The Entire Universe Is Within You

Even a millionaire has to be content with ordinary food, 
He cannot live on a diet of gold. 
When time is not favorable, 
a stick may turn into a snake, 
While, when it is favorable, dust may turn into gold. 
The wheel of time can turn a scholar into a fool and a fool into a saint. 
A wealthy man may become a plaything of adversity at some time. 
Whatever your efforts may be, 
You cannot get what you are not destined to get. 
O, man! Don’t be overambitious; 
Lead instead a noble life making proper use of the intellect.

Embodiments of Love!

In this vast world, among all living creatures, human life is the noblest. One is born as a result of meritorious deeds done in past lives. Just as a small gramophone plate contains many songs, poems, and dialogues, the human heart contains the entire universe in a subtle form. You can neither see the script of the dialogues and songs by keeping the gramophone record close to your eyes nor can you hear the sound by keeping it close to your ears. Only by playing it, you will be able to hear the music and the dialogues that are in it.

Human Being Is Embodiment of Cosmic Principle

The human heart, which can be compared to a gramophone record, contains in it all the traits of past lives. The reaction, resound, and reflection of all that you have seen, heard, and experienced are contained in it. The vast oceans, the mighty mountains, and all the different places that you visited are imprinted on your heart. In short, the entire universe is imprinted on the human heart. So, it can be said that human being is Vishwavirat Swarupa (embodiment of Cosmic Principle). But, man unable to realize this truth considers himself low and is affected by pleasure and pain, good and bad.

Wherefrom has this universe originated? The Shrutis (the Vedas) have given a proper answer to this. The universe has originated from where the ‘I’ principle has originated. That is Hridaya. The Shrutis declare that Hridaya is the origin of ‘I’ principle. This ‘I’ is all-pervasive. Everyone uses this letter ‘I’ while introducing himself or herself. There is no place or person without this ‘I’ principle. Even the birds and beasts have this ‘I’ principle, though they are not able to express it. Wherever ‘I’ is, there is Hridaya. Hridaya is not limited to the body alone, it is all-pervasive. ‘I’ is the name of the Atma. So, in everybody, the Atma is present in the form of ‘I’. It is associated with Buddhi (intellect).

The Five Aspects of Buddhi

Right from an illiterate person to a scholar, everyone defines Buddhi as the power to discriminate between the transient and the permanent. This is not the correct definition. People use it only in the worldly sense. In fact, Buddhi has five aspects. They are: Shraddha, Ritam, Satyam Yogam and Mahat-tattvam.

Shraddha has two powers: one is interest and the other is steadfastness. Ritam refers to the unity of thought, word, and deed. Ritam expressed in the form of words becomes Satyam. Yogam refers to Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodhah (controlling the aberrations of the mind). The fifth aspect Mahat-tattvam is that which is sacred and Divine. When Buddhi has all these five aspects, is it not an understatement if we define Buddhi as that which discriminates between the transient and the permanent?

Today, many people talk of Manas (mind) and Buddhi (intellect) without understanding their true meaning. They think that the mind is only a combination of thoughts, but even the actions are associated with it. When the mind and the intellect unite, humanness reaches a state of freedom, which is referred to as moksha (liberation).

It is a mistake to undertake any spiritual practice to control the mind. The nature of the mind is mysterious. It is unsteady and associated with ego. Who can control such a mind? So, never try to control the mind. Follow the intellect, then the mind naturally submits itself. The master of the mind is the intellect. The master of the intellect is Atma. The Atma has no master. So, master the mind and be a Mastermind.

Search for Truth is a search for God because Truth is God. So, worship Truth, follow Truth and practice Truth. People may deny God, but none can deny Truth. You cannot fragment Truth by saying, this is Pakistani Truth, this is American Truth, this is Indian Truth, and so on. Truth is uniform for people of all nations and all religions in all periods of time. Truth is one; so God is one. But people worship God in different forms. This is bhranti (delusion). As long as there is bhranti in you, you cannot attain Brahma. This bhranti is the cause of all your sufferings. So, first and foremost give up bhranti.

Go Closer to God and Love Him Wholeheartedly

It is a mistake to consider that God is separate from you. Once you realize that you are one with God, you can never be separated. For example, when a pot full of water is emptied into the ocean, the water of the pot becomes one with the ocean. You cannot separate them. Similarly, once you unify your love with God, you become one with God. How to unify? When fire and coal are placed apart, they remain as they are. Only when both are brought close to each other, does fire enter coal. If fanning is also done, coal gets transformed into fire. Likewise, go closer to God and love Him wholeheartedly. Going close to God can be compared to coal coming in contact with fire (nearness), and loving Him wholeheartedly can be compared to fanning (dearness). Such nearness and dearness to God will ultimately make you one with God. This is what Vedanta declared: “_Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavati_” (the knower of Brahman becomes one with Brahman).

The human body contains all the three worlds: Devaloka (head), Nara-loka (throat), and Naga-loka (heart). The head is referred to as Deva-loka (heaven) as it has got all the five senses of perception that recognize Shabda (sound), Sparsha (touch), Rupa (form), Rasa (taste), and Gandha (smell).

The body is made of five elements 
and is bound to perish. 
But the Indweller is immortal. 
The Indweller has no birth, 
no death, and no bondage. 
Truly speaking, that Indweller is God Himself.
(Telugu poem)

God Is Present in the Form of Five Elements

Such a sacred body, the temple of God, is being misused. Yesterday I told you that the world is made of five elements. Human body is also made of five elements. God is present in the form of five elements all over the world. The Vedas declare: “Antar-Bahischa Tat Sarvam Vyapya Narayana Sthitah,” which means Divinity is present in you, with you, above you, below you, and around you.

Every human being has five sheaths: Annamaya kosha (gross sheath), Pranamaya kosha (life sheath), Manomaya kosha (mental sheath), Vijnanamaya kosha (wisdom sheath), and Anandamaya kosha (bliss sheath). In order to acquire wisdom, you do not need to go through sacred texts or hear the teachings of elders. The sacred sheath of wisdom itself is present in you. Once you experience the sheath of wisdom, you will experience the sheath of bliss. Just as the water bubble is born out of water, sustained in it, and ultimately merges in water, so also human being is born out of bliss, sustained in bliss, and ultimately merges in bliss. But being unaware of this you are wasting your time, money, and energy in search of bliss.

Truly speaking, man is wasting a lot of time in worldly pursuits. But he does not spend even a moment to know his Self. “Who am I? What for am I born? What am I doing?” Man does not put these questions to himself. Instead, he questions others, “Who are you? Where do you come from? What are you doing?” He has got the inquisitiveness to know about others, but not about himself.

What is the purpose of life? It is not khana, peena, sona, marna (eating, drinking, sleeping, dying). Body is gifted in order to follow dharma. Your dharma is to know your own Self. Consider everyone as Divine and the whole world as the mansion of God. Offer all your actions to God. Let every word that you utter be a mantra and every step you take be a pradakshina (circumambulating God). Instead of leading such a sacred life, man is wasting his time and energy in amassing wealth. Due to excessive desires, his life becomes a big zero.

Zero gains value when number one (hero) precedes it. As the number of zeros increases, the value too increases if number one precedes them. Similarly, if you keep God (Hero) in view, all the zeros such as your body, mind, and senses also gain value. Hero becomes zero if he forgets God. The world is zero, human life is zero, the sky is zero, the sun is zero and the moon is zero. All these zeros have value only because of the Hero i.e. God.

By Serving Others You Are Serving Only Yourself

Embodiments of Love!

Take to service, but do not think that you are serving others. You are serving only yourself. Similarly, all the spiritual practices such as Japa, Tapa, Dhyana, and Bhajan are for your own satisfaction. God does not need them. God wants only one thing–you should know your Self. Only then you will know God. Confidence in self and confidence in God–this is the secret of greatness. Prahlada had total faith in Narayana, while Hiranya-kashipu had faith in the body. God will always protect the one with strong faith like Prahlada.

Today, man visits temples and pilgrim centers in search of peace, but peace is not found in pilgrim centers. Peace is not found outside, it is within you. You are the embodiment of peace, truth, and love. So search within, tread along the path of love. Only then you will be peaceful. Through love, you can achieve anything. God is Love; live in Love. Without love, you cannot be successful. Love helps you to know your Self. In order to experience love, you do not need to approach anybody nor do you need to exert yourself. Turn your vision inward.

“Less Luggage and More Comfort Make Travel a Pleasure”

Krishna said, “_Mamaivamsho Jiva-loke Jiva-bhutah Sanatanah_” (human beings are the sparks of My Divinity). Serve anybody; it amounts to serving God. The best way to love God is to love all and serve all. If you lead such a life, all your actions will be pleasing God.

Embodiments of Love!

You need food, clothing, shelter, and some money to purchase medicine if you were to fall sick. That is why I said in the beginning, “O, man! Never be overambitious, lead instead a noble life by making proper use of the intellect.” Happiness lies in contentment. Dissatisfaction will lead to misery. In order to experience peace, keep your desires under control. Misery is the birthplace of all desires. In this journey of life, desires can be compared to luggage. “Less luggage more comfort; make travel a pleasure.” So, reduce your desires. This is called Vairagya (renunciation). As the desire for the world decreases, the desire for God increases. This is what the Vedas declare: “_Na karmanā na prajaya dhanena tyagena ekena amritatvam anashuh_” (Neither by actions nor by progeny nor by wealth, it is only by sacrifice that one can attain immortality). Offer all your actions to God, consider all as children of God, treat money as God’s gift and make proper use of it. So long as there is no sacrifice in you, you will have only Anritatva (falsehood). Only sacrifice will give you Amritatva (immortality).

Experience Happiness Through Divine Love

What is the way to immortality? Removal of immorality is the only way to immortality. Without getting rid of wicked qualities such as lust, anger, greed, and jealousy, how do you expect to attain immortality? When the tumbler is already filled with water, you cannot fill it with anything else. Similarly, when the head is filled with evil qualities, good qualities have no place in it. You have filled the vessel of your heart with all types of worries. Then how do you expect to be happy? Vyasa gave the essence of all the Ashtadasa Puranas in one sentence: ‘Help Ever, Hurt Never’. Only then you can be happy. If it is not possible to help, at least do not harm anybody under any circumstances. You should serve wholeheartedly, not for name and fame.

Today, man is leading a worldly life, devoid of all ideals. Instead of trying to know his true identity, he is wasting his time on useless pursuits.

He knows the route to America, but not to Kashi. 
He knows a lot about Botany, 
But not the use of Tulsi plant.
(Telugu poem)

What is the use of leading such a life? Develop Daya (compassion) in your Hridaya. Today, there is only fashion, but no compassion. What is the meaning of mankind? Man should have kindness. The one without kindness is not a man, but a demon. The proper study of mankind is man. There should be harmony in thought, word, and deed. Whatever originates from the heart should be expressed in words, and the words in turn should be put into action.

Once a devotee prayed thus: “O Bhagawan, people send many applications to you expressing their desires. How do you find time to go through all this? When do You reply? We get headache even if we read two letters. But You read so many letters and send so many replies, yet You remain happy and cheerful in spite of your busy schedule. This itself is a sign of Divinity”. I am doing all this not for My happiness, but for your happiness. Many people greet Me ‘Happy Birthday’. I am always happy. You do not need to greet Me thus. Give happiness to those who are not happy. Happiness cannot be experienced through spiritual practices. It can be experienced only through Divine Love. You will never fail in your life if you have love for God. As the previous speaker said, there are people who have failed for lack of faith, but people with strong faith will never fail. Man is suffering because he lacks faith.

In order to experience bliss, you need to develop love. Love is like a rose and lust is like a thorn. Cut the rose without touching the thorn and offer it to God. You should offer yourself to God. That is surrender. Love within you should be merged with the Divine Love. Therein lies the bliss.

Think of God From Early Age

In Ramayana, Vali and Sugriva suffered because they lacked unity. In the same way Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Vibhishana also suffered due to lack of unity. Though the Pandavas had differences of opinion among them, they stood united. Therefore, their name and fame have spread far and wide. With unity, you can achieve anything. There are 95 crore people in India. If there is unity among them, this country can be transformed into very heaven itself. But there is neither unity nor purity. Only enmity exists. Heart is like a single chair, not a musical chair or double–seated sofa. So, let love be seated in that chair; then bad qualities have no place in it. Modern devotion has become artificial. People say something and do quite the opposite. There is no harmony in their words and actions. This is not proper. It amounts to cheating themselves.

You Can Have Happiness Only From Difficulties

Each one has to face one’s own destiny. So, you should be ready to face difficulties. There can be no pleasure without pain. Do not feel dejected on seeing a dark night. Think of the moonlight that can be seen on the following night. Without a dark night, there cannot be a full moon night. There is happiness in sorrow too. You cannot have happiness out of happiness. You can have happiness only from difficulties.

Though you are the embodiment of love, you have to do Sadhana and Seva necessarily till you realize your true identity. Some people say, “Swami, why do we need to be devoted at a young age? We can as well think of God after retirement.” When the messengers of death come to seize your life, when your relatives make arrangements to keep your body outside, and when your wife and children cry bitterly, is it possible to remember God at that moment? So, right from an early age, you should think of God. That is why I say, “Start early, drive slowly and reach safely”.

Embodiments of Love!

Fight against bad thoughts and bad deeds. Run away from bad company and join good company. Develop good thoughts, good feelings, undertake good actions and attain Divinity.

Discourse in Sai Kulwant Hall, on 28-9-1998.