Unity is Divinity

Embodiments of Love!

Wealth once lost can be regained by one way or the other; If a friend is lost, one can make many more through good feelings; if a wife is lost, one can marry again; if land is lost, it can be reacquired through some means; but once the body is lost, it cannot be regained. (Sanskrit Sloka)

"Sareeramaadyam Khalu Dharma Saadhanam", the body is gifted to man to undertake righteous actions. So it has to be sanctified by performing sacred actions. Health is very essential in order to do so. Health is the foundation on which human life rests. There is no greater wealth than health. What is the origin of this word 'Health'? It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Heilig ', meaning that which is sacred and pure. The body is a combination of different limbs. So, only when all limbs are utilized for sacred purposes can one have good health and happiness. For a healthy mind, one should have a healthy body. The Spirit (Atma) sustains human life basing on the health of the body and the mind. Health is the primary requisite for the realization of the four objectives of human life - Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kaama (desire) and Moksha (liberation).

Excessive thinking, worrying and studying is the main cause for man's illness. Some students are absorbed in studies all the time, because of which they lose their health. There is a limit for everything. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle conducted extensive research on the digestive system of the human body. As a result of too much of thinking, his health deteriorated and ultimately he died of indigestion. Constant investigations into cardiac ailments made the heart specialist, Dr. Herin, a heart patient and ultimately led to his death. Excessive activity in any field is harmful to health. Bear in mind the limitations of the body and act accordingly.

We are propagating principles of human values among the students. You should be aware of the capabilities of each student. Weak students should be equipped adequately both physically and mentally before they are taught higher values. The truth that health is wealth should be imprinted in their hearts. The word 'Vidya' has its origin in the Sanskrit root word 'Vid', meaning wisdom, effulgence and bliss. The equivalent term for Vidya in English is education. Education is derived from the root word 'Educare', meaning to bring out or to elicit. "To bring out" refers to manifesting that which is latent in man.

Educare comprises two aspects; one is related to the head and the other to the heart. All those that enable man to carry on activities like reading, writing, undertaking a job and earning a livelihood are related to the head. Sacred qualities like Compassion, Love, Patience, Truth, Righteousness and Justice etc. originate from the heart. These are meant for life, not for a living. The former relates to Pravritti, which is external and negative in nature and the latter to Nivritti, which is internal and positive in nature. Compassion, Love, Truth and Patience cannot be acquired through study of books. They are latent in our hearts. Educare manifests these latent qualities in man.

'All those that emanate from the head are transient. Good health is ensured by the proper utilization of head and heart. There are many unseen qualities in man. But man values only that, which he sees, listens and experiences. But, no importance is given to that which is unseen. That which is unseen is actually responsible for experiencing the fruits of one's action. All human qualities spring from the heart only, they cannot be obtained from teachers or texts. Today we are human only in form, lacking human qualities. Human values foster good health in us.

Just as each limb is as important as any other in the body, so also is each individual in the society. All limbs have to work in unison for the effective functioning of the body. Unity is most essential for man. Unity leads to purity, which in turn leads to divinity. Cultivate the feeling of brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God. People may come from varied cultures, languages and countries, but all are the children of God. Since you make distinctions based on country, culture and language, you are unable to comprehend divinity. Everyone is a member of the universal family. Teachers must understand this truth and teach their students.

Teachers should practice before they preach. Be good, do good, see good and tell good. Practice speaks louder than precept. Modern students are highly intelligent. They observe the actions and behavior of their teachers. They respect and follow their teachers only when there is harmony in thought, word and deed. Earlier teachers were called 'Acharyas', meaning those who practiced what they preached. Today, the term Acharya lost its significance, since the teachers teach not from practical experience, but from bookish knowledge. That is why the desired results are not realized.

Lack of unity leads to fragmentation of country, based on caste, religion and society. So first and foremost achieve unity. Members of Sai Organizations should consider unity as their very life breath. They should not differentiate between people based on caste, creed and nationality following the example of Sai. Follow the Master. When your Master Himself treats everyone equally, why not you? Never give scope for any differences. True independence ties in fostering unity.

The main cause for illness is psychological disturbances. These are nothing but illusions and dilusions. In olden days diseases were few in number. But today they are rampant. What is the reason for this? The fear that one may be a victim of the prevalent disease. '80% of the diseases are psychological. If you check your pulse rate under anxiety, you will find it abnormal. Do not bestow undue attention on your health; discharge your duties peacefully, then everything will be all right.

Keep in view the prestige and honor of Sathya Sai Organizations. Whatever you do, be it good or bad, will reflect on Sathya Sai. To keep up the dignity of Sathya Sai, act in a truthful way. There should not be any differences or infights among the members of the Organization. Resolve all conflicts through love and understanding. Love is God; live in love.

Understand this point clearly. People engaged in various activities take at least a day off in a week. Why? For effective functioning of man and machine, rest is essential at regular intervals. Does Sai take any day off? No! Every day, every minute, every moment, I discharge my duties. Discharging one's own duty is true Yoga. So do your duty, duty is God; work is worship. When elders set an ideal, children will follow their footsteps. Elders should lead from the front. Elders should resolve to practice and propagate the human values. Chairmen, Secretaries and Coordinators should plunge into action. Only then there will be transformation. Information relates to quantity; whereas, transformation to quality. Quality is essential, not quantity. Leaders should introspect and find out what transformation is effected in the individuals rather than keeping a track of the number of certificates they have awarded. There is lot of work going on abroad. Students consider human values as their very life breath. Though reluctant in the beginning, parents are sending their children to the Bal Vikas classes after observing a remarkable change in them. Human values will spread based on the interest evinced by the teachers. Everyone should work with sincerity, honesty, devotion and discipline.

Embodiments of Love!

Only when five fingers of the hand come together can any task be accomplished. One may be the president of the Organization. That does not mean that one can act according to one's whims and fancies. But I am aware of the fact that there are no such people in Sai Organizations. Yet, I am cautioning you.

Once there was a quarrel amongst the five fingers of the hand. Each one claimed that it was the greatest and the most important one. The little finger felt that it was the chief of all, as it always took the lead in punishing the wicked. The ring finger claimed that it was the king of all as it bears the precious gems. The middle finger felt that it was the one of authority as it had two fingers on either side as bodyguards. The forefinger claimed that it was the ultimate authority as it evaluates who was good and who was bad. And in the end the thumb said that it was the greatest as other fingers were ineffective in its absence. Each finger is unique in its own way, but it is only when all are united that success can be achieved. Similarly, all are great, be it the president, secretary, coordinator or a member. But, to make the work successful all should unite. All the wings of the Organization - Samithi, Sevadal, Bal Vikas etc. should work in harmony. Consider different wings as the fingers of the same hand and work unitedly. So unity is very essential. You feel the stress and strain when you walk or work alone; not so when you are in a group.

The Vedas echoed the same sentiment in the following verse.