Steps in Sadhana
The Governor of Uttar Pradesh said just now that he does not see signs of moral revival, though much is being talked about achievements in the field of economic revival. Let me assure him that the moral revival is already there and it is gaining volume every moment. Indeed, the reconstruction of humanity on moral foundations is today, a world problem, not merely an Indian problem. In all countries, the emphasis is on the standard of life, not on the way of living. Once you turn towards the path of worldly happiness, you will be led on and on to greater and greater discontent, competition, pride, and jealousy.
Just stop for a moment and examine your own experience; whether you are happier when you grow richer and whether you get more peace as and when your wants are satisfied. Then, you will bear witness to the truth that an improved standard of living is no guarantee of happiness. Nor is education, or the mastery of information and the acquisition of skills give any guarantee of mental equanimity. As a matter of fact, you find the educated man everywhere more discontented and more competitive than the uneducated. So, the re-establishment of dharma, which is the task of the avatara, is as urgent in other parts of the world as, according to the Governor, it is in this country.
The motive force for that revival has to come from this country itself, for India has been proclaiming the truth fearlessly and without intermission. It is on account of that breath that this land is still alive, in spite of typhoons and earthquakes in the cultural sphere. Indians have a greater responsibility than people of other countries, to live in such a way that others may get inspiration for spiritual sadhana from them.
Duties Have To Be Done As Worship
Yours is a splendid chance to become the guides of humankind. You, who belong to the Sathya Sai Samajam, have this responsibility in an even greater measure since you must lead model lives of sincere striving. Having taken the name, you are bound to act according to My ajna (command) and to shed the light of bhakti on all who come near you. I am really moved by prema, seeing such a vast gathering and hearing the Governor praising your orderliness and discipline.
The root of all trouble is the uncontrolled, ill-directed mind. Like the Godavari in floods, it rolls along, causing slips and slides, and Devastating vast areas on both banks. Viveka (discriminatory wisdom) and vairagya (non-attachment) are the two bunds, which tame the mad energy of the flood and lead the raging waters into the sea, which is, after all, the destination they seek.
“Athato Brahma Jijnasa” - “After this, the discussion on the nature of Brahmam,” says the Brahmasutra (aphorisms on the Supreme Reality). After what? After the cultivation of viveka and vairagya, naturally. How can they be implanted? By the first three purusharathas [primary goals of life - dharma, artha and kama (righteousness, wealth, and desire-fulfillment)]. The practice of dharma is the Art of Living. That is why in the Gita, Krishna taught Arjuna karmasannyasa (giving up the fruits of action), not dehasannyasa (giving up the body).
No attempt need be made to run away from the duties of one’s station and status. Remember, those duties have to be done as worship, as offerings of one’s intelligence and skill, qualities, thoughts, and feelings to the feet of the Lord, in a spirit of thankfulness for the chance given, without a trace of egoism, or a sense of attachment to the fruits of the actions. The nityakrutya (obligatory actions) have to be carried out, wherever you are, with care and sincerity. They award the needed viveka and vairagya.
Steady Effort Alone Will Bring Success
Shankaracharya got that viveka and vairagya without passing through the experience of the world. Others do not get it, even after going through endless travail. That is the difference. You see death snatching away persons from all around you, but you do not train yourself to meet it calmly, bravely, and gladly, when it comes to you. Shankaracharya said that an alligator had grasped his legs, meaning that the world or samsara had caught him in its coils; he told his mother that the alligator would release its hold, only if she agreed to his becoming a monk! Strange alligator, that! It only meant: if he renounced all bonds, he would be free to proceed to the truth. To take the vow of sannyasa (asceticism), the consent of the mother has to be got; so, by this symbolic incident, Shankaracharya persuaded her to say, “Take, take the vow of sannyasa. You have my permission. It is enough for me that you live unharmed.”
Of course, the majority of persons get glimpses of discrimination and detachment off and on, but they soon forget the call and ignore it, and cover it up by excess or excuses. One step forward and one step back - the journey does not take them far. Even if some do take up sadhana, steadiness is absent. Like a ball of thread, which slips out of hand onto the floor, it all comes off, because the grasp is not firm. Steady effort alone will bring success here, as in every other case. How can you expect quick success in the control of the mind? It is very difficult to overcome its vagaries, for it is many-faced and very adamant.
The First Step In The Spiritual Effort
You are unable to understand prakriti (nature), which is a reflection, a shadow of God; how then can you understand God Himself? No. Steady perseverance alone will tame your mind, and it is only through a tamed mind that you can experience God. In this case, you must become your own tutor; train yourself by using the spark of wisdom that has been implanted in you. Once you try with all your might, the Lord’s grace will be there to help you forward. The first step in the spiritual discipline is the cleansing of the speech. Talk sweet without anger. Do not boast of your scholarship or attainments. Be humble, eager to serve; conserve your speech. Practise silence. That will save you from squabbles, idle thoughts, and factions.
Again, practise the attitude of joy, when others are joyful and of grief, when others around you are grieved. Let your heart move in sympathy. But, the joy and grief have to be translated into service; they should not be mere emotions. It is not by your wearing the ‘bush coat’, which all others wear, that you should demonstrate the principle of equality; that is very easy. That is external uniformity. How are all equal? Because they have all the same divine chaitanya within them. When the sun rises, not all lotuses in the lake bloom; only the grown buds open their petals. The others await their time. It is the same with men. Differences do exist, because of unripeness, though all fruits have to ripen and fall someday. Every being has to reach the goal, however slow they walk, or however circuitous their road.
Elders Are Not Providing Good Examples
To reach the goal quickly, without passing through the ordeals of the long journey and stopping at one caravanserai after another, passing from birth to birth, learn sadhana - especially, the easiest and the quickest, namasmarana. This mike can work and bring My voice even to those people, sitting far in the distance, only when the connection is correctly made. So, attach yourself to Me, and the current will flow through you and get things done for your good. The light you get from the current that always flows along the copper wire, depends on the power of the bulb you fix; increase the candle power, and you get stronger light. It rests with you how you make use of Me. The rain falls of its own accord uniformly, on the land; the lands bring forth the fruit, according to the quality of soil and seed.
Why blame the boys and girls that they do not respect the elders, or obey their parents, or believe in God, or adhere to high principles of character? The elders are not providing them with examples to show that those traits of character are useful or valuable or essential. They themselves do not know the secret of happiness; they offer to guide the children in the darkness, but their torches have no cells! Teachers, Gurus, leaders of youth - all are in the same predicament.
Very few have solid faith in the scriptures or God; very few have the steadiness to stick to dharma and brave the temptation to stray from the straight path. Prema (love) too is a very difficult virtue to cultivate, though it is a very valuable asset. Shanti (peace) is the one thing that makes life worthwhile. Therefore, I bless the Sathya Sai Samaj of Perambur that it may grow in these virtues more and more, with every passing day. You will have your building ready next year. I shall come every year to you and shower on you the ananda, which is My property, and the prema, which is My gift.
Perambur, Madras, 23-4-1961