Life 47 (May 24 - Jan 25)

[winston]

What is the role of Avatars and how can we make the best use of the opportunity of learning about Avatars?

If you wish to lead an ideal human life, you have to follow the example of the Avatars (Divine advents).

Avatars can come in human form. But you should not be misled by this phenomenon.

Avatars may appear in human form but you should not equate yourself with them. In physical form, both may appear alike. But there is a fundamental difference.

You should not mistake the cotton fruit for the mango. The Divine comes in human form because man has strayed away from the path of righteousness. To reform man and bring him back to Dharma, He has to take the human form.

Birds, beasts and insects lead lives according to their specific nature. They do not need Avatars.

Today, only man has given up all righteousness, forgotten his divine essence and degraded his humanness.

To reform man in this state, He has to come in human form. The Avatar has to protect the good, reform the erring and punish the wicked.

- Divine Discourse, May 20, 1996.

The concept of Avatar implies faith in Him and in the divinity inherent in man.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the message that the Avatar has come to give us and what is the best way to share it with all?

Your aim should be to see the self-same Divine in all the Forms that are worshipped, to picture Him in all the Names, nay, to be conscious of His presence as the inner motivator of every living being, in every particle of matter.

Do not fall into the error of considering some to be men worthy of reverence and some unworthy.

The Divine is in everyone; so, all deserve your reverence and service. Propagate this truth; that is the function he assigns to his devotees.

You can observe Him and His activities; note how he adhere to righteousness, moral order, truth and universal compassion. That is what he desire you to learn from Him.

His life is His message. You will be adhering to His message if you so live that your lives are evidence of the dispassionate quiet, the courage, the confidence, and the eagerness to serve those who are in distress, that His life inspires you with.

- Divine Discourse, May 17, 1968

His Life is His Message and His Message is Love.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Which is the best Name and Form of the Divine to contemplate on?

Man's duty is to sanctify his days and nights with the unbroken smarana (recollection) of the Name.

Recollect with joy, with yearning. If you do so, He is bound to appear before you in the form and with the name you have allotted Him, as most beautiful and most appropriate!

The Divine is all Names and all forms, the integration of all these in harmonious charm! The Divine designated in different faiths, adored by different human communities, are all limbs of the One Divine that really is.

Just as the body is the harmonious blending of the senses and the limbs, He is the harmony of all the forms and names that man gives Him!

Only those who are ignorant of the Glory of Him, will insist on one Name and one Form for His adoration and what is worse, condemn the use by others of other names and forms!

Do not go about proclaiming that you are a sect distinct and separate from those who adore Him in other forms and names. Thereby, you are limiting the very Divine whom you are extolling.

- Divine Discourse, May 17, 1968

Men may be different in form, name and colour and their country and historical circumstances may vary. But He has no such differences.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why is the singing "the Name and Glory of The Divine", the best Sadhana (spiritual practice)

The present Age, often condemned as Kali Yuga (the Age of Darkness), is in fact, the age in which one can attain liberation most easily.

This is revealed in every scriptural text. The reason, according to them is that, one can be liberated now, by the sadhana of Nama Sankirtana - singing the glory of the Divine and listening to the Name being sung.

Among the nine steps of devotion, shravanam (listening to the Name being sung) and kirtanam (singing the Name) are mentioned as the best.

Kirtanam is singing the Names which denote the glory of the Divine and Sankirtanam means "singing the Names continuously, aloud, without interruption, and without hesitation."

Whereas Kirtana can be by one individual and can promote one's own spiritual progress, Sankirtanam is by a group of people. It can help the process of liberation not only for the members of the group, but it will also be beneficial to those who listen, and even to those beyond the circle of listeners; the whole world can benefit by the vibrations.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 26, 1982

Realise that there is nothing greater than bhajan.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How can we become true messengers and leaders?

How can a person who cannot himself swim, teach others the art? How can one whose granary is empty pour out in charity?

Acquire the wealth of devotion, fortitude and peace before venturing to advise others how to acquire them.

Bharat (India) has suffered slights and disregard as a result of a spate of teachers who have not cared to practise what they teach.

You have the enthusiasm to carry the message among the people. The best and the only successful way in which you can do it is to translate the message into your own lives. Your thoughts, words and deeds must be saturated with the message. Then, they will spread effortlessly and efficiently, and the face of the world will be transformed.

You are officers. How can you lead soldiers into the fray when you are not aware of the intricacies of warfare, when you are yourselves inefficient instruments?

You can attempt to lead others only after practising the disciplines to perfection. This is true of all fields of human activity.

Ananda (bliss) and Prashanti (supreme peace) have to be acquired first by you and then can be communicated to others.

- Divine Discourse, May 17, 1968

You can declare that your life is the message, only when you take to the path of truth and righteousness, install peace and love in your heart and uphold nonviolence.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Is chanting and singing the names of the Divine sufficient to earn His grace?

Merely chanting mantras or repeating His Name is of no use. We must engage ourselves in His work, as I have told you a number of times.

- Summer Showers, May 21, 1991.

Both, the chanting of His name and rendering of service should be done with a love-filled heart.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why should we have courage and be focused on achieving our real goal in this life?

Do not, like some mental patients, be always worrying about some little ailment or another. Have courage, that is the best tonic.

Do not give up before you have to. It is not long life that counts; if you live on and on, a time may come when you have to pray to the Divine to take you away, to release you from travail.
You may even start blaming Him for ignoring you and blessing other luckier people with death!

By all means, be concerned about success or failure in achieving the real purpose of life. Then you will get as many years as are needed to fulfill that desire.

Yearn, yearn, yearn hard, and success is yours. Remember, you are all certain to win; that is why you have been called and have responded to the call to come.

What other task have the Divine has than the showering of Grace? Treat Him not as one afar but as very close to you.

Insist, demand, claim Grace from Him; do not praise, extol, and cringe.

Bring your hearts to Him and win His Heart. Not one of you is a stranger to Him. Bring your promises to Him and He shall give you His Promise. But first see that your promise is genuine and sincere; see that your heart is pure; that is enough.

- Divine Discourse, Oct 10, 1961

The Divine is ever beside man, within him as Conscience, without him as Companion and Guide.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Which is the one all-conquering weapon that each of us has in our possession?

The power of Love is infinite. It can conquer anything.

Once while Lord Buddha was journeying, he was confronted by a demoness, who threatened to kill him.

Smilingly, Buddha said: "You are not a demon; you are a deity! I love you even if you behave like a demon." Hearing these loving words, the demoness turned into a dove and flew away.

Love can change the heart of even an inveterate enemy. It is this kind of Universal love that should be cultivated by everyone.

There are people professing different faiths in the world - Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Zoroastrians, etc. There should be no difference or distrust among them, for all of them uphold Truth and Dharma.

It was to promote unity among people of different faiths that Guru Nanak started community bhajans which generate vibrations of harmony and peace.

Today, the world is bedevilled by conflict and violence. Peace and prosperity can emerge only when people turn to the path of love and morality, and lead purposeful lives.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 25, 1986

Just as the son is the rightful heir to the father’s property, man has equal claim to His property of love, truth, forbearance, peace and empathy.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is necessary to make our Sadhana (Spiritual Practice) truly successful?

It is only when we look upon the universe as permeated by Him, that we acquire the strength to fight the forces of evil.

Many persons who engage themselves in prayers and pilgrimages for years, wonder why they have not been able to realise Him.

It is unnecessary to go around the world searching for the Divine. He is in search of the genuine devotee.

The devotee who is conscious of the omnipresence of the Divine will find Him everywhere. He must have the firm conviction that there is no place where He is not present. That is the real mark of devotion.

Meditation and prayer have value as means of purifying oneself. But they do not lead to Divine-realisation.

Unwavering faith in Him grants inexpressible Bliss. One should not give way to doubts which undermine faith.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 25, 1986

We are unable to discern Divinity although it shines with the brilliance of a million Suns! We must open the eyes of faith and devotion - these are the eyes of wisdom, which see beyond physical eyes.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why should society honour women and hold them in high regard?

From ancient times, the feminine aspect of the Divine has been worshipped in various ways.

Scriptures declare that where women are honoured and esteemed, there Divinity is present with all its potency.

Unfortunately, today men consider it demeaning to honour women. This is utterly wrong and is a sign of ignorance.

Woman is the Goddess of Prosperity for the home. She is hailed as the virtuous spouse. She is called mistress of the house and better half.

People gloat over petty titles conferred on them. But women have been conferred the highest titles which are valid for all time.

A home without a woman is a jungle. Men should realise the high status of women and honour and respect them accordingly. They should not make women weep and shed tears.

A home where the woman sheds tears will be ruined. Men should give an honourable place for women and lead a respectable life.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 19, 1995.

It is entirely due to the presence of virtuous women that India remained safe and secure. Bharat owes its greatness and glory to its women.

Source: radiosai.org