Thus spake Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba - 11

February 2, 2010

There is no being without a trace of love. Love leads to Ananda (Supreme bliss), pure and lasting. Many seek this Ananda through their relationships with other individuals, others try to attain it by amassing fame, power and riches and a few others attempt to gain it by renunciation of material possessions and desire for worldly pleasures. Detachment alone can confer Ananda. The Upanishads proclaim that Thyaga (sacrifice) alone can grant Amrithathwa (Bliss of Immortality). One must give up all attachment and affection and, in the heart thus liberated, install God in all His glory. This is the only means to earn everlasting, undiminished Ananda.

The grace of God cannot be won through the gymnastics of reason, the contortions of yoga, or the denials of asceticism. Love alone can win it; love that needs no requital; love that knows no bargaining; love that is paid gladly to the All-Loving; and love that is unwavering. Love alone can overcome obstacles however many and mighty. There is no strength more effective than purity; no bliss more satisfying than Love; no joy more restoring than Bhakti (devotion to God) and no triumph more praiseworthy than surrender.

You may or may not worship God, but you must respect your mother and father, who are responsible for your birth. Respect your mother. Keep her always happy. No one can estimate or describe a mother's love. It has no pollution. If you are able to win the love of your mother, it amounts to acquiring all degrees.. Our scriptures enjoin us to respect mother, father, teacher and God in that order. First and foremost is your mother who gave you birth. The father brings you up and puts you on the road to development. The mother is the foundation for the mansion of your life. The father represents the wall and the Guru is the roof. Finally, God is your life itself. Hence, those who yearn for God must love their mother first. If only you keep her

happy, all other things of happiness will be added unto you.