Love for God (Daiva-preeti) and fear of sin (papa-bheeti) are the only two requisites needed to sanctify your life.

The tree can spread its branches wide. But the branches can put forth blossoms that yield fruit only when the roots are fed with water. Instead, if the water is poured on the branches, fruits, and flowers, how can the tree grow and spread? The roots for the peace and prosperity of society are the qualities of devotion and dedication. Hence the educational system must pay attention to the promotion and strengthening of these qualities among the people. People who occupy positions of authority are named adikaris (officials). That word can also mean the worst enemy, adhika-ari! True officials should carefully avoid that course and use their positions to serve people under their care. The ancients grasped the supreme truth only after personally experiencing its validity. The moderns, however, dismiss their discoveries. This is the reason for the growth of barbarism in the so-called civilised countries. Many have not recognised this fact.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Know that the purpose of human birth is to reach the Lord through prayers and selfless seva.

One has to achieve many objects during life. The highest and the most valuable of these is winning the mercy or the love of God. The love of God will give the great wisdom one needs to attain unshakeable inner peace. Everyone should endeavour to have an understanding of the true nature of Godhead. Of course, one cannot, at the very beginning, grasp the unmanifest absolute phenomenon. At first, you must impose a form and some attributes to bring it within your grasp. Then, step by step, try to enshrine it within, picture yourself as the descent of divine energy. You cannot remain an individual seeker entitled to pursue the goal with just this step. You must also cultivate the spirit of service and be engaged in good deeds that earn people’s gratitude. Only then you can accomplish the task of cleansing the levels of consciousness (chitta) and become a fit candidate for spiritual victory.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Accept your Buddhi (intellect) as your charioteer; then the practice of Dharma will surely lead you to success.

Everyone in the world desires victory; no one desires defeat. All crave wealth; no one craves poverty. But how can victory or wealth be acquired? This has to be thought about and discovered. And we need not search long for the solution. Sanjaya, according to the Mahabharatha, revealed the secret to King Dhritharashtra, “Where there are both Krishna, the Lord of yoga (Yogeeshwara), and Arjuna, the wielder of the bow, there victory is assured and wealth is won.” Why do we need more than this as advice? There is no need to undergo the three-fold struggle — physical, mental, intellectual — to achieve victory. Nor need one get perturbed or anxious. There is no need to pine for wealth and prosperity. Take refuge in God and wield the bow of courage, that is, hold the heart pure. That is enough. Victory and wealth are yours forever!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba