4th September 2010
All festivals observed have a marvelous inner meaning. But men in general view them in terms of external observances and celebrate them with feasts and frolic. These festivals were really intended to be used for the exclusive worship of the Divine, enjoy the bliss of that devotion and overcome pain and sorrow. These holy days were instituted for the purpose of getting rid of ignorance and cultivating right knowledge, the higher wisdom and cosmic consciousness.
- Sathya Sai Baba
Sanathana Sarathi, May 1989
It is a remarkable feature of festival celebrations in Bhagawan’s presence that they are not confined to any particular religion or deity. They are universal in character emphasizing the underlying unity of all religions and the fundamental message of love and peace. Indeed, Bhagawan had declared in a discourse delivered on the occasion of the First World Conference of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations at Mumbai in July 1968: “This is a human form in which every Divine entity, every Divine Principle, that is to say, all Names and Forms ascribed by man to God, are manifest”. Thus, we see today, devotees professing different faiths being drawn to Bhagawan from all over the world, seeing in Him the Name and Form that is most dear to them, and also deriving the bliss of celebrating their religious festivities in His Divine presence.
New Year Blessings!
Over five decades ago, on the first day of year 1959, Bhagawan had written to a devotee, upon reaching Madras (now Chennai)…
“We arrived at Madras just now, at 12 noon. In all places, every thing was so wonderfully joyous. The happiness of all is my happiness. What else do I need than that? May all have greater and greater devotion, knowledge and renunciation, long life, health and happiness and may all deserve more and more the Grace of the Lord!
With mutual friendship and affection, be engaged in Bhajan, Puja, Meditation and the Study of the Glories of the Lord! Utilise the little time available in thoughts of the Lord, without wasting it in idle talk. Time, once lost, can never be reclaimed! The time that is yet to come cannot be claimed, as certainly yours! So, to transform each moment into joy, make this moment, while it is still with you, holy and pure. Give up all yesterdays and tomorrows and the days after; do now, this very day, the task that is worth while. This is My New Year Blessings to you all.”
As we are ringing out the ‘old’ embracing the ‘new’ we cannot help but recapitulate what a fantastic year the ‘last’ has been! The passing year has been the year of celebrations, year of Festival of Joy, marking the 85th Year of His Divine Advent!
For eighty five long years, our Beloved Lord has been with us…walking, talking and steering us through our own ‘kurukshetra’ (field of action), finally to take us to the most desired land of ‘Dharmakshetra’. What have we achieved? How successful have we been in living His messages? After 85 years of His glorious earthly saga, now, when we are entering into a new year, man can pause for a while posing and asking himself: Whether he has been living His message?
The above letter that was written over five decades ago spells out His love and compassion for His highest creation. He spoke about precious time and its proper utilisation and the importance of living in the Now, as a worthy beings. If we have not been, if our answer is not affirmative, then Now is the time, for as He had said, The time that is yet to come cannot be claimed, as certainly ours. We need to strive now, walking His talk, moment after moment, step following step towards God, to enter into the dateless realm of ‘eternity!’
There is a pleasure in the dateless days,
In walls with no calendars, table tops, diary free.
No clocks on shelves, no watches on the wrist,
Nothing to chop Eternity into bits
And tell us we are getting old.
All living things.
And even rocks do disintegrate
And stars and planets fade to dust
And dust, to swirls of Force
And Force to Love and Love to God!
We all trek back to God, from whom we strayed.
Let others call this, New Year Day. Let them!
I treat each moment as a little step
To God, with God, in God.
Maha Shivaratri
The festival of Maha Shivarathri is one of the most important festivals in India. It falls on the 14th day of the (Krishna Paksha) dark fortnight of the Magha month of the Hindu calendar. The very word ‘Shivarathri’ means auspicious night. All over the country, people throng Shiva temples and spend the night in worship and contemplation of the Divine. According to Hindu belief, the moon is the presiding deity of the mind and the 16 phases of the moon represent the 16 aspects of the mind. On Shivarathri, which falls a day prior to the new moon, only a streak of the moon is visible. This is symbolic of the waning influence of the mind, when 15 aspects have already merged in the Self and only one aspect remains. Hence on this day, it is easier to control the mind and direct it towards God. Therefore, the night is spent in contemplation and adoration of God, so that the vagaries of the mind can be totally subdued and transcended to attain realization of the Atman.
Maha Shivarathri is generally celebrated by performing Akhanda Bhajana (continuous devotional singing) throughout the night. Shivarathri, as a festival has gained a lot of importance in Prasanthi Nilayam because it is during this festival that Baba, the supreme Iswara (Godhead), chooses to reveal His divinity. Baba, out of His infinite love for humanity, materializes lingas (an oval shaped object which is the fittest symbol of divinity) in the Shivarathri evening from within His being. This emergence of the Linga is called ‘Lingodbhavam’.
Baba has explained, “The Linga is just a symbol, a sign, an illustration, of the beginningless, the endless, the limitless – for it has no limbs, no face, no feet, no front or back, no beginning or end. Its shape is like the picture one imagines the Niraakaara (Formless) to be. In fact, linga means – leeyathe (that in which all forms and names merge) and gamyathe (that towards which all names and forms are proceeding, to attain fulfillment). It is the fittest symbol of the All-pervasive, the All-knowing, the All-powerful”.
“Today we are celebrating Shivarathri. ‘Shivarathri’ means “Auspicious night”. At least on this day, one should chant Shiva’s name all through the night. At least on one day in a year, chant the Lord’s name. This night, devotees are expected to stay awake by chanting the sacred name of Shiva. Keeping awake in any other way is purposeless. Spending the night reciting the Lord’s name sanctifies one’s life”.
- Divine Discourse: February 25, 1998
“The lesson of Shivarathri is that devotees should foster good and sacred thoughts. They should be filled with godly thoughts. They should seek to become one with the Divine by reflecting on their inherent divinity. If you constantly chant the name of God, God realization will come in due course.
Whatever other things they may possess, men suffer from lack of peace and bliss. These two can be obtained only from God. It is for these two that men should pray to God and not for anything else, because God alone can give them. When these are secured, all other things will come of their own accord by the grace of God. People should yearn for God. All other desires are worthless”.
- Divine Discourse: February 26, 1998
Sri Ramanavami
Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram
Rama Katha Rasavahini – The Sweet Story of Rama’s Glory
Guru Purnima
GURU BRAHMA GURU VISHNU GURU DEVO MAHESWARA
GURU SAKSHAT PARA BRAHMA THASMAI SRI GURAVE NAMAHA
“Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, Guru is Maheswara
Consider Guru as your everything. All are embodiments
of Divinity. In fact, all that you see is nothing but the
Divine Cosmic Form (Viswa Virat Swarupa)”
Guru Poornima is the full moon day in the month of ‘Ashada’, the fourth month in the Indian lunar calendar, corresponding to end of June or early July. It is also called ‘Vyasa Poornima’, as this full moon day marks the birthday of the great sage Veda Vyasa, who categorized the vast body of Vedic knowledge in to the four Vedas – Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. Even the writing of the eighteen Puranas (ancient Hindu legends) was completed by him on this day.
“The term ‘Guru’ means one who dispels the darkness of ignorance. ‘Gu’ means one who is beyond attributes (or gunas), ‘ru’ implies one who is beyond forms (rupa). This refers only to God. That is why the Guru is hailed as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (the holy trinity of Hindu belief). Only God is the true Guru. All others are merely teachers, like the teachers of different subjects in a college. ‘Guru’ is the one who reveals the guri (target) to the disciple. ‘Guri’ here refers to the Atmic Principle (the principle of the self)”.
- Sathya Sai Baba
Discourse: 20th July, 1997
“Guru is Brahman. He is the Creator; He Himself is the creation and He is the One that exists in the creation. The universe is filled with Brahman. It becomes clear that the One who Himself has become the universe is the Guru.
Guru is Vishnu. Who is Vishnu? Vishnu is one who has the quality of pervasiveness. He is the Doer and also what is done. The universe is the action, God is the Doer. God is the consciousness behind the cause and effect. The whole universe is the form of Vishnu. This Vishnu is the Guru.
Guru is Maheshvara. Who is Maheshvara? He is the one who rules all beings in the Universe. He commands and ordains everything in the universe in the right manner. Sun-rise and Sun-set go on according to His command. Seasons, rain, the day and night are His commands. Eeshvara is one that makes everything–follow its discipline without any lapse. Guru is not one who merely teaches. A Guru is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, He is God himself.
Gurupuurnima means full moon without any defect or lacuna. Moon is nothing but mind. When the mind is completely perfect, it sheds light. Gurupuurnima is not performed by circumambulation and offerings to the Guru. What is the real offering? It is the offering of one’s love. To know that God exists everywhere is circumambulation. If you understand these terms, everyday is Gurupuurnima. There is only one Guru, that is God and there is no other Guru. Contemplate on that Guru.” – Sathya Sai Baba
Divine Discourse: July 14, 1992
Sri Krishna Janmashtami
Bala Krishna
( Picture materialised by Swami)
The birthday of Lord Sri Krishna, the Avatar of the Dwapara Yuga.
Bhagawan has declared that Lord Krishna’s advent took place at 3 a.m. on 20th July, 3228 B.C, the Ashtami Day (eighth day after full moon) under the star ‘Rohini’ in the dark fortnight.(Krishna Paksha) of Shravana Masa in the year named ‘Srimukha’.
Even the smallest acts of Krishna were saturated with supreme sweetness. Krishna was everyone’s dearest kinsman and fastest comrade. The Leelas (Divine Sport) of Krishna are sweet and meaningful. All activities of Krishna were for the well being of the World. His advent was for the uplift of the world from wickedness and unrighteousness. It was also for fulfilling the needs of those who are devoted to Him, for the establishment of righteousness and the revival of the Vedas. Though people caught in the coils of ignorance see the Leelas as self-centered and even motivated by delusion, genuine devotees cherish each one of these as significant and sustaining examples of Grace. The Lord showers Grace on each and every one in such a way that suits the time, the person and their aspirations.
- Bhagavatha Vahini, “Krishna Avatara” Chap 34.
Om Sri Sathya Sai Krishnaya Namah
Listen to Bhagawan sing “Govinda Krishna Jai Gopala Krishna Jai”
Today we are celebrating the Birthday of Krishna. You are attaching importance to His body, but not to His teachings. You will be celebrating Krishna’s Birthday in the true spirit of the term only when you put His teachings into practice.
All the actions that you undertake must be sacred. There should be harmony in your thought, word and deed. The proper study of mankind is man. “Work is Worship”, “Duty is God”. This was the teaching of our ancient seers. Consider all activities as an offering to God and all work as God’s work. Just as two wings are essential for a bird to soar high in the sky, two wheels for a cycle to move, Prema (Love) and Seva (service) are essential for man to reach his destination. No benefit accrues from rendering service devoid of love. Do not expect any returns for your acts of service. The satisfaction which you derive from rendering service is itself a reward.
People merely say, “Krishna, Krishna,” as they go round or pass-by a temple. Of what value is such part-time devotion? They are mere name’s sake Bhaktas. You must strive to earn the great wealth of God’s love. God is omnipresent in all His attributes. One experiences this unity. Ramadasa also had this experience. Thaneesha put him in jail, but he never gave up the name of Rama. “O Rama! When all is your form, how can I be apart from you,”, he prayed.
There are those who sit in Dhyana or meditative postures. But their minds are in the market or in hair dressing shop. Is this Dhyana or Japa? The mind should be immersed in Krishna. Instead it is filled with desires (Trishna). What is needed is Krishna not Trishna. Krishna will fulfil all your Trishnas.
Divine Discourse: September 3, 1999
Listen!!!
Bhagavad Gita
Chapter 12
Bhakti Yoga – The Path of devotion
In chapter twelve Lord Krishna extols the glory of devotion to God.
Along with this he explains the different forms of spiritual disciplines and discusses
the qualities of the devotees who by performing their activities in this way become very dear to Him.
Thus this chapter is entitled: The Path of Devotion.
More than the adherent of the path of karma, jñâna or yoga, the follower of the path of bhakti is declared fortunate and superior. He is better than the yogî, the sannyâsî, the jñânî and the sadhaka who takes up the discipline of karma. – Prasanthi Vahini, p. 76
Ganesh Chaturthi
shuklaambaradharaM vishhNum
shashivaraNaM chaturbhujam
prasannavadanaM dhyaayet
sarva vighnopashaantaye
Let us recall the benign countenance of the omni-present Lord,
with a moon-like complexion, having four arms
and clad in a white garment.
May He remove all impediments in our path.
Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated on the Chaturthi, i.e., the fourth day of Indian lunar month of Bhadrapada. It usually falls in the month of September in the English calendar. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God is usually worshipped before commencing any activity in order to remove obstacles and ensure success of the endeavour. He is also the bestower of worldly intelligence and spiritual wisdom.
The festival is usually celebrated for a period for three days in Prasanthi Nilayam. On the first day, the students sing devotional songs and Stotrams (hymns) and present cultural programmes in the Divine Presence and Bhagawan grants His discourse. During the next two days, students and staff of Bhagawans Institutions worship idols of Lord Ganesha in their respective premises. On the third day of the festival, the idols are brought to the Sai Kulwant Hall in a grand procession of colourful and exquisitely designed chariots amidst chanting of hymns and singing of Bhajans. After offering final worship and Arati, it is customary to immerse in the idol in a nearby lake or pond as it is the belief that Lord Ganesha takes with him the troubles and the bad tendencies that act as obstacles on the spiritual path.
Ganesha Chaturthi Pooja & Aarti performed in Puttaparthi
Om Gam Ganapataye Namo Namah
“Vinayaka (Ganesha) is one who drives away all sorrows, difficulties and miseries. He is the enemy of all obstacles. He will not allow any obstacles to come in the way. He is the destroyer of obstacles. He confers happiness and peace (on his devotees). He is the master of all these powers (Buddhi and Siddhi). What is Siddhi (fullfillment)? When there is purity of mind you achieve peace (which is Siddhi). Vinayaka is thus Lord of Buddhi (the intellect and Self-Realization). Hence every human being should aquire control over the mind…
Vinayaka is the Lord of learning (Vidya). Does learning mean bookish scholarship? No. Everything pertaining to the cosmos is included in the term learning (Vidya). Walking, talking, laughing, sitting, eating, strolling, thinking – every kind of activity is related to learning. Vinayaka is the master of every kind of learning…
“Whenever people want to commence any undertaking, they first offer worship to Vinayaka (Ganesha or Ganapathi)…Ganapathi is one who gives us spiritual potency and endows us with Supreme Intelligence…” – Sathya Sai Baba (Sanathana Sarathi April 1996 p.94)
He is one who instills purity in body, and fearlessness in the mind.” – Sathya Sai Baba
“What is the inner significance of worshipping the elephant-faced deity? The elephant is a symbol of might and magnitude. The elephant’s foot is larger than that of any other animal. The elephant can make its way through the densest jungle. In this way, it signifies the quality of a leader who shows the way for others. The elephant is also known for its faithfulness and gratitude. These are the lessons man should learn from the elephant. Intelligence without gratitude is valueless. Every man should be grateful to those who have helped him”.
- Sathya Sai Baba
- Divine Discourse: 7 September 1997
Dasara
GOD IS THE INDWELLER
“ The entire universe is under the control of God.
God is governed by Truth.
Noble souls are the guardians of Truth.
Such noble souls are verily the embodiments of Divinity. ”
(Sanskrit Verse)
Dasara or Navaratri is a ten day festival, usually falling in the month of October, that is celebrated all over India in the worship of the Divine as the Mother principle. Bhagawan has explained that the festival of Dasara is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil signifying the vanquishing of the ‘six demons’ of lust, anger, attachment, greed, pride and jealously within us.
13 October 2010
Veda Purusha Sapthaha Jnana Yagna
Bhagawan arrived onstage at 11:00 hrs. and sat on watching over the proceedings. With Bhagawan presiding over the session, the priests lit the sacred homam creating fire by friction, by rubbing two sticks from churning of two wooden pieces. The fire produced was blessed by Bhagawan and shown to the audience before depositing in the sacred sacrificial pit, marking the beginning of the Yajna. Soon other rituals commenced. As one priest went on doing Surya Namaskar, a group of priests got engaged in holy reading. – 11th October 2010
During Dasara Celebrations the Yagnam commences with the rubbing of wooden blocks to produce fire through friction. Thereafter, the sacred fire thus produced, is placed in the ‘Yagna Kunda’ (the sacrificial altar into which oblations are offered)
The most important component of the Yagnam is the ‘Rudra Homam’, an invocation to Lord Siva, in which the oblations of clarified butter are poured into the Yagna Kunda while chanting hymns from the ‘Sri Rudram’. Other rituals also take place simultaneously like the Surya Namaskar, or the worship of the Sun as the visible symbol of the Supreme. The Srimad Bhagavatham Parayana, and the Ramayana Parayana and the Devi Mahatmyam are simultaneously performed by noted scholars, and a few pundits and Bhagavan’s students simultaneously chant various hymns from the Vedas. Another priest worships the Sri Chakra, a mystic drawing representing the Supreme Mother. The first 6 days the Yagna follows this routine daily.
The Dasara Celebrations come to an auspicious close on, Vijaya Dasami Day, the 7th day of the Yagna. Poornahuthi or the Valedictory Offering is made
After seeking the blessings of Bhagavan, the priests make the final offering of clarified butter into the fire while chanting hymns from the ‘Chamakam,’ praying for the physical and spiritual welfare of all the beings of the world. Bhagavan blesses all the priests by sprinkling sacred water and akshada (turmeric coated rice) on them.
Poornahuthi 17th October 2010 on Vijaya Dasami Day
Listen to the various Vedic chants that are recited during the Yagnam with introductions.
Veda Paraayana
Surya Namaskar
Rudrahomam
Sahasralingaarchana
Mantrapushpam
Produced by the SSSBT
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s Birthday
“My Birthday is the Date when Divinity Blossoms in your Heart”
- Sathya Sai Baba
Swami does not rejoice in the celebration of birthdays. Since all of you have come for this celebration, I am obliged to give you satisfaction. I have no wants. Whatever I do is for your sake. Recognize this truth. I have no dislike for anyone and no one dislikes me. All are mine and I belong to all. My benediction is “May all be happy”. Everyone should adhere to the path of righteousness. All should manifest their spiritual essence and experience spiritual bliss. Till you realize that spiritual oneness, you have to perform devotional acts like Bhajans, repetition of the name of God, and prayers”.
- Divine Discourse: 23 November 1997
On 23rd of November 2011, we celebrated the 86th anniversary of the Advent of our Lord Sai amongst us. It was an opportunity for mankind to pay homage to this embodiment of selfless love.
On 23rd of November, we celebrate the anniversary of the Advent of our Lord Sai amongst us. It is an opportunity for mankind to pay homage to this embodiment of selfless love. Millions of devotees from all over the world throng to Prasanthi Nilayam on this day to catch a glimpse of the Divine and listen to His illuminating Divine message.
Happy 85th Birthday Swami!!!
At 1120 hrs. Prof. Anil Kumar’s voice echoed the spacious stadium, announcing the imminent arrival of the Lord. With it began the minutes countdown. At 1125 hrs., when all eyes were fixed at the western end of the Hill View Stadium, there He appeared, shining in creamish-white, enthroned on the Golden Chariot! Yes, the Lord of all lords began His Birthday Journey, casting the highest benedictions. Bhagawan was ushered into the venue by Vedam group followed by the Institute Band of boys and girls.
Morning
Evening
23rd November 2010
Bhagawan arrived at 1940 hrs. donned in yellow. Welcoming The Lord laser beams flashed around the stadium making dancing greenish waves all around.
As Bhagawan assumed His special throne the stage was being set for the proceedings for the evening. “Prema Pravaham” – a loving offering of musical bouquet by a bunch of talented musical boys working with various institutions in Prasanthi was the schedule for the evening.
“Today, thousands of people have gathered here. What has brought them together here? Love is the main cause. Without love, but few of you would have come from such distant places. How does this love express itself? It is a process of give and take. You have to receive God’s love, and you have to offer your love to Him. But, both are one and the same love. God’s love is reflected in you. That is the meaning of the declaration in the Bhagawad Geetha: “A spark of Mine is present in every being.”
- Divine Discourse: 23 November 1996
“Embodiments of Love! You have all come here at great expense and trouble. Make the utmost effort to understand the spiritual basis of the “I” principle. When you regard the “I” as the Self (Atma), you will be free from all suffering. In case troubles come, they will vanish like snow on a mountain. Why should you bother about these passing clouds? When you have attained Self-awareness, there will be no need for you to worry about anything.
Swami does not rejoice in the celebration of birthdays. Since all of you have come for this celebration, I am obliged to give you satisfaction. I have no wants. Whatever I do is for your sake. Recognize this truth. I have no dislike for anyone and no one dislikes me. All are mine and I belong to all. My benediction is “May all be happy”. Everyone should adhere to the path of righteousness. All should manifest their spiritual essence and experience spiritual bliss. Till you realize that spiritual oneness, you have to perform devotional acts like Bhajans, repetition of the name of God, and prayers”.
- Divine Discourse: 23 November 1997
“Genuine spiritual aspirants should be particularly careful in eschewing bad company. They should create an environment conducive to their spiritual progress and mental peace. That is the only thing Swami wants. Having come to Prasanthi Nilayam, all of you must become exemplary devotees. Outsiders must feel spontaneously how exemplary the behavior of Sai students and Sai devotees is. That reaction will do you more good than satisfying me.
I do not relish the celebration of my birthday or pompous decorations for the purpose. Such ostentation is not good for anyone. Adopt a practical attitude toward spiritual life.
With holy thoughts in you on this auspicious day, you must go out into the world and spread your sacred feelings among others. Don’t confine your feelings to yourselves or retain them only during your stay here. Spread them wherever you go”.
- Divine Discourse: 23 November 1997
Christmas
When Jesus was born three Arabian kings came to see Him. They were overjoyed at seeing the newborn babe. While returning, the first king said to Mary, “Mother, you have given birth to a child who loves God.” The second king said, “Mother you have given birth to a child who will be loved by God.” The third king said, “Mother Mary your child is not different from God, both are one and the same.” Once we understand the inner meaning of these three statements, we will know the truth. The one who loves God is the Messenger of God; the one whom God loves is the Son of God; the one who understands the principle of unity becomes one with God.
Worship Jesus by following His ideals. Jesus pointed to three stages. The first one is, “I am the Messenger of God.” He wanted to propagate the message of God. The second one is, “I am the Son of God.” The son has a claim to father’s property. What is the property of God? Truth, Love, Forbearance, Peace and Righteousness are the properties of God. So, man has to strive to attain these qualities. He has to practice, experience and propagate these virtues. Only then man deserves to be called Son of God. The third one is “I and My Father are One.” This stage is attained when the principle of unity is realized. When Jesus reached this stage, He had no suffering at all. He was always blissful and was prepared for anything. Even at the time of crucifixion, Jesus was smiling, because he realized that He was not the body. Body is bound to perish, but the indweller has no birth and death. Truly speaking the indweller is God Himself. Jesus understood that body was merely vesture, and He was the indweller.
You should have the firm faith that you are the Messenger of God. Propagate Swamis message to the entire world. Some people may like it and some may not. Do not bother about what others say, be it “yes” or “no.” ‘No’ and ‘yes’ relate only to you, but for Sai everything is yes, yes, yes. There are no defects in God. All words and deeds of God are perfect. You see the reflection, reaction and resound of your feelings. They are psychological in nature. God always gives good alone. Understand and experience this truth.
Divine Discourse: December 25, 1998
COUNTER JEALOUSY WITH LOVE
Today you have to remind yourselves of the ideals Jesus stood for. For ages, from time to time, many noble souls, endowed with immense spiritual power, have taken birth to propagate sacred teachings to the world. They struggled hard to make the world a good place to live in. But without understanding their noble intentions, foolish people tried to ridicule and persecute them. Right from his birth, Jesus had to face many trials and tribulations. When the name and fame of noble souls spread far and wide, many people become jealous. Asuya (jealousy) and Anasuya (absence of jealousy) are sisters. The history of Bharat is replete with many examples that bear testimony to this truth. Asuya has three children, viz, kama, krodha and dwesha (desire, anger and hatred). The Divine Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswara were born to Anasuya. The three wicked sons of Asuya (i.e. desire, anger ,and hatred) caused a great deal of suffering to Jesus, who strove tirelessly for the peace and welfare of society. Jesus was the epitome of compassion and the refuge of the poor, needy and forlorn. But many people tried to create troubles for Jesus, since they did not like his sacred teachings and activities. Their hatred for Jesus increased day by day. Even the priests turned against Jesus as they became jealous of his growing popularity. The fishermen held Jesus in high esteem. They started following his teachings and became his disciples. Many people out of jealousy laid obstacles in his path and even tried to kill him.
Jesus had twelve disciples. Judas was the twelfth disciple, who ultimately betrayed Jesus. At that time, there was only one Judas, but today there are many such ‘Judases’. Today the world is engulfed in unrest because of the rise in the number of betrayers like Judas. They are so mean-minded that they are easily tempted by money. Judas betrayed Jesus for just a few pieces of silver. Even two thousand years ago, money became the primary objective of man. Because of their greed for money, people resort to evil and unjust ways, distort the truth, and make false propaganda. This was the case then and it is so even now. No one needs to be afraid of such false allegations. Why should one be afraid of the mistake that one has not committed? In the past, many evil-minded people were jealous of the divine personalities who attained worldwide fame through their teachings of truth and righteousness. Even today there is no dearth of such wicked people.
Ultimately, what happened to Judas? He felt miserable for having betrayed Jesus for monetary gains. He shed tears of repentance. He hit himself, saying, “Fie on me! I am a traitor. I betrayed my own master and God.” Betrayal of God is the worst of all sins. Such betrayal can never be atoned in any number of births. So, never try to betray God. Love all. Salute even those who criticise you,because Divinity is present in all. Do not give scope for anger and spoil your mind. Pray to God with love. Even in the past, all noble souls and incarnations had to put up with criticism.
Consider love as your very life. Love alone makes one’s life sacred. One with love alone is a true human being. Love is man. Man is love. Man is God and God is love. It is love that unifies all. So, develop love. Tread the path of truth and righteousness and lead a peaceful life. These four values are the life supporting principles. There are no greater powers, no greater ideals, and no greater supports than these human values of Sathya, Dharma, Santhi, and Prema. Adhere to these four values and carry on with your life sojourn.