Sathya Sai Baba The World-Avatar Teaching and Revelations

help students, the sick, and the poor. Feel that this work, wherever carried
out, is work that pleases me.
You need not offer me anything; I only want you to realise the goal of
life by playing your role in the activities that help and cure, that are carried
out by such institutions.
You are all aware of this: I do not allow anyone to bring here even a
flower, a fruit or a coconut. However, some people, carried away by
their devotion and dedication, or moved by sudden enthusiasm or exultation
post or bring when they come here clothes for me and place
them before me. From to day, I have direct that this should not be
done; observe this as my command. If anyone brings clothes he will
not be admitted to Prashanti Nilayam. Such people will be treated as
acting against Swami's wishes and orders. What you should place before
me is an offering of pure love; only that.
From to day, spend your days and years in activities that help those
who are in need, and make this human existence of yours worthwhile
and fruitful. I wish you to conduct yourselves accordingly and I bless
you. 23.11.74, (23-172/173)
You refer to the gift of food as bliss, the charity of food. But, no one has
the authority to give in charity what has been given by God or be proud
of it or even to feel that he has given something in charity. God gave
the rains, God fostered the sapling and God ripened the grain; what
right have you to call it yours and give it in charity? It is not charity that
you do; you are only offering gratitude to God; you are sanctifying the
grain you have harvested by offering the food prepared out of it to
these Gods in human form. (...) Since you are doing it with love and
humility, in the spirit of Divine worship, I have come to your village to
bless you. Do not cast all responsibility on a committee, or a group of
enthusiasts; join them wholeheartedly and offer to share the burden. I
want everyone to join in this service activity and that it should be done,
not once a month as now, but even at more frequent intervals. 28.1.75,
(23-198)
The swimmer has to push the water behind him so that he might proceed
forward. So, too, while attempting to march forward, man has to
push back from him the evil thoughts, habits, deeds and impulses that
crowd around him. The Sathya Sai service organization has to teach
this lesson, not by precepts elaborately described in elegant language,
but by example that spreads conviction, instils faith and assures success.
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