Thought for the Day

1.It is an arduous process for people to become aware of the One that is their core. People are of the essence of food (Annam). The gross body is the product of the food consumed. But within everyone there is a subtler force, an inner vibration named Vital Air (Prana). The mind (Manas) within is subtler still, and deeper and subtler than the mind is the intellect (Vijnana). Beyond the intellect, people have in them the subtlest sheath of spiritual bliss (Ananda). When people delve into this region of spiritual bliss, they can experience the reality, the Brahman (Divinity). That Divine awareness is indeed the most desirable.

2.During the war, the palms of Lord Sri Krishna, soft and tender like lotus petals, developed boils all over, since the steeds strained their hardest, when they were restrained or controlled as He had to hold the reins tight. The Lord devoid of food and sleep, performed services both high and low, and kept ready both horses and chariot in perfect trim. He also went on various other sundry errands, which were fundamental to achieving victory. He bathed the horses in the river, attended to their wounds and applied balm to cure them. Basically, He acted as a servant in the household of Pandavas! He never assumed the role of the Universal Sovereign that is His real nature and status. That was the measure of His affection for those devoted to Him!

3.The ideas and pronouncements of others may often be personal, or may induce feelings of hatred between people. Why should we accept them as ours and mould our feelings accordingly? We should not try to shape our feelings and patterns of behaviour to conform to those of others. We must not relinquish our faith, our experience and our innate holiness. Born as human beings, moving about as educated persons, yet foolishly following others as sheep do and polluting the minds with ideas borrowed from others are things to be avoided.

4.The scriptures are as affectionate to us as a mother is. They teach lessons as a mother does to her children, in conformity with the level of intelligence and according to the needs of time and circumstance. A mother with two children gives the strong and healthy one every item of food for which it clamours, but she takes great care not to overfeed the ailing child and gives it only those items that can restore it soon to good health. Can we, on that account, accuse her of being partial to one and prejudiced against the other in conferring love? The scriptures draw the attention to the secret and value of work (Karma). Work can improve life and set its ideals aright. Everyone must be instructed on how to transform work into beneficial activity. Yet, Karma is not all; it is only the means to the end. Advocacy of Karma is not the chief goal of the scr iptures.

என்ன விதிமுறையோ?

தேனியிலிருந்து ஆண்டிப்பட்டிக்கு ஒரு பெண்மணி சின்ன அட்டைப்பெட்டியுடன் பஸ்ஸில் ஏறினார். அட்டைப்பெட்டியில் முட்டை இருப்பதாக சொன்னதற்கு அதற்கு லக்கேஜ் சார்ஜ் உண்டு என்றும் டிக்கெட் வாங்க வேண்டும் என்றும் நடத்துனர் வலியுறுத்தினார். சின்ன அட்டைப்பெட்டியில் உள்ள முட்டைக்கு லக்கேஜ் சார்ஜ்கொடுக்கவேண்டும் என்று உலகத்தில் எந்த நடத்துனரும் கோரமாட்டார்கள் என அப்பெண்மணி கூற பதிலுக்கு நடத்துனர் டிக்கெட் எடுக்க இஷ்டம் இல்லை என்றால் என் கைக்காசு போட்டு டிக்கெட் போட்டுக்கொள்கிறேன் எனக் கூறவும் அம்மணி முட்டைக்கு டிக்கெட் வாங்கினார். சின்ன அட்டைப்பெடிக்கு லக்கேஜ் சார்ஜ் உண்டா? என்ன விதிமுறையோ?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

1.Everyone is endowed with a hridaya (spiritual heart). When you fill your heart with love and compassion, peace will reign supreme in the world. There will be no jealousy, hatred or anger, but only love everywhere. Restlessness will disappear from the face of the earth. One who has filled his heart with compassion will always remain in peace. It is most essential to know this truth. People mistake hridaya for the physical heart but truly it represents the all-pervasive Atmic principle, in other words, the Aham. So you should keep your heart absolutely pure and sacred.

2.Engage yourselves in selfless service. The reward for it will come of its own accord. Do not have any doubts on this score. Whatever you undertake, do it with all your heart and to your full satisfaction. That satisfaction is all the reward and recompense that you will need. It will confer great strength on you. This is the virtue that you have to cultivate. Acquire this true wealth. Without goodness, all other riches are of no avail.

3.The shastras (scriptures) direct and counsel everyone. People yield to delusion and become one with the darkness caused by false values and attachment to the unreal - the “me” and “mine”. But scripture is the mother; she does not give up. She persists and pursues; she reminds people of their goal in order to ensure that they will be saved. One need not drink the entire ocean to know its taste; placing just one drop on the tongue is enough. Similarly, it is impossible to understand all the contents of the scriptures. It is enough if one grasps the important lesson that is elaborated therein and puts that lesson into practice. The lesson is: Constant thought of God.

4.Keep the mind and the intellect serene and sacred, free from dirt. When thoughts and feelings are impure and agitated, you cannot be calm and happy. When the mind is polluted, so are our reactions. To keep the mind clean, you must analyse sympathetically situations involving others and their activities, and then decide on how to react to them. You should not rush to draw conclusions. Adopting the reactions of others is certainly not desirable. You must resolve on any action only after intelligent discrimination and inquiry. “Some course of action is being followed by someone; so, we shall follow that course ourselves” - this attitude is mean and demeaning, it is a sign of weakness. It is the consequence of basic ignorance. Only sheep behave in that manner

BAGVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

What is spirituality?

1.Students have to pay great attention to an important quality—cleanliness, both outer and inner. When either of these is absent, that person becomes useless for any task. The clothes you wear, the books you read and the environment around you must be clean. This is the outer cleanliness. That is to say, every material object you deal with for living has to be kept clean. The body has to be scrubbed and washed every day, or else, it may cause infection to you and others. The teeth and eyes, the food and drink, all should be free from dirt. You can then lead a healthy life.
2.When the ruler becomes cognizant of the activities of evil times, ‘Kali’, he must investigate into the conditions favourable for its spread. Emperor Parikshit analyzed the situation and declared that Kali or wickedness can have sway only through the incompetence of the ruler, the loss of self-reliance among the people and the decline in the earning of Grace. These three are the factors that promote the plans of Kali. Without them, man cannot fall a prey to its wiles. Hence, Parikshit promoted alertness and leadership through personal example to his people. “Yatha raja, thatha praja” (As the ruler, so the ruled) is the proverb, he said. As their king, he attempted to give no room to injustice, force, evil character, untruth and violence; he formulated preventive plans to effectively check the influence of Kali .
3.Many feel that it is human to err and that Bhagawan should forgive their lapses. In fact, if they were truly human, they should not commit mistakes at all. Even if sometimes a mistake is committed, willingly or unwillingly, it should not be repeated. It is a grievous error to think that it is natural for a human being to err. To follow the directives of the senses is the mark of an animal. To be guided by the Atma is the sign of a human being. None should attempt to justify his or her weaknesses and lapses as natural to a human being; they should be regarded as signs of mental debility. When you have truly acquired sense-control, you will experience the power of the Divine in you.
4.What is spirituality? It is the resolute pursuit of cosmic consciousness. Spirituality aims at enabling a person to manifest in all its fullness the Chaitanya (Divine Cosmic Consciousness) that is present both within and outside oneself. It means getting rid of one’s animal nature and developing the divine tendencies in one's personality. It connotes breaking down the barriers between God and Nature and establishing their essential oneness. Today, people think that spirituality has no relation to mundane life, and vice versa; this is a big mistake. True divinity is a combination of spirituality and social obligations. National unity and social harmony are founded upon spirituality. It is the Divine that links spirituality and social existence.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

அரிசி கடத்தல்

அலுவலக வேலையாக லோயர்காம்ப் செல்ல வேண்டியிருந்தது. கம்பத்திலிருந்து குமிளி செல்லும் தமிழக அரசுப் பேருந்தில் பயணம் மேற்கொண்டேன். அப்பொழுது ஏழை அப்பாவி பெரியவர் ஒருவர் கையில் ஒரு சின்ன அட்டைப்பெட்டியுடன் ஓடும் வண்டியில் ஏற முற்பட்டார். நடத்துனர் வண்டியை நிறுத்தி பெட்டியில் என்ன இருக்கு என்று கேட்டார். மிளகாய் பொடி இருக்கிறது என்று கூறி , குமுளிக்கு ஒரு டிக்கட் வாங்கி கேட்டு அமர்ந்தார். குமுளி கேரளா மாநிலத்தைச் சேர்ந்த ஊராகும். வண்டி கிளம்பி ஐந்து நிமிடம் கழித்து நடத்துனர் மீண்டும் பெரியவரிடம் வந்து அட்டைப்பெட்டியில் என்ன இருக்கிறது? உண்மையைச் சொல் என்று கேட்டார். அதற்கு பெரியவர் மிளகாய் பொடி என்று கூறினார். நடத்துனருக்கு சந்தேகம் வந்து அட்டைப்பெட்டியில் என்ன இருக்கிறது என்று சோதித்துப்பார்த்தார். அதில் அரிசி இருப்பது தெரிந்ததும் கோபம் கொண்டு வண்டியிலிருந்து இறக்கி விட்டார். டிக்கெட் கட்டணத்தை திருப்பி கொடுக்கவில்லை. பாவமாக இருந்தது. இது அரிசிக் கடத்தலா? ஒன்றும் புரியவில்லை.(பெட்டியில் மிஞ்சிப்போனால் நான்கு அல்லது ஐந்து கிலோ இருக்கும். ஒரு கிலோ அரிசி ஒரு ரூபாய்க்கு விற்பதால் அரிசி மட்டும் சமைத்து சாப்பிட முடியுமா? விற்கும் விலைவாசிக்கு பருப்பு,எண்ணெய், காய்கறி வாங்க முடியுமா? அதற்காகத்தான் கேரளாவிற்கு அரிசியை அதிக விலைக்கு விற்று பருப்பு,எண்ணெய், காய்கறி வாங்க நினைத்தாரோ?????)

கொசுறு செய்தி : அரசு ஊழியர்களூக்கு பத்து சதவிகித அகவிலைப்படி உயர்வு!!!!!

Thought for the Day

1.The genuine characteristics, the Swaroopa Lakshana, never undergoes change. It abides in all. The form, name, time or space may suffer change; but the core of truth (the Swaroopa Lakshana) will not alter. That core is denoted as Asthi (existence), Bhathi (luminescence) and Priyam (attractiveness) in Vedantic texts. Existence is the unchanging truth; it may change its form and name, in time and space, but the ‘is-ness’ is genuine. It makes itself known as existing, through the native characteristic of Prakasha (luminosity) or capacity to attract our awareness and confer knowledge. We can know it because it has luminescence; all things we are aware of have this innate characteristic. Each thing also has the nature of likeability, the capacity to invoke attachment and love as a result of usability. The above three together are the nature of God.

2.The Gita warns that any insult or injury or even neglect directed against any living being is an act that ridicules or hurts the Divine (“Sarva Jeeva Thiraskaaram Keshavam Prathigachchathi”) The Gita also clearly says, “Sunee chaiva svapaakecha, pandithaah sama darshinah”, that is, the learned man who has acquired humility through Vidya (knowledge) must deal with equal compassion and consideration for all living beings. Uniform kindness shown in this manner transforms itself into homogenous welfare for the recipients. Wishing well for all is the sign of one who has earned Vidya. The narrow vision that is limited to one community must be given up. Bhaarathiya culture thus emphasises the highest truth, the broadest vision.

3.The hearts of the great will be so full of divine content and equanimity, that they will not be affected by the ups and downs of fortune. A fragrant flower will please one with its captivating scent, whether it is held in the left hand or in the right. So too, whether in the sky or in the forest, village or city, on the heights or the valley, the great will be equally happy. They know no change as demonstrated by the Pandavas in the epic Mahabharatha. Even though they were in the jungle, they were able to spend their days happily by the grace of Lord Krishna.

4.Brahman (Divinity) is the source of all the Holy Texts and is therefore all-knowing. Brahman is the very source of illumination. Only the Omniscient One can be the source of the Vedas. Only the scriptures can liberate people through that illumination named knowledge. They regulate one's life and foster it, guarding it from grief. The Vedas offer comforting counsel; they deal with people affectionately and lead them forward, for they are received through venerable personages who attained the highest knowledge, Brahman.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

1.Every being has its own Dharma or innate specialty or individuality or special characteristics. This rule applies equally to blades of grass and the stars. The cosmos is not one continuous flux; it progresses persistently towards achieving a totality in the qualities and circumstances. But if you are too immersed in the all-pervasive delusion, you cannot elevate yourself. When in delusion, you are not aware of the path of peace and harmony in the world. You will also not be able to hold on to the good and avoid the bad, and establish yourself in the righteous path. However, you can transform yourself from the present status through self-effort and discrimination. The moral forces permeating the cosmos will certainly promote your achievement

2.If you seek Vidya (knowledge), you must possess kindness, compassion and love towards all living beings. Compassion to all beings should be your very nature. If it is absent, you become a boor. Vidya means, more than anything else, the quality of genuine concern for all living beings. If you bear ill-will against any being, your education has no meaning. The advice given in the Gita, “Adweshta Sarva Bhoothanam (with no ill-will towards any being)," conveys the same message. Love and compassion must not be limited to mankind only; they must embrace every living being.

3.Ganapathi is the embodiment of Buddhi (intellect) and Jnana (wisdom). Truth emerges out of wisdom and ultimately leads to Ananda (bliss). This is the teaching of Ganapathi. You are under the false impression that today is the birthday of Vinayaka, but He has neither birth nor death; neither beginning nor end. He is the Eternal Witness. All the festivals of Bhaarath (India) are suffused with deep inner meaning. They are highly sacred. Festivals are not meant just for preparing and consuming delicious items. Their purpose is to remind us of Divinity. On festival days, you decorate your houses with buntings of green leaves and also wear new clothes, discarding the old ones. Likewise, you should give up your past bad habits and cultivate new and sacred ideas.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the day

One may be subjected to calumny, insult and dishonour; Or plunged into poverty or pain; but the person who has surrendered to the Will of God will welcome each of these gladly and bear it with equanimity. The Lord will never give up His children. Those devoted to God have to be patient and calm, under the most poignant provocation. The fact is the pious and the God-fearing are those who are most visited by travails and troubles: in order to teach mankind these great truths, Krishna enacted the drama in Mahabharatha, with the Pandavas as the cast. Every incident in their lives is but a scene in His Play.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The bubble born of water floats in it and bursts to become one with it. All the visible objective worlds are like the bubbles emanating from the vast ocean of Divinity, Brahman. They are on the water and are sustained by water. How else can they arise and exist? Finally, they merge and disappear in water itself. For their origination, subsistence, and mergence, they depend only on water. Water is one; bubbles are plentiful. Water is real; bubbles are appearances. Water is the basis; bubbles are delusive forms of the same imposed on it.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

While dealing with uncultured folks, you must exercise caution. So too, you must be careful with ungrateful people, who forget the good done to them. The law is the instrument that Government will use to punish those who do wrong. As educated persons and students, you should not condemn difficult people outright. You must manifest your natural virtue of detachment and practise your characteristic attitude of helpfulness.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Real Education

Every educated person and student must cultivate simplicity and discard ostentation. If they are addicted to pompousness, they lose their genuine nature or individuality. Even if a person is a master of all sciences or famous as a great intellectual, he is certain to be counted out of scholars and pundits if he has no humility and discipline in his dealings with others. He may win respect for some time but that will decline pretty soon. Alertness to serve and simplicity alone will confer honour on a person. When one gives up an attitude of pretentiousness, one earns permanent respect from people. Real education imparts a spirit of renunciation, a dislike for ostentation, and the yearning for serving others.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Love is the basis for love

Love has no reason. Love is the basis for love. Only through this love, we can attain God. Any other spiritual pursuits give us temporary joy not permanent bliss. Only through the principle of love and its practice, we can recognize and realize the Embodiment of Love. Where is this Love? This love is within us, but we divert this in different ways. We have a variety of sweets, but the same sugar is present in all of them. Similarly, Divine Love is inherent and immanent in everybody; there is no human heart bereft of love. So, we should visualize the love which is in everybody. To teach this path of love, Lord Krishna incarnated who said, "Yadaa, Yadaahi Dharrmasya Glaanir Bhavathi Bharatha; abhyuthaanam adharrmasya, Tadaatmaanam Srujaamyaham - Whenever the hearts of human beings become barren, because of unrighteousness and lovelessness, in order to sow the seeds of love and in order to propagate the principle of love, God incarnates.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

We have to learn Good things from others.

1.We have to learn good things from others. We sow seeds in the ground and provide it with manure and water. The seed sprouts, becomes a sapling and grows into a huge tree. It does not become soil when placed therein, nor manure when it feeds thereon, nor water when it partakes thereof. It only imbibes from each of them whatever it can benefit from them. It grows into what is essentially IT, namely, a huge tree! May you too grow likewise. You have to learn much from others; imbibe about the Supreme and the means of attaining it from even the lowest. Learn from others how to practise progressive sadhana (spiritual exercise) and saturate yourselves with it. But do not be transformed into others.

Inescapable Destiny.

2.A bird in flight in the sky needs two wings; a person on the earth below needs two legs to move; an aspirant eager to attain the mansion of moksha (liberation), the abode of freedom, needs renunciation and wisdom - renunciation of worldly desires and wisdom to become aware of the Atma. When a bird has only one wing, it cannot rise up into the sky. In the same manner, if one has only renunciation or only wisdom, one cannot attain the supreme Self, Brahman. The sense of “mine” is the bond of deluding attachment. How long can one cling to what one fondles as mine? Some day, one has to give up everything and leave, alone and empty handed. This is the inescapable destiny.

Unable to understand secret.

3.It is due to the gift of His Divine Grace that we survive in this world. Every drop of blood coursing through our veins is but a drop from the shower of His Grace. Every muscle is but a lump of His Love. Every bone and cartilage is but a piece of His mercy. It is clear that without Him we are but bags of skin. But, unable to understand this secret, we strut about boasting “I achieved this,” and “I accomplished this.”

Immortal spirit can be discovered.

4There is a technique by which the Immortal Spirit can be discovered. Though it may appear difficult, each step forward makes the next one easier, and a mind that is made ready by discipline can discover the Divine basis of man and creation in a flash. There is no short-cut to this consummation. One has to give up all the tendencies that one has accumulated so far and become light for the journey. Lust, greed, anger, malice, conceit, envy, hate – all these tendencies have to be shed. It is not enough to listen to spiritual discourses and count the number you have listened to. The only thing that counts is practising at least one of those teachings

All activities of Krishna were for the well being of the World.

5.Even the smallest acts of Krishna were saturated with supreme sweetness. Krishna was everyone's dearest kinsman and fastest comrade. The Leelas (Divine Sport) of Krishna are sweet and meaningful. All activities of Krishna were for the well being of the World. His advent was for the uplift of the world from wickedness and unrighteousness. It was also for fulfilling the needs of those who are devoted to Him, for the establishment of righteousness and the revival of the Vedas. Though people caught in the coils of ignorance see the Leelas as self-centered and even motivated by delusion, genuine devotees cherish each one of these as significant and sustaining examples of Grace. The Lord showers Grace on each and every one in such a way that suits the time, the person and their aspirations.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The Divine is the base, and is also the superstructure. The beads are many, but the interconnecting, integrating string of the rosary is one. So also, for the entire world of living beings, God, the permanent, omnipresent parabrahman, the Supreme Divine Consciousness, is the base. “Soham”, “I am God", “He is I”, “I am that” - all these axioms indicate that even those who differentiate themselves under various names and forms are in fact God Himself. This is why the scriptures proclaim, “Brahmavith Brahmaiva Bhavathi” (He who realises Brahman becomes verily Brahman). This awareness of the Divine in oneself is the awareness of the Reality.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba