Shivarathri Divine Discourse

by **Sarveswara** Wed May 14, 2008 12:38 pm

Shivarathri Divine Discourse

A True and Real Life is One that
is Suffused with Love

Sivarathri, 6 March 2008
Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam

Divine Discourse
By Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Note: Discourses of Sri Sathya Sai Baba
on this SBOI - website/group are unedited, authentic & only
sourced from the official source: SSSBPT. ORG

Right from the time from getting up till going to bed, people struggle to acquire wealth. They spend all their mental and physical energy on amassing wealth. They undergo many difficulties in the process. Their mind is confused, and Divinity is forgotten. It is an endless struggle. What kind of peace, pleasure, and comfort can one enjoy in this struggle for wealth? (Telugu poem)

Embodiments of Love!

Today, the entire world revolves around money. Right from a student to a vegetable vendor, everyone runs after money. Not withstanding their education and social strata, people consider pursuit of money as their be-all and end-all in life. Strangely, even a small proportion of struggle that people willingly undergo in acquiring wealth is not to be found in the pursuit of Divinity.

God is the protector and savior of all in this world. One may be a millionaire or a billionaire, yet one cannot live without God. There are very few individuals who recognize God as the source and sustenance for all beings. Also, there are very few who contemplate on God. That is why the sadhana (spiritual practice) of community singing (bhajan) has been initiated. There may be a few among the group whose mind is distracted during the bhajan and who do not chant the divine name with proper bhava (feeling), raga (tune), and thala (rhythm). Still, by and large, people concentrate and contemplate on the divine name during the bhajan session.

Waves are many but water is the same. Similarly, Divinity permeates all human beings irrespective of their thoughts and feelings. Beings may be many, yet the same Divinity permeates all living beings. “Ekatma sarvabhuthantharathma” (one Atma dwells in all beings). Ekam sath viprah bahudha vadanti (truth is one, but the wise refer to it by various names).

Those who struggle to uphold Truth are the real devotees. The essence of all Vedas lies in establishing this truth. Unfortunately, today, people who recognise such an eternal truth are not to be found anywhere. One should not forsake Truth. When sathya (truth) and dharma (righteousness) come together, there will be santhi (peace) and prema (love). In fact, sathya is the basis for all other human values, namely, dharma, santhi, prema, and ahimsa (nonviolence).

Embodiments of Love!

Prema (love) does not descend from somewhere. It emerges from the hearts of people. A human being cannot live without love. Love assumes different forms in keeping with the relationship between two individuals — husband and wife, mother and child, between two friends, etc. But, basically, prema remains as the same undercurrent in all human beings. If a question is raised as to where God is, it can be said that God permeates all beings in the form of love. A true and real life is one that is suffused with love. Life devoid of love is not worth living. Love is the source of all virtues and all virtues merge in love.

Brahman is only one and is all-pervasive. Whenever someone enquires about your name, you have to reply “Aham Brahmasi (I am Brahman). I have no other name.” All worldly names are given to you for the purpose of identification. It is said, “Brahma Sathyam, jaganmithya” (Brahman alone is Truth, and the entire world is illusory). To realise the nature of Brahman, one must become Brahman. All names like Rama, Krishna, Govinda, Narayana, etc., merge in Brahman. If only you contemplate on Brahman, you will be able to realise the omnipresence of Brahman. You may call anyone by any name, for Brahman is present in all of them. Every human being has to contemplate on Brahman.

The nature of Divinity is described thus:
Nityanandam, Parama Sukhadam, Kevalam Jnanamurtim, Dwandwateetam, Gagana Sadrisham, Tattwamasyadi Lakshyam, Ekam, Nityam, Vimalam, Achalam, Sarvadhee Sakshibhutam (God is the embodiment of eternal bliss, He is wisdom absolute, beyond the pair of opposites, expansive and pervasive like the sky, the goal indicated by the aphorismTattwamasi (I am That), One without a second, eternal, pure, unchanging, witness of all functions of the intellect).

While coming into this hall, I saw Eswaramma and Pedda Venkama Raju (Swami’s parents). Even at this moment, they are very much here. Pedda Venkama Raju wore a yellow colored dhoti, while Eswaramma wore a yellow colored sari. The reason for this color is that they now reside in Vaikunta, the Abode of Lord Vishnu. Everyone in Vaikunta wears a yellow color dress. Not only Myself, even Satyajit, who sleeps in My room, has seen Easwaramma wearing a yellow colored sari. Women who wear yellow saris are forever sumangalis (ever auspicious).

The principle of Brahman is represented by the color yellow. That is why Lord Vishnu is described as Pithambara dhari, or the Lord who wears a yellow robe. Today, I wanted to bring out a yellow lingam from My body. But all the students, staff, and devotees prayed “Swami, You need not bring out a lingam from Your body. We cannot bear to witness the physical suffering You undergo while You bring out the lingam. Please accept our prayer and make us happy.”

Whatever I will, it will happen. Whereas human nature constantly undergoes change, My divine nature is changeless and eternal. No one can decipher such divine nature.
The cosmic dance performed by Lord Siva in Kailas is described thus:

“Lord Siva is lost in ecstasy
Parameswara, SambaSiva is lost in ecstasy,
Dancing and dancing the thandava dance
With the divine sage Narada accompanying on thampura and
The Lord’s matted locks shining brilliantly.
Wielding the Trident, Siva is dancing
Thadhim, Thadhim, Thadhim Thadhimthaka ||Lord Siva||
With Goddess Saraswathi playing veena and Indra the flute,
Lord Vishnu on Mridanga,
Dhimi Dhimi Dhimi Dhimithaka ||Lord Siva||
With Ganges in the matted locks, the third eye in the forehead
And crystal beads round the neck shining brilliantly
Lord Siva is lost in ecstasy
Dancing and dancing the cosmic dance.” ||Lord Siva||

Once, when Siva and Parvati were moving about in the sky, they saw a person cutting the branch of a tree on which he was sitting. As he was on the verge of falling, Parvati prayed to Siva to save him, “Oh Lord, Please save him when he falls on the ground.”

But Siva said to Parvati, “It is you who saw him first. It is you again who realised that he would die when he falls down. So it is your responsibility to save him.”

Parvati replied, “Dear Lord, when someone falls on the ground, he will utter either amma(mother) or appa (father). If this man utters amma, then I will save him, but if he utters appa, you should save him.” Easwara agreed to this proposal.

As the branch broke, both Siva and Parvati came forward to save him. But while falling, this man did not utter either amma or appa; he said, ayyo! (alas!). Though both Siva and Parvati were waiting to save him, he did not call them.

The moral of the story is that we should always remember our parents. One who does not remember the parents even in times of difficulty is really a fool. Lord Easwara and Mother Parvati are the universal parents. If one constantly remembers them, one will not encounter any difficulty or suffering. Unfortunately, today, people do not remember their parents. That is why they are denied protection.

Rama’s Divinity blossomed under Kausalya's loving care;
Because of the tender feelings and austerity of Sita,
Lava and Kusha achieved name and fame;
Fostered with the love of his mother, Putlibai, Gandhi became a Mahatma;
The loving care of Jijabai made Sivaji a great warrior. (Telugu poem)

First and foremost, one has to remember one’s mother always. Easwaramma represents the divine motherhood. She is the mother of Easwara. Similarly, Venkama means the Lord of the seven hills. Thus, Pedda Venkamaraju and Easwaramma together represent the Divine parents. Today, both of them reside in Vaikunta.

There are three Sai Avatars. The first was Shirdi Sai, the second is Sathya Sai, and the third to come is Prema Sai. Prema Sai will be the most important Avatar, because He will unite the entire humanity. You all know that it is Prema (principle of love) that unites all!
Unfortunately, today you do not find ekathwa (unity) anywhere. Wherever you see, there is only bhinnathwa (differences and diversity). Where there is love, there will be unity. Then all people will be united, regardless of caste, culture, and country.

Suppose someone asks where you come from; you will reply that you come from such and such state. But the truth is that all people belong to one country and one world. You should feel proud to proclaim that you belong to the country of Bharath. Bharath is the home of all people in the world. In fact, Prasanthi Nilayam has become the home of all people in the world.

In the Ramayana story, King Dasaratha performed the Puthrakameshti Yajna with a desire to have sons. The God of fire, rising from the homakunda (sacrificial pit), handed over to King Dasaratha a vessel filled with sacred pudding, and Dasaratha distributed it equally amongst his three wives. Kausalya and Kaikeyi took their share of pudding to their respective puja rooms. Each of them was happy, thinking that her son would be the future king of Ayodhya.

But Sumitra had no such expectations. She carried her bowl of pudding to the terrace and placed it on the parapet wall, while drying her hair in the sun. Suddenly, an eagle swooped down and carried away the bowl of sacred pudding. She immediately ran down and informed Kausalya and Kaikeyi about what had happened.

Kausalya and Kaikeyi came to Sumitra’s rescue and shared their portion of pudding with her. Kaikeyi gave half of her share to Sumithra, and Kausalya did the same. In due course, Kausalya gave birth to Rama, Kaikeyi to Bharatha and Sumitra to Lakshmana and Satrughna.

Sumitra was a paragon of virtues. Her name itself signifies that she was a good friend to one and all! One day, Sumitra was thinking to herself, “Rama deserves to be crowned King of Ayodhya, since He is the eldest among the sons. Or else, Bharatha should be crowned King as per the promise made by King Dasaratha to Kaikeyi. My two sons, Lakshmana and Sathrughna, should serve their elder brothers — Lakshmana to serve Rama and Sathrugna to serve Bharatha.” Thus, all three wives of King Dasaratha, namely, Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi, and also their sons lived in unity and love.

In keeping with the noble traditions and ideals set out in Ramayana, we should always maintain unity and brotherhood. If only we are able to cultivate these two, we can be good friends to one and all. In the Ramayana and Mahabharatha, unity and spirituality were projected as the ideal qualities to be emulated by all.

A few years ago when I visited East Africa, I told them that I came from India. The then President of Uganda, Idi Amin, further queried as to which state I came from. I reiterated that I came from India. I emphatically told him that entire India represents only one country. If all people cultivate such noble principles, the country as well as the people living in it will prosper.

Very soon, the entire country of Bharath will be united and all differences will subside. It is of utmost importance that all the people be united and live like brothers and sisters. This principle of unity shall be propagated in every nook and corner of the country. The languages people speak, the individual vocation, and the education they pursue may be different. But all should practice the principle of one country, one caste, and one culture. It is only because these aspects are treated as different now that differences arise among people. The important message of this festival is that the country of Bharath shall be united. It should be the endeavor of people to treat it so.

Embodiments of Love!

Wherever you go, proudly proclaim that you belong to the country of Bharath, you speak the language of Bharath ,and you follow the culture of Bharath. Believe in the principle of unity. Develop faith in the principle of unity, and live accordingly. The country, caste, and culture — all the three must merge into one. Then only will the country progress. Bharath, the name of our country, signifies the message of Bha (meaning God) and rathi (meaning love). Therefore, Bharath is the country where people develop love for God. This Truth has always to be borne in mind.

(Bhagawan sang the bhajan “Hari Bhajana Bina Sukha Santhi Nahi”)

Whoever wishes to have santhi (peace), must participate in bhajan. Bhajan is the only sadhana (spiritual exercise) that confers peace on an individual.

Sivarathri, 6 March 2008
Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam

by **Sarveswara** Wed May 14, 2008 8:27 pm

2^nd Shivarathri Divine Discourse
Cultivate Good Thoughts and Noble
Feelings in your Heart

Sivarathri, 7 March 2008
Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam

Karma is responsible for birth, existence, and death. It holds sway over all stages of life as the very deity of human existence. It is responsible for joy and sorrow.
(Telugu Poem)

Karma (action) is the very life breath of a human. Every human being has to undertake karma keeping in mind the possible result of the karmas. This is the most important duty of a human being. As the karma, so will be the result.

One has to keep good health, not merely physical health but mental health too. His thoughts and resolutions should also be healthy. Good thoughts result in good karmas. When one undertakes karmas with evil thoughts, the result will also be bad

Who made the bats to hang from the branches of a tree with their heads downward? Has anyone tied them upside down out of hatred? No, it is their fate. Likewise, nobody can escape from the consequences of karma. A human being does bad karmas, entertains bad thoughts, and ultimately encounters bad results. On the other hand, one who entertains good thoughts and undertakes good karmas enjoys good results. It is not possible to get good results by doing bad deeds.

A small example: when you write correct answers for the questions in an examination, you will get good marks, and vice versa. Undertaking bad deeds denotes animalistic tendency. One has to analyze at every stage whether one is behaving like a human being or an animal. When you indulge in bad deeds, even your neighbours will restrain you, saying, “Being born as a human, why do you behave like an animal?” Thus, one is ridiculed and punished even by a fellow human being. When you resort to evil deeds, you need not have to wait for long till God decides to punish you. The result of your evil deeds accrues to you from yourself.

“By doing a bad deed, a good result cannot be achieved;
By doing a good deed, bad results will not accrue;
Having planted a lime sapling, can you obtain a mango fruit?
By planting a mango sapling, can you get a lime fruit?”
(Telugu poem)

Human beings have to realise that they is born to undertake good deeds only. The word ‘manava’ (human being) has profound meaning. It consists of three letters: ‘ma’ (means ignorance), ‘na’ (means without), ‘va’ (means to conduct). Thus, one who conducts oneself without ignorance is a ‘manava’ (human being). Having been born as a human being, one has to conduct oneself accordingly.

When the crows caw, we chase them away by throwing a stone at them. On the other hand, when a parrot speaks small words sweetly, we hear them with joy. We are never tired of hearing a cuckoo bird singing. What does all this signify? By our sweet words and good behaviour, we make ourselves endearing to all.

Human beings have to help their fellow human beings. “Help ever; hurt never.” Even though we are aware of this maxim, we do harm to others knowingly. That is the greatest mistake. Humans have been endowed with a reasoning faculty. The mind can be employed in both good and bad ways. That is why it is said, Manah eva manushyanam karanam bandhamokshayo (mind is the cause for bondage and liberation of man). The mind is a gift of God to a human being. It is not the real nature of a human being to abuse, make fun of, or hurt others. Even animals are helping human beings in ever so many ways. Thus, what greatness lies in a human being helping a fellow human being? Having been born as human beings, we must conduct ourselves accordingly and love all as our brothers and sisters.

We must undertake such activities to please to God. Then only will our human birth be sanctified. God resides in all. Daivam manusha rupena(God incarnates in the form of a human being). When God incarnates in human form, we should obey His divine command. It is said Jantunam nara janma durlabham (out of all living beings, human birth is the rarest). We should not waste such a precious human birth. We will be losing our humanness by speaking untruth, causing injustice to others and undertaking bad deeds. A human being has to behave as a human being by following the principle, “see good, do good, and be good.”

Some people appear to be good cast evil looks on others. That is not good.
Manasyekamvachasyekam, karmanyekam mahatmanam,
Manasyanyath vachasyanyath,karmanyanyath duratmanam.
(Those whose thoughts, words and deeds are in perfect harmony are noble ones; those who lack harmony of these are wicked.)

There must be harmony between one’s thoughts, words, and deeds. When there is unity between these three, there will be purity. Where there is purity, there is Divinity. Whatever others do to you, consider it as good for you. See that you do not lose your humanness under any circumstances. In fact, humanness is your most valuable property.

“Love all and serve all”. Then only you can lead a healthy and happy life. Do not eat junk food or food that is prohibited. You have to partake good, sathwic food that is offered first to God. You don’t offer all sorts of food to God, do you? Sathwic food that is prepared in a clean vessel with pure feelings is offered to God. The food so offered to God has to be partaken as prasadam (sanctified food). Good food brings good health, and from good health arises good thoughts. Unfortunately, today there is dichotomy between our thoughts, words, and deeds. We say something and do something else.

Once, a person pretending to be an ascetic came to a house and begged for food. The housewife told him, “Please go to the river, finish your bath, and come back. In the meantime, I will prepare food for you”. The ‘ascetic’ was by nature a lazy fellow. He told her ,“Mother! For wandering mendicants like us, ‘Govindethi sada snanam’ (chanting of the divine name of Govinda is equivalent to having a bath).” The housewife was clever enough to teach him a lesson. She told him “Dear son! Govindethi sada bhojanam (The divine name of Govinda is verily food for you). You can go.”

Evil feelings may sometimes arise in our heart. They have to be corrected by participating in sathsanga (good company). It is said, “Tell me your company, I shall tell you what you are.” If you are in good company, you will be a good person. On the other hand, if you move about in bad company, you will also become bad. Hence, always move in good company. If you partake of meat, indulge in smoking and drinking, and say that you are a good person, no one will agree with that statement. If you wish to be a good person, undertake good and noble activities.

As are your karmas, so shall be the results. Human birth is very sacred. It is the result of sathkarmas (good actions) performed over several past lives.

A few thousand devotees are gathered in this hall. For what purpose? To sanctify their time in the divine presence of God, to hear the divine message, and contemplate on the same. The entire hall is permeated by divine vibrations. That is why saints and sages proclaim the importance of sathsanga.

“Satsangatwe nissangatwam,
Nissangatwe nirmohatwam,
Nirmohatwe nischalatattwam,

Nischalatattwe jivanmukti
(Sanskrit Verse)

Good company leads to detachment;
Detachment makes one free from delusion;
Freedom from delusion leads to steadiness of mind;
Steadiness of mind confers liberation.

We should move about in good company and cultivate good thoughts and feelings. Jealousy, anger, ego, and such other ill feelings must be shed. Gratitude is another good quality to be cultivated. A person with gratitude, wherever they are, will prosper. Some people return evil for good. They are verily demons. We must show gratitude to all those who help us, irrespective of whether the help is small or great.

We must serve all. We must greet with love even those who hate us. Then they will also respond with a loving greeting. If you address others with respect, saying, “Sir!”, they will also treat you with respect. On the other hand, if you insult them, you will get the same in return. Our entire life is filled with reaction, resound, and reflection. See good, do good, and be good. Then your birth as a human being will be sanctified. Your own good nature will protect you. That is your real support.

Lawyers, while arguing their cases in the courts, always rely upon witnesses. But we don’t require someone else to testify to our good conduct. Our own mind is the witness to our good nature. If you want to earn money, do it —but by fair means and good conduct. First and foremost, your actions should be in accordance with your conscience. Self satisfaction should be the most important goal in whatever activity you undertake. Only when you achieve self satisfaction will you be able to go to the next step of self-sacrifice.

Dear students! You must cultivate good and noble feelings right from this early age. That is true education. There is no use studying voluminous texts. I find several students always reading and reading books We are not sure what kind of books they are reading. Read good books that will help develop your character. Do not read books that go against the basic tenets of humanness.

You are all now students. Pursuit of education is your goal. What kind of education? Education that would confer Atma Jnana (knowledge of the Self). Some boys read big books, and their parents feel happy thinking that their children are reading the Ramayana or the Mahabharatha. But nobody knows for sure what exactly they are reading. Some may be reading trash novels, keeping them in between the pages of those voluminous books. Do not resort to such dubious actions, for if you do such things, your entire life will be spoiled. Society will not respect you.

First and foremost, students must control their anger, cultivate patience, and lead a peaceful life. Only by developing a calm and serene mind can you understand your lessons well. This is the age when your hearts are pure. It may not be possible for you to make everyone happy. But conduct yourself in such a manner that your actions please to God.
Every one in this world wishes to be happy. But where does the real happiness lie? “Hari bhajana bina sukha santhi nahi………” True peace and happiness lie in singing bhajans. That is why Guru Nanak had initiated the sadhana (spiritual exercises) of community bhajan singing. If a group of people come together and sing the glory of God, at least one person’s heart will be tuned to Divinity.

We find people dozing during Sivarathri akhanda bhajan. Some others mechanically participate in the bhajan, while their mind is roaming elsewhere. In spite of these undesirable things, community singing is still a better sadhana. At least one in this group will have their mind fixed in God while singing the bhajan. Community singing is pleasing to God.

Sivarathri means an auspicious night. Every day, there is a rathri (night). But all nights cannot equal Sivarathri. Real Sivarathri is only that where the divine name is contemplated upon and sung with devotion. That is the only auspicious night. Hence, cultivate noble feelings in your heart at least on this auspicious night.

Sivarathri, 7 March 2008
Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam

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