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Do Constant Namasmarana for
Mental Peace Text of the Divine Discourse
delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 23rd August 2004 at
Sai Kulwanth Hall
Oh man! You struggle hard in life merely for the sake of
filling your belly. You acquire myriad types of knowledge from
various fields. Examine and enquire for yourself what great
happiness you have achieved by spending all the time from dawn
to dusk in acquiring worldly knowledge and earning wealth, while
forgetting God.
(Telugu Poem)
Embodiments of Love!
Whether a pauper or a millionaire, one has to eat. But,
having attained the sacred human birth, it is unseemly of man to
spend his entire life merely for the sake of filling his belly.
Why don't you spend a few minutes in the contemplation of God,
instead of spending your entire life just to earn a living?
There are of course a few people in this land of Bharat, who are
sanctifying their time and their environment in the
contemplation of God, but the vast majority are wasting their
births in vain pursuits.
Embodiments of Love!
It is not only in Srikakulam District, but in many other
places all over India, there are people who are struggling and
straining to eke out their livelihood. In spite of all the
effort, they are unable to attain peace, happiness and comfort.
Only those who are spending their time in the contemplation of
God are able to experience peace and happiness. Those who forget
God and spend all their time and energy in mundane pursuits are
bound to suffer. Till this day, nobody has been able to enjoy
mental peace and physical comfort in full measure. The body is
like a water bubble. It is nothing but a bag full of bones. Mind
is like a mad monkey. It is a mistake to strive for the
happiness of such a physical body and wavering mind. So long as
one is alive, one should make efforts to keep the body healthy,
so that one may not cause inconvenience to others. There are
many who spend their entire life for the sake of physical
comforts and pleasures. It is only a few who are not concerned
with their mind and body, but are centred on eternal peace and
happiness. Human birth is meant to experience divinity and not
to crave for fleeting pleasures. Human body is a divine gift,
which is being put to improper use, instead of its proper
purpose of adoring God. Do not be under the mistaken notion that
body is meant for eating and enjoying physical pleasures only.
Certain duties have been assigned to man by performing which he
will be able to experience happiness at the level of the body,
mind, senses and the spirit. One should enquire what the purpose
of human birth is. The goal of human birth is to work for
release from the cycle of birth and death. This body is a den of
dirt, and prone to diseases; it is subject to change from time
to time; it cannot cross the ocean of Samsara. The body should
be used as an instrument to rise from the level of humanness to
divinity. Human life is sanctified only when we experience
divinity. There are many people who are making efforts in this
direction. But only a few are able to realise the truth and
achieve the goal. One may undertake any type of activities, but
one should always aspire to attain peace of mind. Without peace
of mind whatever enterprise that man undertakes will only add to
his restlessness.
Embodiments of Love!
You are really fortunate to have come here all the way from
Srikakulam in spite of your financial constraints and various
other difficulties. Swami is very well aware of your
aspirations. You have come here to experience divine bliss. You
were feeling sad that Swami has not spoken to you a word even
after two days of your stay here. In fact, last night you were
all praying intensely. In response to your sincere prayers, I
have decided to address you this morning. It is not My intention
to satisfy you with just a discourse. I am ready to extend all
the help required to fulfil your aspirations. Many of you are
facing problems due to shortage of water. Some of you do not
have even proper food to eat. Food and water are very essential
for everyone. Do not give room to worry and anxiety. God is not
stone-hearted. He will certainly take care of your needs. His
heart is filled with compassion. Swami's concern for you is
hundred times more intense than the concern you have for
yourselves. You need not be worried at all. Develop the feeling
that difficulties and suffering are for your own good. Even
insurmountable difficulties will vanish like thin mist when you
have firm conviction. Hence, do not be unduly perturbed about
your problems. Difficulties come and go. Not only the poor, even
a millionaire cannot escape from difficulties. Swami confers His
blessings on you so that you will be relieved of your suffering
soon.
You may consult the elders of your villages and take the help of
those who are willing to cooperate with you. I will see to it
that there is plenty of water available in your mountainous
area. Do not be depressed or bogged down by difficulties. Having
put on the vesture of the human body, one cannot escape from
difficulties. The physical body may undergo suffering, but you
should make efforts to attain peace of mind. Mind is the basis
for happiness for everyone. All physical comforts will be of
little use without peace of mind. Only through contemplation of
God can you attain peace of mind and not by any other means.
Hence, chant the Name of God incessantly unmindful of the
difficulties that come in your way. It is because of
contemplation of God's Name that you have been able to
experience peace in spite of the innumerable difficulties you
faced. God is the refuge for the poor and the forlorn. He is
always with them through all the vicissitudes of life. Do not
think that God is in some distant land. God is by your side
always. In fact, He is present in the inner recesses of your
heart. Never think that God is away from you at any point of
time. Neither friends nor relatives can come to your rescue. God
is your sole refuge. He will protect you under all
circumstances. In spite of numerous difficulties, Bharatiyas
never swerved from the Godward path. If Bharat occupies a
pivotal position among all nations, it is only because of
Bharatiyas' one-pointed devotion to God. There are many affluent
countries where people lead a luxurious life, but they are
unable to attain peace of mind. It is the good fortune of
Bharatiyas that they are able to enjoy peace of mind. Their
devotion to God is responsible for this. Since ancient times,
the culture of Bharat has been protecting the Bharatiyas in all
respects. Its glory and grandeur defy all description. One who
has peace of mind will have moral strength. Hence, chant the
Divine Name constantly. Yesterday you went round the entire
village singing the glory of God and entered the portals of
Prasanthi Nilayam; you experienced peace of mind. It is not
possible to experience peace by any other means. Hence, never
forget God. Sanctify your time by chanting His Name.
Contemplation of God should be man's constant endeavour. There
may be some jealous people who will try to dissuade you from
chanting God's Name. They say, "What is the use of chanting
God's Name? It will not help us to eke out our livelihood. We
have to work hard for our survival. So, stop chanting God's
Name.' Do not pay heed to such narrow-minded people. Never
forget God's Name. You may not be aware; people all over the
world in all villages are facing hardships. They are suffering
from physical ailments and mental agitations. Only Bharatiyas
are able to enjoy peace of mind because of their devotion to
God. There is no happiness greater than experiencing peace of
mind.
Mental peace can be obtained only by constant contemplation of
God. This cannot be purchased from the market. It is only by
constant contemplation of God that mental worries can be
overcome. This is the experience of people all over the world.
Contemplation of God alone can bring about mental peace and
happiness. No other means can achieve this.
To be born is a worry, to be
on the earth is a worry; world is a cause of worry and death
too; entire childhood is a worry and so is the old age; life is
a worry, failure is a worry; all actions and difficulties cause
worry; even happiness too is a mysterious worry.
(Telugu Poem)
Contemplation of God is the right royal path that would remove
all types of worries. Therefore, do not try other means for
achieving mental peace and get into trouble and worry. March on
along the divine and glorious path. All the Karmas in the
spiritual field are meant to bring peace and happiness to us.
They are not intended to trouble us. Mental peace can be
achieved only by performing one's own duty, not by any other
means. Karma brings about a result; and that result brings
happiness and peace. Even when you are undergoing difficulties,
always think that they are meant to bring you happiness. Every
human being undergoes difficulties, only to enjoy happiness
later. However, he does not realise this during the period of
suffering. But, in course of time, when suffering ends and happy
days arrive, he would realise the truth. Hence, always remember
the truth that sorrows and difficulties are prelude to happy
days ahead. In fact, real happiness comes out of suffering only.
Embodiments of Love!
Love is the only property that always grows ? the more you
spend, the more it grows; it never diminishes. Supposing you go
up a hill and sing the glory of God; the Divine vibrations will
reach to a large area and the people hearing the Namasmarana
even from a distance will feel very happy. Divine music can
confer solace even to children and animals. By hearing
Namasankirtan, even the heart of a stone-hearted person will
melt. We have heard of several instances in Indian history where
great devotees of God, by their Namasankirtan, could bring about
complete transformation in die-hard criminals.
Suppose you are digging a pit; the soil in that is taken out and
stacked by its side becomes a mound. You need not feel anxious
that the pit is becoming deeper and deeper. The soil that is dug
out of the pit and the soil that is piled up next to the pit are
the same. Similarly, along with the difficulties you undergo,
you will experience happiness also in abundant measure. When you
fill in the soil that is piled up (namely happiness) in the pit
of sorrows and difficulties, you will attain a state of
equanimity. This is what you have to realise today. You need not
feel sorry, "Oh! I have fallen into this pit of sorrows and
difficulties. How can I come out of this? How am I to bear
this?" The soil of happiness stacked next to the pit of
suffering may be filled into the pit. You will attain a state of
equanimity. You have to do this Sadhana.
Embodiments of Love!
You have come here with love-filled hearts, undergoing lot
of difficulties and physical strain. It is your love and
devotion to Swami that brought you here. Go back to your places
with the same intensity of love and devotion. Continue to enjoy
the moments of joy and happiness you experienced in the presence
of Swami.
Pleasure and pain, good and
bad co-exist, none can separate them. You cannot find pleasure
or pain, good or bad to the exclusion of the other. Pleasure
results when difficulties fructify.
(Telugu Poem)
Thus, happiness and sorrow come to teach us equanimity.
Embodiments of Love!
Love is the only wealth that can never diminish. That is the
property of God. Therefore, cultivate pure and selfless love.
God's love will always follow you wherever you are and will
protect you at all times. Do not ever consider that money alone
is your property. In fact, love is your real wealth. The wealth
of Love always grows (expands), never diminishes. Those who
realise the Paramatma will be able to understand this truth
better. My heart is overflowing with love and joy on account of
the Namasankirtan you have done yesterday in the streets of
Puttaparthi. Continue this Namasankirtan wherever you are
throughout your life. Especially, when your spirits are down
with sorrow, sing the glory of God full-throated. Never feel
diffident to sing the glory of God, thinking that others may
make fun of you. Irrespective of what others may think or say
against you, continue this sacred activity of Namasankirtan.
Only then will you be charged with Divine power.
Embodiments of Love!
I am very happy that you are all gathered here. I always
wish joy, happiness, comfort and peace for all of you. Today,
8000 devotees from your place have come here to share the
happiness of Swami's Divine Presence. All of you, please go to
the canteen and partake of Swami's Prasadam happily. Swami's
Prasadam will become Akshaya (never diminishing) and will remove
all your sorrows and difficulties. Everything that is granted by
Swami is suffused with love. Whatever is granted by Bhagawan is
always free. God will never succumb to monetary considerations.
Wherever any service activity is associated with money, it is
tainted. The entire property of Swami consists of Love only.
Such Divine love must become your very life-breath. All your
past Karmas will become extinct, if only you cultivate that pure
love.
All of you go to the canteen and have food, as Swami's Prasadam.
Thereafter, you can go to your respective villages, happily.
Embodiments of Love!
Having come here from such a long distance, fill your hearts
with love. Sometime ago, there was a singer by name Saluru
Rajeswara Rao. He used to visit Swami, regularly. He remained
absorbed so much in music that he would sing while walking in
the streets, unmindful of what others thought of him. Today, his
son has come here to sing some devotional songs in the Divine
presence of Swami. These devotional songs fill the hearts of
people with overwhelming joy. Late Rajeswara Rao used to sing a
particular song on Sri Krishna melodiously "Challagaalilo
Yamunathatipy Shyama Sundaruni Murali ?" (Shyama Sundara is
melodiously playing His flute on the banks of the Yamuna, while
the cool breeze is blowing). His voice as well as his feelings
were sweet. Both Rajeswara Rao and another devotee Adi Naryana
used to come here regularly. They were the people who composed
the "Sai Charita" and sang those songs melodiously. They may be
anywhere; the lives of such pure-hearted devotees are
sanctified. Those, who sell their God-given talents and make a
wholly living out of it, can never be truly happy. Rajeswara Rao
and Adi Narayana never made business out of their musical
talents. They always sang to their heart's content, with love
and devotion. The glory of such devotees, whether dead or alive,
will remain forever. There was another well known devotee by
name Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao. He also underwent many
difficulties. But, he was always devoted to God. Whenever he was
in difficult situation, he used to sing, "Oh! God! Won't You
pull me out of these difficulties?" Even when he was sick and
was hospitalised, he used to sing lying in the hospital bed,
"Oh! Lord! How long have I to suffer this agony! Won't you
relieve me of this pain? "Once I went to the hospital to see
him. I consoled him saying, "My dear Ghantasala! Never think of
these difficulties and suffering. These things happen to test
your faith in God. You will come out successful in this test, by
constant Namasmarana." A devotee like him who is constantly
engaged in Namasmarana under all circumstances, will become
immortal. Namasmarana is the only property that lasts forever.
Therefore, you also undertake this Sadhana, as a lifelong
activity. Whether your voice is good or not, continue to sing
the glory of God by constant Namasmarana at least in your heart.
Thereby, you will acquire merit that will protect you throughout
your life. If you do this Sadhana, God will always be with you,
in you, around you. Whenever you take food, do Namasmarana
before partaking of the food. By doing so, the food will be
sanctified and will become Prasadam (gift) of God. Your heart
also will be purified. That is why, our ancestors prayed thus
before partaking of food:
Brahmarpanam Brahma Havir
Brahmagnou Brahmanahutam
Brahmaiva Thena Ganthavyam
Brahma Karma Samadhina.
When you pray in this manner before you partake of your food,
God immediately responds thus:
Aham Vaishvanaro Bhutva
Praninam Dehamasrita
Pranapana Samayukta
Pachamyannam Chaturvidham.
(My dear! I am present in you in the form of Vaishvanara
digesting the food that you partake of)
The prayer thus made invokes an immediate response from God.
That is reaction, reflection and resound. Therefore, constantly
engage yourself in Namasmarana, which will confer Bliss on you.
Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, "Hari
Bhajan Bina Sukha Santhi Nahin ?"
Source:
http://www.sssct.org/Discourses/2004/23_Aug_04.htm |