SWAMI’S DISCOURSES AT SAI SRUTI KODAIKANAL - APRIL 1996 [Part -4]

[Guest guest]

Om Sri Sai Ram

SWAMI’S DISCOURSES AT SAI SRUTI KODAIKANAL DURING APRIL 1996 [Part -4]

10. AVAIL YOURSELF OF THIS RARE CHANCE TO BE SAVED [April 15, 1996]

Embodiments of Divine Love,

One cannot know what would happen in this world from one moment to the next. The

world is continuously changing like passing clouds, like flowers that drop from

a plant. But the state of Truth is changeless and omnipresent. What sort of

changes should a human life undergo; where and how should it go? The stage of

youth is only an interval, a passing stage; wealth, jobs and positions also

change. Money tends to make human qualities unsacred, since more arrogance and

ego develop with the accumulation of money. When there is no wealth there is

not much ego.

All relationships such as that between husband and wife are temporary. They were

not with one another in the beginning and eventually would both disappear. It

was time and destiny that brought them together. However, Truth and Love are

permanent and Divine. Truth is God. Love expresses itself in all of us. Love

proves the existence of Divinity. Love is God. Live in love. God was there

before creation and was the energy for creation. In the beginning there was

only consciousness and God was responsible for the entire creation. The

evidence for this is in the sacred texts, the Vedas. The culture of Bharat must

share this Divine Wisdom with the entire world. In this sacred land of Bharat

forbearance adds to Divine beauty. Adherence to Truth is the highest form of

Prema (Divine Love). The sweetest feeling is the motherly feeling. One

predominant trait of this land is that character is more important than life.

Now, unfortunately we are imitating foreign countries. Like an elephant that

has submitted itself to a mouse, India does not recognise its own strength and

power. The culture of Bharat is

spiritually highly powerful and valuable, but because of modern education and

culture, all sacred values are on the decline. In ancient times, the

Bharathiyas began the day contemplating on the nature of the creator, sustainer

and dissolver. In all matters including the building of houses, marriages or

other ceremonies and customs they first thought of God. We have now forgotten

the Primal basis and we are taking this ephemeral world as permanent. We should

think of God first in every matter, from the time we arise from bed until we

sleep, but unfortunately we are now drowned in worldly pleasures. Spiritual

life is not one of solitude. Spirit has been designed to experience the unity

of the entire human race and the Divinity thereafter.

Take the example of the Kauravas and Pandavas. Though they were cousins there

were big differences between them. The Pandavas considered God as everything,

that whatever actions they performed were dharmic and that whatever they said

was the truth. They always considered God first, the world next and themselves

last. Krishna was first for them in all matters and they believed that whatever

happened was Krishna

10pt">'s plan. Arjuna had intense faith in Krishna who was his only refuge. The

Kauravas were the opposite in that they considered themselves first, .the world

next and God last. Thus Pandavas were victorious since they kept God first. In

all acts and thoughts of the Kauravas there was no Truth and they had lost the

farsighted vision.

Today spirituality has become ridiculous. Devotees are afraid to have Vibhuthi

(holy ash) on their foreheads. From where has the world come without God? God

and creation have the relationship of cause and effect. As one's body has been

gifted for righteous action every person must do righteous acts. As an iron

machine when not in use becomes rusty, man without work becomes dull. Determine

to render service to society. Your happiness depends on the happiness of

society. Human life has to be redeemed through the path of action. Sai has

advocated worship and wisdom. Although you may not get the work you love, love

the work you get.

In the word SAI, S stands for Service, A for Adoration and I for Illumination.

All must attain these three states. Every person should involve himself in

action. Nowadays we consider a person lucky if he only eats and does nothing

but this is most unfortunate. Birth is action. Everything is action. We think

that action is work but this is not true. Seeing and breathing are also

actions. A human being has been born due to action, grows in action and returns

for another birth in action. Even though one's actions are responsible for one's

pleasures and pain, unfortunately man today is not understanding this and

discharging his duties properly. Happiness and Bliss are derived through

actions. Since ancient times Bharathiyas had attached great importance to

service for society. One's body has been given only for service. Since

it is from one's own actions that one get reactions, resounds and reflections,

it is for one's own sake that one does service. If you lead your life like oil

on water it is like a dead life. Thinking of God is most essential as He is the

first cause of creation. The entire universe is the gift of God. All are Divine;

everything is Divine. We should have strong faith in God, but man has lost this

faith. When man gets his desires fulfilled he extols God, but when they are not

fulfilled he blames Him. We sow poisonous seeds and yet desire sweet fruits. God

is the witness. He only confers Bliss as He is Bliss. You yourself create your

own misery as a result of reaction, resound and reflection. Divinity remains

pure and unsullied but as a sign of his weakness man blames God. Due to their

weakness the Kauravas continued to blame Krishna for their misery. To make

devotees happy, God Himself suffers. God is ready for anything and performs

acts we cannot conceive of. We cannot know what He is able to do for us.

There are so many ideals in Bharat. One great devotee of Krishna named Kuchela

was so poor that he could afford only a very small house. God Himself made a

more suitable home for Kuchela who was suffering tremendously. Kabir the poet

was a weaver of cloth. As he wove his cloth, he continuously chanted God's

name; Ram, Ram, Ram. As God was his sole support he overcame his poverty. Only

experienced devotees know that if one surrenders, he will not suffer due to

God's grace. True devotees will resist trouble, stay attached to God and move

ahead towards God. Many obstacles do come when we try to reach God, yet we

should

have faith and face them. Don't give up until your desires are fulfilled.

Retreat is not a sign of a devotee. Exert yourself to earn God's grace; have

great determination and faith, then your desire will be fulfilled. Faith is the

cause for everything. Faith will make you say yes or no. Baba says "yes" to

those who say "'yes"; He says "no" to those who say "no." To Sai everything is

"yes." You should never give up God who is Love and Truth which are permanent.

Although there is only one God names and forms are different. Though flowers

are different, worship is one. To know Divinity you must have faith. Everything

is His.

Narada sang, "Krishna can we know You? You are smaller than the smallest and

bigger than the macrocosm. You are all over the universe in the company of

fifty-four lakhs of people. Among thieves you are the greatest thief. You steal

the hearts of devotees'- "Chitta chora Yasoda ke bal." Chitta (heart) is sacred.

Where is God? Easwara is to be found in a place called Himachala. "Hima" means

soft, white and bright snow. "Achala" means immovable, stable. Likewise to

attain Divinity, the human heart should be pure and steady. Purify it and keep

it peaceful and equanimous. If it is hot with anger, how can you attain

Divinity? You should give up bad qualities. God is always with you and around

you and those who deserve Him will attain Him. Even though God is so near,

still many do not receive what He wants to give. Even though God has now

descended in human form we doubt Him. Why? Because we compare. What about God's

Love? It is infinite, so He is the blue - coloured one. Rama and Krishna were

called blue colored, signifying that it is not possible to understand their

power and Love. Blue is the colour of the sky which is infinite and the ocean

is blue signifying that no one knows it's depth. If you hold the water in your

hand, that water is colourless.

At one time when baby Krishna had eaten mud, Balarama complained and so Yasoda

asked Him why He should eat mud when there are milk and curd at home. Krishna

replied, "No, I did not eat mud. Am I a child not to understand and eat mud?"

Yasoda slapped Him and asked him to open His mouth. When

10pt">Krishna opened His mouth all fourteen worlds could be seen inside His

mouth. Yasoda asked, “Is it a dream? Is it God's will? Is it true? Am I Yasoda

or not? Is He Krishna? Is this an illusion? What mystery is all this?"

Immediately when these thoughts manifested, she bugged Krishna. God, when He

comes, wears illusion. Although

10pt">Krishna is known as God, illusion covers Him. Just as ash covers a fire,

cataract covers the eye, moss covers the lake, so too, God covers Himself with

illusion. The cataract is from the eye, moss grows from water and the cloud has

come as a result of the sun. God or Brahman has Maya as His vesture or illusion.

With the body as illusion, He manifests infinite power. He will make you

experience Divinity, so you should have full faith in Him. Rama always said

that he is the son of Dasaratha even though the Sages told Him he was Narayana,

and even though He is satshatkara Bhagawan. Rama always asked Sita "Am I God?"

When He was alone with Sita He would tell her, "Demons must be killed so this

entire drama has to be enacted though it is limited to the stage only. What is

behind the stage? This can be .understood only by Rishis and sages like

Vasishtha and

Vishwamitra.

The Sages knew the Divinity of Rama but could not publicize it. If Sita had not

been abducted, it would not have been possible to kill Ravana. Sage Agastya had

sent Rama and Sita to live in Panchavati because he knew Rama had the intention

to kill Ravana and the demons. Everything happened when they went to

Panchavati. The Sages knew the master plan as they had pure hearts and full

faith. Since Vishwamithra had the spirit of sacrifice, he took Rama to Mithila

and had His marriage performed. This was part of the master plan. God is beyond

the senses. Divinity is consciousness, but we think from the bodily perspective.

We can only understand Divinity when we go beyond the senses.

Swami says:

"Twameva Mata Cha Pita Twameva, (You are my Mother and Father)Twameva Bandhu Cha

Sakha Twameva (You are Friend and Relative)Twameva Vidya Dravinam Twameva (You

are the Highest Knowledge and Wealth)Twameva Sarvam mama Deva Deva" (You are

Everything)

Why should Sai Baba be in action? I have no need to act. Yet, unless I act no

one would be able to follow Me. I have to be an ideal for mankind. When God

fills the entire universe, how can you construct a temple for Him? When He is

Effulgence Itself, is a lamp necessary? When God moves in all waters, is it

possible to give Him a bath? When He is present in all stomachs is it possible

to give Him food? What more do you want conveyed? Even angels cannot know and

understand Him, as it is so difficult to understand Divinity. Follow your

conscience and the commands of God and forget yourself. By doing your duty all

your desires will be fulfilled. The main quality of a devotee is to follow

God's command immediately without having to be told and re-told. There was a

person who committed theft all the time and was in prison. After

a six months stay, the guard declared that he is released. The thief replied, "

Why should I take my luggage, I will be coming back"? We have been born once;

we should not be born once again. So develop God's Love; never forget God.

Think of God continuously. Human life is rare. Human life is the highest in all

of creation. Having taken human birth, if you do not redeem yourself, you have

lived in vain.

Swami ended His Discourse by singing, "Govinda Gopala Prabhu Giridhari.”

11. SECULAR AND SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE [April 16, 1996]

Embodiments of Divine Love,

All knowledge is comprised of the material (secular) and the spiritual. Vidhya

means full knowledge of every thing. The ordinary type of knowledge teaches an

individual the daily routines and how to use his limbs. Not only reading and

writing, but everything one does from childhood until old age relates to

Vidhya. All that one attends to from day to day using one's five senses of

perception depends on Vidhya. However, true Vidhya comprises spiritual

knowledge. Human beings can only enjoy the peace of the Atma (spirit) when they

practice penance and develop wisdom.

To comprehend Atma Vidhya one must practice self-inquiry and through inquiry see

the special nature of the mind and the intellect. This special knowledge

pertains to the spirit and the inner, subtle senses and feelings. A person is

able to develop the power of renunciation due to the combination of mental and

spiritual knowledge. By merely practicing penance alone without control of the

senses one cannot realize anything fruitful. The relationship then between

knowledge and penance is like the positive and negative; it is related to the

inner subtle body guarding the outer physical body. Education relates to the

body, penance to the Spirit. The body has been gifted for selfless good

actions; one need not be highly educated to use his body for proper action. So,

we need both spiritual and formal knowledge to lead a

fulfilling, purposeful life.

What is the meaning of penance? Penance does not mean living in solitude in the

forest practicing pranayama (breath control), fasting, etc. The ancients

protected the body by eating fruits and the tubers so the state of the body was

different than today. Today man's body is weak, his habits are all wrong, thus

he does not realize his Divine power. Penance purifies the inner senses which

are different from the aspect of the mind (chitta) which recapitulates,

memorizes, questions and enquires. Man is a bundle of thoughts, a combination

of thoughts and counter thoughts.

Buddhi or intellect is another aspect of the mind, the faculty of

discrimination. From the intellect one's ego develops and grows. All persons

say "I" (the personal "I" is the ego sense). The antahkarana (the inner subtle

equipment) is a combination of mind, intellect and ego. To attain purity of

intellect one must undertake thapas (penance). True penance is sacrificing

one's evil thoughts, habits and actions and cultivating harmony of one's

thoughts, words and deeds and proper behavior. The power of penance is

demonstrated by one's food habits. The unnatural, artificial food we eat today

leads to unsteadiness in meditation so our spiritual practices are in vain. If

we wish to prepare idly and sambar (steamed rice balls and soup) we must

purchase fresh vegetables, dhal (lentils), tamarind and spices such as salt and

chili

powder. All of these should be pure and clean including the vessels for the

preparation of food. To know and practice these habits is knowledge (Vidhya).

The cook may be an expert in preparing food but if the vessel is not tinned the

food may become poisonous. For those on the spiritual path, purity of mind and

thought, word and action are essential. Worldly knowledge is only one aspect of

Vidhya. Any human being can stay in one position or stand for an extended period

of time without much exertion but in order to run he has to exert himself far

more.

This is natural for the body, but not for the mind. The mind is able to run fast

naturally, but cannot remain stable or quiet for long. We should develop

equipoise between the body and the mind. The mind should be stable but the body

should run (perform exercise). One is able to gain experience of the Divine only

through his body. Man truly has infinite power; he is like a generator. The body

is like a powerful magnet full of Divine attraction. The body/mind is like a

television or a radio in that it is able to tune into a multiplicity of events.

All Divine powers in nature are within the human body which is a reflection of

the Divine.

We are presently wasting the Divine powers within us by talking and listening

too much to impure things which lead to mental agitation and emotional

imbalance. When the radio is switched on, we hear the music due to some units

of current being used. Time is wasted through listening to all the impure

talks, and one's senses may become agitated. Also everyone around is affected

by the radio broadcasts since light travels long distance in waves of Divine

energy.

Divine magnetic attraction is present in all the five elements. This is

demonstrated by the magnet's power to attract the iron and make the iron stick

on as though they are one. One cannot hold back the attracted object. How can

one separate himself from impurity? Do not listen to bad talk, don't indulge in

bad talk, don't perform bad actions. One can escape from all of these and gain

spiritual Bliss by running away from bad company and having limited talk.

The sage Vasishtha was highly knowledgeable and full of wisdom and penance. On

the other hand, Vishwamitra was full of wisdom and penance, but due to repeated

fluctuations of his mind and emotions, he had to charge and recharge his energy

very often. One day a competition was arranged to determine which of the two

was greater; wisdom or penance. It was accepted that among all types of

education, wisdom is supreme.

In the Epic Ramayana, Vasishtha was the family priest. Once Dasaratha asked him

why he should keep the position of a priest as he was not lacking anything and

was full of penance. Vasishtha after having experienced a Divine vision

replied, "Oh king! I have not come here for worldly position or status. I

deserve nothing. I am working here because God will soon be born in this house

and I wish to have His Darshan (seeing), Sparshan (touching) and Sambashan

(talking with, and spending time in His company)." Vasishtha had knowledge and

Truth. Vishwamitra, on the other hand, did penance but not the penance of the

inner senses. Every sage acknowledged that Vasishtha was a Brahmarshi, but no

one called Vishwamitra a Brahmarshi. Vishwamitra was a Rajarishi (one who is

emotional), though he desired to be a Brahmarshi (one who is

Divine) like Vasishtha.

In the competition between Vasishtha and Vishwamitra, Adisesha (the snake), was

chosen to be the judge due to His qualities. Adisesha bore the weight of the

entire earth, had magnificent powers and penance, all knowledge and was one

with Divinity. Adisesha agreed to be the judge on the condition that someone

took His place to support the earth. Vishwamitra tried but he failed whereas

Vasishtha, due to his wisdom and penance could keep the earth in balance.

Only the devotee and his devotion and nothing else can bear the burden of the

earth; devotion is the supreme state that man can attain. It cures all

troubles, solves all mental problems and confers liberation. One who

contemplates on God becomes God. To attain this state one must have unity of

thought, word and deed. Vasishtha conducted his life in this way but

Vishwamitra was put to shame through anger and consequently lost his wealth and

respect. Man today has largely lost his human qualities of Truth, Love and

Peace, Right Action and Non Violence. Here is a bulb and a wire; current flows

through the wire lighting the bulb. In the same way Divine power exists in all.

If there is to be a garland, there should be someone to make it. You may have

all of the materials like flowers, needle and thread but there should also be

someone to make the garland. You may have gold, but there should be a goldsmith

to make the jewellery. There may be a container, oil and wick, but there should

be someone to light it. Similarly, in the body you have a mind and a heart, but

it is the Divine current that illumines them. A light could be dim due to the

wattage of the bulb; likewise the spiritual power in the body can become weak.

Our inner Divine light should shine brightly and be developed through

expressing more and more Love. When Love grows faith too grows. View all work

as God's work and develop Love and faith. If one doubts, his faith will

decrease. Penance is the combination of unity, trinity and Divinity.

But today man does not have steady faith. For example when one opens a tap there

is an unending supply of water. God is the tank full of unending Bliss and Love

and one's devotion is the tap. The Gopikas had a lot of devotion for Krishna

and their leader Radha had continuous devotion for Krishna. She did not waste

any of her energy but talked only of

normal">Krishna and heard only the melodious music of Krishna. One may consider

that Radha's state is impossible to attain but it is easily reached through

taking everything as God's work.

Many of you have come from different places such as Madras and Prashanthi

Nilayam Each of you have traveled by different means of transport such as

train, bus, plane or car, so each has taken a different amount of time to reach

here depending on the mode of transport. While traveling in an ordinary train,

one may have to shift compartments to reach his destination. This can be

compared to the bhaktipath which involves nine forms of worship including

listening to the glory of God, chanting His names, worshipping His feet,

salutations, ritual worship, friendship, service, and surrender. In friendship

we invite our old friends to our homes and offer them refreshments. God should

be our oldest and closest friend. Thyagaraja considered God as his oldest and

best friend; old is gold; have this type of friendship with God.

Today's friendships often depend on status and power. God is in you, with you

and around you whereas the worldly forms and events are like passing clouds.

Divinity neither comes nor goes. God is total Love. The following points are

important to remember: in this world you and the world are temporary, but Truth

and Love are permanent. Love is God so live in Love; Truth is God so follow

Truth. Like the two wings of a bird, Truth and Love can make you fly to noble

heights. Follow the greatest path, the path of Love.

Everything is God only, so spend your time in Divine sojourn. Take the example

of a magnet and iron. They unite and the iron itself becomes one with the

magnet. Likewise the knower of Brahman becomes Brahman. You are children of

immortality; you are eternal; the relationship between God and you is eternal.

The body changes through many births but the mind, deeds, etc. continue from

birth to birth. Just as an auditor totals the accounts for the day and carries

the balance onto the next page, our mind follows to the next life. We should be

able to control that mind by first controlling the senses. Merge in Truth and

experience Oneness.

12. YOGA [April 17, 1996]

Embodiments of Divine Love,

The Vedas and Vedangas are sacred texts which reveal the nature of God and the

universe. These texts attempt to convey to man that the mind acts as a curtain

to block awareness of Divinity. On one side of this curtain is the effect, man;

on the other side is the cause, God; the entire universe embodies this

relationship between cause and effect. The combination of the two, God and the

manifested universe, is called yoga. From ancient times people have not

correctly understood the meaning of yoga. Yoga is a derivative of the word

"yuj" which means combination or union. Yoga does not mean doing penance in a

forest by fasting on leaves and suffering physically. In the science of

ayurveda, yoga means a combination of various leaves or herbs which cure

physical, mental, and emotional ailments. The word samyoga means

combination. In the science of astrology, yoga is considered to be the science

of the relationship between time and the position of the stars.

Three rivers in India, the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswathi unite at one point;

husband and wife together form a union. The union of two or more materials or

aspects is termed yoga. Human life consists of combination and separation, just

like the waves which rise and fall from the ocean. Human life is full of

problems like the periodic turbulence on the surface of an

ocean. The boat of the Lord's name can help one to cross the ocean of life.

Patanjali, a great Indian sage, said in his Yoga Sutras that yoga means the

control of the five senses and the mind. Yoga also means the unification of

one's thoughts, words and actions, directing them all towards God. Through

yoga, work may be transformed into worship. Krishna has said that doing all

one's work with expertise and skill is yoga. Living in unity with the family,

earning well, doing physical exercises, gaining pleasure and happiness are all

yoga. The whole world is yoga. As we do not understand the Divinity of yoga, we

end up in disease or roga. Man knows what is right and wrong, yet due to his

distorted intellect and because of his strong ego he goes on the wrong path.

Some people are

jealous of another person's happiness; we should follow yoga, to overcome

jealousy. True yoga is seeing the good in everything that happens and

maintaining equanimity. If one has been bitten by a scorpion, one should be

thankful that he has not been bitten by a snake. The Bhagavad Geetha teaches

many methods of yoga. Think of the Divinity which is vast, pure and

all-pervasive and thus purify your heart.

In the Bhagavad Geetha, Arjuna, with all his knowledge and skills, can be seeing

arguing with Lord Krishna on the battlefield. Up until a certain point Krishna

did not speak to Arjuna but when Arjuna had finished all of the arguments,

Krishna then asked him whether he had exhausted all of his doubts. Arjuna

finally became silent and surrendered to Krishna saying, "I will follow Your

commands." Krishna then

replied, "Now you are My devotee; think of Me only and I will take care of you.

In this Kali Yuga, we say that we are devotees of Rama, Shiva or Krishna and

chant Their names and thus pretend to be close to God. But did God accept or

acknowledge that You are His devotee? God should tell you that you are His

devotee. Just as when you send a registered letter you should receive

acknowledgement that it has been received, God too should say that He has

accepted You as His devotee. Your conscience (voice of God) will tell you

whether you are a devotee with no trace of ego. Conscience is Chit (Awareness);

Awareness is total understanding.

There are four types of yoga: karma (action), Bhakti (devotion), Jnana (wisdom)

and Raja (meditation). Karma yoga means dedicating all your good work believing

it to be God's work. You must pray with the full knowledge that God is,

everywhere asking Him, "Are you listening to my prayers and seeing my misery?."

Then we would feel His Presence and find His two lotus Eyes. God is like your

bodyguard; He is inside you, in front of you, around you and behind you. You

may have a human bodyguard who can only walk beside you but God says He is

behind you also. Your eyes are in front, so how can you see God behind? You

cannot see God behind you though He is there. When you look behind. He also

moves behind you, but this is delusion. So, in the yoga of action (karma yoga)

there is experience with God. As karma yoga involves purely

selfless action there should be no anticipation of the results of actions but

rather one should accept any consequences.

Once there was an old man who had performed Nishkama karma (selfless service).

He had planted a mango tree with the hope that many people would enjoy and

partake of the fruits. When he was struggling in the heat to plant it, his son

in law was surprised at his action and asked him why he was troubling himself.

The old man replied that one's body has been gifted for doing service. He then

gave his son-in-law some coconut water to drink which he very much relished.

The old man revealed that this coconut tree had been planted not by him but by

his father so that sometime or the other someone would enjoy the fruits. This

story exemplifies that deeds should be performed so that others may experience

goodness and happiness in society. This is true Nishkama karma yoga.

In Bhakti yoga the action is performed with total Love and sincere Divine

feelings without any trace of selfishness. The purpose of devotion is to please

God who is the embodiment of full Bliss. You don't need to say "Happy Birthday"

to God because He is full of Bliss. Say it to those who are unhappy. God who is

Bliss and Love may be compared to a big tank, the devotion of the devotee to a

pipe and his good selfless actions to the tap. Open the tap and fill your self

with Bliss and Love. If one puts poison into the tank the water would then

become poisonous water; as is the feeling so is the expression or result. God

is the embodiment of purity so with pure Love make God happy; this should be

your duty and the goal of your life. Since time is infinite your heart should

be also broad. Don't worry what others think of you;

surrender to God.

Develop your Love. In a plain glass you cannot see your face, but if this glass

is tinted with mercury to form a mirror you can then see your reflection.

Similarly, if you have Love in your heart you will be able to see yourself or

God and gain Self-realization. Walking is meditation, concentration on boiling

rice is meditation, reading is meditation, thinking is meditation; your entire

life consists of meditation. Everything that comes from one's heart is

reflection. If you think that Swami is coming so let me take Padnamaskar, that

thought is meditation. Awareness of the one Spirit or Atma permeating

everything, non dualism, is wisdom or Jnana yoga. Names and forms are different

but God is one. Beings are many but breath is one. There is no difference in

respiration between Japanese, German or Indian breath. Whether you

are in India, Pakistan, Germany or Japan

normal">, all are watching the same sun; it is only seen at different times.

Wisdom shines through the intellect and mind because of devotion. When all

rivers have merged into the ocean, where are the rivers Ganga and Saraswathi?

They no longer have a distinct name and form when they have merged into the

ocean. In today's world most are proceeding selfishly.

Once there was a rich man who had plenty of factories, a mansion, cars as well

as good sons who loved and obeyed him. When his death was approaching, they

cried and told him they would be helpless without him. The man gained enough

strength with God's grace to tell them that they would be very comfortable with

the inheritance and insurance policies he had left for them. He went on to tell

them that he did not know what would happen to himself, and that no one seems

to be worried about it. At such a time in one's life only the name of God can

save one. If the name of God has been chanted from early in life, it can then

become implanted in the heart. It is necessary to remember God at the end to

merge with Him.

Once there was a new priest who held a bell in one hand and the Aarathi plate in

the other. The moment he ran the bell with one hand, the hand with the Aarathi

stopped moving. So everything we do requires practice. In the path of wisdom

(Jnana) one realizes the One Spirit or Atma permeating everything; it requires

study. Yoga is union and following God's commands. Such an easy yoga is spoken

of in confusing ways. Few today can meditate on God in the third eye (sixth

centre or Chakra) because they cannot control their minds (Raja Yoga). Man has

infinite power but he wastes it and goes in the wrong direction. Through

practicing silence man can limit everything including his thoughts, senses and

desires; in ancient times saints went to forests to practice silence. There the

animals became friendly because the saints were full

of Love and that Love reflected back in the animals. This Love is God. Just as a

jasmine flower, spreads its fragrance everywhere, the Love of noble souls

spreads around. When you hold a rose, whether in the right hand or left hand,

its fragrance spreads. Incense too spreads its fragrance all over. This is the

difference between yoga (union) and roga (disease). Fire which is raging in the

forest bums all the trees and does not distinguish between a mango tree and an

ordinary tree. In life though difficulties may come do not harm anyone.

Pleasure and pain are always there; treat them alike. One must learn Yoga

Vidhya (knowledge) which teaches students to develop virtues such as

discrimination, devotion, discipline, duty, etc. We are not born with yoga

Vidhya, but through practice we must acquire all these aspects. With

determination we must proclaim, "I will." Life is a continuous flow, how deep

and how far no one can say but such a flow eventually merges into the ocean.

This river

of our life must have two banks for control: steadfastness (Samshaya) and faith

(doubtlessness); out of steadfastness comes wisdom. If you are filled with

doubt you will be ruined; the one without doubt will succeed. The goal of our

life is to develop Love for God; recognize this and act accordingly.

Swami ended His Discourse by singing, "Chitta chora Yashoda ke bal" and "Vahe

Guru, Vahe Guru, Vahe Guruji Bolo."

CONTINUED…

With Sai love from Sai brothers

/

 

Read only the mail you want - Mail SpamGuard.