sign in sign up
<<
Home , Brahman, Mahavakyas, Punya (Hinduism), Siddhashrama

The ‘I’ () Is (Discourse delivered on the occasion of Festival – August 21, 2002) Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

“All people aspire for pleasant life, positions of authority and prosperity. But few aspire for good intellect, wisdom and good character. What else is to be conveyed to this congregation of noble ? “

Embodiments of Love! temporary satisfaction. It is only when In this everyone, right from a one understands the principle of Aham pauper to a millionaire, a Pamara that one can experience everlasting (simpleton) to a Paramahamsa (realized . People attribute various ) uses the word ‘I’ while referring names and forms to as they are to himself. Had the birds and beasts unable to understand the principle of been endowed with the power of . speech, they too would have introduced themselves saying ‘I’. The “Is it possible to build a temple to the One term ‘I’ is of great significance in who is all-pervasive? How can one hold a spiritual literature and is explained in lamp to the One who is shining with the the in detail. Aham brilliance of a billion suns? How can one Brahmasmi (I am Brahman) is an attribute a form to the One whom even Upanishadic dictum. From this , the creator, cannot comprehend? statement, it is evident that the term ‘I’ How can one give an appropriate name to came into existence before the name the One who is present in all ? How Brahma. The names of Divine incarna - can one offer food to the One who has the tions such as and entire cosmos in His belly?” correspond only to their physical forms and not to their Divinity. Aham (‘I’) is Embodiments of Love ! their true and eternal name. In fact, ‘I’ In this physical and ephemeral world, is the first name of God. People people worship God with various address God by various names for their names and forms. But in Aham own satisfaction and happiness. is the only true and eternal name of However, ‘Aham’ is the true name of God. The four have declared this God. truth in the four Mahavakyas (profound statements): Prajnanam Brahma is responsible for man’s (Brahman is Supreme Consciousness); delusions. It is possible to grow a tree Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman); without any bend. A boulder can be Tattwamasi (That Thou Art); and Ayam carved into a beautiful statue. But it is Atma Brahma (this is Brahman). very difficult to straighten and steady The Veda has also declared: Ekoham the mind. All our is meant to Bahusyam (the One willed to become direct the mind to the right path. many). Sath Viprah Bahudha People undertake various types of Vadanti (The is one. But the spiritual Sadhana which confer only

1 wise call it by different names). of sacredness). Whatever names and Divinity is only one, and that is Aham. forms man attributes to God are for his own satisfaction. Therefore, you should Mind plays many tricks and makes make efforts to see God in all forms. man forget the reality. It is almost impossible for anyone to comprehend The principle of ‘I’ is non-dual, eternal, the of mind. Flies and full of effulgence and of supreme bliss. mosquitoes land on every object but Everything is contained in this. When never do they go near fire. Likewise, someone questions, when did you the mind gets attracted by material come, you say, “I came yesterday.” objects and goes everywhere but always Does this ‘I’ refer to you or your body? shies away from God. The mind should It is your body that came yesterday be made pure and selfless and it should and not you. Since you identify always remain focused on God. That is yourself with the body, you think that true Sadhana. All the spiritual practices you came yesterday. When you are are meant to control the mind. walking on the road, suppose accidentally you have slipped and Sravanam (listening), Kirtanam (sing- sustained a fracture. Then you say, ing), Vishnusmaranam (contemplat-ing “My leg is fractured.” Just ponder over on ), Padasevanam (serving His this statement. When you say, “My Lotus Feet), Vandanam (saluta-tion), leg”, it implies that you are different Archanam (worship), Dasyam (servi- from your leg. It means that you are tude), Sneham (friendship), Atma - not the body. You say, it is “my body”, nivedanam (Self-) are the nine “my mind”, “my Buddhi”, “my leg”, forms of devotion. In each of these etc., then, who are you? When you nine paths of devotion what is examine yourself in this manner, you important is that the mind has to be will realize that none of these are your totally surrendered to God. (Bhagawan true Self. Your body corresponds to showing His handkerchief asked) Akara (form), whereas your true Self (I) “What is this?” You say it is a piece of corresponds to Ananda (bliss). The cloth. It is not merely that. It is a principle of ‘I’ is different from the bundle of threads. Cotton is made into body. Day in and day out, people make threads and threads are interwoven to use of this term ‘I’ without actually make a cloth. Likewise, you are not one understanding its meaning. Be he a person but three: The one you think pauper or a millionaire, the principle of you are (physical body), the one others ‘I’ is common to all. Isavasyam think you are (the mind), the one you Sarvam (the entire is really are (the Atma ). Your true Self is permeated by God). God is present in ‘I’. That is Brahma, God. He has no everybody in the form of ‘I’. Where specific name and form. Nirgunam, there is ‘I’, there is God. Have firm Niranjanam, Sanathanam, Niketanam, in this declaration. When you Nitya, Suddha, , Mukta, Nirmala say, Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman), Swarupinam (attributeless, pure, ever- ‘I’ precedes Brahma. Hence, ‘I’ is the lasting, final abode, eternal, unsullied, first name of God. enlightened, liberated and embodiment

2 Bali was a noble king, one of land, cows, food, clothes and gold in selflessness and an ardent devotee. One charity). But emperor Bali performed who seeks alms is considered small. the supreme sacrifice by offering Hence, even Lord had to himself to God. With the passage of assume the form of a (dwarf) time, there might have been a few when He went to beg for alms from changes, but, nevertheless, Kerala Bali. The Pakshi Vahana (the one who continues to be the land famous for has as His vehicle) has devotion and surrender. It is the , the of wealth on His birthplace of , the great chest. Yet He became very small and devotee of the Lord. Even as Bali sought bhiksha (alms) from Bali. He disobeyed the command of his sought just three footsteps of land. for the sake of God, Prahlada, too, small in stature, his feet were went against the wishes of his father even smaller. Yet He could measure the and surrendered totally to the Lord. three with His three steps. Many such noble souls have taken Sukracharya, the preceptor of Bali, birth in the sacred land of Kerala. cautioned him not to yield to Vamana’s request. He revealed that He Modern scientists deny the existence of was no ordinary being but Lord God out of their ignorance. There is no Narayana Himself. But Bali did not place where God does not exist. pay heed to his counsel, saying it was Sarvatah Panipadam Tat Sarvathokshi not proper for one to go back on one’s Siromukham, Sarvatah Sruthimalloke promise. Having given his word, he Sarvamavruthya Thishthati (with hands, wanted to fulfill it, come what may. He feet, eyes, head, mouth and ears even disobeyed his Guru and offered pervading everything, He permeates himself to God. God has infinite the entire universe). The same was potentialities. Nothing is impossible for stated by Prahlada, “Never doubt that Him. Vamana occupied the three God is here and not there. Wherever worlds with his footsteps. The three you search for Him, He is there.” worlds are represented by Bhur Bhuvah (Telugu Poem) He had unflinching Suvah. Bhur stands for material world. faith. Hiranyakasipu was a great Bhuvaha represents the realm of scientist. He could travel up to the sun; thought, i.e., the mind. Suvaha is the he could even reach the stars. When he principle of the Atma . All the three are touched the Polestar, the planet earth contained in man. began to shake. He was one of such valor and courage. Till this day, no Kerala is the birthplace of sacrifice and scientist has been able to accomplish the center of devotion and surrender. what Hiranyakasipu could achieve. No beggar is turned away empty- But, in spite of his valor and handed. Everyone does charity as per knowledge, Hiranyakasipu could not his capacity. It is this comprehend Divinity. One can (land of ) that gave birth to Bali. understand Divinity only through love. There are many in this world who There is no other path that can take perform Bhudana, Godana, Annadana, you to God. It is only love that enables Vastradana, Suvarnadana (giving away you surrender to God.

3 Embodiments of Love! body. Expansion of love is life. Do not ‘I’ and love are one and the same. Man give scope for narrow-mindedness. cannot exist without love. Love shines Janthunam Narajanma Durlabham (out forth as ‘I’ in everybody. Without the of all the living beings, the human birth electric current, bulbs cannot glow. is the rarest). Daivam Manusha Rupena Likewise, without ‘I’, the body cannot (God takes the form of man). You may function. It is because of ‘I’ that the not believe in these axioms if you take eyes see, the ears listen, the tongue only the physical form into considera- speaks, etc. It is not the eyes that see, tion. Inner reality (‘I’) is important, it is ‘I’ that sees through the eyes. but not the physical form. When you When you close your eyes, you do not go to the market, you find people see anything. The light present in the selling sugar dolls of different moulds eyes is divinity. In fact, there is no like cat, dog, deer, etc. Irrespective of place where divinity does not exist. All the shape, each doll is priced at 2 names and forms are the manifesta- annas. ‘Cat’ moulds attract some tions of divinity. Hence, it is said, children and ‘deer’ moulds fascinate Sarva Jeeva Namaskarah Kesavam Prati- some others. Difference lies only in gachchati (whomever you salute, it names and forms but the sugar content reaches God) and Sarva Jeeva Tiraskarah is the same in all of them. You pay 2 Kesavam Pratigachchati (whomever you annas not for the form but for the sugar denigrate, it also reaches God). content therein. Only children are attracted by names and forms. Embodiments of Love! Likewise, an ordinary person is deluded If you want to be respected by others, by names and forms, whereas a true you should first respect others. sadhaka or a devotee keeps in view the Likewise, love all and all will love you. fundamental principle. Do not get Love is the principle of ‘I’. Keep this as carried away by names and forms. your goal. In any house, there will be a Know the nature of the Self and switch in every room for the light to develop love for it. This Self is known glow. All these switches are controlled as Aham or Atma or I. Names and by one main switch. Similarly, the eyes, forms are different but the fundamen- the ears, the tongue, etc., are like tal principle is one and the same. Man various switches which are controlled will be transformed into divine once he by the main switch ‘I’. Only when this understands this truth. Man is all- main switch is turned on, will there be powerful. In fact, he is God. That is life in each of limbs in the body. This why God is always picturised and ‘I’ is verily the truth. Truth is God. portrayed in a human form. Every man God is truth. Love is God. Live in love. is endowed with Hridaya (heart). That No other spiritual practice is needed if which is filled with Daya or Karuna you understand this truth and put it () is Hridaya. When man into practice. God is the eternal witness fills his heart with Karuna, peace will of our thoughts, words and deeds. Each reign supreme in the world. There will one worships God in the name and be no scope for jealousy, hatred or form of his choice. In fact, all forms are anger. One who has filled his heart His. Hence, respect and love every- with compassion will always remain in

4 peace. People mistake Hridaya for every chance to progress in the field of physical heart. Hridaya is nothing but science and technology. People are the all-pervasive Atmic principle, i.e., under the impression that only Aham. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have progressed in the field of science and Nobody keeps valuables within the technology, but Kerala is going to reach of a thief. But we are keeping the overtake them. Even the Prime precious jewellery like compassion, Minister has promised that he would forbearance, love, etc., under the extend all necessary support in this custody of the mind which can be regard. Kerala is bound to attain an compared to a thief. When you leave exalted position. The culture of Bharat precious jewellery in the hands of a exhorts, Sathyam Vada Dharmam Chara thief, how can you get them back? It is (speak truth, practice righteousness). impossible. The precious jewellery of Kerala is the land of truth, love and must be kept under the safe righteousness. Hence, I will certainly custody of Hridaya. Never keep them visit Kerala this year. The people of with the thief, i.e., the mind. But that Kerala are tenderhearted. They are full exactly is what man is doing. He acts of love. In politics, people say according to the dictates of his mind. something and do the opposite later He takes mind as the basis for all his on. Spirituality emphasizes on the activities. One who follows the mind is unity of thought, word and deed. Very verily a thief. Instead, one should soon Kerala will develop into an ideal follow the intellect. Only then can one State. Kerala stands first in many understand the principle of Atma . respects. Even the monsoon sets in in Thiruthonda Alwar said that one the land of Kerala first, before should worship God with Chitta Shuddi spreading to the other States. Such a (purity of heart). Never follow the land is bound to be dear to God also. dictates of the mind for it is always One can experience the presence of unsteady. Every man is endowed with Divinity in the land of Kerala. noble qualities and pure thoughts was the place where which are like precious diamonds. But Emperor Bali, Lord Vamana and he is keeping them under the care of were born. The name the mind. Consequently, he is not able Siddhashrama implies that it was the to progress on the spiritual path. Take place of fulfillment and success. That is truth and love as the basis. Truth is why Viswamitra decided to perform only one. It is not constrained by time penance there. Siddhashrama attained and . One can experience peace eternal glory because of his penance. and bliss only when one considers the Not merely that, many saints and sages changeless and eternal principles of were born there and performed truth and love as the basis of one’s life. penance. Not many are aware of this. Viswamitra was initially a king. Later The two ministers, (who spoke earlier) on, he renounced everything and prayed to Me to visit Kerala. This time performed penance. He was called a I shall certainly come to Kerala. Not Rajarishi. On seeing who was only this, from this year Kerala has called a Brahmarishi, Viswamitra

5 resolved to earn the same appellation. (Nature) and Paramatma (God) was One could become a Brahmarishi only fulfilled. After the wedding, he left for when one gave up hatred completely. the forest at once. As Vasishtha had no trace of hatred in him, he could attain the state of Embodiments of Love! Love all. Do not Brahmarishi. Viswamitra also became a hate anyone. Love even your enemies. Brahmarishi once he got rid of anger If there is any trace of anger or hatred and hatred. He was responsible for the in you, transform them into love. Then holy wedding of and Rama. His you will also become a great . desire for bringing together Prakriti

6