Vedam

Lord Krishna in Bhagawad Gita declared, Mamaivamsho jivaloke jivabhuta sanathana (the eternal Atma in all beings is a part of My Being). He said, You are all My amsa (You are part of me). Hence, you are not a mere human being.

The name given to you in this objective world is the one that is given by your parents. In fact, at the time of your birth you had no name at all! Humanity is associated with Divinity, which is pure and sacred. It is only to foster such a sacred nature in human beings that God incarnates from time to time. Whenever righteousness declines, God incarnates to uphold dharma (righteousness) in keeping with His declaration:

Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati Bharata,
Abhyutthanamadharmasya tadatmanam srujamyaham.

When there is a decline in dharma and rise in adharma,
I incarnate Myself for the establishment of dharma. 

In today’s world, righteousness has declined and truth has gone into the oblivion. The whole world is filled with injustice, indiscipline, and evil behaviour. In such a chaotic state, faith in God is the only lasting remedy. Truth is the only refuge, for truth is God. Love is God, live in love. Devoid of love, one cannot live. Hence, one has to love God to receive the gift of love from God. It is only by love that God can be attained.

Today, the Vedas have lost their pre-eminent position due to poor patronage. People who take to a serious study of the Vedas and chant the mantras contained in them regularly have become rare. A regular study of the Vedas and practice of Vedic injunctions confer all forms of wealth on the human beings. The fundamental principles governing human life and destiny are contained in the Vedas. The Vedas are the gift of God for the welfare of the entire humanity. The Vedas make no distinction whatsoever on the basis of religion, caste, nationality, etc. The Vedic mantras can be chanted by one and all. (Swami then called two boys from abroad studying in Prasanthi Nilayam and asked them to recite Sri Suktam).

It is Swami’s wish that the Vedas be spread to every country, so that every human being, irrespective of religion, caste, nationality, etc., learns Vedas and chants them. Some people from Iran and Iraq have come to Puttaparthi, the day before yesterday. The devotees from Iran are still here. We are making efforts to teach Vedas to all people. The Vedas remove all types of sorrow.

– Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba  [9 Aug 2006 : Athi Rudra Maha Yajna: Prasanthi Nilayam]