Bhakti Mantra: Inspiring Quotes

Results for Inspiring Quotes

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Bhakti Mantra September 06, 2018

Nurture and develop your Innate Qualities

There has naturally been a conflict between Sathya (truth) and Asathya (untruth), Dharma (righteousness) and Adharma (unrighteousness). Rama scrupulously followed Sathya, whereas Ravana resorted to Asathya. There is no Dharma greater than adherence to Sathya. Hence, we should adhere to truth even in trivial matters. We should never resort to untruth to escape from a difficult situation.

The creation emerges from truth and

merges into truth,

Is there a place in the cosmos where

truth does not exist?

Visualise this pure and unsullied truth.
(Telugu Poem)

In fact, truth is the foundation of the entire creation. If for any reason this foundation is disturbed, the whole world will collapse. What is the reason for all the trials and tribulations of man today? It is because man has forgotten truth. He is facing humiliation and disrepute because he is indulging in injustice and falsehood. Hence, one should not resort to untruth under any circumstances. One should speak only truth. Sathya is a small term. But it connotes Sath (changeless eternity). Since we try to change this changeless truth, we undergo changes and distortions.

- Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Divine Discourse on 7th April 2006

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Reviewed by Bhakti Mantra on September 06, 2018 Rating: 5

Swami Krishnananda

Bhakti Mantra August 29, 2018

To love God is not merely to go to a temple or a church. To love God is not merely to read a scripture. To love God is to love the higher Self of one’s own self. The self that is conquered is the self that is befitting union with the higher Self; otherwise, our own self becomes the source of our fear. We do not fear other people. We fear our own selves, really speaking. It is the devil that is working from within us that frightens us. Rama and Ravana both are inside. By inside, I do not mean within our physical individuality, but inside the whole creation, out of which we cannot keep our foot apart. There is only inside, ultimately; there is no outside anywhere. The whole cosmos is an inside, if we would like to put it that way, and we are that.

- Swami Krishnananda on "The Soul is the Ultimate Existence"

Swami Krishnananda

Reviewed by Bhakti Mantra on August 29, 2018 Rating: 5

Anandamayi Ma

Bhakti Mantra August 28, 2018

As there is a state of Supreme Self-knowledge, likewise is there a state of perfection at the zenith of the path of love. There one finds the nectar of Perfect Love identical with Supreme Knowledge. In this state there is no room for emotional excitement; indeed, that would make it impossible for Supreme Love (Mahabhava) to shine forth. Be mindful of one thing: if, when following a particular line of approach, one does not attain to that which is the consummation of all sadhana, namely the final Goal, it means that one has not really entered that line.

At the supreme summit of Love, - which is Mahabhava - exuberance, excessive emotion and the like cannot possibly occur. Emotional excitement and Supreme Love are in no wise to be compared: they are totally different from one another.

- Anandamayi Ma

Anandamayi Ma

Reviewed by Bhakti Mantra on August 28, 2018 Rating: 5

Swami Sivananda

Bhakti Mantra August 09, 2018

Just as gold is purified by heating it on the fire, so also mind is purified by the fire of meditation.

As fire is concealed by ashes, sword by the scabbard, sun by the clouds, foetus by the amnion, rubies by the earth, mattress by the bedsheet, so also Brahman is concealed by flesh and bones. If you remove the ash you can perceive the fire; if the clouds are dispersed you can cognise the sun; if you remove the scabbard you can behold the sword; if you remove the bed sheet you can see the mattress. Even so, if the veil of ignorance which conceals the Brahman is removed by knowledge of Brahman you can directly cognise the self-luminous Brahman.

You cannot see the all-pervading butter in the milk, but if you churn it you can get the butter. Even so you cannot see Brahman by these physical eyes, but you can behold the all-pervading Brahman by the churning of meditation.

Purge your mind of all impurities. Sever mentally all your connection with visible objects. Destroy the weeds of desires. Abandon all sankalpas (thoughts). Eradicate the longings. Meditate on Brahman. You will attain soon the nondual Brahmic seat of ineffable splendour.

Swami Sivananda

Reviewed by Bhakti Mantra on August 09, 2018 Rating: 5

Swami Vivekananda

Bhakti Mantra August 08, 2018

When the soul has realised that everything is full of the Lord, of Brahman, it will not care whether it goes to heaven, or hell, or anywhere else; whether it be born again on this earth or in heaven. These things have ceased to have any meaning to that soul, because every place is the same, every place is the temple of the Lord, every place has become holy and the presence of the Lord is all that it sees in heaven, or hell, or anywhere else. Neither good nor bad, neither life nor death — only the one infinite Brahman exists.

- Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda

Reviewed by Bhakti Mantra on August 08, 2018 Rating: 5

Ribhu Gita

Bhakti Mantra August 07, 2018

The Self alone is the spontaneous self effulgent Awareness;
that alone is eternal bliss;
that alone is Existence everlasting; that alone is all embracing perfection; the sole God-head without a rival and the sole primordial stuff of the Universe.

In the conviction born of this experience, one should ever abide, as the sole I-AM, the Supreme Self.

Essence of Ribhu Gita Ch. 17, v. 29

Ribhu Gita

Reviewed by Bhakti Mantra on August 07, 2018 Rating: 5

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Bhakti Mantra August 06, 2018

He who is born cannot escape death, some time, somewhere. Every moment, many are born and many die. But man has to discover how to 'avoid' death. Now, the Atma which is the core of man, is not born; since it does not take birth, it does not meet death. Death happens to the body with which it is associated, with which it mixes. The delusion that the body is the core, that the body is real, that verily is the death. Affliction by that falsehood is the act of dying. To be free from that delusion is to attain Immortality. The body it is that disintegrates, not the Atma, the Soul, the Self. The body is undergoing change every moment and the final change is death, when the Self, changeless, remains. When one believes that the changing body is oneself and starts referring to it as 'I', that 'I' dies, but the real 'I' is deathless.

As intense elevating activity and fearless inquiry into one's Truth are practised more and more, the consciousness that the 'body is oneself' can be overcome and negated. Consider the fruit of the tamarind tree. When unripe, it is not easy to separate the rind, the pulp and the seed. So too, those who have stuck to sensual desires and to fondling and feeding the body, cannot earn the awareness of the Atma. When the tamarind fruit becomes ripe, the rind can be broken off, the pulp gets detached from the seed and the seed can be isolated without effort. Inquiry and unselfish activity ripen the consciousness and the Atma can be isolated from the body, clear and pure.

(Sathya Sai Vahini, Ch 26)

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Reviewed by Bhakti Mantra on August 06, 2018 Rating: 5

Swami Krishnananda

Bhakti Mantra August 05, 2018

"There is no death." Death is an extinction of what previously existed. Death of Consciousness is an impossibility, for Consciousness is presupposed by every mode of existence. What appears to be cast off is the layer of objectified consciousness or materialized thought, called the physical body. But even this removal of the physical sheath is only a state of the changing of individual consciousness. It is the shock felt by the individual at the loss of a sheath which was cherished with the belief that it is an eternal entity since long that makes it feel the apparent death of its existence. That aspect of the physical consciousness which feels its inability to fulfill certain orders of diverse desires in a particular state of existence changes its mode of consciousness into that of a different category which is suited to the fulfillment of its desires. This process of change is termed "death." Hence death is only a stage in spiritual evolution and not to be considered a dread spectre which is hard to be exorcised.

Moksha Gita - Commentary by Swami Krishnananda, Ch. 1

Swami Krishnananda

Reviewed by Bhakti Mantra on August 05, 2018 Rating: 5

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Bhakti Mantra May 23, 2018

Atma is the only entity that is eternal. It is beyond birth and death. It is changeless. There is a beginning and end for everything else in this universe, except the Atma. Hence, one has to develop firm faith in this Atma Tathwa.

The Atma Tathwa or divine Consciousness permeates the entire Universe. Not a blade of grass can move without this divine Consciousness. Everything in this Universe is the reflection of that divine Consciousness. The same Atma Tathwa dwells in all human beings irrespective of religion, caste, creed, and nationality.

Unfortunately, today we tend to forget this true and eternal Atma Tathwa and develop faith in the ephemeral world. We weave a web of imagination around the pleasures that this transient world would offer. Ultimately, we land ourselves in sorrow and difficulties.

The Atma Tathwa is the only entity that is true, eternal, and changeless. Everything else undergoes change from time to time. Even the human body passes through different stages like childhood, adolescence, youth and old age, but the individual remains the same through all these changes.

- Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Discourse on 21-Feb-2009

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Reviewed by Bhakti Mantra on May 23, 2018 Rating: 5

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Bhakti Mantra May 21, 2018

Inherent Divinity

Baba always insists that the Atma is immanent in everyone. It is the spark of divinity, which gives every man light, love and joy.

In a beautiful discourse on the 11th of May, 1971, Baba said,

“The Divine Principle is the very core of man. Becoming aware of this Truth is the goal of life; it is the source of strength which is unfailing and irresistible. Close your eyes; you feel there is no one else here though there are thousands. If you suffer from cataract or worse still, if you are blind, you cannot realize this truth. So too, the Divine is here; before you, behind you, inside you, outside you and with you, and through intelligence you can recognize it. But you are either blind or diseased with defective vision or worse still, willfully inclined to close your eyes.”

Ref: “Sathya Sai Speaks” – Vol. XI, Chapter-22

Since Divinity is inherent in all, Baba always says that all have an opportunity for God-realization irrespective of gender, age or status.

He says,

“There may be differences among men in physical strength, financial status, intellectual acumen, but all are equal in the eyes of God; all have the right and the potentiality to achieve the goal of merging in him. Note that everyone from the beggar to the billionaire is prompted by the urge to achieve Ananda, supreme bliss, based on inner peace, that is unaffected by ups and downs. Every activity is directed towards this objective.”

Love.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Reviewed by Bhakti Mantra on May 21, 2018 Rating: 5

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Bhakti Mantra May 19, 2018

You are God, verily! Do not think that God is somewhere in a distant place. You yourself are God. Develop that confidence. However, when you consider yourself as God, you must develop divine qualities. Then only are you entitled to consider yourself as God.

God is imminent in every human being, nay, all living beings. There is no place where God is not present. Wherever you see, God is present there. In fact, you need not come over here to see God. He is very much present in the place where you reside. Without realizing this truth, people are spending a lot of money and going on pilgrimages. That is not what you are expected to do.

Develop the quality of love in you and share it with all. Then all people can become one. All are one, be alike to everyone. No living being can ever live without love. Living is possible only with love. Hence, develop a loving nature. When you go home, close your eyes and contemplate upon God. You’re sure to find Him in your own heart. When you open your eyes to the outside world, you see all and sundry.

What do you think is the purpose for which you are endowed with eyes? It is only to see God.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Reviewed by Bhakti Mantra on May 19, 2018 Rating: 5

Anandamayi Ma

Bhakti Mantra May 10, 2018

Which exactly is that great Moment depends for each one upon his particular line of approach. Does not the moment at which you are born determine and rule the course of your whole life?

Similarly, what is important for you is the Moment at which you will enter the current that is the movement of your true being, the Going Forth, in other words, the Great Pilgrimage.

Unless this happens, perfection cannot be attained. This is why, for some disciples, the Guru fixes special times for sadhana, such as dawn, dusk, midday, and midnight; these are the four periods usually prescribed;

It is the duty of the disciple to carry out conscientiously the Guru’s orders, which vary according to the temperament and predisposition of the aspirant. The same method does not suit everyone.

The average person can have no knowledge of the particular combination of factors that are necessary to bring to completion the hitherto neglected facets of his being; for this reason it is essential to obey the Guru’s instructions.

Within the twenty-four hours of the day, some time must be definitely dedicated to God. Resolve, if possible, to engage regularly in japa of a particular Name or mantra while sitting in a special posture, and gradually add to the time or the number of repetitions.

There is no need for a daily augmentation. Fix the rate and the interval at which you will increase, say fortnightly or weekly. In this way try to bind yourself to the Quest of God; wherever you may be, take refuge in Him, let Him be your Goal.

When by virtue of this endeavour you become deeply immersed in that current and devote ever more time to it, you will be transformed and your appetite for sense enjoyment will grow feeble; thus you will reap the fruit of your accumulated efforts. You may also come to feel that the body is liable to depart at any time, that death may arrive at any moment.

Gradually you will get more and more deeply absorbed in Him - He and He alone will preoccupy your thoughts and feelings.

For the mind ever seeks that which gives it proper sustenance, and this cannot be provided by anything save the Supreme Being Himself. Then you will be carried away by the current that leads to your Self. You will discover that the more you delight in the inner life, the less you feel drawn to external things.

In consequence the mind becomes so well nourished with the right kind of food, that at any moment the realization of its identity with the Self may occur.

Anandamayi Ma

Reviewed by Bhakti Mantra on May 10, 2018 Rating: 5

Paramhansa Yogananda

Bhakti Mantra May 09, 2018

There cannot be any excuse for not thinking of God.

Day and night, rolling in the background of your mind,

God! God! God!

Whether you are washing dishes or digging a ditch or working in an office or a garden —whatever you may be doing—inwardly say,

"Lord, manifest to me!

You are right here.

You are in the sun.

You are in the grass.

You are in the water.

You are in this room.

You are in my heart."

And when great love for God comes in your heart, you do not miss anything; no matter what you have or do not have in this world, you nevertheless feel fulfilled. Divine love transmutes all material desires — even the longing for human love, that mortal passion which so often brings pain either from its fickle nature or because it is snatched away by death. Loving the Lord, you can never turn back to being satisfied by lesser loves. In Him you will find all the love of all hearts. You will find completeness. Everything that the world gives you and then takes away, leaving you in pain or disillusionment, you will find in God in a much greater way, and with no aftermath of sorrow.

From Realizing God In Your Daily Life

(Journey to Self-Realization by Paramhansa Yogananda)

Paramhansa Yogananda

Reviewed by Bhakti Mantra on May 09, 2018 Rating: 5

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Bhakti Mantra May 08, 2018

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Ramana Maharshi said: ‘When various notes are played or sung by the musician, if you keep your attention fixed on the sruti, i.e., the accompanying tanpura or harmonium with its monotone alone, it will not be distracted by the diverse notes or tunes; similarly in the world which is nothing but sense-perceptions, keep attuned to the sruti, the one Reality alone, and your inner awareness will remain undisturbed.’

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Reviewed by Bhakti Mantra on May 08, 2018 Rating: 5

Paramhansa Yogananda

Bhakti Mantra May 07, 2018

The paradox is that the simplest way to know God is the way of love.

Paramhansa Yogananda

There is a way of knowledge (Jnana Yoga) by which He can be known: the path of analytical discrimination, eliminating all that is not God—"Neti, neti," not this; not that. Another way is to purify oneself by performing nothing but good actions and renouncing the fruits thereof (Karma Yoga). And then there is the path of devotion (Bhakti Yoga), continuously thinking of God until one sees Him in everything. He is so evident if we look for Him with the eyes of devotion. We must make Him know that we want Him, that He cannot continue to elude us. If we press Him with our thoughts, with our longing for Him, He is bound to express Himself; He is bound to respond.

God's presence is so close; it is just as though somebody is playing hide-and-seek with you in a dark room. Though you do not see the person, you feel that he is there. That is how God is, just behind the darkness of your unseeing eyes. He is talking to us through the wise man. And He is inspiring us through the great ones, such as Christ, Krishna, and the Masters. He is, but where is He? That is what devotion answers: You do not have to see Him in order to become devoted to Him. Devotion means that you know He is omnipresent around you in the dark conundrum of cosmos, playing a divine game of hide-and-seek with you. Behind the leaves, behind the wind, behind the warm rays of the sun—He is hiding, but He is there. He is not far away; that is why it becomes easy to love Him.

God is the greatest lover our hearts can know. He loves to be pursued, because the only thing He hopes for is the love of His children. To receive their love is the sole purpose for which He sent forth creation. He has everything within Himself, except our love. He gave us free will to love Him or to love Him not. He wants us very much. That is why He sends His saints to show us the way back to Him.

By Paramhansa Yogananda

(Excerpts from 1998 SRF Magazine)