In plain words
Everyone knows the word ‘God’; what gain is there in just knowing the word? Draw near to the One called God and serve Him, and you will know the word ‘God’, dear friend.
Good thoughts, words, good deeds, good hearing, good sight, goodness and good health they give to human beings: this word of Sai is a spring that makes the truth known.
Teachers! Students!
From ancient times, efforts of many kinds have gone on in this world to know God. The question ‘Who is God?’ and the question ‘Where is this God?’ are not of today. From the very beginning of creation the maharṣis have made efforts of many kinds to settle this knotty question. Taking up stern vows, going into deep forests, giving up sleep and food, bearing many hardships in their longing to search out this divine Godhead, some of them recognised this truth. Recognising the truth ‘By steady practice, tasks come to fulfilment on earth’, they took up this vow in the faith that man’s effort can succeed by the grace of God. Even a tiny ant that makes the effort to walk can travel a distance of several miles. Without the wish, without śraddhā, not even a vulture can move one inch forward. That is why they said, ‘Śraddhāvān labhate jñānam.’ One who has śraddhā can solve any problem easily, however knotty, and rejoice, and attain happiness and peace.
The great souls, the ṛṣis, who recognised divinity: ‘We have been able to see the resplendent, radiant Person. We have been able to behold the great Person beyond the darkness called ignorance. We have been able to experience the divine light that shines with the radiance of millions of suns.’ This is what they have proclaimed to the people. That is the essence of the Veda, taught to the world at the very first. That itself is vedāhametaṃ puruṣaṃ mahāntaṃ ādityavarṇaṃ tamasasparastāt.