Understanding Religion from the Vedantic Perspective

Sri Sathya Sai in Prasanthi Campus Hostel

What is Religion? ‘Religion is Realisation’. ‘To realise one’s true nature’ is the meaning of religion. We have to realise ourselves, all by ourselves. Who am I? Who am I? Who am I? This is what Vedanta teaches. What exactly is Vedanta? End of this ‘I’ is Vedanta! Vedas by themselves are dualistic. So, they taught a variety of things, in a variety of ways.  Later on, in order to save and safeguard these religions, Adi Shankara took birth. He set about preaching the synthesis of all religions. This is called the Advaita religion. 

Adi Shankaracharya’s Advaita

Sri Adi Shankaracharya (AD 788-820)

Advaita is unity in diversity. He taught such unity. Why is it that the Advaita philosophy is not reigning supreme in the world? It is because what is preached is Advaita (Non dualism) and what is practised is Dvaita (Dualism). That Advaita religion lacks the edge. If oneness of everything is proclaimed, then why are these statements like, “Brahma Satyam Jagat Mithya” (God is real, world is illusory) or “Sarvam Vishnu Mayam Jagat” (The world is pervaded by God)? As the dualistic path is made use of to teach Non-dualism, the Advaita philosophy becomes weak. There should be no differentiation of master and servant. Starting at a tender age, Adi Shankaracharya went around the country, debated with all and achieved victory for his doctrine. Shouldn’t there have been an element of desire in his heart, if he wanted to debate and conquer others? Desire as such is born out of duality. It is not a product of non-dualistic state. As a consequence of such an anomaly, Advaita was subjected to further discussion and debate and some others came up with new theories. 

Ramanujacharya’s Visishtadvaita

Sri Ramanujacharya (AD 1017-1137)

Ramanujacharya founded Visishtadvaita. What is Visishtadvaita? Beings and things are different but there is a unitary Divine aspect within all of them. So, Ramanujacharya emphasised on this aspect. When a thing exists, then naturally there is a complimentary thing also in existence. Reflection is seen only when there is an object. Resound is heard only when there is a sound. So there is a reality and there is its reflection and this was well explained by Ramanujacharya. His philosophy is that a human being can merge in God through effort.

There is a unique analogy for this, in milk. When milk is warmed and set, it congeals into curd. When curd is churned, butter emerges. Butter is clarified into ghee by heating. Now, where did the ghee come from? Butter is the source of ghee. Milk is the source of butter. Every drop, every molecule of milk has butter in it. But it is not perceptible. Only after due processing, does butter get formed. Here milk is non-dualism. The essence of the milk is butter. What remains is buttermilk. There is no butter in buttermilk and vice versa. Therefore, butter is as important as it is the quintessence of milk. We need not bother about buttermilk at all. Butter should be our focus. This was what Ramanujacharya enunciated as Visishtadvaita.

Madhvacharya’s Dvaita

Sri Madhvacharya (AD 1238-1317)

Even this was not accepted as correct. Man is man and God is God. Man may experience God but cannot become one with Him. This was Madhvacharya’s Dvaita philosophy. He was an ardent devotee of Krishna. He always considered it right to treat Krishna to be different and separate from himself and enjoy this association with Krishna. If I become Krishna, I cannot experience and understand the joy of His sweetness. Krishna must remain as Krishna and me, His servant. I am the seeker and He is the giver. He is the hero and I, the heroine of this drama. Madhvacharya wished for such close relationship. He tried to associate whatever he did, with Krishna. ‘Krishna is everywhere, yet He is different from me’, was his concept. Even Purandaradasa spoke of this concept in his song, ‘Nanyeke Badawa, Nan Yake Paradesi’. “You are my progenitor, my mother and father; You are my friend. As long as You are there for me, I do not need others. I do not need the world. How can I be a stranger? How can I be a pauper? No, I am the wealthiest O Krishna!  You alone are there for me. You be Yourself and I myself. We have the intimate bond, which is love. Love is the current.  Just as the bulb glows when connected with current wire, I too need this wire of love between You and me. Let us never be disconnected. Who is the fountainhead of this world? You, of course. There is none other than You. You are the painter”, said he.

Purandara Das (AD 1484 - 1564)

“Chitrambulu Trailokya Pavitrambulu” (the wonders of the world are magnificent and mysterious). Indeed how wonderful are the works of God! In India itself there are more than 80 crore people. Are there any two identical persons among them? No. There is so much dissimilarity. Who created such variety? Can any scientist do this? Even twins have dissimilarities somewhere in teeth or eyes. God can be the only painter of such myriad variety, none else. (Continuing with Purandaradasa’s song) “The tree that grew on the rocky hill – was it sown, watered and fertilised by anyone? None at all! It is You who nurtured the tree on the rocks. Who fixed the red beak on the green parrot? How well it matches! Who painted the dazzling colours of the peacock?  How beautifully they shine!  It is all your creation.” Today if something is painted, it looks artificial. God’s creation, on the other hand, is genuine. It is not possible for others to do it. “Who fed the frog born within a rock? Is it not You?” Thus, Madhvacharya described God as someone superior to himself. “God is the Master, I am His servant; God is the object and I am the reflection. God is the sound and I am the resound.” He made this kind of dualistic differentiation. He enjoyed infinite bliss and oneness in such duality itself.

The Essence of All Religions is the Same

Out of the three philosophies mentioned above, some liked one and some another. Thus came about the sects of Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhva - a personal preference and choice of the people. These are only creations of the preachers. But any one individual as such did not create Hinduism. Hinduism is not proprietary to India. It is for the welfare of the entire mankind. That is why it is said ‘Hin’ stands for ‘Himsa’ (violence) and ‘Du’ stands for ‘Dooram’ (distance). The land that distances itself from violence is the Hindu-land. Ever since, till date, the Hindu religion seeks the well-being of all nations and welfare of all creatures. This is called the Sanatana Dharma, (‘The Eternal Faith’). Why? This is because, there is no founder for this religion, nor is there a date of origin; while other religions have a well-defined chronology. However, Hinduism made itself amenable to certain restrictions and regimentation. And because of these, this timeless faith is serviced till today and none could touch it. It only grows and never diminishes. It belongs to all countries. It applies equally to all humans. There should be no differentiation in the name of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and so on. If the names exist, let it be so. But students should never entertain any differences whatsoever. Respect all religions. Whatever is there in your religion is also there in the other religion. If you stick to your religion sincerely, there will be no necessity to criticise others, is it not? But today one calls himself Hindu but does not honour Hinduism. Those of Islam do not honour their religion. Christians do not honour their religion. Truly, the personal beliefs are undergoing drastic changes today. Islam implores us to treat fellow men as brothers and coexist. But do the Muslims follow this? Christianity teaches the heights of forbearance, saying, ‘If somebody slaps you on one cheek, show him the other cheek’. But today’s Christians are indulging in violence. They all talk very highly about their own religion, but do not practise what the religion teaches. It is good to respect and revere one’s own religion. It is also good to respect other religions. In case you are not inclined to respect other’s religion, stay indifferent. But, never criticise them. It is necessary for students of today to cultivate such broad mindedness. Today’s students are the future of India. Do not show any dislike or discrimination towards others and their religions, whosoever they may be. Understand that the essence of religions is one and the same. This is the Sanatana Dharma. 

You all know that juice is extracted from several oranges. Some ripe, some unripe and some even spoilt. They mix the extracted juice well and have it as a soft drink. In this do you taste any particular type of orange? No. But when you take separately, the fruits may taste sweet, some bitter or rotten. When all are mixed up it tastes uniform. Similarly, all feelings are of kindness (Karuna). In that kindness, there are no separate feelings of hatred, sorrow and the like. When all such feelings mix together, we get Karuna (kindness). So there can be differences in the paths. But that does not affect the essence inherent in them. Will crooked sugarcane taste less sweet? It has the same juice. Similarly, your mindset may be crooked but the religion you follow has no faults in it. 

Religions vary, the way is one.

Materials vary, matter is one.

Jewels vary, gold is one.

Colours of the cows vary, milk is one.

Species vary, life is one.

Races vary, birth is one.

You don’t find that one human is delivered from the mother’s womb and another drops from the sky! All are equal at birth. 

Source: The Universal Religion, Discourse 16, My Dear Students Volume 2; Divine Discourse delivered on July 23, 1989 at Prasanthi Nilayam 

My Path to the Wellspring of Rationality, Morality And Spirituality – By Prof. Peter Pruzan

Prof. Peter Pruzan with Sri Sathya Sai at Prasanthi Nilayam - March 2009

The path of personal and professional development I have trodden can be characterised as a path from rationality via morality to spirituality – and to their Source. Each of these terms, rationality, morality, and spirituality, has successively played a major role in my personal as well as my professional life. But I now know that underlying this development is a Source, a Wellspring, so powerful, loving, and all-embracing that it can best be described as omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. That Source is Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba, the Master Teacher, who has lovingly permitted me to serve at His University so that I can teach His wonderful students what I have to learn.

“Path” is an often used metaphor when describing human behaviour – we hear people speak of “the road less travelled,” of coming to a fork in the road where an existential choice is to be made, of paths to success, and of spiritual paths. Progressing along a path permits reflection and contemplation. Once underway we learn that there are “rules of the road”. And we experience limitations to our degrees of freedom in choosing our path – that our circumstances, previous decisions, and behaviour determine where we are and where we choose to move on to. 

On rare occasions, for example, in connection with a personal crisis, we may also have experiences and insights that are so dramatic, sudden, and unexpected that a striking alteration in our world views, self-reference, and character takes place. Surprisingly, and fortunately, in spite of such abrupt and dramatic changes, there remains a sense of continuity; the path is still one’s own, personal path. Looking back, so to speak, these new insights simply seem to manifest themselves, as though they were there all the time and just waited for the proper circumstances to make their appearance. We discover that we are pathfinders on our own path to ourselves. That we are its co-creators, that we discover our path while beating it out – and that it has been there all the time, waiting for us to tread it, discover it, be it.

Such at least is the way that I have experienced my own development, characterized at rare intervals by amazing surprises and existential wonder, followed by longer periods of digestion. I have come to recognize and respect these experiences as manifestations of a latent blossoming, of a path from myself to my Self – and that I am That. It is truly with amazement and awe, as well as with immense gratitude, that I realise that Swami has held my hand all the time and led me along my path, a path from ignorance clothed in the garments of arrogant intellectualism, to one of increasingly deep concern as to individual and collective ethics, values, and responsibility, and to one of deep spiritual transformation via love for and service to others.

It all started before the II World War when I grew up in New York, in a family that was beset with many problems, doubts, and fears, all of which were exacerbated by my elder brother’s serious and long lasting illness. This led to both stress and great financial demands which reinforced my parents emphasising the importance of “getting ahead” and of creating circumstances that could lead to a life free from the kind of problems they faced. The focus was not on human values, humanistic ideals or even on simple personal satisfaction, but on coping.

I quickly learned to be self-reliant, to study hard and get a fine education; that was the apparent path to security, a state or feeling that was absent in my home. I obtained scholarships to some of the world’s most respected universities (Princeton, Harvard, and Case-Western) and excelled in my studies. My education eventually led me to develop a mindset based on the concept of “optimisation”, an extreme form of rationality. It also led me, via a Fulbright research grant, to move from the US to the lovely small country, Denmark, where I have now lived for roughly 45 years and where my family, including children and grandchildren, thrives.

I applied what I had learned and this rapidly led to a large number of scientific publications, academic recognition, and material well-being. But after a number of years of applying my theories in practice and helping major corporations to be more economically productive, I discovered that this extreme focus on economic gain had blinded me, as well as those I was helping, to the potentially unethical aspects of our actions as well as to so many of the more beautiful and wondrous aspects of life that we could not see because we were only focusing on the “bottom line”. This insight led me to a major shift in focus – from economic rationality to business ethics; and in my university work to develop courses and organisations focused on value-based management and corporate social responsibility. I also started developing what has become the largest department at the Copenhagen Business School (CBS), the department of Management, Politics & Philosophy.

Prof. Peter Pruzan with President Abdul Kalam

It was during my work at CBS on developing what I called “Ethical Accounting” in the late 1980s that I was visited by a man, Thorbjörn Meyer, about seven years my senior. He asked me if I could be his advisor on a Ph.D. project dealing with human values in corporate leadership. It was a strange request – people who are 60 years of age seldom start to do doctoral research. And when he spoke of values it was as though they were spelled with capital letters; he spoke of Truth, Righteousness, Love… while for me, values were instruments that leaders could use to justify their aims and results; they were instruments and not important in their own right. 

A half year later, on my birthday in the spring of 1989, this gentleman gave me a birthday gift – the book Spirit and the Mind by Dr. Samuel Sandweiss. I read the book with mixed feelings; as an atheist with a Jewish cultural background I found it impossible to accept its presentation of Swami as God incarnate, yet when I read Swami’s own words, I was immediately and powerfully attracted to Him. All this resulted sometime later that year in my visiting Prasanthi Nilayam. I arrived by taxi from Bangalore at about 5 AM, alone, confused, bewildered. I saw Swami and for the first time in my life I prayed. Later on during my short stay Swami invited me in for an interview – it was perhaps more than a coincidence that Dr. Sandweiss, his wife, and his twin daughters were invited in to the same interview. I returned to my home a “new” person. It was as though a longing deep inside of me had been awakened. That contact with Swami radically changed the course of my life.

Peter and Kirsten Pruzan with Sri Sathya Sai at the Prasanthi Nilayam interview room in March 2002

This was the opening to the third phase in my development, what I referred to above as the path to spirituality. I had returned to Denmark a “new” person, although it was clearly the same me that was simply getting closer to his true essence, his core. My teaching gradually changed; students were no longer “things” to fill with information, to test and to support so that they could get their degrees. They underwent a metamorphosis (of course it was me who was transformed) and became the objects of my love; I was there to serve them, to guide them and to inspire them. My research gradually changed; ethics, values, responsibility, and serving others were no longer instruments to help corporations protect their licence to operate and to improve productivity and profitability, they were now the fundamental bases for organised activity, the raison d’être for corporate existence. After a number of visits to Prasanthi Nilayam, I was invited to give some lectures at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, something I have done continually for over 10 years now. Having retired in 2003 I am now able to teach full courses – and do so with joy. Never in my life have I learned so much by teaching others!

Prof. Peter Pruzan offering his book on the theme of Spirituality Based Leadership to Sri Sathya Sai

Not only have I been invited to teach at the Institute – I have also had the pleasure of lecturing and evaluating theses at a number of other institutions of higher learning in India, including the three major Indian Institutes of Management, and have established working relationships between these institutions and the Copenhagen Business School. My wife Kirsten and I have simply fallen deeply in love with India, where we have travelled extensively. India has become our second home. We now understand what Swami has told us on a number of occasions: “This is your home.”

Together with Kirsten and two Americans who live permanently in Swami’s Ashram, Debra and William Miller, I began researching and writing on such subjects as Spiritual-Based Leadership and Human Values at Work, books that at the time of writing this article are in the final stages preceding publication. My wife and I have also recently completed a many-year project: translating (from English into Danish) a special version of the Bhagavad Gita with Swami’s commentaries on the individual verses.

Mrs. Kirsten Pruzan with Sri Sathya Sai on Christmas Day 2010 at Prasanthi Nilayam

In 2003 Kirsten published a book about Swami in Danish; Swami told her to translate it into English and it is now available as 'Journeys to Love'. Each of these books, including those not yet published, have been blessed and guided by Swami. Not only did this amazing meeting with the Avatar influence my work; it also opened the doors to my heart and soul and changed my whole being – or rather helped me to better realise that I and we all are sparks of the Divine, that we are all blessed with and filled with His Divine Love, and that it is our major mission in life to realise this and to be in contact with and lead our lives accordingly. This wonderful realisation is manifest in my relationships with my family, friends, colleagues, and all those I meet or somehow come into contact with. My prayers, which originally dealt with myself, then with my family and friends, now reach out to all living creatures, to all of creation. In an epiphany a number of years ago, I realised that I am Love – these were the first words that came from my mouth after having experienced what can best be described as beautiful, joy-filled peace and emptiness: Samadhi.

It is perhaps a good idea to conclude this “travel log” of my path to the wellspring of rationality, morality, and spirituality with two brief stories that illustrate Swami’s magnificence. One day a number of years ago, I saw Swami talking with a few of the Ph.D. students that I was helping with their research. I noticed that they were all looking in my direction, so after Darshan I asked the students what Swami had said. They told me that Swami had asked “Who is the white beard?” and that they had replied “He’s a visiting professor.” “No” Swami said, “He’s a fisherman.” The students replied that I was in fact a visiting professor, and Swami repeated that I was a fisherman. Only later did the beauty and joy of this story dawn on me. Swami in this cryptical manner told me that he knew me better than I know myself; my name is Peter, and in the Bible, Peter is referred to as a “fisher of men.”

Jesus Christ with Peter

A second story deals with Swami’s Omnipresence and Omniscience. On a fall day a few years ago, I had left my office at the Copenhagen Business School early, purchased a lovely bouquet of flowers, and tidied up our house. Kirsten, who was then an editor at our major morning newspaper, arrived home a bit later, and on entering the house and seeing the flowers and a beaming me, asked what this was all about. I reminded her that it was a most important anniversary in our life with Swami. We embraced each other and she spontaneously said (in Danish), “Thank you Swami!” At the very moment that she uttered these words and we embraced, bells started ringing. Not church bells, not bells from an ice cream vendor, not the door bell – but softly chiming, crystalline bells. We looked at each other in amazement and removed our arms from around each other; the bells stopped. We embraced again; the bells started again. We did this four times, each time we embraced, the bells sounded, each time we removed our arms, the bells stopped. Finally we stopped. Filled with awe, joy and love we thanked Swami for His Benediction.

Other personal experiences may have been more dramatic, but these two episodes tell of Swami’s wonderful humour and His all-embracing Love. I will close here in the same way that I regularly conclude my day: “Thank you Swami!”

About The Author

Prof. Peter Pruzan has been the leader of a successful and creative international consulting company; professor at the Technical University of Denmark, the University of Copenhagen, and the Copenhagen Business School. He has received several international awards for his academic contributions and has published research papers and books in diverse fields. He has served as visiting professor at SSSIHL, Prasanthi Nilayam, for nearly two decades. Of these the last 15 years have been focused on teaching Research Methodology to PhD students from the social sciences and the physical sciences. 

Source: Sai Sparshan 2005 (80th Birthday Offering)

How can we practice Satya and Dharma in Daily Life?

You are the heirs to truth and righteousness. Truth and righteousness depend on you. Students should have broad-mindedness. Then only will they have the capacity of sustaining truth and righteousness. Students should be determined to render service adhering to these two principles. They should ensure that peace and security prevail in the society. Today’s education is merely text-book knowledge. Education should rather be like the light which dispels the darkness of ignorance. Students should consider truth and righteousness as their two eyes and should be determined to work for the welfare of the society and the country at large. The real beauty of your hand lies in indulging yourself in service of others. Students should therefore be determined to work for the progress of the society. Truth is God. God is the embodiment of righteousness. And since truth and righteousness are everywhere, you need not search for God anywhere. Where there is God, there is Truth, and where there is Truth there is God. God and Truth are one and the same. Many think that they are propagating the principles of truth and righteousness. You can propagate these two principles where they are missing. But when they are present everywhere, why do you need to teach and propagate them? They need to be practiced rather than being publicised.

Satya and Dharma 

The word Dharma has derived from the root word ‘Dhrut’. The primal word for Dharma in Sanskrit is ‘Dharani’. The word ‘Dharani’ means that which binds the whole world. Dharma encompasses the entire universe. It is said, ‘Dharayate Iti Dharmaha’. Dharma is the vesture put on by this universe. It is righteousness that binds the universe as one. It is not limited to time or space or an individual. Truth and righteousness relate to all periods of time, all countries and all individuals. The mansion of righteousness stands on the foundation of Truth. The mansion of righteousness doesn’t need anything more than this, it is self-sufficient. Righteousness will never decay. However, it becomes shaky at times. Truly speaking, righteousness will never perish. It will never be hidden. However, sometimes it appears to be hidden because it is not practiced by mankind. Hence, it is said in the Bhagavad Gita:

Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya

Glanir Bhavati Bharata

Abhyutthanam Adharmasya

Tadatmanam Srujamya Aham

(Whenever and wherever there is decline of righteousness, O Bharata,

And a rise of unrighteousness, then I manifest Myself!)

The shining sun is sometimes covered with thick clouds. However, nothing can come between the sun and the sunlight. Sunlight is righteousness, sun is truth; none can stand in between these two. Truth and righteousness are inter-related and inter-dependent. They have a relationship like Nature (Prakriti) and God (Paramatma). It is the relationship between inertness and awareness, matter and energy. None can separate these two – truth and righteousness. These two are the natural traits in every human. When it is said that it is the duty of every man to practice and propagate and reach the state of bliss through this truth and righteousness, some say that it is the qualification of a man to do a job (Udyogam Purusha Lakshanam). If you say that a man should take up a job, in today’s times, you find so many women also doing a job! Can you then say that it is the requirement only for a man? It is not limited to a particular gender only. In a collective sense, among the four goals or Purusharthas of human life, righteousness is the first one. There are many men without jobs, can you say that they are not men? There are many women who are doing jobs, can you then say that doing a job is the special qualification of women (Udyogam Stree Lakshanam)? Thus, it is not Udyogam Purusha Lakshanam but Dharmam Purusha Lakshanam and Satyam Purusha Lakshanam. Truth and righteousness are the qualifications to be recognised as a man (Purusha). 

What do you mean by the word ‘Purusha’? Can you call a person wearing a safari suit a ‘Purusha’? The word ‘Purusha’ means that the body is a ‘Pura’, where the awareness is present from top to toe. Dharma is therefore the common quality which is uniform to all. However this Dharma is classified into many categories – Brahmacharya (celibacy), Grihastha (householder), Vanaprastha (mendicant), Sanyasa (renunciant). Each stage has got a particular Dharma. It is only temporary code in our life. It can’t be a collective way of behaviour. It is external Dharma. It is not internal Dharma. What is the internal Dharma? Manasyekam, Vachasyekam, Karmanyekam Mahatmanam. The internal Dharma refers to this unity in one’s thoughts, word and deeds. This is a natural truth – Dharma. This is not limited to any gender. It is applicable to entire mankind. The birds and animals have their own Dharma – code of conduct. The Dharma of fire is to burn, the Dharma of water is to flow, and the Dharma of sugar is sweetness. Like this, every object on this earth has its own Dharma. It started right from the time of creation. This Dharma is just external and it has nothing to do with the heart. However, that Dharma which is all truth and eternal and comes out of the heart is very essential. Let people belong to any country or sect; they should have harmony between their thought, word and deed. However individuals follow their own external Dharma.

The real beauty of the hand is charity (Hastasya Bhushanam Daanam). Truth is the jewel for our neck (Satyam Kanthasya Bhushanam). Sacred texts are the ornaments to the ear. What more jewels do you need? These are the permanent jewels that we have. They confer upon us the real beauty. There is no other beauty beyond this. He who has harmony in his thoughts, words and deeds is the most handsome among all men.

Therefore in order to uphold and protect these two principles of truth and righteousness, we should practice them. Since ancient times, Bharatiyas have considered this truth and righteousness as their two eyes. What is this Dharma? Dharma was born even before you were born. You may select your wife, but Dharma is not a matter of selection. No one has the authority to select Dharma. God alone has the right of selection of Dharma. Righteousness is like our mother and therefore we have to obey the Divine command of our Divine Mother. Since ancient times people commanded us and wanted us to follow the path of righteousness. Walking, talking, singing, looking; everything has its own prescribed code. The entire universe depends on this Dharma (Dharma Moolam Idam Jagat).

Conscience is Your Master

What do you mean by the word ‘Jagat’? This world has no definite form. It is the combination of all individuals. It is like a society. A society has name but no form. A combination of group of individuals constitutes a society. Therefore a society has no special form. But society has got qualities. What are the qualities of a society? Truth and righteousness are the qualities of a society. If a society doesn’t follow these two principles, it will be condemned by the world. If you eat a fruit which is bitter instead of being sweet, you spit it out. Therefore, if you don’t perform any good acts in the society, then the society will reject you. Dharma should, therefore, come out of your heart. A seed will not germinate if you put it in a bottle. But the same seed will sprout if you sow it in soil. In the same way, the seed of Dharma will never grow by means of publicity. Instead, the seed of Dharma sprouts if it is sown in our hearts. 

Righteousness is highly valuable. In order to satisfy yourself, you should satisfy your conscience. Uphold the truth with your conscience as your witness. It is said, ‘Follow the Master’. But who is your master? Your conscience is your master. The teacher or Guru is not your master. But your conscience is your master. You think that your master is your teacher or the one who gives you money. But it is not so. Your conscience is your master. You should, therefore, speak the truth from your heart.

Tantra, Yantra and Mantra

The heart is Tantra, the body is Yantra or the machine and the feeling is Mantra. In this body, which is Yantra, from the heart, which is Tantra, the Mantra ‘Soham’ is constantly emanating. Therefore the Yantra, the Tantra and the Mantra are all within you. 

This body, the Yantra, works wonderfully. Consider what happens when you see a fruit on a tree. Your eye sees the fruit. The moment the eyes see it, your mind wants it. Then the legs approach the tree and the hands pick up a stone. You move your shoulder to throw the stone on the fruit. When the fruit falls, you use your finger to hold it. Finally you chew the food and it goes into your stomach. Now, which limb of your body has helped you satisfy your hunger? All the organs of your body have worked uniformly for this process. If one organ does not cooperate, you don’t get the fruit. Man can bring near him a distant object with the help of all these organs. All limbs of this body made the effort to get the fruit and hence the stomach should satisfy all the limbs of this body. This is Dharma which promotes co-operation. But in this world there is only operation, and no co-operation. Everything is diversified and divided. Today in this modern society there is neither unity nor purity, only enmity. Due to rise in this enmity, the whole world is restless. Therefore we should fill our heart with truth and righteousness. Once there is truth and righteousness, there will be no enmity. There should be only unity among all the societies. With this unity you can achieve whatever you want. Today, people appear to be righteous and truthful. But no one can find out what the real truth or righteousness is.

Source: Satya and Dharma, Discourse 13, My Dear Students Volume 4; Divine Discourse on July 24, 1996 at Prasanthi Nilayam

My Journey to the Cosmic Director – By Vivek Kumar Thacker

There comes a day in the life of every person which he cherishes till his very last breath. For me, this very special day came when I was studying in my X standard. That was the day when I first heard about our beloved Bhagavan. Earlier, my brother had attended a Youth Conference organised by Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations of Mumbai. He later visited Prasanthi Nilayam as a part of our youth group. He had the good fortune of getting a group interview and was immediately won over by Swami’s love.

My brother requested the organisers of the youth camp in Mumbai to organise a camp in our native State, Orissa, too. That is how my special day dawned. The few days that I spent in the camp changed my mindset completely. This was true education for me. The organisers inspired me with their selfless service. They had just returned after serving the people who had been devastated by a cyclone. I learnt that the leader of the group of Seva Dals was a heart patient, but his ailment never came in the way of his service. Several others were well established members of the society. Yet they found enough time to serve others.

During the youth camp I participated in Bhajans for the first time and found the experience uplifting. Another important aspect of the youth camp was village service. I saw before my very eyes a village getting transformed. The organisers of the youth camp taught the villagers basic lessons in hygiene. They themselves took up the task of cleaning the village. They distributed clothes, medicines and food to the needy. The Sathya Sai Youth inspired all the youth in the village. Such was the love shown by them that at the end of the camp when they were leaving, there were tears in every villager’s eyes. All this made me wonder about Bhagavan, who could inspire these people to serve so selflessly. During the youth camp, the members narrated marvellous miracles of Swami, thrilling experiences of His devotees and the profundity of His wonderful teachings. The members spoke so much about Swami, yet they never got tired of talking about Him. Their friendly and loving nature gave me so much of joy that when they left, I felt a void in me. Unknown to me, they had sown a seed, a desire to have Swami’s Darshan and be close to Him.

Later I applied for admission in Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School. However, I missed the chance to join the school, as my application reached late. As they say, “God’s delays are never His denials.” For my further studies, I came to Bangalore where my brother was working. To my joy I found that the members of the Youth wing of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations were active here too! I learnt even more about Swami and met several people who had experienced His love.

I read many books on Swami. Swami’s simple teachings touched my heart. Swami’s teachings of “LOVE ALL, SERVE ALL”, “HELP EVER, HURT NEVER” inspired me. I was touched by Swami’s philosophy of Unity of Religions. 

Yet, in spite of so much exposure to Bhagavan, I had not yet had His darshan. As Swami says, “Everything has to wait for the right time.” Finally a day came when His Will took me to Him. I went to Prasanthi Nilayam along with a youth group. We soon went to Poornachandra Auditorium where a drama was being staged. At the end of the drama, Swami came on to the stage. Though I was at the very end of the hall, I could see Swami’s face shining brightly. His serenity calmed my monkey mind. My eyes feasted on the beautiful form of Bhagavan. I saw students in close proximity with Bhagavan. I felt they were having true education as they were living with God. My desire to be His student increased day by day.

Brindavan Campus

I applied and got selected for the undergraduate course in Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, and on 31st May, 2003 I stepped into Sri Sathya Sai Hostel at Brindavan. Living in Brindavan is living with God. My true education began at Brindavan, when I sat in Sai Ramesh Hall and had Bhagavan’s Darshan. It continued in Prasanthi Nilayam when we visited that holy place for several festivals. 

There are innumerable insights that I have received in this hallowed Institute. The Chancellor of the Universe is the Chancellor of our University. One of our professors very aptly explained, “Swami is our Chancellor for He delights in creating and bestowing chances on all of us - students and teachers.” This Chancellor interacts with the students directly and intimately. He is omniscient yet so loving. As it is beautifully said, “Oh Lord! You made the sun and the moon. You control the entire cosmos. Yet, you love and remember me.”

In 2004, during the series of plays that students staged in front of Bhagavan, our class too got the chance to enact the drama ‘Bhadrachala Ramdas’ in the Divine Presence. In one of the scenes in the drama, Lord Rama along with Lakshmana met King Tanesha to seek the release of Ramadas from jail. In the original script of the play, Tanesha does not recognise Rama or Lakshmana, but on seeing them he exclaims, “Tum log Bahut Khoobsurat Ho” meaning “You both are very beautiful”. However, for some reason, this dialogue was replaced by another line. On the day of the play, when the students who acted the roles of Rama and Tanesha went to offer their obeisance to Bhagavan just before the play began, Swami smilingly said, much to their astonishment, “Tum log Bahut Khoobsurat Ho”! This might have been a casual remark but it is only one of the many ways in which Bhagavan shows His Omniscience. Is he not the Director of the Cosmic Play? No wonder He is very appropriately called, Leela Nataka Sutra Dhari. 

In the very same drama, a particular student had initially practised for the role of Ramadas (also known as Gopanna). However at a later stage, this student was substituted by another and former was given a different role. Bhagavan knows everything and appreciates the effort put in by each person. Swami is “Bhava Priya”. At the end of the drama when Swami took photographs with the actors, He saw the student who had originally practised the role of Gopanna and remarked “Duplicate Gopanna!” Bhagavan is an intimate part of every activity we participate in.

Work gets transformed into worship when it is dedicated to God. Lord Narayana declared, “Wherever my name is sung, I manifest there.” Our Sai Narayana has declared, “Wherever my work is done, I manifest there.” Our dear Lord takes up our burdens and solves our problems when we rely on Him. Swami tells us that He is like the Reserve Bank. We can go with small coins to Him and exchange them for a currency note of an equivalent value. The coins are burdensome to carry, while the currency note, which has the same value, is light. Similarly Swami takes over all our burdens and gives us peace and joy. My mother was worried about my sister’s marriage. She had been trying hard to find a suitable groom, but all her efforts had been in vain. She started worrying about this, which in turn took a toll of her health. Whenever I called her up on the telephone, she used to break down. She asked me to pray to Swami for His blessings and guidance. I wrote a letter to Bhagavan which He graciously accepted. We thought that our problems had been solved. However, Swami says, “Test is My taste.” Nothing happened regarding my sister’s marriage and my mother started worrying again. Swami wants us to surrender to Him completely and leave all our troubles to Him. All of us in our family were fervently praying for a quick solution. At that time, Swami appeared in my dream. As soon as I saw Swami in the dream, I rushed to Him and prayed to Him regarding my sister’s marriage. Swami immediately replied, “I have told you that I shall take care. Don’t worry,” and walked away briskly. The next day I called up home and narrated the dream to my mother. She was relieved that Swami had reassured. Needless to say, within a short time after this dream, an alliance was finalized. Swami is indeed our ‘caretaker.’ He takes care of all our cares.

Living with Swami is true education for me. I have learned here that discipline is the backbone of one’s life. Swami says, “In this Institute, discipline is the medium of instruction. Love, service and Sadhana are the first, second and third languages.” Swami is our role model. Swami says, “My life is my message.” All of us should strive to make His message, our life. Let me be a channel, Lord, Through which your love can flow. Where I find darkness, let me bring A warm, hopeful glow.

- Vivek Kumar Thacker

Student (2003-2008), Faculty of Management & Commerce

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

Prasanthi Nilayam

Currently, Senior Manager, Wipro Consulting Service

Source: Sai Sparshan 2005 (80th Birthday Offering)

When President of India came to Puttaparthi to pay homage to Sri Sathya Sai

Tuesday, July 28, 1992

President Shankar Dayal Sharma, First Lady Smt. Vimla Sharma with Sri Sathya Sai at Puttaparthi

Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma came to Puttaparthi on this day, in order to pay his homage to Bhagavan after having been elected the President of India. Dr. Sharma participated in a public meeting arranged at Poornachandra Auditorium. This was his first public function in his official capacity. Sri K. Chakravarthy welcomed the President. Mr. Vijay Sai, an Institute student spoke on this occasion. The President then addressed the gathering. The Governor and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh were also present at this meeting. Bhagavan, in His Discourse, said that good men at the helm of the nation envisaged a brighter future for the country. He said:

"Love is the form of the Brahman (Supreme). Love permeates Brahman. God can be attained only when love is merged with love. There is nothing greater than Love in the Cosmos. Love is sweeter than nectar. It is because men have forgotten this love that they have become a prey to all kinds of ills and lost peace of mind. Because men have lost the love of God and fear of sin they have become veritable demons.

There are two kinds of love - worldly love and the love of the Divine - according to the scriptures. The love of the Divine is called Bhakti (Devotion) or Prapatti. Man lost Divine love because of complete involvement in worldly things and ephemeral desires. Man needs both worldly love and spiritual love. Devotion is turning the mind Godward. Faith is essential for devotion. Without faith man can never realise his true nature. Faith, however, has to be suffused with Love. Such love can make the Divine and the devotee dance in ecstasy oblivious to everything else. The nation is plunged in myriad troubles because it has forgotten the supreme principle of Love.

Our President, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, referred to Swami Vivekananda's message: "Faith in yourselves, Faith in the country and Faith in God - this is the secret of greatness." Dear students! Today the educational system does not promote the spirit of patriotism. Education is pursued to achieve individual aspirations. It is because patriotism is absent that we have differences between individuals and groups. It is essential to promote love of the country among students. Just as you say that this is my body, you must say this is my nation.

Three Hs must be developed

The President compared Science and Technology to the head of the human body. But it is not enough to have only the head. Spirituality constitutes the heart of the body and that has to be developed equally. Science and Technology is the head, Spirituality is the heart and Dharma is the hand. Hence man must develop the 3 Hs - head, heart and hand. People refer to EHV (Education in Human Values). It is the cultivation of three H's that is most important; this is called Trikarana Shuddhi (purity in thought, word and deed) in the scriptures and when you have the triple purity you acquire Divine Love. 

Dear students! Today all of you should cultivate the love of the nation. The larger the number of persons you love the greater is the joy you experience. Develop the conviction that the Divine is equally present in all beings. It is not enough to utter the Upanishadic saying that the Divine is present everywhere and dwells in every being. Your actions must be based on a recognition of the truth of these sayings. 

Many of those who read the Ramayana are not really practising the message contained in it. Rama is praised for acting according to the behest of his father. But how many obey the injunctions of their parents today? Of what use is it in reading the Ramayana without practising any of the lessons contained in it? Practise is very essential to realise the fruits of such study. Students should realise that time is infinitely precious. God is the embodiment of time. Even a single moment should not be wasted.

Obtain Peace by rendering Service to Society

The President referred to the importance of Seva (service). More than wealth, rendering Seva is vital. A great devotee in the Bhagavatam prayed to God as follows: "I do not seek any kingdom. I do not seek any heaven nor do I seek freedom from rebirth. But I desire only the opportunity to relieve the sufferings of fellow human beings." The Divine cannot be experienced by Yaga and Yajna (sacrifices), nor by indulging in charity and other good deeds. Only when you engage yourselves in service to society, eschewing egoism, you can really get peace. The Upanishadic message of harmony and co-operation is relevant to all mankind. The differences of caste and community are utterly irrelevant to the practice of these truths. All the basic elements in the Cosmos do not have differences of caste and community. All human beings benefit equally from air, fire, water, earth and sky. All differences arise because of man's self-interest. 

The truths proclaimed in the Upanishads - Satya and Dharma (Truth and Righteousness) have to be practised by everyone irrespective of caste or community. The practice of good conduct is the natural duty of man. You should realise that the happiness of the individuals is dependent on the welfare of the society as a whole. The transformation of the individual is a prerequisite for the transformation of the world. Together with changes in the political, social, and economic spheres, we need transformation in the mental and spiritual spheres. Without such transformation all other changes are of no use. Therefore, make your actions pure. Only then can the human rise to the level of the Divine.

The President's career a Lesson for the Students

Students! You must realise the process by which our President, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, rose to such an eminent position. In the early years he pursued education diligently. He completed his studies in the University and acquired refinement of a deep culture. He became an MLA, and a Member of Parliament in due course. Starting as a minister at the state level, he became a minister at the Centre. Then he became a Governor. He then rose to the position of the Vice President, and from Vice President he became the President. You can see that he rose step by step and had no setback. Other persons have had ups and downs in their careers. 

In the case of Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, his refined culture, his faith and his sacred ideals have served to carry him to the most eminent position. He considered reverence for the mother and love of the motherland as greater than heaven itself. He adhered to the ideals of devotion to the mother and service to the motherland. His mother is alive today. He begins his day's activities after offering prostrations to his aged venerable mother. The status he has now achieved is due to these qualities. In the election for President he sought no one's help. He has full faith in God. He believed that God would give him whatever he should get and left everything to the will of the Divine. Honours come unsought to the pure-minded. (Swami here recited a song in which the mind is asked not to seek any favour but to leave everything to the Divine Will. Did not the Divine shower His grace on Sabari and Jatayu without their seeking any favour?).

Good men at the helm will yield good results

As is the seed so is the fruit. Likewise, with good men at the helm of the nation, it will experience good results. All of you should pray for such fruit. You are the future builders of the nations. The welfare of the country is dependent on the students. You must therefore strive to follow the lead of such good men at the helm and lend your support to them for the progress of the nation. Through unity, you have purity; and through purity, Divinity is realised. You all should be united. Union is strength. But alas! There is no unity today. It is the duty of the students to promote unity by all possible means. It is not enough if you maintain unity within the Institute. You must go out into the word and promote unity.

Babu Rajendra Prasad takes charge as the first President of India

This year is also notable for another significant fact. The first President of India was Babu Rajendra Prasad. He entered the Rashtrapati Bhavan wearing the Gandhi cap, symbol of the nation's struggle for freedom. After so many years, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma made the entry into the Rashtrapati Bhavan wearing the Gandhi cap. With such a President and Prime Minister we can look forward to a better future for the country with peace and prosperity. 

The President referred to the advent of the Divine as Avatar whenever there is decline of Dharma, “Dharmasya Glanir Bhavati”. How is the victory of Dharma achieved? The answer is given by Sanjaya in the Gita. Where the Divine and the pure-minded (like Arjuna) come together, there is bound to be the victory of Righteousness. Purity leads to unity and unity leads to Divinity.

Combine the mundane with the Divine

From the point of view of the students the message given by the President of India today is supremely important. Whatever aspirations and ideals he had as a student, he has presented them to you today. He has therefore set an example. The true role of an Acharya (preceptor) is to practice what he teaches. This is the meaning of the term Achara.

Students! Bharat is entering a sacred and glorious period. Many sacred developments are bound to happen. The nation's prosperity and glory will grow. Man has to pursue both the Preyo Marg (worldly path) as well as the Shreyo Marg (spiritual path). Man should combine the mundane with the Divine. Students should learn to combine these two paths. Develop faith in God. Without faith in God life is useless. Everything depends on faith in the Divine. The Divine is the basis of all that happens. Therefore, develop faith in the Omnipotent Divine. Anything in the world can be accomplished with faith in God." 

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1986 – 2005)

What is Rama Rajya?

Once the Gopikas went to Krishna. The Lord, seeing the Gopikas arrive, pretended to be asleep. The Gopikas realised the Divine play of Krishna and one of them said, “If He is sleeping, we can wake Him up, but how are we to awaken Him when He is pretending to sleep?” In the world too, those who are sleeping can be awakened, but none can awaken those who pretend to be asleep. Today Satya and Dharma are followed only by pretention. But practice is essential. All sacred texts are meant for practice and not for mere reading. Every truth learnt should be spoken, and righteousness should be practiced. Speech is performed by the tongue and practice, by hands. But it is the mind that unifies both tongue and hand. And true Dharma exists where there is perfect coordination between all the parts of a body or all parts of a society. Once there is unity, there is purity, and when purity develops Divinity emerges. Our heart is a single-chaired sofa. But this chair is not like a musical chair or a double sofa. It is single-seater. When truth has entered the heart, nothing else should be allowed to enter in it. And once there is Dharma in it, then no one can try to enter your heart. When both truth and righteousness are temporary in your heart you cannot call yourself a human being. We only deserve to be called human beings when there is unity in thought, word and deed. The human quality is acquired only when there is this unity. This is true Dharma.

At the time of Sita’s marriage, King Janaka asked Rama to follow Sita in all aspects of righteousness and wealth (Dharme Cha, Arthe Cha, Kame Cha…). What is this Dharma? Is it the outer worldly Dharma or the internal Dharma which is more important? Rama said, “From worldly point of view, your enjoyment is my enjoyment, my Dharma is your Dharma and your likes are my likes. Accepting this is right. But I will not proceed with the inner content of this Dharma. If following the Dharma of society, I have to sacrifice Sita, I will sacrifice her, but I will not sacrifice Dharma”. Because of the comment of a washer man that Sita stayed for ten months in Lanka, Rama gave her up. Because there was some talk in the society, He gave up Sita. He followed the Samaja Dharma (the duty of the society) and the Rajya Dharma (the duty of a king). 

It is said ‘Satyam Vada’ – speak the truth. Rama always abided by truth, not only His words, but also the promises given by his father. It is said, ‘Atmavai Putra Namasi’ – The father takes birth in the form of his son. So he becomes his own son. Rama is not different from Dasharatha. Hence, the word given by Dasharatha is not different from the word given by Rama. Since both are the same, Rama fulfilled His father’s promise. This is true Dharma. Rama Rajya is not Raga Rajya (the rule of attachment), but it is Tyaga Rajya (the rule of sacrifice). 

We should help every person and every individual. At every point of time and under all circumstances, we should sing the glory of God (Sarvada Sarvakaleshu, Sarvatra Rama Chintanam).  You cannot say that God is present here and not present there. Wherever you see you find truth and righteousness. Hence you should follow truth and righteousness. 

Since ancient times, you find Rama’s temple in every village. In the land of Bharat, a hand that does not do charity and a person who does not know the glory of Rama, doesn’t exist. That which delights us is Rama (Raminchyate Iti Ramaha). All are attracted to this Rama. It is not merely the name of Dasharatha’s son but it is the name of our heart. The spirit is called Rama; hence Rama is often called as Atmarama. It is the spirit of the father that takes the form of the son later. The principle of Atma in the father and the son is one and the same. We have to know this Dharma and tread along this path. 

We may not do many things, but we should not take back the promises that we have given. We should undertake actions that satisfy our conscience.  Then only will our life be truly meaningful. Veda Vyas composed the 18 Puranas. Each text is as big as a pillow! Who can go through all these 18 texts? There may not be the time or the lifespan to read these texts in this Kali Yuga. Life span in this Kali Yuga is very less, whereas in Dwapara Yuga people lived for longer years.  At the time of Mahabharata war Krishna was aged 76 and Arjuna was 74. On the other side Bhishma, who was the commander-in-chief of the Kauravas, was 112 years old.  In Dwapara Yuga people were young even at the age of 70. But today even at the age of 17 people are becoming old! Why were the people looking so young in those days?  Sacredness and the sanctity of their hearts was the cause for their young age. These are represented by the three ‘Ps’. The first ‘P’ is purity, second one is patience and the last is perseverance. Because of these three Ps people in the Dwapara Yuga were ever young and evergreen. 

Therefore, we must cultivate such sacred feelings, follow Dharma and propagate it and share it with everyone. In this Kali Yuga, there are so many changes. One has to go through so many difficulties to think about the Lord. To construct temples you have to fight with people. Why should there be fights for the construction of temples? We should encourage those people who build temples. With this spirit of tolerance, our life would be redeemed. 

Source: Satya and Dharma, Discourse 13, My Dear Students Volume 4; Divine Discourse on July 24, 1996 at Prasanthi Nilayam