Sathya Sai: Insatiable thirst for wealth and power is converting world into a madhouse
An extract from discourse of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 7-4-1997, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume30/sss30-08.pdf :
Everyone goes about trying to see what he can get from society. Today, thanks to the influence of the Kali Age, two kinds of diseases have grown.
One is the insatiable thirst for wealth. In every city there is a mad rush for making money. Everyone is caught up in this craze for money. No doubt money is necessary, but only up to a limit to meet one's needs. Owing to excessive desire people lose all sense of proportion. Men turn into demons in the pursuit of wealth. It may be asked whether at least they make good use of their immense wealth. No, ultimately, the money may fall in the hands of robbers or others. What you get from society, give it back to society. That is the primary value to be cherished by every one.
The second malady is the thirst for power. The thirst for power and position is unquenchable. Afflicted with these two maladies man is converting the whole world into a madhouse.
The desire for wealth and power is not wrong as such. Bur wealth and power should be used for right ends. Whatever position you occupy, see that it is used (in a) worthy way. A cobbler stitching shoes is pursuing as (worthy) an occupation as a Prime Minister governing the country. Therefore, everyone has to do his duty properly. There is no high or low in these matters. To each person, his occupation is a matter of pride. Hence, do your duty sincerely. Everyone should be filled with this feeling. He should see that he does his job well without any lapse or defect. When everyone does his duty in this spirit the well-being of the whole world will be automatically ensured.
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[I thank sssbpt.info and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above extracts from their website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
Everyone goes about trying to see what he can get from society. Today, thanks to the influence of the Kali Age, two kinds of diseases have grown.
One is the insatiable thirst for wealth. In every city there is a mad rush for making money. Everyone is caught up in this craze for money. No doubt money is necessary, but only up to a limit to meet one's needs. Owing to excessive desire people lose all sense of proportion. Men turn into demons in the pursuit of wealth. It may be asked whether at least they make good use of their immense wealth. No, ultimately, the money may fall in the hands of robbers or others. What you get from society, give it back to society. That is the primary value to be cherished by every one.
The second malady is the thirst for power. The thirst for power and position is unquenchable. Afflicted with these two maladies man is converting the whole world into a madhouse.
The desire for wealth and power is not wrong as such. Bur wealth and power should be used for right ends. Whatever position you occupy, see that it is used (in a) worthy way. A cobbler stitching shoes is pursuing as (worthy) an occupation as a Prime Minister governing the country. Therefore, everyone has to do his duty properly. There is no high or low in these matters. To each person, his occupation is a matter of pride. Hence, do your duty sincerely. Everyone should be filled with this feeling. He should see that he does his job well without any lapse or defect. When everyone does his duty in this spirit the well-being of the whole world will be automatically ensured.
--- end extract ---
[I thank sssbpt.info and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above extracts from their website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
Sairam Sir, I came across this very powerful and revealing incident in the book 'Sai Smaran' by Dr. DJ Gadhia (pg 107), where Swami clearly says that we should listen only when He instructs anything to us directly and should never believe anyone else who conveys a message for us from Swami, whatever be his position.
ReplyDeleteI paste the verbatim text below.
The Maharashtra Branch of Prasanthi Vidwan Mahasabha (conference of scholars and learned men) was inaugurated by Beloved Swami at Shanmukhananda Hall, Bombay, on 7 June 1965. The Chairman of the Committee was Minister P. K. Savant, who was appointed by Beloved Swami.
I was busy giving Swami's Divine message in different places in Bombay, and Swami called the Minister and told him "Gadhia is making a great noise in Bombay. Call him and say that Swami does not require any propaganda, and therefore to stop all programmes."
I was greatly shocked when I got this message from the Minister and at once stopped everything and caught the next train to Puttaparthi. I had barely entered the main gate of Prasanthi Nilayam when Swami approached me and said “You have failed in your duty. Why did you listen to Savant?”
I replied “Swami! If he would have been an ordinary devotee, I would not have listened to him but You sent the message through a very influential man and therefore I came here for confirmation of the message.”
He replied in an angry tone “Even if he would have been the Prime Minister, you should not have listened to him!”
Then putting His hand over His chest, He said “This is Krishna. He may tell one thing to one person and a different thing to another. You must listen and put into practice only when Swami has instructed you. Do not make such a mistake again!”
I immediately gave a promise not to listen to anyone in future.
Thanks Aarthi for sharing this very interesting incident. Jai Sairam!
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