Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

Everyone should remember that the purpose of human life is to do one's duty without 'regard for results, which will automatically accrue. When there is rain, water will flow in the river and one need not pray for both. It is enough if you pray for rain. Man can't live without activity even for a moment, as blood circulation and breathing are going on non-stop as long as one lives, whether one is sleeping, walking or sitting. It will be folly to attribute these natural activities to man's efforts. It is Divine action. Krishna spells this out in the Geetha: "Aham Vaishvanaro Bhuuthva Praninam Dehamashrithah. Pranapana Samayukthah. Pachamyannam Chathur Vidham." God is in every being as Vaishvanara, aiding digesting of all types of food. God is described as Eesha, Gireesha, Naresha, Paresha and Bilvesha. The term Eesha means sakala aishvarya sampanna (master of all types of wealth). Aishvarya includes not only property, movable and immovable, but also strength, knowledge, skill, intelligence and prosperity. Eeshvara is the master of all wealth.

Gireesha means master of Girl or Hill. What does this signify? People often go to Thirupathi Hills and offer their hair in fulfilment of vows. The inner significance of this sacrifice of hair must be understood. God is not expecting your hair, which is of no value at all. Does He relish this lowliest of offerings? Certainly not! The head is the peak of the human body. Ignorance or Thamasik quality is supposed to be dark or black. The black hair is enveloping the peak of the human body which is the head. By removing the hair on the head you expose the white surface of the peak. This is symbolic of surrendering the dullness or Thamasik quality. This is an age-old practice, which is followed without comprehending its inner significance. Since God is the master of the light of wisdom, as opposed to dullness on the head at the top of the human body, He is termed as "Gireesha."

In the term Naresha (master of Narah) 'Na' means no, 'Rah' means ignorant of one's sacredness. Narah means 'man' who is not ignorant. He is not a sinner. He is the embodiment of pure Atma. The Master of man is Naresha.

'Para' means "above all." God transcends all. He is Akhanda (limitless) and Anirvachaneeya (beyond description by words). As God transcends the three stages of time - past, present and future and transcends space, pervading everywhere, He is termed Paresha.

He is termed Bilvesha - the lover of the Bilva leaf which is having triple leaves in a single stalk, Thrinethra - one with three eyes and Thriguna - transcending the three gunas (qualifies of Sathva, Rajas and Thamas). His weapon is Thrishul, the three-pointed Javelin. One should offer the three qualities to God, symbolised by the offer of the triple-leaf Bilva for worship. One should do worship with full understanding of the inner significance of the rituals.