Divine Discourse on 11-04-2005 (Vishu) - Understand the Spirit of Service

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Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba delivering His Divine Discourse on 11th April 2005,

Vishu, at Prashanti Nilayam

Text of the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 11th

April 2005, Vishu, at Prashanti Nilayam, Sai Kulwanth Hall

Of Karma born, in Karma grown, in Karma does man die. So rules Karma, all stages

of human life as though it is the very deity of human existence. Of joy and

sorrow, the master is Karma.(Telugu poem)

Of the denizens of creation human beings are the highest. It is said Jantunam

Nara Janma Durlabham (of all living beings, birth as human is the rarest). It

is the human creation that has caused major changes in the world. Joy does not

exist alone and is entwined with sorrow and vice versa and the human being is

the root cause for both happiness and sorrow.Embodiments of Love! Nowadays man

is unable to realise his true nature because he is giving importance to only

the physical form. He has lost his reasoning faculty. As he calls himself a

human being, it is his duty to realise the uniqueness of humanness. A person

cannot name himself a human being merely on the basis of his birth and

educational qualifications. Actually, real humanness cannot be found in

academic degrees. Even birds and beasts can be taught certain skills to perform

wonderful feats imitating human beings. It is no credit to a human being

deriving satisfaction

simply by empty rhetoric, quoting Scriptures and relating to others. Real

humanness consists in practising ideals in one's life and setting an example to

others. Man has no authority to teach ideals to others without putting them into

practice himself first. There is immense divine power in human beings. He is not

simply a Dehadhari (one who has assumed a human body). He is endowed with

Vijnana (higher wisdom), Prajnana (constant integrated awareness) and Sujnana

(discriminatory knowledge). He is, therefore, expected to channelise these

higher forms of knowledge in the right path. First and foremost, one has to

understand the true meaning of Jnana. Some people think that knowledge acquired

by reading numerous books is Jnana. No, this is not correct. Real Jnana is the

knowledge that emerges from one's own self and which is experienced and taught

to others. Finally, this would enable the person concerned to be greatly

benefited and

enlightened.One has to realise the importance of the term, "human quality"

first. Human quality emerges from one's own self. It cannot be acquired by

reading textbooks or listening to others.Embodiments of Love! You have come all

the way from Kerala and assembled here to acquire Jnana and to know the real

meaning of the terms Prajnana, Vijnana, Sujnana. Mere textual knowledge without

practical knowledge becomes ‘allergy'. On the other hand, when bookish knowledge

is transformed into practical knowledge, it becomes "energy". If you wish to

know what is real knowledge. That which has been acquired by practice is the

real knowledge. That alone would entitle you to the epithet Manavatwa

(humanness).Embodiments of Love!All that we teach to others must be supported

by practice. Everything is reaction, reflection and resound of one's own inner

being. Every word we utter is the resound of the inner being. Reflection

is that which is contemplated upon, experienced and put into practice. The third

aspect, reaction is however, very important. Reaction comes out of action. Hence

our actions must always be pure and sacred. The three aspects "reaction",

"reflection" and "resound" occupy a place of prominence in the life of a human

being. Whatever man learns today comes under the category of resound, meaning,

they are taught by the teacher from textbooks. This is bookish knowledge.

Resound comes out of reaction and reaction transforms itself into reflection.

The unity of all these three aspects constitute humanness. Hence, a human being

should not waste his time by empty rhetoric. Every word he utters must be backed

by deep contemplation and knowledge of its inner meaning. It is only after that

he should try to teach others. Unfortunately, these days mere bookish knowledge

is considered as true knowledge and a lot of time is spent in acquiring it. Real

knowledge should emerge from the Mastaka

(head and heart). One should, therefore, cleanse his head and heart and remove

the impurities therein. Then only, is it possible to understand things in the

right perspective and acquire wisdom.

Exult not on your erudition oh man, without humble prayer and devotion to your

indwelling god, all your learning is just a load in your head. (Telugu poem)

Embodiments of Love!It may be necessary for you to adapt yourself to new

techniques and practices from time to time. At present the world is undergoing

phenomenal changes. All those changes may not be relevant to you. Nevertheless,

you are required to acquire several branches of knowledge in the modern times to

cope with the rapid changes in science and technology taking place all over the

world. However, they do not constitute real Vidya (knowledge). Real education

is that by which one is able to realise one's own nature. Avidya breeds Avidya.

Hence, one cannot become great by pursuing secular education. One has to make

efforts to distinguish between Vidya and Avidya. Vidya is that by which one can

develop the power of reasoning and discrimination and realise the truth. On the

other hand, Avidya constitutes indiscriminate usage of words and vain

argumentation. One has to acquire practical

knowledge as well by which one can gain experience. This experience can be

shared with others. Such practical knowledge and experience confer strength on

a person. However, this strength is not to be construed as mere physical

strength. It is like the electrical energy latent in a wire. Just as there is

electrical energy in a live wire, similarly, there is latent energy in the

human body which manifests in different ways. It can be harnessed for different

purposes like reading, writing, walking, talking, etc. It has, however, no form.

Nevertheless, it travels throughout the body of a human being from head to toe.

By tapping this energy, an Ajnani (ignorant person) can become Jnani (one of

wisdom).Embodiments of Love!You are all students and you continue to be so

throughout your life. It is a mistake to think that you have finished your

education and are now engaged in service activities. You are not servants

working under somebody. In fact, you are

leaders. It is a mistake to confer doership on yourselves for any service

activity undertaken by you. This should never happen. In fact, whatever service

activities you are undertaking are for your own upliftment. These service

activities must be undertaken with self-confidence, self-satisfaction,

self-sacrifice and ultimately for the purpose of self-realisation. Thus, the

spirit of service develops from the self. Service is not any way construed to

be helping others. You may think that you are helping others by joining the

Sathya Sai Seva Organisation and undertaking service activities. This is not

correct. Also, you need not seek the help of others in these service

activities. You can depend upon your own innate strength and energy. The power

of your own self will help you in all your endeavours. In fact, you are the

beneficiary of all your service activities and not others. Your own self will

protect you in your endeavours.Members of the Seva Dal!You may think

that you have come here for undertaking service. This service is not for others.

You are coming here for serving your own self, just as you eat food for filling

your own stomach. Man undertakes every activity for his self-fulfilment.There

are several things which you have to learn in these two days. We will discuss

these matters later. Since this is the first day, I spoke to you in detail so

that you may understand the spirit of service. There are several other things

which you have to learn. What is Seva Dal? Each member of the Seva Dal is like

a Dal (petal) in a beautiful flower. There are several skills to be learnt by

the members of the Seva Dal. If you plant a sapling, it will grow into a plant

in due course and yield beautiful flowers. However, the sapling by itself is

not attractive. When the plant grows and yields flowers, the beauty of the

flowers and fragrance therein will provide joy to one and all. There are

several petals in a flower. The flower appears

beautiful as long as there are petals in it. Once the petals fade and fall down,

the flower ceases to exist. Hence, you should be like the petals of a beautiful

flower. Let everyone experience the beauty and enjoy the fragrance of the

flower in which you are like the petals. There are several things still to be

told to you which Mukundan will tell you. Later on, I will provide any

clarifications you may require.

Source: http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/11Apr_Discourse.htm

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