Sri Sathya Sai On: Buddha, Buddhism and Buddha Poornima

BIRTH AND EARLY YEARS

King Shuddhodhana adores little Siddhartha

King Shuddhodhana and his wife Mayadevi performed many spiritual austerities such as Japa, Tapa, Vratas and Yajnas for years together with the aspiration to have a son. They also consulted many astrologers. Shuddhodhana had no peace of mind as the worry of not having an heir to the throne haunted him day and night. At last their prayers were answered when Mayadevi gave birth to a son at Lumbini. Unfortunately, Mayadevi died soon after giving birth to her son who was named Siddhartha. Gautami, the second wife of Shuddhodhana, brought up the child with loving care like her own son. That is the reason why he was also called Gautama. 

Sage-astrologer predicts Siddhartha's future

The astrologers predicted that Siddhartha would not rule the kingdom; he would leave the kingdom and become a renunciant. The prediction of the astrologers was always ringing in the ears of Shuddhodhana and caused him anxiety every as he watched his son grow. He took all precautions to see that his son did not step out of the palace and get into the company of others lest he should be influenced by them. Thus, he protected his son from the influence of others for twenty long years.

- “Attain Enlightenment by Renouncing Desires”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 39, May 13, 2006, Brindavan

Gautama is married to Yashodhara

The name given to Buddha at the time of birth was Sarvartha Siddha. Shuddhodhana got his son married to Yashodhara, daughter of his brother-in-law, Shuddhabuddha. He apprehended that his son may become a recluse and turn away from the world if He was left to Himself. But Buddha did not feel that a married life was the proper thing for Him. Buddha felt that man was bound by various attachments in worldly life. Friends and relations were the cause of this bondage. Various human relationships were the cause of sorrow in the world. So He declared: ‘Sarvam Dukham Dukham’ (all is sorrow) He also declared: ‘Sarvam Kshanikam, Kshanikam’ (everything is momentary). ‘Sarvam Nashyam Nashyam’ (everything is perishable). Buddha felt that nothing was truly lasting. Parents were subjecting their children to various kinds of bonds and making their lives miserable. As soon as the children come of age the parents are keen to get them married. They do not know what kind of happiness he can get from married life. What happiness have they derived from their own married life physically, mentally or otherwise? No person, however intelligent, thinks about this matter. Even eminent scholars do not care to examine whether it is worthwhile pursuing sensuous pleasures instead of seeking what is beyond the senses. Buddha felt intensely unhappy that His parents and others combined to commit Him to the bondage of married life. One day, at midnight, Buddha left the palace, giving up His wife and young son, Rahul.

- “Purity – The Path to Liberation”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 30, May 15, 1997, Brindavan

Owing to His parents’ loving insistence, Siddhartha continued to stay with His parents in the palace even after the marriage. One year after the marriage, He begot a son who was named Rahul. Both the husband and wife spent their time happily with their son. In spite of all the comforts of the palace and happy married life, Gautam’s mind became restless when He saw people afflicted with old age, disease and death after He ventured out of the palace one day. 

Gautam leaves home and hearth

One night, there was a sudden transformation in His mind. As His wife was fast asleep, He got up at midnight, caressed His son and left for the forest. He had to undergo numerous hardships and difficulties in the forest. But He faced all ordeals with forbearance and determination. His parents were immersed in sorrow, unable to bear the pangs of separation from their son. Though Siddhartha was also undergoing a lot of anguish, He marched on his path of attaining self-realisation.

- “Attain Enlightenment by Renouncing Desires”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 39, May 13, 2006, Brindavan

Siddhartha renounces the world

At the age of 28, Siddhartha gave up everything and turned a renunciant. What is the significance of this step? Buddha declared: ‘Sangham Sharanam Gachchaami’, “Hands in the society, head in the forest”. He renounced everything to think about promoting the welfare of society.

- “Purity – The Path to Liberation”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 30, May 15, 1997, Brindavan

For Sri Sathya Sai Insights on Buddha's Quest for the Supreme, click here.

ATTAINMENT OF NIRVANA

Buddha attains Nirvana

When the time of Nirvana was approaching, Buddha noticed that His step-brother Ananda was shedding tears. He beckoned Ananda and told him, “Even till today, the world is not recognising the reality. There are thousands who experience sorrow at the sight of dying persons. But they make no effort to find out what experience is in store for the dead. I know the Truth about it. I am merging in that Truth. To shed tears at this prospect is not justified. It seems to Me that you are grieving over the exalted state that is impending for me. No human being should shed tears over the moment of death of any person. Tears are associated with the Divine and should be shed only for the sake of the Divine and not for trivial matters. You should shed tears of joy. Grief is not a proper state for man. Hence no tears of sorrow should be shed”.

- “The Essence of Buddha’s Teachings”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 31, May 11, 1998, Brindavan

Gautama came to be known as Buddha because He developed Buddhi (intellect) and discrimination power. Discrimination is of two types: individual discrimination and fundamental discrimination. Individual discrimination arises out of selfishness, whereas fundamental discrimination is concerned with the welfare of one and all. One should discard individual discrimination and have only fundamental discrimination. This was the teaching of Buddha to Ananda, son of Gautami, before He attained Nirvana. When Buddha was on the verge of attaining Nirvana, Ananda started shedding tears of sorrow. Then Buddha consoled him, saying, “Ananda, why are you unhappy over My attaining Nirvana? I have been craving this state of Nirvana for the past many years. Why do you shed tears of sorrow when I am experiencing supreme bliss?” Ananda understood the truth and followed the teachings of Buddha. Ultimately, he too attained Nirvana.

- “Control Your Senses”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 32 Part 01, May 30, 1999, Brindavan

For Sri Sathya Sai Insights on Buddha's Message for Humanity, click here.

THE CAUSES BEHIND DECLINE OF BUDDHISM IN INDIA

Basing His teachings on these two declarations, Buddha went about preaching His message. Buddha’s message spread to many countries like Tibet, China, Ceylon, Burma, Thailand and Japan. In course of time schisms developed which led to the decline of Buddhism.

- “Purity – The Path to Liberation”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 30, May 15, 1997, Brindavan

Because Buddha’s teachings were not properly propagated, Buddhism steadily declined in this country. All religions suffer a decline because those who profess them do not practice them in their daily lives. People should practice what they profess. People should live up to the truths in which they believe. People do not act upon the truths they have learnt.

- “The Essence of Buddha’s Teachings”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 31, May 11, 1998, Brindavan

CELEBRATING BUDDHA POURNIMA

Buddha Poornima Celebrations with Sri Sathya Sai at Brindavan

We are celebrating today Buddha Poornima or Buddha Jayanti. What does Poornima (full moon) signify? It signifies wholeness. When the mind is filled with love, it achieves fullness. As long as the mind is filled with darkness (evil thoughts) there is no meaning in celebrating Buddha Poornima. Get rid of this darkness. Without the light of love in the heart, what use is there in having illuminations outside? Light the lamp of the Divine in your minds. Banish hatred and envy from your hearts. Man is the victim of two evil planets: attachment and hatred. To escape from their grip, the only way is to cultivate love.

- “Purity – The Path to Liberation”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 30, May 15, 1997, Brindavan

You have all come from many distant parts of the world. You have come to experience the joy of participating in the Buddha Poornima celebrations. You need not have come all the way from your distant places. Buddhi represents the intellect. That intellect must be used properly. Then you will realize what is implied in Buddhism.

- “The Essence of Buddha’s Teachings”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 31, May 11, 1998, Brindavan

The lotus is symbolic of Buddhi (intellect) which gives the sense of discrimination. Though born in mud, it retains its purity. Its message is be in the world, but not let the world be in you.

It is not enough to be happy just on this day of Buddha Poornima. You must be able to experience bliss all the time, and you can do so by following the teachings of Buddha. These days, people are great heroes in making platform speeches but zeroes when it comes to practice. It is far more important to translate Buddha’s teachings into practice than to make eloquent speeches. This is the proper way to enjoy happiness. This is also the right way of showing respect and reverence for Buddha.

The best way of celebrating Buddha Poornima is to put into practice the teachings of this holy one. It is not enough to be happy just on this festival day. By constantly re-living the experience of this holy day, you must experience joy all the time. The cow first grazes; it then sits down quietly to chew thoroughly what it had eaten earlier. If an animal can do this, can not a human do the same with respect to the teachings he acquires? When you get back home, ruminate over what you have learnt today. Recall repeatedly the experiences you have had today. This is the way to digest what you have learnt and also be happy. It is only when you do this that your journey to this place would become worthwhile. You should not forget the lessons the moment you leave from here.

- “Buddha’s Message”, Summer Showers in Brindavan 2000, Brindavan

Truly speaking, Buddha is not just one individual. All of you are Buddhas. You will see unity everywhere once you understand this truth.

- “Attain Enlightenment by Renouncing Desires”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 39, May 13, 2006, Brindavan

Source: Sai Vani: Avatar on Avatar Purushas

Sri Sathya Sai Message in Kodaikanal – April 1993 (Part 2)

Sri Sathya Sai in the beautiful Kodai Hills

Continued from Part 1

Shuka teaches Vyasa

Air is all-pervasive. It is within you and outside as well. Similarly, God is pervading everywhere in the Universe. If you look at everything with the divine feeling you will not fail to see Divinity, pure and unsullied. If you see the idol of Krishna in this hall with a divine feeling, you feel you are seeing the form of Krishna.

But if you are keen on finding out the material from which it is made, you see only the bronze or other metal of which it is made and not Krishna. You can realise that what you visualise depends on the nature of your vision - Drishti is Srishti. If you look at the world with coloured glass you see everything differently and not in its real colour. The mind is the cause for feelings. If you see with the feeling that this Vishvam (Universe) is Vishnu Swaroopam (embodiment of God), it will be so!

Every object has a Swaroopam (its own form) and Svabhavam (its own nature). Man is completely unaware of his real nature, which is love and compassion. He is so much immersed in selfishness that he only does every action to further his own self-interest and accumulate possessions for himself. Even the love that man exhibits today towards other persons or objects is only with a selfish motive to gain something out of them and not for their sake.

Once Shuka, son of Vyasa, wanted to leave his home and go to the forest to undertake Tapas. Vyasa, overcome by parental attachment, entreated him not to go to the forest but to remain there and serve his parents as it was his duty to serve them. But Shuka told Vyasa: "Oh! Vyasa! you are not my' father I am not your son. We came from Bliss. Everyone wants to be blissful. I am going to seek the Bliss which is our common source. These names and forms and relationships are only ephemeral." By this he was referring to his Inner Reality which is the same in all beings.

Excerpts from Discourse on 9-4-1993.

Divine Action

Everyone should remember that the purpose of human life is to do one’s duty without regard for results, which will automatically accrue. When there is rain, water will flow in the river and one need not pray for both. It is enough if you pray for rain. Man can't live without activity even for a moment, as blood circulation and breathing are going on non-stop as long as one lives, whether one is sleeping, walking or sitting. It will be folly to attribute these natural activities to man's efforts. It is Divine action. Krishna spells this out in the Geeta: "Aham Vaishvanaro Bhutva Praaninaam Dehamashritah. Pranapana Samayuktah. Pachaamyannam Chatur Vidham." God is in every being as Vaishvanara, aiding digesting of all types of food. 

God is described as Eesha, Gireesha, Naresha, Paresha and Bilvesha. The term Eesha means Sakala Aishwarya Sampanna (master of all types of wealth). Aishwarya includes not only property, movable and immovable, but also strength, knowledge, skill, intelligence and prosperity. Eeshvara is the master of all wealth. 

Gireesha: Gireesha means master of Giri or Hill. What does this signify? People often go to Tirupati Hills and offer their hair in fulfilment of vows. The inner significance of this sacrifice of hair must be understood. God is not expecting your hair, which is of no value at all. Does He relish this lowliest of offerings? Certainly not! The head is the peak of the human body. Ignorance or Tamasic quality is supposed to be dark or black. The black hair is enveloping the peak of the human body which is the head. By removing the hair on the head you expose the white surface of the peak. This is symbolic of surrendering the dullness or Tamasic quality. This is an age-old practice, which is followed without comprehending its inner significance. Since God is the master of the light of wisdom, as opposed to dullness on the head at the top of the human body, He is termed as Gireesha.

Sai Gireesha

Naresha: In the term Naresha (master of Narah) 'Na' means no, 'Rah' means ignorant of one's sacredness. Narah means 'man' who is not ignorant. He is not a sinner. He is the embodiment of pure Atma. The Master of man is Naresha. 

Paresha: 'Para' means above all. God transcends all. He is Akhanda (limitless) and Anirvachaneeya (beyond description by words). As God transcends the three stages of time--past, present and future and transcends space, pervading everywhere, He is termed Paresha.

Bilvesha: He is termed Bilvesha - the lover of the Bilva leaf which is having triple leaves in a single stalk, Trinetra - one with three eyes and Triguna - transcending the three Gunas (qualifies of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas). His weapon is Trishul, the three-pointed Javelin. One should 'offer the three qualities to God, symbolised by the offer of the triple-leaf Bilva for worship. One should do worship with full understanding of the inner significance of the rituals. 

Excerpts from Discourse on 10-4-1993.

God Realization

You are all embodiments of Divinity, which is within you. God is in the form of Vaishvanara to digest your food. You listen to such teachings many times but don't practise. Instead of having tons of knowledge an ounce of practice is enough. Sadhana is essential to realise divinity. Saa means Daivatvam (divinity). Dhana means wealth. The acquisition of the wealth of divinity is Sadhana. Salokyam is entering the world of God; Sameepyam is going nearer to God; Saroopyam is acquiring the feeling that you are part of God and Sayujyam is final merging with God.

You know there is butter in milk. But you have to subject it to the process of turning into curd and then churning it to get butter. Similarly, in the pot of the body there is the milk of Divinity. You have to chum it using Buddhi as churning rod and Bhakti as the rope. Out of the churning, comes butter which is Self-realisation. You got it from what is already there inside you. 

You should never divorce spirituality from worldly life. The cloth in my hand (a kerchief) is spirituality. It is made up of threads which represent worldly life. The cloth is there only because of the threads. If you segregate the threads there will be no cloth. ‘Tvameva Mata, Pita Tvameva.’ We say, God is father, mother, friend, relative, knowledge, wealth and all. God is the energy which drives us to action. We should not waste our energy on useless things.

Excerpts from Discourse on 11-4-1993.

Senses and Values

The five values of Satya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Shanti (Peace), Prema (Love)and Ahimsa (Non-violence) are related to different inner instruments of the body.

The value of Truth is expressed through speech or words. The value of Dharma is expressed through the body. This is related to the Annamaya Kosha (physical sheath). Shanti can be experienced only in the mental plane - Manomaya Kosha (Mental sheath). For Satya, Dharma and Shanti one has to purify the instruments of speech, body and mind. This is called purity of ‘Mano, Vaak, Kaayam’. Prema (Love) comes out of Anandamaya Kosha (mental and bliss sheath). Ahimsa (Non-violence) comes from Bliss sheath. Prema flows as an undercurrent in all the inner instruments and purifies them. So all the five values are having relationship with the five sheaths.

Now these values are mostly absent in human beings. Thinking in one way, talking in another way, and indulging in action not related to the talk or thought is the mark of a wicked person. He may be in human form but he is to be deemed to be a demon only. Because such people are in abundance, the world is in turmoil. Sathya is full of sanctity if one deeply enquiries into this value. Sat means Praana (life force). Ya means Aharam (food). "M" stands for Sun. It is a combination of life, food and sun. For life, food is essential, and food comes from the sun. The greenery in the world subsists because of Sun's rays. It is the duty of man to make use of the food created by the Sun to sustain life. If you analyze this word Satya in the reverse order Ya stands for Yama, Ta stands for Tapas and Sa stands for ‘Sarveshvara’. It conveys the truth that by practicing Yama and Tapas one can realise the Almighty. Yama is not the God of death but is the five-fold discipline one should maintain. They are Ahimsa, Sathya, Brahmacharya, Asteya and Aparigraha (Non-Violence, Truth, Celibacy, Non-stealing, and Non-covetousness).

God is said to be of blue colour. It does not mean that His skin is bluish! He is Jnana Bhaskara (the embodiment of wisdom or shining with the light, of wisdom). He is also Ananta - endless like the sky or fathomless like the Ocean. Since both are of blue colour God is also described as bluish. He is not born with blue-coloured skin. He is infinite and fathomless. 

The heart of the human being is like the sky in which the 'Self' is the sun shining constantly. Just as passing clouds obstruct the vision of the sun temporarily, attachment to world and worries and troubles will obstruct the vision of the Inner Self but once the clouds clear, you can have vision of the Inner Self which is resplendent within. By means of Dhyana Shakthi and Prana Shakti, you can experience Divinity in the Bliss sheath, which fosters the five human values.

Shanti from Manomaya Kosha.

Sathya from Vijnanamaya Kosha.

Dharma from Annamaya Kosha.

Prema from Pranamaya and Manomaya Kosha.

Ahimsa from Anandamaya Kosha.

In these five sheaths are encased three types of bodies: Sthula (Physical), Sukshma (Subtle) and Karana (Causal) Shareeras (bodies). Annamaya Kosha represents physical body. It is like the tyre of a lorry. If you increase intake of food it grows and the weight of the body increases. Divinity is there in all the sheaths of the body. It is Constant Integrated Awareness in different forms in speech, action and feelings.

Excerpts from Discourse on 12-4-1993.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1986-2005) and Sathya Sai Speaks Volume 26

Sri Sathya Sai Message in Kodaikanal – April 1993 (Part 1)

Sri Sathya Sai at Sai Sruthi Mandir, Kodaikanal

April 1-26, 1993

Bhagavan left Brindavan for Kodaikanal by car on 1st April morning and reached His residence Sai Sruthi, that evening. Apart from giving morning and evening Darshans between the 5th and the 26th of April, He also gave Discourses. The Discourses were preceded by speeches by students, senior devotees and Prof. Anil Kumar. Bhagavan, in His Discourses, gave insights to many important aspects of spirituality. On the 14th April, Tamil New Year Day was celebrated at Sai Shruti. Bhagavan Baba gave discourses at Sai Sruthi, Kodaikanal, from 5th April to 26th April 1993, before a large audience exceeding 3,000 including a considerable proportion of overseas devotees hailing from U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Holland, U.S.A., Latin America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Produced below are excerpts from discourses delivered from April 5 to 12, 1993.

“Those who assemble here come for Satsang or good company so that they can advance in the spiritual path. They should shed some undesirable habits like smoking which retard their progress in the spiritual path. The fire in the cigarette is so mild that if you pile up two or three pieces of fire-wood on it that fire will be put out. But, when a huge jungle-fire is raging, it can burn even green banana plants that are thrown into it. The power of the physical body is like the fire in the cigarette tip while spiritual power is like the forest fire. Once you are advanced in spirituality even the association with evil persons may not affect you. But, when you have not developed your spiritual power you should avoid bad company just as you spit out unpalatable food even at the first taste.

From concentration to meditation

Devotees are generally confused about meditation. Just as you can't receive the radio programme broadcast from any station clearly unless you tune to the appropriate wavelength perfectly, even in meditation you will not get the desired communion with God until you attune yourself to the Divine perfectly. Some aspirants mistake concentration for meditation. Concentration is needed for every activity in your daily life such as reading, writing, walking, talking, eating, etc. Concentration is below the senses, contemplation is in the middle and meditation is above the senses.

Meditation, in fact, is transcending the senses and the mind. During meditation, the mind is actively thinking of several things of the past, the present and the future. The thoughts are running fast. Scarcely does anyone concentrate on the Divine even though one sits in the Padmasana (lotus pose) and closes his eyes. There is no need for sitting for meditation and wasting time in this manner. One can transform every act in daily life as worship of the Divine. Daily chores like making chapatis can be transformed into acts of worship of the Divine. Since the body is an instrument, you can make God happy through this instrument and enjoy happiness yourself in the process. In this way you practice meditation in your daily duties.

Three phases of enjoying happiness

Sri Sathya Sai at Kodaikanal

There are three phases in the act of securing a desired object and enjoying happiness out of it. They are Priyam, Modam and Pramodam. Priyam is the desire to experience happiness from a particular object. Modam is the initial satisfaction derived from getting the desired object. Pramodam is the experience of Ananda or happiness out of the object. It is not enough if you get the object which you desired to have, but you should experience the joy of using it. For example, you like to taste a mango fruit. The first phase is to buy it, the second is to hold it in hand (possessing it) and the third phase is to eat it. It is only while eating the mango that you derive the fulfillment of your desire. It is also described in the Bhagavad Geeta as Jnatum (knowing), Drashtum (seeing) and Praveshtum (experiencing).

For instance, you hear about Sai Baba and come to know that He is at Puttaparthi, situated in Andhra Pradesh in India. You make preparations to undertake the journey to the place and have His Darshan. The first phase is getting the knowledge about the place where He is and how to get there; the second phase is making the journey and coming face to face with Him (Seeing) and the third phase is Praveshtum, that is getting practical knowledge of and experiencing the Divinity. All the scriptures of different religions (the Bible, the Quran, the Geeta, etc.) explain how to reach the same goal but through different paths.

Here so many of you have assembled in one place though you are coming from different countries like U.K., Italy, France, Germany, U.S.A, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Madras, Delhi etc. Though all of you followed different routes to come to this place, all of you have the common goal of meeting here. You should realise that there is only one God who is Omnipresent, only one language, that of the heart and only one caste, that of humanity. You are all bound by one thing and that is Love. Love is God, live in love. The relationship with God breeds love alone and nothing but love. All other relationships with your mother, father, spouse or children are temporary. So you should have confidence only in the one relationship that is ever-lasting and that is with God.

Excerpts from Discourse on 5-4-93.

Vision should be good

The paradox of human behaviour is that, having the power of discrimination to identify good and bad, man is not able to get away from bad pursuits. This is due to the weakness of the human mind, which is in. turn the result of desire and anger. Take the example of Ravana, who was a great scholar and master of many arts. Ravana looked at Seeta with a bad vision. The eye is a sacred organ. Good vision generates good thoughts. In Ravana, the bad look created bad thoughts, which led to his downfall.

Desire is all right as long as it is within reasonable limits. For example, if you feel thirsty, it is a reasonable desire to seek water to quench the thirst. Not satisfied with water, if one seeks cool drinks it is tantamount to excessive desire.

To illustrate the disastrous consequences of excessive desire. I will narrate a story. Once a wayfarer, who was making a long journey by foot in the hot sun, was feeling tired and sought the shade of a tree to rest for a while. It so happened that the tree was a wish fulfilling tree. Sitting under its shade, he wished for a cup of cold water for quenching his thirst. To his astonishment a cup of water was placed before him. After quenching his thirst, he felt that it would be good if he could get a bed to recline on and enjoy a siesta. Immediately a bed was provided from nowhere. Then he thought how nice it would be if his wife also was there. In a flash, he found his wife there. At this stage, he had a doubt in his mind as to how his wife, who was far away at home could come there and thought that it might be a demon in her form which might even devour him. As he thought in this manner, the woman turned into a demon and devoured him! This is the result of excessive desire, which is the enemy within you.

Excerpts from Discourse on 6-4-1993.

Will-power and Meditation

Sri Sathya Sai playing cymbals at a picnic with students in the Kodai Hills

Developing good thoughts fosters the Ichha Shakti (will-power). Ichha Shakti fosters Praana Shakti (life principle), Medha Shakti (intellectual power), Grahana Shakti (power of understanding), Nirnaya Shakti (power of determination) and Vaak Shakti (power of speech).

One who uses one’s will power in the right manner shines as a virtuous person, but one who uses it in the wrong direction becomes wicked. The will power increases as and when one reduces desires. When excessive desires are entertained, the will power declines. By reducing just one of your several habits like smoking or coffee addiction, you can experience an increase in your will power and intellectual ability. When the will power is weak, even when one sits in meditation he cannot steady his mind and it will only be a waste of time. One should reduce desires to progress in spiritual Sadhana.

Excerpts from Discourse on 7-4-1993.

Ignorance is the cause of ego

Man is bound by seven types of ropes. They are (1) Deham (body); (2) Kamam (desire); (3) Krodam (anger); (4) Ahamkaram (ego); (5) Karma (fate); (6) Ajnana (ignorance) and (7) Aviveka or Avidya (lack of discrimination). Ignorance is the cause of ego, which breeds Raga and Dvesha (attachment and hatred). For getting liberation one has to get rid of the ego, ignorance and attachment. The ego gives rise to Raaga (desire) which plunges man in Karma which, in turn, causes Janma (birth).

Ego is like an inflated football. When one is inflated with the air of ego, both the good and bad qualities kick the body. The moment ego is gone, the kicking stops and one attends to his legitimate duties with the feeling that he does not do anything but is only an instrument.

In spirituality, experience is the method of gaining wisdom while in science it is experiment. When you put some sugar in a glass of water you can't see it or touch it as it gets dissolved. But you can find out its presence by tasting the water. Similarly, you can realise Divinity, which is present in every being and within you, only by experiencing Bliss by Sadhana.

When fire on a piece of charcoal is left unattended for some time, you find that ash is covering the fire. This ash came out of the fire only because of negligence. If you blow off the ash you can see the fire. You are not bringing it afresh from outside. Similarly, Jnanaagni (the fire of wisdom) in you is covered by the ash of Maya (illusion) which obscures it from your vision. Just blow off the ash of Maya, covering the fire of wisdom, by Vairagya (renunciation or sacrifice), you can realise the wisdom within you, which is constant integrated awareness.

Everyone is busy in protecting, decorating and painting the chariot of the body but does not have any concern for the charioteer. How do you expect it to move without the direction of the charioteer? The senses are the horses of the chariot of the body, the mind is the rein to control them. 

Sri Sathya Sai at a devotee's residence in Kodaikanal

The way to realise the Divinity that is in everyone is to cultivate love, which is the only divine trait. There are three sides to love forming a triangle. They are: (1) Love gives and never receives; (2) Love is fearless; (3) Love is changeless. The love that develops between a mother and child or a husband and wife is subject to change as it pertains to the body. It is only Bhrama (illusion). You should become Brahman shedding Bhrama. The divinity in you is changeless, blemish less, without beginning or end. Just as a Dhobi removes the dirt in a cloth and restores its original whiteness by washing with soap beating it on stone, man should try to regain his vision of the pure effulgent Atma by washing his heart in the water of love with the soap of Shraddha (earnestness) on the stone of Tyaga (sacrifice). This is the way to realise one's Inner Reality, which is Sathyam, Jnanam, Anantam and Brahma.

Excerpts from Discourse on 8-4-1993.

Continued in Part 2...

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1986-2005) and Sathya Sai Speaks Volume 26

Sri Sathya Sai Visit and Message at Sundaram, Chennai - 1997

Thursday, April 10, 1997 to 

Saturday, April 12, 1997

Sri Sathya Sai arrives at Sundaram - April 10, 1997

Bhagavan arrived at Sundaram from Bangalore at 10.30 am on 10th April. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome amidst Vedic chants. He blessed the assembled devotees and inaugurated the renovated prayer hall at Sundaram. Bhagavan then proceeded to the Shirdi Sai Mandir within the complex. 

Inside the Shirdi Sai Mandir in Sundaram

He materialised a multi-gem star shaped jewel and pressed it on the forehead of Shirdi Sai idol in the Mandir. Smt. Anjali Devi was present on this occasion. 

During the public meeting at Sundaram that evening, Sri T.G.Krishnamurthy, State President, Tamil Nadu Sai Organisation and Prof. Sampath, Former Vice Chancellor, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, addressed the gathering. Bhagavan then delivered His Discourse. He spoke about the saints of Tamil Nadu:

"The human being is a combination of Naitikam (morality), Dharma (righteousness) and Adhyatmikam (spirituality). All three constituents are con-rained in man. Hence, to recognise the Divine in man, his humanness should not be divorced from his Divinity. Divinity is immanent in man. Men consider themselves as mere human beings. This is nor so. All of them are manifestations of the Divine. It is because men do not recognise this fact, all kinds of confusions arise in respect of human activities in the phenomenal world. Every person should develop the awareness that he is Brahman - "Aham Brahmaasmi." Only then will he understand his true nature. God is not distinct and apart from man.

Bharat has been conveying profound truths to the world from ancient times. It proclaimed the universal message: "Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu". Unfortunately, because of attachment to the things of the world, the people have lost this sense of universal well-being and are wasting their precious lives. Worldly wealth and comforts are transient. Bharatiya culture has glorified adherence to Truth and Righteousness.

Forbearance is the greatest

Making a point during the discourse delivered from the Sundaram Shanti Vedika

God is the Indweller in the human heart (spiritual heart). There is no meaning in going elsewhere in search of God. Realising this, men should lead a life of kindness to all beings. A man without kindness is an animal.

There was once a person in Tamil Nadu who belonged to a place named Pumpuhaar on the banks of the river Kaveri. He used to earn a living by weaving cloth and selling it. In the same place there was a rich man whose son was a naughty boy. This lad came to the weaver and asked what was price of the sari he was selling. The man replied: "Three rupees" (the price of those days). The lad tore the sari into half and asked what was the price of half the sari. The weaver replied, "A rupee and a half." The lad tore it again into two and asked what was the price of the torn piece. The man replied-"It is worth twelve annas" (three-fourths of a rupee). The weaver did nor get angry at the lad's behaviour. He was calm and unruffled. The young lad was astonished. He asked the weaver: "How did you acquire this quality of Kshama (forbearance)?" The man replied: "Forbearance is truth. It is right conduct. It is non-violence. It is a source of joy. It is heaven itself. It is the summum bonum in this world. There is nothing greater than forbearance in

this world."

An artist's impression of Lord Shiva blessing MaanikkaVaasagar (circa 9th century AD) and Thiruvaachakam

The weaver composed numerous poems in praise of' Kshama (forbearance). This work is known as 'Thiruvaachakam'. Its author is none other than the Saint MaanikkaVaasagar, who achieved the highest goal of life by the quality of forbearance, brought glory to Tamil Nadu by his devotional songs. Over the centuries many other saints known as Alwars were born in Tamil Nadu.

"Everything belongs to God"

Here is another example: Among the various Tamil kingdoms, the reign of Pandyan Kings is famous. One of the Pandyan rulers wished to develop his kingdom by breeding horses. He had a young minister in his court. He was a man of character, full of piety and devotion. He led a pure life. He led a life of integrity and dedication. The king gave him the necessary money and commissioned him to purchase horses. The minister set out on his mission with his escorts. On the way he saw a Shiva temple in ruins. There he saw a holy man, Shiva Yogi. Conversing with the yogi and listening to his teachings, the minister stayed with him as a disciple. He lost interest in the mission of buying horses. He was immersed in the contemplation of God. He used the money he had brought with him for the renovation of the Shiva temple. This news reached the Pandyan King. He summoned the minister and charged him with misusing the money that had been given to him for buying horses. The minister replied: "I have nor misused the money. Everything belongs to God. I have used the money as an offering to God."

The king asked: "Who gave you the money?" He replied: "It all came from God. You did not create it. It was all a gift from God. And I offered it to God."

The king sent the minister to prison. But because an innocent man had been sent to jail, the king could nor sleep or rake food. The prisoner was singing poems in praise of God. These poems have become famous as "Thirumanthiram." This work is esteemed as another Veda in Tamil Nadu. The author is known as Tirumular.

An artist's image of Tirumular

Such a sacred land as Tamil Nadu has witnessed a decline in spirituality. Selfishness is rampant. Very few are filled with fear of sin or love of God. Fear of sin, love of God and morality in society have become scarce. People can experience God if they adhere to the path of truth. Very few pray to God for His grace. Most people pray for material benefits which are ephemeral. The sacred and precious human life is being wasted in the pursuit of trifles. Men are stricken with the maladies of the craze for wealth and power. What is earned should be used for the benefit of the society.

There is one other disease with which all are afflicted to varying degrees. It is the disease of Ahamkara (egoism). There is no basis at all-for this conceit. There is no reason at all for anyone feeling proud about one's wealth or any other possession. The only thing about which one should feel proud is one's goodness. People should cultivate love and cherish the feeling of oneness with all beings.

All your Bhajans, penances and the like are of-no avail unless you have a pure heart filled with love. It is like preparing food in an un-tinned vessel. It is bound to get spoilt. It is to develop a loving heart that you have to embark on the spiritual path. This pure love is the direct path to God. It is love which is unbounded and divine. The love of God should not depend on whether your prayers are fulfilled or not. Remember what ordeals the sages and saints passed through in their devotion to God. They braved all difficulties and earned lasting fame as great devotees. Life is a challenge - Meet it! Life is a game - Play it! Life is love - Enjoy it! Life is Awareness! The best way to love God is to love all, serve all."

Sri Sathya Sai Darshan at Sundaram

Bhagavan went around the gathering and blessed the devotees during the 7.30 am Bhajans at Sundaram on the 11th. Sri S.V. Chittibabu, former Vice Chancellor of Annamalai and Madurai Kamaraj University, spoke about the integrated education imparted at the Educational Institutions established by Bhagavan in his speech following the evening Bhajan session. Bhagavan then blessed the devotees with His Discourse. An excerpt is included below:

"Sai devotees should understand the essence of our culture. Sacrifice and service are the two basic elements.

There are two ways of God-realisation. One is the path of devotion where the devotee considers himself a servant of God. By repeatedly declaring, Dasoham (I am your servant) he goes on reducing his ego till the bondage of worldly attachment falls off. The other means is Jnana Marga (the path of knowledge). By constantly developing the sense of oneness with the Divine - Shivoham (I am the Divine) his consciousness expands to the point where it becomes one with
the universal consciousness and all worldly bonds are snapped.

Give no room for the ego. If any one examines his position in this vast cosmos, he will realise his infinitesimal smallness. Egoism arises out of ignorance. Expel the ego and develop love. With love, develop the spirit of sacrifice. Sacrifice alone can confer immortality, says the Upanishad. Sacrifice can confer bliss and health. Experience the joy of sharing. Renunciation is the key to sound health. Do not indulge in criticism of others. Count your own faults and rectify them. See the Divine in one and all. Elevate the quality of human life by living in amity with all. Chanting the name of God is the sure means of cultivating this universal love.

Melodious music can move the Lord

There is special merit in singing the Lord's name with due regard for melody and rhythm. The Lord is a lover of music. Moreover, when singing is done with fervour, it helps to drive out all bad thoughts from the mind. Melodious music can move the Lord and move all the participants. (Swami demonstrated the effect of melodious singing by rendering the song; "Rama! Nannu-Kaapaadumaa" - Oh Rama, protect me). Melodious music will move the Lord Himself. Hence, when you rake part in Bhajans sing with all your heart and soul. You must sing with such love for the Divine that you forger yourself. When you sing the praise of God with a pure heart, you will purify your environment, your country and the world.

People are looking forward to April 14th as the New Year Day. The name of the new year is "Ishvara." What does Ishvara mean? As Chittibabu (who spoke earlier in Tamil) said, the Lord is "Ammai-Appa" (mother and father). Their coming together is represented by the concept of "Ardhanareeshvara" - the Divine couple in one body. Every man is a symbol of "Ardhanareeshvara". The body is inert. The Atma is Consciousness. The body is Prakriti (Nature). The Atma is Eeshvara. The combination of Prakriti and. Paramatma constitutes humanness. Therefore, you should regard yourself as a symbol of "Ardhanareeshvara".

An artist's impression of Ardhanareeshvara

Do good and reap good results

As the new year approaches people are wondering what it has in store for them. It is not the year that brings good or ill. Your actions determine what you will get. What have the years that have gone brought you? Each year brings you the fruits of your past actions. Do good and reap good results. Your conduct should be good, befitting your human condition. Revere elders. Love all. Honour your nation. Give up attachment to the body. Then you will have fulfilment in life.

You all know what troubles the country is going through on account of the political situation. The basic cause is selfishness. Leaders are fighting for their own personal ends and not for the sake of the country. No one seems to be bothered about what is happening to the society, to the people and the country. "My power and my position" is all that each one is concerned about. How long will the chair last? When the body itself is impermanent, what is the meaning in chasing the chair? Hence, all should develop a broad outlook. Banish narrow considerations. 

From the new year, cherish broad ideas, truthful ideas, loving thoughts and noble ideals. Only then the nation will be peaceful and prosperous. Bharat lacks nothing by way of natural endowments. It is a misfortune that it is in its present plight today. Realise the sacredness and great culture of Bharat. I bless you all that from the new year you should lead pure lives chanting the Lord's name and promote the prosperity of the country."

Sri Sathya Sai blessing devotees from the Sundaram Shanti Vedika 

Bhagavan left for Brindavan on 12th morning.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1986-2005)

Sri Sathya Sai on His Divinity

God is inscrutable. He cannot be realised in the outer objective world; He is in the very heart of every being. Gemstones have to be sought deep underground; they do not float in mid-air. Seek God in the depths of yourself, not in tantalising, kaleidoscopic Nature. The body is granted to you for this high purpose; but, you are now misusing it, like the person who cooked his daily food in the gemstudded gold vase that came into his hands as an heirloom. 

Man extols God as omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent, but, he ignores His Presence in himself! Of course, many venture to describe the attributes of God and proclaim Him to be such and such; but, these are but their own guesses and the reflections of their own predilections and preferences.

Who can affirm that God is this or that? Who can affirm that God is not of this form or with this attribute? Each one can acquire from the vast expanse of the ocean only as much as can be contained in the vessel he carries to its shore. From that quantity, they can grasp but little of that immensity.

Each religion defines God within the limits it demarcates and then claims to have grasped Him. Like the seven blind men who spoke of the elephant as a pillar, a fan, a rope or a wall, because they contacted but a part and could not comprehend the entire animal, so too, religions speak of a part and assert that its vision is full and total. 

There is only one religion, the Religion of Love

Each religion forgets that God is all Forms and all Names, all attributes and all assertions. The religion of Humanity is the sum and substance of all these partial faiths; for, there is only one Religion and that is the Religion of Love. The various limbs of the elephant that seemed' separate and distinct to the eye-less seekers of its truth were all fostered and activated by one single stream of blood; the various religions and faiths that feel separate and distinct are all fostered by one single stream of love.

The optical sense cannot visualise the Truth. It gives only false and fogged information. For example, there are many who observe My actions and start declaring that My nature is such and such. They are unable to gauge the sanctity, the majesty and the eternal reality that is Me. The power of Sai is limitless; It manifests for ever. All forms of 'power' are resident in this Sai palm. But, those who profess to have understood Me, the scholars, the Yogis (spiritually advanced persons), the Pandits (scholars), the Jnanis (liberated persons), all of them are aware only of the least important, the casusal, external manifestation of an infinitesimal part of that power, namely, the 'miracles'! They have not desired to contact the Source of all Power and all Wisdom, that is available here at Brindavan. They are satisfied when they secure a chance to exhibit their book-learning and parade their scholarship in Vedic Lore, not realising that the Person from whom the Vedas emanated is in the midst, for their-sake. They even ask, in their pride, for a few more chances!

'Defeats' experienced by Avatars are part of Leela

This has been the case, in all ages. People may be very near (physically) to the Avatar, but, they live out their lives unaware of their fortune; they exaggerate the role of miracles, which are as trivial, when compared to My glory and majesty, as a mosquito is in size and strength to the elephant upon which it squats. Therefore, when you speak about these 'miracles,' I laugh within myself out of pity, that you allow yourself so easily to lose the precious awareness of My Reality.

My power is immeasurable; My truth is inexplicable, unfathomable. I am announcing this about Me, for, the need has arisen. But, what I am doing now is only the gift of a 'Visiting Card'! Let Me tell you that emphatic declarations of the Truth by Avatars were made so clearly and so unmistakably only by Krishna. In spite of the declaration, you will notice in the career of the same Krishna that He underwent defeat in His efforts and endeavours, on a few occasions; you must also note that those defeats too were part of the drama which He had planned and which He Himself directed. For example, when many Kings pleaded with Him to avert the War with the Kauravas, He confessed that His Mission to the Kaurava Court for ensuring peace had 'failed'! But, He had not willed that it should succeed! He had decided that war would be waged! His Mission was intended to punish the greed and iniquity of the Kauravas and to condemn them before the whole world.

Sri Krishna at the Hastinapur Court

What to ask from Me?

Now, I must tell you, that during this Sai Avatar, there is no place for even such 'drama' with scenes of failures and defeats! What I will, must take place; what I plan must succeed. I am Truth; and Truth has no need to hesitate, or fear, or bend.

'Willing' is superfluous for Me. For, My Grace is ever available to devotees who have steady Love and Faith. Since I move freely among them, talking and singing, even intellectuals are unable to grasp My Truth, My Power, My Glory, or My real Task as Avatar. I can solve any problem however knotty. I am beyond the reach of the most intensive inquiry and the most meticulous measurement. Only those who have recognised My Love and experienced that Love can assert that they have glimpsed My Reality. For, the Path of Love is the Royal road that leads mankind to Me.

Do not attempt to know Me through the external eyes. When you go to a temple and stand before the Image of God, you pray with closed eyes, don't you? Why? Because you feel that the inner eye of Wisdom alone can reveal Him to you. Therefore, do not crave from Me trivial material objects; but, crave for Me, and you would be rewarded. Not that you should not receive whatever objects I give as sign of Grace out of the fullness of Love.

I shall tell you why I give these rings, talismans, rosaries, etc. It is to signalise the bond between Me and those to whom they are given. When calamity befalls them, the article comes to Me in a flash and returns in a flash taking from Me the remedial Grace of protection. That Grace is available to all who call on Me in any Name or Form, not merely to those who wear these gifts. Love is the bond that wins Grace.

The Meaning of Sai Baba

Consider the meaning of the name, Sai Baba. Sa means 'Divine;' ai or ayi means 'mother' and Baba means father. The Name indicates the Divine Mother and Father, just as Samba-Shiva, which also means the Divine Mother and Father. Your physical parents exhibit Love with a dose of selfishness; but, this Sai 'Mother and Father' showers affection or reprimands, only for leading you towards victory in the struggle for self-realisation.

For, this Sai has come in order to achieve the supreme task of uniting the entire mankind, as one family through the bond of brotherhood, of affirming and illumining the Atmic Reality of each being in order to reveal the Divine which is the basis on which the entire Cosmos rests, and of instructing all to recognise the common Divine Heritage that binds man to man, so that man can rid himself of the animal, and rise into the Divine which is his goal.

I am the embodiment of Love; Love is My instrument. There is no creature without Love; the lowest loves itself, at least. And its self is God. So, there are no atheists, though some might dislike Him or refuse Him, as malarial patients dislike sweets or diabetic patients refuse to have anything to do with sweets! Those who preen themselves as atheists will one day, when their illness is gone, relish God and revere Him.

I had to tell you so much about My Truth, for I desire that you should contemplate on this and derive joy therefrom, so that you may be inspired to observe the disciplines laid down by Me and progress towards the Goal of Self-realisation, the Realisation of the Sai that shines in your hearts.

Source: Divine Discourse at Brindavan - June 19, 1974