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Date:14 Apr 1999 Occasion:Tamil New Year Place:Brindavan

Do Sadhana With Pure Feelings

Truth is your true mother and Wisdom the true father,
Dharma is the true brother and Compassion the true friend;
The true wife is Peace and the true son Forgiveness,
These six are in fact the true relations of man.
(Sanskrit Sloka)

Embodiments of Love!

Life is like an ocean with the waves of joy and sorrow. Spirituality is
the lighthouse to the people who are travelling in the ocean of Samsara.
Spirituality does not mean rituals and worship alone. Spirituality is
that which demonstrates unity in multiplicity. God is love personified,
and is installed in the heart of every man. That is why since times
immemorial, the Bharatiyas have prayed for the welfare of all the people
in the world. Spirituality has a certain discipline. Na Sreyo Niyamam
Vina (Nothing noble and great can be achieved without discipline).

Spirituality and Welfare of Humanity

In Tamil, there is a sacred book named Thirukural, which is equivalent
to the Vedas. It was written by Thiruvalluvar. He took to the path of
spirituality, worked for the welfare of the humanity and led a
disciplined and peaceful life. He used to ask his wife to keep a cup of
water and a needle by his side while he ate his food. As per the command
of her husband, his wife did accordingly day after day, but not even
once did she find him putting them to use while having food. When his
wife asked him for the reason, he replied, "I don't want to waste even a
single grain of rice. The purpose of this needle is to pick up the grain
of rice if it were to fall outside my plate and to wash it clean with
water before putting it back in the plate. So far I have not used this
needle as I have been very careful not to spill rice grains." Annam
Brahma, Raso Vishnu, Bhokta Devo Maheswara (food is Brahma, the essence
is Vishnu and the one who partakes of it is Maheswara). Food is called
Brahma since its essence pervades the whole body and gives it strength.
The prayer to Vishnu is to purify the mind, so that the body may be
utilized in a proper way. The Eswara Principle demonstrates how to make
use of the strong body and pure mind in a proper way. God resides in the
heart of everyone in the form of love. But, no one is making any effort
to realize the Principle of Love in the heart. There is no life without
love. Love is God. God is love.

Today man is leaving no stone unturned in order to experience happiness.
But his desires are increasing day by day, just as the ants that come
out of an anthill. Increase in desires will only lead to restlessness,
but not happiness. Man aspires to be happy through the fulfillment of
his desires; on the contrary, he is becoming more and more restless. The
lesser the desires are, the greater the happiness will be. The Vedas
teach that all the education that man acquires should be utilized for
the welfare of the society. The Vedas say: Sarvaloka Hithe Ratah (man
should involve himself in the service of the society).
Sarvajnanopasampannah (man should be a treasure of wisdom),
Sarvasamudhita Gunaihi (man should cultivate all good qualities). But
today's education does not confer these noble virtues. Modern education
bestows mere bookish knowledge, which in turn becomes superficial
knowledge. Today there is no trace of practical knowledge in man.

After his education, man should work for the welfare of the society and
the world at large. He should not have the narrow feeling that he and
his family alone should be happy. Without the world, where is the
family? Man and his family are dependent on the society and the world at
large. So, man and his family can be happy only when the world is safe
and secure. Today in all the fields of life, be it political or social,
no one seems to be concerned about the welfare of the world. Selfishness
and self-interest are widespeard in all the fields. As long as there is
selfishness and self-interest in the people of a country, it cannot
prosper.

Brahma and Bhrama

Today man aspires to have the vision of Brahma, but is getting immersed
in Bhrama (illusion). Unity in multiplicity is Brahma and viewing
multiplicity in unity is Bhrama. Man has lost the vision of unity in
diversity. He has become highly 'intelligent' so as to divide unity into
multiplicity. Fie upon such intelligence! Man should make an effort to
see the unity in diversity. That is the real Sadhana.

Reading the sacred texts such as the Vedas, the Upanishads and the
Puranas does not confer the vision of Brahma. Narada had studied the
four Vedas and six Sastras. He was a great exponent of the Brahma Sutras
and the Upanishads. In spite of all this, he could neither attain peace
nor get rid of his delusion. So, he approached the sages Sanaka,
Sanandana and Sanat Kumara and requested them to grant him peace and
wisdom. Sanat Kumara asked Narada as to what made him feel that he
deserved to attain peace and wisdom? Narada replied that he had studied
the four Vedas, the six Sastras, the Upanishads and the Brahma Sutras.
Then Sanat Kumara said, "Narada! No doubt, you have studied the Vedas
and the Upanishads, but have you put them into practice? It is a mistake
to think that mere study of the Vedas and the Sastras can confer peace
and wisdom. One has to practice the teachings of the Vedas and the
Sastras in order to experience bliss."

Will the darkness in the world be dispelled by the message of light? Can
the disease be cured by merely listening to the efficacy of medicine?
Can the poor get rid of poverty by listening to the principles of
Economics? Can the hunger be satiated by mere repetition of the names of
various delicious dishes? No. Similarly, you can attain bliss only when
you put your knowledge into practice. (Telugu Poem)

Sanat Kumara went on to say, "Narada, you say you have gone through the
Upanishads. But have you understood the first declaration of the first
Upanishad: Isavasyam Idam Sarvam (God permeates the entire cosmos)? Have
you recognized the Truth that God exists in everybody? You are chanting
the Slokas, but you are not trying to experience them:

Dharma Leads to Divinity

Today spiritual aspirants are wasting their time in such futile
exercises. Time is God. Time wasted is life wasted. Instead the
aspirants should try to enter a path which will endow them with wisdom.
There are nine paths of devotion. They are: Sravanam (listening to the
stories of the Lord), Kirtanam (singing the glory of the

Lord), Vishnusmaranam (contemplation on the form of the Lord),
Padasevanam (serving the Lotus Feet), Vandanam (salutation), Archanam
(worship), Dasyam (servitude), Sheham (friendship of the Lord),
Atmanivedanam (self-surrender). Are you putting any of these into
practice in your daily life? No. You are merely mouthing words, but not
practicing. The proper study of mankind is man. What is the proper
study? Your thoughts, words and deeds must be in harmony with each
other. Manasyanyath Vachasyanyath Karmanyanyath Duratmanam (he is a
wicked one whose thoughts, words and deeds are not in harmony). In the
modern world, you find such wicked people everywhere. But, there are
good people also. If there are no good people in the world, how can the
sun rise? Good people are there is the world, no doubt. But, the
present-day scenario is such that only the wicked seem to be prospering.

Sathyam Matha, Pitha Jnanam (Truth is your mother and Wisdom is your
father). A true father is one who imparts the knowledge of non-dualism
to his son. But the present-day parents are not concerned about truth;
whatever untruths their son utters to cover up his mistakes, they take
that as truth! It is only because of such parents that the children are
going in the wrong direction. Parents are to be blamed if the children
take to wrong path. As the parents, so are the children. If the parents
themselves are found arguing with each other, the children will go a
step ahead and engage themselves in fighting with each other. The
condition of the country depends upon fathers and mothers. But, today
the situation of the family is very unfortunate.

Since ancient times, Bharat has radiated peace and happiness to the rest
of the world with its power of spirituality. All the aspects of the
culture of Bharat are suffused with divinity. The eyes, the ears, the
nose and the hand are the different limbs of the body. Body is a limb of
the society. Society is a limb of mankind. Mankind is a limb of Nature.
Nature is a limb of God.

It is because of the impact of modern education that man is misusing his
limbs. He has forgotten the truth that humility is the hallmark of true
education. Education confers humility. Humility bestows deservedness.
Deservedness will lead to Dharma. It is through Dharma that one can
attain Divinity. The modern education has become job -oriented. Without
Yoga, what is the use of Udyoga (job)? One has to attain Yoga, which
means control of the senses.

Buddha did penance (Thapas) for many years in order to attain Yoga.
Ultimately, Buddha attained Nirvana (liberation). But, today people are
ruining themselves because they are immersed in Thamas (dullness).
Buddha laid emphasis on Samyak Drishti, Samyak Vak, Samyak Sravanam,
Samyak Chinthanam and Samyak Karma. This can be interpreted as:

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

Buddha made proper use of the five senses, experienced bliss and shared
it with others. But, today all the five senses are being misused.
Actions are based on thoughts. So, man has to cultivate noble thoughts.
Hridaya is the temple of God. Thoughts, words and deeds will be pure,
steady and selfless only when man has a pure Hridaya and noble feelings.
Purity, patience and perseverance are very essential for mankind.
Without firm faith, man cannot achieve anything in life.

Ages have passed, years have rolled by, but there is no transformation
in man. When you have a bitter thing in your mouth, even the sweet
tastes bitter. Sweet will taste sweet only when you spit out the bitter
thing and rinse your mouth. What is that you have to do in order to pour
milk into a glass, which is already full of water? You have to pour out
the water and then pour in the milk. Likewise, man has to get rid of
evil thoughts in order to cultivate sacred feelings.

Man's life is like an ocean full of opposite waves of union and
separation. These waves co-exist; in fact one cannot exist without the
other. So, one has to be equal-minded. Happiness and sorrow co-exist. It
is impossible to separate them. One cannot have comforts alone. Comforts
accrue from troubles and sufferings. (Telugu Poem).

Today we find pollution everywhere. The air that we breathe, the water
that we drink, the sound that we hear, the food that we partake of, all
are polluted. The root cause for all this is that the mind itself is
polluted. It is because of evil feelings in the mind that everything
appears evil. Mano Moolam Idam Jagat (the whole world is based on the
mind). Even if man dies, mind will not die. So, man should purify his
mind with pure thoughts. Pure thoughts can be cultivated only by
chanting the divine name.

Some people may talk derisively about the efficacy of the divine name.
But, the joy and bliss that you derive by chanting it is supreme. Today
people think of only worldly matters, but not God. What is the benefit
that accrues from thinking of the mundane matters? Nothing at all. In
fact, it makes you more and more restless.

People find the reflection of their own defects in others. Those that
find mistakes in others do not know their own mistakes. How can you get
the belch of a mango if you have not eaten it? The belch you get depends
on the food you take. The good and bad that you see and experience are
the results of your own thoughts. First recognize the defects in
yourself and get rid of them. It is a great sin to criticize others. God
is in everyone. So, criticizing others amounts to criticizing God
Himself. Do not criticize or ridicule anyone. Respect everyone, only
then you will be respected. It is foolishness to expect others to
respect you without yourself respecting them.

Cultivate Noble Qualities in New Year

If your feelings are good, you will see only good in everyone. Mind is
the root cause for everything. Man cannot exist without the mind. A
torch cannot function without cells. Body is like a torch, eyes are like
bulbs and intellect is like a switch. But, without the mind, which can
be compared to a cell, the body cannot function. So, the mind has to be
kept in good condition.

Embodiments of Love!

You have been celebrating the New Year Day year after year. But, are you
cultivating new and sacred qualities? No. You are unable to give up your
bad qualities. With each New Year, new and noble qualities should be
cultivated. Desires have to be controlled. The lesser the desires, the
lesser will be your sorrows. Excessive desires lead to the ruination of
the will power (Ichcha Sakthi). Decline in will power leads to loss of
power of action (Kriya Sakthi).You should develop unity of Ichcha
Sakthi, Kriya Sakthi and Jnana Sakthi (power of wisdom). The will power
will increase only when the desires are reduced. Happiness is eluding
man due to his limitless desires. Excessive desires spoil our health and
cause depression in the mind. Reducing the desires amounts to reducing
the burden on the mind. Less luggage more comfort makes travel a
pleasure. Life is a long journey. How can you enjoy the journey if you
are carrying heavy luggage? Go on reducing your luggage. The same
message is conveyed in the Vedas too. Na Karmana Na Prajaya Dhanena
Thyagenaike Amrutathwamanasu (immortality can be attained only through
sacrifice; neither wealth nor progeny nor good deeds can confer it). You
should have fear of sin and love for God. Only then there will be
morality in society.

If you do not have fear of sin and love for God, you will not be
respected even by your own mother, wife and children. If you have fear
of sin and love for God, the whole world will love you. Sage Vyasa has
given the essence of 18 Puranas in the dictum, Paropakara Punyaya Papaya
Parapeedanam (to help others is merit and harming others is sin). Help
ever, Hurt never. If you cannot render help, at least restrain yourself
from hurting others. That itself is a great help.

The sacred land of Tamil Nadu is the birthplace of many great saints and
sages, who undertook many spiritual practices with great determination
and led a noble life of peace and happiness. They gave up body
attachment and developed love for the Atma. But, today man is developing
attachment to the body more and more, forgetting the Principle of the
Atma. This body is a heap of rubbish and is full of diseases. Oh mind,
do not be under the illusion that body is permanent. Take refuge at the
feet of the Lord. (Telugu Poem). The body and the mind are negative,
only the Atma is positive. You say, my body, my mind, my intellect, my
senses, so on and so forth. When you say, this is my handkerchief, the
handkerchief is separate from you. Similarly, when you say, this is my
body, my mind etc., you are separate from them. Then who are you? Put a
question to yourself. All this is matter and you are the master. Master
the mind and be a mastermind.

On the spiritual path, Japa and Dhyana are not that important. Purity of
mind is most important. You do not need to undertake any spiritual
practice. Love everyone. Do not limit your love to you and your family
alone. Do not spend your life in narrow-mindedness. All belong to the
same universal family. All are one, be alike to everyone. The divine
love is pure, selfless, attributeless and eternal. He is a sinner who
tries to find faults with the divine love. Worldly love is negative and
full of selfishness. Man can attain Divinity only when he gives up
selfishness.

Develop morality. Money comes and goes, but morality comes and grows.
Today man entertains only negative thoughts. Man cannot expect to have
positive rewards when his heart is filled with negative thoughts. When
the heart is full of worldly desires, how can you have love for God? It
is impossible. Cultivate positive feelings, only then you will have
positive results.

Only God is Your True Friend

If you have selfless love, you need not be afraid of anything. Even if
the sky were to fall on your head, be fearless. Never be afraid of
following the truth. Truth is God, love is God. Live in love. Get
immersed in the divine love. The wicked and evil-minded people cannot
understand the divine love. Do not enter into friendship with such
people. Only God is your true friend who has no trace of selfishness and
who helps you always under all circumstances. Have the firm conviction
that God always helps and never hurts anyone. Whether you are in the
forest or in the sky or in a city or in a village or on the top of a
hill or in the middle of a river, God is always with you, in you and
around you.

The worldly friends are such that they say hello to you only when you
have money and power. Hello becomes hollow once you lose both. As long
as there is water in the pond, thousands of frogs gather there. Once the
pond gets dried up, not even a single frog will be seen around. Same is
the case with worldly friends. But God's friendship is not like that. He
is with you at all stages and in all situations. Love him from the depth
of your heart. Take refuge in Him. He will definitely protect you. Did
He not come to the rescue of Prahlada who surrendered to Him completely?
Yad Bhavam, Tad Bhavathi (as is the feeling, so is the result). God will
come to your rescue if you have total faith.

Some actions will yield instant results, whereas some other may take a
few hours, a few days, a few years or a few births. For example, when
your finger is cut, bleeding starts immediately. It takes a few hours
for the food to get digested. It takes a few years for a seed to grow
into a tree and yield fruit. Be it good or bad, you have to face the
consequences of your actions. So, do not indulge in bad actions. Always
do good, be good and see good. This is the way to God. Do not say 'I
will try,' you must do it.

Some people, when faced with difficulties; think that God is punishing
them. It is a mistake to think so. God will never punish anybody. It is
only the king who gives punishment, not God. God is love, so He always
gives only love. The punishment you suffer is the result of your own
actions. God neither punishes you nor protects you. You are punished by
your own sins and protected by your own good deeds. You may utilize
light for writing wrong account or for reading the holy Ramayana. But,
the light is not affected by what you do. Similarly, God is the eternal
witness. He is like the light, not affected by what you do, be it good
or bad.

Spiritual Practices and Purity of Mind

Embodiments of Love!

Many New Years have come and gone, but what is that you have achieved?
You may have participated in Bhajans any number of times. But, you still
continue to be immersed in negativity. Put a question to yourself what
is that you have gained by participating in Bhajans. Bhajans should
develop positive feelings in you. Any Sadhana done with noble feelings
will yield good results. You may be doing a lot a spiritual practices
for many years without any result. But, never give up any spiritual
practice. Continue your Sadhana. One day or the other, you will get the
reward.

You think that you have attained Swatantrata (independence). Swa means
Atma. So, the true independence lies in following the Atma Dharma. Body
is like a water bubble. Mind is like a mad monkey. So, do not follow the
body; do not follow the mind. Follow the conscience. Your conscience
always gives you the right prompting. It is a sin if you do not follow
the dictates of your conscience. Conscience is your master.

Follow the master
Face the devil
Fight to the end
Finish the game.

Some people say that they have not got any benefit in spite of chanting
the divine name for twenty to thirty years. No benefit accrues from
chanting the divine name if the mind is filled with impurities. First
purify your mind and fill it with positive feelings. Only then you can
experience the benefit of chanting the divine name. Bad thoughts and bad
feelings will not help you in any way. Even if you happen to come across
anything bad, do not let it enter your mind.

God's work will never fail. So, all the work that is done with divine
feelings will never meet with failure. If you fail in your endeavor, it
means you do not have divine feelings. You will always be successful if
your feelings are pure and divine. At least from today onwards cultivate
noble feelings. Talk sweetly and softly. You cannot always oblige, but
you can speak always obligingly.

Embodiments of Love!

On New Year day, it is a practice to mix sweet, sour and bitter things
and eat them. It is to indicate that joy and sorrow have to be treated
with equanimity. It is the tongue that tastes the delicacy and it is the
heart that tastes love. The taste of love is peerless. It is sweeter
than even nectar. Love alone can match love. God is love, love is God.
Live in love. Whatever Bhajans you sing, sing with love. God is
Bhavapriya. He sees your feelings, not the rhythm or tune. If your
feelings are pure, God will take care of everything.

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

[Bhagavan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, "Prema Mudhitha
Manase Kaho..."]