Serve the Poor and Downtrodden for Self-Realisation

“Life in this world is transient. Youth and wealth are ephemeral. Wife and children are like passing clouds. Only love and righteousness are eternal.”

Embodiments of Love!

Nothing is permanent in this world. Be it life itself, material wealth, or your kith and kin, each of them is like a passing cloud. Human life is highly valuable. Man, endowed with the five senses, is wading through the ocean of samsara. The body acts as an armour for the mind. Each and every life form has the body as its armour. This body should be utilised properly. Cultivate good qualities and derive happiness therefrom. Man is under the false impression that the mind is imprisoned in his body and hence he is entangled in bondage.

Mind is the basis for this world. It is not limitless and independent. The body is like an instrument for the mind. Efforts should be made to put this instrument to proper use. Thinking that he is the body, man is unable to recognise himself as divine. Just as valuable ornaments are kept in an iron safe, which has no value, we have hidden valuable virtues in this body, which has no value.

“This body is a den of dirt; a basket full of diseases; 
a tuber that moves from birth to death; 
a bush that cannot cross over the ocean of life; 
a skeleton of bones.

Enquire into this truth and never trust 
this body to be permanent. O mind! Take refuge at 
the Lotus feet of the Lord Hari.”

(Telugu Poem)

Character

Man today is suffering from all kinds of miseries because of his delusion that he is the body. Recognise this truth. Man is developing body attachment by his sinful deeds. Because of this, he is losing his character and forgetting the latent Divinity. Character is highly valuable.

Once upon a time, Indra had lost his kingdom and he approached sage Brihaspati in this regard. The sage told him, “My dear son! At present Prahlada is engaged in the Visvajit Yagam and is ready to give away anything in charity. You go to him in the guise of a poor Brahmin and ask for charity.” Being advised by the sage thus, Indra went in the guise of a poor Brahmin and asked Prahlada for his character as alms. Prahlada smiled and enquired, “What is the use of taking my character? You can ask as a boon that which eliminates the problems of your daily life.” In turn, the Brahmin insisted that he needed nothing but Prahlada’s character. To satisfy the poor Brahmin's desire, Prahlada conceded to give his character.

Immediately an effulgent personality emerged from Prahlada’s body and entered the Brahmin. Prior to the entry, Prahlada enquired of this personality who he was and why he was entering the Brahmin's body. The person replied that he was Prahlada’s character. He said, “As you have given me in charity to the Brahmin, I am entering him.” After some time, another effulgent form emerged from Prahlada. Upon enquiry, the person introduced himself as the commander-in-chief in service of character. He reasoned that he was leaving because of the absence of character. Next, a beautiful woman emerged from Prahlada. She was the goddess of the kingdom. She too reasoned that she was leaving because both character and its protector had already left. Then Prahlada started worrying. He recognised the value of character. Without character, man loses his wealth. From that day onwards, Prahlada started propagating the importance of character. Hence, youngsters today should recognise that youth and wealth are not permanent in this world. They should cultivate good qualities. This is their primary duty. Every man should have proper conduct. You should never trouble or hurt others. You should engage yourselves in serving the poor. Cultivate divine feelings. You should work for the progress of society.

This creation has originated from God. Thus God (Parameshti), Creation (Srishti), Society (Samashti), and Individual (Vyashti) are very much interlinked. As all the organs constitute this body, all types of people too should come together and, based on the principle of unity in society, work for its welfare. This is the true meaning of humanness. The very birth of man is for the welfare of society and not for fulfilling material needs. One should serve this society. An individual should never work for selfish purposes. He should enter society and endeavour to uplift it. It is only then that one can visualize the God principle. When an individual forgets his duty, how can he realize Divinity?

Purity

Today you are afflicted by various miseries. How sacred and ideal is the life of man! But you forget such a blissful nature of human life and struggle in bondage. Elders, too, by leading youngsters into bondage, spoil the lives of their children. Youth plays a very important role in the world today. You should try to understand the present state of affairs of the country. Wherever we see, agitation prevails. There is no happiness anywhere. How then can you earn happiness? For this, you should first develop the happiness within. You should inculcate good feelings. In fact, man’s mind is very pure. It is so for students also. But as soon as he enters bondage, he loses this purity. Are these people who push their children into bondage happy? Never! When you are not happy, how can you share your happiness with others? Therefore, develop self-satisfaction. Then self-sacrifice can be done. This self-sacrifice is possible only when you have self-confidence.

Unity

In one of My previous discourses, I had emphasized the need for unity. However difficult a task might be, it can be achieved successfully if one has this unity. When does this unity arise in us? Only when we inculcate purity, unity originates in us. And after we have developed purity and unity, we attain divinity. How can a man aim for such divinity directly without developing purity? It is not possible.

Students! Youth! Devotees!

Everyone should essentially understand the principle of humanness. What is this human quality? The source of values like Satya, Dharma, Shanti, and Prema is not external. They are born along with us. It is foolish to try to realise these values in the outside world. Human values lie within the individual. Only when you cultivate your character can you experience the joy in society and enjoy true bliss therefrom.

Embodiments of Love!

The values of humanness should be understood well. Being a human does not mean just having a human body. One should realise the values encased within and practise them. What is the outcome of putting these values into practice? Consider a matchbox. There are matchsticks inside this matchbox. The matchsticks do not burn the matchbox.

But if you take out a matchstick and strike it, the matchstick catches fire. In the same way, there lie matchsticks called human values inside this matchbox called the body. When you imbibe good thoughts and feelings and use this body for good actions, the good feelings within you develop and provide illumination. You are a student. You are not a mere matchstick. You are like the street light. What are the functions of the street light? A street light not only lights up the path for the travellers but also brightly shows the pole bearing it. In a similar manner, you should realise the human values latent in you and help others. It is in this context it is said, ‘Help ever, Hurt never.’ But, you are not true to yourselves. Then, how can you lead others? It would be like one blind man leading the other. People may not realise this, but they are committing a serious mistake. Even elders today, encourage youth to enter this bondage. This is only foolishness. True wisdom on your part lies in entering the Divine path and trying to calm the agitations in the world today. You should also make efforts to eliminate wickedness. How can a man be peaceful?

“Man holds an atom bomb in his hand and at the same time cries out for peace. Though he could successfully reach the moon, peace and happiness have eluded him.”

With wicked feelings within, how can you attain peace? To overcome this bondage, you should distance yourself from it. Enter society and serve the people. Enjoy the happiness arising therefrom by sharing it with others. It is said that immortality can be attained by sacrifice alone and not by one’s activities, progeny, or wealth. A sense of sacrifice is not seen at all in the students today. Then how can they attain communion with God? People today are not satisfied with their wealth however much they accumulate. However much they have enjoyed wealth and pleasures, they have not found peace. Why can’t they be contented with what they have? A discontented person is sure to be ruined.

Man today is blinding himself in these mean desires, which is very much like the boon asked by Bhasmasura. “On whomsoever I place my hand, may he be reduced to ashes”, he asked, but didn’t realise that at some time or another the hand would find its place on his own head. The hand should be engaged in good actions. It is said that charity is the ornament for the hand. Truth is the jewel of the throat. God has given us this throat only to speak the truth. Hands are given to man not to hurt others or to do wicked deeds, but only for charity. The hands should be used in a sacred manner thus by helping others. When you try to hurt others, you are asking for trouble in your own life. Thus not only do you destroy your life, but you also spoil that of others too.

Students! Youth!

Peace for the Self and the World

Enter the sacred path and earn peace for yourself and the world. What is the purpose of your education? Utilise your knowledge for the uplift of the country. If you have any selfishness and self-interest, it becomes a demonic life. Your life should not be so. You tend to misuse your education. Use your education to help others. Today’s students flee to foreign countries soon after completing their studies here. But, what do they do there? They clean utensils in some hotel there. I said yesterday that it is better to wash pots in one’s home than to wash teacups abroad.

Is there anyone on this earth who does not thump his chest with pride when he declares, this is my motherland, this is my mother tongue and this is my religion.

A student’s life is meaningless if he does not help others. He is not ready to help others even a little but always thinks of his self-interest. That is why, from the first of November, I am starting a new project. I am sending my students to all the villages of this district. They would feed the poor, give them clothes, educate them and thus contribute to the uplift of society. Your claps alone don’t make Me happy. You should act. You should do your duty first. You should go to every village.

I came across a tragic incident in a newspaper. It was about an uneducated and helpless mother and her three children. They were in such a pathetic state of poverty that the mother had to starve herself in order to feed her children. As their situation worsened, she took to the extreme step of committing suicide after poisoning her children. It’s a shame on Bharatiyas! Can we Bharatiyas be so stone-hearted and wicked to allow such a painful event to take place? So we should go to each and every village and provide food, clothing and education to the needy. In addition, make them understand that should the mothers themselves act in such a cruel manner then can anyone improve their lot?

We have started educational institutions where education is imparted free. In addition to the existing super speciality hospital here, a new one is coming up in Bangalore, where treatment is available for hitherto incurable diseases. Everything here is free of cost. I have provided these three- health for the heart, education for the head, and water for the body. Now I have a new plan.

It is My wish to see that the poor children are provided with sufficient food, necessary clothing and an education with which they can lead their lives in society with dignity. A thousand such needy families shall be provided with one lakh rupees each, which will be invested in a fixed deposit. The interest accruing therefrom will be used for the food, clothing and education of the children. Our students will take up the task of educating them. They are indeed poor, but they too belong to the human race. Develop the feeling of brotherhood and love towards them. My new project will commence from the first of November. With truckloads of saris, dhotis and parcels of food, visit every village and distribute them among the poor there.

My will is invincible. Whatever I think of or do is only for others. There is not a trace of selfishness in Me. It is also My wish that the destitutes be given houses. Our students should endeavour in every way to improve their lot.

Do Not Run After Money

The educated youth of our country should not go abroad in search of money. This amounts to mere begging. Having acquired education here free of cost, it is shameful going abroad to amass wealth.

Enter into service activities and I shall see to it that you lack nothing. God is ever ready to help those who come forward to help others. Develop broad-mindedness. Only a person with ‘expansion of love’ can claim to be a human. Do not limit yourself to just your family. Why do you run after lowly desires? Why do you demean yourself to the level of animals and birds? These desires bind you to the world. It is a shame that educated people act so meanly. You who have listened to the sacred ideals should not behave in a mean way. Be in the constant awareness that you are a man and not an animal.

Along with education, teach the children of the villages proper conduct to ensure an ideal future for Bharat. It is my aspiration that every one of you uphold the value of humanity. But, “Can the lines of fate ever be erased, even if you brood over them for a thousand years.” (Telugu Poem) There may be some who may err, but most of our students will undoubtedly stick to the right path. Do not fall victim to desires, bad habits and bad company. Stand as ideals endeavouring on the right path. You are educated; do not conduct yourselves as animals with no reason and season. Never indulge in unjust and wrongful acts. Only then can you earn the name as an ideal student of Sri Sathya Sai Institute.

I do not expect anything from you. Wherever you go, have good conduct, undertake good activities and earn a good name. Should anyone tempt you to take the wrong path, tell the person, “You may say whatever you want, but I cannot take the wrong path. I am a Human and not an animal. So I should conduct myself as a human.” Man is one with faith and sacred qualities. Hence he should live a sacred and ideal life. What should education confer on you?

Vidya is that which confers good thoughts, good conduct, devotion, discipline and a sense of duty. This is what the Vidyarthis should aspire to acquire.

What is the use if you lose such sacred qualities when you go outside? Whatever you have learnt here should be imbibed by you. Try to alleviate the suffering of others. These are the ideals which Swami wants the students to follow. Your teachers shall be there to guide you. Develop selfless love.

True love can’t be acquired. In fact, it originates in the heart. Propagate this principle of love in every nook and corner of the world. Fill your hearts with love and conduct yourself in a loving manner. You can transform even a wicked person through your love.

Dear Students! Embodiments of Love!

How do you wish your future should be? You should lead a good life in a righteous manner. Don’t run after riches and property. In this world, there are many great and wealthy people. All of them must leave this world empty-handed.

'O Dharmaja! Even the great Harishchandra 
who ruled over the earth with steadfast adherence 
to Truth could not take a little of this earth when he 
departed. Emperor Nala, who reigned over the entire world, 
could not take with him anything 
when he passed away. 
Did king Mandhata who adorned the Kruta Yuga 
carry any wealth with him when he left the earth? 
Even the great Sri Rama who built a bridge across the ocean 
is not to be seen on the earth today. 
Many kings have ruled over the earth, 
but none of them could carry 
even a fistful of earth with them. 
Oh noble one! 
Do you think you can carry the kingdom and its riches on your 
head when you leave the world?'

When you leave this mortal body, your family members will not accompany you. Your life, your beauty, and even the world in which you live perish. Only Truth and Love remain forever. They are with you, around you, above you, below you and will always protect you. Love is valuable and it has no trace of hatred in it. Why do you give up such sacred love?

Selfishness turns a man into an animal. Today elders possess animal qualities and they encourage their children to become animals. This is the worst thing they can do to their children. What for are your education and your degrees if you are not able to retain human character?

“The foolish one having acquired a lot of education 
and knowledge does not know his own Self. 
However much one may study, he is unable to give up his mean qualities. 
This useless education can lead 
only to argumentation but not to complete wisdom. 
Oh Students! 
what is the use of acquiring this education 
which leads you to death? 
Study that which leads you to immortality.”

(Telugu Poem)

This is true happiness. Love and joy are eternal. Love is always tranquil, truthful, eternal, ever blissful, selfless, immortal and nectareous. That is why man is called Amritasya putra (son of immortality). If such an Amrita Putra resorts to falsehood, the education he has pursued becomes worthless. Education should elevate man. Mere bookish knowledge or superficial knowledge is useless. You should possess practical knowledge. Only then you can uplift the world.

Embodiments of Love!

Love is your true nature. Fill your heart with love. Don’t give scope for hatred, jealousy, and ego. Ego is very dangerous and powerful. It ruins your character. It is foolishness to consider yourself great in any aspect of life, as there are always people greater than you. Your true name is Love. Live up to your name. Only then Swami will feel happy.

Students!

How many of you wish to take part in the service activities from the first of November onwards? (All students raised their hands.) Very good, Very good, Your enthusiasm has intensified My happiness.

During this Navaratri festival, you have to tread the path of nine types of devotion. They are Shravanam (listening to the sacred name), Kirtanam (singing), Vishnusmaranam (contemplation), Pada-sevanam (service), Vandanam (salutations), Archanam (worship), Dasyam (servitude), Sneham (friendship) and Atma-nivedanam (self-surrender). Follow these paths, cultivate good manners and strive for the betterment of society. When you read the newspaper, you will recognise the suffering of the masses. Poor people die of hunger. Students should understand the problems of society and try to solve them. Don’t have a narrow mind. Consider the problems of the country as your own problems. All are brothers and sisters. When you consider Swami as your Mother and Father, are not these people your brothers and sisters? Work with this type of attitude. If needed, be ready to share your property with your brothers and sisters. Be determined to lead a truthful, sacred, and pure life.

Students!

Today is an auspicious day. Get ready to go to the villages and serve the people. Distribute clothes to them. Give saris to the women, dhotis to the men, shirts and pants to the children and gowns for the small girls. Is it not shameful on your part if you wear good dresses and see your brothers and sisters in rags? Give them good dresses and keep them happy. You will derive great joy when you see happiness on their faces. Strive for equality in society and live together. Only then the society will prosper. Even the government has undertaken so many activities. But we serve the poor for our self-satisfaction, which leads to self-sacrifice and ultimately will lead to self-realisation. So, you start service activities on the first of November.

06-10-2000, Prasanthi Nilayam