DISCOURSE BY SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

Onam

August 21st, 2002

Men desire good times, positions and goodness.

They do not desire good intellect and wisdom.

They do not desire good conduct.

Nothing else can be known more than that,

O mild, virtuous and fortunate members of the assembly!

(Sanskrit sloka)

The Word ‘I’

Embodiments of Love!

In the world, from a simpleton to a supreme sage, from a pauper to a millionaire, when one introduces themselves they use the word, ‘I, I, I’. Animals, birds and beasts are unable to use the word ‘I, I’ due to not being able to speak words, but if they could speak words they would also utter the word ‘I, I, I’.

This nature of ‘I’ is the word (used) in the Upanishads. The word ‘I’ is an important word in spiritual culture. The word ‘I’ is not an ordinary word. Aham Brahmasmi (I am God): this is the word of the Upanishads. Before ‘Brahma’ the ‘I’, aham, started. Aham Brahmasmi, meaning only after ‘I’ the word Brahma came.

Avatars in the world like Rama and Krishna had names that were given but they (the names) were not actually theirs (they weren’t born with those names). Their correct name, true name and eternal name is ‘I, I, I’. The word of ‘I, I, I’ is the first name of God. All the other names were names that were given for other’s joy, satisfaction and for the material world, but the true name is ‘I, I’.

Contortions Of The Mind

We are increasing these delusions only due to the contortions of the mind. It is very difficult to make (the mind) without bends.

A tree trunk can be straightened without bends.

It may be made perfectly straight.

Can you shape a mind without bends?

(Telugu poem)

This is impossible. Therefore, it is the important aim of sadhana to put the mind on the correct path.

In the world, numerous people are undertaking numerous sadhanas. All of these sadhanas give satisfaction to the contortions of the mind. However, that which gives true satisfaction is ‘I I, I’. Every human being who does not recognize the nature of God is worshipping with numerous names and forms.

When He spreads all over the universe,

Is it possible to confine Him to a temple?

When He shines with the effulgence of ten million suns.

Is it possible to light a lamp for Him?

When deities and Eswara cannot comprehend Him,

Who can give a form to Him?

To Him who moves about in all waters,

Who can give the right Name to Him?

When the entire cosmos is in His stomach,

Is it possible to feed Him?

The earth calls Him Rama and Krishna.

(Telugu poem)

People in this world give these types of worldly, transient and impermanent names, and undertake worship of God.

That One Is ‘I’

Embodiments of Love!

The name of God, the eternal and true name, is ‘I, I’. The name of ‘I’ is the very first name (of God). For that reason, the four Upanishads also (declare):

Aham Brahmasmi.

Prajnanaa Brahma.

Ayam Atma Brahma.

Tat Twam Asi.

I am Brahman.

Brahman is the Higher Wisdom.

The Atma is Brahman.

You are That.

(Sanskrit sloka)

These are proclaimed in the Vedas as the great dictates. Hence, even the words of the Vedas (declare):

Ekoham Bahusyam.

I am One.

I will become many.

Ekam Sath Vipra Bahuda Vadanti.

Truth is One,

But wise men call It by different Names.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Only one: that is ekam (one). That one only is ‘I’. Attributing so many forms and names to this ‘I’ satisfies man. So, the mind is playing numerous types of games for the satisfaction of man.

Sadhanas Are to Control The Mind

It is not possible for anyone to catch hold of the mind. Ants or mosquitoes fall into all places but they won't fall on fire. In that same manner, the mind moves about all over. It attracts all things. However, the mind doesn’t remain steady towards God. The mind that remains steady in the direction of God is a true mind. Therefore, it is an important sadhana to have the mind in the direction of God and to put it to use pure and selflessly, without wavering.

Therefore, all the sadhanas of today are going on to control the mind. To surrender the mind is an important aim in the nine paths (of devotion) also. The control of the mind is an important aim in the nine paths.

Sravanam (Hearing), Kirtanam (Singing),

Vishnu Smaranam (Remembrance),

Pada Sevanam (Serving the Lotus Feet),

Vandanam (Salutation), Archanam (Worship),

Sneham (Friendship), Daasym (Servitude),

and Atma Nivedanam (Self-Surrender).

(Sanskrit sloka)

That surrender is needed.

The mind doesn’t mean only a separate bundle of resolves. This is a prakrithi dharma.

(Swami holds up His handkerchief.) When it is asked, “What is this?” You will say, “It is a cloth.” But:

This is not piece of cloth; this is thread.

This is not thread; this is cotton.

It is made into threads from cotton. It is made into a cloth from threads. In that same way:

You are not one person, but three.

The one you think you are: physical body.

The one others think you are: mental body.

The one you really are: that is Atma.

There Is No Name For God

That only is I. That only is Brahman. That only is God. Hence, there is no (particular) name for God.

Nirgunam, Niranjanam,

Sanathanam, Niketanam,

Nithya, Suddha, Buddha,

Muktha, Nirmala Swarupinam.

Attributeless, unsullied,

Eternal, always pure, pure intellect,

Free, unpolluted form.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Man is satisfied by creating to such a Divinity some form. Finally all forms should become one. So:

Ekam Sath Vipra Bahuda Vadanti.

Truth is One,

But wise men call It by different Names.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Brahmans (scholars), described the One in many ways.

Emperor Bali Was A Great King

In Kerela, Emperor Bali gave three steps of land to Vamana in alms. Emperor Bali was a great king. He was one of great thyaaga. He was an ardent devotee. Vamana came as a dwarf to such an ardent devotee. Why did Vamana take such a small form? The one who asks for alms is (should be) a small person but not a big person. So Emperor Bali was a great emperor. When one comes to the emperor asking for alms, even Narayana (God Himself) became a small person (dwarf).

When He has an eagle for a vehicle and has Lakshmi on His chest, why did He come to ask for alms?

(Telugu poem)

So, when God came for alms even He took only a small form. The feet of that small person were even smaller! He (Vamana) only asked for three footsteps. However, He obtained (covered with two footsteps) all of the three worlds.

Sukracharya, the preceptor of Emperor Bali, said, “Bali, He is not ordinary. He is the manifested God. Don’t give your word to Him.” To that, Emperor Bali said, “I will not go against the word given. Can the one who goes against his word be a human being? So, I gave my word. Come what may, I will fulfil it without fail.”

Hence, there are very few people who come in the way of God's words. He (Emperor Bali) gave three footsteps just as Vamana asked. Finally, the entire earth was taken up with one footstep. Bhur, Bhuvah Suvaha. This entire material world was covered with one foot.

Suvaha. Bhur, Bhuva Suvaha. Bhuva Suvaha: Bhuvah means the world of feelings. That only is the mind. The world of Suvah: that is the nature of Atma. Therefore, material world, world of feeling and the world of the Atma, all three together are one. Hence, God has infinite power. What is not possible to God who has such powers?

A Land Of Merit

The country of Kerela is a great land of sacrifice. It is the playground of devotion and obedience. It is the birthplace of thyaaga. (Applause) Whatever needy person it is, they (people from Kerela) give appropriate alms to them. There is no person who says, “No”.

Emperor Bali was born in such a land of merit. Sukracharya was the preceptor of Emperor Bali. He (Bali) surrendered to God even going against the order of Sukracharya. Emperor Bali is the only individual who surrendered to God. There are people who give all types of charity: charity of land, charity of cows, charity of food, charity of gold and all charities. However, Emperor Bali gave himself in charity.

The land of Kerela is such a meritorious land. (Applause) Due to the effects of Kali Yuga, a few changes may have come about but even from the beginning, the country of Kerela in Bharath had much fame.

Even Prahlada was born there (in Kerela) only. Even Prahlada went against the order of his father. He disobeyed and (said), “I have surrendered to Hari.” However, the father became distant from God. He said to him to stop it (worshipping Hari). He said to give up the promise.

Having given the promise, is it right to take it back?

(Telugu poem)

“I won't escape it (the promise), father. I will fulfil the promise that I gave to him, without fail.” Such great ones were also born in sacred Kerela. Prahlada was a maha jnani (one of great wisdom), maha thyaagi (one of great renunciation) and an ardent devotee. Such a one, who was a supreme devotee, didn’t listen to his father or mother or anyone else.

He Is Present Everywhere

Many scientists say, “God is not only in one place, He is present wherever one observes.” However, a few other scientists say, “God does not exist.” This is a big mistake. There is no place where God is not present.

Sarvata Paani Paadam,

Tat Sarvatokshi Siromukham,

Sarvato Srutimalloke,

Sarvam Avritya Tishthati.

Feet, eyes, head, mouth, and ears pervading everywhere,

God permeates the entire Universe.

(Sanskrit sloka)

There is no place at all where He is not present.

Never have the doubt that,

‘He is in this and not in that.’

Vishnu (God) is present everywhere.

Wherever searched,

He is seen there.

(Telugu poem)

Prahlada used to say this like a striking bell.

Prahlada was a small boy. Scientists of today are such great people. Even his father Hiranyakasipu also was a great scientist. Yet, Hiranyakasipu even went to the sun and the moon. However, he also went to the stars. Among those stars, when he went and touched the star Dhruva, the earth turned. So Hiranyakasipu was one who began such daring acts.

Even all scientists like that were unable to discover (God) even up till today. God can be discovered only with the nature of love. Except for love, there is no chance for other paths. Therefore, that love is important. Love (helps) one to surrender. Elders have taught this kind of nature from that day until today also.

Importantly, if one wants to think about the Name of God, (it is) Aham Brahmasmi. That only is Brahman. That only is God. That only is Atma. That only is the Supreme Lord. That is full of light. That is full of eternal bliss. That is Almighty. That is full of bliss. All is ‘I, I, I’. Everything is contained in this ‘I’.

You Are Not The Body

If it is questioned, “Sir, when did you come?” He says, “I came yesterday.” Who is it that came yesterday, you or your body? The body came but you did not come. Feeling that the body is ‘I’, you say, “Yesterday I came.”

Today right when coming in the early morning, the leg slipped, he fell and the leg broke. He says, “My leg has broken.” Yesterday, with the delusion that the body is himself, he said, “I came yesterday.” Today when the leg was broken, he is saying, “My leg”. The leg is separate from him, isn't it?

“This my leg.” Who is ‘my’? The leg is not you. You are not the body. ‘I’ is separate. In this way, many times we use the small word ‘I, I, I, I’ in daily life. The word ‘I’ is an eternal and true word. Therefore, the ‘I’ that is within every man, the ‘I’ that is in every single individual, is uniform. The Divinity in all is one, the ‘I’.

Isavaasyam Idam Jagat.

The Universe is pervaded by God.

(Sanskrit sloka)

The supreme Lord in every individual is ‘I’. Wherever there is ‘I’, God is there. God does not exist where there is no word ‘I’. Hence, the ‘I’ is fully in every human being. The form of man is the form of ‘I’. So aham is ‘I’.

God is in the place where there is ‘I’. God has the name of ‘I, I’. Aham Brahmasmi: I am God. Brahman (God) is the second and aham (‘I’) is the first one. Therefore, we should develop the faith that God is in the place where there is the word ‘I’.

‘I’ is the root cause for all joys and sorrows also. The ‘I’ is the cause for difficulties and joys. Without ‘I’ there would be no joys and sorrows.

“This is my mind, this is my intellect. This is my hand, my leg.” You say, “All is mine, mine,” (but) who are you? If that question is asked, (the answer is,) nothing is ‘you’ at all. My mind, my intellect, my chitta, my senses, my antahkaruna, but who am I? If this question is asked, all of these are not you. They are only sights of forms but these are not sights of bliss. It is not the sight of Atma. That only is ‘I’.

So, the ‘I’ is in every human being. People say, “He is poor and he is a millionaire.” Regarding money one may be a millionaire or a beggar. However, regarding the word of ‘I’, all are equal.

Love Is Shining In Every Human Being

Therefore, Embodiments of Love!

This love only is ‘I’. Man couldn’t exist without this love. Love is shining in every human being. This nature of love only is ‘I’.

All the bulbs will shine only when there is current (electricity). No bulb will light without the current. The hands do work, the eyes see, the ears hear and the tongue speaks. All of these work due to the current of ‘I’ being in all of these.

What you see is not (with) the eyes. You are seeing through the eyes but the effulgence in the eyes is only Divinity. Close the eyes: nothing will be seen at all. Hence, effulgence is seen in the eyes.

There is no place where God does not exist. There is no name that is not God's. All names and all forms are only God. It is said:

Sarva Jiva Namaskaram Keshavam Prathi Gacchate.

Sarva Jiva Tiraskaram Kesavam Pratigachchati.

Obeisance to every living being reaches God.

Rejection of every living being reaches God.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Whoever you criticize, you will be one who criticizes God. Whomever you respect, you will be one who respects God. So respect and courtesy came from Atma.

First and Foremost Respect Others

Embodiments of Love!

First and foremost, when we want to respect others, you should not struggle for your own (to earn) respect. Brush aside your own respect. First and foremost respect others. Only when you respect others, others will respect you. Hence, if you want everyone to respect you but don’t respect others, no one will respect you at all.

If you love yourself, you will be able to love others. When you don’t have love for yourself, how can you love others? So love is a radiant God. This love is the shining ‘I’. So you should keep as an important aim what is effulgent.

The Main Switch Is Atma

If a switch is turned on in a room, the light comes only to that room. However, if one wants lights to the entire house, the main switch must be turned on. If you want your ears to hear, the switch only to the ear may be turned on. If you want only your eyes to see, you may turn on the switch to the eyes. If you want to speak with the mouth, you may turn on the switch of the mouth. Yet all of these switches are different.

The main switch for all of them is Atma; that only is ‘I’. If the main switch of ‘I’ is turned on, all the parts of the body will shine. So the main switch is the embodiment of Atma. That only is the embodiment of Truth. That Truth only is the embodiment of God.

Truth is God. God is Truth.

Love is God. Live in Love.

If you recognize this Truth first and foremost, there is no need to do any other sadhanas. God is the witness to all of us. We behold Him in every name and every form. When anyone is observed, we should respect them. We will also obtain that respect. If we don’t respect others, no one will respect us.

God Is In The Form Of Man

Therefore, every single human being should be respected. We should see each living being with love. One lives a narrow life without this vast and infinite love. That is narrow feelings. It is not good. Human beings are highest.

Janthunaam Nara Janma Durlabham.

Of all life forms,

Human life is the rarest to attain.

(Sanskrit sloka)

God's form is birth as man.

Daivam Manusha Rupena.

God is in the form of Man.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Therefore, all of man’s forms are God's forms. Based on forms you may ridicule. Forms are not important.

Fundamental Matter

When making sugar syrup, he (the cook) will make a print (pour it into a mould) of a deer. He will make the form of a dog. He will make the form of a hen. He will make a print of a dog. He will say that each one is “two annas, two annas.” (An anna is an old form of currency, 1/16 of a rupee.)

Our son will come and he will say, “I want a deer.” He gives two annas and buys a deer. He says, “I want a hen.” He gives two annas and buys the hen. All of these are hens and dogs in forms but the sweet sugar in all of them is the same. You are giving (the money) for the sugar but not for the (form of the) hen or the dog. You are not giving it for the form.

The one who is under delusion due to the forms is the boy. The one who is under attracted by the fundamental matter is a true sadhaka. The one who only keeps the sugar (the essence) as the aim in mind is a true devotee. However, the one who demonstrates, only thinking about the forms that are different, is an ordinary citizen.

So we should not be under illusion seeing the forms. We should be entranced having feeling for the Atma. We should love the nature of the Atma. We should love the Atma. There is nothing better than the Atma. That Atma only is ‘I’. That Atma only is aham. That Atma is Brahma. All is only Atma.

Atma has numerous forms and names. However, we should not make any error regarding these names. We are mistaken due to these names. Brush names aside. Consider only the swarupa (true form) and swabhava (essential quality or nature). The sugar in (essence of) all is the same. Man in the world will truly become God if this truth is considered.

Man has everything. Man is God's form. When God's form is depicted anywhere, they will depict the form of a human being but they won't show Him in any other form. So every single human being is the embodiment of the Divine.

Hrudaya

The Upanishads called him (man) Hrudaya. Hrudaya: what does hrudaya mean? Hrudaya means that which has compassion. Every human being is full of compassion. He has a hrudaya. Hence, when the nature of love is in everyone, when that mercy is in everyone, the whole world is full of compassion.

Then, where is ashanthi? No ashanthi. No hatred. No anger. No heat. All is full of compassion. So they gave the name, ‘hrudaya’ to that. Hrudaya means that which is full of compassion.

Therefore, every human being is full of compassion. Every human being is the embodiment of compassion. When that daya (compassion) is present, then where can nirdaya (unkindness, pitilessness) come from? Therefore, the entire world is full of compassion. There won't be any ashanthi in the individual who realises the truth that it (the world) is full of compassion.

Therefore, that compassion is love. Hrut-daya is hrudaya. ‘Daya’ means compassion. Hrut: the entire heart is full of compassion. It is most essential to recognize such a truth and practise accordingly.

Saying ‘hrudaya, hrudaya, hrudaya’, we are talking about the physical heart in us but hrudaya is not the name for the physical heart. There is a physical heart (but) hrudaya means the all-pervading nature of Atma. That is ‘I’. Hence, the nature of Atma is hrudaya.

That hrudaya should be kept sacred. How should it be maintained thus? One small example: we will not put any valuable objects in the midst of robbers. Today we put such valuable jewels as our compassion, love, patience and sympathy near to the thief called the mind. will those valuables be preserved or obtained by us If they are kept near the mind? They won't be obtained and they won't be preserved by us at all.

The Heart As A Basis

So, we have to keep the heart as the suitable master for all of these valuable objects. We should not keep the mind, the thief, as the master. Today we are doing exactly that. For everything it is the mind, mind, mind, mind. Due to making this mind as the basis:

The man who makes the mind as a basis

will become worse than a thief.

(Telugu poem)

The one who makes the mind as a basis will become a total thief.

The one who makes the heart as a basis

Will become greater than the Atma.

(Telugu poem)

We should keep the heart. Thiruthonda Alwar said:

Chittha Suddhi Odu Unnai Pujay Sheydene.

I worship Him with a pure heart.

(Tamil poem)

Therefore, we should take the heart as a basis. We should not take the mind as a basis. The mind is always wavering. The mind is always only a thief. If these kinds of valuable jewels are kept with this type of thief, we won't obtain them.

There are good qualities in every single human being. There are good habits, there are good practises and there are good thoughts. All of these are like diamonds. Why are we keeping the mind a thief as a master for such valuable jewels? We should not make the mind as a basis for these. Due to us making the mind as a basis, our sadhana also becomes weakened. Make love as the basis. Make truth as the basis.

Truth is everywhere.

We should not divide Truth by saying, “This is the truth of Indians, Pakistan’s truth, America’s truth.” Whether Pakistan, India or America, Truth is Truth. It is not possible to change this at all. Hence, we should take such a Truth as a basis. We should make such a Love as our basis. So, when we take that love as a basis, all will be peaceful for us.

I Will Certainly Come To Kerela

Our two ministers have desired from numerous days (for Me) to come to Kerela. However, this time I will certainly come. (Applause)

Not only this. From this year there is a lot of opportunity for Kerela to progress a lot in science also. People say that science and technology (is advanced) in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. No, no! Kerela will become even greater than Andhra. (Applause) Yesterday the Prime Minister also promised that he would make suitable conveniences for this to come about. Whether the Prime Minister makes (such a promise) or not, the land of Kerela will come to a very high state.

The land that knows truth is the land of Kerela. The land of Kerela shines in the aspect of love. Therefore, it has no changes at all regarding Love and Truth. It excels in dharma.

Hence, in ancient culture of Bharath:

Sathyam Vada, Dharmam Chara.

Speak Truth, act righteously.

(Sanskrit sloka)

Therefore, this year I will certainly come to Kerela. (Applause) The people of Kerela have very tender hearts. Whatever individuals they see, although externally they talk only like communists, inside there is the nature of Love. Those are only (political) party words but not the words of Love. Party words are all (like this): one thing on the stage and another as soon as they get off the stage. However, in spirituality all directions are the same.

So very soon the land of Kerela will be an ideal and attain a very exalted position in science. (Applause) One small example: if rains are to come to other areas (states), first and foremost they begin in Kerela. Therefore, in everything Kerela is significantly first and foremost. Won’t such a country be important to God? Without fail God is also staying there. (Applause)

Viswamitra Did Penance There

It is the ashram (place) where Emperor Bali was born and where Vamana was born. It is a good land where both of them were born. It has the name of ‘Siddhasram’. ‘Siddhasram’ means that which makes everything siddha (perfect or fulfilled). It makes everything a success.

Whatever is resolved, that will be made successful.” For that reason, Viswamitra went there and did austerity. Viswamitra did penance there and he brought permanent fame to Siddhasram. Therefore, such a Siddhasram is the root cause for all siddhis. Based on these causes, Emperor Bali also was born there. Not only that. Very great sages were also born there. Viswamitra, Vamana, Jamadagni, all of them were born in Kerela. However, some people know and some people do not know. The one they know is Viswamitra.

However, Viswamitra was a great king. Though he was a king, he finally took sanyas (renounced the world). Vasishta was a great thyaagi. In the path of spirituality, he made others feel that he was a thyaagi.

However, Viswamitra had the determination that, “I shouldn’t just be a raja yogi (royal yogi). I want to be a brahma yogi (the highest type of yogi).” What is the cause of becoming a brahmarishi? The cause for a brahmarishi is to renounce hatred. Due to Vasishta renouncing hatred, he became a brahmarishi. Therefore, due to Viswamitra also gaining victory over anger, he became a brahmarishi.

“The work that I came for is competed. I have obtained thyaaga. I surrendered prakritthi to Paramatma.” He brought Rama and Sita together. He brought them together and from the kingdom of Janaka he went to the forest. Therefore, the work that he came for was Siddhasram. Everything that was resolved was fulfilled. The main cause for all of these is Love.

Don’t Hate Anyone

So, Embodiments of Love!

You all develop love. Don’t hate anyone. Also love the one who hates you. Change the anger that you have for them into Love. Then only you can transform into a great maharshi (great sage). When any foe comes to you, do namaskaar. Do not hate anyone. Hatred is not great at all. It is very bad. So, talk to them with Love.

Bhagavan ended His Divine Discourse by chanting the bhajan, ‘Prema Muditha Mana Se Kaho…’