The Works of Sathya Sai Baba: “My Life is My Message”
Sathya Sai Baba was the living embodiment of His own message: “Love All, Serve All”, “Help Ever, Hurt Never”. As such, he would often invite people to study and observe Him as He lived a life of selfless service and dedication all, with the following words:
“You can observe Me and My activities; note how I adhere to righteousness, moral order, truth, and universal compassion. That is what I desire you to learn from Me … My Life is My Message.”
Sathya Sai Baba led by example. In addition to the endless inspiration provided to His devotees to serve the needy around the world, Sathya Sai Baba Himself founded a network of renowned educational and medical institutions, where all services – including complex surgeries and transplantations at super-specialty hospitals – are free of charge to all. He also initiated a water-supply system to provide free water for hundreds of underprivileged villages in Southern India. Some highlights of these initiatives are provided below.
Education Programs
Sathya Sai Baba places immense value on education. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the universal human values and exemplify the practice of His teachings in daily life, He built a number of elementary and secondary schools as well as a complete university system in India, for both men and women. The education offered at these schools is provided free of charge. Sathya Sai Baba would say:
“Education must impart elevating ideals and kindle the lamp of wisdom. Character is the most precious gift of education.”
These schools teach a holistic curriculum that includes science, medicine, business, and arts, all integrated with a character building program called Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (or SSEHV). This program emphasizes the unity of all beings and faiths, the importance of service to society and the love, compassion and understanding towards all of creation. It is in this context that Sathya Sai Baba would often remind us that:
“Politics without principle, education without character, science without humanity, and commerce without morality are not only useless but positively dangerous.”
Medical Services
Sathya Sai Baba also demonstrated that medical care of the highest quality can also be provided free of charge, even in highly specialized fields such as cardiology, nephrology, and urology. He established a General Hospital in Puttaparthi, which provides free medical care to all residents and visitors. He established super-specialty hospitals in Puttaparthi and Bangalore, each equipped with the latest equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of advanced diseases. These hospitals are supported by a team of highly qualified physicians and medical staff, with specialized surgeons and doctors from around the world regularly volunteering their time and expertise. All hospital services, including complex surgeries and transplantation procedures are free of charge.
Drinking Water Project
Sathya Sai Baba also undertook a large project to bring drinking water to millions of people who live in chronically drought-stricken areas in Southern India. This monumental project covers thousands of villages and spans tens of thousands of square kilometers.