1984: The triple promise

Teachings to treasure, teachings that transform. In this auspicious year 2015 commemorating the 90th birthday of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, we offer a compilation of key messages from the over 140 discourses in the month of July, including Guru Poornima Days between the years 1958 and 2009.

·       1984:  The triple promise

All divine personalities make their advent for some definite purposes. They will not

deviate from them in any circumstance. Swaami's Premathathva (essential nature of Love) is of

the same character. Swaami's Prema (Divine Love) has no trace of self-interest in it. It is

absolutely pure. Swaami knows only how to give, not how to receive. Swaami's hand is held

above for conferring something, not stretched for seeking anything. Moreover, once Swaami has

declared, "You are mine", whatever wrong ways they may pursue, Swaami will not abandon

them. These are my three resolves: The foot that is put forward will not retreat. I will not go back on

 the word I have given. I only give and do not receive.

All religions are unanimous in regarding the heart as the seat of the Divine. The Hindhu

Shaasthras (ancient scriptures) have declared that the heart is the temple of God. The sacred

Upanishaths (Vedhic metaphysical treatises) have referred to the heart as a cave in which the

Divine dwells. It is stated in the Bible that the man with a pure heart can see God. The Muslims

regard the heart as located between the two fingers of God. The Guru of the Sikhs, Naanak

declared that only a man with a pure heart can be regarded as a true Sikh. In this way the various

faiths have affirmed that the heart' is the abode of God.

When a sculptor converts a piece of rock into a beautiful idol to be worshipped in a shrine, what

was inert and worthless becomes sacred. This is transformation. Similarly, an idol made out of

silver becomes an object of worship. In the same manner, everything which is petty and worldly

can be transformed in course of time into something sacred and divine. Such a transformation is

necessary for man.

In Vedhaanthic parlance this identification of yourself with others is called Maithri. In seva

activities you have to develop Maithri (friendliness). Another attitude you have to develop is

Karuna (compassion). The third is called Mudhitha (contented) and the fourth is called Upeksha

(indifferent to results). In all these four ways we should try to change ourselves and others.

There is the programme connected with Ceiling on Desires. You must realise that this

programme has not been launched to raise funds. The object of the programme is to prevent

waste of money, time, food or other resources and to use all these for the welfare of the people.

The money that is saved need not be kept for the Sathya Sai Organisations. It may be used in the

best way you choose for the benefit of others. Do not waste time. Time wasted is life wasted.

Time is God. Sanctify all the time at your disposal by undertaking seva activities in a pure and

unselfish spirit.

It was never the purpose of this programme to collect money for the Sathya Sai Organisations. The object was to encourage you to share your money with others, to give you an opportunity to utilise your surplus resources for some good and noble purpose which will sanctify your life.

Hyperlinks: http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume17/sss17-14.pdf  http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume17/sss17-15.pdf   http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume17/sss17-16.pdf   

Points to Ponder: 

how should we practice ceiling on desires?