Wednesday, Dec 25 2024  

OUR GIFT TO SWAMI THIS NEW YEAR, 2004 - 5 JANUARY 2004

My humble pranams at the Lotus feet of Swami.

Sai Ram, Gurus, Uncles, Aunties, Brothers and Sisters, Happy New Year with the blessings of Swami

I am Sis Sukanyaa Suresh from Group 3 and I am here to talk about "Our Gift to Swami this New Year" .

When this topic was given to me by my Guru, I was surprised. Because, during my "JOURNEY TOWARDS DIVINITY" trip to Parthi last year, I was gifted with wonderful Darshans and Blessings of Swami along with a rare opportunity to perform in front of Swami. Indeed it was a unique experience, as this was my first visit to Parthi. In addition, Swami has also given me an opportunity to be the first speaker for this year and now, I am here to think of a gift for Him. How can we show our gratitude and what can we give to Swami? Luddus, Chocolates, Beautiful Roses? No! All these are only temporary as they get spoilt very soon.

How about LOVE? Let me share a story of Anil Kumar's experience while he was talking with Swami one day. Anil Kumar, who is the interpreter, asked Swami how difficult it would be for him to realize Truth and merge with Swami since he is unable to sit long for meditation and finds it impossible to do all those strenuous tapas that Sadhus in history have done to realize Truth. Swami told him that all he had to do was to practice Love.

"Love All. Serve All"

"Love lives by giving and forgiving; self lives by getting and forgetting."

When I thought of Love, Human Values came to my mind. They are 'Love', 'Peace', 'Truth', 'Right Conduct' and 'Non-violence'. These 5 human values are all linked to each other. With Human Values, let us package this with Social Service since "Service to man is Service to God".

Let us now explore each of the human values.

Love
I must tell you the paramount importance of love. Love is God; God is love. God is the embodiment of perfect love. He can be known and realized, reached and won, only through love. "I can transform the earth into sky and the sky into earth. But that is not my power; my true power is Love" declares Swami. "Only true Love can touch and transform the human heart."

Peace
What exactly is peace? It is the stage in which the senses are mastered and held in balance. When we think, speak, and act along virtuous lines, our conscience will be clean and we will have inner peace. When we have the peace, we start to love everything.

Truth
Truth can be won only through dedication and devotion, and they are dependent on the grace of God, which is showered on hearts saturated with love. The experience of truth alone can foster love, for truth is so all-embracing and integrating that it sees no distinction. Through truth, you can experience love; through love, you can visualize truth.

Right Conduct
Right Conduct is characterized by holiness, peace, truth, and fortitude. What exactly is our duty? Let me summarize it for you. First, tend our parents with love, reverence and gratitude. Second, speak the truth and act virtuously. Third, whenever we have a few moments to spare, repeat the name of the Lord (namasmarana) with form in our mind. Fourth, never indulge in talking ill of others or try to discover faults in others. And finally, do not cause pain to others in any form.

Non-violence
Non-violence is another phase of Truth. Non-violence does not mean merely not injuring a living being. We should not cause hurt even by a word, a look, or a gesture. Tolerance and fortitude - these help us to be steady in non-violence.

Social Service
"The Best way to Love God is to Love All and Serve All"

Service is worship; each act of service is a flower placed at the Feet of the Lord. Without considering our own personal interests, should use our body and soul for the benefit of others. We should engage ourselves in service activity. Consider social service as service to God. To earn the love of God, this is the easiest way. The best way to love God is to love all and serve all. Our entire life will be sanctified thereby.

With all these wonderful ingredients let us bake this beautiful Cake as a gift to Swami this new year.

Jai Sai Ram

Sis Sukanyaa
SSEHV Group 3