Thought for the Day

The third flower that God loves the most is the flower of compassion (daya) towards all living creatures. Live in amity with everyone, but do not have too much connection with people. The fourth special and significant flower that God dearly loves is that of forbearance (Kshama). The Pandavas suffered a lot at the hands of the Kauravas. But never did Dharmaraja lose forbearance. It was the virtue of forbearance that always won for Pandavas the protection of Krishna and made them an ideal to the rest of the world. God loves the offering of ever-blooming flowers of nonviolence, sense-control, compassion and forbearance (ahimsa, indriyanigraha, daya and kshama). God will be pleased with you and confer boons on you only when you offer Him the ‘flowers’ which are dear to Him. No benefit accrues from offering flowers, which fade and decay everyday. 

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Today science has advanced to a great extent! Human beings have undertaken space travel. People want to know what is there in space, they are curious to know what is there in the moon and even wish to travel to the Sun. But what is the use? First recognise the Divinity within yourself. Open the doors of your heart. Develop love more and more. Understand the truth. Experience God. There lies the bliss. It is very easy to know God, but very few understand this. You must make every effort to understand the immanent Divinity. The divinity within is covered by ego and anger. Therefore, it is said, real knowledge dawns only when attachment is destroyed (Moham hithva punar vidya). Where does this attachment come from? Excessive desires lead to attachment. You will experience divinity everywhere when you enquire deep within! 

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Keep away from impure listening, impure acts, impure words and impure thoughts.

Think for a while, what benefit will you gain by listening to gossip and talking unnecessarily about unsacred things? Nothing! In fact, you will be polluting your heart in the process. All that you see and hear gets imprinted on your heart. Once your heart is polluted, your life will become meaningless. The other day, while speaking to the devotees from Visakhapatnam, I quoted this example: “Human heart is like a pen. The colour of the words that you write will be the same as the colour of the ink in the pen.” Hence, teach your ears to listen to the stories of the Lord instead of listening to vain gossip. Only when you fill your heart with selfless love, all that you think, say and do will be suffused with love. Remember, God expects you to fill your heart with love and lead a sacred life.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Embodiments of Love! Why should you search for God when He is everywhere? You are God! All spiritual practices (Sadhana) will go in vain if you do not know your true identity. First know who you are! Instead of asking others, “Who are you?” better ask yourself, “Who am I?” You say, “This is my book!” Who is this ‘I’? This feeling of ‘I, my’ is illusion (maya). All this is matter. All this is negative. You are the master of this material world. Master your mind and be a mastermind. You should make every effort to know your true identity. To know your true self, first give up body attachment. When you say, “this is my handkerchief,” ‘you’ are separate from your ‘handkerchief’. Similarly, when you say, “this is my body, my mind”, are you not separate from the body and the mind? The question that still remains is, “who am I?” Constant enquiry on these lines would lead you to Self-realisation.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Offer to God the flower of sense control (indriya nigraha). All spiritual practices will prove futile if you lack sense control. Lack of sense control is the main cause of all the unrest and agitation that you find in the world today. How can you control the senses? First, you should exercise control over the tongue. You must control your tongue as it always craves for a variety of delicacies. Ask this question, “O tongue, how many bags of rice, wheat and vegetables have you devoured! How many delicacies have you consumed! Fie on you if you are still not satisfied!” Eat only to satisfy your hunger and sustain the body. Do not give undue importance to taste. Likewise, tell your eyes to see God instead of watching unsacred things on the television or media. Teach your ears to listen to the stories of the Lord instead of listening to vain gossip.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

இளையராஜா இசைக்குழுவில் இருக்கும் ஒரே பெண் வயலினிஸ்ட் அனிதா பிரான்ஸிஸ் ஜார்ஜ்.

இளையராஜாவின் இசையில் வயலினுக்குப் பிரதானமான இடம் உண்டு. இளையராஜா இசைக்குழுவில் இருக்கும் ஒரே பெண் வயலினிஸ்ட் அனிதா பிரான்ஸிஸ் ஜார்ஜ்.

சுமார் 35 ஆண்டுகளாக இளையராஜாவின் இசைக்குழுவில் தொடர்ந்து வாசித்து வருபவர்.

“ ஐந்து வயதில் கற்றுக்கொள்ள ஆரம்பிச்சது பியானோதான். அதன் பிறகு, ஐந்தாறு வருஷங்கள் கழித்தே வயலின் வாசிக்க அப்பா கற்றுக்கொடுத்தார்.

கே.வி.மகாதேவன், ராஜா சாரிடம் அப்பா செல்லோ வாசித்திருக்கிறார். ரொம்பப் பாசமாக இருந்தாலும் வயலின் கற்றுக்கொடுக்கும்போது கறாரான குருவாகிவிடுவார் அப்பா.

இப்போது யோசித்தால் அதுதான் என்னை நல்லா வாசிக்க வைக்கிறது என நினைக்கிறேன்.
மலையாளத்தில் ஷ்யாம் சாரிடமும், பின் உபேந்திராவிடமும் வயலின் வாசித்தேன்.”

“இளையராஜா குழுவில் இடம்பெற்றது எப்போது?”

“அப்பாதான் ராஜா சாரிடம் அழைத்துச்சென்றார். ‘யாரிடமாவது வாசித்திருக்கிறாயா?’ என்று கேட்டார் ராஜா சார். இருவரிடம் வாசித்ததைக் கூறியதும், ‘ஓகே… பார்த்துக்கலாம்’ என்று சொன்னார்.

அதேபோல அடுத்த ஒரே வாரத்தில் அவர் குழுவில் சேர்த்துக்கொண்டார். முதன்முதலாக, ராஜா சாரின் ரெக்கார்டிங் சென்ற நாளை மறக்கவே முடியாது.

மனசில் சந்தோஷம் இருந்தாலும் பயமும் இருந்தது. கூடவே, அப்பாவின் உடல்நிலை பற்றிய கவலையும்.

எங்க வீட்டின் வருமானம் அப்பா சம்பாத்தியத்தின் மூலமே வந்துகொண்டிருந்தது. அவருக்கு உடல்நிலை சரியில்லாமல் போனதும் அந்தப் பொறுப்பு என்னிடம் வந்தது.

அந்த நேரத்தில் ராஜா சார் என்னைச் சேர்த்துக்கொண்டது எங்கள் குடும்பத்துக்கு பெரிய உதவியாக இருந்தது. அது இன்று வரையிலும் தொடர்கிறது.”
"ராஜா சார் எங்கள் குடும்பத்திற்கு தெய்வம் மாதிரி"

“பாடல் பதிவின்போது என்ன மாதிரியான சூழல் இருக்கும்?”

“ராஜா சார் ரொம்பவும் ஸ்ட்ரிக்ட். அவர், மியூசிக் நோட்ஸ் கொடுத்ததும் நாங்க பிராக்டீஸ் பண்ண ஆரம்பித்துவிடுவோம்.

அதன்பின் ரிகர்சல், ரெக்கார்டிங் எனப் பரபரப்பாக இருக்கும். பக்கத்தில் இருப்பவர்களிடம்கூடப் பேச நேரம் இருக்காது.

அவர் நோட்ஸ் எழுதும்போது, அருவியில் இருந்து நீர் கொட்டுவதுபோல எழுதுவார். சின்னத் திருத்தம்கூட இல்லாமல் எழுதுவதைப் பார்க்கும்போது பிரமிப்பா இருக்கும்.

அந்த நோட்ஸ் வாசித்து முடித்து, கேட்கும்போது வேறு உலகத்துக்கே அழைச்சுட்டுப் போயிடும்.”

“இளையராஜா கொடுத்த சர்ப்பரைஸ்…”

“நான் பியோனா எக்ஸாமுக்குத் தயார் ஆவதற்காகக் காலை 6 மணிக்கே ஸ்டூடியோவுக்குச் சென்று பிராக்டீஸ் செய்வேன்.

இதை ராஜா சார் கவனிச்சிருப்பாங்கனு நினைக்கிறேன். அதனால், பின்னணி இசையில் சின்ன பிட் பியோனா வாசிக்க வாய்ப்பு கொடுத்தார்.

அதை நான் எதிர்பார்க்கவே இல்லை. அப்புறம், இசை நிகழ்ச்சிக்காக அமெரிக்கா சென்றிருந்தபோது, எல்லோரையும் அறிமுகப்படுத்தும்போது, என்னை ‘மைக்கேலின் பொண்ணு அனிதா’ என்று சொன்னார்.

அவ்வளவு வருடங்கள் கழித்தும் அப்பாவை மறக்காமல் சொன்னபோது, என்னை அறியாமல் அழுது விட்டேன அவ்வளவு சந்தோஷமாக இருந்தது. ஒரு சால்வை போர்த்தினாங்க. அதை ரொம்ப ரொம்பப் பத்திரமாக வைத்திருக்கிறேன்”

“இளையராஜா குழுவில் நீங்கள் மட்டுமே பெண் கலைஞர் இல்லையா?”

“வயலின் குழுவில் நான் மட்டும்தான் பெண். ஆனா, இந்தப் பேதம் எல்லாம் வேலை செய்யும் இடத்தில் தெரியாத அளவுக்கு நல்ல சூழல் இருக்கிறது.

“ஒரு வரியில் இளையராஜாவைப் பற்றிச் சொல்வதென்றால்…”

“என்னைப் பொறுத்தவரை இசை என்றாலே அவர்தான். என் வாழ்விலும் இசைப் பயணத்திலும் அவர் கடவுள்!”

Thought for the Day

Today man has taken to many paths to acquire wisdom. All the knowledge that one has acquired is not true knowledge in the strict sense of the term. Knowledge of the spirit, Atmic knowledge, is the true knowledge. That is Brahma Jnana (Knowledge of the Divine). Work, worship, and wisdom - all begin with service. No matter what service it is, if it is done with love and divine feelings, it becomes worship (upasana). What is wisdom? All actions related to our senses, the fleeting objects of the material world,speak of our ignorance. Wisdom dawns the moment the mind is withdrawn. The thoughtless state between two consecutive thoughts is Brahma Jnana. You are not able to experience this thoughtless state of Brahman and are carried away by fleeting, ephemeral, and momentary things. True wisdom dawns when all thoughts are decimated. Bhagawan's philosophy requires you to practice unity in work, worship, and wisdom.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Embodiments of Love! God does not expect you to perform rituals nor study the scriptures. All that He desires from you is eight types of ‘flowers’. The flower of ahimsa (nonviolence) is the first of the eight flowers you should offer to God. Nonviolence means not causing harm to any living creature in thought, word or deed. Doctors perform surgeries on patients to cure them of their ailments. During surgery, doctors cut the body with a knife. You cannot call it an act of violence because it is beneficial to the patient. Some people argue that even cutting vegetables is an act of violence because the vegetables and trees have life in them. No doubt, vegetables and trees have life, but they do not have the mind. Consequently, they do not suffer any pain. One with the mind experiences pain and pleasure. Humans, animals, birds and insects are endowed with the mind, not the trees and vegetables.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The world is one vast society. Every individual in it is part of this society, bound to it by the love that draws an individual to another, to be kith and kin. This love is there, deep in the heart of every individual. Only, it is unrecognised, ignored, doubted, denied, and argued away. It is the secret source of all empathy and service; it creates the urge to live in and for society. It is Universal Love (Vishwa-Prema) that flows from one spark of the Divine to all sparks. When the eyes shine illumined by the highest wisdom, Jnana, they see all as One. Then the individual realises - Sarvam Brahmamayam Jagath (All is pervaded by Divinity in this apparently changing and transforming world). To experience this One revealed as present in all, at all times, you must develop faith and discipline your mind. Your mind must shed its fancies and foibles; then you will know and experience the Truth.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

At times you may feel weak because you yield to anger and sorrow much more easily than others. I ask you to take extra pains to overcome these two. Repetition of the Lord’s Name is the best antidote for this, and if only all of you would take it up, the Lord would rush to your rescue. Never hate or feel envy towards anyone. Pardon the other person’s faults but deal harshly with your own! The Lord’s Name will instill the faith that everything is God’s Will and teach that you have no right to exult or despair. When you go to a doctor, you must take the prescribed medicine and follow the advice and instructions. There is no use blaming the doctor if you default. How can the doctor cure you if you do not take the medicine or stick to the dietary regulations? Do as I say, follow My advice, and then observe the result.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The greatest disease is the absence of peace. So everyone who craves for good health must pay attention to the emotions, feelings and motives that animate you. Just as you give clothes for a wash, you have to wash the mind free from dirt again and again; otherwise the dirt accumulates to form a habit, then it is difficult for the washerman as well as harmful to the clothes. Cleaning should be a daily process; you should see that no dirt settles upon the mind. That requires you to move about in such company where falsehood, injustice, indiscipline, cruelty and hate, which form the dirt are avoided. Truth, righteousness, peace, nonviolence and love — these form the clean elements. If you inhale the pure air of these latter, your mind will be free from evil bacilli and you will be mentally sturdy and physically strong.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Treat others the same way as you would like them to treat you. Never brood over the past. When grief overpowers you, do not recollect similar incidents from your past and add to your grief; instead, recollect happy incidents! Draw consolation and strength from such memories and raise yourself above the surging waters of sorrow. Seek the light always; be full of confidence and zest. Do not yield to despair, for it can never produce results. It only worsens the problem, for it darkens the intellect and plunges you in doubt. Take up the path of spiritual practice very enthusiastically. Half-hearted, halting steps will not yield fruit. It is like cleaning a slushy area by a stream of water. If the current of the stream is slow, the slush cannot be cleared. The stream must flow full and fast, driving everything before it, so that the slush might be scoured clean.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Remember to keep the sword of love in the sheath of wisdom and control your senses rigorously by discrimination and detachment. Discrimination guides you to choose your pursuits and friends wisely. It clarifies to you the relative importance of objects and ideals. Detachment saves you from troubles due to attachment and injects a sense of relief, at times of elation or despair. Detachment and discrimination hold before you the impermanence of the world and permanence of the bliss of Reality. The grace of the Lord is always flowing like how the electric current flows through the wire. Fix a bulb, and your home will be illumined. The bulb is the spiritual exercise you perform; home is your heart. Come to Me gladly; dive into the sea and discover its depth; there is no use dipping near the shore and swearing that the sea is shallow and has no pearls. Dive deep and you will secure your desire.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Today, physical comfort, individual advancement and personal progress are held as desirable goals. Though everyone cares about themselves only, nobody can live in isolation. Suppose one is sitting at a dinner table with sumptuous food served. If he learns at that time that his child is injured in a road-accident, won’t he rush to the road, without caring for hunger and delicious food? The call of loved ones is louder and stronger than any call from within. Despite this fact, people continue to believe in their ego, in exclusive individuality. The family is essential for the blossoming of human personality. For homes to flourish, a community is needed to keep it safe and happy. When the activities of safeguarding or sustaining society is rendered weak, families tend to disintegrate and individuals suffer! So you must share your knowledge, empathy, and love with one and all.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

சர்க்கரை நோய்க்கு வீட்டில் இருக்கு மருந்து

சாதாரண தலைவலி, இருமல் வந்தாலே பர்ஸ்சை துடைத்து போடும் அளவுக்கு செலவாகிறது. இதில் சர்க்கரை நோய் வந்தால் என்ன செய்வது என கவலைப்பட வேண்டாம். இன்சுலின் செடி சர்க்கரைநோய்க்கு சிறந்த மருந்தாக செயல்படுகிறது. இன்சுலின் செடியை வீட்டிலே வளர்த்து அவற்றை நாம் சர்க்கரைநோய்க்கு பயன்படுத்திக் கொள்ளலாம்.

சர்க்கரை நோயாளிகளுக்கு இன்சுலின் செடியின் இலை உடலுக்கு தேவையான அதிக பயன்களைத் தருகிறது. சர்க்கரை நோய் உள்ளவர்கள் இன்சுலின் மருந்து பயன்படுத்த வேண்டும் என்பது அனைவரும் அறிந்ததே. முதல் நிலை சர்க்கரை நோயாளிகளை தவிர்த்து 2ம் நிலை சர்க்கரை நோயாளிகள் இன்சுலின் ஊசி போட்டுக் கொள்வதைத் தவிர்க்க இன்சுலின் செடியின் இலை ஒன்றை தினந்தோறும் காலையில் வெறும் வயிற்றில் சாப்பிட்டுப் பாருங்கள்... பலன் அறியலாம்.

இந்த இலையைத் தொடர்ந்து சாப்பிடுவதால் ஏற்படக்கூடிய மாற்றங்கள் குறித்து ஆராய்ச்சி செய்து வருகிறார்கள் ஐரோப்பிய,அமெரிக்கவிஞ்ஞானிகள். ஆரம்ப நிலை சர்க்கரையாளர்களுக்கு காஸ்டஸ்பிக்டஸ் எனும் இன்சுலின் செடி அதிக பலன் தருகிறது என அவர்களின் ஆய்வில் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளனர். இந்தச்செடி கேரளாவில் அதிகம் உபயோகிக்கப்படுகிறது. இந்த இன்சுலின் செடியின் இலையை தொடர்ந்து சாப்பிடுவதால் ஏற்படக் கூடிய மாற்றங்கள் குறித்து முழுமையாக ஆராய்ச்சி செய்து வரும் ஐரோப்பியா மற்றும் அமெரிக்க விஞ்ஞானிகள் இன்சுலின் மருந்து விலங்கிலிருந்தும், சின்தடிக் முறையிலும் தான் தயாரிக்கப்படுகிறது.

சர்க்கரை நோயாளிகளுக்கு இதைவிட மாற்று மருந்து ஏதும் இல்லை. இன்சுலின் மருந்து மாத்திரை வடிவிலோ, திரவ மருந்தாகவோ இன்னும் கண்டு பிடிக்கவில்லை. ஊசிமட்டுமே ஒரே வழியாகும். தாவரத்தின் இலைகளிலிருந்து பெறப்படும் சாறு இரத்தத்தில் கலந்துள்ள சர்க்கரையின் அளவைக் கட்டுப்படுத்துவதோடு இனிப்பு சாப்பிட வேண்டும் என்ற ஆவலையும் படிப்படியாக்க் குறைக்கிறது. பல்லாண்டு பயிரான காஸ்டஸ் பிக்டஸ் தாவரத்தின் இலை சாப்பிட்டால் எத்தகைய பின் விளைவிகளும் ஏற்படுவது இல்லை என்று ஆராய்ச்சியில் நிரூபிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதன் மூலம் இன்சுலின் ஊசி போடுவது கட்டாயமில்லை என்ற நிலையில் சர்கரை நோயாளிகள் பயன் அடையலாம்.

Thought for the Day

Silence is the only language of the realised. Practice moderation in speech. That will help you in many ways. It will develop unconditional love (prema), for most misunderstandings and factions arise out of carelessly spoken words. When the foot slips, the wound can be healed, but when the tongue slips, the wound it causes in the heart of another will fester for life. The tongue is liable to four big errors: uttering falsehood, scandalising, finding fault with others, and excessive articulation. These have to be avoided if there has to be peace (shanti) for the individual as well as for society. The bond of universal brotherhood will be tightened if people speak less and speak sweet. Hence, silence was prescribed as a vow for spiritual aspirants by the spiritual texts. You are all spiritual aspirants at various stages of the road, so this discipline is valuable for you also.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Recognising the supremacy of action, you must see that everything you do is pure and holy. Action is not limited to what you do with your hands. What you hear, what you see, what you speak and even what you think — all of these constitute action. This means that the things you see, the words you hear, the thoughts you think and the words you speak must all be pure. All that you take in through your five senses should be wholesome and pure! Only then can you have a ‘satvic’ (pure) nature. Devotion should not be confined to bhajans or exhibiting a yearning for Swami. You are the architect of your own destiny. Fill every one of your actions with devotion, suffuse them with righteousness and dedicate them to the Divine. If you follow this, your life will become sanctified and you may not have a rebirth at all. This is My benediction to all of you.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The Divine is totally free from self-interest; whatever He does is utterly blameless and is solely for the welfare of the world. There is nothing beyond His powers. He is the creator, the protector and the destroyer. When God chooses to protect, no one asks why He protects. On the other hand, when God does not protect, people question His inaction and when the Lord punishes, people ask, “Why does God inflict punishment?” Indeed, such questions are motivated by selfishness and self-interest. Every Divine action is just and righteous. Your duty is to pray to God and secure His Grace. When Sakkubai wanted to join the pilgrims going to Pandharpur, Lord Krishna decided to show to the world her good reputation, and duty-consciousness towards her husband and in-laws. So Krishna assumed her form and subjected Himself to all kinds of harassments from her mother-in-law, while the real Sakkubai was blissfully away in Pandharpur. The Lord is ever ready to subject Himself to any hardship to uphold Dharma and shower Grace on His devotees.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

A true human being is one who faces life’s difficulties with fortitude and overcomes them. For this, what is required is strength of the Spirit. Without spiritual strength, all other things are valueless. Whatever spiritual discipline you may practise or not, cultivate love for all. Offer that love as a divine offering to all. Only through love can world unity be promoted. It is because of the absence of love that all kinds of differences arise. Love is God. Live in Love. Make this the ruling principle of your life. Embodiments of Divine Love! Remember always that God permeates everything in the cosmos. Everything you experience is Divine. Everything you see is Divine. What you eat is Divine. The air you breathe is Divine. You cannot see the air, nor can you grasp it. Likewise you cannot grasp God. The eyes cannot see Him. He can only be experienced in the heart. He is beyond the mind.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Today cynicism and apathy are rampant and people are caught up in meaningless worries, endless desires and unattainable ambitions, and have no peace of mind. People have forgotten their divine essence. Spiritual illumination alone can reveal the right path to everyone who is groping in the darkness of ignorance and peaceless-ness. Divinity is inherent in humanity. Humanity must discover its basic human qualities. What is humanness? Essentially it means unity in thought, word and deed. True human qualities can grow only in a loving heart, just like a seed can grow in fertile soil and not on a piece of rock. Hence all of you must develop compassion and equanimity. Divinity is all pervading and is present within and outside every being. Every one of you is an embodiment of the Divine. Like God you are also embodiments of Love. Expand your love by sharing it with all without narrow-mindedness and make your life purposeful and worthy!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Born in society, brought up in society, educated by society and deriving countless benefits from society, what are you doing for society? Social service should be regarded as an expression of gratitude to society for what it has done for us. Without society we cannot survive. The God-given body should be employed for practising Dharma (prescribed duties). Women should treat even their daily chores as a form of concentrated work. If they are unable to attend a Satsang (spiritual gathering) on account of household duties, they should not feel miserable. Discharge of duties at home is as sacred as attending a satsang. Only if you do your duties at home properly will you be able to render proper service outside. In whatever work you do at home, whether sweeping the floor or making chapatis, convert it into a form of spiritual exercise. Infuse every action with love of the Divine and dedicate it to God.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Develop the quality of forgiveness (Kshama) and refrain from harshness in speech. You must realise that if you give up forbearance and forgiveness, you will have no peace. Whatever anyone may do to you, do not bother about it. What is it you lose on account of their ill behavior? If you resort to retaliation, you will only worsen your condition! You have no idea either of your strength or weakness. Face such situations bravely and do not allow yourself to be agitated over them. You must win over the other by your forbearance. Make forbearance your life-breath and your ideal. You all have the sweet essence of kindness, peace and compassion in you abundantly. With God’s grace, you are free from grief and bad qualities – Do not let them in! Foster the spirit of kindness and love. Treat life as a game and emerge victorious by leading an ideal-filled life. This is the victory you must achieve!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

When you call yourself a member of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Dal, you must always serve remembering that you are serving the Lord. Remember in what spirit Hanuman served Sri Rama. You should not imagine that because he was a monkey he lacked intelligence or other qualities. He has been described as ‘tranquil, virtuous and strong.’ When questioned by the demons in Ashokavana in Lanka as to who he was and where he had come from, Lord Hanuman replied, “I am the servant of Rama”. He did not boast about his valour or knowledge but was content to describe himself as a humble and devoted servant of the Lord. Bear in mind the maxim, “Without being a kinkara (one who is ready to carry out the Lord's command) you cannot become Sankara (The Divine).” Transform your life through service, without giving any room for arrogance or self-interest. Firmly install in your heart the feeling that wherever and whenever you serve, you serve the Lord alone. Only then, serving fellow-beings becomes equal to serving God!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai  Baba

Thought for the Day

Education must assume full responsibility and impact students’ moral and spiritual life. Imparting technical skills and worldly information alone is not enough; moral and spiritual education must supplement them. People pay huge attention today only to their own selfish interests. This must change. Your attitude must be not what you can get from others, but what you can give to others – make that your focus! The idea that a posh bungalow with expensive furniture, exquisite dining table or a heavy pay package from abroad is the ideal to be worked for should be given up. This ideal breeds evil. Inspire youth to set as their ideal - hands dedicated to hard work, heads dedicated to service and hearts dedicated to compassion. Your goal must be that no one should suffer harm or pain through your words or deeds. For when another is hurt by us, what really happens is insult and injury to our own true human nature.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Live without hating others, condemning others, and seeking faults in others.

We must shape ourselves into fit instruments for the spiritual pilgrimage. There are four categories of people: The first and best category is those who pay attention to their own faults and the excellences of others. The second category consists of those who highlight their own excellences as well as the excellences of others (the middlings). The third category (the worse type) is that of those who pay attention to their own excellences and only to the faults of others, and the fourth category (the worst) is of those who present their own faults as excellences and the excellences of others as faults. Each one of you can discover for yourself which category you belong to. Remember this: If you are yearning to become aware of the Full, the Sacred, the Divine Love, the Eternal Soul, the Lord (Bhagawan), you must prepare yourself to be part of the first and best group. Discover your own faults and observe others’ excellences. This is the most desirable spiritual practice.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The present day education has only a means of livelihood as its aim. It is job-oriented, not truth-oriented, not God-oriented. Life must be lived in love, peace and bliss. Therefore, even while in schools and colleges, boys and girls must know about the ever peaceful, ever blissful, ever loving Eternal Soul (Atma). The body, the senses, the mind, the reason and intellect are all unreal in the sense of temporary existence. Raising the standard of living is not as important as raising the level of consciousness. Education today highlights accumulation of things. Indeed, giving up is equally essential. Renunciation is not a loss; it is highly profitable, because you acquire joy thereby. Renunciation means freedom; it is surrender to God, love and freedom. God can be realised only through the expansion of Love. Students and youth must lead lives anchored in righteousness and wisdom, and be shining examples of simplicity, humility and mutual service.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba