Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

Bharat (India) is the birthplace of spirituality, charity and righteousness. It is the abode of peace and non-violence. Having been born in this sacred land of Bharat, it is the bounden duty of every Bharatiya (Indian) to foster the noble qualities of truth, peace, charity and non-violence. This sacred land is the birthplace of the Adi Kavi (first poet), Valmiki, and sage Vyasa, who classified the Vedas. This is the meritorious land that gave birth to Gautam Buddha, who declared Ahimsa paramo dharma (nonviolence is the highest dharma). This is the noble land that was ruled by Lord Rama Himself. This is the divine land where Lord Krishna sang the song celestial, Bhagavad Gita. It is most essential for the Bharatiyas to follow the ideals of these sages and Avatars. Having taken birth in this sacred land of Bharat, the Bharatiyas should make every effort to keep their hearts sacred.

Embodiments of Love! The Bharatiyas achieved independence, but not unity. The pristine glory of Bharat can be restored only when the Bharatiyas achieve equality, integrity, unity, and fraternity. These sacred values should be imprinted in the heart of every Bharatiya. There are many men of sacrifice, highly educated and affluent people, eminent statesmen and politicians and very good administrators in this country. But what is the use? There is no unity and cooperation among them. That is the reason for the present plight of the country. They should give up individual differences and work for the welfare of the society. If all Bharatiyas stand united, none can ever attempt to attack us. Since the unity is on the decline, others are trying to take advantage of this situation.

Embodiments of Love! In the past, foreigners ruled over the country for hundreds of years treating the Bharatiyas like slaves. At least from now onward, take care that no foreign force enters our country. That is the vow all the Bharatiyas should resolve to take. The Bharatiyas have immense strength and power. But, they are facing hardships because of lack of unity.

Spirituality is very essential for the welfare of the country. Since ancient times, Bharat has radiated peace and happiness to the rest of the world through the message of spirituality. It occupied the exalted position of teacher to the rest of the world. Bharat stands first in respect of adherence to truth. No other country in this world can ever match Bharat in respect of charity and sacrifice.

Our ancestors took great pains and made great sacrifices in order to protect and safeguard this country. But, unfortunately that spirit of unity and sacrifice is lacking among the youth today. Moreover, it is not enough if we have unity unless we resolve to work for the welfare of the society. Only when you realize the value of service to the society, can you achieve the noble qualities of unity, integrity, and fraternity. For this you have to take to spirituality. Eswara sarva bhoothanam, the same divinity dwells in all beings. The same was declared by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita: Mamaivamso jeevaloke jeevabhutha sanathana (the eternal Atma in all beings is a part of My Being). The culture of Bharat has propagated this principle of unity in diversity.

Since ancient times, Bharat has advocated the ideal Loka samastha sukhino bhavantu (may the whole world be happy!). But, due to the effect of modern age, selfishness and self interest are on the rise. The need of the hour is to develop spirituality, love, unity, and forbearance. All these can be achieved only through God's grace. In fact, you do not need to undertake any rigorous spiritual practices. Japa, meditation, and yogic practices confer only temporary satisfaction. It is enough if you develop love in your heart. There is no God other than love. Love is God, live in love. it is only love that can bring about unity.

But, today everyone is struggling for their selfish ends. Individual differences are on the rise. There may be individual differences and party differences and differences in ideology, but when it comes to protecting the country, you should stand united, giving up all differences. Sacrifice all self-interests and develop love. Experience bliss and share it with others. This is what the culture of Bharat teaches.

There is no culture greater than the culture of Bharat. This culture is eternal, universal, and acceptable to everyone. But, unfortunately today the Bharatiyas are imitating the Western culture ignoring their own culture. As a result, they are losing their identity. There is no greater misfortune than forgetting one's own culture. A true Bharatiya is one who upholds Bharatiya culture. The epithet Bharatiya does not mean a person born in the land of Bharat. Whoever follows the culture of Bharat is a Bharatiya. But the modern educated people are not fascinated by this culture because they have not understood it properly. The culture of Bharat is vaster than oceans and mightier than mountains. In order to understand this glorious culture, you need to develop broad feelings, become broadminded and expand your love. Extend your support to those administrators who adhere to these sacred principles. Do not get carried away by those who give platform speeches but practice none. You should be prepared to sacrifice even your life in order to uphold the culture of Bharat.

Hastasya bhushanam danam (charity is the true ornament of the hand); sathyam kanthasya bhushanam (truth is the true ornament of the throat); srothrasya bhushanam sastram (listening to sacred texts is the true ornament of the ears). This is the teaching of the culture of Bharat. Sathyannasthi paro dharma (there is no greater dharma than Truth). It is truth that protects the world. It is love and nonviolence that sustain the world. Unity can be achieved only through truth, nonviolence and love. My advice is that all parties should unite. Only then Bharat will become a divine land.

Very soon this is going to happen. The present-day administration is noble and good. You should safeguard it because it supports spirituality and divinity. It was lack of unity among the Bharatiyas that was responsible for Bharat to be under British rule for hundreds of years. Past is past. At least in future take care that India will never be under foreign rule. Do not hate anybody. Love even the worst of your enemies. Develop love. Only then the country will progress. Imagine what a formidable force India will be if all its 98 crore people stand united! Bharat will not have any problems.

Very soon, peace and security will prevail in this land. Today we do not find peace anywhere, only pieces! Peace is present in the hridaya (heart). You can experience peace only when you develop heart to heart relationship with your fellow beings.

The Vedas declare, “Anoraneeyan Mahatomaheeyan (God is subtler than the subtlest atom and vaster than the vastest object).” The Vedantins say the Atma pervades the entire world. The scientists say the whole world is made up of atoms. Names are different, but the power is the same. Einstein referred to matter and energy. But matter and energy are not separate from each other. Matter becomes energy and vice-versa. This energy is divinity. You should lead your lives taking divinity as the basis. You will ruin yourself if you take the world as the basis. All the worldly matters come and go like passing clouds. Money comes and goes, morality comes and grows. Morality fosters spirituality. Humanity will progress only when there is morality. So, today we have to foster morality.

A good government should always be supported. One should not hate the government on the basis of individual differences. It has been fifty years since this country attained independence. But what have we achieved? Murders, hijacks, and kidnappings! Is this what we dreamt of? Today, fear and restlessness are rampant all over the world. Man is haunted by fear wherever he is: at home, in a car, in a train or in a plane! Why? Because the human mind is polluted with desire, greed, anger, etc. If man wants to enjoy peace and security, he should get rid of these bad qualities and lead his life keeping in view the welfare of the society. He should give up selfishness and develop unity. Only then the pristine glory of Bharat can be revived.

Our ancient sages coronated thyaga (sacrifice), welcomed Truth, and upheld righteousness. Today there is no trace of thyaga in man. He is always immersed in bhoga (worldly pleasures). As a result he is subjected to roga (disease). The culture of Bharat teaches that only sacrifice confers immortality. But today, unfortunately, the Bharatiyas themselves do not have faith in the Bharatiya culture.

After the annihilation of Ravana, when Rama was requested to take over the reins of Lanka, He declared: Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargadapi Gareeyasi (mother and motherland are greater than heaven itself). One who does not have love and regard for one's own motherland, one's own mother tongue and one's own religion is a living corpse! But, one should not show disrespect towards other countries. Adveshta Sarva Bhoothanam (one should not hate anybody). One should not criticize anybody. But, today if one goes through the newspapers one finds one party criticizing and abusing the other. It is nothing but mean-mindedness. No one has any right to criticize others. Each party should see to it that it is free from all defects instead of pointing an accusing finger at others.

All of you know what a nice person Vajpayee is. Even in olden days, whenever Vajpayee or Jayaprakash Narayan would visit Andhra Pradesh, people, especially the youth, used to gather in large numbers to listen to their speeches. Naturally,

the people are attracted to those who adhere to truth and righteousness. Such a leader should be given all support.

You should strive hard to uphold dharma. In the process one may have to face hardships, but one should not get disheartened. Pleasure is an interval between two pains. One should be prepared to face all challenges and work for the uplift of the society. Today, no one seems to be interested in the welfare of the society. Each one is concerned about his position and power. A true leader is one who works for the wellbeing of society. The government is safe only when the people are safe and secure and vice versa. So, the government and the people should stand united and work for the progress of the nation.

Bharat (India) is the land of merit, the land of sacrifice. When Humayun, son of Babar, was ruling over this country, one day his father wrote a letter to him describing how fortunate he was to become the ruler of this sacred land. He wrote, "Humayun, it is your great good fortune that you have become the ruler of Bharat. See to it that Bharat does not suffer any hardships. Understand the cultural values of Bharat and put them into practice. Make the people of Bharat happy." So, you see, even the Muslim rulers had great regard for the culture of Bharat. Since ancient times, the Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Sikhs have been living in amity in this sacred land. Due to the effect of Kali age, hatred and enmity are on the rise among different religions. There will be no scope for hatred and enmity if people realize that there is only one religion, the religion of love, there is only one caste, the caste of humanity, and there is only one language, the language of the heart. Give up hatred and enmity from today. Develop unity. The country cannot progress unless and until hatred and enmity are uprooted.

When the safety of the country is at stake, all parties should stand united giving up individual differences. Dharmaraja stood as an ideal in this regard. Once, while speaking to Krishna, he said, "Krishna, the Pandavas and the Kauravas belong to the same family. When there is any difference of opinion within the family, we are five on one side and they are hundred on the other. But if there is any external threat and the safety of the country is at stake, all 105 of us will join hands." Similarly, all political parties should come together to safeguard the interests of the nation.

I have been observing Vajpayee for the last so many years. Now this body is seventy-four years old. Vajpayee always keeps the welfare of the society in mind in whatever he speaks or does. He is broadminded. There will certainly be peace and security in the country if these principles are followed.

Vajpayee and Kulwant Rai have requested Me to visit Delhi at least once in a year. Today we have inaugurated the International Sai Center. We should cultivate broad and noble feelings. I will certainly come to Delhi every year provided you develop broad feelings, and put them into practice. In the Sai Organization, there should be no differences of opinion. All should live like brothers and sisters. More than a hundred years ago, when Vivekananda spoke in a religious congregation in Chicago, addressing the audience as brothers and sisters, he was greeted with a thunderous applause. In olden days, brothers and sisters attained supreme state living in harmony with each other. But, today brothers and sisters go to Supreme Court due to lack of unity.

Develop love. Devotion bereft of love is no devotion at all. You may undertake any number of spiritual practices, but love should be the underlying principle. Friendship is one of the nine paths of devotion propagated by the culture of Bharat. So, develop friendship with God. God is not separate from you. You are God. God is in you and around you. God is all pervasive just as an atom. Conduct yourselves with the firm conviction that God is everywhere. Only then will Bharat regain its pristine glory of being the leader of all nations.

I want Vajpayee to develop friendship with countries like Russia, Japan, and Pakistan. How nice will it be if all these countries come together! Vajpayee is also making efforts in this direction. He has full control over his mind, but how can he be expected to have control over the minds of others? He has spiritual feelings in him. That will give him all the necessary strength and courage and ultimately confer success. Vyasa declared, “Paropakara punyaya papaya arapeedanam (helping others is meritorious, harming others is sinful).” So, Help ever, Hurt never. This is what I want you to do. Delhi is the stomach of Bharat. If the stomach is good, the whole body will be good. Likewise, if Delhi is good, the whole country will prosper. So, see to it that there is peace and harmony in De/hi. The people of Delhi should stand united. If you have unity, there is nothing that you cannot achieve in this world. I bless you all and bring My discourse to a close.