Baba Gives First Interview To Newspaper in 25 Years
Interview to group of Journalists from Mumbai
(Publised in The Times Of
India - 12th March, 1999)
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/9158/inter031999.htm
Swami has never given an interview to a journalist in the past 25
years. But, recently, He spoke to S Balakrishnan and a group of
journalists from Mumbai :
(Reproduced verbatim from The Times Of India - 12th March, 1999)
Sri Sathya Sai Baba is easily one of the most popular spiritual
leaders of contemporary India. He has attracted a following which
runs into crores cutting across barriers of
caste, language, region and nation. He shot into fame because of the
miracles performed by him, specifically his ability to materialise
the
holy ash and other material things from
out of thin air. The rationalists consistently targeted him. But,
Baba, as he is referred to both of reverence and affection by his
devotees, only emerged stronger from these
controversies. Today, the 74-year-old Baba is known for working out
miracles of a different kind. Miracles in the form of a super
speciality hospital where free treatment is
given or a massive drinking water scheme in the parched hinterland of
Andhra Pradesh or a massive educational complex. The high and the
mighty of the land touch his feet and
seek his blessings, so do ordinary people from all walks of life.
Baba
gives them all the same message of love. He has never given an
interview to a journalist in the past 25
years. But, recently, he spoke to S Balakrishnan and a group of
journalists from Mumbai in a small room at his ashram in Puttaparthi
in Andhra Pradesh.
How do you relate yourself to Saibaba of Shirdi?
This body has not seen him.
Indians are increasingly turning to godmen and
godwomen. Is this a sign of growing insecurity
within them? Or is it something else?
This is basically a search for God. The divine is
there within each person . The search is for this
divinity. God realisation cannot be seen as a sign
of insecurity. It is a positive aspiration to be one
with God. It is a good sign.
Even as mankind is relentlessly searching for god,
he finds himself engulfed by more and more misery.
What is the reason for this state of affairs?
Attachment to the body is the root cause of all
suffering and misery. Once this attachment ends,
then one can experience divine bliss. There is no
doubt about that. Since God does not have any
bodily attachment, he does not attach any
importance to the suffering of His body.
What is the best way to serve God?
Serve the poor, the weak, the downtrodden and
the underprivileged. There is divinity in each of
us, hence love and serve fellow human beings
selflessly. Give those around you pure love.
Religion can be best pursued through the axiom
"Dil mein Ram, Haath mein Kaam." There is only
one religion -- the religion of love; one caste --
the caste of humanity; one language -- the
language of the heart; one law -- the law of
Karma and there is only one God -- He is
omnipresent. All of us should remember these
simple yet profound truths. These truths lead us to
God.
Is there no escape from human misery?
It is all karma. The need is to adopt the path of
righteousness. One should surrender oneself to the
Almighty.
Why do you perform miracles like materialising a
ring, a medallion, a necklace, vibhuti and other
objects? What are you trying to prove by
performing these miracles?
Chamatkaar or miracle is a cheap word for what I
do. A magician performs his tricks to earn a
livelihood and worldly fame. But, I materialise
these talismans as my visiting cards, as evidence
that divinity can transform earth into the sky and
vice versa. To doubt this is to betray an inability
to grasp the grandeur of the universe. I get lot of
satisfaction while gifting these talismans to my
devotees.
The suffering millions flock to you. They want to
pass on their problems and suffering to you. How
much of these suffering can you take on?
I am only performing a divine mission.
How do you spend your day?
My day begins with granting darshan to my
devotees, interviews to people, bhajans, attending
to all projects taken up for human welfare. Same
cycle is repeated from post noon till evening.
Although I know the contents of all letters which I
receive, I read all of them for the trupti or
satisfaction of my devotees.
I avoid milk, green fruits, dry fruits, sweets, ghee,
butter, tea, coffee, etc. I take a skimpy meal of
ragi and green grams. For the past 60 years my
weight has remained unchanged at 108 pounds.
When the world sleeps, I go to my devotees, give
them my vision, comfort them, console them and
solve their problems. I willingly take on the
sufferings of my devotees on myself.
Have you gone abroad any time?
Yes, only once -- to East Africa, that too because
of the pure love of a devotee, who is no more
now. I did not go at the invitation of the
government.
Do you have any plans to visit foreign nations and
spread your message?
No. Where there is sugar, the ants come there; the
sugar does not go chasing after the ants. My first
task is to clean up our own country first, then go
to other countries.
You wield enormous influence over the top
politicians of the country. Why don't you impress on
them the need to inculcate values in public life? If
this is done, India will be a much better place.
Politicians have a choice to pursue good or bad
governance; they do covet power with a frenzy.
But I tell them that politics without principles,
science without humanity, education without
character and commerce without morality are not
only useless but can prove to be positively
dangerous and harm people at large.
Do you read newspapers?
I never read them. Even though I do not read any
newspaper, I am aware about everything that is
happening round the globe. What is necessary
today is that the newspapers should be more
careful and responsible in their reporting.
Publishing of sensational and baseless news must
be avoided. No negative and baseless reporting,
specially of those at the helm of affairs of the
country, should be done since it has lot of
repercussions abroad. If there are any doubts,
then they should be cleared after free and frank
discussions with the persons concerned. Truth
should not be compromised under any
circumstance.
You are the chancellor of the Sathya Sai University
and you attach tremendous importance to
education. Why do you think that education in
India has now become a mechanical exercise?
This is because that education has been divorced
from values. Education bereft of values is
meaningless. The need is to restore values to
education.
What are your views on different political parties in
India?
All parties do good work as well as bad; the
problem lies with ourselves. We should insist on
principles.
Who will lead the Sathya Sai movement after you?
My devotees. God will continue to guide them.
(Publised in The Times Of
India - 12th March, 1999)
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/9158/inter031999.htm
Swami has never given an interview to a journalist in the past 25
years. But, recently, He spoke to S Balakrishnan and a group of
journalists from Mumbai :
(Reproduced verbatim from The Times Of India - 12th March, 1999)
Sri Sathya Sai Baba is easily one of the most popular spiritual
leaders of contemporary India. He has attracted a following which
runs into crores cutting across barriers of
caste, language, region and nation. He shot into fame because of the
miracles performed by him, specifically his ability to materialise
the
holy ash and other material things from
out of thin air. The rationalists consistently targeted him. But,
Baba, as he is referred to both of reverence and affection by his
devotees, only emerged stronger from these
controversies. Today, the 74-year-old Baba is known for working out
miracles of a different kind. Miracles in the form of a super
speciality hospital where free treatment is
given or a massive drinking water scheme in the parched hinterland of
Andhra Pradesh or a massive educational complex. The high and the
mighty of the land touch his feet and
seek his blessings, so do ordinary people from all walks of life.
Baba
gives them all the same message of love. He has never given an
interview to a journalist in the past 25
years. But, recently, he spoke to S Balakrishnan and a group of
journalists from Mumbai in a small room at his ashram in Puttaparthi
in Andhra Pradesh.
How do you relate yourself to Saibaba of Shirdi?
This body has not seen him.
Indians are increasingly turning to godmen and
godwomen. Is this a sign of growing insecurity
within them? Or is it something else?
This is basically a search for God. The divine is
there within each person . The search is for this
divinity. God realisation cannot be seen as a sign
of insecurity. It is a positive aspiration to be one
with God. It is a good sign.
Even as mankind is relentlessly searching for god,
he finds himself engulfed by more and more misery.
What is the reason for this state of affairs?
Attachment to the body is the root cause of all
suffering and misery. Once this attachment ends,
then one can experience divine bliss. There is no
doubt about that. Since God does not have any
bodily attachment, he does not attach any
importance to the suffering of His body.
What is the best way to serve God?
Serve the poor, the weak, the downtrodden and
the underprivileged. There is divinity in each of
us, hence love and serve fellow human beings
selflessly. Give those around you pure love.
Religion can be best pursued through the axiom
"Dil mein Ram, Haath mein Kaam." There is only
one religion -- the religion of love; one caste --
the caste of humanity; one language -- the
language of the heart; one law -- the law of
Karma and there is only one God -- He is
omnipresent. All of us should remember these
simple yet profound truths. These truths lead us to
God.
Is there no escape from human misery?
It is all karma. The need is to adopt the path of
righteousness. One should surrender oneself to the
Almighty.
Why do you perform miracles like materialising a
ring, a medallion, a necklace, vibhuti and other
objects? What are you trying to prove by
performing these miracles?
Chamatkaar or miracle is a cheap word for what I
do. A magician performs his tricks to earn a
livelihood and worldly fame. But, I materialise
these talismans as my visiting cards, as evidence
that divinity can transform earth into the sky and
vice versa. To doubt this is to betray an inability
to grasp the grandeur of the universe. I get lot of
satisfaction while gifting these talismans to my
devotees.
The suffering millions flock to you. They want to
pass on their problems and suffering to you. How
much of these suffering can you take on?
I am only performing a divine mission.
How do you spend your day?
My day begins with granting darshan to my
devotees, interviews to people, bhajans, attending
to all projects taken up for human welfare. Same
cycle is repeated from post noon till evening.
Although I know the contents of all letters which I
receive, I read all of them for the trupti or
satisfaction of my devotees.
I avoid milk, green fruits, dry fruits, sweets, ghee,
butter, tea, coffee, etc. I take a skimpy meal of
ragi and green grams. For the past 60 years my
weight has remained unchanged at 108 pounds.
When the world sleeps, I go to my devotees, give
them my vision, comfort them, console them and
solve their problems. I willingly take on the
sufferings of my devotees on myself.
Have you gone abroad any time?
Yes, only once -- to East Africa, that too because
of the pure love of a devotee, who is no more
now. I did not go at the invitation of the
government.
Do you have any plans to visit foreign nations and
spread your message?
No. Where there is sugar, the ants come there; the
sugar does not go chasing after the ants. My first
task is to clean up our own country first, then go
to other countries.
You wield enormous influence over the top
politicians of the country. Why don't you impress on
them the need to inculcate values in public life? If
this is done, India will be a much better place.
Politicians have a choice to pursue good or bad
governance; they do covet power with a frenzy.
But I tell them that politics without principles,
science without humanity, education without
character and commerce without morality are not
only useless but can prove to be positively
dangerous and harm people at large.
Do you read newspapers?
I never read them. Even though I do not read any
newspaper, I am aware about everything that is
happening round the globe. What is necessary
today is that the newspapers should be more
careful and responsible in their reporting.
Publishing of sensational and baseless news must
be avoided. No negative and baseless reporting,
specially of those at the helm of affairs of the
country, should be done since it has lot of
repercussions abroad. If there are any doubts,
then they should be cleared after free and frank
discussions with the persons concerned. Truth
should not be compromised under any
circumstance.
You are the chancellor of the Sathya Sai University
and you attach tremendous importance to
education. Why do you think that education in
India has now become a mechanical exercise?
This is because that education has been divorced
from values. Education bereft of values is
meaningless. The need is to restore values to
education.
What are your views on different political parties in
India?
All parties do good work as well as bad; the
problem lies with ourselves. We should insist on
principles.
Who will lead the Sathya Sai movement after you?
My devotees. God will continue to guide them.
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