Man should aim at being Siva, not Yama
…A priceless piece of advice from Bhagawan on adhering to the righteous path to become a Truthful, Rightful human being, putting the very best effort to know what is ‘Unknown’, The True Truth.
Time is fleeting like a fast moving wind. The body is melting away from moment to moment like a block of ice. And, Man is discarding his mortal body without performing his duty.
If human life does no more than, being born, brought up and die, then what is its achievement? What is the fruit of all the effort? Is this the use to which the education and training that man acquires are put?
Why should one make a special effort to acquire such qualities if it is only to know what is already known. One should use one’s intelligence to know what we do not know.
The beasts and the birds too eat and sleep; they express fear and love in the same manner as men do. The differences are only in appearance and in name; the desire and the passion are the same for man and beast.
How can we then establish the uniqueness of man? In spite of the fact that wisdom and judgement are special gifts to man by God, if man does not draw upon such gifts of what use is it to proclaim the sanctity of the human species? What is the use of claiming supremacy? There is no sense in such pride. To relate one’s actions with one’s utterances and to relate one’s utterances with one’s thoughts is to be human. If on the other hand, there is no correspondence between one’s utterances, one’s actions and one’s thoughts, the individual can be only a min in outer shade; truly, he is devoid of all title to life.
Your hearts should be filled with compassion towards all living beings. You should fill suffering hearts with Prema. You should radiate thoughts that can generate Ananda.
The heart is like the overhead tank. Actions are like taps. Whatever quality of water is used to fill the tanks, only such will flow out of the taps. Fill the heart with Prema; then, Ananda flows from the taps. It will reach the world around us.
The utterance of Tukaram, “Dil ka Ram; Hath ka Kam” should be regarded as the motto of life. Prema is the main pillar of the Sai teaching. Life should be filled with Prema. The world should be looked at with Prema. Society should be contacted with Prema. Fulfilment of one’s life should trough Prema.
Prema alone is God. Prema alone is Life. There is no living without Prema. Life devoid of Prema is equivalent to death. Life filled with Prema is Ananda. Life without Prema is sorrow, Prema is festivity. Absence of Prema is mourning. Prema is fearlessness. Absence of Prema is fear. Prema is the messenger of good. Absence of Prema is the harbinger of death.
Man should aim at being Siva and not behave like Yama. Man should become himself fearless; he should not frighten all around him. To strike terror is the nature of the hunter beast! To be afraid is the nature of the hunted animal. Man is neither a hunter beast nor a hunted animal. He should neither cause terror nor lie afraid. He should saturate Life with Prema.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
Man Should Aim at Being Siva – The Goal of Human Life
Human life is a precious opportunity granted for a higher purpose than the pursuit of material success and temporary pleasures. Spiritual masters throughout the ages have taught that the true goal of life is self-realization—the discovery of the divine reality that exists within every individual. The profound statement Man Should Aim At Being Siva points toward this ultimate spiritual objective. It does not suggest that a person becomes a deity in a physical sense; rather, it emphasizes the realization of one’s inherent divine nature and the cultivation of qualities that reflect the highest spiritual ideals.
In Hindu philosophy, Siva represents purity, wisdom, compassion, detachment, and supreme consciousness. He symbolizes the state of perfect awareness that transcends worldly limitations and ego-centered thinking. When spiritual teachers declare that Man Should Aim At Being Siva, they encourage individuals to rise above negative tendencies and awaken the divine attributes already present within their hearts. This transformation is the essence of spiritual evolution and the purpose of human existence.
Most people spend their lives identifying themselves with the body, mind, and external circumstances. As a result, they become attached to temporary experiences and are often affected by happiness and sorrow, success and failure. Spiritual wisdom teaches that behind these changing experiences exists the eternal Self, which is pure, peaceful, and divine. The journey toward realizing this truth begins with self-examination and the sincere effort to live according to noble values.
The message that Man Should Aim At Being Siva highlights the importance of conquering the inner enemies that obstruct spiritual progress. Anger, greed, jealousy, pride, hatred, and selfishness create distance between the individual and the awareness of divinity. Through prayer, meditation, devotion, and selfless service, these tendencies can gradually be overcome. As purity increases, the mind becomes calmer and the light of the inner Self shines more clearly.
One of the most significant qualities associated with Siva is detachment. Detachment does not mean abandoning responsibilities or withdrawing from life. Instead, it means performing one’s duties without excessive attachment to results. Such an attitude brings peace and balance, allowing individuals to remain steady in both favorable and unfavorable circumstances. This inner stability is a sign of spiritual maturity and an important step toward self-realization.
Compassion is another divine quality that supports the teaching that Man Should Aim At Being Siva. True spirituality is reflected not merely in worship or religious observances but in the way individuals treat others. Kindness, understanding, forgiveness, and selfless service are expressions of divine love. When people recognize the same divine presence in all beings, they naturally develop respect and concern for the welfare of others. Such awareness transforms ordinary relationships into opportunities for spiritual growth.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba frequently reminded devotees that divinity is their true nature. He taught that every individual is essentially divine and that the purpose of spiritual practice is to remove the ignorance that hides this truth. According to His teachings, human beings should strive to manifest their innate divinity through purity of thought, word, and action. This message perfectly reflects the deeper meaning behind the ideal that man should aspire toward the state represented by Siva.
The path toward spiritual realization requires discipline and perseverance. Daily prayer, meditation, study of sacred teachings, and acts of service help purify the heart and strengthen spiritual awareness. Gradually, individuals begin to experience greater peace, contentment, and clarity. Their dependence on external circumstances decreases as they discover the joy that comes from inner communion with the Divine.
The teaching that Man Should Aim At Being Siva also encourages seekers to look beyond differences of religion, culture, and social status. The divine essence exists equally in all. Recognizing this truth fosters unity, harmony, and mutual respect. It reminds humanity that spiritual growth is not about superiority but about realizing the oneness that underlies all creation.
Ultimately, the goal of human life is not merely to acquire knowledge, wealth, or power but to realize the divine reality within. The statement Man Should Aim At Being Siva serves as an inspiring reminder of this highest purpose. By cultivating purity, wisdom, compassion, self-control, and devotion, individuals move closer to the realization of their true nature. This spiritual journey leads to lasting peace, inner freedom, and the experience of divine bliss. When a person awakens to the divinity within, life becomes a sacred expression of love, wisdom, and unity with the Supreme.
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