Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 1st, 2006
Character is the true ornament of man. The loss of this ornament is the source of all his suffering and misery. Man does not realize the purpose for which he has been created by God. God’s creation is pregnant with profound truths, mysteries and ideals. But man has forgotten these ideals. He is unable to appreciate the significance of his legacy. Of all the powers in the world, human power is the greatest. Man assigns value to everything in this world, but he is unable to recognize his own value.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 2nd, 2006
The true dwelling place of God is the heart of man. You don’t need to go in search of God. Not being able to recognize your innate divinity is Ajnana (ignorance). You have to enquire into the reason for this ignorance. This is mainly because you follow the Pravritthi Marga (outward path) all your life under the influence of the sense organs, which are drawn towards external objects. You are not making any effort to follow the Nivritthi Marga (inward path). Thus, you are fully engrossed in the outward activities and are completely neglecting the inward path. You see everything from a worldly point of view and do not recognize the divinity that pervades it. You have to make an effort to change your vision from outward to inward to perceive this divinity.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 3rd, 2006
Neethi means morality or right conduct. It is the path that leads one to the Divine. Good character, purity of thought, performance of meritorious deeds and selfless sacrifice are all subsumed in the term 'Neethi'. The ancients regarded Neethi as fundamental, without which the society will be maimed. Morality is not something that you must force upon yourself; it is your natural quality. Therefore, first and foremost, cultivate morality. Only then will divinity blossom in you. The entire world will prosper when man adheres to morality. Wherever you are, whatever you do, consider morality as the basis of your life. Morality alone grants true and lasting reputation. You can earn divine grace and happiness only when you cultivate morality.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 4th, 2006
Words can confer strength; they can drain it off; words can gain friends; they can turn them into enemies; words can elevate or denigrate the individual. One must learn the habit of making one's words sweet, soft and pleasant. A person is judged by his words. Before pointing out the faults of others, examine yourselves and assure yourselves that you are free from faults. But the wonder is that you discover faults in others only when you have faults in you. Once you rid yourself of faults, all become pure and good. That is the magic of Divine love.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 5th, 2006
Sleep is the main cause of dreams. If there is no sleep at all, there is no dream possible. For the dream of Ajnana (ignorance), Avidya (lack of true knowledge) is the cause. Therefore, do not fall into the sleep of Avidya. Give up this attachment of Samsara (world) and wake up from the sleep of delusion. This delusion gives you the mistaken impression of the physical reality. Moha (attachment) makes you forget your true form. You are not this physical body. Do not mistake physical things for spiritual realities. Just as the dream state disappears when you wake up from sleep, the delusion caused by Moha disappears when you awaken into the state of Jnana (wisdom).
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 6th, 2006
God is the basis of everything. He is omnipotent, omniscient and pervades all creation. Who can say that only this is Brahman (God) and that is not. The only eternal, existent entity is Brahman. The rest is all evanescent. Just as without cotton, there can be no cloth, similarly, there can be no world without God. Do not mistake this Deha (physical body) as real. It is the Dehi (indwelling Divinity) that is the true reality. This Divinity is beyond birth and death, the one without any beginning or end, and is the eternal witness. Recognise this truth.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 7th, 2006
Bhagavath Gita mentions 'Udhaseenah' (being unruffled by anything) as one of the qualities of the devotee who is dear to the Lord. This means that one should be totally free from selfishness. One must consider the performance of one's duties as the sole purpose of one's existence. One should perform one's duties indifferent to fame or blame, not seeking power or position. One must act according to the dictates of one's conscience, without any other concern. All actions must be performed in a spirit of selfless service. This is the true import of being 'Udhaseenah'.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 8th, 2006
Purify your emotions; make your mind strong to resist the force of ignorance and the wiles of the senses - then you are assured of peace and joy. You maintain health by physical exercise; similarly mental health must be maintained by means of certain spiritual exercises or sadhana. For example, by means of pure food, the mind can be rendered pure and sharp; it can then cut through obstacles and temptations and rend asunder the veil of misconception. You must also try to be constantly in a good environment and in good company.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 9th, 2006
Egoism is a thorny bush, which when planted and fostered in one's heart, makes one pay the penalty. Egoism makes enemies of even dearest friends; it ruins many good causes and projects, for it does not allow two competent men to work together. Grief follows it like a shadow. Joy, peace, courage, co-operation and love flourish in the absence of the ego. When man is aware that the same Divine consciousness that motivates him is equally motivating all others, then love ousts the ego to the background and takes charge of man's actions, words and thoughts.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 10th, 2006
It is not easy to understand the nature of the Divine. Worldly intelligence cannot fathom the ways of God. You may benefit from God, but you cannot explain Him. God is beyond the reach of the human mind; by standing on a rock, you cannot lift it. Similarly, living in Maya (illusion), you cannot comprehend its nature. But, once man realises the unity that underlies the universe, the problems arising out of the apparent diversity disappear.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 11th, 2006
The remembrance of God and repetition of His Name is the only means of liberation that is easily accessible to all. People tend to treat the Name of the Lord casually, not realizing its potency. The power of the entire cosmos is contained in it. You must understand the significance of the Name properly and use it in the right way. Bhajan is an effective activity by which Kama (desire) and Krodha (anger) can be kept away.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 12th, 2006
Why do you repeat the word “Shanti” (peace) thrice? You pray that you may have peace at all the three levels - physical, mental and spiritual. You are not one, but three: the one you think you are - physical body, the one others think you are - mind and the one you really are - Atma. All the three aspects of your being must be in a state of peace. This can be achieved only through love. The evil traits of hatred, jealousy and pride should be cast aside. These are not human qualities, but animal traits. You are a human being. Love is the chief quality of man, truth is his basis and righteousness is his very life. When you cultivate these three, you will definitely attain peace.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 13th, 2006
God's grace is the greatest wealth. To consider the amassing of money, gold or other material objects as the ultimate goal is not right. The goal of life instead, should be the acquisition of the divine wealth of God's grace. Try to win His grace by reforming your habits, reducing your desires and refining your nature. One step makes the next one easier; that is the unique quality of the spiritual path. With each step, your strength and confidence increases and you feel the Lord's grace all the more.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 14th, 2006
Follow the call of the Divine arising from the hearts of all living beings. Serve them in an attitude of worship, not expecting anything in return. Do not accept even gratitude, having dedicated all your acts to the indwelling God. This will purify you so that you will be able to listen to the 'Soham' (I am He) that your breath repeats every moment. 'Soham' transmutes itself into 'Om' when the distinction between He and I has dissolved in the union with the Absolute.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 15th, 2006
You can adore God according to your own fancy and pleasure. He remains unchanged even when the names and forms by which you adore Him keep changing. The effectiveness does not lie in which name or form you worship, but with how much yearning and depth of feeling you adore Him in your heart. God will assume that very form which you pray to and fulfil your yearning; that is the indication of His grace and the boundless love He has for you.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 16th, 2006
It is the nature of a magnet to attract iron. But, if the iron is covered with the rust, it will be unable to get attracted by that magnetic power. Greed for sensual pleasure is one of the causes for this harmful rust to accumulate. Hence, care has to be taken to ensure that the rust never forms. Then, the iron piece, by contact with the magnet takes on the magnetic quality and attains the object of its quest. The dust of sensual greed can be kept at bay by keeping good company, and putting into practice the axioms of good conduct that one can imbibe from such sacred company.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 17th, 2006
The sages of India sought to know that knowledge which when gained, everything else becomes known. The expression of that discovery in practical life is Love; for, it is Love that creates, sustains and envelops all. Without Love, no one can claim to have succeeded in comprehending God and His handiwork, the Universe. God is Love, live in Love - that is the teaching of the sages. The heart has to be prepared by means of Namasmarana (constant repeating of the Name). This constitutes a Yoga in itself, 'Chittha shuddhi yoga', the path of Consciousness-cleansing." Charge every second of your time with the powerful Divine current that radiates from the Name.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 18th, 2006
Life is a long pilgrimage along the rough and torturous road of this world. But, with the Name of God on his lips, the pilgrim will know no thirst; with the Form of God in his heart, he will feel no exhaustion. The company of the holy will inspire him to travel in hope and faith. The assurance that God is ever near will lend strength to his limbs. Remember that with every step, you are nearing God; and God too, takes ten steps towards you when you take one step towards Him. This journey does not have any halts; it is one continuous journey, through tears and smiles, through birth and death. When the road ends, and the Goal is attained, the pilgrim finds that he has travelled only from himself to himself, that the God he sought was all the while in him, around him, with him, and beside him! He himself was always Divine.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 19th, 2006
Motherhood is the most precious gift of God. Mothers are the makers of a nation's fortune, for they shape the sinews of its soul. These sinews are toughened by two lessons - fear of sin and fondness of virtue. As the mother, so the sweetness of culture. As the mother, so the progress of the nation. If mothers take care of their families, they will be protecting the nation. Mothers should foster in their children, love for truth, righteousness and narrate inspirational stories of great men and women.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 20th, 2006
Man's mind is too full of the world and desires demand too much of his time and energy. Engrossed in the analysis of the material world, he has lost all sense of sweetness and sublimity and truth has become just another word in the dictionary. Humility, patience and reverence have become irrelevant .The only ray of hope in this enveloping gloom of fear, hatred and persecution, is the Peace that one can win through self-control and sadhana (spiritual endeavour). That Peace will pervade and purify the inner consciousness as well as the outer atmosphere.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 21st, 2006
See God in every one you meet; see God in everything you perceive. His Mystery is immanent in all that is material and non-material. The Universe is permeated by the Divine, it is an expression of His Mystery! Dip into the springs of joy within you and progress; do not stand still or recede. Every minute must mark a step forward. Rejoice that it is given to you to recognise God in all and welcome all chances to sing His Glory, to hear His miraculous stories, to share His presence with others.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 22nd, 2006
Understand the truth that among the myriad forms of life, human life is the most sacred. Man should make an effort to understand his innate divine power and lead his life in a way so as to uphold Dharma (righteousness). Birds and beasts act according to their innate nature, but man is forgetting his responsibility of fostering righteousness. Many are under the mistaken notion that education is meant for Udyoga (employment). Udyoga without Yoga (communion with the Divine) is futile. Contemplation on God is true Yoga and Udyoga. That is the primary duty of man. Man’s life will shine forth brilliantly only when his mind is filled with divine love. The one who has total faith in God and love for God will lead a life of joy and bliss.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 23rd, 2006
(Sai Baba’s birthday)
I do not accept from you flowers that fade, fruits that rot, or wealth that is transient. Offer to Me the lotus that blooms in your Manasa sarovara - the clear pellucid waters of the lake of your inner consciousness; give Me the fruits of purity and steady discipline. I am beyond all these worldly rituals which require you to approach God with some fruit or flower in your hand. Mine is the realm of the spirit. If you are always immersed in happiness, with faith in God and fear of sin, that is enough for Me and that is what pleases me most.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 24th, 2006
Ponder over all the things for which you have cried so far. You will find that you have craved only for paltry things, for momentary distinctions, for fleeting fame. Instead, you should cry only for God, for your own cleansing and consummation. You should weep, for the six cobras that have sheltered themselves in your mind, poisoning it with their venom: Lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride and malice. Quieten them as the snake charmer does with his swaying flute. The music that can tame them is the Name of God. Thereafter, they become playthings; you can handle them as you please. When these are laid low, you will gain equanimity and you will remain unaffected by honour or dishonour, profit or loss, joy or grief.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 25th, 2006
To attain the attitude of surrender, of dedication, you must have Faith in God. This world is His play; it is not an empty dream; it has its own purpose and use. It is the means by which one can discover God; see Him in the beauty, the grandeur, the order, the majesty of Nature. These are but shadows of His Glory and His Splendour. Upasana (adoration of God), leads to the knowledge that He is all; when you experience that there is no Second, that is Jnana (Spiritual Wisdom)!
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 26th, 2006
The mansion called life must be built on strong foundations, the pursuit of artha (wealth) and kama (fulfilment of desires) must be regulated by the yardstick of Dharma. Dharma fosters those who foster it. The strongest foundation is ever-present Faith in the Almighty. Some may ask, "If He is Almighty, why then is he not patent?" Well, He reveals Himself only to the person who has the yearning, not the one who puts questions out of impudence or ignorance. He will be patent only in the pure heart that is not clouded by egoism or attachment to worldly objects.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 27th, 2006
Love God and you see God in every creature. Another way is to start with those around you, and then widen the circle of love till it envelops all creation. Let the mind dwell ever on God; let it see everything as Divine. That is what is described as one-pointedness. When the mind is so fixed, it will give up its tendency to search for faults and foibles in others; it will not run after the foul and the frivolous and it will not accumulate the trivial and the transient. The body is like the container of the torch, the senses, the bulb and the mind is the battery. But if you use your intellect as the switch, then, the mind will not be turned towards the undesirable. It will be used only to help the individual's progress towards his/her Divine destiny.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 28th, 2006
Man's duty is to sanctify his days and nights with the unbroken smarana (recollection) of the Name. Recollect with joy and with true yearning. If you do so, God is bound to appear before you in the Form and with the Name you have adored Him. God is all Names and all forms, the blending of all these in harmonious beauty! The Gods worshipped in different faiths, adored by different human communities, are all various manifestations of the one Divine principle that really is. Just as the body is the harmonious blending of the senses and the limbs, God is the harmony of all the forms and names that mankind worships.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 29th, 2006
How can a person who himself cannot swim teach others the art? How can one whose granary is empty pour out food in charity to others? Acquire the wealth of devotion, fortitude and peace before venturing to advise others on how to acquire them. You may be very enthusiastic to spread the message of the Lord, but the one and the only sure way of doing it is by translating the teachings in to action in your lives. Your thoughts, words and deeds must be saturated with the love and message of the Lord. Then the message of the Lord will spread effectively throughout the world and transform everybody.
-SAI BABA




Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam – Nov. 30th, 2006
The reflection of the sun shining in the sky can be seen in the oceans, rivers, lakes and wells. Though the reflections are many, there is only one sun. The Divine is present in man like the unseen thread which holds a garland of gems together. The entire cosmos is permeated by the Divine and is the visible manifestation of the Divine. Nothing in the world, no object, no human being, no creature can be found wherein God is not present. There is only one God and he is 'Sath-Chith-Ananda' (Being-Awareness-Bliss).
-SAI BABA