Desires

 

Why is modern man restless despite having all basic comforts, and what is the spiritual solution to this restlessness?

"Desires are common to all, whether one is young or old, man or woman, a common man or a saint. However, it is very important to have good desires, such as the desire to reach an exalted position, the desire to lead a noble life, the desire to be a good student, or the desire to tread the divine path. It is quite natural for man to have desires as he has to live in the world. But there should be a limit to his desires. As his desires have crossed all limits due to the effect of Kali Yuga, he has lost his peace and is experiencing restlessness. 

Man's unlimited desires are like chains which bind and imprison him. He loses his freedom as he is bound by desires. Animals also have desires, but they are not limitless like those of man. Animals have a reason and a season, but man has no reason and no season. That is why man today is facing so many troubles and problems. 

Man has no dearth of food, raiment, and shelter. Then, what is the reason for his restlessness? It is only excessive desires that make him restless. Therefore, he must put a ceiling on his desires. Less luggage, more comfort makes travel a pleasure. Life is a long journey. In this long journey of life, you should not have excess luggage. This, in Vedantic parlance, is called renunciation (vairagya).

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - April 04, 1993)

If you move towards God, the world will be away from you. If you move towards the world, you will become distant from God. - BABA

Roots of Wisdom - Unperturbed Heart

"One must not let praise or blame, honour or disgrace affect one's original nature.  Changes in one's fortunes are like the clouds that come together or drift apart.  There's no need to be too concerned about such things."

(From the book "Roots of Wisdom" written by Hong Yingming)

 

May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy

Sai Blossoms

"The gratitude I expect from you is your own happiness.  Always be cheerful and spread good cheer.  Real gratitude is to take bliss from God and share it with others.  It is not gratitude if you aim to please only God.  God is happy if you make everyone else happy."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(May 23, 2002)

Divine Wisdom

 

Ego

 

Spiritual Journey

What should we do to keep progressing in this spiritual journey?

"The swimmer in the river has to push aside the waters in front to the sides and to kick the waters to the back so that he can move forward straight and fast. Forcing the water back is the act that takes him forward. That is to say, do not attach importance to it, throw it back, give it up, renounce; that alone can help you to progress, even an inch. 

Instead, man collects and stores, accumulates and takes pride in what he holds firm, regardless of the preciousness of the human trait of renunciation. So, we sink in material possessions, victories, and vagaries. We do not float or swim across the temptations. We must try to discover and learn the means of progress. 

We may well ask, how can a man sunk in relative knowledge become aware of Atma? But there is no reason for despair or for condemning ourselves as mean and low. For when small men take big decisions, they earn encouragement from the great. When the tiny squirrel decided to share in building the passage across the sea, did it not receive the blessings of Lord Rama? The squirrel knew that its help could only be infinitesimal, but the feeling of dedication which prompted it won the grace of God."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - January 8, 1983)

Faith and self-confidence are essential for spiritual progress. – BABA

Respect and Love Your Mother

"We earn to be called children only when we uphold the honor and dignity of our mother.  The life of one who cannot win the love of their mother is a mere waste.  Therefor, we must first deserve mothers love.  No one can describe the love of a mother in words.  Only by the strength of a mother's will can one succeed in life.  Hence, one should respect and love one's mother."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(May 6 2005)

 

Eswaramma Day - 6th May 2026

 

What Are We Offering to the Lord?

On the auspicious occasion of the 15th Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana Mahotsavam, what are we going to offer to our beloved Lord? Bhagawan reveals today what He seeks from us.

"Cleanse your mind of all animal and primitive impulses, which have shaped it from birth to birth. Otherwise, just as milk, poured into a pot used for keeping buttermilk, curdles quickly, all finer experiences of truth, beauty and goodness will get tarnished beyond recognition. Do not postpone this duty to yourself, especially now, when you have the chance of contacting Me.

 I do not find you offering Me what I look for you bring things which are unworthy and impure. I feel very much when I find you so agitated and troubled with the cure so near at hand. Reduce your wants; minimise your desires. All these material knick-knacks are short-lived. 

When death deprives you of resistance, your kith and kin take off the nose-stud, and in their haste, they may even cut the nose to retrieve it! If you go on heaping desire upon desire, it will be impossible to depart gladly when the call comes. Rather, become rich in virtue, in the spirit of service, in devotion to the higher power. That is what pleases Me and saves you!"

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - October 26, 1961)