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Dedicate Your Life to
Serve Society
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
delivering His Divine Discourse on 23th November 2004 at
Prashanti Nilayam
Text of the Divine Discourse
delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 23th November 2004
(79th Birthday Celebrations), at Prashanti Nilayam, Sai Kulwanth Hall
All your education, all your
positions of authority, all your acts of charity and service
have little value without the four virtues of Sathya, Dharma,
Prema and Santhi (truth, righteousness, love and peace). (Telugu
poem)
Embodiments of Love!
You are all forgetting the purpose for which you have come into
this world. Wherever you are, you must remember three things,
namely, Where did we come from? Where are we at present? and
what is the purpose of your coming here? Supposing you are
dropping an envelope or letter in a post box, it should have the
"From" address and "To" address written thereon. If these two
addresses are not written, where will the envelope or letter go?
It will go to the "dead letter office". Similarly, you are in
the world now without these two addresses. You can very well
imagine what will happen to such an individual. You must
therefore find out yourself an answer at least for one of the
three questions. Otherwise, your life itself will become a
waste.
Here is a small story. The business people in the delta areas of
East and West Godavari districts in Andhra Pradesh cross the
river on boats. Once, a businessman was travelling in a boat.
There was no one else in the boat except himself and the
boatman. Usually, people would like to engage themselves in
conversation with somebody during travel in order to forget the
tedium of the journey. Therefore, he started a conversation with
the boatman to while away the time. He asked the boatman, "Do
you have a newspaper?" The boatman replied, "Sir! I don't have a
newspaper. I cannot read and write." To this, the businessman
commented, "Alas! If you cannot read and write, one quarter of
your life is consigned to the waters of Ganga." The boatman felt
sorry for his pitiable condition and kept quiet. After a few
minutes, the businessman enquired again, "My dear! Do you know
the present prices of gold and silver in the Bombay market?" The
boatman replied, "Sir! I do not have any experience in gold
business. Hence, I do not know the prices of gold and silver in
the Bombay market." Then the businessman commented, "If you do
not know about gold business, half of your life is consigned to
the waters of Ganga*." The conversation continued. Observing the
wrist watch worn by the boatman, the businessman again enquired,
"My dear! What is the time now?" Though the poor boatman had a
watch on his wrist, he did not know how to read a watch. The
businessman again asked, "Why then did you wear a wrist watch?"
The boatman replied, "Though one does not know how to read a
watch, it is a fashion nowadays to wear a wrist watch. That is
why I am wearing one." Then, the businessman commented, "If you
do not know even to tell the time from a wrist watch, then
three-fourths of your life is consigned to the Ganga."
Meanwhile, a gale started with great force raising high waves in
the river. The boat started tossing up and down and became
unsteady. The boatman then asked the businessman, "Sir! By the
way do you know swimming?" The businessman replied, "Alas! I do
not know swimming." Now it was the turn of the boatman to
comment, "Then, your entire life is about to be consigned to the
waters of Ganga."
Today, we are all in the same situation and are tossed in the
river of this world. But, unfortunately we are not making any
effort to know why we are here, what have we to learn in this
world, where do we have to go and by knowing what we could reach
there, etc. Thus, by being ignorant of these aspects, our entire
life is being consigned to the Ganga. Therefore, we have to
first try to find out answers to the queries of: Why have we
come here? What are we supposed to know? and Where do we go from
here? If we are not able to know the answer to at least one of
these queries, our life's journey will be without a purpose. It
is only when we are aware of the "From" address, "To" address
and the "present resident" address, our life will be meaningful
and sanctified.
Dr. Michael Goldstein (Chairman, Prasanthi Council and a devotee
of Swami) and his wife visit Puttaparthi often. When I was going
to the college one day, he approached Me and requested, "Swami,
if You kindly permit me, I will accompany You to the college." I
told him to come. While we were travelling in the car, I asked
Mr. Goldstein, "What is your programme?" He replied, "Swami, I
have to start my journey back home today." Then I advised him
not to leave on that day. He again told Me, "Swami, I shall go
today, but I shall take the next day's flight from Bombay.
"Thereupon I told him firmly, "You do not talk to Me about all
those things. If I say don't go, it is final." Goldstein could
not realise that his life itself would be in great danger if he
decided to start on the same day. At last I told him, "Okay, you
can go, if you so wish." Then he returned to his room, packed up
his luggage for the Bombay flight. Thereafter, he boarded the
plane for USA. Soon after the plane took off, it was realised
that there were some hijackers in the plane. The entire
atmosphere in the aircraft was extremely tense. Two hijackers
stood guard at the entrance. Another two were roaming about in
the aircraft with fully loaded guns pointed at the passengers.
It is then that Goldstein realised why Swami wanted him not to
board the aircraft on that particular day. He could not do
anything in the situation and was praying to Swami as his sole
refuge. His wife is a great devotee of Swami. She started
chanting Swami's Name, "Sai Ram, Sai Ram, Sai Ram". When the
aircraft gained some altitude, the hijackers started shooting
the passengers. The passengers were struck with terror not
knowing what to do. As the hijackers opened fire, the aircraft
was strewn with dead bodies. He and his wife were seated on the
front portion of the aircraft. The hijackers started shooting
the passengers around them. They thought it would be their turn
next. Goldstein then told his wife, "Swami advised me not to
start on this day, but I did not follow Swami's instruction
completely and that is why we are in this situation." Meanwhile,
one hijacker set his eyes on the couple. Goldstein's wife,
however, had been chanting the Name of Swami incessantly
forgetting everything. The chanting of Swami's Name worked
wonders and Goldstein's wife was spared. Goldstein then got up
and stood at the entrance of the aircraft. The hijackers,
however, could not notice him even though he was such a hefty
person. Thus, the life of Goldstein was saved by Swami's grace.
They remained on the plane as hostages for a long time without
food, water and sleep. They were very much depressed.
Goldstein's wife has intense devotion for Swami. Normally women
are more devoted than men. It is not that men do not have
devotion, but they do not show it outwardly. Goldstein's wife
advised him, "You do not worry, contemplate on Swami." At this
point the hijackers began to shoot men, women and children
mercilessly. Goldstein and his wife, however, continued to pray
to Swami, "Sai Ram, Sai Ram, Sai Ram". They silently prayed to
Swami closing their eyes. In the meantime, all the ammunition in
the guns of the hijackers was exhausted. The police caught the
hijackers. Goldstein and his wife were released and put on board
on another aircraft bound for America. However, the ordeal that
they underwent continued to haunt them. After a few days, the
police came to enquire about the incident. Goldstein was offered
some compensation, but he did not accept it. After two or three
months, Goldstein again came to Puttaparthi and had Swami's
Darshan. Now he realised through his own experience that he need
not fear anything under any circumstances if he did Namasmarana
(chanting of God's Name). After he had Swami's Darshan, calmness
was restored in him. From then on, when Swami would enquire
about his return journey he would leave it to the Lord's Will.
He realised that it would be better to leave the matter in
Swami's hands. From then on Goldstein developed unshakeable
faith in the words of Swami and stood firmly by them.
People today are unable to realise from where they came and
where they would go. It is only after people have undergone such
experiences that they realise the strength of faith. They have
come into this world and somehow spend their time. When someone
questions them how they spend their time, they reply that they
have come into this world for enjoying food and comfortable
sleep. However, it should be understood that man has taken birth
in this world not merely for enjoying food and drink. The same
truth has been explained by Adi Sankara in his famous Bhaja
Govindam song thus:
Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam
Govindam Bhaja Moodha Mathe
Samprapthe Sannihithe Kale
Nahi Nahi Rakshati Dukrun Karane
(Oh foolish man, chant the name of Govinda; the rules of grammar
will not come to your rescue when the end approaches.)
When people are questioned why the human birth was given to
them, most of them would reply that it was for Khana (food),
Peena (drink), Sona (sleep) and Marna (death). This assumption
is totally incorrect. There are several things in life that one
has to achieve. The purpose of a human birth is not for enjoying
food and comforts. It is not even for pursuing education. The
purpose of human birth is totally different and the people have
forgotten it. You have to fulfil your life and sanctify your
birth. The body comes, grows and dies, and finally undergoes
decay. Before the body dies, one has to fulfil the purpose for
which he has come into this world.
Embodiments of Love!
There will be several trials and tribulations in the journey of
life. One has to acquire the power by which he can courageously
encounter them. That is the power of spirituality. One should
not become diffident and withdraw from his effort in the middle.
In this Bhavasagara (ocean of life), there will of course be,
turbulent waves which will toss your boat up and down.
Punarapi Jananam Punarapi Maranam
Punarapi Janani Jathare Sayanam
Iha Samsare Bahu Dustare
Kripayapare Pahi Murare.
(Oh Lord! I am caught up in this cycle of birth and death; time
and again, I am experiencing the agony of staying in the
mother's womb. It is very difficult to cross this ocean of
worldly life. Please take me across this ocean and grant me
liberation.)
The purpose of human birth is not to be born again and again
from the womb of the mother, spend the life aimlessly and
finally depart from this world. There is a specific purpose why
one is born in this world. Therefore, one has to realise the
purpose and sanctify his life. Our education, our work and the
money we earn, all these must be spent in a purposeful way. The
students of the present-day are pursuing education to make a
living. They are acquiring degrees with the sole purpose of
earning money. What is so great about struggling for filling
one's own belly? Even dogs and foxes fill their bellies. You
might have observed in the circus that even the monkeys learn
several types of feats and display them. You, who are born as
human beings should not behave like dogs, foxes and monkeys. If
you do so, of what use is your education? The education you
acquire must be put to proper use. Only then will it become
meaningful and will give strength to your personality. The
purpose of your life is not merely pursuing education and
acquiring degrees. Of course, you may study, but it is not
enough if you simply study for acquiring degrees.
Can you call all those who know how to read and write
educated?
Can one be called educated merely by acquiring degrees?
Can you call it education which does not confer virtues?
(Telugu poem)
It is only when you keep education for both life and for living
as your goal, your education will be meaningful. Therefore,
every human being must keep the purpose of life in view. Of what
use is it, if you exult in your success thinking, "I have passed
MBA; I have acquired several degrees." Those degrees must be put
to proper use. Only a human being has the power to realise the
purpose of his life. If one is satisfied thinking, "I am born, I
am educated, I earned money, I have sufficient bank balance, I
have got my children educated and sent them for higher education
to foreign countries", that is not the sole purpose of life. You
should never forget the purpose why you were born in this world.
Unfortunately, today, you have forgotten the purpose of your
life and are indulging in futile activities. As long as you live
you must experience peace until your last breath. You should
attain true and eternal bliss.
Mahatma Gandhi went to London and was conferred with the degree
of Bar-at-Law. He wished to fulfil his life by utilising his
education in the service of society. Therefore, after his return
to his motherland, he joined the Indian National Congress. He
sacrificed his entire life for achieving Independence for the
country. He started wearing a simple dhoti and a piece of cloth
to cover the upper portion of his body. He underwent several
difficulties in the north Indian States during the freedom
struggle. He was beaten by the police with lathis (baton) in
Lucknow. However, in spite of undergoing several difficulties
and physical torture at the hands of the police, he did not give
up his resolve to attain Independence for the country. He
started practising Law. Even then, his life did not go smoothly.
He joined the Independence movement on behalf of the Indian
National Congress and underwent great torture at the hands of
the British. Nevertheless, he did not lose heart. His wife
Kasturba was a noble lady. She always served her husband with
great devotion, even when Gandhi was in jail. Simultaneously,
she was also engaged in service to the country. It is only her
spirit of service that protected her throughout. During the days
of their involvement in the Independence movement, there were
occasions when the husband and wife got separated. But Kasturba
was reconciled to the situation that whatever happened was for
her good only. Thus, people who serve others with a noble heart
will always see good only. At last, the country attained
Independence and Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime
Minister.
Subhash Chandra Bose was another great leader of the freedom
movement who was good at heart and was a great patriot. It is
only because of the efforts of such men of sacrifice, the
country could attain Independence. However, it is not merely
Swatantrya (Independence) that we have to wish for. We must
attain Swarajya. That is great. Swatantrya is a
temporary phenomenon of freedom from foreign rule while
Swarajya is concerned with and attained by the heart.
Dear Students!
You must be prepared to sacrifice even your life for the
country. You are not the body. The body is only an instrument
and a means for achieving something higher and noble. The body
has to be put to use for achieving these higher and noble aims.
The body is like the dress we wear. One day or the other the
dress is bound to decay. Till then the body has to be maintained
properly. It is only by sacrifice one can attain Yoga. That is
what the Veda has proclaimed, Na Karmana Na Prajaya
DhanenaThyagenaike Amrutatthwamanasu (immortality is not
attained through action, progeny or wealth; it is attained only
by sacrifice). Having been born as human beings we must dedicate
our lives in the service of God and in the constant
contemplation of God. If you do so, none of the physical
ailments will trouble you.
A small example which I would like to narrate to you. When I was
in Bangalore sometime back, this body fell in the bathroom.
There were two students by name Satyajit and Achintya who used
to attend to My needs. They did great service to Me. I told them
"I have no body attachment. You may conduct an operation on this
body, but I have nothing to do with this body. I am not this
body. As long as the body is there, I have to do My work." The
doctors wanted to put Me in bandage, but I did not agree. They
advised Me to undergo an operation so that the fracture would be
healed quickly. I placed this body in the hands of the doctors
and let them do whatever they wished to do with it. I continued
to walk which I am still doing. I have no pains or suffering.
Several devotees are anxious that Swami is walking with great
difficulty and perhaps is undergoing great pain. I would like to
reiterate that I do not undergo any pain or suffering. Till
today, I did not undergo any body pain whatsoever. If you thus
sacrifice your Dehabhimana, you can achieve anything in life.
Whatever I do, I tell the same thing. One has to do what he says
and say what he does. That is what is meant by
ManasyekamVachasyekam Karmanyekam Mahatmanam
ManasyanyathVachasyanyath Karmanyanyath Duratmanam
(Those whose thoughts, words and deeds are in perfect harmony
are noble ones; those who lack harmony of these are wicked.)
That is the real Manavatva (human nature). I can stand
for any length of time though the doctors advised Me against it.
Even now I have been standing for a long time. I have no
suffering at all. I don't take even a single tablet. I don't put
on any bandage. Mine is Atmabhava and Atmabhava
alone. I set an example by My own actions.
Dear Students!
The body may undergo any amount of suffering. It is like a water
bubble. The mind is like a mad monkey. Therefore, we should not
follow either the body or the mind. We must follow our
Antharatma (conscience). We must develop Atmabhimana. If
Atmabhimana is developed, no pain can trouble us. It is
only for teaching you about this Atmabhimana, I am
undergoing all this trouble. I don't feel any pain at all. I am
telling you the truth. I am not suppressing the facts. In fact,
I don't know or feel what pain is. We must face the difficulties
courageously. It is only to teach you this steadfastness and
courage, I have taken upon Myself this pain. You must follow My
ideal. Do not ever give importance to the suffering of the body.
Give up Dehabhimana. However, engage the body in proper
activities. Engage the body in the service of God. Our body is a
gift of God. For what purpose has God given us this body? It is
only for dedicating it in the service of the Lord.
Embodiments of Love!
The body has been given to you for performing sacred Karmas
(actions). Several people wonder why Swami does not feel tired
in spite of undergoing so much physical suffering. Especially,
the ladies can observe the signs of weakness quickly. I want to
assure you that I am maintaining a constant body weight and good
health throughout. Neither I have put up weight nor become weak.
I can walk swiftly, but I am desisting from doing so only to
satisfy the doctors. The doctors are particularly pressurising
Me not to walk swiftly. They advised Me, "Swami, please do not
walk fast. You always keep two students with You to help You."
It is only to please them and satisfy them that I am keeping
these two students with Me. I am not causing any inconvenience
to these boys. Both these boys, Arun and Prusty go to their
offices and work there besides attending to My needs. The moment
I call Prusty, he immediately rushes in. I ask him to get Me a
glass of water and I drink the water given by him. Similarly,
both these boys constantly attend to My needs. They are serving
Me with great devotion and love. I do not cause any
inconvenience to anybody.
Embodiments of Love!
Today you are celebrating Swami's birthday. In fact, it is the
body that has a date of birth. This body has already passed 78
years and has entered the 79th year. But do I look like a 79
year old man? No. No. Not only now, even after 80 or 90 years of
age, I will be like this only. I will never depend on anybody.
My eyes and teeth are in perfect condition. Normally, by the
time a person attains 79 years of age, all his teeth will be
lost. His eyesight will be affected by cataract. His skin will
have wrinkles, but I have no wrinkles at all. I will not have
old age. In fact, I have no old age. Similarly, you also develop
such courage and confidence. You will certainly feel good. Not
only Myself, all of you should be in sound health. But you are
spoiling your own health. You are misusing your physical
strength in so many ways. If you put your body to proper use,
you can come up well by Swami's grace. You can serve any number
of people with a healthy body and a sound mind. Therefore, you
have to maintain your body in healthy condition in order to
serve others, not to show off your beauty. Even for Me, this
body is required for serving others. In the service to humanity,
I am prepared for anything, even to sacrifice My life.
Similarly, you must also be ever ready to serve others. Do not
ever consider that the body is very important. Neither, you
fritter away the physical strength. You must make proper use of
the physical body. You must also gain enough mental strength.
You must come up well in your educational career and make your
life sanctified in the service to humanity. You must always be
ready to face any situation in life boldly. That is the real
nature of humanity. Whenever your services are required, you
must respond immediately, saying, "I am ready, I am ready, I am
ready." Develop such a courage and confidence and set an ideal
to the world.
This body is a den of dirt and prone to diseases; it is
subject to change from time to time; it cannot cross the ocean
of Samsara. It is nothing but a structure of bones. Oh mind! Do
not be under the delusion that body is permanent. Instead take
refuge at the Divine Lotus Feet. (Telugu poem)
You seek refuge in the lotus feet of the Lord. Do not mind any
amount of suffering of the physical body. You serve the country
to the extent you can. Utilise every small opportunity to serve
the country and society. Even a small help done to an old woman
that you come across on the way is service. Do not ever think,
"What do I gain by helping this woman?" There is great merit
even in such a small service. Therefore, continue to serve.
There is no greater Sadhana than service to the fellow
human beings. Seva Bina Nirvan Nahi (there is no
redemption without service). You should not mind any
inconvenience that you may undergo while serving others.
I have no intention of celebrating My birthday on a grand scale.
My only intention is that the body should be maintained in a
proper condition and through the body service should be rendered
to others. You must always be prepared to dedicate your life to
serve society. That is the real service.
(Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, "Hari
Bhajan Bina Sukha Santhi Nahin?")
Source:
http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/79th_Birthday_Discourse.htm |