Om Sai Ram

Vahini, in Sanskrit, means "stream". These writings are Swami's streams of thought on a range of subjects: meditation, right action, wisdom, peace, divine love, and Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads and the story of Rama. The Vahinis originally appeared in the ashram's monthly magazine Sanathana Sarathi (The Eternal Charioteer). (S)

BHAGAVATHA VAHINI

This Vahini is Sathya Sai Baba's retelling of the Srimad Bhagavatam, a Hindu scripture about the divine incarnations of Vishnu. Here, Swami has chosen to concentrate on the Avatar of Krishna through the story of King Parikshith, grandson of the Pandavas --the heroes of the great epic the Mahabharata. Because Parikshith committed an offensive act in a moment of anger, he is cursed to die in seven days. Parikshith renounces his throne, desiring to merge with Lord Krishna. The sage Suka suddenly appears, reciting the glories of Krishna to the king for seven days and thereby imparting divine knowledge and bliss. The joy experienced by Parikshith enables him to merge in Krishna at the moment of death. These stories of Krishna's love and miracles radiate beauty and sweetness, and divine light pours from every page. To be read and reread. (S)

DHARMA VAHINI
Stream of Righteousness

Dharma is a Sanskrit word with numerous translations. In this volume, Swami discusses the broadest meaning, that of right action, "the moral path" (SSB), as it affects the Atma-dharma, (the inner reality). Swami focuses as well on dharma of women and of the husband and wife, dharma in the temple, and education, and he provides interesting clarities on the Gayatri Mantra (the ancient universal Hindu mantra) and the nature of man. (S)

DHYANA VAHINI

Swami defines dhyana (meditation) as the practice that frees the mind of all instincts and impulses. He tells us that this freedom is itself liberation. It "will grant individual union with the Godhead" (SSB). Included are suggested forms of meditation, guidelines for correct practice, related disciplines, and ways to overcome common pitfalls. (S)

GEETHA VAHINI

Compiled in 1966, this is a collection of articles by Sathya Sai Baba on the principal teachings of the most famous of Indian scriptures, the Bhagavadh Gita (the Song of God). In his opening greeting, editor Kasturi notes, "when Arjuna was overcome with grief at the prospect of the fight, Krishna instructed him in the science of recognizing one's Oneness with all and removed the grief and fear." The spiritual practices and attitudes recommended by Krishna in the Gita are elucidated here by Swami. and concepts such as dharma (right action), liberation, detachment, the guru-disciple relationship, surrender, and others are explained with practical significance. (S)

JNANA VAHINI

"Grasping the secret of the universe and its origin -- that is jnana" (SSB). This is a collection of articles by Sathya Sai Baba on jnana (knowledge, spiritual wisdom), the power that removes ignorance and reveals true reality. "It is only when full knowledge is won that one can get liberated" (SSB). From the delusion of maya (this unreal illusory world) to the realization of Brahman (God), the language and appropriate practices of the progressive stages of consciousness leading to jnana are thoroughly explained. But it is devotion that is singled out by Swami as the chief path to true knowledge. (S)

LEELA KAIVALYA VAHINI
Stream of Cosmic Sport Divine

Published to coincide with Sathya Sai Baba's 65th birthday, this is one of the more recent of the Vahini series. The preface states that it "is a cool crystal clear stream that flows from the divine pen of Bhagawan to dissolve all obstacles like doubts and dogmas, purposeless arguments and flimsy fancies of the sadhaka (aspirant far spiritual progress)." Through questions and answers between the spiritual aspirant and Swami, the reader absorbs pertinent knowledge of ancient scriptures such as the Vedas and Upanishadh, as well as details about mantras (sacred words), various deities and other aspects of spirituality. (S)

PRASANTHI VAHINI

Baba describes prasanthi (the highest peace) as unwavering bliss, "the absence of desire and anger, greed, and hatred" (SSB), an attribute of the true Self. In these writings, published in 1962, Swami demonstrates how we can secure peace, through the disciplines of sense control, discrimination, self-inquiry, renunciation and prayer. The text contains definitive discussions on the paths of devotion and spiritual wisdom as well as vivid explanations of the "who am I" process of inquiry. (S)

PRASNOTTARA VAHINI

Prasna and uttara signify question and answer; this describes the format Sathya Sai Baba utilizes in this short book, formerly an appendix to the Geetha Vahini. Prof. Kasturi, the translator of many of Swami's writings and discourses, states about the book, "It seeks to elucidate the fundamental concepts and precepts of religion, especially the technical words and expressions that seek to concretize them." Subjects include: the body and the senses, the four stages of life, liberation and karma, education and devotion, obstacles to liberation, spiritual wisdom and mind control (yoga) the scriptures, mantra (sacred words) and repetition of God's name, and ascetic practices. (S)

PREMA VAHINI

In the preface to this book on spiritual love (prema), Prof. Kasturi notes: "It is significant that the very first series of articles that Baba wrote for the Sanathana Sarathi (the ashram magazine) was Prema Vahini. Truth sathya, right action (dharma) , peace (shanthi), and love are the four pillars of the new world of the Sai Era, and under Baba's guidance, humanity has to discover peace, through love ... For that task, this book will be of immense help; while reading it you are in touch with the very source of love: while translating its message into action, you are visibly led by the grace of the Lord Himself." (S)

RAMA KATHA RASAVAHINI, a.k.a. THE RAMA STORY (two volumes)
(STREAM OF SACRED SWEETNESS)

Here Swami retells the story of Lord Rama, the incarnation of God for his time. Rama came to earth to teach mankind righteousness (dharma) and truth (sathya). We learn these divine spiritual concepts through Rama's example and through the dharmic lessons learned by his friends and relatives: his wife Sita, his great devotee, the monkey Hanuman, his brothers Lakshmana, Bharatha, and Satrughna, and the evil demon Ravana. This gripping adventure is told with sweetness and love. To be read and reread. (S)

SANDEHA NIVARINI
Dissolving Doubts. Dialogues with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

According to Kasturi, Sathya Sai Baba created these unique spiritual dialogues as part of his divine mission of "consoling, correcting and curing ... . This series unravel. the mysteries of spiritual truth and lovingly removes the mist that hides the vision of aspirants." Among the topics addressed by Swami in the far-ranging questions and answers are: faith, the guru, the Vedas, peace of mind, spiritual instruction, the name of the Lord, true learning, fault-finding, the desire far God, effort and prayer, samadhi (total bliss), surmounting obstacles, the nature of the Atma (the real inner reality), the Gita, and the Ramayana. (S)

SATHYA SAI VAHINI
The Stream of Divine Sai Grace

This comprehensive text combines Bharathiya Paramartha Vahini (Stream of Indian Spiritual Values) and Sathya Sai Vahini (Flow of Divine Sai Grace), two series that Swami wrote on Indian culture and religion. "Every being is divine; this is the final judgment of the wisdom of Bharath (India)" (SSB). Swami illuminates this wisdom with explorations of the supreme reality, liberation, castes, karma and more. The discussions give one a unified view of the science of God realization that is contained in India's sacred texts, spiritual practices, and codes of conduct. (S)

UPANlSHAD VAHINI

The Upanishath form a part of the Vedas, India's most ancient spiritual scriptures. The word Upanishath itself denotes "sitting close to the teacher" as well as "the study and practice of innate truth" (SSB). As a body of philosophy, these scriptures are difficult and sometimes elusive. In this collection of articles compiled in 1968, Sathya Sai Baba explains the teachings of the ten most prominent Upanishaths. Swami covers a range of topics with practical relevance to the aspirant, including non-dualism, meditation on the One, detachment, discrimination, and the attainment of the ultimate reality. This is a valuable precursor to reading the Upanishaths. (S)

VIDYA VAHINI
Stream of Thought That Illumines

Simple, beautiful, and illuminating, this is Sathya Sai Baba's philosophy of education, geared to producing students of high integrity who can face the world with love end nobility. Vidya means "that which illumines" or "knowledge". Swami illustrates how to use knowledge, as well as the benefits derived from understanding true vidya, or Atma vidya (the highest knowledge of truth, goodness, and beauty). Among the issues covered by Swami are: the need for education to delve into the nature of the Absolute; the importance of the intensive cultivation of the spirit and the inculcation of human values; development of character; the teacher's profession and truth; the task of teachers, parents and society; the benefits of disciplined thought and conduct; and happiness through awareness of the Atma. This Vahini is a must for everyone concerned with the state of education today. (S)