Correct Thoughts lead to a Clear Conscience
It’s acceptable if one doesn’t have a firm belief in the almighty, nature, or deities. However, one should have a clear conscience and let his conscience guide him, not the other way around. A popular definition of Happiness is “I received what I had wanted”. Similarly, pain is construed as unfulfilled expectations. Everything and everybody are fine as long as I received what I had expected, including God and Shri Sai Baba. We remain grateful to Baba, and give Him all the credit as long as everything is good in our life.
No one compares his blessings with others. We don’t say, “Oh God! why have you showered unexpected blessings on me in comparison to so and so?” Then, why compare our sufferings with others? Both our intellect and devotion gets trapped when we scrutinize ourselves with others. We believe we deserve the pleasure or happiness we receive as it is the fruit of our prayers, services, and merits of past lives. The comparison starts when we are in pain. Why do I have to suffer when I am virtuous and why the other person is in bliss when he is unethical? Why don’t I receive God’s grace when I follow all the spiritual practices? Such thoughts paint an awful picture on our conscience.
A clear conscience means .having control over our thoughts. Shri Sai Baba used to ask everyone what they were thinking when they come to see him. He used to read everyone’s mind and the train of thoughts and guide them appropriately.
Baba’s endeavor was always to purify the thoughts of his devotees, expand their spirits and develop in them a clear conscience. All his teachings were to ensure that his devotees do not fall into trap of inappropriate thought process.
In his last phase, Baba was physically very weak (He was around 80 years old), his lungs were infected, and he was having trouble in getting on his feet. Yet he had the purest of consciousness and his conscience was crystal clear. He gave nine coins to Laxmibai. He had only 16 coins in his pocket. Neither did he established an institution in his name nor did he appoint his heir-apparent. He didn’t accumulate any wealth for himself. However, some of his devotees received so much wealth from him that they had to pay income tax. He used to beg in the streets while his devotees were affluent – what can be more amazing than this. Such act of motherly love can only be seen in a Sadguru.
To love his devotees like a mother and provide sustenance like a father is the characteristics of a Sadguru.
[Translated sections from the keynote speech by Dr. C B Satpathy in Odia language during “Sai Chetana Mela”, Balasore, Odisha]