Swami's Ugadhi and Tamil/Vishu New Year's day discourses - 2001

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Swami's Ugadhi and Tamil/Vishu New Year's day discourses - 2001

Thu, 4 Apr 2002 17:19:40 +0530

Organization: Sai Darshan Infotech

Om Sri Sai Ram

On the eve of ensuing Ugadhi and Tamil Year’s day celebrations, we thought

it fit to recollect what Swami said on these days last year and have a self

searching on our actions last year.

SANCTIFY YOUR ACTIONS WITH LOVE

Extracts from Swami’s last year’s (2001) Ugadhi and Tamil New Year Days Discourses

If you leave pride, you become dear to all;

If you conquer anger, you become free from worries;

You become prosperous when you control your desires;

You attain happiness only when you conquer greed.

(Sanskrit Verse)

Embodiments of Love!

So long as man is pompous and egoistic, none will love him including his own

wife and children. They may pretend to love him, but it is not true love. The

reason is that ego and pomp come in the way of love. As long as man has anger

in him, he cannot escape misery. If man wants to be away from misery and attain

peace, he has to rid himself of anger. One with desires can never attain

happiness. "Less luggage more comfort." In this journey of life, desires are

your luggage. You have to reduce them in order to lead a comfortable life. A

greedy man can never attain prosperity. He will be happy, prosperous and

blissful on the day he gives up greed. Welfare of the World Depends on Man's

Thoughts and Actions today marks the commencement of the New Year Vishu. Many

such New Years have gone by. Man expects the New Year to confer on him and the

world at large peace, happiness and prosperity. But the welfare of the world

depends on man's conduct and behaviour. Man's conduct depends on his mind. The

nature of the mind depends on thoughts. Only when man's thoughts are based on

truth will the world flourish. One who aspires for the welfare of the world

should see to it that his thoughts and actions are in accordance with his

aspirations. Good and evil, happiness and misery, merit and sin depend on man's

actions. As is the action, so is the result. But today man ignores the law of

action and acts as he pleases. It is easy to indulge in sinful deeds but it is

extremely difficult to bear the bad results they yield. The Upanishads say,

"Thasmai Namah Karmane" (salutations to action). You should offer your

salutation to the action you perform so that it becomes sacred, brings you good

name and contributes to the welfare of the world. This is one of the primary

doctrines of the culture of Bharat. Since time immemorial, the Bharatiyas have

been offering respects to the action, be it big or small, before undertaking

it. A dancer pays her respects to the anklets that she wears before the

commencement of her dance performance. Even Tabla players start playing on the

Tabla only after offering their respects to it. Not only the educated people

follow this practice, even an illiterate lorry driver offers his obeisance to

the steering wheel before driving the vehicle. This is the sacredness that our

culture imparts. Offer your Namaskar to the action you perform. What is

Namaskar (salutation)? It is giving up the sense of ego. But today this ancient

culture is being forgotten and man acts as per his whims and fancies.

Consequently, he is subjected to untold misery. He feels miserable when he has

to face the consequences of his evil deeds, but he does not care to enquire

whether it is good or bad before undertaking any action. You should use your

sense of discrimination before performing any action. Never be in haste. "Haste

makes waste, waste makes worry. So, do not be in a hurry." Man attains happiness

or misery based on the actions he performs. The New Year brings with it neither

happiness or misery. Man faces the results of his actions. So, he should

perform righteous deeds. You should perform such activities, which would

benefit others. Once Emperor Asoka celebrated his birthday. On this occasion,

all his vassal kings made their offerings of wealth collected through taxes

from the people of their respective kingdoms. But the king of Magadha did not

offer anything. So, the emperor asked the King of Magadha as to why he had come

empty-handed. The King of Magadha replied, "O emperor, this year my kingdom

passed through a terrible phase of drought, famine and floods. Consequently, my

people suffered a lot due to the lack of food, water and shelter. In order to

alleviate their suffering, I spent all the money that I had collected through

taxes. I provided drinking water, I constructed schools to educate the children

and established hospitals to treat the sick. As a result, I am left with nothing

to offer you."

Emperor Asoka was immensely pleased with his reply. He called him by his side

and said, "Oh king, what you have done is highly commendable. Water sustains

life. Education develops the intellect and medical care is essential to

maintain good health. You have done a great service to your people by providing

these basic amenities. I am happy to note that you have done all this without a

trace of selfishness and as an offering to God." Addressing the other assembled

kings, the emperor said, "Many criticise the government for collecting taxes.

But without collecting taxes, how can the government get money? Without money,

how is it possible for the government to undertake social welfare projects? So,

it is a must for the government to collect taxes. But it should see to it that

the money is spent for the benefit of people. That is true service. " Today

people talk of devotion without really understanding its meaning. I don't want

your devotion; I want your transformation. What is devotion? Paropakarartham

Idam Sareeram (this body is meant to serve others). You should understand that

the body is the means to serve others and involve yourself in such activities,

which will benefit others and give them happiness. Resolve to tread the path of

service. Some people indulge in meaningless activities in the name of devotion

and waste their time. True devotion lies in performing actions that will

sanctify time. I am not asking you to serve the whole world in a big way. It is

enough if you keep God in your heart and serve as per your capacity.

"Neither by penance nor by pilgrimage nor by study of scriptures nor by Japa can

one cross the ocean of life. One can achieve it only by serving the poor."

(Sanskrit Verse)

The path of service is superior to all the spiritual practices like Japa, Dhyana

and Yoga. Only through service anyone can please God. "Deho Devalaya Prokto

Jeevo Devo Sanathana" (body is the temple and the Indweller is God). So, treat

every body as a temple. Have the firm conviction that God resides in every body

in the form of the Atma. There is no place where God does not exist. He pervades

all names and forms. Sarvata Pani-padam Tat Sarvathokshi Siromukham

SarvataSruthimalloke Sarvamavruthya Thishthati (with hands, feet, eyes, heads,

mouth and ears pervading everything, He permeates the entire universe).

Whatever action you undertake, do it as an offering to God. Make Proper Use of

Your Senses. The body is made up of five elements and is bound to perish one

day or the other. But in such a transient body there exists the eternal

divinity in the form of the Atma. The all-pervasive divinity is known as

consciousness, the limited form of which exists in the body as conscience.

Consciousness and conscience are the same in terms of quality, only the

quantity differs. You may collect water from an ocean in a tumbler, in a big

pot and in a tank. The water in these three differs only in quantity, the

salinity is the same in all of them. The body may be compared to a pot.

All-pervasive consciousness exists in it as conscience. The whole world is

pervaded by consciousness. On this basis, the Vedas declare, Sarvam Khalvidam

Brahma (verily all this is Brahman).

There is no matter in this world that is not pervaded by Brahman. You are all

the embodiments of Cosmic Divine. Though you see God day in and day out, you

feel you haven't. It is a sign of your weakness. Have the firm faith that the

body is a temple. Will anybody utilise a temple for unsacred purposes? So, make

proper use of your body. There are many doors in this temple, but the doors of

senses like the ears, the eyes and the mouth are very important. Do not allow

any evil to enter your body through these doors

See no evil; see what is good.

Hear no evil; hear what is good.

Talk no evil; talk what is good;

Do no evil; do what is good.

Think no evil; think what is good.

This is the way to God.

The safety and sanctity of the body lies in making proper use of the five

senses. The culture of Bharat has taught nine paths of devotion to sanctify the

senses. They are:

Sravanam (listening), Kirtanam(singing), Vishnusmaranam (contemplating on God),

Padasevanam (serving His Lotus Feet), Vandanam (salutation), Archanam(worship),

Dasyam(servitude), Sneham (friendship),

Chant the name of God and perform all actions for the benefit of others.

Karmanubandheeni Manushya Loke (man is bound by action). Your life is controlled

by action. You cannot live even a moment without action. Let every action of

yours be a prayer to God. This is the true and eternal path prescribed by the

Upanishads, and contained in the prayer, "Thasmai Namah Karmane." You should

offer your prayer to the God of action so that He makes you perform noble deeds

that are beneficial for one and all and lead to world peace.

Recognise the Principle of Unity Human body is meant to serve others, not to

indulge in selfish deeds. As selfishness has become a part and parcel of your

life, you indulge in many sinful activities. Eschew selfishness, take to

selfless service. Give up attachment towards the body. Become attached to the

Self. Understand that the same Self (Atma) exists in everybody. Though you find

myriad bulbs glowing here, the current that is passing through them is the same.

Bodies are like bulbs, the principle of the Atma is the current that is present

in them. With such a feeling of oneness, make efforts to alleviate the

suffering of your fellowmen.

Sage Vyasa has given the essence of 18 Puranas in the following dictum,

"Paropakara Punyaya Papaya Parapeedanam" (one attains merit by serving others

and commits sin by hurting them). So, "Help ever, hurt never." There is no

higher Sadhana than this. This is the basis for self-realisation of man.

Self is nothing but the principle of the Atma. There is only one Self. Hence, it

is said, Ekameva Advitiyam Brahma (Brahma is One without a second). It is rather

surprising that man is unable to believe this principle of unity. He has faith

in what is broadcast on television and radio, but does not have faith in the

Self. One without faith in the Self is verily blind. In this world nothing

exists except the Atma. Everybody is the embodiment of divinity.

Sarva Jeeva Namaskaram Kesavam Pratigachchati (whomsoever you salute, it reaches

God). Likewise, whomsoever you criticise, it reaches God. So, do not criticise

or hate anybody.

There are many people who undertake spiritual practices like Japa, Dhyana and

Yoga. No doubt, they are sacred activities and one may undertake them. But it

is very essential to recognise the principle of unity. There is only one God

and He is omnipresent. Why are you not able to believe this all-pervasive

Divinity? You are ready to believe those who put you on the wrong path. But you

don't believe those who tell you the right path. This is the impact of Kali Age

and the result of modern education. Modern education is limited only to bookish

knowledge which is nothing but superficial knowledge. There is one book that you

have to study and that is this world. Instead of learning lessons from this big

book of the world, you are confining yourself to your small textbooks. Of what

use are they? Do not be satisfied with mere bookish knowledge. Try to acquire

practical knowledge. Only then will your life find fulfillment.

Embodiments of Love!

There is love in everybody. Love is God, live in love. When you have such sacred

love in you, why are you unable to translate it into action?

Start the day with love, Spend the day with love, Fill the day with love, End

the day with love. This is the way to God.

Self-confidence is the Key to Success. There are some people who hate even their

parents. It is a grave mistake.

Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava, Atithi Devo Bhava

(revere your mother, father, preceptor and guest as God).

One who cannot respect his own parents, how can he revere God? None can match

the mother in imparting sacred teachings to the children. You might have heard

the story of Abraham Lincoln. As he was born in a poor family, he did not have

even proper clothes to wear. While going to school, his fellow students made

fun of him. Lincoln could not bear the humiliation. One day he complained to

his mother, crying, "Mother, my fellow students in the school make fun at my

dress. They look down upon me and say that I am not worthy of their company.

His mother consoled him, saying, "Son, you are aware of our financial

condition. So, don't pay heed to what others say. Uphold your self-respect.

Develop self-confidence, which alone can bestow all the wealth and prosperity

on you." From that day onwards, as per his mother's guidance, Lincoln grew in

self-confidence, upheld his self-respect and ultimately rose to become the

President of America. Though born in a poor family, Lincoln could reach such an

exalted position only due to his self-confidence and self-respect. Self-respect

confers grace. Do not get dejected if others subject you to criticism and

ridicule. Think that whatever happens is good for you. Once you develop such

equanimity, there will be none greater than you. Fill all your Actions with

Love.

Embodiments of Love!

Respect and be respected. What you give to others will come back to you. You are

bound to face the reflection, reaction and resound of your actions. Everything,

including God-realisation, depends on your actions. Today the New Year has

commenced, but it has not brought anything new with it. Today is in no way

different from yesterday. If you do good now, you will reap its benefit in

future. So, sanctify your actions.

Na Karmana Na Prajaya Dhanena Thyagenaikena Amrutathwa-manasu. (immortality can

be attained only through sacrifice neither wealth nor progeny nor good deeds

can confer it).

The bliss that you get out of sacrifice is eternal. That alone is the true

wealth, and it can never diminish. In order to acquire such everlasting wealth,

spend your time in the contemplation of God. Divinity pervades all that you see,

hear and feel. Being in the constant company of such all-pervasive Divinity, why

should you worry and fear? Why fear when I am here? (loud applause) Never be

afraid of anything because God is in you, with you, above you, below you,

around you. He follows you like shadow. Never forget Him. The atheists may talk

as they please. No. God alone is your refuge wherever you are in a forest or in

the sky; in a city or a village; on the hill or in the middle of deep sea.

Today cities have become centers of pollution and unrest. There is pollution

everywhere, as man's mind has become polluted. If mind becomes pure, everything

else will become pure. So, cleanse your mind. Drive out all your worries. What

is the use of brooding over the past? Past is past, forget it. Future is

uncertain. What is the guarantee that you will be alive till tomorrow? Don't

worry about your future. Present is very important. This is omnipresent, not

ordinary present. So, make the best use of present and be happy.

Students and Devotees!

Devotion does not merely mean reading sacred texts and undertaking rituals. You

may continue to do them, but keep your heart always sacred. Whatever may

happen, see that your faith does not waver. All the worldly things come and go

like passing clouds. But the principle of love comes and grows. There is no God

other than love. Love is your life, your friend, your relative, your food and

your everything. Heart that is filled with love can never be polluted. Love is

nectarine. Once you fill it in your heart, the poison of evil will have no

place in it.

Embodiments of Love!

As you are not aware of the sacredness of love, you are wasting it by diverting

it on worldly things. Love is the greatest wealth and treasure. Let the whole

world be filled with love. Love alone can safeguard the country and make it

prosperous. Let every action of yours be filled with love. Love begets sacred

rewards.

So, Prema Mudita Manase Kaho Rama Rama Ram… (fill your heart with love and

chant the Divine Name). Bhagawan concluded this beautiful Bhajan.

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