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Date:12 Oct 1998 Occasion:Paduka Puja Place:Prashanti Nilayam

Devotion, Duty and Discipline

Whether one is a great scholar in all the sacred texts and Vedas
Or a hero who has won great victories,
Or a destitute grovelling in poverty
Without devotion he is worthless.
A servant with devotion in his Heart is worthier of veneration than a
king bereft of devotion:
When the two branches of a tree rub against each other, fire emanates,
Constant churning of curds yields butter,
Similarly on constant enquiry one finds the spiritual Truth.

Of all living beings human life is rarest and most valuable. Having
taken such a noble birth if one fails to know his innate divinity life
becomes meaningless. When the diamond is cut repeatedly it shines with
added brilliance and its value also increases. Similarly, in order to
experience divinity within, one has to face many obstacles. So, devotees
naturally face all the trials and tribulations. But the devotion should
never diminish.

Devotion alone bestows the supreme good;
Devotion alone is the destroyer of the disease of the cycle of existence;
Devotion alone is the means of recognizing Divinity;
Devotion alone is the means of Liberation.

It is only the devotion that protects one from problems and accusations.
Once upon a time the Pandya kingdom in Tamil Nadu reigned supreme. The
Pandya king was very fond of horses. Once he sent his minister to buy
horses. He gave him all the money and manpower required to procure the
horses. The minister reached a village by name Perundurai. There he came
across a holy man,

Balayogeeswara. He did not want to waste that pleasant evening so joined
the congregation and listened to the discourse of the holy man with rapt
attention. He forgot himself as he listened to the discourse. He
developed strong faith in that holy man. The minister forgot the task
assigned to him by the king and spent days listening to the discourses
and got immersed in the contemplation of God. One day he found a Siva
temple in a dilapidated condition. He used the money given to him by the
king for renovating the Siva temple. The king came to know that he
minister had used all the money,

given to him to buy horses, to renovate the Siva temple. The king was
also a devoted man. But since the minister disobeyed his command he sent
his soldiers to bring him back. The king summoned the minister to his
presence and asked him what he had done with the money given to him for
procuring horses. The minister said, "O king, I used the money for God.
Everything is God's gift. What God had given, I gave it back to him. Not
only that I have offered myself unto him." But the king asked, whether
he was justified in spending the money for a different purpose other
than for which it was intended. The minister replied that he did not use
the money for worldly purposes, but used it for a sacred purpose. The
king became furious at the minister's audacious reply, had him arrested
and put in prison. The minister was unruffled. While in prison, he
continued to recall the teachings of the holy man, Balayogeeswara, and
started writing them down in the form of slokas. He composed many slokas
every day. This work is known as Thiruvachakam, meaning sacred reading.
He was immersed in bliss while composing hymns in praise of God and thus
lost track of time. Later the king realized his mistake and summoned
him. He was surprised to see the aura of radiance and brilliance around him.

How did he acquire such an aura? It was due to the constant
contemplation of God. That minister was none other than Manikkavachagar.
Each sloka composed by him reflected the essence of the Vedas and the
sacred texts. Since ancient times many such great saints took birth in
Tamil Nadu. Temples in Tamil Nadu are more numerous than anywhere else
in the country. Right from dawn break they go to temples and make sacred
offerings.

There was one more saint by name Thiruvalluvar. Initially he was a
weaver. He used to weave just one sari per day, sell it in the bazaar
and earn money for his family. Good and bad would exist together. It
would be impossible to separate them. In the same village there was the
son of a rich man who was wasting his time wandering aimlessly. Where
there is money there is ego. Ego gives rise to many bad qualities. Once
the money is lost all bad qualities too disappear. One day the rich
man's son came to Thiruvalluvar and asked for the price of the sari.
Thiruvalluvar said it cost four rupees. The boy was known for his
arrogance and pride. He picked up the sari, tore it into two pieces and
asked for the price of one piece. Thiruvalluvar replied, it cost two
rupees as he had made the sari into two halves. The boy tore it again
into another piece and asked for the price. Thiruvalluvar replied that
the price was one rupee. This brought about a transformation in the mind
of the boy. He wondered how the businessman was calm and composed even
after he tore the sari into pieces. Then the boy fell at Thiruvalluvar's
feet and repented for his behavior. The boy said due to his pride and
arrogance he made this mistake. Then he went to his father, got the
required money, kept it at the feet of Thiruvalluvar. Many such great
saints lived in Tamil Nadu who set an ideal to the society.
Unfortunately the people have not given due recognition to these saints.
But their statues are installed and adored. It is not their statues that
are important, but their teachings. The best way to propagate their
teachings is to practice them.

Just as the hands, legs, ears, eyes form the limbs of the human body,
the body forms a limb of the society. Society is a limb of humanity.
Humanity is a limb of Nature, and Nature is a limb of Divinity. Nature
has been sustaining humanity. The humanity is based on Truth and
Righteousness. Without the individual there is no society and without
the society the country does not exist. So the individual is important
in a society. For an individual, the limbs are very important. So the
limbs have to be used in a sacred way.

See no evil; see what is good,
Hear no evil; hear what is good,
Talk no evil; talk what is good,
Think no evil; think what is good,
Do no evil; do what is good.

"Shareeramaadhyam Khalu Dharma Saadhanam", Body is gifted to undertake
righteous actions. Maanikkavachagar prayed, "O Lord, accept my Heart,
which You have given. I cannot offer anything other than this. I offer
whatever You have given me."

Kerala is the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu, where Adi Sankara was
born. He said,

"Asthiram Jeevana Loke
Asthiram Yauvanam Dhanam
Asthiram Dhaaraa Puthraadi
Sathyam Keerthi Dwayam Sthiram"

(Life in the world is impermanent. Impermanent are youth and wealth.
Wife and children are not permanent. Only Truth and Fame are enduring
and Truth and good name are permanent). So earn a good name and always
speak truth. Just as the water bubble originates in water, is sustained
in it and ultimately merges in it, the entire world has originated from
Truth, is sustained in Truth and ultimately merges in Truth.

Man is born out of Amrita (immortality) but is merging in Anrita
(falsehood). What is the use of leading such a life? Today man is highly
intelligent and acquires all types of education. He should set an ideal
to the society. Man should understand that education is for sharing and
serving and not for earning money. Education is meant for Dharmaacharana
(practice of Righteousness) and not for Dhanaarjana (acquiring wealth).
"Dharmarnoolam Idam Jagath" (The whole world is based on Dharma).

Body should not be used for fleeting pleasures. The Bhagavad Gita
declares, 'Anithyam Asukharn Lokam Idam Praapya Bhajasva Maam (Having
taken birth in this impermanent and sorrowful world, worship the Lord).
Many people think that there is happiness in this world, but it is
temporary. "Maa Kuru Dhana Jana Yauvana Garvam Harathi Nimeshath Kaalaha
Sarvain " O' Man do not be proud of wealth, relations or youth. All
these may be taken away in a single moment by the Lord of Time (Kala)
Due to the pride of youth, money and education man considers them as
permanent.

It is the feet that help us to move. But some people think that face is
more sacred than the feet. But it is said, "Paada Darshanam Paapa
Naashanam", (Vision of the Lord's Feet destroys all sins). Feet are so
sacred. The feet carry the body, which is the temple of God. The Lord's
Lotus Feet have to be installed in your Heart. No doubt the external
worship of feet is also important. As you continue to worship the Lotus
Feet, they will naturally get installed in your Heart.

Once Narada went to Lord Narayana and said, "Narayana, I come for your
darshan whenever I have any problem. But I do not know where exactly you
reside? Where can I find you? In Kailasa, Vaikunta or Swarga? Then
Narayana said, "Narada, I will give you My permanent address. "Mad
Bhakthaha Yathra Gaayanthi Tatra, Thishttaami Narada" ( Wherever My
devotees sing My glory, I install Myself there). Kailasa, Vaikunta and
Swarga are My branch offices. God is not present in foreign land, He is
present in our Heart. Heart does not mean physical heart. It means
spiritual Heart. It should be full of compassion.

Yesterday, during Paaduka worship, the Pundits chanted "Thadeva Lagnam
Sudinam Thadeva" Thadeva Lagnam does not mean an appointed time.
Whenever you think of God, the time becomes sacred. Time is God don't
waste time; Time waste is life waste.

Man has all comforts and conveniences. He has good intellect, yet he is
not able to reach his destination. Man should have a strong will. For
example, a small ant can travel any number of miles if it has the will
to do so; whereas an eagle cannot move an inch if it does not have the
will to move.

Thyagaraja has said, "O Rama, you are present right from an ant to
Brahma., You are present in Siva and Kesava. You are everywhere. There
is no place where you are not there; there is no name which is not
yours. But today man being carried away by delusions does not realize
this truth. If Brahma were to manifest in front of him he will offer his
salutations with reverence and devotion. But if the same Brahma comes in
the form of an ant and bites him, he will immediately kill it. The evil
one is he who does not observe the unity of thought, word and deed. You
say God is present even in an ant, then why do you kill it? You are so
weak that you are not able to bear the pain of an ant bite or a mosquito
bite? In this modern age man is becoming weaker and weaker. All our
ancient Rishis did penance for years together. They were unmindful of
the movement of snakes and scorpions on their body. But the modern man
has developed body attachment. He is not attached to the Atma.

Today there is no steadiness of mind in man. Some people think of their
footwear when they sit for bhajans inside. Once Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
was giving a discourse in a temple. Rani Rasamani, the owner of the
temple was sitting in the front row. All were listening to Ramakrishna's
discourse with rapt attention. All of a sudden Ramakrishna got up, went
to Rani Rasamani and slapped on her cheek. Everyone was surprised. They
thought Ramakrishna had become mad. Ramakrishna told the public, "O
people, you may think it is a great mistake on my part to have slapped
her. What for have you come? You are here to listen to my teachings.
Whether you practice or not, at least you should listen to what is being
said. If you do not like to listen to the discourse you better stay back
at home. This Rani Rasamani is thinking of her legal disputes. Why
should she come all the way to think of the court affairs? She accepted
her mistake and promised not to repeat. In the modern age many people
attend spiritual discourses and get impressed by them. But they do not
put them into practice."

Rama and Ravana were equally well versed in all the forms oft knowledge.
But Valmiki described Ravana as an ignorant (moorkha) one, since he did
not practice what he learnt; whereas Rama followed Truth. He put into
practice the education he received. Ravana merely accumulated his
knowledge without practicing it. He could not digest all that he learnt.
As a result he suffered from 'indigestion'. He is a fool who does not
practice what he learns. One who practices is a truly educated one.
Education should confer humility.

In society there are agitation and disturbances. Students, you should
join the society and see that everyone follows Sathya and Dharma. You
should become ideal citizens. That is what I desire. I do not expect
anything from you. I expect only one, put into practice what you have
studied and be an ideal to everyone in the society. "Sarvalokha Hithe
Rathaha" (one who delights in the welfare of all people). You should
aspire for the welfare of all. Do not hate anybody. "Sarva Samudhitha
Gunaihi". You should have all good qualities. Today man does bad deeds,
but is not prepared to face the consequences. If you want to earn merit
you should be prepared to do good deeds. Do good, be happy and share
your happiness with others, this is your duty. With such sacred
feelings, contemplate on the Lotus Feet of the Lord.

Gopikas had intense love for Krishna. But everyday Krishna would go to
their houses along with His playmates to steal butter. The Gopikas did
not know how to catch Krishna. One day they went to Yashoda and
complained, "O Mother, your Krishna is creating havoc in our houses. Our
mothers-in-law think that we steal the butter and put the blame on
Krishna. The acts of your son are causing a lot of inconvenience to us".
Mother Yashoda also noticed this. She wanted to catch Krishna and tie
him to mortar to restrict his movements.

Once Uddhava described gopikas' devotion for Krishna in the following
words. "Though the mothers-in-law were not happy with them and husbands
were dead against Krishna, they never opened their mouths, nor did they
get angry". They bore it all with patience. They were never afraid of
anybody. Just as a picture imprinted on a paper would be, Krishna's form
was imprinted in their hearts. Gopikas had no other thought other than
the thought of Krishna.

Once gopikas came to Krishna's house, Krishna pretended to be asleep.
They tried to wake him up by catching his feet, but Krishna turned the
other side and continued to snore. Then they sang, "It is possible to
wake up someone who is in deep sleep, but it is impossible to wake up
someone who pretends to be asleep. Krishna, you don't sleep at all. If
you sleep the whole world will sleep. We know that, in this world there
is none who can understand Your mystery. You are smaller than an atom
and mightier than the mightiest. You are present in all the 84 lakhs of
species. Right from the atom to the entire cosmos you are present
everywhere. How can we know you, Krishna? Please put an end to your
pranks and make us happy. We cannot be separate from you any longer.
Radha before giving up her mortal coil was seated on the banks of river
Yamuna. She was feeling very sad that Krishna was not with her. She
intensely prayed to Him to grant her His Divine Darsan. She sang, "Sing
O Krishna, speak to me to fill my Heart with bliss? Distil the essence
of Vedas and make it flow into the eternal music of your flute, O
Krishna". When she sang like this Krishna appeared and fulfilled her
desire by playing on His flute and while listening to this Divine Melody
she breathed her last. Her Jeevana Jyothi (life principle) merged in
Krishna. Krishna threw the flute away and since then He never touched it
again. In films you would find Krishna with a flute, but truly speaking
after Radha's departure Krishna never touched the flute again. This is
the promise given by Krishna. Every incarnation upheld the principle of
Truth. Anyone may forget but God never forgets to keep up his promise.

Who is Radha? People consider her to be an ordinary woman and distort
the facts. She had no attachment to her body. She had attachment to
Krishna alone. This Dhara (Nature) itself took birth as Radha. This
Dhara is the Adhara (basis) for the creation. In the name RADA, 'R'
stands for Radha, 'A' stands for Adhar, 'D' stands for Dhaara, A' stands
for Aaradhana which means Dhaara Aaradhana (continuous worship) is the
Aadhar (basis) for Radha. She was in constant contemplation of Krishna.
Even in her sleep she would chant Krishna's name.

Krishna had always eluded the gopikas after playing His mischief. One
day they all lay in wait to catch Krishna. Krishna out of compassion for
them wanted to provide a clue by which they could trace Him. Krishna
went into a house stealthily and broke a pot of milk and dipped His feet
in it. When gopikas came to catch Him, He ran away. He just vanished in
a trice. Then the gopikas followed His footprints, which revealed to
them his hide out. Krishna revealed to them the spiritual truth that if
they clung to the feet of the Lord, they could win His grace. In order
to please God, follow His footprints. Those that take refuge at the feet
of the Lord, they will neither sin nor be miserable. With sincere
devotion when you take refuge at the feet of the Lord and contemplate on
them, you will not have desires. Yesterday Dr. Gadia in his speech said
that by worshipping Paadukas, marriages were settled and the childless
begot children. These are all worldly results. Is this to be expected
from Paaduka worship? No. You will be free from all worries. You should
not worship Paadukas for worldly gains. You should worship them for
gains in the inward path. When you can get mighty results why are you
concerned about worldly gains? Why do you go after small pebbles? Aim at
the Meru (gold) mountain itself, that is the Lotus Feet of the Lord.

Once upon a time Jaya and Vijaya (doorkeepers of Vaikunta) approached
Lord Vishnu and asked Him, "Swami, why have you created the golden
mountain?" Then Vishnu replied, "One who is desireless will be unmindful
of its existence. But the one full of desires will never be satisfied
even if hundred such golden mountains are given to him. Who is the
richest man in this world? One who has much satisfaction is the richest
man. Who is the poorest man? He who has much desire is the poorest man.
So I have created this Meru mountain in order to make you desireless."

God does not have any desire. His only chinthana (thought) is His
devotee. Devotees should be good and develop the society and they should
consider the welfare of the society as their own. They should not get
drowned in selfishness and self-interests. Their mind should be as broad
as ocean. You can never surrender completely to God, if you are
narrow-minded. Do not give scope for worldly desires. Develop the divine
thoughts. Serve the society and work for its welfare. Develop the desire
that the whole world be happy. That is the correct spiritual practice.

Though there are many devotees why there are difficulties in this world?
It is because the devotion is not proper. The devotees are immersed in
Archana (worship), but what is required is Arpitham (total surrender).
Arpitham is greater than Archana. When Arpitham takes place, you and God
become one. The fulfillment of worship of the Lotus Feet lies in the
unification of the individual with the Divine.

Students, you should always have the welfare of the society and the
world in view. You should not have the feeling that education is for
job. Always question yourself, "What is that one can l do for the
society?" Enquire what is that society expects from you. This should be
your constant endeavor. Only then you can work for the progress of the
nation. As the nation progresses so does your family. You should utilize
all your learning for the progress of the nation. The effect of modern
education is such that the student studies Mathematics, but does not
know the measurements of his own house. He practices drill everyday but
does not know how to sit in Padmasana posture. Whatever the student
study must be put into practice in daily life.

Devotees, Embodiments of Love! These four days have passed like four
minutes. Seeing you others should learn discipline. Many people from
different countries have come here and celebrated their functions. For
example, last year Chinese came and celebrated their New Year. Devotees
from Andhra Pradesh conducted Paduka Puja. Devotees from different
states came here to celebrate their festivals. But one thing that made
Me happy is that the devotees from Madurai have celebrated this function
in the most systematic manner. Their discipline has been, exemplary.
Subrahmanyam Chettiar is very old. Yet everyone followed his word. Each
one followed the discipline on his own. Wherever you go hold on to this
discipline. The Paaduka Trust, Madurai adheres to the principle of
discipline. Not only here, wherever you go observe this discipline. The
three important principles of Sri Sathya Sai Organizations are Devotion,
Duty and Discipline. These three Ds are to be followed sincerely. Do
your duty. See that your devotion is steady and observe discipline. When
you follow these 3Ds you will have permanent happiness. Let this culture
and tradition be passed on to your progeny. This culture and tradition
should not end with you, it should continue. Under any circumstances do
not give up chanting of God's name. You should have fear of sin, love
for God and morality in society. Sanctify your life by leading an ideal
life and experiencing the Divine Atmic Principle.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Bhagavan concluded His Divine discourse with the Bhajan, "Hari Bhajana
Bina Sukha Santhi Nahi.")