Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

IT is a source of joy that the office-bearers of the Andhra Pradhesh Sathya Sai Organisations have again met here this year, which is aptly named Keelaka. (The name of the year in the Hindhu cycle of sixty years). It is a sign that you have a great future, so far as this service is concerned. Keelakam means the pin of an axle, a pillar, a column. The work that you do will be made stronger and more stable on account of the resolutions you make during these days, It is also the month of Marga-shira. The shira (head) or buddhi (reason, intelligence) is the marga (path) - that is the lesson. To reach Shiva, the shira (head) is the marga. To reach the Lord, intelligence, discrimination between the false and the true, the transitory and the eternal, the unreal and the real is very essential. That is why the Gayathri is taught to the boys while still in their tender age, for, it appeals to the intelligence that fills the Universe, to illumine the lamp of the little child and to enable him to use that intelligence more and more usefully for his liberation from the bonds of the senses. Today is also the first day of the bright fortnight - when after a night of utter darkness, the first rays of the Moon are falling upon the earth.

In order to focus your attention on some major problems and to conserve time, I am placing before you four items for discussion at this Conference. I want that, immediately after the close of this session, you should meet District-wise and forge a common report on these points and submit them to Me, before noon. The first is: The duties and responsibilities of the Presidents or Chairmen of the Organisations. The second: the duties and responsibilities of the District President. The third: The problem of raising funds. The fourth' The Venues for the next session of the World Conference of Sathya Sai Organisations and of the next All-India Conference. I feel that the Organisations will work well, once the President of each unit who supplies the leadership and the District President who provides you guidance and inspiration are aware of their duties and responsibilities and when the crucial hurdle of funds is overcome. I must say plainly that ninety out of a hundred among you have not clearly visualised the purpose for which I have allowed you to form these Organisations. It is not to give some people places of authority or power, or for ensuring fame and publicity for Me. It is to build upon the earth the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of men on strong foundations. This must be clearly grasped by all of you. You are not engaged in social service through these organisations; you are engaged in your own service. All the items of work are aimed at expanding your heart and purifying it. That is the call of the sages of this land and all the scriptures and texts.

A river has to be trained to flow between strong bends, or else it will erode and undermine the cities on its banks. A car requires a trained driver to put its speed to beneficial purposes. This is the reason why we have rules and regulations to curb wantonness and pride to give exercises in self-control and humility. When you choose the office-bearers, consider deeply their fitness for the task; when once they have been installed, do not carp and criticise. Do not work at crosspurposes. Co- operate with them whole-heartedly and encourage them to give all their talents and enthusiasm to the organisations. The bane of all organisations in this land is the tendency to distrust and dethrone the very people whom you have raised to places of responsibility. Power and authority gather unto a person through the work, not through words and professions. Even God is known and adored by His works. Remember each person has three sources of power in him' as an individual, as a child or limb of God and as a shrine where Atma is installed. You must have read that Hanuman once told Rama, "When I feel I am this body You are my Lord; when I feel I am distinct jeeva (soul), I know I am the reflection and You, the Original; when I know I am the Atma, I know I am You and You are I." Be ever in the consciousness that you are but the shadow of God, His image. Then, no harm can hamper you. God walks along the royal road of truth; the shadow, holding on to Him by the feet, falls on hollow and hill, fire and water, dirt and dust. So, if you hold on the feet, you can be as unaffected as the shadow by the ups and downs of life. The commingles of fellow sadhakas (spiritual aspirants) in one organisation is to promote this attitude of renunciation and dedication, not to create more chances for faction-mongering. You must come through these organisations to share Me, who is the treasure for all, and to derive to the maximum the peace and joy which I have come to shower.