Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 5/07

The Power of Love

From all over the world, pilgrims flock to Prasanthi Nilayam to be in Bhagawan's presence. They are drawn by the Will of the Avatar of Love calling Himself in the form of others to Himself. Millions have come and the sacred procession has already begun. The majesty of His mission moves inexorably on and His missionaries multiply mightily.

We can only marvel at the little we know of Bhagawan's plan for a Golden Age, a new era of Dharma. It is not hard to recognize the increase in the number of devotees aware of His presence. What is less apparent is His placement of Lights in all walks of life where His Name and Form are not known at all. We, whose great fortune it is to know of Him, must continually remind ourselves that the first of Sai's virtues is humility. We devotees must be careful not to judge, not to look down upon or feel superior to those whose lives are not focused on Bhagawan Baba. By many paths we come to Him and along those paths, examples of His Light can be seen if only we look with care. The measuring stick of spirituality is not the name of the Avatar nor of the Teacher but the ease with which the Divine teachings are put into daily practice. Let me tell you of a very recent New York story.

A young man, who grew up in a disadvantaged inner city neighbourhood, was charged with the cold-blooded killing of one of his peers. He had a previous police record and the jury found him guilty of murder. Throughout the trial, his face was a hard, frozen, steel mask of hatred. There was no sign of remorse, no show of feeling. There was only an unwavering evil stare.

After the verdict and before the sentencing, the judge gave the victim's family the opportunity to speak in court. Words spoken under those circumstances are usually highly charged, emotional expressions of the horror of the crime and their sense of deep pain and loss. This is not what happened here. The victim's mother walked slowly up to her son's killer, looked him straight in the eye, and quietly said, "I have no bad feelings for you. I could never hate you."

For the first time since the trial began, the defendant's look softened.

Then the victim's grandmother got up and spoke, also looking in the killer's eyes. She said. "So you did the crime and I am sorry you've got to do the time. You broke the golden rule: loving God with all your heart, soul and mind. You broke the law: loving your neighbour as yourself. I am your neighbour." Then she paused and continued. "So anyway, you have my address. You want to write, I will write you back, because I sat here two weeks, and for 16 months I tried to hate you. But you know what? I could not hate you. I feel sorry for you because you made a wrong choice."

The grandmother sat down and the judge reported that the defendant's head was hanging low. The evil stare was gone and his destructive, violent demeanour wilted before the unconditional love of these two grieving mothers.

The Judge then passed a sentence of 37 years to life in prison. He later commented that the sentence was insignificant in comparison with what had taken place in his court. The laser force of Love had penetrated the killer's heart. These two ladies are most surely evolved spiritual beings. Their surroundings are modest, their book learning and their words are simple. They are Bhagawan's Lights teaching in the only transforming way: by EXAMPLE. It is a reminder to devotees that all beings are His, that He is in every one of us. We cannot, we must not judge. With a deep sense of humility, we must learn from all. Learn and practise. The question to ask is, "Would I be capable of feeling and acting as these two women did under such a severe test? Would I be able to put Bhagawan's teaching, Christ's teaching, into practice in my life? It is for each one of us to ask ourselves and answer for ourselves. I remind myself that others like those two saintly examples may be standing next to me as I travel on the subways and buses, or as I walk the streets of this city. They are, for me, the Lord's Teachers, the Lord's Lights.

The mother and the grandmother may never know of Bhagawan Baba. They may never come as pilgrims into His presence in India. They don't need to. He is guiding and protecting them. He is always with them, filling their hearts with the sweetness and beauty and power of HIS LOVE.

VEGETARIAN RECIPE - HUAT KUIH (SWEET POTATO CAKE)

HUAT KUIH (SWEET POTATO CAKE)

Ingredients A :

200g mashed sweet potatoes

170g brown sugar

150g coconut milk

1/4 cup evaporated milk

Ingredients B :

200g flour

3 tsp yeast

Method :

Pour ingredients A into a large bowl and mix well. Add in flour and yeast. Mix till smooth. Leave the mixture to rise for two hours.

Scoop mixture into paper cups. Place in a steamer and steam for 20 minutes using high heat / boiling water.

(Contributed by Sis Annie Teh, SSBCNED, Penang)

VEGETARIAN RECIPE - SEMOLING (SUGEE) CAKE

SEMOLING (SUGEE) CAKE

Ingredients A :

150g Semoling/sugee flour (lightly fry and set to cool before use)

60g ground almond

110g castor sugar or brown sugar

230g plain yoghurt

30g melted butter

Ingredients B :

30g raisin (cut into smaller pieces)

20g citrus peels (chopped)

30g almond nibs (toasted)

Ingredients C :

20g plain flour (sieve together with below)

1 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

Method :

Add sugar into melted butter. Stir in yoghurt, sugee flour, almond powder and mix well. Add in ingredients B and ingredients C. Stir well in one single direction till well-mixed.

Pour mixture into two (10cm x 20cm) aluminum foil moulds. Bake for 20 minutes at 180 deg C and 20 minutes at 160 deg C until it turns brown.

(Contributed by Sis Annie Teh, SSBCNED, Penang)

A TURTLE NAMED TITO BUDDY

The strangest and most memorable experience happened today to my family... Some may think it was just a coincidence, but for me, it was a blessing of love.

In the early hours of this morning, as my children were leaving for school, my daughter found a little tortoise outside our apartment (16 floors above ground). It was trying to get into the elevator but kept knocking into the closed doors. The floor beneath it was full of scratch marks and dirt.

My daughter picked it up and quickly ran back into our apartment to get a plastic container. She filled the container with some water and then made a small hole on the lid so that the little tortoise would be able to breathe. And then, off they left for school, with the little tortoise with them.

Needless to say, it was a joyful day for my children as they shared their little finding with their friends at school. When they came home at lunchtime, I was very surprised to hear about the excitement of the morning.

My children had grown to love the little tortoise and they named it 'Tito Buddy'. They wanted to keep it but I knew it was not possible because we did not know how to care for it. We tried to feed it with some green vegetables but it would not eat anything. I even tried to google for more information on tortoises but to no avail.

Finally, at 5pm, we took Tito Buddy to the only place where other tortoises could be found on our island.... it is a famous Buddhist temple called 'Kek Lok Si'. This is a beautiful temple filled with ancient Chinese murals and carvings, pagodas, and lots of Buddha statues. We spent an hour touring the place before we finally found the 'Liberation Pond' where hundreds of tortoises and turtles could be found. It was then we realized that Tito Buddy was a turtle and not a tortoise!

My children spent several minutes saying their goodbyes before my daughter dropped little Tito Buddy into the pond. As soon as he fell into the water, several other bigger ones of his kind rushed to surround him and he disappeared. For five minutes, nothing happened.... and I was beginning to wonder if I had made a mistake by not agreeing to my children's request to keep him.

Suddenly, out popped a little head in the midst of all the bigger ones... it was Tito Buddy. He looked so cute and clean, so it was easy for us to spot him. Then, he began swimming all over the pond as if to say hello to the other turtles around him. He looked so happy and agile...

Then, unexpectedly, he turned back and began to swim towards us. He even climbed on top of the other turtles to get a closer look of us. For what seemed like an eternity, he just stood there and stared at us... as if to say goodbye... and maybe even thank you... in his own way. After that, he went back into the water and made his way to his new-found friends.

It was not easy to say goodbye to little Tito Buddy... Though he was with us for only half of the day, he had touched the hearts of my three children... and mine as well. The look which he gave us before he left will live in our memories forever. It was a true blessing of love that transcended all boundaries....

Goodbye, little friend...

For more pictures, click here : A TURTLE NAMED TITO BUDDY

(Contributed by Sis Adeline Teh)

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/07

IS A PATH NEEDED?

Q: Baba! Your advent has been a great landmark in human history.

A: Millions come to me, but, few give me their attention. It is a matter of demand and supply. God demands attention, for, every one needs Him. The need is to surmount the falsehood and the fear, that mankind has woven around itself.

Q: The mind of man does not accept that it is woven by itself.

A: Your mind weaves further stratagems to escape from this falsehood. It perpetually seeks other forms and other places to assuage the need; it repeats the same error, not realising the potency of the only answer to all its problems, Mindlessness. Where the mind is not, God is automatically.

Q: Yes, Baba. It pesters us with desires.

A: You call it `desire'. But really it is something in which the mind takes refuge, temporary refuge. But, you should seek a refuge that can restore balance and equilibrium to the mind. Let the part merge with the whole, the wave with the sea. Seek the whole, the boundless. There is only one God and He is omnipresent. Seek Him, desire Him, that alone counts; that desire alone works.

Q: Inspite of all attempts and searches, contentment, Baba, is so hard to come by.

A: Real contentment comes only when you are aware of the frailty of seeking anywhere else, for what does not ask for attempts or searches, for what is self evident and self effulgent. See the condition of all men in all lands! Each one seeks in time and space that which is beyond time and space; each one seeks through study and scholarship that which is beyond the senses and the intellect. Then, when some one advises him to try elsewhere, he agrees and moves on. But what they seek is ever, all around them, even in their own being as their very core, no matter where they are. Always, they seek the right thing in the wrong place, through persons, books, symbols, situations, paths. But, I am too near to need a path. Lift the veil, and I am there. Or, deny that there was ever a veil; that is enough for me to shine forth.

Q: When that illumination is attained, there is no more death, is there?

A: Birth and death exist within the realm of opposites. You cannot have one without the other. If there is death, birth must follow. Leave the body's health or demise to Me. It is not your affair, nor is it your responsibility if it languishes or perishes. It is the boat I have given you, to be used cautiously and carefully for crossing the ocean of objective change. It is a vehicle provided for your journey to me. Once you realise that I am you, the vehicle's task is done. But, you may have to take care of it for some more time, so long as I wish.

Q: Morality cleanses the mind, you have said, Baba.

A: Yes. I have said, Be good; see good; do good. But, the good you can do is limited by the capacity of the vehicle and the environment which surrounds you, physically and socially. Let me tell you the highest good you can do: Abide in the absolute and the eternal. That will ensure your liberation and the welfare of the society where you are.

Q: It seems to be an impossible task, Baba, to be established in the eternal and absolute.

A: The meaning of what you say is that it cannot be 'held on' by the mind. Give up the mind. That is why I say, "Die mind, not Diamond, should be the precious gem you crave for.” The mind is such a wayward instrument. Holding soon tires of holding. That is the nature of holding. Release the hold and you earn release.

Q: Baba, I admire the saintly persons who have developed rare virtues and are moral giants.

A: You do not know that they are. Most are afflicted by pride at their being so virtuous! This pride bars them from me. Be humble; humility is the highest virtue.

Q: Whatever happens, I hold on to you and you must vouchsafe humility to me. When I find I am neglected, I suffer pain.

A: That pain comes from the misconception of your mind, that I am far smaller than I am, and that I am limited and localised. Suffering is only another name for misunderstanding.

Q: What should I do to be free from pain?

A: Go to the centre of the cyclone; the rod in the centre of the bottom millstone, where you will not be affected by pressures, or what goes on around you. I am where stillness and silence are, to help you establish yourselves in yourselves.

—From the Notebook of a New Yorker

DIVINE DISCOURSE 20/7/2009

Realise Atma Thathwa By Constant Practice
by
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Embodiments of Love!

Everyone enquires, “Swami, where is Atma?” They do not understand what Atma is. The Upanishads have dealt at length with the principle of Atma. Unfortunately, today people have not been able to interpret the teachings of the Upanishads properly. The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and the Bhagavata have their origin in the Upanishads. Our sages in the ancient times did intense tapas (penance) to understand the nature of Atma and finally declared that Atma was the fundamental basis of everything in the universe. When it assumes a physical body, even while the body undergoes constant change from birth to death, Atma remains as the eternal and changeless principle. The Atma is the source and sustenance for everything. It has no birth and death.

People celebrate different festivals with great enthusiasm. For example, they celebrate the festival of Mahashivarathri. Does it mean Lord Shiva was born on that day? No; the name ‘Shiva’ signifies auspiciousness. The Shiva principle is omnipresent. It is

Sarvatah Panipadam Tat SarvathokshiSiromukham,

SarvatahSruthimalloke SarvamavruthyaTishthati (Sanskrit verse)

With hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth and ears pervading everything,

He permeates the entire universe.

Whatever is seen by the eyes, heard by the ears, even the words that are spoken — everything is Brahman. There is nothing in the universe that is not Brahman. That is why it is described as

Sabda Brahmamayi, Characharamayi, Jyotirmayi, Vangmayi,

Nityanandamayi, Paratparamayi, Mayamayi and Sreemayi (Sanskrit verse)

Embodiment of sound, mobility and immobility, light, speech,

eternal bliss, perfection, delusion and wealth.

No one can say ‘this is Brahman and this is not.’ For example this handkerchief is also Brahman. From where did this handkerchief originate? It is made out of threads. The threads in turn originated from cotton. Since the threads are woven together, it has assumed the form of a cloth. The cloth thus woven out of cotton threads can be made into a dhoti or a sari or a shirt.

Some people say that the mind is the origin for the entire universe. This is not true. Even the mind has a source on which it depends. No doubt the mind is very strong and powerful, but even such a mind has originated from Atma only. The mind directs all activities in the physical world. It is very unsteady and is changing continuously. That is why it is called ‘monkey mind’.

Atma is the source and sustenance for the body, mind, intellect, chitta (consciousness). Viveka (discrimination), vijnana (higher wisdom), and sujnana (the science of consciousness). All have originated from Atma only. All these assume a particular form at a particular time, like an infant, a child, a boy, a young man and an old person in the life of a human being. These different forms at different stages have no independent existence. It is a transition from one stage to the other. However, the Atma is the source and sustenance for all these entities. It is the fundamental principle.

In order to understand this fundamental principle, people ascribed different names to it. Some called it Aum, the primordial sound. Others called it Thathtwamasi (That Thou Art). Yet others called it Brahman. Some others gave it some names like Rama, Krishna, Allah, Easwara, and Jesus. These different names and forms are given for the purpose of identification only. Divinity, however, has no name and form. The names and forms ascribed to God are based upon one’s liking for a particular name or form.

Some people desire to worship God as Venkateswara and realise Him in that form. Who created that form? It is the human mind that picturised God in that form; for example, painters like the famous Ravi Varma. He painted God in different forms — Rama, Krishna, etc. These are all man-made, but not original. You may worship God as Rama, Krishna, or Shiva and realise Him in that form. But, fundamentally, God is one and only one. He is formless, nameless, and attributeless Brahman. This fundamental truth has been explained in the aphorism, Ekameva Adviteeyam Brahma (God is one without a second).

Yet, different people at different times are deluded by names and forms. One can say it is all their imagination. In fact, that imagination itself is the root cause for all the troubles in the world. Though names and forms are different, God is only one.

You think so and so is bad and he looks bad. On the other hand, if you think that he is a good person, he will really appear good. It is your feeling toward him that makes all the difference between good and bad. These are all born out of your thoughts, for which the mind is the source. Hence, you have to take things as they are.

You think you are meditating on a particular form or object. Really speaking, it is not meditation. The form or object on which you are supposed to be meditating may change after sometime. Hence, it is not meditation in the real sense. It is not concentration either. It is just contemplation, for a particular time frame. When the object stabilises after regular practice, you can meditate.

It is not possible for anyone to meditate the moment one sits for meditation. No one ever succeeded in such an attempt. People say they are meditating, but it is artificial. Artificial meditation is really bad. There are three steps in the process: concentration, contemplation, and meditation. It is a gradual process achieved by systematic and regular abhyasa (practice). This abhyasa yoga and theconsequent peace attained by a person has been beautifully explained in the Bhagavad Gita thus:

Sreyohi Jnanamabhyasat,

Jnanaddhyanam Vishishyate,

Dhyanat Karmaphala Thyaga,

Thyagat Santhiranantaram. (Sanskrit verse)

Better indeed is knowledge than practice.

Better than knowledge is meditation on God.

But better than meditation is renunciation of the desire for the fruits of actions.

For peace follows peace immediately.

A newborn child does not become an adult immediately but gradually grows into an adult. It is a mistake to think that whatever you wish becomes fruitful. If that is so, there would be no human effort at all! There would be no meaning for human existence.

Hence, first and foremost, concentrate upon the ‘I’ principle. Constantly contemplate on the aphorism, “I am Atma.” You and Atma are one only, not two different entities.

Today, every action of a human being is leading to confusion, which in turn leads to depression. What is the reason for this sequence of events? Your own unsteady nature. In fact, the entire environment in the world is undergoing change. There is change in water, air, clouds, and even food. When everything around you is changing, naturally it will have its effect on you. Your mind is also undergoing change in tune with the changes around. There is only one changeless principle: constant integrated awareness (Prajnanam).

The Upanishads declare Prajnanam Brahma (Brahman is Supreme Consciousness). If you wish to attain that state, you must develop Ekatmabhava (feeling of oneness). Though the bodies are different, only one Atma dwells in all living beings. The human bodies are like the pots and the mind therein is water. The one moon is reflected in all the pots. It is only reaction, reflection, and resound, everywhere.

Dear children! You will not be able to understand the Atma Thathwa (Atma Principle). Atma is not merely a word comprising two letters. It connotes developing Ekatmabhava. All are one, be alike to everyone. How can you develop faith in this maxim? A small example. You are doing a particular work. Your neighbour has undertaken a different job. Though you both undertook different jobs, the environment in which you are performing the jobs is the same. Atma is the consciousness that pervades everywhere. That all-pervading principle is Truth.

The creation emerges from truth and merges into truth,

Is there a place in the cosmos where truth does not exist?

Visualise this pure and unsullied truth. (Telugu poem)

The entire universe is permeated by Truth. It is above, below, and on all sides. That sathya (truth) is Atma. It is eternal and changeless. The epic Bhagavata enjoins on us to speak truth and speak sweetly and softly. Sathyam bruyath, priyam bruyath, na bruyath sathyamapriyam (speak truth, speak pleasantly, and do not speak unpalatable truth). Truth is the source and sustenance for everything in the universe. Where there is sathya, there will be dharma. Where sathya and dharma go together, peace is the result. Where there is peace, there cannot be krodha (anger), taapa (agitation), eershya (envy), asuya (jealousy), and damba (conceit). Such peace devoid of these bad qualities transforms itself into pure love.

Once Hanuman entered the city of Lanka in search of Sita, who was abducted by Ravana and kept in confinement there. He searched for Sita in every street and every building, but could not find her. However, he could find the rakshasa ladies in awkward postures. He decided for himself that Sita was a noble lady and would not stoop down to such a level. Unable to find Sita anywhere, Hanuman lamented, “I have searched for her in every house and even in flower gardens. I am yearning to see her.”

Then he went into the Asokavana and found Sita sitting under a tree. He felt extremely happy to find her and in that joyous mood started pulling down fruit-bearing trees and deforming the beautiful garden. This act of impertinence of Hanuman infuriated the demons, and he was taken to Ravana’s court duly bound by ropes. In the royal court of the demon king Ravana, he picked up an argument with him over the propriety of his heinous act of abducting Sita. He addressed Ravana in a most humiliating manner.

Ravana could not tolerate the impertinent and arrogant behaviour of Hanuman. He became very angry and warned Hanuman, “You monkey! No one, not even kings, dared to address me in such humiliating language. I will see that your mouth is shut right now.”

Hanuman retorted, “You are a demon, whereas I am servant of an Emperor who rules the fourteen lokas (worlds). You cannot do anything to me.”

Ravana could not contain his anger any more and ordered that Hanuman’s tail be wrapped with clothes soaked in oil and set fire to. Immediately, the demons brought some old clothes, wrapped them round his tail, poured oil on them, and set fire to the tail. Hanuman then jumped from one building to the other with the burning tail and set fire to all the buildings in Lanka. Very soon, the flames spread everywhere, and it looked as though the entire city was going up in flames. All the residents in the city came out into the streets in great panic. They were wondering and discussing among themselves, “Who is this monkey? Wherefrom has it come? Who sent it? Our entire city is burning. Where can we go now?”

Even Mandodari’s palace was not spared. The entire city including the buildings and personal belongings of the residents were reduced to ashes. Only one house in Lanka, that of Vibhishana, was safe. Thus, the residents of Lanka had to pay for their sins. The Law of Karma is immutable and inescapable. People have to suffer the consequences of their evil deeds. Whatever one does, whether good or bad, will come back to him.

When man emerges from the womb of his mother,

he does not find any garland around his neck.

There are no jewels made of pearls,

nor are there glittering gold ornaments.

There are no necklaces studded with precious stones

like emeralds and diamonds.

But there is one garland around his neck.

Brahma strings together the consequences of his past deeds

into a heavy garland and puts it around his neck at the time of his birth.

(Telugu poem)

Thus, the results of our past karmas (actions) haunt us. Suppose you have eaten pakoda in your house, after some time, you will get a belch of pakoda only. Similarly, you get the results of your past karmas only. Hence, your actions must always be good.

In order that one always undertakes good karmas (actions), one must cultivate Daiva preeti, papa bheeti,and sangha neeti (love for God, fear of sin, and morality in society). If one can cultivate these three, one will be able to keep oneself away from indulging in bad deeds. Love for God, fear of sin, and morality in society are all interdependent. One follows the other. Namasmarana (repetition of the Name) would help cultivate these noble qualities. That is why I repeatedly exhort you to do namasmarana incessantly. Namasmarana is the means by which one can cross the ocean of samsara (the objective world).

If one has to realise Atma Thathwa, one must seek refuge in Atma only. Once you realise the Atma Thathwa, you will yourself become Atma. You have to constantly contemplate upon the Upanishadic declaration, Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman). You have to remind yourself, “I am not a human, I am not a rakshasa (demon), I am Atma.”

I wish that students should gradually give up loose talk and unnecessary activities. Your speech should be good; your vision should be good; your thoughts should also be good. Only when your thoughts, words, and deeds are good and in perfect harmony will you become a good person. The sacred texts like Ramayana, Mahabharata,and the Bhagavad Gita teach the same. First and foremost, develop love for God. If only you have love for God, it amounts to having everything.

If you wish to attain Atma Thathwa, you have to constantly contemplate upon Atma. Once you experience Atma Thathwa, you will yourself become Brahman. In order to get that experience, there should be regular practice. One does a lot of practice even for attaining simple things in daily life. Without practice, nothing can be achieved in life; you will commit mistakes.

First and foremost, learn to live like real human beings, constantly reminding yourself, “I am a human being, I am not an animal, I am not a cruel beast.” From humanness, you have to rise to the level of Divinity. Do not degenerate to the level of an animal or beast. In fact, all Avatars come only to raise the level of consciousness of human beings to that of Divinity, only to transform humans into divine beings.

When you follow God’s instructions meticulously and undertake activities that would please Him, you will surely become God, verily. It is not a difficult task. Constant practice will enable you to reach your goal. On the other hand, if you follow bad people, you will also become bad. “Tell me your company, I shall tell you what you are,” is the saying. As is your company, so you shall become.

THE DHARMA OF HUSBAND & WIFE

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 3/07

As I sit back and ponder over the bygone days, I realise that someone has secretly entered into my life and enriched it with priceless love. I was blessed with boundless gifts. I did not know who the giver was, but felt His presence and His gentle touch.

'Once in the early nineties, Swami visited Madras, and was staying at Sundaram. After the suprabhatam was sung, the Lord glided onto the balcony and gave darshan to the thousands who were waiting there. My parents and I were also amongst the crowd of devotees who had come to enjoy the spectacle of love spreading far and wide to rekindle the spirit of mankind.

The mass of devotees, who were seated till then, rose in reverence with folded palms, and tried hard to get a glimpse of the Almighty. Tears of joy rolled down my mother's cheeks as she saw the beautiful form of Love in front of her. I was surrounded by people, and couldn't catch sight of the wish fulfiller, as I knew Him to be. I tugged at my mother's sari. She seemed to understand what was going on in my mind. Just then, the devotees started murmuring amongst themselves that the Balvikas children were to present a programme in the portico so that Swami could see the tiny tots from where He stood. As the crowd made way for them, I rushed through the narrow passage, and positioned myself in the front row. It was then that I had a glimpse of my Guardian, my Eternal Friend. I knew for certain that He is my comrade, and that the unseen hand is His.

As I grew up, God to me was only an entity I used to look up to in order to satisfy my petty fancies. When I was promoted to the sixth grade, attending bhajans in the neighbourhood was a part of my everyday routine apart from academics, fun and frolic. After the bhajans, it was a regular practice among the devotees to narrate some experiences of how Swami had touched their lives and made a difference. Hearing them, I used to yearn for the day when He would enrich my life with an experience.

My life that was filled with the warmth and affection of my kith and kin until then was suddenly thrown into turmoil and tension when I was afflicted by what the doctors diagnosed as tuberculoma of the brain. Initially, I had an agonizing pain in the head which eventually began to run down my spine. Sitting in the classroom for prolonged hours was becoming impossible. I could not sprint in the streets and sport with my friends. I had to discontinue my studies before a week elapsed, and my sprightly spirit, that always soared high, plummeted. I withdrew myself from academics and all the activities and aerial ambitions that an 11-year old would dream of.

A score of bitter pills, steroids and splenetic syrups replaced the bars of chocolate puddings and pastries. The doctors were not happy with my progress. The oral medication did not suffice, and they decided that the needle had to be used to relieve me from the anguish. I had sleepless nights due to the sudden spasms, and my colourful childish world was flooded with darkness. My worried parents surrendered to Swami. I was sure that Swami was making my biography a momentous and memorable one.

I asked Him to hold my hand and deliver me from despair. I prayed fervently and asked Him to renew my lost strength. Behind the silent dark walls, God answered my prayer, and my parents decided to take me to Puttaparthi. I was fortunate to sit in the front row. My mother too secured a convenient position to have Baba's darshan. The music began. Swami came gently walking towards where I sat. He took some rice grains from the lady who was sitting besides me, and showered them thrice on me. In my anxiety, I blurted out 'Swami, I do not want to take those injections any more.' His benign smile gave me an assurance that everything would be taken care of.

I travelled back counting my blessings. The follow-up CT scan reports disclosed that I was on the way to speedy recovery. My parents were grateful to Bhagawan who had granted their daughter a new lease of life. It is said that: 'the strongest metal cometh from the toughest furnace.' This phase of despair strengthened my faith in Bhagawan.

The love story does not end there. Years passed. Now, as His student, I am a humble part of His Avataric Mission. He shows us the path way to immortality by being our guardian. This is the assurance given to me in one of my dreams. I dreamt that all His students were made to stand in a line forming a human chain and were asked to walk behind Him. He turned to see if all His children were following Him. When He found that some of us had slightly deviated, He gently pushed us into the path set by Him. To my right was a beautiful garden, and to my left was marshy land. He said to me, 'if you follow Me, I will guide you to the garden.' The dream ended there but the message was clear. The goal is set and the path is clear. All we need to do is to tread it with commitment.'

HUMAN VALUES ART/STORY TELLING COMPETITION FOR TAMIL SCHOOLS

The Penang State Human Values Art/Story Telling Competition for Tamil Schools was held at Level 5, Komtar, on 12 July 2009 beginning 8.00am. The ceremony was officiated by YB Tuan Prof Dr P Ramasamy, Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang. Most of the participants ranged from ages 7 - 12 and they were accompanied by their parents and teachers. After registration, breakfast was served to all who were present.

The competitions began at 9.00am sharp. Whilst the Story Telling was held inside the Auditorium, several colourful Art pieces were displayed at the foyer for final judging. There was also a performance by the EHV children who had won 2nd prize in Choral Speaking Competition during the recent National Educare Carnival 2009.

Prizes were given away to all the winners at the end of the function. There were also souvenirs for judges and VIPs. A delicious vegetarian buffet lunch was served before the end of the event at 2.00pm.

Click below to view more pictures :
Art/Story Telling Competition

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 2/07

The Sadhaka must have as his objective the state of mental preparation, for the realisation of Godhead at any moment. That is to say, his heart must be cleansed of despair, free from hesitation and doubt, and open to the waves of bliss that surge in from all sides, in God's Universe. Love brings the waves in, ever expansive as they are! Follow the directives, with faith and sincerity. That will help you to realise the purpose of life. Since every act has its appropriate reaction, beware of evil intentions, wicked words, acts that harm others and therefore harm you, and so live that you revere all as moving temples of the Divine.

Narasamma, who passed away recently is a good example for you. She was a pure devotee. She came to Parthi 30 years ago; and, once having come, she never turned back to Madras, with any longing for her home, her belongings or her kith and kin! She was friendly with all and put up gladly with all sorts of people. I used to reprimand her often, "Narasamma, why do you welcome all these people into your room and allow them to disturb the Sadhana and silence you need?" But, her heart was large and it was difficult to restrain her. She spent all these years, happily here; and, now she has settled here, as her eternal home.

I wrote a letter to her from Goa. I did not write to any one else from there. I wrote only to her. I wrote, "Narasamma, I am with you, beside; before, behind; and I am guarding you as the lids guard the eye. Do not be worried in the least that I am not there. Since your body is getting weaker and weaker, be ready for any eventuality. Avoid thoughts of the body, be ever full of thoughts of God. Carry on in that manner. When the body gets overripe, it rots; when it rots, it is thrown away. Her body became ripe, overripe and it even suffered due to over ripeness. So, it had to be disposed away. But, her Seva and Sadhana—these do survive.

"Perhaps you wondered why I did not come to give her Darshan, even though she was praying, for it so long! Her fortune was not this kind of Darshan, standing before you, as I do now. But, I certainly stuck to my promise to her, that I shall give Darshan to her, during her last moments. I came, I stood before her, I gave her the Blessing Prasadam, I asked her to put into her mouth the Vibhuti I created and gave her; and, some persons round her bed at the time came to know about it. For they asked Narasamma, 'What is it you are putting into your mouth?' and Narasamma told them, 'Swami came just now and gave me Vibhuti Prasadam.' Until the last breath she was fully conscious."

Narasamma died at seven minutes past eleven in the morning here at Prasanthi Nilayam, and there at Whitefield, I mentioned to Peddabottu (who has come there and is staying there), at seven minutes past eleven; "Your Narasamma has gone!"

Her nature, her heart that corresponded with her nature, her achievement which was characteristic of her heart and its purity—all bore fruit. It is difficult to understand the beauty of such a life and to find analogies by which one can explain it.

GURU PURNIMA 2009

Guru Purnima was celebrated on 7 July 2009 with 21 Om at 5.15am.  This was followed by Suprabatham, Vedam chanting, Sai Astottara Shatha Naamavalli (Garland of 108 Glorious Names), and Bhajans.  In the evening, at 8.00pm, we had another round of prayers, beginning with Ganesh Stothra, Guru Stothra, Sai Gayathri Mantra, Vedam Chanting, Naamavalli, Sai Navaratna (Garland of Nine Precious Gems), and Bhajans.  

Today's festivity also coincided with the 15th Day of the 5th Lunar Month (leap month according to the Chinese calender), so we also chanted the Medicine Buddha Mantra and White Tara Mantra.

DIVINE DISCOURSE 7/7/2009

Be Exemplars of Selfless Service
by
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

[Editors note. In the morning of 7 July, Guru Purnima, four senior functionaries and their wives were honored in Sai Kulwant Hall: from the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, A.V. Appa Rao, Financial Controller, and A.V. Sathyanarayana Murthy, Senior Engineer; from the Sri Sathya Sai University, Prof. Nanjundaiah, Controller of Examinations, and Prof. A.V. Lakshminarasimhmam, Registrar. In the evening, Bhagavan Baba again called Appa Rao, Prof. Nanjundaiah, and their wives to the verandah. Then Bhagavan Baba gave this discourse.]

Embodiments of Divine Atma!

In the morning there was no time to talk about these people.

Ever since our hospital started functioning, Appa Rao has been working there as an auditor. For fourteen years, he worked hard, day and night. I am pleased with his work. He came here with the sole intention of rendering selfless service, not with any other motive. Those were the initial stages of the Super Speciality Hospital, so there was plenty of work, day and night. He alone had to attend to everything É receiving parcels of medicines, checking them and noting them down. In spite of being a non medical person, he worked untiringly taking care of patients also. He is meticulous in checking all details. He has worked with full satisfaction. All these fourteen years, he never aspired for anything.

He did not accept even a naya paisa. Everybody in the hospital earns these days twenty to thirty thousand rupees. But he has not taken any money. He had to climb up and down the stairs many times everyday, while looking after the stores, patients, nurses and doctors as well. He looked after so many things, all alone. He never complained to Me also.

He has been adjusting himself. He has never been deficient in his work. I Myself used to see him now and then to enquire about the work. We should express our gratitude to such a dedicated worker.

With much compassion toward him, I told him, "Appa Rao, Now the number of patients coming to our hospital has increased by thousands. Mentally, of course, you are quite alert, but physically you are weak. Therefore, take rest at home. You have come to serve Swami. There was no shortcoming whatsoever in your service."

His wife also supported him and has been taking good care of him at home, looking after his food and other needs meticulously. He has no habit of taking food outside. So, when necessary, she used to send his food to the hospital.

Appa Rao has also been taking care of poor people in many respects. He rendered help in many heart operations to the poor people. He used to send free medicines to the homes of those heart patients even after they were discharged. He worked very hard. My heart melted at his service. How can we leave such a person who worked so hard? Everybody, including students, sought his help. I tell our students often, "Help ever, Hurt never."

We do not take even a paisa from anyone for rendering medical services. Our hospital always gives and never takes. He rendered seva (selfless service) with the feeling, "This is my hospital, my Swami's hospital." He considered the hospital as his own and served it selflessly. Even when I was away physically, I helped him in all that he did.

As this is our first Super Speciality Hospital, he had to work very hard for its development. Subsequently, another Super Speciality Hospital has been established in Bangalore. There is an orthopaedic division also in our hospital here. Appa Rao has been looking after all this. I liked his work.

Before this, he worked for the government. There also, he rendered good service. As he utilised all his experience for the benefit of our hospital, today we have gathered here to honour him.

His younger brother Murthy is an electrical engineer. He is also working with us. Whenever there is any electrical problem he is called by telephone, and he attends to it immediately. Even at night, he is ever ready to do service.

The youngest brother Lakshminarasimham worked in our university as Registrar. He is also growing older, and needs a little rest. He has not married, so there is no bondage. He has been totally dedicated to our university. He first joined in Seva Dal. He did Ph.D. with the intention of joining our college. These three brothers have been rendering good service. They have been very helpful to us, in spite of many troubles they had to face.

Nanjundaiah has been the controller of examinations. He has been very kind to all students. He has been working day and night in order to declare the results well in time. He never used to take rest even for a while. He would engage himself in correcting papers even while suffering from fever. Everybody was depending upon him. He had to take much trouble in sending results to Anantapur and Bangalore colleges. We were very much concerned at the troubles he had to face. His wife also has been taking good care of him at home, providing timely food and looking after other needs meticulously.

The University has now grown very large. We are receiving more applications as compared to other institutes. Right from big officers to small clerks in India, all have great regard for our institutions. Be it the hospital or the university, there is no habit of taking money for the services rendered in our institutions. We know only to give. In Sai Organisations, there is only giving and no taking.

Recently, we appointed a committee to oversee the working of the Hospital and provide necessary help and guidance. We have procured some new machinery also. We have even imported necessary equipments from abroad. We have in our stock a variety of books. The University has produced many Ph.D.s. This year also, fourteen researchers got Ph.D. degrees.

The students have great faith in these two people. These two have been very helpful to us with regard to hospital services and educational activities. All the responsibility was shouldered by them. They used to send me letters while I was not present here. I used to discuss every detail with them. I used to ask Nanjundaiah about the examination results. The results were always good.

We have now decided not to burden them with these responsibilities any longer. Today, I am thanking and blessing them. These two are foremost among those who have strived hard for our Institutes. Therefore, wherever they are, Swami is always with them, guiding and guarding them. They came here only for the sake of Swami. Therefore, I wish to provide them with houses and keep them here only. Just as they looked after patients and students, I wish that hereafter also they both extend necessary guidance and help to the newcomers in the respective areas. There is much to learn from these two people. What is this Organisation doing for the society? How is it doing? What is their responsibility in this regard? Such details should be accorded to the newcomers, and necessary zeal and motivation should be inculcated.

The university was started first with undergraduate courses only. Now studies up to Ph.D. level are available.

Our university and hospitals are now being regarded as the best in India. I am very happy that you have contributed much for this name and fame. You always belong to Me. You have never thought that you are working for the hospital or the college. You have been working with the feeling, "This is ours, this is our Swami's." That is why we got all first prizes for the colleges and high reputation for hospitals. Even this information is known only through newspapers; we never proclaimed it in any manner. Our hospitals and university have become very famous indeed.

The students have learnt many things from such people, and have grown up to great heights. Many of them, who are Ph.D.s, have been appointed here so as to lead these institutions. Now many novel subjects have been introduced along with the conventional faculties like B.Com., B.Sc., M.Com., M.Sc., Ph.D., etc. Many deserving students are unable to get admission in other schools and colleges and with great hope are looking at us for help. I told our authorities to take such students also into our fold. We do not have any selfish motive. It is only in consideration of their parents' anguish. They have given us the responsibility of looking after the welfare and progress of their children.

Appa Rao and Nanjundaiah must both be given the job of keeping watch with vigilant eyes on the affairs of these institutions. In other institutions, new entrants have to pay money and take receipts. But our hospitals and university have never given a scope for such things. Here everything is free, free, free. People wonder how we are managing these institutions with so many entrants, like this, without taking even a paisa? They just come in their clothing, as we admit them here. We are admitting all, including those who obtained average marks, and we are developing them into "First class" students.

In other hospitals, patients have to spend thousands of rupees toward heart operations. But we do not charge them even a paisa. For us, love and devotion are important and not other things. "Love to love, Heart to heart." We seek only this. They are all deriving great joy. Many patients are coming from Nepal and Bhutan for free treatment. In this endeavour, the students also must extend necessary help to the doctors and other officials. Our hospital and Institutes have been fostered in this manner for the past twenty years.

This trend has to continue in the future also. Without begging anybody, we have made fixed deposits to the tune of twenty or thirty crores for each institute, and they are running on the interest accrued from these deposits. I have made necessary arrangements in this regard. We are paying at par with the government salaries. Students of our institutes or patients in our hospitals need not worry about anything. We take care of everything.

You must strive to keep everybody happy. Make parents happy. Help your parents. Some parents are being admitted into old age homes when they are short of money. This is not correct. You must provide necessary support to your aged parents. It is your own responsibility to look after your parents. Even though Swami is taking care of your education and other necessities, the aspect of parent's care is your own responsibility. Parents should not be sent to old age homes. You must keep them with you and serve them. You must work hard and take good care of them. You need not prepare special items for their sake. It is enough if you can give them whatever you are eating.

As soon as students pass the exam and acquire a degree, they go in search of jobs.

When all women go out on jobs, who will look after chores of their homes?

When they go out for teaching other children, who will teach their own children?

When husband and wife go to offices, who will take care of their children?

(Telugu Poem)

Some people are deprived of homely food because there is no one at home to cook food. So they eat whatever they get. Thus, they are spoiling their own health. There is no happiness for a woman who is employed in an office. They spend their valuable time in some clubs. They do not have any consideration for their children in the house and for their timely food. One should give priority to the fostering of the children.

An officer gives a phone call to his house and tells the cook, "We have arranged a tea party at home today. Make all arrangements for the party." But there is no tea powder, no sugar, no material for making chapathis or pakodas in the house. This is the kind of situation they have at home. Also, the children's health gets spoiled because of inconsistent food habits and lack of parental care. They drink contaminated water and spoil their health, because there is no one at home to guide them.

Why should the wife go out and work? When she goes to school to teach other children, who will teach her own children? So it is your own duty to take care of your children. It is equivalent to earning a good salary if you can teach your own children and bring them up well. One feels sorry at the state of a woman who fails to take care of her husband and children. It is enough if you are able to provide proper timely food to your children and take care of their health. If you take up jobs, leaving your children at home, your entire earnings will go toward cooks, baby sitters, and cleaners. The house gets mismanaged. What you spend toward the cook, caretaker, and others will work out to be more than what you earn. You can save so much money if only you attend to your own work. This is the way of life all women must adopt.

The children should also learn to render necessary help at home. As soon as you come home, find out what is available and what is not available? What is needed immediately? When there is shortage of water, the boy should not keep quiet. He should immediately rush out with a container and fetch water from the available source. He should not feel, "I am educated. Why should I carry water?" Family life involves such domestic chores.

Students must learn how to make parents happy. Parents' duty is to take care of their children. This is the education that is essential for one and all. After having obtained a Ph.D., one need not go far away for the sake of an extra thousand rupees. If you take care of your children and do service to parents, that itself is a great wealth.

Today, parents are being treated like servants. It is enough if you take care of your parents, your children and the family. That is real education. Getting a first class and struggling for a job is not a wise thing. Whatever job you take up, you must help your parents. This is what you must learn.

Students must emulate people like Appa Rao. "Help ever, hurt never." These are the good qualities that you should learn in the Sri Sathya Sai College. Whenever any poor person comes to you, you must feed them first, even foregoing your meal if necessary. Instead of going to a club and spending money there, it is better to use that money for the sake of the poor. It is necessary that you learn good qualities and habits so that you may improve society.

First of all you must develop love for God, fear of sin, and morality in society. Bad qualities have to be curbed and ethics must be fostered in the society. When morality is lost, what is the use of any amount of social service you do? These are the lessons that you must learn. When you follow the path of elders such as these, you can reap immense joy and goodness in life. It applies to girls also. You must learn from parents the aspects of service and put them into practice. If you make your parents happy, your children will make you happy.

What is meant by morality? It is not just earning money and depositing in the bank. You must refrain from troubling your parents. When you have love for God, you will have fear of sin. After acquiring morality you may proceed to serve the society at large. When you are unable to attain GodÕ's love, how do you expect to win peopleÕs love? You must earn name in the society in a way that people talk of you as a good and helpful person. You must learn from parents how to help.

First thing is to develop love for God, fear of sin and morality in society. How can morality be acquired while one is engaged in acts of sin? When you come across elders, always respect and serve them.

Today I am honouring such good people so that you will try to emulate them. This is what gives Me happiness. First take care of your children at home and extend happiness to your parents. How can you be happy while your parents are not happy? If today you love your parents, tomorrow you will receive love from your children. You can be called educated only when you learn these two things. You may acquire big degrees, but who will love you if you do not love your parents? Society will love you when you take good care of your parents. First set your house in order and then think about the progress of society. It is with this purpose that I am honouring today these experienced elders. You should take a lesson from this and follow in the footsteps of the elders.

DIVINE DISCOURSE 6/7/2009

Love of God, Fear of Sin, and Morality in Society
by
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Gurur-Brahma Gurur-Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheswara;

Guru Sakshat Param Brahma Thasmai Sri Gurave Namaha.

Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, Guru is Maheswara.

Guru is verily the supreme Brahman. So, salutations to the Guru

Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva are the three different names and forms of the same divinity. "All are one, be alike to everyone." Though the names and forms of the physical body are different, Divinity in all beings is one only. Brahma is the Creator, Vishnu is the Protector, and Shiva is the Destroyer. Yet, all three aspects represent the one Divinity. The one God when engaged in the creative aspect is referred to as Brahma, while protecting and sustaining the living beings as Vishnu, and, finally, in the act of Laya (dissolution) as Shiva.

In order to avoid the confusion created by ascribing different names and forms to Divinity, God is referred to as Atma or the Absolute Brahman (the nameless, formless, attributeless Divinity). The one Atma permeates all living beings.

Religions are different, path is the same;

Clothes are different, cotton is one;

Beings are different, Atma is one;

Nationality and lifestyle are different, human birth is the same.

Every human being has to develop three qualities: love for God, fear of sin, and morality in society. It is only lack of fear of sin that is responsible for the present state of lack of morality in society. Love is the cementing factor that unites people. Where there is love, there society will be united. Devoid of morality, one does not deserve to be called a human being. Hence, morality is important for everything.

Though God showers His love on one and all, it is the human being who has lost the precious quality of fear of sin. Man today is committing several sins with the belief that God is kind and will ultimately forgive his sins. With this belief, he is indulging in more and more sinful acts. He has developed a sort of complacency in this regard and thinks that he can escape punishment.

But the fact is otherwise. Though God is compassionate and may forgive all sinful acts, a human being has to necessarily pay for their sins. Hence, every human has to develop these three qualities of love for God, fear of sin, and morality in society. Where there is no fear of sin, there will be no morality in society.

People are behaving most irresponsibly and are undertaking several undesirable activities with unbridled ego. They have no fear of sin. They don't even think for a moment of the consequences of their acts. One has therefore to restrain oneself from seeing evil, speaking evil, and doing evil. If not, the consequences of these evil deeds will boomerang on that person later, if not today. It is also possible that the results of all these sinful acts will come back to that person all at one time with a bang.

If one is really interested in the welfare of the society, one must work for the development of morality in society. One who lacks morality is not a human being at all but is an animal, verily. Speaking untruth, doing injustice to others, and indulging in unrighteous acts and bad practices is very bad. One has to lead one's life by following the three principles of love for God, fear of sin, and morality in society.

It is said that one who has no morality in themself is worse than a monkey. In fact, a monkey is better than such an individual.

No one will respect an individual who indulges in immoral acts in this world. Only a person who follows moral principles will command respect from one and all. Even those who try to harm such a person will be restrained by others with a warning. "That person is a good person. Do not try to meddle with that person." Those who lack morality are looked down upon in society as worse than dogs. Hence, one has to develop morality and lead a life of moral principles at all times.

There are three sadhanas (spiritual practices) by which love for God, fear of sin, and morality in society can be developed. They are bhakti (devotion to God), jnana (the path of wisdom), and vairagya (detachment). Karma (activity) is a natural and essential attribute of the physical body. It is only when the body undertakes good karmas that the mind will function well. When the mind is sound, love for God can be developed. Thus bhakti, jnana, and vairagya are interlinked with love for God, fear of sin, and morality in society. They are like the three blades of a fan. It is only when the three blades rotate that we can have refreshing air; otherwise we feel uncomfortable.

People today question why we have to develop love for God. Love for God enables one to develop fear of sin, which in turn will develop morality in society. Everyone has to discriminate between good and bad, sin and virtue. Having analysed, one must try to do good only. Be good, do good, see good, this is the way to God. Devoid of these three, any number of rituals, worship, japa (chanting the divine name) and tapa (penance) will be of no use.

The nine forms of devotion are: sravanam (listening), kirtanam (singing), Vishnusmaranam (contemplating on Vishnu), Padasevanam (serving His Lotus Feet), vandanam (salutation), archanam (worship), dasyam (servitude), sneham (friendship), and Atmanivedanam (self-surrender).

The first step is sravanam (listening). Then one has to analyse whether what has been listened to is good or bad. If you think that it is a bad suggestion and therefore not to your liking, how can you implement it?

It is possible today that one can get one's work done by speaking untruth and scoring victory over others by false and unjust means. Hence, one has to enquire into the sanctity or otherwise of every act that one undertakes. One should not be complacent about the consequences that would follow; sooner or later, the result of a sinful act would accrue. It may happen now or a little later, at any moment. Hence, be prepared to undertake only good and noble acts with a pure mind.

More than anything else, purity of conscience is of utmost importance. That is Atma Thatthwa (Atmic Principle). Nobody can understand what Atma is. Since the bodies and forms are many, some names have to be given in order to distinguish between them. However, Atma or Brahma has neither birth nor death, unlike the physical bodies. Hence, no one can identify it as such and such.

Atma, though beyond one's comprehension, has been described as nitya, shuddha, buddha, mukta, nirmala swarupinam (eternal, pure, enlightened, free and embodiment of sacredness). It is niranjanam, sanathana niketanam (unsullied, final abode). There is only one Atma, and it is immanent in all beings. That is the essential nature of the Atma.

A small example; when you place one hundred pots filled with water under the sky on a moonlit night, you will find one moon reflecting in each of those pots. The body is like a pot. It is bound to perish at any time. Then where does the moon (Atma) go? It does not go anywhere. It is there. However, since there is no water (body), it is not reflecting in the water. In the same manner, the Atma is present in every human being.

A person that does not have good character has no morality. A person with no morality does not deserve to be called a human being. We have to earn honour and respect for ourselves in the society. However, we don't find anyone concerned about good name in the society these days.

But people are very particular about who is rich and who is poor. Money comes and goes, but morality comes and grows is the adage. It is, therefore, not correct to aspire for wealth, power, and such other worldly things. All these possessions are transitory. You may try to hold on tightly to them, but they just slip away even without your noticing them.

The Atma, however, is eternal. There is no coming and going for Atma. It always remains an eternal witness to everything that goes on in the world. We have to develop faith in such eternal Atma. Those who develop faith in the Atma Thatthwa will not be disturbed by injustice, wrong, and bad practices.

People say, "My body, my senses, my mind, my intellect," etc., but "you" are none of these. For example, you say, "This is my book." This book is in your hands at this moment. The next moment somebody wishes to have a look at it. It goes into his hands. Similarly, you hold some currency in your hands. After some time it will go into someone else's hands. It just comes and goes. But, morality comes and grows. Morality has no form.

If someone wishes to improve society and the world, morality has to be developed in the individual first. Several political parties come forward these days saying that they will improve society. They propose to transform society. But they invariably fail because what they try to do is to garner the votes of people for their selfish ends. They do not at all bother about society.

If you want to transform society, there must be purity in your heart. First, the individual and then society. In order that the individual is transformed, there must be love for God and fear of sin. Then comes morality in society. Individuals make a society. Hence, if unity among people is developed there will be purity and Divinity. Unity, purity, and divinity cannot be attained by mere education.

Suppose you sit for meditation, closing your eyes. However, the mind goes on wandering everywhere. You try to bring it back to the starting point. It is all a practice. Only when the wavering mind is stilled is meditation possible. This process of making the mind steady is called concentration. Meditation is possible only after concentration. The proper order is concentration, contemplation, and meditation.

Do not believe someone who claims to be meditating the moment they sit. That is an artificial exercise, not meditation. Real meditation is forgetting oneself totally. It is forgetting dehatma bhava (the feeling of identification with the body) completely. One has to totally give up attachment to the senses. Then only will the mind be steady.

Once, there was a father who had four sons. Each one wanted to follow a different vocation to earn money. One son wanted to take up business. Another wanted to open a small grocery shop. The third son wanted to take up employment, and the fourth another vocation. Though money earning was the common objective, each one wanted to go in a different path. Finally, it is the means that are adopted for earning money that result in accumulation of virtue or sin. People commit a sin even without their knowing that they are doing so. The sins committed by people will continue to haunt them.

Some time ago, there were heavy floods in the State of Orissa. They ravaged several villages in four districts. The houses, trees, standing crops, even animals, and some people were swept away by the surging flood water. Hundreds of villages were inundated, and people were marooned. They were fear-struck at the fury of nature.

Then I sent a telegram: "Don't worry. Be happy. I will build your houses." The people of Orissa came to see Me, by arranging a special train. The government was there, MPs and MLAs were there, who were expected to come to their rescue in that hour of need and provide succour to them. But none came forward. Immediately I sent ten crores and arranged for distribution of relief material and building of pucca houses for the affected people.

I am not interested in accumulation of money. I want only your love. Be happy. Develop your morality and love for God. If you develop love, that love itself will drive away the demonic qualities in you.

Before the Rama-Ravana war commenced, Hanuman entered Lanka, as part of his mission to search the whereabouts of Sita. After he found Sita, he was on his way back to pass on the information to Sri Rama. He was caught by the demons and brought to the court of Ravana. Ravana was infuriated on seeing Hanuman, who destroyed the beautiful Asokavana while he was returning. Ravana questioned Hanuman, "Who are you? How dare you enter this impregnable city of Lanka?" He underestimated the power of Hanuman and derided him addressing him as an ordinary monkey.

Hanuman replied in the same tone as an equal and told Ravana, "The Lord who cut off the ears and nose of your sister has sent me."

Ravana was very angry, since no one dared to talk to him in such an undignified manner. In fact, Hanuman used the same language as Ravana did. Ravana felt insulted. Hanuman was not bothered in the least, for he was always chanting Ramanama, which gave him the courage and strength to face any situation.

Ravana could not tolerate the impertinence and arrogance of Hanuman and therefore ordered that Hanuman's tail be wrapped with clothes dipped in oil and set on fire. Immediately, clothes soaked in oil were wrapped round the tail of Hanuman and set on fire. Hanuman did not keep quiet. With that burning tail, he jumped from one building to the other and thus set the entire city on fire. Beautiful and palatial buildings studded with precious stones went up in flames within no time. Even Mandodari's palace was engulfed by flames. She came out. People ran helter-skelter here and there. Not a single building was spared from the raging flames.

Hanuman then advised Mandodari, "Mother, it is the sin committed by your husband that is responsible for this devastating fire and consequent loss of so many lives and property. Please tell your husband not to commit such heinous sins hereafter. If you can thus save your husband, it amounts to saving yourself and the Rakshasa clan."

People have to suffer the consequences of their actions. God is only a witness. Good or bad, one gets the fruit of one's actions. Hence, first and foremost, one has to develop morality, which is based on developing human qualities first. If human qualities are to be developed in a person, one should have love for God. Thus, love for God, fear of sin, and morality in society are interdependent. When there is morality in society, all people will be safe.

One important point has to be remembered in this context. You may hide your actions from society, but the omnipresent God knows everything. You will have to suffer the consequences of your actions. It is an immutable law. Hence, if you can do help to others, it is alright. Otherwise just keep silent. Do not harm others. Do not commit a mistake by thought, wor,d and deed. Sometimes, you may not get the result of your actions immediately. It will take some time. But surely the result will follow.

People study spiritual texts like the Bhagavad Gita but fail to realise their own innate nature. The Upanishads exhort one, "Dear son, try to realise your own nature first. Know thyself! If you can do that, it amounts to knowing everything." The knowledge of the Self (Atma Bodha) entails realisation, "I am not the body, I am not the mind, I am not the intellect," etc.

The mind is like a cloth consisting of threads woven together. How long will this cloth last? As long as the threads are intact. Once you remove the threads, the cloth loses its shape. Or, if you put the cloth in fire, it will be reduced to ashes.

People say, "So and so is my wife, so and so my child, so and so is my son-in-law, so and so is my son," etc. These relationships are only illusion. Who are all these people? All are God's property. Everything in this world is God's property; nobody has any right, whatsoever. People fight between themselves claiming rights, thus wasting their time. "Time waste is life waste." In fact, it is not time we are wasting; we are wasting our precious life.

In conclusion, I would like to stress once again that you should cultivate love for God, fear of sin, and morality in society. These are valuable assets, which you must always safeguard. If you safeguard these values, they will in turn protect you.

You think you have to realise Brahma Thatthwa (the Brahma Principle) today. In fact, Brahman has no name and form. It is nirgunam, niranjanam, sanathana niketanam, nitya, shuddha, buddha, mukta, nirmala swarupinam (God is attributeless, unsullied, final abode, eternal, pure, enlightened, free, and embodiment of sacredness).

The bal vikas children from Tamil Nadu are waiting to present a cultural programme. Witness that programme. I will continue My Discourse tomorrow.