Develop The Spirit Of Brotherhood
This land of Bharat has given birth to many noble women like Savitri who brought her dead husband back to life; Chandramati who extinguished wild fire with the power of truth; Sita who proved her chastity by coming out of the blazing fire unscathed and Damayanti who reduced an evil-minded hunter to ashes with the power of her chastity. This land of piety and nobility attained plenty and prosperity and became the teacher of all nations of the world
because of such women of chastity.
(Telugu Poem)
Human life is meant to demonstrate an ideal to the world. Man is
endowed with infinite powers. But, he leads a life of ignorance,
being unaware of his innate powers. Though everyone is endowed with
divine powers, only a few are able to manifest them. In others,
these powers remain hidden. Everyone should make efforts to realize
their inherent divinity. Man appears and behaves as if he is an
ordinary human in spite of being one with infinite divine powers.
Janakiramaiah (Swami's younger brother) is one such divine power. He
was younger to this body by 2 1/2 years. However, he was an expert
in the field of politics. He would mince no words in expressing his
opinion. At times, I used to caution him,
"'Ramaiah, you do not know the abilities of others. Do not use harsh
words. Talk with restraint." He might have used harsh words when the
situation demanded, but he was always tender-hearted.
When Lakshmana fainted in the battlefield, Rama lamented thus, "'If
I were to search in the world, I may get another wife like Sita, a
mother like Kausalya, but not a brother like Lakshmana." In this
manner, Rama was deeply touched by the fraternal love of Lakshmana
and extolled his qualities. There are many such families in the
world where the parents, brothers and sisters have demonstrated
great ideals. You don't need to doubt whether such ideal brothers
exist even today. They do exist. There may be temporary differences
of opinion, but they always have love for each other.
Every man must necessarily make efforts to realize the principle of
Atma, which is present in all. The sweetness of Atmic experience is
unparalleled. In the spiritual field, what one has to attain is the
experience of Atmic bliss. He, who realizes the inherent divinity in
humanity is a true human being. The Atma has no specific form. It is
full of love and bliss. This has to be realized and experienced by
every individual. One may know the nature of an individual, but it
is not possible to understand and estimate the nature of the Atma.
In order to understand the principle of Atma, you have to emulate
the ideals demonstrated by Rama and His brothers.
One day as the brothers were playing a game, Bharata came running,
sat on the lap of Mother Kausalya and complained, ""Mother, whenever
I am about to lose the game, Rama manages to lose and makes me the
winner."' Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna would tell their mothers
that it was their great good fortune that they had Rama as their
elder brother. They would praise Rama saying, He was full of love
and nowhere they could find a brother like Him. They always wanted
to be in the company of Rama and serve Him. There was such unity and
love among them. They enjoyed intimate and inseparable relationship.
Even today, there are many such brothers in the world. But, the
situation of the world is such that people are not encouraged to
practice brotherhood of man. Our institutions should demonstrate the
ideal of brotherhood and show the way to the rest of the world. You
call each other brothers and sisters. Mere verbal expression will
not suffice; it should be reflected in your conduct. While in exile,
Rama would not bear separation from Lakshmana even for a moment. He
would anxiously ask Sita about Lakshmana's whereabouts whenever he
was not found by His side. In. this manner, Rama taught the ideal of
brotherhood by His example.
Today, students are acquiring education with the sole purpose of
occupying high positions in society. They are not prepared to share
their love with their fellowmen and demonstrate the ideal of
brotherhood. The need of the hour is to practice the ideal of
brotherhood. Brothers should lead their lives in an ideal manner.
Bodies may be different, but their life principle must be one and
the same. There is no dearth of such ideal brothers in this land of
Bharat. But, there are some who are not able to translate their
sacred feelings into action and set an ideal to others. It is only
when we share our love with fellowmen, can we experience Divinity.
What is the hallmark of a true student? Manasyekam Vachasyekam
Karmanyekam Mahatmanam (those whose thoughts, words and deeds are in
perfect harmony are noble ones.) It is said: The proper study of
mankind is man. But, today we do not find true qualities of mankind.
People may show respect towards each other outwardly, but they do
not experience true love, unity and happiness inwardly. They say
they that belong to mankind, but in reality they have monkey mind.
What is true humanness? You should treat your fellowmen as your own
brothers. You deserve to be called a human being only when you
cultivate the spirit of unity. Where there is no unity, there you
find enmity and hatred. Consequently, the principle of love is lost
altogether. Man's foremost duty is to share his love with others.
Only then can he realize the dictum: Brotherhood of man and
fatherhood of God. But, unfortunately, such idealism is not found
today. You may not believe in the fatherhood of God, but you must
have faith in the brotherhood of man; practice it and experience
bliss there-from. Our country, Bharat will regain its pristine glory
only when we achieve such unity. There should be unity and love not
only among brothers but also between the husband and wife.
Today, you have heard that a doctor from Singapore (Dr. Pillai)
wants to establish an institution in memory of his late wife. Pillai
has been a devotee of Swami for the last 20 years. His wife was also
a highly virtuous lady. She always had a smiling countenance and
would always speak softly and sweetly. There are many such noble
women in this country. It is because of such women that the country
is full of auspiciousness, plenty and prosperity. There are many
such devotees who express their love in an unostentatious manner.
The country of Bharat is highly sacred. But people are flocking to
foreign countries with the false hope that they would find happiness
there. The happiness that you do not find here cannot be found
anywhere in the world. It is said, Yanna Bharate Thanna Bharata
(that which is not found in Bharat is not present anywhere else).
That is why Bharat has been able to live in peace and amity with the
rest of the world for the past thousands of years. The Bharatiyas
share their love with others and maintain brotherly relationship -
In fact, they have lived up to the ideal of Brotherhood of man and
Fatherhood of God. In spite of many foreign invasions, the love and
unity of Bharatiyas has not diminished a bit. At times., you may
find infighting, but this is only a passing cloud. There is,
however, the sweet fragrance of love in everybody's heart.
There is no point in talking sweetly if there is no sweetness in
your heart. Sweetness in speech and bitterness in heart is not the
quality of a human being. There should be sweetness in your thought,
word and deed. This is the true sign of a human being. You should
fill your life with love. There is nothing superior to love in this
world. Man is considered to be most sacred because he has the unique
quality of love in him. But you are not able to realize the value of
human birth. God incarnates in human form in order to spread the
message of love. Once you have love in your heart, you can conquer
the whole world. There is love in you, but you are not able to
express it in the proper way.
Students!
You read a number of books. You also study history. But, do you go
through the history of Rama? Have you understood the strong bond of
love that existed between Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna?
First and foremost, you should develop the spirit of brotherhood.
Even when you come across your bitter rival, address him as brother
and talk to him with love. When you address him as brother, his
heart will melt and hatred will disappear at once. You can conquer
the whole world with the weapon of love. There is nothing that you
cannot achieve with the power of love. Love is the supreme power.
True human value lies in sharing and experiencing the supreme love.
But, today man wastes this noble quality of love in worldly
pursuits. This has become his taste. He does not realize that love
is Div 'me. The Gopikas had realized this truth. That is why they
prayed to Lord Krishna thus:
Oh Krishna, play your sweet flute
and sow the seeds of love in the
desert of our loveless hearts.
Let the rain of love fall on earth and
make the rivers of love flow.
(Telugu Song)
The power of love is unmatched. When you fill your heart with love,
all people will become your brothers and sisters. You will not have
enemies at all!
Embodiments of Love!
Truly speaking, you are the very embodiments of love. Let the stream
of love flow from one heart to another. Consider love as your life.
This is your foremost duty. You may search anywhere in the world,
you cannot find anything greater than love. Here is an example. So
many of you have gathered here today! What is the reason? It is
Swami's love that has attracted all of you. Love is the divine
magnetic power present in man. In all the sacred epics like the
Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavata, you find love as the
undercurrent Once you cultivate love, you do not need to acquire any
other property. You can attain God only through love. He cannot be
attained by any other means. Love is the magnetic power that can
transform even your bitter enemy into a dearest friend.
Students!
Develop love. This is more important than your worldly education.
Love is life. Not merely that. Love is light. It illumines your path
and helps you reach the goal. Your journey of life will be safe and
secure when you carry the light of love with you. You will never
find darkness. Fill your heart with love. Love is God. Live in love.
This is what you have to learn today. Today, people merely utter the
words "'love is God", but they do not actually live in love. This
should not be the case. Your life should be suffused with love.
Embodiments of Love!
You have heard the talks given by C. Sreenivas, the present and the
former Vice-Chancellors. They spoke with love in their hearts and
emphasized on the need to cultivate love. They are, in fact, ringing
the bells of love in your heart, but you don't seem to pay attention
to them. Once you hear the bells of love, you cannot waste even a
moment. You will dedicate your whole life to the cause of love and
ultimately merge in love.
Students!
You may acquire various types of knowledge and travel across the
globe. But, in spite of all your worldly achievements, you may not
able to understand the principle of love. Once you have the taste of
love, you will see the world in its real form. Therefore ore, become
truly embodiments of love. Let love flow incessantly from your
heart. Immerse yourself in the flow of love. Out of love, emerge
truth and righteousness. Sathyam Vada, Dharmam Chara (speak truth,
practice righteousness). Truth and righteousness are the two pillars
on which the mansion of human life rests. It is love that gives rise
to these two principles. There is no knowledge greater than the.
knowledge of love. You may read a number of Pustakas (books), but
love cannot be acquired from such books. What is the use of reading
Pustakas when your Mastaka (head) is filled with "dirt'? It is
because of such 'dirt', you become an animal losing the sense of
discrimination.
Adore love. Live in love. There is no greater education than this.
Traverse the path of love. Partake of the food of love. It is not
enough if you merely partake of love, you should also assimilate and
digest it. Only then the essence of love will spread to every cell
of your body giving you immense strength and wisdom.
Students!
Today's education is leading to agitation. True education lies in
assimilating and digesting the principle of love. You are the
embodiments of love. You are filled with love. You may not know
this, but I can see love in you from top to toe. In future, the
principles of Ramayana will be manifested in a glorious manner. The
Ramayana will fill your lives with love and make you forget
yourselves. Let your love be directed towards Rama. Rama + Ayana is
Ramayana.
Students!
I hope I am not causing any inconvenience to you by speaking at
length. In fact, it should not be a trouble at all for you. You
cannot find the love that Swami showers on you, anywhere else. Day
after day, I will fill your hearts with more and more love. I have
no other work. My only job is to fill your hearts with love.
(The programme ended with Bhajans by students)
Bhagavan's
Divine Discourse
Develop The Spirit Of Brotherhood
Prashanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi
17 Oct 2003
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Source: http://www.kingdomofsai.org/DISCOURSES/Disc20031017.html
