Think Of God Constantly

25 April 1993, Sai Shruti, Kodaikanal, TN

Published English.

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Embodiments of Divine !

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The intelligence of man lies in recognising that human body is perishable and the Divine in the body is eternal. But he forgets his divinity and leads his life depending on his physical, mundane, ephemeral, worldly power and pelf. However, the greatness of human life lies in fully demonstrating its divinity to the world and adhering to high ideals. To know one’s Self is the very purpose of life.

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The word ‘’ denotes that man is not new. ‘Ma’ means not, ‘’ means new. So, he is not new. Though he has taken many births, yet he does not know who he is. Then what is the use of having so many births? First and foremost, man has to know himself. He should have inner vision and self-enquiry to find out his own mistakes. Instead of this, he looks at all that is outside. He makes all efforts to know where, when and what is happening in the outside world. He is interested only in the news about the outside world; he does not try to know what is happening within him. Rather, he should make proper efforts to know his own Self. Then only will he be able to realise the purpose of human life. The entire universe is contained within man. His happiness and sorrow affect the universe. He should himself be happy and spread happiness everywhere, not sorrow. Only then will he have fulfilment in life. A chariot without wheels, a field without water, a wire without current, and a school without teacher are useless. Likewise, life without awareness of the Self has little worth. That is virtually living death.

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Hatred Of Man Destroys World Peace Human life has great potentialities and capabilities. Man can accomplish anything and perform any great task when he acts with firm determination. The divine attributes of (Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute) that are present in God are also present in man. Man is therefore no different from God. But these attributes are not manifest in everybody. Moreover, they are at different levels in different persons. We have many electric bulbs. Many of them look alike. But wattage of all of them may not be the same. They may have different wattages like 40, 60, 100, 500 and 1000. But there is difference only in the quantity, the quality of all of them is the same. There is the same current in all bulbs. Similarly, the divine attributes of are present at different levels in all beings. But they can be developed up to any extent, from minute to mighty level. The qualities of a person depend upon his thoughts. A small spark can be turned into a big fire and put to many uses when we carefully stoke it. Shraddhavan Labhate (one with steadfast faith attains wisdom). Determined effort is needed to achieve anything in life. For everything practice is most essential.

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, , , .

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What is the reason? The reason is the hatred of man. How can there be peace when man is keeping the atom bomb of hatred with him? One who lives for others shines like the moon. One who indulges in empty rhetoric is a fool. One who attains the knowledge of the Self becomes the very form of bliss. God is not separate from you. You yourself are verily God. Develop the awareness of this truth. If you think you are a mere human being, you become so. But if you think you are God, God you become. (the knower of becomes verily ). (as are the feelings, so is the result). Can you have the belch of mango by eating cucumber? No! You will have the belch of what you eat.

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True Devotion Of Worldly friends will gather around you, saying hello, hello when you have a high position and your pocket is full. But when you have no money in your pocket and no high position, all of them will leave you without even saying goodbye. This is the reality of the worldly friendship. Only friendship with God is true. God will always be with you, around you, in you, and will protect you as eyelids protect the eyes. had to undergo many sufferings. He had many children but there was no food in the house. Day and night, he was grief-stricken. One day, his wife said to him, “ is your childhood friend. Why don’t you go and ask Him for help? You know God is large-hearted and compassionate. He is the one who looks after everybody”. But had other feelings in his heart. “ is a mighty emperor. He is God Himself. Will I be allowed to enter His palace at all?” Then his wife said, “He has been your friend since childhood days. He will never forsake you or leave you. God is the only true friend”. Who thought like that? The (wife) of . symbolises (devotion) and (husband) stands for (knowledge). Knowledge has doubts, whereas devotion has steady love for God. ultimately went to when his wife persuaded him in so many ways.

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After reaching the gate of ’s palace, sent the message in. The moment received the message, He came running and took inside. had a fear whether would touch him as he had torn clothes, unkempt hair and dirty body. But took no notice of ’s dirty body and clothes; he observed only the broadness and sacredness of his heart. He valued His friendship with , took him inside and made him sit on the throne with Him. He asked to bring food and served it to with His own hands. Then asked , “Do you remember our childhood days? Do you think of them”? He also talked about their childhood pranks of those days. God will never forget anybody. But man forgets everybody when he attains a high position in life and wails when he suffers a downfall. He has no consideration for his childhood friendship. Seeing the situation in which he was placed, was afraid to stay there for a long time. He had no second pair of clothes to change.

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Then smilingly asked, “, did you bring any gift for Me”? was fear-stricken. He had brought some beaten rice tied in a dirty cloth which he was holding. He thought: “In this vast mansion, shining with all gold and silver, how am I to open this bundle of dirty cloth”? Observing the predicament of holding the beaten rice, Himself took the bundle from , opened it and put a handful of it in His mouth. Fearing that might eat the entire lot, caught hold of His hand. Worldly people may think, “What is ’s position and what is ’s level? If eats that handful of beaten rice contained in a dirty cloth, would it be proper”? People might think that this was the feeling of for catching the hand of . But she had no such feeling. She said, “, I have my due share in that. You are the servant of Your devotees. I am Your servant. So, I am the servant of Your servants. Please give me my share”! No one can understand the loftiness of ’s feelings. In the ambience of the palace, forgot that he had come to for help. Finally he said, “, I will go”! escorted to the doorstep, made him sit in a chariot to send him off to his home. did not ask for anything. He did not explain the family position either.

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Do not ask, oh mind, do not ask. The more you ask, the more you will be neglected. God will certainly grant you what you deserve without your asking. Did He not grant the wish of , who never asked? Did He not redeem , who never asked but sacrificed his life for His cause?

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God Alone Is Your True Friend Though did not ask for any help, yet showered bounty on him. It is God alone who takes care of all the needs of His devotees. The devotee may ask for trivial things, but God may have great abundance in store for him. Don’t ask small favours from God. It is enough if you develop love for Him. This is most essential.

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went home in the chariot. But he could not recognise his own house; it had become a big mansion. He saw his children and wife wearing costly clothes and jewels. The house was full of all types of riches. There was no dearth of anything in the house. “Is it a dream or a miracle!” wondered. ’s wife came running, wearing all jewellery. She knew well about because of her devotion. True knowledge manifests when devotion ripens. The wife asked, “Did talk to you”? started shedding tears, he had no words to describe the love of .

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As soon as He heard of my arrival, He Himself came running to take me inside. He got down from His throne, came near me, looked at me from top to toe and embraced me tightly, as if He was pining for me for a long time. How can I describe His compassion for a poor like me! Who else can confer such abundant wealth on poor who could offer Him only a fistful of beaten rice? He is love personified.

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Both of them felt extremely happy by the love they received from . Then they said, “God is the only real friend. There is no other friend greater than Him”. It is God alone who is the real friend; He is always with you in happiness and sorrow, pleasure and pain. Relatives will come with you up to the burial ground. It is only God who will not forsake you. At all times, He will be with you, around you, in you and will take care of you. The true path of devotion is to make friendship with God.

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(devotion) gives (power), begets and (yearning and attachment to God), bestows (detachment) and leads to (liberation). What is the meaning of ? It means merger. Merger with whom? Merger with God. It is devotion that makes you merge with God. All spiritual practices like meditation, penance, etc., should be performed with devotion. True devotion is to love God wholeheartedly. We should acquire that love. Individuals should develop love between them. When there is love between man and man, everything can be accomplished. If you have gold in hand, you can have all types of jewels. But you need a goldsmith who can make these jewels. There may be thread, needle and flowers. But there should be someone to make the garland. Here is a lamp, oil and wick. But can you get light? No. There should be someone who lights the lamp. He is God. You can achieve everything when you have God with you. Therefore, always think of God, serve Him and worship Him.