Satyopanisad

[Guest guest]

Swami, devotees come from far off places like Argentina, Philippines, Guatemala,

Russia and many other countries from all over the world. Name a country, and its

representation is there at Prasanti Nilayam. They go out of this place with

heavy hearts, not able to leave you. How should they take it and what exactly do

you want them to do in the circumstances?

 

You should experience the omniscience of God. God is always with you, around

you, below you, above you and in you. In fact, you are God. Devotees come to

Swami to charge their batteries. Always remember this. `Near' is not important

to Swami, `dear' is important. The flame burns brilliantly when the breeze

blows. Two wooden pieces should be kept close together. This is `nearness'. As

you light and burn them, you should also fan them, so that the flame will rise

upwards. This fanning is 'dearness'. Mere nearness is not enough.

 

There is a lotus flower in a lake. There are a number of fishes and frogs in the

same lake that do not know the value of the flower. But honeybees come from long

distances and suck nectar from the flower. Bees represent dearness while frogs

and fishes stand for nearness.

 

Similarly, you know the lighthouse from which light spreads all around guiding

the ship's voyage. But, under the lighthouse, it is dark because of the shadow.

So, light around is dearness while the shadow underneath is nearness. So,

devotees who go from here should understand this. They should strive to be dear

to Swami and not merely near to Him.