Fill the world with Love

There is no worse disease than Greed
No enemy worse than Anger
Nor is there any Misery worse than Poverty
There is no Greater Happiness Than Wisdom.

Among the numerous diseases, prevalent in the world, the disease of greed (lobha) has grown beyond bounds. There is no disease worse than this. This disease undermines humanness and turns man into monster.

The second disease is anger (krodha). There is no enemy worse than anger. It is possible to overcome external force, but it is very difficult to subdue this internal enemy. Anger can destroy all human qualities and make a man forget his real nature. It is man's worst enemy.

There is no misery equal to poverty. Poverty does not merely means lack of wealth. You have poverty of mind. Poverty in wisdom. This poverty also causes misery to man.

Man is ravaged by these three: Greed (miserliness), anger, lack of wisdom. There is no greater source of happiness than wisdom (jnana or higher knowledge). Jnana is not confined to worldly knowledge. There are other kinds of knowledge - bookish, superficial .. of which the most valuable is practical knowledge.

Purpose of Life

Everyone should strive to acquire that knowledge by which he can get rid of greed, anger, and material poverty. It is to achieve this purpose that you are participating in this conference.

At the outset you have to consider what is the purpose of the life?. `Is it for the involvement in endless work or for eating and sleeping or indulging in gossip that the Divine has conferred this human birth'. (Swami sang a Telugu poem). The gift of intelligence is being used for many trivial purposes, but not to understand the goal of Life.

Society today is riddled with discord and disorder. The progress of the civilization has undermined morality and decency in all walks of life. Obsessed with worldly values men have lost all concerns for moral values. Selfishness reins supreme everywhere. Even in the spiritual field, people seem to be more interested in themselves than the welfare of society and promotion of public good.

The delegates assembled in this conference appear to be concerned about the functioning of their centers. Why were these centers started?. The primary object of the SAI Organization is to raise the human consciousness to the Divine by eliminating all animal tendencies. People do not seem to be aware of their true nature. Only those who understand their true selves can help to elevate others. The Upanishads have given clarion call to mankind to wake up from their ignorance and go forward towards their supreme divine destiny of self realization.

The Three Paths of SAI

You have to engage yourselves in seva (Service). Service does not mean mere rendering help to others of one kind or other. True service means participation in social activities after ridding yourself of egoism and possessiveness and manifesting your qualities of compassion and kindness. The aim is the refinement of your own good nature rather than giving succor for others. There is a Sanskrit saying which declares that greater than penance or pilgrimage, meditation or worship, is service to good people. In rendering Service, there should be unity of heart, head and hands (the three Hs). Only then service becomes sanctified. This significance of the three letters in SAI should be understood. ( 'S' stands Service, 'A' stands for Adoration, 'I' stands for Illumination. These three represent karma, bhakti, and Jnana respectively. Sai teaches these three. All these three concepts are equally important. Sai is a combination of the three spiritual paths of action, devotion, and wisdom. Just as the Pranava sound is made up of the three letters 'A", 'U', 'M' (AUM). 'SAI' stands for the triple forms of spiritual sadhana. In the Sai organization, this threefold exercise has to be properly understood.

Fill The World With Love

Sai sevaks have to develop the Love in them, share it with others and fill the whole world with Love. True Love should be distinguished from attachment of various kinds. That Love is synonym for GOD. Love is God. Live in Love. The Love of God comes from the depths of the heart. Sai sevaks should understand this Love and render the service in the right spirit to all mankind.

People ask how they can experience God. The answer was given by Ramakrishana Paramahamsa, when he told a questioner that if he loved God with the same intensity with which he loved his wife and children he would be able to experience God.

Perform al actions as an offering to God. Do not make any distinction between your official work and your work in the Sai organization. Spirituality can not be divided into compartments. This Sathya Sai organization was set up solely to enable members to manifest the love in all their activities. You should manifest the divinity within you. That is the self-realization, realization of your oneness with the Divine.

Quality And Quantity

The setting up of Sai centers is not an exercise in numbers. The emphasis should be on quality and not quantity. The international President and national President of our organization have mentioned how the centers (samasthalu) have grown. But has fellow feeling (samathvam) grown to the same extent. Fellow feeling should grow. On the contrary, divisiveness is growing. I want quality not quantity.

Promote harmony among members. You cannot avoid making such distinctions as President, Coordinator, Member and the like. But these distinction are functional and have no place at the spiritual level. God is present equally in all from the president to the ordinary member. You should recognize this oneness. Positions, names and forms may vary. But the Supreme Truth is one. This spirit of oneness (samathvam) should be fostered. Then there will be no jealousy or discord. Where there is oneness, there will be no trouble.

Samathvam

Society today is racked by the jealousy and hatred. Jealousy is a disease which gives rise to hatred. Develop forbearance and good will. This is the cure for jealousy. I have often declared, 'My Life is My Message'. I do not get elevated by the praise or depressed by criticism. I see everything alike (smathvam). 'Samathvam Yogam Uchyathe'. That equalmindedness is yoga. What do I lose when someone criticizes me?. That is his opinion. It does not affect me. Those who criticize Baba are suffering from a disease, like those who reject a sweet because they suffer from diabetes. The fault lies not in the sweet but in the person who is unable to relish it. They know that Baba is engaged in beneficial activities and they want Him. But because some of their selfish interests not served, they turn against Swami. That is a malady. When you see the facts in this light, you will realize the truth.

Today we have to cultivate a serene equanimity that rises above these trifles. The development of equanimity is more important than the growth of centers. You should recognize the Divinity in one and all. 'The one supreme spirit dwells in all beings'. Bulbs are many, but the current that illumine them is one. Develop this spirit of oneness. Unity will lead to Divinity. Many who are working in the organization do not recognize the need for unity. Lack of unity breeds enmity and groupism.

The organization exists not for my sake but yours. When Swami administers what may appear as bitter medicine, it is for your own good. God is a physician for the ills of human existence. You may not relish the taste of His medicine but whatever Swami does, says or gives is all for your good.

Above all unity is the foremost need of the hour. 'Nations are many, but earth is one.' All are citizens of the earth. All are the children of the earth. Recognize the Truth.

God And Nature

In the realm of spirit it is foolish to ask for proofs of direct external perception. The spiritual is subtle. It has to be experienced within. Divine is present within us incognito like the Pandavas during the last year of their exile. Does the external form of a person reveal anything about his internal qualities?. He himself may not be aware of all of them. He may be full of Love or hatred. Can anyone perceive it?. Without knowing his qualities, is it proper to judge him by his physical features?.

You see this magnificent hall, but you do not see its foundations. Likewise, God is the basis, Nature is the superstructure. The spirit is the basis, the body is the superstructure. The body is like a rose in which the spirit is present as invisible fragrance.

Always Blissful

This conference should consider how this Sai organization can improve their service activities. I have nothing to gain from the organization. I am always blissful. There is no need to wish me 'Happy Birthday'. I am always happy. Embodiments of Love! Develop Love, so that you may deserve this appellation.

The Tamilnadu President, TG Krishnamurty said, that when Swami reincarnates as Prema Sai he should be given the privilege of serving Swami. Ayya! Take good care of what you already have. Why hanker after something in the womb of the future?. The present is very important. Past is past. Do not worry about the future. Take care of the present which will determine the future. Do your duty now. Duty is God. Work is Worship. This is the way to run the organization on ideal lines.

What is being inaugurated today is the search for the supreme truth about the Divinity within.

Birthdays

People have referred to the Seventieth Birthday. The body is constituted of the five elements, five sheaths, five life-breaths and five senses. Upto one's fiftieth year, one may be described as experiencing youth (yavvanam). Youthhood should be dedicated to purposeful activities. Youth is not related to age. Bhishma who was 112 years old, was the commander-in chief of the Kauravas forces. It is willpower that determines ones age.

When one reaches sixty it is a Bharatiya custom to perform Shanti puja for the purpose of subduing the six internal enemies (lust, pride ..). On reaching seventy, a person attains this state of the seven sages, seven oceans, seven musical notes, seven colors. This seven colors come from the sun rays. The sun rays are eternal. This Seventieth year symbolizes the attainment of the saintliness of the Seven Sages (Sapta Rishis who constitute the constellation of Ursa Major, the great bear). On attaining the eightieth year, you must become one of the eight planets. (Ashtagraha). On reaching the ninetieth year, you have to acquire the strength of one of the nine planets (Navagrahas). On reaching the hundredth year, one should merge in the ten indriyas (organs of the senses and actions) and get rid of the body consciousness.

The acquisition of love of God should be the primary aim of members of the Sai Organization. The spiritual path is the easiest to follow. The giving up of worldly desires is easier than clinging to them. Hold fast to God.

[Bhagavan concluded His discourse with the Bhajan 'Govinda Krishna Jai']