RISE ABOVE BODY CONSCIOUSNESS – Swami's ‘Ugadhi’ 2003 Message

[Guest guest]

DATE: Mon, 7 Apr 2003

RISE ABOVE BODY CONSCIOUSNESS – ‘UGADHI’ 2003 DISCOURSE

(Text of the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 2nd

April 2003 in Sai Ramesh Hall, Brindavan-Bangalore)

Fear of sin has declined; wicked deeds have become the order of the day.

Devotion to the Lord has become extinct. Evil actions, which cannot be

described in words, are on the rise. Oh man! Understand that chanting the

Divine Name alone can confer peace and happiness on you.

(Telugu Poem)

Embodiments of Love!

The duality of birth and death is experienced in Prakriti (Nature), which is the

presiding deity of life principle. World attracts man and deludes him. Padartha

(matter) is the basis for Prapancha (world). World is a combination of matter.

The sum and substance is, it is the matter which attracts man. Matter is not

permanent, it does not symbolise truth. How can the ephemeral objects confer on

you the eternal peace? Yad Drishyam Thannasyam (all that is seen is bound to

perish). Whatever is seen by the eye will undergo change with the passage of

time. Such transient objects cannot give you everlasting happiness.

'Aham Yetat Na' (I am not this). It is the fundamental principle of wisdom. The

principle of Parabrahma has no specific form. In Vedic parlance, Aham means

Atma. 'Aham Yetat Na' means, I am not the body, which is momentary and

ephemeral. The letter 'I' (Aham) symbolises the eternal Atmic principle. the

Atmic principle. We see various objects in this world and are deluded that they

are permanent. It is a grave mistake. Whatever is seen by the eyes is

impermanent. Even our body is seen by the eyes; hence, it is also not

permanent. It is a sign of ignorance to identify oneself with the body. Since

ages, man has been under the delusion that physical and ephemeral objects will

give him happiness. True happiness results when man recognises the underlying

eternal principle of Atma in this ephemeral world.

Lord Krishna declared in the Bhagavad-Gita, Mamaivamsho Jeevaloke Jeevabhuta

Sanathana (all beings are a part of My Being). Hence, every man is a spark of

Divinity. Such being the case, how can man be called a mere mortal? Our

ancients used to contemplate on God and worship Him with the total faith that

He was all-pervasive. According to our ancient scriptures, gods are 3 crores in

number. Who are they? Can there be so many gods? The truth is that the

population of the world was 3 crores when those scriptures were written. This

declaration was made considering each individual a divine being. The

declaration: Sahasra Seersha Purusha (God has thousands of heads) was made

prior to this when the population of the world was in thousands. Today the

world population is 580 crores. Every one of them is a manifestation of

divinity. Every human being is a divine incarnation. Why man is wasting such a

sacred and precious human birth? You should not think that God exists

separately with a specific form. Ekam Sath Viprah Bahudha Vadanti (God is one,

but the wise refer to Him by various names). Aham, the principle of Atma that

is present in all of us, is God. So, every individual is God Himself.

If you question, where God is, some people say, He is present in their heart. It

is not a proper answer. When you say the kerchief is in your hand, you are

bigger than the kerchief. Likewise, when you say God is in you, it means you

are superior to God! Hence, it is not proper to say that God is in you. The

truth is, you are God. Everything is in you.

Sarvatah Panipadam Tat Sarvathokshi Siromukham, Sarvatah Sruthimalloke

Sarvamavruthya Tishthati (with hands, feet, eyes, heads, mouth and ears

pervading everything, He permeates the entire universe). In fact, the entire

world is present in your heart. Hence, it is said, Daivam Manusha Rupena (God

appears in the form of a human being). You would have seen many pictures of

Divine personalities like Rama and Krishna. They are depicted in the form of

human beings only. But man today has forgotten the innate divinity in humanity.

He is in search of God thinking that He is at a higher level. That is why he is

unable to realise the truth. Ekam Sath (Truth is one). The Vedas describe this

as Ritam. It is the principle of oneness (Ekatma Swarupa). It is changeless and

transcends time, space and circumstances. It is present in one and all. Man

attributes various names and forms to such divinity and worships it in various

ways. Divinity has no specific form. It is changeless and beyond all

attributes. In fact, all forms are the forms of divinity. Such principle of

unity in multiplicity is forgotten today. All the Upanishads emphasise on the

principle of unity. But because of worldly feelings, man views multiplicity in

unity. He is not making any effort to visualise unity in diversity. Man should

undertake such spiritual practice which will enable him to visualise unity.

The fundamental basis for the apparent multiplicity is only one. You see a

number of bulbs here. All are illumined by the same current. If you put off the

main switch, none of the bulbs will glow. Likewise, the Atma is the undercurrent

in all names and forms. Atma means the power of consciousness. It is the power

of Nityananda, Brahmananda, Yogananda and Advaitananda (eternal, supreme,

spiritual and non-dual bliss). Man is not making any effort to know the

principle of non-dualism. He is carried away by multiplicity and thus is

leading a life of ignorance.

Embodiments of Love!

Realise that the same Atma dwells in one and all. Do not entertain evil

qualities like anger and hatred. Develop love and experience bliss. Share it

with others. In fact, love is your Swabhava (innate nature), bliss is your

Swabhava. But today people are deluded by worldly Prabhava and thereby are

forgetting their Swabhava. This is the year of Swabhanu. 'Swa' means Atma.

Hence, Swabhava means Atmic feeling. You should develop such feeling. Swabhava

also symbolises Chaitanya Shakti (the power of consciousness). It is present

everywhere, in you, with you, around you, above you and below you. When Atma is

present all over, how can it be divided? Never fragment the principle of

oneness. In fact, it is very easy to visualise oneness in diversity. Do not

think that God is in you. You are in God and so too is everyone.

Today fear of sin has declined in man. That is why he is taking to evil ways

without being bothered about the consequences. Due to the absence of fear of

sin and love for God, humanness has declined in human beings. This is

detrimental to universal peace. (Telugu Poem) As man does not have fear of sin,

he is unable to manifest his innate divinity. The same divinity is present in

one and all. Truth is one and Truth is God. The whole world rests on Truth.

The creation emerges from truth and merges into truth,

Is there a place where truth does not exist?

Visualise such pure and unsullied truth.

(Telugu Poem)

You don't need to search for the principle of Truth, It is all-pervasive.

Wherever you see, there is truth. But you are not making efforts to visualise

truth. If only you make a sincere attempt, you can visualise truth everywhere.

Sathyam Bruyath, Priyam Bruyath, Na Bruyath Sathyamapriyam (speak truth, speak

pleasantly and do not speak unpalatable truth). Truth should be uttered in a

pleasing manner. It should not hurt the feelings of others. People say God is

all-pervasive. No doubt, He is present everywhere. But He manifests Himself

wherever truth is spoken in a sweet and pleasant manner. Truth that is spoken

in a harsh manner cannot be called truth at all.

Every man and every creature is an embodiment of love. All the birds, animals

and insects aspire to attain happiness just as man does. They also enjoy

happiness. But there is a difference between the happiness they enjoy and the

happiness man enjoys. Birds, animals and insects are neither elated by

happiness nor depressed by sorrow. They accept happiness and sorrow with

equanimity. But man lacks such sense of equanimity. He feels elated when his

desires are fulfilled and frustrated otherwise. Desire and anger are like pests

that destroy the tree of human life. Today desire and anger have become rampant

in man. One who is filled with anger will find differences and starts

developing hatred. In the daily newspaper, you find many news items which speak

volumes about the anger, hatred and jealousy in man. These evil tendencies are

the bitter enemies of man. People are worried about the harmful effects of

certain planets. In fact, desire and anger are the two planets which cause the

greatest harm to mankind. Yes, desires are essential for man. But excessive

desires wreak danger. Na Sreyo Niyamam Vina (without discipline, there can be

no well being). Desires should be under limit. Man sometimes has love in him

and at other times goes into a fit of anger. Such a tendency is the result of

improper food and habits. Never translate your thought into action in haste.

Take time and enquire whether what you want to do is right or wrong.

Today the New Year has commenced. People celebrate the arrival of New Year with

all festivity and gaiety. But their enthusiasm and happiness is only short

lived. It is not the way to celebrate the arrival of New Year. Your happiness

should remain forever. True happiness is not something which comes and goes

like a passing cloud. At the time of birth, your heart is pure and you are full

of bliss. You should retain such purity of heart for the rest of your life and

enjoy everlasting happiness.

When man emerges from the womb of his mother, one does not find any garland

round his neck. There are no jewels made of pearls nor are there glittering

golden ornaments. There are no chains studded with precious stones like emerald

and diamond. But there IS a chain round your neck. Brahma strings together the

consequences of your past deeds, makes it into a garland and puts it round your

neck at the time of your birth.

(Telugu Poem)

There is bound to be a result for every action of yours, however small and

insignificant it may be. Suppose that you are mending your clothes with the

help of a small needle and thread. The needle may be small, but if it pricks

your finger, the result is instantaneous in the form of bleeding. In this case

action and result take place almost simultaneously. The food you consume takes

at least two hours to get digested. Here there is a gap of two hours between

the action and result. The seed that you sow takes a minimum of one week to

grow into a sapling. In the same manner, some actions yield result in a few

months or a few years or a few births. Whoever he may be, one has to face the

consequences of one's actions. However, you don't need to be depressed and

dejected thinking that you cannot escape from the results of your past evil

deeds. You can certainly escape from them if you win the grace of God by

developing love in your heart. All the results are based on your thoughts and

actions. You have to undertake sacred activities in order to sanctify your

body. There is no point in undertaking good deeds with evil intentions. The

seed that you sow within will germinate into a 'tree' and yield 'fruits'. Some

people have evil motives within but put on a veil of goodness. Such pretentious

attitudes will never yield positive results. Firstly, you should sow the seeds

of sacred thoughts within.

You may be speculating as to what this New Year has in store for you. You have

to undertake sacred actions if you want to enjoy peace and happiness. You

should join Satsanga. Satsanga means to join the company of 'Sath', which is

changeless in all the three periods of time. Satsanga does not merely mean

doing Bhajans and listening to spiritual discourses. Bhadram Pashyantu, Bhadram

Srunvantu and Bhadram Kurvantu (see good, hear good and do good). These are the

three important Mantras that emperor Manu has given to mankind. The teachings

of Manu form the basis for Dharmasasthra. Man should strictly adhere to these

three Mantras in his daily life. Nothing else is required to redeem oneself.

The Vedas say, Srunvantu Viswe Amrutasya Puthraah (Oh listen! The son of

immortality). You are not mere mortals; you are the children of immortality.

You should conduct yourself in such a manner that would befit your stature as

the children of immortality.

Man's wicked thoughts are responsible for the agitation and unrest you find in

the world today. In order to get rid of evil thoughts, you should run away from

bad company in the first instance. You should join good company. Then you will

see only goodness in everyone around you. If you come across a person who hates

you, do not reciprocate the evil feeling. Tension will mount when you show anger

and hatred towards each other. Instead you greet him with love. Then he too will

reciprocate the feeling of love and become your friend. Speech plays a vital

role in strengthening the bond of friendship. Hence, speak softly and sweetly.

You can pacify hatred and anger that is prevailing in this world by your

pleasant talk. Love begets love.

Where there is confidence, there is love,Where there is love, there is

peace,Where there is peace, there is truth,Where there is truth, there is

God,Where there is God, there is bliss.

In order to enjoy peace, you should give up hatred and develop self-confidence.

You should consider that Viswasa (faith) is your true Swasa (life-breath).

You are enjoying the divine grace day in and day out. In what way are you

showing gratitude to God for all that He has been doing for you? God does not

expect anything from you. But you have to do your duty by expressing your

gratitude. An ungrateful person is worse than a cruel animal. It is because of

your parents that you have come up in life. Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava

(revere your mother and father God). Your mother bore you in her womb for nine

months, gave you birth and brought you up facing several hardships. How

grateful you must be towards your mother for all that she has done for you! In

the same manner, father sacrificed his own comforts and looked after you with

love and care. In what way are you expressing your gratitude to your father?

Your children will treat you in the same manner as you treat your parents.

Some people have wicked feelings within but talk in a pleasing manner in front

of others. Such people are verily demons. Demons are known to become powerful

at nights. Here night symbolises wickedness and darkness of ignorance. Daylight

symbolises Sujnana and night stands for Ajnana. When you are immersed in the

darkness of ignorance, you will find only wickedness everywhere. Such a person

cannot be called a human being, he is verily a demon. Jantunam Nara Janma

Durlabham (out of all living beings, human birth is the rarest). Having

attained such a sacred human birth, it is rather unfortunate that man is

behaving like a demon. Even animals express their love and gratitude towards

their master, but man has sense of gratitude in him. Having been born as a

human being, he should conduct himself as is expected of him and sanctify his

life.

Embodiments of Love!

Love all. Let there not be even a trace of hatred in you. Join hands with your

fellowmen in a spirit of tolerance and love. The Vedas have taught, Saha

Navavatu. Saha Nau Bhunaktu. Saha Veeryam Karavavahai. Tejaswi-Navadhitamastu.

Ma Vidvishavahai (May we be protected and nourished together! May we perform

heroic deeds! May we be filled with divine energy! May we never hate one

another!). Such sacred teachings of the Vedas have been forgotten. On the other

hand, man is developing evil tendencies. Such a behaviour is not befitting the

stature of a man.

Bliss is man's true nature. Hence, he should always have a cheerful countenance.

May all of you lead a blissful life in this New Year! May you fill your life

with love! May you develop unity and friendship! True bliss lies in unity. God

is the embodiment of bliss.

Nityanandam, Parama Sukhadam, Kevalam Jnanamurtim, Dwandwateetam, Gagana

Sadrisham, Tattwamasyadi Lakshyam, Ekam, Nityam, Vimalam, Achalam, Sarvadhee

Sakshibhutam, Bhavateetam, Trigunarahitam (God is the embodiment of eternal

bliss, He is wisdom absolute, the One without a second, beyond the pair of

opposites, expansive and pervasive like the sky, the goal indicated by the

Mahavakya Tattwamasi, the eternal, pure, unchanging, the witness of all

functions of the intellect, beyond all mental conditions and the three Gunas of

Sattwa, Rajas and Thamas).

In spite of being endowed with such sacred bliss, why should man give room to

wickedness and misery. This is contrary to human nature. Consider everyone as

the embodiment of divinity. Whomsoever you salute or ridicule, they will reach

God. Offer your respects to everybody. Share your love with one and all. Never

hate anybody. The hatred in you will come back to you as reflection and put you

to suffering.

Hence, embodiments of love, develop love in you. Experience love and share it

with others. This is the most important message of this New Year, Swabhanu. You

are not merely mortals. You are the sparks of divine. You should lead your life

in such a manner. It is only when you understand your divine origin, will your

thoughts, words and deeds become sacred.

Oh man! Examine and enquire for yourself what great happiness have you achieved

by spending all the time from dawn to dusk in making efforts to fill your belly

while forgetting God.

(Telugu Poem)

Get up from your bed with a peaceful mind. Think of God. There are some people

who get up from bed with a disturbed and agitated mind. If the parents

criticise each other as soon as they get up from bed, the children will go a

step further and will start beating up each other when they wake up in the

morning. The children will naturally try to emulate their parents. Hence,

parents should set an example to their children. They should teach them by

practice, not merely by precept.

Under any circumstances, do not give room for anger or hatred. You may have to

face some difficulties and sorrows, but never mind. Be calm and composed. What

did I tell you in the beginning? 'Aham Yetat Na'. Realise that you are not the

body. You are the embodiment of eternal Atma. When you understand this truth,

you will not be affected by the physical suffering. As you are aware, I am

showing you this by example. I know that I am not the body. Hence, I do not

care for any suffering that afflict this body. The physical body of man is

bound to be afflicted by disease and suffering at some point of time in his

life. One should not be unduly worried about it. In fact, the body is born and

brought up through various difficulties. It cannot escape difficulties. But you

should not care for them. Difficulties and suffering are but natural to the

human body. Bliss is natural to the Atma. Follow the nature of the Atma and not

of the body. Give up body attachment.

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

to time. It cannot cross the ocean of Samsara. Oh mind! Do not be under the

delusion that body is permanent. Instead take refuge at the Divine Lotus Feet.

(Telugu Poem)

Why do you worry about such an ephemeral body? Instead, think of God. The

physical suffering comes and goes like a passing cloud. That is the nature of

human body (Pravritti). The nature of Atma (Nivritti) is to treat dualities of

life with equanimity. Troubles of the body come and go. In spite of the pain, I

am going around as usual. There is no change in My daily routine. I do not care

for this pain. You will be put to suffering only when you identify yourself

with the body. I am not the body. When you say this is my kerchief, you are

different from it. Whatever may happen to the kerchief, you will not be

affected. In the same manner, you should not be affected by the physical

suffering.

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

the indweller has neither birth nor death. He has no attachment whatsoever.

Truly speaking, the indweller is verily God Himself who is in the form of the

Atma

(Telugu Poem)

The indweller is Atma which is your true identity. Hence, do not be worried

about your body. If someone were to criticise you, do not be agitated. If he

criticises you loudly, it will vanish into thin air. If he criticises within

himself, it will affect himself. In fact, neither praise nor censure will come

to you. You should not be affected by both. In this manner, you should

transcend the dualities of life. You will become a true human being only when

your mind is fixed on the true and eternal Atma.

Today marks the beginning of a very sacred year. Accordingly, you should develop

sacred thoughts. Not only in this year, but throughout your life, you should

cultivate sacred thoughts. The body is made of five elements, hence it is bound

to suffer. You should not be affected by it. This is your true Sadhana. All

other Sadhanas will prove futile if you do not give up body attachment. Some

people keep telling the beads in a mechanical way and say that they are doing

Sadhana. The rosary will be revolving in their hand and the mind will be

roaming in the market. Can this be called Japa (chanting)? While doing

meditation your body may be steady, but the mind will be wavering. What is the

use of such a Sadhana? A true spiritual aspirant is one who has a steady mind

and an unwavering vision. Unsteady mind is the nature of a monkey. But today

man is developing monkey-mind. He should fill his heart with kindness for he

belongs to mankind.

Bhagawan sang the Bhajan, "Prema Mudita Manse Kaho …" and then continued the

discourse. Embodiments of Love!

When you sing Bhajans, maintain the proper rhythm by clapping your hands. The

clapping should be done according to the Bhajan. Bhajan should be sung with

proper tune and wholeheartedly. The three syllables in the name Bha-ra-ta stand

for Bhava (feeling), Raga (tune) and Tala (beat). It means Bharatiyas are those

who sing the glory of God with Bhava, Raga and Tala. Today there are many

singers who, while singing Thyagaraja Kritis play Tala on their lap. They

should join both hands and clap. The five fingers of one hand symbolise

Karmendriyas (senses of action) and that of other hand stand for Jnanendriyas

(senses of perception). When you sing the glory of God, there should be harmony

between these two. If they are not harmonised, even your feelings will not be

steady. It was Guru Nanak who introduced the concept of community singing in

Punjab. All should sing the divine glory in unison. This was the ideal

propagated by our ancients. But today people have brushed aside such ideal and

are acting as per their whims and fancies. All our actions should be pleasing

unto God. You may call Him Rama, Krishna, Govinda, but God is one. Develop the

feeling of oneness and attain the vision of the Divine Atma.  

 Courtesy: http://www.sairam.ar.cx Do you ?

Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now