Swami Satyananda Saraswati – Yoga-Vedanta, April 1954
I do not have blind belief in any yoga or philosophy. Man should explore that Truth, in whose everlasting bosom the validity of all untruths is reduced to naught.
Whatever I do is for the fulfilment of Gurudev’s wishes and intentions. I have no personal ambitions whatsoever. It is for this reason that sometimes I may have to dazzle someone like the brilliant rays of the sun and at other times gently bathe them in the soothing soft glow of the moon; one day I may have to bow down at someone’s feet if I am glad and another day I do not blame myself of any wrongdoing if I have to resort to drastic measures in order to get something done.
Having a critical attitude is a flaw and weakness. I certainly do not ever want even a hint of it in myself.
The meaning of service to Guru is not partaking of his leftovers on his birthday and posing like a devout disciple. Offering every thought, word and deed to Guru is true service.
If one wishes to impress people and ensure a secure and permanent position among friends, one needs to be soft- spoken. No superficial and fake sycophancy, learn to speak from the depths of the heart where the gems of love lie hidden.
One who proclaims ‘I am the knower of Brahman’ or who declares ‘I do not know Brahman’, neither of them has known anything.
When devotees dance and jump in abandon, it is merely a nice drama to look at. That is why such devotees and these dramas should be understood as one and the same.
Those exalted scholars and Vedantins who are content with ‘Ghatakasha-Mathakasha’, contained and limitless ether, and who look upon karma yoga with scorn, that very ‘karma yoga’ is a thousand times greater than their ‘pramaadyoga’, yoga of erroneous intoxication.
Cowardly persons have one vile quality. I have seen many people cover themselves with the shroud of shame when they go to a shop to buy two pennies worth of sugar. This attitude has to be neutralized and finished off by correct thinking.
If a well-dressed person meets simple hill dwellers, they will take him to be an important official. The meaning of innocence is absence of prejudice.
North Indians mock the pronunciation of South Indians and they criticize the way North Indians speak. I feel that both should be put aside and a third will have to be found.
Gurudev’s heart is the home of love. This is the reason why he can never hurt anyone, no matter how many mistakes they may make.