Sathya Sai Baba The World-Avatar Teaching and Revelations

many names in many areas through many ages but its nature is unaffected.
So, however many forms and names he assumes and adopts,
the Brahman principle persists in him and remains the goal of awareness.
12.8.82, (25-264)
He who gives when asked and what is asked, is the master. He who
gives unasked when one needs is Brahman. Master means Lord,
Brahman means the cosmic ruler. You should not use Brahman to acquire
what you feel you need most. (...)
Every Avatar seeks to raise humanity to the level of Divinity by laying
down such paths of devotion and holding forth such examples of surrender.
“I do not know anything other than you." "You are the one and only."
When one has this faith, why allow desire to creep in? Why ask for this
or that? Have faith in God, the giver of all, the only treasure you need;
he will fill you with contentment. 12.8.82, (25-270/271)
The attainment of the Absolute does not depend entirely or solely an
mastery of spiritual knowledge. It is beyond the reach of study, scholarship,
or intellectual conquest. It is only by deeply felt devotion that it
can be realized. If the scholar, with all the weight of learning is also immersed
in devotion, his life is indeed sanctified! Before such aspirants,
the Lord will manifest in his real glory. (...)
The Universal is the individual's highest goal, highest wealth, highest
elevation, deepest joy. In the sacred text it has been proclaimed thus:
"God is the source of contentment, for he is the embodiment of the purest
emotion. Attaining him, the individual soul can be immersed in joy.
If God is not shining in the firmament of the heart, who is to taste, who
is to live? He feeds all, with bliss." (...)
Many are yet confused when it comes to deciding what exactly is devotion,
what is the nature of the attitude of devotion. It is impossible for
any one to define devotion. Devotion has infinite facets. Only pure, tender,
tolerant, calm and loving souls, the very cream of sages, souls
ever in the company of kindred devotees, can understand its purity and
depth. Others will find it as difficult to discover devotion in a person, as
softness in rock or coldness in fire or sweetness in neem. The devotee
holds the Lord dearer to him than life; and the Lord too is attached to
him in equal measure. Some great men even declare that the devotion
is superior to the Lord; the ryot loves the clouds more than the ocean
though the clouds only bring the ocean waters to their fields. The
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