Quotable Quotes

Divine Wisdom

 

The Mind

"Where the mind is active, all three worlds exist.  Where there is no mind, nothing exists.  Mind is the main cause of suffering and misery.  To control the mind, one has to keep desires under check."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(August 5, 1999) 

The Nature of True Devotion

What is the nature of true devotion and complete surrender to God? 

"When Rama, Sita and Lakshmana went to the forest and reached Chitrakuta mountain, Rama told Lakshmana to put up a hut in a place of his choice. Hearing these words, Lakshmana felt hurt and bent down his head with grief. 

Noting this, Sita asked Lakshmana, “Why are you perturbed, Lakshmana? Your brother did not say anything harsh. Why do you feel so sad?” 

Lakshmana said, “O, Mother! Have I ever had any choice of my own? The likes of Rama are mine. I have surrendered myself to Rama. The command of Rama is what I want to carry out. While it is so, how can I withstand the impact of Rama asking me to put up the hut at a place of my choice? Does it not amount to separation from Rama?” 

That is the intensity of the feelings of a true devotee towards the Lord. Your thoughts should always be centred on God. The world is like a passing cloud. But the relationship between you and God is permanent and eternal.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - October 11, 1998)

Unless man learns to surrender his ego with full satisfaction, in complete sincerity, with no reservations, to the Lord, he cannot realise Him, though He is resident in his own heart. - BABA

The Lord Who Resides in the Hearts of Devotees

Isn’t God a resident of every heart, immaterial of one’s faith in His existence there? What is the value of faith and love in God then? 

"The Lord resides not only in the hearts of devotees, but also in the hearts of the evil-minded. 

Once, child Prahlada approached his mother Leelavati, and told her, "Mother, there is only one difference between me, who is a devotee of Hari and my father, who hates Hari. Ever contemplating the nectarous sweetness of the Lord, repeating His name and constantly remembering Him, I am immersed in the bliss of love of the Lord like one intoxicated. My father, in his hatred of Narayana, has turned his heart into stone and installed Him in it." 

The Lord, who dwelt in the heart of Prahlada, who loved Narayana, and the Lord who was in the heart of Hiranyakashipu, who hated Narayana, was one and the same. Drinking deep the nectar of Divine Love, Prahlada quenched his heart's thirst and found bliss. Installing the Lord in his stony heart, Hiranyakashipu was unable to allay his burning thirst and experienced endless worries! 

It is said, man must live in faith. The one who lives in faith experiences happiness. And the man who experiences this happiness will be far from restlessness and live in peace."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~`

(Divine Discourse - September 15, 1986)

Through Love and Service, the mind is cleared of ego, and God is reflected therein. – BABA

Wise Words

 

May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy

"Pray wholeheartedly for the welfare of humanity.  May all the worlds be happy.  You can be happy only when the world is happy.  There is an intimate and inseparable relationship between you and the world.  Chant the divine name.  Pray for the welfare of the world and participate in service activities."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(January 14, 2002) 

The Process of Living

"When the process of living revolves around the body, it is steeped in misery; when it revolves around the Atma, the divine spark within, it is resplendent with joy."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(August 1974)

Bad Thoughts

 

The Easiest Path

 

Swami : “People look for short cuts in everything, even in spirituality. But, surprisingly, spirituality does have a short cut. There is no need to wander here and there. God is residing in your heart. Turn your vision inward. You can see God instantly. This is the easiest path.”

Samasta Lokha Sukhino Bhavantu