Thought for the Day

To secure the grace of the Lord, you must have purity of heart, purity in speech and purity in action. This triple purity is described in Vedantic parlance as Tripurasundari. Lakshmi, who is the embodiment of all prosperity, is represented by the heart. The mouth represents Saraswathi. Purity in action (Kriya Shuddhi) is represented by Durga. By celebrating the Navaratrifestival, you must get rid of the darkness within by cultivating this triple purity. You must also use the Navaratri celebration to revere Nature and consider how natural resources can be used properly in the best interests of mankind. Resources like water, air, power and minerals should be used wisely and not misused or wasted. Economy in the use of every natural resource is vital. Pollution of the air has many evil consequences. The significance of observances like Nagarasankirtan and bhajans is this - to fill the atmosphere with sacred vibrations and holy thoughts.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Gandhi, who was an ordinary person, was able to achieve greatness and world renown, because of the lessons in good behavior he learnt from his mother. The mother observed a vow: she would take her food only after the cuckoo sang in the morning. Once when Gandhi was a boy, the mother was waiting for a long time to hear the call of the cuckoo. Observing this, Gandhi went out of the house, imitated the call of the cuckoo and came in and told his mother that the cuckoo had sung and that she could take her food. The mother, who saw through her son's trickery, slapped him on the cheek and said, "You wicked fellow! What sin must I have committed to bear a son like you?" She felt very sad. Her grief touched the heart of Gandhi. From that moment Gandhi took a firm resolve never to utter a lie again.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Parents have the primary responsibility to mould the character of children. By giving in to excessive affection they should not give too much freedom.

Happiness and peace are not to be found in wealth, position or power. All these generate only fear and anxiety and not peace and happiness. Today even highly educated persons do not recognise this truth, but pose as devotees. Hiranyakashipu tried all possible methods to divert his son, Prahlada from being devoted to God. The child was subjected to every conceivable torture and ordeal. Unafraid, disregarding his perverse father, Prahlada held fast to the Lord, and his devotion to the Lord saved him. Prahlada declared, "He alone is a true father who leads the child to realise God." There is nothing great about being a father. No father should rejoice when a child is born. Only when people praise the virtues of his child can the father rejoice over his child’s birth. A righteous child redeems oneself and the family. Verily, they alone are good parents who bring up virtuous children.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba