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Cultivate good habits to command respect in society
Text of the Divine Discourse
delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 21st October 2004
(Dasara) at Prashanti Nilayam, Sai Kulwanth Hall
Some people keep awake the
whole night of Sivarathri by playing cards. Can this be called
Jagarana (vigil)? If one abstains from food on account of
quarrel with one's wife, can it be called fasting? The fisherman
goes on watching intently to trap the fish in the net. Can this
be termed meditation?
(Telugu poem)
Embodiments of Love!
Several people play cards throughout the night in order to keep
themselves awake on the holy night of Sivarathri. Once I
enquired of an officer, "How did you spend your time last
night?" He immediately got up and answered, "Swami! I spent the
time very happily." I further enquired what sort of happiness he
derived. He replied, "Yesterday was Sivarathri. I played cards
throughout the night and enjoyed very much. I did not have even
a wink of sleep." I questioned him again, "How can you derive
the fruit of holy Sivarathri by spending your time playing cards
throughout the night?" The officer gave a wonderful reply,
"Since I was busy playing cards throughout the night and was
therefore free from all worries; I thought I was happily
spending time last night." You might have observed the fishermen
laying their nets in the pond and waiting with single-pointed
attention hoping for some fish to fall in the net. Can you call
their intense gaze as concentration? Can it lead to Mukti
(liberation)? The understanding of concentration and meditation
by man today can be compared to the fisherman's single-pointed
effort to catch fish.
Another example: A person was heavily drunk and had lost his
body-consciousness. Can you call it Thanmayattwa (total
identification with divinity)? One more example; a person
quarrelled with his wife and abstained from food. Can you say he
was on a ritual fast? Some people resort to such acts of
Thanmayattwa and concentration and live in a fool's
paradise. One can imagine as to what extent man has degenerated
himself taking to bad ways and distortions! Did you ever analyse
the nature of the human body? It consists of sweat, urine,
excreta, bad odour, flesh and blood. It is prone to decay and
death ultimately. Every second, only bad matter and bad odour
are generated in the body. What is there to be proud of such a
decaying body? One has to realise the true nature of such an
evanescent human body and make the best use of it. Do you know
why God has given us the human body? Is it for indulging in evil
acts and wasting the precious life? No, no. The body is given to
us so that man should strive to attain Divinity; not for
misusing it. You should realise for yourself to what sacred
purposes it is to be used. From the time one gets up from the
bed till he goes to bed in the night, man's time is spent in
worldly pursuits. He does not have time to think of God even
before he goes to bed.
The human body is a sacred instrument given by God and it has
to be sanctified by contemplating on God at least one or two
times a day. What kind of activities are to be undertaken so
that man may derive happiness and joy? The most appropriate
answer to this question would be that his senses should be
engaged in constant contemplation of God. The eyes must always
see good things. The ears must be engaged in hearing good
things. The tongue must be made to speak always sweet and noble
words. It should chant the divine name. Thus, every limb of the
body must be put to proper use and sanctified.
Dear students!
Normally, I do not like to speak about My physical self.
However, I am revealing certain aspects of My daily routine with
the hope that they will serve as guidelines for you. I wake up
four times during night. Usually I get up from bed at 12 hours
at midnight, brush My teeth and also clean the tongue and mouth
thoroughly. Again, I repeat the process at 1.30 a.m., 3 a.m. and
4.30 a.m. The boys who sleep in My room to attend to My needs
during the night may find it inconvenient sometimes as their
sleep is disturbed. However, I strictly adhere to this routine
so that My tongue, mouth and teeth are always clean. I feel
happy only when My tongue and mouth are clean. A clean tongue
helps in maintaining purity of body and mind. You might have
observed Me talking to a number of people, everyday. I will
spend even 20 minutes instead of 10 minutes talking to those who
keep a clean tongue and whose mouth does not emit bad odour. On
the other hand, I do not talk to those with bad odour even for
two minutes. During our sleep, bacteria get generated and they
stick to our tongue and teeth on all sides of the mouth. They
have to be removed by proper brushing of the teeth and a
thorough cleaning of the tongue and mouth. Only then can we be
healthy and happy. Apart from physical cleaning, our tongue must
be engaged in speaking sacred and pure words. Following this
principle, I am putting My tongue to proper use by engaging
Myself in sacred activities. It is only after I clean My body
properly, I come out of My chamber. By the time I come out of My
room, a boy looking after the kitchen brings the ragi gruel. I
partake of the gruel and feel very happy and energetic. Except
this ragi gruel, I do not take any other item during early
morning. I do not have breakfast. After taking the gruel, I once
again clean my mouth. Then, I drink some fresh water and come
down. Several people may be wondering as to what I have for My
breakfast. Nothing; I have no taste for snacks at all! A glass
of cool water is all that I like to have. Thereafter, I spend
some time happily with devotees, giving darshan and talking to
some; I also give interviews to selected people. I am always
pure in body and mind. My words are pure, My thoughts are
pure and My acts are pure and sacred.
One important aspect to be borne in mind by people who are
called for interview. While I enter the interview room with such
a pure and sacred body, I notice that some people sitting there
in the group, are in the habit of smoking. Please be cautioned
that I do not allow people smoking. I strongly disapprove the
habit of smoking. Immediately I pick up such people and ask them
to go out. The wife of a smoker may plead with Me, "Swami! He is
my husband; if you send him out, what is there for me to
represent to you?" I firmly reply, "Whether it is husband or
son, whoever he may be, one should not enter My room with bad
odour and the smell of cigarette. You tell him to go out, clean
his mouth and come back. Then I shall speak to him." Such people
will go out immediately, clean themselves and come back in ten
minutes. Then I speak to them endearingly. Several people try to
cover the bad odour emanating from their body, by using some
perfume. There is a small story in the puranas, which is
relevant in this context. Goddess Parvati did great penance
hoping to marry Lord Easwara. She tried all sorts of methods to
entice Easwara, i.e., by putting on good dress, applying
perfume, etc. But, Easwara did not yield to her wishes. Then,
she sought the help of Manmatha (cupid) to wean Easwara to her
side. Even then, Easwara did not budge an inch. On the contrary,
he took Manmatha to task for trying to help Parvati.
Immediately, Parvati realised her fault and regained her poise.
She meditated on the Divine form of Lord Easwara which is
Nitya (eternal), Suddha (unsullied), Buddha
(enlightened), Mukta (liberated), Nirmala Swarupinam
(embodiment of purity). She came back to her normal, natural and
pure self. Easwara then turned His vision towards her and
accepted her. They were married on an auspicious occasion with
the consent of her parents.
A human being should always be natural and pure. He should not
be artificial, wearing gaudy dress and applying perfumes and
colours. This may be necessary to a certain extent. But, of what
use is it to apply perfumes when the body is full of bad odour?
My body always emits natural effulgence and divine fragrance,
because I never entertain bad thoughts. "A sound mind in a sound
body" is the principle I follow. In order to teach such good
habits to others, I always maintain My body and mind in a pure
and unsullied condition. Sometimes, I wake up the boy sleeping
in my room at 12 hours at midnight and again at 1 a.m. This may
cause some inconvenience to the boys. They may feel a little
inconvenience during that particular moment, but soon forget the
same and attend to Swami's needs. Thus, the body must always be
kept in a clean and fit condition, since it is a sacred
instrument provided by God. Since I give utmost importance for
cleanliness of the body, others would also like to emulate Me.
By following My good habits and moving along with Me, people
command respect in society.
Markandeya was a great devotee of Lord Easwara. But, he had a
short span of 16 years of life. Like any other boy of his age,
he used to spend a lot of time in play. He was very happy in the
company of other boys, unaware of his impending death. When his
parents realised that he would be completing 16 years shortly,
they felt very sad that he was nearing his end. They were
immersed in sorrow and started shedding tears. Markandeya
enquired of his parents, "Why are you crying?" Realising the
futility of concealing the information from their son any
longer, they replied, "Son! Our relationship with your mortal
body ends today. Lord Easwara granted you a short span of life
of 16 years, which will come to an end today." Markandeya felt
very much disappointed since he spent all his time till then in
play, in the company of other boys. Realising that he had still
a few more minutes of time, he took bath and went to the temple
of Easwara. There he started chanting the Divine name of Easwara
with a pure tongue. Meanwhile, it was time for sunrise. Easwara
and Parvati were discussing among themselves the impending death
of Markendeya. Parvati enquired from Easwara, "Swami!
Markandeya's life is fast coming to an end. Why delay in saving
his life? His parents are immersed in great sorrow." Easwara
then suggested that Parvati should enter the scene and play her
role in prolonging the life of Markandeya. Parvati then lifted
the child and made him to sit on her lap. Markandeya had the
good fortune of sitting on the lap of the Divine Mother, which
entitled him to win the grace of Lord Easwara. Easwara came
there and blessed Markandeya that he shall be a chiranjeevi.
Thus, he earned the grace of both the Divine Mother and Father.
In the meantime, Markandeya's parents arrived there to see what
had happened to their son. Their joy knew no bounds when they
found their son hale and healthy. They expressed their happiness
thus: "Son! It is only due to your devotion and complete
surrender to Lord Easwara that you are able to overcome death
and earn the Divine grace for becoming a chiranjeevi. You
protected yourself, we could not do anything in this regard."
God does not need anything from the devotee, except devotion and
complete surrender. He expects from a devotee a sacred body,
sacred words, sacred vision and selfless activity. When a
devotee offers these things, God gives Himself up to that
devotee. One's body, mind and actions should always be pure,
so that God is attracted towards him. It is not by the
different forms of worship or other rituals that God's grace can
be obtained. Even the mother expects the child to cultivate a
pure heart. Frequently, I recite the following poem to remind
man of the futility of struggling for merely filling one's
belly:
Oh! Man! You struggle hard for the sake of filling your
belly, you acquire many forms of knowledge in 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)
I always sanctify My time by engaging Myself in activities
beneficial to the society. Right from My childhood, I cultivated
Spartan habits and followed strict regimen. This I had already
explained in a poem on an earlier occasion thus:
Get up early in the morning at the crowing of the cock,
Have a bath after your morning ablutions,
Wear a proper dress,
Eat properly and moderately,
Go to school and study diligently,
Earn a good name,
Don't move out when it is raining,
And never go near the ditches,
Take part in games,
Run and play.
If you abide by all these rules
You will have both health and wealth.
(Telugu poem)
In those days, people were not used to snacks. The cooked rice
was soaked in buttermilk on the previous night and taken as
breakfast next morning with a little salt.
Several boys keep their study tables very unorganised, with the
books strewn all over. They make it clumsy and dirty. But, I
used to keep my books always neat and tidy. Whatever I am
relating today is based on My personal experience only.
In those days, very few boys were in a position to purchase new
books when they were promoted to a higher class. Every four or
five years, the textbooks were changed. I always used to keep My
books neat. Hence, boys studying in the lower standard and
promoted to the higher standard at the end of the academic year
used to take My books. During a particular year, a poor boy
approached Me and asked for My books. I advised him to go and
have a bath in the Chitravathi river and then come. He did
accordingly. Then, I showed My books to him. In those days there
was high syllabus even for lower classes, like history,
geography, civics, etc. On seeing My books, he commented, "Raju!
you do not seem to have touched your books even once. They
appear brand new." The cost of My books totalled to twelve
rupees, but the poor boy was not in a position to pay even that
much. Then I told him "My dear! I am selected for the scout camp
by our teacher. I have to purchase khaki dress and shoes.
Besides, there are some other items of expenditure. I don't have
money to incur that expenditure. Nor I would like to ask My
parents. What I need at the moment is five rupees. Therefore,
pay Me five rupees and take away the books." The boy felt very
happy. He immediately paid the amount. In those days, currency
notes were very rare. Therefore, he brought the entire amount in
small coins packed in a piece of cloth. It was tied in an old
cloth, which gave way unable to bear the weight of the coins.
The coins were strewn all over the room, making a big sound. On
hearing the sound, the lady of the house came there and
enquired, "Where did you get all this money? Did you steal from
my trunk?" So saying, she slapped Me. The poor boy standing
there explained to her, "Mother! I gave those coins to Raju
towards the cost of his books which I purchased from him." She
did not believe his words and took away the entire money. The
next day all My classmates were going to Cuddapah for
participating in the scout camp. I was studying in Kamalapuram,
when this incident happened. I told My teacher that I would
start the next morning and join the group there. Early in the
morning I set out on My journey by walk. I walked a long
distance and before I could join My colleagues, they had left
for their breakfast. As for Myself, I did not have even a paisa
in My pocket. What do I eat for My breakfast? I thought I would
manage somehow without eating anything. I purposely avoided My
classmates then, lest they may question Me whether I had
breakfast. They were searching for Me. There was a masonry tank
nearby in which water was stored for cleaning the cows and
buffaloes. I was feeling very tired, hungry and thirsty, having
walked all the way. But, I could not help. I washed My face with
that dirty water and drank some. Then, I noticed that someone
had left behind a packet of beedies (country cigarette) and a
one anna coin on the tank there. The beedies were, of course, of
no use to Me. Therefore, I threw them away. I took the one anna
coin and converted it into four small coins (botlu or kanis).
Four kanis in those days were equivalent to one anna. As I was
returning, I noticed a person sitting on the roadside playing
cards spread over a cloth and inviting passersby to bet on a
particular card. He would offer double the amount, if we were
able to win. No doubt, this was a sort of gambling, which I
would advise everyone to refrain from. But, I was completely
helpless at that time. I therefore put one coin on different
cards. Every time, I was winning the bet and getting double the
amount I invested. Thus, I played the game till I could make
sixteen Annas (one rupee). Then I thought that was the end of
the game and returned with the money already earned. Since I was
feeling hungry, I purchased three dosas with one bottu. In those
days dosas were available at the rate of one for a dammidi
(1/3rd of a bottu). Thus, I managed with two bottus a day eating
dosas. I joined the scout duty along with My friends. During
night, I kept the bundle of coins under My head and slept on the
sandy floor. Since I was very much tired, I was lost in sound
sleep. Meanwhile, someone noticed the bundle under My head and
took them away when I turned to the other side. When I woke up
the next day, I noticed that the cloth bundles containing money
were stolen away by somebody. I had no money to buy even one
dosa. My classmates were very much dejected at My plight. They
were in fact crying. They pleaded with me to eat at least one
dosa, which they would buy for Me. But, I flatly refused. I told
them that I was not hungry, since I did not like to avail Myself
of others' help. Especially, I did not wish to touch others'
money. So, I left that place.
Another incident happened during My childhood. Once My hand was
swollen and it was giving Me a lot of pain. I did not reveal it
to anybody. I tied a bandage Myself with a wet cloth. The next
day, Seshama Raju's (Swami's elder brother) son died. He gave a
telegram to Venkama Raju (Swami's father). Venkama Raju
immediately rushed to see Seshama Raju. The Griham Abbayi
(Venkama Raju) started from Puttaparthi and reached Bukkapatnam,
and from there to Kamalapuram. By the time he reached Seshama
Raju's house, all in the family was immersed in sorrow over the
death of his son. I too had to pretend to be sorrowful, since I
was beyond sorrow and joy. The Griham Abbayi enquired from Me,
why I was having a bandage on My forearm. I tried to explain
away very casually as if nothing had happened. I told him there
was a slight pain in the joint and therefore I put the arm in
bandage. There was a lady belonging to the Vysya community in
the neighbouring house, who used to make her living by preparing
dosas and selling them.
She tried to reason with Griham Abbayi, saying, "What! Venkama
Raju! I know you are sufficiently well-off so as to get Raju
educated at your place. Why should you put him to so much
trouble by keeping him under the care of his elder brother at
such a distant place? You do not know how much the boy is
suffering here. He has to fetch drinking water from a distant
place carrying two big pitchers with the help of a Kavadi on his
shoulders, daily." Thus, she narrated several incidents where I
had to undergo physical strain and suffering. Griham Abbayi was
deeply moved on hearing My plight and immediately called me and
said, "My dear son! You start immediately and come along with
me. Let us go back to Puttaparthi." All the family members loved
Me. He therefore, lamented, "I never beat you till date. You are
undergoing so much suffering here." I tried to console him by
saying, "No, No. What these people say is not true. No one here
is putting Me to any trouble at all! If I come away with you
now, there will be none to help in the domestic chores here. It
is not proper for you to take Me away from this place right now.
You may go and I will follow you later at an appropriate time."
Thus, I never revealed the fact that the pain in My arm was due
to the injuries inflicted on Me in Seshama Raju's house. I
never had the habit of complaining against elders. I always
tried to protect the dignity and honour of the family.
In those days, I was struggling very much due to paucity of
funds for My education. Often times I had to manage with empty
pockets. In the same village, there used to be a businessman by
name Kotte Subbanna. He used to run a provision shop in which
some Ayurvedic medicines were also sold. Once, a new
Ayurvedic medicine by name "Bala Bhaskara" was put up for
sale in his shop. It was a new and very efficacious medicine. It
could fetch him a good profit if popularised. He, therefore,
requested Me to shoulder the responsibility of making propaganda
for this new medicine. I agreed to his request, but asked for
some more information about the medicine. Then I composed a song
about the efficacy of the medicine and gathered a few children
of My age to go round the nearby villages with placards in their
hands and singing the song composed by Me. I led the team of
boys. The song ran as follows:
There it is! There it is! Oh, children! come, come!
There is the medicine Bala Bhaskara;
Be it an upset stomach or a swollen leg;
Be it a joint pain or flatulence;
Be it any ailment, known or unknown;
Take this Bala Bhaskara for an instant cure!
If you wish to know where it is available,
There is the shop of Kotte Subbanna;
It is in that shop that you can pick it up.
Come here boys! come here!
It is an excellent tonic
Prepared by the famous physician Gopalacharya himself,
Come here boys! come here!
(Telugu song)
By the time we completed our propaganda tour of the nearby
villages, all the stock of medicines in Subbanna's shop was
exhausted. He felt very happy. Then he called Me and expressed
his happiness saying, "My dear Raju! Due to your efforts, all
the stock of medicines in my shop was sold out in no time. I am
grateful to you."
When Griham Abbayi requested Me to follow him to Puttaparthi, I
told him that I could not go with him since Seshama Raju's
family was in a sorrowful state due to the loss of their son.
"It is not proper for Me to leave them at this juncture. You
please go to Puttaparthi. Later, I will join you, I said."
Griham Abbayi shed tears of joy for My sense of responsibility
and noble feelings. He said, "Dear son! I had never come across
small children explaining such noble thoughts to elders. How
noble and great are your qualities! You are teaching me such
great things. How sweet and wise your words are! Your nobility
alone will protect you." Saying thus, he left for Puttaparthi.
However, ever since he reached Puttaparthi, he used to send
messages daily requesting Me to go over there. He was
remembering all those complaints made to him by our Vysya
neighbour about My difficult life in Kamalapuram and was feeling
very sorry for My plight. Meanwhile, a few more days passed. I
had to sit for My examinations as well. So, I thought it would
not be wise to get back to Puttaparthi at this juncture without
attending the examinations. Moreover, I had My friends to be
taken care of in the examinations.
We three were friends ? Ramesh Suresh and Myself. We sat on the
same bench in our classroom. Ramesh and Suresh used to sit on
either side of Me. They were dull in education. I told them, "I
will write the answer for the questions on your answer books.
You just sit silently in the examination hall."
All the three of us went into the examination hall. Our roll
numbers were quite afar from one another. Therefore, we had to
sit at different places in the examination hall. There was no
chance at all for us to communicate with each other. My friends
were very unhappy and dejected. I conceived a plan to help them.
First of all, I finished writing My answer sheets within no
time. Then I took additional sheets and wrote the answers for
the questions for both Ramesh and Suresh, in their own
handwriting. Then, I kept all the three answer sheets on the
table of the examiner. The result of our examination was
announced on the third day. In those days, the examination
results were announced soon after the examination; not like the
present day when it takes months together to announce the
results. All the three of us passed in 1st class. Whatever
answers were there in My answer sheets, the same were found in
the answer sheets of the other two boys as well. But, none could
accuse us of copying, since our roll numbers were very different
and our seats distant from each other. Mine was number 6,
whereas another boy's was 108. The third boy's roll number was
still far. However, our teacher Mahboob Khan realised that I
helped the other boys to perform well in the examinations. But
he did not reveal that news to anyone. While we were coming out
of the classroom, the teachers followed us and congratulated us
for securing first class in the examination. They shed tears of
joy. Thus, I made everyone including my teachers and classmates
happy and returned to Puttaparthi. My friends Ramesh and Suresh
expressed their wish to accompany Me to Puttaparthi. They, in
fact, insisted on following Me. I advised them that, they could
join Me if they so wished, but they had to leave Me in
Puttaparthi and get back to their places. I used to advise,
guide and correct My fellow students during My stay in the
school. Never did I waste My time in the school. I always
endeavoured to sanctify it. I used to talk sweetly and softly
with everyone.
By the time I reached Puttaparthi, people could notice that a
strange ailment had taken over Me. I used to talk something to
Myself. People around Me thought that I was mad. Several people
offered several suggestions to get Me cured of this strange
disease. At the end, all people unanimously decided that I
should be taken to a Bhootha Vaidya (witch doctor) for
curing Me of an alleged possession by a demon. That sorcerer got
My hair shaven off and inflicted two deep cuts on My scalp in
the form of an X. Then he poured lime juice on the bleeding
cuts. It gave Me great pain and an unbearable burning sensation.
But, I did not give vent to My feelings and silently suffered
all this torture. In fact, I was laughing at his foolish
treatment. Then, he decided to put Me to more suffering. He
brought Kalikam (a sort of poisonous substance) and put
it in My eyes. Thus, he put Me to several kinds of torture.
Venkamma (Swami's elder sister) who accompanied Me to this
sorcerer's place could not bear to see Me undergoing this
suffering. She therefore ran to Griham Abbayi and pleaded with
him, "Father! You don't put Sathya to this inhuman treatment.
This man is inflicting great pain and injury on the boy. Enough
of torture you take him away immediately to Puttaparthi." I was
brought back to Puttaparthi. From then on, I underwent
occasional bouts of a "strange ailment". On Thursdays, I used to
answer some questions and enquiries of people in the name of
Baba. Ever since that sorcerer shaved off My hair and put two
deep cuts on My scalp, till today I did not have a haircut. Some
people think that I trim My hair. No, never. My hair grows
naturally. I am having this type of hairstyle for the last 70
years. The ensuing birthday is My 79th birthday. Till today, I
did not suffer from any disease. My teeth and eyesight are
intact. Till a few years ago, those accompanying Me were, in
fact, running to catch up with Me. I can still walk very fast,
but the doctors put a condition that I should not. The reason
being that I was operated sometime ago when I had a fall on the
floor. They put a steel rod joining My hipbone and put sutures
over it. That is why I was advised against My walking fast.
Nevertheless, I have been able to attend to My daily routine. I
do not give up any item of My daily activities. I am giving
interviews to visitors. I am moving along the Darshan lines,
giving Darshan to devotees. There is absolutely no hindrance to
My daily activities. I have already spoken so long. There is a
lot more to speak, if I wish. I have been maintaining My body
all these years in a perfect shape. It is possible that I might
have caused some trouble to some people in the process. But,
they do not mind. They do service to Me, even though I dissuade
them.
Today is Durgashtami day. Tomorrow and day after are
Mahanavami and Vijayadasami festivals. I have a lot
of work to do. I have to talk to the Purohits (priests)
conducting the Yajna. Besides, there are other important
matters to be attended to. After finishing My work, I will again
talk to you. Did I not tell you that students are My property? I
care so much for them. If they are happy, I will also be happy.
I have a piece of advice to you. Never give up Namasmarama.
Do constant Namasmarana wherever you are.
(Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, "Hari
Bhajana Bina ?")
Source:
http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/21_Oct_04.htm
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