Shanti at the beginning, at the end and in between

[Guest guest]

A person who had come into the hall a little earlier, said,

"Swami, you must favour me by giving me that peace for

my mind."

Bhagavan replied with a smile,

"Oho! Is that so? First find out what is meant by the mind.

If you enquire thus, the mind itself will disappear. That

which will be left is peace itself. You will then know that

what is always there is what is called peace.

 

Even the Vedas begin with 'Shanti' and close with

'Shanti' (peace). Everyday the Vedas are being recited

here. Whenever they are recited, the word 'Shanti hi'

'Shanti hi' 'Shanti hi' will be repeated. But no one bothers

to find out the meaning of those words. If they understand

the meaning they would realise that what is begun with

Shanti and what is concluded with Shanti must have

Shanti in between also. The whole thing will be full of

Shanti. Hence they must be begun at a time when the

mind is peaceful and quiet.

 

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Nagamma: Letters, entry 2nd July, 1949

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