Life 47 (May 24 - Jan 25)

[winston]

What is the balance in life we all must maintain?

Man walks with two legs: this world and the other.

If he is totally engrossed in this world, he is choosing to travel all his life with a handicap; hopping on one leg. That is fraught with trouble; he may fall any moment and break his shin. And he does!

Goodness in this world and Divinity for life after death - equal attention to both, and vigilance while taking a step, with either foot - these are essential for a happy journey through life!

- Divine Discourse, Jan 13, 1968.

When worldly knowledge and spiritual knowledge come together, human life is divinised.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is it to cultivate human values?

Mankind has a history of lakhs (100,000s) of years. But humanity is yet to realise the greatness of humanness.

After all these years, man is still unable to answer the question: "What are human values?" Men study books, listen to discourses, experience gains and losses, joys and sorrows, and so on but all these do not give them a firm hold on what is permanent in life. If they had acquitted this hold they would have realised that the world is one family.

The Scriptures taught the concept of one human family. They also declared that the Supreme Cosmic Principle has no limits. It is infinite.

Mankind also has no bounds or barriers. In fact, there are no barriers between humanity and every other species of living beings like birds, beasts and insects, and even trees. All of them belong to a single family of living beings.

In the Tree of Life, man appears in many forms - as animals, birds and insects. In all these forms he experiences his divine essence.

For every man there are four mothers. The first mother is Satyam (Truth). The second mother is Dharmam (Righteousness). The third is Prema (Love). The fourth is Shanti (peace).

Man must live in such a manner that he pleases all the four mothers.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 25, 1997.

Born as manava (human being), people should rise to the level of Madhava (Divine).

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What should we all aspire to conquer and why? What is the weapon at our disposal for this?

Once a disciple asked: "Master, in this world, who can be regarded as the greatest conqueror?"

The master replied: "Only the person who acquired mastery over his senses is the greatest conqueror - not those who may conquer kingdoms, scale the Himalayas or master all knowledge.

A Sage told his father, "You want to conquer the three worlds but you are failing to conquer your senses."

One who has not mastered his internal enemies like anger, hatred, etc., how can he hope to conquer his external enemies?

The inner enemies can be conquered only by one means - Love!

It is essential to make our life worthwhile by practising love, by subduing the six internal enemies (anger, envy etc.), and dedicating all our actions to Him.

The world is in turmoil. At this juncture, it is the duty of all devotees to realise the Fatherhood of the Divine and the brotherhood of man and counteract evil forces inflicting innumerable troubles on mankind.

Resorting to the potent weapon of love, try to serve humanity and eradicate the forces of violence and unrighteousness.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1986.

Enthrone in your heart the love of the Divine. Once that love is enshrined in you, the whole world will be yours.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What should we seek from the Divine and why does it make sense to ask for that alone?

When you are immersed in the ananda (bliss) of the Divine, you are the master of all the lesser anandas also.

When you dive in the sea, you must seek pearls; when you go to the Kalpavriksha (the wish-fulfilling tree), ask for the Highest Bliss.

Do not crave for the smaller when the vastest is available, for just a little more effort.

There is a natural craving in man to become one with the vast, the supreme, the limitless, for, in the cave of his heart, there resides the self-same Supreme.

It is like the young calf pining for the cow. Each calf knows its mother. You may have a thousand calves and a thousand cows. Let loose the calves and each will find its own mother.

So, too, you must know from where you get your native sustenance and support. They are available only with Him, from whom you came!

- Divine Discourse, Feb 20, 1966.

What you should seek from Him, who is Sat-Chit-Ananda (Bliss), is Sat-Chit-Ananda, and not trivial things relating to the world.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How should a true devotee shape one’s conduct?

Love for the Divine should not degenerate into fanaticism and hatred of other names and forms.

Nowadays, this type of cancer is affecting even eminent men. You must avoid it.

Believe that all who revere the Divine and walk in fear of sin are your brothers, your nearest kith and kin.

Their outer dress or language or skin colour, or even methods they adopt to express their reverence and fear are not important at all.

Sugar dolls are valued for the sugar, not the shapes they are given by the manufacturer. Their sweetness makes men purchase them; it doesn't matter whether they are elephants, dogs, cats, rats, jackals or lions. That is a matter of individual fancy.

Each is sweet, that is the essential thing.

The sweetness draws the manava (man) towards Madhava (God); pravritti (external deed) towards nivritti (inner path), ananda (happiness) towards Sat-Chit-Ananda (Bliss in the awareness of the Supreme Being).

When the appetite for these grows, all low desires and such hunger cease!

- Divine Discourse, Feb 20, 1966.

The heart of the devotee filled with the love of the Divine is tender and sweet.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the right attitude to have towards what we claim as our possessions and those we consider as our relations?

In human life, there are two attitudes to the objects with which one has to deal.

1) These are things for which one is only a temporary guardian by virtue of one's position in relation to them.

2) These are things which belong to one and which one can take along with him and use as one pleases.

The latter type of relationship is called marakam. The former type is called tarakam.

Men should cultivate the attitude of Tarakam, namely, that nothing belongs to them and that everything comes from the Divine. All are gifts of the Divine.

You must treat all possessions in that spirit. You must take good care of them as long as you have the responsibility for their proper use and maintenance. That is your duty.

As long as you live in the world, you have the responsibility to take care of your wife, children and possessions. But you must regard this as an obligation imposed by Him.

You must not get attached to them as your possessions. Most people in the world, however, are deeply attached to kinsfolk and properties.

How lasting are these possessions? You can never know when you may have to leave all of them behind. Hence, the proper attitude for men is to recognise one's duty towards others and consider everything as a gift from Him.

- Divine Discourse, Aug 25, 1997.

Be like a trustee, holding things on trust, on behalf of Him, for purposes which He likes and approves.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

As we endeavour to practice the Sadhana (Spiritual Practice) of remembering the Divine during our day, what should be our goal?

The one who leads a holy life experiences divine bliss. He is ever blissful. He enjoys real happiness. Hence, every man should realise the truth that he is a spark of the Divine.

This means that everyone should seek to experience Him as the indweller in the heart.

It was not enough to remember the Divine occasionally when one felt the need to remember him. This kind of remembrance is a matter of convenience and expediency.

What is required is Anusmarana, constant remembrance. Only that will relieve the devotee of his troubles and worries.

Anusmarana calls for remembrance at all times, in all situations.

- Divine Discourse, Aug 25, 1997.

Whatever the tangle in which people are caught, if they get immersed in His name, it will make them free.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the right approach to life that can take us swiftly towards the ultimate goal?

Practise the attitude of offering every act at the feet of the Divine, as a flower is offered in pooja. Make every breath an offering to Him. Do not be upset by calamities; take them as acts of grace.

If a man loses his hand in an accident, he must believe that it was the Divine's Grace that saved his life. When you know that nothing happens without His sankalpa (resolve), everything that happens has a value added to it.

You may be neglecting a creeper in your backyard but if a sage passes by and says it is a rare drug that can cure snake poison, you erect a fence around it and do not allow children to pluck its leaves even for fun!

When you know that the Divine is the cause, the source of all, you deal with everyone in a humble and reverent manner. That is the path which will lead you quickly to the Goal.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 20, 1966.

Whatever work you do, consider it as His work. Whomever you see, respect them as the embodiment of the Divine.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What are the truly worthy things we can pray for?

When people pray to the Divine, they should not seek any favours. You should not even pray for the curing of any illness because the world is full of disease.

You must feel that what is ailing numerous others is also ailing you. The world is full of wealth, houses and many other things.

You must seek from Him what is not readily available in the world. You do not have peace. You must pray for peace. Only the divine has peace. The Divine has been described as the very embodiment of peace. Nobody else except Him can give you real peace.

The second thing for which you must pray is Sukham (happiness). Real happiness cannot be had from others. They may give momentary worldly pleasure. But only He has enduring happiness and permanent bliss. You must pray for that bliss. He alone can give it. He is the Lord of Bliss.

You must pray to Him for enduring peace and bliss and not for any earthly gifts.

- Divine Discourse, Aug 25, 1997.

Whatever the trouble, however great the travail, persist and win by means of remembering the name (namasmarana).

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why should we lovingly practice service and why is that the true expression of wisdom?

A Sage knew that this world is all filled with the immanent Divine. He knew it by study and by experience; he knew it as an ever-present fact.

So, when he was asked to frame a boon to be granted by the Divine, who concretised before him, he asked neither for the revival of his father nor the restoration of his kingdom or long life, wealth or fame; He asked for the chance of assuaging the pain and sorrow of all beings!

The Divine, he knew, was manifest as those beings and the best form of serving Him, was to serve those manifestations and give them relief and joy.

The tongue must justify itself by sweet soothing words; the hand, by soft harmless acts. The body must be spent in upavasa - living in the constant presence of the Divine.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 20, 1966.

Serve all as the embodiments of Him; that is the best plan to realise the Divinity in you

Source: radiosai.org