Divinity; term of reverential address; Sathya Sai Baba is called Bhagavan by his devotees. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

We have been taught by our scriptures that the main significance of the word Bhagavan comes from the aspect of Paramatma. What is contained in Brahman and Paramatma is contained in the word Bhagavan. One meaning of the word Bhagavan is that he is filled with all kinds of prosperity. Further, it also describes one who can and should be worshipped.

There are two other meanings for this letter ‘Bha’. The two meanings are ‘Sambharta’ and ‘Bharta’. The word ‘Sambharta’ means that through it, we should try and understand the origin of creation. The word ‘Bharta’ means that he is bearing the burden of creation and so, is called ‘Bharta’. The letter ‘Ga’ refers to the fact that he is responsible for the beginning, maintenance and dissolution of creation. Hence for the letter ‘Bha’. It signifies brilliance and illumination. The letter ‘Ga’ in the context means the spread of this brilliance and illumination. The word ‘Vanta’ means that he has the capacity and ability to do such a thing. Thus the full meaning of Bhagavan is that it refers to an aspect by which God has the capacity to spread his brightness or illumination. The sacred word ‘Bhagavan’ has a lot of inner and significant meaning but unfortunately we are forgetting this and using the word only as an honorific title. (SSB 1978, pp. 113-114)

Bha means creation, Ga means protection and Va means change or transformation: Bhagavan is capable of all the three. That is my secret. Bhagavan has seven characteristics; Aishvarya, Kirti, Jnana, Vairagya, Srishti, Sthiti and Laya. Whoever has these seven, you can consider as having Divinity in Him. Splendour, Prosperity, Wisdom, Non-attachment, Creation, Preservation, and Destruction - these seven are the unfailing characteristics of Avatars of the Mahashakti which persists fully when it has apparently modified itself with Mayashakti. Wherever these are found, you can identify Godhead. (SSS Vol.1, p. 191)

The term Bhagavan means the One who is capable of lighting the Divine effulgence, the illumination of wisdom, the Eternal Inner Light of the soul. Can there be anything greater than earning the love of such an Omniscient, Omnipotent Lord? There is nothing on the earth or beyond it which is equal to Divine Love. To make all endeavour to earn that human existence. (D.M.A -p. 291)

What is the inner meaning of the expression, Bhagavan? The Vedas say, ‘Brahmaithi, Paramatmaithi; Bhagavatithi sabdyathe.’ (The Bhagavan principle is the same as Brahman,Paramatma). Bhagavan is the Ultimate, the Full. Bha means having full auspiciousness and prosperity. Ga means deserving praise and adoration. In the Ramayana, Bhagavan is described in clear terms. He sustains the Universe using His creative power as the means. He creates and fosters what is created. So, He is Sambharta or Bharta, He who raises, He who rules and saves. Bha also means light, splendour. Bhagavan is He who sheds and spreads Light. (SSS Vol. 15, p. 21)

Bhagavan is Jyoti-Swarupa, embodied Light, Effulgence. Since He can and does illumine all things and beings everywhere at all times, He is Bha-ga-van. Bhagah means ‘the One who is repository of all Divine attributes and is uniquely worthy of adoration.’ Ga refers to ‘One who has all the excellences and who creates, sustains and reabsorbs everything.’ (SSS Vol. 15, p. 21)

Bha has other meanings as Shanti (peace), light, effulgence, illumination. Ga means ‘all-pervasive.’ Van (or Vanthudu in Telugu) means ‘One who is capable.’ Hence the term Bhagavan means ‘the One who is capable of lighting the Divine effulgence, the illumination of wisdom, the Eternal Inner Light of the Soul.’ (SSS Vol.21, p. 29)

Bhagavan is the Creator and Protector

Bhaga (in the term Bhagavan) refers to the creative powers of God. Hence, So, Bhagavan is the creator and the protector of the Cosmos. The term also means one who illumines everything in the universe. Without this all-pervading Divine light, we will not be able to live for a moment: This means that if the Cosmos, which is constituted by the five basic elements, and the human body, which is made up of the same five elements, are to be sustained well, they need the sustaining power of the Divine. (SSS Vol.22, pp. 59-60)