9
Talk Less and Work More
Do not waste energy! Energy is God. Today,
students are wasting a lot of energy through unsa-
cred vision, bad thoughts, bad hearing, and exces-
sive talk. Our body can be compared to a radio.
When the radio is turned on continuously, the
batteries become discharged quickly. Likewise, if
you indulge in excessive talk, you will be losing
a lot of energy. That is why the ancient sages and
seers used to observe silence. So, conserve energy
by observing silence at least one day in a week.
I often tell the students, talk less and work
more. Only then the latent energy develops. This
was the sole aim of sages and seers in undertak-
ing various spiritual practices. Once the latent
energy develops, your memory power as well as
your power of concentration will increase. Some
students are not able to perform well on exami-
nations because they are not able to concentrate
even for a moment. They are constantly engaged
in listening to radio news, cricket commentary,
etc., with the textbook in their hand! With such
distractions, how can they concentrate and retain
their memory?
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 32, Part 2,
Chapter 14: Seek God Within.
2
Exercise Proper Control over the Tongue
While all other senses do only one type of
work each, the tongue alone has the capacity to do
two types of work, namely, to taste and to speak.
That is why one has to exercise proper control over
the tongue lest it should indulge in sinful activities
like talking ill of others. In times of anger, observe
silence. Our ancients taught: Talk less, work more.
The less you talk, the purer your heart remains.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 34,
Chapter 4: Have Steady Faith in the Atma.
The Same Atma Is Present in All
A person remained silent though he was being
criticised. When his friend wanted him to react,
he replied, “The same Atma is present in me as
well as in the person who is criticising. So, why
should I be annoyed when he is criticising him-
self?” A deep inquiry into the truth will reveal that
when you love or hate others, you love or hate
your own self. In fact, there are no “others.” You
consider yourself different from others because of
body attachment. Once you give up body attach-
ment, you will realise that there are no others and
all are yours. That is the true vision of the Atma.
The Atma does not have a specific form.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 34,
Chapter 12: Human Birth Is to Experience Atmic Bliss.
2
Always Talk in a Pleasing Manner
Why has God given you a tongue? Is it to par-
take of delicious food? No, not merely for that.
The tongue is given to chant the Divine name and
to talk sweetly and softly. Do not talk as you please,
which may hurt the feelings of others. Some peo-
ple may not pay heed to you if you talk softly and
sweetly. It is their fate. They may listen or not, but
you should always talk in a pleasing manner. If
that is not possible, observe silence. When you are
silent, there can be no conflict. Only those who do
not recognise the Divinity act in a foolish manner.
In fact, man himself is Divine. Only then can he
become a perfect human being. Whatever you do,
do it in a perfect manner.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 34,
Chapter 18: The Life Principles of Man.
2
Satisfy Your Conscience
Love is your greatest asset. Develop love, and
always speak the truth. Truth sounds bitter, where-
as people are easily pleased by falsehood. People
do not relish milk, which is brought to their door-
step, whereas they are prepared to traverse miles
together to consume a bottle of liquor. Falsehood
has become the order of the day. Falsehood may
10
please others but not your conscience. Strive to
satisfy your conscience before satisfying others.
Under all circumstances follow the path of truth.
In case the utterance of truth is likely to lead to
some danger, remain silent.
That Which Sees Cannot Speak – That
Which Speaks Cannot See
A hermit was deeply engrossed in the contem-
plation of God. He had vowed to speak “truth al-
ways.” Lord Easwara wanted to subject him to a
test. He assumed the form of a hunter and started
chasing a deer, which, out of fear, hid in a bush
close to the hermitage. This was noticed by the
hermit. On being questioned by the hunter about
the whereabouts of the deer, the hermit was in a di-
lemma. He could not feign ignorance and say that
he had not seen the deer as that would amount
to uttering a lie. At the same time he could not
reveal the whereabouts of the deer, lest the hunter
should kill it. In that case he would be a party to
the crime. He prayed to Lord Easwara fervently to
show him a way out.
A brilliant idea flashed in his mind by God’s
grace. God is always with you, in you, around you,
above you, guiding and guarding you. Why fear
when He is near? The hermit replied, “O hunter,
that which sees cannot speak; that which speaks
cannot see.” By such a tactful answer, the hermit
not only upheld his adherence to truth but also
protected the life of the deer. Then Lord Easwara
manifested in His true form and declared, “Such
tact that safeguards your interests as well as those
of others is true yoga (union with God).”
Therefore it is said, truth is the life of the
tongue. Righteousness is the life of the hands.
Non-violence is the life of the heart. Shivarathri
is celebrated to teach man the significance of these
values.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 35,
Chapter 4: Idols are Pointers to Divinity.
Strife Does Not Arise out of Silence
What is silence? One should never speak ill of
others. Strife does not arise out of silence. Salute
those who offend you. Don’t return offence with
offence. If you act in the same manner as your op-
ponent, how can you become greater? While say-
ing that the other is acting wrongly, will you be
right if you act in the same manner? Never act
in this manner. Let those who commit an offence
continue their offensive behaviour. Never react.
Wish for the welfare of everyone.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 35,
Chapter 4: Idols Are Pointers to Divinity.
2
Experience Innate Divinity by Observing
Total
Silence
When God is all-pervasive, where is the need
to go in search of Him? You should make efforts to
experience your innate Divinity by observing total
silence and turning your vision inward. You can
experience Divine bliss only in absolute silence.
That is why it is said, “Silence is golden.”
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 37,
Chapter 20: Experience Divinity Within in Total Silence.
2
Pray to God Wholeheartedly with Love
Any mighty task can be accomplished by
prayer. Hence pray to God silently. Do not pray
for the fulfilment of your petty desires. Give up all
desires and pray to God wholeheartedly with love.
You will certainly find fulfilment in life. You can
understand and experience Divinity only through
love. Nothing can be achieved without love. Love
makes all your tasks successful. Some people com-
plain, “Swami, we are making fervent prayers, but
our prayers are not fruitful.” I tell them, “The mis-
take lies in your prayer and not in God.” If your
prayers are sincere, they will certainly be answered.
There is nothing that God cannot accomplish.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 37,
Chapter 22: My Power Is the Power of Love.