Thought for the Day

The Gopikas’ adoration of Lord Krishna is Madhura Bhakthi. The gopikasalways thought of Lord Krishna and completely surrendered themselves. They believed that all their wealth, body, mind and everything they had was all surrendered to Krishna. Whatever they did, ate or talked was all in the name of Krishna. If there was any moment of time, it had to belong to Krishna. If Krishna was not there even for a moment, they regarded themselves as lifeless. When Krishna went with the cowherds, these gopikas always worried about Him and His comfort - whether He had proper protection or not, whether He had slippers on or not, whether He had any discomfort of any kind, and so on. They were thinking of Gopala and His well-being, even when they were eating their food, resting or sleeping. Because of leading such a life, over time, they turned themselves to be One with Him.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Life is a game with fire; you must derive warmth without getting burnt. So you must constantly fight the inner battle to use the senses and the intellect wisely to secure liberation rather than get entangled in their wiles. Deepavali commemorates the victory of heavenly over hellish influences, of virtue over vice, as symbolised by the victory of Krishna over Narakasura. Your life in this world is a perpetual struggle with the down-dragging impulses and the raising impulses.The Narakasura within you can be destroyed by the constant dwelling of the mind on the Lord, as the Bhagavata relates. Only when the six foes within (lust, anger, greed, delusion, pride and jealousy), which drag you down are overpowered, the flame of wisdom can shine, clear and bright. To demonstrate this today, lamps (deepas) are lit in a row on every house.

Bagavan Sri Sri SRi Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

Our festivals and holy days should be observed in the right spirit, with an understanding of their inner significance. The destruction of the demon Narakasura symbolises the destruction of evil and the restoration of good. Observe Deepavali as a day for getting rid of all the bad qualities in us. Many Gopikas who were imprisoned by Narakasura were freed by Lord Krishna on that day. This implies that we must free the imprisoned good qualities within us and allow them to be manifested effulgently. As long as demonic qualities remain within people, they will be immersed in darkness. Bad qualities and thoughts must be got rid of altogether. When you realise the impermanence of the body and all the sensory experiences, you will acquire detachment (vairagya). Discharge your duties, treating the body as a God-gifted instrument for this purpose.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba