Following the tradition in Prashanti Nilayam, we don’t observe any anniversaries at all. It is funny that, newly today, the anniversary of Chaitanya Jyothi is being observed.

The name of ‘Chaitanya Jyothi’ (‘Light of Divine Consciousness’) which is given to this building is not new. That which is pervading everywhere is Chaitanya (Divine Consciousness). There is only Chaitanya in the three worlds (heaven, earth, and the nether region), in the three attributes (sathwa, rajas, and tamas), and also in the three periods of time (past, present, and future). How funny it is to give the name of ‘full of Chaitanya’ when Chaitanya is already pervading everything!

It was Chaitanya that was pervading everywhere before any living beings were born in the world, before any creation was made and before the structures of Vaikuntha (the abode of Lord Vishnu), Kailasa (the abode of Lord Shiva), and Swarga (heaven) were seen.

This world is the form of the five elements. The Chaitanya of the five elements is this world. The form of the five elements is this Chaitanya.

The first and foremost one of the five elements is space. From this space, all spread as Sabdha Brahma (God in the form of sound). The attribute of space is Sabdha Brahma. All began out of that sound. The form of the resolve of that sound is Pranava (OM or AUM). They call this OM. So the very first thing that arose out of space is Pranava. Everything began from this Pranava. The very first sound is Pranava. Then, all sorts of divisions arose in this creation.

Many children (students) are playing the harmonium. They are filling it only with one air. Yet different sounds come out when each reed is pressed. They gave the name of ‘alternating sounds’ to these sounds. The basis of these alternating sounds is the sound of Omkara (OM). Hence, all sounds originate from Omkara.

The second element, which arose from that space, is wind. This wind is also the form of God. Sound is the form of God. Wind is the form of God. All life forms arose from this wind. There would be no life at all without the wind. Therefore, all living beings have arisen out of this wind.

Then the third element is fire. It would not be possible for any life form to remain without this fire or heat. The space supports that wind and this heat also in the proper way. They are present in equal proportions. If the proportion of wind or heat were too much, the world would not be safe at all. Therefore, for the welfare of the world, both wind and heat, which are forms of God, maintain equal proportions.

Then numerous types of living beings arose. Very small worms, birds, animals, all of these began. However, these need water. The fourth form of God is the form of Ganga (water). Hence, all living beings are able to live due to this water. Due to the life of these (creatures), multiplicity was obtained (arose). This is only the resolve of God. He resolved it for Himself. It is said:

The One put on numerous forms. Even these five forms (elements) are the One form of God.

As soon as there was water, earth appeared. This earth is the basis for everything. Earth is the basis for forests, hills, mounds, ocean, crops, and everything else. The weight on this earth is not on anything else.

All of these Himalayan Mountains have gradually arisen from this earth, helping and protecting the living beings.

So, each of the five praanas (elements), determined and recognized by each of their functions and their proportion, kept the earth under balance.

From there, animals evolved into humans and humans into animals. Before human beings, there were only activities relating to animals. For that reason, if anyone does something wrong, others will chide them saying, "Hey, are you an animal?" In man there are numerous acts (or tendencies) of animals. Why? Because a few old tendencies have not gone yet! No matter how much cleaning (purifying, cleansing) is done, these old tendencies will not go.

It is said that even if a vessel is cleaned one thousand times, the smell of onion juice that was poured in it will not go. In that same way, the nature of man is like an onion. Hence, no matter how much is done to this, no matter how much the nature of man is raised up, that nature of animals remains there.

Hence, today we have to push these animal qualities aside to some extent, through education, by effort, by spiritual practices, by austerity, by resolves, and by truthful resolves. So, all the spiritual practices that we do today are to push aside the old animal nature. These desires are the desires of animals. Truly, if (true) human beings are seen, there are no desires at all.

Man is one who is sacred (pure). In the Upanishads also, they compared human nature to sacredness. What is the reason for beginning desires in such a sacred human nature? The reason is only old tendencies. So, gradually we have to lose these old tendencies.

Its smell will not go. In that same way, no matter how much austerity is done, no matter how many meditations are done, no matter how many spiritual practices are done, even gradually it is not possible to lose the smell of this onion (referring to animal tendencies) completely.

However, there are three types of human beings. How is the first type of human being? It means he is like the cotton that is separated well and cleaned. Gradually, as soon as it gets close to the fire of wisdom, it will immediately catch fire. It means when man, by spiritual practices, purifies the cotton of his heart, it (the impurities) will become ash just by coming close to the fire (of wisdom).

The second type of man is like green wood (unripe). The green branch will not catch fire so fast. It takes some time for it to catch fire. So, even though it comes close to this wisdom, due to the heart of this type of man being like green wood, it won't turn into ash so quickly. Therefore, even though numerous people do spiritual practices over numerous years and numerous lives also, their hearts remain without catching fire.

Then the third type of man is a kind of man like dry wood. This is, when he goes just a little close to fire, he gradually begins to catch fire (meaning, his impurities gradually begin to dry up). Due to the results of numerous lives of spiritual practices, this type of man changes into dry wood.

Today we are not like dry wood, we are not like green wood, and truly we are not like cotton at all. At one moment, it is like green wood; afterward it changes into dry wood. It means that all the spiritual practices that we do are not spiritual practices that have determination and sacrifice. We have to do spiritual practices with a kind of feeling of sacrifice. If this feeling of sacrifice is lost, spiritual feeling will truly not be ignited in us at all.

Not only this. Among mankind, we are forgetting the help and sacred usefulness that we get from others. No matter how much help we are receiving, we are forgetting it all. Not only forgetting, we are beginning to do harm for help given. So moha (delusion relating to physical attachment) is gradually increasing even more in such a man. Then, numerous births are also beginning. To increase numerous births or for rebirths to be cast away, our efforts only are the main cause.

Therefore, if we want to gradually reduce our feelings of moha, first and foremost, a few feelings of desires should be reduced. The desires that increase due to attachment to the body are limitless desires. Due to these unlimited desires, the mind is going crazy.

When the mathi (mind) goes crazy, our gathi (fate or destiny) also changes. From the time the fate changes, our sthithi (situation or position) also deteriorates. When this sthithi deteriorates, then our sampatthi (prosperity) also becomes nil. Mati, gathi, sthithi, sampatthi. Therefore, so we are not deserving of this sampatthi.

What sampatthi (prosperity)? Spiritual sampatthi! Due to losing this spiritual sampatthi, demonic nature is increasing in the human nature. So demons are not born separately. Due to completely forgetting the human nature and the Divine nature in us, the demonic nature increases. However, if the human nature would help that (demonic nature), it will become even more beautiful.

You may have read in depth about this in the Ramayana. Wanting to marry Rama, Surpanaka came with a lot of beauty (took a beautiful form). However, due to Him not accepting her in the right way, she became (assumed her previous form of) a demoness.

So, it is only our likes and dislikes which make our demonic nature or human nature change. When our preferences are fulfilled, we are transforming into Divinity. When the opposite of our resolves happens, it is changing into demonic nature. In the middle of all this is animal nature. So today we are changing into ones with animal nature, not having human nature or demonic nature.

You may have seen this Chaitanya Jyothi (a museum dedicated to the life and mission of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba). It is made in such a beautiful fashion. The ones who enter in there obtain not only beauty, but also bliss. Seeing this, people from many countries also brought a few exhibitions from several countries and exhibited all of them there. They built a very beautiful temple.

One man named Dr. Goh (from Malaysia) went to a lot of exertion to build this temple. He made it even more beautiful by going to China, bringing a few very new exhibitions and ornamenting this building here. He alone did all the make-up (design) for Chaitanya Jyothi. So, even if we go to China, we cannot see a temple like this. He brought cultures relating to all countries into this Chaitanya Temple. This is a Chaitanya (temple) in which both beauty and bliss come together. He didn’t bring this Chaitanya. Chaitanya is always existing naturally.

How did he start this in the very beginning? That was not told to any of you. In the beginning, I resolved that a few steps should be built to get to Hanuman (the statue in the Hillview Stadium). When all the people who go there get tired, a few small rooms should be built for them to take a rest. Gradually it started off small, but it became big.

Such a resolve was started for Chaitanya Jyothi in the very beginning. In the very beginning, the plan for Chaitanya Jyothi was very small. Immense austerity (exerted effort) was done to break all those hills, level them in a suitable way, and build a temple. It took two years just to cleave the hills (level the stones). He built such a beautiful temple by going to so much exertion. If a beautiful building has to be built, it becomes necessary to go through so many exertions.

If one wants to make a small bracelet, this much of gold has to be put in the fire. It has to be put in fire and the gold has to be melted. After melting, he has to be pounded with a hammer. After it is pounded with the hammer, it has to be stretched. After it is stretched, it has to be cut. After cutting it in this way, welding has to be done. Unless all these sorts of works are done, a bracelet for the hand will not be completed.

Similarly, man has to bear so many difficulties if he wants to transform into Divinity and if he wants Divine feelings to arise within. He has to bear every trouble that God gives him. It has to be felt that, ‘All of these are for my good.’ No matter what pounding of difficulty is given, there should be the belief that, ’This will become a big bracelet.’

This lesson has to be learnt first and foremost. Only when such patience is held (practiced), today both beauty for the eye and delight in the heart have come together (by seeing Chaitanya Jyothi building).

Hence, whatever the work we want to do, it is not possible to obtain happiness without trouble. This was said in the Vedas:

Man of today, devotees of today, and spiritual aspirants of today, are not requesting for those types of desires (difficulties). They feel that their money shouldn’t be spent. The foot should not cross over the doorstep (meaning one should not go to any effort). Kaivalya (liberation) should just simply fall into their lap with the sound of TUK!

They are hoping to have everything easily. That easy happiness will come – TUK, but it will also go away - TUK! (i.e. very suddenly). Therefore, the result is also contained within the aspiration we hope for.

We have to go to trouble in absolutely everything. The people of olden times, the ancient great rishis, numerous people, did austerity for many years. They gave up food and drink, and left behind the welfare of the body. Only then were they able to attain Divinity. Therefore, if we want to make anything happen, if we want to attain anything, if we want to receive happiness, we should submit to difficulties blissfully.

We will not catch (obtain) happiness through happiness. Only through trouble will we catch (obtain) happiness. However, where is this happiness?

Hence, when we want to attain Divinity, patience is very necessary for every person. Only when there is this patience, can we achieve even a tiny task. We should not submit to every single thing (i.e. get disheartened easily). Otherwise, we are unable to achieve in a natural way.

Humility and obedience have become completely nil. Anger is arising out from within man. When this anger comes, humanness is completely burnt up. Where did this anger come from? Anger: His anger is his enemy. His peace is his protection. Compassion is his relative. His happiness is his heaven. His sorrow is his hell. Therefore, everything is within him.

We put blame on others and we are suffering. This is a big mistake. Unable to know that one’s own treasure is contained within oneself, we are struggling in the outside world. That true Chaitanya is within oneself. He is forgetting the real Chaitanya within himself. We are searching for Chaitanya in the outside world. This only is a big ignorance. Due to this ignorance, he forgets what is inside him. Due to delusion, he is wasting time thinking that something new is being achieved.

The ignorance, which is beginning in the man of today, is a very distorted ignorance. Ignorance means ‘not knowing something wrong is done’. Today it is ‘educated’ ignorance: It is ignorance that has inquiry (i.e. one inquires and knows one is doing wrong). It is ignorance that has reasoning power. It is ignorance that has analyzing ability (one discriminates between good and bad, but still does wrong).

Ignorance like this will not go. Even when the body is left and burned (cremated), ignorance won't be burned. Man of today is developing this kind of ignorance. It is good if one feels that one does not know what he doesn’t know. Instead, he is imagining that he knows what he does not know. What is it he knows? Mukham! (Telugu sarcastic slang, in this case conveying, "Nonsense, he knows nothing at all!")

Therefore, he is overflowing with pride, thinking that he knows what he does not know. As long as there is pride in man, no one will love him. So, even the wife that he tied (united with in marriage), and the children that were born to him will not love him. Hence, first and foremost, this ego has to be given up. Truly, humility and obedience have to be developed. I said:

Even though so much education is learned today, and although people become highly educated, finally they don’t have patience even in very small matters.

Here is one small example of how much ignorance man has even in a small matter. Fire is needed. Fire is needed and the matchbox is in his pocket. Forgetting the matchbox in his pocket, he is going about (searching), wanting fire. This did not happen elsewhere. It happened (here) only yesterday! All the educated people of today have this type of forgetfulness. Even though the matchbox is in the pocket, that matchbox won't burn his pocket. But if that is taken out, when a couple of the matchsticks are rubbed, it will (is able to) burn him and everything else.

What is the difference between wisdom and ignorance? There is only the difference of ‘a’ between ‘ajnana’ (ignorance) and ‘jnana’ (wisdom). If ‘a’ is added to jnana, it becomes ‘ajnana’. You are thinking that it is ‘ajnana’ if there is ‘a’ added. But this is not ignorance. It is not the correct meaning for the letter ‘a’. The letter ‘a’ is ‘adi sthana’ (‘the original place’). So, thinking that such a thing (the letter ‘a’) refers to ignorance, we are using and identifying with that word ajnana, and we are making all of our human values into ash.

Importantly, if you want to keep the nature of Chaitanya Jyothi in memory today, know that Chaitanya is in all. There is only one Atma lovingly present here, there, and wherever one looks. There’s only one Chaitanya that exists.

Our own form is Chaitanya. This they call Consciousness. This Consciousness is the Chaitanya, which is present everywhere. It changes into Conscience, which is the small form of Atma in us. This Conscience has changed into the Atma in us. This Conscience that has become Atma gradually becomes conscious when at the level of the senses.

They say ‘conscious’ when it (Chaitanya) is present in the senses. They say ‘Conscience’ when relating to the Atma. They call the all-pervading Chaitanya ‘Consciousness’. See what a difference there is! The Chaitanya that is all pervading becomes Atma (residing) in the form of man. Such a difference! All is within himself. There is nothing higher than mankind. So it is said:

Therefore, where is God? He is the form of man! Where? Here only! Wherever one looks, there is only One. (Applause) Hence, just by seeing these human forms (as only human forms), you are giving place for all negative reasoning. What is the cause? You have the same human form, but you are not having faith in your forms (as Divinity).

All forms are God's forms. The five elements that are in this body are also in that body, in that body, and in that body (referring to all the many bodies). The five elements are also in everything else. There is no additional sixth element in anyone or anything. There are only five that exist.

However, these five praanas, the five sheaths, the five senses also, only have one form. The five praanas have come from the five sheaths.

We are eating and sustaining the body. This body is said to be ‘Annamaya kosha’ (the gross body or food sheath). From this Annamaya kosha arises Pranamaya (kosha) (the energy or vital air sheath). What is this praana? The praana, which arises, joins with wind. Wind contains fire. When both wind and fire come together, it takes the form of current. That is the electric power within our body. Our whole body is like a small generator. Therefore, though we are having that generator of the body, we feel that life is due to food. This is the second one, Pranamaya kosha.

The third is Manomaya kosha (the mind or emotional sheath). Without Manomaya, it would be no use even if there were Praanamaya. Due to the mind existing, it is creating numerous types of forms for this body.

This mind became the form of the world. So this Manomaya kosha is very important.

However, man of today, spiritual aspirants of today, yogis (ascetics) of today, the bhogis (ones enjoying worldly pleasures) of today; how far are all of them making the journey? They are only going up to Annamaya, Pranamaya, and Manomaya (sheaths). Their whole journey comes to a stop there. They put a speed break there. Their journey ends with that.

It should not stop there. No matter how many difficulties come and no matter how many pains come to this mind, the journey has to be continued to overcome them. If we go beyond this Manomaya kosha, then there is Vijnanamaya kosha (the wisdom or intellectual sheath). As we do not cross over that, therefore we are in ignorance, remaining in the Annamaya kosha.

It is very difficult to go beyond the Annamaya kosha. Once we cross over it, Vijnana will come to us very easily. If we attain this vijnana, then it is pure Anandamaya kosha (the spiritual or bliss sheath). That is Nithyananda (ever-blissful state). That only is Paramanandam (supreme bliss). That only is Yogananda (the bliss of yoga, union). That only is Adwaitananda (non-dual bliss).

If we want to attain such bliss, first and foremost we have to start from Annamaya kosha. We are not paying attention to the body at all. The body is very sacred. Whenever a Divine form is drawn, it is drawn only in the form of man. But due to the feeling of, "I am a human being," man’s human nature is becoming that of a goat. So we should develop human nature into something with some value. ‘Human’: how sacred it is! A true human being is one who acts without ignorance. Ignorance won't come near him at all. However today, he only is bringing it (ignorance) close.

Therefore, we have to recognize this Chaitanya jyothi today. This Chaitanya jyothi is pervading from the feet to the head, inside and outside.

There is only One that exists. That only is Chaitanya Jyothi (Light of Divine Consciousness). How we are neglecting such a Chaitanya! It has to be seen with a lot of wonder. It has to be seen as valuable. It has to be seen with marvel. But today we are seeing it as a pastime, seeing it as mere entertainment. It is turning into something contradictory. So we should not become contradictory. We have to follow a procedure.

So this Prajnana Jyothi (Light of supreme Wisdom), this Chaitanya Jyothi (Light of Divine Consciousness), this Akhanda Jyothi (the unlimited Light), this Anantha Jyothi (endless Light), and this Adwaita Jyothi (the One Light without a second), all are only One. So we are transforming this Adwaita Jyothi into Chaitanya Jyothi today.

Hence, the Chaitanya Jyothi in the soil of every human being’s heart is ever shining today. How sacred is our heart! Hrdaya (heart) is that which has daya (compassion). Such compassion cannot be seen in the heart at all today. Man is without compassion. He has obtained a demonic nature.

Nothing at all can be seen when looking in the heart. Therefore, we have to watch our own heart. It is said that that is Self-realization. What kind of feelings do we have in our heart? Is there a sacred feeling? Or is it an unsacred feeling? Inquiring thus, one has to recognize for oneself.

If he is satisfied, it is Self-realization. Then Self-satisfaction comes. When Self-satisfaction comes, he will perform Self-sacrifice. When he performs Self-sacrifice (sacrifice by the Self), he will become the Self. He will have realization. So, if you wish to struggle for this realization, first and foremost this Self has to be recognized. That only is Chaitanya Jyothi. That is the name of Chaitanya.

Without inquiring into all the other different forms of such a sacred Jyothi, we are considering this Chaitanya Jyothi as an ordinary jyothi. This is Chaitanya Jyothi. Wherever one looks, it is only That. Chaitanya Jyothi is the all-pervading Jyothi, in which we have faith.

Truly I did not think that I would speak today. Why, because I never commemorate these anniversaries. However, I did so in order to fulfill the heartfelt desire in the mind of the man who came from Malaysia (who was responsible for the Chaitanya Jyothi project). Today he came with joy, wanting to do this anniversary, and he brought numerous people.

I will do anything to give them satisfaction. All My works are to give satisfaction to others. I have no desires at all. I do not have any resolves at all. Based on your resolves, My truthful resolves increase.

Truthful thoughts: Your thoughts just simply come as thoughts. But Mine are truthful thoughts. They don’t change. So, I will do anything for your happiness. (Applause)

Today, our Indulal Shah went to so much trouble regarding this. Truly, he only is the main cause for this Chaitanya Jyothi (project). Even if I was not here in Puttaparthi, he was coming for that purpose every month and seeing to it. If one has sincere interest, even any mighty tasks may be achieved. So, it is said:

Chaitanya Jyothi took such a blissful form only due to his sincere interest and so much exertion. Hence, no matter what activity has to be done, we should also take a strong determination. Without this determination we are equal to a dead body. We must achieve. Not only that, but we should not be weak and leave it in the middle either. Don’t give place to that weakness at all. We have to achieve strength in everything.

Therefore, so many more activities like these will take place in our Prashanti Nilayam. Today this Puttaparthi, which was just a small hamlet, has turned into a big town. It has turned into a big city. Even in a city, if you go out, if 100 rupees are given, they will give (rent you) a small room for one day. Yet, if you go outside here now, it is not possible to stay in a small room unless 1,000 rupees are given. What rates they are! What kind of villagers are these? See how the appearances are changing!

Aerodrome has come. Super Speciality Hospital has come. These things are not even in big towns. More, more, more, more will come. To show this to the whole world, it (‘Sai Global Harmony Channel’ a satellite digital radio channel set up to broadcast Swami’s discourses, bhajans, etc) begins within this month. To bring about these changes, numerous people will be involved. I am also telling you a few names.

They are giving the Nobel Prize to many people. The man who gives the Nobel Prize (Chairman of the Nobel Prize Committee) is coming here on the 22^nd November. The ones who will show this to the whole world, TV people, are all coming here on the 22^nd.

Who called them? Who invited them? If all things like these are seen, all sorts are coming here. No one has invited them at all. No one is giving them a (special) welcome. Yet they themselves are coming. What is the reason? That Chaitanya Jyothi (meaning Swami Himself) is here and It (He) is pulling them! (Applause)

In this type of situation, I said that this time the Birthday should not be celebrated at all. It should not be done anywhere henceforth. I have resolved. I have told all of them, "Don’t make any arrangements for this Birthday." I also said not to make any attempt (for arrangements) at Hillview Stadium.

What is My Birthday? The day that bliss increases for all of you, that only is My Birthday. The whole country should be well (have well being, safety, security, happiness). The whole world should be well. The society should be very well. When the society is not joyful, what is the use of My Birthday? The joy of everyone is My beginning (birthday). That only is My bliss.

So all of you remain happy, follow the path of Truth, resolve truthful things, and the whole country should be changed into that one with truthful resolve. OK, even if it is not possible for you to change all countries, at least the people near to you should change their resolves into truthful ones. Each day each person should transform even five people onto the spiritual path. Change five people per day, then the whole country will change. However, don’t change others into bad. Change them onto a good path.

Have truthful resolves. Truth must be spoken. Dharma should be practiced. Live peacefully. Experience bliss. Resolve to have these qualities and try to change.

I am telling you a small ideal. When I was starting off from there (the Poornachandra), there was no throat at all (meaning He had practically no voice). (Swami says laughing,) There was a throat! But sound didn’t come from it. In the very beginning here when I started speaking, you also noticed this. I started. I forgot my throat! (which wasn’t well). I put all of your forms in My heart. Then this sound came so much! (Applause) It is only when we forget our attachment to the body that affection for the world increases. This is direct evidence.

Not only that. We started a Music College last year. Many children joined in that. After all, the Principal and his wife are doing very great service there. Both of them are ones who play the veena very well. Today, in a few minutes, they will begin a concert here and they will give you bliss.