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| Sri Sathya Sai presiding over the Akhila Andhra Sadhu Parishad - January 1987 |
The Annual Conference of Akhila Andhra Sadhu Parishad was held at Prashanti Nilayam between the 2nd and 4th of January 1987. More than 300 hundred Sadhus and Sadhvis of various orders from Andhra Pradesh, the neighbouring states, Varanasi and Rishikesh attended the conference. Bhagavan blessed the Conference with His Inaugural Address. He was present in their midst during the deliberations. He delivered His Valedictory Address on the 4th and directed them to accept with faith, the message of spiritual elevation of society as the essential path towards Self-realisation.
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| Sri Sathya Sai with the delegate Sadhvis at the Poornachandra Auditorium |
Excerpts from that Inaugural Discourse given on January 2nd are given below:
“The Sanatana Dharma (the Eternal Religion) which is the basis of Bharatiya Culture is the essence of the lessons enunciated in all the Vedic texts. This Dharma is the source and spring of various systems of philosophy, codes of morality and even of the different forms and streams of literature. Through these means the Dharma has taught that man cannot live in peace, until he knows what ought to be known, he casts away what has to be cast away, and reaches the goal he has to reach. Veda means awareness, knowledge, discrimination. The four Vedas teach us who and what we really are and how we are related to the world around us. This is the greatest gift that the Vedas offer. This is the end of all enquiry, the aim of all scientific search.
Knowledge has its consummation in the discovery of Truth. Truth which survives Past, Present and Future unaffected. Satyam, Jnanam, Anantam ‘Both Satyam (Truth) and Jnanam (spiritual wisdom) are Anantam (without end).’ They are eternal and limitless. The Vedas are vocal expressions of both these. To consider Vedas as literature or poetry is to devalue them. Vedic hymns are not intended for empty worship by rituals. They have been recorded by sages to help, practise and to experience. The sages had recognised this factor and therefore, the Vedas have survived untarnished until today. Their practice became Yajnas (sacrificial rituals). Their prayers became songs…
… Activity finds fulfilment when wisdom dawns. Karma (sanctified activity) is the path by which Jnana (spiritual wisdom) is attained. And, wisdom in action is the highest Karma. Worthwhile activity must result in purifying the mind. Therefore, no one, not even a recluse or monk can desist from engaging in good deeds. These deeds must originate spontaneously and should not leave any trace of pride in the mind. Nor should any attachment to the result of the deed lead to a craving for claiming it for one self. Renunciation must be the only source of joy. Tyaga (self-sacrifice) is the truest Bhoga (enjoyment) for the Sanyasi (ascetic). The Gita recommends 'inaction in action' and asserts that 'inaction is the most rewarding action' for those who strive for supreme peace. This attitude is named Karma Sanyasa (non-attachment to action). Action or activity is generally associated with the body only, but the mind is also busy with the world. The Atma alone is the unaffected witness. So, the secret of 'inaction in action' lies in taking refuge in the Atma and in recognising all living beings as fundamentally Atma.
The wise act solely for the promotion of peace and goodwill in the human community with no consideration of I and Mine. The ego is deep rooted in man during countless previous lives. It grows fast in this life also, seeking sensual pleasure, possessions in plenty, applause and appreciation, authority over others, fame and fortune. It can be removed only by relentless enquiry into our Reality.
… While awake, man experiences a variety of relationships. He is interested in a multiplicity of persons, possessions and problems. He passes through joy and grief, praise and ridicule, insult and injury, honour and dishonour. But while engaged in dreams, the entire tangle fades away. He withdraws from the outer world and is wholly his own designer. He projects situations of pleasure and pain, happiness and misery. He plunges into fear and throws himself in despair. He creates both friends and foes and deals with them as the fancy dictates. While asleep, he is no more alert or active. He is alone with the Atma, with his Reality. The Atma, The Self, was his Reality all through the three stages, even when he denied it and ignored it. This Atma is the Truth. That Thou Art. Tat Twam Asi.
Persons who have dedicated their lives to spiritual search and success have to discover the Atma in themselves and others. The discovery will confer sympathy and compassion and promote loving service. Ashrams (monasteries) of monks must be the centres of spiritual illumination, sources of Ananda and the inspiration to share the Ananda with all. Institutions and Orders arise out of unselfish enthusiasm to serve and save those who have lost their way and are flourishing on trivial pursuits. Fortunately, a long series of saints has upheld in this land these high ideals. The world is in dire distress today. It can be saved only by dedicated men setting an example of high morality, selfless service and Universal Love. Equipped with a calm and serene temper, adhering always to the Truth, man must involve himself in society with full faith in God as Protector and Provider.”
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| Sri Sathya Sai with the delegate Sadhus |
Excerpts from the Valedictory Discourse given on January 4th are given below:
“... The Sadhus (noble souls) of this country have to consider ways and means to carry the message of Gita to the common man in all lands. You have to transcend the usual method of viewing Gita as mere dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna by elevating it into what it really is a Divine dialogue between Ishvara and Jivi, God and man. The recitation of the Gita is now being encouraged as an end in itself. But that is only a method of spending time beneficially. The Gita is a Path, a Goal, an Achievement. Its purpose is gained by practice and experience.
The voice of God as message to man, is a gift of grace to all men. But it is interpreted by man along the lines his temperament dictates. The pure, clear message gets contaminated thereby. Later when message is presented in a variety of forms, it produces confusion and conflict. Those who profess to teach and preach religion must avoid such consequences and concentrate on arousing spiritual hunger and satisfying it. There are many who try to cater to people's taste by means of irrelevant stories which tarnish the main spiritual theme. The message can succeed in capturing people's hearts only when it is experienced by the speaker and when his aim is only to inspire others to share his joy. The world's progress depends on the wisdom and altruism of those whom the people trust and follow. The leaders and guides should accept this responsibility and duty. They must be aware, all the time, of the Indweller and instruct others about the same.
... Sadhus by the very act of renunciation, have placed themselves beyond caste and creed. While engaged in the service of humanity, care has to be taken against mentioning or emphasising these divisive features of the society. God is Almighty. It is sacrilege to ascribe human weaknesses to Him. Myths and legends about the mystery of God contain symbolic meanings, which are ignored. They yield their inner truth only to those who seek.
Now, rural folk have become clever enough to ask, what benefit society derives from those who don the ochre robe. They expect exemplary lives and sincere, unselfish service. In fact, 'the Sadhana of service is superior to Sadhana aimed at one's own liberation. Worship God in His manifestation as mankind. Everyone is a child of God, whatever the colour, caste, creed, and language. This sense of unity has to be fostered. This is the real Matham (faith), the Abhimatham (true faith), the fulfilment of your Vratam (vow), the fruit of Manava Matam (humanity's faith). Service to man is worship of God.
You have in you both the talent and the desire to uplift your fellow men. This country needs your service urgently today. God welcomed the urge to manifest the Cosmos. Ekoham Bahusyaam (I am One; I shall become Many), He said to Himself. You must also feel the need to blossom and expand. Derive Ananda in the process, 'possess it and share it, in order to increase it. The Upanishads proclaim the message of courage, of strength. Give up the idea that you are weak and helpless. Na Ayam Atma Balaheenena Labhyah (The Atma cannot be gained by the weak). Believe that you have in you the strength and skill you need. Those who can sing Bhajans (spiritual chorus) can, as a beginning, lead villagers in Nagara Sankirtan (street singing of spirituals) and teach them to sing in groups. Those who can speak on spiritual topics can gather the people, when they have returned from the fields, and explain to them, in simple language the mystery of God, Nature and Man. Persuade them to give up habits that undermine their health and peace. Promote in them the qualities of mutual aid, truthfulness and non-violence.”
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