Some Excerpts from Bhagawan’s Sathya Sai Baba’s Discourses:
"This day of 19th November is celebrated as Ladies’ Day in order to delve into the sacred qualities of women and disseminate them. Women are the repositories of truth and culture. It is celebrated as Ladies Day to remind you of the importance of the mother. You should conduct yourself according to the wishes of your mother. Mother’s womb is the birthplace of one and all, be it a commoner or the Avatar Himself. Therefore, adore the mother as God. Uphold her name and respect her. (SSS Vol.32)
Today, women are being looked down upon as mere workers in the kitchen. Women can study and undertake jobs, but they should not neglect their household duties. Mothers are responsible for the well-being of their children. They also show the spiritual path to their children. So, never forget your mother. Every individual should adore, respect, worship and love their mother.
Mothers are prepared to give up their own life for the sake of their children. Mother is the very embodiment of sacrifice. That is why in this land of Bharat (India) mother is given such an exalted place. The Ladies Day serves as a reminder that one should revere and love one’s mother and never hurt her feelings. (SSS Vol. 31)
There is nothing greater than mother’s love. Mother’s words are always sweet. At times she may use harsh words, but they are meant only to correct you, not to hurt you. There may be a wicked son, but there can never be a wicked mother in this world. Ladies Day is celebrated only to make you understand the value of mother’s love and her concern for you. Among the mother, the father, the teacher and God, the mother is given the topmost priority. Modern youth do not care for the mother. They think they are highly educated and that the mother does not know anything. It is a great mistake to think so. Never look down upon the mother. Even the mother should not compel her children to accede to her wishes. Through love and sincerity she should put the children on the proper path. She should aspire that her children be good, they need not be great. Rama was good, whereas Ravana was great. Rama put into practice whatever he had studied and thus earned a good name. But Ravana was immersed in ignorance, because he did not practice all that he had studied. As a result, he did not earn a good name. Man needs to have fear of sin and love for God to earn a good name. Since man lacks fear of sin and love for God, humanness is on the decline. This is the cause of restlessness in the world today.
Just as your mother loves you, you should love everybody. All are the children of Viswa Matha (universal mother). All are brothers and sisters. You should not have any differences whatsoever. The sun is one and the same for all the worlds. Just as the sun is reflected in a water tank, in a river, in an ocean, likewise the same Divinity is reflected in the hearts of one and all. ( SSS Vol.32)
We distinguish and differentiate between ladies and gents on the basis of upadhi (vesture) or physical form. However, the principle of Brahman present in ladies and gents is one and the same. Sarvam khalvidam Brahma (verily all this is Brahman). Everyone aspires to attain divinity. Many sages, seers and yogis did intense penance to have the vision of God. Where is God? Daivam manusha rupena (God incarnates in the form of a human being). God assumes human form to protect humanity. This has been the mission of allavatars.
God transcends names, forms and attributes. He is infinite and not limited to a particular form. Once Sage Narada and a few other sages prayed to Lord Narayana to incarnate in human form and redeem mankind. Lord Narayana said, “Narada, Brahma Shakti (Divine power) is positive. It is not possible for Brahma Shakti to incarnate on earth unless it is coupled with negative power. It is only when the positive and negative combine that Divinity manifests in human form.”
In response to the prayers of sages and seers, God comes down in human form. He strives for the welfare of humanity and bestows joy on one and all. The Avatar is a manifestation of Brahmaswarupa andmanavatwa (humanness). The same principle of Brahman is latent in all. One has to develop inward vision in order to experience Him. Easwara sarva bhutanam (God is the indweller of all beings).
When God incarnates on earth, He has to assume the form of jiva. The principles of daivatwa (Divinity) and jivatwa (individual) are inseparable. You cannot find one to the exclusion of the other. Divinity has no specific form. Only the jiva has a name and a form but not deva. He is present in all. In fact, each one of you is an embodiment of God. Whatever you see around is also the manifestation of God. Even the small birds that you see here are endowed with the principle of divinity. There is no place which is not pervaded with divinity. There is no form which is not divine. However, God assumes a particular form based on the feelings of His devotees.
God is extolled as Sabda Brahmamayi, Characharamayi, Jyotirmayi, Vangmayi, Nityanandamayi, Paratparamayi, Mayamayi and Sreemayi (embodiment of sound, mobility and immobility, light, speech, eternal bliss, perfection, delusion and wealth). Hence, even the words that we utter manifest our innate divinity. It is God who speaks through each one of you. You should have this firm conviction. If someone accuses you, think that God in that form is accusing you. When you develop such spirit of oneness and tolerance, you will never be perturbed by censure and blame. Your mind will always remain in peace. Whatever may happen, accept it wholeheartedly as the Will of God. Have firm faith that it is God and God alone who is the doer. Do not consider your fellow human beings as mere individuals. When you talk to someone, think that you are talking to God. When you do not see God in others and treat them as your own, you will be giving room to evil qualities like anger, jealousy, hatred, etc. Develop the spirit of oneness. Only then will your life be redeemed. (SSS Vol. 38)
Ekam sath viprah bahudha vadanti (truth is one, but scholars refer to it by different names). It is not correct to say that you like only Rama or Krishna or Siva or Sai Baba. There is only one God, and He is omnipresent. Do not hate other religions. A Hindu should become a better Hindu, a Christian a better Christian, and a Muslim a better Muslim. The one without love can be called neither Muslim nor Hindu nor Christian nor Sikh. In fact, he is verily a demon on this earth. Only those without love give scope to differences based on religion. You will find the unity of all religions only when you fill your heart with love.
The culture of Bharat (India) has given utmost importance to the mother. One refers to one’s country as motherland, not fatherland. Lord Rama declared: “Janani janma bhoomishcha swargadapi gareeyasi(mother and the motherland are greater than even heaven).” Country is the mother and the culture is the father. Never forget your country and its culture. Since ancient times, the culture of Bharat has been propagating the message of peace and love with the prayer, Loka samastha sukhino bhavantu (May all the people of the world be happy)! You have to uphold this sacred culture. You may worship God in any name and form you like, but understand the truth that God is One and One only. (SSS Vol. 32)
The teachings of mother play a vital role in shaping the future of her children. She should make every effort to drive away bad qualities from her children and infuse human values like sathya, dharma, santhi, prema and ahimsa in them. (SSS Vol.35)
Chant the Divine Name, take to the service of society. Do not make distinctions between your people and other people. Consider everybody as a member of the universal divine family. Experience bliss by cultivating the spirit of unity. Do not entertain any differences whatsoever. Treat each body as a temple and offer your salutations. Have the firm conviction that God is present in all. When you cultivate such noble thoughts, God will certainly become manifest in you. (SSS Vol.33)
Give up all negative thoughts and develop sacred feelings. Lead an exemplary life. The Upanishads have accorded a great value to human life. You should live up to it. The Upanishads are the storehouse of knowledge. The Vedas contain mantras like Purusha Suktam, Sri Suktam, etc. One may have mastered the Vedas, but if one does not study the Upanishads, all his learning will prove futile. That is why people start the study of the Upanishads after they complete the study of Vedas. The Upanishads take you closer to God. I wish that you follow the teachings of the Upanishads and manifest your latent divine power. I bless you all” - Bhagawan Baba (SSS Vol.35)
Contributed by Krishna Murty Tumuluru
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