Be Ever Grateful to God

Today there is no fear of sin. Wicked deeds and acts of cruelty have become an everyday occurrence. Their magnitude is beyond all description. Devotion to the Lord has become extinct. Oh man! Understand that you can attain peace and happiness only by chanting the Divine Name.
(Telugu Poem)

Devotion alone elevates man to the supreme state and cures him of the disease of worldliness.

Devotion alone stirs the yearning for the Divine and leads man to liberation.

(Sanskrit Verse)

When Individuals are Good, Society will be Good

Embodiments of Love!

Devotion to God is the royal road to liberation. It is the divine remedy for the disease of birth and death and all the worldly and physical worries. There is no better path than devotion that leads man to God-realisation.

Chant the Divine Name Constantly

Bharat is the divine and sacred land which has been propagating the knowledge of Vedanta contained in the Upanishads to the entire world. If only the Bharatiyas fill their hearts with total faith in the Upanishadic statements, Isavasyamidamsarvam (the entire universe is permeated by God), Isavasyamidamjagat (God permeates the entire world), the entire country will be free from all problems.

God is all-pervasive. Any individual who has unwavering faith in the all-pervasiveness of God will be free from all worries. Man should imbibe the truth contained in the four Mahavakyas (profound statements) of the Upanishads: Tattwamasi (That thou Art), Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman), Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma (verily all this is Brahman), Ayam Atma Brahma (this Self is Brahman). The entire world is engulfed by the ever-expanding consciousness of Brahman.

Brahman is synonymous with Omkar (Aum). This was the Mahamantra (profound incantation) chanted by the ancient sages of India. Just as there are three letters in the word God, Aum also consists of three letters. In Treta Yuga, Lord Rama’s three brothers, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Satrughna represented A, U, M respectively and He Himself was the embodiment of Omkar. The Atmic principle represented by Rama signified the unity of these three letters. Ramayati Iti Rama (One who pleases is Rama).

If one considers the word Nama (name) from the point of view of numerology, a great truth is revealed. The word Nama is the combination of three letters. According to numerology, the value of Na is 0, that of Aa is 2 and Ma is 5. When you add 0, 2, and 5, it sums up to 7. The Divine Name of Rama similarly gives the number 7. The number seven has great importance as it signifies seven musical notes, seven colors, seven oceans, and seven great Rishis (sages). That is why people conduct Nama Saptaha (chanting of the Divine Name for seven days).

Expression of Gratitude itself is Prayer

God is described as Sabda Brahmamayi, Characharamayi, Jyotirmayi, Vangmayi, Nityanandamayi, Paratparamayi, Mayamayi, and Sreemayi (embodiment of sound, mobility and immobility, light, speech, eternal bliss, perfection, delusion, and wealth). Why does one need to chant the Name of God? Why should one pray to God? Is it not our duty to express gratitude to God who has created this vast world and all the living beings and provided them with food to eat, air to breathe, and water to drink? Not only that, He has provided everything for all living beings to carry on their life sojourn on earth. If your handkerchief falls down and someone picks up and gives it to you, you thank him. Even for a small help like this, you say thanks. Then, is it not your duty to express gratitude to God who has given you so much? Expression of gratitude itself is prayer. What does prayer do? It awakens the inner divinity of man which is immeasurable, invisible, and transcendental. In this regard, there is an exhortation in the Upanishads, Uthishta Jagrat Prapya Varannibodhat (Oh men! Get up; be aware and awake! Go to noble men and learn from them the secret of attaining Divinity). Thus, the Upanishads exhort man to arise and awake from his deep slumber of ignorance.

The Offerings God Accepts

Man is ever in search of happiness. In fact, his entire life is filled with happiness. There is happiness everywhere. Then where is the need to search for happiness? Man searches for happiness in the outside world because he has forgotten his true Self. This is sheer ignorance. The happiness that you want to seek is present within you. You can have happiness only when you love God wholeheartedly. To love God wholeheartedly and to experience His Divinity is devotion. Prayer is essential to develop love for God. True prayer comes from the heart, not merely from the lips. Ravana repeated the Siva Panchakshari Mantra, “Om Namah Shivaya” continuously and performed intense penance. But there was no change in his demonic qualities. What was the reason? The reason was that his prayer did not come from his heart. His prayer was for a selfish motive. Then how could he experience the love of God?

It is only when you offer something to someone, you deserve to receive something in return. If you go to a shop to buy a handkerchief, the shopkeeper will give it to you only when you give him ten rupees. If you don’t pay him ten rupees, he will not give you the handkerchief. Similarly, you have to offer something to God. The Vice Chancellor mentioned in his speech about the teachings of the Upanishads. God does not expect any worldly things from you. What is it that you have to offer Him? Rukmini prayed to Krishna thus:

One may offer You a leaf or a flower or a fruit or even water,
But, if it is true that You offer Yourself to one with devotion,
Oh Krishna! May You be weighed by this Tulasi leaf!
(Telugu Poem)

Here what does leaf mean? It is not the leaf of a basil plant or Bilva tree. You don’t need to go in search of a Bilva tree to offer its leaf to God. Your body is the leaf that has to be offered to God. What is the flower that you have to offer to God? You have to offer the flower of your heart. Similarly, you have to offer the fruit of your mind and not any other ordinary fruit. What do you do when you offer flowers to God? You don’t worship God with all types of flowers. Before offering the flower of your heart to God, you should purify it by removing the germs of Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya (desire, anger, greed, delusion, pride, and jealousy). Similarly, what type of fruit should you offer to God? God does not expect you to offer fruits which grow on trees. You should offer Him the ripe fruit of your mind which is filled with the sweetness of love. Then what type of water should you offer to God? It is not tap water or Ganga water or water of any other river. You should offer your tears of happiness to God. You would have seen people shedding tears when they are filled with extreme happiness. Naara in Sanskrit means water and Nayana means eyes. The Naara (water) that comes from the Nayana (eyes) should be offered only to Narayana (God). You should not shed tears for the world. You should shed tears only for God.

Think you are Brahman and Brahman you Become

Divinity permeates the entire humanity. That is the essence of the Mahavakyas, Aham Brahmasmi and Ayamatma Brahma. This means I am Atma and Brahman. When you constantly contemplate on the truth that you are Brahman, you become Brahman. Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavati (the knower of Brahman becomes verily Brahman). This body is just a Kshetra (field); the Kshetrajna (Knower of the field) is within. There cannot be a Kshetra without Kshetrajna. Similarly, there cannot be a temple without the idol of God. What is the point in having an electric wire without electricity, a school without a teacher, and a temple without the idol of God? Does anyone offer obeisance in a temple where there is no idol of God? Does anyone establish a school without a teacher? God is within you. You should offer to God your heart filled with the sweetness of love. That is the true prayer.

In the same way, Bhajan also should be sung with heart full of love. Bhajan is not merely associated with Sruti, Laya, Raga and Tala (pitch, rhythm, tune, and beat). When a Bhajan is being sung, the next singer should not merely think of the Sruti for his song. That is not correct. One gets real happiness only when one is totally immersed in Bhajan. Happiness can be derived in two ways, one is through Kirtan (singing) and the other is through Sankirtan (community singing).

There may be an element of selfishness in Kirtan. The singer may sing to earn appreciation, honour, and reputation. In such a case, the main consideration of the singer may be Sruti, Laya, Raga and Tala and not the Bhava (feeling). On the other hand, Sankirtan gives happiness to one and all. How? Samyak Kirtanam Iti Sankirtanam (singing for fulfilment is Sankirtan). In Sankirtan, the focus is not only on the voice or the people who have come to participate. You should sing freely and wholeheartedly, with your heart filled with love for God. When you sing to please God, your song will automatically be pleasing to the ears.

The name of our country Bharat also signifies the harmony of Bhava, Raga and Tala. Bha means Bhava, Ra means Raga and Ta means Tala.

Similarly, all your actions should reflect the unity of thought, word, and deed. The singing should have connection with the heart. There is no purpose in merely repeating Ram Ram Ram like a tape recorder. The singing should be coupled with feeling from the heart. Then only can there be harmony between your speech and heart, which leads to Trikarana Suddhi (unity of thought, word, and deed). In fact, there should be harmony in your thoughts, words, and actions in all endeavours of life. Only then God’s heart will melt and He will shower His grace on you. You should always sing to earn the love and grace of God, not to earn the appreciation of others. Fill your mind with such noble thoughts.

The Same Atma is Present in All

There are so many problems the world is facing today. Wherever you see, you find restlessness, conflicts, and chaos. What is the reason? The reason is that man today has limitless selfishness. He has forgotten his humanness, has given up human values, and is not bothered whether his conduct befits his human birth. Therefore, he has lost his value. Today everything has value but man has no value. Nonetheless, man is most valuable in the entire creation. Therefore, man should live like a human being.

Who accords value to the precious diamonds and gold? It is man only. Without man, gold and diamonds have no value. But man, who accords value to all these, has lost his own value. Men are more valuable than all the wealth of the world. Students should understand this truth and conduct themselves accordingly. Gold and diamonds acquire value only because of man. In a city inhabited by a large number of people, the value of land per square metre is so very high. On the other hand, you can buy so many acres of land in a forest for the same price. What is the reason? The reason is that human beings do not live in forests. The land acquires value only when it is inhabited by people. Do not forget this truth. Always think that you are very valuable. You are not cheap but you are the chief.

Always remember the Vedic Mahavakya, Aham Brahmasmi. If you think that only you are God, that is also a sign of ego. You should always think that the Atma present in you is present in all. Taking this truth into consideration, you should respect others. The same truth was stated by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavadgita when He said, “I am the Atma present in you and you are the Atma present in Me. There is no difference between your Atma and My Atma.”

Suppose, there are one hundred earthen pots, one hundred brass pots, and one hundred bronze pots at a particular place as also the pots of many other metals. You find the reflection of the sun in all of them. The value of vessels may vary but the reflection that you find in all of them is one and the same. Likewise, the Atma is reflected in the water of the mind contained in the vessel of human body. When the mind wavers, it looks as though the reflection is also unsteady. But, in fact, the Atma is always steady. It is only the mind that wavers. Because of the wavering nature of your mind, you think the Atma is also wavering. But the Atma is changeless. Nirgunam, Niranjanam, Sanathana Niketanam, Nitya, Suddha, Buddha, Mukta, Nirmala Swarupinam (It is attributeless, unsullied, final abode, eternal, pure, enlightened, free and embodiment of sacredness). What an ignorance it is to attribute unsteadiness to such an Atmic principle! The Atmic principle does not move, does not change, does not melt. It is sweet, pleasing, attractive, nectarine, and full of bliss. As you are not able to understand the Atmic principle, you crave for worldly and mundane things.

Keep your Body Pure and Sacred

Human body is the basis to realise God. Body is like a car. You have to carry on your life journey with the help of this car. You are only traveling in the car, but you are not the car. However, you identify yourself with the car. That is a big mistake. There is a driver inside the car. He exercises control over the steering, accelerator, and clutch. Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha are the four tires of this car. Self-confidence is the air in the tires. Mind is the steering, intellect is the switch, stomach is the engine, food is the petrol, and tiffin is the oil. Whichever path you want to take, you have to turn the steering of your mind in that direction. Tires are outside but the steering is in the hands of the driver. Only when there is air of self-confidence in the tires can the car move smoothly.

Students!

The car of your body should not move on the road in an arbitrary manner while performing the journey of life. You should be aware of the ups and downs that you may encounter on the road. Similarly, you should use your discrimination and enquire how you should conduct yourself in society in a given situation with regard to your age. You should know how to conduct yourself with humility before elders, how to respect your teachers, how to love your parents, how to discharge your duty with regard to your vocation, how to pray to God. The car can travel along a highway without any danger only when you use your discrimination. Food is essential for the body to maintain good health. You should acquire the necessary strength and capability. Never neglect the body because the journey of life has to be performed with the help of the body. The body is very sacred. You can realise God only with the help of the body.

The body is like a temple, a chariot, and a field. Lord Krishna declared, Kshetrajnam Chapimaam Viddhi… (recognize Me as the Knower of the field also). It is said, Deho Devalaya Proktho Jivo Deva Sanathana (the body is a temple and the indweller is God). Keep the temple of the body pure, clean, and sacred. As much you keep your body pure and sacred, so much will you be closer to God. Offer your body to God. Whatever work you do, consider it as God’s work. Wherever you travel, think that you are traveling towards God. What is the reason? Viswam Vishnumayam (Lord Vishnu pervades the entire universe). Everything in this world is the form of God. There is no place where God does not exist; there is no form that is not His. That is why the Bhagavadgita declares, Sarvatah Panipadam Tat Sarvathokshi Siromukham, Sarvatah Srutimalloke Sarvamavruthya Tishthati (with hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth, and ears pervading everything, He permeates the entire universe). Everything is God.

Embodiments of Love!

So long as you observe the difference that you are a Jiva (individual soul) and Deva (God) is different from you, then Jiva is Jiva and Deva is Deva. Have the strong faith that Jiva is Deva. Do not observe any difference between the individual soul and God. You lose peace because you observe such differences. Have firm faith in Ekatma Bhava (feeling of oneness). Perform all your worldly duties. There is nothing wrong in it. When you discharge your duties with divine feelings, then there will be no scope for defects. When you think that God is in you, you will never commit a mistake or resort to violence or hurt others. What is the reason? Daivam Premaswarupam (God is the embodiment of love). Where there is love, there can be no violence. Hatred enters the heart which has no love. It is the hatred that leads you to the wicked path.

Become Worthy of God’s Grace

Students!

Treasure the feelings of unity, harmony, and love in your heart. When you have unity, there will be purity in your heart. When there is no unity in your heart, enmity will enter it. You should travel from unity to purity and from purity to divinity before enmity overpowers you. But, unfortunately, there is no unity, no purity, no divinity today. You find enmity and hostility between communities in the country. How wicked enmity is! Sarva Jiva Tiraskaram Kesavam Pratigachchhati (whomsoever you ridicule, it reaches God). Offer salutations to everyone because God is in all. Man can attain divinity only through such Ekatma Bhava. He becomes an animal when he forgets this. Man has evolved from an animal. He should not go in the reverse direction and become an animal again. He should move forward and become divine.

Lead a sacred life and become ideal students. There are many in this world today who have become slaves of money, power, ego, name, and fame. Our students should become slaves of ideals. They should become ideal boys. This is what they have to learn. What are the types of ideals they should observe? They should follow such ideals which will make them pure and strong. They should help others and give them joy. If they earn a good name by becoming ideal students, it is enough. Your parents will be happy and society will be benefited. When individuals are good, society will also become good.

Students!

Right from this young age, you should develop moral, ethical, and spiritual strength and become ideal students. Help Ever, Hurt Never. This is the essence of all the Puranas (mythological texts). You can serve the world only when you observe this principle. You will not only bring credit to your family but demonstrate an ideal to the entire world also. Consider the world as the manifestation of God. Try to know how you can become deserving of God’s love. Oh God, save me – this is not the prayer you should offer to God. You should pray for the love and grace of God. You will have no dearth of anything when you have God’s love. That is why, Thyagaraja said, “Rama, if I have Your Anugraha (grace), what harm can the Navagrahas (nine planets) do to me?” Tulsidas sang, “What for are the eyes which do not feast on the divine form of Lord Rama!” He said, “I am an Angaheena (cripple).” “When you have hands, legs, and all other limbs, how can you say, you are Angaheena?” asked the Lord. Then Tulsidas said, “I have hands, but I am not able to serve You. It is as good as not having hands. I have eyes, but I am not able to see You. Therefore, I am a blind person.” You should utilise each limb of yours to do God’s work and experience divine bliss. Therein lies the significance, nobility, sublimity, and greatness of human birth. That is why even Thyagaraja sang:

Raara Maa Intidaaka (come to our house) Raghuveera Sukumara, Neeku Mrokkeda (Oh the valorous one of Raghu clan and oh the tender one, I offer my salutations to You)

Raara Dasaratha Kumara Nannelukora, Ne Taalalera (Oh the son of Dasaratha, come to my rescue, I cannot bear separation from You any longer).

(Telugu Song)

Thyagaraja addressed Rama in singular terms, asking Him to come to his house, as he considered Him his old friend.

What is the inner meaning of this? On the spiritual path, you address God only in singular terms and not in plural terms because God is your old friend. When you address an old friend, you use only singular terms such as Raara and Pora (come here, go there). But when a new friend comes to your house, you observe courtesy and formality, saying, please come, take your seat, etc. So long as you observe such courtesy and formality, both will remain new to each other. There will be no intimacy between the two. When you consider someone as your old friend, you will be free with him without observing any formalities. That is why it is said,

The end of wisdom is freedom,
The end of culture is perfection,
The end of knowledge is love,
The end of education is character.

You should consider God as your own. That is real friendship. In fact, God is not different from you and you are not different from God. Both are one and the same. Ekam Sath Viprah Bahudha Vadanti (truth is one, but the wise refer to it by various names). There are millions of people in this world, but all are one. If you ask which of the two numbers 1 and 9 is greater, even an illiterate person will say, 9 is greater than 1. But in spiritual terminology, this is not correct. 1 is greater than 9. 1+1+1+1… becomes 9. Without the number 1, there can be no number 9. One is hero, world is zero. Hero becomes zero if he forgets God. Therefore, you should become heroes, not zeros. Strive to experience God’s love and become a hero.

(Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, “Prema Mudita Manase Kaho…”)

– From Bhagawan’s Discourse in Sai Kulwant Hall on 17th August 1996.