The creation emerges from Truth and merges into Truth, Is there a place in the cosmos where Truth does not exist? Visualise this pure and unsullied truth.
(Telugu poem)
EVERY living being in this world, right from an ant to an insect, bird, beast, or an animal has emerged from Truth only! Those who realise this truth are real yogis . Devoid of Truth, nothing will move in this universe. And that supreme Truth is embodied only in one person. He is Sathyam (Here Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba materialised a Lingam and showed it to all). Who else can manifest such pure consciousness? Truth is omnipresent. When you think of it and contemplate on it, it can manifest in you also. Hence, you constantly contemplate on Truth. Why was this body named Sathya Sai? Truth alone manifests from this Sai. Whoever contemplates on Truth, Sathyam is present in the heart of that person. Hence, one should never forget Truth. Dharma (righteousness) is the reaction, reflection and resound of Sathyam ...
How can a dog realise the value of fasting during the day?
How can an ox realise the taste of parched rice?
How can one who cannot smell appreciate any fragrance?
How can a blind man realise the beauty of moonshine?
Students:
The great rishis of ancient times have handed over sacred ideals to us. From the culture and traditions of Bharath, we should pick out some aspects which are applicable in our daily life. The statements made by such great rishis were the result of their own personal experience in a life full of happiness and bliss. The path that was taken by them can be described as a golden path. The words they gave to us were words of truth. Their experience was such that whatever they did was only promoting the prosperity of the world and the happiness of the people. Unfortunately, it appears that man today has taken a path which is quite the opposite. We think that all the injunctions that are given to us by our ancestors are full of superstitions, and that they are based o...
Take for example the discipline regarding food. Food decides the nature of your mind. If you are afflicted by evil thoughts at the time of eating, these evil thoughts affect the food you are taking and consequently affects your mind. Mind is born of the food you take. As is the food, so is the mind. That is why our ancestors recommended the partaking of Sathwic food. The gross part of the food we take is converted into excreta; the subtle part of it goes into the making of muscles; the subtlest part of the food becomes the mind. Similarly, the gross part of the water we drink becomes urine; the subtle part of it becomes blood. The subtlest part becomes ‘Prana.’ We can say for certain that water contains ‘Prana.’ That is why when anybody faints, water is splashed on his face. Water enables the fainted man to recover as it contains prana in it.
While taking our food, if we use exciting words, such ideas which are related to these exciting words will sprout in us also. The lesson that we should learn is that when we take our bath, when we sit for dhyana or when we take our food, we should not think of other activities and other ideas. Too much talk, while we take our food, will also cause harm to us. We should not give room to any kind of talk when we take our food. With a happy heart and with a sacred word, we must undertake to utter this particular verse and then take our food. In this way, whatever has been offered to Brahman will become the prasad which comes to us as a gift of Brahman.
In the matter of food, there are three aspects regarding the cleanliness of which we should take great care.
One is the cleanliness of the material which we use for cooking the food.
The second is the cleanliness of the pot in which we want to cook the food. We can certainly clean the materials which con stitute the food and also clean the pot in which it is cooked.
The third aspect relates to the cleanliness of the process of cooking. This is not easily possible. Until the material gets cooked to its final stage, our ideas should be good for this to be achieved.
Embodiments of Love!
EASWARAMMA day is held to commemorate the day when Easwaramma left her physical body.
The body is made up of five elements and is bound to perish sooner or later, but the indweller has neither birth nor death. The indweller has no attachment whatsoever and is the eternal witness.
(Telugu poem)
Understand The Importance Of The Mind
People are deluded by body attachment. Body is ephemeral, evanescent and impermanent. Whatever is born is transient only. Whatever is there in this world is bound to perish. Only one thing remains forever and that is the mind. But many people call it monkey mind. No, no. You belong to mankind and have nothing to do with monkey mind. The mind, in fact, is of the nature of the Self. You should make befitting efforts to understand its true nature. Only those who have control over their mind can be called human beings. There are many in this world who are highly educated. There are also many who have mastered various forms...
We should partake of food with a Sathwic mind. Our ancestors recommended the offering of food to God before partaking. Food so partaken becomes ‘Prasad’ (consecrated offering). Prayer cleanses the food of the three impurities caused by the absence of ‘Patra Shuddhi’ (cleanliness of the vessel), ‘Padartha Shuddhi’ (cleanliness of the food stuff and ‘Paka Shuddhi’ (cleanliness in the process of cooking). It is necessary to get rid of these three impurities to purify the food; for, pure food goes into the making of a pure mind. It is not possible to ensure the purity of the cooking process, since we do not know what thoughts rage in the mind of the man who prepares the food.
Here are a few excerpts from Discourses, where Swami explains the importance of praying and offering food to God.
To listen to the prayers in Swami's voice, please see: Food Prayer.
