Tax

11th March 2013 to 14th July 2013

This section of the blog presents a message of Bhagawan Baba every week. Mostly, it is the form of a question that is answered by Bhagawan, giving us the correct understanding and interpretation of a concept or a term or a practice. So watch out every Sunday for a special message from Bhagawan Baba that could serve as your driving force throughout the week. Wish you a happy week!!

The audio clip of the message has a name that adopts the following code: Title relating to the message, Duration of the clip, Year-Month-Date of the Clip. Below the title is the English translation of the message. Below the English translation is the audio player.

08 July to 14 July 2013

Can we hold the mind responsible for all our bad actions?

Can we hold the mind responsible for all our bad actions-3.48-1990 May 24

Mind is responsible for both
Bondage and Liberation

The mind is very noble. Mana Eva Manushyaanaam Kaaranam Bandha Mokshayoho – Mind alone is responsible either for man’s bondage or for his liberation. So, how can you condemn the mind as bad, when it is capable of leading you to Moksha (supreme goal of liberation)? It can lead you to bondage and it can also set you free from bondage. We need to recognize the right method to use the mind. We may have a knife in the hand. The knife can be used to cut fruits, vegetables or any knot in a rope. However, in a fit of anger, we could also use it to cut the throat. But is this the fault of the knife? No. No. It is the defect in the manner in which we use the knife. The mind is also similar. If used along the right path, it will take us to the most sacred (elevated) place. The mind is also referred to as delusion.

The mind may be compared to a cat. It is indeed a cat. If we enquire correctly into the nature of a cat, we will find the impact of mind very similar to it. In order to protect its kittens, the cat gently catches hold of them with its mouth and takes them to a safe place. With the same mouth, when it catches a rat, it takes away its life. The mouth is one, but in the former case, because of the feeling that they are her kittens, she takes them to a safe place. And in the case of the rat, thinking that it is its food, it punishes it (by killing it).

The mind too is similar to this. For those who contemplate on God, perform noble activities, entertain a noble mind and walk along the righteous path; the mind takes them along the appropriate path to a safe destination. On the other hand; it inflicts suffering on the wicked and the evil and on those who engage in unrighteous conduct.

Therefore, though the mind is one, it assumes many forms. This is just like mono acting. Each thought takes its own unique form.

24 May 1990

01 July to 07 July 2013

What are the four roles played by the human mind?

What are the four roles played by the human mind-4.18-1990 May 24

Four manifestations of the mind

The mind itself assumes subtle forms in the name of Antha Karana (inner instruments). It dons four roles, namely: Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Chitta(memory), and Ahamkara (ego). Buddhi, Chitta and Ahamkara are the subtle forms of the mind itself. The mind takes on a particular name when it performs a particular function; just as the same Brahmin individual is called a priest (pujaribrahmin) when he performs worship in a temple, a cook (brahmin cook) when he cooks in the kitchen, a teacher (aadhyapikabrahmin) when he teaches students, and an astrologer (panchaanga brahmin) when he interprets the almanac (panchaanga). Though the Brahmin individual is the same; based on the profession he takes up, he assumes such different names.

In the same manner when the mind is engaged in wavering thought processes, it is called Manas (mind). When the mind is engaged in the process of enquiry with discrimination, so as to arrive at some decision, it is named as Buddhi (intellect). This form of enquiry based on discrimination is also called Discrimination knowledge. The third aspect is Chitta. When the mind functions as a repository of memories, it is known as Chitta (memory). When the mind identifies itself with the physical body, it goes by the name of Ahamkara (ego). Thus, it may be seen that the same mind, although basically one, displays these varied forms on account of the different roles and positions assumed by it. In fact, the mind alone is the cause of all things. This entire world is based on the mind – “Manomoolam Idam Jagat”.

24 May 1990

24 June to 30 June 2013

What is true purpose of listening to Scriptures and Masters?

What is true purpose of listening to Scriptures and Masters-2.31-1996 August 22

What is true listening?

At the time of king Bhojaraja, a sculptor brought three idols and presented them to the king. All the three idols were made by the sculptor in such a way that they looked exactly identical. All were beautiful. The king summoned the Minister. He asked the Minister to decide which among these was the best “first class”; deserving enough to be given a prize.

“Lord, forgive me, I will return in 5 minutes”, said the Minister to the king. The king replied, “The idols are here only. Why then do you need 5 minutes? Do you need to go to the bathroom? What other work do you have?” The Minister went in and came out with a metal wire. He took the wire and inserted it into the ear of one of the idols. It came out of the other ear of the idol. He said this is the worst idol and pushed it aside. He then inserted the wire into the ear of the second idol. The wire came out of the mouth. He said, “this idol must receive the second prize”. Next, he inserted the wire into the ear of the third idol. The wire went inside. He said, “this must receive the first prize”.

What does this mean? Taking things that we hear into us (i.e. assimilating what we hear and learn) begets the first prize. The one who repeats whatever she/he hears, like a parrot, would get only a second prize. In this modern world, there are many who listen through one ear and let it out through the other ear. There are others who repeat like a parrot, what they read in scriptures or hear from Swami. There are yet others, who absorb what they hear and assimilate the same.

22 August 1996

17 June to 23 June 2013

What is the freedom that we human beings must strive for?

What is the freedom that we human beings must strive for -3.59- 1990 May 22

What is true freedom?

Some students who consider themselves to be very clever and smart, try to argue thus, Look at the birds. They are having full freedom to eat what they want, to make friendship with anyone they want and to fly or wander as they wish. Cattle and beasts also are enjoying their own freedom. When birds, cattle and beasts enjoy their freedom, is it not necessary for man to enjoy his freedom? True, you too can enjoy freedom. But, what kind of freedom do the cattle enjoy? They enjoy cattle freedom. What kind of freedom do the animals enjoy? They enjoy animal freedom. You are a human, so you can enjoy human freedom. There is nothing wrong in that. But being a human; is it not wrong of you to enjoy animal freedom?

We are trying to give several wrong meanings, misleading interpretations and definitions to the word “freedom”; thus forgetting its true meaning. This is not true freedom. What is the meaning of freedom? Is to be free to wander around wherever you want? Is it to be free to indulge in your senses as you wish? No, no, no, no. Atma Jnanam (knowledge of the Self), Atma Nigraham (self-control or self-restraint), Atmaanandam (bliss of the Self) – is true freedom.

However, some stubborn people claim that it is God’s mistake to have given an outgoing orientation to man’s senses. There is no mistake of theirs in it. They argue that God has given them eyes, but He provided the eyes with doors that open to the outside (world) and not inwards; He gave ears that turn outwards towards the external world (to hear external sounds) but did not turn them inwards; He gave noses that can only inhale the air from outside and not from within. They contend, therefore, that the fault lies with creation only and there is no fault of humans in this. This is wrong.

People make many mistakes and say, “I am after all a human”. This is so wrong. It is a sin. They justify themselves stating that they are humans and to err is after all natural to humans. This is very wrong. Being humans, you must actually not make mistakes. If animals commit mistakes, it is quite understandable. As it is an animal, it behaves like an animal. Being a human being, you must not make such mistakes. To consider that making mistakes is natural to human beings is only a defensive attitude. Being born as an animal, it behaves like an animal. It is so contradictory that we are born as human beings and we behave like animals. Therefore, conduct yourself as human beings.

22 May 1990

10 June to 16 June 2013

How do we divert the mind away from undesirable thoughts?

How do we divert the mind away from undesirable thoughts-3.28-1990 May 22

Divert mind towards good thoughts

There was a preacher of Christian religion by name Thomas. He used to go to every village and propagate his religion. One day, he boarded a horse carriage and was travelling to a village. On the way, there came a (railway) level crossing. The horse was running very well; there was no problem in its movement. But as they approached the level crossing, the driver took the stick and started beating the horse severely. As Thomas was a preacher of religion, he had faith in compassion as the main message of Jesus. He asked the driver, “Sir, why are you troubling this horse that is running so well?”

The driver replied, “Sir, close to the level crossing, some stones painted in white have been placed. The horse gets frightened when it sees these white stones. Now the fear of being beaten with my stick overpowers the fear of those white stones. In order to get the horse rid of that fear (of white stones), I am making it face this fear. At that moment, Thomas thought to himself that he had learnt how to divert the mind from a horse carriage driver.

When the mind or the senses runs behind one object; in order to make it escape from that object and make it run behind some other object, it needs to be given appropriate training. The mind (and senses) goes in various foolish directions. When it is shown something in the opposite direction and even more powerful, it will leave its current path and will travel along the right path.

Take for example a stray cow. It goes to some field to graze. If we offer it better fodder, more green fodder at our own home, it will never go to graze any other grass. It will stay at home only and eat. When we offer something much more than what it desires, its original desire will become a disappointment and it will move on a nobler path.

22 May 1990

03 June to 09 June 2013

Why should we exercise control over our senses?

Why should we exercise control over our senses-4.22-1990 May 22

The ten senses need to be kept under restraint

The senses should be experienced by putting them to right use as ordained by God. If we do not put them to right use, we will have to suffer from lack of peace.

It is well known that even when an individual has just one wife, the family has to face lot of challenges. If one has two wives, nothing more needs to be said! King Uttanapaada had two wives. On account of difference of opinions between them, the child Dhruva had to be sent to the forest. King Dasaratha had three wives. Here again because of difference of opinions, it was not possible for Dasaratha to treat them equally and keep them all comfortable. In order to please his wife (Kaikeyi), he had to send his own son Sri Rama to the forest and he lost his life in turn. If these are the dangers being faced by those having just two or three wives, imagine what more dangers will one having ten wives be subjected to!

This very important person, namely the mind, has ten wives – the ten senses (the five sense organs–Jnaanendriyaas and the five organs of action- Karmendriyaas). Each sense organ insists on enjoying objects of its own choice. For example, the nose is attracted by the smell of masala dosa(a South Indian delicacy) and wants to have it. The ear wants the radio to be tuned, so that it can enjoy melodious music. The eyes hanker after a newly released film. Thus when all of them are keen on enjoying their own particular desires, how can the master (the mind) satisfy them all at the same time? Unable to satisfy them, the mind gets frustrated. How can this husband (mind) wedded to ten wives enjoy peace? Peace is very far away from it, because it is very difficult to fulfil the desires of these senses. It is only when the senses are kept under proper control that man can be happy and those around him can also be happy.

22 May 1990

27 May to 02 June 2013

What is the true meaning of Brahmacharyam?

What is the true meaning of Brahmacharyam-2.57-1996 January18

Brahmacharyam means being in Brahman

Brahmacharyam is interpreted in many ways by the people of the world. One meaning is remaining unmarried. This is not the correct meaning. This meaning is only from the worldly point of view. The true literal meaning of the term is “Moving in Brahman.” Brahmacharya means ceaseless contemplation of God. “Charya” means moving or treading. Brahmacharya means “moving in Brahman”, or “treading along the path of Brahman”. Brahmacharyashould not be imagined to be related to the physical losses, difficulties, sorrow or worry. Mere bachelorhood is not Brahmacharyam. Such a person may be called as just “unmarried”.

A married man is called Girhastha (house-holder). There is Brahmacharyam even in a householder’s life. This consists in his leading the conjugal life with his wife (Ardhaangi) alone. If a married man leads a promiscuous life he is not observing Brahmacharya. Not just physically, even in thoughts and feelings, one should observe continence. Brahmacharyam acquired its importance as a human value because of its strict observance by our ancient sages. Therefore, there is lot of inner significance in this aspect of Brahmacharyam. Unconsciously or otherwise, human beings tend to waste their energies. All these are lapses from Brahmacharya. Sense control is vital in practising continence. It is easier to conquer Indra (the Lord of Gods) than to subdue the Indriyas (senses).

18 January 1996

20-26 May 2013

Is this Life Real or a Dream?

Is this life real or a dream-2.35-1996 July 05

Life is a dream, realize it!

Life is a dream, realize it. Which is the dream? The entire life is a dream. Now in this morning, all of you are seated and are listening to Swami’s Discourse. This is not a dream. We are seeing this with our eyes, we are hearing with our ears, we are thinking with our mind and our hearts are thus melting. We consider all these changes as direct evidence. But how long can this be direct evidence? At night, when we sleep after eating, all this direct evidence vanishes. In the dream, many kinds of happiness and sorrow surface. But how long do these joys and sorrows remain? Only so long as the dream is there; as soon as we enter the waking state, all that becomes false.

Thus during the day time, the night dream does not exist and during the night sleep, we can never remember the day time experience. Therefore, this is day dream and that is night dream. In the day dream, there is no night dream and in the night dream, there is no day dream. But in both, the night dream and the day dream, you are there. Therefore, you are omnipresent. Both the states are dreams only. Therefore, as both day and night is a dream; life is a dream. Realize it. That is religion. To realize is religion. To recognize the truth, is religion.

05 July 1996

13-19 May 2013

Why and What is the tax we need to pay to God?

Why and What is the tax we need to pay to God-2.28-1996 May 20

God has bestowed all Gifts on mankind

God has no selfishness and self-interest. He does not expect any benefit in return from you. God has graced the world of human beings with all gifts to remove the restlessness and lack of peace that is engulfing it. This cannot be accomplished by any human being.

We may place any number of light bulbs, but can it ever equal the light of the sun? One may use any number of pumps for pumping water, but can any human being provide the water equal to that which we receive during one night of heavy rains? You may place any number of large fans, but who is the one who provides air to the entire world and protects all the beings therein? Therefore, God bestows on all the beings, gifts in varied forms that are beyond the capacity of human beings.

When an electric connection is provided from the grid to our homes (for the purpose of supplying electric current), we are charged tax for it. When water provided by God in the lakes, wells and reservoirs is supplied to us, water tax is collected from us. When we pay tax and express our gratitude for all such trivial things, is it not necessary to express our gratitude to God who has supplied this air, this water and this light to this entire vast universe? Thus, we need to express our gratitude for all the five elements. They are the very form of God!

20 May 1996

06-12 May 2013

What is True Education?

What is True Education-0.49-1990 May 25

Adhyaatma Vidya Vidyaanaam

Chaduvullaniyu Chadivi Chaala Vivekiayi

Magidi Tannerugadu Mandamatudu

Enta Chaduvu Chadivi Ye Neeti Unnanu

Heenuni Gunambu Manaledu

Tarachi Chaduvu Chaduva Tarka Vaadame Kaani

Purna Jnaanambepudu Pondaledu

Chaduvu Chaduvu Chadivi Chaavanganetiki

Chaavileni Chaduvu Chaduvavalayu

After having studied all types of education and becoming a great intellectual, the foolish person does not know who he truly is. Whatever education one may acquire, with any kind of principles, he does not give up his mean qualities. While discriminating all kinds of education, it only leads to argumentation but never gives you complete wisdom. Why keep on studying such education and dying? It is far better to study that education (Atma Vidya) which confers immortality (liberation) on you.

25 May 1990

29 April– 5 May 2013

Why should we sing Bhajans?

Why should we sing Bhajans-4.04-2000 May 20

Why sing Bhajans?

Why do we sing Bhajans? Enquire clearly. It is because we remember the name of God so nicely. The name gets merged into the sound waves in the air. Getting mixed with the sound waves, it destroys all the bad feelings and aspects present in it. It is to transform all the bad into good, that we sing God’s Bhajans.

Students, as is the fire so is the smoke. As is the smoke, so is the (formation of the) cloud. As is the cloud, so is the rain. As is the rain, so is the crop. As is the crop, so is the food. Therefore, we must have a good fire (flame, to start with). If we put all bad material in the flame, the smoke will also be bad. That will get transformed into a bad cloud. When it gets transformed into a bad cloud, the rain we receive will also be bad. When there is bad rain, the crop will also be bad. When the crop is bad, we will get to eat bad food only. When we eat bad food, we will get bad diseases. Therefore, all the defects are in the (preparation of the) food.

The sun transforms (the water) into water vapour. When the sun transforms the sea water into water vapour, though the sea water is salty; the water vapour has a sweet taste. The vapour is then transformed into cloud. The cloud has also got sweet water in it. The cloud then comes down as rain, the good rain of love! This rain of love gets transformed into the water of the Ganges.

Thus, the sun of the intellect should transform the water of our bad feelings into vapour. Only then, the vapour of good qualities will arise in us. When the vapour of good qualities increases in quantity; there will be the rain of love. The rain that falls is the rain of Love. The cloud that forms is the cloud of Truth. The rain of love – the love drops, come from the cloud of truth. These love drops go and merge in the ocean of grace.

Therefore, all our efforts must be sacred. When we think of God continuously, the entire air will become purified. The air is one with the sound waves. It travels all around the world. If somebody is singing in the radio station at Delhi, within a minute it can be heard even here (at Puttaparthi). How does the sound reach us? It reaches us through the sound waves. The bad too gets mixed up in this manner. Therefore, develop good sound, good sound waves. It will bring good air. We inhale this good air and the sound waves (along with it), which goes inside (our body) and transforms all the bad feelings therein.

20 May 2000

22-28 April 2013

What must we truly offer to God?

What must we truly offer to God-1.49-1996 July 01

God needs your heart!

Body is like a water bubble; mind is like a mad monkey; Don’t follow the mind, don’t follow the body, follow the conscience. We must follow the Atmic principle (principle of the Self). That is the “heart”. It is to offer this “heart” to God, that we must prepare ourselves as aspirants of God and not to offer some fruit, flower or leaf. You do not have anything with you that is not with God. Everything is there with God. There may be so many things with God; no one knows. There are so many valuable things with God. But to offer some cheap fruit and flowers that dry and fade away – is this the tax to be offered to God?

The leaf of the (physical) body, the flower of the heart, the fruit of the mind and the water of bliss (tears of bliss), must be offered to the Lord, not tears of sorrow. In this manner, there are so many things that we need to offer to God. But we are not making an effort to recognize such eternal truths. We offer only those things that we can see or are visible to our physical eyes. All that is visible to us is ephemeral.

01 July 1996

15-21 April 2013

What is True Solitude (Ekaantam)?

What is true Solitude-3.21-1996 July 11

True Solitude!!

God is the very embodiment of Truth. Truth is God. We must take the help of this Truth. Truth is our very form (nature). It is not newly bought by us. However, when we sit in solitude (Ekaantam), this Truth will manifest to us. But what is the meaning of this solitude?

Many people think about solitude in a distorted manner and give it wrong interpretations. Many consider solitude as sitting all alone in a room, closing all the doors and windows. This is not Ekaantam (solitude); it is Ekaanki (loneliness). Others think that we can live in solitude, all alone, by going to the forest and sitting below a tree, or in a bush or in some caves. This is not solitude.

Being amidst all, being anywhere, either sitting in the bazaar, or sitting in an assembly; wherever you may sit, keeping your mind concentrated on God is true solitude. You must direct your mind towards God. Your mind must not waver, thinking about your body, your feelings, or your family. The mind should be the link between you and God. Solitude is that which relates (connects) you and God. Nothing should come in between as an obstacle, not even a mosquito. That is real Ekaantam (solitude).

Therefore, people give rise to many different meanings for (the word) solitude. You may do anything, you may travel in a bus, train or plane; you may go anywhere, but your mind must be focused on God. That is called solitude. Not keeping any connection with others, at the time of Dhyaana (concentration) or thinking of God; it must be you and God alone. There must be no scope for anybody (or anything) else (to come in between).

11 July 1996

08-14 April 2013

Why is every limb of God compared to the Lotus?

Why is every limb of God compared to the Lotus-2.00-1996 July 11

Why is every limb of God compared to a Lotus?
Image Source

Tulasidas has also said, “Hasta Kamalam (Lotus Hands), Paada Kamalam (Lotus Feet), Mukha Kamalam (Lotus Face), Netra Kamalam (Lotus Eyes). All limbs of God are like the lotus. Why have they been compared to a lotus?

Where is the lotus born? It is born in mud. Where do they live (grow). They exist (bloom) over the surface of water. The lotus does not allow the mud, from where it is born, to get into it. Nor does it allow the water, where it exists, to get into it. However, without the mud or the water, the lotus cannot live even for a moment.

Similarly, I was born in the mud of My past births – Kruta Yuga, Treta Yuga and Dwapara Yuga. Past is like the mud. Present is like the water. I stand on the surface of the water (present). There is no use of My existence without the past or the present. But with both the past and the present being there, I do not allow them to affect Me. What is the reason? To be right in them but yet not allow them to influence us is the true meaning of the Lotus. Therefore, you live in the present. You live on the water of the world. But do not allow the water of the world to get into you.

Divine Discourse

11 July 1996

01-07 April 2013

What is the True Spirit of Narayan Seva

(Feeding of the Poor)?

What is the true spirit of Narayan Seva-2.37-1975 November 21

What is the true spirit of Narayan Seva?

When you have so much enthusiasm (to serve), I too feel enthusiastic to give you a small piece of advice. You may not have the strength to procure 10 or 20 sares (a measure of grain) of rice at one point of time, so as to get it cooked for feeding the poor; or conditions may not be very favourable for you (financially).

The word you utter is “Daridra Narayana Seva” (service to God in the form of the poor). Who is Narayana? He is the very form of God. You offer every day, in your worship room, some Naivedyam (offering), to God. Instead of doing this, before you cook or your wife cooks at home, every day, take one handful of rice or any other grain and keep it aside as alms for Swami. In a week this will accumulate into a considerable amount. Then, once a week, all Sai devotees can get together and use this for feeding the poor. This is the right approach to Narayan Seva (You must have the feeling that you are putting this grain aside for the sake of Swami). There is nobody poor in this world; Swami is truly the poorest person. Make an effort to offer alms to (the poor in the form of) Swami Himself.

Divine Discourse

21 November 1975

25-31 March 2013

Why should we clap while singing Bhajans?

Why should we clap while singing Bhajans-0.43-1996 July 06

Why should we clap while singing Bhajans?

Symbolically, we are sitting below the tree of love. All bad qualities in the form of birds are perched on this tree. What do you do to drive away birds sitting on a tree? You need to sit under the tree and clap loudly to drive away the birds. In the same way to drive away the birds of bad qualities on the tree of love, we need to clap loudly and sing Bhajans – chanting Rama, Krishna, Govinda and Narayana.

Divine Discourse

06 July 1996

18-24 March 2013

Why do we always chant Shanti (Peace) three times?

Why do we chant Shanti three times-0.44-2000 January 01

Why do chant Shanti three times?

Why do we chant three times – Shanti, Shanti, Shanti?

Shaareerika Shanti (Physical peace), Maanasika Shanti (Mental peace) and Atma Shanti (Peace of the Soul).

That is why, you are not one person but three –

The one you think you are – Physical body;

The one others think you are – Mental body;

The one you really are – Atma.

We need peace for all these three levels. Not just for these three levels, even for three thousand, or three crores or thirty crores; the solution for all is Love alone.

Divine Discourse

01 January 2000

11-16 March 2013

Who is a true Sadhaka?

Who is a true Sadhaka-3.17-1975 November 21

Who is a true Sadhaka?

The true Sadhaka (spiritual seeker) is one who seeks to establish an interdependent relationship (between oneself and God). In Western countries, many people undertake Sadhana (spiritual exercise) that keeps changing from second to second. Truly, a Sadhaka must have an (Chalinchani manasu) unwavering mind and a vision free from delusion (Brahminchani drushti). But today you have one Guru, tomorrow you have another Guru and the day after tomorrow, yet another Guru. A Guru for 3 days, a Guru for 4 days; is the Guru a bushcoat to be changed everyday?

The one who has missed his Guri (goal) is the one who keeps changing the Guru (Master). Truly, the one who has a single goal, will stick on to just that goal, that target, throughout one’s life. How much ever difficulty, loss, pain, criticism or tough challenges they may face, they will never change their goal. Such people are true Sadhakas and ideal devotees.

When one has happiness, joy and profit; one hangs some 10 photos of Swami on the wall. When there is difficulty, when one’s desire is not fulfilled, or when there is loss, even the photos that are hanging are turned (in the) reverse (direction). Is this the characteristic of devotion? It is only the characteristic of bad quality and not of good feelings. It is necessary to recognize this. This is only Guna Jeevitam (life based on our Gunas) and not Manas Jeevitam (life based on a pure mind). If we entertain such feelings, we will never get salvation at any point of time. The one who desires salvation must be ready to bear any type of difficulty.

Divine Discourse

21 November 1975

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