Life 49 (Nov 25 - Dec 27)

[winston]

Why should we serve the poor, weak and helpless, rather than those who are above or equal to us?

One should be prepared to serve others rather than choose to be served by them.

Moreover, there is nothing meritorious in serving those who are high above us.

For one thing, they can command the services of attendants. Rendering service to those who are in the same position as ourselves is not commendable.

Service should be rendered to those who are worse off than ourselves and who are neglected by the world.

There are three levels of people in the world.

At the highest level are those who may be placed in the category of "Blessed". Those who are in the same stage as ourselves are in the category of "Ordinary People". Those who are poorer than ourselves may be described as "Poor" .

There is no need to render service to one who is "Blessed" as there will be servants to take care of him.

"Ordinary people" is the type of person who is filled with endless desires and is never contented, whatever his accomplishments or earnings. Service to such a person is unnecessary.

It is the weak, the destitute and the helpless. who need to be served. Even in rendering service to such persons, there should be no feeling that we are serving ‘others’.

We should feel that we are serving the Divine who dwells in them.

- Divine Discourse Nov 19, 1987

When service is rendered in a total spirit of dedication, with concentration of thought, word, and deed, the heart gets sanctified.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why is the knowledge of the Atma (Inner Self) important for everyone?

The sages of India gave up the paths of superficial pomp and temporary security; they sought to gain inner peace and lasting joy.

They discovered that these can be gained only by drawing the sap of life through the roots of one’s own inner reality called Atma (soul).

Though this lesson, which was revealed to them by the Divine, is repeated, elaborated and propagated all these centuries by countless scholars, poets and speakers, very few accept it as the basis of life.

The insect on the wing is snapped up by the frog’s leaping tongue; the frog is caught unawares by the jaws of the snake; the snake is killed by the peacock; the peacock is killed by the hunter.

One living thing is food for another; death lies in wait at every turn of day and night.

Man is stalked ceaselessly by death; it may pounce any moment on its prey. He is not conscious of this companion; he has not learned how to meet him and rob him of the fruits of his exploit.

The Atma does not die; only the body dies. When man knows this, death loses his sting; death is not feared; death is but a welcome voyage into the known harbour.

- Divine Discourse Feb 23, 1968

Be always full of joy so that when death calls, you can quit with a light laugh and not whimper in grief.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What are Bhakti, Karma and Jnana (devotion, action and wisdom)?

What is the aim of human life? What is a man’s duty? It is to discover this truth that He has endowed man with a body to render help to others.

We live in a society, depending on it for our needs. But forgetting what they owe to society, people lead selfish and self-centred lives.

Service to society is the primary karma (duty). Concern for the welfare of all is bhakti (devotion).

“Let all people be happy.” Awareness of this feeling is jnana (true knowledge).

Without recognising the duty to serve society, without concern for the welfare of society, how can the all-encompassing desire for the happiness of all, which is devotion, arise in anyone?

These three are intimately related like a flower, tender fruit and ripe fruit.

The fruit of devotion confers the wisdom which eliminates differences. Devotion is a fragment of the Divine. Without devotion, awareness of the Divine cannot be experienced.

Equally, devotion without consciousness of the Divine can only breed egoism.

- Divine Discourse Aug 21, 1994

You are all caskets of divine love; share it, spread it. Express that love in acts of service, words of sympathy and thoughts of compassion.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What are the different expressions of Bhakti (Devotion)?

Bhakti (devotion) denotes a feeling of friendship, coupled with awe.

For one who is a creature of the gunas (satva, rajas, tamas), to understand what transcends the gunas, an attitude of humility and reverence is required.

“Bhaja Sevayam” (worship the Divine through Seva). Bhakti calls for utilising the mind, speech, and body, and the three gunas, to worship Him.

Devotion and love, are inseparable and interdependent.

Bhakti is the means to salvation. Love is the expression of bhakti.

Another view of bhakti is the concentration of the mind on the Divine and experiencing oneness with the Divine.

Although many sages have expressed different views about the nature of bhakti, the basic characteristic of devotion is love.

- Divine Discourse Oct 08, 1986

Among all forms of Sadhana (spiritual practices), Bhakti (devotion) is the easiest and holiest.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is total devotion to the Divine? How does it progress?

The heart of the devotee, flows with love of the Divine, through constant remembrance and recitation of His name.

Out of this stream of love, devotion emerges.

One who is nourished by the nectar of bhakti (devotion), will have no desire for anything else.

To be unaffected by joy or sorrow, gain or loss, praise or blame and to remain steadfast and unwavering in faith - this is the hallmark of true devotion.

Affection, attachment and desire, are natural qualities in man.

When these qualities are directed towards the Divine and when one is continuously engaged in good deeds, these qualities acquire purity and sacredness.

Then a man becomes not only a great soul but can become divine.

The devotee is ever conscious that the universe is a manifestation of the Divine and is permeated by the Divine.

His life is based on the recognition of the immanence of Him in everything.

This state of mind is called Prema Advaitam (unity in Love).

Through this love, the devotee experiences his oneness with the Divine. Enjoying the bliss of this experience, the devotee does not even desire moksha (liberation).

Unremitting love of the Divine, is everything for him.

- Divine Discourse Jan 19, 1986

Devotion is the panacea for all ills. There is no Scriptures superior to devotion. Divine love encompasses all sacred acts.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why is it important to control and sanctify the senses?

Senses are like life principles for every man.

Once you rein in your senses, your life will be peaceful.

You should not only avoid evil talk but should also talk less. Your speech should be short and sweet.

Sages composed sacred texts and sanctified their lives. Emulate their ideals and make your life exemplary. Read sacred texts composed by such noble souls.

Today, people read books which pollute the mind. It is a very bad practice.

Be it reading, writing, seeing or talking, let everything be good.

Do not commit any mistake knowingly. You can experience Divinity in humanity by putting the senses to proper use.

One can visualise the Divine manifestations and become Divine himself only through sacred use of the senses.

- Divine Discourse Jul 05, 2001

True spiritual sadhana lies in controlling one’s senses. Without sense control, all spiritual sadhana will prove futile.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

When will the path of devotion lead to the experience of true bliss?

People feel distressed when someone among their kinsfolk is ill. If such is the affection they bear towards relations who are associated with them for brief periods, how much more love should one have towards the eternal Divine?

One should regard love for Him as the greatest treasure one can have.

When you love Him, you will have love towards all because the Divine is in everyone. Therefore, bear in mind: Love all; serve all.

The best way to serve Him, is to love all and serve all.

Your devotion will get diluted if you entertain differences between people. Devotion to Divine becomes meaningless if you do not practise their teachings.

The worship of the Divine should be accompanied by leading a holy life. Only then can bliss be experienced.

Today, people carry on a routine reading of scriptural texts. This serves no purpose unless they lead pure and sacred lives. They should fill their hearts with the love of Him and share that love with others.

- Divine Discourse Aug 21, 1994

Redeem your lives through love. Let love become your life-breath and the sole goal of your life.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why should one first understand humanness before seeking to experience Divinity?

The scriptures declare that the Divine descends to the earth in human form, to allay the sufferings of those who are sick of body or of mind.

Man today seeks to have a vision of the Supra-human Transcendental Being. This is sheer folly because as long as one has the feeling that he is a human being, he can aspire to see Him only in human form and is not entitled to see His transcendental form.

When one transcends the sense of his humanness, he acquires the privilege to envision the Transcendental Divinity.

To claim that when you close your eyes and meditate, you see an effulgent light is only a delusion.

There are innumerable things that are not visible to your naked eyes and which are beyond your ken. How do you expect to see them or know them? You know only the human form.

So, at the outset, try to understand humanness. You must understand the Life Principle that animates the human. From the Life Principle, you should seek to enquire into the nature of the Divine.

- Divine Discourse Jun 26, 1994

To understand Divinity, which is beyond the human level, man should also rise to that state which is beyond the human level.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why should we consciously identify and remove envy and hatred from our hearts?

The root cause of all anxieties and calamities of man is envy.

Envy is invariably accompanied by hatred. These two are twin villains. They are poisonous pests. They attack the very roots of one’s personality.

A tree may be resplendent with flowers and fruits. But when the inimical worms set to work on the roots, imagine what happens to the splendour!

Even as we look on admiringly at its beauty, the flowers fade, the fruits fall off, and the leaves turn yellow and are scattered by the wind. At last, the tree itself dries up; it dies and falls.

So too, when envy and hatred infect the heart and set to work, however intelligent and however highly educated the man is, he falls.

He is turned into an enemy of society. He becomes the target of ridicule, because he is no longer human.

In the end, even his trusted friends desert him and become his foes. He loses the respect of his group and does not evoke even ordinary courtesies from others. He spends his days perpetually in misery.

No enemy can be so insidious as jealousy.

- Ch 17, Vidya Vahini.

You must feel the pain of others as your own; you must be happy when others are happy. That is the way to realise the unity of all.

Source: radiosai.org