published March 2010
Sri Sai Gopal Baba’s discourse in Sirsi
November 6th 2009
Embodiments of Divine Love,
Today marks the beginning of this body’s 59th year. The devotees of Sirsi want to celebrate this occasion. I don’t believe in such celebrations. Over the years I have often asked, ‘For what purpose have I been born?’
When I observe the present conditions which exist in India I feel very sad. There should be no shortage of anything in our country. There should be no hunger in Bharat. Today we are going to distribute clothing to the poor. I ask myself, ‘What is the difference between a rich man and a poor man?’ He who is stingy, he who is unwilling to share anything with anyone, is a poor man.
On the other hand he who has a large heart is a rich person.
Human beings display several shortcomings. Whenever we do something we assert, ‘I have done this. I have done that’. Such ahamkara is mankind’s main shortcoming. We need not travel to a guru in a distant place to understand this. We need only to look within ourselves to see what sort of a person we are.
To live together, sharing and enjoying whatever we have, gives immense joy.
The Lord of rain provides us with plentiful rain; does he ever claim to have given rain?
The cow gives us milk; does the cow ever claim to have given the milk?
The coconut tree provides us with an abundance of coconuts; has it ever made the claim that it is providing the world with coconuts?
The human being, on the other hand, always claims, ‘It is I who is giving this or that.’ In truth we are never giving anything.
We are merely sharing the joy of whatever we happen to be in possession of. It gives immense joy to live in a community, to live together, sharing and enjoying whatever we have.
Who is able to translate Gandhi’s dream into action?
Yesterday I was taken to Raghavendra Math which is located quite close to this place. Robbers had taken away twelve kilograms of silver and gold objects from the altar. Who was responsible for taking these precious objects? Obviously the person who took these things believed that he needed them.
We donate silver ornaments to Brindavan and other such organizations. This giving is an illusion. The swami’s of the various maths desire nothing. They have renounced worldly life and the need to accumulate possessions. They personify sacrifice.
A thief wanted the ornaments at Raghavendra Math. It seems that he was in need of these things. Perhaps he wanted to give the things to his wife and children. He felt inspired to take the objects and consequently carried out the action. It seems that robbery is one of the 64 different types of learning accepted in India.
These days we are ruled by some unscrupulous people. Should we behave according to the example they set? We refer to an ordinary citizen who steals as a thief but who has the courage to call those in power thieves when they behave unscrupulously?
Some people who wear khadi[1] and a Gandhi cap and some of our politicians do things not worthy of mention in the present company. India has been a free country for many years now, but even after all this time, the country is riddled with poverty, disease and anguish. People speak of Gandhi’s dream but who is able to translate Gandhi’s dream into action. Show me a place where Gandhi’s dream has become a reality?
Property doesn’t make the man.
Our life must be the embodiment of sacrifice. Rameshbaba and Rajaram (powerful Indian social reformers) are not wearing ochre robes. They are not sannyasins but they are living lives of sacrifice. They are thyaga jivis (individuals who are living examples of renunciation and sacrifice). It seems that it is only when one wears the ochre robes that one is celebrated.
Property, assets and so on, do not make the man. Our nation is being destroyed by three groups of people.
Firstly, many who wear the ochre robes are a great source of corruption.
Secondly, many of those who parade around in khadi and Gandhi caps, proclaiming to be devotees of Gandhi. (Excluding those wearing Gandhi caps here of course.)
And thirdly a proportion of those who wear khaki uniforms. (Excluding the police officers standing here of course.)
We need people who are willing to sacrifice their all for the good of this country.
Gurus should instruct and lead the society by example.
So many forget this great responsibility. So many times when police officers apprehend a thief, the administration instructs them to let the offender go for one reason or another. If such behaviour is the norm in our country, how can we feel safe? We need people who are willing to sacrifice their all for the good of this country. If you are in possession of a mere 10 paisa you should use it for the good of the community.
Every heart should be full of goodness and good intention.
I seem to have spoken for too long. My mothers have been waiting for quite some time in the long queue to receive their saris. People should not have to stand in such a queue to receive a sari. All people should live in homes in which there exists an abundance of clothing and food. There should be plenty of everything required for a good life. Rice bags should be piled up in every house.
Every heart should be full of goodness and good intention.
On the occasion of my 59th birthday this is my wish for this great country, this is my prayer. This is my ambition.
Let’s all live together cooperatively.
Let’s all work towards the welfare of the whole world.
Let there be peace and prosperity in every part of the world.
JAI SAI RAM
