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Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi
Nilayam |
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
1st, 2007
In this world every object has got five aspects, namely,
Sath, Chith, Ananda, Rupa and Nama (being, awareness, bliss,
form and name). Being, awareness and bliss are the three
permanent attributes of every individual. Name and form are
transitory. Man has forgotten his true Self and is leading
his life believing the name and form to be real and the
ephemeral world to be eternal. God is beyond all attributes
and feelings. It is rather strange that man attributes
qualities and feelings to Him. It is most essential for
every individual to know the infinite love, truth and
compassion of God. Though man is essentially divine, he is
conducting himself like a demon as he has forgotten his
innate divinity. Every man is endowed with the qualities of
Deeksha (determination) and Dakshata (dexterity). One who
makes use of these virtues for noble causes alone is a true
human being.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
2nd, 2007
Buddha Purnima
No Avatar (Divine incarnation) was free from calumny. Even
Lord Buddha had to face criticism from his contemporaries.
This is by no means uncommon in the life of an Avatar. All
good causes also suffer from criticisms. Peace and good
result from the work of the Avatars in spite of these
attacks and impediments. It is the quality of great men to
face obstacles and opposition with courage and calmness. It
is not easy to understand the inner promptings of great men
or the motives and actions of Avatars. The principle of
Avatars is incomprehensibly magnificent. Compared to it, the
capacity of the ordinary man is infinitesimal. How can the
atom comprehend the infinite? Can an ant measure the depth
of the ocean? Impossible! Likewise, the nature of Divinity
too is beyond human comprehension.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
3rd, 2007
Humanness will blossom in man only when he develops
equal-mindedness. 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 May
4th, 2007
Anyone who dons a physical body cannot escape the
vicissitudes of life. No one can avoid hardship in this
world. Death follows birth and with the same certainty
misery follows happiness. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna
says, 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
procreation. Hence, 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 May
5th, 2007
Greatness does not lie in acquiring wealth. Cultivation of
noble qualities is of paramount importance. Talk less. For,
the more you indulge in loose talk, the more vulnerable you
become to imbibing bad tendencies. Some people talk sweetly,
but deep within, their thoughts are poisonous. Such
dichotomy will lead you nowhere. You must first develop
softness and sweetness in your heart. It is said, Hrid +
Daya = Hridaya. Your Hridaya (heart) must be full of Daya
(compassion). You deserve to be called a Manava (Man) only
when your heart is filled with love and compassion.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
6th, 2007
Many eminent persons in the world achieved greatness in life
due to the loving care of their mothers. It is therefore
important for every individual to respect his or her mother.
The ideal conduct of children is based on the ideals set by
their mothers. The sacredness of motherhood is unparalleled
all over the world irrespective of country or time. Material
wealth or high levels of scholarship are not necessary for
this. Character is the basis for this ideal. Every mother
aspires for the welfare of her children. There may be bad
children but there can never be a bad mother in this world.
The world needs ideal children who obey the instructions of
their mothers and follow the ideals set by them. They should
imprint the teachings of their mothers on their hearts.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
7th, 2007
You must earn the love of one and all. God is loved by
everyone. He is always happy and blissful. He has no hatred
towards anybody. Whatever He does is for the good of the
world. Everyone must cultivate such divine love towards
others. Always tread the path of truth and morality. A
nation without morality is bound to degenerate and
disintegrate. It is not enough if you have patriotism; along
with it you should have morality too. Merely giving lectures
on morality will not suffice; it must permeate every
activity undertaken by you.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
8th, 2007
Today, you do not find peace anywhere in the world. You see
only pieces! In fact, people are breaking their own hearts
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, always pray for the
welfare of others. This is the real Sadhana (spiritual
endeavour).
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
9th, 2007
Man is going all over the world in search of peace as he is
not aware that it is present within himself. He is like a
foolish person who searches for his spectacles, while
wearing them all the time right over his nose. What is the
reason for all the troubles, anxieties and unrest that man
is facing today? The reason is that he has forgotten his
true Self and is identifying himself with something that he
is not. Every man aspires for peace. Is it not a sign of
ones ignorance to look for peace elsewhere when one is
himself the embodiment of peace? You are yourself the
embodiment of peace. Sarva Rupa Dharam Shantham (Every human
form is the very personification of peace). Sarva Nama
Dharam Shivam (All names are equally auspicious).
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
10th, 2007
Whatever you seek in the external world is present in you.
There is nothing outside which is not within. When you open
your eyes, you are able to see thousands of heads. Once you
close your eyes, you cannot see anyone. From this, it is
clear that all that you see with your physical eyes is
transient. So long as the physical eyes are functional, you
are able to see the world. Once they become non-functional,
you cannot see anything. But there is something that you can
see whether you open your eyes or shut them. That is
Divinity. It is changeless and eternal. It has neither birth
nor death. In fact, you are the embodiment the same divine
principle. Understand this truth.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
11th, 2007
First of all, you have to enquire into your true identity,
which is love. Love is present in all names and forms. It is
eternal, non-dual and blissful. Man is selective in his
love, he lavishes it on the near and dear ones but is
indifferent about others. So long as he is immersed in such
a dualistic feeling, he cannot experience non-dual bliss. A
man with a dual mind is half blind. He reposes his faith in
the physical body and craves for worldly gains. Give up body
attachment. Understand the truth that all are in you and you
are in all. The Atma that dwells in you is the same as the
one that dwells in others. Visualise such oneness and
experience bliss. As you are unable to experience this
oneness, you are giving room to hatred and jealousy.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
12th, 2007
One should not entertain doubts or misunderstanding in the
spiritual path. So long as there are doubts, one can never
experience truth. Faith is very essential. One without faith
is equivalent to a blind person. Saint Surdas said, Oh
Lord! Having eyes, people have become blind, as they are not
interested in seeing your beautiful form. Having ears, they
have become deaf as they are not interested in listening to
your melodious voice. They have forgotten God and are
craving for worldly life. Do not depend on the physical
eyes, develop divine vision. Turn your mind towards the
divine light that is present in one and all.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
13th, 2007
Man is facing disappointment because he is using his love
for impure purposes. Truly speaking, physical relationships
and attachment are of his own making. Prior to marriage, who
is the wife and who is the husband? After death, what
relationship exists? The family life is like a passing
cloud. One should not be unduly attached to it or worried
about it. Instead, one should make efforts to love those
around us and thus experience bliss. But, the present-day
man, instead of spreading love, is developing hatred and
jealousy towards his fellowmen. It is our primary duty to
love all and serve all.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
14th, 2007
Self-realization should be the goal of human existence. It
has to be reached through three stages: Self-confidence,
self-satisfaction and self-sacrifice. Man should regard
himself as the master of the body, the senses and the mind.
He has to use the intellect to experience his oneness with
the divine, the cosmic all-pervading consciousness. The
flame of Prajnana (constant integrated awareness) which is
in everyone is covered by the ash of worldly desires. When
the ash is blown off, the fire of Brahman (Absolute
Divinity) reveals itself in all its glory.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
15th, 2007
Giving up narrow ideas and feelings, people should show
compassion towards their fellow-beings. Compassion is the
hallmark of Bhakthi (devotion). No one can hope to please
God without showing Daya (compassion) towards his
fellow-men. A loving heart is the temple of God. God cannot
dwell in a heart without compassion. There is nothing
greater in the world than Prema-drishti (feeling of
universal love). They alone are good who see the unity in
the apparent diversity. Men have to realize that they are
sparks of the Divine. They have to develop sacred thoughts
and lead ideal lives. They must seek to promote the welfare
of society.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
16th, 2007
Evil qualities like desire, anger and hatred may arise in
you at times but they should not be allowed to take root in
the mind. When someone comes to your doorstep with his
baggage, if you receive him and start exchanging
pleasantries, he will immediately enter and settle down in
your house. On the other hand, if you ignore him completely,
he will seek lodging elsewhere. Likewise, when evil thoughts
arise, just ignore them. On the other hand, if you entertain
them, they will rule over you. When you come across
something evil, do not look at it, talk about it or listen
to it; just ignore it. You should permit entry into your
mind only that which is sacred. Do not allow evil to enter.
Only then can you attain peace.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
17th, 2007
The tongue exemplifies sacrifice. When it tastes sweet
delicacies, it sends them to the stomach. But if the item is
bitter, the tongue at once spits it out. Not merely that,
the tongue conducts itself in the most honourable manner. It
does not step out of its house (mouth) under any
circumstances. It does all its work without crossing its
limits. While all other senses do only one work each, the
tongue alone has the capacity to do two types of work,
namely, to taste and to speak. That is why one has to
exercise proper control over the tongue lest it should
indulge in sinful activities like talking ill of others. In
times of anger, observe silence. Our ancients taught: talk
less, work more. The lesser you speak, the purer your heart
remains.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
18th, 2007
Man creates for himself manifold relationships like son,
brother, etc. Body consciousness is the root cause for these
bonds. Who is the mother and who is the child before birth?
Who is the husband and who is the wife before marriage? All
these are transient relationships created by man and they
are as impermanent as passing clouds. Immersed in these
transient relationships, man falls into delusion. It is
believed by some that only that which is perceived by the
senses is real. The truth is that nothing perceived by the
senses is real. It is the Atma alone that manifests
everywhere as reflection, reaction and resound. The Atmic
principle alone is your Self and not what your senses
behold. This Atmic principle is the very personification of
Divinity. That is why the Vedas assert, "Aham Brahmasmi - I
am the very personification of Brahman".
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
19th, 2007
Sacred speech is the manifestation of divinity. God exists
in the form of Sabda Brahman (the divine principle of
sound). Under any circumstances, do not let your speech be
tainted by harshness. Never become agitated. When you
understand that all are one, there will be no reason to get
agitated. All bodies are like mirrors, and what you see is
your own reflection. How then can you become angry with your
own reflection? Understand that there is nothing greater
than love. When you fill your heart with love, your
thoughts, vision, words and deeds will all be suffused with
love.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
20th, 2007
It is not easy to detach oneself from activity; the mind
clings to one thing or another. Make it cling to God, let it
do all things for God and leave the success or failures of
the things done, to God - the loss and the profit, the
elation or the dejection. Then you will have the secret of
peace and contentment. To get this attitude of surrender, of
dedication, you must have faith in God. This world is His
play; it is not an empty dream; it has purpose and use. It
is the means by which one can discover God. So see Him in
the beauty, the grandeur, the order, the majesty of Nature.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
21st, 2007
Words can cause endless trouble, and they can give boundless
joy. You should therefore be most careful that the words you
use should not give pain to others. If you physically injure
someone you may inconvenience him for a while and he will
soon recover from that. But, if you were to hurt the heart
of another person with harsh words, it will create a wound
that cannot be cured by any doctor in the world. Hence, take
care never hurt anothers feelings. One day, the words you
have used against another will come back to you. So always
use words that are sweet and good.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
22nd, 2007
The distinction between action and Karma Yoga should be
clearly understood. Actions performed selfishly with egoism
and desire for reward are actions that bind. However,
actions that are performed unselfishly, without ego and any
expectation of reward, become Karma Yoga. Every man's life
is filled with actions. But apart from activities associated
with self-interest, one should participate in service
activities. Every man's primary aim should be to devote
oneself to selfless activities. The very reason Man has been
endowed with the human body is to render selfless service to
others. Through service to others, divinity can be
experienced.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
23rd, 2007
When defeat and disappointment stare you in the face, you
must not give way to weakness or despondency. Never condemn
yourself as inferior or useless. Analyse the situation and
find out the reasons for defeat so as to avoid it next time.
You should have muscles of iron and nerves of steel. Then
your resolution will generate the necessary confidence, and
that will win over opposition. For the crop of life, courage
and confidence are the best fertilizers. Be like lions in
the spiritual field, rule over the forest of the senses and
roam fearlessly with full faith in achieving victory.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
24th, 2007
One needs to keep watch over ones thoughts, because they
form the basis for ones actions. When ones wishes are
fulfilled, one is content. When they are not realised
disappointment ensues. But no one inquires into the causes
for such divergent feelings. Failures are the result of
ones own shortcomings. When the heart is pure, actions will
automatically yield beneficial results. Our thoughts are the
cause of the success or failure of our efforts. Hence one
must utilise thoughts in a proper manner. When ones
thoughts are sublime, the results one achieves are also
sublime.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
25th, 2007
The Ramayana has very subtle truths embedded in it. The epic
first of all expounds the duties of the individual. In the
everyday parlance, the word individual refers to the
physical. However, the duties of the individual as taught in
the Ramayana do not relate merely to the external form of
the individual. The unmanifest, immanent and hidden human
values are the essence of the Ramayana. The inner reality
and the divinity resident in the heart constitute the true
individuality. Individual does not mean the external form,
instead it is the manifestation of the latent divinity. Rama
exemplified such eternal values to humanity.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
26th, 2007
Once, some aspirants approached Buddha and asked him whether
he had any awareness of God. Buddha remained silent at that
time. Later, he called one of his disciples and told him,
"Son, there is no meaning in debating and arguing over the
unknown. Don't go into such questions. Divinity is not
perceptible. It is beyond human comprehension, not within
the reach of the mind or speech. First of all, follow the
truth and act according to Dharma. Lead a life of
non-violence. This is true spiritual sadhana."
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
27th, 2007
Make the decision to plunge into noble activity. Work is
like a flower. If we can protect the bud, it will grow into
flower, and that flower will ultimately ripen and become a
fruit. This is why we should not regard work, worship and
wisdom as distinct from each other. They are inseparably
connected. Whatever work you do, do it in the name of God,
then your work will become worship.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
28th, 2007
When you plant the seed of truth in the heart and make faith
take deep root, watering it with the Name of God, peace
blossoms, yielding the fruit of liberation. Therefore, every
human being should sow the seed of truth in the heart. The
deeper the root of faith, the stronger will be the tree of
life. You must provide water so that the tree may flourish
by means of Bhajana and Daiva chinthana (contemplation of
God). Only then the flower of Shanthi (peace) will bloom and
from this the fruit of liberation will be attained.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
29th, 2007
God resides in the heart, beyond the reach of external
objects. Man today sheds copious tears for achieving wealth,
health, position and fame. Does he shed a single tear for
getting the grace of God or winning His love? Saint
Purandaradasa sang, "Of what use are eyes that cannot see
God?" You use your eyes all your life to see the external
world. What do you achieve thereby? No one attempts to see
the Unseen. The daily chores, eating and sleeping are
repeated endlessly. But there is no yearning to see the
Unseen Divine. It is only when you develop that desire will
your life become meaningful. That alone confers peace.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
30th, 2007
The one effective way to conquer all sources of physical and
mental disease and debility is awareness of one's Atmic
Reality. That will bring about an upsurge of Love and Light,
for, when one recognises that one is the Atma, one cognises
the same Atma in all. He shares the joy and grief of all and
partakes of the strength and weakness of all. He sees God in
everyone. Every act will be a pure, sincere and sacred
offering to God. When one yearns for the happiness and
prosperity of all mankind, one is blessed with the wisdom
and strength to mark out the way and lead men towards it.
-SAI BABA
Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam May
31st, 2007
You should make your conscience secure and have confidence
in your Self. Your conscience is your guide, and it should
dictate your behaviour. Either for the good or the bad, it
is your conscience that is responsible. The guilt in you
causes the bad. The strength and confidence in you should
therefore prompt you to do such things that will promote
confidence in your own self. That is why I tell you to
follow the four Fs. Follow the master that is your
conscience. Face the devil; Fight to the end and Finish the
game. Keep remembering these four injunctions, so that they
resound in you every moment; that is the most sacred way to
lead one's life.
-SAI BABA
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