Divine Words of wisdom by Sathya Sai Baba – On Culture 1. hat is Sukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha Your browser does not support the audio element. 1991-05-27 Document Download Audio Social Share Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram Description Each month is divided into two “paksham”, fortnights. One is called as the “Sukla paksha”, the bright fortnight and the other is the “Krishna paksha”, the dark fortnight. What is meant by Sukla paksha? During the Sukla paksha, the moon is directly facing the Sun, causing the radiance of the Sun to be reflected on Moon in all its glory. The moon then shines forth radiantly in all its sixteen aspects. Staying close to the life, Sun, sixteen aspects of the moon, the living being, becomes wholesome and shine forth in full splendour as ‘Poornima’. On the new moon day, the moon vanishes into the Sun. (the moon is not seen at all). Moon completely merges in the Sun and hence it is not seen. From the full moon day, the aspects of Moon wane gradually and so, that fortnight is called as “Krishna paksham”, dark fortnight. From the new moon day onwards the aspects of Moon gradually get bigger, it is called as the bright fortnight, the “Sukla paksham”. The bright fortnight can be referred to as the life element and the dark fortnight as the living being. The combination of life and living being forms the world. All this are the effects of the will of Prajapathi.   2. Good culture leads to good qualities Your browser does not support the audio element. 2002-04-13 Document Download Audio Social Share Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram Description Since ancient times, the Bharatiyas have spread their sacred culture all over the world. This culture does not consider god as one. “Sahasra seersha purushaha sahasraksha sahasra path” God is viewed and experienced as many. God is not merely one. It is the manifestation of one in many. God is present in every head and in every heart So, one should not think that God is only present in sanctum sanctorum like the church etc. In fact every human heart is the residence of God. “Daiwam maanusha roopena!”—God is in human form. One criticises others not knowing that in him too God resides likewise one also exults others. The vedas then revealed, “Who is that one is criticising and adoring? One thinks that one is abusing one’s abuser and adoring one who is worthy of one’s love. No, it is not so. One is abusing and hurting oneself when one is abusing and hurting others. The Lord who is in the person whom one adores is also present in oneself. Therefore abusing others is equivalent to abusing oneself and loving others amounts to loving oneself. Hence one must refrain from abusing others as it comes back. One must think that abusing others is abusing God as He is omnipresent. “Sarva jeeva namaskaram kesavam prathigachchati— whomever one salutes, it is received by the In dweller.” It is the main aim. When one respects others it in fact reaches the God. “Sarva jeeva tiraskaram kesavam prathigachchati – denying anybody amounts to denying the Lord.” One is under the misconception that one hates someone else, but in reality one hates oneself.   4. Foster the culture of Bharath; Analogy of paddy and cloth