24 June 2026
Wednesday
There is no fruit without a flower, and there can be no devotion with karma. The fruit ripens and becomes sweet; bhakti ripens into jnana (wisdom). So, we must first take up holy activity with clean intentions. One sadhana that is cultivated on a large scale today is dhyana (meditation). But the dhyana that is done is not in consonance with the principle of Bharatiya Culture. In the absence of a purified mind, dhyana can never achieve the mergence. How can a house be built without brick and mortar? It is said that one can succeed in dhyana by indulging in it whenever a little time is available, and that one can be engaged in this sadhana, whatever the habits one is prone to, whatever feelings and thoughts reside in you and whatever path you follow. But this advice is not correct. If one has to remain quiet for some time without being distracted or disturbed by fear or anxiety, one could indulge in drink or consume opium. Dhyana must have far higher aims and far stricter credentials. Or else, the culture of Bharat will suffer great damage. Therefore, fine virtues have to be cultivated first, and good thoughts have also to be entertained. One should uphold the true glory of man.
From Swami’s discourse of 5 April 1981
Also on words from this discourse: The Giver of Peace, 11 July 2026, Śraddhā, the Fire Within, 21 June 2026
There is no fruit without a flower, and there can be no devotion with karma. The fruit ripens and becomes sweet; bhakti ripens into jnana (wisdom). So, we must first take up holy activity with clean intentions. One sadhana that is cultivated on a large scale today is dhyana (meditation). But the dhyana that is done is not in consonance with the principle of Bharatiya Culture. In the absence of a purified mind, dhyana can never achieve the mergence. How can a house be built without brick and mortar? It is said that one can succeed in dhyana by indulging in it whenever a little time is available, and that one can be engaged in this sadhana, whatever the habits one is prone to, whatever feelings and thoughts reside in you and whatever path you follow. But this advice is not correct. If one has to remain quiet for some time without being distracted or disturbed by fear or anxiety, one could indulge in drink or consume opium. Dhyana must have far higher aims and far stricter credentials. Or else, the culture of Bharat will suffer great damage. Therefore, fine virtues have to be cultivated first, and good thoughts have also to be entertained. One should uphold the true glory of man.