Inauguration of the Prasanthi Nilayam Township

To fight with external foes, you have (S)astra, weapons; to fight with internal foes like the senses which drag you away from the path of knowledge and love, you have the Sastras; they give you the guidance," Baba said. The Township administration should have this ideal in view, to foster Ananda for every one, not to create loss or difficulties for others. It must help and not hinder; serve, not swagger in pride. The purpose is not temporary gain but, in accordance with the aims of the Nilayam, long-standing, eternal gain. There are some who read meaning into words that turn the real sense into the ridiculous; they enjoy the game. So too, the human destiny of self-realisation is rendered ridiculous by the foolish pursuit of sense pleasures. Like diabetic patients who go about talking about the evils of sugar, they go about extolling their own ignorant avocations. No one should follow another's tastes; he should concentrate on his own truth. Of course, the senses have to be catered to, but, only up to a limit, a very strict limit. Or else, it would be as unbearable as music that overwhelms the shruti, the background basic tone. The reality should be discovered and demonstrated in every word and dead; than, Nara becomes Narayana, Jana becomes Janardana, Manava becomes Madhava.

In this land of Bharat, the secret of the Sadhana that will reveal this truth was seen and taught by sages in the past. There are three influences that help the individual to gain the truth; Sthanabalam, that is the company one keeps, the place where one spends His life, the atmosphere which one works in; Swabalam, one’s own effort, achievement, persistence, endeavour etc: and Anugrahabalam , the Grace of God that flows from high to over come all handicaps in the way of earnest sadhana.

The greatest gift of God to man is “the allotted length of life”, the years when he is alive, when he can carry on earnest effort to attain Him. No portion of this precious gift should be wasted. Every moment has to be utilised to the best advantage. Kabir used to utter the name of Rama when he threw the shuttle this side and that while weaving with every breath, he repeated the name of the Lord. In the Prasanthi Nilayam also we have now started a few cottage industries like spinning on the charkha. In big mills where spinning is done by machines the recitation of Ramanama is not heard. But, here while spinning people do Namasmarana.

I feel that the journey to Prasanthi Nilayam and the stay here should not be made very comfortable for, pilgrimages have to be done the hard way. Hard ships make the pilgrimage sweeter in the memory. A thing won after hard struggle is valued more than one got the easy way. Darkness makes light brighter; death makes life sweeter. The toil of the ryot makes the harvest a welcome reward. Fine roads, comfortable rooms with all modern luxuries make pilgrimages, picnics, rather than elevating experiences which purify and help spiritual progress.

You must all be grateful to the Minister for he took your work as His own and gave you all this joy; now, it is up to you to use well the administrative set up that has been conferred for the benefit of this area as well as of the neighbouring areas. Make this township the first in Andhra Pradesh, the ideal Township in all respects. That is my message. That is my Blessing.

- Delivered during the Inauguration of Prasanthi Nilayam as a Town­ship
Bhajan Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam, August 04, 1966