Divine Discourse 23 February 2006

Control of the sense is the real

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Prasanthi Nilayam 23 February 2006

Embodiments of Love! The mind has to be kept absolutely pure and My blessings to you all. I am happy that you sacred. Do not taint the mind with the impuri- all have studied here right from the primary ties of conflict and agitation. You all have to school stage up to the 12th standard and ob- develop such kind of () right tained good marks and earned good name for from this early age. yourselves. No doubt, you were all well be- Unfortunately, today you are all spoiling your haved with good character up to the primary life by cultivating desires for all and sundry school stage. But after you left the primary things. This is madness and delusion. What- school you yourself can imagine what change ever you do, you must do it with a sense of has come about in you. As long as you were dedication and surrender to God. All the work in the primary school, you had developed you undertake must be carried out with this many good qualities like love, , spirit. Sarva Bhagavad preetyartham kindness and joy. You were all moving like (do all actions to please God). brothers, with mutual love and affection. In fact, what you think to be yours is not Your speech, your play, your songs were all yours. First and foremost, enquire into your- full of sweetness. self, “Who am I?” The entire universe, right But the moment you joined the higher secon- from the microcosm to the macrocosm, is dary school, the quality of purity in your permeated by Divinity. Sugar, sand, an ant, a thoughts, words, and deeds deteriorated. I am mosquito or an elephant —all are Embodi- not saying that all the boys are like that. It is ments of Divinity. God assumes all these only a few boys who took to wrong ways and forms like the different characters in a drama. are spoiling their mind. You can judge for There is nothing in this universe that is not yourself how pure your mind is. permeated by God. Everything in this uni- Humanness consists of five components: the verse is God. The entire creation is an Em- gross body, mind, intellect, , bodiment of Divinity. In fact, He dons all the and the senses. If a human being is to attain characters in this cosmic drama. All dialogues liberation, he has to cleanse his mind first. It and songs are His only. Yet, the characters He is a serious mistake to desire for that which dons appear to be different. Hence, whatever does not belong to them. Whenever the mind we do, whatever we see and whatever we say, desires something, one has to enquire first everything is God. One has to realise this whether the particular object belongs to one truth and conduct oneself accordingly. or someone else. When you know for sure Unfortunately, today some people take to that it belongs to someone else, you must be wrong ways due to the effect of bad qualities, careful to divert your mind from that object. bad practices, bad thoughts, and bad looks.

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Whomever you come across, treat them as and years without giving up divisive tenden- Embodiments of Divinity. Whatever you say, cies. Such converts itself into mere tha- it must reflect Divinity. When you conduct mas (indolence, sloth). Several people give up yourself in such a manner, that itself is mukti their sadhana (spiritual exercises) in the mid- (liberation). One has to cleanse one's five dle with a sense of frustration and despair, senses. One should conduct oneself in such a thinking that God is not merciful enough to manner that one neither hurts others nor is reveal Himself before them in spite of doing hurt by others. The words you make use of for long years. If you wish to have the must be sacred. Do not covet others' property vision of God, first and foremost you must or develop a desire for it. develop a sense of oneness with God. In fact, One has to cultivate in the unity of Di- your own mind is an Embodiment of Divinity. vinity. Everything is divine. Unfortunately, People often questions, “Where is God? Who some boys are not able to develop such uni- is God?, etc.” I would say, “Your mind is versal outlook. They are languishing in a feel- God.” It is said, Mana eva manushyanam ing of separateness. They distinguish between karanam bandhamokshayo (mind is the cause people as “mine” and “thine”. The ancient for bondage and liberation of man). Both history of is replete with instances of the bondage and liberation occur due to the mind ill effects of such divisive tendencies. only. Hence, mind is God. Similarly, the intel- You all know about the history of Kauravas lect is God, and so also the chittha (subcon- and in the great epic . scious mind). It is a common sight to see peo- The Kauravas were one hundred in number ple praising a person of sharp intellect as an and were the sons of King . The intellectual. Pandavas were five in number. They were the But, God alone is the true intellectual. We sons of Pandu, the younger brother of King have to dedicate our chittha to God. Once, a Dhritarashtra. There ensued a fierce battle be- great devotee sang, “Oh! God! Let me offer tween the Kauravas and the Pandavas. But my worship to You with chittha suddhi (pu- who is at fault in this battle? In fact, Dhrita- rity of consciousness).” Hence, you should all rashtra and Pandu were the sons of the same pray to God with purity of consciousness. father. They were brothers. Their kingdom Just as the mind, intellect, and chittha (sub- was one. But their thoughts and aspirations conscious mind) are the Embodiments of Di- were different. A malicious desire for annex- vinity, so also are the senses. Hence, one ing the entire kingdom for themselves on the should not taint one's senses with the arishad- part of the Kauravas resulted in evil thoughts vargas (the six inner enemies of lust, anger, and divisive tendencies. greed, delusion, pride, and jealousy). Similarly, in the there were two signifies desires, which you can divert toward brothers, and Sugriva. They were also God —pray that you want only God and none brothers born to the same father. But some else. You love God alone. Such love only will unfortunate and selfish interests on their part be sanctified. To love people on the basis of resulted in a fierce battle between the broth- their name and form cannot be termed real ers. While Vali, the valiant king, was enjoy- love. That is only worldly love. When you ing regal comforts in the city of Kishkindha, love God, everything will be added unto you. his younger brother, Sugriva, had to languish All your desires must be God-oriented. Every in the hills and forests. desire of yours must be to please God. Sup- There is no use doing japa (soft repetition of pose you love someone; do not treat him as a the name) and tapas (sacrifice) for months

2 Divine Discourse 23 February 2006 mere mortal. On the other hand, you must be One has to evolve oneself into a noble human able to visualise the Divinity in them. being. There is no object other than the panchab- You may be fond of your wife and children. huthas (the five elements of air, water, earth, But on that basis, you cannot denigrate others. fire, and ether) in this universe. You will not You should not entertain a feeling that so and find a sixth element, however much you try so is mine and others are different. All are and explore. For example, this hand consists Embodiments of Divinity! All are children of of five fingers. There is no sixth finger. In God. There is such an intimate relationship case someone has a sixth finger, he will be between people in this world. Whatever ob- taken to the doctor for removing it by surgery. ject you come across in this world, it belongs Similarly, we all have five senses. to God only. It does not belong to any particu- What is mukti (liberation)? Liberation is con- lar individual. In every object, every being, trol of the senses. Unless one controls one's Divinity is immanent. Divinity is present in senses, liberation is not possible. It is foolish every grain of sand and every particle of to think that God is somewhere in a distant sugar. place. Strictly speaking, who is God? The It is said, Viswam swarupam (the en- panchabhuthas are Embodiments of Divinity. tire universe is the Embodiment of Lord It is only the senses that bring us good or bad. Vishnu). The whole universe comes under Hence, controlling the senses should be your one family. Hence, one has to cultivate such top priority. You often express your inability universal love. That is real Atmic Love. Only thinking, “Swami! Is it possible for us?” I am when you cultivate such love do you deserve emphatically saying that it is possible, pro- to be called a human being. Only then can vided you make an effort with firm determi- you visualise the Atma Tattwa (Atmic Princi- nation. When you are able to please God and ple). Devoid of love, if you go on cultivating obtain His grace, sense control is not a big evil qualities like anger, hatred, jealousy, and task for you. The senses are very trivial a feeling of difference between one another, things. Unless you are able to control the you will be worse than animals. Beasts and senses, you do not deserve to be called a hu- animals fight among themselves. If you also man being. fight like them, what difference is there be- tween you and the animals? In fact, anger and It is said, Jantunam nara janma durlabham hatred are not the qualities of a human being. (of all living beings, human birth is the rar- The feeling of difference originates in human est). To be born as a human being is a rare gift of God. Having obtained this rare gift, beings when one considers oneself as differ- strive to achieve sense control. Even if you ent from God. Where there is a feeling of dif- succumb to the wishes of even one of these ference, there hatred raises its head. Whatever five senses, you will stoop down to the level activity you undertake, it must be done in a of an animal. spirit of dedication to God. We extol Lord Easwara as Hiranya Garbhaya Namah (I of- It is said, Daivam manusha rupena (God is in fer my Pranasm to the golden-wombed Lord). the form of a human being). Having attained He is the embodiment of gold. Here, gold sig- such a rare and sacred birth of a human being, nifies immutability. You are all golden chil- how foolish it is to say that you cannot control dren. But you forget your real and as- your senses! One who succumbs to the wishes sociate yourself with dust and rust. Hence, of the senses is a rakshasa (demon), verily! In great have to take birth in this world fact, such a person is worse than a rakshasa. now and then to cleanse you and make you

3 Divine Discourse 23 February 2006 realise your innate Divinity. However, when your father, mother, and everything. I will some great embarks upon such a mission, look after you in every aspect.” some people doubt the effort saying, "It is all Whenever he came here, I used to call him his foolishness. Can earth become gold? Can and talk to him, instilling a sense of security sand become sugar?" and confidence in him. Now, all the members Modern man is full of doubts and doubts! of the family are happily living. This boy was What could be the reason for these doubts? very young then. Now, he has grown up. Only when one thinks that one is separate Thus, I have been showering My love and from God do doubts arise. grace on one and all, whether I talk to them It is a well-known fact that a vessel filled to particularly or not. the brim will be steady. Similarly, God is - What is My property? Love! Love! Love! I niscient, so He is steady always. Many people have no anger whatsoever on anyone, at any who come here have several experiences. time. Only to correct an erring individual do I (Swami called a student onto the dais). I am pretend to be angry. But I have no anger to- aware of the past, present, and future of every ward anyone. My entire body is suffused with individual, irrespective of caste, religion, and pure love. place of birth. Some people who come here It is said, Easwara sarva bhutanam (God is may think, “Perhaps Swami does not know the indweller of all beings). Who is Easwara? who I am.” But there is nothing that I do not Easwara is not merely the one who is por- know. Even though I know everything, I pre- trayed as wearing rudraksha garlands around tend I do not know. His hands and serpents round His neck. It is (Pointing to a student) The parents and broth- only a form that is created for the common ers and sisters of this boy visited Prasanthi man to comprehend Divinity to some extent. Nilayam sometime ago. I called all of them The various names and forms like Easwara, for an interview and promised to the father, Vishnu, , and were created to “My dear! The mother of these children may enable the common man to worship God in not survive for long. In fact, she may breathe some form or the other. In fact, every human her last even before you reach your village. being is an Embodiment of Easwara. There is Don't worry. I will take up the responsibility nothing in this world that is not permeated by of all your children.” Easwara. The Earth is Easwara. This hand- kerchief is also an embodiment of Easwara. The children started crying. I told them, All names and forms originated from Eas- “Don't cry. Why fear when I am here? I will waratwa (the Easwara Principle). look after everything.” In fact, only the one who has gained control From that day onward, I have been looking over the five senses can comprehend Divinity. after their welfare, as promised. The girls are all married. All the children have been pro- Divinity is not limited to one name and form. vided with their requirements. None of them People say they had the vision of , faced any difficulty. There is one boy among , etc., but it is only their imagination! our band group. That boy is the youngest of However, Divinity is only one and that has all the brothers. He was very young when he been named as Easwara. Unable to compre- came here along with his parents sometime hend the Divinity, people ascribe several ago. I called him and told him, “My dear! names and forms to it and get deluded. You don't need to worry about anything. I am Today, it is the devotees who change their chosen deities, frequently. But God does not

4 Divine Discourse 23 February 2006 change. God is one. He is permanent. Real should lead a life filled with love like brothers sadhana (spiritual exercise) is gaining control and sisters. over the five senses. One has to undertake In educational institutions where the system such type of sadhana instead of engaging of co-education is in vogue, the boys and girls himself in japa (repetition of the name), should move like brothers and sisters. No- dhyana (), etc. For example, even if where should any difference on account of you are engaged in japa and dhyana closing gender raise its head. When the children get your eyes, your “monkey mind” will be roam- into the higher secondary stage, these differ- ing about all the three worlds. People do not ences crop up. You should not give scope for realise this truth and engage themselves in such things. Whoever entertains such differ- different types of sadhana. There is nothing ences is sure to fail in the examination, the but Divinity in this world. Whatever you see, examination of “pure love”. whatever you hear, everything is permeated by Divinity. There is nothing great in passing examina- tions in the worldly sense. Everyone can pass, Once the Pandavas were performing the Ra- provided one puts in a little effort. There is no jasuya . At the conclusion of the ritual, use passing a worldly examination while at Sri Krishna was honoured by the Pandavas in the same time failing in pure and unsullied the presence of all kings in the court. Sisupala love for a fellow human being who is none could not bear seeing this honour bestowed on other than God. He who has passed the ex- Sri Krishna. He reviled Lord Krishna in ever- amination of divine love is the most success- so-many ways, criticising Him for various ful person in life. omissions and commissions. One of the points of his criticism was that Krishna stole the sa- All are God's children. All are reflections of ris of women who were bathing in a lake. The the Hiranyagarbha (cosmic womb, cosmic Pandavas could not bear these insinuations mind), which is present in the human body. heaped upon their dear Lord Krishna. They Hence, from now onward, all of you should felt humiliated. live like brothers and sisters with mutual love and affection. Then only do you deserve to be Krishna then tried to reason with them saying, called ideal students. But I do not find in the “He did so out of ignorance. I am beyond present-day students such feeling of kinship. praise or scorn. I am the eternal witness to Instead they are cultivating differences such everything that goes on in this world. How- as, “I am different” and “You are different.” ever, you should not respond to that criticism and start paying him in his own coin. Do not Do not, under any circumstances, cultivate ever get attached to anyone deeply. If you anger and hatred. Anger should be controlled lead a life of detachment thus, I will be with and hatred given up. Your safety and welfare you constantly guarding you and guiding lie in controlling anger. It is common knowl- you.” edge that when the controls in a railway sta- tion are not functioning properly, the trains Divinity never encourages differences among moving on the track derail. In such a situa- men. God is Love and Love is God. There are tion, the controller in the railway station is several thousands of people gathered in this held responsible. Similarly, the mind is the Hall. However, the love that permeates every controller for all thoughts and feelings arising individual is only one. There may be differ- in us. Hence, if the mind is kept in control, the ences in the names and forms of people and entire body comes under our control. their relationships, but the Divinity permeat- ing all people is one and the same. Hence, all

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You are all embodiments of pure gold. You God is the only leader for the entire universe. are all golden children. Your words are sweet. God is the only leader and judge. It is only Let your conduct also be sweet in comformity God who can decide justice or injustice. You with your words. Wherever you go, as stu- should not forget such an omnipresent, om- dents of Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institu- nipotent and omniscient God. Do not entertain tions, you must display exemplary conduct feelings of difference like “mine” and “thine”. and behaviour. Merely because you wear Develop equal-mindedness. May all people white dress, you do not deserve to be called live together happily and bring good name for students of Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institu- themselves and the country. tions. In keeping with your white dress, keep (Bhagawan created a gold ring with a green your mind pure and your heart sacred. Only stone embedded in it and presented it to the then will you become ideal students. Swami student standing in front of Him). Everyone will constantly be with such students, guard- should thus earn the grace of God. The green ing and guiding them. I will give them every- colour is a sign of peace and welfare. I wish thing. In fact, I am protecting several people that all of you should earn such peace, wel- in several ways; but no one has realised this fare, love, devotion, and grace of God. Only point till today. when you drive away the bad qualities in you Your own Atma is Divinity. That is Easwara. will you be able to live in the divine Presence. One has to develop firm faith in that feeling. May you make proper use of the panchabhu- How can you be called a human being if you tas (the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, do not develop such faith? and ether). May you control your panchendri- Love is God; live in love. Your love should yas (five senses). Then God will be constantly not be limited to an individual or some family with you guarding and guiding you. members. You must share it with all. If only Divinity cannot be attained merely by offer- you develop such broad-mindedness, you can ing and doing . Along with become a leader and set an ideal to others. these (spiritual exercises), you must (When Swami asked the students whether also develop a pure heart and offer it to God. they had faith in Swami's words, all of them Let your mind, intellect, and chittha (subcon- unanimously responded by saying loudly, scious mind) be constantly associated with “Yes Swami!”). God wherever you are and whatever work you It is not enough if you just pay lip service by are undertaking. Then your very mind, intel- saying “yes”. The conviction must come from lect, and chittha will be transformed into Di- the depth of your heart. You commit a mis- vinity. take and say "sorry". That is not enough. You When God is present right in front of you in should desist from repeating the same mis- the form of panchabhutas, where is the need take. for searching for Him separately? There is no Truth is the very life-breath for a human be- scope at all for such a feeling! It is a serious ing. Truth is God. Do not speak untruth. If mistake to think that God is separate from the only you follow truth in your life steadfastly, panchabhutas. Considering God as your eve- you can achieve everything. Truth is like a rything and sole , dedicate your senses shield that will protect you. Truth is your sup- to Him. This is an easy method to reach God. port. If you give up such a noble quality of When you follow such an easy path, you will truth and speak untruth, how can you be attain (liberation). After all, what is called a human being? You should never give moksha? Moha kshaya is moksha? (coming scope for falsehood in your life. out of delusion is liberation). There is no use

6 Divine Discourse 23 February 2006 chanting “Ram, Ram, Ram” when your mind great . You must not disappoint them. is full of moha (delusion). You must earn the praise of your father, Whatever work you undertake, do it with a mother, teacher, and God —all four. Make sense of Bhagavad preetyartham (to please your life meaningful and sacred by good God). Whomever you come across, consider thoughts, feelings, practice, and behaviour. them as an Embodiment of God. Even the beggar standing in front of your door is an Embodiment of God. He may be a beggar from the point of view of the physical body. But he is really an Embodiment of Divinity from the Atmic sense. Whether one is a king or an emperor or a beggar, the same Divinity permeates every individual. May you dedicate your lives to win the love of God and His grace. Undertake every activity as an offering to God. Even your reading your textbooks can be done with such a sense of dedication to God. You will surely pass your examinations in 1st class. I am happy that you are all good boys. But one caution, you must exhibit the same good behaviour in your higher secon- dary school as in the primary school. Let Me remind you that the teachers in the Higher Secondary School will not hesitate to punish you whenever necessary if you go wrong. They have nothing against anybody, but they are duty bound to put you on the right track. If a teacher shirks their responsi- bility and condones your bad behaviour with- out giving a punishment, then that teacher is a “guddi (blind teacher)”. He cannot be called a guru in the real sense. The role of a headmaster in the school is also important. In fact, he is the “head” for all the teachers. Hence, he should oversee the work of all the teachers. Education does not mean simply reading of books. One cannot become great by acquiring an academic degree. In fact, degrees are not great; Divine is great. Hence, develop such divine nature. Only then will your life become sanctified and your education meaningful. Your parents will also be happy. You might be aware that your parents have admitted you in Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institution with

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