Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 1st, 2007
There is a fundamental principle in this universe which is the prime mover. We must make efforts to understand that fundamental principle. First and foremost, one has to turn one's vision inwards and meditate upon the Atma Tattwa (Atmic Principle) present within. This Atma Tattwa can be realized only by constant Sadhana (spiritual practice). Several people give different names to the principle of Atma Tattwa. But, it has no name and form at all. It is beyond all names and forms. It is transcendental. If you are able to understand the Atma Tattwa, it amounts to understanding everything else.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 2nd, 2007
Anyone donning a physical body cannot escape vicissitudes of life. Death follows birth and with the same certainty misery follows happiness. Sukhadukhe Samekruthwa Labhalabhau Jayajayau (one should remain equal-minded in happiness and sorrow, gain and loss, victory and defeat). Pleasure is an interval between two pains. Human life is for the purpose of investigating the Supreme Reality and not merely for eating, drinking and indulging in sensual pleasures. Every human being must make an effort to know his inner nature and understand his true identity.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 3rd, 2007
Today man is subjected to untold suffering because he lacks human values. That which has the innate capability to burn is called fire. In the same manner, only the one with human values is a human being. One bereft of human values is not a human being at all. You may be highly educated and occupying an exalted position, but if you lack human values, you will be considered inhuman. Hence, drive away evil qualities in the first instance.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 4th, 2007
You see, hear, and experience many things in this world. They are nothing but the reflection, reaction, and resound of your inner being. All that you see in the outside world is actually a part of you. Consider this example. There is someone who hates you. Actually it is the hatred in you that has taken the form of hatred in him. In the same manner, adulation or denigration, good or evil are reflections of your own self. Whatever you see in the outside world, whatever you experience, be it pleasure or pain, has in fact come from within you.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 5th, 2007
Bodies are like bulbs and the principle of Atma is like the current passing through all the bulbs. Understand this oneness and share your love with one and all. Do not consider anyone to be your enemy. You consider the one who loves you to be your friend and the one who hates you to be your foe. In fact, there is neither a friend nor a foe. It is only your imagination. All are one. It is only divinity that expresses itself as mother, father, brother, sister, etc. Names and forms may be different, but the underlying truth is one.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 6th, 2007
Today, you do not find peace anywhere in the world. You see only pieces! In fact, people are breaking their heart into pieces. How then can peace be acquired? There is only one solution to this problem. Love God. Have faith in God. Surrender unto Him. Dedicate your whole life to God and carry on every activity of yours as an offering to Him. Let all your activities be helpful to others. Help ever, hurt never. If you wish to be always happy, pray for the welfare of others. This is the real Sadhana (spiritual exercise) that you should undertake. Spirituality does not mean simply doing Bhajans and performing some acts of worship. Cultivate noble qualities. Always pray for the welfare of all. It is in this context, the prayer of Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu (May all the beings of the world be happy) is addressed.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 7th, 2007
It is essential to cleanse the mind through regular Sadhana (spiritual exercises) and thereby tune your will to the infinite will of God, so that it becomes merged in His glory. Scholarship or skill, however deep and varied, have no cleansing power. They only add the impurities of pride and competition. Learned men are not necessarily good, nor are the men who possess power over the forces of nature. Sathya (truth), Dharma (righteousness), Shanti (peace) and Prema (love) are the hallmarks of a purified heart, where God is enshrined and is manifest.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 8th, 2007
You can get the feeling of yearning for the Divine only if you get a taste of the Prema (Love) of the Divine. That is why I have come among you - to give you a taste of that Love so that the yearning for God will be planted in your hearts. Mastery over mountains of information has been attained by man now, but wisdom has lagged behind. Hence, man's capacity to probe and progress into the realm of the universal and the Absolute has to be developed. He must realize the truth that man's distance from Divinity is the same as his distance from himself.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 9th, 2007
You may feel that spirituality is too abstract and not easily comprehensible. The Atma Tattwa (Atmic Principle) cannot be understood and realized by merely gathering material knowledge. In fact, Atma Tattwa is beyond the scope of material knowledge. It is transcendental. It is at the base of all forms of knowledge. If one is able to realize this Atma Tattwa, he can easily realize every other aspect. The fundamental question for the basis for everything in this universe is: "Who am I?" If you enquire within yourself as to who you really are, you will ultimately realize the Truth that the "I" principle is nothing but the Atma Tattwa. Develop firm faith in that Atma Tattwa.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 10th, 2007
The supreme end of education is to make man aware of the 'Universal Immanent Impersonal'. This is the truth that is loudly proclaimed in the Vedas. The ever-changing aspects of Nature may be a fine subject for study, but the science of the Transcendental Principle that permeates the whole universe, that is unchanging, eternal, ever full of peace and bliss, the ultimate refuge of all for all time, that is the highest knowledge that man must gain.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 11th, 2007
The Lord's grace is conferred on each devotee according to the level of his spiritual consciousness. The ocean is vast and boundless. But, the amount of water you can carry from it is determined by the size of the vessel you carry to its shore. If the vessel is small, you cannot fill it beyond its limited capacity. Likewise, if your heart is constricted, divine grace will be equally limited. Broaden your heart by getting rid of narrow differences, and thus recognise the truth that the Divine dwells in everybody.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb.12th, 2007
Is it the body that derives joy from looking at a thing of beauty, or is it the Atma (soul)? What is it that relishes the good food that is consumed - the body or the spirit? What is it that enjoys fragrance or is moved by beautiful music? On enquiry, it will be found that it is the Atma that is the enjoyer, and not the physical body. The body by itself is gross and is incapable of experiencing joy. It must be realized that the spirit transcends the mind and the intellect, and pervades the entire cosmos. The spirit is the basis for the cognition of the external world and experiencing the inner world.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 13th, 2007
Most people today have no idea of what is devotion and what is spiritual discipline. Different forms of worship, pilgrimages, meditation and the like are equated with devotion. These are not the indices of devotion. They can at best confer some mental satisfaction. As long as you think God is somewhere outside you, you cannot qualify for the Divine Grace. The true mark of devotion is to recognise that God is within you, around you and everywhere. You must develop faith that you are yourself a manifestation of God.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 14th, 2007
At one time we are joyous and at another time we are sorrowful. The same object which is a source of happiness turns out to be a source of agony with the passage of time. Therefore, joy and grief are only states of mind and the objects which are themselves subject to change cannot give us lasting happiness. Whatever is transient cannot be real. Knowing that the life of enjoyment is naturally inimical to serious spiritual effort, good people consider difficulties as stepping stones to a higher life.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 15th, 2007
Man identifies himself with the body and gets carried away by the feeling of "I" and "mine". The feeling of "I" and "mine" is the root cause of worry. You will be haunted by worry so long as you don't realise God. You are worried because you identify yourself with the body. Once you identify yourself with the Self (God), you will be free from all worries. Hence, you should make every effort to realise your true Self. In order to be free from worry and fear, and to attain everlasting peace, you should realise the truth - "I am I". When you have firm belief in this statement, then nothing can shake you. Do not develop undue attachment to the body and material possessions.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 16th, 2007
Maha Shivarathri
Holy days like Shivarathri are marked out in order to impress upon man's mind his duty to impose a 'fast' on the senses, and a 'vigil' on his intelligence to keep away polluting impulses and inclinations. This is the day when Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison 'Haalahala' that threatened to destroy the world and thus saved mankind from perdition. The aspirant for Divine grace has to remember this day with gratitude. He must neither exult at good fortune nor be disheartened when misery becomes his lot. "Thy will, not mine" should be his constant assertion to himself.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb.17th, 2007
He is a true devotee who considers God’s happiness as his own. He always aspires to give happiness to the Lord and does not want to cause any inconvenience to Him. Only the one who always gives happiness to the Lord is a true devotee. You should never cause inconvenience to God in the name of devotion. Consider that God’s happiness is your happiness and your happiness is God’s happiness. Imbibe this spirit of oneness. “God and I are one.” Today most of the devotees are selfish. They have only Swartha Bhakti (devotion intended for selfish gains). They are concerned with their own happiness and not that of God's. You should see to it that your love is always pure. God is the embodiment of love. Such divine love is present in all. Share your love with everyone. This is what God expects from you.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 18th, 2007
What is the purpose of life? Is it to be born again and again? No. Today’s newspaper becomes tomorrow’s waste paper. Once you have finished reading a newspaper, you do not like to read it again and again. Similarly, you have been given this birth, and you have gone through varied experiences of pleasure and pain. You should pray, “Oh God! You have given me this life and I have gone through all the experiences of pleasure and pain. I do not want to have another birth.” That's why Adi Shankara prayed - "Oh Lord! I am caught up in this never-ending cycle of birth and death. Time and again, I am experiencing the agony of staying in the mother’s womb. It is very difficult to cross this ocean of worldly life. Please take me across this tumultuous ocean and grant me liberation."
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 19th, 2007
You must realise by constant contemplation that the world is the Body of God. And, you are a cell, in that Body. The prosperity of the world is your prosperity; feel so, act in that spirit; think in those terms. That is real spirituality. The Sadhaka (spiritual aspirant) cannot cut himself away from the world and escape into solitude, for, the world will follow him into the deepest cave or the darkest forest. The Sadhaka can claim progress only when he has established in himself faith in the oneness of humanity.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 20th, 2007
The happiness that man can derive out of worldly comforts is limited. It is utter foolishness to think that wealth and property, comforts and conveniences can bestow unlimited joy on you. None of these can give true happiness. Then how can it be attained? It cannot be attained from outside. It originates from the heart. The heart is the dwelling place of God. To experience true happiness, man should develop firm faith in God. Where there is faith, there is love. Only when man has love in him can he practise righteousness. Righteousness leads to truth which in turn leads to God.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 21st, 2007
True devotion is that which finds expression in every thought, word and deed of man. Just as the food partaken gets digested in the stomach and its essence is supplied to all limbs of the body, likewise, when you fill your heart with the divine name, its effect will spread to your eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet, etc. When the sacred effect of the divine name spreads to your eyes, you will develop sacred vision. Likewise, your speech will become sacred, and you will listen only to sacred words. Your hands will undertake sacred deeds and your feet will take you to sacred places. Thus, a true devotee will sanctify each of his sense organs with sacred activity.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 22nd, 2007
Yad Drishyam Thannashyam (all that we see with our physical eyes is bound to perish). It is not only man who is endowed with physical eyes but birds and animals also have them. Even worms and insects have eyes. But what is the use of eyes if we cannot see that which is eternal and changeless? These eyes perceive only ephemeral, impermanent and unreal things. In the world, we find people spending their whole life in mundane activities, perceiving only ephemeral things. Jnana (wisdom) alone is true and eternal. Only he who has the eye of wisdom deserves to be called a human being. It is therefore essential that man should turn his vision inward and try to recognise the Atmic principle. We can experience the Atmic principle only when we turn our vision inward. With our outward vision, we perceive only transient, ephemeral phenomena.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 23rd, 2007
Man has progressed in the worldly sense but morally he has regressed. He is not able to give up his narrow-mindedness and criticism of others. If one enquires into the reason for this, one will realise that one’s selfishness and self-interest are the cause for this. Man does not love objects or individuals for their sake; he does so for his self-interest. All his thoughts, words and deeds are motivated by selfishness. He has been reduced to a mere bundle of desires. He is spending all his time and effort in fulfilling his desires. He is under the mistaken notion that fulfilment of desires will confer happiness on him. He should realise that only annihilation of desires will lead him to ultimate bliss. True happiness lies in the state of desirelessness.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 24th, 2007
It is only the chanting of the divine name that can protect you. Money and high position are like passing clouds. You should not clamour for them. Instead one should take refuge in the divine name. He alone is truly blessed whose heart is filled with the divine name. People who do not relish the divine name may make fun of you. Some may tell you that there is no God. What should be your reply? “God may not exist for you but He exists for me. Who are you to deny the existence of my God?” No one has any right to deny God. Never forget the divine name wherever you may be and under any circumstances. Sarvada Sarva Kaleshu Sarvatra Hari Chintanam (everywhere, at all times, under all circumstances contemplate on God). Imprint the divine name on your heart firmly and permanently.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 25th, 2007
Man performs various tasks and undergoes many experiences in this world. But what is the use of all this he does if he is unable to enjoy everlasting bliss? Not by wealth, not by action, not by study of texts, nor indeed by Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan (vision, touch and conversation) of noble souls can man attain eternal bliss. He can visualise the manifestation of God and experience bliss only when he purifies his heart. Love all. Have faith that God is present in all. Make everybody happy. Only then can you attain happiness. It is impossible for you to attain happiness without making others happy.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 26th, 2007
True spirituality lies in destroying one’s bestial nature and rising to the level of the divine. But instead of ascending to divinity, man is degenerating to animal nature. He has forgotten the principles of spirituality. He celebrates festivals by merely partaking of sweets and wastes his time in pomposity. One should ponder over the inner significance of each festival and celebrate it in a meaningful manner. Man should have total faith that he is not just a human being but there is God within. Only then will the animal nature in him be subdued. As man has forgotten his true nature, he has become bestial. You may belong to any country, religion, race, caste or gender, but you should firmly hold on to humanness.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 27th, 2007
God is present in everyone. He resides in every heart. So, do not confine God to a temple, a mosque or a church. Where man is, there God is. Daivam Manusha Rupena (God takes the form of man). As you do not realise this, you indulge in criticism of others. Whom are you criticising? Whom do you adore? Enquire for yourself. God is present in all. So, when you criticise others, it amounts to criticising yourself. When you love others, you love yourself. If you criticise others, you criticise God. Sarva Jeeva Namaskaram Keshavam Pratigachchati (whomever you salute, that salutation reaches God) and Sarva Jeeva Tiraskaram Keshavam Pratigachchati (whomever you denigrate, the denigration too reaches God). When you help others, you will receive help tenfold. If you harm others, you will be put to harm ten times more. Always bear this in mind.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Feb. 28th, 2007
The Ishanatraya (triad of desires) of Dhaneshana, Dareshana and Putreshana (desire for money, spouse and progeny) is responsible for man’s misery. Wealth can never provide permanent happiness. Spiritual wealth is the true wealth. Man is not able to enjoy true happiness due to his greed for money. Yet, he craves for money. No doubt, money is necessary but the wealth you accumulate should be under certain limits. The second is Dareshana. One may marry and have children and enjoy family life for a while. But such happiness is not lasting. It is foolish to think that one can remain happy for ever in family life. The third is Putreshana. There is nothing wrong in aspiring to have progeny but the happiness that results is only temporary. Therefore, none of these can give true and lasting happiness. Know that you do not need to search for bliss outside. It is ever within you.
-SAI BABA