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Manava Sevaye Madhava Seva
Service to Man is Service to God
-Baba

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The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation was founded in the 1960s by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba to enable its members to undertake service activities as a means to spiritual advancement. The Sathya Sai Organisation derives inspiration, guidance and strength from Bhagawan Baba’s mission and message of propagating the truth of man’s inherent divinity, which is proclaimed and preached by all religions of the world. In consonance with this truth, the Organisation has as its main objective selfless love and service without any distinction of religion, nationality, race, socio-economic status, either for those who work in the Organisation or for those who are served by them. Thus, it transcends all barriers, leading humanity towards the ideal of ‘Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man’. In fact, this spiritual basis enables every one in the Organisation to pursue his own religion better by putting its teachings into practice by way of love and service to the God who dwells in all hearts. That is why the Sai Organisation features in its emblem the symbols of some of the major religions of the world. There is no fee or subscription for membership. .

Objectives of the Organisation

1. To help the individual -

   1. To be aware of the Divinity that is inherent in him and to conduct himself accordingly;

   2. To translate into practice in daily life, divine love and perfection; and therefore

   3. To fill one’s life with joy, harmony, beauty, grace, human excellence and lasting happiness;

2. To ensure that all human relations are governed by the principles of Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Right Conduct), Shanthi (Peace), Prema (Love) and Ahimsa (Non-violence).

3. To make devotees more sincere and dedicated in the practice of their respective religions by understanding properly the true spirit of their religion.

How are the Objectives attained?

The above-mentioned objectives are attained in the following manner:

1. By observing the four principles laid down by Bhagawan Baba, namely:

   1. There is only One religion, the religion of Love
   2. There is only One caste, the caste of humanity
   3. There is only One language, the language of the Heart
   4. There is only One God, He is omnipresent.

2. By constant remembrance of God and looking upon all creation as a manifestation of Divinity in different forms and shapes;

3. By underlining the essential unity of all religions and securing proper understanding of all religions as being based on Love;

4. By looking upon all work as service dedicated to the Divine;

5. By bringing to bear upon all life’s problems, attitudes flowing from Divine Love, such as, understanding, compassion, tolerance, helpfulness, etc.

6. By basing all actions on Love of Divinity, fear of sin and steadfast observance of morality in society;

7. By engaging in spiritual, educational and service activities, both at the individual and community level, in an organized, systematic manner, without expecting any material reward or appreciation, but solely as a means to win God’s Love and Grace.

Activities of the Organisation

The Organization undertakes spiritual, educational and service activities under the inspiration and guidance of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba through the Sri Sathya Sai Samithis / Centres all over the globe.

Spiritual activities include devotional singing, study circles, public lectures, seminars, meditation etc.

Educational activities cover ‘Bal Vikas’ (for children) and Education in Human Values Programmes, besides formal academic education combined with the development of the character of the students for age group of 6 to 15.

Service activities include items such as organizing medical check-up camps, adoption of under-developed villages for accelerating rural development, blood donation, old age homes, etc.

Code of Conduct

Every member of the Organisation must undertake Sadhana (spiritual discipline) as an integral part of his daily life and abide by the following Code of Conduct: -

1. Daily meditation and prayer (according to one's own religious practice).
2. Devotional singing / prayer with members of his family once a week.
3. Attendance by one’s children in the Bal Vikas / Educational programs conducted by the Samithi / Centre.
4. Participation in community service and other programs of the Organization.
5. Attendance at least once a month in group devotional singing organised by the Organization.
6. Regular study of Spiritual literature with special reference to Sai Teachings.

7. Putting into practice the principle of ‘Ceiling on Desires’ and utilizing any savings thereby generated for the service of mankind.

8. Speaking softly and lovingly with everyone with whom one comes into contact.
9. Not indulging in talking ill of others, especially in their absence.

Structure of the Organisation

The apex body of the organisation is the ‘Prasanthi Council’, headquartered in Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh. It is this body that oversees the functioning of the Sai Organisations worldwide. The Prasanthi council consists of the All-India President, the Chairman of the Overseas Organisations and few other senior members of the Sai Family appointed by Bhagawan Baba Himself.

The policies, decisions and directives of the Prasanthi Council are handed down through the state level units and central coordinators to the entire organisation, right down to the grassroots levels for assimilation and implementation.

The Sai Organisation, from small beginnings in a remote little hamlet, in South India, has grown into a well-knit, purposeful and service-oriented global organisation of dedicated men and women. With its organisational units in all Indian states and over 170 other countries, it is striving every day selflessly to bring in a new world order governed by peace, love, unity and harmony.

Indian Organisation

The structure of the Sai organisation in India consists of:

1. The All-India President who guides and supervises the activities of the organisations in all the states of India.

2. The All-India President is assisted by the All-India Coordinators of Spiritual, Educational and Service wing and also Zonal coordinators for Eastern, Western, Southern and Northern regions of India.

3. Every state has its own State President who appoints District Coordinators for every district of the particular state. The State President is also assisted by the State-level Mahila (women) Coordinators for each wing i.e., Spiritual, Educational and Service.

4. The District Coordinator of every district, in turn, selects the Convenors of every Sai Samithi (centre). Every Samithi has its own Spiritual, Educational and Service coordinator selected by the Convenor.

Overseas Organisation

Regions: For the purpose of the administration, the Overseas Organisation is structured into regions in the following manner:

1. Every region has one or more Central Coordinators who are appointed by the Overseas chairman of International Sai Organisation. The Central Coordinators disseminate policies, directives and messages received from the Prasanthi Council.

2. Every country which has ten or more Sai Centres has a Central Council, and a Coordinating Committee is in place in every country where there are less than ten but more than three Sai Centres.

3. The Central Council or the Coordinating Committee, as the case may be, selects the heads of every Sai Centre.

4. A minimum of nine members is required for the formation of a Sai Centre.

Excerpts from Bhagawan's Discourses with respect to the Sai Organisation

Bhagawan has on many occasions elaborated on the concept of seva and the ideals of the Seva Organisation. In a discourse given on 18th November 1984, He said:

“The uniqueness of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation consists in the fact that it regards seva (selfless service) as a form of service to the Divinity that is in each being. The bliss that is derived from such service is incomparable. It is a spiritual experience.”

From: Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. XVI, Chapter - 27.

In a revealing discourse that Baba delivered on the 23rd of February, 1968 in Prasanthi Nilayam, Baba made the purpose of the organisation very clear when He said,

“The Organisations named after Me are not to be used for publicising My Name, or creating a new cult around My worship. They must try to spread interest in japam (recitation of God's Name), dhyaanam (meditation) and other sadhanas (spiritual practices), which lead man Godward; they must demonstrate the joy derivable from bhajan (devotional group singing) and Naamasmarana (remembering God's Name), the Shaanthi (peace) that one can draw from Sathsang (good company).

They must render seva (service) to the helpless, the sick, the distressed, the illiterate and the needy. Their seva (selfless service) should not be exhibitionistic; it must seek no reward, not even gratitude or thanks from the recipients. Seva is sadhana (spiritual exercise), not a pastime of the rich and well placed. Each one must realize this truth.

From: “Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. VIII, Chapter- 6.

“It is the duty of all those who are connected with the Sathya Sai Organisations to promote spiritual discipline and dedicate their lives to social service for leading a purposeful life. To promote the awareness of Divinity in human beings and build a genuine sense of brotherhood among people, should be their primary aim.”

- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse in Prasanthi Nilayam on 22-11-1980
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. XIV, Chapter-56.

“Members of Sathya Sai Organisations must not cavil at other Names and Forms of God; they should not become fanatics blind to the Glory of other Names and Forms. They should join those that honour those other manifestations and demonstrate that all Names and Forms are Mine. They should contribute to the joy and happiness of all without giving up their faith.”

- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse in Prasanthi Nilayam on 18-05-1968
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. VIII, Chapter-21

“Ostentation is a demonic quality. It encourages egoism and megalomania. One should seek to acquire a good name through selfless service alone. It should be done with humility and sincerity. One who aspires to become a national leader must first know how to render service. He should not seek office or position. The Sai organizations have been set up for rendering service and not to establish official positions. Seva (service) should be done out of a sense of duty.”

- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse in Prasanthi Nilayam on 20-11-1990
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. XXIII, Chapter-31

“Sai organisations must endeavour to promote faith in God. If that foundation is absent, worship, bhajan (devotional singing), puja (worship), acts of charity - all become meaningless, mechanical rituals, done under social compulsion. Inner transformation can be acquired only when these are done with faith.”

- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse in Madras (now Chennai) on 21-04-1967
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. VII, Chapter-18

“Members of the Sai Organisation and those who adhere to the Universal Path to Sai should not be carried away by ideas of inferiority or superiority based on differences of religion, caste or creed. They should honour the virtues of faith, steadfastness, sincerity, purity, wherever found.”

- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse on 17th Oct 1972 in Prasanthi Nilayam
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. XI, Chapter – 42.

“Members of the Sai Organisation must carry on their work with the firm faith that all are the children of one God. They must carry on their service activities in a spirit of unselfish dedication to the Divine. The practice of pure, unselfish love is the only way to attain God. They should purify their hearts and minds, regarding their body as the temple of the Divine.”

- Bhagawan Baba’s Discourse on 12th May 1984 in Mumbai
“Sathya Sai Speaks”, Vol. XVII, Chapter – 11