The Glory of Chanting the Name of the Lord

9 February 1991, Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli, Karnataka

Published English.

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All the objects in this world are impermanent. In this impermanent world, the divinity of the eternal truth and illusion flow together endlessly. When we enquire into what is this eternal truth, it refers to (right conduct) and (reputation). What is ? “.” is the root of this world. Taking this as the fundamental principle, the say “.” ‘’ refers to rice. When you take rice flour, wheat flour, flour, or any other flour, they do not naturally have any sweetness. ‘’ refers to . Naturally, is sweet. Only when is added to the flour will it become sweet. In the same way, the divine, eternal, pervades every object in the material world and makes the world sacred and beautiful. It combines with each object in the world, takes on a different form, and exhibits a different kind of beauty.

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Just as houses are the adornments for a village, lotus flowers are the adornments of a pond, the moon is the adornment of a sky full of stars, and waves are the adornments for the ocean, so also, good character is the adornment for the life of a human being. The divine form itself is the adornment. Forgetting our divine form, we are experiencing and living a life of impermanence in this world, not recognizing the divine eternal truth. If we can experience this eternal truth, we will certainly have the realization of the eternal truth. If we enquire into what is the most important thing in the world, we will find that the supreme reality of the eternal truth is the only thing that is permanent. On which (living being) depends? depends on the support of the world, and the world depends on God, the Supreme Being.

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The who knew this truth always had God firmly established in their hearts. One day, called and said, “! What are my sons, the , and Pandu’s sons, the , doing on the battlefield of ? Who will win?” He responded, “ yatra partho dhanurdharah tatra shree vijayo bhutih.” “! Wherever the Lord of Yoga, Lord , and , the embodied soul filled with devotion and dedication, get together, who would win? Definitely, devotion would win,” answered . “ yatra partho dhanurdharah tatra shree vijayo bhutih.” Among the , what kind of wealth did acquire? -. means wealth. What kind of wealth did the supreme archer acquire? He acquired the wealth of wisdom. Not the secular, material currency notes, but the wealth of wisdom. ‘ means the son of ‘.’ Through putra possessed the , the experience of divine bliss. “Kşhetrajñam chāpi māṃ viddhi.” ‘’ refers to the body, ‘’ refers to the . Having the body as its field, the is invisible in the world.

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The tried to obtain , , (such a flawless, quality-less, perennial divinity) by many means. They always had their thoughts on God. Whether they encountered difficulties, happiness, losses, or shame, at all times and in all circumstances, they would pray to Lord ! ! ! They held the Supreme Lord and the world next.

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The World Is the Sole Support for Life What is jagat, the world? Jagat is ja-gat, the one which comes and goes, comes and goes. “” The world is one that is impermanent and false, so we must hold such a world secondary. But what is this life dependent on? It depends on this impermanent world. Instead of expecting the world to be our support, we must count it as secondary. That’s what the did. First God, next world, last I. They distanced themselves from the ego. By distancing themselves from the ego, they were able to attain the embodiment of the Supreme , God. On the other hand, the said, “Because I live in this world, I need the world. If I don’t exist, then I won’t need the world. Because of this world, I need God. If the world doesn’t even exist, why would I even need God? Nobody needs. So first I, next the world, and last God.” The reversed it, which is why they lost the battle.

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Tvameva bandhushcha sakha Tvameva dravinam tvameva Tvameva sarvam mama deva deva.

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This is the right prayer for the welfare of the world. We should not pray just for ourselves and our family. “*.*” We are all children of God. We should pray with the attitude of “Brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God.” None except God Himself can save this world. When it comes to moral, or material, worldly or spiritual problems, prayer, prayer, and prayer alone can solve them.

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From morning until evening, you are wasting a lot of time. You must hold your mind firmly on God, not only during examinations, but at all times. Every day, for 5 minutes in the morning, and 5 minutes in the evening, keep your mind calm, selfless, focus it on God, and sanctify your life. In the , you must start at this early age. Start early, drive slowly, and reach safely. At this young age, you are the ideal candidates to demonstrate an ideal life. When plants grow straight, they grow into upright trees. If you get distracted at this age and go this way and that, your whole life is wasted.

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The Four Places of Worship The problem in education today is that when students go to temples they pray, “Oh God, please help me get rid of my difficulties, losses, grief and sorrow, grant me the truth of the eternal , and help me become a good student and pass with a first class.” These are the prayers in a temple. When they go to school, all the teachings are related to textbooks, notebooks, and how to study for examinations. When they go to a hospital, all the requests are related to headaches, stomachaches, and the medicines needed for them. But when they go to a dining hall, they won’t ask for anything other than food. We only ask for , , and other foods. So we have four places of worship: a school, a hospital, a temple, and a dining hall. What kinds of prayers do you offer at each place of worship?

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Gratitude is Important for Students In today’s schools, there are no prayers related to education, only prayers related to objects. You are not but (You are not a student of objects, you are a student of education.) Would you go to a hospital and ask for and ? No, you only ask for medicines. You would not go to a dining hall and ask for medicines, you only ask for food. But no one is asking for true education in schools. You’re a student. “.” Education confers humility.

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