Leave

Sathya Sai Speaks 1996 · Virtues are the Foundation of Peace

Read straight through

  1. Virtues are the Foundation of Peace

    26 July 1996, Prasanthi Nilayam

    Published English.

    1
    It is not good for you if your words are sweet but there is bitterness in your mind. In fact, it is a blot on your character. You will be appreciated in this world only when you lead your life devoid of such a blemish. Listen, oh valiant sons of ! (Telugu poem)
  2. 2
    Embodiments of divine !
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
    The state of freedom from attachment () and hatred () is real peace. Where there is attachment and hatred, there can be no peace. What is (supreme peace)? ‘’ means to blossom. Therefore, the blossoming of inner peace in a state devoid of hatred and attachment is . It is, in fact, the manifestation of inner peace.
  6. 6
    But is there anyone in this world who has experienced this ? When you enquire this, you will realise that it is very difficult for ordinary mortals to experience supreme peace devoid of hatred and attachment. Peace cannot be acquired from outside, it has to be manifested from within.
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
    There is a permanent spring of peace in the inner recesses of the heart. Water is flowing everywhere under the surface of earth. What should you do to bring this water out? You have to remove the soil that covers the water by digging the earth. The soil of attachment and hatred has covered the peace within you. You can attain that peace only when you remove this ‘soil.’ Purify your mind to experience peace Some people are under the mistaken notion that they can attain peace by performing some worship () and rituals. They also think that the welfare of the world can be achieved by the performance of rituals and sacrifices ( and ). Many perform rituals and sacrifices for world peace. I don’t say it is wrong. It is good to perform them. However, world peace cannot be achieved by these external practices.
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 17
  18. 18
  19. 19
  20. 20
    The word (peace) in Telugu consists of only two letters, but it has great significance. You utter three times after and prayer. Why should you utter it only three times, why not four times or two times? You utter three times because you want peace at all the three levels: physical, mental, and spiritual.
  21. 21
    If you have peace only at the physical level, you may have unrest at the mental level. Similarly, if you have peace at the mental level and lack it at the physical level, you cannot experience total peace. The inner significance of uttering three times is to pray for peace at all three levels.
  22. 22
    You can attain peace only through peace. If you do not have peace, sit at a quiet place and keep repeating , , ... like a . You will certainly attain peace after some time. Similarly, as I have told you many times, when wicked thoughts enter your mind, remind yourself, “I am not an animal, I am human,” repeatedly. Then your animal thoughts will vanish and noble thoughts will develop.
  23. 23
  24. 24
  25. 25
  26. 26
    Are there no good feelings and good thoughts outside? Why do they not enter your heart? They do not enter your heart because primarily there are no good thoughts and good feelings in you. That is why, since ancient times, company of the good () has been given great importance. The good thoughts and feelings in you will develop when you associate yourself with good company.
  27. 27
    Always cultivate sacred feelings. What is meant by sacred feelings and thoughts? Thoughts of God are sacred thoughts. It does not matter what name of God you contemplate upon. God is one. “The one God has many names ().” Fill your heart with any divine name. Then there will be no scope for other thoughts to enter it. Your heart is like a single chair. Once you enshrine divine love in it, no evil thought can enter it.
  28. 28
  29. 29
  30. 30
  31. 31
    Peace is humanity’s inner wealth Attachment () and hatred () are responsible for the unrest and fear prevalent in the world today. No one is able to enjoy peace.
  32. 32
  33. 33
  34. 34
  35. 35
  36. 36
  37. 37
  38. 38
    Develop human qualities If you lead all your life in duality (), then when will you reach the state of qualified non-dualism ()? If you have not reached , how will you reach the state of non-dualism ()?
  39. 39
  40. 40
    The same thing applies in spirituality also. Now you are at the level of duality, where you say, I am different from you. From this state of duality, you should reach the state of qualified non-dualism, where you realise that, though bodies are different, everyone is an aspect of the Divine. When you get rid of body attachment, you will become one with the Divine. That is non-dualism ().
  41. 41
    Bodies are like bulbs. But all the bulbs shine with the same current. This current is the principle of the . You should realise this principle of oneness. That is non-dualism. Do not waste all your life by remaining in the state of non-dualism.
  42. 42
  43. 43
    “Spiritual education is true education ().” V arious types of secular education are like small rivers. But ultimately all the rivers merge in the ocean. The ocean is the ultimate destination of all rivers. “The ocean is the goal of the rivers ().” You may have mastered music, literature, painting, and art. But the ultimate aim of all your learning is to attain the love of God, the ocean of divine grace.
  44. 44
  45. 45
    The nine paths of devotion are the sacred means of attaining peace. These are: listening (), singing (), contemplating on (), serving His Lotus Feet (), salutation (), worship (), servitude (), friendship (), and selfsurrender ().
  46. 46
  47. 47
  48. 48
  49. 49
  50. 50
    Do not merely talk about truth, righteousness, peace, love, and nonviolence (, , , , and ). Instead. awaken these values in your heart. “Arise, awake, go to noble men and learn from them the secret of attaining Divinity ().
  51. 51
  52. 52
  53. 53
    Give no scope to fear. Develop courage and valour without giving scope to fear. Fearlessness () is the hallmark of Divinity (). You should make efforts to rise to the level of Divinity. You don’t need to fear anything. Fear comes only when there is some defect in you.
  54. 54
  55. 55
    On the other hand, where there is fear and lack of virtues, there is unrest ().
  56. 56
    Virtues are the foundation of peace. You should develop virtues. That is why is extolled as one of peace, virtues, and valour (). What is the basis of all the virtues that he possessed? Here is a small example.
  57. 57
    Once upon a time, the mothers of Sage , , and Lord started talking about the greatness of their sons. First, the mother of said, “Do you know who my son is? He drank the entire ocean in one gulp. Such is his greatness.” ’s mother replied, “Your son might have drunk the entire ocean, but my son crossed the ocean in one leap and reached .” Then Mother intervened and said to the mother of , “Your son could cross the ocean only with the power of the Name of my son.” From the conversations of these three mothers, it is clear that God is the greatest of all. Sage could drink the entire ocean due to the power of God. Similarly, it is the power of ’s Name that enabled to cross the ocean and reach . Therefore, first and foremost, chant the Name of God. There is nothing more powerful than the Divine Name.
  58. 58
    ( concluded His Discourse with the , “...”)