God is Present in Man in the Form of Love

What can the evil effects of Kali Yuga do to a man whose heart is full of compassion, whose speech is suffused with truth and whose body is dedicated to the service of others?
(Sanskrit Verse)

Bliss in Society is the Fruit of Service

Embodiments of Love!

Every individual who wants to progress in the field of spirituality should develop three virtues – purity, patience and perseverance. He is a blessed person who develops these three virtues, also called three P’s.

Man without character, education without a goal and human race without morality are worthless. The life of an individual bereft of peace is no better than a night without moon. Listen! Oh valiant sons of Bharat!
(Telugu Poem)

In fact, a true human being is endowed with these three virtues, viz., purity, patience and perseverance. One who loses these loses humanness. Since man today lacks these three virtues, he is more like an animal than a human being. He has only the form of a human but not the demeanour. Virtues are the life principle of man. Without virtues, he is lifeless.

Character is Life Principle of Education

If you want to know the true meaning of humanness, you should first develop human values. Development of human values is therefore a must for all. In fact, moral and human values are the main quality of a human being. Character is the underlying strength of moral and human values. Therefore, students should consider character as their chief quality. One may have enormous wealth, high education, immense physical prowess or high status, but all these are useless if one lacks character. Modern education has suffered degeneration because it does not cater to the moral, religious and spiritual development of students.

Students should pursue such education which confers on them the sacred qualities like good character, adherence to truth, devotion, discipline and duty.
(Telugu Poem)

Mere bookish knowledge cannot be called education. Every educated individual should manifest his humanness by working for the welfare of society and by safeguarding the future of the country. He should understand how sacred, divine, glorious and sublime humanness is.

Birds and animals do not have any type of education, yet they lead a life of discipline. But alas! Man, who is endowed with all intelligence, does not lead a disciplined life. What else can I convey to this assembly of the noble and saintly people?
(Telugu Poem)

Jantunam nara janma durlabham (of all living beings, human birth is the rarest). What makes human birth so rare and precious? Food, sleep, fear and procreation – all these are common in both humans and animals. It is knowledge that differentiates human beings from animals and birds. That is why, it is said: Gnyanam naranam adhikam vishesha, jnanena shoonya pashubhi samana (it is knowledge that imparts special status to man; a man without knowledge is as good as an animal). In fact, knowledge is the third eye of man. Without the eye of knowledge, he is no better than an animal.

Character should be considered as the life principle of education. Mere study of Vedas and Shastras (scriptures) is not enough. You should make efforts to develop character and human values.

In spite of his education and intelligence, a foolish man will not know his true Self and a mean-minded person will not give up his evil qualities.
(Telugu Poem)

Modern education leads only to argumentation, not to total wisdom. What is the use of acquiring education which cannot lead you to immortality? Acquire the knowledge that will make you immortal.
(Telugu Poem)

It is only the body that dies. That which has birth has death also. Atmic principle is eternal; it has neither birth nor death. You should acquire the knowledge of this divine principle which is beyond the endless cycle of birth and death.

Punarapi jananam punarapi maranam, 
Punarapi janani jathare sayanam, 
Iha samsare bahu dustare, 
Kripayapare pahi murare.
(Sanskrit Verse)

(Oh Lord! I am caught up in this cycle of birth and death; time and again, I am experiencing the agony of staying in the mother’s womb. It is very difficult to cross this ocean of worldly life. Please take me across this ocean and grant me liberation.)

Get Rid of Your Selfishness

You should achieve physical, ethical, moral and spiritual progress in life and make your life sojourn on earth worthwhile by constant contemplation of God. The world today has achieved great progress in the fields of science and worldly knowledge. But it is regressing in the fields of morality and humanness. What is the reason? The reason is selfishness and self-interest of modern man. Whatever work man performs today, he does it with a selfish motive. Self-interest is the objective of all his thinking and actions. All his thoughts and actions are motivated by self-interest. In fact, he has become a puppet of selfishness. He looks at everything with an eye of selfishness. He is, in fact, bound in the fetters of selfishness. The moment he changes his motive of life from selfishness to social welfare, he will experience the essence of true education. It is therefore necessary that man should get rid of his selfishness and self-interest and fill his heart with noble thoughts of welfare and progress of society. In this way, he should make his heart pure with sacred feelings and curb the unsteadiness of his mind. Whatever work you do with a pure heart, steady mind and selfless attitude, it will take you towards the path of victory in your spiritual journey.

Once a wealthy man decided to go on a pilgrimage of sacred places. To escape the trouble of carrying too much luggage, he tied only very essential items in a bedroll and embarked on his journey. As the saying goes, less luggage, more comfort makes travel a pleasure, he could conveniently see all the sacred places of pilgrimage such as Kashi (Varanasi), Mathura, Brindavan, etc. During the day, he saw many temples, worshipped beautiful idols of various deities in them, took bath in sacred rivers and performed various acts of merit. Darshanam papa nashanam, sparshanam karma vimochanam, sambhashanam sankata nashanam (Vision of the Lord destroys all sins, His touch destroys the bondage of Karma, conversation with Him destroys all troubles). After spending the whole day in performing various sacred and noble deeds, he became tired at night and lay down on his bed to sleep. But he did not get even a wink of sleep. This became the cause of his exhaustion. One can live for some time without food, but not without sleep. Though he performed noble deeds at physical level, he did not attain mental peace. What was the reason? The reason was that there were numerous bedbugs in the bed he brought with him. Due to the biting of these bedbugs, he could not get any sleep at night. The same is the condition of man today. At physical level, he has amassed many comforts and conveniences and appears to be quite happy. But he harbours within himself the bedbugs of bad qualities, evil thoughts and wicked motives which destroy his peace. As long as he gives room to negative feelings and thoughts, he cannot attain peace. Peace is not available in the world outside. Outside, there are only pieces! True peace is that which comes from within you. You cannot attain peace through worldly pursuits, through education or through the teachings of any preceptor. You yourself are the embodiment of peace. You are the embodiment of truth. You are the embodiment of God. You should try to know this eternal and sacred truth.

Peace and Bliss Come from Within You

Peace and bliss are not to be found in external objects. You possess all worldly objects to cater to your needs and to provide all comforts and conveniences to you. Isn’t it? If these external objects could give you peace and bliss, then how is it that you do not experience peace and bliss despite possessing all these? Similarly, all your near and dear ones are with you. But they also do not give you peace and bliss. You should try to understand that bliss is not to be found in persons and material objects. Bliss comes only from within you; you yourself are the source of peace and bliss. Therefore, there is no need for you to make efforts to search them here and there. Bliss is not to be searched; it has to be manifested from within. It is to be known and not to be looked out. Try to know this eternal principle of truth that is within you. You think that someone or the other will give you bliss. But that is your Bhrama (delusion). So long as you have Bhrama, you cannot attain Brahma (God). Therefore, get rid of this Bhrama. Then Brahma will become manifest from within you. God is no different from you. You and God are one. Ekam Sath Viprah Bahudha Vadanti (truth is one, but the wise refer to it by various names). Truth is one, not two. Ekameva Adviteeyam Brahma (God is one without a second). Only one, not two. This eternal divine principle is present in one and all. You can’t say, it is present in one particular person and not the other. Easwara Sarva Bhutanam (God is the indweller of all beings). Students should develop firm faith in this truth. In what form is God present in all? He is present in all in the form of love. I have told you many times that the principle of love is present in all. Prem Easwar Hai, Easwar Prem Hai (Love is God, God is love). Sacred love is God Himself. Therefore, maintain the purity and sacredness of love; do not pollute it by associating it with worldly desires. Worldly love is no love at all. True love is related only to the Atma. Atma is love, love is Atma. Atma is God, God is Atma. Love is God, Live in Love. Students should properly know this principle of love. But, unfortunately, students today direct their love towards undesirable objects and thereby become victims of many troubles and difficulties.

Maintain Quietude

Youth is not permanent. It is a temporary intermediary stage which comes and goes like passing clouds. Do not waste your life by exulting over temporary and ephemeral youth. Youth is very sacred but students try to make it unsacred. You should not waste precious human birth just for ephemeral pleasures. That is what Adi Sankara said:

Ma Kuru Dhana Jana Yauvana Garvam, 
Harathi Nimeshath Kalah Sarvam.

(Do not be proud of your wealth, progeny and youth; the tide of time may destroy them in a moment).

Youth is the stage when one gets all sorts of excitements. It is necessary to control these passions and excitements by recitation of God’s Name and by self-suggestion: “Such unsacred thoughts are not good and proper for me. These are just passing clouds; they will come and go. My life is eternal and these thoughts are ephemeral like passing clouds.” The heart is like the sky, the mind is the moon and the intellect, the sun. Chandrama Manaso Jataha Chaksho Suryo Ajayata (the moon was born out of the mind and the sun out of the eyes of the Supreme Being). Clouds of thoughts come in the sky of heart and cover the sun and the moon. Sometimes, very thick clouds of thoughts come in young age. Then, one cannot see the sun or the moon. But how long will the sun or the moon remain invisible? Just for a few moments because these thoughts are like passing clouds. Be patient and the clouds will move away by themselves. Hold on to patience firmly. Do not make haste. Haste makes waste. Waste makes worry. Therefore, do not be in a hurry. Haste is not good particularly at this age; maintain your quietude. “One may be a Danti (ascetic) or a Vedanti (philosopher) but one cannot attain happiness without quietude”, said Thyagaraja.

Quietude is very essential in life, both at the level of the body and the mind. When senses associate with the objects of the senses, the mind reflects your desires at physical and mental level, thereby making you a victim of evil thoughts, evil feelings and evil motives. Control these evil thoughts, feelings and motives. This means control of senses. That is called Kriya Yoga. What is meant by Kriya Yoga? Control of evil thoughts, feelings and motives is indeed Kriya Yoga. When you are able to exercise control over your evil thoughts, feelings and motives, sacred feelings and godly thoughts arise within you.

Serve Society Wholeheartedly

Students!

Make your life ideal and worthwhile at this young age. Become good boys and girls yourselves and make society good and ideal. Modern society is at present in a state of chaos. What is the reason? The reason is that people today indulge in imitation, which is a sign of weakness. Imitation is human, creation is divine. You should never resort to imitation. Today this weakness of imitation has become widespread in the entire society. Control your senses, demonstrate good qualities and become ideal students. Sweep away the dirt that has crept into society and transform it. That is what students are required to do today. Do not run after jobs after your education which you have acquired somehow or the other. What is your real Udyoga (job)? Yoga is your real Udyoga. Yoga relates to the heart. Acquire this yoga. What is real yoga? Seva (service) is yoga. Engage yourself in the service of society. There is nothing greater than service to society. When you do service to society in an ideal way, it roots out your ego. It is ego that brings about the downfall of man. You can save yourselves from the clutches of ego when you perform service to society. Do service wholeheartedly with sacred feelings without any desire for fruits. Bliss in society is the fruit of service. What better fruit can you aspire for than experience of bliss? Bliss is God. Nityanandam, Parama Sukhadam, Kevalam Jnanamurtim, Dwandwateetam, Gagana Sadrisham, Tattwamasyadi Lakshyam, Ekam, Nityam, Vimalam, Achalam, Sarvadhee Sakshibhutam, Bhavateetam, Trigunarahitam (God is the embodiment of eternal bliss, wisdom absolute, beyond the pair of opposites, expansive and pervasive like the sky, the goal indicated by the Mahavakya Tatwamasi, one without a second, eternal, pure, unchanging, witness of all functions of the intellect, beyond all mental conditions and the three attributes of Satwa, Rajas and Tamas).

This is Nityanandam, Yoganandam, Advaitanandam and Atmanandam (eternal, spiritual, non-dual bliss of the Self). You cannot get Atmanandam from anybody else. It comes to you from yourself in a natural way. It is self-generated. This is your own property. You crave for the property of others, abandoning your own property. Never do this. You should not expect anything from others. What you yourself have is enough. It can give you all that you need. You lack nothing. The entire world is within you. Then, why should you crave for anything from others? All that is visible in this world comes from you only. You see nothing when you close your eyes. But when you open your eyes, you see the entire phenomenal world. Wherefrom have all the scenes of the world come? They have come from you through your eyes.

But man today is unaware of the divine principle present within him. He travels lakhs of miles into space but does not go even half an inch within his inner being! He runs about everywhere outside but does not enter his inner being at all. However much you may run about outside, you will attain nothing. It is useless, useless, useless! Go half an inch within you. That is enough. Then everything will become visible to you. Where has all that you see come from?

You see houses, buildings and various objects in dream, but they have no existence when you open your eyes. In dream, you see and experience many things but everything disappears when you are awake. All this is night dream. Similarly, during the day you see everybody and everything, and have so many experiences. But all this becomes invisible when you go to sleep. This is day dream. You are present both in night dream as well as day dream. There is no existence of day dream in night dream and night dream in day dream. But you are present in both states. Hence, you are omnipresent. Therefore, consider yourself as the fundamental divine entity.

Attain Love of God

I have told this many times that you yourself are God; God is not different from you. Your inner voice also teaches you this truth through the sound of Soham, Soham, Soham (That I am, That I am, That I am). Your inner voice keeps reminding you of your divine reality but you do not pay attention to it at all. You follow what others tell you but do not believe yourself. In whom else can you have faith, when you do not have faith in yourself? Therefore, first of all you should develop self-confidence. Then only can you have self-satisfaction which will lead you to the path of self-sacrifice and ultimately to self-realisation. Hence, first and foremost, have faith in yourself. God is present within you only. God is the embodiment of love. He is present in you in the form of love. Do not waste or pollute this principle of divine love. Channelise this love towards sacred path. Do not put it on unsacred and evil path. Do not direct it towards mean desires of your body or wealth. Love is for love’s sake. Treasure this divine principle of love in your heart and pray to God. If you attain God’s love, you will attain everything. How did the troubles of Kuchela come to an end? All his troubles ended just by receiving Krishna’s love. You can achieve everything by God’s love. There is nothing that is impossible to achieve by this. Your enemies will become your friends, and those who are distant from you will become your nears and dears by love. Similarly, your love can bring you close to all those who have separated from you. Hence, you should develop more and more love which is sacred, sublime and precious. The world today is drowned in sorrow due to the absence of love. There is no love even between mother and son, brother and brother and husband and wife. Where has this love gone? How has it disappeared? Man today has only artificial love. In fact, all his life today has become artificial.

Art is outside, heart is inside. True art comes only from the heart. Students should properly understand this truth. In fact, everything comes from your heart. Heart is the source of love which is the epitome of all powers. Hence, try to attain everything by love.

(Bhagawan brought His Discourse to a close with the Bhajan, “Prema Mudita Manase Kaho …”)

– From Bhagawan’s Divine Discourse in Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam on 24th June 1996.