101. Dasara Divine Discourse on 21-10-2004
CULTIVATE GOOD HABITS TO COMMAND RESPECT IN SOCIETY
Some people keep awake the whole night of Sivarathri by playing cards. Can this be called Jagarana (vigil)? If one abstains from food on account of quarrel with one's wife, can it be called fasting? The fisherman goes on watching intently to trap the fish in the net. Can this be termed meditation? (Telugu poem)
Embodiments of Love!
Several people play cards throughout the night in order to keep themselves awake on the holy night of Sivarathri. Once I enquired of an officer, "How did you spend your time last night?" He immediately got up and answered, "Swami! I spent the time very happily." I further enquired what sort of happiness he derived. He replied, "Yesterday was Sivarathri. I played cards throughout the night and enjoyed very much. I did not have even a wink of sleep." I questioned him again, "How can you derive the fruit of holy Sivarathri by spending your time playing cards throughout the night?" The officer gave a wonderful reply, "Since I was busy playing cards throughout the night and was therefore free from all worries; I thought I was happily spending time last night." You might have observed the fishermen laying their nets in the pond and waiting with single-pointed attention hoping for some fish to fall in the net. Can you call their intense gaze as concentration? Can it lead to Mukti (liberation)? The understanding of concentration and meditation by man today can be compared to the fisherman's single-pointed effort to catch fish.
Another example: A person was heavily drunk and had lost his body-consciousness. Can you call it Thanmayattwa (total identification with divinity)? One more example; a person quarrelled with his wife and abstained from food. Can you say he was on a ritual fast? Some people resort to such acts of Thanmayattwa and concentration and live in a fool's paradise. One can imagine as to what extent man has degenerated himself taking to bad ways and distortions! Did you ever analyse the nature of the human body? It consists of sweat, urine, excreta, bad odour, flesh and blood. It is prone to decay and death ultimately. Every second, only bad matter and bad odour are generated in the body. What is there to be proud of such a decaying body? One has to realise the true nature of such an evanescent human body and make the best use of it. Do you know why God has given us the human body? Is it for indulging in evil acts and wasting the precious life? No, no. The body is given to us so that man should strive to attain Divinity; not for misusing it. You should realise for yourself to what sacred purposes it is to be used. From the time one gets up from the bed till he goes to bed in the night, man's time is spent in worldly pursuits. He does not have time to think of God even before he goes to bed.
The human body is a sacred instrument given by God and it has to be sanctified by contemplating on God at least one or two times a day. What kind of activities are to be undertaken so that man may derive happiness and joy? The most appropriate answer to this question would be that his senses should be engaged in constant contemplation of God. The eyes must always see good things. The ears must be engaged in hearing good things. The tongue must be made to speak always sweet and noble words. It should chant the divine name. Thus, every limb of the body must be put to proper use and sanctified.
Dear students!
Normally, I do not like to speak about My physical self. However, I am revealing certain aspects of My daily routine with the hope that they will serve as guidelines for you. I wake up four times during night. Usually I get up from bed at 12 hours at midnight, brush My teeth and also clean the tongue and mouth thoroughly. Again, I repeat the process at 1.30 a.m., 3 a.m. and 4.30 a.m. The boys who sleep in My room to attend to My needs during the night may find it inconvenient sometimes as their sleep is disturbed. However, I strictly adhere to this routine so that My tongue, mouth and teeth are always clean. I feel happy only when My tongue and mouth are clean. A clean tongue helps in maintaining purity of body and mind. You might have observed Me talking to a number of people, everyday. I will spend even 20 minutes instead of 10 minutes talking to those who keep a clean tongue and whose mouth does not emit bad odour. On the other hand, I do not talk to those with bad odour even for two minutes. During our sleep, bacteria get generated and they stick to our tongue and teeth on all sides of the mouth. They have to be removed by proper brushing of the teeth and a thorough cleaning of the tongue and mouth. Only then can we be healthy and happy. Apart from physical cleaning, our tongue must be engaged in speaking sacred and pure words. Following this principle, I am putting My tongue to proper use by engaging Myself in sacred activities. It is only after I clean My body properly, I come out of My chamber. By the time I come out of My room, a boy looking after the kitchen brings the ragi gruel. I partake of the gruel and feel very happy and energetic. Except this ragi gruel, I do not take any other item during early morning. I do not have breakfast. After taking the gruel, I once again clean my mouth. Then, I drink some fresh water and come down. Several people may be wondering as to what I have for My breakfast. Nothing; I have no taste for snacks at all! A glass of cool water is all that I like to have. Thereafter, I spend some time happily with devotees, giving darshan and talking to some; I also give interviews to selected people. I am always pure in body and mind. My words are pure, My thoughts are pure and My acts are pure and sacred.
