Recover The Spirit Of Sacrifice

Bhakti alone confers the supreme good; 
Bhakti alone destroys the disease of worldly existence; 
Bhakti alone fosters yearning for the Supreme; 
Bhakti alone leads to final liberation.

Embodiments of Love! 

For the realisation of the Supreme, bhakti (devotion) is the royal road. The Lord’s name has been offered to man to escape from the cycle of birth and death and the diseases incidental to human life.

From ancient times Bharat has been propagating Divine teachings to all mankind. The true aim of spirituality is to foster among the people devotion as the essence of Bharatiya culture. It is not arms or political institutions that protect a nation. It is love of the country, the spirit of sacrifice and faith in the Divine which serve to protect the nation. Every man and woman should be filled with the spirit of sacrifice, devotion and the spiritual urge to protect the nation. From age to age Bharat has been the spiritual leader of all nations. It has welcomed people of different cultures with open arms despite the vicissitudes of history. This is the unique stamp of Bharatiya culture.

Culture determines the daily conduct of the people. It is their way of life. Bharatiya culture has helped to promote mutual goodwill and harmony among the people. But, unfortunately people have gone astray and are, therefore, subject to unrest and disorder, today.

A nation can recover true freedom and peace only when it turns to spirituality. Love of the Divine should take root in the heart. The world has lost peace because people have no fear of sin and no love of God, and are no longer human in their behaviour. The spirit of sacrifice has vanished.

Heroism Of Karna

Mankind needs rulers inspired by the spirit of sacrifice and people filled with love of God. The history of Bharat is full of stories of sacred lives. One such is the story of Karna, a hero of the Mahabharata war. When Karna lay wounded in the battlefield, Krishna was grief-stricken, although the Pandavas had reason to rejoice over his fall. Krishna told Arjuna that the passing of Karna would be a great loss for Bharat. No one could excel him in giving gifts. Bharat has always given the first place to the quality of sacrifice. Krishna assumed the role of a Brahmana to prove to Arjuna the readiness of Karna to make the highest sacrifice even while he was bleeding in the battlefield. Karna knocked out one of his gold-filled teeth to offer to the Brahmana the gold he wanted for making the mangalasutra (marriage pendant) at his son’s wedding. When the Brahmana refused to accept it as it was taken from his mouth, Karna cleansed it by producing pure water from the earth by aiming an arrow at the ground. Arjuna felt humbled by this demonstration of Karna’s unrivalled magnanimity and prowess. Krishna extolled Karna’s unrivalled magnanimity and prowess. Krishna extolled Karna’s devotion and large-heartedness and revealed His Divine form to Karna. He told Krishna that having seen the Divine form he had no other boon to ask before passing away.

Every Bharatiya should develop the spirit of sacrifice which has been the hallmark of Bharatiya civilisation. God can be realised only through sacrifice. All the scriptures and epics have extolled the supremacy of sacrifice. All religious practices without sacrifice are only artificial rituals. God examines your feelings and not your external observances. Divinity can be experienced only when worship of God is done with a pure heart and all of one’s activities are godly. Whatever form of worship one may adopt, it has to be done wholeheartedly. There must be complete harmony between thought, word and deed. True humanness consists in the combination of three H’s - Heart, Head and Hand.

Misuse Of Discrimination

Embodiments of Love! 

Think for a moment how people in Bharat are misusing their power of discrimination. When people build big mansions they allot a small corner for the worship of God. God says: “Oh fool! What sort of room is it for me? Your heart is my abode.” Meerabai also declared: “Krishna! My heart is your temple.” Treat the heart as the temple and consider the entire mansion as His. You may use it as you like, but, realise that God is everywhere. Have the faith that God is omnipresent.

This morning we had the Rathotsavam (festival of golden chariot) organised by the Sai Paduka Trust, Madurai, under the dedicated guidance of Sri Subramania Chettiar, who has been a steadfast devotee of Bhagawan for over fifty years.

Over many years Subramania Chettiar has been engaged in promoting paduka sewa (service of the holy sandals of the Lord). It is not easy for one at his advanced age to carry a burden of this magnitude. I am aware of the good service he has done so far. Hereafter, he should take rest and devote himself to his personal sadhana. It is true that service is a form of service to God. But, he is no longer in a position to do this.

You have to be told about today’s car festival. Whether you believe or not I have no liking for such functions. What should be offered to Bhagawan is unsullied love. That love is God. Live in love. Offer that love to the Divine. Why should I be bothered with this immense burden of a golden chariot? I do not at any time desire such things. Instead of this, you may spend any amount of money on social service activities.

Offer Only Pure Love To Bhagawan

Here or anywhere else, what you have to offer to Bhagawan is pure love. Do not make such offerings as golden chariot anywhere. Anyone who desires such offerings cannot be Divine. When the Divine is immanent in everything, what is it that you can offer to the Divine? How are you eligible to make any offering at all? Everything belongs to God. Henceforth, devotees should not bring here any gold ornaments or ornamental chariots or golden chariots. It is better to sell such objects and use the money for providing drinking water to the people.

From the outset I had resolved on three things in the Bharatiya tradition. From the ancient times Bharat has been providing three things to the people. One is vidya (education). Next comes vaidya (free medical aid). Vidya relates to the head. Vaidya is related to the heart. For this reason I have been providing free education. Nowhere in the world is such free education offered. Today, heavy donations have to be given for admission even to the first standard. As I feel that every child belongs to Me I see nothing special in offering free education to My children. All are Mine and hence, I offer these things to them. What I give and what I accept is love. It is a relationship of love to love, heart to heart.

Promote Purity Of Heart

Therefore, whatever Subramania Chettair may feel, if somebody is ready to bid for this chariot, I shall be glad to give it away and use the money for providing drinking water to more villages. He brought the chariot here out of his immense love. He had one overwhelming desire in his life. He was keen to celebrate this Rathotsavam (festival of golden chariot) in his lifetime. He did not worry about what would happen to him thereafter. It was to please him that I mounted onto this chariot. Otherwise, I would not have gone near it at all.

I have no desires of this nature. Nor should you entertain such intentions. The relationship between God and devotee is heart to heart, and has nothing to do with external paraphernalia. You must cultivate this internal quality. Promote purity of heart. Engage yourselves in selfless service.

You have to cherish three cardinal principles - fear of sin, love of God and moral life in society. May you foster your devotion in this manner, I bless you all.

Discourse in Sai Kulwant Hall on 22-09-1997.