anapeksah sucir daksa
udasino gata-vyathah
sarvarambha-parityagi
yo mad-bhaktah sa me priyah
(Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 12, verse 16)
God has said, ‘Yo mad bhaktah sa me priyah! He who is my devotee is my friend!’(SSS Vol.8, p. 21)
God is the truest friend. Truth is the father; Love is the mother; Knowledge is the son; Peace is the daughter. Devotees are brothers. Yogis are the friends. (SSS Vol.8, p. 24)
Humility and obedience are the qualities of a devotee. (SSB 1979, p. 47)
A true devotee will be steadfast in faith, whatever the ups and downs of worldly fortune. He prays to the Lord not for padartham (things, material objects or the fulfilment of worldly desires) but for Parartham, the happiness that is supra worldly. (SSS Vol.9, p. 64)
I have My definition of the devotee I expect. Those devoted to Me have to treat joy and grief, gain and loss with equal fortitude. (WD, p. 53)
Many call themselves devotees, but this claim means nothing by itself. It is like addressing a letter to someone. Unless it is acknowledged by the recipient, you cannot be sure whether the letter reached the addressee and how they reacted to it. Likewise, whether one is a devotee or not should be declared by the Lord Himself. This was what Krishna declared regarding ‘Arjuna’. He told Arjuna: ‘You are my devotee and you are my friend’. Arjuna did not declare to Krishna. ‘I am your devotee’, Krishna was not content to declare: ‘Arjuna, you are my devotee’. Why did he go on to say, ‘You are my friend’. Would it not have been sufficient if Krishna had declared, ‘You are my friend’? Why should he say, ‘You are my devotee’? In this declaration, there is a profound spiritual significance. This will be clear only when we practice the spiritual life. If merely the Lord were to say to Arjuna, ‘You are my friend’, his ego will get inflated and he will take undue liberties with Krishna, if he were to say, ‘My dear, you are my devotee’, he will be extremely submissive. A kind of fear will be instilled in him. Fear should not be instilled, nor should be encouraged to take excessive liberties. Hence the terms ‘devotee’ and ‘friend’ were used by Krishna. ‘You are my friend. You may be free with me up to a point. You are my devotee. So observe certain restraints. Exercise control over yourself in your devotion.’ (SSS Vol.21, p. 65)
advesta sarva-bhutanam
maitrah karuna eva ca
nirmamo nirahankarah
Sama-dukha-sukhah ksami
(Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 12, verse 13)
In the list of noble qualities that a devotee should possess, the Lord in the Gita started with Advesta sarva-bhutanam, be without hatred towards any living being, if you treat happiness and misery with an equal mind, then the question of hatred doesn’t arise at all. If you recognize that the same transcendental principle is embodied in all human beings, as well as in all creatures, then there can’t be any room for hatred. If you realize that the one divinity resides equally in all, then how could you ever hate another? Where is the other? In this context, you might ask for whom the phrase ‘Advesta sarva-bhutanam’ is intended? Is it meant for those who have realized the one transcendental principle, which exists equally in themselves and in everyone else? No, it is obviously not intended for them. This injunction is given for the sake of those who have not yet realized this great truth of unity of all beings. (DBG, p. 57)
Rama turned to Lakshmana and said, ‘Brother! Listen! Notice how Hanuman has mastered the Vedas. His speech is saturated with the humility and dedication which the Rig Veda embodies, the retentiveness and reverence that the Yajur Veda promotes and the intuitive vision that the Sama Veda grants. Hanuman knows all the scriptural texts. He is a genuine devotee. (SSS Vol.19, p. 71)
Once Lord Narayana wanted Narada to search for a true devotee who spends his time in a sacred way. Then Narada asked the Lord for the qualifications of a true devotee. The Lord said’, A true devotee is one whose heart is pure and who chants the Divine Name wholeheartedly at all times. He may involve himself in worldly activities but he should not be attached to them, His mind should be constantly focused on God’. Then Narada said, ‘Swami, I chant Your Name wholeheartedly at all times and under all circumstances. There is not a single moment when I don’t remember You. Can there a greater devotee than me?’ To consider himself oneself as a greatest devotee is a sign of ego. Narada became egoistic with the feeling that he was the greatest devotee. Lord Narayana replied, ‘Narada, there are many devotees like you. You find them in every house and in every place. But this is not true devotion. True devotion is that which finds expression in every thought, word and deed of man. Just as the food partaken gets digested in the stomach its essence is supplied to all limbs of the body, likewise when you fill your heart with the Divine Name its effect should spread to your eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet, etc. When the sacred effect of the Divine Name spreads to your to your eyes, you will develop sacred vision. Likewise, your speech will become sacred, and you will listen only sacred words. Your hands will undertake sacred deeds and your feet will take you sacred places. Thus, a true devotee will sanctify each of his limbs with sacred activity.’
Lord Narayana wanted to search for such a devotee. Narada went round the world, but his ego prevented him from accepting anybody as a devotee greater than himself. As he was returning, he found a tribesman in a forest. He was sitting under a tree chanting the Divine Name. He was carrying a big sword in his hand. Narada out of curiosity asked him,’ May I know who you are?’ He replied, ‘Sir, I am a hunter and ‘an ardent devotee of the Lord’. Narada asked, ‘If you a devotee, then why you should carry a sword in your hand? Whom are you going to kill?’ The hunter replied, ‘Sir, I want to kill four persons. The first of them is Draupadi’. Narada was startled to hear this. ‘Don’t you know Draupadi was constantly chanting Name of Lord Krishna? Pleased with her devotion and surrender, Krishna came to her rescue and protected her honour when Kauravas tried to disrobe her in the royal court. Why do want kill such a great devotee?’ The hunter said, ‘No doubt, she was a devotee. But she called out Krishna while He was having His food. Immediately, my Lord left His food and rushed to her rescue. As she responsible for my Lord not having food on that day, I want to kill her’. ‘Who is the second person whom you intend to kill’, queried Narada. The hunter ‘My Lord could not have proper food and rest because of Prahlada who chanted His Name continuously and time and again sought His help. When he was being trampled over by elephants, he prayed to the Lord for succour. In order to protect him, the Lord had to take upon Himself the pain of being trampled over by elephants. As he was the cause for my Lord’s suffering, I want to kill him. The third person is Mira. She was all the time chanting the Name of Giridhar Naagar. As a result, all is to be borne by the Lord Himself. It amounted to hurting God. So She should be killed’. Narada asked, ‘Then who is the fourth one? There is a person called Narada, who carries a Tanpura and keeps chanting the Name of Narayana. His is only Svartha Bhakti (devotion intended for selfish gains) and not Parartha Prema Bhakti (devotion filled with pure love for God). So, he also should be killed’.
Narada got frightened and did not want to prolong this conversation. He realised that it was his ego, which was responsible for his predicament. Narada then went to Vaikuntha and told Lord Narayana about his encounter with the hunter, ‘Swami, I have investigated that even those who chant Your Name continuously are guilty of causing suffering to You’. Lord Narayana said, ‘Narada, you are mistaken. The incident only reflects the intense love the hunter has for Me. He is a true devotee who considers God’s happiness as his own. He always aspires to give happiness to the Lord and does want to cause any inconvenience to Him. Only the one who always gives happiness to the Lord is a true devotee’ This incident was an eye-opener for Narada. He said, ‘Swami, now I realise that you enacted this play only to crush my ego’. The history of Bharat contains many such sacred stories in order to spread the message of the Lord to mankind.
You should never cause inconvenience to God, in the name devotion. If you earn the displeasure of God it will reflect on you. Consider that God’s happiness is your happiness. Imbibe this spirit of oneness. ‘God and I are one’. Today most devotees are selfish. They have only Svartha Bhakti. They are concerned with their own happiness and not that of God. God is the embodiment of love. Such divine love is present in all. You should see to it that your love is always pure. Share your love with everyone. This is what God expects from you.
(SS May 2002, pp. 133-135)
Last night, I came to Sai Kulwant Hall at one O’ clock. It is during the auspicious time of Brahma Muhurta that the Divine Lingas come from Kailasa. The Lingas come as per Divine Will. When Lingas came from Kailasa, then I came here. On coming here, I saw students and devotees singing Bhajans with great devotion. But who are the real devotees? The real devotees are those who sing with devotion with a pure heart, constantly contemplating on the Divine Name. There are thousands of people taking part of in Bhajans. But not all of them are real devotees. Wherever you sit, whether in prayer hall or elsewhere, if your thoughts are fixed on God, then you are a true devotee, and you will attain His grace. If you feel sleepy, you can sleep. There is no objection. However even in sleep, your thoughts should be fixed on the Divine.
It is because of your love and devotion for God that you have come all the way to Prasanthi Nilayam to participate in Shivaratri Bhajans. I can understand your devotion. A true devotee does not need any conveniences. He does not want any comforts. Wherever you go, keep the mind under control and direct all your thoughts towards God. That is real devotion. That is what Ubhaya Bharati taught to her disciples. If you also cultivate such devotion, your life will be sanctified. Do not run after worldly comforts.
(Swami then led the chanting of the sacred Panchakshari Mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ which devotees followed blissfully). Always chant the PanchakshariMantra,’ Om Namah Shivaya’. We chant the Om Namah Shivaya Mantra aloud but this can be chanted in silence also. If you merely chant with lips and tongue, it will merge into worldly sounds. On the other hand, if you chant the Divine name silently with full concentration of you mind, it will spread all over the world as the mind is all-pervasive. Chanting of the Divine Name mentally is the royal path of devotion. (SSS Vol.37, pp. 84-85)
Having come to Prasanthi Nilayam, all of you must come exemplary devotees. Outsiders must feel spontaneously how exemplary is the behaviour of Sai students and Sai devotees. That reaction will do you more good than satisfying me.
Sathya Sai is the devotee of the devotees. I have no devotees. You may describe yourselves as Sathya Sai devotees. I am myself a devotee. Whose devotee? A devotee of those who claim to be My devotees. My duty is to fulfil their desires. I belong to you and you belong to Me. Understand and strengthen this relationship. This is My sole desire. (SSS Vol.30, p. 274)
Qualities of a real devotee
Excerpt taken from (Bhagavan, Bhakti, Bhakta and Bhagavatha: God, devotion, the devotee, and the scripture):
Those who call themselves devotees these days put on the sacred ash on their foreheads while going to a temple and rub it off on their return. When they are near Swami they behave like devotees. But when they go to a place where religion is in disfavour, they explain away their visits to Puttaparthi in a casual manner and declare that they are not devotees of Swami. What value is to be attached to the devotion of such pusillanimous persons? Real devotion consists in courageously standing up for your faith anywhere at any time. Hanuman was such a courageous and steadfast devotee. By his devoted services to the Lord he ‘redeemed his life and became immortal. (SSS Vol.19, p. 178)
For a true devotee there should be no evil traits such as hatred, jealousy, anger and cravings. These are the main obstacles to devotion, which enter your being. You must develop a sense of unity with everyone. If you develop hatred towards anyone, you will be hating the very Lord whom you worship, it is on account of your ego and puffed-up power that you take action against another, in the course of which, hatred, jealousy and anger arise. Therefore, the primary warning given in the Bhagavad Gita is ‘Adveshta Sarva Bhutanam’, which means; show no hatred towards any being. (DBG, p. 17)
Real devotees will never announce such absurd claims or listen to such claims made by others. A true devotee will be steadfast in faith, whatever the ups and downs Of worldly fortune. He prays to the Lord not for padhartham (material objects or the fulfilment of worldly desires), but, for Parartham (the happiness that is supra-worldly). (SSS Vol.12, p. 192)
A true devotee will not give up his faith, whatever may befall him. The basis of that faith is not the reason but instinctive conviction like the child’s love for its mother. (SSS Vol.22, p. 64)
Stick to your faith; do not change your loyalty as soon as something happens or some one whispers. Do not pull down Sai Baba s picture from the wall and hang some other picture there at the first disappointment. Leave all to Him; let His Will be carried out---that should be your attitude. Unless you go through the rough and the smooth, how can you be hardened? Welcome the light and the shade, the sun and the rain. Do not think that only those who worship a picture or image with pompous paraphernalia are devotees. Whoever walks straight along the moral path, whoever acts as he speaks and speaks as he has seen, whoever melts at another s woe and exults at another s joy---is a devotee, perhaps a greater devotee. (SSS Vol.2)
True devotion consists in offering all your thoughts and actions to God and yearning for His grace. A real devotee is eager to experience Divine love and does not seek pomp and show. People tend to sacrifice their true nature for the sake of others approbation. They should live up to the truth of their being. That is true devotion. (SSS Vol.22)
A real devotee should not resort to such desperate actions. To realise me, what you need to practise is love and not reckless courage. (SSS Vol.24)
To be real devotees of Rama, people should cultivate His qualities. To be a true devotee of Krishna, you must be ever in bliss, like Krishna. If you want to be a devotee of Sai, you must be full of love. Love all, serve all. (SSS Vol.31)
Manas Ekam, Vachas Ekam, Karmanyekam Mahatmanam.
Manas Anyam, Vachas Anyam, Karman Anyam Duratmanam.
Real devotees who live up to the principle of ‘Manasyekam Vachasyekam Karmanyekam Mahathmanam (those who maintain perfect accord between thought, word, and deed are great).’ The most important characteristic of a devotee is good behaviour. If he does not possess this characteristic, he is not a devotee at all, he is a great sinner. (SSS Vol.36)
Wherever you sit, whether in the prayer hall, or elsewhere, if your thoughts are fixed on God, then you are a true devotee. A true devotee does not need any conveniences. He does not wish any type of comforts. Wherever you go, keep the mind under your control and direct all your thoughts towards God. That is real devotion. (SSS Vol.37),
Do not develop attachment to the world. Instead, cultivate spiritual attachment. When you live in harmony with your fellow human beings, you will derive happiness. Then you will enjoy the unity between human beings. The real devotee is one who has realised such unity. Unity leads to purity, which in turn leads to Divinity. One who has not experienced such unity, purity and divinity confines himself to body attachment and will be trapped in the birth-death cycle. (SSS Vol.38)
There may be many types of waves in the ocean, but water in all of them is the same. Similarly, people may have different types of thought currents but the same God is present in all of them. Beings are many but the atmic principle in all of them is the same. Ekatma sarva bhuta antaratma (one atma dwells in all beings). Ekam Sat viprah bahudha vadanti (truth is one, but the wise refer to it by various names). Those who adhere to this truth are in fact real devotees. The essence of all the Vedas lies in establishing this truth. (SSS Vol. 41)
Devotion is of two kinds. One is acquiring knowledge about God and transforming oneself thereby. This is a natural process by which one starts with the physical, proceeds to the mental and ultimately attains the spiritual goal of mergence in the Divine. But in taking to this path of knowledge, only the individual concerned can benefit. In the second type of devotion, the devotee not only benefits himself, but shares his experience with others and benefits them also. Such a devotee not only saves himself but helps others to save themselves.
Love is flowing in an endless stream through humanity all the time. By turning this love towards worldly objects and fleeting pleasures man is missing the opportunity to make life purposeful and to secure enduring bliss. Man should direct this love towards God to attain the true goal of life. Love of the Divine is not developed by secular education or scriptural studies. It springs from the heart. One who is filled with love of the Divine will not be attracted by anything, else in the world. Nor will he submit to anything demeaning or unworthy.
Love is selflessness. The devotee filled with love of the Lord welcomes what may appear as punishing, as something for his good. Even when the Lord appears to be angry, His compassion is evident. Even in. punishment, God s kindness will be seen. Hence, no one should cherish a grievance that he is being singled out for punishment. Even punishment is a means of leading one to God. The display of anger is for safeguarding the devotee. The true devotee is one who recognises this truth and welcomes whatever happens to him as intended for his good. Eschewing interest in worldly concerns, he should concentrate on means to realise the Divine. (SSS Vol.19)
At first look, everyone appears to be a devotee, but individuals respond differently to different circumstances. If you keep a ball of iron and dry leaf side by side, when there is no wind both of them will be firm and steady. But when a breeze blows the dry leaf will be carried away for miles together. The iron ball will remain firm and steady. If one has true love and firm faith in God, one will be like an iron ball, steady and undisturbed. If one is like a leaf running away on account of difficulties and problems, it is a travesty to call such a person a devotee. We should develop pure and steady love and faith. (SSS Vol.18)
Dhana (money) is the currency of the world; Sadhana is the currency of the spirit. When these self-styled bhaktas come to you with their lists and books, do not give even a paisa. Why do you need a hall to do namasmarana or japa or dhyana? The presence of others will more often be a hindrance rather than help; make your house itself a mandir, meditate in your own shrine room.
Sing bhajans in your own home; above all, be an example to others by means of sweet speech, humility, reverence to elders, truthfulness, faith and steadfastness. That way you will bring more into the fold of theism than by establishing societies, collecting donations and running mandirs.
The Lord looks for sincerity, simplicity and steady joy in the contemplation of His name and form. If you keep awake throughout the twelve hours on Shivaratri (festival of Lord Shiva), because of illness, the vigil will not win His favour. If you quarrel with the wife and desist from food for one full day, it will not be recorded in the book of God as a fast. If you lose yourself in the depths of unconsciousness after a bout of drink, you will not be counted as a person who has achieved Samadhi. No bhukta (enjoyed) can be a bhakta (devotee); that is to say, he who has an eye on the profit he can derive from service to God, cannot be a true devotee. (SSS Vol.4)