Every human being has four birthdays. The first when he emerges from his mother’s womb, and being neither boly nor unholy, craves only for food and shelter; the second is when he begins his spiritual study to lead him from darkness to light; the third is when he has gained wisdom, having mastered the disciplines propounded by the Rishis for achieving self-realisation; the fourth and last is when he realises his true identity and merges with Brahman. (SSS Vol. 10, p. 124)

Bhagavan emphasized that it was not because of the birthday that so many people had assembled, but it was because they assembled that the birthday was celebrated! ‘I have no interest in publicising the date on which this body, which I willed for a purpose, appeared among mankind. I want each of you to celebrate the day I am enshrined in your hearts as My birthday,’ (SSSm Vol.4, p. 64)

In all religions birthdays of great personalities are celebrated, but the ideals for which the lived are not remembered and followed. If you do not care to follow their teachings, the celebrations lose their meaning and become artificial observances; it is not doing justice to the great men whose birthdays you celebrate. Jesus taught people to love all beings and serve all with compassion. It is only by practising these ideals that you can truly celebrate his birthday. You must live in love and lead a life of selfless service based on love. This is the only right way of celebrating the birth of Jesus. (SSS Vol.39, p. 130)

Our true birthday is the day we turn toward God. Embodiments of love! Do not pay attention to the day when the body was born and fulfil selfish ends by celebrating the event pompously. The day when you manifest pure feelings in your hearts, plant firm faith in the Divine Principle in your thoughts and cultivate unselfish enthusiasm to serve others, that day deserves to be celebrated as the Real Birthday. Seva can give you the experience of the Omnipresence of God, God as Vishnu. (SS Jan ‘85, p. 11)

I do not accost one particular date in the calendar as My Birthday, for I consider the day when Divinity blossoms in your heart as My birth-day in you. Therefore each of you should individually celebrate such a day as My Birthday. The day you resolve to practise My advice, and to engage in Sadhana (spiritual discipline) is My birthday for you. The 23^rd day of November which you now honour as the day on which I was born is only like any other day if you celebrate it in a routine, ritual fashion. Adore man: the adoration reaches Me. Neglect man: you neglect Me. Of what avail is it to worship the Lord and to suppress man, His counterpart? Love for God must be manifested as Love for man and Love must express itself as Service. (SSS Vol.13, p. 55)