Unity Cup International Cricket Match at Prasanthi Nilayam Sunday, December 30, 1997 On this day, a One Day International Cricket Match, ‘Sri Sathya Sai Unity Cup Match’ between India XI and International XI, was played in the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium. This was a unique match played for the first time in the history of cricket. Air Chief Marshall N. C. Suri (Retd.) gave special training to the Institute students in March Past for the inaugural ceremony. On this day, Bhagavan arrived at the stadium in His open car at 8.30 am led by the Institute students carrying the flags of 86 countries. Mr. I. K. Gujaral, the Prime Minister of India, hoisted the Sri Sathya Sai Unity Flag and Bhagavan lit the Unity Torch. [It had been predicted in the Shuka Nadi (ancient palm-leaf manuscripts written by Sage Shuka predicting major events of the future) that the world consciousness would move towards overall goodness after the Yuga-Avatar gets such a flag hoisted at the end of the year 1997.] Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. J. H. Patel, Chief Minister of Karnataka and Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, were present on this occasion. Bhagavan witnessed the whole match.  At lunch session, a cultural programme was put up by the Sri Sathya Sai Primary School children. At the end of the match, Bhagavan presented a specially made big silver cups to the special invitees and players of both the teams. Mr. Hanif Mohammed, Mr. Clive Lloyd and Mr. Sunil Gavaskar spoke before the prize distribution. The exciting function came to a befitting close with Bhagavan awarding Sachin Tendulkar, the captain of the winning team India XI, the Sri Sathya Sai Unity Cup. The following day during morning Darshan, He presented a silver cup to Mr. Sunil Gavaskar also. Unity Cup International Cricket Match at Prasanthi Nilayam – A Sacred Celebration Of Sportsmanship And Sai Values Unity Cup International Cricket Match at Prasanthi Nilayam is more than a game played with bat and ball. It is a beautiful reminder that sports can become a sacred platform for unity, discipline, friendship, joy, and character-building. When played in the atmosphere of Sai values, cricket becomes not only entertainment, but also a lesson in love, humility, and teamwork. Sports have a special power to bring people together. Players may come from different places, cultures, languages, and backgrounds, yet on the field they share one spirit. They run, play, encourage, struggle, and celebrate as members of one human family. This feeling reflects the deeper message that humanity is one, though forms and names may be many. Unity Cup International Cricket Match at Prasanthi Nilayam teaches that true sportsmanship is rooted in respect. Victory should not create pride, and defeat should not create bitterness. A noble player learns to accept both success and failure with balance. This is also a spiritual lesson, because life itself gives moments of winning and losing, praise and criticism, joy and disappointment. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba always emphasized the importance of character, discipline, and unity. In His vision, education, service, culture, and even sports should help human beings become better, kinder, and more selfless. A match played in such a sacred setting naturally reminds everyone that values are more important than trophies. Unity Cup International Cricket Match at Prasanthi Nilayam becomes meaningful when players understand that their conduct is as important as their performance. A powerful shot, a brilliant catch, or a fast delivery may win applause, but a kind gesture, honest play, and respect for opponents win the heart. The beauty of the game shines brighter when it is played with purity. Cricket also teaches patience and concentration. A batsman must wait for the right ball. A bowler must remain focused despite pressure. A fielder must stay alert until the last moment. In the same way, spiritual life requires patience, awareness, effort, and faith. Nothing great is achieved through carelessness or hurry. Unity Cup International Cricket Match at Prasanthi Nilayam also reminds us of teamwork. No player can win a match alone. Each one has a role, and every contribution matters. Some may score runs, some may take wickets, some may save boundaries, and some may lift the team spirit. This is also true in society. Every person has a duty, and every sincere effort has value. The sacred atmosphere of Prasanthi Nilayam adds a special meaning to such a gathering. It reminds players and viewers that joy should be pure, competition should be healthy, and celebration should remain humble. When sports are connected with noble values, they become a means of inner growth as well as outer enjoyment. Unity Cup International Cricket Match at Prasanthi Nilayam finally teaches that unity is not only a word to be spoken, but a feeling to be lived. A handshake after the match, a smile after a close contest, appreciation for good play, and acceptance of results with grace all show the beauty of unity in action. The message of “Love All, Serve All” can be practiced even on the cricket field. Players can love the game, respect one another, serve the team, and avoid hurting anyone through anger or arrogance. Spectators too can participate in this spirit by encouraging all, appreciating effort, and keeping the atmosphere peaceful. Sports become sacred when they reduce ego. A player may be talented, but talent without humility becomes incomplete. A team may be strong, but strength without discipline becomes dangerous. A victory may be sweet, but victory without gratitude becomes empty. Sai values give sports a higher direction and deeper purpose. Young people can learn many lessons from such an event. They can learn discipline from practice, courage from challenge, patience from failure, and joy from participation. They can also learn that real greatness is not only in being the best player, but in becoming a good human being. In the end, Unity Cup International Cricket Match at Prasanthi Nilayam is a sacred reminder that

Lesson on Whistle Blowing from the Epic Mahabharata There is an incident from the great Indian epic Mahabharata. The Pandavas were invited for a game of dice by Kauravas. It was a custom in those days that princely persons were under obligation to accept the invitation for playing dice under the royal norms. Betting was also part of the rules of the game. In this game of dice played between the Kauravas and Pandavas, Pandavas lost everything due to the foul-play of the Kauravas. After all things were lost finally, Yudhisthira, the eldest among the Pandavas, put their queen Draupadi as a bet. When they lost, they were forced to part with her. It was the prerogative of the people who won the bet to use their discretion to utilise the property or people they had won through the game of dice in the way they liked. They (Kauravas) wanted to settle scores with Pandavas for the humiliation (in their perception) meted out to them earlier in a palace known as ‘Maya Sabha’ (the magical palace). They summoned Draupadi to the court and made an abortive attempt to humiliate her by disrobing her. This was averted by the Divine intervention of Lord Krishna who miraculously protected her honour. Dushasana (the younger brother of Duryodhana) was disrobing Draupadi in King Dhritarashtra’s court amidst great personages like Bheeshmacharya (the grandsire of the Kuru clan), Kripacharya and Dronacharya (the preceptors of Pandavas and Kauravas), who were all aware that the act was wrong. All wise men were aware that what was being done was an atrocious act, but all remained mute spectators. It was only Vidura (minister of King Dhritarashtra and also his younger brother) who gathered courage to tell Bheeshma in no uncertain terms: “You are a man who can discriminate between good and bad. Such a noble person like you should not remain a silent spectator when such an atrocious act is being perpetrated. Why do you just keep quiet?” Bheeshma replied thus to the query of Vidura: “What can I do when the wicked people perpetrate such sub-human acts?” Vidura then reacted thus: “No! The one who does, the one who encourages, the one who acts as a mute/helpless witness, and the one who does not express the disapproval in unequivocal terms despite being aware that it is wrong – all are equally guilty.” The lesson that modern managers can learn from this episode is regarding ‘whistle blowing’. When something is going wrong that may affect the survival and prosperity of the organisation, it is the duty of wise people (managers) involved in the decision-making process to express opinions objectively in a polite manner without offending anybody (the top management).   Lesson on Whistle Blowing – A Sacred Reflection On Truth, Courage, And Moral Duty Lesson on Whistle Blowing is an important reminder that truth must not remain silent when wrong actions harm people, society, or sacred values. Speaking up against injustice is never easy, because it often demands courage, patience, and inner strength. Yet, when silence protects falsehood, a sincere person must listen to conscience and stand for what is right. Human life gives many situations where a person sees dishonesty, cruelty, misuse of power, corruption, or unfair treatment. At such times, the mind may become afraid. It may ask, “What will happen to me if I speak?” But the heart quietly asks, “What will happen to others if I remain silent?” Spiritual maturity begins when conscience becomes stronger than fear. Lesson on Whistle Blowing teaches that truth should be spoken with responsibility, not anger or revenge. The purpose of speaking up should not be to insult, destroy, or gain personal advantage. It should be to protect dharma, prevent harm, and guide the situation toward correction. Truth becomes sacred when it is joined with purity of intention. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba often emphasized truth, righteousness, peace, love, and non-violence. Truth is not only something to be praised in speeches; it must be lived in difficult moments. When a person supports truth even under pressure, character becomes strong. Such courage is not ordinary boldness; it is spiritual strength. Lesson on Whistle Blowing becomes meaningful when we understand that silence can sometimes become cooperation with wrong. If someone is being harmed and we remain quiet only for our own comfort, then our silence loses its purity. A good person should not become careless when injustice is happening in front of them. At the same time, speaking up requires wisdom. One must understand the facts clearly, avoid exaggeration, and choose the right way to report the matter. Careless accusations can hurt innocent people. Therefore, truth should be shared with honesty, evidence, humility, and respect for proper process. Lesson on Whistle Blowing also reminds us that fear is natural, but fear should not become the master. A person may fear losing position, friendship, comfort, or approval. But if the heart knows that something is seriously wrong, courage must arise. The support of God gives strength to those who act with sincerity. A true devotee should never use truth as a weapon of ego. Sometimes people expose others not because they love justice, but because they carry jealousy, hatred, or personal anger. This is not noble. Before speaking, one should examine the heart and ask, “Am I doing this for truth, or for revenge?” Purity of motive is essential. Lesson on Whistle Blowing finally teaches that righteousness may demand sacrifice. Those who stand for truth may face misunderstanding or opposition. But inner peace comes from knowing that one has obeyed conscience. The approval of the world is temporary, but the approval of one’s own conscience is deeply powerful. There is also a lesson for leaders and organizations. They should create an atmosphere where honest concerns can be heard without fear. If people are punished for speaking truth, falsehood grows. If truth is respected, trust grows. A healthy society protects sincere voices that work for the welfare of all. Prayer and inner discipline help a person act rightly in such situations. Prayer gives

Finally, India won the Match! December 30, 1997 In the morning, the ‘Sri Sathya Sai Unity Cup’ cricket match was played in the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View stadium at Prasanthi Nilayam. Swami came to the ground in an open white Saab convertible car. There was a march past of national flags of many countries. Later, the Prime Minister Shri Inder Kumar Gujaral hoisted the international flag, which was followed by Swami lighting the torch. Many other dignitaries including the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were also present for the occasion. The match was between India XI and World XI (the World XI team consisted of players from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and West Indies led by Arjuna Ranatunga from Sri Lanka). The Indian team led by Sachin Tendulkar won the match. Doordarshan, the national television channel had covered the event ‘live’. After the match, in the Mandir… Swami : (To the Warden) Finally India won the match. Warden : It was by Your Grace, Swami. Swami : (To a teacher) How was the programme? Teacher : Very good, Swami. Bahut Anand Aaya. (We really enjoyed it) Swami : How was the flag hoisting and flag march? Teacher : Very good, Swami. Everything went on perfectly, by Your Grace. Swami : Played very well. But Indian players got 3 catches. Swami : Ranatunga and Jayasurya (Sri Lankan cricket players) are good boys… Played well, but they gave catch and were out. Others also gave catches and wickets fell down! Swami : (To another teacher) Finally India won the match. Teacher : Yes, Swami. It was all by Your Grace. Swami, TV commentators were telling that they had never seen such a beautiful stadium. Swami : Yes, very nice stadium. The Prime Minister also told that he had never seen a stadium like this. He told that he had not seen a game like this anywhere in the world. It was nice to see so many people in the stadium. India won the Match – A Joyful Lesson On Unity, Effort, And Humble Victory India won the Match is not only a statement of sporting success; it is also a reminder of teamwork, discipline, faith, and collective joy. When a nation celebrates victory, people from different regions, languages, religions, and backgrounds come together with one feeling. For a few beautiful moments, differences become small and unity becomes strong. A match is never won by one person alone. Even when one player shines brightly, the support of the whole team remains important. The batsman, bowler, fielder, captain, coach, and even those sitting outside the playing eleven contribute through effort, planning, encouragement, and sacrifice. This teaches that success grows when many hearts work together. India won the Match teaches that victory is born from preparation, patience, and courage. Behind every great performance, there are hours of practice, moments of pressure, and silent struggles that the crowd may never see. The applause comes at the end, but the real foundation is built through discipline and dedication. In life also, every achievement needs steady effort. Students must study sincerely, workers must perform honestly, families must support each other, and seekers must continue spiritual practice with patience. Nothing noble becomes strong without commitment. A beautiful result is often the fruit of unseen hard work. India won the Match becomes meaningful when the joy of victory remains humble. Winning should never create arrogance or disrespect for others. A true champion respects the opponent, values the game, and accepts success with gratitude. Humility makes victory graceful, while pride reduces its beauty. Sports teach balance. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, and sometimes the result remains uncertain until the last moment. This is also the nature of life. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba often taught equanimity and inner balance. Joy and sorrow, praise and blame, success and failure should be accepted with faith and maturity. India won the Match also reminds us of the power of national unity. When people cheer together, pray together, and celebrate together, they feel connected as one family. This unity should not remain only for sports. It should enter daily life through kindness, respect, cooperation, and love for the country. A victory can inspire young minds. Children and youth learn that dreams require discipline, confidence, fitness, teamwork, and courage. They also learn that pressure can be faced with calmness. A player who remains steady in a difficult moment becomes an example for everyone who faces challenges in life. India won the Match finally teaches that success should be offered with gratitude. A grateful heart remembers God, teachers, parents, supporters, and all those who helped in the journey. Gratitude keeps the mind pure. It prevents success from becoming ego and turns achievement into a blessing. The joy of a sporting victory should also make us appreciate effort on both sides. Opponents are not enemies; they are participants in the same game. Without challenge, excellence cannot shine. Therefore, respect for the opposing team is an important part of true sportsmanship. In every field, teamwork is necessary. A family becomes peaceful when members cooperate. A school becomes strong when teachers and students work together. A nation becomes great when citizens perform their duties sincerely. The spirit seen on the field can become a lesson for society. A devotee can also see a spiritual message in such a victory. The body may play the game, but the mind must remain disciplined, the heart must remain pure, and the actions must remain fair. When talent is guided by values, success becomes noble. When victory is guided by humility, it becomes sacred. Celebration is natural, but it should remain peaceful and respectful. True joy does not insult others. True celebration spreads happiness without hurting anyone. A nation’s victory becomes more beautiful when it is expressed through gratitude, unity, and dignified happiness. In the end, India won the Match is a joyful reminder that unity, effort, discipline, humility, and faith can lead to beautiful success. It inspires us to work sincerely, celebrate gracefully, and respect every person who contributes to

FROM ‘I’ TO ‘WE’ – by Ashwin Salian “Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; To be understood, as to understand; To be loved, as to love; For it is in giving that we receive, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.” – St. Francis of Assisi Before I joined the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School in my eleventh class, I studied in a school by name ‘St. Francis D’Assisi High School’. As the name implies, the school was dedicated to St. Francis. Every morning we used to say the prayer given above. Then I could not understand the real meaning of the prayer. Now that I have joined the Higher Secondary School, I have realised my duties and responsibilities to some extent. Thus, I can now understand the true meaning of the prayer and relate it to my own life. Why only my life – it can be related to everyone’s life.  The prayer can be divided into three parts. The first part is where the person prays that “Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.” This statement is very significant in the life of a Sai student. Let me tell you why. Bhagavan has specially selected all His students to be His instruments. He has said in one of His Divine discourses, “I am depending upon you students for a great transformation in outlook, for a great revolution. Students of Sri Sathya Sai College must lead this revolution.”  Thus we are all the instruments in His Divine mission. Knowingly or unknowingly we are working towards the goal. Let me narrate to you an incident to illustrate this point. Once a student was suffering from chicken pox. He was put up in the old hostel. He was feeling very sad since he could not come for Bhagavan’s darshan. He was continuously praying to Bhagavan. One evening, another brother went to meet him sometime and then the sick – boy asked him if he had any Vibhuti, packets. The other brother promptly gave him a few packets of Vibhuti he had in his pocket. At this the sick boy started crying. On being asked the reason for his crying, he told that Bhagavan had come in his dream and told him that He would give him Prasadam. And he did not know how that would happen, as he could not go for darshan. And yet Bhagavan kept His world. Thus, unknowingly the other boy had become an instrument of Bhagavan. Similarly, all of us are ‘destined’ to become His messengers. In the second part of the prayer, the devotee prays to God that he may remove the bad from this world i.e. hatred, doubt, despair etc., and replace it with good qualities like love, faith, joy etc. This is what a true messenger of our Lord’s love is supposed to do. But for that we have to change ourselves first. Bhagavan has said, “You are My instruments from whom My love will pour. Be always aware, that the moment you let your ego descend on you, My work ceases. When you have overcome your negative mindfulness, you will again become My source.”  Let me drive this point home with an incident that happened in the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Once Francis was riding home from the market. He saw a leper on the way. The lepper was in a terrible condition; a terrible stench was coming from the pus that oozed from his wounds. Francis was horrified and he went away as fast as he could. But then he remembered the phrase from the Bible, “Desire, what you formerly despised; despise what you former desired.” Immediately, he turned back and went to the leper and showered his love on him. He wrapped up the leper in a blanket, put him on his shoulder and started walking towards a home for the destitute. On the way, suddenly he found there was no weight on his shoulder. He put down the burden, unwrapped the blanket and found that there was no leper in it! This was one among the few incidents that changed the course of his life. When he left his sense of pride, he could become the messenger of God. It was due to this that the world respects him as a saint.  The third part of the Prayer is where the devotee puts others before himself. He does not care to be understood and loved by anyone. Instead, he wants to love others. He cares not for receiving and thinks that it is in giving that he receives his joy and everything. He says that it is in forgiving the faults of others that his own faults will be forgiven. He believes firmly that when he puts his own interests behind, he becomes one with God. These are the very teachings that Bhagavan gives us. He says, “Love all; serve all.” These little teachings finally take us to God. As Bhagavan says, “In this college, you will be marching from smaller truths to great truths.” Let us all become worthy instruments of Sai and travel from ‘I’ to ‘We’.  The Descent of God FROM ‘I’ TO ‘WE’ – By Ashwin Salian: A Sacred Journey From Self To Unity

The Descent of God More than 2000 years ago, when ego and pride became human nature, ignorance reigned supreme and the demonic nature of man was at its peak, Jesus Christ descended on earth and through his message of love and compassion demonstrated the path of righteousness. Today, you must recognise the most important aspect of the life of Jesus Christ. In the very beginning of his life, Jesus declared, “I am a Messenger of God”. He proclaimed that all are embodiments of Divinity in this human form, and all are messengers of God. He said that every ounce of this human body till the last drop of blood should be dedicated to the service of mankind. “A heart filled with love and compassion is the real temple of God”, declared Jesus.  The alarm clock wakes us by ringing the alarm at the opportune time. The great sages of ancient times would wake man from the slumber of ignorance by warning him at the appropriate time and in the appropriate manner. They would warn man to recognise the Divinity which is all pervading. One must remember these teachings and put them into practice every moment of our lives. Celebrating the birthday of such a great and pious soul as just another ritual is not what is expected. The day you understand the teachings of Jesus, and implement them with your heart and soul, that day will really be the Birthday of Jesus Christ. The words of such great people should constantly ring in your hearts and should be the guiding light of your lives. Your real offering to God will be the dedication of your life to practicing these teachings. The Two World Views There are two kinds of views in this world. The first one is the spiritual point of view, and the other is the worldly point of view. You are walking on the road and on the way you see a rope lying on the road. Instinctively you think that it is a snake and get scared. Where does this fear come from? Has the rope changed into a snake or is it still a rope? The rope is still a rope, but you look at it with your material vision and mistake it to be a snake. This hallucination is a result of the worldly point of view. The spiritual point of view enables you to see the rope as a rope and as nothing else. It allows you to see the truth as the truth and therefore you don’t have any fear. This whole world is a manifestation of ‘Brahman’. Your vision which is blurred by ignorance, illusion and hallucination sees the world as material objects and not as Brahman. All that you see in the world, that you think as being real, is actually all unreal and false.  When Jesus was being tortured, his followers were in great grief. He said, “Just as this body has a dress, this body is a dress to the soul and nothing else”. Jesus told his followers, “Do not harm anyone. Do not hurt anyone. Treat everyone alike.” You must always practice these teachings in your lives. Ignorance has a very powerful influence on the mind. Arjuna said to Krishna, “The mind is very powerful, but it is wavering in nature.” In reply Krishna said, “However powerful or wavering one’s mind may be, with Sadhana (spiritual practice) it can be controlled.” A bee has the strength to drill a hole in the hardest variety of wood. However, when it enters a lotus, and if the lotus closes its petals, then even with all its might, the bee cannot come out of the lotus. Similarly, the all-powerful mind becomes powerless and surrenders at the lotus feet of the Lord. If you want to control the all-powerful mind, you must use the powerful tool of Sadhana. The Descent of God – A Sacred Reflection On Divine Love And Avatarhood The Descent of God is one of the most beautiful truths in spiritual life. When righteousness declines, when love becomes weak, when human beings forget their divine nature, the Lord comes among people to guide, protect, teach, and uplift. The Divine does not descend out of need, but out of compassion for suffering humanity. God is beyond birth and death, beyond time and space, beyond all limits of the mind. Yet, out of love, He takes a form that human beings can see, approach, love, and follow. This is the mystery of the Avatar. The infinite becomes intimate so that ordinary people may feel close to the Supreme. The Descent of God teaches that the Avatar comes not merely to perform miracles, but to transform hearts. Miracles may attract attention, remove doubt, or protect devotees, but the real mission is inner change. When anger becomes patience, selfishness becomes service, and fear becomes faith, the purpose of divine descent begins to shine. Human beings often become lost in worldly desires. They chase wealth, praise, position, pleasure, and comfort, thinking these will bring lasting happiness. But the soul longs for something deeper. The Avatar reminds humanity that real peace comes from truth, love, purity, devotion, and awareness of God within. The Descent of God becomes meaningful when we understand that divine love is practical. The Lord does not come only to speak high philosophy. He shows how to live. Through His words, actions, compassion, discipline, and example, He teaches people to love all, serve all, help ever, and hurt never. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba showed that the Avatar’s life is a message for the whole world. His teachings brought together devotion, service, education, healthcare, unity of faiths, and the awakening of human values. He reminded devotees that God is not far away in the sky, but present in every heart as love and conscience. The Descent of God also reminds us that the Divine comes for all, not for one group alone. God does not belong to one religion, language, caste, nation, or tradition. The sun shines for all, the rain falls for all,