Thought for the Day

Education is rendered noble when the spirit of service is inculcated. The service rendered must be free of the slightest trace of narrow selfishness. That is not enough. The thought of service should not be marred by the desire for something in return. You have to perform the service as you would perform an important Yajna (sacrificial ritual). As trees do not eat their fruits but offer them to be eaten by others in an attitude of detachment; as rivers, without drinking the waters they carry, quench the thirst and cool the heat from which others suffer; as cows offer their milk, produced primarily for their calves, in a spirit of generosity born of Tyaga (renunciation), to be shared by others; so too you should offer yourself to others prompted by the motive of service and without consideration of selfish interests. Only then can you justify your status as sajjana (noble men).

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Consider what happens when a person sees a dry stump of a tree at night: he/she is afraid that it is a ghost or a bizarre human being. It is neither, though it is perceived as either. The reason for this misperception is darkness. The absence of light superimposes on something another object that is not there. In the same manner, the darkness that is spread through maya (false perception) veils and renders unnoticeable the Primal Cause, Brahman (Divine Self), and imposes the cosmos on it as a perceptible reality. This deceptive vision is corrected by the Jnana (awakened consciousness) and transmuted into the vision of Prema (Universal Love).

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

A true scholar should not entertain egoism in his thoughts at any time. However, the misfortune is that scholars as a class are today afflicted with unbounded egoism. As a consequence, they follow incorrect ideals and take to wrong paths. They confer the benefits of education only on themselves and on their kith and kin. As a result, they forgo their position among sajjans (noble men) and the respect it can bring. One must grant generously to others the knowledge, skill and insight that one has acquired. If this is not done, human progress itself is endangered. In order to promote the best interest of mankind, one has to cultivate the holy urge of paropakaaram (service to others) and the attitude of sharing.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

1.Desire and bondage to the objects desired and the plans to secure them are attributes of the jeevis (individualized selves), not of the Self or atma resident in the body. The sense of “me” and “mine” and the emotions of lust and anger originate in the body-mind complex. Only when this complex is conquered and outgrown can true virtue emanate and manifest. The sense of “doer” and “enjoyer”, of being an agent, might appear to affect the Atma, but they are not part of the genuine nature of the Atma. Things get mirrored and produce images, but the mirror is not tarnished or even affected thereby. It remains as clear as it was. Every jeevi has these as genuine, basic attributes: purity, serenity, and joy. Every individual is ebullient with these qualiti es.

2.The Vedas and the Shastras (scriptures) are the greatest repositories of Hitha (beneficence) as they were won through penance and travail by sages and seers who were interested in the welfare of humanity and the liberation of man. They advise that man must regulate his 'outer-look' and develop the 'inner-look'; the inner reality is the foundation on which the outer reality is built. It is like the steering wheel inside the car which directs the outer wheels. Know that the basic reality is God. Become aware of it and stay in that awareness always. Whatever be the stress and the storm, do not waver from that faith.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Imitation can never become culture

Imitation can never become culture. You may wear royal robes and act the role; but can you, as a result of this imitation, become a king? A donkey clothed in tiger skin does not become a tiger. Imitation is a sign of cowardice. It cannot further one’s progress. In fact the tendency to imitate leads you down, step by step, into frightful shape. You must endeavour to uplift yourselves. You must be proud that you are devotees of the Lord. You must hold your ancestors in high esteem. You should not imitate others and copy their attitudes. However, you may imbibe the good in them.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

The stage of equanimity is essential for spiritual progress

The stage of equanimity is essential for spiritual progress. It can be gained only when the Buddhi (intellect) is cleansed of the blot of deluding attachments and involvements. Without that serenity, the intellect cannot proceed on the trail of Brahman (God). In fact, the term ‘virtue’ is only another name for the ‘intelligence’ that follows the promptings of the Atma, the Self that is your Reality. Only one who has such virtue can win awareness of Atma. And, once awareness is gained, you will no longer be caught in delusion or desire.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Not even the tiniest event can happen unless willed by the Lord. Be fully convinced of this. He is the Suthradhari, the holder of the strings that move the puppets and make them act their roles; but He seats Himself among the spectators and pretends He is unaware of the plot or story or cast. The characters cannot deviate a dot from His directions. His Will guides and determines every single movement and gesture. The varying emotions affect the hearts of those who witness the play; but they do not cause a ruffle in the heart of the Suthradhari. He decides what this person should say or that person should do and He prompts in them the appropriate words and deeds.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

"As you Feel, so you become"

If you condemn yourself, day and night as petty and weak, you can never accomplish anything. If you think that you are luckless and low, thereby you become luckless and low. Instead, when you cultivate the awareness that you are a spark of God, that you have as your reality Divinity Itself, you can become really Divine, and you can have command over all powers. “As you feel, so you become” (Yad bhaavam, thad bhavathi). It is how you feel that matters most. That is the basis for all that you are. This is a must for every one of you! Have faith in the Atma, the Divine Self, that you really are!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Basic rules of living

1.One of the basic rules of living is not to be ashamed of your forefathers. As you read more of the history of the past, and visualise the human condition in those ages, your pride is bound to increase. Let faith in the supreme achievements of your forefathers flow in and energise the blood in your veins. Let the strength of that faith render your body, mind and spirit equally strong. The fruit of Vidya (true learning) is the recognition that every community of people and every religion has, along with a basic unity, something special of its own to offer.

2.We may each have different ideas on the nature and characteristics, the form and attributes of God. One person may believe that God has the qualities and form of humans. Another may believe in a God devoid of human form and signs but yet manifesting in embodiments. Another may believe in God as altogether formless. Every one of these can find in the Vedas declarations supporting their stands. For all have faith in God, that is to say, in a mysterious Sakthi (power) which is the source, support and sustenance of all, a Power which subsumes all.

3.Virtues are the most effective means for purifying the inner consciousness at all levels, for they prompt the person to discover what to do and how to do it. Only those who have earned good destiny can claim excellence in discrimination. Adherence to this determination is the raft that can take one across Bhava Sagara (the worldly ocean of flux and fear). A person of virtues has a place in the region of the liberated. That person can merge in Brahman (Divinity), the embodiment of Supreme Bliss.

4.People may have performed a variety of Vedic rites and sacrifices; they might even be expounding the contents of a variety of sacred scriptures that they have mastered; they may be endowed with prosperity, owning vast wealth; they might teach the Vedas and their complementary disciplines with due exposition of meanings. But without moral character, they have no place where Brahman (Divinity) is taught or learned. This is the important lesson conveyed by divine aphorisms.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

1.We see the outer circumstances, the processes which result in the final event and in our ignorance we judge that this set of causes produced these effects. But circumstances, events, emotions and feelings are all simply ‘instruments’ in His Divine Hands, serving His Will and His Purpose. The world is the stage on which each one acts the role He has allotted. Every one struts about for the time given by Him and obeys His instructions without fail or falter. We may proudly think that we have done this or that by ourselves, but the truth is that everything happens as He wills.

2.When it is desired to promote the prosperity of the nation, everyone of you must gather into yourself all the spiritual resources that you can. This implies that all the spiritual inclinations, beliefs and urges which are now feeble and dissipated must be united and reinforced. As part of religions, many creeds and cults may exist just as many branches are present in a tree. You should not condemn them as wrong and no branch should fight against another or compete with another. Realize the truth in the maxim, “Ekam Sath, Vipraah Bahudhaa Vadanthi” (Only One exists; the wise describe it in many ways).

3.Codes of behaviour, spiritual practices and manifestations of Love - all have enormous virtues which promote the progress of man. The basic truth of Creation is unity in multiplicity. The ‘Bharatiya’ (Indian) mode of worship is based on the awareness that the One manifests through many discrete forms and attributes when confronted by various situations and conditions. So Bharatiyas have the intellectual tolerance among all peoples of the world to proclaim to all the quarters that God exists and can be found in every religion. This is their unique good fortune.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Your intellect must rest upon and draw inspiration from the Atma (Divine Self) at all times and under all circumstances. As an aspirant for spiritual progress, you must be attached only to the unchanging Universal Consciousness. All your actions should have the joy of God as your goal. You must place implicit faith in the scriptural dictum: "All living beings are facets and fractions of God." To confirm this faith and strengthen it, you must look upon all beings as equal. You have to acquire this virtue of equanimity as this is Sadhana Sampathi (the real treasure acquired through spiritual practices).

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The one who devotes their life to earn the knowledge of the Atma, that is, their true Self, must possess holy virtues, mould their conduct and have sacred contacts. For no knowledge can be higher than virtuous character; truly, character is power. For persons who have dedicated their years to the acquisition of higher learning, sterling character is an indispensable qualification. Every religion emphasizes the same need, not as a special creedal condition but as the basis of spiritual life and conduct itself. Those who lead lives on these lines can never come to harm; they will be endowed with sacred merit.

Bagavan sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the day

We may each have different ideas on the nature and characteristics, the form and attributes of God. One person may believe that God has the qualities and form of humans. Another may believe in a God devoid of human form and signs but yet manifesting in embodiments. Another may believe in God as altogether formless. Every one of these can find in the Vedas declarations supporting their stands. For all have faith in God, that is to say, in a mysterious Sakthi (power) which is the source, support and sustenance of all, a Power which subsumes all.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

One of the most important virtues to be cultivated is unshakable, unwavering faith — faith in the shastras (sacred scriptures) and the moral codes they contain, as well as in the Atma and your Guru (preceptor). Scriptures are designed to ensure the peace and prosperity of the world and the spiritual perfection of mankind. They have before them this great aim; they show the way to its realisation. So, you must place faith in such holy scriptures, Gurus (preceptors), and elders. Gurus are indeed worth worshipping, for they show us the Shreyomarga (path of the ultimate fulfilment). The one who has unwavering faith will achieve this wisdom.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Do Good even to those who injure you

Returning injury for injury, harm for harm, or insult for insult only adds to the Karmic burden, which has to be endured and eliminated in future lives. This burden is termed “Aagaami” (impending). You can't escape the task of undergoing the consequences of your thought, word, and deed in due course. Paying evil for evil can never lighten the weight of Karma; it will only become heavier. It might confer immediate relief and contentment, but it can only make you suffer later. Forbearance, therefore, instructs you to do good even to those who injure you.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba