| Date:30 Sep 1998 | Occasion:Dasara | Place:Prashanti Nilayam |
POWER OF DIVINE LOVE
Nirguno Nishkriyo Nithya Nirvikalpo Niranjanaha
Nirvikaaro Niraakaaro Sarva Mukthaihi Labhyaha
Attributeless, unattached to work, ever pure in mind, ever blissful, unsullied and formless. He (the absolute) is accessible to all liberated souls.
There is one principle, which is attribute-less, formless, eternal and beyond thought, word and action. That is the principle of Love. Upanishads call this Love as Atma. How can man understand this Love, which is attribute-less and formless? This Love is not an intellectual exercise, nor is it psychological; nor is it a reflection in the dreaming state. It is the life principle of all living creatures. Noble souls propagated this principle of Love in various ways. Many elders, youngsters, scholars lecture on this principle of Love and sing its glory. But, no poetry, no composition, no language can describe Love. "Yatho Vaacho Nivarthanthe Apraapya Manasaasaha," Love cannot be described in thought and word. It is beyond human comprehension and narration. Love has no form, it can be seen only in practice.
If one is to ask, what is the form of Love, it can be said Love is God. Who is God? Where is God? What is His form? How to search Him? This has been the continuous inquiry since ancient times. But, none can describe Divinity. Vedas said: "Vedaahametham Purusham Mahaantham Aadithyavarnam Thamasah Parasthaath" (Divinity shines with the brilliance of thousand Suns, beyond the darkness of ignorance). Divinity is beyond the human understanding and expression.
How can one recognize Divinity who is the embodiment of Love! In this world Love assumes various forms, as expressed by mother, father, brother, wife, friends and relations. In this worldly love you find selfishness and self-interest. But the Divine Love is absolutely selfless. Just as God loves all, you should also make efforts to love all, because in the Bhagavad Githa, God says, "Mamaivaamsho Jeevaloke Jeevabhoothah Sanathanaha" which means all are the sparks of Divine. So, as He loves you, you should also love all and make all happy. But, today one does not find such love between human beings. Divine Love does not expect anything in return. In order to cultivate such Divine Love, man should have the faith that he is the spark of the Divine and He should understand that the same God is present in all. Once he understands and develops faith in this Truth, he can love everybody. Today one does not find such love, it only means that man has no faith in the statement of God ( Mamaivaamso . . . ).
Just as a Mariner's compass always points towards north, likewise under all circumstances Love is directed towards God. Time, space and individuals do not affect Love. Love is the true sign of Divinity. Understanding Love amounts to understanding Divinity. None can decide the form of God. When you enter a cinema theatre, you find a white screen. Merely watching the screen does not satisfy you. Once the show commences, you find different characters projected on the screen. Without the screen, can you see the picture? No. But, when the picture is projected, though the screen exists, it is not seen. The screen exists all the time - before, during and after the show. Vedas declared: "Anthar Bahischa Thath Sarva Vyaapya Narayana Sthithaha" (God is present within and around). Like the screen is to the picture, so is the Atma for the creation. The screen of Atma is present within and around all beings and it is the primordial basis for the entire creation. Therefore, it is said: "Sarvam Vishnumayam Jagath" (Divinity pervades everywhere). Divinity is present in the 'picture', around the 'picture'.
So, who can decide the form of such Divinity?
On the screen of Love, you find the picture of the universe. This Love is present in the name of Atma in all the beings. What form can you attribute to the Love present in you? It is not possible. How can a person who does not understand his true nature, understand God? So first and foremost one should make efforts to understand one's own Self.
The Atma has no definite name and form. "Ek Prabhu ke anek naam" (The one Lord has many names). Atma is the fundamental principle, which is pure, steady and unsullied. It forms the basis for the entire universe. Without the basis of the Atma, the universe cannot exist. Vedas declared: "Pashyannapi Napashyathi Mooddho" (he is a fool who even after seeing This does not recognize it). The same principle of Atma is reflected in all beings. God is the basis for the entire universe. It appears rather mysterious when we enquire where God is? God is in forest and also in mansion. He is present in your Heart and also in your speech. He is present everywhere. So, never make an attempt to comprehend Divinity. Instead have faith in God, follow Him, worship Him and experience bliss.
In order to experience Divinity, understand this example. The very nature of mother is love. Mother has a form, but love has no form. Mother herself is the form of love. Due to the presence of Atmic principle, you are able to see its reflection in the form of world. The whole world is nothing but reflection, reaction and resound. Atma is the reality. But man has forgotten the reality and is seeing only the reflection. You cannot have reaction without action, you cannot have resound without sound. Though the Sound is everywhere, you are not able to hear it. Though the Reality is everywhere, you are not able to see it. How will you be able to see it? With unflinching faith and selfless love, think of God continuously. God will certainly manifest before you. Today man chants the name of God and desires to see Him. But as he lacks steady faith, he is not able to experience Divinity. Man has become blind having lost the two eyes of faith. Faith is most important. Self-confidence is the foundation on which one can build the walls of self-satisfaction. On the walls of self-satisfaction, one can lay the roof of self-sacrifice. Under the roof of self-sacrifice, one can lead a life of self-realization. You cannot have walls without foundation and roof without walls. So self-confidence, the foundation, is very important.
Today man pretends as if he has love, but he does not know what it is. Our Vice-chancellor described Swami's Love as that of thousand mothers' love. But the one who cannot understand the love of one mother, how can he understand the love of thousand mothers. So, first and foremost try to understand and experience the love of your physical mother. This is the significance of Mother worship in this Navaratri.
The culture of Heart is the standard of life. What is this culture? It is the divine feeling that originates in the Heart. All the materials and powers of the world are present in your Heart. Men may vary in name and form, but the cultural principle of the Heart is one and the same. God resides in this Heart. What is His form? Vedas describe Him as formless, attribute-less, ancient and eternal. No one can attribute a name to God. Had anyone existed before God, they would have named Him. But, none existed before God. Creation itself did not exist.
For crores of years, there existed only darkness. At that time, the sun and the moon did not exist and there was no living creature. Nothing was seen. Then it rained heavily for lakhs and lakhs of years. This resulted in the formation of oceans. From the oceans, rivers originated. Then there was light in this world, and one could see the sun and the moon. Human habitation came into existence only after this entire process, which took place for many crores of years. Then how do you expect man to understand Divinity?
First and foremost man has to kill the Thamasic quality in him. Though water has no color, it appears red when poured into a red bottle. Similarly the Atmic principle, which is pure and unsullied, appears 'red' in a person with Rajasic quality; 'dark' in a person with Thamasic quality and 'bright' in the Heart of a person with Satwic quality.
In the Bhagavad Githa Krishna said He created four 'Varnas' ( Chaathurvarnamaya Srusti). But people mistake these four castes - Brahmana, Vaisya, Kshatriya and Sudra. Here Varna refers to the color, but not to the caste. Russians are red-complexioned, British's are white-complexioned, Japanese are yellow-complexioned and the Africans are dark-complexioned. The remaining colors are only the combinations of these four colors.
Students chant a prayer and offer the food to God before they partake of it. How do they pray?
Brahmaarpanam Brahmahavir
Brahmaagnou Brahmanaahutham
Brahmaivathena Ganthavyam
Brahmakarma Samaadhina"
They think they are offering the food to Brahma. But, where is Brahma? He is within. He gives immediate response. What is it?
"Aham Vaishvaanarobhoothva
Praaninaam Dehamaasrithaha
Praanaapaana Samayukthah
Pachaamyannam chathurvidham"
What does this mean? It means, Brahma who is present in the form of Vaishvaanara in you digests the food that you partake. Who is responsible for your blood circulation? Who makes your heart beat for 24 hours a day? It is all God's creation. None can understand this. In His creation God has given human beings a special place. He has endowed them with Constant Integrated Awareness (Pragjnaanam). Vedas declared: "Pragjnaanam Brahma." (Brahman is Constant Integrated Awareness).
Once, King Vikramadithya convened a meeting of scholars. He asked them, which is greater among the two - Buddhi (intellect) or Medha Shakthi (intelligence)? The scholars came to a conclusion that Buddhi is greater than Medha Shakthi. They said Medha Shakthi was only worldly intelligence, which was temporary; whereas, Buddhi consisted of five aspects-Sraddha, Sathyam, Rutham, Yogam and Mahatthatwam. All the worldly achievements are based on Medha Shakthi, but not on Buddhi. Buddhi is transcendental and beyond all the senses. It relates to Nivritthi (inward path); whereas Medha Shakthi relates to Pravritthi (outward path).
The principle of Love is the most important of all. Love is Atma, Love is Wisdom, Love is Truth, Love is Righteousness, Love is Peace and Love is Non-violence. Where there is Love, untruth, violence and restlessness find no place. Human Heart is a single chair, but not a double sofa, or a musical chair. So, once you fill your Heart with Love, wicked feelings have no place in it. Everything is contained in Love. Love is the life principle. But man has forgotten this principle of Love and is wasting his time in worldly love. The love between the mother and child is Vaatsalya (maternal love); the love between wife and husband is Moha (attachment). It is only the Divine Love that is true Love in the strict sense of the term. Love applies to God only, none else.
Praachethasa (Valmiki) composed Ramayana consisting of hundred crores of slokas. Devatas (demi-gods), Rakshasas (demons) and Manavas (Human beings) came to know that whoever went through Ramayana and follow it would be liberated. Immediately they approached Brahma and requested Him for a share of Ramayana. Brahma divided Ramayana into three parts consisting of 33,33,33,333 slokas each and distributed to them. One sloka remained consisting of 32 letters. Then Brahma again divided these letters into three parts consisting of ten letters each and distributed to them. Ultimately two letters remained. These are the two letters of the holy names of God - Rama, Krishna, Hari, Shiva, Sai and Baba, which were equally given to them. For all these names the primordial principle is Love.
Only through Love world peace can be achieved, non-violence can be practiced. Buddha said, non-violence is the supreme dharma. He did penance for six years. He approached elders and listened to their teachings, but he could not get any benefit out of them. Ultimately he enquired within and found out the Truth. He said sacred vision (samyak drishti) led to sacred feelings (samyak bhaavam), which in turn led to sacred speech (samyak vaak). Sacred speech (samyak vaak) led to sacred action (samyak karma). Spiritual sadhana does not mean doing meditation or japa. Undertaking sacred actions is the true sadhana. Krishna has said: "Karmanyevaadhikaarasthe Maaphaleshu Kadachana," you have got right on action but not on the results. Human society is bound by action. So undertake good actions.
Today, man does not make an effort to know why the body is gifted. The body is gifted not for just 'loading' and 'unloading'. Food is required to keep the body fit to undertake sacred actions. As is the food, so is the head. As is the head, so is God. So partake of sacred food, undertake sacred actions and join good company. To the extent possible, render service to the society. Have good feelings in your Heart, speak good words and do good actions. This is called Trikaranashuddhi (Unity of Heart, word and deed). Understand that this is the purpose of human life. Whatever actions you undertake to do them to please God (Sarvakarma Bhagavath Preethyartham). Divinity pervades everything, right from an ant to Brahman, but man does not realize this and misuses his body. Body is the gift of God. To misuse it is a great sin. Sin and merit are not present in a foreign land; they are attached to your actions. Good actions yield good results and bad actions yield bad results. Therefore make proper use of the body, mind and the intellect, which are the gifts of God.
What is sadhana? Service is true sadhana. Serve the society. Treat everyone as your brothers and sisters. Only through selfless service, your life will be redeemed. Consider service unto others as service to God. Unfortunately today man takes to service expecting something in return. He has become money-minded. Excessive wealth makes one egoistic. Ego leads to bad qualities. Excessive desires make one suffer. Misery is the birthplace of desires. As the desire increases, misery too increases. "Asamthruptho Dwijo Nashtaha," a discontented man suffers both ways (i.e. he is not happy with what he has and feels unhappy over what he has not got). So, be contented with what you have. Experience bliss and share it with others. If you have devotion, God Himself will confer bliss.
As our Vice-chancellor said, when Rama asked Hanuman to go to Lanka, Sugriva, Jambavantha and others doubted if he could cross the ocean. Then Hanuman smilingly replied that as Rama Himself commanded him to cross the ocean, He would also grant the strength to do so. He leaped across the ocean chanting the name of Rama and reached Lanka. Having been commanded by Rama, he never doubted whether he would accomplish the task. Once God commands you to do something, He will certainly grant the necessary skill and strength. So act according to the command of God without a trace of doubt, you will certainly be successful.
Today as science is progressing, doubts are also increasing in the human mind. The more intelligent you are, the more doubts you have. So do not aspire for more intelligence (Medha Shakthi). Make proper use of the intelligence God has given you.
Happiness lies in union with God. God is the embodiment of Bliss, which is eternal, unsullied, pure and non-dual. It is most unfortunate if you forget God. "Never give up Sai and make the best use of the chance given. Once you lose the opportunity to serve the Lotus Feet of Partheesha, you will not get it back. Sai grants you devotion, strength and liberation. Do not ruin yourself by listening to others." Do not believe anybody; believe your conscience and follow it. Once you follow your conscience, you will attain consciousness, Atma. Develop self-confidence, worship God, attain Divinity and be an ideal to the rest of the world. That is the essence of education.
"The man who studies and studies without discrimination fails to understand Himself. A mean-minded man can never give up his meanness, in spite of his vast learning. Why should one waste ones' life in the pursuit of acquiring useless learning? Better it is to acquire such wisdom that confers immortality."
The worldly education leads to argumentation, but not total knowledge. It is all waste of time. It is a sign of ignorance. So never argue with anybody. "Vaade, vaade Varjathe Vairam," arguments will lead only to enmity. Today what we need is unity, purity and divinity.
Embodiments of Love! For the last seven days you are a witness to this holy yagna. Why is it conducted? It is for the welfare of the world. The name of God should spread everywhere. For example, Delhi is far away from here, but when you tune your radio to a particular wavelength, you can hear the songs that are being broadcast in Delhi station. This is possible because of the presence of electric waves in the atmosphere. All over the world there are electric waves and magnetic waves. So the effects of manthras chanted during the yagna will spread all over the world and purify the atmosphere. Once the manthras enter the air that you breathe in, you will develop sacred feelings, because there is also a manthra in you. The body is yanthra, Hridaya is thanthra and the breath is manthra (Soham). Soham means, "I am God". There is no greater manthra than this. Therefore, chant this sacred manthra, lead an ideal life and make the world an abode of peace. In this train of society, youth are the long journey passengers. As the youth have a long way to go, they should work for world peace. Teach the principle of Divinity. Instill Divine feelings even in hard-hearted people. Sow the seed of the holy name of God in every heart. Then the world will become verily the heaven. Your happiness is heaven; your grief is hell. So be happy and serve everybody. Do not have the narrow feeling that only Bharath should be prosperous; pray for the prosperity of the entire world because all are your brothers and sisters. Have such broad feelings and sacred thoughts. Only then the dictum "Lokaah Samasthaah Sukhino Bhavanthu" will be realized, everyone will be happy. Share this immortal principle with everybody. Upanishads address you as the sons of immortality (Srunvanthu Viswe Amruthasya Putraha - listen O' children of immortality). You should lead your life befitting your name. Thyagaraja said, "Nidhi Chaala Sukhamaa, Eswara Sannidhi Chaala Sukhamaa, Nijamuga Thelupumu Manasa," O mind tell me, is it money or proximity to the Divine that confers happiness. He rejected the money sent by the king saying Rama is his only wealth. Thyagaraja means one with sacrifice. So his action befitted his name. There is no heaven beyond sacrifice. Embodiments of Love! Do not have excessive desire for wealth. Lead a life of sacrifice. Lead a peaceful life.
(Bhagavan concluded His discourse with the Bhajan: "Prema Mudhita Manase Kaho Rama Rama Ram ...")