Thought for the Day

The spirit of sacrifice is the basic prerequisite for every sevak(servitor). Without the inspiration of the sense of sacrifice, your seva will be hypocrisy, a hollow ritual. You wear the sevadalscarf over your apparel, only to remove it soon! When you remove the scarf, you feel relieved that you have been released from the obligation to love and serve. In doing so, you are only playing a temporary role in a drama, donning a scarf and doffing it. Internalise the spirit of sacrifice in your heart, deep and clear. God is Love and can be won only through the cultivation and exercise of Love. He cannot be trapped by any trick; He bestows grace only when His commands are followed - the command to love all and serve all. When you do this, you are serving yourself most - yourself whom you love most! For God's Grace envelops you then, and you are strengthened beyond all previous experience.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Before embarking on a service project one must introspect and examine if the heart is full of selfless love, humility and compassion;

People are not aware that time sanctified by service offers high rewards to themselves as well as to those whom they serve. All acts of service are not equally sanctifying or uniform in the benefits they confer. When service is undertaken by power-hungry people, or under compulsion or by imitative urges, it results in more harm than good. Self-aggrandizement or competition or ostentation are motives that will pollute the sacred Sadhana of Service. The candidate for this spiritual activity has to avoid ahamkara(egoism), adambara (exhibitionism) and abhimana (favouritism). Before embarking on a service project one must introspect and examine if the heart is full of selfless love, humility and compassion; whether one’s head has the intelligent understanding and knowledge of the problem and its solution; whether the hands are eager to offer the healing touch, and whether one can gladly spare and share time, energy and skill to help others in dire need.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

You may belong to any country, be of any age, and any position; it is your character and discipline that is most important. There is no difference in the code conduct for an Indian, American, German or Russian. All of you are human beings first and belong to the caste of humanity, religion of love and the language of the heart. When you realise this truth, it does not matter to which country you belong. When you are in the golden age of youth, you should protect your character as your very life. In ancient times young men and women adhered to the principles of character and hence were highly reputed. The sapling has to be tended carefully, so that it could grow into a mighty tree in the right manner and serve the people well. If you want to be remembered, guard your character. From now on if you maintain good character, your progeny, the community you live in and all countries by and large will prosper.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba