Thought for the Day

Good ideas have to be accepted and bad ones eschewed. Each idea has to be judged in the Supreme Court of Viveka (Wisdom). And the ruling has to be treated as inviolable. It is in this context that we have to remind ourselves of the prayer of Gandhiji, Sabko sanmati de Bhagwan - "O God, Bestow right understanding on all." Again, the individual born in the lake of society must swim and float in the calm waters, and joining the river of progress, merge in the ocean of grace. Man has to move from the stance of "I" to the position of "We"; this day, we see only the wild dance of ego-stricken individuals, who hate society and behave most unsocially. Water flows from a higher level to the lower levels. God's Grace too is like that. It flows down to those who are bent with humility. So, give up ego, overcome jealousy, and cultivate love.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

You cannot be fresh and feeling fine, wearing a washed vest under an unwashed shirt; or, an unwashed vest under a washed shirt. Both have to be clean to provide the sense of tingling joy. So too, outer and inner cleanliness have both to be sought and won. In reality, outer cleanliness is but the reflection of the inner achievement. There is a strange glow on the face of a guileless person. Inner cleanliness has its own soap and water - the soap of strong faith and water of constant practice. The true aspirant will have a reverent attitude to the duty he is bound with. He will carry out every task assigned to him as if it is an act of worship by which the Lord will be pleased, through which he can approach the Pedestal of God. Duty is God; Work is worship - that is the motto. Worship is not a uniform to be put on and taken off at stated hours of the day.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி தனிப்பெரும் கருணை மகா மந்திரம் ஒலிக்க தைப்பூச ஜோதி தரிசனம்

 ஏழு திரைகள் தத்துவம் !

ஆண்டுதோறும் தைப்பூச நன்னாளில் வடலூரில் ஏழு திரைகள் விலகி ஜோதி தரிசனம் நிகழும். ஒவ்வொரு திரைக்கும் ஒவ்வொரு சக்தி என்பது நம்பிக்கை. (கண்ணாடிக் கதவுகளில்) கறுப்புத்திரை என்பது மாயா சக்தி, நீலத்திரை - கிரியாசக்தி, பச்சைத் திரை - பராசக்தி, சிவப்புத் திரை - இச்சா சக்தி, பொன்வண்ணத் திரை - ஞானசக்தி, வெண்மைத் திரை - ஆதிசக்தி, கலப்புத்திரை - சிற்சக்தி 

கருமை, நீலம், பசுமை, சிவப்பு, பொன்மை, வெண்மை, கலப்பு என ஒன்றிற்கொன்று நிற அடர்த்தி குறைந்து வரும் ஏழு திரைகள் விலக, தூய கன்ணாடியின் வழியே பேரொளிப் பிழம்பை ஞான சபையில் வள்ளலார் அமைத்தது எதற்கெனில், மாயா சக்தி என்னும் திரைகள் விலகி மனம் தூய்மை பெற்றதும், உள்ளொளியாய் இறைவன் விளக்கம் தருகிறான் என்பதைப் புறத்தில் காட்டுவதற்கேயாம்.

பயனுள்ள பதிவு தவறாமல் படிக்கவும்..

உன்னை வாழ்த்த மனம் இல்லாதவர்கள் இருப்பார்கள். அவர்களைப் பற்றி கவலைப்படாதே. நீ எதை செய்தாலும் அதில் ஒரு குறையை கண்டுபிடிக்கக்கூடிய மனிதர்களும் இருந்து கொண்டுதான் இருப்பார்கள். அதையும் பெரிது பண்ணாதே. உன் லட்சியம் எதுவோ அதை நோக்கி பயணம் போ. ஒன்றை மட்டும் தெரிந்து கொள்....ஒவ்வொரு மனிதனும் தனித்தனி ஜென்மங்கள்.தனித்தனி பிறவிகள் தனித்தனி ஆன்மாக்கள் அவர்களுக்கென்று தனித்தனி ஆசாபாசங்கள் இருக்கும். குணங்களும் இருக்கும்.அதன் வழியில் தான் அவர்களின் பயணமும் இருக்கும். அவர்களை ஒழுங்கு படுத்துகிறேன் என்று வேதனைகளை சுமந்து கொள்ளாதே. அவர்கள் போகும் வரை போகட்டும். போய் ஒரு அனுபவத்தை பெற்றபின் திரும்பி வருவார்கள் . அதுவரை நீ பொறுமையாக இருக்க வேண்டும். அவர்கள் போன பாதை நல்லதா? கெட்டதா? என்பதை அவர்களாக உணர்ந்தால்தான் அவர்களுக்கு ஒரு உண்மை தெரியும். அந்த உண்மையை நீ முன்கூட்டியே சொன்னால் உன்னை அவர்களுக்கு பிடிக்காது. இதுதான் வாழ்க்கையின் தத்துவ உண்மை. அவர்களது பூர்வ புண்ணியத்தின் அடிப்படையில்தான் அவர்களின் குணங்களும் செயல்களும் இருக்கும். அது உடன் பிறந்தவர்களாக இருந்தாலும், நண்பர்களாக இருந்தாலும், கணவன், மனைவியாக இருந்தாலும், பெற்ற குழந்தைகளாக இருந்தாலும், பேரன் பேத்திகளாக இருந்தாலும், எந்தஉறவுகளாக இருந்தாலும், அவர்களது பிறவி குணம் ஒரு போதும் மாறாது. எதைச் செய்ய வந்தார்களோ அதை செய்வதுதானே அவர்களின் விதி.  இதை நீ மாற்றி அமைக்க முடியுமா...? ஒதுங்கி நின்று வேடிக்கை பார்!....பந்த பாசத்தில் உள்ளே விழுந்து அறிவுரை சொல்லுகிறேன் என்று கெட்ட பெயரை சம்பாதித்துக் கொண்டிருக்காதே. அவர்களுக்கு அனுபவம் தான் குரு. அந்த அனுபவம் ஏற்பட்ட பிறகு தன்னை மாற்றிக் கொள்வதற்கு அவர்களுக்கு விதி இருந்தால் தன்னை திருத்திக் கொள்வார்கள். அதுவரை நீ பொறுமையாக இரு.செயற்கையாக ஒரு குணத்தை  உருவாக்கி உன்னிடம் அன்பை காட்டினாலும் தான் யார்?, தன் குணம் என்ன?, என்பதை ஒரு நாள் வெளிப்படுத்தி விடுவார்கள். எதையும் ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளும் பக்குவத்தோடு இருந்து கொள்ள பழகிக் கொள். நாம் வந்து போகும் உலகத்தில் பிறந்திருக்கிறோம். அவரவர்களுக்கு என்ன வேஷம் கொடுக்கப்பட்டிருக்கிறதோ அதைத்தான் செய்து கொண்டிருக்கிறோம். அதைத் தவிர நாம் வேறு எதையும் செய்து காட்ட முடியாது. எல்லையில்லாத அன்பை வைத்திருந்தேன் என்னை ஏமாற்றி விட்டார்கள் என்று புலம்பிக் கொண்டு இருக்காதே. கடலுக்கும் ஒரு எல்லை வைத்திருக்கிறான் கடவுள்.அதையும் மீறி சிலவேளைகளில் இறைவன் வகுத்த எல்லையை கடல் தாண்டி விடுகிறது. அது போல் இயற்கையின் சுபாவங்களைப் போல் மனித இயற்க்கை சுபாவங்கள் சில நேரங்களில் தங்களை வெளிப்படுத்தி விடும்.நீ உன்னை எப்படி வைத்துக் கொள்ள வேண்டும் என்று நினைக்கிறாயோ அப்படி வைத்துக் கொண்டு வாழப்பழகிக் கொள். அதில் நன்மை வந்தாலும், தீமை வந்தாலும் , உனக்கும் ஒரு அனுபவம் கிடைக்கும் . அதை வைத்து உன்னையும் திருத்திக் கொள்ளலாம்.இன்பமானாலும் துன்பமானாலும் அதை நீயே சந்திக்க கற்றுக்கொள்.அதை பகிர்ந்து கொள்வதற்கு ஒரு துணையைத் தேடாதே. உன் இன்ப துன்பத்தில் பங்கு பெறுவதற்கு இந்த பிரபஞ்சத்தில் ஒருவர் பிறந்திருந்தால் நிச்சயம் அவர் உன்னை கைவிடாமல் உன்னோடு சேர்ந்தே பயணிப்பார். அது உன் பிறவி பிராப்தத்தை பொறுத்து இருக்கிறது. அப்படி அது நடந்து விட்டால், எந்த சூழ்நிலையிலும் உன்னோடு இணைந்தே இருப்பார் நீ பெண்ணாக இருந்தாலும், ஆணாக இருந்தாலும், வரும் துன்பத்தை எதிர்கொள் ளக்கூடிய ஆற்றலை உருவாக்கிக் கொள். மனிதன் மீது வைக்கும் நம்பிக்கையை விட இறைவன் மீது வைக்கும் நம்பிக்கையை அதிகரித்துக் கொள். உன் கண்ணீரும். உன் கவலையும் உன்னை பலவீனமாக காட்டிவிடும்...அழுவதாலும் சோர்ந்து போவதாலும் ஒன்றும் நடக்கப் போவதில்லை. எப்படி இருந்தாலும் நீதான் அந்த சுமையை சுமந்து ஆகவேண்டும். அழுது சுமப்பதை காட்டிலும். ஏற்று சுமப்பது உனக்கு சிரமம் இல்லாமல் இருக்கும். தைரியமும் தன்னம்பிக்கையும் தான் ஒரு மனிதனை உலகத்தில் வாழ வைக்கும் என்ற உண்மையை உணர்ந்துகொள். இந்த பக்குவத்தை அடைந்து விட்டால் எத்துன்பமும் உன்னை நெருங்காது என்பதை உணர்ந்துகொள். 

பாலியை பற்றிய சுவாரசியமான தகவல்கள்.

உலகின் மிகப்பெரிய இஸ்லாம் நாடான இந்தோனேசியாவில் உள்ள ஒரூ தீவு தான் பாலி (BALI).   இங்கே 93 சதவீத மக்கள் ஹிந்துக்கள். 42 லட்சம் ஹிந்துக்களின் தாயகமாக பாலி விளங்குகிறது. ஒரு காலத்தில் ஹிந்து ராஜ்யமாக இருந்த இந்தோனேசியாவில், முஸ்லிம்களின் படையெடுப்பிற்கு பிறகு பெரும்பான்மை மக்கள் முஸ்லிம்களாக மாற்றப்பட்டனர். ஸ்லாமியர்கள் மஜாபஹிட் (Majapahit ) என்ற கடைசி ஹிந்து மன்னரை வீழ்த்திய பிறகு ஹிந்து மதத்தை விட்டு மாறாமல் இருந்த மக்கள் பாலிக்கு குடிபெயர்ந்தனர். 

1. இங்கே ஒவொரு ஆண்டும் மார்ச் மாதத்தில் ஒரு நாள் மௌன விரதம் கடைபிடிக்கபடுகிறது. Nyepi day என்று சொல்கிறார்கள்.  ஹிந்துகளின் பண்டிகை போன்ற அந்த நாளில் இந்தோனேசியா முழுவதும் விடுமுறை அளிக்கபடுகிறது. காலை 6 மணி முதல், மாலை 6 மணி வரை எந்த போக்குவரத்தும் இருக்காது. பன்னாட்டு விமான நிலையமான Denpasar (bali) விமான நிலையம் கூட மூடப்பட்டு இருக்கும். யாரும் பேசிக்கொள்ள மாட்டார்கள். வீட்டில் இருந்தபடியே தியானம் செய்வார்கள்.

2. பாலியில் உள்ள ஹிந்து கலாச்சாரம் இந்திய ரிஷிகளிடமிருந்து வந்தது தான். பாலி பள்ளிகளில் இன்றும் கூட ரிஷிகளை பற்றிய பாடங்கள் இருக்கின்றன. புராணங்களில் வரும் மார்கண்டேய, அகஸ்திய, பரத்வாஜ ரிஷிகளை பற்றி இந்தியாவில் யாருக்கும் தெரியாத நிலையில், இந்த ரிஷிகளை பற்றி பாலி குழந்தைகள் கூட தெரிந்து வைத்து இருக்கிறார்கள்.

3. பாலியில் ஆணுக்கும், பெண்ணுக்கும் தேசிய உடை 'வேஷ்டி' தான். எந்த ஒரு பாலி கோவிலுக்கும் வேஷ்டி அணியாமல் ஆணோ, பெண்ணோ உள்ளே செல்ல முடியாது. இந்தியாவில் கூட சில கோவில்களில்தான் பாரம்பரிய உடை கட்டாயமாக உள்ளது (குருவாயூர் போன்ற). ஆனால் பாலியில் அனைத்து கோவில்களிலும் நமது உடை அணிந்து தான் செல்ல வேண்டும்.

4. பாலியின் சமூக, பொருளாதார, அரசியல் கட்டமைப்பு ரிஷிகள் உருவாகிய tri-hita-karana என்ற கோட்பாட்டின் படி தான் அமைந்துள்ளது. அதைதான் அவர்கள் தங்கள் வாரிசுகளுக்கும் சொல்லிக்கொடுக்கிறார்கள். Parahyangan - Pawongan - Palemahan என்று பொருள்படும். tri-hita-karana என்பது சமஸ்கிருதம்.

5. Trikala Sandhya என்பது சூரிய நமஸ்காரம். அணைத்து பாலி பள்ளிகளிலும் கட்டயாமாக மூன்று வேளை சூரிய நமஸ்காரம் செய்கிறார்கள். அதே போல மூன்று வேளையும் காயத்ரி மந்திரத்தை அவர்கள் பள்ளியில் சொல்லவேண்டும். பொதுவாக பாலி ரேடியோவில் மூன்று வேலை சூரிய நமஸ்காரம் செய்ய வேண்டிய நேரத்தில் அதை ஒலிபரப்புவார்கள்.இந்தியாவில் சூரிய நமஸ்காரதிர்க்கு எதிர்ப்பு தான் வருகிறது. 

6. பாலி கோவில் பூசாரிகளின் சம்பளத்தை இந்தோனேசியா அரசாங்கமே கொடுக்கிறது. முஸ்லிம் மத நாடான இந்தோனேசியாவில் அனைத்து மத கோவில் பூசாரிகளின் சம்பளத்தை அரசே கொடுக்கிறது.

7. இந்தோனேசிய நாட்டின் மூதாதையர்கள் அனைவரும் ஹிந்துக்களே, அதனால் அவர்களின் பண்பாடுகளில் இந்திய கலாசாரமே அதிகம் கலந்துள்ளது.

8. உலகில் அரிசி விளைவிக்கும் நாடுகளில் இந்தோனேசியா முக்கிய இடம் வகிக்கிறது, பாலி தீவு முழுவதும் அரிசி வயல்கள் தான் இருக்கின்றது. பாலி மக்கள் விளைந்த அரிசியை முதலில் ஸ்ரீ தேவி, பூதேவி (Shri Devi and Bhu Devi ) ஆகிய தெய்வங்களுக்கு தான் படைக்கிறார்கள். அனைத்து வயல்களிலும் இந்த இரண்டு தெய்வங்களும் கோவில் இருக்கும், விவசாயிகள் இந்த இரு தெய்வங்களை வணங்கிய பிறகு தான் விவசாய தொழிலுக்கு செல்வார்கள். 

9. ஆவது நூற்றாண்டிலேயே விவசாய மற்றும் நீர்பாசன விதிமுறைகளை ஹிந்து பெரியோர்கள் கற்று கொடுத்து இருக்கிறார்கள். அதற்க்கு Subak System என்று பெயர். இங்கே நீர் பாசனம் முழுவதும் கோவில் பூசாரிகளின் கட்டுபாட்டில் தான் இருக்கும். உலக வங்கியே Subak System பின் பற்றுமாறு மற்ற நாட்டினருக்கு அறிவுரை வழங்கி உள்ளது குறிப்பிட தக்கது. இந்தியர்கள் கொண்டு வந்த இந்த விஞ்ஞானம் இன்று இந்தியாவில் இல்லை.

9. பாலி ஹிந்துக்கள் பூஜை செய்யும் பொழுது பிரிண்ட் செய்யப்பட்ட புத்தகங்களை வாசிப்பது இல்லை. இன்றும் கூட அவர்கள் கையால் எழுதப்பட்ட ஓலை சுவடியையே (Lontar) பயன்படுத்துகிறார்கள். ராமாயணம் அனைவருக்கும் தெரிந்து இருக்கும்.ராமாணய ஓலைசுவடியை நல்ல நாட்களில் எடுத்து வரும் திருவிழா நடைபெறும். 

10. அனைத்து திருவிழாகளிலும் பாலி நடனம் ஆடுவார்கள், அதில் பெரும்பாலும் இராமாயண இதிகாசங்களை கதைகளாக சொல்வார்கள். ஹிந்துக்களின் சொர்க்க பூமி பாலி என்பதில் எந்த சந்தேகமும் இல்லை. உலகின் அழகிய தீவுகளில் பாலி முக்கிய இடம் வகிக்கிறது. அழகிய இடங்கள், அமைதியான வாழ்க்கை முறை, பாரம்பரியமிக்க ஹிந்து கலாச்சாரம், நடனம், இசை என்று இந்த தீவு உலக சுற்றுலா பயணிகளை அதிகம் கவருவதில் ஆச்சிரியம் ஏதும் இல்லை

Thought for the Day

 In many countries and human communities, we have only one faith, one path, one object of adoration, one form of worship, that has sent down roots and borne fruits. This faith may be indigenous or imported, but people in these regions have learnt to assimilate it and are allergic to others. In India, on the other hand, there are, since ages, many faiths and many paths, reflecting all the urges of man which lead him inward and upward. Hence, there are manifold alternatives from which man can choose the one that suits his stage of spiritual growth and with his feet firm on that step, he can raise himself up to greater heights. Indian Culture is like the ocean, which has in it the waters of all the rivers, from all the lands, from clouds that roam across all the continents. The ocean that is the source and goal of all the rivers is the bed on which Vishnu rests! That is why Vishnu is the God that symbolises the universal aspect of the Divine Principle in the Universe as well as beyond It.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The great evil that undermines the units of this organisation is pride and jealousy that it engenders. When one person exudes the pride that he alone can sing bhajans well amongst the group, naturally others develop anger, jealousy, hate, malice, and other such deleterious traits. Spiritual pride is the most poisonous of all varieties of pride, it blinds and leads the person suffering from it into ruin. Beware of pride; be always aware that you are but instruments in My Divine Mission of Revival of Righteousness (Dharmasthapana). Try to be more and more efficient as such instruments. The Hand that wields the instrument knows how and when it has to be applied! Be righteous; avoid all prejudices against others on the basis of caste, creed, colour, mode of worship, status or degree of affluence. Love alone can root out the weed of pride from the heart. Love all, as so many forms of God, appearing in various roles. 

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

 Fill the reservoir with water; then, when you turn the tap, buckets will be full. Cultivate love and devotion; then your activities will be saturated with compassion and charity, and they will yield the golden harvest of joy and peace. The water must be pure; Love must be unselfish and universal. You can yourself judge whether your Love is narrow or broad, whether your Devotion is shallow or deep. Are you content with your achievement? Examine it yourself, pronounce the verdict on yourself, by your own discrimination. Purity of motive is the best guarantee that you will have peace. An uneasy conscience is a tormenting companion. Righteous action will leave no bad effects, to disturb your sleep or health. If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in character; If there is beauty in character, there will be harmony in home. When there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the Nation. When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the World.

Bagavan Sri sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Lord is now worshipped by offering Him all things that you crave for, by treating Him with all the honour you like to be done to yourself. The idol is bathed and washed, bedecked with jewels, fed and fanned, surrounded with fragrance, etc., since these are things you desire. But, the Lord is pleased only when you do things the Lord desires! How else then can you win His Grace? How else than by nursing and nourishing, succouring and saving His children? How else than by helping them to realise Him, as their Lord and Guardian, and cultivating faith in Him, through your own straight and sincere living! You must look upon all as limbs of your own body, and just as you try to heal any bruise or wound on any limb as quickly and as efficiently as possible, you must heal the woes and pains of others to the best of your ability and as far as your means allow!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

One of the first principles of straight living is: Practice silence. For, the voice of God can be heard in the region of your heart only when the tongue is stilled. Then the storm is still and the waves are calm. There will be no temptation for others to shout when you talk to them in whispers. Set the level of tone yourself: As low as possible, as high as necessary to reach the outermost boundary of the circle you are addressing. Conserve sound, since it is the treasure of the element space (Akasha), an emanation from God Himself. Reason can prevail only when arguments are advanced without the whipping up of sound. Silence is the speech of the spiritual seeker. Soft sweet speech is the expression of genuine love. Hate screeches, fear squeals and conceit trumpets. But love sings lullabies; it soothes and applies balm. Practice the vocabulary of love; unlearn the language of hate and contempt!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the day

Established in this bent of mind (of seeing the Lord in all), the devotee becomes the devoted servant of all, with no sense of superiority or inferiority. This is a vital step (7), which presages great spiritual success. (8) This takes the seeker so near the Lord that one feels like the comrade and friend, the sharer of God's power and mercy, of God's triumphs and achievement, one becomes His sakha like Arjuna had become. (9) As can be inferred, this is the prelude to the final step of total surrender, or Atmanivedanam, yielding fully to the Will of the Lord which the seeker knows through one’s own purified intuition. You will note that the seventh step is dasyam (the servant stage). That is the stage of service, which every person calling oneself a social worker, or volunteer, or sevak has to reach. It is more fruitful than reciting the Name or counting beads, or spending hours in meditation, though one's service will be richer and more satisfying if done on the basis of spiritual discipline.

Bagavan Sri Sri sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

If we invite some great person, such as a saint or a learned person to our house, some preparations will have to be made at home, to make it presentable. We have to clean the house and the surroundings before the guest comes. A house which is not clean lacks sacredness and great people would not go to such places. In the same way, if we invited a minister or governor to our village, we would clean the road and decorate the path and keep everything fit and proper for receiving the eminent visitor. If we take so much care and precaution when we invite a person who has only a temporary position, how much more clean should we keep our heart when we invite the very Creator and Protector of the world Himself to enter! Krishna said: "Arjuna, you are taking Me as the charioteer of your chariot. Take Me as the charioteer of your life. The seat on which I am seated in this chariot is very clean and well decorated. Think how clean and how grand your heart should be to make it a seat for Me if I become the charioteer of your heart.”

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The (first six of the nine) steps in the pilgrimage of man towards God along the path of dedication and surrender are: (1) Developing a desire to listen to the glory and grandeur of the handiwork of God and of the various awe-inspiring manifestations of Divinity. It is by hearing about the Lord again and again, that we can transform ourselves into Divinity. (2) Singing to oneself about the Lord, in praise of His magnificence and manifold exploits. (3) Dwelling on the Lord in the mind, revelling in the contemplation of His beauty, majesty and compassion. (4) Entering upon the worship of the Lord, by concentrating on honouring the feet or foot-prints. (5) This develops into a total propitiation of the Lord, and systematic ritualistic worship, in which the aspirant gets inner satisfaction and inspiration. (6) The aspirant begins to see the favourite Form of God, which one likes to worship, in all beings and all objects, wherever one turns, and hence develops an attitude of Vandana (reverence) towards nature and all life!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Sri Krishna has explained in the Gita that sorrow is the fruit of rajo guna (quality of passionate activity). He has also shown that only the person who recognises this truth and removes rajo and tamo guna (quality of sloth and inertia) from the heart, can be happy. As man has all the three gunas in his heart, he is bound. A farmer who wants to raise a crop in the field, at the outset, has to remove weeds from his field. If different types of weeds grow, the crop will be affected adversely. Removing the weeds is an essential precondition for getting a good crop. In the same way, a sadhaka (spiritual aspirant) who wants to realise 'atmananda' (joy of Atma), has to remove from the heart, various manifestations of rajo and tamo gunas in the form of malice, desire, greed, anger, hatred and jealousy. These six types of enemies of man are the children of rajo and tamo gunas. We won't be able to experience the joy of Atma (individual soul) as long as these weeds are there.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

 It is true that health is wealth. Dharmarthakamamokshanam arogyam moolamutthamam - Health is the fundamental requirement to achieve the four goals of human life, namely, dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (desire) and moksha (liberation). However, once you attain the state of bliss, you can always enjoy good health. Man is deluded with the feeling that he can lead a blissful life by acquiring wealth and position of authority. Neither wealth nor position of authority can confer bliss on you. Bliss can be experienced only when you visualise unity in diversity. If you do not understand the principle of unity and attain bliss, all the service activities like construction of hospitals will be of little consequence. Everyone working in a hospital, be they doctors, nurses, paramedical staff or technicians, should have the spirit of unity. This hospital demonstrates the ideal of unity. All the staff in this hospital work with the feeling that they belong to one family.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

People should take great care that their senses do not go astray and commit offences. Thinking evil, speaking evil and seeing evil can invariably lead to total ruin. For example, in the Mahabharata, Duryodhana had evil thoughts about the Pandavas, and ultimately he brought destruction upon his entire family. The Ramayana had the story of Kaikeyi, who listened to the evil counsel of Manthara and so lost not only her husband but also the regard and love of her son Bharata. No one today likes to be known by these infamous characters Duryodhana, Keechaka, or Ravana. But though their names are not favoured, the bad qualities associated with them have not been given up by mankind. Strive to give up evil looks, vicious speech, and the greed to give ear to evil counsel and slanderous gossip.

Bagavan Sri sri sri Sathya Sai Baba

Everyone has five advisors in life.

Everyone has five advisors in life. They are who, when, what, where and how. Before undertaking any action, answers should be got for these five questions. When the correct answers are got, the actions based on them will be right. People today act without concern for these factors. In this matter everyone can rely on his own judgement using his powers of observation and discretion. All instruments for this purpose are available to everyone in his organs of perception and action. In every limb and organ there is a divine power. This divine potency is called Angirasa. The name is derived from the fact that the Divine is present in every Anga (limb) as a Rasa (essence). There is no need to search for the Divine outside yourself. You are Divine. All your powers are Divine potencies! Your life must be based on truth and righteousness. Develop the conviction that whatever happens to you is for good.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya SaiBaba

Thought for the Day

Penance does not mean retiring to the forest and living on fruits and tubers. In fact such a life can be called a life of tamas (dullness) not penance (tapas). True penance lies in controlling one’s emotions, thoughts, words and deeds arising out of satwic, rajasic and tamasic qualities. One should contemplate on God at all times and achieve harmony in thoughts, words and deeds. He alone is a noble one, whose thoughts, words and deeds are in complete harmony. Do not be carried away by pain or pleasure. Bhagavad gita teaches: Sukha Dukhe Same Kruthwaa Labhaa Labhou Jaya Jayou - One should be even minded in happiness or sorrow, gain or loss, victory or defeat. One should discharge one’s duty and serve society without any expectation of reward. Such even mindedness and desireless state is true penance.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

 You must fill yourself with holy thoughts. That is the purpose of sacred festivals. Sankramana is the time when the inward journey towards a pure and unsullied heart is made. Just as the Sun embarks on his northward journey, Sankranti is the day on which the intellect should be turned towards the Atma for Self-Realisation. Men and women have to change their vision, their thoughts, their words and their conduct. This is the meaning of Sankramana. Unless you purify yourself, what can any number of Sankrantis mean to you? Sankranti promotes mental transformation. It illuminates the minds of people. It induces unfoldment of innermost feelings. It brings about the manifestation of the invisible Atma within everyone. Sankranti is pregnant with such immense significance. Sankranti should be hailed as the harbinger of unity and peace. This was an immemorial message of the Vedas.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Today is the Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu. It is the day of Uttarayana when the Sun turns daily more and more towards the north for a six-month period which is considered holier than the other six months. Pongal means boiling over, spilling over of milk, that is to say, the heart must spill over with delight at the great lessons that the Uttarayana teaches us. The Sun is the presiding deity of the eye as well as the intellect, and when the Sun turns north we must also decide to turn towards the holy path of God- realisation. When Arjuna and Duryodhana were together with Sri Krishna to seek his help during the Kurukshetra war, Arjuna chose the path of God while Duryodhana preferred the path of material power. The more riches you accumulate, the more bound you become, and the more worry, anxiety and fear you get into. If one has God on one side, what can one not achieve!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Man’s vision should not be confined solely to external objects and worldly things, which are transient and perishable. Man has been given this vision so that he may see the pure, sacred Divine Consciousness abiding in his heart. The northward motion of the Sun (Uttarayana) is the appropriate occasion for developing this inward vision. This is the royal road for the spiritual aspirant to realise the Supreme. From this day, the Sun wears a peaceful and pleasing aspect. It is not enough, therefore, merely to recognise the northward movement of the Sun in this period. Every effort should be made to direct the vision inwards towards the pure, sacred Indwelling Self. This is the period for cherishing sacred thoughts and performing holy deeds. The sages and seers of ancient times used to wait for the arrival of the Uttarayana to embark on their sacred tasks.

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 to us. Without society we cannot survive. Women should treat even their daily chores as a form of concentrated work. If they are unable to attend a satsang (spiritual congregation) on account of household duties, they should not feel miserable on that account. 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 (Indian flatbread), 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

 A true student is one who achieves excellence in the moral, social and spiritual fields. One should not strive for physical strength and happiness alone. One should strive hard for the control of the mind. One who becomes a slave to one’s mind is bound to become weak, however powerful one may be. So, you should make the mind your slave. The power of mind is matchless. It is from the mind that the most precious virtues originate. If wealth is lost, it can be earned again. If health is lost, it can be restored with the help of an efficient doctor. But if human values are lost, human life becomes a waste. Human values are the need of the hour. They cannot be acquired solely from sacred texts nor can they be passed on by learned preceptors. They originate from within. When we develop noble thoughts and follow the path of truth in our daily life, human values will blossom in us and protect us under all circumstances.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the day

A true student is one who achieves excellence in the moral, social and spiritual fields. One should not strive for physical strength and happiness alone. One should strive hard for the control of the mind. One who becomes a slave to one’s mind is bound to become weak, however powerful one may be. So, you should make the mind your slave. The power of mind is matchless. It is from the mind that the most precious virtues originate. If wealth is lost, it can be earned again. If health is lost, it can be restored with the help of an efficient doctor. But if human values are lost, human life becomes a waste. Human values are the need of the hour. They cannot be acquired solely from sacred texts nor can they be passed on by learned preceptors. They originate from within. When we develop noble thoughts and follow the path of truth in our daily life, human values will blossom in us and protect us under all circumstances.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

 All objects in nature are transitory. They attract man and delude him. The objects that are temporary in nature will give only momentary happiness. The Vedas speak about the principle of ritam. It symbolises the truth that is changeless. All worldly objects undergo change. When you develop ritam, you will be able to understand the changeless and eternal Divinity. You may question, "How can I have the vision of God?" Oh man! You don't need to search for God! Wherever you see, He is there. He is imbued in every object. You are unable to see Him because you are deluded by external appearances. In fact, you are God yourself. Hence, the Veda exhorts man to develop faith that, "I am God and God is none other than myself." Names and forms are many, but God is one. Sarvam khalvidam Brahma (verily all this is Brahman). Such unity in Divinity has to be realised. Satsang means experience of unity.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Remember in what spirit Hanuman, the monkey, served Sri Rama. Hanuman has been described as ‘tranquil, virtuous and strong.’ Such a person, when he was on a tree in the Ashokavana in Lanka, was questioned by the rakshasas (demons) as to who he was and where from he had come. Hanuman replied: "Dasoham Kausalendrasya (I am the servant of Sri Rama, the Son of Kausalya)”. He did not boast about his valour or knowledge. He was content to describe himself as the humble and devoted servant of Rama. Bear in mind the maxim, "Without being a kinkara (one who is ready to carry out the Lord's command), you cannot become Shankara (Divine)." You have to transform your life through service. You should give no room for arrogance or self-interest to the slightest extent in your service activities. Install in your heart the feeling that the service you render to anyone is service to God. Only then does service to man become service to Madhava (God).

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Embodiments of Love! Wherever you are, in whatever circumstances you are placed in, do not ever forget God. Sarvada sarva kaleshu sarvatra Hari chintanam (Always, at all times, under all circumstances contemplate on God). Whatever activity you undertake, dedicate it to God. All the powers in your body are the gifts of God. In fact, Divinity pervades every inch, every cell and every atom of your body. If you waste such a divine power, it amounts to sacrilege. Dedicate your body, mind, intellect; in fact, everything of yours, to God! The games you play should not be limited to one day. In fact, Life is a game; play it. Unity is divinity. Whatever you do, whatever you speak, whatever you think - in every aspect of your life - that unity must be reflected. That is the true culture of the Bharatiyas (Indians). 

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The Bal Vikas is the primary basis of the great movement to restore dharma (righteousness) in the world. The elders are far gone in their ways, and it is difficult to expect change in their habits and attitudes. Children have to be led into good ways of living, into simplicity, humility and discipline. Through the example of bright, cheerful and cooperating children from the Bal Vikas classes, many parents have to be persuaded lovingly to send their children also to these classes. As you know, you cannot draw children to your side if you hold a stick in your hand; you will have to hold some sweets instead. So the Gurus have to be embodiments of love and patience. The ideal of the Bal Vikas is to raise a generation of boys and girls who have a clean and clear conscience. The actual syllabus is not so important as the creation of an atmosphere where noble habits and ideals can grow and fructify.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Divinity is present in everyone in an unmanifested form. Every man is the embodiment of the Divine Sat-Chit-Ananda (Being-Awareness-Bliss). This has been described categorically in the Bhagavad Gita. As God is the embodiment of love, man is also an embodiment of love. But man today does not manifest it fully and properly because of his selfishness and self-centredness. Though humanity has advanced considerably in the material and scientific spheres, it has gone down grievously morally and spiritually. Selfishness is predominant in every action. Behind every thought and every word, self-interest is prominent. It is only when this selfishness is eradicated can Divinity reveal itself. In rendering Seva (service), there should be a recognition of the omnipresence of the Divine in all human beings. Men have not developed the spirit of Tyaga (sacrifice) or aversion to Bhoga (sensual pleasures). True service calls for a spirit of sacrifice. Sacrifice has been declared to be the only means to achieve immortality.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

People appear to be in quest of God. They do not realise that all that they see is permeated by God. All forms are Divine. But because their vision is outwards, they are unable to have the inner vision of the Divine. Man craves for peace. Though the source of peace and bliss is within himself, he seeks them in the external, like one pursuing a mirage. Owing to restless activity, endless worry and limitless desires, man has lost peace of mind and has become a prey to discontent and misery. At the outset, peace has to be cultivated within ourselves. And then that peace has to be extended to the family. From the home it should spread to our village. Thus, peace should begin with the individual and spread to the whole society. You have to engage yourselves in service, eschewing every trace of ahamkara (conceit). Our degradation is the result of forgetting God. When we remember God, our life will be filled with peace and happiness!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Divinity is present in everyone in an unmanifested form. Every man is the embodiment of the Divine Sat-Chit-Ananda (Being-Awareness-Bliss). This has been described categorically in the Bhagavad Gita. As God is the embodiment of love, man is also an embodiment of love. But man today does not manifest it fully and properly because of his selfishness and self-centredness. Though humanity has advanced considerably in the material and scientific spheres, it has gone down grievously morally and spiritually. Selfishness is predominant in every action. Behind every thought and every word, self-interest is prominent. It is only when this selfishness is eradicated can Divinity reveal itself. In rendering Seva (service), there should be a recognition of the omnipresence of the Divine in all human beings. Men have not developed the spirit of Tyaga (sacrifice) or aversion to Bhoga (sensual pleasures). True service calls for a spirit of sacrifice. Sacrifice has been declared to be the only means to achieve immortality.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

While the Lord is ever by the side, people are busy searching for God all over the world! By exploring the external, you can never purify the internal. It is essential to transform your consciousness. Rectify your conduct and actions, because everything depends on your actions. Adhering to the righteous path with a pure heart, you have to divinise your life. All prayers, japas and pujas that are offered are only intended to purify the heart. All those who achieved greatness in any field, be it education or science have been able to do so solely because of their conduct. Neither physical strength nor wealth, not even intellectual ability can make one respected and honoured. It is the way one lives that confers honour and dignity on him. If you entertain righteous thoughts, you will realise that all of you are in God’s home. The whole universe is a mansion of God! Once you realise this truth, how can any differences arise?

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Of what use is a mountain of bookish knowledge, if you cannot secure real happiness as a human being? Will God not take care of man if he places faith in the Divine? What is it that is achieved by ceaseless preoccupation with earning a living and forgetting the all-pervading Lord? The essence of education consists in cultivation of good qualities and development of right values for meaningful living. Everybody clamours for peace saying, “I want peace.” But can peace be found in the external world which is only filled with pieces? Peace has to be found within oneself by getting rid of the “I” and “desire”. Peace is destroyed by the ego and by insatiable desires. Restrain your desires. Man is haunted by endless worries of many kinds. Only by turning his mind towards God, can he get rid of the worries. People have to reduce desires and cultivate detachment (vairagya) so they can have real peace of mind.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Do not waste time. Do not fear anyone.

Every second is the birth of a new year. Seconds add up to minutes, minutes to hours, hours to days, days to months and months to years. Thus, there is no particular sanctity about the beginning or ending of a year. There are people who attribute special significance to this day and speculate on some extraordinary or awesome events to take place. The time or date is not the cause of your happiness or misery. Your own actions (Karma) in the past are the cause of both your happiness and misery. As is the seed, so is the plant and fruit; they cannot be different. Do not waste your mental energy in speculations of this or that happening! Embodiments of Love! When actions performed by you are proper and pure, you will get good results only! God is the master of time. He transcends time. God should be your first priority! Cultivate pure, steady and unselfish love in the New Year!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba