Man is the Embodiment of the Trinity

Evil thoughts make a person ignoble,
Good thoughts make a person noble,
The person with no thoughts attains peace,
The word of Sai is the word of Truth.
(Telugu Poem)

Embodiments of Love! Boys and Girls!

Man is the crown jewel of all living beings that exist in this infinite cosmos. He is at the very apex of God's creation. Human life is most worthy, valuable and sublime. What is it that lends such great value to man? Is it the body or the form that is responsible for this? No, not at all. The body is ephemeral, consisting of foul smelling flesh, urine and faecal matter. It is only a rented house for the Atma.

At the end of his long speech, Deepak Anand (a senior student who spoke earlier) asked Me to answer his question: "All Avatars have parents. Then who are the parents of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara?" Neither the Upanishads nor any other scriptures give the answer to this question. Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara are not embodied beings; they are symbolic of Gunas (attributes). They exist in the form of attributes in the human body and impel it to perform various functions. But man, who is unable to understand his humanness, is not capable of recognizing the divinity within him. Isavasyam Idam Jagat (Divinity pervades the entire cosmos). God is present in all beings as their indwelling spirit (Sarva Bhutantaratma).

The divinity, which fills the entire cosmos, exists in man as 'Hridaya'. The Vedas name this 'Hridaya' (spiritual heart) as 'Atma'. Atma has another name 'Easwara'. Easwara Sarva Bhutanam (God dwells in all beings). The mind originates from the Atma and is known as Vishnu Swarupa, as stated in the axiom Viswam Vishnumayam (the universe is pervaded by Vishnu). It is said, Brahma originated from the lotus blooming from the navel of Vishnu. So, speech, which originates from the mind, represents Brahma. Therefore, Easwara is Atma Swarupa, Vishnu is Mano Swarupa and Brahma is Vak Swarupa. The three aspects of Godhead, viz., Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara are intimately interrelated. In a way, they do have a form. But this is not a physical form, but the form of consciousness.

Vishnu is Sarva Vyapaka (one who is omnipresent); so is the mind. Manomoolam Idam Jagat (the mind pervades the world). The mind can go anywhere at any time. It is not bound by time, space and circumstances. Brahma is Brihat Swarupa (one with cosmic form) which signifies vastness. Similarly, Vak (sound), which represents Brahma has limitless vastness. Brahma is addressed as Shabda Brahmamayi (Brahma is the primordial sound). Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara are limitless, infinite and all pervasive. This Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, Maheswara, thus, permeates the entire cosmos. But it is also present in its microscopic form in human body. They exist as the smallest of the small and also as the vastest of the vast (Anoraneeyan Mahatomaheeyan). This greatest of the great divine power is present in the smallest of the small form in every atom of the universe.

It is not possible for anyone to see the infinite cosmos and the Trinity that pervades it. But it is possible to realize Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara who reside in the human body. You can attain the knowledge of their cosmic form only when you realize them within yourselves.

Hridaya stands for Easwara. One who realizes this should not harbor evil thoughts and evil feelings. Easwara is described as Nirgunam, Niranjanam, Sanathanam Niketanam, Nitya, Shuddha, Buddha, Mukta Nirmala Swarupinam (attributeless, pure, final abode, eternal, unsullied, conscious, free and embodiment of sacredness). Man's conduct should therefore be according to the attributes of Easwara. But men today behave as heartless beings even though they are endowed with the pristine and unsullied heart. It is essential for man to conduct himself befitting the sanctity of the heart with which God has endowed him.

Brahma symbolizes speech. What kind of speech is being referred to here? The speech which is symbolic of Brahma has auspiciousness, purity, splendor and sweetness. You should see that your speech is pure, soft and sweet. Brahma pervades the entire universe as primordial sound. You should therefore preserve the purity and the sanctity of speech by observing silence and truthfulness. The words you speak should contain the magnificence, sanctity and purity of Brahma.

You should exercise utmost care and attention while speaking. The ancient sages laid down the Sadhana of Mounam (silence) to maintain the purity of speech. They realized that excessive talk could lead to sins and abuses like hurting others, speaking falsehood or creating emotional excitement. That is why they recommended penance of the tongue for spiritual aspirants. Mounam does not signify merely the absence of speech. It also signifies the absence of Sankalpa (thoughts). In fact, the mind is a bundle of thoughts. Look at this handkerchief. You call it a cloth; but it is, in fact, a bundle of threads. The threads constitute the cloth. If you want to do away with the cloth, you should remove the threads one by one. Similarly, if you remove the thoughts, the mind is dissolved. For this, you must control your speech. Only then can you experience the Brahman.

Since the mind represents Vishnu, it is your duty to keep the mind pure and untarnished. Vishnu is depicted as always smiling blissfully and remaining ever peaceful. So, too, your mind should possess the serenity, sanctity and bliss of Vishnu. Vishnu is, in fact, only Mano Swarupa, though in paintings He is shown with Shankh (conch), Chakra (discus), Gada (mace) and Padma (lotus) in His hands. Man should achieve the extinction of the mind by emptying it of all thoughts. That is why I say 'die mind' whenever I materialize a diamond ring for devotees. I bless them that their human mind should die and the divine mind should be born.

Once upon a time, the four sages (Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumara and Sanatsujata) went to have the Darshan of Vishnu. These four sages are depicted as eternally young and their minds are as pure and unsullied as those of children. They are beyond the three attributes and body consciousness. Endowed as they are with the boon of eternal childhood, these sages move about like innocent children without putting on any clothes. But the doorkeepers of Lord Vishnu, Jaya and Vijaya, did not allow them to enter the abode of Vishnu in this condition. The sages argued that God is beyond three attributes and. they had come for His Darshan having transcended the three attributes. But the guards would not let them in. This infuriated the sages who cursed the guards to be born as demons. Cursed by the sages, the two guards went to Vishnu and petitioned their prayers thus, "O Lord! What will happen to us now? We have no other desire than to have Your Darshan. Your. Darshan (vision) is our delight; Your Sparshan (touch) is our food; Your Sambhashan (speech) is our breath. We yearn for this Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan. We pray to You that we should be with You at the earliest."

Touched by the pleas of the doorkeepers, Vishnu said to them, "The words of the sages are irrevocable. As you have been cursed, you are bound to be born as demons. But your prayers and My grace will help you to come back to Me. It is not possible for anyone to revoke the curse of the sages. But I give you two options. You may take birth as demons devoted to Me for nine lifetimes and then come back to Me. Else, you can come back to Me after three lifetimes itself, during which time you, as demons, will be My enemies, filled with fury and hatred against Me." The two guards Jaya and Vijaya opted to be born as demons for three lifetimes and reach the Lord thereafter. They tenaciously clung to the principle "Sarvada, Sarvakaleshu Sarvatra, Hari Dooshanam" (blaming and abusing God at all places and at all times). If you call Krishna a thief, the devotees of Krishna will pick up a quarrel with you. But when in Bhajans you sing, "Chittachora Yashoda Ke Bal Navaneeta Chora Gopal" (O son of Yashoda, You are the stealer of hearts and stealer of butter), all the devotees will also join in singing. Does it not amount to calling Krishna a thief? But devotional music lends sweetness to these phrases and the abuse disappears.

Easwara is symbolic of the heart. "Tridalam, Trigunakaram, Trinetram Cha Triayudham, Trijanma Papa Samharam, Eka Bilvam Sivarpanam" (we offer the trifoliate Bilva leaf which is symbolic of the body with three attributes to the three-eyed Siva, who carries the trident and has the potency to destroy the sins accumulated over three births). Siva is depicted as the one with the third eye. The third eye does not refer to the physical eye. It is symbolic of wisdom and foresight. Man has only two eyes as he can visualize only past or present. But God knows the future also. That is why He is depicted as having the third eye. Today man is always preoccupied with the past and the future and blatantly ignores the present. The present is most important, for the present is the consequence of the past and contains the seed of the future. It is the present that shapes the future. Hence, all your attention should be on the present so that you can have a bright future. The present is the seed that comes from the tree of the past. It is also the seed for the tree of the future. Your future lies in your present. You can sanctify your present by good speech and good thoughts. So, first of all, you must make sincere efforts to achieve the sanctity of speech. But it is the purity of the mind that leads to the sanctity of speech. Where did Brahma come from? Brahma came from the navel of Vishnu who symbolizes the mind. You need the grace of Vishnu to cultivate purity of speech, for it is the purity of the mind that leads to the purity of speech.

Embodiments of Love!

You are all the embodiments of the Trinity! You are the embodiments of the three attributes (Trigunas)!

You must propitiate Lord Siva to achieve the purity of the heart, for Siva signifies the heart. It is ultimately His Will which prevails. Here is a small story to illustrate this. One day Parvati pleaded with Siva, "O Lord! You roam around the world without having a house of Your own. Since You do not have a house, how can I carry on my life with You? If You build a small house, we can live comfortably and it can also shelter the sages who come frequently to You." Grihalakshmi (housewife) naturally wants Griha (house). It is a natural desire of all women. Having heard the words of Parvati, Easwara said, "O Parvati! It is not enough if you merely build a house. We should have a cat to hunt the rats that will take shelter in the house even before we move in. We will then need a cow to feed the cat with milk. Following this, a maidservant will be required to look after the cow. Why go for all this bother? It is better we do not have a house at all." Easwara tried His best to dissuade Parvati from her pet project, but Parvati did not budge. Finally, Easwara said, "It is not the auspicious time for building a house. Agni (the god of fire) will burn it to ashes. I know what is going to happen in the future" But Parvati was determined to have her way. She said to Easwara, "The god of fire is your servant. You are the embodiment of all power and strength. All the gods and the five elements are at Your beck and call. You have to simply pass an order to the god of fire not to touch our house and he will obey it."

Eventually, Parvati prevailed upon Siva. He agreed to go to the god of fire to get a promise from him not to burn down Parvati's house. When Siva was about to start on His journey, she told Him, "It will be a humiliation for me if Agni decides to burn our house. In case he does not accept Your request, please play on the Damaruka (Siva's musical instrument). I will instantaneously get the message and set the house on fire myself. I will not stand the mortification of Agni razing my house to the ground."

Siva went to Agni. Agni saluted Siva and said, "O Lord, what has brought You here? What is Your command for me?" Siva replied, "Parvati is building a house. Since she has started the work at an inauspicious time, there is a possibility that it may be burned to ashes. Hence, you should promise that you will not burn the house." Agni promised that he would do as commanded. But he had a request to make to Lord Siva: "O Master! I have been yearning for a long time to see Your Tandava Nritya (cosmic dance). Bless me by acceding to my prayer? Siva obliged and started performing the cosmic dance to please Agni. During the course of the dance, Siva started playing on His Damaruka.

"Holding the Damaruka, Lord Siva performed the Tandava,
With Ganga coursing through His matted locks,
And the third eye flashing on His forehead,
As the crystal rosary sparkled and glinted,
Siva danced the Tandava."
(Telugu Song)

Meanwhile, listening to the sound of Damaruka, Parvati thought that Agni had not yielded to the request of Lord Siva. As she did not want to give a chance to the god of fire to bum down her house, she herself torched it. In the meanwhile, Easwara came back to Parvati and was stupefied to find the leaping flames burning Parvati's house. He asked her, "Parvati, why have you set the house on fire? Agni promised Me that he would not burn your house" "Then why did You play on the Damaruka?" Parvati queried. It was My Will that there should be no house. But in order to please you, I went to Agni. There I performed Tandava dance to fulfil the wish of Agni who had been yearning to see Me perform it. While performing the Tandava dance I played on Damaruka inadvertently," Siva said. The moral of the story is that the Will of Easwara prevails, come what may.

The Will of Lord Siva is bound to be fulfilled for it emanates from the heart. The noble thoughts that arise from the heart are bound to find fulfillment without fail. The heart is verily Siva Himself. Hence, you should cultivate a pure heart.

Embodiments of Love!

It is to be emphasized that you should cleanse your heart. Criticism, calumny and crookedness should never enter the heart, for the heart symbolizes Siva Tattwa (auspiciousness). It is from the pure heart that the pure mind emerges. This is not the monkey mind as some people call it. The mind is symbolic of Vishnu and it should be filled with pure feelings and thoughts. It acquires the form of Vishnu when it is filled with love, bliss, truth and compassion. It is vitiated when evil thoughts enter it. Truthful speech emerges from such a pure mind. Such truthful speech represents Brahma. So, it should be sanctified by Sathya (Truth).

Divinity has two aspects: Rudra (destroyer of evil) and Bhadra (beneficient). God fulfils those desires of yours, which will do you good. He will not fulfil those, which are harmful to you. The Lord is prepared to go to any extent to give succor to His devotees. The story of Markandeya testifies to this fact.

Lord Siva blessed sage Mrikandu with a child, Markandeya who had a life span of only sixteen years. But Markandeya did not know that he would die at the age of sixteen. On the eve of the last day of the sixteenth year, Markandeya noticed his parents crying and asked them to explain the cause of their grief. Then the parents spoke with anguish, "What to speak of our misfortune! Today is the last day of your life." Markandeya was astonished when he heard this. He felt sad that he had not used his time properly. He said that he would not waste even a single moment and rushed to the temple of Easwara to pray for His grace. He firmly clasped the Siva Linga and prayed to Him with all his heart. Lord Yama (God of Death) entered the scene to snatch away the life of Markandeya as his time was over. He reflected for a moment how to throw the noose of death over Markandeya, for Markendeya was clinging firmly to the Siva Linga. As the time was fast running out and the destined moment came, Yama had to throw the noose on Markandeya. Since Markandeya had embraced the Siva Linga, the noose held the Linga as well. Lord Siva appeared instantaneously, reprimanded Yama for the affront and blessed Markandeya with eternal life.

I have given this discourse on Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara as Deepak Anand prayed to Me to speak about the Trinity. Otherwise, I would not have unraveled this divine mystery. Many people fritter away their time without making any effort to understand the hidden truths. Time is most sacred. The Lord is time itself. Hence, the Lord is extolled as "Kalaya Namah, Kalakalaya Namah, Kaladarpadamanaya Namah, Kalaswarupaya Namah". God controls and transcends time, God is the master of time. Sanctify your time by good speech, good mind and good heart. Make love as the basis of your life.

[Bhagavan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, "Prema Mudita Manase Kaho . . ."]