Birthday Sparks
In this seminal discourse delivered 50 years back on His birthday, our dear Swami hands to us two keys to His heart: equanimity amidst life’s vicissitudes and total empathy with others’ joys and sorrows.
This day, November 23, 1961, is significant in more senses than one; besides the day that marks the date of birth of this avatar, the previous Sai avatar was also inaugurated on a Thursday, and on the day after the full‑moon day of the month of Kartika [starting mid-November]. Likewise, today is also the day after the Kartika full moon and a Thursday!
You are all lucky that you could come to Prasanthi Nilayam [Swami’s residence in India] from great distances, and have darshan (audience) of Swami on this auspicious day. However, the joy you get today is only a reminder of the eternal full joy that is in store for you, in fact, for all mankind. That joy is your birthright. This momentary bliss is but a drop of that ocean and to get that [bliss], you must dedicate yourself to sadhana [spiritual discipline]—a continuous and conscious sadhana.
The symbol on the Prasanthi flag, the symbol that is put up in concrete form in front of the [Prasanthi] Nilayam, has therefore to be clearly understood by every one of you. Only when you conquer lust, anger, hatred and roam in the expanse of equal and impartial love to all created things will you be fit for yoga (inner communion with Divinity), which will open the petals of your heart. From the fragrance and beauty of that lotus will emerge the flame of spiritual wisdom that will illuminate and destroy maya, ( the illusionary world) thus merging you and the jyoti (flame).
It is when you get near [the jyoti] that it appears in all its majesty, and overwhelming size. If you were to see it as small, what does that indicate? It does not indicate that it is small, but that you are far away! Remember that the Sun and the Moon appear huge, larger by far than the stars, for they are near and the stars are afar. Approach the Lord and realize Him as big; do not stand afar, and think that He is small.
You are entitled to eternal joy
Divine incarnation comes for the sake of fostering dharma [righteous actions], for demarcating and directing it; and to show mankind the true path of desireless activity. That is the one task I am engaged in through various channels. Instead of reforming you without your knowledge, it is better to reform you with your own cooperation and knowledge. So, I reveal to you my glory, off and on, to a little extent, through what you call miracles. I do not engage in them for name and fame; I am miraculous by My very nature! Every moment of Mine [on this planet] is a miracle! They are beyond your understanding, art, skill, and intelligence. I must save every one of you. Even if you say nay, and move away, I shall do it. Those who have strayed away from Me have to return to the fold, sooner or later, for I will not allow them to be distant for long. I shall drag them toward Me. That is My basic nature—love and mercy.
Today, at this meeting, as members of this gathering, you are all overwhelmed with joy; I can see that. But, this is momentary, and will not last. You are all entitled to broader realms of joy, deeper springs of joy, and joy that is eternal. Your real dharma, the purpose for which you have taken human birth, is to earn and enjoy that bliss which no external contact can change or diminish. It is quite easy to earn it; it can be reached by everyone who just sits calmly, and examines himself and his mind, unaffected by likes and dislikes. Then he discovers that life is a dream, and that he has a calm refuge of peace inside his own heart. He learns to dive into its cool depths, forgetting and ignoring the buffets of luck, both good and ill.
Become a Paramahamsa
The doctor first diagnoses the disease, and then, he prescribes the course of treatment. So too, you must submit yourself to the diagnosis of your illness, such as misery, travail, and pain. Investigate fearlessly and with care and you will find that while your basic nature is bliss, you have falsely identified yourself with the temporary, the frivolous, and the paltry. It is this attachment that brings about all the sorrow. You have to realize that both joy and sorrow are passing phases, like white or dark clouds across the blue sky, and you have to learn to treat both prosperity and adversity with equanimity.
If only time is well used, the ignorant can become the Paramahamsa, (ascetic of the highest order) and the Paramahamsa can also be transfused into Paramatma (the Universal Substance and Substratum.)
Just as fish that can live only when it is immersed in water, when it feels the element all around it, so too man is an animal that can live only when immersed in ananda (bliss). He must have ananda not only at home, in society, and in the world but, more than anywhere else, in his heart. As a matter of fact, the ananda in the heart produces ananda everywhere—the heart is the spring of joy. That spring has to be touched by constant meditation, recitation, and the intermittent dwelling on the glory, grace, and inexhaustible manifestations of the Lord. Hold fast to the goal—the bhakta (devotee) should never turn back. Never give way to doubt or despair.
Prayer is a duty
A person driving a car concentrates on the road, for he is anxious to save himself and others from accident. Fear is what induces single‑mindedness in his case. Love is a greater force for concentration. If you have steady and resolute love, then concentration becomes intense and unshakeable. Faith develops into love and love results in concentration. Then, prayer becomes possible and begins to yield fruit under such conditions. Pray, using the [Divine] name as a symbol of the Lord. Pray, keeping all the waves of the mind stilled. Pray, as the performance of a duty for your very real existence, and as the only justification for your coming into the world as man.
“Mine” and “yours:” these attitudes are only for identification; they are not real only temporary. “His”—that is the truth, the eternal. It is like the headmaster of a school being in temporary charge of the furniture of the school. He has to hand over the items when he is transferred or retired. Treat all things with which you are endowed as the headmaster treats the furniture. Be always aware that the final hand-over is imminent. Wait for that moment with joy. Be ready for that event. Have your accounts up to date, and the balance ready and calculated to be handed over. Treat all things entrusted to you with care and diligence.
Narayana is the Lord of the waters (naram means water). But, what is the water of which He is the Lord? He resides in the heart and His presence, when recognized melts even the stoniest heart. The water emanates from the eye as tears of joy, gratitude, and fullness! His presence is said to have been recognized by man when he is suffused with sympathy and is able to empathize with others’ joys and sorrows. Narayana is He who brings tears of joy to the eyes! That is the function of your tear glands: to express internal joy; and, not to weep like a fool or a coward.
Source: Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 2
