Realise the Eternal Truth!

Every action carries with it an equal reaction. Every action is a seed. These seeds will grow into trees. So we should undertake sacred actions. As is the action, so is the consequence. We undertake actions with all the joy. But when we suffer the consequences, we shed tears. Therefore, we should discriminate between the good and bad and conduct ourselves accordingly. We don’t consider the appropriateness of our speech and action. However, when the time comes for us to suffer we become frustrated. 

Everything is natural action. There is rain, but has it rained for a single person? No, it has rained for everyone. The rain provides coolness to all and quenches the thirst of all. You find the wind blowing. This is also not for a single person. It gives life to all the living creatures. Thus, all the five elements are there to protect the living creatures. They are not meant for a specific person. The same thing is with God. He is not for a single community, but for all. He has descended on earth for the emancipation of all mankind. So God will see to it that you cannot run away from the consequences of your actions. Therefore, before we start doing anything we should first think. No one should be troubled by your actions. 

However in this world, it is impossible. With the feeling of body-consciousness and attachment, you cannot do like that. The one without any ‘body-conscious’ feeling can only act that way. Misery arises out of nature alone. Nature, in turn, is based on our vision. So as long as we have the ‘body’ feeling there will be the effects of nature. As long as there are worldly feelings there will be misery. The moment the ‘body’ feeling goes, nature will also vanish. And the moment nature vanishes there will be no misery. In the waking state you have the body attachment and you have pain. In deep sleep you don’t find your body. When there is no body consciousness there is no nature. When there is no nature, we don’t have sorrow. It is only in the deep sleep that you can understand that you are beyond pleasure and pain. By constant thinking of God you have to reduce the attachment to the body. Then, the worldly ideas would also decrease. When once there are no worldly feelings and attachment to the body, there is no misery. Pain and pleasure cannot be invited. A bonfire in the forest will burn down everything without any distinction. The day when you decrease the bodily feeling, there will be no misery, pleasure or pain either. 

All those mansions that you see in the dream are not found in the waking state. Therefore the Upanishads declare, “Awake, arise and rest not till the goal is achieved. Oh man! Get up from the sleep and slumber. Move about in the broad daylight of wisdom. Know your Truth. Being the embodiment of the Truth, you still move about in search of Truth. It is not present in the outside. That Sat-Chit-Ananda is verily yourself.” 

Suppose there is a king, a prime minister or a president. While they are asleep they don’t have the feeling that they are the king or prime minister or president. But when they get up they start saying that they are prime ministers and presidents. In the same way when we are in this ignorant state of slumber we will not realise the Truth. Wake up! Wake up in the light of wisdom and realise that you are ‘Sat-Chit-Ananda’! As long as you are fast asleep you will not know yourself. When you get up, you will know your name, where you are from and the other details. Where are we now? We are in the sleep of this world. It is a worldly sleep, a physical sleep, the sleep of ignorance. So for that reason we are not able to understand the truth itself.  Arise and wake up from this sleep! 

Suppose you have been bitten by a snake in your sleep. You shout out. But because you have been bitten in your sleep, you can’t apply any medicine! If you wake up, you will forget the pain. If you are woken up, you will not find any snake or pain. In the modern life we are sleeping in the sleep of worldly attachment. This world is ephemeral and is full of misery. We suffer a lot in this sleep. What is the medicine? What is the solution? If you wake up from the sleep of ignorance the problem is solved. All this follow because we have body attachments. Gradually we have to reduce this body feeling. Then the bliss will increase. Everyone who wants to enjoy the state of bliss has to reduce the body attachment. Because of body attachment there is ego. One is egoistic because of the position, the association, physical strength and so on. You should not give any scope for ego. 

When the clouds are full of water they come down because of the heaviness. When the tree yields many fruits the branches bend. This branch tosses on either way but this bird is not afraid. Why? The bird knows that it is relying on its wings. Let the branch fall but as long as the bird’s wings are there it is safe. With this realisation the bird sits bravely on a swaying branch. But today, man does not have even that much faith as that of a bird. Even with the slightest of the problems on this tree of life, he is afraid. What is the reason for this? The reason is that he has lost self-confidence. The bird at least has confidence in its own feathers, but man does not have self-confidence. For the slightest of sufferings man gets depressed and frustrated. He can’t bear any suffering. That’s why birds and animals which lead their life in a natural way are living fearlessly without any resistance. 

Man today depends on his intelligence, physical strength and money, but does not have confidence in his own Self. When he has this confidence he can achieve anything. You may have money (Dhana Bala), but how long will it last? It is like a passing cloud. It comes and goes. How long will people (Jana Bala) be there? As long as you have position and wealth people will surround you. When do you receive respect in this world? You will receive everything when you have the strength of the soul. Therefore we should try to lead our lives with the strength of the Atma and the strength of the Divine. In full faith, we should resort to good activities. As is the action so is the result. As is the food consumed, so is the belch. As is the flour, so is the Chapati. So everyone should resort to good actions. One should enjoy eternal bliss (Sadananda). One should reach the eternal world of Truth. This is the chief goal of every man. This is the purpose of life. Having done bad you can’t expect good outcomes later. Therefore do good deeds. Make every effort to be very close to God. Every step should take you towards His proximity. Then you will be triumphant.  

Source: Discourse 3, My Dear Students Volume 3; Divine Discourse delivered on June 30, 1996 at Prasanthi Nilayam

Eternal Happiness – By P. Sriram

In the Vedas it is said that the universe is truly the Divine person.  Therefore, it subsists on Him, the self-effulgent Divine Being, Who has many heads and many eyes, Who is the producer of joy for the universe, Who exists in the form of the universe, Who is the master and the cause of humanity, Whose forms are the various Gods, Who is imperishable, Who is endless, Who is the goal of humanity, Who is the destroyer of sin and ignorance, Who is the protector of the universe and ruler of individual souls, Who is permanent, supremely auspicious and unchanging, Who has embodied Himself in man as his support (being the indwelling spirit), Who is supremely worthy of being known by the creatures, and Who is the supreme goal. Thus Swami is our universal mother and father. 

Even the Vedas fail to describe His glory completely. He is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. Swami showers abundant love on His devotees. This divine love is all pervasive and all encompassing. In order to see the moon, does one need a torch? You see it because of its own light. In the same way, if one wishes to see God, it is by love, which is the light of God, that one may see Him. There are two paths to merge with the Lord. One is the path of intellect and other is the path of devotion. Swami has compared these two paths to the life of a little kitten and to the life of a little monkey. A little kitten needs no forethought because the mother cat picks it and takes it with her wherever she goes. But the little monkey must start to fend for itself right away. If it is not to be left behind by its mother, it has to jump on to its mother’s back and hold on for dear life. The responsibility for the child’s safety and growth rests on itself. Similarly in the path devotion, God grasps him (devotee) and takes him safely to the final destination, whereas on the path of wisdom, one must struggle for oneself. In the Mahabharata, Arjuna asks Krishna, “Of those who love You as the Lord of love, ever-present in all and those who seek You as a nameless, formless reality, which way is swift and sure, love or knowledge?” Krishna said, “For those who have their heart set on Me and worship Me with unfailing devotion and faith, the path of love leads sure and swift to Me. Also those who seek the transcendental without name or form, beyond the reach of feeling and thought with their senses subdued and minds serene and striving for good of all beings, they too will come to Me!” Thus if we pray to Baba with a pure heart and unflinching faith in Him, He will surely protect us in times of distress. 

A miracle happened in the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital of Bombay. A lady of one Dikshit family developed a malignant tumour in her left breas¬t and the hospital fixed a date for her operation. The lady went to Baba with her brother to get His blessings. Baba produced Vibhuti and gave it to her to eat. Interestingly He rubbed Vibhuti on the left chest of her brother. The night before the operation, from the left nostril of the lady’s brother, plenty of dirty plain liquid began to pour down for no reason. He tried to forget it till his sister’s surgery. On the day sister’s operation, the amazed surgeons discovered no trace of cancer on her breast. All the previous symptoms of the disease vanished completely. The surprised brother then realised why Baba had rubbed the holy ash on his left chest. 

Once some people asked Ramana Maharshi, “Maharshi, is it true that all life is painful, all life is misery?” The Maharshi replied, “Why else this constant endless search for pleasure? Why else?” If we do the actions, we must suffer the consequences. There is the art of liberation to avoid that. The art is not to be the doer. If every action is dedicated to Swami, then we have stepped out of the cycle of Karma, birth and rebirth to embrace the light, the beauty and endless joy of our real nature, which is the liberated state. The only reality is Swami and He resides in every person’s heart. So when we look at any person, we should not pay attention to the beauty of the physical body. We should directly look through to the transient personality in him. Swami says, “I am in you and you are in Me. I am God, but so are you. The only difference is that I know it and you do not.” If somebody asks you what your name is, what is the right answer? Is the answer, “My name is Jack”? No, the answer should be, “I am God playing the part of Jack.” 

The sheath of Maya or illusion envelops human beings in this universe. Baba says, “Maya is like a fierce dog that will not allow anyone to approach the master. You can manage to by-pass it, only by assuming the Rupam (form) of the master, which is called ‘Sarupyam’, or calling out for the master so loudly that he comes down and accompanies you into the house, that is to say, by winning his grace, ‘Samipyam’ (proximity). Illusion is God’s pet and so, it will not harm you if orders it to desist from harming you.” 

The quickest way to realise God is to have Swami in mind at all times. Do you remember the stories from the Indian scriptures about the two guardians of gate of heaven who committed a mistake and were banished? God gave an option to them to take eighteen births as devotees of God or two births as enemies of God. They were allowed to return to heaven once their prescribed number of was over. They chose the two births as enemies of God. Swami said in a discourse, “My devotees think of God once in a while, but my enemies think of Me all the time.” Namasmarana is one of the most powerful ways to keep God in mind at all times. It means we have to choose a name acceptable to us and that which we love and we have to recite that name all the time. The name can be Vishnu, Rama, Allah etc. Visualize Swami all the time. Namasmarana can wipe away all delusion. Swami often says, “Why fear when I am here?” In order to cross the ocean of worldly life, we have to come across huge obstacles. Neglecting these, we have to march forward with courage and faith in God. We should develop self-confidence. Swami says, “Whoever has the enthusiasm, the steadfastness and determination to reach the goal will certainly succeed. Cultivate that faith in ultimate success; never despair or fault or doubt.” We must sacrifice everything to attain the ultimate spiritual goal, which is the real purpose of life. Life is actually a pilgrimage where man drags his feet along the rough and thorny road. With the name of God on his lips, he will have no thirst; with the form of God in his heart, he will feel no exhaustion. The company of the holy will inspire him to travel in hope and faith. The assurance that God is within all, that He is ever near will give strength to his limbs and courage to his eye. We must have forbearance or patience, which is the greatest Tapas (penance) in this Bharat. We must give up our thirst for worldly things. 

In the Bhagavad Gita, it is said: 

“For a person thinking of the sense objects there grows an attachment to them, from attachment arises desire, desire results in anger, from anger results delusion, from delusion comes confusion of memory, confusion of memory results destruction of intelligence, due to destruction of intelligence, he perishes.” 

We can love Swami with all our hearts, but how can we draw God’s love to us? Swami says that Dharma is the answer. Those who protect Dharma, Dharma in turn will protect them. Dharma means righteous behaviour. Baba, the embodiment of Dharma says, “Love all as you love yourself. This is true Dharma.” 

- P. Sriram

Alumnus, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

Prasanthi Nilayam

Source: Sai Nandana 2005 (80th Birthday Offering)

A Story on the Essence of Bhagavad Gita

It is highly necessary to understand the philosophy of Vedanta and act accordingly. Today students’ promises, words and behaviour are as though they have understood the Vedantic principles, but they disappear whenever there is a chance to violate them. A student resolves to follow discipline. He decides not to back out on that at any point of time. But when the test of time comes he changes completely. A small example. One day all the deer in the forest held a conference. What was the meeting agenda? Do dogs have the capability which we have? If we kick a dog correctly all its intestines will come out. Our tiny legs have that power. Do dogs have such power? Dogs can’t run at the speed with which we run. Are we any way less compared to dogs in our speed? If necessary we fly in the air. Dogs can’t fly. If we compare our qualifications with that of dogs, we are better qualified than dogs. Then why should we be afraid of the dogs? Hence from today onwards we should not be afraid of the dogs. We should face them with all our strength and fight back. Thus they decided and out of merriment they clapped. A dog somewhere in the distance shouted loudly hearing their claps. No sooner did these deer hear the sound of the dog, than all of them disappeared. All of them fled the place. They could not implement in practice whatever they decided in the meeting. 

This is the nature and scenario of philosophy and behaviour of people. You should try to experience and practice what you have heard. Today there are talks on spirituality and philosophy everywhere. It is needless to say about the preaching of the Gita. Everyone gives a commentary on the Gita! Are they preaching the Gita after a clear understanding of it or not? What is the significance of the Gita? No one seems to have understood this. What is the most important and standard principle expounded by the Gita. No scholar is trying to comprehend this. 

A great preacher of Gita, once upon a time, thought that it would be good if he gains the recognition of the king of the country with his knowledge of the Gita rather than the common people. It was also becoming difficult for him to manage his house with the meager income he was getting out of preaching Gita in front of the common people. He wanted to be recognised by the king. He thought it would be good if he aims at a lion and misses it rather than targeting a jackal and hunting it. He resolved to meet the king and impress him rather than giving talks in front of the common people. He went to the king. The king was no ordinary person. He used to practice the teachings expounded in the Gita. He used to read the text and had memorised all the stanzas and experienced it to some extent. Like a pot full of water which does not shake, he never mentioned to anyone about his knowledge of the Gita. Not even the ministers were aware that the king had such knowledge of the Gita. In such a scenario this scholar went inside the king’s court wrapping a shawl with the book of Gita in his hand. The minister came and informed the king that the scholar had come and had been waiting for him. The king sent the minister to ask the scholar as to why he came to see the king. The scholar answered, “I have been eking my livelihood by preaching the Gita. My family is dependent on whatever I earn out of this. I don’t have any other source of income or job. I preach the Gita and with the income I earn out of it. I am leading a life of happiness.” 

The king conveyed through the minister that the scholar did not understand the meaning of the Gita completely and that he should come back after a clear comprehension of the message of the Gita. The scholar thought, “I have been preaching the Gita for the past 10 to 15 years and the king says that I don’t know anything. The king himself does not know anything.” After 10 days he went back to the king and he got a similar reply. The scholar did not understand completely and hence he had to go back and come again later. Thus the king sent the scholar back 5 times. The scholar got angry. He was dissatisfied with the behaviour of the king. He got vexed and went back home. He threw the book away and lied on the bed dejected. His wife came to him and asked as to what the king had said, “What is the reason for your sadness?” He shouted back at her. But she went on asking questions. The scholar shouted at her and said he had no mood to answer all her questions. She understood her husband’s dissatisfaction. She went into the kitchen, made some Upma, coffee and brought them to her husband. No one else other than women know how to pacify angry husbands! She served them to her husband. He had his coffee and got relieved a little. She sat next to her husband, took a hand fan and started waving it. She then asked him again as to what the king had said. He said, “I have been preaching the Gita for so many years. All those who listened to me praised me saying that they had never heard such commentary on Gita any time. But the king sent a word through the minister that I don’t know Gita. What an insult to me! Our government has conferred titles such as Padma Shri, Vedanta Ratna, Bhagavad Gita Samrat, etc. When I was conferred so many titles, how come this king insult me this way? Had he been a civilian I would have hit him holding his hair.” Thus he spoke of his greatness, scholarship and merit in many ways in front of his wife. Then his wife told him slowly. She said that the king has spoken truth. He fired back saying, “Have you gone mad? How come the king spoke truth? Don’t I know Bhagavad Gita”. Thus he spoke angrily with his wife. She responded, “Revered husband, how much ever angry you may be with me, how much ever you scold me, I wish to speak the truth like the king. I have been observing you for the past 15 years. I listened to your lectures heartily. Did you reflect on what Lord Krishna has said in the Bhagavad Gita?”

  “Ananyaaschintayantomaam Ye Janaah Paryupaasate
Teshaam Nityambhiyuktanaam Yogakshemam Vahaamyaham”
(Whoever contemplates on Me in whatever way, I shall take care of their welfare. Not only this, I promise to liberate them.)

“Sarva Dharmaan Parityajya Maamekam Sharanam Vraja

Aham Twaam Sarva Paapebhyo Mokshayishyaami Maa Shuchaha”

(Giving up all other responsibilities, surrender to Me; 

I shall redeem you of all your sins and confer on you liberation itself.)

“If you really have faith in the God who spoke this, why should you go to the king. Can’t God take care of our welfare? Why did you go to the king for the sake of money? What did you learn from the Gita? You have been preaching the Gita, but you don’t have faith in the words of God. You don’t know Gita.” She spoke thus and he felt very sad about it. He understood the truth. 

Everyone preaches that God spoke all this and God spoke thus, but no one is interested in practicing the words of God. Because of the increase in such teachings which are grand in words and involving less of practice, the value of spirituality is going down. Thoughts that come out of the heart and words that come out of mouth should be put into practice. Only when there is such cohesion among thoughts, words and deeds, Truth manifests truly. 

Students! We don’t need to struggle to grow grass. But to grow food grains we have to struggle a lot. It is no great deal enjoying useless sensory and worldly pursuits. All this is equivalent to grass. We have to struggle a lot to experience the Divine and the glorious love of God. No one seems to struggle for that. Everyone seems to be devoted. For the beetle that moves inside the mud, the mud does not get stuck to it. If mud gets stuck to it, it is not a beetle at all. (Telugu saying) The one, who truly understands Divinity, is not bothered by the worldly things. Only to spend time you are involving yourself in the spiritual practices, but you are not realising that this forms the road map to attain the eternal Truth. 

Don’t Waste Time

Worldly pursuits are necessary for worldly life. But you should never forget the everlasting pursuit and goal of life. Life is not just living but it is a permanent way to realise the true nature. Of whatever little you know, try to put into practice at least one or two things and believe that they are important for life. Try to reflect on them for sometime in the day. You are wasting a lot of time everyday in selfish and self-fulfilling pursuits. You are not able to spend at least 5 minutes for God. What is this tragedy? Why such bad thoughts? Such evil thoughts do not take man to higher levels. The one who is involved in evil activities is truly blind despite all his education. What is untouchable? The pain caused by indebtedness is untouchable. You should not surrender to any one at any cost. You should gain self-sufficiency in all respects. This has to be achieved only through love for God. Without love for God, you can’t control the nature.

You are merely an Instrument in God’s Hands

Ravana aspired for Sita forgetting Rama. You should not aspire only for Nature forgetting God. Whose property is this Nature? Is it your property? It is God’s property. If you satisfy God, Nature automatically comes under your control. No man understands this secret. Man takes pride that he achieved something with his strength and education. That is not your strength. Divine power internally drives you and ensures you act in such a way. 

Once upon a time Arjuna took pride that he had secured Gandiva (the celestial bow) with all his strength and power and he won all battles with his might and valour. When Krishna left His mortal coil, Arjuna was taking the women of Dwaraka to Hastinapuram. On the way he was attacked by the tribals who could easily outdo Arjuna. That time he could not set his bow to fight back at them. Then he said to himself, “What a fool I am! All my might and valour is the sheer grace of Lord Krishna. I have been a spectator and recipient of it.” Krishna used to tell Arjuna, “Nimitta Maatram Bhava Savyasaachi.” (Arjuna, just be My instrument).

Hence all men are mere instruments of the Divine. Everyone has to discharge his duties leaving the result to God. To try is the duty of man. Victory and defeat are in God’s hands. Man should not even feel that he is doing. He should think that the Lord in me is making me do all this. He is making me play this role. 

Where there is faith, there is love.

Where there is love, there is peace.

Where there is peace, there is truth.

Where there is truth, there is God.

Where there is God, there is bliss.

Hence, the last one is bliss. And the first one is faith. Only to the one who has faith, bliss will ensue. There is no bliss for the one who has no faith. Hence having the name of the Lord on your lips, improving your self- confidence, develop the love within your hearts.                  

Source: Discourse 6, My Dear Students Volume 3; Divine Discourse delivered on June 27, 1989 at Sri Sathya Sai Hostel for Senior Students, Prasanthi Nilayam

Deserve Before You Desire – By Raman Chopra

The way in which my family got introduced to Swami is indeed very strange. A long time back, during the Partition, my grandparents lived in that part of Punjab, which is now in Pakistan. So they fled from there and settled in Chandigarh. As my grandfather was in the Air Force, they were given government quarters to live in. After Partition, they were introduced to a Sai devotee by a family friend. They soon developed a close relationship with the Sai devotee. He used to come very often to their house. One day when they were sitting and talking, the topic about Swami came up. The devotee then told my grandparents about Swami, His magnificence, His omnipotence, His miracles and His ability to help His devotees in times of crisis wherever they are and whenever they need it. He also narrated some of his personal experiences to my grandparents. Initially, they could not believe a single word. They wondered how Swami could create medallions and ash from thin air. Being educated and rational, they strongly believed that this was just not possible. However, deep in their hearts, they could feel this could be true. The person then told them to visit Puttaparthi and see things for themselves. After a lot of coaxing, he convinced my unwilling grandparents to go to Puttaparthi. 

Since my grandfather was in the Air Force, they had to come in an air force plane. On the day of their departure, they got delayed due to some reasons. They took it in the positive sense and thought that maybe God did not want them to go to Puttaparthi. However, the inner voice insisted they should go to the airport. When they reached the airport, to their utter surprise they saw that the plane, which they were to board had not yet left. They were very happy and amazed at the same time. Without wasting any more time they boarded the plane. When asked the reason for the delay their neighbour told them an unbelievable story. They were told that the plane had no brake fluid. They were even told that before, coming out of the aerodrome, the plane had been checked twice and the brake fluid level was full. But as soon as it came out of the aerodrome, the level dropped to zero. Since they could not leave without brake fluid, the flight got delayed. There was a frantic search for the brake fluid and they could not find even one can of brake fluid in the whole airport! While the search was going on, the plane was thoroughly checked and found there was no leak. The staff was simply astonished and so were the passengers. All of them were thinking that the brake fluid cannot just disappear, then where did it go? 

The real fun started when my grandparents entered the plane. As soon as their neighbour finished talking there was an announcement, “Your attention lease! The brake fluid level has come up and the engine has been checked twice. We shall take off in the next ten minutes.” The brake fluid level has automatically come up. This convinced my grandparents that God delayed the plane just for them. This was their first Divine experience. They reached ‘Parthi’ and had Swami’s Darshan. They were held strongly by the bond of love created by Swami did not want to part with the Divine company. But since my grandfather had only a week’s leave, they had to go back. But from then they have been coming here every year for at least 4-5 months. With Swami’s grace, all his four daughters studied in Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning at Anantapur campus. And I am His student too, by His grace. 

Before coming here I never had any experience but after joining here and listening to the incidents of my fellow classmates, I was just literally dying to have an experience to my credit. Now I would like to share one experience. Once I was sitting in the Darshan hall in one of the last lines of the third group i.e., just behind Vedam group and was recollecting the experiences, which I had read. I was thinking about a man who could come to Puttaparthi only once in his life. Though was a staunch devotee of Swami, he could come only once for Swami’s Darshan. When he did come, he got the chance to be seated in the first line. On seeing Swami, tears of joy started flowing from his eyes. Swami came to him and asked, “Bangaru, why are you crying? You are very lucky that you could come for my Darshan”, patted him and went away. Throughout the Darshan he kept on weeping. I was thinking of how lucky he was. Swami was sitting just opposite me, though a little far away. I looked at Swami and said, “Swami, can I too get such an experience when on seeing you tears of joy well up in my eyes?” Swami looked at me, and flashed a smile. Not fully satisfied, I felt that I do not deserve such an experience. I felt unhappy for some time but then I decided to prove myself worthy of Swami. 

From then, I became sincere and truthful in every prayer and in my work. After a month or so, the time came. I was sitting in the first line of the third block, though not near Swami’s chair but near the primary school side. Swami came on the dais and walked towards the primary school section and stood there for an unusually long time. Then He told brother Arun Kumar who accompanied Swami to bring His chair. His chair was brought and He sat directly in front of me. This was enough to trigger my tears of joy. Tears started trickling down my cheeks. Tears flowed down continuously for one hour after which Swami went inside for Bhajans. From this incident, I realised that Swami responds to everyone’s prayers but at the right time. One of Swami’s teachings comes to my mind at this time, “Deserve before you desire.” 

There is another small experience. It so happened that once Swami started avoiding me. He would never look at the place where I sit. If I sit in the third block, He would turn his face towards the fourth block while passing me, and after He passes me He would turn his face back towards third block. This continued for a week or two before the winter holidays. Throughout Darshan I used to pray to Swami to look at me, but He never did so. I felt like crying but I controlled myself. I used to ask Swami, “What wrong I have committed to deserve this punishment.” But my questions were never answered. Then, on the day our winter vacations were to begin we went for Darshan in the afternoon. I was sitting in the middle of the fifth block. I knew that it was very difficult for Swami to spot me but I was still praying. Swami started the rounds in His car and when He was corning towards the fifth block my prayers were intensified. I prayed, “Swami, today we are going back and I won’t be able to see you for twelve days. Before I go, won’t you give me one last glance, would You not bless me with Your look?” He was looking the other side. As soon I finished my statement, He turned sharply, looked straight and deep into my eyes for a second and then He turned his head towards the other side. This experience shows Swami’s love towards devotees.

 

- Raman Chopra

Student (2004-2006)

Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School

Prasanthi Nilayam

Source: Sai Nandana 2005 (80th Birthday Offering)

The Three Types of Love

God is love personified. The entire universe is the very personification of Brahman. ‘Sarvam Vishnumayam Jagat’, the entire world is the manifestation of Lord Vishnu. This all pervasive, ever expansive and infinite nature of love is being comprehended by man with narrow mindedness. Man differentiates love into three types as pertaining to body, mind and soul and hence is trying to experience it distinctly. Thus love is being manifested as composed of three attributes – Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic. The communion and parting, creation, sustenance and destruction are because of love alone. If you understand the true nature of love, there is a chance for you to attain equanimity between the dualities of communion and parting, happiness and sorrow, creation, sustenance and destruction. 

Scriptures consider Tamasic love as the love of the lowest order. It confines to oneself, objects belonging to oneself, one’s own people and relations. This is narrow-minded and selfish love. This is love for the body which is of the Tamasic nature. 

The second type (Rajasic love) pertains to achieving selfish and vested interests. In view of selfish and self-fulfilling agendas, men of high office, well to do people pretend to be loving and get their work done. This takes place in such a way that people go to officers, garland them and pretend to be submissive to them, show off obedience, fear and faith and thus get things done through them. This is well understood by students of modern times. Students show their respect in a variety of ways till they get admission and complete their studies. This is limited not only to the students, but also to their parents. This is a live example in today’s times. To achieve what they want, they exhibit love in a worldly way, behave selfishly and showcase that which is not their true nature. This is the second type of love which is of Rajasic kind. 

The third type is pure Sattvic love. Men who have love of this type are very rare in this world. They believe in the fact that the same God, who is a personification of love, pervades all beings and believe that there is no life without love and thereby live without discriminating between theirs and others. Thus they expound the principle that the same God pervades all beings. ‘Ekosi Sarva Bhootantaratmanaam’, they believe in the truth that God, who is love personified, pervades all the living beings as Atma, and thereby look for Divinity in all the beings. They look at the Atmic principle. 

Reserve the Ticket of Divinity at a Young Age

One who has the inner vision – the vision only on the Atma, is considered equivalent to a lion. A lion has no fear of anything. It is fearless and keeps under its control all other animals and is the king of animals. It has no second thought. It does not give chance to any setbacks. Those who believe that the body is real are comparable to sheep. A sheep is always scared of something or the other. It wastes all its life in fear of something. One who envisions the soul is like a lion. All animals are controlled by the lion. Mind, discrimination, intellect, ego are all under the control of the Atma. If you follow the Atma, you can gain control over all these. There is nothing wrong in leading a worldly life having God as the cardinal goal. 

Students! There is nothing wrong in following the body, mind and intellect as per your Dharma, having your aim as the Atma. It is essential to understand the importance of Divinity in this tender age itself. Consider one small example. If you purchase appropriate coupon in the morning itself and go to the canteen in time for lunch, you are certain to have your meal. If you don’t purchase the coupon and even if you go to the canteen in time, the availability of lunch may be doubtful. Hence it is very essential to reserve the ticket of Divinity in this very tender age itself. 

Aspire to become Owners, not Servants

You should not pursue spirituality with end result in mind. One who works for wages will become a worker not owner. He works only for wages and hence does not have any interest or devotion to work. He does not work with purity. He does not think of accomplishing the task. He works as per his schedule say till 5 pm, takes his wages and leaves. Thus, he thinks he is separate from the company or the organisation. In his house, his wife and children do their respective duties, but not for any wage. His wife does not demand any sort of income for the activities she is doing like cooking food for him, etc. She discharges her responsibility with purity and perfection. She takes care of everything at home. Thus she has freedom along with some authority. One who prays for result is like that daily wage earner. One who enjoys the feeling that God is his own, and God is inside him is like the owner. You should aspire to become owners and not servants.  

The Three Paths 

There are three different paths one can adopt to achieve this. One is the Matsya Marga (the fish path), the second is the Mruga Marga (the animal path) and the third one is the Kurma Marga (the tortoise path).  What is the difference among the three? Fishes can live only in water and not on land. Animals can live on land alone and not in water. Tortoise can live both in water and on land. The first type of aspirant confines his spiritual practice, silence and focus to himself, his family and his relations. The aspirant of the second type experiences happiness in solitude and seclusion. He can’t concentrate in a crowded place. An ordinary householder wanted to practice meditation. He went inside the Puja (prayer) room in his house and closed the door. Each of his children came one by one and started banging the door. He got disgusted and thought that it would be better to go to the forest and continue his practices. He went into the forest and sat under a tree and began to meditate. All the birds on that tree were making noises. He was disturbed there also. He was disturbed by his children at home and the birds on the tree. He felt it would be good to commit suicide. He was unable to bear any type of sound either at home or in the forest. He was unable to realise that everything in this world is manifestation of God. This is the attribute of Rajo Guna. The Sattvic type is as follows. Wherever such a person is, he can concentrate. He sees equanimity both in a crowded place as well as alone. Even if someone disturbs him, he believes that God is disturbing him. He accepts even that also as the gift of God. 

Source: Discourse 6, My Dear Students Volume 3; Divine Discourse delivered on June 27, 1989 at Sri Sathya Sai Hostel for Senior Students, Prasanthi Nilayam

What is Life?

The pleasant season, which has just passed, will come back the same time next year. The moon, after the full moon day, loses its brightness and regains it after the new moon day. But it is not possible to regain the youth of a man or the water of a river which has flowed away. In such a pure stage of life, it is very essential that students develop Divine and auspicious thoughts. 

Undertake Pure and Sacred Activities only

Of all the things bestowed by God, time is most important. The body gets sanctified only when they are spent on sacred activities. But today man is spending half of his time on food and sleep, while the remaining is wasted in useless gossip and senseless activities. Man is wasting time in speaking ill of others and making fun of others. He is spending most of the time thinking about others. But he is not taking time out for himself or for contemplating on God. What is life? Man today is not trying to understand the true meaning of life. Despite taking the most pure and highest form of life as a human being, he is not trying to understand the secret or essence of life. Human birth cannot be attained so easily. There is only one way to God, do not leave it. 

You should not neglect the body. The body should be sanctified. For that you should involve yourself in sacred activities. You should develop pure vision. You should follow the words that you listen and the teachings of the elders. Your speech should be sweet and pure. You should utilise all the parts of your body in sacred activities. If you can’t do that, even foxes will not like your body as food. 

Once upon a time a person was going on a journey. On the way he saw a small Ashram adjacent to a burial ground. The traveler decided to go to this Ashram, take some rest, and then continue his journey. Inside the Ashram he saw a teacher imparting spiritual knowledge to his disciples. Captivated by this setting, he decided to sit there and listen to the teacher. The teacher’s talks went on till the evening. As dusk arrived, the traveler, along with the teacher and his students came out of the Ashram to refresh themselves after the long day. As they came out, they saw something near the burial ground, which they could not identify. When they asked the teacher he replied, “This is the dead body of a human being. Many foxes are trying to take it away. As this is a burial ground, this body was cremated in the morning and these foxes are trying to take it away as their food”. As the teacher was speaking, they saw something that baffled them. An elderly fox came at the site and told something to the other foxes. After this all the foxes left the body and went away. Not able to understand the proceedings, the disciples once again turned to their master. The teacher closed his eyes for some time and then conveyed to his students what the elderly fox had told his pack. The fox, according to the teacher, had told his pack “Dear ones! This is the corpse of a man who did not listen to the words of God or his elders. Even if he listened to them, he did not try to put them into practice. He never adhered to the command of God. He never saw anything that is Godly. His vision was fickle and he never saw anything that was sacred, pure and Divine. He did not involve himself in any activity that was good. All the time he tried to grab money from people, but he never fed anyone with his hands. He always wandered around the streets like a dog but never visited a temple, a religious congregation or a spiritual meeting. Hence we should not touch such an impure body”. The human body is very pure. It is very difficult to get this human birth. This body is given only to help others. To the extent possible, you should put all the parts of the body into pure and sacred activities.

One should not forget the path. Which path should you not forget? That path from where you have come, and where you have to go should not be forgotten. That is the very sacred teaching of Bhagavatam. The very nature of all beings is to get back to the source from which they have come and that is why it is said in Telugu, ‘Ecchatinundi Vacchitimo Acchatikeguta Naijamu Praanikotikin’. Hence the secret of human birth is to spend time on sacred activities. 

The Importance of Sense Control

Today people do not understand what sense control is. They don’t know what balance of mind is. In such a scenario man is moving around freely acting as per his whims and wishes without any control. Such wandering around only leads to the destruction of man. Through control you develop concentration. This also leads to stability. Human life without stability is worthless. You should understand the goal of life, understand the truth and merge in the eternity. This is the most important duty of man. While teaching archery, Dronacharya showed a lot of ways and means of achieving excellence. He wanted to teach his students how to develop concentration and unshaken faith. For these two to develop, a goal is very important.  Life without a goal is worthless. Dronacharya demonstrated this through a small exercise. He tied a dummy bird to a tree. He called all his disciples. He called each one of the brothers and asked them what they were looking at. Each of them gave various answers. Some said that they were able to see the tree, while some replied that they were able to see the branch, the sky, or the bird tied to the tree branch. Listening to their answers Dronacharya felt that none of them was eligible to learn archery. At last he called Arjuna. He questioned Arjuna, “What do you see there?” Arjuna replied that he saw nothing other than the bird’s eye. Your focus should be only on that which you want to achieve, the target which you want to hit, the object which you want to experience. Hence, Dronacharya felt that Arjuna was the only deserving student of archery. True quality is in achieving unwavering mind and focused vision. Having a goal is very important for students. But today’s students are not giving any importance to the goal. So they are not able to achieve the Divine status and enjoy peace and happiness. They are in the proximity of the Divine, but still they forget this Divinity and encourage sensual impulses. That is the reason why they are not able to transform their minds despite years of their stay here. What is the reason for this? They behave as though they understood the aspect of Atma, but they are unable to understand it completely. Because they cover themselves with the blanket – the feeling ‘I am the body’, they are unable to understand the aspect of Divinity. What is this blanket? This blanket is Maya - illusion. As they have draped themselves in this ignorance, they are unable to identify the Divine aspect around them. 

Once God called Maya (illusion), and said, “Maya I am getting defamed because of you. Everyone says that I am Mayopadhi (the Lord of Illusion).  I am receiving a lot of ill-fame owing to your association with Me. Hereafter you leave me and go away”. Maya offered her salutations to the Lord and said, “Oh! Lord, whatever is your command I shall adhere to it. But please tell me the place where you are not present and I shall go there.” God smiled and said, “There is no place where I am not present. You and I are twins. I questioned you only to know your answer.” 

Today, everyone says that God is everywhere. Everyone says that God is omnipresent, but not even a single person who has experienced the omnipresence of God is seen anywhere in the world. I do not understand whether they are using these words after a clear understanding or out of ignorance. Everyone, out of bookish knowledge, says that Swami is omnipresent and omniscient. This omnipresence and omniscience of God are true. But only after experiencing the omnipresence and omniscience of God, at least to some extent, will you get the authority to speak of these terms. Only when you partake nectar, even a drop of it, you receive the purity and sanctity of it. There is no use of having containers full of nectar without tasting or experiencing it. You should try to experience this omnipresence of God. It is a sin trying to cheat God just by speaking words on the omnipresence of God without trying to experience it. A few wise people tried to experience this. No one seems to have secured the authority to understand this omnipresence. Because they lost the capacity to control their senses they are losing out the energy to understand the omnipresence of God. Hence first of all one should try to contain one’s attachment to various objects of the senses. One should walk the talk. It is only then that one can understand the omnipresence of God, at least to some extent. You should think on the lines as to what you should rely on to understand this truth. Fruits of a tree cannot save neighbouring fruits. All the fruits are protected by the tree only. Trees are protected by the roots. Only when you rely on the root, you will receive the benefits from the trees and the fruits. When the roots are watered well, fertilised and protected; the tree yields in abundance. In the same way, when you understand the truth that God is the support for the universe and try to take refuge in Him, you will be able to experience the omnipresence of God. 

Source: Discourse 14, My Dear Students Volume 4; Divine Discourse delivered on June 19, 1989 at Sri Sathya Sai Hostel for Senior Students, Prasanthi Nilayam

Role of Human Values in Life

Sri Sathya Sai Addressing Students in the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Auditorium - June 7, 2007

In today’s world, people consider the acquisition of secular knowledge as their main objective. But from the spiritual perspective, it seems to be quite contradictory. Lord Krishna has not considered every human being as a simple human being. In the Bhagavad Gita, He declares, “Mamaivamsho Jeeva Loke Jeeva Bhoota Sanatanaha”. Krishna said, “You don’t have to conduct yourself as a human being or be bestial in your attitude and behaviour. Know fully well, you are the sparks of Divine, you are ancient, you are eternal and you are essentially Divine.” Being the sparks of Divine, you are supposed to have the sacred qualities of Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love and Non-Violence. Instead of behaving in accordance with these noble virtues, man has submitted himself to evil qualities like lust, greed, anger, jealousy, hatred and avarice which is not befitting the life of a human being. These changes are due to the food habits and other behavioural tendencies. Therefore, we should lead the life of a true human being observing all regulations. As far as the food is concerned, it has got to be pure. The water that we drink should also be pure. We have to take our food in time and regularly. 

It is essential that one should be educated, one should learn. But just by learning, you cannot call yourself educated in the true sense of the term. The education that you acquire is related to the external world. It cannot be called education in the true sense. The question you need to ask is - What is the secret and the essence of the education that you have acquired? It is necessary to acquire secular knowledge which is related to the world. But, you represent the combination of the physical and the spiritual aspect. Today, for life, the secular knowledge is necessary to some extent. But spiritual knowledge is most essential. It is the inner current, the undercurrent of all this knowledge. The spiritual knowledge represents the sacred and noble values of Satya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa. In order to acquire love, we should start loving. No doubt, we love, but it is not true love. We pretend as if we love. But that is not love at all. Our love is based upon the physical, the external or the worldly elements, and only to receive praises. 

The Five Human Values

For all the values, Truth is the basis. Dharma, Righteousness originates out of Satya - the Truth. “Satyam Naasti Paro Dharmaha” (There is no greater Dharma, beyond the Truth). With Satya and Dharma existing together, Shanti - the Peace comes naturally. When once, there is Peace, naturally one finds a fountain of Love there. When there is Love, there is no scope for hatred. Therefore, True Love represents Ahimsa or Non-Violence. True Love will not harm or hurt anybody. Therefore, everyone must make a sincere attempt to understand the undercurrent of the noble values of Satya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa. 

Truth merely does not mean telling what you have actually seen, telling what you have actually listened, telling what you have actually experienced. It is beyond that. It should come from within, from the inner feeling.  It would not bother about anything else. You don’t find many people in this world who have really understood the true meaning of Satya. Satya is not a matter that can be seen by everybody. Just as the respiration process takes place within, Satya also should originate from the heart. Then only will we have the satisfaction of uttering the Truth. Truth is changeless. Truth is permanent. It does not change in between the passage of time. Therefore, in the Gita, it is said that Satya is the foundation. It is the fundamental basis. 

When we rely on Satya, we find Dharma, Righteousness arising out of it. It is Truth that teaches how everyone should conduct oneself, what is the duty of everyone. Dharma is the refection of Satya. When Dharma is in combination with Satya, we find Peace there. When Satya and Dharma are driven apart, then there will not be any Peace. True Peace can be experienced when Satya and Dharma exist together. This is indeed true Shanti. It is foolishness to think that Peace exists somewhere else and is separate from you. Peace does not exist separately in this world. Peace is the result of the blending of Satya and Dharma. If Satya and Dharma are separated, you don’t find Peace, you find only pieces. 

When Peace is established, we find Love or Prema arising out of it. Peace and Love are intimately related. We pretend as if we love. All our actions represent how dramatic we are in the field of love. This is not True Love. This Love will find fulfillment only in combination with Peace. When once we get Love, there comes Ahimsa or Non-violence. We should not hurt or harm anybody. Love is every where. It is present in every one. Love is beyond specific name, form and action. Love is God, Live in Love. Therefore, Love should be considered as God. This is called as ‘Educare’. Educare comprises of Satya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema, and Ahimsa. Education includes desire, hatred, jealousy, lust, greed and avarice. They are all worldly traits or behavioural tendencies. But Educare is beyond this, it has got nothing to do with the external traits. It is from within. 

From where have you studied about the Truth? Satya is not to be learnt out of letters or alphabets. It should originate from the Atma. When once Truth is clearly established, it confers Peace. Dharma also arises out of it. 

Five Human Values: The Foundation of Human Life

Students! Many of you do not consider the sacred values of Satya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema, and Ahimsa as inner currents that are present within us. In fact, they form the basic foundation of human life. Without the basic fundamentals, all that you acquire will be futile. With all the knowledge acquired, a great scholar continues to be a fool, because he doesn’t understand his true Self. You cannot consider yourself a person endowed with a human heart if you do not have these basic human values. Therefore, Truth is not of your making, it is the precious gift of God. Truth is present and latent in all. God has gifted Truth to every body. Some recognise this fact and some do not recognise it. Many consider that Truth is worldly and it has got nothing to do with spirituality. Therefore, Truth is not simply heard or taught. To begin with, we should install the Truth in our hearts. If you develop Satya, the result of it would be Prema. Love is the fruit of Truth. From Satya comes Prema and from Prema develops Ahimsa. Buddha wanted to acquire the noble quality of Ahimsa. Where can this Ahimsa be found? He searched and searched and went on searching.  Ultimately, He felt so sad that He was searching for something which is already within Him. Then He declared, “I am Truth, I am Truth, I am Truth.” It is this Truth that sustains Ahimsa or Non-violence. We do not find this value of Non-violence in the person who has no Love at all. 

By studies or education do not consider that you know everything. Though highly knowledgeable, with all the textual information, a fool does not know his own true Self. Why are you egoistic for all the knowledge that you have acquired? What is it that you have studied? What you have studied is the borrowed knowledge, second hand information that has been described by somebody else. You all have a teacher. What a teacher teaches you is not Educare. Who is your real teacher? Your Atma is your real teacher. Everything is the product of the Self.

It is out of this Truth, God has created everything.
The entire universe ultimately merges back into the Truth.
It is the unsullied Truth that is the basis for everything.

True Education is Educare

You listen to so many people; you speak so many words and acquire lot of knowledge. But the true education is Educare only. The one, who concentrates on Educare, will not consider education as very important. Because of the education that we have today, we move about highly egoistically. 

Teachers also have to recognise this basic factor very clearly. You consider that you are specialist in Physics or Chemistry or Botany or Zoology. They are just subjects but not objects. Educare is concerned with the object. It is incomparable. The one that is latent inside, and is brought from inside is Educare. You find yourself full of joy. Where from have you got it? Did you get it from the books, or somebody has gifted it to you? No. It comes naturally to you. Thus, there is a wide difference between the worldly education and the spiritual education. When you consider that spiritual education is important, it does not mean that you have to give up secular education. Both are essential. One is negative, one is positive. Whoever lives in this world needs this worldly knowledge. Without this, you cannot understand the spirit of Educare. One has to understand this. Everything has been gifted to us by God. 

Source: Discourse 13, My Dear Students Volume 2; Divine Discourse delivered on June 7, 2007 at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Auditorium

Sri Sathya Sai's Last Visit to the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Hostel

 Thursday, June 4, 2009

On the 4th June, 2009, the Vice-Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai University, Principal of Prasanthi Nilayam Campus along with other faculty members prayed to Bhagavan to visit the college and bless the students with His Divine Message in the college auditorium. Bhagavan indicated that He would come.

At noon on 4th June, 2009, Bhagavan went to the auditorium where He pleasantly surprised everyone involved in the preparations for the Divine visit. Bhagavan took a note of all preparations and said that He had come only to supervise the arrangements and that He would come again at 4.00 pm for the function. The Warden requested Bhagavan that since a special room for Him had been made in the Hostel; He should bless the Hostel by the Divine visit. Bhagavan agreed to do so. He spoke to the Registrar for a few minutes and then left.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Vishwanath Pandit welcoming Chancellor Sri Sathya Sai at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Auditorium

Bhagavan arrived at the auditorium at about 4.15 pm. He was warmly welcomed with Panchavadyam music by the Institute students, Professor Vishwanath Pandit, Vice-Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai University; Professor U. S. Rao, Principal of Prasanthi Nilayam Campus; Dr. Naren Ramji, the new Registrar and Sri G. S. Srirangarajan, the new Controller of Examinations. That day, the video-conferencing facility that exists between the three current Campuses of the University was used to relay the proceedings to the Anantapur and Brindavan Campuses.

Sri Sathya Sai blessing the manuscript authored by Prof. Ramamoorthy and Shashank Shah

The function started with Bhagavan releasing two books, the first one entitled, ‘Soulful Corporations - Ushering in a Better World’ was offered to Bhagavan by the authors - Professor V. E. Ramamoorthy and Sri Shashank Shah (Doctoral Research Scholar). Bhagavan very graciously opened the book and went through the contents. He looked pleased with the book and blessed Professor Ramamoorthy. 

Sri Sathya Sai blessed the manuscript authored by Shashank Shah and Sudhir Bhaskar

The second book entitled, ‘Corporate Stakeholders Management – Why, What and How – A Dharmic Approach’ was offered to Bhagavan by the authors, Sri Shashank Shah and Professor A. Sudhir Bhaskar. Bhagavan glanced through the pages and blessed both the authors lovingly. Thereafter, Professor Vishwanath Pandit delivered the welcome address. He sought Bhagavan’s blessings to be befitting instruments in His Divine Mission. 

Aman Jhaveri addresses the students in the Divine Presence

His address was followed by the speech of Sri Aman Jhaveri, a second year M.B.A. student of the University, who spoke on Bhagavan’s important message, ‘Love for God, Fear of Sin and Morality in Society’. Then came the awaited moment when Bhagavan conceded to the Vice-Chancellor’s request to give His Divine Message. 

“In this sacred land of Bharat, forbearance and patience are the greatest wealth. In this country, the most enduring feeling is the sacred feeling of motherhood. Today we have bid good bye to the principles by which the country has lived through i.e. one’s honour is greater than one’s life. We have taken to licentiousness. In today’s world, many people have spent their life praying to God and trying to win the grace of God. Today, such women have given a go by to the great principle that one’s honour is greater than one’s body. For women three things are important Kattu – good dress habits, Bottu - the dot on the forehead and Juttu – the right kind of hair style. Today, they have given up such sacred habits and are leading lives like men (wearing pants and shirts). This is a contradiction to the way of life taught by the Indian culture. The Bharatiya culture always granted honour and bliss. But today, the ways of life taught by the Indian culture are getting perverted.  

Today, even boys have undergone a great change. Boys will have to lead respectable lives, work hard and bring a good name to their parents. They should also bring joy to the society. What is the cause for ruin of society today? The three important principles of Daiva Preeti - Love for God, Papa Bheeti - Fear of sin, and Sangha Neeti - Morality in society have been forgotten by the people. You may forget God, but God will not forget you, because God is present within you. To realise God and to understand God is very difficult. Nobody can explain what God is, where God is. You may imagine that God has a certain form. But God does not have a form. If you ask God – ‘What is your name?’ He would say, “Aham Bramhasmi” – I am God. Because you are deluded, you ask the question ‘Who are you?’. You have emerged from God. You are deluded with the body feeling and believe God to have come in human form. You are only looking at God in the form of the body.  The body is like a bag, in which the materials are senses, mind, discrimination, intelligence, Ahamkara. All these are within you. You are thinking they have emerged from the body, but they are not related to the body at all. Only the five elements are related to the body, once they are gone the body ceases to exist. Do not give so much importance to the body.

Many people worship the form of Krishna or Vishnu or any other form of God. Where did the pictures of these deities come from? All these are pictures we imagine are paintings by Raja Ravi Verma (a great Indian painter). Seeing this picture you perceive to have had the vision of Lord Krishna. This is not correct. These are only various symbols of Krishna. Who is Krishna? He is Divinity in human form. You must worship that Divinity within you, the way you worship Him outside. 

What is Meditation?

Meditation does not mean simply sitting with eyes closed contemplating on the form. Closing your eyes and focusing on the form does not mean contemplation. When there is some fickleness in the mind while meditating on the form it is called concentration and not contemplation. When this fickle mindedness goes away you begin to contemplate and when you are completely steady on His form and finally forget both yourself and the form, you reach Samadhi. Ultimately, there will not be any form. That is Arupa or formlessness. That is the ultimate principle - Atma. People have called it by different names. Just because you are worshipping the form, it is not the end. That is not concentration. There is always change and fickleness in concentration. As you persist in concentration the fickleness will diminish. Then it becomes contemplation. When you proceed further on the path, focus becomes completely steady. See that your focus is steady.  This is true meditation… 

The Five Human Values

One must cultivate the five values of Satya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema, and Ahimsa. Satya (truth) is permanent, Truth is one; Dharma (righteousness) is the reflection of Satya. When you have Satya and Dharma, then you have Shanti (peace), which are not the pieces you get in Bazaars (markets). When you are peaceful then you don’t hurt or hate anybody. This develops into love. Love brings about equality in everyone. In such a situation there will be no quarrels in the world. Therefore, truth and righteousness are highly essential to attain love. In any situation you should not take the path of untruth. If you speak untruth there can’t be love. Only by speaking the truth at all times one can attain love. This is what the Upanishads have taught us. Many sages have taught these truths in different ways but the underlying thought is the same. It is the One reflected as many (Ekam Sat Vipraha Bahuda Vadanti).

Ekam Eva Adviteeyam Brahma – God is one without a second. The feeling of the existence of a second entity implies that you are deluded. It is true quality of devotion that this delusion is removed. Many beggars crowd around a rich man. One begs for food, another for money and another for a house. In the same way if we go to God and ask Him this and that, then we all become beggars. The whole world has become a place for beggars. You beg to get a vote and for the vote you have to give a note. We should not do that. God is within you. Ask and you will get what you want. Because of these beggars, the society is getting spoilt. All this has led to pollution of water, food, land, milk, air and everything else. The Ganges which is extolled by this land of Bharat as a mother has been severely damaged. Today, if a Brahmin takes a fist full of Ganga water, the water is full of dead and decaying matter. There is nothing that is pollution-free today. To remove this pollution, students have to grow up having a pure mind. A pure mind is one without any doubts; which is steady, selfless and pure. Only then the honour of the country will be upheld.

The True Use of One’s Education

There are many students with a lot of degrees. How are they using these degrees? What is the use of taking these degrees? They just take degrees and work for money. Money is what matters in this world. To go to the temple you have to pay money, for a cup of coffee, a bottle of water, etc. you need money. We should develop humanness rather than running after money. For all problems around us we are responsible. If you shape yourselves to be good students and practise what you learn, it would do a great help to the world. You should lead your lives with a sense of humility and obedience. You should not have arrogance or pride. You have to give up arrogance, pride and other wicked qualities. Only when you get rid of them, you become a pure man. 

Where did ‘Man’ come from? He has come from the heart, not the physical heart, it is the spiritual heart. In the spiritual heart there is no dirt. You should inculcate pure thoughts and pure feelings and share them with others, in such a way that whatever you do, it should be helpful to others. Help ever and hurt never should be the two things that you should practise as a student. One who is not a student will never help, he keeps hurting. Speak good words, develop good feelings and be obedient. This is very essential for students. 

Today there are many arrogant people among those who have studied. They boast to have done many Ph.D’s. What is a Ph.D? A Ph.D is one who helps others through his research and develops the country. This is the true objective of doing a Ph.D.

Always Love Your Parents

Never forsake your parents till your last breath. Even if they are not able to provide you food, you should love them. Mother goes through a lot of hardships for your sake. In many ways she has nourished you. It is worst of sins if you forget your mother. Father also helps you so much. In many ways he has nourished you. You should never make your parents distant from you. Love your parents till your last breath. He is a true student who loves and respects his parents. Only then your parents will be satisfied. All your education should try to satisfy your parents. Then you will also get satisfied. You will get true satisfaction with all the education you have gained only when you try and satisfy your parents. There are no friends for anyone. Until you have money in your pocket they are your friends; when you are penniless, they bid goodbye. 

Love everyone. Never love them on the basis of the materials they posses. That has no value. If you love them for the materials they posses, then you too become valueless. Love should be mental love and not material love. One having material love cannot be happy."

Bhagavan concluded His address by singing the Bhajan ‘Hari Bhajana Bina’. Bhagavan asked the Warden to proceed to the Hostel, since He would be going there. After a long gap of many years, Bhagavan blessed the Sri Sathya Sai Senior Boys’ Hostel with His Divine visit. 

Sri Sathya Sai in the Hostel Dining Hall

After entering the dining hall of the Hostel, Bhagavan proceeded to the newly built meditation room and inaugurated it by cutting the ribbon, sprinkling Akshatas and lighting the lamp. 

He moved and admired all the different chambers in the room and complimented that it had been made very well. He went around to all the rooms and expressed His satisfaction at the construction and decoration of the premises. 

Then Bhagavan visited the Vaikunta Narayana Vanam where the idol of Lord Ranganatha, lying on this Divine bed, Adi Sesha with His consorts had been installed. These idols were sent by Bhagavan nearly twenty years ago and have since then been a prized possession of the Hostel.

Sri Sathya Sai at the Vaikuntha Narayan Vanam

Bhagavan had earlier sent in October 2007, special marble idols of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Mother Sita and Hanuman especially for the Sri Sathya Sai Senior Students’ Hostel, which now adorn the central position in the Hostel Altar. Bhagavan spent precious 20 minutes showering His blessings on all around in the hall premises and returned to the Mandir.

Bhagavan blessed the Alphonso mangoes to be distributed to all as Prasadam in Sai Kulwant Hall. After listening to a few Bhajans, He accepted Mangala Arati. Before leaving for His residence, He blessed the security guards who had served Him for the past month, posed for a group photo with them and then retired for the day.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (2006-2011)