Take everything as it comes; cultivate contentment; do not multiply your wants and foster greed and despair. You take off your warm clothing when you start feeling warm yourself. The coat of desire has to be taken off when the warmth of Bhakti increases. Strive to secure Grace, do not strive to secure any lesser fruit. (SSS Vol.2, p. 227)
What is most needed is the cultivation of virtue, and fear of sin and the fear of wrong. How do you decide that an act or a thought is sinful or wrong? It has to be done on the basis of the Shastras and of the Voice within. Without faith, no progress is possible, even in the material world. Science considers the pratyaksha (the seen), as the final proof; but how far can you trust the pratyaksha? You respect a person not on the basis of his dress or hairstyle which are pratyaksha, but on the basis of his character and attainments, which are paroksha (invisible). (SSS Vol.1)
We who art crossing the ocean of Samsara (the chain of birth and death) need to cultivate the art of swimming through Bhagavat chintana (Meditation on God). However learned we may be, if we do not have this training and cultivation, we are bound to sink. Life is a boat which enables us to cross the ocean of Samsara with the aid of meditation on God. (SSS Vol.9, p. 200)
I exhort everyone to cultivatePrema, for, I am Prema, and when you manifest Prema, you are only expressing Me, the In-dweller of your Heart. (SSS Vol.9, p. 64)
Cultivate Prema for the Lord. It has infinite potentiality. An iron chain can be broken with ease, but not the chain of Prema that binds you to the Lord. The cruellest of animals too is overpowered by Love. This is the Maya of the Lord. (DhyV, p. 42)
It is only by the cultivation of detachment, by denying the senses the thrills they thirst for, it is only by diving deeper into the depths of one’s being, by believing that you have some depths that will reward exploration that one can capture the exhilaration of that tranquillity. (SSS Vol.7, p. 357)
Cultivate faith and surrender; then, Grace will flow through you into every act of yours, for, they are no longer your acts, they are His and you have no concern about the consequence thereof. All acts and words and thoughts will thereafter be pure, saturated with love, conducive to peace. Cleanse your hearts so that the Lord may be reflected therein, in all His Splendour, in all His myriad forms. (SSS Vol.5, p. 176)
Students! The first and foremost thing you have to observe is respectfulness. This is the essence of education. Cultivate reverence and behave without pride and ostentation. Give no room for jealousy. Do not feel envious when some one is better than you in scoring marks or in sports. Even if you live for only three days, you should lead ideal lives. Better be a swan for a brief while than live long like a crow. (SSS Vol.28, p. 7)
In human life, there are two attitudes to the objects with which one has to deal. There are things for which one is only a temporary guardian by virtue of one’s position in relation to them. There are things which belong to one and which one can take along with him and use as he pleases. The first type of relationship is called ‘marakam’. The second type is called ‘Tarakam’. Men should cultivate the attitude of ‘marakam’, namely, that nothing belongs to them and that everything comes from God. All are gifts of God. You must treat all possessions in that spirit. You must take good care of them as long as you have the responsibility for their proper use and maintenance. That is your duty. (SSS Vol.30, p. 93)
Ramayana does not signify the story of Rama alone; for, the word ‘Rama’ Signifies Sita as well. Rama means Sita, the daughter of the earth. Since the earth is a part of Nature (Prakriti), every child born on this earth should try to cultivate the qualities of Sita. (SSB 1996, pp. 11-12)
You should give up dehabhimanam (attachment to the body) and cultivate deshabhimanam (spirit of patriotism). After Ravana was annihilated, Lakshmana prayed to Rama to rule over Lanka. He said, ‘Brother, it is not proper on our part to disturb Bharat, who is ruling overAyodhya. Moreover, the kingdom of Lanka is more affluent and beautiful than Ayodhya. So, it is my humble prayer that you should become the king of Lanka.’ Vibhishana too fell at the feet of Rama, saying, ‘Swami, I surrender myself, my wealth and the kingdom at your Lotus Feet.’ But Rama was not carried away by the affluence of Lanka. He said, ‘Janani Janma bhumischa Swargadapi Gariyasi (the mother and the motherland are greater than even heaven). I cannot leave my mother-land even if it is not that affluent as Lanka.’ This shows the love and respect Rama had for his motherland. (SSS Vol.33, pp. 57-58)
One who cultivates the crop of love
In the field of one’s heart
Is a true Christian, a true Sikh.
A true Hindu and a true Muslim.
In fact, he is true human being on earth
Who cultivates love in heart. (Telugu poem)
(SSS Vol.32 Part I, p. 18)
When the weapons of bad qualities are in you, wherever you may be, there you may be, these will always prompt only bad feeling and thoughts. Fill your heart with the good quality of the Lord’s name. Wherever you may be, you must remain a paragon of good virtues. You must indulge only in good actions and tread only the right path. These are important qualities of man. You must cultivate tolerance and develop selfless love. These are the essence of education. Without Truth, Righteousness, Love and Peace, the effect of all education is a big void. (SSB 1996, p. 123)