When you develop love, it will gradually get transformed into wisdom.

 Spiritual learning impels one to pour one’s narrow ego into the sacrificial fire and foster in its place universal love, which is the foundational base for the superstructure of spiritual victory. Love that knows no limits, purifies and sanctifies the mind. Let thoughts centre around God, let the feelings and emotions be holy, let activities be the expression of selfless service. Let the mind, heart, and hand be thus saturated in good. Spiritual education must take up this task of sublimation. It must first instil the secret of service. Service rendered to another must confer full joy in all ways. Spiritual education must emphasise that in the name of service, no harm, pain, or grief should be inflicted on another. While rendering service, the attitude of it being done for one’s own satisfaction should not tarnish it. Service must be rendered as an essential part of the process of living itself. This is the real core of spiritual education.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Why is love the most powerful weapon in the Universe?

 It is most vital for everyone to recognise and practice the Love Principle. At all times love has existed among the good and the bad, in the forest or in a palace, in attachment or in separation, in one's conduct as well as in one's speech, in the mind as well as in action. It is all-pervasive. The most powerful weapon to destroy the forces of evil rampant in the world today is love. Unfortunately, men are not pursuing the right path to acquire sacred love. Love is the seed of love. It is also the branches, the flowers and the fruit. To enjoy the fruit of love, one must practise Love. Instead of seeking to know the true nature of love, man is engaged in the pursuit of wealth and power. No doubt wealth and power are necessary, but only within limits. The vast ocean, when it swells beyond its bounds, is censured for its misbehaviour. The human body and mind will be healthy only when food is consumed within limits. Excessive eating causes various disorders. Everything in the world is governed by the bounds set for it. However, love has no limits.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

You can be happy that you have given Swami a proper Birthday gift only when you love your fellowmen, share their sufferings, and engage yourselves in serving them.

 The divine power has neither birth nor death. I do not feel elated when praised or depressed when blamed. I treat these dualities of life with equanimity. I am happy both in pleasure and pain. There is only love in Me. My love lives by giving, giving and giving. It never receives. This is the difference between My love and worldly love which believes in receiving alone. That is why My love is ever-expanding. A small seed becomes a gigantic tree with many branches and fruits. All of them have their origin in the seed. Likewise out of love has emerged the creation. Love is God, live in love. Develop love. Love everyone wholeheartedly. Only when love is manifested will you attain self-realisation. In the first instance, develop self-confidence. Self-confidence is the foundation. Self-satisfaction is the wall. Self-sacrifice is the roof. Self-realisation is the mansion (of life). Everything is contained in the Self (Atma). With this Atmic Principle, acquire spiritual knowledge. The power in spirituality is limitless. The Power of Love far exceeds the power of the atom bomb. It transforms even those who hate. Develop such sacred love.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What should be the true purpose of education?

 Education today ends with the acquisition of degrees. Real education should enable one to utilise the knowledge one has acquired to meet the challenges of life and to make all human beings happy as far as possible. Born in society, one has the duty to work for the welfare and progress of society. The knowledge gained from education is being misused today solely to obtain and enjoy creature comforts and sensuous pleasures. This education has served to develop some kind of intellectual abilities and technical skills, but has totally failed to develop good qualities. Society today is steeped in materialism because of the preoccupation with mundane pleasures. Only in the institute here, one can witness the emphasis on the divinity inherent in man. In the olden days, when the pupils completed their educational tenure in the ashram of the guru and were about to enter the life of a grihastha (householder), the preceptor gave them a parting message to serve them as guidelines for their worldly and spiritual good. That ceremony is observed today as a Convocation.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Like little drops of water make a mighty ocean, can the little tiny acts in our daily living add-up?

 What exactly is the secret of ensuring peace and prosperity for mankind? Rendering service to others without expecting service from them in return. Activity (karma) that binds is a huge fast-growing tree. The axe that can cut its roots is this: Do every act as an act of worship to glorify the Lord. This is the real sacrifice (yajna), the most important ritual. This sacrifice promotes and confers knowledge of Brahman (Brahma-vidya). Note that the yearning to do selfless service must flow in every nerve of the body, penetrate every bone and activate every cell. Those who engage themselves in spiritual discipline (sadhana) must have mastered this attitude toward service. Selfless service is the blossom of love, a flower that fills the mind with rapture. Harmlessness is the fragrance of that flower. Let even your little acts be redolent with compassion and reverence; be assured that your character would thereby shine greatly.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

 Merely chanting mantras or repeating God’s Name is of no use. We must engage ourselves in God’s work, as I have told you a number of times. Hanuman reached Lanka and befriended Vibhishana. During their conversation, Vibhishana expressed grief, “Hanumanta, you are fortunate, indeed. You are ceaselessly engaged in service to Rama, thereby worthy of His Grace. I’ve been repeating the Name of Rama for many years now, but I haven’t secured His darshan yet.” Hanuman asked him beautiful questions, “Vibhishana, you chant Rama’s name, but are you involved in Rama’s work? Without working for Rama, how can you expect Grace? It has been many weeks since Sita Devi was brought captive to Lanka. Isn’t service to Sita a valuable service to Rama? Have you ever gone to the Ashoka grove and consoled her? Have you even met her once? Have you familiarised yourself with her troubles and taken steps to provide her with conveniences? My every roma (hair) says Rama! But I did not stop there. I offered my life to Rama. I am engaged in actions dear to Him, day and night.” Therefore, the lesson is: The name of Rama in the heart, the work of Rama in the hand (Dil me Ram, hat me kam). This is the way to offer our lives to the Lord.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Why should we have courage and be focused on achieving our real goal in this life?

 Do not, like some mental patients, be always worrying about some little ailment or another. Have courage, that is the best tonic. Do not give up before you have to. It is not long life that counts; if you live on and on, a time may come when you have to pray to the Lord to take you away, to release you from travail. You may even start blaming Him for ignoring you and blessing other luckier people with death! By all means, be concerned about success or failure in achieving the real purpose of life. Then you will get as many years as are needed to fulfill that desire. Yearn, yearn, yearn hard, and success is yours. Remember, you are all certain to win; that is why you have been called and have responded to the call to come to Me. What other task have I than the showering of Grace? Treat Me not as one afar but as very close to you. Insist, demand, claim Grace from Me; do not praise, extol, and cringe. Bring your hearts to Me and win My Heart. Not one of you is a stranger to Me. Bring your promises to Me and I shall give you My Promise. But first see that your promise is genuine and sincere; see that your heart is pure; that is enough.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Which is the one all-conquering weapon that each of us has in our possession?

The power of Love is infinite. It can conquer anything. Once while Lord Buddha was journeying, he was confronted by a demoness who threatened to kill him. Smilingly, Buddha said: "You are not a demon; you are a deity! I love you even if you behave like a demon." Hearing these loving words, the demoness turned into a dove and flew away. Love can change the heart of even an inveterate enemy. It is this kind of Universal love that should be cultivated by everyone. There are people professing different faiths in the world - Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Zoroastrians, etc. There should be no difference or distrust among them, for all of them uphold Truth and Dharma. It was to promote unity among people of different faiths that Guru Nanak started community bhajans which generate vibrations of harmony and peace. Today, the world is bedevilled by conflict and violence. Peace and prosperity can emerge only when people turn to the path of love and morality, and lead purposeful lives.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is necessary to make our Sadhana truly successful?

 It is only when we look upon the universe as permeated by God that we acquire the strength to fight the forces of evil. Many persons who engage themselves in prayers and pilgrimages for years wonder why they have not been able to realise God. It is unnecessary to go around the world searching for God. God is in search of the genuine devotee. The devotee who is conscious of the omnipresence of God will find Him everywhere. He must have the firm conviction that there is no place where God is not present. That is the real mark of devotion. Meditation and prayer have value as means of purifying oneself. But they do not lead to God-realisation. Unwavering faith in God grants inexpressible Bliss. One should not give way to doubts which undermine faith.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya sai Baba

Why should society honour women and hold them in high regard?

 From ancient times the feminine aspect of the Divine has been worshipped in various ways. Vedas declare that where women are honoured and esteemed, there Divinity is present with all its potency. Unfortunately, today men consider it demeaning to honour women. This is utterly wrong and is a sign of ignorance. Stree (Woman) is Grihalakshmi (Goddess of Prosperity for the home). She is hailed as dharma-patni (the virtuous spouse). She is called illalu (mistress of the house) and ardhangi (better half). People gloat over petty titles conferred on them. But women have been conferred the highest titles which are valid for all time. A home without a woman is a jungle. Men should realise the high status of women and honour and respect them accordingly. They should not make women weep and shed tears. A home where the woman sheds tears will be ruined. Men should give an honourable place for women and lead a respectable life.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

How can we become true messengers of Sai and leaders in the Sai Army?

 How can a person who cannot himself swim, teach others the art? How can one whose granary is empty pour out in charity? Acquire the wealth of devotion, fortitude and peace before venturing to advise others how to acquire them. Bharat (India) has suffered slights and disregard as a result of a spate of teachers who have not cared to practise what they teach. I know you have the enthusiasm to carry My message among the people of this country and other countries. Let Me remind you that the best and the only successful way in which you can do it is to translate the message into your own lives. Your thoughts, words and deeds must be saturated with the message. Then, they will spread effortlessly and efficiently, and the face of the world will be transformed. You are officers of the Sai Army. How can you lead soldiers into the fray when you are not aware of the intricacies of warfare, when you are yourselves inefficient instruments? You can attempt to lead others only after practising the disciplines to perfection. This is true of all fields of human activity. Ananda (bliss) and Prashanti (supreme peace) have to be acquired first by you and then can be communicated to others.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is the form of self-mastery Bhagawan wants us to have?

 Note down all the things for which you have cried so far. You will find that you have craved only for paltry things, for momentary distinctions, for fleeting fame; you should cry only for God, for your own cleansing and consummation. You should weep, wailing for the six cobras that have sheltered themselves in your mind, poisoning it with their venom: Lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride and malice. Quieten them as the snake charmer does with his swaying flute. The music that can tame them is the singing aloud of the Name of God. And when they are too intoxicated to move and harm, catch them by the neck and pull out their fangs as the charmer does. Thereafter, they can be your playthings; you can handle them as you please. When these are laid low, you will gain equanimity. You will be unaffected by honour or dishonour, profit or loss, joy or grief.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is the true wealth we must strive to secure?

 There are three doorways to hell for man - kama (lust), krodha (hatred) and lobha (greed). Desires tend to get out of bounds. Hence it is essential to try to curb them as much as possible. The process of controlling desires is called sadhana. The literal meaning of sadhana is the effort you make to achieve the object you desire or to reach the goal you have in view. Sadhana is thus the primary means to realise your aim or objective. A second meaning of the term is Sa-dhana, that is wealth that is associated with Divinity. Dhana (wealth) is described in three ways as Aishwarya (opulence), Sampada (prosperity) and Dhana (material wealth). All of them refer to the same thing. Wealth will not accompany us when we give up the body. If wealth is lost, it can be regained. If strength is lost, it may be recovered. But if life is lost it cannot be got back. Hence, while life still remains, one must strive to acquire the divine wealth that is imperishable and everlasting. Your conduct constitutes this divine wealth. It is only by the way we live that we can acquire this divine wealth.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

 Just as the sun's rays can burn a heap of cotton if the rays are concentrated by passing through a lens, the rays of the intellect will destroy one's bad qualities only when they are passed through the lens of Divine love. Although man has come from Madhava (God), he is enveloped in a Bhrama (delusion) which obscures the Brahma (Divinity) within him. So long as one is in the grip of this delusion one cannot understand God. Because of this delusion, one gets attached to the body and develops limitless desires. This leads to the growth of the asura (demonic) nature in him. In the word 'Nara' (man), 'na' means no and 'ra' means destruction. So, the term 'nara' describes man as one without destruction (that is, one who is eternal). When the letter 'ka' is added to 'nara' it becomes 'Naraka’, meaning, ‘hell’, which is the opposite of heaven. When one descends to the demonic level, he forgets divinity and follows the path to hell. The Divine is realised by pursuing the spiritual path (the Atmic path). According to the Puranic story, Narakasura is said to have been destroyed on this day of Deepavali (Naraka Chaturdasi). Narakasura was a demon filled with attachment to bodily pleasures.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is the one thing we should never doubt in this relationship we have with Bhagawan?

 Develop prema (divine love) towards the Lord, the parama-prema (Supreme divine love) of which He is the embodiment. Never give room for doubts and hesitations, or for questions to test the Lord's love. "My troubles have not ended; why? Why is it that He did not speak to me? Why did He not call me?", you whine! Do not think that I do not care for you or that I do not know you. I may not talk to you but do not be under the impression that I have no love. Whatever I do, it is for you, not for Me. For, what is it that can be called Mine? Only you. So, do not get shaken in your mind; do not allow faith to decline. That will only add to the grief you already suffer from. Hold fast - that must be your vow. Whoever is your Ishta Devata (the chosen deity) - Vishnu or Rama or Shiva or Venkateshwara - hold fast to Him. Do not lose the contact and the company; for, it is only when the coal is in contact with the live embers that it can also become a live ember. Cultivate nearness to Me in the heart and you will be rewarded. Then you too will acquire a fraction of the Supreme Prema. This is the great chance.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

The Triple purity - speech free from the pollution of falsehood, mind free from the taint of passionate desire or hatred, the body free from the poison of violence - has to be attained by all.

 How are one’s internal impulses to be purified? These relate to the mind, speech and the body. Of the three, speech is the most important. How is purity in speech to be achieved? Anudvegakaram vakyam satyam priyahitam ca yat, says the Gita. Every word you utter should be anudvegakaram (free from causing excitement or agitation). It should be satyam (true) and priyam (pleasing). There are four factors which account for the pollution of the tongue. One is, uttering falsehood; two, excessive talking; three, carrying tales against others; four, abuse or criticism of others. The tongue is prone to indulge in these four types of offences in speech. Unfortunately, in this Kali age, all these four are rampant. Untruth has become ubiquitous. People freely indulge in slandering others. Tale-bearing goes on. Indulgence in loquacity is widespread. It is only when one gets rid of these four evil tendencies can his speech become pure and unpolluted. Hence, the first task is to purify one's speech.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

What is the role of Avatars and how can we make the best use of the opportunity of learning about Avatars?

 If you wish to lead an ideal human life, you have to follow the example of the Avatars (Divine advents). Avatars can come in human form. But you should not be misled by this phenomenon. Avatars may appear in human form, but you should not equate yourself with them. In physical form, both may appear alike. But there is a fundamental difference. You should not mistake the cotton fruit for the mango. God comes in human form because man has strayed away from the path of righteousness. To reform man and bring him back to Dharma, God has to take the human form. Birds, beasts and insects lead lives according to their specific nature. They do not need Avatars. Today, only man has given up all righteousness, forgotten his divine essence and degraded his humanness. To reform man in this state, God has to come in human form. The Avatar has to protect the good, reform the erring and punish the wicked.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

My Life is My Message and My Message is Love.

 Your aim should be to see the self-same God in all the Forms that are worshipped, to picture Him in all the Names, nay, to be conscious of His presence as the inner motivator of every living being, in every particle of matter. Do not fall into the error of considering some to be men worthy of reverence and some unworthy. Sai is in everyone; so, all deserve your reverence and service. Propagate this truth; that is the function I assign to the Seva Samitis. You can observe Me and My activities; note how I adhere to righteousness, moral order, truth and universal compassion. That is what I desire you to learn from Me. Many of you plead for a 'Message' from Me, to take to the Samiti of which you are members. Well, My life is My message. You will be adhering to My message if you so live that your lives are evidence of the dispassionate quiet, the courage, the confidence, and the eagerness to serve those who are in distress, that My life inspires you with.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Which is the best Name and Form of God to contemplate on?

 Man's duty is to sanctify his days and nights with the unbroken smarana (recollection) of the Name. Recollect with joy, with yearning. If you do so, God is bound to appear before you in the form and with the name you have allotted Him, as most beautiful and most appropriate! God is all Names and all forms, the integration of all these in harmonious charm! Gods designated in different faiths, adored by different human communities, are all limbs of the One God that really is. Just as the body is the harmonious blending of the senses and the limbs, God is the harmony of all the forms and names that man gives Him! Only those who are ignorant of the Glory of God will insist on one Name and one Form for His adoration and what is worse, condemn the use by others of other names and forms! Since you are all associated with Sathya Sai Organisations, I must warn you against such silly obduracy. Do not go about proclaiming that you are a sect distinct and separate from those who adore God in other forms and names. Thereby you are limiting the very God whom you are extolling.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

People may say that when you go to Sai Baba, there is nothing but bhajan. Realise that there is nothing greater than bhajan.

 The present Age, often condemned as Kali Yuga (the Age of Darkness), is in fact, the age in which one can attain liberation most easily. This is revealed in every scriptural text. The reason, according to them is that, one can be liberated now by the sadhana of Nama Sankirtana - singing the glory of the Lord, and listening to the Name being sung. Among the nine steps of devotion, shravanam (listening to the Name being sung) and kirtanam (singing the Name) are mentioned as the best. Kirtanam is singing the Names which denote the glory of the Lord and Sankirtanam means "singing the Names continuously, aloud, without interruption, and without hesitation." Whereas Kirtana can be by one individual and can promote one's own spiritual progress, Sankirtanam is by a group of people. It can help the process of liberation not only for the members of the group, but it will also be beneficial to those who listen, and even to those beyond the circle of listeners; the whole world can benefit by the vibrations.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Know that the Divine Name is the key to success in your search for consolation, confidence, courage, illumination and liberation.

 The word Nama has great significance numerologically. ‘Na’ is equal to zero. ‘A’ is equal to two and ‘Ma’ equals five, the total being seven, indicating that the Nama Sankirtanam needs seven elements for success: Shruti, Laya, Raga, Tala, Bhava, Prema, Samhita. Seven cannotes the seven swaras, the seven sages, the seven days of the week known as the sacred Saptaha. Sankirtanam must be done with emphasis on tone, timing, tune, rhythm, attitude, love, and the attainment of the highest good. It is not singing for singing's sake. The melody must emerge from the heart, must be saturated with genuine feeling, should be soaked in love, and must make you forget yourself, then it is a tapas or penance. Sankirtanam of such kind will save not just the individual, but will save the entire world. Embodiments of love! Even if you are unable to do meditation, recitation, yoga, or yajna, engage yourself in singing the Name of God. From a simple person (pamara) to an awakened one (Paramahamsa), Namasankirtana can be taken up.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba