In the past, Divine incarnations rid the world of evil by destroying the few fanatics and ogres who wrought it. But in the present times, fanaticism and felony reigns in every heart. The evil people are legion, no one is free from that taint, and all are wicked to some extent or the other. Therefore, everyone needs correction. Everyone must be educated and guided in the right path. Every being is a pilgrim destined to return to God and merge in Him. But most people have forgotten the path, they wander like lost children, wasting precious time in the by-lanes of the world. Human beings are the best amongst creation who can feel, think and experience their own journey across time! Armed with the sword of discrimination (Viveka) and the shield of renunciation (Vairagya), you must use this precious opportunity to transform yourself to become Divine – that is your destiny, the plan and purpose of your being.

Source: http://media.radiosai.org/

Natarajan

Source: Last night’s very young moon

http://www.earthsky.org

Natarajan

To reform one’s tendencies and character is indeed an uphill task. One may have studied all the text-books of spiritual practice, also read all the scriptures, and may even have lectured for hours on them; but one slips into error when confronted by temptation. Like the land that is parched, the heart may appear to be free from any crop of evil, but when the first showers fall, the seeds and roots underneath the soil change the parched land into a carpet of green. You may have the best of vegetables, you may have the most capable chef in the world, but if the copper vessel in which you prepare the soup is not tinned, the dish you cook will be highly poisonous. Similarly, you must ‘tin’ your heart with truth, right conduct, peace and divine love. Only then will it become a vessel fit to repeat holy names, practice meditation, observe religious vows, do ritualistic worship, and so on.

Source: http://media.radiosai.org

Natarajan

An old year is gone by and a new year has come, and people joyfully celebrate the arrival of the new year. Do you know how many centuries have elapsed since the history of mankind? There is no use turning back and watching the road traversed – your duty is to watch the road ahead and march steadily towards your goal. It is lack of faith that causes you to lose temper and fly into fits of anger; it is lack of faith in yourself and in others. If you see yourself as truly the undefeatable Divine Self and everyone around you as your reflections, just as the scriptures declare them to be, you will never be provoked to get angry. What you must resolve today in the auspicious New Year is to march steadily on the spiritual path to manifest your Divinity. Resolve to do this one thing – Practice first, and then preach!

Source: http://media.radiosai.org/

Natarajan

Source: http://www.amusing planet.com

Natarajan

Source: Snow geese

http://www.earthsky.org

Natarajan

The contact of the senses with object arouses desire and attachment; this leads to effort and consequently, either elation or despair! Then, there is the fear of loss or grief at failure and the train of reactions elongates. The ‘see-er’ must not attach oneself to the ‘seen’; that is the secret to live happily. With many doors and windows kept open to all the winds that blow, how can the flame of the lamp within survive? The lamp is your mind, which must burn steadily unaffected by the demands of the world outside. Complete surrender to the Lord (Saranagathi) is one way of closing the windows and doors. For, when you surrender completely to the Lord, you are bereft of ‘ego’ and so, you are not buffeted by joy or grief. Saranagathi, will enable you to draw upon the Lord’s Grace for meeting all the crises that arise in your life and renders you heroic, steadfast and better prepared to face life’s challenges.

Source: http://media.radiosai.org/

Natarajan

Like the kitten calling the mother to where it sits by merely mewing, all that the true devotee needs to do is just yearn for the Lord! A mere mew with the pain of separation will win His heart. The growing crop in the fields thirsts for rain. It sees the heavy rain clouds sail across the sky, but it cannot rise up to that altitude, nor can it bring the clouds down to the ground. Humanity too sizzles in the hot sun, the unbearable heat of ego and greed. It needs the rain of grace; it knows only then it can flourish in peace and joy. Just as the clouds form droplets and fall upon the fields that they choose to foster, the Formless Absolute individualises Itself, assumes form, and comes down in the midst of humanity to save and sustain. That is the secret of God (Madhava) coming down as man (manava). Once the rains come, the sun has its uses! So too, when the grace of the Lord is gained, ego and greed can be put to profit by being made to flow into useful channels.

Source: http://media.radiosai.org/

Natarajan

You may doubt whether such a small word like Rama, Sai or Krishna can take you across the boundless sea of worldly life. People cross vast oceans on a tiny raft; they are able to walk through dark jungles with a tiny lamp in their hands. The Name, even the Pranava (Om) which is smaller, has vast potentialities. The raft need not be as big as the sea. The recitation of the Divine Name is like the operation of a bore well to tap underground water; it is like the chisel-stroke that will release the image of God imprisoned in the marble. Break the encasement and the Lord will appear; cleave the pillar, as Prahlada (Lord Vishnu’s devotee) asked his father to do, and the Lord who is ever there will manifest Himself. Churn and you bring the butter, latent in the milk, into view.

Source: http://media.radiosai.org/

Natarajan

Source: http://www.earthsky.org

natarajan