DIVINE DISCOURSES,MESSAGES FROM
FIRST OVERSEAS CONVENTION OF
CHAIR PERSONS OF SRI SATHYA SAI CENTRES
Valedictory Divine Discourse on 24-11-1998 PART-2
CHAIR PERSONS OF SRI SATHYA SAI CENTRES
Valedictory Divine Discourse on 24-11-1998 PART-2
The second question raised is this -
"Why does Swami appear in the dreams of only
a few and why not in all?"
It is naive to think in such a manner. You cannot have such dreams as
and when you would like to. You think of many people, but do they all
appear in your dreams? No. It is a mistake to think that Swami does
not have compassion on you just because He does not appear in your
dreams.
Swami's compassion is very much there on one and all (cheers). Dreams
are
nothing but reflections of the subconscious mind. Swami appearing in
dreams is very auspicious. Now I will explain the different types of
dreams. Sometimes you experience nightmares and at times you experience
dreams which fill you with happiness. All these dreams occur since
they
are accumulated in your subconscious mind. It is good that they find
expression in dreams. Dreams are recollections, reaction and resound of
that which is within you. The same does not apply to the dreams in
which
Swami appears. Swami appears in dreams only when HE wills it and not
when
you want to (cheers). The Mohammedan musician who performed yesterday
had
not seen Me on any prior occasion. I asked him, "Son, do you remember
that you met with a car accident in America and that I appeared to you
at
that very instant?" Hearing this revelation he exclaimed, "Oh my God!"
and
wept with joy. The same night I appeared in his dream and told him that
he would be coming to Puttaparthi for the ensuing Birthday celebrations.
It happened accordingly, he came here yesterday.
There are certain confusing dreams in which your feelings play an
active
role. You may be seeing Swami, but at the same time your feelings get
mixed up and cause confusion. You may see yourself in Puttaparthi at
one point of time and in America at the very next so on and so forth.
These dreams are not willed by Swami. These result from indigestion
and
improper food. Dreams which are willed by Me, are very clear and give
no room for confusion or doubt. I come to you and convey what I want
to
in the most direct manner. (cheers)
The third point raised is:
"Everyone is undertaking spiritual practices, but I am unable to do so
for lack of time as I am engaged in multifarious activities. I am
unable
to think of Swami and participate in service activities. What is the
solution to this?"
It is a big mistake to think on these lines. There is no need for a
specific time and place to think of Swami. Discharge your duties
sincerely with the conviction that everything is Swami's work. "Work
is
worship, duty is God" (cheers). You do not need to sit and chant "Sai
ram" repeatedly. "Sarva Karma Bhagavad Preethyartham" (do all acts
with
the feeling that they are for pleasing God). That is the greatest
Sadhana. Instead of wasting your time in meditation devoid of
concentration, better to attend to your household work.
"Karmaanubandhini
Manushyaloke" human society is bound by Karma (action). Karma does not
mean sweeping the road and serving the sick. Even your breathing
process,
batting of your eyelid, eating, sleeping, reading can be termed Karma.
Life without Karma is impossible even for a moment. Life will be
sanctified only when you do all Karmas (actions) pleasing God. Do not
make any distinction between God and yourself, His work and your work.
Work with conviction that you and God are one. Then even a small work
will assume magnificence. Greatness lies in small things. No doubt
sweeping the roads and visiting hospitals are good deeds, but they in
themselves do not constitute service. Discharging one's duty properly
is
the true Sadhana. In the name of Sadhana or spiritual practices, if you
neglect your duty and if your work is not commensurate with the salary
you
draw, then it would amount to cheating the government. True service
lies
in discharging one's duty properly. Hence service can be done even in
office. Any work undertaken without discriminating it to be personal or
Divine would become service. Never give an excuse of lack of time.
There is a small story: "A devotee wanted to know his life span so that he could set aside a considerable amount of time for spiritual practices.
He pleaded with the Lord, to let him know his life span. God replied saying that he was given 80 years. The devotee felt happy, but continued,
"Out of the 80 years allocated to me, 20-25 years are spent in studying and playing.
Next 25 years are spent in my household activities. The next 30 years are
spent planning for my future and for the well-being of my children.
So, I
am left with no time for spiritual practices. O Lord! Grant me 20 more years so that I may think of you and attain you. God laughed and said, "Oh
mad man! Do you need 20 years to attain Me? Even two seconds are enough. How long does it take to put on the switch to get light? Not even a second! Granted that you need 20 years to think of Me whole heartedly, what is the guarantee that you will not use it for other activities?
It is nothing but laziness. "Slow and steady wins the race." Even a second
spent in contemplation of Me with a steady mind will draw you to Me. "Time is
God; do not waste time; time wasted is life wasted." Proper utilisation
of time is true spiritual practice. Consider time as the very form of
God and your life will be sanctified. Some people lament saying that
they do not have enough time to contemplate on the Lord. Whoever has
raised this point is lazy by nature (cheers). Once you give up laziness
you can easily tread the path of sacredness. "Laziness is rust and
dust;
realisation is best and rest." (cheers)
Fourth point:
"Being in foreign land we are unable to do Swami's work and so would
like
to come to Bharath and participate in Swami's activities
wholeheartedly."
This is another sign of laziness. To do a service activity can there
be
a distinction between a foreign land and motherland? God is
omnipresent.
Whether the service is done abroad or in Bharat, it does not lose its
significance. It is utterly selfish to come to Prashanthi Nilayam to do
service activity. You may come after retirement for service at
Prashanthi
Nilayam. You have your own duties to your children, vis-a-vis their
education and career. If you were to come here without fulfilling the
same, you would begin to develop frustration after sometime. "Don't
come
now. It is better that you stay in your place and serve. Swami does
not
expect any service from anyone." Many of my boys are here. But, I
attend
to My own work. They all aspire to do service to Me. Very fortunate
few
get to serve Me. Others, for this reason, should not get disheartened.
Attend to your own duty. That is service itself. I am 73 years. My
legs,
hands, eyes are in perfect condition. I attend to My own work. So
serve
those who are incapacitated and are weak. This can be your service to
Swami. You may wonder that Swami suffer from leg ache as He moves
around
so much. Let me tell you, I have never suffered nor will I ever suffer.
Only when I take upon Myself the suffering of others do I appear to be
suffering; otherwise this body does not have any suffering. I call
Dr. Alreja to check the blood pressure. He always replies, "Swami!
normal,
perfectly normal!! 120/80." But My blood pressure is 117/78. Then I
ask
him to check My pulse. My pulse is always 68-perfect normal. How much
ever
I may move about or speak, my blood pressure does not increase. How
sacred
is My body! It is all due to the combination of Purity, Patience, and
Perseverance. None of you ever need to serve Me. You may perform your
own duties and look after the welfare of your family.
5th Point:
"How are we to clear the debts of the consequences of our actions?"
You consider the consequences to be debts. However hurting, the
consequences may be, they can be easily be remedied with the help of
medicine of Love. There is noting greater than Love. Love God
wholeheartedly. All the consequences of your actions will be
nullified.
All your diseases will be cured. If it does not happen so, you should
not think otherwise. If you were to pray wholeheartedly, it would come
to pass. Some sit for prayers in Puja room chanting "Sairam." Suddenly
their mind wanders towards the washerman and they enquire if he has
brought the clothes. If you are really chanting the Lord’s name
wholeheartedly, why should the mind go to the washerman? Some others
sit
in meditation, but are easily distracted by the smell from the kitchen.
If this is the nature of your spiritual pursuit, how can it be termed as
a prayer to the Lord? All your spiritual practices are done with a
wavering mind. Do them with a steady mind. You are bound to reap the
fruits. You may undertake any type of spiritual pursuit, but love
wholeheartedly. Love can eradicate any type of disease and act as a
panacea for any affliction. You must, in the first instance, develop
love.
This can be possible if you believe that God is the embodiment of Love.
How can you develop love when you do not believe that God is the
embodiment
of Love?
Love is the perfect medicine. If you were to put a plant in a tin and
water it, the plant would die in due course of time; but if you were to
plant the same in the soil and water it, the plant would grow into a
fine tree. Similarly, God's name and form should be implanted in the
soil of your hearts and nurtured with water of love. This will ensure
good results. If one cultivates love, one need not undertake any other
spiritual pursuits.
6th point is very strange:
"In our Pooja room, we have the photographs of Rama, Krishna, Eswara
and Jesus. We also keep Swami's photograph amidst them. Is it OK?"
Once you are convinced that God is omnipresent, why should you fear to
keep any particular photograph? You may worship Rama, Eswara, Jesus,
Allah, Zoroastra or Sai. Develop the feeling that all are one.
I often narrate a small example: In Bharat, there are various types of
sweets viz., Godum Halwa, Badam Kheer, Gulab Jamoon, Jilebi, Laddu,
Mysore Pak. Though their names and forms are different, the sugar in
all of them is same. You may worship Rama, Eswara, Vishnu, Allah,
Jesus
or Sai. But you should realise that the undercurrent of divinity is
the same in one and all. Then the difference of name and form will not
affect you in any manner. If you do not like other Gods, you can
remove
their photographs and replace them with those that you like. If you
do
not like Sai Baba's or Rama's photograph, you may remove the same. But
this will not serve any purpose. What is essential is recognising
unity
in divinity.
Here is small story. A student was to attend an examination. He was
weak in Mathematics. Since the exam was the next day, he worshipped
Swami and went for the exam. He failed in Mathematics. With the
result,
he removed Swami's photo in the altar and placed it in a cupboard. On
the
second day, he had Mathematics paper part II. That day he worshipped
Rama's photograph. He fared even worse. The third day he was to go for
the Accounts examination. He decided that Mother Goddess would be more
benevolent compared to the other Gods. He brought Devi's photograph and
did Puja. That day he could not even understand the questions in the
examination. He came back and put this photograph also in the cupboard.
The fourth day was Accounts Paper Part II. Realising that Vinayaka is
the
remover of all obstacles, he brought incense sticks, coconut, and
garlanded
the idol. When he lit the incense sticks, the smoke began to waft
towards
the cupboard in which the discarded phtos were placed. Then he thought,
"I brought incense sticks for Vinayaka; why should I let the benefit of
the fragrance be experienced by these Gods - Rama, Sai Baba and Krishna,
who have betrayed me. He went into the house and brought a piece of
cloth
to tie the nose of sai Baba, Rama and Devi. Having assured himself that
the fragrance would not reach them, he sat down for prayer. At that
moment,
Sai Baba, Rama, and Devi appeared. He was amazed and questioned the
deities. How is that you
have not appeared when I worshipped you and appear to me now that I
have
punished you? Then Sai Baba replied: "Son, till this day, you had
limited Me to a picture. Today you have believed that this photo is a
living entity and tied a cloth around the nose to prevent the fragrance
from reaching Me. The photographs will not help you. Picture will
remain a picture. You may worship picture as God, but not God as a
picture. Today you have begun to believe the picture as God Himself and
tied the cloth. So I appeared before you." Nowadays we perform all
rites
believing God to be a picture. It is only when we take picture as God
in
form, that all our desires will be fulfilled. It does not matter what
form you may worship or what name you chant. Realise that all names
and
forms are His. Nothing wrong with any name. All are the forms of the
same Godhead. You may even worship your parents.
Mathru Devo Bhava; Pithru Devo Bhava;
Acharya Devo Bhava; Athithi Devo Bhava.
(Regard the mother, father, guru and guest as God)
In such case, how can you distinguish between various forms of God? At
no point of time you should entertain doubts regarding God. "God is
God." Never comment or criticise the name or form of God. Have any
photograph and chant any name. God is one; Truth is one. "Ekam Sath
Vipraha Bahuda Vadanthi" (Truth is one, but scholars refer to it as
many).
Do not go about changing photographs. Have the photograph of your
choice
and worship.
Seventh Point:
"Swami, in the worldly avocations, which type of Sadhana is Swami
pleased
with? I am ready to do that."
There is only one answer to that. I do not advocate any specific
Sadhana.
Consider all people to be the forms of Divinity. Have faith that God is
in all. That pleases Me the most. Refrain from doing that which causes
grief to others even f it were to give you happiness. Do unto others
what
you do unto yourself. "Help ever; Hurt never" (cheers). Do not harm or
hurt anyone. Do not develop ill feelings towards anybody. Even if
people
were to hurt you or curse you, do not refrain from loving them. That is
what Swami expects from you. There are people. Who do not worship
Swami.
Some worship and some others criticise. I remain unaffected by both.
I do not take note of any of these. I continue to love all. Each one
has
to bear the consequences of his actions.
"Who can say at what point of time and place
Mighty Rama Himself cried like a commoner
due to separation from Sita
The Pandavas of yore had to live in a forest
on leaves and tubers
Who can predict the time and manner of the
consequences?
The only certainty is the experience of the
consequences."
If you were to do good, you would reap good results, and bad results if
you had done bad deeds. Realise this in the first instance and act
accordingly. I do not hate anybody. I do not doubt anyone. I love
even
those who do not believe in Me. That is My nature. Some tend to doubt
My
power, because I repose faith in them, though they themselves do not
have
faith in Me. That is a mistaken notion. My Love is same for all.
I desire that all be blissful.
Water is colourless. It, however, assumes the colour of the bottle in
which is placed. Good or bad are within you and not in Me and they
shall
never be in Me. I am always for the maxim - "Lokah Samastha Sukhino
Bhavanthu" (Let the whole world be happy) (cheers). Even if you were to
hate Me, I shall love you. That is My nature. That is the divine
quality.
You may worship Me today and censure Me tomorrow, and vice-versa. When
drunk, one talks in a certain manner, while when sober, in another.
When
you are deeply drunk with worldly desires, mind oscillates from one side
to another. But one who is filled with wholesome and unsullied love
remains the same under all circumstances.
You may forget Me, but I will never forget you. I am always with you,
in you, around you and above you. People who are in divine proximity
are extremely fortunate. It is a culmination of the merit acquired in
various births. It has not come in this birth. Therefore, do not
waste
your energies brooding over this. What pleases Swami? What is He
displeased with? Do not entertain such doubts. I am pleased with
whatever you undertake with purity of heart. I only desire the purity
of your heart. With pure love in your heart, you may undertake any type
of service. Have total faith in Swami's words, implicitly obey His
commands. I do not misguide anyone at any time. Whatever I say is for
your own good. Whatever I tell, whatever I do is good for you; not for
Me.
I do not have any work of My own. All are done for your sake. On any
account, do not entertain the thought that I do not have love for you.
Fortunate people get a chance to undertake sacred deeds in close
proximity
to the Divine. But those who do not get such an opportunity should not
entertain any jealousy that others had received and they have not.
The most malignant disease of all is jealousy. Cancer may have a
remedy,
but not jealousy. Cancer may be cancelled, but jealousy has no remedy
whatsoever. Jealousy would depress one to such an extent that one would
perish in the process.
Embodiments of Love!
Members of Sai Organisations should develop broad vision without giving
room for jealousy, hatred and ego. Consider all as brothers and sisters
and immerse yourselves in bliss by doing service. Today, you have
resolved
to bring about transformation in the education system. Education is
very
essential. It can neither be stolen by thieves, burnt by fire nor
diminished by sharing with others. Education always grows. Share this
eternal wisdom with one and all. Practise all that you have learnt.
Teach good virtues to the children: "Son! Do not study for money.
Affluence, friendship and physical strength are of major importance in
a worldly sense. But money is here today and gone tomorrow. 'Money
comes
and goes.' Friends may turn to a foe in a day. You are strong today,
but you may become weak tomorrow. However, your virtues will never
desert you. Develop that permanent character that does not desert you
any day. Develop sacred virtues."
Enter the society with noble virtues. Help everyone. Do you know why
the hands are given? Is it for eating? It is for helping others!
Charity is the ornament for the hand. Do you know why voice/throat is
given? Not to sing cinema songs! Not to criticise or blame others,
but
to chant the names of God. That in itself is the beautiful necklace.
Wear that necklace and sanctify your voice/throat. Do you know why
intelligence is given? Is it for becoming egoistic? It is to ponder
over the means of contemplating on Divinity and reaching and
experiencing
of the same. One must engage each limb and senses in sacred activities.
Embodiments of Love!
Delegates from 180 countries have assembled here. All occupy exalted
positions. If you were to tread the right path, you can mould
thousands
of people in turn. If one office bearer were to get spoilt, many
people
can go astray. "Help Ever; Hurt Never." Be good, do good and set an
ideal; then all will follow the ideal path. Without practising, if you
were to tell others, it would be of no avail. Even if you are unable to
do all, practise at least one or two. That is enough. I do not even
desire that you follow all the teachings.
Be ideal members of Sathya Sai Organisations and bring about proper
development/progress and transform the nation itself. I do not desire
for My name to be upheld. I do not require any name or fame. If only
I
wanted, the whole world would have been at My Feet by now (cheers).
But, I do not want. I only want to help you. Foster the sense of
service amongst yourselves. Entertain noble thoughts.
Goldstein said that Swami always gives and does not take anything.
Except for only one, I do not ask for anything. That which I ask for
is
your Love (cheers). I do not desire anything else. Whatever you ask,
I
will give. But I aspire only one - Love. Therefore, give your love
and
accept everything. Strive for developing and bringing about
transformation
in the system of education. Members belonging to the Organisation
should
discuss among themselves and do what they consider good, they need not
wait for orders from centre. In fact, the centre would be happy to know
of such an initiative. What else can give Me more joy than the news
that
you do not have any differences, jealousy, in-fights, and are conducting
yourselves as brothers and sisters. Work in accordance with Swami's
ideals. This gives joy to Swami. "Happiness lies in union with God."
That is true happiness. You cannot lay claim to happiness by
experiencing worldly comforts.
Leaving aside all differences, one must mingle with each other and
undertake service activities. You should not form separate groups.
Realise that pain inflicted on others is pain inflicted on Me. If all
are united, I shall be extremely happy. If you were to meet someone
whom
you may have hated, great him lovingly. You must conduct yourself with
love. This is real penance, meditation, Japam and Sadhana.
One should give and take love for love's sake. If you continue this
way, the entire nation will become happy. We can experience that kind
of joy that has not been experienced hitherto in any previous Yuga.
When you greet others, do so wholeheartedly. Let there not be any
disharmony in your thought, word and deed. Talk sweetly and smilingly.
This makes all happy. "Happy mood, happy face, happy talk, and happy
work" should be your guiding force. Forget your differences and live
in the present. This present is not ordinary, it is the omnipresent.
Develop unity. There is immense strength in unity. In unity, not only
you, but also the nation would have a chance to develop. Only love
brings
about unity. In this manner for the past four days, you have debated
and
discussed. Keep away all the hatred; cleanse yourselves. Be happy.
Go back happily.
This is a big workshop. Your body, akin to a car, has come here. All
the bolts, nuts, brakes, springs and seats have all worn out. When you
get back to your places transformed, people will observe the change in
you and emulate you. I am teaching you all these, prompted by love, so
that you develop love.
Bhagavan concluded His discourse with the Bhajan "Hari Bhajana Bina"
contributed by: Bombay Srinivasan
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