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Discourses
July,22, 2008
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Divine Discourse
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Prasanthi Nilayam - Kulwant Hall |
Divine Discourse
By Bhagavan Sri
Sathya Sai Baba Note: Discourses of Sri Sathya Sai Baba on this SBOI -
website/group are unedited, authentic & only sourced from the
official Sai baba Org.
Index of Sai Baba Discourses
Source: www sssbpt org
Love is Truth! Truth is Love!! Live in Love!!!
All names and forms are but the manifestations of the Supreme Being, who is
Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute and non-dual. He is the embodiment of Sathyam, Sivam,
Sundaram (Truth, Goodness, Beauty).
(Sanskrit Verse)
Embodiments of Love!
During the last two days, you attended the conference and listened to the speakers sitting
here in this Hall, undergoing all inconveniences. It is really your good fortune that you
could come here from far off countries and participate in this conference. You have come here
spending a lot of money and undergoing great strain. This in itself is a testimony to the
purity of your heart. There are millions of people in this world. There are lakhs of schools
and colleges. But only a few of you are blessed with the opportunity of coming here. You can
imagine how fortunate you are!
Having come here and participated in this conference, what are supposed to learn? First of
all, you must understand the nature of your own heart and manifest human values, namely,
truth, righteousness, peace, love and nonviolence. Only then can you be called educated in the
true sense of the term. There are many lawyers in this world, who study voluminous books. In
spite of their learning, we find many ‘liars’ among them. There are many doctors. But what is
the use? They are getting bogged down with professional rivalry. We cannot find unity
anywhere. First and foremost, we have to develop unity.
All of us are the children of God. We are all brothers and sisters. We should preserve this
truth in our heart. At times, there may be some differences among brothers and sisters.
Therefore, we must learn to adjust with each other. Not only that, we must understand each
other in the first instance. Adjustment becomes easy when we have proper understanding. There
cannot be any adjustment without proper understanding. Firstly, you must understand that
whatever Swami teaches is only out of His love for you.
There is great progress in the field of science today. All the inventions of the scientists
are within the purview of senses. In fact, many scientists are acting in a senseless manner
and committing mistakes. Scientists themselves are not sure of what they are saying and doing.
They say they are helping society, but in fact they are doing just the opposite. Help never,
hurt ever – this seems to be their motto. As a result, today, people lead their lives with
fear and anxiety. When you board a plane, you are not sure whether you will reach the
destination safely. People are in the grip of fear. They are afraid of even rats!
Never be afraid of anything. Don’t fear. Fear is the root cause of anxiety and delusion.
People today are afraid to eat even fruits and vegetables because they are grown with the help
of chemicals that are harmful to health. The food we eat, the water we drink, the air we
breathe are all polluted. How can we lead a healthy life in such a polluted environment? We
should therefore make our lives pollution free. We have to do it ourselves. Merely for the
sake of satisfying our taste buds, we should not eat junk food and spoil our health. When you
take proper care of your health, the children born to you will also be healthy.
Always speak the truth. Apart from speaking truth, remain calm and composed in the face of
criticism. Only then can there be peace. Our ancient rishis (sages) used to observe silence as
part of their spiritual sadhana (spiritual disciplines). Observance of silence helps you to
progress on the spiritual path. When you practise silence, you can easily experience peace of
mind. Love manifests from peace. When you are filled with love, you will have no enemies.
Therefore, lead your life with love. Only through love can we establish peace in the world.
Today people talk of peace, but we find only pieces everywhere. Even the country is being
divided into pieces! What I mean to say is that people are keeping the interests of their
regions above the national interest. We should stand united as a country. When someone asks
you, ‘Where do you come from?” you should proudly say that you belong to India. Do not say you
belong to Puttaparthi, Anantapur district, etc. Only those with a narrow mind will give such
an answer. “I come from India,” this should be your answer.
Similarly, one should not say that one comes from California, which is only a small part of
America. One should say that one comes from America. Always be broadminded in your thinking.
It is your good fortune to be endowed with such a broad mind. When you develop
broadmindedness, your children also will be broadminded.
Parents should enroll their children in bal vikas classes and impart sacred teachings to them.
As the parents, so are the children. Therefore, parents should tread the right path and set an
ideal so that their children can emulate them. The fault lies in the parents if the children
do not behave properly. Hence, parents should take utmost care in bringing up their children.
After a certain age, children do not obey their parents, because parents themselves do not
follow the right path. Parents should lead an exemplary life if they want their children to be
good and come up in life.
There should be no difference of opinion between the father and the mother. They should be
united in whatever they tell their children. In some families, mother says one thing and
father says something else. Such lack of unity and understanding between the parents is not a
good sign. Both of them must stand on one word and teach their children the right path.
First of all, they should teach their children to adhere to truth. It is enough if we follow
the path of truth, because truth is the basis of everything.
Sathyannasti paro dharma (There is no dharma greater than adherence to truth). Peace
originates from righteousness, and love manifests from peace. Where there is love, there is
nonviolence and everyone can lead a peaceful life. If the nation has to attain peace and
prosperity, we should follow the path of truth. What is truth?
“Manasyekam vachasyekam karmanyekam mahatmanaam” (He is a noble soul whose thoughts, words and
deeds are in harmony). If your thought, word, and deed are at variance, it amounts to
falsehood. Before we teach our children to adhere to truth, we should practise truth in our
daily life. Only then can the children emulate us and become ideal.
We should lead a ‘heartful life’ but not an artificial life. Today, right from the system of
education, everything has become artificial. People read a number of sacred texts, chant
mantras, and undertake meditation. But all this is done in an artificial manner. Whatever may
be the spiritual practice we undertake, do it whole-heartedly.
In the name of meditation, people close their eyes and sit cross- legged, but they have no
control over their mind. Their mind goes everywhere as per its whims and fancies. Therefore,
we should control our mind in the first instance. Manah eva manushyanam karanam bandhamokshayo
(mind is the cause of bondage and liberation of man). As the thought, so is the action. Hence,
we should entertain only good thoughts, which lead to good actions and ultimately yield good
results.
Do not follow the vagaries of the mind. Do not be under the control of the mind. The mind
should be under your control. Mind is like a mad monkey. It goes everywhere without any
restraint. But it becomes quiet and subdued when it is turned toward God.
When the Sun rises, our shadow is very long. If we start walking toward the Sun, our shadow
will fall behind us. On the other hand, if we walk in the opposite direction with our back
toward the Sun, we have to follow our shadow, which falls ahead of us. When the Sun is right
on our head, the shadow will fall under our feet. Maya (delusion) is like our shadow. In order
to conquer maya, you have to turn your mind toward God. When your mind is directly focused on
God, maya will be totally subdued like the shadow under your feet.
There are three hands in the clock indicating seconds, minutes, and hours. The second hand is
the longest and moves quicker than the other two. When the second hand completes sixty digits,
the minute hand moves forward by one digit. Similarly, when the minute hand crosses sixty
digits, the hour hand crosses one digit. However, the hour hand is most important. Thinking of
God once in a while and spending the rest of the time in worldly pursuits is like the second
hand, which has little significance. But constant contemplation of God at all times is like
the hour hand, which is most important.
Do not act as per the vagaries of your mind. As I have mentioned earlier, mind can cause
liberation or bondage. Therefore, you have to exercise control over your mind and turn it in
the right direction, i.e. toward truth and love. Then it becomes steady and attains the power
of concentration. Love is truth and truth is love. Live in love.
This is not physical and worldly love. We should preserve spiritual love in our heart. Only
then can we develop steadiness of mind. Worldly love will only make our mind fickle and
unsteady. Therefore, keep your mind always focused on God. Only then can you experience peace.
People think it is very difficult, but let Me tell you that there is no sadhana (spiritual
discipline) easier than this.
When we develop love for God, the mind can be controlled very easily. On the other hand, if
the mind is not turned toward God, it can never be controlled. Whatever you do, consider it as
God’s work.
Everything happens as per the Will of God. Do not be under the delusion that your will alone
can make things move. If that be the case, why are you not able to exercise any control over
certain events that take place in your life? Understand that everything moves as per the
Divine Will. If something good happens to you, consider it as the Will of God. If something
bad happens, accept that also as the Will of God.
There is certainly some purpose behind whatever He does, which you cannot comprehend. Whatever
He does is for your own good. Hence, leave everything to His Will. Sukhadukhe samekruthwa
labhalabhau jayajayau (one should remain equal-minded in happiness and sorrow, gain and loss,
victory and defeat). Whatever may happen, consider it as an act of divine love and welcome it
wholeheartedly.
When you get immersed in divine love, you will be successful in all your endeavours. But today
people are getting immersed in worldly love only. One who develops worldly love is a liar!
Only divine love can be termed as true love. Divine love will never betray you. Let people
think what they like, let them criticise you in any manner, but always remain firmly
established in divine love. Under any circumstances, do not deviate from the path of divine
love. When you preserve divine love in your heart, your future as well as the future of your
children will be safe and secure.
When someone asks you, “Who are you?” you are unable to give a correct reply. You identify
yourself with the physical body. But in fact, the physical body is like a leather bag which
contains various entities such as the mind, intellect, chitta, etc. Once the life principle
ebbs away from the body, it becomes an ‘empty bag’, which is of no use to us. Hence, we put it
in fire and reduce it to ashes. Before the body becomes an ‘empty bag’ and is burnt to ashes,
you should offer to God all that is contained in it and redeem your life.
First of all, give up bad qualities such as kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada, matsarya (lust,
anger, greed, infatuation, pride, jealousy). They can cause you only misery but not happiness.
You can see for yourself how blissful you become when you get rid of these evil qualities.
In order to experience such eternal bliss, offer to God all that is in you. You have a number
of desires. But is it possible to get all your desires fulfilled? No. Never cause harm to
others in the process of fulfilment of your desires. If you desire something, pray to God and
ask Him directly. Establish direct contact with Him. If you follow ‘indirect’ methods, you
will be put to untold misery.
But today people are trying to harm others in order to satisfy their own greed. Such people
are bound to reap the consequences of their evil deeds. Long ago during the independence
movement, I composed a song visualizing a scene where an infant was crying and his mother was
consoling him with an assurance that everything will be alright and there is nothing to worry
about the fate of the country. I sang it on the stage, placing a rubber doll in a cradle and
rocking it gently.
Do not cry, my child, do not cry.
If you cry, you will not be called a valiant son of Bharat.
Go to sleep, my child, go to sleep.
Did you get scared because the terrible Hitler has invaded the invincible Russia?
Go to sleep, my child, go to sleep.
Do not cry, my child, do not cry.
For the Red Army is marching under Stalin.
They will put an end to Hitler.
Then what else is the reason for your crying?
Is it because the countrymen lack unity?
All the countrymen will unite and fight to win freedom;
Go to sleep, my child, go to sleep.
(Telugu Song)
Today you have gathered here in such large numbers. Have we sent any invitation letter to any
of you? No, no. It is only love that has brought you here (applause). It is only love that can
unite everybody, but not hatred. When your love and My love come together, any task can be
achieved. Hence, develop love.
With the power of love, you can win over anybody, even a mighty rakshasa (demon) can be
subdued. When Ravana abducted Sita, Hanuman went to Lanka in search of her. He found her in
Asoka grove, sitting under a tree and chanting Rama’s name. She had firm faith that only Rama
could protect her from the clutches of the rakshasas.
In spite of all his learning, valour and wealth, Ravana was as insignificant as a blade of
grass when compared to Rama, because he lacked character. Rama was one of noble character. If
one is endowed with noble character, one can achieve any mighty task. That is why I often tell
our students that the end of education is character. What is the use of all your education if
you lack character?
Some lawyers keep reading a number of books day and night. But, when they go to the court,
they speak only untruth. Greatness does not lie in reading books. The truth that the books
teach should be preserved in our heart. We must develop good character. Then we will certainly
achieve success in all that we do.
Once you go back home, remember all that Swami has taught you and develop good character among
your children. Develop a spirit of sacrifice and sanctify your life with noble deeds.
What is the use of merely amassing wealth? Alexander, the great emperor, conquered different
parts of the world and came to India with a desire to conquer this country too. On his return
journey, he suffered a grave illness. Sensing that his end had approached, he called all his
ministers and generals and told them that he was not going to live any more. He instructed
them to take his body to his country after his death. He further told them to expose his hands
out of the bier with his palms turned upward and carry the funeral procession in all the
streets of the city. This was to tell the people of the world that in spite of his great
conquests in the world and a great name and fame, Alexander left the world empty-handed.
This is true to all of us. Whatever we may accumulate, we have to go empty-handed only. In the
ultimate analysis, all worldly possessions are useless. Our bank balance will not follow us
when we leave this world. Therefore, utilise your wealth for the benefit of the poor and the
needy, with a spirit of sacrifice. When you spend your life in such a sacred manner, you will
certainly be redeemed.
Source: www sssbpt org
Click here to see pictures of the event.
Photos: July
20-22, 2008:
Report & Photos: Divine Discourse and Music Programme
-Sri Sathya Sai World
Education Conference - Golden Lingam Photos
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