Detachment Leads To Divinity

God’s Tests Strengthen Your Latent Divinity

Embodiments of Divine Love!

All forms represent truth. So, all forms in this universe are divine. Human beings come from Sat-chit-ananda (being, awareness, bliss). When man realizes he is Sat-chit-ananda, he will attain peace and bliss. Human body may undergo change, but the Atma is changeless truth. The entire universe including human beings represent Satyam Shivam Sundaram (truth, auspiciousness, beauty).

Bharat Is The Land Of Truth And Righteousness

Plato, the first disciple of Socrates, propagated the principle of truth, auspiciousness, and beauty. Aristotle was the first disciple of Plato. Being the preceptor of Alexander, Aristotle wanted to direct his mind towards spiritual path to prevent him from leading a mundane life. When Alexander decided to invade Bharat, Aristotle cautioned him, “Bharat is a sacred land. You should consider it your good fortune to enter this land. Do not go there to fight with the Bharatiyas. Every cell and atom of Bharat is sacred. Go there but do not have hatred towards the people of Bharat. When you come back, bring four things from there: First, bring with you the dust of the feet of saints of Kasi. Secondly, bring some sacred water of Ganga river, which emerged from the feet of Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva with matted locks of hair on his head, with third eye in the centre of his forehead, with red lips and red dot manifested there. The Ganga fell on the head of Shiva and flowed in this sacred land. Thirdly, bring the Bhagavad-gita which contains the celestial song sung by Lord Krishna during the Mahabharata war. Fourthly, bring with you a great renunciant from there, if possible.

Great men of overseas countries had such sacred thoughts about Bharat. Bharat was a land of truth, righteousness, and sacrifice. But today it has become a land of pleasure seekers. In ancient times, people of this land maintained harmony between their thoughts, words, and deeds. They understood the correct meaning of Manusha (man). It is said, the proper study of mankind is man. Man has to keep his thoughts, words, and deeds in harmony. Every noble soul strove for this triple purity.

What Should We Offer To God?

God gives tests to man, but at the same time, He provides protection also. Actually, these should not be considered as tests. Since there is no other suitable word, we say these are tests. In fact, God gives tests to strengthen your latent divinity. In Bharat, Rishis (saints) undertook penance in forests by undergoing great hardships, by renouncing all comforts and even food. In this way, they lost all body awareness and were able to recognise their divinity.

In ancient times, there was a kingdom in Bharat which was called Satyajit. (Swami then narrated the story of this kingdom where the king, queen, and all their subjects practised truth and righteousness in their life. They were all noble and pious as there was harmony between their thoughts, words, and deeds, and they led a blissful life).

Throughout his life, man searches for happiness and tries to seek it in family, wealth, power, and position. But he keeps pining for happiness as there is no happiness in worldly possessions and relations. In spite of the fact that he has originated from bliss, he remains unhappy due to his ignorance. Happiness is not to be found in worldly objects. Happiness emanates from the heart. Everything comes from God. So, we have to give everything back to God. It is said that man should offer leaves, flowers, fruits, and water to God. But man should know the inner meaning of these offerings. What does the offering of leaves to God mean? It is not the leaves of different plants. The leaf symbolises the body with three qualities of Satva, Rajas and Tamas (serenity, passion, and sloth). We offer flowers also to worship God. It is not the flowers that we buy from the market, but the flower of the heart that blossoms and blooms which should be offered to the Divine. What does the offering of fruit mean? It is not the fruit that we eat. It is the fruit of good qualities that grow on the tree of human life. It is the fruit of mind that we should offer to God. We offer water, but it is not the water of a lake, tap, rain or river; it is the tears of devotion to God. So, leaf, flower, fruit, and water are all symbolic.

In Telugu, there is a proverb: The jackfruit with tough, rough, and thorny covering has multiple fruits inside containing sweet juice. Though the fruits and seeds of the jackfruit are different, the sweet juice is one only. Similarly, there are many cultures and different types of people in the world, but the bliss is one. Unfortunately, we look at the physical forms, actions, and behavior (outer covering), the Atma (sweet juice) is one in all. It is immortal, subtle, pure, and unsullied.

Bharat Is The Land Of Avatars

Shakuntala spoke to her son Bharata, “Oh Bharata, you have forgotten the promise you made. You should always keep your promise under all circumstances”. Bharata signifies adherence to truth and righteousness. This is how our country derived its name Bharat. Bharat is the land of truth. So, always act righteously and maintain harmony of your thoughts, words, and deeds.

The foul-smelling human body covered with skin houses the temple of God within. Thus, body is the moving temple. When once you treasure this feeling in your heart, you will not tread the wrong path. This body with mind is the gift of God. Contemplate on this principle of truth with one-pointedness. The kingdom of Satyajit optimised truth and righteousness. From ancient times, Bharat has provided wisdom and inner strength to the world. Bharat is the land where God has taken human birth in the form of Avatars.

When Prahlada told his father king Hiranyakashipu that God is everywhere, his father asked him whether God exists in the pillar of the palace too. When Prahlada said yes, the king broke the pillar and out came the Lord in the form of Narasimha (an Avatar having the form of half man, half lion). Here, our body represents the pillar. When body feeling is broken and transcended, one will experience Divinity. Do your duty without too much attachment as it is harmful. Wear the correct size of shoe so that you can walk comfortably. Keep your desires under control.

Fill your heart with thoughts of the Divine. Recognise that good and bad are only in your vision. From God’s perspective, everything is good. Develop goodness within you, having the faith that God resides in your heart.

(Bhagawan brought His Discourse to a close with the Bhajan “Govinda Hare Gopala Hare He Gopi Gopa Bala”.)

– Bhagawan’s Divine Discourse in Sai Sruthi, Kodaikanal on 27th April 1996.