Monday, January 31, 2011

Chinese New Year Blossoms (13) - Step Towards God

"When his steps are towards God, man has no reason to fear.
When they are turned away from Him, fear haunts him at every turn."


~ Baba ~
(Voice of the Avatar)


Sunday, January 30, 2011

Chinese New Year Blossoms (12) - Namasmarana

"Namasmarana is the most effective sadhana.
Remember with each name the glory behind the name.
Escape from the clutches of anger, jealousy, hatred, malice and greed.
Do not seek to discover others' defects; do not delight over them;
when others point out your defects, be thankful or keep quiet, as Buddha did."


~ Baba ~
(Sadhana - The Inward Path)


Friday, January 28, 2011

Chinese New Year Blossoms (10) - Children


"I like children; I take great care of them; I pay them great attention.
I give, and advise parents, to give them proper advice at the proper time.

I insist on discipline, on reverent obedience to parents,
on regulated food and play, on rigorous allocation
of time for study, bhajan, meditation, etc.

I also recommend some items of service, like nursing the sick.

I condemn frivolous talk, luxurious living, deleterious habits,
addiction to films, horror comics, pen friends,
exotic dress, outlandish coiffures
designed to draw attention to oneself, etc.

By these means, boys and girls are slowly drawn
into unrighteous and immoral ways."


~ Baba ~
(Voice of the Avatar)

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Chinese New Year Blossoms (9) - The Quest for Happiness


"Man has to pay attention to three basic duties
in the quest for happiness.

(1) He should forget what he has to forget, namely,
the world around him and its tantalising pleasures.

(2) He has to reach where he has to reach, namely,
the goal of the Divine, the Presence of the Almighty; and

(3) He has to give up what he has to give up, namely,
material desires and pursuits.

The Vedic prayer

"Asatho maa sadgamaya,
Thamaso maa jyothir gamaya,
Mrthyor maa amrtham gamaya"

summarises these aspirations very nicely."


~ Baba ~
(Voice of the Avatar)


Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Chinese New Year Blossoms (8) - Reduce your Luggage


"Aspirants for mental peace also have to reduce the luggage they have to care for; the more the luggage, the greater the bother.

Objective possessions and subjective desires both are handicaps in the race for realisation.

A house cluttered with lumber will be dark, dusty and without free movement of fresh air, it will be stuffy and suffocating.

The human body too is a house;
do not allow it to be cluttered with curious trinkets, trash and superfluous furnishings.

Let the breeze of holiness blow as it wills through it;
let not the darkness of blind ignorance desecrate it.

Life is a bridge over the sea of change;
pass over it but do not build a house on it."


~ Baba ~
(Voice of the Avatar)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Chinese New Year Blossoms (7) - Pray for Eternal Bliss

"Do not pray for natural things in the world;
rather pray for transcendental things.
People desire jobs, promotions, children, health, etc.
Pray instead for the eternal bliss and joy that is God.
Ask God: 'Please grant me that pure love that is yours.'
Bliss is heart: eternal, constant and glorious.
Happiness is head: only temporary.
Liberation is eternal bliss."


~ Baba ~
(Sathya Sai Speaks)


Monday, January 24, 2011

Chinese New Year Blossoms (6) - Your Virtue is Your Shield


"The Lord is not affected by either praise or blame.

He is above and beyond the dualities that agitate man.
He has neither favourites or foes.

Your goodness yields good to you;
your badness brings about bad for you.

Your virtue is your shield;
your vice is the weapon that inflicts wounds on you.

Happiness and misery are but the reflections
of the good and bad which fill your heart and shape your activities."


~ Baba ~
(Voice of the Avatar)


Saturday, January 22, 2011

Chinese New Year Blossoms (5) - Transformation of the Heart

"One may be doing bhajan, offering worship and undertaking service activities for a number of years. But all this will prove futile if there is no transformation of the heart.

The heart should be filled with compassion. Only then can it be called a Temple of God. Otherwise it becomes a devil's den.

The New Year does not bring anything new with it. The day when fresh and sacred thoughts originate in your heart is the real New Year's Day."


~ Baba ~
(Divine Discourse 1.1.2001)


Friday, January 21, 2011

Chinese New Year Blossoms (4) - Revere Your Parents

"Do not bring dishonour to your parents
or disappoint them by acting contrary to their dearest plans.

The reverence that you offer at the feet of your parents is,
let me assure you, reverence that reaches Me."


~ Baba ~
(Voice of the Avatar)


Thursday, January 20, 2011

Chinese New Year Blossoms (3) - Be Like the Lotus

"Be like the lotus on water - on it, not in it.
Water is necessary for the lotus to grow,
but it will not allow even a drop to wet it.

The objective world is the arena of virtue
and the gymnasium for the spirit.
But use it only for that purpose;
do not raise it to a higher value
and adore it as all-important."


~ Baba ~
(Voice of the Avatar)


Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Chinese New Year Blossoms (2) - The Home is the Temple


"The home is the temple, where the family,
each member of which is a moving temple,
is nurtured and nourished.

The mother is the High Priest of this House of God.

Humility is the incense with which the house is filled.

Reverence is the lamp that is lit,
with love as the oil and faith as the wick.

Spend the years of your lives,
dedicating them for such worship,
in the homes that you will found."


~ Baba ~
(Voice of the Avatar)


Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Chinese New Year Blossoms (1) - Every Child

"Every child of this land has four debts to discharge -

reverence to the mother,
respect to the father,
obedience to the teacher
and adoration to God.

Besides these, every child must learn
to live in peace and love
with other children and other families."


~ Baba ~
(Voice of the Avatar)


Celestial Poems of Sathya Sai Baba

Sunday, January 16, 2011

You Cannot Paint the World Green

Before you experience the divine in every being in the universe and in every cell and atom, you have to experience it in yourself. Each act, word and thought must be charged with that awareness.


There was a millionaire once who was bothered by two aches, one in his stomach and the other in his head! He was examined and treated by a galaxy of medical experts; he consumed heavy loads of drugs, and underwent centuries of injections. But the aches persisted with greater vigor then ever before!


At last, a svâmî arrived at the scene of his agony. He spoke very kindly to him and pronounced the fault to be in his eyes! Set right the eye, and the head on top and the stomach below, would both behave very sweetly! To improve the eye, concentrate on only one color. Concentrate on green, he suggested. Do not let your eyes fall on red or yellow, or any other color.


The millionaire got together a group of painters and purchased barrels of green color and directed that every object on which his eye was likely to fall to be painted thick green. Just as the ashtagraha calamity (the ominous astrological phenomenon of eight heavenly bodies reaching a straight line in space, which was sought to be avoided by superstitious persons through ceremonials of exorcism) resulted in a rich harvest for priests, the millionaire's malady resulted in a rich harvest for paint-craftsmen.


When the svâmî came back to him after about ten days, the craftsmen ran toward him with a bucket of green paint for he wore a red gown! He wondered why, and got the answer that their master dared not cast his eye on any color other than green, lest the aches may return.


The svâmî reprimanded the patient and said that he had wasted lakhs of rupees as a result of his monumental stupidity. "If only you had purchased a pair of green spectacles, worth perhaps four rupees, you could have saved these walls and trees and pots and pans, and chairs and sofas and also a pretty large share of your fortune! You cannot paint the world green".


(Chinna Katha from Baba)


Saturday, January 15, 2011

Celestial Poems of Sathya Sai Baba


Never Brood over the Past


"Never brood over the past; when grief overpowers you, do not recollect similar incidents in your past experience and add to the sum of your grief; recollect, rather, incidents when grief did not knock at your door, but you were happy instead. Draw consolation and strength from such memories and raise yourself above the surging waters of sorrow."


~ Baba ~
(Sadhana - The Inward Path)


Thursday, January 13, 2011

God on Your Side, World in Your Hold

You may have accumulated riches, acquired deep scholarship and achieved health and strength. But, unless you have gained, in addition, a vision of the supreme sovereign, and an aspiration to be ever in the ecstasy of that vision, all that has been garnered by you is mere lumber.


India has a great epic, the Mahâbhâratha, which describes a war between the Kauravas and Pândavas. The Kauravas had superior financial and military resources. They approached Krishna, the Incarnation of the Lord, for help; but they were content to receive from Him a large army and a huge quantity of hardware.


The Pândavas sought from Him only His grace! The Lord agreed, He came over to their side, alone and unarmed! He held just a whip and drove the horses of Arjuna's chariot! That was all, but that was all that was needed for victory. The Kauravas were defeated to the uttermost; the Pândavas won the empire and eternal fame.


If God is on your side, you have the world in your hold.

This is the lesson driven home by the Hindu scriptures.


"Give up all bonds of right and duty; surrender unreservedly to Me!

I shall guard you from sin and liberate you from

that sad cycle of 'entrances' and 'exits' on the stage of life.

You can remain ever in your own reality of eternal calm",

the Lord has assured.

[See also Bhagavad Gîtâ, ch. 7 & ch. 18]


(Chinna Katha from Baba)


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

End Joy

"Renounce the petty pleasures and
tread the path towards the Supreme Ananda which is God.
You say "enjoy" but it is when you "end joy" that you can really enjoy.
These petty joys must end; the pursuit of tawdry tinsel must stop;
then the mind will fix itself on the highest Joy."


~ Baba ~
(The Voice of the Avatar)


Monday, January 10, 2011

Serve and Worship your Parents


"You will find at home pictures of God, kept in a special place for worship. In every home, however, there are living Gods whom the sages ask you to serve and worship. they are your parents. They gave you life; you owe your health and happiness to them. They love you, they serve you, they give you as much as they can - and even more. Yes, they often take less food so that you can have your fill. They try to save money through various means, so that you can be at school or live in a hostel, or attend a festival or go on a school tour. The sacred books want you to honour them and serve them.


"Mathri devo bhava" "Pithri devo bhava" - "Let your mother be your God", "Let your father be your God" - that is the teaching. Yes, how else can you thank them? What else can you give in return than your love and service? Think of all the care, all the love, all the pain, all the hunger and sleeplessness they underwent and undergo for your sake. Be kind, be soft and sweet to them. Do not be rude and raw. Try your best to make them happy, useful and peaceful."


~ Baba ~
(Voice of the Avatar)


Friday, January 7, 2011

Celestial Poems of Sathya Sai Baba


New Year Gems (9) - Develop the Feeling of Oneness

"All of you are embodiments of the Divine.

All of you are embodiments of love and peace.

You are the Divine in human form.

Develop that conviction.

Immerse yourselves in Divine love.

Offer that love to the Divine, thereby you will have love for all.

It is only when you develop this love principle,

you will be realising the meaning of festivals like these.


Stand up for your belief in God,

even as you stand up for your father or mother.

Render service to society, without which you cannot exist.

Your welfare is bound with that of society.

Develop the feeling of oneness with all,

loving all as members of one Divine family."


~ Baba ~

(New Year Message - 1.1.96)


Thursday, January 6, 2011

New Year Gems (8) - Human Life is Highly Noble


"Human life is highly noble, valuable and divine.
Do not put it to misuse by giving room to evil qualities.
Use the power of discrimination and
make proper use of the senses.
Only then will your life be redeemed.
You will attain immortality and infinite bliss.'


~ Baba ~
(New Year Message - 1.1.2001)


Wednesday, January 5, 2011

New Year Gems (7) - Develop Love for God

"Devote every moment to actions that will please God.

Develop love for God, which will confer every blessing on you.

This is exemplified by the life of Harishchandra.

He sacrificed everything in the cause of truth.

And ultimately he got back everything by the grace of God."


~ Baba ~

(New Year Message - 1.1.98)


Tuesday, January 4, 2011

New Year Gems (6) - Pains and Sorrows

"We witness in the world all kinds of pains and sorrows.

But none of these is permanent.

Every term of pain is followed by pleasure.

The experience of pleasure is refined and enhanced

by the earlier experience of pain.

Like the refinement of gold by melting in a crucible,

pain divinises the pleasure that follows it.


The New Year or a new month does not bring with it

any new joy or sorrow.

Every second is new, because it heralds the march of time.

A year is in fact a succession of seconds

turning into minutes, days and months.

It is only when every moment is cherished as new,

will the new year become new.

The sacred way in which every moment is spent

will determine the fruitfulness of the year."


~ Baba ~

(New Year Message - 1.1.98)



Monday, January 3, 2011

New Year Gems (5) - Change Your Old Ways of Thinking

"The New Year comes regularly year after year.

But do you have any new thoughts?

You do not shed your old, mistaken ideas.

They should be given up, yielding place to

new, sacred and sublime thoughts.


Of what use is it to celebrate new year days if you do not

change your old ways of thinking and behaving?

Make proper use of time which is both precious and sacred.

Do not indulge in useless gossip.


Develop good qualities like compassion, love and sympathy.

Act as your own monitor and correct yourself by self-punishment.

By a simple method you can control your wandering mind or your anger.

Moreover, place your reliance on God."


~ Baba ~

(New Year Message - 1.1.96)


Sunday, January 2, 2011

New Year Gems (4) - As You Sow, So You Reap

"Sanctify the new year by engaging yourselves in

pure, selfless and ennobling activities.

As far as possible, avoid causing harm or pain to others.

As you sow, so you reap.

Whenever you feel disturbed by a sense of anger, envy,

pride, jealousy and the like,

be alert and resort to the contemplation of the Lord."


~ Baba ~

(New Year Message - 1-1-1991)


New Year Gems (3) - Transform Yourselves Every Moment

"Regard every second as a new year and act on that basis.

You need not wait for the passing of twelve months

to embark on any enterprise.

Transform yourselves every moment.

Get rid of the bad old ideas;

that will herald the birth of the new year.

Take part in service activities

to sanctify your lives.

Adhere to righteous conduct.

Live up to the motto.

Help ever, Hurt never."


~ Baba ~

(New Year Message - 1.1.93)


Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Year Gems (2) - Saadhana

"The year becomes new, the day becomes holy,

when you sanctify it by saadhana, not otherwise.


Saadhana can grow only in a field fertilised by Love.

Love or Prema is the sine qua non of

bhakthi (devotion to God).


The love you have towards material objects, name,

fame, wife and children, etc., should be sanctified

by being subsumed by the more overpowering Love of God."


~ Baba ~

(New Year Message - 1.1.67)