how to cultivate friendship with god? s

January2020 SaiSarathi(SaiSarathi.com) Page1

S

HowtoCultivateFriendshipWithGod?neha[affection]istheeighthofninestagesofbhakti(devotion)describedinthe Bhagavatam [scripture] and other texts. It is usually translated as'friendship',atermthathasbeenunderstandablyvulgarizedbyapplicationtocertaintransitoryrelationshipsbetweenlivingbeings.Friendscometogether

asaresultofavarietyofreasonsandcircumstancesthataremostlyofworldlyandtemporary interest. Peoplewho have ample resources gain friends quickly, as doalsothosewhohaveagreatdealofpatronageintheirhandsorcandistributefavors.Those inauthorityalsogather friendswho,of course, stayonduring fairweatherbut disappear when the authority fades. Most friendships are based on selfishconsiderationsandlastonlyaslongasselfishinterestsarepromotedthereby.Astheproverbgoes,“Whenthelakeisfulltherearealsofrogsinplenty,butwhenitrunsdrynotasinglecroakisheard."Friendshipought tobeaspiritualbond,aheart to heart kinship based on fullunderstanding of and pure dedication ofonetoanother.Studentsshouldbevigilantagainst false and fleeting friendships andnot be simply led away by hellos andhandshakes. Do not cultivate closefriendshipwithanybodyunlessyouknowthat the motives on the other side arepure,unselfish,andspiritual.Unique friendship between KrishnaandArjunaGenuine friendship can only be possiblebetweenoneatma[soul]andanother,thatis to say between two personswho haveeachrealizedthatatmaisthecoreoftheirbeing.Nowhereonthemundaneplanecanyougetthegenuinesnehathatisdeclaredasthepenultimatestagetosharanagatioratmanivedana(totalsurrenderanddedicationtoGod)amongthetrivial,transitoryfriendshipsofworld-lings.

https://saisarathi.com/


ArjunaandKrishnahadthisgenuinesnehabetweenthem.ArjunasawKrishnaashissakha (friend),and thereforehad the temerity tousewordsof jesting irreverenceduring 'play, or while in repose, or when seated by him, or at meals' (VihaaraShayyaasanaBhojaneshu).The twooftenatemeals from the sameplate andwerereadytohelpeachotherunderallcircumstances.Donotbeunder the impressionthatArjunawas insidiouslyoverpoweredbyKrishna.Hewasmature incharacter,well-versedintheVediclore,andaredoubtablewarriorandbowmanfullofcourageandheroism.KrishnawasthePurushottama(SupremeBeing),Arjunathenarottama(besthuman). Itwasa friendshipbetweentheembodimentof thehighestandtheembodimentofthebest.KrishnawastheAvataric(incarnated)Person;Arjunawastheanandic(blissful)person;itwasacomingtogetheroftheAvataraMurtiandtheanandamurti.ArjunawasoftenaddressedbyKrishnaasKuruNandana.Thisnamehasadeep significance.Kurumeans 'act, activity,karma'.Nandanameans 'happy,delighted'. Kuru Nandana therefore means he who is delighted while engaged inactivity. Throughout the 18 chapters of the Gita, Arjuna is alert and active,participatingvigilantlyineveryturnofargument.Krishna'sassurancetoallwhooffertheirselfRamakrishnaParamahamsa[anIndianmystic]wasfascinatedbythesnehathatwasexemplifiedbytheKrishna-Arjunarelationship.HelearnedfromtheBhagavataandtheBhagavadGitahowthesadhaka(spiritualaspirant)cangothroughalltheninestagesofbhakti(devotion).HewasalsodeterminedtoemulatetheGopis(cowherdgirls) and earn forhimself theviraha (passionate) typeofbhakti,madhurabhakti(sweet devotion), that theGopis had.When he read theRamayana, he decided toemulateHanuman and practice hisdasa bhakti (devotion of servitude). Of all theshlokas(verses)intheBhagavadGita,Ramakrishnawasespeciallyimpressedbytheonethatemphasizedtheattitudeofatmanivedanaorsharanagati.Oneday,whileRamakrishnawasgoingtoKamarpukur,nightovertookhimandhewascaughtinheavyrainrightinthecenterofaburialground.Ofcourse,hewasinsuchanecstaticmoodthatthetime,place,orweathermatteredlittletohim.Whenheawoke,RamakrishnacalleduponGodbyvariousnames⎯Rama,Shiva,Krishna,Kaali,Hanuman.ThenhesuddenlyrealizedthatthenamesallreferredtotheOne,and he repeated within himself the verse from the Gita that reminded him ofsharanagati(absolutesurrender)totheOne.SurrenderabsolutelytoGodtogetpeaceMany interesting incidents took place at Dakshineshwar.WhenRamakrishnawasonce asked to go to the temple office to receive hismonthly salary, hewas veryupset,forheneverwantedanywagesforbeinggiventhechanceofworshippinghisMother.Atanothertime,thievesbrokeintotheKrishnatemple.WhenRamakrishnaandMathuranathcamebythereanddiscoveredthatKrishna's idolwasabsolutelybareandthatevery jewelhadbeenstolen,Mathuranathfell intoarageandbeganblamingKrishnaHimself."YouareadoredastheGuardianofthe'fourteenworlds,'but you cannot guard even the jewels on your own body," he said. Ramakrishna



reprimanded him soundly for this sacrilege, saying, "Krishna has Lakshmi as HisConsort,andforHimyourgoldandgemsareascheapasdust.Asamatteroffact,what isgoldbutdust inanother form?"HemadeMathuranathrepent forhis sillyoutburst,makinghimawareofthetruenatureofGodhead.Ifonlyyousurrenderyourwishandwill,yourfanciesandfantasiestoGod,Hewillleadyouarightandgiveyoupeaceandjoy.Youmustnotrunafterdiverseendsandflitting pleasures. Leave everything to God; acceptwhatever happens as HisWill.AmbareeshawasaKingwhostucktoalltheVedicinjunctionsandobservedalltheritesandritualslaiddowninthesetexts.Hewasnoble,sincere,andverydevotedtoVishnu,theformthatembodiesthefosteringandsustainingaspectofGod.TruedevotionofKingAmbareeshaFasting onEkadashi [11th Lunarday] andbreaking the fast as soon asDwaadashi[12thLunarday]cameinwasoneoftheimportantritesthatAmbareeshaobservedmeticulouslyevery fortnight.Ekadashi is the11thdayof theMoonandDwadashi,the12thday.ThefasthastobebrokenwithprayerstoVishnuandthepartakingoftheofferingmadetoHimassoonas,accordingtothelunarcalendar,the12thlunardayhasstarted.Ononeoccasion,afewhoursbeforetheapproachofDwaadashi,thegreatsageDurvasa,reputedforhisfrequentfitsoffuryandburstsofuncontrollabletemper,arrivedatthepalaceofAmbareesha.HewasheartilywelcomedbytheKing.Ambareesha pleadedwith him to proceed to theGanges, finish his ablutions, andreturnintimeforthebreakingoftheEkadashifast.Butthesagetookhisowntimeandwasnowhereevidentwhenthecrucialmomentarrived.Ambareeshawasinafix.Heconsultedhispreceptorwhoadvisedhimtosipafewdrops of sanctifiedwater, since that could be considered breaking of the fast. OnEkadashiday,evenwateristabooduringtheperiodoffasting.HesaidthatDurvasahadno reason toget angry since thedropsofwaterwere takenbyhimonlyas atokentokeepthevow.Butwhenthesagecameandlearntaboutitall,hebecamesowild that he cursed Ambareesha for having broken the fast in his absence andstartedthemeal.Asthecursetookform,theChakra(discus)ofVishnuappearedonthesceneandconfrontedDurvasa.AdevoteetakesthecurseasagiftfromGodAmbareeshatookthecurseasagiftfromGod;hesubmittedhimselftoitinthespiritof sharanagati, for he had no will of his own. Thus, God came to his rescue.AmbareeshadidnotcalluponVishnuandpraythathemaybesavedfromtheangerof Durvasa. He accepted that, too, as the will of Vishnu. The Chakra pursued theterrifiedsageoverallthethreeworlds,andwhenDurvasafellatthefeetofVishnu,He directed him to approach Ambareesha himself to pardon. The attitude ofsurrenderoratmanivedana(offeringtheselftoGod)makesapersondedicatehisentirepersonalityattheFeetoftheLord.IntheRamayana,too,wehaveanepisodethatillustratesthis.RamaandLakshmanawerecombingtheforeststodiscoverwhereSitawas.Theyweretiredandthirsty.



Suddenlytheycameuponaclearpooland,whileplacingtheirbowsontheground,dropped their arrows,which partially sank into thewet bank. After slaking theirthirst, they put the bows on their shoulders and pulled the arrows out from thebank.Ramanoticedastainofbloodatthetipofhisarrowandwascurioustofindout how it came there. Lakshmana discovered a little frog that had been hit byRama'sarrowwhenhedroppeditontheground.Ramatoldthewoundedfrog,“Poorthing!Whydidyounotcryoutwhenyouwerehit?"Thefrogreplied,"Wheneverintrouble,Icryouttoyou,Rama.ButwhenRamaHimselfinflictspain,whomamItocryoutto?IaccepteditasHisGrace."BheeshmaadoredKrishnaevenwhenHewasrushingtowardhimwithHisChakratotakehislife.Hissenseofsharanagati(totalsurrendertoDivinity)didnotdeserthimatthepointofdeathatthehandsoftheveryPersonwhomhereveredasGod:"Killmeorsaveme,Ishallnotfalterinmyloyalty,"hesaid.SeeGodineverybeing,snehawillblossomRamakrishna had the same sense of total dedication.Hewas in great pain as theresultofacancer,andhisdisciplesaskedhimtopraytotheMotherforalleviationofthepain.VivekanandawasdesperatewhenhismasterrefusedtoaskthislittlefavorfromtheMotherwithwhomhewas literallyonspeaking terms.ButRamakrishnarepliedthatifitwastheMother'sWillthathemustsuffer,hewasnotgoingtoprayforpalliatives.Buthisdiscipleswereadamant.TheybotheredRamakrishnasomuchthatonedayheprayedtotheMotherthathemaybehelpedtotakealittlefoodinspiteofthecancerinhisthroat.RamakrishnatoldhisdisciplesthatatthattimeheheardtheMotheradmonishinghimforhis ignorance:"Areyounoteatingthroughall these billion throats?Why regret that one throat is incapable of taking downfood?" (Vaasudevassarvamidam). This truthwas brought home to the disciples bythisrevelation.Thesneha(friendship)stageofArjunaisthestagewhenalldistinctionsbetweenthedevoteeandGoddisappearand the two friendsareOne.When this stageofuttertrust,unshakeablefaith,andcompleteabsenceofdoubt,fearandanxietyisreached,thenextstageofatmanivedanaisnaturalandeasytocover.Thisisrealfriendshiptowhich the youthmust aspire. See God in every being and then true sneha willblossom. This type of true sneha can come only when you follow the advice ofKrishna. ‘Hewhohasno traceofhatred towardany creature,who is friendlyandcompassionatetowardall,whoisfreefromthebondageof'I'and'mine,'whotakespain and pleasure as equally welcome, and who is forbearing in spite ofprovocation...'Developthesequalitiesinyou,fortheyarethesignsoftruesneha,foritisonlywhenyou are proceeding on the Godward journey along the nine stages of bhakti(devotion)thatyoucanattainthisdivineidealoftruefriendship.Source:DivineDiscourseonAugust20,1978,attheSriSathyaSaiHostel,Brindavan



TheLazarusofSaiBaba

OChristmasSeasonofrecentpast—BlessedbyadramathatBabadirected:AsLazaruswasraised,afterbreathing`hislast',WalterCowanwasthrice`resurrected'.

Whenspiritleftthebody'sbraceSaiappearedatWalter'sside;OtolookuponthatEffulgentFaceInlife,andwhenone'sdied!

(HispromiseisourTreasureGrand:Hewillneverdesertadevotee—AndthroughDeath'sPortalsholdsourhand;WeareneverpartedfromThee!)

KingDavidsangwithsteadfastfaithTotheShepherdofHumanFlock:"NoevilshallIfear,whenthroughTheValleyofDeathIwalk."

Walter'sexperienceprovedthisPsalmTobeaprayerofTruth—Swamiisthere,withtheBalmWhenYamasmiteswithoutruth.

TotheHallofJudgementBabaledThismannowserene,released;TheymettheAccountantoftheDead;Walterfelt,notdismay,butPeace.

Chitragupta,kindlyandwise,Scrollsinhand,proclaimed,"Yourworksandcharacterarehere,column-wise,Fromagesforgotten,un-named."

TwohoursofreadingbroughttolightThegoodlivesofourfriend;HisSoulfeltBlissofheavenlymight—Though,onearth,griefhad,nosalt.

SaiBabaannouncedatthiscrucialtime,"HeyethasMyWorktodo;



W

HissoulmustnowreverseitsclimbForamissionofmercyandtruth".

TheLordgotcustodyofthisManForreturnwithHimtoEarth!TheJudgehadtochangethekarmicplanAndsay,"Sobeit.Are-birth.”

OnlyGod'sLovecouldeclipseDeath'sMightAndbringwithIt,hethatDeath'sborne;Soulreturnstoflesh,withnew-wonSight,Muchtothejoyofthosewhomourn

Walter'swife,atthebody,dressedrose-hue,Sawbreathmovinghimthatwas'sleeping'.Walterwhispered,"Inpink!Solovelyareyou!"Andshefellintosanctifiedtearfulthanking.

TohavethisFortune,unique,totalkWithonewhohasdiedintheLord,ErasesourfearoftheunknownwalkAllmusttakethroughTransition'sDoor.

GenerationswillhearofthisStoryThatbeckonstoallhuman-kind:"FeastuponSai'sArch-Glory!MarvelatHisLoveDivine!"

—KarenShultzSource:SanathanaSarathi,June1973

LearninginthePresenceofBhagavan

e came to the presence of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in1948, andsincethenBhagavanhasbeenguidingus. In thepresenceofBhagavanwehavelearnedsomanythings;infact,justbysittingatHislotusfeetoneistransformed.

Indiabecameindependentintheyear1947.Atthattime,weweretherulersoftheSandur state [in Karnataka]. The new Government of India decided that all theIndian states should accede to the Union of India and thus Sandur merged andintegratedwiththeUnionofIndia.Atthattime,weenvisionedbleakprospects.How



to live without anyworkwas a big question before us.We had to chalk out ourchildren’sfuture.Youngchildrencouldlearnnewthingsandsettledowntothenewwayoflife,butitwasverydifficultforthoseoftheoldergenerationlikeustoadjusttothenewwayoflifeafterleadingaprincelylife.InIndianstates,Maharajasneverusedtoengageinbusinessenterprises.Afterthemergerofour state,wehad todo something.MyhusbandMaharajaYeshwantraoGhorpadewenttomeetBhagavan,seekingHisguidanceandblessings.Atthattime,Bhagavanwasayoungboyofabout21yearsold.Bhagavantoldmyhusbandtostartan industry inourhometownandadvisedhimnot to leavetheplace.Accordingly,myhusbandstartedthinkingalongthatline.Runninganindustryisquitedifferentfromgoverningastate.Torunan industry,onemusthavepracticalknowledge inthatfield.AsitwasBhagavan’scommand,myhusbanddecidedtoestablishaminingandmetallurgical industry inSandurandappliedtotheGovernmentof India foragrantofmining lease.Therewas lotofcompetitiontogetmining leases inSandurbecauserichdepositsofmanganeseandironoreareintheSandurValley.One day my husband went to Delhi to meet PanditJawaharlalNehru [hewas thePrimeMinister at thattime] to explain the situation and to request him tohelp in thematter. The people of Sandur statewerealso to be protected by providing work for theirlivelihood. Pandit Nehru was kind enough to listenandgraciouslytoldtheconcerneddepartmenttopassthe orders for a grant of a mining lease. Thedepartment brought forward many difficulties, but,Nehruji said, our "Rajas" (rulers) want to work,therefore they must be given first preference. ByBhagavan’sguidanceandPanditji’shelpallformalitieswentthroughsmoothly,andwewereabletosetupamining and metallurgical industry. Bhagavan visitedour mines and ferro alloy industry in 1974 andblessedus.Bhagavanalwayssays:

LifeisachallengemeetitLifeisagameplayitLifeisadreamrealizeitLifeisloveenjoyit

Myhusbandtookitaschallengeandsucceededinit.WelearnedmanythingsjustononewordofadvicefromBhagavan.InthepresenceofBhagavan,onereceivedpeaceofmindthatwasthehighestgift.PeoplecametoPrasanthi Nilayam from all over the world to pay their homage to our belovedBhagavanbecause theirmindswere transformed, because they got peace in theirlives.Weare really fortunate thatwewereborn in thisworldata timewhen the



Lordtookahumanformtohelpmankind,andthatwewereabletotakefullbenefitofHispresence.OnedayduringthefirstsummercourseatBrindavan,adevoteehadbroughtsomeAlphonsomangoes from Bombay. Bhagavan distributed thosemangoes to all thedevotees standing there.Onemango remained inBhagavan’s handwithwhichhewas justplaying.Everyonewas lookingat thatmango thinkingwhowouldbe thefortunateonetogetthatfruit.Thatday,wewerealittlelateingettingtotheashrambecause the railway gate was closed on the way. As soon as Bhagavan saw myhusband, He came straight to him and gave him that mango. It was clear thatBhagavanwaswaiting formyhusband togivehim thatmango.ThedevoteessaidthatmyhusbandwasluckytoreceivethatmangofromBhagavan’shand.Nextday,Bhagavan was leaving for Bombay to attend the Dharmakshetra annual dayfunction.AfterBhagavan’sdiscourse,wecamebackhome.Myhusbandtoldme,"See,Bhagavangavemeamango,hedidnotgiveyou."Isaid,"Iam happy that you got the mango from Bhagavan’s hands. Bhagavan has alwayssomepurposeindoingthings."Myhusbandwantedtosharethatmangowithmeasprasad [blessed food], but I said, ‘No. Bhagavan has given it to you, and only youshouldhave that fullmango. Itwasgiven toyouandnot tome.’Weweresoon todiscoverwhy.Thenextmorning,whenmyhusbandgotupandwenttothebathroomtowashhisface,tohisuttersurprisewhenhelookedinthemirrorhisfacewascrooked.Hehadhadafacialparalyticattack.Doctorscameandexaminedhimandtoldhimthattheycouldn’tsayhowlongitwouldtaketocure;itmighttakeamonthorevenmore.Thedoctorstartedtreatmentandadvisedmyhusbandnottogooutintheopenandtobeinawarmroom.After a two-day visit to Bombay, Bhagavan returned to Bangalore. I took myhusband,againstthedoctor’sadvice,toWhitefieldinaclosedcar.Bhagavansawmyhusbandfromalongdistanceandcameclosetohimandasked,‘Whathashappenedtoyourface?’Myhusbandsaid,"Thedoctorsaysthatitisafacialparalyticattack."Bhagavan laughedandgaveaslapon theaffectedpartofhis face,andatoncehisface became normal! After listening to Bhagavan’s discourse, we returned home.Next day in the morning, the doctor came as usual for a check-up, and he wassurprisedtoseethatmyhusband’sfacewasabsolutelynormal.Thedoctorhadnowords to say except todo namaskar [bowdown foldinghis hands] toBhagavan’simage.HefoldedhishandsinprayerstoBhagavanandsaid,onlySriSathyaSaiBabacanperformsuchamiracle.InanotherinstanceofSwami’sgrace,myyoungestdaughter-in-lawwasexpectingachild,but shewasnotnormal from the firstmonthof thepregnancy.Thedoctorswhowere examining herwere of the opinion that the pregnancywould not last.Hence,my daughter-in-lawwantedme to go to Bhagavan and bring vibhuti [holyash] for her. I went and brought Bhagavan’s attention to my daughter’s health



problem.Bhagavansaid,'don’tworry'.IcamehomeandgaveherBhagavan’svibhutiand told her that Bhagavan has said not toworry. Shewas on bedrest the entiretime,andinthebeginningofherninthmonthshegavebirthtoahealthybabyboy.Itwas nothing but Bhagavan’s grace that my grandchild was born safely. One dayBhagavanHimselfnamedthatboy"Gautam".Heisabout14yearsoldnow.Again, just by the blessings of Bhagavan incurable diseases were cured. In myhusband’s case, once he had amalignant tumor on his intestine that doctors saidwascancer.Myhusbandand Iwent toPuttaparthi.AssoonasHesawmyhusband,Bhagavanaskedhim,“Whyhaveyoucome?"Myhusbandsaid,"Bhagavan,doctorssaysthatImustundergoanoperation."Bhagavanblessedhimandtoldhimtogo.Icouldnotkeep quiet. I told Bhagavan that it was cancer. Bhagavan looked at me and said,"Bhagavan has cancelled the cancer. Go, nothing will happen to your husband."BhagavangaveusvibhutiandthenwereturnedtoBangalore.The operationdaywas scheduled, and allmy sons anddaughterswere informed.TheyallcametoBangalorefortheirfather’soperation.Theyallknewthathehadacanceroustumor.Theoperationwassuccessfulandafterhisrecovery,myhusbandcamebackfromthehospitalandlivedforabout11yearswithoutanyfurthersignofthecancer.BhagavanBabahadindeed"cancelledthecancer."ThiswasanotherwaythatwelearnedtohavefirmandfullfaithinBhagavan.Weshould learn to live likeaLotus flower thatgrows inmuddywater.Bhagavansays:

"TheLotusisnotdefiledbymudnorisitwetbywaterYetitcannotsurviveevenforasecondwithoutmudandwater

Man’saccumulatedsamskaras[mentalimpressions]ofpastlivesarelikemudThepresentlifecanbecomparedtowater."

Likethat,BhagavanteachesustolivelikeaLotus.Bhagavanalwaysguidesuswithlove,teachesuswithlove,talkswithloveandHeexplains:"OnlythroughloveonecanhavethevisionofGod.Onecanseeone’sownreflectioninthemirroronlywhenaparticularchemicaliscoatedontheotherside.Likewise,coatthechemicalofloveonyourhridaya[heart]inordertohavethevisionofGod.Fillyourheartwithlove,thentherewillbenoplaceforevilqualitieslikejealousy,anger,

andhatred."Heteachesussoclearlywithsimplelanguage.If,inspiteofHismessage,wedonotlearntolove,wewillbecomelesserthanthemud,andnotatallliketheLotus.Bhagavan has always told us about the moral and spiritual uplift of humanitythroughsatya,dharma,shanti,andprema[truth,righteousness,peace,andlove]and



thatwe should learn to adopt them in our daily life. Only thenwewill definitelyenjoytheessenceofpeaceandblissinourlife,andouratma[soul]willmergeinthelotusfeetofBhagavan.

~Smt.SushiladeviGhorpadeRajmataoftheRoyalFamilyofSandurSource:SaiVandana1990

ShouldyouaskGodforthings?Hislop:IsnotprayingtoGodthesameasbegging?Sai:Tobegfromanequalputsyoudownandhimup.ButwhenyouaskGod,youriseuptoHislevel.YoumustaskGod.ToaskGodisperfectlyallright.Itisnotbegging.

Hislop:ButIhadthoughtthatsinceGodknowseachproblem,thatifitwasappropriatetoremedythetroubleGodwoulddosowithoutbeingasked.Sai:Importantanswer!No.ItisyourdutytoaskGod.Wordsmustbesaid,andthewordsmustcorrespondtothethought.Thethoughtmustbeputintoatrueword.ItistrueenoughthattheDivinityknowsall.ButHerequiresthatthetruewordbesaid.Themothermayknowthattomaintainlifethechildrequiresfood.Butmilkisgivenwhenthechildasksforit.Hislop:ItisnotclearwhenoneshouldaskGodandwhenoneshouldnot.Forexample,thereisaheadachethatdoctorsseemunabletocure.IdonotaskSwamitocuretheheadache;Idonotprayforacure.However,inaletter,Swamiwrote,'Howisyourhealth?Donotworryaboutthat.YourGodisalwayswithyou,inyou,aroundyou.'Sai:Thatisright.WhatBabasaidisenough.Foryou,bodyidentificationisweakening.Youhaveaheadachetoday,astomachpaintomorrow.Letitgo.Don'tworryaboutit.Youarenotthebody.OnceBabahastoldyounottoworry,thereisnoneedtoaskHimaboutit.Don'tidentify.Hislop:DoesSwamimeanthatforthosepersonsstillfullyidentifiedwiththebody,acontinuousheadachemightbeapropersubjectforprayer?

Sai:Yes,butwhybotherSwamiaboutamereheadache?Youmaytellothersthesame.Hislop:Then,itisreallyallrighttoaskGod?



Sai:Whenthereisarealneed,Godshouldbeaskedtoprovide.Achildasksparentsforpeppermintcandy,andtheparentsgiveit.Whenolder,itaskstheparentsforproperty,andreceivesit.Itisbyrightthatthechildasks,anditisbyrightthatitreceives.Achildmayaskastrangerforpeppermintonceortwiceandexpecttoreceiveit.Butevenifheasksforit,hemaynotexpecttoreceivepropertyfromastranger.Godisnotbotheredbyamultitudeofsmallrequests,andHewillcertainlygiveproperty(thingsofgreatvalue).Therefore,oneshouldalwaysaskGodtomeetneeds.Itistheindividual'srighttoask.Thereisnoquestionofbegging.Hislop:SwamisaidthatinprayingtoGod,thepetitionerraiseshimselftothelevelofGod.Inordertomakesuchaprayer,inwhatstateorconditionshouldonefirstputhimself?

Sai:Itisnotnecessarytoputoneselfintoanyparticularstateofmeditation.Hislop:Usually,theideaisthatoneshouldgotoaquietplaceandbeinaquietmoodwhenhewishestopray.Sai:WheneverandwhereveryouputyourselfintouchwithGod,thatisthestateofmeditation.Youmayfeelthat1p.m.inCaliforniaisnotagoodtimetocallMe,forImaybeasleepinIndiaandIshouldnotbedisturbed.Iknowyouhavefeltlikethatonceortwice.ButIamomnipresent;Ihavenosuchlimitations.Ineversleep.Inthemiddleofthenight,Iturnoffthelightandrestinbedbecauseifthelightison,devoteeswillgather.Ihavenoneedofsleep.Butyouneedatleastfourhoursofsleep.Hislop:IfIamwalkinginthestreetwithpeoplearoundandmymindisengagedwiththingsImustdo,isthatagoodtimeforprayer?Sai:Atthebeginning,onemightneedsomespecialsetofcircumstancesforclearingthemindforconcentrationonGod.Butafterawhile,ifonefindsthatGodisomnipresentandbecomesawareofHimandone'sthoughtsarecenteredonGod,thennomatterwhereyouareitisthesame.PrayersmaybeaddressedtoGodandtheprayerwillreachHim.Hislop:SwamisaysthatGodisomnipresent.WhatmeaningdoesSwamigivetheword,'omnipresent'?Sai:Omnipresentmeanseverywhereatthesametimeallthetime.Hislop:Ifapersondoesnothaveanymaterialorworldlyneeds,thenwhatisthepropersubjectforprayer?Sai:Peaceofmind.OneshouldpraytoGodforpeaceofmind.



Hislop:Iamsurprised.IthoughtSwamisaidthatpeaceofmindhastobesecuredbyoneselfworkingondesiresandgettingridofthem.AndnowSwamisayswecanpraytoHimforpeaceofmind!Sai:Howcanyoubefreeofdesires?Now,atthismomentyouarewithSwami,andyouarefreeofdesires.Assoonasyourwifehasapain,youhavethedesirethatshewillbewell,andyoupraytoSwamitocureher.Atanytime,adesiremaycomeupandwhereisyourpeaceofmind?Whereas,ifGodanswersyourprayerforpeaceofmind,Hemust,byhavinggrantedthatboon,automaticallyfulfillyourneedsanddesires.FirstyouwantachainfromBaba,nextdayyouwantsomethingelse,aring;botharemadeofgold.Whynotaskforthegoldandthenallthedesiredobjectsarefromthatgold.Hislop:WhenSwamisays,'peaceofmind,'whatisthemeaningHegivestothatphrase?Sai:Thereissomesmallconfusioninterms,forthereisnomindassuch.Themindisawebofdesires.Peaceofmindisnodesires,andinthatstatethereisnomind.Mindisdestroyed,sotospeak.Peaceofmindreallymeanspurity,completepurityofconsciousness.Allspiritualpracticesareaimedatpurificationoftheheart.

Hislop:Swami,pleaseexcusethisquestion,butitisineveryone'smind.WillSwamicometoAmericasoon?Sai:BabawilldelayuntilafurtherbaseisbuiltinAmerica.However,Icangoinformallyanytime.ThedevoteeneedonlycallMeandIwillappearatonce.SwamihasHisworktorenewIndia.ThismustbefinishedbeforeHeiswillingtodothesameinaforeigncountry.Peoplegenerallygotoaforeigncountrywithadesireofsomesort.Babahasnodesire.Ofcourse,foreignindividualscometoBaba.

Source:ConversationswithBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba

VisitSaiSarathionthewebatSaiSarathi.com

Sai Sarathi welcomes submissions of articles, transcriptions of talks, and student stories about Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, His teachings, and personal experiences at His lotus feet. We also welcome SSE student projects and announcements for regional events.

To submit text or photos, please email them to “[email protected].”



mailto:[email protected]


IAmIBeheastudent,acelibate,ahouseholder,orarenunciant,the goal is one and same for all. Contemplate on theprinciple of so-ham [that I am] that your inner voiceteaches. SayAhamBrahmasmi (I amBrahman).There isnothing wrong in this statement. Some people have amistakennotionthat,tosaysoisasignofegoism.Infact,thatisnotegoatall.Itisyourright.Tothinkthatyouareamerehumanbeingamountstodemeaningyourself.

SathyaSaiSpeaks,Vol.35,Ch.13,“DevelopBroadmindednesstoExperienceDivinity”

Question yourself, “Who am I”? You will get the reply, “I am I.” When youunderstandandexperience this truth,nobodycancauseanysuffering toyou.Youcannot escape from suffering as long as you are immersed in thedualistic feelingthat you are ameremortal and God is separate from you. The feeling that “I amseparatefromyou”isyourownimagination.You will be haunted by worry as long as you don’t realize Hari (God). You areworried because you identify yourself with the body. Once you identify yourselfwiththeSelf(God),youwillbefreefromallworries.Hence,youshouldmakeeveryefforttorealizeyourtrueSelf.Underallcircumstances,donotshedtearsofsorrow.Onewill be free fromsorrowwhenonegivesupbodyattachment. Inorder tobefreefromworryandfearandtoattaineverlastingpeace,youshouldrealizethat“IamI.”Whenyouhave firmbelief in thisstatement,nothingcanshakeyou.Donotdevelop undue attachment to the body and material possessions. You will beredeemedonlywhenyou leadyour lifewithaspiritof sacrifice.Whatyoushouldachieve is tyaga (sacrifice) and not bhoga (pleasure). To consider something asyours (‘mine’) isbhoga. To realize that nothing is yours (‘notmine’) isyoga. Thisyogabestowsonyouthetruestrength.

~DivineDiscourseonChristmas,December25,2003,“YouYourselfareGod”Eachoneof youmayundertakeadifferent sadhana (spiritualpractice).Whatevermaybe the sadhana, it should be performedwithatmic feeling. You shouldmakeeffortstounderstandtheprincipleofoneness.Thataloneconstitutestruesadhana.Youareinthelightandthelightisinyou.Bearthisinyourmind.Ultimately,youwillrealizethat“IamI”.Ifyouwanttounderstandtheprincipleofatma,youshouldnotgivescopetomultiplicity.Allthatyouseeandhearinthisworldaremerelyreflections,reactions,andresounds.Therealityiswithinyou.

~DivineDiscourseon,March1,2003“ExperienceofUnityisrealSatsang”

Youhave to finallymake a firm resolve “I am I.” You shouldnot identify yourselfwith thebodyandsay, “Iamachild,” “Iamayoungman,” “Iamanoldman,”etc.These differences relate to the age factor. What is the next stage after old age?Nobodyknows.But, “I”principleexists in thechild,youth,andoldage.This is the



fundamental and changeless principle. Therefore, when somebody enquires whoyou are, you reply, “I am I.” If he is unable to understand this principle, do notbother; you hold on to your principle. It is only when you develop such firmconvictionthatyouwillbeabletoachieveanythinginlife.

~DivineDiscourseon,October20,2004,“Whoareyou?IamI“

Inthismanner,Buddhaenquireddeeplyandultimatelygottheexperienceof“IamI.” That is true realization. You may do penance for many years, you may domeditationandperformmanyyogicpractices.Butallthesespiritualpracticesgiveonlytemporarysatisfaction,noteverlastingbliss.Some people talk about meditation. Even Buddha advocated the practice ofmeditation.Whatisthatyouhavetomeditateupon?Whatismeantbymeditation?Doesitmeanconcentratinguponaparticularobject?No,no.Thatisnotmeditationat all. To contemplate upon the principle of “I am I” is truemeditation. No othersadhana(spiritualpractice)canmatchthis.Aslongasyouhavethedualisticfeelingof“youandI”,youcannotexperienceunity.Buddharecognizedtheprincipleofunityandbasedhislifeonthistruth.Underthedirectionofmanyyogis,hehadperformedvariouskindsofmeditationandpenance,but ultimately, he found them to be amerewaste of time because none of thesecouldleadhimtotheultimateexperienceofoneness…

~DivineDiscourseon,May13,2006,“Attainenlightenmentbyrenouncingdesires”IamI. IamnotSathyaSaiBaba.SathyaSaiBaba is thenamegivento thisbody. Idon’thaveanyparticularname.

Inthisway,peopletodayaredeludedbytheirattachmenttotheirbodyandsenses.Butyouarenotthebody,youarenotthesenses,youarenottheintellect,youareyou.Youshouldrealize, “IamI.”Thatuniversal“I”principle isonlyone.Ekamsatviprahbahudhavadanti(truthisone,butthewiserefertoitbymanynames).Buttheindividual“I”representsego.Whenyoucutthis“I,”itbecomesthecrossthatisworshipedbytheChristians.Itmeans:whenyougiveupyourego,youbecomeyourtrueself.

~DivineDiscourseonJuly26,2007,“OnlyLoveforGodisTrueLove”

VisitSaiSarathionthewebatSaiSarathi.com

Sai Sarathi welcomes submissions of articles, transcriptions of talks, and student stories about Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, His teachings, and personal experiences at His lotus feet. We also welcome SSE student projects and announcements for regional events.

To submit text or photos, please email them to “[email protected].”


mailto:[email protected]

how to cultivate friendship with god? s

Documents