Sri Sathya Sai International Organization

Be assured that God is the embodiment of Love. He has no hatred toward anybody. It is to teach this principle of love that the Navaratri celebrations have been started. Different people worship God and sing His glory in different ways. I have no difference at all! I wish that all should live as embodiments of love and like brothers and sisters. Men are more valuable than all the wealth of the world. All are God’s children.

Regular prayers twice a day will give strength and courage, which can withstand illness. The Grace of God will confer mental peace and so, good sleep and rest for the mind. Feel that you are a hundred per cent dependent on God. He will look after you and save you from harm and injury. When you go to bed, offer thankful homage to Him for guiding and guarding you throughout the day.

The Primal Energy, when it is manifested in its Satvik (quiet) aspect is delineated as the Great Teacher and Inspirer, Maha-Sarasvati. When it is Rajasik (active and potent), the great Provider and Sustainer, Mahalakshmi. When it is Tamasik (dull and inactive), latent and apparently quiet as the Great Dark Destroyer and Deluder, Maha-kali. Since the Primal Energy is all-pervasive, omnipotent, infinitesimal as well as all-comprehensive, it can be contacted everywhere, in outer nature or inner consciousness.

What is it you should do during these ten days of the Navaratri festival? Convert your will power into a yearning for God. Convert purposeful action into a force for doing Divine actions. Convert your power of discernment into the Divine Itself.

Even a small act of charity will assume immense significance in the eyes of God, if it is done with purity of heart. One teaspoon of cow’s milk is better than barrels of donkey’s milk. God is pleased even if you offer a teaspoon of milk with love. God always observes your feelings. God’s valuation is always perfect, none can match Him in this respect.

People should realize that God responds only to deep and genuine devotion. Verbal supplications will not suffice. The devotee must acquire the yearning that will melt the heart of God. Even butter which is so soft melts only when heat is applied. Likewise, the warmth of love of the Lord has to be applied to the butter of the human heart to make it melt.

Mind control, restraining the senses, transcending the worldly dualities, forbearance, unwavering faith, and equanimity are the primary virtues that must exist in a true spiritual aspirant. In addition, there must be an intense longing for liberation (Moksha).

God can do anything. He can go anywhere. He can change anything. Do not give room for doubts. One who doubts divinity will certainly be doomed. Develop unwavering faith and follow the Divine command. True dharma lies in following the Divine command. When you follow God, you will be blessed with all goodness and auspiciousness.

You must carefully think over the consequences of whatever you do, talk, or execute. In whatever way you want others to honor you, or to love you, or to behave with you, in the same way you should first behave with others, and love and honour them. Then only will those honor you.

People regard God as some remote entity attainable only by arduous spiritual practices. God is everywhere. There is no need to search for God. All that you see is a manifestation of the Divine. All the human beings you see are forms of the Divine. Correct your defective vision and you will experience God in all things.

A family is the most important functional unit in the world. If the family is running on sound lines, the world will also run smoothly. If the unity among family members suffers even to a small extent, the world will face the repercussions. Unity gives strength to the lives of the family members. Therefore, every family should strive for achieving unity and harmonious relationship among its members.

The sweetness that attracts people is Love. This love may be manifested in many forms, maternal love, filial love, fraternal affection, marital love, friendly love and so on. Divine Love is the basis of all these forms of attraction. It is a powerful magnet. It is present everywhere including in every human being.

Assign to your mind the task of serving the Lord and it will grow tame. You do not hand over the goldsmith an ornament that is quite nice; you give him for repairs or reshaping, the ornaments you feel have been broken or dented or gone out of fashion. So too, give the Lord your mind that certainly needs repair, if not complete reconstruction.

Whatever you do, do it with the feeling that you are doing it for the pleasure of the Divine. Thereby, you will accomplish all your desires. You will experience bliss. See the Divine in everything.