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MAHASIVARATRI 2002 PHOTOS

The following discourse has been translated into English from Bhagavan's Telugu speech as heard on this festival's ashram audiocassette. It is a complete, literal translation made with the objective of preserving Bhagavan's precious original poetic style as much as possible.

DISCOURSE BY BHAGAVAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

Vinayaka Chavithi

10^TH September 2002

Theism has gone.

Respect and Dharma have completely lost their form.

Atheism has increased.

Reverence for and devotion to the Guru has gone,

bidding farewell to devotion and hospitality.

 People have bid farewell to ancient effulgence (culture).

(Telugu poem)

Today Is a Sacred Festival

Today is a sacred festival. It is Ganapathi Chaturdasi. ‘Ga’ means ‘vidya’. ‘Na’ means vijnana. Ganapathi is the master of intellect and vijnana.

Ganapathi is the master of all ganas. Numerous ganas are fostering the universe. Ganapathi is the one who is the master of all ganas. There is a master, a guru for everyone, but Ganapathi has no guru at all. He is a guru unto himself. Today is the day when such a one, without a master or guru, was born.

Not only this. Ganapathi has the name of ‘Mushika Vahini’ (meaning ‘the one who has the rat as a vehicle’). This rat is a symbol for darkness. Rats move about in darkness. Darkness refers to the darkness of ignorance. It is the rat that moves about in the darkness of ignorance.

Only when the form of Vinayaka, the qualities and virtues of Vinayaka are recognized first, it will be possible for us to understand well the result of (worshipping) Vinayaka also.

Sarva Dharman Parityajya

Mam Ekam Saranam Vraja.

Aham Tvam Sarva Papebhyo

Mokshayisyami Ma Suchah.

Abandon all varieties of Dharma

and just surrender unto Me.

I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions.

Do not fear.

(Sanskrit sloka from Bhagavad Githa, Ch.18, sloka 66)

This is an important sutra (principle) in the Bhagavad Githa. All difficulties, sorrows and worries follow the one with body attachment. All resolves arise through this body. Therefore:

Sarva Dharman Parityajya.

Abandon all varieties of Dharma.

 (Sanskrit sloka)

Krishna requested people to renounce vasanas relating to this body. The inner meaning of this is to recognize the unity in diversity.

Vyashti, Samashti, Srishti and Parameshti

Without vyashti (the individual), samashti (the entirety or community) cannot be obtained. Without samashti, creation would not take place. Hence, first and foremost, we have to recognize vyashti. It will be possible for us to recognize samashti through vyashti. We will understand this creation through samashti. The one who understands creation is Parameshti (the Divine). So, the nature of these four - creation, samashti, vyashti and Parameshti - is within vyashti. Therefore, first and foremost we should understand well the nature of vyashti.

Vyashti is jiva (the individual soul). Samashti is (ultimately) God. So there is not much difference seen between God and the individual. When there is vyashti, one’s jiva tatwam (the nature of the individual soul) will be carried on as an individual nature. When it becomes samashti (the totality), it will be possible for us to understand the whole world.

Therefore, first and foremost what Vinayaka says is to recognize or understand vyashti. This only is true intellect. This is the meaning of the word ‘ga’. This only is intellect. ‘Na’ is vijnana. The nature of intellect and vijnana are the important aim of Vinayaka.

In the world today, people do puja to Vinayaka, but they are unable to understand the nature of Vinayaka. Vinayaka is the one who bears all the responsibility of leadership. 

Viyate Nayake Iti Vinayaka.

Vinayaka is a master unto himself.

(Sanskrit sloka)

This means that he has no master above him. In the world, there are people who do pujas to Vinayaka; but nowhere does Vinayaka do puja to anyone else. Even Eswara does puja to his son Vinayaka, but Vinayaka does not worship Eswara. Therefore, Vinayaka is a leader of all.

In the world today, people only observe vyashti and samashti. They don’t try to recognize that these are the root cause for creation. Parameshti, who makes creation of the nature of samashti, is an important leader to all.

Worry, Worry!

So many activities are going on in the world. There is so much good and bad happening. However, the root cause for good and bad is only man’s resolves. Due to bad resolves, bad feelings come about. Through good resolves, good results come about. Therefore, man is the personification of sankalpas and vikalpas. So it is an important sadhana for us to balance the sankalpas (resolves) and vikalpas (mental agitations) in us. We should look after the balance of these two in the right way.

Sometimes bad happens to man. Man does not obtain a time where there is no difficulty. Every activity has to be thought about. This human life has twelve worries:

Being born is a worry.

To be on the earth is a worry.

Worldly or family life is a worry and death is a worry.

All of youth is a worry.

Old age is a worry and to live is a worry.

Failure is a worry.

All actions are worry.

Troubles are a worry and happiness is a worry.

Worry is a worry!

(Telugu poem)

The root cause for all of these is only worry. Happiness cannot be gained without man having worry. Hence, due to these worries, man is able to obtain happiness. It is said:

   Pleasure is an interval between two pains.

Between two pains, we gain a joy. If one wants to gain happiness, it is never possible without suffering.

There is so much Divinity in human nature. The power in human life can't even be seen in any deity. Though such Divine power is present, man is unable to use it. The power of the intellect is so great. Vijnana is even greater than that. First and foremost, we have to understand the nature of intellect and vijnana.

Interesting Food Offerings

So, a few interesting food offerings are made to God on this day of Vinayaka Chavithi. No one will ever offer cooked items - items fried in oil - to Vinayaka. How can one make items without being fried in oil? The till seeds are ground, jaggery and rice flour is mixed in it and it is cooked in steam. It is steamed and called kudumulu and undrallu. People offer this to Vinayaka.

Due to it not being fried in oil, man will experience constant health. One who eats such food like Vinayaka will experience no sufferings of the body. Through use of till seeds and steam, diseases of the eyes will be cured. Through using steamed preparations, one will have good digestion in all ways. Through items made with steam, it will not be possible for blood pressure or blood sugar to arise.

Due to this oil, due to this refinement with fire, the jatharagni (digestive fire or heat) in man will increase. Due to this heat increasing, all diseases will be experienced. Therefore, if one wants to be healthy, items friend in oil should be reduced. This is the main foundation for a long life. Therefore, Vinayaka is one who eats such food. So no matter how much he eats, his stomach expands but diseases will not develop. Vinayaka is one who eats such (steamed) food.

Not only this, he also has the name of ‘Vigneswara’. No obstacles or sufferings will be experienced in the way of comforts and joys. All obstacles will become distant through puja to Vinayaka. A few worldly achievements also come about due to Vinayaka.

The two aims of pravritthi and nivritthi are present with God. Pravritthi is related to the body. Nivritthi is related to the intellect. Therefore, things that are related to the intellect will never change. Things that are related to the body are always changing.

We Should Control Food to Some Extent

Hence, we should gradually reduce attachment to the body through our food and vihara (recreation or activity). The body will become heavy due to (certain types of) food and vihara. When the body is heavy, the heart cannot efficiently supply blood.

Each time the heart beats in our body, the blood makes the journey of 12,000 miles. When the blood makes the journey of 12,000 miles in distance, the body gets tired. As the body becomes heavier, the supply of blood also needs to be increased. Hence, the heart becomes weak while supplying it.

However, the heart should beat seven times (per minute), but beats many more times. However, each time the heart beats, the blood makes a journey of 12,000 miles. Therefore, to protect the body we should see that we do not give too much work to the heart.

That only is the work that Vinayaka does. He eats everything. However, he has no suffering at all. This means that the jobs that Vinayaka does, jobs relating to this body, are very subtle. Change in the food that is eaten is the root cause for (change in) health. So we should control food to some extent.

Mushika Doesn’t Mean a Rat

Not only this, there is the mushika (the vehicle of Vinayaka). We say that mushika means rat. This is not related to a rat at all. This rat symbolises the darkness of ignorance. So, all food that is in excess is given to rats.

Therefore, even this rat is giving so much help to Vinayaka. The rat is very small. Vinayaka is a very big fellow. How can he who has such a big body travel on such a small rat? So, mushika doesn’t mean a rat. The darkness of ignorance is very heavy. Therefore, our leader Vinayaka overcomes darkness. Darkness doesn’t know such weight. Vinayaka can lift such a heavy ignorance for any amount of time.

Puja With Grass

There are so many inner meanings of Vinayaka Chavithi. Today people perform puja to Vinayaka with garika (a kind of ‘white grass’). How did this come about?

One time Parvathi and Parameswara (Siva) were playing dice. They kept Nandi as a witness to declare who would lose and who would win. Then, every single time Nandi was nodding his head, indicating that Eswara had won.

However, Parvathi, who lost, became increasingly angry. “Nandi is only cheating!” Then Parvathi cursed Nandi: “May you become weak with the disease of indigestion.”

Then Nandi prayed and requested: “Mother, I'm not doing this due to injustice or meanness. It is done with justice. The resolve of Eswara is very much a vajra sankalpa (a firm resolve, as strong as a diamond). So his vajra sankalpa is very firm. He attained victory due to that resolve. Therefore, forgive me.”

Then Parvathi said, “On Bhadrapada Chaturdasi (the fourteenth day of the month Bhadrapada), do puja with garika (to Vinayaka). Your disease will be cured by offering (and then partaking) garika.”

This grass is useful for digestion. Many of you know. The ones who raise dogs let them go on the lawns every week. On the lawns there is white grass, called garika. When it eats that white garika, it is digested (aids digestion). Therefore, this is very good for health.

Anger Is Very Bad

This kind of Vinayaka Chavithi brings about health and maha bhagya (great good fortune, prosperity). It protects health and prosperity very carefully. By us worshipping on Vinayaka Chavithi, on this Bhadrapada Chaturdasi, “The Grace of Vinayaka will be fully obtained.” This faith increased among the people from those days until today.

Importantly, there are four qualities that are gifted by God - sthiti (position), mathi (mind), gathi (manner of progressing) and sampati (wealth). In man they are being misused today. Due to putting them to bad use, the energy in man gradually reduces. Not only this. We are increasing these four qualities of desire, anger, greed and hatred too much, and we are succumbing to increased sorrow. There is no limit on desires. As soon as a desire is fulfilled, one tries to fulfil the second desire. There is no limit for this. So, that is desire.

Anger: anger is very bad. This weakens oneself, one’s relatives, one’s friends, the ones with him, and everyone.

The one of anger will never be successful in anything.

He will have obstacles and he commits sins.

He will make others think, ‘Chi!’ (expression of disgust)

‘Go away!’

One’s anger is one’s own enemy.

One’s happiness is one’s protection.

Compassion is one’s true relation.

One’s happiness is one’s heaven

and one’s sorrow is one’s hell.

(Telugu poem)

So man’s anger weakens him.

Hatred: hatred is worse than anger. We should not hate anybody. Due to this hatred, hatred follows for generations and generations. Due to these bad qualities following man, the Divinity in mankind becomes weak.

Only when we keep good qualities strong and safe, our life span won't reduce at all. No matter what dangers happen, no matter what accidents happen, life won't be lost.

Our bad qualities come as reflection, reaction and resound, and make us suffer. Therefore, first and foremost, we have to reduce desire, anger and hatred. Even though they come, we should say, “These are not my qualities. There are animal qualities. If these animal qualities enter into me, I will also become an animal. I am not an animal. I am a human being.” Saying that, only when we keep the nature of a human being in mind, it won't be possible for these characterises of an animal to enter into us.

However, in this young age, children are developing these qualities and desires a lot. Due to these desires being developed, gradually our future will decline.

Life Is a Four-Storied Building

Man’s life is a four-storied building. The first and foremost one (foundation) is brahmacharya. The second is grihastha. The third is vanaprastha. The fourth is sanyasa. The first and foremost foundation of this four-storied building should be very secure. This foundation is brahmacharya. This should be very secure and strong in youth. When we protect this in the right way, grihastha and vanaprastha also will be well.

People are ruining three-fourths of life today because the foundation of brahmacharya is not secure. When one says to pray to God, they say, “I don’t have the time.” If one wants them to think of God for five minutes, they say, “We don’t have enough time.” However, they will waste any amount of time with bad feelings, bad contemplations and bad habits. They won't put to good use all the time that is wasted.

Therefore, first and foremost, students and youth of today should make this foundation strong. That only is brahmacharya. Brahmacharya means to move with Brahman (God). That is brahmacharya. Brahmacharya is not to remain unmarried; it is always moving in Brahman and always remembering Brahman in your mind and feelings. Therefore, brahmacharya also has these sacred meanings. To remain in Brahman like this is true brahmacharya.

In any situation, you should remember Divinity. Remember the Divine. Experience sacredness. Offer your life to Love. This only is the true strength of the foundation.

We Should Make The Foundation Secure

Youth!

Walls are seen. The building is seen. The beauty of the building is seen. However, we cannot see beauty in the foundation at all. That is within the earth. That which cannot be seen by us, that which is in the ground, gives strength to us in all ways. The foundation that is not seen is the basis of the building that is seen. Therefore, there is no need to give it ornamentation and beauty.

They dress up the rocks and the walls that are built on the foundation. Yet they don’t dress up or ornament at all the foundation that is put in the earth. However, it is only this that bears the weight of the entire building. Hence we should make secure the foundation that bears the entire weight of the building.

Today we are not thinking about the foundation of that building at all. We are only describing today what is beautified on the surface. Therefore, first and foremost is brahmacharya. Always move about in God. What does ‘charya’ mean? ‘To conduct’. You should conduct yourself according to brahmacharya and show (demonstrate or practise that). That is what all the gurus of today keep saying.

What Is an 'Acharya'?

They call one an ‘acharya’. What is an acharya? One who practises and shows is an acharya. A teacher is one who simply conveys something without practising it. Therefore, a teacher only teaches lessons but won't help one at all to control the mind. One who is an acharya fully helps for the control of the mind.

For that reason, among so many gurus, only two stood as acharyas. Who are those two lone acharyas? They are Dronacharya and Bheeshmacharya. Only these two, Dronacharya and Bheeshmacharya, are acharyas. Dronacharya became a guru for all of the Pandavas. He only taught knowledge relating to the body.

Only Bheeshmacharya became a guru of the heart. He purified all resolves. Therefore, by not going against the word of the mother and by obeying the commands of the mother, Bheeshmacharya became deserving of the love of the mother. Therefore, he was a great jnani. What does jnana mean? Jnana is not only to read very great books.

Adwaitha Darshanam Jnanam.

The perception of non-duality is Jnana.

(Sanskrit sloka)

One should not think of anything else except God. We should offer our body to Divinity. We should offer the mind to Divinity. We should offer our intellect to Divinity.

Sarva Karma Bhagavad Preethyartham.

Do all actions to please God.

(Sanskrit sloka)

You should not struggle for your own pleasure. You should exert yourselves for the pleasure of God. Therefore, in ancient times Bheeshma did things for the satisfaction of the Atma. So, finally he wanted to join his mother.

He lay on the bed of arrows. For fifty-eight days his entire body was pierced with arrows. However, he didn’t even drink a bit of water. Yet he wanted to be deserving of the love of his mother. He wanted to receive the grace of his mother. Thinking that, finally before dying, he called Arjuna, “Arjuna!”

Arjuna Has a Pure Chittha

What is the meaning of ‘Arjuna’? It is not just giving the name. Arjuna means ‘one who has a pure chitta’ (heart or mind). He has many titles: Arjuna, Phalguna, Partha, Kiriti, Svetavahana, Bhibhatsa, Jaikrishna, Savyasaachi and Dhananjaya. So, he is Dhananjaya. Arjuna: Arjuna is one who has a pure chitta.

“Hence, Arjuna, your own arrows made this bed of arrows for me.” Arjuna said, “Grandfather, at the time of war so many things happen. At this time of war, one doesn’t follow or observe (regulations of) harm and help. You shot arrows and I shot arrows. The arrows that you shot hit even Krishna who did not do anything. Krishna’s entire body became full of blood. However, are you suffering at all due to this? No. This is the time of war. There is no opportunity for (discrimination between) good and bad here. There is only victory and defeat. Therefore, forgive my mistake. If you tell me what you want, without fail I will give it.”

Then Bheeshma asked for one thing. “Son, I am thirsty. This is the end. It is the 58^th day and I am leaving the body. Therefore, bring my mother and pour her into my mouth.” His mother is Ganga Devi (the River Ganges). He said, “Bring that mother and pour her into my mouth.”

Immediately Arjuna took out an arrow and shot it at the earth beside Bheeshma’s head. Ganga came from the earth as a spring (a fountain of water). The water that came up like a spring fell into Bheeshma’s mouth.

Bheeshma was such a meritorious one. Bheeshma was such a jnani. Bheeshma had all knowledge. He knew all the Vedas. He was one who did all sadhanas. He didn’t do harm to anyone. Therefore, as soon as his mother’s water was poured into his mouth, Bheeshma closed his eyes (and left the body). That only means that the peril (this suffering on the bed of arrows) that he experienced because of Arjuna was also relieved through Arjuna.

Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba

So, so many people have the name of ‘Arjuna’. However, they won't understand the meaning and act accordingly. In Srisailam also, there is Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba. (Note: Srisailam is a famous pilgrim centre in Andhra Pradesh. The main deities in the temple are Mallikarjuna, a form of Siva, and His consort Bhramaramba, a form of Parvathi.)

What is Mallikarjuna? ‘Malli’ means ‘jasmine’. It is very pure. It is a white flower. There is also sweet nectar within it. Therefore, what does ‘Mallikarjuna’ mean? Mallikarjuna is a pure and white Arjuna. Bhramaramba: ‘Amba’ means ‘mother’. ‘Bhramara’ means a honeybee. That honeybee goes in the white flower of Arjuna. It gets into the white flower of Arjuna and it drinks the nectar within it, and it thus sanctified its life. Therefore, there are numerous meanings at the root of the name Arjuna.

The War Should Not Take Place

So, Arjuna is a very great man. Among the brothers, what is the reason for praising only Arjuna? He didn’t uselessly shoot his arrow at anybody. When he had to act in the war, he did.

However, even Krishna asked, “Arjuna, you are sending Me to negotiate. Whom should I speak with?” (It was Arjuna’s wish that) the war should not take place. Krishna had made a determination that, “I will not fight.” He would only be a chariot driver, but He would not use his weapons against anyone. Therefore, He asked Arjuna, “What would you like Me to do?”

“Brother-in-law, You are one who knows everything. I don’t need to tell to You, who are like that (who knows everything). First and foremost, see that no war will take place.”

Krishna answered, “What to do so that the war will not take place? Do you want Me to talk with Dhritharashtra? Dhritharashtra is a blind man; but he has no intelligence. He has a lot of attachment for his sons. Due to the attachment to his sons, he will act according to what his sons say; but none of his sons will act according to what he says. Why do we need the order of Dhritharashtra, who has such evil sons? Hence, we don’t need to obey at all the orders of Dhritharashtra.”

Though He said that, anyway He went to Dhritharashtra. Krishna spoke in all ways, but a resolution did not come about. Then Krishna came, feeling that all should prepare for war. First, He came to Arjuna. “Arjuna, the work that I went for was not successful. It was a failure. Therefore, I am ready for war.”

Arjuna Was A Little Afraid

Then Arjuna was a little afraid: ‘In the war, so many weapons will be used. Who will get hurt? What innocent people will we kill?’

Krishna said a very good and educative thing. He said, “Arjuna, the ones who come for war will fight; but the ones who don’t come to fight will not join this group. So, the only ones who come to a war come ready to completely give up their life or to kill others; but they are not people who simply come to watch the war. So, there are no innocent people among them at all. There will only be people who are offenders (guilty). Hence, get ready for war.”

Then Arjuna said, “But Krishna, it is very unjustified for You to agree to war. These Kauravas are not in a correct position at all.” Yet, they agreed to it and that was that. Krishna said to convey this news to their elder brother. They went to Dharmaja. Dharmaja didn’t want war at all. All right, even he could not avoid agreeing to war.

Nakula And Sahadeva Desired the Welfare Of Krishna

Nakula and Sahadeva were very virtuous. Though they were young, the virtues that were in them were not even in Dharmaja and Arjuna. They only requested one thing:

“Krishna, get ready for war. Why delay?”

(Telugu poem)

Nakula and Sahadeva said, “You came telling us to be ready for war. However, our brother-in-law Krishna has returned safely.” They went to give this news. “Our brother-in-law came safely. That is our bliss. This only is our bliss.”

The ones who experienced such bliss were only Nakula and Sahadeva. The ones who desired the welfare of Krishna were only Nakula and Sahadeva. Arjuna desired it, but he also made use of his own selfishness.

Is it possible to create (extract) nectar from deadly poison?

Why scatter jasmine flowers over a forest fire?

Why give good advice near obstinate people?

O Virtuous One!

 Why these words of negotiation, O Gopala?

 (Telugu poem)

Arjuna Felt Badly

Arjuna said, “We don’t want any more negotiations, Gopala!” They got ready. By the time they went to fight, Arjuna had a kind of fear. It was not the fear of, ‘Will we fight or not?’ It was the fear of, ‘Innocent people might die.’ This is a big fear for all virtuous people.

They came ready to fight; but Arjuna thought he might kill someone. “The sons that are killed, how much their parents may suffer! Small children may suffer so much. They will experience all of this suffering.” Hence, Arjuna felt badly in that way.

He said, “Krishna, now let’s go. Let’s go home. Krishna, I cannot bear this war. Let’s go home!” Krishna got angry. “You had told me, who was keeping quiet, to “Fight, fight, fight!” You took Me to the war and now you are afraid! Why should you come to such a war only to get afraid?

“Krishna! How to bear killing such relatives,

friends and sons of teachers?

 My eyes are spinning!

Without wasting any more time,

move the chariot towards home!

(Telugu poem)

Krishna said, “Did you come for this? Chi! Timid coward! Why should you come just for this?” Then, gradually Krishna’s teachings went within him, and it gave him very good strength. He got ready to fight. However, he was unable to fight.

Then, with the aim in view to give Arjuna strength, Krishna jumped. He said, “I will fight.” Arjuna said, “You said that You would not fight! Now if You fight, You will be one who takes back Your word. Krishna, You may lose, but Your word should not be taken back. You should not go.”

Bheeshma Had Such Jnana

Bheeshma saw that Krishna was coming.

Krishna jumped up and the brilliance of His ear ornaments

covered the entire sky.

The universe in His stomach was unable to bear this movement

and it shook.

Krishna took the chakra (Vishnu’s disc) in His hand

and was coming quickly,

and His upper yellow garment was slipping off.

(Telugu poem from the Bhagavata by Potana)

Potana described Krishna in so many ways:

Krishna said, “Today I will kill Bheeshma

and I will protect you.

Leave me, Arjuna!”

 Bheeshma said, “He who is coming quickly,

through the rain of my arrows,

that same God is my only refuge.”

(Telugu poem from the Bhagavata, by Potana)

“No one else can protect me. Only Krishna, who has come to kill me, can protect me!” Have you seen? Bheeshma said, “The One who is coming to kill me, He only is my protection.” Such Bheeshma was dear to even his enemies and even to evil people.

Bheeshmacharya was one who had such jnana. Bheeshma had complete jnana. Therefore, Bheeshma, who was such a form of jnana, finally had his desire fulfilled. He joined his mother again within himself. He joined his mother within himself and obtained peace.

History Is His Story

Embodiments of Love!

Importantly, there are so many sacred inner meanings to our entire sacred history. However, children don’t read any history at all. They sit reading stories and novels. These stories have no meaning at all. Reading these stories brings all misery. History teaches a Divine and ideal path.

What is that history? His story is history! Therefore, the story of God is history. We should read that. To read the rest is useless. So, epics like the Mahabharatha, the Bhagavatha and the Ramayana, have much sacred history. Therefore, Vinayaka Chavithi contains such sacred stories.

Vinayaka is a great jnani. The jnana that is in him is not in anyone else. So, even all deities worship Vinayaka. Vinayaka is worshipped by all. We should not waste time on such a day of Vinayaka Chaturdasi.

Many students put books near to Vinayaka. They offer them to Vinayaka and they accept them back again. The inner meaning is that they should pray for the jnana (Divine wisdom) to be bestowed on them. For that reason, it is very necessary for students today to do puja to Vinayaka.

The speciality of Vinayaka is very great. Vinayaka will not ask for any desires. He will not hope for anything. Vinayaka is one who gives grace to those who aspire (or have desires). Therefore, we should worship the god that gives anugraha (grace) but we should not worship a god who has agraha (anger).

Therefore, on this sacred day of Vinayaka Chavithi, numerous people - not only Bharatiyas, but everyone else also - worship him. Each letter of the jnana that Vinayaka teaches is sacred.

My Students Have Joined the Trust

At 2 o'clock in the afternoon, there is going to be a programme presented by our former students who are working for Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. They are doing a lot of good work. There are a few elders who have been looking after the Trust affairs for the last 30 years.

All these years, I have been personally supervising the day-to-day affairs of the Trust. Ever since My students have joined the Trust, they have taken up the responsibility and are doing a good job. Be it in Book Trust, or in Accommodation office or anywhere else in the Ashram, our students are rendering yeoman (exceptionally loyal, honourable and faithful) service. They speak gently and sweetly. They do not use harsh words. They follow the dictum:

 Help ever,

  Hurt never.

These Sathya Sai Central Trust boys will present a programme in the afternoon in which they will talk about various activities of the Trust. Each one of you must necessarily listen to what they have got to say. Whatever they are going to say is purely based on their own experience. My boys always speak the truth. They will not utter a lie, even for fun. They will be conveying the message of truth in the afternoon programme.

They Are Very Efficient

They are young in age, but they are very efficient in their work. They are taking keen interest in the activities undertaken by the Trust. They are propagating Swami's message all over the world. I am extremely happy that these boys have progressed well in life. They are highly intelligent. If they are asked a question, they give a suitable and a prompt reply.

Five boys are looking after our Central Trust accounts. Likewise, some boys are working for our Books and Publications. You do not find mismanagement of even a naya paisa. They are very honest. Every paisa is accounted for. They are endowed with noble qualities, good habits and ideal character. See it for yourself in the afternoon.

They are actively involved in broadcasting all the programmes that are conducted in Prasanthi Nilayam over the Radio Sai Global Harmony Channel, 24 hours a day. Though they are young boys, they speak in a highly polished language. You are going to listen to them in the afternoon. It is essential that you learn their language. After all, they are your brothers. All are brothers and sisters. I want every one of you to get such an opportunity and come up well in life.

Bhagavan ended His Divine Discourse by chanting the

bhajan, “Hari Bhajana Bina Sukha Shanti Nahi…”

Vinayaka Chavithi Glossary

10^TH September 2002

Taken from "A Glossary of Sanskrit Words Gleaned from Sai Literature"

1)     Acharya: (pg. 3) A preceptor. One who practices what he teaches. An acharya ranks above a teacher, but below a guru.

2)     Ashrama: (pg. 41) A stage in a man’s life. Brahmacharya: the youthful life of a celibate. Grihastha: the worldly life of a householder. Vanaprastha: The life of seclusion of a recluse. Sanyasa: the life of complete renunciation of an ascetic

3)     Atma: (pg. 50) A spark of the Divine; a conglomeration of manas (mind), buddhi (intellect) and samskaara (civilized tendency); Man’s true reality is the Atma. The Atma is a wave of the Paramatma, God viewed as the Universal; the Soul

4)     Chittha: (pg. 100) Mind or will; (in Telugu dictionary - mind or heart)

5)     Ganas: (pg. 137) Troops of demigods who are attendants of Shiva. Celestial beings who are subtly present in all human beings as the embodiments of the ten senses. The mind is the master of these senses and Indra is its deity. Hence, Indra is the master of these senses

6)     Guru: (pg. 150) One who dispels the darkness of ignorance. The guru is God in human form

7)     Jiva (pg. 164) The individual soul; a person; consciousness; the ‘I’ consciousness

8)     Jnana (pg. 166) Wisdom

9)     Jnani: (pg. 170) One with permanent direct experience of the Divine

10)  Nivritthi (pg. 254) Subduing the thirst of the senses and of the ego through withdrawal, detachment or internal quiet

11)  Pravritthi (pg. 281) Sublimating the instincts and impulses through actions and external activities

12)  Puja: (pg. 284) Worship or ritual worship; offerings at His Lotus Feet

13)  Sadhana (pg. 303) The path of spiritual discipline

14)  Sankalpa: (pg. 326) Divine Will or God's Grace; one’s intention or resolve

15)  Vasana: (pg. 397) Cravings; desires; tendencies; instincts; traits. The ingrained force of eons of enslavement of the senses.

16)  Vedas: (pg. 400) Rig Veda contains manthras, slogans and instructions of rituals and the procedures to maintain society. Its mahavakya (great axiom) is Pragnanam Brahma. (“Brahman is the highest wisdom.”) Yajur Veda spells out man’s duties and codes of conduct, in addition to rules governing society. Its axiom is: Aham Brahmasmi. (“I am Brahman.”) Sama Veda contains the essence of the Rig and Yajur Veda, set to music. Its axiom is: Tat Twam Asi. (“You are That.”) Atharvana Veda sets out rules governing the life of the householder. It also teaches yoga and the curing of illnesses. Its axiom is: Ayam Atma Brahma. (“The Atma is Brahman.”)

17)  Vidya: (pg. 406) Knowledge of this world; education

18)  Vihaara: (pg. 407) Activity like walking or wandering; recreation

19)  Vijnana: (pg. 407) Wisdom or higher knowledge.

20)  Vikalpa: (pg. 407) Mental agitations