Divine Discourse on 19th November 2005 - Ladies' Day

[Guest guest]

Today, being Ladies' day, many ladies have gathered here to share their

happiness with one and all. We distinguish and differentiate between ladies and

gents on the basis of upadhi (vesture) or physical form. However, the principle

of Brahman present in ladies and gents is one and the same. Sarvam khalvidam

Brahma (verily all this is Brahman). Everyone aspires to attain Divinity. Many

sages, seers and yogis did intense penance to have the vision of God. Where is

God? Daivam manusha rupena (God incarnates in the form of a human being). God

assumes human form to protect humanity. This has been the mission of all

rgb(153,51,0)">Avatars. Embodiments of Love! God transcends names, forms

and attributes. He is infinite and not limited to a particular form. Once, Sage

Narada and a few other sages prayed to Lord Narayana to incarnate in human form

and redeem mankind. Lord Narayana said, "Narada, Brahma Shakti (Divine power)

is positive. It is not possible for Brahma Shakti to incarnate on earth unless

it is coupled with negative power. It is only when the positive and negative

combine that Divinity manifests in human form." In response to the

prayers of sages and seers, God comes down in human form. He strives for the

welfare of humanity and bestows joy on one and all. The Avatar is a

manifestation of Brahma Swarupa and manavatwa (humanness). The same principle

of Brahman is latent in all. One has to develop inward vision in order to

experience Him. Easwara sarva bhutanam (God is the indweller of all beings). In

this cosmic drama, God alone is the director and also the actor. He is donning

all the roles such as mother, father, husband, wife, daughter, son, etc.

Someone says, "I have been blessed with a grandson today." The grandson is a

manifestation of Brahma. Brahma alone assumes various names and forms in this

world. When

God incarnates on earth, He has to assume the form of jiva (individual soul).

The principles of Daivatwa (Divinity) and jivatwa (individual) are inseparable.

You cannot find one to the exclusion of the other. Divinity has no specific

form. Only the jiva has a name and a form but not Deva (God). He is present in

all. In fact, each one of you is an embodiment of God. Whatever you see around

is also the manifestation of God. Even the small birds that you see here are

endowed with the principle of Divinity. There is no place which is not pervaded

with Divinity. There is no form which is not divine. However, God assumes a

particular form based on the feelings of His devotees. God is extolled

as, Sabda Brahmamayi, Characharamayi, Jyotirmayi, Vangmayi, Nityanandamayi,

Paratparamayi, Mayamayi and Sreemayi (embodiment of sound, mobility and

immobility, light, speech, eternal bliss, perfection, delusion and wealth).

Hence, even the words that we utter manifest our innate divinity. It is God who

speaks through each one of you. You should have this firm conviction. If someone

accuses you, think that God in that form is accusing you. When you develop such

spirit of oneness and tolerance, you will never be perturbed by censure and

blame. Your mind will always remain in peace. Whatever may happen, accept it

wholeheartedly as the Will of God. Have firm faith that it is God and God alone

who is the doer. Do not consider your fellow human beings as mere individuals.

When you talk to someone, think that you are

talking to God. When you do not see God in others and treat them as your own,

you will be giving room to evil qualities like anger, jealousy, hatred, etc.

Develop the spirit of oneness. Only then will your life be redeemed. When

you go to a noble soul and ask him for a message, he will merely say, "My dear

son, know thyself." Today People are interested in knowing about others. They

keep on enquiring, "Who are you? Where do you come from?" But, they do not

enquire into themselves "Who am I?" Only when you conduct such a self enquiry

will you get the correct answer. God has given you the human body. It is He who

makes you talk, walk, laugh, and even cry. Everything happens according to His

Will. Develop such firm faith. On this occasion, we should remember Mother

Easwaramma and the ideals she exemplified.

She was a paragon of virtues. She was always happy and cheerful, and she had a

smiling countenance. Her heart was tender and sweet because it was filled with

love and compassion. One day, she approached Me with a request, "Swami, when

the children of our village suffer from any ailment, their mothers have to

carry them all the way to Bukkapatnam hospital. It is a heartrending sight to

see the grief-stricken mothers carrying their children that far. There is no

guarantee that they get proper medical attention even after going there. Hence,

kindly establish a small hospital in our village itself." I pacified her saying

that her wish will certainly be fulfilled at an appropriate time. Only when the

kala, karma, karana, and kartavya (time, action, reason, and duty) are

favourable can one attain the desired result. I

constructed a hospital as per her wish. On some other day, she came to Me with

another prayer, "Swami, I am unable to bear the sight of small children carrying

heavy loads of books and walking all the way to Bukkapatnam school. Even You had

to walk to Bukkapatnam school in those days. Kindly construct a small school in

our village and save them from the trouble of trudging all the way to

Bukkapatnam for their studies." I assured her, "Don't worry; I will surely

construct a school in the village." Accordingly, I fulfilled her wish. She

came to Me with yet another request, "Swami, people in our village are

suffering for want of drinking water facility. They have to go all the way to

Chitravathi river to fetch water. Even in the Chitravathi, we do not find water

always. It is not a perennial river. We find

water only when there are rains. I feel very sad to see small children carrying

pots filled with water on their tender shoulders. Water is the sustainer of

life. Hence, kindly get a well dug in our village and quench the thirst of

people." I told her, "Your desires are very simple. I will certainly fulfil

them in a big way. You don't worry about these things. I will make sure that

the people of our village have proper education and medical facilities." As

per My promise to her, I got a small school constructed in the village. In the

earlier days, she was concerned that not all the children of all the villages

were attending school. Later on, I established a college. Easwaramma was very

happy. Gradually, the college has developed into a university. To begin

with, I got a small hospital constructed on the top of the hill. Dr.

Seetharamaiah from East Godavari district came here to serve in the hospital at

My behest. He was an ardent devotee. He served here till his last breath. The

hospital was totally managed by one doctor and two nurses in those days. Now

much more has been achieved than what Easwaramma had asked for by establishing

a Super Speciality Hospital. The simple desires of Easwaramma in those days

paved the way for gigantic social welfare projects. Once when I went to the

banks of the river Chitravathi, I noticed some ladies from the village scooping

out sand to get their pots filled with water. Later, Easwaramma also told Me

about the hardships of the housewives in the village for obtaining drinking

water and requested Me to do something to relieve their difficulties.

Thereafter, I arranged for pipe water to be supplied to the villages

from a few hundred kilometres away. In fact, I fulfilled every little desire

that she had expressed. The reason being: her desires were never for her own

benefit but invariably in the larger interest of the villagers. Whenever anyone

expresses a truly selfless desire, Swami will surely fulfil such wishes. What

was once a small school has now been transformed into a multi-disciplinary

university. What was a small well has been transformed into a gigantic water

supply system. Electricity was a rare privilege for the rural population

those days. The politicians who came to power were not very enthusiastic and

effective in supplying electricity for most villages. Therefore, I decided that

without seeking their assistance or help, I must get these facilities provided

by Myself. When Puttaparthi was electrified, there was jubilation, and this

even caused jealousy in nearby villages. Hence, I

expanded the facility to other villages also. These were not casual acts of

fancy but were provided after ascertaining the needs of the villagers. See this

vast auditorium. For whom have I got it constructed? Is it not for the comfort

of all of you? It is said, Paropakara punyaya, papaya parapeedanam (one attains

merit by helping others and commits sin by hurting them). Help ever, Hurt never.

Hence, always strive to help everybody. Selfishness is an evil. Fish is better

than "selfish". Unfortunately, today you see persons who are utterly selfish

everywhere. It is difficult to trace the origin of the present-day politics

steeped in utter selfishness, but its consequences are rampant corruption and

evil tendencies. If this kind of politics is eliminated, there will

be happiness all around. All and sundry have now entered politics. Even panwalas

and beedi vendors have developed political aspirations. One has to understand

the true purpose and significance of politics before one enters into it.

Instead of being helpful to society politicians actually engage themselves in

harming those whom they are supposed to serve. Those in power expect that

everyone should hanker after them for obtaining things as a matter of favour

that, in fact, are their right. I would therefore advise that you shun such

politics. Instead, rely on your own innate strength. What sort of a practice

is it to go from door to door begging for votes? If you lack the competence,

your endeavours are bound to fail. Depend on God's grace. If you depend on God,

He will turn the minds of people in your favour. God

is everything. Victory is secured only when you totally depend on God's grace.

Here again your prayers to God should not be for selfish reasons. If you are

selfish, it practically renders you incapable of helping others. First of

all, acquire good qualities. You must be helpful to a few people around you at

least. Your efforts should reflect an element of sacrifice.

Karmanyevadhikarasthe ma phaleshu kadachana (you have right only to work, but

not to the fruit thereof). Be active in your life. Whatever work you take up,

depend on your own innate strength. Do not depend on assistance, support or

help from others. Be self-reliant. If you wish to have your family and children

well educated and flourishing, you pray to God. Wherever you look, God is

present. From stars

to hillocks, from insects to elephants, everything is pervaded by Brahman. Fill

your heart with divine feelings. God is known as Hridayavasi (resident of

heart). Here heart does not mean the physical heart. If there is enlargement of

physical heart, it results in a disease. What I refer in this context is the

spiritual heart which is present in every individual. When there is an

expansion of heart, it gives rise to broadmindedness. On the other hand, when

there is contraction of heart, you will have only narrow feelings. Hence, never

entertain mean qualities. The human birth is highly sacred. That is why God

assumes the human form. Hence, develop purity of heart and lead your lives in a

sacred manner. When I give a discourse or involve you in bhajan singing, it is

only meant for the expansion of your heart. When

you participate in nagar sankirtan in the early hours of the day, your heart

will be brimming with bliss. It is not enough if you merely sing for your own

satisfaction. You should participate in community singing wholeheartedly and

share your joy with one and all. Sing His glory full-throated and make everyone

drink the nectar of the divine name. Your aim should always be to attain

expansion of heart in every endeavour. Only then will the title of "human

being" befits you. Be broadminded and share your happiness with everybody.

At present, selfishness and self-interest are on the rise. People are not

striving to purify their hearts. On the other hand, they are trying to cover up

their mistakes and pose to be men of eminence. They are interested only in the

welfare of their own family and friends. You should have concern for the

feelings and well-being

of others also. Love is God. Live in love. Love should not be tainted with

narrow feelings of I and mine. All should live in amity with the spirit of

oneness. It is possible only when you have firm faith that God is present in

all. Without the presence of divinity within, one cannot live. With such

awareness, live always in God consciousness. Consider the suffering of others

as your own. Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you.

Consider love as your very life-breath. Grow in love. Be broadminded and share

your love with everybody. Pray that others should not undergo the suffering you

have undergone. Let everybody be happy and make progress in life. It is possible

only when you develop love. Bhagawan ended His Discourse with the bhajan,

"Prema Muditha Manase Kaho". Source:

http://www.sathyasai.org/discour/2005/d051119.html