Purity is enlightenment
STUDY GUIDESATHYA SAI INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION©2019 Sathya Sai International Organisation
All Rights Reserved

sathyasai.org

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
Introduction.............................................................................1
1. Why is Purity Important?................................................. 3
2. Two Kinds of Purity – External and Internal................ 8
3. How to Develop Purity?...................................................9
4. What are the External Factors Affecting Impulses?... 16
5. How to Practice Purity?...................................................21
6. How to Know if You have Developed Purity?............. 27
7. Purity in Worldly Relations........................................... 30
8. Purity in Nature................................................................31
9. Purity in Sathya Sai Organisation..................................33
10. Exemplars of Purity......................................................... 37
Section II
A Righteous Emperor and Virtuous Subjects................... 41
Students and Satwic Purity..................................................49
Purity of the Heart is True Spiritual Discipline............... 54
Three Assets that You Must Safeguard.............................. 61ii

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

Purity is enlightenment
INTRODUCTION

Following are the topics which will be covered:
1. Why is Purity is important?
2. Two kinds of Purity – External andInternal
3. How to Develop Purity?
4. What are the External Factors affecting
Impulses?
5. How to Practice Purity? – Purity as a
Sadhana
6. How to Know if You have Developed
Purity? – Pitfalls
7. Purity in Worldly Relations
8. Purity in Nature
9. Purity in Sathya Sai Organisation
10. Exemplars of Purity

In the Study Guide on Unity, Bhagawan Sri
Sathya Sai Baba beautifully elaborates on
the first aphorism – ‘Unity is Divinity’. We
now move to the second aphorism – ‘Purity
is Enlightenment’. In order to understandthis, once again, we turn to our beloved
master’s message.

We all have an understanding of the word
‘Purity’. This ‘Purity’ can be understoodfrom various perspectives. Every religion/
philosophy has emphasised the importanceof purity in our day-to-day lives as well as
for the spiritual progress of human beings.
However, there may be doubts and further
clarifications needed on where to begin andhow to develop purity. What are the milestones on this path? What are the fruits that
we receive at each stage and what are thepitfalls that we may encounter in this pur- In the first chapter Sathya Sai Baba’s teachsuit? This Study Guide gives us the answers ings help us to understand why purity isimportant. Baba said that purity is the hallto these questions.
mark of human birth. He also said that
This book is a compilation of quotes from purity is essential for experiencing everlastBhagawan Baba’s Divine discourses distilled ing bliss and that everlasting bliss is Diviniinto a purifying stream of Divine Wisdom ty — enlightenment itself. He goes on to
on the topic “Purity is Enlightenment.” This explain both external and internal purity
offering has been compiled with the inten- and how external purity influences internaltion of aiding devotees’ understanding of purity.
this important aspect of Sathya Sai Baba’s
Having established the importance of puriteachings.
ty, we move on the next chapter, which is,‘How to develop purity?’ This is the essential question for all of us. Baba dilates on
the importance of developing purity at a1

Divinity in all; love which expects nothing
in return. Manifesting such love will bringus success in all endeavours in our worldly
relations.

young age. Bhagawan Baba provides His
invaluable guidance on how to practise
purity in day-to-day life. Baba also gives
various directives on sadhanas such as
namasmarana (repetition of the name ofGod), seva (selfless service), meditation, etc
and how they must be performed.

Love for all beings means love for God’s
manifestation as Nature. Baba taught that
all of the natural elements on which we
depend for survival have been polluted
through mankind’s selfishness. In the next
chapter, Sathya Sai Baba tells us how we
can help to purify Nature, which has beenpolluted through humanity’s overuse of
Nature’s resources.

Each of us have encountered pitfalls on thepath to developing purity. Sathya Sai Baba’s
loving guidance on the obstacles we may
encounter in the process of developing
purity is given in the next chapter. This isspecifically important for us as devotees
within the Sathya Sai Organisation. We
undertake many sadhanas (spiritual practices) such as devotional singing, selflessservice activities, study circles, etc. What
are the pitfalls that we encounter on thisjourney and how are we to overcome them?
Sathya Sai Baba gives us the solution tothese questions.

For members of the Sathya Sai Organisation, the next chapter is highly relevant andeminently practical. Here, Sathya Sai Baba
explains the importance of purity in the
Sathya Sai Organisation, with regard toservice, devotional activities and the use of
His Name.
The final chapter provides stories recounted by Bhagawan Baba of those who havepractised purity in their own lives, as well
as examples from His own life. These examples are invaluable and inspiring for all of
us who are walking the path of purity whichleads back to Him.

Sathya Sai Baba said that Love is the basis
for purity. The more we develop love inevery aspect of our lives, the more our purity grows. Baba explains how purity can be
developed by practicing selfless love — love
for all beings equally; love which sees the2

1

Why Is purity Important?
Purity is the Hallmark
of Human Birth

The most important quality is purity. Today
everything is polluted. Water, air and all
the five elements are polluted. As a result,the mind of man is also polluted. How ispurity to be achieved? Fill your minds withthoughts of God, dedicate all your actions
to God and consider God as the inner motivator.

‘Vyakti’ is the term, very appropriately, used
to refer to the individual man. The Sanskrit
word means, “he who has manifested theDivinity in him”—that is the answer. With
the heavy overlay of sadhana, that which isunmanifest (a-vyakta) becomes manifest(vyakta). He who has achieved that manifestation may be called ‘vyakti’, and not all
humans qualify. Keep the mirror of theheart untainted by kama (desire), and its
chief attendant krodha (anger); then, theGod within clearly shines therein.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.36: 23 Nov 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-36.pdf

Purity (pavithram) is the true characteristicof a human being. This purity should be
manifested in everything one does: in his
thoughts, in what he sees or says and in allthat he does. It is only when you display
such purity that you can become embodiments of the Divine Atma. Then the distinction between the Divine and the mundane disappears. Everything becomes
Divinised. The difference between theobject and the subject will also go. Everything then becomes purnam (the whole).
The realisation of that wholeness is the real
Guru Purnima not the offer of padapuja(ritual homage to the feet) to some Guru
and obtaining a mantra from him. Resolve
today to turn your thoughts to God, tostrive for the purification of your heart andto seek Self-realisation.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.11/Ch.21: 18 April 1971
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume11/sss11-21.pdf

Just as burning charcoal, if it loses its heat,becomes mere charcoal, and a piece of jaggery, if it loses its sweetness, becomes alump of clay, likewise man remains truly
human only as long as he adheres to theeternal dharma (which is represented bypurity in thought, word and deed – trikarana shuddhi). Without this basic quality, man
is only human in form and not his true
nature.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.23/Ch.32: 21 Nov 1990
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-32.pdf

Character does not mean good conduct
alone. One should consider the fellow
human beings as one’s own brothers andsisters. One should develop bhava shuddhi(purity in feelings), which will ultimately
lead to jnana siddhi (attainment of enlightenment).

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.17/Ch.14: 13 July 1984
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume17/sss17-14.pdf

God does not consider how wealthy or how
learned you are; He is concerned only withthe sincerity and purity of your mind andheart and about how wholehearted andSathya Sai Speaks Vol.38/Ch.6: 16 March 2005 genuine your love is. Valmiki was a hunter.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume38/sss38-06.pdf Nanda was an untouchable. Kuchela was a3

pauper. Dhruva and Prahlada were merelads of five years. Sabari was a tribal woman, illiterate and uncivilised. But all of themhad won God’s grace in abundance, becauseof their wholehearted devotion, love andsurrender. Follow the example of Sabari,
who always thought of Sri Rama and His
happiness, and dedicated all her thoughts,
words, and deeds to Him alone, so much sothat every action of hers was transformed
and sublimated into the highest tapas (penance.) From her example, you must learn
the lesson that meditation does not meansitting idle in a particular posture of thebody, as if you are posing for a photograph.
As in her case, your entire life must become
a continuous meditation wherever you may
be staying and whatever you may be doing.
Whatever you eat or drink must be offered
to God as naivedya or holy offering. In thismanner, if you offer everything to the Lord,
you will naturally be prevented from engaging yourself in bad actions or evil ways inyour life.

This body is bound to perish. The human
lifespan is said to be hundred years, but
nobody can be sure when the end willapproach—in boyhood, youth, or old age,in town, forest, or water. Death is certain.
People should know God as long as they
have the body. This sacred human life isgifted only to realise Divinity.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.43: 10 April 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/d930410.pdf

Worldly relations like father, mother, son,and daughter are based only on feelings.
One develops attachment to them considering their name and form. Prior to birth,
who is father and who is son? Prior to marriage, who is husband and who is wife?
These relationships are temporary, likepassing clouds. All come in between andthen vanish.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.42: 9 April 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/d930409.pdf

Only the Atma is true, eternal, and changeless. The Vedas also declare: It is attributeless (Nirguna), unsullied (Niranjana), theeternal (Sanathana), final abode (Niketana),
permanent, pure, enlightened, free and theembodiment of sacredness (Nitya, Suddha,
Buddha, Mukta, Nirmala, Swarupinam).
That is the Atma.

Summer Showers in Brindavan 1990/Ch.16: 3 June ‘90
http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1990/ss1990-16.pdf

If you want to visualise God, you must
attain purity of the heart. You refer to a certain individual and say that he is yourfather. But the father is embarrassed at
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.42: 9 April 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/d930409.pdf
such reference since he is, in reality, thesame Atma Tatwa (Atmic Principle) that is
Purity Is Essential For
present in all the human beings.

Enjoying Everlasting Bliss

You marry some girl and refer to her as yourwife. But she is in fact, the embodiment of
the Divine Atma. Similarly, you caress achild affectionately calling him your son.
But the same child may tell you that he is
not your son in reality, but the embodimentof Divinity. Thus, all relationships in thisworld are in fact, only Atmic relationships.

Every individual should regard the enquiry
into nature of the Atma as the primary purpose of life. Purity of thought, word anddeed is essential for this enquiry.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.18/Ch.3: 20 January 1985
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume18/sss18-03.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.38/Ch.24: 9 Oct 2005
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume38/d051009.pdf

4

Man always craves for bliss. The first requisite for achieving Brahmananda (Supreme
Bliss, Enlightenment) is a pure heart. Man’sheart, which should be white like milk in its
purity, is today filled with bad thoughts andfeelings. Spiritual sadhana begins with thepurification of the heart and transforming
it into an ocean of milk. When the heart isfilled with satwic (pure) qualities, it becomes
like a milky ocean. Only then does it becomea worthy dwelling for the Lord (Vishnu)
whose abode is described as ksheerasagara(ocean of milk).

feed the heart well, the journey cannot proceed properly. The heart has to be fed withgood fodder in the form of satsangam (goodcompany), satpravartana (good conduct)
and good thoughts. And whatever is done
should be an offering to God.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.20/Ch.9: 3 May 1987
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume20/sss20-09.pdf

How is this peace to be achieved? The firstrequisite is purification of one’s vision. The
second requisite is the cultivation of sacredfeelings within, which will be conducive topurity in speech. Harmony will promote a
climate of peace. The well-being of society
is bound up with the transformation of theindividuals composing it. Righteous individuals alone can build a righteous community. A pure mind is essential for purethoughts, pure vision and pure speech.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.20/Ch.9: 3 May 1987
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume20/sss20-09.pdf

What is the cause for misery, conflict andsuffering in the world today? It is theabsence of purity in the hearts of men andwomen. The behaviour of men and womenis responsible for the rise or fall of a nation.
The country would not lack in anything, if
there were men and women with purehearts. But today hearts are completely polluted. Here is a piece of pure white paper.
But what is written on one side makes it
appear dirty. So too is the case with a man’sheart; dirty feelings pollute it. Newspaperof today becomes a wastepaper tomorrow.
The paper by itself does not have any smell.
The same paper when used to pack jasmine
flowers smells of them; it will smell of‘pakodas’ or even of dry fish if it is used topack them. When the heart is purified, it
shines with compassion. Bad feelings andbad thoughts pollute the heart of man.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.31/Ch.3: 5 February 1998
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-03.pdf

Purity is the Path to Divinity

Purity follows unity and from purity, Divinity is attained. To attain Divinity, you haveto cultivate purity and for purity you should
live in harmony with all.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.33/Ch.21: 23 Nov 2000
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-21.pdf

Where there is unity, there shall be purity.
Where there is purity, there is Divinity. You
all have to lead your lives keeping in view
these three aspects of unity, purity andDivinity. You should not remain unconcerned with others’ difficulties and suffering. Treat their suffering as your own. The
one God dwells in the hearts of all people.
‘Iswarah sarvabhutanam.’ God is immanenteven in ants and mosquitoes. There should
be compassion in your heart.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.34/Ch.19: 19 Nov 2001
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume34/sss34-19.pdf

If you wish to enjoy enduring happiness,
you have to fill your mind with purethoughts and entertain fine feelings in yourheart. Through good thoughts and goodkindly actions, the heart gets pure and holy.
In the journey of life, the body is like a cart
and the heart is like a horse. Unless you

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.11: 20 July 2008
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-11.pdf

5The emphasis must be on the sadhana of
purity and sacrifice. Purity is Divinity.
Through sacrifice, there is purity of mind
and heart. By purity, Divinity is realised.
Sacrifice is an offering, a giving up to theLord, a dedication to the Lord. What is tobe sacrificed to the Lord is the sense of ego,of ‘mine.’ Once all sense of ego is sacrificed
to the Lord, given up to the Lord, heart andmind are purified of ego-attributes andDivinity can then be realised.

One should develop bhava shuddhi (purity
in feelings), which will ultimately lead tojnana siddhi (attainment of enlightenment).

Conversations With Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
B, pp.214–215

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/sss29-48.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.38/Ch.6: 16 March 2005
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume38/sss38-06.pdf

Live up to the conviction that the eternal
Divine is omnipresent. Maintain purity andharmony in thought, word and deed. Thatis the way to secure Jnana-siddhi (attainment of enlightenment).
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.48: 3 Oct 1996,

Divinity is manifest in every living being.
The same Atmic Principle (Atma Tatwa) ispresent not only in human beings but inevery living being in the universe. But one
has to have a pure and selfless heart to realise this truth. In order to realise this truth,
you have to constantly contemplate on
God. By doing so, your heart will become
pure and peaceful. The moment you attainthat stage, God will surely perceptibly manifest in you.

http://media.radiosai.org/journals/Vol_05/01DEC07/
02-conversations.htm

Purity is the Path toEnlightenment

One who aspires to realise the principle of
the Self and teach the same to others should
first of all develop purity of heart. One wholacks purity of heart is not eligible to realise
the Self and teach the same to others. The
principle of the Self cannot be attained
merely by education, scholarship and intelligence. Purity of heart is of utmost importance for this.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.38/Ch.24: 9 Oct 2005
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume38/d051009.pdf

If you shed your ego and experience Divinity, you will get rid of your pain and enjoy
lasting bliss. The Upanishads teach throughstories the subtlest truths. You should
understand their inner significance andtaste the nectarine sweetness. This is possible only when there is bhava-shuddhi (innerpurity). Purity of heart leads to siddhi—
Self-realisation.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.9: 2 Sept 1996,
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/d960902.pdf

It is only when a man is pure that the intelligence blossoms. It is only with the blossoming of intelligence that siddhi (the spiritual goal or enlightenment) is attained.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.25/Ch.27: 31 August 1992
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume25/sss25-27.pdf

What is wisdom? Purity of thought, wordand deed is true wisdom. Your body, mind
and actions must be pure. On this basis it issaid, “The proper study of mankind is man.”
It means that the unity of thought, wordand deed is true humanness.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.33: 20 Oct 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-33.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.22: 23 Nov 2002
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-22.pdf

6

wish to have the darshan of God, you must
develop purity of the heart. All kinds of sadhana are meant only to attain purity. The
moment you attain purity of the heart, theomnipresent God will manifest right infront of you. Unfortunately, today in theworld there is a dearth of gurus who canfirmly lead the seeker on the path of purity.
Summer Showers in Brindavan 1979/Ch.3 They confine themselves to some mechanhttp://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1979/ss1979-03.pdf
ical techniques of meditation, in exchange
Meditation is meant to acquire purity of for money.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.38/Ch.24: 9 Oct 2005
the spiritual heart, for, without attaining
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume38/d051009.pdf
purity of the heart, the seat of awareness,
God cannot be realised. Hence, one has to Dharma enables the Atma to be realised,
strive to attain purity of the spiritual heart. without any mist or fog hiding it from view.
What kind of sadhana did Kamsa do in The practice of dharma fills you with expeDwapara Yuga? In fact, he was constantly rience; through that experience, truth isabusing Lord Krishna. However, Lord established; the truth reveals clearly, andKrishna was so compassionate that He gave the vision grants liberation. People who are
His darshan (vision of His physical pres- free from such inner encumbrances hidingence) to Kamsa. No sadhana would help in the Atma may belong to any caste or stage
realising God, if one is devoid of purity of of life; that does not matter; they do attainthe heart. The different kinds of sadhana liberation. This mental purity (anthahkaralike fasting, meditation, etc., would help to na shuddhi) is what the scriptures extol
develop one’s faith in the omnipresent God when they speak of salvation.
Dharma Vahini, Ch.8, p.35
who, in fact, resides as the indweller in you.
http://sssbpt.info/vahinis/Dharma/Dharma08.pdf
People generally think that God gave darshan to such and such person. But the truth
is God never gives darshan to people whohave no purity of the heart. Hence, if you
A clear mirror reflects the rays of the sun.
We can see the sun’s image reflected by thecalm surface of clear water. Likewise, thesacred vision of Paramatma (the Supreme
Self) is revealed to an unperturbed andtranquil mind in which all thought waves
have been calmed. A pure and holy heart
will mirror the Divine glory of Paramatma.

7

2

TWO KINDS OF PURITY:
EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL
Purity (soucham) is of two kinds – external
and internal. As regards internal purity, it
should be noted that the mind is polluted
by bad thoughts and bad desires, by attachments and aversions. You must strive to fill
the mind with good and sacred thoughts.
Qualities like love, kindness, compassion,
forbearance and sympathy have to be developed to get rid of negative and bad thoughts.

There should be both inner and outer purity. Bodily purity relates to the physical. It
covers such cleansing acts as bathing, wearing clean clothes, eating pure food, and thelike. Even in studies, the books should bewholesome and elevating. But mere external cleanliness without internal purity is ofno value. Everyone, from the scholar to thecommon man, is concerned only about
external cleanliness and not about the purity of the heart within. However pure theingredients may be, if the vessel in which
they are cooked is not clean, the food willbe spoiled. For a man, his heart is the vessel,and he must see that it is kept pure anduntainted. For the purification of the heart,everyone must undertake selfless service.
Attachments and aversions, which pollute
the mind, should be eschewed by concentrating on selfless service. It is only when
the heart is pure that selfless service can be
performed. Hence both bodily and mental
purity are essential for a good devotee.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.22/Ch.26: 3 Sept 1989
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume22/sss22-26.pdf

Both inner and outer purity are essential
for man’s physical and mental health. Most
people are concerned about external physical cleanliness. People tend to ignore innercleanliness in the belief that the heart andmind are not visible to others. But theyshould realise that the physical body ismade up of the five elements and will returnto the dust sometime or other. It is the stateof the spirit that is important. Even the
body should be regarded as the abode of
the Spirit and cared for as such.

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

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.20/Ch.9: 3 May 1987

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

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume20/sss20-09.pdf

83

HOW TO DEVELOP PURITY?

Purity From a Young Age

But students today pay attention only toart but not heart. Heart is inside, art is outside. Art is worldly, heart is Divine. Art isrelated to worldliness (pravritti) whereas
heart is related to spirituality (nivritti). The
principle of nivritti is most sacred and sublime. This is described in Vedanta as: It is
attributeless, unsullied, eternal, the final
abode, pure, enlightened, free, and theembodiment of sacredness (Nirgunam,
Niranjanam, Sanathana Niketanam, Nitya,
Shuddha, Buddha, Mukta, Nirmala Swarupinam).

The life span of man in the Kali Yuga (theAge of Kali – the age we are in) is very short.
In the Dwapara Yuga (the previous Age), it
was much longer. At the time of the
Mahabharata War, Krishna was 76 years
old, Arjuna was 74 years old, and Bhishma,
the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava
army, was 112 years old. See! In the Dwapara Yuga, a man of 70 years was considered ayoung boy. But today even a 17-year-old
boy is weak like an old man. What is thereason? In those days, the heart of the people was very sacred because they practised
three Ps: purity, patience, and perseverance. By practising these three Ps, theyremained ever young. Therefore, instead ofjust teaching and propagating truth andrighteousness, you should put them into
practice in your life.

While making friends, do not hate anybody.
Do not harm anybody. Bhagawan wants
that you should all acquire education ofthis kind, with broad-mindedness and purity, and become a model for humanity. This
is My benediction for you.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.32-2/Ch.15: 22 Nov 1999

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.75: 24 July 1996,

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume32/sss32p2-15.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/d960724.pdf

Every student should undertake satkarmas(good actions) which lead to chitta shuddhi(purity of mind). Where there is purity,
there will be jnana siddhi (attainment ofenlightenment). These are all within yourself only. You need not search for them
anywhere outside.

Young age is very important and sacred. In
fact, it is the golden age. It should be freefrom the rust and dust of evil qualities. Students should have good qualities. All thatthey see, speak, hear, and do should besacred. It is, therefore, necessary that firstof all they fill their heart with love for God.

Summer Showers in Brindavan 1990/Ch.16: 3 June ‘90

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.59: 8 July 1996,

http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1990/ss1990-16.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/d960708.pdf

9Shankara suggested good company as thevery first step in spiritual discipline. The
company of the wise and the good willdevelop into detachment and love of
silence and solitude. That will promote thedisappearance of delusion (moha), which,according to Arjuna, is the fruit of listening
to the Bhagavad Geeta. When that happens, one is established steadily in the reality of this and that, the identity of this withthat (the Tat-twam). Well, the recognitionof that identity is the attainment of liberation.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.3/Ch.12: 28 April 1963
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume03/sss03-12.pdf

pollutes and corrupts the society. When
individuals take to evil ways, the entire
society degenerates. Teaching and propagation of spirituality is essential for the
purification of the individual and the society.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.32-1/Ch.13: 28 April 1999
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume32/sss32p1-13.pdf

Today, there is pollution in everything,such as the air we breathe, the water wedrink, the sounds that are jarring to theears and the food we consume. Because ofthis all-round pollution, man’s health isaffected. Apart from this, man’s mind isalso polluted, making him susceptible todiseases. Man should make an earnest
endeavour to lead a serene and pure life.
He should realise the truth that troubles
and turmoil are temporary, like passing
clouds. There is no scope for agitations toarise if one realises this truth.

The God who is the origin and the goal canbe cognised only by the pure consciousness, after chitta shuddhi (cleansing of themind) is attained. And, to cleanse the consciousness, one must start early. The raceis won by those who start early and drive
slowly; then, they reach safely, not otherSathya Sai Speaks Vol.27/Ch.3: 21 January 1994
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume27/sss27-03.pdf
wise. Put the little feet on the path of God;the joy of the first steps will lead them for- The body is the temple where God dwells
ward.
within and is installed in the heart. But it is
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.10/Ch.8: 12 May 1970
not enough if you go on repeating this very
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume10/sss10-08.pdf
pleasing axiom and pretend that you havejoined the ranks of the good. To make that
Developing External Purity
Transformation at the individual level is statement is a great responsibility. For, youabsolutely essential. But today man is wast- must behave every moment, as if you areing his time in evil practices. He indulges aware of the God within. The priest in thein unholy activities day in and day out. He temple first cleans the altar, then he scrubs
demeans himself by his evil habits. He kills and polishes the vessels used for worship,
animals and eats their flesh. Instead of and then, he pours water sanctified bypurifying his mind, he debases it by taking mantras in order to cleanse the idol, andintoxicants. He defiles time, which is the finally, he offers adoration through flowers
very form of Divinity, by gambling. He and fragrance, reciting the meaningful
nurtures evil qualities by indulging in evil names of God.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.11/Ch.21: 18 April 1971
activities. In addition to this, he involves
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume11/sss11-21.pdf
himself in demeaning activities like stealing and denigrating others. He reads vul- Everyone has to observe purity in body,gar books, which generate evil thoughts dress and manners. This is external purity.
and violent feelings in him. As he indulges This is not enough. The mind also has tomore and more in wicked activities, he also be kept pure. The thoughts should be clean.
10It is necessary to maintain both external
and internal cleanliness. How is internal
purity to be achieved? It is easy to maintain
external cleanliness by washing and removing the dirt. How is one to recognise internal impurity and try to remove it? There is
only one way. That is to recognise that inall beings, from the smallest insect to thehighest, there is God. This awareness will
make the mind pure.

One must have a body that is free from thetaint of himsa (violence or harm). Mencommit many acts of violence and many
sinful acts with their hands. The body has
been given to man primarily for practisingdharma (righteousness). Such a sacred giftshould be used only for rendering service toothers and doing Godly actions. This is theway to purify the body. Therefore, whenspeech, mind and the body are purified,
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.22/Ch.13: 20 June 1989 internal purity is ensured. Suchi (purity),
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume22/sss22-13.pdf
thus, calls for internal purity as well as
On a festival day every person in the house external cleanliness.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.29: 30 August 1993
takes an oil bath early in the morning. Perhttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-29.pdf
sonal cleanliness is conducive to good
health. Moreover, as the Divine dwells both Let no one be proud about his beauty,
inside and outside the body, external purity strength and youth. The ravages of old age
is also important. To achieve inner purity, are ahead and will overwhelm him. Even
one has to get rid of all bad qualities and while you feel puffed up by your strength
cultivate good qualities. The significance of and energy as a youth, age creeps on you
wearing new clothes on festival days is to irrevocably. With the body bent, wrinkles
replace the dirty linen in the mind by good on the face and bleared eyes, the old man
thoughts. The heart is called vastra, which becomes a butt of jokes for juveniles, whois the term used for cloth. Hence, inner call him an old monkey. What is lasting inpurity has to be achieved by purifying the all this? Everything is subject to change andheart. The wearing of new clothes is intend- decay in this world. Whether it be physicaled to serve as a prelude to purifying the objects or individuals, all are transient andheart within. Thus, the different festival impermanent. Nothing is lasting. Only
practices have an inner significance, apart your purity is permanent. Purity is thefrom the external observances.
essential nature of man. But if man leads a
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.25/Ch.27: 31 August 1992 polluted life, he is degrading himself.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume25/sss25-27.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.21/Ch.19: 12 July 1988
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume21/sss21-19.pdf

You have also to cleanse the senses, theinstruments of action and knowledge andremove all the blemishes of bad habits, badtendencies, feelings and thoughts. Renderyourselves pure, steady and unselfish. Then
only can you deserve the chance of worshipping the God within. Until then, thetemple will be in ruins, infested with batsthat revel in the darkness.

Need to Purify
Antahkarana (Inner Instruments)

It is not enough if the body is clean. Inner
purity is essential. The latter, in fact, ismore essential than the former. For theproper enjoyment of all things, purity ofmind is essential. Whatever sacred acts you
may perform in the external world, if you
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.11/Ch.21: 18 April 1971
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume11/sss11-21.pdf have no purity of mind and heart, all ofthem are valueless. The food cooked in an
un-tinned vessel will be spoiled even if all
11the ingredients are good. Likewise, in thevessel of the heart, the inside must be purified by love. Then, all that one consumes
will be wholesome. Hence purity is vital for
all aspirants; without it, all man’s actions
are tainted. Actions done with an impure
heart can only produce undesirable results.

heart has to be cleared of bad thoughts andbad feelings, watered with love, tilled byspiritual practices and the seeds of theDivine name sown. Only then one is entitled to reap the harvest of jnana (Divine
wisdom). … Total purity is essential for all
sadhanas (spiritual disciplines). To achieve
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.1: 1 January 1993 this purity, one has to understand the difhttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-01.pdf ference between shreyas (path of goodness)
If you throw a stone in a well, it will give and preyas (path of pleasure).
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.31: 7 Oct 1993
rise to waves. How far will the waves go?
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-31.pdf
They will spread in the entire well and go
up to its edges. Similarly, when you drop a Truth, righteousness, peace, and love joinstone of a good or a bad thought in the lake the senses of action and cognition, enterof your mind, its effect will spread to your the antahkarana (inner instruments) withentire body. If it is a bad thought, your eyes, the help of life force called vibration andears, and tongue will see, hear, and speak live there. So, Divinity, which exists in every
all that is evil. Your hands will also perform individual, is associated with the five cognievil actions and your feet will take you to tive senses: sound, touch, vision, taste andundesirable places. The effect of your smell. To recognise the nature of this truth,
thoughts will spread to your entire being man should first attain the unity of thought,
right from head to toe. Therefore, the heart word, and deed and bring about complete
harmony in them. This is the real spiritualis very important.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.59: 8 July 1996, practice.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.32pt 1/Ch.13: 28 April 1999

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/d960708.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume32/sss32p1-13.pdf

The sanctification of the five senses is theway to truth. If the senses are polluted, ofwhat avail are spiritual exercises? When thewater in a tank is polluted, all taps will only
give polluted water. Your heart is the tank.
Your vision and thoughts are impure. Your
speech is foul. When the heart is polluted
in this manner, the senses are bound to besullied.

What is Antahkarana?

Antahkarana is used both in common
speech and in spiritual parlance. What is its
form, its nature, its special quality, andwhat is its purpose? When we enquire along
these lines, we find that the mind itself
takes the subtle form of antahkarana (theinner activator). The mind assumes four
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.31/Ch.3: 5 February 1998, forms: manas, buddhi, chitta and ahamkara
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-03.pdf(mind, intelligence, memory and ego). BudTo develop such a spiritual outlook and to dhi, chitta and ahamkara are three subtle
inspire it in others, one has to possess chitta forms of the mind.
shuddhi (purity of mind). Spiritual wisdom According to the function that is percan dawn only when there is purity of heart. formed, the particular name is given. The
Just as removal of weeds, tilling the land, same Brahmin, when he is performing in asowing the seeds and watering them, are temple, is called a priestly poojari (Brahrequired before the crop can be harvested min); when he is working in the kitchen, heon a plot of land, the field of the human is called a Brahmin cook; when teaching
12

students, he is called a Brahmin teacher,
and when interpreting the panchanga(almanac) he is called a panchanga brahmin.
In the same manner when the mind isengaged in thought processes, it is called
manas. When it is engaged in the process ofenquiry and discrimination between rightand wrong, it is called buddhi (intelligence).
The third name is chitta, the will or thedecision-making agency. It has the function of memory. When the mind identifies
itself with the body in action it is calledahamkara (I-am-the-doer).

All our sense organs are externally visible
and function externally: the eyes, the ears,
etc. The mind, the intellect and the will
operate internally and are internal instruments. Therefore, they are called antahkarana (internal instruments). By renouncing
the responses of the internal organs, theenjoyment of objects perceived by theexternal senses becomes a form of sacrifice.
Hence, the first task is to purify the antahkarana. This purification process calls forappropriate action. The chitta cannot be
purified except through right action.
“Chithasya suddhaye karmah,” declares the
Veda. Karma (the prescribed actions) haveto be done for purifying the mind. Thismeans that one’s satkarmas (good actions)should be performed without the desire forthe fruits thereof. There should be no traceof self-interest. This has been described as
nishkama karma (desireless action). This isalso termed enjoyment coupled withrenunciation.

Summer Course, 24 May 1990

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-14.pdf

Antahkarana is the collective name for themanas (mind), buddhi (intelligence), chitta(will) and ahamkara (ego-sense).
National Symposium on Value Orientation
24 Sept 1987
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume20/sss20-20.pdf

On the basis of differences in behaviour,
the antahkarana (inner psyche) has been
accorded four names. When it is concernedwith thoughts, it is called manas (mind).
When it is restless and wavering it is called
chitta (consciousness). When it is concerned with enquiry and understanding, it
is called buddhi (intellect). When it is associated with the sense of “mine” (possessiveness), it is called ahamkara (egoism). Why
are four different names and attributes given to one and the same entity (the antahkarana)? The mind is preoccupied with distinctions and differences. The buddhi isconcerned with oneness and reveals theUnity that underlies the diversity. All ourefforts must be directed towards discovering the Unity that underlies the diversity
rather than seeking to divide the One into
the many.

Summer Course, 24 May 1991

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume24/sss24-10.pdf

Purification of Impulses leads toPurity of Antahkarana

Though the body is mortal, the thoughts
are immortal. The power of thought vibrations run around the world. As the heatwaves, the electrical waves and light waves
radiate, the mental waves too radiate. The
thought vibrations are the cause for man’s
joy and sorrow, health and disease, woe andweal, birth and death. Man’s life becomes
meaningful if he conducts himself fully
aware of the power of the thought vibrations. The entire world is suffused withmental vibrations. In fact, the whole worldis the very manifestation of mental vibrations. Hence it is necessary to direct our
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.17-3-1983
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume16/sss16-06.pdf thoughts on noble paths. Man’s mind
shines with resplendent purity if he cultivates noble thoughts, ideas and feelings. It
13

is only by developing the purity of mind Nature (prakriti) is the world of impulsesthat we can ensure the purity of action. (vasanas). The mind is attracted toward
Only pure deeds can yield pure results.
Nature and the external objects of theSummer Showers in Brindavan 1993/Ch.5 world by means of this tendency for attachhttp://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1993/ss1993-05.pdf
ment and starts contemplating on the
One should not act as his fancies dictate. objects and dwelling on their qualities
Before doing anything, one should consid- because of these impulses. Without impulser whether it is proper or improper. Noth- es, the mind will not be affected at all by theing should be done in haste on the impulse objective world. The mind is like a piece ofof the moment. Only then will one’s actions cloth; it takes on any colour with which it isbe satwic (pure) and free from rajasic (stim- dyed. Pure (satwic) impulses make it white,
restless (rajasic) ones change it into red,ulating) and tamasic (dulling) feelings.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.20/Ch.9: 3 May 1987 while ignorant (tamasic) ones give it a black
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume20/sss20-09.pdf colour. The mind is shaped by the type of
impulses with which it is filled. One has to‘Suchi’ means purity. This term does notundertake meditation and concentration
merely refer to the external cleanliness of(dharana) in order to destroy these impulsthe physical body. Sadhakas (spiritual aspies. The mind is but a bundle of impulses.
rants) need internal purity also. What are
Dhyana Vahini, Ch. 11, p.40
the implications of inner purity? All the
http://sssbpt.info/vahinis/Dhyana/Dhyana11.pdf
actions a man does, emanate from internal
impulses and not from external forces. By yielding to tamasic (dulling) and rajasic
They are a reflection of his inner being. It is (stimulating) impulses, man today has
only when man has pure feelings within turned his heart into kshaarasagara (ocean
him that his actions can be pure. When he of salt). In the saltish ocean, we have sharks
is polluted within, all his actions will be and whales. Likewise, in the heart of theevil-minded, bad qualities like lust, anger,
impure.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.29: 30 August 1993 greed and envy flourish. It is folly to give
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-29.pdf room to such evil forces. They must be
removed totally so that the Lord may find
The impulses operate so subtly and so powHis rightful place in a heart that is pure anderfully. Just as the seed contains within
holy, filled with satwic (pure) qualities. Eachitself the trunk, branches, twigs, leaves,
one should perpetually examine whether
flowers, and fruits, so too, all this lies dorgood thoughts and impulses are growing inmant in the impulse. The impulses are thehis heart or whether bad thoughts are getcause of all the objective unhappiness. Ifting rooted. While doing daily worship, one
they are absent, the mind is pellucid andshould invoke the presence of various deipure. If they are present, all purity is ruined;
ties through appropriate mantras (holythey are obstacles in the path of truth, ofsound formulae). Simultaneously, one
Atma, and of immortality. A mind free fromshould call upon the demoniac forces toimpulses is transmuted and is no longer
quit the place.
mind.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.20/Ch.9: 3 May 1987

Dhyana Vahini, Ch. 11, p.40

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume20/sss20-09.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/vahinis/Dhyana/Dhyana11.pdf

14

The one who is a slave to impulses and tendencies (vasanas) is devoid of wisdom(jnana). That one is, in truth, a weakling!
But let me assure you that there is no cause
for alarm. As soon as impulses are uprooted, that person can earn back the Divine
nature that was lost by neglect.

Shankara knew that nondualism requires
intense spiritual effort of will to remove all
trace of ego, all idea of duality, from themind of the human being. So, as a preparatory discipline to the dawn of the awareness of one’s real unity with the substanceof the universe, he taught the rules of yoga
Dhyana Vahini, Ch. 11, p.40 (union with the Divine) and devotion andhttp://sssbpt.info/vahinis/Dhyana/Dhyana11.pdf
karma. These, according to him, will brightIt is because of ego that you are not able to en the intellect, cleanse the emotions, andvisualise the divya jnana jyoti (Divine flame purify the heart.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.3/Ch.12: 28 April 1963of wisdom). How does ego enter your mind?
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume03/sss03-12.pdf
It enters your mind when you give up the
path of truth. You become egoistic when
you do not know your true self and develop
worldly thoughts and feelings. In order todrive away ego, you should keep yourworldly thoughts and feelings under control. It is impossible to acquire wisdom
without getting rid of ego. To have thevision of the effulgent light of Atma, youhave to remove the soot of ego covering
your mind.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.22: 23 Nov 2002
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-22.pdf

154

WHAT ARE THE EXTERNALFACTORS AFFECTINGIMPULSES?
Importance of FoodIn the Pursuit of Purity

Krishna answered immediately. … ‘There
are three types of qualities (gunas): pure,
passionate, and dull (satwic, rajasic, tamasic). They are based on the inner consciousness (antahkarana). That too depends on
the intake of food. You are what you feed
on, and your activities shape your nature.
So at least in this birth, by regulating foodand recreation, people can overcome thedemonic (passionate and dull) tendencies
that tend to prevail upon them. Throughplanned self-effort, they can promote tendencies toward purity.’ This advice was tendered lovingly by the Lord to the eager
inquirer, Arjuna.

What is the meaning of satwic (pure) food?
The prevalent notion is that fruits and milk
constitute satwic food. But that is not all toit. What is consumed by the mouth is not
the only food that enters the body. The
other sense organs, like the eyes, the ears,
the nose, and the hands, also consume
objects from the external world. Hence,just because a person takes fruits and milk
through one of the five sense organs, hecannot claim to have taken satwic food,unless the food taken by him through all
the five senses is satwic in nature. Whenyou get rid of the five evils associated withthe pollution of speech, sight, hearing,
thought and action, you will be able to realise your own Divinity and become Paramatma (Supreme Soul). If the senses are fed
with polluted food, you cannot become
pure merely by taking milk and fruit. You
must partake of pure satwic food throughall the five sense organs.

Geeta Vahini, Ch. 26, p.114

http://sssbpt.info/vahinis/Gita/Gita26.pdf

Have your food only after praying andoffering it to God. Only then the food will
become sanctified and illumine your intellect. Before partaking of food, you should
pray, Brahmarpanam Brahma Havir Brahmagnou Brahmanahutam Brahmaiva Thena
Ganthavyam Brahma Karma Samadhina(The act of offering is God. The oblation isGod. By God it is offered into the Fire ofGod. God is That which is to be attained by
him who performs action pertaining toGod). If you pray with sacred feelings, thefood gets sanctified.

Summer Showers in Brindavan 1990/Ch.2: 20 May ‘90
http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1990/ss1990-02.pdf

Strive to attain purity of heart. Let this be
your foremost endeavour. With purity ofheart, you can achieve anything. In order toattain purity of heart, you have to partakeof sacred food.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.22: 23 Nov 2002
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-22.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.22: 23 Nov 2002
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-22.pdf

16

Those who wish to develop purity of heart
should be careful with regard to their foodand habits. The human body digests food;the subtle part of it becomes bones, muscles and blood and the subtlest part of foodbecomes the mind. Therefore, food is
responsible for the good and bad nature of
the mind. As is the food, so is the mind.
Hence, it is necessary to eat pure and sacred(satwic) and wholesome food in moderation. In days of yore, sages and saints lived
in forests eating only fruits and tubers tosustain themselves. Because of such pure(satwic) food, they could lead their lives
peacefully.

One who realises this truth will not allow
his mind to be swayed by the passions ofanger, cruelty, etc. Passions yield only temporary satisfaction but cause serious emotional disturbances. Hence, it is imperativeon the part of man not to yield to any unbecoming passions while taking food. The
observance of the three Ps, namely, purity,
patience and perseverance, vouchsafes permanent happiness and good health freefrom diseases.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.27/Ch.3: 21 January 1994
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume27/sss27-03.pdf

One who cooks food should have sacredfeelings. In olden days, orthodox Brahmins(members of the Brahmin caste) used toinsist on partaking of food prepared bytheir wives only. The reason being, housewives wish for the well-being of the entire
family and prepare food. On the other
hand, if you employ cooks, God alone
knows with what feelings they prepare thefood! The unsacred thoughts of the cook
enter the food, which, in turn, poisons yourmind. Annam Brahma (food is God). Hence,
it should be prepared with sacred feelings.
Mere physical cleanliness will not suffice;the mind also should be pure. You should
see to it that the vegetables used for preparing food are procured in a righteous manner. For example, husband brings vegetables from the market. He might havemisused his position of authority andbrought them without making payment, orthe vendors themselves might have procured the vegetables by unfair means.
When such vegetables are consumed, yourmind gets polluted. You do not realise thatthe food you eat is responsible for theactions you perform. Unsacred food makes
you do unsacred deeds.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.90: 2 Sept 1996,
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/d960902.pdf

Before partaking of food, chant this sacredmantra. Then no unsacredness would enter
your heart. Annam Brahma; Raso Vishnuhu;
Bhokta devo Maheswarah (Food is Brahma;
the essence is Vishnu; the one who partakes
it is Maheshwara). These three correspondto body, mind and action, respectively.
Purity of thought, word and deed is true
wisdom. You don’t need to undertake anyother spiritual practice. People undertake
various sadhanas (spiritual practices). But
they confer only temporary satisfaction.
On the other hand, when you have purityof thought, word and deed, you experience
eternal happiness.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.22: 23 Nov 2002
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-22.pdf

To ensure perfect health, it is essential to
get rid of internal impurities and take in
only wholesome food. Equally for preserving mental health, similar two-fold action
is necessary. The ills that afflict the mind
have to be got rid of by eliminating bad
thoughts and purifying the mind.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.22: 23 Nov 2002

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.20/Ch.9: 3 May 1987

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-22.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume20/sss20-09.pdf

17

Purity of Speech leads toPurity of Impulses

Then there is silence of the mind. The mind
is a bundle of thoughts and fancies. Thesethoughts have to be reduced gradually.
When thoughts are reduced, the mind naturally comes under control, like a clock thatis unwound. When the activity of the mind
is reduced, the power of the Atma manifests itself. As a consequence, intellectbecomes more active than the senses.

How are the internal impulses to be purified? These relate to the mind, speech andthe body. Of the three, speech is the mostimportant. How is purity in speech to beachieved? “Anudhvegakaram Vakyam Sath­yam Priyahitam Cha Yat,” says the Bhagavad
Geeta. Every word you utter should be
anudhvegakaram (free from excitement oragitation). It should be sathyam (true) andpriyam (pleasing). There are four factors
which account for the pollution of the
tongue. One is, uttering falsehood; two,
excessive talking; three, carrying tales
against others; four, abuse or criticism ofothers. The tongue is prone to indulge inthese four types of offences in speech.
Unfortunately, in this Kali Age, all thesefour are rampant. Untruth has become
ubiquitous. People freely indulge in slandering others. Tale-bearing goes on. Indulgence in loquacity is widespread. It is only
when one gets rid of these four evil tendencies can his speech become pure and unpolluted. Hence, the first task is to purify one’s
speech.

When control of speech and control of themind have been achieved, the state ofsupreme silence is easily realised. Students
should strive to reach the third stage by thedisciplines of the first two stages.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.27/Ch.7: 3 February 1994
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume27/sss27-07.pdf

When the heart is filled with good thoughts
and feelings, all that comes out of the senses – your speech, your vision, your actions– will all be pure.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.31/Ch.3: 5 February 1998
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-03.pdf

Other External Factors
Affecting Internal Impulses

Television sets are installed in every roomin the houses of the rich. From the moment
television made its appearance, the mind ofman has been polluted. Before the adventof TV, men’s minds were not so much polluted. Acts of violence were not so rampant
previously. Today, TV is installed in every
hut. People watch the TV even while taking
food. The result is that all the foul things
seen on the TV are being consumed by theviewer. Concentration on the TV affects
one’s view of the world. The scenes,
thoughts and actions displayed on the TV
set fill the minds of the viewers. Unknowingly, agitations and ill-feelings enter theirminds. In due course they take root andgrow in the minds.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.29: 30 August 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-29.pdf

The ancients practised three kinds ofsilence. The first was silence of the tongue,
the second one was silence of the mind andthe third was supreme silence.
Silence in speech meant confining one’s
speech to the limit and the needs of theoccasion. By this discipline, excessive talk
was avoided. As a result, the power of theirspeech was conserved and enhanced. Discipline in speech also resulted in truthfulness. Speaking the truth served to purify
their thoughts. By this means they acquired
the highest wisdom. Therefore, purity inspeech is vital. It has to be achieved by
restraint in speech.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.3: 15 January 1996,
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/sss29-03.pdf

18

Desires are the cause of peacelessness.
Without purifying the heart, all desires canonly lead to unrest. Moreover, impurity inthe heart is the source of many diseases.
When the heart is pure, man will be freefrom disease. How, then, is the heart to be
purified? There is no other way except cherishing godly thoughts. All other rituals areof no avail except to provide temporary
mental satisfaction. But the mind does not
get satisfied easily. It is continually wavering and is uncontrollable. What should bedone is to divert the mind towards God.

Once you have a cell phone, you can talk toanyone, about anything, anywhere and at
any time. When youth are given such freedom, they are bound to misuse it and ruinthemselves. Even innocent youth are luredon the wrong path by the use of cell phones.
If you do not put the students on the rightpath and do not inculcate virtues in them,these gadgets and means of comfort willcertainly spoil their minds, and they willcommit grave mistakes. It will take quite
some time for them to rectify their mistakes and walk on the Godward path

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.30/Ch.10: 11 April 1997

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.39/Ch.8: 6 May 2006

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume30/sss30-10.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume39/sss39-08.pdf

Hands are not the only limbs or agents thatare involved in human activity (karma).
Whatever is done, whatever is seen, whatever is heard, one should be vigilant about
its purity. Thought, word, and deed must
be free from pride, greed, and hatred. The
words that one utters must be free fromthese faults; things that one yearns to hearmust be free from these superficially attractive qualities; the pleasures that one seeks
must not be polluted by evil.

Science has provided man with the radio,
the television set and the film. They areeach useful and productive if each one isdeveloped by persons with a pure social
consciousness and with love in their hearts.
But they are now in the hands of people
with no high moral standards, who find inthem tools for amassing money and so,they have become enemies of human progress. The tender minds of growing children
are polluted by these media of communicaVidya Vahini, Ch.19, p.53 tion.

http://sssbpt.info/vahinis/Vidya/Vidya19.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.14/Ch.15: 7 Dec 1978
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-15.pdf

You should exercise control over yourdesires. In fact, there should be a limit foreverything in life. But man today is conducting himself without any restraint.
World today has provided man with many
modern means of comfort in life. No doubt,
they have made his life easy and comfortable, but at the same time these very things
are leading him on the unsacred and sinfulpath. You are aware that having a cell phonehas become an obsession with modern
youth. Even the government is encouraging the use of cell phone as it is considered
to be the most convenient way of communication. But no one is enquiring into thenegative impact it has on the students.

One more thing I wish to mention in thiscontext. I see several boys keeping cell
phones in their pockets. They think thatthey are keeping cell phones for their convenience and easy communication. They
do not realise the ill-effects of these instruments. Cell phones are often misused forundesirable purposes, like establishingcontacts between boys and girls. Theydevelop bad thoughts and bad connections
between them.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.16: 9 Oct 2008
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-16.pdf

19

They put on television or radio, thus polluting their own minds besides wastingtime. Much of what is seen on the television are things that are lewd, disgusting,immoral and vile. Such are the undesirable
things being shown. … It turns the pure,steady and selfless hearts of the youth into
impure, wicked and repugnant.

In order that bad thoughts should not enter
our minds, avoid such connections altogether. It is said, “The mind is the cause of
bondage and liberation (Mana Eva Manushyanam Karanam Bandhamokshayo).” It is
common practice that we give our telephone numbers to all and sundry. What
happens thereafter? Bad contacts develop.
All unnecessary calls are made to verify
whether we respond to them or not. Thus,boys and girls develop unnecessary contacts and establish undesirable relationships between them. Hence, I strongly
advise you not to make use of cell phones.
It may be convenient in the beginning, but
gradually it will lead to bad ways.

Summer Showers in Brindavan 2002/Ch.12: 27 May ‘02
http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss2002/ss2002d12.pdf

What are people doing today? They are listening to what is undesirable. They arelooking at ugly scenes. How, then, can they
hope to get peace? Only by the harmony ofthe mind, the heart and the tongue. There
should be unity in thought, word and deed.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.14: 15 May 1996,

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.41/Ch.16: 9 Oct 2008

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/sss29-14.pdf

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

Dear Students! As long as you are here
(Prasanthi Nilayam), you are safe andsecure. When you get back to your homes,
you are assailed by various distractions like
television, video, cinema, etc. All these pollute your hearts. The programmes on the
television are very attractive, but you must
realise that they are shown to you not foryour gain but for the gain of sponsors andadvertisers. Watch only such programmesthat are related to education, or those dedicated to moral values. TV has, in fact,
become a disease of modern times. So, it is
not TV but TB (tuberculosis). If there are
no moral thoughts in you, what will happen when such programmes are watched?

The sixth quality is sarvarambha parithyagi(renunciation of all undertakings). Thismeans that there should be no ostentationor showing off in any undertaking by a devotee. Unless ostentation is given up, egoism
will not leave. The ego must be eliminatedto purify the heart. No good deed can bedone without purity in the heart. It isthrough sacred deeds that the heart is purified.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.23/Ch.31: 20 Nov 1990
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-31.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.32 part 2/Ch.15: 22 Nov 1999
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume32/sss32p2-15.pdf

205

HOW TO PRACTICE PURITY?
Purity as a Sadhana

crowd the vicious, the wicked, the evil, theharmful, the one that are born in anger,that breed on greed and assert that you are
not willing to be led by them. Throw yourinclination on the side of the good, theconstructive, to renounce, and rise up apurer, stronger and happier man than when
you went to bed. That is the real sadhana,
not simply spending a few minutes, watching your breath, or wandering homelessand living on alms.

The God-centred person (sadhaka) has
three qualities: Purity, Perseverance andPatience. Without these qualities, a man isa weakling. But with them, he has all thestrength and courage he needs to face any
challenge.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.19/Ch.23: 11 Oct 1986
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume19/sss19-23.pdf

Manasyekam Vachasyekam Karmanyekam
Mahatmanam (those whose thoughts,
words and deeds are in complete harmony
are noble ones.) The oneness of thought,
word and deed is ritam. They represent the
Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. Hence, everyone must strive for the
purity of these three. Take for instance a
glass chimney placed over a lamp. Aftersome time, a thin layer of soot gets accumulated over the glass. Consequently, lightbecomes dim. It is only when you clean theglass, can you see the light clearly. This iswhat you are supposed to do. The soot thatyou find over the glass can be compared toego that envelops your mind.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.11/Ch.21: 18 April 1971
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume11/sss11-21.pdf

Man’s destiny is determined by his actions.
Through righteous actions, the mind ispurified and a pure mind results in an awakening of jnana (knowledge of the Self).
When you offer worship to God in themorning, you must offer your obeisance towhatever work you propose to do. You
must pray to the presiding deity of karma:“Let me do today only pure, purposeful andhelpful actions.”
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.20/Ch.9: 3 May 1987
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume20/sss20-09.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.22: 23 Nov 2002

A spiritual aspirant (sadhaka) should keep
in mind four types of purity: purity of place,feelings, body and the inner being (BhuStarting the Day
As soon as you rise from bed in the morn- shubhrata, Bhava shubhrata, Deha shubhrataing, examine for a few moments your and Atma shubhrata).
thoughts, plans, habits and attitudes to What is meant by purity of place? Youothers, which are about to pounce on you should keep all places and surroundings
and decide the shape of things to come, pure and clean with the faith that God isthroughout the day. Identify in the motley everywhere. More so, when you see God
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-22.pdf

21

right in front of you in physical form, keep
the place all the more clean. For example,
keep the place wherever Swami is present
absolutely clean and maintain perfectsilence. Be free from ego and attachment.
This is what is meant by purity of place.
Next is purity of feelings. How should you
observe this? God is all-pervasive, eternal
and immeasurable. He is the embodimentof love, compassion and bliss. Always focus
on this truth and contemplate on Him. In
whatever form you worship Him, He will
manifest before you in that very form.
What is the meaning of purity of body? You
should serve everyone with the feeling that
God is present in them. Help them in every
possible way, understanding their needs
with regard to food and shelter. This ispurity of body.

The first requisite, therefore, is to get rid of
all the bad thoughts, the selfishness, prideand other undesirable qualities from theheart so that the spirit of love can find its
rightful place in it. Only a heart filled withlove is pure and holy. Hence you shouldtake up service activities in a loving spirit.
You should not be concerned about nameor fame. Fame is not a commercial productor a commodity that can be got from someone. It flows spontaneously like a river,which starts in a small way, but gathers volume as it goes along. Do not go after nameor distinction. Concentrate your mind
upon achieving your objectives. Fill yourheart with love and engage yourselves inservice.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.20/Ch.26: 19 Nov 1987
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume20/sss20-26.pdf

God is Omnipresent. So, do not act differently when you are away from My presence.
Be always and everywhere conscious of thepresence. Be vigilant, even while engaged inlittle tasks. Maintain silence, in the recessesof the heart, as well as outside. The Gita
says, God’s hands and feet are everywhere.
You can hear his footsteps only when noother sound hinders. God, out of His
infinite grace, assumes the Form that the
devotee yearns for. He is Purity. He is the
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.90: 2 Sept 1996,
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/d960902.pdf Supreme Wisdom, He is ever-free, evermerciful. Develop the awareness of God,
see Him and serve Him in every living
WATCH
The real watch is when you keep a WATCH being.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.14/Ch.59: 24 Nov 1980
on your Words, Actions, Thoughts, Charhttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-59.pdf
acter and Heart; not the one you tie to yourwrist. The wristwatch may go for repair, The first of the five restraints (yama) is nonbut the word ‘watch’ will never get spoiled. violence (ahimsa). What is nonviolence? It
It will always bring purity of thought, word means not to hurt or harm anyone by
and deed.
thoughts, words, or deeds. So, nonviolence
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.20: 20 Nov 2002 amounts to purity of thought, word, andhttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-20.pdf
deed (trikarana shuddhi). Hence, don’t use
words that hurt anyone, don’t use this bodyto harm anybody, and don’t entertain bad
Then, what is purity of inner being? “With
hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth and ears pervading everything, He permeates the entire
universe” (Sarvatah Panipadam Tat Sarvatokshi Siromukham, Sarvatah Srutimalloke
Sarvamavrutya Tishtati). Atma is everywhere. When you realise this truth, youexperience real happiness. Whoever you
serve and make happy, it amounts to serving God and making Him happy.

22

thoughts in your mind like hatred and jeal- evil thoughts and passions and to fill theousy against anyone.
mind with sacred feelings is real penance.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.44: 12 April 1993

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.22/Ch.26: 3 Sept 1989

The mind is polluted by wrong thoughts
and bad feelings. Man should strive to keepaway all bad thoughts from invading his
mind. When a man is ceaselessly filled withbad thoughts, he can only reap bad consequences. To purify the mind, all bad
thoughts have to be expelled. No roomshould be given to them. Bad feelings
should be banished from the mind. Only
then the mind will get totally purified.

For the one who prays with a pure heart,
God will respond within seconds. If theprayer is only a lip service, He will not
respond even in years. For the one who
prays from the heart, there will be immediate resound, reflection and reaction.

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/d930412.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume22/sss22-26.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.25: 2 July 1996
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/sss29-25.pdf

Only when your antahkarana is pure, will
you attain wisdom. Purity of the mind is ofutmost importance. Keep your mind pure,
free from all kinds of pollution. Wheneverevil thoughts enter your mind, remind
yourself, ‘This is not good; this is not mine;not mine,’ and drive away those evil
thoughts. Tell yourself, ‘These are all not
my property; my property is only goodthoughts and good ideas.’ Constantly
remember the truth that love is God. Livein love. If you can cultivate such positive
and noble thoughts, everything will turnout to be good for you.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.29: 30 August 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-29.pdf

One must bring the mind, the reasoning
faculty, and the senses under control, forthey roam aimlessly after objective pleasures. One must train them to take on thetask of concentrating all attention on theglory and majesty of God to follow one systematic course of one-pointed discipline.
Bring them all and lead them toward thehigher path. Their unlicensed behaviour
has to be curbed. They must be educated by
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.40/Ch.13: 28 July 2007
means of repetition of the name (japa),
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume40/sss40-13.pdf
meditation (dhyana), good works, or someother dedicatory and elevating activity that The moment you establish yourself in the
purifies.
truth “I am Atma”, you will attain liberaBhagavatha Vahini, Ch.31, p.110 tion. Always think, “Swami is in me.” I am
http://sssbpt.info/vahinis/Bhagavatha/Bhagavatha31.pdf
in Swami.” However, there will be no use if
Tapas does not mean merely meditating in you simply repeat, “I am Swami”, I am Swacertain postures. Real penance consists in mi”, with a fickle mind. Develop firm faith,
striving for the realisation of one’s higher “I am Swami,” I am God; I am God.” It isaims by maintaining purity in thought, only when you develop that firm convicword and deed and pursuing the aims with tion, you will attain Divinity that is
one-pointed concentration. “Sathatham attributeless, unsullied, final abode, eterYoginah” (Always be established in Yoga), it nal, pure, enlightened, free and the embodis said. You must yearn for the realisation of iment of sacredness.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.40/Ch.13: 28 July 2007
the Formless Absolute. That yearning turns
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume40/sss40-13.pdf
into penance in due course. Merely goingto a forest and living on roots and leaves
does not constitute penance. To get rid of23

Fourth, whatever fluids you take should
also be satwic. You should not drink whatever water is available. It should be purewater. Alcoholic spirits should be eschewed.

Human values can be listed as 50, 60, 70, 80
in all. But they can be better grouped under
the following three headings – purethoughts, pure words, pure deeds; thoughts,
words and deeds coordinated with one
another. When you read only dirt, your‘chit’ (awareness) is contaminated and your‘sat’ (Being) is disfigured. So, how can‘Sathyam’ (Truth) be revealed to you?

Fifth, satwic thoughts and feelings are ofgreat importance. Students tend to neglect
this factor. Only if your thoughts and feelings are pure, can you get the full benefit ofa clean room, a good family, and pure food.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.15/Ch.20: 31 August 1981

Sixth, if you want to develop satwic feelings
and thoughts, your vision must be pure. All
srishti (creation) is based upon drishti (sight).
It is only when you have wrong vision thatyou have wrong thoughts. You must lookupon every elderly woman as your motherand all women who are younger as your sisters. When you are filled with such purethoughts, you will have pure feelings. It isbecause you are students that you have to
be told this. Imagine how offended you
would feel if someone looked at your mother or sister with an evil eye. Realising this,you have to entertain pure feelings towards
other women. You should not commit thesort of offences that you would not tolerate
in others.

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume15/sss15-20.pdf

The Ten Step Guide

To develop one’s moral and mental strength,
one should practise sadhana for disciplining the mind. For this purpose, one has topromote ten kinds of purity.
The first is purity of the place in which one
lives. It is necessary to fill the room in which
one resides or studies with a satwic (pure)atmosphere. The pictures or other objects
you see should fill you with peace and purethoughts. Objects that arouse agitation andbad thoughts should have no place. The
room should be clean and free from anything that is impure.
Second, in the family in which you live,
there should be mutual understanding andcooperation, and a sense of harmony. There
should be no discord in the family that will
create a bad atmosphere. A harmonious at­mosphere will give you true peace of mind.

Seventh, whatever books you read or whatever you write should be pure. This is thespiritual practice relating to study—satwic
sahitya. If you read or write that which is
not pure, it warps your mind. A good bookmakes for a good mind. Any book you may
study about physics or chemistry or othersubjects, does not affect your character. But
books that are literary are not always good
literature. If improper books are prescribedfor study, treat them as mere textbooks anddo not attach any high value to them as
guides for life.

The third need is satwic food. This meansthat none of the edible items should be
excessively sour, bitter, or hot. You should
eschew rajasic (passionate) food like fish or
meat. Even good satwic food should not betaken in excess. Some people consume somuch satwic food that even though it issatwic, it develops rajasic qualities. It is only
satwic when you sit for the meal with a lightstomach and get up from it with a lightstomach! If you sit with a light stomach
and get up with a heavy stomach, it becomestamasic (slothful).

Eighth, pure satwic service. With regard toservice, you have to decide what is satwic
and what is rajasic. We clean streets, build
roads in villages or dig wells and do them
all as a service to the community. But the24the help I can do for the community?” Youmust see that there is no untruth in any
work you do, no unfairness, no fraud, noevil motive.

kind of service that we do should give realhappiness to the people. In the name of“social work” you go to a hospital andapproach a patient. This is not real service.
Any person whom you wish to serve, you
should regard as an embodiment of theDivine. Going to the help of the destituteand the neglected is rendering service toGod. Narayana has two forms: one is“Lakshmi Narayana,” the other is “Daridra
Narayana.” This “Lakshmi Narayana” is fullof wealth. He is able to help any number ofpeople. He will be able to get many persons
to serve him. But for “Daridra Narayana,”
there is nobody to serve him. It is to such
persons that we should do satwic service.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.18/Ch.31: 29 Dec 1985
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume18/sss18-31.pdf

There was a famous painter who approached
Krishna and arrayed before Him all his
masterpieces and all his titles, medals andtrophies. He offered to paint a portrait ofKrishna, an offer which was gladly accepted. Sittings were granted and the portrait
was ready; but it was discovered by all thatlooked at it that the picture was somehow
different from the Krishna who gave thesittings. The painter was graciously given a
few more chances, but every time his picture was found quite off the mark, for it
depicted a figure which all agreed was notthat of the Krishna who gave the sittings.
The pride of the artist was pricked flat; hehung his head in shame and left the cityutterly humiliated. Narada saw him on theoutskirts of the city and hearing his plight,
the sage told him, The Lord has a multitude
of forms; indeed, all forms are His. So, you
cannot fix one form on Him and succeed inpainting Him. I shall advise you how toproceed and took him aside. The next day,the painter appeared at the court with a big
framed ‘picture’ covered by a white cloth;the Lord asked him to uncover it and when
he did so, it was discovered that he hadbrought only a mirror. Lord! You have athousand forms; in this picture, all forms
are clearly and instantaneously depicted,
he said. Cleanse your heart and make it aclear mirror; the Lord’s glory will then bereflected therein.

Ninth, sadhana. This is spiritual discipline.
This must be satwic. Some people do hathayoga. Some strive to develop the kundalini
shakti. Some invoke evil spirits to do harm
to others. These forms of sadhana are notsadhana at all. The individual is Chit (Awareness), God is Sat (The Eternal Absolute
Being). When Sat and Chit combine, youhave Ananda—Sat-Chit-Ananda (BeingAwareness-Bliss). Only the sadhana undertaken to realise Sat-Chit-Ananda is true sadhana. Where is this Sat? This Sat, the Divine,
is in everybody. So, you must be prepared
to serve everybody, regarding everyone as
the Divine. You may have a normal relationship with your kith and kin. There isnothing wrong in this. You must perform
sadhana in the spirit that the One pervades
the many. In this process, you must cultivate the feeling of love. There is no higher
sadhana than the cultivation of love!

Tenth, your occupation or profession.
What is the kind of work you should take
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.6/Ch.9: 17 March 1966
up? It should be work that can benefit the
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume06/sss06-09.pdf
nation, the community. The nation enables
you to earn a living. You must see what you This process of purifying the inner instrucan give to the nation, in return. You must ments of man in the crucible of sinask yourself: “What is the service, what is gle-pointed speech, feeling, and activity
25directed toward God is called tapas (austerity). The inner consciousness will be rid of
all blemishes and defects. When the innerconsciousness has been rendered pure andunsullied, God will reside therein. Finally,
one will experience the vision of the Lord
Himself, within oneself.

Pure vision leads to pure thoughts. Purethoughts result in pure actions. Purity inaction is essential for human existence.
Purity in thoughts and purity in speech
must lead to purity in deeds. This is the triple purity hailed by the sages. When thispurity is manifest, human life gets
Bhagavatha Vahini, Ch.31, p.110 redeemed. The principle of ‘Help ever, hurt
http://sssbpt.info/vahinis/Bhagavatha/Bhagavatha31.pdf
never’ becomes the governing principle ofdaily life.

Purity in Action

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.31/Ch.10: 14 April 1998,

One should have mental purity (chitta shudhttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-10.pdfdhi) to attain this nivritti (spirituality). Good
deeds give mental purity (chittasya shud- Determination (daksha) should be confined
dhaye karmah). All the actions that we per- to actions that are pure, helpful to others,
form should contribute to purity of heart. and sublimate man. No man can refrain
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.59: 8 July 1996, from action of some kind or other even for
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/d960708.pdf a moment. In no circumstance should one
engage himself in an impure act. This is the
Perform all your actions with purity of way to achieve purity through firm deterheart. Actions performed without a pure mination. Only such a person can be called
heart are futile. Even if a little work is done a resolute person.
with a pure heart, it becomes fruitful.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.29: 30 August 1993
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.19: 19 Nov 2002

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-29.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-19.pdf

The first of the five restraints ( yamas) is
nonviolence (ahimsa). What is nonviolence?
It means not to hurt or harm anyone bythoughts, words, or deeds. So, nonviolence
amounts to purity of thought, word, anddeed (trikarana shuddhi). Hence, don’t use
words that hurt anyone, don’t use this bodyto harm anybody, and don’t entertain bad
thoughts in your mind like hatred and jealousy against anyone. This total purity ofthought, word, and action is nonviolence.
Not merely purity, the harmony of all three.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.31/Ch.10: 14 April 1998,
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-10.pdf That is true nonviolence.

Purity of the heart is more important than
all rituals and penances. Develop a visionthat will broaden your heart and enable you
to help others and not hurt them. Dedicate
all actions to God. Tyaga (sacrifice) is realyoga (oneness with the Divine). To enjoy
things (bhoga) without sharing with others
is a disease (roga). The Vedas have declaredthat immortality can be attained only
through sacrifice and not by any othermeans.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.44: 12 April 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/d930412.pdf

26

6

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU
HAVE DEVELOPED PURITY?
– Pitfalls
If you are true devotees, examine for yourselves how long you have been listening to
Swami’s discourses. Years have gone by. To
what extent have you grown spiritually?
How far have you put into practice Swami’steachings? What is the use of merely listening? Is it not all a waste? You are listening,
but not putting the teachings into practice.
Hunger can be appeased only when the
cooked food is eaten. Only the devotee whopractises what he has learned is a true devotee.

Your practices are different from precepts.
You are leading selfish and self-centred
lives. Such a life is led by birds and beasts.
Even these exhibit selflessness often. Man
alone leads a totally selfish existence. It is ashame to call such persons devotees. One
must strive at least to practise one or two of
the teachings. This calls for purity inthought, word, and deed. Without such triple purity, man ceases to be human.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.1: 1 January 1993

Even today there are many who sing bhajans and give lectures on spiritual matters
but are unable to get rid of the foul smell ofworldly desires. Until and unless they giveup the worldly desires, they cannot attainthe state of purity. They are accustomed toa materialistic life. They sing bhajans, meditate, etc., with a view to fulfil their worldly
aspirations. They can be compared to butter mixed up with water. In the spiritual
path, one should not give scope for the foulsmell of worldly desires. Some people callthemselves devotees but are turning wicked because of their desires. Can such people be called devotees? No. No. If they arereally devotees, how is it that they emit bad
odour? Their body, mind, intellect and also
their actions are tainted with impurity.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.1: 1 January 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-01.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-01.pdf

If you lack pure mind and good character,
how do you expect Sai, the bestower ofpeace, love, happiness and prosperity, toappreciate you? How do you expect Prema
Sai to treat you as His own?
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.10: 21 July 2002
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-10.pdf

Despite all the teachings, no real transformation is taking place in the behaviour ofman. Of what use are bhajans and satsang(the company of the good) if one does not
become purer? Through the company of
the good, one should cultivate goodthoughts, which in due course will lead one
to jeevan mukti (Self-realisation in this verylife).

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.11: 22 July 2002

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.14: 15 May 1996,

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-11.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/sss29-14.pdf

27

What is the sadhana that you are supposed
to undertake? Make your hearts pure. Tirutonda Alwar (a saint) once said, “If one lacks
purity of heart, one does not even deserveto chant the Divine name of Rama.” Whatis the use of chanting the Divine name with
polluted mind? Today the world is afflictedwith all types of pollution. Man’s thoughts,
words and deeds are also polluted. How
can such a person develop bhakti (devotion
to God)? Today people are wearing themask of bhakti and trying to cheat others.
Do not deceive others. Help ever, hurt never. This is the essence of the eighteen Puranas. Deceiving others amounts to deceiving
yourself.

slightly greater strength than man. With
this extra strength, they have the power tomasquerade themselves as Gods. (Do not
get cheated by these spirits. Beware!).
Sri Sathya Sai Anandadayi, p.292
http://scriptures.ru/jws_exc.htm

Change the angle of your vision. When you
practise seeing the world from the point ofview of the omnipresence of the Divine,
you will get transformed. You will experience the power of the Divine in everythingin creation. You cannot hide anything from
God. Many imagine that Swami does not
see what they are doing. They do not realisethat Swami has a myriad eyes. Even youreyes are Divine. But you are not aware ofyour true nature. When you have faith inyourself, you will have faith in God. Realisethat there is nothing beyond the power ofGod. Love God with that supreme faith.
Then you will be drawn towards God. It
needs purity. A magnet cannot attract apiece of iron covered with rust. Similarly,
God will not draw to Himself an impure
person. Hence, change your feelings andthoughts and develop the conviction that
God is everything.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.11: 22 July 2002
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-11.pdf

You are doing a lot of sadhana. You should
do this with purity of heart. The greatest
sadhana will be chanting the name of theLord and doing service to one’s fellow
beings, who are the embodiments of thesame Atma that is in you. Whatever you do,
do it as an offering to the Divine. What is
the use of sending thousands of rupees andcarrying the padukas (Divine sandals) if you
do not understand their inner significanceand have purity of heart?

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.28/Ch.4: 27 February 1995
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume28/sss28-04.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.28/Ch.17: 8 July 1995

How should you observe purity of feelings?
God is all-pervasive, eternal and immeasurable. He is the embodiment of love, compassion and bliss. Always focus on this truth
and contemplate on Him. In whatever form
you worship Him, He will manifest before
you in that very form.

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume28/sss28-17.pdf

Devotee: Swami, what kind of acts should
be done and what type of acts should be
avoided for self-realisation? We are ignorant of this.
Swami: Do not believe in mesmerism (spiritualism, mediums). Do not try to learn itor practise it. What you see then are evil
spirits. God is not that easily attainable.
God, who is a form of satwaguna (purity),
will never enter into these lowly things andtalk. Man is seven steps below God. Evilspirits are six steps below God. God’s aura
falls on all these steps. Evil spirits have

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.90: 2 Sept 1996,
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/d960902.pdf

28

Your heart is like a big tank, and your senses are like the taps. If you fill your heartwith the water of love, the same sweet
water will come out of the taps of yoursenses. As your heart, so will be youractions. Therefore, when you fill your heartwith love, all your actions will be suffusedwith love.

When a devotee seeks with humility andpurity to give service and love to My creatures who are in need of such selfless service, as his beloved brothers and sisters, as
the blessed manifestations of My Immanence, then in fulfilment of my role as
Sathya Sai, I descend to help, accompany,
and carry that yogi. I am always near such a
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.59: 8 July 1996, yogi to guide him and to shower My love on
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/d960708.pdf
his life.
My Baba and I, p.170
You can work wonders with purity of heart.
http://sairegion2usa.org/service/
Any work which is started with purity ofsai-baba-s-teachings-on-service
heart is bound to succeed. Money flows if
your work is suffused with love and sacrifice. People will provide munificent funds
to support any noble endeavour.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.27/Ch.3: 21 January 1994
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume27/sss27-03.pdf

To feel that the Lord who is immanent in
the universe is in you also as the Atma—that is direct knowledge. If all activity is
moved by the dedicatory spirit, the mind
(chitta) can be rendered pure. Only those
who have pure consciousness can recognise the Divine nature of the Lord’s birthand action (karma),” said Krishna. All cannot so recognise them as Divine.
Geeta Vahini, Ch.8, p.36

http://sssbpt.info/vahinis/Gita/Gita08.pdf

29

7

PURITY IN WORLDLYRELATIONSLove – the Sure path to Purity

You must recognise this love as but a reflection of the Premaswarupa, (the embodiment of Love) that is your reality, the God
who is residing in your heart. Without thatspring of Love that bubbles in your heart,
you will not be prompted to love at all. Recognise that spring, rely on it more andmore, develop its possibilities, try to irrigate the whole world with it, discard all
touch of self from it, do not seek anything
in return for it from those to whom you
extend it. In your daily affairs, do not create
factions, or revel in hatred. See the good inothers and the faults in yourselves. Revere
others as having God installed in them;revere yourself also as the seat of God. Make
your heart pure so He can reside therein.

Man’s purity is manifest when human relations are based on heart to heart and love
to love. Love has a form of a triangle withthree arms. Prema (Divine love) does notseek any return. Where an individual offers
love in expectation of a return, fear overtakes him. The one who loves with noexpectation of any return is totally freefrom fear. Love knows only to give, not toreceive. Such a love is free from fear. Fortrue love, love is its own reward. Thus, loveseeks no return, is free from fear and is its
own reward. These are the basic features oftrue love. Love today is based on desire fora return benefit. It is filled with fear andanxiety. Thus, love is motivated. When love
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.5/Ch.17: 26 March 1965
is based on a desire for transient and perhttp://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume05/sss05-17.pdf
ishable objects, life will be futile. Love must
be its own reward
The hallmark of love is tyaga (selfless sacriSathya Sai Speaks Vol.21/Ch.19: 12 July 1988 fice). Love seeks nothing from anyone. It
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume21/sss21-19.pdf
bears no ill-will towards anyone. It is utterLove can conquer anything. Selfless, pure, ly selfless and pure.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.22: 20 June 1996,
unalloyed love leads the human being to
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/sss29-22.pdf
God. Selfish and constricted love binds one
to the world.
Love should not be based on expectations
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.28/Ch.38: 25 Dec 1995 of a reward or return. Love based on such
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume28/sss28-38.pdf
expectations makes it a business deal. Love
What, then, is true prema (love)? Pure, is not an article of commerce. It is not like aunselfish love towards all living beings, loan and getting it back. It is a spontaneousconsidered as embodiments of the Divine, offering. Pure love of this kind can emanate
with no expectation of reward, is true love. only from a pure heart.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.28/Ch.1: 14 January 1995

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.18/Ch.10: 6 May 1985

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume28/sss28-01.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume18/sss18-10.pdf

30

8

PURITY IN NATURE
Nature’s Lessons on Purity

Another vital element in Nature is water,which is also one of the manifestations of
the Divine. The lesson that water teaches
is: “Son! By nature I am pure, sweet andcool. Purity, patience and perseverance arethree good qualities you have to cultivate.”

When we examine the life and behaviour ofanimals, labelled as ‘lower’, we can learn
many lessons for our own betterment. The
elephant, the cow and the deer do not harmor eat other animals. They live on leaves orgrass or grain. They lead satwic (pure) lives.
Therefore, they receive reverence and worshipful homage of man. On the other hand,
the tiger, the leopard and the wolf havecruel natures; they hurt other animals; theyeat up the animals they kill. As a consequence, man is ever trying to keep theserajasic (passionate) animals at a distance.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.30/Ch.27: 8 Oct 1997
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume30/sss30-27.pdf

Lord Shiva resides on the Himalayas, as thePuranas (scriptures) declare. The innermeaning of this declaration is—Lord Shiva
lives in hearts that are as pure, as white andas cool as the snow (hima) and also as steadyand unmoved (achal) as these mountains.
Your surroundings, therefore, are teaching
you a lesson whenever you turn towards
them. They exhort you to be pure, unblemished, comforting to the distressed andunmoved by either luck or misfortune.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.14/Ch.28: 19 July 1979
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-28.pdf

Strive – that is your duty. Yearn – that isyour task. Struggle – that is your assignment. If only you do these, sincerely andsteadily, God cannot keep back for long the
reward of Realisation. The river strives,
yearns and struggles to merge with the sea
from which it came. It has that consummation ever alert in its consciousness. It
attempts to make itself pure and pellucid,
so that it may be welcome by its source. It
overcomes every obstacle of terrain in orderto journey successfully towards its goal.
Man too must utilise all the physical, mental, intellectual, moral and material endowments that God has granted him so that hemay journey to the goal of Realisation.

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

Purify the Environment

The primary task is to purify the environment, which is affected by pollution of air,water, and food. All the five elements areaffected by pollution. People should therefore try to reduce the use of automobiles
and control the emission of harmful industrial effluents. ... Trees play a vital role inhelping mankind to receive oxygen fromthe atmosphere while they absorb the carbon dioxide exhaled by human beings.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.13/Ch.30: 16 February 1977
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume13/sss13-30.pdf Hence, the ancients favoured the growingof trees to control atmospheric pollution.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.4: 6 February 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-04.pdf

31

Purify the Atmosphere by
Chanting the Divine Name

My advice to officegoers and students isthat it is good for them to commute bycycle at least 5 or 6 kilometres a day. This
cycling exercise is very useful not only for
maintaining health but also for reducing
the expenditure on automobiles. Anotheradvantage is the avoidance of accidents.
Moreover, it serves to reduce atmosphericpollution caused by the release of harmful
fumes from automobiles. The carbon-dioxide smoke from motor vehicles and factories is already polluting the air in cities andis harming the ozone layer above the earth.

The recitation of the names of the Lord will
help to purify the atmosphere as a result of
the sacred sound waves getting absorbed in
the atmosphere. The power of sound waves
is evident from the way radio waves aretransmitted and received over long distances. The atmosphere that has been polluted
by impure sound waves can be purified by
the chanting of the Divine name.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.25/Ch.8: 3 March 1992
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume25/sss25-08.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26:4, 6 February 1993

From today, harness the enthusiasm ofyouth for carrying to every street and alley
the glory of the Lord’s name! The entire
atmosphere is surcharged with electromagnetic waves. Because of the pollution ofthese waves, the hearts of human beings
also get polluted. To purify this atmosphere, you have to chant the Lord’s nameand sanctify the radio waves. There is pollution in the air we breathe, the water wedrink, and the food we consume. Our entire
life has been polluted. All this has to be
purified by suffusing the atmosphere with
the Divine name. Chant the name with joy
in your hearts.

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-04.pdf

As regards ahimsa [nonviolence], in thecontext of industrial management, it has awider social meaning than merely avoiding
causing harm to others. The avoidance ofpollution of the atmosphere or of natural
resources like rivers is one of the ways inwhich an enterprise practices nonviolence.
In these different ways, a great deal of goodcan be done to our people and nation bybusiness managers who adhere to basic
human values and who adopt a spiritualapproach to the tasks of the business world.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.23:3, 10 February 1990
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-03.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.28/Ch.1: 14 January 1995
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume28/sss28-01.pdf

Everyone participating in bhajans shouldsing the name of the Lord and thereby serve
to purify the atmosphere and promote thewell-being of the nation.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.25/Ch.8: 3 March 1992
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume25/sss25-08.pdf

32

9PURITY IN SATHYA SAIORGANISATION

Members of the Sai Organisation and those
who adhere to the universal path to Sai
should not be carried away by ideas of inferiority or superiority based on differencesof religion, caste or creed. They should
honour the virtues of faith, steadfastness,sincerity, purity, wherever found.

al exemplar of the Divine teachings of
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.11/Ch.48: 17 Oct 1972

Conversations With Sathya Sai Baba Vol.B,

The world will respond to the ideal life of aSai devotee. The world is yearning for theideal life and will, of its own accord, adopt
such a life if it comes into view. They will
respond, and they will follow such a life.
pp.180–181
http://media.radiosai.org/journals/Vol_05/01JUN07/02-conversations.htm

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume11/sss11-48.pdf

To transform the world from its present
state, there is no need. for a new social system or a new religion or creed. What isessential is a body of men and women withsacred ideals. When there are such godly
souls the country will enjoy Divine dispensation. But such godly persons can survive
only in a society in which there is purity ofmind and good character. For these two to
blossom, the basis is morality. But morality
cannot flourish without spirituality. Hencethe mansion of the good society has to bebuilt on the foundation of spirituality, withthe pillars of purity and character, and withmorality as the roof.

Unattached work is the purest; it does notencumber the mind with elation or disappointment. ‘I did it,’ ‘This is mine’: these are
the two fangs that make the individual poisonous. Pull out the fangs, the snake can behandled and played with as a pet. These
organisations must be vigilant to see thategoism and the sense of personal possession, pride or achievement, do not invade
them. That is the goal to be kept in view.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.7/Ch.18: 21 April 1967
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume07/sss07-18.pdf

Purity in Service

The worship of jeeva (individual being),
which is the other name for seva can beworthwhile only when the heart is pure. All
the various types of service that one may
write and talk about are mere empty, boasts
if the mind of the sevak (volunteer) is not
pure. A heart bubbling with ananda (bliss)

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.27/Ch.21: 22 July 1994
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume27/sss27-21.pdf

Each member of the Sathya Sai Baba Centre should work very hard to purify thequality of his life, and the goal should be tolead a perfect life, an ideal life; to be an ide33

Preliminary to any seva (act of selfless service), you have to uproot all egotistic tendencies, get rid of all sense of mine andthine and burn to ashes the pride that
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.14/Ch.13: 22 Nov 1978 comes of the feeling that you are offering
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-13.pdf
service to someone poorer and less fortuIn the Sai Organisation there is no room nate.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.14/Ch.13: 22 Nov 1978
for distinctions of race, religion, caste, class
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-13.pdf
or community. All should regard themselves as the children of one God. When As a preliminary to seva you have to win
they are united by this sense of Divine kin- purity of heart. You must examine yourship, they will act with love towards all. motives and skills, your intentions andThey should shed all narrow and limited qualifications, and discover for yourself
ideas and engage themselves in service with what you hope to achieve through the seva.
a heart full of love for all. True seva (selfless You should ferret out any trace of egotism,
service) can come only out of a pure and and also the desire for fame or even of being
loving heart.
near Swami. If you have an irrepressible
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.17/Ch.27: Nov 18, 1984 urge to possess things that contribute to
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume17/sss17-27.pdf
your comfort or sense of superiority over
God will not ask you, when and where did others who are your friends or kith and kin,
you do service? He will ask, “With what then the sooner you leave the Seva Dal the
motive did you do it? What was the inten- better.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.14/Ch.13: 22 Nov 1978
tion that prompted you?” You may weigh
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-13.pdf
the seva and boast of its quantity. But God
seeks quality, the quality of the heart, the While judging the seva done by a member
purity of the mind, the holiness of the of the (Seva) Dal (service wing), it is not the
motive.
quantity or number of individual instances
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.15/Ch.31: 19 Nov 1981 that matter; they do not count at all. Judge
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume15/sss15-31.pdf
rather the motive that led him to serve, theSeva (selfless service) of Sai and seva of Sai genuineness of the love and compassion
devotees is the same. When you serve the with which the seva was saturated.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.14/Ch.13: 22 Nov 1978
Sai devotees, because they are Sai devotees
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-13.pdf
you see the Sai in them, you seek to please
the Sai in them, you revere the Sai in them. Through sacrifice you will come to know
It is like serving a temple where Sai is that your real nature is charity. Charity
installed, a room where a picture of Sai is does not mean that you have given someadored. Throughout this period of seva, you money to an individual or an organisation.
think only of Sai. So, this training helps you The removal of all of the evil thoughts thatto purify your impulses, deify your thoughts, are within you is true charity. Charity will,
canalise your devotion and expand your in turn confer purity upon you. Once you
love. These are big steps in sadhana (spiri- have purity, there will be unity. And once
tual discipline), laudable victories.
you have unity, you can reach Divinity.
and a mind saturated with love may do any
tiny bit of seva, yet that will win much moregrace than huge projects undertaken in
pride and pomp.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.7/Ch.14: March 29, 1967

Sathya Sai Newsletter USA, Vol.13, No. 4, p.20

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume07/sss07-14.pdf

http://saibaba.ws/teachings1/selflessservice.htm

34

Purity in Devotional Activities

Nowadays even avowedly spiritual organisations are involved in business. Sathya Sai
Organisation should never become suchcommercial institutions. The only kind ofcommerce in which they can indulge isfrom heart to heart, from love to love. It isin such a sublime exchange that they shouldtake part. They should have no financial orother material involvement. Organisations
which get entangled in money or property
do not grow.

At the outset, the ego has to be destroyed.
Then anger will subside. Do your duty. Do
not project your ego. Develop mutual helpfulness. Carry on your work with joy. Be
friendly towards each other. It is only when
you behave in this manner that you willrealise the benefits of Likhita Japam (repeated writing of the Lord’s name as a spiritual
exercise)… Through love, eliminate yourbad traits. … Members of the Sai organisation, who undertake sacred activities suchas Nama Likhita Japam … should develop
sacred qualities (and) purify their hearts. …
Fill your minds with good thoughts andengage yourselves in good actions. Chantthe Lord’s name. When the ether is surcharged with the vibrations of the Divine
name, the entire environment gets purified. Those who breathe this sanctified air
will have pure thoughts.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.18/Ch.22: 17 Nov 1985
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume18/sss18-22.pdf

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. 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.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.31: 7 Oct 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-31.pdf

The practice of Nama Likhita Japam (repeated writing of the Lord’s name as a spiritual
exercise) promotes harmony in thought,
word and deed (first thinking about thename of the Lord, then uttering it and thenwriting it). All these three processes should
be carried out with a pure heart. Total purity is essential for all sadhanas (spiritual disciplines).

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.36/Ch.1: 1 January 2003
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume36/sss36-01.pdf

There are some people who are doing business in the name of Sai. They are cheatingothers, pretending to be devotees of Sai. I
do not approve of such behaviour. They are
not devotees at all. They are going to different parts of the country and also abroad tomake money in the name of Sai. It is a big
crime. I do not ask for even a single paisa
from others. I never approve of such business. Whoever it may be, if somebody
approaches you with such a crass motive,
tell him to get out at once. Do not allow
business to enter the field of spirituality.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.31: 7 Oct 1993
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-31.pdf

Purity in Using Sai’s Name

Today even in the field of spirituality, we
find people indulging in business. Spirituality is meant to promote love, not business. Everything will be spoiled if businessfinds its way into the field of spirituality.
Even God’s name will be tarnished. Nobody
spends anything for My sake, nor do I
accept anything from others.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.11: 22 July 2002
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-11.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.34/Ch.18: 9 Oct 2001
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume34/sss34-18.pdf

35

One may do what one likes for the maintenance of one’s family, but nobody should
do business using Sai’s name. Unfortunately, such activity is on the increase. In many
villages, we find people misusing Sai’s namefor their selfish gains. This is happening
even in many other countries like America,
England, Japan, Germany, Singapore,
Malaysia. Do not associate yourself withsuch wicked people. Keep your hearts pureand sacred. Otherwise, you are equal to aliving corpse. Such people should not be
respected. Better you perform their obituary rites!

I seek nothing from anyone. I have notsought anything all these seventy years. My
hand always gives. The only thing that I
seek from you is Love. My love for you ispure, unchanging and selfless. What is yourlife worth if you cannot believe in such
love? Believe in it. You place trust in double-dealers. Why don’t you stand by thetruth which you know? Receive my pure
love with a pure heart. Make yourself holy.
Live in love. Love is God. Bear in mind what
Swami has said and regard Swami’s words
as a beacon light for your lives. With thelight of Swami’s advice in your hearts, you
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.35/Ch.11: 22 July 2002 can proceed on life’s journey for any length
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-11.pdf
of time. Remember with love, God, who is
The advent [of this Avatar] took place six- everything.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.9: 31 March 1996,
ty-four years ago. All these years, this hand
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/sss29-09.pdf
has not stretched at any time to seek anything from anyone. I have not asked anyone. I will never ask anyone and there will
never be an occasion for it.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.23/Ch.34: 23 Nov 1990
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-34.pdf

36

10

EXEMPLARS OF PURITY
Bhagawan Baba

But I do not require anything. I do not needanything in all the three worlds. I do notneed anything for Myself. Still, I am engagedin activity from dawn to dusk in order to
set an ideal. From top to toe, there is no
trace of selfishness in Me. Believe it or not,I always give but never receive. I ask for
only one thing, and that is pure love.

The Avatars that have come and gone haveall cut down trees because they were white
ant infested, but this Avatar is different andunique. Now, the white ants are removed,
the tree is saved, protected, fostered, andencouraged to grow. I am not inclined topunish; I am the goldsmith who repairs andreshapes broken ornaments.

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.31/Ch.34: 29 Sept 1998
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-34.pdf

You cannot realise how much the Lord feels
for your sake. His concern is over your wantonness and wilful disregard of His words,
for He is interested in your keeping yourhearts pure and unblemished. I am very
anxious to make you all reach the goal. My
task is to purify your hearts.

Pure thoughts and feelings will always keep
us cheerful. I am always cheerful. People
wonder how Sai Baba could always be smiling. I cannot but smile. I have no negative
feelings, no bad traits, no bad thoughts nor
any bad habits. I am always pure. You too
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.2. 22: 25 Oct 1961 should follow this.

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume02/sss02-22.pdf

Summer Showers in Brindavan 2002/Ch.12: 27 May ‘02
http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss2002/ss2002d12.pdf

Swami is ever the embodiment of purity.
Whatever Swami does is always for others
and never for Himself. The purity present
in Swami cannot be seen anywhere else;that is how Swami’s heart is pure. It is that
purity that draws people in hundreds andthousands from all over the world to Swami. No invitation is sent to people to comehere, and yet they flock in such large numbers; such is the magnetism of a truly purebody.

Personalities from the Scriptures

God does not consider how wealthy or how
learned you are; He is concerned only withthe sincerity and purity of your mind andheart and about how wholehearted andgenuine your love is. Valmiki was a hunter.
Nanda was an untouchable. Kuchela was apauper. Dhruva and Prahlada were merelads of five years. Sabari was a tribal woman, illiterate and uncivilised. But all of themhad won God’s grace in abundance, becauseof their wholehearted devotion, love andsurrender. Follow the example of Sabari,
who always thought of Sri Rama and His
happiness, and dedicated all her thoughts,
words, and deeds to Him alone, so much sothat every action of hers was transformed
and sublimated into the highest tapas (pen-Summer Showers in Brindavan 2000/Ch.5

http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss2000/ss2000-05.pdf

I need nothing, however great or small, in
this Universe. At no moment has desire
affected me for anything or activity. I am
the person come to give, not to receive.
And, what you can offer Me is just this:pure, unadulterated love.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.12/Ch.53: 23 Nov 1974
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume12/sss12-53.pdf

37

“How selfish you are! You possess unfathomably deep and infinitely vast abuses
within you. But you cannot tolerate a little
amount of waste material dropped intoyou. How selfish of you, who is so vast, notto accommodate the waste! How narrow-minded you are!” The sea gave a wonderful answer to Dakshinamurthy. “Dakshinamurthy! Of course, you know it all. If
I accept a little impurity in me, tomorrow
all the muck will be dumped in me. It will
deform my looks. By and by, the dirt willaccumulate and alter my form and natureirrecoverably. So right from the beginning,
if I take care not to allow any impurity inme, I shall remain clean. I shall remain thetreasure chest I have been,” said the sea.
Hence man should try to repel at once any
trace of impure thought that enters his
mind. If you neglect it assuming it to bejust a little bit, it will grow up into a giant
and cover up your real Self and make you
forget your human nature. We must assert
our human virtues and let them blossom
fully. In this effort, if any bad thoughts, badfeelings or bad ideas arise in us, we mustspot them at once and strive to clear them
away.

ance.) From her example, you must learn
the lesson that meditation does not meansitting idle in a particular posture of thebody, as if you are posing for a photograph.
As in her case, your entire life must become
a continuous meditation wherever you may
be staying and whatever you may be doing.
Whatever you eat or drink must be offered
to God as naivedya or holy offering. In thismanner, if you offer everything to the Lord,
you will naturally be prevented from engaging yourself in bad actions or evil ways inyour life.
Summer Showers in Brindavan 1990/Ch.16: 3 June ‘90
http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1990/ss1990-16.pdf

Prahlada

Prahlada harped upon the same truth in hisarguments with his father. Prahlada
addressed his father and said, “Oh, father!
You were able to gain victory over all theworlds in a moment; but you are not able toconquer the world of your senses and yourmind. Although you are valiant and mighty,
you are not able to conquer forces which
stifle your humanness, increase your bestiality and make you drift away from Divinity. It will be of no use if you conquer earthly empires without vanquishing theSathya Sai Baba Discourse to Students, 18 June 1989
https://sathyasaiwithstudents.blogspot.com/2018/06/
enemies lurking within. Evil qualities which
the-dialogue-between-dakshina-murthy.html
conceal your true nature and destroy yourpurity are abounding within you. Keeping
them like that, it is of no use to offer prayers The Pandavas
Harmony in thought, word and deed, isand acquire powers.”
referred to as trikarana shuddhi. I shall
Summer Showers in Brindavan 1979/Ch.6
http://sssbpt.info/summershowers/ss1979/ss1979-06.pdf relate to you an example from the
Mahabharata to illustrate this. Dharmaraja,
the eldest brother of the Pandavas, was an
Dakshinamurthy
Dakshinamurthy (an incarnation of Lord embodiment of sathya, dharma, shanti, preShiva) watched as the wind brought an ma, and ahimsa. Draupadi, born out of fire,amount of waste material and dropped it represented prana (the life force). Bhima
into the sea. The sea at once sent wave after the son of the wind God, symbolised Chaitwave and pushed the waste ashore. Not anya Shakti (power of awareness). You knoweven for a moment was the sea ready to that life without awareness is jada (inert).
take the waste inside. Dakshinamurthy was Arjuna symbolised the Antahkarana Shakti
upset at the sight and questioned the sea, (power of the inner motivator). Nakula and38

Sahadeva represented the jnanendriyas consists in the unity of thought, word and(organs of perception) and karmendriyas deed in all their purity and sacredness.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.31/Ch.3: 5 February 1998
(organs of action), respectively.
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-03.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.32pt 1/Ch.13: 28 April 1999
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume32/sss32p1-13.pdf

Buddha declared that when spiritual strivToday, the typical individual thinks some- ing of this nature has been completed, there
thing, speaks something else, and acts in is samyag-jeevanam (leading a pure life).
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.31/Ch.3: 5 February 1998
altogether a different way. “Manasyanyat
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-03.pdf
Vachasyanyat Karmanyanyat Duratmanam.”
Such a manner of functioning is typical of a Among the teachings of the Buddha to thewicked person. Arjuna was the epitome of world the foremost was ahimsa (not caustrikarana shuddhi (purity of thought, word, ing harm to anyone). Nonviolence is notand deed). Nakula and Sahadeva, who sym- merely refraining from inflicting injuries
bolised the senses of cognition and action, on others with one’s limbs or weapons.
provided the right sources. Bhima, the son Nonviolence has to be practised with trikaof the wind God, stood by the side of Dhar- rana shuddhi (purity of mind, tongue andmaraja. His presence was as vital as the body). There should be no ill-feelings,
presence of oxygen in the environment. which is a form of violence. To cause harm
Draupadi symbolised the life force. Only to others through the body is also himsa
with the help of this life force could Dhar- (violence). No one should be harmed evenmaraja foster truth, righteousness, peace, by speech. The speech should be sweet,
and love. The Pandavas thus represent the pleasing and wholesome. All actions should
proper use of all the powers in the body in be helpful to others.
purity and harmony.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.14: 15 May 1996
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.32-1/Ch.13: 28 April 1999

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/sss29-14.pdf

http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume32/sss32p1-13.pdf“Buddha laid down three rules for all
actions. All acts done by the hands should
be good. The proper ornament for the kanBuddha
tham (throat) is truth. For the ears the best
Buddha emphasised goodness in action ornament is listening to sacred lore. What(samyag-karma). The mark of good action is other ornaments does anyone need?” (Sanharmony in thought, word, and deed. When skrit shloka).
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.29/Ch.14: 15 May 1996
there is no such harmony, the action belies
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume29/sss29-14.pdf
what is said or thought.
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.25/Ch.11: 6 May 1992
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume25/sss25-11.pdf

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.31/Ch.3: 5 February 1998
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-03.pdf

Buddha went on to declare that good action
is conducive to good spiritual progress(samyag-sadhana). Good deeds constitutegenuine spirituality. Mere formal worshipor ritualistic practices do not constitutespiritual striving. These religious practices
are good in a way. But they do not constitute spiritual sadhana. True spirituality
39Section II
Divine Discourses
A Righteous Emperor and Virtuous Subjects.........41
Students and Satwic Purity.......................................49
Purity of the Heart is True Spiritual Discipline.... 54
Three Assets that You Must Safeguard....................61

A Righteous Emperor
and Virtuous SubjecTS
Anapekshah Suchir Daksha
Udaseeno Gatavyathah
Sarvarambha Parithyagee
Yo Madbhaktah Sa Me Priyah.
(That devotee is dear to me
who is free from desire,
who is pure in body and mind,
who is resolute, unconcerned,
free from sorrow and has renounced all sense of doership.)Anapekshah means one who is free from any kind of Apekshah(desire or expectation). Is it possible in this vast world for any man
to be free from Apekshah? This is not possible. Somethings may beattractive to some persons and some high aims may interest others. The objects that are desired are sensual pleasures and comforts and things of the world. The Sreshta (higher aims) relate to
the non-sensual, non-physical and ultra-mundane. Almost alldesires fall into one or other of these two categories. How, then,is it possible to be rid of both kinds of desires? This is possible.
In the Bhagavad Geetha, the Lord has declared that He is present
in all righteous actions. Therefore, those who perform righteous
actions can develop anapekshah (desirelessness). This means thatwhen a man performs all actions as offerings to the Lord, they
become anapekshah (desireless actions). The Lord is one who,from within, makes a person act, speak, listen, see and do manyother actions. He is the doer and the enjoyer. If a person performs
all actions with the conviction that the Indwelling Lord is the real
Doer, then his actions become desireless. Hence every sadhaka(spiritual aspirant) should regard his actions as offerings to theDivine.

41

Brooding over the past andspeculating about the future,
man is failing in his duties in
the present. This is the causeof his misery.

the present age), all these four are rampant.
Untruth has become ubiquitous. People
freely indulge in slandering others. Talebearing goes on. Indulgence in loquacity is
widespread. It is only when one gets rid of
these four evil tendencies can his speech
become pure and unpolluted. Hence, thefirst task is to purify one’s speech.

How to purify the mind and bodySuchi: This means purity. This term does
not merely refer to the external cleanlinessof the physical body. Sadhakas (spiritual
aspirants) need internal purity also. What
are the implications of inner purity? All theactions a man does issue from internal
impulses and not from external forces.
They are a reflection of his inner being. It isonly when man has pure feelings within
him that his actions can be pure. When heis polluted within, all his actions will be
impure.

Next comes the mind. The mind is polluted
by wrong thoughts and bad feelings. Man
should strive to keep away all bad thoughtsfrom invading his mind. When a man isceaselessly filled with bad thoughts, he canonly reap bad consequences. To purify themind, all bad thoughts have to be expelled.
No room should be given to them. Bad feelings should be banished from the mind.
Only then the mind will get totally
purified.
Then comes purity of the body. One musthave a body that is free from the taint of
himsa (violence or harm). Men commit
many acts of violence and many sinful actswith their hands. The body has been given
to man primarily for practising Dharma(righteousness). Such a sacred gift should
be used only for rendering service to othersand doing godly actions. This is the way topurify the body. Therefore, when speech,
mind and the body are purified, internal
purity is ensured. Suchi (purity), thus, calls
for internal purity as well as externalcleanliness.

How is purity in speech achieved?
How are the internal impulses to be purified? These relate to the mind, speech andthe body. Of the three, speech is the mostimportant. How is purity in speech to beachieved? “Anudhvegakaram Vaakyam Sath­yam priyahitam cha yat,” says the Bhagavad
Geetha. Every word you utter should be freefrom Anudvegakaram (causing excitement
or agitation). It should be sathyam (true)
and priyam (pleasing). There are four factors which account for the pollution of the
tongue. One is, uttering falsehood; two,
excessive talking; three, carrying tales
against others; four, abuse or criticism ofothers. The tongue is prone to indulge inthese four types of offences in speech.
Unfortunately, in this Kali Age (Kali Yuga,

Daksha: This means that one should havefirm determination in performing actions.
The determination should be confined toactions that are pure, helpful to others andsublimate man. No man can refrain from42

about the future, man is failing in his duties
in the present. This is the cause of his misery. Make right use of the present and agood future is assured. The aspirant shouldbear this truth in mind and concentrate his
attention on the present. Mental worry
Udaseeno: This means freedom from about the past or the future is a rajasic (pasattachment to anything. It means remain- sionate or agitating) quality. It should be
ing serene and unruffled by fame or blame, got rid of.
peace or sorrow, loss or gain, pleasure or Sarvarambha parithyagee (renunciation ofpain, not elated by prosperity or depressed all undertakings).: This quality calls for the
by failure. One should not succumb to cal- renunciation of Ahamkara (egoism) in any
umny. Nor should one exult over fame. form. The ego is rooted in the Mamakara
Fame and censure are like passing clouds. (possessive instinct). When egoism andOne should look upon them as a mere wit- possessiveness come together in a man, he
ness. They should be treated with Udaseeno is utterly ruined. Hence, one should be free(equanimous feeling). To treat them seri- from egoism and attachment.
action of some kind or other even for a
moment. In no circumstance should one
engage himself in an impure act. This is theway to achieve purity through firm determination. Only such a person can be calleda Daksha (a resolute person).

ously is to give rise to agitations in the The aforesaid six qualities are sacred virmind, which may lead to demonic tues. The opening stanza declares that a
devotee with these six qualities is dear totendencies.
the Lord.

Be free from worries

The six enemies of man

Gatavyathah (one who is free from mental
anguish): Vyathah (mental anguish) represents the greatest weakness in man today.
Man ignores the duties he has to performin the present. He broods over what has
happened in the distant past. He is constantly speculating over what is likely tohappen in the future. Why worry about the
future or about dead past? The past is
beyond recall or remedy. Forget the past.
The future is uncertain. No one can be sure
about what is likely to happen the next day.
Don’t think about the future, as you cannot
be sure about it. Concern yourself with thepresent, which is the child of the past andthe parent of the future. This attitude isrepresented by the term Gatavyathah.
Brooding over the past and speculating

Apart from these six good qualities, man
has six vices: Kama (lust), Krodha (anger),
Lobha (greed), Moha (delusion), Mada (conceit) and Matsarya (envy). These six enemies of man have to be got rid of and thesix good qualities should be cultivated.
Only then human life can be mademeaningful.
Emperor Bali was one who was endowedwith these noble qualities. For this reason,
the Lord came down to the earth andsought a gift from Bali. There are many
philanthropists in the world. There are persons who make gifts of land, or of cows, orfood, or clothes, or gold, but few can befound who are prepared to make an offering of themselves. Emperor Bali was one
43

Man’s mind is polluted.
Man’s heart is polluted.
All his feelings are polluted.
It is because of this basic
pollution that all otherthings appear polluted.

Prahlada was an impartial
and fair judge

Once, there was a contest between Viro­chana, the son of Prahlada, and Sudhanva,
the son of the Sage Angeerasa. It was agreed
that whoever lost the contest should forfeit
his life to the winner. Both of them prayedto Prahlada to act as the judge for the contest, being convinced that he would be
totally impartial and fair. Prahlada agreed
to act as judge because he was pledged to
uphold truth, without any other consideration. After watching the contest, Prahlada
declared Sudhanva as the winner and his
own son, Virochana, as the loser.

who was ready to give himself away as agift. “I am offering to Thee, Oh Lord, everything that is mine, my wealth, and family.
Only the Atma (Self) remains. Save me, who
is taking refuge in Thee,” explains a sloka. “Igave my word to you. I am giving my kingdom to you. At this instant, I am offering
my body to you.” Declaring thus, Emperor
Bali bowed before Vamana (Avatar of theLord Vishnu).

Unable to control his joy over the verdict,Sudhanva embraced Prahlada and said:“Prahlada! It is because of unflinching
upholders of truth like you that the world
shines in all its glory. If there were no meritorious people on earth, how can there belight in the world? Prahlada! Because ofyour adherence to truth you gave the verdict against your own son.” Prahlada knewthat whoever lost the contest should forfeit
his life. But that did not deter him frompronouncing the verdict against his son.
There is no greater Dharma (Righteousness)than Truth–”Sathyanasti Paro Dharmah.”
Prahlada was not swayed by any sense ofpaternal love. He shed no tears. He watchedthe outcome of his judgment with a senseof fulfilment.

In ancient times, there were many such
noble and high-minded rulers. Bali waswedded to Truth. He cared only for thewelfare of his people. He was a protector of
Truth. He practised Dharma.
Such a ruler was reigning over Kerala atthat time. He derived all his multifarious
virtues from his grandfather, Prahlada.
However, Bali’s father, Virochana, wasengaged in wicked thoughts and bad deeds
like Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada’s father. All
three belonged to the same clan. Virochanaattempted to make Bali pursue wrong
paths. But good and bad ways cannot be
imposed on others. The marks of good
behaviour of persons reflect their inherent
goodness.

Recognising the utter dedication of
Prahlada to Truth and Righteousness,
Sudhanva declared: “Prahlada! your devotion to Truth will restore the life of yourson. I am not claiming his life as the reward44for my victory. I am giving back your son’s ronment as polluted. Enormous sums arelife to you.
being spent on purifying the environment.
It is not the environmental pollution about
Dharma protects its protector
which we should be concerned. What is of“Dharma eva Adharmo hanti. Dharmo
concern is the pollution of Hridaya (theRakshati Rakshitah” (Dharma destroys theheart). Man’s mind is polluted. Man’s heart
one who harms it. Dharma protects its prois polluted. All his feelings are polluted. It is
tector). “Prahlada! You have stood bybecause of this basic pollution that all other
Dharma (Righteousness). Thereby you havethings appear polluted.
saved your son.” In this manner Sudhanva
The primary need today is to eradicate thepraised Prahlada.
pollution in the human mind. How is thisPrahlada’s life exemplified innumerable virto be accomplished? The mind today istues and ideals. Because of such great andimmersed in worldly desires and pleasures.
virtuous rulers in those days, the world was
As a result, there is mental dissatisfaction
blessed with peace and prosperity. Today
as well as bitter frustration. The mind
everywhere disorder, discontent, distrust,should be turned back to the source frominjustice, indifference to what is good andwhich it came. A fish out of water has to be
indulgence in what is bad, excessive attachrestored to the water for it to regain its life.
ment to sensuous pleasures, selfishness andCan it survive if it is placed on a couch andself-centredness, are rampant among peofed with coffee? It will regain peace and life
ple. It is unfortunate that Bharat (India),
which was once famous for its morality and only when it returns to its native home.
righteousness, its dedication to Truth and Likewise, man’s mind has to be restored toDharma, should have degenerated to this its original home in the Atma (Self). Withoutlevel today. This is a blot not only on the doing this, how can peace be got? Thus,
country but a matter of shame for the peo- mental peace has to come from the Atma.
ple of Bharat. If we have a look at the state This calls for turning the mind towards theof the society, we find that all activities in Atma by the use of the conscience.
society are related to self-praise, abusing
others and duplicity in speech. These triple
vices are now ubiquitous. Bharatiya (Indian)society, which was once so glorious, is now
plunged in darkness, enveloped in discord,
agitation and pollution.

Follow the conscience
with full Self-confidence

Don’t rely on the body. It is a water bubble.
Don’t rely on the mind, which is like a madmonkey. Follow the conscience. When you
follow the conscience with full self-confidence, you can accomplish anything.

Pollution of the heart
is of great concern today

Emperor Bali was one who had suchself-confidence. When his preceptor,
Shukracharya, wanted to dissuade Bali
from making the gift which Vamana (theincarnation of Vishnu) asked, pointing out

Man considers the air as polluted, water as
impure and the sounds reaching him as
intolerable. Even the food is polluted. The
Government also considers the entire envi45

Do not follow the body.
Follow the mind and theAtma. The one who follows
the Atma is the real spiritual
seeker.

were equally attached to the emperor. The
people bore devotion towards the ruler.
The ruler was attached to his subjects.
Their mutual relationship was intimate
and indivisible. It was because of such a ruler and such subjects that the country was
happy and prosperous.

Significance of Onam daythat the young lad was no ordinary
Brahmana but the incarnation of Vishnu
Himself, Bali declared: “If the young lad is
Vishnu Himself, as you say, that is all themore reason for me to stand by the offer I
have made when the supplicant is thesupreme Lord. Is it not my great good fortune to be in the position of a giver to the
Lord? All human beings seek favours fromthe Lord. When such a Divine Being
approaches me with a request for threefoot-lengths of land, how fortunate am I?
This opportunity has come to me becauseof my good deeds in previous lives. I am
ready to go against the injunctions of thepreceptor, but I will not transgress thecommands of the Lord. The plighted word
stands. You may see two objects with thetwo eyes and listen to two different things
with the two ears. But the tongue is one.
The word that is given must be honoured. I
cannot go back on it. The man who does
not fulfil his promise is dubbed a sinner. I
am determined to keep my pledge. God is
the Supreme person and Lord of all beings.
I will abide only by His words.”

Unwilling to forsake his subjects and at thesame time, unable to go back on his promise to the Lord, Bali gave a pledge to thepeople that he would visit them once a year.
This Onam day is the auspicious day ofBali’s annual visit to the earth. It is thesacred day on which Emperor Bali returns
to bless his people. In the month of
Shravana, when the moon is nearest to theconstellation Shravana, Bali said he would
make his appearance. Today that auspicious
combination is present. As Sri Eradi said in
his speech earlier, this is the twenty fifth
year in which the Onam festival is celebrated in Bhagawan’s presence. What is the lesson to be learnt from this Silver Jubilee of
Onam? Over the past twenty-four years
you have been listening to Bhagawan’s discourses experiencing His presence andenjoying the celebration. How far are youpractising Swami’s teachings? Every humanbeing has a heart. This heart is filled withlove. With how many are you sharing thelove in your hearts? With none at all. What,then, is the use of that love if it is notshared? You must share with all the love inyour hearts, not with humans alone, butwith all beings in creation. Love, which is
the gift of God, has to be shared with everyone in the world.

Emperor Bali was such a resolute ruler.
Thereby, he secured a glorious opportunity. However, Bali had one special attachment for his subjects. The subjects also46

Share your love with one and all

Krishna maintained the same serenity ofmind whether he was in a Yoga-Bhumi(place of yoga), or a Yuddha-Bhumi (battlefield) or Sashana-Bhumi (a cemetery). He
was always in a state of bliss. You should
aspire to experience such bliss. Only thencan you be said to experience Krishna
Consciousness. Whatever deity you may
worship, you should experience the lessonsof the deity within you.

All human troubles arise out of the failure
to share this love with one and all because
of selfishness. Everyone repeats the benediction: “Loka-samastha-sukhino Bhavantu!”(Let all the people of the world be happy).
To how many are you giving happiness?
You are repeating the words mechanically,
but are you praying from your hearts forthe well-being of the world? No, not at all.
You are concerned only with your selfish
interests. The day you root out selfishness Experience Sai truths byfrom within you, divinity will blossom in filling yourselves with love
Swami’s main teaching is Prema tatwa (theyour heart.
Love principle). You are all experiencing
People talk about Sakshatkaram (Reali­
this love. With how many are you sharing
sation). What is it? It is not something
it? All around there is only hatred. Only
external. Sakshatkara is contemplation ofegoism is present all the time. Equally
the Divine at all times and in all states withostentation is displayed all the time. How
in one’s self. “Sarvada, sarvakalesu sarvatra
then, can you be deemed to have experiHari Chintanam” (Thinking of God at all
enced the Sai truths? Whoever has imbibed
times, in all places continuously). People dorecite the name of Rama incessantly. But those truths must be filled with love. That
will liberation be got by this repetition? To is the true mark of devotion.
Emperor Bali was one who was filled withthe sense of justice, with forbearance, compassion, Truth, Dharma (Righteousness),and devotion to the people. Are you cultivating at least one of these good qualities?
Bali gave his promise to the people toappear before them every year because his
people had all these qualities. The people oftoday are different. How can anyone knowwhether Emperor Bali is appearing? Peoplecelebrate Bali’s visit as a festival, but Bali is
not coming. Why? Because the qualities ofthe people of those days are not present
today. Doubtless, Bali loves his people. But
the people today must have the power todraw him to visit them.

gain liberation, to win Rama’s grace, it is
not enough to repeat His name, you haveto act up to Rama’s principles. Rama sacrificed everything for the sake of Dharma(Righteousness). You have to make a similar
sacrifice. Keep Dharma as your ideal. Engage
yourself in righteous activities. Only thenwill Rama shower His grace on you. If, on
the contrary, you perform no Dharmic acts
but only repeat Rama’s name, it is tantamount to abusing Rama.
Likewise, there is no meaning in repeating
Krishna’s name. What the devotee should
do is to experience the ecstasy of Krishna
Consciousness. Nor is that all. You should
develop the equal-mindedness of Krishna.
47

They should be like a powerful magnet
which can attract a heavy block of iron.
They will then be able to move and melt
the heart of the Divine. You are doubtlessmagnets. But you have to purify yourselves
to increase your magnetic power. That
purity consists in the triple purity of mind,
speech and body.

remains only for a short spell. The mergerof soul in the Divine takes place for different reasons. In the case of Kamsa, it was
fear of Krishna, which made him always
remember Krishna; hatred in the case of
Shishupala and Dantavakra, maternal aff­ection in the case of Yashoda, who mergedin Krishna through love. The gopikas (cowherd maidens of Vrindavan) merged in the
Reasons for merger of
Lord through single-pointed devotion andthe wicked in the Lord
Radha merged in the Lord owing to Ekatma
Whatever anyone may do, there can be nobhava (sense of spiritual oneness). All
deficiency in the Divine. Whether you
attained merger. But in each case, it was up
praise or blame God, neither affects Him.
to a specific level.
In the Mahabharata once Dharmaraja
watched with anguish the abuses levelled Cultivate the spirit of sacrifice
against Krishna by Shishupala and which Do not follow the body. Follow the mind
Krishna tolerated for quite some time. and the Atma. The one who follows theThen he hurled a plate at Shishupala which Atma is the real spiritual seeker.
severed his head. Dharmaraja saw the blood Contemplating on God with all your heart,from Shishupala’s body flowing towards chanting His name and surrendering to
Krishna and a Divine flame from his body Him, redeem your lives. The name andmerging in Krishna.
fame of God are not derived from outside.
Dharmaraja asked Narada how the soul of awicked person like Shishupala could merge
in Krishna. Narada explained that good andbad, fame and blame relate only to the bodyand not to the Atma. The merger in the
Divine of devotees who have worshippedthe Lord in many ways takes place after along period of trials and tribulations, but it
lasts eternally. In the case of the wicked,
who remember the Lord constantly out of
hatred, the merger takes place quickly but

They are not the creations of newspapers
and pamphlets. They do not change becauseof any circumstance. The Lord’s name andfame grow out of their sacredness and love.
Therefore, do not bother about anything.
Develop your love. Promote your Divine
nature. Cultivate the spirit of sacrifice.
Discourse in the Sai Ramesh Hall, Brindavan
30 August 1993

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.26/Ch.29: 30 August 1993
http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-29.pdf

48Students and satwic
purityA son without virtue
An education without aim
A life without justice
A community without morality
And a night without the moon
Are of no use to the world.

D

ear students! Moral education is the primary requisite inlife for every student. It is his basic duty. In the Sanskrit
language, personality is described as pourusham—thehallmark of a purusha (a person). Although “personality” andpourusham may have the same meaning, they are words pregnant
with significance. People who do not know the inner meaning ofthese terms, use them casually. Only the one who manifests theindwelling, invisible, divine principle in him is qualified todescribe himself as a purusha (a person). He should manifest the
divine power in him.
The Sanskrit term Pourusha means a quality associated with moral behaviour. The English word “person” is delved from the Latin
term “persona.” In the post-Christian period, the term “persona”
came to be used to refer to the Divine assuming a human form. In
due course, it was applied to all human beings as persons who
were inherently divine.

The primary duty of man

The term Pourusha is commonly used to mean hatred or anger orstrength. The true meaning, however, is: it is a quality associatedwith Purusha. Purushatva (the Purusha principle, manhood) does
not refer to externals like dress or other physical features. The
sage Narada referred to Purusha as Puman and declared that who-

49

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

indwelling Spirit. “Wholeness” means that
all these elements should be whole. The
mind should be in a state of fullness. It
should not be in a state of “jumps andbumps.” There should be no room for confusion or depression.

Practise sadhana
to discipline the mind

To achieve such a state of mind, it is necesever realises Puman (the Supreme person)
sary to understand the meaning of everybecomes saturated with Divine Bliss. Thus,thing and every situation. For instance, if athe terms Purusha can be applied only to
student has failed in an examination, he
the Divine.
should not get depressed. Instead, heHence, it is the primary duty of man to should examine the reasons for his failure,
manifest the divinity in him in his life. whether he had not studied properly or
One’s life-story is regarded as made up of understood the subjects correctly. If he
his childhood, growth, achievements, his finds that his failure is due to inadequate
thoughts and ideals. But what is funda- preparation, he should resolve to do bettermental to a man’s life is his moral stature. in the future.
Neeti (Morality) is delved from the Sanskrit To develop one’s moral and mental strength,
word Nita. Neeti means right conduct. It is one should practise sadhana for disciplinthe path that leads one to the sublime. ing the mind. For this purpose, one has toGood character, purity of thought and self- promote ten kinds of purity (satwa).
less sacrifice are all covered by Neeti. It
The first is purity of the place in which onecomprehends all good deeds. “Only a comlives. It is necessary to fill the room in which
munity devoted to morality is a true com- one resides or studies with a satwic (pure)munity,” says an adage. The ancients atmosphere. The pictures or other objects
regarded Neeti as fundamental, without you see should fill you with peace and purewhich the society will be ruined To pro- thoughts. Objects which arouse agitation
mote Neeti the Divinity that is in each one and bad thoughts should have no place.
must be manifested. For this purpose, even The room should be clean and free fromthe body has to be made pure and hence anything that is impure.
good health is essential.
Second: In the family in which you live,
The word “Health” is derived from the there should be mutual understanding andAnglo-Saxon word “helig” meaning pari­ cooperation, and a sense of harmony. There
poornamu (wholeness) or inner Spirit. What should be no discord in the family that willis the wholeness that is to be achieved? The create a bad atmosphere. A harmonious
body consists of the sense organs, the mind, atmosphere will give you true peace of
the intellect, the consciousness, and the mind.
50

The third need is satwic food. This meansthat none of the edible items should be
excessively sour, bitter or hot. You should
eschew rajasic (food which excites the passions or intoxicates) food like fish or meat.
Even good satwic food should not be taken
in excess. Some people consume so muchof satwic food that even though it is satwa,
it develops rajasic qualities. It is only satwic
when you sit for the meal with a light stomach and get up from it with a light stomach!
If you sit with a light stomach and get up
with a weighty stomach, it becomestamasic.

offences which you will not tolerate inothers.

Fifth: Satwic thoughts and feelings are ofgreat importance. Students tend to neglect
this factor. Only if your thoughts and feelings are pure, can you get the full benefit ofa clean room, a good family and pure food.

and what is rajasic. We go and clean streets,build roads in villages or dig wells and dothem all as a service to the community. But
the kind of service which we do should give
real happiness to the people. In the name of“social work” you go to a hospital andapproach a patient. This is not real service.
Any person whom you wish to serve, you
should regard as an embodiment of theDivine. Going to the help of the destituteand the neglected is rendering service toGod.

Seventh: Whatever books you read orwhatever you write should be pure. This is
the sadhana relating to study–sahitya satwi­
ka (purity of literature, of that which isread). If you read or write that which is notpure, it warps your mind. A good bookmakes for a good mind. Any book you may
study about Physics or Chemistry or othersubjects, does not affect your character. But
books which are literary, are not always
good literature. If improper books are prescribed for study, treat them as mere textFourth: Whatever fluids you take should books and do not attach any high value toalso be satwic. You should not drink what- them as guides for life.
ever water is available. It should be pure Eighth: Pure satwic service. With regard towater. Alcoholic spirits should be eschewed. service, you have to decide what is satwic

Sixth: If you want to develop satwic feelings
and thoughts, your vision must be pure. All
srishti (creation) is based upon drishti (sight).
It is only when you have wrong vision thatyou have wrong thoughts. You must lookupon every elderly woman as your motherand all women who are younger as yoursisters. When you are filled with such purethoughts, you will have pure feelings. It isbecause you are students, you have to be
told this. Imagine how offended you will
feel if someone looks at your mother or sister with an evil eye. Realising this, you haveto entertain pure feelings towards other
women. You should not commit the sort ofNarayana has two forms: one is “Lakshmi
Narayana” (God dwelling in the rich), theother is “Daridra Narayana” (God dwellingin the poor). This “Lakshmi-Narayana” isfull of wealth. He is able to help any number of people. He will be able to get many
persons to serve him. But, for ‘Daridra
Narayana’ there is nobody to serve him. It is51to such persons that we should do satwic To dispel the doubts of Uddhava, Krishnaservice.
sent him to Repalle (Vrindavan). Uddhava
Ninth: Sadhana (spiritual practices). This is summoned the gopikas and told them: “Ispiritual discipline. This must be satwa. will teach you the path of Jnana (Wisdom)
Some people do Hata Yoga (yogic exercis- to realise the Divine.” The Gopikas came toes). Some strive to develop the Kundalini Uddhava and told him, “We are not interShakti (Kundalini energy). Some invoke evil ested in learning any shastras (scriptures)!
spirits, to do harm to others. These forms Teach us one simple means by which weof sadhana are not sadhana at all. The indi- can realise Krishna! We are not aware ofvidual is Chit (Consciousness), God is Sat any yoga (mastery over the vagaries of the(The Eternal Absolute). When Sat and Chit mind) or bhoga (enjoyment) or mantra.
Krishna is everything for us, our yoga or
combine, you have Ananda (Bliss).
bhoga. Please, therefore, tell us the means
Sath-Chith-Ananda(Being-Awarenessby which we can obtain Krishna! We do not
Bliss). Only the sadhana undertaken towant to waste our time on yoga.
realise Satchidananda is true sadhana.
Where is this Sath? This Sath, the Divine, is Uddhava asked the gopikas: “How can you
in everybody. So, you must be prepared to become one with Krishna?” One gopika
serve everybody, regarding everyone as the answered:Divine. You may have normal relationship “If Krishna were a flower, I would be a bee
with your kith and kin. There is nothing whirling round Him. If He were a tree, I
wrong in this. You must perform sadhana would be a creeper twining round him. If
in the spirit that the One pervades the He were a mountain, I would be a river casmany. In this process, you must cultivate cading from its top! If Krishna were thethe feeling of Love. There is no higher sad­ boundless sky, I would be a little star, twinhana than the cultivation of Love!
kling in the firmament. If He were the deep
ocean, I would be a small stream, joining
the ocean. This is the way I would be one
with Krishna and merge with Him.”
Another gopi said: “If Krishna were a flower, I would be a bee which goes on sucking
every drop of honey in the flower tasting
the nectar that is there! This is our approach
to God.” So, spiritual sadhana means toregard a mountain or a tree, or a flower, or
the ocean, as a means of God-realisation.

Gopikas’ devotion to Krishna

Uddhava was an adept in the path of Jnana
Yoga (Knowledge and Wisdom). He wanted
to teach the gopikas (the cowherdesses) the
path of wisdom. So, he approached Krishna.
Krishna told Uddhava: “The gopikas aretotally devoted to me. Their devotion isfundamental to their life and reaches My
heart! Their purity and devotion are like alight that shines! You cannot understandthe hearts of such devotees! I am completely enshrined in their hearts.” Uddhava
doubted whether the ignorant and illiterate gopikas could understand the Divine.

Tenth: Your occupation or profession.
What is the kind of work you should takeup? It should be work which can benefit thenation, the community. The nation enables
52

your parents by your conduct. Strive tobring credit to your educational institute.
Above all, try to earn the grace of God bybeing helpful to your fellow-beings. Only
these constitute true education.

you to earn a living. You must see what you
can give to the nation, in return. You mustask yourself: “What is the service, what is
the help I can do for the community?” Youmust see that there is no untruth in any
work you do, no unfairness, no fraud, noevil motive.

Different branches of knowledge are likerivers, while spiritual knowledge is theocean. Even as the rivers merge in the
Ensure freedom from birth byocean, all types of knowledge merge in spi­present karma
These are the pure things which you have ritual knowledge.
to observe in your life. If you engage your- You must bear in mind the company you
selves in right action, you will not be bound keep. Kabir said, “I salute the bad and also
by the consequences of karma (one’s the good!” Kabir was asked: “We can underactions, and the accompanying results). stand your offering salutations to the good,
Because of past karma, you have got the
but what is the point in offering salutations
present life. By your present karma you canto the bad?” He replied, “When I salute theensure freedom from birth. Through love,
bad, I am saluting them, saying, please
you develop faith; through faith and earremove yourself from my presence. I salutenestness, you acquire knowledge; throughthe good, saying, please come to me!” Youknowledge, you develop sadhana (spiritualmust avoid the company of the bad andpractices), and through sadhana, you ach­cultivate the company of the good.
ieve the goal. So, for practising sadhana,
Association with the good (satsang) is pure
you require wisdom, and for acquiring wisdom, you require sraddha (earnestness and yoga! I desire that you should pursue thisfaith) and for sraddha you must cultivate kind of yoga and confer happiness on all
love. So, love is the means and for this you people with whom you are associated!
must acquire control of the senses. If grad- You should strive to get rid of all your badually you reduce your desires, you will be thoughts, give up all your bad traits, disable to bring the senses under control.
charge your obligations to your parents,
Every student should prepare himself to render selfless service to the community
serve as an ideal for the community. There and thereby redeem your lives and earn theshould be no discord among your col- grace of God. This is my blessing for all oflege-mates and no room for hate or ill-will. you.
You should discharge your duties and please
Discourse at Brindavan, 29 December 1985

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.18/Ch.31: 29 December 1985
http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume18/sss18-31.pdf

53

Purity of the Heart Is
True Spiritual Discipline

Without any real work, chatting throughout the day,is this spiritual discipline, do you think?
Following a regimen of feeding your belly thrice a day,
do you think it is spiritual discipline?
Vigorous activity by day and deep sleep by night,
do you think this is spiritual discipline?
Is this for which God created you?
You spend a whole lot of time in this kind of regimen
but this is not spiritual discipline.
Do not waste your time in this manner.
From this moment strive to know God.
This alone is spiritual discipline.
(Telugu poem)

E

mbodiments of Love! The all-pervading consciousness iscalled Divinity. It is also said that Divinity is present in allliving beings. But no one has seen that omnipresent
Divinity.
Only human beings can contemplate on and realise the Cosmic
Person. In fact, human life itself is the manifestation of Divine
power. But some people do not agree with this statement.

Divinity is manifest in every living being. The same Atmic Principle(Atma Tatwa) is present not only in human beings but in every
living being in the universe. But one has to have a pure and selfless heart to realise this truth. In order to realise this truth, youhave to constantly contemplate on God. By doing so, your heart
will become pure and peaceful. The moment you attain thatstage, God will surely perceptibly manifest in you.

54

so compassionate that He gave His darshan(sight of the Lord) to Kamsa.

This must be your spiritual discipline (sad­hana). It is not the practice of meditation
alone that can make God manifest to thespiritual aspirant.

No spiritual discipline will help in realising
God if one is devoid of purity of the heart.
The different kinds of disciplines like fasting and meditation, etc., will help to develop faith in the omnipresent God, who, in
fact, resides as the in-dweller in you.

God is present as the in-dweller uniformly
in human beings as well as insects, birds
and beasts. Suppose you put a question,“Where is God now?” The spontaneousanswer would be that God is present in you
also. Several people undertake spiritual disciplines like meditation to find answers tosuch questions.

People generally think that God gave dar­shan to such and such person. But the truth
is God never gives darshan to people whohave no purity of the heart. Hence, if you
Sage Narada affirmed that God could be wish to have darshan of God, you must
realised through the nine forms of devo- develop purity of the heart.
tion, namely, listening, singing, contem- All kinds of spiritual exercises are meantplating on Vishnu, serving His lotus feet, only to attain purity. The moment you
salutation, worship, servitude. friendship, attain purity of the heart, the omnipresent
and self-surrender (sravanam, kirtanam, God will manifest right in front of you.
Vishnusmaranam, Padasevanam, vandanam, Unfortunately, today in the world, there isarchanam, dasyam, sneham, Atmanive- a dearth of gurus who can firmly lead theseeker on the path of purity. They confine
danam).
themselves to some mechanical techniques
There is no one in this world in whose heartof meditation in exchange for money.
God does not dwell as the in-dweller.
In fact, one does not need to undertake any
Therefore, is meditation required to visualcomplex system of meditation. One canise such an all pervading and omnipresent
undertake the simple spiritual exercise ofGod?
constant contemplation on the omnipresMany teach different techniques of medita- ent God. Few teach such simple methods
tion today. But meditation is meant to nowadays. People listen to and read aboutacquire purity of the spiritual heart, for, several intriguing kinds of meditation andwithout attaining purity of the heart, the start the one that catches their interest or
seat of awareness, God, cannot be realised. imagination.
Hence, one has to strive to attain purity of
Embodiments of Love! If you want to visuthe spiritual heart.
alise God, you must attain purity of theWhat kind of spiritual exercises (sadhanas)
did Kamsa do in the Dwapara Yuga (the age
preceding Kali Yuga, in which Krishna wasborn)? In fact, he was constantly abusing
Lord Krishna. However, Lord Krishna washeart. You refer to a certain individual andsay that he is your father. But the father isembarrassed at such reference since he is,in reality, the same Atmic Principle (Atma
Tatwa) that is present in all human beings.
55

Do not consider anyone as
an enemy and abuse them.
One day, they may be an
enemy to you, but you may
become friends on another.
Don’t consider someone as
separate from you. All arefriends.

their eyes. The maidens were highly realised souls who had the firm conviction thatthe same Atmic Principle was present inevery individual, nay, every living being.
That is why they could visualise Krishna inevery individual and every object of theworld.
All that we see in the objective world, say,for example, this hall, the buildings around,etc., are not really objects. People often getdeluded into thinking so, seeing theirexternal forms. The universal Atmic Prin­
ciple (Atma Tatwa) is present in all theseobjects. Only the cowherd maidens realisedthat Supreme Truth naturally and spontaneously. They could visualise Krishna in all
individuals and objects.

You marry some girl and refer to her as yourwife, but she is, in fact, the embodiment of
the Divine Atma. Similarly, you caress achild affectionately, calling it as your son.
But the same child may tell you that he is
not your son in reality but the embodiment
We often refer to individuals as my son, myof Divinity. Thus, all relationships in thisbrother, my father, my mother, my wife,
world are in fact, only Atmic relationships.
etc., keeping in view the worldly relationTo speak the truth, real Self-realisation ships. But the truth is that the same God is(Atmasakshatkara) is the merging of the manifesting through all those individuals.
individual self (jeeva) with the Supreme Self Hence, one has to consider every individual(Brahman). Anyone you come across is ver- as the embodiment of Divinity. The entire
ily God. How can there be human beings universe is permeated by the Principle ofwithout such omnipresent Divinity?
God (Brahma Tatwa). All names and forms
Lord Krishna declared that He incarnates attributed to the Atmic Principle are ouragain and again whenever there was decline own making.
in the practice of righteousness (dharma). Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to perHe also declared that He was the seed (bee­ form several methods/modes of worship tojam) in all living beings. Though He moved Mother Kali throughout the day. One day,
intimately with the cowherd boys and girls the Divine Mother appeared before him(gopalas and gopikas), He was never bound and asked, “Ramakrishna! You are gettingby their relationship with Him.
madder day by day. You worship Me in a
The cowherd maidens who were aware ofthis truth constantly contemplated on
Him, chanting the Divine name, “Krishna!
Krishna!” The very name Krishna brought
the Embodiment of Divine Atma before

particular form. Why do you confine Me tothis form and that form? In fact, all forms
are Mine. Whomsoever you come across,consider them as the embodiments ofDivinity.”56

God is pure and attributeless. Such an
Divinity is present in every
attributeless and unsullied Divinity is preshuman being. All humanent in every human being. All human beings
are, in fact, reflections of such an omni- beings are, in fact, reflections
present Divinity. Hence, every humanof such an omnipresent
being has to be considered as the embodiDivinity. Hence, every humanment of Divinity and respected. Though
God is omnipresent, He assumes a particu- being has to be considered aslar form and serves the human beings in
the embodiment ofmany ways. Right from now, realise thisDivinity and respected.
truth that all names and forms are His.
Consider anyone you come across, as theembodiment of Divinity. When you devel- keeping in view their physical forms andop such an attitude, you can see God any- the relationships with them. If people arewhere and everywhere.
so deluded on the basis of physical relationGo to Mathura or Dwaraka (cities where ships, they are bound to get confused about
Krishna lived) and see how people are still the real nature of Divinity.
worshipping Lord Krishna with the same
devotional fervour, though He left His
mortal coil in the Dwapara Yuga some
5,000 years ago.

Lord Krishna declared once, while revealing His omnipresent Divinity, that there
was none other than Him in the entire universe. The same truth is contained in the
declaration “Truth is one, but the wise refer
to it by various names (Ekam sath viprah
bahuda vadanti).” For example, the number
1 is only 1. When you add three numbers toit, it becomes 4. Thus, we go on adding
numbers to 1 and arrive at different numbers. However, the first number remains
the same, namely, 1. That is Divinity. This iswhat the profound declaration, “the One
willed to become many, (Ekoham bahusy­am)” states.

When God incarnates in human form, it isnatural to consider Him as an ordinary
human being. This is not the correct
approach. I often reiterate that I am God,but I also remind you that you are verily
God. Do not give scope for any confusionand difference of opinion in this regard.
Every one of you are embodiments ofDivinity, in reality.
When you develop such a firm conviction,
you can visualise God in every humanbeing. It is only in keeping with this concept that the expression, “as is the feeling,so is the result (yad bhavam tad bhavati)” isasserted in the scriptures.

People often use two terms God (Deva) andindividual being (jeeva). In fact, there is no
individual being at all! All are embodimentsof Divinity only!

Since people are not aware of the real Then the question arises: Why do people
nature of Divinity, they refer to certain die? Since people are not able to realise theindividuals as father, mother, uncle, etc., immortal nature of the Atma residing in57

Develop the firm convictionthat you and God are only
one. When you attain such afirm conviction, you become
one with God.

fy themselves with a particular form, they
entertain feelings of difference. By doing
so, they move away from God and remain
as individuals (jeevas) only. All such differences exist in individuals only. God is onlyone.

Twam Asi).” In another great aphorism,
they declare “Brahman is Supreme Con­
sciousness (Prajnanam Brahma). To whomshall this declaration refer? Again, it is tothat God Absolute. Thus, all the Vedas(scriptures) and the Upanishads (the ending
portion of the Vedas) proclaim the non-dual concept of individual soul (jeeva) andGod (Deva) as one and only one. But no one
is making an effort to realise this truth. In
the end, they think God is separate fromthem.

Several people nowadays claim to be godmen, who lecture upon this concept endlessly. Believe Me, they are all meant toconfuse the devotees. In fact, when you
develop firm faith in the declaration that
God is only one, you will be able to realise
the truth. One who is able to realise thistruth will have no confusion and doubt.

In fact, He is not different from you. He isin you, and you are verily God! If it is not so,
the physical body, they make use of the why should the Vedas declare “That Thouterm death. Atma has no death at all! It is Art”?
immortal. Those who realise this truth, Develop the firm conviction that you andmerge in God. For those who cannot realise God are only one. When you attain such athe truth, the individual soul remains the firm conviction, you become one with God.
soul and God remains God. The dual feelFor example, you keep a number of photos
ing persists in them.
of Sai Baba in your worship room, but in all
What is the underlying meaning in the dec- the photos, you find that the same God islaration, “God is one without a second photographed in different poses. When you(Ekameva adviteeyam Brahma)”? Since there realise the underlying unity of Divinity,
is no entity other than Brahman in this there can be no room for any confusion.
universe, it is declared thus. This is the You will be able to realise the truth.
Vedic declaration.
Whatever I speak is only Truth. Since you
The Upanishads explain our true nature in are not aware of this truth, you are unable
the great aphorism “That Thou Art (Tat to develop faith in it.

Do not use harsh words about anyone. In
fact, there are no enemies in the world. Do
not consider anyone as an enemy and abuse
them. One day, they may be an enemy to
People often ascribe distinctions between you, but you may become friends on anothdifferent forms of Divinity, for example er. Don’t consider someone as separate
Krishna, Rama, etc. Since they try to identi- from you. All are friends.
58

Continue to love God anddevelop faith in Him. Only
then all your doubts will becleared, and you will be able
to understand the nature of
Divinity in full.

Embodiments of Love! You are worshipping and praying to God with great love.
Continue to love God and develop faith in
Him. Only then all your doubts will becleared, and you will be able to understandthe nature of Divinity in full.

Doubt implies duality, that is, a feeling ofseparation between you and God. In fact,
there are no two entities — God and you.
Everything is “I”, “I”, “I”. Hold on to thetruth “God is one without a second (Ekam­ night follows day and again day starts after
eva adviteeyam Brahma)”.
night. Both day and night are one for us.
For example, how many hours does theclock show? Twelve hours. When the hour
hand crosses twelve, it again moves to one
in the clock. When it crosses one, it moves
to the next hour. Thus, only when the hour
hand crosses one does it move to two.
Similarly, there is nothing that can be called
the second. God is only one.

Therefore, develop firm faith in the principle of unity in all that you come across inthe world. God is one and only one. If you
do not develop firm faith in this principle,
it is possible that you will worship one formof God and hate another. Always hold on to
the principle of oneness of God. That is thetruth.

However, when you wish to entangle yourself in worldly matters, duality comes. In
fact, there is no duality with regard to
Divinity. Sometimes I wake up the children
sleeping in My room and ask them, “Whatis the time now?”

If you are not able to develop such faith,
ignore it and do not make it a matter of dispute and strife. Do not ever attribute duality to God. God is always one and only one.
When you are able to understand anddevelop firm faith in the oneness of God,
your life will go on smoothly.

They reply, “Swami! It is 12 o’clock.”(Holding a bunch of flowers in front of theaudience, Swami enquired) What is this? It
is a bunch of flowers. A number of flowers
are strung together with the help of athread, with the result that it assumes theform of a bunch. Though the flowers are ofdifferent varieties, the thread that holds
them together is only one. The same principle has been explained in the Vedas: God
is one without a second (Ekameva advi­
teeyam Brahma)”. The above example
demon­strates unity in diversity.

I ask, “Is it 12 o’clock in the day or night?”
They reply, “It is 12 o’clock in the night.”
Thus, when 12 hours of the day are added
to 12 hours of night, it becomes 24 hours.
Strictly speaking, there are no 24 hours. It isonly because the day is followed by nightand so on that you find 24 hours. Hence, do
not make a distinction between day andnight.
The railway people make such distinction
for their operational convenience. For us,
59You refer to a single person as a man or
woman. You refer to a number of persons
grouped together as a group. Though there
is a vast difference in the terms used to referto a single person and a group of persons,
there is a fundamental unity in the classification. That Unity is Divinity, which shallnever be forgotten.

One has to recognise that principle of unity
in diversity. We find several students gathered in this hall. Each one appears to be different, but they are all students of Sri Sathya
Sai University. Thus, one has to strive todevelop that unity.
Dear students! I am extremely happy to see
you all. I attend to a number of tasks andparticipate in a number of programmes
right from early morning till I go to bed. I
feel very happy and energetic. There is no
one else who enjoys bliss as Myself. I am
always happy and cheerful.

Unfortunately, in the present times, people
tend to look at the apparent diversity inthis objective world, ignoring the underlying principle of unity. Take for example, thePandavas. Who were they? The five Pandava
brothers were the sons of Kunti. One moth- I do not at all pay attention to praise orer, but five sons. In the ordinary worldly scorn from any quarter. They are only thesense, they are five in number.
outward manifestation in words of one’s
You may not be able to understand this feelings. I have nothing to do with them. I
principle of oneness of Divinity, but in due do not entertain any feelings of difference
course, when you are able to recognise the at all. “All are one, be alike to everyone.”principle with a mature mind, you will (Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with
understand that truth is one, not two.
the bhajan, “Govinda Krishna Jai...”).
This is a handkerchief! (Showing a handkerchief to the audience.) Several threads
woven together in it. Since the threads are
woven into warp and woof, it assumed theform of a handkerchief. The cloth is one
and the threads are many.

Dasara Discourse, Prasanthi Nilayam,
9 October 2005

Sathya Sai Speaks Vol.38/Ch.24: 9 October 2005
http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume38/d051009.pdf

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Three Assets that you
must safeguard
Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu
Gurur Devo Maheswara;
Guru Sakshat Param Brahma
Tasmai Sri Gurave Namaha.
(Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu,
Guru is Maheswara.
Guru is verily the supreme Brahman.
So, salutations to the Guru.)(Sanskrit verse)Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are three different names andforms of the same Divinity. “All are one, be alike to everyone.” Though the names and forms of the physical body are
different, the Divinity in all beings is one only. Brahma is theCreator, Vishnu is the Protector, and Shiva is the Destroyer. Yet, allthree aspects represent the one Divinity. The one God, whenengaged in His creative aspect is referred to as Brahma, while protecting and sustaining the living beings, as Vishnu, and finally, inthe act of dissolution, as Shiva. In order to avoid the confusion
created by ascribing different names and forms to Divinity, God isreferred to as Atma or the Absolute Brahman (the nameless, formless, attributeless Divinity). The one Atma permeates all living
beings.
Religions are different, path is the same
Clothes are different, cotton is one
Beings are different, Atma is on;
Nationality and lifestyle are different,
Human birth is the same.
Every human being has to develop three qualities: love for God,fear of sin, and morality in society. It is only lack of fear of sin thatis responsible for the present state of lack of morality in society.
Love is the cementing factor that unites people. Where there is

61

un­
truth, doing injustice to others, andindulging in unrighteous acts and bad practices is very bad. One has to lead one’s life
by following the three principles of love forGod, fear of sin, and morality in society. It
is said that one who has no morality isworse than a monkey. In fact, a monkey isbetter than such an individual. No one will
respect an individual who indulges inimmoral acts in this world. Only a person
who follows moral principles will command respect from one and all. Even those
who try to harm such people will be
restrained by others with a warning. “Theyare good people. Do not try to meddle withthem.” Those who lack morality are looked
down upon in society as worse than dogs.
Hence, one has to develop morality andlead a life of moral principles at all times.

love, there society will be united. Devoid of
morality, one does not deserve to be calleda human being. Hence, morality is important for everything. Though God showers
His love on one and all, it is the humanbeing who has lost the precious quality offear of sin. People today are committing
several sins with the belief that God is kind
and will ultimately forgive these sins, withthe result that they are indulging in more
and more of sinful acts. People have developed a sort of complacency in this regard
and think that they can escape punishment.
But the fact is otherwise. Though God iscompassionate and may forgive all sinful
acts, human beings have to necessarily pay
for their sins. Hence, every human has todevelop these three qualities of love forGod, fear of sin, and morality in society.
Where there is no fear of sin, there will be
no morality in society.

There are three spiritual practices by whichlove for God, fear of sin, and morality insociety can be developed. They are: devotion to God (bhakti), the path of wisdom(jnana), and detachment (vairagya). Activity(karma) is a natural and essential attributeof the physical body. Only when the bodyundertakes good activity will the mind
function well. When the mind is sound,love for God can be developed. Thus, devotion, wisdom, and detachment are interlinked with love for God, fear of sin, andmorality in society. They are like the threeblades of a fan. Only when the three bladesrotate can we have refreshing air; otherwise
we feel uncomfortable.

When the mind is sound,love for God can be developed

People are behaving most irresponsibly andare undertaking several undesirable activities with unbridled ego. They have no fearof sin. They don’t even think for a momentof the consequences of their acts. One has
to restrain oneself from seeing evil, speaking evil, and doing evil. If not, the consequences of these evil deeds will boomerangon that person later, if not today. It is also
possible that the results of all these sinfulacts will come back to that person all at atime with a bang. If one is really interested
in the welfare of the society one must work Purity of conscience
for the development of morality in society. is of utmost importance

One lacking morality is not a human being People today question why we have toat all but is an animal, verily. Speaking develop love for God. Love for God enables
62one to develop fear of sin, which in turnwill develop morality in society. Everyone
has to discriminate between good and bad,sin and virtue. Having analysed, one must
try to do good only. Be good, do good, seegood — this is the way to God. Devoid of
these three, any number of rituals, worship,chanting the Divine name and penance will
be of no use.

the physical bodies. Hence, no one canidentify it as such and such. Atma, thoughbeyond one’s comprehension, has been
described as: eternal, pure, enlightened,
free, and the embodiment of sacredness(nitya, suddha, buddha, mukta, nirmala
swarupinam). It is unsullied, and the eternal
abode (niranjanam, sanatana niketanam).
There is only one Atma, which is immanent
The nine forms of devotion are: listening, in all beings. That is the essential nature of
singing, contemplating on Vishnu, serving the Atma.
His lotus feet, salutation, worship, servi- A small example; when you place one huntude, friendship, self-surrender (sravanam, dred pots filled with water under the sky on
kirtanam, Vishnu-smaranam, padasevanam, a moonlit night, you will find one moonvandanam, archanam, dasyam, sneham, and reflecting in each of those pots. The body is
Atmanivedanam). The first step is listening. like a pot. It is bound to perish at any time.
Then one has to analyse whether what has Then, where does the moon (Atma) go? Itbeen listened to is good or bad. If you think does not go anywhere. It is there. However,that it is a bad suggestion and therefore not since there is no water, it is not reflecting into your liking, how can you implement it? the water. In the same manner, the Atma is
It is possible today that one can get one’s present in every human being.
work done by speaking untruth and score If one does not have good character, there
victory over others by false and unjust will be no morality in that person. If theremeans. Hence, one has to enquire into the is no morality, one does not deserve to be
sanctity or otherwise of every act that he called a human being. We have to earn
undertakes. One should not be complacent honour and respect for ourselves in theabout the consequences that would follow; society. However, these days, we don’t findsooner or later, the result of a sinful act anyone concerned about good name in thewould accrue. It may happen now or a little society. But people are very particular aboutlater, at any moment. Hence, be ready to who is rich and who is poor. Money comesundertake only good and noble acts with a and goes but morality comes and grows, ispure mind. More than anything else, purity the adage. Therefore, it is not correct toof conscience is of utmost importance. aspire for wealth, power, and such otherThat is the Atma Principle (Atma Tatwa).
worldly things. All these possessions are
Nobody can understand what Atma is.
Since the bodies and forms are many, somenames have to be given in order to distinguish between them. However, Atma or
Brahma has neither birth nor death, unlike

transitory. You may try to hold on tightly tothem, but they just slip away even without
your noticing them. The Atma, however iseternal. There is no coming and going forAtma. It always remains an eternal witness
63Real meditation is forgetting
oneself totallyto everything that goes on in the world. We
have to develop faith in such eternal Atma.
Those who develop faith in the Atma
Principle (Atma Tatwa) will not be disturbed by injustice, wrong and badpractices.

Suppose you sit for meditation, closing
your eyes. However, the mind goes on wandering everywhere. You try to bring it backto the starting point. It is all practice. It isonly when the wavering mind is stilled that
meditation is possible. This process ofmaking the mind steady is called concentration. Meditation is possible only afterconcentration. The proper order is concentration, contemplation, and meditation.
Don’t believe someone who claims thatthey are meditating the moment they sit.
That is an artificial exercise, not meditation. Real meditation is forgetting oneself
totally. It is forgetting the feeling of identification with the body (dehatma bhava)
completely. One has to totally give up
attachment to the senses. Then only will
the mind be steady.

If you want to transform society,there must be purity in your heart

People say that if you want is transformsociety there must be purity in your heart.
You say, “My body, my senses, my mind, myintellect,” etc., but “you” are none of these.
For example, you say, “This is my book.”
This book is in your hands at this moment.
The next moment somebody wishes tohave a look at it. It goes into their hands.
Similarly, you hold some currency in yourhands. After some time, it will go into
someone else’s hands. It just comes andgoes. But morality comes and grows.
Morality has no form. If someone wishes toimprove society and the world, morality Once, there was a father who had four sons.
has to be developed in the individual first. Each one wanted to follow a different vocaSeveral political parties come forward these tion to earn money. One son wanted todays saying that they will improve the soci- take up business. Another wanted to open a
ety. They propose to transform society, but small grocery shop. The third son wanted
they invariably fail because they try to gar- to take up employment, and the fourth
ner the votes of people for their selfish another vocation. Though earning money
ends. They do not at all bother about soci- was the common objective, each one wantety. If you want to transform society, there ed to go in a different path. Finally, it is themust be purity in your heart. First, the indi- means that are adopted for earning money
vidual; then, society. For the individual to that result in accumulation of virtue or sin.
be transformed, there must be love for God People commit a sin even without theirand fear of sin. Then comes morality in knowing that they are doing so. The sins
society. It is the individuals that make a committed by people will continue tosociety. Hence, if unity among people is haunt them.
developed there will be purity and Divinity. Some time ago, there were heavy floods inUnity, purity, and Divinity cannot be the State of Orissa. They ravaged several
attained by mere education.
villages in four districts. The houses, trees,64standing crops, and even animals and somepeople were swept away by the surging
flood water. Hundreds of villages wereinundated, and people were marooned.
They were fear-stricken at the fury ofnature. I sent a telegram: “Don’t worry. Be
happy. I will build your houses.” The peopleof Orissa came to see Me, by arranging a
special train. The government was there,
MPs and MLAs were there, who were
expected to come to their rescue in thathour of need and provide succour to them.
But none came forward. I sent ten crores(100 million rupees) immediately andarranged for distribution of relief material
and building of pucca houses (houses builtwith high quality materials) for the affected
people.

and derided him addressing him as an ordinary monkey.
In the same tone, Hanuman replied as anequal to Ravana, “The Lord who cut off theears and nose of your sister has sent me.”Ravana was very angry since no one daredto talk to him in such an undignified manner. In fact, Hanuman used the same language as Ravana did. Ravana felt insulted.
Hanuman was not bothered in the least, for
he was always chanting Ramanama (chanting Rama’s name), which gave him thecourage and strength to face any situation.
Ravana could not tolerate the impertinence
and arrogance of Hanuman, so he ordered
Hanuman’s tail to be set on fire after wrapping it with cloths dipped in oil.
Immediately, cloths soaked in oil werewrapped round the tail of Hanuman and it
was set on fire. Hanuman did not keep quiet. With that burning tail, he jumped fromone building to the other and thus set theentire city on fire.

I am not interested in accumulation ofmoney. I want only your love. Be happy.
Develop your morality and love for God. If
you develop love, that love itself will driveaway the demonic qualities in you.

Good or bad, one gets the fruitsof one’s actions

Beautiful and palatial buildings studded
with precious stones went up in flames
within no time. Even Mandodari’s palace
was engulfed by flames. She came out.
People ran helter-skelter here and there.
Not a single building was spared from theraging flames. Hanuman then advised
Mandodari, “Mother, the sin committed byyour husband is responsible for this devastating fire and consequent loss of so many
lives and property. Please tell your husband
not to commit such heinous sins hereafter.
If you can thus save your husband, itamounts to saving yourself and the demon(rakshasa) clan.”

Before the Rama-Ravana war commenced,
Hanuman entered Lanka, as part of his
mission, to search the whereabouts of Sita.
After he found Sita, he was on his way backto pass on the information to Sri Rama. He
was caught by the demons and brought tothe court of Ravana. Ravana was infuriatedon seeing Hanuman, who destroyed thebeautiful grove of Ashoka trees while he
was returning. Ravana questioned
Hanuman, “Who are you? How dare youenter this impregnable city of Lanka?” He
underestimated the power of Hanuman
65People have to suffer the consequences of
their actions. God is only a witness. Goodor bad, one gets the fruit of one’s actions.
Hence, first and foremost, one has to develop morality, which is based on developing
human qualities first. If human qualities
are to be developed, one should have love
for God. Thus, love for God, fear of sin, andmorality in society are interdependent.
When there is morality in society, all people will be safe.

cloth last? As long as the threads are intact.
Once you remove the threads, the cloth
loses its shape. Or, if you put the cloth infire, it will be reduced to ashes. People say,“This is my wife, this is my child, this is myson-in-law, this is my son,” etc. These relationships are only illusion. Who are allthese people? All are God’s property.
Everything in this world is God’s property;
nobody has any right, whatsoever. People
fight between themselves claiming rights,
One important point has to be remembered thus wasting their time. Time waste is lifein this context. You may hide your actions waste. In fact, it is not the time we are wastfrom society, but the omnipresent God ing; we are wasting our precious life.
knows everything. You will have to suffer
In conclusion, I stress once again that you
the consequences of your actions. It is an
immutable law. Hence, if you can help oth- should cultivate love for God, fear of sin,
ers, it is alright. Otherwise just keep silent. and morality in society. These are valuable
Do not harm others. Do not commit a mis- assets, which you must always safeguard. Iftake by thought, word, and deed. you safeguard these values, they will in turn
Sometimes, you may not get the result of protect you. You think you have to realise
your actions immediately. It will take some the Brahma Principle (Brahma Tatwa)
time. But surely the result will follow. today. In fact, Brahman has no name andPeople study spiritual texts like the form. God is attributeless, unsullied, theBhagavad Geeta but fail to realise their own final abode, eternal, pure, enlightened, free,
innate nature. The Upanishads exhort one, and embodiment of sacredness (nirgunam,“Dear son, you try to realise your own niranjanam, sanatana niketanam, nitya, sud­nature first. Know thyself! If you can do dha, buddha, mukta, nirmala swarupinam).
that, it amounts to knowing everything.” The Bal Vikas children from Tamil Nadu
The knowledge of the Self (Atma Bodha)
are waiting to present a cultural proentails realisation, “I am not the body, I am
gramme. Witness that programme. I will
not the mind, I am not the intellect,” etc.
continue My discourse tomorrow.
The mind is like a cloth consisting of
Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam,
6 July 2009
threads woven together. How long will thisSathya Sai Speaks Vol.42/Ch.9: 6 July 2009http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume42/sss42-09.pdf

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