Thought for the Day

To say that God is the prime cause of everything is true to a certain extent, but you are not thrust by Him into an iron cage of destiny from which there is no escape. Do not blame fate or the stars for your condition. He has endowed you with discrimination and detachment, and also with a sense of awe and wonder; you have to use these for attaining Him. Though bound, you are not entirely incapacitated. A cow that is tethered to a post by means of a rope can walk around it and graze on all the area that the rope can traverse; when all the grass therein has been eaten, perhaps the master might loosen the knot and tether it to another different post! Graze freely as far as the rope allows, but do not stray far from the post and pull at the rope, then you will inflict pain on your neck. 

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Real peace of mind has no ups and downs; it cannot be partial in adversity and whole in prosperity.

The antics of the mind are very surprising! Without any distinct form or shape it assumes the shape and form of the thing it is involved in. It is its nature to wander from wish to wish and one desire to another. Therefore it causes loss and grief, elation and depression. Its effects are both positive and negative. Hence understand the characteristics of the mind, and learn ways to master it for your ultimate benefit. The mind is prone to gather experiences and store them in the memory. It does not know the art of giving up. As a consequence, grief, anxiety and misery continue simmering in it. Most of you engage in bhajan, worship and meditation. Ask yourself: Does your heart pour forth or vibrate in sadhanasincerely? Do you endeavor to sublimate small sadhana through higher and nobler purpose? If not, these activities will remain as mere physical exercises! If you teach your mind sacrifice (tyaga), you can become spiritually serene! 

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya 

When you help others, you will receive help tenfold.

As you claim to be Sai devotees, should you not strictly adhere to the path shown by Swami and make everyone happy? When you follow My footsteps, you will certainly achieve sacred results and earn a good name. Being Sai devotees, give up selfishness and dedicate your lives for the welfare of the society. Sage Vyasa has given the essence of eighteen puranas (scriptures) in two sentences,“Paropakaraya punyaya, papaya para peedanam” (you attain merit by serving others and commit sin by hurting them). This is the main principle of Bharatiya culture. When you help others, you will receive help tenfold. If you harm others, you will be put to harm ten times more. Fill your lives with love. Stop criticizing others. Respect even those who hate you. Hatred is a bad quality. It will ruin you. Hence, get rid of this evil. Love everyone. Help the poor and the needy to the extent possible. 

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba