The Question and Answer Session in Seattle - USA
May 2, 2009
OM…OM…OM…
Sai Ram
Here we are, in the Q & A session: questions and answers! We live in the time of the women's liberation movement, so we have to practice equal rights for women also. So, one is to one: one question from that side, then one question from this side, okay?
Now then, who asks first and who asks next will be decided by our brother here. Who will decide whom should ask, and to whom I should answer? Well, I don't want to do that! (Laughter) Right, ladies first! Come on, quickly. Let’s not lose time.
Sai Ram. My question is this: in Hindu religion, there was Krishna, Rama, and so on. They went for wars, whereas Jesus was for peace. So, why is it like that? Why is the Hindu religion having wars or something like that?
Well, that war is symbolic. War is symbolic. There is war going on in our hearts right now: Shall I do or not? Is it right or not? Is it good or bad? That kind of conflict is war. So, outer war indicates conflict going on within man in everyday life.
Second point: in those days, the bad people were located in one place, while the good people stayed at another place. Easy to finish the bad ones off and save those good people! (Laughter)
That’s what happened in Tretha Yuga. Rama’s job was so simple: all the good people were in Ayodhya, while all the bad people were taken care of–with Ravana as the head of the department! (Laughter) So He finished them off—a very simple job for Rama.
The problem was a little bit complicated for Krishna because, in the same Hastinapura, good and bad people lived together. So He had to filter them and finish them off like that.
But today, in the mornings we are good, while in the evenings, we are bad. (Laughter) In the morning, we are excellent, but by evening, we are terrible. So, how to overcome this? If we start killing people, who will be left except yourself?
Therefore, wars are symbolic. Transformation with love is the present Divine technology of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Okay? Thank you.
If Creation is leela (God’s play), how do we handle the cycle of birth and death and also the theory of karma?
Wah! Wah! Come on, that is your standard! (Applause) This is like Bhishmacharya--quite enlightened! God bless you, sir.
When the whole of creation is leela, birth and death equally are leela. Karma is equally leela. When the whole of creation is leela, why not this also? I am not evading the correct answer.
The second point is this: in this drama or TV serial, there is another drama. The hero goes back to his past memory. There is a drama within a drama, a serial within another serial. So, that is unreal and this is also unreal.
The third point is that birth and rebirth are a matter of the mind. So long as the mind exists, we have to be born again and again.
Therefore, Ramana Maharshi suggested that the mind should be withdrawn, what is called manonashana. Or, the mind should merge in singing the glory of God; that is called manolaya. The merger or annihilation/withdrawal of the mind is the solution for getting out of the cycle of birth and rebirth. Am I clear to you, sir? Am I clear? Sai Ram. Good!
If you allow me a second question, Swami also says that rebirth is still dependent on your debit and credit entry in your accounts. How do you account for this, when there is no centralised system?
Who am I to allow you, sir! You should allow me to answer your question! (Laughter)
Credit and debit arise out of your money. If you have no money, you have no credit and no debit. If you have hair, (on the left or right, or right, left and centre), then there it is! But if you have no hair, Hari Om, there’s no problem! Laughter) Therefore, when the mind is withdrawn, the problem is gone. That’s it, okay?
I am a student, and I am diving into a challenging time in my academic career. My goal is to have a rebirth, and be of service to Swami, as I go into a workload that is beyond what feels like it is possible. How do I stay with that motivation with Swami and stay strong?
Mrs. Kamaraju: Whatever may come in your way, you have to accept it. First, you learn acceptance. Then, if you are prepared, motivation and inspiration will come from within; you will not be doing anything. The inspirer or the motivator of everything will come from within. You will follow that.
Note that the time should come. Whenever you want to do some service or want to reach any goal, it should come from within, and that will inspire you to reach your goal.
Prof. Anil Kumar: A simple supplement: what’s the Lord’s Prayer? “Thy Will be done, as it is in Heaven.”
“Oh God, let Your Will be done through us. I don't have any personal will, my Lord. I want Your Will to prevail. Why? I know Your Will is for my own good. I do not have any will because I do not know what is good for me now.” Therefore, preparedness, acceptance and surrender are the solution. Am I clear?
Mrs. Kamaraju: One more thing, what is good today may not be good tomorrow. God only knows whether it is good for us or not.
Swami gave one interview to a couple and their son. Swami told them not to give him a motorcycle. But the boy was very insistent that he should get the motorcycle. Because of their love and affection for him, the parents gave him the motorcycle.
In one month, the boy died in an accident. So, in the interview Swami told the couple that whatever we want should not be fulfilled either by parents or God. God warns us, but never commands us.
We should understand that and know that whatever is good for us, whatever is in store for us, Swami will definitely give us and will fulfill our desires.
My question is regarding the major earth changes Swami said are coming up. Are major changes possible?
I don't remember Swami speaking of the future. He is not an astrologer. He is not going to tell anyone of any impending tragedy for humanity. There may be earthquakes or major floods that cause havoc; fires or epidemics, whatever the case may be. He does not frighten you by telling you the future. He wants to brighten you in His presence, not frighten you by speaking of the future. Sai Ram.
In one of your Singapore discourses, you said samadhi is equanimity of the mind. So could you please tell us how to deal with that state?
The samadhi state is the question posed to me. Her question is how to remain in the state of samadhi while we are here. Is that right? (The questioner answers affirmatively and Prof Anil Kumar continues.) That’s good. But you are too young to ask such a question! (Laughter) But anyway, the soul’s age is old though the body is young; so I can understand and compromise. My friends, what is samadhi?
Samadhi is a state of equanimity. Samadhi is a transcendental state. Samadhi is a thoughtless state. Samadhi is beyond the senses. Samadhi is beyond the mind.
We need not attain it because everyone has the experience of samadhi without attempting it, without effort. How is this? In deep sleep, when there are no dreams. This is very good sleep. You are snoring the whole time, but who is listening to your snoring? No dreams. You enjoy this state. The next morning, you look very fresh. Why?
In deep sleep, there is no mind. Mind is withdrawn, mind is passive, mind is silent. So you experience Samadhi, the non-dualistic state, effortlessly in deep sleep. But in the waking state, with effort or sadhana, if you attain this state, it is samadhi.
In deep sleep, this state is called sushupthi; it is effortless. In the waking state, it is samadhi. The area around here is Seattle; there, it is Kodaikanal. So the samadhi state is during the waking state, the same as sushupthi. The non-dual state is the blissful state. Both are the same experience. All of us have it. Good question. God bless you.
I am afraid to ask this question. You have explained beautifully from mind-to-heart-to-being. Baba has also explained Self-realisation many times. The Sai organisation’s motto or aim is Self-realisation. But the only question that comes to my mind is: is it really applicable? Have you come across anybody who has attained Self-realisation?
Good question. See, that is the Western mind! (Laughter) Have you attained that? Or have any of the people you know? Is this possible, or is it fiction? (Laughter)
Western mind! The Western mind is exploring, investigating, experimenting--scientific, technological, and rational--that is the Western mind. The mystic mind, the mind that is transcendental, is the Eastern mind. So this is a Western question.
Well, my friend, let me tell you, spirituality is an individual matter. It is not a matter of how many people have attained it or not. It is not a collective or social affair. The enlightened people will not come and say, “I am enlightened.” (Laughter) But that doesn't mean that there are no enlightened people. There are enlightened people. But they don't declare it.
The social status can be known, dignity can be known, our qualifications can be known, and the personality can be seen. But Self-realisation? I can't say the same for this, and so no person is certified to be a realised soul. How can this be? Self-realisation is a personal matter. Am I clear?
Second point, have I attained Self-realisation? That is another question you have put to me. I never said that I am Self-realised. I never said that. We are all fellow pilgrims. We are all fellow travellers, travelling toward the same goal. Because I happen to be a teacher, quite acquainted with Sai literature, being close to Swami, translating His discourses, I am able to communicate all this. But Self- realisation is my personal work. I have not reached the Self-realised state. I am honest enough.
Self-realisation is not an attainment; Self-realisation is not an achievement. Self-realisation is awareness. What is that awareness? That I am I. I am not the body, I am not the mind, I am not the intellect. I am I. That is true Self enlightenment.
We are proceeding towards that. There are a number of souls, a number of them, but no one comes forward, as this is not an advertisement company or some goods-on-sale in front of Sears or something like that: “Self-realisation on sale!” It’s not like that. (Laughter) Am I clear?
In the relationship between parents and their children, how to find balance, and react and respond in situations accordingly?
Mrs. Kamaraju: As parents, we should love our children. We should have concern for them and we should be kind to them. But when the issue is their studies and things like that, we should correct them and should encourage them to study.
Whenever they are going on the wrong path, we should correct them. We should be checking to see whether they are on the right path or not. When health issues arise, you must take extra care. Nowadays, I find that here in the US, because all the ladies are working, it is very difficult to take care of the children.
Sometimes you have to take off and take care of your children. Even though there are nannies available, they don't have the same concern or motherly touch. I feel that when children are very small, it would be better not to take up any employment. That’s how I feel. There is a lot of difference between children in the US and in India.
When the children are very young, all the mothers will give motherly support, while grandmothers will give company. They will be growing up on a nice, righteous path. I feel that way. I feel that this aspect is missing in US children. We should be extra careful about that. (Applause)
Prof. Anil Kumar: So we all clapped, accepting that we all have to be extra careful. Good, good. My friends, as she is a typical mother of only four children, you got the answer at the physical family level. Let me give you a spiritual dimension to this question also.
We are parents, correct? Children are born to us, right? Wrong! We are parents, but children are not born to us. Let us correct our English. There is one great mystic, Khalil Gibran, who says this. This is repeated by Bhagavan Baba also. Children are not born to parents. They are born through the parents. The parents are only the channel for this manifestation of life. The life energy takes form via the parents.
Therefore, let us realise that we are only instruments for the expression of life to come onto this planet Earth. It is not that I own or I claim—nothing like that. We cannot claim ourselves either. Not knowing this is Himalayan ignorance! So the first point is that we are only instruments in bringing children to life.
Point two: to what extent are we attached? We do our duty to the extent possible. Beyond that, if you still hang on, it is attachment.
There are some people--I met one gentleman. (Of course, I meet many people!) That gentleman told me, “Mr. Anil Kumar, I am worried my son is not saving enough money.”
When your son is not saving enough money, why do you cry? Why do you cry? You finished your job. Please don't dig your grave by doing that, gentleman. Be happy that you finished your job. That’s all. Now, he has to take care of his life.
Therefore, parents’ jobs end where their lives begin—an independent life. If you go on hanging on and think that you are the destiny-makers of your children—that you can make him District Collector or a Cabinet Minister— no, no, no! I can't make the destiny of my children. I can only help them. I am not the destiny-maker.
So, do get involved to a certain extent as a parent, and then watch. We can pray; that’s all. That is detachment. It is ‘attached detachment’ or ‘detached attachment’.
Detached attachment—here’s a simple example: I am an officer with table, furniture, bungalow and number of helpers around. I know that the office does not belong to me. I know that these clerks do not belong to me. I know that the peons do not belong to me. When I retire, I know that nobody will say ‘hi’ to me; that all this is only while I am in service.
It is the same thing while in the office: I am attached to the office, but I am fully aware that it does not belong to me. The same applies in respect to children and family also. Am I clear? That’s what it is.
This is a question coming from a devotee from one of the centres in the region: as Swami’s mission unfolds in this 21st century, He is beginning to withdraw (apparently) from extensive contact with His devotees, as previously was available in the past. How does this change affect the way the Sai centres and the region should be interacting with the community?
Good. Do you all follow the question? The question is put to me based on the background of what’s happening today. We think that Swami is withdrawing. We think that Swami has just become a spectator, a silent spectator; that He is not as active as He was earlier. But I tell you my friends, He has come nearer and nearer, dearer and dearer, closer and closer, far more than ever before. Please believe me.
Point two, Sai centres are growing more and more today, more than before. People are experiencing this. One simple example: “Swami, You should talk to me. Swami, You should look at me. Swami, You should take my letter.” This has been our spiritual life till now.
Today our feelings are, “Swami, how are You? Swami, why are You like that? Bhagavan, please start moving amongst us. Swami, why don't You give us Your smile?”
We are constantly behind Swami now, more than ever before. Earlier, we were concentrating on the letters, on our desires and our personal agendas. But now, we are concentrating more on Swami.
Everyone asks me, “How is Swami, how is Swami?” Earlier, they didn't ask that. Earlier, they would ask, “When is it convenient to have an interview? When is the time when the crowd is smaller in Puttaparthi?”
Today, nobody is asking this. So, all our attention is focused on Swami today, and He is speaking to us from within. He is helping us grow spiritually, not by physical proximity but by spiritual disposition. Am I clear? That’s what it is.
My apologies to Harish Naidu! In fact, they have given me the cards with all the questions. But I am a true professor, complete with absent-mindedness. I dropped the cards and I do not know where they are! Therefore, they had to take the trouble of compiling the questions once again. So, I apologise once again to Harish Naidu, the regional president.
We are preparing plans for a pilgrimage to Swami.
Come on! (Claps) Good, good.
We are preparing a cultural program for possible presentation in front of Swami if He wishes. Is there is any guidance or advice that perhaps either one of you can give us to help prepare for this very auspicious pilgrimage?
Thank you for a very good question. You represent your culture; I mean, the culture of this land and area of Seattle—what Washington stands for, what American culture is, what American life is. Bring out your experiences and display them there. Let your people speak there. By your people, I mean everybody representing every one of us. Let there be good representation. Let there be a presentation based on the native culture of this land.
If you present something on Prahlada, nobody here knows who Prahlada is. Neither do you know, nor do others know about him. We (in India) are already there to do that. But you have to show what you are: the life you lead, the culture you have and your experiences, and English songs. Believe me, I am speaking from the bottom of my heart. I really appreciated this morning’s prayer: one verse from Islam, one verse from Dhammapada, one verse from the Quran. Wow, do it like that in Prashanti Nilayam! Everybody will be thrilled and excited. We will be doing justice when you say Baba stands for or represents the unity of all things.
If you go on doing Veda and nada, how do you convey the unity of all things? No. Let not any one particular item dominate the presentation. Let it be universal in nature. Yes, all religions are important. All faiths are important. Let us represent the spirit of the unity of all faiths. This is far more important.
Then, some of you speak there, narrating your own experiences. Talk about how there is transformation within you. And prepare some Western dances by balvikas children. If I dance, it will be awful. But if the children dance, it will be beautiful. Swami will also enjoy it. The primary school children there dance to pop music, do you know that? It’s so nice.
Children, whatever they do, will be fantastic. So, let there be good things—a good presentation, full of dance, full of smiles, full of joy. I am sure you will be able to do it. God bless you.
Sai Ram, uncle. I think Swami has showered His blessings. But then, what are Swami's comment on the future of India—let’s say, the immediate future, four to ten years from now. What is He saying about this period? Will the Indian economy grow? Will India do very well? Will the world do very well? What is He saying about this?
Mrs. Kamaraju: The Indian economy is very good now. Now you have to worry about the American economy! (Laughter)
Then Prof. Anil Kumar sings a Telugu poem, which often Swami sings during His discourses:
Parama Paavanamainatti Bharataavaniyandu Sahanamu Annadhe Manaku Chakkadhanamu
Vrathamulu Annitiyandu Vanne Gaanchinatti Gana Satyaseelame Katina Tapamu
Madhura Bhavambuyedhi Mana Desamandanna Maatru Bhavambukanna Manyamedi
Pranambu Kante Maanambu Ganamu Anu Mana Desa Neetini Manta Kalipi
Netikicchir Vesa Swetchayanu Vitchukattulu Aura Yemandu Bharata Palanambu
Yemandu Bharata Palanambu
Nothing is going to happen to India; nothing will happen. A simple example: a ship was proceeding at a fast speed. Jesus was sleeping on the ship’s deck. Suddenly, the ship ran into trouble. It looked like it was going to break at any moment. Water started seeping into the ship and the whole ship was on the brink of capsizing. The captain was terrified. People were running here and there.
Suddenly, one devotee came forward and said, “Why are you panicking? Why are you worried? Don't you know that Jesus is sleeping on the deck of this ship? We will never sink.”
Baba is sleeping on the deck of America, on the deck of India, on the deck of the whole of the universe. We shall say we will never sink. Take it from me.
Sai Ram, uncle. Earlier today, you said focus on the present, focus on the presence of Baba. I have a question. When you focus on the present—at least this is what I interpret—you may have the tendency to not realise the effects of what you are doing. For instance, right now, in my education, I am not getting the chance to specialise in a certain area. And that means I have to think ahead. So how do I integrate your message?
Very good question! Come on, God bless you! This is a challenging question. His question is, as a student, how to live in the present when I am supposed to plan my career ahead. I have some plans to become something and when I don't think of the future, how can I live in the present? Good question.
‘Living in the present’ means doing your duty. ‘Living in the present’ means fulfilling your obligation. ‘Living in the present’ means do not concentrate too much on the results. Do your job sincerely; the result He will take care of.
That’s what is called ‘senseless action’ or nishkama karma. This is stated in the Bhagavad Gita. If you are too much concentrated on the result, what happens? When the result reverses, depression, frustration, and mental problems are the result. If you are too much concentrated on the end result, it may happen or it may not happen.
Do your job. Eat well. He will take care of the digestion. (Laughter) Who am I to think I am going to digest my food? What is the process of digestion? If you think like that, you can't eat now! (Laughter) Eat now, and He will take care of the rest. Am I clear? That’s what is meant by "Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana." You have got a right on your action, but not on the result.
Am I clear? Thank you very much.
Mrs. Kamaraju: That’s what is called a positive attitude. Always develop a positive attitude so that you may not have any worries after that. Even though you may not get the result you expect, you won't get worried.
For many years, there has been a song, a bhajan that we sang here (and probably in the other regions also) and that is “send us dharmic leaders.” So has Swami commented on President Obama?
Not to my knowledge, but it is quite possible. About Swami, nobody can question. He may not say it in public, but He has good will towards everybody. He has got blessings for everyone. He does not point out so-and-so is bad. No, no, no! Good and bad are at our level only. At His level, we are His children.
It is quite possible. Why not? Obama is no exception. The whole world has got very high expectations for the future performance of Obama, and Baba will bless him. There is no doubt about it.
Sai Ram. So our question is about family members’ responsibilities. The question is, what does Swami say about the responsibility of family members towards elderly family members—the grandparents and great grandparents—especially if they are frail or in poor health in some way?
Mrs. Kamaraju: Swami wants us to start our service from the home itself. First, we should take responsibility for serving our parents and parents-in-law. And then, we can go for service outside. If you avoid service at home, you can't satisfy other people either. I want you to start service from the house itself.
Prof. Anil Kumar: In other words, she means charity begins at home. Rather, I will give you one simple example. One boy said that Swami asked him, "Boy, what do you want?"
The boy replied, “I want You. Come on, take me.”
“Why?”
“Swami, I love You. So I want to be with You.”
Then Baba laughed and laughed and said, “It is hypocrisy.” Much to the delight of everybody, Baba said these words: “You know what your parents want; you know what your parents need. You know how to make them happy. You know how to serve them. When you do not do that, how am I to believe that you are going to please Me, that you are going to serve Me, that you are going to make Me happy? You don't do that for the ones who are in front of you. And you want to do service to those whom you do not see very often. It is gas! Serve your parents first. Serving your parents is serving Me,” declared Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
His next point He made in Telugu: “Ni head, Ni blood, Ni duddu (your head, your blood, your money) is the parents’ gift and you have to pay rent to your parents for having adopted this body.” That’s what Baba said. Clear?
Mrs. Kamaraju: There should not be any moment in our life where we are guilty that we have not served our parents. That’s my personal experience.
This is about the concept of total surrender. For example, sometimes, if the situation is trivial, we think that we can handle it ourselves. If the situation is challenging, we say we leave it to the Lord: “This problem is Yours, so please take care of it.” Please tell me why?
Wah, good question! Come on all ladies. (Claps now) Louder, louder! A beautiful question indeed!
Your question is how to develop this spirit of total surrender—that’s the first part of your question. Surrender is total; it can never be partial. There can't be half-surrender, quarter-surrender, or 1% surrender. Surrender is surrender—absolute, total. There is no question of percentage!
And number two, after surrendering, what should I do, you asked. When you are surrendered, there is no question of “I-ness”. Suppose you have surrendered your pen to me; now it belongs to me. You should not say, “What shall I do with the pen?” You have surrendered, thank you. (Laughter) So, once you have surrendered, there is no question of “what shall I do?” It doesn't arise at all!
God has given us a mind and we can certainly exercise our sense of discrimination. To drink a cup of coffee, you don't need to surrender. To have your breakfast, you don't have to surrender.
So, there are things that are manageable at the psychological level, at the intellectual level. Having been given this human life, we should exercise our sense of judgment and discrimination. When it is beyond us, “Oh God, I seek refuge in You. Oh God, help me to accept whatever You are going to give me. Oh God, I have none else to bank upon. You are my only refuge.” That is surrender.
One final point: before surrendering, know what you are surrendering. One fellow said, "Swami, I will surrender my body, I will surrender my life."
Baba laughed. “Arre, you don't know the meaning of surrender. Body you want to surrender? It is not your property. The body is not your property! How can you surrender other’s property? No. You say, ‘Swami, my mind is surrendered.’ Your mind is monkey mind. Why do I want it? I don't want it.” (Laughter)
So, first be the owner, then you can surrender, not otherwise. Am I clear? Good question.
Sai Ram, another male question: Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that there are three paths – enlightenment, bhakthi, jnana. In this particular time, when Swami is present as Avatar, what is the best path for the devotees to take?
Most of us have become ritualistic. We think reading the Bhagavad Gita will take us to heaven directly. No, no! Bhagavad Gita speaks of the three-fold path: the path of action or karma yoga, the path of devotion or bhakthi yoga, and the path of wisdom or jnana yoga.
What is the message of the present Avatar? Mere karma yoga or action is mechanical. I go on sweeping the roads; alright, I am the top sweeper. I go on planting plants; the forest department should give me a doctorate for this! So, mere karma yoga is not enough because you become mechanical.
Mere bhakthi yoga is repetitive. (Then Prof Anil Kumar mocks chanting of mantras and the audience follows with laughter.) Mere devotion is repetitive. Mere karma yoga is mechanical. Mere jnana yoga is bookish knowledge and superficial knowledge.
So, each yoga viewed separately is useless; but all the three can be synthesised. How does Baba say to do that? He gives a beautiful example of coconut chutney. To make coconut chutney, what you do? (Of course, I may forget some ingredients, sorry.) (Laughter) But anyway, you will have coconut in it; you have some tamarind, some chilies and so on. Then what will you do? You grind it. Then what, you will do? Eat it.
You experience or ‘taste’ three levels: first, bringing the materials; second, grinding them together; and third, tasting the finished chutney. Bringing the material is karma yoga, making the chutney is bhakthi yoga, and eating the chutney is jnana yoga.
Who can tell it like this other than Baba? All the three yogas brought to the level of chutney! (Huge laughter) Because the modern age believes in the package deal! (Laughter) Krishna had to recite about 18 chapters and 700 slokas. Now, it is in capsule form: kobbari (coconut) chutney! (Huge laughter)
Look, I am not saying this simply as a joke, my friends. Let us follow karma yoga, the path of action, and bhakthi yoga, singing the glory of God.
Govinda Eti Sada Smaranam,
Govinda Eti Sada Japam,
Govinda Eti Sada Dhyanam,
Sada Govinda Keertanam.
With His name on the lips, do. With His name on the lips, act. That means bhakthi plus karma yoga; devotion and action go together. We sing and do it. We think of Him and do it, experience. This is ananda; that is jnana.
Wisdom or jnana is experienced, not simply memorised or read about or attained through scholarship. Jnana is a distilled, precipitated, concentrated, focused experience. So, all three are one; they are not separate. Am I clear to you, sir? Thank you.
Swami says that youth have the years of tomorrow. So how does Swami want the youth to be in the Western world?
Youth are youth, Western or Eastern world. I was also youthful like you, do you know that? (Laughter) More crazy than you!
It so happened in Puttaparthi that one of our students, now in Chicago, was earlier working in Marathi Udyog Noida, New Delhi—a very brilliant student, a gold medalist and good speaker also. Well, I like naturally talented people.
One day, that fellow was passing by; I usually never miss students. That fellow didn't say “Sai Ram” and was proceeding on. Well, I didn't like it.
“Come here,” I said. I called his name also and asked, “Are you the same fellow?”
“Yes, sir,” he replied.
“Why do you go like that? You know, I was also young like you, walking briskly?”
That fellow is an intelligent fellow. He came back and said, “Sir, we know you speak standard English, but please correct your grammar mistake. You have committed a grammatical blunder.”
“What, what?” I asked.
“You said you were also young. Not you were . . . you are young!” Therefore, youth are youth, whether in America or in India. Youth should have proper direction and good qualities. What are these?
Sadgunambulu, Sadbhuddhi, Bhakti, Kramasikshana, Kartavya, Palanambu
Sadgunambulu: virtues, truth, discipline, duty, devotion
Vidyarthi nerva valayu: A student is supposed to learn them.
Vishwa Shanthi Chekurpu Vidhamu Nerpri
Sankuchita Bhavamula Nella Samaya Chesi
Aikamatyamu Sahajeevanadhikamu
Samata Nerputa Kade Sarasa Vidya
Aikamatyamu Nerputa Kade Sarasa Vidya
Youth should work for the establishment of universal peace. They should dispel narrow-mindedness. They should work for unity with equanimity. They should have a spirit of service. That’s what youth are supposed to have: buddhi, shakthi, parakramam. In Daivasura Samprapti Yoga of Bhagavad Gita, six qualities are mentioned that youth should develop.
Therefore, youth does not signify merely a period of time. Youth means dynamism. Youth is leadership. Youth means creativity and original thinking. Youth is another name for energy. Youth means vision. You should be and symbolise all this. God bless you!
I express my grateful thanks to you, in the name of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the very Love on Earth, walking on two Feet. But for Bhagavan, it would not have been possible for us to leave India and meet you here in America. I thank Baba wholeheartedly.
Swami, thank you very much for giving me these lovely devotees so that I can learn from them. Every trip is an education for me. Every meeting is a process of learning. I learn from You, Bhagavan, and from your children elsewhere. Bhagavan, Your children living in a far-off place are doing an excellent job. They are carrying out Your mission, carrying Your message over long distances. Bless them, and I see that You are already blessing them!
Jai Sai Ram
Samardha Sadguru Sainath Baba Maharaj Ki Jai!