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Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi
Nilayam |
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
1st, 2007
Self-knowledge is that knowledge by acquiring which
everything else becomes known. A person with self-knowledge
can indeed be acclaimed as all-knowing. Secular learning
cannot confer on us abiding and absolute peace.
Self-knowledge alone can help us cross the sea of sorrow.
So, all should strive to attain self-knowledge which can be
acquired through purity of mind. And purity of mind can be
attained through sacred deeds, charity, compassion and
devotion.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
2nd, 2007
It is impossible for anyone to demarcate what exactly Bhakti
(devotion) is and what is not. Bhakti has infinite facets.
Only pure, tender, tolerant, calm and loving souls, the very
cream of Sadhus (holy men), the Hamsas (realised persons)
sporting ever in the company of kindred Bhaktas, can
understand its purity and depth. Others will find it as
difficult to discover Bhakti in a person as discovering
softness in a rock or coldness in fire or sweetness in neem.
The Bhakta holds the Lord dearer to him than life; and the
Lord too is attached to him in equal measure.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
3rd, 2007
The word 'Adhyatmic' or spiritual is used often by aspirants
and preceptors. What exactly is implied by Adhyatmic? Is
Bhajan or congregational prayer Adhyatmic? Or, does it
involve Japa (repetition of God's name) and Dhyana
(meditation)? Or, does it denote religious rituals and
ceremonies? Or, does it extend to pilgrimages to holy
places? No, no. These are all merely beneficial acts.
Adhyatmic in its real sense relates to achieving or at least
attempting to achieve two things: elimination of the animal
traits still clinging to man and unification of the
individual with the Divine.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
4th, 2007
The mansion of human life rests on the four pillars of
truth, righteousness, love and peace. The safety and
security of life depend on these four values. Since ancient
times, the culture of Bharat has been able to sustain itself
as it is built on the bedrock of these values. Our ancestors
led their lives strictly adhering to these eternal values.
Bereft of these values, the mansion of life will collapse in
a moment. Humanity continues to exist till this day only due
to the fact that these four human values are practised at
least to a certain extent. Today, the country is facing
hardship as people have no regard for truth and are
indulging in falsehood in their thoughts, words and deeds.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
5th, 2007
It may take many lives for a man before he knows what is
best for him, and is able to chalk out his own future
without harming himself or others, that he is aware of the
pitfalls on the way. So, it is best to trust the experience
of the sages, who were filled with compassion and who were
moved out of that compassion to illumine the path of
liberation. This experience is enshrined in the Vedas. Faith
in the Vedas irrigates the heart and makes it yield the
harvest of universal love.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
6th, 2007
The proof of true devotion is in the peace of mind that the
aspirant has been able to attain; the peace which makes him
unruffled by loss and dishonour; the peace that is not
disturbed by anger, hatred, jealousy, conceit and lower
passions; the peace which makes him feel tranquil,
unconcerned and unattached under all circumstances and with
all human natures. Know that you are the embodiment of that
peace. Whoever has determination, discrimination,
steadfastness and enthusiasm to reach the goal will reach
it.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
7th, 2007
When the sun is over your head, there will be no shadow. So,
too, when faith is steady in your heart, it will not cast
any shadow of doubt. Do not talk ill of others; talk only of
the good in them. All are good. If you see bad in them, it
is because there is bad in you. If you do not like someone,
do not mix with them. Grace is the sunlight which will ripen
the fruit; Sadhana (spiritual practice) is the sap which
rises from earth. Both are needed by the tree of life in
order that it may yield the fruit of liberation.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
8th, 2007
Today people study the Vedas and other scriptures as a
ritual; they do not put into practice any of their
injunctions. Of what avail is it merely to know how the
Vedas and Upanishads have described the Divine when this
knowledge is not reflected in one's life? Such a person is
like a blind man who hears about the existence of the world
but is unable to see it. There is no difference between a
physically blind man and a spiritually blind person who
merely studies the scriptures. The scriptures are meant to
provide guidance for practical living and not merely to be
learnt by rote.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
9th, 2007
National service implies service to every individual in the
nation. Whoever undertakes national service should realise
that he is serving himself when serving others because he is
a part of the nation. This realisation itself will be a
great service to the nation. Very often, men tend to cloak
their self-interest in the garb of national service. Our
ancients were convinced that if one followed Dharma
(righteousness) one would be automatically serving both
himself and the society.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
10th, 2007
Absolute purity or perfection is not beyond man's capacity.
It is possible for him to be perfect. But to attain the
zenith of truth, beauty and goodness, man has to struggle
hard. He should develop deep understanding, follow hard
discipline and put in ceaseless effort. Man should regard
himself as a representative of divinity and not just a
'man'. It is his duty to cultivate such qualities that
reflect the divine within him. He should develop these
divine qualities and spread them in society. This is the
best and the only suitable remedy for many of our
contemporary problems.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
11th, 2007
Have the Name of God on your tongue, in your breath, ever.
That will invoke His Form as the inner core of everything.
That will provide you with His company, and contact with His
boundless energy and bliss. That is the Sathsang (good
association) which gives you maximum benefit. Converse with
God who is in you; derive courage and consolation from Him.
He is the Guru who is most concerned with your progress.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
12th, 2007
You are engaged in service, singing Bhajans and undertaking
various spiritual practices. What benefit have you derived
from these activities? Only when good feelings emerge from
you, you get rich rewards. After sowing a neem seed, you
cannot expect a mango fruit. As is the seed, so is the tree.
Likewise, as is the feeling, so is the result. Good and evil
are based on your feelings. Hence, develop noble thoughts
and spread the message of love to the entire world.
Cultivate the feeling that all are your brothers and
sisters.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
13th, 2007
There are three lines along which endeavour have to be
directed: (1) Spiritual exercises and discipline, (2)
Cultivation of detachment, (3) Development of confidence in
one's Self. Without these three, life is a wearisome and
wasteful journey. Renunciation - that is the virtue you need
for spiritual progress. It is not the value of the thing
given up that counts, but the loftiness of the intention
behind the act.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
14th, 2007
Tamil New Year and Vishu
This New Year Day proclaims the truth that God is the Master
of Time. Unfortunately, man fails to understand the power of
God. He wastes three quarters of his time in unworthy
earthly pursuits. Spiritual pursuit is the right way of
making use of time. It calls for cultivating good feelings
and doing good deeds without selfish motive, extending love
and compassion towards all beings. This is real Sadhana
(spiritual exercise). 'Sa' means Atma and 'Dhana' means
wealth. By utilising your time in spiritual pursuits, you
can enjoy spiritual wealth. But, man wastes all his time in
unholy thoughts and evil deeds without understanding the
divinity within him. One should understand the value of
time, each moment of which vanishes faster than lightning.
If you want to sanctify your hard-earned human birth, you
have to cultivate divine thoughts.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
15th, 2007
The educated man must be able to distinguish between the
momentary and the momentous, the effervescent and the
lasting. He must not run after glitter and glamour but seek
instead the good and golden. He must know how to keep the
body in good trim, the senses under strict control, the mind
well within check, the intellect sharp and clear, unhampered
by prejudices and hatred, and the feelings untouched by
egoism.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
16th, 2007
The Vedas lay down four goals before man: Dharma
(righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire) and Moksha
(liberation). But they have to be pursued in pairs, Dharma
and Artha together and Kama and Moksha together. That is to
say, Artha has to be earned through Dharma, and Kama has to
be for Moksha. But man takes these four separately and ends
up losing everything. He puts them into separate
compartments and adopts distinct plans to achieve them. He
gives up Dharma and Moksha as beyond him and wastes his life
pursuing only Artha and Kama. This leads him to ruin.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
17th, 2007
Brahman (Divinity) cannot be seen through the eyes, for
Brahman is that which enables the eyes to see and the ears
to hear. It can be known only through tapas (penance). No
other means can help. Everything in the universe originates
from Brahman, exists in Brahman, unfolds through Brahman and
merges in Brahman. Discover it yourself through tapas.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
18th, 2007
Love and faith are the cardinal principles for redeeming
human life. My Life is My Message. I love everyone; that is
My very nature. All are Mine whether they call Me by this
name or any other name or by no name at all! Divinity is the
primal source of universal love. Faith in Divinity is the
key to develop such love. The way of love alone can
transform man and hence the world.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
19th, 2007
A revolution - more powerful and pervasive than any that man
has undergone so far - not political, economic, scientific
or technological but deeper and more fundamental than them
all, is now on. It is the spiritual revolution. It clarifies
the inner vision of man so that he can see the Atmic
Reality. Its impact will surely envelop and enrich all human
communities and transform mankind into a stream of seekers
flowing smoothly to the limitless sea of divinity.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
20th, 2007
Simple faith in the words of the wise is more profitable
than years of study and discussion. Contemplate on the Vedic
dictum - Tat Twam Asi (You are That). As you ruminate over
it, meanings will dawn upon you without the help of any
commentary. Commentaries only tend to confuse you. Think of
'Tat' ("That" standing for Divinity), analyse 'Twam' (you),
and then you will be convinced that 'Asi' (are) is the only
solution. You are in the Light; the Light is in you; you are
the Light - these are three successive steps to realisation.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
21st, 2007
The Atma, when cognised in the consciousness, flashes like a
streak of lightning; in a second, it will reveal its
brilliance and splendour. It is impossible to grasp its full
majesty. Manas (mind) seems to be very close to the Atma,
and makes you believe that it verily is the Atma; but it is
not so. Since it is closest, the Sadhaka (aspirant) imagines
that his mind has realised the Atma and yearns for the
experience again and again. This, of course, is good, for it
fosters the search for the merger with Brahman.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
22nd, 2007
Men are wasting their precious lives in the pursuit of
fleeting and petty pleasures. Make the best use of the
opportunity you have got now. That is true devotion. You
alone are responsible for your condition because of the way
your mind works. Do your duty, recognise the truth of your
being and you will be able to experience your Divinity.
There is nothing greater than the bliss of experiencing the
Divine. You have to purify your heart of all the other
desires, aspirations and yearning for other means of
happiness in order to experience the Divine.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
23rd, 2007
If the eye does not help you to visualize God in everything
you see, it is far better to be blind. If your ears drag you
towards filthy cacophony, it is far better to be deaf. The
senses should not be encouraged to plunge you into sensual
muck. They must serve your real interests and sublimate your
appetites. They must help you to dwell on God. All our
thoughts are influenced by what we see, hear or smell. We
must try to control the sense organs, especially the ears
and the eyes.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
24th, 2007
There is no need to retire into a forest or a cave to know
your inner Truth and to conquer your lower nature. In fact,
while living in isolation, one has no chance to exercise
restraint on one's anger and other weaknesses and so the
victory achieved there may not be long lasting or genuine.
Win the battle of life; be in the world but yet be away from
its shackles. That is the victory which you have to achieve.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
25th, 2007
Seek the Light always; be full of confidence and zest. Do
not yield to despair, for it can never yield results. It
only worsens the problem, for it darkens the intellect and
plunges you into doubt. You must take up the path of Sadhana
(spiritual endeavour) very enthusiastically. Half-hearted,
halting steps will not yield fruit. It is like cleaning a
slushy area by a stream of water. If the current of the
stream is slow, the slush cannot be cleared. The stream must
flow full and fast, driving everything before it, so that
the slush is removed without leaving a trace.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
26th, 2007
Without Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Right conduct), Shanti
(Peace) and Prema (Love), the accumulation of knowledge is a
barren achievement. Without them, all Karma (actions), even
acts of charity and Seva (serving others) are ineffective.
Without them, positions of authority to which one is raised
become positions of persecution. Without these values, no
good act or meritorious achievements can yield fruit.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
27th, 2007
Egoism is a thorny bush, which when planted and fostered in
one's heart, makes one pay the penalty. Egoism makes enemies
of even dearest friends; it ruins many good causes and
projects, for it does not allow two competent men to work
together. Grief follows it like a shadow. Joy, peace,
courage, co-operation and love flourish in the absence of
the ego. When man is aware that the same Divine
consciousness that motivates him is equally motivating all
others, then love ousts the ego to the background and takes
charge of man's actions, words and thoughts.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
28th, 2007
The right attitude of a devotee should be one of total
surrender. As one devotee declared: "I am offering to you
the heart which you gave me. I have nothing I can call my
own, for everything belongs to you. I offer to you what is
already yours." As long as this spirit of surrender is not
developed, man will have to be born again and again. One
should offer one's heart to the Divine, and not be content
with offering just flowers and fruits.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
29th, 2007
How ignorant man is! He does not realise that the five
elements present in him are the very forms of Divine. It is
foolishness on his part to look for God outside ignoring his
innate divinity. Divinity is present in every being. The
life principle that flows through each and every nerve of
the body is verily divine. The life Principle that sustains
our body is Prajnana. Hence, it is said, Prajnanam Brahma
(Consciousness is God).
-SAI BABA
Hvor er mennesket uvidende! Det erkender ikke, at de fem
elementer, der er til stede i det, er selve det
Guddommeliges former. Det er dets egen dumhed at se efter
Gud udenfor og ignorere sin medfψdte Guddommelighed.
Guddommelighed er til stede i hvert vζsen. Livsprincippet,
der flyder igennem alle og hver eneste nerve i kroppen, er i
sandhed Guddommeligt. Livsprincippet, der opretholder vores
krop er Prajnana. Det er derfor, det siges: Prajnanam
Brahma (Bevidsthed er Gud).
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam April
30th, 2007
All religions teach one basic discipline, the removal of
egoism and giving up petty desires. Every religion teaches
man to fill his being with the glory of God and evict the
pettiness of conceit. It trains him in methods of detachment
and discrimination, so that he may aim high and attain
liberation. Believe that all hearts are motivated by the One
and only God; all faiths glorify the One God; all Names in
all languages and all Forms that man can conceive of, denote
the same Divine Principle that is best worshipped through
pure Love. Cultivate that Ekabhava (the attitude of oneness)
towards men of all creeds in all lands.
-SAI BABA
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