cupboard, Devi manifests Herself and chides him for being so fickle minded. She asks the devotee as to what is the guarantee that he will continue to worship Her? Never change your mind like this.

To be good, merely undertaking acts of charity is not enough. Surrender to God. Then only you will be happy. Desires make the mind go astray. You may ask whether there is any witness for all this. Is there anyone who embodies all this? I alone am the witness to this. I have absolutely no desires. I can go anytime I want. I can materialize anything that I want.

Never desire for fleeting things. Ask for that which is eternal. Today we may hold high positions. But this will hold good only till our retirement. The innate Divinity has no retirement at all. Love is the undercurrent, Truth is the spoken word. Preserve both. Remain in Love always. Do not limit your Love only to your family and relatives. All are Divine. I always Discourse on only this Message. That is the very purpose of My addressing such large gatherings. I am very happy that you all have listened to My Message. I have received the Love of so many of you who have come here. I know you all have come for Me. Practice the teachings given by Me, then I will be even more Happy!

Do not make your Love physical. Let it always be Divine. I have spoken a lot and given you strain. All is God's work. Do all your actions with this feeling. That is enough. It will make Me happy. On this auspicious occasion, I am Blessing you all with My Love. May you all have a long, healthy, peaceful and happy life!

It is 9.50 a.m. Swami sits down on the throne. He sips some water. A huge cake is brought onto the stage in a trolley. Bhagawan cuts the cake and there is loud applause. He also lights the candle on the cake. After this, the cricketers stand up next to Swami. But Swami keeps sitting. He sits silently waving His Hand, with Bliss pouring out from His Being and reaching out to the multitudes. Twenty minutes pass by. It is 10.10 a.m. Some sweets are brought and Swami personally distributes the sweets to all the cricketers. Finally, Aarti is offered. Immediately huge blasts, showers of crackers and melodious songs fill the air. Swami gets down from the throne and sits on His chair. Slowly, He comes onto the lift, descends and gets into the car.

He is now in the Toyota Porte which glides along the central red pathway and we manage to catch a glimpse of Him again. Prof. Anil Kumar makes two announcements. Evening programme begins in the Hill View Stadium at 5.00 p.m. and Prasadam will be distributed along with lunch at the free food counters."

 

Note: Watch out for Sanskar TV around 9 PM (India) and 3:30 PM (GMT) for Telecast of Birthday Celebrations.

Past Birthday messages

You are really fortunate, having done great merit, for you are able to enjoy the Divine proximity of Sai. It is your great good fortune that you are able to sing with Swami and play with Him. You are with Sai and Sai is with you. That is why I often say, "I and you are one." The power and glory of God is beyond the ken of human understanding. Develop unwavering faith in him.

- 23 Nov. 2003

On this Birthday, you have to learn something very important, i.e., do not waste your time in idle talk. Time once lost cannot be regained. Consider truth as God. Sathyannasti Paro Dharmah (there is no Dharma greater than adherence to truth). Hence follow the path of truth and practise righteousness.


-23 Nov. 2002
 

"When I was coming here this morning, everyone wished me "Happy Birthday"! I am always happy. You have to wish a Happy Birthday to one who does not have happiness. I do not need it. If you want to attain happiness, you should understand that happiness is union with God. Every human being imagines that happiness is somewhere outside him and strives to attain it through various activities.

-23 Nov. 2001
 

"What can I tell you for the day? Whenever I see you, My heart overflows with love. When I visibly see so many of you exhibiting your love for Me, there is no limit to My joy. I have not sent out invitations to any of you. The love in Me has drawn you here. Your love to God and God's love to you is the true message. What can one say as a message? I give and you receive and you give and I receive. This exchange is the true bondage between man and God. You should all be comfortable and happy. Increase your spiritual dimensions. Live with the firm conviction that there is a single divinity resident in all."

-23 Nov. 2000

"This is the birthday of this body. Truly speaking I have no birthday. Since all of you have assembled here, I am celebrating this day as birthday. This birthday is not important for Me. The day when all of you are happy is My true birthday. I desire nothing but your Bliss, Love and Sacrifice. My Bliss lies in your being the embodiments of thyaga and yoga and experiencing divinity there from. I wish that you all live an ideal life in peace and security. On this auspicious day fill your hearts with noble feelings and chant the name of God."
 

-23 Nov. 1998

"As I was coming to the Hall, many devotees greeted me with the words, "Happy Birthday!" They should wish for "happy birthdays" for those who are not happy. I do not need your birthday greetings. The Divine is perennially in bliss (Nithyaanandam)."

- 23 Nov. 1997

"We celebrate birthday. What is this birthday? Whose birthday? We say my birthday. Who am I? You don't ask that question. You say my birthday because you identify yourself with the body. But later you say it is my stomach. If you say my stomach, then who are you? You say my senses, my mind, my intellect, then who am I? You are separate. This is my kerchief. When I say this, I am different from my kerchief. When you say my body, you and the body are different. Therefore, the body, mind, senses, intellect, all are instruments. But you are the master for all these. That is I. Make an effort to recognize that I.


It is the 70th birthday of this body. You have to know one important thing. Swami does not need anything. He does not expect any dress. Swami belongs to you. Swami is not separate from you. You are not separate from Swami. That is the intimate relation between Swami and you."

70th Birthday- 23 Nov. 1995

 

"Today as an offering to Swami, give up meat eating, consuming liquor and smoking. By renouncing these three, you will benefit yourselves as well as society and the nation. If you wish to carry out Swami's aim, renounce from this moment itself these three bad practices. Do not put it off to tomorrow. Take the resolve from this moment. Expecting that you will carry out Swami's wish and thereby promote the well being of your family and the nation, I bless all of you"

- 23 Nov. 1994

"You celebrate the birthday of Bhagavan. But do you follow the teachings? You will experience the fruits of celebrating the birthday only when you follow the teachings."


"You should not be concerned with how many have come for Swami's birthday but how many are following Swami's teachings. If every devotee is able to influence two persons, soon the whole world will be reformed. Embodiments of love! There is only one thing you have to offer to Me today. Pray that people in all countries, may the entire humanity, should be happy and at peace. "Lokaas samasthaas-sukhino bhavanthu" (Let all the worlds be happy). Then alone there will be real unity. Do not wish me only for the peace and prosperity of India alone. Pray for the welfare of all countries. All are our brothers, whether they are in Pakistan or America or elsewhere." 

- 23 Nov. 1993

"Why is it that so many lakhs of people have gathered here today? There must be some compelling reason for it. You must be seeking something which you have not found in your native place. There would be no need for you to incur all this expenditure if you could find what you wanted in your own place. Here there is Divine Love. It is this powerful magnet of Divine Love which has been attracting all the iron filings in the form of human beings."

- 65th Birthday, 23 Nov 1990
 

" I desire one thing from you. Develop brotherhood with all. Adopt right conduct always. Give up selfish activity. Welcome all chances to serve the illiterate and the poor.
As part of the sixtieth Birthday Celebrations, I am prescribing a test which you have to accept. When you undergo it and emerge victorious, you can be pronounced as real humans. The farmer ploughs the field, sows the seed and watches the crop grow, until the grain is harvested. The next process is winnowing. The light chaff will then be carried away by the wind and the hard grain will stay. I shall start winnowing from now; the test will remove the chaff." - 60th Birthday, 23 Nov 1985
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