In ancient times, the sages and saints sacrificed everything for the sake of the welfare of humanity. Even the youth of those times followed suit. They are remembered even today because of their spirit of selfless sacrifice. On the contrary, the youth of today are becoming exceedingly greedy and totally selfish and harbouring feelings of hatred and jealousy. While those in the ancient times were leading a life of Thyaga and Yoga (sacrifice and sense control) the present day youth want to lead a life of bhoga (worldly enjoyments and pleasures), which will only result in roga (diseases). So long as one goes on multiplying desires, one will continue to be in want. When the desires are controlled, prosperity is attained. Greed makes one unhappy and miserable. Only when greed and miserliness are given up can one have an enjoyable and peaceful life.

Source: Sai Inspires from Prasanthi Nilayam – February 14, 2017

http://media.radiosai.org/

Natarajan

The scriptures have declared that it is difficult to acquire a human body. Human life is the highest among all living beings in creation. With all these endowments if people lack jnana (wisdom), they are no better than an animal. It is wisdom that distinguishes man from other animals. In spite of possessing a human body with its sacred capacities, people pursue wrong paths and indulge in misdeeds, thereby degrading their precious heritage. One who ought to dedicate oneself to the pursuit of the Divine – Nivritti marga (the inward path) and experience bliss, makes oneself a slave of the senses and wastes one’s life in the pursuit of the external – Pravritti marga (the outward path). All efforts are directed towards the cultivation of sensual pleasures instead of aiming at realisation of the power of the Spirit within. It is this preoccupation with the mundane that is at the root of all the insecurity and unhappiness experienced by man.

Source: Sai Inspires from Prasanthi Nilayam – February 12, 2017

http://media.radiosai.org/

A penumbral eclipse is subtle, but has a quiet beauty all its own. Thank you to all who submitted photos of the February 10-11, 2017 eclipse!

Source: See it! Last night’s penumbral eclipse

http://www.earthsky.org

natarajan

What is the root cause of discontentment? It is envy. This has been the besetting human vice from the beginning of time. Only when envy is eradicated from the heart will one have self-satisfaction. The contented person enjoys peace. How does envy arise? When one compares oneself with those who are better off, who hold higher offices, score higher marks or are more handsome. Thus, it arises when one suffers from a consciousness of one’s own inferiority; it is basically discontent over what one lacks. To get rid of this evil quality one has to look at those who are worse off than oneself. In due course one develops a sense of equal-mindedness both towards those who are better off and those who are worse. Such equal-mindedness is a Divine quality. There is nothing wrong in aspiring for higher positions. But one should not feel envious about those who are in such positions. It is a crime to entertain such feelings.

Source: Sai Inspires from Prasanthi Nilayam – February 11, 2017

http://media.radiosai.org/

Natarajan

The first quality that you have to cultivate is gratitude to the Divine. People are thankful for even small acts of service done to them. Is it not necessary to be grateful to the Divine who has provided us with so many essential benefits through Nature and the five elements? The air you breathe, the water you drink, and the earth on which you walk are all gifts of God. How grateful are you to the Sun, who provides light, which cannot be equalled by all the electric bulbs in the world? Can all the pumpsets in the world provide as much water as is offered in a single downpour of rain? Can all the fans in the world, provide as much breeze as you get when the wind blows? Without being grateful for these Divine gifts, man goes after the trivial and wastes his life. The great sages of yore who adored God in various ways considered devotion as a means of expressing gratitude to Providence.

Source: Sai Inspires from Prasanthi Nilayam – February 10, 2017

http://media.radiosai.org/

Natarajan

Source: Lung Fish, The Fish That Lives On Land

http://www.amusingplanet.com

natarajan

In any field, at anytime, anywhere, for a person endowed with the six precious qualities of zeal, courage, fortitude, intelligence, ability and valour (Utsaham, Sahasam, Dhairyam, Buddhi, Shakti, Parakramam), success is assured. These qualities will contribute to all-round well-being. However these qualities will challenge you with various difficulties that you must confront, from time to time. Just as a student must clear tests and examinations to receive a degree, these qualities are also subject to trials in the form of losses, troubles, pain, suffering and even calumny. Such trials should be regarded as stepping stones to your high achievements. One has to overcome these troubles with courage and self-confidence, and move ahead. When you face difficulties with courage, you are bound to succeed.

Source: Sai Inspires from Prasanthi Nilayam – February 09, 2017

http://www.media.radiosai.org

Natarajan

Photos showing a funnel cloud seen around sunset on February 7, 2017, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  No tornado, storm or even rain was reported.

Source: Funnel cloud from Rio last night

http://www.earthsky.org

Natarajan

Cleanse your heart with the water of love, and the detergents of prayer and contrition so that the stains of desire are removed completely. Then God will pour His abundant Grace into it. If you yearn for God, you should give up Lokabhranti and dehabhranti (attachment to the external world and to the body). There is no use trying to have one foot in one boat and the other foot in another. You may be living in Prashanti Nilayam for over 20 years, but if you worry more about your physical needs, then all your spiritual efforts are indeed futile; you have made no progress at all. The waving of the camphor flame at the end of a bhajan is only to remind you that your sensual cravings must be fully burnt away without leaving any trace behind, and you must offer yourself to God to be merged in Him and His glory.

Source: Sai Inspires from Prasanthi Nilayam – February 08, 2017

http://media.radiosai.org/

Natarajan

We can’t feel Earth’s rotation or spin because we’re all moving with it, at the same constant speed.

Source: Why can’t we feel Earth’s spin?

http://www.earthsky.org

Natarajan