The triple transformation

13 April 1996, Tamil New Year, Baisakhi, Vishu, Kodaikanal

Published English.

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EMBODIMENTS of love! culture declared from the outset that all people should be happy, that all should enjoy peace and prosperity and that all should lead sacred lives.

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Shed selfishness Hence, the primary endeavour of man today should be to shed selfishness, develop spirituality and realise the Divine. Three basic changes should take place in man. That is the truth contained in the principle. S" stands for Spiritual change. "A" stands for "Associational" (or National) change. "I" stands for Individual change. By this triple change the nation will prosper. Without a change in the individual, society will not change. Without a social transformation, spiritual transformation cannot take place in the heart.

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What is the use of all the progress m science, if people have no control over their senses and are not aware of the all-pervading (cosmic consciousness)? Everyone should recognise the indwelling Divinity in his heart.

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A minister becomes a devotee In the Tamil land, many great saints have taken birth. Many great scholars were born in the Tamil land. One of the Tamil kings was very fond of horses and sent his Prime Minister to buy horses. During his journey the minister came across a holy man named . He was attracted by the teachings of the holy man. The sage said that all worldly pleasures were ephemeral and God was the only reality. Inspired by these teachings, the minister decided to give up his mission (of purchasing horses) and used the money given to him to build a temple for . Meanwhile, the king was worried about what had happened to his minister and why he had not come back. He came to know that the minister had used the money, given to him for purchasing horses, to build a temple. He had the minister arrested and put in prison. The minister was unaffected. He continued to chant the Lord's name in the prison.

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's message The mind should blossom and proclaim the glory of the Divine. The minister told the king: “It is out of a realisation of this truth that I offered the money, given to me for buying a horse, to the Divine." The king ordered the freeing of the minister and allowed him to lead a spiritual life after his own heart.

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From that moment he started composing hymns in praise of God. He wrote many hymns. This work is known as "." The author is known as "." His writings are spiritual aphorisms containing the sublimest spiritual truths.

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This kind of transformation should take place in every person. Only then will become an exemplar 'for the world. Today men have become worshippers of Mammon. Such persons are not human at all. What use is there in endlessly seeking wealth without securing the peace of mind? Why don't you spend at least a few moments on thoughts of God?

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If one spends a small fraction of the time, Devoted to numerous worldly affairs And to family, property and possessions, To thoughts on the Lotus feet of the Lord, He will have no need to fear the messengers of death.()

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and (love and selfless service) are like a bird's two wings for a man. He can soar to any heights with those two wings. To cultivate these two qualities one has to achieve the triple purity in thought, word and deed. In addition one has to reduce one's desires. Today enormous money is wasted on useless luxuries while people grudge expenditure on incense and joss sticks. What folly is this!

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Years come and go. What avails the passage of years if there is no change in the minds of men? Time is precious. It should be used in the service of the Divine. All actions should be dedicated to God. Only through renunciation can man realise the Divine. Today people have forgotten the meaning of sacrifice. Sacrifice is . Enjoyment is (disease). Make your heart blossom every moment. That is the way to greet the new year. Realise your oneness with the Divine.

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My life is love Promote love in your hearts and share it with others. That is the best form of worship. Love is the only property of . My life is love. That is what I offer to one and all. I go on giving, giving. But to what extent are you putting into practice 's teachings? Practise silence for at least ten minutes in a day. Meditate on 's teachings at that time. Realise that in this transient world the Eternal is immanent. Hold fast to God. Experience the bliss of union with the Divine. Make love your life-breath. With love of God in their hearts the ancient sages could transform - even the wild animals in the forests.

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On the New Year's Day in people prepare a chutney made up of fruits, sweet, sour and bitter and take it as sign of their readiness to meet all situations in life with equanimity. Sorrow and happiness should be treated alike as gifts of God.