Radio Sai

Like the uninterrupted flow of Ganga water poured on the Shivalinga with repetition of Rudram during Rudra-abhisheka, let every moment ceaselessly be hallowed by the thought of Shiva. Perform Rudram (Vedic hymn in praise of Shiva) and make your life bhadram (safe); let it become an unshakeable mountain of safety.

24 Oct 1961

The three worlds and the Trinity are present in every human being. The three are to be regarded as one and worshipped as Shivam. What is Shivam? It is the embodiment of Auspiciousness. When man recognizes the unified form of the Trinity his humanness acquires auspiciousness.

- 17 Feb 1996.

You experience the night every day. These are ordinary nights. But Shivaratri is an auspicious night. How is it auspicious? There are sixteen aspects for the mind. The moon is the presiding deity for the mind. Of the sixteen phases of the moon, today in the fourteenth day of Margashirsha month (lunar calendar), fifteen of the phases are absent. On this day it is possible to get full control of one's mental faculties. Hence it is considered an auspicious day.

- 17 Feb 1996.

This evening, the emergence of the Lingam (Lingodbhava) is My duty, My responsibility, rather My nature, which must reveal itself on this holy day. - 4 Mar 1962

Today is Shivaratri. Take the ideal of Shiva. When the devastating Halahala poison emerged from the ocean, life on earth was threatened with immediate and total destruction. Shiva offered to drink the poison and save the world. His throat is blue ever since, for the poison has pervaded the area. Be eager to serve, to help, and to come to the rescue of others.

- 9 Mar 1967

This is a day dedicated to the Shiva that is in each of you. From the Himalayan ranges down to Cape Kanyakumari, the entire land is resounding today to the declaration, ‘Shivoham Shivoham’ and to the adoration, ‘Om Namah Shivaya’. Since thousands pray here, and in lakhs and crores elsewhere, the Linga is emanating from Me, so that you may derive bliss.

- Shivaratri Day, Feb 1969

The will to renounce, to share, to give up, is a precious virtue. Curiosity, the longing to know is another quality which must be used to know the Reality which appears as many and momentary. This knowledge can be attained only when the consciousness is purified by the grace of God. Holy days like Shivaratri are marked out in order to impress upon man's mind his duty to impose a 'fast' on the senses and a 'vigil' on his intelligence to keep away polluting impulses and inclinations.

- 29 Feb 1984

Even the thought that you have not benefited from the puja or japam you do, should not pollute your faith. To practise Sadhana is your duty, your innermost urge, your genuine activity. Leave the rest to the Will of God. This must be your resolve on holy Shivaratri.

- 29 Feb 1984

Shiva is revered as the Form to be adored for the acquisition of Jnana. ‘Jnanam Maheshwarat lcchet’, as the Vedas advise (Pray to Shiva for wisdom). So, do not treat this Day lightly. Do not reduce the disciplines prescribed by the sages for its celebration such as fast, vigil and uninterrupted recital of the Name of God, into a routine ritual, or a chance for picnic, revelry, rivalry or factious fun. Contemplate on this day and on this night, on the Atma Linga, the Jyotir Linga, and be convinced that Shiva is in every one of you. Let that Vision illumine your inner consciousness.

- 5 Mar 1973

Lord Shiva, it seems, laughed when He took a good look at the special chariot that was provided for Him when He started out to slay the Tripura-asuras. That laughter laid the demons low; there was no more need to proceed against the demons. How did the evil forces that dwelt in Tripura die? They could not exist where there was Divine Bliss; for, they are products of grief. Develop Ananda; then evil impulses and tendencies will vanish, for they will not get any foothold in the heart.

- 11 Feb 1964

The Principle of Shiva (Shivatatwa) teaches the unity of Prakriti and Purusha (the Creation and the Creator). Every human being is Ardhanareeshwara (a mix of masculinity and femininity). This is the true meaning of Shivaratri. Forgetting this principle, man considers this physical body to be made up of merely blood, flesh and faecal matter. No doubt, it has these constituents, but one should not forget the fact that divinity permeates this body.

- 15 Feb 1999

Love is Shivam and Mangalam, which means auspiciousness. Love does not hurt anyone. That which does not love is referred to as savam (corpse). The one with love is Shivaswarupa (embodiment of auspiciousness). - 14 Feb 1999

You will be observing Shivaratri in the true spirit of the term only when you give up bad qualities and cultivate divine love. Merely observing vigil on Shivaratri is not sufficient. You have to contemplate on God incessantly. - 14 Feb 1999

He who has understood the truth that Shiva and the Jiva are one and the same is the true Brahmajnani (one who has known the Brahman). Shiva and Jiva are not different as the same divine Atmic principle is present in both. One who has realised this truth is a true human being. The objective of human life is to understand this truth. - 13 Sep 1999

‘Bhavani Shankara’ stands for the embodiment of Shiva and Shakti. ‘Bhavani’ symbolises Sraddha (sincerity of purpose) and ‘Shankara’ symbolises Viswasa (faith). When Goddess Bhavani symbolising Sraddha is present, there dances Shiva who stands for faith. Life becomes useless without sincerity of purpose and faith. But today man lacks faith though both ‘Bhavani’ and ‘Shankara’ reside in him. - 23 Nov 2001

In most of the Shiva temples you will find the idol of the bull installed right opposite the lingam. Devotees taking darshan of Shiva look straight over the head of the bull, for the bull itself is taking darshan with concentrated devotion which they want to share. Just as the devotees of Shiva keep company with His vehicle, the bull, to earn His Grace, you too must choose friends who by their company would help in raising your aptitudes.
- 30 Jul 1978

Resolve on this holy Shivaratri to visualise the Shiva who is the Inner Power of all. With each breath you are uttering, 'Soham' (I am He). Not only you, every being utters it. It is a fact which you have ignored so long. Believe it now. When you watch your breath and meditate on that grand Truth, slowly the 'I' and the 'He' will merge, Soham will become transformed into Om, the primal sound (Pranava) which the Vedas proclaim as the symbol of the Nirakara Parabrahman (Formless Supreme Reality). That Om is the own natural state, the Reality behind all this ‘relative un-reality.’ - 21 Nov 1979