Purity, patience, perseverance: steps to Divinity

23 November 1993, Birthday - 68, Prasanthi Nilayam

Published English.

1

In this sacred land of , Forbearance is our best wealth; Of all forms of rituals, the highest Is the observance of Truth and Morality; Of sweetness of disposition, The greatest is maternal love; Jettisoning the national ideal That honour is greater than life itself, What a pity people have Fallen a prey to exotic practices! What can I say about the plight of ! Like the elephant unaware of its strength, have become docile today. When the heart is filled with compassion, the hands are dedicated to the service, of others, the body is engaged in constant help to others, the life of such a person is sacred, purposeful and noble.

2

The entire Cosmos is based on the bedrock of Truth. Wealth and Welfare and all comforts and pleasures are dependent on Truth. Wherever you turn, Truth shines effulgently. The Goddess of Wealth, , dwells in the abode of Truth. The world cannot exist without Truth, just as the rays cannot exist without the sun. Truth is the Cosmos and the Cosmos is Truth.

3

The entire Cosmos is permeated by the Divine. .

4

It is foolish to imagine that the natural, physical and mundane is unreal and them is something else that sustains it. The Cosmos is and (the Supreme) is the Cosmos. The Cosmos is a manifestation of the Divine.

5

6

7

8

9

The next one is Fire. This fire element is present in every living being including humans, as (the digestive fire). This fire is not only on the earth, but is even in space. When clouds clash against each other, fire is generated in the form of lightning. When two inert flintstones are struck against each other, fire emanates from them. Likewise, when two sticks are rubbed against each other, fire emerges. Thus, fire also is an all-pervading power. Then, there is (space or ether). It pervades everything. There is (air). There can be no life without air. You experience the presence of air during a storm or a whirlwind. But air is present all the time everywhere. When the five elements have such immense power, you can imagine what must be the potency of the Divine which sustains them. The five elements are (manifestations of the Supreme Omniself). No one can deny Its existence, whether one is a theist, an atheist or an agnostic. Today, these five elements are not being properly used. Instead, they are very much misused. Their misuse is the root cause of all the travails of the world. As the five elements are based on Truth, the ancient observed restraint in speech so that they may adhere to truth. Restraint in speech nourishes truth. Excessive speech is the cause of great unrest. It is essential, therefore, for everyone to recognise the basic role of the five elements and live in consonance with that awareness.

10

Religion is the reflection of belief The mind demonstrates the nature of the five elements. (belief) has emerged from the mind. (religion) is reflection of belief. Religion is not what it is normally understood to be. There are many engaged in destruction of religion. If religion is destroyed, belief or faith will be destroyed and then the mind itself will be destroyed. Religious hatred has to be got rid of, not religion as such. Adherents of all faiths recognise the power of the five elements and worship them.

11

have upheld unity in thought, word and deed by their conduct. The have proclaimed that the Divine is present in all five elements. This truth is accepted by the adherents of all faiths. But while professing belief in this truth and proclaiming it, they are not acting up to it in practice. Only the practised this truth and experienced the bliss derived from it. adored hills, birds and trees Adherents of other faiths ridiculed such practices. This is due to thoughtlessness and is not a sign of sanity. All people say that God is in all beings and all things. But to deride , who act on that saying, is sheer folly. How can one, who acts according to his words, be regarded as a fool? Should not the one who does not live up to his words be treated as a fool? Let the wise determine the right answer.

12

The Supreme Reality is one, which is God are known to act up to their words. People of other faiths may profess one thing and practise differently. We need 'not criticize any religion. All religions teach only what is good. People should lead their lives on this basis. If the minds are pure,

13

14

The Supreme Reality is one. It is God. Men of all faiths - whether they are , Christians, Muslims, or others have recognized that God is one. It is only when men develop feelings of forbearance, compassion and unity, that men will have fraternal feelings towards each other and foster equality and justice. It is only when men develop (oneness in Spirit) that bitterness and discord will cease. Men must act on the conviction that the same Divine dwells in all beings.

15

From the body to the Omni Self The Cosmos is an organism with multifarious limbs. A human being has eyes, ears, mouth, etc. All these organs are limbs of the human body. The body is a limb of society. Society is a limb of humanity. Humanity is a limb of . is a limb of the (Omni Self). This shows the relationship between the sense organs in man and the Divine. Therefore, one should make proper use of the senses, comprehend the nature of the Divine that sustains them and lead a meaningful life.

16

17

The bad traits which are found in man are the result of his food and other habits and do not arise from his . Vices like lust, anger, envy and pride are the outcome of bad food and improper associations and are products of external factors. They do not arise from within. Qualities like love, compassion, consideration for others arise from within one's self. These are human values. Forgetting these values, following animal qualities, men are leading an animal existence. This is wrong. Men should lead lives based on their human estate.

18

Divine love is permanent and imperishable Wealth may come and go. Strength may grow or decay. All things in the world may pass away. But there is one thing that is imperishable and unchanging. That is permanent Divine Love. All other forms of love are not real love at all. They are temporary, worldly attachments, based on physical, communal or other desires. True love is related solely to the (heart). Man today is not cherishing such an unchanging and enduring love. He is wasting his life, pursuing temporary allurements. Wandering about aimlessly in the pursuit of evanescent and trivial pleasures, man is immersed in all kinds of troubles. He can discover his true path only by seeking spiritual illumination. Spirituality does not mean performance of ritual worship. It calls for the removal of the animal traits in man. Only then sacred feelings will arise in him. That is real spirituality. Regard all beings as children of God. Bear no ill-will towards anyone. It is because of hatred and ill-will that mankind is plunged in violence and bloodshed. Man's blood is inherently pure, divine and unsullied. To misuse that blood in wrong ways is a sign of animal or demonic nature. today is in a crisis created by a myriad difficult problems. But not alone, all other countries are also facing similar crises. What is the reason? It is the total failure to remember the spiritual oneness of mankind. Only the sense of spiritual unity will generate universal love. That love alone will bind men together in unity. This love principle should emanate from the heart. Only then true unity will emerge. Embodiments of Love! Do not be deluded by the belief that life has been given to you for eating and drinking and enjoying other physical pleasures. This is not the reason for human, birth, which is rare blessing. What is the difference between a human being and the animals? It is qualities like kindness, compassion, forbearance and sympathy which differentiate human beings from animals. But man tends to forget these inherent qualities out of absorption in selfish, mundane desires. Those wearing the glass of selfishness can only see selfishness all around them. A defective vision produces an apparent defect in creation. There is nothing wrong with (creation). Every defect is related to the defective (vision).

19

20

In today everybody is clamouring about rights. What is the meaning of "right"? It is that to which you are entitled. How do you get it? Can you get the fruit without sowing the seed? Without a tree can there be a fruit? But you aspire for the fruit without sowing .the seed or rearing the tree? What folly is this? No one has any inherent claim to any right. He has only responsibility.

21

22

When you perform your duties, you will be acquiring the title to your rights. Every man should discharge his duties. Performance of duty is your . It is your enjoyment. It is your sacrifice. Discharge of duty is the basis for everything.

23

24

It is the liar who is haunted by fear Whether others esteem or not, you must be content to act according to your conscience. The inner conviction that you are acting righteously is your best witness. There is no greater than adherence to Truth. You need have no fear as long as you adhere to truth. It is the liar who is haunted by fear.

25

26

"Be," "do" and "speak" what is good All of you are embodiments of the (Spirit). You are all the manifestations of the Divine. The Indwelling Spirit is one and the same in all beings irrespective of their external differences, like the current that illumines bulbs of different wattage and colour. Fill your hearts with love. Then you can experience real bliss. With a narrow mind and heart, if you indulge in magniloquent words, no one will care to listen to you.

27

28

29

30

31

Develop sacred arid pure feelings. We claim to celebrate the birthdays of people. But the birthday is truly celebrated when there is the birth of pure ideas in one. You celebrate the birthday of . But do you follow the teachings? You will experience the fruits of celebrating the birthday only when you follow the teachings. Jesus said: “Love everyone." Christmas is celebrated, but how far does one practise love? None at all. There is love in everyone's heart. Share it at least with ten persons every day. This is seldom done. People are more keen on receiving than on giving. They are willing to give away only things which they do not relish. There is no sacrifice in this. This was the message given by in his eighteen . "It is meritorious to help others. It is sinful to inflict harm on them." You should not be concerned with how many have come for 's birthday but how many are following 's teachings. If every devotee is able to influence two persons, soon the whole world will be reformed.

32

33

"" Let all the worlds be happy.

34

Then alone there will be real unity. Do not wish merely for the peace and prosperity of India alone. Pray for the welfare of all countries. All are our brothers, whether they are in Pakistan or America or elsewhere. Whether you believe it or not, realise that I am able to attract people from so many countries because of my all-embracing love. If every person observes three things, he will be one with . You will experience the Divine in you. As the following three are in Me, I can declare firmly about them. They are three P's: Purity, Patience and Perseverance. These three are in Me and around Me. Anyone with these three qualities will be unafraid wherever he may be. The most important quality is purity. Today everything is polluted. Water, air and all the five elements are polluted. As a result the mind of man is also polluted. How is purity to be achieved? Fill your minds with thoughts of God, dedicate all your actions to God and consider God as the inner motivator. Contemplation of God is not a matter for derision. You need have no fear on that account. You must have full faith in God, who is the universal sustainer. He is the protector, but not the punisher. The punishment you get is the consequence of your own actions. Therefore, chanting the name of God, doing and performing good deeds, engage yourselves in service of your fellow-beings. Nourish love in your hearts. Love will drive away all bad-thoughts. It will promote the spirit of forgiveness. When the sun rises, all the buds of lotus in the lake do not open out in full bloom. Only those which are full grown can blossom; so the rest have to bide their time and grow.