Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 1st, 2009
Truth and Righteousness alone are lasting and all other things, including this body, wealth and kinsfolk are impermanent. Manifest the truth within you and put that truth into practice. What you need for spiritual progress are three things: a heart free from attachment and hatred, a tongue that is not tainted by untruth, a body not polluted by violence. Without these three, all penance and religious practice is of no use. You have to pray incessantly to the Divine to confer these qualities on you. Realise that the Divine is within you. Life is given to you to realise lasting bliss by the right use of the body, the mind and the intellect. You have to acquire the wisdom to lead such a life based on the love of God.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 2nd, 2009
Jnana in Vedantic parlance has been defined as "Advaita Darshanam". That is to see the One in the many, unity in diversity. There may be many names and forms, but you have to recognize that the Atma Principle in all of them is one and the same. It is not enough to say this in words. You must make it a living experience. Only then can one experience enduring Ananda (bliss). Such a person alone can be called a true Jnani (Knower of the Supreme).
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 3rd, 2009
The ultimate purpose of all spiritual exercises is to realize the love of the Divine. To foster love is the purpose of all spiritual endeavour. Under no circumstances should love be given up or ignored. Where there is love, there can be no hatred, grief or want. See that your love for God does not fluctuate according to whether your wishes are fulfilled or not. Love of God alone can confer enduring bliss. There is nothing greater than love in this world. Everything has a price. The price to be paid for everlasting happiness is Divine love.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 4th, 2009
The Upanishads declare that immortality can be experienced only through Thyaga (renunciation or sacrifice). This renunciation does not mean giving up hearth and home, kith and kin. It means giving up the transient and impermanent things of the world. This calls for discrimination between what is permanent and what is perishable, what is good and what is bad. Only then can man discover the Divine principle within him.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 5th, 2009
Most people in the world do not understand the purpose of life. Preoccupied with the pursuit of external objects, men do not strive to explore the inner realms of the Atma. Standing on the seashore, one can see only the waves on the surface and not the pearls lying in the depths below. Only the brave man who can dive deep into the ocean will be able to gather the pearls and not others. Likewise, Atma Jnana (knowledge of the Atma) can be gained only by those who turn away from the exploration of the phenomenal world to inquire into the truth of the Spirit.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 6th, 2009
A 'Manishi' (ordinary man) gets transformed into a 'Maharishi' by engaging in selfless service. Truly speaking, the merit that can be obtained from service cannot be acquired even by the practice of rigorous austerities. Service brings human beings closer to each other and promotes affection and friendship. Without this feeling of friendship and love towards one's fellowmen, one cannot attain intimacy with the Lord. Install in your heart the feeling that the service you render to your fellowmen is service to God.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 7th, 2009
Considering the material world as the only reality, man loses himself in the pursuit of material objects. But, if the truth about these material objects is fully explored, it will be found that they have no reality at all. They are temporary and ephemeral. They do not have the stamp of permanent reality. They do not confer enduring bliss. Every human being seeks to enjoy bliss. To realize everlasting bliss, man has to make the requisite effort. He should find out - "Who am I?" When he has found the answer to this question, there will be no need for him to understand what is Sath-Chith-Ananda (Being-Awareness-Bliss). He will realize that he is the very embodiment of Sath-Chith-Ananda.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 8th, 2009
There are different kinds of Jnana (knowledge). What is implied by the 'Jnana' is the knowledge of the Atma. It is not concerned with the physical, sensory or worldly knowledge. Atma Jnana (knowledge of the Atma) can be got only by enquiring into the nature of the Atma and not by any other means. It cannot be taught by preceptors or learnt by studying texts. It cannot be received from anyone or offered to anyone. It has to emerge from the inner consciousness. Preceptors and texts can only help to some extent. The aspirant who seeks Atma Jnana has to embark on self-enquiry to experience this Self-awareness. He should explore and investigate the whole gamut of spiritual experience and arrive at the Ultimate Reality.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 9th, 2009
To be established in Dhyana (meditation), a spiritual aspirant should control his senses and passions, and perform action without any desire for the fruit of the action. Whoever is adept in this can easily see with the mind's eye the form of Brahman (Divinity) as soon as he hears the exposition of its nature. When Vairagya (detachment) is rooted deep, the heart becomes pure and withdrawal of the senses from the objective world becomes possible.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 10th, 2009
When the obstacles in the path of truth are laid low, deliverance is achieved. That is why Moksha (liberation) is something that can be won, here and now; one need not wait for the dissolution of the physical body for that. Action must not be felt as a burden, for that feeling is a sure sign that the particular action is ill-advised. No deed that helps your progress will weigh heavily on you. It is only when you go counter to your innermost nature that you feel it a burden. A time comes when you look back on your achievement and sigh at the futility of it all. Entrust your mind to the Lord, before it is too late, and let Him shape it as He thinks best.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 11th, 2009
Deha Vasana (attachment to the body) impels one to seek physical strength and health and an attractive physique. All the efforts to make up one's face will not serve to alter its natural features. Only that which has been given by the Lord will be enduring. You must be content with that. While taking as much care of the body as is essential, you should not have excessive attachment to that which is inherently perishable and temporary. The body must be taken care of only for realizing the Divinity within. It is no doubt necessary to maintain good health as long as one lives, but obsessive concern for the body is misconceived.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 12th, 2009
The sanctification of the five senses is the way to Truth. If the senses are polluted, of what avail are spiritual exercises? When the water in a tank is polluted, all taps will give only polluted water. Your heart is the tank. When the heart is polluted, the senses are bound to be sullied. When the heart is filled with good thoughts and feelings, all that comes out of the senses - your speech, your vision, your actions - will be pure. The secret of spiritual wisdom is not to be got from scholars or by study. Spiritual understanding can only come from mastery of the senses.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 13th, 2009
The Lord declared in the Bhagavath Gita, "Whenever there is decline of Dharma, and Adharma raises its hood, I incarnate Myself". Sathya (Truth) and Dharma (Righteousness) are eternal. They remain unchanged through all the three periods of time – past, present and future. It may be asked: What is the need to propagate ideals that are eternal? When righteousness is not practiced, it appears as if it has decayed. But Dharma cannot decay or disappear, it is imperishable. It is the practice of righteousness that declines, not righteousness itself. It is like the sun being covered by a cloud. The sun is not apparently visible. But it is always there and shines brightly again when the cloud moves away.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 14th, 2009
Sri Krishna Ashtami
When Sri Krishna was being weighed in a balance, all the jewels of Sathyabhama could not balance His weight. Rukmini then came and declared that the mere chanting of the name of Krishna would be equal to His weight. By the weight of an additional offering of a leaf, a flower or a little water, the scales will be tilted against Krishna. So saying she placed a Tulasi (Basil) leaf on the scale. And lo! It went down. Such is the power of the Lord's name and a love-filled offering to the Lord. The Lord is not swayed by wealth or scholarship, power or position. Love alone can move Him.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 15th, 2009
Man should strive to become good and virtuous. Only when a man is filled with good thoughts and feelings, and performs good deeds will his life become meaningful. You have to busy yourselves with activity in order to use your time and skill to the best advantage. That is your duty, and duty is God. Every man should recognise that the body has been given to him to render service to others. One must use the body for promoting the welfare of society. A mind that is not utilized for imparting joy to others or a body that is not used in service of others is totally useless. The way to love God is to love all and serve all.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 16th, 2009
All men in all countries are pilgrims proceeding along the path to God. The progress of each is decided by the discipline adopted, the character formed, the ideal kept in view, the leadership chosen and the faith implanted. Just as trees and plants, birds and beasts differ from one region to another, the rituals, practices, disciplines and ideals may differ from community to community; each is good for that region and that stage of development. You cannot transplant one, from one human community to another. The atmosphere in which you have grown up is the most congenial for you.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 17th, 2009
All that one sees in the entire universe is a manifestation of Brahman (Godhead). Some people ask: "How can we petty human beings be equal to the all encompassing Brahman?" This is not correct. You are that omnipotent, all-pervading Brahman. Due to your worldly attitude, you are not recognising the Reality. You are separating yourself from the Divine. All that you see is Brahman. To search for God as something different from you is a mistake. But this truth is not easily recognised by man. When you look at the ocean, its endless series of waves and the frothing foam on the waves, they all appear separate from each other. But the truth is they are all one. The water in the waves and in the foam comes from the same ocean and has the same qualities as the ocean.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 18th, 2009
Vedanta (Vedic philosophy) declares: "Brahman is Sathya (Truth); the Cosmos is Mithya (illusory)". Your primary concern must be to understand whether you are real or unreal or what in you is real and what is unreal. It is only when you have recognised the truth of your own being that you can recognise the world as illusory and your own self as the only reality. The realized person asserts: "I am Brahman". Wherefrom has this statement emanated? What does it mean? It is a spontaneous expression and not the result of a thought or feeling. The "I" is boundless Infinite. When the finite individual merges in the Infinite "I", the "I" alone remains.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 19th, 2009
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 - August 20th, 2009
It is attachment to property or position born out of a sense of possessiveness that is the cause of man's sorrow and unhappiness. Man must strive to get rid of this feeling of "I" and "mine" in order to experience enduring happiness. When everything appears to be going well, man forgets everything including himself. His ego gets inflated as a result of his achievements and acquisitions. He should realize that he is only a temporary beneficiary of what he possesses and has no permanent title to them. He should regard power or position as a moral responsibility carrying the obligation to discharge the duties relating to it. It is only when all actions are done in this spirit of moral imperative that man can experience genuine happiness and satisfaction.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 21st, 2009
Peace cannot be found in the external world but within oneself. One should realize that the whole universe is pervaded by the Divine. Today the world is filled with strife. It is not possible to make a distinction between a human being and a demon. Man, who evolved from the animal, instead of proceeding towards Divinity, is regressing to animality. Man's primary duty is to uphold the human values of Truth, Righteousness, Peace and Love. However, man today is enveloped in attachment and hatred. The moment he casts them off, he will realize his divinity.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 22nd, 2009
The entire universe has been created out of the Will of God. God creates the universe and sustains it. The universe ultimately merges in God, the source of its origin. The universe is known as Vishwam. The correct meaning of Vishwam is that which is self-expansive and full of bliss. Vishwam is not merely a manifestation of physical matter; it is a direct manifestation of God. It is the very embodiment of the Cosmic Personality, with all His limbs. God is the primal cause behind the universe. The universe is the reflection of God. Vishwam and Vishnu (God) are not different from each other. This can be understood only through Viveka (discrimination).
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 23rd, 2009
What is the inner significance of worshipping the elephant-faced deity Ganesha? The elephant is a symbol of might and magnitude. The elephant's foot is larger than that of any other animal. The elephant can make its way through the densest jungle. In this way, it signifies the quality of a leader who shows the way for others. The elephant is also known for its faithfulness and gratitude. These are the lessons man should learn from the elephant. Intelligence without gratitude is valueless. Every man should be grateful to those who have helped him.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 24th, 2009
We become what we contemplate. By constant thought an ideal gets imprinted on our heart. When we fix our thoughts all the time on the evil that others do, our mind gets polluted by the evil. When, on the contrary, we fix our mind on the virtues or well-being of others, our mind is cleansed of wrong and entertains only good thoughts. No evil thought can penetrate the mind of a person wholly given to love and compassion. The thoughts we indulge in shape our nature; along with others, they affect us too.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 25th, 2009
Without the sanction of the Lord, man cannot achieve anything in the world. The Divine is the basis for everything. Man, however, is filled with conceit that he is the one who is doing everything. This pride is the cause of his ruin. It is the cause of his frustration and disappointment. Man today is basing his life on nature and is hence forgetting God. This is a grievous mistake. You must place your faith in God, the Creator of the universe, and then enjoy what nature provides. Faith in God is the primary requisite for man.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 26th, 2009
Education must lead to illumination; the darkness of ignorance and the dusk of doubt will flee before that splendour. Then it is easy to cultivate good thoughts and feelings in the heart thus illumined. Education does not end with the accumulation of information; it must result in transformation of the habits, character and aspirations of the individual. Knowledge has to be tested in daily life. Now, man has no inkling of the most precious heritage that he has within him. He is interested in everyone except his own self. If only he becomes aware of his self, he can have vast strength, abiding peace and great joy added unto himself.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 27th, 2009
Spiritual love has to be distinguished from love or attachment related to the body, the mind or the intellect. The latter are related to the world and are a source of sorrow. True love is pure, selfless, free from ego and is full of bliss. Worldly attachments are not real love at all. They are transient, whereas the everlasting, pure love arises from the heart. How is it that man is unable to recognise this all-pervading love? It is because man's heart has become barren and polluted. The heart is filled with all kinds of desires and there is no room in it for pure, unsullied love to enter. It is only when worldly attachments are expelled from the heart that there will be room for true love to abide in it and to grow.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 28th, 2009
Every object in creation has five aspects, namely, Sath, Chith, Ananda, Rupa and Nama (existence, consciousness, bliss, form and name). The first three are eternal principles, whereas name and form are ephemeral. Sath, Chith and Ananda are the basis for name and form. People attribute various names and forms to God on the basis of their own feelings. They forget the three main principles of Sath, Chith and Ananda, and assume name and form to be the sole reality. In reality, name and form are not permanent. But people are overwhelmed by name and form, and ignore the eternal principles of Sath, Chith and Ananda. Consequently, they are deluded and tend to forget the mighty power of God behind the name and form.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 29th, 2009
Without unwavering faith in an all-knowing God, life becomes dry and drab, darkened by the ever-present shadow of despair and doom. Love for God and fear of sin are the two primary needs for a happy life. Without these two, man becomes a monster. Man must be ever ready to sacrifice his selfish needs for the sake of the larger community. There is nothing as glorious as renunciation. Be honest, be detached, and with God installed in your heart march forward to offer your talents and skills in discharging your duties. Do not strive for your happiness alone, but strive for the happiness of all.
-SAI BABA



Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam - August 30th, 2009
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 (vision imbued with 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 - August 31st, 2009
As a preliminary to Seva (selfless service) you have to attain purity of heart. You must examine your motives and skills, your intentions and qualifications, and discover for yourself what you hope to achieve through Seva. You should ferret out any trace of egoism, and also the desire for fame. You have to get rid of all sense of mine and thine and burn to ashes the pride that comes from the feeling that you are offering service to someone poorer and less fortunate. Give up pride of status, wealth, scholarship and position, and practise humility, obedience, discipline and compassion.
-SAI BABA