Dasara Divine Discourse on 19th Oct 2004: Obey the Divine Command with total Faith

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Text of the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 19th

October 2004 (Dasara) at Prashanti Nilayam, Sai Kulwanth Hall

Everyone has to face the consequences of one's own Karma. Who has made the bats

to hang from the branches of a tree with their heads downwards? It is their

fate. Likewise, nobody can escape from the consequences of Karma. (Telugu Poem)

Students!Karma (destiny) has neither feet nor eyes nor mouth. But, man cannot

escape from it. That is why our ancients declared that one cannot escape the

consequences of one's own actions. Karma does not conform to your likes and

dislikes. Something happens not merely because of your desire and similarly

something is not averted because you do not desire it. Karma follows its own

course. Your thoughts and desires cause the illusion that things happen because

of your will. The world is full of mystery and wonder. It is nothing but a

manifestation of the five elements. It undergoes changes with the passage of

time. Likewise, the physical body which is also made up of five

elements is subject to changes. Only the Indweller is permanent. Embodiments of

Love!It is not possible for anybody to go against the Will of God. The ways of

God are beyond the grasp of human understanding. God can make things appear

which do not exist in reality. Likewise, what appears to the eye may vanish in

a trice by God's Will. How can anybody understand such mysterious happenings?

It is not possible for anybody to protect the physical body for ever. It

remains so long as it is destined to be. Once its purpose is served, the body

will perish. Nobody has any control over death. It is decided at the time of

birth itself. The date of departure is written on the body when it comes into

the world. It is not possible for man to comprehend the way the universe

functions. Each person's experience is unique. How is it that the bat hangs

from the branch of a tree with its head downwards? Nobody can explain this

phenomenon. Who is responsible for such wonders and

mysteries that we witness in this world? What each one has to do, when, where

and how, all is predestined. Man has no control over it. Everything happens

according to Divine Will and His command. It is the primary duty of man to obey

the Divine command implicitly. Everything in this world, visible or

imperceptible happens according to Divine Will. One need not pay heed to what

others say when it comes to obeying God's command. You have to obey the divine

command in letter and spirit without adding any commas and full stops by

yourself. Unfortunately, today nobody is making any effort to understand the

mysteries of God's creation. Scientists boast of having unravelled the

mysteries of creation, but they do not have true experience of the reality

behind the phenomena. Each and every activity that takes place in this universe

is full of wonder. When you observe carefully you will be able to perceive the

unseen hand of God at work. Embodiments of Love!One should obey

the divine command with total faith and without any disputation pro and contra.

Markandeya was born as the result of a boon granted by Easwara to his parents.

Easwara asked his parents whether they wanted a virtuous son with a short

life-span or a son not so virtuous but who would live long. The parents opted

for a virtuous son. Accordingly, Markandeya was born. He was one of good

thought, good behaviour and good conduct. Easwara informed his parents that he

would live only for sixteen years. Nevertheless, the parents were overjoyed as

they had been blessed with a virtuous son. Years rolled by and Markandeya

entered his sixteenth year. Remembering the words of Easwara, his parents

became grief-stricken. His mother would often shed tears thinking of the

imminent death of her son. Markandeya could not understand the cause of her

grief and wondered why she was shedding tears. One day, he found his parents

steeped in sorrow. On enquiry, they revealed that his death was imminent as per

the Divine Will and that was the cause of their sorrow. Markandeya felt sorry

that Easwara's Will was not revealed to him till then because of which he had

wasted the precious time allotted to him. He did not want to waste time any

longer. He had an early bath, went to the temple of Easwara and started

chanting the sacred Siva Panchakshari Mantra, Namah Sivaya, with all sincerity

and devotion. He lost himself in the contemplation of Easwara. He did not

expect any reward for his prayers. He considered it as his primary duty to

contemplate on God. The following day was supposed to be the last day of his

earthly sojourn. Hence, he remained in the temple. As he had not returned home,

His parents went to the temple and sat at its entrance. They were shedding tears

thinking of the impending end of Markandeya's life. As willed by the Lord,

Markandeya left his mortal coil the moment he completed his sixteenth year. His

parents were in a sea of sorrow. As Markandeya left his mortal

body in the external world, his Jiva (soul) reached Lord Siva in the divine

world. The Lord was immensely pleased with the sincere devotion of Markandeya.

He said, "Markandeya! Today marks the completion of your sixteenth year. You

have come to Me in a happy frame of mind. You have bowed down to My Will with

implicit faith and obedience. I am pleased with your devotion." As Easwara was

speaking to Markandeya in this manner, Mother Parvati intervened and said, "Oh

Lord! Why don't You send him back to his parents as he has obeyed Your command

implicitly." Easwara wanted Parvati also to accompany Him. Together they

infused life into the body of Markandeya. The parents' joy knew no bounds when

they noticed some movement in Markandeya's body. He got up and said, "My dear

mother and father, Lord Easwara and Mother Parvati have brought me back to

life. I will stay with you as long as you want me. Let us entertain noble

thoughts and undertake good deeds. I will discharge my duties as your

son and give you happiness." Accompanying his parents, Markandeya went home. The

people of the village were struck with wonder when they came to know that

Markandeya was brought back to life by Lord Easwara and Mother Parvati.

Markandeya narrated to them in detail all that had happened in the divine

world. God responds to the prayers of devotees and comes to their rescue only

when they have purity of heart. One with a pure heart can even alter the

Sankalpa of God. The story of Markandeya bears ample testimony to this.

Markandeya had no desires. He made sacred use of the time granted to him. It is

the primary duty of devotees to cultivate noble thoughts and perform sacred

actions. Markandeya remained a Chiranjeevi (immortal), served his parents and

gave them immense happiness. In the normal course, God's Will cannot be

altered. But, sometimes God does change His Sankalpa in answer to the prayers

of a devotee who is sincere and pure at heart. The devotee has the

power to change the Will of God. Devotion does not mean mere vocal expression of

prayers; one should have purity of heart.Adi Sankara was born in Kerala during

the 7th century A.D. and propagated the essence of all scriptures to mankind.

But he left his body at an early age of 32 years. Ramanujacharya was born in

11th century A.D. and propagated the efficacy of the Divine Name. That was the

time when devotion to God was on the decline. It was because of

Ramanujacharya's teachings that people developed devotion and a sense of

surrender to God. Madhwacharya was born during 13th century A.D. and propagated

the principle of Dvaitha (Dualism). Even He taught that the Jiva (individual

soul) and Deva (universal soul) are not different from each other in essence.

However, the underlying principle in all the three systems of philosophy as

propagated by Adi Sankara, Ramanujacharya and Madhwacharya is one and the same.

The same principle of Atma is present in all

beings. It is referred to as Easwaratwa (divinity). The divine incarnations such

as Rama and Krishna can be recognised by their Divine forms. Every incarnation

has a particular form. But Easwaratwa has no form. It represents the principle

of truth that is present in all beings. It is responsible for Srushti, Sthiti

and Laya (creation, sustenance and dissolution). Easwaratwa, which has no

specific form is symbolised in the form of a Linga. It is usually placed on a

horizontal base which is known as Panavatta. Do you know how it looks like? (At

this, Bhagawan with a wave of His hand materialised a Linga with Panavatta.)

Lord Easwara exhorted Markandeya and his parents to sanctify their time in the

contemplation of God. He materialised a Linga like this and gave it to

Markandeya's parents. They sanctified their lives by worshipping the Linga.

Linga represents the Atmic principle which is present in all. It is not

possible for anyone to understand or estimate the divine power. The principle of

Atma is changeless. It can assume any form in accordance with the feelings of

devotees. Linga is not something which man has made for worship. It is the

direct manifestation of Divinity (Sakshat-akara). This truth was very well

understood by Markandeya and his father Mrukanda and hence they worshipped

divinity in the form of a Linga.Every living being comprises three aspects –

Sthula, Sukshma and Karana (gross, subtle and causal). The physical form

represents the gross aspect. The same principle of divinity is present in all

the three levels. Without thread, there can be no cloth. Without silver, there

can be no plate. Without clay, pot cannot be made. Likewise, without Brahma

(Divinity), there can be no world. Without the creator, there can be no

creation. The creator can be compared to thread and the creation to cloth. The

creator is the embodiment of gross,

subtle and causal aspects. When you contemplate on God, you should transcend the

mind. By merely having threads, one cannot make cloth. They have to be

interwoven. Likewise, self-effort and divine grace, both are essential in order

to achieve the desired result.Sukshma Sarira (subtle body) is the source from

which our words and deeds originate. Our students are chanting the Vedas

everyday. Each Mantra is attributed to a particular form of divinity. It is

necessary that one knows all the Mantras. If one wants to purify his thoughts

and understand his true Self, he should take Vedas as the basis. Unable to

understand this truth, many students are behaving like thieves when it comes to

chanting the Vedic Mantras. One who does something wrong and feigns ignorance is

a thief. Likewise, one who has the ability to chant the Vedas but does not do so

full-throated and wholeheartedly can also be called a thief. All students can

chant the Vedas, but some of them are not joining

others in chanting. They are not making proper use of whatever they have learnt.

They are keeping to themselves all that they have learnt. I am observing the

students as they chant the Vedas. Having learnt the Mantras, they are expected

to chant them. But, some of them are keeping silent. In a way, they are

resorting to vidya choratwam and daiva droham (theft of knowledge and betrayal

of God). In this manner, the educated are becoming traitors and betrayers. Only

those who chant wholeheartedly whatever they have learnt are eligible for

Sakshatkara (God-realisation). When the students chant the Mantras, ladies

sitting on the other side also join them. They have every right to chant the

Vedas. None can deny them their right. They feel inspired to chant the Vedas

when they see our students chant. There are many small children sitting here.

Who has taught them the Vedas? They hear attentively while the senior students

chant the Mantras and learn them by heart.

However, there are some educated persons who sit by the side of Veda chanting

boys and yet remain tight-lipped. I am observing them. What is the use of

sitting with Veda group if they do not make efforts to learn and chant them?

They are bigger thieves. They listen to Vedic chants but do not participate in

them. One should listen and also chant the Mantras in order to experience

divinity.The Vedas are the very form of God. There are many Mantras to

propitiate the Pancha Bhutas (five elements). The five elements are our very

life-breath. They sustain our life. The world itself is a manifestation of the

five elements. But people forget to express their gratitude to the five

elements. What a sin it is! We fill our minds with unnecessary information and

consequently fail to give due respect to the five elements. Everyone should

necessarily learn the Vedas, contemplate on them and chant them wholeheartedly.

There is no point in merely learning the Vedas if you do not chant

them. There are some who chant the Mantras when they are here but forget them

when they go outside. You may go anywhere but you should repeat the Mantras at

least in your mind. You should never become a vidya drohi (one who does not do

justice to the knowledge acquired). A vidya drohi will become Daiva drohi also

and will ultimately miss the chance to become recipient of God's grace.Students

may commit mistakes without their knowledge. But, once they realise their

mistake they should not repeat it. Whatever Mantras you hear today, you should

be able to chant them tomorrow. When all people chant the Mantras in unison and

in perfect harmony, Brahman will manifest right in front of you. Our ancient

sages and seers declared: Vedahametham Purusham Mahantham Adityavarnam Thamasa

Parasthath (I have visualised that Supreme Being who shines with the effulgence

of a billion suns and who is beyond Thamas - the darkness of ignorance). The

sound of the

Vedas is highly sacred. It is extolled as Sabda Brahmamayi, Characharamayi,

Jyotirmayi, Vangmayi, Nityanandamayi, Paratparamayi, MayamayiandSreemayi

(embodiment of sound, mobility and immobility, light, speech, eternal bliss,

perfection, delusion and wealth). It is compulsory for everyone to learn the

Vedas. If it is not possible, at least one should chant the Name of God.

Whatever Vedic Mantras you learn, you should be able to chant them properly.

Otherwise, you don't need to learn them at all! I have seen many boys, who

learn the Vedas here, but forget them when they go to Bangalore. They chant one

or two Mantras to satisfy the elders who visit that place. It is not for

publicity, but it is for your own benefit of experiencing bliss that you should

chant the Vedas. The three aspects, namely, Karma, Upasana and Jnana (work,

worship and wisdom) may be compared to chanting, practising and experiencing

bliss. You should

transcend Vijnanamaya Kosha (wisdom sheath) and enter Anandamaya Kosha (bliss

sheath). Karma leads to Upasana which in turn leads to Jnana (wisdom). Once you

attain Jnana, you will experience peace and bliss. Everything depends on Karma.

You should not chant the Mantras in a mechanical way just because others are

chanting. You should assimilate and digest them. Why do you eat food? Is it to

preserve it in the stomach? No. The food partaken should be digested and the

essence should be supplied to all parts of the body. In the same manner, you

should understand and assimilate the Vedic knowledge and derive strength from

it. It should be expressed in your thoughts, words and deeds. You should take

part in the propagation of the Vedas and share your joy with others. People say

God is all-pervasive. He is present everywhere in the form of five elements.

Each element represents a form of divinity. All the five elements together

constitute the form of the

Atma. When you realise this truth, you will experience divine bliss.Embodiments

of Love! Students!Whatever you have learnt here, share it with others. It is

not enough if you share it with others, you too should put your knowledge into

practice and derive benefit therefrom. We prepare many delicious items at home

and serve them to the guests. Is it not necessary that we should also partake

of them? Likewise, we should digest the Vedic knowledge we have acquired and

also share it with others. All types of knowledge have originated from the

Vedas. That is why the Veda is extolled as Sarva Vijnana Sampatti (the treasure

chest of knowledge). But unfortunately, we are not making proper use of such a

treasure. Share your knowledge to the extent you have acquired. Never forget

what you have learnt. With sincere effort, you will certainly be able to attain

Sakshatkara. How did Markandeya attain Sakshatkara? He repeated the Panchakshari

Mantra forgetting himself. As

a result, Lord Easwara appeared before him and showered His grace. Those of you

who wish to have the vision of God should digest the Vedic wisdom you have

acquired and share it with others.

Source: http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/Dasara_19th_Discourse.htm