Why the world needs Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s teachings now more than ever

GOD is timeless. He always was, is, and always will be. But in His insurmountable love, He takes on a form and appears on Earth to remind us of our true divine nature. The appearance of Divinity is not new. Krishna, Buddha, Jesus and many others have walked the Earth.

This year we celebrate the centenary birth advent of divinity (on Sunday) who graced us in the form Sri Sathya Sai Baba. In a world fractured by wars, religious conflicts, inequalities, political mayhem and degradation of human values, the timing of His divine descent is perfect.

His messages to mankind are simple yet so profound: There is only one religion, the religion of love. There is only one caste, the caste of humanity. There is only one language, the language of the heart. There is only one omnipresent God. He has come to remind us that we are all spiritual beings, born in His image and that the purpose of life is to realise our true divine nature.

He has urged us to regard all of mankind as one brotherhood under the fatherhood of God, to respect nature as the vesture of God, to use resources wisely, and to show gratitude to that which we take for granted - the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil out of which our food grows. Such messages that are so beneficial to mankind are worthy of celebrating.

The love and kindness that He has showered and continues to shower on each of us is truly magical. But, most importantly, we celebrate the fact that through His grace, we have become better versions of ourselves.

As the world marks the centenary birth advent of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, we are invited not merely to commemorate a life, but to reflect deeply on a legacy that continues to illuminate the path for millions. In an age where humanity grapples with division, ecological degradation, and a crisis of values, the teachings of this revered spiritual master offer a timeless and urgently needed message: that love, unity, and selfless service are not only possible - they are essential.

Born in 1926 in Puttaparthi, India, Sri Sathya Sai Baba was no ordinary spiritual figure. He did not seek to establish a new religion or convert followers. Instead, he came to awaken humanity to its own divine nature. His mission was to remind us that we are not separate beings defined by race, religion, or nationality, but spiritual entities united by the same divine essence. His life was a living testament to the principle that “Love All, Serve All.”

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has stated that He had not come to start a new religion nor had He come to gather devotees.

The Sri Sathya Sai Global Council is an international organisation, formed to propagate His message of love through practice. Internationally they are a group millions of His devotees who live by the message that "service to man is service to god".

Their educare, sociocare and medicare programmes have helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. All community service programmes and projects are funded entirely by love offerings from members of the Sri Sathya Sai Global Council. The membership comes from diverse racial, religious, social and economic backgrounds.

In South Africa, a country with its own complex history of division and reconciliation, these teachings resonate deeply. The African philosophy of Ubuntu - “I am because we are” - finds a powerful echo in Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s emphasis on unity and interconnectedness. His message aligns seamlessly with the values of compassion, community, and collective upliftment that are at the heart of Ubuntu.

Through Sathya Sai Baba's teachings and through the lives of His devotees, we see that the spirit of Ubuntu can be practised and is liveable.

As we celebrate this centenary, let us not merely look back in admiration. Let us look forward with intention. The world does not need more ideologies. It needs more love.

This centenary is a celebration of a life, yes. But more than that, it is a celebration of a possibility- the possibility of a world transformed by love. Let us honour that possibility. Let us live it.

Br Reuben Naidoo

National Council President Sri Sathya Sai Global Council South Africa.

Events on Sunday,

- The Sathya Sai Centre Temple Valley: Sivan Sabay, 25 Myrtle Place, Brindaven, Verulam.

- The Sathya Sai Centre Brindhaven: Verulam Daycare Centre, 100 Todd Street, Brindhaven, at 2pm. Call SR Nisha Ramawthar on 084 705 5404. 

- The Sri Sathya Sai Centre Acacia: Acacia Primary School at 2pm. 

- The Sri Sathya Sai Centre Belvedere: Tongaat South Vishnu Temple at 2pm with guest speaker Roshni Singh (Director of the Sri Sathya Sai Education Institute, South Africa). 

- The Sri Sathya Sai Centre Tongaat: Gokhale Hall from 6am. 

- The Sri Sathya Sai Centre La Mercy: La Mercy Community Hall at 11am. Call Nalini Vadivelu on 082 725 1958 and Kay Naidu on 083 468 5659. 

- The Glenhills Sai Centre: Glenhills Multipurpose Hall at 1pm. 

- The Silverglen Sai Centre: Harmony Road, Silverglen, at 3pm. Call Eddie Govender on 078 793 5408 or Selvie Pillay on 083 782 0595. 

- The Sri Sathya Sai Global Council South Africa Phoenix Region, in conjunction with the SSSC Westham, Whetfern, Woodview and Unity of Faiths: Sri Sathya Sai Educare at 3pm at 76 Allingham Road, Westham, Phoenix. Dress code for men white and women, white and gold. 

The Sri Sathya Sai Global Council will host a five-day sacred celebration at Masabalala Yengwa Road, People’s Park, outer fields (opposite the Moses Mabhida Stadium):

* 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲: November 26 to 28 from 8am to 12.30pm.

* 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲: November 29 from noon to 7.45pm. It will offer an afternoon of devotion, culture, and unity featuring devotional offerings and cultural performances by Acharya Ratna Isai Selvamani V Karthigesan Pillay, and other artists, the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra featuring Shanjeet Teeluck and a special SSSE children’s production - entitled "Golden Thread of Sai".

* 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸 and f𝗹𝗼𝗮𝘁 p𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: November 30 at 7.30am.

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