In his book “Sai Baba Avatar”, Howard Murphet writes about a passage in the great epic Mahabharata where Sage Markandeya meets the Pandavas in the forest during their exile. Sage Markandeya talks about the conversation he had with Lord Vishnu about a time during the darkest period of the Kali Age when human values would deteriorate, violence and injustice would be widespread, falsehood would triumph over truth, oppression and crime would be prevalent. Lord Vishnu tells Sage Markandeya that He would take a human birth in the Kali Yuga in order to intervene and set the world on a new course to establish the “Sathya Yuga” or the Age of Truth:

"When evil is rampant upon this earth, I will take birth in the family of a virtuous man, and assume a human body to restore tranquility by the extermination of all evils; for the preservation of rectitude and morality, I will assume an inconceivable human form when the season for action comes. In the Kali Age of sin I will assume an Avatar form that is dark in color. I will be born in a family in South India. This Avatar will possess great energy, great intelligence and great powers. Material objects needed for this Avatar's mission will be at his disposal as soon as He will think of them. He will be victorious with the strength of virtue. He will restore order and peace in the world. This Avatar will inaugurate a new Era of Truth, and will be surrounded by spiritual people. He will roam over the earth adored by the spiritual people."

"The people of the earth will imitate this Avatar's conduct, and there will be prosperity and peace. Men will once more betake themselves to the practice of religious rites. Educational centers for the cultivation of Brahmic lore, and temples, will reappear again everywhere. Ashrams will be filled with men of Truth. Rulers of the earth will govern their kingdoms virtuously. The Avatar will have an illustrious reputation."

-Sai Baba Avatar, Page 71

These words of Lord Vishnu as Sage Markandeya recollects, clearly describes the characteristics of the Sathya Sai Avatar. It also talks about how the Avatar would restore order and peace in the world, spiritual education centers and places of worship would spring everywhere and there will be virtuous rulers in all countries. 

In Brahma-vaivarta Purana, Lord Krishna mentions that in 5000 years' time, the world would be filled with His devotees whose very presence would transform this earth into a place of pilgrimage.

Verse 55: O Ganges, the whole planet will become a pilgrimage place by the presence of Vaisnavas, even though it had been sinful.

(literal meaning of "Vaisnavas" is "worshipers of Lord Vishnu” but the contextual meaning is “devotees” or “spiritual aspirants”)

This points to a massive expansion of the “critical mass” constituting the spiritual consciousness of this world to be brought about by more and more people turning towards God. It is only prudent to assume that the ensuing Golden Age would be brought about by Lord Sai Krishna Himself, transforming the whole world with His love, might and Divine Grace into one big Sai Organization.

The whole world will be transformed into Sathya Sai Organisation and Sathya Sai will be installed in the hearts of one and all.

- Sanathana Sarathi, January 1999, Page 16

The Rider of the White Horse

Thus spake Jesus to His disciples:

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth […]

- John 16:12-13, KJV

“Spirit of Truth”? Who else other than Sri Sathya Sai Baba that Jesus could have been referring to? Now let us examine the vision of St.John as explained in the Book of Revelations (In New Testament of the Holy Bible):

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

- Revelation 19:11-16, KJV

St.John calls the rider of the symbolic white horse (white symbolizes peace and horse symbolizes power and far-reaching command) as “Faithful and True”. This matches with Swami’s partial name “Sathya” which means Truth. Blazing eyes are one of Swami’s prominent features and His hair does look like a crown. The robe dipped in blood points to the red or orange robe that Swami wears. “His name is called the Word of God” incidentally points to the meaning of the word “Bhagawan”. The power of Swami’s discourses is symbolized as the sharp sword coming out of His mouth. His will-power and authority is mentioned as “rod of iron”. Does it not match the Hindu prophecies regarding the coming of Lord Kalki, riding a white horse, wielding the sword? Of course, the horse and the sword are symbolisms as mentioned earlier. It is to be noted that St.John refers to Him as the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”. This also matches the description in Nadi prophecy:

“When the Kali Yuga influence grows even more intense, then people will see His true might and will acknowledge that He is the Supreme Power. Then mankind will bow to him as to a great emperor.”

In his vision, St. John also sees a multitude of people numbering into millions who have gathered around the throne of the Son of man.

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.

- Revelation 5:11, KJV

Now let us compare that to Swami’s own words:

[…]The day when millions will gather to benefit from the Avatar is fast coming; I am advising you to garner and treasure all the Grace and all the Bliss you can, while you may[…]

- Sathya Sai Speaks  Volume 11 Chapter 41

Interestingly, according to Hindu prophecies, Lord Kalki is expected to come in a city called “Shambala” which literally translates as "place of peace, tranquility and happiness” (Ref:Wikipedia). Isn’t that the same meaning as “Prasanthi Nilayam” too? The city which Swami says the whole world will be obliged to come to?

In the days ahead, the whole world will be obliged to come to Prasanthi Nilayam.

- Sanathana Sarathi, December 1991

Let us all wait for that defining moment in the history of mankind when the heavenly city of Prasanthi Nilayam where the Lord Himself is to reside would become the epicenter of a major spiritual upheaval, proclaiming the dawning of the Sathya Sai Golden Age.

Be patient. In time everything will be given to you. Be happy. There is no need to worry about anything.[...]You are all sacred souls and you will have your parts to play in the unfolding drama of newer Golden Age, which is coming.

- Sanathana Sarathi, October 1996, Back cover

(Excerpted from Sai Thy Kingdom Come Chapter 9 - "Dawning of the Sathya Sai Golden Age")