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Sathya Sai Speaks 1996 · Develop Love for God and Sanctify Your Life

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  1. Develop Love for God and Sanctify Your Life

    28 July 1996, Prasanthi Nilayam

    Published English.

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    One may be the master of all forms of knowledge, One may vanquish one’s adversaries in debate, One may fight with valour and courage in the battlefield, One may be an emperor reigning over vast kingdoms, One may offer cows and gold as an act of charity, One may count the countless stars in the sky, One may tell the names of different living creatures on the earth, One may be an expert in eight forms of , One may reach even the moon, But can anyone control the body, mind, and senses, Turn the vision inward, and Achieve the supreme state of equanimity of the mind? (Telugu poem) Students!
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    What is the use of knowing anything when one does not know oneself? Having attained human birth and having acquired varioustypes of knowledge, one should first of all make efforts to know oneself. When one knows oneself, one will know everything else in the world in a moment. This is the main principle of non-dualism ().
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    Aspects of the principle of nondualism There are three aspects of the principle of non-dualism () in this world: , , and .
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    This is a handkerchief. What principle of nondualism is associated with it? The handkerchief is made up of threads, but the basis of the threads is cotton. In fact, cotton, threads, and cloth are one and the same. They are three different names and forms of the same thing. When you understand this, you will understand the underlying oneness of everything in this world, which is changeless in three periods of time. This is called .
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    What is ? Thousands of people are sitting here. They have different names and forms. Though they appear to be different, I can prove that all of them are one. Their joys and sorrows may be different, their desires and attachments may be different, their names and forms may be different, their situation and circumstances may also be different, but the same five elements are present in all of them. This is the underlying principle of oneness of all human beings.
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    What is ? Every person in this world has some desires and aspirations, depending on their situation and circumstances. When desires are not fulfilled, it leads to disappointment. With limitless desires and meaningless anxiety, one craves all that is not possible and ultimately becomes a victim of disappointment and frustration.
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    Whatever work one may do, one should do it without any desire for the fruits thereof and offer it to God with the feeling: All actions are to please God (). This is .
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    Who is divine among human beings? One who is always focused on is a divine person (). Devoid of ego and desires, that one is always in a state of bliss, entertains sacred feelings, and performs deeds that are beneficial to others. Since that one performs all actions to please God, all their good works become God’s works. That one has no thoughts other than those of God and no desire except to do everything to please God.
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    A true human is one who follows the path of truth () and righteousness () (), say the . With total faith in the principles of truth and , that one performs righteous actions and acts of charity without ignoring any worldly or family duties. That one’s heart is filled with compassion and love. That one has total faith in God and has no fear.
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    The human values of truth, right conduct, peace, love, and nonviolence (, , , , ) are interrelated and interdependent. Truth depends on righteousness, righteousness on peace, peace on love, and love on nonviolence. Even if you have one of the four values truth, righteousness, peace, and love, you will not indulge in acts of violence.
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    One who is addicted to intoxicating drinks is a demon (). Due to the influence of intoxicating drinks, one loses humanness and performs evil and demonic acts. Consumption of intoxicating drinks is one of the main causes for the rise of demonic tendencies in man.
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    One who is devoid of wisdom is verily an animal (). Such a person has no sense of discrimination and no knowledge whatsoever. That person is interested only in enjoying worldly pleasures and spends all their time in food, fear, sleep, and procreation.
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    Who is a true human being? A true human being is one who does not give room to the six evil qualities of desire, anger, greed, delusion, pride, and jealousy (, , , , , and ). What is the use of acquiring high education and accumulating wealth if one’s heart is filled with desire and hatred ( and )? In fact, all that education is useless. An educated person should always follow the path of righteousness.
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    Sage gave the essence of eighteen in two sentences: “One attains merit by serving others. One commits sin by hurting others.” Therefore, Help Ever, Hurt Never.
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    People waste a lot of time and energy in accumulating wealth, but are they able to carry anything with them when they ultimately leave this world? They are not able to take even a with them, not even a fistful of sand. This is the lesson to be learnt from the life of Emperor Alexander.
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    You may have money and all comforts, yet you will be always restless. You will be drowned in misery day and night. What is the way to attain peace of mind? The only way is to develop the spirit of sacrifice as propounded in the : Immortality is not attained through action, progeny, or wealth; it is attained only by sacrifice ().
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    What is the use of reading a number of books if you do not have love? Mere acquisition of bookish knowledge will change your head () into a book (). What is the use of bookish knowledge that is not translated into practical knowledge? A man without practical knowledge is totally useless to society. Therefore, do not go on reading books endlessly. You will only spoil your head in the process.
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    Charity is the true ornament of the hand, Truth is the true necklace, and Listening to the sacred texts is the true ornament of the ears.) . (Sanskrit Verse)
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    ( concluded His Discourse with the , “...”.)