A New Year Resolution for You
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai’s teachings have been consistent since His advent. Four decades ago, on the auspicious day of Yugadi—the Telugu New Year day—He categorically emphasized sweet and gentle speech as the fundamental criteria for a spiritual aspirant. He noted that a sweet tongue leads to a soft heart and tranquil mind. He continues to advise us the same today.
To celebrate New Year’s day either by fasting or in a spirit of hilarity, playing cards or carrom [a board game] or attending cinemas is to waste precious time—time that has to be used for realizing the purpose for which man has taken this birth. It is not the year that is new; every second is new, and has to be welcomed as an opportunity for self-examination and self-improvement, which indeed are the means for self-realization.
Go and sit alone on the bank of the Ganga or the Godavari, Pinakini, Tungabhadra or Yamuna [names of rivers] and watch the flowing waters. Ask the river why she is hurtling so fast, what is her destination, and whither her journey. She will not stop even to listen, much less reply. The goal has to be reached, whatever the obstacle. But, if the river had answered, what would she have said? “I am running toward the sea, which is the place where from I came. Do not delay my pace with your questions. The rays of the sun lifted me from the sea; the clouds formed; we fell as rain and flowed into streams; and here I am, a river, seeking rest in the bosom of the mother, the master, the source, and the sustenance.”
You, too, are like the river, flowing with a purpose fast and undistracted toward your source, the Brahma-tattwam [the state of Brahman]. Instead, you stand, stare, and tarry, listening to every argument that induces you to halt; in fact, you stand around asking others unnecessary questions about them and their problems as if yours are not sufficient to worry you! This talkativeness is the bane of spiritual life although you might contend that this inquisitiveness adds zest to life. But the salt that is to be added must be just as small in quantity as will add to the taste, and not as much as will spoil it. That is to say that even in small measure, this tendency is harmful.
You will get into the habit of moderate speech only if you seek the proper company of spiritual aspirants. Satsang [company of the good] is what you need. When dust is stirred by the wind, it rises into the sky; if it befriends water, it falls into a pit. If iron seeks the company of fire, it glows pure and bright; if it befriends the earth, it is powdered into rust. Join the company that will take the dross from you, and make you pure and bright.
It is not this panchangam [almanac] that has to be read today; rather, you must get interested in the pancha-angams [five senses]; the indriyas [the senses] which have to be propitious so that you might progress in your spiritual pilgrimage. Teach the senses to seek a pure vision, a pure speech, and the desire to listen to good things. Above all, guard your speech. It is the words that flow from your tongue that proclaim your innate character.
Gentle speech is the armor that protects your self-respect. Speech makes the listener’s heart bloom with joy or shrink in grief. Before you speak, beware of its consequences on you as well as on others. Watch for the circumstances and the temper of the listening group. Always make the words sweet and pleasant. I am not recommending a vow of silence. The Avatar [Baba] speaks soft and sweet; He does not do so because He has no authority or power to chastise, but, out of His grace and mercy. Then, why can’t you practice softness and sweetness? If you throw a petal on a lake, it will scarcely cause a ripple, but, if you throw a huge rock, the depths will be stirred and the water rendered muddy. So too, a soft word makes things easy, but a hard word makes people angry and retaliate. Try to earn a heart as soft as butter; a vision as cool as moonlight; a mind as sweet as honey; a tongue as illuminating and steady as a lamp.
I must blame the cynics and satirists whose words bring tears in the eyes of men; they use words as barbs intended to wound; they do not fill the air with innocent laughter. Recognize the Lord as the indweller of all and, then, without any effort, your words will become sweet. You will feel that He is everywhere, and that it is a sacrilege to condemn any one or wound any one with harsh words.
This is My Command to you on this New Year’s day; remember that My Command is more even than Myself. Be an example to others in this matter of minimum speech, sweet speech, speak only when it is essential, and only to those who are essential. This is the sure step to victory.
Source: Sanathana Sarathi, April 1964
