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. . The words spoken by Bhagavan in English are highlighted in bold black.

Discourse By Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Christmas

December 25^th, 2001

        By pushing blame and harm far,

      developing feelings of Love

         and having the good intellect that all is One,

        people only then may make the earth into heaven.

                                               (Telugu poem)

Speak Truth

Embodiments of Love!

Sathyam Bruyath, Priyam Bruyath,

Na Bruyath Sathyam Apriyam.

Speak Truth; speak pleasantly.

    Do not speak unpleasant truth.

(Sanskrit sloka)

‘Sathyam Bruyath’ (Speak Truth): this is moral life. ‘Priyam Bruyath’ (Speak pleasantly): this is dharmic. ‘Na Bruyath Sathyam Apriyam’ (Don’t speak unpalatable truth): this is spiritual. Man is the combined form of the three: morality, dharma and spirituality.

One is not a true human being if one practices truth but not dharma. One is not a true human being if one practices dharma but not truth. Man is the form of the three: morality, dharma and spirituality.

We cannot see an ocean devoid of waves. We cannot see the sun devoid of rays. The sea without waves is not a sea. A sun without rays is not a sun. A man without Love is not a man. (Applause) Love is as important to man as waves are important to the sea. Love is as important to man as the sun is a basis for the rays. So man always has to lead a life of Love. Don’t begin to have hatred toward anyone. Don’t harm anybody.

One Who Has Compassion Is Man

Hence, the Vedas teach that in human nature, God is in the heart. They call this ‘hrudaya’ (heart). ‘Hrut’ (‘the place which has’) plus ‘daya’ (compassion) is ‘hrudaya’. The one who has compassion is man. So this compassion should be permanent in man.

Now and then, a few characteristics of behavior, which are distortions due to sense objects, arise in man. Man’s desires alone are the root cause for bad qualities and bad ego. Hrudaya (a compassionate heart) cannot remain in a man who has ego. This only is a lack of compassion. Therefore, there should be a heart of compassion in every man.

Every man should inquire about today’s times, circumstances and about the situation of the country. One should not live only for selfishness and self-interests. Man is not only an individual. He is a part of the community. Society is a part of Creation. Man’s life is more important than just being an individual.

Prakrithi (Nature) is the combination of the four: Divinity, Creation, society and the individual. Man, who is an individual joined in society and in Creation, should make the proper effort to gain Divinity. Jesus also said this same thing. He said that an individual’s life apart from society is useless.

Purity will come to the place that has unity. Where there is purity, there only Divinity will come. Where there is Divinity, there only Divine nature will be gained. Therefore, people of today have to feel that unity, purity and Divinity are the root cause for Divine nature.

If one inquires well into Vedanta, there are three types of akasha (space) in man. But what are the forms of this space? When the inquiry is made, we can understand to any extent.

The One You Really Are

The three Arabian kings came together when Jesus was born. They came to have darshan of him. One said:

  “The one you think you are”

He said that, “He seems to be a Divine man.”

The second one said:

  “The one others think you are”

It means this is a nature which pertains to society. This is not an individual; it is the form of society.

The third king taught:

  “The One you really are”

He said, “He is one who has that Divine nature.”

Due to each man having a different head and brain, their thoughts are also different. But we should not give any chance at all for these different thoughts. Regarding that, due to today’s influences of Kali Yuga, man is aspiring for duality, but he doesn’t relish unity at all. He is fragmenting unity into diversity, but the ancient ones had faith that there was unity in diversity.

Bhutakasha (The Physical Universe)

Therefore, it has to be said that out of the three types of akasha, we should recognize the very first akasha. That which relates to the body is called Bhutakasha. What does Bhutakasha mean? All that can be seen is Bhutakasha only. All that is seen will become unseen: seen - unseen.

The entire world that is seen is only Bhutakasha. All that is made of material is only Bhutakasha. All that has life is only Bhutakasha. All the living beings are only Bhutakasha. Even the stars that can be seen by our eyes are Bhutakasha. The sun, which is 9 crores (ninety million miles) away, is also Bhutakasha. The Milky Ways, which are even further, are also Bhutakasha.

This means that all that can be seen by the sight in our eyes, everything that can be seen, is Bhutakasha. Therefore this means that it is unlasting and impermanent. First and foremost, we have to make an effort to recognize such a Bhutakasha.

Everything in this Bhutakasha is the combination of matter and the combination of praana (life force). Mountains, oceans, forests - all are Bhutakasha only. All of these forms are forms that we recognize.

Chitthakasha (The Mind)

But that which swallows this Bhutakasha is Chitthakasha. Chitthakasha swallows such a vast universe. This means that…you can just imagine how small Bhutakasha must be to have Chitthakasha swallow it! However, the entire sky, the sun, the moon and the stars join and comprise Bhutakasha. In our sight, how big it is! Such a vast and mighty universe appears very small to Chitthakasha. Chitthakasha swallows such a vast universe.

The entire perceptible universe is only an atom in Chitthakasha. You may doubt, “How?” You have seen very huge mountains. You have seen great oceans. You are seeing the sun, which is nine crores (90 million) miles away. Then, you are seeing Milky Ways, which are even vastly further away. You have seen all of these; but all that is seen remains as small as an atom in your mind. Therefore, the entire world that is seen remains as an atom in the mind.

Bhutakasha has been compared to the body. Chitthakasha is like the mind. The form of the two, the body and the mind, is thus proof for us of Bhutakasha and Chitthakasha. However, there is another thing that is the basis for all of this. That only is called Chidaakasha by the Vedas.

Chidaakasha (Atma)

Bhutakasha, Chitthakasha and Chidaakasha: Bhutakasha is the body. Chitthakasha is the mind. Chidaakasha is the Atma. (Applause) Therefore, the combined form of these three is human nature. Man is not low. He is the embodiment of Infinity and the embodiment of vastness. We are considering such a human nature to be so low.

Atma can't be seen at all. What sort of form does Atma have? Chidaakasha is space. That Chidaakasha only is the nature of Atma. Therefore, what does Atma mean? Chidaakasha only is Atma. This has no gross form. This means, Atma can't be seen in a specific form. It isn't present at one time and not present at another time. This Atma is something that never changes its nature. Vedanta describes this Atma as:

Nirgunam, Niranjanam, Sanathanam, Niketanam,

Nithya, Suddha, Buddha, Muktha,

Nirmala Swarupinam.

Attributeless, unsullied, Eternal,

always pure, pure intellect, free, unpolluted form.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Chitthakasha may always be seen in a dream. But Chidaakasha can't be seen in anything. It is always full of bliss. It is unwavering. It is nectarine. That only is the nature of Atma. One may gradually observe Chitthakasha in the state of sleep. Bhutakasha may be seen in dream state. Yet, this Atma akasha (Chidaakasha) may be seen only in deep sleep state, which is beyond the dream state. That only is Chidaakasha. In that we will gain bliss alone.

How? At night you slept so nicely. No dream at all. No dreams at all. No type of agitations at all. One says, “I was so happy!” This means that the main form (or aspect) of Chidaakasha is peace only. That which is beyond the dream state is the form of Atma.

Be a Mastermind

Therefore, we are the master of all three: Bhutakasha, Chitthakasha and Chidaakasha. Saying, “This is my body,” it can be pushed aside. Saying, “This is my home,” it may be brushed aside. Saying, “This is my mind,” it may also be put aside. While saying, “My mind, my house” regarding everything, you are different from them. Therefore Atma is the Master:

Master the mind. Be a mastermind.

You are the master of all. How can such a man who is a master be low? Therefore, what is your form of Atma? This means that Chidaakasha only is the form of Atma. It is not Chitthakasha and not Bhutakasha. It isn't the ephemeral forms. Hence, Vedanta declares that this Chidaakasha remains as the form of Atma.

The relationship of the three - waking, dream and deep sleep states - compares to the relationship between Bhutakasha, Chitthakasha and Chidaakasha. Therefore, they are direct, indirect and sacred.

Sacredness only is the nature of Atma. It doesn’t have any type of distortions. It doesn’t have any visible forms, so no sounds arise from it. Hence, it is beyond sounds. So, it is said in Vedanta:

Shabda Brahma Mayi, Charaachara Mayi,

Jyotir Mayi, Vaak Mayi, Nithyananda Mayi,

Paraat Para Maya, Maaya  Amaaya Mayi,

Sri Mayi.

Brahma is sound,

everything mobile and immobile,

light, speech, Eternal bliss

Almighty, illusion and non-illusion, and auspiciousness

(Sanskrit sloka)

That which has these eight aspects is the form of Atma.

Charaachara Mayi, Jyotir Mayi,

Vaak Mayi, Nithyananda Mayi.

Mobile and immobile,

 light, speech and Eternal bliss.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Hence, how can we describe this Divinity? This means that which is beyond form is this nature of Atma. Buddha and Jesus made numerous attempts, wanting to behold such an Atma.

All That Is Seen Will Perish

Buddha was also thinking like that: “I am being deceived seeing this perceptible world. I am being deceived by experiencing relationships related to the body. Fie! The body is temporary. Sights are impermanent.” He said:

Yad Drishyam Tannasyam.

                                                                     All that is seen will perish.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Whatever is seen will become distant some day.

Therefore, he went to all the elders. He beheld all the great people. He heard all the teachings they gave. He read all books. Yet he didn’t have satisfaction. Then he threw away all those books. He made distant all the matters that the elders said.

He said, “There are only five things which we can perceive. They only are sound, touch, form (sight), taste and smell. God gave these five senses. If I make these five senses sacred, that only is my liberation.”

Instead of making the five senses sacred, we are undertaking numerous pilgrimages and sadhanas. All of these sadhanas are only useless. All of these thoughts are useless. As long as you have the power of intellect, you perceive. This Atmic nature is beyond your intellect.

That has to be completely given up. The vision has to be corrected. You have to have good listening. You should have good thoughts. You should speak good words. Therefore, if these five senses are made sacred, there is no other greater sadhana. Buddha said this.

All Are One, My Dear Son

Jesus also said this. When all of the fishermen came, first and foremost they desired what appealed to them in the world. Peter said, “I want a lot of fish.” Still, he was on Lokakasham (the physical world). This only is Bhutakasha. Jesus fulfilled all their desires relating to Bhutakasha. Finally Peter thought about Chidaakasha - Chidaakasha, meaning Atma. “This Chitthakasha is not what I should desire. I have to go beyond my Chitthakasha (mind).”

Jesus also said that to everybody. “Oh, people! Why this hatred? Why these agitations? Foster all with compassion. Love everyone. Wish well for everyone. Have faith in the unity in diversity.” Jesus also said this. There were no different teachings of his. Numerous disciples wrote just as they liked. When they put his body on the cross, an ethereal voice said:

All are One, my dear son.

Be alike to everyone.

What is this? As the Mother Mary was crying, Jesus said:

Death is the dress of life.

What is this? Death is only changing this dress. This dress is changed and another dress comes. Will human beings always have the same dress? One changes dresses every day. In that same way, these bodies change through numerous births. So it should not be called death just because it changes. This change is only related to the body.

The Perception of Non-Duality

The nature of life is always permanent. That only is the nature of Immortality. That is the nature of nectar. That only is bliss. That bliss only is called Eternal bliss and Supreme happiness. However, what Jesus said was:

Adwaitha Darshanam Jnanam.

 The perception of non-duality is Jnana.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Hence, what does the perception of non-duality mean? Not two, but One. If it is said, “Only One,” it still may become two. Therefore, it is said:

Ekam Eva Adviteeyam Brahma.

  Brahma is One-without-a-second.

(Sanskrit sloka)

If it becomes two, it may be said that there are many more. However:

     Ekam Eva Adviteeyam.

   It is One-without-a-second.

(Sanskrit sloka)

It means One-and-One-only, That-which-has-no-second. God is That-without-a-second, Only-One. Due to worldly feelings regarding all of this, due to the nature of pravritthi (the outer path), you are feeling that there are so many forms and so many names. Yet if one truly thinks, there is actually only One God, only One form (Atma) and only One name (Atma).

In songs also they are singing:

Eka Prabhu Ka Aneka Naam,

The One God has numerous names.

(Hindi bhajan)

Different bodies may be changed. Therefore, you should not keep the illusion of the body. As long as there is body attachment, we will not gain attachment to Atma.

Truth Is That Which Does Not Change

As long as we have the body, we have to discharge the duties of the body. These inter-relationships have to be fostered. Likes and dislikes should be fostered, but we should not feel that they are permanent. All of these move away like passing clouds. Is there any truth in moving clouds? All of these keep changing. So that which keeps changing is not Truth.

Truth is that which does not change. That only is formless. That is Sadakasha (eternal space). Sadakasha is the form of Atma. It does not change. It has no form at all as such. It may put on any form that you prefer.

You have made a little sweet juice. It takes the form of whatever glass you pour it into. A mother has four children. One comes and he says, “Mother, I want red juice.” Another one comes and he says, “Mother, I want green juice.” Another one comes and he says, “I want black juice.” Another one comes and he says, “I want white juice.”

If the color of the juice keeps changing, the juice itself will be spoiled. So what does the intelligent mother do? She will ask, “What juice do you want, dear son?” He will say, “I want red juice.” She pours it into a red cup and gives it. Another one comes and says, “Mother, I want green juice.” She pours it into a green cup and gives it.

They each have satisfaction, yet the juice is the same! It is only the cups that change: this green one, red one, black one, white one. But no change comes to the juice. (Applause)

Therefore, in the world we are hoping for all kinds of forms. All of these bodies are like the differences in cups. We should not only consider these differences. Give up attachment to the body; choose attachment to the Atma, and Divinity must be loved. So what is it that should be chosen? Attachment to the Atma!

Bodies change some day or the other. By aspiring towards that which changes, we will succumb to sorrow some day. If we want to remove sorrow, if we want to experience Immortality, if we want to experience bliss, we have to fully give up forms.

As long as the body exists, it should be respected. As long as it exists, it has to be served. As long as it exists, it has to be protected. But afterwards we don’t need to think about it. Why think of this?

Why should we be sad? Sorrow is only ignorance. So we should not give opportunity for this sorrow. Anything that comes will also go in time.

We should feel that Divinity is One. There must be faith that Divinity is One. It is only these cups that keep changing. The cups change but the nature of Atma is inside. The nature of Atma will never change. Therefore, have faith in the nature of Atma. Consider that the nature of Atma is bliss.

What Jesus Taught

This is essentially what Jesus taught. He proved to them an ideal in all ways, physically and materially. Finally he proved that there is only one Truth.

Then there were the disciples. There was Mathew, who was an income tax commissioner. He used to come to the fishermen and collect the income tax. Jesus was always teaching all of the fishermen. This Mathew wrote all of that. Mathew wrote all of it and he made it into a part of the Bible. Then the other disciples wrote all the rest, based on their own feelings.

Nowhere did Jesus say, “I am God” or “I am a religious or spiritual head” or “I am sacred” or “I am a guru.” He taught God is the Father saying:

“God is my Father, my Father, Father, Father.”

So, his nature was very sacred. He taught the proper path for experiencing unity. He didn’t give any place at all for diversity. However, wherever he went, he said, “I am Divine only, Divine only.”

“I Am God”

Five thousand years ago, in Uttara Pradesh, there was a man called Akbarvan. He always was saying, “I am God, I am God.” All heard and became surprised. “What is this? Is he crazy or what? Why is he talking like this? Is it ego or what?”

Saying that, a few more people, namely all the scholars, began to have hatred. “Even though we have learned so much knowledge, we are not saying that we are God! This mad fellow called Akbarvan is saying, “I am God, I am God.”

Saying that, they went to the king and made a complaint. The king also made many inquiries. At last, a lot of distorted publicity and complaints arose. The scholars also returned to the king.

What does a ‘scholar’ mean?

Pandita Sama Darshanaha.

  A scholar is one with equal vision.

(Sanskrit sloka)

The scholars, who did not have equal vision, increased enmity and began hating him. They told the king, “Oh King! If you keep such a crazy fellow in this world, we will leave this village. We will leave your kingdom.” They made that resolve.

The king said, “Then what is to be done?” The scholars answered, “If he is God, cut off his legs. Let us see!” The king gave that order. When his legs were being cut off, then he also said, “I am God, I am God.” He did not suffer. Even all the blood from his legs was saying, “I am God, I am God, I am God.”

Then the king felt very badly. “I committed such a sinful act due to these ignorant scholars. He is a supreme devotee, a supreme devotee! His is a sacred life!” Saying that, the king praised him and described that what he was saying was the truth.

‘Persona’ Means ‘Sacred’

Jesus was the same way. Jesus also, even from the very beginning, never said that he was God. He only kept saying, “Father, Father, Father, Father.” He pacified all the hostile people who came to him.

“There is only One God for me, for you and for everyone. There is only one Father for you, for me and for everyone. We are all children of this Father. Hence, we are the children of God.” He also taught that.

Finally, due to hostile people increasing, some of them went and caught hold of the head priest. He also knew the fault in their accusations. He knew that everything Jesus was saying was true. However, to protect his position, the head priest gave this kind of punishment to Jesus. He said to crucify him.

The governor agreed to that, but he felt very badly. He said, “Fie, fie, fie! Have I succumbed to such a sin?” The second day (after crucifixion), when Jesus rose again, the governor spread the fame that Jesus was a very great man.

In the very beginning, all the Roman Catholics did not say that he was God. They didn’t say that he was a disciple. They didn’t say that he was the servant of God. However, they gave him another name. They called him, “Persona.” All the Roman Catholics called Jesus, “Persona, persona, persona.”

‘Persona’ means ‘sacred’. English people made that sacred word ‘persona’ into ‘person’. So the word ‘person’ has come from ‘persona’. This means that this sacred Divinity is present in every single human being. Therefore, they called everyone ‘person, person, person’. (Applause) Hence, even I and even every human being is a form of the Divine.

I and you are One.

Therefore, all are embodiments of the Divine. So there is the Divine Atma in everyone. They gave the name of ‘persona’ to this Atma. Hence, there is Divinity in every single human being. A human being devoid of God cannot be seen at all. A living being devoid of God cannot be seen at all. There is no life form devoid of God. There is Divinity in every living being.

Sarvata Paani Paadam, Tat Sarvota Cha Siromukham,

Sarvato Sritomeloke, Sarvamato Tishtati.

With feet, eyes, head, mouth, and ears pervading everywhere,

God permeates the entire Universe.

(Sanskrit sloka)

There is Divinity in every form.

He Is One For All

There are so many sacred meanings evident if the Bible and Koran are grasped and observed in this way. However, all foolish people, who don’t know the true meanings, develop a different meaning for each one, and due to that they’re entering onto a perverted path. Allah, Jesus and others - none of them said anything bad.

Mohammedans call Him Allah.

Good Christians call Him Jehovah.

Worshippers of Vishnu call Him the Lotus-eyed One.

Worshippers of Siva call Him Sambhu.

There is only One (God),

who increases joy, grants long life,

prosperity, auspiciousness,

and protects.

  (Telugu poem)

He is One for all. So whether Allah, Jesus, Rama or Krishna, we are only putting names according to our preferences; but God is only One. Thinking, “Allah said like this, Jesus said like this, Rama said like this,” is only all our delusion.

All of them only taught sacred paths for the upliftment of people. They taught that everyone should live in well-being. No one, no elders, said things like, “Kill them and cut them up.” Accepting horrible meanings like this, such people are increasing a type of evil in this world. It shouldn’t be, it shouldn’t be so!

No matter what great ones said, they only said affectionate words. They said to love all. They did not say to hate anyone. Some say that the great ones said to kill some Hindu people. That is a big mistake. No one has the authority to kill. The Atma in everyone is One.

Hence, making this type of bad feelings arise toward God, man today is acting and behaving wickedly. This is not good for anyone. Love everyone.

Love all. Serve all.

(Applause)

This is the true Divine teaching. Don’t give anyone suffering. Don’t give any pain to the minds of others. If the mind of others is given pain, the amount that the other person’s mind was hurt, that same pain will come ten times to your mind. If you have made anyone suffer, others will make you suffer ten times that. So we should not give suffering to anyone at all.

Even bad words shouldn’t be spoken to anyone. If you don’t like to speak with someone, sit and keep the mouth closed. Only do like that. But just don’t speak bad words. (Applause)

You cannot always oblige,

but you can always speak obligingly,

 obligingly, obligingly, obligingly.

You have to make your time sanctified with words like that.

God is Love

Embodiments of Love!

All of you are embodiments of Love. That Love only is God. The man without Love will become like the ocean without waves and like the sun without rays. So that which has waves is the ocean. That which has rays is the sun. The one who has Love is a human being. If he doesn’t have Love, he is not a human being at all. Therefore, if we want to protect our humanness, we have to develop Love.

There is no other God that excels Love. God is Love. Love is God. Therefore, we have to develop Love and tear apart all distorted feelings. The one who has mean-mindedness will feel according to the whims of his mind. All of these are the characteristics of lowliness. These are characteristics of ignorance. This is only a kind of naiveté (ignorance).

Therefore, none of you should believe those who teach these types of distortions. We have to have faith in our Love. If you are one who doesn’t have faith in your Love, how can you have faith in anyone else? Therefore, Love is God and God is Love.

Love is God. Live in Love.

We have to develop this kind of Love. However, today education is increasing and this Love is becoming nil. Hatred is increasing. Feelings of differences are increasing. Distorted meanings are increasing. You are forgetting the Truth.

Yet, can the one who forgets Truth in this way be a human being? Therefore, we should not forget the Truth. You are changing into animals by taking the distorted meanings and feeling that these distorted meanings are the Truth.

What Is Spirituality?

Really, what is the meaning of spirituality? There are also foolish people who don’t even know the meaning of spirituality. Spirituality means killing the animality in every man, developing humanness and transforming it into Divinity. This is spirituality.  (Applause)

It is not at all possible to gain Divinity without killing the animality in us. Therefore, first and foremost, we have to put our animality under control. Only when this animality is put under control, Divinity will become sacred (will be experienced).

All should be loved. But this love today is not vast (broad). It is narrow love. Due to that reason, man is changing into an animal. This is not right. Such a man will never be able to attain the proper path. He will not attain bliss at all. He will always be falling into sorrow.

We will have bliss when we keep vast feelings. As the love is developed, bliss will also increase for us. As the hatred is increased, we will only get that which is unlasting and impermanent.

Embodiments of Love!

Importantly, what you have to recognize is that God is the embodiment of Love. Man is the embodiment of Love. Therefore it is said:

Daivam Manusha Rupena.

God is in the form of Man.

(Sanskrit sloka)

So, God in the form of man is only you! Wherever one looks, God is taking the form of human beings; but He will not assume any other form. Divinity is present in every other living being also.

A cow cries out. What does it say? It yells, “Amma!” (“Mother!”) What mother? It doesn’t know any other language; therefore it says, “Amma! Jagadamba!” (“Mother! Mother of the Universe!”) It is only the Divine Name that comes from the mouths of everything. Hence, Divinity dances in every single human being.

I Was With God!

This religion of Christ, which formed this Christianity, came through Jesus. Jesus also went to Jerusalem and sat in the synagogue. His mother was crying, wondering where he went. He was a four-year-old boy. There was a festival going on. There were huge crowds that gathered in Jerusalem, but this boy could not be seen.

While searching, wondering where Jesus had gone, finally she searched until evening. Both wife and husband were sitting in one place together, feeling very badly. This boy Jesus came running. His mother Mary became joyful and said, “Dear son, dear son! Have you come? Where were you for so much time?”

Jesus answered, “Me? I was with God. Will anyone cry if someone is with God? Why are you crying, mother?” There the priest had been reading in that synagogue. Jesus sat and listened in that synagogue.  

In Jerusalem many sacred festivals were held. Jesus saw those festivals there. He made all of the people understand that living beings should not be harmed. He did everything like Buddha.

All pigeons were sold there. They used to be given in sacrifice. When these pigeons were given in sacrifice, it meant to the people that it was pleasing to God. Then Jesus said, “Fie! Is it pleasing to God to kill living beings?” Saying that, the small boy Jesus went to all the shops that were selling pigeons and let all of the pigeons go free. Everyone became angry with him. They beat him; they scolded him. They did other things. Jesus said, “Whether you scold or criticize, it is only to this body, but it is not to Me.”

Krishna Threw the Plate

This same situation arose in the Mahabharata. All the Pandavas asked, “Who should be given the agratambulam (the chief offering, consisting of tambulam, which is betel nut and leaves, called paan)?  “Krishna should be given tambulam. Krishna only is the protector for all of us. Krishna should be given the agratambulam.”

That evil man Sishupala got up. At the time when the tambulam was being received by Krishna, Sishupala said:

Are You being worshipped because You stole the clothes of the maids as they were bathing?

Being honored because of spending time playing pranks with cowherd women?

 Stop all this narration now!

End all self-aggrandizement and shut Your mouth!

                          (Telugu poem)

When he said, “Krishna! Shut your mouth,” tears fell from Dharmaja’s eyes. “Fie! In such a big gathering, this evil person has told my Krishna, ‘Shut up!’ ”

Krishna threw the plate that the tambulam was given on. The plate went and cut off Sishupala’s head. The chakra (Vishnu’s weapon, the discus) was not brought from somewhere else. The plate only was the chakra.

Sishupala’s blood came and fell at Krishna’s Feet. Then Dharmaja became even angrier. “Krishna! Even though he criticized You so much, his blood is falling at Your Feet! This is completely unjustified! It doesn’t have the authority to be at Your Feet.”

Then Krishna said laughingly, “Dharmaja! Criticizing and praising, rejecting and accepting only reach the body but not the Atma. (Applause) He was always remembering Me saying, ‘Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Krishna!’ He was remembering Me with hatred saying, ‘Krishna, Krishna! I will not inquire whether it is out of hatred or Love. It is most important to Me that My Name is remembered.”

Only God's Name Will Grant Liberation

It is said:

Smarane Taruno Paayam.

  Redemption is through contemplation on God’s Name.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Then He said:

Harih Nama Harih Nama,

Harih Namame Kevalam,

Kalo Nastiva, Nastiva, Gatih Nidha.

Only God's Name, God's Name, God's Name

will grant liberation, grant liberation in the Kali age.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Therefore, we can achieve any task with Namasmarana. Namasmarana can be done during whatever work is done. Even if you are going on a journey, you can do Namasmarana. There should be a certain time and place if meditation, japa or austerity is done. But you don’t need any place or time for Namasmarana:

Sarvada Sarva Kaleshu Sarvatra Hari Chintanam.

Contemplate on God everywhere,

at all times and under all circumstances.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Therefore, if this Namasmarana is done, there is nothing greater.

God Doesn’t Forget Anyone

The Kingdom of Mother Sai (Anantapur College alumnae) students and Srinivas also said, “Swami, You can forget anything but do not forget us.” God doesn’t forget anyone! (Applause) It is only the devotees who forget and remember, but not God. It is your imagination only that comes as a reflection here. Therefore, everyone is having imagination. It is only your own reaction, resound and reflection.

Hence, don’t fall into delusion regarding things like this. God will never forget anyone. He will not command anyone. He continues to Love all. So develop Love. Make distant the bad qualities in you.

However, very bad qualities are developing in children due to today’s education. Truly, they are not correct students at all. Only people like that will begin this type of bad intellect. Srinivas said that true students, Sai students, would never become like that. Yet, there are so many who pose as “Sai students” and act. However, our students are always only sacred students. (Applause) They are those who have very great qualities. It is not possible for anyone to point a finger at them.

In the world, there are many people who change their names for their own selfishness and self-interests and say, “We are Sai’s devotees, Sai’s devotees, Sai’s devotees.” They are using the name of Sai and earning a livelihood. That also makes Swami happy only. It is all right however it is done; it is enough if Namasmarana is done.

Smarane Taruno Paayam.

 Redemption is through contemplation on God’s Name.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Harih Nama Harih Nama, Kevalam,

Only God's Name, God's Name, God's Name

 (Sanskrit sloka)

So never give opportunity for bad qualities. Don’t give any chance for accusations. Hence, always live with Love. Feel, “Love is my God.” There is no other state of being that excels Love.

Bhagavan ended His Divine Discourse by chanting the bhajan,

‘Prema Muditha Mana Se Kaho…’

GLOSSARY FOR CHRISTMAS

25-12-2001

Taken from "A Glossary of Sanskrit Words

Gleaned from Sai Literature"

1)     Akasha: (pg. 17) Ether or space; sound is its nature, e.g. a clap

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

3)     Bhutakasha: (pg. 17) The gross or physical aspect of the universe

4)     Chakra (Sudarshana Chakra): (pg. 94) Name of Lord Krishna’s (Vishnu’s) discus; from su (subha)= good + darshana= vision

5)     Chi! (a Telugu interjection meaning fie! pshaw! pooh! nonsense!)

6)     Chidaakasha: (pg. 17) The causal or finest aspect of the universe

7)     Chitthakasha: (pg. 17) The subtle or mental aspect of the universe

8)     Darshan (pg. 106) Direct seeing of a holy person, which brings His grace and blessing to the viewer

9)     Dharma (pg. 291) Righteousness

10)  Hridaya (Hrudaya): (pg. 155) Heart; Hri= the place which has + daya= compassion.

11)  Japa (pg. 162) The repetition of the Name of the Lord

12)  Namasmarana: (Pg. 244) Repeating the name of the Lord

13)  Praana (pg. 275) Praana means ‘vibration’ and it is the very breath of life; life force or vital energy; positive energy

14)  Prakrithi: (pg. 274) The world, the Universe or Nature.

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

16)  Pravritthi marga (pg. 281) The outward path; It aims at creating larger circles and waves on the surface of the water after the stone has dropped in

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