Tread the Path of Truth
by Constantly Contemplating on God
Bhagavan demonstrating that Truth is the Source of All Creation
16th February 2007, During His Divine Discourse.
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba during His Divine
Discourse on 16th February 2007
The creation emerges from truth and merges into truth,
Is there a place in the cosmos where truth does not exist?
Visualise this pure and unsullied truth. (Telugu Poem)
Truth is all-pervading. Truth is omnipresent. We are
witnessing Truth everywhere. In fact, all our Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan are
associated with Truth only! Where is Shuddha Sattwam (pure consciousness)? It
is everywhere. Truth has no form. Whatever we see is Truth! (Swami has created
an object) This is Truth. From where did it come? It has come from Truth and it
will merge in Truth. It is said, Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma (verily all this is Brahman).
Truth is the embodiment of Brahman. Truth is indivisible. It is not two; one
and only one. Yet, people have to make a lot of effort to realise this Truth. Truth
is not merely a word. It assumes several forms. Similarly, Brahman assumes
infinite number of forms. Yet, Brahman is one only. That is the reason why it
is said, Brahma Sathyam Jagan-mithya(Brahman alone is real,
the world is a mistaken perception). Everything else is the reflection of
Brahman, nothing else. Truth is one, but the wise say it in different ways.
Everything in this Universe is born out of Truth. Dharma
(righteousness) has emerged out of Sathya (Truth). It is said, Sathyannasti
Paro Dharma (There is no Dharma greater than adherence to Truth). When Truth
and Righteousness go together, Peace is the result. From Peace comes
Love. This Love envelopes one and all. There is no
place in this world, where Love is not present. Similarly, there is no place in
this world where Truth is not present. Thus, from Truth and Righteousness
emerges Peace and from Peace, Love; and finally from Love emerges Bliss. Where
there is love, there is no scope for hatred. It is exactly at such a place,
non-violence makes a beginning. Hence, if you wish to promote non-violence, you
must cultivate love. If only there is love, all will become one.
The Bhagavadgita says, Mamaivamsho Jivaloke Jivabhuta
Sanathana (the eternal Atma in all beings is a part of My Being). The impact of
this declaration is “All are My Amsa (part). You are
not different from Me. You are
My own reflections! You are Me
and I am you.” Names and forms may be different, but, the Atma present in
everyone is the same. Each body assumes a different name. These names are
given for the purpose of identification. They do not, however, reflect your
true self. It is the same Atma that is in all life. Hence, love that Atma.
Then, it amounts to loving yourself. Today, love has assumed different names
and forms in the world. The love between a husband and wife is termed as Anuraga.
Similarly, the love a mother has towards her children is referred to as Vatsalya.
These are all mental feelings
only! However, the love that permeates all individuals
is only one. With such a universal love, all can be united.
There will be no scope at all for differences. There will be no duality. Where
there is no duality, all are one! A man with dual
mind is half blind. We are not blind. Are
we? We have two eyes; together, they see one object only. Hence, we are
all one.
When the feeling of fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man
is cultivated, the feeling of difference, fighting with one another, unrest,
agitation, etc., will be wiped out from the world. All are children of one
father, God! We have to foster such a noble feeling today. Only then will
humanity become one. How do you refer to yourself? You say, “I am a human
being.” Who is a human being? A person full of Kama (desire) and Krodha
(anger)? No, no. The real meaning of the word Manava is one who conducts his
life with no feeling of difference. In fact, we should not entertain any
feeling of differences. We are all embodiments of Divine Self! We are the
children of one father, verily! The names and forms appear to be different.
Basing on these names and forms, we should not develop a feeling of
differences. Wherever we go, we must all be united. Is it not a fact that the
hand is only one, though the five fingers are different from one another?
Jewels are many but gold is one.
Cows are many but milk is one.
Beings are many but breath is one.
Castes are many but humanity is one.
(Telugu Poem)
We have taken birth as human beings. We are all human
beings. Though we are all human beings we may have differing capabilities, but
the Atma in all the human beings is one only. Look! There are several electric
bulbs glowing here. Though the bulbs appear to be different, the current
flowing in them is only one. Human bodies are like those bulbs. Each bulb may
be of different wattage. I will always be happy to drive home this point of
oneness. I have received lakhs of letters recently urging Me to restrain Myself
from drawing out lingam from My body. They prayed, “Swami! You are making the Atma
Linga emerge out of Your body. The doctors are also advising against it. You are,
of course, required to produce the Linga to make the human beings realise the
truth and experience its divine effulgence.
The Hiranyagarbha Linga will be in liquid form in the body. For
it to solidify, a lot of energy is required. To expel the Linga calls for a lot
of strength of the body. Each Linga that emerges out of your body has much
weight. It is not good for your physical body to spend so much energy to draw
out those Lingas. Let those who believe your Divinity do so; have no concern
for others who do not. Please do not strain Your physical body under any circumstances.
Your body is very important for us. We have, in fact, sought refuge in You. If
you thus weaken Your body, we are very anxious. Hence, kindly restrain Yourself
and conserve Your physical energy.
God, by His Divine Will can achieve anything. He can change
the earth into sky and vice-versa. It is very easy for Him. But, of what use it
is? What will happen to the Sadhakas, thereafter? Hence, please do not make use
Your precious divine energy to make the people happy or to satisfy them.” True.
This body is already 81 years old. This will last for a few more years. I have
to maintain this body to provide joy to all of you in several ways. Very soon,
I will provide you infinite bliss. For those who will be happy to see My
physical body in good condition, the body is important and necessary. Hence, it
is also My duty to take good care of My physical body.
In Bharat devotion is very important. You call this country
as ‘Hindu’ country. The five letters in this word ‘Hindu’ stand for several
pentads of entities such as Panchabhutas (five elements), Pancha Pranas (five
life-breaths) and Pancha Koshas (five life sheaths). Then, what is the inner
meaning of this word ‘Hindu’. The letter ‘H’ stands for Humility, ‘I’ for
Individuality; ‘N’ for Nationality; ‘D’ for Divinity and ‘U’ for Unity. It is
only when you maintain unity, you can achieve divinity. Similarly, it is only
when you develop divinity, you can achieve peace and happiness. We have to
safeguard the national feeling. We have to develop faith in the unity of the
nation. If we lose the national feeling, we cease to exist. What is it that
protects national feeling? The individuality will sustain humanity.
We have to set a limit to our aspirations in this world. Only
then will we have peace. God is omnipresent. The entire universe emerges from
truth. The entire creation reflects collectivity. Wherever you see, it will
only be equality. Do not imagine that God is somewhere far away in a niche of
his own. You are all embodiments of Divinity! You develop that feeling. In
fact, this truth is being experienced by every human being directly. You just
reflect on yourself for a moment, closing you eyes: “Who am I?” What did you
see on closing your eyes? Nothing. But, you hear one question constantly
ringing in your ears: “Who am I? Who am I?” Then you will realise, “I am not
this form.” All these names and forms are transient. They are never permanent.
The body is given to you to toil hard. You should not feel
bad about sorrows and difficulties. If there are no difficulties at all, you
will not know the value of happiness. Pleasure is an interval between two
pains. In fact, we derive pleasure out of pain only. Even difficulties are only
for a short period. If you wish to acquire more happiness, you must experience
some difficulty and pain at least. Saint Purandaradasa sang thus:
Oh! Rama! Who is the one that painted the peacock’s
feathers?
Who is the one that gave a red beak to a green parrot and made it beautiful?
Who is the one that watered the tree on a hill?
Who is the one that provides food to the frog in the rock?
You are the sustainer of the entire universe.
(Telugu Poem)
Divinity is the direct witness to humanness
May you therefore protect all!
May you pervade all living beings!
You are omnipresent as the Divine Atma
The Atma protects Atma, none else;
Oh! God! May you grant all, the awareness to realise this truth.
(Telugu Poem)
We have to develop faith in the Atma Tattwa. Atma has no
name and form, whatsoever. Yet, if you develop faith in the Atma Tattwa, it will
protect you always. In fact, Atma is the living divinity!
Sarvatah Panipadam Tat Sarvathokshi Siromukham, Sarvatah
Sruthimalloke Sarvamavruthya Tishthati (with hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth and
ears pervading everything, He permeates the entire universe).
The Atma Tattwa that pervades all living beings is true and
eternal. The Atma is indivisible. The same Atma permeates all, just as the same
current flows through all bulbs. If the electric wire that carries current to
all the bulbs is cut at one place, all the bulbs cease to glow.
Dear students! The scientific advancements are creating lot
of havoc in the world. Several difficulties are arising on account of these
scientific experiments. Cows are being fed with tripe in America, with an
expectation that they will yield more milk. But, those cows are suffering from
several other diseases. In fact, those who drink their milk are also exposed to
diseases. Each country is experimenting with some new changes. It is only the Bharatiyas
who are leading a natural life till now. One should not lead a life of
artificiality. If you lead such a life, everything in your life will be
artificial. For example, you might have observed a lot of changes in the
vegetables we consume of late. We the Indians consume a lot of green leafy
vegetables. The leafy vegetables provide good strength to our body. Now, they
are grown with the polluted water flowing through the drainage system. Today,
all the vegetables and green leafy vegetables are polluted. Several people in
India, especially those living in the southern states like brinjal curry
(called Vankaya in Telugu). There is a poem which extols the taste of this
curry thus:
Matchless is the taste the curry of Vanka(ya)
Matchless the face of virtuous Sita like a blossomed Panka(ja) (lotus)
Unmatched is the compassion of the Lord Sanka(ra)
Unequalled indeed is the valour of the victor of the Lord of Lanka.
(Telugu Poem)
But, this poem does not apply to the present-day brinjals. They
are totally polluted. Because of this increasing pollution day by day, our
minds are also polluted.
Dear Students! You are well educated. You should not read
all sorts of trash and pollute your mind. Follow our glorious Indian culture.
Indian culture is very sacred. Our ancestors experienced the glory of our great
culture and led their lives happily. I am sure that in the very near future
even the people from overseas will fully realise the greatness of our Indian
culture and adopt it. We, however, need not wait till such time. Let us take to
the noble path right now. God protects all in every way. He knows everything.
When God Himself is in us and with us, we need not fear anything.
Prior to independence in our country, I used to conduct
meetings in villages. I used to tour the villages with a view to help the poor
people. When I was moving about in the villages wearing a knicker and half
sleeves shirt, people used to restrain Me treating Me as an immature boy. They
used to bring a dhoti and make Me wear it over My shorts so that I may look
like an adult to match the kind of activities I was doing. I used to go to the
houses of the harijans and teach them some folk songs. Here is one such song
that is meant to bring about a transformation in the rich, in their attitude
towards the poor:
We toil in the fields day and night
ploughing and sowing and harvesting;
You sit in the cozy comfort of your mansions
eating, drinking and making merry;
You don’t even get down and enquire our welfare,
Toil is ours and all comforts, yours;
Is it proper? (Telugu Song)
The harijans used to sing songs composed by Me in the
public. Whenever anyone questioned their intransigence, they used to sing
another song composed by Me, as a reply:
The earth is God’s gift, not the property of the rich,
If you attack us with your might, God is there for us;
Great souls there are, charged with the feeling of brotherhood,
Awake! Awake! Rise up from the slumber of Maya. (Telugu Song)
While I was thus charging the poor and downtrodden with My
songs, the rich used to feel embarrassed and attack Me. Even the elder brother
of this body used to reprimand Me, saying “Why do you engage yourself in such
activities in the public? You don’t go out. Sit quietly in the house and study
Your lessons. You should not stir out of the house, hereafter.” So saying, he
used to lock Me up in a room at home. All My regular companions would come to
our house and call Me, “Raju! Raju! Raju!” Poor souls! They were so much
attached to Me. I used to counsel them saying, “My dear ones! Bear with Me for
sometime. I shall surely come out and fulfil your aspirations. I belong to
you.” Thus, I have been helping the poor since then, till date.
To protect the poor, provide succour to them by giving food,
shelter and water and thereby make them happy is My duty. Even now I am sending
My students to every nook and corner of the villages to distribute food to the
villagers. Whenever a hungry person stands in front of our house, I used to
provide food to him even foregoing My share of food. For those who had no
clothes to wear, I used to give away My clothes. Thus, I have been helping
every needy person since My childhood.
My motto then as now is Help Ever, Hurt Never. I had a lot
of experience in helping others since childhood. Several people pay ‘lip
service’ to the poor, but they do not really help them. Manasyekam Vachasyekam,
Karmanyekam Mahatmanam; Manasyanyath Vachasyanyath, Karmanyanyath Duratmanam (Those
whose thoughts, words and deeds are in perfect harmony are noble ones; those
who lack harmony of these are wicked). I have been protecting, fostering,
counselling and making the people tread the right path since My early days till
today. I never did any harm to anyone. I have never shown anger or hatred on
anyone. However, some people out of egoistic envy are fabricating some stories
about Me and publishing them in the newspapers. They are resorting to false
propaganda about Me in the print and electronic media. All this does not
perturb Me. I am not afraid of anybody.
My very name is Sathyam Sathyam Sathyam (truth). I am bound
by truth. The name of this body is Sathyam (Truth). I will never stray away
from the path of truth. Persons indulging in vituperative publicity impelled by
envy, greed or hatred will reap the appropriate consequence. The time has come
when proper action has to be taken to dissuade these people from resorting to
such false propaganda. Of course, they are also not to be blamed. They are
resorting to such false propaganda for the sake of money. They must try to
realise their mistake. There is not even an iota of dosha (impurity) in Me at
any time. Hence, you all follow Sai. You can achieve anything in this world by
following the path of truth. Tread the path of truth by constantly
contemplating on God. (At this point, Swami enquired the children whether He is
causing any inconvenience to them by giving a long discourse. The children
replied in one voice, “No, Swami!”)
It had never been My intention to cause suffering to anyone.
Such thoughts do not come anywhere near Me. Whatever I do is for your own good,
not for Me. In fact, even the food I partake is for you only! The water I drink
is for you! Thus, all the activities I undertake are for your good only! Those
who realise this truth will be benefited. Their lives will be sanctified.
I was deeply pained to know that people in some upland areas
of the East and West Godavari districts are drinking polluted water. Immediately
I arranged for the supply of pure drinking water at a cost of rupees two
hundred crores. Nearby in the lowlands the Godavari flows, but they had not
even a drop of water to drink. Hence, I arranged for lifting of the Godavari
water to the upland areas through pipes. They are all very happy now. I intend
to visit those people shortly. That is great news for them. They are very happy
and give expression to their joy thus: “Swami! We never imagined that You will
shower such abundant grace on us. Your love and compassion are unparalleled. We
are extremely happy and grateful to know that You are visiting us.” They are
cleaning all the roads en route and making all arrangements for My visit. Ramakrishna
and Kondal Rao, who executed the project, are accompanying Me. Thus, we must
help others and do good to all, to the extent possible. If you thus lead your
life, you will also be happy. Everything will be turning out good for you as
well.
Dear students! Whenever you come across an enemy, offer Pranams
(salutations) to him lovingly and say, “Oh! Brother!” They will also wish you
in the same way, with love. All are brothers only! It is only when you conduct
yourself in such a manner that you would have earned good name to our Sathya
Sai Institute of Higher Learning. We are not taking even a paisa from the
students. Not even examination fees. Students from different parts of the
country and even abroad come here, pursue their education and go with high
academic degrees. We are even providing for research degrees like Ph.D., at
great cost. If all the students develop such exemplary character as in Sathya
Sai Institute, our country will earn great name. We have good news about our
past students pursuing their vocations in America. Recently, a plane load of
our past students from U.S.A. visited Prasanthi Nilayam. The plane was
specially chartered from America for their visit in appreciation of the
services rendered by them in that country. They said, “Swami! There are several
students from your Institute in our country. They are great people. They are
giving us a lot of joy.” There are two hundred past students from our
Institute. They, along with their families, numbering 250 in all came here. They
experienced great bliss during their stay in Prasanthi Nilayam. While leaving,
they expressed their gratitude saying, “Swami! We never imagined even in our
dreams that You will provide so much grace to us.”
I intend to undertake a world tour, shortly. Several
devotees are coming here from Africa and Russia. The devotion of the Russians
is indescribable. There are several Russian devotees sitting in this hall. They
enjoy a lot, My discourse. (Pointing towards the Russian devotees) “Look! Those
devotees with raised hands are all Russians.” They are all very devoted. (Pointing
towards the Russian devotees again …) “You are not Russians. You belong to our
country only! I love you all.”
Dear students! There are several countries in the world like
Russia, America, Germany, Japan, Italy, France, etc. Though the countries are
different, the people living in all those countries belong to us only! They
helped a lot for the construction of the Indoor stadium in Prasanthi Nilayam.
They worked hard day and night. They love Swami intensely. Wherever I go, they
follow Me. They run after My car. They even came to Chennai (Madras) recently
when I was there. They are coming here, unmindful of the great difficulties and
expense. You have to learn a lot from their devotion to Swami.
Source: http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/Shivarathri_Discourse16feb2007.html
