WRITING FROM
PUTTAPARTHY
Dear Sai brothers n sisters ;
At the moment we'r at Puttaparthy.Tomorrow is Guru Purnima.We have come here to
attend the event.2day morning n afternoon Swami gave all a very good darshan.
Indeed it was a treat for the eyes.A musical concert of 22 countries musicians
gave their performances in front of Swamy at 4 p.m.Heavy rain started soon after
the music started n continued for abt an hour till the music finished.We enjoied
the spiritual event.
Mahendra K. patra n Renuka Patra
Thought for the day (Gurupoornima)
Today is celebrated as Guru Poornima or Vyasa
Poornima, the full moon
day dedicated to Sage Vyasa, who codified the Vedas and presented them
to the world on a full moon day. This is the day when people should
seek to make their minds as pure and bright as the full moon. You can
see God only through the Jnaana-chakshu (eye of wisdom). Realize God
as the indweller of your heart and accept Him as your Guru
(preceptor). There is no greater meditation than constant remembrance
of God at all places and at all times. When you practise this, you
will lack nothing and will be ever blissful.
The Guru is Brahma (The God of
Creation)
The Guru is Vishnu (The God of Sustenance)
The Guru is Shiva (The God of Annihilation)
My Salutation to such a Guru, who is verily the Supreme God
Embodiment of Love!
From this day of Guru Purnima, make your hearts sacred. Just as you wave
away the mosquitoes that bite you, brush aside any difficulties that
assail you. Do not be depressed by sorrow nor be elated by happiness.
Develop equanimity and strive to attain Divinity.
Here Bhagawan sang the Bhajan, "Vahe Guru Vahe Guru Vahe Guru Ji Bolo …"
and then continued the discourse.
There is only one Guru. There cannot be two Gurus - inner Guru and
external Guru. Guru is one who treads along the path of Truth. He is truth
himself.
“ Gurur-Brahma Gurur-Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheswara;
Guru Sakshat Param Brahma Thasmai Sri Gurave Namaha. ”
(Guru is Brahma, Guru is
Vishnu, Guru is Maheswara. Guru is verily the supreme Brahman. So,
salutations to the Guru.)
You are the embodiment of Divine Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu, Maheswara.
Hence, Guru is not separate from you. You are everything. Let your
concentration not waver. Let it be steadily fixed on your goal. Be he a
student, a celibate, a householder or a renunciant, the goal is one and
same for all. Contemplate on the principle of So-ham that your inner voice
teaches. Say Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahma). There is nothing wrong in this
statement. Some people have a mistaken notion that to say so, is a sign of
egoism. In fact, that is not ego at all. It is your right. To think that
you are a mere human being amounts to demeaning yourself. You are the
embodiments of God. Develop such faith and become God. There cannot be any
bad qualities in God. So, you should lead a pure, steady and selfless
life. See good, speak good and do good. You should be an ideal to
everybody. No benefit accrues from worship if you do not purify your
heart. You are worshipping Swami and have been visiting Swami for a number
of years.
But is there any transformation in you? You are coming and going without
any aim. Such people need not come here at all. Wherever you are, do your
Sadhana. When you come here, you should imbibe divine feelings and become
divine. Gradually reduce your attachment to the world. The world will not
go with you when you die. You cannot even take away a fistful of dust. You
can take only the virtues you have cultivated. Respect your teachers,
elders and parents. Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo
Bhava, Atithi Devo Bhava (revere your mother, father, preceptor and guest
as God). Consider everyone as God. There is God even in a dog. Have faith
that God is all-pervasive. There is no greater Sadhana than this. When
people develop such faith, the whole nation will be blessed with plenty,
prosperity and all auspiciousness. Fill your heart with divine feelings.
This is what you have to learn today.
(selection from the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai
Baba
in Sai Kulwanth Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam on 24th July 2002
on the occasion of GuruPoornima Day)
I adore Lord Siva, Lord Vishnu, Bhagavan Vyasa and Sri Sankaracharya. I
again and again prostrate to Sri Vyasa who wrote the Vedanta Sutras, and
to Sri Sankaracharya who wrote the commentaries thereon (Guru Vandanam).
The full-moon day in the month of Ashada is the extremely auspicious and
holy day of Guru-Purnima. On this Ashada Purnima Day, sacred to the memory
of the great sage Sri Vyasa Bhagavan or Sri Krishna Dvaipayana, Sannyasins
settle at some place to study, do Vedantic Vichara, and discourse on the
thrice-blessed Brahma Sutras composed by Maharshi Vyasa. Sri Veda-Vyasa
has done unforgettable service to all humanity for all time by editing the
four Vedas, writing the eighteen Puranas, the Mahabharata and the
Bhagavata. We can attempt to repay this deep debt of gratitude we owe him
only by constant study of his works and practice of his teachings imparted
for the regeneration of humanity in the iron age or Kali Yuga. In honour
of this divine personage, all Sadhakas and devotees perform Vyasa Puja on
this day; aspirants worship their Guru. Mahatmas and Sadhus are honoured
and entertained, and acts of charity done by all Grihastis with deep faith
and sincerity. Chaturmasa for Sannyasins begins from this day. Sannyasins
stay in one place during the rainy season for four months, study the
Brahma Sutras, and practise meditation.
Significance Of The Guru-Purnima Day
Mark fully the deep significance of this great day. Ashada Purnima heralds
the Chaturmasa, or the setting in of the eagerly awaited rains. The water,
drawn up and stored as clouds in the hot summer, now manifests in
plentiful showers that usher in the advent of fresh life everywhere. Even
so do you all begin seriously to put into actual working all the theory
and philosophy that you have stored up in you through patient study.
Commence practical spiritual Sadhana right from this day. Generate fresh
waves of spirituality. Let all that you have read, heard, seen and learnt
become, through Sadhana, transformed into a continuous outpouring of
universal love, ceaseless loving service and continuous prayer and worship
of the Lord seated in all beings.
Live on milk and fruits on this day and practise rigorous Japa and Dhyana.
Study the Brahma Sutras and do some lakhs of Japa (Anushthana or
Purascharana) of your Guru Mantra or Ishta Mantra, during the Chaturmasa.
You will be highly benefited.
As the day of Guru-Puja or worship of one’s preceptor this is a day of
pure joy to the sincere aspirant. Thrilled by the expectation of offering
his reverent homage to the beloved Guru, aspirant awaits this occasion
with eagerness and devotion. It is the Guru alone that breaks the binding
cords of attachment and releases the aspirant from the trammels of earthly
existence. The Sruti says: “To that high-souled aspirant, whose devotion
to the Lord is great and whose devotion to his Guru is as great as that to
the Lord, these secrets explained, become illuminated.” Guru is Brahman or
Isvara Himself. He guides and inspires you from the innermost core of your
being. He is everywhere.
Behold The Entire Universe As Guru-Svarupa
Have a new angle of vision. Behold the entire universe as Guru-Svarupa.
See the guiding hand, the awakening voice, the illumining touch of the
Guru in every object in this Creation. The whole world will now stand
transformed before your changed vision. The Virat Guru will reveal all the
precious secrets of life and bestow wisdom. The Supreme Guru, manifest in
visible Nature, will teach you the most valuable lessons of life. Worship
daily this Guru of Gurus, the Guru who taught even Avadhuta Dattatreya.
The silent all-enduring earth with its lofty forbearance, the shady
fruit-bearing tree with its willing self-sacrifice, the mighty Banyan tree
(Pipal) reposing with patience in the tiny seed, the dripping drops whose
persistence wears away the rocks, the planets and the seasons with their
orderly punctuality and regularity are divine Gurus to him who will look,
listen and receive.
Purify And Progress
Become a personification of receptivity. Empty yourself of your petty
ego-sense. All the treasures locked up in the bosom of Nature will become
yours! You will have progress and perfection in an amazingly short time.
Become pure and unattached as the mountain breeze. As the river flows
continuously, steadily and constantly towards its goal, the ocean, by
moving every moment of your life towards the Supreme State of
Existence-Knowledge-Bliss, let all your thoughts, all your words, all your
actions be directed only towards the Goal.
The moon shines by reflecting the dazzling light of the sun. It is the
full-moon of Purnima-Day that reflects in full splendour the glorious
light of the sun. It glorifies the sun. Purify yourself through the fire
of service and Sadhana, and like the full moon, reflect the glorious Light
of the Atman. Become the full reflectors of Brahmic splendour, the Light
of lights. Make this your goal, to become a living witness to Divinity,
the brilliant Sun of suns!
Tat Tvam Asi
Brahman or the Supreme Self alone is real. He is the Soul of all. He is
All in all. He is the Essence of this universe. He is the Unity that never
admits of a duality under all the varieties and diversities of nature.
Thou art this immortal, all-pervading, all-blissful Brahman. Thou art
That—Tat Tvam Asi. Realise this and be free.
Remember the four important verses of the Brahma Sutras: (i) Atha-Ato
Brahma-Jijnasa—Now, therefore, the enquiry into Brahman. (ii) Janmadyasya
Yatah—From which proceed the origin, etc. (iii) Sastra-Yonitvat—The
scriptures being the means of right knowledge. (iv) Tat Tu Samanvayat—But
that because It is the main support.
Now sing: Jaya Guru Siva Guru Hari Guru Ram,
Jagad-Guru Param Guru Sat-Guru Syam.
Remember and adore Sri Vyasa and the Brahma-Vidya Gurus. May their
blessings be upon you all! May you all cut asunder the knot of Avidya and
shine as blessed Jivanmuktas, shedding peace, joy and light everywhere!
God has no specific name. All names are attributed by man to God. Each
name, like Padmanabha, Hiranyagarbha, and Hiranmaya, has a profound inner
meaning. Spirituality is meant to explain the principle of Divinity and
the inner meaning of the names attributed to Him. One who follows the
spiritual path should make efforts to understand and experience the
principle of Divinity and propagate the same. But, man today has not
really understood what spirituality means. He is under the mistaken notion
that spirituality means merely offering worship and prayers to God and
performing rituals. People should be taught the inner significance of
spirituality and various names and forms attributed to Divinity.
Your heart should melt and flow toward God. Only then can you attain His
grace. People may talk as they please; do not be carried away by them.
Unmindful of hardships and difficulties, hold on to the principle of
divinity and reach the goal of life. Today, people lack the will and
determination to reach the goal of life. How can those who do not
understand the goal of life, attain it? True love cannot be fragmented.
One cannot have love for God as well as for ephemeral objects and
relationships. The love which is fragmented is artificial only. You have
only one heart. You cannot break it into pieces and distribute to various
people. It is not like a laddoo or sugar cane, which can be broken into
pieces and distributed. It is the eternal truth. It is nectarous and full
of bliss. Ignoring the immortal bliss within, people tread the worldly
path thinking that bliss lies therein. It is only a figment of their
imagination. He is a true devotee who makes efforts to attain God with
full faith and determination without caring for trials and tribulations.
Divine Discourse: July 13, 2003
What is it that you are supposed to know on this day of Guru Purnima? You
must understand that God is in you, with you, around you, above you, below
you. In fact, you are God. Recognise this truth in the first instance. Do
not entertain excessive desires and become beggars. Do your duty
sincerely. That is the true Sadhana. When you are in office, do office
work only; do not think of your family matters. Likewise, when you are at
home, take care of the needs of your wife and children. Do not make your
home an office. But today because of too much work in office, people take
office-papers to their homes to complete their work. They are thus facing
difficulties because they mix up their office work, household work,
business and spiritual matters.
Right from this day, try to reduce your attachment to the world to the
extent possible. Be happy and make others happy. Do not hurt anybody.
Consider difficulties as passing clouds. You have developed family
relationships and there are bound to be some worries. But do not be
perturbed by them. When you look at the vast sky, you find many clouds.
Likewise, in the sky of your heart there are clouds of attachment. They
just come and go. Do not worry about them. What is the shape of worry? It
is a mentally created fear. It is the result of your imagination. Every
man is bound to encounter difficulties and losses. We should face them
with courage.
From this day of Guru Purnima, make your hearts sacred. Just as you wave
away the mosquitoes that bite you, brush aside any difficulties that
assail you. Do not be depressed by sorrow nor be elated by happiness.
Develop equanimity and strive to attain Divinity.
Divine Discourse: July 24, 2002
Today we are celebrating Guru Purnima. Purnima means full moon day. Then
who is a Guru? The modern Gurus whisper a Mantra into the ear and stretch
their hand for money. Such people are not fit to be called Gurus.
Gukaro Gunateethaha
Rukaro Rupavarjithaha
(one who is attributeless and formless is a true Guru.)
A Guru is necessary to make you understand the formless and attributeless
Divinity. Since it is difficult to get such Gurus, consider God as your
Guru.
Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Guru Devo Maheswara;
Gurur Sakshat Para Brahma Thasmai Sri Gurave Namaha
Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, Guru is Maheswara. Consider Guru as your
everything. In this world, everything is a manifestation of Divinity.
Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma (verily all this is Brahman). All are the
embodiments of Divinity. In fact, all that you see is nothing but the
Divine Cosmic Form (Viswa Virat Swarupa).
Sahasra Seersha Purusha
Sahasraksha Sahasra Padh
(With thousands of heads, thousands of feet and thousands of eyes,
Divinity pervades everything).
This means all the heads, all the feet and all the eyes that we see in
this world belong to God. When the Vedic statement, Sahasra Seersha... was
made, the population of the world was only a few thousands, but now it
runs into a few hundred crores. In those days, people considered everybody
as Divine. They believed in the Vedic dictum, Sarva Bhuta Namaskaram
Kesavam Pratigachchati (salutations to all beings reach God). Easwara
Sarva Bhutanam (God is the indweller of all beings). Isavasyam Idam Sarvam
(the entire universe is permeated by God). Divinity is not restricted to a
particular place. God is here, God is there and He is everywhere. You are
developing differences out of delusion, but Divinity is One and only One.
It is the duty of a Guru to propagate such principle of oneness.
Divine Discourse: July 5, 2001
Today we are celebrating the festival of Guru Poomima. Who is Guru? 'Gu'
stands for Gunatheeta (attributeless). 'Ru' signifies Rupavarjita
(formless). There is another interpretation for the word Guru. 'Gu'
signifies darkness and 'Ru' denotes that which dispels darkness. (Gukaaro
Andhakaarasya, Rukarasthannirodhakaha). So, God, who is attributeless and
formless, is the true Guru. In the word 'Bhagavan', the letter 'Bha'
stands for effulgence. An ordinary electric bulb illumines only a limited
area, but God who is all pervasive illuminates the entire creation.
Divinity shines forth in everybody. So, do not hate anybody.
Guru is one who dispels the darkness of ignorance, arising out of body
attachment. Body is but an instrument. God has given you the body to take
to the Path of action. Body is God's gift. Deho Devalayah Prokto jeevo
Devah Sanathanaha (body is the temple and the indweller is God)! Consider
all bodies as temples of God and offer your salutations. Salute even your
enemies. Sarva Jeeva Namaskaaram Kesavam Pratigachchathi and likewise
Sarva Jeeva Tiraskaaram Kesavam Pratigachchathi (whomsoever you salute, it
reaches God and whomsoever you censure, it also reaches God).
Give up ignorance, light the lamp of wisdom in you and ultimately merge in
the Divine. This is Swami's message for you today. Develop love. Through
love alone can you annihilate the mind and through love alone can you get
cured of any disease. Only love can eradicate the evil qualities in you.
So love all. Love the Hridaya, not the physical body. Love the Divinity
that is installed in your heart. Body, mind, intellect and senses are
merely instruments, you are the master. So, master the mind and be a
mastermind. Never become a slave to your mind. Contemplate on the Divine
day in and day out. That alone can bring about transformation in you. You
may chant any name, contemplate on any form; but understand the truth that
God is One and only one.
Divine Discourse: July 16, 2000
Today is Guru Poornima. What is its significance?
Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu
Guru Devo Maheswarah
Guru Sakshath Parabrahma
Thasmai Sri Gurave Namah.
The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara are within us. That is why I
often say you are not one, but three. This is the meaning of the three
words Bhur, Bhuvah, Suvah in the Gayathri Mantra. Bhur means Bhuloka
(earth). The earth is made up of materials. Therefore, the human body,
which is also made up of materials, is called Bhuloka. This can also be
referred to as materialization. Bhuvaha means life force.(Prana) It is
this life force that makes the body move. It is known as vibration. Suvaha
means wisdom. This is known as radiation. The Veda declares: Prajnanam
Brahma. This Prajnana is nothing but radiation. Human being is a
combination of materialization, vibration and radiation. You don't need to
search for God outside. Turn your vision inward. There you will find God.
Today is full moon day. The Veda says: Chandrama Manaso Jathaha Chaksho
Suryo Ajayatha Mukhadindrascha Agnishcha. Moon is the presiding deity of
the mind. That day is Poornima in the true sense of the term, when the
mind is filled with pure love. Let your mind shine brilliantly like the
moon on a full moon day. This is possible only when you fill your mind
with love. Fill your hearts with love. There is no wealth, no Dharma, no
meditation greater than love. I expect all of you to live in unity like
brothers and sisters. If you become the embodiment of love, you will
become divine.
Divine Discourse: July 28, 1999
What is the significance of the Guru Purnima, which we are celebrating
today? People consider a person who imparts knowledge as a preceptor. But
most of them are mere teachers, not preceptors (gurus). There is only one
guru and He is God. The letter "Gu" signifies one who transcends all
attributes. "Ru" signifies one who has no form. Only God can be regarded
as one who is beyond attributes and forms. In another sense, the term
"Guru" means one who dispels ignorance.
Although one's mother, father and preceptor are to be adored as divine
beings, they are not God. God should be worshipped as mother, father,
preceptor, kinsman and friend. Father, mother, and preceptor dwell in
their respective abodes. But God dwells in your heart. Love the Lord who
resides in your heart. All other objects of love are impermanent.
People should understand the distinction between worldly love and
spiritual love. Worldly love is based on the desire to receive. Divine
love yearns to give. God's love goes on giving. This is the true mark of
divinity. It is a sign of purity. Spirituality is opposed to the ways of
the world. Worldly activities cannot always be avoided. But if whatever is
done is made an offering to please God, it gets sanctified. Whatever you
achieve, treat it as a gift from God. You will then realize your true
humanness. True humanness consists in the unity of good conduct, good
thoughts and good speech. Never depart from truth. Let love flow freely
from your heart.
Divine Discourse: July 9, 1998
The term "Guru" means one who dispels the darkness of ignorance. "Gu"
means one who is beyond attributes (gunas), "Ru" implies one who is beyond
forms (rupas). This refers only to God. That is why the "Guru" is hailed
as Brahma, Vishnu or Siva. Only God is the true Guru. All others are
merely teachers, like the teachers of different subjects in a college.
"Guru" is the one who reveals the "Guri" (target) to the disciple. "Guri"
here refers to the Atmic Principle.
Divine Discourse: July 20, 1997
Today is described as Guru Purnima Day. This is not quite correct. The day
got its name because of some gurus who wanted to have an occasion for
receiving offerings from their disciples. The right name for this day is
Vyasa Purnima.
Vyaasa was born on this full moon day. He completed the codification of
the four Vedas on this day. He completed the writing of the eighteen
puranas on this day. Owing to the passage of time Vyasa Purnima came to be
called Guru Purnima.
When this Self is within you where is the need to search for someone to
teach you? A teacher who teaches others has had a teacher himself. The one
who has no Guru above him is the true Guru. The Sanskrit stanza which
hails the Guru as Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara and as Parabrahman is
misinterpreted. The right approach is to consider Brahma, Vishnu and
Maheswara as the Guru. These three are symbolised by the three gunas:
Brahma is Rajas, Vishnu is Sathva and Siva is Thamas. The whole cosmos is
constituted by the three gunas. The three gunas are present in man. The
trinity are present in the form of the three gunas in every human heart.
Divine Discourse: July 30, 1996
Embodiments of Divine Atma: Today is Guru Purnima. What is meant by
Gurutwa? Truth in the world is Gurutwa. Observe truth with steady feelings
and with a selfless heart. That truth is your protection. That truth is
your armour. Truth will follow you and protect you. Satyam Naasti Paramo
Dharma - there is no Dharma higher than Truth. Dharmo Rakshati Rakshithaha
- if you protect Dharma, that Dharma will in turn protect you. Do not
waver by this agitation. Keep your truth as you aim. Fill your heart with
sanctity. Love every one. Do not hate anybody. Then only true divinity
will originate in you.
Divine Discourse: July 3, 1993
Who is a true Guru? What is the truth underlying the Guru principle? Is he
the one that teaches worldly education? Is he the one that explores the
properties of matter, a Guru? Is he the one that describes in detail
Natural Sciences, a Guru? No, they are only teachers. A true Guru is the
embodiment of Brahmaanandha (transcendental bliss). A true Guru is one who
enjoys and confers changeless supreme happiness. He is beyond space and
time; and there is nothing higher than Him. He is the very form of truth
and infinite. He has neither birth nor death, neither beginning nor end.
He is God Himself: He is the Guru.
Guru is Brahman. He is the Creator; He Himself is the creation and He is
the One that exists in the creation. The universe is filled with Brahman.
It becomes clear that the One who Himself has become the universe is the
Guru.
Guru is Vishnu. Who is Vishnu? Vishnu is one who has the quality of
pervasiveness. He is the Doer and also what is done. The universe is the
action, God is the Doer. God is the consciousness behind the cause and
effect. The whole universe is the form of Vishnu. This Vishnu is the Guru.
Guru is Maheshvara. Who is Maheshvara? He is the one who rules all beings
in the Universe. He commands and ordains everything in the universe in the
right manner. Sun-rise and Sun-set go on according to His command.
Seasons, rain, the day and night are His commands. Eeshvara is one that
makes everything--follow its discipline without any lapse. Guru is not one
who merely teaches. A Guru is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, He
is God himself.
Gurupuurnima means full moon without any defect or lacuna. Moon is nothing
but mind. When the mind is completely perfect, it sheds light.
Gurupuurnima is not performed by circumambulation and offerings to the
Guru. What is the real offering? It is the offering of one's love. To know
that God exists everywhere is circumambulation. If you understand these
terms, everyday is Gurupuurnima. There is only one Guru, that is God and
there is no other Guru. Contemplate on that Guru.
Divine Discourse: July 14, 1992
Eight types of Gurus and their functions
Today is the sacred day of Guru Purnima. Bharatiyas
have held the view that one should try to sublimate one's life by seeking
a Guru and acting according to his teachings. There are eight types of
Gurus:
Bodha Guru
Veda Guru
Nishiddha Guru
Kaamya Guru
Vaachaka Guru
Soochaka Guru
Kaarana Guru
Vihita Guru
Bodha Guru teaches the Sastras and encourages the pupil to act up to
sastraic injunctions. The Veda Guru imparts the inner meaning of the Veda
s, establishes the pupil in spiritual truths and turns his mind towards
God. The Nishiddha Guru imparts knowledge about rites and duties and shows
how one's welfare here and in the hereafter can be ensured. The Kaamya
Guru makes one engage himself in meritorious deeds to secure happiness in
both the worlds. The Vaachaka Guru imparts knowledge of Yoga and prepares
the disciple for the spiritual life. The Soochaka Guru teaches how the
senses are to be controlled through various types of discipline. The
Kaarana Guru reveals the unity of the jivi and the Atma. Vihita Guru
clears all doubts, purifies the mind and shows how Self-realization can be
attained.
Of these eight Gurus, the Kaarana Guru is the foremost. Through various
teachings and practices, he helps the individual to progress from the
human to the divine consciousness. Only the divine can act as such a
teacher. All other Gurus can be helpful only to a limited extent.
On this Guru Purnima day I do not intend to give you any Ashtaakshari
(eight letter) or Panchaakshari (five-letter) mantra based on any
particular deity's name. Nor am I enjoining you to study any Upanishad, or
the Gita or the Brahma Sutras. There is a simple five-letter pronouncement
"God is" ("Devudunnaadu," in Telugu). Make this your sheet anchor. If you
go on reciting it, thinking over it, acting up to it and conveying it to
others, immersing yourself in the bliss of this experience, you will be
making the greatest contribution to the welfare of the world. Consider
this mantra as the message for this Guru Purnima and proclaim it in all
circumstances and at all places with all the conviction and strength you
can command. The world can be turned into an earthly paradise if you
strengthen your faith in God and demonstrate it in your actions. You must
have the courage and determination to face any kind of problems and
difficulties. By propagating this mantra you can promote the love of God
and the fear of sin among the people. The mantra "God is" can be more
powerful than a mantra based on any particular deity's name.
From today, develop your faith in God; engage yourselves in dedicated
service to society and make your lives purposeful and helpful to those in
distress or need. Remember that whomsoever you may serve, you are serving
God. This is my benediction for all of you.
(1)
Shvetashvatara Upanishad (6/23) : Advocates worship to the Guru in the same
manner as the deity - God, to attain all there is to attain on the path of
God-realization:
Yasya deve para bhaktir
yatha deve tatha gurau |
Tasyaite kathitaa hi arthaaha prakashante mahatmanaha ||
(2) Bhagavad Gita
(4/34) : The disciple should humbly pose questions to the Guru and please him
by serving him. He will then impart the knowledge of God, so ordain the
wise sages.
(3) Shrimad Bhagvatam
: Bhagwan Rushabhdeva advocates his sons: Obeying the Anuvrutti -
unvoiced wishes - of God and Guru is devotion.
(4 ) Vachanamrutam (Vadtal
5) : The aspirant should offer equal and intensely loving service to God
and His sadhu. Then, despite being the lowest type of devotee who is
destined to become a great-devotee after either two births or four births
or ten births or even a hundred births, he can become a great devotee in
this birth. Such is the fruit of serving God and His sadhu equally."
The phrase "great
devotee" signifies moksha-salvation
