Thought for the Day

It is not enough if you claim to be a devotee of the Lord. The Lord must recognise you as a devotee. Only then does one's devotion acquire value. Bhagavatam and other scriptures demonstrate how this kind of dedicated life can be led by any person who wishes to be devoted to the Lord. No one should feel that it is beyond his or her capacity to surrender themselves completely to the Lord. If there is firm determination, this can be accomplished. It is only through earnest endeavour that Divine wisdom can be got (Shraddhavan Labhate Jnanam). Today the world is afflicted with the epidemic of egoism (Ahamkara). There is really no basis for this kind of self-conceit. It is born of ignorance. It has to be totally eradicated. If everyone realises that the body has been given for the pursuit of righteousness and acts on that basis, they will most certainly realise the Divine.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Once Krishna feigned that he was suffering from headache for which the cure was the application of the dust from the feet of a devotee on His head. Sage Narada sought to collect the dust from Satyabhama, Rukmini and others, whom he regarded as great devotees of the Lord. But all of them declined to give the dust from their feet because they considered it sinful to offer their dust to be placed on the Lord's head. Ultimately Narada went to the Gopikas, who did not have the slightest hesitation to offer the dust from their feet, if only it would give immediate relief to the Lord, regardless of the consequences to themselves. The Gopikas did not consider whether it was right or wrong for them to offer the dust of their feet. Their only concern was relief to their Lord by any means. They declared, "Our entire life is dedicated to Krishna. His joy is ours." This was the spirit of oneness with which they offered the dust of their feet. At that very moment Krishna was rid of His ailment and Sage Naradha too learnt a lesson!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Love seeks no reward; Love is its own reward

You may consider that the love within you and the Divine Love represented by God are the same. There is a difference. God's Love is totally selfless, absolutely pure, eternal and flawless. Most people seek things in the world, including God, only for selfish reasons. Human love is self-centred and tainted. Such selfish love cannot merge with God's love. It is only when it is free from egoism, pride, hatred and envy that God will abide in you. Without renunciation (tyaga), if one is immersed in worldly pleasures, and leads a mundane life, their devotion is only selfish, artificial and self-deceptive. It will not lead them to God. God cannot be got so easily. The heart has only a single seat. There is room in it for only one person. If you install worldly desires on that chair, how can you expect God to sit on it? God will take that seat only if you empty it of all other things.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba