Thought for the Day

Whatever happens, never give up the virtuous path. When Hanuman saw Mother Sita in the Ashoka Vana at Lanka, he saw her forlorn and helpless in the midst of her captors, surrounded by ogresses. He experienced overpowering agony seeing her, and so proposed to her, "Mother, I cannot bear your suffering. I shall take you on my shoulder, leaping across the sea, and restore you to Lord Rama". But listen to Mother Sita’s response! Despite untenable suffering, she resisted temptation to escape from captivity and reunite with her Lord. She stuck to Dharma and explained, "I should not, out of my own will, touch any male other than my Lord. If you carry me now, you will perform the same act for which Ravana is condemned. It will detract the glory that awaits my Lord, who will certainly liberate me by the prowess of His arm." End results can never justify the means. Means are just as important as the goal; both must be noble! 

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Thought for the Day

The love that is concentrated on oneself is as a bulb that illuminates the room alone, without shedding light outside the four walls. It is confined to the senses and never opens out to others, who are your kith and kin in God. There is another type of love, larger and deeper, which expands into the members of one's family. It is like moonlight, not strong enough to make things clear, but enough to move about in. It also undergoes rise and fall, increase and decrease. But the most desirable type of love is like the sunlight - ever engaged in purifying, activating, and illumining without any distinction. This love will make one act ever in the spirit of dedication to the Lord. Then all the acts would be elevating and holy. 

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Test all your thoughts, words and actions on this touchstone: “Will this be approved by God? Will this rebound to His renown?”

Be good, be serviceable, be useful, be kind, be God-fearing — then the confidence of the people will be yours. Faith is the very breath of victory — faith in oneself, faith in the good work one has set upon, and faith in its success despite signs of failure. Attachment and hatred are the greatest enemies of progress in any work. If someone is deluded into believing that they are saving others, then woe be to them, for there is no ‘other’ at all! The fundamental flaw here is ignorance! If only you are wise, you will know that all individuals are waves on the surface of the self-same ocean. All are One, injury to the hand is pain to the whole body. Hence, selfless action is the ideal to be practised! Perform all actions without selfish desire (Nishkama Karma)! Desire for gain is like the poison fangs; when they are pulled out, the snake of karma is rendered harmless. 

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba