The heart has the precious treasure of Ananda, but man does not know the key to open the lock; that key is Namasmarana - the repetition of the Name of the Lord - with a pure heart. Purify the heart with the four instruments - satya, dharma, shanti and prema. Always endeavour to do good to others, to think well of them and to speak well of others. This endeavour will wear away your egoism and attachment to things that cater to your pleasures. Do not behave like birds and beasts, always engaged in earning a living or rearing a family. Struggle for higher things; use the higher talents with which you are endowed. (SSS Vol.5)
Purify the heart, by Namasmarana; I shall come, and dwell therein. (SSS Vol.7, 26-11-1967)
Meditate on the truth and you will find that you are but a sparkling bubble upon the waters; born on water, living for a brief moment on water and dying upon its breast, merging in it. You owe your birth to God: you subsist on God and you merge in God. Every living thing has to reach that consummation; why, every non-living thing too. So, do it now; take the first step, purify the heart, sharpen the intellect or at least begin the recital of the name of the Lord. (SSS Vol.1, 1-9-1958)
The heart has the precious treasure of Ananda, but man does not know the key to open the lock; that key is Namasmarana - the repetition of the Name of the Lord - with a pure heart. Purify the heart with the four instruments - satya, dharma, shanti and prema. Always endeavour to do good to others, to think well of them and to speak well of others. This endeavour will wear away your egoism and attachment to things that cater to your pleasures. Do not behave like birds and beasts, always engaged in earning a living or rearing a family. Struggle for higher things; use the higher talents with which you are endowed. (SSS Vol.5)
It is enough if man leads the life of a true Manava (human being); because there is Madhava (God) in him. Unfortunately, man today is leading the life of Danava (demon). He is filled with demonic tendencies from top to toe. Such being the case, how can he attain happiness? You should purify your heart, experience bliss therein and share your happiness with those who come to you. Sometimes evil qualities like anger, greed, jealousy, etc., may try to overpower you. They are like passing clouds. Do not get carried away by them. People chant Lalita Sahasranama, Vishnu Sahasranama, etc. No benefit accrues from chanting any number of Sahasranamas if one lacks purity of heart. You should fill your heart with all the essence of all these Sahasranamas. Truly speaking, heart is the centre of all virtues. But man is not able to realize its sacredness. To be born as a human being is a great blessing. One cannot describe in words the sacredness and the sweetness of human life. Bear this truth in your mind and sanctify you life. Satsangatve Nissangatvam (good company leads to detachment). You should join Satsanga. It does not mean joining the company of those who perform noble deeds. ‘Sat’ is changeless and eternal divinity. It is the embodiment of Chidananda (everlasting bliss). To be in the company of ‘Sat’ is true Satsanga, which will confer on you everlasting bliss.
Embodiments of Love!
You will certainly experience everlasting bliss when you develop love. Love is ananda and ananda is Love. Your life will be redeemed only when you develop love and experience bliss. You can experience all types of love through love. It cannot be acquired from outside nor can it be bought in the market. It originates from within. When you buy a particular object in the market, you will develop love towards it. But such love is temporary, imaginary and artificial. It is not the love that originates in your heart. Love is changeless. Love is God and God is Love. You may celebrate any number of festivals but they cannot confer bliss on you unless you develop love. That bliss you derive from love is beyond all description. It is infinite.
What is the difference between worldly love and divine love? The love you have towards your friends and relatives is termed as Anuraga (attachment). This cannot be called love at all. Divine love is related to the heart. (SSS Vol.36, p. 42)
All Religions have laid stress on purity of heart. They have also declared that without a pure heart all spiritual exercises are valueless. How can purity of heart be realised if the mind is filled with egoism? The body can be cleaned by water. But the heart can be cleaned only by chanting the Lord sname.
Prahlada, who was the son of an Asura, Jatayu, a bird, and an animal like Gajendra, the Lord of the Elephants, redeemed themselves by relying on the Lord s name. As long as one is filled with ego and relies on his own strength, the benefit of the Lord s grace will not come to him. It is only when Gajendra declared that he knew no one other than God who could save him here or in the hereafter that the Lord rushed to his rescue.
The Lord s name is like a boat for a man crossing the ocean of life. It is supremely important in the Kali Age. It has been declared that there is nothing greater than the name of Hari in the Kali Age. By no other spiritual or religious practices can peace be attained in this age. The Divine name can turn poison into nectar. It can revive a lifeless thing. It is surcharged with infinite power. (SSS Vol.22)