Birthday Sparks

Birthday Discourse of Sathya Sai Baba, Prashanthi Nilayam, 23 November 1961
Published by Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust
Web posted at Sep 1, 2001

This day, the 23rd November 1961 is significant in more senses than one; it is not only the day which marks the date of birth of this Avathaar; the pervious Sai Avathaar was also inaugurated on a Thursday, and on the day after the Kaarthika Deepam or Kaarthika Pournami (the full-moon day of the month of Kaarthika). Today also it is the day after the Kaarthika Deepam and a Thursday!

You are all lucky that you could come to Prashanthi Nilayam from great distances and have Dharshan (audience), on this auspicious day. But, the joy you get today is only a reminder of the eternal full joy that is in store for you, in fact, for all mankind. That joy is your birthright; this momentary bliss is but a drop of that ocean; to get that, you must dedicate yourself to Saadhana, continuous and conscious Saadhana (spiritual practice). The symbol on the Prashaanthi flag, the symbol that is put up in concrete form in front of the Nilayam, as therefore to be clearly understood by every one of you. Conquer lust, anger and hatred, roam in the expanse of equal and impartial love to all created things and then, you are fit for Yoga (inner communion with divinity), which will open the petals of your heart. Then, from the fragrance and beauty of that Lotus will emerge the flame of Jnaana (spiritual wisdom), illumining Maaya (world illusion) into destruction until you and the Jyothi (flame) become one.

It is when you approach near that it appears in all its majesty, in all its overwhelming size. Suppose you see it small, what does that indicate? Not that it is small, but that you are afar! Remember. The sun and the moon appear huge, huger by far than the stars, for they are near and the stars are far. Approach the Lord and realise Him as big; do not stand afar, and prate that He is small!

You are all entitled to Joy that is eternal

Incarnation is for the sake of fostering Dharma, for demarcating and directing it and to show mankind the true path of desireless activity. That is the one task I am engaged in, through various channels. Instead of reforming you without your knowledge, it is better to reform you with your own co-operation and knowledge. So, I reveal to you My glory, off and on, to a little extent, through what you call miracles. I do not engage in them for name and fame; I am miraculous by My very nature! Every moment of Mine is a Mahaathmya, a miracle! They are beyond your understanding, your art and skill and intelligence. I must save every one of you; even if you say, nay, and move away, I shall do it. Those who have strayed away from Me have to return to the fold, sooner or later, for I will not allow them to be distant for long. I shall drag them towards Me. That is My basic nature, love and mercy.

Today, at this meeting, as members of this gathering you are all overwhelmed with joy, I can see that. But, this is momentary, this will not last. You are all entitled to broader realms of joy, deeper springs of joy and joy that is eternal. Your real Dharma, the purpose for which you have taken human birth, is to earn and enjoy that bliss, which no external contact can change or diminish. To earn it, is quite easy; it can be done by every one, who just sits calmly and examines himself and his mind, unaffected by likes and dislikes. Then he discovers that life is a dream, and that he has a calm refuge of peace inside his own heart. He learns to dive into its cool depths forgetting and ignoring the buffets of luck, both good and ill.

If Time is well used a Paamara can become Paramahamsa

The doctor first diagnoses the disease and then, he prescribes the course of treatment. So too, you must submit yourself to the diagnosis of your illness, viz., misery, travail and pain. Investigate fearlessly and with care; and you will find that while your basic nature is bliss (Aanandha), you have falsely identified yourself with the temporary, the frivolous and the paltry and so, that attachment brings about all the sorrow. You have to realise that both joy and sorrow are passing phases, like white or dark clouds across the blue sky, and you have to learn to treat both prosperity and adversity with equanimity.

If only time is well used, the Paamara (the ignorant) can become the Paramahamsa (ascetic of the highest order) and the Paramahamsa can also be transfused into Paramaathma (the universal substance and substratum).

Just as fish which can live only when it is immersed in water, when it feels the element all around it, so too man is an animal that can live only when immersed in Aanandha (bliss); he must have Aanandha not only at home, in society and in the world but, more than all, in the heart. As a matter of fact, the Aanandha in the heart produces Aanandha everywhere; the heart is the spring of joy. That spring has to be touched by constant meditation, recitation and the intermittent dwelling on the glory, the grace and the inexhaustible manifestations of the Lord: Smarana, Chinthana and Manana. Hold fast to the goal; the Bhaktha (devotee) should never turn back. Never give way to doubt or despair.

Pray, as the Performance of a Duty

A person driving a car concentrates on the road, for he is anxious to save himself and others from accident. Fear is what induces single-mindedness in his case. Love is a greater force for giving concentration. If you have steady and resolute love, the concentration becomes intense and unshakeable. Faith develops into love and love results in concentration. Prayer is possible and begins to yield fruit, under such conditions. Pray, using the name as a symbol of the Lord; pray keeping all the waves of the mind stilled. Pray, as the performance of a duty for your very real existence, as the only justification for your coming into the world, as man.

"Mine" and "Yours": these attitudes are only for identification; they are not real; they are temporary. "His" - that is the truth, the eternal. It is like the headmaster of a school being in temporary charge of the furniture of the school. He has to hand over the items when he is transferred or retired. Treat all things with which you are endowed, as the headmaster treats the furniture. Be always aware that the final checking-up is imminent. Wait for that moment with joy. Be ready for that event. Have your accounts up to date and the balance ready calculated to be handed over. Treat all things entrusted to you with care and diligence.

Naaraayana is the Lord of the waters; (Naaram means water). But, what is the water of which He is the Lord? He resides in the heart, and His presence when recognised melts even the stoniest heart and the water emanates from the eye as tears of joy, gratitude and fullness! His presence is said to have been recognised by man, when He is suffused by sympathy, making him sad while another is sad and joyful when another is filled with joy. Naaraayana is He who brings tears of joy to the eyes! That is the function of your tear glands: to express internal joy; not to weep like a fool or a coward.