The Light Of Love

The Light Of Love

An Account Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Visit To East Africa And His Divine Discourses

By

Professor N. Kasturi

Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust, Publications Division

Prasanthi Nilayam - 515 134

Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

STD: 08555 ISD: 91-8555 Phone: 287375 Fax: 287236

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.srisathyasaipublications.org, www.sanathanasarathi.org, www.saireflections.org

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First Edition: 14th February, 2014 (14/02/2014)

ISBN: 978-93-5069-158-8

Paperback ISBN: 978-81-7208-660-2

Published By

The Convener,

Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust, Publications Division

Prasanthi Nilayam, India, Pin Code – 515134

STD : 08555 ISD: 91-8555 Phone: 287375 Fax: 287236

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Table Of Contents

PART I

THE LIGHT OF LOVE

(An Account Of The Visit Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba To East Africa)

1.Across The Sea

2.Nandalala At Nairobi

3.Welcome To Uganda

4.The Wisdom Of The Wild

5.Right Into The Heart

6.The Teacher

7.Came The 14th Day Of July

PART II

DISCOURSES OF BABA

(Discourses Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba In East Africa)

1.With Palms Folded

2.The Message I Bring

3.The Medicine Needed

4.The I Of All I's

5.The Only Raft

6.Serve Thy Self

7.Science Of Surrender

8.Sharing Of Love

Part I

An account of the Visit of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba to East Africa from 30th June, 1968 to 14th July, 1968.

Chapter 1

Across The Sea

My Reality is unreachable. It will be unreachable not only today, but even for a thousand years; though the thousand years are spent in ardent inquiry by all the people of the world, acting in unison. But, the Bliss emanating from that Reality, that is conferred by that Reality, is within the reach of all the nations of the earth and you can partake of it... Men have failed to recognise Me, for I am enveloped in humanness. My Reality is this: This is a human form, worn by the One Divine Principle that manifests Itself as all the God-Forms adored by Man... This Sathya Sai Manifestation is Divine Reality Itself. You are fortunate that you can grasp this Truth, not at some future date when the Human Frame has been discarded, but luckily, even while It is with you, before you. You will soon be awarded the joy of witnessing the declaration by all people of the Divinity of this Sathya Sai Manifestation.

This Announcement made at a gathering of 1200 delegates from all over the world, on the 17th of May, 1968, reverberated from shore to shore of every sea, from mountain to mountain on every land. Africa shared in that acclamation and yearned that the chance to adore might soon be vouchsafed to her. Baba responded to that yearning. For, the very next moment, He followed up this Declaration with the statement, The people of East Africa have already sought My grace and made arrangements for My visit to that part of the World, next month!

On the last day of June, 1968, the visit to East Africa fructified! On that historic day at Bombay, Baba had also said, "I have resolved to enfold in the fostering care of the universal dharma laid down in the Vedas, the peoples of the world. This will be done soon. This is My task. It is not My task to spread awe and wonder in the world by My power and draw men to Me thereby. I shall sustain Truth and uproot untruth. I shall render you happy and ecstatic, in the splendour of that Triumph." The visit was, therefore, epoch-making; it marked the opening of a golden chapter in the history of humanity, of an era of love, humility, and reverence, of earnestness, discipline, and devotion in man's march towards his future.

Though Baba has declared that the whole world is His mansion and that each continent is but a hall in that mansion, and though He said that His visit to Africa was but a peep into one of the rooms of that mansion, His devotees in India and other countries felt the deeper significance of the occasion and were thrilled with genuine joy. Thousands gathered at the Airport, Bangalore, when Baba emplaned to Bombay, on 28th June. They sang bhajans in chorus and surged around with the homage of flower garlands in their hands. Baba accepted the homage and curbed their boundless enthusiasm, with a few words of advice. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samiti, Bombay had announced a public meeting and bhajan sessions at Dharmakshetra, when representatives of Sathya Sai Organisations and others could offer homage at the Lotus Feet. The meeting started at 6 p.m. Hon'ble Sri. P. K. Savant, Minister and President, Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Vidwanmahasabha, Maharashtra, spoke a few words about Baba's visit to Africa. Baba is present always and everywhere. His Message has also reached every nook and corner of the world, as was evident during the world conference. Now, Baba is proceeding in concrete Form to give His Love and His Light to the peoples of the countries beyond the sea. Many persons have gone from India to the West in the past, and given the West a great understanding of the culture of this land. Baba is the embodiment of love, the wisdom, and the power that are enshrined in all the religions of the world. So, this series of visits to other countries will create lasting goodwill and brotherliness between all the nations of the world. We pray that Baba sends us His blessings from Africa, where His physical Presence will be for some days. We dare not felicitate; we can never think of a 'send-off'; we can only express our jubilation at the decision of Baba; we have in our minds only the idea of welcoming Him into our hearts and homes. We pray for blessings and His protecting and guiding Hand.

Members of the bhajan units of Bombay city, students of the balvikas (moral instruction classes run by the Samiti), and others garlanded Baba. Shri Savant, Shri Bharde (Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Bombay), Shri Page (Chairman, Legislative Council, Bombay), Shri Durgadas Khanna (Chairman, Legislative Council, Punjab), and many others offered homage to Baba. More than 20,000 citizens of Bombay had darshan of Baba at the meeting. In His infinite grace, Baba moved among the thickly packed gathering and received the flowers with which the devotees desired to indicate their joy.

Bhagawan's entourage – Africa visit, 1968

On the 30th, the vast terrace of the main building of the Santa Cruz Airport spilled over with thousands of devotees, who had secured standing space thereon, so that they may have the darshan of Baba when He comes to embark the Air India Boeing, which leaves at 9 a.m. on the direct flight to Nairobi. Hundreds of enterprising men and women braved official frowns and the fierce glare of the ground staff, and succeeded in entering the area around the plane. Baba walked the length of the building, waving His hand, so that the cheering masses atop it could imprint that charming picture in their hearts. Seated in the plane, Baba was approached by the pilots and the crew, as well as by some high officers of the Indian Airlines. He graciously blessed them all, giving to quite a few the unique gift of vibhuti, created on the spot for each by a wave of His divine hand.

During the flight, Baba continued this mission of grace. Many passengers recognised Him and asked for the grant of the precious chance of few words with Him. Others came to know of Him and hurried to benefit themselves in a similar manner. While the plane was 35,000 feet above the Arabian Sea, flying at 590 miles an hour, many had the chance of sitting next to Baba and after conversing with Him, got His precious autograph, too. In spite of the monsoon and a bit of 'rough weather', which the plane had to encounter for a few minutes, the passage to Africa was quite comfortable. The sea appeared from that height a calm sheet, with an occasional quiver of foam; one scarcely felt the speed. We felt as if we sat in a plush theatre, waiting for the curtain to rise and the play to begin. The curtain was to rise in Nairobi and the play was to be 'Love Lit Large', the same that was enacted in every place