2003: Spirit of Sacrifice is the hallmark of a true doctor

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.

2003:    Spirit of Sacrifice is the hallmark of a true doctor

Health and education are the two most important aspects of life. One can put knowledge into practice only when one has good health. In today's world, many people are suffering for want of proper medical facilities. It is your bounden duty to help the suffering humanity. Only then will the country prosper. Money comes and goes; Morality comes and grows. Today many doctors are commercializing the field of medicine. Such doctors are sinners of the worst kind. He is a true doctor who aspires for the well-being of the patient. We have to encourage such noble doctors.

Only through service, can one become the recipient of divine Grace. Life is meaningless if one does not participate in service activities. The best way to love God is to serve God. You should aspire for the welfare of all and follow the path of Love and Service. Only then will your life find fulfilment.   God is the primal cause behind the universe. The universe is the reflection of God. Viswam and Vishnu are not different from each other. The letter 'V' in the name Vishnu stands for Viveka and Vistara (expansiveness). Hence, Viswam is the very form of Vishnu. The entire creation constitutes various limbs of God. Every object in the creation has five aspects, namely, sath, chit, ananda, rupa, and nama (existence, consciousness, bliss, form, and name). The first three are eternal principles, whereas name and form are ephemeral. Sath, chit, and ananda are the basis for name and form. All human activities are based on name and form. It is God who decides who has to do what. Some people are rajasic (passionate, active) in nature and some others are thamasic (slothful, dull). Evil qualities like hatred and jealousy are predominant in such people.

Your heart should melt and flow toward God. Only then can you attain His grace. People may talk as they please; do not be carried away by them. Unmindful of hardships and difficulties, hold on to the principle of divinity and reach the goal of life. Today, people lack the will and determination to reach the goal of life. How can those who do not understand the goal of life, attain it? True love cannot be fragmented. One cannot have love for God as well as for ephemeral objects and relationships. The love which is fragmented is artificial only. You have only one heart. You cannot break it into pieces and distribute to various people. It is not like a laddoo or sugar cane, which can be broken into pieces and distributed. It is the eternal truth. It is nectarous and full of bliss. Ignoring the immortal bliss within, people tread the worldly path thinking that bliss lies therein. It is only a figment of their imagination. He is a true devotee who makes efforts to attain God with full faith and determination without caring for trials and tribulations. 

Devotees of modern times are trying to hoodwink even God with sweet talk and artificial love. Such people can never attain God. You should have unwavering faith. Even in times of dangers and difficulties, your faith should remain steady. God can be experienced only in times of difficulties. Kashte phali (hard work yields rich rewards). It is also said, Na sukhat labhyate sukham (one cannot derive happiness out of happiness). Consider difficulties as God's gifts and accept them in the right spirit.

Hyperlinks: http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume36/sss36-11.pdf  http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume36/sss36-12.pdf

Points to Ponder:   

What is the path one should take to attain the grace of God?