Ceiling on desires

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Ceiling on desires - Discourse by Swami (Jan 1983)

 

MEMBERS appear to be confused about the true meaning of this programme of

"Ceiling on Desires" decided on at the Tenth All India Conference of Sathya Sai

Organisations. There are four components in the term "Ceiling on Desires." They

are, respectively; curb on excessive talk, curb on excessive desires and

expenditure, control of consumption of food, check on waste of energy. Man needs

some essential commodities for his sustenance and he should not aspire for more.

We can learn a lesson in this respect from Nature. Only if air is available in

sufficient quantity will it be comfortable and good. If it is excessive and

there is a gale you will feel uncomfortable. When you are thirsty; you can

consume only a limited quantity of water. You can't consume the entire water of

the Ganga! We take only as much as is needed for the sustenance of the body.

 

Doctors know that the body temperature is normally 98.4. If this goes up to 99

they say fever has set in due to some disorder in the body. We inhale and exhale

at a normal rate. If there is a slight increase or decrease in the rate it

indicates disorder in the body. Changes in the pulse rate or blood pressure also

indicate disorder. So you find that if you cross the limits even to a little

extent it is dangerous or harmful to the body. There is a limit for everything

to function in a normal way. When your eyes happen to see a flash of lightning

or a flash light while taking photographs, they automatically close because they

can't withstand such high illumination. Ear drums also cannot tolerate hearing

beyond a certain volume and we close our ears or keep cotton inside the ears.

>From these we see that our life is a limited company!

 

Misuse of money is a great evil

 

Similarly our desires also should be limited. Women are usually desirous of

adding to their wardrobe any number of sarees when they go to a shop or an

exhibition. You should have a reasonable number of sarees, but not a huge

collection for pomp or show. Misuse of money is a great evil. Even men will have

to do their own bit in controlling the expenditure on unwanted and unnecessary

things. Money is Dhaivaswaroopam (embodiment of Divinity). When you talk of

wealth you should be careful to avoid avaricious accumulation and extravagant

expenditure. Even in the preparation of food, you should be careful in avoiding

wastage. We are only doing a disservice by consuming more food than what is

necessary for the body.

 

Thirdly, you should be careful about ' time' , which is the yardstick of life.

Seconds become hours, hours become years, years make yugas (ages) and so on. You

should not waste this most valuable 'time'. Time lost in wasteful pursuits can'

t be got back by any means. All our activities should be planned for utilising

the available time to maximum advantage. So, we should not waste food, money,

time and energy. Even in purchase of garlands, you need not waste money. What

God wants is the flower of your heart that is filled with humility and devotion.

Eight types of flowers can be offered to God, viz, (1) Ahimsa (Non-violence),

(2) Indhriya Nigraha (Control of senses), (3) Sarvabhootha Dhaya (Compassion

towards all beings), (4) Sathyam (Truth), (5) Dhyaanam (Meditation), (6)

Shaanthi (Peace), (7) Vinaya (Humility), (8) Bhakthi (Devotion).

 

God appreciates only your motive

 

I feel very much concerned about the excessive money that is spent y the Trust

and Samithi on the expensive huge garlands offered to Me on every occasion and

also the use of flowers for decorating the path. No doubt you are doing this as

an expression of your Aanandha (Divine bliss). But I won' t call this Bhakthi

(devotion), though you may not own this. We should realise our defects and

rectify them. You may show your affection y just handing over one flower and

spend the money wasted on garlands for helping the poor people in distress.

 

People may think that Baba will not like it if flower paths are not provided and

huge garlands are not offered. You must understand that God appreciates only

your motive and not the external things. By indulging in such exhibitionism, you

will only spoil the name of the organisation. As a member of Sathya Sai

Organisation you should have no sense of ego or pride. As I have often said you

should have your "Hands in society and heads in the forest". This should be your

guiding principle. What little you do you must do with a good and pure heart.

 

In the Bhagavathgeetha, Krishna has referred to "Pathram, Phalam, Pushpam,

Thoyam" (that is, leaf, fruit, flower or water) that can be offered to God. I am

pleased with any of these provided it is offered with sincere devotion. What is

'pathram'? It is not the ' leaf' that you see around you. The inner meaning is

that your body itself is the leaf. Flower is not the one in the plants but it is

the flower of your heart, "Hridhaya Pushpam". 'Phalam' is not the ordinary fruit

but 'Manophalam' (the fruit of your mind). 'Thoyam' means water but what is

referred to here is not the water from the river or tap. It refers to the tears

of joy welling up within you from a sincere

and prayerful heart.

 

Transform yourselves into better individuals

 

Moreover you should not only practise yourself but teach others also about this

ceiling on desires. Though Naaraayana is in everyone, the one in the poor people

is referred to as "Dharidhra Naaraayana". When this Naaraayana begs for food,

you refuse to give him food while you offer food to another person who is

already well-fed. You place before God' s pictures a lot of food of rich variety

as 'Naivedhyam' (offering). You do this because you know very well that this is

coming back to you. So, here too it is 'Swaartham' (self-interest) and not

'Thyaagam' (sacrifice) The amrithathwa (immortality) or Moksha (Liberation) will

come out of thyaagam.

 

We have Seva Dhal, Bhajan Mandalis, and other Wings. It is a good sign that more

and more youngsters are coming forward to join the Seva Dhal and take part in

service activities. The participation of youth is necessary for the welfare of

the world. We should rejoice when they turn over a new leaf in their life. There

is a common saying that you should not rejoice and distribute sweets etc. when a

child is born, but you should do so only when the son grows up and earns a good

name as a 'Sathputhra' (good son) . You can't please Me just y joining as a

member of the organisation. I shall wait for the day when you turn over a new

leaf and transform yourselves into better individuals. You should become

'Guna-sheelas' (persons of sterling character and good qualities).

 

It is the code of conduct which is responsible for the organisation moving

forward growing from strength to strength. The office-bearers should exercise

maximum care to see that the code of conduct is adhered to and guide others also

in the fight path. When a cook in a house works with integrity the master on his

own will entrust him with the keys of the house. Similarly, God also will

appreciate only men with integrity. The desire to please God should be the

fundamental motive.

 

Discourse to active workers of the

Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Tamil Nadu at Abbotsbury, Madras, 19 January 1983