Compassionate Heart is the Temple of God

27 April 1997, Kodaikanal

Published English.

1

Spiritual aspirants must first of all keep away from bad company. Tell me your company, and I shall tell you what you are. Seek only friendship with good people. A serpent may bite you only once, and that too when assaulted. But wicked people transmit poison constantly day and night. What was ’s fate at the end? He was a great warrior, more valiant than . But because of the bad company of , , and , he also became wicked.

2

3

What is merit ()? Worldly people consider merit as giving things in charity and helping others. But it is not its true meaning. Its true meaning is . ‘’ means divine, ‘’ means proximity, and ‘’ means doing. Those deeds that take us near God are . Proximity to God is .

4

Speak truth, speak pleasantly, and do not speak unpalatable truth ().

5

Some people say that money is the basis of the entire world (). Others say that righteousness is the basis of the entire world (). But the correct statement is that compassion is the basis of the world (). The five basic elements, the sun, the moon, and night and day all function on the basis of compassion (). The heart filled with compassion is divine. Even if others talk to us harshly, we should always speak amiably. One can find fulfillment in life only with compassion and mercy.

6

One may be a , a demon, or a king, one may do a lot of , one may grow beard like a renunciant, one may smear one’s forehead with ash, one may keep on chanting names of God, but one avails nothing without possessing a heart full of compassion. Although compassion is a natural quality, people are not able to realise this. The entire world is based on kindness. Philosophies, religions, nations, and languages may be different, but the heart is the same.

7

One dwells in all beings ().

8

Truth is one ().

9

The declare that truth is one only. Water is called by different names in different languages. In Telugu it is , in English it is water, in Hindi it is , in Tamil it a , and in Sanskrit it is . Though the names are different, water is one and the same. Likewise, all hearts are full of compassion. Every thought should be filled with compassion. We use the word ‘mankind’. He who has kindness is man. What is the use of life without kindness? One who is filled with kindness is near the Divine. A man of kindness is a friend of God. Such a person considers God as their mother, father, wealth, knowledge, and everything. Knowledge also emanates from the heart.

10

Everything in this world is a reaction, reflection, and resound of the inner being. Whatever you do is reflected in the mirror of Nature. God is the object, a person is the reflection, and nature is the mirror. When you remove the mirror, only the object remains. In worldly mathematics, 3-1 equals 2 but in spiritual the sense, 3-1 equals 1. So, spiritual mathematics is more correct. In order to develop affinity with God, get rid of affinity with the world. Remove body consciousness and develop divine consciousness. If you want to develop divine consciousness, reduce the burden of desires and worries and become detached. Detachment does not mean leaving wife and wealth and running away to the forest; it is sacrificing negative feelings, desires, and delusions. Desire comes out of illusion (), not (God). Remove the illusion and reduce the desires to make the journey of life a pleasure. God is everywhere. He is all sweetness. As the say, God is like a doll of sugar, every part of which will taste sweet. No matter what for and how you pray to God, you will get sweetness, because God is filled with sweetness of love.

11

Reduce the burden of your desires Who is responsible for your burdens? Once a cowherd maiden () went to a well to fetch water. After filling water in three pots, she put one on her head and another in her one hand. She was trying to put the third pot over the pot on her head. But she was finding it difficult, and was in need of help from someone.

12

Since was standing nearby, she asked Him for help. But He refused. Meanwhile, another who was passing by came forward and helped her in putting the pot on top of her head. followed the on the way to her home. As soon as she reached home, came forward to help her put down the pot from her head. She then asked why He refused to put the pot on her head earlier, and why He came forward to help her put the pot down. then explained that it is not His nature to put burdens on people; He is interested only in removing their burdens. People think that God gives them all burdens. That is not correct. There was a student who, after completing his education, got married. Before marriage, he had two legs. Now after marriage, he became fourlegged, like an animal. Some time later, he begot a son and he became six-legged, like a cockroach, and thereafter he got a daughter and became eightlegged, like a spider. In this way, people keep on increasing their burden. People are responsible for all their bondages, not God. Give all your burden to God, then you will be relieved of your burden. Gradually reduce your burden. Strengthen your relationship with God and reduce your relationship with the world to reduce your burden. Bliss comes naturally to you when sorrow is removed. Removal of attachment is liberation ( is ). Liberation () is not anything separate or different. It is reduction of attachment and development of detachment. It is possible only through the strength of devotion, which gives steadfastness, leading to detachment. Food, strength and liberation (, , and ) all come from supreme devotion ().

13

14

15

16

17

18

Thirdly, don’t waste time. Time is God. The say that nothing is more precious than time. If you waste time, it is as good as wasting the opportunity given by God.

19

20

21

22

23

People today worship lifeless objects while harming living beings. Spiritual practice () and devotion must be accompanied by the awareness that God exists in everyone. So, give respect and joy to all. That is sacred life, true devotion, and spiritual practice.

24

25

We must recognise that the world is based on compassion. Perfect faith, , and devotion to God residing in your heart will protect you. Once, God promised a devotee that He would always follow him wherever he went. Then the devotee got a doubt. He turned back to check whether God was really following him or not. Since he did not see Him, the devotee questioned, “God, You promised that You would be behind me; but when I looked back, I did not find You. Why?” God replied, “I was very much there behind you; that was true even when you turned back! That is why you could not see Me!” Divine power is real power. You may have all powers with you, but if you lack divine power, you can never succeed in life. Develop love for God, fear of sin, and morality in society. These are on the decline in the world today. When all individuals stick to moral values, society will become pure.

26

27

(Bhagavan brought His discourse to a close with the , “…”)