Sai Darshan Home
Date:23 Nov 1998 Occasion:Birthday Place:Prashanti Nilayam
Glory of Bharatiya Culture
This Motherland of ours gave to the world
Noble souls renowned in all the continents.
It is the land, which ousted the
Foreign rulers and achieved freedom.
This Bharat is reputed for its scholarship.
It is the sacred land, which stood forth
As the exemplar in the realms of music, literature and sacred lore;
Born in the land of Bharat, noted for its fine arts and natural beauty,
Oh devotees! It is your bounden duty to foster
The glory and prosperity of the Motherland.
Divinity is more resplendent than the sun,
Purer than the purest snow,
Subtler than the sky and space,
And is immanent in all living beings.
Divinity pervades the microcosm and the macrocosm.
God is unattached, though He is present in all.
You are in Brahmam and Brahmam is in you.
In fact you and Brahmam are one. What else is to be conveyed?
(Telugu Poem)
Embodiments of Love!
Bharat is the birthplace of spirituality, righteousness, charity,
nonviolence and peace. Adherence to these qualities as observed in
Bharat is not found elsewhere. It is the birthplace of Saptha Rishis
(seven sages) and the first poet, Valmiki. This is the sacred land ruled
by the very embodiment of Dharma, Rama. This is the land where the Song
Celestial, the Gita has been sung by Krishna. It is the land where the
oneness of the individual soul and the Cosmic Soul was proclaimed. There
is no other land like Bharat, the land of sacredness, righteousness and
peace. Truth permeates the atmosphere of Bharat. Compassion pervades the
dust of Bharat. Love fills the Ganges of Bharat. Forbearance dwells in
the heart of man in this land. Such noble, divine, unique qualities are
manifest in Bharat alone.
God is all-powerful and all pervasive. "Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma" (Verily
all is Brahman). An enquiry into science and spirituality will reveal
that both affirm the same Truth. The existence of God is visualized by
science in the form of electric, magnetic, laser, radio, heat and light
waves, which are all pervasive. This is the direct evidence for the
existence of God. Divinity is present in the food you eat, the water you
drink and the air you breathe. There is no place in this world devoid of
magnetism. What is a magnet? It is not merely the one that attracts iron
filings; everything in this world is suffused with magnetism. Mother is
a magnet for the child and vice-versa, similarly husband and wife are
attracted to each other. Grass is the magnet for the cow. Flower is the
magnet for the honeybee. When we investigate on these lines, it is
evident that everything is governed by the principle of magnetism.
Vedantha declared, "Ramayathi ithi Raamah', that, which attracts is the
Principle of Rama. The magnetic power acts as the link between that
which is apparent and that which is non-apparent. The philosophers term
it Divine magnetic power, whereas the scientists term it psychophysical
and bio-cosmic power. Therefore scientists as well as Vedantins
experience the same Divine power in varied names and forms.
In this apparent fleeting world there are many mysterious powers unknown
to man. These are referred to as transcendental and hidden powers; not
all can understand them. Every creature is endowed with divine power.
That is why I always address you as Divyaatma Swarupulaara (embodiments
of Divine Atma). Doctors are unable to comprehend the secrets and
mysteries of the human body. Take for example, the tongue. There are
40,000 taste buds in the tongue. There are 25,000 buds that generate
heat in the tongue. The eye, which is hardly an inch in size, can
cognize 13 crore types of light rays. There are millions and millions of
cells in your body and each cell contains your complete form. Is it not
awe-inspiring? Whose creation is this? This is the transcendental power
of Divinity. It is foolish to consider Divinity to be non-existent.
Those who are not able to understand this transcendental power deny the
very existence of God. Do not pretend to know what you do not know in
reality. No one has any right to deny the existence of God. "Munde,
Munde Mathir Bhinnah' ("Thoughts vary from head to head"). Each has his
own faith.
'No' is the reply for those that say 'no', '
Yes' is the reply for those who say 'yes;
'No' and 'yes' pertain to you,
But for Sai it is always 'yes', 'yes', 'yes'
(Telugu Poem)
People tend to deny the existence of all that is formless. The fact that
radio waves are invisible does not mean that they are non-existent. The
program that is being broadcast in the Delhi Radio station can be heard
anywhere, if the radio is tuned to that frequency. The human body can be
compared to a radio. It has to be tuned to the formless God in order to
experience Him. Human body is a computer, which has so many hidden
secrets. The mind is like a television set. Many names and forms are
displayed in it. Body is a generator. The sum and substance of all this
is that all powers are latent in man.
Einstein showed that matter could be converted into energy and energy
into matter. Energy is all encompassing. Newton said, energy could
neither be created nor destroyed. However energy could be converted from
one form to another. Philosophers explained this in varied ways.
God has neither birth nor death,
He has neither beginning nor end,
He is present everywhere;
He is the eternal witness.
(Telugu Poem)
Modern scientists are not able to comprehend this truth. What they have
known and understood is just a fraction of the totality. What is
awareness? It is total understanding. Total understanding denotes
knowing and experiencing the omnipresence of Divinity.
The Prime Minister Sri Vajpayee, who has spoken earlier has made a
mention of the efforts being made by the people to attain Moksha
(liberation). What is the meaning of Moksha? Moha Kshayam is Moksham
(Absolute detachment is liberation). What does this mean? Air mixes with
air, fire mixes with fire, water mixes with water easily; similarly God
is the very form of Light. Become Light yourself. You will become one
with the cosmic light. God is formless. In order to merge in the
formless God, you have to give up identification with the body.
Concentrate on the principle of Atma. When you are always attached to
body, how can you realize the Atma, the Cosmic Principle? Concentrate on
the Atma. Only then your conscience will merge with the cosmic
consciousness. This unification is called Saayujya (mergence with the
Divine).
"Ekaatatma Sarvabhoothaantaraatma", the same Atma dwells in all beings.
There is only One, but has been attributed by different names and forms.
Only One exists. Zero gains value when one precedes it. World, life,
sun, moon, sky and everything else is zero. Only ONE is the hero, that
is Divinity. Man (who is inherently Divine) becomes zero if he forgets God.
Embodiments of Love!
God is not separate from you. You are God. Enquire and understand this
truth. If the whole life is spent in research and experiments, when are
you going to practice? Individuals may differ in names, forms and
attitudes, but the Atma remains unchanged. Water is referred to by
different names in different in different languages. It is called 'neeru
in Telugu, 'paani in Hindi, 'tanni' in Tamil, 'vaari' in Sanskrit. Names
vary, but water remains unchanged. Similarly, God has different names
and forms, but the Atmic principle remains the same. This Atma is common
in one and all, and is termed conscience, which has originated from
consciousness. Be it theist, atheist, theist-atheist, atheist-theist,
all have to admit this fact. Be it a Bhogi (one of worldly pleasures), a
Rogi (one of disease), Yogi (one with equal-mindedness), Viragi (one of
detachment), or Anuragi (one of attachment), atmic principle is the same
in all. The body can be compared to a color balloon. Balloons differ in
their size and color, but air within them is one and the same. The same
air is present inside as well as outside the balloon. The air within the
balloon can be compared to conscience and the all-pervasive air to
consciousness. When more and more air is blown into the balloon,
ultimately the balloon bursts and the air within (conscience) merges
with the air outside (consciousness). Similarly, expand your love so
that the balloon of your body attachment bursts and the conscience
within merges with the consciousness outside. The difference between
conscience and consciousness is only in quantity, not in quality.
The power of attraction is divinity. A small example: Thousands have
gathered here today. Who has invited you? Has anybody sent invitations
to you? No invitations have been sent. Then how have you come here? Your
love for Swami is the main cause. Nobody has brought you here by force.
You all know this. People are brought in lorries for political meetings.
In spite of repeatedly requesting you not to come, you still come here.
Attraction of love is Divinity. This is the divine magnet. Here is a
similar illustration from the Ramayana. Janaka resolved to give his
daughter Sita in marriage to one who could lift the Siva Dhanus (bow) as
done by his daughter. As Sita was Bhujaatha (daughter of Mother Earth),
she had the magnetic power inherent in her, which enabled her to lift
the Siva Dhanus effortlessly. It was only the divine magnet Rama, who
could lift the bow and string it. This divine magnet is present in one
and all, the difference lies only in intensity. This intensity can be
developed only through love. Cultivate the sense of unity that I and you
are one, Experience the bliss of unity. God is in you. You are God. When
you recognize this truth there will be no scope for doubts of any kind.
Praise and censure are reflections of the inner being. A virtuous one
never criticizes others. It is only the mean who indulge in such
unsacred activities. The color you see depends on the color of the glass
you wear. Wear the glasses of love, and you will see love all around.
The mistake lies in your vision, not in creation. Do not attach
importance to criticism. If someone criticizes you loudly it goes into
the thin air. If he accuses you within, it goes to himself. Is he
criticizing your body? The body is inert. Is he criticizing the Atma?
The same Atma dwells in both. It amounts to criticizing one's own self.
One who realizes this fact is the true seeker of truth. He does not
recognize hundreds of faults present within him. But he tends to point
out the most insignificant fault in others. The bad in you is reflected
as the bad in others. Correct yourself in the first instance. Only then
your mind will become pure. So, develop sacred thoughts. Man has got
many powers in him. Here is a small example. When I went to East Africa,
Dr. Patel, a great devotee gifted a hairbrush made of iron. When I comb
My hair, it automatically gets attracted to the hairbrush. Even boys
have witnessed this. Today I am making it public so that, you will
understand the existence of divine magnetic power in Me. It is this
power that has attracted all of you here. My love is my greatest property.
Love is My form
Truth is My breath,
Bliss is My food,
My life is my message,
Expansion is my life,
No reason for love,
No season for love
No birth, no death.
The Divine power has neither birth nor death. I do not feel elated when
praised nor depressed when blamed. I treat these dualities of life with
equanimity. I am happy both in pleasure and pain. There is only love in
Me. My love lives by giving, giving and giving. It never receives. This
is the difference between My love and the worldly love, which believes
in receiving alone. That is why My love is ever expanding. A small seed
becomes a gigantic tree with many branches and fruits. All of them have
their origin in the seed. Likewise out of love has emerged the creation.
Love is God, live in love. Develop love. Love everyone wholeheartedly.
Only when love is manifested, you will attain self-realization. In the
first instance develop self-confidence. Self-confidence is the
foundation. Self-satisfaction is the wall. Self-sacrifice is the roof.
Self-realization is the mansion(of life). Everything is contained in the
Self. Self means Atma, the Spirit. With this Atmic Principle acquire the
spiritual knowledge. The power in spirituality is limitless. The Power
of Love far exceeds the power of the atom bomb. It transforms even those
who hate. Develop such sacred love. Only then there will be harmony
among Bharatiyas. Chavan, who has spoken earlier has mentioned that
violence is rampant everywhere. The wicked thoughts in men are
responsible for this. Once man develops love, there will be no hatred in
the community. That is why I tell the students repeatedly,
Start the day with love,
Fill the day with love,
End the day with love,
This is the way to God.
God is the primordial cause for Creation, Organization and Destruction.
The same Divine power assumes different names and forms. For example, we
have only one Chief Minister for Andhra Pradesh. Every department is
governed by a minister, who is under the direct supervision of the Chief
Minister. Similarly, the whole world rests upon three basic activities:
Creation, Organization and Destruction. The creation aspect is governed
by Brahma, organization by Vishnu and destruction by Siva. This division
of powers is essential for the smooth functioning of the world. The
collective aspect of the three is God. The word GOD comprises three
alphabets - G O D. 'G' stands for Generation, 'O' stands for
Organization and 'D' stands for Destruction. These three aspects of
Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara constitute God. None can deny the
existence of God. If someone argues saying that there is no God, tell
him that he has no right to question your conviction. God may not exist
for those who deny His existence, but He exists for those who have faith
in Him. One may say 'God is nowhere'. Take the letter 'w' away from the
word 'where' and join it to 'no', which will make it, God is now here.
All this is word building. Man is wasting his life with narrow-minded
feelings. He is concerned about himself and his family alone. This is
contraction of love. Consider the whole world as one family. That is
expansion of love. Different countries are like different rooms in the
mansion of the world. Consider all those that live in these rooms as
your brothers and sisters. When you develop such relationship with your
fellow human beings, you will not hate anybody.
Embodiments of Love!
Try to understand the principle of Divinity. In this world there is none
else other than God. Some may say that the world consists of matter and
energy. Truly speaking, there is only energy, no matter. Whatever matter
you see will be transformed into energy after some time. (Bhagavan
showing His handkerchief said), this is a cloth, it is made of threads.
Threads are made from cotton. So, cotton, thread and cloth are one and
the same. Similarly, name and form vary, but there is only one
fundamental principle, that is Divinity. Today there are many to
criticize those that do good, but very few involve themselves in good
actions.
Students!
You are the emancipators of Bharat and the world. You are the leaders
and the pleaders of the future. Develop the quality of leadership.
"Lokaas Samasthah Sukhino Bhavanthu", let the whole world be happy.
Vajpayee said "Sarva Bhootha Hithe Rathaha", aspire for the welfare of
all living beings. Everybody should be healthy and happy. That is My
true birthday. Many people have wished Me 'Happy birthday'. Convey that
wish for those who are not happy. Where is the need to wish for Me when
I am always happy.
Prahlada has said, a father rejoices only when the son earns a good name
in the society, not on the day of his birth. Who is 'Maanava'? Maanava
is the very embodiment of God. 'Maa' means ignorance, 'Na' means
without, 'Va' means to conduct oneself. So 'Maanava' means the one who
conducts himself devoid of ignorance. You are Awareness embodied. Act
according to the name you bear. It is not enough if your bear the name
of Thyagaraja or Rama, you should live up to their ideals.
There are divine powers in the food that Bharatiyas consume. Bharatiyas
partake tamarind juice, lime juice, apple juice, orange juice, onion
juice which contain acids. We also consume leafy vegetables, which
contain different metals. Metals, magnetism and acids are the three
important components of man. Every student must take a balanced diet.
Orange juice, tomato juice, lime juice and apple juice are very good for
health. Leafy vegetables contain vitamins as well as iron and hence are
of high nutritive value. The body should be healthy. With a healthy
body, you can undertake any task.
You do not need to search for God anywhere. God is immanent in every
inch and every hair of your body. That is why when Sita offered her
pearl necklace as a token of appreciation, Hanuman bit the pearls of the
necklace and threw it away, as it did not resonate with the name of
Rama. On being questioned by Sita as to why he had acted in such a
foolish manner, Hanuman replied: "You go by the value of the pearls,
whereas I listen to the holy sound of the Lord's name. Any jewel bereft
of the name of Rama is as good as a stone for me. Every hair of my body
is suffused with the name of Rama". Therefore, divinity pervades every
cell, every hair of Bharatiyas. It is for this reason that many
foreigners like Max Mueller desired to be born and die in this sacred
land. Having been born in this sacred land of yoga and thyaga, it will
be a pity if you do not adhere to these sacred values. Lead the life of
a true Bharatiya. Set an ideal for others and make everyone happy. This
is My birthday message. This is the birthday of this body. Truly
speaking I have no birthday. Since all of you have assembled here, I am
celebrating this day as birthday. This birthday is not important for Me.
The day when all of you are happy is My true birthday. I desire nothing
but your Bliss, Love and Sacrifice. My Bliss lies in your being the
embodiments of thyaga and yoga and experiencing divinity therefrom. I
wish that you all live an ideal life in peace and security. On this
auspicious day fill your hearts with noble feelings and chant the name
of God.
[Bhagavan concluded His discourse with the Bhajan, "Prema muditha manase
kaho..."]
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