Get Rid of Selfishness and Tread the Path of Divinity

9 April 1993, Kodaikanal

Published English.

1

All names and forms are manifestations of the Supreme Being, who is the embodiment of peace and auspiciousness. He is Existence, Knowledge, Bliss Absolute, and non-dual. He is , , (Truth, Goodness, Beauty).

2

Embodiments of Divine !

3

4

God is the indweller of all beings ().

5

The entire universe is permeated by God (). There is air within us and outside, but we cannot see it and we cannot hold it in our hand. For that reason, can we deny the existence of air? If there is no air, how can we live? Denying the existence of air amounts to denying our own existence. Like air, God is all-pervasive. Divinity is installed in the sacred heart of every human. To say that God is present only at one particular place is incomplete understanding of truth. With hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth, and ears pervading everything,

6

He permeates the entire universe ().

7

Sanctify your vision The universe is the very form of . You look at the universe with a worldly outlook, not with divine feelings. If you look at it with divine feelings, you will understand the all-pervading divine principle of . When you keep in view the divine form of , you do not think of the universe. When you look at the universe with worldly feelings, you cannot think of , the Lord. Therefore, understanding Divinity lies in the sanctity of your vision.

8

The eye () is verily the scripture (). When you change your vision, the entire creation changes. The type of coloured glasses you put on, you will see the world in the same colour. Therefore, first and foremost, change your vision. You ask the question, “Where is God?” Wherever the mind dwells and moves about, there is God. There is no place in this world where the mind cannot go. That is why it is said:

9

The mind is the basis of the entire world ().

10

11

A human sees the universe, but they say they have not seen , the Lord.

12

One is a fool who sees yet does not recognise the reality ().

13

The universe is the very form of God. So, change your feelings ().

14

Here is an idol of . There are two aspects of the idol. One is the form () and the other is tits nature (). When you keep the form of in view, you do not think of the metal from which it is made. When you think of the metal, you cannot visualise the form of .

15

Grief commences when you focus your feelings on the world. When you think of , the Lord, you will be happy. For pleasure or pain, your feelings are responsible.

16

The mind is the cause of bondage and liberation of humans ().

17

18

19

20

21

Only the is true, eternal, and changeless. The also declare:

22

It is attributeless, unsullied, final abode, eternal, pure, enlightened, free and embodiment of sacredness ().

23

That is the .

24

At one time, Sage ’s son wanted to go away to undertake penance, leaving his father and home. The father could not bear the pangs of separation from his son and ran after him, saying, “Don’t go to the forest. Stay at home and lead a family life.” said to his father, “You are not the father and I am not the son. Both you and I have come out of the same bliss. Hence, bliss is our source.”

25

26

People don’t undertake meritorious deeds but want to derive their fruits; They indulge in sinful activities but want to escape their consequences. . (Sanskrit verse)

27

28

29

30

31

Bear no hatred against anyone ().

32

33

34

35

36

To be born is a worry, to be on the earth is a worry; The world is a cause of worry and death too; The entire childhood is a worry and so is old age; Life is a worry, failure is a worry; All actions and difficulties cause worry; Even happiness is a mysterious worry. Devotion to alone will put an end to all worries. Oh people! Develop such devotion and love. (Telugu poem)

37

38

39

We prepare many sweets, like , , , , and . All these sweets have a different taste, but sugar is the same in all of them. Similarly, the same Divinity is present in everyone. Names and forms may be different, thoughts and aspirations may be different but the goal is one. Therefore, recognise unity in diversity. Do not see diversity in unity. Jewels are many, gold is one. Jewels have different names, but they are made of the same gold. There are many beings, but the breath in all of them is one. It is not that you have one breath and I have a different breath. Nations are many, but earth is one.

40

41

Understand the importance of speech Speech is very important in the life of a person. It can change the mind and melt the heart. So, speak nicely and sweetly. You cannot always oblige, but you can always speak obligingly. Have sacred feelings and sacred thoughts and speak well. Realise the importance of speech. At one time in a (place of the teacher), a teacher was teaching Vedic doctrines to students. He told the students to recognise the divinity that is all-pervasive. An inspector visited the school and asked the teacher, “How can you transform the students by mere words? There is no meaning whatsoever in these words.” But the teacher said, “The mystery contained in the words is nowhere else present. Everything is within the word. It can burn the world into ashes. It can make you the master of a kingdom; it can also make you abdicate the kingdom. Word is most powerful.” The inspector asked, “By this word will the mind change?” “Definitely!” said the teacher. But the officer said, “I don’t believe it.” The teacher said, “I have full faith. If you have no faith, leave it. My faith is my faith. Your belief is your belief.” When the teacher said this, the officer was very angry. He said, “Explain clearly and satisfy me.” The teacher asked the youngest student of the class to get up and tell the officer to get out! The little boy said, “Get out!” The officer was full of fury and anger. “What! This little boy asked me to get out.” The teacher replied, “Sir, this little child didn’t beaten. He only uttered one sentence, ‘Get out.’ Why are you so angry? Has your mind not changed? One word made you full of agitation.” Even one word can change a person. So, consider words as valuable and lead your life with humility and obedience. Education confers humility. Out of humility comes deservedness. Deservedness gives wealth. Wealth helps one to lead a righteous life.

42

Humility will enrich your life here and hereafter. Hence, humility is most important. Without it, human life will never shine in society. Therefore, talk softly and sweetly. The words melt the heart, change the mind, and uplift you. So, in human life we should know the value of the word. Here is what said:

43

Oh tongue, the knower of taste! You are very sacred. Speak the truth in the most pleasing manner. Chant the divine names of , , and incessantly. This is your foremost duty. (Sanskrit verse)

44

45

Suppose one is chewing a hard nut or any such food and the teeth bite the tongue; the tongue will never punish the teeth that bite it because it considers that they belong to it. The teeth may harm the tongue, but the tongue will never react. When you meet a noble man, you praise him, calling him good and godly. If he is wicked, you use harsh words, saying what a wicked person he is. You accuse him like that. The same tongue calls one person divine and another wicked. It is only the words. So, words are very important. Words originate from humanity’s power of speech. The source of the power of speech is will power. It is the source of not only power of speech but the power of discrimination, the power of intelligence, and the power of awareness - all powers originate from will power. That will power is the chief energy in man. We should preserve that energy. We should not make use of it to fulfill our silly desires. Sacrifice is needed. If there is no sacrifice (), we cannot enjoy . We should renounce our petty cravings.

46

47

Immortality is not attained through action, progeny, or wealth; it is attained only by sacrifice ().

48

49

50

51

52

There is a difference between bliss and happiness. While happiness pertains to the head, bliss is related to the heart. So, follow the heart. Don’t follow the head and all the thoughts that come out of it. The happiness that you get from these thoughts is temporary, but the bliss that comes out of the heart is permanent. How? You are hungry. You go to a hotel and eat two . Then you are happy. But how long does this happiness last? Just for two or three hours. After three hours, you will be hungry again. This happiness is temporary. So, it is called . What is the meaning of ? - little happiness. Hence, do not strive for this little happiness. Strive for permanent bliss. It will never change at any time. Never forget this truth.

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

Develop this true feeling. Keep off all differences. Develop love. Develop tolerance (). Move together. Lead your life in unity.