Message of the Saints

Love, Compassion & Non-violence

‘‘Pothi padhi padhi jag mua,

Pandit hua na koi;

Dhai akshar prem ke,

Padhe so Pandit hoi !’’

In these words saint Kabir said that no amount of reading the scriptures makes a Pandit; but he who learns the word ‘love’ will surely become one.

The message of love has been spread by the Saints through the ages. Bhagvan Mahavir, Gautam Buddha and Shri Sai Baba, all spoke of love of humanity, so that ordinary people could achieve fulfilment in their lives. The message of love is universal, transcending all ages and true at all times.

They all preached Ahinsa, not only physically, but verbally and mentally as well. ‘Kaya - Vacha - Mane.’ Mahavir made it a basic tenet of religion. Buddha’s teaching is simple : ‘‘Cease to do evil, learn to do good; and purify your mind ! Hurt none by word or deed.’’

Sai Baba laid special emphasis on verbal and mental non-violence. He used to say that vegetarians - who practiced physical Ahinsa - blatantly indulged in verbal and mental violence. To hurt people with bad words or even wishing ill for them was worse than hurting physically.

‘‘Speak the truth,’’ exhorted Mahavir. ‘‘Be a lamp unto yourself,’’ said Buddha. ‘‘Hold fast to the truth as a lamp. Seek your salvation in truth alone. One who denies the truth goes to hell, for Karma, the law of cause and effect ensures that every action has its result.’’ Baba always told His devotees to be truthful and not tell lies. ‘‘You should always be truthful. Then I will be with you, wherever you are all times,’’ assured Baba.

Love for all living creatures was the way of life of not only Mahavir, Buddha and Sai, but all the Saints, who have graced this earth, whatever religion they may have belonged to. ‘‘Give food to the hungry,’’ Mahavir and Buddha emphasized, while Baba said, ‘‘Know that those who give food to one suffering from the pangs of hunger, are really putting it in my mouth, and this is true everywhere.’’ He also said, never to shoo anybody away, be he a human, animal or bird. Giving food to the people with preference to the sick, blind, physically challenged, deaf, mute and poor over one’s relatives was the ultimate good deed or ‘Punya’ one could achieve. Since no one can shun the responsibility of good or bad behaviour, one should always have good deeds, good character and good thoughts to achieve Moksha, said Sai.

Love is the ultimate truth, say the Saints, be it Mahavir, Gautam Buddha or Sai Baba. Love is universal, all embracing, unconditional and abundant. ‘‘Love ye one another and I will love you all,’’ said Sai, and as Kabir mentioned, if one learnt the meaning of Love, one had gained the ultimate knowledge.

Come, lets spread the message of

the Saints,

Lets spread the message of Love -

for Love is the Life of the Soul.

- Jyoti Ranjan Raut

jyotiraut53@rediffmail.com    

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Without having an association from some earlier life, no one, not just human beings, but even animals and birds, come across one another. Therefore, do not rebuff any one.

He, who definitely wishes to escape the bonds of birth and death, should follow the path of righteousness very meticulously and be always tranquil. Such a person should abandon harsh words; should not pick on others’ weaknesses; remain engaged in good acts concentrating on one’s own duties.

Baba has repeatedly said : ‘‘If any one speaks insultingly to another, then he has hurt me only and pierced my heart. He hurts me immediately, who speaks a volley of hard words to another; while I am immensely pleased for a long time, if one bears an insult patiently.’’

There could be no lying before Sai. Falsehood does not gain Sai’s grace. Dishonesty leads to destruction and ultimately lies lead one to hell. To tell a lie would not serve any purpose, as Sai Maharaj was omniscient.

Just as ‘Varanna’ (highly tasteful dish of pulses) is the best among the six flavours (sweet, sour, salt, pungent, astringent and bitter), giving of food in charity is the most meritorious. A spire without a pinnacle does not seem befitting, nor does a lake without lotuses.

‘He will reap, what he bows.’

We have to reap, what we sow in our past life. One should endure one’s destiny calmly. There is no use crying about it.

Life is not to be lived only for doing work, to fulfil one’s wishes to acquire wealth and for earning money. Until one survives, one should study the philosophy of life. That is the aim of life.

Those wise men who have faith, who have acquired knowledge and who are non-attached, who have realised that ‘Atma-tattva’ (essence of the Supreme Spirit), which is experienced by them, know that they are really the fortunate devotees.

– Shri Sai Satcharita

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