Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 1st, 2007
Dreams are unreal; they are illusory. Yet, for as long as we are dreaming, the experience appears to be real and valid. Often in these dreams, we experience such extreme fear, pain or excitement, we awaken and the dream dissolves away. Thus, the dream itself led to the awakening. So too, in this waking dream - the illusory world, where every experience is deemed true and valid, the teachings of the Vedas awaken man into Higher Awarenessest.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 2nd, 2007
God has four qualities and it is only when you cultivate them that can you understand Him. They are: Prema (love), Soundarya (beauty), Madhurya (sweetness ) and Shobha (splendour). Cultivation of Prema is enough to add unto you the other three. When you are immersed in the Love for the Divine immanent in all of creation, you perceive beauty everywhere and you experience the acme of sweetness, your mind loses its separate identity and merges in the Universal Mind in all its splendour.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 3rd, 2007
When one's inner reactions and agitations are sublimated, all that one experiences through the senses, the mind and the intellect take on a divine lustre and reveal their divine core. When man's heart is full of love, he can be in the world and yet be unaffected by it. All activity will then be for the Almighty, for His Grace, and through His will.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 4th, 2007 (Sri Krishna Ashtami)
In this world, we find various schools of thought, like atheism, dualism, non-dualism, qualified non-dualism, etc. The divine name of Keshava (an appellation for Lord Sri Krishna) is the most important of all. The essence of all philosophies is contained in this. It consists of three syllables, namely, Ka + esha + va, which represent the Divine Trinity of Brahma, Eshwara and Vishnu, respectively. Hence, Keshava symbolises the principles of creation (Brahma), sustenance (Vishnu) and dissolution (Eshwara). Man can understand his true Self if he contemplates on the divine name of Keshava and understands its significance.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 5th, 2007
Though God has come down in human form to help mankind, it is really tragic that people do not strive to benefit from Him. They do not have the good sense to follow the ideals of the Avatar (Divine Incarnation). One cannot sit back and expect the Avatar to confer peace and joy on him or her. Avatar comes to warn, to guide, to awaken, to lay down the path and shed the light of love on mankind. But man has to listen, learn and obey with hope and faith.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 6th, 2007
By Sadhana (spiritual exercises), you can correct your faults and bring forth your good qualities and thus ensure Shanti (peace) for yourselves, your society and country. Each one of you has the tremendous Shakti (power) of the Atma (soul) within you. Some are able to draw upon it, others just know it exists and some are unaware of the method of tapping it or even of its existence. It will come in time, through steady Sadhana.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 7th, 2007
Man is the embodiment of Sath-Chith-Ananda (Being-Awareness-Bliss). But he is unable to recognise his true identity because egoism and possessiveness, pomp and pride envelop man's true form of Sath-Chith-Ananda. When he is able to get rid of attachment and hatred, egoism and acquisitiveness, he will recognise his divine nature. The Divine within is covered by these tendencies like ash over a burning charcoal. When the ash is blown away, the fire will reveal itself.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 8th, 2007
To get rid of the demonic qualities, man has to embark on the enquiry: "Who am I?" Scriptural scholarship is of no avail in this enquiry. Atmananda (the Bliss of the Self) can be realized only by recognising that the same spirit dwells in all beings. This realization can be obtained only by spiritual enquiry. Reciting the Shlokas (hymns) of the scriptures will not rid man of his sorrow. The transformation must take place within.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September, 9th 2007
Practice the attitude of offering every act at the feet of God, as a flower is offered in worship. Make every breath an offering to Him. Do not be upset by calamities; take them as acts of Grace. Understand that nothing happens without His Will; everything that happens has a deeper significance attached to it. When you know that the Lord is the Ultimate Cause, the source of all, you will deal with everyone in a humble and respectful manner. This is the easiest path to Divinity.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 10th, 2007
The moment you see your own inner beauty and are so filled with it that you forget all else, you become free from all bonds. You realise that you are all beauty, all the glory, all the power, all the magnificence of the universe, for the Jiva (the individual) is the reflection of God in the mirror of Nature. Once you attain self-realisation, you recognise everyone else as but the reflection of yourself. This is the true basis of the unity of mankind.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 11th, 2007
Service is the most difficult of the nine steps to God. It is basically the action arising out of the yearning to win the grace of God. It is the most important step to erase the ego. Through service alone can man attain mastery of the senses, the passions and the predilections, and through that reach Divinity. Love expresses itself as service, and God is Love.
-SAI BABA

Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 12th, 2007
Man can acquire the sweetness of Jnana (wisdom) by keeping himself in Sathsang (good company) or by remaining in a solitary place and practising Dhyana (meditation). But, whatever means one resorts to, the sweetness of Jnana cannot come from outside, it must come from within. It is the result of transformation of the inner nature by defeating the inner foes of lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride and jealousy.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 13th, 2007
Everyone born in the world has a name and form. But the Divinity within has no name or form. The individual with name and form is filled with egoism and possessiveness. These qualities are the cause of one's pleasure and pain, happiness and sorrow. Hence, everyone must strive to curb these two tendencies. The knowledge of the Supreme Self is associated with total freedom from Ahamkara (egoism). Those who have no taint of ego in them are totally free from the consequences of actions, regardless of the actions they perform.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 14th, 2007
Move towards the light and the shadow falls behind; move away from the light and you have to follow your own shadow. Go every moment one step nearer to the Lord and then Maya (illusion), the shadow, will fall behind and will not delude you at all. Be steady and resolved. Do not commit a mistake or take a false step and repent later. To make the right decision first is better than having to regret for a mistake committed.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 15th, 2007 (Ganesha Chaturthi)
The Vinayaka-principle has only one meaning, which is relevant to everyone regardless of whether he is a believer or a non-believer. Vinayaka means that he is his own master, he has no master above him. He does not depend on anyone. He is also called 'Ganapathi'. This term means he is the lord of the Ganas - a class of divine entities. This term also means that he is the master of the intellect and the power of discrimination in man. He possesses great intelligence and knowledge. Such knowledge issues forth from a pure and sacred mind. This knowledge leads to Vijnana (wisdom). Since he is the master of Buddhi (intelligence) and Siddhi (realisation), he is described as the Lord of Buddhi and Siddhi, Buddhi and Siddhi being personified as the consorts of Vinayaka.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 16th, 2007
Sandalwood gives more and more fragrance when it is subjected to more and more grinding. The sugarcane yields juice as it is chewed more and more. Gold gets refined when it is melted in the fire. So also, a true devotee will not falter in his love for God even when he faces troubles and obstacles in his life. God tests His devotees only to take them to a higher level on the spiritual ladder.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 17th, 2007
Only by following the path of love can you experience bliss. Just as merely reciting the names of the dishes cannot appease your hunger, so too, unless you speak sweet words and do sacred actions, you cannot enjoy life’s sweetness and be happy. You are all children of immortality and embodiments of bliss. It is because you have emerged from bliss that you seek to return to that Source, the bliss. Just as fish born in water cannot live out of water, so does man always crave for happiness, wherever he is and in whatever he does. Man is restless until he returns to the bliss from whence he emerged. True bliss is not found in this world. Keep your mind always on God – only then will you have peace and happiness.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 18th, 2007
There is no greater quality in man than selfless love, which expresses itself in service to others. Such love can be the source of real bliss. The relationship between Karma and Karma Yoga should be properly understood. Karma (action) done with attachment or desire causes bondage. But desireless, selfless action becomes Karma Yoga (the path of action leading to liberation). Our life should become Yoga (Divine Communion) rather than a Roga (disease).
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 19th, 2007
Good conduct, good qualities and good character alone constitute our real treasure. But man today has given up these three and is busy seeking worldly goods and is imagining that he is leading a pious life. God cannot be attained through such delusions. Man today is trying to master every kind of knowledge, but is unable to discover his own true nature.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 20th, 2007
The greatest obstacle on the path of surrender is egoism. It is something that has been inhering to your personality since ages, sending its tentacles deeper and deeper, with the experience of every succeeding life. It can be removed by the twin detergents of discrimination and renunciation. Bhakti (devotion) is the water to wash away the dirt of ages. And the soap of Japa (chanting the Lord's Name), Dhyana (meditation) will help to remove it quicker and more effectively.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 21st, 2007
Be always saturated with love. Do not use poisonous words against anyone, for words are more fatal than even arrows. Speak softly and sweetly. Sympathise with the suffering and the ignorant. Do your best to apply the salve of soothing words and render timely help. Do not damage anyone’s faith in virtue and Divinity. Encourage others to have that faith by demonstrating in your own life that virtue is its own reward and that Divinity is all-pervasive and all-powerful.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 22nd, 2007
The chief source of Ananda (bliss) is dedication to God; nothing else can give that genuine and lasting joy. Become conscious of your kinship with the Lord. That kinship is not a mere fancy or a faked theory. It has come down since ages, from the beginning of time itself. It will persist till the very end of time.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 23rd, 2007
Man grieves because he has developed attachment towards the unreal. He cultivates an unreasonable affection for wealth; but he is prepared to sacrifice the riches in order to save the lives of his children, for attachment to children is stronger than to the wealth he has earned. But, the same man stoops so low as to neglect his children when the choice is between his survival and his children's welfare. However, the bliss that one gets when he dwells on the Atma, the source and spring of all joy is unbounded and imperishable. That is the real joy.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 24th, 2007
Difference in beliefs and cultural practices among men are well known. Although climatic conditions may be the same in various regions of the world, the ways of living and practices of people are diverse. This diversity is inherent in nature. It is not a defect, but an adornment. This diversity is not to be seen among beasts and birds. That is because they do not have the power to think. Man alone has this capacity.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 25th, 2007
What does Ahimsa (non-violence) signify? It is not merely refraining from causing harm to others. It also implies refraining from causing harm to oneself. Whoever desires to observe Ahimsa must see that he does no violence to himself, for one who harms himself cannot avoid harming others. You must constantly examine whether your conduct is right or wrong. For instance, in the matter of speech, one must examine whether one’s words cause pain to others. One must see that one’s vision is not tainted with evil intentions or thoughts. Nor should one listen to evil talk either. All these things cause harm to a person. Hence one should see to it that one gives no room for bad vision, bad hearing, bad speech, bad thoughts or bad actions. And how do you determine what is bad? By consulting your conscience. Whenever you act against the dictates of your conscience, bad results will follow.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 26th, 2007
The fundamental teaching of the culture of Bharat is love. For generations, youth have been advised, encouraged and taught by precept and example to love the poor, the helpless, the handicapped and the disabled, for the same spark of divinity that is in us, is also active in them. Be lamps of love, there is no need for any other Sadhana (spiritual practice). Love and loving service of others will confer on you the grace of God.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 27th, 2007
It is an uphill task to reform one's tendencies and character. A man may study all the textbooks on Sadhana (spiritual quest) and all the scriptures, and he may even lecture for hours on them, but he will be led astray when temptation confronts him. What is the real cure for this? It is the unshakeable belief that you are the Brahman (Godhead) at all times.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 28th, 2007
Dharma (righteousness) is that which sustains mankind. True humanness consists in observing unity of thought, word and deed. All actions done with this triple unity are Dharmic actions. There are various rules of conduct which are related to conditions governing time and space. Such rules are liable to change from time to time, and country to country, according to changing situations. But if Sanathana Dharma (the eternal Dharma) changes, humanity will cease to be human. Just as burning wood which loses its heat becomes a mere charcoal; likewise man remains truly human only as long as he adheres to the eternal Dharma which is represented by unity and purity of thought, word and deed.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 29th, 2007
Samskriti, the Sanskrit word for culture and civilization is derived from the word Samskara (refinement), which means the dual purpose of removing the dust and dirt of vice and planting the virtues of Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Shanti (Peace) and Prema (Love). The foundation of Dharma laid down by sages teach people that one should not enthuse over victory or despair over defeat; both are to be welcomed as tests of one's faith.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - September 30th, 2007
Once you become aware that the Lord is the omnipotent power and the mainspring of your life, then there will be no fear anymore. Bhakthas (devotees of God) of the past were aware that the Lord is the Aadhara (provider), so they had no fear at all. But, that faith has not taken root in men today. Instead of cultivating faith in God, man today has reposed his faith in worldly things. Hence, this has become an age of fear and anxiety.
-SAI BABA