Sai Darshan Home <darshan.html>
Date:12 Mar 1999 Occasion:New Delhi Visit Place:New Delhi

Give up Enmity, Develop Unity

In this sacred land of Bharat, forbearance is the real beauty
Of all forms of rituals, adherence to Truth is the greatest penance.
Is there any ritual more sacred than the feeling of love towards the mother?
What else is to be communicated to you more than this
O members of this noble and august assembly!
(Telugu poem)

Embodiments of Love!

Bharat is the birthplace of spirituality, charity and righteousness. It
is the abode of peace and non-violence. Having been born in this sacred
land of Bharat, it is the bounden duty of every Bharatiya to foster the
noble qualities of truth, peace, charity and non-violence. This sacred
land is the birthplace of the Adi Kavi (first poet), Valmiki and sage
Vyasa, who classified the Vedas. This is the meritorious land that gave
birth to Gautam Buddha, who declared Ahimsa Paramo Dharma (nonviolence
is the highest Dharma). This is the noble land, which was ruled by Lord
Rama Himself. This is the divine land, where Lord Krishna sang the song
celestial, Bhagavad Gita. It is most essential for the Bharatiyas to
follow the ideals of these sages and Avatars. Having taken birth in this
sacred land of Bharat, the Bharatiyas should make every effort to keep
their hearts sacred.

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 and is noted for its fine arts and natural
beauty. Born in the land of Bharat, oh devotees, it is your bounden duty
to foster the glory and prosperity of the Motherland. (Telugu Poem)

Bharatiyas should Develop Unity

Embodiments of Love!

The Bharatiyas achieved independence, but not unity. The pristine glory
of Bharat can be restored only when the Bharatiyas achieve equality,
integrity, unity and fraternity. These sacred values should be imprinted
in the heart of every Bharatiya. There are many men of sacrifice, highly
educated and affluent people, eminent statesmen and politicians and very
good administrators in this country. But what is the use? There is no
unity and cooperation among them. That is the reason for the present
plight of the country. They should give up individual differences and
work for the welfare of the society. If all the Bharatiyas stand united,
none can ever attempt to attack us. Since the unity is on the decline,
others are trying to take advantage of this situation.

Embodiments of Love!

In the past, foreigners ruled over the country for hundreds of years
treating the Bharatiyas like slaves. At least from now onwards take care
that no foreign force enters our country. That is the vow all the
Bharatiyas should resolve to take. The Bharatiyas have immense strength
and power. But, they are facing hardships because of lack of unity.

Spirituality is very essential for the welfare of the country. Since
ancient times, Bharat has radiated peace and happiness to the rest of
the world through the message of spirituality. It occupied the exalted
position of teacher to the rest of the world. Bharat stands first in
respect of adherence to truth. No other country in this world can ever
match Bharat in respect of charity and sacrifice. Our ancestors took
great pains and made great sacrifices in order to protect and safeguard
this country. But, unfortunately that spirit of unity and sacrifice is
lacking among the youth today. Moreover, it is not enough if we have
unity unless we resolve to work for the welfare of the society. Only
when you realize the value of service to the society, can you achieve
the noble qualities of unity, integrity and fraternity. For this you
have to take to spirituality. Eswara Sarva Bhoothanam, the same divinity
dwells in all beings. The same was declared by Lord Krishna in the
Bhagavad Gita: Mamaivamso Jeevaloke Jeevabhutha Sanathana (the eternal
Atma in all beings is a part of My Being). The culture of Bharat has
propagated this principle of unity in diversity.

Uphold the Culture of Bharat

Since ancient times Bharat has advocated the ideal Loka Samastha Sukhino
Bhavantu (May the whole world be happy!). But, due to the effect of
modern age selfishness and self-interest are on the rise. The need of
the hour is to develop spirituality, love, unity and forbearance. All
these can be achieved only through God's grace. In fact, you do not need
to undertake any rigorous spiritual practices. Japa, meditation and
yogic practices confer only temporary satisfaction. It is enough if you
develop love in your heart. There is no God other than love. Love is
God, live in love. it is only love that can bring about unity. But,
today everyone is struggling for his selfish ends. Individual
differences are on the rise. There may be individual differences and
party differences and differences in ideology, but when it comes to
protecting the country, you should stand united giving up all
differences. Sacrifice all self-interests and develop love. Experience
bliss and share it with others. This is what the culture of Bharat teaches.

There is no culture greater than the culture of Bharat. This culture is
eternal, universal and acceptable to everyone. But, unfortunately today
the Bharatiyas are imitating the Western culture ignoring their own
culture. As a result, they are losing their identity. There is no
greater misfortune than forgetting one's own culture. A true Bharatiya
is one who upholds Bharatiya culture. The epithet Bharatiya does not
mean a person born in the land of Bharat. Whoever follows the culture of
Bharat is a Bharatiya. But, the modern educated people are not
fascinated by this culture because they have not understood it properly.
The culture of Bharat is vaster than oceans and mightier than mountains.
In order to understand this glorious culture, you need to develop broad
feelings, become broadminded and expand your love. Extend your support
to those administrators who adhere to these sacred principles. Do not
get carried away by those who give platform speeches, but practice none.
You should be prepared to sacrifice even your life in order to uphold
the culture of Bharat.

Unity Rests on Truth and Love

Hastasya Bhushanam Danam (charity is the true ornament of the hand),
Sathyam Kanthasya Bhushanam (truth is the true ornament of the throat),
Srothrasya Bhushanam Sastram (listening to sacred texts is the true
ornament of the ears). This is the teaching of the culture of Bharat.
Sathyannasthi Paro Dharma (there is no greater Dharma than Truth). It is
truth that protects the world. It is love and nonviolence that sustain
the world. Unity can be achieved only through truth, nonviolence and
love. My advice is that all parties should unite. Only then Bharat will
become a divine land. Very soon this is going to happen. The present-day
administration is noble and good. You should safeguard it as it supports
spirituality and divinity. It was lack of unity among the Bharatiyas
that was responsible for Bharat to be under British rule for hundreds of
years. Past is past. At least in future take care that India will never
be under foreign rule. Do not hate anybody. Love even the worst of your
enemies. Develop love. Only then the country will progress. Imagine what
a formidable force India will be if all its 98 crore people stand
united! Bharat will not have any problems.

Very soon peace and security will prevail in this land. Today we do not
find peace anywhere, only pieces! Peace is present in the Hridaya
(heart). You can experience peace only when you develop heart to heart
relationship with your fellow beings.

The Vedas declare: Anoraneeyan Mahatomaheeyan (God is subtler than the
subtlest atom and vaster than the vastest object). The Vedantins say the
Atma pervades the entire world. The scientists say the whole world is
made up of atoms. Names are different, but the power is the same.
Einstein referred to matter and energy. But matter and energy are not
separate from each other. Matter becomes energy and vice-versa. This
energy is divinity. You should lead your lives taking divinity as the
basis. You will ruin yourself if you take the world as the basis. All
the worldly matters come and go like passing clouds. Money comes and
goes, morality comes and grows. Morality fosters spirituality. Humanity
will progress only when there is morality. So, today we have to foster
morality.

A good government should always be supported. One should not hate the
government on the basis of individual differences. It has been fifty
years since this country attained independence. But what is it that we
have achieved? Murders, hijacks and kidnappings! Is this what we dreamt
of? Today fear and restlessness are rampant all over the world. Man is
haunted by fear wherever he is: at home, in a car, in a train or in a
plane! What is the reason? It is because the human mind is polluted with
desire, greed, anger etc. If man wants to enjoy peace and security, he
should get rid of these bad qualities and lead his life keeping in view
the welfare of the society. He should give up selfishness and develop
unity. Only then the pristine glory of Bharat can be revived.

Motherland is greater than Heaven

Our ancient sages coronated Thyaga (sacrifice), welcomed Truth and
upheld righteousness. Today there is no trace of Thyaga in man. He is
always immersed in Bhoga (worldly pleasures). As a result he is
subjected to Roga (disease). The culture of Bharat teaches that only
sacrifice confers immortality. But today, unfortunately, the Bharatiyas
themselves do not have faith in the BharatJya culture. After the
annihilation of Ravana, when Rama was requested to take over the reins
of Lanka, He declared: Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargadapi Gareeyasi
(mother and motherland are greater than heaven itself). One who does not
have love and regard for one's own motherland, one's own mother tongue
and one's own religion is a living corpse! But, one should not show
disrespect towards other countries. Adveshta Sarva Bhoothanam (one
should not hate anybody). One should not criticize anybody. But, today
if one goes through the newspapers one finds one party criticizing and
abusing the other. It is nothing but mean-mindedness. No one has any
right to criticize others. Each party should see to it that it is free
from all defects instead of pointing an accusing finger at others.

All of you know what a nice person Vajpayee is. Even in olden days
whenever Vajpayee or Jayaprakash Narayan would visit Andhra Pradesh,
people, especially the youth, used to gather in large numbers to listen
to their speeches. Naturally, the people are attracted to those who
adhere to truth and righteousness. Such a leader should be given all
support.

You should strive hard to uphold Dharma. In the process one may have to
face hardships, but one should not get disheartened. Pleasure is an
interval between two pains. One should be prepared to face all
challenges and work for the uplift of the society. Today no one seems to
be interested in the welfare of the society. Each one is concerned about
his position and power. A true leader is one who works for the
well-being of the society. The government is safe only when the people
are safe and secure and vice versa. So, the government and the people
should stand united and work for the progress of the nation.

Bharat is the land of merit, the land of sacrifice. When Humayun, son of
Babar, was ruling over this country, one day his father wrote a letter
to him describing how fortunate he was to become the ruler of this
sacred land. He wrote, "Humayun, it is your great good fortune that you
have become the ruler of Bharat. See to it that Bharat does not suffer
any hardships. Understand the cultural values of Bharat and put them
into practice. Make the people of Bharat happy." So, you see, even the
Muslim rulers had great regard for the culture of Bharat. Since ancient
times, the Hindus, the Muslims, the Christians and the Sikhs have been
living in amity in this sacred land. Due to the effect of Kali Age,
hatred and enmity are on the rise among different religions. There will
be no scope for hatred and enmity if people realize that there is only
one religion, the religion of love, there is only one caste, the caste
of humanity and there is only one language, the language of the heart.
Give up hatred and enmity from today. Develop unity. The country cannot
progress unless and until hatred and enmity are uprooted.

When the safety of the country is at stake, all parties should stand
united giving up individual differences. Dharmaraja stood as an ideal in
this regard. Once, while speaking to Krishna, he said, "Krishna, the
Pandavas and the Kauravas belong to the same family. When there is any
difference of opinion within the family, we are five on one side and
they are hundred on the other. But if there is any external threat and
the safety of the country is at stake, all 105 of us will join hands."
Similarly, all political parties should come together to safeguard the
interests of the nation.

Develop Friendship with other Countries

I have been observing Vajpayee for the last so many years. Now this body
is seventy-four years old. Vajpayee always keeps the welfare of the
society in mind in whatever he speaks or does. He is broadminded. There
will certainly be peace and security in the country if these principles
are followed.

Vajpayee and Kulwant Rai have requested Me to visit Delhi at least once
in a year. Today we have inaugurated the International Sai Center. We
should cultivate broad and noble feelings. I will certainly come to
Delhi every year provided you develop broad feelings, and put them into
practice. In Sai Organization, there should be no differences of
opinion. All should live like brothers and sisters. More than a hundred
years ago, when Vivekananda spoke in a religious congregation in
Chicago, addressing the audience as brothers and sisters, he was greeted
with a thunderous applause. In olden days, brothers and sisters attained
supreme state living in harmony with each other. But, today brothers and
sisters go to Supreme Court due to lack of unity.

Develop love. Devotion bereft of love is no devotion at all. You may
undertake any number of spiritual practices, but love should be the
underlying principle. Friendship is one of the nine paths of devotion
propagated by the culture of Bharat. So, develop friendship with God.
God is not separate from you. You are God. God is in you and around you.
God is all pervasive just as an atom. Conduct yourselves with the firm
conviction that God is everywhere. Only then Bharat will regain its
pristine glory of being the leader of all nations.

I want Vajpayee to develop friendship with countries like Russia, Japan
and Pakistan. How nice will it be if all these countries come together!
Vajpayee is also making efforts in this direction. He has full control
over his mind, but how can he be expected to have control over the minds
of others? He has spiritual feelings in him. That will give him all the
necessary strength and courage and ultimately confer success. Vyasa
declared: "Paropakara Punyaya Papaya Parapeedanam" (helping others is
meritorious, harming others is sinful). So, Help ever, Hurt never. This
is what I want you to do. Delhi is the stomach of Bharat. If the stomach
is good, the whole body will be good. Likewise, if Delhi is good, the
whole country will prosper. So, you should see to it that there is peace
and harmony in De/hi. The people of Delhi should stand united. If you
have unity, there is nothing that you cannot achieve in this world. I
bless you all and bring My discourse to a close.

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