Swami's discourse on 14-4-2003 - Tamil New Year's day

[Guest guest]

Om Sri Sai Ram

CHANTING OF GOD'S NAME - THE ROYAL PATH TO LIBERATION

[Text of the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 14th

April 2003 in Sai Ramesh Hall, Brindavan-Bangalore]

 Forbearance is the real beauty in this sacred land of Bharat. Of all the vows,

adherence to truth is the greatest vow. The nectarine feeling in this country

is the feeling of motherhood. Self-respect is valued far more than the very

life itself. People have forgotten the basic principles of this great culture

and in the name of freedom are imitating Western culture today. Alas! What can

I speak of the governance of this country? The Bharatiyas are not aware of the

greatness of their cultural heritage just as a mighty elephant is not aware of

its own strength.

(Telugu Poem)

Embodiments of Love!

Today everyone is rejoicing celebrating Tamil New Year's day. Swabhanu is the

name of this year. 'Swa' means Atma. In the spiritual parlance, we have four

stages towards liberation: Salokya, Sameepya, Sarupya and Sayujya (mental

proximity to the Divine, physical proximity to the Divine, identifying oneself

with the Divine, becoming one with the Divine). The letter 'Sa' is associated

with the Atmic feeling. With the onset of the New Year 'Swabhanu', one should

also develop new and divine feelings. Many New Years have gone by. But to what

extent man has transformed himself? Man should tread a new and noble path and

set an ideal to others. Only then would he have celebrated the arrival of New

Year in the true sense. He should practice and propagate newer ideals in his

daily life. Vedanta declares, Aham Etat Na (I am not this). Aham means 'I', the

Atmic principle and 'this' refers to body. Man should not give scope to Ahamkara

(ego) by identifying himself with the body. 'I' does not correspond to the body.

'I' corresponds to the eternal and immortal Atma, which is not tainted by ego,

pomposity and immorality. Only when man develops such Atma Viswasa

(Self-confidence), can he set an ideal to others. Man today does not understand

the meaning of Self-confidence. First of all, man should have faith in himself.

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

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

bliss;Where there is bliss, there is God.

Truth is the direct manifestation of God. People attribute various names to God.

Sahasra Seersha Purusha Sahasraksha Sahasra Pad (God has thousands of heads,

eyes and feet). Names are many, but God is one. Be it any State or country, God

is one. Ekam Sath Viprah Bahudha Vadanti (truth is one, but the wise refer to it

by various names). What is truth? It is not merely reporting what is seen, heard

or experienced. It is the transcendental truth, which is not bound by time,

space and circumstances. Be it any nation, any time, any circumstances, Truth

is 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)

Truth cannot be different from nation to nation like American Truth, Russian

Truth, Pakistani Truth, Indian Truth, etc. Truth is one and the same for all

nations. Hence, we should recognise that Truth is God and worship Truth by

strictly adhering to it. We find unrest and agitation in the world today

because people have forgotten truth. Sathyam Bruyath, Priyam Bruyath, Na

Bruyath Sathyamapriyam (speak truth, speak pleasantly and do not speak

unpalatable truth). Only truth and righteousness can confer peace and

prosperity on the world today. Sathyam Vada; Dharmam Chara (speak truth;

practice righteousness). This is the most important principle of Indian

culture. Once you develop truth and righteousness, peace and love will

automatically follow. Righteousness is the head of Indian culture and, Truth

its feet. But today people have severed the head and feet of Indian culture.

They are clinging on to the trunk of Artha and Kama (wealth and desire). What

is the use of mere trunk without the head and the feet? People are striving to

protect the country. If you protect and practice truth and righteousness, they

will in turn protect the country. You don't need to make any special efforts to

protect the country. It is enough if you protect truth and righteousness. The

entire world is based on these two principles.

Embodiments of Love!

New Year does not bring new principles of truth and righteousness. They are

changeless and eternal. When they are practiced, the whole world will be taken

care of. Hence, we have to always keep in mind these two principles. For man,

truth and righteousness are his two eyes. In fact, they are his very life

principles. He may undertake any activity, he may do any job or business, but

he should make truth and righteousness as the undercurrent of all his

endeavors.

Man has to take to a newer path. Years have rolled by, but man has not given up

his old and mean feelings. He has to purify his heart. Humanness will blossom

only when there is transformation of the heart. Merely putting on new clothes

is not enough, man has to change his character and behavior. His conduct should

be based on truth and righteousness. He has to understand the principle of

Transcendental Truth. It is present in everyone. In fact, man is not a mere

mortal, he is God. The Vedas say, Raso Vai Sah (God pervades everything in the

form of essence). God moves about in the form of Rasa (essence) in every limb

and every cell and protects the body. Hence, He is known as Angirasa. If God

does not protect the body, who else can? Body is not permanent.

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 quiver

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

take refuge at the Divine Lotus Feet.

 (Telugu Poem)

Body is like a water bubble. Mind is like a mad monkey. Do not follow the body;

do not follow the mind. Follow the conscience. Conscience is your God. You are

forgetting God who is present in you in the form of conscience and who is

protecting your body in the form of Angirasa. God is changeless, pure and

eternal. He has absolutely no trace of selfishness in Him. He is always

concerned about the welfare of the devotees. Do not superimpose your

selfishness on God and get deluded. When everything is in His hand, how can

there be selfishness in Him? Whatever He does is for the welfare of all. Loka

Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu (May all the people of the world be happy!) This is

what God aspires for. He is known as Aprameya as He is beyond all measure. He

is present in man's Hridaya in the form of bliss. He shines as Prema Swarupa

(embodiment of love). He practices Dharma, being the embodiment of Dharma. He

leads from the front setting an ideal for humanity and helping everyone. He

says, "Oh man! Why fear when I am here. Follow Me." Why should one fear when

God has given such an assurance? If you follow Him, He will certainly bestow on

you pure and unsullied bliss. Saints and Sages of yore performed intense penance

in order to have the vision of God. Some of them died during their penance, but

the others did not give up their resolve. They continued their penance with

unflinching faith and determination. Ultimately, they had the Divine vision.

Then they declared to the world that they had seen God. Vedahametham Purusham

Mahantham Adityavarnam Thamasa Parasthath (I have visualised the Supreme Being

who shines with the effulgence of a billion suns and who is beyond Thamas - the

darkness of ignorance). They exhorted people to make efforts to see God and

experience bliss. If you contemplate on God with pure and selfless love, you

can also see Him. Today, many are in the quest of God. God is everywhere but

you should have the eyes to see Him. Today people are trying to see God with

their Charma Chakshu (physical eye). That is why they are unable to see Him.

One can see God only with Jnana Chakshu (the eye of wisdom). Sarvatah Panipadam

Tat Sarvathokshi Siromukham, Sarvatah Sruthimalloke Sarvamavruthya Tishthati

(with hands, feet, eyes, heads, mouth and ears pervading everything, He

permeates the entire universe). Where is the need to search for God who is

everywhere? What we have to search for is not God but a true human being! But

he is not to be seen anywhere. Nowadays We find only Akara Manavas (human

beings in form), not Achara Manavas (human beings in practice). Practice is

very essential. Without Acharana (practice), what is the use of merely having

Akara (form)? Do not repose your faith in the body and consider it to be

permanent. It is merely an instrument given by God. Make proper use of this

instrument by discharging your duties and serving society. Help the needy and

the forlorn. Take good care of the destitute and the poor with love. Dedicate

your life for the cause of Sathya and Dharma. That is how you have to celebrate

the arrival of New Year. You should give up your old and mean thoughts, fill

your heart with novel, fresh and noble feelings and lead a new life. But where

is such a new life in the present-day world? Days have changed but feelings

have not. Guddalu (clothes) are changed every day but Gunamu (character) has

not changed. Merely donning ochre robes will not make a Sannyasi (renunciant).

You should develop good qualities and become a Sarvasanga Parithyagi (totally

devoid of attachment). Only then can you be called a true Sannyasi.

Na Karmana Na Prajaya Dhanena Thyagenaike Amrutatthwamanasuh (immortality is not

attained through action, progeny or wealth; it is attained only by sacrifice).

Who has this quality of sacrifice in the present-day world? One in a hundred or

in a million is endowed with such a noble quality. Though God is present in

everyone, He manifests Himself in a man of sacrifice. Sacrifice is of paramount

importance to man. He should become a Thyaga Jeevi (one of sacrifice), not a

Bhoga Jeevi (one who leads a life of pleasures). Thyaga leads to Yoga, whereas

Bhoga gives rise to Roga (disease). So, give up Bhoga and take to the path of

Yoga. There are people who do Rama Chintana (contemplation of Rama) day in and

day out. Every moment of their life and every cell of their body is filled with

the name of Rama. Such a life is a life of fulfillment. Indeed their lives are

sanctified. Man should contemplate on God, his only savior incessantly. The

world will never come to your rescue. The world has witnessed many changes in

the fields of Politics and Philosophy. Old Siddhantas (Schools of Thought) have

given way to new ones. Many political parties have come and gone. But in what

way has the world benefited from all these changes? There is no progress

whatsoever. The world is where it has been. Everyone is interested in only

filling his/her belly. No one is making any effort to understand the principle

of Divinity.

You have to think of God every moment. If you win the grace of God, you can

overcome any obstacle and acquire any type of wealth. Once Ramdas prayed, "Oh

Lord! What did I do to deserve Your bounteous grace? I have not offered

anything to You, yet You shower Your grace on me." Then the Lord replied, "My

dear, the spirit of Thyaga that you have developed is the true Yoga. I know the

sense of sacrifice that is there in your mind, you may not be aware of it. Only

God can understand the sacrifice you have made mentally. Others need not

understand; they cannot understand any way. Only God can understand your

Thyaga, Yoga and Prema."

Saint Thyagaraja composed a song in praise of Rama, the meaning of which is as follows:

But for the power of Rama, could a mere monkey cross the mighty ocean? Would

Lakshmi Devi, the goddess of wealth, become His consort? Would Lakshmana

worship Him? Would the intelligent Bharata offer his salutations to Him? But

for the mighty power of Rama, would all this happen? Indeed, Rama's power is

beyond all description.

 (Telugu Poem)

Nobody can estimate the infinite power of Rama. It can only be experienced in

the heart. Love is the only yardstick to measure the power of Divinity. Hence,

we have to develop love to experience Divinity. Hanuman could jump across the

vast ocean because he chanted the Name of Rama always. With the power of Rama's

Name, he could lift mighty mountains. How could the monkeys build a bridge

across the ocean? In the beginning, the boulders were getting drowned in the

ocean and the monkeys were frustrated. Then Hanuman thought of a plan. He

inscribed the letter 'Ra' on one boulder and 'ma' on another and threw them in

the ocean one after the other. They stuck together to make the Name 'Rama'.

With the help of many such boulders bearing the letters 'Ra' and 'ma', a bridge

was constructed. The boulders became light and floated on water only due to the

power of Rama's Name. There is an intimate and inseparable relationship between

the love of a devotee and the grace of God. Only love can win the divine grace.

You have to practice righteousness and tread the path of sacrifice to

experience everlasting happiness. The Name and principle of Rama will give you

tremendous strength and power. The divine principle underlying the Avatars of

Rama and Krishna can neither be explained in words nor understood with the help

of worldly education. It is only through love one can understand them. Fill your

heart with love and chant the Name of Rama forgetting yourself in bliss. Then

Rama will certainly give you His divine Darshan.

Once there lived an ardent devotee of Rama in Chengalpat near Madras. He wanted

to attend the marriage of Thyagaraja's daughter in Thiruvayyar. He wanted to

present a picture of Rama to the bride. In those days, there were no buses,

cars or aeroplanes. Therefore, he walked all the way from Chengalpat to

Thiruvayyar, carrying the picture of Rama. On seeing the picture, Thyagaraja

was ecstatic and burst into a song - "Oh Rama! You walked all the way in order

to protect me. You have taken so much trouble Oh Lord." In this manner, he went

on extolling Rama's love and compassion. He experienced unity with Rama's

Divinity. He considered Rama his dear old friend. You don't need to observe any

formalities or use respectful words when you address your old friend. Thyagaraja

addressed Rama with the same intimacy in the song, "Ra Ra Ma Inti Daaka …" (Oh

Rama! Come to my house). There is another song which reflects the feeling of

friendship: "Enta Vedukondu Raghava … Panthamelara Oh Raghava …" (How long

should I plead with You, Oh Raghava! Why are You so obstinate and not

responding…) Thyagaraja felt, "It is my duty to pray till Your heart melts. But

the warmth of my prayer does not seem to have touched Your heart. One day or the

other, Your heart will surely melt. I will wait till such time. I am in no

hurry." In this manner, he consoled himself. It was only then that Rama granted

him His divine vision. No one can comprehend, how and when God is going to

shower His grace on a Sadhaka and what type of boons He is going to grant him.

He gives so many gifts and ultimately gives Himself and makes you ecstatic. Why

then are you distancing yourself from such all-merciful Lord?

You are aware that everyday you chant the following prayer before partaking your food:

Brahmarpanam Brahma HavirBrahmagnou BrahmanahutamBrahmaiva Thena GanthavyamBrahma Karma Samadhina.

You say that the food is an offering to Brahman. Then where is Brahman? He is

within. So, immediately God replies from within:

Aham Vaishvanaro BhutvaPraninam DehamasritaPranapana SamayuktaPachamyannam Chaturvidham

God says "My dear one, I am in you in the form of Vaishvanara. I receive and

digest the four types of food that you partake of. You don't need to send any

special invitation to Me nor extol Me. I am yours and you are Mine. I am with

you, in you, above you, below you, around you." God has given you such a great

assurance. He has promised that He will be always with you. But you are not

able to understand this.

Embodiments of Love!

God is the ocean of love and compassion. He is sweetest and most enchanting.

That is why Rama is described as Pumsam Mohana Rupaya (One who enchants even

the males). He captivates and attracts everyone. There is divinity in every

object in this world. But man is unable to understand this divine principle. In

spite of all his education and listening to the discourses of saints and holy

men, he is unable to comprehend the nature of the divine. There is only one way

by which you can understand God. Love Him wholeheartedly. Do not hate anyone. If

you come across a person who hates you, do not reciprocate the same feeling.

Greet him saying, "Hello friend, how are you?" Then all the hatred in him will

vanish. He too will develop love towards you. God is your true friend and most

intimately related to you. Love is the only path that can take you to God. When

you develop love, God will give Himself up to you and will protect you always.

Embodiments of Love!

It is a grave mistake on your part to consider yourself a mere human being.

Contemplate on the fundamental principle of wisdom, Aham Etat Na [i am not this

(body)]. You and I are one. When you understand and experience such intimate

relationship with God, there will be no differences whatsoever.

In this New Year, develop new and noble feelings; contemplate on God with full

faith that He will grant you all comforts and happiness. Lead your life with

love and enjoy peace and happiness. You should strive for the happiness of not

merely yourself, your friends and relatives, but for the welfare of all. Strive

to make everyone happy with the constant prayer, Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu

(May all the people of the world be happy!) Then you will certainly experience

true peace and bliss. Those who help others will always be helped in turn; they

will never be put to harm.

Bhagawan sang the Bhajan, "Rama Rama Rama Sita …" and then continued the Discourse.

Embodiments of Love!

When you chant the Divine Name with love at least once, you will experience

inexplicable and overwhelming bliss in your heart. Divine Name melts even a

stone-hearted person. Even ice takes some time to melt, but God's heart melts

instantaneously when you chant His Name with love. So, chant the Name of God.

Even while you are traveling, you can chant His Name silently without

attracting others' attention. Sarvada Sarva Kaleshu Sarvatra Rama Chintanam

(everywhere, at all times and under all circumstances, contemplate on the

divine name of Rama). There is no greater Sadhana than this. The essence of all

Sadhana is contained in this. In the Kali Yuga, chanting of God's Name is the

royal path to liberation. Harer Nama Harer Nama Harer Namaiva Kevalam, Kalau

Nastyeva Nastyeva Nastyeva Gathiranyatha (chanting of the Divine Name is the

only path to liberation in this Age of Kali).

***** 

The New Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.

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