1.The task of every Avatar has been to protect the sadhus, punish the wicked and support right conduct (Dharma). By sadhus, I do not mean monks and ascetics alone, as it is generally understood. It means the ones who practice goodness, uprightness and virtue (sadhu-guna). Note that these can be possessed by animals and even insects. The promotion of Sathwa guna (purity) is the best means of fostering sadhus. Being the embodiment of this sacred Guna, the Avatar fosters it wherever people practising virtues are found. Sadhu also implies those persons who do not swerve from their duty, whatever be the temptation or threat. All those who follow right conduct (Sadachara), who are virtuous (Sadsheela), who adhere to truth (Sathya), who yearn for the Divine pre sence (Sannidhi) of the Lord (Sarveswara), who observe Sad-dharma, who consider all (Sarvajana) as equal (Samaana); all of them are dear to Me and deserve My special attention.
2.Service to your fellow beings is more needed than service to the Lord. In fact, serving a person is equal to serving the Lord Himself. That is the path of true devotion. For what greater means can there be to please God than that of pleasing His children? The scripture Purusha Suktha describes God as having a thousand heads, eyes and feet. That is to say, every living being is God. Though there is a mention of a thousand heads, there is no mention of a thousand hearts, there is only one heart. The same blood circulates through all the heads, eyes, feet and limbs. When you tend to the limb, you tend to the individual. When you serve a human being, you serve God. When your goal is to serve and adore God, every step will yield you a spring of joy, and every moment, every opportunity is a valuable gift from Him.
3.Virtuous character is found in Nature, and among the animals and birds as well. In the epic Ramayana, the eagle Jatayu was saved as a result of his virtuous nature (Guna). That is the reason why several monkeys too were given a chance to serve and be blessed with His grace. The same reason prompted the Lord to bless the squirrels who contributed to building the bridge in the epic. A monk or devotee is not made by a string of beads, an ochre robe and a stick in the hand. The clothes one wears and the language one has on the tongue do not decide who is a virtuous person and who is not; it is one’s conduct that settles it. Even animals have the potentiality to be good. Fostering goodness everywhere in everyone is the best means of ensuring the welfare of the world.
4.It is dedication to the Lord that sanctifies all activities. He is the prompter, executor, the giver of the required strength and skill, and the one who enjoys the fruit thereof. So dedication must come naturally to you, for all is His, and nothing is yours! Your duty is to believe that He is the impeller of your activities and draw strength from that belief. Until the wound heals and the new skin hardens, the bandage must protect the place. So too, until reality within is realized, the balm of faith, holy company and holy thoughts must be applied to the ego-affected mind. Develop good habits, mix in the company of the pious, do good deeds and serve those in distress - all these steps will lead you into the glorious path of Self-Knowledge. Take to this discipline from now and save yourselves from grief and distress. I bless that you get the will to do so and to persist until success is won.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
2.Service to your fellow beings is more needed than service to the Lord. In fact, serving a person is equal to serving the Lord Himself. That is the path of true devotion. For what greater means can there be to please God than that of pleasing His children? The scripture Purusha Suktha describes God as having a thousand heads, eyes and feet. That is to say, every living being is God. Though there is a mention of a thousand heads, there is no mention of a thousand hearts, there is only one heart. The same blood circulates through all the heads, eyes, feet and limbs. When you tend to the limb, you tend to the individual. When you serve a human being, you serve God. When your goal is to serve and adore God, every step will yield you a spring of joy, and every moment, every opportunity is a valuable gift from Him.
3.Virtuous character is found in Nature, and among the animals and birds as well. In the epic Ramayana, the eagle Jatayu was saved as a result of his virtuous nature (Guna). That is the reason why several monkeys too were given a chance to serve and be blessed with His grace. The same reason prompted the Lord to bless the squirrels who contributed to building the bridge in the epic. A monk or devotee is not made by a string of beads, an ochre robe and a stick in the hand. The clothes one wears and the language one has on the tongue do not decide who is a virtuous person and who is not; it is one’s conduct that settles it. Even animals have the potentiality to be good. Fostering goodness everywhere in everyone is the best means of ensuring the welfare of the world.
4.It is dedication to the Lord that sanctifies all activities. He is the prompter, executor, the giver of the required strength and skill, and the one who enjoys the fruit thereof. So dedication must come naturally to you, for all is His, and nothing is yours! Your duty is to believe that He is the impeller of your activities and draw strength from that belief. Until the wound heals and the new skin hardens, the bandage must protect the place. So too, until reality within is realized, the balm of faith, holy company and holy thoughts must be applied to the ego-affected mind. Develop good habits, mix in the company of the pious, do good deeds and serve those in distress - all these steps will lead you into the glorious path of Self-Knowledge. Take to this discipline from now and save yourselves from grief and distress. I bless that you get the will to do so and to persist until success is won.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
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