Awareness of one’s identity, of being the Atma, is the sign of wisdom, the lighting of the lamp which scatters darkness. That Atma is the embodiment of Bliss, of Peace, of Love but, without knowing that all these exist in oneself, man seeks them from outside of himself and exhausts himself in that disappointing pursuit. Birds that fly far from the masts of a ship must return to those very masts, for they have no other place to fold their tired wings and stay! Devoid of this wisdom (jnana), all efforts to seek spiritual bliss and peace are futile. You may have rice, lentils, salt, vegetables and tamarind; but without a fire to cook them soft and palatable, they are as good as non-existent! So too, japam, dhyanam, puja, and pilgrimage are all ineffective, if the knowledge of one's basic reality and identity is not there to warm up the process. The Atma is the source and spring of all joy and peace; this must be cognised and dwelt upon. Without this cognition, human life is an opportunity that is lost!
Monday, September 30, 2024
What should be the core of all our spiritual practices and rituals?
Which is the true Kurukshetra and what is the perpetual battle happening there?
Our body itself may be called a Dharmakshetra. For, when a child is born, it is pure and without blemish. It is not a victim yet of any of the six 'enemies of man' - anger, greed, lust, egotism, pride and jealousy. It is always happy. It cries only when hungry. Whoever fondles, king or commoner, saint or thief, the child is happy. The child's body is not affected by any of the three gunas (innate qualities) and is a Dharmakshetra. As the body grows, it begins collecting qualities such as jealousy, hatred and attachment. When these evil tendencies develop the body becomes a 'Kurukshetra’. The battle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas did not last more than 18 days, but the war between good and bad qualities in us is waged all through life. Rajo guna and tamo guna (qualities of passion and inertia) are associated with the ego and the sense of 'mine’. The word ‘Pandava’ itself stands for purity and satwik nature. ‘Pandu’ means whiteness and purity. The children of Pandu, the five Pandavas, were pure. The war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas signifies the inner war in each of us - the war of Satwa guna against the other two gunas, rajas and tamas.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
What are the pitfalls in our spiritual practice we must be wary of?
Life is a campaign against foes, a battle with obstacles, temptations, hardships, and hesitations. These foes are within man and so the battle must be incessant and perpetual. Like the virus that thrives in the bloodstream, vices of lust, greed, hate, malice, pride and envy sap the energy and faith of man and reduce him to untimely fall. Ravana had scholarship, strength, wealth, power, authority, and grace of God. But the virus of lust and pride which lodged in his mind brought about his destruction despite all his attainments! He could not dwell in peace and joy for a moment after the virus started work. Virtue is strength, vice is weakness. Man differs from man in this struggle against inner foes. Each gets the result that his Sadhana deserves, that his acts in this and previous births deserve! Life is not a mathematical formula, where 2 + 2 always equals 4. To some, it may be 3, to some, 5. It depends on how each values the 2. Moreover, in the spiritual path, each one must move forward from where one already is according to one’s own pace, and the light of the lamp which each one holds in one’s hand.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
I always teach you love, love and love alone.
You may be worried because you have promised Me something and later, you are tempted to break your word. Now, do not hesitate. When you promise that you will not smoke, or will not attend films, the promise must be clear, firm and complete. I do not gain by your promise nor do I lose, if you break it. You gain self-confidence, you gain strength, you gain moral fibre, you gain Ananda. Yes; your Ananda is My Food. So, I gain, too! The snows on the mountain peaks soften during the day as a result of the Sun; they harden during the night since the Sun is absent. So too, your hard heart hardens Me; your soft hearts soften Me. Understand this: Each of you knows the love of a single mother only. But My affection, My love towards every one of you is that of a thousand mothers! Do not deny yourself of that affection, that love, by denying Me your Love!
What was one of the important qualities that Arjuna possessed that made him eligible to receive the Gita?
Among the Pandavas, there were some who were superior to Arjuna in some respect. Dharmaraja, the eldest brother, was more serene. Why then was the sacred Gita not taught to him? In terms of physical prowess, Bhima was a much stronger person. Why was it not directed to Bhima? Why was it taught to Arjuna? Dharmaraja was the embodiment of Dharma, no doubt. But, he did not have the foresight to visualise the ravages of war. He did not consider the consequences of his action. He became wise only after the event. Bhima had enormous physical strength and valour, but he did not have enough intelligence. But, Arjuna had foresight. He told Krishna, "I would rather be dead than fight against these people, because, if I should win, it would be at the cost of putting them to death and causing much suffering." In contrast to this, Dharmaraja waged the war and when he lost his kith and kin, he sat down in gloom regretting all that had happened! When one acts without foresight, one has to repent for the consequences of the indiscriminate action.
What are the real sacrifices we must make to earn the grace of God?
It is generally believed that God incarnated as Vamana in order to uproot the ego of Bali. This is not the truth. The incarnation had as its purpose the conferment of the boon of liberation. For, Bali had no inkling of ego in him. When Vamana asked for 'three feet of ground' from him, his Guru tried his best to prevent him from giving it to Vamana. "My dear fellow! This is no ordinary mendicant. He is God Narayana Himself. If you agree to give Him what He asks for, you are certain to be mined!" But, Emperor Bali replied, "Whoever it be, he has asked and giving what is asked is my duty. It is my great good fortune that God Narayana has come, with hands extended to receive a gift from me. I shall not listen to your teachings now. The hand that gives is on top of the hand that receives. This is indeed unique luck," he said. The three steps are the physical (Adhibhautika), the mental (Adhidaivika) and the spiritual (Adyathmika). The first two steps covered earth and sky and for the third, Emperor Bali's heart was the most appropriate gift! Since the heart was offered to God Narayana, his body sank into patala (the Nether Regions). The first two steps mean the identification with the body and the mind was eliminated. Bali had achieved the stage of total surrender. His heart, mind and intelligence were the Lord's.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
On the auspicious and holy occasion of Onam, what is the lesson from the life of Emperor Bali we must internalise?
Bali had understood the glory and majesty of God. He told his Guru, "The Hand that grants boons to countless devotees, that Hand is stretched to receive what I offer in answer to the Lord's desire. That Hand has all the worlds in its grasp. And, what does the Lord wish to get from me? He is asking only for that which He has given me! He has come to me in this Form to ask from me all that I have because the same is what He has given me." Bali had convinced himself that the Lord gives and the Lord takes, that he is but an instrument, and that his destiny is to merge in the Lord. So, on this festival day, when we celebrate his dedication and renunciation, we must strengthen our faith that God's will must prevail and is prevailing over all human effort. And, we must realise that tyaga (sacrifice) is the highest Sadhana. Be like Prahlada and Bali. Do not be Hiranyakashipus, for these are blinded by egoism. Pray to God; let prayer be your breath. Do not conflict with God and be cursed. Take this as the message on this Onam Day.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
How do we cultivate good qualities and prepare the heart for a harvest of bliss?
The cultivation of good qualities implies getting rid of all bad qualities. Among the latter, two are particularly undesirable. They are asuya (jealousy) and dwesha (hatred). These two bad qualities are like two conspirators, one aids and abets the other in every action. Asuya is like the pest which attacks the root of a tree. Dwesha is like the insect which attacks the branches, leaves and flowers. When the two combine, the tree, which may look beautiful and flourishing, is utterly destroyed. Similarly, asuya attacks a person from inside and is not visible. Dwesha exhibits itself in open forms. There is hardly anyone who is free from the vice of jealousy. Jealousy may arise even over very trivial matters, and out of jealousy hatred arises. To get rid of hatred one must constantly practise love. Where there is love, there will be no room for jealousy and hatred, and where there is no jealousy and hatred, there is ananda (real joy).
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
See the hand of God in everything that happens; then, you will not exult or grieve. Then your life will be one continuous worship or meditation.
Light alone has the power to dispel darkness. Light has yet another power. Light (or the flame) always moves upwards. Even if you keep a lamp in a pit, the light will only spread upwards. The two important characteristics of light are to dispel darkness and go upwards. However, if the light has to shine without intermission as Akhanda Jyoti it needs a proper basis. First, the light needs a container. There must be a wick to light the flame. There must be oil in the wick and in the container. These three are not enough to make the light burn. A matchstick is needed to light the lamp. Can you make a light burn merely with a container, a wick and oil? Can you make jewels if you have only gold and gems? Can you have a garland with a needle, thread and flowers alone? You need someone to make the garland out of them. You need a goldsmith to make jewels from gold and gems. Similarly, there is need for someone to light the lamp, even when you have the other four materials. That someone is God.
What should each of us ensure before we exit this stage of the world?
Socrates used to gather young men around him and expound to them how to enquire into what is transient and what is permanent. He told them that only those who have devotion and dedication are entitled to wield power. A ruler should adhere to truth and show his gratitude to God. Puffed up with ego, he should not forget the Almighty. Those who did not relish Socrates's teachings brought charges against him. When he was sentenced to death, he chose to die by drinking the cup of hemlock from the hands of his disciples. Before his death, he told his disciples that none should die leaving an undischarged debt. He told a disciple that he owed a cock to a friend and asked to discharge that obligation. Prophet Mohammed told his disciples before his passing that money he owed to a camel driver should be paid before his end came. The discharging of one's debts is regarded as a pious obligation. Harischandra sacrificed everything for the sake of honouring his plighted word. All religions have emphasised the greatness of truth, sacrifice and unity.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Why do we need a Guru to guide us and how can we repay the debt we owe to the great Gurus?
You must learn eeta (swimming) to escape from the swollen river; Gita or the Lord's teaching you must learn to escape from the swirling torrent of birth-death. The Guru points out the guri (goal) to you; he reveals the Reality of the Self (Atma-tatwam). A man struggling in a bog cannot be saved by another who is also caught in its slime. Only one standing on firm ground can pull him out. So, Guru must have a secure footing, above and beyond the slush of worldliness (samsara). The sages struggled with themselves and elevated themselves into purer regions of thought, to discover their own truth. They felt the thrill of that discovery and sang of the freedom they gained. These songs serve as signposts and all who derive benefit therefrom must acknowledge the debt. How to repay the rishi-rna, debt we owe to sages? By study, by reflection on what they have sung of their liberation, by practising the sadhana they adopted, by proving them right out of your own experience!
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
How and why should we examine if our actions are binding or liberating?
The human body is made up of karma (action). Consequently, scriptures described the man as karmaja, born as a result of action. All actions performed by man with his limbs and organs are rendered possible by the Divine. Hence man should regard all actions as sacred. But whatever man does is motivated by ego, self-interest, and desire for the fruits thereof. To enjoy the fruits of actions done with the expectation of reward, man is reborn! Gita says: Karmanu-bandhini Manushya-loke (Karma is the bond in this world of human beings). Man is bound by karma. When actions are performed as offerings to the Divine, they get sanctified. All actions that are natural to man should be converted by the spiritual aspirant into Karma Yoga. The distinction between karma and Karma Yoga should be clearly understood. Actions performed selfishly with egoism and desire for reward are karma that bind. Actions done unselfishly, without ego and any expectation of reward, become Karma Yoga.
All service should be regarded as an offering to God and every opportunity to serve should be welcomed as a gift from God.
Wherever you may be, render service with all your heart. Consider that in rendering service, you are serving yourselves and not others. That will confer on you self-satisfaction (Atma-trupti). You must examine whether in doing service, you are deriving self-satisfaction or are you are trying to show off. If there is ostentation in service, no real joy can be experienced from it. The ego will not go. And without the elimination of the ego, you cannot experience spiritual bliss. Embodiments of Divine Atma! The world situation today is dreadful and frightening. Wherever you turn, fear confronts you. Whether you remain at home or go out into the street, whether you travel by train or walk on the road, fear haunts you. The world is enveloped in fear. To banish this fear, you must develop firm faith in God as the sole refuge. Shedding all fear, carry on your work with courage and determination, and without any worry, plunge into service activities!
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
How can we always remember the principle of oneness and nondualism?
We walk in the thick dusk of evening when things are seen but dimly; a rope lies haphazardly on the path! Each one who sees it, has their own idea of what it is, although it is really just a rope! One steps across it, taking it to be a garland. Another takes it to be a mark made by running water and treads on it! A third person imagines it to be a vine, a creeper plucked off a tree and fallen on the path. Some are scared that it is a snake, right? Similarly, the one highest Brahman, without any change or transformation affecting It, being all the time It and It only, manifests as the world of many names and forms. The cause of all this is the dusk of delusion (maya). The rope might appear as many things — it might provoke various feelings and reactions in people; it has become the basis for variety. But it never changes into many; it is ever one! The rope is ever the rope! It doesn’t become a garland or a streak of water or a creeper or a snake. Brahman might be misinterpreted in a variety of ways, but it is ever Brahman only.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
What is the most important and profound lesson Bharatiya culture has to offer to the world?
From a stone to a diamond, from an ant to an elephant, from an ordinary man to a sage, everything and every being in Bharat was regarded as a manifestation of the Divine. Every object was considered worthy of worship. That was why they sanctified a stone image and worshipped it. Bharat is the land in which the tender Tulasi plant and the giant banyan tree were worshipped with equal devotion. Cows, horses, elephants and other animals were treated as sacred objects of worship. Even ants were considered worthy of care and protection and rice flour or sugar was offered to them every day. Crows and eagles, dogs and monkeys were deemed worthy of worship. Not realising the deeper truth underlying this attitude to various objects in creation, ignoramuses choose to regard this worship as a silly superstition. This is wholly wrong. Bharat considered that the expression of Divine love should not be confined to human beings but should be extended to all beings. This is the great ideal that Bharath has held out to the world.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Flowers cannot become a garland without the string; so too, Divinity unites all souls!
Like the string for the garland, Brahman is the string that penetrates and holds together the garland of souls. Like the foundation for the building, Brahman is the foundation for the structure of creation. Note this. The string and foundation are not visible; only flowers and building are evident. That does not mean that the string and foundation are non-existent! In fact, they support the flowers and the building. Well, you can know of their existence and their value by little effort or reasoning. If you do not take that trouble, they escape your notice! Reason, examine, and you will discover that it is the string that holds the flowers together and there is a foundation hidden in the earth! Do not be misled by the thing being contained (adheya) into denying the holder, the container, the basis, the support (adhara). If you deny it, you miss the truth and hold on to a delusion. Reason and discriminate; then believe and experience! For the seen, there is an unseen basis; to grasp the unseen, the best means is inquiry and the best proof is experience.
What should be our approach to the present moment, and how can we overcome the regret about the past and worry about the future?
Man is distinguished from other animals and creatures by his capacity to judge what is permanent and what is transient, and his ability to recognise the past, the present and the future. Man alone has the capacity to comprehend this threefold nature of time. Man can ruminate over the past and speculate about the future. He can experience the present. However, man should not worry about what is past. The present is the product of the past. What has happened is beyond recall. It is futile to worry about the future because it is uncertain. Concern yourself only with the present. By ‘present’ we may be thinking only of this moment. But this is not the present as Divinity sees it. For the Divine, ‘present’ is what is ‘omnipresent.’ This means that both the past and the future are present in what is, because it is the result of the past, and the seed of the future. Because man has no firm faith in the omnipresence of the Divine, he worries himself about the past, the present and the future. For the Divine, these three categories of time do not exist.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
The proof for the existence of God stares mankind in the face every day. What is it?
People ask, "Where is God?" The answer is provided by Nature. Who is it that has created the five elements, the five life breaths, the five sheaths, the five external sense organs and the five internal sense organs, which are all ceaselessly carrying on their functions according to their prescribed roles? The seasons in their regular cycle are teaching a good lesson to man. Therefore Nature is the demonstrable proof of the existence of God. Nature is not under any obligation to any man, it takes no orders from any man, and it operates according to the will of the Divine. The artificial instruments produced by man function for a time and then become useless. Scientists today have launched many satellites in space. Sooner or later they cease to function and drop away. No one knows how, when and in what circumstances the planets in Nature were created but they have been going around in space ceaselessly and unfailingly for billions of years. These planets have been created for the welfare of mankind and not for destructive purposes. God is the creator of the world for man's good.
What are the goals of human life and what is the best approach to attain them?
There are four goals in life - dharma (righteous living), artha (material well-being), kama (achievement of desires), and moksha (ultimate liberation). These four can be grouped in pairs. While artha and kama thrive in modern times, dharma and moksha have almost disappeared. Modern man craves for wealth and sensual pleasures and neglects righteousness and salvation. Since dharma and moksha are like the feet and the head of a body, man today seems to be existing without these two essential organs. These four values of life should instead be grouped as dharma-artha and kama-moksha. In other words, wealth should be acquired for the sake of righteous living, and man should aspire only for liberation. Only such a judicious combination of these four goals shall enable man to find fulfilment in life.
Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba
What is the promise we must make to our Lord and how should we practice it every single day?
Always try to put yourselves in the position of the other and judge your actions against that background. Then you will not be wrong. Be pure in word and deed, and keep impure thoughts away. I am in every one of you and so, I become aware of your slightest wave of thought. When the clothes become dirty, you have to give them for wash. When your mind is soiled, you must be born again, for the cleansing operations. The dhobi beats the cloth on the hard stone and draws over it the hot iron to straighten the folds. So too, you will have to pass through a train of travail to become fit to approach God. See Me as the resident in everyone; give them all the help you can, all the service they need; do not withhold the sweet word, the supporting hand, the assuring smile, the comforting company, and the consoling conversation.
