Book Notes
Sathyam Sivam Sundaram Volume 5
The offical biography of Sri Sathya Sai Baba is the "Sathyam Sivam Sundaram" series, which cover the life and works of Sathya Sai Baba between birth and 1980. The chronicler of the life of Sai Baba was Sri N Kasturi, who collated and authored the information in the first 4 volumes. Some 25 years have passed since the release of Volume 4. Now, a new volume has been prepared, covering the years 1980-1985.
The author of this volume, and subsequent volumes (upon which work is progressing as we write)is Sri B.N. Narasimhamurthy, warden of the hostel at the Brindavan Campus of the Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. This volume comprises 384 pages, glossary, full chonology of the acts of Sathya Sai Baba for the years 1980-1985. 113 photographs depicting the events and themes in the book. Three of the plates are letters written by Swami himself.
The chapters are set thematically. The first chapter recapitulates the divine self revelation of Baba. The second chaper narrates important events from the early years of Baba's life which were not recorded in earlier volumes of the Sathyam Sivam Sundaram series. Baba's visits to Kashmir and New Delhi follow.
Much of the book is devoted to the founding of the Deemed University, the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, with narrative including students, teachers and administrators in both the University and the Ashram Complex, who all made signal contributions to the magnitude of this project. The genesis of the Hospitals at Puttaparthi and Whitefield are covered, along with the Fourth World Conference of the Sri Sathya Sai Organistion. The last chapter covers the essence of the teachings of Baba given during this period.
For International readers, this book is available from the Sri Sathya Sai
Books and Publications website
For Australian residents, $3 plus postage and packaging, from Sai Books, 24 Kenilworth Ave, Wonga Park, 3115,
(Margaret and Randall McDonald), phone (03) 9722 1740
email books[at]saiaustralia.org.au