Bhagawan's Discourse on 01st January 2004 at Sai Kulwanth Hall Prasanthi Nilayam

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Bhagawan's Discourse on 01st January 2004 at Sai Kulwanth Hall Prasanthi Nilayam

 

SERVICE TO MAN IS SERVICE TO GOD

 

(Text of the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 01st

January 2004 at Sai Kulwanth Hall)

 

People can say that this is Brahman,None can say, however, that this is not

Brahman,God only exists always,The world is illusory, look!

(Telugu Poem)

Embodiments of Love!Today, everybody is enthusiastic about New Year's Day.

Significantly, this New Year's Day has started on a Thursday. It is one's

foolishness to single out a particular day in a year and celebrate that day

with great joy. For a true devotee, everyday is a festival day. Therefore, it

is essential that we have to consider every minute, every day as new and

celebrate it with joy. In fact, every day is a New Year's Day.Everything in

this objective world is impermanent and unreal. Hence, we have to contemplate

upon the eternal truth and reality. We should not waste our time brooding over

the past or anticipating the future. It is great foolishness to worry about the

future or the past, forgetting the present. The present is only real. Past is

past, you cannot get it back, however, much you

may pray for it. The future is hidden in the womb of time. It is not possible to

visualise it. Therefore, only the present is important. Unable to realise this

truth, people are worried about the past and future.The foremost activity man

should engage in, is service to the fellow human beings. Instead, people are

wasting their precious time worrying about either the past or the future.

Therefore, embodiments of love! You should always engage yourself in service to

the fellow human beings. There is no greater sadhana than such service.

Considering the nine paths of devotion, namely Sravanam (listening), Kirtanam

(singing), Vishnusmaranam (contemplating on Vishnu), Padasevanam (serving His

Lotus Feet), Vandanam (salutation), Archanam (worship), Dasyam (servitude),

Sneham (friendship), Atmanivedanam (self-surrender) as the only important means

for salvation, people are engrossed in these activities. They totally forget the

importance of service. Only the fruits of service will

be eternal. We must constantly engage ourselves in service to others. God has

given us this body for that purpose only. This body is not meant to be engaged

in mere eating and drinking and thus wasting our valuable time. We must realise

the truth that God has given us this body for serving others and thus help

others. There is nothing greater than service to humanity. Service to man is

service to God. All great men have sanctified their life only by serving

humanity. Therefore, you start serving humanity at least from now onwards.

Service is more important than Bhajan and all other Sadhanas. Embodiments of

Love!What, according to you is service? You consider helping people in

difficulties is service. No. It is not as simple as that. Your body should be

constantly engaged in serving others. The human body consists of several limbs.

All these limbs are meant to be engaged in serving the

fellowmen and not for other activities. Unfortunately, we are forgetting this

basic fact. Every limb in the human body has been granted by God for

Karmopasana (worshipping God through service). Karmopasana is the only means by

which the human life can be sanctified. We are building several temples. We are

undertaking various sadhanas. But, all these sadhanas can give us only

temporary satisfaction, not eternal joy. Our ancient Rishis have been able to

achieve eternal joy through a conscious effort. Therefore, you must develop

firm faith in the truth that nothing can provide eternal joy, except service to

humanity. Undertake service to the suffering humanity. Service is not merely

confined to health services. Service encompasses every possible help to the

fellow human beings.

The ancient culture of Bharat is still preserved in the villages and not in

towns and cities. In fact, our culture is defiled in all possible ways in the

cities. Therefore, go to the villages, find out their necessities and undertake

such types of services that will alleviate their sufferings. Today, several

people shift to the towns and cities in pursuit of comfort and luxuries. In the

process, they end up in sorrows and difficulties. This is their own making. Na

Sukhat Labhyathe Sukham (happiness cannot be obtained out of happiness). It is

only through suffering, happiness can be achieved.You should undertake service.

In fact, the hands are given to you to serve humanity. The hands that serve are

holier than the lips that pray. Therefore, undertake selfless service and

attain glory. When you undertake good work, you enjoy peace in your life.

Today, the boys who sang Bhajans are former students of

the Institute. They have undertaken several services to please Swami. God is not

interested in worship and other sadhanas. He is interested only in service.

Hence, undertake service and more and more service. The best way to love God is

to Love all and Serve all. God is interested only in love and service. If you

can recognise the importance of these two sadhanas and conduct yourself

accordingly, there can be no greater sadhana. You need not have to spend a lot

of money in service. Sanctify your life by undertaking loving service. Today,

the old students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning have brought a

cheque for Rs. 48 lakhs for presenting to Swami as a token of their love and

service. This amount has been saved by them from their salaries, by undergoing

lot of difficulties. But, to whom should the amount belong really? This amount

is meant to be utilised for service in the villages. It is for serving the

poorest of the poor. Therefore, I told them, "My dear ones! You

deposit the money in the bank and undertake the service activities with the

interest accrued on the amount." Money is of no help in developing good

qualities. Sacrifice alone can develop noble qualities. It is only in

sacrifice, there is real yoga. That is why it is said Thyagenaike

Amrutatthwamanasu (it is only by sacrifice that man can attain immortality).

Today, however, people want bhoga (enjoy material comforts). By such bhoga,

only roga (disease) will be contracted. They cannot attain yoga. Hence, you try

to attain yoga by thyaga. Only then can you attain eternal joy.Embodiments of

Love!There is no use contemplating on God without making sacrifice. By

contemplating on God, you may perhaps derive some mental satisfaction. But,

that is of no use. Therefore, you develop firm faith in the truth that every

living being is permeated by God and act accordingly. God lives in every living

being and experiences bliss. The Upanishads declare, Easwarah Sarva Bhutanam

(God is the indweller of all beings) and Isavasyam Idam Sarvam (the entire

universe is permeated by God). You should not be under the impression that God

is confined to some temple or a structure somewhere. It is said Deho Devalaya

Proktho Jivo Devah Sanathanah (the body is a temple and the Indweller is God).

The real temple for God is the body itself. God is installed in the temple of

our Heart. That is why it is given the name of Hridaya. Hrid + Daya = Hridaya.

It is only when you cultivate compassion in your heart, it can be called

Hridaya. Therefore, cultivate the quality of compassion. Whatever service you

undertake with a compassionate heart, it becomes sanctified. Consider every

human being as a living divinity. God is present everywhere. Forgetting such an

omnipresent divinity, we are hankering after petty and trivial bodily pleasures.

The fact, however, is that we can never attain real happiness

with the body. This body has several limitations. With such a body, you can

never attain limitless Ananda. (bliss).

The body is made up of five elements and is bound to perish sooner or later but

the Indweller has neither birth nor death. The Indweller has no attachment

whatsoever and is the eternal witness. Truly speaking, the Indweller who is in

the form of the Atma is verily God Himself.

(Telugu Poem)

You must be able to recognise such a divine Atma. Today, we are worshipping

idols and pictures, thinking that God is somewhere in the outside world. But,

God is very much present in the human being. That is why our ancient Rishis

have proclaimed, Daivam Manusha Rupena (God incarnates in the form of a human

being). Of what use is it to worship unseen God, while at the same time causing

suffering to the living beings around us? Every human being you come across is

an embodiment of divinity. No purpose will be served by worshipping the idols

and pictures, forgetting the living gods in front of us. Therefore, give less

importance to such indirect methods of worshipping God. Consider the human

being standing in front of you as an embodiment of divinity. Even if you come

across your worst enemy, say, 'hello' to him lovingly. Address him as brother.

Then, he will also respond by saying, 'hello brother'. On the other hand, if

you hate him and start

scolding him, he will reciprocate the same thing to you. Respect every

individual and you will be respected. Man, today expects others to respect him;

but he will not respect others. If you do not respect others, how can you expect

others to respect you? Manava (human being) means an individual deserving

respect. Since you are born as a human being, give respect and take respect.

This is the quality you have to cultivate today. When you respect others,

others will also respect you. When you offer your Pranams to somebody, to whom

does it go actually? You are not merely offering Pranams to the physical body

consisting of the five elements. It reaches in fact, the Indweller in that

human body who is none other than God. Now, what is the nature of this body?

This body is a den of dirt, and prone to diseases; it is subject to change from

time to time; it cannot cross the ocean of Samsara. It is nothing but a

structure of bones. Oh mind! Do not be under the delusion that body is

permanent. Instead take refuge at the Divine Lotus Feet.

(Telugu Poem)

What can you achieve by relying on such a body? It is only sin that you

accumulate. You should sustain the body for the purpose of serving others. You

have taken upon this human body only for the purpose of serving your fellow

human beings. Develop firm conviction in that truth. What happiness do you

derive with the body? In fact, nothing. Whatever pleasures you enjoy with the

help of this human body, you will have to leave all those pleasures as well as

the body itself in a trice one day or the other. Should you have to undergo so

many trials and tribulations for the sake of these momentary pleasures? You

have to respect the Jiva in the human body. That is the real Daiva Seva

(service to God). You have to dedicate your body to such service. If you do

that, every minute of your life is fresh and new. Every day is a festival day.

On the other hand, if you undertake service once in a year, that is not real

service. Your deha (body) is Mrinmaya

(made up of five elements). The divinity residing as Indweller therein is

Chinmaya (consciousness). Therefore, rely upon such a divinity and earn

salvation.You all know about Abraham Lincoln. He used to go to school in the

company of wealthy boys, in his childhood. Those boys were wearing costly

clothes and ornaments. Lincoln, however, had to go to school with worn out

clothes that were mended by his mother. One day, his friends made fun of his

poor dress. He could not control himself. He went straight to his mother crying

and told her, "Mother! I will not attend school hereafter. My classmates are

making fun of me. They are looking down upon me as a poor boy unable to wear

decent dress." Then, the mother took him into her arms lovingly and consoled

him saying, "My dear son! You need not have to feel sorry for such a trivial

issue. All this is going to help you in your future life. You keep our family

condition in view. Do not give credence to what others say. Lead a life of

self-confidence and self-respect. Respect every individual and be respected by

every individual." From that day onwards, Lincoln put his mother's advice into

practice and started respecting everybody. He used to be courteous with even a

cobbler saying "Sir! How sacred is your life! You are doing great service by

stitching sandals for us so that our feet are protected from thorns".

Gradually, Abraham Lincoln could command respect from all people by his good

behaviour. He earned a very good name for himself. After sometime, elections

were held in America. He was persuaded by his friends and well - wishers to

contest the elections. He expressed his inability saying, "I am a poor man. Who

will vote for me? I do not want these positions and power". Today, Indians are

spending crores of rupees to contest elections, but refuse to part with even a

rupee as alms to a beggar.The good words taught by Lincoln's mother made a

lasting impression on his mind. He started respecting every

individual. He used to speak courteously with everybody. As a result he earned a

very good name for himself. At last, he bowed to the wishes of his friends and

well-wishers and contested the elections. He scored a spectacular victory and

was elected the President of the United States of America. Then, he went to his

mother and said "Mother! I am able to rise to this exalted position and command

the respect of the people of America, because of your noble teachings those

days".It is the mother that is responsible for the children earning reputation

and fame. If children wish to earn good name, they should obey the command of

their mother. That is why, the Veda has conferred the supreme position on the

mother and father and declared Matru Devo Bhava, Pithru Devo Bhava ( Mother is

God, Father is God) . The mother is like the body and the father, the Atma.

Hence, we have to respect our father and mother. Then, we can earn any amount

of respect. Abraham Lincoln could earn great

name and fame and became the president of America, only on account of his

respect for his mother. What do the children earn today? Nothing. They simply

waste the money earned by their parents. They bring bad name to their parents.

This is not what the children are expected to do. They should properly utilise

the money given by their parents. In fact, every drop of your blood is the

contribution of your parents. You owe your existence in this world to the love

of your parents. Hence, whenever there is a need for blood donation, you should

come forward to donate your blood. Thereby fulfil your obligation to your

parents and society. Do not ever work for your selfish interests. In fact,

selfishness and self-interest are the main causes degrading the human being.

You might have heard about Winston Churchill, the former Prime Minister of

England. He once declared "man has conquered all, but not conquered

himself".Children should cultivate good habits and good qualities and reach

good position in life. Thus, they should bring good name to their parents. You

can earn good name not by money, but by sterling character. No matter how

wealthy a person is, his reputation will be tarnished if his character is not

good. A wealthy person may be living in great mansions and enjoying the

luxuries of life; but, he will not have peace of mind and happiness. People

crave to earn more and more money. But, of what use is the money they earn?

They waste all their money in worthless things. One has to utilise the money

earned by him for undertaking good and beneficial activities for the society.

He should conduct himself with good behaviour and good habits. Only then, will

he have real peace in life.

Embodiments of Love!Today, everyone is literally crying for Peace. But, what is

this Peace? It is in you itself. You are most sacred souls. Love is within you.

Peace is within you. Unfortunately, today you are losing the peace and happiness

that is within you and craving to earn something in the outside world. You want

to earn great wealth and build big mansions. Devoid of good qualities, all the

wealth that you earn becomes mere waste. Therefore, cultivate good qualities.

There can be no greater wealth in the world than good qualities. The more you

spend the good qualities, the more you accumulate. They will never

exhaust.Embodiments of Divine Atma!Prepare yourself for sacrifices. You will

find eternal bliss only in sacrifice. One who does not make sacrifice will not

find peace anywhere. People of

every country in this world pray for peace chanting 'Santhi, Santhi, Santhi' But

do they get peace? No. They are engulfed in disappointment and despair.

Therefore one should develop faith in the truth that the eternal Lord is always

with us. How can you obtain peace by ignoring the Divinity immanent in you and

worshipping some unseen God?

Embodiments of Love!Share your education and wealth with your fellow human

beings. In fact, God is the real owner of the wealth acquired by you. The money

you earn belongs to God's Trust. God Himself is the President of the Trust. Keep

your trust on God and make proper utilisation of your money. Do not hanker after

money and other forms of wealth. Constantly contemplate on God. You need not

have to go to the forest or caves in the hills in search of God. He is always

with you. Develop that faith and win over demonic qualities. Today, wherever

you see, demonic qualities and violence are rampant. People do not hesitate to

acquire wealth by sinful ways. What ultimately comes along with you at the time

of leaving the body is the sin or merit you have accumulated and not the wealth

you have acquired. Share at least a morsel of food you eat, with others.

Help yourself and help others. This is the greatest sadhana. In fact, it is so

easy to practise. Leaving aside this simple sadhana and forgetting the noble

quality of love, you are going in search of peace in the wide world. Is it not

foolishness on your part?Embodiments of Love!Develop the quality of love. Do

not hate anybody. Develop the faith that whatever happens is for your own good.

Whenever you encounter any difficulty or suffering, you alone are responsible

for it. Respect others. That alone will protect you. On the other hand, if you

insult somebody that alone will punish you. Pleasure or pain, they are the

products of your own making. The merit or sin committed by you will follow you

like a shadow. Man today is giving sermons to others. But he himself is not

following his precepts. What values such teachings will have? All this is mere

deception. Whatever teachings you may read or

listen to, can never help you if you do not put them into practice. Help your

fellow human beings at least in a small measure. That alone will help you. Do

not blame others for the difficulties you face. Do not ever abuse others. Love

all. Treat all people as your brothers and sisters. Cultivate the feeling of

brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God.Embodiments of Love!The Bharatiyas are

really fortunate. They have all facilities. But the quality of love is missing

in them. If only they cultivate love, none can excel them. Therefore, enhance

your honour and prestige by cultivating the quality of love. Follow the twin

principles of Sathya and Dharma with love. Love alone can protect

you.Embodiments of Love!What for are you given the hands? Is it for feeding the

mouth? No, no. You have to sing the

glory of God with your tongue. The hands are given to you for the purpose of

keeping the beat in accordance with the tune. Bharatiyas are those who worship

God with Bhava (feeling) Raga (the tune) and Thala (the beat). The syllable

'Bha' also stands for bhakti (devotion) 'Ra' for Raga (tune) and 'Tha' for

Thyaga (sacrifice). You have to sing the glory of the Lord combining these

three aspects. They alone are the real Bharathiyas. Every individual born in

the country of Bharat is sanctified. We do not need heaven. Let's participate

in seva chanting the divine name. There can be no greater wealth than this. Why

should we suffer when we have such a great wealth with us? Consider all your

education and the service you undertake as God's work. The Gitacharya has given

a clarion call, Sarvadharman Parithyajya Mamekam Saranam Vraja (surrender unto

Me all your activities and seek refuge in Me alone). Hence, dedicate all your

activities to God. Only then will you attain peace in every

possible way.Bhagawan concluded the Discourse with the bhajan, "Prema Muditha Manase Kaho …"

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