Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

EMBODIMENTS of Love! In this phenomenal world, physical relationships like parents, brothers, sisters, wife and children are natural. But in the spiritual context, man should develop relations which are permanent, sacred and transcendental.

One's true relations are Sathyam (Truth) as mother, Jnanam (Wisdom) as father, Dharmam (Righteousness) as brother, Dhaya (compassion) as friend, Shanthi (Peace) as wife and Kshama (forgiveness) as son. The physical relations are temporary and bound to pass away. But the six great virtues are the true imperishable relations.

Man performs a variety of spiritual exercises to achieve self-realisation and the bliss of oneness with the Divine. These include the nine forms of devotion. In these forms of worship God is regarded as mother, father, friend or master. The highest form of worship is to regard God and the individual as one. "You are I and I am you." This attitude flees man from bondage.

Human beings are different in form and name. Oneness amongst them can be achieved only by a feeling of oneness in thought, by a recognition that the whole cosmos is permeated by the Divine.

God is the cause, the world is the effect. In this marvellous universe, why is man unable to recognise his true nature? Divinity is present in every atom of the cosmos. You have to realise that you are that Divinity.

This truth was declared by Prahladha long ago. Emperor Bali, whose return to the earth for one day in a year is celebrated today in the Onam festival, was the grandson of Prahladha. Bali belonged to a line of great renunciants. His father, Virochana was also known for his spirit of sacrifice. He regarded the welfare of his people as his own well-being.

Mr. Wellington (who had spoken earlier) said that service to humanity is service to God. This principle was observed by Virochana. Emperor Bali also followed the same rule.

Once several persons gathered round Buddha and asked him to teach them something about God as he had been pursuing the spiritual path for a long time. The Buddha remained silent. No one is competent to engage in discussions about God. God is in "Yes" and in "No." He is in Dharma and Adharma, in Truth and untruth. How can you have an argument over one who is omnipresent? It is a waste of time. (God is the very embodiment of Dharma, of Sathya and of Ahimsa (non-violence). Hence, Vedantha exhorted mankind: "Speak the Truth, follow Righteousness.

Some persons gathered round Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and asked him: "Sir! Have you seen God?" Ramakrishna had a hearty laugh. He said: "Yes! I have seen God as I am seeing you. All are forms of God. However, your vision is different. You look at all persons as human beings. But all that you see is Divine. Why are you failing to see the Divine? You cry about your wife, your children, your wealth and your position. Have you ever cried for God in the same way? No. When you cry for God intensely, God will appear before you." Once you renounce you bad qualities you will experience God.

When the Lord as Vamana, was approaching Emperor Bali's yaga, the Emperor received him reverentially and asked him what he wanted. He said: "I want three feet of ground measured by my feet." Ball said: "Why come all the way to ask for just three feet of ground?" Vamana declared: "That is all I want." The Emperor's preceptor, Shukracharya warned the Emperor against making the gift, as the seeker was no ordinary person. But the Emperor firmly declared that there is no greater sin than going back on one's promise. He kept his word.

Emperor Ball stands forth as the great upholder of the plighted word. That is the reason why the people of Kerala worship him to this day and celebrate the festival of Onam in his memory.

What is that is adored today? It is Truth. Without truth nothing has any value. Without the values of Truth, Righteousness, Peace and Love, all education and other attainments are useless.

Love is the supreme value. It is not mundane love, but Divine love that is precious. That Divine love encompasses every other form of attachment to friends and others. Cultivate the enduring friendship of God.

Emperor Ball was prepared to offer everything, including himself, to God. That is his greatness. It is not the gift of mere three feet of land. He offered himself to the Lord. "I am offering all that is mine, my family and wealth, and myself, keeping nothing for myself. Save me, Oh lord, who has sought refuge in you," says a Sanskrith shloka. "The heart which you gave to me, I am offering to you. What else can I offer at your Lotus Feet?" says a Telugu poem. This is the spirit in which Bali surrendered to the Lord.

Many students do not know the full story of Prahladha (grandfather of Bali). If you have to name anyone for his highest character, it is Prahladha alone.

Once, Indhra conquered Prahladha and enjoyed Swarga (the realm of the gods). Later Prahladha overcame Indhra and deprived him of Swarga. Indhra was forlorn and sought the advice of his high-priest for winning back his kingdom. The priest told him that Prahladha was performing a great yaga called Vishvajith and Indhra should assume the form of a Brahmana and seek a gift from Prahladha. Prahladha will give whatever one seeks from him. Indhra went to Prahladha in the guise of a poor Brahmana. Prahladha welcomed him and asked him what he wanted.

As advised earlier by his high-priest, he asked Prahladha to offer him Prahladha's Sheelam (character). Prahladha enquired of the Brahmana of what use was his character to the seeker.

The Brahmana replied that there was no need to go into all that. He had expressed what he wanted in response to Prahladha's offer to give whatever anyone asked at the Vishvajith sacrifice. "Are you prepared to give or not?" Prahladha immediately gave what the Brahmana asked with due ceremony.

Within a few minutes, an effulgent flame emerged from Prahladha. Seeing the effulgent form, he asked: "Who are you?" The effulgent figure prostrated before Prahladha and said: "I am your character. Hitherto I was in you. I fostered your name and fame. Now you have given me away as a gift. Hence I am leaving you."

When character left Prahladha, shortly thereafter another beautiful effulgent form issued forth from Prahladha. Prahladha asked him: "Who are you, oh King?" The radiant figure replied "Prahladha! I am your Keerthi (Reputation). When character has left you, I have no place within you. Hitherto I was the servant of Character. When Character has left you, I have to follow suit."

Prahladha was puzzled. Then came another beautiful radiant female form from Prahladha. Prahladha respectfully asked her: "Mother! Who are you?" "Prahladha! After the departure of Character and Reputation, I, namely Rajyalakshmi, (the goddess of royal prosperity) have no place within you." Indhra, who had come in the form of a Brahmana, took all the three with him.

That very moment, Prahladha lost his kingdom. You can see from this how one's fame and prosperity are dependent on one's character. Character is a supremely Divine quality. Hence God is described as having six great attributes including Righteousness, infinite wealth, boundless prosperity, indescribable fame and unfathomable wisdom.

Prahladha was the embodiment of character. After Indhra had taken away his character from Prahladha, the latter got married and had a son by name Virochana.

You may realise from this episode what importance is attached to character in the spiritual process. This character should be offered only to God and none else. God is utterly selfless and therefore offering your character to God will mean no loss to you.

In the relationship between the devotee and God, no other relationship should be allowed to prevail. Ball ignored the warning of his preceptor in carrying out his promise to Vamana. Bharatha condemned his mother's action which resulted in his separation from Rama. Prahladha did not submit to his father when it was a question of his devotion to Narayana. Meera did not allow her husband's conduct to come in the way of her devotion to Krishna.

Whatever may happen you should not give up God. God is the only unfailing protector. Abhimanyu obtained his mother's blessings before going into battle at a time when Arjuna was away and Krishna was not available for advice. But her blessings were of no avail when God's strength was not available. Abhimanyu died in the battle valiantly like a hero.

All forms of strength, physical, material, manpower, etc., are of no use without Divine strength on your side.

Divine support and Dharma (Righteousness) are the two things essential for success. Whatever spiritual exercise one may practise, one should concentrate on achieving union with the Divine as the primary aim.