unity is divinity
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All Rights Reserved

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Dedicated with love and reverenceat the divine lotus feet of

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
The Embodiment of Divine Love

Table of Contents
Foreword..............................................................................iii
Section I
I. Intoduction
What is Unity?.................................................................... 1
Why is Unity Important?.................................................. 3

II. Unity at the Individual Level (Vyashti)
Unity of Thought, Word and Deed.................................9III. Unity at the Societal Level (Samashti)
Unity in the Family.......................................................... 12
Unity in the Sathya Sai Organisation........................... 14
Unity of Faiths.................................................................. 18
Unity in Society................................................................ 23

IV. Unity at the Creation Level (Srushti)
Unity in Nature................................................................29

V. Unity at the Almighty Level (Parameshti)
Unity is Divinity............................................................... 32
Unity is the Purpose of Sathya Sai Avatar.................... 41

VI. Conclusion
His First and Final Messages to Us................................ 43

Section II
Unity is Divinity................................................................. 45
Service Activities for Unity in Society............................ 48
From the Individual to the Divine.................................. 54
Strive for Unity, Purity and Divinity................................58
Seeing Unity in Diversity is True Spirituality................ 67
Unity, Purity, Divinity........................................................75
The Sai Religion..................................................................81ii

Foreword“Practice what I teach, that is enough. That is all I ask.”–Sathya Sai Baba, 20 October 1963B

hagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the universal teacher, the embodiment of loveand truth, teaches us the way to reach the ultimate and supreme goal of
human life – namely, to realise our innate divinity and the divinity inherent
in all creation. In His love for us, He has given us two key aphorisms: Unity is
Divinity and Purity is Enlightenment. To attain unity and purity, He has also given
four practical divine commandments – Love All; Serve All; and Help Ever; Hurt
Never.
Baba lent His sacred name to the Sathya Sai Organisation wherein, as brothers andsisters, we can come together to realize the goal of life easily by following theseaphorisms and commandments. He said that we can reach the summum bonum of
existence by following His teachings immediately, implicitly and completely, withsincerity and absolute faith.

Accordingly, the 11th World Conference of the Sathya Sai International Organisation(SSIO) will focus on two seminal teachings of Bhagawan, with the theme: Unity is
Divinity & Purity is Enlightenment. To assist Sathya Sai devotees everywhere in
their spiritual journey, two study guides, which are compilations of the essential
teachings of Baba on Unity and Purity, have been developed.

Unity Is Divinity

The first Study Guide deals with the aphorism–Unity is Divinity. Swami says thatjust as we see different reflections of ourselves when we are surrounded by mirrors,
the apparent multiplicity around us is just the many reflections of the one Self,
which is our reality. Realisation of this fundamental unity leads to purity of mind.
Through this purity, we are enlightened and realise our innate divinity and thateverything and everyone is divine.
Baba says we are reflections of the one divinity, facets of the one immortal Self, andour essence is love–which is our own true nature, the Atma or divine Self. Although
fundamentally One, unity manifests in many ways. At the fundamental level, all is
God – Isavasya Idam Sarvam. The next level is unity in Nature – God is Nature;
Nature is God. The one divinity is manifested in all of nature’s multiplicity, andhumanity is an integral part of nature. Unity can also be manifested at the levels of
the individual, the family, the Sathya Sai Organisation and society. Bhagawan
reminds us that Man (Vyakthi) is part of Society (Samashti), which is part of Creation (Srushti), which is part of God (Parameshti). The Study Guide explores thelinkages, principles and practices of seeing unity in all these manifestations.
iii

Purity Is Enlightenment

The second Study Guide deals with the aphorism–Purity is Enlightenment.
Swami says that purity is essential for experiencing divinity and everlasting bliss. It
is not possible to experience divinity unless we are pure – in fact, Swami says thatall spiritual exercises, such as selfless service, devotional activities and education,
are undertaken to purify the mind.
How to develop purity? This is the crux of the matter, and Swami beautifully dilates
on the importance of developing purity at a young age, and the various aspects ofexternal and internal purity. External purity refers to purity at the body level, which
includes purity of food, speech and action and purity of the place and environment.
However, it is not enough if the body is clean — purity of the heart and mind isessential and Swami’s teachings on developing inner purity (Antahkarana Suddhi)
are listed in this section. In His infinite compassion, Bhagawan recommends specific steps to develop ten types of purity in day-to-day life, and gives directives on
spiritual practices such as namasmarana, selfless service, meditation, etc. and how
they should be performed.
The Study Guide also deals with Swami’s admonitions on the pitfalls in the processof developing purity. He warns us about the obstacles, as we undertake sadhanassuch as devotional singing, service activities, study circles etc., and provides practical solutions to overcome them. He guides us to practice purity in thought, wordand deed in our daily lives.
The Study Guide expounds on love as the basis for developing purity. The more wedevelop love, the more pure we become. Finally, there is a short discussion on what
we can learn from the examples of various spiritual masters, sages and saints whoachieved purity.

Conclusion

The simplicity and beauty of the practical advice given by the Lord is of lasting value to all devotees engaged in spiritual advancement, at all times, wherever they
may be. It also has practical value for sustained peace and prosperity of society andthe world, at large.
Let us study His nectarine words, understand them through discussions, study circles and workshops, and practice them sincerely. Let us resolve to move forwardwith unity, achieve purity and experience divinity in this very life.
Jai Sai Ram.
In the Loving Service of Sai,
Narendranath Reddy, M.D.
Chairman, Prasanthi Council
Sathya Sai International Organisationiv

What is Unity?

UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLE
The Basis for Unity

Unity is not Combination, it is a
All beings are subject to moha or attach- Realisation
ment but man is capable of breaking away
and attaining moksha or liberation. This
capacity for the transition from moha tomoksha is once again an expression of thedivine force within. Although divine capability finds greater expression in man thanin other beings, Divinity is actually latent inall things in the Universe. It is this Omnipresence that provides a powerful undercurrent of unity to the otherwise apparent
and bewildering diversity. What the eyes
see is superficial; that which is true lies
beneath.

What does unity mean? It is not the combination of many; it is the realisation of oneness. When you have mirrors all aroundyou, you see your many forms. These are all
your different forms. But this is not thetruth.
The one who asks the question and the one
who gives the reply, both are one and thesame. All are one. The same person appears
in many forms. To consider these forms as
different from each other is a mistake.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.42/Ch.19: 29 April 2009http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume42/d090429.pdf

Summer Showers in Brindavan 2000/Ch.7

This vast gathering of people will appear tothe spiritual intellect as a garland of
multi-coloured flowers strung on the one
single thread, God. Develop this vision; see
the One behind the many; see the Brahma­
sutra — the string that runs through eachflower.

http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss2000/ss2000-07.pdf

See the world with the vision of truth. All
are one; all are essentially Divine. The
Vedanta declares that the Atmic principle isthe underlying unity in diversity. Bulbs aremany but the same current flows in all ofthem. Likewise, the Atmic principle exists
in all. Man’s inability to understand thisprinciple of unity is the cause of his ignorance. True humanness lies in understanding unity in multiplicity. You have to develop samyak drishti (correct vision) in orderto develop unity. This was Buddha’s firstteaching.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.13/Ch.9: 4 April 1975
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume13/sss13-09.pdf

When I am speaking in the microphone,
you are listening to My voice. The speaker
is only one but the same voice is heard by
many ears. Ekoham sarva bhutanam (I am
the only Reality in all beings), Ekam Sat Vip­
rah Bahuda Vadanti (Truth is one, but the
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.34/Ch.9: 7 May 2001
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume34/sss34-09.pdf wise refer to it by various names).
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.42/Ch.19: 29 April 2009http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume42/d090429.pdf

1

The Vedas declare, Aham Brahmasmi (I am
Brahman) and Tat Twam Asi (That Thou
Art). Even these two Vedic declarations state
two things: I and Brahman, That and Thou.
True wisdom lies in seeing oneness. Advai­
ta darshanam jnanam (experience of nondualism is true wisdom). It is a sign of igno-

rance to see duality ignoring the underlying
unity. Duality is not the truth. In this manner, Buddha enquired deeply and ultimately got the experience of “I am I”. That is true
realisation.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.39/Ch.9: 13 May 2006
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume39/sss39-09.pdf

PRACTICING THE PRINCIPLE
The Adhyatmic (Spiritual) intellect recognises theUnity of creation and so, what the other person feels
is felt by the individual too, to the same degree.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.13/Ch.9: 4 April 1975
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume13/sss13-09.pdf

EXAMPLES
Sun is only one. But we see its reflection wherever
there is water, be it in rivers, tanks or in vessels. Pourwater in a plate, and you can see the reflection of the
Sun even in that water. Does it mean that the Sun isthere in this water? No, it is only the reflection of theSun.
In the same way, Atma is only one. The mind, theintellect, the subconscious mind, and the ego sense
are like different vessels. Therefore, divinity is one.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.42/Ch.19: 29 April 2009http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume42/d090429.pdf

2

Why Is Unity Important?

UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLE
To Remove Disorder and Conflictfrom the World

There is unity in the entire creation of God,but mankind causes many divisions in it.
In the world today we see disorder, violence Unity of the entire mankind is the need ofand conflict. The world is like a sick man the hour.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.8: 31 May 2008
afflicted with many ailments. What is the
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-08.pdf
cure for these ills? Man must shed his selfishness, greed and other bad qualities and To Remove Evil Thoughts
rise above his animal nature. He must culti- from Within Us
vate charity (unselfishness) to achieve puri- Through sacrifice you will come to know
ty. Through purity of hearts, men will that your real nature is charity. Charity
achieve unity, which will lead to Divinity. does not mean that you have given some
The mansion of human life should be built money to an individual or an organisation.
on these four bases.
The removal of all of the evil thoughts that
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.16/Ch.24: Sept 1983 are within you is true charity. Charity will,
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume16/sss16-24.pdf
in turn confer purity upon you. Once you
The strife and conflicts between human have purity, there will be unity. And once
beings started the moment humanity for- you have unity, you can reach Divinity.
Sathya Sai Newsletter USA, Vol. 13, No. 4, p.20
got its fundamental unity. It is time that
http://saibaba.ws/teachings1/selflessservice.htm
this trend is reversed and that the fundamental unity among humans is re-estab- To Expand Our Lovelished. Along with the unity, there should There is love in every one of you. What is
be purity. Where unity and purity go the form of love? What is the nature of love?
together, there is Divinity. The combina- When we analyse carefully, we will realisetion of unity, purity, and Divinity will result that love is not limited to human beingsin realisation of the Atma Principle (Atma alone but is present in all living beings.
Tatwa). The Upanishads, especially the Every being is endowed with the quality of
Taitiriya Upanishad, dealt at length with supreme divine love. One has to give up
this Atma Principle. If only one develops enmity and cultivate unity and purity infaith in this Atma Principle, one will suc- order to understand this truth.
ceed in all his endeavours.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.42/Ch.4: 21 February 2009 Everything in this world is bound to change
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume42/sss42-04.pdf except the principle of love. Love is the only
true and eternal path which will lead you to3

To Attain Bliss

Divinity. Divinity pervades each and every
limb of the human body. It can be visualised only when we understand the principle of oneness.

Ego and pomp have become rampant today.
Desires have become limitless. Man’s heart
is filled with selfishness, and compassion
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.37/Ch.20: 22 Nov 2004 has no place in it. That is the reason why hehttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume37/sss37-20.pdf
is unable to have the vision of the Atma andI always speak about the principle of love. I experience bliss.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.37/Ch.20: 22 Nov 2004
do not know anything other than love.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume37/sss37-20.pdf
When Divinity is uniformly present in all,how can you share your love with some and You can never attain bliss if you do not givedeny it to others?
up the feeling of diversity and cultivate theSathya Sai Speaks Vol.37/Ch.20: 22 Nov 2004 spirit of unity.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume37/sss37-20.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.8: 31 May 2008
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-08.pdf

To Follow True Culture

To Transform Our Conscience
into Consciousness

In order to attain Divinity, first of all, man
has to cultivate unity. In unity lies the true
culture. Unity is the ideal that man should
strive to attain. Any mighty task can beaccomplished through unity.

Man has a name and form, but chaitanya(Awareness) has no form. The chaitanya
that is present in the human body is called
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.2: 19 January 2002 “conscience”. The all-pervasive chaitanya is
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-02.pdf
called “consciousness”. When the individual understands the principle of unity in
To Live Up to Being a Human Being
Man is enveloped by five koshas or sheaths. diversity, the “conscience” gets transformed
They are: annamaya kosha (food sheath), into “consciousness”.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.36/Ch.1: 1 January 2003
pranamaya kosha (life sheath), manomaya
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume36/sss36-01.pdf
kosha (mind sheath), vijnanamaya kosha(sheath of wisdom), and anandamaya kosha To Experience Advaita (Non-Dualism)(sheath of Bliss). Whereas other beings can Shankara knew that non-dualism requires
at best reach out to three koshas, man can intense spiritual effort of will to remove all
easily go to the fourth and even beyond, if trace of ego and all idea of duality from thehe makes the effort. This is what makes mind of the human being. So, as a preparaman so superior. It is through wisdom that tory discipline to the dawn of the awareman can perceive the underlying unity ness of one’s real unity with the substance
between the individual Self and the Uni- of the universe, he taught the rules of yoga
versal Self. If this capability is not an expres- (the practices which lead to union withsion of the Divinity within, then what else God, devotion and karma (selfless action).
is it?
These, according to him, will brighten theSummer Showers in Brindavan 2000/Ch.7 intellect, cleanse the emotions, and purify
http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss2000/ss2000-07.pdf
the heart. Non-dualism is the awareness of
the Divine in everything, everywhere, andin full measure.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.3/Ch.12: 28 April 1963
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume03/sss03-12.pdf

4

PRACTISING THE PRINCIPLE
Fine Tuning Our Spiritual Practices

Firming Up Our Faith

Spiritual practices such as japa (repetitionof the name of God) and tapa (austerity)
will not yield the desired result unless you
recognise the principle of unity. Many people count the beads of the rosary. But whatis the use of rotating the rosary if the mind
also keeps going round the world? Understand that the mind is most important. You
should have a steady mind. Only then will
your life be redeemed. What is the use if
your mind hovers around on each and every
object like flies which hover on dirt as wellas laddus?

Selfishness will not go as long as man identifies himself with the body and does notrealise the Divinity in him. Diversity in creation is an obvious fact. No two humanbeings, not even twins, are identical. But
diversity should not lead to differences andconflicts. We must learn to see the unitythat underlies the diversity. This unity isbased on the Divinity that is present ineverything in the universe. The realisationof this unity can come, only through firm
faith in God.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.19/Ch.18: 27 August 1986
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume19/sss19-18.pdf

Do not allow your mind to vacillate between
good and bad, unity and multiplicity. Focus
it on all that is good and realise the principle of unity. That is the royal road which
will lead you to the experience of truth. On
the other hand, if you allow your mind tofollow the crooked path, it will not lead you
anywhere.

Serving with the True Spirit

You can get real urge and inspiration toserve others only when you get rid of theidentification with the body. When a man
suffers from acute stomach pain, his eyeswater. Why? Because, the various organs
like eye, stomach, etc. are all of the same
body. So too, when one man suffers, youreyes must shed tears and you must be urged
to alleviate it. This will happen if you knowthat you and he are limbs of the self-sameDivine Body.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.39/Ch.9: 13 May 2006
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume39/sss39-09.pdf

All of you should imbibe the spirit of unity.
Whomsoever you come across, say, “He is
my brother, she is my sister.” In this way,consider all as your brothers and sisters andconduct yourself with unity. All are children of God. Therefore, if at any time feelings of hatred develop between you andothers, remind yourself that you are notseparate from them. Consider that all are
one, attain unity, and experience its bliss.
Seeing unity in diversity is Divinity andtrue spirituality. Study of scriptures, performing rituals, doing worship, etc. do notsignify true spirituality. Recognising theunity of the Atmic principle is true spirituality. When you realise this unity, you will
earn divine grace.

The idea of difference (bheda bhava), arises
on account of the ignorance of the Truth.
When people get angry, they gnash theirteeth, but they take care not to bite thetongue, for the tongue is theirs; if by chance,
the tongue is bit, they do not knock theteeth out, for the teeth is theirs. So too, thesick man, the poor man, the suffering man,the illiterate man, the wicked man, are alllimbs of the same body, of which we too areparts. The same current activates all. To
realise this and to merge in that Unity is the
purpose of this life in the human body.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.5/Ch.38: 26 Sept 1965
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume05/sss05-38.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.8: 31 May 2008
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-08.pdf

5not hate anyone. Love all. If you have loveand faith, you will develop nonviolence.
Only then can you experience bliss.

You must feel the pain of others as yourown; you must be happy when others are
happy. That is the way to realise the unityof all. Above all, be vigilant; for, the fruits ofsadhana (spiritual practice) may be destroy­
ed by negligence. When the rains come, theearth is again green, for the seeds of grass
are underground, though you thought theland was dry and fallow. Satsang, satkarma,etc. (good company, good deeds) have to be
kept up, all through life.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.8: 31 May 2008
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-08.pdf

You claim that you are a devotee, but whatis the use when you have hatred, anger,
jealousy, hypocrisy, malice, etc. in you?
These evil qualities will ruin your life. Talk
smilingly to others and develop the spirit ofunity.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.11/Ch.21: 18 April 1971

Always love all. When you love everyone inthis manner, all evil qualities like hatred,
Fostering Expansive Love
anger, and greed will leave you. When you
Let your vision be suffused with love. Vision become free from these evil qualities, youfilled with love is the hallmark of a true will attain liberation easily.
human being. All are one, be alike to everySathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.8: 31 May 2008
one. You can understand unity in diversity
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-08.pdf
only when you develop sacred vision.
Samyak drishti (correct vision — seeing Live without hating others, condemning
things as they really are) makes you realise others, and seeking faults in others. Vyasa,
who wrote eighteen voluminous Puranas
the presence of Divinity in all.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.34/Ch.9: 7 May 2001 summarised all the Puranas in one single
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume34/sss34-09.pdf line of a small couplet: “Doing good to others is the only meritorious act; doing evil isLove all beings—that is enough. Love withthe most heinous sin”.
no expectation of return. Love for the sakeof love. Love because your very nature is When you feel you cannot do good, at least
love. Love because that is the form of wor- desist from doing evil. That itself is meritoship you know and like. When others are rious service! Do not try to discover differhappy, be happy likewise. When others are ences; discover unity. Creeds, castes, counin misery, try to alleviate their lot to the try of origin may differ but the inner hunger
best of your ability. Practise love through is the same for all men. Understand thatseva (selfless service). By this means, you the purpose of life is to know the Embodiwill realise unity and get rid of the ego that ment of love, namely, God, through love,and demonstrate through your own Loveharms.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.12/Ch.4: 5 March 1973 that you have known Him.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume11/sss11-21.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume12/sss12-04.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.13/Ch.9: 4 April 1975
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume13/sss13-09.pdf

You are always chanting, “Sai Ram, Sai Ram,
Sai Ram,” but this alone will not develop
devotion in you. You should imbibe thespirit of unity and chant the divine name todevelop true devotion. If you have even a
trace of true devotion in you, do good toothers and live in harmony with them. Do

Another directive I give is: Be more concerned with your own progress, your own
correction than with the good and evil ofothers. There is time enough to worry
about the good of others, after you havebecome good, yourself. But, try as far as
6

you can, to give Ananda (happiness) to oth- People today have become playthings in
the hands of selfishness. One does not takeers; desist from causing pain to others.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.11/Ch.21: 18 April 1971 even one step forward without selfishness.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume11/sss11-21.pdf
You can under­stand the divine Atmic principle only when you get rid of selfishness
Visualising Divinity Everywhere
One whose heart is filled with love will see and tread the path of Divinity.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.42: 9 April 1993

the manifestation of Divinity everywhere.
It is a mistake to think that Nature is different from God. People give various names to
Divinity based on their own experience.
Jewels are many, but gold is one. Likewise,names and forms are different, but Divinity
is one. Where does gold come from? It
comes from the earth. Similarly, God manifests in human body. Daivam manusha
rupena (God incarnates in the form of ahuman being). Hence, consider everyone asDivine.

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/d930409.pdf

Think God, see God, hear God, eat God,drink God, love God. That is the easy path,the royal road to your goal of breaking
ignorance and the realisation of your true
nature, which is one with God.
Conversations With Sathya Sai Baba, p.153

http://media.radiosai.org/journals/Vol_05/01FEB07/
02-conversations.htm

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.37/Ch.20: 22 Nov 2004
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume37/sss37-20.pdf

EXAMPLES
Rama and Lakshmana

Mindset of Dhritarashtra

When man realises that the Divine isall-pervasive, there will be no room for acq­
uisitive selfishness or divisiveness. When
Dhritarashtra made a distinction between“his” sons and the Pandavas, he revealed his
spiritual blindness and the ignorance of
the unity that subsumes the multiplicity inthe world.

There was such a strong bond of love
between Rama and Lakshmana as well as
between Bharata and Shatrughna that they
never left each other’s company. See howmuch power this unity holds! Union isstrength. When you don’t talk to each other and don’t develop unity, you achieve
nothing.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.21/Ch.3: 9 January 1988

Even if some feelings of enmity arise inyou, try to adjust with each other. Devotees
should conduct themselves gracefully withproper understanding and adjustment.
Even if someone criticises the deity you
worship, do not react to that criticism.
Rather, think only that your deity has
assumed the form of the critic. Praise andcensure make no difference to God.

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume21/sss21-03.pdf

Dog in a Room of Mirrors

A dog entered a room fitted with mirrors
and saw many dogs in the mirrors. It wasafraid to see so many dogs in the room,
considering them as danger to its life. In
order to escape from the situation, it
jumped upon one of the mirrors, considerSathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.8: 31 May 2008 ing its own reflection in it to be another
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-08.pdf dog. As it did that, it saw that the dog in the7mirror also jumped upon it. In the process, It is due only to your delusion. It is becauseof delusion that one makes many mistakes
the mirror broke.
Then, it felt that there was no other dog at and indulges in many undesirable activithe place and escaped from the room. It felt ties.
Wherever you see, there is God and God isone. People say, “He is Rama, He is Krishna,
He is Shiva, He is Vishnu.” What does it
mean? Does it mean that Vishnu, Shiva,
The same is the case with people today. If Rama, and Krishna are separate entities?
one sees all other forms as his own reflec- These are the different names of the sametion in the mirror of the world, one will God. God appears before you in a particularform based on your own imagination.
realise the principle of unity.
greatly relieved that it could save itself fromso many other dogs. But where were somany dogs? It saw its own reflection in somany mirrors.

When you contemplate on the form of
Krishna as portrayed by artists like Ravi
Varma, God will manifest before you in theform of Krishna. In the same way, God willappear before you in the form of Rama. But
God is neither Rama nor Krishna. Both
Rama and Krishna are you only. The formsof Rama and Krishna are nothing but yourown reflections. When you say, “I wantRama”, God manifests before you in theform of Rama. Similarly, when you say, “I
want Krishna”, He appears before you in
You say, “She is my wife” but prior to thethe form of Krishna. All these forms are
marriage, she is separate and you are sepanothing but your own reflections.
rate. Only after the marriage do you say,
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.19: 29 April 2009,“My wife, my wife.” How you have develhttps://sathyasai.org/discour/2009/d090429.pdf
oped this relationship of husband and wife?
So, there are no such separate entities likefather, mother, brothers, and sisters. But
one develops worldly relationships due to
one’s delusion and says, “She is my sister, heis my brother, he is my father, she is mymother.” These are all only physical relationships and not the relationships basedon your divine reality. Try to understandthat the same Atma is present in all. But
you develop worldly relationships, forgetting the principle of the Atma.

8

Unity at the Individual
Level (VyasHti)

UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLE
Unity of Thought, Word and Deed

In Vedantic parlance, this unity wasdescribed as Trikarana Shuddhi (triple purity). ‘Manasyekam, vachasyekam, karman­
yekam mahatmanam’ (Those whose mind,
words and deeds are in complete accord arenoble souls). ‘Manasanyat, vacha­sanyat, kar­
manyanyat duratmanam’ (The wicked arethose whose thoughts deviate from theirwords and actions).

Heaven and hell are dependent on the conduct of people. The body is a home wherein
reside three entities called manas (mind),vak (speech) and limbs (organs of action).
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.28/Ch.2: 14 January 1995
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume28/sss28-02.pdf

The harmony between thoughts, words
and deeds is the first step in spiritual
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.28/Ch.2: 14 January 1995
growth. The generation, expression andhttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume28/sss28-02.pdf
efflorescence of humanitarianism depends
on the proper integration of thought, When one’s words are in accord with one’s
speech and action. It is the greatest virtue. thoughts, they become truth. When theLack of correlation between ideas, utter- spoken word is translated into action, it
ances and actions leads to self-deception, becomes dharma (right action).

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.27/Ch.9: 11 March 1994
hypocrisy, and spiritual bankruptcy. In othhttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume27/sss27-09.pdf
er words, the rapport between mental andphysical activities is an essential ingredient We say, “The proper study of mankind isman.” Head, heart and hands should co-opof spiritual training.
Summer Showers in Brindavan 1979/Ch.3: erate and function in harmony. This is 3HV.
http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1979/ss1979-03.pdf There is no human value greater than this.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.33/Ch.17: 29 Sept 2000

Unity of thoughts, words, and actions is thehallmark of humanness.

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-17.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.42: 9 April 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/d930409.pdf

9PRACTISING THE PRINCIPLE
Synergising Thinking,Speaking and Acting

Do not lay false to your own conscience.
Do not cover your thoughts in a cloak ofWhat you think, you should speak; what falsehood. Do not suppress your conscience
you speak, you must put into practice. That by forcibly enslaving it and embarking on
is real humanness. It is Trikarana Shuddhi actions not approved by it. That is the dhar­
mic way of life.
(triple purity).
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.2/Ch.44: 5 Oct 1962

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.14: 6 Aug 2008

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume02/sss02-44.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-14.pdf

Frequently doing right makes it easier andeasier, habit grows into conscience. Onceyou are established in right conduct, youwill automatically follow the right. What
you do depends on what you are; what you
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.2/Ch.44: 5 Oct 1962 are depends on what you do. The two are
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume02/sss02-44.pdf interdependent to a great degree.

How are you to decide in any particularcase what is dharma and what is not? Make
the manas, the vak and the kayam (thought,
word and deed) agree in harmony. That is
to say, act as you speak, speak as you feel.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.2/Ch.44: 5 Oct 1962

The thoughts that emanate from theIndwelling Spirit (conscience) should findexpression in speech. If the inner feelings
are different from what is spoken, can thewords be treated as truth or untruth? Clearly, it is untruth. When one’s action is not inaccordance with his words, it is adharma(unrighteous action). Truth and right action
are expressions of the promptings from thedepths of one’s conscience.

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume02/sss02-44.pdf

How can one who is too weak to control
himself be able to control others? There
must be unity in word and deed. Only thencan one achieve great things.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.23/Ch.23: 2 June 1990
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-23.pdf

Love is very important. There should belove in your thought, word, and deed. There
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.27/Ch.9: 11 March 1994 should be unity of thought, word, and deed.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume27/sss27-09.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.42/Ch.20: 19 Dec 2009http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume42/d091219.pdf

10EXAMPLES
Adi Shankara

Shankara in strident terms. Then he gave a
Shankara’s teachings were spreading far superb exposition of the metaphysics ofand wide. The pandits of Benares arranged Advaita (non-dual unity).
for a grand assembly of scholars in the holy All the pandits and their disciples werecity.
astonished at the performance of the young
Many scholars had gathered there in all Shankara. They realised that here was one
their regalia. Nothing was lacking in terms who was not only a great teacher but oneof ostentation at that assembly. Shankara who practised what he taught. This unity
entered in a simple way, wearing a dhoti in thought, word and deed is the mark ofcovering up to his knees and a towel over greatness. Shankara was the very embodihis shoulder. On seeing him, the pandits ment of unity and purity in thought, speech
seemed to feel that it was all a joke. Some and action.
pandits remarked: “He does not even wear Many pandits got up and plied Shankara
a rudraksha mala (a garland of beads). A with questions. He answered them all withpandit should have an imposing figure. perfect ease. He declared that Advaita
What is it that this stripling can tell us?” means oneness of the spirit and awareness
They addressed him thus: “We have come of this oneness is true jnana (wisdom). Spirto know that you are proficient in all the itual wisdom alone is true wisdom. Pandits
Vedas and Shastras, an authority on gram- today, he declared, are not having this realmar and logic and a great exponent of the isation.
Advaita (non-dual unity) doctrine.”
Shankara pointed out that though names
Shankara then sang the Bhaja Govindam and forms may be many, the Self is one
songs, pointing out the transitory nature of only. That Self resides in everyone’s heart.
material wealth and exhorting all to give up He exhorted the pandits to purify theirworldly desires. He declared that pandits hearts and follow the dictates of the conshould be equal-minded and should give up science. Shankara made it clear that creeds
the desire for wealth, which is the result of may vary but God is one.
one’s actions. “Give up this thirst for monSathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.43: 7 Sept 1996
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/sss29-43.pdf
ey. Develop the thirst for God,” declared

Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln is the best example for this. He thought of what he said, adhered to what he professed, and finally achieved what he believed. Hence this threefold unity is essential; otherwise humanity is lost.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.33/Ch.17: 29 Sept 2000
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-17.pdf

11Unity at the Societal
Level (SamAsHti)
Unity in the Family
UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLE

PRACTISING THE PRINCIPLEThe Connection between the Family
and the World

Understanding and Adjustment

Understanding and adjustment between
each other are very essential for the smoothfunctioning of any family. For example,
when there is proper understanding
between wife and husband, the wife will
not mind even when the husband returns
home very late from office. In fact, she will
be anxiously waiting for him thinking that
he may be busy in the office or is held up in
a traffic jam.

A family is the most important functional
unit in the world. If the family is runningon sound lines, the world will also runsmoothly. If the unity among family members suffers even to a small extent, theworld will face the repercussions. Unity
gives strength to the lives of the family
members. Therefore, every family should
strive for achieving unity and harmonious
relationship among its members.
But if there is no proper understanding
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.36/Ch.4: 2 March 2003 between the two, even if there is a delay of
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume36/sss36-04.pdf
just five minutes, there will be a fightPeace must begin in the family, in the home. between them. Adjusting will become easy
When there is understanding and harmony only when there is proper understanding.
in the family, peace will spread to the com- Whether it is among students, teachers or
munity and from there to the nation and members of a family, understanding is very
the world. Hence unity is the primary need essential.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.33/Ch.17: 29 Sept 2000
today. Unity confers joy and peace.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-17.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.23/Ch.31: 20 Nov 1990
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-31.pdf

Regard yourselves as brothers in a family.
But do not stop there. Go beyond kinshipto the Atmic unity… Shed completely all
selfishness and self-interest and enter into
service activities as the highest purpose oflife. Service must become your life-breath.
You must become ideal sevaks (servants)
and set an example to the world.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.20/Ch.26: 19 Nov 19, 1987
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume20/sss20-26.pdf

12

EXAMPLES
Five Fingers

The Human Limbs

Anything can be achieved with unity. Takefor example, the five fingers in the hand. It
is only when the five fingers join together
that we can accomplish any task. The Kauravas were one hundred in number, butthey were not united for a good cause. Ultimately, what fate had befallen them? Similarly, Vali and Sugriva in the Ramayana.
They were in fact brothers. Due to somedifferences, they developed hatred against
one another. In the end, Vali met his end in
the hands of Rama.

Each limb of the body has a specific role toperform. While accomplishing a bigger
task, all limbs coordinate and work in unison. When the eyes spot a fruit on the topof a tree, the legs walk towards the tree, thehand picks up a stone and pelts at the fruit.
When the fruit drops down, the fingers
pick it up and put it in the mouth where it
is masticated by the teeth and sent to thestomach. Thus, we see that all limbs of the
body have to work in a coordinated manner to perform even a small deed. With
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.36/Ch.4: 2 March 2003 such unity prevailing in the house, anyhttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume36/sss36-04.pdf
thing can be achieved.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.33/Ch.17: 29 Sept 2000

Shiva’s Family

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-17.pdf

Shiva is the supreme exemplar of serenity!
Shiva, according to the scriptures has acurious assortment of family members. Yet,each one is so calm and without agitation,that the divine family exists in peace andconcord.

The Pandavas

The brothers in a family should never fight;
they must be united, like the Pandavas.
Only by their unity could the Pandavas
obtain the divine grace of Lord Krishna.
Shiva has snakes on His arms, round His Anything can be achieved with unity.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.36/Ch.4: 2 March 2003
neck, on His head, around His waist! One
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume36/sss36-04.pdf
of his sons, Subramanyam rides on a peacock, which attacks snakes; Ganesha rides
on a mouse, which the snakes feed on!
Ganesha has the head of the elephant,
which is the prey of the lion, which is thevehicle used by Durga, the consort of Shiva,
who is so inseparable that she is the left
half of the body of Shiva Himself. Nor is thelion friendly by nature to the bull, which
Lord Shiva Himself has as His vehicle! Shiva has fire on the central point of His brow,
and water, the river (Ganga) on His head,
both are incompatible! Imagine how loving, how co-operative the various components have to be, to render life in Kailashsmooth and happy!
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.11/Ch.25: 15 May 1971
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume11/sss11-25.pdf

13Unity in the Sathya Sai
Organisation

UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLE
Sai Organisations’ Foremost Duty

The foremost duty of the Sathya Sai Organisations is to promote unity on the basisthat all are sparks of the Divine and constitute one family. Without realising this basic
truth, there is no use in rendering any kindof service. There can be no sacredness inservice, if good thoughts and good feelings
are absent. Service as an act of dharma canbe offered only by one who is pure in heart,
selfless and equal-minded towards everyone.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.20/Ch.26: 19 Nov 1987
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume20/sss20-26.pdf

The sole object of Sathya Sai Seva Samitis(Sathya Sai centres), the very breath onwhich they thrive, is the consciousness ofunity, of all as One. But the politics of proliferation attacks the Samitis (centres) too
and ten men develop into eleven institutions. As in politics, here too, faction, competition, clamour for power and authority,
greed for office raise their heads. People are
not able to resist the infection of the atmosphere of elections and parties. Such tactics
and tendencies will not fit in with associations of aspirants towards the goal of spiritual unity.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.8/Ch.40: 1 Oct 1968
The Organisation must help people to realhttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume08/sss08-40.pdf
ise the Unity behind all this apparent multiplicity which is only a super-imposition The units of the Sai Organisation have toby the human mind on the One that is all exemplify and promote the Unity in Diversity as taught by Sanatana Dharma. The
this.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.13/Ch.20: 29 March 1976 very purpose with which the Organisation
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume13/sss13-20.pdf
was formed is to stress on this Unity.

In the Sai Organisations, the primary requisite is unity and mutual trust. Only withunity can you promote the well-being of
the world. If there is discord within the
Organisation, how can you serve others?
Make forbearance your ornament. Throughlove, eliminate your bad traits.

In this gathering, people from many countries, speaking many languages, belonging
to many races, are present. They are all single-mindedly united in love for Sai and inlove from Sai, in spite of differences innationality, race, creed, colour and dress.
This is My real task. This is the consummaSathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.31: 7 Oct 1993 tion of the yearnings of the ancient seers
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-31.pdf
and sages of this land. Develop this One14

ness, this Unity in love, hold it ever before heritage, namely, the Bliss that comes of
the realisation of the One. Any activity
you as the ideal.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.14/Ch.55: 19 Nov 1980 solely intended for the individual is, on that
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-55.pdf
very account, barren.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.12/Ch.49: 16 Oct 1974
Only when five fingers of the hand come
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume12/sss12-49.pdf
together can any task be accomplished.
One may be the President of the Organisa- The Sai Organisations should function ontion. That does not mean that one can act the basis that the indwelling Spirit in everyone is the same Atma.
according to one’s whims and fancies.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.20/Ch.30: 24 Nov 1987

Everyone is a member of the universal family. 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 Organisation —samithi (Sai Centres), sevadal (ServiceWing), bal vikas (Education Wing), 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 ina group.
Let us all grow together, enjoy together,
Let us perform heroic deeds byworking together,
Let us live without any conflict.

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume20/sss20-30.pdf

Spirituality is not a business activity. Spirituality is a divine mansion. It is associatedwith unity. This unity in diversity alone willbring you happiness. I wish that you cultivate that principle of unity. It is only thenthat the service undertaken by you will
acquire value and sanctity. There is no use
polluting the sacred service activity with allsorts of differences.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.36/Ch.1: 1 January 2003
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume36/sss36-01.pdf

An act dedicated as an offering to the God
resident in all becomes as sacred as thehighest seva (selfless service). Devote yourselves to this seva. Avatars (divine incarnations) of God are engaged in seva; that is
why Avatars happen. Hence, when you
offer seva to mankind, the Avatar will naturally be pleased and you can win grace. Thisis a great chance you have as members of
the Sathya Sai Seva Dal. I hope you will
make the best use of this chance. I bless youthat you may.

[Telugu Poem]

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.31/Ch.41: 20 Nov 1998
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-41.pdf

Selfless Service

Service without idea of self is the very firststep in the spiritual progress of man. For, it
trains you to transcend all the distinctions
artificially imposed by history and geograSathya Sai Speaks Vol.13/Ch.29: 6 March 1977
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume13/sss13-29.pdf
phy and realise that the human community
is one and indivisible. Learn this truth; Only those who can pour out compassion
experience it in action. That is the duty of to fellowmen can claim a place in the Gracethe Seva Dal Organisation (Service Wing). of God. This is also the highest spiritual
How can a person be held ‘divine’ (as every discipline; it impresses on you the unity ofman truly is), unless he has established the human community and the glory ofhimself in the sense of this Unity and God’s immanence. May this discipline
shaped all his actions thereby? Man has which the Seva Dal (Service Wing) has takbeen brought forth so that he may enjoy his en up with genuine delight spread all over15

this country, and may the land be happy
and prosperous. May the world have peaceand happiness, and loving trust. That is My
blessing. I want you to pray for the welfare
and prosperity of all mankind.

Sathya Sai Organisations. Money was neverdesired by Sathya Sai Organisations. The
main agenda of our Organisation is toensure that people stand as ideals for others to emulate. We should change ourSathya Sai Speaks Vol.10/Ch.39: 25 Dec 1970 mindset gradually to be able to achieve this.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume10/sss10-39.pdf
Sathya Sai Organisations should work forthis with unity without any discriminaNot Money, Morality is Important
People dodge the main issue of limiting tions of caste, creed or nationality.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.21/Ch.31: 21 Nov 1988
their desires and instead, donate some
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume21/sss21-31.pdf
token amount for the activities taken up by

PRACTISING THE PRINCIPLE
Following the Example of Sai

Three Salient Qualities

Lack of unity can lead a country, community, or society to fragmentation. So, weshould first and foremost achieve unity.
Members of Sai Organisations should consider unity as their very life breath. They
should not differentiate between people on
the basis of caste, creed and nationality.
Follow the example of Sai! When Sai Himself treats everyone equally, why not you?
Never give scope for any differences.

What should be the characteristics of persons in the Sai Organisation? Their hearts
should be cool like the moon. Their minds
should be pure like butter. Their speechshould be sweet like honey. It is only when
you have these qualities, will you be a worthy member of the Organisation. Whenthese three are present, there will be Divinity.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.28/Ch.33: 20 Nov 1995
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume28/sss28-33.pdf

True independence lies in fostering unity.
Therefore, to develop sacred divine human No Politics
values, you should have unity first.
Do not infect these Associations of AspiKeep in view the prestige and honour of rants for My Grace with the virus of rivalry
Sathya Sai Organisations. Whatever you and factions.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.9/Ch.32: 20 Nov 1969do, 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 in fights among the membersof the Organisation. Resolve all conflicts
through love and understanding. Love isGod; live in love.

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume09/sss09-32.pdf

Your activities should not be on the lines ofpolitical activities. By associating with various types of people, this turns into a political activity. I am not happy with that. Do
come together for bhajans wherever you
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.31/Ch.41: 20 Nov 1998 are. But do not allow separatism. All should
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-41.pdf
be united.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.36/Ch.1: 1 January 2003
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume36/sss36-01.pdf

16

Do not import into the Sathya Sai Organisation political faction-mongering, groupformation, scandal spreading and votecatching in order to win positions ofauthority or oust others from them. Do notcreate splits and parties among the devotees in order to establish yourselves overothers. Even when you are slandered, you
should not lose balance. Put up with slander and scandalising talk. Anger is the chiefenemy of sadhana (spiritual practice) as
Vishwamitra discovered. One attack ofanger exhausts three months of health andefficiency.

Scatter the seeds of Love in dreary desert
hearts; then, sprouts of Love will make thewastes green with joy, blossoms of Lovewill make the air fragrant, rivers of Lovewill murmur along the valleys and every
bird, beast and child will sing the song ofLove. Now, we have Seva Dals (Service
Organisations) only in some villages andtowns. We must have them in all villages
and all towns, so that the service of man by
man can lead to the discovery by man of
the God that is his reality.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.10/Ch.23: 4 Oct 1970
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume10/sss10-23.pdf

Differences should not divide us. Membersof the Sai Organisation should foster such
unity. Let there not be any conflicts. Live
like children of the same family. Get a good
name, so that there is no other organisation comparable to the Sai Organisation in
the world. Develop love and work unitedly.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.11/Ch.24: 14 May 1971
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume11/sss11-24.pdf

Acquire Love through Love

Acquire love through love. Only throughlove can unity in diversity be experienced.
This kind of unity through love can be witnessed only in Prasanthi Nilayam andnowhere else.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.31/Ch.41: 20 Nov 1998
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-41.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.23/Ch.35: 24 Nov 1990
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-35.pdf

EXAMPLE
Yudhishtirathat the statement was wrong. He recountToday there is a great need for everyone to ed the names of the five and queried thedwell upon the axioms that Dharmaraja reason why he added a hundred more.
(Yudhishtira), the eldest of the Pandava “My father’s sons are five; his brother, thebrothers, kept before himself.
blind Dhritarashtra has a hundred sons.
When Krishna asked him one day where his When we fight with them, we are five andbrothers were, he replied, “Some of them they hundred. But when we don’t, we are a
are in Hastinapura city and the others in hundred and five.”
the forest.”Thus when hatred and greed end in fightKrishna was visibly surprised. He said, ing, brotherhood is broken and hearts drift“Dharmaraja! What has happened to your apart. Today this fractionalisation is evibrains? All of you, the five brothers, are here dent in every field, including even ourin the forest as you know. None is in the Samitis (organisational units)! As a natural
result, anger, envy, faction and friction arecity of Hastinapura!”
Dharmaraja replied, “Pardon me, Lord! We fast increasing.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.14/Ch.42: 22 Nov 1979

are 105 brothers in all.” Krishna pretended

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-42.pdf

17Unity Of Faiths

UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLE
Truth is One, But Faiths are Many

The Vedas teach that man should adore andworship God in gratitude for His benedictions. The Bible teaches that he should pray
for peace and practise charity. The Quranwould have man show mercy to the suffering and to surrender his will to the AllHigh. The Buddhist texts teach the lessonof detachment and sense-control. The Zend
Avesta exhorts man to get rid of evil propensities and shine in his own innate glory.
The guru has to imbibe all these qualities
and then teach them to his pupils by precept and example.

Let the different faiths exist, let them flourish. Let the glory of God be sung in all languages and in a variety of tunes. Thatshould be the ideal. Respect the differences
between faiths and recognise them as valid,so far as they do not extinguish the flame ofunity.
Sathya Sai Baba, Light of Love p.64, 4 July 1968

The whole of mankind belongs to one religion — the Religion of Man. For all men
God is the Father. As the children of one
God all men are brothers. This Conferenceis therefore a family gathering. It is not ameeting of nationalities and religions. It isa meeting of minds. It does not relate to
any one culture or philosophy. It is concerned with the divine way of life that is
implicit in the teachings of all religions. Its
purpose is to see Unity in Divinity.

Sri Sathya Sai Educare – Human Values,

6 June 1978, pp.12, 20-21
http://sathyasai.org/files2008/wec/WEC2008Small.pdf

Whom the Muslims adore as Allah, Whom
the Christians adore as Jehovah, Whom the
Vaishnavas adore as Phullabia, Whom the
Shaivites adore as Shambhu, Who grants in
answer to their several prayers, health,Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.16/Ch.29: 30 Oct 1983
prosperity and happiness to all, wherever
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume16/sss16-29.pdf
they may be, He, the One God, is the God
There is only one God; He is Omnipresent. of all mankind.
There is only one religion, the Religion of
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.13/Ch.23: 1 Oct 1976
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume13/sss13-23.pdf
Love; there is only one caste, the Caste of
Humanity; there is only one language, theLanguage of the Heart.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.11/Ch.54: 24 Dec 1972
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume11/sss11-54.pdf

18

I have come not to disturb or destroy any
faith, but to confirm each in his own faith— so that a Christian becomes a better
Christian, the Muslim, a better Muslim,
and the Hindu, a better Hindu.
Sathya Sai Baba, Light of Love p.64, 4 July 1968,

Religions are many, but the road is thesame. Flowers are many, but worship is thesame. Professions are many, but living is
the same.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.2/Ch.8: 30 April 1961
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume02/sss02-08.pdf

The Unitive Aspect of Creation

The Fundamental Truth of all Religions

The basic truth in all religions, irrespectiveof country or race, is one and the same. The
philosophic ideas or the practices andmethods of approach may vary. But the
final objective and goal is only one. All religions proclaim the Unity of Divinity andpreach the cultivation of Universal Love
without regard to caste, creed, country or
colour. Those who are ignorant of this basic
Truth develop pride and ego because of
their own religion. Such people are creating great confusion and chaos by fragmenting Divinity. To confine and divide theInfinite Divine into such narrow compartments is treason to the Divine. The basis
for a spiritual, God based life is the indwelling Spirit — the Atman (Divine Self). The
body is the home of Spirit.

Religions may be different, but all of themlead man to the same goal—God. Garments
may be different, but the fabric is the same.
Ornaments may be various, but the gold isthe same. Cows may be of different hues,
but the milk is one. The electric bulbs may
have varying wattage, sizes and colours, but Life in society should also conform to thisthe electricity that lights them all is the spiritual basis. Man, however, bases his lifeon the belief that the body alone is real. It issame.
to rid him of this error that he has to be
Similarly, the jivas (individuals) and the anitaught about the Self. Mankind has to realmals are myriad and multiple, but the lifeise that both the individual and society areforce in all of them is essentially the same.
manifestations of the Divine Will and that
The realisation of this unitive aspect of crethe Divine permeates the Universe. Only
ation is jnana samathva (equanimity ofby recognising this Truth can man give up
Self-knowledge).
his ego and lead a life of devotion to duty.
Summer Showers in Brindavan 1979/Ch.29
http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1979/ss1979-29.pdf Society should not become a cockpit of selfish individuals, but a community of divineReligions are many but goal is one.
ly guided Individuals.
Clothes are many but yarn is one.
With the progress of science man imagines
Jewels are many but gold is one.
that he is the lord of the universe and he
Cows are many but milk is one.
tends to forget the Divine. Although man… I have been saying, “Religions are many,
today has gone to the moon and is explorbut goal is one.”ing outer space, if he were to consider the
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.8: 31 May 2008 innumerable mysteries and wonders in crehttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-08.pdf
ation yet to be known, he will realise thatthese are far beyond the limited capacity ofmind and intelligence. The more man discovers the secrets and mysteries of the cosmos, the more he will realise that God isthe creator and motivator of all creation.
19

All religions are agreed upon this Truth. All
that man can do is to strive through his
limited intelligence and knowledge tounderstand the invisible and infinite Divine
and learn to worship and adore Him.

prize for success in this cleansing process.
Ideas of superiority and inferiority arise
only in a heart corrupted by egoism. If
someone argues that he is higher or that his
religion is holier, it proves that he has
missed the very core of his faith. Leaves,
flowers, fruits — these may be peculiar toeach species; but pay attention to the trunk,and you will find similarity emerging. Likewise, sadhana (spiritual practice) will reveal
the unity in the fundamental teachings of
all religions. It is, of course, a hard path; but
it is a path that everyone has to take now orlater.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.16/Ch.29: 30 Oct 1983
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume16/sss16-29.pdf

All religions teach one basic discipline; theremoval from the mind of the blemish ofegoism, of running after little joys. Everyreligion teaches man to fill his being with
the Glory of God and evict the pettiness ofconceit. It trains him in methods of detachment and discrimination, so that he may
aim high and attain liberation.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.9/Ch.1: 13 Jan 1969

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume09/sss09-01.pdf

Believe that all hearts are motivated by the
One and Only God; that all faiths glorify
the One and Only God; that all names in all
languages and all forms man can conceive,
denote the One and Only God; His adoration is best done by means of love. Cultivate that Eka-bhava (attitude of Oneness),
between men of all creeds, all countries andall continents. That is the message of love, I
bring. That is the message I wish you totake to heart.

World Conflicts Based on Religions

Religions attempt to implant holy ideals in
the heart of man, but man does not allow
them to sprout and grow. His egoistic craving for power and competitive success has,in most cases, persuaded him to use religion as an instrument of torture and persecution.
Instead of uniting mankind in a common
endeavour, it has become a system of walled
enclosures, guarded by hate and fanaticism.
So each religion is an armed camp sunk in
self-aggrandizement, trying to wean others
into itself and preventing defections from
itself. Religion, therefore, is being condemned as the root of chaos and conflict.
In spite of great progress in many otherareas of life, religious animosity is aflame
even today in many parts of the world.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.8/Ch.22: 4 July 1968
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume08/sss08-22.pdf

This country has been emphasising thefundamental unity of mankind; this truth
can be fixed in the experience, by means ofdedicated service. India is a garden of flagrant colours; it has a variety of faiths andcreeds, all emphasising this Unity and thispath of service, in order to realise it. All
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.13/Ch.23: 1 Oct 1976
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume13/sss13-23.pdf
creeds here declare that everyone is brotheror sister to everyone else — that is the mesIt has to be emphasised that religion is notsage of every saint and sage in this land.
the root cause of this state of affairs. The
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.10/Ch.39: 25 Dec 1970
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume10/sss10-39.pdf factional fights and fanatic hatred are dueto the unruly ego that is given free play.
All religions exhort man to cleanse the Religion strives to destroy just this vicious
heart of malice, greed, hate and anger. All tendency. So it has to be supported, notreligions hold out the gift of Grace as the condemned. What has to be condemned is20the narrow, perverted attitude of hating
those who do not agree with you or who
hold different opinions of the mysterious
force that animates the universe.

tual texts of India, which form the basis of
Bharatiya (Indian) culture. The essence of
all religions and faiths then, is this: themerging in this Unity. The goal of all spiritual endeavour is this: the merging in thisUnity. The object of all enquiry is this: tocognise this Unity. But this patent fact isignored, and persons create strife, anxiety
and unrest for themselves and perpetratehorrors to hold forth the support, the disunity so dear to their fractioned minds.

Religious wars and conflicts breed in theslime of ignorance and avarice. When people are blind to the truth that the humanfamily is one indivisible Unity, they grope
in the dark and are afraid of strange touch.
The cultivation of love alone can convince
man of this truth that there is only one
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.11/Ch.54: 24 Dec 1972
caste — the caste of Humanity, and only
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume11/sss11-54.pdf
one religion — the religion of Love. Since
no religion upholds violence or despises Believe it or not, in the next 25 to 30 years,
love, it is wrong to ascribe the chaos to reli- the entire human race will become one.
People of all religions like Hindu, Muslim,
gion.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.13/Ch.23: 1 Oct 1976 Christian, etc. will be united. There will be
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume13/sss13-23.pdf
complete unity in the world. It is fromAll beings are images of the Universal Atma, Bharat (India) that the spirit of devotion forin the names and forms they have appar- God will spread to all other parts of theently assumed. This is the truth, enclosed, world. Treasure this truth in your heart.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.8: 31 May 2008

elaborated and demonstrated in the spiri-

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-08.pdf

PRACTISING THE PRINCIPLE
Cultivating Mutual Respect

Conflicts on the basis of religion should be
Whatever one’s religion may be, everyone totally eliminated. To divide men on
should cultivate respect for other faiths. grounds of religion is a crime against
One who does not have such an attitude of humanity.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.16/Ch.29: 30 Oct 1983
tolerance and respect for other religions is
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume16/sss16-29.pdf
not a true follower of his own religion. It is
not enough merely to adhere strictly to the Serving with Selflessness
practices of one’s own religion. One should The fulfilment of human life consists in thealso try to see the essential unity of all reli- service that man renders, without any
gions. Only then will man be able to experi- thought of return, in an attitude of selflessence the oneness of Divinity. There should ness. Service rendered in this spirit sheds
be no kind of coercion or compulsion in light in the dark interior of man, it widens
the sphere of religion. Religious matters the heart, it purifies the impulses and conshould be discussed calmly and dispassion- fers lasting Ananda.
ately. Do not entertain the feeling that one’s
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.10/Ch.39: 25 Dec 1970
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume10/sss10-39.pdf
religion is superior and another’s inferior.
21

How did differences arise within each religion? After the passing of the founders ofthese religions, the followers violated theteachings of the founders and quarrelledamong themselves on account of their selfish interests. With the passage of time,schisms developed in each religion and separate sects were formed. This is the resultof individual, selfish motives and not thefault of the original founders.

Sometime ago a devotional exercise called
Likhitha japam (writing the names of theLord as a form of worship) was started in
Tamil Nadu. It was a collective (Samashti)
exercise. Large numbers of devotees assembled at one place and wrote the name of theLord as a (spiritual exercise). The joy to be
derived from such a collective effort is indescribable.
The community bhajan in which all join tosing in unison is an equally blissful experience. This community singing was started
by Guru Nanak. During community singing divine vibrations emerge sanctifying
the whole atmosphere. The same result
cannot be expected when one sings alone.
Community singing promotes unity whichleads to purity and Divinity. Today there isno unity, purity or Divinity. What mankind
needs today is unity based on the spiritual
oneness of humanity.

People must first of all get rid of self-interest and self-centredness. They must develop love, forbearance and compassion. They
must try to live harmoniously. Only thencan we claim to be lovers of peace in thenation and of the well-being of the world.
Service should be the guiding principle.
There should be no room for any kind ofdifferences in rendering service. When you
wish to serve society, you must be preparedto sacrifice your individual and communal
interests. Such sacrifice alone will sublimate one’s life.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.27/Ch.32: 18 Dec 1994
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume27/sss27-32.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.23/Ch.36: 25 Dec 1990
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-36.pdf

Engaging in Collective Sadhana(Spiritual Practices)

Learn to live in love and harmony with all
the members of your society. This is thebasic teaching of Christianity and Islam.
Guru Nanak favoured community prayers
in preference to individual prayer in isolation. When all people join in unison to pray
to God, their prayers will melt the heart ofGod. In a large gathering there must be atleast one who prays with a pure heart. That
prayer will reach God. Hence, devotees
should take part in community bhajans.
They should participate in community service and involve themselves in the life of
the community. This is the noblest path.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.23/Ch.36: 25 Dec 1986
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-36.pdf

22Unity in Society

UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLE
Fundamental to
Human Life and Spirituality

Man is not merely a Vyashti Jeevi (individual), he is a Samashti Jeevi (part and parcel ofsociety). Vyashti relates to Jeevudu (individual), Samashti (society) relates to Devudu(God). Man has to travel from the level ofindividual to the level of society. What isthe path prescribed for this? Firstly, man
has to recognize the common principle ofJeevana Jyoti (light of life) that is present inall. The principle of Samatvam (equality)
can be experienced and practiced only
when man understands the principle of
Ekatvam (unity).

Human life is based on samata (equality),samaikyata (unity), saubhratrutvam (fraternity) and saujanyam (nobility). They constitute the very foundation of the mansion oflife. Life will be meaningless even if one ofthem is absent.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.10: 21 July 2002
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-10.pdf

The most noteworthy characteristic of San­
atana Dharma is its concern for the well-being of humanity as a whole. This concern
stems from the consciousness that all arechildren of one mother. There may be differences among people in mental and physical prowess, or in the doctrines they profess and in the knowledge and skills they
have. Even in qualities there may be variations. But in respect of one thing there isno distinction. This relates to the processof creation which is common to all. It is
this which must make us accept the equality of all beings. It is on the basis of this ideathat the new society should be established.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.10: 21 July 2002
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-10.pdf

Society is very important. You are born insociety, you grow up in society and you die
in society. You can never be away from society even for a moment. Get a good name insociety. When you are one with society, it istrue unity. This unity will lead you to purity. This purity will in turn take you to
Divinity. Unity, purity and Divinity. Where
there is no unity, enmity enters. Today
there is no unity, no purity and no Divinity
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.17/Ch.14: 13 July 1984 in society. There is only enmity. So, there is
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume17/sss17-14.pdf need for unity.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.42: 9 April 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/d930409.pdf

23

Embodiments of Love! Many people perform different types of spiritual practices
such as japa (repetition of the Name) anddhyana (meditation) without recognising
the principle of unity. The tongue uttersthe name of Rama but there is a void in theheart. This is just waste of time. Instead of
wasting your time in such a manner, undertake social service, seeing God in everyone.
That is true spiritual practice. Recognise
the innate Divinity of all beings.

Unity of the entire mankind is the need of
the hour. When you develop unity, there
will be purity in your heart. Where there ispurity, there is divinity. Unity, purity, anddivinity are closely interlinked and interdependent. But people today are drifting awayfrom unity.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.8: 31 May 2008
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-08.pdf

The cause for man’s suffering is that he has
constricted his love to himself and his family. He should develop the broad feelingthat all are his brothers and sisters. Expansion of love is life; contraction of love isdeath. All are the children of God. All aresparks of the Divine. Lord Krishna declaredin the Bhagavad Geeta: Mamaivamso jeeva­
loke jeevabhutha sanathana (the eternal
Atma in all bodies is a part of My Being). So,
man should have the broad feeling to identify himself with everyone. Humanity cannever progress without broad feelings.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.39/Ch.9: 13 May 2006
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume39/sss39-09.pdf

Spirituality is not living alone in solitude.
Spirituality connotes having equal vision
for all, living among all, and serving all witha feeling of oneness (Ekatma bhava).
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.30/Ch.34: 26 April 1997
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume30/d970426.pdf

All are one, be alike to everyone.
There is only one caste, the casteof humanity.
There is only one religion, the religionof love.
There is only one language, the languageof the heart.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.32 Pt. 1/Ch.8: 25 March 1999
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume32/sss32p1-08.pdf

Ignoring the unity of all mankind in theAtma (Divine Self), man relishes in quarrels
and factions. He classifies some among his
contemporaries as his friends and some as
his foes. He manufactures duality where
basically there is only unity. It is his own
likes and dislikes, prejudices and passions
that is reflected back, that creates all thisreaction of love and hatred, all this resounding echo of factiousness and friction.
Friendship and enmity arise from yourheart; they are labels fixed by you, notmarks which other people are born with.
The same person is the thickest friend of
one man and the mortal enemy of another— both because of his one act or one word!

Develop this true feeling. Keep off all differences. Develop love. Develop tolerance(sahana). Move together. Lead your life inunity.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.42: 9 April 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/d930409.pdf

Essential to Remove
Discord and Suffering

What is the cause for the miserable plightof the world today? It is by developing discord and differences that mankind has fallen low. It is by disregarding the unity of thespirit that man has gone down to the deepest depths. The want of peace in the world
can be traced to the selfishness of man.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.13/Ch.13: 11 May 1975
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume13/sss13-13.pdf

Summer Showers in Brindavan 1993/Ch.10: May ‘93
http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1993/ss1993-10.pdf

24

The Vaiseshika philosophy asserted inunmistakable terms that you are the authorof the pain and the pleasure that you undergo in the world. Do not ask the world how
much it contributed to your joy but ask
yourself how much you contributed to thewelfare of the society. The Vaiseshika philosophy asserts the duty which we owe tosociety. Hence it is imperative on the partof man to know how much his acts anddeeds contribute to the welfare and well-being of mankind.

achieve harmony and peace. Even if it isachieved, it will only be a patched-up harmony for, in such a society, the strong will
oppress the weak. Nor will an equal distribution of the bounties of nature ensure
anything but a nominal equality. How will
the equal distribution of material goods
achieve equality with reference to desires
and abilities? Desires have, therefore, to becontrolled by developing the spiritualapproach and diverting the mind frommaterial objects to the Divine seated in
Summer Showers in Brindavan 1993/Ch.10: May ‘93 each one’s heart.
http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1993/ss1993-10.pdf

Once the Truth of the Indwelling Spirit(the one Atma in all) is recognised, there
dawns the awareness that the world is one
family. One is then filled with Divine Love
which becomes the driving force for all of
one’s actions. Man turns away from thepursuit of endless desires to the search forpeace and equanimity. By converting thelove for material things into Love of God
one experiences the Divine. This experience is not something beyond man. It is, infact, a part of the inherent nature of man. It
is the secret of his humanness and his
Divinity.

The Secret of Social Progress

Instead of realising his innate Divinity, manis caught up in the prison house of his own
material achievements. Greater than all his
scientific and technological progress is man
himself as a being endowed with the divine
consciousness. By choosing to regard only
the material world as real, it may be possible to bring about the prosperity of a scientific, technological and materialistic society
for a time.
But if, in the process, human selfishness,greed and hatred develop, as they usuallydo, society will destroy itself. If, on the contrary, the essential Divinity of man is realised, mankind can build up a great society
based on unity and on adherence to thedivine principle of Love. This profoundchange must begin in the minds of individuals.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.16/Ch.29: 30 Oct 1983
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume16/sss16-29.pdf

When individuals change, society willchange. And when society changes, thewhole world will change. Unity is the secretof social progress, and service to society is
the means to promote it. Everyone thereIt should be realised that material comfort fore should devote himself to such service
is not the sole aim of social living. A society in a spirit of dedication.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.16/Ch.29: 30 Oct 1983
in which the individuals are concerned only
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume16/sss16-29.pdf
about material welfare will not be able to25

PRACTISING THE PRINCIPLE
Developing Tolerance
and Mutual Respect

The village is to the villagers what the bodyis to the individual. Every organ in the bodyfunctions in cooperation with every otherpart. If the footsteps on a thorn, the eye
feels the pain and sheds tears. If the eye
notices a thorn or stone on the road, it
warns the foot to avoid it. Villagers should
develop the same sense of unity and share
their joys and troubles as one organic body.
There is nothing you cannot achieve withunity as your strength.

“Nations are many, the earth is one. Beings
are many, but breath is one.” This truth has
to be recognised. All the resources of Nature
like air are available to all irrespective of
nationality or creed or race. This is the unity in diversity that has to be realised. Out ofunity comes purity. All should seek to live
as brothers and sisters. No one should criticise any nation, faith or culture. When you
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.19/Ch.09: 22 May 1986
cultivate this broad outlook, your culture
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume19/sss19-09.pdf
will be respected by others. It is this spiritof unity that the world needs today.
My desire is that whenever any slight misSathya Sai Speaks Vol.28/Ch.19: 11 July 1995 understanding arises among you, you must
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume28/sss28-19.pdf
set it right among yourselves, exercising
Develop this true feeling. Keep off all differ- love and tolerance. You should not plunge
ences. Develop love. Develop tolerance into a passion over it and let things blaze(sahana). Move together. Lead your life in into a quarrel or a factional split. Recognisethat you are engaged in the exercise of widunity.
When the individual carries out their duties ening your hearts, of reaching the Feet ofwithout fail, their family will progress. In the Lord through the expression of love.
the word ‘samaja’, ‘sam’ means that which Unless you cultivate love, tolerance, humilyou have attained and ‘aja’ means pure. ity, faith and reverence, how is it possible
Samaja (society) means acquiring purity. for you to realise God?
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.10/Ch.32: 20 Nov 1970

When society progresses, we also progress.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume10/sss10-32.pdf
Perform all actions and spiritual practices,
When people develop anger or hatred
keeping the welfare of society in mind.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.42: 9 April 1993 against Truth, they keep themselves away
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/d930409.pdf from it. Irrespective of their love or hatred,
Say whatever is necessary; do not talk too we should always love them. People keep amuch. Speak only the truth. Do not indulge distance from one another due to differin argumentation on what is untruthful. It ences of opinion. In fact, you are not differis sheer ignorance to debate upon some- ent from others. Today, they may appear tothing about which you have no knowledge be different, but tomorrow they may comebecause such futile debate gives rise to close to you. All are brothers and sisters!
hatred. It does not promote unity. Vain Hence, all should live like brothers and sisters with love and unity.
argumentation will lead to enmity.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.16: 9 Oct 2008

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.56: 21 June 1996

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-16.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/d960621.pdf

26

You are the mirror of society. Think always how much joy can we experience! Unity isof the welfare of society. When others are strength. To develop unity, you must have
happy, you should feel happy. When others the consciousness of spiritual oneness.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.23/Ch.35: 24 Nov 1990
are unhappy, help them to become happy.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-35.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.30/Ch.34: 26 April 1997
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume30/d970426.pdf

Serving Incessantly

Discovering OnenessMan expects much from society without
contributing anything to it. How can you
expect good from society without yourdoing any good to it? If you strive for thepeace and upliftment of society, then society too will strive for your peace and upliftment.

Selfless service alone can achieve unity ofhumankind. Only through unity can huma­
nity attain Divinity. Hence service is very
essential to understand this unity inhumanity. People are under the impressionthat service means merely to help the poor,
the weak and forlorn. It is a big mistake tothink that you are rendering service to others. In fact, you are serving yourself because
the same principle of the Atma, the same
Principle of Love, is present in all. All
human beings are essentially one. The differences lie only in their feelings. So, a person should change his or her feelings andtry to recognise the truth that the same
Divinity is immanent in all. Only then canthere be transformation in the humanbeing.

Summer Showers in Brindavan 1993/Ch.10: May ‘93
http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1993/ss1993-10.pdf

Attain oneness by doing service to society.
You will find divine bliss in oneness. When
you travel alone, you may be afraid and may
have to face several difficulties. But when
you travel with ten people, the strength of
all of them will be yours. To experience thestrength of unity is bliss (ananda).
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.30/Ch.34: 26 April 1997
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume30/d970426.pdf

Everyone must have a diksha (firm resolution) that as long as life lasts, he will dedicate himself to the service of his fellowmen.
Thereby he will realise his oneness with all
mankind. Such a feeling of unity will lead
to God-realisation. Service is the only way
to get rid of selfishness and self-centredness. A devotee who has resolved upon suchservice is dear to the Lord.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.33/Ch.19: 20 Nov 2000
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-19.pdf

Move in society with equanimity, keeping
the focus of your mind and heart on God.
Live with the awareness and vision that all
are one only. Do not think that you are separate from others. Only then can you experience Divinity. Develop love for God andachieve oneness.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.23/Ch.31: 20 Nov 1990

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.30/Ch.34: 26 April 1997

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-31.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume30/d970426.pdf

To remove the evil of egoism, service is themost efficient instrument. Service will also
impress on the person doing service, theUnity of all mankind. He who dedicates histime, skill and strength to service, can never meet defeat, distress or disappointment,
for service is its own reward. His word will
be ever sweet and soft, his gestures everIn the carrying out of sacred tasks in theservice of the Divine, the Vedic prayer has
indicated the spirit in which they should be
done. “Let us live in amity. Let us move
together. In harmony and understanding
let us live together. Let us promote unityand friendliness.” If only we have unity,27

revered and humble. He will have no foe, Believe that Love is God, Truth is God. Loveno fatigue, no fear.
is Truth, Truth is Love. For it is only when
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.13/Ch.22: 28 Aug 1976 you love that you have no fear, for fear is
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume13/sss13-22.pdf
the mother of falsehood. If you have noLove is the gift of God to every human fear, you will adhere to truth. The mirror ofbeing. It should be utilised for the service of prema reflects the Atma in you and reveals
society. Unity is very essential for the prog- to you that the Atma is universal, immaress of community. A person should share nent in every being.
his or her love with others. Only then will
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.1/Ch.11: 27 July 1953
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume01/sss01-11.pdf
he or she have the right to be a part of society.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.36/Ch.19: 22 Nov 2003
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume36/sss36-19.pdf

EXAMPLEThe Story of the Five Fingers

In the end, the little finger said, “I always
Our hand has five fingers and each of them lead from the front when it comes to teachhas a specific duty assigned to it. All the fin- ing a lesson to someone and punishing thegers work in unison and harmony while guilty. Hence, I am your leader and you
have to follow me.”
performing a task.
As the fingers were arguing among themselves in this manner, the heart intervened
and said, “Oh ignorant ones! Each one ofyou is as important as the other. One cannot perform any task if there is no unity
Then the index finger smiled and said, and harmony among you. In fact, you rep“Look here, Oh thumb! How can you per- resent the five human values which are likeform any task without my support? More- five life-breaths of a human being.”
over, I am used as pointer to identify indi- Hearing these words of wisdom, the fivefingers realised their mistake and bent theirviduals. Hence, I am greater than you.”
The middle finger intervened and said, head in shame. A deep enquiry reveals that
“There is no point in what you say. I am the the heart is the greatest of all. Body, mind
tallest among all the fingers. Two of you on and intellect are mere instruments. Hence,
one side and two on the other are serving one should follow the advice of the heart inme as ADCs (aide de camps – assistants). all his endeavours. Understand that all are
one and each one is equally important. Do
Hence, I am the greatest.”
not become egoistic thinking that you
Then the ring-finger said, “I feel like laugh- alone are very important. Do not waste
ing at your ignorance. Don’t you know that your precious time in vain argumentation.
people adorn me with gold rings studded Be friendly with all and face the challenges
with precious stones like diamond, emer- of life with unity and harmony.
ald, topaz, etc.? Hence, I am your king.”
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.38/Ch.15: 17 Aug 2005
Once an argument ensued among the fivefingers of the hand as to which finger
among them is the great. The thumbclaimed, “It is not possible to undertake any
work without me. Hence, I am the great.”

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume38/sss38-15.pdf

28

Unity at the Creation
Level (Srushti)
Unity in Nature

UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLE
Nature – God’s VestureRealisation that the entire universe is nothing but Brahman (God), which is the only
Reality. When there is this realisation ofBrahman, the one without a second—even
the mind ceases to exist. It is only the operations of the mind that result in the perception of diversity in the universe. When
oneness is experienced, there is no mind atall. All is Brahman in that state of consciousness. There is room only for prema(love) in this state. That love is truth.

Nature is God’s vesture. The Universe is the“university” for man. Man should treat
nature with reverence. He has no right totalk of conquering nature or exploiting theforces of nature. He must proceed to visualise in nature its God.
Sathyam Sivam Sundaram, Vol. 4, p.55

http://vahini.org/downloads/sathyamsivamsundaram-IV.html

To God all objects in the universe are alikebecause they are manifestations of theDivine. The scriptures declared about thisDivine manifestation — Sarvam khalvidam
Brahma (All this verily is Brahman). Hence,
whosoever worships the Supreme Lordshould also worship Nature (Prakriti). Heshould love and adore Nature because
Nature is not different from the Supreme
Self. Nature is the effect and God is the
Cause.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.31: 31 July 1996
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/sss29-31.pdf

You have to realise that Nature is a manifestation of God. Hence, Nature should not
be ignored. Nature is the effect and God isthe cause. You should recognise the immanence of the Divine in the entire cosmos.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29:22, 20 June 1996

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/sss29-22.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.28/Ch.8, 9 April 1995
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume28/sss28-08.pdf

The entire creation is the expression of thewill power of God. Nature is a manifestation of the supreme divine. Man is born tomanifest and reflect Divinity.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.30/Ch.17: 19 July 1997
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume30/sss30-17.pdf

29

Seeking Within

observe absolute silence. Only then can
you realise the all-pervasive Divinity. Mere
intellectual exercise will not help you inthis regard. Whatever you see, hear andexperience is the manifestation of Divinity.
Only God exists everywhere.

Man today imagines that he knows everything about Nature and the Universe. Butof what use is all this knowledge if man
does not know himself? It is only when heunderstands himself that he will be able toknow the Truth about the external world.
Man’s Inner Reality cannot be known by
exploring the world outside. When he turns
his vision inward and realises his essential
Divinity, he will acquire an equal mindedness towards all beings. Out of that feelingof oneness he will experience the Bliss thatpasseth understanding.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.37/Ch.20: 22 Nov 2004
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume37/sss37-20.pdf

All that you see in the external world, frommicrocosm to macrocosm, is present inyou. The mountains, oceans, cities, villages,
etc., are present in your heart. All beings arein you. You are the basis of everything. Suchbeing the case, what is it that you want toSathya Sai Speaks Vol.16/Ch.29: 30 Oct 1983 see in the external world? How foolish it ishttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume16/sss16-29.pdf
on your part to get carried away by the
Whatever you see in this world is the man- reflection outside, ignoring the reality
ifestation of truth. When Divinity is all-per- within!
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.10: 21 July 2002vasive, how can there be untruth? But you
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-10.pdf
are unable to realise the all-pervasivenessof Divinity. Turn your vision inward andPRACTISING THE PRINCIPLE
Worshipping God
through Revering Nature

idam sarvam: All this is divine. Vasudevas­sarvamidam: All this is Vasudeva, God. So,
I shall tell you of one form of worship which tread softly, move reverentially, utilise
will endow you with divine strength. God- gratefully.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.6/Ch.28: 15 Oct 1966
head expresses itself initially as the five elehttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume06/sss06-28.pdf
ments — the sky, the wind, the fire, thewater, and the earth. All creation is but a Learning from Nature
combination of two or more of these in Nature is your school, your laboratory, thevarying proportions… Now, since these are gateway to liberation, and the panorama of
saturated with the divine, one has to use God’s manifold majesty. Seek to know thethem reverentially and with humility and lessons it is ready to teach; all things in
gratefulness.
Nature are as Brahman (Divine) as you are.
So, efficient use of these is itself a form of So, any act is Divine, and any work is Divine
worship. The body is equipped with mech- worship; build the mansion of your life on
anisms which ensure a steady degree of the strong foundation of the faith that all
warmth, beyond which or beneath which this is Brahman (Divine).
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.10/Ch.23: 4 Oct 1970
man cannot be healthy and active. Nature
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume10/sss10-23.pdf
is in essence Divinity itself, lshavasyam
30Understand the principle of oneness andinstall God in your heart. Without the principle of unity, there can be no multiplicity.
If you do not understand unity, you cannot
understand the multiplicity of Nature.
Nature is the best preacher. Follow the ideals demonstrated by this preacher withpreeti (love).

All the resources of Nature like air are available to all irrespective of nationality or
creed or race. This is the unity in diversitythat has to be realised. Out of unity comes
purity. All should seek to live as brothers
and sisters. No one should criticise any
nation, faith or culture. When you cultivate
this broad outlook, your culture will be
The more you develop love, the sooner you respected by others. It is this spirit of unity
can see God. Body attachment is the cause that the world needs today.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.28/Ch.19: 11 July 1995
of all differences. You will understand andhttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume28/sss28-19.pdf
experience unity in diversity only when you
give up body attachment. Once you are freefrom body attachment, you can experience
God in a moment. Whatever you see is the
manifestation of God. The principle of unity in diversity is Divinity. But you are unable
to understand and appreciate this truth. Inorder to understand this truth, there should
be total transformation in your feelings. As
is the colour of the glass, so is the colour ofthe scene outside. Remove the colour glasses of body attachment and see the reality.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.37/Ch.20: 22 Nov 2004
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume37/sss37-20.pdf

31Unity at the Almighty
Level (Parameshti)
Unity is Divinity
UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLE
Man is God

Brahman and Aham (I) are one and thesame. Undertake sadhana (spiritual practice) to realise the oneness of these two.
That is the ‘Pathway to God’. If you wish to
meditate on God, never allow your thoughts
to be disturbed by worldly objects. You
meditate on your own real nature, which isDivinity. In that Divinity, everything else iscontained. If you thus meditate on yourown innate Divinity, you will realise yourunity with Divinity. In fact, that unity is
Divinity.

The Supreme Self is the same as the Individual Self, The Individual Self is also
divine. He who realises this unity is truly
enlightened.
Summer Showers in Brindavan 2000/Ch.7

http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss2000/ss2000-07.pdf

All of you are embodiments of Divinity.
Your forms are divine. You and God are one.
You are not different from God. Experience
this unity. Ekam sath (Truth is one). Unity is
truth. Unity is Divinity.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.37/Ch.19: 25 Oct 2004

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.37/Ch.19: 25 Oct 2004

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume37/sss37-19.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume37/sss37-19.pdf

You have to ponder over the meaning of
Soham (I am That). What are you? You areThat; you are a spark of the Divine. You are
not the body, senses, mind, intelligence,
etc., with which you now identify yourselves. You are God, only caught in deluding yourselves that you are bound by thisbody. Sadhana (spiritual practice) of thissort is a must for all Sai workers, for thatalone can give them shanti (peace) and theother most valuable gift, prema (love). It
will change their vision and enable them towitness unity where formerly they wereconfounded by diversity—diversity of language, religion, nationality, creed, colourand caste.

God has no specific name. He is present in
man in the form of Atma. What does Atma
mean? It means love only. It is love thatunites all. If you imbibe this principle ofunity, then all will become one. When you
attain this unity, you will have purity. Whenyou have purity, then Atma Tatwa (principle of the Self) will manifest in you. Therefore, you must have unity to attain Divinity. I and you are one. God and you are one.
God is not anywhere separate from you.
You should develop the feeling that you
yourself are God. When you say, ‘I’, it represents unity. You cannot estimate the blissthat is derived from unity. All are one.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.40/Ch.21: 15 Dec 2007
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume40/sss40-21.pdf

Sri Sathya Sai Educare – Human Values,

6 June 1978, pp.12, 20-21
http://sathyasai.org/files2008/wec/WEC2008Small.pdf

32

It is only when the names and forms are set
aside, and the underlying source is identified that it is possible to recognise the truth.
When you are able to realise this truth, youwill find that the principle ‘I’ underlies
everything in the universe as the principleof unity. We have to recognise that ‘I’ principle which is universal. The only aspect
you have to realise is ‘I am Brahman.’life. All the diversity that you see in thisobjective world is a waste! Hence, remove
this diversity and develop unity. Where
there is unity, there will be purity. Where
there is purity, there Divinity will manifest.
In fact, you are not one individual. There
are three individuals in you (i) the one you
think you are, (ii) the one others think youare, and (iii) the one you really are. You arean embodiment of the Divine Atma, verily.
Not realising this truth, you are leading
your life-giving importance to the body,mind, and intellect. All these are bound to
perish one day or the other.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.37/Ch.25: 20 Oct 2004
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume37/d041020.pdf

The Bhagavad Geeta begins with Dhritarashtra’s reference to Dharma kshetre
Kurukshetre. “Dharmakshetra” is the seat ofAtma. “Kurukshetra” is the body, which isthe source of all actions. It is the combination of the Atma and the body the Kshet­ra-Kshetrajna relationship — which explains
the human predicament. By forgetting theAtma and involving himself in “Deha Dhar­ma” (the claims of the body), man is subjecting himself to endless suffering. He
grieves about things which are not worth
lamenting and does not grieve for thethings that ought to make him sad. This
state of delusion is the result of his identifying himself with the body and forgetting
his inherent Divinity. If he realises that heis one with the Omni-self, he will have nocause for sorrow. He will be aware that
Truth and Bliss are inherent in his spiritual
reality.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.39/Ch.27: 16 Aug 2006
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume39/d0608016.pdf

The Non-Dualistic Experience

Jnana in Vedantic parlance has been definedas “Advaita Darshanam” (recognising the
One without a second). That is to see the
One in the many Unity in diversity. Here inthis assembly are present many thousandsof persons. Their names and forms are multifarious. But you have to recognise that
the Atma Principle in all of them is one andthe same. It is not enough to say this inwords. You must make it a living experience. Only then can one experience enduring Ananda (bliss). Such a person alone canbe called a Jnani (a Knower of the Supreme).
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.22/Ch.30: 4 Oct 1989
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume22/sss22-30.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.21/Ch.3: 9 January 1988

The state of non-dualism is contained in
the Principle of Love alone. But the humanbeing, carried away by body attachment
and physical relationship, fragments his or
her love in various ways. This cannot becalled love in the true sense of the term. As
Swami repeatedly stresses the need to cultivate love, some people may wonder as towhat is the form of love. The answer is:Prem Īshwar hai; Īshwar prem hai (Love isGod; God is Love). Love is the fundamental

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume21/sss21-03.pdf

The divine nature of that Lord of the Lords
is thus packed in this physical body. Hence,
do not feel contented with this external
package. Divinity is immanent in you. You
are God, verily! God is all-pervading. Hence,
you are also all-pervading. Divinity is present in you as well as in all living beings.
If you wish to have the vision of God, youmust lead a pure, unwavering, and selfless33

basis of everything. Atma, Brahma, hridaya(the Heart), uniki (existence) are synonymsof love. Love is Atma. Love is Brahma.
Everything is suffused with love. Then how
can we describe the form of love? The same
Principle of Love exists in one and all. Onceyou understand this principle of unity,
there will be no scope for hatred.

The Vedas are the earliest testaments to the
victory of man over himself, his discoveryof the underlying Unity in all creation, andhis pulsating contact with the truth thatunifies. They declare, God is Sarvabhuta
antharatma (God is the inner Reality of all
beings), Ishavasyamidam sarvam (All this isenveloped by God), Vasudeva sarvam idam
(All this is God, Vasudeva).

There is only one principle of love in you.
But you are dispersing it in diverse ways.
You think that there are various forms oflove. It is only your imagination. Make
efforts to understand the principle of spirituality. Have firm conviction that you are
the embodiment of Atma and there is nosecond entity in this world. All worldly
relationships such as mother, wife, andchildren are of your own making. It is only
a temporary relationship but not the reality. Do not get deluded by such worldly relationships. Develop firm faith in your ‘real
nation’ (i.e., the Atma). Do not believe inthe world. Believe in your Self. Have firm
conviction that God is everywhere. With
hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth, and ears
pervading everything, He permeates theentire universe…

The Divine principle that is in everyone islike the electric current that illuminates thebulbs before Me here, of different colours
and different candle powers. The same God
shines in and through everyone, whateverbe the creed, colour, tribe or territory. The
current animates and activates all bulbs;
the Divine animates and activates all. Those
who see difference are deluded; they are
befogged by prejudice, egoism, hatred or
malice. Love sees all as one Divine family.

The devotee is ever conscious that the universe is a manifestation of the Divine and ispermeated by the Divine. His life is basedon the recognition of the immanence of
God in everything. This state of mind iscalled Prema Advaitam (unity in Love).
Through this love the devotee experiences
his oneness with the Divine… Unremitting
love of the Lord is everything for him. Such
devotion is known as ‘Ananya Bhakti’ (total
devotion to One and One only.)

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.33/Ch.10: 16 July 2000
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-10.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.19/Ch.1: 19 January 1986

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.8/Ch.22: 4 July 1968

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume19/sss19-01.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume08/sss08-22.pdf

Surrender does not mean that you are vanquished and that the other one has emerged
victorious. In spirituality, it means that thetwo merge into one – there is nothing likegiving or receiving. Recognise the Cosmic
Unity that pervades everywhere. Recognisethat this substratum of unity is nothing but
God. You will then automatically experience God.
Summer Showers in Brindavan 2000 Ch.11: 24 May ‘00
http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss2000/ss2000-11.pdf

34

PRACTISING THE PRINCIPLE
Removing Thoughts of Separatenessare interpreting it in the physical andworldly sense. Consequently, your love isnever steady. It keeps changing every now
and then. Love should not be tainted withbody attachment… Develop Ekatma bhava(the feeling that the one Self is in all). All
are one, be alike to everyone.

You should not think that you are separate
from God. One who realises this principleof unity is a true human being. Do not limit worship of God to festival days alone.
Each and every moment should be spent in
the contemplation of God.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.38/Ch.9: 13 April 2005

You may think, ‘If every moment is spent in
the contemplation of God, then how is it
possible to do our work?’ Do not distinguish between your work and God’s work.
Your work is God’s work as God and you areone. It is a mistake to think that all that you
do in the prayer hall is God’s work and outside it is your work. You should not entertain such feelings of separateness. Consider
your heart as the altar of God and turn yourvision inward. One who understands thistruth and acts accordingly is a true humanbeing.

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume38/sss38-09.pdf

Eschewing Ego

The Atmic Principle (Atma Tatwa) can berealised if only one could shed the feelingsof ‘I’ and ‘mine’. Today, many people makeefforts to realise the Atmic Principle, but
their efforts do not succeed because they
are unable to get rid of the feelings of ‘I’ and‘mine’. In fact, they are the obstacles to
Self-realisation.
First and foremost, one has to remove thefeeling of ‘I’ (ego). Then realisation will
dawn on you. The religious symbol of
Christianity (†) also denotes this cutting offof ego. The egocentric assertion of ‘I’ is theroot cause for all sorrows, unrest, and difficulties. One has to realise this truth. The
feeling of ‘mine’ has also to be shed. Whena teacher develops a feeling “these are all
my disciples,” ego will raise its head there
also. Hence, the feelings of ‘I’ and ‘mine’ has
to be removed. Then only can the Atmic
Principle be realised.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.33/Ch.13: 1 Sept 2000
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-13.pdf

When one is strongly established in love, heor she qualifies for mergence with theDivine, to become one with the Divine.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.24/Ch.25: 18 Oct 1991
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume24/sss24-25.pdf

Love is God. God is love. Live in love. Only
then can you realise the principle of oneness and attain fulfilment in life… Develop
the feeling of oneness that I and you areone. Never think that I and you are different. That is the sign of true devotion.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.10: 18 July 2008
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-10.pdf

Developing Equal Vision

The letter ‘I’ stands for oneness. ‘You’ (individual identity) will not exist when you
develop purity and experience onenesswith Divinity. Hence, give up dualistic feeling. The principle of oneness has to beexperienced through love. It cannot be
explained in words. But you have notunderstood the true meaning of love. You

We have friends and foes, likes and dislikes;
whereas Vedanta teaches us to develop
equal mindedness. Just as we do not punish
our teeth for accidentally biting our tongue,
because we consider both the organs as
parts of our body, so also, we have to bearin mind that the eternal and universal Atma
resides in everyone and everywhere. We
35should not accentuate differences but con- People do not understand the true meancentrate upon unity.
ing of love. Their love is tainted with physIf we attach importance to the bodily rela- ical and worldly feelings. When you undertionship then the individual variation will stand the principle of love and develop lovecome to the fore. On the other hand we to love relationship, all will become one.
should remember that a teacher, a friend, The Veda says, “Sahasra Seersha Purushah...”an actor, a guru and a disciple are different It means that all heads, all eyes, all feet arefrom each other only in name and form. His. Once you understand the principle of
The Atma which is the witnessing con- oneness that is present in all, you can live insciousness in all of them is the same. The tune with the true spirit of brotherhood.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.38/Ch.15: 17 Aug 2005

presence of the Atma in all these names andforms establishes the oneness of all of them.

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume38/sss38-15.pdf

Cultivate pure love; for, purity is unity andthat unity is Divinity. Let your individual
love be transformed into pure love for God.

Summer Showers in Brindavan 1973/Ch.16: 5 June ‘73
http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1973/ss1973-16.pdf

Living with Compassion

Sometimes, people have a doubt whether
God’s love toward them had undergone achange. Never. God’s love will never undergo a change. For example, you have a log ofwood. You can make any kind of furniturewith it, like a chair or a bench. But the basic
material, that is, wood, remains the same.
Similarly, God’s love always remains
unchanged.

All should remain united. Where there isunity, there shall be purity. Where there ispurity, there is Divinity. You all have to leadyour lives keeping in view these three
aspects of unity, purity and Divinity.

You should not remain unconcerned withothers’ difficulties and suffering. Treat theirsuffering as your own. The one God dwellsin the hearts of all people — Iswarah sarv­
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.38/Ch.26: 11 Oct 2005
abhutanam. God is immanent even in ants
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume38/d051011.pdf
and mosquitoes. There should be compasGod is the embodiment of love. He is comsion in your heart.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.11: 20 July 2008 pletely selfless. Those who follow Him
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-11.pdf should be selfless too. When your hearts
If you love your Atma (True Self) and not are filled with Divine love, you would be
your body, you will realise that the same able to pursue oneness in the whole creAtma is the core of every being and you will ation. When this unity pervades our hearts,
start loving every being as much as you do there would be no scope for hatred towards
others. The eternal love will get established
yourselves. This is real Self-realisation.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.11/Ch.30: 1 Aug 1971 in our hearts with the experience of unity
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume11/sss11-30.pdf of all existence. Therefore, those who follow the Divine and inculcate the Divine
love are truly fortunate.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.34/Ch.19: 19 Nov 2001
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume34/sss34-19.pdf

36

EXAMPLES
The Buddha

Reactions, reflections, and resounds are
Buddha taught that the principle of unity many but the reality is one.
of the Atma was the only true principle in When I am speaking here, My voice is heard
the world. One who realised it by using his through each and every loudspeaker in thisspiritual intelligence was true Buddha, he hall. In the same manner, there exists thesaid. Other than the Atma nothing existed principle of unity in our hearts which wein this world.
have to recognise. Man’s life finds fulfilSathya Sai Speaks Vol.39/Ch.9: 13 May 2006

ment only when his mind experiences theprinciple of unity. There is no point in
Buddha taught that we should not have bringing about unity among people withanger, we should not find others’ faults, we out uniting their minds.
should not harm others, because all are the
Manah eva manushyanam karanam band­
embodiments of the pure, eternal principle
hamokshayo (mind is the cause for bondage
of the Atma. Have compassion towards theand liberation of man). You see someone
poor and help them to the extent possible.
and say he is a bad person; you see another
You think those who do not have food toperson and call him good. But, in reality,
eat are poor people. You cannot call somegood and bad are present in your mind andone poor just because he does not havenot in the people around you. You call thismoney or food to eat. Truly speaking,handkerchief white and this microphone
nobody is poor. All are rich, not poor. Those
black. The difference in colour is perceived
whom you consider as poor may not haveby your eyes, but essentially black and whitemoney, but all are endowed with the wealthare one and the same. Everyone shouldof hridaya (the heart).
make efforts to visualise unity in diversity.
Understand and respect this underlying Only then can one experience Divinity.
principle of unity and Divinity in all andSathya Sai Speaks Vol.39/Ch.9: 13 May 2006
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume39/sss39-09.pdf
experience bliss. Do not have such narrowconsiderations as so and so is your friend,
In this transient and ephemeral world,
so and so is your enemy, so and so is yourthere is one thing that is true and eternal.
relation, etc. All are one, be alike to everyThat is Divinity. That is what everyone
one. That is your primary duty. This is themost important teaching of Buddha. But should aspire to attain.
people do not enquire into the teachings of Sathyam saranam gachchhami (I take refuge
Buddha and do not understand the sacred- in truth). Ekam saranam gachchhami (I takeness of his heart. They only talk about his refuge in the principle of oneness). Everything is the manifestation of Divinity instory.
Truly speaking, Buddha is not just one indi- this world; there is no second entity othervidual. All of you are Buddhas. You will see than Divinity. It is the divine principle thatunity everywhere once you understand this governs the entire world.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume39/sss39-09.pdf

Having realised this truth, Buddha, alongwith his disciples, went from village to village to propagate it. He never felt the needto take rest. He thought that it was his duty

truth. There is unity in the apparent multiplicity. When you are surrounded by many
mirrors, you see a number of reflections.
Reflections are many but the person is one.
37

We should love all, irrespective of the fact
whether one is a pauper or a rich man.
Money should not be the criterion to shareyour love with your fellowmen. Money is
not important. Money comes and goes;
morality comes and grows. Do not hurtothers. Help Ever, Hurt Never. Only thencan you attain the state of Buddha.

to share this supreme knowledge with his
fellowmen. Even his father Suddhodhanacame to him. He also recognised this truth
and was transformed.

What did Buddha teach? Buddha taughtthat everyone was endowed with the same
principle of Divinity. Ekam Sat viprah
bahudha vadanti (Truth is one, but the wise
There is little use in giving lengthy lecturesrefer to it by various names).
The same message was conveyed by Lord if you do not realise the principle of unity
Krishna in the Bhagavad Geeta when He in Divinity. You may call God by any namesaid that all beings were His own reflection, such as Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Sai, etc.,
but all of them embody the same divine
and no one was different from Him.
principle. Keep the flower of oneness in the
Buddha had to undergo great hardships toaltar of your heart and let its fragrance
realise this truth. Many noble souls who
spread everywhere.
were the contemporaries of Buddha ack­
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.39/Ch.9: 13 May 2006
nowledged the greatness of Buddha. They
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume39/sss39-09.pdf
said that Buddha had experienced the truth
which they were unable to realise. As he The same divine principle of love is present
gave up all desires, Buddha became an epit- in all of you. When you take to the path ofome of total renunciation. There was noth- love, you will become Buddha yourself.
ing in him except love. He considered love Today is Buddha Poornima. Poornima means
as his very life-breath. Bereft of love, the full moon. The underlying message of Bud­dha Poornima is that the mind should shine
world would turn into a void.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.39/Ch.9: 13 May 2006 with total purity like full moon.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume39/sss39-09.pdf

It should unite with its source, i.e., the Atma
which is pure and effulgent. There is nodarkness on the full moon night. On thisauspicious day of Buddha Poornima, weshould attain full purity of the mind.
Purnamaday purnamidam
Purnat purnamudachyate
Purnasya purnamadaya
Purnamevavashishyate(That is full, this is full. When the full istaken out of the full, what remains is again
the full.)

The principles taught by Buddha have profound significance, but people are not trying to understand them. You might haveobserved that Buddha had curly hair on his
head. One lock of hair was entwined withthe other. There is an underlying messageof unity in this.

He had only one feeling in his heart, thefeeling of love. He taught, Dharmam sara­
nam gachchhami (I take refuge in righteousness), Premam saranam gachchhami (I takerefuge in love). Bereft of love, humanness We have to recognise this truth.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.39/Ch.9: 13 May 2006
has no existence.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume39/sss39-09.pdf

38

Shirdi Sai Baba

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to perform several methods/modes of worship toMother Kali throughout the day. One day,the Divine Mother appeared before him
and asked, “Ramakrishna! You are getting
madder day by day. You worshipped Me ina particular form. Why do you confine Me
to this form and that form. In fact, all forms
are Mine. Whomsoever you come across,consider them as the embodiments ofDivinity.”

In 1917, Baba once called Abdul Baba, Nana
Chandorkar, Mhalsapathi, Das Ganu andothers and started asking each of them:“Do you know who you are?” Each of them
replied: “I am your sishya (disciple).” Baba
said: “Nonsense! Don’t use that term any
longer. I have no disciples in this world. I
have countless devotees. You do not recognise the distinction between a disciple anda devotee. Anyone can be a devotee. Butthat is not the case with the disciple. A disciple is one who carries out implicitly thecommands of the guru (the preceptor). The
mark of the sishya is total devotion to thepreceptor… The disciple should have nosense of separateness from the preceptor.
He should feel, ‘You and I are one.’“

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.38/Ch.24: 9 Oct 2005

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume38/d051009.pdf

Some persons gathered round Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and asked him: “Sir! Have
you seen God?” Ramakrishna had a heartylaugh. He said: “Yes! I have seen God as I
am seeing you. All are forms of God. However, your vision is different. You look at all
persons as human beings. But all that you
see is Divine. Why are you failing to see theDivine? You cry about your wife, your children, your wealth and your position. Haveyou ever cried for God in the same way? No.
When you cry for God intensely, God willappear before you.” Once you renounce
you bad qualities you will experience God.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.23/Ch.28: 28 Sept 1990
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-28.pdf

In My Avatar as Shirdi Sai Baba, some people could not understand the subtle meanings of My words and actions. They would
come to Baba and complain, “Baba! We
were waiting for you because you promised
to come. Why did you disappoint us? Why
did you put us to so much trouble? Whatsin have we committed?”

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.39: 27 August 1996
Baba would reply, “You people are really
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/sss29-39.pdf
very foolish. I did come to your house, but
Towards the end of his life Ramakrishna
you drove me away with a stick.”
These devotees would wonder and say, Paramahamsa was suffering from cancer of“What Baba! Can we ever commit this sac- the throat. All his disciples appealed to him
to pray to the Mother, Durga Devi, whomrilege of chasing you away with a stick?”
Ramakrishna worshipped, to relieve him ofThen Baba would tell them that he came to his malady. Ramakrishna said: “I have pray­
their house in the form of a black dog. In ed to the Mother.” They asked him what
this manner, Baba demonstrated the truth the Mother’s response was. Ramakrishnathat God is present in all beings.
said “The Mother told me: ‘When I am eatSathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.65: 14 July 1996
http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/d960714.pdf ing so many things with so many mouths,
does it matter very much if you are unable
to eat with your one mouth?’ Her words
opened my eyes.”

39

penalty. He considered compassion as thesupreme quality, At first, he declared he
was a “Messenger of God.” Then, heannounced: “I am the Son of God.” Ultimately, he declared: “I and my Father are
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.30/Ch.33: 25 Dec 1997 One.” You must take note of this oneness.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume30/sss30-33.pdf
You must proclaim your oneness and not
your diversity.

All mouths are the mouths of God. The
Vedas proclaim that the Divine has a myriad heads and myriad eyes and myriad feet.
This means that all heads are His, all eyes
are His and all feet are His.

Lord Jesus Christ

Today people talk about unity but do notpractise it. In every discourse Swami speaks
about love. How many practise it? How
many have tried to understand the Love
Principle? Who has this Love? Love is not
to be seen anywhere.

Sadhana is the name for the mental discipline and intellectual effort to realise thisUnity. Jesus sacrificed his life and poured
out his blood to instil love and compassion
in the heart of man, so that he may be happy when others are happy and sad whenothers are sad.

Where there is love, there is no room for
hatred. Do not be envious of anyone. When
this evil quality appears. Love takes to flight.
A pure heart is abode of Love. Where there
is Purity, there is Unity. Unity leads toDivinity.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol13/Ch.27: 25 Dec 1976
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume13/sss13-27.pdf

There were controversies regarding Jesus.
These differences were the cause of theordeals He had to go through. But Jesus
was prepared to face any trouble or any

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.30/Ch.33: 25 Dec 1997
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume30/sss30-33.pdf

40

Unity is the Purpose of
Sathya Sai Avatar

The Mission of the Triune Incarnation

Let Me give you an illustration (Baba
spreads his handkerchief on the ground).
Here is a piece of cloth. As you see, it is all
made of threads. Pull out the threads separately and the cloth becomes weak. Putthem together and it is firm and strong. It is
the same with mankind. Love binds it likethe million, billion threads in cloth anddevotion reunites it with God. I, therefore,
embody love and use it as My instrument toregenerate man and create the brotherhood of mankind with the help of the latter’s devotion.

Question: So what is the holy mission anddivine purpose of this triple incarnation?
Baba: To unite all mankind into one caste
or family in the establishment of the unity— that is, Atmic realisation — in every man
or woman, which is the basis on which cosmic design rests. Once this is realized, thecommon divine heritage that binds man to
man to God will become apparent and loveshall prevail as the guiding light of the universe.
We have to make him realise God within
him to develop a synthesis correlating
thought, word and deed. Once this primarylesson is taught in the family, the school,
the college, the society, the cities, the states,
the nations of the world, then man will
become conscious of the fact that all mankind belongs to one family. As Christ
preached, all are one, be alike to everyone.

God lives in India, pp.7-8

The mission of the present Avatar is tomake everybody realise that since the same
God or Divinity resides in everyone, people
should respect, love and help each otherirrespective of caste, colour or creed. Thus
all work can become an act of worship.
God Lives in India, p.7

The vital issue is the oneness: one caste,
one class, one creed of humanity. And thiscan be achieved only by the surrender of
one’s self or ego to pure, selfless, universal
love and devotion. Love is the basis, thecommon denominator, and devotion is thedivine spark, the cementing, unifying, integrating factor between man and man, andman and God.

My objective is to establish unity in mankind and to reveal to them the aspect ofDivinity, which is Brahman, the only goal
which one should look for. It is also My
duty to make you realise the kind of relationship that should exist between man
and man and that Divinity is present andlatent in all human beings.
Summer Showers in Brindavan 1974 part 2/Ch.32

http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1974/ss1974part2-32.pdf

41

“I Have Come to Light the Lamp of
Love…”“Everything is My Own Form…”

This body is approaching its 75th birthday.
All these years, I have remained blissful
because I am aware of the principle of unity. You too can experience bliss if you
understand this truth. I do not hate anybody; nor do I have any enemies. I haveabsolutely no fear because everything is My
own form; the same Atma exists in all.

I have come to light the lamp of love in yourhearts, to see that it shines day by day withadded lustre. I have not come to speak onbehalf of any particular dharma (faith or
religion), like the Hindu dharma. I have notcome on any mission of publicity for any
sect, or creed or cause; nor have I come tocollect followers for any doctrine. I have noplan to attract disciples or devotees into My
fold or any fold. I have come to tell you of
this universal unitary faith, this Atmic Principle, this path of love, this dharma of love,
this duty of love, this obligation to love.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.33/Ch.10: 16 July 2000
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-10.pdf

It gives Me great joy to see that all of you
have gathered here today. You are united
with each other with the bond of love. Loveis only one; it is not different in you, Me
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.8/Ch.22: 4 July 1968 and others. You have unified your love with
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume08/sss08-22.pdf
that of Swami. Love is one. Live in love.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.39/Ch.9: 13 May 2006

The Message I Bring

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume39/sss39-09.pdf

Cultivate that attitude of Oneness, between
men of all creeds, all countries and all continents. That is the message of love, I bring.
That is the message I wish you to take toheart.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.8/Ch.22: 4 July 1968
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume08/sss08-22.pdf

42

His First and Final
Message To Us
Sathya Sai Baba has said on many occasions
that establishing unity through love was
His real task and that this should be ourideal:

Thus, “Unity through Divinity” was Baba’s
first message to humanity. This indeed also
was His last message.

In this gathering, people from many
countries, speaking many languages,
belonging to many races, are present.
They are all single-mindedly united inlove for Sai and in love from Sai, in spiteof differences in nationality, race, creed,colour and dress. This is my real task.
This is the consummation of the yearnings of the ancient seers and sages ofthis land. Develop this Oneness, thisUnity in love, hold it ever before you as
the ideal.

On November 22, 2010, Sathya Sai Baba
gave His last discourse with a plea that we
maintain unity.

Last Public Discourse

All are human beings. All are the children of God. Therefore, live with unity
without giving room to any differences.
This is My message for you today.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.43/Ch.3: 22 Nov 2010
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume43/d101122.pdf

His first message to us was an exhortation
to attain unity. His last message to us also
was a plea to maintain unity. Unity, thereSathya Sai Speaks Vol.14/Ch.55: 19 Nov 1980
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-55.pdf fore, is Baba’s Mission. Unity is Baba’s legacy and each one of us is an heir to that legFirst Public Discourseacy.
In fact, in His first recorded public discourse in 1953, Bhagawan Baba began withwhat He called “My very first message tohumanity” and in this discourse He referredto the cosmic unity that exists between
every individual and God.
Manasa bhajare guru charanam, Dustarabhava sagara taranam – Worship thefeet of the Guru in your mind. This willtake you across the ocean of worldly
existence… God draws the individual
toward Himself; it is the nature of bothto have this affinity, for they are thesame... This I will tell you, there is no
escaping it; all creatures have to reach
God some day or other.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.1/Ch.1: 18 Oct 1953

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume01/sss01-01.pdf

43Section II
Divine Discourses
Unity is Divinity..................................................... 45
Service Activities for Unity in Society................48
From the Individual to the Divine...................... 54
Strive for Unity, Purity and Divinity................... 58
Seeing Unity in Diversity is True Spirituality....67
Unity, Purity, Divinity........................................... 75
The Sai Religion..................................................... 81

Unity Is DivinityE

mbodiments of the Divine Spirit! The ancient saying, “Allroads lead to Rome,” has been vindicated today. It is notwithout great significance that people from many countries have gathered in this historic city. You have to realise thatyou have come here to learn things, which you have never heard
before, and to derive inspiration from new ideals about the humanadventure.
This conference is not concerned with any one religion, nation,
race, caste or individual. It is intended to reveal the essential truththat underlies all scriptures and to strive for the peace and welfare of all people through the establishment of truth andrighteousness.
The whole of mankind belongs to one religion—the religion ofman. For all men, God is the Father. As the children of one God,all men are brothers. This conference is therefore a family gathering. It is not a meeting of nationalities and religions. It is a meeting of minds. It does not relate to any one culture or philosophy.
It is concerned with the divine way of life that is implicit in theteachings of all religions. Its purpose is to see unity in divinity.

All Religions Proclaim the Unity of Divinity

The basic truth in all religions, irrespective of country or race, is
one and the same. The philosophic ideas or the practices andmethods of approach may vary. But the final objective and goal is
only one. All religions proclaim the unity of divinity and preachthe cultivation of universal love without regard to caste, creed,country or colour. Those who are ignorant of this basic truthdevelop pride and ego because of their own religion. Such people
are creating great confusion and chaos by fragmenting divinity.
To confine and divide the infinite divine into such narrow compartments is treason to the divine. The basis for a spiritual, Godbased life is the Indwelling Atman (Self).

45

Life in society should also conform to thisspiritual basis. Man, however, bases his lifeon the belief that the body alone is real. It is
to rid him of this error that he has to betaught about the Self. Mankind has to realise that both the individual and society are
manifestations of the Divine Will and thatthe Divine permeates the universe. Only byrecognising this truth can man give up his
ego and lead a life of devotion to duty.
Society should not become a cockpit of selfish individuals, but a community of divinely guided individuals.

to bring about the prosperity of a scientific,
technological and materialistic society for atime. But if, in the process, human sel­fishness, greed and hatred develop, as theyusually do, society will destroy itself. If, on
the contrary, the essential divinity of man
is realised, mankind can build up a greatsociety based on unity and on adherence tothe divine principle of love. This profoundchange must begin in the minds ofindividuals. When individuals change,society will change. And when societychanges, the whole world will change.
Unity is the secret of social progress, andservice to society is the means to promote
it. Everyone, therefore, should devotehimself to such service in a spirit ofdedication.

With the progress of science, man imaginesthat he is the lord of the universe and hetends to forget the Divine. Although, mantoday has gone to the moon and is exploring outer space, if he were to consider theinnumerable mysteries and wonders in creation yet to be known, he will realise thatthese are far beyond the limited capacity ofmind and intelligence. The more man discovers the secrets and mysteries of the cosmos, the more he will realise that God isthe creator and motivator of all creation.
All religions are agreed upon this truth. All
that man can do is to strive through his
limited intelligence and knowledge tounderstand the invisible and infinite Divine
and learn to worship and adore Him.

It should be realised that material comfort
is not the sole aim of social living. A society
in which the individuals are concerned only
about material welfare will not be able toachieve harmony and peace. Even if it isachieved, it will only be a patched-up harmony for, in such a society, the strong will
oppress the weak. Nor will an equal distribution of the bounties of nature ensure
anything but a nominal equality. How will
the equal distribution of material goods
achieve equality with reference to desires
and abilities? Desires have, therefore, to be
Service to Society iscontrolled by developing the spiritual
the Means to Promote Unity
approach and diverting the mind from
Instead of realising his innate divinity, manmaterial objects to the Divine seated inis caught up in the prison house of his own
each one’s heart.
material achievements. Greater than all his
scientific and technological progress is man Divine Experience ishimself as a being endowed with the divine Inherent Nature of Man
consciousness. By choosing to regard only Once the truth of the Indwelling Spirit is
the material world as real, it may be possible recognised, there dawns the awareness that46

should be discussed calmly and dispassionately. Do not entertain the feeling that one’s
religion is superior and another’s inferior.
Conflicts on the basis of religion should be
totally eliminated. To divide men on
grounds of religion is a crime against
humanity.

the world is one family. One is then filledwith Divine Love, which becomes the driving force for all of one’s actions. Man turns
away from the pursuit of endless desires tothe search for peace and equanimity. By
converting the love for material things into
love of God, one experiences the Divine.
This experience is not something beyondman. It is, in fact, a part of the inherent
nature of man. It is the secret of his humanness and his Divinity.

Man today imagines that he knows everything about nature and the universe. But ofwhat use is all this knowledge if man does
not know himself? It is only when he understands himself that he will be able to know
the truth about the external world. Man’s
Inner Reality cannot be known by exploring the world outside. When he turns his
vision inward and realises his essential
divinity, he will acquire an equal-mindedness towards all beings. Out of that feelingof oneness, he will experience the bliss thatpasseth understanding.

Whatever one’s religion may be, everyone
should cultivate respect for other faiths.
One who does not have such an attitude oftolerance and respect for other religions is
not a true follower of his own religion. It is
not enough merely to adhere strictly to thepractices of one’s own religion. One should
also try to see the essential unity of all religions. Only then will man be able to experience the oneness of divinity. There should
be no kind of coercion or compulsion in
the sphere of religion. Religious matters

Message to International Symposium
on “Unity is Divinity”, Rome
30 and 31 October 1983

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.16/Ch.29: 31 October 1983
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume16/sss16-29.pdf

47Service Activities forUnity in Society
If you lack pure mind and good character,
how do you expect Sai, the bestower of peace, love, happiness andprosperity, to appreciate you?
How do you expect Prema Sai to treat you as His own?
(Telugu Poem)

Human life is one of compassion, time is sacred; the heartis pure; and the mind is like nectar. Having been blessedwith such a sacred human birth, what is man supposed
to do? What is the foundation on which the mansion of life is tobe built? Every man aspires for peace and happiness. How can one
lead a peaceful life? It is possible only when he puts human values
into practice. Human values need not be acquired from outside;
they are latent in every man. If such values are forgotten, how can
man progress in life? In the first instance, man should enquire
into the purpose of their birth.

You Are Not Serving Others

Human life is based on samata (equality), samaikyata (unity),
saubhratrutvam (fraternity), and saujanyam (nobility). They constitute the very foundation of the mansion of life. Life will bemeaningless if even one of them is absent. Everyone must cultivate and safeguard these four virtues.
First of all, one should recognise the meaning of humanness.
Truth fosters neeti (morality); Righteousness confers khyati (reputation); tyaga (sacrifice) is the jyoti (light) of life. Manava jati(human race) is the combination of these three — neeti, khyati,
and jyoti.
But man today is neglecting the principles of truth, righteousness, and sacrifice. He has to adhere to these principles, not for48

in this mirror is only your reflection andnothing else. Today, man is leading a life ofselfishness and self-interest. Selfishness is
rampant in society. Dehabhimanam (bodyattachment) is on the rise, and deshabhimanam (love for one’s motherland) is on the
decline. Even spiritual aspirants and noble
souls with pure hearts are unable to give up
body attachment. As long as there isdehabhimanam, man cannot develop
Daivabhimanam (love for God).
The body, which is made up of five elements, is weak and is bound todisintegrate.
Though hundred years of life-span is prescribed, one cannot take it for granted.
One may leave the mortal coil at any time,
be it in childhood, youth or old age.
Death is certain. Hence, before the bodyperishes,
man should make efforts to know his true
nature.

the sake of society, but for his own redemption. If you expect to be respected by all,you have to develop self-respect, which isthe basis of human life. One who lacks
self-respect cannot command respect fromothers. First and foremost, man should
respect others and share his love with others wholeheartedly. This is the primary
duty of man.
Man is not merely a vyashti jeevi (individual), he is a sameshti jeevi (part and parcel ofsociety). Vyashti relates to jeevudu (individual), and sameshti relates to Devudu (God).
Man has to travel from the level of individual to the level of society. What is the pathprescribed for this? Firstly, man has to recognise the common principle of jeevana
jyoti (light of life), which is present in all.
The principle of samatvam (equality) can beexperienced and practised only when man
understands the principle of ekatvam(unity).
The service activities that we undertake aremeant to experience unity in society. It is agreat mistake if you think that you are serving others. In fact, you should not consider
anybody as ‘other,’ for all are the embodiments of divinity. But man is not making
efforts to realise this truth. Hence, he issubjected to difficulties. Once man realisesthat God is all-pervasive, he will be freefrom suffering. In order to get rid of suffering, man has to practise the principle ofunity in society. Once he understands theprinciple of unity, he can attain the cosmic
principle.

(Telugu Poem)

Body is given to you to know your true Self.
It is foolish to waste your time and energy
in worldly pursuits. If you know your true
Self, you would have known everything
else.

Embodiments of Love! All that you see inthe external world, from microcosm tomacrocosm, is present in you. The mountains, oceans, cities, villages, etc. are present in your heart. All beings are in you. You
are the basis of everything. Such being thecase, what is it that you want to see in theexternal world? How foolish it is on yourGive Up Body Attachment
Every individual is endowed with a physical part to get carried away by the reflection
body. Nature is like a mirror. What you see outside, ignoring the reality within!
49

The world outside is just areflection of your heart. If
you fill your heart with love,
you will experience loveeverywhere.

ing corpse. The five human values can becompared to five life principles (prana)present in us. If you do not speak the truth,
you would have lost one life principle.
Unrighteous conduct amounts to losing
the second life principle. Similarly, otherlife principles will be lost. Therefore, all
your efforts should be directed to safeguarding these life principles, which are
divine in nature.

Practice Human Values

Know the human values in the first instance.
The first among them is truth. It is changeless and beyond time and space. There isnothing like American truth, Russian truth,
Indian truth or Pakistani truth. Truth is
one and the same for all countries at all
times. You are the embodiment of truth.
Truth is God. So, make efforts to understand this truth. Sathyam bruyath, priyam
bruyath, na bruyath sathyam apriyam (speak
the truth, speak pleasantly, but do not
speak unpleasant truth). Having forgotten
such eternal principle of truth, man is in
search of ephemeral things. Adherence totruth is neeti, which is nothing but proper
conduct. Sathyannasti paro dharmah (there
is no Dharma greater than adherence totruth). Sathya and Dharma together will
confer peace. One who adheres to truth
and righteousness will always remain
peaceful. One need not search for peaceoutside. Where there is truth, there is peace.
Where there is peace, there is nonviolence.

There is divinity in humanity. Understandthis. Today every field of human activity ispolluted. Once man purifies his heart, hewill find purity everywhere. The world outside is just a reflection of your heart. If you
fill your heart with love, you will experience
love everywhere. If there is hatred in yourheart, the same is reflected outside.
Whatever you see, hear, and experience
outside is only the reflection, reaction, andresound of your inner being. All the goodand bad that you come across in the external world are just your own reflections. So,
do not point an accusing finger at others.
The whole world depends on man’s
behaviour. If man is good, so too will theworld be. You think that there is profanity
all around you. It is a mistaken notion. In
fact, the profanity in you is reflected outside. If your feelings are demonic, you willfind the same all around you. If your feelings are divine, you will find divinity
We call the human values as Sathya, everywhere.
Dharma, Shanti, Prema, and Ahimsa (Truth, Embodiments of Love! Your heart is full of
Righteousness, Peace, Love and Non­ love. The yearning for God that emanates
violence). In fact, love is the fundamental from your heart is love. Let truth and righbasis for truth and righteousness. Love is teousness be reflected in your word andGod, truth is God, righteousness is God. deed, respectively. The harmony of truth,
One bereft of these principles is verily a liv- righteousness, and love will lead to peace.
50Your breathing process, Soham, is remindOnce you have Selfing you of your reality 21,600 times a day.
confidence, you can raise theOf what use is your education if you arewalls of Self-satisfaction
unable to remember the truth that is taught
to you so many times day in and day out?
over which you can lay the
You may listen to any number of sermons,roof of self-sacrifice and lead
you may study any number of sacred texts,
a life of Self-realisation.
you may visit any number of noble souls,
but all these will prove futile if you forgetthe principle of truth that your inner voice
The youth in particular should exercise
teaches.
control over their vision. Manava (human
Buddha renounced all the palatial comforts
being) becomes Madhava (God) once heand took to sanyasa (renunciation). He understands the importance of human valwandered in the forests, listened to the ues and puts them into practice. The youth
teachings of noble souls, and studied holy of today are the future emancipators of thetexts. But none of these could give him sat- country. So, they should develop steadinessisfaction. Ultimately, he realised that his of mind and self-confidence.
heart is the true holy text given by God andWhere there is confidence, there is love;that God is his true friend. He discarded all
Where there is love, there is truth;books and stopped visiting noble souls. He
Where there is truth, there is peace;turned inward and enquired into the truth.
Where there is peace, there is bliss;
Ignoring the holy text (heart) and forgetWhere there is bliss, there is God.
ting the true friend (God), man is going
Without confidence, you can never attainhither and thither in search of peace.
divinity. Your confidence is your God. So,
Firstly, make sacred use of the eyes given by develop unwavering confidence in the Self.
God. Only then will your life be sanctified. Self-confidence and Self-respect will leadHe alone is a true human being who has a to Atmic bliss and the vision of the Self. You
good mind and whose behaviour is exem- are all seated in this magnificent hall withplary. All your spiritual pursuits will be of so many pillars supporting it. You are enjoylittle consequence if your vision is sullied. ing its beauty. Without a strong foundation
Your nethra (eye) is the shastra (scripture) this hall would not have come into exisgiven by God. Understand this shastra and tence. Likewise, Self-confidence is the
conduct yourself accordingly. Once you foundation for the mansion of life. Once
have control over your vision, you will have you have Self-confidence, you can raise thecontrol over your speech. Speak only truth; walls of Self-satisfaction over which you
there is nothing greater than truth. Samyak can lay the roof of self-sacrifice and lead adrishti (pure vision) and samyak vak (pure life of Self-realisation. Hence, lay the founspeech) will lead to samyak sravanam (pure dation of Self-confidence strong andhearing) and samyak bhavam (pure feeling). sturdy.
51

The whole world is like amansion, and various
countries are like different
rooms in it. So, do not divide
humanity based onnationality.

there are many who are heroes in precept
and zeroes in practice. Your actions should
be in harmony with your words. Develop
sacred feelings. Only then can you perform
sacred activities. Devotion does not mean
merely performing rituals like worship. Any
work done with pure and selfless love isdevotion.
Embodiments of Love! Right from this day,let your lives be suffused with love. Let yourhands undertake deeds that are beneficial
to society at large. Let your thoughts becentred on the principle of love. You should
rise from the level of vyashti (individual) tosameshti (society) and ultimately merge inParameshti (God). In this physical andephemeral world, wherever you see there is
only restlessness. At times, your physicalbody may be subjected to diseases. You
should not be unduly perturbed. Body
comes and goes.
This body is a storehouse of dirt,
and prone to diseases;
It cannot cross the ocean of samsara.
Oh mind!
Do not be under the delusionthat body is permanent.
Instead take refuge at the Divine Lotus
Feet.

Truth Is The Basis Of Every Culture

The culture of Bharat (India) proclaims
sathyam vada dharmam chara (speak thetruth, follow Dharma-righteousness). Not
only Indian culture, the culture of all countries proclaims the same truth. Truth is thebasis of every culture. Do not give scope forany differences based on culture. The wholeworld is like a mansion, and various countries are like different rooms in it. So, do
not divide humanity based on nationality.
It is because of such division that humanness is on the decline. Sai devotees should
not entertain any such differences. Allshould stand united. Names, forms, andcomplexions may be different, but humanity is one race. God is one. All human beings
belong to one family.
Cows are many, but milk is one.
Beings are many, but Indweller is one.
(Telugu Poem)
Castes are many, but humanity is one.
Flowers are many, but worship is one.
Greatness Lies In Practice,
Paths are many, but God is one.

Not PreachingHence, you should give up all the differences based on caste, religion, and nationalityand develop the spirit of love. Young men
and women should work for the progress ofthe country. The country will prosper only
when the youth develop sound character.
Human life is based on character. Today

One should not be unduly attached to thephysical body, but it has to be taken care ofproperly. Sometimes, you are afflicted withdiseases because of negligence on yourpart. I take on the sufferings of devotees
because of My love for them. It disappears
in the same way as it appears. Here is a52

small example. A young boy was suffering agreat deal because of mumps (a disease,causing painful swelling in the cheeks). The
doctor said that it would take a minimumof 20 to 25 days to get cured. He was crying
bitterly, unable to bear the severe pain. I
called him inside and consoled him saying,“When Swami is with you, why do you cry?”I materialised a sweet for him and madehim eat. I took his pain upon Myself. For
any other person, the pain would have been
unbearable.

to say it in public. I do not indulge inadvertisement.
All that is Mine is yours, and vice-versa. I
have no desires at all. All My desires aremeant to give you happiness. Greatness
does not lie in preaching; it lies in practice.
A true acharya (preceptor) is one who practises and then preaches. That is what I am
doing.
Youngsters – Men and Women! Understandyour true nature. Follow the path of truth.
Sathyam (Truth) is the name of this body.
Develop this truth in you. Truth is God,
Love is God; Live in Love. When you follow
the path of truth and love, you will certainly attain bliss. Some people put the blameon Me, ignoring their own defects. It is agreat mistake. There are no defects in Me
whatsoever. I am like a pure mirror. Thereis no scope for even a trace of impurity in
Me. You see the reflection of your own feelings in Me. Purify your hearts. Only thencan you understand the Truth.

Srinivasan was very much worried as to
how to conduct this conference, when
Swami was undergoing so much pain. Since
the swelling was between the two jaws, it
was not possible to eat or speak. What doesit matter if the body is not given food for a
few days? Hence, I did not care for it. I told
the organisers to go ahead with the conference. He asked, “Swami, how are you going
to deliver the inaugural address?” I said, “Ifeel the pain if I think that this is My body.
But this is not My body, it is yours.” All your
Embodiments of Love! Today we havebodies are Mine. Hence, I take your sufferinaugurated this conference. Many more
ing upon Myself. That is My duty. This isprogrammes are to follow. Hence, I bringnot My body, so I do not care for it.
My discourse to a close in order to give sufNot only now, at any point of time, I do not ficient time for other programmes. I am
care for any suffering. I practise whatever I prepared to spend any length of time topreach. That is why I say, ‘My life is My give you necessary guidelines.
message.’ It is not possible for all to under- Inaugural Address at International Seva Conference
Prasanthi Nilayam, 21 July 2002
stand and realise My Divinity. I do not want

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.10: 21 July 2002
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-10.pdf

53

From the individual to
the Divine

D

ivine Embodiments of Love! All over the world, mankind
is racked today by various difficult problems. When one
problem is solved, another series crop up. The reason forthis situation is the absence of right relationship between theindividual and the society.
At the very outset, we have to take note of four entities: The firstis the power that can solve any problem in a moment. This isParameshti (the Supreme Self). The second entity is Srishti (thecreated universe). The third is Sameshti (the collective entity—society or community). The fourth is Vyakti (the individual).
These four are not separate entities. A body consists of different
organs performing different functions, but they are integral partsof one body. For instance, the hand has a palm, which has fingers.
All are integrally related. Similarly, the primary role of Parameshti
has to be recognised. It is only when Parameshti is understoodthat the secret of creation can be grasped. When this secret isunderstood, the significance of society will be evident. Then theindividual’s role can be understood.
How to recognise Parameshti? By developing sacred qualities andadoring the Parameshti (Supreme Self), the individual understands the secret of Srishti (creation) and the importance of society. Today if you want to understand Prakriti (nature or the phenomenal universe), you have to understand Sameshti (society).
The term Sameshti encompasses all social organisations. A
Sameshti (community) is made up of individuals coming together.
This union of individuals is essential for realisation of the Divine.

54

Three Rules for
Promoting Collective Action

same coolness and taste that exist in theocean are to be found in the wave and theTake for instance, the present conference. foam.
Here people from different countries, pro- When you are considering matters relating
fessing different faiths and belonging to to the world, you use the term vyavaharika.
different cultures, have come together. But When you are considering experiences
what is their common unifying factor? It is relating to the mind, you call them
the belief in the Sai Principle that has Paramarthika (concerning the Divine).
brought you together. All of them are try- When you consider matters relating to
ing to find unity in diversity. To promote thoughts, you describe them as Pratibhasika.
unity, the concept of Sameshti (collective While the epithets are different, the underaction) has to be understood. There are lying truth is one and the same.
three rules to be observed in promoting To know the nature of the Divine, the firstcollective action, Sathyam bruyath (Speak step is to understand the social process.
the truth). Priyam bruyath (Speak what is Starting with Parameshti (the Divine), youpleasant). Na bruyath Sathyam apriyam understand Srishti (creation) and become(Never speak what is true but not pleasing). aware of Sameshti (the society or communiTruth is of the highest importance whether ty) and realise the role of Vyakthi (the indiwe consider morality, worldly life or spiri- vidual). The process of understanding is antual progress. From the ethical point of integral one related to each other. Without
view, you have to speak the truth. In the the individual there can be no society.
context of worldly life, you have to speak Without society, creation has no meaning.
what is pleasing. From the spiritual point of Although different terms have been used inview, you have to avoid what is not pleasing Vedantic parlance to describe the different
even if it is true. The Bhagavad Geetha also levels of awareness, the entire understandteaches that one should not utter words ing of this unifying process is that the indithat cause excitement but speak the truth vidual proceeds from the social to the coswhich is both pleasing and wholesome.
mic and then to the Divine.

Three Faces of Reality

The relationship between the individualand God should be properly understood.
God is the all-embracing whole. The individual has to experience his oneness withthe universal. This universal has been called
the Vishva-Virat-Swarupam (cosmic form of
the Divine). All the beings you see here aremanifestations of the cosmic form. Thismeans that all are inherently divine. By
obsession with the separateness of theindividual, one fails to see His cosmic

There are similarly three concepts in
Vedanta relating to what constitutes truth:
Paramarthika, Vyavaharika and Prathi­bha­sika. Paramarthika relates to the Supreme,
Vyavaharika to worldly existence andPrathibhasika to the superimposition of thephysical on the spiritual. These three are
not at variance from each other. They are
the same thing in three different forms likethe ocean, the waves and the foam. The
55

Self-enquiry is the means to
Self-realisation. Self-enquiry
reveals that you are not thebody, the senses or the mind.
You are their master.

all these worries. (Bhagawan sang a Telugu
poem describing all the different worries
from birth to death to which men are subject). As long as you do not understand theworkings of nature, everything will be worry. But once you understand them, you willbe always happy. That understanding willlead you to the awareness of Parameshti
essence. Forget the ego in you and recog- (Divine). Once the nature of the Divine isnise your spiritual essence. It is attachment understood, all experiences will be blissful
to the body that is the cause of man’s loss of like the sweetness, of sugar which is present in different kinds of sweets.
peace.

Vedanta and Science
Proclaim the Same Truth

Man has explored everything in the external world but has failed to know his own
true nature. As a result, he has created
Bhinnathvam (divisiveness). Once he knows
his true self, he will have no feeling of divisiveness. He will recognise the oneness of
all life.

Recognise that the Divinity that is present
in everyone is the same. This was the truth
proclaimed by Vedanta. Scientists are now
coming to the same view through a different approach. The ancient sages proclaimed
the omnipresence of God, many millennia
ago. Ramadas and Pothana also gave ex­pression to this truth in their poems.
Scientists are now declaring that the entire
cosmos is composed of energy. Some years
ago, at a meeting in the Institute of Science,
Bangalore, one scientist referred to the ageof the sun, giving a figure running into billions of years. The ancients referred to thesun as anadi, meaning that its origin is in­determinate. By merely assigning a definite
number running into billions, has science-made the fact more meaningful thanwhat the sages said? Anadi (beginningless)is a truer description of the age of the sun,than the scientists reckoning in billions ofyears.

Role of Sai Volunteers
Why is this conference being held? In thiscontext three things are highly significant.
First, what should be the characteristics of
persons in the Sai Organisation? Their
hearts should be cool like the moon. Theirminds should be pure like butter. Theirspeech should be sweet like honey. It is only
when you have a heart cool as the moon, amind pure as butter and speech sweet as
honey, will you be a worthy member of theOrganisation. When these three qualities
are present, there will be divinity.

In the Bhagavad Geetha, Krishna advises
Arjuna to give up all Dharmas (duties, codesof conduct) and take refuge in Him. The
Dharmas that are to be given up are related The ancients understood the secrets of creto the body and are the cause of innumera- ation by seeking to understand theble worries. Sai Love is the sure solvent for Parameshti (supreme creator). Through56

understanding creation, they realised the don’t thank your own people. When you go
truth about society and the individual.
out for a dinner you express thanks to the
Self-enquiry is the means to Self-realisation. host, but does anyone thank the mother for
Self-enquiry reveals that you are not the serving food? There are no ‘others’ in thebody, the senses or the mind. You are their Sai Organisation. We are one family. The
master. You are the Atma (Self). The knowl- word ‘thanks’ should not be used in the Saiedge based on the body is Bhoutika Jnanam Organisation. It is purely a conventional(worldly knowledge). The knowledge based expression, in the ordinary world. The
on the mind is sujnanam (rational knowl- member of a family who works for the famedge). The knowledge based on the heart is ily is different from a worker who labours
for wages. Members of the Sai Organisation
Atma Jnanam (knowledge of the Self).
should render service without expectation
We are One Familyof any reward or recognition.
The most important concern of this conMembers of the Sai Organisation should
ference should be how to enable members
endeavour to improve themselves to someto realise the Parameshti (Divine). The firstextent at least as a result of their participarequisite for this purpose is good company.
tion in this conference. Don’t bother about
Good company is conducive to good
the past. Concentrate on the present. Fromthoughts. Anil Kumar referred to the ‘Latest
now on, all of you should tread a sublime
God’ in his speech preceding Bhagawan’spath. Don’t give room for mutual jealousy,
discourse. This is a misconception. There ishatred or ill-feeling.
only one God and He is eternal. Dr. Safaya
expressed thanks for the gift of blankets by Follow the role “Help ever, Hurt never.”Discourse at the Sixth World Conference of Sridevotees from Korea. In spite of proximity
Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Sai Kulwant
to Swami over many years many have not
Mandap, 20 November 1995
understood Swami’s teachings even on
minor matters. When do you express
thanks? You thank a third person. But you

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.28/Ch.33: 20 November 1995
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume28/sss28-33.pdf

57

Strive For Unity, Purity
and Divinity
Intellect, education, prolific scholarship,
Victory in verbal battle,
Vanquishing the adversary in physical strife,
Sovereignty over kingdoms vast,
Charity profuse of cattle and gold,
Piercing vision counting the countless stars,
Numbering each of creatures unnumbered,Achieving the mystic eightfold powers,
Or even stepping on lunar dust—
All these are easy to the man of strength.
But to restrain the urges of body and its parts,
To turn the senses inward,
Difficult far is it to attain the vision
And still the mind in supreme peace.
(Telugu Poem)

A skilled tongue entices even the goddess of wealth,A sweet tongue wins family and friends,
Tongue it is that ties your life in knots,
A vicious tongue begets instant death.
(Sanskrit Verse)

E

mbodiments of Love! Having been endowed with such asacred power of speech, man is unable to make proper useof it. No other form of life has the mighty intellect andcapacity for inner peace but the human kind. In this world every
object has five aspects, namely, sath, chith, ananda, rupa, and nama
(being, awareness, bliss, form, and name). Being, Awareness, andBliss are the three core attributes of a man. They are true and eternal. Name and form are transitory. The delusion of permanence ofname and form leads mankind to waste away its precious life.
In this world, there are two types of intellectuals. The first type isthe scientists who are totally materialistic in their outlook. They
have in their mind only the physical and worldly goals and gains.

58his innate nature, Sath-Chith-Ananda. Oncehe realises its value and experiences it, he
can reach any exalted state. In fact, hebecomes verily God. Man can accomplish
any mighty task when he realises his innate
divine nature. The power latent in man is
not found anywhere else. Every man isendowed with the three chief attributes ofSath-Chith-Ananda. But having beenenmeshed in the web of delusion, man considers that the “name and form” are real,
ignoring his innate qualities of Sath-ChithAnanda. First of all, what man has to recognise is his own innate divine nature. But
man is not making any effort in this direction. He has become a slave to his senses,
and is wasting his time on trivial matters.
The primary duty of man therefore is tounderstand properly his innate humannature and then putting it into practice.

They are fascinated by the external appearance of a gigantic tree with its numerous
branches and twigs, but they are not interested in finding its ‘roots.’ Vedantins (Those
who know Vedanta) are the second type of
intellectuals, who are not fascinated by theexternal appearance of the tree but evince
great delight in finding the ‘roots.’ People
who are worldly in outlook waste their timein watering the “branches,” whereas, theVedantins water the “roots” and thereby
enjoy the “fruits.”
Once, the asuras (demons) and devas (demigods) churned the ocean of milk with thehope of acquiring divine ambrosia (amrita).
They used the Mandara mountain as thechurning rod. But, initially, they had to put
up with the emergence of deadly poison.
The demons were frustrated and disheartened to see poison emanating instead of
amrita. They wanted to give up the churning process. But the demigods relentlessly
continued the churning with courage anddetermination. Their sustained efforts
yielded rich rewards in the form of the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi Devi, Iravatha(divine white elephant), Kamadhenu (wishfulfilling cow), Kalpataru (wish-fulfillingtree), and ultimately the divine ambrosia
itself. In the same manner, man should
churn his mind and try to know his true
identity; He should not be deterred or
depressed by the initial impediments andobstacles that beset his path.

The value and significance of human nature
is beyond all estimation. Only when you
practise human values will your life beredeemed. Man is but a spark of divinity.
That is why Lord Krishna said in the
Bhagavad Geeta, Mamaivamsho Jeevaloke
Jeevabhutah Sanatana (the eternal Atma inall beings is a part of My Being). In fact, theantarvani (inner voice) keeps reminding
man of his divine nature day in and day out.
But man is not making any effort to listen
to his inner voice. He is craving for physicaland ephemeral objects, forgetting his own
divine nature and thereby distancing himself from the ultimate goal of life. Names
and forms are momentary like water bubbles. He is being deluded by names andforms and is losing the very precious gemof divinity. Man is endowed with infinite
divine power. A piece of red-hot iron can be

Sath-Chith-Ananda (being-awareness-bliss)
are the very nature of man. But man has
forgotten his very nature and is wasting histime in the vain pursuit of fleeting pleasures. He is not able to realise the value of59power, man gets deluded by the vagaries of
the world. He is giving importance to the
New Year, which is fleeting. In fact, heshould give importance to the changeless‘Time’ and sanctify it by proper use.

All bodies are like bulbs
and love is the main switch.
Only when the main switch
is pressed will the bodies
radiate light and happinessto one and all.

In this world, only truth and goodness willremain with us for ever. Their value cannot
be quantified. So, we should strive to develop truth and goodness in us. We should nothanker after name and fame. For example,
we should not be under the delusion that
we are providing Telugu Ganga water toChennai. Water is not something that one
gives to another. It is nature’s gift to all.
Each one gets one’s share based on one’s
prapti (deservedness). Man’s activities yield
the desired result only when the kala, karma, karana, and kartavya (time, action,
cause, and duty) are in harmony with eachother. Hence, one should make sincere eff­
orts and wait for the right time. When theaction fructifies, he should utilise it in acc­
ordance with the time and circumstances.

put to better use than the fire itself. The
body can be compared to an iron piece andthe divinity within to fire. Man should
therefore understand this truth and makeproper use of his body.
Embodiments of Love! People are full ofhopes and aspirations on the dawn of a
New Year. In fact, you should consider
every moment as the beginning of a New
Year. Names and forms have no value without the eternal virtues. Man suffers fromvarious ailments, some internal and others
external. A doctor can cure the external ailments. The Atmic feeling (Atma bhava– thefeeling that all are embodiments of thesame Atma) is the only remedy for all theinternal ailments. You should make efforts
to know the principle of Atma. The Atma is
a synonym for Brahman, which is nothing
but the Chaitanya (consciousness) permeating every human being. Man has a nameand form, but Chaitanya has no form. The
Chaitanya that is present in the humanbody is called “conscience.” The all-pervasive Chaitanya is called ‘consciousness.’
When the individual understands the principle of unity in diversity, the “conscience”
gets transformed into ‘consciousness.’ Inspite of being endowed with such a sacred

Boys (former students of Swami) are doinga lot of good work. They are going to various villages and giving happiness to thepeople there by performing service activities and bhajans. They should undertake allthese activities with the spirit of love. Thereis nothing greater than love. You should
lead your life filled with selfless love.
Embodiments of Love! The service activities and the bhajans that you perform alone
are not enough. You should give up the
feeling that you are serving others. That isvery important. You are serving your own
self when you serve others. You should
consider all as yours. In fact, others are notothers but are the very forms of God. Hence,
60

The entire humanity is one
family. All are brothers andsisters. The whole world isbut one mansion. It is
impossible to describe inwords the happiness you
would experience when
you develop suchbroad-mindedness.

service rendered to humanity is service
rendered to God. All service activities aremeant to foster this feeling in you. You
should plunge into the field of service withselfless love. That alone is true service. Allother service activities are worldly andmomentary.
Students! You are under the mistaken
notion that you are rendering service toothers. You should give up such a feeling.
Only then does the service you perform
become real service in the strict sense of
the term. Service does not merely mean
helping others. The best way to love God is
to love all and serve all. Your acts of service
should be suffused with the spirit of love.
Without the positive aspect of love, all service you render becomes negative in nature.

to understand its greatness. In fact, you are
belittling such a sacred culture. You aredeluded by the differences based on casteand culture. In fact, there is only one caste,
the caste of humanity. The love that originates in the heart is true religion. The entire
humanity is one family. All are brothers
and sisters. The whole world is but one
mansion. It is impossible to describe inwords the happiness you would experience
when you develop such broad-mindedness.
Hence, make every effort to visualise divinity in humanity.

All bodies are like bulbs, and love is themain switch. Only when the main switch ispressed will the bodies radiate light andhappiness to one and all. You are switching
off the main switch and trying to enjoy
happiness. It is impossible. Hrid + daya(compassion) = Hridaya (heart). Your heart
should be filled with compassion. All your God’s creation is most wonderful and mysactivities should be suffused with love. terious. There are innumerable stars in the
There is no strength superior to love.
sky. The light emitted by some of them is
Our ancient sages and seers used to live in yet to reach the earth, in spite of the fact
dense forests amidst wild animals. They did that light travels at a speed of thousands of
not carry any weapons with them, yet they miles per second. Such being the case, you
could move about without any sense of can very well imagine the distance between
fear. What was the source of their courage? earth and stars. When the creation itself is
They possessed the single weapon of love, such an infinite and indescribable phenomwhich protected them from the wild ani- enon, how mighty and powerful must themals. The ancient culture of Bharat (India) creator be!
The stories of the Lord are most wonderfulis divine, most precious, wonderful, andand sacred in all the three worlds.
blissful. But you are not making any effort
61

We must transform thedivine power latent in us
into skill, for undertaking
service to society. Whenknowledge is converted
into skill, you acquirebalance in life.

Everything happens according to His Will.
Since He is the creator of all beings, He iscalled Prajapati. Since He is the most intelligent One, He is called Dakshinamurthii.
In this manner, God has infinite names.
Man attributes names and forms to God
based on his limited understanding andworships Him: Nirgunam, Niranjanam,
Sanathana Niketanam, Nitya, Suddha,
Buddha, Mukta, and Nirmala Swarupinam(God is attributeless, pure, final abode,eternal, unsullied, enlightened, liberated,and embodiment of sacredness). Whensuch a divine principle is present within his
own self, why does man consider himself tobe small and feeble? You should give up
such a feeling of inferiority. There is no
greater being than the human being. In
fact, divinity is immanent in the entire
humanity. But, unfortunately, you are considering such a sacred human birth as trivial. As you think, so shall you become. Thesepetty thoughts are the result of your petty
mind.

They are like sickles that cut the creepers ofworldly bondage.
(Telugu Poem)

The stories of God cannot be described inmere words. Man imagines and describes
Him based on his own estimates. Truly
speaking, God is beyond all definition.
There are various types of pramanas (experiences) in this world. They are pratyaksha
pramana (direct experience), anumana pramana (experience based on inference), dvaita pramana (experience based on duality),
and advaita pramana (experience based on
non-duality). As God is beyond all thesepramanas, He is known as Aprameya(immeasurable and indefinable). God ispresent in the heart of every man with all
His Divine powers.

When you see smoke emerging from thehills, it is an indication that there is fire.
When you see the fire directly, it is called
pratyaksha pramana (direct experience). If
you see only the smoke and not the fire,you presume that there is fire behind thesmoke. It is only a possibility. It is anumana
pramana (inferential experience). It is possible that sometimes fog appears as smoke
and, actually, there may not be fire in thehills. Therefore, anumana pramana gives
rise to doubt.

The beauty and grandeur of God cannot be
described in words. He is extolled as‘Hiranyagarbhaya Namah’ (salutations to
the one with the golden womb). Hiranya
means gold. It is present in His heart. Just
as the essence of the food partaken is supplied to all parts of the body, likewise, gold
permeates His entire body. Hence, He is Love is the only pratyaksha pramana (direct
the most handsome One. He is the primor- experience) of divinity in a human being.
dial basis of all beings.
When a question arises as to where God is,62

Pleasure is an interval
between two pains.
Therefore, we need not
go in search of pleasure.
It is very much within us.
In fact, you, yourself are
the embodiment of bliss.

the immediate answer is God is love andlove is God. Similarly, truth is God. There isnothing greater than truth. There is no
divinity higher than truth. Truth is all-pervading. Countries may be different; but
truth is one and only one. There is nothing
like American truth, Japanese truth,
German truth, etc. To make such distinction is the nature of petty-minded people.
We are not petty-minded and mean. We are
the embodiments of infinity. Man should
always remind himself that he is theembodiment of truth, embodiment of love,embodiment of bliss, etc. Man has got
infinite capacity for spiritual thoughts andspiritual quest. But, does he realise his true
nature?

Such a divinity, which is the embodimentof fullness, is immanent in every humanbeing. But, unfortunately, man is not making any effort to realise the divinity within.
Who is protecting his body while he is fastasleep? How does the body function perfectly, even without his knowledge? Nobody
knows. For creation, protection and sustenance — for everything — God is responsible. Such a divine power is immanent inevery human being. In spite of this, man isdepressed in times of difficulties and iselated in times of joy. But this is not thegoal of his life. His true goal is to maintaina perfect state of equanimity at all times
and not to get caught in ‘sorrows and joys.’
Pleasure is an interval between two pains.
Therefore, we need not go in search ofpleasure. It is very much within us. In fact,you, yourself are the embodiment of bliss.

Take, for instance, a handful of sea-sand ina plate. The scientists determine the sandas belonging to such and such country on
the basis of the colour and weight of thesand. But the philosophers do not at all
think that way. They say that it is God’s creation and God’s maya (illusion). Thus, there
is a gulf of difference between the perceptions of the scientists and the sages. Scienceis like semi-circle. It starts at some placeand ends at some other place. But spirituality originates and ends at the same point oforigin. It is a full-circle. It is verily divinity.
That is why it is said:
Poornamadah poornamidam poornat
poornamudachyate
Poornasya poornamadaya poornameva
avashishyate.
(That is full, this is full. When the full istaken out of the full, what remains isagain the full).

Embodiments of Love! Always be happy
and cheerful, for your innate nature is bliss.
You need not go in search of happiness.
Bliss emerges out of Atma. Whenever you
wish for it, you will get it. Happiness isunion with God. Therefore, always be in
the company of God. Once you are in thecompany of God, happiness will follow you
like a shadow.
63

Unity brings purity, andpurity in turn leads to
divinity. Therefore, always
remember the inseparable
relationship between unity,
purity, and divinity
and strive to achieve that.

divine power is infinite. The more you contemplate on the divine, the more and more
the bliss gets multiplied. When such an
infinite divine power is within your own
self, why should you be exposed todifficulties?
Today, our old students have assembled
here. They are undertaking several types ofservice activities in various parts of thecountry and even abroad. They are deriving
great pleasure out of this service activity.

Today, man is in search of happiness, and,in the process, is becoming a slave to happiness. This is not correct. In fact, happinessshould become a slave to you, for you areverily the embodiment of the Divine Atma.
Believe it or not, I am always blissful. You
can also experience such a state of bliss.
You should not go in search of happiness.
Instead, happiness should follow you wherever you go.

In My opinion, they should confine themselves to their own areas and render service
to society, within their means. It is neither
good nor necessary to associate others intheir service activity, which will turn it intobusiness. As far as possible, they should
undertake such activities in their respective
villages and give them happiness.
In rural areas, there is a vast scope for different service activities. A few decades ago,some people invited Me to shift to bigger
cities like Mysore, saying that they would
provide a big palace for Me. But, as for Me,
I don’t need palaces. I must stay in thissmall village. I have not given up My placeof birth. In such place alone, mighty tasksneed to be accomplished. So, I refused tomove from Puttaparthi, which was then aremote village with no modern facilities.

Hanuman was a great hero in the episodeof Ramayana. He was courageous, mighty
and invincible. He possessed good qualities
of character and peace. He was always happy and cheerful, chanting the divine nameof Rama. You should also develop such
noble qualities. First and foremost, you
should become a human being in the true
sense. You should develop kindness toward
all. Only then do you deserve to be identiIn those days, if one were to visit Putta­
fied as belonging to mankind.
parthi, one had to alight from the train at
Embodiments of Love! You are acquiring a Penu­konda, which was the nearest railhead,high level of worldly education. You are and then travel to this place in a bullreading several great books. You are acquir- ock-cart. Such were the conveyances ining great powers. But, all these are ephem- those days. But now, one can straightawayeral and evanescent. Therefore, always keep reach Puttaparthi comfortably by air. One
your thoughts steadily fixed on the divine had to go to Anantapur by bus in those days
power that fills your heart with bliss. The for availing oneself of medical services.
64

The villages are the mostvaluable assets of a nation.
If you serve the villagers
properly, nothing could be agreater service than that.

Now, we have a Super Speciality Hospitalright at our doorstep. Thus, all modern
conveniences and facilities are now available in this village of Puttaparthi.

Therefore, there is no better place than avillage to live in. The villages are the mostvaluable assets of a nation. If you serve thevillagers properly, nothing could be a greater service than that. Grama seva is Ramaseva (Selfless service to the villages is selfless villagers used to gather round him andservice to Rama (God)).
enquire about his welfare lovingly. Now,
There is no satisfaction in service under- that spirit of love and oneness is lost, totaltaken in towns and cities. The urban people ly. Wherever you go, you will find differencare indifferent and self-centred. Even if es and tensions even on trivial matters.
thieves break into a neighbouring house, Especially, after Independence, riots andthey will not bother. On the other hand, in disturbances are taking place in almost
the villages, even for a small commotion, all every part of the country. The sanctity ofthe villagers will gather. Such a type of uni- human life seems to be totally lost. Humanty and camaraderie still exists in the villag- life has no value. People are killed like ants
es. Where there is unity, there will be divin- and mosquitoes. These are inhuman andity. Where there is divinity, there will be demonic acts. This is not what is expectedbliss. Hence, work sincerely for the devel- of a human being.
opment of the village in which you are We must transform the divine power latent
placed. Thus, all of you should work for the in us into skill, for undertaking service todevelopment of your respective villages.
society. When knowledge is converted intoYour activities should not be on the lines of skill, you acquire balance in life. In such apolitical activities. By associating with vari- state of equanimity, you will develop
ous types of people, this turns into a politi- insight. With such an insight and divine
cal activity. I am not happy with that. Do power when you undertake service activity,
come together for bhajans wherever you it will be most fruitful and beneficial to theare. But do not allow separatism. All should society.
be united.

Every village in the country has to be developed in all respects. You have come from
Hyderabad, Madras, America, etc., to participate in service activity. Where is theneed for all this? This is not a fair where
different people from different parts gather
to sell their commodities.

Wherever you are, undertake service activities with a spirit of cooperation and unity.
Do not strike discordant notes. For ages,
India has been a peaceful country and all
Indians were united like a big family. But
what is the position now? In the olden days,
whenever somebody visited a village, all the65

Wherever you are, develop your area withyour service. People of one place may evengo to another place for developing thatplace. But this kind of mixing up of people
from different areas adulterates the very
purpose. It ends up in confusion, turns into
pollution. Do not give scope for confusionand pollution of your mind with unnecessary differences.

with unity. This unity in diversity alone willbring you happiness. I wish that you cultivate that principle of unity. It is only thenthat the service undertaken by you will
acquire value and sanctity. There is no use
polluting the sacred service activity with allsorts of differences. A small example. Goldis in the form of deposits in the gold mines.
When you take it out and purify it, it
becomes pure 24 carat gold. It acquires
great value. However, when you add othermetals like copper, its value comes down.
Not only that. Its brightness also comes
down. If you add some more metals, it loses
its value altogether. Our heart is like a temple of gold. It is Hiranyagarbha. We should
never defile that Hiranyagarbha. It should
always be bright and shining.

You should always undertake service activities with a pure mind. Unity brings purity,and purity in turn leads to divinity. There­
fore, always remember the inseparable
relationship between unity, purity, anddivinity and strive to achieve that. You may
come together and work together in thespirit of sacrifice. But if people from various places come together this way forGrama Seva (Selfless service to the poor
who are living in villages), no good accrues
to the villages. Each has his own feelings
and by mixing they get polluted. Then theplace becomes a business centre.

Embodiments of Love! Share love witheverybody. Always maintain unity andpurity. As you have planned earlier, you cancommence your musical programme now.
Discourse on New Year Day 2003,
Prasanthi Nilayam, 1 January 2003

Spirituality is not a business activity. Spir­ituality is a divine mansion. It is associatedSathya Sai Speaks Vol.36/Ch.1: 1 January 2003

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume36/sss36-01.pdf

66

Seeing Unity in Diversity
Is True Spirituality
All names and forms are manifestations of the Supreme Being,
Who is the embodiment of peace and auspiciousness.
He is existence, knowledge, bliss Absolute, and non-dual.
He is Truth, Goodness, Beauty (Sathyam, Sivam, Sundaram).
(Sanskrit verse)

E

mbodiments of Divine Atma! People today acquire many
types of education in this world, but they lack the knowledge of humanness. They see diversity in unity but cannot
see unity in diversity. Embodiments of love! It is very easy to see
diversity in unity; anyone can do that. But it requires a lot of effort
to recognise unity underlying the entire diversity that exists inthis world.

Recognise the Divine Principle Present in All

People today should try to acquire the knowledge of the Atmic
principle that is uniformly present in all. One who knows theprinciple of the Atma knows everything. Consider all humanbeings in this world as one and recognise the oneness of the entire
mankind.
Religions are many but goal is one.
Clothes are many but yarn is one.
Jewels are many but gold is one.
Cows are many but milk is one.
There is unity in the entire creation of God, but mankind causes
many divisions in it. Unity of the entire mankind is the need of
the hour. When you develop unity, there will be purity in yourheart. Where there is purity, there is divinity. Unity, purity, anddivinity are closely interlinked and interdependent. But people
today are drifting away from unity. I have been saying, “Religions
are many, but goal is one.”67

Always love all.
When you love everyone inthis manner, all evil qualities
like hatred, anger, and greed
will leave you. When you
become free from these evil
qualities, you will attainliberation easily.

and troubles. Therefore, always focus on
the divinity of humanity. All our difficulties
arise when we multiply our differences, forgetting our divinity. Therefore, we should
firmly install the divine principle in ourheart, which is the same in everyone.

You can accomplish everything by
chanting the divine nameI told you a few days ago, how Hanumancrossed the ocean and reached Lanka by
the power of the divine name of Rama.
Before this, all the monkeys (vanaras) gathered on the seashore were asked the question, “Who can cross the ocean in one leap?”
Some of them said they could cover a distance of 40 leagues; others said they could
go up to 50 or 60 leagues. But when thesame question was put to Hanuman, hesaid, “By the grace of Rama, I can cover any
distance.” While others merely had a limited understanding of Rama’s divinity, only
Hanuman had total perception of thereality.

So many people have gathered in this hall.
Though they took different routes to comehere, the destination for all of them was thesame. In the same way, all have to reachone God. Divinity is immanent in every
human being. Human life is not possible
without divinity. “God is in the form of ahuman being (Daivam manusha rupena).”
Who is a human being? Without understanding the meaning of this term, people
consider someone as a human being who isendowed with human form, with hands, It is not spiritual practices like repetition offeet, ears, eyes, etc. like a human being. But God’s name, penance, yoga, and rituals that
it is not so.
give us direct perception of God. Many
In fact, a human is not different from God. people have been undertaking these pracA human is not a separate entity. One who tices, but what have they experienced andrealises one’s oneness with God is a true achieved? These are merely physical andhuman being. There may be differences in external practices.
physical forms of human beings, but the It is the name of God that is most importsame divine principle is present in all. ant. When you know this truth, you will
However, some people cause differences know everything. That is why I keep on
between person and person by various telling you from time to time “Hari bhajan
ways. This is the cause of all types of con- bina sukha shanti nahin... (There can be no
flicts, sorrows, and miseries in the world happiness and peace without chanting thetoday. When one understands the truth name of God).” You can accomplish everythat the same divine principle is present in thing by chanting the name of God alone.
all, there will be no room for differences Hanuman crossed the vast ocean by con68

You may chant any name ofGod, but you should havefirm faith that the Atma
within you is the divine
principle. Then you will nothave any difficulties.

stantly chanting the name of Rama. Butother monkeys misunderstood this truth.
At the time of construction of the bridgeover the ocean also, Hanuman told themonkeys to write ‘Ra’ on one stone and ‘ma’on the other and throw them in the ocean.
The stones would then join together toform the bridge. Rama, Lakshmana, andthe monkeys crossed the ocean and reached
Lanka by walking on this bridge constructed on the principle of unity of the divinename of Rama. We should treasure thistruth in our heart.

The name that is universally present in allis the name of Rama. When you offer yoursalutations to others while contemplatingon Rama, your salutations will reach Rama.
Therefore, do all actions to please God. All
our daily chores like cooking, eating, etc.
are suffused with the principle of Rama.
People undertake worldly, external, andphysical practices because they do notunderstand this subtle truth.

Instead of observing differences on thebasis of names like Rama, Lakshmana,
Bhima, etc., we should recognise the Atmic
principle in them and consider all as
embodiments of divinity. Spiritual practices like repetition of the name, meditation,
sacrifices, and yoga have little significanceEgo and Attachment are
if the divine name is absent in your heart.

the Cause of Bondage

You have a name, which was given to you
by your parents after your birth; you were
not born with this name. What you areborn with is the principle of Rama. That is
the Atma. Call it Atma, call it Omkara, call it
Rama, all refer to the same divine principle.
Even if you come across your enemy, offer
your salutations to them. Your salutations
do not go to your enemy, they reach God.
When you greet your enemy lovingly, saying “hello,” they will also give up hatred andbecome friendly with you. But people today
out of their ego identify themselves with
their names. They consider themselves as
Ramaiah, Krishnaiah, etc., instead of saying“I am Brahman (Aham Brahmasmi)”. This is
the root cause of all our differences.

All the developments in science are only at
the worldly and physical level. Scientists
have developed planes that can fly at highspeed and cover hundreds of miles in aminute. But they expose people to all sortsof dangers. All worldly things are bound to
perish one day or the other. A potter makes
many pots, but if they slip from our hand,
they break into pieces.
There is no greatness in all that we do for
our individual benefit; whatever we doshould be beneficial to society and thecommunity. Our welfare lies in the welfare
of society, but, today, nobody thinks aboutsociety. Wherever we go, we find selfishness and self-interest rampant. That is why
69

You cannot be happy whenothers are not happy.
Therefore, pray for thewelfare of all, including small
creatures and insects. This is
the real meaning of unity.

the Atma lives forever. It is said that every
human being undergoes the cycle of birthand death. But it is only the human bodythat takes birth, grows, and dies, not theAtma. Therefore, know the oneness of the
Atmic principle.
Let people say anything, you should recognise that your Atma is your witness. Do notgive up this divine principle under any circumstances. Whatever you do, do it for thesake of Atma. Whatever delicious items offood you eat, consider them as an offering
to God. Whatever you do in life, do it withthe feeling of offering it to God. “Do all
actions to please God (Sarva karma bhagavad preetyartham).” When you have suchsacred feelings, you can attain liberation
easily.

there are so many conflicts and differencesin the world.

There are divisions even in one family. Dueto the increase of differences among people, unity has been shattered. Therefore,
strive for unity. You and your neighbour areone. There is difference only in your names,
but divinity immanent in both of you is thesame. There is no mistake in calling people
by different names when the divine princi- One can attain moksha (liberation) only
ple of unity is firmly embedded in your when one gives up moha (worldly attachheart.
ment). The feeling of ‘I’ is the cause of ego
Perform your duty as a householder. But and the feeling of ‘mine’ is the basis of
this is your worldly duty, and you must rec- attachment. Ego and attachment are theognise your duty as a divine being (daiva cause of your bondage. Therefore, first anddharma), which is universal. That is why I foremost, try to get rid of ego and attachaddress you as “Embodiments of Divine ment. As much as you reduce these two,Atma (Divyatma Swarupulara).” When a that much closer you will get to liberation.
man wants to say that what he is saying is Less luggage more comfort makes travel aabsolutely true, he would use the term pleasure. Reduce the burden of your desires.
‘Atma sakshi’ meaning Atma is his witness. But people, on the other hand, keep on
Therefore, we should conduct ourselves adding to the burden of desires as theyrecognising the principle of Atma.
grow. As their desires increase, humanness
in them decreases, and they lose awarenessof their divinity. Therefore, we should
develop divinity in us. Everything else isbound to perish one day or the other.
Howsoever safe and secure we may keep
our possessions, ultimately, we have to lose
them. We may deposit all our money in a

Unity of the world today has been destroyed
due to the abnormal increase in the differences of people. Therefore, do not observe
differences on the basis of names and forms.
Develop faith in the Atmic principle. Atma
is only one. It is indivisible and cannot be
broken into pieces. Only the body dies, but
70Whatever work we do,we should do it with thespirit of unity. Perform all
your actions to please God.
That will surely lead touniversal good.

big bank, put it under lock and key, andarrange proper security for it. In spite of allthat, we are bound to lose it sometime orother. Do not have temptation for things
that are perishable. What remains with us
forever at all places is the principle of theAtma.

Develop the spirit of unity

Though thousands of years have passed
since Rama incarnated as the son of
Dasaratha, all people, from a child to an oldman, even today chant His name. People
say, ‘Rama, Rama’ when they encounter any
difficulty. This sacred name is whispered
into the ears of a dying man. It is Rama’sname that you should love and nothingelse. Since He attracted everyone, He wasgiven the name ‘Rama.’

People chant ‘Ram, Ram, Ram,’ performing
repetition of the name. When the repetition comes to an end, Rama is also forgotten. But we should never forget Rama.
Whatever work we may be doing; we should
constantly chant the divine name. In the
Kali Yuga (the present era), remembrance ofthe name (namasmarana) is prescribed as
the means to attain liberation. Realising
this truth, Guru Nanak started the practiceof community singing. All should cometogether and sing bhajans (devotional
songs). The mind of some may go in otherdirections. But at least a few of them will
focus it on God’s name. Therefore, when
you sing bhajans in a group, the prayers ofat least one or two may reach God, which
will benefit all.

You may chant any name of God, but you
should have firm faith that the Atma within
you is the divine principle. Then you will
not have any difficulties.

We accumulate so much money, but for
whom? Can we carry even a paisa with us
when we depart from this world? No, no.
We leave even our body here. The mind
may waiver and the intellect may be clouded, but the Atma remains as the eternal
Do we eat all the fruits that ripen on a tree?
witness. That is the principle of Rama.
The name Rama does not denote any par- No. We eat only a few and distribute theticular form. It denotes the Divine Principle. rest to others. We prepare a desert in our
Therefore, always chant the divine name, house. All the family members partake of it;
be it Rama, Krishna, or any other name. one who prepares it does not consume the
Shiva means auspiciousness. It is only the whole lot.
When Dasaratha performed sacrifice forthe birth of a son (putrakameshti yajna), an
effulgent being emerged from the sacrificial fire and gave him a vessel of sweet pudding (payasam) to distribute to his threename of God that imparts auspiciousness
to us. We may say Srinivasa, Venkatesha,
Rama, etc. All these denote the same divine
principle. Install this divine principle inyour heart.
71You will realise divinity
when you burn all yourimpurities. When you
develop love, all your evil
qualities like hatred, etc., will
wither away.

ruin your life. Talk smilingly to others anddevelop the spirit of unity.
So many people have come here. All ofthem have participated in bhajans, but how
many have true devotion in their heart?
Even if there are ten people with true devotion, it is enough.
All of you should imbibe the spirit of unity.
Whomsoever you come across, say, “He is
my brother, she is my sister.” In this way,consider all as your brothers and sisters andconduct yourself with unity. All are children of God. Therefore, if at any time feelings of hatred develop between you andothers, remind yourself that you are notseparate from them. Consider that all are
one, attain unity, and experience its bliss.
Seeing unity in diversity is divinity and true
spirituality. Study of scriptures, performing
rituals, doing worship, etc. do not signify
true spirituality. Recognising the unity of
the Atmic principle is true spirituality.
When you realise this unity, you will earn
divine grace.

wives, Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. (HereSwami narrated the story of the birth ofRama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna
and revealed the mystery of why Lakshmana
always followed Rama and Shatrughna followed Bharata.)
There was such a strong bond of love
between Rama and Lakshmana as well as
between Bharata and Shatrughna that they
never left each other’s company. See howmuch power this unity holds! Union isstrength. When you don’t talk to each other and don’t develop unity, you achieve
nothing. Even if some feelings of enmity
arise in you, try to adjust with each other.
Devotees should conduct themselves
gracefully with proper understanding andadjustment. Even if someone criticises thedeity you worship, do not react to that criticism. Rather, think only that your deity
has assumed the form of the critic. Praiseand censure make no difference to God.

You are always chanting, “Sai Ram, Sai Ram,
Sai Ram,” but this alone will not develop
devotion in you. You should imbibe thespirit of unity and chant the divine name todevelop true devotion. If you have even a
trace of true devotion in you, do good toothers and live in harmony with them. Do
not hate anyone. Love all. If you have love
Always love all. When you love everyone inand faith, you will develop nonviolence.
this manner, all evil qualities like hatred,
Only then can you experience bliss.
anger, and greed will leave you. When you
become free from these evil qualities, you Unity of the Human Race
will attain liberation easily. You claim that is Imminent
you are a devotee, but what is the use when What is the real purpose of telling you toyou have hatred, anger, jealousy, hypocrisy, develop truth, righteousness, peace, andmalice, etc. in you? These evil qualities will love? Righteousness emerges from truth.
72

“There is no Dharma greater than adherence to truth (Sathyannasti paro dharma).”
Without truth, there can be no righteousness. Similarly, love cannot exist without
righteousness. If you have love, you will nothate or disrespect anybody. Truth, righteousness, peace, and love (Sathya, Dharma,
Shanti, and Prema) are the primary humanqualities. Anger, jealousy, malice, hypocrisy, lust, hatred, and greed are not humanqualities. If you have love and peace, allother virtues will develop in you
automatically.

the five life-breaths. Keep away from evil
qualities like lust, anger, etc.

Where does love come from? Love comesfrom righteousness, and righteousness
comes from truth. Hence, truth is thesource of righteousness, righteousness isthe source of love, and love is the source ofpeace. Where there are both peace and love,
nonviolence comes there on its own.
Therefore, truth, righteousness, peace,
love, and nonviolence are the qualities of atrue human being. Consider them as yourfive life-breaths (pancha pranas).

have greater achievements. This is not
good. If someone has achieved more thanyou, consider your own incapability as thecause of your lesser achievement. Expand
your love and broaden your heart. Then
you will succeed in achieving more.

Believe it or not, in the next 25 to 30 years,
the entire human race will become one.
People of all religions like Hindu, Muslim,
Christian, etc. will be united. There will becomplete unity in the world. It is from
Bharat (India) that the spirit of devotion for
God will spread to all other parts of theworld. Treasure this truth in your heart.

People consider culture as a way of life. No,
no, it is not so. Unity of all is culture; purity
is culture. You will realise divinity when
People keep on repeating, “I want peace, I you burn all your impurities. When you
want peace.” Can anybody get peace by this develop love, all your evil qualities liketype of constant repetition? No, not at all. hatred, etc., will wither away.
You can have peace only when you develop People develop hatred and jealousy against
love. Peace is not a commodity that you can those who excel them, saying, “Look how
buy in the market. It comes from a heart much money he accumulated! What a highthat is filled with love.
position he attained!” They hate those who

Victory and defeat depend on the feelingsof your heart. It is with reference to thisthat the Vedas declare, “The mind is thecause of bondage and liberation of man(Manaeva manushyanam karanam bandhamokshayo).” Our mind is the root cause of
our feelings of love or hatred. Whateverwork we do, we should do it with the spiritof unity. Perform all your actions to pleaseGod. That will surely lead to universal good.

Today, people have forgotten these five lifebreaths of human qualities. Instead theyharbour evil qualities like lust, anger, etc.,
considering them as their life-breaths. That
is why people are enmeshed in so many difficulties. When you develop human quali- After bhajan, we all chant, “May all theties, you will surely attain peace. Therefore, worlds be happy (Samasta lokah sukhinopreserve your innate human qualities like bhavantu)! What is the great achievement if
73

you alone are happy? All should be happy. Your happiness lies in thehappiness of all, your well-being lies in the well-being of all. You cannot be happy when others are not happy. Therefore, pray for thewelfare of all, including small creatures and insects. This is the real
meaning of unity. Only the heart that desires the well-being of all isdear to God.
All that I have said today is profound truth. This is the essence of
devotion. What does devotion mean? It is not a big ocean. It is an
ocean of bliss. That is what is described as:
God is the embodiment of eternal bliss,
Bestower of Supreme Joy,
Wisdom absolute,
Beyond the pair of opposites,
Expansive and pervasive like the sky,
The goal indicated by the aphorism “That Thou Art,”
One without a second,
Eternal, pure, unchanging,
Witness of all functions of the intellect,
Beyond all mental conditions and the three attributes of purity (satwa), passion (rajas), and inertia (tamas).
Nityanandam,
Parama Sukhadam,Kevalam Jnanamurtim,
Dwandwateetam,
Gagana Sadrisham,
Tattwamasyadi Lakshyam,
Ekam, Nityam, Vimalam, Achalam,
Sarvadhee Sakshibhutam, Bhavateetam, Trigunarahitam.
We should attain this eternal bliss.
Discourse given at Brindavan, 31 May 2008

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.8: 31 May 2008
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-08.pdf

74Unity, Purity, Divinity

During his childhood man develops absorbing interest in play inthe company of other children.
In youth and middle age, he is entangled in worldly matters anddeeply engrossed in money earning.
Finally in old age, he craves for this and that without contemplating on God even at that ripe age.
Thus, he wastes his precious human birth.
(Telugu poem)In this world, there are millions of educated people. Right froma child to a learned old man, everyone is interested in readingbooks and acquiring knowledge. But in what way are they
benefited by the acquisition of bookish knowledge? Such education can only help you to eke out a livelihood. Right from a pauper
to a millionaire, everybody wants his children to be well educated. Parents are prepared to spend any amount of money and theyeven borrow money (even beyond their means) to provide quality
education to their children. In spite of the fact that the parents
face a lot of hardship in educating their children, the children do
not have any gratitude towards their benefactors. They do not
introspect, “Who is responsible for all my development? Who hasmade me what I am today?” Under these circumstances, weshould enquire into the true purpose of education. One may
study a number of books and master various branches of knowledge, but does he enjoy peace and tranquillity? All the knowledge
that we acquire from books can only take care of our physicalneeds. The fact is, true knowledge is latent in everyone. Women
do not lag behind men in academic excellence. People think that
education confers on them respect and esteem. But people lacktrue wisdom in spite of their high academic achievements.

75

First, purify your senses
and develop unity.
Consider all as yourbrothers and sisters
and live in harmony.

reading, writing, everything becomes anaffectation. If this is the result of academic
education, why should one go to college atall? Every student must enquire into himself, “What am I doing in the college? Whatam I supposed to do?” Only when he conducts such self-enquiry, can he understandthe true meaning of education. Mere bookish knowledge is not true education. It ismerely transfer of what is contained inpustaka (book) to mastaka (head) andvice-versa. In this manner, people areentangled between pustaka and mastaka
without really understanding the true
meaning of education. They are wasting
their time in the pursuit of bookish knowledge instead of acquiring practical knowledge. No doubt there is a lot of informationin pustaka, but what purpose does it serve if
the mastaka is filled with filth? You can never achieve the desired results from such an
education. The same was explained by thechief guest in his address. “Though all people learn and study, what is the ultimate
result out of this?” he questioned. People
spend thousands of rupees for acquiring
academic education. What is the role theeducated people play in society today? Do
they contribute for peace in society? Do
they try to bring about transformation in
individuals? No. In fact, they are unable toinculcate discipline to their own children.
Most children may pretend to be well
behaved and humble in the presence of
their parents, but they behave like rowdies
once they step out of their houses.

Education Must Result inTransformation

At present, parents want their children to
pursue solely job-oriented education. But
what is the use of such education which
does not bring about transformation
among children? Neither are the children
benefited nor are they able to render any
help to their parents. Modern man develops ego on account of his educational
achievements. Humility is the hallmark oftrue education. If a man lacks viveka (discrimination) and vinaya (humility), all his
education is of no value. You should understand that your education is meant for thewelfare and progress of society. But, inwhat way is society benefited by educatedpeople? Actually, you are learning manythings from society and derive benefit fromit. But power of discrimination which isfound even in uneducated people is not to
be found in the so-called educated people
today. When this is the true state of affairs
why should the educated get inflated withego? There is scarcely any humility among
students today. They show no respect
towards elders. They do not realise their
responsibilities towards society. What is
the use of merely acquiring bookish knowledge if one does not respect elders andserve society? One who leads such a life is
not true to his nature. His walking, talking,Students should strive to earn a good namein society. Today’s education is making thestudents materialistic. It does not prepare
the students to turn inward to listen to76their inner voice. One should acquire Atmaprabodha (Atmic knowledge). That is trueeducation. Without awareness of the Self,
all other knowledge is useless. Why should
one pursue such education?

(Intellect) and Atma (Self). What is thenature of Self? It is all-pervasive. True education is that which originates from theheart. The reference in this context is tothe spiritual heart and not the physicalheart. There are many noble souls who aresetting ideals to society by translating theirknowledge into action. If you do not act ina principled manner, all your education
becomes useless. It is what you practisethat matters, not what you speak. Wherever
you may go, your behaviour should be
exemplary. That is what pleases Me.

Deeds Must Follow Words

People are interested in exercising theirinfluence and power; they are not making
efforts to cleanse their mind and heart. Thisis the result of modern education. People
have learnt to talk sweetly, but they do nottranslate their words into action.
Embodiments of Love! Mere learning byrote the contents of books is not important. You should imbibe the gandha (essence)of all granthas (texts). That is true education. People read a number of books, butwhat is the use? They merely quote what
others have said. Is this what you are supposed to learn? You should listen to yourinner voice and share it with others. But
scarcely anybody thinks on these lines
today.

Strive To Acquire Spiritual
Knowledge

Happiness is union with God. You are notordinary mortals. All are essentially divine.
In order to realise your true nature, practise
what you preach. Only then can you experience bliss. Verily, bliss is the true nature ofman. Why should you give up that which isnatural to you and lead an artificial life?
Wherever you see, in colleges and schools,
students lack practical knowledge. They
give importance, only to bookish knowledge and become ’books’ themselves. Trueeducation is that which originates from theheart. Heart is very important for humanexistence. When a child is born, the firstthing that people observe is the heart beat.
You should rely more on your spiritual
heart than on the physical heart. Conscienceis another name for spiritual heart. Keepyour heart pure. That should be your mainendeavour. Whatever is done with love andpurity of heart will confer bliss on you. Infact, bliss is latent in everyone. But man is
unaware of this truth. One should makeevery effort to manifest one’s innate bliss in

Embodiments of Love! You must put into
practice at least one or two principles ofwhat you have learnt and set an example toothers. There are many learned scholars,
but do they practise what they have learnt?
They appear to be people of eminence(‘chief’), but they are cheap in their
behaviour. The end of education is character. We should consider character as ourvery life-breath. Education without character is useless like half-cooked rice. We
should practise at least one or two principles and only then venture to preach toothers.
There are three important principles inevery human being? Manas (Mind), Buddhi
77

If your heart is not suffusedwith love, your life will
become artificial. Life ismeaningless without love.

first instance. Understand that the Indwell­er is the same though bodies are different.
Hold on to this fundamental principle andexperience ananda (bliss). So many of you
have assembled here. Everyone’s attention
is focused on Swami. In the same manner,
let your mind be focused on divinity always.
Contemplate on God. Serve your fellowmen. If a person who has been starving forten days is served a sumptuous feast, you
can well imagine the joy he experiences.
When all the tanks and lakes are dried to atrickle, you can imagine the joy that a continuous downpour brings with it. Similarly,
serve those who are in desperate need ofyour help. Give them happiness. You canattain divinity only through service. Humanlife is most precious. But man is behaving
like an animal and thus wasting his life.

him. What is the nature of this bliss?
Nityanandam, Parama Sukhadam, Kevalam
Jnanamurtim, Dwandwateetam (God is theembodiment of eternal bliss, He is the
bestower of great joy, He is wisdom absolute, beyond the pair of opposites). It transcends duality. So long one is immersed induality one cannot experience bliss. First of
all one should understand the principle ofunity. Unity leads to purity and purity leads
to divinity. A true human being is one who
strives for unity, purity and divinity.
Otherwise, he is no better than birds andanimals. First, purify your senses and develop unity. Consider all as your brothers andsisters and live in harmony. In public meetings, we hear the speakers addressing people as brothers and sisters. But do they really mean what they say? Do you find unity
among brothers and sisters today? No. True
happiness lies in unity. Human life can becompared to a tree. Our relations are likebranches and sub-branches. Contemplationof God is like a flower from which you will
get the fruit of bliss.

Students! Being Vidyarthis (seekers ofknowledge, students), you should endeavour to acquire true vidya (education). Thereis no point in merely going through books
without understanding the true meaningof vidya. Always contemplate on the fundamental principle of life. Beings are many,
but the Divine principle is one and thesame. Hence, recognise the principle ofdivinity that is present in all in the form ofAtma. Atma is adhara (support) and body isadheya (the supported). Consider Atma as
the basis of your life and everything else
will be taken care of. Everyone can have thevision of the Atma. All are endowed withsuch power. Enquire into yourself what
have you achieved by going through a number of voluminous books? You have become
hard-hearted. If this is the result of youreducation why should you study at all? Firstof all, develop love. When you have love inStudents! You can certainly acquire secularknowledge. But you should not rest contented with that. You should turn inward
and acquire spiritual knowledge as well.
Only then can you attain peace.
Embodiments of Love! Love is the essenceof education. Bereft of love, education is
artificial. Therefore, develop love in the78

you, everyone will become your friend. If
your heart is not suffused with love, yourlife will become artificial. Life is meaningless without love. If everyone shares his
love with his neighbour, there will be noroom for hatred at all. Share your love witheveryone and live like brothers and sisters.
Today we find conflicts and differenceseven among brothers and sisters, because
they lack proper understanding.

Two of you on one side and two on the other are serving me as ADCs (aide de camps— assistants). Hence, I am the greatest.”
Then the ring-finger said, “I feel like laughing at your ignorance. Don’t you know thatpeople adorn me with gold rings studded
with precious stones like diamond, emerald, topaz, etc.? Hence, I am your King.” In
the end, the little finger said, “I always leadfrom the front when it comes to teaching alesson to someone and punishing the guilty.
Hence, I am your leader and you have tofollow me.” As the fingers were arguingamong themselves in this manner, theheart intervened and said, “Oh ignorantones! Each one of you is as important as theother. One cannot perform any task if there
is no unity and harmony among you. Infact, you represent the five human values
which are like five life-breaths of a humanbeing.” Hearing these words of wisdom,
the five fingers realised their mistake andbent their head in shame. A deep enquiry
reveals that the heart is the greatest of all.
Body, mind and intellect are mere instruments. Hence, one should follow the adviceof the heart (conscience) in all his endeavours. Understand that all are one and each
one is equally important. Do not become
egoistic thinking that you alone are very
important. Do not waste your precious
time in vain argumentation. Be friendly
with all and face the challenges of life withunity and harmony.

Understand the Principleof Oneness

People do not understand the true meaning of love. Their love is tainted with physical and worldly feelings. When you understand the principle of love and develop love
to love relationship, all will become one.
The Veda (scripture) says, “Sahasra Seersha
Purushah ...” It means that all heads, all eyes,
all feet are His. Once you understand theprinciple of oneness that is present in all,you can live in tune with the true spirit ofbrotherhood.
Our hand has five fingers and each of themhas a specific duty assigned to it. All the fingers work in unison and harmony while
performing a task. Once an argument
ensued among the five fingers of the handas to which finger among them is the greatest. The thumb claimed, “It is not possible
to undertake any work without me. Hence,
I am the greatest.” Then the index finger
smiled and said, “Look here, Oh thumb!
How can you perform any task without mysupport? Moreover, I am used as pointer to
identify individuals. Hence, I am greaterthan you.” The middle finger intervened
and said, “There is no point in what you
say. I am the tallest among all the fingers.

Students! You have to lead your lives in an
ideal manner. In fact, all ideals are latent inyou. They cannot be learnt from books.
The principle of ‘I’ is common in all. If
someone asks, “Who is Sai Baba?” I respondsaying, ‘I’. If someone asks who is the Vice79

Chancellor? He will say, ‘I’. The single letter‘I’ represents the principle of Atma. The
Vedas declare, Ekameva Adviteeyam Brahma(God is one without a second). True spirituality lies in knowing your true Self. But you
are unable to know your true Self as you
identify yourself with the body. Iden­
tification with the body gives rise to ego.
One with ego cannot know the reality. Your
welfare and also of others will be ensured
when you have a firm conviction that all areone. Develop such a spirit of unity. You
cannot expect divinity to manifest in you
unless you cultivate such unity. The Veda
has exhorted:
Let us all move together, let us all growtogether,
Let us all stay united and share ourknowledge,
Let us live together with friendship andharmony.

also make efforts to understand the principle of oneness. Only then can you achieve
unity and harmony. Take for instance thisrose flower. It consists of a number of petals. Likewise, our heart can be compared toa flower and the virtues are like petals. The
petals of a rose flower may fade and fall by
the next day, but the flower of heart remains
ever fresh. It symbolises the principle ofoneness. People worship the navagrahas(nine planets) to invoke their blessings. Youmight have observed that there is perfectunity and harmony among the nine planets. (Bhagawan with a wave of his handmaterialised a gold ring studded with nine
types of gems.) Here you see a navaratna
ring. Whoever wears this ring will be protected by the navagrahas wherever he goes.

Develop unity. Be courageous and develop
the necessary strength to face the vicissitudes of life. I don’t want to take much of(Telugu poem) your time. Whatever you have learnt here,
Some students do not share even their text- let it be imprinted in your heart. Only thenbooks with others. How can they attain can you attain peace and your education
happiness if they are so self-centred and will become meaningful.
narrow-minded? You should all stand unit- Embodiments of Love! I shower My loveand blessings on one and all. Be always
ed. Where there is unity, there is bliss.
Embodiments of Love! There is only one united and spend your time in a bliss. Makething that you have to learn. Develop love. your parents happy. Your body is given to
The same principle of love is present in you, you by your parents. Hence, first of all,in Me and in everyone. I see only love in express your gratitude to them for this gift.
others. Hence, all are one for Me. You too Only then can you find fulfilment in life.
should develop such feelings of love and Bhagawan concluded His Discourse withequality. All are one, be alike to everyone. the bhajan, “Prema Muditha Manase Kaho”.
Discourse at International Conference of
Educators, Prasanthi Nilayam, 17 August 2005

This is what you have to learn today.
Embodiments of Love! Along with the acq­
uisition of secular knowledge, you should

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.38/Ch.15: 17 August 2005
http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume38/sss38-15.pdf

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The Sai ReligionW

hom the Muslims adore as Allah, the Christians as
Jehovah, the Vaishnavas as Phullabjaaksha and the
Shaivites as Shambhu, who grants, in answer to theirseveral prayers, health, prosperity and happiness to all, wherever
they may be, He, the One God, is the God of all mankind.
India has been teaching since ages the message of the Spirit andthe means to gain and ensure equanimity and joy. She has stoodforth as the preceptor of the world for centuries. The prayer that
she has taught her people is: Lokah samastha sukhino bhavanthu(May all people everywhere be happy). This is the consummationof Vedic thought since time the seers and yogis (God-centred persons) who guided the populace, and the chaste mothers whoreared generations in the atmosphere of spiritual effort.
But due to vicissitudes in the country’s history, when the people
were subjected to pressures and counter-pressures, these ideals
suffered a set-back. The abstractions of faith received concrete
form and got crystallised into specific identifiable names andforms. Each new attitude or aptitude, each new concretisation,
became a special sect and every theory enveloped itself in its own
shell.

Growth of new sects and sets of belief in India

Thus the one Vedic religion became the parent of a number ofsects and sets of belief, like Gaanaapaathya (centring around theconcept of Ganapathi), Shaaktheya (centring around the conceptof Cosmic Energy as the expression of the Divine), Soura (centringaround the Sun as the source, sustenance and goal of spiritualachievement), Chaarvaka (centring around the concept of pleasure and material prosperity) and Veerasaiva (centring around
Shiva as the inner motivator of all beings). Every one of thesesects, and many more besides, elaborated their own rituals andmodes of worship, their own priorities in spiritual attainment
and their own body of doctrines about the individual, the objective world and God.

81

If only each one lives up to
the ideals propounded by thefounders of one’s religion,
unaffected by greed or hate,
the world will be a happierand more peaceful habitation
for man.

around this prime need, and various creeds
are the result.
Religions attempt to implant holy ideals in
the heart of man, but man does not allow
them to sprout and grow. His egoistic craving for power and competitive success has,in most cases, persuaded him to use religion as an instrument of torture and persecution. Instead of uniting mankind in acommon endeavour, it has become a system of walled enclosures, guarded by hateand fanaticism. So each religion is an armed
camp sunk in self-aggrandisement, trying
to wean others into itself and preventing
defections from itself. Religion, therefore,
is being condemned as the root of chaosand conflict. In spite of great progress inmany other areas of life, religious animosity is aflame even today in many parts of theworld.

The purpose of these codes and modes was,in all cases, to purify the mind and insist on
the practice of high moral virtues. But thiswas soon ignored, and importance came to
be attached to superficial conformity andouter purity. The craving for personal
aggrandisement and power made every
sect, faith and religion, rigid and dry. Thereis a great need today to discover the inner
spring of all faiths, the spring that fertilises
the outer rites and ceremonies. A little quiet study will reveal that there is an undercurrent of moral enthusiasm and spiritualadventure.

It has to be emphasised that religion is not
the root cause of this state of affairs. The
factional fights and fanatic hatred are dueto the unruly ego that is given free play.
Religion strives to destroy just this vicious
tendency. So it has to be supported, notcondemned. What has to be condemned isthe narrow, perverted attitude of hating
those who do not agree with you or who
hold different opinions of the mysterious
force that animates the universe. Religious
wars and conflicts breed in the slime ofignorance and avarice. When people areblind to the truth that the human family is
one indivisible Unity, they grope in thedark and are afraid of strange touch. The
cultivation of love, alone, can convince
man of this truth that there is only one
caste–the caste of Humanity, and only one

There is only one caste,
the caste of Humanity

The word generally used for religion ismatha; the word to indicate the mind ismathi. Putting the two together it can besaid that matha is primarily engaged orought to be engaged in straightening andstrengthening the mathi. The goal, the purpose, the key, the essence of all creeds,
faiths and religions is just this. The sublimation of the mind of man to guarantee
liberation for the individual concerned andhappiness for the society of which he is aunit. Principles and practices have grouped82

When you seek joy fromsomething outside you,remember that a far greater
joy lies in wait within yourown inner consciousness.

religion–the religion of Love. Since no religion upholds violence or despises love, it iswrong to ascribe the chaos to religion.

The diversity we experience
is not a true picture

It is also not advisable to engage in campaigns of vilification or exaggerated propagation of any religion with a view to draw
votaries. If only each one lives up to theideals propounded by the founders of one’s
religion, unaffected by greed or hate, theworld will be a happier and more peaceful
habitation for man.

all beings. The founders had always in view
the Unity of all life and the progressive
march of man from mere humanness to theheights of Divinity.

Shankaracharya’s Adwaita
philosophy

The religion of the Hindus stressed theUnity of all creation and declared that thediversity we experience is not a true picture. Since only the pure mind can experience oneness, the religious teachers advocated duality and even multiplicity ofdeities. The most widespread of these qualities is the Shaivite and Vaishnavite faiths,
centred around the Shiva and Vishnu
aspects of the One. This process of splitting
into diverse viewpoints has taken place inall the major religions.

The first among the interpreters of the
Vedas (most ancient revealed scriptures) tofound a school of philosophy and lay down
the path of spiritual discipline to benefit
from that school, is Shankaracharya, bornin the State of Kerala. During his very shortlife, he established on secure foundationsof logic and intuition, the truth that there
is only One God and that all else is anappearance of the One Reality. This is the‘no-two’ or adwaita philosophy or faith,that explains the individual nature and God
in perfect harmony. The Vedic axioms –Ekoham Bahushyaam (I am One, let Me
become many), lshwara sarva bhoothanam(God is immanent in all), lshavaasya idam
sarvam (All this enveloped and penetrated
by God) – are thus illumined by the intellect of Shankaracharya into patent truths.

Islam has the Shia and Sunni sects; Chris­tianity has Catholics and Protestants. But
however deep the cleavage, no sect denies
God and no sect extols violence and falsehood. Names may be different, the facets
emphasised may be different, but the
Almighty Providence is denoted as Absoluteand Eternal. The terminology may be different, but the concept is not different. God
may be referred to as Allah, prayer may becalled namaaz, priests may be known askhaajees, scholars may be hailed as mullahs.
The undercurrent of energising power inall cases is love, love of all beings towards

Merging in the Sourceis the ultimate destiny

Monism, as propounded by Shankaracharyaon the basis of Vedic texts, seemed to themajority of individuals too simple a solu83

The holy duty of man is to be
ever aware of the Atman(Divine Spirit) that is
installed in every living
being. This will make him
conscious of the kinship he
has with all.

or depth. God is loved by the bhaktha (devotee) for His sake and not for any incidental
benefit or blessing. It is spontaneous, sustaining and sublime, like a child before themirror enjoying the reflections of its own
pranks and gestures. Complete surrender
to the extent of the annihilation of one’s
own individuality is also beyond most aspirants. Sugar cannot be tasted and enjoyedby sugar; you have to be an ant so that you
can revel in the sweetness of the stuff. Thiscraving of man was sought to be satisfied by
Madhvacharya, who declared that the jeeva(individual Soul) will remain ever separate
from the Universal, and there can be no
merging. In adwaita, a flash of intellectual
illumination reveals that the Atman(Divinity) alone exists, and that all else isdeluding appearance. The visishtaadwaita
posits that the river is an integral part ofthe sea. Dwaita points out that the joy
derived from adoration and worship isenough to draw the fulfilling grace of God.

tion to satisfy their inner urges. They had
in them the yearning to worship, to dedicate themselves to a higher power. They
could not grasp the truth of their inner
Reality being the one and only. Their emotions and activities had to be sublimated bydisciplines of devotion. Therefore, Rama­nujacharya commented upon the Vedic
texts and religious scriptures from a new
point of view. This made the adwaita takeon a special outlook. So it was called visishta (special) adwaita (non-dualism). The
path of devotion was laid down to enable
man to merge with God.
All paths laid down by all seers

lead to the same goal

The goal is mergence, as the rivers know
and strive for. The waters of the sea areraised by the Sun as clouds into the sky andthe clouds pour them as rain back onto theearth, to flow back into the sea throughmany a ravine, as a stream or tributary-fed
river. Merging in the Source from which
one took form, is the ultimate destiny. The
river has the passion of overwhelming love
which leads it down the slopes until itreaches the loved one, where the lover,
loved and love, all three merges in one illuminating ecstasy. Prema (highest love) isthe attachment to God that does not allow
anything to interfere or diminish its quality

There were other seers, too, who laid down
paths towards the same goal. They
announced that the universe belongs to
God and that man should not desire toaccumulate or appropriate any portion of
the Divine treasure. They advised that thesapling of devotion must be protected fromthe pests of sloth, doubt and fanaticism by
the cultivation of valour and vigilance.
Of the major religions I may mention one,
namely Buddhism. Buddha was so agonisedby the suffering that haunts the life of man
that he investigated the behaviour of themind and intellect of man and discovered
84

The motive behind theformation and propagationof all these different faiths is
the same. … None had thedesign to divide, disturb, or
destroy. They attempted to
do good, see good and be
good.

remedial disciplines; he analysed the vagaries of the mind which lead man into thewhirlpools of desires; he analysed the waysof reason, too and spotted the areas where
prejudice takes root; above all, he preachedsurrender to dharma (righteousness), tocompassion and to Buddha (the Enlightened
One). Jainism, the religion that was rendered an all-India movement by Mahavira
extols jina (the heroic conqueror of thesenses), the emotions and the stratagems of
the intellect. He called upon all to carry out
the duties commensurate to their status
and professions, with steady faith andenthusiasm. He declared that all things andbeings are holy in their own right and are
but pilgrims on the road to Realisation. Any
injury inflicted on any of them is an intervention in that sacred journey and so has tobe scrupulously avoided.

formation and propagation of all these different faiths is the same. The founders andpropagators were all persons filled withlove and wisdom. Their goal and purpose
were the same. None had the design todivide, disturb, or destroy. They attempted
to do good, see good and be good. Theysought to train the passions and the emotions, to educate the impulses and instinctsand direct the faculty of reason to paths
beneficial to the individual and society.
They knew that the mind, which is thebreeding ground of desire and attachment,
ambition and aspiration, has to be cleansedand properly oriented.

The ‘Sai religion’ isthe essence of all faiths

Zoroastrianism, the Parsi religion, wasfounded by Zoroaster, who wanted thatman should ever have the Fire of Wisdom
blazing in his consciousness so that evil
thoughts and tendencies might be reduced
to ashes. It has to infuse all thoughts, words
and deeds with the illumination of virtue
and vigour, it must destroy all worldly
desire and render man pure for entry into
the heaven of freedom. Adoration, meditation and acts of selfless service are essential
for the dawn of enlightenment.

Let the family become a centre ofharmonious living
Sai considers that practice of these disciplines is much more essential than blind
faith in a bunch of philosophical theories.
No one has the right to advise others unless
he is already practising what he preaches.
First establish the reign of love between thevarious members in your own home. Let
the family become a centre of harmonious
living, sympathetic understanding andmutual faith.

The Sai religion, if the name of religion inits literal sense of binding man to God is
accepted, is the essence of all faiths andreligions, including those like Islam, Chris­tianity and Judaism. The motive behind the85

The holy duty of man is to be ever aware of the Atman (Divine
Spirit) that is installed in every living being. This will make him
conscious of the kinship he has with all. This is the basis of thebrotherhood of man and the Fatherhood of God. Cast away thevice of egoism, the evil of greed and the poison of envy. When you
seek joy from something outside you, remember that a far greater
joy lies in wait within your own inner consciousness. When you
are afraid of someone or something outside you, remind yourself
that the fear is born, fed and fertilised in your own mind and thatyou can overcome it by denying it. How can fear counter the pathof a spiritual aspirant? It can hide in no shadow; it can pester nosadhaka (spiritual aspirant) who has God in his heart. Faith in the
Almighty God is the impregnable armour that the sadhaka canwear; and peoples of all lands are sadhakas, whether they know it
or not. Be steady, do not waver, keep straight on, hold fast to theideal without despair. Pray until God relents; do not turn away
sadly if God does not shower grace when you expect it.
When a religion wants to extend its influence it has to resort tovilification of other religions and exaggeration of its own excellence. Pomp and publicity become more important than practiceand faith. But Sai wants that the votaries of each religion must
cultivate faith in its own excellence and realise their validity by
their own intense practice. That is the Sai religion, the religion
that feeds and fosters all religions and emphasises their common
greatness. Take up this religion, boldly and joyfully.
Prasanthi Nilayam, 1 October 1976

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.13/Ch.23: 1 October 1976
http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume38/sss38-15.pdf

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