Thought For the Day

1.In Mahabharatha, Krishna declared to Arjuna that fostering of Dharma is His work. The term Sadhu refers to one who does not deviate from his duty. The wicked revel in creating trouble for such men and in indulging in acts contrary to the injunctions of the scriptures. What then is the establishment of Dharma? It is acting strictly according to the tenets laid down in the scriptures; spreading among people the glory and the splendour of a life lived in Dharma; stabilising reverence towards the holy scriptures, towards God, Avatars and Paramapurushas (evolved souls) and the Sadhana (spiritual practices) that leads to liberation and blessedness beyond this life. It is called Dharma-samsthaapana, Dharmarakshana or Dharmoddhaarana (establishment, protection or reviv al of righteousness). "Whatever I do, it is for this high purpose; nothing is for My own advancement. Those who know this secret can escape birth and death," said Krishna.

2.Remember always that it is easy to do what is pleasant. But it is very difficult to be engaged in what is beneficial. Not all that is pleasant is profitable. Success comes to those who give up the path strewn with roses and brave the hammer blows and sword thrusts of the path fraught with danger. As a matter of fact, no road is strewn with rose petals. Life is a battle field (a Dharmakshetra), where duties and desires are always in conflict. Smother the fiery fumes of desire, of hatred and anger that rise up in your hearts; it is sheer cowardice to yield to these enemies that turn you into beasts. Meet all obstacles with courage. Difficulties make you tough and strong.

3.To feel that the Lord is away, afar or separate from you is Paroksha jnana (indirect knowledge). To feel that the Lord who is immanent in the universe is in you also as the Atman - that is Aparoksha jnana (directly experienced). If all activity is moved by the dedicatory spirit, the Chittha (inner concience) can be rendered pure. Only such can recognise the divine nature of the Lord's birth and actions (Janma and Karma), said Krishna. All cannot so recognise the Divine. Yet no one should avoid contact with the Divine. Also remember that the punishment of the wicked is also part of the Divine Mission. Those who transgress the limits set and indulge in akarma (inaction), anyaya (injustice) and anaachaara (immorality), and roam about caught in the coils of ahamkaara (egoism) will be punished. Utilise every chance given to you to be good and do good. There should not be any lapse on your part.

4.Only those who are free from attachment, hatred, fear and anger; who are immersed in the name and form of the Lord, knowing of no other support than Him; and are sanctified by the knowledge of the Atma, can grasp Divinity. Those who seek the Lord without deviation, possessing Truth, Love and Right Conduct, will attain Him. This is absolutely true; give up any doubt you may have! People render their inner consciousness impure by ignorantly dwelling on the objective world. They take delight in mere sabda, rasa, gandha, (sound, taste, smell) etc. When they seek objective pleasure they are tempted to secure the objects that give pleasure; foiled in the attempt, they get restless, hateful and afraid. Fear robs one of his mental resources. It creates anger that cannot be easily pacified. Thus desire, anger and fear are aro used one after the other and these three must be removed to realize the Lord.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba