Red Flags in Baba's Christmas 2000 Discourse

By Marswalker (Dennis J. Hanish)

There have been many comments on the Internet concerning the 2000 Christmas speech. Consider some extracts from the Monday, December 25 "Times of India" article: BANGALORE (Beginning of Quote) Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Monday lashed out at his detractors in a rare display of anger while delivering a discourse on the occasion of Christmas at Brindavan, Whitefield ashram here. Baba has rarely reacted to criticisms or allegations and this departure was an obvious response to a cover story in a magazine that contained derogatory references to him recently. One of Jesus' disciples, Judas, betrayed him. "In those days there was one Judas, but today there are thousands," Baba said." (end of Times of India quote) I've read both the edited versions on the Internet and a verbatim translation from the original Telegu.

In my opinion, discrimination and discernment should be used in the approach to this speech. It seems that there are many RED FLAGS. Sai says, "Hey, how are the works that are being done? Is anyone doing even a thousandth part of it? No, No, No! ONLY ONE, SATHYA SAI BABA. Without looking to his own selfishness, he is acting all for others." With reference to the new Speciality Hospital, Baba says, "In this state of Karanataka, is even one Minister entering even a tiny bit into works like this?" When talking about his service he says, "I am teaching free education to so many students."

When talking about bribes to betray the Guru he says, "Betrayal of God is the worst of all betrayals. It will not be atoned no matter how many births are experienced!" (At this point, I would like to remind you of Baba's well known quote, "Know that whatever happens in this world, this Avatar has willed it so.") Speaking of the reason for these troubles he says, "Why must they come? This Glory will increase only if they come."

Talking about the future he says, "There is not a single activity that Sai cannot do. He is also able to do things that cause everyone to be amazed." Please compare the above emotional speech with the following statement of Paramahansa Yogananda from a talk by a direct disciple, Brother Mokshananda, "Remembrance of the Guru," Self- Realization Fellowship 1983, Cassette No 25 10:(Please note this is not to promote a particular Guru.) "Daya Mata tells of one time she was attending a dinner with the Guru and they were seated near each other at a table, and at another table some distance away, they heard someone say some mean remarks about Master. And she looked at Master... "How can you stand it?" And Master reached out and plucked a rose from a vase on the table and he took the petals of the rose and ground them in the palm of his hand and then he gave his hand to Ma (Sri Days Mata) to inhale the fragrance-and he said, "See how this rose is..?.. EVEN WHEN CRUSHED, IT STILL GIVES OFF IT'S FRAGRANCE, SO SHOULD WE ALL..." Consider this: Even in crucifiction Jesus could keep his loving attitude and say, "Father, forgive them, for they know what they do." The RED FLAG is that S.B. spoke with EGO in the 2000 Christmas speech.

Note the following extracts from a discourse by Mrinalina Mata, direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda and SRF monastic, SRF 1978, Cassette No 2402: "There is one quality you will always find in the true Guru and that is humility-that humility was in Master...." "I don't think I ever heard Master say, "My disciples"....He would refer to them as "The devotees, but he NEVER said, "My disciples, My work My accomplishments." "I think that if anyone would ask us who was around Master, ‘HOW WOULD YOU JUDGE ONE WHO IS TRULY SAINTLY, ONE WHO IS TRULY DIVINE?'.. .I would say that if he has not that humility that I saw manifest in Gurudev--he is still lacking in spiritual accomplishment." Please consider the above RED FLAGS and remember that Sai Baba says he is Krishna, Rama, and the Father who sent Jesus on Earth!!!

Love, MarsWalker

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