Develop Unity and Spirit of Oneness

Social values have become extinct today. Satisfaction has vanished from man's heart. Character and moral values have been completely destroyed. Alas! What can be said of the life of man today?
(Telugu Poem)

Unity Has Immense Power

Embodiments of Love!

Human race should develop unity and solidarity in order to attain the welfare of the family, progress of society, and prosperity of the world. In Kali Yuga, the power of unity is greater than all other powers. What does society mean? When people with diverse feelings, paths, and thinking come together to lead a life of unity and harmony with a single goal, that denotes society.

Recognise the Power of Unity

Society can easily accomplish what an individual cannot. The culture of Bharat lays emphasis on social solidarity rather than on individual identity. Man cannot live alone. He has to live in society as he is a social being. He can attain peace and happiness only when he strives for the progress of society. Lack of unity leads to dissatisfaction and a number of problems. On the other hand, unity leads to satisfaction and makes human life sacred and divine. Therefore, the power of unity is very great. One cannot bind even a small animal with a single blade of grass, whereas a rope made of a large number of blades of grass can bind even a mighty elephant. Therefore, unity and spirit of oneness are most essential for man. Bharat had to face many difficulties due to the decline of unity and lack of solidarity. There is no dearth of men of power, wealth, and intelligence in Bharat. But due to lack of unity and spirit of oneness among them, the country has suffered a decline. Therefore, students being the future redeemers of the nation, should make necessary efforts to develop unity and spirit of oneness. The 'divide and rule' policy of the politicians has caused many divisions in the country. Not to talk only of worldly matters, there are so many divisions even in the fields of ethics, religion, and spirituality also. Not only that, people are being misled by wrong interpretations. Do not divide the country. Develop unity. Unity is great strength. Unity imparts immense power.

Bharat has made great progress in the field of science. This knowledge can bring glory only when it is associated with discrimination. Knowledge and discrimination should go hand in hand. Knowledge without action is useless, and action without knowledge is senseless. Today man has knowledge but no action, and action without knowledge. India can achieve glory when it combines discrimination with knowledge.

Who Is a True Devotee?

If you enquire who is totally selfless in this world, you will realise that it is only God. There may be an element of selfishness even in parents, wife, and children, but God is totally selfless. When you look upon the acts of God, it may appear to you that there is some selfish motive of God in them. For example, God protected Prahlada and Vibhishana, and punished Hiranyakasipu, Ravana, and Kamsa. When you think of these acts of protection and punishment of God, you may think that there is some selfish motive of God in them. But the fact is that it is not God who protects or punishes. This is the misinterpretation of man. It is your goodness that protects you, and it is your wickedness that invites punishment.

God does not exist in a foreign land, He is in you.
Sin is not elsewhere. It is there where a wrong action is committed.
(Telugu Poem)

In fact, God is not responsible for the acts of protection and punishment. In both the situations, He is not the cause; He is only the witness. As there is none in this world who can impart such knowledge of truth, it is difficult for people to know the reality.

Once Shirdi Sai Baba was sitting in front of Dwarakamai mosque and looking continuously at some copper coins in his hands. Many devotees were waiting for him, but he did not look at any of them. He kept on passing the coins from one hand to the other. For a long time, he neither looked at nor talked to anyone. In the meantime, Shama came there. He was the one who was always with Baba. He asked, "Baba! Many devotees are waiting for you. But you are playing with coins. What is the secret? Why are you looking at these coins time and again? Are you examining them?" Baba replied, "Dear son, look here! None of these coins is of any use. Letters are erased on some coins and figures, on others. Some are misshapen, and others are broken. I am seeing if there is any valid coin in them." Shama said, "Baba! Throw away the useless coins. Why look at them?" Then Baba said, "Oh dear son! Try to understand. So many devotees come here. But they are all like these disfigured and invalid coins. I do not find even one among them who is a genuine devotee. All of them come for the fulfilment of worldly desires. Students come with the desire to pass the examinations. Some come to me for marriage, some for a job, and some for promotion in their job. In this manner, everyone comes with one desire or the other. I don't see anyone who comes for Atma Gnyana (knowledge of the Self). I am trying to see if there is any real devotee. There is not a single person who follows my teachings. They want Baba, but to what extent are they following my command? How can they call themselves devotees when they do not put my teachings into practice?" Baba then called Shama near him and asked him to look at a mango tree. He said, "See this mango tree in full bloom. It is so full of flowers that even the leaves are not seen. But how many of these flowers will become unripe fruits and ultimately ripe fruits? Some flowers will wither away due to frost. Some will be blown away by the wind. Only a few of them will grow into young fruits. Some of the young fruits will also fall away, and only a few of them will become raw mangoes. Some of the raw mangoes will fall down when birds and squirrels bite at them. If all these flowers were to become fruits, will the tree be able to bear their weight?"

Recognise the Sacredness of Human Life

Similarly, not all those who come to Prasanthi Nilayam are real devotees. Only those who follow Sai's teachings are real devotees. Therefore, I am also in search of a true devotee. I am searching and have been searching. For whom? I am in search of a true human being. What does the term human being signify? A real human being is not merely the one who has hands, feet, and other limbs of a human being.

Do not mistake a silk cotton tree fruit for a mango. Do not chew the stalk of millet plant, considering it as sugarcane. Do not mistake white stones for sugar candy. Do not be carried away by the outward appearance of a person. It is only the virtues that denote the real form of a human being.
(Telugu Poem)

But a human being with human virtues is not to be seen anywhere. You should recognise how sacred, pure, and ideal human life is. You are acquiring education with the expectation of securing high profile jobs or going abroad to earn a lot of money. Today people think, Dhana Moolam Idam Jagat (money is the basis of the entire world). But people in ancient times considered, Dharma Moolam Idam Jagat (righteousness is the basis of the entire world). However, in the present situation, Sai says, Daya Moolam Idam Jagat (compassion is the basis of the entire world). If you have money, you may perform acts of charity. But that is not the goal of life. It is Daya (compassion) that is the hallmark of a true human being. Everyone is endowed with Hridaya. It is composed of two words – Hrid + Daya = Hridaya. It means, the heart that is filled with Daya is Hridaya, the heart of a human being. Otherwise, it is the heart of a dog or a fox or a monkey. True humanness lies in the heart filled with compassion. Therefore, every man should fill his heart with compassion and engage himself in acts of compassion towards others. One bereft of compassion and love is not a human being at all.

Can all green-coloured birds talk like a parrot? Can all insects that crawl on flowers become bees? Can we call a pig an elephant only because it has grown big in size?
(Telugu Poem)

No, no. Likewise, you cannot call one a human being merely because he has the human form. It is said, Jantunam Nara Janma Durlabham. How can you say, human birth is rare when humans do not lead the life of a human being? Human beings should follow Dharma. And Dharma should be tempered with Daya (compassion). God is never selfish. How can a selfish person recognise the selflessness of God? He will see only the reflection of his own feelings in others. Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavathi (as are the feelings, so is the result). Each one imagines on the basis of his feelings. Therefore, the Upanishads declare: Munde Munde Mathir Bhinnah (opinions vary from person to person). As heads vary, thoughts also vary. It is not enough if you subject the body to rigorous austerities. Mind should also be subdued.

Can you kill a snake merely by beating at the anthill? Can the craving for sensual pleasures be subdued by subjecting merely the body to penance? Can one become Atma Gnyani (knower of Self) only by fasting? How can one realise the ultimate truth if one does not know oneself?
(Telugu Poem)

First of all, know yourself. This is the primary goal of human birth. You should ask yourself, "Who am I?" Am I the body or the mind or the intellect or the Antahkarana (inner instrument)? No, no. Body is separate, you are separate. You are not the body. Body is just an Upadhi (adjunct). It is like vesture. You cannot identify yourself with your vesture. You punish the body when mistake is done by the mind. The fault lies in the mind and not in the body. A person committed a crime. The court awarded him death penalty. Did the body commit the crime or the mind? The body acts according to the dictates of the mind. Therefore, mind is the real culprit. But you punish the body and not the mind. Is it in accordance with Manu's code? No, no. Body is inert. It is only an instrument of the mind. Mind is the root cause. Therefore, you have to put the mind on the right track. Whatever wrong one commits, it is actually committed by the mind and not the body. Therefore, mind should bear the punishment for all the wrongs committed by the body.

God Is Immanent in All Beings

Shirdi Sai Baba imparted his teachings to the devotees in many ways through various examples. One day, Baba taught Lakshmibai Shinde that God is present everywhere; He is immanent in every being. Isavasyam Idam Sarvam (the entire universe is permeated by God). Lakshmibai came from a wealthy family. Though she was very rich, she performed the task of sweeping the Ashram, imbued as she was with the spirit of service. Once when she prostrated before Baba, he said, "Lakshmibai! I am hungry." "When God Himself is asking, how can I delay?" Thinking thus, she requested Baba to wait for a few minutes and ran to her house. "Everyday, I offer Naivedyam (food offering) to Baba's photograph. But today when he has asked me directly, I could not give him anything immediately. Let me prepare Chapatis quickly and take them to him." With such feelings, she quickly prepared Chapatis and took them to Baba on a plate. Those days, Baba used to eat quite a number of Chapatis. He folded each Chapati twice and put the whole of it in his mouth. As he ate the Chapatis, he said, "These are very good and very tasty."

Meanwhile, a black dog came there, wagging its tail. Baba called the dog near. As he fondled the dog, it ate away all the Chapatis. On seeing this, Lakshmibai said, "Baba, what have you done? You said, you were hungry. I prepared Chapatis with great devotion and love, thinking that God Himself would eat them. But you are feeding the dog in front of my eyes. What is the sin that I have committed? Where did I err? Did I harbour any bad thoughts while preparing Chapatis? No. I prepared Chapatis with a heart full of love. Why have you shown such disregard to my offering? Is it just on your part?" Lakshmibai used to speak to Baba in this intimate manner just as she would speak to her own father. Baba said, "Lakshmibai, sit calmly. I have eaten all the Chapatis and my stomach is full." Then Lakshmibai said, "Baba, how can I believe this? I have seen the dog eating the Chapatis with my own eyes. How can I believe that you have eaten them?" Then Baba said, "Man asks for food when he is hungry, but birds and animals cannot ask for it when they are hungry. They also have hunger, but they cannot express it. There is God in them also. When they eat food, it means God has eaten that. Do not think that Baba is confined only to this body. That dog is also Baba. The birds and all living beings are also Baba only. Why do you limit Baba to a particular form when he is present in all beings? I wanted to teach you this lesson so that you can get rid of your narrow feelings. Give up narrow-mindedness. Develop broad-mindedness. Whosoever does anything, consider it as the Will of God. Whatever good or bad happens, consider it as for your own good." It is only when the devotees fill their hearts with such sacred feelings can they develop the correct attitude in life.

Shirdi Sai Imparts Brahma Gnyana to a Rich Man

Many of the people who come here go back, thinking that Swami has not looked at them or talked to them or has not fulfilled their desires. There are some who stay in the Ashram and do business outside. Many types of people come here. Can we call all of them devotees? A true devotee comes only to acquire Atma Gnyana. But such devotees are very rare. You experience Atmic bliss only when you attain Atma Gnyana. You should make efforts to understand this truth.

Once a rich man came to Shirdi. He fell at the feet of Baba and prayed to him to teach him Brahma Gnyana (knowledge of the Supreme Self). Baba told him that he would immediately impart the knowledge of Brahman to him. Meanwhile, Baba called a boy and told him to go to a rich man and get from him a loan of five rupees. After some time, the boy returned and told Baba that the rich man was not present in his house. Then Baba told him, "It does not matter. You go to the owner of the oil shop and ask him for a loan of five rupees." Meanwhile, the rich man again asked Baba to give him Brahma Gnyana quickly. As he was praying to Baba, the boy returned empty-handed the second time. Then Baba sent him to a Pan (betel) shop, but the boy was again unsuccessful. In this way, Baba sent him to different persons five times, telling him he needed five rupees urgently. The rich man kept listening to all this, but did not offer five rupees to Baba. Then Baba turned to the rich man and said, "You have a big bundle of five rupee notes in your pocket and right in front of you I sent this boy for a loan of five rupees many times. Did you offer at least one five rupee note from your pocket? What a miser you are! How can you attain Brahma Gnyana? How can the knowledge of Brahman be imparted to such a greedy person? Thyagenaike Amrutatthwamanasu (it is only sacrifice that confers immortality). Brahma Gnyana will be thousands of miles away from the one who does not have the spirit of sacrifice. Today you find it very difficult to part with five rupees. But one day, you will have to leave everything behind and depart from this world. What will you do then? What can you carry with you? This is real Brahma Gnyana."

Begin Sadhana at Young Age

Some parents criticise their children when they participate in Bhajans and other devotional activities. They say, "Oh madcap! Why do you take part in devotional activities at such a young age? Complete your education, take up a good job, and then when you retire, you can count the beads of a rosary at your leisure." What Sadhana can you perform when all your limbs have become weak?

At the time when the messengers of Yama (god of death) put the noose around your neck and start dragging you away, saying, come, let us go.
At the time when your relations tell your family members to take you out of the house, saying your end has approached.
And at the time when your wife and children start weeping and wailing,
How can you chant the Name of Hari at that time?
(Telugu Poem)

What Bhajan or Tapa (penance) can you do after retirement when your vision is blurred, your legs are shaking, and you become a decrepit old man? When you have wasted all your life, what Sadhana can you do when you grow old? If you want to fight your enemies in the battlefield and emerge victorious, you have to join the army when you are young. You are given training at young age when you are recruited in the army. The Namasmarana (chanting the Name of God) that you perform during your lifetime comes to your rescue when your end approaches. If you don't have devotion now, when will you have it? If you think, you will have devotion at a later stage, it is a big mistake. Right from now, you should engage yourself in spiritual practices. When the sapling is straight, then the tree will also grow straight. If the sapling is bent, the tree also will not grow straight. This is a very sacred age. You should fill your heart with divine feelings and a spirit of sacrifice. Take to the path of service. Whatever work you do, consider it as God's work. Even if you are not able to do Japa (chanting), Tapa (penance), and Yoga, you must engage yourself in service activities. You should have the faith that whomsoever you are serving, you are serving God. God is present in all. Ekatma Sarva Bhutantaratma (one Atma dwells in all beings). Enshrine such sacred feelings in your heart at this young age. Shirdi Sai Baba imparted Atma Gnyana to devotees both in direct and indirect manner. People who could not understand the subtlety and sacredness of Baba's teachings were deluded by his outward demeanour. This is a sign of Pravritti (worldliness) of such people.

All Bharatiyas Are One

One should develop divine and sublime feelings. For this, the spirit of unity and oneness are very essential. In this context, Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) demonstrated a great ideal. What is that? He said, "We are not five but one hundred and five brothers. When there are differences between us, we are five Pandavas and they are hundred Kauravas. But if someone else attacks us, we are hundred and five." In the same way, all the Bharatiyas should conduct themselves in a spirit of oneness. All of them belong to one race, one tradition, and one culture. Forgetting this truth, people are developing all sorts of differences, saying, "We are different and you are different." Thereby, they give rise to divisions and destroy the sanctity of the nation. One may belong to any party, any religion, or any State, but all Indians are one. With such a spirit of unity, one should face all challenges and be always ready to safeguard the country. There may be individual differences. At the individual level, you are different from your fellow beings. But when national interest is at stake, all should be one. This was the principle demonstrated by Dharmaraja. He said, "When there are differences between us, the Pandavas are on one side, and the Kauravas are on the other. But if someone attacks our country, we are all one." This is the main teaching of Dharmaraja. One should understand the importance of unity.

The Vedas Propound the Principle of Unity of Mankind

For everything, Dharma is the basis. Compassion is an essential aspect of Dharma. Among the four goals of human life, namely, Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha (righteousness, wealth, desire, and liberation), Dharma is of supreme importance. You should earn money, but earn it through righteous means. You should fulfil your desires, but all your desires should be based on Dharma. Make Dharma and Daya the basis of all your endeavours. Where is Daya? It is present in Hridaya. The heart that is filled with Daya is Hridaya or the heart in the real sense of the term.

Jiva resides in the body and Deva in the heart. Both Jiva and Deva are involved in a play where they come together and get separated from each other. It is Deva who is the director of this play. Both Jiva and Deva are essentially one and the same.
(Telugu Poem)

Individual soul and Supreme Soul are not different from each other. Ultimately, both of them become one. Jiva is Deva and Deva is Jiva. One is the object, the other is its reflection; one is the action, the other is reaction; one is the sound, the other is resound. This is the relationship between Jiva and Deva.

Students!

Along with acquiring education, you should develop the spirit of unity at this age. You are born and brought up in society and are living in society. How can you be separate from society? All that you have accomplished and experienced is the gift of society. Should you not have gratitude for society which has given you so much? Should you not help society in return? When you are ready to receive, you should also be ready to give. This is the real principle of humanness. This is the sacred teaching of Indian culture. The students have just now chanted,

Saha Navavatu,
Saha Nau Bhunaktu,
Saha Veeryam Karavavahai,
Tejaswinavadheetamastu,
Ma Vidvishavahai.
(Sanskrit Verse)

(May the Lord protect and nourish us! 
May we grow in intelligence and valour working together!
May we live in friendship without any conflict!)

Unity of mankind is the main teaching of the Vedas. As there are very few learned men who can explain the principles of the Vedas, people do not give importance to the teachings contained in them. They consider them a mere compendium of Mantras. This is not correct. The Vedas are the fundamental source of all powers and the repositories of all knowledge. It was the Bharatiyas who imparted this supreme knowledge to the people of other countries. Even the knowledge of modern-day weaponry emerged from the Atharvana Veda. But, unfortunately, the Bharatiyas themselves are not able to recognise the importance of the Vedas now. In ancient times, Bharat was regarded as the leader of the world. But today's students have lost faith in the ideals that Bharat stood for. Let all be happy. Let all nations prosper. This is the ideal set by the Indian culture.

Develop Love and Faith

You should develop love for God. There is nothing greater than this. If you have love, you can achieve everything. How can you do that? You can do it because love is present in all and the same love is reflected in all beings. When you understand this reality, you will understand the principle of humanness. You cannot understand this principle in any other way. I have already told you that a human being is one who has faith. But today whomsoever you see, he has no faith in him. What is the use of performing any task if you do not have faith? Therefore, develop faith in God.

Having lost both his eyes of faith, 
Man today has become totally blind in this world.
(Telugu Poem)

Without the eyes of faith, man is verily blind. Leave alone faith in God, do you have faith in yourself? One who does not have faith in himself cannot have faith in God. That is why it is said, "Faith in yourself and faith in God – this is the secret of greatness." It is enough if you have faith in yourself. How can you have faith in anyone else when you do not have faith in yourself?

Today there is a sharp decline in the standards of education. All that you learn today is not real education. What is the reason? You think, you have acquired education if you have studied science. But science is creating divisions in the world. Real education is that which develops in man wisdom and discrimination. What is the use of that education which does not develop discrimination? It is your wisdom and discrimination that make you a true devotee of God.

One may acquire a high academic qualification such as M.A. or B.A. and attain an exalted position,
One may amass wealth, perform acts of charity, and attain name and fame,
One may have physical strength and enjoy a long and healthy life,
One may be a great scholar, studying and preaching the Vedas,
But none can equal a true devotee of the Lord.
(Telugu Poem)

There is no use of doing anything without purity of heart. You bring from the market good quality vegetables. You employ a good cook. He prepares Sambhar (a South Indian preparation), using good quality pulses, salt, tamarind, etc. But the Sambhar is spoilt. What is the reason? Does the defect lie in tamarind or vegetables or pulses? None of these. The entire preparation is spoilt because the vessel in which it is cooked has become tarnished due to the absence of tin-plating inside the vessel. Similarly, you perform many spiritual practices like Japa (chanting), Tapa (penance), Dhyana (meditation), Yoga, etc. But if the heart is not pure, everything becomes useless. The vessel of your heart should be tin-plated with love. Only then will your spiritual practices bear fruit. A tree may look very beautiful with flowers and fruits on one day but it may wither away and become dry in a short time. What is the reason? The reason is that its roots are infested with insects which are not visible from outside. Similarly, your peace and happiness will be totally destroyed if you do not strive for God's grace and allow the insects of evil qualities to enter your life. Who are your real enemies? They are Kama, Krodha and Lobha (desire, anger, and greed). Desires destroy your good deeds, anger destroys your devotion, and greed destroys your knowledge. When you lose all these three virtues, what is left? You should follow either the path of Karma (action) or Upasana (worship) or Gnyana (knowledge). Life without following any of these is meaningless. Today wherever you see, you find only Akara Manavas (humans in form) and not Achara Manavas (humans in conduct).

Students, Embodiments of Love!

Develop love. Concentrate your mind on the principle of love. Do not concentrate on unnecessary matters. Study well and secure good marks. Give your parents peace and happiness. Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava, Atithi Devo Bhava (revere your mother, father, preceptor, and guest as God). Your blood, your food, and your money are all the gifts of your parents. Therefore, first of all, you should have gratitude for your parents. If you satisfy your parents, then God will also be satisfied with you. Mother is God, father is God. In fact, everybody is God. But you should first worship your parents. Then try to visualise God in the entire creation. There lies true bliss. Sanctify your time and life by praying to God and become ideal students.

– From Bhagawan's Divine Discourse in Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam on 22nd June 1996.