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International Seva Conference |
Service Activitives For Unity In Society
( Text of the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Sai Kulwanth Hall, Brindavan on 21th JULY 2002 on the occasion of Inauguration of International Seva Conference )
“ If you lack pure mind and good character, how do you expect Sai, the bestower of peace, love, happiness and prosperity, to appreciate you? How do you expect Prema Sai to treat you as His own? ”
(Telugu Poem)
Human life is one of
compassion, time is sacred; the heart is pure; and the mind is nectarous. Having
been blessed with such a sacred human birth, what is man supposed to do? What is
the foundation on which the mansion of life is to be built? Every man aspires
for peace and happiness. How can one lead a peaceful life? It is possible only
when he puts human values into practice. Human values need not be acquired from
outside, they are latent in every man. If such values are forgotten how can man
progress in life? In the first instance, man should enquire into the purpose of
his birth.
Human life is based on Samata (equality), Samaikyata (unity), Saubhratrutvam
(fraternity) and Saujanyam (nobility). They constitute the very foundation of
the mansion of life. Life will be meaningless even if one of them is absent.
Everyone must cultivate and safeguard these four virtues. First of all, man
should recognise the meaning of humanness. Truth fostersNeeti(morality);
Righteousness confers Khyati (reputation); Thyaga (sacrifice) is the Jyoti
(light) of life; Manava Jathi (human race) is the combination of these three —
Neeti, Khyati and Jyoti. But man today is neglecting the principles of truth,
righteousness and sacrifice. He has to adhere to these principles not for the
sake of society but for his own redemption. If you expect to be respected by
all, you have to develop self-respect, which is the basis of human life. One who
lacks self-respect cannot command respect from others. First and foremost, man
should respect others and share his love with others wholeheartedly. This is the
primary duty of man. Man is not merely a Vyashti Jeevi (individual), he is a
Samashti Jeevi (part and parcel of society). Vyashti relates to Jeevudu
(individual), Samashti relates to Devudu (God). Man has to travelfrom the level
of individual to the level of society. What is the path prescribed for this?
Firstly, man has to recognise the common principle of Jeevana Jyoti (light of
life) that is present in all. The principle of Samatvam (equality) can be
experienced and practised only when man understands the principle of Ekatvam
(unity). The service activities that we undertake are meant to experience unity
in society. It is a great mistake if you think that you are serving others. In
fact, you should not consider anybody as ‘other’, for all are the
embodiments of divinity. But man is not making efforts to realise this truth.
Hence, he is subjected to difficulties. Once man realises that God is
all-pervasive, he will be free from suffering. In order to get rid of suffering,
man has to practise the principle of unity in society. Once he understands the
principle of unity, he can attain the Cosmic principle.
Every individual is endowed with a physical body. Nature is like a mirror. What
you see in this mirror is only your reflection and nothing else. Today, man is
leading a life of selfishness and self-interest. Selfishness is rampant in
society. Dehabhimanam (body attachment) is on the rise and Deshabhimanam (love
for one’s motherland) is on the decline. Even spiritual aspirants and noble
souls with pure hearts are unable to give up body attachment. So long as there
is Dehaabhimanam, man cannot develop Daivaa-bhimanam (love for God).
“ The body which is made up of five elements
is weak and is bound to disintegrate. Though hundred years of life-span is
prescribed, one cannot take it for granted. One may leave his mortal coil at any
time, be it in childhood, youth or old age. Death is certain. Hence, before the
body perishes, man should make efforts to know his true nature.”
(Telugu Poem)
Body is given to you to know your true Self. It is foolish to waste your time and energy in worldly pursuits. If you know your true Self, you would have known everything else.
Embodiments of Love!
All that you see in the
external world, from microcosm to macrocosm, is present in you. The mountains,
oceans, cities, villages, etc., are present in your heart. All beings are in
you. You are the basis of everything. Such being the case, what is it that you
want to see in the external world? How foolish it is on your part to get carried
away by the reflection outside, ignoring the reality within!
Know the human values in the first instance. The first among them is Truth. It
is changeless and beyond time and space. There is nothing like American Truth,
Russian Truth, Indian Truth or Pakistani Truth. Truth is one and the same for
all countries at all times. You are the embodiment of Truth. Truth is God. So,
make efforts to understand this Truth. Sathyam Bruyaath, Priyam Bruyaath, Na
Bruyaath Sathyamapriyam (speak the Truth, speak pleasantly and do not speak
unpalatable truth). Having forgotten such eternal principle of Truth, man is in
search of ephemeral things. Adherence to Truth is Neeti which is nothing but
proper conduct. Sathyannasti Paro Dharmah (there is no Dharma greater
than adherence to Truth). Sathya and Dharma together will confer peace. One who
adheres to Truth and righteousness will always remain peaceful. One need not
search for peace outside. Where there is Truth, there is peace. Where there is
peace, there is non-violence.
We call the human values as Sathya, Dharma, Santhi, Prema and Ahimsa
(Truth, righteousness, peace, love and non-violence). In fact, love is the
fundamental basis for Truth and righteousness. Love is God, Truth is God,
righteousness is God. One bereft of these principles is verily a living corpse.
The five human values can be compared to five life principles (Prana) present in
us. If you do not speak truth, you would have lost one life principle.
Unrighteous conduct amounts to losing the second life principle. Similarly,
other life principles will be lost. Therefore, all your efforts should be
directed to safeguard these life principles, which are divine in nature.
There is divinity in humanity. Understand this. Today every field of human
activity is polluted. Once man purifies his heart, he will find purity
everywhere. The world outside is just a reflection of your heart. If you fill
your heart with love, you will experience love everywhere. If there is hatred in
your heart, the same is reflected outside. Whatever you see, hear and experience
outside is only the reflection, reaction and resound of your inner being. All
the good and bad that you come across in the external world are just your own
reflections. So, do not point an accusing finger at others. The whole world
depends on man’s behaviour. If man is good, so too will the world be. You
think that there is profanity all around you. It is a mistaken notion. In fact,
the profanity in you is reflected outside. If your feelings are demonic, you
will find the same all around you. If your feelings are divine, you will find
divinity everywhere.
Embodiments of Love!
Your heart is full of love.
The yearning for God that emanates from your heart is love. Let truth and
righteousness be reflected in your word and deed, respectively. The harmony of
truth, righteousness and love will lead to peace. Your breathing process – Soham
is reminding you of your reality 21,600 times a day. Of what use is your
education if you are unable to remember the truth that is taught to you so many
times day in and day out. You may listen to any number of sermons, you may study
any number of sacred texts, you may visit any number of noble souls, but all
these will prove futile if you forget the principle of truth that your inner
voice teaches.
Buddha renounced all the palatial comforts and took to Sanyasa (renunciation).
He wandered in the forests, listened to the teachings of noble souls and studied
holy texts. But none of these could give him satisfaction. Ultimately, he
realised that his heart is the true holy text given by God and God is his true
friend. He discarded all books and stopped visiting noble souls. He turned
inward and enquired into the truth. Ignoring the holy text (heart) and
forgetting the true friend (God), man is going hither and thither in search of
peace.
Firstly, make sacred use of the eyes given by God. Only then will your life be
sanctified. He alone is a true human being who has a good mind and whose
behaviour is exemplary. All your spiritual pursuits will be of little
consequence if your vision is sullied. Your Nethra (eye) is the Sastra
(scripture) given by God. Understand this Sastra and conduct yourself
accordingly. Once you have control over your vision, you will have control over
your speech. Speak only Truth, there is nothing greater than Truth. Samyak
Drishti (pure vision) and Samyak Vak (pure speech) will lead to Samyak Sravanam
(pure hearing) and Samyak Bhaavam (pure feeling). The youth in particular should
exercise control over their vision. Maanava (human being) becomes Maadhava
(God), once he understands the importance of human values and puts them into
practice. The youth of today are the future emancipators of the country. So,
they should develop steadiness of mind and self-confidence.
Where there is confidence, there is love;
Where there is love, there is Truth;
Where there is Truth, there is peace;
Where there is peace, there is bliss;
Where there is bliss, there is God.
Without confidence, you can never attain Divinity. Your confidence is your God.
So, develop unwavering confidence in the Self. Self-confidence and self-respect
will lead to Atmic bliss and the vision of the Self. You are all seated in this
magnificent hall with so many pillars supporting it. You are enjoying its
beauty. Without a strong foundation this hall would not have come into
existence. Likewise, self-confidence is the foundation for the mansion of life.
Once you have self-confidence, you can raise the walls of self-satisfaction over
which you can lay the roof of self-sacrifice and lead a life of
self-realisation. Hence, lay the foundation of self-confidence strong and
sturdy.
The culture of Bharat proclaims Sathyam Vada Dharmam Chara (speak Truth,
follow righteousness). Not only Indian culture, the culture of all countries
proclaims the same truth. Truth is the basis of every culture. Do not give scope
for any differences based on culture. The whole world is like a mansion and
various countries are like different rooms in it. So, do not divide humanity
based on nationality. It is because of such division that humanness is on the
decline. Sai devotees should not entertain any such differences. All should
stand united. Names, forms and complexions may be different but humanity is one
race. God is one. All human beings belong to one family.
Cows are many, but milk is one.
Beings are many, but indweller is one.
Castes are many, but humanity is one.
Flowers are many, but worship is one.
Paths are many, but God is one.
Hence, you should give up all the differences based on caste, religion and
nationality and develop the spirit of love. Young men and women should work for
the progress of the country. The country will prosper only when the youth
develop sound character. Human life is based on character. Today there are many
who are heroes in precept and zeroes in practice. Your actions should be in
harmony with your words. Develop sacred feelings. Only then can you perform
sacred activities. Devotion does not mean merely performing rituals like
worship. Any work done with pure and selfless love is devotion.
Embodiments of Love!
Right from this day, let
your lives be suffused with love. Let your hands undertake deeds that are
beneficial to society at large. Let your thoughts be centred on the principle of
love. You should rise from the level of Vyashti (individual) to Samashti
(society) and ultimately merge in Parameshti (God). In this physical and
ephemeral world, wherever you see there is only restlessness. At times your
physical body may be subjected to diseases. You should not be unduly perturbed.
Body comes and goes.
“ This body is a storehouse of dirt, and prone to diseases; it cannot cross the ocean of Samsara. Oh mind! Do not be under the delusion that body is permanent. Instead take refuge at the Divine Lotus Feet.”
(Telugu Poem)
One should not be unduly
attached to the physical body, but it has to be taken care of properly.
Sometimes you are afflicted with diseases because of negligence on your part. I
take the sufferings of devotees because of My love for them. It disappears in
the same way as it appears. Here is a small example. A young boy was suffering a
great deal because of mumps (swollen cheek). The doctor said that it would take
a minimum of 20 to 25 days to get cured. He was crying bitterly unable to bear
the severe pain. I called him inside and consoled him saying, “When Swami is
with you, why do you cry?” I materialised a sweet for him and made him eat. I
took his pain upon Myself. For any other person, the pain would have been
unbearable. Srinivasan was very much worried as to how to conduct this
conference, when Swami was undergoing so much pain. As the swelling was between
the two jaws, it was not possible to eat or speak. How does it matter if the
body is not given food for a few days? Hence, I did not care for it. I told the
organisers to go ahead with the Conference. He asked, “Swami, how are you
going to deliver the inaugural address?” I said, “I feel the pain if I think
that this is My body. But this is not My body, it is yours.’’ All your
bodies are Mine. Hence, I take your suffering upon Myself. That is My duty. This
is not My body, so I do not care for it. Not only now, at any point of time, I
do not care for any suffering. I practise whatever I preach. That is why I say, My
life is My message. It is not possible for all to understand and realise My
Divinity. I do not want to say it in public. I do not indulge in advertisement.
All that is Mine is yours and vice-versa. I have no desires at all. All My
desires are meant to give you happiness. Greatness does not lie in preaching, it
lies in practice. A true acharya (preceptor) is one who practises and then
preaches. That is what I am doing.
Youngsters – Men and Women!
Understand your true nature.
Follow the path of Truth. Sathyam (Truth) is the name of this body.
Develop this Truth in you. Truth is God, Love is God; live in love. When you
follow the path of truth and love, you will certainly attain bliss. Some people
put the blame on Me ignoring their own defects. It is a great mistake. There are
no defects in Me whatsoever. I am like a pure mirror. There is no scope for even
a trace of impurity in Me. You see the reflection of your own feelings in Me.
Purify your hearts. Only then can you understand the truth.
Embodiments of Love!
Today we have inaugurated
this Conference. Many more programmes are to follow. Hence, I bring My discourse
to a close in order to give sufficient time for other programmes. I am prepared
to spend any length of time to give you necessary guidelines.
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