Man’s life is good-natured, high, and noble. It is the important duty of man to give meaning to such a humane nature through (good) actions (discharging his duties) and constant effort.

We are undergoing numerous difficulties only to fill this small stomach. We are earning (money) in numerous ways. However, are we obtaining satisfaction with this? No. We never get satisfaction. Based on this only, 'Vigneshwara' (the remover of obstacles, a name of Ganesha) said:

We will not get happiness out of happiness. We will get happiness in all aspects through difficulties. We are desiring sukha (happiness and comfort in all aspects), but through sukha we are not obtaining peace and santhosha (inner happiness, joy, or contentment). If we want to experience sukha and santhosha, difficulties are the important preceptors (teachers).

Is there any greater one than this tree in sacrifice? A tree is the preceptor of sacrifice. So, sacrifice is essential among human beings. If we don’t have the spirit of sacrifice, we will not obtain bhoga (enjoyment of the senses) or ananda (bliss). Therefore, from now (on) we should make the proper effort towards obtaining the spirit of sacrifice.

Therefore, we should not be mean-minded. Sacrifice is also needed.

Therefore, we should be broad-minded. In this vast world, man is noblest. We should uphold that good reputation.

Rishis of ancient days made a few mistakes and suffered punishment through God. Then they became repentant and finally they asked to be forgiven. They were very great ones. We should follow such great ones.

Men of today are weak. Even after making mistakes, they won't recognize it or begin to correct it. Elders of those days corrected their mistakes and worshiped and prayed to God, being grateful to Him. The main cause for their prayer was (their) being repentant. To make others recognize this, they started (special) worship to Vighneswara once a year.

What does 'Vigneshwara' mean? What does 'Ganapati' mean? ‘Gana’ relates to intellect. ‘Na’ relates to wisdom. 'Ganapati' is 'the one who is the Master of secular, spiritual, and supreme wisdom'. Vinayaka has no Master above him. He is his own Master.

Such a nature has Vinayaka that he will not give suffering to anyone. Vinayaka blesses and fosters all actions, so that they are without obstacles. He will not allow anything bad to enter. Therefore, it is said that he has the vehicle of a rat. Mushika (rat) means darkness. It is very dark at night, so rats will be moving about at night. The rat makes darkness distant and radiance spread. It confers on people ideals and bliss.

In the very first instance, Divinity is not confined only to mankind, but it is also in all life forms, crawling creatures, and in all animals too. To demonstrate this ideal and Truth of Divinity, the head of an elephant and the rat as a vehicle were created for Vigneshwara.

The saying, 'Intelligence of an elephant' relates to Vinayaka. The elephant is very intelligent. It has a lot of faith. It doesn’t forget the master even at the risk of its life. The elephant does not forget the master as long as it is alive and it fosters the godly nature of gratefulness. Hence, an elephant is the main symbol of gratefulness. Gratitude is a very sacred quality.

The elephant has kshama (virtue). It will not let any harm come to its master, even at the risk of its life. The elephant defines this ideal path to man. If an elephant enters just once into a forest that has no path at all, a path will be made for (many) people. So, the elephant teaches to man the path in the forest of life, as man cannot see the path. Vinayaka is one who has put on a head that has such intelligence. Therefore, Vinayaka defines the ideal path of intelligence for man.

Many types of food are prepared and offered to Vinayaka on this day of Vinayaka Chaviti (another name for Chaturthi). However, he won't eat (we should not offer) preparations that are cooked or heated in oil. He only eats (we should only offer) that which is steamed. (So we offer the following.) Rice is made into flour and sesame seeds are added. This is called kudumulu and vundrallu and it is offered to Vinayaka. There is no oil cooked or heated in it.

Why are we made to observe such a way? To man, health is a great wealth. One who eats steamed preparations will be completely healthy. However, today man is following the tongue and preparing things catering to taste in numerous ways. Yet, the elephant considers health as a great wealth. This only is the path that Vinayaka teaches to people.

Due to rice flour being heated with sesame seeds, all eye defects will be cured. Even the spots there will disappear. Cataract will not come very much. Sesame seeds are steamed after mixing jaggery (and rice flour). By eating these, defects of bile, wind, and phlegm will not come. So, jaggery will cure defects of bile, wind, and phlegm. Sesame seeds cure eye defects. Preparations that are steamed will be digested very quickly. Therefore, diseases will not come due to quick and easy digestion.

We have only learned to worship Vinayaka, but we have not recognized at all his instructions. The most important duty of Vinayaka is to give ideal bliss and health to the people. This fosters intelligence. By worshipping Vinayaka, students get good intelligence. It also brings about memory power. It will also procure for us the power of memory. Hence, students do much worship to Vinayaka on this day of Vinayaka Chaviti.

Not only this. At the very beginning of every music concert also, they will sing the name of Vinayaka. They will begin their singing with a prayer to Vinayaka. They will not begin their singing without first worshipping Vinayaka. However, due to the influence of the Age of Kali, the principle of Vinayaka has been put aside today. So, they are obtaining the principle of vinaasa (destruction, ruin). The main cause for ruin today is making Vinayaka distant.

Man of today is only aspiring for temporary comfort and happiness, but he is not aspiring for permanent bliss and peace at all. We should obtain permanent bliss. We should obtain permanent happiness in all aspects and (also) peace. This peace and permanent happiness in all aspects is obtained only through prayer to God. But it will not be gained through anything else.

Day by day, as time passes, the humanness of man is being destroyed. Human values are being overshadowed. The procedures that man should observe are not being followed at all. So, only when we follow humanness, we will obtain Divinity.

Once words are spoken, we should keep them in the mind for the entire life. Whether small or big, the proper help and gratefulness should be shown. The man who does not have that gratefulness will become wicked.

We are repeating many names in Surya Namaskaram (a prayer to the Sun god). "Salutations to the Sun god," "Salutations to the Supreme Light," and finally "Salutations to the One who will not bear ungratefulness." He does not bear one who is ungrateful. This means that the one who does not show gratefulness will lose his eyesight.

The light in our eyes comes from the Sun god. When we open our eyes, we are able to see everything due to the radiance of the Sun god. Even when the Sun god shines, we can see nothing if the eyes are closed. Hence, the reflection of the Sun god is in our eyes. So, the Sun god will leave the eyes of the man who does not show gratefulness. This means he will become blind. Man cannot do any work if he is blind. Even if he is a great scholar, he cannot see any small object if the eyes are closed.

Therefore, nethra (eye) is the Sastra (scriptures) of our life. So, our whole Sastra is the nethra only. It means the eyes are the radiance of the Sun god and the reflection of the Sun god. So, we have to look after our eyes very carefully. If any defect occurs in the eyes, it shows a lack of gratitude in us.

Therefore, the nature of Vinayaka defines many paths for the upliftment of man. Worship to Vinayaka began in ancient times. However, many people feel that it has only been going on since some time. There are prayers to Vinayaka in the very beginning of the Narayana Upanishad.

They felt that the Sun was very important. They worshipped Vinayaka, who is the reflection of the Sun god. In all the Vedas, even in the Rig-Veda, Yajur Veda, and Sama Veda, there are numerous manthras (mystically powerful sound symbols) to Vinayaka. Every musician also sings, "Vimala Devi ('Goddess of Purity', referring to Parvati Devi), won't You grant Your Grace as You do to Vinayaka?" So they pray, "Bless me just as You blessed Vinayaka." How will that come about? In what way can it be achieved? Does he have in himself the qualities of Vinayaka?

Vinayaka has a pure heart. Siddhi (powers acquired through spiritual practices) and Buddhi (intellect) are his (two) eyes. These eyes, Siddhi and Buddhi, are considered as his wives. (Popular belief is that Vinayaka has two wives named Siddhi and Buddhi.) So, Vinayaka is called the leader of Siddhi and Buddhi. If one wants Siddhi, there has to be intellect. If one wants to have intelligence, we have to increase gratefulness in us. Intellect will be destroyed in one who is ungrateful. After intellect is destroyed, how can we get Siddhi?

Vinayaka is the one who makes everything completely successful. We should try to recognize such a nature of Vinayaka to some extent. Today, we should pray to Vinayaka first, when we begin any work. Vinayaka must be worshipped first and foremost before entering a newly built house, giving an education, or starting any ashram.

Everyone has someone or another as their leader (Master) but Vinayaka has no Master (above him). He only is the Master. Vinayaka is the Master to all. He has no other Master. We will be wrong if we act in an egotistical way, not praying to Vinayaka who has no other leader (above him).

The festival to Vinayaka starts before all the other festivals. After this festival to Vinayaka is completed, the rest of the festivals come. Therefore, Vinayaka is the first (one) worshipped before beginning any important festival. Vinayaka is the most important one for physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. We have to protect all three.

In our college, we have started 'MBA'. When relating to students, 'MBA' is said to mean 'Masters of Business Administration'. It isn't, it isn't! 'MBA' means - ‘M’ for the mind, ‘B’ for the body, and 'A' is for the Atma in us. (Applause) So, mind, body, Atma - the unified co-ordination of these three is 'MBA'. He (God) gave the mind to inquire. He gave the body to act. And there is the Atma to watch (to see) whether these two things are being done properly or not.

Atma always exists. Atma is permanent. Mind is first unsteady. It should be put on the right path and the proper state should be experienced. The enquiry has to be done: 'I am a human being. Do I have a mind correct for a human being or is it the mind of an animal?' One should begin to have the mind of a man.

‘B’ stands for the body. In what way should the body be used? The body has to put into action that which the mind resolves. However, here the intellect has some power to inquire. It inquires whether what the mind resolves is right or wrong, true or not, mistake or correct. If this (resolve) is good, then the intellect will give it to the Atma. If this resolve is not correct, it will not be accepted by the Atma.

Therefore, every single human being has to recognize the nature of the mind, body, intellect, and Atma. First and foremost, we should purify the mind. Without purifying the mind, the intellect will not accept it (mind) at all. This is:

The intellect masters the mind and that (mind) is the master of the senses. So, we are going according to the senses. We are following the mind. The mind is the master of the senses. (But) what is the use? Still, the senses are not being controlled.

Some say, "I have a very sensitive mind." What is this sensitive mind? Animals are sensitive! Therefore:

The mind that controls the senses is the true master. Vinayaka has a very important position regarding the nature of the mind. He remains as a witness. He will not even reply to anything that is said. He keeps showing by his example. Therefore, the nature of Vinayaka is ideal in every matter.

Once Valmiki came and prayed to Narada, "Swami, is there anyone who adheres to Truth in this world? Is there anyone who is always experiencing bliss? Is there anyone who is always smiling? Is there anyone who forgives mistakes? Is there anyone who does not make mistakes (who does no wrong)? Is there anyone who expresses gratefulness even for a small thing? Is there anyone who spends (all his) time with Truth and Dharma?" He asked eleven questions.

Then Narada said, "Valmiki, why are you going to so much trouble? There is one leader in this world who has taken a human form, who has not only these 11, but 11,000 (good) qualities (or virtues)."

What is the meaning of man today being called ‘one of character’? Character has nothing to do with gunas (qualities or attributes) at all. There is no one who can show the form of character. Good resolves, good thoughts, and good behavior are the three most important deeds for it (good character). Therefore, it is said that only the one who has good qualities and good conduct has good character. If there are good qualities, he will have good conduct (behavior). If there aren’t any good qualities, he will not undertake good behavior. There are only these two in the world: good qualities and good behavior. How are they? Good qualities are Divine. Good conduct is the embodiment of Divinity.

He (Narada) said, "One individual who has such good qualities and conduct has been born in the form of a man in the Thretha Yuga. Therefore, you follow Rama, O Son!" Rama did so many works. He practiced so many actions. He experienced so many difficulties. However, even though all of these (things) happened, He never gave up His path. He did not leave Truth. Whatever He did was Truth. What He said was not only Truth, but (also) all that He spoke became the Truth only.

This is the path taught by Narada. Therefore, the one who taught this important path of Truth and sanctity (purity) was Narada only. However, many people feel that Narada likes conflicts. (Note: In the Hindu tradition, Narada is one of the 'Immortals', like Hanuman, existing eternally.) He does not like conflicts. He does not have a hard heart. He is a ray of radiant light. He radiates wisdom. He is full of wisdom. Narada is the one who taught the whole world wisdom. He taught the whole world the Gayathri Manthra, which was acquired by Vishwamitra.

That (Omkara) only is the true Veda. Everything has come from that Omkara. The harmonium is played. The air is only one, but different sounds come when each reed is pressed. 'Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-da-ni'. (This is the Indian musical scale like 'Do-Re-Me-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do' is the Western musical scale.) Where do these sounds come from? They all come from the same air. So, that one air is Omkara. All of these different sounds are like modifications. All of these modifications have all come from Omkara only.

We have to recognize these three things first and foremost.

However, students of today do not have the suitable power and capability to recognize this Truth. There is only familiarity with books, but there is no familiarity with the heart at all. They look at (go through) the books and learn them by heart. Then they go into the examination hall and pour out everything that they learned by heart onto the examination paper. They then come out with an empty head. However, after coming outside, they don’t know what they wrote in the examination. This is only artificial. This is not true education. This is artificial. What is the use of us studying education like this?

For what are we studying so much? We are studying to fill the small stomach. To fill this small stomach, if the name of God is repeated, won't the stomach be filled? Therefore, the knowledge that is learned only to fill the stomach is not real education for us.

Saraswatha (a great sage, named Apantaratamas in one birth and Vyasa in another birth) taught this to the world. In what way did he teach? (Swami says a long sloka, mentioning different names used for demi-gods.) These are all feelings that come with saluting the Sun god. He also made compositions extolling the forms of God.

Moha (delusion through attachment to the world) is playing with every single person in this world. Moha is deluding mankind. (Swami says a Sanskrit sloka giving several names for Cupid, the God of Love.) Cupid is one who causes man to be deluded.

Then Saraswatha explained:

Then he taught about Lakshmi (the Goddess of Wealth). In this way, he instructed about all the different forms of the Divine. These are the footsteps of Vinayaka. They are not distorted. They are discriminative.

Instead of filling the heart with such Divine, auspicious, fresh feelings, we are making our life bad by spending it with evil resolves, bad vibrations, and living bad lives.

The ones who asked for forgiveness for the wrongs that they did were the sages of those days and were the ones of sacrifice, the yogis (ascetics) of those days. However, the ones who do not ask for forgiveness of wrongs done are the rogis (diseased, sick people) of today and the bhogis (people who revel in sensual pleasure) of today. These bhogis will only get roga (disease), but they cannot achieve yoga (union with God).

All that is happening today in the world is corrupted, ruined, and perverse. It is not natural to mankind. Wherever one looks, there are killings, fighting, and scolding. Is this our 'humanness'? Living as human beings, where has 'humanness' gone? Where have compassion and kindness gone among mankind? Where have Love and sacrifice gone? Where did non-violence and mercy go? Where did they go? They cannot be seen by the eyes.

So, we have been born in this world as human beings. We have to live as human beings. We have to share humanness. Human qualities have to be practiced. Humanness has to be experienced. It is important that the bliss that is experienced be shared with others. We will be true human beings when we have pure feelings like this in us.

As humans, we are calling ourselves 'human beings'. However, even a tiny bit of humanness cannot be seen anywhere nor experienced in the words uttered. Truly, (there is) none at all. In behavior, it is completely a bad path only. If we observe the resolves, they are all bad resolves only. Then, how will you have good feelings? Where are the good resolves? Where do you have compassion and Love?

We have to share compassion and Love. It can be said that one with a heart devoid of Love is a danava (demon). Hence, a danava will not have daya (compassion). Manava (man) has daya. We can attain anything with compassion. We can cultivate anything with Love.

All the gopikas (cowherd maids) sang like this.

Ours is all a barren land. It doesn’t have Love.

That rain also has to fall.

Where is He playing it (the song to make Love flow)? You are thinking that He is playing it (the song) on the (instrumental) flute. (But) this flute is different, not a wooden one. What flute (is it)? The nine holes that God has carved! In this body, there are nine holes. Sacred sounds have to emanate out of those nine holes. Good sounds should come. Discordant sounds should not come. Tuneless sounds should not come.

"Hold such a flute of the heart in Your hand, Krishna! It is no use for You to sing in a heart with no Love. Sing a song of Love." At the time of Krishna's singing, hearing and hearing it, Radha became merged in that sound. Who is Radha? Not a woman! Dhara (the earth) is Radha. Dhara transformed into Radha. The world is a flute and she is Radha.

Today is Vinayaka Chaviti. Yet, the nature of Vinayaka is all-pervasive. Vinayaka is one who does not have any Master (above him). So, such a Vinayaka has power and intellect. He is the Master of both siddhi (power) and buddhi (intellect). The leader of our intellect is he only. Only he is the Master of our siddhi. Therefore, he is a Master. So he is called a Pathi (husband, Master, or Lord). We have to begin with such a leader. When the leader is good, a good goal will be reached. But today, leaders are not suitable.

He (Vinayaka) made the rat his vehicle. The rat is always going towards bad smells. So, he made the rat that smells bad things his vehicle. This means Vinayaka put this rat under his foot, which (in turn) suggests that Vinayaka has no bad traits at all. ('Vasana' has two meanings in Telugu: 'traits' and 'smells'. In this context, both are bad.) There are no bad tendencies at all in him, only sacred feelings. Having such sacred feelings, Vinayaka made the rat his vehicle and put it below his feet.

Even all the sages and seekers prayed to the one (Vinayaka) who has the vehicle of a rat. Hence, the worship of Vinayaka is not new. It has been going on from ancient days until today. Therefore, first and foremost, we have to recognize such a nature of Vinayaka. The pot-bellied leader is in our heart. Such a Vinayaka should always be contemplated on.

Vinayaka is the embodiment of all gods. All gods worship Vinayaka. Whether Vaishnavites (those who worship Vishnu) or Shaivites (those who worship Shiva), everyone does worship to Vinayaka. So Vinayaka is the embodiment of all gods. Vinayaka is the embodiment of all religions. Vinayaka is the embodiment of all castes. Vinayaka is the embodiment of all sacred texts. When you recognize this Truth and put it into practice, you will be so fortunate (blessed).

A doctor came here from Italy. There is as much work as he wants in Italy. But he said, "Not there. I have to work in the Presence of God!" He is in the Department of Cardiology. He came here and is doing work relating to the heart.

Then, there is Keshava. He is also a Cardiologist. He came from America. He is a young man. He is able to do any amount of work. "I don’t want all this work in America." Wanting to do Swami’s seva (loving or selfless service), he brought all his baggage here.

Yet, they look like ordinary people to the people who see them from the outside. However, if one goes deeply inside and inquires about their power and capabilities, there is no one greater than they are. They are very special. They are leaders, great leaders. Such leaders have come here to Prasanthi Nilayam. They are working night and day and being simple, living only for Swami’s Love alone.

Just now you have seen (Dr.) Alreja. When I went to Bombay 30 years ago, he sat in the crowd. He suffered a heart attack then and there. He fell down. I went running to him from the stage. I went there, made him lie down, and rubbed him on the heart. Afterwards, a stretcher was brought and I told them to take him up for treatment. That same Alreja, who was taken away on a stretcher, came to Puttaparthi and has had no other worry till today. (Applause)

I told him, "Dear one! You are almost 90 years old. You are not able to climb those stairs, leading to the hospital. Go in the car." He said, "The body that was given to me is my car. As long as this is safe, I will do my own work. Don’t go to trouble by sending a car." He is still walking to the hospital.

Surayya was from Venkatagiri. He was six feet three inches - such a tall man! He was a celibate; there was no marriage. He used to come. When I lay down at night, he used to softly open the door and come in. He used to massage My Feet. I said, "I don’t have pain in the Feet, Surayya!" He said, "You don’t have pain. But, if I don’t do it, I will have pain! (Applause) So to massage a little is my own pleasure." "OK." (I was) thinking, 'How long will he sit?' I used to close My eyes as if I was asleep. As soon as My eyes closed, he used to go. In that way, he was working even up to the last day. He also lived for one hundred years!

That is what confers long life. Aren’t there so many who are exercising? Aren’t there so many who are taking tonics? Aren’t there so many who are taking pills? However, all is 'deficiency' only (not causing them to have long life). These devotees (just mentioned above) are not ones who took any medicines at all. If any stomach pain came, they used to come running to Me. They used to take vibhuthi prasad and mix it in water and drink it. They used to foster their life in this way. Therefore, there should be more individuals like that made ready.

However, many people said, "Swami, my teeth are falling. What use is it after the teeth are gone?" I said, "The teeth may go, but the tongue doesn’t go. Isn't it so? The strong teeth die first. They are strong. The ones that are strong go first. But the soft ones won't go at all. When you go (die), that (what your tongue has spoken) also will come with you. Therefore, the tongue is not something that goes. Keep the tongue safe. Make it a good tongue.

Why was the tongue given to you? Do you know why the tongue was given? To eat everything? No, no, no, no! Do you know why the feet were given to you? To go around all the alleys and bylanes? No, no, no, no! Like that, each one (limb) has a certain purpose.