Sri Sathya Sai International Organization

The five human values are verily the five life breaths of the individual. One who considers human values as one’s life breaths alone is a true human being. These five values are the fundamental powers of human life. Forgetting these fundamental powers, the individual relies more on worldly power. Our ancients realized that these five values were meant for the peace and prosperity of the world. Without understanding the significance of these values, one cannot understand humanness at all.

Know that all distinctions between good and bad are basically the result of attachment and development, due to considering the world as real, although it is neither real nor unreal. Those who have escaped this ‘illusion’ and this duality are the great souls (mahatmas). They have realized that their reality is the unchanging Atma. They know that there are no two; they experience always only the One. Those who listened to this clarification attained equanimity. Their hearts were delighted with the upsurge of love. They acknowledged Rama’s kindness by gratefully prostrating before him.

Love is the gift of God to every human being. It should be utilized for the service of society. Unity is essential for the progress of the community. A person should share their love with others. Only then will they have the right to be a part of society.

To remove the evil of egoism, service is the most efficient instrument. Service will also impress the importance of unity of all humanity on the person doing service. One who dedicates time, skill, and strength to service, can never meet with defeat, distress, or disappointment, for service is its own reward. Their words will be ever sweet and soft, their gestures ever revered and humble. They will have no foe, no fatigue, no fear.

The ancient sages and seers stressed the need for unity and cooperation among human beings. They said, "Let us move together, let us grow together, let us grow in intelligence together, and let us live in harmony with each other without giving room for conflicts." But such a spirit of unity is lacking in modern society. These days there is no unity even among the members of the family. Unity is the essence of human life. Only through the practice of unity can one attain the goal of human life.

Direct your mind (the Moon) and intellect (the Sun) into propitious channels of peace and prosperity. By spiritual practice (sadhana), you can correct your faults, mold your excellence, and ensure peace for yourselves, your society, and your country. Pray every day for the welfare of all the worlds: May all the worlds be happy (Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavantu). This is my message for the new year (Ugadi festival day).

Selfless service alone can achieve the unity of humankind. Only through unity can humanity attain divinity. Hence service is essential to understand this unity in humanity. People are under the impression that service means merely helping the poor, the weak, and the forlorn. It is a big mistake to think you are rendering service to others. In fact, you are serving yourself because the same principle of the Atma, the same principle of love, is present in all. All human beings are essentially one. The differences lie only in their feelings. So, people should change their feelings and recognize the truth that the same divinity is immanent in all. Only then can there be a transformation in the human being.

My desire is that whenever any slight misunderstanding arises among you, you must set it right among yourselves, exercising love and tolerance. You should not plunge into passionate dialogue and let things blaze into a quarrel or a factional split. Recognize that you are engaged in the exercise of widening your hearts, of reaching the feet of the Lord through the expression of love. Unless you cultivate love, tolerance, humility, faith, and reverence, how is it possible for you to realize God?

To God, all objects in the universe are alike because they are manifestations of the divine. The scriptures declare – “All this verily is Brahman (Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma).” Hence, whosoever worships the supreme Lord should also worship nature (prakriti). One should love and adore nature because nature is not different from the supreme Self. Nature is the effect; God is the cause. 

When individuals change, society will change. And when societies change, the whole world will change. Unity is the secret of social progress, and service to society is the means to promote it. Therefore, one should devote oneself to such service in a spirit of dedication.

What is spirituality (adhyatmika)? It is not just contemplating on the primordial spirit (Adi Atma). Spirituality lies in destroying the bestial nature and rising to the level of the divine. One should have total faith that one is not just a human being because there is God within. Only then will animal nature be subdued.

Since you claim to be a Sai devotee, you should strictly adhere to the Sai path and make everyone happy. When you follow in My footsteps, you will certainly achieve sacred results and attain a good reputation. Being Sai devotees, you should give up selfishness and dedicate your lives to the welfare of society. Fill your lives with love. Stop criticizing others. Offer your respects to even those who hate you.

It is only when people understand themselves that they will be able to know the truth about the external world. One’s inner reality cannot be known by exploring the world outside. When one turns one’s vision inward and realizes one’s essential divinity, one will acquire equal-mindedness toward all beings. Out of that feeling of oneness, one will experience the bliss that passes understanding.

Though one has a bliss sheath inside, one is unable to experience it. There is no trace of bliss in humanity. The happiness derived from worldly comforts is limited. It is utter foolishness to think that worldly properties, possessions, comforts, and conveniences bestow lasting joy. None of these can give true happiness. True happiness has no limits. How can it be attained? It cannot be attained from the outside. It originates from our hearts. The heart is the dwelling place of God. To experience true happiness, mankind should develop firm faith.