For this Sunday, we have excerpts from Bhagavan’s recent discourse on Maha Shivarathri delivered on the evening February 16, 2007.

“The creation emerges from Truth and merges into Truth,
Is there a place in the cosmos where Truth does not exist?
Visualise this pure and unsullied Truth.  (Telugu Poem)

Truth pervades everywhere. Vision, audition and sense of touch, they all carry with them Truth. Truth is everywhere and has no specific form. Brahma Sathyam Jagan mithya (Brahman alone is real, the world is unreal). God is the only Truth and the world is illusion. Truth is one and manifests in different forms. Dharma (righteousness), Santhi (peace), Prema (love) and ultimately Ananda (bliss), all have originated from Truth.

Mamaivamsho Jivaloke Jivabhuta Sanathana (the eternal Atma in all beings is a part of My Being). You are I and I am you. Each body has a name for identification, but the Atma is the same in all. Loving the Atma amounts to loving yourself. People think that the relationship between husband and wife, between mother and son is love, but they all represent your feelings and sentiments. Love is one. When there is no duality, there is only one. ‘A man with dual mind is half blind.’ ‘Brotherhood of Man and Fatherhood of God.’ When we live up to this dictum, there will be no chance for conflict. Only then will humanity be One.

Who is Manava? Do you mean to say that Manava is a combination of limbs? Manava means one who has no differences whatsoever. Though the bodies are different, Atma is one. We should not develop differences based on name and form.

Jewels are many but gold is one
Cows are many but milk is one
Beings are many but breath is one.” (Telugu Poem)

(Pointing to the array of bulbs in the Hall), Bhagawan said, “Bulbs are many, but current is one.” Speaking on the manifestation of Linga, Bhagawan said that He received many letters from devotees and the doctors were also of the view that manifestation of Linga strains His body and that His body was very important for everyone. All have prayed to Bhagavan to save His energy. They were all of the view that Bhagavan should not strain His body to give this joy to devotees. Bhagawan should retain this energy to confer bliss on everyone. Very soon Bhagawan will give infinite bliss.

Speaking on the acronym of the word Hindu, Bhagavan said, “The five letters represent five sheaths and five human values.

H – Humility
I – Individuality
N – Nationality
D - Divinity
U – Unity

When once there is Unity, you can develop Divinity. We should uphold Nationality. So, it is the individual who safeguards Nationality.”

Elaborating on the nature of life, Bhagavan said that without difficulties, we cannot be happy. Pleasure is an interval between two pains. The pain may last for a short while. We should be prepared to face minor difficulties. It also happens that good people face problems. A fruit laden tree always faces a barrage of stones.

One should have total faith in the principle of the Atma. Consciousness (Atma) is verily God. The Atma is the fundamental principle. It is not possible to fragment Atma.

Commenting on the progress of science and technology, Bhagavan said that in countries like America , cows are fed with meat to yield more milk, but it contracts diseases which in turn are transferred to humans.  Speaking on the loftiness of the culture of Bharat, He said, “The culture of Bharat is highly sacred. Very soon even people from overseas will realise the greatness of culture of Bharat.”

Speaking about Himself, Bhagavan said that right from childhood, He was for the betterment of the poor and forlorn. He used to convene meetings in the Puttaparthi village prior to India ’s Independence on the plight of farmers. He would share His food and clothes with the poor. Help Ever, Hurt Never is the motto of Bhagavan and He never expressed His anger or hatred towards anybody. Commenting on the wrong propaganda, Bhagavan said that it was because of jealousy in people. He is Truth personified. Truth has no fear. “Follow Sai.” Sing the glory of God treading the path of Truth. “Whatever I do is for you,” He said and continued, “Your life will be redeemed when you follow the path of Truth.”

Jai Sai Ram.