Thought for the day

 Each person worships a particular form according to their likes. Some people worship Rama because they are attracted by Rama's Name and Form. It is the finger that points to a flower. Likewise, idols point to Divinity. So, idol worship cannot be considered foolish. Never disregard idols because they are inert. Even in inert objects, there is Chaitanya (consciousness). Anoraniyan Mahato Mahiyan (Brahman is subtler than the subtlest and vaster than the vastest). This Consciousness is present in the smallest to the biggest. From your point of view, an object may appear to be inert, but from the Vedic point of view, everything is Chaitanya. It is foolish to overlook the existence of Chaitanya. One may question: if Chaitanya is all-pervasive, why is it not visible to the naked eye? You are all well aware of the fact that there is butter in every drop of milk. Can you deny its existence merely because it is not visible to the naked eye? The process of obtaining butter involves curdling the milk and then churning it.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

 Embodiments of Love! It’s not enough to be happy just on Buddha Poornima. You must be able to experience bliss all the time, and you can do so by following the teachings of Buddha. These days, people are great heroes in making platform speeches but zeroes when it comes to practice. It is far more important to translate Buddha’s teachings into practice than to make eloquent speeches. This is the proper way to enjoy happiness. This is also the right way of showing respect and reverence to Buddha. The teachings of Buddha are lofty, sublime, and sacred. His most important teaching is: Ahimsa paramo dharmah - Ahimsa or nonviolence is the greatest dharma of all. Buddha asserted this with great emphasis and force. Buddha also advised that one’s looks must be sacred. He said, “Sacred vision is a must for leading a pure life. You should cultivate samyak drishti (the habit of looking only at good things) and samyak sravanam (the habit of listening only to good things). For Buddha, everything must be pure and sacred.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Why should we constantly practice seeing the Lord in each and every one around us, even though it may be difficult?

 You must cultivate love towards everyone, however distinct the character and capacity of each may be. Though the same blood flows through the entire body, the eye cannot smell, the ear cannot taste, and the nose cannot see. Do not over-emphasise the distinctions and quarrel. Emphasise the basic brotherhood and practise love. As sugar that has dissolved in the cup of water is invisible, but patent to the tongue in every drop, so too the Divine is invisible but immanent; capable of being experienced, in every individual, whether he is at the bottom or at the top. Do Namasmarana (repeated remembrance of the Lord); taste the sweetness that is in the heart of everyone, and dwell on His glory and compassion which those names summarise. Then, it will be easier for you to visualise Him in all, love Him in all, and adore Him in all.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What should the nature of education be for it to be comprehensive and wholesome?

 Education has to tend to the body, mind and spirit, in addition to intelligence. It cannot be confined to the four walls of a building. The Universe is a University for those who care to watch and learn. Awareness is life; so, the farmer, the carpenter, the smith, the sculptor, the merchant - all have the need to be aware of their duties and responsibilities, their skills and standards, which education must foster and fix. Education is no bookworm affair; the process must include study and appreciation of all trades, professions and guilds. It must encourage acceptance of the good and rejection of the bad. Spiritual education is not a distinct and separate discipline; it is part and parcel of all types and levels of education. In fact, it is the very foundation on which a lasting edifice can be built. Secular and spiritual education are like two halves in the seeds of pulses; the germ that sprouts is in between; it is fed by both.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

How and with what attitude should we march on towards the supreme goal?

 Pure love is like a well-paved, one-way road with no speed breakers. You can rush along it to God at whatever speed you want. Rivers also illustrate this principle. All rivers speed down from mountains. They flow fast and swift to somewhere. Where to? To the ocean. In the process, they go over boulders and rocks, skilfully avoiding obstacles on the way. They never stop, but keep moving all the time towards the goal. Life must be a river rushing towards the ocean called God. The flow should never stop or falter. Overcoming all obstacles, you must keep rushing towards God. That must be the characteristic of your spiritual journey. Be strong-willed, resolute, determined, and sincere. There should be no room whatsoever for weakness. If your vision, hearing, thoughts, feelings, and actions are good, you will experience nothing but bliss.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

How can we constantly remind ourselves of God’s immanence in the world and in our lives?

 Is it possible for this boundless creation to be brought into existence by man, if there had been no Divine Principle behind it? For instance, fire is latent in the branches of a tree and in the tree itself. If the branches rub against each other, they may generate fire which could burn down the tree, branches, etc. Which is the power that filled branches with latent fire and also ensured that they did not destroy themselves by releasing that fire? Is man responsible for this? Take again the example of the process by which the food we intake is converted into blood. Is this the invention of any man? It is the immanent, all-pervasive power of the Divine that reveals Itself in numerous ways. We see flowers of all kinds. Men can make plastic flowers of the same kind. But can anyone fill plastic flowers with the native fragrance from natural flowers? This is possible only by the Divine! There is sweet water inside the tender coconut. Who poured water inside the coconut? Was it the work of any man? No. Only the Divine can do it! Examples such as these should serve to confirm your faith in the Divine!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is the attitude with which we must take on the challenges in life?

 No matter what others say or do, have unflinching faith in God. Only the good face obstacles in their path. Whatever happens, is for your own good. When a student fails in an examination, he does not give up effort. He works hard to attain success in the next examination. Similarly, never give up in the face of adversities in life. Pleasure is an interval between two pains. Vyasa said, Na Sukhath Labhyathe Sukham (happiness cannot be gained from happiness). Happiness results only when you overcome difficulties. Happiness has no value in the absence of difficulties, just as light has no value in the absence of darkness. Difficulties are part and parcel of human existence. So, take them in your stride. Once Kunti prayed to Krishna to give her difficulties in life so that she could remember Him always. She said, “Krishna, when my husband, King Pandu was alive, hardly did I remember You, because I was immersed in pleasures and comforts. After his death, we were put to untold suffering, as a result of which we remembered You always. Now I realise the value of difficulties. They help me to remember You always. I am ready to face any hardship, but kindly ensure that my love for You never diminishes”.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

How can we secure the best insurance ever possible? What is the premium we should pay?

 Every act must be regarded as an offering to the Divine. It may not be easy to develop such an attitude. But if the effort is made sincerely, it can be achieved. It does not call for abandonment of hearth and home or giving up your wealth and position. What I ask from you is to devote half an hour in a day of twenty-four hours to service. Is this beyond your capacity? If you can serve the Government or someone for eight hours a day for the money you earn from them, experiencing in the process many trials and difficulties, can't you devote some time to winning God’s grace, the benefit from which is immeasurable? What you earn through the grace of God will confer on you enduring benefits greater than the wealth you earn. The grace of God is like insurance. It will help you in your time of need without any limits. Material wealth confers bhoga (enjoyment) which leads to roga (illness). Selfless service is the Yoga which secures Divine grace!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is true devotion and how should we strive to practice it?

 Devotion does not mean performing puja or undertaking rituals. Devotion stands for steady love for God. It also means implicit obedience and subservience to the Will of God. Lakshmana followed Rama to the forest as he considered Him to be his very life-breath. On reaching Chitrakoota mountain, Rama instructed Lakshmana to make a hut. When Lakshmana asked Him to show the location, Rama replied, “Erect it at a place of your choice.” Hearing this Lakshmana was overcome with grief. He said, “What sin have I committed to hear such harsh words from You? Have I not surrendered to Your Will? Do I have likes and dislikes of my own?” Seeing Lakshmana’s plight, Sita remarked, “Lakshmana, why are you so agitated? Rama neither beat you nor did he admonish you.” Lakshmana replied, “Mother, I would have been happy if beaten or scolded by Him, but I cannot bear to hear that my likes and dislikes are separate from His. There is no greater sorrow than hearing such words from Lord Rama.” This incident reveals the intensity of devotion and total surrender of Lakshmana. Surrender implies that the individual will should become one with the Divine Will. Obey the Divine command implicitly without questioning. That is the sign of true devotion.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What are the six qualities which will guarantee Bhagawan’s love, blessings and Grace for us?

 Faith or Self-confidence (Vishvasam), Determination (Sahasam), Courage (Dhairyam), Intelligence (Buddhi), Energy (Shakti) and Valour (Parakramam) - when one has these six qualities, God will stand by them in all their endeavours. In any age, any place or in any circumstance, these six good qualities are essential. No worry will haunt anyone who has these six virtues. These six qualities cannot be acquired by education nor imparted by any preceptor. Nor can they be inherited from one's parents. These qualities are secured only by Atma-vishvasam (Self-confidence). In our daily experience, faith is evident from the simple act of posting a letter. No one will send a letter by post if he did not have faith in the postal department. The address and postage stamp on the letter are unaffected by distance. Likewise, God makes no distinction between those near to Him or remote from Him. One's faith should be properly addressed. Faith should be unwavering, total and free from doubts of any kind. The letter of faith must carry the stamp of selfless love (Prema). Selfish love will be useless. When firm faith is associated with unselfish love, prayers addressed to Bhagawan are bound to reach Him.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Why should we never give up service to society?

 Even liberation (moksha) can be won through serving and promoting the progress of society. Through the sense of unity, the willingness to sacrifice and the softness of compassion, all objects can be gained. So, the Sathya Sai Organisation must move forward with hearty enthusiasm in the field of service to society. The first lesson in seva must be learnt in the family circle. Father, Mother, brothers, sisters - in this limited well-knit group, one must engage in loving service and prepare for wider seva that awaits outside home. The character of each individual member determines the peace and prosperity of the family; the Character of each family is the basic factor that decides the happiness and joy of a village or community. And, the nation's progress is based on the strength and happiness of its communities. So, for the welfare of the country and of the entire World, the spirit of service, vital enthusiasm, constructive imagination, pure motivation, and unselfish alertness are urgently needed.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

 Mothers are prepared to give up their own life for the sake of their children. Mother is the very embodiment of sacrifice. That is why in this land of Bharat, mother is given such an exalted place. Lord Rama said that the mother and the motherland are greater than heaven itself. Such an ideal of Rama is forgotten today. Mere chanting of Rama’s name will not suffice; it is only when you follow His command that you can be called a true devotee. The Ladies' Day serves as a reminder that one should revere and love one’s mother and never hurt her feelings. Students! Boys and girls! Always remember your mother’s love. Do not hurt your mother in any way. You say Swami’s love is that of a thousand mothers. When you are unable to comprehend and experience the love of a single mother, how can you understand the love of a thousand mothers? If you are unable to please your mother, how can you make Swami happy? Swami will be happy when you make your mother happy. Swami does not want anything.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Offer yourself to God and in a moment you will experience Him within you.

 The Divine Incarnation (Avatar) is the power of the Supreme Soul (Atma Shakti) that has put on the raiment of power of action and power of divine communion (kriya shakti and yoga shakti). Generally, Avatarana (the process of incarnation) is described as a 'coming down' from a higher status to a lower one. But, no! When the baby in the cradle weeps, wails and clamours for help, the mother stoops and takes it up in her arms. Her stoop is not to be described as a 'coming down’. If you earn the necessary credentials, the Incarnation will come and save you. If, on the other hand, you multiply your demerits and descend lower and lower, how can you be saved? Have pure love and divine bliss (Ananda) in your heart. Ananda comes from pure vision, pure listening, pure speech and pure actions. The day you establish yourselves in this divine bliss, that day will be My Birthday for you!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is the true learning that students must aspire for?

 Students should try to develop the powers latent in them. The educated men of today believe in what they read in novels and newspapers, what they see in films, and even in the whimsical words of a passerby. But they have no faith in God. This is a great misfortune. Those who believe in the words of an astrologer or a purohit, do not trust the words of the Veda Mata (Divine Vedic mother), who has taught the four great truths: "Tat twam asi, Prajnanam Brahma, Aham Brahmasmi, Ayam Atma Brahma" (Thou Art That, Consciousness is Brahman, I am Divine, This Self is the Omni-Self), which declare: "O son, you are Brahman (Absolute Truth) itself." The educated waste their life by developing faith in petty mundane things and by refusing to develop faith in the wisdom to be gained by divine power and spiritual knowledge. It is in order to impart true, ideal education, and mould the students as ideal citizens for the service of the country that the Sathya Sai Educational Institutions have been set up.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Why is every devotee celebrating Bhagavan’s Advent with such devotional fervour and love, in their own ways?

 Embodiments of Love! All who come embodied are Avatars, advent of Divine manifestations of God. What then is the special feature of Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Christ? Why do we worship, adore and celebrate only these with reverence? The individuals that are in awareness are Avatars, individuals that are unaware are humans. They are aware of Atma which is the Truth. Because you have forgotten your true Self you lead lives with the feeling that you are human. As Divinity is in the Atma, the individuals with awareness are adored with the appellation of Avatars. Just like when you dream, you forget your many experiences during wakefulness, so too, having been born in this world with a body, you have forgotten the awareness of your Atmic nature and you have achievements in this dream world alone as your goal. As Divinity is beyond wakefulness, dream and sleep; beyond time, space and causation; a person with awareness of the divine nature can no doubt be proclaimed as an Avatar. Of what use is it to honour the Avatar and hold the day when the Avatar took human form as sacred? The message of the Avatar must be born, must become alive, must grow in you, in your heart; that is the birthday, you have to celebrate.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Why and how must the heart be prepared?

 Just as no seed can sprout without rain and without seeds no rain can produce a crop, the devotee must sow the seeds of Namasmarana (chanting the Lord's name) and develop devotion with the help of a shower of grace from the Divine. This was Gopika’s prayer to Krishna that He should water their parched hearts with the flow of love from His flute. Gopikas prayed to Krishna to play on His flute such that the essence of the Vedas flow out of it as melodious music. Everyone should try to convert their body into a flute for the Divine to make His music flow through it. The body should be made a fit instrument for such music. Then it becomes a means of service to others. The best way to love God is to love all, serve all. You must learn even to love your enemy. A kind word even to an enemy may eliminate his hatred. It is through love that man should refine his nature

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

 The innumerable waves on the vast ocean contain the same water as the ocean regardless of their forms. Likewise, although human beings have myriads of names and forms, each is a wave on the ocean of Sat-Chit-Ananda (Being-Awareness-Bliss). Every human being is invested with immortality. He is the embodiment of love. Unfortunately, he fails to share this love with others in society. The root cause of this condition is the fact that man is consumed by selfishness and self-interest. All his words, thoughts and actions are inspired by self-interest. He has become a puppet in the hands of self-interest. Only when this self-interest is eradicated man will be able to manifest his inner Divinity. Every individual is an incarnation of the Divine. But few attempt to understand this. Developing attachment to the body and forgetting his Divine essence, man leads a meaningless existence. To get rid of selfishness, man has to engage himself in selfless service and chanting the name of God.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is the best way to show gratitude to God for all the gifts He bestows on us?

 Man leads his life on earth, depending on the mutually interrelated five elements: ether, air, fire, water and earth. Every object in the world, whether it is a bird or a sheep or anything else, has a value of its own. Man alone has lost his value because of his involvement in mundane pursuits. Man has no gratitude to the five elements which confer on him gratis innumerable precious benefits like light, heat, air and water. Man has to pay a price for so many small amenities like electricity and running water. But what price does he pay for the light of the sun who illumines the world? This light is a gift of the Divine. What price do you pay for a soft breeze or a heavy downpour of rain? God is providing freely such precious benefits to man. What gratitude does man show to God for all these? The only way to show one's gratitude to the five elements is Smarana (to chant the Lord's name incessantly). For so many trivial services in life we express thanks, but what thanks do we offer to God who is the provider of the most precious benefits in life?

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What does every sunset and sunrise remind us of? What does every passing minute tell us?

 In the beginningless and endless stream of time, night and day, summer and winter, roll on endlessly. The term of living beings diminishes every day. While being carried forward in this flood, man is surprisingly unaware of his fate; he never spends a thought on his fast-declining life-term; he is blind in his ignorance. Riches and wealth are short-lived; office and authority are temporary; and the life breath is a flickering flame in the wind. Youth is a three-day fair. Pleasures and fortunes are bundles of sorrow. Knowing this, if man devotes this limited term of life to the service of the Lord, then, he is indeed blessed. Seek refuge at the feet of the Lord even before the life-breath flies out of the cage of the body. It is an open cage! Any moment, the bird may fly into the outer regions. That is the fact.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is the best way to get the full benefit of the most auspicious occasion of Shivaratri?

 Man should seek God alone. Once God's grace is secured, all else will be got with ease. For this, man must get rid of attachment, fear and hatred. He must perform all actions as an offering to God, who is omnipresent. The vigil and fasting observed on Shivaratri night have become a farce. True vigil and fasting consist of concentrating one's thoughts on God during the whole night. God's grace is a direct sequel to one's actions. Each one must examine and see in what spirit one is performing one’s worship. The Divine can be realised only through Shraddha and Vishvasa (steadfastness and faith). The Divine is within everyone. Once man recognises this fact, he will give no room for bad qualities. Embodiments of Divine Love! Dedicate yourselves to the performance of your duties. Do not waste your time or that of others in idle talk. Starting with the duties of the individual, man should aim at achieving oneness with the Divine as the ultimate goal. Shivaratri is an auspicious occasion for concentrating the mind on God. Devote at least this one night entirely to the contemplation of God, to the exclusion of all other thoughts and worries.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

 The first step for the expansion of love is the home, where you must revere and please parents who gave you this chance to live and learn. If you ill-treat them or inflict grief on their minds, how can you ever gladden others by service and understanding? Expansion is the keynote of education. You know that when a balloon is blown, it bursts and the air inside it merges with a vast limitless expanse outside. Your love too must fill your home and your society, and finally, outgrow even those bonds and become worldwide. A drop of water held in the palm evaporates soon; it’s too much alone. But, drop it into the sea; it survives as a part of the sea. It assumes the name and taste, majesty and might of the sea! Cultivate Love; sow the seeds of love in all hearts. Shower Love on desert sands, let the green shoots, lovely flowers, luscious fruits, and the sweet harvest of nectar be earned by mankind. That is My Wish, My Mission, My Vow.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Discriminate between what is permanent and what is temporary and pursue the path leading to permanent bliss.

 The very physical frame which is so carefully nourished since birth rots and falls aside. What then shall we say of those who feel that these other things are "mine"? Theirs is but the delusion of an insane mind. Everything is untrue, everything is impermanent; they are castles in the air, constructions in dreams. Contemplate on this Truth; approach Shri Hari and glorify Him; that alone can confer on you permanent joy. Inside the room called Body, in the strong box called the Heart, the precious gem of jnana (wisdom) exists. Four wily thieves - kama, krodha, lobha and asuya - lust, anger, greed and envy - are lying in wait to rob it. Awaken to the danger before it is too late; reinforce yourself with the support of the Universal Guardian, the Lord, and keep the gem intact. That will make you rich in prema (love), rich in shanti (peace).

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

When you chant the divine Name with love at least once, you will experience inexplicable and overwhelming bliss in your heart

 In expressing your gratitude to God by chanting His name, you should do the chanting from the depth of your heart and not as a musical performance. Ravana, for instance, used to repeat the five-syllable Shiva Mantra, "Namah Shivaya" constantly but did not give up any of his demonic qualities because the recitation was done mechanically. On the other hand, Prahladha, though he was the son of a Rakshasa, repeated the Narayana Mantra, "Om Namo Narayana" continually with all his heart and soul. This served to save him from all the terrible ordeals to which his father, Hiranyakashipu, subjected him. He came out unscathed from all the ordeals by binding himself with the Lord's name in his heart. Every instrument of torture turned into the Lord's form. It must be noted that reciting the Lord's name with one's whole heart is true Smarana (contemplation). The chanting of the name should not be done to earn the approbation of others or for show. It is enough if one is able to please the Lord. In the process, one becomes united with the Divine.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thieves who rob man of valuable treasures, like peace and contentment, equipoise and courage, are being honoured as masters! Real masters who ensure peace and happiness are treated with irreverence and disgust! Thieves - lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride and hate - are honoured as welcome guests and the real well-wishers like tranquillity and humility are shown the door! You desire to drink a sweet drink, but instead of sugar, you drop salt into the cup, imagining salt to be sugar. Isn’t this the state of man, today? He craves for peace, but does not know how to attain it! The means he adopts, will not lead him to the anticipated end! A large percentage of people who come to Me ask for moksha (liberation) from the bondage of grief and joy, birth and death. But, when I offer to bless them with the consummation of their wish, they do not come forward; they would rather have it, ten years or five years later. So, all the thirst and craving are just a pose; it is a fashionable slogan, and nothing more. Man must be sincere; his word must be in conformity with his feelings, and his action must be in conformity with his word. Resolve on this practice, at least from today.

 Thieves who rob man of valuable treasures, like peace and contentment, equipoise and courage, are being honoured as masters! Real masters who ensure peace and happiness are treated with irreverence and disgust! Thieves - lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride and hate - are honoured as welcome guests and the real well-wishers like tranquillity and humility are shown the door! You desire to drink a sweet drink, but instead of sugar, you drop salt into the cup, imagining salt to be sugar. Isn’t this the state of man, today? He craves for peace, but does not know how to attain it! The means he adopts, will not lead him to the anticipated end! A large percentage of people who come to Me ask for moksha (liberation) from the bondage of grief and joy, birth and death. But, when I offer to bless them with the consummation of their wish, they do not come forward; they would rather have it, ten years or five years later. So, all the thirst and craving are just a pose; it is a fashionable slogan, and nothing more. Man must be sincere; his word must be in conformity with his feelings, and his action must be in conformity with his word. Resolve on this practice, at least from today.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

 It is indeed tragic to witness the downfall of the child of immortality, struggling in despair and distress. If only everyone examines these: “What are my qualifications? What is my position?” They can soon realise their downfall. Will a tiger, however hungry, eat popcorn or monkey nuts? Aim at the goal which your lineage entitles you; how can a parrot taste the sweetness of the mango if it pecks at the fruit of the cotton tree? Let your effort be in keeping with the dignity of the goal! Never slacken effort, whatever be the obstacle, however long the journey! Remember, the goal will be near you faster than the pace with which you are near the goal! God is as eager to save you as you are to be saved! God is prema. He is karuna (love and compassion) for all who flounder on the road! He is called Bhakta-abheesta-prada (He who grants the desires of His every devotee).

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is the true renunciation, practising which we can move closer to the goal?

 Embodiments of love! Your foremost aim today should be to recognise the power of love. God dwells in everyone's heart as love incarnate. The goal of life is to recognise this truth and share your love with those around you. Every human being should deem self-realisation as the main purpose of life and dedicate all his activities to the service of his fellow beings, with constant remembrance of God as the indweller in all. This is the way to redeem one's life. Renunciation is a very much misunderstood term. It is not merely giving up family and possessions. It is the total giving up of possessive feelings of any kind, whether they relate to family or other parochial attachments. Real renunciation means giving up all ideas of attachment to anything. Love can emerge only when there is such total detachment. Consider everything as a manifestation of God.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is the best way to bring about unity in society?

 Pour your mind into the crucible of sadhana and melt it so that you can mould God thereby; then every atom of the mind will become an atom divine. The world is now living apart, in compartments, on the basis of race, religion, colour, creed, caste. etc. Those who question the validity and value of these compartments are themselves in a compartment, by themselves. Metal pieces heaped together are still pieces; they have not become one. The world is united only in the form of a heap; it has not been melted in the crucible of love and moulded in the image of God. The hearts of all men must be purged of hate. Speeches and writings cannot bring about the unity of man; can the ocean get hot, when the forests are aflame with fire? The ananda (bliss) that you derive when you are good and do good must be enough inspiration, enough reward. Resist all temptations to fall into vice, avoid treading wrong paths, and keep away from evil company.

Bagaavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

How can we remain equanimous towards praise and blame?

 In the modern world, praise and blame, exultation and humiliation, have become common. Man is elated by praise or gets frustrated by blame or criticism. To be elated by praise and distressed by blame reflects one’s weakness. To maintain equanimity in pleasure and pain or praise and blame is a difficult proposition. One may wonder how it is possible to maintain such equanimity. You should ask who is the one that criticises and who is the one that is criticised. If you consider that it is the body that is criticised, then there is no need to worry because you know the body is ephemeral and is bound to perish one day or the other. It is a container of foul material like urine, faecal matter, etc. Why should you be affected by this? You are not the body. If it is Atma that is criticised, the same Atma is present in both —  the person who is criticising and the one criticised. So this means that person is criticising himself! Both praise and blame pertain only to the body. If you respond to it, that means you are accepting the contents thereof. If you do not receive it, it goes back to the sender.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

ou strive so much to earn wealth. Do you take the same trouble to experience God? Should you not spare some time for thoughts of God?

 Relying on the literal meaning of words, people wait for particular holy days, miss a meal and call it a ‘fast’, miss a night's sleep and call it a ‘vigil’! In Sanskrit, Fasting is called Upavasa. It means something far more significant than missing a meal! It means (Upa-near; Vasa-living) Living with, or living near. With whom? Near whom? Near and with God! Upavasa means living in the unbroken constant presence of the Lord, through remembrance of the Divine (Namasmarana) - That is the real fast, holding fast unto Him! Vigil (Jagarana) means keeping awake, shaking off the sleep of senses and being fully aware of the Light of Love, which is Divine! It means, shaking off drowsiness and laziness, and deeply concentrating in meditation and Sadhana! Look at the Sanskrit word for heart: hrudayam. It means, Hrudhi-ayam, or "Divine heart", that is, the place where He resides, where He is installed! Through vigil and practice of the constant presence of God, you must install Him in your heart and see Him as installed in all other beings as well!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What should we do to make God our friend for life and enjoy His constant company?

 Arjuna told Krishna, “I came into this battlefield a brave person (dheera). I now have become a man in distress (dheena). But I am an instrument in Your hands.” Arjuna was an embodiment of divine consciousness. He was not, as he imagined, a mud-filled body! He was suffused with divine consciousness, not earthly inertia! Only he wasn’t aware! Everyone gets into the company they deserve, isn’t it? From the company, you can judge a person. Well, Arjuna had the Lord Himself for company! Arjuna had the faith to concentrate on the teachings of Gita in the midst of the battlefield, on the eve of the fight that would decide the fate of his family! He had enough devotion to compel Krishna to show him the Cosmic Form of God (Virat-swarupa)! He had the humility to declare that he would rather beg than kill his kith and kin. He also had the humility to fall at the feet of Krishna when he could no longer understand how he should proceed! Develop these qualities, you too will get the company of the Lord!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is it that we should learn about the nature of the mind and why?

 The mind is a wonder, its antics are even more surprising. It has no distinct form or shape. It assumes the shape or form of the thing it is involved in. Wandering from wish to wish, flitting from one desire to another, is its nature. That is why it is the cause of loss and grief, of elation and depression. Its effects are both positive and negative. It is worthwhile for man to know the characteristics of the mind and the ways to master it for one's ultimate benefit. The mind is prone to gather experiences and store them in the memory. It does not know the art of giving up. Nothing is cast away by the mind. As a consequence, grief, anxiety and misery continue simmering in it. If only the mind can be taught tyaga (sacrifice), one can become a yogi (spiritually serene person).

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is the gift we must return to Nature and society? How do we prepare that gift?

 The tree of the human body finds its fruition when it yields love (prema). That sweet gift is the reason it grew and is fostered. It drew its substance from the earth and the sun. What does it give in return for the gifts it got from Nature and the human community? Love! From the experience of saints and sages, you can realise that the joy got from the external world is infinitesimal when compared to the bliss won through spiritual discipline. To win that bliss, spiritual effort full of detachment is essential. When boring is done to draw water from the earth, the pipe has to be kept free of air so that the water can rise up. If air enters, the water will not rise. So too, be sure that attachment to worldly things does not mar your spiritual efforts. Love will not well up if sensual pleasures and personal pride invade the mind.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What are the important lessons to learn from the celebrated Rukmini-Kalyanam?

 Rukmini is the individual self (jiva), and Krishna, the Supreme Self (Paramatma). She was suffering from rules and restrictions imposed by the objective world; egoism was her brother, and worldliness, her father. But on account of her good conduct, her mind rested on God. So she planned a method to reach God. Rukmini’s prayers, repentance, yearning, and steadfastness were rewarded. Her observance of the age-old code of good conduct at last saved her, for she went out for worshipping the universal Mother Goddess (Gauri puja) before marriage rites. In that temple, she was immersed in worshipping God, and was liberated from the bonds by God who was waiting! The soul yearned, and it won. They had met in the realm of the spirit! This is no ordinary marriage, though the people who write about it and describe it in divine stories speak of it as the romantic adventure of a wilful girl and a young, carefree bravado! It is the merging of That with This (Tat, the Godhead, with Twam, the individual).

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Why is it important to quieten the mind every now and then, and how does one achieve it?

 The clock, to all appearances, keeps on ticking away continuously. But this is really not the case. It is not continuous, for there is, one can notice, a short pause between one tick and the next. That is the interval of rest. But the mind does not have even this short interval between one thought and the next. And in the continuous succession of thoughts, there is no order or relationship. This adds to the confusion and concern. This is the main source of ill-health in man. We are at present planning and preparing for physical rest and recreation and we know that even machines need hours of rest! But, we have neglected the duty of ensuring rest for the mind. Dhyana (meditation) is the name for the period of rest we provide for the busy and wayward mind.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

How can we convert our own hearts into heaven, the abode of the Supreme?

 Today, in certain Vishnu temples, a special door called the Vaikunta-dwara is opened, and people can pass through it into the Presence. Vaikuntha-dwara is the Gate to Heaven, that is to say, the gateway to self-realisation. The gateway to that heaven is not to be found only there; it will open right in front of you, wherever you are. Knock and it will open. Vishnu means, sarva vyapi (He who is everywhere). So, His residence Vaikuntha (heaven) must be everywhere. You can gain entry, by knocking with the correct password on your lips. Your heart can become Vaikuntha if you cleanse it and purify it, and allow God to manifest in it. Vaikuntha means, "the place where there is no shadow of grief." When God manifests in your heart, all is full and free. The cow transforms grass and gruel into sweet strength-giving milk and gives it away in plenty to its master. Develop that quality, that power to transform the food you consume into sweet thoughts, words and deeds of sympathy for all.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Resolve to live with the Divine inspiring you every moment, live in constant remembrance of Him and His Glory.

 God is Eternal Power, Omnipotent, and Omniscient. He is the cause and consequence - the potter, the clay and the pot. Without God, there can be no Universe. He willed and the Universe happened. It is His play, the manifestation of His power. Man embodies His Will, His power, His Wisdom. But, he is unaware of this glory. The cloud of ignorance veils the truth. God sends sages, saints and prophets to unveil the Truth and Himself appears as an Avatar (divine incarnation) to awaken and liberate him. Two thousand years ago, when narrow pride and thick ignorance defiled mankind, Jesus came as the embodiment of Love and compassion and lived among men, holding forth the highest ideals of life. You must pay attention to the lessons he elaborated on in the various stages of his life. 'I am the Messenger of God,' he declared, in the first phase. Yes! Each individual must accept that role and live as examples of Divine Love and charity!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

 Far more beneficial than honouring the great is the practice of loving them. Praise, glorification and eulogy raise them onto an unreachable pedestal. Love binds one heart to another. Gratitude for the inspiration and instruction received must bind the hearts in love. Celebration of Christmas should not end with carols, tableaux, artificial trees and Santa Claus. It must be soaked in the resolution to practice a few lessons Jesus taught us. The very first need is faith in God and in our own Divine Nature. The heart of Jesus was pure and calm. Hence, it’s honoured as sacred. We must make our hearts sacred so that we merge in Jesus or Jesus merges in us. When we merge, it is called Bhakti; to have Jesus awakened in us is the path of Jnana (knowledge)! Jesus was a messenger of God; but note this, 'all of you are also messengers of God’. Jesus was not the only Son of God; you are all His children. Jesus and His Father are one. You and God are also one and you must be aware of it!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Faith in an Omnipresent God will sustain you when you are overwhelmed by the ups and downs of life.

 Embodiments of Love! Nature confers, like heat and cold, joy and grief. In one season, cold is most welcome as a source of comfort. In another season, warmth is equally welcomed. Both give comfort to man when he needs it. Hence both heat and cold must be welcomed by man. Both contribute to man's comfort and contentment. Time, space and circumstance decide their use and their value! This attitude of accepting the inescapable fact is proclaimed and praised as serenity and equanimity in the Gita. Samatwam Yogam uchyate - says the Gita. Equanimity, equal-mindedness, steadiness - this is called yoga! Happiness and misery, success and failure, obstacles and obstruction, defaming and denigration, praise and criticism, are intertwined; they can never be experienced singly. But man is elated by gain and depressed by loss. When praised, he is elated; when blamed, he droops. But man has to keep in mind that these are only phenomena like heat and cold. That is the prescription for mental peace and social serenity.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What are the flowers God eagerly looks for from each and every one of His devotees?

 Flowers fade and rot soon. What God loves more are the flowers blossoming on the tree of man's own life, fed and fostered by his own skill and sincerity. They are the flowers of his virtues grown in the garden of his heart. Of these, ahimsa, the virtue of nonviolence, is the very first. This involves much more than abstention from injuring living beings. One should desist from causing pain to any living being not only by deeds but even by words and thoughts. One should not entertain any idea of hurting another or humiliating another! The second flower is indriya nigraham (mastery of the senses). One should not run after sensual pleasure and sensory joy. The third flower is Sarva bhoota daya (compassion towards all beings and all things), for, "All this is God”. The fourth flower is kshama - tolerance, fortitude. Kshama is identified by the scriptures with truth, righteousness, knowledge, sacrifice and joy. Without kshama man cannot be happy even for a kshana (moment). It promotes divine qualities. It reveals inner Divinity. One has to perform sadhana to earn it and establish oneself in it.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Why should we develop and offer true peace at the divine lotus feet?

 The fifth flower is shanti (inner peace). Shanti does not mean that one should not react at all, whatever others may say or however they abuse! It does not mean that one must be silent as a rock. It involves mastery of all senses and all passions! Inner peace must become one's nature. Shanti has detachment as the basic quality! The sea, which likes to gather and possess, lies low; the cloud that likes to renounce and give up is high in the sky. Shanti endows man with an unruffled mind and steady vision. The prayer for Shanti is usually repeated thrice. "Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi," since Peace is prayed for, in the physical, mental and spiritual planes. Man should not bring his blood to boil nor should he yield to fear. Spiritual calm is exemplified by Emperor Janaka of Upanishadic texts. He was known as vidheha (without body), not because he was disembodied but because he lived in utter forgetfulness of body and its needs! He saw, heard and spoke only from the Divine plane of consciousness!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Are we ready for the Lord’s call? What is the Lord searching for?

 In the Bible, it is said that “the devotee seeks God”. Ponder over this! Are the devotees searching for God, or is God searching for His devotees? God is everywhere, at all times! He need not be sought anywhere, at any time. But, God has to seek those who are His true devotees! What kind of devotee does God seek? He looks for a sincere, genuine, selfless, steady devotee. Besides, He seeks an ideal son or daughter who can be held before mankind as an example and an inspiration. Such individuals have become extremely rare nowadays. They style themselves devotees but they weep and wail when they ought to be really exulting! They exult when they have every reason to weep and wail! So, the Lord says, “I am searching, I am searching, still searching. I searched in the past, I search, and search now, for the man knowing and observing his Dharma true”!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

You would not offer a faded flower to God. Likewise, the heart, which may be compared to a flower, should be fresh and devoid of impurities before it is offered to God.

 The sixth flower is tapas (austerity). Tapas does not mean forsaking wife and children and escaping into the loneliness of the forest. Real austerity is the exact coordination between one's thought, word and deed. The evil man can never achieve this; he behaves falsely to his own self. When man succeeds in this tapas, the words he utters will have such power that what he says will be transformed into mantras. Then, we have the seventh flower, dhyana (meditation). Today, there are in vogue as many systems and methods of dhyana as there are hairs on my head. Everyone describes it according to one’s own whim and fancy. Sitting quiet and transferring their emotions and feelings to God is no dhyana. They must transmute their emotions, desires, and feelings with the help of God into divine qualities. They should not bring God down to their level; they must raise themselves to the level of God. The eighth flower is satyam (truth), that which is unmodified by the passage of time. The Divine alone persists unchanged from the past, through the present into the future. When this flower blossoms in your heart it will reward you with eternal fragrance.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What we should be concerned about is not a New Year but a new way of life. We must seek to secure a new source of joy.

 People talk about the new year but do not care to develop new feelings and new attitudes. They must develop new ideas and new enthusiasm. If they are all the time depressed, when will they learn to express the joy of good living? They must exude happiness. That is the mark of the Divine within. Happiness is union with God. God is eternal bliss. Get rid of your evil tendencies and fill your hearts with love of God. You will become one with God. I am ready to give you all happiness. Are you prepared to receive what I wish to offer? Banish all worries. They are temporary like passing clouds. Do not allow anyone – whether it is the father, the mother or the preceptor – to come between you and your duty to God. This is the lesson taught by Prahlada, Bharata, and Emperor Bali. Their allegiance to the Lord transcended all other obligations. God takes care of such devotees. Surrender yourselves to God and dedicate yourselves to the service of mankind. You have My blessings. Foster love and serve society.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

How can we ensure that the lessons of Vedanta learnt are internalised?

 Now, people read and study all kinds of unintelligible Vedantic texts and struggle with commentaries and notes and translations to grasp their sense. It is being poured down their throats, but the portion does not get down to soften the heart. It is not translated into practice. The truths of the Vedanta are put on for public exhibition, as in a drama, where appropriate dresses are worn on the stage but taken off when the actor moves off the stage. They do not adhere to them all the time to derive the Bliss of the Soul (Atmananda), which they can give. It is chiefly a matter of careful, well-timed, regulated discipline; it cannot be got by spurts and skips; it has to be climbed step by step, each step being used as a foothold for the next. Virtues must be cultivated in the home; each member sharing in the joy with the rest, each one seeking opportunities to help others. This attitude must be stuck to, so it stays as character! How can a vessel with mouth facing down be filled with water? It must be open to receive good impulses. Learn each lesson by systematic study. Application and effort alone will give success.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

How should our march towards the goal be?

 Three types of devotion: (1) The bird method where, like a bird swooping down the ripe fruit on the tree, the devotee is too impatient and, by that very impatience, loses the fruit, which falls off from his hold! (2) The monkey method where, like a monkey that pulls towards it one fruit after another and by sheer unsteadiness is unable to decide which fruit it wants, devotee hesitates and changes his aim too often and loses all chances of success. (3) The ant method, where like the ant that slowly and steadily proceeds toward sweetness, the devotee moves direct, with undivided attention, towards the Lord and wins His Grace! Devotion and faith are the two oars that take you in the boat across the sea of worldly life. A child told its mother when it went to bed at night, “Mother! Wake me up when I’m hungry.” The mother answered, “There is no need, your hunger will itself wake you!” So too, when hunger for God comes, it will itself activate you and make you seek the food you need!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

How can we practice true sacrifice and service?

 “Money comes and goes, but morality comes and grows.” Nothing is great in earning money. What happened to all the great kings of yore, who ruled over vast kingdoms? Could they take even a pie with them when they left this world? No! So, utilise the money earned for the welfare of humanity. Do not be proud of your wealth. Greatness lies in sacrifice alone. It is only sacrifice that confers immortality. Serve in your respective villages. Service does not mean sweeping the roads, cleaning the temple, and feeding the poor. Discharging one’s duty sincerely is true service. Work in accordance with the salary you draw. That is service to the nation. Ensure that the government is not put to loss under any circumstances. We are compelling the government to borrow, because we are not contributing our share in sufficient measure. All those who are members of the Sai Organisation should work hard and wholeheartedly. Embodiments of Love! Develop love, take care of your health, and serve the society. Then God will confer on you the necessary strength and happiness.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is the primary virtue we must all learn and practice as we participate in the activities of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisations?

 Treat everyone as your brother and sister. There may be differences of opinion at times but that should not lead to hatred and enmity. The Pandavas are an outstanding example of this. When the Pandavas were in exile, Krishna visited them. On finding only Dharmaraja, Krishna enquired about the whereabouts of the other brothers. Dharmaraja replied that four of them had gone to fetch food and the remaining hundred were in Hastinapur. Krishna chided Dharmaraja for considering the Kauravas also as his brothers. To this, Dharmaraja replied, “Krishna, don’t you know this? When there is an internal conflict among ourselves we are five and they are a hundred in number. But when there is an external threat, we all unite and are 105 in number.” Differences should not divide us. Members of the Sai Organisation should foster such unity. Let there not be any conflicts. Live like children of the same family. Get a good name, so that there is no other organisation comparable to the Sai Organisation in the world. Develop love and work unitedly.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Gain internal peace, internal joy; that can be done only when you act without an eye on the gain.

 If you know the road and the goal, then you can discover whether you are progressing or not; otherwise, how can you? The goal is to enlarge your vision, your empathy, your love to the extent that God has spread His Love, His Compassion and His Grace. So, be ever watchful to see that you strive to take in more and more of God into you. Blood must circulate from head to foot; Love must circulate from high to low; only then can health and happiness be ensured for the individual and for the community. This is God's world; all beings are His. He loves them all, as the Moon sheds coolness on all. Do not get attached to worldly things and pursuits. Be in the world but do not let the world be in you. Work disinterestedly, content to do your duty as best as you can. Have no desires to place before God, for, whatever He does with you, however He treats you, is the gift He likes best to give you!

Baganan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

How can we make our love changeless and perfect?

 Immediately after birth, as an infant, one clings to the mother's bosom and considers it as paradise. As he grows, he gets interested in education and forgets the mother. In his boyhood, one experiences this love in sports and games, in studies and recreation. After completing his education, he enters family life and immerses himself in sensual pleasures. Later, he gets interested in earning wealth and loses interest in wife and children. Later on, he loses interest even in wealth and turns his thoughts towards God. Thus, man exhibits his love for different objects at different stages in his life. Love is not something which enters your life midway. It is the Atmic Principle which is always with you at all times. You should not allow this love to change from moment to moment. You must transmute all your thoughts into expressions of love. To regard whatever actions you perform as an offering to God is the best form of sadhana. Whatever good deeds or spiritual acts you may perform, if they are not suffused with love they are worthless.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

If evil thoughts dominate, the body indulges in bad actions; if good thoughts prevail, the body performs good actions

 If you throw a pebble into a well, ripples are created and they travel to the edge of the well. In the same way, if you throw a pebble called good thought into the well called the heart, the ripples generated travel throughout the body. When the ripple reaches the eye, it stimulates pure vision. When the ripple reaches the ears, it tunes the latter to sacred sounds. When the ripple reaches the hands, it swings them into good action. In this manner, when the ripples spread across the entire body, there is a symphony of sacred activity all around. Thus, good and noble thoughts are fundamental to sacred activity. Such are the great teachings of Buddha. What is your response to them? No doubt you all read books containing Buddha’s teachings. But the moment the book is put down, all teachings are forgotten. Remember, only when sandalwood is continuously ground that fragrance can be experienced. It is only when sugarcane is chewed well that sweetness can be experienced in full measure. In the same way, only continued and sustained practice of sacred teachings leads to bliss!

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

How should we train ourselves to serve others? And why should we practice it every day?

 Serve people with no thought of high or low; no service activity is high or low, all are equal in the eyes of the Lord; it is the readiness, the joy, efficiency, skill with which you rush to do it that matters! If you do not serve man, who’s your kith and kin, who has the same feelings, impulses and instincts as you, who is before you, alive and gladly accepting your service with a smile of gratitude, how can you serve Madhava (God), who is so far above and beyond you, so different and distant, so potent and mysterious? Train yourselves to serve God by serving man, in whom there is God installed in the heart! Convince yourselves that the service of man is worship of God. If you send away someone who runs towards your house for shelter from the rain back into the open street, isn’t that inhuman, to say the least? if you don’t do all that lies within your power to alleviate the pain another is suffering from, are you fit to be called human?

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What role do sports and arts play in one’s personality development?

 Students! Remember that wealth lost can be regained, health lost can be recovered, but time lost is lost forever. Hence, do not waste time. Time is God. Sanctify the time given to you by worthy deeds, experience bliss and share it with others. Sports and Arts are intended to give pleasure. But the commercialisation of sports and music has lowered their value, together with the decline in human values. There should be no room for hatred or jealousy in games and sports. Our Institute students should engage themselves in sports for health and enjoyment. The participation of students coming from different regions and different backgrounds in games should be conducive to the promotion of unity. Even games should be regarded as sacred. Thereby, the participants become holy.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Only the youth are capable of protecting this world. It is the youth and youth alone who can set this world right.

 While you are students, you must feel that studying is your first and only duty. Be witness to what’s happening outside the classroom; do not rush out and get distracted. Try to identify the One in the many; become strong, physically, mentally and spiritually; imbibe as much as possible the wisdom gathered in the past; cultivate skills by which you can serve society. The heart soaked in compassion is verily the altar of God. If you forget these ideals and allow greed, conceit and hate to take root in your hearts, you are lowering yourselves to the level of beasts. As a first step in educational progress, revere your parents and have love and gratitude towards them. It is through them that you have this wonderful chance of life on earth. They are custodians of culture, the earliest teachers who instilled virtue into you! Have compassion in your hearts for the unfortunate brothers and sisters, who are unlearned, ill or suffering. Try your best to open their eyes, to cure their ills and to alleviate their distress.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba