True education is that which fosters the sense of oneness, draws out one's divine qualities and promotes the blossoming of human personality

 “Speak the Truth; Follow Righteousness”. These two vital Vedic principles have been obliterated today. Mammon reigns supreme. Wealth is worshipped as God. Malpractices are the offerings made to this deity. Humanness has been sacrificed. There must be a return to human values. Education must aim at promoting these values. Planting the seed of love and fostering the tree of tolerance, students should seek to offer the fruit of peace to society. This should be their primary duty. Students! You do not become educated merely by getting degrees. You will be truly educated only when you render services to the people. Engage yourselves in service to the people. True education is that which equips one for service and not merely for earning wealth. Fill your hearts with compassion. A compassionate heart is the seat of the Divine.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

'S' stands for 'Sai', 'A' for 'and', 'I' for the aspirant himself (the individual). Thus 'SAI' symbolises the Vedic dictum: Tat Twam Asi (Thou art That).

Strive to become embodiments of love. Be ready to offer all your capabilities and skills to the Lord of all. It is God's love that rewards you when you engage yourselves in japa, tapa or yaga (Repetition of God's name, penance, ritual of sacrifice). What greater achievement can you strive for than receiving Love Divine from God? The Principle of Love has no trace of ego or blemish. It is fully free from selfish attachments. Whatever Sai does, whatever Sai thinks, whatever Sai says, whatever Sai observes, it is all for your sake, not for Sai's sake. My only desire is your Ananda (joy). Your Ananda is My bliss. I have no joy, apart from your happiness. Whatever thoughts arise in Me are only for the peace and welfare of the world, for the progress of youth, and for creating ideal boys and girls who will lead others along the path. You must dedicate yourselves to rendering enthusiastic service to the people of the world, recognising that the Sai Principle has no egoistic urge.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 For all the mantras, the primary mantra which enshrines the attributeless, Omniself, is the Omkara. Although there are many letters and words, the fundamental aksharam (letter), which has primacy of place, is Omkara. Om ith-yeka-aksharam-Brahma - the single syllable Om is Brahman Itself, says the Gita. All other letters and words are linguistic creations. They do not possess the unique sacredness and divine character of 'Om’. The special significance of 'Om' is not generally recognised or understood. Mantra Shastra (ancient scriptures on sacred formulas) has laid emphasis on the letter 'Om’. Omkara has no form. It is the manifestation of Brahman as sound. It is present in all creation. It is effulgent. It is in all speech. It is ever blissful. It is Paratparamayi (Embodiment of Supreme), it is Mayamayi (Repository of Illusory Power), it is Shreemayi (Embodiment of Prosperity).

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 To grasp the full significance of all-pervasive Omkara, it is necessary to have self-control to bring the sensory organs under control. In reciting any mantra, the primacy to be accorded to Om should be recognised. In the mantras, Keshavaya namah, Govindaya namah, Narayanaya namah, the significance of ‘Namah’ which occurs at the end should be noted. The worshipful attitude signified by Namah (salutations) will be lost if Om is not used at the beginning of each mantra. It is only when ‘Om’ is said at the beginning and Namah at the end, that the full purport of the mantra will be brought out. The integral connection between Om and namah should be recognised! 

Namah represents Prakriti (objective world). Om connotes Purusha (Divinity). The purpose of the mantra is to reveal the connection between Prakrithi and Purusha!

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 The educational system today makes an educated person selfish. It makes him a slave to the senses and as a consequence, he forgets his own divine nature. Educated men are not prepared to take up service to the suffering people. It is not only the educated who are to be blamed for this situation. The government, which has failed to encourage and enthuse the people, is also to be blamed for this. Students are not being taught to be self-reliant and self-supporting. Despite the possession of high degrees, the educated man is frantically after salaried jobs rather than seeking independent careers. The educated man fights for his rights, without regard to the duties to be discharged. The man who neglects his duties will lose his rights as well. Rights and duties are inseparably interrelated. Love is the connecting link between the two. The faithful ones in the spiritual realm crave for joy, peace and comfort without striving to realise how they can be obtained.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 We don’t want God nor do we cultivate devotion. But we want God to shower peace and divine bliss on us. If we want peace, we should conduct our life on lines conducive to peace. How can a person pursuing evil, unrighteous ways, ever obtain peace, truth and joy? Can we have the belch of a gourd by eating mangoes? As are the deeds, so are the rewards. As the motives, so are the gifts of God. Hence our motives should be sublime and deeds should be righteous. Students should try to develop powers latent in them. The educated men of today believe in what they read in novels and newspapers, what they see in films, and even in the whimsical words of a passerby. But they have no faith in God. This is a great misfortune. Men who believe in the words of an astrologer or a purohit, don’t trust the words of the Veda Mata, who taught four great truths: "Tat twam asi, Prajnanam Brahma, Aham Brahmasmi, Ayam Aatma Brahma" (Thou art That, Knowledge is Divine, I am Divine, This Self is the Omni-Self)!

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 The Vijnana Samhita in Shikshavalli expounds on the conjunction between teacher, student, and the learning that arises therefrom. It stresses the importance of spiritual education, in addition to secular education through the education of the heart. This Samhita also imparts some essential teachings for one's conduct in life. The sacred injunctions contained in the Samhita shine as beacon lights to mankind afflicted with limitless desires and meaningless yearnings. These injunctions are: Speak Truth; Observe Righteousness; Foster knowledge with diligence; Abstain from vicious deeds; Perform worthy acts; Respect most meticulously the regulations laid down by society for leading a disciplined life in the community; As a householder practise charity according to your capacity; Show reverence and obedience to elders; And exercise extreme vigilance with regard to your duties and relationship with your kith and kin and fellow human beings.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

In each person’s life, Ramayana is happening: Rama is the son of Dasaratha — One with ten chariots! What do you think are these ten chariots? They are the senses: the five sense organs of action and five organs of perception.

 Truth (Satya), righteousness (dharma), peace (shanti), and love (prema) are the four sons — Rama is truth, Bharata is righteousness, Lakshmana is love, and Shatrughna is peace. Take as your ideals these great characters depicted in the Ramayana. You will see how your life will be filled with peace and joy if only you dwell on these ideals. Ramayana is to be experienced in the heart, not investigated as a mental phenomenon. As you go on reading and ruminating, the inner meaning will flash on you when the mind is cleansed by the elevating ideas therein. Do not exaggerate the importance of things that have but material utility; they fade even while you grasp them by the hand.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 Ananya Bhakti refers to that kind of devotion which is based on the conviction that there’s nothing in the universe other than God and that everything in creation is a manifestation of God. God is immanent in the subtlest particle in the universe. The devotee sees God in everything and experiences God in every action. Nothing exists for him apart from the Divine. Wherever he goes, it is a pilgrimage. Every action is dedicated to the Divine. Such devotees attained God-realisation by this type of one-pointed devotion. This form of devotion can’t be practised easily by all. It is easy to say that God is all-pervasive. But it is not so easy to experience that truth. A true devotee is one who acts on the convictions he professes. This is what is implied in the concept of Trikarana shuddhi (purity in thought, word and deed). The Ananya Bhakta is one who continually acts on the basis of his belief that the Lord is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Emperor Bali welcomed Vamana with open arms and promised that he would offer whatever he desired. Bali's preceptor, Sukracharya was an all-knowing counsellor. Aware that Vamana was an incarnation of Vishnu, he advised Bali to go back on his offer to Vamana. But Bali's magnanimity and greatness may be seen in the fact that he refused to accept his preceptor's advice. Bali said, "When the Lord Himself has come to me with outstretched hands asking for a gift, what greater good fortune can I have than making the gift from my humble hands? I am prepared to give away everything regardless of what happens to me." The Vedas have declared that in observing Dharma and doing one's duty for the Divine, the opposing words of no one - father, mother, preceptor or anybody else should be heeded. Bharata, Prahlada, Meera and others are examples of those who went against the injunctions of mother, father, husband respectively in adhering to their devotion to the Lord. No one is entitled to be a barrier between the devotee and the Lord, whatever may be that person’s relationship with the devotee .

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 Archanam (devotion through offering) was the method adopted by emperor Prithu to worship the Lord. He demonstrated the unique significance of Anga Archana, using every sense organ in worshipping the Lord. Netra kamalam samarpayami - I offer this lotus of the eyes to the Lord. Srotra kamalam samarpayami - I offer this lotus of the ears to the Lord. Hridaya kamalam samarpayami - I offer this lotus of my heart to the Lord. In this manner, Prithu regarded every organ as a lotus to be offered to the Lord in worship. When the mantra Netra kamalam samarpayami is uttered, the real meaning is that the eyes are dedicated entirely to having the vision of the Lord! Likewise, when the devotee offers the ears, he should realise that he is dedicating his ears solely to the Lord and will not listen to anything bad or evil. The ears should be used only for listening to stories about the Divine and spiritual teachings. This should be the feeling with which the offerings should be made. This was the spirit in which emperor Prithu performed Anga Puja and attained God-realisation.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Vishnu means, He who is everywhere. So, His residence, Vaikuntha (heaven) must be everywhere. You can gain entry by knocking with the correct password on your lips. Your heart can become Vaikuntha, if you cleanse it, purify it, and allow God to manifest in it. Vaikuntha means "the place where there is no shadow of grief." When God manifests in your heart, all is full and free. The cow transforms grass and gruel into sweet strength-giving milk and gives it away in plenty to its master. Develop that quality, that power to transform the food you consume into sweet thoughts, words and deeds of sympathy for all! When you have filled your heart with sympathy for the distressed, the Lord will shower His Grace. Draupadi had earned the Grace, through her devotion and virtues. Sita too stuck to the highest ideal of life, in spite of the severe suffering she underwent.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Life has to be spent in accumulating virtue and safeguarding virtue, not riches. Listen and ruminate over the stories of the great moral heroes of the past, so that their ideals may be imprinted on your hearts. Virtue is becoming rare nowadays in the individual and in the family, society and community, in all fields of life, be it economic, or political or even 'spiritual’. So also, there is a decline in discipline, which is the soil on which virtue grows. Unless each one is respected, whatever his status, economic condition, or his spiritual development, there can be no peace and no happiness in life. This respect can be aroused only by the conviction that the same Atma that’s in you is playing the role of the other person. See that Atma in others; feel that they too have hunger, thirst, yearning and desires as you have; develop sympathy and the anxiety to serve and be useful.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Ravana had vast knowledge of spiritual texts. His ten heads represent the learning he had earned from the six Shastras and the four Vedas. But, he never put that knowledge to any use. He craved the possession of Prakriti (material objects), only; he wanted to master the world of matter, the objective world. He was a master of the material sciences. But, he was not tamed by the spirit. He discarded the Spirit, Purusha-Rama; he was content with the possession at Lanka, of Prakriti, represented by Sita. That was why he fell. Like the monkey which could not pull its hand out of the narrow-necked pot, because it first held in its grasp a handful of groundnuts which the pot contained, man too is suffering today, since he is unwilling to release his hold on the handful of pleasurable things he has grasped from the world. Man is led into the wrong belief that the accumulation of material possessions will endow him with joy and calm. But Divine Love (Prema) alone can give that everlasting joy. Prema alone will remove anger, envy and hatred!

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The Lord cares for the feeling that accompanies the gift, the attitude with which the offering is made; He is not moved by the quantity or the cost. Draupadi offered a tiny piece of leaf sticking to the side of the vessel in which she had cooked the meal, and the Lord was so fully fed that He said that He was freed from all hunger. Rukmini placed just a single basil leaf on the scale, but since she had saturated it with her devotion, it weighed as much as Krishna Himself. Kuchela took a little beaten rice, and the Lord ate it with relish and was highly pleased with the offering so full of devotion. A piece of paper that is white, tough, and clean is not as valuable as another piece of equal size that, though soiled and dirty, has upon it the imprint of the Reserve Bank, making it a hundred-rupee note. The imprint of devotion makes the beaten rice precious. Give the Lord the fruit - the love that grows on the tree of life.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

Thought for the day

The fulfilment of life consists in the realisation of Atma (Atma-sakshatkara). To get this realisation, one should be entirely free from impulses (vasanas). Liberation (moksha) is, in the true sense of the term, liberation from the bondage of these impulses. These tendencies are of two types: beneficent and maleficent. The beneficent tendencies are saturated with holiness. The maleficent ones feed the mind and make it more and more uncontrollable and unsteady; they spread and strengthen the desire for objective pleasure. If the beneficent impulses (shubha vasanas) are encouraged and cultivated, they will not go on multiplying and binding the mind indefinitely; they will become like fried seeds, which will not sprout. If you stick to the beneficent impulses, you can easily acquire the knowledge of Brahman. These impulses are characterised by such activities as association with great souls (mahatmas), reverence for the great, conversation with them, following their advice, charity, fortitude, love, patience, truth, courage, continence, etc. Such impulses are pure impulses.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

When you prostrate before elders, the mind too must be humble; it is not the body alone that should bend. Many social workers visit hospitals and do service to patients there. Most of the work they do is mechanical, like fanning patients, writing letters for them, and singing bhajans, without paying heed to the actual requirements of the patients. Many do this work because it is the current mode of social service. But it must be karma done with the full cooperation of the mind, gladly, intelligently, and reverentially. The patient should not feel disgusted at the fussiness of the social worker; the patient should be looking forward to the arrival of the person, of someone who is very near and dear! If you do not like that type of work, you need not engage in it! Do not burden your mind with the unpleasantness of the task. Work done mechanically is like the flame of an oilless wick; the oil is mental enthusiasm; pour it, and the lamp will burn clear and long

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Man is endowed with the capacity to separate himself from his body, his senses, his mind and intelligence. He feels and says, “My eyes, my ears, my feet, my hands, my mind, my reason, etc”. He knows, deep down in his consciousness, that he is apart from all these; that he is their user, owner and master. No animal feels itself different from the body; for them, they are the body. They do not know that they are occupants of the physical frames. Man can, by a simple exercise in silent reasoning, discover that the physical frame is unreal and temporary. Once free from undue attachment to the body and its accessories, he is liberated also from the pulls of joy-grief, good-bad, pleasure-pain, etc. Then man discovers that the world is one kin, in God; that all is Joy, Love, and Bliss. He realises that he himself is all this apparent world, that all the multifarious manifestations are the fantasies of the Divine Will, which is his own reality. This expansion of one's individuality to cover the ends of the Universe is the highest leap of man.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

God is like the divine wish-fulfilling tree, which gives whatever is asked. But you have to go near the tree and wish for the thing you want. The atheist is the person who keeps far away from the tree and the theist is the one who has come near; that’s the difference. The tree does not make any distinction; it grants boons to all. The Lord will not punish or take revenge if you do not recognise Him or revere Him. He has no special type of worship which alone can please Him. If you have the ear, you can hear “Om” announcing the Lord’s Presence in every sound. All five elements produce this sound, “Om”. The bell in the temple is intended to convey that “Om” is the symbol of the Omnipresent God. When the bell sounds “Om”, the Divinity within you will awaken, and you will be aware of His Presence. That’s the meaning of the bell that is rung in front of an inner shrine in the temple. Earn the right to approach the Lord without fear and the right to ask for your heritage. You must become so free that praise will not emanate from you when you approach the Lord. Praise is a sign of distance and fear.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

I want you to be active, fully engaged, for if you have no activities, time will hang heavily on your hands. Don’t waste a single moment of the allotted span of life, for time is the body of God. He is known as the Form of Time. It’s a crime to misuse time or to waste in idleness. So too, physical and mental talents given to you by the Lord as capital for the business of living should not be frittered away. Like the force of gravitation which drags everything down, the pull of sloth will drag you relentlessly down, so you must be ever on the watch, be ever active. Like the brass vessel that has to be scrubbed to a nice shine, the mind of man has also to be scrubbed by means of spiritual discipline, that’s to say, by doing activities like the repetition of the Name and meditation. Karma that’s natural and automatic like breathing, becomes an impious act when it is done consciously, with a definite result in view!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

My suggestion to you today is this: just as you attend to the needs of the body, feeding it three times a day, in order to keep it in good running condition, so too spend some time regularly every day to keep your Inner Consciousness in good trim. Spend one hour in the morning, another at night, and a third in the early hours of dawn, the Brahma-muhurta as it is called, for repetition of the Name and meditation on the Lord. You will find great peace descending on you and great new sources of strength welling up within you as you progress in this spiritual discipline. After some time, the mind will dwell on the Name wherever you are and whatever you are engaged in, and peace and joy will be your inseparable companions!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the day

Prema (love) must transform all relationships: social, economic, educational, professional, family, religious, legal, and others. The father must love the child a little more intensely and intelligently; mother must spread love to all who come within her influence; children must love servants. The sense of equality that everyone is the repository of the divine essence must transmute social and individual behaviour! You can call Me “Embodiment of Divine Love” (Premaswarupa)! You will not be wrong! Prema is the wealth that I have and I scatter it amongst the miserable and afflicted. I have no other riches. The Grace of the Lord is always flowing like the electric current through the wire. Fix a bulb, and current to the extent of the wattage, will illumine your home! The bulb is the spiritual exercises you perform; the 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

Here is an illustration from our daily experience. While going in a bazaar, if a person sees someone crying he asks him, "Why are you crying?" Other passersby also question him. If in the same bazaar another person is going about in a jolly mood, no one goes to him to inquire about the cause of his happiness. Happiness is considered to be the natural condition of man. He seeks it all the time. Sorrow is repugnant to man. It is a weakness of man to give room to grief. By falling prey to grief in many lives, man is perpetually plunged into sorrow. For a person who has firm faith in God, there will be no cause for sorrow. Those who give way to sorrow are persons who have not understood the Divine Principle. All that is connected with the body is temporary and transient. What men should seek is enduring bliss. Happiness is union with God.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The Lord and His name are both one, but the sweetness of the name is seldom found in the form! When the name of the flower, rose, is remembered, its fragrance, tender petals, and deep colour spring to memory; its thorns and troubles one underwent to get the flower are all forgotten. Instead, if its origin and previous story are considered, and if plant, leaves, and branches are taken into account, the flower — the most important, most beautiful, and most attractive part — is likely to be forgotten and only the “plant” is discussed! See this from another angle. As soon as the name mango is mentioned, one is reminded of an incomparable sweetness. Instead, if an actual mango is held in hand, doubt first arises in the mind about whether it’s sweet or sour; then one is engaged in distinguishing skin, fibre, juice, nut, rind, seed, etc. When Name alone is repeated, these things do not come to mind. Only sweetness is brought to memory.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 I am now hoisting Prasanthi Flag in Prasanthi Nilayam. The flag is a sign that is significant for each one of you. It is a reminder of your duty to yourself, and so, when I hoist it on this building, you must unfurl it in your own hearts. It reminds you to overcome the urge of low desires, of anger and hate when your desires are thwarted; it exhorts you to expand your heart so that you embrace all humanity and all life and all creation in its compass; it directs you to quieten your impulses and calmly meditate on your own inner reality. It assures you that, when you do so, the lotus of your heart will bloom, and from its centre will arise the flame of divine vision, which guarantees Prasanthi (infinite peace). I must also tell you of certain preliminary disciplines you must practice when you are here; the three disciplines of silence, cleanliness and forbearance. In silence you can hear the voice of God, not in the revelry of noise. Through cleanliness you earn purity. By forbearance, you cultivate love.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Easwaramma finished her bath; she drank her coffee as usual quite happily and took her seat on the inner verandah. All of a sudden, she cried out. "Swami Swami, Swami,'" thrice. At this, I responded: "Coming, Coming." Within that period she breathed her last. What greater sign of goodness is needed? She had no need to be served and nursed. Swami will come to the memory at that time only for a very few. The mind will usually seek and stay on some object or the other, some jewellery or valuables. From the ground floor, she called: "Swami! Swami!" I replied, "Coming, Coming," and she was gone. It was like the elephant Gajendra's calling and the Lord proceeding to bless it - the two wires achieving connection, the release happening instantaneously! This is the authentic consummation that life must strive for. It is the sign of an ideal, adorable life. Such an attitude must emerge of its own accord and not by means of some external force.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Remember your goal is nothing less than realising your inherent Divinity. It is difficult for anyone to get an opportunity like this. Among the billions of people in the world, how many desire to experience the Divine? You are among the blessed and the fortunate few. Make the best use of this supreme good fortune and transform yourselves into godly persons and help to transform others. Be always happy. Share your joys with others. This is true spirituality. Remember, Love is God; live in Love. Truth is God; live in Truth. Bliss is God; live in Bliss. Be fearless. God is with you. When you go about with the conviction, "God is with me; I am in God," you will have no fear. I hope by acting in this way, you will spread peace and harmony in your respective countries.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHAY SAI BABA

Develop inner vision; don’t worry about others and their faults

There is in everyone a spark of truth; none can live without that spark. There is in everyone a flame of love; life becomes a dark void without it. That spark, that flame, is God, for He is the source of all Truth and all Love. One seeks truth; one seeks to know reality because one’s very nature is derived from God, who is Truth. One seeks Love, to give and share, for one’s nature is of God and God is Love. Like paddy seed, which contains rice, the husk is the delusion (maya) that covers the seed within; rice is the individual soul, and the essence of the rice, the sustaining element, the food - that is the Supreme Atma. So, develop inner vision; don’t worry about others and their faults. Do a little examination of the Self. Study Upanishads and spiritual texts — they might help you a little. Remember, only a little help! They are but maps and signposts. You must put them into practice; act and experience.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Here is an illustration from our daily experience. While going in a bazaar, if a person sees someone crying he asks him, "Why are you crying?" Other passersby also question him. If in the same bazaar another person is going about in a jolly mood, no one goes to him to inquire about the cause of his happiness. Happiness is considered to be the natural condition of man. He seeks it all the time. Sorrow is repugnant to man. It is a weakness of man to give room to grief. By falling prey to grief in many lives, man is perpetually plunged into sorrow. For a person who has firm faith in God, there will be no cause for sorrow. Those who give way to sorrow are persons who have not understood the Divine Principle. All that is connected with the body is temporary and transient. What men should seek is enduring bliss. Happiness is union with God.

BAGAVAN  SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

One evening Krishna took Arjuna far out of Dwaraka city and while they were alone together, He pointed at a bird flying over their head and asked him: "Arjuna, isn't that a dove?" Arjuna agreed and said that it was indeed a dove. Suddenly, Krishna turned towards him and said, "No, it is a crow." Arjuna concurred and said, "I am sorry, it certainly is a crow." Immediately, Krishna asked him, "A crow? No, it must be a kite. Isn’t it so?" and Arjuna again promptly agreed: "Yes. It is a kite." At this, Krishna smiled and asked Arjuna, "Are you in your senses? What exactly do you see? How can the same bird be a dove, a crow and a kite?" Arjuna said, "Who am I to dispute your statement? You can make it a crow even if it is not one, or change it into a kite. I have found that the safest thing is to agree with You, in full faith. I know of no other course." Only after this test of unflinching faith, Krishna assured Himself of the credentials of Arjuna to receive the holy Gita.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Rama is the supreme symbol of the power of attraction. This Rama is not the son of Dasharatha but the spiritual Rama who is the Atma-Rama (the Indweller in every heart). The Atma is the universal magnet which attracts everything. When you keep a flower here, bees are attracted from afar. They are drawn to the flower because of the sweet honey in it. Not a single bee will be attracted by a plastic flower. The sweetness that attracts people is Prema (love). This love may be manifested in many forms - maternal love, filial love, fraternal affection, marital love, friendly love and so on. Divine Love is the basis of all these forms of attraction. It is a powerful magnet. It is present everywhere, including in every human being. Every child bears the imprint of its parents. As all human beings have come from God, they should carry the marks of the Creator. Man has taken birth to manifest the Divine in him.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

you must keep the company of great and good men and take delight in good thoughts.

This is not devotion - this holding a garland in the hand and indulging in paltry conversation in holy places. I do not want nor do I appreciate anyone bringing flowers and fruits into My presence. Bring Me the fragrant flower of a pure heart and the fruit of a spiritual-discipline-mellowed mind — that is what I like most, not these things available outside yourselves for cash, without any effort that elevates the mind. To get a taste for that kind of effort, you must keep the company of great and good men and take delight in good thoughts. By whatever means available, increase the stock of your bliss (ananda) and improve the quality of discrimination and try to store as much of these two as possible, so that you can draw upon the stock whenever the need arises!

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Ravana used to repeat the five-syllable Shiva Mantra "Namah Shivaya" constantly but did not give up any of his demonic qualities, because recitation was done mechanically. On the other hand, Prahlada, though the son of a demon, repeated Narayana Mantra - "Om Namo Narayana" continually with all his heart and soul. This served to save him from all the terrible ordeals his father Hiranyakashipu, subjected him to. His father cast him from a precipice, had him trodden over by elephants, got him bitten by venomous reptiles, pushed him into the sea, and so on but he came out unscathed from all these ordeals by chanting the Lord's name from his heart. Every instrument of torture turned into the Lord's form! Reciting the Lord's name with one's whole heart is true Smarana. Chanting of the Name should not be done to earn the approbation of others or for show. It is enough if one is able to please the Lord. In the process, one becomes united with the Divine!

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 “Manava seva is Madhava seva” - service of man is service of God. But, when? When you feel in the depth of your heart that the person whom we serve is a wave of the same sea from which you derive your individuality, your taste, name and form. I have called you as ‘Volunteers’ to give you an opportunity to practice this Sadhana of Madhava seva through Manava seva. Don’t, therefore, take this as a new authority conferred on you, or as a burden that has landed on your shoulders. Acceptance of the Will of God has its own advantage; it yields rich fruits! Hanuman didn’t become conceited when Rama selected him for the crucial southward search and when Rama gave into his custody the ring to be given to Sita (assuring him in the process that he would certainly succeed in discovering her); nor was he affected by fear, at the tremendous responsibility that was heaped on him! He just accepted what was given; he was neither happy nor unhappy. He felt that Rama, the Lord, knows all and so his duty was only to obey!

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

Man is misusing the talents given to him by the Divine.

Man is misusing the talents given to him by the Divine. He is giving free vent to the six cardinal vices of lust, anger, greed and so on. They are not the gifts of the Divine. They have been fostered by the food people eat. They are animal qualities which have to be got rid of. People should speak the truth and avoid speaking what is unpleasant even if it is the truth. The entire gamut of human life should be based on truth. Bharatiya (Indian) culture has placed the foremost emphasis on “Speak the truth; act righteously.” Speaking truth is a supreme virtue for all people, anywhere. In any circumstance, one should adhere to the truth. Truth is God incarnate. Righteousness should accompany one like a shadow. When you have truth and righteousness as your guiding stars you can achieve anything in life. All powers are inherent in these two virtues.

BAGAVAN SRI SRI SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

Spiritual exercise consists of getting rid of bad thoughts and cultivating good qualities.

People talk about spiritual exercises and waste their lives. All these pursuits are a waste of time. It is enough if you develop sacred feelings. The chief sadhana (spiritual exercise) consists of getting rid of bad thoughts and cultivating good qualities. Whatever pilgrim centre you may visit, try to shed your bad tendencies. Develop good qualities instead. You should try to do good to those that have done harm to you. You must forget the harm done by others and also the good you have done to others. So you should forget what needs to be forgotten and remember those things that require to be remembered. What are the things you have to remember? The good that others have done to you. You must remember the good that has been done to you as something sacred. You must express your gratitude to them. Make all your actions conform to righteousness (dharma). Whatever actions you do remembering God will get sanctified thereby.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Buddha realised that self-realisation cannot be attained through penance or prayers or austerities. Buddha emphasised the importance of developing good vision (samyak drishti). Good vision leads to good thoughts, good speech and good action. He laid stress on association with good people. The company of good leads to good deeds. The four rules to be observed are: cultivate good company, avoid association with evil persons, do meritorious deeds always, and remember what is transient and what is eternal. Good company does not mean merely association with good people. Sat refers to the Divine. What is required is to seek the company of God, who is the source of all bliss. When one's thoughts are centred on God, one's feelings, speech, and actions get sanctified - samyak bhavam, samyak sravanam and samyak kriya. This leads to the purity of inner sense organs. Purity in thought, word, and deed is the requisite for experiencing the Divine.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba