Thought for the Day

Life is like a flight of steps toward the Divine. Your foot is on the first step when you are born; each day is a step that must be climbed. So be steady, watchful and earnest. Do not count the steps ahead or exult over the steps behind. One step at a time, well climbed, is enough success to be satisfied with and to give you encouragement for the next one. Do not slide from the step you have reached. Every step is a victory to be cherished; every day wasted is a defeat to be ashamed of. Slow and steady — let that be your maxim! Adhere to a regular timely routine to repeat the Lord’s Name and meditate. Just as the doctor prescribes a certain fixed quantity of the drug and warns you that anything less is ineffective and anything more is harmful, so too, balance your spiritual exercises. Do not overdo them or do them casually without care.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The root cause of all trouble is the uncontrolled, ill-directed mind. Like when the river Godavari is in floods, it rolls along, causing slips and slides, and devastates vast areas on both banks. Discriminatory wisdom (Viveka) and non-attachment (Vairagya) are the two bunds which tame the mad energy of the flood and lead the raging waters into the sea, which is, after all, the destination the waters seek. How can they be implanted? By the first three primary goals of life: righteousness, wealth, and desire-fulfillment (dharma, artha, and kama). The practice of dharma is the art of living. No attempt need be made to run away from the duties of one’s station and status. Remember, those duties have to be done as worship, as offerings of one’s intelligence, skill, qualities, thoughts and feelings to the feet of the Lord in a spirit of thankfulness for the chance given, without a trace of egoism or a sense of attachment to the fruits of the actions.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Practice the attitude of joy when others are joyful and of grief when others around you are aggrieved. Let your heart move in empathy. But the joy and grief have to be translated into service; they should not be mere emotions. It is not by your wearing the same 'bush coat' that all others wear that you should demonstrate the principle of equality; that is very easy. That is external uniformity. How are all equal? All are equal, because they all have the same Divine Consciousness (Chaitanya) within them. When the Sun rises, not all lotuses in the lake bloom; only the grown buds open their petals. The others await their time. It is the same with people. Differences do exist because of un-ripeness, though all fruits have to ripen and fall someday. Every being has to reach the Goal, however slow they walk or however circuitous their road is!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

There was once a dying man who was pestered by a host of relatives. Parents, wife, children, brothers, sisters - all surrounded his bed during his last moments and wailed. They asked him, "What is to happen to us?" The dying man lifted his head a little from the pillow and asked in return, "What is to happen to me? I am really very interested in that problem, than being worried about what will happen to you." Well, it is better everyone asks that question right now and equips themselves with the answer rather than wait until it is too late. "What am I for?" "What ought I to do?" These are the questions you must pursue and arrive at answers. You are all pilgrims, moving along this land of action (Karmakshetra) to the goal - the land of righteousness (Dharmakshetra). Scholars, poets and teachers are guides who help you along; but, the you must tread the road, every inch of it!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

God incarnates to foster sadhus (noble or saintly ones), it is said. By sadhus, the scriptures do not mean the dwellers in Himalayan retreats; they mean the virtuous person who forms the inner reality of everyone of you, the outer appearance being but a mask which is worn to delude yourself into esteem. Everyone of you is a sadhu, for you are prema swarupa, shanti swarupa and amrutha swarupa (embodiment of love, peace and immortality). But by allowing the crust of ego to grow thick and fast, the real nature is tarnished. By the action of satsang (the company of the God-minded), by systematic attention to self-control and self-improvement, one can overcome the delusion that makes one identify with the body and its needs and cravings. Yama (God of death) can be countered by samyama or control of the senses. When man forgets this fact and starts living as a slave of the senses, God, out of His infinite mercy, comes and guides along the heavenly path into Himself.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

You must be humble, but yet strong to resist temptation. Do not yield like cowards to the sly insinuations of the senses. Your time in this life is to be used not only in the task of collecting information and earning certain skills that will give you an income on which you can live; it must also be used to acquire the art of being content and calm, collected and courageous. Young students must also cultivate an ardent thirst for knowing the truth of the world and of your own self. Your words must be like honey; your hearts must be as soft as butter; your outlook must be like the lamp - illumining, not confusing. Be like the umpire on the football field, watching the game, judging the play according to the rules laid down, and unaffected by success or reverse of this team or that!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

In a bud there is very little fragrance. However, as it grows and blossoms, it automatically acquires very fine fragrance. Likewise, when the human consciousness expands, it will find fullness in the state of Sath-chith-ananda (Truth-Consciousness-Bliss). Starting with the ordinary mind the consciousness rises to the level of the Super-mind. Then it moves up to the state of the Higher Mind. The next higher stage is that of the Illuminated Mind. Through all these stages, the continuing entity remains the same, as in the bodily changes from infancy to old age. That is the Universal Consciousness which is present in everyone - the One in the Many. The Universal Consciousness is the Truth (Satyam). It is the Supreme Wisdom (Jnanam). It is Infinite (Anantam). Ever bearing in mind these triple characteristics of the Divine, strive to achieve the supreme goal of human life. Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Of what avail is the study of the Upanishads and the Gita, if there is no transformation in our thoughts or way of life? There must be the urge to change and progress towards a higher state of consciousness. It is only then we can grasp, to some extent, the relationship between the phenomenal Universe and the Divine. You must examine where your spiritual practices are leading you to. You have to proceed from the purely mental stage to the highest stage of the Over-mind and experience oneness with the Universal Consciousness. You may regard this as extremely difficult. But if you have dedication and perseverance, it is quite easy. There is nothing in the world easier than the spiritual path. But when there is no earnestness, it appears difficult. That is why The Gita has declared: "Shraddhavan labhate Jnanam" (The earnest aspirant acquires the Supreme Wisdom). If you are deeply interested in anything, you will accomplish it.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

You have been endowed with enormous immeasurable talents, skills and powers. But you are using all that to journey towards a poor satellite of the Earth, instead of using it to journey towards the wonderland of your own inner realms; where you can come face to face with God, who is your Inner Reality, the Inner Reality of indeed this entire phenomenal world you so admire. Your body is but a boat, an instrument, for crossing the sea of change, that you have earned through the merit of many generations. When you have crossed the sea, you realise the Dweller in the dwelling. That is the purpose of the body. So even when the body is strong and skilled, even while the intellect is sharp and your mind very alert, you must make every effort to seek the Dweller (Dehi) within your own human body (Deha)

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Your vision that is now turned outward towards the phenomenal universe, should be turned inwards towards the Indwelling Spirit. You must manifest the Divine Consciousness inherent within you. You must submit yourself to that Consciousness as a spiritual discipline. This is called ‘Conscious Realisation of the Inner Divine’. The first task is to develop awareness of the Divinity within you. The next stage is the realisation of the truth that the Divinity within is equally present in all others too. You must recognise that the veil or barrier that appears to separate you from others is born of delusion and every effort should be made to remove it. Only then will it be possible to experience the oneness of all living beings. Gradually the realisation, “I am indeed Divine and this world is contained in Me (Aham Eva Idam Sarvam)” will dawn upon you.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Like the three blades of a fan which must be activated by the current to rotate like one, the three - the cabinet (legislative), the officers (executive) and the people must be activated by the spirit of service, and work joyfully in unison, for the happiness of the people. The three must not be disturbed by mutual envy, greed, hate or malice; they must be activated by love and sympathy. Sahana (forbearance) is the lubrication needed. There is no love and sympathy even between the members of a household. Kali yuga has become Kalaha yuga, the era of wrangling and wars. Even while foes are surrounding this country, there is wild hate between one state and another, claiming 'this bit of land is mine', 'that bit of land cannot be yours', forgetting that both are limbs of the same body. Similar is the fate of nations too. Integration of hearts can come about only through the recognition of the oneness of all, and the renunciation of sensory pursuits.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Like the three blades of a fan which must be activated by the current to rotate like one, the three - the cabinet (legislative), the officers (executive) and the people must be activated by the spirit of service, and work joyfully in unison, for the happiness of the people. The three must not be disturbed by mutual envy, greed, hate or malice; they must be activated by love and sympathy. Sahana (forbearance) is the lubrication needed. There is no love and sympathy even between the members of a household. Kali yuga has become Kalaha yuga, the era of wrangling and wars. Even while foes are surrounding this country, there is wild hate between one state and another, claiming 'this bit of land is mine', 'that bit of land cannot be yours', forgetting that both are limbs of the same body. Similar is the fate of nations too. Integration of hearts can come about only through the recognition of the oneness of all, and the renunciation of sensory pursuits.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The Universe itself is a university in which every human being is a student. Every student here pursues one subject and acquires a degree. Each one may choose a subject of one’s liking. But whatever different subjects they may study, there is one thing common to all of them, one common pursuit and goal: to obtain the degree of Divine Love. In the cosmic university, though there are scientific, political, economic and other studies, what is fundamental to all of them is the spiritual knowledge. Even in the spiritual field there are special subjects. There is one group which may be described as the five D's: Dedication, Devotion, Discipline, Discrimination and Determination. Those who have mastered the five D's are qualified to receive God's love.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The Universe itself is a university in which every human being is a student. Every student here pursues one subject and acquires a degree. Each one may choose a subject of one’s liking. But whatever different subjects they may study, there is one thing common to all of them, one common pursuit and goal: to obtain the degree of Divine Love. In the cosmic university, though there are scientific, political, economic and other studies, what is fundamental to all of them is the spiritual knowledge. Even in the spiritual field there are special subjects. There is one group which may be described as the five D's: Dedication, Devotion, Discipline, Discrimination and Determination. Those who have mastered the five D's are qualified to receive God's love.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The Universe itself is a university in which every human being is a student. Every student here pursues one subject and acquires a degree. Each one may choose a subject of one’s liking. But whatever different subjects they may study, there is one thing common to all of them, one common pursuit and goal: to obtain the degree of Divine Love. In the cosmic university, though there are scientific, political, economic and other studies, what is fundamental to all of them is the spiritual knowledge. Even in the spiritual field there are special subjects. There is one group which may be described as the five D's: Dedication, Devotion, Discipline, Discrimination and Determination. Those who have mastered the five D's are qualified to receive God's love.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The tree of life must be watered at the roots. Instead, in the present times, those who plan to raise the standard of living are watering the branches, the leaves and the blossoms! Virtues are your roots. You must foster them, so that the flowers of actions, words and thoughts may bloom in fragrance and yield the fruits of service (seva), full of the sweet juice of joy and bliss (Ananda). Planning for food, clothing and shelter is only promoting the wellbeing of the cart; you must also plan for the horse, the mind of the man, which has to use all the expensive food, the beautiful clothing and the wonderful shelter and other material possessions you acquire. Train your mind, for the high and noble purpose of escaping from the ego into the Universal. Regulations must come from within, not from external sources. You must control yourself through your own innate strength.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The future of the country depends on the skill and sincerity of youth. Therefore, the necessary enthusiasm and encouragement must be generated amongst the youth. All my hopes are based on the students, the youth. They are very dear to Me. They are faultless; it is the parents and the school that are at fault for all the waywardness and violence. They lead them into wrong directions. Embodiments of Love, instead of filling your heads with facts and figures, fill your heart with love and light. Have confidence in the vast powers of the soul (Atma), which is your reality. Have faith in the grace of God, which you can secure by prayer. Mutual respect can be built on the faith that all are children of God and all are Divine. With this foundation, you will get cooperation and enthusiasm for work. All of you must do your best, fully knowing your duty and responsibilities.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

If the development of the moral and spiritual resources is neglected, remember, you are choosing to ignore the provision of peace and happiness. Happiness and peace do not automatically follow when a person is fed well, clothed well, housed well and even educated to a high standard and employed under comfortable conditions with no injury to health or security. There are millions who have these in plenty and are yet worried in pain or are highly discontented. Happiness and peace depend on the inner equipment of people, not on their outer skill or riches. All of you are fundamentally divine, and so, naturally, the more you manifest the Divine attributes of Love, Justice, Truth and Peace, the more joy you will be able to impart and enjoy yourself! If you choose to manifest less of the divine attributes, the more ashamed you ought to be, for you are living counter to your own heritage!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

All the diseases which afflict a person are the result of agitations in the mind. The enormous growth of disease in the world today is due to the loss of peace of mind. The mind has three kinds of capabilities. One is Anekagrata (a wandering mind). Another is Sunyata (vacancy, emptiness) and the third is Ekagrata (single-pointed concentration). Sunyata is the state in which the mind goes to sleep when something edifying is being said. The mind is unresponsive to what is good and beneficial. Such a state of mind is called Tamasic (slothful). It is the blindness of ignorance. Anekagrata is an equally undesirable mental state. It too is degrading; the mind is like the turbulent Ganga. It has to be restrained by the use of brakes, as in a fast-moving vehicle. Dhyana (meditation) is the brake devised for the control of the mind. For one-pointed concentration, peace is most essential.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Love for God is devotion. Devotion is not something objective and concrete – it is an inner experience which springs from the heart. As you think, so you become. Hence, your heart must be filled with good feelings. Your senses must be engaged in good actions. When your eyes are turned towards God, all creations appear as Divine embodiments. When your eyes have an issue, you have distorted or unclear vision. When they are corrected and you wear the right spectacles, you can see everything clearly. Everything in the Universe testifies to the glory of the Lord. Learn to treat every experience as a gift of the Divine. When your hearts are filled with the love of God, all your feelings will be sanctified with love, other undesirable thoughts automatically drop out. Often devotees pray to the Lord to come and reside in their pure and tranquil hearts. Where the heart is impure then is no room for God.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

On Sankranti the Sun-God begins his northward journey, the Uttarayana. It journeys towards the Himalayas in the north, the beautiful abode of Lord Shiva. The heart should be regarded as the abode of the Lord and the vision should be turned to experience the Divine. The human heart itself symbolises the Himalayas as the abode of purity and peace. The Sun's northward journey is a pointer to the path you must take to realise God. In addition, the Sun is a supreme example of selfless and tireless service. The world cannot survive without the Sun. Life on earth is possible only because of the Sun. Thus the Sun God teaches every being the lesson of humble devotion to duty with dedication, without any conceit. Doing one's duty is the greatest Yoga, says Lord Krishna in The Gita.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The Sankranti festival should be regarded as the day on which you turn your vision towards God. Your life can be compared to a stalk of sugarcane. Like the cane, which is hard and has many knots, life is full of difficulties. Never allow yourself to be overwhelmed by difficulties. Overcome the vicissitudes of life with forbearance and enjoy the sweet bliss of the Divine. Just as sugarcane is crushed and its juice converted into jaggery to enjoy the permanent sweetness of jaggery, enduring bliss can be got only by overcoming trials and tribulations. I address devotees as Bangaru (Golden one), because I consider you as very precious. Gold cannot be made into an attractive jewel without its transformation through the process of melting in a crucible and being beaten into the required shape. Develop self-confidence. Have firm faith in God. With unshakeable faith, dedicate yourself to the service of your fellow-beings and lead exemplary lives.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

This month, known as Pushyamasa, according to the Hindu almanac is noted for the peacefulness, prosperity and joy which it brings with it. Hence it is regarded with special distinction. Unless people give up their bad thoughts and actions, the month, however great in itself, will be of no avail. Be loving even towards those who hate you. Control your anger and other evil tendencies. The observance of Uttarayana (the northward movement of the Sun which is considered auspicious) should be marked by spiritual transformation of the people and not by lavish feasting and revelry. You should realise how much you owe to God for all the benefits you enjoy in life which are really gifts from Him, including the air you breathe and the water you drink. Should you not be grateful to God for all this? Without gratitude, life is meaningless.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

What students need today are three things: Spirit of Sacrifice, Devotion to God and Love for the Motherland. It is because people are filled with pride, selfishness and self-interest, they are ceasing to be human. For this, the first requirement is the elimination of ‘my’ and ‘mine’. The readiness to sacrifice one’s pleasure and comforts for the sake of one’s motherland must be promoted amongst one and all. When there are many noble-minded, and spiritually-oriented youth and students, nations will automatically achieve peace and security. You must develop self-reliance and self-confidence. Adhere to the basic qualities of truth, righteousness, forbearance and self-sacrifice. These are common to all people, without regard for nationality, creed or language. Cultivate a broad outlook, based on the fact that Divine is present in everyone. There is nothing that you cannot accomplish if you have firm faith in God and earn God’s Grace.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

It is clear that originally sports activities have been promoted in the interests of health and strength. People eagerly took part in games for the improvement of their physique and to provide entertainment to the public. Sports form an integral part of the scheme of studies in all our institutions, along with various academic subjects like Maths, Physics and Chemistry. Not only should there be participation, but there should also be a greater awareness and appreciation of the philosophy and principles governing the sports and games. The aim in sports should not be victory by any means, fair or foul. Whoever may win, others should greet it with fraternal feelings. The rules of the game should be strictly observed. Prizes do not matter. What is important is the sense of self-satisfaction derived from playing the game well.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

All are children of God. He is the sole Lord of mankind. People may seem to differ in their names and forms, and in their beliefs and practices. But the parent is One alone. Recognition of this basic truth of oneness is Brahmajnana (Knowledge of the Absolute). This knowledge is not gained by studying the scriptures and holding metaphysical discussions. What has to be recognised is the truth that every being in the universe is an embodiment of the Supreme. Awareness of the unity that subsumes the diversity is the highest knowledge. Mere bookish lore is of no avail. All religions have taught what is good, and all should lead a righteous life based on this knowledge. If the minds are pure, how can any religion be bad? All the religions are different paths, leading to one and the same destination. All devotees should experience this truth and live up to it in their daily lives, setting an example to the rest of the world. Their devotion should not be artificial. They should adhere to the right path, lead righteous lives and thereby experience enduring bliss. Only then will their spiritual effort be fruitful. 

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The person with Rajo Guna (the passionate quality), is one who is excessively happy when what is desired for is got. The ego gets fully inflated thereupon. If their desires are not fulfilled, they tend to develop hatred. Thus, for a person overwhelmed with Rajasic qualities, whether their desires are fulfilled or not, the effects are not good. Such persons are often consumed by anger and bitterness. Rajasic qualities make a person hot-blooded and hot tempered. When the Rajo Guna is strong, it arouses anger and hatred in a person, excites their blood and turns their eyes red. When Satwa Guna is filled in a person, they become pure. It becomes a redeeming quality when they perform meritorious actions with a pure heart, and do them as an offering to the Divine. At birth you may be ignorant, but when you leave this world, you must work hard to leave it as a realised soul (Jnani).

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

As the Universe is constituted by the three attributes or Gunas (Satwa, Rajas and Tamas) and is permeated by them, the first stage in spiritual practice is to put an end to the Tamo Guna, which is characterised by foolish obstinacy (moorkatwa). When filled with inertia of this guna, the person exhibits dull intelligence and is inclined to indulge in meaningless questioning and argumentativeness. Instead, study every issue deeply and then draw conclusions. Only then your experience will be rewarding. The Tamasic person is incapable of perceiving the truth and cannot realise the Divine. Such a person will be caught in the endless cycle of birth and death. Avoid endless verbal debate over every trivial matter. Such controversies result in only provoking bitterness, instead of harmony. It will not serve you to realise the truth.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Daty

Along with an account in this bank (Swami was inaugurating a bank branch in Puttaparthi), you must take care to have an account in God’s Bank too. This bank will not give loans to all and sundry; its help is only for those who are creditworthy, who have impressed by their industry and integrity that they will make good use of the money and keep their word. That other Bank too will save those from distress and grief who have truth, righteousness, peace and love. This bank will help only in proportion to the deposits that stand in your name; that Bank too deals like that. The consequences of the meritorious activities of previous births can be drawn upon now; but unless you have them, no cheque will be honoured. Moreover, each must have a separate account in one’s own name; one brother cannot draw on the account of another brother or the wife cannot draw on the account of the husband.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
 

Thought for the Day

As the Universe is constituted by the three attributes or Gunas (Satwa, Rajas and Tamas) and is permeated by them, the first stage in spiritual practice is to put an end to the Tamo Guna, which is characterised by foolish obstinacy (moorkatwa). When filled with inertia of this guna, the person exhibits dull intelligence and is inclined to indulge in meaningless questioning and argumentativeness. Instead, study every issue deeply and then draw conclusions. Only then your experience will be rewarding. The Tamasic person is incapable of perceiving the truth and cannot realise the Divine. Such a person will be caught in the endless cycle of birth and death. Avoid endless verbal debate over every trivial matter. Such controversies result in only provoking bitterness, instead of harmony. It will not serve you to realise the truth.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Many banks in this world have safe deposit vaults where customers can keep their valuables, jewels, legal documents, etc. to protect them from thieves; they can then be free from worry and sleep in peace. The Bank dealing with spiritual accounts too has a safe deposit vault. Consign to that vault, to the care of the Lord, your jewels of intelligence, cleverness, ability to serve, and the gem that you value the most, namely your ego. Then you will be happy. In the Gita, Lord Krishna invites, “Surrender to Me alone (Maam Ekam Sharanam Vraja)”. If you do so, He assures you, “You need not grieve at all (Ma Shuchah)”. The normal banks deal with dhanam (money) which can be earned by anyone; even black marketeers and dacoits, crooks and pirates can amass this wealth. But that dhanam which is acceptable in the Spiritual Bank comes only to those who struggle to be virtuous and detached, humble and holy.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

இளை­ய­ரா­ஜா­வின் உரத்த சிந்­த­னை­கள் :

சாதி, மதம், மொழி பா­கு­பாடு :

நான் ஜாதி, மதங்­க­ளுக்கு அப்­பாற்­பட்­ட­வன், எதி­ரா­ன­வன். மொழிப் பாகு­பாடு எனக்­கில்லை. எனக்­குத் தெரிந்­த­தெல்­லாம் இசை என்ற ஒரே மொழி­தான். சங்­கீ­தத்­தில் ஈடு­பாடு கொண்டு லயித்­துப் பாடு­கின்­ற­வர்­க­ளுக்கு நான் சந்­தர்ப்­பம் தரு­கி­றேன். எந்த மொழிக்­கா­ரர்­கள் பாடு­கி­றார்­கள் என்­பது எனக்கு முக்­கி­யம் அல்ல. எப்­ப­டிப் பாடு­கி­றார்­கள் என்­பதுதான் எனக்கு முக்­கி­யம்.

அவ­னும் இசை­ய­மைப்­பா­ளனே!

வயல் காட்­டில்­வேலை செய்து கொண்­டி­ருக்­கும் ஓர் எளிய மனி­தன், தன் களைப்­புத் தெரி­யா­மல் இருப்­ப­தற்­கா­கச் செய்­யும் வேலை­யில் லயித்­துப் போய்ப்­பா­டு­கி­றானே, அது­வும் சங்­கீ­தம்­தான். அவ­னும் ஒரு விதத்­தில் இசை­ய­மைப்­பா­ளன்­தான்.

நானும் ஒழுக்­க­மும்!

கட­வுள் பக்தி, ஒழுக்­கம் ஆகி­ய­வற்­றில் நான் மேன்மை பெற்­றி­ருக்­கி­றேன் என்று யார் சொன்­னது?.

பிறர் கண்­க­ளுக்கு நான் ஒழுக்­க­முள்­ள­வ­னாக இருப்­ப­தில் பிர­யோ­ஜ­ன­மில்லை. எனக்கு ஒழுக்­க­மாக நான் நடந்­தால்­தான், நான் உயர்ந்­த­வன், மேன்மை பெற்­ற­வன். நீங்­கள் ஒரு மாதி­ரி­யான பாடல்­க­ளுக்கு இசை­ய­மைக்­க­லாமா என்று கேட்­கி­றார்­கள். கட­வுள்தானே இந்த ஒரு மாதி­ரி­யான எண்­ணத்தை நமது தாய் தந்­தைக்­குக் கொ­டுத்து நம்­மைப் பி­றக்க வைத்­தார்? அவரே என்னை இதற்கு இசை­யும் அமைக்­கச்­சொன்­னால் அதைக் குறை சொல்­வ­தற்கு நாம் யார்?

யார் சங்­கீ­தக்­கா­ரன்?

புதிய இசை வடி­வத்­தால்­தான் ஒரு­வன் நல்ல சங்­கீ­தக் கலை­ஞனா, என்­றால், அவர்­கள் என்ன, எந்­தக் கொம்­ப­னுமே ‘சரி­க­ம­ப­தநி’ என்ற ஒரு வட்­டத்­துக்­குள்­ளே­தான் சுற்­றி­யாக வேண்­டும். சங்­கீ­தக்­கா­ரன் எவ­னும் முழு­மை­யான சங்­கீ­தத்தை உணர்ந்­த­வ­னல்­லன்.

சங்­கீ­தம் சப்­தத்­துக்­குள் அடங்­கும். சப்­தத்­தின் மூலம் எது என்று உணர்ந்­த­வன்­தான் சங்­கீ­தக்­கா­ரன். தனக்கு சங்­கீ­தம் தெரிந்­து­விட்­டது என்று நிச்­ச­ய­மாக ஒருவன் அறிந்­து­விட்­டா­னே­யா­னால், அவன் பாடவோ, இசைக்­கவோ ஒரு­வ­னுக்­குச்­சொல்­லிக்­கொ­டுக்­கவே மாட்­டான். இசை தெரிந்­த­வன் ஏன் பாட வேண்­டும்? தனக்­குப் பு­கழ், பணம் தேட, அல்­லது தனக்கு இவ்­வ­ளவு தெரி­யும் என்­று­மற்­ற­வர்­க­ளுக்­குக்­காட்டி அவர்­க­ளு­டைய நன்­ம­திப்பு என்ற கர்­வத்தை அடைய. சீச்சீ! இது சங்­கீ­தக்­கா­ர­னின் இலக்­க­ணம் இல்லை பொன்­னுக்­கும், பொரு­ளுக்­கும். புக­ழுக்­கும் ஆசைப்­ப­டு­வ­து­ சங்­கீ­தம் என்று நீங்­கள் சொல்­ல­லாம். உல­கமே சொல்லலாம். ஊஹூம்....நான் சொல்ல மாட்­டேன்.....

எச்­சில் ப­டாத இசை!

நான் விரும்­பும் இசை­யா­னது எச்­சில் படாத இசை, எவ­ரும் தொடாத இசை, எவர் நினை­வி­னா­லும் கூடக்­க­ளங்­கப்­ப­டாத இசை, மவுனமே நான் விரும்­பும் இசை.

பாடல் உரு­வா­வது எப்­படி?

நான் எப்­படி ஒரு பாடலை உரு­வாக்­கு­கி­றேன்? ஆற்று நீர் எப்­படி ஊற்­றெ­டுத்து ஓடு­கி­றதோ, அப்­படி! ஏரி நீர் காற்­றில் எப்­படி சிலு­சி­லுக்­கி­றதோ, அப்­படி! கடல் நீரில் அலை­கள் எவ்­வாறு ஆர்ப்­ப­ரிக்­கின்­ற­னவோ அப்­படி! பற­வை­கள் சிறு சிறகை விரித்­துப் பறப்­ப­தெப்­ப­டியோ, அப்­படி! இவை­யெல்­லாம் உரு­வாக்­கப்­பட்­டது எப்­ப­டியோ, அப்­ப­டியே பாட­லும் உரு­வா­கி­றது. ஒரு வித்­தி­யா­சம் சர்க்­கஸ்­கா­ர­னின் முன்­னால் பழக்­கி­வைக்­கப்­பட்ட விலங்கு எப்­படி ஆணைக்­குட்­பட்டு வேலை­க­ளைச்­செய்­கி­றதோ, அந்த நிலை­யில்­தான் நான் இருக்­கி­றேன். ஆட்­டு­விக்­கி­றார்­கள், ஆடு­கி­றேன். மக்­களோ கைதட்­டு­கி­றார்­கள்.

இத்தகைய உயர்ந்த சிந்தனை கொண்ட
 நம் இசைஞானி இளையராஜா அவர்கள்
வாழும் நாட்களில் நாமும் வாழ்வது தான்
நம் பாக்கியம் அல்லவா? .
இசையில் மட்டுமல்லாமல் தன் சொந்த வாழ்க்கையிலும் நற்பண்புகள் பல கொண்டு வாழ்க்கை முழுவதும் இசைக்காகவே வாழும் நம் இசைஞானி
என்றுமே ராஜா தான்.

நன்றி. ..தினமலர். ..
கிறிஸ்டினா. ..

Thought for the Day

Desires for worldly objects can plunge you into endless misery. Desires are like a green pumpkin which will sink in water. A desireless person is like a dried pumpkin that floats in water; such people will be able to overcome the pulls of the mundane world and also aspire for a divine life. They may not be particular about liberation, but they will never give up devotion. God looks after the progress and well-being of such a person, here in this world and thereafter, only because they are desireless and are detached, with all their thoughts centered on God. To secure the grace of the Divine in this way is truly the best spiritual practice (yoga). To preserve such hard-won grace is the best way to ensure your well-being (kshemam). It can be got only through grace-filled human effort. Some spiritual exercises are indeed necessary for this purpose.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

All of you accumulate money with great care, by thousands of acts of denial; denying yourself this comfort or that convenience, saving every possible way, spending less and earning more! But a day comes when you must leave this pile and go empty handed. Instead of accumulating money and depositing it in worldly banks, open an account today with God’s Bank. It receives deposits and maintains accounts strictly and confidentially. Every little sum is accounted for – your deeds, thoughts, words, whether good, bad or indifferent. No son or daughter can sue for that wealth; no tax-gatherer can lay his hands on it. No crook can transfer it to his purse. Open a deposit account there for your prosperity here and hereafter. That deposit, growing by your spiritual efforts, will give you joy and peace. While you should develop this saving habit here, for the sake of old age and a rainy day, it is necessary you develop ‘that saving habit’ for the hereafter, so that you may be saved.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Time is an embodiment of God. Hence one of God’s many names is Samvatsara. Because Time is the essential spirit of God, God is known as Kalatmaka. God is also called as the Lord of Aeons (Yugadi-krit) because He creates and dissolves aeons like Krita, Dwapara and Kali Yuga. Because He contains everything within Himself and protects them, God is also called Kalagarbha (The One who is the womb of Time). Embodiments of Love! Firm faith in God's name will ward off the portents indicated by the planetary conjunctions in the New Year. There may be indications of various kinds of conflicts, dangers and disasters during the year, but many joyous events are also likely. God always protects the wise and virtuous. I advise the devotees to carry on their duties in a spirit of dedication, with firm faith in God.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

You just now bid farewell to last year (2016) and welcomed a New Year (2017). There is an intimate relationship between the two. We give farewell to one and welcome the other. In the same spirit, bid farewell to your bad qualities and welcome good and divine qualities. Offer all your bad qualities to God; it is nothing wrong. Only God can accept them and bestow His grace on you to foster good qualities. For example, if you have a soiled, torn and defaced hundred rupee currency note, no one will accept it. But, if the number is intact, the Reserve Bank will accept it and replace it with a valid currency of same value. Similarly God alone will accept the bad qualities, provided they are offered with sincere devotion and repentance, and will then shower His Grace on you.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba