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Oh man! You struggle
hard in life merely for the sake of filling your belly. You
acquire myriad types of knowledge from various fields. Examine and
enquire for yourself what great happiness you have achieved by
spending all the time from dawn to dusk in acquiring worldly
knowledge and earning wealth, while forgetting God.
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| (Telugu
Poem) |
Embodiments of Love!
Whether a pauper or a millionaire, one has to eat. But, having
attained the sacred human birth, it is unseemly of man to spend his
entire life merely for the sake of filling his belly. Why don’t you
spend a few minutes in the contemplation of God, instead of spending
your entire life just to earn a living? There are of course a few
people in this land of Bharat, who are sanctifying their time and
their environment in the contemplation of God, but the vast majority
are wasting their births in vain pursuits.
Embodiments of Love!
It is not only in Srikakulam District, but in many other places
all over India, there are people who are struggling and straining to
eke out their livelihood. In spite of all the effort, they are unable
to attain peace, happiness and comfort. Only those who are spending
their time in the contemplation of God are able to experience peace
and happiness. Those who forget God and spend all their time and
energy in mundane pursuits are bound to suffer. Till this day, nobody
has been able to enjoy mental peace and physical comfort in full
measure. The body is like a water bubble. It is nothing but a bag full
of bones. Mind is like a mad monkey. It is a mistake to strive for the
happiness of such a physical body and wavering mind. So long as one is
alive, one should make efforts to keep the body healthy, so that one
may not cause inconvenience to others. There are many who spend their
entire life for the sake of physical comforts and pleasures. It is
only a few who are not concerned with their mind and body, but are
centred on eternal peace and happiness. Human birth is meant to
experience divinity and not to crave for fleeting pleasures. Human
body is a divine gift, which is being put to improper use, instead of
its proper purpose of adoring God. Do not be under the mistaken notion
that body is meant for eating and enjoying physical pleasures only.
Certain duties have been assigned to man by performing which he will
be able to experience happiness at the level of the body, mind, senses
and the spirit. One should enquire what the purpose of human birth is.
The goal of human birth is to work for release from the cycle of birth
and death. This body is a den of dirt, and prone to diseases; it is
subject to change from time to time; it cannot cross the ocean of
Samsara. The body should be used as an instrument to rise from the
level of humanness to divinity. Human life is sanctified only when we
experience divinity. There are many people who are making efforts in
this direction. But only a few are able to realise the truth and
achieve the goal. One may undertake any type of activities, but one
should always aspire to attain peace of mind. Without peace of mind
whatever enterprise that man undertakes will only add to his
restlessness.
Embodiments of Love!
You are really fortunate to have come here all the way from Srikakulam
in spite of your financial constraints and various other difficulties.
Swami is very well aware of your aspirations. You have come here to
experience divine bliss. You were feeling sad that Swami has not
spoken to you a word even after two days of your stay here. In fact,
last night you were all praying intensely. In response to your sincere
prayers, I have decided to address you this morning. It is not My
intention to satisfy you with just a discourse. I am ready to extend
all the help required to fulfil your aspirations. Many of you are
facing problems due to shortage of water. Some of you do not have even
proper food to eat. Food and water are very essential for everyone. Do
not give room to worry and anxiety. God is not stone-hearted. He will
certainly take care of your needs. His heart is filled with
compassion. Swami’s concern for you is hundred times more intense than
the concern you have for yourselves. You need not be worried at all.
Develop the feeling that difficulties and suffering are for your own
good. Even insurmountable difficulties will vanish like thin mist when
you have firm conviction. Hence, do not be unduly perturbed about your
problems. Difficulties come and go. Not only the poor, even a
millionaire cannot escape from difficulties. Swami confers His
blessings on you so that you will be relieved of your suffering soon.
You may consult the elders of your villages and take the help of those
who are willing to cooperate with you. I will see to it that there is
plenty of water available in your mountainous area. Do not be
depressed or bogged down by difficulties. Having put on the vesture of
the human body, one cannot escape from difficulties. The physical body
may undergo suffering, but you should make efforts to attain peace of
mind. Mind is the basis for happiness for everyone. All physical
comforts will be of little use without peace of mind. Only through
contemplation of God can you attain peace of mind and not by any other
means. Hence, chant the Name of God incessantly unmindful of the
difficulties that come in your way. It is because of contemplation of
God’s Name that you have been able to experience peace in spite of the
innumerable difficulties you faced. God is the refuge for the poor and
the forlorn. He is always with them through all the vicissitudes of
life. Do not think that God is in some distant land. God is by your
side always. In fact, He is present in the inner recesses of your
heart. Never think that God is away from you at any point of time.
Neither friends nor relatives can come to your rescue. God is your
sole refuge. He will protect you under all circumstances. In spite of
numerous difficulties, Bharatiyas never swerved from the Godward path.
If Bharat occupies a pivotal position among all nations, it is only
because of Bharatiyas’ one-pointed devotion to God. There are many
affluent countries where people lead a luxurious life, but they are
unable to attain peace of mind. It is the good fortune of Bharatiyas
that they are able to enjoy peace of mind. Their devotion to God is
responsible for this. Since ancient times, the culture of Bharat has
been protecting the Bharatiyas in all respects. Its glory and grandeur
defy all description. One who has peace of mind will have moral
strength. Hence, chant the Divine Name constantly. Yesterday you went
round the entire village singing the glory of God and entered the
portals of Prasanthi Nilayam; you experienced peace of mind. It is not
possible to experience peace by any other means. Hence, never forget
God. Sanctify your time by chanting His Name. Contemplation of God
should be man’s constant endeavour. There may be some jealous people
who will try to dissuade you from chanting God’s Name. They say, “What
is the use of chanting God’s Name? It will not help us to eke out our
livelihood. We have to work hard for our survival. So, stop chanting
God’s Name.” Do not pay heed to such narrow-minded people. Never
forget God’s Name. You may not be aware; people all over the world in
all villages are facing hardships. They are suffering from physical
ailments and mental agitations. Only Bharatiyas are able to enjoy
peace of mind because of their devotion to God. There is no happiness
greater than experiencing peace of mind.
Mental peace can be obtained only by constant contemplation of God.
This cannot be purchased from the market. It is only by constant
contemplation of God that mental worries can be overcome. This is the
experience of people all over the world. Contemplation of God alone
can bring about mental peace and happiness. No other means can achieve
this.
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To be born is a
worry, to be on the earth is a worry; world is a cause of worry
and death too; entire childhood is a worry and so is the old age;
life is a worry, failure is a worry; all actions and difficulties
cause worry; even happiness too is a mysterious worry.
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| (Telugu
Poem) |
Contemplation of God is the
right royal path that would remove all types of worries. Therefore, do
not try other means for achieving mental peace and get into trouble
and worry. March on along the divine and glorious path. All the Karmas
in the spiritual field are meant to bring peace and happiness to us.
They are not intended to trouble us. Mental peace can be achieved only
by performing one’s own duty, not by any other means. Karma brings
about a result; and that result brings happiness and peace. Even when
you are undergoing difficulties, always think that they are meant to
bring you happiness. Every human being undergoes difficulties, only to
enjoy happiness later. However, he does not realise this during the
period of suffering. But, in course of time, when suffering ends and
happy days arrive, he would realise the truth. Hence, always remember
the truth that sorrows and difficulties are prelude to happy days
ahead. In fact, real happiness comes out of suffering only.
Embodiments of Love!
Love is the only property that always grows — the more you spend, the
more it grows; it never diminishes. Supposing you go up a hill and
sing the glory of God; the Divine vibrations will reach to a large
area and the people hearing the Namasmarana even from a distance will
feel very happy. Divine music can confer solace even to children and
animals. By hearing Namasankirtan, even the heart of a stone-hearted
person will melt. We have heard of several instances in Indian history
where great devotees of God, by their Namasankirtan, could bring about
complete transformation in die-hard criminals.
Suppose you are digging a pit; the soil in that is taken out and
stacked by its side becomes a mound. You need not feel anxious that
the pit is becoming deeper and deeper. The soil that is dug out of the
pit and the soil that is piled up next to the pit are the same.
Similarly, along with the difficulties you undergo, you will
experience happiness also in abundant measure. When you fill in the
soil that is piled up (namely happiness) in the pit of sorrows and
difficulties, you will attain a state of equanimity. This is what you
have to realise today. You need not feel sorry, “Oh! I have fallen
into this pit of sorrows and difficulties. How can I come out of this?
How am I to bear this?” The soil of happiness stacked next to the pit
of suffering may be filled into the pit. You will attain a state of
equanimity. You have to do this Sadhana.
Embodiments of Love!
You have come here with love-filled hearts, undergoing lot of
difficulties and physical strain. It is your love and devotion to
Swami that brought you here. Go back to your places with the same
intensity of love and devotion. Continue to enjoy the moments of joy
and happiness you experienced in the presence of Swami.
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Pleasure and pain,
good and bad co-exist, none can separate them. You cannot find
pleasure or pain, good or bad to the exclusion of the other.
Pleasure results when difficulties fructify. |
| (Telugu
Poem) |
Thus, happiness and sorrow
come to teach us equanimity.
Embodiments of Love!
Love is the only wealth that can never diminish. That is the property
of God. Therefore, cultivate pure and selfless love. God’s love will
always follow you wherever you are and will protect you at all times.
Do not ever consider that money alone is your property. In fact, love
is your real wealth. The wealth of Love always grows (expands), never
diminishes. Those who realise the Paramatma will be able to understand
this truth better. My heart is overflowing with love and joy on
account of the Namasankirtan you have done yesterday in the streets of
Puttaparthi. Continue this Namasankirtan wherever you are throughout
your life. Especially, when your spirits are down with sorrow, sing
the glory of God full-throated. Never feel diffident to sing the glory
of God, thinking that others may make fun of you. Irrespective of what
others may think or say against you, continue this sacred activity of
Namasankirtan. Only then will you be charged with Divine power.
Embodiments of Love!
I am very happy that you are all gathered here. I always wish joy,
happiness, comfort and peace for all of you. Today, 8000 devotees from
your place have come here to share the happiness of Swami’s Divine
Presence. All of you, please go to the canteen and partake of Swami’s
Prasadam happily. Swami’s Prasadam will become Akshaya (never
diminishing) and will remove all your sorrows and difficulties.
Everything that is granted by Swami is suffused with love. Whatever is
granted by Bhagawan is always free. God will never succumb to monetary
considerations. Wherever any service activity is associated with
money, it is tainted. The entire property of Swami consists of Love
only. Such Divine love must become your very life-breath. All your
past Karmas will become extinct, if only you cultivate that pure love.
All of you go to the canteen and have food, as Swami’s Prasadam.
Thereafter, you can go to your respective villages, happily.
Embodiments of Love!
Having come here from such a long distance, fill your hearts with
love. Sometime ago, there was a singer by name Saluru Rajeswara Rao.
He used to visit Swami, regularly. He remained absorbed so much in
music that he would sing while walking in the streets, unmindful of
what others thought of him. Today, his son has come here to sing some
devotional songs in the Divine presence of Swami. These devotional
songs fill the hearts of people with overwhelming joy. Late Rajeswara
Rao used to sing a particular song on Sri Krishna melodiously
“Challagaalilo Yamunathatipy Shyama Sundaruni Murali …” (Shyama
Sundara is melodiously playing His flute on the banks of the Yamuna,
while the cool breeze is blowing). His voice as well as his feelings
were sweet. Both Rajeswara Rao and another devotee Adi Naryana used to
come here regularly. They were the people who composed the “Sai
Charita” and sang those songs melodiously. They may be anywhere; the
lives of such pure-hearted devotees are sanctified. Those, who sell
their God-given talents and make a wholly living out of it, can never
be truly happy. Rajeswara Rao and Adi Narayana never made business out
of their musical talents. They always sang to their heart’s content,
with love and devotion. The glory of such devotees, whether dead or
alive, will remain forever. There was another well known devotee by
name Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao. He also underwent many difficulties.
But, he was always devoted to God. Whenever he was in difficult
situation, he used to sing, “Oh! God! Won’t You pull me out of these
difficulties?” Even when he was sick and was hospitalised, he used to
sing lying in the hospital bed, “Oh! Lord! How long have I to suffer
this agony! Won’t you relieve me of this pain? “Once I went to the
hospital to see him. I consoled him saying, “My dear Ghantasala! Never
think of these difficulties and suffering. These things happen to test
your faith in God. You will come out successful in this test, by
constant Namasmarana.” A devotee like him who is constantly engaged in
Namasmarana under all circumstances, will become immortal. Namasmarana
is the only property that lasts forever. Therefore, you also undertake
this Sadhana, as a lifelong activity. Whether your voice is good or
not, continue to sing the glory of God by constant Namasmarana at
least in your heart. Thereby, you will acquire merit that will protect
you throughout your life. If you do this Sadhana, God will always be
with you, in you, around you. Whenever you take food, do Namasmarana
before partaking of the food. By doing so, the food will be sanctified
and will become Prasadam (gift) of God. Your heart also will be
purified. That is why, our ancestors prayed thus before partaking of
food:
Brahmarpanam Brahma Havir
Brahmagnou Brahmanahutam
Brahmaiva Thena Ganthavyam
Brahma Karma Samadhina.
When you pray in this manner before you partake of your food, God
immediately responds thus:
Aham Vaishvanaro Bhutva
Praninam Dehamasrita
Pranapana Samayukta
Pachamyannam Chaturvidham.
(My dear! I am present in you in the form of Vaishvanara digesting the
food that you partake of)
The prayer thus made invokes an immediate response from God. That is
reaction, reflection and resound. Therefore, constantly engage
yourself in Namasmarana, which will confer Bliss on you.
Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, “Hari
Bhajan Bina Sukha Santhi Nahin …” |
