Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

DHARMA and Jnana (fight conduct and spiritual wisdom) are two eyes given to man to discover his uniqueness and his divinity. Dharma indicates the right path which every individual, group or society should follow. Dharma destroys the one who violates it. Dharma also protects the one who protects it. The scriptures have declared, "Where there is Dharma there is Victory". There is no Dharma greater than Truth. The edifice of Dharma is erected on the foundation of Truth. Nyaya (justice) is an essential attribute of Dharma. A society or nation or an individual shines with glory only when they adhere to justice, lust as one acquires wealth by the pursuit of agriculture, business or profession, one must acquire merit and Divine Grace by adhering to neethi (morality) and Dharma. However, Dharma alone is not enough. While Dharma leads to right action, it is necessary also to acquire Jnana. True knowledge consists in understanding the unity that underlies the Cosmos. All the sufferings and problems in life arise from the sense of duality. Once the feeling of 'I' and 'mine' is got rid of, consciousness of the all-pervading Divinity will be realised.

Today, it appears as if there is a revival of spiritual activity everywhere. Religious associations are coming up all over the world. But much of the activity of spiritual aspirants is motivated by self-interest. Devotees address prayers to God for the fulfilment of their material desires. All the study of scriptures is of little avail if genuine love of God does not flow spontaneously from the heart. It is only through such love that the Divine can be realised. Love and sacrifice are the two greatest qualities in life. It is on the basis of these qualities that our ancients dealt with the problems of society so that the individual, the family, the community and the nation may pursue the path of Dharma.

In the world the progeny of Dharma and Adharma are continually growing. Adharma (unrighteousness) married Mithya (delusion). Mithya is neither truth nor untruth. This couple had two children, a son called Ahamkara (egoism) and a daughter called Moha (infatuation). As both Ahamkara and Moha are the children of Ignorance, with no capacity to judge what is right and wrong, the unholy alliance between them resulted in the birth of Lobha (avarice) and Vanchana (deceit) as son and daughter. From the wrongful union of these two, Eershya (jealousy) and Krodha (hatred) were born. Out of their union, Bheethi (fear) and Mruthyu (death) were born, This lineage is known as Adharma Santhathi (the progeny of unrighteousness). In this lineage, every union was improper.

Dharma married a great soul called Sathya (Truth). Out of the union of Sathya and Dharma, eight children were born. These are Shraddha (Earnestness), Dhaya (Compassion), Shanthi (Peace), Pushti (Prosperity), Shanthushti (Contentment), Vriddhi (Progress), Lajja (Modesty), Gouravam (Honour) and Mukthi (Liberation). It is now for each one to determine to which lineage one belongs. It would seem that ninety percent of the people in the world belong to the line of Mithya and Adharma. When we practise Dharma, the Divinity 'in us will manifest itself spontaneously. One should not limit Dharma to mere words. Man is regarded as the very embodiment of righteousness. But he will not be worthy of this appellation if he does not lead a life of Dharma. Everyone should realise that to attain oneness with divinity is the goal of human life. Hence it is everyone's duty to develop faith in the Divine. With the growth of faith, if one leads a life devoted to Dharma, Sathya and Neethi (Righteousness, Truth and Justice), he will be achieving the purpose of life. The man who does not follow Dharma is a burden on the earth. All the wealth he may accumulate will not accompany him when he leaves the world. It is more important to earn the grace of God than earn all the wealth in the world. Develop the love of God and realise the bliss that is beyond all words.