Prasna means 'question'. Uttara means 'answer', and Vahini
indicates 'a stream'. This book is the stream of the questions
that have evoked answers from Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Among
the tasks that Bhagavan has assumed while incarnating, He has
declared as basic, the one which He calls, "the clarification and
purification of the religious scriptures of mankind". Every Vahini
emanating from Him has done this service to some aspect or other
of the spiritual upliftment of man.
This Vahini is one of the earliest in the series, since it
seeks to elucidate the fundamental concepts and precepts of
religion, especially the technical words and expressions that seek
to concretize them. Hitherto published as an Appendix to a single
Vahini, the Gita Vahini, it is now placed in the hands of seekers
as a key publication, helpful for readers of all the Vahinis.
The Ancient Wisdom (Sanathana Dharma), the Perennial Path has
been communicated to posterity in words, that have suffered
distortion, devaluation, dilution and denigration through the
efflux of time and the controversies among commentators. Varna,
Ashrama, Yoga, Sanyasa, Yajna, Karma - these are interpreted by
dialecticians and practitioners of varied schools and sects, in
confusing and contradictory versions.
Bhagavan has resolved these tangles. His exemplary love and
patience sweeten not only every answer but every question too,
for, He has, by posturing as the interrogator, made the
clarifications full and fruitful.
N. Kasturi, 14 January 1984