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Thought for the Day - As written at Prasanthi Nilayam
Thought for the Day Archive
October 2003
01 October 2003
Motherhood is the most precious gift of God. Mothers are the makers of a
nation's fortune or misfortune, for they shape the sinews of its soul.
Those sinews are toughened by two lessons - fear of sin and fondness of
virtue. As the mother, so the progress of the nation. As the mother, so
the sweetness of culture.
02 October 2003
Have faith that Truth will save you in the long run; stick to it
regardless of what might befall. For, if you are true, the sense of guilt
will not gnaw at your insides and cause pain. It is cowardice that makes
you hide the truth; it is hatred that sharpens the edge of falsehood. Be
bold and there is no need to lie. Be full of love, there is no need for
subterfuge. It is easiest to stick to the truth.
03 October 2003
The true secret of enjoyment lies in sacrifice. Sacrifice has also been
declared to be the only means of achieving immortality. Giving up what is
taken in is a law of life. It applies to breathing, food and other things.
Likewise, the wealth which one acquires should also be given back to
society. Wealth includes not only riches, but every other form of
acquisition including knowledge, scholarship, and skills of various kinds.
The knowledge you have acquired through education should be imparted to
others. It is by such sharing that your education gets enriched and
purposeful. If you do not impart the knowledge you possess, it becomes
useless. This means that the more you give, the more you grow.
04 October 2003
In Vedaantha (Vedic philosophy), man is urged to inquire "Who am I?" You
will realize that the body, mind and intellect are only your instruments.
The single letter "I" is the Inner self or Atma while the three letter
'eye' refers to the body. You are the master and should make use of these
instruments. You should be careful to use your mind in the right
direction.
05 October 2003
During the ten days of the Dasara festival, the Rakshasas (demons) in the
form of wicked qualities should be routed. Rakshasas do not mean demonic
beings. The bad qualities in men are the demons. Arrogance is a demon. Bad
thoughts are demons. Ravana is depicted as the king of Rakshasas. He is
said to have ten heads. He was not born with ten heads. Who is this Ravana
and what are his ten heads? Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Moha (delusion),
Lobha (Greed), Mada (pride), Maatsarya (Envy), Manas (the mind), Buddhi
(intellect), Chitta (Will) and Ahamkara (the Ego) - these ten constitute
the ten heads. Ravana is one who has these ten qualities.
06 October 2003
Samskriti, the Sanskrit word for culture and civilization is derived from
the word Samskara, which means the dual purpose of removing the dust and
dirt of vice and planting the virtues of Sathya, Dharma, Shanthi and
Prema. The foundation of Dharma laid down by sages teach people that one
should not enthuse over victory or despair over defeat; both are to be
welcomed as tests of one's faith.
07 October 2003
If the place you must reach is very near you can just step across; if the
distance is more, you may need a vehicle and for longer distances, you may
require a plane. But, the Lord is nearest to you. Slide ajar the door of
delusion and part the curtain of ignorance. Open the closed eyes and you
will find that He is right there before you. The fog of sensual pleasure
is hiding Him from you. Switch on the light; the darkness disappears and
He becomes visible.
08 October 2003
The secret of peace lies in service and love towards all beings. The best
form of service is to promote the growth of sages and seekers who are the
practitioners of the good life. Do not speak disparagingly of the servants
of God; do not obstruct the charity of the generous; do not discourage the
study of the scriptures even if you cannot promote any of them.
09 October 2003
The Vedas teach that man should adore and worship God in gratitude for His
benedictions. The Bible teaches that man should pray for peace and
practice charity. The Koran would have man show mercy to the suffering and
to surrender his will to the Divine. The Buddhist texts teach the lesson
of detachment and sense control. The Zend- Avesta exhorts man to get rid
of evil propensities and shine in his own innate glory.
10 October 2003
The fundamental teaching of the ancient culture of India is love. For
generations youth have been advised, encouraged and taught by precept and
example to love the poor, the helpless, the handicapped and the disabled,
for the same spark of divinity that is in us, is also active in them. Be
lamps of love. There is no need for any sadhana. Love and loving service
of others will provide you the Grace of God.
11 October 2003
Difference in beliefs and cultural practices among men are well known.
Although climatic conditions may be the same in the various regions of the
world, the ways of living and practices of people are diverse. This
diversity is inherent in nature. It is not a defect, but an adornment.
This diversity is not to be seen among beasts and birds. That is because
they do not have the power to think. Man alone has this capacity.
12 October 2003
When strength of body and steadfastness of mind reinforce each other,
one's mien becomes attractive. Youth today have neither physical strength
nor mental steadfastness, so young people appear old very early in life.
When the body is weak, the mind too gets weak. You must strive for
physical well-being and health, for a gem has to be treasured in a safe,
strong box. The gem of Divinity that is your Reality also has to be kept
in a strong box, namely the body.
13 October 2003
Divinity is present in man like fragrance in a flower, fire in wood and
oil in the sesame seed - invisible, but latent. Unaware of this inner
truth, men are carried away by the external appearances and consider them
as reality. It is essential to realize the basic truth that God is present
in the form of human beings. Given this, how will it benefit man if he
inflicts pain on the jiva (a human being) and offers worship to Deva (the
Divine)?
14 October 2003
Once you become aware that the Lord is the omnipotent power and the
mainspring of your life, then there will be no fear anymore. Bhakthas
(devotees of God) of the past were aware that the Lord is the Aadhara
(provider), so they had no fear at all. But, that faith has not taken root
in men today. He has become a victim of faith in worldly things. Hence,
this has become an age of fear and anxiety. Therefore, the first requisite
for man is to develop faith in God.
15 October 2003
It is an uphill task to reform one's tendencies and character. A man may
study all the textbooks on sadhana (spiritual quest) and all the
scriptures, and he may even lecture for hours on them, but he will be led
astray when temptation confronts him. What is the real cure for this? It
is the unshakeable belief that you are the Brahman (Godhead) at all times.
16 October 2003
Creation has to be viewed as a Cosmic Stage. God is the director and
dramatis personae in this play. He assigns all the roles of the characters
in the play. All creatures in the world are manifestations of the Divine.
The good and evil in the world are expressions of the Divine
consciousness. Man should not be misled by these expressions. Behind all
the various actions of the actors, the Divine director is at work. It
should be realised that though names and forms may vary, languages and
nationalities may be different, the human race is one in its divine
essence.
17 October 2003
Thoughts automatically give rise to actions. Actions in turn produce
habits, and habits, then form man's character. It is the character which
decides our destiny - for good or bad. Humility and an attitude of
reverence are essential for man. They are not promoted by the educational
process today; the processes recommended in the Upanishads ensured these
two.
18 October 2003
A life without character is as barren as a temple without a lamp, a coin
that is counterfeit, a kite whose string has snapped. For the ocean, the
waves are the ornament. For the sky, the moon is the ornament. For man's
life, virtue is the ornament. Without good qualities, all other ornaments
are worthless. Fire is no genuine fire if it does not burn, nor can water
be called so if it does not wet. The word 'man' is a misnomer for a person
if he does not evince the qualities of humanity. The crisis of character
which is at the root of all the troubles everywhere, has come about as a
result of the neglect of this aspect of education. Wisdom thrives when man
is afraid of vice and sin and is attached to the Divine.
19 October 2003
If we sow a thought today, we reap an act tomorrow. If we sow an act
today, we reap a habit tomorrow. If we sow a habit today, we reap a
character tomorrow. If we sow a character today, we reap a destiny
tomorrow. You do not lose much if a finger is so damaged that it need to
be cut off. The body can still function and be a fit instrument. Even if
you lose a limb, you can function and benefit with the help of your other
faculties. But if you lose your character, then everything is lost.
20 October 2003
Men cannot comprehend the Formless and the Attributeless Absolute. Avatars
appear in human form to enable humanity to experience the Formless in a
form which is accessible to them and helpful to them. An Avatar assumes
the form that is beneficial to and within the reach of human beings. An
effort must be made to understand the nature of divinity. It is only when
God comes in human form can human beings have the full opportunity to
experience and enjoy the Divine.
21 October 2003
Morality is the corollary of dharma (spiritual duty). Morality does not
merely mean the observance of certain rules in the work-a-day world.
Morality means adherence to the straight and sacred path of sacred
conduct. Morality is the blossoming of good conduct. There are no
universal and absolute norms of morality. Ethical relativity is an
escapable social phenomenon. Morality depends on the time, the place, and
the spirit of the age.
22 October 2003
Be moral, be virtuous. Be sincere in thought, deed and word. Be honest to
yourself. Money comes and goes. But morality comes and grows. So man has
to give up the yearning for money and yearn for more and more morality. Do
not think that only those who worship a picture with pompous paraphernalia
are devotees. Whoever walks straight along the moral path, whoever acts as
he speaks and speaks as he has seen, whoever melts at another's suffering
and exults at another joy... is a devotee, perhaps a greater devotee.
23 October 2003
Moral and spiritual values have to be honoured as much as, if not more
than, economic and material values. Life must be a harmonious blend of
these values with emphasis on moral strength. The honour of a nation
depends on the morality of that nation. A nation without morality will be
doomed. Morality has to be grown in the heart by feeding it with love.
then only can we have justice, security, law and order. If love declines
among the people, nations will weaken and mankind will perish.
24 October 2003
You cannot be fresh and feeling fine, wearing a washed vest under an
unwashed shirt; or, an unwashed vest under a washed shirt. Both have to be
clean, to provide the sense of tingling joy. So too, outer and inner
cleanliness are but the reflection of the inner achievement. There is a
strange glow on the face of the guileless person. Inner cleanliness has
it's own soap and water - the soap of strong faith and the water of
constant practice.
25 October 2003
Deepavali
Dipavali is a festival which is designed to celebrate the suppression of
the Ego by the Higher Self. Man is plunged in the darkness of ignorance
and has lost the power of discrimination between the permanent and the
evanescent. When the darkness of ignorance caused by Ahamkara (the
ego-feeling) is dispelled by the light of Divine knowledge, the effulgence
of the Divine is experienced.
26 October 2003
Anxiety is removed by faith in the Lord; the faith that tells you that
whatever happens is for the best and that the Lord's Will be done. Quiet
acceptance is the best armour against anxiety. Sorrow springs from egoism,
the feeling that you do not deserve to be treated so badly, that you are
left helpless. When ego goes, sorrow disappears.
27 October 2003
Everything is constantly changing in the world. This ever-changing world
is based upon the unchanging Divine. It is only when the Aadhaara (Divine
basis) is understood can one derive bliss from the experience of what is
based on it. In whatever action men do and whatever paths they pursue,
they should be conscious of the Divine.
28 October 2003
The chief source of Ananda is dedication to God; nothing else can give
that genuine and lasting joy. Become conscious of your kinship with the
Lord. That kinship is not a mere fancy or a faked theory. It has come down
since ages, from the beginning of time itself. It will persist till the
very end of time.
29 October 2003
Good conduct, good qualities, good character alone constitutes our real
treasure. But man today has given up these three and is busy seeking
worldly goods and is imagining that he is leading a pious life. God cannot
be attained through such delusions. Man today is trying to master every
kind of knowledge, but is unable to discover his own true nature.
30 October 2003
Prema (Pure love) can emanate only from a pure heart. It is like a
mariner's compass. Wherever the compass may be placed, the needle will
point only to the north. Likewise, man's love, in all circumstances,
should be directed towards God. That alone is true love. It should be
unaffected by pleasure or pain. It makes no difference between "mine" and
"thine." Love has to be acquired only through love and not by any other
means whatsoever.
31 October 2003
Everyone must learn the secret of happiness which consists in refusing to
shed tears for anything less than God. You have won this chance, this
unique good fortune of being able to get darshan of Sai. Plunging deep in
to the waters of this tumultuous ocean of samsara (worldly existence), you
have heroically emerged from depths with this rare pearl in your hands -
the grace of Sai. Do not allow it to slip from your clasp and fall in to
the depths again. Hold on firmly to it. Pray that you may have it forever
and be filled with the joy it confers.
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