Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

This Motherland of ours gave to the world Noble souls renowned in all the continents. It is the land that ousted the

This Bharat is reputed for its scholarship. It is the sacred land that stood forth As the exemplar in the realms of music, literature and sacred lore; Embodiments of Love! Bharat is the birthplace of spirituality, righteousness, charity, nonviolence, and peace. Adherence to these qualities as observed in Bharat is not found elsewhere. It is the birthplace of saptha rishis (seven sages) and the first poet, Valmiki. This is the sacred land ruled by the very embodiment of dharma, Rama. This is the land where the Song Celestial, the Gita, was sung by Krishna. It is the land where the oneness of the individual soul and the Cosmic Soul was proclaimed.

There is no other land like Bharat, the land of sacredness, righteousness and peace. Truth permeates the atmosphere of Bharat. Compassion pervades the dust of Bharat. Love fills the Ganges of Bharat. Forbearance dwells in the heart of man in this land. Such noble, divine, unique qualities are manifest in Bharat alone.

God is all-powerful and all pervasive. “Sarvam khalvidam Brahma (Verily all is Brahman.)” An enquiry into science and spirituality will reveal that both affirm the same Truth. The existence of God is visualised by science in the form of electric, magnetic, laser, radio, heat, and light waves, which are allpervasive. This is the direct evidence for the existence of God. Divinity is present in the food you eat, the water you drink, and the air you breathe. There is no place in this world devoid of magnetism. What is a magnet? It is not merely the one that attracts iron filings; everything in this world is suffused with magnetism. Mother is a magnet for the child and vice-versa, similarly husband and wife are attracted to each other. Grass is the magnet for the cow. Flower is the magnet for the honeybee. When we investigate on these lines, it is evident that everything is governed by the principle of magnetism.

Vedanta declared, “Ramayathi ithi Ramah (that which attracts is the Principle of Rama.)” The magnetic power acts as the link between that which is apparent and that which is nonapparent. The philosophers term it divine magnetic power, whereas the scientists term it bio-cosmic or super power. Therefore, scientists as well as Vedantins experience the same divine power in varied names and forms.

In this fleeting world, there are many mysterious powers unknown to man. These are referred to as transcendental and hidden powers; not all can understand them. Every creature is endowed with divine power. That is why I always address you as Divyatma Swarupulara (Embodiments of divine Atma).

Doctors are unable to comprehend the secrets and mysteries of the human body. Take for example, the tongue. There are 40,000 taste buds in the tongue. There are 25,000 buds that generate heat in the tongue. The eye, which is hardly an inch in size, can cognise 13 crore types of light rays. There are millions and millions of cells in your body, and each cell id divine and contains your complete form. Is it not awe-inspiring? Whose creation is this? This is the transcendental power of Divinity.

It is foolish to consider Divinity to be non-existent. Those who are not able to understand this transcendental power deny the very existence of God. Do not pretend to know what you do not know in reality. No one has any right to deny the existence of God. “Munde munde mathir bhinnah (Thoughts vary from head to head.)” Each has their own faith.

People tend to deny the existence of all that is formless. The fact that radio waves are invisible does not mean that they are non-existent. The program that is being broadcast in the Delhi Radio station can be heard anywhere if the radio is tuned to that frequency.

The human body can be compared to a radio. It has to be tuned to the formless God in order to experience Him. The human body is a computer, which has so many hidden secrets. The mind is like a television set. Many names and forms are displayed in it. Body is a generator. The sum and substance of all this is that all powers are latent in man.

Einstein showed that matter could be converted into energy and energy into matter. Energy is all encompassing. Newton said that energy could be neither created nor destroyed. However, energy could be converted from one form to another. Philosophers explained this in varied ways.

Modern scientists are not able to comprehend this truth. What they have known and understood is just a fraction of totality. What is awareness? It is total understanding. Total understanding denotes knowing and experiencing the omnipresence of Divinity.

Minister Sri Vajpayee, who spoke earlier, has made mention of the efforts being made by the people to attain moksha (liberation). What is the meaning of moksha? moha kshayam is moksham (Absolute detachment is liberation). What does this mean?

Air mixes with air, fire mixes with fire, water mixes with water easily; similarly, God is the very form of Light. Become Light yourself. You will become one with the cosmic light. God is formless. In order to merge in the formless God, you have to give up identification with the body. Concentrate on the principle of Atma. When you are always attached to body, how can you realise the Atma, the Cosmic Principle? Concentrate on the Atma. Only then will your conscience merge with the cosmic consciousness. This unification is called Sayujya (mergence with the Divine).

“Ekatma Sarvabhoothantaratma (The same Atma dwells in all beings.)” There is only One, but it has been attributed by different names and forms. Only One exists. Zero gains value when one precedes it. World, life, sun, moon, sky, and everything else is zero. Only ONE is the hero, and that is Divinity. Man, who is inherently Divine, becomes zero if he forgets God.

Embodiments of Love! God is not separate from you. You are God. Enquire and understand this truth. If the whole life is spent in research and experiments, when are you going to practice? Individuals may differ in names, forms, and attitudes, but the Atma remains unchanged. Water is referred to by different names in different languages. It is called neeru in Telugu, pani in Hindi, thanni in Tamil, and vari in Sanskrit. Names vary, but water remains unchanged. Similarly, God has different names and forms, but the Atmic principle remains the same. This Atma is common in one and all, and it is termed conscience, which originated from consciousness. Be it theist, atheist, theist-atheist, or atheisttheist, all have to admit this fact. Be it a bhogi (one of worldly pleasures), rogi (one of disease), yogi (one with equalmindedness), viragi (one of detachment), or anuragi (one of attachment), the atmic principle is the same in all.

The body can be compared to a color balloon. Balloons differ in size and color, but the air within them is one and the same. The same air is present inside as well as outside the balloon. The air within the balloon can be compared to conscience, and the all-pervasive air to consciousness. When more and more air is blown into the balloon, ultimately the balloon bursts and the air within (conscience) merges with the air outside (consciousness).

Similarly, expand your love so that the balloon of your body attachment bursts and the conscience within merges with the consciousness outside. The difference between conscience and consciousness is only in quantity, not in quality.

The power of attraction is divinity. A small example: Thousands have gathered here today. Who invited you? Has anybody sent invitations to you? No invitations have been sent. Then how have you come here? Your love for Swami is the main cause. Nobody has brought you here by force. You all know this.

People are brought in lorries for political meetings. In spite of repeatedly requesting you not to come, you still come here. Attraction of love is Divinity. This is the divine magnet.

Here is a similar illustration from the Ramayana. Janaka resolved to give his daughter Sita in marriage to one who could lift the Siva Danush (bow) as done by his daughter. Since Sita was Bhujatha (daughter of Mother Earth), she had the magnetic power inherent in her, which enabled her to lift the Siva Danush effortlessly. It was only the divine magnet Rama who could lift the bow and string it.

This divine magnet is present in one and all; the difference lies only in intensity. This intensity can be developed only through love. Cultivate the sense of unity that I and you are one, Experience the bliss of unity. God is in you. You are God. When you recognise this truth, there will be no scope for doubts of any kind.

Praise and censure are reflections of the inner being. A virtuous one never criticises others. It is only the mean who indulge in such unsacred activities. The color you see depends on the color of the glass you wear. Wear the glasses of love, and you will see love all around. The mistake lies in your vision, not in creation.

Do not attach importance to criticism. If someone criticises you loudly ,it goes into the thin air. If he accuses you within, it goes to himself. Is he criticising your body? The body is inert. Is he criticising the Atma? The same Atma dwells in both. It amounts to criticising one’s own self. One who realizes this fact is the true seeker of truth.

Man does not recognise hundreds of faults present within him. But he tends to point out the most insignificant fault in others. The bad in you is reflected as the bad in others. Correct yourself in the first instance. Only then will your mind become pure. So, develop sacred thoughts.

Man has many powers in him. Here is a small example. When I went to East Africa, Dr. Patel, a great devotee, gifted to Me a hairbrush made of iron. When I comb My hair, it automatically gets attracted to the hairbrush. Even boys have witnessed this. Today I am making it public so that you will understand the existence of divine magnetic power in Me. It is this power that has attracted all of you here. My love is my greatest property.

My life is my message, Expansion is my life. No reason for love, No season for love, No birth, no death.

The divine power has neither birth nor death. I do not feel elated when praised or depressed when blamed. I treat these dualities of life with equanimity. I am happy both in pleasure and pain. There is only love in Me. My love lives by giving, giving and giving. It never receives. This is the difference between My love and the worldly love, which believes in receiving alone. That is why My love is ever expanding.

A small seed becomes a gigantic tree with many branches and fruits. All of them have their origin in the seed. Likewise out of love has emerged the creation. Love is God, live in love. Develop love. Love everyone wholeheartedly. Only when love is manifested will you attain self-realization.

In the first instance, develop self-confidence. Selfconfidence is the foundation. Self-satisfaction is the wall. Selfsacrifice is the roof. Self-realisation is the mansion(of life). Everything is contained in the Self. Self means Atma, the Spirit. With this Atmic Principle, acquire the spiritual knowledge.

The power in spirituality is limitless. The Power of Love far exceeds the power of the atom bomb. It transforms even those who hate. Develop such sacred love. Only then will there be harmony among Bharatiyas (Indians). Chavan, who spoke earlier, has mentioned that violence is rampant everywhere. The wicked thoughts in men are responsible for this. Once man develops love, there will be no hatred in the community. That is why I tell the students repeatedly, Start the day with love, Fill the day with love, End the day with love, This is the way to God.

God is the primordial cause for Creation, Organization, and Destruction. The same divine power assumes different names and forms. For example, we have only one Chief Minister for Andhra Pradesh. Every department is governed by a minister, who is under the direct supervision of the Chief Minister.

Similarly, the whole world rests upon three basic activities: Creation, Organization and Destruction. The creation aspect is governed by Brahma, organization by Vishnu and destruction by Siva. This division of powers is essential for the smooth functioning of the world.

The collective aspect of the three is God. The word GOD comprises three letters: G O D. G stands for Generation, O stands for Organization, and D stands for Destruction. These three aspects of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara constitute God.

None can deny the existence of God. If someone argues that there is no God, tell him that he has no right to question your conviction. God may not exist for those who deny His existence, but He exists for those who have faith in Him.

One may say “God is nowhere.” Take the letter “w” away from the word “where” and join it to “no,” which will make it, “God is now here.” All this is word building.

Man is wasting his life with narrow-minded feelings. He is concerned only about himself and his family. This is contraction of love. Consider the whole world as one family. That is expansion of love.

Different countries are like different rooms in the mansion of the world. Consider all those that live in these rooms as your brothers and sisters. When you develop such relationship with your fellow human beings, you will not hate anybody.

Embodiments of Love! Try to understand the principle of Divinity. In this world, there is none else other than God. Some may say that the world consists of matter and energy. Truly speaking, there is only energy, no matter. Whatever matter you see will be transformed into energy after some time.

This is a cloth; it is made of threads. Threads are made from cotton. So, cotton, thread and cloth are one and the same. Similarly, name and form vary, but there is only one fundamental principle, and that is Divinity. Today, there are many to criticise those that do good, but very few involve themselves in good actions.

Students! Boys and girls! You are the emancipators of Bharat and the world. You are the leaders and the pleaders of the future. Develop the quality of leadership. “Loka samastha sukhino bhavanthu (Let the whole world be happy.)” Vajpayee said, “Sarva bhootha hithe ratah (aspire for the welfare of all living beings.)” Everybody should be healthy and happy. That is My true birthday.

Many people have wished Me “Happy birthday”. Convey that wish for those who are not happy. Where is the need to wish for Me when I am always happy?

Prahlada said that a father rejoices only when the son earns a good name in society, not on the day of his birth. Who is “Manava”? Manava is the very embodiment of God. M a means ignorance, na means without, and va means to conduct oneself. So 'Manava' means the one who conducts himself devoid of ignorance. You are Awareness embodied. Act according to the name you bear. It is not enough if your bear the name of Thyagaraja or Rama, you should live up to their ideals.

There are divine powers in the food that we consume. Every student must have a balanced diet. Orange juice, tomato juice, lime juice, and apple juice are very good for health. Leafy vegetables contain vitamins as well as iron and hence are of high nutritive value. The body should be healthy. With a healthy body, you can undertake any task.

You do not need to search for God anywhere. God is immanent in every inch and every hair of your body. That is why, when Sita offered her pearl necklace as a token of appreciation, Hanuman bit the pearls of the necklace and threw them away because they did not resonate with the name of Rama. On being questioned by Sita as to why he had acted in such a foolish manner, Hanuman replied: “You go by the value of the pearls, whereas I listen to the holy sound of the Lord’s name. Any jewel bereft of the name of Rama is as good as a stone for me. Every hair of my body is suffused with the name of Rama.” Therefore, divinity pervades every cell, every hair of Bharatiyas (Indians). It is for this reason that many foreigners like Max Mueller desired to be born and die in this sacred land.

Having been born in this sacred land of yoga and tyaga, it will be a pity if you do not adhere to these sacred values. Lead the life of a true Bharatiya. Set an ideal for others and make everyone happy. This is My birthday message.

This is the birthday of this body. Truly speaking I have no birthday. Since all of you have assembled here, I am celebrating this day as birthday. This birthday is not important to Me. The day when all of you are happy is My true birthday.

I desire nothing. I will be happy when you imbibe prema, thyaga, and yoga and experience divinity therefrom. I wish that you all live an ideal life in peace and security. On this auspicious day fill your hearts with noble feelings and chant the name of God.