Shivaratri: Its Significance · February 2020 Sai Sarathi (SaiSarathi.com) Page 1 T Shivaratri: Its...

February2020 SaiSarathi(SaiSarathi.com) Page1

T

Shivaratri:ItsSignificance

BhagavanSriSathyaBabainHisdiscourseonShivaratriin1971explainedthesignificanceoftheLingam,theLingodbhavam,andwhySitawasseparatedfrom

Ramaduringtheexile.he scriptures composed by the sages of Bharath [India] are testaments ofgenuineexperience.Theyaretobeinterpretedandobservedinpracticeafterreverential studybypersonswhohave clarified their intellects by rigorous

disciplines.Theycanconfereternalananda(bliss)whentheyarethusutilized.Butscholastic or philological or grammatical inquirers that seek to comment andconfusecanonlyleadtotheneglectandlossofthepreciouscontent.Theyarereadytoteachthetruthandleadthestudenttowardthegoalofananda;theyareeagertograntimmortalityandsavemanfromthedrearyroundofbirthanddeath.Really speaking, childrenof Bharath are fortunateto have this invaluableheritage. The Vedas andSastras(scriptures)speakof this fortune; the sagesextol this land on thisscore; the Upanishads(scriptures) acclaim thepeople who have suchgurus [teachers] andguides; the achievementsof generations ofaspirants and seekersstand witness to thistreasure and its worth.Butsomeblindcynicsdiscardthetreasureandcondemnitassomethingthatdrawsmenawayintofutility!Onecanonlypitythemfortheirlackofvision.Bharathisthenameofawayoflife,notanextentoflandbetweentheseasandtheHimalayas.Itisanother name for tolerance and mutual love, which have made it a garden ofmulticoloredreligionsandphilosophies,creedsandfaiths.

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Dharma[righteousness]meansalotofthings,do'sanddon'tsItisthelandwheretheidentitybetweenmanandGodhasbeendeclaredbypersonswhohaveattainedthatrealization.Theindividualisencased,whileGodisunbound;theindividualbelieveshimselfbound,ashavingnameandform,asthebodyanditsappurtenances.Thefirethatis latentinthefuelcanmanifestonlywhenit is litbyexternalfire.So,too,thedivinityoftheintellect,themind,andtheinnerinstrumentsofcognitioncanmanifestonlywhentheatma[soul]ispromptingandurgingthem.Otherwise, if they are prompted and urged by the senses, they will lead only toperditionanddelusion.Everydirectivegiveninthescripturesondisciplineisintendedtohelpthesadhaka(spiritualaspirant)torealizethisidentityandtoderivetheanandathatrecognitionof this unity confers. For example, take the exhortation in theGita shloka [verse]that says, Sarva dharmaan parityajya maam ekam sharanam vraja.What is thedharmathathastobegivenup?Arealldutiesandresponsibilitiestobediscarded?Ordoesdharmaherereferonlytosomeofthese?Dharmaisanomnibusexpression,whichmeansalotofthings,attitudes,behaviorpatterns,andmore.Oftenitincludesmererules,whichareknownasvidhi(fate)andnishedha(do'sanddon'ts). Ifyouareanxioustocatchabus,boardaplane,orentrainforsomeplace,youhavetobeat the stop, port, or station before a particular time. That is a vidhi.When twobrothersdivide among themselves thepossessions left by their father, they sharehalfandhalf;thisisdharma,thatistosay,rightandproper,moral,approvable.Now,Dharmaofthisnatureislaiddownandobservedsothatwegetpeaceandcontent,so that sukha (happiness)may be promoted. It belongs to the relativeworld; theAbsolutehasnoconcernwiththeserelativeadvantagesorbenefits.Itisintherealmofajnana(ignorance)thatsukhaisdesiredanddukha(sorrow)isavoided.Knowthatyouaretheeverfull,everblissfulKama(desire)istheurgeforkarma(action).Itisregulatedandmodifiedbydharma(righteousness)sothathappinessmaybegainedandsadnessavoided.Kamaistheproductorexpressionofajnana.SowhentheGitadirectsthatalldharmabegivenupwhatismeantisthatajnanathatinduceskama,theprogenitorofkarmathathasto sub-serve dharma, is to be conquered and overcome. Acquire jnana (spiritualwisdom); know the truth of thyself. Then you will be free from lust and hate,becauseyouwillknowthatyouaretheeverfull,theeverblissful.Imagineapersonsearchingforthingsinaroom.Hiseyefallsonallthearticleshewantstosecure,buthedoesnotnoticethepersonwhosearches!Theseekerdoesnot see himself! When you give up the search for objects, for things other thanyourself,youseeyourselfandknowyourself.Whenthedraishta(seer)isseen,thedrishya(seen)isnegated;whenthedrishyaisseen,thedrishtaisignored!Tideman[thepreviousspeaker]saidjustnowthatintheveryfirstmeetinghehadwithMe,ItoldhimthatIamGod.Infact,everyoneisGod,limitingoneselfintothisparticularnameandforminwhichoneisencased!Ifyoubelieveyourselftobethelabelthatisnowaffixedonyouandcallyourselfbythenamethatothershavegiven



you,youcanneverknowyourrealityandhaveunshakeable joy.This isthelessonthatVedanta teaches. Eachone is "Sathyam jnanamanantamBrahma (truth, totalknowledge, infinity isBrahman)."Butsunkinthemorassofajnanathatmultipliesendlessly the desires that haunt the mind, man forgets the core of his being.Everyonemustgetconvincedthatheistheatman,notthebodythatisitsmaterialresidence. To instruct you about this is the special purpose of the festival ofMahashivaratri.Linga is thesymbolofthebegininglessandendless.Peopleask,"WhydoesSwamiproducetheLingam(formless formofGod) fromwithinHimselfonthisday?"ButletMetellyou,itisimpossibleforyoutounderstandtheattributesoftheDivineandto measure Its potentialities, or to gauge the significance of the manifestation ofDivinity. It [Divinity] is agamya (unreachable) and agochara (un-understandable,mysterious).Therefore, inorder tobearwitness to the fact thatDivinity isamidstyou, it becomes necessary to express this attribute. Or else the atmosphere ofhatred, greed, cruelty, violence, and irreverence will overwhelm the good, thehumble,andthepious.TheLinga is justasymbol,asign,anillustration,ofthebeginningless,theendless,and the limitless—for it has no limbs, no face, no feet, no front, or back, nobeginning,orend.Itsshapeislikethepictureoneimaginesthenirakara(formless)tobe.Asamatteroffact,Lingameans—leeyathe(thatinwhichallformsandnamesmerge) andgamyathe (that towardwhichall namesand formsareproceeding, toattain fulfilment). It is the fittestsymbolof theAll-pervasive, theAll-knowing,andtheAll-powerful.Everything is subsumed in it; everything starts from it; from theLingam arises jangam (universe), from the jangam arises sangam (association,attachment, activity), and as a result of the sangam one realizes the lingam(attributelessatma). Thus, the circle is completed—from the beginningless to theBeginningless. This is the lesson that Lingodbhavam (emergence of the Linga)teaches. The lingasharira (the causal body) that is inhabited by theatma isbut avesturewornforthisparticularsojourn!Manyavesturehasthissoulworn,thoughitsrealityiseternal!ThelessonthatRamayanateachesPeople have not imprinted on their hearts the lessons that the ancient Hinduscripturesandepicsseektoteach.Ihavebeen,forexample,askedoftenwhysomepersons who have associated themselves with Prasanthi Nilayam for years leaveand do not appear again! The reply is evident for those who have studied theRamayanawell.After10or12yearsof'devotion'suddenlythesepeopletakeaturnfor theworse and stray away. As the Shastras say, "When the accumulatedmeritgets spent, they slip into the depth ofmortality." Sita is the daughter of earth, ofprakriti (nature), seeking the eternal comradeship of Purusha. She weds thePurusha,theLordcomeasRama.WhenRamaagreestogointoexileandproceedstothe forest for a stay of 14 long years, Sita, too, gives up all the luxuries shewasaccustomed to. She braves the perils of jungle life for the sake of being in thepresenceofRama.SherenounceddesirefromherheartforthesolegoalofRama.



Thirteen years she spent with the Lord in perfect bliss as a consequence of thesacrificeshedaredtomake.Thenquitesuddenlydesiresprouted inhermindandcarriedheraway,farawayfromtheLord!Shesawagoldendeerandshecovetedit!Shewhohad renounced huge treasures of gold and diamondswas attracted by afantasyandthisledtotheagonizingseparation.So, too, for those long attached to Me there arises some desire—for lands, jobs,familylife,fame,position,possessions—andtheymoveaway!ButSitarepentedforhermistake,andhermindsufferedextremeanguishattheseparation.Shecalledonher Lord to redeemher, calling out in contrition, Rama, Rama, Rama, Rama,witheverybreath.And,finally,RamaHimselfmovedtowardherandrestoredHimselftothe devotee! So, too, if you are agonizingly repentant and aware of the loss andanxioustore-join,cravingforthepresence,thisSairam,too,willmovetowardyouandgrantyougrace.

Source:SathyaSaiSpeaks,Vol.11

MyUnsentTelegram

IamwritingthisfromBrindavan.IcameherefromCaliforniaaboutamonthago.Inthattime,IfeellikeIhavediedandbeenreborn!

Toexplain:Letmegobacktoaboutayearago,whenIwasherelast.Atthattime,when I took leave of Swami, He gave me permission to return to India for aprolonged stay, starting thisOctober. "You come then,"He said, "Iwill have someworkforyoutodo.”IbeganplanningforaSabbaticalfrommyteachingdutiesataninstituteinCalifornia.But thenduring the Summer serious illness struck. Thediagnosiswas a probablecancer in the liver area. Tests indicated `positive'. A biopsy and liver scan wererecommended.ButIhadheardofametabolictherapycalled'GersonTherapy'thatwaseffectiveagainstall typesof cancer.So Iwent toMexicoandcommenced thisveryintensivecancerregimen.FortwomonthsIbattledtheillness.AllthoughtsoftheSabbaticalinIndiavanishedastheavailableenergywasdirectedtowardstayingalive.Eventhoughthebodywasverysickandoftentimesthemindgotdiscouragedandwasreadytogiveup,yettheinnermanneverdoubtedthatSwamiwaswithme,thatHeknewofthisillness,andthat,intime,Hewouldpullmethrough.After twomonths, the therapy tookholdand I felt verymuchbetter. I knew thenthatImustgotoIndia,ifonlyforashortvisittothankBabaandre-dedicatemylife



at His Lotus Feet. I couldn’t stay in India for more than a few weeks, since thetherapyneededtocontinueforseveralmonthsmoretomakesuretherecouldbenorelapse.Iwrotetomyagedparents(myfatheris88andmymotheris85)wholiveontheother sideof theU. S.Continent, that Iplanneda shortvisit to India, to seeBaba.Theygotterriblyworried."Youarenotwellenoughtoundertakesuchatrip.Theyarehavingfloodsandepidemicsthere.Therewon’tbeanygoodfoodforyou,”theywroteback."Whydon’tyoutelephoneHiminsteadofgoing;itwillbemuchbetterforyourhealthandcheaper,too,"theysuggested.

Igottheirletteron10thOctober,thedaybeforeYomKippur,theJewishhighholyday.Theyaredevoted Jews. Inhonorof themandgratitudetoSwami formynewfeelings of well-being, I decided for the first time in many years to observe thisJewishholydayofAtonement,byfastingandimmersingmyselfinprayer.Thiswasthefirstinterruptionintwomonthsofthetherapy,whichcalledforhourlyfeedingsofspeciallyprepared juicesandmedications. Iaskedmynurse-helperstotakethedayoff. I feltIhadonlyonedutytoperformthatday,andthatwastowritetomyparentsandwishthemtheverybestfortheJewishNewYearandalsotoexplaintothemthatitwasnotpossibletotelephoneBaba,buttomakethemhappyIwouldatleasttrytosendHimatelegramandaskforHisdirections.AsIwenttotheinstituteofficetomailthelettertomyparents,IthoughtaboutwhatImightsay ina telegramtoSwami.Whileabsorbed in these thoughts, Iheardmynamebeing calledby theSecretary,whohad seenmeapproaching theOffice. "Al,thereisalong-distancephonecallforyoufromtheInternationalTelegraphOfficeinSanFrancisco."IveryrarelyreceivephonecallsintheofficesinceIamtheresoinfrequently,andIhave never received a telegram before. So I was startled, to say the least. Theoperatorontheotherendofthelinerelayedthetelegrammessagetome,[saying]itisfromPrasanthiNilayam,India.Itsays,"Pleasecomeimmediately."Icouldn’tbelievemyears."MyGod!Isthisreal?"Uptothatmoment,Iwasimmersedinmylifeattheinstitute,teaching,keepingupwiththerigorousdemandsof thetherapy,andall thehundreddaily involvementsandchores thatwehave inourhomesetting.Noweverythingchanged instantly. Iwasgalvanizedintoaction.Ididn’tknowwhenIcouldactuallyleave,butIranhomeandstartedpacking.Somefriendsheardthenewsandcameovertohelp.Onecalledthe airlines to find out what flights were scheduled that day. Another offered todrive me to the nearest airport at Monterey, 75 kilometers away. Another gottogethersomefoodforthe long journeyahead,sinceIwasonarestrictedorganicdiet. Another brought me 600 dollars in cash, with the statement, "You'll needmoneyforthetrip.Youcanpaymebackwhenyoureturn."Another,aCatholicsisterstudyingthere,gavemehertreasuredCrosstotakealongtoaskSwamitoblessit.



Stillotherscamebyjusttogivetheirwell-wishesforasafejourneyandaskedtoberememberedtoBaba.

Itwas as if Swami's shakti [power] andprema [love]had suddenly crystallized inthisremoteplace.BusyasIwaswithpacking,Ichokedupatthisunfoldingsceneoflove. In no time, the packing was done, and all the other matters, related to myhouseandclassesandthepeoplehelpingmewiththetherapy,weretakencareof.

Withinlessthantwohoursofreceivingthetelegrammessage,Iwasonmyway,ona13,000-milejourneytoSwami.Anewnon-stopservicefromLosAngelestoLondonand London to Bombay that was leaving within an hour of the arrival of myconnectingflightinLosAngeleswouldgetmetoBombayinrecordtime!

Coming to that first small airport atMontereywithout reservations and learningthat thevarious flightswere all fullybookedposedno realproblemat all forme,since I knew thatDivine energywas fuelingmypresent journey. Somehowa seatalways appeared. Imade goodmy promise tomyself that day to take no food ordrinkfor24hours.SomewhereovertheNorthAtlantic,Iuntiedthefoodbasketthatmy friendhad fixed, and closingmy eyes offered a shiny, juicy apple to the Lord.Thenopeningmyeyes,Ilookedaroundthedarkenedaircraft.IrememberthesenseofaweIfeltatfindingmyselfinthesesurroundingsasIbroketheYomKippurfast.Asweetsleepfollowed,highupat40,000feet.SoonenoughwewereinLondonand12hourslateratBombay.

Ihadnovisa;butthecustomsofficialdecidedthatlastyear'svisawoulddo.Ididn'targue!Collectingmyluggage,IranfortheIndianAirlinesflightthatwastotakeoffforBangalorein30minutes.Ofcourse,itwasfull;butaswiththeotherflights,spacebecame available. Anyway, I landed at Bangalore. It happened that the ChiefMinister of Karnataka was on the plane. A driver who was a Sai devotee haddelivered someone to the Bangalore Airport. Hearing that his Chief Minister wasaboard,andcurioustoseehim,hehungaroundtheairportuntilmyflight landed.Comingoutoftheterminal,IconnectedwiththedriverjustashewasabouttodriveofftotheWestEndHotel,wherehewasstationed."SaiRam.HowabouttakingmetoPrasanthiNilayam?"Iaskedhim.

"Yes,”hesaid,"butBabaissupposedtobecomingbacktoBangaloretomorrow,”hereplied.Letusgo,anyway,”Itoldhim."O.K.WecanstopatmyplaceonthewayandI'll tellmywifeIwon’tbehomethisevening.""Good,”Isaid.I feltatpeaceinside;thejourneywascomingtoanend.

Threehourslater,wewereatthedarshanlineandmyheartrejoicedasIagainsawthe Lord. He greetedme,with, "Achha [ok]!When did you arrive?” I knew Iwashome.

Thatisreallytheendofthestory.BabastayedforaweekmoreinPuttaparthiandthencametoWhitefield,Bangalore.Atthetimeofthiswriting,thedailydarshanhas



beencontinuing for threeweeksandahalf,andmyheart is filling up as I sithappily at His feetbasking in His grace. Canyounow seewhy I said IfeelalittlelikeIdiedandwasreborn?

Swami has given mepermissiontoteachattheCollege in Brindavan. Itlooks like the Sabbaticalhas started after all,although under totallyunexpectedcircumstances! Even if He tells me to leave tomorrow there is never really anyreturntothepreviouslife.

EverytimeonecomesanewtoBaba,one'slifestartsanew.ClearlytheillnesswasapurificationthatHesent.Babatoldmeduringtheinterviewthatthebodywasnowhealed."Iamalwayswithyou.Ineverforgetyouforamoment.Iaminyourheart;andyouareinmine,”Hesaid.WhenourbelovedSaisaysthattouswhatelseistheretodobuttofallattheFeetingratitude?WhatawonderfulgoodfortuneweallenjoytobealiveinthistimeinthepresenceandknowledgeoftheYugaAvatar,ourdearSwami.HesaysHenever forgetsuseven foramoment, ifonlywewould followHis leadand never forget Him even for a moment. Truly, what other sadhana (spiritualpractice) is there for us, but to steadily and constantly love Him, love Him, loveHim?

~AlvineDruckerSource:SanathanaSarathi,Jan.1979

TheGardenofmyHeart

I’velaidoutagardeninmyheartRemovingallnettles,rocksandbushesSuchasanger,desireandprideupstartTogrowtherarestflowersfreshfromblemishes.Iwatertheplantswithmypellucidtears;



Itendthesacredplantswithutmostcare.TheyproduceblossomsthatlastforyearsAstheyareoftheheavenlybeautyrare.TheyarepluckedforthespecialworshipofBaba;TheyareofvariouskindsandcolorslovedofBaba;Theyarethewhitesweet-smelling‘ahimsa’,Thepalesoft-perfumed‘Indriya-nigraha’.‘Sarvabhuthadaya’isanothervariety;‘Kshama’istheredandgloriousvariety.‘Shanti’istheflower,yellowincolor;‘Tapah’istheflower,violetincolor.‘Dhyana’istheflower,orangeinhue;‘Satyam’istheflower,greeninhue;AlltheseeightvarietiesneverfadeAstheyareofimmortalitymade! K.Vaidyanathan

Source:SanathanaSarathi,Dec.1959

UnderstandingtheSathyaSaiPhenomenonDatoJagadeesanwastheDirectorofIndustrialPromotionfortheMalaysianIndustrialDevelopmentAuthorityinKualaLumpur.Heauthoredthebooks,‘JourneytoGod:TheMalaysianExperiencewithSaiBaba','JourneytoGodII:SaiBabaandtheWorld,’'UnityofFaithsandTheMission',and'TheMessage:SomeOftenAskedQuestionsAboutBhagavanBaba.’HehasalsoservedasPresidentofSathyaSaiCentralCouncil

forMalaysia.Jagadeesan,anagnosticuntiltheageof32,askedthequestion,‘DidGodcreatemanor man created God?’ I thought I was an atheist at heart until Bhagavan BabaHimself calledme an agnostic. As a graduate at 21, I travelled around theworldseveral times inmy official capacity in government service, successful, withwife,children,house,andacar⎯whoneededGod?Babacameintomylifeattheageof32,onlytobefacedwithananti-SaitiradethatIlaunchedon all devoteeswho camewithin the radii ofmy relationship. ItwasonJune8,1976inKualaLumpurthatLordSaiappeared.IaskedHimmentally,“Ifyouaretrulywhatyouare,showmeasign!”Thesuddenmaterializationofthevibhuti[holy ash] on His picture, the stunning revelation, the realization that "Oh God!Thereistrulyapowerbeyondscienceandthispowercanreachintomyworldeven



in a physical form," that was the moment of my transformation, that began myjourneytoGod.Subsequently,my life changedandmy travelsaround theworldbothonbehalfofthegovernmentandonbehalfoftheSaiEducationinHumanValues[EHV]programhave made me come in contact with a great number of beautiful people, Saidevotees,sometimesinverystrangeplaces.ThoughmanydevoteesknowoftheSaigroups and centers in the USA, South America, Europe, Japan, Australia, and Fiji,very few maybe are aware that Sai devotional groups exist in East Berlin (evenbefore the fall of theBerlinwall), Seoul in SouthKorea, andBeijing inChina.Theworldthatforeverhasbeenandwillbethemansionofthecosmicdivineprincipleisrapidlybecomingthemansionforthe"manifestedDivineprinciple."Whataboutthisomnipresent,Divinityprinciple?Well!BhagavanisintroducingHis"callingcards"everywhere.Inmytravelsaroundtheworld,Ihaveseenformyselfand shared miraculous experiences with others regarding His omnipresence.Manifestationofholyash,amrit (divinenectar) fromstatuesandphotographsarehappening not only in India,Malaysia, Fiji, the USA, Europe, and Africa, butmostrecentlyIwasthrilledtoseeaphotographofvibhutimanifestationsinthehomeofaJapanesedevoteeinJapan.Thepicturewascoveredwithholyashandtherewasahugevibhuti'OM'(inSanskrit)andwhatappearedlikegoldflakesoverHispalm.Wecan but only stand in awewhenwe see themiracles that take place in homes ofdevoteesthousandsofmilesaway,indifferentcontinents,withindifferentculturalheritages,withonlybutoneuniversalbond, thebondof love.Thisperhaps is thegreatestdivinityprinciplethatBabadisplays.But other than themanifestationsofashandamrit, what about thewaterthatflowedfortwodays from the knees of afigureofChristonacrossin the home of a Saidevotee in Fiji, whatabout the strange Indianman in orange robe andafrohair-dowhogot intoa cab of a Chinese taxidriver in Malaysia, whoonlyaweeklaterrealizedit was Baba; what abouttheshowerofbangles,thematerialization of dates,pendants, small statuesand the like that appearonaltarsofdevotees inMalaysiaandaroundtheworld;whatabouttheladyinanAfricanvillagewhowascomfortedbyastrange,beardedman,onlytorecognizeHimaweeklaterasShirdiSaiBaba(as



was the case of one of the first Chinese devotees in Malaysia); what about themiraculouscures thatoccurnotevenbyconsumingvibhuti butby just callingoutBaba's name from the depth of one's heart aswas the case of an African lady inZimbabwewhowenttohospitaltoundergoheartsurgery,whoonthewaycalledtoBaba tomanifest His love andwas sent back home the same day by the hospitalsaying “there appears to be nothing wrong now." Greater than all these physicalmanifestations,thecures,thephysicalmanifestationsofSaiHimself,greaterthanallthesemiraclesisthemiracleofthetransformationofman.Agnostics,drunkards,drugaddicts,gamblers,businessman,andpoliticians,whohadmademoneyandpower theirGodhavenow turned to theGodof spiritualityandhave started the process of transformation, of self-improvement, to makethemselvesuseful to themselves, their families, and society.One cannot guess thenumber of tearful wives and mothers raising their hands in thankful prayer toBhagavan Baba for the transformation that He haswrought in their husbands orchildren.But over and above all the manifestations and miracles, over and above all thistransformation of man, is there any other proof of the Divinity principle thatBhagavanBabamanifests?Where is God? What is God? For every individual, according to his religion andcultural background, the word God creates conditioned reflexes, reciprocatingingrainedmentalimages.ForaHindu,thewordGodconjuresinthemind’seyethebeautifulformofKrishnaorRama,thepowerfulfaceofShiva,orthegentleaspectofthe ‘divinemother.'FortheChristian,GodwouldconjurethepictureofChrist, theGoodShepherd,orChristonthecross;fortheBuddhist,though"God"maynotbeinthecontextoftheirworship,theclosestimagewouldbethemeditatingBuddha;forMuslimsitwouldbetheformlessAllah....andsoitgoeson.ThoughnospiritualorreligioustextintheworlddescribesGodbyHisphysicalfeatures,alldodescribethecharacteristicsofGod, i.e.He isOmnipresent,Omniscient,Hecancreate,preserve,dissolve,Hecangrantboons,Hecancureandsave,Heislove,glory,andbeauty;thisallreligionswillagree.There isyetanotherwaythat thedivinityprinciplecanbeexamined. If tomorrowthe skywas to open up and from the heavens above a divine voice thundered tomankind,whatwouldthevoicesay?Surelywordstothefollowingeffect:1)BeliefinGod:TrulybelievethatHeexistsandisabletolistenandrespondifthecallisfromthegenuineloveofdevotees.2) Follow your religion but do not be a hypocrite: study and understand theteachings of your religion andput these into practice in daily life, notmerely therituals and prayers. Every thought, word, and deed in daily life is the truemanifestationofyourreligion.



3) Respect all religions: All religions have been motivated by the one divineprinciple.No religion urges negative behavior in life; all religions exhort man to see well,speakgood;think,act,andheargood.Allreligionstrytomovemanfromthestateofanimalbehavior,throughhumantoDivine.4)Performselflessservicetothesick,thepoor,andneedy.Asyouwouldvisityourownsickbloodbrotherinthehospitaltogivehimcomfort,spendsometimeservingyourotherbrothersasall arechildrenofGod.This serviceshouldnot seek fruits,recognition,nameorevengratitude;insteadserveandthankGodthatHegivesyoutheopportunityofstrength,love,andgracetoserve.5) Uphold in life and thus promote the five great human values of truth, rightconduct, peace, love, and non-violence. From these five values all other valuesemanate, and they enrich every part of the human personality, ultimatelytransformingallthosewhopursuethispathintodivineincarnations.TheabovesummarizesalsotheprincipalpillarsofBhagavanBaba’s teachings, thevoice of the invincible God, manifesting through the love of Sai. Bhagavan BabastartedHisgreatprogramofDharmasthapana[theestablishmentofrighteousness]at theageof14withbhajans [sacredhymns]andthechantingofGod'snameasafoundation.AsHismissiongrewHeintroducedseva[communityservice]andstudycircles for adults. Subsequently, to foster children He introduced the Bal Vikas(called Sai Spiritual Education in theWest) program for children of Sai devotees.Oncethathadtakenroot,Heurgedthetransplantingofthesedivineidealsfromthenursery of Sai centers into the field of society and thus started the Sathya SaiEducation inHumanValuesprogram.Finally,onHis60thBirthday,Babaunveiled10principlesthatheenjoinedalltoupholdandwiththisHecalledfor“IntegrationoftheWorldCommunity,"throughrespectforlaws,culturalpractices,andunityofreligions,urgingalltopracticetheirrespectivereligionsandtobuildbridgesoflovebetweenreligions.ThushasbeentheSaiphenomenon.TheworldisindeedHismansion,everycountrya room, every yearning heart a light, as the world watches in awe, respect, andreverence.He ismovingatHisownpace,according toHisownplan.Wecanonlypraythatallofusaregivenaroleinthisdivinedrama.

Source:SaiVandana1990(65thBirthdayOffering)

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BabaExplainstheIndriyasBhakta:Namaste[greetings],Swami.Swami:Shubhamastu[lettherebeauspiciousness].

Bhakta:WithYourgrace,everythingisshubham[auspicious];withoutit,everythingisashubham[inauspicious].Swami:Good,buthaveyourealizedhowboththesearebasedongrace?Inone,bothsubsist;bothareconferredbytheself-samegrace.Well,letthattopicstandby.Lasttimeyougotafolkpoemtodigestanditmusthaveaffectedyourthoughtsdeeply.Now,inwhatstageofequanimityisyourbrain?Bhakta:Ah!Everythingappearslikeapuppetshownow,Swami.Butonlyoffandon.Themindforgetsandgetscaughtbythefascinationoftheobjects.Whatmysteryisthis,Swami?Swami:Well,themindisassociatedwithallkindsofactivitiesorvrittis.Italwaysfollowsthetrailofthevasanas,ortrailsofimpulsesandinstincts.Thisisitsverynature.Bhakta:Thatisasmuchastosaywecannotsetitright.Thenwhatisthehope?Ultimately,Swami,dowehavetogetimmersedinvasanasandbecomedegraded?Swami:Thereishope,myboy!Noneedtogetimmersedandlost.Thoughitisitsnature,itcanbechanged.Charcoalbyitsnatureblackensallthatitgetsmixedwith.Butyoushouldnottakethatasfinal.Whenfireentersit,thecharcoalbecomesred.So,too,thoughthemindisalwayswanderingintheillusionofdarkness,whenthroughtheLord’sgracethefireofjnana[knowledge]entersit,itsnaturechangestothesatwic[pure]naturepertainingtothedivinecomesintoit.Bhakta:Swami,theyspeakofsomethingcalledantah-karana;whatisit?Swami:Themindisreferredtoitlikethat.Karanameansindriya.Antah-karanameansinternalindriyas.Bhakta:So,aretheretwotypesofindriyas:internalindriyasandexternalindriyas?Swami:Yes,ofcourse.Theexternalindriyasarecalledkarmendriyas;theinternalindriyasarenamedjnanendriyas.



Bhakta:Swami,pleasetellmewhicharethekarmendriyasandwhichthejnanendriyas.Swami:Well,allbodilyactsaredonebykarmendriyas;theyarefiveinnumber.Thosethatimpartjnanafrominsidearenamedjnanendriyas.Theseare:hearing,touch,sight,taste,andsmell.Boththesetogetherarecalleddasendriyas(thetenorgans.)Bhakta:So,whatistheworkthatboththesedotogether?Whatistheconnectionbetweentheirfunctionandthemanasormind?Swami:Well,really,whateverworktheydo,theycan’tachieveanythingwithoutthemediationofmanas.Thekarmendriyasperformactsintheworldandreceiveknowledge,andthejnanendriyasdiscriminatebetweenthegoodandthebadandofferthemtotheatmathroughthemanas.Ifthereisnomindatall,howcanthesetransmit?Whenwehavetoreachtheothershoreofafloodedriver,werelyonthemediumofaboatoraraft.Whenthekarmendriyasandthejnanendriyasthatareconnectedwithprakriti[nature]desiretoattaintheatma,theyhavetoacceptthehelpoftheboat⎯manas.Otherwise,theycannotattain.Bhakta:Ifso,wheredotheseotherthingsyouspokeabout,buddhi[intelligence],chittam[will],andahamkaram[ego]reside?Swami:They,too,areinthisonly.Thejnanendriyasandkarmendriyasaretogethercalleddasendriyas[tensenses].Thesefouraredistinguishedandreferredtoasantahchatushtayaortheinternalfourindriyas.Thesefouraremanas,buddhi,chittam,andahamkaram.Bhakta:Verynice.Thatistosay,allareinthesamething.Lifeisindeedfunny.ButSwami,whatisthefunctionofthesefour?Swami:Manasgraspstheobject;buddhiexaminesargumentsforandagainst;chittamunderstandstheobject;ahamkaramchangesthedecisionfororagainstandbyattachmentslackenstheholdofjnana.Thesearethethingstheydo.Bhakta:Excuseme,Swami,Iamaskingonlytoknow;wheredotheseexistinthebody?Swami:Iamglad;don’tworry.Manasisinthecupola[head],buddhiinthetongue,chittaminthenavel,andahamkaramintheheart.Bhakta:Excellent.So,buddhiandahamkaramareinthemostimportantplaces!Thesearethechiefcausesofalltheworld’smiseries.Then,ifweexamineitwithreferencetoYourwords,itlooksasiftherewillbenomiserywhenthesetwoplacesaremadepure!



Swami:Youhaveindeedlistenedtomeattentively.Yes,thatisright.First,ifwordsareusedinacleanandpuremanner,thatisproofofbuddhitreadingtherightpath.Whenahamkaramissuppressedandconquered,thatisproofoftheheartbeingpure.Therefore,beverycarefulwithregardtothesetwo.Then,evenyourmanasandchittamwillcometohavegoodvrittis.Thenonlywillyoubefreefrompainandmisery.Bhakta:So,amongallthese,whoisthe‘I’?Whoistheexperiencerofallthis?Swami:Wehavearrivedattherightpoint.‘You’arenoneamongallthese!Alltheseexistonlysolongasthefeeling⎯‘thisbodyismine’⎯exists.Theyareallassociatedwithsomeactivitiesorvrittis.Theatmathatobservesallthesevrittis,thatis‘you’.Thejoyandsorrow,thelossandmisery,thegoodandbadoftheseactivitiesareallrelatedtothebodyonly,andsotheyarenotyours;theywillnotbeyours.Youaretheatma.Untilthistruthisrealized,yousleepthesleepof‘I’and‘mine’.Inthatsleep,dreamsappearofloss,misery,sorrow,andjoy.Thedreamspersistonlyuntilyouareawake,andafteryouwakeupthefearyouhadwhiledreamingthesorrowyouexperiencedalldisappearandarenolongertrue.Similarly,whendelusionisthrownoffandyou‘awaken’injnana,youwillunderstandthatallthisisnot‘you’;thatyouaretheatma.Bhakta:ThenSwami,forwhosesakedothese⎯themanas,buddhi,chittam,andahamkaram⎯doallthiswork?Swami:Fornoone’ssake!Theyareengagedintheirownwork!Theatmaobserveseverything,anditsshadowthejivathatisdeludedbytheassociationofthebody-consciousnessplaysthisdramathroughalltheseacts.

Source:SandehaNivarini

SankalpaThemindwills,yearns,promptsand insistsoneffortandaction. This process is named sankalpa. These are likeshasanas (commands). Everyone has to be aware of thevariety and validity of the actions induced by thesepromptings.Themind ishost to fiftymillion such!Of thethoughts that appear and vanish, the clouds that pass

silently,manystayandstirthemindintoactivity.Thesearereferredtoassankalpas.Until these are well understood against their vast background, man cannot livehappilyandinpeace.Goodsankalpascanelicitthebestoutofmanandhelphimtouseallstrengthforhisuplift.Manhastorecognizebadsankalpasorurgesassoonas



they arise and render them ineffective by the systematic cultivation of beneficialsankalpas. These alone can save a person from disaster and keep him close toprashanthi(supremecalm).The face ismolded by themind. Every single sankalpa (or thought accepted andactedupon)isastreakorlinewhichaffectsitsshape.Wecanpictureitasthenoticeboard, which announces to all concerned, the activities inside the institute. Thesankalpacannotbehiddenorkeptundercover...A sankalpa affects the consciousness more subtly than an electric charge. Itmanifestsasaneed,amotivewithanameandform.Itcolorsthethoughtstreaminadistinctway.Itisnoscribbleonablankmind;itcausesclustersofreactionintheblankless mind. Its potency depends on time and circumstance. Sankalpas breedfurthersankalpas;theyplaytheirrole,unaidedthroughtheirownlatentforce.Therefore,assoonasapassingthoughtsproutsinthemindasanurgeordesire,onehastoexamineitwithcaretodiscoverwhetheritwouldtarnishorpromoteone’sreputation,hinderorhelpone’sprogress,weakenorstrengthenone’scharacter.Ifitisoftheformercategory,castitaway,asafoulstinkingobject!Andsaveyourselfbysaturatingthemindwithgoodintentions.Themindtravelsquickerthansound,farquickerthanevenlight.Justasoneholdsundergreatestcontrolacar thatmovesataspeed faster thantherest,onehas toexercise great control andmastery over themind. Obey themind’s vagaries; youbecomeabeast.Letdiscriminationcontrolthevagaries;youbecomeacandidateforDivinity.Everyurgemustundergotest,mustbeclearedbyajudge,namelyBuddhi.Does it prompt one to ridicule or defame another? Then, dismiss it as unworthy.Goodintentionsproutsasaction;actionfructifiesintosadhana(spiritualdiscipline),fromsadhanaemergessheela (virtuouscharacter) thatdrawsdowntheshowerofGrace.Intentionscanallbebeneficialwhenthepersonpersistsingoodcompany.Ofcourse,onecannotgainthemfromwithout;theyhavetogrowfromwithin,fromtheheart, freedfromtheweedsofprideandgreed.Goodcompanyhelpstopurifytheheart.

Source:SathyaSaiSpeaks,Vol.XIX

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