Bhagavan Srî Sathya Sai Baba 

Words of Prema and Shanti - Words of Love and Peace

 

 Love is My Form  

Love is my form, truth is my breath, bliss is my food
My life is my message expansion is my life
No season for love, no reason for love, no birth no death
Prema Sathya Ananda, Shanti Dharma Ananda
Shirdi Sai Sathya Sai Prema Sai Jai Jai
Shirdi Baba Sathya Baba Prema Baba Jai Jai
Love is my form, truth is my breath, bliss is my food.

 

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: on Avatâra:

"This avatâra has no destructive weapon in His possession, like the Kodanda (bow) of Râma, or the Cakra (discus) of S'rî Krishna. He relies on education, rather than elimination; instruction rather than destruction. The good are encouraged to become better, the better to enter the region of the best and the blessed. The bad are encouraged to shed the coil of cowardice, which keeps them in fear." -Baba-

"Since I move freely among them, talking and singing, even intellectuals are unable to grasp my truth, my power, my glory, or my real task as Avatâra. I can solve any problem however knotty; I am beyond the reach of the most intensive enquiry and the most meticulous measurement. Only those who have recognised my love and experienced that love can assert that they have glimpsed my reality. For the path of Love is the royal road that leads mankind to me." -Baba-

: on Âtma:

"Space is one. But it is held in diverse containers like the home, the pot, the building and the canvas. There is no truth in this divided existence; it is the one space that exists in all these ‘receptacles’ which are varied shapes and forms, with distinct names attached to them, and different modes of behaviour and use. So too, individual beings (jivas) have different names and forms, peculiarities, specialties and behaviours. But like the string that holds the beads, passing in and through each one, the Super Consciousness in all individuals is ONE. That is the Self, Atma, which is mistaken as the ego through ignorance. Only when this truth is acquired, can man release himself from the hold of this transient world." - From Sathya Sai Vahini. -Baba-

: on Birthday:

"I do not accost one particular date in the calendar as My birthday, for I consider the day when Divinity blossoms in your heart as My birthday in you. Therefore: each of you should individually celebrate such a day as My birthday. The day when you resolve to practise My advice, to follow My directives, to translate My message into acts of service, and to engage in Sadhana - that day is My birthday for you. The 23d day of November, which you now honor as the day on which I was born, is only like any other day if you celebrate in a routine, ritual fashion. Adore man; the adoration reaches Me. Neglect man; you neglect Me. Of what avail is it to worship the Lord and to suppress  man, His counterpart? Love for God must be manifested as love for man, and love must express itself as service." [see also: Mother's role in human values, spoken by Svami on His 77th birthday]  -Baba-


: on the Body:

You are overly concerned about the human body. It is but like a water bubble. The mind is a bundle of thoughts. Hence, one should not lead one's life reposing one’s entire faith in the body and mind. In today's world, righteousness has declined and the whole world is filled with injustice, indiscipline, and evil behaviour. In such a chaotic state, faith in God is the only lasting remedy. Love God to receive the gift of love from God. Truth is the only refuge, for truth is God. Love is God, live in love. -Baba-
 

: on Character:

"When there is righteousness in the heart,
There is beauty in the character.
When there is beauty in the character,
There is harmony in the home.
When there is harmony in the home,
There is order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation,
There is peace in the world." 
-Baba-

"It is often declared that knowledge is power. No, character is power. Nothing can be more powerful on earth than character. Riches, scholarship, status, authority are all frail and flimsy before it. While earning a livelihood is important, what matters most are the ideals for which you live. The primary purpose of education is to enable one to manifest the divinity within him. When students pursue education in this spirit, they will be able to promote the welfare of the nation, of society and their own good." -Baba-

"Do not shape your conduct with an eye on the opinion of others. Instead, follow bravely, gladly and steadily the sweet and pleasant promptings of your own satvic-manas (pure mind), your own awakened consciousness, your own inner self. Associate yourself only with those who are truthful. " -Baba-

: on Darshan:

"My energy goes from Me as I pass you. If you proceed to talk to others immediately, the precious Energy is dissipated and returns to Me unused. Whatever My eyes see becomes vitalizes and transmuted. You are being changed day by day. Never underestimate what is being accomplished by the act of Darshan. My walking among you is a Gift yearned for by the Gods of the highest Heaven and here you are daily receiving this Grace. Be Grateful. The Blessings that you receive will express themselves in their perfect time. But also remember that to whom much is given, from him much will be demanded." - Baba -


: on Devotion:

"The Lord can be invoked only through the intensity of the devotee's love; He can never desist from manifesting Himself for the sake of His devotee. The power of the blowing wind makes the waters of the ocean take the form of waves. So too, God, the immanent basic being can manifest in a picture or an image that one worships on account of the power of true devotion. In order to fulfill the yearning of His devotee, God will appear in any form, through any means, at any place. But to see God, you must pray to Him with one-pointed concentration. This single-mindedness comes only with purity, which is itself derived from meditation. Therefore you must cultivate virtues, which can be inculcated from good company (satsang). Seek the company of the virtuous and avoid people with bad character. Your real friends are those who talk and discourse about the Lord, about truth, about the service (seva) of others, and about love that considers all as equal. - Dhyana Vahini, Ch 9. -Baba-

: on Dreaming:

"Whenever I appear in a dream, it is to communicate something to the individual; it is not a mere dream, as is generally known. It is real appearance". - Baba. - Source.

: on Education:

"Education must implant elevating ideals and kindle the lamp of wisdom. Character is the most precious gift of education." -Baba-

 "One can attain divinity only when he stops hiding his mistakes and highlighting the faults of others. It is a great sin to search for others' faults. Instead, look for your own. Consider your smallest defect as a great blunder and try to rectify the same." -Baba-

"The educational process has not received proper attention from thoughtful persons. The institutions which ought to have been temples of Saraswathi (the goddess of transformation through learning) have become in all lands, temples of Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth). The ideal held before the tender, innocent, unselfish children is a lucrative job, rather than a life of peace, contentment and love. Narrow loyalties and competition are polluting the minds of children. Parents, teachers and all interested in the progress of mankind have to take note of this situation." -Baba-

"Someone was found writing "pepper" on a tin of sugar, and when asked, he said, "It is only to cheat the ants!" The label "education" on the present system of teaching the young cannot cheat any thinking person who looks for the real purpose of education - the unfolding of the divine in human personality. Humility and an attitude of reverence are essential for man. They are not promoted by the educational system today. The curricula recommended in the Upanishads ensure these two." -Baba-

"Education must equip man to live happily without making others unhappy, to evaluate things, pleasures and possessions correctly. One who is ignorant of the historical and cultural heritage of his country is like an orphan. For saplings to grow soil is essential; for the ideals to get implanted, knowledge of the struggles and successes of saints and sages is essential."  -Baba-

: on Faith/Religion:

"Let the different faiths exist; let them flourish and let the Glory of God be sung in all the languages ... in a variety of tunes; that should be the ideal. Respect the differences between the faiths and recognize them as valid as long as they do not extinguish the flame of unity. If each person lives the ideals propounded by the founders of their religion, unaffected by greed or hate, then the world will be a happy and peaceful habitation for man." -Baba-

"I carry no labels assigning a country of origin or residence for myself. The entire mankind is my family. There is no one in this world who does not belong to me. All are mine. They may not call out my name, but they are still mine. I shall not give you up even if you keep afar. I shall not forsake even those who deny me. I have come for all." -Baba-

"There is only one religion, the religion of Love.
There is only one caste, the caste of Humanity.
There is only one language, the language of the Heart.
There is only one God, He is Omnipresent." 
-Baba-

"Have full faith in God and in yourselves. Engage always in good deeds, beneficial activities; speak always the truth, do not inflict pain by word or deed or even thought. That is the way to gain Santhi; that is the highest gain which you can earn in this life." -Baba-

"The atmosphere of love should not be disturbed by any uncharitable remark against anyone's faith. Nor should anyone be ridiculed or slandered. Children's minds should not be polluted by fear, hatred or disgust. The doors of their hearts must be open to all. Later on as the impact of society and the State grows, pupils can be led to an understanding of the political and religious forces that affect their lives." -Baba-

: on Guru:


The best Guru is the Divine in you; yearn for hearing His voice. Prayer must emanate from the heart, where God resides, and not from the head where doctrines and doubts clash. Be happy that others are happy. Patience is all the strength that man needs. It is easy to conquer anger through love, attachment through reasoning, falsehood through charity. -Baba-

         Why do you waste your time and energy to explain me - can a fish measure the sky? If I had come as Lord Vishnu with four arms, they would have put me in a circus. If I had come as a man like every other man, who would listen to me? So, I had to come in this human form with infinite powers and wisdom. -Baba-

: on Happiness:

"The secret of happiness is not doing what one likes to do but in liking what one has to do."  -Baba-

         "People, today, are making every attempt to be happy, blissful.  Where do you get bliss? Is it from the material things of the world, from people, or books?  Not at all. Bliss is within one's own self.  You have forgotten your true Self, the source of bliss, and are struggling hard for artificial happiness outside. You are not aware of the reality that lies in the heart. In fact, all the bliss is there. The principle of love originates from the heart, not from theworld. Everyone should develop love, more and more. But, today, there is hatred and anger everywhere. Light the lamp of love within, then fear and illusion can be removed, and you can have a vision of the Self.  Otherwise, you are bound to suffer. -Baba-

: on Hurting:

"In all that man does with a view to love himself, it is not possible for him to ignore loving others. Without cultivating love for others, you can never cultivate love for yourself. Sorrow for yourself is gained by hurting others. In the same manner, victory in every war will result in another war. So also, any happiness that you can give to others will result in happiness for yourself in the end. Man must realize that he cannot get anything without sharing it with humanity around him. So, you must believe that, in due course, happiness of the people around you will lead to your own happiness." -Baba-

: on Kindness:

"Kindness to all living beings is one of the most important virtues of human beings." -Baba-

: on Knowledge:

"We believe that the acquisition of knowledge is for the acquisition of wealth. But this is not right. Just as a bird has two wings, and a cart has two wheels; man too must have two types of knowledge - to live on and to live for. The one helps him to eke out his livelihood and the other rewards him for having lived at all. Whatever job a student may take up, wherever he may be working, he must continue to practice spiritual discipline. Without a spiritual basis, education would be wasted." -Baba-

"The end of knowledge is wisdom, the end of culture is perfection, the end of wisdom is freedom, the end of education is character." -Baba-

: on Liberation:

"You have come to get from me tinsel and trash, the petty cures and promotions, worldly joys and comforts. Very few of you desire to get from me the thing I have come to give you, namely, liberation itself." -Baba-

 

: on Life:

"Life is a challenge, meet it; 
Life is love, share it;
Life is a dream, realize it;
Life is a game, play it."  
-Baba-

"A span of life allotted to man is very short; the world in which he lives is very wide; time extends far behind and far beyond. What little man has to do here has to be done quickly, at the place that is assigned to him and within the time that is allotted to him. And, man has such a formidable task before him; it is to fulfill it that he has come as man, exchanging for this human habitat all the merit he has acquired during many past lives. The task is no less than the manifestation of the Divinity latent in him."   -Baba-

"Life is a challenge, fight to the end.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is divine, realize it.
Life is character.
There is one path, complete life."   
-Baba-

"The human life is a great gift from God. It should be valued as such and used for sacred purpose."    -Baba-

"The advances in science and technology have enabled man to roam in the sky like birds and move in water like fish. But he has not mastered the art of living well on the earth. If man has not learned how to lead a worthy human life, what is the value of his existence? Make your life meaningful by doing your duty to your parents and your Motherland. The man who is not proud of the land of his birth is worse than a corpse. Learn to love your country, without any hatred for other countries. Get rid of differences based on community, creed or caste. Regard all mankind as one family."   -Baba-

"The age span 16-30 is crucial, for that is the period when life adds sweetness to itself, when talents, skills, and attitudes are accumulated, sublimated and sanctified. If the tonic of unselfish Seva is administered to the mind during this period, life's mission is fulfilled - for the process of sublimation and sanctification will be hastened by this tonic. Do not serve for the sake of reward, attracting attention, or earning gratitude, or from a sense of pride at your own superiority in skill, wealth, status, or authority. Serve because you are urged by love. When you succeed, ascribe the success to the Grace of God, who urged you on, as Love within you. When you fail, ascribe the failure to your own inadequacy or ignorance."   -Baba-

"You do not see the foundations of a skyscraper. Can you, therefore, argue that it simply sits on the ground? The foundations of this life are laid deep in the past, in lives already lived by you. This structure has been shaped by the ground plan of those lives. It is the unseen foundation that decides the structure and design of the entire edifice."   -Baba-

"A home where the members of the family are leading their lives in keeping with noble ideals, where they together sing the glory of the Lord's name and spend their time in performing good deeds, where the values of truth, peace and love reign supreme, where regular study of holy books are undertaken, where the senses are under control, and where there is equal love and respect for all creation prompted by the knowledge of the basic unity of all creation - such a home is verily heaven on earth." -Baba-

: on Lingam

"People ask: 'Why does Swami produce the lingam (formless form of God) from within Himself on this day'?  But, let Me tell you, it is impossible for you to understand the attributes of the divine and to measure its potentialities, or, to gauge the significance of the manifestation of divinity. It is a agamya (unreachable) and agochara (un-understandable, mysterious). Therefore, in order to bear witness to the fact that the divinity is amidst you, it becomes necessary to express this attribute. Or else, the atmosphere of hatred, greed, cruelty, violence and irreverence will overwhelm the good, the humble and the pious." -Baba-

: on the Lord

"God is not involved in either rewards or punishments. He only reflects, resounds and re-acts! He is the Eternal Unaffected Witness! You decide your own fate. Even creation, protection and destruction follow the same law, the innate law of the maya-ridden universe." -Baba-

"God does not consider how wealthy or how learned you are; He is concerned with the sincerity and purity of your mind and heart and about how whole-hearted and genuine your love is."  -Baba-

"For the protection of the virtuous, for the destruction of evildoers, and for establishing righteousness on a firm  footing - I incarnate from age to age. Whenever disharmony overwhelms the world, the Lord will incarnate in human form to establish the modes of earning peace, and to re-educate the human community in the paths of peace."  -Baba-

"Let us take a cycle or a car tyre.  If a small pin is pierced in that tyre, all the air inside it will be released.  While all the air that is in the tyre goes out under such conditions, your body, which has nine big holes in it can always hold life in it without leaking out. Everything is held together by God's strength. God is present everywhere. You are only a means through which God is seeing everyone in this world. You are imagining that you are seeing with your eyes, but you are, in fact, seeing with God's eyes.  This world is full of God and everything that you see is God."  -Baba-

 

: on Love:

"There is one religion, the religion of Love"    -Baba-

 

"Love all, Serve all, Help ever, Hurt never"   -Baba-

 

"Love as thought is Truth.
Love as action is Right Conduct.
Love as feeling is Peace.
Love as understanding is Non-violence."    
-Baba-

 

: on the Mind of man:

"The mind is like a lake. When the water is calm, the rays of the sun are reflected on the surface of water, like a mirror. But if the water is disturbed because the wind is blowing, then there is very little reflection. Man must learn to control his mind."   -Baba-

 

: on Miracles:

"My miracles are my calling cards. I give the people what they want so that they will give me what I want, their love of God."   -Baba-

 

: on Mothers: 

"The mother is the pillar of the home, society, nation and of humanity itself. Mothers must know the secret of mental peace, of inner silence, of spiritual courage, of contentment (which is the greatest wealth) and of spiritual discipline which give lasting joy.  -Baba-

If you want to know how advanced a nation is, study the mothers: are they free from fear and anxiety, are they full of Love towards all, are they trained in fortitude and virtue? If you like to imbibe the glory of a culture, watch the mothers, rocking the cradles, feeding, fostering, teaching and fondling the babies.   -Baba-

Love for the mother has to be fostered by everyone. Whoever she may be, a mother is verily divine. She is indeed the first teacher for everyone. It is only the mother who strives most for securing the well-being of the child by showering on him boundless affection and love and showing him the father."    -Baba-

 

: on Nature:

"There are some men who are like moths, who must bore through whatever they come across, silk or cotton or wool; there are others who are like bees, who seek only honey. The lotus attracts bees from afar, but the frogs that skip around it on the lake know naught of its beauty or fragrance."   -Baba-

"Consider for a moment wherefrom the rain comes. It comes from clouds. The clouds have come from water vapor rising from the sea. The rain becomes a channel on the earth, then a rivulet and then a big river which joins the sea. A pot made out of clay, when it is broken, is cast on the ground, where, in course of time, it becomes clay again. Water from the sea joins the sea, clay from the earth goes back to earth again, man alone forgets the source from which he came."     -Baba-


: on Prema Sai Baba:

"Lord Siva conferred a boon to sage rishi Bharadvaja that He would incarnate in Kali Yuga (the present dark age) thrice in order to bless his gotra and lineage. Sathya Sai Baba declared that He is one part of the three avataras of Sai, a Sai Trinity, that will lead mankind to another golden age and a time when mankind will bow down to India as the spiritual hub of the world. His first incarnation was as Shirdi Sai Baba in Shirdi (1835-1918) and His final incarnation to come eight years after He passes away (24 April 2011 at 7:40 AM). This third incarnation will be known as Prema Sai Baba."   -Baba-

 

: on Religion:

"I preach only one religion of love for all, which alone can integrate the human race into a brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God. I know only one language - of the heart - beyond the mind or intellect relating man to man and mankind to God, thereby creating mutual understanding, cooperation, and community life in peace and harmony. On this basis, I want to build one humanity without any religions, casts, or other barriers in a universal empire of love which could enable my devotees to feel the whole world as their own family."   -Baba-

"It is good to be born in a church, but it is not good to die in it." [SSS - The Shirdi Feet]

 

: on Sadhana (spiritual practise):

"Sadhana (spiritual practice) must render you calm, unruffled, poised, balanced. Make your mind cool and comfortable as moonlight, for the moon is the deity holding sway over de mind. Be calm in speech, be calm in response to malice, caviling and praise. Calmness of senses, passions, emotions, feelings, impulses - that is real santhi (peace) . Do not be led away by doubt and vain arguments; do not question how and whether I can do all this."  -Baba-

"The best sadhana is that every act through the day be done as worship of God. God is like electric power. The heart is the light bulb. The wiring is the discipline. The switch is the intelligence."    -Baba-

: on Shiva:

"Aum Namah Shivaya - Take the ideal of Lord Shiva. When the devastating halahala poison emerged from the ocean, the life on earth was threatened with immediate and total destruction. Lord Shiva offered to drink the poison and save the world (see this story here in S.B. 8.7). His throat is blue ever since, for the poison has pervaded the area. Be eager to serve, to come to the rescue of others."   -Baba-

"The bull (see also S.B. 1:16 & 1.17) on which Lord Shiva is said to ride is not the animal by that name, but the symbol of dharma (righteousness) which has four legs - Sathya (truth), Dharma (righteousness), Shanti (peace) and Prema (love)."     -Baba-

 

: on Silence:

"Practice silence. For the voice of God can be heard in the region of the heart only when the tongue is still ... Silence is the speech of the spiritual seeker. Soft sweet speech is the expression of genuine love. Hate screeches, fear squeals, conceit trumpets - but love sings lullabies; it soothes, it applies balm."   -Baba-

"Silence is the only language of the realized. Practice moderation in speech. That will help you in many ways. It will develop Prema, for most misunderstandings and factions arise out of carelessly spoken words. When the foot slips, the wound can be healed; but when the tongue slips, the wound it causes in the heart of another will fester for life. The tongue is liable to four big errors: uttering falsehood, scandalizing, finding fault with others, and excessive speech. All these have to be avoided if there is to be santhi for the individual as well as for society."   -Baba-

"One of the first principles of straight living is the practice of silence. For the voice of God can be heard in the region of your heart when the tongue is stilled and the storm is tilled and the waves are calm. There will be no temptations for others to shout when you talk to them in whispers. Set the level of the tone yourself; as low as possible, as high as necessary to reach the outermost boundary of the circle you are addressing. Conserve sound, since it is the treasure of the element akasa, an emanation from God Himself. Reason can prevail only when arguments are advanced without the whipping up of sound. Silence is the speech of the spiritual seeker. Soft sweet speech is the expression of genuine love. Hate screeches, fear squeals, conceit trumpets. But love sings lullabies. It soothes. It applies balm. Practice the vocabulary of love; unlearn the language of hate and contempt."  - Baba-

"Silence is the true spiritual instruction. Once a devotee came to visit Bagawan Sai Baba and said that the great sages of the past had travelled extensively preaching the truth and thus had served the world at large. Similarly, if Bhagavan were to travel thus it would be beneficial to many. Smilingly, Bhagawan replied, that His being settled in one place is also beneficial and narrated the following story:

“Brahmâ, the Lord of Creation, once lost interest in the work of creation and thought of taking to a life of tapas (penance). So, out of his mind he created Sanaka, Sanat Kumaru, Sanandana and Sanatsujata, with the intention to hand over to them his job in the course of time. They grew up and mastered all of the branches of study. Brahmâ then decided to hand over to them his job and to retire. Sage Nârada came to know of his father’s intention. Since Nârada knew that his brothers were full of dispassion and fit to be initiated into the path of self-knowledge, he decided to warn them beforehand of Brahmâ’s intention. On hearing this, the four brothers, who had no intention to follow the path of action, left home in search of a guru without informing their father. They all proceeded to Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu. There they saw Lakshmi sitting on Vishnu’s couch massaging His feet. On seeing this, they thought, “How can this family man bound by the intimate glance of his consort render us any help in learning adhyatma-vidya (knowledge of the self). Look at the splendor of this palace and this city! This is enough. Let us seek the help of Lord S'iva”.

Lord Siva, who was in Kailas with his family, knew beforehand about their coming and understood their plight. He was sure that they would be disappointed on seeing him with a family, so taking pity on them, He decided to impart spiritual knowledge to them. The kind-hearted Lord, left Mount Kailas and taking the youthful form of Dakshinamurti, seated Himself with chinmudra (lotus position), under a banyan tree on the Northern side of Lake Manasarovar, just on the way by which these disappointed devotees were returning to their respective homes. When they came and sat before Him, He went into samadhi (absorption in the self). He was in perfect repose. Silence prevailed. They saw Him. The effect was immediate. They fell into samadhi and their doubts were cleared."    -Story told to devotees by Sri Sai Baba-

"Silence is the true upadesa. It is the perfect upadesa. It is suited only for the most advanced. Others are unable to draw full inspiration from it. Therefore they require words to explain the truth. But truth is beyond words. It does not admit or explain. It merely indicates the truth through self-discovery.” -Baba-
 

: on Time

"Time waste is life waste."   -Baba-

"Realise the value of Time. Time is supremely precious. It waits for no one. Everyone has to submit himself to Time. It is not subject to any one. It is only when Time is utilized properly through right actions that the human can rise to the level of the Divine."   -Baba-

"Man's foremost duty is to make the right use of Time through the bodily vesture given to him. Man is bound by actions in this phenomenal world. While the Divine is all-pervasive, man is failing to recognize it. He is unable to see the light that is within him. The Reality which you are seeking everywhere in the outside world is within you."  -Baba-

"Time is God. All things happen according to the dictates of Time; Both good and bad depend on Time; Prosperity and poverty likewise depend on Time; Time is the determinant of all things, there is none who is not subject to Time in this entire world; that's the Truth."
"The poet Bhartruhari said: "Salutations to the Lord of Time who sets everything in motion. Time is all-powerful. One should not waste."  
-Baba-

"Do not attach too much significance to any particular day. Every day is Guru-vaar, not Thursday alone. Every second is a new start and has to be celebrated as an opportunity. The New Year, beginning on a particular day, is just a convention, a creation of man's limiting mind, separating God's infinity into tiny sections." [Sathyam Sivam Sundaram]

"Time is no servant of the body; the body is the servant of Time." [Ramakatha Rasavahini]

"Festivals based on the calendar, solar or lunar, celebrating the apparent change of movement or direction of the sun or the moon have been devised, in order to emphasize the need for mind-control (the moon is the presiding deity of the mind) and intelligence-regulation (the sun is the presiding deity of intelligence). Placing disproportionate faith in material wealth and objective pleasures, man has lost the art of tapping the resources of joy within himself, within his own mind and intelligence. One need not wait for Uttarayana to arrive, for resolving upon the process of mind-control and intelligence-control. Every moment is the right moment" [from Sathyam Sivam Sundaram

"Men may have super abundance of food, clothing and housing; but their hearts may be dry and their spirits glooming. Sense-control, self-confidence, contentment, absence of hatred and greed are far more precious possessions than land, money or houses. No effort is made today to give lessons of this discipline in the educational institutions. It is wrong to lay the blame on want of time. You are the obstructor, not the time. The monkey that cannot pull out its clencled fist from the narrow neck of the pot blames the pot or the maker of the pot. But if only it releases the hold on the peanuts it has caught in that fist, it can easily take its hand out. The fault lies in itself. So too, man's greed is the reason for this want of time. That is why I often refer to it as the monkey mind" -Baba-

"All things happen according to the dictates of Time;
Both good and bad depend on Time;
Prosperity and poverty likewise depend on Time;
Time is the determinant of all things,
There is none who is not subject to Time in this entire world; 
that's the Truth".  
-Baba-

"Life is like a flight of steps towards the Godhead. You have your foot on the first step when you are born; each day is a step that must be climbed; so, be steady, watchful and earnest. Do not count the steps ahead or exult over the steps behind. One step at a time and that well climbed, is enough success to be satisfied with and to give you encouragement for the next one. Do not slide from the step you have got up on. Every step is a victory to be cherished; every day wasted is a defeat to be ashamed of. Slow and steady - let that be your maxim! Adhere to a regular routine. Maintain discipline of time."   -Baba-

"Be thankful to the Lord that He gave you time, as well as action to fill it with.  He gave you food, as well as hunger to relish it.  But that does not entitle you to engage yourself in action indiscriminately. Admit the highest wisdom of the scriptures, the wisdom culled out of the crucible of experience. The lotus born in the slime and mud rises up through the water and lifts its head high above the water.  It refuses to get wet, though water is the element, which gives its life!  Be like the Lotus!"   -Baba-

"Love even those whom you consider wicked. In fact, there is nobody who is wicked in this world. It is because of delusion that you consider some as good and a few others wicked. Develop noble feelings and follow the path of truth. Do not indulge in vain gossip. Do not entertain bad feelings or use bad words. Do not hurt others. Instead, sanctify your time by chanting the Divine Name. There is nothing sweeter in this world than the Divine Name. The Divine Names that you chant purifies the hearts of many. Use only sacred words and sing the glory of God. In doing so, you would have rendered a great help to the whole world. Make proper use of your time. Help everybody. When you help others, you will certainly achieve positive results."     -Baba-

 

: on Unity:

"Now, all things have gone up in value; man alone has become cheap - he has become cheaper than animals. He is slaughtered in millions without any qualm, because of the terrific growth in anger, hate and greed. He has forgotten his unity with all men, all being, and all worlds. The completion of that unity alone can establish world peace, social peace and peace in the individual."    -Baba-


: on Vegetarianism/Vidhi:

"It is a fact that plants also have life like animals. But animals are endowed with mind, and nervous systems too while the plants do not possess the same. The animals cry and weep when they are being killed. It is not the case with plants; as such, equating killing of animals and destruction of plants is faulty logic. Further, killing the animals and eating their flesh leads to the creeping or dissemination of the animal qualities and behavior into man (meaning that man acquires the beastly qualities by eating animal flesh). Thus follows our acquiring the beastly qualities - tamasic nature - of the buffalos or the sheep. Hence, meat eating should be discarded. Food conditions the nature of the mind. Mind guides the thinking. Thinking results in action. Actions lead to commensurate or matching results and effects. This chain of action between the food we eat and the results of our actions highlights the fact that meat eating leads to beastly actions and the concomitant evil effects." - Sathya Sai, The Avatar of Love, p. 132.

"There should be some regulations with regard to food. Many doctors emphasize the value of proteins and recommend meat, eggs, etc. But proteins got in this form serve only to build the body, but do considerable harm to the mind. Doctors are primarily concerned with the gross physical body. They pay little attention to the subtle form of the mental makeup. Most of the diseases that are prevalent in the world today are related to the mind. Mental illness seem to outnumber physical ailments. The Vedanta has declared that the mind is the cause of man's bondage or liberation. This means that the mind has to be used properly and turned godwards. Equally the mind is responsible for health or sickness. In this context, food is all important. Proteins are present in milk, curds and vegetables as much as in meat. If in the matter of diet, the doctors give the right prescription, diseases can be averted." Sri Sathya Sai Baba Discourse on 07-02-1993.    [see also: Nonviolence and Vegetarian Sharing: The Filognostic Diet.]

"At times, to get more protein and strength you may be recommended to consume animal foods like fish and poultry. Consuming non-vegetarian food is not required and you must avoid it. A healthy balanced diet of greens, milk, curds and grains will provide you with all required nourishment. There is a close relationship between your food, head and God. Animal foods will let you develop animal traits. Some may ask, do not plants have life and will they not suffer when we cut and cook them? All plants and vegetables have life, but lack the senses, just like a patient who is given anaesthesia during an operation lacks the awareness and pain of the doctor’s cuts and stitches. However animals have senses and when we cut them, they suffer intensely. To avoid bad thoughts, do not take excessive food, or that which is earned by unrighteous means, or non-vegetarian diet or food that is not offered to God." - Divine Discourse, 'My Dear Students', Vol 2, Ch2.

Good health is not dependent on good medicine. Good words, good manners, good sight and good thoughts – these are essential. - Baba

: on Wisdom:

"Where there is confidence, there is Love.
Where there is Love, there is Peace.
Where there is Peace, there is Truth.
Where there is Truth, there is Bliss.
Where there is Bliss, there is God."   
-Baba-

"The end of knowledge is wisdom,.
the end of wisdom is freedom,
the end of education is character."   
-Baba-

 

: on the World:

"The world is a great teacher, a constant guide and source of inspiration. That is the reason why man is placed in the world. Every bird, every animal, every tree, mountain and star and each tiny worm has a lesson for man, if he has but the thirst to learn. These make the world a veritable University for man; it is but a Gurukul (a school for spiritual learning) where he is a pupil from birth to death."    -Baba-

"The Supreme Lord is present inside and outside, everywhere in the cosmos. Man today looks only at the outside world like any animal. To look inward is the mark of the true human being. Obsessed with the external and losing the internal vision, man has forfeited his power of discrimination."    -Baba-

: on Youth:

"It is the youth and youth alone who can set this world right. No nation can stand without its youth. Never underestimate the capabilities of young people thinking that they are inexperienced and immature. Only the youth are capable of protecting this world; they are endowed with immense power. If they take a firm resolve, they can achieve anything! When they realize their power, they can emancipate nations. You must face all difficulties with forbearance. Accept all trials and tribulations with love. Accept both pleasure and pain with love. Fill your heart with love and not with the poison of evil qualities. Everything is love. The very word ‘love’ is suffused with sweetness. Treat each other with love, converse with each other with love; lead a life full of love and enjoy bliss."    -Baba-

: on Yearning:

"Something you have held, seeking something to hold. Hold on to it firm and fast. Something you have asked for, though asking is not needed. Well, stay on till the gift is granted. Some resolution you have entertained in your mind though you have no need to resolve. Still, knock at the door until it opens and your resolution is fulfilled. Either I must grant you the thing you crave for, unable to withstand your yearning, or you must realize the absurdity and the audacity and thus conquer the wrong yearning."    -Baba-