Sai Baba GIta - Sacrifice conquers Desire

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Sai Baba GitaJanuary 4, 2004

Sacrifice conquers Desire

Next, let us consider how to deal with desire. To conquer desire you have to

develop a sacrificing nature; you must be steeped in renunciation. Renunciation

does not mean that you give up your family and go to the forest; nor does it

require you to give up all your property. Once you realize the defects in any

object, once you recognize its transitoriness and worthlessness in helping you

to reach your goal, you will automatically stop desiring it.

Even when living the life of a householder immersed in the world, you can

recognize the defects and weaknesses of the things of the world. For example,

there may be a certain kind of food that you enjoy very much, like a curry, for

example, and you ask your cook to prepare a variety of dishes made with this

curry. You sit down to eat, the meal is brought in and you are about to eat it

with great relish. But then the cook comes running in and says, "Stop! Please

sir, don't eat this food! I just discovered a poisonous lizard has fallen into

the pot and is dead inside!" The moment you hear this and recognize the harmful

nature of the food you were about to eat, you would under no circumstances

consider eating it anymore, no matter how much you previously cherished that

dish and looked forward to having it.

In the same way, you have to recognize the nature of the things of the world.

They are ever changing and some day they must cease to exist. Once you know

this, how can you remain enthusiastic about acquiring them and trying to get

lasting enjoyment from them? Food is only medicine for the disease called

hunger. How can it ever be an item of luxurious indulgence? When you are sick

and medicines are given, do you refuse them if they are not tasty? Therefore,

recognize the fact that the things you use in the world are only medicines for

the diseases that you have.

As the disease declines, the need for medicine diminishes. When you are well you

do not need to take any medicines at all; but when you are sick you must take

the right medicine which will cure you of your illness. You cannot refuse to

take the medicine just because it is not very tasty, while at the same time

hoping to get cured. Now you are running after all sorts of attractive and

tasty things which instead of curing your ills worsen them. You rejoice that

you have discovered so many delights in the world and that you are living a

very happy life, enjoying many things which seem to give you a lot of comfort

and joy. But these are not real enjoyments, for, in the future, you will surely

have to face the consequences of all these indulgences you are engaging in now.

http://www.atmapress.com/saibabagita/saigita097.html

Sai Baba Gita, Compiled and edited by Al Drucker - Published by Atma Press -

http://www.atmapress.com - ISBN: 0963844903Online Edition:

http://www.atmapress.com/saibabagita/index.html

 

 

 

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