The Eight Flowers of Offering

1. AHIMSA (NON-VIOLENCE)

Non-violence means not causing harm to any living creature by thought, word and deed.

2. INDRIYA NIGRAHA (SENSE CONTROL)

All spiritual practices will prove futile if one lacks sense control. Control of the senses is very essential for one and all. Lack of sense control is the main cause for all the unrest and agitation that you find in the world today. How can one control the senses? First of all, one should exercise control over the tongue. You must hold your tongue on a leash as it always craves for a variety of delicacies. You should eat for the sake of satisfying the hunger and sustaining the body. So, do not give undue importance to taste.

Likewise, tell your eyes to see God instead of watching unsacred things on the television or video. Teach your ears to listen to the stories of the Lord instead of listening to vain gossip.

3. DAYA (COMPASSION)

Towards all living creatures. Do not hate anybody. Live in amity with everyone but do not have too much connection with people.

4. KSHAMA (FORBEARANCE)

The Pandavas suffered a lot at the hands of the Kauravas. It was the virtue of forbearance that protected the Pandavas and made them an ideal to the rest of the world.

This flower of forbearance is very close to the Lord. God will be pleased with you and confer boons on you only when you offer Him the "flowers" which are dear to Him. God loves all, for He is the embodiment of love. But He will give Himself to those who offer the flower of compassion to all beings.

5. SANTHI (PEACE)

One should remain peaceful through all the vicissitudes of life. Only then can one attain Divine grace. Peace is not present in the external world. It is present within. You are the embodiment of peace. In the worldly life, there are bound to be many hardships but one should not be perturbed. One should bear all sufferings with fortitude and patience. Human life is given not merely to enjoy the worldly pleasures like birds and beasts. Life becomes meaningful only when one experiences the peace that originates from the heart.

6. THAPAS (PENANCE)

Penance does not mean living in the forest on fruits and tubers, meditating on God. This penance lies in controlling one's emotions in thought, word and deed arising out of Sathwic, Rajasic and Thamasic qualities. One should contemplate on God all the time and achieve harmony of thought, word and deed.

7. DHYANA (MEDITATION)

Meditation does not mean sitting cross-legged with eyes closed in contemplation of God. No doubt this is also needed but true meditation lies in unifying the mind with God. Some people contemplate on God for a limited period in the morning and evening. This cannot be called meditation. Contemplate on God at all times, at all places and under all circumstances. Do your work with your mind firmly fixed on God. That is true meditation.

8. SATHYA (TRUTH)

Truth is changeless in all the three modes of time, i.e. past, present and future. Everything may disappear but Truth remains forever. So Truth is God, live in Truth.

(From Bhagawan's Krishna Jayanthi Discourse on 22.8.00)