1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Thisisanebookconvertibledownload.
ReturntoVahini.org/Bababooks.org

SAIBABAGITA

TheWaytoSelfRealization
andLiberationinthisAge
CompiledandeditedbyAlDrucker
PublishedbyAtmaPress

PartOne:PathofDevotion
PartTwo:PathofWisdom
PartThree:PathofAction

PartOnePathofDevotion
Foreword
Iwouldliketogiveyou,dearreader,somebackgroundonhowthisbookcameabout.InAugustand
Septemberof1984,therewereextensiveriotsinSouthIndia.TherewereshootingsnotfarfromSai
Baba'sashramandtheashramgateswerelocked.Armedsoldierswerepatrollingoutsideandescorting
thecollegestudentsintotheashramfortheeveningmeetings.For34daysduringtheheightofthe
tension,SaiBabaspokeindailydiscoursestothestudentsontheGita.HespokeinTelugu,hisnative
language.Thesetalksformthechaptersofthisbook.
IwaslivinginBaba'sashramatthetimeandteachinginhisuniversity.WithBaba'spermission,Iused
thesepowerfulGitateachingsovertheyearsasthebasisformyscheduledtalkstovisitorswhocameto
theashramfromallovertheworld.Ithasbeenmygoodfortunetoworkwiththismaterialnowfor
almost9years.Everymomentspentonithasbroughtnewlightanddepthofunderstanding,and,ashas
happenedtomanyothers,theseteachingshaveunalterablytransformedmylife.
Fiveyearsago,IhadthechancetopublishthisGitainIndia,fromtheeditedtranslationsofBaba's
talks.12,000copiesinEnglishwereprintedanddistributed,andtranslationswerepublishedina
numberofEuropeanandAsianlanguages.TheoriginalmanuscriptwaspresentedtoSaiBabaonthe
stageoftheauditoriumduringtheChristmasfunctionin1987,andhegraciouslyblesseditandsigned
thetitlepage.ThatworkcontainedextensiveSanskritphrasesandreferencestotraditionalIndian
themes,whichwerefamiliartoIndiandevotees.
Intheinterveningyears,theIndianEnglisheditionhasgoneoutofprint.Withtheintentionofmaking
theseteachingswidelyavailablewithoutneedforthereadertohaveanextensivebackgroundinSanskrit
orIndianphilosophyorpriorknowledgeofthecharactersandstoriesthatfillBaba'stalks,thisbook
waspreparedinthepresentedition.Here,themajorityofSanskrittermshavebeendeletedand
incorporatedintheirEnglishequivalentsintothebodyofthetext.Also,thechaptershavebeenfreely
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

1/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

editedtoclarifyanydifficultpassagesorobscurereferencesandtoconvertthespokenwordsintoeasily
readabletext.Everychapterhasbeenarrangedtostandonitsown,withtheeffectthatyoucanturnto
anychapterwhosesubjectmatterparticularlyinterestsyou,withoutfirsthavingtostudyalltheprevious
chaptersinthebook.
IneditingthetextmyprimaryfocuswasonclarityinconveyingBaba'steachingstotheWesternreader,
ratherthanonliteraltranslation.Iacknowledgethegraveresponsibilityofeditingtheavatar'swords
andurgescholarstostudythetapesofBaba'sGitadiscoursesinTelugu.
AlDrucker,
Crestone,Colorado,October1993
Messages
Supposeyouareasked:"Whocreatedallthismultiplicityintheworldwhoisresponsibleforallthis
variety?"Whatwillyouanswer?...Thecorrectresponseis,"Thereisnomultiplicityatall!"...Theone
divineselfremainstheoneselfforever.Youmistakeitasmany.Thefaultisinyou.Correctyourvision.
Removeyourdelusion.Thedivinitydidnotchangeintotheworldjustastheropedidnotchangeintoa
snake.Inthedarkyoumistooktheropetobeasnakebutitremainsarope.Soalso,thedivineself
remainsthedivineselfthoughyourignoranceofthisfactmakesyouseeitasworld...Theworldof
diversitystandsononelegcalleddelusion.Cutdownthatlegandtheworldfalls...Ioftentellyounotto
identifyevenmewiththisparticularbody.Youdonotunderstand.Youcallmebyonlyonenameand
believeIhaveonlyoneform,butthereisnonameIdonotbearandthereisnoformwhichisnotmine.
Afterlongsearcheshereandthereintemplesandinchurches,atlastyoucomebackcompletingthe
circlefromwhereyoustarted,andfindthatheforwhomyouhavebeenseekingallovertheworld,for
whomyouhavebeenweepingandprayinginchurchesandtemples,onwhomyouwerelookingasthe
mysteryofallmysteries,isthenearestofthenear...yourveryself...therealityofyourlife,bodyandsoul.
Assertit!Manifestit!
Youasbody,mindorsoulareadream.Butwhatyoureallyareispureexistence,knowledge,bliss.You
aretheGodofthisuniverse.Youarecreatingthiswholeuniverseanddrawingitin.TogaintheInfinite,
themiserablelittleprisonindividualitymustgo....Followtheheart.Apureheartseeksbeyondthe
intellect.Itgetsinspired....Withinyouistherealhappiness.Withinyouisthemightyoceanofnectar
divine.Seekitwithinyou.Feelit.Feelit.Itishere,theself.Itisnotthebody,themind,theintellect.All
thesearesimplymanifestations.Abovealltheseyouare.Youappearasthesmilingflower,asthe
twinklingstars.Whatisthereintheworldwhichcanmakeyoudesireanything?
FromsayingsandwritingsofSaiBaba
SaiBaba
Forthecountlessmillionsofdevoteeswhohavecomeintohisfold,SaiBabaistheavatarofthisage.He
isreveredastheincarnationofthefullpowerofdivinity.Suchanauspiciousadventhasnotoccurred
sinceancientdayswhenthedivinitycameintohumanform5000yearsago,inanothermajorageof
mankind.ThenhecameasKrishna,toenacttheroleofavatarofthatparticularage.Now,thedivinity
hascomeagainintheroleofworldteacher,toguideandupliftmankindatthispresentcriticaltimein
humanhistory.
Justassweetnesscannotbeunderstoodthroughwordsalone,butmustbeexperienceddirectlythrough
thetaste,soalsotheSaiphenomenoncannotbeunderstoodbymerelyreadingabouthimorstudyinghis
wordsorevenexperiencinghimfirsthand.Histruthcanbeknownonlybyfullylivinghisteachings
andpracticingthemineverythought,wordandactionofdailylife.Bytransformingourlivesinthisway,
wediscoverourowntruth.Thisistherarestofalljewelsthatthisavatarhascometobestowonus.Itis
thedeepermessageofthemissionforwhichhehasincarnated,namely,thatthedivinityappearsamong
usinordertoremindusofourdivinity."IknowwhoIam,"hesays."Ihavecometohelpyoutorealize
whoyouare."Inessence,wearenolessthanhe.WeareGodincarnate.Thatistheprincipalteachingof
hisGita.Hehascomeastheguidetohelpusrealizeourtruthandreturnmankindtoitsdivinesource.
ThethreeIncarnationsofSai
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

2/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

LikeAllahoftheMuslims,orJahwehoftheJews,orDivineFatheroftheChristians,ortheBuddha
NatureoftheBuddhists,orAhuraMazdaoftheParses,ortheSupremeSelfoftheVedantins,ortheGreat
SpiritofthenativeAmericans,SaiBabaisanamefortheomnipresent,supremereality,whichinmost
religionsisknownasGod.Theonedivinitytakesoncountlessnamesandmanifestsitselfincountless
forms.Ithaschosena250yearperiodbeginningintheearly19thcenturytomanifestsuccessivelyin
threehumanformsasavatarforthiskaliage,torestorerighteousnesstoflounderinghumanity.All
threeoftheseincarnationsarecalledSaiBaba,whichmeansdivinemotherfather.
ThepresentSaiBaba,bornin1926,isthesecondinasuccessionofthreeincarnationsoftheSaiavatar.
HeisknownasSathyaSaiBaba.ThefirstincarnationwasShirdiSaiBaba,wholefthismortalbody
eightyearsearlierin1918.ShirdiSaiBabalivedhislifeexemplifyingtheunityofGodandthe
brotherhoodofman,byministeringtoboththeHinduandMuslimcommunitiesofcentralIndia,eachof
whichclaimedhimastheirown.Formanyyears,hewouldspendalternatedayslivinginaHindu
templeandinaMuslimmosque.
TheSaiavatarwillremaininthepresentSathyaSaiformuntilhismid90's,wellintothe21stcentury.
Then,shortlyafterleavinghisphysicalbody,hewillbebornagaininthesouthofIndia,appearingas
thethirdandfinalincarnation.AtthattimehewillbeknownasPremaSaiBabaandwillcompletethe
missionoftheSaiavatartoendthiskaliageandusherinthegoldenageformankind.
SaiBaba'sAshramPrashantiNilayam
SathyaSaiBabatookbirthinthelittleoutofthewayhamletofPuttaparthiinthesouthofIndia,near
Bangalore.Now,amoderntownshiphassprungupthere,calledPrashantiNilayam,theabodeof
ultimatepeace,whichishismainashram.Itprovidesaccommodationsforthousandsofpilgrimsfrom
alloverIndiaandfromallpartsoftheglobe,whocometoexperienceSaiBaba'sdailypubliccontacts
withthedevoteesandprivateinterviewsforthosewhoarefortunatetobechosen.
TheashramhousesacomprehensiveeducationalcomplexwherestudentscomefromallpartsofIndia
andabroadtoliveandstudytogether.Smallchildrencancomeintotheresidentialprogramstartingat
theageoffiveintheprimaryschool,thengoontothehighschool,collegeanduniversitylevels,and
finallyontothepostgraduateanddoctorallevels,tocompletetheireducationtwentyyearslater.TheSai
educationalsystem,withcampusesinvariousstatesofIndia,iswhollynondenominationaland
completelycostfree.AlltheeducationalcostsforthousandsofstudentsarebornedirectlybytheSathya
SaiBabaTrust.
AlsoatPrashantiNilayamisthecentralheadquartersfortheworldwidenetworkofSaiservice
organizations,engagedinawiderangeofcommunityserviceprojectsandinbringingeducationin
humanvaluesintogovernmentandprivateschoolsystemsthroughouttheworld.Recently,thelargest
specialtyhospitalinAsiawasinauguratedattheashram.Herepatients,nomatterhowpoor,cancome
fromallovertheglobeforopenheartsurgery.Theystayatthehospitalwithnochargefordoctors,
medicine,hospitalservices,foodorroom.
SaiBaba,theHumanBeingandtheGodMan
ThehubofallthisactivityisSaiBaba,whofromhisearliestdayshasattractedlargenumbersofpeople
tohimthroughhisuniquepersonalpresence.Hecanonlybedescribedasthepersonificationofpure,
selflesslove,theembodimentofperfectpeaceandbliss,theessenceofallgoodness.Hemanifestsevery
noblehumanqualitythatmankindadmiresandheincorporateseverydivinequalitythatischaracteristic
oftheavatar.Hehasthefullpowerofnatureinhishand.Hehasallknowledgeathiscommand.He
knowsthepast,presentandfutureofeveryonewhocomestohim.Hemanifestshimselfinmanypartsof
theworldforthesakeofhisdevotees.Thesecharacteristics,namelyomnipotence,omniscienceand
omnipresence,arethemarkofafullincarnationofthedivinity.
Inhisteachingshebefriendsallfaithsandemphasizestheunityofallreligionsintheonenessof
divinity.Inhispersonalmanner,SaiBabadisplaysamajesticgrace,andatthesametime,anexquisite
joyfulness.Inthemidstofasplendoroustempleandashram,helivesinasmall,simpleroom,and
maintainsanausterelifestyle,completelycommittinghistimefromearlymorningtolateatnightto
ministeringtotheneedsofthosewhocometohim.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

3/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Notbeinglimitedtothephysicalplane,SaiBabaworksinalldimensions,grossandsubtle,appearing
throughvisionsanddreamsandinnerexperiences,aswellasinhisphysicalform.Asthedivineteacher
guidingthespiritualunfoldmentofhisdevotees,heinspiresfromwithinanddirectsfromwithout.He
illuminatestheheartandtransformsthemindandrevealsthegreatestofalltreasures,theimmortal
atma,theuniversalselfabidingineveryheart.
TheSaiAdvent
ThesetwoandahalfcenturiesencompassingtheSaiadventareauniquetimeofgreatspiritual
significanceinthehistoryoftheworld.Duringthisperiod,manysaintsandsagesarealsoappearingon
theearthinordertoadvancethedivinemissionofrevitalizingspiritualvaluesandreversingthepresent
downwardtrendofmoraldegenerationwhichisengulfingtheworld.Inthemilleniatocome,
generationswilllookbackwithgreataweatthoseofuswholivedduringthissacredtime,muchaswe
mightlookbackatthosefortunateonesinotherages,whowerethecontemporariesofRamaorKrishna,
orofMoses,Jesus,Buddha,MohammedorZoroaster,andwhohadtheuniquechancetoexperience
theirsacredpresencedirectly.
Veryrarelyinthelongspanofhumanexistence,hasthedivinitytakenahumanformonearthand
alloweditselftobewidelyrecognizedbymany.Andevenmorerarelyhasthedivinitycomeinallits
fullnessandgloryasavataroftheage,asistruetodayintheformofSaiBaba.Now,thefullpowerof
Godcanbedirectlyapproachedandexperiencedbyall,andhisteachings,whichhavetheauthorityof
thesourceofallwisdom,canbeunderstoodbyeveryone,forhespeakstousinthelanguageandthe
idiomofourpresenttime.
IntroductiontotheGita
Gitameanssong.ButtheGitaisnoordinarysong.Itisthedivinesongofemancipation.Itisgivenby
Godtofreeusoftheillusionsthathavekeptusbound.TheGitacelebratesourhighesttruth,theatma.
Atmameansself.ButatmaalsomeansGod.Atmaisourgodself,ourtrueself.AndsinceGodisalways
one,atmaistheonetrueselfofeveryoneandeverything.Illusionmakesitappearasthemany.Our
destinyistodispelthecloudsofillusionsothatourtruthisrevealedandtheatmaisrealized.Thatis
selfknowledge.
Whenselfknowledgecomes,theillusionofseparatebeingsandseparateobjectsgoes,andisreplaced
byunityconsciousness.Selfknowledgeistheonlyknowledgethathastrulyeternalandlastingvalue,
foritenablesustotranscendalllimitationsoftimeandspace,andbeimmersedintheblissoftheatma.
Ineverymajorage,GodcomesasavatarandteachestheGitatoinitiateusintoselfknowledgeand
dispeltheveilswhichhideourdivinenature.5000yearsago,GodcameasKrishna,torenderthissong
oftruthatatimeofgreatmoraldecline.Atthattime,hegavetheGitainordertorescueArjuna,and
throughhimallofmankind,fromthefogofillusionandattachment.Inthisage,hehascomeagainas
SaiBaba,togivethissacredteachingatanothertimeofgreatturmoilanddeterioratingvalues.The
maladyheistreatingisthesame,andtheremedyheprescribesisalsothesame,stemmingfromthe
sameancientwisdom.But,beingtheverysourceofeternalwisdom,heknowshowtotransmititina
waywhichmakesitcomealivetodayandbemeaningfulinthispresentage.
InhisGitateachings,Babashowsushowtotranscendthefalseperceptionofoursensesandmind,
whichconstantlysupporttheillusionofseparateexistence.Stepbystep,hedirectsusontotheinner
pathtodiscoverwhowetrulyare.Whenallillusionisstrippedaway,werealizethatwearenotthese
bodiesandpersonalities,wearenotseparatebeingsindividualizedintonameandform.Thetruthis,
andheemphasizesitoverandoveragain,thatwearenotdifferentfromGod.Ourunchangingreality,
whichwasthesamebeforewetookonthelimitationsofthesebodies,andwhichisthesameafterwelet
goofthesebodies,istheonedivineself,theatma.Inexplicably,atmahasbecomecloakedwiththe
changingnamesandformswhichmakeupthecoveringveilofmaya,orillusion.But,underthelayersof
obscuration,hiddenfromview,atmashinesineveryoneastheunvaryingradianceofdivinelight.
Torealizethisrequiresapurificationofconsciousness,untilonlypureawareness,unbefoggedby
illusorymindstuff,remains.Babatellsusthatwhenwegiveupouroutervisionandourfascinationfor
theworldand,instead,turnourmindinwardstogaintheintegralvision,webecomesteepedinunity
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

4/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

consciousness.WhenwegiveupbodyconsciousnesswegainGodconsciousness.Whenweexpand
beyondourlimitedhumanawarenessintothefullnessofourpotential,webecomewhowetrulyare.We
transcendtheillusionofseparationofGod,manandworldandmergeintotheonedivineprinciple.That
istheessentialteachingoftheGita.
TheGitaistheveryheartoftheancientwisdommakinguptheperennialphilosophyoftheEast.Itisthe
basisofallspirituality.WearetoldthatithadaprofoundinfluenceonJesus,aswellasontheBuddha,
nottospeakofthecountlessspirituallightswhohavegracedthisplanetinthemilleniasincetheGita
wasgivenbyKrishnaonthebattlefield.
TheGitahassomethingforeveryoneateverylevelofthespiritualpath.Babatalkstoeachofusatthe
levelatwhichweareready,pointingusfromwhereverweare,toourfinaldestination.Ifweincorporate
thisGitaintoourdailylives,wewillneverneedtoreadanotherbooknorstudyanotherteaching.By
followingthedirectionsgivenhere,wewillbeledhometoourownunchangingtruth.First,however,
thereareanumberofstageswemustgothrough.Theyarebestspokenofintermsoftheyogas.The
Sanskritwordyogaspeaksofunion,referringtounionwithGod.
TherearethreeprincipalyogaswhichBabatakesuphere.Theyarekarmayoga,thepathofselfless
servicebhaktiyoga,thepathofdevotionwhereinweseethedivinityineverythingweseeandjnana
yoga,thepathofwisdom,theculminationofthespiritualjourney,whereinwedwellconstantlyonour
highesttruth.Theseyogasarethesoapwhichpurifiesusandstripsawaythelayersofunrealitythat
havecoveredtheatma.Fortoolong,illusionandunrealityhaveposed,bizarrely,buttotally
convincingly,astheonlytruerealityandkeptthebonafidereality,theatma,hidden.Theseyogashelp
returnustounityconsciousness.
Aquestionmayariseastowhy,whentheversesofKrishna'sBhagavadGitaarefreelyavailable,Baba
haselaboratedthisnewversionoftheGita.Babaexplainsthatthispresentageisdifferentfrom
Krishna'stimeanddifferentfromRama'stime,aswell.IntheageofRama,theforcesofdarknesswere
embodiedasdemonichordes,externalenemiesthatdisturbedtheinnerpeaceandtranquillityofthe
people.Rama,Godincarnatedasavatar,personallytookuparmsandwentintotheforesttodestroythis
evil.Tensofthousandsofyearslater,intheageofKrishna,theforcesofevilwerenotoutsideinthe
forest,butrightathomeinthesamefamily.Nowtheavatardidnottakeuparmsdirectly.Instead,he
drovethechariotandgalvanizedArjunatofightthebattleandwinthevictory.
Intruth,thedivinityhadalreadydecidedtheoutcome.TomakeitcleartoArjunathathewasmerelyan
actorinthisdrama,KrishnagaveArjunaavisionofthecosmicformofGod.Suddenly,Arjunacouldsee
alloftime,past,presentandfuture.Hesawallthecombatantsonbothsides,engulfedintheir
inescapabledestiny,followingtheplayorchestratedbytheLord.Thoughhewasengagedinfightingall
thebattles,ArjunasawthathewasmerelytheinstrumentcarryingoutthewilloftheLord,andthatthe
ultimateconclusionofthewar,thetriumphofrighteousnessoverevil,hadbeendecidedevenbeforethe
firstbattlecommenced.
Inthosedayspeoplelivedmuchlongerthantheydonow.Babamentionedthatatthetimeofthe
Mahabharatawar,KrishnaandArjunawerebothintheireighties.KrishnaandArjunahadknown
eachotherforover70years.Theyweretheclosestoffriends,spentmostoftheirtimetogether,andwere
relatedasbrothersinlaw.Inallthistimespenttogether,theGitanevercameup.Foryears,Arjuna,
alongwiththeotherPandavabrothers,hadnoblyborneeveryinsultandindignityperpetratedbytheir
wickedcousins.But,theforcesofevilwereunrelenting.Theconflictwasdestinedtoculminateinwar.
Preparationsforthebattlecommenced.Now,ontheeveofthewar,whenArjunasawhisbeloved
grandfatherandhisreveredteacherreadytofightontheopposingside,andallhisothercloserelations
arrayedforbattle,hethrewdownhisbowindespondency.
Inspeakingofthis,BabasaidthatArjunahadfacedmanyworldlydilemmasinhislifeandknewhowto
dealwiththem.But,atthatpoint,Arjunawasfacingaspiritualdilemma.Hewasoverwhelmedwitha
feelingofhelplessnessthatstemmedfromtheonslaughtofhisinnerenemies,attachment,infatuation,
deludedvision,andtherest,whichhadmadehimforgethisowntruthandhiscommitmenttopreserve
righteousnessatallcost.Now,indesperation,heturnedtoKrishna,knowingthatKrishnaalonecould
rescuehimfromthisquagmire.Hedeclared,"Lord,commandme.Iwilldoasyousay."Atthatmoment,
theirrelationshipchangedfromchumsandcoequalstomasteranddisciple.Anditwasatthispoint,
Babatellsus,thatKrishnachosetoteachArjunatheGita.Surrenderoftheindividualwilltothedivine
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

5/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

willwasthekeytoproperpreparationinreceivingthisageoldwisdom.
BabasaidthatthesageVyasatunedinontheirdialoguewithhisyogicpowersofsubtlehearing.Vyasa
elaboratedKrishna'steachingsinto700versesintheSanskritpoeticform,whichhavebeenpreserved
throughtimeastheBhagavadGita.But,Babasaidthatinthe20minutesorso,whenKrishnaspoketo
Arjunaonthebattlefield,hedidnotactuallyexpoundalltheseversesorrendertheminpoeticmeter.
Krishna'sgoalwasveryspecific.
Krishnawhowasthedivinityincarnatewasalwaysunremittinglyhappy.Arjuna,liketherestof
humanity,experiencedperiodsofjoyandsorrow.Here,ontheeveofthebattle,Arjunawasdeeply
depressed,butearlierthatday,Arjunahadbeenhighlyelated,eagertofight.Krishnaknewthatallof
thesechangesofmoodwerecausedbyillusion.Arjunawasoutoftouchwithhistruenature,theatma,
whichissynonymouswitheternaldelight.KrishnaresolvedtodispelArjuna'sconfusionandbolsterhis
couragebyteachinghimtheknowledgeoftheatma,sothatArjunawoulddiscoverhisowndivinetruth
andbeforeverimmersedinunchanginginnerjoy.
Inthesechapters,BabagivesusaninsightintothemainpointsofLordKrishna'sGita.Sincethis
presentbookistheGitaforthispresentage,Babagivesmanyadditionaldirectionsforourspiritual
advancement,whichareparticularlyapplicabletothesetroubledtimesandourneeds.Hisgoalisthe
sameasKrishna's,namelytoestablishusinananda,theeternaldelightwhichisourtruenature.
ThisageisdifferentinmanywaysfromKrishna'sage.Inthisage,theforcesofgoodandevilarenot
onlybattlinginthesamefamily,buttheyarebattlinginsideofeverybeing.BabatellsusthatiftheLord
weretocometoday,swordinhand,tostampoutalltracesofevil,noonealivewouldescapeorsurvive.
Hecomes,instead,astheinnerdirector.Followinghisguidance,wemustfightourowninnerbattles,
conquerourowninnerenemies,andgaintheultimatevictoryofsalvationandawakening.
Thiskaliage,inwhichwearenowliving,whereingrossmaterialismandlawlessnesshaverun
rampantandspiritualvalueshavedeclined,is,inmanywaystheworstofallages.But,fromthespiritual
pointofview,thisageisthebestofallagesforthetransformationoftheindividual.Inthisagewecan
mostreadilythrowoffthebondsofillusionandrealizetheatma.But,itrequiresswimmingupstream
againstthepowerfulcurrentandrapidsofworldlylife,whichtrytosweepusintotheabyssandkeepus
lockedontotheendlesscycleofbirthanddeath.Now,theavatarofthisage,throughhisteachings,
showsushowtonavigatetheserapids.Heworksinternallyastheindwellerineverybeing,directingus
howtoconfrontourowninnerenemiesandwinthiswarofgoodandevilinside.
Inagespast,Babapointsout,thespiritualpathwasprimarilydevotedtoritualsandreligiouspractices,
suchasmeditation,penances,chantingofmantras,prayersandotherworshipfulactivities.These
practicesarestillimportant,buttheyarenotenough.Babaoftensays,"Handsthatworkintheserviceof
societyaremuchholierthanlipsthatpray."Hewantsustodokarmayogaandengageinselflessservice
tomankind.Allourworkmustbepureanddonetothefullextentofourcapacityforexcellence.Atthe
sametime,wemusthavenoattachmenttothefruitsofourlabors,butinstead,offerupallouractions
andtheirresultstoGod.
Whenweseethedivinityeverywhere,installedastheindwellerineverybeing,andweservethatomni
presentdivinityinallwedo,thenkarmayogaautomaticallybecomesbhaktiyoga.Ourworkbecomes
worship.ButinthisthereisstillsomeseparationbetweenourselvesandGodthereisstillsomeduality.
Babaisnotsatisfiedwithourspiritualprogressuntilwebecometotallyimmersedinnondualityand
reachourhighesttruth,therealizationoftheimmortalself.Thatisthefinalstage.
Babatellsalittlestoryofanoldwomanwhowassewinginherhomeatnight.Shewasworkingonher
tapestrywhenshelostherneedle.Thelightbeingverydiminherhouse,shewentouttothestreetlamp
wherethelightwasbright,tolookforherneedle.Babaendsthestorythere.Wheneverhetellsthisstory
healwaysseemsalittleamusedbythesillinessofit.
Wearelikethatoldwoman.Wehavealsolostourneedlewhileworkingonthetapestryofourmany
lives.Ourlostneedleistheknowledgeofourtruth,withoutwhichwecannotfinishourwork.After
gropingthroughcountlesslivescaughtupinillusion,wenowknowthatthereissomethingvitaltoour
existencethatwehavelost.Wegotogreatteachersandtoashramswherethespirituallightisintense,
hopingtofindtherewhatwehavelost.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

6/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Wegetgreatsolacebeinginthelightandwegaindeeperunderstandingofwhatwearelookingfor,but
thefinaldiscoveryofwhatwehavelostcanonlyhappenwhenwelookinsideourownheartofhearts.
Therewithin,deeperthanthebodyandthemind,deeperthanoursenseofInesswhichstandsatthe
coreofourindividualself,beyondallsheaths,subtleandcausal,whichcoverourtruth,wefindthe
brightestlightofall,thelightofatma.Whentheatma,ourtrueselfisrealized,thetapestryofourlong
journeyintheworldwhichwehavebeenworkingonforsomanyeonsandsomanylives,isfinally
complete.
Babaassuresusthat,justaswastrueinthevisiongiventoArjunashowingthefinaloutcomeofthewar,
theoutcomeofourlongtrekandourinnerwarhasalsoalreadybeendeterminedbythedivinewill.We
aredestinedtoreturnhome.Nevertheless,wemuststilltreadthepathandfightthebattlesandwinfinal
victoryoverourinnerenemies.Weinitiatethisprocessbymakingfriendswiththedivinityinourhearts,
keepingitasoursteadycompanionandallowingittoguideourinnerjourney.
Asweproceedonourpaththecloudsofillusionthinoutandwebecomeawareofagreatmystery.We
realizethatthespiritualjourneywethoughtwewereonisitselfanillusion.Wearenotindividualson
thespiritualpathfollowingthedirectionofthedivineinnerguru.Intruth,wearethetotality.Wearethe
divinityitself.Weareandalwayshavebeentheatma.Atmaisneitherbornnorrebornnordoesitever
die.Asatmawehavenotcomefromsomewherenorarewegoingsomewhere.Wehaveneverchanged.
Onlytheillusionofindividualityandseparatenesshaschanged.Ultimatelythatillusiondisappearsand
wediscovertheglorioustruththatwehavealwaysbeenonewithGod.Babatellsus,"Godifyouthink,
Godyouare.Dustifyouthink,dustyouare.ThinkGod.BeGod.YouareGod.Realizeit."
Someyearsagoinapublicdiscourse,Babadirectedustorepeatseveraltimesdaily,"IamGod,IamGod,
IamnodifferentfromGod.Iamtheinfinitesupreme.Iamtheonereality."Ifweallowthisdeclaration
oftruthtosuffuseourlivesandfilluswiththeconsummatelovethatisGod,thesepowerfulwordswill
graduallybecomeourdirectinnerexperience.Moreandmorewewillidentifyourselveswiththedivinity,
ourrealself,andlessandlesswiththeseephemeralpersonalitieswhicharebutshadowselves.Thuswe
realizewhoweare,theimmortalself,theonedivinity,whichisloveitself.
ThatistheinspiringmessageofthisGita.
TheEssenceoftheGita
ForWesternreaderswhomaynotbefamiliarwithit,herefollowsasummaryofthetradtionalBhagavad
Gita,assetdownbythesageVyasa.ThatGitawasgivenbyKrishnatoArjuna,justbeforeagreatwar
involvinghugearmieswithmillionsofcombatants,comingfromkingdomsscatteredallovertheIndian
subcontinent.Inmassiveencountersthatrageddailyfor18days,theforcesofgoodwerepittedagainst
theforcesofevil.Thiswarprovedtobeoneofthebloodiestofalltime.Whenitwasover,onlyahandful
ofmensurvived.
Inthiswar,Krishna,whowasGodincarnate,tookthehumbleroleofacharioteer,toguideArjunaand
thePandavabrotherstovictory.But,ontheeveofthegreatwar,itlookedlikethebattlewaslostbeforeit
evenstarted.Arjuna,theforemostwarrioronthesideofgood,hadbecomeoverwhelmedwithdoubtshe
decidedtothrowdownhisbowandnotfight.ThissituationcameaboutafterKrishnahaddriven
Arjuna'schariotontothebattlefieldbetweenthetwoarmies.ThereArjunasawhisbelovedgrandfather,
histeacherandhiskinsmenontheoppositeside,gettingreadytofightanddiefortheircause.Theyhad
alliedthemselveswiththeforcesofunrighteouseousness.
Filledwithadeepdespondency,Arjunasaid,"OKrishna!Icannotfight!Ifeelovercomebyasenseof
helplessness!Whatgoodiswinningthiswarwhenitwillleadtothedestructionofallthesekinsmen,
teachersandheroes.Idonotknowwheremydutylies!Ibegyoutotellmewhatisrightforme!I
surrendermyselffullytoyou!Iamyourdisciple!Pleaseteachme!"ThentheblessedLordgavehimthe
greatwisdomteachingsoftheGita.
KrishnastartedtheGitateachingswithanadmonishment,"Arjuna!Shakeoffthisfaintheartedness.It
isnotworthyofyou.Donotyieldtoweakness.Youhavebeenpreparingsolongforthisbattletopreserve
righteousness.
"Evenasamancastsoffwornoutclothesandputsonotherswhicharefresh,sotheatmacastsoff
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

7/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

bodiesandentersintootherswhicharenew.Bodiesareborn,andwhatisbornmustdie.Buttheeternal
atmaisneverborn.Itneverdies.Weaponscannotcutit,firecannotburnit,watercannotwetitand
windcannotdryit.
"Thisatmaisnotyourperishablebody.itisyourimmortalself,theimperishableselfofeveryone,once
thatisknown,thenwhatistheretogrievefor?thewisenevergrieve...neitherforthedeadnorforthe
living.
"Iamthatatma,Arjuna.IamthesupremeLordofall,residingintheheartofeverybeing.Iamthe
fatherofthisworldandalsoitsmotherandsustainer.Iamthebeginning,themiddleandtheend.
Everythingisproducedoutofme.Everythingispervadedbyme.Nocreaturecanexistwithoutme.
Whateverpathmentravel,itismypath.Whicheverwaytheygotheyreachme.
"ThoughIameternallybirthlessandunchanging,yet,Iincarnatemyselffromagetoage.Whenever
righteousnessdeclinesandunrighteousnessprevails,Itakeonaform,toprotectthegoodandtodestroy
evil.
"VeiledasIambymyinscrutablepowerofillusion,mymaya,theworlddoesnotrecognizeme.
Althoughtheydonotknowme,Arjuna,Iknowthemall.Iknowtheirpast,presentandfuture.Intruth,I
ameverunmanifestandimperishablebutnotunderstandingthistranscendentalnatureofmine,the
ignorantregardmeasameremortal.
"Knowingnothingofmyreality,theyignoremeandbecomeoccupiedintheworldwithvainhopes,vain
worksandvainknowledge.Lostinthemazeofmaya,theyarespunaroundlikepuppetdollsonamerry
goround.
"Thisdivineillusionofmineismostdifficulttoovercome.Amongthousandsofhumanbeings,onlya
fewstruggletoknowmytruthevenamongstthesethatstruggle,onlyone,perchance,comestoknowme
inreality.Suchaoneisayogi,onesteepedinthehighestwisdom.Therefore,Arjuna,youshouldbea
yogi!Withallyourbeingtakerefugeinmealone,andbymygraceyouwillattainsupremepeace.
"Fromthismomenton,fixyourmindsteadilyonmedwellinginyourheart.Bedevotedtome,bowdown
tome,worshipme.KnowthatIamalwayswithinyouandsoonyouwillbecomeonewithme.Yes,truly
doIpromisethistoyou,Arjuna,foryouareverydeartome.
Hewhoknowsmydivinebirthandwork,willnotbebornagainafterdeath.Hewillnotlosesightofme,
norIofhim.
"Arjuna,whoeverworksformeandhasmeashissupremegoal,whoeverisdevotedtomeandis
unattached,bearingnomalicetowardsanycreature,willquicklycometome.Suchaoneseesme
everywhere,residinginallbeings,astheimperishableamidsttheperishable.
"Forthese,whohavemeeverpresentintheirmind'seyeandservemesteadfastlywithaffection,Iwill
carrytheirburdensandIwillgivethemwhattheyneed.Talkingaboutmetoeachother,theyareforever
satisfiedanddelighted.Outofmycompassionforthem,Istrengthentheirpowerofdiscriminationand
destroythedarknessofignorancethatbecloudstheirvision.Bringingtheirsensesundercontrolthey
transcendtheworldofdeathanddecay,andattainimmortality.
"Arjuna,whoeveroffersmewithlove,eitheraleaf,aflower,afruit,orevensomewater...suchdevout
offeringscomingfromapureheart,Iwillsurelyaccept.Whateveryoudo,whateveryoueatorsacrificeor
giveaway,whateverausterityyouperform,offerthatfirsttome.Thenyouwillbefreeofthe
consequencesofyouractions,andsoonyourmindwillbecomecalmandwise,steepedinrenunciation.
Endowedwithevennessofmindandhavingabandonedthefruitsofyouractions,youwillbefreed
foreverfromthefettersofbirth.
"Arjuna,resigneveryactiontome.Fixyourmindfirmlyonme.Iwillperformallyouractionsthrough
youandliberateyoufromallsins.Fearnot.Bymygraceyouwillovercomeallobstacles.
"Butiffromselfconceityoudonotlistentome,youwillsurelyperish.Youmaythink,'Iwillnotfight!'
Butimpelledbyyoursenseofduty,yourownnaturewillcompelyoutofight.Whatoutofdelusionyoudo
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

8/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

notwishtodo,youshalldoinspiteofyourself.Arise,Arjuna!WiththeswordofwisdomthatIhave
giventoyou,cuttopiecesthisignorancewhichdoubtsthetruththatthedivinityiseverpresentinyour
heart.Arjuna,standupandachieveglory!Youarepledgedtoupholdrighteousness!Theforcesof
unrighteousnesshavebecomerampant.Youmustencounterthemanddestroythem!
"Takerefugeinme,Arjuna.Thinkofmeatalltimesandfight!Itisnotyouwhowillkilltheseheroes,
butI.Iamtheworld'screatorandsustainer,butIamalsothemightyworlddestroyingtimethatdevours
all.Truly,thesewarriorsinhostilearmieshavealreadybeenslainbyme.Youaremerelytheinstrument
throughwhichIact.
"Here,Igiveyouavisionofmyuniversalforminwhichyoucanseetheonenessofallexistence!Behold
mydivinepower!Beholdthewholeuniverse,movingandunmoving,allunifiedinme!"
Overwhelmedwithwonderandamazement,Arjunabowedhisheadinadorationandspokewithpalms
joined,"OsupremeLord!Hailtoyou!Hail,againandagain!Iftheeffulgenceofathousandsunswereto
blazeforthtogetherintheskies,theirglorycouldcompareonlyalittlewithyourinfinitesplendor!You
aretheimperishableLord,theundyingguardianoftheeternaldharma.Youareeverythingthatcanever
beknown.Seeingyourawesomeform,alltheworldsaretremblingwithfear.AndsoamI.Justasthe
manyriversflowtowardsthesea,sodoalltheseheroesintheworldofmenenteryourflamingmouths."
ThentheblessedLordagainassumedhisusualgentleformasKrishna,andsaid,"GraciouslyhaveI
showntoyouthisinfinite,primevalformofmine.Itisveryrare,indeed,toseewhatyouhavejustseen.
Neitherbystudyofthescriptures,norbyausterities,norbycharity,norbyrituals,butonlybysingle
mindeddevotioncanIbeseenthus.ThisexperienceofmycosmicformandthissacredknowledgethatI
havetaughtyouarethemostpreciousofalltreasures.
"Arjuna,haveyoulistenedtomewithfullconcentration?Hasthedelusioncausedbyyourignorance
beendispelled?ThinkovereverythingthatIhavesaidtoyou,reflectonitfully,andthendowhatpleases
you."
Arjunaanswered,"OLordoftheuniverse!Yourpowerfulandwonderfulwordscontainthehighest
wisdom,andyouhavespokenthemwithsomuchcompassion.Throughyourgrace,mydelusionisnow
destroyed.Istandfreeofalldoubts.Pleasedirectme!Iwilldoasyoucommand!"

PartOne
I.LoveandDutyThePathofPerfection
Ifyouwantpeaceandifyouwanthappiness
Youmustliveinlove.
Onlythroughlovewillyoufindinnerpeace.
Onlythroughlovewillyoufindtruehappiness.
Loveflourishesthroughgivingandforgiving.
Developyourlove.
Immerseyourselfinlove.
ThesewordsofSaiareastreamoflove
Flowingouttoyou.

EmbodimentsofLove,
Therearemanyfieldsofknowledgebutthereisonlyonesupremeknowledge.Thissupremeknowledge
isselfknowledge,theknowledgeoftheimmortalself.Itistheknowledgeofyourunchangingreality,
yourtrueself
thatwhichwasneverbornandwhichwillneverdie.Therearemanyothertypesof
knowledge.Therearethedifferentfieldsofart,science,commerceandeducation.But,thesewillonly
helpyoutogainsometransitoryworldlyobjectivesandworldlypleasures.Torealizetheeternalbliss
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

9/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

thatisyourowntruenatureyoumusthaveselfknowledge.Itistheonlyknowledgethatenablesyouto
knowtheinnerpeaceandtheunendingjoywhichisyourowntruth,yourrealidentity.Whenyoushine
withselfknowledge,youbecomeloveitself.Youbecomepureandcompletelyselfless.Thenyouwill
alwaysbeinperfectharmonywithallexistence.
SelfKnowledgeisGodKnowledge
SelfknowledgeisnotdifferentfromGodknowledge.ThesacredknowledgeofGodandthesacred
knowledgeoftheimmortalselfareoneandthesame.Theyaretheonedivinewisdom.Whenyourealize
theoneselfeverywhere,youbecomeestablishedinunityconsciousness.Thenyouseeonlytheoneness
inallthediversitythatisaroundyou.Fromthatmomenton,youtranscendworldlyexistenceandgain
theimmortalityyouhavebeenseeking.
Whatisthebasisforthissupremeknowledge?Itsbasisispurityofthemind.Topurifyyourmindyou
mustsuffuseyourwholelifewithspirituality.Engageyourselfinnobleactivities.Associatewith
spirituallymindedpeople.Observeexemplaryconductinyourdailylife.Strivetodoyourdutyto
perfection.Liveyourlifesothatitisoneofselflessserviceandvirtuousdeeds.Andstudythewisdom
teachingsoftheagesputthemintodailypracticelettheseteachingsserveasyourguideposts.Then
yourmindwillbecomepurified.Andwithapuremindyouwillbeabletodiscriminatebetweenthe
permanentandthetemporary,betweenthatwhichisbeneficialandthatwhichisdetrimentaltoyour
spiritualprogress.ThenallyourordinarydailyactivitieswillbecomesacredandGod'sgracewillbe
showereduponyou.
Now,youmaybehighlylearnedinsecularknowledge,youmaybeagreatscholaroryoumaybeaworld
renownedexpertinanumberoffields.Butallyourtitlesandachievementscannotconferonyoureal
wisdom.Tobetrulywiseandremovethegrieffromyourheart,youmustknowwhoyoureallyare.You
mustrealizeyourimmortalself.Youcannottranscendgriefbyanyotherpath.Onlytheknowledgeof
yourtrueselfwillallowyoutoovercomeallsufferingandmisery.Thisistheonlyknowledgethatcan
bestowonyouallhappiness.Whenyoumasteraworldlyfieldofknowledgeyouearntherespectofyour
peers.Youmaybecomefamousandfulfillyourworldlyaspirations,butitisonlywhenyouacquireself
knowledgethatyoudeserveandearnthegraceofGod.Whenyouhavethat,youbecomeeverblissful.
Youenjoytheultimatehappiness.
Whoarethosewhodeservetolearnthissacredknowledge?Isit,assomewouldcontend,exclusively
reservedforoldpeople,ordoesachilddeservetolearnit?Isittobegivenonlytoreligiousinitiatesor
shoulditbemadeavailablealsotothosewhohavenopreviousreligiousbackground?Shoulditbekept
formenaloneorarewomenequallyeligible?Truly,togainthiswisdom,race,color,age,gender,
nationalityorsocialstatusareofnoconsequence.ThesageValmikiinhisearlierlifehadbeena
highwayrobber,thesageNaradawasbornofalowlymaidservantyet,theybothbecamegreatspiritual
lights.Everyoneisequallyentitledtoacquirethissupremewisdom.
TheLordcomestothosewhohavedevotionforhimhelooksattheheartandnotattheouterstatus.
Developyourdevotion.Devotionisveryimportanttohumanlife.TheLordsaidintheGita,"Youbecome
verydeartomewhenyouservemewithalovingheart."
FaithinYourselfandFaithinGod
WhentheLordcounselsyoutodevelopyourdevotionitdoesnotmeanthatyoushouldneglectyour
worldlyduties.Prepareyourselfthoroughlyforallyourworldlytasks.Takegreatcaretoproperlylearn
thesecularknowledgewhichyouneedtodischargeyourduties.Mostimportantly,alwayshavefaithin
yourself,faiththatyouwillbeabletofulfilltheroleforwhichyouhavetakenhumanlife.Faithin
yourselfandfaithinGodistherealsecretofgreatness.Intruth,theyarethesame,forfaithinyourself
meanshavingfaithinyourinnatedivinity.
Worldlyknowledgecanonlygiveyoufoodandshelter,whereasselfknowledgegivesyouthegreatest
treasureofall,therealizationofyourownreality.Still,withoutsomeworldlyknowledge,youwillnotbe
abletoobtaintheknowledgeoftheeternal.Youshouldnotbecarelessinthesphereofworldly
knowledge.Spiritualknowledgeneedstobebalancedwithworldlyknowledge.ThesagesValmikiand
Vyasawerehonoredbyeveryone.Theywrotemanyholyscriptures,includingthosetimelessepics,the
RamayanaandtheMahabharata.Theyweregreatspirituallights,buttheywerealsoverywellversedin
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

10/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

worldlyknowledge.Otherwise,howcouldtheyeverhavewrittensuchgreatclassics?
EverythingintheworldisderivedfromGod.Wheneverythingcomesfromhim,whatcanyoupossibly
offerhim?Theonlythingyoucanofferhimisyourlove.Thatisallheexpectsfromyou.Thatiswhya
greatpoetsang,
BelovedLord,
Youaretheallpervadingreality.
Whentheentireuniverseisfilledwithyou,
HowcanIbuildatempletoyou?
Whenyouareeffulgentlikemillionsuponmillionsofsuns,
HowcanIofferyoumysmallcandlelight?
Whenyouaretheindwellingrealityofallbeings,
HowcanIcallyoubyaparticularname?
Whentheentireuniverseisinyourstomach,
HowcanIofferyoualittlefoodinworship?
AllIcanofferyouismylove,
AndallIcanhopetodoistoemptymyselfinyou,
Whoaretheoceanofdivinelove.
TheFormlesstakesaForm
ForthesakeofhumansatisfactionyougivenameandformtotheLord.Butinrealityhedoesnothave
anyformatall.Yet,hewilltakeonaformsothatyoucanexpressyourdevotiontohimandworship
him,andtherebysatisfysomeofyourspiritualyearnings.WhateverformoftheLordyouchooseto
follow,worshiphimwithalovingheart.
Ramakrishnawasnotalearnedmaninsecularmattershewasbarelyliterate.Buthismindwasalways
engagedinworshippingthedivinemother.Withhisheartbrimmingwithlove,hededicatedhisentire
lifetotheworshipofthedivinemother.Hewaslivingononlyfiverupeespermonththatwasenough
forallhisneeds.Throughhisintense,onepointeddevotion,hebecameluminous.Todayheiswell
knownthroughouttheworldyoucanfindRamakrishnaMissionseverywhere.Heisuniversally
honored.
Similarly,arobberlikeRatnakarabecamethegreatsageValmikibecauseofhisloveforGod.Prahlada
wasthesonofademon,neverthelesshebecameluminousandpurewiththedivinelovehehadforGod.
Hanuman,amonkey,byrepeatingthenameofRama,becameagloriousbeingwhoishonored
throughoutIndia.Jatayuwasabird,whobecauseofhisgreatloveforRamamergedinthedivine
principlewhenhegaveuphislife.FordevotiontowardsGod,race,creed,genderoranyother
distinctionsmakenodifferenceatall.Everyoneisequallyeligible.
ThechapterondevotionisthemostimportantchapterintheGita.Thatiswhywehavestartedwithit
today.DevotionisnotmerelyrepeatingthenameofGod.ItisanundyingandpureloveforGod.Itis
completelyselflessinitsnature,bereftofanyworldlydesires.Itispure,permanentandeternal.This
divineloveshouldbepracticedconstantlyinyourdailylife.
DivineConsciousness
Tobeginwith,youmustknowwhoyoureallyare.Areyouthebody?Ifyouarethebodythenwhydoyou
say,"Thisismybody"?Sinceyoucallit,"mybody",youmustbesomethingdifferentfromthebody.
Whenyousay,"myheart",thenthatmeansthatyouaresomethingdifferentfromyourheart.Yourheart
isanobjectpossessedbyyou,itsowner.Youdeclare,"Thisismybrother,thisismysister,thisismy
mind,mybody,myintellect".Theunchangingelementinallofthesedeclarationsismy.Thereisatrue
I,whichstandsbehindthislittlemyandgivesrisetoit.Itisreallythedeepestconsciousnessineveryone
andineverything.ItistheuniversalI,thedivineconsciousness.Thisdivineconsciousnessisall
pervading.Itiswithinyou,aroundyou,belowyou,aboveyou,andbesideyou.Truly,itisyou.
Thisdivineconsciousnesscanbefoundeverywhere,ineverythingintheworld.Buttorealizeit,themind
mustbeturnedinwards.Youmustbecomeinnerdirectedandsearchoutyourowntruth.Youmust
realizethatyouarenotthis,youarenotthat...youarenotthemind,youarenotthebody,youarenotthe
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

11/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

intellect.Thenwhoareyou?Theanswercomes,"IamI".Thisistherightpathtofollowforself
realization.Thiscanonlydevelopwhenyoufollowthepathoflove,thepathofdevotion.Tosearchfor
Godthereisnootherway.
Everywhereyoulook,theformlesshastakenonforms.Godispresenteverywhere.Butinorderthatyou
maycomprehendhim,hehastakenonaparticularnameandform.Heiseverywhereastheformless
divinity,butbeforeyoucangetthatrealization,youhavetodevelopyourloveanddevotionfortheLord
withform.Therefore,inthebeginning,youenterthedevotionalpathatthelowestrung,andworshipthe
Lordwithanameandform.Thensteadily,inchbyinch,yourisetoahigherstate.Youwithdrawyour
mindfromtheexternalworldandworshiptheformless,untilfinallyyourealizeyourownrealityasthe
formlessdivineprinciple.Thatisselfrealization.
Work,WorshipandWisdom
Withoutflowersyoucannothavefruits.Thematurationoftheflowersintotheunripefruitsandtheninto
theripefruits,isthepathofselfrealization.Thefloweringstageisthepathofservice.Whenit
progressestotheunripefruitsitisthepathofdevotion.Whenthefruitsbecomeripeandfullofthesweet
nectarofwisdom,thenitbecomesthepathofselfknowledge.Atthatpoint,theflowersofgoodworks
andservicehavetransformedthemselvesthroughloveanddevotionintothesweetfruitsofwisdom.
Therefore,goodworksleadnaturallytoworshipanddetachment,andontowisdom.Onthespiritual
path,itisnotenoughtojustworshipyoumustalsoengageingoodworks.Butyourworksbecome
worshipwhenyousteepeverydeedwithlovefortheLordandofferallyourworkstohim.
Aslongasyouareinthisworld,youmustbeengagedinwork.Workisveryimportantforhuman
beings.Itisthroughyourworkandactivitiesthatyoulearntoharmonizethoughts,wordsanddeeds.
Forgreatsouls,thoughts,wordsanddeedsarealwaysone.Atfirstyouwillyearnforthefruitsofyour
work.Inthebeginning,whenthereisstillagreatdealofdesire,youwillnotbeabletoperformyour
workwithoutadesiretoenjoythefruits.Later,however,youwillbecometotallyselflessand
unconcernedwiththefruitsofyourwork.Inthatway,gradually,yourworkbecomesconvertedinto
worshipand,intime,youwillbedoingeverythingonlyfortheloveofGod.
Truthisone,butthesagescallitbymanynames.Thedivinityisone,butmanynamesareusedtospeak
ofthisoneabsolutereality.Fromtheonecomethemany.Whenachildisbornitiscalledababy.Asit
growsupitbecomesayouth.Aftertwentyyearsitbecomesanadultandlateraparent.Laterstillinlife,
itbecomesagrandparent.Butthesearealloneandthesameentity.Similarly,theultimaterealityis
alwaysoneandthesame.Whenyourealizethisunityandremainfirmlyestablishedintheonedivinity
underlyingallthechangingnamesandforms,youwillhaveachievedsomethingthatistruly
worthwhile.
ExtinctionofDelusion
HaveaclearunderstandingoftheGitainyourheart.WhatistheessenceoftheGitateachings?Some
saythatitisthepathofserviceandaction,andotherssaythatitisthepathofloveanddevotion.Still
otherssaythatitisthepathofknowledgeandwisdom.Buttheseareallpartialtruths.TheGitastarts
withaversewhosefirstwordisdharma,whichmeansdutyorrightaction.Theconcludingverseofthe
Gitaendswiththeword'my'.Whenthesewordsaretakentogethertheybecome'myduty'or'mywork'.
ThatsummarizesthewholeteachingoftheGita.Itmeansyoushouldperformyourprescribeddutytothe
verylimitsofthehumancapacityforexcellenceandperfection,doingtheworkthatisappropriatetoyour
stageoflife.
Whenyouareastudentstudyyourlessonswell.Whenyouareahouseholderperformyourworkand
familyresponsibilitiesproperly.Whenyouareretiredperformthedutiesappropriatetothatstage,andif
youhaverenouncedtheworldtoengageyourselfincontemplationofthereality,thensticktothatpath.
Whenyoufollowyourprescribeddutyintheverybestwaypossible,dischargingyourdutysincerelyand
conscientiously,thentherewillbenoconfusionormisery.
Arjunahadtoperformhisdutyonthebattlefield.Hiscallingwastobeawarriorandtocombateviland
protectthegood.But,whenhesawhisfriendsandrelationsarrayedonbothsidesofthebattlefield,he
forgothisstrongresolvetofightforright,thefightforwhichhehadbeenpreparingforsolong.He
becamefullofattachmentsanddelusion,andthrewdownhisbow.Heabandonedhisdutyandbecame
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

12/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

miserable.KrishnataughtArjunahowtofreehimselffromdespairbyadheringtohisprescribedduty.
KrishnataughtArjunathetruthoftheimmortalself,andshowedhimthathisdutywastofollowthe
innerpromptingsoftheLord,whowasenshrinedinhisheart.WhenKrishnafinishedhisteachings,he
askedArjuna,"Haveyourattachmentsanddelusionsdisappeared?"Arjunapickeduphisbowand
answered,"Mydespairhascompletelyvanished.Allmydelusionisnowgone.Iwilldoasyou
command!"
Aslongasyouhavedelusionyouwillbeinastateofbondage.Whenyousufferfromdelusionand
infatuation,liberationisimpossible.Liberationhasnothingtodowithworldlypleasures.Itisnotan
airconditionedcaroracomfortablelife.Itisthecompletedestructionofdelusion.Itistheextinctionof
allworldlyattachments,theincinerationofallselfishdesires.
Fromnowon,doyourdutytoperfectionandbecomeidealsformankind.ApplytheteachingsoftheGita
inyourdailylifeandbeblessedwithgrace.Manyofyouarejustwastingyourtime.Starttodaytoreform
yourself.Don'twastetime.TimeisGod.Everydayspendsometimeontheseholyteachingsand
contemplatetheirinnermeaning.Oncetheyareunderstood,putthemintopractice.Onlyinthiswaywill
youbeabletoattainasacredlife,alifeofpurityandperfection,whichisthemarkofatruehumanbeing.
II.SurrenderTransformationofManintoGod
KrishnadeclaredintheGita,"Ifyousurrenderyourselffullytomeandtakeshelterinme,
youwillbeprotectedbyme.Iwilldriveawayyoursinsandguideyoutowardsself
realization."Youmusttreasurethisstatementinyourheart.Steadfastlyfollowthepathof
surrendertotheLordandhewilllookafteryouandtakeyoutohim.

EmbodimentsofLove,
God'spowerisimmeasurableandunlimited.Thehugediversityyouseewhenyoulookoutatthe
universeisalltheresultoftheillusorypowerofGod.Thephysicaluniversevisibletoyourhumaneyesis
justaverysmallpartoftheinfinitepoweroftheLord.Alltheworldscanbecoveredbyafractionofthe
footoftheLord.ItisimpossibletounderstandthegreatnessoftheLord.Hepervadestheentireuniverse,
grossandsubtle.Noplaceexistswhereheisnot.
TheUniverse
TheuniverseisthebodyofGod.Hehasembodiedhimselfinthecreation.Tounderstandthedivine
principleonwhichtheuniverserests,youcanbeginbyconsideringthevastsizeoftheuniverse.The
moonishundredsofthousandsofmilesawayfromtheearth.Thesunismanytensofmillionsofmiles
away.Eventhenearestofstarsismillionsuponmillionsofmilesawayandbeyondthat,inthefurthest
reachesofthevisibleuniverse,therearestarsthatarestillbillionsoftimesfurtheraway.But,allofthis,
whichconstitutesthephysicaluniverse,andwhichtoourlimitedviewissoinfinitelyvast,isonlythe
minutestpartofthesubtleuniverse.Comparedtothissubtleuniverse,thewholegrandphysicaluniverse
isnomorethanthesizeofanatom.
Thesubtleuniverse,whichissoindescribablyhugewhencomparedtothephysicaluniverse,isitself
onlyamicroscopicpartofamuch,muchvasteraspectoftheuniverse,whichcanbedescribedasthe
causaluniverse.Itisknownasthecausaluniversebecauseitisoutofthisfinestaspectthatthegross
andsubtleworldsarise.Allofthesethreeworlds,thephysical,thesubtle(ormental),andthecausal,
aresoenormouslybig,thescriptureshavedeclaredthattheycannotpossiblybeunderstoodbythe
humanmindordepictedinwords.Theyarebeyondtheimagination,beyondtheabilityofthemindto
grasp.Andyetbeyondallthese,transcendingthegross,thesubtleandthecausal,isthedivineprinciple,
theultimatecauseofall.
ThePathofDevotion
Godisbeyondthegross,thesubtleandthecausal.But,asLord,herulesoverallofthem.Heisthe
masteroftime,past,presentandfuture.Humanbeingshavebeengivenlimitedcapacitiesandmayfind
itverydifficulttounderstandthisdivineprinciple.Inthatcase,theeasiestpathtofollowisthepathof
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

13/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

devotion.ThisiswhatKrishnataughtArjuna.Krishnadescribedthepathofdevotioninthreesteps.
Firstandforemostis:WorkforGod!
Youmaynotbeawareofit,buteverybitofworkyoudois
alreadybeingdoneforGod.Heisthesuprememasterofthisworldandeverythinginthisworld
belongstohim.Knowingthis,consciouslymakeeveryactionyouundertakeanofferingtoGod.
Devoteallyourlaborstohim,whilebeingevermindfulthatGodisnotoutsideofyou.
Thesecondstepis:ForthesakeofGodalone!
Uptothispointyouhavebeenthinkingonly
aboutyourself.Butwhoareyou?WhoisthisIthatyouusetorefertoyourself?Krishnasaid,"Itis
Iwhoamshininginyou."ThiswordIdoesnotbelongtothebody,neithertoyourownbodynor
toKrishna's.ThisIemanatesfromthehighestself,theimmortalself,theatma.ThisIshouldnot
beequatedwiththebodyorthemindortheintuitivefacultyoranyotheraspectoftheindividual.
Ittranscendsthelimitedpersonalselfoftheindividual.ThisIrelatesonlytotheunlimited,
impersonalself,thedivineself,whichistherealselfofeveryone.
Thelimitedpersonalselfbycallingitself"I",hasassociateditselfwiththeuniversal.Butthe
personalselfisnottherealself.Itismerelyareflectionoftheoneimmortal,divineself.Whatever
youhavebeendoinghasbeenforthesatisfactionofthedivineselfalone.Notrealizingthis
sacredtruth,youhavebeencaughtupandsweptawaybydelusion.KrishnatoldArjuna,
"Whateveryoudo,doitformysatisfaction,formysake.Doeverythingyoudoforme.Performall
youractionsonmybehalf.Actasmyagent."ThismeormyorIwhichKrishnaisspeakingof,is
notGodoutsideofyourself.Itreferstotheatma,yourdivineself.Doeverythingyoudoforthe
sakeofGodalone,whoisnoneotherthanyourhighestself.
Thethirdstepis:BedevotedonlytoGod!
Understandtheinnersecretofthisdirective.
Devotionistheexpressionoflove,andtheemotionwhichiscalledloveemanatesfromGod,your
highestself.LovecomesfromGodandisdirectedtowardsGod.
Lovehasnothingatalltodowithworldlyfeelingsandsecularthings.Love,whichisjustanother
wordfordevotion,istheverynameofyourhighestself.Thisprincipleofloveemanatingfromthe
coreofyourheartmustsaturateeveryaction,wordandthought.Thiswillhappenwhenyouthink
thateverythingyoudo,sayorthinkisforthesatisfactionofGodalone.
YourHighestSelfisGod
Inthewakingstate,youmaythinkthatyouaredoingeverythingforthesakeofyourbodyandmind.But
indeepsleepyouarenotconsciousofyourbodyoryourmind.Thenforwhosesakeareyouenjoyingthe
restandpeaceofsleep?Itisforthesakeofyourself.Sleeping,takingfood,allthevariousactivitiesof
yourdailylife,areperformedonlyoutofloveforyourself.Youbelievethatyouaredoingalltheseforyour
personalselfwhichyouexperiencetobeseparatefromGod,buttheIthatyoucallyourselfreallyemerges
fromyourhighestselfwhichisnodifferentfromGod.Whateveryoudooutofloveforyourselfreaches
yourhighestselfand,therefore,reachesGod.Soyoumustdoeverythingwiththeawarenessthat
whateveractionyouundertake,goodorbad,willcertainlyreachGod.Devotionmeansmakingallyour
actionssacredanddedicatingthemtoGodalone.
Intheancientscripturewefindaconversationbetweenasageandhiswifeinwhichthesageexplained
theseinnermeaningtohiswife.Hesaidtoher,"Forwhosesakeareyoulovingme?Ifyouexamineyour
deepestintentionsyouwilldiscoverthatitisforyourself.Thewifedoesnotlovethehusbandforthe
husband'ssake.Itisforherselfthatshelovesthehusbandandthatselfisthetrueself,herhighestself.
Youmaythinkthatthemotherlovesthechildforthesakeofthechild,butitisnotso.Itisforherself
thatshelovesthechild.Again,itisforherhighestself.Youmayfeelthattheteacherlovesthestudent
forthestudent'ssake,butitisreallyfortheteacher'ssakethathelovesthestudent.Similarly,thedevotee
doesnotloveGodforGod'ssakeitisreallyforhimselfthathelovesGod."
WhenthedevoteefeelsthedeepjoyofloveforGod,hebelievesitishispersonalselfthatisfeelingthis
joy.AndsohisloveforGodistingedwithselfishness.But,God'sloveforthedevoteeistotallydifferent.
God'sloveforthedevoteeisnotselfish.Itisonlyforthedevotee'ssake.Hereinliesanimportanthidden
truthwhichcanbefoundbehindeveryspiritualpractice.Godhasnosenseofindividualityorseparation.
Hedoesnotfeelthatsomethingsarehisandothersarenothis.Whenthereexistsafeelingofdifference
andindividuality,thenselfishnessandthesenseofInessandmynessarise.ButGoddoesnotlimit
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

14/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

himselftoanyparticularform.Hehasnoseparatefeelingofmineandthine.Hehasnoselfishness.
Thesethreeinjunctions,"WorkforGod!...ForthesakeofGodalone!...BedevotedonlytoGod!..."are
givenforyoursake.TheyarenotgivenforthebenefitofGodbutforyourbenefit.Theyareintendedto
helpyourealizeyourtrueselfbyremovingalltracesofselfishnessandseparationwhichbecloudyour
truthandkeepyoufrombeingonewithGod.
TheUnlimitedPowerofGod
Ifyouwantalittlebreezeyoumaytakeahandfanandwaveitsothatyougetalittleair.Ontheother
hand,whenthereisapowerfulwhirlwindyoufindverybigwavescrashingagainsttheshoreofthe
oceanandevenhugetreesbeinguprooted.Thebreezeyoucangetfromahandfanwillbeverylimited,
butthepowerofGodistremendousitisunlimited.Considersomeotherexamples.Whenyoutrytodraw
waterfromawell,youcandrawonlyaverysmallquantity.Butwhenthereisaheavydownpour,streams
willbecomerushingriverswhichjointogetherinonegreatflood.Onecomesfromthelimitedpowerof
man,theothercomesfromtheunlimitedpowerofGod.
Taketheexampleofwantingsomelightinyourhouse.Youmaylightacandleorswitchonanelectric
lamp.Butatdawnwhenthesunrises,thewholecityandforestwillsoonbefloodedwiththesun'slight.
Thelittlelightofyourlampisveryweakcomparedtothesplendorofthesun,shiningmagnificently
everywhere.Again,thisistheunlimitedpowerofGod,comparedtothelimitedpowerofman.Howcan
youreachthisunlimitedpowerofGod?Howcanthelimitedcapacityofahumanbeingbetransformed
intotheunlimitedcapacityofGod?Themeansissurrender.
TheLordhasdeclaredintheGita,"Iwilldestroyallyoursinsandraiseyoutothesupremeposition
whichismyown."Howcanthathappen?Thephysicalworldthatyouseewithyourhumaneyesisthe
grossaspectoftheuniverse.Whenthisgrossaspecttakesasubtleforminthemindyouhavethesubtle
universe.Andwhenthementaltakesastillfinerandmoresubtleformintheheart,thenyouhavethe
causaluniverse.TheinfiniteLordisbeyondallthese.Heisthebiggestofthebig,buthetakestheform
ofthesmallestofthesmall,andinstallshimselfintheveryheartofthedevotee,deepinthecausal
aspect.Thewonderfultruthisthatsuchavast,unlimitedandpowerfulLordallowshimselftobe
imprisonedintheheartofthedevotee.Hereisastorytoillustratethis.
TheDevoteeisevengreaterthanGod
Onceuponatime,sageNaradacameintothepresenceoftheLord.TheLordaskedhim,"Narada,inall
yourtravelsthroughtheworldhaveyoubeenabletodiscovertheprincipalsecretoftheuniverse?Have
youbeenabletounderstandthemysterybehindthisworld?Everywhereyoulookyouseethefivegreat
elements,earth,water,fire,airandether.Whichdoyouthinkoccupiesthefirstplace?Ofeverythingthat
istobefoundintheuniversewhatisthemostimportantofall?"
Naradathoughtforawhileandthenanswered,"Lord,ofthefiveelementsthedensest,biggestandmost
importantissurelytheearthelement."TheLordanswered,"Howcantheearthelementbebiggestwhen
threefourthsoftheearthiscoveredbywaterandonlyonefourthisland?Suchabigearthisbeing
swallowedbythewater.Whatisbigger,thethingthatisbeingswallowedorthatwhichisswallowing
it?"NaradaacknowledgedthatwatermustbebiggerbecauseithadswallowedtheEarth.
TheLordcontinuedhisquestioning.Hesaid,"ButNarada,wehavetheancienttalethatwhenthe
demonshidinthewaters,theninordertofindthem,agreatsagecameandswallowedupthewhole
oceaninonegulp.Doyouthinkthesageisgreaterortheoceanisgreater?"Naradahadtoagreethat
withoutdoubtthesagewascertainlygreaterthanthewaterhehadswallowed."But,"continuedthe
Lord,"itissaidthatwhenhelefthisearthlybody,thissamesagebecameastarintheheavens.Sucha
greatsageisnowappearingonlyasasmallstarinthevastexpanseofthesky.Thenwhatdoyouthink
isbiggerisitthesageorisittheskythatisbigger?"Naradaanswered,"Swami,theskyissurelybigger
thanthesage."ThentheLordasked,"YetweknowthatonetimewhentheLordcameasavatarand
incarnatedinadwarfbody,heexpandedhimselfsohugelythathewasabletocoverboththeearthand
theskywithhisonefoot.DoyouthinkGod'sfootisbiggerorthesky?""O,God'sfootiscertainlybigger,"
Naradareplied.But,theLordasked,"IfGod'sfootissobig,thenwhatabouthisinfiniteform?"
Now,Naradafeltthathehadcometothefinalconclusion."Yes,"hesaidexultantly,"theLordisthe
biggestofall.Heisinfinitebeyondmeasure.Inalltheworldsthereisnothinggreaterthanhe."Butthe
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

15/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Lordhadstillonemorequestion."Whataboutthedevoteewhohasbeenabletoimprisonthisinfinite
Lordwithinhisownheart?Nowtellme,Narada,whoisgreater,thedevoteewhohastheLordlockedup
ortheLordwhoislockedupbythedevotee?"Naradahadtoadmitthatthedevoteewasevengreaterthan
theLord,andthat,therefore,thedevoteemustrankfirstinimportanceovereverything,surpassingeven
theLord.
YoucanbindGodwiththePowerofLove
SuchanenormouspowerwhichcanbindevenGod,iswithinthescopeofeverydevotee.Whateverbethe
immensityandcapacityofanypower,howevermagnificentitmaybe,ifitisboundbysomethingelse,
thenthatwhichbindsitmustbeconsideredmorepowerful.TheawesomepowerofGodhasbeenbound
bythepoweroflovetherefore,inthispathofdevotion,youcantieuptheLordhimselfandkeephim
lockedinyourheart.
Ifyoutakeadropofwaterfromtheoceanandkeepitinthepalmofyourhand,comparedwiththeocean
thedropappearsvery,verysmall.Butputthatsamedropofwaterbackintotheoceananditbecomesa
partoftheinfiniteocean.Ifyoursmallnessasahumanbeingisjoinedtogetherwiththevastpowerof
theLord,youbecomeinfiniteandallpowerfulyoubecomeonewithGod.Inthescripturesitissaid,
"TheknowerofGodverilybecomesGod."Inotherwords,theveryprocessofknowingGodmergesyou
intoonenesswithGod.ThisprocesswhichjoinsGodandyoutogetheriscalledthepathofdevotion.
Unfortunately,manypeopletodaychoosenottoevenrecognizeGodinsteadtheyprefertorelyonlyon
theirownlimitedstrengthandtobeimpressedonlybyhumanachievement.Theyarepreparedtobend
lowbeforeavillageofficerorapettygovernmentofficial,buttheyrefusetoshowhumilityandobedience
totheallpowerfulcosmicpersonality,whoisthemasteroftheuniverse.God,whoistheoriginand
causeofeverythingseenandunseen,isbeingignored.Thereasonforthissadstateisthatveryfewhave
beenabletounderstandtheunderlyingtruthbehindthisvastmanifesteduniverse.Iftheyweretosee
thateverythingisbutareflectionoftheonedivinity,theywouldneverfollowthewrongpath.
Ifyouhaveawishfulfillingtreeinyourcourtyardwhysearchforwildfruitsintheforest?Ifyouhavethe
allgivingcelestialcowinyourhousewhywanderaroundthemarketplacelookingformilktobuy?If
yourecognizetheunlimitedbenefitsyouderivefromhavingthecelestialcow,youwouldneverlook
elsewhereandgetcaughtupintrivialpursuits.Forlittlemindsevensmallthingslookverybig.Youget
whatyoudeservethinklittleandyoubecomelittle.Littlethoughtsbreedlittlenatures.Youareattracted
bysmallthingsbecauseyouthinkthatyourpowerislimited.Buttrulyspeaking,yourpowerisunlimited.
FromDualitytoNonDuality
Youremainsmallbyidentifyingyourselfwiththebody.Youthink,'Iamthebody'.Thisthoughtkeeps
youinastateoflittleness.Butexpandyourviewfrom'Iamthebody'to'Iamthesoul,thesparkofthe
divine.'Inthiswayriseupfromthestageofdualismtotheintermediarystageofqualifiednondualism.
Then,youmustexpandfurtherfrom'Iamthesoul,apartofthedivine'to'Iamthedivinityitself,Iamno
differentfromGod.GodandIarealwaysone.'Thatisthehighestspiritualstage,thestageofcomplete
nondualism.Thefeelingyoustartwith,thatyouarethebody,issteepedindualismitisthevery
birthplaceofsorrow.Aslongasyouareimmersedindualityeverythingissorrowandgrief.Ifyou
identifyyourselfwiththesupremeselfeverythingwillbehappinessandjoy.
Youmustelevateyourthinkingandalwaysidentifyyourselfwithyourhighestself,thusgivingupthe
falseidentificationwiththebody.Thisistheproperattitudeforworship.WorshipinSanskritiscalled
upasana,whichmeanssittingneartoGod.Butitisnotenoughtojustsitclosebyandbenear.Thefrog
sitsonthelotusbutdoesitbenefitfromthesweetnectarthatisinthelotus?JustbeingneartheLordis
ofnouseyoumustalsobedeartohim.Youmustbeabletotastethehoney.
Yourneighborsmaybeveryneartoyou,butyoudonotgettoodeeplyaffectedbywhateverproblemsand
difficultiestheymaybeexperiencing.Comparedwiththis,ifyourhusbandorsonishalfaworldaway
andyoudon'tgetaletterforevenoneweek,youbegintoworry.Inthiscasethebodyisfaraway,butyour
mutuallovemakesyounearanddear.Yourrelationshipwithyourneighborsisnotchargedwiththe
samelove,althoughtheyareverynear.Consideranotherexample.Inahousetheremaybesomemice
andantsrunningaround.Doyoucallthemyourfriends?Alongwithphysicalnearnesstheremustalso
bedearness.Adeepfeelingoflovemustdevelopandpermeatetherelationship.Youmustbenearand
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

16/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

deartotheLord.
NearandDear
Whatbenefitwillyouderivebybeingnearanddear?Ifyousitclosetoalampyougetlight,andwiththe
helpofitsilluminationyouareabletodosomeusefulactivitiesatnight.Ifyousitunderafanyougeta
coolbreezeandtheheatthatwascausingyoudiscomfortwillbedispelled.Duringthecoldseasonofthe
year,ifyousitnearafireyouwillbeprotectedfromthecoldwhichmaybebotheringyouthen.Ineach
case,onequalityisremovedandanothertakesitsplace.
Similarly,ifyouareclosetotheLord,ifyoubecomedeartohim,thenyouwillgethislove,andsoonall
thebadqualitiesinyouwillvanishawayandbereplacedbythegoodqualitiesthatGodembodies.
DevelopyourlovesothatyoumaygetevernearerandneareranddeareranddearertoGod.Theeasiest
waytogetclosertoGodistorememberhiminwhateveryousee,whateveryousayandwhateveryoudo.
ThinkonlyofGodandhowtogetneareranddearertohim.
OnthepathofdevotionitisnotenoughforyoutoloveGodbutyoumustalsoengageinactivitieswhich
arepleasingtotheLord,sothatyoucanevokeGod'sloveandfeelhisloveforyou.Thereareanumberof
characteristicsthatadevoteeshouldpossesswhichwillendearhimtotheLord.Treatcensureorpraise,
heatorcold,profitorloss,joyorsorrow,honorordishonor,oranyoftheotherpairsofopposites,with
anequalmind.Donotgetdejectedwhenyouarecriticizedorelatedwhenyouarepraised.Donotbe
overjoyedbyprofitorcometogriefwhenthereisloss.Treatheatandcoldwithanequalattitude,they
canbothbeasourceofjoytoyou.
Duringthewinterwarmclothingwillbedesirableandbeingnearasourceofheatwillgiveyoucomfort
fromthecold.But,duringthesummeryouwillwantthinclothesandyouwillwelcomethecold.Heat
givesjoysometimes,coldgivesjoyatothertimesthewayyouusethemdetermineswhetheryou
experiencethisjoyornot.Heatandcold,profitandloss,and,infact,allthevariouspairsofopposites
andeverythingelseintheworldhavetheirusefulness.Everythinghasbeencreatedforapurposebutyou
needtousetheminawaywhichisappropriatetoyourlifeandyourstageofdevelopment.
ShownoHatredtowardsanyBeing
Itwouldbeutterfoolishnesstogiveagoldencuptoachildortogiveaswordtoamadman.Agolden
cup,whichishighlyvaluable,shouldbegivenonlytoapersonwhowouldappreciateitsvalue.Sucha
personwillderivegreatjoyfromitandknowhowtouseit.Inthesameway,theonewhoknowsthe
valueofdevotionwilluseittofillhimselfandotherswithpurejoy.Genuinelovewillnevergivetroubleto
anyone,itwillneverleadonetohateanother.Inthe12thchapteroftheGitathedesirablequalitiesofa
devoteeareenumeratedtheystartwith'Lettherebenoenmitydirectedtowardsanycreatureinthe
world.'Repeatingparrotlike,"Lord,Iloveyou","Lord,Iloveyou",whileatthesametimegivingtrouble
tootherscannotbeconsidereddevotion.
Youbecomeadevotee,filledwithloveanddevotion,whenyousurrenderyourselfcompletelyandare
readytocarryouteverycommandoftheLord.Arjuna,outofprideandegoismwasfeelingdejectedbut
afterlisteningtotheLord,Arjunafellatthedivinefeetandsaid,"Lord,Iamyourdisciple.Teachme
whatisgoodforme.Isurrendermyselffullytoyou."Upuntilthattimetheyweretreatingeachotheras
brothersinlaw.ArjunawasmarriedtoKrishna'ssister.ButonceArjunasaid,"Iwilldoasyousay.I
willcarryoutyourcommands!",hebecameadevotee.Thetransformationtookplaceinhismind,ashe
changedtherelationshipfromabrotherinlawtothatofadisciple,withtheLordashisteacher.Sucha
mentaltransformationisabsolutelyessentialforadevotee.Withoutthis,whateverlevelofclosenessyou
feelyoumayhavedevelopedwiththeLord,yourdevotionwillremainfruitlessanduseless.
Beingawareofthesehighprinciples,doyourdutyinlife.Maintainanevenmindandmakesurethatthe
workyoudoisgood,andthatitisalwaysappropriatetotheoccasion.TheseversesfromtheGitashould
notmerelybememorizedbuttheymustbeputintopractice.Whenyoufullyunderstandtheirmeaning
andpracticetheminyourdailylife,yourworrieswillsoonleaveyouandallyoursorrowswilldisappear.
III.EarningGod'sLove
TheLordsaidintheGita,"Developsteadyandunwaveringdevotionformeandyouwill
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

17/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

becomeverydeartome."

EmbodimentsofLove,
Intheworld,youcanearnmoney,youcangainwealthandproperty,youcanattainhonorandprestige,
youcangainpositionandpower.Allthesearerewardsyoucanattainfromyourworldlyendeavors.But
theLorddeclaredintheGitathatthesearebuttemporaryfruits.Theyaretransientandhavenolasting
value.Theonlythingyoucanattainthroughyourlifehereonearththatisofrealvalue,thatremains
withyoupermanentlyandeternally,istheloveofGod.Thisdivineloveisextraordinary.Nopricecan
everbesetuponit.Itisatreasurethatisvaluablebeyondallmeasure.Youmustmakeeveryeffortto
discoverthemeansforacquiringthispreciousloveofGod.
TheLoveofGod
God'sloveisunconditional.Itisthesameforall.Butwhatmustyoudotoexperiencethisextraordinary
loveofGod?Whatpathshouldyoufollow?Ifyousowsomeseedswithoutfirstweedingandproperly
preparingthefield,youcannotexpecttogetagoodcrop.Inthesameway,inthefieldoftheheart,unless
allthebadtraitsofselfishnessarefirstremoved,youwillnotgetagoodcrop.IntheGitaitistaughtthat
theprincipalweedthathastoberemovedfromthefieldoftheheartistheattachmenttoand
identificationwiththebody.Evennow,youmayimaginethatyouloveGodbutmerelyhavingthis
thoughtwillnotproduceanyworthwhileresultforyou.Itislikesowinggoodseedsonbarren,
unpreparedsoil.ThemostimportantthingforyoutofindoutisifyouaredeartoGod.Evenifyoulove
God,ifyouhaven'ttransformedyourlifetobecomeverydeartohimandfeelhisboundless,unvarying
love,thenyourdevotionwillnothavetakenyouveryfar.
What,then,isthewaytobecomedeartoGod?YouwillfindtheanswertothisquestionintheGita,in
thechapteronthepathofdevotion.Thechapterondevotiongivesanumberofhumanqualitiesthatare
verypleasingtoGod.Itspeaksofbeingresoluteandmakingafirmcommitmenttopracticeonlythe
spiritualteachingsinyourdailylife.Itputsgreatemphasisondevelopingsteadinessofmindunderall
circumstances.Anditenjoinsyoutobefullycontentedandjoyfulatalltimes,underallconditions.What
istheinnermeaningofthislastdirective?
TrueJoy
Considerthefeelingsyougetfromsingingdevotionalsongsataspiritualfunction.Ifasongisbeing
sungthatisnotveryfamiliartoyouorwhosemelodyisnotespeciallypleasingtoyourearorifyouare
notdrawntotheparticularaspectofthedivinitytowhichitisbeingsung,youmightfindthatyouhave
verylittlerealfeelingtowardsthesong.Youmerelyfollowthesongperfunctorilywithyourlips.Whata
greatdifferencebetweenthatandasongwhichyoulove,whichcomesfromtheverycoreofyourheart,
emergingfreely,spontaneously,withagreatdealofjoy,fillingyouwithraptureanddevotionforGod.
Inthesameway,thereisavastdifferencebetweenthetemporaryjoysyouderivefromthisapparent
worldanditstransitoryobjectsandphenomena,andthetruejoythatemergesfromthedepthsofyour
heart.Thelatterjoyistotallydifferentfromthetemporarysatisfactionyougetfromworldlythings.This
deepjoycomingfromtheheartisassociatedwithtruth.Itispermanent.Itisdetachedfromalltransient
worldlyconcerns.Itrepresentstheunityofthespirit.Forthisjoythereisnopossibilityofchange.There
isnothingthatcanbeaddedtotruejoy.Itisfullandcompleteinitself.
Truejoycomesfromequanimity.Donotbecarriedawaybyorattachanyimportancetoworldlythings.
Useyourtimeandefforttocontrolthevagariesofthemindanddevelopmentalsteadiness.Equal
mindednessmeansthatyouremainunaffectedbyvictoryordefeat,byprofitorloss,byjoyorsorrow.
Acceptwhateverhappens,whatevercomesyourway,asthegiftofGod,tobeenjoyedwithgreat
satisfaction,regardingitasagiftoflovegiventoyouforyourowngood.Whenyourheartisnotswayed
byworldlythings,whenyoutreatallpeopleandallthingswithequalmindedness,thenyouwill
experiencetruejoy.Thenyourheartwillbefilledwithfeelingsofloveandsatisfaction,andyouwill
knowthetruejoyofdevotion.
CourageandSteadiness
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

18/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Anotherimportantqualitythateverydevoteemustpossessistoberesoluteandcourageous.Itis
completelynaturalforyoutohavecourageandafirmresolve.Youcanmanifestthesequalitiesina
numberofwaysinlife.Youmayusetheseattributestoclimbmountains.Thesamesenseofadventure
andcouragemaybeusedforcrossingtheoceanortraversingthroughwildjungles.Youmayalsobehave
inacourageousandresolutemannerinearningwealth,acquiringpropertiesandmakingaprofit.Or,
youmaybebraveandcourageous,butmanifestthesequalitiesinamercilessmanner.Youmaychooseto
abandonallthenoblequalitiesofhumanityanddivinityand,instead,acquirethequalitiesofademon.
Thisfirmnessandresolvemaybeusedeitherforgoodorforbad.HowyouusetheseGodgivenqualities
dependsuponyou.
Earlierinhislife,thegreatsageValmikiwasRatnakara,thedespicablerobber.Atthattimehewas
usingallhiscourage,prowessandfirmnessinanevilway.Thankstohisassociationwiththeseven
sages,andlisteningtotheirteachingsadvisinghimtoconstantlyrepeatthenameofGod,hewasableto
transformhislife,andusehisstrongdeterminationandpowersforthegoodofmankind.Soonhehad
thenameofRamaconstantlyonhistongue.ThatishowhebecametheauthoroftheRamayana,the
greatepicrecountingthelifeofRama.Therefore,youshouldnotuseyoursteadinessandfirmnessin
doingbadthingsorevenforordinaryworldlythings.Instead,useyourcourageandresolvetoacquire
thegraceofGod.
WorshipofGodwithandwithoutaForm
Inthechapterondevotion,KrishnaexpoundsontheworshipofGodbothwithandwithoutaform.The
Gitacomparesthesetwomodesofworshipandpointsoutwhichisbetter,whichiseasierandsaferfor
devoteesateachstageoftheirspiritualprogress.TheGitadeclaresthatitisimpossibletorealizethe
formlessandattributelessdivineprincipleexceptbygoingthroughthestageofworshippingGodwith
formandattributes.
Aslongasyouhaveattachmenttoyourbodyandremainsteepedinbodyconsciousness,youwillnotbe
abletounderstandandreachtheformlessaspectoftheSupreme.Youattainthenecessaryqualifications
toworshiptheformlessonlyafteryouhaveovercomeyourattachmenttothebody,yourattachmenttothe
world,andallyourotherattachments.Therefore,aslongasyouidentifyyourselfwiththebody,and
thinkthatyouhaveaparticularform,thenyoumustalsovisualizeGodwithaform.So,youstartyour
spiritualjourneybyworshippingGodinaparticularincarnation,havingcertainrecognizabledivine
qualities.Gradually,afterfollowingthispathforsometime,youcanchangeyourpracticeto
worshippingtheformlessaspectoftheSupreme.
Intruth,thewholeworldistheformofGod.EverythingyouseeeverywhereistheformofGod.Butto
beginwith,youfocusonaparticularformofGod,oneoftheavatarsorincarnationsofGod.These
divineincarnationsareassociatedwiththephysicaluniverse.Correspondingtothesephysicalforms
therearethesubtleformsoftheLordwhichareinthementalorthesubtleaspectoftheuniverse.The
physicalandmentaldomainshavetodowiththesensesandthemind.Transcendingboththesenses
andthemindisthecausaluniverse.Thiscausaluniverseismadeupofthesubtlestmanifestationof
matter,containinginpotentialformtheseedsofallnamesandforms.Thiscausalaspectisexperienced
everynightindeepsleep.HeretheformlessaspectoftheLordcanbeexperienced.
Duringthewakingstatetheeffectofthemindandthesenseswillbeverystrongbecausetheyare
associatedwiththephenomenalworld.Duringthedreamstate,associatedwiththesubtleworld,the
senseswillnotholdswayoveryou,butthemindwillbeveryactive.Inthedeepsleepstate,associated
withthecausalworld,themindgetsdissolvedanddoesnotcomprehendthesenseimpressions.Itis
onlyinsuchastate,whenthemindandsensesaretotallyinactive,thatitispossibletoexperiencethe
formlessaspectofthedivinity.But,thiscanbeexperiencedeveninthewakingstate,whenthemind
becomesperfectlysteadyandequanimousandthesensesaremaintainedtranquilandinactive.Then,
youenterthecausalstatewhileawakeandexperiencetheformlessaspectofdivinity.
ManydevoteesbasetheirspiritualexperiencesonlyonGodmanifestinnameandform.Theformand
theformlessarebothessentialforadevotee.Itislikehavingtwolegsforwalkingorhavingtwowingsto
fly.Toreachthefinalspiritualgoalyoumusthavethetwolegsofformandformless,puttingoneinfront
oftheother,withtheonelegrepresentingform,takingitssupportfromtheother,whichistheformless.
ItisimportanttorealizethatthemanifestationoftheLordwithformisonlytransient,whereasthe
formlessaspectofthedivinityispermanent.Itiseverpresentandunchanging.Hereisasmallexample
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

19/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

toillustratethisprinciple.
OnlytheFormlessisthePermanentAspectoftheLord
WhenyoucometohearBabagiveaspiritualdiscourse,youwillbewithaboutathousandothersseated
inthetemple.Thiswillbehappeninginthephysicaldomain,andmaylastforonetotwohours.
Associatedwiththisexperienceisagiventimeandactivity.Butthisverysameexperiencecanbere
experiencedevenafteryougohome.Wheneveryouwanttothinkofit,itwillbethereinyourmind...one
thousandpeopleseatedinthetempleandSaiBabagivingthediscourse.Intheexternalvisionandin
yourexperienceinthewakingstate,youcanseethatallofyouaresittinginthetemple.Whathappens
whenyouarebackinyourhome?Youfindthistemplewillbeinyourheartandcanberecalledtoyour
mindatanytime.
Youwerethereforonehour,butthiscanbecomeapermanentexperienceforyouforever,evenafteryou
leavetheashram.Havinginitiallyhadthephysicalexperienceinthephenomenalworld,itbecomesa
permanentrecordinthesubtleuniverseofthemind,whichcanthenberecalledatsomelatertime.As
yourepeatedlyrecollectthisexperienceandruminateonBaba'steachings,itsmessagebecomes
permanentlyembeddedinyourheart.
Withoutfirsthavinghadtheactualexperienceinthehall,therewouldhavebeennopermanent
impressioninyourheartwhichyoucouldlaterreexperienceinyourmind.Oncetheimpressionhas
beenmadeinthemind,thereisnoneedforactuallybeingphysicallypresentinthetempleorseeing
Baba'sphysicalform.Inthesameway,onceyouhaveexperiencedGodinform,youwillcertainlybeable
togettheexperienceoftheformlessGodlateron.Theformismomentarywhereastheformlessis
eternalbuttheformlesswillliveonasapermanententityforyouonlyafterfirsthavingexperiencedthe
divineformandimprinteditonyourheartthroughworshipanddevotion.
Consideranotherexample.Supposeyouwanttoteachtheword'chair'toasmallchild.Ifyoumerely
uttertheword'chair'itdoesnotbecomecleartohimwhatitsformis.However,youcanshowhima
chairlikethisandaskhimtolookitovercarefully.Whileheisdoingthisyourepeattheword'chair'.
Thenlateron,wheneverheseesachairhewillrememberthewordassociatedwiththeformyouhave
shownhimandhewillrepeattohimself'chair'.Theformoftheparticularchairyouusedtoteachhim
themeaningofthewordmaybeimpermanent.Thatchairwillchange,buttheword'chair'andthetype
ofobjectsitrepresentswillremain.Unlessheseestheimpermanentformhewillnotlearnthe
permanentword'chair'.Thepermanentelementisunderstoodthroughtheimpermanentone.Therefore,
thoughdivinityisformless,youfirsthavetoassociateitwithaparticularformtounderstandit.
SteadyyourMindbyWorshippingtheDivinitywithForm
Tostartwith,manypeopledonotevenhaveafirmfaithintheexistenceofGod.Mostofthetimetheir
mindwillbewavering,andtheywillaskthemselves,"DoesGodreallyexist?Isitreallytruethatthereis
aGod?"AnironresolveismostessentialtocultivateconstantfaithinGod.Youcantravelfroman
unsteadymindtoasteadymindwithfirmfaithonlythroughtheprocessofworshippingthedivinitywith
form.Consideronemoresmallexample.
Hereisapillowstuffedwithloosecotton.Whatcoversthispillow?Apieceofcloth.Whatisthecontent
ofthiscloth?Cotton.Soexternallyyouhaveapieceofclothandinternallythereisthecotton.But,in
fact,theinternalandtheexternalarebothcotton.Theformlesscottonhastakentheformofthread,and
thisthreadhasbecomecloth,andthisclothiscoveringtheformlesscotton.Clothisformandrawcotton
isformless.Fromtheformlesstotheformandthenfromtheformtotheformless,thesearethe
transformationsthatmakeupdivinity.Tohaveapillowyoucannotusetheformlesscottonalone.So,
youmustfirstconvertthecottonintoclothandthisclothhavingformcanthencovertheformlesscotton
inside.
Inthesameway,thedivinityinformandinitsformlessaspectareexactlythesame.Bothareessential.
Throughtheimpermanentformyoubecomeawareofthepermanentformless.Whileyoustillidentify
yourselfintermsofbodyconsciousnessandfeelthatwhoyouareisrelatedtoyourbody,itwillbe
impossibleforyoutogiveuptheaspectofform.Asyourmindbecomessteady,rootedinfaith,andyou
movebeyondbodyconsciousness,youwillbeabletoexperiencethepermanentformlessaspectofthe
divinity.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

20/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

WorshippingtheFormlessGodinyourHeart
Traditionally,intheworshipoftheGodwithform,youmaybecomeengagedinmanytypesofritual
worship.YoumayofferflowerstotheLord,youmaybathehisstatuewithholywater,youmayburn
incenseoruseotherformsofworship.Thesewillgiveyousomesatisfaction.WorshippingtheLord's
formexternallywithvarioussacredarticlesyieldssatisfaction.But,onceyouestablishGodinsideyour
heart,thenyouwillworshiphimthroughtheflowersofyourheart.Afterbodyconsciousnessandthe
delusionassociatedwithitisdestroyed,thenthedivinitythatyoupreviouslyworshippedexternallyin
form,withflowersandvariousarticlesofexternalworship,willnowbecomeestablishedinitsformless
aspectinthedepthsofyourheart,andyouwillwanttoworshipitwiththesweetflowersofyourfeelings.
Thiswillbringtrueunchangingjoy.
AslongasyouareworshippingtheLordwithform,youwillusephysicalflowerssuchasroses,
marigoldsandjasmine.Theseareallimpermanentandthebodywhichperformsthisworshipisalso
impermanent.ButifyouwanttoworshiptheformlessGodinyourheart,thentheflowersaredifferent.
Thoseflowerswillbepermanent.Thoseflowersarethenoblequalitiesthatyoudevelopinyourheart
andoffertotheLord.Theyaretheflowersofnonviolence,ofsenserestraint,oftruth,ofpatienceand
forbearance,ofperseverance,ofloveandcompassion,ofcharityandsacrifice.Alltheseflowersare
meantforinnerworship.Toelevateyourselftotheworshipoftheformlessprinciple,youwillhaveto
developtheseflowersoftheheartandusetheminyourworship.Thenyouwillexperiencetheineffable
andunchangingjoyofthespirit,andenterthepaththattakesyouhometoyourdivinesource.
InnerPeaceandContentment
Inthe12thchapteroftheGita,Krishnataughttheessentialcharacteristicsthatatruedevoteeshould
possess.ThesearethequalitieswhichyouhavetodevelopifyouwanttobelovedbyGod.Tobeginwith,
ifyouwanttobeadevoteeofGodyouhavetodevelopinnerpeaceandafirmresolve.Youshouldalways
becontented.Youshouldnevergiveroomtoworryandallowanypaintoenteranddisturbyourheart.
ThegreatdevotionalscripturecalledtheBhagavatam,givestheexampleofPrahladaastheidealdevotee
whopossessedallthesequalities.WhenthedemonsweretroublingPrahlada,whohimselfwastheson
ofthelordofthedemons,Prahladaneverallowedanypaintotroublehisheart,nomatterwhattrials
anddifficultieshewaspassingthrough.HejustkeptonrepeatingthenameoftheLord,takingshelterin
himashisprotectorandsavior.Henevershedonetearinthemidstofallthesetroubles.Therefore,
PrahladahasbeendescribedastheonewhowasfullyestablishedinunionwiththeLord.Eventhough
hewaslivinginthephenomenalworldandhadaform,hedidnotallowanydesiresorattachmentsto
enterhisheart.
LoveAll
Foratruedevoteethereshouldbenoeviltraitssuchashatred,jealousy,angerorgreed.Thesearethe
mainobstaclestodevotionwhichenteryourbeing.Youmustdevelopasenseofunitywitheveryone.If
youdevelophatredtowardsanyone,youwillbehatingtheveryLordwhomyouworship.Itisbecauseof
yourinflatedegothatyoutakeactionagainstanother,inthecourseofwhich,hatred,jealousyandanger
arise.Therefore,theprimarywarninggivenintheGitasays,"Shownohatredtowardsanybeing".
Withoutuprootingtheweedsfromthefieldandpreparingitforcultivation,theseedswillnotyielda
goodcrop.Inthesameway,withoutremovingtheweedofegofromwithinyourheart,allattemptsat
spiritualpracticewillbeuseless.Themostimportantthingtobelearnedfromthepathofdevotionisthat
youshouldnotonlyloveGodbutyoushouldalsoloveallbeings,treatingeveryoneasGod.Worshipping
Godwhileharmingotherscannotbecalleddevotion.Itonlyrevealsthedepthsofone'signorance.Such
peoplewillneverprogressonthespiritualpath.
Inthedaystocomeyouwilllearnthewaysthatyoucandevelopyourfaith,andthroughyourgood
actionssanctifyyourlife.Itisbydevelopingthesedesirablequalitiesandpracticingtheminyourdaily
lifethatyouwillcallforththeloveandgraceoftheLord.
IV.InnerInquiryThePathofWisdom
Meditationisthesteady,uninterruptedpracticeofcontemplatingGod.Thisistheprincipal
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

21/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

spiritualactivitytaughtintheGita.ThinkingofGodnowandthencannotbecalled
meditation.MeditationisthinkingofGodatalltimes,underallcircumstances.Itisa
continuous,unceasingprocess.

EmbodimentsofLove,
TheconstantremembranceofGodisthemethodinwhichyoucontinuouslykeepturningthemind
inwardstobecomeunitedwiththeindwellingLord.Thiscancorrectlybecalledmeditation.Anypractice
thatyouengageinperiodicallyisaconcentrationpractice.Suchapracticewillusuallyfocusonachosen
objectandbeassociatedwithaparticularplaceandtime.Truemeditation,ontheotherhand,goeson
continuously.Itiscompletelyfreeofallobjectsandphenomenaandcompletelytranscendstheelement
ofplaceandtime.Therefore,intheGita,theongoingpracticeofmeditationhasbeendescribedas
superiortoanytypeofperiodicpractice.
But,thereisapracticeevensuperiortomeditation.Theultimatespiritualpracticeisthedevelopmentof
wisdom.Wisdomemergesfrominnerinquiry.Itisthespiritualpracticeoflookingdeepintothe
essentialnatureofeverything.Ifyoufaithfullypursuethisinquiry,youwillgraduallyreachthesupreme
stateofpeaceandbliss.Thisistheuniquegoalofhumanlife,agoalwhichallmankindwilloneday
achieve.
ThethreeStagesontheWisdomPath
Toreachthestateofabidinginnerpeace,youbeginbyinquiringintotheveryheartofeverything.Thisis
theprocessofinnerinquiry,thefirststageonthewisdompath.Thenyoumustmakeuseofthedeep
insightsyouhavegainedbyapplyingthespiritualteachingstoeverydetailofyourdailylife.Thisisthe
secondstage.Ifyoucontinuewiththispracticeunfailingly,then,intime,youwillreachthegoalofGod
realizationandenjoyunendingbliss.Thisisthethirdandfinalstageonthewisdompath.
Youcancomparethefirststagetotheperiodoflifewhenyouareastudent.Asastudentandspiritual
seekeryouaremostactiveinacquiringknowledge.Whileyouareinthisstageyouinquireintothe
principlewhichunderlieseverythingintheuniverse.Youtrytounderstandthedeepermeaningofthe
greatwisdomsayings,suchasthatthouart.Here,thatreferstotheeternaldivineprinciplewecallGod,
andthoureferstotheimmortalself,whichistheonetruerealityofeveryone.Inthisfirststageyoutryto
understandthissaying,whichstatesthatthehighestselfandGodareoneandthesame,andyoulook
forthisonenessinthecoreofeverything.
So,youstartoffbyseekingtheunityunderlyingeverythinginexistence.Then,havingbecomeawareof
it,youliveyourlifebyapplyingthisgreattruthtoallyourdailyactivities.Thissecondstagecanbe
comparedtotheperiodoflifewhenyouareemployedandbusyinyourprofession.Ifyouhavenot
pursuedyoureducationandearnedgoodqualifications,youwillnotbeabletofindanappropriate
position.Therefore,inthefirststageyouacquireagoodeducationanddevelopyourknowledgesothatin
thenextstageyoucanputthateducationintopracticeanduseittodoyourlife'swork.Thethirdstage
canbelikenedtothelaterperiodoflifewhenyouareretiredandbecomeapensioner.
Youreceiveapensiononlyafteryouhavecompletedyourworkingcareer.Youstartyourcareerandgain
employment,inthefirstplace,onlyafteryouhavesuccessfullycompletedyoureducationandacquired
qualifications.Thesethenarethethreestagesinyourpaththroughlifenamely,firstisthestagewhen
youareastudent,thenthereisthestagewhenyouareaprofessional,andlastly,thereisthestagewhen
youareapensioner.
Similarly,onthepathofwisdom,youstartoutasaseeker,thenyoubecomeapractitioner,andfinally,
youbecomeawiseilluminedone.Inthisfinalstageyouenjoycompletepeaceofmindandrealizethe
unityofallofcreation.
Topermanentlyacquirepeaceofmindandthestateofunendinginnerjoy,youfirsthavetoenterintothe
stageofinquiryandgiveupallattachmentstotheworld.Thesedays,socalledspiritualseekersarefirst
enteringintothestageofattachment,andlatertheytrytoenterthestageofinnerinquiry.Theycalleach
otherbrotherandsisterandaspiretopracticeunity,whileatthesametimetakingonnewworldly
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

22/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

attachments.Atbest,theycanonlybedescribedasparttimedevotees.TheGitadoesnotcondonesuch
parttimedevotion.TheGitateachescompletesurrenderbyofferingoneselfandeverythingonehasto
God.
GodistheMasterofTime
Inordertoexperiencetheprincipleofcompletesurrenderyouneedtobecomeawareoftime,andhowit
exercisestotalpoweroverallthatischanging,andyet,howitisutterlypowerlessovertheunchanging
divinity,whichisitsmaster.Godisnotsubjecttotime.Henotonlyisnotunderthespelloftime,buthe
keepstimeunderhiscontrol.TheonewhoisboundbytimeismantheonewhotranscendstimeisGod.
TheonewhoismortalismantheonewhoisimmortalisGod.Onlywhenyoutakeshelterindivinity
willyoubeabletotranscendthiselementoftime.Timeconsumesman,whereasGodconsumestime
itself.Itistimewhichisresponsibleforman'sprogressorman'sdecline,forthepromotionofhisgood
orhisfallintoevil,forhisearningmeritorstoringdemerit.Therefore,intheancientscriptureswefind
thisprayer:
OGod,youaretheveryembodimentoftime.Please,helpmetosanctifymylifeandspend
allmytimeinremembranceofyou,sothatImaysafelyreachyourlotusfeet.
Theentireworldisinextricablyenmeshedinthegripoftime.Itisnotpossibletofightagainstthis
elementoftime.Timedoesnotwaitforanyone.Youareboundbytime,timeisnotboundbyyou.Time
canbecomparedtoagreatflowingriver.Alllivingbeingsarewashedawaybythisflowoftime.Ifyou
arewashedawaybyafloodyoucannottakeprotectionandshelterinsomeoneorsomethingwhichis
alsobeingwashedaway.You,aswellasthepeopleandobjectsinwhichyoutrytofindsecurity,areall
beingwashedawaybythefloodoftime.Ifyouseektogainprotectionfromsomethingthatisitselfbeing
washedaway,itislikeablindpersonfollowinganotherblindperson.Intheend,theybothgetlost.But
ifyouweretobehelpedbysomeonewhoisstandingsecurelyonthebank,youwouldsurelybesaved.
TheoneonthebankwhoisnotcaughtupinthefloodoftimeisGod.IfyoutakerefugeinGodyouwillbe
abletofreeyourselffromallthetroublesandproblemsassociatedwithtime.Godhasproclaimedthe
principleofsurrenderandemphasizeditsimportancebytellingman,"Oman,youarebeingwashed
awaybythefloodoftime.Theonlyonewhocanshelteryouismyself.Takerefugeinme,andIwillsave
you."Whenyouobeythisdivinecommandandofferyourself,yourwealth,yourproperty,yourentire
familyattheLord'sfeetandsurrenderyourselfcompletely,thenyouwillsurelybesaved.
TheVeilofIllusion
Atfirstitisdifficulttoexperiencethisprincipleofsurrenderbecausethereisaverybigveilbetweenyou
andGod.Duetothisveil,youareeasilysubjecttodoubtandconfusion,andthenyoufeelyourselfunable
tosurrendercompletely.Thisveilisillusion.Whatisthemeaningofillusion?Illusionreferstothat
whichdoesnotexist.Whenyouareunderthespellofillusionyouimaginethatwhichdoesnotreally
existtoexist.Andyouimaginethatwhichreallyexiststonotexist.Whatneverchangesreallyexistsand
istrue.Whatchangesdoesnotreallyexistandisnottrue.Theonethingwhichalwaysexists,whichis
trueandunchangingisGod,theonewithoutasecond.Theworld,whenthoughttobedevoidofGod,
willbeseenasconstantlychanging.Sinceitischanging,itcannotbetrueand,therefore,cannotreally
exist.But,inthis,youarenotseeingtheworldcorrectly.
Whenyouareunderthespellofillusion,youseetheworldasseparatefromGod.Youdonotseethe
divinityastheprincipleunderlyingeverythingintheworld,andasaresult,youbecomeafraidandfindit
impossibletosurrenderyourselfcompletely.Itislikeseeingaropeandthinkingthatitisasnake.But
thereisnosnakethereatall.Youaresubjectedtofearandtensionbyimaginingthatthereisasnake
wheretherereallyisnosnake,atall.Whatisthereasonforthisfear?Imaginingthingswhichreallydo
notexist,asexisting,isthecauseoffear.Thisfeelingisresponsibleforallyourtroubles.Ifyouwereto
seeallthisintotalawareness,youwouldfindthatthereisonlyaropethereisnosnake.Thenyou
wouldhavenofearwhatsoever.Youwouldnotbeafraidtoreachouttoit,toholditandtoplaywithit,
becauseyouwouldrealizethatallthereis,isonlyarope.
Youaresubjecttomanysorrowsbecauseyouforgetthefactthattheentireworldistheembodimentof
God.Itisnotjusttheworldasyouthinkitis.Youseetheworldonlyfromthephenomenalpointofview
youarenotlookingatitthroughtheeyesofinquiry.Ifyouweretolookattheworldcorrectly,youwould
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

23/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

realizethatitisastreamofcontinuouschange.Thisongoing,uninterruptedflowofchangeisthebasic
characteristicofthephenomenalworld.Butwithinandgoverningthatflowofchange,istheonedivine
principlewhichisforeverunchanging.
Itcanbelikenedtoariver.Thewaterintheriverwillflowcontinuouslyandgiverisetotheapparent
effectofasteadystream,flowingwithoutend.Butatanygivenperiodoftime,andatanyparticularplace
alongtheriver,theparticlesofwaterrushingbywillallbedifferentsomewillbemuddy,somewill
containrocks,somewillbefoamy,somewillbepurewater.Althoughtheflowiscontinuous,theexact
makeupofthewaterisconstantlychanging.Weseethattheriverisacombinationofbothchangingand
unchangingelements.
Inasimilarwaybeings,whicharetheexpressionsoflife,arebornanddie.Althoughtheycomeand
theygo,thereisacontinuityoflifeintheworld.Lifewhichgoesoncontinuouslycanbeconsideredtobe
truth,whereaslivingbeingswhicharebornanddieandareconstantlychanging,representuntruth.
Therefore,thechangingexpressionsoflifeareuntrue,butlifeitself,whichisasteadystreamwhose
essenceisthedivinity,istrue.
TheWorldasaRiverofTruthandUntruth
Thatiswhytheworldhasbeenlikenedtoariver,whererealityhasbecomeassociatedwithunreality,or
change.Youcanconsideritastreamofchangingtruth,atruthwhichisqualifiedandnotfullytrue.The
worldisacombinationofpuretruth,whichremainsthesameandneverchanges,anduntruth,which
dealswiththingsthatareconstantlychanging.Thewisdomteachingshavedescribedthisstateastruth
untruth,namely,amixtureorcombinationwhereinbothtruthanduntruthcoexist.Spiritualpracticeis
theprocesswherebyyouseparatethetruthfromtheuntruth,andretainthetruth.Youseetheillusion
thattheworldexistsseparatelyfromyourselfandGodforwhatitis,namelyuntruth.Oncerecognizedas
untruthyouarenolongerdeludedbyit,andthetruth,whichistheunityofGod,manandworld,stands
revealed.
Ignorance,nature,world,illusion,mind,mayaareallsynonymous.Theyarealltheillusorypowerof
God.Thinkingthatthingsexistwhichdonotreallyexist,andcomingundertheirspell,isillusion.A
saintsummarizedthisas,"Godistruebuttheworldisfalse".Youmustunderstandthisstatement
correctly.Whatitmeansisthatourmistakenperceptionandexperienceoftheworldisuntrue.The
worlditself,inessence,istrue.Godistheone,unchangingbasisofthisworldofchange.Whenyou
examinethisinsomedepthyoudiscoverthattheworldistrulynotworld,butthedivinityitself.
HoldontoGodalone
IntheGita,KrishnatoldArjuna,"Arjuna,youaresubjectingyourselftothiselementoftime.Youare
gettingyourselfcaughtupinitsflow,andyouaregoingfar,farawayfromme.Surrenderyourselftome
andallyoursorrowswillsoonberemoved."WhenyouareassociatedwithGod,whenyouarenearhim,
illusioncannotharmyou.Hereisasmallexampleforthis.
Intheexpensivehomesofthewealthytherewilloftenbeawatchdogguardingthegatetokeeppeople
out.Thisdogisnotlikeastreetdogithasbeenbroughtupbyitsownerswithgreataffectionandhas
beencarefullytrained.Thisdogdoesnotgoonbarkingwheneveritseespeoplewalkingormoving
about.Itstartsbarkingonlywhensomeonecomesnearthegateandtriestogetin.Whentheyseethe
dogandhearthebarking,mostvisitorswillquicklyleavethegateandgoaway.Others,however,who
havetakenafirmresolvetomeettheownerofthehouse,willcontinuetostandthereandloudlycallout
totheownerofthehouse.Eventually,theowner,hearingallthecommotionatthegate,willlookout
fromhisupstairswindowtoseewhoisstandingatthegate.Oncetheownerrecognizestheperson
waitingtheretobehisfriend,hewillcomedown,gotothegate,lethisfriendin,andtakehimupstairs
intothehouse.
Whenthisapparentstranger,whohadbeenwaitingatthegateturnsouttobeafriendofthemasterof
thehouseandgoeswithhim,thedogwillnolongerbarkathimortrytoharmhim.Thedognowknows
thatthispersonisbeingallowedinbytheownerhimself.Illusioncanbecomparedtothisdog.Itguards
thegateofliberationandbliss.Ifapersoncomeswhoisnotafriendofthemasterofthehouse,ifhehas
nothingtodothere,butinsistsoncominginthroughthegate,thedogwillcatchholdofhim.Fearing
theconsequencesofbeingaccostedbythedog,mostpeoplewillrunaway.Inasimilarfashion,most
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

24/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

people,assoonastheyexperiencesomedifficultiesonthespiritualpath,willchoosetoturnaway,
insteadofpersistingontheirquest,undauntedbydifficulties.Andso,theydonotreachtheirgoaland
thuscontinuetobebuffetedbythespellofillusion.
Butarealdevotee,whointhisexampleisthepersonwithastrongdeterminationtoreachtheownerof
thehouse,doesnotmindthedogatall.Heremainsatthegateandattractstheattentionofthemaster,
andstaysthereuntilthemastercomesout.Tosuchapersistentonewaitingatthegate,eventhebarking
ofthedog,eventhepaincausedbyillusionishelpful,becausethepaindrawstheattentionand
compassionofthemasterinside.Themasterturnshisgazeonthedevotee,recognizeshim,andtakes
himintothehouse.Therefore,onlytheonewithcourageandastrongresolutenature,whohasdecided
toremaintherenomatterhowferociouslythedogisbarking,willgettoseethemasterandbeableto
enterthispalaceofultimatepeace.
ConqueryourSenses
Thefivesensesandthesenseobjectsweperceivewiththemrepresentthisdogofillusionwhichwill
distractyouandkeepyoufromreachingGod.ItisforthisreasonthatKrishnatoldArjuna,"Arjuna,you
areattachedtosomanysenseobjectsthereforeyouareruffledbyevents.Youhavenotbeenableto
controlyoursensesandyouhavenotbeenabletodevelopconcentration.Therefore,youhavenotbeen
abletoestablishthedivinityinyourheart.Continuetocultivateyourpracticeofconstantlyturningyour
mindbacktoGoddwellinginyourheart.Thenyouwillgainconcentrationofmind.Onlywhenyouhave
concentrationofmindwillyoubeabletofullysurrendertoGod.Atalltimesandinallplacesalways
thinkofGod.Whateverworkyouaredoing,thinkofGod.RememberGodwithlove.RememberGodwith
faith.
"Evenwhenyouarewagingawar,thinkfirstofGod,thenfight.Thisisnotanordinarywarthisfight
youarenowbecominginvolvedinisnotlikeaquarrelbetweenyouandsomeotherindividuals.What
youarefightingmostofallisyourownweakness,yourbadhabits,allyourlimitationsandfrailties.
Withwarmthoughtsofloveforthedivinitydwellinginyourheart,wagethisinnerwarandwin.
Rememberyouarenotjustfightingawaragainstothers.Youarefightingyourowninnersenseorgans.
So,donotquituntilyouhaveachievedvictory,untilyouhaveconqueredyoursensesandfullymastered
them."
Inanearlierage,Prahladaalsospokeofthisinnerfighttohisfather,thepowerfuldemonking.Hesaid,
"Father,youhavewonmanywarsandhavegainedlordshipovernumerousworlds,butyouhavenot
beenabletowinavictoryoveryourownsenses.Bywinningalltheworldsoutsideyouhavebecomea
powerfulking,butonlywhenyoucancontrolyourownsenseswillyoubekingofthewholeuniverse.If
youkeepbeingdefeatedbyyourinnersenses,howcanyoueverwinalastingvictoryagainstyour
enemiesoutside?Whenyouwinoveryourinnerenemies,youcaneasilywinovertheexternalones,
also."
Whenisthispossible?Onlywhenyousurrenderyourselfcompletelytothedivinity.Yousay,'myobjects',
'myself','mypeople'.Aslongasyouhavesuchfeelingsitwillnotbepossibleforyoutosurrender.These
areallattachmentsassociatedwiththephysicalrealm.Youwillhavetogainmasteryovernotonlythe
physical,butoverthementalrealmaswell.Finallyyouwillhavetogainentryintothespiritualrealm.
Onceyouhavefullysurrenderedyourselfandenteredthespiritualrealmeverythingwillbetakencareof
automatically,andyouwillnolongerbebotheredbyanyburdensandcares.
GiveyourBurdenstoGod
Whenyoutakeatrainjourney,uponreachingtherailwaystationyouhavetotransportyourluggagevia
aporter,orbyonemeansoranother.Ifthereisnoonetohelpyou,youhavetocarrytheluggage
yourself.Butonceyouenterthetrainyoucanputtheluggagedownanywhereyoulike.Thenyoucan
relaxandthereisnofurtherbotherwiththeluggage.Thetrainwillcarryyouandyourluggage.
Nevertheless,therearesomefoolswhowillsitinthetrainandcarrytheirluggageontheirheads.Those
aretheoneswhohavebeenblessedwithGod'sgracebutstilldoubtandcontinuetofollowtheirown
independentwill.Theyhavenotsurrenderedfully.
OnceyousurrenderyourselffullytotheLordandofferupeverythingthatistobedone,aswellaswhenit
istobedoneandhowitistobedone,attheLord'sfeet,hewilltakecareofeverything.Toachievethis
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

25/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

levelofsurrendertherecanbenotraceofegoleftthereshouldbenosenseofyourselfremaining.This
hasbeenshowninaparticularlyclearmannerintheRamayanabyLakshmana,thebrotherofRama.
LetuspickupthestorywhenRama,SitaandLakshmanaduringtheirexileintheforest,weremoving
throughamountainousarea.AsistheLord'snature,healwayslovestocarryonsomeplayfulsporthe
istheperfectactor.Heneverhasanysorroworpainwhatsoever,butsometimeshewillactasthoughhe
hasthesefeelings.WheneverGodcomesdowninhumanformheactsthiswayinordertoconduct
himselfinanaturalwayasman.Thehumanformistakenonbyhimsothathecanbeeasilyaccessible
topeople.Onthatparticularday,Rama,theincarnationofGod,actedasthoughhewasverytired.He
wasremovingthesweatfromhisbrowandtellingLakshmana,"Lakshmana,Iamsotired.Idon'tthink
Iwillbeabletogoanyfurther.Pleaseputupahutsomewherenearby,sothatwecantakealittlerest."
LakshmanaaskedRama,"Brother,whereshallwehavethiscottage?"Ramasaid,"Youcandecidefor
yourselfwhichplacewillbemostappropriate,andthenputitup."Lakshmanaresponded,"Rama!
Rama!WhathaveIdone?Whatismyerror?WhatsinshaveIcommittedtohearthesewords?Pleaselet
meknowwhyyouhavespokentomelikethis!"Now,RamaknewthemindofLakshmanaandsohe
knewwhyLakshmanawassayingthis,butinordertohelpSitaunderstandthelevelofLakshmana's
surrender,Ramasaid,"Lakshmana,pleasetellmewhatistroublingyou.WhathaveIsaidthathas
madeyoufeelsomuchpain?"
Lakshmanareplied,"Ihavegivenupeverything.Ihavegivenupwife,mother,father,kingdom,
everything.Ihavecomealongwithyoufeelingthatyouarethefather,thatSitaisthemother,andthat
whereveryouareisourbeautifulcapitalcityofAyodhya.Ihavecomeonlytoimplementyourwill.Ihave
givenupmyownindividualwill,andnowyouaskmetoconstructahutandchoosetheplaceinwhichto
buildit.Yourcommandismyonlythought.Ihavenootherthoughtsthanthat.Whateverisyourwill,I
willdo.Myonlydutyistoobeyyou.Myonlygoal,trulymyeverything,isyou.Youalonemusttellme
wherethehutistobeputup."SitarealizedthedepthofLakshmana'sdevotionandsurrender.Sheturned
toRamaandaskedhimtorelieveLakshmana'sdistressbydesignatingthesiteforthehuthimself.
SurrenderfullytoGod
Thebasiclessonofthisstoryisthatmanshouldnothaveanydesiresseparatefromtheonedesireto
fullysurrendertoGod.EverythingbelongstoGod,andonlytoGod.Surrendermeansimplicitlyfollowing
thecommandsgiventoyoubytheLord,whosedirectionswillbeclearlyheardwhenheisenshrinedin
yourheart.Surrenderisthebasisofthedeclaration,"ComeandsitinmytrainandIwilllookafteryou.
Letgoofyouregosenseanddesire.Don'tcarryyourbaggageonyourheadandsuffer."
Inthiscontext,Krishnataughtsurrenderasthehighestandmostimportantstageofdevotion.Onceyou
havesurrenderedyourselffullytotheLord,youwillgainhisgrace."Whereveryouare,beitinatown,in
avillage,inaforestorinthesky,Iwillbeyourrefuge.Comeandsurrendertome!"Thatisthecommand
oftheLord,andthatisalsohispromise.Onceyouarehis,hewillshelteryouandprotectyoufromall
harm.
But,surrenderdoesnotmeangivingupyourdiscriminatingfaculty.Youmustdiscernwhataredesires
andwhatistrulydivine,andsurrenderallyourworldlydesires,offeringthemtothedivine.Makeevery
efforttodiscovertherightwaytosurrenderyourself,andtherebysanctifyyourlifeandreachthegoal.
V.FindGodinyourownHeart
TheLordstatedintheGita,"Onlywhenyourenounceallselfishnessandattachment,only
whenyoutreatjoyandsorrowwithanequalmindandpracticeforbearanceinall
circumstances,willyoubecomemydevoteeandverydeartome."

EmbodimentsofLove,
Tohaveanequalmind,tobefreeofattachmentsandconcernforyourselfandyourfamily,isdifficultfor
ordinaryspiritualseekers.Particularlyforhouseholders,suchequanimityofmindanddetachmentis
almostimpossible.TheyareabletoworshipGodthroughthevarioustypesofspiritualpracticeswhich
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

26/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

havebeenprescribedinthescriptures.ButforthemtodestroytheiregoandremoveallsenseofIness
andmynesswouldbeverydifficult.Whyisthatso?Itisdifficulttoeliminatetheegoaslongasyou
differentiateyourownwillfromthecommandandwilloftheLord.Youhavedoubtsandareunableto
surrenderbecauseyouseeothersandtheworldasseparatefromGod.Itisonlywhenyourecognizethat
Godisdwellinginallpeopleeverywhere,intheformofaneverluminouslightshininginthetempleof
theirhearts,thatyouwillbeabletoeliminateyouregoismandsurrenderfullytoGod.Onceyou
recognizetheallpervasiveunityoftheLordyouwillhavenodifficultyfollowinghim.Knowthatthe
selfeffulgentflameofGod'spresencewhichresidesinallpeoplealsoresidesinyou.Theonewho
protectsallpeopleisanintegralpartofyourownform.
TheIndwellingGod
Fromtimeimmemorial,theinquiryhasbeengoingonwhetherornotGodexists.Onceyouhave
convincedyourselfthatheexists,thenextstepistofindthewaytoreachhim.Justaswastruein
ancienttimes,thisproblemofhowandwheretofindGodhasbecomeaperplexingquestionformankind
today.Tosolvethisproblem,numeroussagesmadeadeterminedefforttousealltheirskillsandtheir
penancetofindthesolution.Thesesagesrevealedwheretheysearchedandhowtheycametoknow
abouttheexistenceoftheeffulgentLord.Theydeclaredtotheworldatlarge:
"Ocitizens,wehavebeenabletoperceivethetranscendentalprinciplewhichexists
beyondthisvisibleandcreatedworld.Itwillnotbefoundintheexternalworldorinouter
space,butonlywithinyourowninnerself.Itisthereinyourinnervisionwithinyoursoul,
inthesacredheartinsideyourdeepestself.ItistherethattheblissfulLordresides."
Thiswastheirgreatdiscovery,thatGoddwellswithinthebodyitself.Godistheimperishableonewho
liveswithintheperishablebody.Thebodyisinertitdoesnotknowitself.IntheGita,Godhasbeen
calledtheknowerofthebodyandtheonewhogivesconsciousnesstothebody.Topenetratethroughthe
veilsofignorancethathideyourtruth,youmustmakeadeterminedefforttodiscovertheimmortalLord
residingresplendentlyinyourmortalbody.NotonlymustyoufindtheLordinstalledinyourownbody
andthebodiesofothercreatures,butyoumustalsofindhiminstalledineveryobject,ineverything.He
istheindwellerofallthefiveelements,space,air,fire,waterandearth.Heistheverybasisofthe
creation.
Tofindadiamondyoumustdigdeepwithintheearth.Youwillnotfindithangingoutsideonatree.In
thesameway,youwillnotfindthismostvaluablediamondwhichistheLord,lyingaroundsomewhere
outside,easilyvisibletoall.Withthehelpoftheteachingsofgreatsoulsyouwillhavetomaketheeffort
tofindGodwithin.Thebodyisnotanordinarything.ItisthetempleofGod,itisachariotwhichcarries
theLord.Intheworld,whichcanbethoughtofasagrandvillage,theLordisbeingtakeninprocession
everywhereinthischariotcalledthebody.
WithintheBodyisPureConsciousness
SincethebodyisthetempleoftheLord,itisnotpropertobeindifferenttowardsitortoneglectit,orto
useitinaninappropriateorunrighteousmanner.Thebodymustbeusedonlytoperformactivitieswhich
aresacredandselfless.Youmusttakegoodcareofthebodyandsanctifyitbyusingittodoholytasks.
Thebodyisinertnodoubt,butwithinitlivestheprinciplewhichispureconsciousness.Thisbodymay
becomparedtoaboatwhichwillhelpyoucrosstheoceanofworldlyexistence.Thisbodywasnotso
easilyobtainedbyyou.Becauseofinnumerablemeritsandnumerousbirthsinotherforms,youhave
beenabletoobtainthishumanbody.Touseitimproperlyistowasteallthemeritsyouhaveearnedinall
thosecountlesslives.
Itisyourextraordinarygoodfortunetohavebeenabletogetthisbirthasahumanbeing.Therefore,this
sacredboatwhichcantakeyoutoyourdestination,hastobeusedverycarefullysothatyoucancrossthe
oceanofworldlyexistencesafely.Inthisoceanthereareterriblecrocodilesandallkindsofterrifying
creatureswhichareveryharmfultoyou.Thesemenacingcrocodilesarethesixinnerenemiesofman,in
theformoflust,anger,greed,attachment,prideandjealousy.Theyinhabitthisunfathomableoceanof
worldlyexistenceateverylevel.
Thewaterofthisoceanofworldexistencewhichsupportsallthesehorrendouscreatures,ismadeupofa
mixtureofoppositeslikejoyandgrief,attractionandrepulsion.Whenyouareinthisoceanoflifeitis
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

27/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

verydifficulttosaywhenyouwillobtainhappinessandwhenyouwillsufferpain.Whenyouarebeset
withsomanycrocodiles,theverybestmeansforcompletingthisjourneysafelyistoseetheunityin
everything.Youhavetofirmlybelievethatthedivineprinciple,thegodheadintheformoftheself
effulgentflame,residesineverybodyandineverything.OnceyourecognizethepresenceofGoddwelling
ineveryone,oncetheunityisrecognizedinallthisapparentdiversity,thenyouwillnolongerbeableto
hateanyone.ThatiswhyintheGitatheinjunction,shownohatredtowardsanybeingisgivenfirst
place.
Thevariousactsofritualworship,suchassingingdevotionalsongsandrepeatingtheholyname,which
atonetimemayhaveseemedsoimportanttoyou,willseemverysmallincomparison,onceyou
recognizethisprincipleofGoddwellingineveryheart.Itisonlywhenyouareignorantofthisgreat
truth,thatyouconsiderthevariousdevotionalpracticesasparamountinyourspirituallife.However,
untilyouhavemasteredtheartofswimmingthereisaneedtousevariousflotationaidsforsupport.
Onceyouhavelearnedtoswim,theseaidswillnolongerbenecessary.Inthesameway,allthevarious
ritualpracticesarenecessaryuntilyoutrulyunderstandthemeaningoftheGita.Onceyouhave
comprehendedthesweetessenceoftheGita,alltheseritualswillappearquitetrivial.
SeeGodinEverything
InthechapterondevotionintheGita,thenoblecharacteristicsthatendearadevoteetoGodare
described.Itisemphasizedtherethatoncethesixinnerenemiesofmanarebroughtundercontrol,these
characteristicswillnaturallyblossomforthintheindividual.Canthiseverbedoneeasily?Yes.Thesesix
enemiescanbereadilyconqueredonceyourecognizethetruththattheoneGodresidesinallofthefive
elementseverywhere,andthatitishewhoactivatesallbeings.Beforeyourecognizethisandexperience
it,youwillnotrealizetruesatisfactioninanythingyouundertake.
Ifyoukeepsomesaltinyourmouththenevenifyoutrytoswallowsomesweetjuice,youwillstillgetthe
tasteofsalt.Firstyouhavetogetridofthesaltandwashyourmouthwell,thenyouwillbeabletotaste
thesweetness.Whenthesaltisgoneyoucanenjoythefullunpollutedsweetnessofthejuiceyouhave
takenin.Similarly,itisonlywhenyouareabletoconquertheegobyremovingallthebadtraitswhich
havebecomeanintegralpartofyou,thatyouwillbeabletoenjoythesweetnessofcompassion,the
sweetnessofsacrifice,thesweetnessofcharity,thesweetnessofsympathyandthesweetnessofdivine
love.
Tobeginwith,trytounderstandwhattruedevotionreallymeans.Devotionmeansanallabsorbinglove
forGod.WhenyoudevelopdevotionandturnallyourlovetowardsGod,everythingthatisnecessarywill
beaddeduntoyou.Youwilldevelopthecapacitytosacrificeyourself.Youwillexpandinlove.Loveisthe
verylifebreathofahumanbeing.Withoutloveyoucannotlive.Loveisaverysacredquality.Aswas
referredtoearlier,agreatsageinancienttimestoldhiswife,"Allthelovethatyouhaveisreallyforthe
sakeofyourhigherself.Loveisnotforthesakeofothersbutonlyforthehigherself."Butalltoo
frequently,throughdelusion,thissacredlovefortheatma,theoneself,isdivertedtowardsthebody.
Everywhereintheworldwefindthisdiseaseofidentificationwiththebody.
TheDiseasesofMankind
Manyoftheenjoymentsyouexperienceinlifearereallyjustthereliefyoufeelwhenyoutemporarily
soothethepainsofadiseaseyouaresuffering.Forexample,youthinkthattakingfoodisanenjoyment,
butitisreallyonlyamedicine.Foodisthemedicineforthediseaseofhunger.Whenyougivethe
medicinethediseaseistemporarilyforgotten.Youcookmanyvarietiesofdeliciousfoodandconsiderthe
tasteoftheseprepareddishestobemostenjoyable,butthatisnottherealpurposeforwhichyoutake
food.Asyouknow,medicinesaresometimesgivenintheformofamixturewhichcontainssome
sweetenertomakeitmorepalatable.Inthesameway,totreatthediseaseofhungertherewillbeameal
containingamixtureofingredients,someofwhichareparticularlyflavorfulandpleasanttothetaste.
Butinthefinalanalysis,themealcanonlybethoughtofasaformofmedicinetotreatthediseaseof
hungerthatafflictsyou.Afteryouhaveeaten,thesymptomsofthediseasedisappear.Similarly,when
youtakesomecoolwater,thesymptomsofthediseaseofthirstdisappear.
Wehavepreviouslydiscussedthesixinnerenemiesofman:lust,anger,greed,attachment,prideand
jealousy.Theycanalsobedescribedasdesire,hatred,possessiveness,infatuation,arrogance,andenvy.
Thesearethemostdeepseateddiseasesofmankind.Itisonlywhenyouengageinpracticeswhichserve
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

28/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

asmedicinestocounteractthesediseases,thattheywilldiminishanddisappear.Duringyourwholelife
youhavebeendeludedintothinkingthatyouareenjoyingdifferenttypesofpleasures,butinfactyouare
afflictedwiththesediseases.UntilyourecognizethattheresidentofthebodyisGod,youwillcontinueto
beburdenedbythesediseasesandthesufferingstheybring.
SeektheLordinsideyourownBody
Allspiritualpracticescanonlybedonewiththehelpofthebody.Alltheeducationthatyouhave
acquiredhasbeenobtainedbymeansofthebody.Themagnificenceandextraordinarycharacteristicsof
Godhavebeenlearnedthroughthefacilityofthebody.Takingthebodyasthebasis,youhavetomake
analloutefforttoseetheLordinsideit.DonotkeepthinkingthatGodresidessomewhere,inanother
world.Heactuallyispresentinthebodyitself.Sindoesnotexistinsomedistantworldfarawayit
dependsupontheactionsthatyouperformwithyourbody.Bothyourmeritanddemeritaretheresultof
theactionsyouperformedwiththehelpofyourbody.Youhavetomakeanincessantsearch,aserious
attempt,tofindGodinsideyourownbody.
Onlywhenyouknockatthedoorwillthemasterinsideopenit.Evenyourownmotherwillserveyou
foodonlywhenyouaskherforit.Therefore,youwillhavetoaskandgoonasking,knockonthedoor
andgoonknocking,searchandgoonsearching,seekandgoonseeking.IfyousearchforGodwithin
you,withallearnestness,youwillsurelybeabletofindhim.Ifyougotoaroomwhereagreatnumberof
articlesarestored,itisonlyifyousearchcarefullythatyouwillbeabletofindtheparticulararticlefor
whichyouarelooking.Withoutsearchingyouwillneverfindthearticleyouwant.Therefore,itissaid,
'Seek,seek,anditshallbefoundknock,knock,andthedoorshallbeopened.'
Perhapsyoufeelthatyouhavealreadybeenknockingatthedoorforalongtimeandithasnotopened
foryou.Butfindoutifyouhavebeenknockingattherightdoor.Areyouknockingatthedoorof
liberation,orareyouknockingatthedoorofattachment?AreyouknockingatthedoorwhereGodis
residingorareyouknockingatthedoorwherethedevilisdwelling?Whomareyouapproaching?In
whomareyoutakingshelter?Areyouaskingthemostmercifulone,theonewhocomesinhumanform
andholdsouthisownlifeasanexample?Areyouaskingthemotheroftheuniverse?Areyouaskingfor
foodfromher,orareyouaskingforfoodfromthedevil?
YoumayevenbelookingattheLord,butyouarenotaskingforthedivinityitself.Nodoubt,youare
prayingtoGod,butyouareaskingforpettymaterialthingsandworldlythings.Youareatthewish
fulfillingtreeandyouareaskingfortrivialcoffeepowder.Youhavetoprayforthewishfulfillingtreeto
grantyouthetranscendentalprinciplewhichwillfillyouforeverwitheternalbliss.
Yourdevotionmustgoonincreasingandprogressing,keepinginmindthefirmbeliefthatGodis
residinginsideyourownbody.IfyouwanttoseekandsearchfortheLordwhoisresidinginsideyou,
youhavetoturnyourvisioninwards.HowshouldyouaspirefortheLord?Youhavetocrythewayacalf
criesforitsmotherwhohasleftitandgoneoffwiththeherd.Youhavetocrylikeachastewomanwho
haslostherhusbandandwailsinpainattheseparation.Youhavetocryinthewaythatachildless
coupleimploresandpleadswithGodforachild.ThisishowyoushouldpraytotheLord,fullof
devotion,longingtorealizehispresencewithinyou.
HarmonizeallyourThoughts,WordsandDeeds
Buttoday,mostofyourprayersarefilledwithpompouswords,devoidoffeeling.Insidethemindthereis
onething,onyourlipsthereissomethingelse.Itisonlywhenyousynchronizethethoughtsinyour
mindwiththewordsinyourmouth,thatyourwordscanturnintoprayerandbecomeeffective.Thenyou
mustputyourprayersintopractice.Whenyouractivitiesindailylifearecoordinatedwithyourthoughts
andwordsthenyourprayerscanbecomeworshipandwhenyouachievefullunityinthought,wordand
actionthenyoubecomeagreatsoul.
Youhavetoexamineyourselftoseewhetheryouarefollowingthispathofharmonyinthought,word
anddeed.Whenyouexamineyourselfhonestlyyoumayfindthatmostofthetimethesethree,thought,
wordanddeed,willbegoingoffinthreedifferentdirections,withoutanyunitybetweenthem.When
thoughtsaredifferent,wordsaredifferentandactionsaredifferent,youhavethecharacteristicsofa
demon,notofasaint.SuchdisharmonywillnotbenefityounorendearyoutotheLord.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

29/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Forbearance,thePrimarySpiritualQuality
Whateverthoughtsyouhave,theywillbringyouthecorrespondingresults.Whateveryouarefeelingwill
bereflectedinyourwayoftalkingandacting.Intheveryfirstplace,youmustendeavortopurifyyour
feelings.Youhavetomakeyourlovepure.Todosoyouhavetodevelopforbearance,whichisaserene
patienceandselfrestraintunderallcircumstances,givinggoodtoall,eventothosewhomaywantto
harmyou.Thereisnothinggreaterthanhavingthisqualityofforbearance.Forbearanceisequivalentto
truthitself,forbearanceistheheartofrighteousness,forbearanceistheveryessenceoftheancient
wisdom,forbearanceisnonviolenceinpractice,forbearanceiscontentment,itiscompassion.Truly,
forbearanceiseverythinginalltheworlds.Onlywhenyouhavedevelopedpatienceandforbearancewill
youbeabletoobtaintheLord.
Now,overminorinsignificantthingsyouloseyourtemperandbecomeriddenwithtension.Angerand
temperaredangerous.Theycanruinyourlife.Ifyousufferfromangeryouwillnotbeabletoachieve
anythingworthwhile.Youwillbelookeduponwithdisgustandderision.Youwillloseyourwealth.All
thehonorsyouhaveenjoyedwillturntoashes.Yourangerwillevenseparateyoufromthosewhoare
closesttoyou.Becauseofangerpeopleloseeverything,andtheirlifebecomesawaste.Therefore,inthe
Gita,Krishnataughttheprincipleofloveandtheneedtocultivatelovetocounterhatred,jealousy,anger
andalltheotherbadtraitsthatcausesomuchharmtoyou.
Loveknowsnohatred.
Loveisfreefromallselfishness.
Loveisfarremovedfromanger.
Lovenevertakesitknowsonlygiving.
LoveisGod.
YoucanexperienceGodthroughLovealone
IfyouwantGod,youwillhavetodevelopthissacredqualityoflove.Onlythroughlovewillyoubeableto
experiencehim,whoisloveitself.
Ifyouwanttoseethemoonthereisnoneedtouseacandleoratorchlight.Thelightofthemoonis
enoughtoseethemoon.IfyouwanttoseeGodyouneedonlytoimmerseyourselfinlove.Fillyourself
withloveandyouwillsurelysucceedinacquiringGod.Butaslongasthislovehasnotyetbecome
clearlyestablished,thereisaneedforspiritualpracticessuchasdevotionalsinging,repetitionofthe
nameofGod,andotherformsofworship.Oncepurelovehasdevelopedthesespiritualpracticesareno
longernecessary.
Yet,evenwhenthemoonshinesbrightly,youwillnotbeabletoseeitifyoureyesareclosed.Inthesame
way,ifyoureyesarestillclosedtothelovingpresenceofGodwithinyou,thengoodactions,including
thevariousspiritualexercises,willhelpopenyoureyesandclarifyyourvision,sothatyoucanseeand
enjoytheLord.ThatistheimportofKrishna'steachingintheGita.
Onlywhenyoulistentosuchgreatwords,andonlywhenyouunderstandthemclearly,andonlywhen
youpracticethem,willyoubeabletoreachyourdivinegoal.Setasideatleastonehourperdaytostudy
theseteachingsandincorporatetheminallyourdailyactivities.Insodoingyouwillbeusingyourtime
wiselyandyouwillbesanctifyingyourlife.
VI.ThethreeStagesontheSpiritualPath
FillyourheartwithonepointeddevotionandGodwillrevealhimselfwithinyou.Thenyou
willseehimashetrulyis.Intime,youwillmergewithhimandbecomeonewithhim.

EmbodimentsofLove,
Therearethreeprincipalstagesthatyoumustfollowonthespiritualpathinordertoreachyourspiritual
goal.TheyhavebeendescribedinanumberofdifferentwaysintheGita.Attheendofthe11thchapter,
whereinLordKrishnagivesArjunathevisionofhiscosmicform,youwillfindthethreestagespresented
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

30/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

asfollows:
First,youmustknowthatGodishere.
Thenyoumusthaveadirectvisionofhim.
Finally,youmustmergewithhim.
Thesethreestepswillleadyoutoliberation.
KnowthatGodisherethenexperienceGoddirectly
Inthefirststep,youlearnthroughthewordsofthescripturesorateacher,thatGodreallyexists.But
merelyknowingthistruthdoesnotgiveyouunlimitedjoy.YoudiscoverthatGodishere,butyoualso
realizethatyouandGodareseparate.Thisfeelingofseparationcanserveasthebasisforsubsequent
stepsonthepath,butinitselfitdoesnotprovidemuchlastingsatisfaction.
Gradually,theanguishofseparationfromGodmovesyouontothenextstep.Thedesiredevelopsinyou
togainthedirectpersonalexperienceandvisionofGod.Youfeel,"Iwanttoseeyou,dearLord.Howcan
Iexperienceyoudirectly?"But,youfindthatitdoesnothappensoeasilyjustbywishingforit.Youmust
deeplypineandyearnforthisvisionyoumustconstantlyaspiretoseehim.Whateverformoraspectof
Godyouhavecometoloveinyourdevotion,youmustnowyearnforitwithallyourheartandwishtosee
itdirectly.Ifyouryearningissincere,thenaftersometimehewillmakehimselfknowntoyouinamost
personalway,andgiveyouthissoughtforvisionofhimself.Hereisasmallstorytoillustratethis.
TheCowherdBoy
Therewasapoorcowherdboy,whohadagreatdealoffaithandanintenseyearningtoseeGod.One
day,inthevillagewherethisboylived,apreachercametodeliversomespiritualdiscourses.The
preacherwouldgathertogetheranaudienceandsingthegloriesandexploitsoftheLord.Itwasnot
possibleforthiscowherdboytogiveuphisworkandcometoallthemeetings,becausealldaylonghe
hadtoattendtohiscows.Butintheeveningshewouldbringtheanimalsintoashelteredplaceandthen
gotohearthepreachergivehistalk.Thecowherdboywouldlistenwithgreatearnestnessandcaretoall
thatwasbeingsaid.
ThepreacherwasafollowerofLordVishnu,andsoherelatedthecharacteristicfeaturesofGodinthe
formofVishnu,orNarayana,asheisalsocalled.Inthecourseofthediscoursethepreacherrepeatedly
describedthetraditionalimageoftheLordasonewhowasdarkcomplexioned,whoworeawhitemark
onhisforeheadandrodeonawhiteeagle.ThepreacheralsoexplainedthatLordVishnuwasalways
preparedtogototherescueofthosewhosoughtshelterinhim,andthathewouldacceptasanoffering
anythingthatwasgiventohimwithfullfaithandlove.
AsthepreacherrepeatedlydescribedthesecharacteristicsoftheLord,theymadeanindelibleimpression
ontheheartofthatboy.ThepreacheralsosaidthatGodisagreatloverofmusic,andthathecouldbe
wonbydirectingone'sprayerstohiminsong,sungmostreverentlyfromtheheart.
Well,thiscowherdboyusedtocarrysomefoodwithhimforhisnoontimelunch.Dailyhewouldoffer
thisfoodtoGodwithallsincerityanddevotion,prayingtotheLordtopartakeofit.Hebeganhisprayers
bysingingthissong,"OlovingLord,Yourideonawhiteeagle,soIhavebeentold.Come.Pleasecome
tomeandacceptthisfood."TheboywentonprayinglikethistotheLordforonewholeweek
continuously.HenevertouchedhisfoodbecauseitwasnotsharedbytheLord.Bytheendoftheweekhe
becameextremelyweak.
AnguishedYearningfortheLord'sPresence
Besideshisweakenedphysicalcondition,hewasalsosufferingfromextremeanguishbecausehefelt
thathewasn'tsingingproperlyandthereforetheLorddidnotrespond.Hewassurethatitwasbecause
ofhisownshortcomingsinhissongsthattheLorddidnotcometopartakeofhisfood.Andsowith
greatdeterminationanddevotionhecontinuedtopracticehissinging,thinkingthatintheendhewould
surelywinthegraceoftheLord.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

31/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Inhisweakenedconditionhereachedtheforest.Hewasfeelingextremelyexhaustedbuthewas
determinednottoeatunlesshisofferingwasacceptedbytheLord.Nowhisprayerfulsongpouredoutof
himinamostmelodiousandsacredway.Theboyjustkeptonsingingandsingingallthetime,
imploringtheLordtocomedownandacceptthefoodanddrinkthathewasofferingwithsomuch
yearning.Whentherewasperfectharmonyinthefeeling,inthetuneandinthecontentofthesong,the
Lorddescended.Howdidheappearbeforethatcowherdboy?Hecameasaboyofthesameage,wearing
thesimpleochreclothofasaddhu,amendicantholyman.
Theyoungcowherdaskedtheboyhesawstandingbeforehim,"Please,dearfriend,mayIknowwhoyou
are?Areyouatravelerpassingthroughthisforest?"Theholyboyanswered,"IamtheLord.Iam
Narayana.YouprayedtoseemeandsoIhavecometogiveyouavisionofmyself."Rememberingthat
theLordlikedthesweetsoundofmusic,thecowherdboycontinuedhisquestioningintheformofamost
melodioussong,"Butyoudon'tconformtothedescriptiongivenoftheLord,whoisdarkcomplexioned,
whowearsawhitemarkonhisforeheadandwhoridesawhiteeagle.Thepreachersaidthatishowwe
canknowtheLord.Butitdoesn'tseemtobetrue.O,dearone,ifyouarereallytheblessedLord,please
resolvemydoubtandletmeseeyouinyourtrueform."
TheVisionoftheLord
TheboyhadheardadescriptionoftheLordnowhewantedtoseeandexperiencehimdirectly,exactly
ashehadheardhimdescribedandcometobelieveinhim.ButGoddoesn'thaveanyspecificnameor
formhehasathousandeyes,athousandears,athousandhandsandathousandfeet.Yetinorderto
pleaseandsatisfyhisdevoteeswhoareaspiringtoseehim,hetakesontheparticularformwhichhas
beenearnestlyprayedfor.TosatisfythiscowherdboytheLordrevealedhimselfbytakingonthelustrous
formofVishnu,andacceptedthefoodanddrinksolovinglyofferedbytheboy.Thisisthesecondstage
whenoneyearnsforthevisionoftheLord.Evenwhenthatvisioncomes,itwillstillnotbethetrueform
ofGodbuttheonechosenthroughtheprayersofthedevotee.Godlovessincere,heartfeltfeelings,and
therefore,inkeepingwiththefeelingofhisdevotee,hewillgivehisvisionintheformwhichpleasesthe
devoteemost.
AftertheLordlefttheboythoughttohimself,"FirstIheardadescriptionofhim,andthenIprayedfora
visionofhim.NowhehascomedownandIhaveseenhimdirectly.But,howcanIreachhimandbe
everwithhim?"BymerelyknowingthatGodexists,adevoteewillnotbesatisfied.Nordoeshegetfull
satisfactionbyjusthavingavisionoftheLord.Havinghadthevision,heyearnstobefullymergedwith
him.Itisonlythenthatthedevoteewillbeinunendingbliss.Inthecaseofthisboy,theLordhadgiven
avisionofhimself,andthendisappeared.ButfromthatmomentontheboykeptthepictureoftheLord
ashehadjustseenhim,intheformofVishnu,continuouslyimprintedinhisheart.Withthatlovely
forminhismind'seye,henowbeganinquiringandthinkingonlyofhowhecouldreachhimandmerge
withhim.Thisisthethirdstage.
BeyondDualism
Inthesameway,byeitherlisteningtolearnedpeopleorbyreadingandstudyingthescripturesyoucan
getsomeideaofwhatGodislike.Butultimatelyyouwillnotbesatisfiedandhappywithjustthis.Itis
stillonlyastageofdualism,forinthisstageyouandGodremainseparate.Therefore,youwillmakean
attempttogobeyondthestageofdualismtothenextstep,whichisqualifiednondualism.Thisrefersto
thedeepaspirationtoseeandexperienceGoddirectly.Howcanyougetavisionofhim?Bypicturingin
yourownhearttheformofGodyouhearddescribed,andthencontinuouslythinkingandcontemplating
onthatform.Whateveryoudo,whateveryousay,whateveryouseeandwhateveryoulistento,youhave
tobecomeonewiththatsacredform.
ThespecificformofGodyouhavepicturedbecomesathoughtforminyourmind.Thethoughtform
shouldthenbecomesaturatedwiththefeelingofdevotionsothatitbecomesafeelingforminyourheart.
Gradually,gradually,thesefeelingswilldeepenandstrengthenuntilonedayyouwillhavearealvision
oftheLord.So,firsttheLordisheardofandthoughtof,thenheissoughtthroughintensefeelingsof
devotionandyearning,andfinallyherevealshimselfinformandcanbedirectlyexperienced.Inother
words,thethoughtformturnsintoafeelingform,whichthenbecomestransformedintorealexperience.
Thatdescribesthesecondstageonthepath.NotonlydoyougetthepersonalvisionoftheLord,whom
youhaveaspiredtosee,butyoualsogetthechancetoconversewithhimfacetoface.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

32/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

AfterseeingtheLordthusandtalkingtohimdirectly,yougainalittlemoresatisfaction.Butifyouarea
truedevotee,eventhisgoldenopportunitywillnotgiveyouthefulljoyyoulongfor.Nowyouwantto
reachGodandmergewithhim.Youthink,"Ihaveheard...Ihaveseen...nowImustreachhimandbe
onewithhim."Inthefirststage,whenthroughreadingandhearingyoucometoknowthatGodexists,
youfeelthatGodisseparateandyouareseparate.Thisisthestateofdualism.Butinthesecondstage
youseetheLordandgetthefeelingthatyouarepartofhim.Thisisthestateofqualifiednondualism.
Finallyyoumoveontothefeeling,'TheLordandIareoneandthesame'.Thisisthestageofcomplete
nondualism.Hereyouthink,'EitherImustgetmergedwithhimorhemustbecomeonewithme.'Then
thereiscompleteunity.
BecomingOnewiththeLord
Solongasthereremainsaseparateriverdistantfromtheocean,whichisitssourceanditsgoal,then
theriverwillretainaseparatenameandhaveanindividualidentity.Butoncetherivermergesintothe
oceanitgetsthetasteoftheocean,itgetstheformoftheocean,andittakesonthenameoftheocean.If
youwanttobecomeonewiththeLord,youhavetoacquirethefeelingsoftheLord,youhavetoacquire
theformoftheLordandyouhavetoacquireallthesacredcharacteristicsoftheLord.Onlythenwillyou
beonewithhim.
YouhavetofeelthatalltheattributesoftheLordmustmanifestthemselvesinyou.Affirmtoyourself:
"ThebroadmindednessoftheLordiswithinme.AlltheselflessfeelingsoftheLordarewithinme.The
unboundedloveoftheLordiswithinme."Whenyoufaithfullylivethisconvictionthenyoueventually
attaintherealizationthatyouandheareone.Thenthereisperfectunity.
Youmustcontinuouslystriveforthisfeelingofunity.Youmustmakeeveryefforttogainit.Thenyouwill
reachthatfulfillmentoneday.Thisistheultimategoalofhumanlife.Itisonlywhenyoureachthat
place,theplacefromwhichyouhaveoriginallycome,thattruefulfillmentwillbeyours.
ThethreeStagesinSecularLife
Eveninyoursecularlifeyoucanrecognizetheseprogressivestagesnecessaryforreachingagoal.
Considerthefollowingexample.Supposesomemangoeshavearrivedinthemarketplaceandthat
mangoesarefruitswhichyouloveimmensely.Theremaybeoneparticulartypeofmangowhichyou
especiallyfavorandrelish.Nowafriendcomestoyouandinformsyouthattheyaresellingthese
particularmangoesthatyouenjoysomuch.Themomentyouhearthisyougetacertainamountof
satisfactionyouarehappyjustthinkingaboutthesemangoes,eventhoughyouhavenotacquiredthem
andtastedthem.
Themomentyougetthenewsyourushtothebazaartofindoutwherethosemangoesareandwhether
thereareanystillavailable.Yes,theyarethere.Nowyougetagoodlookatthem.Thisgivesyoustill
moresatisfaction.Buteventhenyouarenotyetfullyhappy.Soyouputsomechoicemangoesinyourbag
andpayforthem.Then,untilyoureachhomeyougoonthinkingaboutthosefruits,reflectingonyour
goodfortunetofindsuchniceones,andlookingforwardtoeatingthem.Whydoyouspendsomuch
timethinkingaboutthem?Becauseyouhaveanextraordinarylikingforthesefruits,andyouractionsin
goingafterthemandgettingthemareproofofthisstrongloveyouhaveforthem.
Youcangetalotofjoywhenafeelingthatyouhavebeenexperiencingstronglyinsideyou,takesona
formwhichyoucanseeexternally.Intruth,whateveryouseeoutsideofyouisalwaysonlyareflectionof
yourinnerthoughts.Whenyouhaveastrongenoughdesire,youwillmanifestexternallywhatyouwish
forsostronglyinternally.Yourdesireforthemangoesbroughtyoutothemarket.Nowyouhavebought
themandbroughtthemhome.Youwashthemnicelyandpeelthem.Thenyoustarteatingthemwith
greatrelishandanticipation.Asyouconsumethem,youblissfullyenjoythenectarinejuiceofthese
lovelyfruits.Soon,thejuiceisnolongersomethingoutsideofyou,butitwillhavebecomepartofyou.
Withthatyougetimmensejoyyoufeelcompletebliss.
Knowing,SeeingandBecomingOnewiththeDivinity
Whatisthereasonforsuchgreatjoy?Letusrecapitulatetheprocess.Firstyoucametoknowthatthe
particularfruityoulovehadbecomeavailableinthebazaar.Thatisknowing.Afterhearingaboutit,you
didn'tgetdiscouragedbutdevelopedtheintensedesiretogetthemandenjoythem.Youwenttothe
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

33/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

bazaarwithgreatintensityofdesire,yearningtoseethefruitsthere.Finally,youfoundthemandgota
goodlookatthosefruits.Thatisthestageofseeing.Afterseeingthefruit,youacquiredthemandate
them.Thisisthestageofenteringintoandbecomingonewiththeobjectofyourdesire.
DoyouhavesuchintensefeelingsforGod?Thatistheonedesireyoureallyshoulddevelop.After
listeningtoanumberofdiscourses,afterreadingmanyscriptures,afterknowingthatGodexistsand
afterhavingspentmuchtimeinworshippinghim,youwillhavetodevelopastrongyearningtoseehim
otherwise,allyoureffortswillbeinvain.Youhavetoferventlystrive,makinganalloutefforttogeta
directvisionoftheLord.
Astudent,afterhavingenteredaparticulargradeandspenttheyearstudyingthesubjectsatthatlevel,
willnotgetanysatisfactioninremaininginthatgradeforthenextyear.Hewillaspiretoprogresstoa
highergrade.Ifastudentisinthesameclassfortwoyearshedevelopsasenseofdespairand
despondency.Notonlydoeshegetdiscouragedbutheisalsoputthroughalotofridiculebyhisfellow
students.Inthesameway,youwillbepoorerintheeyesofotherdevoteesifyoucontinuouslyremainin
thefirststagesofdualisticworship,withoutmovingoninyourspiritualdevelopment.Otherdevotees
willsay,"Lookatthisperson.Hehasbeenattendingsomanydiscoursesoveralongperiodoftimeand
he'sreadallthegreatscriptures,butwhatistheuseofallthat?Theredoesn'tseemtobeanyprogressin
him."
Thisunfortunateprocessofremainingstuckinthefirststage,isthecharacteristicfeatureoftheslothful
qualityofinertiaandlaziness.Youhavetoremovethisqualityandgoonfromthedualisticstatetothe
nextstateofinternalizingtheLord.Inthisstate,throughthecontinuouscontemplationoftheDivinity
inside,youtrytogainadirectvisionofGodintheparticularformyouchoose.Withintensedesireyou
willgetthatcovetedchancetoseetheLord,conversewithhimandservehim.
ReachingtheAbidingPeaceoftheImmortalSelf
Buteventhenyoushouldnotbesatisfied.Youshouldstrivetoreachthefinalandhigheststate.There
shouldbenorest,nopeaceofmindorcontentmentuntilyoureachthestateofcompletemergencewith
Godandtherealizationofhisoneness.Thesedaysyouareonlyaspiringtoobtainrestforyourbodyand
tryingtogetalittlepeaceofmind.Butthisisnotgood.Youhavetoreachtheabidingpeaceoftheatma.
Thisisyourtrueself,theimmortalself,theoneuniversalself.Whenyoubecomereunitedwithit,you
becomepeaceitself.Yourindividualselfhastomergewiththeuniversalself.Thenthelongjourneyis
completeandpermanentblissisrealized.
Ariverisbornfromtheoceanandendsintheocean.Buthowdidtheriveroriginate?Initiallysomeof
thewateroftheoceanturnedintoclouds.Oncetheoceanwaterbecomesacloudthereisseparationand
duality.Cloudsareseparateoceanisseparate.Thewateroftheoceanissaltish.Afteritturnsintoa
clouditbecomessweet.Butnowthewaterwhichhasbecomeacloudcomesintheformofrain.Youcan
sayitisarainoflove,becausethisrainwaterbecomesariverandwithgreatenthusiasmrushesto
rejointheocean.Thismaybecomparedtothestatewhereinagreatanguishandaspirationdevelopsto
getnearerandnearertothefinalgoal.
Whenyouareinthatstateyouyearnwithallyourhearttoreachthenativelandfromwhichyouhave
becomeseparated.Inthecaseofthewaterintheformofariver,itisimpelledtomergebackintothe
oceanfromwhenceitcame.Onlythenwillithavereacheditsgoal.Suchisthepurenondualisticstate
oftotalmergencewiththesource.
Youarebornasahumanbeingandyouhavelivedpartofyourlifeasanordinaryhumanbeing.Butyou
havechosentotakeupthepathofspirituallife.Youfindyourselfseekingoutthecompanyofspiritually
mindedpeople.Youfindyourselflisteningtothegreatscripturalstoriesdescribingthesacred
characteristicsoftheLord.Butnow,youfindthatthisisnotenough.Youyearntohaveadirectvisionof
theLord.Eventhen,youarenotsatisfiedwithjustthat.Merelyhavinghadtheopportunitytoseeand
talkwiththeLordyoustilldonotfindthatyourhappinesslasts.Butwhenyoufinallygetfullymerged
andunitedwithhim,thenyougainthecompletefulfillmentyouhavebeenseeking.Thenyouareone
withtheunendingpeaceandblissthatistheLord.ThiswastheteachingthatKrishnaimpartedto
Arjunaonthebattlefield.
TheSacredNamesofArjuna
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

34/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

IntheGita,KrishnausedanumberofnamestoaddressArjuna.EvenEveninworldlylife,anumberof
titlesandnamesmaybeconferredonpeople.IntheGita,itwastheembodimentofdivinity,Lord
Krishna,whoconferredthedifferentnamesonArjuna.KrishnatoldArjuna,"OArjuna.Youarenota
childofmortality.Youarethedivinityitself.Youarethesonofimmortality."InhislifeArjunafound
himselfinanumberoftryingcircumstancesinwhichheacquittedhimselfheroically.Asaresult,hewas
givenvarioustitles.Toobtainhisbow,whichwasasacredweapon,heperformedseverepenanceand
facedanumberofdifficultproblems.Butthroughouthepersistedwithagreatdealoffaith,courageand
conviction.
HisdeterminationinthefaceofallobstacleswasultimatelyrewardedbygainingthegraceofLordShiva
andwinningthebowdirectlyfromhim.Intheprocessofgettingthiscelestialweaponeventheelements
ofnaturewentagainsthim,butnothingcoulddeterhimfromhisfirmresolutenessandpurpose.Because
hewasabletowinthatbow,theLordconferredonhimthetitle,thevictorofthebow.
Fromaworldlypointofview,Arjunacouldalsobethoughtofastheonewhowasvictoriousingaining
wealth.Thereisastoryforthis.TheoldestofthePandavabrothers,Dharmaraja,whowastheking,
decidedtoundertakeagreatceremonialsacrifice,performedonlybyreigningkings.Atthattimethe
PandavaswereopposedbythewickedKauravas.ThetreasuryofthePandavaswascompletelyempty.
Theyhadnomoneyavailableatall.Inthefaceofsuchobstaclesitwouldhavebeennearlyimpossibleto
proceedwithsuchagrandceremony.Still,Dharmarajainsistedongoingaheadwiththeceremonial
sacrifice.HesaidtoArjuna,"Brother,thisoccasionwillrequireaveryheavyexpenditureoffunds.We
willneedagreatdealofwealth.Howmightweraisethismoney?"Arjunareplied,"Dharmaraja,why
worryaboutmoneywhenwehavewithusthewishfulfillingtreeintheformofKrishna?Whyshouldwe
beafraid?OnceKrishnablessesuswewillbeabletogetanyamountofmoney."
Arjunawentaroundtothedifferentkingsrulingoverthesurroundingareastoinformthemof
Dharmaraja'swishtoholdthegreatsacrifice.AssoonasthesekingsheardthatDharmarajawas
planningtoperformtheceremony,theyofferedtosupportDharmarajawiththeirowntreasuries,andso
Arjunabroughtbackwealthinsuchhugequantitiesthatittookdozensofelephantstocarryit.There
weregreatheapsofgold,silverandjewels.Krishnawhohadpromptedallthis,cameandactedasifhe
didn'tknowanything.HeaskedDharmaraja,"Whereverdidyougetsomuchwealth?Wherediditall
comefrom?"Dharmaraja,outofignoranceandfraternalpride,replied,"Itisbecauseofmybrother
ArjunathatIgotallthis."
Fromthatdayon,KrishnaaddressedArjunaastheconquerorofwealth,inthiswayconcealinghisown
roleandannouncingtotheworldthatitwasArjunawhowasabletogathersomuchwealth.Therewere
manyothernamesgiventoArjuna,suchassonoftheearth.ThesenameswerenotintendedforArjuna
alone.Asyouhearthesevariousnamesyoucanstartapplyingthemtoyourselfeachcontainsadeeper
meaningandshowshowtheLordshowershisgraceonhisdevotees.Makethempartofyoufullylive
thembystrivingtounderstandtheirdeepermeaningandbyputtingthemintopracticeinyourdailylife.
VII.RestrainingtheTongueinbothFoodandSpeech
OneofthemostimportantdisciplinesnecessaryforcomingintounionwithGodiscontrol
ofthetongue.Thismustbeexercisedbothintheareaoffoodandintheareaofspeech.
Withoutcontrolofthetongueitisimpossibletofollowthepathofdevotionandbecome
onewithGod.
EmbodimentsofLove,
Togetherwithmostanimalsandbirds,humanbeingshavefivesenseorgans.Thesesenseorgansmust
beusedextremelycarefully,alwaysbeingawareoftheircapabilitiesandlimitations.Youmustexercise
thesamecontroloverthemasyoudoincontrollingsomeofthepowerfulenergiesandtoolsthatareused
indailylife.Forexample,firewhenusedwithcareandintelligencecanserveyouinmanyusefulways.
Butwhenitisoutofcontrolitcanbeveryharmful.Ortakeaknifeorelectricityifyouknowtheproper
waytousethem,theywillbebeneficial.Otherwisetheycanbequitedangerous.Italldependsonthe
careyoutakeandhowwellyouuseyourintelligence.Thespiritualteachingshavelaidgreatemphasis
onknowingtheproperuseofthesenseorgansandapplyingthatunderstandingtoyourdaytodaylife.
TheDualPoweroftheTongue
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

35/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Eachsenseorgangiventohumanbeingshasoneparticularuse,butthetongueisendowedwithdual
power.Ithasboththepowerofspeechandthepoweroftaste.IntheGita,theLordcautionsyoutobe
verycarefulinusingyourtongue.Hepraisesthedevoteewhohasattainedcompletecontroloverthe
tongue,forsuchaonewillsoondevelopapureandsteadyheartandfeeltheconstantpresenceofthe
Lord.Togainsuchcontrol,devoteeshavebeenpracticinganumberofspecialdisciplines,suchas
observingsilence,controllingtheirdiet,ormaintainingacompletefast.
Fastingpromoteshealthforthephysicalbody.Inthementalrealmitgivesjoyandbliss.Unlimitedand
unregulatedfoodisveryharmfulfordevotees.Indulgingindiscriminatelyinunwholesomefoodsislikely
toleadthedevoteeintothetorpidityofinertia.Tothinkthatyoucangoonwantonlyindulgingyourself
infood,whileatthesametimetryingtopleaseGodandenjoythenearnessofGod,isextremelyfoolish.
Thesetwo,indulginginfoodandgainingthenearnessofGod,arenotcompatible.Therefore,rightfrom
thebeginningyoumustmakeadeterminedefforttokeepthetongueundercontrol.Onceyougain
masteryoverthetongue,theothersenseorganswillautomaticallycomeundercontrol.
ControloftheTongue
Today'sdevoteeshaveimposedonthemselvesallsortsofrulesandregulationsinordertolivea
disciplinedspirituallife.Unfortunately,thesehavenotbeeneffectiveingainingcontroloverthetongue.
Trulyspeaking,itisnotnecessarytomakesuchstrenuouseffortstocontrolthevarioussenseorgans.If
thetongueisproperlycontrolledalltheothersenseorganswillcomeinlinebythemselves.Because
peoplehavenotbeenabletogaincontroloverthetongue,theyareafflictedwithnumerousdoubts,
emotionalturmoil,contradictionsandconfusion.Controlofthetonguerefersnotonlytofoodbutalsoto
speech.Youmustrecognizethatthereisnothingmorepowerfulthanthepowerofwords.Forthis
reason,youmustkeepyourtalkstrictlyundercontrol.
Inlife,youcanobservethatevenforlittlethingsanumberofsacrificeshavetobemade.Youcannotget
anythingwithoutpayingforit.Youarepreparedtosacrificeevenyourownlifetoobtainsomesmall,
petty,uselessthings.But,youarenotseekingthatwhichisexceedinglyimportant,thatwhichincludes
allotherthingsandistheverybasisofeverythingworthwhile.Thatgreatestofalltreasuresisthe
immortalself.Onlywhenyougiveuponethingcanyougetanotherinitsplace.Shouldyounotthengive
upeverythingelseforthesakeofgainingthismostimportantandmostvaluableofallpossessions?
Shouldyounotsacrificeeverythingforthesakeofreachingyourhighestself?
Inthemarketplace,ifyouwantsomevegetablesyouwillhavetogivesomemoneyinexchange.Without
offeringtopay,andtherebysacrificingsomeofyourmoney,youwillnotbeabletogetthosevegetables.
Bygivinguponethingyoucanthenacquireanother.Inthesameway,ifyouwanttoacquirevirtues,you
willhavetogiveupyourbadqualities.Onlybysacrificingyourlikesanddislikescanyouobtainequal
mindedness.Onlybysacrificingyourbadqualitiescanyouattainthenoblequalities.Onlybygivingup
yourbadthoughts,badhabitsandbadbehaviorcanyoupossiblyachievegoodthoughts,goodhabits
andgoodbehavior.
Manysageshavedescribedhowthetonguealwayslongstoenjoygoodthings,andhoweverythingwill
beeasyonceyoucangaincontroloverit.Theprincipalwayofexercisingthiscontrolisbyobserving
silence.Silencedoesnotmerelyrefertorestraintofthetongue.Notonlyshouldyouexercisesilencein
speechbutyoushouldalsobesilentinthoughts.Yourmindshouldremainfreeofallthoughts.Thatis
truesilence.
DevelopaDiscriminatingMind
Ifyouwanttogaincontroloverthefoodthatyoutakein,youshouldnotgoonfeedingthetongue
whateveritdesires.Youhavetodevelopdiscrimination.Ineveryactivityoflifeyouhavetoapplyyour
discriminatingfacultiestodetermineifwhatyouaredoingwillbenefityouspiritually.Intheareaof
food,youhavetoexploreandfindoutwhetherthefoodyoutakeinispure,orifitinflamesthesenses
andpassions,orifitisofadull,unhealthyqualitythatproducesasleepyslothfulreaction.
AccordingtotheGita,maintainingcontroloverthetonguebytakinginpurefoodinlimitedquantitiesis
absolutelyessentialforthedevotee.Useyourpowersofdiscriminationwitheveryitemoffoodandask
thequestion,"Isthisfoodpure,orwillitdisturborlowermyconsciousness?"Ifyouweretoexamine
everyitemoffoodyouuseinthisway,andtakefoodinjudiciously,youwouldalwaysremainequal
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

36/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

minded.Youwouldnotbeaffectedbycensureorpraise.
But,ifyouweretoindulgeinfoodwithoutdiscrimination,withouttryingtofindoutwhetheritwas
desirableornot,payingattentiononlytosatisfyingyourhungerandcateringtoyourtastebuds,you
wouldnotbeabletocontrolyourattachmentsandfeelings.Youwouldsinkdownintoweakness.If
someoneweretomakeadversecommentsaboutyou,youwouldsoonconcludethatthewholeworldwas
againstyouandyouwouldfeeldepressed.Themomentyouwerecriticizedorblamedbyanyoneyour
happinesswouldgo,youwouldbecomegriefstrickenandregardalloflifeasmeaningless.
Ontheotherhand,ifanyoneweretopraiseyouandappreciateyou,youwouldstartbloatingupwithego
andpride.Itwouldbepracticallyimpossibletoholdyoudown.Whatisthereasonforsuchinstability?
Thesinglemostimportantreasonfortheseweaknessesisthetypeoffoodyoutakein.Alltheseadverse
feelingscomeaboutbecauseofyourlackofcontrolanddiscriminationintheareaoffood.TheGitahas
emphasizedtheneedforexercisingextremecareinselectingthefoodyoueat.Youmustconstantlykeep
inmindtheimportanceofpurefoodforhelpingyoutomaintainequanimityinallsituations,sothatyou
becomeneitherelatedwhenpraiseisshowered,nordepressedwhencriticismisheapeduponyou.
PurityoftheFood,theCookingVesselsandtheCook
TheGitahasalsodeclaredthatthereshouldbepurityofthevesselsandutensilsusedincooking,and
purityofthecookingprocessitself.Thevesselsusedmustbeabsolutelyclean.Purityrefersnotonlyto
physicalcleanlinessbutalsotothewayinwhichtheimplementsandthearticlesoffoodhavebeen
acquired.Youhavetoseewhetherthesethingshavebeenacquiredbypropermeansandhonestworkor
whethertheyhavecomethroughdishonestmeans.Articleswhichareacquiredbyimpropermeansand
usedforcookingfood,willnotonlygeneratebadthoughtsbutwillleadyoudownthewrongpath.
Thenextstepistoinquireintothepurityofthecookingprocessitselfbyascertainingthethoughtsand
feelingsofthepersonwhoiscookingthefood.Therearethreethingsthathavebeenmentionedthat
mustbecarefullylookedintoandcontrolled.Normally,youpayattentiononlytothepurityofthevessels
andnottheothertwo,namely,thepurityofthepersoncookingandthepurityofthefooditself.Youdo
notknowthefeelingsinthemindofthecookandyoudonotknowiftheshopkeeperhasacquiredthe
articlesyoubuyinthemarketbyproperorimpropermeans.
Therefore,justbeforetakingyourfood,youshouldprayandoffertheentiremealtoGodinorderto
cleanseandpurifyit.ThisprayerwhichisofferedbeforefoodisnotforthebenefitofGodbutforyour
ownbenefit.ItwillpurifyyourfoodbyevokingGod'sblessing.Beforeeating,youcansayyourown
sincereprayerfromyourheartaskingGodtopurifyandblessthefood.Or,youcanuseformalprayers
suchastheversesfromtheGitathataretraditionallyusedbeforefood.Thesearethe24thversefromthe
4thchapterandthel4thversefromthel5thchapter,whichareparticularlyefficacious.
TheBlessingOfferingFoodtoGod
InSanskrittheGitaversesusedbeforefoodare:
Brahmaarpanam,brahmahavir,
Brahmaagnaubrahmanaahutam,
Brahmaivatenagantavyam,
Brahmakarmasamaadhinaha.
Ahamvaishvaanarobhutvaa,
Praaninaamdehamaashritaha,
Praanaapaanasamaayuktaha,
Pachaamyannamchaturvidham.
whichmean:
TheofferingisGod,theactofofferingisGod,
OfferedbyGodinthesacredfirewhichisGod.
HealoneattainsGod
WhoinallhisactionsisfullyabsorbedinGod.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

37/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Iamtheallpervadingcosmicenergy,
Lodgedinthebodiesoflivingbeings.
Unitedwiththeiringoingandoutgoinglifebreaths,
Iconsumeallthevariousfoods.
Thisprayerbeforeeatingremovesallthedefectsandflawsinthevesselsandinthearticlesoffood,as
wellasremovinganynegativeinfluenceacquiredduringthecookingprocess.Beforeofferingtheprayer
thefoodismerelyfoodbutonceyouofferittotheLorditbecomesconsecratedfood.
TheRoleoftheTongueinSpeech
Thesecondaspectofthetongueisspeech.Ashasalreadybeenmentioned,speechhasitsownpowerful
impactonthemindandtheentirementalprocess.Ithasatremendouspower.Itcanperplexyourmind.
Itcanbreakyourheart.Itcanevenkillyou.Itcanalsogivelifeandencouragementandhelpyouto
reachyourdivinegoal.Thesearetwooppositeandcontradictoryresults,botheffectedbythespoken
word.
Bytheuseofappropriatewords,itispossibletotransformtheentiremindofanindividual.
Unfortunately,manypeopledonotbelievethis.Theyraiseobjectionslike,"Howisitpossibleto
transformthemindthroughmerewords?Whatexperimentshavebeenconductedtoprovethatthereis
thispowerinthefacultyofspeech?Wordsareonlygrosssoundsheardthroughtheear."Orelsethey
think,"Themindisaverysubtlething.Howcanmeresoundstransformsomethingthatissosubtleand
fine?Itisnotpossible."Inthiswaytheywillarguethatitisimpossibletobringaboutamental
transformationthroughwords.Thereisasmallstorytoillustratethisattitude.
TheStoryoftheOfficerandthePreceptor
Therewasonceagovernmentofficerwhodidnotbelieveinthegreatpowerofwordstotransformminds,
particularlywhenitcametospiritualteachings.Hehappenedtobetheeducationsecretaryforadistrict,
andincludedamongtheschoolshehadunderhisauspicesweresomereligiousinstitutions.Onedayhe
visitedoneoftheseschoolswhereapreceptorwasteachingtheholyscripturestoanumberofyoung
students.Thisspiritualteacherwasexpoundingonsomeveryprofoundconcepts.Sittingtherelistening
tothis,theofficerdevelopedaheadache.Finally,hetoldtheteacher,"Mydearfellow.Thesearesmall
children.Thereisnoneedtoburdenthemunnecessarilywithsuchlectures.Thiswillbecompletely
uselesstothem.Suchscripturaltruthsanddeepphilosophicalconceptscannotpossiblybegraspedand
understoodbysuchsmallchildren."
Theteacherrepliedthatonlywhenchildrenareatsuchatenderandimpressionableagecantheybeled
ontotheproperpath.Beingtaughtthesenobletruthsfromtheverybeginning,hefelt,wouldcleartheir
heartsofdoubtsandputthemontherighttrackinlife.Theofficersaid,"Idonotbelieveinallthese
words.Howcanmerewordstransformthemind?Idonotthinkthiswilleverbepossible."Theteacher
triedtoconvincehimthroughvariousexplanationsandarguments,buttheofficerwouldnotlistenand
allowanyoftheteacher'swisdomtopenetrateintohim.Itwasacaseofaclosedmind.Toomuch
authorityoftenresultsincynicismandanexaggeratedsenseofselfimportance.Clevernessfollowsand
inashorttimeallthevirtuesdisappearandthereasonbecomesimpaired.
Whentheteacherrealizedthatnomatterhowhardhetrieditwasimpossibletoexplainhispointofview
tothisofficer,hedecidedtoprovehispointbyapracticallessonthattheofficerwassuretounderstand.
Heaskedtheyoungestofthestudentstogetupandtoldthissmallboy,"Child,yougoandphysically
throwthisofficeroutoftheroom.Doitimmediately!"Themomentheheardthesewords,theofficergot
veryangry.Hestartedshoutingattheteacher,"Whodoyouthinkyouare?Iamagovernmentofficer,I
amtheeducationsecretaryofthisdistrict,andyouareaskingasmallchildtosendmeout!Howdareyou
dothis?"
Theteacherthentoldtheofficer,"Wellsir,Ididnotbeatyouorhityouoreventouchyou.Ididnotdo
anythingtoyou.Justbymerelyhearingsomewordsyouseemtobegettingveryupset.Whatcouldbethe
reasonforyourbecomingsoangry?ItisbecauseofthesefewwordsIused,isn'tit?"Thisishowthe
teacherdemonstratedtohimthatwordscanbeverypowerful.Theyhaveanenormouscapabilityfor
doinggreatharmorgreatgood,accordingtothewaytheyareused.Afterthispersonallessontheofficer
left,butnowmuchwiserandhumbledbyhisexperience.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

38/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

ThePowerofWords
Inthescripturesyouwillalsofindstatementsthatpointouthowwordsareextremelypowerfulandcan
destroytheworlditself.Thereitissaidthatifyouweretocutatree,itcouldstillsproutorifapieceof
ironwerebrokenintwo,ablacksmithcouldmakethetwopiecescometogetheragainbyheatingand
poundingthemuntiltheywereone.Butifyouweretobreakaheartbyvenomouswords,itwouldnotbe
possibletoevermakeitwholeagain.Wordscancauseendlesstroublesandtheycanalsogiveboundless
joy.Therefore,youshouldbemostcarefulthatthewordsyouusedonothurtorgivepaintoothers.
Ifyouweretophysicallyslipandfalltheremightbesomesmallinjurythatcouldcauseyousome
inconvenienceforawhile.Buttherewouldnotbeanygraveconsequencesresultingfromthisinthelong
term.Theremightonlyhavebeenasmallwound,whichyoucangeteasilydressed,andwhichwould
soonheal.Butifyourtongueweretoslipandyouweretohurtthemindortheheartofanotherperson
withharshwords,itwouldcreateawoundinthatpersonwhichcouldnotbecuredbyanydoctorinthe
world.Therefore,youshouldneverusewordswhicharelikelytohurtanother'sfeelings.Onedaythe
wordswhichyouhaveusedwillcomebacktoyou.So,alwaysusesweetandgoodwords.
Ithasbeensaidthatthetonguerelishessweetthings.Youcantalktoitandsay,"Otongue,youlike
sweetthingssomuch,whydon'tyoulingeronthesweetnameoftheLord?Otongue,youknowwhat
truesacrificemeansyouaretheveryembodimentofsacrifice.Useyourselfonlyforsingingthenameof
theLord.SingofGodandbecomesacredandholythereby."
SacrificeandForbearance
Now,whydowesaythatthetongueknowsthetruemeaningofsacrificeandisabsolutelyselfless?Well,
thisisreallywhatyouexperienceeveryday.Forexample,whenyougivesomesweetthingstothetongue
ittastesthem,andassoonasitfindsoutthattheyaredelightfullysweet,itsaystoitself,"Oletmepass
theselovelysweetthingsontothestomachsothatitcanalsoenjoythisdelight."Butifwhatistastedis
notpleasant,ifforexampleitissomethingthatisbitter,thenthetonguewillnotpassthisontothe
stomachbutwillimmediatelyspittheoffensivesubstanceoutofthemouthtosavethestomachfrom
grief.Goodorbad,sweetorbitter,thetonguedoesnottrytokeepanythingjustforitselfandonlyforits
ownenjoyment.Itlivesselflesslyandwithhonor,knowingitsownlimitsverywell.Foranynumberof
yearsitiscontenttoremainshutupinsidethemouth.Doesitcomeoutsideevenonce?No.Whatever
workitdoes,itdoesuncomplaininglyinsidethemouth.
Thereisstillanotherimportantfeatureofthetongueithasextraordinaryforbearance.Whateverareits
difficultiesandproblems,andwhatevertroublesothersgiveit,itremainsfocusedwithinitself,never
exceedingitsownlimits,andalwaysobservingforbearance.Itlivesinthemidstofexceedinglyharmful
companions,namely,verysharpandpowerfulteeth.Withagreatdealofskillitmanagesnottobebitten
orhurtbytheseaggressivefellowresidentsthatshareitstightquarters.Withunusualskilland
forbearanceithasbeenexistingverywellwithsuchdreadfulneighbors,withoutevenoncecomingto
anyharm.
Inthisway,thetonguecanteachanumberofveryimportantlessonswhichcanbequiteusefultoyou.
Forinstance,itteachesyouthatyoucanliveinthemidstofpeoplewhoareverydifficulttolivewith.
Withalotofcare,forbearanceandskill,youshouldbeabletoenjoyahappylifedespitesuchtrying
circumstances.Butintoday'sworldtherewillbeveryfewwhofollowsuchgoodexamples.Formost
individuals,oncetheycomeintouchwithbadpeople,theyalsotendtobecomebad.Allthegood
feelings,thegoodqualities,thegoodthoughtsandthegoodbehaviordisappearinamoment,andthey
losealltheirmeritandvirtues.Inorderthatyoudonotsuffersuchbadconsequences,itisnecessarythat
yougaincompletecontroloveryourtongue.
TalkwastesSpiritualEnergy
Babaquiteoftentellsthestudents,"Dearstudents,youshouldnottalktoomuch.Thedivineenergy
whichisinyouwillgetwastedintheprocess.Byengagingintoomuchtalk,yourmemorypowerwillbe
reducedandweaknesswilldevelopinyourbody.Prematureoldagewillbethefinalresult.Besidesthat,
youwillalsogetabadname."
Now,considerthatyouhavearadio.Youmayswitchitontohearanewsbroadcast,butthenyouleave
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

39/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

theroomandforgettoswitchitoff.Theradiojustcontinuestoplaywithoutpurposeandusesupcostly
energy.Yourbodycanbecomparedtothatradioandtheintellectmaybethoughtofastheswitchthat
hasturneditonbutfailedtoturnitoffagain.Inthiscomparison,yourmindwillbetheuselesssound
comingforthintheformofwordsandtalk,ceaselesslybabblingallday.Thesacreddivineenergyinyou
willgetwastedbythiskindofendlesstalk.
Rightfromdawnwhenyougetupuntilduskwhenyougotobedyougoontalking,ifnotloudlythen
withinyourself.Thevolumemightbeturneddownbutneverthelessthetalkwillbegoingonallthetime.
Theradioinsidejustkeepsonplayingnonstopandthevaluablespiritualenergythatiswithinyougets
wasted,justaselectricityisconsumedinthecaseoftheradio,whetheritisplayingloudlyorsoftly.The
energyjustdrainsaway.
Themostcommoncauseofprematureoldageandsenilityisthistalk,andmoretalk,andstillmoretalk.
Allthistalkisnotgood.Youhavetoobservesilence.Frombirthyouhavenotdevelopedthehabitof
innersilence.Youhavetodevelopitnow.Actually,thetwofunctionsofthetonguearecloselyrelated.
Toomuchtalkleadstounnaturalhunger.Whenthetalkerfeelsmorehungryhewill,ofcourse,take
morefood.Becauseofthisexcessfood,feelingswillarisewhichwillexpressthemselvesinstillmore
talk.Inthisprocess,controllingthesensesbecomesanalmostimpossibletask.
Ifyouweretogiveahorseveryconcentratedfoodandthenconfineitortieitup,itwouldbecomevery
nervousandupset,andwouldnotbeabletokeepquiet.Afteryoufeedahorseitisnecessarytoexerciseit
also.Inthesameway,ifyoutakeinrichfoodwithoutworkinghardandtakingsomeexercise,youwill
becomenervousandrestless,andyouwillalsodevelopegoisticfeelingsofselfishnessandpride.Proper
exercisewillstrengthenyourhealthandproperfoodtakeninmoderationwillcontrolthenegative
tendencies.
Oneofthemainpurposesofspiritualpracticeistoseetoitthatthefoodyoutakeinwillbeusedinthe
serviceofsociety.Youmustbefirmlyresolvedtoalwaysdogood.Inthefaceofsomeadversity,you
shouldnotflickerlikeaflameinthewind.Youmusthavestrongselfconfidence.
SelfConfidence
Consideratinybirdwhichhascomeandlandedonabranchwhereitcontinuestositforsometime
afterwards.Now,supposeawindcomesupandthebranchstartstomove,swayingbackandforth.The
littlebirdwillnotgetfrightenedbythismovementofthebranch.Why?Becauseitdoesnotdepend
entirelyonthebranchforitssupport.Itdependsonitswingsandsoithasstrongselfconfidencethatno
amountofmovementofthebranchwoulddisturbit.Evenifthebranchweretobreak,thiswouldnot
threatenitorcauseittofall.Buttoday'smangetseasilyfrightenedbythesmallestdifficultiesindayto
daylife.Hedoesnothavetheselfconfidencewhichevenalittlebirdhas.Whatisthereasonforthis?
Thereasonistoomuchfood.Hetakesinfoodwhichisfullofdrossandwhich,inturn,generates
feelingsthataresaturatedwiththequalityofrajas,excessivenervousenergyandactivity,which
promotesapprehensionandanger.Asaresult,hehasnochancetoexperiencehistruenaturewhichis
evenmindedandpure.
Theyouthoftodayhavemanydoubts.Theyseeanimalsandbirdsrelatingtooneanotherinallkindsof
ways,enjoyingagreatdealoffreedom.Theyouthwonderwhytheyshouldnothavethesamefreedom
andindependencethattheanimalsenjoy.Theproperanswertothisquestionis,"Yes,youarealso
entitledtofreedom,butitisthefreedomappropriatetoahumanbeing,notthatofananimal."Animals
enjoythefreedomwhichisnaturaltoanimals.Youshouldenjoyhumanfreedom,thefreedomthatis
naturaltohumanbeings.
Liveasatruehumanbeingdevelopthequalitiesappropriatetoahumanbeing.Callingyourselfhuman
buttryingtoenjoythefreedomofananimalwillnotgetyoufar.Thehumancharacteristicsaresacrifice,
love,compassion,generosity,sympathy,nonviolenceandothersuchnoblequalities.Donotdevelopthe
qualitiesassociatedwithananimal.Andevenworsethanthat,donotsuccumbtoqualitiesmuchlower
thanananimal,namely,thequalitiesofademonsuchasselfishness,anger,hatred,lust,jealousyand
thelike.Thesedemonicqualitieshavenoplaceinahumanbeing.
EffaceSelfishness,PrideandJealousy
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

40/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Inparticular,youshouldneverallowselfishness,prideandjealousytotakeupresidencewithinyou.
Thesethreearetheworstofthebadtraitsthatinfestman.Ifyouwishtoacquireonlygoodqualities,the
humanqualitiesinsteadofanimalordemonicqualities,thenyouwillhavetoacquirecontrolofthe
tongue,inboththeareasofspeechandfood.Thisistheroyalroadforhumanbeings.Thepathof
devotion,requiresthatyouusethetongueproperly,whichmeansthatyouusefoodproperlyanduse
wordsproperly.
Especiallyinthisdarkageofmaterialismandunrighteousness,thetonguecangeteasilysanctifiedby
repeatingtheholyname.Insteadofwastingyourpreciousdivineenergyandyourprecioustimeinidle
talk,letthetongueconstantlysingthepraisesofGodandrepeathisname.SingthenameoftheLord!
Thatistheproperwaytospendyourlife.Useeverymomentofthedaytosaturateyourselfwiththeglory
andtheholinessofhispresence.
VIII.YoucanreachGodthroughLovealone
TheLorddeclaredintheGita,"Whenyouconstantlythinkofmewithlove,Iwillblessyou
withthegiftofspiritualdiscrimination.Thiswillleadyoutopermanentunionwithme.I
promisethistoyou."

EmbodimentsofLove,
Thebuddhiisthediscriminatingfacultythroughwhichyoucanseparatethatwhichisrealfromthat
whichisunreal,thatwhichispermanentfromthatwhichischanging.Thispowerofspiritual
discernmentbecomesavailableonlytopeoplewhohavedevelopedsacreddevotionandarefilledwith
loveforGod.Devotionistheroyalroadtoattainingthehighestwisdom.Intruth,itistheonlypath
leadingtoselfknowledge.DevotionevokesthegraceofGod.TheLordproclaimedinthetwelfthchapter
oftheGita,"Theonewhoisdevotedtomeisverydeartome."
Devotion
Whatisdevotion?ItisthesteadyflowoflovetowardsGod.Whenyourloveflowstowardsindividualsor
towardstransient,worldlythingsitcannotbecalleddevotionitisreallyonlyaformofattachment.But
whenyourloveflowsunceasinglytowardsGod,theoneunchangingprinciplebehindthisworldof
change,thenyourlovebecomesdevotion.
Initially,youdevelopyourdevotionbyturningtowardsGodandapproachinghim.Then,youstrengthen
yourloveforGodbycultivatingtheattitudethatyouarehisdevoteeorhisservantandyousurrender
yourselftohiswill.AsyourloveforGoddeepens,youprogresstothestagewhereyoufeelanintimate
closenesstoGodandexperiencehispresencecontinuously.Finally,youreachtheconsummationofyour
spiritualjourneywhenyoufullyrealizethetruth,"IamGod.GodandIareone."
Inpractice,devotiontakestwoforms.First,thereisthetypeofdevotionwhichinvolvesvarious
devotionalpracticesandritualsengagedinbydevotees,suchasthetraditionalpracticeofworshipping
theLordwithritualofferings,makingpilgrimagestospiritualcentersandattendingspiritualfunctions,
singingdevotionalsongsandstudyingdevotionalliterature,andsoon.Thesearetheordinarytypesof
devotion.IntheGitatheLordtaughtthatthesevariouspracticescanbeconsideredtobeofalowertype.
But,whenyourworshipexpandsintoatotalabsorptioninGod,whenyourloveforGodentersintoevery
activityofyourdailylifeandyoudevelopaflawless,sacredcharacter,thenyouareexpressingthehigher
devotionwhichverymuchpleasestheLord.
Thereisacleardistinction,therefore,betweenthisdevotionwhichisparticularlydeartotheLordand
themoreordinarytypeofdevotion.Thelatterusesthethingsofthephenomenalworldtoworshipthe
Lord,suchasflowers,forexample.Wherehavethesearticlescomefrom?Haveyoubeenableto
manufacturethem?Haveyoucreatedtheseflowers?No.TheyhaveallbeencreatedbytheLord.Where,
then,isthesacrificeinofferingtotheLordthingswhichhehimselfhascreated?Suchofferingswillnot
getyouveryfaronyourspiritualpath.ButtooffertotheLordthesacredflowersofyourheart,whichare
notrelatedtotheworld,andtooffertheseinlovingworshiptotheonewhoisseatedinyourheart,that
isthehighestformofdevotion.Thatisthedevotionyoushouldaspirefor.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

41/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

MeditationandDevotionareOneandtheSame
AnotherwayofthinkingofthishighestformofdevotionisastheuninterruptedmeditationonGod
alone.Inthepopularunderstandingoftheword,meditationreferstoconcentratingonanobject,and
throughthatobjectreachingahigherstateofconsciousness.Butthisisnotthecorrectapproachto
meditation.TruemeditationismeditationonGod,andonlyonGod.Therefore,meditationanddevotion
arereallythesamebotharetheprocessofconcentratingonGodtotheexclusionofeverythingelse,
thinkingonlyofhim.Withoutsuchmeditationordevotionitisimpossibletorealizetheconstant
presenceofGodeverywhere,ineverything,andthereby,gaintruespiritualknowledge.
Youlongtoenjoythefruit,butyouwillnotbeabletogetitwithoutfirsthavingtheflower.Firstcomes
theblossom,thencomesthefruit.Devotionisliketheflower.Withoutfirstdevelopingtheflowerof
unshakableloveforGodandallowingittoblossomforth,itwillbeimpossibleforyoutoacquirethefruit
ofspiritualwisdom.Thisfloweroflovemayexpressitselfindifferentwaysasthefollowingexample
shows.
TheHouseholderandtheMonk
ThereweretwodevoteeswhobothhadanallconsumingloveforGod.Onewasahouseholderleadinga
familylifeandtheotherwasarenunciatemonk.ThefamilymanfelthimselftobetheservantoftheLord
andalwayspracticedtheprincipleoftotalsurrendertoGod.Thegreatvirtueoftheservantstageisthat
throughthepracticeofhumilityandsurrender,theegoquicklydisappears.Aslongasyouhaveegoism,
youwillnotbeabletogainthesacredknowledgeofthesupremeself.
Egoismcanbefoundeverywhere.EvenArjuna,whomKrishnabefriendedforsolong,andtowhom
Krishnagavesomuchencouragement,wasriddledwithegoisticfeelingsthroughouthislife.Itwasonly
afterArjunathrewdownhisbowandsurrenderedhimselfcompletelytotheLord,saying,"Command
me,OLord,Iwilldowhateveryousay,"thatKrishnataughthimthehighestwisdomoftheGita.
So,thehouseholderstartedfromtheveryhumblebeginningwhichisassociatedwith"Iamyourservant,
OLord,Iamyourinstrument",andheexpressedhisunshakableloveforGodthatway.Ontheother
hand,themonk,expressedhisloveforGodbyseekingGodeverywherehewent,ineveryoneandin
everythingheencountered.Hewouldconstantlyrepeat,"EverywhereIlookIfindonlyGod.EverythingI
seeiscreatedbyGodandimbuedwithGod.EveryoneImeetisbutGod.ItooamtrulyGod."
Becauseofthedifferentcircumstancesoftheirlives,thesetwoindividualsadopteddifferentpathsto
overcomethepowerofillusion.Thehouseholder,byfollowingthepathofaservantbecamesmallerand
smaller,untilhebecamesosmallthatheslippedthroughtheclutchesofthatfiercetigermaya,the
terriblepowerofillusion,whichhadheldhiminitsclaws.Bylosinghisegohebecamefree.Forthe
monk,theshacklesofillusionwhichhadbeenbindinghimwerebrokentopieceswhenhetranscended
hisegolimitationsbyabsorbinghimselfintheconviction"EverywherethereisonlyGod.AllisGod.I
tooamGod.IamGod."ThroughtheirdeeploveofGod,eachinhisownwaywasabletotranscendthe
powerofillusion.
IAmGod
Ifyoudevelopwithinyourselfthesacredandloftyidea,"IamGod",youwillnotbebotheredbyanything
nothingcancomeinyourway.Ofcourse,itisofnousetomerelyutterthesewords.Youmustfirst
overcomeyourbodyconsciousnessandmaintainafirmcontroloveryoursenses.Atthesametime,you
mustdevelopanintenseloveforGodandliveitbycontinuouslyidentifyingyourselfwiththedivine.This
willleadyoutothesupremewisdom.Or,youcanexpressyourloveforGodbyfollowingthepathofthe
servant.Thiswillquicklyremovetheegoismfromyourheartandfillyouwithbliss.
TherearethreesuccessivestagesonthewaytoGodrealization.Intheverybeginningyouwilldeclare,"I
amadevoteeofGod."Heretherearetwoentities,oneisGodandtheotherisyou,thedevotee.Godis
believedtobeawaysomewhere,andyourapproachwillbetotrytofindGod,togetclosertohim,and
becomeveryneartohim.Graduallyyouprogressalongthispathand,intime,youwillcomefacetoface
withGod.Thenyousaytohim,"DearLord,Ibelongtoyou."Inthissecondstage,youstanderectbefore
Godanddeclareyourselfashisown,veryclosetohim.Theninthethirdstageyouknowyourselftobe
onewithGodandyoustate,"YouandIareone."
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

42/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Thefirststage,whichischaracterizedbythedeclaration,"IamtheservantofGod,"andwhereGodis
cognizedasafarawayform,isdualism.Thesecondstage,whereyousaydirectlytoGod,"OLord,Iam
yourdevotee",andfeelhiminsideyourheart,isthestageofqualifiednondualism.Thethirdstage,in
whichtheultimatetruthdawnswithinyouandyousaytoGod,"Iamyouandyouareme",isnon
dualism.AtthatpointthereisnodistinctionbetweenyouandGod.
FromtheFormtotheFormless
Youcommenceyourjourneyfromthestageofdualismandfinallyendupinthestageofnondualism.
Youstartyourspiritualpracticewiththeveryordinarytypeofdevotion,worshippingGodwithformand
attributesandusingritualsandexternalformsofworship.Butthenyouquicklyprogressontothe
formless,theabsoluteaspectoftheDivinity.Inthisway,youinitiallydevelopyourselfspirituallyby
beingaservantofGod,buteventuallyyoubecomefullyidentifiedwithGod.
Consider,foramoment,averybigcircle,andconsiderthatjustbyitssideandseparatefromitthereis
anothercircle,onewhichisverymuchsmaller.ThebigcirclemaybethoughtofasGod,thesmalloneas
theindividualsoul.HeretheindividualisdifferentanddistinctfromGodthisisdualism.Whenyou
bringthesmallercircleinsothatitlieswithinthebiggercircle,youhavequalifiednondualismnow
theindividualispartoftheDivinity,heexistsinGod.Whatthenisthemeaningoftheindividual
becomingtotallymergedinGod?Thesmallcirclehastobroadenitselfandgrowbiggerandbiggeruntil
ithasfullyexpandedtothesizeofthebigcircle.Atthatpointthetwocirclesareindistinguishableand
manhasmergedhimselfintoGod.Thisiscompletenondualism.
SurrendertotheDivinitywithinYou
Onthepathofdevotionitisabsolutesurrenderwhichmakestheindividualsoulexpandandbecome
mergedwithGod.Itiswhenyourelinquishyourlimitedindividualitybysurrenderingyourselftothe
divinityinherentwithinyouthatallyourweaknesseswillleaveyouandyouwilldevelopthebroadness
ofmindthatfinallyculminatesinyourmergencewithGod.Howcanyougainthisunderstandingofyour
divinenature?Howcanyourecognizethedivinitywithinyousothatyoucanfollowitsdirections?Itis
onlythroughsteadypracticethatyouwillacquirethisrealization.
Toacquireeventhesmallestskillsintheworld,youhavetoconstantlypractice,beitreading,writing,
walkingortalking.Allofthesearedevelopedthroughpracticealone.Ifyoustartyourpracticeatthefirst
steptheneventuallyyouwillbeabletoreachthelaststep.Inthiscase,thelaststepmeansacquiringthe
supremeknowledgethatmakesyoufree.
Therearetwotypesofknowledge.Onereferstospiritualknowledge,theothertoknowledgeofthe
physicalworld.Inquiringintothevariouspropertiesofanobjectistheordinaryknowledgeassociated
withtheworld.Butunderstandingtheinnerprinciple,theunderlyingbasisandpurposeofeveryobject
thathaseverexistedintheworld,isspiritualknowledgethatiswhatcanbecalledwisdom.Thisisa
veryimportantqualitytocultivate.Evenforunderstandingtheworldinitsdeeperaspects,youfirsthave
toacquirespiritualwisdom.
Togainspiritualwisdomyoumustuseyourbodywiselyandhaveyourmindandyoursensesunder
control.Withoutthebodyitisnotpossibletoperformanyactivity.Foralltypesofworkandactivities,
thebodyisneededitisthebasisforallpractices.Useyourbodyforthepurposeofreachingyourgoal
andinperformingactivitieswhichwillbeusefultoothers.Hereisasmallexample.
TransformingDesiresintoWisdom
Considerforamomentthatyouhavegoneonapicnictoaforest,andthatyouhavetakenalongallthe
articlesnecessaryforcookingandpreparingyourfood.Justbeforeyoustartyourmealpreparations,you
gatherupthreestonesandarrangethemasabaseforthecookingvessels.Nextyouputsomewaterin
thevesselandthenyouaddtherice.Underneaththevessel,inbetweenthestones,youmakeafire.
Whatisthepurposeofthefirebeneaththevessel?Itisthroughtheheatofthefirethatyoucancookthe
ricewhichisinthevessel.Withoutthevessel,ifthericeweretobeputstraightintothefire,youwould
notbeabletogetthefoodthatyouwant.Theheatofthefiregetstransmittedtothevessel,andonfrom
thevesseltothewater,andfinallyfromthewatertotherice.Inthiswaythericegetscookedandyou
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

43/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

enjoyyourmeal.
Inthisforestoflife,youaresearchingforbliss,whichcanbecomparedtothefoodthatyouprepare.The
threestonesarethethreebasicqualitiesofinertia,activityandpurity,underlyingallnaturalphenomena
andhumanactivities.Yourbodymaybeconsideredthevessel.Yourfeelingsanddesiresarethewater,
andyourspiritualyearningsandaspirationsaretherice.Thefirewhichyouhaveputbetweenthese
threestonesisthepurifyingpracticewhichisusedtoacquirewisdom.Thispurifyingfirewhichmust
continueforsometime,hastobeappliedtothebody,andthroughthebodytothefeelingsanddesires
theseinturnwillbecookedandtransmutedintothehighestspiritualyearnings.Finally,thisprocess
resultsinthecookedproduct,thespiritualfood,theknowledgeofthetrueself,whichyouhavebeen
aspiringfor.Thisknowledgegrantseternalbliss.
Itwouldnotbepossibleforyoutorealizesuchspiritualwisdomdirectlyinyourheart,straightoff,
withoutfirstgoingthroughthecookingprocess.Throughthebodyandyourgoodactionsyouhaveto
burnupyourdesires,transformthemintospiritualyearningsthiswillthenleadtotherealizationofthe
highestknowledge.
RenouncingtheFruitsofyourLabor
Thecorrectapplicationofthepracticeofmeditationisthegradual,slowandsteadycontrolofalldesires
throughtheconstantpracticeofloveforGod.Bycontrollingthesenseorgansandcontrollingyour
desiresitwillbecomepossibletocarryonallyouractivitiesinatotallynaturalandspontaneousway,
withoutexpectingtoreapanyfruitsfromyourlabors.Actually,itisimpossibletohaveworkwithout
fruits.Wheneveryouengageinanactivitytherewillnecessarilyfollowsomeconsequenceorresultthis
isthefruitofthataction.So,itisnotthattherearenofruits,buttheGitateachesthatyoushouldgiveup
interestinthefruits.Thefruitswillalwaysbethere,butdonotworkforthepurposeofobtainingthese
fruits.Workonlybecauseitisyourdutytowork,becauseitisGod'swill.
Whiledischargingyourdutytherewillincidentallybesomedesiresandtherewillalsobesomeresults,
inotherwords,somefruits.Thereisnoharminthat.Justcontinuedoingyourduty.Gitahasnottaught
thatactionswillbewithoutfruits.Peoplewhohavenotcorrectlyunderstoodthemeaningofsacrificing
thefruitsofactionaregivinguptheactionitself.Butactionsmustbeengagedin.WhattheGitastresses
isrenunciationinactionandnotrenunciationofaction.Untilthefoodiscookedthereisneedforthe
fire.Untilyouunderstandtheinnersecretofwork,andthatofsacrificingthefruitsofwork,youwill
havetocontinuetoengageinactivitiesanddischargeyourduties.
LoveistheRootofallSpiritualPractices
Anoblecharacterandgoodbehaviorannouncestheinnertruthofapersonthistruthisbasedonlove.
Whetheryouareengagedinsacrificingthefruitsofyouractions,orcontemplatingontheomnipresent
Lord,orpracticinginnerinquiryandaspiringtogainwisdom,therootofallthesespiritualexercisesis
love.Therearefivemajorhumanvaluesthatdistinguishanoblehumanbeing.Thesearetruth,
righteousness,peace,loveandnonviolence.Buttheydonotexistseparately.Theyareallessentially
dependentononeofthesefive,whichistheprimaryvalue.Thatislove.
Whenloveentersthethoughtsitbecomestruth.Whenlovemanifestitselfintheformofactionit
becomesrighteousness.Whenyourfeelingsbecomesaturatedwithloveyoubecomepeaceitself.Thevery
meaningofthewordpeaceislove.Whenyoufillyourunderstandingwithloveitisnonviolence.Forall
thesenoblehumanqualitiesitislovewhichflowsastheundercurrent.
Anotherwayofsayingthisiswhenyousaturateeverythoughtofyourswithlovethenyouareimmersed
intruth.Whenyoupracticeloveinyourdailylifeitisdharmaorrighteousliving.Whenyoufeelloveall
thetimeyouareestablishedinabidingpeace.Andwhenyouhaveadeepunderstandingofthedivine
principleofloveyoubecomesteepedinnonviolence.IntheGita,inthechapterondevotion,itsays,"Fill
yourselfwithloveandusethislovetoreachme.Inthatway,youwilldevelopbothnearnessand
dearnesstome."
Deardevotee.Yourhandsareverysmallbutwiththeselittlehandsyouaretryingtoserve
me.Youreyesareverysmallbutwiththesetwolittleeyesyouaretryingtoseemyinfinite
vastness.Yourearsareverysmallbutwiththesetwolittleearsyouaretryingtofollowmy
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

44/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

sacredwords.Withyourtwolittlefeetyouareattemptingtocometowardsme.
Butmerelyservingmewithyourtwolittlehandswillnotachieveverymuch.Merely
lookingatmyinfiniteformwithyourtwolittleeyeswillalsonotbeofmuchuse.Merely
listeningtomydivinewordsthroughyourtwolittleearswillnotgetyouveryfar.And
merelycomingintomypresencewithyourtwolittlefeetwillnotserveyousostrongly.But
thereisonethingyoucandowhichwillhaveagreatimpact,whichwillproduceatruly
significanteffect.Thatis:Installmepermanentlyinyourheart!Onceyoubringmeinto
yourheartthenalltheseotheractivitieswillnolongerappearveryimportant.
Whateverworshipyouhavebeenengagedin,usingyoureyesandyourearsandyourhandsandyour
feet,hasonlyservedtocontrolyourmind.ButwhenyouinvitetheLordtoenteryourheart,thencontrol
ofthemindandthesensesbecomesveryeasy.Themindandsenseswillbecomestillontheirown.
Therewillbenoneedforanyspecialefforttobemadeforsacrificingthefruitsofyouractions.Krishna
said,"Onceyoustartthinkingonlyofme,andkeepingyourthoughtsconstantlyfixedonme,thenIwill
automaticallytakecareofalltherest."ToachievethisstateoftotalonepointedfocusontheLord,you
mustdevelopafirmresolveandanunshakablefaiththattheLordiseverpresentinyourownheart.
Yourheartishisresidence.
FillyourHeartwithLoveandFaith
Godisalwaysfullandcompletetoreachsuchinfinitefullnessyoumusthavefullfaith.WhenGodisfull
andcompleteandyouarenotfullandcomplete,therecannotdevelopthenecessarybindingforcethat
willholdyouandGodtogether.ToreachthefullandcompletelovethatisGod,youmustalsohaveafull
heart,fullofloveandfaith.If,instead,youarefilledwithdoubts,youwillunderminethispureprinciple
oflovewhichisyourtruenatureyourdoubtswillblemishyourheartanddistanceyoufromthe
omniscient,omnipotentandomnipresentLord,whoisawareofyoureverythought.
Whateverthoughtsyouhave,fillthemwithhim.Thinkofhimwithafullheartsaturatedwithloveand
faiththenyouwillcertainlyreachhim.IntheGita,Hesaidthatyouwillbecomedeartohimwhenyou
worshiphimfullywithallyourheart.Thatmeansseeinghimeverywhere,ineverything.TheGita
proclaimed,inallofthecreationdonothateanyoneoranything,forheisineverynameandform.
Whenyouhavethefeelingoflovepermeatingyourwholebeing,youbecomeverydeartohim.
Allthenoblehumanqualitiesarealreadythereintheirfullnessineveryhumanbeing,butveryfew
peoplearemakinganyefforttobecomeawareofthem.Theyarewastingtheirtimeinpursuingonly
outeractivitiesintheworld.Butyoumustalsoengageininneractivitieswhichwillhelpyoutoreach
yourgoal.Forexample,youperformyourworshipusingexternalrituals,butyoumustperformyour
worshipinternally,aswell,offeringGodtheflowersofyourheart.Thentherewillbeunityandharmony
inyourlife.Onceyouachievesuchunityinallyouractivities,bothinnerandouter,yourlifebecomes
sanctifiedandyouwillexperiencefulfillmentinwhateveryoudo.
LoveisthemostimportantofallHumanQualities
Inthepathofdevotion,ithasbeentaughtthatloveisthebasisofeverything.Itisthesinglemost
importantqualitythathastobedeveloped.Allyourthoughtsmustbecomeimmersedinthisqualityof
love...thentruthwillnaturallyestablishitselfinyourheart.Allyouractsmustbesaturatedwithlove...
thenrighteousnesswillnaturallymanifestitselfinallyourundertakings.Allyourfeelingsmustbe
soakedinlove...thenyouwillbeabletoenjoyimmensepeace.Andallyourunderstandingmustbefilled
withlove...thenyoucannothateorhurtanything.Therefore,loveistheverybasisofpeaceofmind.
Loveistheverybirthplaceoftruth.Loveistheveryfoundationofrighteousnessandnonviolence.Thatis
whyBabahassooftensaid,"LoveisGod.Godislove."
Theessenceoftheteachingofthepathofdevotionistodevelopandpracticethisselflesslove.Thenyou
willbecomebroadmindedand,inthatway,fullydevelopallthegreatnessthatisinherentwithinyou.
IX.DesireandAngerTheTwinEvils
Onlywhenyoucanstillyourthoughtswillyoubeabletoovercomedesires,andonlyafter
youhavecontrolledyourdesireswillyoubeabletoconqueranger.Therefore,thefirststep
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

45/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

inconqueringdesiresandangeristobecomefreeofthethoughtprocess.
EmbodimentsofLove,
Stillingthemindisanessentialpracticeforbothdevoteesandordinarypeople,but,ashasbeentaught
intheGitachapterondevotion,thecalmingofallthoughtsisespeciallyimportantfordevotees.
Thoughtsarechargedwithenergyandlife.Theycanevenbestrongerthanthestrongestmatter.You
beginthinkingrightfromthemomentofbirth.Thematerialmakingupyourthoughtsisextremely
subtleitarisesfromthefoodyoueat.Therefore,ifyouconsumefoodthathasbeensanctifiedyouwillget
onlysacredthoughts.
UseSacredThoughtstoDestroyDarkThoughts
Whenapersonisfilledwithsacredthoughtsallhisactionswillbesacred.Hiswordswillalsobe
sacred.Suchsacredthoughtsarelikeaswordorasharpknife.Youcanusesacredthoughtstosearchout
darkthoughts,darkfeelingsanddarkactions,andcutthemtopieces.Ontheotherhand,ifyoutakein
foodthatisnotsanctified,darkfeelings,darkactionsanddarkthoughtswillflourish.Notonlythis,but
becauseofunwholesomefoodyouwillweakenthebodyandlosethepowerofdigestion,andsufferall
sortsofbodilydiscomforts.
IntheGitatheLordhasemphasizedthatforworldlyprosperityaswellasfordevelopingthespiritual
potentialthatisinherentinman,astrongandpurebodyisessential.Forthisitisimportantthatonly
wholesomefoodbeconsumedandthatitbesanctifiedbybeingofferedtotheLordbeforeitiseaten.
Thoughtsandthethoughtprocessconstitutetheveryformofthemind.Ifthoughtsareturnedtowards
thephenomenalworldandthethingsrelatedtoit,thenthesethoughtprocessesbecomeconcernedwith
wealthandproperty,forthesearetheverybasisoflifeinthephenomenalworld.Thewordwealth
usuallyreferstoyourworldlypossessionsandattachments,suchasmoney,housesandland.Another
formofwealthisyourfame,yourpositionandstationinlife.ButtheGitadoesnotconsidereither
possessionsorstatusasyourrealwealth.Itdeclaresthatcharacterisyourwealth,goodbehaviorisyour
wealth,andaboveall,knowledgeofthesupremeselfisyourtruewealth.
GoodCharacter,GoodBehaviorandKnowledgeoftheSelf
Worldlynameandfame,propertyandfamilyareallephemeral.Theymaydisappearevenwhileyouare
stillalive.Calamityandmisfortunemaybringaboutthelossofnameandfame,propertyandfamily.
Whatismore,noneofthesewillhaveanyconnectionwithyouafteryourdeath.Butgoodcharacter,
goodbehaviorandallthenoblequalitieswhichtheygiveriseto,willhelpyounotonlyduringyour
lifetimebutalsowhenthislifeisover.Theywillremainyoursteadfastcompanionsforever.Theywillbe
byyoursidetohelpyougaintheknowledgeofyourtrueself,andtherebyreachtheLordandmergewith
him.
Yourtruefamedoesnotdependonyourphysicalbeautyoryourcharm.Itdoesnotdependonyourriches.
Itdoesnotdependonyourphysicalstrength.Itdependsonlyonyourgoodcharacter.Inthescriptures,
youwillfindthestoryofVishvamitrawho,atthattime,wasapowerfulandruthlesskingobsessedwith
egoandprideinhisphysicalprowess.Onetime,hedecidedtotakerevengeonthesageVashishta.Of
course,Vashishtabasedhisstrengthonlyondivinity.Hewasaverygreatsoulwhowaseverestablished
inGodconsciousness.Heworeaninvisibleprotectiveshield,theprotectionthatcomesfrombeing
immersedinthedivineprinciple.
WhenattackedbythedeadlyarrowsandmissilesofVishvamitra,thesageremainedcompletely
unruffled.ThearrowsthatVishvamitralaunchedtowardsVashishtabecameutterlypowerless,asifthey
wereaimedatamountainofstone.AllthemissilesVishvamitrausedbrokeintopiecesthemomentthey
touchedVashishta'sbodyandfellharmlesslytotheground.
Infact,physicalstrengthisreallyakindofweakness.Onlypowerwhichisbasedondivinityandhas
thestrengthofrighteousnessistruestrength.WhenVishvamitrarealizedthis,heundertooksevere
penancesoastoreachthesameloftyspiritualstatethatVashishtawasalwaysin.Afterengagingin
prolongedausterities,Vishvamitrawasfinallyabletoacquiretheknowledgeofthedivineandhave
VashishtahimselfproclaimhimaGodconscioussage.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

46/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

DivinePowerandPhysicalPower
TheKauravas,theevilcousinsthatArjunaandthePandavashadtoencounterinthegreatwar,together
wereonehundredbrothers.TheKauravashadalsobasedtheirstrengthonmilitarymight.Intheend,
allthesebrothersdiedinthewarwhichtheyhadfomentedandnotevenasinglesonwaslefttoperform
thefuneralritesfortheparents,whentheparentsdied.Whataterriblefatethatwas.Insteadofseeking
divinehelp,theKauravabrotherstookrefugeonlyinphysicalpower,inmoneyandinthestrengthof
individuals.Ontheotherhand,thePandavabrotherssurrenderedeverythingtoKrishna,andsought
onlyhisgrace.
WhenArjunafellatthefeetofKrishnaandsurrenderedtohim,Krishnawasverypleasedandliftedhim
up,saying,"Getup,Arjuna.Realpowerliesinfaith.Intheend,justicewillalwaystriumphand
selfishnesswillalwaysperishthisistheoneunchangingrighteoustruththatappliesineveryage."He
assuredArjunaonthedayofthebattlethatwhoevertakesrefugeintheLordwillwintheGraceofthe
Lord,andwillbesuccessfulinwhateverheundertakes.Whereasonewhorefusestheprotectionofthe
Lordwillnotbeabletowinhisgrace,andintheend,willsurelyfailandbedestroyed.
IfyouaspiretoearnthegraceoftheLord,youhavetocontrolyourworldlydesires.Allyouractivitiesin
thephenomenalworldhavetodowiththewakingstate.Theresultsthatarisefromtheseactivitiesare
nomorerealthantheresultsyougetindreams.Themansionsandbigbungalowsyouseeindreams
vanishinaflashonceyouopenyoureyesandwakeup.Theyarenotrealandwereneverreal.The
experiencesofyourdreamstatedisappearinyourwakingstateandtheexperiencesofyourwakingstate
disappearinyourdreamstate.Andinyourdeepsleepstatetheybothvanish.
ThethreeWorldsandtheLordBeyond
KrishnataughtintheGitathattherearethreeworlds,thephysical,thementalandthecausal.The
mentalworldisasubtleformofthephysicalworld,andthecausalworldisanevensubtlerformofthe
mentalworld.Ofthesethreeinterpenetratingworldsofyourwaking,dreamanddeepsleep
consciousness,thecausalisthesubtlest.Itisallpervasive.ButbeyondalltheseistheinfiniteLord,the
supremeprincipleofdivinity.Thisdivineprincipleisthesubtlestofthesubtle,thesmallestofthesmall,
butalsothebiggestofthebig.Amongthemightyones,thedivinityisthemightiestofall.Therecanbe
nothinggreater.Seekhim.Installhiminyourheartandbesaved.Knowthatthatmightiestofthe
mightyisyourveryself.Thisisthetruthofdivinity.Thisisyourtruth.
ToreachtheprincipleofGodhead,whichisthegoalsupreme,youhavetostartyourjourneywiththe
firststageofthepath,whereinyouconsideryourselftobetheservantorthemessengerofGod.Thisis
thestageofdualism.Graduallyyouenterthestageofqualifiednondualism,thesecondmajorstepon
thespiritualpath.Hereyouexperiencethedivinitywithinyourself,inyourownheart.Atthisstageyou
identifyyourselfverycloselywiththeLord.Youwillhavethefeeling,"Godiswithinme.HeistheoneI
trulyam.Iamhe.Iamhe."Then,asyoucontinuestillfurtheronthespiritualpath,alldualitywill
disappearcompletelyandyouwillbeleftwithonlytheI,thepureself,withoutanymodificationsor
limitations.
Thiswholejourneyisalittlelikethehealingprocessthattakesplacewithawound.Initially,a
protectivelayerofhardskinformsoverthewound.Eventuallythiscoveringfallsoffbyitselfasthe
woundheals.WhenboththefeelingthatyouaretheservantoftheLordandthefeelingthatyouareone
withtheLord,bothofwhichcoverthepureI,falloff,thenyouwillbeinthefinalstageofnondualism.
Thenyouareimmersedintheonetruth,IamI.
WhereveryoulookyouseeyourOneSelf
Whenyoudeclare,"Iamhe,IamGod,"thereisstillsomeduality,becausetherearestilltwoentities,I
andGod.So,thisisstillnotcompletenondualism.Attheverybeginning,whenyousay,"OLord,Iam
yourservant,"theLordisseparateandtheservantisseparate,andtheirstatusisclearlydifferent.Onthe
otherhand,whenyousay,"IamGod,"althoughthereisstillatraceofduality,thedistinctionisnotone
ofseparatesubjectandobjectbutmorelikeseeingthereflectionorimageofyourselfinamirror.
Wheneverpeoplearedifferent,whentherearemanyseparateentities,thentherewillalsobemany
differentimagesorreflections.Butinthestageofqualifiednondualism,youseeonlyyourownimage
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

47/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

everywhere,becauseyouareallthereis.Youaretheoneselfbeingreflectedasmanyimages,justlikethe
onesunisseenasseparateimagesinanumberofdifferentwaterfilledpots.So,inthestageofqualified
nondualism,youarealonethereisnoneother.Theonlythingthatstillcomesbetweenyouandthe
divinityisthemirror.Youconstantlyperceiveyourownreflection,andsoyouseeyourselfasverynear
andverydeartotheLordfacetofacewithhim.
ButwhenyouperceiveonlytheoneGodwhoisallpervasive,thenwhereistheneedforanyimageatall?
Cantherebeaplacewhereheisnot?WhentheentireworldisthemansionoftheomnipresentLord,
thenwhereshouldyoulooktofindthedoortoenterhismansion?Iftherewereaseparatestreetanda
separatehousethentherewouldhavetobeadoorwhichopensontothestreetbutintruth,thereisno
streetatall.WhentheallpervasiveLordiseverywhere,howcantherebeanyspecialplacewhereyou
mustseekhimtofindhim?No,thereisnospecialplacewhereheresides.
Onceyourealizethatheiseverywhereatalltimes,thenthetrueperceptionofthedivinityisnotthatof
anobjectwhosereflectionisseeninvariousplacesbuttherealizationthatthereisonlyyou,theone
immortalself,abidingeverywhere,presentineverythinginallitsfullness.Thisallpervasiveperception
ofthedivinityastheonewithoutasecond,iscallednondualism.
YouarenotaSinnerYouareGod
Aspartoftheirreligiousobservances,peoplewillsometimessayintheirprayers,"OLord,Iamasinner,
mysoulisfullofsin,Ihavebeenperformingsomanysinfulacts."Butwhoisthispersonwhois
sinning?CanthereeverbeanyonewhoisseparatefromtheLord?Cansuchaoneexist?These
declarationsaboutsinningandbeingasinnerarenotgoodpracticesfordevoteestoengagein.Rather
youshouldthink,"Intruth,IamGod.IamnotdifferentfromGod.Iampeaceitself.Iamloveeternal.I
ampureblisswithoutend."Keepingsuchloftyideasandthoughtsinyourmindisthebestwaytoreach
thegoal.
IntheGita,inthelistofnoblequalitiesthatadevoteeshouldpossess,theLordstartedwith,"Bewithout
hatredtowardsanylivingbeing."Ifyoutreathappinessandmiserywithanequalmindthenthe
questionofhatreddoesnotariseatall.Ifyourecognizethatthesametranscendentalprincipleis
embodiedinallhumanbeingsaswellasinallcreatures,thentherecannotbeanyroomforhatred.If
yourealizethattheonedivinityresidesequallyinall,thenhowcouldyoueverhateanother?Whereis
theother?Inthiscontext,youmightaskforwhomthephrase,"Bewithouthatredtowardsanyliving
being"isintended.Isitmeantforthosewhohaverealizedtheonetranscendentalprinciplewhichexists
equallyinthemselvesandineveryoneelse?No,itisobviouslynotintendedforthem.Thisinjunctionis
givenforthesakeofthosewhohavenotyetrealizedthisgreattruthoftheunityofallbeings.
TheSweetnessoftheServantPath
Thereisanextraordinaryjoywhichyouobtainwhenyouimmerseyourselfintheattitudeofbeingthe
servantoftheLord.YousoonbecomefilledwithdelightfromhavingimbibedtheLord'ssweetness,and
youneverwanttoleavethathappystate.Youcometotheconclusionthatifeveryouweretomoveon
fromthisfeelingofbeingtheservanttothestateof"Iamhe",youwouldnotbeabletocontinuetoenjoy
theconsummatesweetnessoftheLord.Sugardoesnotknowitsownsweetness.Youmaybeconcerned
thatifyouweretobecomeonewiththesugaryouwouldnolongerbeabletoenjoyitssweetness.Since
youpartakeoftheLord'ssweetnessintheservantstage,youmayprefertoremaininthisstagesothat
youwillalwaysbeabletotastethenectarinesweetnessoftheLord,ratherthanbeingonewithhim.
Forexample,Hanuman,thegreatdevoteeofGod,hadtheexperienceofextremeblissarisingfromhis
unwaveringattitudeof"IamtheservantofLordRama".Buthowlongcansuchafeelinglast?Itcanlast
onlyaslongasyouhavethegraceoftheLordandareneartohim.Ifyouweretoeverbecomeseparated
fromhim,theninalllikelihoodyouwouldexperienceextremeanguish.
Inthestageofqualifiednondualism,thequestionofsufferingdoesnotariseatall,becauseinthat
exaltedstateyouareunceasinglywiththeLord,andthereisnopossibilityofexperiencingany
separationorsuffering.IntheservantstagethereisthepossibilityofseparationbetweentheLordand
theservant,butinthesecondstageofqualifiednondualismtherecannotbeanydiscontinuityinthe
blisssincenopossibilityofseparationcanarise.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

48/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

ControllingDesiresandAnger
Ifyouwanttoreachtheultimatetruthofyourbeingandbeimmersedintheblissofyourowndivine
principle,youneedtodevelopcompletecontroloveryourdesires.Themomentanythoughtarises,you
shouldinquireintothenatureofthisthought.Askyourself,"Isthisthoughtdesirableorisitharmfulfor
myspiritualprogress?"Devoteesshouldbeextremelycarefulrightfromtheverybeginning,toseetoit
thatdarkthoughtsdonotremainintheirminds.Formostpeople,itisimpossibletoremainwithoutany
thoughtsatall.But,atleast,whendarkthoughtsariseyoucandosomethingaboutit.Donotharbor
them.Givethemnoshelter.
Immediatelytransformanydarkthoughtsintosacredones.Inthesameway,seetoitthatyouundertake
onlygoodactions,andtakeeveryopportunitytotransformtheseactionsintoworshipbyconsecrating
themtotheLord.Bytransformingallthoughtsintonoblethoughtsandallworkintoworship,youwill
naturallyprogressonthesacredpath.Bycontrollingyourthoughtsinthisway,youwillalsobeableto
controlanyangerthatmightarise.
Quiteafewpeopleworryaboutanger,wonderingwhatisthebestwaytocontrolitwhenitcomesonand
triestooverwhelmthem.Theeasiestwaytocontrolangeristhis.Themomentyoubecomeawarethat
angerisrisingwithinyou,justlaughveryloudly.Orgotothebathroomandhaveacoolbath.Youcan
alsotakeaglassofcoolwaterandrelaxinacoolplace.Themomentangercomesitismosthelpfulto
leavetheplacewhereyouareandgosomewhereelse.Ifwithallthesemeasuresyoustillhavenotbeen
abletocontrolyouranger,thenstandinfrontofamirrorandexamineyourface.Afterseeingyour
appearanceyouwillsurelyfeelsomuchdisgustthatatonceyouwillbeabletocontrolyouranger.
Oneotherthingyoucandowheneverangercomesistoinquireintothecauseofthisanger.Isit
justified?Rememberthatifsomeoneisgoingtobeharmedintheprocessofyouranger,youwillbe
committingasin,andthatcannotpossiblybegoodforyou.Toundertakeallthesemethodswillbequite
difficult,butitisenoughtoremembernottoletyourtonguegointoactionimmediatelyafteryouget
angryandspilloutatorrentofangrywords.Takesometimetothinkthingsover.Inanumberofways
angerweakensapersonwhoistryingtoundertakeaspiritualpractice.Ifyoumakesomeefforttocontrol
angerwhenitarises,theseeffortswillacttostrengthenyourbodyandpurifyyourmind.
AttractionandRepulsion
TheGitadeclaredthataweakpersoncannevergainselfrealization.Therefore,inordertoacquirethe
knowledgeofyourtrueself,itismostimportantthatyougainfullcontroloveryourattachmentsand
hatreds,overyourdesiresandanger.Thesepairsofoppositesarisefromtheprimaryqualitiesof
attractionandrepulsionwhichareinherentinthehumanpsycheaswellaswithinallphenomenal
thingsandbeings.Attractionandrepulsionareresponsibleforeverythingthatmakesuptheworld.They
keepyouboundtotheworld,andaslongasyouarepreoccupiedwiththeworld,thelightoftruthwillnot
shineforyou.Therefore,thisattractionandrepulsionforthingsoftheworldmustbebanishedfromyour
heart.Thentheknowledgeofthetrueselfcantakerootthere.
Whenyouhavethesacredknowledgeoftheatmainyourheart,youwillbeabletoenjoypeace.That
fragranceofpeacewillspreadallaroundyouandaffecteveryoneyouseeandtouch.Ontheotherhand,
ifyouarefilledwithdarkfeelings,darkthoughtsanddarkactions,thesewillpolluteyourheartand
infectotherswithyourpoison.Whethergoodorbad,thethoughtsthatsuffuseyourheartandtake
shelterthere,willspreadtoothersaroundyou,andtheseotherswillsoonemanatethesamefeelings.
Sometimestheremaybesomedifficultyindistinguishinggoodfrombad.Therealdistinctionisnotin
outerappearancesandlabelsbutintheinnerpurityandintentions.Ifyouholdaroseinyourrighthand,
whichintheEastisconsideredyoursacredhand,thefragranceoftheflowerwillnotonlyreachyoubut
alsothepeopleinthesurroundingarea.Butevenwhenyoutakethesameroseandholditinyourleft
hand,whichintheEastisconsideredtheunsacredhand,therosewillspreaditssweetfragrancetoall.
Youmightmakeadifferencebetweenrightandleft,butforthefragrancethereisnodistinction
whatsoever.Itspreadstoallwhoarenearjustasprofuselyfromtheunsacredhandasfromthesacred
one.
Likewise,whetheryouareatheistoranatheist,thisrelatesonlytoyourownfeelingsandbeliefs.Asfar
asGodisconcerned,ifyouhavesacredthoughtsandengageingoodworksandgoodwords,thenevenif
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

49/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

youareanatheistyouwillbedeartohim.TheLordoftheGitadeclared,"Whoeverheis,ifhehas
controloverhisdesiresandanger,ifhehassubduedeitherhisattractionorhisabhorrencetopeople
andthingsoftheworld,thenheisverydeartome."
CharacterNotBeliefiswhatisimportant
IndianphilosophyhasbeenclassifiedaccordingtothosewhobelieveinGodandthosewhodonot
believeinGod.Buttothedivinity,whatcountsarethequalitiesofmen'scharacterratherthantheir
beliefs.Prahlada,whowasthesonofademonking,wasoneofthegreatestdevoteesoftheLord.He
wasputtogreattroublebyhisfatherandhisteacherswhotriedtoimpressonhimtheirdemonictraits.
Althoughhewasbornademon,Prahladaalwaysdisplayedanobleandsterlingcharacter.Anddespite
allthedifficultieshewasputto,Prahladawasabletocontinuouslyenjoytheblissofhisownimmortal
self,andknowthepresenceoftheLordinhisheart.Prahladameanstheonewhoiscontinuously
happy.So,ifyougoonthinkingoftheLordcontinuously,thesefeelingsofjoywillshineforthwithan
effulgentsplendor,andyouwillbecomeonewithGod.
Rightattheoutsetofyourspiritualjourneyyouhavetomakedeterminedeffortstocontrolyourdesires
andanger,yourattachmentsandhatred.Thiswillpermitthedivineprincipletoshineforthfromwithin
you.Controllingdesireandangerisamostimportantspiritualpractice.Itistheprimarytaskofevery
devotee.Ifyousucceedincontrollingdesireandanger,attachmentsandhatred,youwillbeableto
justifyyourlifeandreachyourgoal.Butifyouallowthemtoremainwithinyou,thenwhateverspiritual
exercisesyouundertakewillbewastedandyourlifetoowillbecomeanutterwaste.
X.LoveandSacrificeTheCureforDesireandAnger
Angerisbornofdesireanddesirearisesfromthoughts.Therefore,thoughtsaloneare
responsibleforbothdesireandanger.Justasyoucannotgetclothwithoutthreadand
threadwithoutcotton,youcannotgetangerwithoutdesireanddesirewithoutthoughts.
EmbodimentsofLove,
IntheGita,thedivineteacherhastermeddesireandangerasfire.Thereisdangerofbeingharmedby
fireevenwhenitissomedistancefromyou.Whenthisistrueforafirethatisburningoutsidethenhow
muchmorecarefulyoumustbewhenthefireisburningfiercelyinyourownheart.Thisfireofdesireand
angerhasanextraordinarycapacitytodestroyallyourhumanqualitiesandtosuppressthedivinenature
withinyou,leavingonlythedemonicqualitiesraginginside.
TheFireofDesire
Mostthingsintheworldhaveprescribedlimitsbutthefireofdesireandangerislimitlessinitshunger.
Whateverfuelyougivetofire,whetheritbewood,oil,oranythingelse,itwillneverhaveenough.But
eventhemostdestructivefireeventuallyburnsitselfoutandbecomesextinguishedwhenitusesupits
fuel,whereasthisfireofdesireandangerknowsnosuchlimitation.Ithasavoraciousappetitethatis
endless.Itwillnotexhaustitself.Itcannotbeappeased.Itwillneverbesatisfied.Thisfireofdesireand
angerhasnocontentmentatall.
Thatbeingitsnature,isthereanywaytocontrolit?TheLorddeclaredintheGita,"Youcanconquer
angerthroughloveandyoucanconquerdesirethroughrenunciationandsacrifice."Wherethereislove
therecanbenoanger.Ifyoudevelopyourlove,thentherewillbenoroomleftinyourheartforhatred
andangertotakeroot.Theheartislikeachair,thereisroomforonlyoneoccupantatatime.Therefore,
onlyonequalitycanestablishitselfthere.Itleavesnoplaceforanothertoenterandoccupyitatthesame
time.Youmustmakeeveryefforttoestablishloveandonlyloveinyourheart.Youmustneverallowyour
hearttobecomelikea'musicalchair',givingroomforloveatonetimeandforangerandhatredatother
times.
Ifyouwanttoconquerangerthroughyourlovethenyoumustdevelopyourloveinamostmagnificent
way.Loveisalwayspreparedtoshoweritselffreelyandtooverlookthedefectsandweaknessesin
others.Lovehasthisextraordinaryquality,itlivesbygivingandforgiving,whereasthelittleegoself
livesbygettingandforgetting.Wherethereislovetherecanbenoroomforselfishness,andwherethere
isselfishnesstherewillbenolove.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

50/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

MakeLovetheDominantForceinyourLife
Thereisabsolutelynothingintheworldwhichyoucannotachievewhenyoushinewiththisprincipleof
love.Withloveyoucanconquerallobstacles.Therefore,toachievetotalvictoryoverangeryouhaveto
fillyourheartwithloveandmakelovethedominantforceinyourlife.Onceyourecognizethatthe
indwellerofyourheartistheindwellerofeveryheart,thatthebelovedLordwhomyouworshipseatedon
thethroneofyourheartisalsodwellingineveryotherheart,thentherecanbenopossibilityofhatingor
beingangrywithanypersonintheworld.WhenthesameLordisineveryhearthowcanyoulookdown
withcontemptatanother?Therefore,immerseyourselffullyinthisprincipleofloveandestablishit
indeliblyinyourheart.
AshasbeenmentionedbeforebyBaba,whenloveisassociatedwiththoughts,itbecomestruthwhen
loveisintroducedintoyouractivities,youractionsbecomerighteouswhenyourfeelingsaresaturated
withlove,yourheartisfilledwithsupremepeaceandwhenyouallowlovetoguideyourunderstanding
andreasoning,thenyourintelligencebecomessaturatedwithadeeprespectandcaringforalllife,and
youmanifestthequalityofnonviolence.Therefore,loveistruth,loveisrightaction,loveispeace,loveis
nonviolence.Forallthesenoblehumanqualitiesloveistheundercurrent.Ifyourthoughtsarenotfilled
withlove,therewillbenotruth.Ifthereisnoloveinyouractions,righteousnesswillnotbepresent.If
youdonotfeelloveinyourheart,therewillbenopeace.Andifyoudonotbaseyourunderstandingon
love,nonviolencewillnotestablishitselfinyourintellect.
So,justassugaristhebasisofalldifferentkindsofsweets,soalsoloveisthebasicingredientfortruth,
righteousness,peaceandnonviolence.Loveisthedivinityitself.LoveisGodandGodislove.Loveisthe
divinepowerthatactivateseverything.Throughloveyoucaneasilyconquerhatredandanger.Therefore,
alwaysliveinlove.
TheNatureofAnger
Angercanbethesourceofnumerousdifficultiesandexposeyoutocountlessproblems.Itdestroysyour
dignityandunderminestheprincipleofhumannessthatexistswithinyou.Angerfirstentersinavery
subtleformandgraduallybecomesallpervasive.Initially,whenitcomesin,itwillonlyaskforasmall
bitofspace."Justgivemealittleroomtositdownin,"itsays.Onceithasestablisheditself,itdeclares,
"Now,I'llmakemyselfenoughspacetoliedownandstay."Butyoumustnotpermiteventheleastroom
inyourheartforsuchbadtraits.Onceyouletangerin,itwillbeimpossibletogetridofit.Evenifyou
makefriendswithitandgiveitallyourwealthitwillnotleaveyou.Itisamostdangerouspoisonwhich
shouldnotbegiveneventheleastspacetogetafootholdwithinyou.
Inacartheredtaillightgoesonasawarningbeforethecarcomestoastop.Inthesameway,before
youexplodeintoanger,youreyesbecomered,yourlipsbegintoquiverandthewholebodybecomeshot.
Themomentyoustarthavinganyofthesesymptoms,youhadbestleavetheplaceyouareinimmediately
andgotoasolitaryspotandsitthereuntilpeacereturns.Aswasmentionedyesterday,youcanalsotake
acoldwaterbath.
Onceangerexpressesitselfinwordsitmayleadtoendlesscomplicationsandproblemslateron.Evenif
yourangerisjustifiableandyouareprotectingthetruth,youwillstillhavetolearnhowtoexpressthat
truthinasweetway,inadearway,inanacceptablewaythatwouldbereceivedbytheotherperson
withouthurtinghiminanyway.Therefore,everydevoteemustlearntocontrolhisangerbydeveloping
andsaturatinghisheartwithlove.
SacrificeconquersDesire
Next,letusconsiderhowtodealwithdesire.Toconquerdesireyouhavetodevelopasacrificingnature
youmustbesteepedinrenunciation.Renunciationdoesnotmeanthatyougiveupyourfamilyandgoto
theforestnordoesitrequireyoutogiveupallyourproperty.Onceyourealizethedefectsinanyobject,
onceyourecognizeitstransitorinessandworthlessnessinhelpingyoutoreachyourgoal,youwill
automaticallystopdesiringit.
Evenwhenlivingthelifeofahouseholderimmersedintheworld,youcanrecognizethedefectsand
weaknessesofthethingsoftheworld.Forexample,theremaybeacertainkindoffoodthatyouenjoy
verymuch,likeacurry,forexample,andyouaskyourcooktoprepareavarietyofdishesmadewiththis
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

51/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

curry.Yousitdowntoeat,themealisbroughtinandyouareabouttoeatitwithgreatrelish.Butthen
thecookcomesrunninginandsays,"Stop!Pleasesir,don'teatthisfood!Ijustdiscoveredapoisonous
lizardhasfallenintothepotandisdeadinside!"Themomentyouhearthisandrecognizetheharmful
natureofthefoodyouwereabouttoeat,youwouldundernocircumstancesconsidereatingitanymore,
nomatterhowmuchyoupreviouslycherishedthatdishandlookedforwardtohavingit.
Inthesameway,youhavetorecognizethenatureofthethingsoftheworld.Theyareeverchangingand
somedaytheymustceasetoexist.Onceyouknowthis,howcanyouremainenthusiasticabout
acquiringthemandtryingtogetlastingenjoymentfromthem?Foodisonlymedicineforthedisease
calledhunger.Howcaniteverbeanitemofluxuriousindulgence?Whenyouaresickandmedicinesare
given,doyourefusethemiftheyarenottasty?Therefore,recognizethefactthatthethingsyouuseinthe
worldareonlymedicinesforthediseasesthatyouhave.
Asthediseasedeclines,theneedformedicinediminishes.Whenyouarewellyoudonotneedtotakeany
medicinesatallbutwhenyouaresickyoumusttaketherightmedicinewhichwillcureyouofyour
illness.Youcannotrefusetotakethemedicinejustbecauseitisnotverytasty,whileatthesametime
hopingtogetcured.Nowyouarerunningafterallsortsofattractiveandtastythingswhichinsteadof
curingyourillsworsenthem.Yourejoicethatyouhavediscoveredsomanydelightsintheworldand
thatyouarelivingaveryhappylife,enjoyingmanythingswhichseemtogiveyoualotofcomfortand
joy.Butthesearenotrealenjoyments,for,inthefuture,youwillsurelyhavetofacetheconsequencesof
alltheseindulgencesyouareengaginginnow.
ThePestofDesireandHatred
Consideragianttreewhichhasanumberofbranchesheapedwithflowersandfruits.Itisaverygrand
andattractivetree.Oneday,thistreebeginstodryupanditsflowersfalloff.Isitbecausethereisa
shortageofwaterormanure?Hastherebeensomeneglectinfeedingit?No,thereissomekindofpest
thathasattackeditsrootsandisdestroyingthisbeautifultree.Throughtherootsthepestentersand
startstoeatupthisgianttree.Inthesameway,onceyouallowthesepestsofdesireandhatredtoenter
yourheart,thenonedayyouwillquitesuddenlycometoruin.Thisisabsolutelycertain.
Inthematerialworldyouthinkthatarichmanisaveryimportantindividual,butintheworldofthe
spirit,materialwealthisofnoconsequence.Charityisaqualitythatismuchgreaterthanallthe
possessionsassociatedwithwealth.Ifthereisnocharity,wealthhasnointrinsicvalueatall.Youhave
fourheirs,eachofwhomwillenteraclaimtoyourwealth.Thefirstischarity.Thesecondisthe
government.Thethirdisthethief.Andthefourthisfire.Eachofthemexpectstoinherityourwealth,but
ifyouweretohandoverallyourwealthtoyourfirstheir,charity,thentheotherswillgetnoshareofit.
Whenyougivefreelytocharity,youwillfindthattheotherclaimantswillshowgreatrespectforyour
decisionandwillnotpresstheirownclaims.
Forexample,weknowthatthegovernmentgivesyouanincometaxexemptionwhenyoudonateto
charity.Evenfirewillbealittlefrightenedofyou,andthieveswillleaveyoualone.So,whenyougiveto
charity,whichmaybeconsideredyouroldestsonandyournaturalheir,thentheotherswhowould
otherwisetrytoclaimyourwealthwillrespectyouractionandnotinterfere.Butifyoupossesswealth
anddonotgiveitincharity,thenthethiefwillhavehiseyeonyouandthegovernmentwillalsotryto
catchholdofyouandclaimyourrichesasitsown.Ifthesetwoforsomereasonchoosetoignoreyou,
thenfirewillcomeonedayanddestroyyourpossessions.
LetalltheNobleHumanQualitiesShinewithinYou
TheGitahasdeclaredthatitischarity,notwealth,whichisreallyimportant.Inasimilarway,in
humanbeings,itisnottheabilitytospeakwellbutthetruthwhichisuttered,thatisimportant.Ifthere
isnotruthinyourspeech,thenwhateveryousaywillhavenovalueatall.TheGitahasalsodeclared
thatitisnotlifeitselfbutagoodcharacterthatisimportant.Alifedevoidofgoodcharacterisuseless.
Youhavetodevelopyourcharacterandearnagoodnamesothatallthenoblehumanqualitieswill
shineforthinyou.
Yourmostimportantdutyistoharborgoodthoughts,tohavegoodbehavior,tospeakgoodwordsandto
leadagoodlife.Youmustbeverycarefulwithyourwordsandactionssothatyouwillneverearnabad
name.Insteadoflivingthelifeofacrowforahundredyearsscavengingoffothers,itisfarbettertolivea
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

52/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

fewmomentsasaswan,withanuntaintednameandanunblemishedcharacter.TheGitaextolssucha
sterlingsoulwhoselifeisrepletewithgoodness.
Goodactionsarefarmoreimportantthanphysicalstrength.Abodythatisnotbeingusedtoserveothers
isnothingbutadeadbody.Useyourbodyintheserviceofmankind,notjustforthepurposeofcatering
toyourownselfishneeds.Today,whatevermandoes,thinksoruttersisprimarilypromptedby
selfishness.Inordertoovercomethistendency,youhavetoconstantlyseekopportunitiestohelpothers
anddeveloptheprincipleofservice.Inthisprocess,byyourgoodactions,allofhumanitywillget
sanctified.Itisverydifficulttoobtainbirthasahumanbeing.Youmustspendsometimethinkingover
howtoproperlyutilizethisrarelifethathasbeengiventoyouanddevelopgoodhabitswhichwill
overcometheseweaknessesofdesireandangerthatwasteyourgoldenchance.
ReplacingBadHabitswithGoodHabits
Howdoyoubestovercomethedeeplyingrainedbadhabitsandreplacethemwithgoodhabits?Consider
asmallexample.
Onedayabeautifuldoghappenstocometoyourhouseyoudonotknowtowhomitbelongs.Itissuch
anattractivething,inordertokeepitthereforsometimeandenjoyitspresence,yougiveitalittlefood.
Nextdayitcomesaboutthesametime,andagainyoufeeditandenjoyhavingitvisityou.Inthiswayit
comesbackeverydaytogetfed,andgraduallyoveraperiodoftime,attachmentincreasesandthisdog
nowregularlyvisitsyourhouse,spendingmoreandmoretimethere.Onedayyoufindthatitwillno
longerleaveitjustcontinuestoliveatyourhousefromthattimeon.
Butthehappinessthatyouenjoyinlookingatphysicalbeautydoesnotlastverylong.Oncethebeautyis
nolongeraccompaniedbyjoy,itbecomesobnoxioustoyou.Inthecaseofthisdog,yousoongettiredof
havingitaroundallthetime,andsoyoulookforawaytogetridofit.
Tobeginwithyoumustaskyourselfwhythatdoghasattacheditselftoyouandisnowlivinginthe
house.Thereasonisthatrightfromtheverybeginningyouhavebeenfeedingitregularlyeverydayyou
havealsobeenstrokingit,playingwithit,andpayingsomuchattentiontoit.Itisthisrepeateddaily
practicewhichhascreatedtheattachmentbetweenyourselfandthedog.Nowyoumustdevelopanew
regularpractice,whichwillbreakthisattachmentandhelpyoutogetridofthedog.Forthisthebest
methodistoreversetheoriginalprocessthatcreatedtheattachmentandmadetheobjectsodeartoyou.
SteadyPracticeistheKeytoallAccomplishmentsinLife
Inthecaseofthedog,ifnofoodisgivenforsomedaysandeveryoneisindifferenttoit,payingno
attentiontoitwhatsoever,thensoon,ofitsownaccord,thedogwillgoaway.Therefore,itisthepractice
thatisimportant.Itisthroughpracticethatyouhavedevelopedcertainattachmentsandundesirable
qualities,anditisthroughpracticethatyoucanchangethem.TheGitahassaidthatforeverything
practiceisthestartingpoint.Inthe12thverseofthechapterondevotion,itsays,"Throughpracticeyou
willbeabletogetknowledge,throughknowledgeyouwillbeabletodevelopmeditation,through
meditationyouwilldevelopsacrifice,andonlywhenyouhavesacrificewillyouobtainpeaceofmind."
Therefore,itallstartswithsteadypractice.
Formanybirths,youhavebeenenamoredwithbeautyandyouhaveengagedyourselfindesireand
angeruntilthesepassionshavestruckdeeprootsinyourheart.Nowyouhavebecomeaslaveofyour
desires.Merewordswillnotbeenoughtogetridofthem.Afterhavingpracticedattachmentforsolong,
thesenegativequalitieshavedevelopedsuchstrongroots,thatevenifyouweretocutthemoffatthe
surface,theywouldsproutupagainandagain.Whendesireshavebecomeanintegralpartofyou,itis
onlybyreversingtheprocessandpracticingdetachmentandrenunciationthatyouwillbeabletogetrid
ofthesedeeplyingrainedpests.
Inthebeginning,desiresareextremelyattractiveandsweet.Aftersometimeyoudevelopadisgustfor
thembutthenitisalreadyquitedifficult,infact,almostimpossibletogetridofthem.Therefore,itis
bestifrightfromtheverybeginningyoudeveloprenunciationanddetachmentaspartofyournatureand
givenoplaceorimportancetodesires.Unlessyouhavesuchanattitudeofsacrificeandacapacityto
resistdesires,youwillnotbereadytoreceivethegraceofGod.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

53/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Abullockorahorsewhichcannotbecontrolled,acarwithoutbrakes,oralifewhichisnotbasedon
controlofthesenses,arealldangerous.Controlofthesensesisveryimportant.Youneedtotightly
controlthetendenciesofthemindtogooffinalldirections,runningafterdesires.Mindandsensesmust
bekeptincheckwithinlimitedbounds.Evenhappinesswhichexceedscertainlimitscanbeharmful.
Foreverythingthereisalimit,thereisarangeofhealthyfunctioning.
KeepingtheSenseswithintheirNormalLimits
Thenormalbodytemperatureis98.6degreesFahrenheitifitgoesupevenonedegreetherewillbea
diseaseinprogress.Onlywhenitiswithintheappropriateleveldoesitindicateahealthybody.Inthe
sameway,yourbloodpressureisnormalwhenitis120over80.Ifthebloodpressuregoesupto150over
90itindicatesanabnormalconditioninthebody,whichmaybeindicativeofanillness.Similarly,the
heartbeatshouldbearound75ifitincreasesanailmentwillbeinprogress.
Thesameisalsotrueforyoursenses.Thereisarangeoflightthatisappropriatetohealthyfunctioning
oftheeyes.Ifthelightistoobrighttheeyescannotseeandwillbeharmed.Thisistrue,aswell,inthe
caseoftheearsthereisaproperrangeofsound.Ifthelevelofsoundexceedsthatrange,suchasmay
happenclosetoanairplane,atrainoraloudspeaker,thehearingwillbecomeimpaired.Likethis,all
thesensesarelimitedtoanormalrangeofoperation.
Weseethatlifefunctionsalotlikealimitedcompanyinthebusinessworld.Ifyouwanttocarryon
unlimitedbusinesswiththislimitedcompanythenyouwillbesubjecttoagreatdealofdistress.
Therefore,youhavetoimposerestrictionsonyourbehavior,andspendyourlifeactingalwayswithin
certainprescribedlimits.Thiscanalsobecalleddiscipline.Disciplineisparticularlynecessaryforthe
spiritualprogressofanindividual.Withoutdisciplineapersonislikelytobecomenothingbutan
animal.Butdiscipline,too,hastobeexercisedwithinlimits.Thereisevenaneedtoregulateyour
disciplineifyouaretoenjoylife.Youseethatforeverythingthereisalimitandaboundary.Ifyoustay
withintheselimitsyouwillnotbetroubledbylife.
TheGitahastaughtthatdesireandangeraretheprimaryobstaclestoliberation,soitisvitally
importantthattheybecurbed.Youneedtotakepropernoticeofthesetwodreadfulenemiesofmanand
developcompletecontroloverthem.Theseenemiesarenotexternaltoyoutheyareyourinnerenemies.
Ifyouaredefeatedbyyourinnerenemies,howcanyoueverhopetoconqueryourexternalones?Once
youkeepdesireandangerunderfirmcheckyouwillbeabletodefeatyourouterenemiesquiteeasily.The
Gitahasshownthatthewaytoconquerdesireandangerisbysaturatingyourlifewithrenunciation,
sacrificeandlove.
XI.TrueRenunciationFocusonGod,nottheWorld
IfyouwanttoreachtheLordandhaveavisionofhim,themostimportantqualitythatyou
needtodevelopisdetachment.Detachmentendowsyouwiththecapacitytointernalize
yourvision.Detachmentallowsyoutointrovertyourmindanddwellonyourinnerbeauty.
EmbodimentsofLove,
Onceyourecognizethedefectsandweaknessesintheobjectsoftheworldyousoonloseyourdesireto
possessthem.Themindisverystrongandfickle.Itisalsoveryobstinate.Itisforeverdeterminedtoget
itsway.ArjunaprayedtoKrishnaforhelpincontrollinghismind.Helamented,"OLord,themindis
verypowerfulandwayward."Krishnareplied,"Arjuna,ifyoupracticedetachmentyouwillcertainlybe
abletocontrolyourmind."
ControloftheMind
Themindcanbecomparedtoapoplartree.Thepoplarleavesarealwaysshakingwhetherthereisa
windornot.Similarly,themindisalwaysunsteadyandwavering.Inadditiontoitswaveringqualitythe
mindisalsostrongandstubborn.Takeforexampleanelephant.Itisverystronganditcanbequite
cruel,too.Howeverwiththehelpofagoadyoucanbringitundercontrol.Likewise,thehorseisrarely
still.Itisalwaysmovingitslimbs,itsears,itsheadoritstail.Beingunsteady,itwillfirstgooneway
andthenanother.Butwithabit,itcanbecontrolledandmadetogointhedirectionthattheriderwants.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

54/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Anotherexampleisthemonkey,whichroamshereandthere,theverypictureofunsteadinessand
fickleness.Butwithtraining,ittoocanbebroughtundercontrol.Therefore,justaswithagoadyoucan
controlanelephantwhichmaybeverycruelandstrong,justaswithabityoucancontrolahorsewhich
isnervousandunstable,justaswithtrainingevenamonkeycanbecontrolled,inthesamewaythe
mind,whichisalsostrongandfickle,canbecontrolledbydetachmentandconstantpractice.
Detachment
Truedetachmentmeansrealizingthetemporarynatureofobjectsandnotallowingyourmindtoget
attachedtothesetransientthings.Itdoesnotnecessarilymeanthatyoufeeldisgustorhatredforthem.
Itmeansthatyoufeelnomentalattachmenttowardsthem.Totallygivingupalltheobjectsofthe
phenomenalworldisnotpossible.However,youcangiveupyourmyness,yoursenseof
possessiveness.Onceyougivethatup,thenyoucangoaheadandenjoythevariousobjectsoftheworld.
Theywillcauseyounoharm.
Inthephenomenalworld,everything,everypersonandeveryobjectundergoeschange.Theworld
consistsofsixtypesofchange:birth,growth,maturity,decline,degenerationanddeath.Thesearethe
changestowhichallobjectsaresubjected.Todeludeyourselfintothinkingthatthistransient
impermanentworldispermanentandbecomeattachedtotheobjectsinitisveryfoolishindeed.
InthetempleofVishnuyouwillseestatuesandpicturesofGaruda,theeagle.Similarly,inthetempleof
ShivayouwillfindstatuesandpicturesofNandi,thebull.And,inthetempleofRama,youwillseea
portrayalofHanuman,themonkey.Inallthesedepictionstheconcentrationofeachofthesebeings,
Nandi,GarudaandHanuman,isonthefeetoftheLordtheyseeonlytheLord,nottheworld.Allof
thesedemonstratetherightkindofattachment.TheirattachmentistotheLordwhoispermanent.And
theirdetachmentisfromtheworldwhichistransient.Thesignificanceofallthesesymbolic
representationsisthatyoushouldnotcaremuchforwhatistransient,butalwaysconcentrateanddwell
onthepermanententity,whichistheLordhimself.
Onceyourecognizethedefectsofobjects,theirtransitorinessandimpermanence,thenyouwill
graduallyloseyourdesiretohavethem.Thereareanumberofstorieswhichshowhowemperorswho
hadalotofwealthattheirdisposalandpossessedalltheluxuriesandpropertiesonecoulddreamof,did
notderivemuchjoyorpeaceofmindfromthem.Inordertogetpeaceofmindtheywouldgototheforest
andperformpenance.Fromthistheyultimatelyderivedthesatisfactionandinnersolaceforwhichthey
hadbeenyearning.
MaketheBestUseofEveryObject
Detachmentinvolvesmorethanjustrecognizingthedefectsandweaknessesinobjectswhichresults
fromtheirtransitorynature.Detachmentalsoinvolvesthepositivequalityofgettingthemostoutofthe
objectsoftheworld.Youshouldalwaysstrivetomakethebestuseofanobjectandappreciateitforwhat
itis.Thereisnopointinjustdwellingonthelimitationandsorrowthatobjectsoftheworldproduce,but
youshouldknowtoproperlyuseobjectstoperformyourdutyintheworld.Thenyouwillacquiresome
satisfaction.Inthelargersense,itisreallygivingupworldlysorrowandgainingtheblissofthe
supremeselfthatistruedetachment.Givingupfamily,wife,childrenandpropertiesandthengoingto
theforestcannotbecalleddetachment.Detachmentisrecognizingtheweakaspectsinthenatureofthe
objects,aswellasacceptingtheirpositiveandstrongpoints.
Wheneveryougetintodifficulty,whetherphysical,mental,financialoranyothertypeofproblem,you
maydevelopasenseofdetachmenttowardstheobjectscausingthisstate.Thisisquitenatural.For
example,supposeapersondiesandhisbodyistakentotheburninggroundwhereitiscremated.When
youlookatsuchasituationyoudevelopaparticulartypeofdetachment,philosophizingthatthebody
hastocometoanendsometimeoranother.Butthisdetachmentisonlyatemporaryphenomenon,a
temporaryfeelingitcannotbeconsideredtruedetachment.
Anotherexampleiswhenamotherisdeliveringherfirstbaby.Notbeingabletosufferthepain,she
shoutsthatshewouldratherdie.Thisalsoisnottruedetachment.Assoonasthebabyisborn,suppose
shehasagirl,sheimmediatelywantstogetaboythenexttime.Asimilarsituationdevelopswhen
someonedoesnotgethiswishesfulfilled.Herealsohedevelopsacertaintypeofdetachment.Allthese
attitudesaretemporary.Permanentdetachmentissomethingquitedifferent.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

55/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Permanentdetachmentisanintensedetachment,asopposedtodullorweakdetachment.Forexample,
apersonmayhaveresolvedtogoonapilgrimagetooneoftheholyplacesinIndia,butthentheremay
beastrongtendencytopostponeittothenextmonth.Ifitisamatterofdoingsomethinggoodsuchas
goingonapilgrimage,onewilltendtopostponeit.Ontheotherhand,ifitisamatterofdoing
somethingbad,onepreferstodoitrightonthespot,withoutwastinganytime.Peopleusuallywillnot
makeverygreateffortstoperformgooddeeds.Thismaybeseenasatypeofweakdetachmentwhich
tendstopostponeimplementinggoodresolutionsandperforminggoodactions.Butsuchbehaviorwill
nothelpyoutoreachyourspiritualgoal.Itisintensedetachmentwhichisessentialforprogressonthe
spiritualpath.
HarischandraandBuddha
Ifyoudecidethataparticularactivityisgoodandsacred,youshouldnotpostponeit.Youshould
immediatelyimplementitandseetoitthatthisgoodactionissuccessfullycarriedout.Thiswastheroyal
pathlaiddownforallbytheBuddha.OnceGautamaBuddharealizedthatthebodywasimpermanent,
thatnoneoftheworldlythingsweregoingtolast,heresolvedtoseekoutanddiscovertheunchanging
truth.Hegaveuphisfamilyandhiskingdomandwentintotheforesttorealizetheultimatereality.
Therewasanothergreatrulerwhohadanintensesenseofsacrificeanddetachment.Hisnamewas
Harischandra.Althoughhewasanemperor,throughaseriesofunfortunatecircumstanceshelost
everythinghehadintheworld,hiskingdom,hiswifeandfamily,andspenthisdaysascaretakerofa
cremationground.
Oneday,whenHarischandrafirststartedperforminghisdutiesinthecremationground,thecorpseofa
richmanwasbroughttherebyalargenumberoffriends.Theybroughtthebody,setitonfireand
immediatelywentbacktotheirhomes.Usuallywhenabodyissetonfire,alittleweightisputonit.
Otherwise,assoonastheheatcomes,thebodybendsasifitwasgettingup,andthenliesdownagain.
OnlyHarischandraremainedintheburninggroundthatday.Nofriendsorrelativesofthedeadman
stayedbehindtokeepawatchonthebody.Harischandrawenttogetalittlemorefueltoputonthefire.
Suddenlyhesawthebodyliftitselfup.Hewassurprisedandwentnearittohaveacloserlook.
AsHarischandraapproachedthepyre,henoticedthatthebodyhadbyitselfreturnedtoaproneposition.
Foraninstanthethoughtthatitwasstillaliveasifsittinguptolookforitsrelativesandfriends,but
thenherealizedthatthewholeepisodewasjustamomentaryillusionofacorpseappearingalive,
causedbytheheatofthefire.Harischandrathoughttohimself,"InthesamewaythatImistookthis
corpsetobealive,Ithoughtthisworldtobereal.Butitisunreal,itgivesonlyanillusionofreality."
Harischandralamentedthatsuchawealthymanwhosecorpsewasbroughttherehadnorelativesor
friendstostaywithhisbodyuntiltheend.Hethought,whatevermaybethepositionandtherichesofa
person,notevenhiswifeorchildrenretainanyattachmenttohimafterhisdeath.Asaresultofthis
experience,Harischandradevelopedanintensedetachmenttowardstheobjectsandformsoftheworld.
WorldlyAttachmentsarelikePoison
Everyday,ateverytime,therewillbechangesoccurringinalltheobjectsofcreation.Thesechangesare
notartificial,theyarenotimaginary,theyarenaturalandinherentintheverynatureoftheobjects.
Onceyourecognizethattheworldisbasicallyastageforthecontinuousnaturaloccurrenceofchanges,
andthatchangeisinherentintheverynatureoftheobjectsoftheworld,thenyouwillbecomefreefrom
suffering.Anyonewhorealizesthatthereisalethaltoxincontainedinthefangsofapoisonoussnake
willnotcasuallygonearit.Ifyouseeanapproachingscorpionwithitspoisonoustailheldup,readyto
strike,wouldyounotrunawayfromit?Onlyasmall,innocentchildoratotallyignorantpersonwould
gonearit,getstunganddie.
Youmakeeveryefforttoavoidapoisonouscreaturebecauseyouknowitsharmfulnature.Inthesame
way,youwouldmakeeveryefforttoavoidworldlyattachmentsifyouknewtheirharmfulnature.The
LordtaughtintheGita,thatinsteadofundergoingallthesufferingsthatgowithdeveloping
attachmentsandthengettingdisillusionedwhentheinevitablechangesbegintohappen,itwouldbefar
betterfromtheverybeginningtoremainunattachedtowardsthethingsandobjectsoftheworld.But
nowyougoonplanningmanythingsandattachingyourselftomanythingsinordertogainsomeshort
termjoys.Youexhaustyourselfthinkingandplanning,"Ishoulddothis,Ishoulddothat"or"Ishould
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

56/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

dothisinsteadofthat"andgetyourselfinvolvedincountlessprojectsandactivities.Butyouwillhaveto
beartheconsequencesofalltheseactionsinthefuture.
Theseedsyouhavesownbyyouractionswillmatureandyouwillreaptheharvestofthoseseeds.Ifthe
seedbelongstoonevariety,youcannotexpecttogetbackadifferentkindofresult.Whateveractsyou
haveindulgedin,theappropriatefruitsthereofwillbegiventoyouintheformofaninvisiblegarland
whichishungaroundyourneck.Whenyouarebornfromthewombofyourmother,nogarlandcanbe
seen.Neitheragarlandofpearlsnoroneofpreciousgemstonesnoranecklaceofgoldwillbevisible
aroundyourneck.Nevertheless,theresurelyisagarlandthere.Thatgarlandiscomposedofthe
consequencesofyourpastdeedswhichyouhaveperformedduringyourpreviousbirths.Thatgarland
giventoyoubytheCreatorwilladornyourneck,althoughitwillnotbeseenbythephysicaleyes.
Thepersonwhorecognizesthetruth,thatforeveryactiontherewillbearesultingconsequence,willtake
uponlygoodactivitiesandwillspendhislifeindulgingonlyinactionsthatwillearnhimgoodresults.
ThishasbeentaughtbytheGitaasaspiritualexerciseofparticularimportancetodevotees.Itleads
eventuallytodevelopingindifferenceanddetachmenttothethingsoftheworld,anditresultsinthe
acquisitionoftruewisdom.Hereisanexamplewhichillustratesthisillusorynatureoftheworldandthe
detachmentyoushouldhavetoit.
KingJanaka'sDream
KingJanakahadacquiredextraordinaryproficiencyintheknowledgeofGod.Hewascalled"theking
devoidofbody".Inotherwords,hehadbeenabletotranscendbodyconsciousness.Oneparticularnight
afterdinner,hewasdiscussingcertainadministrativeproblemswithhisministers.Hegotbacktohis
bedroomalittlelate.Amealhadbeensetoutforhimbuthedidnottouchit.Herelaxedonasofawhile
thequeenmassagedhisfeet.Soonthekingfellasleep.Thequeenaskedthevariousattendantspresentto
leavetheroomandmadesurethattheking,whowasextremelytired,wouldnotbedisturbedinhis
sleep.Shecoveredhimwithablanketandbankedthelightlow,quietlyremainingbyhisside.
Shortlyafterwards,KingJanakaquitesuddenlyopenedhiseyes,satup,lookedaroundincredulouslyat
hissurroundings,andinamostpeculiarwaybegantoask,"Isthisrealoristhatreal?Isthisthetruthor
isthatthetruth?"
Thequeenbecamealittlefrightenedbyhisbewilderedlookandstrangequestion.Shetriedtofindout
whatexactlyhewasasking,buthewouldnotexplainoransweranyofherqueries.Hejustwenton
saying,"Isthisthetruthoristhatthetruth?"Shecalledfortheministers,counselorsandother
importantofficials.Theyallassembledandbeganquestioningtheking."Maharaja,whatisyourdoubt?
Whatexactlyareyouasking?"ButtheMaharajawouldnotrespondtothem.Finallytheministers
broughtthegreatSageVashishtatothecourt.Vashishtaaskedtheking,"Whatareyouasking?Whatis
troublingyou?"Thekingwasreplyingtoallthequestionswiththesamequery,"Isthatthetruthoris
thisthetruth?Isthisrealityoristhatreality?"
SageVashishtabeingomniscientclosedhiseyesandmeditatedforawhiletofindoutthecauseofthe
king'sstrangebehavior.Vashishtarealizedthatthekinghadsuddenlyawakenedfromavividdreamin
whichhehadforfeitedhiskingdomandfoundhimselfwanderinglost,aloneanddespondentinaforest.
Hewasfeelingveryhungryandalsoverytiredandforsaken.Ashewanderedthroughthatforesthekept
shouting,"Iamhungry,Iamhungry."Ithappenedthatthereweresomerobbersinthatforest.Those
robberswerejustsittingdowninagladenearbytohavetheirmeal,eatingfromplatesmadeofleaves.
Takingpityonhim,therobbersmadethemselvesknownandinvitedJanakatojointhem,offeringhima
portionoftheirmeal.
Justatthatmoment,atigercameuponthemandtheyallranfortheirlives.Thetigerhelpedhimselfto
allthefood.AgainJanakafoundhimselfstaggeringthroughtheforestcryingout,"O,Iamsohungry.I
amsoveryhungry."Whenhewokeuphediscoveredhewasinapalace,onaroyalsofabythesideofthe
queen,withasilvertrayfilledwithluxuriousfoodanddaintiessittingonthetablenearby,andhebegan
askingwhetherhewasthestarving,forsakenwretchbeggingfoodfromrobbersinafearfulforestor
whetherhewasakinglivinginasumptuouspalacesurroundedbyallpossibleluxuries."Isthistrueoris
thattrue?Isthisrealoristhatreal?"
MaharishiVashishtaimmediatelyrecognizedtheking'sconfusionandsaid,"KingJanaka,neither
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

57/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

beggarnoremperorisreal.Youalonearereal.You,yourself,arethetruth.Theyouwhowaspresentas
pureconsciousnessinthedreamstateplayingtheroleofthebeggarandwhoispresentinthewaking
stateplayingtheroleoftheking,thisyouwhowitnessedboththesestates,isyourtruereality.Life
duringthedaytimeisadaydream,duringthenightitisanightdream.Theyarebothillusions.Theyare
filledwithdefectsandflawsbecausetheyconstantlychangefromonethingtoanothersotheycannot
bereal.Onlyyouwhoremainunchangedinallthesestatesarereal,freeofallchangeandillusion."
ThiswasalsoemphasizedintheGita,whereKrishnapointedouttheimportanttruththattheworldis
constantlychangingandthattheatmaaloneisrealandeverunchanging.
TheAnguishofSeparationfromGod
Detachmentdoesnotmeanleavingbehindeverythingtogototheforestandadoptthelifeofa
renunciate.Penancedoesnotrefertocertainposturesorbodilydeprivations.Penancereferstothe
intenseanguishyouexperiencewhenyoufeelyourselfseparatedfromGod.Wheneverthatanguishof
separationiswithyou,whereveryoumaybe,thenyouareengagedinpenance.Allworldlyexperiences
aregovernedbycombinationsofthethreeattributes,inertiaorchaos,actionorreaction,andrhythmor
calm.TheanguishofpenancewithitsintenseaspirationforreachingGod,takesyouintoastateof
beingwhichtranscendsthesethreeworldlyqualities.Atthattime,youwillexperienceadeepinner
serenityandunityofthought,wordanddeed.
Thought,wordanddeedarethecausesofkarma.Theyarecalledtheinstrumentsofaction.Itisthe
unionofthesethreeinstrumentsofactionwhichmaybedescribedaspenance.Whenthatunionis
completetherefollowsanineffablejoy,whichistheveryblissoftheatma.Sotruepenanceisthepoint
atwhichthethreeinstrumentsofactionmergetogetherintooneandyouexperiencetheeternaldelight
ofyourimmortalself.
Considerthefollowingexample.Everydayyouenjoythebenefitsofelectricity.Inyourroomyoumay
haveanelectricfan.Therearethreebladesattachedtothemotorofthefan.Iftheyweretorotateinthree
differentdirectionsyouwouldnotgetmuchofabreeze.Butwhentheyrotateinunison,asiftherewerea
singlebladegoingaround,thenyoucanenjoyaverygoodflowofairfromthefan.So,enjoymentofthe
coolbreezecomesonlywhenallthethreebladesareworkingtogetherandrotateasone.Inthevery
sameway,whenthethreeinstrumentsofaction,thought,wordanddeed,mergetogetherandworkas
one,youcanenjoyrealbliss.
Inthisillustrationyourheartmaybecomparedtotheroomcontainingthefan.Thethreeinstrumentsof
actionmaybecomparedtothethreebladesofthefan.Yourintellectmaybethoughtofastheelectric
switch.Yourspiritualpower,theenergyemanatingfromthesupremeself,maybethoughtofasthe
electricitythatenergizesthefan.Yourspiritualpracticeistheprocessofclarifyingyourintellect,and
therebyturningontheswitch.Whenthethreeinstrumentsofactionworktogetherinharmony,justas
thethreebladesofthefangoaroundtogether,thenallyouranguishbecomestransformedintobliss.In
thisway,youcanconvertyourlifeforceandyourentirespiritualpowerintobliss.
TrueRenunciationisTurningyourMindtowardsGod
Mankindhasforgottentheabilitytoperformpenance.Whenyouletyourvisionroaminthetemporary
andtransientworld,yourspiritualpathspiralsdownwardintoinertiaandstasis.Whenyouconcentrate
yourvisionandyourawarenessonthepermanentGod,thenyouarepracticingpenanceandyour
spiritualprogressleapsahead.Ifadoorislockedandyouwanttoopenit,youmustputthekeyinsidethe
lockandturnittowardstheright.Thenitwillopen.Butifyouturnthekeytotheleft,thelockremains
closed.Itisthesamelockandthesamekey.Thedifferenceisinthewayyouturnthekey.Yourheartis
thatlockandyourmindthekey.IfyouturnyourmindtowardsGod,yougetliberation.Ifyouturnit
towardstheobjectiveworld,youremaininbondage.Itisthesamemindthatisresponsibleforboth
liberationandbondage.
TruerenunciationisturningyourmindtowardsGod.Itmeansconstantlybringingyourmindbackfrom
otherthoughtstodwellonthepermanententity.Suchmentaldetachmentandsacrificemustbe
developedintoaveryintensefeeling.Youshouldnotkeeponpostponingthepracticetothenextday,and
thenthedayfollowingthat,andsoon.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

58/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Supposeyouexpecttogotoamarriageyouwouldkeepcertainclothesreadyseveraldaysbeforethe
occasion.Orsupposeyouhadachancetogotothemoviesthenyouwillgetreadyveryfast.Evenforjust
goingforawalkyoumakeyourselfreadyinatrice.Well,ifyoucannotgotothecinematodayyoucan
easilypostponeittoanotherday.Ifyoudonotgoforawalknowyoucanalwaysgoanothertime.Butthe
Lord'sjourneycannotbepostponedorcanceled.Youmustalwaysbereadytoacceptwhatevercomes
yourway.Timewaitsfornoone.Timedoesnotfollowman.Manhastofollowtime.Timeflowson
continuouslyandtakeseverythingwithit.
TheGitateachesyouthatyoumayenjoythevariousobjectsoftheworld,butwhileenjoyingthemyou
shouldnotgetyourselfattachedtothem,thinkingthatyoupossessthem.Thisfeelingofrenunciationor
detachmentisoneofthemostessentialaspectsofthespiritualphilosophypropoundedintheGita.
XII.DetachmentUnifyingThoughts,WordsandDeeds
Forthewheelofexistence,themindisthefocalpoint,thecentralhubfromwhichall
worldlyactivitiesemerge.Tobeabletopenetratethisfocalpointandobtainavisionofthe
immortalselfthatisbeyond,youmustcultivatethepracticeofnonattachment.Make
everyefforttodevelopthismostimportantdiscipline.
EmbodimentsofLove,
Renunciationordetachmentcanalsobethoughtofasnonattachment.Nonattachmentiswhenthe
mindandthesensesbecomeunaffectedbytheobjectsoftheworldandremainindifferenttotheir
attractionandrepulsion.Themindcoversthetrueselftherefore,themindcanbedescribedasaveil.It
isaveilofignorance,forithidesyourtrueselfandkeepsyouunawareofitsmagnificentpresencewithin
you.But,themind,itself,istieddownbythesenseorgans,andthesenseorgansareattractedtothe
objectsofthephenomenalworld,andgetboundbythem.Therefore,thefirststepinrealizingyourtrue
selfistogaincontroloveryoursenseorgans.Forthis,thepracticeofnonattachmentisessential.
DetachmentleadstoSelfRealization
Onceyouarefreeofattachmenttothesenseobjects,thenthesenseorganswillnolongerbeabletobind
yourmind.Amindunencumberedbythesensesbecomespureandtransparent.Itnolongerimposesits
coveringinfluenceovertheatma.Whentheveiloftheminddissolves,yourtrueselfbecomesawareof
itself.Thenyouareimmersedintheunityofallexistenceandenjoytheblisswhichisyourtruenature.
TheGitahastaughtthatnonattachmentiscrucialforrealizingyourtrueself.Thattrueselfistheone
supremeself.
DetachmentornonattachmenthasalsobeenemphasizedintheyogaclassicofPatanjali,agreatseer
ofancientIndia.Hetaughtthatdetachmentisthenaturalpropertyofamindwhichremainsunswayed
bythesenseorgansandtheobjectswhichattractthem.Suchamind,beingfreefromtheslaveryofthe
senseorgansandsenseobjects,ispureandunaffectedbydelusion.Yougainapuremindwhenyousee
alltheobjectsofthisworldastransientandchanging.Theancientwisdomteachingshavedeclaredthat
fromthelowestcreatureinthephenomenalworldtothehighest,rightuptotheheavenlybeings,
everythingisephemeralandundergoingchange.Knowingthis,youshouldrelinquishallattachmentsto
senseobjects.Anyattachmentwillgraduallybutsteadilyleadtobondage.
Justasremovingthefirewoodfromthefireautomaticallyextinguishedtheflame,removingthesense
objectsfromthesensesautomaticallyrendersthemimpotent.Thewisdomteachingshavestressedina
mostforcefulwaythatonlythatpersonwhodoesnotcareforanythinglessthanfullrealizationofthe
supremeself,isapersonoftruerenunciation.Neitherobjectsoftheworldnoreventheheavenlyabode
oftheLordcouldswayhimfromhisonepointedfocus.
Thereisastoryrelatedinoneoftheancientwisdomteachingsaboutaverywiseyoungboy,who,
becauseofanoathmadebyhisfather,foundhimselfintherealmofdeath.Thegodofdeathtriedtowin
overtheboy.Hesaidtohim,"Iwillgiveyoucompletemasteryandlordshipoverallthewealthandall
thepoweroftheworld,andIwillgiveyouallthepleasuresoftheheavenlyworld."Buttheboyreplied,
"Thisworldandalltheworldsbeyondarebuttransienttheywillnotlast.Idonotwantanythingtodo
withthatwhichcomesandgoes.Ionlywanttohavethevisionofthesupremeself.Iwanttorealizethe
ultimatetruth,thatwhichneverchanges.Theworldwithitsbondageandallthesorrowthatgoeswithit
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

59/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

isforthepersonwhoisswayedbytheobjectsofthesenses.Theydonotinterestmeintheleast."
AttachmenttoObjectswhichyouthinkbelongtoYou
Letussupposethatyouhavebeenlivinginaparticularhouseforalongtime.Onedayyouhavetoshift
toanotherdwelling.Youpackallyourbelongingsandputtheminaconveyanceandbringthemtothe
newhouse.Now,itisacommonexperiencethatyouevengototheextentofwrappingthewornout
slippersandtheoldbroomsticksinnewspaperstocarrythemwithyoubecauseyouthinkthatthey
belongtoyou.Whatisthereasonforthisattitude?Thereasonisthatyouhavebecomeboundbyyour
attachmentstothesenseobjects.Youhavesomuchinterestinpackingupallthoseoldthingsand
takingthemwithyoubecauseyouareattachedtothem.Youfeeltheyareyours.
Butthen,consideranotherexample,thatofacollegeprincipalortheheadmasterofaschool.Inevery
educationalinstitutiontherewillbeanumberofvaluablearticles.Forinstance,inthelabtherewillbe
somehighlyvaluableequipment,manytables,chairs,otheritemsoffurniture,awallclockandsoon.
Whentheheadmasterofthatschoolretiresoristransferred,hefeelsnoattachmenttothesethings.And
soheleaveswiththesamefreemindthathehadwhenhecame.Hedoesnotworryandbotherhimself
aboutleavingbehindallthosevaluablearticleswhenhegoes.Thereasonisthatheknowsperfectlywell
thatnoneofthosethingsbelongtohim.Theybelongtothemanagementortotheschooltrustortothe
government.Therefore,withasenseofdetachmentandindifferencetothoseobjectsheleavesthe
school.
Wherethereisasenseofmynessandpossessiveness,therewillbesuffering.Ifyoudonothavethat
feelingofpossessivenessyouwillnotbeboundbyanythingandwillnotsuffer.Therefore,forall
bondage,sufferingandsorrow,itisjusttheInessormynessthatisresponsible.Liketheschool
principal,youmaymakeuseofalltheobjectsthatyoufindintheworld.Donotgiveuptheobjects
themselves,anddonotgiveupyouractionsandactivities.Justgiveuptheattachmentthatyouhave
towardstheobjectsandgiveuptheattachmentthatyouhavetowardstheworldandyouractivitiesinit.
GiveuptheFruitsofyourActions
Anotherwayofsayingthisis,giveupthefruitsofyouractions.Performyourdutywithasenseof
completedetachment,realizingthedefectsintheobjects.Onceyouunderstandtheunderlyinglawsthat
governtheworldandrecognizethedefectsthatareinherentinboththeobjectsoftheworldandthe
relationshipsyouhaveintheworld,youwillquicklybeabletoovercometheattachmentsyouhave
towardsthem.
Beforeyouwereborn,whowastheparentandwhowasthechild?Beforemarriage,whowasthe
husbandandwhowasthewife?Onlyafterbirthwasthereaparentandachild.Beforebirththerewas
nosuchrelationshipandafterdeaththerewillbenosuchrelationship.Itisonlyduringtheshort
transitionalperiodinbetweenthatthefeelingofpossessivenessandattachmentarises.Thisisalldueto
defectsinyourvisionanddefectsinyourapproach.Itcomesfromanarrowminded,shortsighted
attitude.Forallyoursorrows,itisyourfeelingsandattitudesalonethatareresponsible.Onceyou
recognizethedefectsinobjectsandrelationshipsyouwillhavenodesiretopossessthem.
Trytounderstandtheprincipleofdetachment.Youmustreachastateinwhichyoudonothaveanykind
ofattachmentandbondageevenduringthedreamanddeepsleepstates.Ifyouencourageasenseof
attachmentduringthewakingstate,itwillalsobethereinasubtleformduringthedreamstateandthe
deepsleepstate.Thedreamstatemaybecomparedtoareflectioninthemirror.Whateveryouexperience
inthewakingstatewillimpressitselfintothedreamstate,andwillbeseenasareflectionthere.
Therefore,thewakinganddreamstatesaresomethingliketheobjectanditsimage.Ifinthewaking
stateyoutaketherightpath,recognizingtruthandconductingyourselfinthelightofthistruth,thenyou
willbetreadingtherightpatheveninthedreamstate.Tosucceedyouhavetorecognizethedefectsofthe
senseobjectsandovercomethembygivingupyourattachmenttothem.
EverythingundergoesChange
Becauseofthepassageoftimeeverythingundergoeschange.Foodwhichisfreshlycookedtodayistasty
anddelicious.Whileitisfresh,itspotentialityforgivingstrengthandhealthareverygood.Butthevery
samearticlesoffoodbecometoxicafteralapseoftwodays.Whateverfoodyouconsidertobegood,tobe
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

60/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

useful,tobehealthyandbeneficial,willafteraperiodoftimechangeintosomethingbad,something
useless,somethingunhealthyandharmful.Thesechangesareunavoidable.
Inthecontextofchange,youcanalsoseethefourtypesofdevotees:theonewhoisafflictedandseeks
relieffrompainandsuffering,theonewhoseeksmaterialboonsandprosperity,theonewhoseeks
spiritualknowledge,andthewiseone.Overaperiodoftimetheverysamepersonislikelytoprogress
throughallthesestages.
Wecanalsoconsiderthechangesthatoccurinthecourseofalifetime.Immediatelyafterbirththenew
borniscalledababyafterafewyearsitisdescribedasachildtwentyyearslaterthesamepersonis
consideredanadultandafteranother30yearsitwillhavebecomeagrandparent.Thesearenotfour
differentpeople.Itisthesamepersonallthetime,butbecauseofthepassageoftimedifferentnamesare
given,inaccordancewiththedifferentstagesoflifethattheindividualispassingthrough.
Ahumanbeing'slife,whichismostdifficulttoobtain,undergoesmanychangesastimegoesby.When
thisistrueforhumanbeings,thenhowmuchmoremustitbetrueforalltheotherbeingsandobjectsof
theworld?Ifyouaskwhatisthegreatestdefectinahumanbeing,youwillfindthatitisthechanges
whichoccurinone'sphysicalbeing.Whethergoodorbad,thesechangescannotbeavoided.As
changesareinherentineverythinginthephenomenalworld,youshouldnotdevelopanyattachmentor
anysenseofmynessforanythingoranyone.
Whoisthefather?Whoisthemother?Whoarethechildren?Whoarethefamilymembers?Whoarethe
friends?Theseareallchangingforms.Youcannotanswerthesequestionsforalltime.Asyoubecome
awareofallthesechangesthatareconstantlyoccurringinalltheserelationships,thenhowcanyou
developanyattachmenttothem?TheGitahastaughtthatonehastorecognizeallthechangesthat
comeaboutwithtimeasfundamentaldefectsandflaws.Therefore,developcompletedetachmentfrom
thedefectiveformswhichareexperiencingthesechanges.Theyhavenopermanence.
ConstantPractice
Detachmentornonattachmentisthefirstimportantdisciplinethatshouldbeundertaken.Thesecondis
constantpractice.Whatkindofpracticecanbecalledconstant?Onekindisausterityorpenance.The
momentpeoplehearthiswordausteritytheygetalittlefrightened.Theyinevitablyassociateausterity
withgoingintotheforest,eatingwhateverfruitsandrootsareavailablethereandexposingthemselves
toallkindsofrisksandsufferings.Trulyspeaking,thatisnotausteritythatisjustputtingthebody
throughsomesufferingandpunishment.
Itisnotthebodythatmustundergothesuffering,butthemind.Themindtendstowardseitherslothand
chaosorendlessactivity,andisfilledwiththesenseofdoershipandpossessiveness.Austerityisputting
suchamindwithallthesenegativetendenciesthatclingtoit,throughrealtorture,untilallthese
tendenciesletgotheirhold.Austerityalsomeansremovingthedefectsthatareinherentinthesense
organs.Thisistherealausterity.Therearethreetypesofausterity.Oneisthephysicalausterityofthe
body,thesecondoneisthevocalausterityofthetongueandthethirdismentalausterityofthemind.
ThethreeAusterities,Physical,VocalandMental
Physicalausterityreferstousingthebodytoperformgoodactions,whichincludesworshippingtheLord
andexpressingyoursenseofgratitudebyservinggreatsouls.Ifyouearntheirgrace,theselfishaspects
ofInessandmynesswillslowlygetreduced.Oncethesenegativequalitiesdecline,thenautomatically
positivequalitiesandactionswilldevelop.Atthatpoint,youwillnaturallybeattractedtothecompanyof
likemindedspiritualbeingsandbeinspiredtostudytheGitaandothersacredtexts.
Inadditiontothis,youwillundertakecharityforeducation,formedicineandhospitals,forpoor
feedingsandothergoodcauses.Andjustas,traditionally,thedifferenttypesofcharitiessuchasgiving
awaygoldandcowsandlandwerethemeansforusingthebodyinsacredactivities,soalsoyouwill
nowbeusingyourbodyinasacredway.Sinceyouwillnotbedoinganyharmfulorprohibitedactivities,
youwillnotputyourselfunderthespellofthesenseofdoershipandpossessiveness.Youwillfree
yourselffrombondagetothesetwoqualities.Allofthiscanbedescribedasbodilypenance.
Vocalpenanceistheuseofgoodandnoblewords.Evenwhenyouspeakthetruthyoushouldnotbe
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

61/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

severeorsharptongued.Youmustbecarefulnottohurtanyone.Inthiscontext,theGitahassaidthat
truthmustbesweetandnonviolent.Usethesacredtonguewhichhasbeengiventoyouforgivingjoy
anddelighttoothersandforhelpingthem.Donotgiveanysufferingtoanother'smind.Useyour
thoughtstohelpyouconcentrateandthinkoftheLord.Useyourtonguetodescribealltheglorious
attributesoftheLord.Usewordswhicharehighlyhelpfultoothers.Useyourtalktoshowtherightpath
toothers.Explaintoothersallthegreatandgoodspiritualexperiencesthatyouhavehad.Correctpeople
iftheyaregoingonthewrongpathbyusinggoodwordsandasweettongue.Makesurethatnoamount
offalsehoodentersyourheart,orentersyourtalk.Thisisthewaytobecomeanadeptoftruthand
nonviolence.
BetterbeQuietthanTellanUntruth
Ifyouarefollowingthepathoftruththeremaybequiteafewproblemsthatyouwillencounter.A
particularsageperformingpenancehadtakenanoathtotakethepathoftruthandnonviolence,come
whatmay.Acruelhunterwhoheardofthistriedtoinducethesagetobreakhisvow.Thehunterpursued
adeeranddroveitinsuchawaythatithadtopassinfrontofthesage,immersedinhisausterities.The
sagesawthedeerhidinginthebush.Thehuntercamerunningandaskedthesage,"Haveyouseena
deerpassingthisway?"Thesagewasingreatconflict.Ifhetoldthetruthhewouldcauseharmtothe
deer,butifhedidnottellthetruthhewouldbebreakinghisvow.Ontheonehand,hewouldcommitthe
sinofcausingharmtoanotherbeing,andontheotherhand,hewouldcommitthesinoflying.
Thesagefoundaverygoodwayofdealingwiththisdilemma.Heansweredthehunter'squeryina
somewhatenigmaticway.Hesaid,"Theeyeswhichseecannotspeakandthemouthwhichspeaks
cannotsee.Icannotmakethatwhichhasseenspeak,andthatwhichcanspeaksee.Thatisthetruth."
Eveninsuchdifficultsituationsoneshouldnottellanuntruth,butonemaynotbeabletotellthetruth
either.Whenyouareengagedinthevocaltypeofausterity,difficultsituationsofthiskindmayarise.You
shouldmakeeveryefforttoseetoitthatyouescapewithoututteringanyfalsehood.Whateverbethe
circumstances,donottellalie.Ifyoucannottellthetruththenitisbestforyoutokeepquietandobserve
silence,ratherthanutteringanuntruth.
Considerthethirdausterity,thementalausterity.Inthistypeofausterityyouwillhavetodevelopgood
qualitiesandvirtues.Whateverthoughtsmaybeflashingthroughyourmind,yourfacewillshowthe
reflectionofthem.Thatiswhyitissaidthatthefaceistheindexofthemind.Allthoughtswillbe
reflectedonyourface.Ifyouaregriefstrickenmentally,yourfacewillreflectthatstate.Ifthereare
sacredthoughtsinyourmindyourfacewillbeverycheerful.Theeffectofthemindanditsthoughtscan
easilybeseeninthisway.
Onlywhenyouhavesacredthoughts,sacredfeelingsandsacredideasinyourmind,willyoubeableto
liveahappyandcheerfullife.Iftherearebadthoughtstorturingyou,thenwheneversomebodycomes
andtalkstoyou,evenifyoutrytosmile,yoursmilewillbeartificialanditwillbetraythedisturbedinner
stateinyourheart.Youshouldnotallowyourselftobedriventosuchastate.Alwayskeepyourself
happy.Whenwillyoubehappyandjoyous?Onlywhenyourthoughtsaregoodandsacred.Inorderto
havesuchgoodandsacredthoughtsinyourmindyoushouldexercisecontroloveryourthoughts.
EverydayobserveaperiodofSilence
Atleastforafewhoursadayyoushouldobservesilence.Thenthemindwillgetsomerestfromwords
andthoughtwaves.RepetitionoftheholynameandconcentrationontheLordcanalsobepracticedto
givesomeresttothemind.RepetitionofthenameandthinkingoftheLordbringsaboutbothinnerand
outerpurity.Justasyoubatheyourbodyeverydayandtransformitintoacleanoutervehicle,themind,
too,hastobegivenaregularpurificationbathtorenewitsfreshnessandsacredness.Nowyouare
concernedmostlywithphysicalcleanliness,butyoumustalsoengageinmentalcleanliness,whichis
equallyessentialtolife.Goodthoughts,goodfeelingsandgoodactionsgoalongwaytobringabout
innercleanliness.
Austeritytrulymeansbringingaboutaphysical,vocalandmentalunitybylettingactionswordsand
thoughtsbecomeone.Thisistherealausterity.Agreatsoulisonewhohasbeenabletoenjoytheunity
ofallthesethreeattributes.Ifthethoughts,thewords,andtheactionsaredifferent,thenaperson
cannotbeconsideredagreatperson.
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

62/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

Worldlyexperiencesaregovernedbycombinationsofthethreeattributes.Ofthese,inertiaandchaos
giverisetoaslothfulnature,actionandreactiongiverisetoanactive,passionatenature,andrhythmor
calmgivesrisetoapure,harmoniousnature.Austerityreferstotransformingthefirstofthesetwo,the
slothfulandpassionatenatures,intothepure,calm,harmoniousnature.Thiscanbebroughtaboutby
controllingslothwiththehelpofthepassionatenatureandthenbycontrollingpassionwiththehelpof
thepurecalmnature.Inthiswayyoucanenjoytheharmonyofallthreenatures,beingjoinedtogether
asone.Ultimately,whenallyouractions,wordsanddeedshavebecometotallyunified,youwillhave
overcomeallworldlyattributesandyouwillbefreeevenfromthelimitationsofthepurecalmnature.
Forexample,supposeyouhavesteppedonathorn.Ifyouwanttoremovethethornfromyourfootthere
isnoneedtolookforaspecialinstrument.Anotherthornissufficienttoremovethefirstone.Thenyou
canthrowboththornsaway.Inthesameway,thetwolowernatureswhichhavebeengivingyouso
muchtrouble,canberemovedwiththehelpofthethornofthecalmpurenature.Untilyouhaveremoved
thesetwolowerqualities,youneedthecalmquality.Thecalmqualitymaybedescribedasagolden
chain,thepassionatequalityasacopperchainandtheslothfulqualityasanironone.Allthreechains
bindyouinthesameway.Thevalueofthemetalofthechainmaybedifferent,buttheyallbind
nevertheless.
FreeYourselffromallBondage
Ifanindividualisboundbyagoldenchain,willhebehappyinthatsituation?No!Bondageremains
bondage,beitfromachainmadeofgoldoronemadeofcopperoriron.So,evenapure,calmnature
causesbondage,andintheendyouhavetogetridofthisalso.Youmustfreeyourselffromallbondage.
Butuntilyoureachdivinityyouneedthepure,calm,harmoniousquality.OnceyoumergeintheLord,
therearenomoredistinguishingqualitiesofanykind.Inthatstatethequestionofthethreequalities
doesnotariseatall.WhenyouhaveofferedupeverythingandbecomeonewiththeLordyouriseabove
theseattributesandbecometotallyfreeofallchains.
TheGitahastaughtthatinordertocontrolthemind,constantpracticeandrenunciation,areessential.
Practicedoesnotrefertojusttheobservanceofdailyreligiousrituals.Practicemeansusingthebody,
usingthetongueandusingthemindinsuchawaythatyoudonotdevelopattachment.Practicemeans
orientingyourwholelifetowardstheonegoalofreachingthedivinity.Everywordyouutter,every
thoughtyouthinkandeverydeedyouperformshouldbepureandassociatedwithtruth.Thisisthe
essenceofallausterities.Truthandpurityaretherealinstrumentsforsuccessonthespiritualpath.My
wishisthatyoudevelopthesenoblequalitiesandtherebysanctifyyourlife.
XIII.TimewastedisLifewasted
TheLorddeclaredintheGita,"Whoeverremembersmeisverydeartome."Therefore,
remembertheLordalways.Offerhimyourmindandyourwill.Surrendereverythingto
himandyouwillquicklyreachhim."
EmbodimentsofLove,
IntheGitatheLordtaughtthatjoyandsorrow,coldandheat,profitandloss,criticismandpraise,must
allbefacedwithanequalmind.Thisequanimityofmindisoneofthemostimportantattributesofatrue
devotee.Therearemanyotherattributesofatruedevotee,buttheseareallcontainedintwoprincipal
qualities:disciplineandrenunciation.Disciplinereferstothethreetypesofpenance:bodilypenance,
mentalpenanceandvocalpenance.Renunciationreferstounderstandingthedefectsinobjects,and
livingalifewhichdoesnotgetattachedtothesethingsinotherwords,livingasawitness.Ifyoucan
incorporatethesetwoimportantqualities,disciplineandrenunciationinyourdailylife,thentherewill
benoneedforanyotherspiritualpractice.
StartyourSpiritualPracticewhenyouareYoung
Ifyouwanttodevelopthesetwoqualitiesyouhavetostartinyourchildhoodandusethisearlyperiodof
yourlifeinasacredandennoblingway.Intheworldtodaymanypeopleundertakespiritualpracticeonly
whentheyreacholdage.Aftertheyhavethoroughlyenjoyedtheobjectsofluxuryandhavebecome
disgustedandexhaustedbyworldlypleasures,theyconsiderembarkingonthespiritualpath.Having
spenttheirlivesconcentratingonsenseobjects,onfamilylife,onchildren,onwealth,onproperties,on
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

63/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

nameandfame,theybecomedisillusionedinoldage.Theyrealizethatthereisnothingtrueinthese
thingsandthatpeaceofmindandlastingjoycannotcomefromthephenomenalworldandfromworldly
pursuits.Aftertheycomeintotheeveningoftheirlivesandarehauntedbytheemptinessoftheir
experiences,theybegintodospiritualexercises.
Butinoldage,whenyouaresufferingfromallsortsofphysicalandmentalweaknesses,itwillbevery
difficulttopracticeandlivearigorousspirituallife.Eventhenyoushouldnotbediscouraged,thinking
thatthereisnopossibilityforspiritualadvancementinoldpeople.Opportunitiesforspiritual
experiencesarecertainlyavailabletothem.InsteadofnotthinkingoftheLordatall,itisfarbetterto
thinkofhim,atleastinoldage.WhenitcomestothinkingoftheLord,therearenorestrictions
whatsoeverwithrespecttotime,placeorage.ThatiswhythedivineteacherhasdeclaredintheGita,"At
alltimes,inallplaces,thinkofme."Buthehasalsodeclaredthatthebestopportunityforpracticing
thesespiritualexercisesinadeterminedwayisinyouryouth.Whenyourphysicalstrength,thestrength
ofyoursenseorgans,andyourmentalstrengtharethereinabundance,thatisthebesttimetoundertake
spiritualexercises.
Theprocessissomethinglikereservingaplaneticketbeforeembarkingonajourney.Whenyouarriveat
theairport,afterfirsthavingreservedyourplace,youarelikelytoproceedsmoothlywithyourjourney.
Ontheotherhand,ifyougototheairportonlyatthelastminute,withouthavingareservation,youmay
notgetontheplane.Italldependsonchance.Youmayenduphavingtogobyaslowerwayoryoumay
havetodelayyourjourney.Itisthesamewaywithpeoplewhostartthinkingaboutspiritualmattersin
theiroldage.Theymayormaynotbeabletoadvancespirituallyinasignificantwayatthatpointin
theirlives.Butifthesameindividualshadinearnestundertakenspiritualexercisesfromanearlyage,
theywouldbesuretoachievespiritualsuccessintheiroldage.
DonotwasteyourYouth
Ifyouwasteyourtimeenjoyingthepleasuresoflifeduringyouryouth,wastingthepowerofyourbody
andyoursenseorgans,thenifyouwanttoreachyourgoalofmergingwiththeLordinyouroldage,you
maynotgetthatchance.Thereisnomeaningwhatsoeverinservingdeliciousfoodtothedemons,and
then,whentheyhaveconsumedeverythingworthwhile,offeringtheleftoverstoGod.Doyouthinkthat
willpleaseGod?No!Afterallyourpowersandcapacitieshavebeendissipatedbythedemonsofanger,
greed,lustandpride,youtrytoofferGodwhatlittleisleft.Butthatofferingwillnotbeacceptedbyhim.
Inthiscontext,theGitahasemphasizedthatyouryouthisaverypreciousperiodwhichhastobeused
withgreatcaretoadvanceyourselfspiritually.
Whenyouhavehadsomethingforalongtimeandtakenitforgranted,youmaynotappreciateitsreal
value.Itisonlyafterlosingitthatyoutrulyappreciateit.Aslongasyouhaveyoureyes,youdonotknow
thevalueandthepreciousnessofyoureyes.Youonlyrealizetheimportanceofvisionwhenyouloseyour
eyesight.Inthesameway,whenyouhavegoodhealthandallyourfacultiesareintheirfullglory,youdo
notunderstandtheirtruevalue.Afterhavinglostyourhealth,andwhenyourfacultieshavebecome
impaired,thenyourepentandlamentthatallyourcapacitiesandpowersaregone.Butlamentingatthat
pointisuseless.Duringyouthyouhaveallowedthebadhabitsandbadtraitstobecomeyourgreat
friendsandgetdeeplyrootedwithinyou.Yousquanderedandmisusedthecapacitiesthathavebeen
giventoyou,blindlyfollowingyoursensualdesires.Later,thesebadhabitsandbadtraitsbecomeyour
principalenemiesinoldage.
Mostyoungpeopledonotusetheirpowersofdiscriminationproperly.Theydonottrytosortoutwhois
theirtruefriendandwhoistheirfoe.Ifyoufollowonlyyoursensesandlowerinstincts,andhavenot
developedyourintelligencetounderstandthemeaningoflife,thenisthereanyreasonforcallingyoua
humanbeing?Shouldyounotbecalledamereanimal?Onceyouunderstandthesignificanceofhuman
lifeandfillyourselfwiththenoblequalitiesofahumanbeing,yoursenseswillnolongerbeableto
confuseyou.
UseyourBodyfortheSakeofGod
ThesedaysyouareusingGodforthesakeofthebody.YouarenotusingyourbodytoworshipGod.You
praytoGodforgoodhealthwheneveryouaresick,butyouarenotusingallyourphysicalstrengthand
faculties,whenyouhavethem,toworshipGod.Youimaginethattherewillbeplentyoftimelateronto
engageinworship,andsoyougoonwastingyourtime.Youthinkthatafterretirementyoucanbeginto
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

64/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

takeupthecontemplationofGodanddospiritualexercises.Perhapsyoufeelthatitisbetterinthe
meantimetoenjoylifeandtoenjoytheobjectsoftheworldwhileyouarestillyoung.Buthowcanyou
startthinkingofGodwhenyoubecomeold,afterhavinglostallyourcapacities.
IfyouarenotusingallyourphysicalpowersandcapacitiesfortheworshipoftheLordnow,thenlaterit
willbetoolate.Whenchildrenmakefunofyouandcallyou'oldmonkey!',willyouthenhavethe
strengthtostartanintensivespirituallife?Whenyourhairisgray,whenyouarehardlyabletomove,
whenyouarebarelyabletosee,whenallthesenseorganshavebecomeweak,willyouthenbeableto
usethemfortheworshipoftheLord?No,itwillnotbepossible.Thescriptureshaveveryforcefully
describedthefutilityofstartingyourspiritualpracticesonlyduringyourlastdays.Itisstatedthatwhen
thegodofdeathfindsyouandshouts,"Come!Come!",whenyourownrelationsareanxioustogetthe
corpseoutofthehouse,whentheyareallshouting,"Takeitaway!Takeitaway!",andwhenyourwife
andchildrenaretheresobbing,canyouthinkoftheLordatthattime?Canyoutellyourrelativestostop
crying,canyoutelldeathtowaitalittlebitbecauseyouwanttothinkoftheLordforafewmoments?
Youshouldaccumulateinyouthallthethingswhicharenecessarytolayastrongfoundationforahappy
future.DoyoureallythinkthatitispossibletothinkoftheLordonlyafteryouretire?No,itisnot
possible.Youshouldbefullyengagedinregularspiritualpracticebeforeretirement.Butinstead,you
immerseyourselfinbusiness,andcontinuewiththatevenafterretirement,orwasteyourtimegoingto
clubs,andinmanyotherwaysdissipateyourpreciouslife.
YoucannotstartSpiritualLifewhenDeathisattheDoor
Ahousewifeonceaskedherhusband,"Atleastnowinyouroldageshouldn'tyoubethinkingofGod?
Younevertookthetimetodoitbefore,duringyourbusyperiod.Please,doitnow!"Thebusinessman
replied,"Ihavenotimeeventodie,nolesstothinkofGod."Butdoyouthinkthatdeathwillnotcometo
someonewhosaysthathehasnotimetodie?Willdeathcomeonlyaccordingtohiswishes?No,time
waitsfornoone.Therefore,whileyoustillhavetimeyouhavetomakeuseofitinaproperway.
Theenemycalleddeath,alongwithhissoldierscalleddisease,willbewaitingtowagewaragainstyour
body.Mendiemostpitifullyandhelplesslyduringsuchperiodsoftimewhentheyareattackedbydisease
anddeath.ButnoarmycanattackthosewhohavewonthegraceoftheLord.Therefore,duringyouth
itselfyouhavetoearnthegraceofGodandequipyourselftomeetallthechallengesofyourenemies
whentheycometolaysiegeonyou.Aboveall,youmustbefirmlyconvincedinyourownheartthatthis
journeyoflifeisgoingtobealongone.Anyotherjourney,whetheritbebybus,trainorplanelastsfor
onlyashorttimeyouneednotmaketoomanypreparationsforthese.Butforthisjourneyoflifeyou
mustequipyourselfforallthecontingenciesofalongjourneyotherwiseyouwillbesufferinggreatly
lateronwhenyouarefacedwithrealproblemsandrealtroubles.
Inthecompartmentoffreighttrainsusedtotransportchemicallyactivesubstances,astampisplacedat
thetimeofmanufacturegivingaparticulardateinthefuture.Itisthedaywhenthatcontainerhasused
upitsnormalservicelifeandmustbereturnedtothedepotforrecycling.Itisthesameforthecontainer
thatisyourbody.HerealsoareturndatehasbeenwrittenonitbyGodhimself.
Youdonotrememberthatyouhavetogoback.Peopletotallyforgetthisallimportanttruth.Ifyoureally
wanttoenjoyallthepleasuresoflifeatalaterstage,thenduringyouthyouhavetoearnthegraceof
God.Inthecourseofhumanlifetheearlyperiodsofchildhoodandyouthareveryimportant.Not
realizingthegreatvalueofthisperiodofyourlife,youwasteyourtimeduringyouth.Youuseagolden
cup,adornedwithpreciousgemsandjewels,foralow,mean,contemptiblepurpose.Tofeedthefireof
yoursensesyouareusingcostlysandalwoodasfuel.Thevesselisveryprecious,thefuelisalsoprecious,
butthefoodyouarechoosingtocookwiththeirhelp,isinsipidandworthless.Suchapreciousbodyand
suchsacredfuelisbeingsquanderedawayforthesakeofenjoyinguselesstrivialthingsinlife.Things
withoutvalueareputinthispreciousvesselandusedforsordidenjoyment.Youareusingagolden
ploughtoploughthefieldofyourheart,butyouproducenothingbutuselessweeds.
TrueHumanLifeinvolvesDiscriminationandRenunciation
Thefieldofyourheartismostpreciousandsacred.Thedivineteacherhasdeclaredthateventhatfield
belongstohim.TheLordhasdeclaredthatheisboththefieldanditsknower.Heisthetrueownerof
yourheartandofyourbody.Hehasidentifiedhimselfwiththem.Whatareyoudoingwiththissacred
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

65/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

heartandbody?Youareusingagoldenploughtoraiseuselesscropsofsensualpleasures.Anyperson
whoisawareofthepreciousnessoftheheartandthepreciousnessofthefeelingsthataretherewillnot
misusethesethings.Lifemustbeusedforgood,forthewelfareofothers,forreachingthesacredgoal
andfortreadingthesacredpath,andforbringingaboutashiningeffulgenceintheheartandmind.You
havetousethislifeformergingyourselfinthedivinity.Onlythenwillyouhavetheauthoritytosaythat
yourlifehasbecomesanctifiedandgenuine.
Itissaidthatitisverydifficultandalmostimpossibletogetahumanlife.Whatissospecialabout
humanlife?Whyisitsodifficulttoget?Allthepleasureswhichanimalsandbirdsenjoy,youcanalso
enjoy.Inthatcase,whatisthemeaningindeclaringthathumanlifeissoveryprecious,soveryspecial?
Itisbecauseyouhavetheabilitytodiscriminatebetweenrightandwrong.Itisbecauseyouhavethe
abilitytogiveupattachmentsandhatred.Therefore,youhavetousetheintelligencegiventoyoutomake
adistinctionbetweentheanimalwayoflifeandthehumanwayoflife.Bynotdiscriminatingbetween
thetrueselfandthelowerself,bynotdevelopingyourhigherintelligence,youbecomethevictimof
agitationandsorrow.Youcannotfindinnerpeacebecauseyoudonotfollowtherightpath.
Withafirmdetermination,youngpeopleneedtoundertakethethreetypesofpenance,physical,mental
andvocal,andtherebysetanexamplefortheworld.Youhavetousetheactiveprinciplewithinyouto
subduetheslothfulprinciple,andthen,youhavetousethesereneprincipletosubduetheactive
principle.Itisimpossibletobesereneaslongasyourheartisfilledwiththeslothfulandactivenatures.
Whentheheadisemptyyoucanhopetofillitwithsomegoodideas,butifyourheadisalreadyfullofall
sortsofuselessthoughts,howisitbepossibletofillitupwithanythingsacredandgreat?Youhave
filledyourheadwithallsortsofunnecessaryworldlystuff.Youwillhavetofirstemptyallthatout.Only
thenwillyoubeabletofillyourheadwithsacredfeelingsandsacredthoughts.
KeepyourConcentrationunwaveringlyonGod
Manyofyouarefollowingameaninglesspathandlivingameaninglesslife.Youcrywhenyouareborn
andyoucrywhenyoudie.Inbetween,throughyourwholespanoflife,yougooncryingforuseless
things.Doyoucrywhenyouseethedeclineofrighteousness?Thatiswhatyoushouldcryfor,thatis
whatyoushoulduseyourstrengthandabilitiesfor,tocorrectthedeclineofrighteousnessandtohelp
healthewoundsthatfollowitsdecline.Whatisrightliving?Itistheconstantremembranceand
uninterruptedcontemplationoftheLord.ItisdischargingyourdailydutiesthinkingoftheLord.The
Gitahasnottaughtthatyoushouldgiveupyourfamily,thatyoushouldgiveupyourwealthand
property,andthengototheforest.No!Takecareofyourfamily.Doyourduty.Butkeepyour
concentrationconstantlyontheLord.Whateveryoudo,donotforgetyourgoal.Ifyougiveitup,youwill
getlostandstrayontothewrongpath.Yourdivinegoalmustbesolidlysetinyourmind.Keepingyour
goalinview,performyourdailyduties.
Donotallowanyflawordefecttotaintyourwords.Alwaysadheretotruth.Somepeoplethinkthatin
timesofdifficultytheycanmodifythetruth.Theymayevenfeelthatitisnecessarytotelluntruth
sometimes.Butindifficultsituationsyoucandevelopsufficientpresenceofmindtokeepsilent,instead
oftellingeitherthetruthoranuntruth.Ifyoutellthetruth,tellitdearlyandsweetly.Donottellthetruth
inanunpleasantway,ortellanuntruthinapleasantway.Whenevertherecomesadifficulttestingtime,
youshouldlearnhowtoavoidcompromisingsituationswithoutevertellinganuntruth.Incertain
circumstancesyouwillhavetoconductyourselfinanextremelycarefulway.Youshouldknowhowto
usewordswithouthurtingpeople.Ithasbeensaidthat,"Heisthefortunateonewhoknowshowtotalk
withouteverhurtinganyone."Youshouldneitherhurtothersnorbehurtbyothers.Hereisasmallstory.
BeSteadyinyourPractice
Ahousewifeattendedaseriesofmeetingsatwhichaspiritualteacherwasexpoundingthescriptures.
Shewasconcentratingandlisteningwithgreatattentiontoeverythingthatwasbeingsaid.Oneday,the
speakerrecountedthestoryofRamaandSita,andinthatconnectiondeclaredthatforawife,the
husbandwastheonlygoalinlife.Hesaid,"Itistheresponsibilityofthewifetosatisfyherhusbandand
makehimhappy.AlwaystreatthehusbandasGod."Thehousewifeafterhearingallthiswentback
home.Shewassoimpressedbythisdiscoursethatsheresolvedtoputintopracticeimmediatelyallthat
shehadlearned.Assoonasthehusbandreturnedhomeforhismiddaymeal,shetookacontainerof
waterandpoureditoverhisfeet,thinkingthatshewasworshipfullyservingherhusbandthereby.The
husbandwasconfusedandflabbergasted.Heenteredthehouseandsatdowntodryhisfeet,butbefore
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

66/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

hecoulddososheinsistedondoingitforhim.
Afterseeingallthis,thehusbandwentintohisofficeandrangupthedoctor.Herhusbanddidnotknow
thathiswifehadbeenattendingthediscourses.Thedoctorcameanddecidedtogivehersomesleeping
pills.Hesaidthatitlookedlikeanattackofhysteria,butafterarestofoneortwodayssheprobably
wouldbeallright.Thehusbandatehismealandtoldhiswifetogoandhavesomerestthenhewentto
hisoffice.Hiswifewentrightbackagaintothemeetingtohearthenextlecture.Thatafternoonthe
speakerwasexplainingthedelusoryrelationshipwhichexistsbetweenhusbandandwife.Hesaid,
"Whoishusband?Whoiswife?Nothingispermanent.Allthesethingsarejusttemporaryand
transient.Intruthnothingexists."Thenheadded,"Godaloneistrue.Heistheonlyrealtruth."The
housewifewentbackhomeandsatinhershrineroom.
Thateveningthehusbandcamebackfromhisofficehalfanhourearly,thinkingthathiswifemaynot
bewellandperhapshecouldhelpherinsomeway.Heknockedonthehousedoorandaskedherto
kindlyopenit.Fromtheshrineroomsheanswered,"Thereisnomother,thereisnofather,thereisno
house,thereisnothing,notevenahusband."Hewasquitealarmedbythisbehavior,butsomehowhe
gothertoopenthedoor.Whenhecameintothehousehewentstraighttothetelephoneandcalledthe
psychiatrist.Thepsychiatristcameandexaminedherindetail.Hegavehisdiagnosis.Hesaidthatafter
allthislisteningtothesediscoursesshehaddevelopedsomepeculiarattitudesbutifshecouldbekeptat
homeshewouldsoongetoverthem.Allarrangementsweremadetokeepherfromgoingtothelectures.
Everyonewasinformed.Thedriveraswellaseveryservantofthehousewastoldnottolethergothere.
Aftertheserestrictionshadbeenputonherbydoctor'sorders,shedidnotgotothelecturefortwodays
andshestartedbehavinginanormalwayagain.Sothedetachmentshehaddevelopedwasonly
temporaryandsuperficial.Itdidnotlast.Nowthehusbandwashappy.Thenormaldailyroutine
resumed.Afteraweekthisladywentagaintotheplacewherethelectureswerebeinggiven.Onthat
particulardaythespeakerwasexpoundingtheteachingsoftheGita.Heexplainedthatwheneverone
useswordsoneshouldtellthetruthandoneshouldnottellitinacompromisingway.Sheheardthis
andreturnedhome.Herhusbandtoldherthattherewasamarriagereceptionthatday,andaskedherto
joinhim.Shegotreadyandwenttherewithherhusband.
Themarriageceremonystarted.Therewasatraditioninthosepartswhichcallsfortheauspicious
necklacethatiswornbythebridetobetakentoeveryelder,whothentouchesitandblessesit.The
fatherofthebridecametothislady,recognizedherandaskedher,"Howisyourmother?Iseverything
allright?"Thesequestionswereamatterofcourtesy,exchangingafewwordswithherwhileheheldout
thesacrednecklace,askinghertotouchitandblessit.Sheanswered,"Mymotherisdoingfine.Sheis
quiteallright,butyouknow,aweekagomymotherinlawdiedquitesuddenlyandherbodywastaken
tothecremationgroundthefollowingday."
Theneighborwhowassittingnexttohertoldher,"Whydidyouhavetosaysuchaninauspiciousthing
whiletouchingandblessingthisnecklace,whichismeanttoimpartalongandhappylifetothenew
brideandherfuturefamily?"Thehousewifereplied,"ShouldItellaliejustforthesakeofthisnecklace?
No,Iwillnevertellalie.Itisafactthatmymotherinlawdiedlastweekandthatthebodywas
crematedthenextday."Oneintelligentyoungladysittingnearbytoldher,"Mother,certainlyyoushould
speakthetruth,butyoushouldalsobeawareofthecircumstancesandthinkthroughwhatis
appropriatebeforeyousayanything."
TelltheTruthbutuseDiscretioninyourWords
Wheneveryouhearaspiritualteachingonaparticularday,youwillgoaboutimplementingitwitha
greatdealoffervorandconvictionbutonlyonthatveryday.Butthisisnotthecorrectwaytopursue
yourspiritualstudies.Youshoulduseyourintellecttounderstandthecontextinwhichyoufindyourself
beforeyouusewordsinagivensituation.Wheneveryoudoaparticularthingorsaysomething,you
shouldknowthattruthistheroyalmeansforreachingyourultimategoal.Thetongueshouldnotbe
taintedbyuntruth.Thebodyshouldnotbetaintedbyviolence.Themindshouldnotbestainedbybad
thoughtsandbadfeelings.Itisonlywhenyousanctifyallthesethree,thetongue,thebodyandthemind
andbringthemintoharmony,thatyouwillbeabletogetthesacredvisionoftheLord.
Studentsshouldbeextremelycarefulintellingthetruth.Theyshouldcertainlytellthetruth,butbe
carefulnottogoontalkingandhurtingothersunnecessarily.Havecontroloveryourtongue.Whenever
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

67/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

thereisamisunderstandingwithsomeone,ifyoutellhimallhisdefects,withthejustificationthat
everythingyouaretellingistrue,thenthereareboundtobecomplicationslater.Youshouldneverhate
others.Whenyouhaveloveinyourheart,yourwordswillnaturallybeverysweet.Evenifanger
develops,itwillbeofafleetingnature.
Therearefourtypesofpeople.Theangerofapersonwhoisofaserenenaturewillbeveryshortlivedit
recedesimmediately.TheGitahasdeclaredsuchaoneasagreatsoul.Thesecondtypewillhavethis
angerforanumberofminutes,butitwillsoonfadeaway.Thethirdcategoryofpersonwillhavethis
angercontinuously,alldaylong.Theoneinthelowestcategorywillhavethisangerthroughouthislife.
TheFourTypesofAnger
Thedivineteacherhastoldthisinanotherwayalso,"Theangerofagoodpersonislikewritingon
wateritisnotatallpermanent.Theangerofthesecondcategoryofpersonislikewritingonsand,it
willbewashedaway,onemomentoranother.Thethirdtypeofperson'sangerissomethinglikewriting
onstone.Overalongperiodoftimeittoowillbeerodedaway.Buttheangerofthefourthtypeofperson
islikewritingonasteelplate,itwillnevergoawayunlessyoumeltitandcastitanew.Onlywhenyou
putitintothefirewillitgetdestroyed.Onlythroughintensetransformationisthereanypossibilityof
changingit."
ThingswhicharehighlyrelevantindaytodaylifecanbefoundintheGita.Itisverydifficultforyouto
takealltheteachingsthatareintheGitaandpracticeallofthem.Butyoushould,atleast,takethose
teachingswhicharedirectlyapplicabletoyourpresentlifeandputthemintopractice.Thatwayyoureap
immediatebenefitsandwillrapidlyprogresstowardsyourultimatespiritualgoal.
XIV.RememberGodForgettheWorld
Ofallthepreciousthingsintheworld,timeisthemostprecious.Thinkcarefullyhowyou
arespendingyourprecioustime.Yourprimarydutyasahumanbeingistoofferyourbody,
yourworkandyourtimetotheLord,whoistheveryembodimentoftime.
EmbodimentsofLove,
Healthwhichisspoiledandlostcansometimesberecoveredwiththehelpofmedicines.Buttimewhich
hasgonebyislostforgoodthereisnowayforitevertocomebackandbeusedagain.Youhavetomake
everyefforttousethisprecioustimeinasacredmanner.Timeisinfiniteitgoesonforever.Butthetime
whichisallottedtoyouisonlyamicroscopicallysmallfractionofthat.Manyofyouarewastingyour
livesbythinkingthatthephenomenalworldisreal.Asaresult,youareusingallyourlimitedtimefor
enjoyingthepleasuresoftheworld.Ifyoureflectevenforamomentonwhatyouhaveachievedandhow
youhavespentyourpricelesstime,youwillbeverysorrytofindthatyouhaveuseditinsuchawasteful
manner.
FindoutWhoyoutrulyare
Youcrywhenyouareborn,becauseyouhavecomeintothisworldwithoutknowingwhoyouareand
whyyouarehere.Yourcryisananguishedpleatofindout,"WhoamI?"Ifyouwasteyourentirelifeon
onlyyourphysicalexistence,whenwillyoueverbeabletounderstandwhoyoutrulyare?Thereisa
deepersignificancecontainedinyourlifethanmerelycaringforthebody.Youhavetostartyourlifewith
"WhoamI?",andyouhavetoendyourlifewith"Iamthat!IamGod!"Youhavetorecognizethatyou
yourselfarethedivinity,andendyourlifeinthesupremepeacewhichisyourtruereality.Unfortunately,
mostofyouconcentrateyourattentiononlyontheworldlyenjoymentsyoucanobtain,aspiringfor
immediatepleasures,anddonotthinkatallaboutthefutureconsequencesthatwillfollowfromyour
actions.
Whenafrogseessomefliesorwormsinfrontofit,itbecomessohappyandenthusiasticthatitwould
liketoimmediatelyjumponthem,swallowthemwholeandenjoythem.Butbehindthefrogthereisa
snakelyinginwait,readytocatchthefrogandeatitup.Thesnakeisveryhappytohavefounditsmeal
intheformofthisfrogwhichforthemomentispreoccupiedwithitsownenjoyment.Thesnakedoesnot
knowthatahawkishoveringoverhead,readytosnatchthesnakeupinitsclaws.Thehawkissojoyous
attheideaofgrabbingandconsumingthisunsuspectingsnakethatitdoesnotpayanyattentiontothe
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

68/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

hunterlurkinginthebush,readytoshootit.
Inthesameway,youarealsothinkingonlyoffulfillingyourdesiresandanticipatingthecomfortsthat
youseebeforeyou,notthinkingatallofwhatisstalkingbehindyou,waitingtopounceonyou.Youare
wastingyourtimewithoutrealizingtheharmthatmaybefallyouinthefuture.Youcannotknowatwhat
time,inwhatplaceandinwhatcircumstancesdangermaypresentitselfandcomeyourway.Therefore,
youhavetosanctifythetimeatyourdisposalnow,anduseitproperly,recognizingitssacrednessand
preciousness.
YouthisthemostpreciousperiodofLife
Youmaybepreparedtooffermillionsofdollarstobuywhatevercomesyourway,butnoamountof
moneycanbepaidtoevergetbackthetimethathasalreadybeenspent.Youthisthemostprecious,the
mostsacredperiodofhumanlife.Itoffersyouagoldenopportunitytoproperlyutilizeyourtimeand
sanctifyyourlife.Inhumanlife,thetimeofyouth,likethewatersthatflowintheriver,cannotbeturned
backagain.Today'syouthshouldrecognizethisfact.Utilizeyourtimeinaproperwayandyouwillgain
fulfillmentinlife.Alwaysbeawareofthemanyaspectsofthewheeloftime.Realizehowextremely
importanttimeis.Thinkaheadastowhatislikelytohappeninthefutureandkeepthegoalofyourlife
constantlyinview.
InthechapterondevotionintheGita,itissaidthattimeisthemostimportantelementinyourlifeand
youmustuseyourtimewisely.YourtimeshouldbeusedtoreachGod.Thedivineteachertaughtinthe
Gita,thatevenifyouhavenotreachedahighlydevelopeddetachmentfromworldlyobjects,ifyouuse
yourtimeinconstantawarenessoftheLord,performingallyourworksanddutiesasworshipand
offeringeverythingyoudototheLord,thenyouwillhaveablessedlife.
KrishnatoldArjuna,"Doyourduty,Arjuna!Ifyouhavetofight,thenfight.Butfight,thinkingofme.
Thatwayyouwillincurnosin.Ifyouhaveofferedeverythingtome,andhavemesteadilyinyourheart,
youwillnotsufferanyoftheconsequencesofyouractions.Youarenotbeingaskedtogototheforest
anddopenanceortogiveupallyourrelations.Youneednotgiveupyourfamily,yourhouseandallyour
properties.Whateveryousee,whateveryousay,whateveryouhear,whateveryouthink,whateveryoudo,
doitasmywork,andofferittome.Offeryourmindandyourintelligencefullytome.Thatistheproper
waytosanctifyyourtime.Ifyouconductyourlifeinthisway,youhavemyassurance,youwillbesaved!"
DevelopSelfConfidenceandafirmResolve
Unfortunatelytoday,onedoesnotfindthiscapacityforrenunciation,thisfirmnessofpurpose,thisdeep
leveloffaithandcommitment,thiswillingnesstocompletelyofferupmindandintellecttoGod.Most
peopletodaydonothaveavisionthatissteepedinfaith.Butyoushoulddevelopsuchastrongfaith.You
cannothopetoknowwhatkindoflifeyouwillbelivinginthefuture,orunderwhatcircumstancesand
inwhatplaceyouwillfindyourself.NooneknowsthesethingsbuttheLord.Ifyouoffereverythingto
him,hewillprotectyouinallsituations.Suchadeeplevelofrenunciationrequiresstrongself
confidenceandaclearnessofvision.Whateverworkyoudo,youmusthaveagreatdeterminationanda
firmresolve.Withoutthisyoucannotachieveeventhesmallestthing.
Asmallbirdlaiditseggsontheshoreoftheocean.Itwantedtohaveacomfortablelife.Anumberof
timesthewavescameandwashedtheeggsawayintotheocean.Thebirdbecamediscouragedandalsoa
littledesperate,foreverytimeitlaiditseggstheoceanwashedthemaway.Intimeitbecameveryangry
withtheocean.Now,youmightthink,'whatcansuchasmallbirddotothehugeocean?'Butit
entertainednosuchdoubtsitdidnotthinkofitselfasjustalittlebirdunabletodoanythingagainstthe
vastocean.No,onthecontrary,thissmallbirdtookafirmresolveanddecideditwasgoingtoemptyall
thewatersofthemightyocean.Thatwasitsvowtowhichitstuckwithgreatdetermination.Nightand
dayitstoodattheedgeoftheocean,dippeditsheadintothesea,tookalittlewaterintoitsbeak,flewto
theothersideofanearbyhill,releasedthewaterfromitsbeak,andthus,dropbydrop,resolvedtoempty
outthewholeocean.Itbelievedthatultimatelyitwouldmanage,inthisway,toconquertheoceanitself.
Whenitrealizedthatitwouldnotgetveryfaronitsown,itsoughtthehelpofGaruda,theeagle,which
isLordVishnu'svehicleandwhichisendowedwithdivinepowers.WiththehelpofGarudaitwasable
toearnthegraceofLordVishnu.Nowtheoceanbecameveryfrightenedandhumblyapologizedtothe
littlebird.Theoceanassuredthelittlebirdthatitseggswouldneveragainbedestroyedbyitswavesand
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

69/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

thatitwouldbemostwelcometonestonitsshores,withoutdisturbance.Howsmallwasthislittlebird
andhowvastwastheocean!Youalsothinkofyourselfassosmall,butyoushouldnevergetdesperate
andlosehope.YoushouldnotgetdispiritedthinkingthatyouaresoinsignificantwhereasGodis
infiniteandallpowerful.
Youmightwonder,'WhywouldGodbothertopayanyattentiontome?WhatcouldIpossiblyofferhim
whichhewouldbehappytoaccept,whentheentirecosmosisalreadyhis?Ifevenangelsanddivine
beingscannotseehim,howcanIeverhopetobeholdhisform?'Butsuchselfdemeaningandbelittling
thoughtswillnotgetyouveryfar.Aslongasyouthinkthisway,youwillnotbeabletogainthegraceof
theLordandbefittoservehim.Givenoroomforsuchdisplaysofweakness.Youhavetoestablishthe
Lordinyourheartandsaytohim,"BelovedLord!Iknowyouareresidinginalltheuniverse,butyouare
alsohereinmyheart.WithallmypowerIwillkeepyouhere,firmlyestablishedwithinme.Youare,itis
true,thebiggestofthebig.Butyouarealsothesmallestofthesmall.Inthatsmallform,Youareever
residinginmyheart."Ifyouhavesuchafirmfaithinyourself,andafirmresolvetoestablishtheLord
unalterablyinyourheart,thenyouwillsurelyattainhimandthereby,gainallthestrengthoftheLord.
BirthisSorrowful,LifeisSorrowfulandDeathisSorrowful
GautamaBuddha,withafirmresolveandalotofpenance,wasabletoachievethestateof
enlightenment.Oneday,aftercomingtoknowthatBuddhawasbeggingforalms,hisfathersentthis
messagetoBuddha,"Omychild,yourgrandfatherwasaking,yourfatherisakingandyouarealsoa
king.Ihaveheardthatyou,aking,comingfromsuchanoblelineage,havebeenbeggingforyourfood.
Thereisnodearthofpropertyorwealthinthiskingdom.Thereisnoshortageofanyluxury.Youcan
haveanythingyouwish.Iamsufferinguntoldpainknowingthatyou,whocanenjoyalltheluxuries
andcomfortsofaking'spalace,havetakentobegging,andthatyouarelyingdownonthehardground
livinganuncomfortablebeggar'slife.Pleasecomebacktothepalace.Iwillwelcomeyouandmakeall
theproperarrangementsforyourreturn.Thekingdomitselfwillbeyours."
Buddhawhoheardallthesethingswithtotaldetachmentrepliedtothepersonwhobroughtthe
message,"Pleasetelltheking,'Yes,mygrandfatherwasaking.Myfatherisaking,andItoowasa
king.ButnowIhaverenouncedthisworld.AndIbelievethatmyrealparentsarerenunciatesandthat
mytrueancestorsarealsorenunciates.Ifyouwantmetocomeback,youmustfirstanswerthese
questions:Doyouhavethepowertosavemefromdeath?Canyoukeepdiseasesawayfrommeand
guaranteetokeepmeinsoundhealth?Doyouhavethecapacitytopreventoldageandsenilityfrom
descendingonme?Doyouhavethepowertofreemefromalltheseevils?Ifyoucangivemethecorrect
answerstothesequestions,thenIwillimmediatelycomebacktothepalace.'"
Buddhasawthatbirthwassorrowful,thatlifewassorrowfulandthattheendwasalsosorrowful.He
repliedtohisfatherinthecorrectway.Afterhavingseenallthesorrowsoflifeandafterhavingwatched
somanypeoplesuffering,hecouldnotcontinuetowallowinignoranceandillusionthatwouldhave
beensheerfolly.Buddha'slifecanserveasanimportantlessontoyou.Inthelimitedtimegiventoyou,
youhavetorealizeyourtruenature.Thatistherealobjectiveofhumanlife.Yourbodyiscomposedofthe
fiveelements,andsomedayitisgoingtoperish.Theindwellerofyourbodyistheonlypermanententity.
Whenyouinquireintotruth,youwillrealizethatthereisnothinglikeoldageandthereisnothinglike
deathfortheindwellingself.Ifyoucouldunderstandthatthisindweller,whoisyourownreality,isthe
divinityitself,inallitsfullness,thenyouwillknowthetruthandenjoyinfinitepeace.
TheFieldandtheKnoweroftheField
Anotherwaythatthedivineteacherspokeofthebodyanditsindweller,wasintermsofthefieldandthe
knowerofthefield.Bytheknowerismeanttheonewhoisconsciousandfilledwiththehighest
knowledge,whereasthefieldiswithoutsuchconsciousnessandknowledge.Whatisthisfieldwhichis
devoidofthehighestknowledge?Itisthebodywithitsgrossandsubtleaspectsitisthedwellingplace
oftheLord.KnowthattheLord,whohasallknowledgeandwisdom,residesinthisfieldofthebody.It
ishisresidencehereonearth.
Inyourdaytodaylife,yourefertoyourbodyasmybody.Inotherwords,youacknowledgethatyouare
notthebody,butthatthisbodyisyoursitbelongstoyou.Similarly,theindwellerconsidersthatheis
notthefield,butthatthefieldbelongstohim.Whenyousay,"thisismine",thenyouaredeclaringthat
youandtheobjectaredifferent.Whenyoustate,"thisismyhandkerchief",youareassertingyour
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

70/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

separatenessfromthehandkerchiefitissomethingdifferentfromyou.Whenyousay,"thisismybody",
itmeansthatyouaredistinctfromyourbody.Inthesameway,whentheLorddeclaresthatthefieldis
his,thenheisfreetogiveitupanytimehewishes.
Thebodyisgiventoyouinorderthatyoumayrealizewhoyoutrulyare,inorderthatyoumayrecognize
itsindweller.Withoutabodyyouwouldnotbeabletoknowhimyouwouldnotbeabletoperformany
activityandfollowanyspiritualpath.Allyourwork,bothworldlyandspiritual,canonlybeperformed
withthehelpofthebody.Thebodyconsistsof20principlesthesearethefiveorgansofperception,the
fiveorgansofactivity,thefivevitalairsandthefivesheaths.Whenyouaddtothesethelowermind,the
powerofdiscrimination,theseatoffeelingsandremembranceintheheart,andtheego,togetherwith
theindwellingself,thenthetotalcomesto25principleswhichcompriseanindividual.Thisknowledge
ofthebodyandtheindwellingspiritrelatestothepathofwisdom.
TheWholeWorldisIllusion
Foolishoneswhoareborninillusionandgrowupinillusion,neverrecognizeillusionforwhatitis.
Thewholeworldisillusion,allattachmentsareillusion,familylifeisillusion,deathisillusion,allthat
youseeandthinkisillusion.Thislifeitselfisillusion.Whereareallthosekingsandemperorswhowere
soproudoftheiraccomplishments?Theyhaveallbeengroundunderthewheeloftime.Days,months,
yearsanderashaveallmergedintooneanother.Timeisonecontinuousflow,andinthisflow
everythingandeveryone,everyobjectandeveryperson,isbeingwashedaway.Athingwhichisitself
beingwashedawayintheflowoftimecannotbecomethesupportforanotherthingwhichisalsobeing
washedaway.
Whocansavewhom?Theonlypermanententitywhoisnotbeingwashedawaybytimeandwhocan
takecareofall,istheLord.Healonecanprotecteveryone.Heisthestablebankforthisunendingriver
oftime.Holdontohim.Thatisthesecretoflife.Thatisthemarkofatruehumanbeing.Believeinthe
Lordanddonotbelieveintheworld,thatistherightwaytoliveyourlifeandenjoyit.Alwaysremember
thesethreeprinciples:
Inthefirstplace,DonotforgettheLord
inthesecondplace,Donotbelieveintheworld
andinthethirdplace,Neverbeafraidofdeath.
Thesearethethreeguidingprinciplesforallofhumanity.
IntheGitayouwillfind64qualitiesgivenastheattributesofatruedevotee.Itisimpossibleforanyone
individualtohavealltheseattributes.Ifyoucanpracticeoneortwooftheseitisenough.Havefirmfaith
intheLord.Onceyouhavedevelopedadeepfaithyoudonotneedanythingmore.Inamatchboxthere
maybe50matchsticks.Ifyouwantfire,youcanstrikeonestick.Thatwillbeenough.Youneednot
strikeallthe50matchsticks.Inthesameway,outofthe64attributes,ifonlyonesingleattributeis
practicedtoperfection,thatwillbeenough.Themostimportantattributeisselflesslove.Swamihas
oftensaid,"LoveisGodandGodislove.Liveinlove."Ifyouliveinloveandbecomeimmersedinthe
divinity,theLordwilltakecareofeverythinginyourlife.KrishnasaidtoArjuna,"Whenyouhave
completefaithinme,whenyouarefilledwithdevotionandleaveeverythingtome,youwillbeverydear
tome".
ThefourTypesofDevotees
Truedevotiondoesnotmerelyrefertotheperformanceofvariousreligiousritualslikesingingdevotional
songs,repeatingincantations,engaginginsilentorcommunalprayersorsittingformeditation.
DevotionreferstothisdeepunshakablefaithintheLord.Therearefourtypesofdevotees:theseekersof
boonstorelievetheirsuffering,theseekersofblessingsforafullandhappylife,theinquirersintothe
deepermeaningoflife,andtheknowersofthehighestspiritualwisdom.
ThefirsttypeisonewhopraystotheLordwhenheisindifficultyorundergoingtrialsandtribulations.
ItisonlyatsuchtimesthathethinksoftheLordandworshipshim.
ThesecondtypeisonewhoentreatstheLordfortheblessingsofwealth,positionandpower.Heprays
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

71/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

totheLordforprogenyandlonglifeandyearnstogainhouses,property,cattle,gold,jewelsandsuch
thingstoservehisfellowman.Mostpeoplehankerafterworldlyboons,notrealizingthattruewealthis
wisdom,thatrealpropertyisanoblecharacter,thatthemostvaluablejewelistobeimmersedinGod's
love.Theyareanxioustoacquireworldlyobjects,butdonotunderstandthesubtlemeaninganddeeper
significanceofalltheseoutersymbolsofworldlywealth.
Thethirdtypeofdevoteeiseverengagedininquiryintotruth.Heconstantlyseekstoknow,'Whereis
God?WhoisGod?HowcanIreachGod?WhatismyrelationshiptoGod?WhoamI?'Whenyouenter
thisstage,youbecomeengagedinalltheseinquiriesinordertogainspiritualknowledge.Inthefirst
place,youmusttrytofindout,'WhoamI?Wheredidthisworldcomefrom?Whatismygoal?'You
puzzleoverthesethreeimportantqueriesandtrytogainsomeunderstanding.Youapproachgreat
people,listentotheirteachings,servethem,andstudythesacredscriptures.Throughthisprocess,
indirectknowledgegetsturnedintodirectknowledge,astheteachingsyouhaveheardandstudied
becomeyourdirectinnerexperience.
Finally,whenyouhavefullyabsorbedtheteachingswithinyourself,youleavethisstagebehindand
becomethefourthtypeofdevotee,thehighestknoweroftruth,theoneofabidingwisdom.Thiswisdom
istruespiritualknowledge,thetranscendentalknowledge.Itreferstotheexperienceofunity,the
experienceoftheOnewithoutasecond.
Dwellingonlyonexternalthingswillcauseyouendlesssorrow.Ifyoubaseyourexperiencesonworldly
knowledgealone,youwillhavetosufferthereactionsthatresultfromthisknowledge.Forexample,
supposeyouhitatableveryhardandfeelasenseofprideindoingthis.Youcanboastthatyouhave
givenitagoodsmackandthatyousurelymusthavehurtitwithyourblow.But,immediatelyafterwards,
toyourdismay,youdiscoverthattheobjecthashityoubackwiththesameintensityandyouendup
beingequallyhurtbyit.Inknowledgeoftheworldtherewillalwaysbethisresponse.Whateveryoudo
willreactbackonyouwhateveryousaywillresoundbacktoyouwhateveryouthinkwillreflectbackto
you.Everythingintheworldinvolvesreaction,reflectionandresound.
Butinthespiritualdomainthereisnoreaction,noreflectionandnoresound.Withinthisdomain,there
isonlytranscendentalknowledgethatisthetrueknowledge.Thereyouwillfindnothingseparate,no
objectswhichcanreact,nothingthatcanreflectorresound,becauseinthespiritualdomain,therewill
benoother.There,allisone.Wheneverthereisasecondentitytherewillbeawishtoeitherpossessit
ortoescapeitinotherwords,therewillariseafeelingofdesireorafeelingoffear.Butwhenyouare
immersedinrealknowledge,youwillexperiencenothingelseandnooneelsetherewillbenosecond.
Thenneitherdesirenorfearcanarise.Thatstatecanbestbedescribedaswisdom,thehighest
knowledge.Inthatexaltedstate,youdonotseeanythingseparatefromselfandyouwillnothear
anythingseparatefromself.Youwillonlybeimmersedinsupremebliss.Thisistheeternaljoyofthe
divine.
TheStoryofthewealthyManandhisfourWives
Thereisalittlestorywhichillustratesthefourtypesofdevotionthathavebeendiscussedhere.Once,a
wealthymanwhohadfourwiveshadtogoabroadforsomeimportantwork.Hespentafewmonthsina
foreigncountry.Beforehereturnedhome,hewrotealettertoeachofhiswives.Intheletterhe
mentionedthathewouldbecominghomeinafewweeks,andiftherewasanythingtheywantedfrom
thatparticularcountry,theycouldsendalistandhewouldbegladtobringbackthevariousthingsto
them.
Hisfirstwifewasanunhappyladyshewassufferingfrommanyailments.Shesentthehusbandalistof
medicines,explainingthatherhealthwasnotgoodandthatshewouldliketohaveanumberofforeign
medicineswhichwouldhelpherfeelbetter.Hissecondwifehadagreatmanydesires.Shewrote,'Dear
husband,pleasebringmesomefinejewels,somesilksarisandallthelatestfashionablearticlesthatare
availablethere.'Hereceivedherletterandarrangedtoprocurethoseitemsforher.
Thethirdwifehadastrongspiritualinclination.Shewrotetothehusbandaskingforanygoodbooks
thatwereavailableinthatcountry,bookswhichdealtwiththelivesofgreatsaints,depictingtheirlife
experiences.Shewasalwayslookingforgoodspiritualbooksthatwouldinspireherinherownspiritual
aspirations,andsosheaskedherhusbandtoseeifhecouldfindsuchbooksandbringthembackfor
her.Hisfourthandfavoritewifewrote,'Dearestone,Idonotneedanythingformyself.Iwillbevery
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

72/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

happywhenIknowthatyouhavecomebackhome,safeandsound.'
Whenhereturnedhomehebroughtwithhimwhatevertheyhadaskedfor.Thefirstwifegotthelatest
medicinesandtonicsfromabroad.Thesecondwifegotbeautifuljewelsandexquisitelytexturedsilk
saris.Tothethirdwifethehusbandbroughtthefinestcopiesofthescripturesandotherholybooks.And
thenhewenttostaywiththefourthwife,whohadwritten,'PleasecomehomesafelyIwantnothing
else.'Sheonlywantedhim.Theotherthreewivesbecamejealousofthefavoriteonesincethehusband
hadgonetostaywithher.Theysentmessagesasking,"Aftersuchalongtimewithoutseeingusyou
havenotevenoncecometoourhousestovisitus.Whatisthereasonforthis?"Thehusbandreplied,"I
havegiveneachofyouexactlywhatyouaskedfor.OneofyouaskedformedicinesIbroughtthem.One
ofyouaskedforthelatestjewelsIbroughtthem.OneofyouaskedforsacredbooksIbroughtthem.
Oneofyouwantedonlyme,sonowshehasme!"
GodanswersEveryone'sRequests
ThishusbandistheLordhimselfandthefourwivesarethefourtypesofdevotees.TheLordwillgiveyou
exactlywhatyouaskfor.Ifyouaskonlyforhimthenhewillcomeandresideinyourheart.Godisthe
wishfulfillingtree,thetreethatbearseveryconceivablekindoffruit.Hewillanswereveryone'srequest.
Heisomniscient.Heiseverywhere.Heknowswhatyouwantandhewillgiveittoyou.Infact,this
wholeworldisreallyawishfulfillingtree.TheLordusestheworldtosatisfyyourdesiresandtakecare
ofallyourwants.Thereareveryfewpeoplewhounderstandthis.Hereisanothersmallstorytoillustrate
this.
Therewasatravelerwhohadbeenwalkingforalongtimeinthehotsun.Finallyhefoundanicebig
treeandstoppedtheretotakerest.Hewasverytiredafterhislongwalkintheheatandnowtheshadeof
thetreewasgivinghimgreatcomfort.Whilesittingunderthetreehegotthirstyandsaidtohimself,
'HowniceitwouldbeifIcouldhaveaglassofcoldwater.'Seemingly,outofnowhere,atumbleroffresh
waterappeared.Hewassittingbeneathawishfulfillingtreeanddidnotknowit.Afterdrinkingthe
water,asecondthoughtcametohismind,'HowniceitwouldbeifIcouldhaveasoftpillowanda
comfortablebedthenIwouldreallybeabletorestnicely.'Immediately,abedandapillowcame,given
bytheLordhimself.Nowthetravelerwasverycomfortable.
Aftergettingthebedandthepillow,hethought,'Howveryniceandcomfortablethisbedandpilloware!
NowifonlyIcouldhavemywifehere,thenhowperfecteverythingwouldbe.'Hiswifeimmediately
came.Assoonassheappeared,hebecameveryfrightenedbecausehewasnotsure,'Isshereallymy
wifeorisshesomedemonimpersonatingmywife?'Theverymomentthisthoughtflashedthoughhis
mindsheturnedintoademon.Now,fearreallyoverwhelmedhimandinterrorhewondered,'Omy!Will
thisdemonswallowmeup?'Immediatelythedemonpouncedonhimandswallowedhimwhole.
Themoralofthisstoryisthatwhenyouareunderawishfulfillingtreeyoumustbeverycarefulwhatyou
think.Whateverthoughtsyouhavewillsurelycometrue.Theentireworldmaybelikenedtoawish
fulfillingtree.Ifyouhavegoodthoughts,yougetgoodresults,ifyouhavebadthoughts,badresultswill
follow.Therefore,youshouldneverharborbadfeelingsorbadthoughts.ThatiswhySwamihassooften
said,'Begood,dogood,seegood.ThatisthewaytoGod.'
YouarenotMortal,youareImmortal
TheentireworldisthecreationofGodandispenetratedbyhiswill.EverywherethereisGod.Donot
havebadthoughtsaboutanyone.Havecompletecontroloveryoursensesandthinkonlygoodthoughts.
Whetheryouareoldoryoung,youshouldpermitonlygoodthoughtstocomeintoyourmindandalways
aspiretoleadagoodlife.Thisistherealmeaningofahumanbeing.ThewordforhumaninSanskritis
nara,whichstandsforthatwhichcannotbedestroyed,thatwhichwillalwayscomebacktotheLord.
Naraistheonewhowillnotberuined,whoisimmortal.Theancientscriptureshavedeclared,'Youare
notamortalbeingyouarethechildofimmortality.'Ahumanbeinghasalsobeencalledmanava.This
referstheonewhoiswithoutignorance.Buttodayyouareallbehavinginafoolishway.Byyour
thoughts,wordsandactionsyouarenotgivingthepropervaluetothewordhuman.
Ithasbeensaidthatdeathissweeterthantheblindnessofignorance.Youhavetomakeignoranceflee
awayfromyouandnevercomeback.Ifyouwanttodriveawaydarkness,youmustbringinthelight.
Wherethereislighttherecanbenodarkness.Ifyouwanttofreeyourselffromignoranceyoumust
http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

73/74

1/23/2015

VAHINI.ORG:DOWNLOADSSAIBABAGITAPartI

acquirewisdom.Whenyouhavewisdom,ignorancecanhavenofootholdonyouandwillbeswept
away.TogainwisdomyoumustearnGod'sgrace.Agreatpoetsang,"OLord!IfIhaveyourgrace,what
istheretofear?Whatcandestinyeverdotome?"
Yourlifeshouldnotberuledbylust,anger,greed,infatuation,prideorjealousy.Theseareyourenemies.
Theymustbeconqueredandsubdued.Theyarethedarkness,theproductofignorance.Yourlifemustbe
ruledbylightandbywisdom.YourlifemustbebasedentirelyonthegraceofGod.Fromthismomenton,
aspireforGod'sgraceandgainwisdom.ToearnGod'sgrace,thinkofGod,everywhere,atalltimesand
inallcircumstances.Inthisageofdarknessthereisnogreaterspiritualpracticethanthis.Engage
yourselfintheconstantrepetitionofthesacrednameoftheLordandkeephimpermanentlyestablished
inyourheartofhearts.Thereby,youwillblessyourlifeandsetasterlingexamplefortherestofthe
world.

http://bababooks.org/Downloads/saibabagitaP1.html

74/74