Passage 2

Desire knows no justification and has no end

But man is caught in low desires. Desire is the sole cause of sorrow and distress. Sacrifice is the best means of avoiding desire and the consequent grief and disappointment. Several devotees come to Me and complain, "Lord! I am suffering from this problem," "I am suffering from some headache," "I am suffering from stomach ache." I give all of them the same reply, "Santhosham" (I am happy), to every one. When a bereaved wife tells Me that her husband has departed, then also I say Santhosham. You may wonder why I give the same reply to all such persons. Santhosham is not the common type of joy or happiness, the transient, trivial pleasure you get from worldly success or material gain. "San" means anything gained through fair means, honourable methods. Thosham is sacred, holy, exaltation, ecstasy. Of all the gifts that you receive from God, the greatest gift is Santhosham. The opposite of Santhosham is 'Sorrow', which is the fruit of asha (desire) that arouses hope and almost always results in disappointment or despair. One asha engenders another: one desire proliferates into a hundred, even when it is fulfilled. Asha is like the shadow caused by the morning Sun - it gets longer when you run to catch it. It tantalises you and makes you a fool. It knows, no justification and has no end. So, Santhosham is the supreme blessing of the Lord, who in His infinite Love, puts an end to that unquenchable thirst. No wealth or other attainment can equal it in efficacy. Santhosham is the culmination of Desire in full contentment and sacred satiety.