Due to the effects of Kali Age, we find many such incidents as mentioned. On hearing the melodious singing of cuckoo birds, crows out of jealousy start cawing at them. But that does not deter the cuckoo from singing. In the same way, seeing the swans, cranes make fun of them. But the swans are least affected. Similarly, the one who has realized his true identity will neither be elated by praise nor depressed by blame.

Human life is the gift of God. If only you make proper use of this gift, your life as a human being will find fulfillment. Human beings can be classified into three types: 1. Adhamudu (Low and mean) 2. Madhyamudu (Average) 3. Utthamudu (Noblest). Human body can be compared to a sacred vessel. 'Utthamudu' is one who makes proper use of this vessel gifted by God. 'Adhamudu' is one who misuses the body without understanding its value. Madhyamudu is one who makes use of the body both for sacred and unsacred purposes.

What is the use of having a cozy bed, a pillow and a ceiling fan, if one does not get proper sleep? Likewise man, in spite of being endowed with a heart like a soft bed, a mind like a pillow, and an intellect like a ceiling fan, does not enjoy peace and happiness; then what for are these - the heart, the mind and the intellect? We describe the heart as that which is pure and unsullied. We attribute the quality of all-pervasiveness to the mind (Mano Moolam Idam Jagath). We describe the intellect as the transcendental principle (Atheendriyam). God has gifted these instruments to man, so that he enjoys peace and happiness. In spite of these valuable instruments, man does not have peace and happiness. We say that human life is the rarest and the most precious (Janthoonaam Nara Janma Durlabham), but does your conduct deserve such a description? You are not making proper use of the mind and the intellect, and not keeping the heart pure. As a result, you do not experience peace and happiness. Life devoid of peace and happiness is no life at all.

Great men say that in order to enjoy peace and happiness in life, you need to develop a sense of detachment. Detachment does not mean leading a life of seclusion in a forest, leaving family and property. Students should understand the true spirit of the word 'renunciation'. You should realize that this gross world is inert and consider the subtle aspects of this world as illusion and the causal aspects as only a reflection. Only when you understand the gross, subtle and the causal aspects of the world, you can have renunciation. But man believes this gross world as real, forgetting the Primal Cause, God.

These three aspects that constitute the apparent world will delude you. You should understand the Primal Cause, the Atmic Principle. Only then you can experience bliss and peace. You should make an effort to know the value of human life. Human being is called 'Nara'. What is the meaning of 'Nara'? It means embodiment of Atma.

Gopikas used to pray thus: "Kleem Krishnaaya, Govindaaya, Gopijanavallabhaaya Swaaha." 'Kleem' means the earth. 'Krishnaaaya' means water. 'Govindaaya' means fire, 'Gopijanavallabhaaya' refers to air. 'Swaaha' refers to ether (Akaasa). There is no life or place in this world without these five elements. They are present everywhere. This is how Gopikas described Krishna as all-pervasive. God, who is in the form of five elements is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. So, the main duty of mankind is to make proper use of these five elements. Misuse of these five elements amounts to misuse of Divinity.

Man considers his body as everything and spends his entire life in the pursuit of bodily comforts and conveniences. Body is bound to perish. Though 100 year life span is stipulated, you cannot take it for granted. Death can occur either in boyhood or in youth or in old age. Nobody can say when one would die. Then why should you take such great pains for the sake of your body, which is like a water bubble? Having taken a human birth, you should lead an ideal life and make everyone happy. You should not give undue importance to the body; treat it only as an instrument. Mind is like a fan. Only when you turn the fan in your direction, you can enjoy the breeze. Similarly, only when you turn your mind towards God, you can experience the breeze of bliss. But if you turn your mind towards the world and say that you are not able to experience bliss, only you are to be blamed. You have to turn your mind towards God, not the body. All the actions that you do for bodily comforts are useless.

You cannot find peace outside, it is within your heart. So, search within. The heart is always filled with peace, love and bliss. It is the basis for all sacred qualities such as compassion, love, tolerance, etc. All that emanates out of your heart is sacred. Body is the root cause for all the six evil qualities (desire, anger, greed, pride, attachment and jealousy). So, do not be attached to the body.

Human life is very sacred and highly valuable. The mind, intellect and the senses are mere instruments. But you are not making an effort to know this. You are only trying to understand the nature of the instruments, but not the Atmic Principle, which is the primordial basis. Your life will be sanctified only when you understand the Atmic Principle. People undertake many spiritual practices in order to sanctify their lives, but without purity of heart all these will be of no use. First, purify your heart. Do not give scope for wicked feelings such as desire, anger and greed. In the spiritual path, these three are worst enemies.

Ravana was one who did great penance and received boons from the Lord. He had mastered all the 64 types of knowledge. Such a mighty and great person like Ravana succumbed to desire and ultimately ruined his life. In the epic Ramayana, Ravana stands as a symbol of foolishness.

In Bhagavatha, Hiranyakashyapu symbolized anger. He was a great scientist. He had control over the five elements. Modern scientists are able to reach the moon, but Hiranyakashyapu could also reach the sun. He even tried to stop the rotation of the earth. Such a great scientist was ruined due to his anger. The one with anger will never be successful. He ruins his property and loses his respect. He will commit sinful deeds and will be rejected by one and all. (Poem)

In Mahabharata, Duryodhana stood for greed. In order to kill a miser, there is no need to harm him physically. Just ask him for money, he will 'die' immediately!. (Poem) Duryodhana was such a miser. What could he achieve ultimately? Therefore, for a spiritual aspirant, desire, anger and greed are worst enemies. The merit acquired through several years of spiritual practice will be ruined in a moment of fury.

In this world, there may be at least one good person out of every ten persons. Out of every ten good persons, there may be at least one who has love for God. Out of every ten persons who have love for God, there may be at least one who wants to attain Divinity. Out of every ten persons who want to attain Divinity, there may be at least one who is ever ready to obey God's command. Only he who obeys God's command is redeemed. There is no point in undertaking spiritual practices without obeying God's command.

Today, everyone wants happiness without understanding what it means. True happiness lies in being desireless. Desire is the cause for misery. A rich man may have no dearth for money, food and other material comforts, but still he may lack peace and happiness. The material objects may provide physical comforts, but not mental peace. Money may give reputation, but not respect. There may be a number of servants, but they are not friends. All of them serve only out of compulsion, not out of love. There is only one true friend who is always with you, in you and around you. He is God. As long as there is water in the tank, thousands of frogs gather. But once the tank is dry, not a single frog will be seen around. Likewise, so long as you are rich and in position of authority, everyone acts like a friend. But once you lose your position and money, your so-called friends will desert you, without even caring to say good-bye.

Charity is the true ornament for the hand.
Truth is the true ornament for the throat.
Listening to sacred texts is the true ornament for the ears.
Why need any other ornaments?
(Sanskrit Sloka)

You should not have the feeling that only your country should be happy. You should pray for the welfare of the entire world. (Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu) Let everybody and every country be happy. Only when you have such a broad feeling, you will be respected. No one will respect you if your behavior and words are not proper.

Students! Try to understand what human life is. The Upanishads declared that human life is most valuable. It is not easy to understand the Divine quality immanent in man. All forms and all powers are in man. Man thinks that gold and diamond are most valuable, but actually it is man who endows value to them. "Men are more valuable than all the wealth of the world." So, do not waste such a precious human life.

Ancient sages like Vasishta worked very hard in order to sanctify their life. Why did Vasishta join the court of Dasaratha? One day Vasishta himself explained this to Dasaratha in the following words: "O king, I have come to you not because you are wealthy and powerful, but because Lord Narayana Himself will be born as your son. I want to sanctify my life in His company". Vasishta always used to think of Divinity. So, he had the appellation, Brahmarishi; whereas Viswamitra was called only a Rajarishi as he was full of Rajasic qualities. In spite of repeated efforts, Viswamitra could not get the appellation that Vasishta could get. So, he developed hatred towards Vasishta. Due to this hatred, Viswamitra lost all his powers. You all know that Durvasa, one of the great Rishis, also had the bad quality of anger in him. Even if you were to search with a 'torch light', you would not find even an iota of love in him. What is the use of being a Maharishi, when there is no trace of love or peace? Only one with sweet words and sacred actions can be called a true Maharishi.

Bharat could progress in ancient times because of saints and noble souls. In spite of repeated foreign invasions, this country could not be destabilized because of the strength of its spiritual power. In order to preserve and sustain the strong spiritual foundation laid by the saints and noble souls, we have got to foster the human values such as Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love and Non-violence. If you protect these values, they will in turn protect you. "Dharmayeva Hatho Hanthi, Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha:' If you protect Dharma, you will be protected by Dharma. Similarly, if you destroy Dharma, you will be killed by Dharma.

Embodiments of Love!

Love is your true form. Only through love you can achieve anything. There is no need to search for God and no need to undertake any spiritual practice. "Love is God, Live in Love." Without spending a penny and without even crossing your doorstep, you can attain liberation. How? It is only through love. So, develop love. Do not have hatred towards anybody. Start loving even those that abuse you. It is only through love that you can bring transformation in them. By loving them more and more, you can get relieved of the pain inflicted by their harsh words. Harsh words are like sharp arrows that pierce deep into the heart. There is no medicine in this world that can cure you of the pain inflicted by harsh words. When you are shot with the arrows of harsh words, in reply speak sweetly, softly with love. It is the best medicine. It gives quick relief. Any incurable disease can be cured with love.

What is the cause of disease? It is mental tension, which is man's own making. Tension gives rise to temper and the two together ruin man. If you want to fill a cup with milk, which is already filled with water, what have you to do? You have to pour out the water and then fill it with milk. In the same way, remove all wicked thoughts and wicked feelings from your heart and then fill it with love.

People think that Narada is fond of creating differences (Kalaha priya), but it is a mistaken view. Yes, he was a 'kalaha priya' in his early days, but later on he realized his mistake and did severe penance. He ultimately became a great teacher. It was Narada who brought Nara and Narayana together. He worked for attainment of bliss and total removal of grief. He said, "Atma, the Spirit is God". Love is the principle of God. Having got this Love in you, why should you suffer? Why do you have problems? In fact, you have no difficulties and no anxieties. There is only bliss. But, how can you experience bliss? You have to follow the path of Love. Just by repeating the names of the dishes, your hunger will not be appeased. You have to use your hands and mouth to fill your stomach. In the same way, you have to speak sweet words and do sacred actions. Through these, you will enjoy the sweetness of life and you will be blissful.