The following discourse has been translated into English from Bhagavan's Telugu speech as heard on this festival's ashram audiocassette. It is a complete, literal translation made with the objective of preserving Bhagavan's precious original poetic style as much as possible.
DISCOURSE BY SRI SATHYA SAI BABA
Birthday
November 23rd, 2002

How is it that the moon appears in the sky regularly
and the sun rises every day in the sky, without going beyond its bounds? Why is it that the stars glitter in the sky and only hide during the day? How is it that the rivers incessantly flow water, laughing with tinkling sounds? The wind blows and sustains tens of millions of lives without taking rest for even a moment. Among the numerous living beings one observes in Nature, how is it (only man considers) there are differences of wealth, attraction, caste and religion? Who is the Lord whose orders one should submit to? Men should look to obey his orders.
(Telugu poem)

THERE IS A GREATER GOAL
Embodiments of Love!
Every living being and every human being wants and aspires for happiness and peace. However, he is unable to recognize the nature of prakrithi. Every living being in prakrithi is trying to recognize the goal of life. However, though they try to recognize such a goal, no one gets any result. One in a hundred or one in ten million continue to try to achieve this.
Recognizing that it is not possible to realise this goal, ordinary people are spending time always involved in physical, worldly and secular aspects of their own life. They are satisfied feeling that a stomach full of food, complete sleep for their eyes, clothes for the body and children filling the home is the wonderful majesty of prakrithi.
However, there is a greater goal more than that. Numerous living beings are undertaking numerous sadhanas to spend a sacred life full of eternal and true bliss.

RITHAM
In order to attain this permanent bliss, among the Upanishads, the Taittiriya Upanishad compared this to a bird. The name of the head of this (the bird) was called sraddha. They called this bird’s right side (wing) Ritham. They called the left wing Sathyam. The two, Ritham and Sathyam, are the bird’s wings.
It has a tail. The principle of the tail is the primordial support. The middle section of the body is the mahattattwam. The limbs of this bird of (symbolized as) the Upanishads, is sraddha, Ritham, Sathyam, mahattattwam and yoga. It exists with these five limbs.
We should not feel that Ritham means only a wing. It is said:

Trikaala Baadhyam Ritham.

Ritham is changeless in all the three modes of time.
(past, present, and future).
(Sanskrit sloka)

Ritham is that which doesn’t change at any time, in the three periods of time. Sathyam changes to some extent, based on the time. This changes to some extent in the periods of time of past, present and future. However, Sathyam won't leave. They call this Sathyam.

SRADDHA
Then, it has a neck. The right name for this neck is sraddha. This sraddha is very important.

Sraddhavan Labhate Jnanam.

One who has sincerity will attain Wisdom.
(Sanskrit sloka from Bhagavad Githa, 4:39)

Sraddha is important and the standard for every living being. These two words, Ritham and hitam (good or beneficial), come together and the word ‘sraddha’ thus comes about. Only when these two words come together, the word sraddha comes about. In the Githa also it said:

Sraddhavan Labhate Jnanam.

One who has sincerity will attain Wisdom.
(Sanskrit sloka from Bhagavad Githa, 4:39)

He (Krishna) said, “I will be attained through sraddha.” Not only that. Krishna said: “I Myself am the embodiment of sraddha.” Whatever action has to be done, whatever action has to be performed, sraddha is very essential. Therefore, the man without sraddha cannot achieve even any small task. In the principle (field) of spirituality, sraddha is essential.
Another name for sraddha it making one’s ambition firm. This means that firm faith is sraddha. Permanent faith is sraddha. That which doesn’t waver is sraddha.

THARAKAM AND MARAKAM
The Upanishads taught this Jnana in numerous ways. The Jnana with sraddha is called Tharakam. They called the Jnana without sraddha by a few different names. They called it Tharakam (marakam). That which has sraddha is Tharakam. That which sraddha has left is marakam. Therefore, the Jnana of both Tharakam and marakam are what human beings have to attain.
That which is devoid of sraddha is marakam. That which has sraddha is Tharakam. We should always teach and spread (propagate) such a Tharakam manthra. This is an important sutra (principle) in the Taittiriya Upanishad. Many people won't try to recognize this in the right way.
Embodiments of Love!
The Jnana swarupa in the Taittiriya Upanishad is very sacred. It teaches to every human being that sraddha is essential in everything worldly, physical, dharmic and spiritual.
Importantly, in spirituality this sraddha teaches like the Tharakam manthra. Therefore, when saying that it is the Tharakam manthra, (it is understood that) what has sraddha is Tharakam. That which is without sraddha is marakam. So marakam has sraddha but it won't continually make efforts. Therefore, always, in all times and situations also, in the three periods of time also, that which is permanent, true and eternal is this Tharakam manthra. Only when these five limbs are sanctified and devoid of pollution, man will acquire true Jnana.
(Sraddha,) Ritham, Sathyam, mahattattwam and yoga: we should recognize these three natures first and foremost. The essence of these three is the true Jnana.
Therefore, Jnana doesn’t mean only familiarity with a few books. It is not only saying:

Adwaitha Darshanam Jnanam.

The perception of non-duality is Jnana.
(Sanskrit sloka)

Non-duality is also present in duality. That which teaches such a supreme Truth is the Taittiriya Upanishad.

SANKARA DEBATED WITH MANDANA MISHRA
Regarding this, at another time, when Sankara made the jaitra yatra (victory march), he made journeys in all directions. He went in the four corners around the entire land of Bharath, and returned.
However, when he went to the North, he met with a rishi with great virtue. He wasn’t only a rishi, he was one in the Grihastha Ashrama (householder stage of life). His name was Mandalika (Mandana Mishra). His wife was Ubhaya Bharathi. Ubhaya Bharathi had acquired all sampanna (prosperity, success and good fortune). She recognized the three: Ritham, Sathyam and Mahattattwam.
Sankara undertook to debate with him (Mandana Mishra). In order to have a witness who would tell who was successful In this argument, Sankara chosen upon Ubhaya Bharathi. Ubhaya Bharathi was Mandana Mishra’s wife. She had no hesitation at all to say whether he lost or won. Ubhaya Bharathi was one who had acquired all Jnana.
When Sankara and Mandana Mishra were debating, she had complete concentration and engaged in Ritham. Finally she decided. She recognized that her husband had lost. Due to her husband losing, Sankara won.
For that reason, before beginning the debates, they made a kind of promise. Therefore, due to that completion, he accepted Sanyasa (the fourth stage of life, renouncing the world and becoming a monk). After accepting Sanyasa, his wife also was ardhangi (half of him) therefore she also accepted (took Sanyasa). Both of them accepted Sanyasa Ashrama in this way, and they proceeded to teach the path of Jnana to the world.
Without Jnana mankind would weaken. From a small one to a big one, it becomes necessary to undertake vicharana shakthi (the power of inquiry, or discrimination). Finally this Ubhaya Bharathi said, “If we want to attain this sacred Jnana, three paths should be entered into. That only is true Jnana.”
He didn’t worry at all about the defeat (in the debate). So, he was unable to recognize that the reason for this was, not recognizing his true shakthi. He was unable to know the form of Ritham.

WHEN EATING ONE SHOULD SAY THIS
Then, when eating it should be said:

Annam Brahma
Raso Vishnuhu.

Food is God
The essence is Vishnu.
(Sanskrit sloka)

This rasa is the embodiment of Vishnu. Food is God. Food enters into the body and in all limbs, it teaches, meaning it gives the essence. Not only this shakthi, it changes into blood and makes that blood transform into shakthi.
Again it is said:

Bhokto Devo Maheswarah.

The one who partakes is Maheswara.
(Sanskrit sloka)

That strength teaches Jnana to the entire world.

Annam Brahma.
Raso Vishnuh.
Bhokto Devo Maheswara.

Food is God
The essence is Vishnu.
The one who partakes is Maheswara.
(Sanskrit sloka)

THE THREE GUNAS SHOULD BE UNIFIED
These three are like the three gunas. It is said that true Ritham is when these three gunas becomes unified. The three gunas should be unified. The unity of these three: the body, mind and action, is true Ritham.

Manasyekam, Vachaseykam, Karmanyekan, Mahatmanam.

A Great One has unity in thought, word and deed.
(Sanskrit sloka)

Hence, the unity of these three: mind, speech and action, is true Sathyam. These three are the forms of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara. Whoever it may be and whatever time it may be, if the nature of these three is to be sanctified, these three manthras should be used.

THE SMOKE IS AHAM
Now there is a bulb or there is a light in a glass (referring to a glass chimney placed over a lamp). The light is shining but the brightness reduces because the glass is dirty to some extent. Due to it becoming smoky, this life of jiva isn't so bright. Only when that is completely rubbed (cleaned), the light will be clearly seen.
That only is the thing that we have to do today. That smoke only is aham. It is this smoke only that has come surrounding our mind. Due to ahamkaara coming, it is not possible for the Divya Jyothi (Divine Light) and the Jnana Jyothi (Light of Wisdom) to shine.
What does this ahamkaara enter into? Ahamkaara comes only when we leave flowing on the true and eternal path. Aham comes when one cannot recognize ones own Truth. Aham comes and enters only when worldly feelings increase. Aham comes and enters into one only when worldly resolves come. Aham comes when one enters into high positions.
All of these should be eradicated to some extent. Then only this aham won't have any entrance. Without throwing out aham, one won't become a Jnani. One can't know the sacred jyothi. If we want to see the sacred light which radiates, this dirt around the light should be rubbed off. Ubhaya Bharathi taught this teaching.

UBHAYA BHARATHI RECOGNIZED A SMALL FAULT IN HIM
One time she (Ubhaya Bharathi) made an ashram on the banks of the Ganges and she was living in it. Many lady disciples joined along with her and they were listening to teachings of Jnana. Every early morning all of them went together to the banks of the Ganges, took bath and returned back.
On that same path there was a Sanyasi (renunciate) who was called Brahma Jnani. Ubhaya Bharathi saw him when he was proceeding along (the path). He was a total renunciate. He was truly a Jnani. However, Ubhaya Bharathi recognized a small fault in him: he used to put his small earthen pot used for drinking water under his head and lay down.
Then when she went and said, “Ah-ha! True, he is a Brahma Jnani. However, there is a small fault in him.” She said it loudly so that he could hear. What did she say? The lady disciples asked, “What is that fault, mother?”
She said, “Dears, he renounced everything, he sacrificed everything and he took Sanyasa (became a monk). Finally he came here and he put the earthen pot under his head, with attachment to it, with the fear that somebody may take it away.”
That Sanyasi heard that. As soon as she returned, he took it (the earthen pot) and threw it at her feet. Then, seeing that, Ubhaya Bharathi said (to her disciples), “Mothers, I thought that he had only one fault. Now there are two faults!” What is it?
“He threw it away due to the attachment (ego feeling) of, ‘Ubhaya Bharathi had said like this.’ To hide it with the fear that somebody may take it away, is aham. With the attachment of, ‘She said like this, this feeling shouldn’t be in me.’ So, the second day he threw it away. Due to both ahamkaara and attachment being present, he isn’t a Jnani.”
Going about the world in this way, Ubhaya Bharathi wandered around and gave good teachings describing Jnana and ajnana and determining Jnana and ajnana.

WE SHOULD RESPECT WOMEN
However, due to the influence of the Kali Yuga, to a large extent women are not considered as having value. All the prajnana, vijnana and sujnana in them are transcendental. The gunas that cannot be seen by anyone, are in them. Therefore, saying that they are women, we should not be neglectful. They are manifested forms of shakthi. They are manifested forms of Jnana. Therefore, to some extent we should respect women who are such embodiments of Jnana.
She (Ubhaya Bharathi) said at one time:

If all women go to jobs and have professions, where is the housewife who will look after the home?
If both husband and wife go to the office, where is the housewife who looks after the home and children?
If one holds books in the hand and goes (out to work) like men, where is the woman to look after the kitchen?
If one goes to school to teach other’s children,
where is the mother to teach her own children?
though financial problems may be resolved, there will be so much dearth in the home.
(Swami sings Telugu poem)

The dearth of money may be satisfied for the women who work at jobs but there will be many troubles in the house.
So they bore all suffering, endured all; they bore and pushed aside all the sorrows and difficulties that were gained, and continued on. They were valorous and strong. Ubhaya Bharathi spread to the entire world the propagation of protecting the respect of the house and upholding the reputation of the housewife.
Therefore, no one can recognize what strength and capability there is in any individual in the world.

SPEAK THE TRUTH
Hence, if man wants to be a Jnana Swarupa (embodiment of wisdom), he should follow these three paths:

Sathyam Bruyath, Priyam Bruyath,
Na Bruyath Sathyam Apriyam.

Speak Truth.
Speak pleasantly.
Do not speak unpleasant truth.
(Sanskrit sloka)

Sathyam (to speak Truth) is something that protects moral value.

Priyam Bruyath,

Speak pleasantly.

This (to speak pleasantly) protects the principle of Dharma.

Na Bruyath Sathyam Apriyam.

Do not speak unpleasant truth.
(Sanskrit sloka)

This (not to speak unpleasant Truth) protects the spiritual quality.
All is contained in Sathya. Sathyam is the manifest God for human beings. There is no need to go to any temple. Sathya is everywhere. Sathyam only protects all sampada.

FOOD SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS GOD
Embodiments of Love!
Follow the path of Sathya. Sustain Dharma. Develop true Jnana on the path of life. For this development of Jnana, we:

Annam Bruyath.
(Sanskrit sloka)

Food should be considered in the right way.

Annam Priyam.

Food that is pleasing.
(Sanskrit sloka)

Food should be priyam (pleasing). The defects should be eradicated even in the food that is priyam, with the contemplation of God.

Annam Brahma

Food is God
(Sanskrit sloka)

So that (food) should be considered as God. Then what we should know is Vishnuh:

Raso Vishnuhu.

The essence is Vishnu.
(Sanskrit sloka)

After eating this food, it is going around our body in the form of rasa. That is the form of Vishnu.

Brahmo Devo Maheswarah.

Brahman is Maheswara.
(Sanskrit sloka)

This Brahma is:

Bhokto Devo Maheswarah.

The one who partakes is Maheswara.
(Sanskrit sloka)

ESWARA IS ONE OF TOTAL RENUNCIATION
Man assumes the form of God with the power of these two. He takes the form of Siva. What is the form of Siva? He is one who sacrificed in all ways. In what way did he sacrifice? Siva sacrificed regarding everything, even his body. In what way did he sacrifice his body?
Every human being in the world loves the body excessively. However, he (Siva) doesn’t have such a dehabhimana (body attachment). Completely giving up the dehabhimana, he maintained his Atma in atmabhimana (attachment to the Atma).
Day by day…(Side A ended)
***************************************************************************************************
Radio Sai:
Parvathi said:

Day by day you go wondering around the town begging for alms but don’t arrange for a house (for us).
(Telugu poem)

There isn't even a house (for us)! What is the use of you (being here)?

Day by day you go around the town begging for alms but don’t arrange for a house (for us).
(Telugu poem)

(From the official version:)
Once Parvati approached Lord Siva and expressed her desire to have a house built for themselves. She said, "Oh Lord, You go from house to house begging for alms and are not concerned to provide a dwelling for us. Without a proper shelter, how can we live together?"
***************************************************************************************************

There is no hut even to shelter the head. How can I live like this?
(Telugu poem)

Parvathi said this. Siva taught her with supreme peace:

Parvathi, what comes from just building a house? The rats will arrive even before us. There will be a cat chasing the rat. Behind the cat there will be a cow for milk (to feed the cat).
(Telugu poem)

“This is so much samsara (worldly life)! Don’t desire for any of this.” He told Parvathi this. Eswara is such a one of total renunciation.

With the dancing crescent moon
and the waving matted locks,
with the cool waters of the Ganga
flowing between the locks,
and the shining eye in the middle of the wide forehead,
the neck purple like a blackberry,
wearing serpent bracelets and a snakeskin belt,
the entire body smeared with vibhuthi
and the wide forehead adorned with a kumkum dot,
the lips red with the juice of the betel
and gold embellished diamond earrings dangling,
with the whole body glowing.

Siva renounced his body like that.

With the dancing crescent moon
and the waving matted locks,
with the cool waters of the Ganga
flowing between the locks,
and the shining eye in the middle of the wide forehead.
(Telugu poem)

PURITY IN THOUGHT, WORD AND DEED IS JNANA
He wore apparel like this, renounced all, and gave teachings of Jnana to the world. What did he say this Jnana was? He finally said:

Trikarana Suddhiye Jnana.

Purity in thought, word and deed is Jnana.
(Sanskrit sloka)

We have to purify our body. We should purify our mind. We should purify our actions. So, this is said to be:

The proper study of mankind is man.

This means: what is that mankind? Mankind is the unity of body, mind and action. Are we doing like this today? There is no need for us to go to a lot of strain. There is no need to go to difficulty. But, our body should be pure.
People are near to the Ganges but they won't take a bath. What is the use? Therefore, though everything is there, they aren’t undertaking purification. This is one who is impure.
Though there are all conveniences, we are not using these conveniences. That only is called laziness. One who has laziness is full of thamo guna. One should completely eradicate this animal quality, develop human quality and then transform that into Divine quality.

WE SHOULD COOK IN A PURE WAY
Embodiments of Love!
Importantly, what you have to recognize today is: you should strive for purity of chittha (the heart or the mind). If there is purity of the chittha, everything will be successful. For the purity of the chittha, the unity of these three is needed: the food that we eat, the feeling we have and the bliss that is experienced.
When the food is cooked, we should cook in a pure way. In the olden times, the Acharya (orthodox) Brahmans said that their wife should cook all the food that they ate but said that it wasn’t possible for another to cook it. This means that the wife thinks of the welfare of all in the house while she cooks.
If we have these cooks, what thoughts will they do it (cook) with? What feelings will prepare it (the food) with? So all of those (bad) feelings becomes poison in the food. Hence, they didn’t let anyone else enter into there (to cook). Hence:

Annam Brahma

Food is God
(Sanskrit sloka)

That transforms it into completely pure God.

Raso Vishnuhu.

The essence is Vishnu.
(Sanskrit sloka)

Such food that turns into rasa, is also sacred. Not only purifying the body, there should also be purity of the mind.
At the time of cooking, one should inquire well regarding the preparations, and then cook. The husband brought the vegetables. In what way did he bring these vegetables? He might have brought the vegetables because of his position, by frightening others. Not only that, in what way did he acquire them? Maybe he brought them by stealing.
The provisions become polluted through actions like this. Hence, though that pollution the mind changes into poison. None of you can recognize that we are undertaking so many actions because of the food that we eat in daily life. We are receiving so many defects.

A SETH ARRANGED A SHRAADDHA
Embodiments of Love!
Though it may take more time, you (P) pray well and then eat. Then only all of this (the food) will become pure. When it is pure, we will attain pure Jnana.
One time, beside Sivanandasharam in Rishikesh, there was an ashram. To a large extent all Sanyasis (renunciates, monks) came together there. Free chapattis were given to all the people that came there. The residents of that ashram used to eat that also. However, there was an individual, one Sanyasi who lived a sacred daily life (who lived there).
The day before, there was a Seth (a rich businessman). Due to his wife dying, on the 11th day (after her death) he arranged a shraaddha (here meaning a feast as part of the funeral rite). In that food there was a lot of poison. What was that poison? How did that girl, meaning his wife, die?
He saw. That Seth was very elderly. Due to their desire for wealth, he enticed someone and he married (their daughter,) a young girl. That girl was always crying. “My father ruined my life in this way!” Thinking that, she used to suffer a lot. So, due to that suffering what did she do one day? She fell (jumped) into the Ganges.
The husband arranged this shraaddha for the one who had died. He sent the meal that was included in that shraaddha to every ashram. There was a custom in those ashrams. He did not cook and send it. If some money was given, the residents of the ashram would (buy provisions and then) cook and eat it.

WHY DOES THIS WOMAN COME IN MY DREAM?
They made food in the ashram. All of them ate. As soon as the Sanyasi, who had entered onto the path of Truth, ate it, he couldn’t sleep at night. He was suffering a lot. He saw a young girl. “What is this? I never had this thought! I never desire for sensual pleasures! Why does this woman come in my dream?” When he sat in meditation, he saw her in that. “Cha (an exclamation of disgust)! This is a very terrible thing. The thing that I did not think about is coming in the form of a dream.”
Thinking that, the second day he went and questioned his guru Satchidananda, “Swami, why do I see this sight?”
“Dear one, don’t think about it. I will inquire about it.”
Saying that, the second day he called the family of that Seth and he inquired, “Why did they do this that dinam (a word used here to indicate the shraaddha ceremony; means ‘that day’, or the ‘day of death’)?”
She was a youth, this means she was a very young girl. She committed suicide. Therefore, though she committed suicide, no one could recognize how she died and how she ended her life. They will only perform the taddinam on the 12th day. In this way, he told the whole story of what happened.
The second day Satchidananda came and told the Sanyasi, “Dear one, his wife died in that way. Due to the bad feeling contained in this food, she was seen in the dream. Therefore, unsacred sights are seen due to removing the feeling of such a sacred path. From that day the Sanyasi even gave up meals. He spent time by eating fruits and drinking some milk.

THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING FOR THE BODY
There should be something for the body, shouldn’t there?

Bhikshannam Deha Rakshaartham.

Food earned by begging is to protect the body.
(Sanskrit sloka)

There should be some food for the sake of protecting the body. No matter how much of a sadhaka one may be, or how new a car may be, some petrol should be given, isn't it so? Without giving petrol, the car won't run. So if the body of (symbolized by) the car doesn’t take the food of (symbolized by) petrol, nothing will happen. So something should be eaten.
He (the Sanyasi) spent time in this way. From then on, he didn’t see this vision.
In this way, so many sights that should not be seen in our dream, are seen. Not only in a dream, all of these appear in meditation also. These are all the faults in food. These faults come to us from food and from the people who acquire this food.

LWAYS CHANTING AT THE TIME OF MEALS
Hence, in the ancient days, people cooked for themselves. If anyone goes to any market, one should ask, “Where did the vegetables come from?” This means, it implies, “Have you stolen any of these and brought them? Or have you taken them as bribes?” Therefore, we should eat only things that are without fault.
It will be very difficult investigating defects in that way. So, before eating:

Brahmarpanam Brahmahavih,
Brahmagno Brahmanahutam,
Brahmavataina Gantavyam,
Brahmakarma Samadhina.

Brahman is the offering;
Brahman is the melted butter (ghee);
By Brahman is the oblation poured
into the fire of Brahman;
Brahman verily shall be reached
by him who always sees Brahman in action.
(Sanskrit sloka)

We should eat with this standard.
That only is: now in college you (P) are always chanting at the time of meals. That is, if you pray with a pure feeling, that food will become pure. Even if anyone prepares it with any defect, that defect will not affect you (P).
So, Ubhaya Bharathi gave these types of teachings to the world. Hence, she became a complete Jnani. If we want to earn such a Jnana, this type of pure heart is needed.

IS INTELLECT GREATER OR IS INTELLIGENCE GREATER?
One time Vikramaditya convened a big conference. What did he say in that conference? “Is intellect greater or is intelligence greater?” He asked which is greater. All the scholars who were in the gathering said that intelligence was greater. Vikramaditya did not accept that. He said that intellect was greater than anything.
In intelligence a few changes may occur. There may be individual changes. There may be changes according to behaviour. However, intellect is very pure. Therefore, he said that there is nothing greater than intellect. Hence, he taught:

Buddhigrahya Matindriyam

Intellect transcends mind and senses.
(Sanskrit sloka)

There is no Jnana greater than this. All the Atma Jnana that we aspire for is contained in intellect.

CHANT THE SACRED MANTHRA
So, Embodiments of Love!
All of you, from today, when (before) eating, chant the sacred manthra and then eat. Any faults (that are contained in the food) won't enter into the heart.

Annam Brahma.
Raso Vishnuh.
Bhokto Devo Maheswara.

Food is God
The essence is Vishnu.
The one who partakes is Maheswara.
(Sanskrit sloka)

The principle of these three, will enter into the three worlds. This trikarna suddhi (unity ofthought ,word and deed) is true sacred Jnana.
It doesn’t matter even if no sadhanas are done. We are doing sadhanas. The important thing of those sadhanas is: sadhana is only for temporary contentment. Not that. This gives permanent bliss. For us to attain such bliss:

Annam Brahma.
Raso Vishnuh.
Bhokto Devo Maheswara.

Food is God
The essence is Vishnu.
The one who partakes is Maheswara.
(Sanskrit sloka)

Through the principle of these three, all will become pure: the food that we eat, the blood and the limbs that it goes through.

THE PRINCIPLE OF THARAKAM
Embodiments of Love!
To make such manthras pure in the correct way, first and foremost: Ritham and Sathyam. This means that Ritham is very great. Ritham means: what is changeless in the three periods of time (past, present and future) is Ritham. The life that is lived with the unity of the three past, present and future. That only is true Jnana. According to some times, Sathyam may change. Therefore, that which changes over time is called marakam.
Without wasting time, the sacred and correct path, which remains permanently in any situation, is only one. This is not Tharakam. This is marakam. Marakam changes. Everything is contained in Tharakam. The devotees of Rama taught this as Tharakam manthra. What is the Tharakam manthra? That which doesn’t change in the three periods of time is Tharakam.

The principle of Tharakam should be known.
The principle of Tharakam should be known
with the grace of the sadguru.
The individual soul repeats this without break in the waking, dreaming and deep sleep states.
(Swami sings a Telugu poem)

What the jivatma constantly repeats always and without a break is Tharakam. People of any religion and people of any caste should see (know or understand) the Tharakam manthra.

MANY PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY ARE DEVOTEES
However, today many people think that they are devotees, devotees, devotees. These devotees are doing sadhana but every step is untruthful. All the words that are spoken are untruthful. Everywhere the foot is placed is adharma. All that is uttered is untruthful. Love may be present to some extent but there is not the proper kind of purity. It is full of selfishness and self-interests. Therefore, we should not have the feeling of such individual nature at all.
Thinking they are, ‘devotees, devotees,’ people are going about the entire world and are doing all bad actions. People who succumb to such sins are terrible sinners. The face of such a sinner shouldn’t even be seen. If one sees externally they look very beautiful. But if the inside is seen, it is all dirty. We should not bring near such dirtiness. He is ruining his whole life for money. Money may be earned (under limitation).
I told some people. “Swami.” If they want to come for Swami’s Birthday, to some extent they can't obtain leave. They said, “We will apply for sick leave.” I said, “Even sick leave isn't good. It is like you saying a lie and coming. It is better if you don’t come but don’t speak untruth. Practise the vow of Truth. The Lord of all will manifest for you through that Truth.”

TRUE PRAYER IS ESSENTIAL
Therefore, we should attain God through Truth. We have to attain purity through prayer. If we want to attain the true nature of Jnana, true prayer is essential. That only is:

Annam Brahma.
Raso Vishnuh.
Bhokto Devo Maheswara.

Food is God
The essence is Vishnu.
The one who partakes is Maheswara.
(Sanskrit sloka)

What more is needed than that? There is no need to go to a lot of strain for this prayer.

Sravanam (Hearing), Kirtanam (Singing),
Vishnu Smaranam (Remembrance),
Pada Sevanam (Serving the Lotus Feet),
Vandanam (Salutation), Archanam (Worship),
Daasym (Servitude), Sneham (Friendship)
and Atma Nivedanam (self-Surrender).
(Swami sings a Sanskrit sloka)

We should make friends with God. If there is friendship only with Him, the whole world will be in our hands (under our control). However, karma jivas of today are even ruining the friendship that they have. Sneham: sneham comes before Atma Nivedanam. That friendship cannot be obtained ordinarily. We should earn that. That which is earned should be sanctified. That which is sanctified should be filled with sadhana. We should not waste our time only with words.

THREE PRAYERS
Embodiments of Love!
Today what you have to especially recognize is that truth should be spoken. Truth is the foundation for our life. Truth is the manifested God. Without going astray, that truth should be put into practise to the extent possible.
Food is very important. In this food also, these three paths should be followed.

Annam Brahma

Food is God
(Sanskrit sloka)

What more is needed other than that?

Raso Vishnuhu.
Bhokto Devo Maheswarah.

The essence is Vishnu.
The one who partakes is Maheswara.
(Sanskrit sloka)

These three prayers also make the three periods of time sanctified.

MAINTAIN SILENCE
Embodiments of Love!
Importantly, in this life you (P) came as students, entered into this place and are hearing conversations like this. Then and now also, it is essential to undergo change to some extent.
People are coming running (here) from foreign countries. They are waiting, thinking it would be enough if time were available (to come here). As such chances, are obtained and caught today (for you) they should be sanctified.
Don’t make use of words that give difficulty. Don’t speak untruth in any circumstance. If it becomes necessary to speak untruth, don’t speak truth and don’t speak untruth; maintain silence. All actions will be successful through this silence. Don’t be afraid thinking that some danger may come about if truth is spoken. Don’t be afraid thinking, “If untruth is spoken, I might become a sinner.” There is no need to be afraid of untruth. There is no need to give up truth. In a situation like that, maintain silence. Be beyond both truth and untruth. As far as possible, begin your life on the path of Truth. You are youth therefore:

Start early, drive slowly, reach safely.

You should start at this young age. Afterwards your life will become very sanctified. In this way, it is very necessary today to recognize the path of sanctification and act accordingly.

MY BLISS
Saying, “My Birthday, my Birthday,” I will never aspire to (celebrate) My Birthday. I will never have the desire to celebrate My Birthday. So many programs have come (been suggested), but I disregarded all of them. People have come; therefore it has become necessary to perform these actions (conduct celebrations). Actually I have none of this enthusiasm. I have no desire to celebrate this festival. It is always a festival for Me. I am Nityananda (eternal bliss). (Applause) There is no bliss that others give to Me. I won't wait for other’s bliss. My bliss is fully in Me.

Nityanandam, Parama Sukhadam,
Kevalam Jnana Murtim.
Dvanda Teetam, Gagana Sadrishyam,
Tatvamasya Dhi Lakshyam,
Ekam, Nithyam, Vimalam Achalam,
Sarva Dhi Saakshi Bhutam,
Bhava Titham, Triguna Rahitam.

Eternal bliss (The bliss of Truth), supreme happiness,
the total form of Wisdom.
Beyond duality, expansive as the sky,
the Ultimate Goal.
The One, the everlasting,
the pure, steady, eternal Witness,
beyond feelings, devoid of the three qualities.
(Sanskrit sloka)

I have no attributes at all. Whether you believe it or not, I Myself am bliss. Faults arise in you (P) but they won't come in Me. Whatever I do is for you (P), for your (P) welfare, for your (P) sanctity and for your (P) bliss.
Always be blissful. Live lives devoid of fault. It is important to Me that you (P) live as faultless. No matter what company is joined, your (P) faults should not be increased because of that company. It is very blissful for Me if you (P) live such faultless lives.
I will never have any kind of suffering anywhere. I have no sorrow. I have no worry. Why should I have worry? I have everything I want (or need). I have no desire at all. Whatever is done is only for you. Friendship is for you.

Whatever I tell, whatever I do:
good for you, good for you, good for you.
Not for Me.

(Applause)
I am here for you. Why should I (be here) for Myself? So, put Me to use! (Applause) I am always ready. But, develop sacred feelings. Develop Divine life. This only is important.

DON’T GIVE PLACE FOR DOUBTS
Whatever wrongs may happen, the faults are the feelings that come in you. Sometimes I observe silence. People think, “Oh, Swami has seen our faults. Swami is not talking to us. He kept silent.”
I will never have the nature to search for faults. My eyes are always completely pure. I will always see purity but even if impurity is beside Me, I won't see it. That bad is your own imagination. It is in you (P) therefore, that comes as imagination. It does not exist in Me therefore even bad looks good to Me. So, you should never give place for doubts regarding Swami.

Samsayatma Vinasyati.

One with doubts will perish.
(Sanskrit sloka)

Don’t give any place for doubts. One should remain without doubts. One should remain firm. A firm Atma Swarupa should be worn.

MONKEY MIND AND MANKIND
Embodiments of Love!
All of you know: if anyone comes to our house or when we see them, we should respect them. We should share our love with all. Serve them at least a portion of the food that you eat. Then only you will get the suitable type of peace of mind. This is true Jnana. What other Jnana do you want other than this?
Therefore, Jnana isn't something that comes separately. There should be unity of thought, word and deed. We should follow Ritham. Ritham means, we should follow Ritham in the three, the ways of the body, mind, and speech. Become forms of Tharakam. Just don’t be marakam.
If changes happen in the middle, in the middle and in the middle, there is no one more unfortunate. That is monkey mind. This is mankind. This is Tharakam: mankind. The mind that wavers is mankind (Swami corrects Himself,) but, monkey mind. So, we should not go towards something like that. We are not monkey. Being born as human beings like this, we should not enter into this.

BOTH SATHYAM AND DHARMA SHOULD BE FOLLOWED
Embodiments of Love!
Today, the Birthday, there is only one thing you should newly learn: don’t waste sacred words. We cannot acquire again the time that is wasted. The manifested God for every human being who is born on the earth is only Sathyam. Follow that Sathyam. You (P) should also follow Dharma which is beside it.

Sathya Naasti Paro Dharmah.

The highest Dharma is Truth.
(Sanskrit sloka)

Both Sathya and Dharma should be followed.

Bhagavan ended His Divine Discourse by chanting the bhajan, ‘Sathya Dharma Shanti Premalato…’