Swami on Jhoola

The mansion of human life rests on the four pillars of truth, righteousness, love, and peace. The safety and security of life depend on these four values. Since ancient times, the culture of Bharat (India) has been able to sustain itself as it is built on the bedrock of these values. Our ancestors led their lives strictly adhering to these eternal values. Bereft of these values, the mansion of life will collapse in a moment. Humanity continues to exist till this day due only to the fact that people practise these four values at least to a certain extent.

You are really fortunate, having done great merit, for you are able to enjoy the Divine proximity of Sai. It is your great good fortune that you are able to sing with Swami and play with Him. You are with Sai and Sai is with you. That is why I often say, "I and you are one." The power and glory of God is beyond the ken of human understanding. Develop unwavering faith in him.

Having come to Puttaparthi and studied here, you should make every effort to uphold the prestige of Puttaparthi. I want to bring to your notice one important thing. Usually, students like to spend their vacations at their respective homes. But here, the students do not like to go home even after the vacation starts. Only very few of them go home. Most of them like to stay back even after completing their post graduation. What is the reason for this? Here is the greatest Divine magnet. God attracts one and all. His power is beyond all estimation. In the years to come, you will experience the power of this magnet more and more.

Divine Discourse: November 23, 2003

Having pursued your education here and having listened to Swami's teachings, you should transform yourself into ideal human beings. People from far-off lands wait for a chance to come here. Having been blessed with the sacred opportunity of constantly living in the Divine Presence, make full use of it. Never use harsh words. Never speak untruth. Sometimes, telling truth may lead to danger. In such a situation, speak neither truth nor untruth; remain silent. You should transcend the dualities of truth and untruth. As you are all in the prime of your youth, this is the best time to embark on the sacred path. Start early, drive slowly, reach safely.

I am not at all interested in celebrating My Birthdays. Devotees wanted to arrange various programmes on this occasion. But I did not permit them. As many of you have gathered here, this meeting is taking place, otherwise, I have no interest in even this meeting. To Me, every day is a festival day. I am always blissful. I am the embodiment of eternal bliss. What type of bliss? It is not something which others give. I don't wait for others to give Me bliss. My bliss originates from within.

Welcome your guests and give them due respect. Give your love to all. Feed the hungry. Only then can you have peace of mind. Harmonise your thought, word and deed. There is no greater wisdom than this. Practise Ritham. This is the path of Tharakam (liberation). If you waver from time to time, you are the most unfortunate one. Waywardness is the nature of a monkey mind. You belong to mankind. Having been born as a human being, you should develop steadiness of mind. Mankind symbolises Tharakam. Monkey mind stands for Marakam (bondage).

On this Birthday, you have to learn something very important, i.e., do not waste your time in idle talk. Time once lost cannot be regained. Consider truth as God. Sathyannasti Paro Dharmah (there is no Dharma greater than adherence to truth). Hence follow the path of truth and practise righteousness.

Divine Discourse: November 23, 2002

What does the word 'Bhagavan' mean? 'Bha' represents effulgence. 'Ga' signifies the one who radiates effulgence and 'Va' symbolises the power to propagate effulgence. Therefore, 'Bhagavan' is one who spreads the shine of effulgence everywhere. He has no form of any kind. 'He is subtler than space and the atom.' How can you attribute any form to such a One? He fills the entire universe, but is not attached to anything. 'Brahma' - God is in you and you are in 'Brahma.' Since we see duality in such non-dualistic principle, we suffer many sorrows. Though He has no particular form, all forms are His.

When I was coming here this morning, everyone wished me "Happy Birthday"! I am always happy. You have to wish a Happy Birthday to one who does not have happiness. I do not need it. If you want to attain happiness, you should understand that happiness is union with God. Every human being imagines that happiness is somewhere outside him and strives to attain it through various activities. How did the ancient sages adore God? They worshipped Him with the flower of sacrifice and offered their love to Him. They welcomed God as the embodiment of truth. They believed in love, kindness and oneness. They offered Him the throne of their hearts. Only through such sublime adoration, they attained Divinity. Therefore, even today's man is ought to install God in the altar of his heart and adore Him there.

You have the fortune today of enjoying bliss in the Divine presence. You must have done many lives of penance, performed many sacrifices and undertaken varied spiritual austerities in order to secure this divine bliss. It is My love which attracts so much of love from others. Therefore, do not hurt anyone by your harsh words and do not enter into any evil paths. Recognise the truth that God pervades everything from microcosm to macrocosm. This truth dwells in you but you are not aware of it. That is your mistake. You are the embodiment of 'Bhavani Sankara' - 'Sraddha' and 'Viswasa' (sincerity of purpose and faith). With self-confidence, you can achieve anything in the world.

You need not undertake any difficult spiritual practices to attain Divinity. You need not fast or do any chanting or meditation. Love Him from the depths of your heart. Devotees want to offer many types of service to God. These are the characteristics of faith. When you have such faith, you should not sully your sacred body by partaking wrong food. Gradually, you should intensify your love for God, fear of sin and morality in society. Morality rules the society only when people have love for God since fear of sin follows it.

Divine Discourse: November 23, 2001

What can I tell you for the day? Whenever I see you, My heart overflows with love. When I visibly see so many of you exhibiting your love for Me, there is no limit to My joy. I have not sent out invitations to any of you. The love in Me has drawn you here. Your love to God and God's love to you is the true message. What can one say as a message? I give and you receive and you give and I receive. This exchange is the true bondage between man and God. You should all be comfortable and happy. Increase your spiritual dimensions. Live with the firm conviction that there is a single divinity resident in all.

Bhagavan's only wealth is LOVE. "I embrace all with this equal love. Even people who come to Me with hatred in their hearts are dear to Me", says Bhagavan. Bhagavan does not discriminate between the wrongdoers and the blemishes. Bhagavan stands in His own Truth. All should take note of this equanimity of Bhagavan and appreciate His attitude of unity. From unity follows purity and from purity, Divinity is attained. If you have to attain Divinity, you have to cultivate purity and for purity all should be mixing with each other in harmony. Only then the goal is attained.

Today marks the 75th year of the Advent of this body. Age does not concern Bhagavan. Welfare of humanity is the only concern. The welfare of the distressed and the poor is Bhagavan's only concern. Bhagavan's primary concern is the redressal of the difficulties of the helpless. Irrespective of any comments, adverse or otherwise, Bhagavan's resolve is the same. You should also make a resolution on the same lines.

Be in love. All your desires will be fulfilled. Do not hate anybody. With love-filled heart, enjoy the bliss of love. This message is My gift to you for the day. This is the only wealth with Bhagavan. All these magnificent edifices are not Bhagavan's but they all belong to the devotees. The only property Bhagavan owns is unbounded love for all of you. Bhagavan will pour forth His boundless love to all of you for the mere asking. Why? Bhagavan is ready to sacrifice even His very body for the sake of His devotees. You live happily and spend your life in a state of bliss. Only then does Bhagavan get His share of bliss. Nothing else is required. Your good fortune is the gift of Bhagavan's love. Take good care of this precious gift and this is Bhagavan's blessings to you for the day. May all of you have a steady devotion, sacred, long and happy life. May you have all this, may you have all this, may you have all this! May all your difficulties be removed. Without exhausting your mental energies on difficulties, may you enjoy whatever happiness you may obtain unalloyed.

Divine Discourse: November 23, 2000

The term "Bhagavan" stands for Divinity. What is the inner meaning of this word? The syllable "Bha" stands for effulgence, "ga" for one who gives and '"van" means one who is capable. So, "Bhagavan " means the one who is capable of spreading light and effulgence to the world. This Divinity is latent in you. The principle of Atma is one and the same in all, be it a Yogi (renunciant), a Bhogi (pleasure- seeker), a Jogi (itinerant renunciant) or a Viraagi (dispassionate one). It is present in theists and also in atheists. But, you are unable to recognize this all-pervasive Divinity. You are undertaking various spiritual practices limiting Divinity to a particular name of individual preference. Spiritual practices should confer the awareness that Divinity is all-pervasive. Just as fire is needed till the rice is cooked, so also the spiritual practices are needed till you realize the innate Divinity.

Become worthy of His love. You can achieve everything. This is possible only through a Nishkaama Prema (unselfish love). Self by itself is devoid of love. Love is in fact selflessness. By cultivating such selfless love, you become Divine yourself. And this Divinity is an undivided ONE. Hence is it said, "Advaita Darshanam Jnanam" (Vision is unity is true wisdom). Cultivate your faith and make it firm. There should be no ups and downs in this faith. If you allow such vacillations, you are likely to lose whatever faith you have. A firm faith results in your attaining Brahmananda (Divine Bliss). The happiness experienced with the body is human (Dehananda). The joy felt in the mind is Chitthananda (intellectual pleasure). When the mind is suppressed, joy is felt in the heart. The joy experienced by the heart is Chidananda, which is immeasurably greater than the joy of the mind. The Chitthaananda is higher by a similar order of magnitude from the bodily happiness (Dehananda). We are losing our opportunity of attaining this level of bliss needlessly. Step by step you have to rise through these levels of happiness until you attain Brahmananda. In this way, you merge your personal bliss into the universal bliss of Brahmananda, which is eternal Nityanandam (eternal bliss)...etc. (Sanskrit Verse). One has to experience this bliss, which is none other than Satchidananda. Sath is being, which is eternal. Chit is total knowledge i.e., omniscience. When these two are united, total joy i.e., Satchida-nanda is realized. As Sath, Chit and Ananda are present in each individual, it is asserted that God is present in everyone in the form of Satchida-nanda. Therefore, you need not perform any Sadhana or if you are following some such practice, there is no need for you to abandon it. But in any event, surrender your heart to God. This is called Saranagati (surrender).

Who invited you here? You have all come here out of love for Swami. Out of this love alone, so many thousands have assembled here. Here is Bhagavan ready to be taken away by you. Carry Him away with you as you like. Those who love Bhagavan wholeheartedly, to them He belongs wholly. All that Bhagavan asks of you is your wholehearted unconditional love. Recognize this truth and lead your life filled with love. Take this as Swami's gift to you. Do not hate anybody. Hating anybody is no different from hating God Himself. Surrender your whole being and belongings to God. Experience unalloyed Divine bliss.

Divine Discourse: November 23, 1999

This is the birthday of this body. Truly speaking I have no birthday. Since all of you have assembled here, I am celebrating this day as birthday. This birthday is not important for Me. The day when all of you are happy is My true birthday. I desire nothing but your Bliss, Love and Sacrifice. My Bliss lies in your being the embodiments of thyaga and yoga and experiencing divinity therefrom. I wish that you all live an ideal life in peace and security. On this auspicious day fill your hearts with noble feelings and chant the name of God.

Divine Discourse: November 23, 1998

As I was coming to the Hall, many devotees greeted me with the words, "Happy Birthday!" They should wish for "happy birthdays" for those who are not happy. I do not need your birthday greetings. The Divine is perennially in bliss (Nithyaanandam). "The Divine is ever blissful, confers supreme happiness on others, is the very embodiment of the highest wisdom, has transcended the opposites, is vast as space, cloud-like in complexion, with perfect features." [Sanskrit Sloka]. Like the lightning in the heart of a cloud, wisdom should illumine your hearts. That wisdom will reveal the Divine in you.

Embodiments of Love! You have all come here at great expense and trouble. Make the utmost effort to understand the spiritual basis of the "I" principle. When you regard the "I" as the Self (Atma), you will be free from all suffering. In case troubles come, they will vanish like the snow on a mountain. Why should you bother about these passing clouds? When you have realized Self-awareness ("Atmajnana") there will be no need for you to worry about anything.

Swami does not rejoice in the celebration of birthdays. Since all of you have come for this celebration, I am obliged to give you satisfaction. I have no wants. Whatever I do is for your sake. Recognize this truth. I have no dislike for anyone and no one dislikes me. All are mine and I belong to all. My benediction is "May all be happy". Everyone should adhere to the path of righteousness. All should manifest their spiritual essence and experience spiritual bliss. Till you realize that spiritual oneness, you have to perform devotional acts like bhajans, japas and prayers.

Keep your association with anyone to the barest minimum. Genuine spiritual aspirants should be particularly careful in eschewing bad company. They should create an environment conducive to their spiritual progress and mental peace. That is the only thing Swami wants. Having come to Prasanthi Nilayam, all of you must become exemplary devotees. Outsiders must feel spontaneously how exemplary is the behavior of Sai students and Sai devotees. That reaction will do you more good than satisfying me.

I do not relish the celebration of my birthday or pompous decorations for the purpose. Such ostentation is not good for anyone. Adopt a practical attitude towards the spiritual life.

With the holy thoughts in you on this auspicious day, you must go out into the world and spread your sacred feelings among others. Do not confine your feelings to yourselves or retain them only during your stay here. Spread them wherever you go.

Divine Discourse: November 23, 1997

Today thousands of people have gathered here. What has brought them together here? Love is the main cause. Without love few of you would have come from such distant places (cheers). How does this love express itself? It is a process of give and take. You have to receive God's love. And you have to offer your love. But both are one and the same love. God's love is reflected in your bodies. That is the meaning of the Gita declaration: "A fragment of Mine is present in everyone in the cosmos".

Today this body enters on its seventy-first year. This body is made up of the five elements and is essentially impermanent. Do not attach much importance to the body. Take to heart the Love principle that is being conveyed to you. My entire life is filled with love (cheers). I have never put anyone at any time to any kind of suffering. I have never done any harm to anyone. I have hated no one. I have no aversion to anybody. What is the reason ? It is my love that is transforming others. I am now seventy one. But no one can know what accounts for my condition. I may act as if I am angry on some occasions but the anger does not stem from the heart but is confined to the tongue. From head to foot I am filled only with love. It is this love which has attracted the whole world.

I do not desire anything. I have three P's. One is Purity. Second is Patience. Third is Perseverance. It is these three which have secured the world's regard. No invitations were issued to those who have gathered here. Swami's love alone attracted them all like a magnet. Some may ask why they are not attracted to Swami if that magnet is so powerful. The reason is that these persons are like rusted iron which no magnet can attract. Let them remove the rust and dust and they will be drawn to the magnet. Their hatred and desires, their envy and greed are the rust and dust covering them. If you cleanse yourselves of these, wherever you are, you will be mine and I will be yours. The hapless and the forlorn, wherever they may be, are the concern of Sai. Promote sacred love in your hearts. That love will not only redeem your lives but will promote the well-being of all around you.

You need not offer anything except your love. In Prashanthi Nilayam no offerings are permitted. Only love is allowed entry.

Divine Discourse: November 23, 1996

We celebrate birthday. What is this birthday? Whose birthday? We say my birthday. Who am I? You don't ask that question. You say my birthday because you identify yourself with the body. But later you say it is my stomach. If you say my stomach, then who are you? You say my senses, my mind, my intellect, then who am I? You are separate. This is my kerchief. When I say this, I am different from my kerchief. When you say my body, you and the body are different. Therefore, the body, mind, senses, intellect, all are instruments. But you are the master for all these. That is I. Make an effort to recognize that I.

It is the 70th birthday of this body. You have to know one important thing. Swami does not need anything. He does not expect any dress. Swami belongs to you. Swami is not separate from you. You are not separate from Swami. That is the intimate relation between Swami and you.

Right from this day our organization should expand and spread all over the world. We should forget individual differences, keep in view the welfare of the society. The welfare of the society is our welfare. Let it be in any village, region or country, we should participate in all activities in all areas, regions and countries.

Embodiments of love, Participants from 175 countries have assembled here today. So many have congregated. What work are we doing now? We have to inquire clearly. Our quality lies in our work. There are bound to be poor people in your respective countries. They are the Daridra Narayanas - God in the form of poor people. You serve that Narayana. What is the use of serving Sriman Narayan, God, who has everything? God has so many servants to serve Him. You don't need to serve Him. There are the poor and the needy, who are the embodiments of God. Serve them.

We should not hate any religion. The followers of all religions should behave like brothers and sisters. You practice such an ideal and give happiness to Swami. Many foreigners said 'Happy Birthday', 'Happy Birthday' in the morning. Swami is always happy. Swami does not need your happiness. You be happy. Happiness is union with God. If you want to be happy, join God. Then you can be happy.

You should follow a new path right from this day. You should spend a happy time in unity, coordination and integration. You should experience divinity in all. That is true bliss. It is not happiness if it is from comforts and conveniences. They are just passing clouds, coming and going. You should achieve that bliss that neither comes nor goes. Love is the only path to reach that goal of bliss.

Divine Discourse [70th Birthday]: November 23, 1995

Embodiments of Love! You are deeming this day as the sixtyninth birthday of Swami. I have no desire to celebrate such birthdays. As I was coming I was greeted by many wishing me "Happy Birthday". I am always happy. Why should anyone wish "Happy Birthday" for me? Be happy yourselves. Your happiness is my Happiness.

Today as an offering to Swami, give up meat eating, consuming liquor and smoking. By renouncing these three, you will benefit yourselves as well as society and the nation. If you wish to carry out Swami's aim, renounce from this moment itself these three bad practices. Do not put it off to tomorrow. Take the resolve from this moment. Expecting that you will carry out Swami's wish and thereby promote the well being of your family and the nation, I bless all of you.

Divine Discourse: November 23, 1994

You celebrate the birthday of Bhagavaan. But do you follow the teachings? You will experience the fruits of celebrating the birthday only when you follow the teachings. Jesus said: "Love everyone." Christmas is celebrated, but how far does one practice love? None at all. There is love in everyone's heart. Share it at least with ten persons every day. This is seldom done. People are more keen on receiving than on giving. They are willing to give away only things, which they do not relish. There is no sacrifice in this.

You should not be concerned with how many have come for Svaami's birthday but how many are following Svaami's teachings. If every devotee is able to influence two persons, soon the whole world will be reformed. Embodiments of love! There is only one thing you have to offer to Me today. Pray that people in all countries, may the entire humanity, should be happy and at peace. "Lokaas samasthaas-sukhino bhavanthu" (Let all the worlds be happy). Then alone there will be real unity. Do not wish me rely for the peace and prosperity of India alone. Pray for the welfare of all countries. All are our brothers, whether they are in Pakistan or America or elsewhere.

Divine Discourse: November 23, 1993

Why is it that so many lakhs of people have gathered here today? There must be some compelling reason for it. You must be seeking something which you have not found in your native place. There would be no need for you to incur all this expenditure if you could find what you wanted in your own place. Here there is Divine Love. It is this powerful magnet of Divine Love which has been attracting all the iron filings in the form of human beings. Not a single invitation was sent to anyone. No one was asked to come. What has drawn all people here is the power of Divine Love, the bonds uniting hearts. At the root of all this is purity. Where there is purity, there love grows. When purity and love come together, there is Ananda (bliss). Whatever work we do, whatever sacrifices we perform, they are not of much use in the absence of love.

In the case of earlier avatars,their fame grew only long after their passing. In the case of the present avatar,in His own life-time, a university, a big hospital, an aerodrome and many other things have been established for the benefit of the villagers and many more will follow in the years ahead. Many persons have doubts as to how all these are being accomplished. The advent (of this avatar) took place 64 years ago. All these years, this hand has not been stretched at any time to seek anything from anyone. I have not asked anyone. I will never ask anyone and there will never be an occasion for it. How then are these things happening? For any good work, there is no impediment in Bharat. When you want to do any good work wholeheartedly, money flows in torrents. The narrow-minded who undertake any work will never be satisfied. They cannot understand the actions of those who are large-hearted and broad-minded.

Embodiments of Divine Love! I do not expect anything from you. Only, develop love within you. Regard all mankind with fraternal feelings. Recognize all as the children of God. Bear no ill-will or hatred towards anyone. Do not hurt anyone's feelings. Only such a large-hearted attitude will confer on you limitless bliss. If you are celebrating Swami's birthday, this is all that I desire from you. Have unity among yourselves. Strive to revive and promote the glory of Bharat.

Divine Discourse [65th Birthday]: November 23, 1990

When I decide on a project, the wherewithal for accomplishing has to be spontaneously available without any fund-raising campaign. My will has the power to concretize my plan. I willed that a College must rise in Puttaparthi; the Rajmatha of Nawanagar built it. In order to feed it with properly trained boys, I willed a Higher Secondary School; Bozzani from America asked that he be given the chance to build it. I thought that at this place education on Sai lines must be available to children from the Primary stage itself. Craxi, the brother of the Prime Minister of Italy, offered to build the School. At Bangalore, when I decided on a plan for a College and Hostel, Mrs. Elsie Cowan asked that she be given the privilege of completing it. Such is the might of my Sankalpa, my Will.

I desire one thing from you. Develop brotherhood with all. Adopt right conduct always. Give up selfish activity. Welcome all chances to serve the illiterate and the poor.

As part of the sixtieth Birthday Celebrations, I am prescribing a test which you have to accept. When you undergo it and emerge victorious, you can be pronounced as real humans. The farmer ploughs the field, sows the seed and watches the crop grow, until the grain is harvested. The next process is winnowing. The light chaff will then be carried away by the wind and the hard grain will stay. I shall start winnowing from now; the test will remove the chaff.

Divine Discourse [60th Birthday]: November 23, 1985

This year you have named My birthday the 'Golden Jubilee' of the Avatar (God incarnated on earth in human form) and gathered in vast numbers from all parts of the world. I am sure you have benefited from the spiritual company. I do not accost one particular date in the calendar as My birthday, for I consider the day when Divinity blossoms in your heart as My birth-day in you. Therefore, each of you should individually celebrate such a day as My birthday. The day when you resolve to practice My advice, to follow My directives, to translate My message into acts of service, and to engage in spiritual discipline -- that day is My birthday for you. The 23rd day of November, which you now honor as the day on which I was born, is only like any other day if you celebrate it in a routine, ritual fashion. Adore man; the adoration reaches Me. Neglect man; you neglect Me. Of what avail is it to worship the Lord and to suppress man, His counterpart? Love for God must be manifested as love for man, and love must express itself as service.

Through love alone -- love acquired through spiritual discipline and shared with all as spiritual discipline -- can peace be attained, by the individual as well as by the nation. My Life is My Message and My Message is Love. That explains why you have gathered hither in hundreds of thousands.

Divine Discourse [50th Birthday]: November 23, 1975

For the protection of the virtuous, for the destruction of the evil doers and for establishing righteousness on a firm footing, I incarnate from age to age. Whenever asanthi, or disharmony, overwhelms the world, the Lord will incarnate in human form to establish the modes of earning prasanthi, or peace, and to reeducate the human community in the paths of peace. At the present time, strife and discord have robbed peace and unity from the family, the school, the society, the religions, the cities and the state.

The arrival of the Lord is also anxiously awaited by saints and sages. Sadhus (spiritual aspirants) prayed and I have come. My main tasks are fostering of the Vedas (Hindu scriptures) and fostering of the devotees. Your virtue, your self-control, your detachment, your faith, your steadfastness: these are the signs by which people read my glory. You can lay claim to be a devotee only when you have placed yourself in my hands fully and completely with no trace of ego. You can enjoy the bliss through the experience the Avatar confers. The Avatar behaves in a human way so that mankind can feel kinship, but rises into his superhuman heights so that mankind can aspire to reach the heights, and through aspiration actually reach him. Realizing the Lord within you as the motivator is the task for which He comes in human form.

Your worldly intelligence cannot fathom the ways of God. He cannot be recognized by mere cleverness of intelligence. You may benefit from God, but you cannot explain Him. Your explanations are merely guesses, attempts to cloak your ignorance in pompous expressions. Bring something into your daily practice as evidence of your having known the secret of higher life from me. Show that you have greater brotherliness. Speak with more sweetness and self control. Bear defeat as well as victory with calm resignation, I am always aware of the future and the past as well as the present of every one of you, so I am not so moved by mercy. Since I know the past, the background, the reaction is different. It is your consequence of evil deliberately done in the previous birth, and so I allow your suffering to continue, often modified by some little compensation. I do not cause either joy or grief. You are the designer of both these chains that bind you. I am ananda swarupa (the embodiment of bliss). Come, take ananda (bliss)from me, dwell on that ananda and be full of shanti (peace).

Many of you come to me with problems of health and mental worry of one sort or another. They are mere baits by which you have been brought here. But the main purpose is that you may have grace and strengthen your faith in the divine. But I call you to me and even grant worldly boons so that you may turn Godward. No Avatar has done like this before, going among the masses, counseling them, guiding them, consoling them, uplifting them and directing them along the path of satya, dharma, shanti and prema (truth, righteousness, peace and love).

Cultivate nearness with me in the heart and it will be rewarded. Then you too will acquire a fraction of that supreme love. This is a great chance. Be confident that you will be liberated. Know that you are saved. many hesitate to believe that things will improve, that life will be happy for all and full of joy, and that the golden age will recur. Let me assure you that this dharmaswarupa, that this divine body, has not come in vain. It will succeed in averting the crisis that has come upon humanity.

Divine Discourse: November 23, 1968