Think Of God Constantly

 To Make Friendship With God Is True Devotion

There are two defects that do not allow man to think of God or develop divine feelings. One is, he tries to hide millions of his own mistakes and the second is, he magnifies even the smallest defect of others.

(Telugu Poem)

Embodiments of Divine Atma!

Human life is very valuable, sacred, noble and worth living. Human body is not merely a physical frame; it is invested with divine effulgence. This highly precious and exalted human life has however a short lifespan. Within this limited span of life, man should strive to make use of his senses in a sacred way and show his power and capability to the world.

The Purpose Of Life Is To Know One's Self

Man can be really healthy only when he exercises control over his wayward senses and fickle mind. In fact, he can achieve wonderful results by controlling his senses and mind. He can attain the objective of his life only when he has three things: control over the senses, check on the mind and strength of the body. Fulfilment of the objective of life is not possible if he lacks even one of these. Man should make efforts to channelise his potentialities and capabilities in the right direction and show their value to the world. But man forgets that he has a limited lifespan and allows his senses and the mind to take to arbitrary ways. In this way, he not only loses his own peace, he causes restlessness in society also.

The intelligence of man lies in recognising that human body is perishable and the Divine Atma in the body is eternal. But he forgets his divinity and leads his life depending on his physical, mundane, ephemeral, worldly power and pelf. However, the greatness of human life lies in fully demonstrating its divinity to the world and adhering to high ideals. To know one’s Self is the very purpose of life.

The body which is made up of five elements is weak and is bound to disintegrate. Though hundred years of lifespan is prescribed, one cannot take it for granted. One may leave one’s mortal coil at any time, be it in childhood, youth or old age. Death is certain. Hence, before the body perishes, man should make efforts to know his true nature.

(Telugu Poem)

Does the fruit know the taste of its sweet juice? Does the flower enjoy the sweetness of its nectar? Does the book understand the precepts of detachment written in it? Can you infuse divine thoughts in the head which is stuffed with worldly desires? Having forgotten the divinity present in him, man today is not able to experience it because he is carried away by undivine, worldly thoughts and feelings. In this way, he is subjecting himself to many problems and miseries.

The word ‘Manava’ denotes that man is not new. ‘Ma’ means not, ‘Nava’ means new. So, he is not new. Though he has taken many births, yet he does not know who he is. Then what is the use of having so many births? First and foremost, man has to know himself. He should have inner vision and self-enquiry to find out his own mistakes. Instead of this, he looks at all that is outside. He makes all efforts to know where, when and what is happening in the outside world. He is interested only in the news about the outside world; he does not try to know what is happening within him. Rather, he should make proper efforts to know his own Self. Then only will he be able to realise the purpose of human life. The entire universe is contained within man. His happiness and sorrow affect the universe. He should himself be happy and spread happiness everywhere, not sorrow. Only then will he have fulfilment in life. A chariot without wheels, a field without water, a wire without current, and a school without teacher are useless. Likewise, life without awareness of the Self has little worth. That is virtually living death.

Hatred Of Man Destroys World Peace

Human life has great potentialities and capabilities. Man can accomplish anything and perform any great task when he acts with firm determination. The divine attributes of Sat-chit-ananda (Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute) that are present in God are also present in man. Man is therefore no different from God. But these attributes are not manifest in everybody. Moreover, they are at different levels in different persons. We have many electric bulbs. Many of them look alike. But wattage of all of them may not be the same. They may have different wattages like 40, 60, 100, 500 and 1000. But there is difference only in the quantity, the quality of all of them is the same. There is the same current in all bulbs. Similarly, the divine attributes of Sat-chit-ananda are present at different levels in all beings. But they can be developed up to any extent, from minute to mighty level. The qualities of a person depend upon his thoughts. A small spark can be turned into a big fire and put to many uses when we carefully stoke it. Shraddhavan Labhate Jnanam (one with steadfast faith attains wisdom). Determined effort is needed to achieve anything in life. For everything practice is most essential.

Shreyohi Jnanamabhyasat, 
Jnanaddhyanam Vishishyate, 
Dhyanat Karmaphala Tyaga, 
Tyagat Shantiranantaram.

(Sanskrit Verse)

(Better indeed is knowledge than practice. Better than knowledge is meditation on God. But better than meditation is renunciation of the desire for the fruits of actions. For, there follows peace immediately.)

Whatever you may earn, whatever you may accumulate, one day or the other, you have to leave it. If you do not abandon it, it will abandon you and you will lose everything. Wisdom lies in leading a purposeful and sacred life before this situation arises. To lead his life as a human being, man should develop human qualities. But man today does not make an attempt to love other human beings. There is hatred between man and man, village and village, country and country. Having so much hatred in their heart, people cry for peace and hold peace conferences!

Holding the atom bomb in their hand, they shout peace, peace, peace. Even though man has reached moon, he has no peace.

(Telugu Poem)

What is the reason? The reason is the hatred of man. How can there be peace when man is keeping the atom bomb of hatred with him? One who lives for others shines like the moon. One who indulges in empty rhetoric is a fool. One who attains the knowledge of the Self becomes the very form of bliss. God is not separate from you. You yourself are verily God. Develop the awareness of this truth. If you think you are a mere human being, you become so. But if you think you are God, God you become. Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavati (the knower of Brahman becomes verily Brahman). Yad-bhavam Tad-bhavati (as are the feelings, so is the result). Can you have the belch of mango by eating cucumber? No! You will have the belch of what you eat.

True Devotion Of Kuchela

Worldly friends will gather around you, saying hello, hello when you have a high position and your pocket is full. But when you have no money in your pocket and no high position, all of them will leave you without even saying goodbye. This is the reality of the worldly friendship. Only friendship with God is true. God will always be with you, around you, in you, and will protect you as eyelids protect the eyes. Kuchela had to undergo many sufferings. He had many children but there was no food in the house. Day and night, he was grief-stricken. One day, his wife said to him, “Krishna is your childhood friend. Why don’t you go and ask Him for help? You know God is large-hearted and compassionate. He is the one who looks after everybody”. But Kuchela had other feelings in his heart. “Krishna is a mighty emperor. He is God Himself. Will I be allowed to enter His palace at all?” Then his wife said, “He has been your friend since childhood days. He will never forsake you or leave you. God is the only true friend”. Who thought like that? The Bharya (wife) of Kuchela. Bharya symbolises Bhakti (devotion) and Bharta (husband) stands for Jnana (knowledge). Knowledge has doubts, whereas devotion has steady love for God. Kuchela ultimately went to Krishna when his wife persuaded him in so many ways.

After reaching the gate of Krishna’s palace, Kuchela sent the message in. The moment Krishna received the message, He came running and took Kuchela inside. Kuchela had a fear whether Krishna would touch him as he had torn clothes, unkempt hair and dirty body. But Krishna took no notice of Kuchela’s dirty body and clothes; he observed only the broadness and sacredness of his heart. He valued His friendship with Kuchela, took him inside and made him sit on the throne with Him. He asked Rukmini to bring food and served it to Kuchela with His own hands. Then Krishna asked Kuchela, “Do you remember our childhood days? Do you think of them”? He also talked about their childhood pranks of those days. God will never forget anybody. But man forgets everybody when he attains a high position in life and wails when he suffers a downfall. He has no consideration for his childhood friendship. Seeing the situation in which he was placed, Kuchela was afraid to stay there for a long time. He had no second pair of clothes to change.

Then Krishna smilingly asked, “Kuchela, did you bring any gift for Me”? Kuchela was fear-stricken. He had brought some beaten rice tied in a dirty cloth which he was holding. He thought: “In this vast mansion, shining with all gold and silver, how am I to open this bundle of dirty cloth”? Observing the predicament of Kuchela holding the beaten rice, Krishna Himself took the bundle from Kuchela, opened it and put a handful of it in His mouth. Fearing that Krishna might eat the entire lot, Rukmini caught hold of His hand. Worldly people may think, “What is Krishna’s position and what is Kuchela’s level? If Krishna eats that handful of beaten rice contained in a dirty cloth, would it be proper”? People might think that this was the feeling of Rukmini for catching the hand of Krishna. But she had no such feeling. She said, “Krishna, I have my due share in that. You are the servant of Your devotees. I am Your servant. So, I am the servant of Your servants. Please give me my share”! No one can understand the loftiness of Rukmini’s feelings. In the ambience of the palace, Kuchela forgot that he had come to Krishna for help. Finally he said, “Krishna, I will go”! Krishna escorted Kuchela to the doorstep, made him sit in a chariot to send him off to his home. Kuchela did not ask for anything. He did not explain the family position either.

Do not ask, oh mind, do not ask. The more you ask, the more you will be neglected. God will certainly grant you what you deserve without your asking. Did He not grant the wish of Shabari, who never asked? Did He not redeem Jatayu, who never asked but sacrificed his life for His cause?

(Telugu Poem)

God Alone Is Your True Friend

Though Kuchela did not ask for any help, yet Krishna showered bounty on him. It is God alone who takes care of all the needs of His devotees. The devotee may ask for trivial things, but God may have great abundance in store for him. Don’t ask small favours from God. It is enough if you develop love for Him. This is most essential.

Kuchela went home in the chariot. But he could not recognise his own house; it had become a big mansion. He saw his children and wife wearing costly clothes and jewels. The house was full of all types of riches. There was no dearth of anything in the house. “Is it a dream or a miracle!” Kuchela wondered. Kuchela’s wife came running, wearing all jewellery. She knew well about Krishna because of her devotion. True knowledge manifests when devotion ripens. The wife asked, “Did Krishna talk to you”? Kuchela started shedding tears, he had no words to describe the love of Krishna.

As soon as He heard of my arrival, He Himself came running to take me inside. He got down from His throne, came near me, looked at me from top to toe and embraced me tightly, as if He was pining for me for a long time. How can I describe His compassion for a poor Brahmin like me! Who else can confer such abundant wealth on poor Kuchela who could offer Him only a fistful of beaten rice? He is love personified.

(Telugu Poem)

Both of them felt extremely happy by the love they received from Krishna. Then they said, “God is the only real friend. There is no other friend greater than Him”. It is God alone who is the real friend; He is always with you in happiness and sorrow, pleasure and pain. Relatives will come with you up to the burial ground. It is only God who will not forsake you. At all times, He will be with you, around you, in you and will take care of you. The true path of devotion is to make friendship with God.

Bhakti (devotion) gives Shakti (power), Shakti begets Rakti and Anurakti (yearning and attachment to God), Anurakti bestows Virakti (detachment) and Virakti leads to Mukti (liberation). What is the meaning of Rakti? It means merger. Merger with whom? Merger with God. It is devotion that makes you merge with God. All spiritual practices like meditation, penance, etc., should be performed with devotion. True devotion is to love God wholeheartedly. We should acquire that love. Individuals should develop love between them. When there is love between man and man, everything can be accomplished. If you have gold in hand, you can have all types of jewels. But you need a goldsmith who can make these jewels. There may be thread, needle and flowers. But there should be someone to make the garland. Here is a lamp, oil and wick. But can you get light? No. There should be someone who lights the lamp. He is God. You can achieve everything when you have God with you. Therefore, always think of God, serve Him and worship Him.

– Bhagawan’s Discourse in Sai Sruthi, at Kodaikanal on 25th April 1993.