Sathya Sai Speaks 2009 · Vinayaka Principle Is All-pervasive

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Vinayaka Principle Is All-pervasive
26 August 2009, Ganesh Chaturthi, Prasanthi Nilayam
Published English.
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(India) is the motherland of many noble souls who earned great name and fame in all the continents of the world. This is the land of valorous people who vanquished foreign rulers and attained independence.
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This is the land which excelled in music, literature and other fine arts. Having been born in this great land of , oh boys and girls, it is your sacred duty to protect its rich cultural heritage. (Telugu poem) THE festival of was celebrated the other day. Our students also had a celebration, which was full of beauty, splendour and bliss.
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All can experience the Principle Embodiments of Love – Students!
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First of all, you should know who is. is the leader of the universe; there is no leader above him. He is the leader of all and master of all. It would be your misfortune to forget such a leader and master. He eats only simple food, which is cooked without oil. The food he eats is called , which is prepared by grinding various types of food grains, making the mixture soft by mixing it with water, and cooking it in steam. He eats only such simple food. This preparation is also called . Those who eat such food will not suffer from even a minor illness at any point of time. has two consorts, and . Being in the constant company of , they have acquired all types of knowledge from him. They also eat simple food like . is omnipresent. He teaches through silence and conducts himself in an exemplary manner. Some people think that is worshipped only in (India) but the Principle is all-pervasive and is worshipped by all. People may follow different paths, but all can experience the Principle. This Principle is present in everyone in the form of breath. It would be sheer foolishness to limit your worship of to idols made of clay and metals. In fact, is your master, who is in you, with you, and around you. By constant contemplation on , all your sins will be destroyed.
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Inner meaning of immersion of idol Yesterday, our students brought the idols of in decorated chariots and took them out for immersion in a procession. What is the significance of immersion of idols in water? When the idol of is immersed in water, it loses its form, and the Principle becomes all-pervasive. If you put sugar in water, it will mix with water, permeating its every molecule. Likewise, the merger of the idol of with water signifies His all-pervasiveness. is the divine parent of all and loves all His children. He considers them as His only property. Emulating his example, all parents should consider their children as their property. Similarly, the children should also have utmost regard for their parents. Never forget your mother, never forget your father. is the bestower of intellect and spiritual attainments ( and ). If your intellect () is good, everything will become good for you. Therefore, when you commence your studies or start any new work, first offer worship to . Even before eating your food, pray to . All (Indians) pray to before undertaking any new venture. When they construct temples, they usually install the idol of in the front. It is a tradition of the (Indians) that whenever they have to start some work, they do it only after offering worship to . A singer wanting to present a concert first offers prayer to . Our students also dedicate their first (devotional song) to when they start their programme. is the master of your life. There is no leader other than him.
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is the Master of the Universe Worship of should not be limited to day only. You should worship him at all places and at all times, whether it is the fourth, eighth, or ninth () day of the new moon or any other day. “Everywhere, at all times, under all circumstances contemplate on God ().” However, there is a special significance of worshipping on day.
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As it will be difficult for people to perform this elaborate ritualistic worship regularly on all days, a certain number of days have been fixed for the special worship of like three, five, or ten days. Moreover, it is difficult for people to prepare the food offerings () to on all days, although the food of is very simple and easy to prepare. His food is cooked only in steam without putting it directly on fire. Such food keeps us healthy and free from diseases. Though has a big belly, it does not mean that he eats much. He takes only limited food. When people sing songs in praise of , they describe him as “one with big belly”. But he does not eat all that is offered to him. He sanctifies those offerings and confers his blessings. is ever on the move to bless his devotees. God is like that only. is the leader of all beings. He is the controller and sustainer of the entire creation. If does not sustain and control creation, there will be total destruction. It is only who protects creation from destruction. He is present everywhere. Whether you are aware of it or not, he is always with you, in you, around you, above you, and below you.
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and breath control People cannot live without air. It is their life principle. permeates the life principle of humanity. People celebrate with great joy and prepare a number of delicious dishes. But is not interested in eating all the delicious items offered to him. He is happy to live on air. Here, air symbolises the life principle (). There can be no life without the life principle. You can see that you breathe in and breathe out. You cannot live without breathing. When you take the breath in, you experience the sound “So”, and when you breathe out, you experience the sound “”. In this way, one’s breathing signifies “ (That I am, or God I am).” In the science of breath control (), the inhalation of breath is called , exhalation is called , and retention of breath is called . You can attain the state of meditation only when the durations of inhalation, exhalation, and retention are equal. Inhalation, exhalation, and retention are the three main aspects in the practice of breath control, which can be learnt only by the grace of . These processes of inhalation, exhalation, and retention are directed by the will of God. But people do not understand the secret behind this and celebrate in a ritualistic way.
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bestows intellect and spiritual attainment is called because he bestows (intellect) and (spiritual attainment). Both of these are very essential for people. has the head of an elephant, which has a great significance. Since the elephant is considered very auspicious, all big temples keep their own elephants for ceremonial processions. The elephant is the biggest of all animals. The footprints of all animals like lion or tiger will be erased when an elephant walks over their path. When an elephant passes through a thick forest, it creates a path even for cars, buses, and chariots to pass through. Likewise, makes the path for all to follow. When people were going from to for ’s wedding, the procession was headed by elephants. The grand procession was led by elephants, horses, and chariots. The entire army of followed the elderly Sage . King was accompanied by his ministers and vassal kings. It appeared as though the entire moved en masse toward . It was a wonderful and blissful sight to behold. (Telugu poem) The elephant is so powerful that when it trumpets, all barking dogs will be silenced. Without understanding the real significance of the elephant head of , we make an idol with a trunk and take it out in a procession Not only , but all gods transcend physical forms. There can be no birth and death for the one who transcends physical form. God has no form. If you ask God, “Who are You?”, He will reply, “I am ().” Who is ? He signifies inhalation and exhalation, which have no form. Nobody can question who begot ? Where is He? Likewise, the primordial sound has no form. It has no beginning, no end. How can there be an end of something that has no beginning? Inhalation and exhalation are two related processes. Similar are happiness and sorrow, merit and sin. God is beyond all these. One who is born will also die. But God has neither birth nor death. Never forget this divine principle, which signifies the unity of the entire creation. The answer to the question, “Who is God?” is that God is the principle of oneness in the entire diversity of the creation.
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Therefore, students! It is your delusion to limit God to the idols of , , and and worship them. Did you see anywhere? Where is He? You have seen the picture of made by artists like and created His idol accordingly. Did see before painting His picture? No. He imagined the form of by reading the description given in the sacred texts and made the picture. No one has seen God. However, the physical form in which God incarnates has a great significance. God does not assume physical form without a reason. Therefore, never forget His physical form. God assumes the physical form to strengthen the moral fabric of the world. I was very happy to see the enthusiasm of our students yesterday when they brought decorated idols of here. It was heartening to see that our students understood the real significance of and celebrated it in its true spirit. It is not possible to experience the divine principle without understanding the spirit behind these celebrations. Therefore, try to know the inner significance of celebrating festivals. When you understand that is the omnipresent divine principle, you will be celebrating this festival in its true spirit. In fact, all festivals should be celebrated with proper understanding of their significance. ( concluded His discourse with the , “ ”.)