Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 1st, 2008
All that you speak is a reflection of inner thoughts. All that you do is a reflection of inner action. Hence, to act according to your inner impulse is Dharma (right conduct). To speak what you feel inside is Sathya (truth). To contemplate on what you experience in your heart is Shanti (peace). To understand properly the promptings of the heart is Ahimsa (non-violence). Consideration for all emanating from the heart is Prema (love). The five values are thus reflections of feelings emanating from the heart. Being truly human means having complete harmony between thought, word and deed. If there is divergence between thought, word and deed, what is the outcome? Fruitless action.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 2nd, 2008
Realize that you have within you the source of power, wisdom and joy. Assert that you are unconquerable and free, that you cannot be tempted or frightened in to wrong. So long as a trace of body consciousness persists in you, the search for God must continue. Do not get caught in the sticky tangles of the external world. Do not harden your heart through greed and hate. Instead, soften it with love. Cleanse it through pure habits of living and thinking. Make it your shrine, wherein you install and worship God. Then, you can enter the sacred precincts of Moksha (Liberation).
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 3rd, 2008
Swimming up the river is a bit hard, but every stroke takes one nearer to the goal and not farther. For overcoming the strain, one must have the raft called Dhyana (meditation). Through Dhyana, the weaknesses of the physical frame can be overcome, the waywardness of the mind can be controlled and the progress towards the seat of the Grace is made easy. One can thus attain Divinity.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 4th, 2008
Where there is Love, there is Peace. Where there is Peace, there is Truth. Where there is Truth, there is Bliss. Where there is Bliss, there is God. To promote love, the first requisite is faith. It is only when you believe that one is your mother that you develop love towards her. If you do not regard her as your mother, you will not have that love for her. First of all, strengthen your faith. Without faith all kinds of worship and all spiritual disciplines are of no use; they are a waste of time. Then cultivate love. Everything grows out of love. That love will reveal to you your true self. That love will confer bliss on you. Therefore, eschew hatred; develop love.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 5th, 2008
Only a person who has the attitude of Kshama (forbearance) can be considered to be endowed with sacred love. This cannot be learned from textbooks; nor can it be acquired from preceptors. It is only when we face problems and difficulties that this quality of forbearance and forgiveness has scope for taking root. When one is confronted with problems and difficulties, one should not get upset and become a victim of depression, which is a sign of weakness. Instead, one must confront the situation with an attitude of tolerance and forgiveness, without getting agitated or giving rise to anger, hatred and revengeful thoughts.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 6th, 2008
The entire world is filled with love. The world is Love and Love is the world. In every human being, love is present as an effulgence which shines in his heart. Love is life and life is love. Love is an inborn quality in man. It is his very life-breath. Even as the power to burn is natural for fire, and the power to cool is natural for water, love is a natural trait for man. Without it, he ceases to be human.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 7th, 2008
All religions have taught only what is good for humanity. Religion should be practised with this awareness. If the minds are pure, how can religion be bad? It is a mark of ignorance to consider one religion as superior and another as inferior and develop religious differences on this basis. The teachings of all religions are sacred. The basic doctrines are founded on truth. Atma-Tatwa (the truth of the Spirit) is the essence of all religions, the message of all the scriptures and the basis of all metaphysics.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 8th, 2008
To reach the stage of a Jnani (Knower of the Supreme), the preliminary steps are Karma and Upasana (righteous action and worship). Without following the paths of Karma and Upasana and succeeding in them, one can not become a Jnani, just as a student cannot acquire a degree without passing out of school. Before one becomes an adult, one has to pass through the stages of childhood and youth. It is idle for any one to claim that he is a Jnani, unless he has gone through the prior disciplines. The mark of a Jnani is perennial joy. It is for realizing the oneness of divinity that the three stages of action, worship and knowledge have been laid down in the Vedas.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 9th, 2008
The primary requisite for man is to realize the divine potency in him that is the source of all the faculties and talents in him. This is true whether one is an atheist, a theist or an agnostic. No one in the world can survive without this energy. It may be called by different names. Names are not important. The energy is one. It is this divine energy which directs mankind on the right path. Men should strive to recognise the presence of the Divine in everything.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 10th, 2008
In the discipline of Bhakti (devotion), one has to stand the test at the hands of the Lord. He has to hold on to the Lord's name at all times and under all conditions, without the slightest trace of dislike or disgust, bearing the ridicule and the criticism of the world and conquering the feelings of shame and defeat.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 11th, 2008
It is only when attachment to the fruits of one's actions is discarded that the action becomes Yoga (a means to achieve Divine communion). Those who undertake service activities should overcome the sense of 'mine' and 'thine'; they should regard it as a privilege to serve others and look upon it as a form of worship of the Divine. They should consider service to society as the means of finding self-fulfillment in life. They should face whatever problems may arise with faith and courage, and carry on their service activities without fanfare, in a spirit of humility and dedication.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 12th, 2008
Some say knowledge is valuable, but character is more valuable than knowledge. One may be a learned scholar, one may hold high positions of authority, one may be very wealthy or be an eminent scientist but if one has no character, all the other acquisitions are of no use at all. Sacrifice, love, compassion and forbearance are the sterling human qualities that should be fostered, shedding jealousy, hatred, ego and anger which are animal qualities.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 13th, 2008
Channel the love that arises in you towards God. Dedicate your body to the Divine. This is the true mark of devotion. There are three constituents in man: the mind, the power of speech and the body. These three are called Trikaranas - the three active agencies in man. It is when all three are used for sacred purposes, that man becomes sanctified. Spirituality alone can purify the heart and mind of man. Morality helps to purify speech. Righteous deeds sanctify the body. It is through spirituality, morality and righteousness that the three instruments get purified. Only the one who has achieved this threefold purity can realize the Divine. If any of these instruments are impure, he cannot realize the Divine.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 14th, 2008
Whatever activity one may be engaged in, one must, as spontaneously as one breathes, always be aware of this: " I am born to serve God and to realise my true self". All actions - eating, walking, studying, serving, etc. should be performed in the faith that they take one to the Divine Presence. Everything should be done in a spirit of dedication to the Lord.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 15th, 2008
Man thinks that the more he has of worldly goods the happier he will be. But, as desires grow, disappointments and troubles also increase. There should be a limit to our desires, attachments and ambitions. The world is suffering from numerous troubles because people do not keep their desires under check. Nature has prescribed limits for everything - for the temperature of the body, the capacity of the eye to tolerate light or for the ear to listen to sound. When these limits are crossed, harm is caused to the organs concerned. All actions in life should be governed by the limits applicable to each of them. When desires are controlled, genuine happiness is experienced.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 16th, 2008
Everyone should realise that to attain oneness with divinity is the goal of human life. Hence it is everyone's duty to develop faith in the Divine. With the growth of faith, if one leads a life devoted to Dharma (righteousness), Sathya (truth) and Neethi (justice), he will be achieving the purpose of life. When we practise Dharma, the Divinity in us will manifest itself spontaneously. The man who does not follow Dharma is a burden on the earth. It is more important to earn the grace of God than earn all the wealth in the world. Develop the love of God and realise the bliss that is beyond all words.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 17th, 2008
Delusion comes only to those who lose their bearings. Egoism is the greatest factor in making people forget the basic Truth. Once the ego dominates man, he slips from the ideal and precipitates himself from the top of the ladder in quick falls from step to step, down to the bottom. Egoism breeds schism, hatred and attachment.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 18th, 2008
Young people today are totally oblivious to the importance of dedicating their lives to great ideals. It is up to the parents to endeavour to make their children lead purposeful lives. Teachers, on their part, should set an example and inculcate in their wards right values. Only a lighted lamp can serve to light other lamps. If teachers lack idealism how can they inspire their students to lead ideal lives? People talk about the spiritual life, but rarely practise it. They often act contrary to it. The reason is the lack of virtues. Without good qualities, all other attributes are useless. It is like pouring water in to a pot full of holes.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 19th, 2008
How pure is the heart that is full of Bhakti (devotion) to God and Prema (love) towards all beings! Selfless service is possible only by such persons; the rest only prattle about it and pretend to be impelled by it. Only those who are well established in the faith that all are children of God and that He is the Inner Motive Force of every being, can include themselves in that class of Sevaks (people rendering selfless service).
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 20th, 2008
Is the Sadhaka (spiritual aspirant) serving God or is God serving the Sadhaka? The service that the Sadhaka is doing is trivial. Offering to God what God has provided is like offering to the river its own water. The truth is that it is God who is rendering service to the devotee. All the capacities given by God should be used in the service of the Divine. There is no need to go in quest of God. In fact, God is all the time searching for the genuine and steadfast devotee. The Sadhaka is approaching God for the fulfilment of his desires. He is after petty and transient benefits. He does not seek to understand the nature of true love or the Divinity that underlies everything.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 21st, 2008
Vairagya or non-attachment depends upon Jnana (spiritual wisdom) as well as Bhakti (devotion). Deprive Vairagya of that basis and you will find it crumbling down. Vairagya is the prime cause for spiritual progress. All these three - Bhakti, Jnana and Vairagya - have to be emphasised in Sadhana (spiritual exercise). One cannot separate them and strive for them individually.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 22nd, 2008
It is mentioned: "Success begets success." But how is success to be achieved and what is the success you should aim at? The Bhagavad Geeta declares: "Shraddhavan Labhathe Jnanam" (The persevering seeker secures wisdom). This means that without perseverance and earnestness no success can be achieved. Man is not able to make significant progress towards the Divine because of absence of strenuous striving in the spiritual sphere. Without spiritual practice, reading religious books and listening to spiritual discourses have no value. Study of scriptures and reciting God's names may be good acts in themselves. But, if there is no love, which is the basis of all Sadhana (spiritual discipline), they are of no use.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 23rd, 2008
Man must have Samadrishti (seeing everyone as equal). All creation must appear to his eyes as equally auspicious. He must look upon all beings with as much faith and love as he has for himself. For there is nothing evil in creation, not even an iota. Evil appears as such only through faulty vision. Creation gets coloured by the nature of the 'glasses' we wear. By itself, it is eternally pure and holy.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 24th, 2008
In one's life, the years sixteen to thirty are the most precious. This is the period when all of one's faculties and energies are at their peak. Hence one should strive to make the best use of this period. Noble qualities like self-confidence, sacrifice, aspiration and courage must be acquired then. If this time of one's life is wasted, there will only be failures in later years. Bad thoughts and bad practices should be eschewed altogether. During this crucial period, one should try to understand the purpose of life and concentrate one's efforts on achieving one's ideals. No spiritual effort is possible when one has dissipated one's physical and mental abilities.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 25th, 2008
Develop love of God. All other forms of love are not love at all, but only fleeting and impermanent attachments. Man's biggest folly is forgetting his Divinity. All should realize that they come from God. All are children of God. Everyone should seek to get nearer and nearer to God. That is true Sadhana (spiritual practice). You must feel that God dwells in your heart. You must develop compassion in the heart, because without it, the heart is only a stone. That is the message of Jesus: The message of love. Love is God. Live in love. Start the day with love. Spend the day with love. End the day with love. This is the way to God. Only the person who is filled with love will be dear to the Lord.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 26th, 2008
Just as the Sun can be seen only by its own light, the love of the Divine can be acquired only by Divine Grace and not by trivial spiritual practices. These Sadhanas (spiritual practices) are invariably motivated by selfish objectives. There is an element of selfishness in every service which man undertakes. All his undertakings are tainted by egoism or the acquisitive urge. Only when the Sadhaka's heart is filled with the Divine, will he be able to entertain pure and sacred love.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 27th, 2008
Jnana (spiritual wisdom) is the attainment of Oneness, the realization that there is nothing high or low. That is the true Divine Principle, the Brahman. Jnana is the panacea of all ills and troubles. To acquire this Jnana, there are many paths, and the best of these is the path of Bhakti (devotion). As the oil is to the flame in the lamp, so is Bhakti to the flame of Jnana. The heavenly tree of joy of Jnana thrives on the refreshing waters of Bhakti.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 28th, 2008
In the pursuit of the good and godly life, one may encounter many difficulties and disturbances. Many doubts and questions crop up. It is only when these difficulties are faced squarely and the troubles are borne with patience and fortitude that we can understand the true nature of Reality. You should not allow yourselves to be overwhelmed in any way by difficulties and sorrows, doubts and disappointments. You must have faith. Have confidence in yourself and strive to understand well the nature of God's love. To secure that love is the sacred goal of human life. The transforming power of Love is boundless.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 29th, 2008
Man is an amalgam of body, mind and spirit. The senses of perception and action, which form the components of the body, are busy contacting the objective world. The mind examines, experiences and judges. It decides after discrimination, which word or deed will be beneficial. It attempts to separate the good from the bad, the Punya (virtuous deed) from the Paapa (sinful action), the true from the false, and the permanent from the momentary. The Spirit or the Atma is the unaffected basis. Its quality is Sath (being) but it is ever aware, ever Chith (consciousness). And when the consciousness is pure and unchanging, that state is Ananda (divine bliss).
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 30th, 2008
The wickedness of no man is incorrigible. By conscious effort, habits can be changed and character refined. By selfless service, renunciation, devotion and prayer, the old habits which bind man to earth can be discarded and new habits which take us along the Divine path can be instilled into our lives.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - December 31st, 2008
The inner voice is another name for the Buddhi (intellect). Man is guided by this inner voice in the conduct of his life. Whenever problems arise, he awaits the directives of the inner voice. If satisfactory answers are not forthcoming from his inner voice, he will have no satisfaction in life. In other words, one’s satisfaction with the external world is a function of one’s satisfaction with one’s inner world, represented by the inner voice. Sometimes you hear people saying, "My conscience is not satisfied, or my conscience does not approve of this". Here, conscience refers to this inner voice. Only when you follow the dictates of your conscience can you reach the right destination.
-SAI BABA