Purity and Unity

22 May 1986, Discourse at a large gathering at Vagata village, where Sai Sevaks had been running a relief kitchen for feeding the drought-stricken people of the region, Vagata Village

Published English.

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PURITY, Unity, Divinity - these should be the Watchwords of the millions in Indian villages; they alone can ensure material and spiritual well-being. Men should take great care to see that their senses did not go astray and commit offences. Thinking evil, speaking evil and seeing evil invariably led to total ruin. For example, in , always had evil thoughts about the and ultimately he brought destruction upon his entire family. cast en evil eye on , when the were living incognito in King's palace, and he paid for it with his life. The had the story of , who listened to the evil counsel of , and so lost not only her husband but the regard and love of her son . No one today even likes to be known by these infamous characters - , or . But though the names are not favoured, the bad qualities associated with them have not been given up by mankind.

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With purity and unity, you can disclose your divinity and develop genuine devotion to God. In you have an ancient temple venerated for centuries by your forefathers. You should conduct daily in the morning and evening and earn the Lord's grace. You should fill your hearts with love and make your lives holy and purposeful. When everyone works in this spirit of unity and charity, this village would become a model for all the rest.