Features | Sri Satya Sai Speaks

(Morning session)
EXPERIENCE THE ALL-PERVADING DIVINE CONSCIOUSNESS 

The Lord of Kailasa has manifested his Divine form with the crescent moon adorning his head, the cool water of the Ganga flowing between the matted locks, with his radiant eye in the middle of the forehead and the purple neck gleaming like the sheen of a blackberry. He wears serpent bracelets and a snake belt, his entire body is smeared with vibhuti, his forehead is adorned with a kumkum dot, his ruddy lips glow with the juice of the betel, diamonds-studded gold earrings dangle from his ears and his whole swarthy body glows with divine effulgence.

                                                                          (Telugu Poem)

No one seems to have made an effort to recognise the meaning and significance of Shivarathri. In fact, the very word Shivarathri reveals its meaning. 'Shiva' means auspicious and 'rathri' means night. Thus, Shivarathri means auspicious night. Then the question arises, 'who is Shiva?' The divine consciousness pervading all the living beings is none other than Shiva. This Shivattva (divine consciousness) permeates human beings, but the birds, beasts and animals as well. In fact, every moment in our life can be taken to be Shivarathri. We need not wait for Shivarathri on a particular day in a year.

The Shiva-consciousness is all pervading. How can we limit it to a particular time and place? Sarvatah Paipadam Tat Sarvathokshi Siromukham, Sarvatah Sruthimalloke Sarvamavruthya Tishthati (with hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth and ears pervading everything, He permeates the entire universe).

If we carefully analyse this aspect once, it will be obvious that all that we witness around is Shiva consciousness; nothing else. Shiva does not mean a particular form with matter hair and tiger skin. Wherever we look and whichever form we come across-whether a child or an elderly person, whether an woman or a man, in every form the Shiva consciousness is resplendent. How you describe that all-pervading Shiva-consciousness or limit it to a particular time and place? People display a particular dance form to portray the Shiva-tandava (the Cosmic dance of Lord Shiva and Parvati). But, this is only symbolic and does not portray the real Shiva-tandava. How can one describe the transcendental Shiva consciousness, which words cannot describe or the mind cannot comprehend? Lord Shiva is described by some as Mukkanti (the Lord with thee eyes). All of us have only two eyes. But, the Lord has a third eye as well. We are aware of only the past and the present. We cannot visualise the future. Only God can.

Lord Shiva, who can visualise the future with His third eye, that is, Jnana-netra, is therefore referred to as Mukkanti. God is described by different people in several ways. He is described to be donning several forms. Nevertheless, all those descriptions fail to describe Him in full. Each one describes God and ascribes Him a particular name and form, depending on his imagination. The nameless, formless God is omnipresent and all pervading. He is Avanmanasagochara (neither words can describe nor the mind can comprehend Him) and aprameya (immeasurable). Who can describe such Divinity?

There is only one sign for Divinity, that is, Consciousness. In whichever form this Divine Consciousness permeates, it will assume that form - it may be the form of a dog, a crow, a crane or a human being. Eswarattva, therefore, can be described as Divine Consciousness. This Divine Consciousness is permeating all the human beings, nay, even the insects, birds and beasts and animals. One of the names given to this Divine Consciousness is Shivattva. It is not therefore correct to describe Shivattva by such appellations like Mukkanti, Trinethra, etc. Shivattva means the all-pervading Divine Consciousness.

In fact, all the devotees sitting in this hall are embodiments of Lord Shiva. Sarvam Shivamayam (all that you witness in this objective world is a manifestation of Shiva). It is pervading all the three worlds, the earth, the space and the nether world. It exists in all the three periods of time, the past, present and future. It is indescribable. Any length of time is insufficient to describe the Shivattva. Several people are worshipping such an omnipresent and all-pervading Divine Consciousness by describing it through different names and forms. Just as the all-embracing divine love does not make a distinction between living beings, so also the Divine Consciousness does not differentiate. It is only we who make distinction between people as my father, my mother, my brother, my sister, etc, based on our earthly relationships with them. In fact, every living being is an Embodiment of Divinity. God assumes all names and forms. You are God.

Once Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva enquired of Him, 'How can people recognise the Divine-consciousness which is said to be all pervasive? Eswara replied that the same consciousness that is immanent in Him is permeating all the living beings. He also explained that it was permeating every cell even of her body. One cannot explain; one has only to experience it. Once Parvati could not find her own son Vinayaka though he was very much near Lord Eswara. She was searching for Vinayaka everywhere, except in the divine proximity of Lord Eswara. How strange! Similarly, man today is searching for God everywhere, not knowing that he himself is an Embodiment of Divine Atma.

Lord Eswara never tended His hair. He left them in their natural position as matted locks. His matted locks, His third eye, His ash-smeared body - all were left in their natural position and colour. But, they appeared differently to different people. Who can describe the colour and effulgence of Lord Shiva's body? Once, there arose a controversy between Lakshmi and Parvati about the physical appearance of Lord Eswara and Lord Vishnu. Lakshmi, in the course of arguments enquired, 'Parvati! How did you court this strange person who does not keep His body neat and who smears the ash from the cremation ground all over his body?' Parvati was offended. She retorted, 'Amma! Your husband Vishnu reclines on the serpent, Sesha. He is blue in colour. Why don't you mend His ways and try to change the colour of His body?' When they were arguing thus, Saraswati entered the scene. She tried to counsel them saying, 'There may be some differences in their physical appearance. So far as I am concerned, I do not find any difference between them. The same divine consciousness permeates both these forms. I am able to realise it. Since you are not able to realise it, you are entering into argumentation. Hence, forget all the outward differences.'

This type of transcendental nature is immanent only in Saraswati. All such differences in physical appearance are only in the minds of human beings, but God is attribute-less. It is the devotees who ascribe different names and forms and attributes to God. Based on their imagination, they picturize God in different forms like the great artist Ravi Varma. As you think, so shall be the form of God. People describe the form of God as Rudra and Santhiswarupa. But, God is always Santhiswarupa (Embodiment of Peace) only. He is always pleasant and smiling. To imagine such an Embodiment of Peace in a different form is only the making of the devotee. If at all there are any such illusions, one has to get rid of them.

One has to realise Divinity by cultivating love for God. It is only love that can bind God. Through such divine love, the oneness of God has to be realised. If the attribute-less God has to be described, the description would be Ekam, Nityam, Vimalam, Achalam, Sarvadhee Sakshibhutam Bhavateetam Trigunarahitam (One without a second, eternal, pure, unchanging, witness to all functions of the intellect, beyond one's imagination, beyond the three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Thamas). We are attributing differences to such an attribute-less God and feel very happy. This is not correct. The oneness of God has to be realised.

There shall be no confusion in this regard, though poets and artists like Ravi Varma portrayed God in different forms, giving expression to their imaginative skills. Whatever be the different forms of portrayal by poets and artists, God is only one. For example, Lord Vinayaka appears as only one, wherever you see. He has no attributes, whatsoever. One who has no Gunas (attributes) is Ganapati. He has no leader above Him. That is why He is called Vinayaka. If you thus analyse, each name ascribed to God would reveal one meaning. Since He has no leader above Him, even Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara worship Him.

People today are promoting differences among human beings by attributing different names and forms to the nameless, formless and attribute-less God. This is a serious mistake. Devotees are dividing Divinity. The oneness of God is not realised, with the result, futile arguments and counter arguments ensue. Whether it is Rama, Krishna, Eswara or Vishnu, all these are only different names ascribed by devotees to God. But, God is only one. These names are ascribed to God only for our own satisfaction. Divinity, however, has no difference at all! The best sadhana would be to realise unity in Divinity and worship God as such. You may, however, worship God in the form you like. There can be no objection to it. But, the underlying unity between the different names and forms should never be forgotten. It is a misconception to think that Lord Rama may be angry if you worship Lord Krishna and vice versa. The devotees may feel such differences, but they are not in Lord Rama and Lord Krishna.

God does not entertain such negative feelings. It is only the human beings who have differences and negative feelings. In fact, there is no possibility at all for negative feelings to enter divinity. He is all-positive only.

Do not ascribe any difference or negative feelings to God. You may worship God with whatever name and form you like. If by any chance you find any difference in divinity, it is the mistake of your negative feelings, not that of God. Hence, worship God with single-minded devotion.

(Evening session)
YOU ARE ALL AMRUTAPUTRAS - SONS OF IMMORTALITY 

In this supremely holy land of Bharat
Tolerance is the towering quality of our character;
Of all the religious vows, the foremost is
Adherence to Truth, which is difficult to practise;
The sweetest and most respectable feeling in this land of Bharat
is the feeling towards mother;
Consigning to flames the moral fabric of our country
which ordains self-respect as greater than one's own life,
The dagger of unrestrained freedom has been given to people
Imitating the Western way of life;
Alas! What can I say about the rulers of this land of Bharat?
Just as an elephant cannot realise its own strength
So are the Bharatiyas today.

                                                                          (Telugu Poem)

No one has been able to realise the uniqueness, greatness and sanctity of this holy land of Bharat so far. The culture of Bharat is nobler and holier than all other cultures in the world. This unique culture is pervading from the microcosm to the macrocosm equally. Unfortunately, nowadays, the Bharatiyas have forgotten this great culture and are practising the alien culture. The great human values of Sathya (Truth) and Dharma (Righteousness) have declined in this holy land of Bharat. However, fortunately, none has been able to root out these great human values so far. There is nothing more sacred than Truth and Righteousness. They are like the two eyes to a human being.

Unfortunately, today, people are losing the vision in these two eyes and thereby becoming blind. Though the students of the present times are pursuing higher education and acquiring degrees, they are losing sight of these great human values. Instead of fostering such a sacred and noble culture and leading their lives in accordance with the principles laid down in this great culture, people are wasting their time in vain pursuits. It is only the practice of these great human values of Satya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Santhi (Peace) and Prema (Love) that had made the country of Bharat the great spiritual leader of the entire world. It is only when we foster these great human values, we are entitled to be called Bharatiyas in the real sense. Losing sight of even one of these values will not entitle us to the great name of Bharatiyas. The real thyaga (sacrifice) is leading a life of constant practice of these human values in our day-to-day lives. Our life must be a continuous journey from Sathya to Prema in the order of Sathya, Dharma, Santhi Prema. These values must enter the core of our heart and flow in every cell of our body.

The whole creation is from Truth, In Truth all creation merges. Is there a place in this universe where the grandeur of Truth is not felt? The entire universe is a manifestation of pure consciousness; Know this reality.

                                                                          (Telugu Poem)

From the time a human being is born from his mother's womb, it is Truth and Righteousness that are sustaining and fostering him. The women of Bharat have undergone many ordeals in sustaining these great values amidst their household duties and domestic chores. Yet, they have continuously taught these values to their children. Swami knows too well how much suffering the parents of these children undergo in bringing them up. What the students of the present times are expected to acquire is not education and high degrees, but the essence of Truth and Righteousness.

One has to understand the real meaning of Sathya and Dharma. The word 'Sathya' consists of three letters 'Sa', 'Tha' and 'Ya'. The letter 'Sa' signifies the Sattvic quality, 'Tha', the quality of Thyaga (sacrifice) and 'Ya' the qualities of Yama and Niyama (inner and out sense control). Hence, the word 'Sathya' means fostering the Sattvic quality with a spirit of sacrifice and by observing sense control.

Unfortunately, today, we are losing sight of such great human values, which formed the core of Bharatiya culture. Man today does not know what Sathya and Dharma are. Dharma is taken to be duty. This interpretation is not correct. This is only an English translation, rather inadequately expressed! The real interpretation of Dharma is Dharayati iti Dharma (that which sustains is Dharma). It sustains the human life. Sathya (Truth) emerges from the Hridaya-nabhi (Heart region) of a human being. Thus, when a man led a life of Sathya and Dharma, he will become sacred. The Pandavas and Droupadi led such a noble life by following Sathya and Dharma. All your present difficulties and humiliations are due to non-adherence to Dharma.

One should obey the divine command with total faith and without any disputation for or against. Markandeya was born out of a boon granted by Eswara asked his parents whether they wanted a virtuous son with a short life-span or a son not so virtuous but who would live long. The parents opted for a virtuous son. Accordingly, Markandeya was born. He was one of good thought, good behaviour and good conduct. Eswara informed his parents that he would live only for sixteen years. Nevertheless, the parents were joyous as they had been blessed with a virtuous son. Years rolled by and Markandeya entered his sixteenth year. Remembering the words of Eswara, his parents became grief-stricken. His mother would often shed tears thinking of the impending death of her son. Markandeya could not understand the cause of her grief and wondered why she was shedding tears.

One day, he found his parents steeped in sorrow. On enquiry, they revealed that his death was very near as willed by the divine and that was the cause of their sorrow. Markandeya felt sorry that Eswara's will was not revealed to him till then because of which he had wasted the precious time allotted to him. He did not want to waste any more time. He had an early bath, went to the temple of Eswara and started chanting the sacred Shiva Panchakshari-mantra, Namah Shivaya, with all sincerity and devotion. He lost himself in the contemplation of Eswara. He did not expect any reward for his prayers. He considered it as his primary duty to contemplate on God.

The following day was supposed to be the last day of his earthly sojourn. Hence he remained in the temple. As he had not returned home, His parents went to the temple and sat at the entrance. They were shedding tears thinking of the impending end of Markandeya's life. As ordained by the Lord, Markandeya left his mortal coil the moment he completed his sixteenth year. His parents were in deep sorrow. As Markandeya left his mortal body in the external world, his jiva (soul) reached Lord Shiva in the divine world. The Lord was immensely pleased with the sincere devotion of Markandeya. He said, 'Markandeya! Today marks the completion of your sixteenth year. You have come to me in a happy frame of mind. You have bowed down to My Will with implicit faith and obedience. I am pleased with your devotion.' As eswara was speaking to Markandeya in this manner, Mother parvati intervened and said, 'oh Lord! Why don't You send him back to his parents as he has obeyed Your command implicitly.'

Eswara wanted Parvati also to accompany Him. Together they restored life into the body of Markandeya. The parents' joy knew no bounds when they noticed some movement in Markandeya's body. He got up and said, 'my dear mother and father, Lord Eswara and Mother Parvati have brought me back to life'.

It is only God, who can save the life of a human being. Some doctors claim that they can give good medicines or perform surgery to save the life of a person. They make several promises thus, but they fail. Except God, none else can save or prolong the life of a person. He only can interfere in the law of karma. With God's grace, one can achieve anything in this world. Dear students! You must strive to earn the grace of God right from your childhood. When you pray for His grace and strive for the same, God will protect you.

Today is the holy day of Shivarathri. Shiva means auspiciousness. Where there is Shiva (auspiciousness) there cannot be sava (inauspiciousness). This holy day of Shivarathri must be spent in the constant contemplation of God chanting the holy name of Shiva right from early in the morning till you go to bed. The Lord's name must dance on your tongue. Divinity is eternal. It cannot be achieved so easily. Nobody has been able to explain Divinity so far, though some vague definitions like eternal, changeless, etc, have been given. The proper definition of Divinity would be Ekam, Nityam, Vimalam, Achalam, Sarvadhee Sakshibhutam Bhavateetam Trigunarahitam (One without a second, eternal, pure, unchanging, witness to all functions of the intellect, beyond one's imagination, beyond the three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas & Thamas).

One of the names attributed to Lord Shiva is Mrityunjaya, which means one who has transcended death. This is from the worldly point of view. But if one wants to understand the true and eternal nature of Divinity, one has to understand the relationship between Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. Once there was a slight difference of opinion between them about giving an appropriate name to their child. Parvati wanted to name the child by a particular name from among the several names Lord Shiva has. Lord Shiva however, chose to name the child as 'Amrutaputra' (son of immortality). In fact, every human being is an amrutaputra. Even the Upanisads declare him so. The Upanisads reveal the true identity of a human being by addressing as Srunvantu Viswe Amrutasya Putrah (Oh the children of immortality! Listen).

You are also Amrutaputras, not Anrutaputras (not falsehood). One who is an Amrutaputra is not affected by change and death. You verily are the embodiments of the changeless, eternal principle. Once Mother Parvati was putting child Ganapati to sleep by rocking the cradle and singing a lullaby, 'oh Amrutaputra! Sleep my dear! Sleep. If you are awake, the whole world will be awake.' Lakshmideve, the consort of Lord Vishnu came there and witnessed the scene. She felt that it was rather a strange lullaby. She enquired about the name of the child and Parvati told her that His name was Amrutaputra. Lakshmideve further enquired from where did she get that name. Parvati replied that it was Lord Shiva who gave that name to the child. One who had descended from Eswarattva is Eswara Himself.

You are not reading the sacred texts of yore. Unless you read those texts also, you will not be able to understand what is being related to you. Dear students! You are all Amrutaputras. People would naturally expect that you should live up to that great appellation. In fact, the names given to children by elders in our country have a lot of significance and meaning. They are not given just casually or for fun. In order to understand the underlying meaning and sanctity of these names, we must read the sacred texts like Puranas. Unable to realise the eternal reality of the values of Sathya and Dharma, we are taking to wrong ways. We are simply repeating the words Sathya, Dharma, Santhi and Prema like a parrot. But, we are not making any effort to understand the true import and significance of these great human values. All of you are Amruputras, not Anrutaputras.

Try to understand the true nature and significance of the names. It is a fact that nobody has ever seen Lord Eswara in person. People call Him 'Kailasavasi' (the Lord who resides in Kailasa). Where is Kailasa? It is only when you contemplate on Him in the depth of silence that you can visualise Lord Shiva in Kailasa. Therefore, one has to practise 'mouna' (silence). And that silence implies total stillness of thought and word.

You are all Amrutaputras. Hence, constantly remain under that awareness. Proclaim yourself to be Amrutaputras. Whatever name has been already given to you, prefix that name with 'Amrutaputra'. If you consider yourself as Anrutaputra, it is a great mistake and a misnomer. Hence, realise your true nature and call yourself Amrutaputra.

(Bhagavan concluded His Discourse with the bhajan, 'Prema mudita manase kaho Rama Rama Ram…..')