Seek Ye First

16 April 1988, Discourse to the students of the Sathya Sai Institute at Nandanavanam, Ooty

Published English.

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Once a great (ruler) held a big exhibition of paintings and art products. The finest works of art were on display. The exhibition was open to one and all. The announced that anyone could walk in and take away whatever one liked. Large numbers of men and women went to the exhibition and took back with them whatever they fancied. Among them was a lady. She saw everything in the exhibition. She came out through the main door without taking anything with her. The noticed that of all the persons visiting the exhibition she was the only one to come out empty-handed. He was curious to know what the reason for this was. He asked the lady: "Madam, how is it you have found nothing to interest you in the exhibition? There are so many attractive things on display. Was there nothing that pleased you?" She replied: "There are innumerable desirable things in the exhibition." The asked: "But was them nothing which you wanted?" "No," she said. The said · "If that is so, tell me what you desire and I shall give it to you." She said: ", will you promise to give me what I want? Is your offer genuine? Will you keep your word?" "Certainly," replied the . "If that is so, I want only you," said the lady. True to his word the surrendered himself to her. When the himself became hers, all that was in the exhibition also became hers.

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But no one asks the question: "! If I take away one thing or another, what is it that I gain? If You become mine all these will become mine." When you have entered the Cosmic exhibition, you must seek the Divine. Then, the whole universe becomes yours. You must seek that which is lasting and unchanging. There is no meaning in going after one thing after another. There is no end to that process. There is no satisfaction in that. What you acquire today, loses its charm the next day and you desire something new. But once the Divine is attained, all things are obtained. In the cosmic exhibition, you are seeing, hearing and experiencing innumerable things. You experience depression, confusion and disappointment. You have no contentment.

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. Lack of contentment is the true loss.

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