On Christmas Day, 2000, Sai Baba reiterates comments he has made for over 30 years on those who act out of jealousy and envy. Jesus only had one betrayer, Judas. Sathya Sai has many betrayers. Below is Sathya Sai Baba's words to devotees, the overlooked foundation of this controversy, and the response to scandal and jealousy.

Jesus faced Trial and Tribulations

Today you have to remind yourselves of the ideals Jesus stood for. Since ages from time to time, many noble souls, endowed with immense spiritual power, have taken birth to propagate sacred teachings to the world. They struggled hard to make the world a good place to live in. But without understanding their noble intentions, foolish people tried to ridicule, and persecute them. Right from, his birth, Jesus had to face many trials and tribulations. When the name and fame of noble souls spread far and wide, many people become jealous. Asuya (jealousy) and Anasuya (one devoid of jealousy) are sisters. The history of Bharat is replete with many examples that bear testimony to this truth. Asuya has three children, viz., Kama, Krodha and Dwesha (desire, anger and hatred). The Divine Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara were born to Anasuya. The three wicked sons of Asuya (ie., desire, anger and hatred) caused a great deal of suffering to Jesus, who strove tirelessly for the peace and welfare of society. Jesus was the epitome of compassion and the refuge of the poor, needy and forlorn. But many people tried to create troubles for Jesus, as they did not like his sacred teachings and activities. Their hatred for Jesus increased day by day and even the priests were against Jesus as they became jealous of his growing popularity. The fishermen held Jesus in high esteem. They started following his teachings and became his disciples. Many people out of jealousy laid obstacles in his path and even tried to kill him.

Sai-Bashers are Judases

Jesus had twelve disciples. Judas was the twelfth disciple who ultimately betrayed Jesus. At that time, there was only one Judas, but today there are many such 'Judases'.

Judas Sai-Bashers seek Money

Today the world is engulfed in unrest because of the rise in the number of betrayers like Judas. They are so mean-minded that they are easily tempted by money. Judas betrayed Jesus just for a few pieces of silver. Even two thousand years ago, money became the primary objective of man. Because of their greed for money, people resort to evil and unjust ways, distort the truth and make false propaganda. This was the case then and it is so even now. No one needs to be afraid of such false allegations.

No devotee has made a mistake

Why should one be afraid of the mistake that one has not committed? In the past, many evil-minded people were jealous of the Divine personalities who attained worldwide fame through their teachings of truth and righteousness. Even today there is no dearth of such wicked people.

The Jealous cannot suffer good persons

Today many people are jealous of Sai as His name and fame are spreading far and wide. Neither do they undertake any good activity nor can they tolerate if someone else is doing good. Sai Baba is

Sathya Sai Baba stands for 3P's, namely, Purity, Patience and Perseverance. There is no trace of selfishness in Sai Baba from top to toe. He is rendering totally selfless service.

Money blinds to Truth

Why are those with a modicum of intelligence unable to recognise this truth? Why are they indulging in false propaganda? They are doing so due to their greed for money. Not merely that. People of one religion are taking up conversion to another religion for the sake of money. Even those who wear ochre robes are falling prey to this evil trend. One Swamiji becomes jealous at the prosperity of some other Swamiji and instigates false propaganda against him.

So-called sadhus and Publicity

Even some of the so-called Sadhus are indulging in this wicked activity. One need not talk about the role of Peetaadhipathis in this. We should not criticise anybody, but I am forced to tell you all this, as the situation demands. Do not be afraid of any false publicity.

Human in form, demon in nature

People who try to put obstacles in way of sacred activities are no human beings at all. They are verily demons.

The Avatar mission will succeed

Even if the whole world were to be filled with such demons, Sai's resolve will never change.

What can the Sai Mission lose?

Some people out of their mean-mindedness are trying to tarnish the image of Sai Baba. I don't crave for name and fame. So I don't lose anything by their false propaganda. My glory will go on increasing day by day. It will never diminish even a bit if they were to publicise their false propaganda in the whole world in bold letters.

Print Media is the cawing of crows

Some devotees seem to be disturbed over these false statements. They are not true devotees at all. Having known the mighty power of Sai, why should you be afraid of the 'cawing of crows'? All that is written on walls, said in political meetings or the vulgar tales carried by the print media, should not carry one away.

The Sai Resolve = The Devotee Resolve

Let us firmly resolve to propagate the principles of truth, righteousness and love.

Shameless, Foolish Indulgence

These persons are unable to do even a thousandth of what Sathya Sai Baba is doing for society, but shamelessly indulge in false allegations. It would be far better if they follow Sathya Sai Baba instead and set an ideal to the rest of the world.

Foolish are ruined

People who indulge in false allegations are bound to be ruined. Those who instigate such false publicity too will meet their doom.

The function of Money

Money should be utilised to undertake righteous actions. It should not be used for evil purposes.

Why be afraid of The Truth?

I am not afraid of any false propaganda that people may do. Why should I be afraid when I follow the path of truth, righteousness and love? Let people say what they want; I am not perturbed.

Avatars always face difficulties and criticism

Today I am explaining to you in detail the principle of love that I stand for. During the time of every Avatar, wicked people did play their tricks. During the time of Krishna, there were demonical persons like Kamsa, Sisupala and Dantavakra, who tried their best to harm Him. When Rama incarnated for the establishment of Dharma, He too was subjected to a lot of hardship. He was sent to forest on exile for 14 years and Ravana forcibly took His consort away. Ultimately, what happened to all those who tried to create trouble for the Divine Personalities? Those that accuse the Divine Personalities and put them to suffering are committing the worst of the sins.

What course of action?

It is better one keeps quiet instead of indulging in such sinful deeds. There are some people who claim to be devotees and take to evil ways.

Students are Gold

When these students go out, some people try to pollute their minds with wicked feelings. Whatever others may say, our students are like gold. The very dust from their footsteps will prevent wickedness in others.

Foreigners try to bribe ex-students

Our old students are working in various countries like Switzerland, America, Japan, China, Russia, etc. Some foreigners are trying to bribe them, asking them to fabricate stories against Sathya Sai Baba. In Switzerland, when one of our girl students was approached by someone asking her to concoct stories against Sai Baba, she got so enraged that immediately she took out her shoe and was about to slap that person saying, "Is this what your religion teaches? Is this the ideal that your religion propagates? Fie on you! Get out!" But there are some traitors like Judas, who are being bribed to level false charges against Sai Baba.

Betrayal a great sin

Ultimately, what happened to Judas? He felt miserable for having betrayed Jesus for monetary gains. He shed tears of repentance. He hit himself saying, "Fie on me! I am a traitor. I betrayed my own master and God." Betrayal of God is the worst of all sins. Such betrayal can never be atoned in any number of births. So, never try to betray God.

The Devotee Response to Betrayal

Love all. Salute even those who criticise you because Divinity is present in all. Do not give scope for anger and spoil your mind. Pray to God with love. Even in the past, noble souls and incarnations had to put up with criticism. You may ask why at all such criticism should arise? Criticism will only increase their glory. Pleasure is an interval between two pains. Shadow follows light. One should not be afraid of the shadow.

If a Devotee is Criticised:

But if someone levels false charges against you, you don't need to be worried over it. Be happy. If the criticism is made in a loud voice, it goes into the thin air. If it is made within oneself, it goes to oneself. Such being the case, why should you be perturbed? Let anyone say anything; remain calm. Consider whatever happens as good for you. With such equal-mindedness, carry on with your lives.

Become a True Devotee

One becomes a devotee in the true sense only when one cultivates patience and conquers the evil qualities of anger, hatred and jealousy with love. Don't be elated by praise or depressed by blame. It is not proper on your part to love only those who praise you and hate those who criticise you. Be equal-minded in both praise and censure. Criticism will only help you to progress.

What can Criticism achieve?

Be fearless. Do not be afraid even if a thunderbolt were to land on your head. Death comes only once and not twice. It is bound to come one day or the other. So, do .not be afraid of death. Be ready for anything. Do not be afraid to follow truth. Fill your life with love. Only then will your life be sanctified. No spiritual practice like Japa and Dhyana can redeem your life if you do not adhere to truth and love. Let anything happen, hold on to these values. These values alone can confer happiness and prosperity to the entire world. Develop love more and more. Do not pay heed to the criticism of others because you are not committing any mistake.

The Four F's

Sathya Sai Baba is totally unmoved by all and any of this material. If, however, his devotees are affected, then He is affected, for his mission has one signal component, the fostering of the devotees. Devotees are AGAIN shown the path to respond: Truth, and love. Swami has told repeatedly to use the 4 F's

Truth has to be conveyed in a fearless manner. There is no need to fear if you are following the truth. Human life is governed by four F's:

• Follow the master
• Face the devil
• Fight to the end
• Finish the game.

Your conscience is your master.

Follow the Master means, observe Dharma. Face the Devil means, overcome the temptations that beset you when you try to earn Artha or Wealth or the wherewithal to live in comfort. Fight to the End means, struggle ceaselessly; wage war against the six enemies that are led by Kama or Lust. And finally, Finish at the Goal means, do not stop until the goal of Moksha or Liberation from Ignorance and Delusion cease. The F's are fundamental for the pursuit of the four Purusharthas - Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. I shall be ever with you, wherever you are, guarding you and guiding you. March on; have no fear.