20 October 1940 – Avatar Declaration and the First Song of the Avatar

Centenary Series, Article 10

“The dawn when Sathya became Sai, giving humanity both a Divine Assurance and a Divine Song”

The Day Sathya Became Sai

On the morning of 20 October 1940, in the quiet town of Uravakonda, a small house became the stage for eternity. Fourteen-year-old Sathyanarayana Raju, until then known as a gentle, pure-hearted boy, laid aside His schoolbooks and called His family together. With a calm authority far beyond His years, He declared:

“I am no longer your Sathya. I am Sai.

My devotees are calling Me.

I have My work. I do not belong to you”.

(Ref: www.archive.sssmediacentre.org/journals)

These words, radiant with divine authority, marked the moment when Sathya became Sai—the public revelation of Sri Sathya Sai Baba as the Avatar of the age. That day is forever remembered as Avatar Declaration Day, the dawn of a spiritual renaissance for humanity.

The First Gift – A Divine Song

After this declaration, young Sai immediately sat down, asked for a tambura, and began to sing.

“Manasā Bhajare Guru Charaṇam,

Dustara Bhavasāgara Taranam”

(O mind, worship the holy feet of the Guru,
For they alone can help you cross the boundless ocean of worldly life)

This was no ordinary composition. It was the first teaching of the Avatar, not as a sermon but as a song—a melody for the heart and a mantra for the mind. The declaration established His identity; the bhajan offered humanity its first practice. One was the Divine Assurance; the other, the Divine Roadmap.

The Essence of the First Bhajan

In just two lines, Baba revealed the spiritual path in its essence:

Call to the Mind: The bhajan addresses the restless mind—the root of bondage and liberation—urging it to turn inward.
Surrender to the Guru: Liberation is possible only by holding firmly to the Guru’s feet, the source of grace and guidance.
Crossing Samsara: The ocean of worldly attachments and suffering can be crossed only through devotion, surrender, and steady faith.

The Avatar’s very first words in song became an eternal guide for humanity: anchor your mind at the Guru’s feet, and you shall be free.

Declaration and Bhajan Together – Revelation and Roadmap

The declaration was not merely an announcement of identity; it was the revelation of Divinity in human form. Immediately after, Baba gave humanity its first spiritual practice: singing the name of the Guru and surrendering the mind.

The Declaration was the assurance: God has come among us.
The Bhajan was the roadmap: Here is how you may reach Me—by steadying the mind at the Guru’s feet.

Together, they form the heart of His mission:

Recognize the Avatar.
Surrender the mind.
Cross the ocean of samsara through devotion and service.

Scriptural Echoes

This moment resonates with the assurance Lord Krishna gave in the Bhagavad Gita:

“यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत ।
अभ्युत्थानम् अधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥” (Gita 4:7)
(Yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati Bhārata, abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmyaham)

“Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness prevails, I manifest Myself, O Arjuna.”

and further:

“परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् ।
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥” (Gita 4:8)

“For the protection of the good, the destruction of the wicked, and the re-establishment of dharma, I incarnate from age to age.”

Just as Rama came to uphold truth and Krishna came to guide humanity through confusion, Sathya declared Himself as Sai to restore dharma and guide mankind through Love and Seva,

and the awakening of the human spirit.

The Upanishads too remind us: the Guru’s feet are the ferry across samsara. Swami’s first bhajan echoed this timeless assurance.

A Living Tradition

To this day, Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam ‘occupies a unique place in Sai bhajan gatherings worldwide. Often sung first, it sanctifies the atmosphere, reminding devotees of that October morning when the Avatar revealed His Mission in song. Singing it first is no ritual—it is symbolic. Just as the Avatar’s first song was the gateway to His Mission, beginning a bhajan session with it aligns every mind to surrender before any other name is sung. A hush often descends, hearts are stilled, and minds are directed to the feet of the Guru.

The Declaration assures, ‘God descends when humanity declines”.
The Bhajan reminds us: “Our duty is to surrender, to chant, and to live Dharmically”

Message for Our Times

In a world troubled by restlessness, conflict, and materialism, this message shines brighter than ever:

The Declaration proclaims, “God is here to guide and protect.”
The Bhajan whispers, “O mind, surrender, and find peace.”

When lived sincerely, these two moments from 1940 illuminate the path of values that Swami came to revive:

Sathya (Truth): His fearless declaration of identity.
Dharma (Righteousness): His mission to restore dharmic living.
Shanti (Peace): The stillness found in surrendering the mind.
Prema (Love): The love flowing through bhajan and seva.
Ahimsa (Non-Violence): The gentle living born of spiritual awareness.

These are not abstract ideals but living principles for daily life:

Sathya (Truth) in word and thought
Dharma (Righteousness) in action
Shanthi (Peace) in the heart
Prema (Love) in seva
Ahimsa (Non-Violence) in relationships and choices

Every Avatar Declaration Day is thus not only remembrance, but renewal—a call to embody these values in our personal, social, and spiritual lives.

Conclusion – Walking the Path He Sang

On that sacred morning of 20 October 1940, the world received both a Divine Assurance and a Divine Song. The Avatar revealed Himself, and immediately gave humanity the method to reach Him.

The declaration proclaimed: “God has come to restore Dharma.”
The song instructed: “O mind, hold fast to the Guru’s feet and cross the ocean of life.”

These two together are not just history; they are a compass for every seeker. They remind us that God does not remain distant—He descends when dharma wanes. And when He comes, He gives not only words, but the practice to uplift humanity.

Let this holy day not remain a memory of what happened in 1940, but a living invitation to rest our minds at His lotus feet, chant His name, serve His creation, and walk in truth and love.

‘On that dawn, the veil was torn.
Sathya to Sai, the Avatar was born.
With words He declared, with song He gave,
The path to cross life’s stormy wave.

O mind, surrender, be still, be free,
At the Guru’s feet lies eternity.
His love, a flame that shall never die,
Guiding mankind to the highest sky.’

— Ravinder Grover

(This pen did not write; but was moved by the Hand that writes destinies)

Sri Sathya Sai Global Council, New Zealand

Blog Post Introduction

This article, “The Avatar Declaration Day and Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam”, is part of our Centenary Series celebrating the life and teachings of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Originally published on the official website of the Sri Sathya Sai Global Council New Zealand. (www.sai.org.nz) and a shorter version of the same article in The Indian News on the 9 OCtober 2025 issue, we are honoured to share it here. May it inspire and uplift all readers.

Disclaimer: ‘Without Prejudice’. I offer my insight to astrology solely based on my learnings of astrology principles and techniques, some of which I learnt from the Sages of the highest order. These predictions are offered for guidance purposes only. I offer absolutely no guarantee on my calculations and analysis. These predictions are not intended to harm anyone by any means. I expressly disclaim all warranties, implied or contingent, for making use of these predictions, for incurring any loss, loss of profit, or in any manner. No notice or advice from anyone will create any liability whatsoever