Sri Sathya Sai International Organization

What is the source of ignorance (Ajnana)? It is identification with the body, the delusion that you are the body. This can be removed only by the acquisition of the right knowledge. To remove darkness, light is needed. You cannot drive darkness away by prayer, petition, or protest. Unless the light is on, darkness will not disappear; however much you try. So, ignorance will not disappear by merely wishing for its disappearance.

The Upanishads proclaim that release from death can be achieved neither through entanglement in works, nor through one’s progeny, nor through the accumulation of riches. It can be gained only through acts of renunciation, detachment, or sacrifice (thyaga).

More than the knowledge you can get from reading scriptures, you should value the wisdom you can get from experience. By taking the knowledge from the scriptures, you can convert it into wisdom of experience by practicing it in your daily life.

Supreme peace has no ups and downs; it cannot be partial in adversity and complete in prosperity. It cannot be one thing today and another tomorrow. It always maintains state of bliss (ananda).

Detach yourselves from the craving for fame and comfort – that is to say, develop non-attachment (upeksha), and you are free! Detachment alone can save you from entanglement and reveal the ultimate truth.

In the sixth chapter of the Gita, we are told how one can attain purity. Good qualities like kindness, compassion, love, and sacrifice qualify one to be called a devotee or a Jnani, or one who has attained detachment from the external world (Vairagya).

Everyone must be interested in four things: "Who am I? Where did I come from? Whither am I going? How long shall I be here?" All spiritual inquiry begins with these questions and attempts to find the answers. The four Vedas answer these four questions.

Do not make the mistake of considering some worthy of reverence and others unworthy. Sai is in everyone, so all deserve your reverence and service. Propagate this truth; that is the function I assign to this Organization (Seva Samithis).

A man once was pestered by a host of relatives when he was dying. Parents, wife, children, brothers, sisters - all surrounded his bed during his last moments and wailed. They asked him, "What is to happen to us?" The dying man lifted his head a little from the pillow and asked in return, "What is to happen to me? I am now more interested in that problem, than being worried about what is to happen to you." Well, it is better if everyone asks those questions even now and equips themselves with the answer rather than wait until it is too late.

When the magnet does not attract the needle, the fault lies in the dirt covering the needle. When the Lord does not approach the devotee, the fault lies in the devotee's heart; it is not pure enough. Purify the heart by being good and kind to all. Do not attempt to find fault with others. Look upon all with love, respect, and faith in their sincerity.

To achieve the great consummation, you must take one step after another. Good deeds like ritual worship, repetition of holy names, meditation, observance of vows, etc., are the 'steps'; good thoughts like prayer for greater discrimination and chances to serve others also help. Slowly, steadily cleanse the mind, sharpen the intellect, purify the senses, and win grace.

When one suffers from acute stomach pain, their eyes water. Why? Because the various organs - eye, stomach, etc. - are part of the same body. So, too, when others suffer, your eyes must shed tears, and you must be urged to alleviate it. This will happen if you know that you and they are limbs of the self-same divine body.

"Awake, arise, and stop not till the goal is reached," it is said (Uththishtatha, jagratha, prapyavaran nibodhatha). But one need not march toward the goal. It is not someplace where you must go. It is just the opening of the eye, the removal of the veil, the waking from the dream, the lighting of spiritual wisdom.

Love all, revere all, and help all to the best of your ability. Endeavor to be as beneficial, as sweet, and as soft as possible. Then, the spot on which you stand becomes as sacred as Kashi, and the words that you utter will be as holy as scripture. This spiritual practice (sadhana) will lead you to Self-realization.