Select good company and strive sincerely to reach your goal

The ancient sages who decided upon the many festivals that we celebrate today, had a high purpose in mind when they did so. They want us to imbibe the inner meaning and use each such day as a step in saadhana (spiritual efforts), as a reminder of the journey which each person has to undertake alone to the feet of the Lord. The festival of Dasara for instance, celebrates the victory of the forces of good over the evil ones which resist one’s progress towards love and light. You must remind yourself that the forces of good are combating the forces of evil in every living being, and if they only rely on the great Divine Force that fosters and fends the Universe, they can easily win and reach the goal.

"God resides in the heart of all beings" says Lord Krishna in the Gita. He is not to be found specially in cities like Amarnath, Kashi, Tirupati, Kedar or Gokarna alone. Just as every drop of the ocean has the salty taste, the composition and the name of the ocean, so too every single being has the divine taste, composition, and the name of the Lord. Only you do not realise it so clearly. The river realises itself by reaching the sea; man realises himself by merging in the Absolute. The space encased in the pot must become one with the space that traverses the entire Universe. This can be achieved by the negation of the attachment, which is just an artificial creation of the deluded mind. The inferior status of manhood that now satisfies you, must give place to the status of Reality of God which is the true status.

Have you heard the story of the rabbit that borrowed from Mother Earth four paisa (pence)? The rabbit thought to itself, “If I run away as far as I can, from the place I received the loan, I will be free from the obligation”. So one day, the rabbit ran as fast as its legs could carry it. After a while, it sat down in great relief thinking, “Now no one will ask me to repay.” The rabbit was shocked, for at that very moment, it heard from the ground beneath, “Mother Earth is right under your feet! You cannot escape from me, however fast you run!” So too, you cannot run away from Divinity. Wherever you may go seeking refuge, the Lord demands good conduct, good habits, good thoughts and good company! Make use of this opportunity, accept this noble advice, select good company and strive sincerely to reach your goal! 

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba