Atma

By Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

The Bhagawan Uvacha series brings to devotees the world over, a compilation of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teachings in the form of quotations, skilfully compiled and woven together by Shri. N. S. Venkatesh, the compiler.

In this book in the series, Atma, Shri. Venkatesh says, “The atma is the veritable seed of spirituality. Few concepts have borne greater significance in the realm of spiritual understanding than this small world. Five mere letters hold the elusive comprehension of the true and the untrue in this universe. Seers and seekers have searched and strived to fathom its depths and reaches. Sadly, no amount of discussion or debate seems to bridge the divide between knowledge and experience. Listen to Bhagawan as He speaks on the Atma, on the truth behind all creation and the indwelling reality in all."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust, Publications Division
• Release date: Sep 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9789350691922

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Sri Sathya Sai Baba was born as Sathyanarayana Raju on November 23rd, 1926 in the village of Puttaparthi, in the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India. Even as a child, His spiritual inclination and contemplative nature set Him apart from other children of His age, and He was known as 'Guru' and "Brahmajnani' among His peers and others in the village. On October 20th, 1940, He made the historic declaration of His Avatarhood and the world at large learnt of this divine phenomenon. Today, millions of devotees worship Him as an 'Avatar' and an incarnation of the Sai Baba of Shirdi.Revealing the purpose of His Advent, Sai Baba has said that He has come to re-establish the rhythm of righteousness in the world and repair the ancient highway to God, which over the years has systematically deteriorated.Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is an integral manifestation who combines two very significant roles. Firstly, He is a great spiritual Master, famed for His simple and sweet exposition of the greatest and most intricate of spiritual truths which form the fundamental teachings of all the religions of the world. His formula for man to lead a meaningful life is the five-fold path of Sathya, Dharma, Shanthi, Prema, and Ahimsa. Love for God, fear of sin and morality in society - these are His prescriptions for our ailing world.Secondly, He is an inexhaustible reservoir of pure love. His numerous service projects, be it free hospitals, free schools and colleges, free drinking water supply or free housing projects, all stand testimony to His selfless love and compassion for the needy and less privileged. True to His declaration - "My Life is My Message", He has inspired and continues to inspire millions of His devotees worldwide by His personal example to live the ideal that service to man is service to God.Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is a beacon of hope in the world. A devotee said, "Bhagawan Baba is nothing but Love walking on two feet."

Book preview

Foreword

The atma is the veritable seed of spirituality. Few concepts have borne greater significance in the realm of spiritual understanding than this small world. Five mere letters hold the elusive comprehension of the true and the untrue in this universe. Seers and seekers have searched and strived to fathom its depths and reaches. Sadly, no amount of discussion or debate seems to bridge the divide between knowledge and experience. Listen to Bhagawan as He speaks on the Atma, on the truth behind all creation and the indwelling reality in all.

1

Embodiments of Atma.

Turn your vision from the outer universe into the Inner glory, the Atmic splendour, which you really are.

(SSS. Vol.XIV p.230)

2

Many names for ‘I’.

Recognise the fact that you are the seer. This seer (drashta) is known by many names. In the waking state, He is the cogniser in all beings and hence, He is called Virata Swaroopa (cosmic person). As He is engaged in variety of activities, He is also termed Vyavaharika. On account of the attachment to every object in the world, He is also called Viswam. In the dream state, ‘I’ is known as the creator of dreams. As the mind alone functions in this state, He is known as Pratyagatma. Moreover, as He is seeking to attain a higher state by a process of enquiry and questioning, He is known as Chitta Ekagrata (one pointed enquirer). In deep sleep state, the potency of Antahkarana (the inner motivator) the ‘I’ is liable to comprehend everything and therefore, it is called Pragnyana or Taijasah. Although the universe is filled with innumerable objects, with different forms and names, the one thing that