Greetings & Congratulations 03 (Jan 12 - Dec 25)

[winston]

Happy Deepavali & Happy Holidays!

As we begin the celebration of the festival of lights (Deepavali), what should be foremost in our minds and hearts?

The human being is a composite of man and beast and Divine, and in the inevitable struggle among the three for ascendency, you must ensure that the Divine wins, suppressing the merely human and the lowly beast.

This festival of Deepavali is to express gratitude for the defeat of the Naraka (demonic) tendencies in man, which drag him down from Divinity.

Naraka is the name for hell and the Asura whose death at the hands of Krishna is celebrated today is called Narakasura, the personification of all the traits of character that obstruct the upward impulses of man.

He is said to be the son of Bhumi (the Earth) and he is also called Bhauma. This is very appropriate, for the earth and all attachments for things earthly, lead us down into the regions of pain and grief.

Earthly domain and earthly riches are powerless before spiritual domain over the senses, and the spiritual riches of self-knowledge and self-confidence!

- Divine Discourse, Oct 24, 1965.

If the mind, without relying on the eternal and ever-pure Atma (Inner-Self), follows the demands of the body and the senses, the actions will be demonic.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How should we observe the festival of Deepavali?

Do not get elated at the riches, status, authority, intelligence, etc., which you may have.

Consider that they have been given to you on trust, so that you may benefit others. They are all signs of His grace, opportunities for service and symbols of responsibility.

Never seek to exult over others' faults; deal empathetically with the errors and mistakes of others.

Seek the good in others; hear only good tidings about them; do not give ear to scandal.

On this Deepavali Day, resolve to light the lamp of Namasmarana (constant remembrance of the Divine) and place it at your doorstep, the lips.

Feed it with the oil of devotion, and have steadiness as the wick. Let the lamp illumine every minute of your life.

The splendour of the Name will drive away darkness from outside you as well as from inside you. You will spread joy and peace among all who come near you!

- Divine Discourse, Oct 24, 1965.

You can light a million lamps from one; yet, the first will not suffer a jot! Love too is like this. Share it with a million, it will still be as bright as when it was alone.

Source: radiosai.org

[behappyalways]

Indian city of Ayodhya breaks own Guinness record with nearly 1.5 million oil lamps lit for Diwali
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=It5lYmxNvtY

[winston]

Happy Karthika Pournima!

On the auspicious Karthika Pournima, which is also the birthday of Guru Nanak, let's look at the Sadhana (Spiritual Practice) by Guru Nanak.

The best form of devotional singing is congregational singing. There is a big difference between Kirtanam and Sankirtanam.

Kirtanam is an individual affair. It is singing by an individual for the fulfilment of his prayers. Sankirtanam aims at the well-being of the whole universe. This is also described as Samajika bhajan (community singing). 'This method of singing bhajans was first initiated by Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.

Sankirtana aims at demonstrating unity in diversity. When all the participants combine to sing in unison with one voice, it is described as Sankirtana.

The essential purpose of Sankirtana is to earn the love of the Divine. Combining one's voice, tune, feeling and rhythm, to the appropriate beat of the song, the devotee should immerse himself in the singing.

Harmonising the feeling with devotion and Love, the sacred words of the song should be an outpouring of love towards the Divine. That alone is devotional singing.

- Divine Discourse Mar 03, 1992.

Remembering the Divine’s Name is the panacea for all troubles and travails.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

As we prepare to observe and celebrate Christmas, what is the best way to honour Christ?

Jesus sacrificed his life and poured out his blood to instil love and compassion in the heart of man, so that he may be happy when others are happy and sad when others are sad.

It is not by festivity and fun that you should celebrate Christmas. Celebrate it, rather, by resolving and putting into practice at least one of the ideals He enunciated or endeavouring to reach at least one of the goals that He placed before man.

Let Me call upon you to give up, in memory of this holy day, two evils from your mind: self-praise and talking scandal.

Adopt one habit: the habit of loving service to the distressed. If you spend all your time and energy in worldly comfort and sensual delight, you are disgracing this human existence.

Life is not to be spent just eating; eating is only a necessity for living. You consider this habitation of yours as your body; no, it is the temple of the Divine. He resides therein. Keep it clean, fresh and fragrant by developing compassion and love.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 25, 1976.

When you become all-embracing infinite Love, the Divine will manifest in and through you.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Merry X'mas!

On the occasion of Christmas, the advent of Jesus Christ, what should we pay attention to?

The cloud of ignorance veils the truth. The Divine sends sages, saints and prophets, to unveil the Truth and Himself appears as an Avatar (divine incarnation) to awaken and liberate man.

Two thousand years ago, when narrow pride and thick ignorance defiled mankind, Jesus came as the embodiment of Love and compassion and lived among men, holding forth the highest ideals of life.

You must pay attention to the lessons he elaborated on in the various stages of his life.

'I am the Messenger of God,' he declared, first. Yes. Each individual has to accept that role and live as examples of divine love and charity.

This day, Christmas is celebrated. Bring to mind the words he uttered, the advice he offered, the warning he gave, and decide to direct your daily lives along the path he laid down.

His words must be imprinted on your hearts and you must resolve to practise all that he taught.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 24, 1980.

"God is in everyone. Do not revile anyone. Do not cause harm to anyone." - This was Jesus' greatest message.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

As we move closer to a new year with many aspirations and hopes, what is it that we must keep in mind to be victorious in our pursuits?

Everyone in the world desires victory; no one desires defeat. All crave wealth; no one craves poverty. But, how can victory or wealth be acquired?

This has to be thought about and discovered. And we need not search long for the solution.

According to the Scriptures, “Where there are both the Divine and the Wielder, there, victory is assured and wealth is won.” Why do we need more than this as advice?

There is no need to undergo the three-fold struggle — physical, mental, and intellectual — to achieve victory. Nor need one get perturbed or anxious.

There is no need to pine for wealth and prosperity.

Take refuge in the Divine and wield the bow of courage, that is, hold your heart pure. That is enough.

Victory and wealth are yours. But, whenever you pursue victory and wealth, remind yourself that they are shadows, not substantial things.

- Vidya Vahini, Ch 9.

Have no desires to place before the Divine, for, whatever He does with you, however He treats you, is the gift He likes best to give you!

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

As we begin counting down this year and plan for starting the next, what thoughts should be predominant in our minds?

How much bliss will you derive from devoting five minutes out of the twenty-four hours of a day to worshipping the Divine?

Prema and Seva (love and selfless service) are like a bird's two wings for a man. He can soar to any height with those two wings.

To cultivate these two qualities one has to achieve the triple purity in thought, word and deed. In addition, one has to reduce one's desires.

Today, enormous money is wasted on useless luxuries while people grudge expenditure on incense and joss sticks. What folly is this!

Years come and go. What avails the passage of years if there is no change in the minds of men?

Time is precious. It should be used in the service of the Divine.

All actions should be dedicated to the Divine. Only through renunciation can man realise the Divine.

Today, people have forgotten the meaning of sacrifice. Sacrifice is Yoga. Enjoyment is roga (disease).

Make your heart blossom every moment. That is the way to greet the new year. Realise your oneness with the Divine.

- Divine Discourse, Apr 13, 1996.

Time is Divine! Hence, we must respect Time and spend it in useful pursuits.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Happy 2023!

As we step into the New Year, what should we continue to do, or do differently?

Today, New Year has begun. With sacred feelings and divine thoughts, cultivate the spirit of love in you.

The Divine is not found separately in temples or in Ashrams. Truth is Divine. Love is Divine. Dharma is Divine.

When you worship Him by following these principles, He will manifest Himself then and there. There is no doubt about this.

Love Him wholeheartedly. Pray to the Divine and make friends with Him. You can achieve anything if you have Him as your friend.

Learn today to fill your heart with love and adorn your hand with the ornament of sacrifice.

Sacrifice is the jewel for the hands. Truth is the necklace one should wear. You must develop the habit of adorning these jewels in the New Year.

In this New Year, develop divine love and foster peace in the country. Pray with broad feelings: May the whole world be happy!

Start the New Year with this prayer. Then, you will lead a blissful and peaceful life full of enthusiasm.

- Divine Discourse, Mar 18, 1999.

A nation's prosperity is dependent on how people make use of their time in the performance of good actions.

Source: radiosai.org

[investar]

Happy and Healthy 2023!