JANUARY 2011 S a n a t h a n a S a r a t h i Devoted to the Moral and Spiritual Uplift of Humanity through SATHYA DHARMA SANTHI PREMA AHIMSA Vol.: 54 Issue No. 1 Date of Publication: 1st January “Man should have Daiva Preeti, JANUARY 2011 Papa Bheeti and Sangha Neeti © Sri Sathya Sai (love for God, fear of sin and Sadhana Trust, Publications Division Prasanthi Nilayam morality in society). These are Printed by K.S. RAJAN Published by K.S. RAJAN natural qualities of a human being. On behalf of the owner, Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust, Publications Division, These three virtues impart great Prasanthi Nilayam 515134, Anantapur value to humanness. Since man District (A.P.) 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All subscriptions and other correspondence should be addressed Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust: www.srisathyasai.org.in to The Convener, Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust, Publications Division: www.sssbpt.org Trust, Publications Division, Prasanthi Nilayam – 515 134. Anantapur district, Radio Sai Global Harmony: www.radiosai.org Andhra Pradesh, India. Sri Sathya Sai Easwaramma Women’s Welfare Trust: www.ewwt.org.in Cover Page Photograph: Unity of Faiths Bal Vikas Wing of Sri Sathya Sai Organisation, India: http://sssbalvikas.org/ AMRITA DHARA BHAGAVAN’S DISCOURSE: 3RD JULY 1996 LOVE IS THE ROYAL ROAD TO ATTAIN SWAMI’S GRACE How can you realise the Atma Tattwa without giving up your Tamasic quality? It is not possible to develop devotion without leaving Rajasic quality. Cultivation of Sattwic quality is the real means to develop Bhakti. Listen to this, oh valiant sons of Bharat! (Telugu Poem) E V E R Y O N E C A N T R A N S F O R M H I M S E L F I N T O A S A T T W I C P E R S O N HE THREE QUALITIES OF Rajasic qualities. Desire may be of any type Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas but the basic nature of the desire remains T (serenity, passion, sloth) are the the same. Sattwic quality is the undercurrent basis of the visible world. Every of both Rajasic and Tamasic qualities, human being has these three qualities. just as the river Saraswati fl ows as the How can man escape from the infl uence of these three qualities in his daily life? He can Develop love more and more. From transcend these three qualities only when he tomorrow onwards, talk to everyone develops the wisdom to discriminate which with love. Reply to everyone with love. among these qualities is good and which is If you know the answer to the question bad. asked, tell it properly. Otherwise, say, Develop the Quality of Sattwa “Excuse me, I do not know”. I have The quality of Tamas which denotes told you many times: You cannot dullness, ignorance, illusion, cruelty, sleep, always oblige, but you can always etc., is the lowest quality. Sattwa on the other speak obligingly. Talk less. Only then hand is the highest quality as it represents can you get rid of animal qualities. peace, calmness, knowledge, harmony, How can you behave like a human etc., in man. Rajasic quality indicates desire, being if you harbour animal qualities? passion, action, agitation, restlessness, etc. First and foremost, give up animal All the desires of man arise out of Rajasic qualities. Love, love, love. Share quality. Even desire for God is also a type your love with everyone. That is true of Rajasic quality. One without desire will not desire even for liberation. Anger, hatred, Sattwic quality. jealousy, ego, ostentation, etc., are all 2 January 2011 undercurrent of both the Ganga and the Yamuna. Sattwic quality will manifest in you when you shed your Rajasic and Tamasic qualities one by one gradually. The qualities of Tamas and Rajas are like stepping stones to the quality of Sattwa. It is only when you transcend these two can you develop Sattwic quality. Transcend the Qualities of Tamas and Rajas What does the quality of Tamas denote? Wayside robber Ratnakara is an example of Tamasic quality. Without any kindness and compassion, he used to waylay travellers, kill them and rob them of their We are spending crores of rupees on hospitals. money for his selfi sh ends. Lack of kindness and compassion Why don’t you treat the patients with love? There denotes Tamasic quality. Such are some doctors who treat the patients with love. a wicked person like Ratnakara When they talk to the patients sweetly and softly, was transformed into not only half of their disease is cured. But there are some a Maha Tapasvi (one of great others who drive them away, saying, “Now there penance) but also a great poet is no time”. They do not merely say ‘get out’ to by the Darshan, Sparshan and the patients, but say much more! Such persons Sambhashan (vision, touch and cannot be called doctors and devotees. In fact, conversation) of Sapta Rishis they are not human beings at all. If you have really (seven sages). He dedicated come for Swami, you should develop love. Swami his poetry to the glorifi cation of is the embodiment of love from top to toe. I give God. Who is a real poet? A real only love. You receive My love but you do not poet is one who has realised his make use of it. true Self and has the knowledge of the three periods of time – past, present and future. But poets in the real sense of the term. Sages due to the impact of Kali Age, all those like Valmiki and Vyasa were real poets; they who can compose a few rhyming lines are could know the past, present and future by today considered as poets. But they are not the power of their penance. Not only that, they January 2011 3 even transcended time and had the vision of moon is shining without any blemish like the God. The main cause of transformation of penance of Viswamitra”. Viswamitra who was Ratnakara from a totally Tamasic individual hiding in a nearby bush with the intention of into a completely Sattwic one was Satsanga killing Vasishtha heard this conversation. (good company) of the seven sages and grace It was an eye-opener for him. He said to of God. In fact, God’s grace is most important himself, “Sage Vasishtha is extolling the for man’s transformation. Nobody can say greatness of my penance before his wife. Fie when, where and how God will shower His on me that I am harbouring hatred against grace on us. Therefore, a Tamasic person such a noble person! This is a great mistake. need not remain a Tamasic person forever; This is due to the evil infl uence of Rajo Guna he can directly become a Sattwic person. It is on me. This Rajo Guna can make a person not necessary that he should fi rst transform commit any heinous act”. Thinking thus, he from a Tamasic to a Rajasic person and then threw away his sword, ran towards Vasishtha from a Rajasic to a Sattwic person. By the and fell at his feet. As soon as Viswamitra grace of God and the teachings of noble fell at his feet, Vasishtha blessed him without souls, a Tamasic person can directly become even looking at his face, saying, “Viswamitra! a Sattwic one, just as Ratnakara became a Oh Brahmarshi! Get up”. Vasishtha, who till purely Sattwic person by the teachings of the then had addressed him only as Rajarshi, Sapta Rishis and attaining the grace of God now called him a Brahmarshi without any by performing intense penance.