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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

Summer Course  - 2002

# 11

27 May 2002

Though one attains all enjoyments and pleasures,

know that man doesn’t have satisfaction.

Man will have satisfaction and peace only when

 the principle of the Atma is realized.

(Telugu poem)

Health Is Wealth

Boy Students and Girl Students!

Health is wealth for man. Since ancient times, people of numerous countries have propagated and taught so many things to protect health. Without health, all of man’s resolves become useless. In a healthy body, there is a blissful mind. However, unable to recognize such a truth, man is losing health.

From ancient times, not only Bharatiyas but also the Romans made many attempts (experiments) regarding health, and propagated their results. However, not only the people of Rome, there are many other people who spread teachings about health with excessive intensity.

However, feeling that health is wealth for the body, they felt that those related to the body - the head, mouth, ears, nose, eyes, and other parts like this - were a separate world (separate individual parts). It is not a body that has all of those. Feeling that these parts were a separate world, they fostered them specially. Such fostering of the body, done since ancient times, is reducing today.

In order to give strength and happiness to the body, regulations regarding food were very carefully followed in France. They didn’t feel it was important for man just to be a mere body. They felt that the body was the place of residence for the Atma. When the house is safe, the residents of that house will experience happiness and peace.

You may feel that the body is only a water bubble that goes today or tomorrow. Yes, it is only a water bubble. However, there are many great ones who do so many great actions, inquiring about the great nature and ideal life with this body, which is like a water bubble. The body is the root cause for giving a sacred ideal to the country. The body teaches an ideal life to numerous countries through its sacred actions.

However, youth of today are not recognizing this secret. From getting up in the early morning till lying down at night, they are not entering onto a path relating to the health of the body. They are thus succumbing to numerous kinds of difficulties.

Intellectuals, virtuous people, and ones with very great intelligence undertook numerous attempts regarding health. They discovered many ways to follow so that there would be no disease in the body. Due to disease entering, the body becomes weak, health is destroyed and therefore, it becomes necessary to succumb to numerous types of difficulties.

The ones who discovered a great ideal in this modern age are Romans. They tried to shape every limb and every part of every body to have strength and happiness. They tried a lot to have these three: good character, goodness and sensitivity.

No matter how much time passed, they looked after their own health carefully so that they had a strong body and did their own work without depending upon others. Even when ninety years old, they did their own work in life, using their own strength without depending upon others and without holding others’ hands.

They gave not only health to the body, but also beauty. Only when this body is healthy, the beauty also will be attractive. So to protect health, one has to be very careful regarding food. When the youth of today are only sixteen years old, they are acting like a sixty-year old. What is the reason? The root cause for this is the bad habits they do in their daily life.

Protect Health

Immediately after getting up in the morning, the mouth should be cleaned well. Teeth should be cleaned, both outer and inner. The upper portion of the tongue should also be cleaned. This is because the main entrance of the body is the mouth. Many diseases enter through the mouth. So, even when we talk with others, we should talk very carefully. We have to be clean and protect health, without our bad breath touching them and without their bad breath coming to us.

Not only this. There should be good strength in the limbs of the body also for the sake of actions that we are doing with the body. The truth should be recognized that God is present in every limb, and therefore we should act accordingly. So, in the Vedas they gave God the name of:

Angirasaya Namah.

Salutations to Angirasa.

(God present as the essence

 within all the parts of the body)

(Sanskrit sloka)

There is a special uniqueness in each limb and in each part of the body.

So regarding health, observe the Mahabharata to get to know how they protected health in ancient days. How old was Bheeshma at the time of the Mahabharata War? He was Commander-in-Chief when he was one hundred and fifteen years old! Krishna was seventy-six years old. Arjuna was seventy-eight years old. Therefore, in those days they spent life in a greatly valorous, strong and also a greatly happy, healthy and blissful way.

Due to protecting health in this way, the men and women of those days showed so many ideals to the country. They didn’t take anything (e.g. food) out of time. They spent time in this way, by partaking everything on time, going to sleep on time and eating limited food on time. Yesterday I said a poem:

From getting up from sleep until going to sleep again,

man is using all his education, spending his life for his stomach (to earn a livelihood) with no limitations,

forgetting the Lotus Petal-eyed One (God).

What great happiness have you obtained?

Think about it fondly, O children!

(Telugu poem)

As soon as the cock crows,

get up well from sleep and from the bed.

Brush your teeth and attend to the calls of nature.

Make others consider you a good boy.

Never move about in wet places.

Never be anywhere near pits of dirt and

heaps of garbage, as they do harm.

Then participate in running, games and football.

If you act at the right moment, if you follow all the above rules of conduct,

You are bound to experience the fortune of health.

(Telugu poem)

Get up well from sleep and from the bed as soon as the cock crows. Today they do not get up at the call of the cock. They won't get up even to the sound of a train! They get up at eight or nine in the morning. What is the reason? At night they lie down and sleep late. Why this delay? Are they at least sanctifying the time with study? No, no!

All of These TV's

They put on all of these TV’s and radios and, through that, they not only waste all their time, but their mind is also being spoiled. All that comes on the TV is very vulgar and disgusting, without any character and without virtue. They are showing such evil sights.

I don’t know what bliss and what profit this is for the government. The government is developing TV, thinking that it is very great for the government. Hence, it is the government only that is spoiling children. (Applause) They are making the steady and selfless hearts of the youth very unsacred, unjust and disgusting. Then, they are also bringing in TV shows from foreign countries and showing them.

Instead of these types of bad habits, can't good habits that help children be cultivated? Can't good stories be shown? Can't they be guided to enter into good behaviour? Whether it is the parents in the house, educated people in the streets, teachers or elders, no one is taking action. What is the reason? They all have these bad habits. If elders give advice, the youth will ask them, “Are you any better?” There are such elders who give advice like that but they will put a chair in front of the TV and sit in it.

Then, do you know what a few more people do? “Dear one, you were there all year in Puttaparthi. You never saw any TV or crazy words (stories) or games.” Saying that with love, the mother will bring a TV and keep it in front of her child. She also gives a plate and serves all meals, putting it into their hands saying, “Look, dear one! Watch whatever you want!” (Laughter and applause) Will any mother who wishes the welfare of her child act like this? No, no! They are trying to mislead them on one hundred paths to spoil them.

Then, the major propaganda: the governments are undertaking huge propaganda to encourage TV-watching. Doesn’t the government even have intelligence? None at all! Even they, as soon as they come from the office, put a chair and sit in front of the TV. If there is no TV in the house, they go to clubs. What is the thing that they do in those clubs? Drinking, eating, gambling and watching TV! Children of today are becoming wicked due to these bad habits, bad actions and bad behaviour. Soft and sweet words aren’t even spoken. Harsh words are spoken. That is why I say now and then:

You cannot always oblige,

but you can always speak obligingly.

Money Is the Root Cause for All Wickedness

How humbly and obediently one should speak! That humility and obedience has reduced. Parents and the government are putting children on many kinds of bad paths. Money is also wasted.

When money is more, arrogance will increase.

With arrogance, bad nature will increase.

When money is less, arrogance will subside.

When arrogance subsides, bad nature is given up.

(Telugu poem)

Money is the root cause for all wickedness.

A student came from America. Today I gave them an interview and sent them (he and his wife) away again. I said, “Dear one, how much money are you getting?” He said, “I am getting $30,000.” He said that he was getting $30,000 per month. I said, “How much is left over (being saved)?” He said, “Not even a single cent is left over.”

I said, “Why have you become so demonic? You are a demon, not a human being! Are you wasting $30,000? It’s so much! Are you a human being? Why did you go to a foreign country? To earn money, enter onto a wicked path, and cultivate bad behaviour?” I will never show compassion in these matters. I said, “You are becoming a demon.”

His wife also came. I told her, “Mother, why have even you become like Surpanakha (a demoness)? Watching him, you are also going about excessively. Both together are turning your life into ashes. Such a life is not good. Why are you going to foreign countries to develop such a life? Going to foreign countries, what should you bring back? Ideal qualities should be brought back. Where are ideals? Except for Bharath, they are not in any other country.” (Applause)

"My Son Is In America"

Therefore, in Bharath it is said:

Enna Bharate, Tanno Bharata.

What is not in Bharath is nowhere else.

(Sanskrit sloka)

What is not in Bharath, we cannot observe in any other country. There are so many things that should be learnt in this Bharath. Why are you going to foreign countries? To earn? Are you keeping that which you earn? No! Everything that comes is being spent. Finally, the monthly salary is not enough and he is going to coffee hotels and washing cups. Not only this. They are selling some newspapers and earning a living!

Our people say, “My son is in America.” If one asks, “What is he doing there?” It is a matter of shame to say, “He is washing coffee cups.” They are doing such low jobs. They are in America but what they do is lowly. Earn and return. Give to your parents what is brought back. Give them a happy life.

Mathru Devo Bhava.

Pithru Devo Bhava.

Mother is God.

Father is God.

                       (Sanskrit sloka)

Because the mother and father gave you birth and raised you, the appropriate help has to be given to them. Everyone here also goes for a visa as soon as they pass final examinations. I don’t know whether they are visas or misas (mustaches). They go for this visa, make such an effort, go to earn wealth there and return. What they finally do is -- they are returning without even a naiya paisa (the smallest coin in India) in their hands!

One’s Own Dharma Is Truly Best

I am not telling you that it will be within many days, but within five or six years, all the people who went to America will return back. It won't be possible to remain there. Situations are changing and becoming very dangerous. One’s own country is the true country. The right Dharma for us is our own dharma. Therefore it is said:

Swadharmo Nijam Sreyaha.

Paro Dharma Bhaya Maha.

One’s own dharma is truly best.

The dharma of others is very dangerous.

(Sanskrit sloka)

To do the dharma of others is always dangerous. Experience your own happiness. Wherever you go, you should say with pride, “I am a Bharatiya.”

“This is my motherland.

This is my dear mother tongue.

This is my religion.”

 If you cannot raise you head and say this,

you can be compared to a living corpse.

(Telugu poem)

Therefore, we are aspiring and hoping, wanting to earn a lot. However, think about how one falls into bad ways due to earning money. As soon as going to foreign lands, children are born. There are ten or twelve children born, like puppies. Parents aren’t even able to look after those children. They also lead them onto an unsacred path. It is not only we who go bad; but must we also spoil the children? It is said that a spoiled monkey spoils the entire forest. So we should not go bad and make the children also go bad.

Therefore, the country of Bharath is a very sacred land. The country of Bharath is a land of merit, a land of sacrifice, a land of yoga, a land of wealth. (Applause) Yet many people from other countries may describe this Bharath in many negative ways. However, I won't accept that. The land of Bharath is a sacred land. Bha-ratha: ‘Bha’ means ‘radiance’. The land of Bharath sheds light; it means, the land of Bharath gives light.

Hari  (God) was born in Bharath several times,

giving spirituality to crores of people in a friendly way.

(Telugu poem)

It is only in Bharath that all the Avatars are born. It is only in Bharath that the propagation of Dharma is undertaken.

Sathyam Vada, Dharmam Chara.

  Speak Truth, act righteously.

 (Sanskrit sloka)

Brotherhood of Man, Fatherhood of God

People in Bharath are wearing these two (Truth and Dharma) as two eyes, and are showing such an ideal in life. I am saying it because it is true, not just to brag. Whether this much or that much, it is only the children who study in Sri Sathya Sai colleges and the children who study in Sathya Sai schools who are observed to be ideals. (Applause)

Political leaders are full of selfishness from top-to-toe. There are so many people who dance to their tune and melody. Do not do that. Make an effort to unite the country. Our entire Bharath is one. All are brothers and sisters.

Brotherhood of man,

Fatherhood of God

This unity should be developed. Don’t attempt at all to divide it. Why should people of one language have one separate state? What is it with languages? We can learn languages anywhere. Yet, why should political parties be created based upon the language? It’s not good.

Boy Students and Girl Students!

Whatever others say, don’t give a chance for divisions. We are all children of Bharath. We are children of Bharath. You should give attention to this with courage. Just because elders who don’t have any intelligence make divisions, you should not also make divisions. They are doing it because they don’t have intelligence. Do you also have less intelligence?

Youth!

You still have to make a long journey. In our country of Bharath, all are getting on the train of society. However, elders on this train will get off at some next station, next station, next station. Yet youth will have to make a long journey. You, who have to make that long journey, should be courageous, be very bold and be an ideal.

There are no people who speak to youth about these good paths. Saying, “Sai Baba is telling this,” they are also criticizing Sai Baba. I am not touched at all by their blame or praise, acceptance or rejection. What is the loss I get through their blame? What is the profit I get from their praise? Let them do anything. What I say is good. (Applause)

All should be unified. All should be like brothers. All should be like sisters. Only when it is like this, then what a great name the country will get! Since ancient times, the country of Bharath has been strong and full of brilliance. Therefore, you should also develop such strength today. Put the idea of individual countries aside. You should mingle and mix together as brothers. Only when it is like that will you obtain true devotion, true strength and true liberation.

Bhakthi, bhakthi, bhakthi, bhakthi! People say, “Bhakthi, bhakthi.” But is it bhakthi to divide? No, no! The unity in diversity should be seen. Hence, it is not greatness to make unity into diversity.

Live By Smiling: Follow Me

Boy Students and Girl Students!

Having studied for so long in this educational institution, having learned about ideal education in these summer classes that are being conducted, you should go and demonstrate it to others outside. 

Live by smiling, smiling, smiling and smiling. Don’t ever put on a castor oil face anywhere. Why should we have that face? Bad actions will be done only if there are bad feelings in us. As we have good feelings in us, we should be laughing.

I am always smiling and smiling. People say, “Why? Whenever we look, Sai Baba is always smiling!” I have a smile. I don’t have bad feelings. I have no wickedness, no bad actions, no bad thoughts and no bad habits. I am always sacred. (Applause) So you also follow that.

Follow the Master.

Face the devil.

Fight to the end.

Finish the game.

In your life, follow Me. When I am blissful, you also be blissful. You should always be laughing and laughing, then I will be very happy. However, some people keep laughing. I don’t understand what that type of laughter is. (Swami demonstrates high-pitched laughter:) “Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!” Is it a cinema laugh? (Laughter) It is not true laughter. That laughter is equal to crying. Therefore, we should show an ideal life of laughter. Don’t ever do harm to others.

Help ever, Hurt never.

That is the ideal in the history of our Bharath. It is said:

Paropakara Punyaya,

Papaya Parapeedanam.

One attains merit by serving others,

and commits sin by hurting them.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Good Boys, Good Girls!

Boy Students and Girl Students!

How should you use all the knowledge that you learned during these fifteen days? You should show an ideal. For what reason were you given so much food? Every day four sweets were given! You were all given such good food, so many conveniences, comforts, and such ideal words. It makes Me suffer a lot to think of what bad use you might finally put this to.

All of you put it to good use and walk on the good path with good conduct, good practices and good thinking. I'm thinking that without fail, you will proceed like that. Make the promise: “Without fail, I will conduct thus.” You’ll do it, won't you? (Students in the audience enthusiastically shout, “YES!”) Good boys, good girls! (Applause) Be like that. That is what I desire.

I didn’t desire to give you a special discourse today.

First, protect health. The root cause of ill health is a few bad habits. This is the root cause for you. Completely give up these bad habits. When youth who should be so strong are seen, their faces should be with chubby cheeks. However, if it is seen now, their faces have become wrinkled.

So, attain good health. With health, do healthy actions and do ideal actions. Therefore, have good health and good ideals. Complete these activities and experience true happiness. Only when health is good can we obtain bliss.

Bliss, bliss, bliss: where does bliss come from? Bliss comes from health. Therefore, if health is well protected, we will obtain bliss. Bliss is a great wealth. Health is a great wealth. So, eat on time and in a good way. Eat according to your capability. Parents are going to so much strain and are bringing different food items and giving them. Eat well, as much as you like. Eat with relish. Don’t push it aside saying, “That is not there; this is not there.” Eat with relish. At the time of eating, only if you eat with relish will it go to the body lovingly. Then this body will do any amount of work.

Become Ideal Students

Therefore, Boy Students and Girl Students!

The lessons that have been learnt so far are different. However, the matters that you have to learn today are different. Recognize the entire essence of what is studied and act accordingly.

We should not criticize anyone with harsh words. If you hurt the minds of others with harsh words today, so many people will give pain to your mind later. Reaction, resound and reflection cannot be escaped. Speak good words and receive good words. Do good actions and speak of good actions. Become ideal students. Hence, that is what I desire. If that kind of ideal is demonstrated, there is no other bliss that I need. I will sacrifice anything for such bliss.

So many crores (tens of millions) of rupees are spent for you. Look in any college. Is there architecture like our college anywhere? Not only beauty, I am also providing conveniences. Not only conveniences, I am also giving the appropriate ideal - I am not touching even a single paisa. Then, I am giving scholarships to a few people who are in need. Not only scholarships, I will give any  -ships! If you are well, it is enough for Me. However, though living here so long, bad thoughts do not leave a few people.

Students!

I am thinking about this so much. Make your bad thoughts distant. Make bad habits distant. Develop good qualities. Do good practices. Enter onto good paths. Experience an ideal life. Offer an ideal life. Hence, health and bliss -- if these two are present, there is nothing else that we need to earn. Any amount can be earned. It is not important for us to earn money. Virtues should be earned. Without those virtues, what use is it even if wealth comes? There is no happiness that comes from money. Steady happiness will come only through virtues.

Give happiness to the parents. Give the parents bliss. If they try to show you bad habits, tell them: “Mother, this is not good. We will go bad through this. We will not be well through this. You desire that we begin bad habits, saying that it is for our welfare. This will not bring about my kshema (welfare) at all! It is kshamam (famine). You are showing wickedness to us. We don’t want that. Swami told us what is right for our welfare. That is what we have to do.” Live a sacred life on this type of sacred path with sacred behaviour.

Very happy! All be blissful.

There are a few more special matters; I will convey them to you before you leave. Then I will send you.

Bhagavan ended His Divine Discourse by chanting the bhajans,

“Rama, Rama, Rama, Sita…”

and “Hare Rama, Hare Rama…”

Summer Course Glossary

#11

May 27^th, 2002

Taken from "A Glossary of Sanskrit Words

Gleaned from Sai Literature"

1)     Avatar: (pg. 58) The highest manifestation of God in human form; the omnipresent Divine principle, embodied and yet unlimited

2)     Bhakthi (pg. 73) True devotion or the highest form of Love for God

3)     Dharma (pg. 291) Righteousness