"Avatars do not come in unique form. The reason is all the creatures in the world carry out their specific functions. Animals, birds, insects, ants and mosquitoes do not deviate from their respective roles in leading their lives. But man alone has forgotten his duties. Birds obey "reason and season". Man alone behaves without regard to "reason and season".
Hence the Avatar has to come in human form to reform man who has gone astray. Thus it is declared that "God comes in human form" (Daivam maannusharupena"). If God comes in any other form, say, a bird, it will be driven away. Man will take no notice of it. If the Avatar comes in the form of a buffalo, it will be driven away with a stick.
In this context, two points have to be noted.
There were two brothers, Jnaanadeva and Bhaktideva. Both were going on a journey. On the way, they felt thirsty. Bhaktideva asked Jnanadeva: "I am thirsty but I cannot see water anywhere". Jnannadeva said: "Let us see whether there is any well nearby." After going some distance, they noticed an old well with water deep at the bottom.
Jnanadeva declared: "Jnaanaath eva thu Kaivalyam" ("Through Jnaana anything can be accomplished").
He immediately assumed the form of a bird, flew down to the water in the well, quenched his thirst and came up. Jnaana deva had the ability to assume any form because of the supreme knowledge he possessed, the knowledge of the oneness of the Self.
Bhaktideva could not get down into the well. He sat near the well and prayed to God with intensive love. After sometime, the water in the well rose to the level of his feet. Noting the wetness of his feet, he opened his eyes and saw that the water in the well had overflowed.
"Jnaana" requires a change in one's form. But "Bhakti" needs no such change. Intense loving devotion will suffice. What the devotee needs will come running to him. There is nothing greater than devotion.
Bhaktideva wrote a letter to Jnaana deva. It was a blank piece of paper which he sent in a cover. When Jnaanadeva opened the letter, he found there was no writing on it. Jnaanadeva then started writing his reply on page after page. He could not come to the end of his writing. His entire life was spent on enquiry and investigation. There was no time for doing any thing practical.
The life of most scientists is spent this way: continuous experimentation, with no experience. This sort of endless pre-occupation with enquiry is of no use. Devotion is easier than the Jnaana marga (the path of knowledge). Through devotion, constant chanting of the name and loving remembrance of God, anything can be accomplished.
Students! See that the love that is inherent in you is not diverted in wrong directions, in anti-social activities, or in ways opposed to the wishes of your parents. So far as love for God is concerned, you need not submit yourself to anyone.
When you love God with all your heart, the bliss you experience is unexcelled. This was the experience of the Gopikas. This has been described as the fifth "Purushaartha", the experience of union with God. (Paramabhakti-Supreme devotion).
Students! Whatever you may do in life, never forget God. Whatever positions one may achieve, whether President or Prime Minister, if he forgets God, he is nothing. Hero becomes zero if he forgets God. These officers come and go. You must never give up your faith in the supreme. That is the way to redeem human life."
~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(Divine Discourse - 21.8.1996)
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