Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

You would have read in sacred texts that Ravana was a master of four Vedas and six Sastras (spiritual texts). Having learnt these sacred texts, was there any transformation in him? No. Instead of developing daivatva (divine qualities), he developed danavatva (demonic qualities). The ten heads of Ravana symbolised four Vedas and six Sastras. In the decisive battle, Rama severed Ravana's heads since he did not put into practice the knowledge he had acquired. Mere learning of sacred texts and chanting of Vedas will not bring about any transformation. In order to drive home this message, Rama cut off with his arrows Ravana's ten heads. Only right at the end, just before his spirit left his body did Ravana recognise his faults and repent for them and become sacred thereby.

All that God preaches is for the benefit and welfare of humanity. Therefore, it is enough if one puts into practice at least one of the teachings of the Vedas. It should be a natural trait for everyone to put into practice the divine teachings.

In Prasanthi Nilayam, you find that even the primary school children join the senior students in chanting Vedas. They know all Vedas, but they do not have the required knowledge to put them into practice. Mere recitation of the Vedas is of little use.

Only God exists everywhere and at all times. The world is but an illusion. The sacred teaching that God exists everywhere should be propagated to everyone. You find many sadhakas (spiritual aspirants) chanting and teaching the Vedas. Consider this example. A cassette tape or a disc merely plays, but does not experience the melody. It would be fruitless if one does not practise what he preaches. So, one should recognise, understand and practice the sacred teachings.

Lord Krishna put into practice what He propagated and also insisted that everyone should follow suit. You find many elders in the Mahabharata who were great scholars themselves but failed to put into practice the knowledge they acquired. The same is the position today. God has no preferences or no dislike whatsoever. All are equal for Him. But He watches to see how much a person puts into practice what he has learnt.

Many people study sacred texts, go on pilgrimage, perform penance, repeat God's Name, but what is the use? Many ask Me for a japamala (rosary). Is it to adorn your neck for publicity or is it for spiritual experience? One hand is enough for one who wants to practise this sadhana (spiritual exercise).

The five fingers of the hand contain nine aksharas (letters), which are further divided into twelve Brahmas, and this makes up to hundred and eight beads of the rosary. Chanting the name of Rama nine times twelve will make up to one hundred and eight. This sadhana requires neither a japamala nor a fixed place. It can be done while walking or even while lying down till you go to sleep. When there are such easy and sacred paths, why should one go for strenuous sadhanas, foregoing sleep?

Droupadi is known for her chastity. She has protected her husbands in many ways. After the gruesome massacre of the young Pandava children, Arjuna tracked down Aswatthama, the perpetrator of the atrocity, and dragged him before Droupadi. Instead of cursing the evildoer and pronouncing punishment for him, she fell at the feet of Aswatthama, the son of her husbands' most revered Guru, and said:

When Droupadi was praying like this, Bhima could not bear to see this. Exploding in anger, Bhima roared:

When Arjuna was about to kill Aswatthama, Droupadi fell at his feet and reasoned with him thus: "Arjuna! Will my sons be revived by killing Aswatthama? His mother too would experience the same kind of sorrow that I am undergoing at the loss of my sons. Having studied the Vedas and Sastras, how is it that you are not able to maintain your tranquillity?"

Thus, Droupadi pleaded with Arjuna to forgive Aswatthama for his heinous act. Arjuna replied, "You are preventing me from keeping up my vow."

To this Droupadi said, "Tonsuring his head and removing the crown jewel from his head is equivalent to killing him."

Arjuna paid heed to Droupadi's advice and as a token punishment shaved Aswatthama's head, took his crown jewel and sent him away.

What is papa (sin)? Hurting, abusing, and killing others is sin. What is punya (merit)? Helping others is merit. Therefore, one should not retaliate to an evil act with an evil act. Instead, one should be magnanimous in forgiving the offender. There are many such sacred teachings in the Mahabharata.

There are many such noble women like Droupadi. She stands as an ideal for all women. Why are we forgetting the teachings of such great women? Today, women are treated as mere puppets. But they are full of courage, valour, sacrifice, determination, and righteousness. Have you ever cared to recognise the power latent in women? Men do not possess such valour and courage of women. It is because of such great women that our Bharatiya (Indian) culture is held in high esteem. Otherwise, it would have declined long ago. Did you ever recognise the fact that women are endowed with such great powers as courage, valour, determination and righteousness? These qualities are not to be easily found in men. Why? Most of them are afflicted with the disease of anger, which is ruining them.

It is possible that women may also succumb to anger and indulge in sinful deeds now and then. Such people should be pardoned and encouraged to make amends, not denounced and condemned. The quality of patience and perseverance in women is great. In fact, it is the quality of equanimity in times of difficulty that was characteristic of the Droupadi, which saved the Pandavas. There are several such women even in present times also.

The bad qualities of anger, passion, jealousy, envy, and pride are more prominent in men. Women are able to control such evil qualities from overtaking them. Under the circumstances, is it not our duty to encourage and honour such women who preserve and promote peace and harmony? On the contrary, women are belittled and slighted. No, no, this should not happen. Such women with noble qualities deserve to be encouraged and upheld.

A few days ago, you had witnessed a function in this Hall, where the glory of womanhood was highlighted. A playlet was put up in this Hall by Chethana, in which the greatness of mother Sita, as the ideal woman, was presented. Sita and Droupadi were great pathivrathas (women of chastity). Such efforts to highlight the greatness of women need to be encouraged.

Sathya and Dharma (truth and righteousness) are the greatest characteristics of Indian culture. If these two are protected, the country can be saved from degeneration. If you want to protect your country, you need not join the army and fight a battle. If truth and righteousnesswhich are inherent in you, are protected, they themselves will protect the country. It is not great to kill the enemies in a war. First and foremost, protect truth and righteousness in you. The country will automatically be protected.

Indian culture exhorts,

When you do this with perseverance, you will become a great hero. When you protect sathya and dharma, God will, in turn, protect you. Instead of trying to worship God and obtain His grace, if you protect truth and righteousness, God will protect not only your country but the whole world. Truth is your very life-breath. Righteousness is your armour. Therefore, protect truth and foster righteousness. That is enough. Truth and righteousness are inseparable. One cannot exist without the other.

They are the very life-breath for the universe. Droupadi was assiduously observing and propagating these two.

You must hold on to these principles, come what may. God will always protect such people. History is replete with several examples wherein people held steadfastly to the principles of sathya and dharma and were constantly protected by God. One such example is that of Pandavas and their chaste wife, Droupadi.

You may argue, "Where is sathya and dharma in the present-day world? Whom are they protecting?" This is a totally wrong argument. If you protect sathya and dharma, they will, in turn, stand before you and protect you. They are the very embodiments of Divinity. Unfortunately, today, instead of sathyam vada (speak truth) and dharmam chara (practise righteousness), people are following the distorted version sathyam vadha (kill truth) and dharmam chara (imprison righteousness). This is utter perversion. You should lead your lives based on sathya and dharma, and consider them as more important than your lives.

When Droupadi was pleading with Aswatthama, who killed her sons, Bhima was furious with uncontrollable anger. He clenched his fist and proceeded toward Aswatthama to kill him. In that uncontrollable rage, he argued with Droupadi, "Are you mad? Why are you trying to save this man who mercilessly slit the throat of your five sons? I will break the head of this child-killer into pieces with my fist. Do not come in my way."

At that moment Droupadi fell at the feet of Bhima and pleaded with him to spare the life of Aswatthama. She prayed for regaining his composure. People around, who were witnessing this scene, were wonderstruck. They were wondering whether Droupadi was really mad! In fact, the world would be better if everyone was afflicted with such madness.

When Droupadi pleaded with her husbands for saving the life of Aswatthama, he prayed for forgiveness. Droupadi was happy at the change of heart in Aswatthama and advised him, "Brother! You need not beg for my forgiveness. Instead, you pay your respect and do service to your mother. Do not drown her in sorrow. Never cause her anguish; take good care of her." Even the loss of five sons did not make Droupadi shed tears of sorrow.

Several women come to me with a heavy heart and tell me "Swami! My husband's death has caused me deep sorrow and anguish. How do I bear this calamity?"

Then I would respond saying, "Oh! Your husband died? Very happy."

They feel very unhappy with My attitude and question Me, "What is this Swami? Are You so happy on hearing the news of my husband's death?"

What am I to say? I am always happy. I do not know what sorrow is. I always discharge My duty.

God is the only person who protects everybody. Therefore, pray to God always. Forgetting God and depending on the mercy of human beings! What madness! You must depend on God, for everything in your life. That is real thapas (penance).

Since ancient times, women have been the very life-breath and foundation for Bharat (India). They are the very embodiment of truth and righteousness. How much respect and reverence we must show towards such noble women? On the contrary, there are several people today who put them to untold suffering. Due to bad habits and bad company, people lose their sense of discrimination and torture the women. No woman should be put to mental and physical torture, whatever be their nature. They must be revered and respected and protected in all ways. Women in Bharat have always been held in high esteem. There are several chaste and noble women in Bharat, and still Bharatiyas (Indians) are undergoing difficulties. What is the reason? Whose fault is this? It is only because the Bharatiyas are not giving proper respect and place to women in society. The fault lies squarely on the men.

The truthful character of the women is really their thapas (penance). Therefore, such noble women must be encouraged and honoured. If you can put this one great principle into practice, your life will be sanctified. Those who ill-treat their wives can never be happy and prosperous. If men cannot protect their women, who are prepared to sacrifice even their lives for the sake of their husbands, what for is their existence? Women are really the presiding deities of their homes. Our primary duty is to protect them. Never let your women shed tears. If women shed tears, such homes will be ruined in no time. Women are ideals to the society. Never cause them distress.

Men should lead a life of truth and righteousness. Only then can they protect the country and become worthy of being called real men. Otherwise, how can they become heroic men? Several people go to temples. When they visit a temple, they must make a vow that they would respect and protect the women. Only then will they be protected. It is only when the women are safe, the whole world will be happy. Therefore, if you wish to protect dharma, in the world, you must first protect your dharma, toward women.

Imagine a situation wherein you are in the role of women and some men torture you. How miserable and helpless you would feel! Women are prepared to sacrifice even their lives for the sake of their husbands. But men do not have such spirit of sacrifice. Men should also cultivate such a spirit of sacrifice, like women. Only then will you be fit to be called men. Otherwise, you will be men only in form, but lacking in masculinity. You consider women as abala (weak). But, the truth is they are sakthi swarupas (embodiments of strength and power). Only I know the plight of women who lost their husbands. It is our duty to protect such women. If you can discharge this duty properly, you will be happy throughout your life.

You must follow truth even in small matters. There are three letters "sa", "tha", and "ya" in the word Sathya. If you reverse the order, it will become "ya", tha", and "sa". This means when you do thapas with austerities like yama (control of the inner senses) and niyama (control of the outer senses), you will have the divine vision of Sathya Swarupa (Embodiment of Truth). You have thus to recognise the inner meaning of every word and follow them meticulously.

King Janaka, a great renunciant king, used to propagate truth and righteousness to his subjects among his own example. His daughter, Sita, also led a pious life based on truth and righteousness. You are not studying the life history of such ideal women. Instead, you are reading trash. No. No. This is unbecoming of you. You should study the ancient history of Bharat, which is so sacred. The character and morality of women in Bharat are very sacred. You will become worthy of being called men only when you undertake to protect such great women. By mere sporting a moustache or growing a beard, will you become men? Moustache and beard are not the real signs of masculinity. You must protect ladies and uphold the dignity of the family. Only then can you become great heroes and men of character.

Consider women as embodiments of truth. Even if some minor faults are noticed in them, do not give credence to them. Respect and revere them. Do not use even a single word that would offend them. If they really wish, they can achieve any great task. You should be even prepared to lay down your lives for the sake of protecting and fostering women. At least from today, all of you should come forward to protect the honour and dignity of women in the world. Women also should undertake a vow to contribute their mite in this great task of protection of sthri dharma.

As regards men, there is nothing great or new in trying to protect women. That is your duty. Her duty is to foster and maintain the entire family as a unit. If women are protected, they in turn will protect the entire world. Never belittle women and treat them as mere playthings. I hope all of you men will, at least in future, undertake to protect the dignity and honour of women and thereby protect your own dignity and honour. I conclude My discourse blessing you all.