26 December 2007

Anything in Life can be Achieved with Faith in God

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Prasanthi Nilayam 26 December 2007

A man with anger cannot achieve anything. He commits mistakes and indulges in sinful Embodiments of Love! deeds. Actually love is another name of Brahman. In He is despised by everyone. fact, love, Atma, Prema, Aham, or Brahman Love is God and God is love. — all these names carry the same meaning. Devoid of love, humans cannot exist. There is nothing in this world except love. (Telugu poem) But, unfortunately, we are not able to under- It is lack of love that is responsible for all the stand what love is. We consider Love as relat- differences, arguments, and conflict in the ing to the world. We consider it to be physi- world, especially in the present times. Several cal. In fact, it does not at all relate to the people say that the world is afflicted today physical realm. It is truth, verily. “You are not with sorrow, losses, and difficulties. I do not one person, but three: the one you think you subscribe to this view. I tell you, they are all are, the one others think you are, and the one our illusion only. In fact, there is no unrest or you really are. What others think is all imagi- sorrow in this world. I just see peace, peace, nation. The Self within you is the only truth. and peace only, everywhere. When there is Who is this Self? That is “I”. This “I” is the peace in our heart, we will be able to witness same in all. The Christians worship the cross peace all round. Unrest, sorrow, anger, etc., (†). The cross is a symbol exhorting people to are the reaction, reflection, and resound of the get rid of ego. No one is different from you. state of our inner being. Sorrows and difficul- Hence, you must always bear the truth that all ties, anger and unrest are of our own making are one (I). Those that are born out of karma and creation. They are not natural phenomena and grow and perish ultimately (namely the in the world. physical bodies) are unreal. Hence, you are When someone enquires after your name, you always Brahman, in accordance with the Ve- give some name. (Swami at this point asked dic declaration Aham Brahmasmi (I am the name of one student sitting in front of Brahma). It is only when you consider your- Him. The boy replied, “Vikas”). In fact, that self to be Brahman that you can realise this is not his real name. Similarly, you enquire Truth. Till then, you will be confined to the from each one and they give different names. different names like Ramanna, Krishnananna, However, if God were to mention His name, etc., that have been given to you by your par- He will say Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brah- ents for the purpose of identification. Surely, man). In fact, all of us should repeat the same you did not come into this world with any name since we are all Embodiments of Divine name. Self. All our names are given to us by our When someone enquires of the parents about parents. We are not born with any particular the name of their newly born child, they may name. Those who cannot realise this truth reply that no name has been given to the child cannot lead a happy life.

1 26 December 2007 yet. It is thus clear that all names given to us How did this blade of grass come into exis- are by someone only and not innate. They are tence? It is nothing but God’s Will! Similarly, for the purpose of identification of the con- every human being is born out of divine Will cerned individuals. There are millions and only. There can be no creation without God. millions of people inhabiting this world, but When you look at the earth during summer it none seems to have realised the truth that they looks parched. But, with the onset of rainy are God. Unfortunately, today we are leading season, the earth looks green with various our lives with names given to us by someone. plants. From where did they come? From the What is Brahman? “I”. The Brahman neither rain. The rain came from the clouds. The is born nor has ‘death’. That is the only Truth; clouds are caused by the sun. And, the sun other events come and go. For example, I itself originated from God. Thus, the entire have willed to create this chain (Swami cre- creation has its origin in God. There can be no ated a gold chain with His divine hand). This air, sun, rain or plants without God. has been created by My Divine Will. It was Knowing this truth, we still tend to forget not there earlier. Thus, all things and beings God. On the other hand, we remember every- in this world are born out of sankalpa (will). thing else. This is not correct. Never forget Hence divine Sankalpa is the cause for all God. If you forget God, it amounts to forget- creation. ting everything. For God is the source and In addition, maya (illusion) also plays its role. cause for everything. Unfortunately, today, When maya and Truth come together, crea- we are forgetting the fundamentals or root tion takes place. Without maya, there can be cause for the entire Universe. no creation. The maya is like a shadow to a If there is no foundation, there can be no human being. But this shadow deludes us. At walls. If there are no walls, there can be no sunrise, our shadow is long. As the sun gradu- roof. You cannot live in a house that has no ally rises, the shadow falls under our feet at roof. Hence, first and foremost the foundation mid-day. Thus, the shadow grows and is very important. Based on the foundation, shrinks. We should not therefore mistake the the pillars are raised and finally the roof is shadow as our basis. laid. Based on this analogy, self-confidence is Embodiments of Love! the foundation, self-satisfaction is the wall, self-sacrifice is the roof and finally self- Love is the foremost quality of a human be- realisation is life. ing. And faith is the basis for that love. The Thus, there should be a foundation for every- spelling of the world love is LOVE. Here ‘L’ stands for ‘Lord’. Thus, Love is born out of thing. That is fundamental truth. We are for- the Lord (God). The entire creation is a mani- getting this fundamental truth. festation of God’s love, be it a tiny ant or a Jesus was the son of Joseph and Mary. When mighty elephant. Everything is the creation of Mary was carrying him in her womb, Joseph God. and Mary were required to travel to Bethle- Not even a blade of grass will move without hem to take part in a census ordered by the divine Will, Roman Emperor. They had to travel all the People who do not realise this truth, get car- way riding on a donkey. It was an arduous ried away by their pride of intelligence journey. When they finally reached Bethle- and discrimination. hem, it was night. There was no place for But no one, however great they may be, them to rest and they were tired. Joseph knows what lies ahead for them in future. searched and searched for a resting place, but (Telugu poem) he could not find any. Finally, he went to a

2 26 December 2007 cattle shed and knocked at the door. He ex- words. The entire community of fishermen plained to the inn keeper that Mary was about there treated Jesus as their Master, with great to give birth to a child. The inn keeper reluc- reverence. Even great Masters appear to be tantly gave them a place in a corner to spend ordinary human beings in the first instance. the night. The same night, Mary gave birth to As they gradually reveal themselves, people a baby boy. A makeshift bed was arranged for will realise their true nature and flock round the newly born child, with some old clothes them in large numbers. The same is the case and dry leaves. with Jesus. The boy was named Jesus. He was happily The fishermen could become rich with a growing under the loving care of mother bounty of fish, with the help and guidance of Mary. When he grew up as a boy, Joseph and Jesus. As they became rich, jealousy grew Mary had to travel to Jerusalem to participate among the others. They vied with each other in a festival. Jesus got mixed up in the crowd in seeking his help and guidance. Some peo- and could not be traced in spite of an inten- ple, however, became jealous of Jesus’ popu- sive search. The parents were very worried. larity and considered him their enemy. They At last, Jesus returned to his parents. reported to the chief priest that Jesus had no When asked where he had gone, he replied miraculous powers and that he was deceiving that he went to hear the discourse of a priest people. Jesus was summoned and questioned, in a nearby temple. The priest had taught him, “How did you acquire these powers?” “You alone are the truth; remember this.” Jesus replied, “All this is divine Will”. Jesus Constantly contemplating on this teaching, was moving about with his disciples preach- Jesus thereafter wandered and wandered alone ing his doctrine of love and moral principles. for a long time and later came near a river, Jesus was questioned, “Who are you?” He where some boatmen were sitting. The first replied, “I am Jesus.” among them seen by Jesus was Peter. Jesus Vexed with the attitude and teachings of Je- asked him, “What is your name?” sus, a death sentence was passed against him. He replied, “My name is Peter. He is my fa- He was to be crucified. The governor, a kind- ther” (pointing to an old man sitting nearby). hearted person, however, did not want Jesus The old man was making fishing nets. Jesus to be awarded a death sentence. He lamented made friendship with Peter. that Jesus was a great and noble man and he was being crucified for no fault of his. He told Peter complained to Jesus, “We went in Jesus, “You are a great man. These stone- search of fish for the whole of yesterday but hearted people are trying to kill you without could not find even one.” any reason.” Jesus replied, “Go to such and such place. Jesus replied “I am happy that at least you You will find fish in plenty.” Jesus also ac- have realised that I am a good person.” companied the boatmen in this exercise. Finally, at the time of his crucifixion, his As foretold by Jesus, they could catch plenty mother Mary came near and started shedding of fish. The boatmen wondered, “How great tears. Jesus consoled her saying, “Why do you Jesus is! He knows everything.” cry, mother? The body is like a water bubble. From then on, they treated Jesus as their pre- Let them do whatever they wish with this ceptor. Though he was young in age and body. You think these people are trying to kill form, he was old enough in wisdom. Hence, me. I have no death. None can kill me.” all of them were meticulously following his

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Mary replied, “Are you not the son of this Embodiments of Love! body?” First and foremost, develop faith. There can Jesus replied “Of course! I am related to you be no life without faith. Sometimes, faith is at the physical level, as a son. But, ‘I am I’ also termed ‘Self’. Without Self, you cannot only. You are all like children to me. You are help others. Only when there is faith can you all Embodiments of Divinity.” achieve anything in life. Even now, there are Thus, Jesus attained the highest level of spiri- several people who have progressed in life tuality, having gone through all tests. Jesus with firm faith in Jesus. was not merely a human form. He is the Em- Some people develop faith when their desires bodiment of Divine Self, verily. But, some are fulfilled. If their desires are not fulfilled, people could not realise his Divinity, as at they lose faith. This type of attitude is not present. Even now some people have faith in good. Keep your faith firm, irrespective of Divinity whereas others do not. Some extol whether your desires are fulfilled or not. Pre- Divinity, whereas some others criticise Divin- serve your faith carefully. Faith can work ity. It all depends upon their faith. If you con- wonders. It can make a blind person see; a sider a stone as God, it becomes God auto- dumb speak. Do not at all doubt the power of matically. faith. Jesus underwent several trials and tribulations Some incidents happening in this world may during his time. He became the Saviour and shake your faith in God. But, if you hold on to Messiah of the poor and forlorn. He helped your faith firmly, you can boldly face any them in many ways. Once, while he was situation. crossing the desert, a poor woman approached Even now, some people consider this body him, begging for food. He gave her bread say- (referring to Himself) as an ordinary man. If ing, “take this.” When someone asked where that were to be so, how could all these super- bread came from. He replied that it was divine human tasks be achieved? No, no; it is a mis- Will. take to think so. ‘This’ body may appear to be There is nothing greater than divine Will. a mere physical entity to you. It is the fault of Everything is God’s Will. The foremost duty your own vision; not Mine. There is some- of a human being is to realise the Will of God thing wrong in your perception. It is a mistake and submit himself to that divine Will. Those of your vision, not Mine. Hence, correct your who developed faith in the Will of God were vision, develop right perception. protected, while others were not. Hence, faith If you are alright, I will be alright (loud ap- is the basis for everything. plause). You are all in Me. This is the funda- People today are blind, having lost their both mental truth. I am getting some things done, eyes of faith. Faith is the basis for all creation. making you as My instruments. For I require Where there is faith and love, everything else some instruments to carry on My mission. will be added unto such a person. Hence, first Hence, I am moulding you as those instru- and foremost, one has to develop faith. Sev- ments (loud applause). By imparting educa- eral people have faith, but they lack love. tion, knowledge, and wisdom, I am develop- Faith devoid of love has no use. Love and ing you all as My instruments. Hence, may faith must be together like mutually attractive you all lead purposeful lives with firm faith in magnetic poles. God! You think that education and academic de- grees have helped you to come up in life. This

4 26 December 2007 view is not at all correct. How many educated teachings. If you follow the teachings with people are not there in this world? Of what firm faith in Swami, you will achieve success use are they to the world? In fact, the world is in all your endeavours. You should have faith not benefited by the educated class. More in Swami’s teachings, love them, adore them, harm is done to the world by such people than and follow them. (Bhagawan sang the bhajan good. More than education, the spiritual life “Hari Bhajan Bina Sukha Santhi Nahi …” will protect a person in every way. Devoid of and continued His discourse.) spiritual outlook, all your education and aca- When you do bhajan, you will experience demic degrees are a mere waste. Their value peace and happiness. Hence, constantly do is zero. Hence, fill your lives with devotion to namasmarana (repeating God’s name) in your God and develop the outlook “I am not this heart. You may not be able to do japa (soft body. This is a vesture taken upon by Me. repetition of the name), dhyana (meditation), There is God inside who is conducting my or yoga; but do namasmarana. There is no life.” easier path than namasmarana to be in com- God is “in you, with you, around you, above munion with God. Children, adults, and eld- you, below you” (loud applause). Develop erly people — all can do namasmarana. full faith in Divinity. Then you can achieve Hence, continue to do namasmarana through- anything in life. out your life. Dear students! You may study and acquire degrees; but do You are like fully ripened fruits. But the fruits bhajan also. must contain sweet juice. Without that sweet Do not consider Jesus as an ordinary mortal. juice, it cannot be a fruit. You must all have See God in Him. You often refer to someone the sweet juice of love. If there is no sweet and say “He is a man” or “she is a lady”. No, juice, people will just bite the fruit and throw no. This is not the correct way of identifica- it away. Hence, fill your hearts with the sweet tion. Gents or ladies — “all are one; be alike juice of love. to everyone.” Whatever be the name and form, develop Lord Krishna, in the Bhagawad Gita, de- faith in God. God has several names; but God clared, Mamaivamso Jeevaloke Jeevabhutha is only one. The ornaments may be many, but Sanathanah (the eternal Atma in all beings is gold is one. You shall not lose sight of the a part of My Being). You are all parts of Me. gold. Without gold, you cannot make orna- You and I are one. You are not different from ments. Me. I am in you, with you, above you, below Develop faith as your foremost quality, irre- you, and around you. Develop that spirit of spective of whether it brings you the desired oneness and lead your life. I hope I have results or not. Add love to that faith. “I am made Myself clear. The moment you go to you and you are Me; you and I are one” (loud your places, do not think that Swami is there, applause). while I am here. Always develop the feeling “He is with me, in me, around me, above me, Ekoham Bahusyam (the One willed to become and below me.” All are one (loud applause). many). Whoever realises that oneness, achieves total bliss. Every student shall de- velop faith in God. I am sure that students have joined this Institution not merely for ac- quiring education and academic degrees. They have come here for learning Swami’s

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