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Date:21 Nov 1999 Occasion:World Youth Conference Place:Prashanti Nilayam

Seek God Within

There is no teacher greater than the Conscience.
There is no preceptor greater than time.
The world verily is the greatest text.
God is the only true friend.
Telugu Poem)

Young men and women, the future citizens of the world!

The future of the world, good or bad depends on your conduct. The
country will be safe, secure, peaceful and prosperous only when your
conduct is good. What the world needs today is not affluence and
material comforts, but men and women of noble character. The country is
bound to disintegrate if the behavior of the young men and women is not
on the right lines.

A true human being is one who adheres to Sathya (truth), Dharma
(righteousness) and Thyaaga (sacrifice). Truth is Neethi (morality),
Righteousness is Reethi (procedure) and Sacrifice is Khyaathi (fame).
All these three constitute Maanava Jaathi (human race). Human race has
originated from Truth.

The entire creation has originated from Truth and ultimately merges in
Truth. There is no place where truth does not exist. Recognize this pure
and unsullied truth. (Poem in Telugu)

It is based on this that the ancient sages and seers said Sathyam
Bruyaath Priyam Bruyaath, Na Bruyaath Sathyamapriyam (Speak truth, speak
pleasingly, do not speak truth which is unpalatable). Sathyam Bruyaath
refers to moral value. Manava Jaathi (human race) cannot survive without
Neethi (morality). Today the whole world is engulfed in troubles and
turmoil on account of injustice, falsehood and unrighteousness. Only
young men and women are capable of restoring the declining human values.
Only when man upholds morality, can there be equality, fraternity and
freedom in the society. In order to uphold morality, one should adhere
to truth. That is why it is said, Sathyam Bruyaath. This is the primary
duty of man. The second one, Priyam Bruyaath (speak pleasingly) refers
to dhaarmic value. It is based on this that the Bhagavad Gita says,
Anudvegakaram Vaakyam Sathyam Priya Hitham Cha Yath (speak truth in a
pleasing and wholesome manner. Your speech should not excite others
impulses and emotions). The third one, Na Bruyaath Sathyamapriyam (do
not speak truth which is unpalatable) refers to spiritual value. One has
to adhere to these principles to progress on the spiritual path.

Embodiments of Love!

The Himachala (the Himalayan mountains) forms the boundary for India on
the northern part. What is the inner meaning of Himachala? Hima means
ice, which stands for purity and peace. Achala means that which is
steady. So, Himachala signifies purity, peace and steadiness. The
perennial rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi symbolize the continuous
blood circulation in the human body. The great epics of this land, the
Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavata bring out the quintessence
of human nature. One can be called a Bharatiya in the true sense of the
term only when one puts into practice the ideals, Bharat stands for. In
the word Bharat, Bha refers to Bhaava (feeling), Ra refers to Raaga
(tune) and Ta connotes Taala (rhythm). Bharatiyas are those who worship
God, harmonising the three - Bhaava, Raaga and Taala. Bha also stands
for effulgence. So, Bharatiyas are those who are in pursuit of divine
effulgence. You should take pride in the fact that you are a Bharatiya.
There is no greater qualification than this. Bharat is the country,
which propagates the spiritual knowledge to the rest of the world and
wishes the welfare of the entire world - Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
(may the whole world be happy!)

You are all one irrespective of the countries you belong to. Bulbs may
vary, but the current is the same. Likewise, countries, bodies and
feelings may vary, but the principle of Atma is one and the same in all.
Therefore, give up all differences based on caste, religion and
nationality and spread the message of unity. Nations are many, but earth
is one. Jewels are many, but gold is one. Stars are many, but sky is
one. Cows are many, but milk is one. Bodies are many, but breath is one.
You can experience bliss only when you render service keeping in mind
the unity of all beings.

You are born in love, brought up in love and merge in love. The five
elements (pancha bhutas) are the embodiment of selflessness. The sun
sustains the creation by giving light and life. Trees accept the
poisonous carbon dioxide and give the life-supporting oxygen. Mother
earth teaches a lesson in patience and sacrifice. All these elements
help mankind without any expectation of reward. There is no greater
example of selfless love than the nature. It is a shame that man, having
been born and brought up in nature, does not imbibe the ideals
demonstrated by nature and leads a life of selfishness and
self-interest. Youth should resolve to eliminate selfishness and
self-interest with no traces whatsoever.

Jesus declared, "All are one my dear son, be alike to everyone." All are
born of the same mother earth, breathe in the same air and drink the
same water. In such a case, why should there be differences at all?
Eschew all differences and live in unity. Recognize the unity in
diversity and act accordingly. You may go to villages, serve the needy
and undertake various rural development programs. By doing so, you are
not doing any great service. In tact, all this is your duty. You are
born to serve. So, spend your life in serving others. Do not crave for
power and position. One who is not a Sevaka (humble worker) cannot
become a Nayaka (leader). In fact, a true Sevaka alone is a true Nayaka.
People are under the mistaken notion that Japa, Thapa and Dhyana
constitute spiritual practice. They do meditation without knowing what
it is! They feel that they are meditating on God not knowing who God
really is! They chant Rama, Krishna, Jesus, Allah and Zoaraster as Gods
and meditate on them not realizing the fact that all are embodiments of
God. They mistake concentration for meditation. Concentration is
associated with the senses, whereas meditation is beyond senses.
Meditation should not be confined to a particular time and place. It is
a way of life. Whatever is done with the spirit of love is meditation.
Sitting in meditation for hours together without expressing love for
fellow beings is no meditation at all. True spiritual practice lies in
joining hands with rest of the community and working for the progress of
the society as a whole. Love is God, live in love. Heart bereft of love
is like a barren land. All activities should be suffused with love. Just
as it is impossible for a newborn babe to attend degree classes, so also
it is not possible to attain the supreme state of love instantly. One
has to gradually progress by undertaking spiritual practices. It is
imperative to undertake these practices (Pravritti) until one turns
one's vision inward (Nivritti). Perform all activities with a spiritual
outlook. There is no greater spiritual practice than adhering to the
principles of truth and love. Truth and love are the synonyms for God.
Without these two there is no point in undertaking spiritual practices.

Young men and women!

Consider love and sacrifice as your very life breath. Control your
senses. Sense control is essential for the success of any spiritual
practice. Humanity can rise to Divinity through sense control. Anger is
the quality of a dog. Monkey is known for its wavering nature. When you
are angry, remind yourself, "l am not a dog, I am a man." Similarly,
when your mind wavers, tell yourself repeatedly, "I am not a monkey, I
am a man." Sathya, Dharma, Santhi, Prema and Ahimsa are the true human
values. These values are the five life principles of man - Prana, Apana,
Vyana, Udana and Samana. Losing any one of these values amounts to
losing life itself. Each value cannot exist without the other. Today man
has become a living corpse as he has lost all these values. Develop
faith in these values, uphold them and experience the bliss derived
therefrom.

Where there is faith, there is love,
Where there is love, there is peace,
Where there is peace, there is truth,
Where there is truth, there is God,
Where there is God, there is bliss.

Today every man aspires to be blissful. For that faith is essential.
Bliss cannot be attained easily. Bliss is Brahman, which is steady,
pure, eternal and beyond dualities. Man cannot attain this supreme bliss
without giving up the evil qualities. Heart is the altar of God. Do not
pollute it with evil thoughts and feelings.

Self effort is very essential to achieve success in any human endeavor.
Even small activities like picking up a flower or plucking a fruit from
a tree requires the cooperation and effort of various limbs of the body
- eyes, hands, legs etc. Sareera Maadhyam Khalu Dharma Sadhanam, body is
gifted to undertake righteous actions and set an ideal to the society,
not for sleeping, eating, drinking and making merry. God has gifted man
with all the powers, but man is unable to realize his innate potential.

Whenever you take up any activity, keep in mind the welfare of others
too. Do not lead a life of selfishness. Think in terms of collective
benefit, not individual benefit alone. Often spiritual practices like
Japa and Dhyana are done with a selfish motive. Instead, it is better to
chant the Lord's name and serve the society. This will confer benefit on
the individual and the society at large. This constitutes real Sadhana.
Whomsoever you serve, serve with a feeling that you are serving God.

The sight of a dead body, a sick person, one old decrepit person, was
enough for Buddha to get transformed and attain Nirvana because his
heart was filled with compassion. Though you come across innumerable
dead bodies, old persons and sick individuals, it is a pity there is no
transformation in you whatsoever. Unfortunately, your heart has become
as hard as a stone - indifferent to the sufferings of others. To attain
Nirvana or liberation, one should identify oneself with others and make
efforts to alleviate their suffering.

As the Vice Chancellor mentioned in his speech: "Bend the body, mend the
senses, end the mind." Mind will be non existent when the senses are
controlled. Mind can be annihilated when noble thoughts are entertained.
Today the world is in disarray because the thoughts of man are going astray.

O man, enquire, what great happiness have you acquired by forgetting God
and spending all your education and energy limitlessly in eking out a
livelihood right from dawn to dusk. (Poem in Telugu)

Whatever you do, it is God's work. For example, the process of inhaling
and exhaling is in itself a spiritual practice. The process of inhaling
is associated with the sound 'So' (that) and exhaling, with the sound
'Ham' (I). 'Soham' means 'I am that' (God). 'So' symbolizes Divinity and
'Aham' signifies Ahamkara (ego). So, 'Soham' drives home the lesson that
you should take in only Phala that which is good and eject Mala that is
filthy. This process of inhaling and exhaling repeats itself 21,600
times a day. It means your inner voice is reminding you 21,600 times a
day that you are God. Unfortunately, you are not receptive to this
message. It is to understand this reality God has gifted you with this
body. Do not limit God to your shrine. God is your life breath.

Just as hands, eyes, ears, nose, etc., are limbs of the body, likewise,
human beings are limbs of the society. Society is a limb of nature and
nature is a limb of God. Therefore, you can infer that there is an
intimate relationship between individual and God. When inanimate objects
like telephones are connected, should there not be a connection between
human being and God? The former relationship is artificial in nature,
whereas the latter is heart to heart. There are two types of telephone
calls - one, which can be answered by anybody (number call) and the
other, which needs to be answered by a specific person (Particular
person - PP call) for whom the call is intended. Similarly, your
contacts should be directly with God, like the personal call, and not
with all and sundry like the number call. If you have the sincere
feeling that you want God, then God Himself will come and talk to you.
You cannot expect God to respond when you make a 'number call'. Number
call corresponds to negative thoughts. So, give up negative thoughts and
develop positive feelings.

Body, mind, senses and intellect are all negative in nature. Only the
conscience is positive. Just as the mike is useless without the current,
so also are the body, mind, senses and intellect without the conscience.
The conscience that exists in everyone is one and the same, just as the
current that flows through different bulbs is the same. All are one, be
alike to everyone. So, do not hate, harm or criticize anybody. He is a
noble one, who conducts himself without hurting others and himself not
being troubled in the process. True spiritual Sadhana lies in
considering every work as God's work, not in doing Japa or Dhyana. God
is all-pervasive. It is based on this that the Veda declares: Sarvatah
Paani Paadam Tat Sarvathokshi Siromukham, Sarvatah Srutimalloke
Sarvamavritya Thishtathi (with His hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth and
ears pervading everything, God permeates the entire universe). You may
hoodwink anyone, but not God. He is always watching you. He is the
eternal witness. He is present in you, just as the power of vision
resides in your eye. Not even a blade of grass can move without His
Will. It is foolishness to get carried away by the sense of doership.
So, do not feel proud of your achievements. Develop the sacred feeling
that God is the doer and the enjoyer too. Consider everything as God's
Will. Whatever happens to you, be it profit or loss, pain or pleasure,
have the resolute faith that it is good for you. When a person suffering
from malaria consults a doctor, he will be given the bitter quinine
medicine. Unless he takes the bitter medicine, he cannot be cured of the
fever. Likewise, have the firm conviction that difficulties and
suffering are the ways and means by which God purifies you. There is a
reason behind whatever God does. Without understanding the principle of
cause and effect, people blame God for their suffering. Understand the
truth that you yourself are responsible for the pain or pleasure that
befalls you. Do not feel sad if someone were to criticize you, because
criticizing others amounts to criticizing one's self as the same Atma
exists in all. Identify yourself with the Atma, not the body, which is
like a water bubble. If someone were to beat you, do not retaliate. The
same principle of Atma exists in both. God is the one who beats, and
also the one who gets beaten. The entire creation is a mono action play
of God. So, do not hate anybody. Love all.

All that I say is for your own good and to make you aware of the
Divinity. All My teachings and actions carry a profound inner meaning.
Our college students have white dress as their uniform. What is its
inner significance? White color symbolizes purity. Similarly, when you
see someone in ochre robes, it reminds you of renunciation. This is to
convey the message that you should be pure and free from all
attachments. Only then you can attain the Divine.

As youngsters, you have too many desires, which cause physical as well
as mental strain. Desires are the luggage in the journey of life. "Less
luggage more comfort makes travel a pleasure. Your destination is the
abode of supreme peace, i.e., liberation. Why do you trouble yourself
with 'heavy luggage,' when you are going to the abode of supreme peace?
Be satisfied with the minimum requirement of food, clothing and shelter.
Bhikshanam Deharakshaartham Vasthram Sheetha Nivaranam (food is meant to
sustain your body and clothing to protect you from cold). The modern
youth are fascinated by fashion dresses and cloth themselves gaudily.
Youngsters, especially women, should not indulge in dressing fads. The
dress you wear should be good and sober. Do not imitate the cinema
culture. Imitation is animal nature and creation is Divine. Control of
desires leads to sense control, which in turn leads to Divinity. Sage
Patanjali said, "Yogaha Chtta Vritti Nirodaha," controlling the vagaries
of the mind is Yoga and allowing the senses to have their own way is
Roga (disease). Today's man has become a Rogi (diseased one) because of
lack of sense control. One should become a Yogi, not a Rogi. Yoga is
attained not by Bhoga (worldly pleasures), but by Thyaga (sacrifice).
Once you attain Yoga you will never be afflicted with Roga. Yoga does
not mean leading the life of a recluse in a forest. Some people mistake
physical exercises like sitting cross-legged, standing on one leg etc.,
for Yoga. True Yoga lies in unifying your love with the Divine. God does
not want anything from you. He never insists on you to do meditation or
Yoga. He only wants you to fill your hearts with principles of love and
sacrifice. If you obey His commands with sincerity and devotion, He will
take care of all your needs without your asking. The lives of Sabari and
the bird Jatayu bear ample testimony to this truth.

"O mind, do not ask for anything.
Ask, and it shall be delayed.
Do not ask, and it shall be granted soon.
Did He not shower His grace on Sabari, who never asked?
Did He not perform the last rites of Jatayu and grant him liberation,
without his asking?"

So you do not need to ask God for anything. If you have purity of heart,
He will Himself take care of you, lust like a mother who attends to the
needs of the child without its' asking. Be like a child and the Divine
Mother will take care of you. That is total surrender. Leave everything
to the Will of the Mother. Do not ask for petty things lest you should
lose Her proximity. The one who asks for food will be directed to the
kitchen, but the mother will feed the child herself who cannot ask. Only
those with ego and those immersed in worldly life ask. But the one, who
surrenders himself to the Will of the Divine Mother like a child, will
lead a peaceful life.

You would have observed a dancer making rapid movements with her hands
and legs while dancing but attention is always focussed on the rhythm.
Likewise, your mind should always be fixed on God while discharging your
duties. You might have heard the story of Rani Jhansi Lakshmibhai. She
had a small child. When she was left with no other choice but to go to
the battlefield, she tied the child to her back, took a sword and waged
a fierce battle with her enemies, riding on horseback. But all the
while, what was uppermost in her mind was the well being of her child.
Similarly, you must necessarily discharge your worldly duties, but at
the same time your mind should always be focussed on God. This is the
meaning of the maxim: "Hands in the society, head in the forest." You do
not need to undertake any specific spiritual Sadhana. Whatever you do,
do it as an offering to God.

In order to have sacred thoughts, give up the vices like consumption of
non-vegetarian food, smoking and drinking intoxicants. Do not waste
food, money, time and energy. Eat as much as you can, but do not waste,
because millions are suffering for want of food. You all know what a
miserable condition that the people of Orissa are in after a severe
cyclone devastated the state! In some places, people are scrambling even
for a morsel of food. You may not know the value of food, but they know
it very well. So do not waste food. Food is God.

Similarly, do not waste money. Some students waste a lot of money eating
in hotels, in playing cards and gambling. Misuse of money is evil. Do
your work yourself Do not depend on others. Whenever you find time, wash
your clothes yourself. Why do you give your clothes to a washerman when
you can wash them yourself? You have no right to waste your father's money.

Time is God. That is why God is extolled as Kaalaaya Namaha, Kaala
Kaalaaya Namaha, Kaala Darpa Damanaaya Namaha, Kaalaatheethaaya Namaha
etc. Time wasted is life wasted. Do not waste time in the pursuit of
worldly pleasures. Instead taste the Divinity by chanting His name.

Do not waste energy, energy is God. Today students are wasting a lot of
energy through unsacred vision, bad thoughts, bad hearing and excessive
talk. Our body can be compared to a radio. When the radio is turned on
continuously, the cells get discharged quickly. Likewise, if you indulge
in excessive talk, you will be losing a lot of energy. That is why the
ancient sages and seers used to observe silence. So, conserve energy by
observing silence at least one day in a week. I often tell the students,
talk less and work more. Only then the latent energy develops. This was
the sole aim of sages and seers in undertaking various spiritual
practices. Once the latent energy develops, your memory power as well as
the power of concentration will increase. Some students are not able to
perform well in the examinations because they are not able to
concentrate even for a moment. They are constantly engaged in listening
to radio news, cricket commentary etc., with the textbook in their hand!
With such distractions, how can they concentrate and retain their memory?

In olden days education was imparted to students in the Gurukulas.
Students had to rely entirely on their memory power and concentration to
acquire knowledge, as there were no papers, pens, pencils etc., to jot
down what the teachers would teach. Their learning consisted of merely
listening to the teachers, yet they could acquire high education. Though
the modern students have access to papers, pens etc., they fail to excel
in studies as they lack concentration and memory power.

Young men and women!

You become divine once you safeguard your physical, mental and spiritual
powers. Let your body be engaged in good actions, mind entertain noble
thoughts and intellect merge in the Divine. Body, mind and intellect are
merely instruments. Understand the principle that makes instruments
function. The modern system of education has become computer-oriented.
There is craze for computers everywhere. You are not a computer. You are
a composer. After all, what does the computer do? It does whatever you
program it to do. It cannot function on its own accord. God-gifted brain
is the real computer. Make proper use of it. Unfortunately, the modern
man depends excessively on the machine to the exclusion of the
God-gifted brain. The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that
people depend on calculators even for simple arithmetic calculations.
You should be self-reliant. Receive help from God only, none else. His
work is only to help others. Emulate Him. Help ever, hurt never. Sage
Vyasa said, Paropakarah Punyaya Paapaaya Parapeedanam (helping others is
merit, harming others is sin). This is the essence of all sacred texts.
Do not give scope for misunderstandings and quarrels amongst yourselves.
Unity is the greatest strength. Therefore, work in unison. "Where there
is unity, there is purity. Where there is purity, there is Divinity. If
you have purity of heart, God will certainly fulfil your wishes. For
example, if you are in need of a pen, pray to God earnestly. Pen will
definitely appear in your pocket. There is nothing that you cannot
accomplish with purity of heart. It is impossible to understand God.
When you are unable to know your true Self, how can you know God? The
other day Uma Bharati mentioned that people come here to know God. It is
a misconception. You do not need to come here to know God. First try to
know yourself. None can ever comprehend Me."

Character is of paramount importance for the spiritual growth of an
individual. Sage Kanva established a Gurukula in order to impart
teachings to the inmates of the Ashram. Sakuntala was one such inmate,
who grew up under the loving care of sage Kanva. One day king Dushyantha
happened to visit the Ashram of Kanva. There he met Sakuntala and
married her. Bharata was born to the couple. Having been born and
brought up in a palace, king Dushyantha was inclined towards worldly
pleasures. On the other hand, his son Bharata, who was born and brought
up in Kanva Ashram was a repository of moral, spiritual and ethical
values. Ashram education inculcates all noble values in man. Bharata
became a paragon of all virtues because he received ideal education
right from his childhood. On the other hand, Dushyantha had worldly and
material wealth. He was a mighty emperor. What was the use of all that
he possessed when he lacked character? This clearly demonstrates the
difference between urban education and Ashram education. Urban education
is associated with Shrama (hardship), whereas Ashram education is
without any Shrama (Aa-shrama). There is nothing wrong in enrolling as
students of college in towns, provided one keeps in mind the purpose of
education. One should not develop unnecessary contacts and get
distracted from the designated path. Your character depends on the
environment around you. In olden times, people felt:

"If wealth is lost, nothing is lost,
If health is lost, something is lost,
If character is lost, everything is lost"

On the contrary, the modern youth feel if wealth is lost, everything is
lost and if character is lost, nothing is lost.

I think I am troubling you by talking too much. I can speak to you for
any length of time, but I never indulge in unnecessary talk. Remember
that you are the future torch-bearers of Sri Sathya Sai Organizations.
The elders of the organization today may be aged and have their own
constraints. Youth have to take the initiative to lead the organization
from the front. Each state organization should have its own youth leader
to take up major responsibilities. Ensure that you keep yourself distant
from politics. Work for the welfare and progress of the society. That is
the greatest saadhana.

Let your behavior be exemplary wherever you are. As long as you are in
Prasanthi Nilayam, you lead a disciplined life. Continue to do the same
even after you leave the place. Be always immersed in the Divine, not in
deep wine. Only those who are immersed in the Divine are dear to Me and
are My dear friends. If you want to be dear friends of Swami, conduct
yourself in the Divine manner. In such a case, you do not need to come
here, I will come to you wherever you are.

I will come there, I will come there, wherever you stay.
I am with you, in you, around you and behind you.
I am not separate from you.
I and you are one.

(Bhagavan sang two Bhajans -"Pibare Rama Rasam..." and "Vahe Guru,
Vahe...", and the devotees ecstatically joined Him in chorus.)

Vahe Guru means there is only one Guru and He is God. He is the goal. Do
not go hither and thither from one Guru to another. Under all
circumstances, hold on to God steadfastly. Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu Guru
Devo Maheswarah... God is your true Guru. You can call Him by any name.
In the word Guru, 'Gu' stands for Gunaatheetha (attributeless) and 'Ru'
for Ruparahita (formless). So Guru is formless and beyond attributes.
So, God is your true Guru. Having come here spending lot of money and
energy, put into practice whatever you have learnt here. Once you return
to your respective places, share the experiences and joy with your
fellow youth. Only then the purpose of attending the conference will be
served. Serve your fellow beings and sanctify your lives.

Neither by penance, nor by undertaking pilgrimages nor by going through
sacred texts can one cross the ocean of Samsara. It is only through
service can one redeem himself. (Sanskrit Sloka) Serve, without any
expectation of reward. That is Nishkama Yoga. No benefit accrues to you
if you expect reward for the service rendered in various villages. Do
not boast that you have served in many villages. Work silently,
definitely God will shower His grace on you. I am very happy that you
bore many inconveniences here with love and patience after having
traveled long distances. You might not have had the food of your choice
here. Never mind, what is important is good head, which will lead to
God. You should eat to live, not live to eat.

Embodiments of love!

Hoping that you will lead a happy and ideal life, I bless you all and
bring My Discourse to a close.

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