Day: 8 September 2012

Love, Service and Sadhana The Three Pillars of the SSSO

Merely reading the texts and listening to Discourses cannot make an impact on the heart. To touch the heart and make an impact on it, one must engage in service. One who does not undertake service has no right to talk or preach. Therefore, to acquire the right to speak, one must necessarily engage in service. Seva is the primary Sadhana. To whomsoever we serve, we must regard that we are serving God. We must consider that we are undertaking all activities to please God.

Always aspire to be Service Oriented

Embodiments of Divine Atma, the Sathya Sai Seva members, the Sathya Sai Sevadals, the Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, the Sathya Sai Balvikas – all these are always associated with the word Seva, Seva, Seva. Therefore, we must always aspire to be Sevaks (servants) and in the process attain the position of leadership, but not run after the aspiration to become leaders directly. If we enquire into the situation correctly, we find that in the Western countries, the one who is a Sevak today becomes a leader overnight. She/he becomes a leader or a Guru. You can imagine the harm that such Gurus can bring about. Therefore do not think about becoming Gurus, always entertain the noble thoughts of being a Sevak forever.

Enter Service – Practice Sacrifice

All people and specifically all members of the Sathya Sai Organization must enter into service activities. We must nurture sacrifice, sacrifice, sacrifice. There are so many wealthy and rich people. They are rich only for name sake but there is no sacrifice in their action. They do not even perform the meritorious act of giving somebody a glass of water. No, no. This is not human life. Sacrifice, sacrifice and sacrifice. Therefore, the Vedas have proclaimed, “Na Karmana Na Prajaya Dhanena Tyage Naike Amrutatva Maanashuhu” (Not by action, not by progeny, nor by wealth; it is by sacrifice alone that one can attain immortality). We must attain this form of immortality. 

In Service, there must be no differences

In the matter of service and bending your body and working, no differences of any type must be entertained, either by the members or the seniors of the Organization. When it comes to service, without having any differences in your mind, in a collective manner, considering all as the children of God; you must provide help and support.

Remove feelings of Mine and Thine

All the material objects in the world that give you comfort and joy are not for the use of one single individual. All have a right to it. Each one should put in an effort to experience her/his share of it. It rains, the river flows, the crop grows, the sun and the moon shine; all these activities are not meant for any one single individual. We must recognize the truth that each one has a right to experience these joys and comforts. The Sevadals must strive to remove the narrow minded feelings of “this is mine” (mine) and “this is yours” (thine). They must give up narrow minded ideas, must be contented with what they get and must help others with a sense of gratitude. They must understand that this is the true form of Worship. 

Adopt and Feed one poor person a day

In this conference, we must adopt one new practice. In this country there are so many poor people, forlorn people, sick people and others who are challenged in different ways. Each family must be prepared to nurture one poor person. Each family must offer food and protection to a poor person, thus preventing her/him from going to the market place to beg for food. Each family must welcome and offer food to at least one poor person every day. In this country that has assumed the form of Annapoorneshwari (Goddess of Food), if there is no one to feed the people who cry out, “Annamo Ramachandraha” (Oh Rama give me food), how then, can we call this country as Annapoorna Kshetra (land of the Goddess of food)?

God alone is the witness to the selfless service of the SSSO Members

Not just that, in many parts of the organization (SSSO), right from young children to old people; all of them are doing so much Seva. Selfless service can be seen only in the SSSO. In Bharath, a few months back, in West and East Godavari, the Pushkara festival was celebrated where lakhs of people congregated (Since time immemorial, river worship, known as “Pushkaram”, is performed to make people realize the importance of water, the life-sustaining force. Pushkaram is a holy happening once in every 12 years at each of the 12 major rivers of India, the Godavari being one among them. Every 12th year Jupiter’s entry into the constellation Leo marks the Pushkaram for Godavari). Even in Krishna district, thousands of people assembled for the Krishna Pushkara. The Seva done by the men and women over there is something that only the eyes which have witnessed it can understand and not the fools who only speak. God alone is the witness to the tolerance exhibited by them to all the impurity (dirt) around and to the sacred seva done by them in cleaning and sweeping the place.

Live like Children of One Mother

Embodiments of Divine Atma, all members who have joined the Sathya Sai Sevadal and the Sathya Sai Samithi must consider themselves as children of one Mother. You must make an effort not to have any differences of opinions, and must avoid exhibition of qualities like jealousy and ostentation. 

Be Humble

Embodiments of Divine Atma! Most importantly, all those who join as members in the Sathya Sai Organization must lead a humble life without pride or ego. One should not exhibit any pride that she/he is the State President, District President or the Samithi Head. So long as there is ego, you can never be a leader. Therefore, it is better to remove such people with pride from their leadership position. You should develop yourself into a servant and not into a leader. It is only a Kinkara(servant) who can become a Shankara (wise one or great one). First of all, we must make an attempt to reduce the ego in us gradually.

Give up Jealousy

The second aspect is jealousy. Looking at the good of others and their name and fame, others make their eyes red (become jealous). Jealousy is a bad disease. On account of this disease, one loses one’s humanity. Human nature which is Divine is transformed into a Demonic one. Therefore, we must ensure that we do not allow the demon of jealousy to get into us.

Do not be Ostentatious

Next is ostentation and exhibitionism. You must not start exhibiting that they have prepared Sakkarpongal (sweet rice) for Bhajans (as Prasadam) and so I will prepare Laddus (sweet balls). Yet in another instance, one individual may try to spend more money to be more ostentatious than someone else who has been very ostentatious. In our Organization, we must not give any scope for ostentation relating to misuse or wastage of money. It is said that misuse of money is evil. It is also said that wealth is the very form of (Goddess) Lakshmi. If we misuse Lakshmi (wealth) it would amount to misuse of our very goal. When there are times of necessity, you can spend anything and even give your own life to protect someone. You must not waste money in unnecessary matters, just for the sake of name and fame.

Follow and Propagate Sai Ideals

Embodiments of Divine Atma, today (representatives of) the whole world (have) has assembled in Prasanthi Nilayam, moving about as elder and younger brothers and sisters. This is a sight for the whole world to see. This is the right opportunity. Recognizing this opportunity, you all must determine as office bearers, to promote the sacred Dharma, and stand as shining examples and ideal role models. This is My wish. Those of you, who wish to stand as ideal role models for the world, will have to propagate the need for one common and uniform discipline amongst all of you. Our feelings may be different, our intentions may be different, our nations may be different, our religions may be different, our languages may be different; but the ideals of Sai can never be different. Therefore, those of you who are office bearers in Sai Organizations, must necessarily understand the oneness of Sai ideals and practice and propagate the same to the world.

Have a Steady Heart and Pure Mind

Today the world is becoming mad for wealth, authority and position; but it is necessary that the leaders of the Sathya Sai Organization become mad for the sake of their ideals. Today the world does not need a new religion, a new Mantra or a new society. An unwavering heart and a pure mind are most essential.

See Unity in Diversity

Without the practice of unity, one cannot realize what this life is all about. So much of diversity (difference of opinions) appears in humanity because each one wishes to follow her/his individual feelings. This is not what must be experienced or accepted in the Sathya Sai Organization. We must have conviction in and must have the vision of Unity in Diversity. Because we are unable to have the vision of Unity in Diversity, differences surface and hatred is on the rise. Where there is no Unity, enmity appears. In the world around we do not come across a sense of unity or Love. Life therefore becomes superficial.

Do not encourage distinction of any type

In the Sathya Sai Organization there must be no distinction based on caste, religion, lineage or race. All are the children of one God. When we promote this type of unity, Divinity will certainly shine forth. 

Regard the Whole World as One Home

All the office bearers (of the SSSO) must engage in Desha Seva (service to the nation) and Samaja Seva (service to the society). Considering and feeling the entire world as one home, they must perform their activities. This must be their primary aim.

SSSO must be distinct

You must conduct yourselves in such a way as to project a clear distinction between the other Organizations that exists in the world and the Sathya Sai Organization.

SSSO is Unique!

Today the whole world has recognized that, if there is any Organization that is sacred, ideal and united, it is the Sathya Sai Organization. There are many organizations in the world. But the conduct, practice and speech (communication) that is there in Sathya Sai Organization, is not to be found elsewhere.

The Sacrifice made by SSSO Members is beyond description

Truly, the sacrifice being made by the Sathya Sai Organization is beyond description. For all this, it is your Love which is the main basis. One small example: The Veda chanting goes on…Sahana Vavatu Sahanau Bhunaktu (May He protect us both together; may He nourish us both together), but this forbearance has only been in words from ancient times. However, today the (members of the) Sathya Sai Organization is (are) showing this in practice. This forbearance can be acquired only through Love and not through any other path. One small example: So many wealthy people have come here. So many men and women who always live in comfort have come here. Many have come who have never bent their back and done any work. For each one there may have been (in their homes) a separate bedroom of 20’ x 20’ size, but that is of no consequence to them. You can imagine how such comfort loving people, such wealthy and rich people, have been living in Prasanthi Nilayam with so much of forbearance. They are not aspiring for any conveniences. They have no desire for any comfort. Wherever they get (a place) they put up with all the difficulties and wait for receiving Swami’s Love. You will not get this kind of forbearance in any other organization or congregation.   

Your Love is the prime basis for everything

Embodiments of Love, the whole world is recognizing the sacred feelings that are prevalent in Sathya Sai Organization. In a bag of rice, it is but natural to find few stones. In this ordinary world, being mere human beings, few may commit some mistakes. But this will not make any (negative) impact on the Organization. Truly, the sacrifice being made by the (members of the) Sathya Sai Organization is beyond description. For all these things, it is your love that is the prime basis.

Practice the Resolutions taken

Embodiments of love, let anyone talk good or ill about you, let anyone praise or criticize you, do not get elated nor depressed; you must determine to continue to engage in your Seva with genuine feelings, and seek fulfilment in this life and realize your Divinity. Most importantly, it is not enough to put on paper the resolutions taken in this Conference. They should take the form of action (practice). Every person should manifest these ideals in their experience.