he 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 SRI SATHYA SAI BABA
Dasara #5
October 13th, 2002

Desiring the Darshan of the Lord, where are you searching, O foolish mind? He is within yourself, search there. What else can be conveyed, O virtuous and fortunate members of the assembly!
(Telugu poem)

A MANTHRA IN EVERY WORD
Embodiments of Love!
God's creation is very wondrous and amazing. Spiritual aspirants are making many attempts, wishing for the good fortune of attaining God. There is ample opportunity or Divinity to be proved.
There is a manthra in every word. Every manthra contains a few words. Sacred inner meanings of the manthras are ascertained through these few words. There are so many meanings in these manthras. Even then we should accept the suitable meaning of the manthra.
Wanting to spread joy to the spiritual aspirants in the world, Dakshinamurthi took hold of many kinds of paths and taught the inner meanings (of manthras). However, how did these manthras originate? Making use of simple words as manthras in the ordinary physical world, he blessed (and gave) these manthras in a familiar way.

JIVA, DEVA AND THE MIND
Three words were narrated and described. He (God) created the three periods of time: past, present and future. He described and created three manifestations: the Atma, the mind and in the middle of these two, He put jiva (the individual soul). Jiva, Deva and the mind: however, what job does the mind, which is in the middle of the jiva and Deva, do?
Jiva is inert. Deva (God) is chaitanya. He created the mind in the middle to mingle with chaitanya. Jiva, Deva and the mind: this is also a manthra. The manthra for this is ‘jiveswara prakrithi’. This Easwarathwa (nature or quality of Eswara, God) meets with jivathwa (nature or quality of the individual), and He made the mind to remain in the middle as a witness to transform it (jiva) into Divinity.
However, how does this mind change the jiva into Deva? Jiva is the form of vyeshti (individual nature). God is the form of samashti (the entirety, the whole). However, the mind is the combination of vyeshti and samashti. The mind proves such sacred power.
However, in this modern age people say that the mind is only a type of monkey mind. People say it is like a mad monkey. No, it isn't, it isn't! This is a sacred mankind. This mankind came to unify man with God. Therefore, the mind is very sacred. It is said:

The mind alone is responsible for both
the bondage and liberation of man.
(Sanskrit sloka)

It is said that the mind is very powerful. The power that the mind has is not in anything else. Hence, due to such power being given to such a mind, respect towards Divinity gradually became less. The respect that exists always remains. However, the individuals that are in this world don’t give much respect to the mind. They cannot recognize the correct meaning of it (the mind) (and instead describe it in) worldly, physical and secular words.
So the mind is much sharper than jiva and Deva. The mind has an even stronger sword. It has valour, bravery, strength and sacredness. No one is able to recognize the nature of such a mind. Without the mind, the world couldn’t see the value of jiva and Deva. Therefore, it is only the mind which proves great power of jiva and Deva.
Therefore, some difference should be seen between the Divinity in humanity, the Divinity in chaitanya and the chaitanya that shines in the nature of the mind. More than Divinity itself, this mind proves a greatly powerful Divinity. Therefore, it is said that this mind is the form of Vishnu.

THE POWER OF SPEECH
Just like it was said yesterday, the mind is the form of Vishnu. Breath is the form of Brahma. Vishnu arises out of Brahma. This form of God is given the name of ‘Vishnu’. It is said that the personification of breath is true Easwarathwa. There is so much difference between Easwarathwa and the personification of speech, Brahma. What arises out of Brahmathwa is the speech faculty. The power in speech is not in anything else. It is said:

You cannot kill Aswatthama,
who is such a mighty warrior and
famous for victories in war.
Better you just humiliate him
by shaving his head and releasing his bonds.
He will be the object of ridicule
and he will have a bad name permanently.
(Telugu poem)

This means that Divinity has so much power. In those days Aswadhama came with a lot of determination to break the greatly powerful yanthra of the Padmavyuha that was created. They did not create Padmavyuha as an ordinary thing. Dronacharya is an acharya. Dronacharya fabricated this Padmavyuha. Thinking that the Padmavyuha is not ordinary, and her son cannot break through it, Subadhra stopped him (her son Abhimanya).
(Note: This entire paragraph was deleted from the published bookstore translation. The above poem and paragraph refer to two separate incidents in the Mahabharata epic. The first is when Aswadhama, the son of Draonacharya, killed all the sons of Draupadi and the Pandavas. The poem refers to the decision not to kill Aswadhama for his action, but to just humiliate him. The second incident is when Abhimanya, the son of Subhadra and Arjuna, was lured into the Padmavyuha war formation and killed. Subhadra wanted to stop him from going but he went anyway.)
Therefore, from those days sanctity came about by such utterance of sound. This power is not only in words. This power was proved (demonstrated) in action also. Hence, the Githa demonstrated how three words come together and become a manthra. In the Vedas and in the Upanishads also, such yanthras changed into manthras.

MANTHRAS
To understand the proper meaning of the essence of the Upanishads is difficult. Therefore, every manthra is said to be ‘thath thwam’. It said:

Ayam Atma Brahma.

The Atma is Brahman.
(Sanskrit sloka)

It said:

Sarva Kalavidham Brahma

All is God.
(Sanskrit sloka)

‘Kalvidham Brahma’ is also a manthra.

Tat Twam Asi.

You are That.
(Sanskrit sloka)

This is also a manthra.

Prajnanam Brahma.

Brahman is the Higher Wisdom.
(Sanskrit sloka)

That is also a manthra.

Ayam Atma Brahma

The Atma is Brahman.
(Sanskrit sloka)

Brahmavit Bramaiva Bhavati.

The Knower of Brahman becomes Brahman Himself.
(Sanskrit sloka)

All of these are words that came from the Upanishads. They are forms of manthras. Hence, you think that every word is only a mere designation of God. No, it isn't, it isn't! It is verily the form of a manthra. There are also many meanings given to this manthra.
In the Vedas these are mentioned as four words (sentences). Therefore, these four sacred manthras are in the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharvana Veda. One manthra was given in each of these four Vedas.
Hence, we don’t need to learn everything. We don’t need to find out about everything. We don’t need to say everything. The essence of all manthras is in only one.

Tat Twam Asi.

You are That.
(Sanskrit sloka)

What does ‘asi’ mean? To join. Thath twam: I am joining with That.

Aham Brahmasmi.

I am Brahman.
(Sanskrit sloka)

“I am Brahman. I have joined with Brahman.” So, if inquiry is done in this way:

Sarvam Kalavidham Brahma

All is God.
(Sanskrit sloka)

All of the meanings of these manthras teach only unity. The manthras are true sadhana to recognize such unity.

Brahmavit Bramaiva Bhavati.

The Knower of Brahman becomes Brahman Himself.
(Sanskrit sloka)

The one who learns That and the one who knows That will become That. These are the correct inner meanings of the Upanishads.

VYESTHI AND SAMASHTI
Embodiments of Love!
Importantly, all that you have known is ‘all is God’. This should be known: that each one is an embodiment of God. When each one is an embodiment of God, then why should God be worshipped? However, the power and capability that worships God and the strength that worships God, is in you but it is not possible for you to recognize this. You live as ordinary individuals. You live an ordinary life. How can the one who lives such an ordinary life understand the Divine?
That is not the vyeshti swarupa (individual self). That is samashti (cosmic form). All ordinary human beings are embodiments of vyeshti. How can a form of vyeshti understand the form of samashti? Therefore, no matter how many efforts are made, no matter how many sadhanas are done, no matter how many manthras are uttered, vyesthi is not samashti.
“I am the embodiment of samashti”, only when such a truth is recognized, you will become the form of samashti. You should recognize the truth of:

I am God, I am God, I am God.

However, how will you be able to say I am God? You have to completely develop that faith.
Join and tie manthra to mantra, the Divinity, in a knot. You have to again untie that knot with manthra. To tie a knot and untie the knot, in the beginning and in the end. Therefore, you should recognize the proper meaning and act accordingly.
What came in the beginning will come about in the end. The baby that came in the beginning is in a state of not knowing (innocence or ignorance). That same type of situation arises in that child’s end also. Wherever one goes and whatever object it may be, the beginning and the end is the same.

ALL POWERS COME ABOUT THROUGH REFINEMENT
A small example for this: we went to a tank (or lake), dug out some mud and came back. Bringing that mud, you put it in front of your house. Yet, that mud is a mound when it is observed on the first day. The second day that mud is mixed with water and becomes gooey (sticky or like gum). However, he put it on a (pottery) wheel and made it into a pot.
However, due to using it up gradually, the mound becomes a pit. So, the pit changed into a mound and the mound changed into a pit. However, the mud has transformed into a pot and the pot becomes the mud.
Yet, if water is poured in that pot, it does not remain. Gradually it leaks out. This should be processed in fire. Only when this pot is processed in fire, it will becomes hard and the water that is poured in it, remains.
Therefore, we are like mud. This mud is changed by Divinity, into a pot. That only is Vishnuthwa. Due to that Vishnuthwa becoming the form of a pot, people are attempting to use it and they are breaking it. No, no! It has to be processed by burning it in the fire of jnana. What is this jnana?

Adwaitha Darshanam Jnanam.

The perception of Non-Duality is Jnana.
(Sanskrit sloka)

It is completely burned (fully processed) only when unity is obtained. Then only the material that is placed in it remains. Therefore, one should see that this does not break. The strength has to be looked after until it is burned (processed or refined). It is said that, that only is processing by fire. To burn it is refinement.
Therefore, in every single thing, all powers come about through refinement. In the same way that the pot becomes strong through being processed in fire, jiva is changing into Deva through the processing of the Grace of God.

GOD IS HIRANYAGARBHA
However, there is a small example for this. Every human being came in a vesture of flesh. This is a dirty abode that dies. It is a doll made out of flesh. However, how are you able to use this doll? This doesn’t have any power. Due to gradually refining it, its power also increases and its value also increases.
Now, (before refinement) we cannot use the pot made out of mud in any way. In that same manner, gold: I call people “Bangaru, bangaru, bangaru.” ‘Bangaru’ means ‘gold’. God is Hiranyagarbha. Therefore, you have earned this bangaru. You are unable to decorate (yourself) just by earning this gold. One should try to transform that gold into a few jewels that ornament.
When that is changed into jewels, the amount of gold that we see should be mixed with some other metal like brass, copper or some other metal. Only when that metal is mixed, this (the gold) gets good strength. Not only strength, its weight will stay steady. The weight will also increase. However, it becomes unbreakable.
Hence, what is God's sankalpa? It is a vraja sankalpa (diamond resolve, i.e., very strong). God is Hiranyagarbha. Where is that Hiranyagarbha? He is within us. That is what we should know.

THERE IS A LOT OF POWER IN AMLA
One small example for this: many children who study science are here. There is amla in this (science). (‘Amla’ refers to acidity or anything sour or acidic, like tamarind or lime). (A.K. translates ‘amla’ as ‘acid’.) Amla doesn’t mean only acid. It is something that has a sort of power. Gradually, cells come out of that. This means that a few hundred thousands cells come out. When there are hundreds and hundreds of thousands of cells, it gradually creates a body.
So in the food that we eat, iron, brass, amla and gold, all come together (into our body). (A.K. again translates ‘amla’ as acid.) So, saying it is ‘acid’ is a big mistake. It is not acid at all. This is also a metal. Due to changing to some extent, this metal becomes another metal.
There is a lot of power in amla. There is a lot of amla in vegetables that are eaten. In the leaves (spinach) that we eat, in this and that also (other vegetables?) to a large extent there is a lot of iron.
Not only this. We make sour vegetable with the juice of tamarind. We are making tamarind soup. There is also amla in this. Or, we make soup with lime. When we make each one like this, metals are arising in every preparation. All of these gradually make the power in the body stronger.
Therefore, how does this Divine power come in us? This means, it comes through food. Therefore, this food creates the head. This head transforms into God. Hence, when we use our food in the proper way, we will understand its form.
So you are unable to understand amla. You are thinking that it is acid. But that is not acid at all. It will be possible for us to use it as a type of matter. This type of thing (amla) become cells. Finally, a few hundreds of thousands of cells come about in our entire body. Our cells, each cell, is a drop of blood.
In this way, whether science or spirituality, there are many of these types of inner meanings. However, in spirituality it becomes a form of manthra. How does the manthra appear? It takes the form of combination of words. Divinity is obtained through the manthra.

THE MATERIAL CHANGES BASED ON OUR FEELINGS
We have many dreams. However, these are not dreams, they are reactions that come through food and recreation. They are manifestations due to the food. However, Divinity is even obtained in this. We are putting our materials to use therefore they come as (seem to be) only materials. Based on this, in the Vedas it is said:

Yat Bhavam Tat Bhavati.

As the feeling, so will be the result.
(Sanskrit sloka)

That material changes based on our feelings. See one small example. Now, there is a magnet. How did power come in the magnet? It is not only in the magnet. Gradually it comes in our body.
Due to a few materials joining in our body, it also becomes a magnet. This magnet becomes a type of battery in us. This battery changes into a light. So where does the light come from? Our body is a small generator. Not only a generator, this is a kind of magnet. It becomes like a phone with which we hear the words that are spoken. These sound waves also begin within us.
Not only sound waves, a shining effulgence is also gained to this (the body). Just as we make ornaments and it shines when we polish it, every material has some radiance. This radiance is called chaitanya shakthi. That is, that brilliance comes based on that radiance.
If inquiry is made, the manifested God, Divinity, will be seen manifested in every human being, in all gunas (qualities) and in all materials. Whatever material it is, we should not feel that it is simply a material. This is all parartha (God). Parartha means Divinity. Therefore, there is so much difference between Divinity and material.
Hence, material means physical material. This is worldly material. This is secular material. However, parartha is not physical. It is the chaitanya shakthi that is Divine, auspicious, ever-new and radiant. So, due to considering such a sacred parartha as padartha, we are making it have no value.
Today we are the ones who give value. It is only us who reduce the value. What is the reason? That is only the feeling of man. The influence of the mind changes it in this way. Therefore, we are making a good and valuable thing without value. We are changing (considering) that which has no value, as being valuable. Hence, we should increase the prabhava of the mind. Only when the prabhava of the mind is developed, the prabhava of this radiance also increases.
A few very crazy sankalpas come due to this mind. We are putting our energy to bad use due to these sankalpas. Therefore, so that these bad sankalpas do not come, Divine sankalpas should be developed. Therefore, how are those Divine thoughts? (One should think,) “Every single thing, even every drop in my body, is the embodiment of God.”
How is this blood made? This is also due to the food. Every shakthi is due to food. That shakthi also completely changes into God's shakthi. So, we should recognize the difference between God's shakthi and worldly shakthi. You must really develop the strong faith and hold on to (the thought), “Every sankalpa within me is God's sankalpa.”
However, due to crazy sankalpas, we, man of today, think that all of these are worldly sankalpas. These are not bad thoughts at all. These are not worldly thoughts at all. They are Divine thoughts. They are auspicious thoughts. Those only are the chintas (thoughts, contemplations or musings) of God. Only when the Divine feeling is joined, this will completely turn pure (sacred). Hence, we should take (consider) every single material as parartha.

TOIL BRINGS ABOUT RESULT
See one small thing. We have brought a bag of paddy. However, how much (money) are we giving for this bag of paddy? We will give 200 rupees for this. However, it is pounded well, made clean and transformed it into rice. Then, how much will it be worth when it is made into (clean rice)? Due to removing, separating, the husk, gradually its price increases. The price of a bag of paddy cost more money now that it is rice.
Meaning, what is the process for this rice? That only is samskara (refinement). That only is pounding and removing the husk, and separating the husk and the rice grains. How much value are we giving to rice? How much value are we giving to husk? We are not giving so much value to paddy. Paddy is not refined, so the value of paddy is less. Only when refinement is done, when that paddy becomes rice, its value increases. Then it will be possible for us to eat it.
Is it possible to eat paddy? No it isn't, it isn't! It is possible to eat rice. Therefore, the suitable right for us to eat has to be made possible. We should do the proper refinement for it. Without refining it, if one says, “I want everything easily,” it won't come. The amount of toil that we do, will bring that much result for you. Toil brings about result. Therefore, by continually undergoing toil, we will get so many sacred results. Therefore, we should submit to toil. We should be refined with culture. Every single thing becomes sacred through refinement.
Now you are students. You will gain a lot of knowledge only when what you study is a refined lot. Therefore, even learning is a refinement. Eating is a refinement. Walking is a refinement. Sitting is a refinement. Running is a refinement. Laughing is a refinement. Crying is a refinement. Everything is obtained through refinement.
What is the refinement that comes through crying? Through crying, certain forms of refinement change (come about). How does it change? A few kinds of bad feelings become distant through crying. All the bad water in our body leaves. However, all the good water comes to bring about good refinement.
The bad water within us is called carbon dioxide. However, the good water is called oxygen. We should be filled with this oxygen. See today, wherever one goes in the world, there is no (unpolluted) air.

PLASTIC BANANAS BRINGS PLASTIC RESULTS
If a marriage was to be preformed, all of our ancients put up very small dais. They’d tie up a toranam (a garland strung up over the doorway). They’d tie up banana leaves. They’d tie up a toranam of mango leaves. They did this with so much goodness, joy and auspiciousness.
Because of that (the wedding) many people gather together. They come together and gradually the green leaves received in all of their air (breath). So they (the leaves) send out oxygen. It purifies oxygen (carbon dioxide). It takes the carbon dioxide. This gives so much help to man! Therefore, leaves are so great!
We are forgetting that feeling today. If any marriage is to be preformed, in the place of mango leaves, we put up plastic mango leaves. We tie up plastic bananas in all the doorways. When plastic bananas are tied up, you will get only plastic results. No (it isn't right)!
Today all want everything to be easy and permanent. They look towards these kinds of easy paths. Hence, this is very dangerous. We are ruining health in many ways due to such modern ways. There is so much sacredness in the food that man eats. We are also losing a lot of money due to a few modern ways.

The vegetables are bought for 25 paisa.
The coolie (to have them carry it for us) is 50 paisa.
(Telugu poem)

Instead of having it brought (by another), can't you carry it yourself in your hand? Today we, mankind, are becoming lazy. If you take (buy) a few vegetables, put them in a bag, take them yourself and go! What is wrong?
Tomorrow you will eat the vegetables and you will put them in your stomach and then walk. Then where will they go? Today, you are not able to carry them yourself directly. Tomorrow when they take an indirect form (in your stomach), you will carry so much.
Therefore, only when we understand every single matter well and act accordingly, we will experience so much happiness.

THERE IS DIVINITY IN EVERYTHING
Embodiments of Love!
In this way we are ruining our health. Regarding the food that we are eating today, instead of considering it (food) as padartha (simply material matter), have faith that it is parartha (Divine). Therefore, padartha should be sacred. We should see that even that padartha doesn’t undergo change and become spoiled. After it is spoiled, it becomes a type of poison.
Hence, there is Divinity in every thing. The material devoid of Divinity in the world cannot be observed. We cannot see a place where God is not present. Divinity is present in everything. Therefore, we should search for the suitable, true type of path to recognize such Divinity.
Due to every material being refined, it changes into parartha. Therefore, if all worldly materials are to be transformed into true padartha of God, how much sacred they should be! Therefore, their value increases. Even sacredness in us will increase.

MAKE GOOD USE OF WATER
Students!
You are studying everything. However, you are studying but what is studied is not being put into practice. What is it that you are studying?
However, if both oxygen and hydrogen come together what happens? If it is asked, you say that water comes. You observe that when both hydrogen and oxygen come together it is water. However, are you taking that water as food? No, you don’t. You go into some experimentation room and you are only doing investigations there in a generator (controlled environment). What is the result that you get from investigations that are only done in a laboratory? Investigations should be done in a practical (environment). We should experience in a practical way.
Today how much we are suffering without water! Regarding that, (why don’t you) bringing both oxygen and hydrogen together and make water? You are wasting so much of that water. Today there are so many rivers in the world. There are so many rivers just in the country of Bharath. There are perennially flowing rivers. However, so much water is flowing in these rivers. Yet, finally not reaching anybody, they merge in the ocean. However, states are fighting with each other saying, “We don’t have water, we don’t have water!”
Why can't the water that comes be put to good use? The weak ones, who don’t have the capability to put it to good use, cry, “We don’t have water.” In the world so much water is being wasted by going in the ocean. However, protect it. Make good use of it.
There are so many rivers in our country of Bharath. The country of Bharath is a land of prosperity and auspiciousness. This is Annapurna Desha (the country with plenty of food). If we are suffering for lack of food, what is the reason? We are putting every single material to bad use. Make effort to put them to good use. You will then experience so much happiness. You will experience and the people with you can also experience.

DON’T WASTE
Embodiments of Love!
We should not waste any material. Many people open the tap, wanting to wash their hands. So much water is flowing. They are wasting so much water. I don’t like the waste of so much water. Take as much water as you need, then close the tap. So, how much water will be left over for you! So:

Don’t waste water.

So, due to wasting this water, so much unsacredness comes about.

Don’t waste food.

Regarding food also: eat only as much as we need. Wasting too much, you throw it outside. Do you know what Vedanta one says? If it is asked, “Why are you throwing it outside?” They say, “Crows will eat and other living beings will eat. What is the wrong in throwing it away?”
They (animals and other living beings) also go away without eating the food of nowadays. After spoiling all of it and wasting it, they are at least animals, aren’t they? Don’t they have praana like human beings? Today in the Kali Yuga, even the animals are modern animals! (Laughter) They smell it. If it is all right they will eat it, otherwise they will leave it alone, saying, “You yourself take it and go!” (Laughter)
Therefore, even food should be pure and clean. Then, people are wasting everything else also in so many ways. So, we should not waste anything. Don’t waste water, don’t waste food, don’t waste time, don’t waste energy and don’t waste money. More than anything else, people are wasting a lot of time. Due to wasting time, the entire life is becoming a waste.
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(THE FOLLOWING IS PRESENT IN THE OFFICIAL VERSION ON SRISATHYASAI.COM BUT NOT ON THE AUDIOCASSETTE.)
Yesterday, I spoke to you at length on various topics. As I am speaking everyday, My voice is becoming louder and clearer. It only shows that when you speak good words, you will get more strength. Do not indulge in unnecessary talk. Speak to the extent needed.
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Don’t waste words.

Hence, if they are wasted, all of these (the rest) will be wasted. So every single human being, we should not waste any material at all.
However, one shouldn’t talk loudly. That is also waste. This is because whoever should hear your words, only they should hear. If you go talking (loudly) on the road, even the cook who is in the kitchen hears. Then even your respect will also go. He will think, “What is this? Who is talking like this, like a crazy man?” So, we should uphold even our respect through words.
Our sacredness should also be increased in our words. Sacredness should be developed in our walking style also. We should develop respect in every single thing. After respect is lost, what is the use (of life)?

HELP EVER, HURT NEVER
Many people say I may walk fast, but I don’t like that kind of walking. If I walk slowly, all will see, all will be happy and I will also be happy. Therefore, wanting to give joy to others, I walk slowly. (Applause) My walking is slow. However, due to doing this slowly, how many people are happy! If I go fast, people will say, “Swami came and went away. I didn’t see!” I would be one who gives them suffering. Hence:

Help ever, hurt never.

You should look after these two. (Applause) We should give help to others.
So, today importantly what you should learn is don’t waste water. Don’t waste food. If food is wasted, so many people in the world are dying of hunger. Hence, if it (food) is left over, it can be given to them also. So saying that it is too much for you, don’t try to throw it away. That which is thrown away goes in the mud or on garbage. Finally, even crows will not eat the food, your prasad. What is the use of giving such food?
It should be very clean. Only when it is pure, a pure mind will come. As the food, so the mind will change. As is the mind, so purity comes. As is the sanctity, we will gain Divinity. So if we want Divinity, sacredness has to be developed.
If one wants sacredness, the padartha (food or materials) should be completely clean. If the padartha should be pure, our conduct should be completely pure. Purity will come about through conduct. From purity, sacredness comes about. From sacredness, we will obtain praapti. Therefore, every padartha should be eaten in a completely pure state.

SELF-RESPECT
Students!
You are learning knowledge. You are passing in great, high grades. You are expert in high classes. Happy only (I'm very happy about this). However, the one who achieves that expert position should put it to use in the best way. There is no use if one simply thinks, “We have studied, we have take a degree. We got a prize.” We should take it in a proper way. Each should take it so each one has satisfaction of conscience. Only when each one has satisfaction in his conscience, we feel well. We should respect everybody.
All of you know that Lincoln was born in America in a very poor family. There wasn’t even enough food to eat. He was a very young boy. He put on all dirty clothes and went to school. The rich children used to ridicule him.
One day the boy came back from school. He came to his mother, sat on her lap and cried. She consoled him saying, “Why are you crying, son?” He said, “Mother, they are humiliating me, saying that I don’t have good clothes, I’m very dirty and I’m a very poor boy.”
“Let them think anything they want, dear. You respect everyone. Don’t hate them. You know the situation we are in. Daily wash them (your clothes) clean and wear them. Let them think anything they want. We should look after our own position. We should develop our own respect. Therefore, son, from today struggle for Self-respect. There is nothing wrong even if you only drink rice gruel. It is not wrong to wear poor clothes. Yet they should be clean. Keep them clean.” She told him in this way, paapam!
He took the words that his mother spoke into his heart. He thought, “I should develop my Self-respect.” He used to give respect to every person. If anyone came he would say (respectfully,) “Sir, namaskaar, sir.” He used to respect everyone. Respecting, respecting, respecting finally he became the President of America. The one who didn’t even have the means to drink rice gruel, respected everyone and was courteous. Due to this he came to such a great position.

THE TRUTH ABOUT MYSELF
So for the sake of ornamentation, we should not waste money and go for a great position. I am saying the truth about Myself. Not only now, in the past when I was small, at the time when I was studying in third or fourth class, I had only one pair of knickers (shorts) and one shirt.
As soon as I came home from school, I put on a towel, washed the knickers well, and washed the shirt. I put fire (coals) in a chembu (small metal container) and I ironed them well. If I gave them to a washerman, he would ask for one or two annas (an old form of currency: 16 annas made one rupee). I didn’t have the capability to ask for and give one or two annas.
Why shouldn’t I wash My own shirt? Why shouldn’t I iron My own shirt? What other work do I have than that? As soon as I got home from school, I’d go and wash it well. After washing it, in the house there was fire (coals). I would put the fire from the stove in a chembu. With that chembu I would heat water and I would wash it well. It would then become fully ironed. I used to do it in that way.
In the entire year I had only two knickers and two shirts. Whenever Pedda Vankama Raju came, he would say, “How many do you want?” I never asked. I’d say, “Why should I have (more)? I have them. Don’t have them sewed for Me, Don’t waste money.”

Misuse of money is evil.

What was it then? If one anna was given, one would get two yards of cloth. With one anna, one shirt. 1½ anna, one knicker. In those days it was so cheap. Then also I wouldn’t buy them.
I used to always do My own work. Today also you can see, in My room I always do My own work. (Applause) So, you may think, “Oh! So many people are working for Swami, there are so many sevaks.” Not even one person needs to do seva for Me. I don’t ask anyone to do seva for Me. I do My own work.
Therefore, due to doing it in that way, I respected everyone. Today the whole world respects Me. (Applause) I also said that yesterday. Love everybody, then fellow human beings will respect you. However, if you love everybody without difference of caste, religion, or race, God will love you. (Applause) To the extent that you sacrifice for others, to that extent greatness will come to you. To the extent that you strain and do seva for others, to that extent greatness will come to you. So we don’t lose anything by respecting everybody.

SPEAK WITH RESPECT
Today there are small children. The father is not in the house. If a friend (of the father) comes and asks, “Son, where is your father?” He (the child) will say, “Go, go, go, go! I don’t know! Children of today don’t know respect, courtesy, or humility at all. One should speak with humility. One should speak with respect. We should talk with love. Then only you will get the proper type of fame (good reputation).
So all of our school children (students) and all of our college children: first and foremost learn to respect everybody. Not only respecting everybody, the suitable type of respect should be given to everybody. Love should also be shown. Then only everyone will love you. Therefore, if you want goodness to come, if you want good reputation, you should shine on a good this thing (path).
Today if I am respected by everyone in the world, I respect everyone, shouldn’t I? Not only then, today also if anyone comes I say (Swami uses a soft and sweet, loving voice), “Dear, sit, sit, sit. Bangaru, sit, sit.” Why shouldn’t you learn such good worlds? Was the mouth given to use harsh words? Don’t, don’t! Learn soft and sweet words. Then you also will obtain soft and sweet respect.
He (Lincoln) became such a great man and finally he became a great president in the world. In the very beginning when he wasn’t able to eat, in the streets, the lights are there, see, the streetlights. He went there, paapam, and he used to learn, study.
Not only that. Do you know how his mother was? She took all ladies clothes, sewed them and with the little money that came from that she used to look after the boy with such humility and with so much obedience.
All women attempted to develop respect in those days. Today there’s no respect at all. There is so much extravagance. They do just as they wish. So that is not good for us. Let us look after our (needs) to the extent necessary. Let us be satisfied with what there is. Why should we struggle for that which is not present?

A GOOD NAME
Therefore, students!
Even the Upanishads taught this kind of humility and obedience in all ways. In our words also: they taught that we should speak soft and sweet words. They said don’t use words that give difficulty to others. If you spend life in that kind of way you will gain so much respect.
Earn that good name. We don’t need a good name! Great name. A great name should be earned. (Applause) What use is it only to have a good name? We won't get anything with a good name. We should earn a strong, valuable respect. Great name is needed. We should earn this.
Today there is no greatness at all for them. People continue to do only stunts. In the house, they won't notice the difficult situations that the parents have. They only joyously put on two, pant and shirt, and go about. Outside people will see you and respect you. However, you have to earn your own respect, don’t you? However, whenever we observe we should act good and courteously.

Bhagavan ended His Divine Discourse by chanting the bhajan, ‘Hari Bhajana Bina Sukha Shanti Nahi…’