Online edition of India's National
Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 26, 2002
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God
is the basis of all life
CHENNAI
NOV. 26
. "The entire universe is controlled by God, who is governed by
Truth. Noble souls are the guardians of Truth. Such illumined souls
are the embodiments of Divinity", says a verse. The company of such
eminent God-men enables others to get rid of evil tendencies and to
develop virtues. Many have derived benefits by attaining proximity
of such righteous men and by listening to their teachings. The life
of Ratnakara, a highway robber, amply proves this. His life was
totally transformed as he came into contact with sages. Giving up
his evil ways he became Valmiki and composed the Ramayana. Child
Prahlada constantly contemplated on the Lord and obtained the
latter's effulgence. Sages and seers had adhered to God's dictates
and consequently their faces also glowed. God is present in all
beings in the form of radiance.
When scriptures declare that
God is present within everyone as He is all-pervasive, why should
man suffer, is a question that may be raised. God, the in-dweller,
has absolutely no sorrow or worry. He is the embodiment of Supreme
Bliss. Is it not then a sign of foolishness to think that a person
is afflicted by misery when He is installed in the altar of his
heart? Though He is inside everyone, man sometimes behaves as if he
is under the influence of some demon. If only he realises that there
is room only for God in the heart, where then is the scope for
demonic tendencies to enter such a noble place? Under all
circumstances, at all times, God should be considered as the basis
of one's life. "Give up evil qualities like anger, greed and
jealousy. Anger, in particular, is like Ravana and it should be
killed. Similarly eradicate desire as it is the cause for man's
downfall," said Sri Sathya Sai Baba in a message on the occasion of
his birthday.
"Plant the seeds of love in
your heart. Let them grow into trees of service and bear the sweet
fruits of Bliss. Share the same with all," he added. Human life is
highly sacred. The Upanishads consider it to be divine. But man
thinks he is inferior and low because he has forgotten the principle
of the "Self" which is beyond all attributes. His wicked qualities
and bad company distance him from divinity. "Association with the
pious and Godly will result in developing detachment, which will
free a man from delusion. Freedom from delusion will lead to
steadiness of mind, which in turn will confer liberation. Let your
thoughts, words and deeds be suffused with sacred feelings."
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