Where There Is Purity, There Is Divinity (Discourse delivered on the occasion of Dasara Celebrations – October 11, 2002) Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

“Those who have the spirit of sacrifice without any trace of body attachment or infatuation are truly our Gurus then and now. The word of Sai is verily the truth.”

Embodiments of love! of God? It is not merely the law of God pervades every cell and atom of nature but the mysterious Manifesta- the universe spreading His divine tion of God in the form of nature. How effulgence everywhere. The Upanishads can one explain the presence of bird declared that God is all-pervasive and inside an egg? Ail these are pointers to all that one sees is only the manifesta- Divinity. You need undertake any tion of divinity. Unfortunately, man particular Sadhana in order to visualize today is not making any attempt to Divinity. You can experience Him in understand and experience the each atom and each cell of the creation. teachings of Upanishads and that of ancient sages and seers. Though the Man is born to parents. Everyone Upanishads have revealed the all including you and Me are born out of pervasiveness of Divinity in the simp- mother’s womb. But, people have lest manner. it is rather surprising that forgotten the truth that God is the man is not making any effort to Mother of all. God knows the desires understand the same, A number of and feelings of man but man cannot examples can be given to prove the understand what God expects from existence of Divinity. Who is responsi- him. None can understand God’s Will. ble for the sweetness in sugarcane? Parents can understand the feelings of Who has made the chillies hot and the child. Mother knows the likes and spicy? Every object in this world has a dislikes of her child. In the same unique attribute which proves the manner, the child can understand the existence of divinity as its very life likes and dislikes of the mother. But a principle. Who is the cause for the devotee cannot understand the Will of bitterness in Neem and fragrance in God, what is acceptable to Him and flowers? It is the manifestation and what is not. How can one, who cannot expression of Divinity Any number of understand his fellowmen, understand examples can be given which will help God? Man’s mind is limited, whereas you to understand the existence of Divinity is expansive and transcenden- Divinity. People say fragrance is the tal. This being so, how can man natural quality of a flower and do not understand God in His fullness? enquire further. Who is responsible for Hence, it is not easy to please God and this natural quality? You feel thrilled earn His grace. Only when you when you look at a mountain. Bound- understand the divine principle fully less joy flows through you when you well would you have worshipped God see a stream in full flow. You feel in the true sense. How can one ecstatic watching a lush green forest. Is understand the divine principle which it just the law of nature or the mystery is Nirgunam, Niranjanam, Sanathana

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Niketanam, Nitya, Shuddha, Buddha, They think that knowing their names, Mukta, Nirmala Swarupinam (attribute- nativity, profession, nationality, etc., less, pure, final abode, eternal, amounts to knowing themselves. They unsullied, enlightened, free and say, “I am so and so, I belong to such embodiment of sacredness). Can and such a place. I do such and such anyone comprehend the mystery job, etc.” These answers relate to the behind the existence of the bird in an body and not to the real Self. These are egg? How has the sugarcane acquired born out of body attachment and not sweetness? It is not possible to out of awareness of the Self. The understand these subtleties. The vedantic statement “Know Thyself” does sweetness of sugarcane, the hot taste of not mean knowing about your physical chilli, the sour taste of tamarind, the body - height, weight, complexion, etc. bitter taste of neem ... all these are the You are not merely an individual expressions of God. God has created (vyashti). Your true Identity corres- these things to make us understand His ponds to samashti (society). The same existence. The mighty mountains, the ‘I’ exists in you as well as in society. beautiful rivers and the raging waves of Sarvata Panipadam Tat Sarvathokshi ocean ... all these speak of the mystery, Siromukham, Sarvata Sruthimalloke grandeur and beauty of God. It is Sarva-mavruthya Thishthati (With impossible to describe the splendor of hands, feet, eyes, heads, mouth and God and to comprehend His powers. ears pervading everything, He per- But man tries to estimate the infinite meates the entire universe). The Atmic Divine power with his finite mind and principle is all-pervasive and is uni- limited capacity. formly present in all beings. There may be difference based on names, forms Embodiments of Love! Divinity can and educational qualifications, but the neither be expressed in words nor can Atma is one and the same in everyone. it be gauged by the mind. Yatho Vacho You have to make efforts to visualize Nivarthanthe Aprapya Manasa Saha and experience this oneness. (whence the words along with the mind rebound in futility without compre- Embodiments of Love! Instead of visuali- hending Divinity). People attempt to sing the unity in diversity, man is describe God based on their own finite doing the opposite. The essence of understanding. Only Himself and none Vedanta lies in seeing unity in else knows God’s plans, His mysterious diversity. Vedanta is the quintessence nature and ways. When your mind is of the Upanishads. What is the inner unable to comprehend even trivial meaning of the term Upanishad? ‘Upa’ matters, how can it estimate the - near, ‘ni’ - down and ‘shad’ - sit. It infinite Divine principle? Hence, do means that you should sit down at the not try to understand the ways of the feet of the master and listen to his Divine. Instead purify your heart and teachings. Even in schools, the teacher try to know your true nature. The same is seated on a higher pedestal and the is stated in Vedanta: “Know Thyself”. students sit down close to him. The Modern students argue foolishly, Upanishads contain many lofty ideals “Where is the need to know, ‘who I and sacred inner meanings. The truth am’, when I am already aware of it?”

2 the Upanishads teach is embodied in Non-dualism is the essence of Vedanta. the principle of the Atma . Advaita Darshanam Jnanam (Perception of, non-duality is the supreme wis- The Atma is formless and steady. It has dom). Not all can have the experience no feet, but moves about everywhere. of non-dualism. Man is immersed in It has no ears but can hear everything. dualism. Dual mind is the root cause of It is present everywhere, but none can unsteadiness. A man with dual mind is grasp it. Everything is under its control. half-blind. How can such a person This is the mysterious and magnificent understand the sacred teachings of power of Atma. Vedanta? The teachings that are found in Vedanta are not found in any other When you respect and love an text. Each verse in Vedanta is a reposi- individual, he will respect you and love tory of supreme bliss. Even if you were you in turn. But when you respect and to use the ocean water as the ink, it love everyone, God Himself will respect will not be sufficient to describe the you and love you. You should make greatness of these verses in full. Each efforts to become recipients of God’s sloka is pregnant with such profound love. meaning. Man is not making any attempt to understand these slokas. As The divine principle of Atma present in a result, he is being immersed in shoka humanity is all-encompassing. Its (sorrow). vastness is beyond any description or estimation. However, physical forms Sage composed the great epic can be considered as pointers to it. , the inner significance of When someone asks you, “Sir, have which could not be understood by all. you seen Anil Kumar in Prasanthi G.G. was a great astrologer Nilayam?”, you say, “Yes, I have seen and a saint. He said that, as he read him. He wears a good suit, speaks good the Ramayana repeatedly, he was able English, is brown-complexioned, talks to get new insights into the sacred epic. in a humorous manner.” You are able He was curious to know how Sage to recognize only his physical features Valmiki described the mysterious birth and behavior. But there are many more of . It is mentioned in the things in him which you cannot see. Ramayana that King Janaka found her Can you recognize the feelings he has while he was plowing the field for the in his mind? It is impossible. performance of a Yajna. But, nothing is mentioned as to how she was born. He You are able to see only the physical called her Bhujaatha, meaning, one body and the external behaviour. But born out of Mother Earth. you are not able to visualise the eternal flow of bliss within. All types of power King Janaka had the Siva Dhanus (bow are latent in man. You may be highly of Lord Siva) in his palace. It was so educated, but from where did you heavy that no ordinary mortal could acquire your education? You have not lift it. When Sita was young, one day acquired it from outside. It has she was enjoying a game of ball with originated from the Self. other girls. It so happened that the ball rolled over and went under the case in

3 which Siva’s bow was kept. All the girls could lift the bow. People were stricken tried their might to move the bow with awe, watching the splendor and aside, but in vain. Other strong men gait of . They felt He was a were called and they used all their perfect match to Sita. Sunayana also strength to move the bow, but it did had the same feeling. But she was not budge an inch. King Janaka was anxious whether the young Rama watching all this from the balcony with would be able to lift the mighty bow curiosity. But, Sita did not notice her and win the hand of Sita. As people father. After some time, she smilingly watched with amazement, Rama asked everybody to move aside and effortlessly lifted the bow with his left casually pulled the bow with her left hand, even as Sita had done it with her hand and retrieved the ball. King left hand earlier. As Rama bent the Janaka was astonished at Sita’s mighty bow to string it, it broke with a power. He thought, “It is because of deafening sound. The musicians with merits done in many past lives that I their various instruments burst into could have Sita as my daughter.” He song. King Janaka’s joy knew no decided that he would give her in bounds. He at once came towards marriage only to the one who could lift Rama along with his daughter Sita, Lord Siva’s bow. He performed a grand who was holding a garland in her hand. Yajna and invited many kings to try He said, “Rama, I had made a promise their hand at lifting Lord Siva’s bow that Sita would be given in marriage to and win Sita’s hand. Many kings and the one who lifted the bow of Lord princes assembled in King Janaka’s Siva. I want to give my daughter to you court. The bow was so heavy that and keep up my promise.” But Rama hundreds of elephants were required to was not willing to accept the marriage carry it to the place of contest. People proposal without the permission of His wondered as to how anybody could lift parents. He was the paragon of all such a heavy bow. Kings, one after the virtues. “Sarve Loka Hithe Rathah (one other, tried to lift the bow, but engaged in the welfare of all). Sarve miserably failed in their attempts. Jnanopasampannah (one who is endowed Then came . His very appea - with all wisdom). Sarve Samudhitha rance instilled fear in the minds of Gunaihi (one replete with all praise- people. They felt that Ravana was no worthy virtues)”. Rama embodied these match to Sita, the embodiment of all ideals. When Janaka brought Sita to beauty. Sita’s mother Sunayana was Him, He did not even look at her for praying fervently to Lord Siva to see He considered it improper to look at that Ravana failed in his attempt to lift her before marriage. The conduct of the bow. Meanwhile, Ravana used all modern youth stands in stark contrast his might to lift the bow, and in the to the exemplary behavior of Rama. process, lost his balance and fell down. They are besides themselves at the He got trapped under the bow and thought of marriage. The question of could not extricate himself. He felt their seeking the permission of their humiliated in the open court. At the parents does not even arise in their instance of Viswamitra, Rama walked minds. Viswamitra also tried to slowly and majestically towards the persuade Rama to accept the marriage bow. was sure that Rama proposal. But Rama was firm in His

4 resolve. He said, “1 have to follow The wedding took place. It was now Dharma , and not the wishes of time for the garlanding ceremony. Sita individuals. However, I respect every- waited with the garland in her hands. body.” She, being short in stature, could not garland Rama, who was tall and broad- After three days, King Dasaratha along shouldered. Moments passed but Rama with his entire family, friends and would not bend His head! He did not relatives arrived in . It is only want to bend His head before a woman after obtaining His father’s permission in order to protect His own honor. He that Rama agreed to the wedding. But, looked at Lakshmana and made an later on, when His father Dasaratha almost imperceptible gesture. The four and preceptor urged Him to brothers were always sharp and alert. ascend the throne, He did not pay heed This was depicted in Thyagaraja’s song. to their words. He went to forest against their wishes. His only intention “But for their devotion to Rama, was to uphold the promise made by Would a monkey cross the ocean? His father. He did not want to put His Would the goddess Lakshmi worship You? father’s name to disrepute. Hence, He Would Lakshmana willingly serve You? sacrificed the Kingdom and all Would the highly intelligent comforts, and left for the forest. offer his prostrations to You? Oh! How great indeed is the power of The marriage ceremony was in devotion to Lord Rama’s strength” progress. As part of the ritual, a curtain was placed between the bride and Lakshmana was the incarnation of groom. As long as it was there, they Adisesha - the heavenly serpent that were not supposed to look at each carried the entire world on its hood. He other. But, Sita and Rama, being highly understood that Rama wanted him to virtuous, did not look at each other raise the portion of earth where Sita even after the curtain was removed. was standing. He indicated that if Sita Both were looking down. Then was raised, so would everyone else! Viswamitra in a lighter vein said, “Oh Lakshmana hit upon an idea. All of a Rama! Sita is the daughter of Mother sudden, he fell at Rama’s feet and Earth. Why don’t You look at her, would not get up. Rama was forced to instead of looking at Mother Earth?” bend down and raise Lakshmana from Rama had not seen Sita till then. As His feet. Sita was highly intelligent. He had not tied the Mangalasutra till Grabbing this chance, she at once then, He felt it was a sin to look at her. placed her garland on Rama’s neck. He considered all women to be His There should be such an understanding mothers. One should try to emulate between husband and wife. such exemplary behavior. In a family, both husband and wife should lead a If you aspire to attain God, you have to virtuous life. Even if one of them is make efforts to acquire the necessary wanting in virtues, they cannot enjoy eligibility. That is true spirituality. peace and happiness. That is the essence of the Upanishads. God submits Himself to those who understand the essence of the Upani-

5 shads and act accordingly. Who is them. This listening will ultimately God? What does He look like? Do not take you to liberation. Sravanam limit Him to a name and a form like (listening), Kirtanam (singing), Vishnu- Rama, Krishna, Govinda, Narayana smaranam (contemplating on Vishnu), etc. In fact, He has no specific name Padasevanam (serving His Lotus Feet), and form. He is the embodiment of Vandanam (salutation), Archanam Energy. These Navaratri celebrations (worship), Dasyam (servitude), Sneham are meant to worship God in the form (friendship), Atmanived anam (Self- of energy. One should not pray for surrender). So long as you do not temporary results. Instead, one should develop Sneham with God, you will not pray for Divine grace with pure, steady be able to attain the stage of and selfless devotion. Once you have Atmanivedanam. The first step to self- Divine grace, you can achieve anything. surrender is Sravanam.

Embodiments of Love! Nobody can under- The Yajna that we are performing now stand the efficacy of the Mantras that is meant for Loka Kalyanam (good of the Rithwiks chant during the the world). Do not think that we are performance of the Yajna. These performing the Yajna just because are pure-hearted. I want to people are performing Yajnas else- tell you a small example. At 12 o’ clock where. This Yajna is being performed in the noon, the brahmins assembled with total spirit of sacrifice. We have for lunch here. But the person who was no desires or expectations. Our only doing the Sahasra Lingarchana did not desire is that everyone should be get up from his place as he had not happy. People perform Yajnas and completed the ritual. Similarly, the Yagas to overcome famine and drought person who was reading the Bhagavata situations. But I don’t take such things and the four Brahmins who were doing into consideration. I do not give scope Veda Parayanam did not get up from for such constricted vision. Famine, their seats till they completed their drought, etc., come and go. Whatever tasks. The person who does Sahasra you do should confer everlasting Lingarchana did not get up till 2’o clock happiness on all. It should help you to in the afternoon. It is because of their attain Divine grace. dedication and devotion that the Mantras they chant assume greater Tomorrow, I shall explain the teachings significance. Even if you do not of Upanishads and their inner understand their meanings, you will meanings. derive immense benefit by listening to

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