Thought for the Day

1.One may have immense faith in God, but from time to time the power of maya may overwhelm it. Even in testing times your faith in God should never waver, and you should desist from acting against Dharma (moral codes of conduct). Whatever worship you offer, however intense your meditation, if you transgress God’s laws, all your devotion is futile. The Divine has no selfish objective or aim. It is out of small-minded selfish motives that people act against the sacred commands of the Lord. Even insignificant acts may, in due course, have serious repercussions. Like the clouds in the sky, which are brought together or set apart by the wind, the passage of time brings both unity and separation; both happiness and sorrow. It is to understand these sacred truths and reinforce your faith in God, that various festivals are celebrated.

2.When you recite the name of God with love, carry out with your limbs the injunctions of the Lord and look upon the world as a manifestation of the Divine, you are bound to receive the grace of the Lord. Do not labour under the misconception that mere chanting of God's name alone is adequate; along with it you have to take part in sacred activities. Devote at least five minutes everyday for reciting the Lord's name and a few minutes for rendering some kind of service to the needy and the forlorn. Include in your daily worship a prayer for the welfare of all people in the world.

3.In this era of technology it is becoming increasingly difficult to lead a peaceful life; people are falling victim to various physical and mental ailments. Many people in the cities which are on the front line of civilization, have lost the delight of natural sleep. They experience only artificial sleep induced by tablets. Due to such excessive use of medication, heart and blood pressure problems are on the rise. People are becoming unhealthy wrecks who are lost in fear and anxiety. Drugs and pills are produced in millions, but the general health has not improved. In fact new varieties of illnesses have emerged and are developing fast. Only a few intelligent people have realized the efficacy of yoga and other spiritual practices. This they have confirmed through their own experience.

4.Our life’s fulfilment lies in Atma-sakshathkara, the realization of Divine Self. To attain this, one must be entirely free from Vasanas, or mental and emotional impulses. Moksha, or liberation, means to be free from the influences of these impulses, which are of two types: beneficent and maleficent. The beneficent tendencies are sacred in nature. The maleficent ones feed the mind and make it unsteady, increasing desires for objective pleasures. If you nurture sacred aspirations (Shubha Vasanas), they will not multiply and influence the mind indefinitely. They are like fried seeds, which will never sprout. If you embrace benign tendencies, you can easily acquire Divine knowledge. You can acquire such liberating qualities by revering and conversing with great Saints, and following their advice; you should also pract ise the five human values

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

1.The word “Veda” has originated from the root “Vid,” meaning “to know”; and as it is explained in the phrase, “Vidam thu anena ithi Vedah”, Veda is that which reveals and expounds all knowledge. The sacred Veda, instructs us in all that is required for one's spiritual advancement. It imparts that knowledge, by which one can overcome all sorrows, and also grants the spiritual disciplines which can bestow unshaken peace. It is hailed as Anaadi (beginningless), Sanathana (eternal), and Nithya (ever-present). As the spiritual quest was sincerely pursued along with material objectives, the sages of the past had the good fortune of receiving the Vedic message. Those ancient masters were so selfless and full of compassion and love, that they shared what th ey had heard and enjoyed with those who approached them. Vedas are like the force of gravitation - present everywhere, at all times. The Vedic message can be received by anyone, on account of one's Sadhana (spiritual practices), one's concentration and the ability to experience the bliss resulting from practising it.

2.You can grow in love, only when you put into practice the love in which you have faith. Since you do not practise what you profess, your faith is weakened. A plant will grow only when it is watered regularly. After planting the seed of love, you must nurture it by watering it with love every day. Then the tree of love will grow and yield the fruits of love. Many today do not perform those noble deeds that will promote love. When you wish to develop love for the Lord, you must continuously practise devotion to Him

3.God is the embodiment of Love. A human being, who is an image of the Divine, should have love as the basic quality. Why then are you infected with qualities like hatred, envy, pride and self-conceit? This is because your hearts are polluted by desires for the things of the world. The image of the Lord cannot be imprinted on such impure hearts. It is only when one realizes the omnipresence and omniscience of God, that one can comprehend the nature of Divinity and recognise God within. To experience the joy that springs from a devotee who has developed Sannikarsha Bhakti (magnetic love towards God), you must show love and reverence towards elders and serve them with humility and respect. Towards equals, you must show love and friendliness. Towards the young, you should extend sympathy and loving care. By these means, you can demonstrate your love and fondness for the Divine, that is in all.

4.In the vessel of your heart is the wick of your jiva (inner self). This wick has been continually immersed in the water of your sensuous desires and so you are not able to light the lamp of wisdom. Pour out all the water of desires from this vessel, and fill it with Namasmarana (constant remembrance of God's name); take the wick of jiva and dry it in the sunshine of vairagya (detachment). If you follow this sacred method, you will be able to light the lamp of wisdom and no matter where you are, you will be able to see this jyothi (divine effulgence).

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Every one should cultivate good thoughts and eschew all bad feelings

1.Everyone should cultivate good thoughts and eschew all bad feelings. God has no dislike for anyone and is free of envy and ill-will. He does not have any favourites. The grace one receives is the result of one's own feelings. "Bhaavaatheetham thriguna rahitham" (The Divine is beyond feelings and attributes). He is "Ekam Sathyam Vimalam Achalam" (One, the Truth, Pure and Immovable). He is "sarvadhee saakshibhuutham" (the eternal witness in all minds). When devotees complain they are being punished by the Lord in various ways, they do not realize that God does not punish them. It is their own fears and desires that cause their troubles. A true devotee recognizes that all suffering is the consequence of one’s own bad thoughts and actions.

2.Unless you are filled with God’s Love, no amount of knowledge will give you peace. The craze for money is the cause of all the world’s ills. As craving for wealth increases, the yearning for God declines. Due to the desire for riches, other evil qualities like pride, greed, envy and hatred have grown among humanity. Wealth is necessary but it is the treasure of Divine Grace and Love that will last forever and preserve you; all other things are transient. You should also realize that God responds only to deep and genuine devotion; verbal supplications will not suffice. You must yearn so that God’s heart will melt. Even soft butter will melt only when you heat it. Likewise the warmth of Bhakthi (love for the Lord) has to be applied to the butter of the human heart, to make God melt.

3.The Divine incarnates from age to age for the purpose of protecting the virtuous, punishing the wicked and establishing righteousness. Lord Krishna was one such manifestation of the Divine. In fulfilling His pledge to Mother Earth, He rid the world of many wicked rulers and sought to establish the reign of righteousness for the protection of the good. But today if the Divine wanted to punish the wicked and protect the righteous, He would not find even one wholly righteous person and all would qualify for punishment! Nowadays, it is not a question of destroying the wicked, but of transforming Adharma (unrighteousness) into Dharma (righteousness). This has to be done through love alone.

4.Krishna is the embodiment of divine Love. The very word ‘Krishna’ means one who attracts: Karshatiti Krishna - ‘Krishna is one who attracts’. Krishyatiti Krishna - ‘Krishna is one who nurtures’, is another derivation of the name. This means that Lord Krishna cultivates devotees’ hearts, by removing weeds, sowing the seeds of good qualities and tending the crop of love. We can also say, Kushyatiti Krishna, meaning, ‘He who gives delight’. Krishna thus means, the one who cultivates our hearts and nurtures in them the crop of bliss. The principal message of Krishna’s life, is divine Love. This most precious divine Love is immensely powerful, resplendent and as indestructible as diamonds. In the same way that diamonds can only be cut with another diamond, if you want to experience such divine love, your love for God must be equally strong.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba