Nature is the vesture of God; immortality has put on the raiment of death; old age is latent in the newborn child; darkness is sleeping in the womb of light and light is latent in the night. Reality is the basis, the unrecognised basis, of all this glamour and glitter of appearance. The Ocean of Purity from which the Nectar of Immortality was churned threw forth the poison of Halahala which threatened to destroy the three worlds. (SSS Vol.7, p. 243)
Man’s nature is Prema, Love. It is the very breath of his life. When the six vices, to which he was so long attached, disappear, Love is the only occupant of the heart; but Love has to find an object, a Loved One, so it is directed to the dark blue Divine Child, the charming Cowherd Boy, who is purity personified, who is the embodiment of service, sacrifice and selflessness, who has taken residence in that cleansed altar. There is no scope now for any other attachment to grow, so, step by step, this Love for Madhava becomes deeper, purer, and more self-denying until at last, there is no other need for thought, and the individual is merged in the Universal. (Bhag Vahini, p. 5)
Man is divine. His real nature is Shanti. To recover his heritage of Shanti, man tries various methods, accumulation of riches, maintenance of health, mastery of knowledge, cultivation of the arts. But these are fundamental. Three basic wants still remain after all these methods have been tried, the need for reality, for light and for immortality. It is only when Sat, Jyoti and Amritam are won that Shanti will be stabilised. (SSS Vol.1, p. 62)
If you go further and enquire into the nature of the atma, you will find that it is being referred to by sacred names such as Satyam,Shivam and Sundaram. It is not possible to have prosperity without adhering to truth. Prosperity goes with truth. Similarly, it is not possible to have bliss and happiness without prosperity. Happiness goes with prosperity. Truth is like a shining light. It is with the help of this shining light that we are able to see nature around us. You will thus be able to give up all your desires and turn your mind towards the atma. When you do this, you will find that the entire body takes a very different turn. The different kinds of energies will all come under your control. (SSB 1973, p. 69)
Just as burning is the nature of fire, just as coolness is the nature of ice, just as fragrance is the nature of a flower in full bloom, just as sweetness is the nature of sugar, in the same way, truthfulness is the nature of a human being. (DBG, p. 179)
After long searches here and there, in temples and in churches, in earths and in heavens, at last you come back completing the circle from where you started to your own soul and find that He, for whom you have been seeking all over the world, churches and temples on whom you were looking as the mystery of all mysteries shrouded in the clouds in nearest of the near, is your own self, the reality of your life, body and soul. That is your own nature. Assert it, manifest it. It is Truth and Truth alone that is one’s real friend, relative. Abide by truth, tread the path of righteousness and not an hair of your body will ever be injured. Meditation is nothing else but rising above desires. Renunciation is the power of battling against evil forces and holding the mind in check. (S&M, p. 78)
na kartrtvam na karmani
lokasya srjati prabhuh
na karma-phala-samyogam
svabhavas tu pravartate
(Bhagavad Gita 5:14)
In Nature everything functions according to its specific qualities (svabhavas tu pravartate) declares the Upanishad. Everything behaves according to its specific nature. It cannot be altered or destroyed by anyone. This is the inherent attribute of Nature. It manifests the Divine Principle, which is eternal, immutable and unchanging. To bring out this divine aspect in Nature and make it manifest, all things have been endowed with certain qualities (gunas). To endow Nature with these qualities, certain media are necessary. These have been described as Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara. (SSS Vol.21, p. 82)
Nature will not give real bliss as long as it is viewed from a physical and worldly point of view. The pleasure to be derived from any object in the world depends on the condition in which it is enjoyed. For instance, a mango will be tasteless if it is tender, sour if it is half-ripe and sweet when it is fully ripe. Likewise Nature is a sweet fruit. But if it is seen from purely sensory point of view, it will give only bitter taste. But when it is viewed as a manifestation of the Divine, its unique sweetness will be apparent.
To enjoy the fragrance of the sandalwood, it has to be rubbed on the grinding stone vigorously. Like-wise, to experience the great fragrance emanating from Nature, its unity with the Divine has to be realised. For this, it is necessary to transcend the limitations of the ordinary mind and proceed to the Super-Mind, the Higher-Mind, the Illuminated Mind and the Over-Mind. (SSS Vol.26, pp. 195-196)
Nature sets an ideal to the entire humanity in adherence to the spirit of sacrifice. Trees give the message of peace to mankind by providing cool shade to everyone, even to those who cut their branches. Mountains give the message of patience by not being affected by cold, rains and severe heat. Birds teach the lesson that one should not be worried about the future. Death teaches a lesson that body is temporary and the world is but an illusion. Anityam asukham lokam imam prapya bhajasva mam (the world is temporary and full of misery, so contemplate on God). Under these circumstances, why is it that man is not able to cultivate the spirit of sacrifice? In spite of his knowing the truth that the body is temporary, he is still found by desires. As there is no end to desires, man is subjected to endless misery. In order to get rid of his misery, man should follow the ideals of Nature. Nature is the best preacher. It exhorts man to cultivate love, compassion and the spirit of sacrifice. (SSS Vol.32 Part II, p. 28)
Nature is God’s vesture. The Universe is the University for man. Man should treat nature with reverence. He has no right to talk of conquering nature of exploiting the force of nature. He must proceed to visualise in nature its God. (EL, p. 88)
The trees demonstrate the sacred principle of
equality by providing shelter to everyone
Irrespective of their caste, creed, religion and nationality.
The mighty mountains withstand cold, rains
and severe heat, thereby teaching man
Not to be unduly attached to the body.
The birds are satisfied with what they get to eat each day.
They do not store food. Thus they teach the sacred lesson
That one should not be worried about the future.
Death conveys the message that body is temporary
And the feeling of I and mine is but an illusion.
Nature is the only school which confers on man
True wisdom and god is the only Sadguru.
(SSS Vol.32 Part II, p. 28)
Nature is the reservoir of power and energy. When Nature, which is the creation of God, is so full of power, you may estimate for yourself the tremendous power of God! It is said the workings of Divinity are most wonderful. (AP, p. 76)