Ugadi Festival (Divine Discourse – April 13, 2002) Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Embodiments of Love! (out of all the living beings, the human People have been celebrating Ugadi (dawn birth is the rarest). Having attained such a of the New Year) for the past many ages precious life, man is not making efforts to and generations. The Bharatiyas have been live a true human being. Today he has conferring peace and security on all the become a bundle of desires. He is beset nations with their strength of spirituality. with desires and he craves for their Since time immemorial to this day, the fulfilment day in and day out. He is under motto of Bharatiyas has been Loka the mistaken notion that fulfillment of Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu (May all the desires will confer happiness on him. He people of the world be happy!) But the should realize that only annihilation of present day condition is just the opposite. desires will lead to ultimate bliss. True Man has progressed in the worldly sense, happiness is the state of desirelessness. but morally has regressed. He is not able to give up his narrow-mindedness and Embodiments of Love! criticism of others. If one enquires into Ages have gone by and the world has the reason for this, one will realize that undergone change but there is no one's selfishness and self-interest are the transformation in the human heart. The cause for this. Man does not love objects field of education has made rapid strides. or individuals for their sake, he does so People think that education leads to for his self-interest. He does not love his transformation but it has only added to country and work for its welfare. All his the confusion. Instead of bringing about thoughts, words and deeds are motivated transformation of the heart, the modern by selfishness. He would have celebrated education has given rise to perversion. Ugadi in its true spirit only when he gives Man is not learning what he is supposed up such narrow-mindedness. to. He is wasting his human life by cultivating bestial qualities and indulging On this day, people get up early, have a in demonic deeds. This is contrary to our sacred bath, put on new clothes and ancient culture. The culture of Bharat lays partake of sweets and various delicious great emphasis on the underlying unity in items. They are interested only in external diversity. It wants us to understand this cleanliness and are not concerned about principle of unity and work for our own purifying their hearts which are tainted redemption. But, today, on the one hand, with evil thoughts and feelings. It is rather there is a rise in the number of the so- easy to have external cleanliness and to called educated and intellectuals who wear new clothes, but that is not the fragment unity into diversity. On the purpose of celebrating festivals. True other hand, the number of noble souls celebration of Ugadi lies in giving up evil who visualize unity in diversity is on the qualities and purifying one's own heart. decline. It is unfortunate that the The human heart in its pristine state is Bharatiyas themselves have not under- highly sacred and human birth is difficult stood how sacred and noble their culture to attain. Janthunam Narajanma Durlabham is! The Bharatiyas way of life is concerned

1 with the welfare of everyone. They find Oh the sacred souls of Bharat! fulfilment in giving happiness to others. So far no one has been able to understand Man today lacks such broad-mindedness. fully the value of Indian culture. He is not able to realize and experience Bharatiyas are endowed with unlimited his innate noble qualities. potentialities. But they are unaware of their mighty strength. Man aspires for Time is highly sacred and precious. Each happiness. In order to attain everlasting one has to introspect whether he is bliss, he studies sacred texts, listens to the making proper use of time. Time once discourses of noble souls, undertakes lost is lost forever. Future is not in your pilgrimages and performs various spiritual hands. So, man should make proper use practices like penance, meditation, etc. But of the present. This is the teaching of the none of these confer bliss on him. There Bharatiya culture. Time is God. Hence, are five sheaths in every human being, the Vedas extol Him as Kalaya Namah, namely, Annamaya Kosha (food sheath), Kala Kalaya Namah, Kaladarpa Damanaya Pranamaya Kosha (life sheath), Manomaya Namah, Kalateetaya Namah, Kalaswarupaya Kosha (mental sheath), Vijnanamaya Kosha Namah, Kalaniyamitaya Namah (Salutations (wisdom sheath) and Anandamaya Kosha to the embodiment of time, to the one (bliss sheath). Though man has bliss who has conquered time, to the one who sheath in him, he is unable to experience transcends time and to the one who it. There is no trace of bliss in him. The ordains time). Sahasra Seersha Purusha happiness that man derives out of worldly Sahasraksha Sahasra Pad (God has comforts is limited. It is utter foolishness thousands of heads, eyes and feet). In to think that worldly properties, Vedic times, the population was in possessions, comforts and conveniences thousands and our ancients considered bestow on him unlimited joy. None of that all heads, all eyes and all feet these can give true happiness. True belonged to the Purusha (the Cosmic happiness has no limits. How can it be Being). They sanctified their lives with attained? It cannot be attained from such noble feelings and exemplary outside. It originates from our heart. The behavior. heart is the dwelling place of God. To experience true happiness, man should The ancient sages and seers stressed on develop firm faith. Where there is faith, the need for unity and cooperation among there is love. Only when man has love in the human beings. They said, "Let us him, can he practice righteousness. move together, let us grow together, let us Righteousness leads to truth, which in grow in intelligence together, let us live in turn leads to God. God alone can confer harmony with each other without giving bliss on us. God is the basis of bliss. Truth room for conflicts." But such spirit of is the basis of God. Righteousness is the unity is lacking in modern society. These basis of truth. Love is the basis of days there is no unity even among the righteousness. Faith is the basis of love. members of the same family. Unity is the But man today has no faith in himself. essence of human life. Only through One without Viswasa (faith) can be practice of unity, can one attain the goal compared to one without Swasa (breath). of human life. Such divine principle of It means one without faith is equal to a unity is forgotten today. living corpse. The ancient sages and seers stressed on the need to have faith. But today, people have become blind having lost the eyes of faith. What are the two

2 eyes of man? One is the Sastra (scriptures) to animality. He has forgotten the and the other is Dharma (righteousness). principle of spirituality. He is celebrating But today even the Brahmins who are festivals by merely partaking of sweets and supposed to study the scriptures are is wasting his time in pomposity. One neglecting them. "Oh Brahmins! Lead should ponder over the inner significance your lives in accordance with the of each festival and celebrate it in a teachings of the Vedas and scriptures. Oh meaningful manner. He should have the Kshatriyas! Be prepared to lay down your total faith that he is not just a human lives to safeguard the interests of your being but there is God within. Only then country. Oh Arya Vysyas! Sanctify your will the animal nature in him be subdued. wealth and other possessions by using As man has forgotten his human nature, them for charitable purposes. Oh Sudras! he has become bestial. You may belong to Take care of agriculture and lead your any country, religion, race, caste and sex, lives in a happy manner." Instead of you should firmly hold on to humanness. discharging one's duty, man is wasting his Do not waste your time keeping selfish life in mean pursuits. Consequently, he is goals in mind. unable to enjoy even a fraction of peace and happiness. Once Lord Narayana wanted Narada to search for a true devotee who spends his Gratitude is the most fundamental virtue time in a sacred way. Then Narada asked of man. People while performing the Lord for the qualifications of a true Suryanamaskaras, extol the Sun god in devotee. The Lord said, "A true human various ways. One of them is being is one whose heart is pure. Whoever Kritaghnaghnaya Namah (salutations to the chants the Divine Name with a pure heart one who punishes the ungrateful). The is a true devotee. He may involve himself effulgence of the Sun god is present in our in worldly activities, but he should not be eyes in a subtle form. Chandrama Manaso attached to them. His mind should be Jataha Chaksho Suryo Ajayata (the moon constantly focused on God. He is a fool was born out of the mind and the sun out who does not think of God." Then of the eyes of the Supreme Being). It is Narada said, "Swami, I chant Your Name said that the Sun god withdraws his wholeheartedly at all times and under all effulgence from the eyes of the ungrateful. circumstances. There is not a single One without the sense of gratitude can be moment when I don't remember You. called a blind person. Whoever he may be, Can there be a greater devotee than me?" one should always remain grateful to one's Narada became egoistic with the feeling benefactor. One should show gratitude that he was the greatest devotee. Lord even without caring for one's own life. Narayana replied, "Narada, there are many God is helping man in ever so many devotees like you. You find them in every ways, but man does not show gratitude to house and in every place. But this is not Him. He is all the time engaged in selfish true devotion. Just as the food partaken pursuits. How can such a foolish person gets digested in the stomach and its be called a human being? What is essence is supplied to all limbs of the Adhyatmika (spirituality)? It is not just body, likewise, when you fill your heart contemplating on the Adhi Atma (the with the Divine Name, its effect should primordial Spirit). Spirituality lies in spread to your eyes, ears, tongue, hands, destroying the bestial nature and rising to feet, etc. When the sacred effect of the the level of Divine. But instead of Divine Name spreads to your eyes, you ascending to Divinity, man is degenerating will develop sacred vision. Likewise, you

3 will utter sacred words and hear sacred She was all the time chanting the Name of things. Your hands will undertake sacred Giridhari. As a result, all the blows that deeds and your feet will take you to sacred were inflicted on her by the mother-in-law places. Thus, a true devotee will sanctify had to be borne by the Lord Himself. So, each of his limbs with sacred activity." she should be killed." Narada asked, Lord Narayana wanted Narada to search "Then who is fourth one?" "There is a for such a devotee. Narada went round person called Narada, who carries a the world, but his ego prevented him Tanpura and keeps chanting the Name of from accepting anybody as a devotee Narayana. His is only Swartha Bhakti greater than himself. As he was returning, (devotion intended for selfish gains) and he found a tribesman in a forest. He was not Parartha Prema Bhakti (devotion filled sitting under a tree and chanting the with pure love for God). So, he also Divine Name. He was carrying a big should be killed." Narada was afraid and sword in his hand. Narada out of curiosity did not want to prolong the conversation asked him, "May I know who you are?" with him. He realised that it was his ego He replied, "Sir, I am a hunter and an which was responsible for this predica- ardent devotee of the Lord." Narada ment. He immediately went to Lord asked, "If you are a devotee, then why Narayana and gave a detailed account of should you carry a sword in your hand? his encounter with the hunter, and said, Whom are you going to kill?" The hunter "Swami, according to him, even those replied, "Sir, I want to kill four persons. who chant your Name continuously are The first of them is Draupadi." Narada wicked." Lord Narayana said, "Narada, was startled to hear this. "Don't you know you are mistaken. This incident only that Draupadi was constantly chanting the reflects the intense love the hunter has for Name of Lord Krishna? Pleased with her Me. He is a true devotee who considers devotion and surrender, Krishna came to God's happiness as his own. He always her rescue and protected her honor when aspires to give happiness to the Lord and Kauravas tried to disrobe her in the royal does not want to cause any inconvenience court. Why do you want to kill such a to Him either physically or mentally. Only great devotee?" The hunter said, "No the one who gives happiness to the Lord doubt, she was a devotee. But she called is a true devotee." This incident was an out to Krishna while He was having His eye-opener for Narada. He said, "Swami, food. Immediately, my Lord left His food now I realise that you enacted this play and rushed to her rescue. As she was only to crush my ego." The culture of responsible for my Lord not having food Bharat teaches many such sacred stories in on that day, I want to kill her." "Who is order to spread the message of the Lord the second person whom you intend to to mankind. kill", queried Narada. The hunter said, "My Lord could not have proper food and One should never cause inconvenience to rest because of Prahlada, who chanted His God in the name of devotion. If you Name continuously and time and again cause displeasure to God, it will reflect on sought His help. When he was being you. God's happiness is your happiness trampled by elephants, he prayed to the and vice-versa. You should understand Lord for succour. In order to protect him, the unity of both. "I and God are one." the Lord had to take upon himself the Develop such spirit of oneness. Today pain of being trampled by elephants. As most of the devotees are selfish. They he was the cause for my Lord's suffering, I have only Swartha Bhakti. They are want to kill him. The third person is Mira. concerned about their own happiness and

4 not that of God's. God is the embodiment newspaper. Once you have finished of love. Such divine love is present in all. reading a newspaper, you do not like to You should see to it that your love is read it again and again. You have been always pure and share it with everyone. given this birth which is like a newspaper, This is what God expects from you. and have gone through varied experiences of pleasure and pain. Enough is enough. Since ancient times, the Bharatiyas shared Do not ask for one more newspaper, i.e., their sacred culture with rest of the world. another birth. You should pray, "Oh God! They never considered God as a separate You have given me this 'newspaper' and I entity. They believed in the Vedic have gone through the experiences of this statement: Sahasra Seersha Purusha Sahasra- life. I don't want to have another birth." ksha Sahasra Pad (God has thousands of heads, eyes and feet). It does not mean Adi Sankara said, that there is someone with thousands of "Punarapi Jananam Punarapi Maranam heads. It only means that all heads are His. Punarapi Janani Jatare Sayanam God is present in everyone. He resides in Iha Samsare Bahu Dustare every heart. So, do not confine God to a Kripaya Pare Pahi Murare" Mandir, a Masjid or a Church. Where man is, there God is. Daivam Manusha Rupena (Oh Lord! I am caught up in this cycle of (God takes the form of man). As you do birth and death and time and again not realize this, you indulge in criticism of experiencing the pain of lying in the others. Whom are you criticizing? Whom mother's womb. It is very difficult to cross do you adore? Enquire yourself. God is this ocean of Samsara. Please take me present in all. So, when you criticize across this ocean and grant me liberation.) others, it amounts to criticizing yourself. When you love others, you love yourself. Sankara was a great scholar and was well- So, never criticize anybody. Sarva Jeeva versed in all forms of knowledge. Yet he Namaskaram Kesavam Pratigachchhati propagated the path of devotion. Once (whomsoever you salute, it reaches God) while he was going to the river Ganges and Sarva Jeeva Tiraskaram Kesavam Prati- with his disciple, he noticed a person gachchhati (whomsoever you criticize, it sitting under a tree and trying to learn the reaches God). concepts of Panini's grammar by rote. He was repeating "Dukrun Karane". Sankara Embodiments of Love! who was very young at that time took pity Today is Ugadi, the beginning of the New on him. He went near him and said, Year. Since ancient times, man has celebrated many Ugadis, but he is yet to "Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam give up bad qualities. True Ugadi is the Govindam Bhaja Mooda Mathe day when man gives up bad qualities, fills Samprapthe Sannihithe Kale his heart with love and takes to the path Nahi Nahi Rakshati Dukrun Karane" of sacrifice. Do not limit the celebration of Ugadi to merely putting on new clothes (Oh foolish man, chant the name of and partaking of delicious items. Today Govinda, the rules of Panini grammar will you may wear a new shirt, but how long not come to your rescue when the end will it remain new. Tomorrow it becomes approaches.) old. Nobody reads the same newspaper Sankara authored many Vedantic texts, everyday. Today's newspaper becomes a but ultimately he also took to the path of waste paper tomorrow. Our life is like a devotion. Namasmarana (chanting of

5 God's Name) is the easiest path to and experiencing their true significance. liberation. This was his teaching. Even Right from this moment, embark on a today there are many people who are new life giving up bad thoughts and bad doing Namasmarana but they are not qualities and purify your heart. Only then experiencing its essence. What is the use will your life be blissful. There is no point of being born again and again? Many in reading sacred texts or visiting noble things are taking place in this world. Man souls unless you purify your heart in the is performing various tasks and first instance. Let your thoughts, words undergoing many experiences. But what is and deeds be sacred. This is the true the use of all this? He is unable to enjoy purpose of celebrating Ugadi. the everlasting bliss. Neither by wealth nor by action nor by study of texts nor by Tomorrow is the New Year Day for Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan (vision, Tamilians. Hence, many of them have touch and conversation) of noble souls come from Madras (Chennai) and other can man attain the eternal bliss. He can places of Tamil Nadu. Madras is not new, visualize the manifestation of God and since long it has been an important centre experience bliss only when he purifies his for the Bharatiyas. Later on, due to heart. Love all. Have faith that God is political considerations different states present in all. Make everybody happy. have been formed. But I do not have any Only then can you attain happiness. It is differences. All are one, be alike to impossible for you to attain happiness everyone. This is My ideal. At present, the without making others happy. people of Madras are suffering due to scarcity of drinking water. The rich can On this day of Ugadi, take a firm resolve afford to buy water and quench their to purify your heart. Past is past. It cannot thirst. But what about the poor? They are be retrieved. When you are walking on the drinking impure water and spoiling their road, you should look at the path ahead of health. Hence, I have decided to provide you. What is the point in looking behind? them pure drinking water so that they can Likewise, there is no point in brooding lead happy and healthy lives and develop over the past. Future is not certain. What it further for the generations to come. In is the guarantee that you will be alive until this connection, Chakravarthy (the tomorrow? So, do not worry about your Secretary of the Central Trust), Srinivasan future. Live in the present. It is not from Madras (President, All India Sri ordinary present. It is omnipresent, Sathya Sai Organizations) and Indulal meaning the results of past as well as the Shah from Bombay (Chairman of Sri future are contained in it. So, when you Sathya Sai World Council) have approa- make proper use of the present, you can ched the World Bank authorities and be rest assured that your future is safe and explained to them about the selfless secure. service activities that we have undertaken. They told the World Bank authorities that Embodiments of Love! all our activities are purely service- Today is Ugadi, the New Year Day of oriented and we do not expect anything in Andhrites. Tomorrow happens to be the return. They just repeated like parrots Tamil New Year Day and also "Vishu", whatever Swami had told them to convey. the New Year Day for Keralites. Thus, The World Bank people were very much there are any number of festivals in a year. impressed. They said that they had never You should celebrate them understanding

6 heard about or seen such stupendous some expectation. But I do not expect service activities undertaken by a anything from anybody nor do I get any charitable organization anywhere else in benefit out of this. I derive only one the world. They were happy that Sathya benefit, i.e., I feel happy when everybody Sai Baba was providing drinking water to is happy. As you claim to be Sai devotees, a distant place like Madras. They have you should strictly adhere to the Sai path agreed to bear the expenditure involved in and make everyone happy. When you this project. On this sacred day of Ugadi follow in My footsteps, you will certainly before I came out to give Darshan, we achieve sacred results and attain good received a telephone call at about 7 AM reputation. Being Sai devotees, you should conveying this message. If the feelings are give up selfishness and dedicate your lives sacred, the result is bound to be sacred. for the welfare of society. Fill your lives They told us "You don't need to be with love. Stop criticizing others. Offer concerned about the funds and you don't your respects to even those who hate you. need to come to us again. We are Hatred is a mean quality. It will ruin you. prepared to give any number of crores to Hence, do not give room for hatred. meet the expenditure." With broad- Cultivate love. Help the poor and needy mindedness, they have come forward to to the extent possible. Help ever, Hurt extend their help. never. Sage Vyasa has given the essence of eighteen Puranas in two sentences, When you undertake any task with a Paropakara Punyaya, Papaya Parapeedanam sacred heart, you will certainly meet with (one attains merit by serving others and success. I am the living proof for this. commits sin by hurting them). When you There is no trace of selfishness in what- help others, you will receive help tenfold. ever task I undertake. Whatever I do is for If you harm others, you will be put to the benefit of humanity. Many are not harm ten times more. Keep this in mind. making efforts to understand this. Some On this sacred day, fill your hearts with people think that it is done with love and undertake sacred activities.

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