The Atmic principle is the basis for everything in creation - its origin; growth and dissolution. Considering the evanescent body as permanent and real, and leading a life devoted to worldly and mundane pursuits, man is lost in delusions which cause sorrow and suffering. Ignorance of his true nature is the root cause of all sorrow. When this ignorance goes, there will be freedom from sorrow. (SSS Vol.21, p. 61)
Shankara exhorted mankind to banish fear by cultivating vairagya (detachment) and journeying towards the Atma (Self). It is through Self-Realisation that the true nature of fear is understood. Joy and sorrow, profit and loss, light and darkness are pairs of opposites in which the absence of one is the sign of its opposite. For both, the root cause is the Atma. All things originate from the Atma. Here is a flower. It has many petals. These petals appear distinct from each other. But all petals have emerged from the same single stem. The stem is the seat of the Atma, from which the petals have emanated. But we view the flower as a single object. The flower is one, but the petals are many. The petals have come out of the one stem.
The analogy is applicable to the endless number of waves arising on the ocean. The waves are any and distinct. But they are of the same stuff as the ocean. From the waves arises the foam, which has the same properties as the waves and the ocean though different in form and name. These three are based on the ocean. The three represent the three kinds of proofs in logic: Pratyaksha (direct perception), Paroksha (indirect evidence) and Anumana (inference). This is the logical basis for Advaita. It is termed Triput, the three-in-one Atmic principle. In the human, this three-in-one is found in the unity of the body, mind and Atma. The body functions on the basis of the mind. The mind is based on the Atma. The Atma is the basis for everything. For humanness, the Atma is the basis. This is the doctrine of Non-Dualism. Ignoring this truth and pursuing the myriad ephemeral objects of the phenomenal world, people ultimately come to a realisation of the Atmic Principle. (SSS Vol.29, pp. 334-335)
First and foremost, man has to kill the Tamas (sloth) quality in him. Though water has no colour, it appears red when poured into a red bottle. Similarly, the Atmic principle, which is pure and unsullied, appears ‘red’ in a person with Rajasika quality, ‘dark’ in a person with Tamasika quality and ‘bright’ in the heart of a person with Sattvika quality. (SSS Vol.31, pp. 337-338)
Though people see Me walking and talking everything happening in front of them, yet they are not able to understand My words and realise My Divinity. Many of them dismiss My words as a joke. This body is entering 83rd year. I have not forgotten anyone so far. But it may appear to some people that I have forgotten something. They may say, ‘Swami has forgotten this or that’. But I do not have even a trace of forgetfulness.
The principle of Soham Mantra which the Jivatma (individual) repeats constantly without any break and without forgetfulness in all the three states of waking, dream and deep sleep. (Telugu poem)
People should understand this truth. It is man’s weakness that he misunderstands this transcendental principle. Today I am trying to make you understand this truth as the destined time is drawing near. Sathya has no differences. He has no hatred, no enmity, no dislike or anger towards anyone at any time. All are the children of Sathya. Therefore, all are equal for Me. I do not observe any differences, but at no point of time have I observed any differences. You may think that I have differences. Our students are very well aware of it. Whatever people may say, even if they talk against Me, I keep smiling. I have never shown anger towards anyone. At times I may appear to be angry, but in reality I have no anger in Me. Our students are amazed that even though many people pester Swami with many demands and some even criticise Him, Swami always keeps smiling. What a wonder it is! What is the secret of Swami’s forbearance?
All belong to the same family; though the individuals appear to be different, the power working in them is the same. The same principle of the Atma is present in all of them, which is nothing but Atmanarayana (Lord Narayana) in the form of Atma). Every human should try to know this principle of the Atma. There are so many electric bulbs shining here. But the electric current in all of them is the same. When you see the bulbs, you may think that they are different from each other. But it is the same electric current that makes them shine in the same manner, the divine principle of the Atma is the same in this creation, though there are numerous names and forms. If you put off the main switch, then everything becomes dark. In the same way, it is the principle of the Atma, which is effulgent in every being; once it goes, nothing remains.
In this world, God performs many tasks, but whatever He does, it is only to give happiness to His devotees. God does not have any desires. No desires at all! He has only one desire and that is Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavanthu (May all beings of all the worlds be happy!). People undergo joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain as a result of their actions. It is not possible for all to be happy. Some people have to undergo sufferings and difficulties while others my experience joy and happiness. This is the way of the world. The names and forms of persons may be different and they may have to undergo different types of pleasant and unpleasant experiences, but the Atmic principle in all of them is the same.
I am beyond all these feelings of happiness and sorrow. I am happy when you are happy. They are many types of bulbs but the current flowing through them is one and the same. Only there is a difference in wattage of the bulbs, due to which some bulbs are dim while others are bright. The brightness and dimness is only due to the difference in wattage of the bulbs and not due to any variation in the current. In the same way, the feelings of man’s heart are responsible for all his pleasure and pain, happiness and sorrow. God is not responsible for it. (SS Nov 09, pp. 334-335)
You are all embodiments of God. God is all -pervasive. You cannot classify some as divine and some others not divine. All are reflections of the same Atma, which is common to all. This Atmic Principle is also Sun-principle and Truth-Principle (Surya tattva and Satya tattva). When one follows Satya, Prema will be the reflection. When you walk on the road, your shadow may fall on bad patches like drains, garbage, etc., but you are not affected by it. You should proceed unmindful of the path of the shadow. So also you must follow your heart with good feelings unmindful of obstacles that may appear to come in the way. You should practise truth. (SSS Vol.31, p. 92)