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賽巴巴說故事︰《羅摩演義》 (2013/02/01-2013/02/28)

轉載自Edward Chao「賽巴巴說故事︰《羅摩演義》」信件，英文原稿出處請見http://media.radiosai.org/www

2013/02/28

The spiritual path is the path of detachment, of sense control, of rigorous mind training. - Baba

Everyone must make their exit someday - that moment should not be one of anguish; one must depart with a smile and a bow. In order to accomplish that, a lot of preparation is necessary. Leaving all that has been accomplished and accumulated during a long lifetime is a very hard task. So prepare for it from now, by discarding attachment to one thing after another. You see many things in your dreams, and you may even acquire power and position. When you awaken, you do not cry over the loss of those, even though they were very real and gave you real joy and satisfaction during your dream. You tell yourself, “It was just a dream” and move on with life! What prevents you from treating with similar nonchalance, all the possessions you gather during the waking state? Cultivate that attitude and depart with a smile, when the curtain is drawn!

- Divine Discourse, Aug 1, 1956.

十車王邀請王室的老師瓦西系塔進宮，聽從他的建議，請來一位飽學的占星家，來寫下嬰兒的天宮圖。十車王向他們宣佈，考薩雅的兒子出生在最吉祥的時刻──Uttarayana（一年之中神聖的半年，大約從西曆1月14日到7月16日，這段期間太陽向北移動），Chaitra月份（印度曆法的第一個月，落於西曆的3、4月間），初一（新月）到十五（滿月）之間的那兩個星期，第九天（亦即印度曆正月初九），Punarvasu星（相當於中國的二十八星宿之一），星期一，上升星座（生辰星位）為獅子座，abhijith時段（大約是正午時段，稱為「勝利時段」，為非常吉祥的時段），這時全世界還在恬適的休息中，天氣變化不大，不熱也不冷。凱易卡的兒子是隔天生的──正月初十，星期二，gandha yoga（譯者按：此處yoga非指一般「瑜伽」，而是指Nitya yoga，意為「出生瑜伽方位」，係根據出生時太陽和月亮的經度換算而來，共有27個方位，分別對應到黃道27個星座）。第三天則是那對雙胞胎出生的日子──正月十一，Aslesha星，Vriddhi yoga。這些細節讓占星家得知後，占星家要合乎科學的製出天宮圖，並告訴國王他從中算命的結果。

接著，十車王祈求瓦西系塔，擇一吉祥日子，舉行孩子的命名儀式。這位家庭老師端坐不動數秒鐘，進入禪定：他看到未來的景象展現在他的天眼之前；從那景象中出定，他說道：「大王，你的兒子們不是凡人，他們無與倫比，他們有許多名字，他們不是人類，他們是神仙化身為人，他們是神人。這世界三生有幸，使他們來到這裡。能主持這些神性孩子的命名典禮，是我千載難逢的良機」。母親有三位，父親只有一位，所以瓦西系塔吩咐，從考薩雅的兒子出生那天算起，有十天的「不淨期」；考薩雅的兒子出生第十一天，是命名典禮的吉日。國王於瓦西系塔足前頂禮，感謝他的幫忙，瓦西系塔隨即返回他的茅廬。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/27

You cannot liberate yourself from the wheel of duality (pleasure and pain, joy and grief, etc.)so long as you are led by your senses. - Baba

Do not be carried away by the cynicism of critics – that should serve only to encourage you. Examine the faults that may lie dormant in you and work sincerely to get rid of them. Do not merely give platform speeches on the excellence of qualities such as charity, service, sympathy, equality, secularism, etc. Descend from the platform and practise at least a few ideals sincerely. When your neighbour is in the throes of a serious illness, do not rest content with the idea that you are happily free. You are not free if even one is suffering or bound. Remember that the food you give to each living being reaches the Supreme Divine Himself, the service you do to any being, anywhere in the globe, fills the Lord with joy.

- Divine Discourse, 25 Feb 1964.

日子一天天過去。王后們懷孕的消息傳了開來，她們的身體氣色都顯得特別有光彩。第十個月來臨，侍女和助產婆們都在等待那一刻，她們悉心照顧三位王后。這時，她們得知考薩雅開始有產前陣痛，連忙趕去她的內宮；在半路上，她們就獲悉，正宮皇后生下了皇太子！隔天，凱易卡也生下一個兒子。佳音讓閨房內喜氣洋洋。第三天，蘇蜜特拉也在陣痛中分娩，生下了一對雙胞胎兒子。

到處都出現瑞象，快樂的消息讓大家高興無比，大地之母為自己覆蓋上一片綠意；花開處處！大氣中充滿了音樂，芬芳的雨滴自雲端落下，但是只落在嬰兒與搖籃的那間房間上頭！十車王快樂得無以復加，多年來飽嘗一個兒子都沒有的痛苦，如今生了四個兒子，讓他高興滿意得難以形容。

國王邀請來眾婆羅門（祭司），給他們許多金子、牛隻和土地。他安排了布施，發放錢和衣物給窮人，還給無家可歸的人房子；他並施予食物給飢餓的人。舉目所見，盡是人民對這件盛事的喝采，高呼「勝利！勝利！」。大群百姓聚集在一起，載歌載舞，表達他們的歡樂，「我們的王室如今有王子了」，他們驕傲的說道；他們此際的興奮，比起當年自己孩子出生，猶有過之。婦女們紛紛拜神，感激神的這項恩典，因為她們深知，國王幾個兒子的出生，是神的慈悲。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/26

You worship with faith and you experience Grace. Faith results in Grace, without your being aware of it. - Baba

Keep your faith in the Lord undiminished. You can then safely move about in the world and no harm will come to you. When one loses one’s way and strays into the wilderness, believing in the world, then the Avatars come to warn and guide. Your attitude must be like the village women, who carry pots of water in their heads, one over the other and keeping their balances even when talking and walking along a winding lane. They do not forget or ignore the burden or their goal and destination. They are always vigilant, conscious of the hardships on the way – the stones and the pits. It is the inner concentration that will pay you rich dividends!

- Divine Discourse, Aug 1 1956.

不過那種念頭只是一閃而過，她隨即恢復平靜；她心想，神決定的事，一定會發生，沒有人能阻止。她想起，這是她的老師的命令、是國王的命令。於是她走向那只杯子，決定要吃下杯中的東西。沒想到，就在這一剎那，不知哪裡飛來一隻老鷹，呼地一聲將杯子給叼走了。

望著那隻老鷹在天空越飛越遠，蘇蜜特拉懊惱不已，後悔自己沒看管好珍貴的牛奶飯，心想，國王要是知道了這個不幸的意外，一定會非常生氣。她不知道該怎麼辦，於是馬上跑到她的姊姊考薩雅那兒，將整件事告訴她。就在這時，凱易卡把擦乾的頭髮紮起來之後，也帶著金杯來到那兒。

三位姊妹彼此非常相愛，像是用一條感情的絲線綁在一起。為了不讓國王知道這個惡耗，她們另外拿來一只金杯，考薩雅和凱易卡各自將自己杯中的東西倒一部份在那只金杯裡，讓三人都可以在神殿一起就坐。她們吃下那份牛奶飯，儒西亞斯阮卡在一旁宣告他的祝福，其他長者和學者唱著吉祥的吠陀唱誦。接著三位王后啜飲一些聖水，向神壇頂禮，然後頂禮儒西亞斯阮卡，回到各自的宮中。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/25

However you are, you are Mine, I will never give you up. Wherever you are, you are near Me. You cannot go beyond My reach. - Baba

What do people know of the motives that prompt the Lord and His actions? Some found fault with Sage Narada for repeating the name of the Lord, always, without intermission. But until Sayujyam (merging in the Absolute), the name has to be used; the idea of separation will end only with mergence, not before that. Do not waver or doubt when once you are convinced. Seek to understand and satisfy yourself. After that, do not be misled. When the Sun is over your head there will be no shadow; similarly when faith is steady in your head it should not cast any shadow of doubt

- Divine Discourse, Aug 1 1956.

兒子們
三位王后依照宮廷老師的囑咐，行沐浴淨身之儀式，然後進入宮內的神殿，那兒的神壇，供奉著他們的家庭神祇。瓦西系塔做完膜拜，他將神人帶來的牛奶飯（payasam）倒進三只金杯中，然後把十車王叫進來，說：「王，將這三杯分別給你的三位妻子，第一杯給考薩雅，第二杯給蘇蜜特拉，最後一杯給凱易卡。」國王依照吩咐做了，三位王后接下杯子，頂禮瓦西系塔和十車王。瓦西系塔於是吩咐她們各自吃下牛奶飯（payasam），但是得先禮敬儒西亞斯阮卡，觸摸他的腳──是他主持這場祭祀的。

於是，考薩雅和凱易卡將杯子安放在神殿裡，然後和她們的侍女出去弄乾頭髮，然後做髮型。於此際，蘇蜜特拉則走到屋頂陽台，將杯子放在陽台邊緣的牆垣上，然後將頭髮晒乾，一面沉思自己的奇特處境︰她是第「二」位王后！大王后之子將按照繼承權升為國王；第三位王后凱易卡之子，也可以依照當年國王迎取她時，所作的承諾，而升為國王！可是，蘇蜜特拉心想，「我生下的兒子會怎麼樣呢？他會兩頭空。那要孩子幹什麼？又沒有名份，又沒有地位，又沒有統治權。與其兒子出生之後遭到忽略，不如不要生出來算了。」

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/24

The one who discriminates well before engaging in any activity, will naturally be righteous in conduct and behavior. - Baba

Make four resolutions about your life hereafter and live in joy. 1. Practise Purity - Desist from wicked thoughts, bad habits and mean activities that weaken your self-respect. 2. Do Service – Serve others, for they are the reflections of the same entity of which you yourself are another reflection. No one of you has any authenticity on your own, except with reference to your Creator, the Lord. 3. See Mutuality – Feel always the kinship with all creation. See the same current flowing through all objects in the Universe. 4. Live in Truth – Do not deceive yourself or others by distorting your experience.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 25, 1964.

這時，從祭火中，忽然出現一位神人，渾身發出閃電般耀眼的光芒，手裡拿著一個光亮的器皿。廣大的群眾，包括祭司們，見此異象，都呆住了，他們心帶敬畏，既驚且喜，被一股突如其來的極樂和神秘感給淹沒了。國王和王后們高興得流下眼淚，注視著神人，雙手合十，向他祈禱。

儒西亞斯阮卡卻絲毫不受影響，鎮定自若的繼續按照經典所記載的那套程序，將供品獻入火中。突然間，天際響起一個聲音，好像「審判日」（Day of Mergence）來了一般，儒西亞斯阮卡坐在那兒驚駭不已，試著去聽那來自天上的訊息。「大王！接受這個器皿，並且將裡面的神聖食物payasam，給你的三位王后每人適當的一份」，那個聲音宣佈。那位從火焰中出現的神秘的神人，將器皿交到國王手上，又消失入火燄中。

目睹這場偉大的顯靈，群眾、諸侯、學者、祭司們高興得不得了。不久，最後一道儀式也告完成，大王手捧著天神賜予的神聖器皿，凱旋回宮。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/23

All that you are, you owe it to society. Express your gratitude to your society by rendering service. - Baba

Have you not heard the story of the lion suffering from a wound in the foot? A slave who was fleeing through the forest saw it and when he approached it with sympathy, the lion put out its paw. He then slowly pulled out the thorn that had caused all that pain and left the place, only to be arrested later and taken to Rome. There, they decided to throw him into the amphitheatre and let loose upon him a lion that had been recently captured. It was, however, the same lion which the slave had saved and so, its gratitude did not allow it to harm its saviour. See, even animals exhibit gratitude, not only the pet animals, but even the wild ones like the lion. Express your gratitude to the Creator who has poured into you nectar that grants immortality! Be grateful to the Lord for endowing you with powers of discrimination, detachment and evaluation.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 25, 1964.

儒西亞斯阮卡吩咐大臣和學者們按指定順序各就其位，並指示國王也坐在他的王位上，接著他講述祭禮的各個程序，好讓宮廷祭司將其記錄下來，做為日後的指南。他解釋得非常詳細，讓每個人連自己在祭祀廳裡該坐哪個位置，都一清二楚！

聖者決定，祭祀將在隔日鐘敲七響時準時開始。消息立刻傳遍京城，黎明前，大街小巷就都裝飾了綠色的花綵；街頭上，老百姓蜂擁走向薩拉佑河河畔的開闊空間，祭祀將在那兒舉行。河岸擠滿了殷切期待的民眾。

儒西亞斯阮卡在伴侶珊塔陪同下，與國王和三位王后一起進入特別搭建的祭祀曼塔（Yaga Mantap），在響徹雲霄的吠陀唱誦、號角聲、喇叭聲、木簫聲、以及人民的歡呼聲中，儒西亞斯阮卡就任這個祭典的「梵王」，亦即主祭司。他並根據各個學者的資歷，分派各項任務給他們，像是膜拜、唸讀、唱誦、邀寵和撫慰神（propitiation）等等。供品則由儒西亞斯阮卡按照經典上規定的一套作法，懷著深度的虔誠和信心，以無瑕可指的精確性，親自放進祭祀聖火中。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/22

Devotion means dedication with nothing held back; not even a wisp of ego should remain. His command alone counts; Let His will prevail. - Baba

The greatest obstacle in the path of surrender is egoism (ahamkaram) and Attachment or Possessiveness (mamakaram). This is ingrained in your personality since ages and its tentacles go deeper and deeper with the experience of every succeeding life. It can be removed only by the twin detergents of discrimination and renunciation. Devotion is the water to wash away this dirt of ages, and the soap of japam, dhyaanam and yoga (repetition of God's name, meditation and communion) will help to remove it quicker and more effectively. Slow and steady progress will surely win the race in this one; quicker means of travel can spell disaster. Proceed step by step in your spiritual practices - placing one steady step before you take the next. Do not waver or slide back two paces with one step forward. Cultivate deep faith - that will make your progress steady!

- Divine Discourse, Aug 1, 1956.

國王在周遭人員中，尋找一位最合適的密使，派他前去威般達卡的兒子，儒西亞斯阮卡那裡，邀請他入京來主持祭典。最後，他把他的老友，安嘎州（Anga State）的藩王羅馬帕達（Romapada）叫來，派他前去，對他耳提面命並且提供必要裝備。這時，祭祀所需要作的各種安排，也在順利進行，地點在神聖的薩拉佑河河畔。在河邊，依照傳承下來的神聖訓諭，築起了引人注目的祭壇，整個京城都懸旗結綵。

不出預料，聖者儒西亞斯阮卡果然帶著他的伴侶，珊塔（Santha），來到阿幽德亞城，眾人高興不已。

皇帝達薩拉塔（十車王）親自到皇宮外面的大門去迎接聖者；並且親自為這位尊貴的聖人洗足，做為一種禮節；他將加持過的洗腳水滴了幾滴在自己頭上，然後頂禮瓦西系塔，祈求他去詢問儒西亞斯阮卡，這個備受期待的祭祀的正確程序。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/21

God's grace is easily secured by the sacred use of your senses. - Baba

In the present, practice of devotion, worship and rituals are for the sake of better comforts and more luxury for the individuals themselves. Devotion has degenerated into a business deal. Often one prays, “Please give me this, I shall give You so much.” If they feel one shrine promises more, the current shrine is given up. If even in the new shrine, one does not get quick returns, then they quickly look elsewhere to some ‘other’ God who gives more profit! Many people wander in this manner. Some also think, “If I stand amongst many others, God will not notice me. I must stand in a unique position and shout to attract His attention!” Do not behave foolishly! Hold fast to noble ideals. Do not try to bring down the Almighty to your limited vision. Rise up, strengthen your detachment and establish yourself in discrimination, then your goal is brought nearer.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 25, 1964.

天一亮，他們就恭請瓦西系塔蒞臨，另外也召集了許多學者和顧問，向他們請教。國王把問題攤在大家面前︰尋找一位王位繼承人，來統治這片兩面都臨海的遼闊疆土──喇固王朝的帝國版圖。絕望之餘，十車王哀愁地向諸長者祈求，請他們給些有益的建議。

瓦西系塔沉思良久，最後他睜開眼睛，說：「王啊，無需如此悲傷，阿幽德亞不會沒有主子，她不會受寡婦之苦，這片領土會歡欣、快樂而昌隆，歡宴、慶祝不斷，家家戶戶綠葉結綵，一片常青。她會是正當人生的守護者，迴盪著音樂和喜樂。我不同意從其他王朝領養一個王子，來繼承阿幽德亞的王位。神的恩賜不可思議，如今你有在實踐當初發的誓願：行為合乎義，這件事一定會為你帶來一個兒子，讓你高興萬分。不要再拖！去邀請威般達卡（Vibhandaka）的兒子，聖者儒西亞斯阮卡（Rshyasrnga），請他擔任主祭司，做一次神聖的祭祀（Yaga），稱作「求子之祭」（Puthrakameshti）。立刻就去安排所有祭禮事宜，你的願望一定會實現。」

王后們聽了瓦西系塔一番鏗鏘有力、令人放心的話，真是高興極了！希望的花苞在她們心中再度綻放，她們各自回到自己房間，殷切的祈禱。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/20

Dharma destroys the one who violates it. Dharma also protects the one,who practices it. - Baba

You must be convinced that 'you' are but the shadow of the Absolute. Of course, it is only at the end of a long and systematic process of Sadhana (spiritual efforts) that you will reach and stay fixed in the state of that Truth; until then, you are likely to identify yourself with this body and forget that the body which casts a shadow is itself a shadow. The first step in that Sadhana is the adherence to Dharma (righteousness) in every individual and social act. The Dharma which is followed in relation to the objective world will automatically lead on to Dharma in the spiritual field also; only you must stick to it through thick and thin. Steadfastness is needed in the path of Righteousness. That alone is the sign of true surrender.

- Divine Discourse, Aug 1, 1956.

車王回到他的京城，在三位王后陪同下，通過街道，渾身熠熠發光，如眾星拱月。他對三位王后一視同仁；三位王后也表現出彼此互愛互敬，她們並對國王敬愛有加，深怕他不高興，她們盡力執行他的願望而不妨礙他的欲望，因為身為妻子，她們按照傳統，尊奉他為她們的神。她們彼此之間是如此相親相愛，簡直就像三個人雖然有三副身體，卻是一個鼻孔出氣！

一年年過去，國王和王后跨過青年、中年的界限，逐漸進入老年期；兒子卻連個影兒都沒有。所以，雖然在宮裡，女人的住處享有各種舒適便利，可是三位王后的心，卻受到焦躁、憂慮、失望的撕扯。

一晚，國王和三位王后坐在宮內一間房間裡，為著阿幽德亞的未來、它的前景、安全，憂心忡忡；四個人都嘗試給予明智而令人高興的回答。可是好幾個小時過去，問題依就解決不了。最後，他們抱著沉重的心情起身，決定應該去求教他們的家庭老師，瓦西系塔，接受他的勸告。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/19

Devotion and morality are very important for physical health. They free your mind from agitation, and feed it with joy and contentment. - Baba

Wavering and indecisiveness will affect you, if you want to practice Righteousness. If you are not stabilized in the Knowledge of the Self, you will not have a good sense of direction for your actions, nor will you achieve true victory. That is why the Geetha lays so much emphasis on the necessity to know both the kshethra (field or the body) and the kshethrajna (the Knower in the body). Know both, and then, you are entitled to the title, Amrithasya Puthraah: "Children of Immortality." Through devotion to God alone, this knowledge can be attained. Devotion also purifies your heart and elevates your inner feelings and gives you a broad, universal vision and brings to you the Grace of God. Plants cannot rise up to drink the life giving fluid from clouds, hence the clouds come down and pour as rain.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 25, 1964.

不過，可卡亞的國王在答應這樁婚事，將他的女兒交付給人之前，卻開出一些條件，他堅持要求凱易卡生的兒子有權繼承王位，如果阿幽德亞的國王不能同意這一點，那就算了。宮廷祭司葛勒嘎（Garga）將這個訊息帶回阿幽德亞。考薩雅和蘇蜜特拉看出國王一股熱情想要娶可卡亞國的公主──人人對她的美豔，都讚不絕口；考薩雅和蘇蜜特拉兩人覺得，一個真正妻子，她的責任，是連丈夫一點點的願望都要服從，並且要盡力幫助他實現那個願望；同時她們心裡也完全明白，阿幽德亞的王位傳承，絕對不可以被一個會逾越dharma的兒子污染。雖然十車王可能會答應，第三位妻子的兒子可以繼承王位，但是凱易卡為皇室生的兒子當然會是義的化身，不會有這種瑕疵的。於是她們雙掌合十向國王請求：「陛下，除了您的快樂之外，我倆還有什麼更大的快樂？接受可卡亞國王的條件吧，娶他的女兒，確保這個喇固（Raghu）王朝的延續，一刻也不用再猶豫了。」

兩位王后的話，將十車王天生的熱情火燄，煽得更旺。於是，國王派葛勒嘎回去，備了許多禮物，同意了條件，通知可卡亞國王，他在緊盯著婚禮日期。婚禮倒是鋪張而隆重。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

Dharma︰為沙迪亞賽巴巴所揭櫫的五大人類價值之一，有「德」、「義」、「正業（佛陀八正道之一）」、「正當的行為」之義；它亦指倫理、倫常──家庭、社會、人際規範。dharma超越宗教，它是普世價值。Dharma在佛經裡譯為「法」、「正法」、「達磨」，此字在佛教中所指的意義較廣泛。

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2013/02/18

All the pains and pleasures one experiences are the results of their own actions and not due to any act of the Divine. - Baba

God is Supreme Energy (Mahashakthi) and the individual is Deluding Power (Mayashakthi). In this impermanent and ever transforming world, God is the only permanent and fixed entity. In order to realize Him, who is eternal and true, one has no option but to attach oneself to that Source and Sustenance, and offer Him loving devotion and dedicated service. This path is the destiny of one and all, irrespective of age, scholarship, caste, creed, gender or status. When walking along the road, you can watch your shadow, falling on mud, dirt, thorn, sand, wet or dry patches of land. Has anyone ever worried or is affected by the fate of their shadow? No! Everyone knows that the experience of shadow is not eternal and real. So too, you are but the shadow of the Absolute. Internalize this truth – this is the only remedy for all sorrow, travail and pain.

- Divine Discourse, Aug 1, 1956.

十車王回去繼續履行他身為帝王的責任，帶著愛心和關懷統治國家。他經常帶著他的伴侶，去森林旅行，度過快樂的時光。然而，日子一天天過去，一月月過去，一年年過去，沮喪的陰影籠罩了國王的臉，膝下無子，令他愁容滿面。

國王請教了祭司、學者、和大臣們，他獲悉，他們的願望也正是考薩雅殷切祈禱的事，於是他就另娶了一個妻子，名叫蘇蜜特拉（Sumithra）。蘇蜜特拉人如其名，因為她的確充滿了適於作朋友的美德。考薩雅和蘇蜜特拉如膠似漆，彼此間的感情遠勝過母親和孩子之間的感情，彼此都渴望帶給對方快樂；兩人都堅忍剛毅，沒有執著，並且富於同情心。然而，許多年過去，依然沒有任何跡象顯示，國王有了傳人。絕望之餘，國王應兩位王后的請求，娶了第三位妻子，她的名字叫凱易卡（Kaika），是喀什米爾地方可卡亞國（Kekaya）國王的女兒，生得標緻迷人。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/17

Any act that is done with purity in thought, word and deed is Right Conduct (Dharma). - Baba

Never once in the Mahabharatha did Dhuryodhana observe the principles of righteousness towards the Pandava brothers; at last, he had to face the inevitable doom, when Bheema challenged him for the duel which was to lay him low. At that moment, Dhuryodhana, the author of the deceitful gambling game, the house of lac which was set on fire, the insult heaped on the honoured Queen, the slaughterer of Abhimanyu by a pack of ferocious foes who fell upon him - the dark designer of all these iniquities, took refuge in Dharma and started quoting texts. Dharma is not a handy excuse to escape the evil consequences of one’s actions. Righteousness is not to be treated as a means of escape; it is a means of living.

- Divine Discourse, 25 Feb 1964.

十車王和蘇門達拉同意了這項提親，蘇門達拉娶了比拉達薩（Veeradasa）的女兒，屬於恆河氏族。國王和宰相在同一地點、同一天結婚，雙喜臨門的消息傳遍了全城，不，全國！舉國上下一片驚奇與高興。婚禮持續了三天，老百姓受到音樂、戲劇、舞蹈和其他形式娛樂的款待，日夜都充滿了興奮和快樂。

第四天，十車王帶著王后和隨行朝臣，以及宰相蘇門達拉和他的新娘、隨員僕從，一行人打道回阿幽德亞，他們在人民的歡呼聲中進城。他的子民因國王和宰相雙喜臨門而狂歡，他們在街上跳舞，口中高喊「勝利」，一直到喉嚨嘶啞為止。他們夾道爭睹王后容貌，在國王一行人會經過的路上灑玫瑰花水，並揮舞樟腦火燄來歡迎他們。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/16

However you are, you are mine, I will never give you up. Wherever you are, you are near Me. You cannot go beyond My reach. - Baba

Devotion to God is not to be calculated on the basis of the institutions one has started or helped, the temples one has built or renovated, the donations one has given, nor does it depend on the number of times one has written or recited the Names of the Lord, or the time and energy one spent in the worship of Lord. These are not vital - they are not even secondary! Devotion is Divine Love, unsullied by any tinge of desire for the benefit that flows from it or the fruit or consequence of that love. Love knows no particular reason for its manifestation. Divine Love is akin to the love of the river for the sea, the creeper for the tree, the spring for the cliff down which it flows. It is an unchanging loving attitude, a desirable bent of the mind, standing steady through joy and grief, ever sweet - in good times and bad!

- Divine Discourse, 25 Feb 1964.

國王也頻頻以各種方式訊問蘇門達拉，他發現，原來蘇門達拉不是別人，正是阿幽德亞的君主，十車王朝廷的宰相，而且他的主子仍然未婚，他心中高興不已，說道：「宰相，你把我的孩子帶回給我，使她免於被毀滅，所以我決定，把她嫁給你的主子，請把我的提議通知貴國國王。」他以該有的禮儀來向宰相致敬，然後備了一份厚禮，派宮廷祭司隨同，送他回去。

蘇門達拉向十車王詳細報告整件事情。為了證明自己接受這項提親，十車王特地派出自己的宮廷祭司，陪同考薩喇的宮廷祭司一道回去，並致贈一份吉祥的禮物。日期和地點決定了；十車王前去考薩喇的首都，陪同前去的隊伍浩浩蕩蕩，有大象兵、戰車兵、騎兵和步兵，凱旋的音樂響徹雲霄。十車王和考薩雅的婚禮，莊嚴盛大而隆重，考薩喇的國王將蘇門達拉拉近身邊，說道：「多虧你促成這樁光榮的事；當然，沒有神的旨意，什麼都不會發生；不過，話說回來，欠你這份情，我還是不知道該怎樣還你，以表達我對你的感激。請尊重我的提議，接受它；今天就在我的京城結婚吧，如果你同意，我今天就作安排，慶祝這件可喜的事。」

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/15

Love can conquer anything. Selfless, pure, unalloyed love leads one to God. - Baba

The mother spends more time tending the sick child; she asks the older children to look after themselves but feeds the infant with her own hands. That does not mean that she has no love towards the grown-ups. So too, do not think that because God does not ostensibly shower attention on a person, that he or she is not receiving God’s Love and Grace. In God’s view, there is no one senior or junior amongst devotees. Note this also - in this Avatar (Divine Incarnation), the wicked will not be destroyed; they will be corrected, reformed, educated and led back to the path from which they have strayed. The white-ant infested tree will not be cut; it will be saved.

- Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol I, MahaShivarathri, 1955.

沒有神的旨意的協同，什麼事也不能發生，羅伐那就是不明白這個真理。結果梵天偏偏另有決定︰木箱被浪沖向海岸，著陸地點是一處優美的娛樂區。隔日，十車王的宰相蘇門達拉（Sumanthra）剛好要趁著假日去那處地方，打算好好思索一下國家的一些問題。他看到那只箱子，於是將它拉上岸來並打開，結果驚訝的發現，裡面有一個迷人的女孩，一對眸子，清澈明亮，渾身上下發出一種神聖的光輝。蘇門達拉頓時生起憐香惜玉之心，他親切的問女孩：「小女孩啊，妳怎會被放在這只箱子裡面？」

她回答：「先生，我是考薩喇國的公主，我的名字叫考薩雅（Kausalya）。我不知道自己怎麼進入這只箱子，也不知道是誰把我放進去的。我只記得自己在和玩伴門在宮中花園玩耍，然後就不記得發生什麼事了」。聽了她簡單而誠摯的回答，蘇門達拉為之感動，說道：「這種野蠻計謀只有羅剎才幹得出來，他們不在人的知識範圍之內！我要帶妳回妳父親那兒，把妳交給他。走吧，我們立刻出發」。

蘇門達拉將她放進他的馬車，向考薩喇國出發。到達後，將她交給國王，並在朝廷上詳述整件事的始末。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/08

The basic quality of devotion is the yearning for realizing oneness with the Divine. - Baba

A renunciant couple were once proceeding through a thick jungle on a pilgrimage to an inaccessible shrine. The husband saw on the footpath a precious stone, shining brilliantly when the Sun’s rays fell upon it from between the leaves. He hastily threw some sand over it with the movement of his foot, so that his wife may not be tempted to pick it up and become a slave to the tinsel. The wife saw the gesture and chided the husband for still retaining in his mind, a distinction between sand and gold. For her, both were the same. This habit of judging and labelling others is a prevalent practice today. What can you know of the inner working of another's mind?

- Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 1, MahaShivarathri 1955.

然而，羅伐那卻執意要壓服天下所有統治者。他體認到，只有靠贏得神恩，才能做到這一點，於是他進入森林深處，擇一吉利地點，進行苦修。

羅伐那的苦修是如此的下功夫、如此令人滿意，大梵天王（Brahma）不得不在他面前顯靈現身，願意賜給他任何請求，「羅伐那，你要什麼，儘管說吧！我會滿足你的心願」，梵天說。羅伐那腦中盤旋著在十車王手下蒙受的侮辱，他心理在盤算，十車王說不定哪天會有兒子，更加厲害，讓他吃更大苦頭。於是，他向梵天提出自己所要的恩惠：「主啊，請賜予我這項恩賜吧︰讓十車王生不出孩子」。梵天聽了，便說：「如擬」，語畢即消失不見──要是繼續留在羅伐那面前，他說不定又草擬出另外一個邪惡污穢的請求！這下羅伐那趾高氣揚，不可一世，為自己的本領和成功得意洋洋，畏懼感一點也沒有。

這時，另外一個計劃出現在他腦海中！「十車王是個青年，正值適婚年齡；如果我設法不讓他結婚，豈不讓我加倍安全！」他心想。他發揮他羅剎的本事，審視當前世局，看出十車王非常有可能娶考薩喇國（Kosala）國王的女兒。於是決定結束那位公主的性命！常言道：「人將自取滅亡時，其理智會變得歪曲」！他易容變裝，偷偷潛入考薩喇國，綁架了公主，將她裝進一只木箱，投入大海中。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/07

Your body is the camera, your mind is the lens, your heart is the photographic plate, your thought is the flash and intelligence is the switch to picture the Lord. - Baba

A lame man and a blind man became friends and they moved from one place to another, with the lame man riding on the shoulder of the blind. One day, the lame man saw a field of yellow cucumber and suggested to the blind man that they pick a few and eat their fill. The blind man asked, “Brother, have they fenced the crop?” The lame man said, “No!” The blind man said, “Then let us move on, you know there are sweet and bitter varieties – if these vegetables are left unguarded – they must be bitter!” The blind man, by his intellect, was able to discover that they were bitter even without tasting them. He used the intelligence to perceive the truth faster and clearer. Make the intellect the Master of your mind and you will not fail; you will fail only when the senses establish mastery over the mind. Clarify your intelligence through spiritual discipline.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 20, 1964.

第二章 膝下無子

蘭卡（Lanka）的國王羅伐那（Ravana），是個「羅剎」（Rakshasa：惡人，惡鬼），達薩拉塔（亦即十車王）的盛名傳到他耳朵裡，令他心中嫉妒得不得了。他擬定了一個穩妥的計劃，決心要毀掉十車王，不擇手段。羅伐那藉故激將十車王與他一戰；有一天，他派使者傳話，除非十車王向他納貢，否則兩人只好戰場上見，來證明誰比較厲害。這樣放話挑釁，是違反國際道義的，可是羅剎哪管什麼道德不道德？

十車王聽了報信的使者的傳話，帶著嘲衊，哈哈大笑，當著傳話的使者面前，拿出一支尖銳而致命的箭，一箭射到蘭卡，把蘭卡京城的各個城門給關得死死的！

十車王轉頭對眾使者說：「各位先生！我把貴國城堡的門給關得緊緊的，你們的主子不論費多大勁都打不開；這就是我獻給你們粗魯無禮的主子的『貢品』」。使者們回國向羅伐那報告這件事，羅伐那吃驚地發現所有的門都關得緊緊的，他和所有人用盡九牛二虎之力都打不開。羅伐那顏面盡失。奇怪的是，這時，箭卻自動返回阿幽德亞，城門又突然開了。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/06

To evoke the Divine in you, there is no better method than Namasmarana. - Baba

A child told its mother as it went to bed at night, “Mother, wake me up when I am hungry.” The mother answered, “There is no need, your hunger will itself wake you up.” So too, when the hunger for God arises, it will itself activate you to seek the fulfilment. God has endowed you with hunger and illness, and He provides the food and medicine. Your duty is to see that you get the right hunger and the right illness and use the appropriate food or drug! Man must be yoked to the world and broken; that is the training which will teach that the world is unreal. When you touch fire and get the sensation of burning, you withdraw your hand instantly. Unless you touch it, you will be aware only of its light. It is light and heat both; just as this world is both true and false, that is to say, unreal.

- Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol I, MahaShivarathri, 1955.

要喚起你內在的神，沒有比持名憶神更好的方法。

達薩拉塔聽到父王的死訊，急忙趕到薩拉佑河畔，為親愛的父親逝世，哀傷不已。他隨即為父親安排喪禮。想到父親是透過祭拜式的起誓，而結束自己的生命，讓他稍微釋懷了一些。他從這件事實，得到力量，充分發揮他的各項才能，繼續肩負起統治者的責任。

沒有多久，達薩拉塔的名聲，就如旭日東昇，遍照四方。他以一當十，具有十輛馬車加在一起的威猛和技藝，故「達薩拉塔」（十車英雄）之名，當之無愧。無人擋得住他的馬車威力無比的猛衝！與他同時代的統治者，無不懾於其勇武而稱臣。全天下都頌揚他為無可匹敵的英雄、美德的典型、最了不起的政治家。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/05

Be humble, be calm, be tolerant. Co-operate with all and treat everyone with courtesy and kindness. - Baba

There are three types of devotion: The Vihanga method, where like a bird swooping down upon the ripe fruit on the tree, the devotee is too impatient and by the very impatience one exhibits, loses the fruit, which falls from one’s hold. The Markata method is akin to a monkey which grabs one fruit and then chooses another and tugs at that, giving way to unsteadiness as it is unable to decide which fruit it wants. So too, the devotee of this type hesitates and changes the goal much too often and thus loses all chances of success. The third and ideal type is the Pipeelika method, where like the ant, which slowly but steadily proceeds towards the sweetness, the devotee also moves directly, with undivided attention towards the Lord and wins His Grace.

- Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol I, MahaShivarathri, 1955.

虔誠有三種類型：第一種是像鳥一樣，衝下來，猝然攫取樹上的果子；這種信徒毫無耐心，因為沒有耐心，結果果子從掌中掉落，而失去了那果子。第二種是像猴子一樣，手中抓著一個果子，又想要另外一個，用力拉扯那一個，結果敗在不穩定，因為它不能決定到底要哪一顆果子；這一類型的信徒經常在那裡猶豫和更改目標，結果失去所有成功的機會。第三種類型，也是理想的類型，是像螞蟻一樣，慢慢但穩健的走向那甜食，這種信徒直接、心無旁騖的走向上主，贏得祂的恩典。

哈蕊妮一聽，嚇得渾身發抖，聲淚俱下的向聖者懺悔，祈求他原諒，能取消將她放逐人間。她楚楚可憐的央求聖者，除去那道詛咒。聖者的心有些軟化，說道：『軟弱的人啊！我不可能收回自己的話，不過我會指示妳得到解脫的時機。汝且諦聽！當一朵花從天上掉落在妳頭上，那一刻，妳的人身就會倒下，妳就能返回天上了。』英都瑪娣就是那位天女，她今天解脫了，當一朵戴在我頭上的花，落在她身上時，她所受的詛咒就除去了。為什麼要為此而悲傷？那毫無用處。」那拉達又談到一位帝王的義務，以及他該負的責任，和他在人民面前必須樹立的典範。那拉達還談到生命的無常，談到死亡的奧理，死亡是所有生命的最終命運。語畢，那拉達劃過天空而去。

阿嘉救不了他心愛的人，於是為她舉行喪禮，回到京城。他心中悲傷不已；只有王子達薩拉塔能給他些許安慰，讓他有活下去的意願；他成天悶悶不樂、鬱鬱寡歡。達薩拉塔如今已經是一位十足的青年，阿嘉遂將國家交給他，自己坐在薩拉佑河畔，一心履行自己發下的誓願，拒絕接受食物（Anasana）。他不給自己繼續活命的食物，讓他的生命一點一滴漸漸消失。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/04

To secure the grace of God one must adhere to right conduct and observe purity in thought, word and deed. - Baba

Spiritual discipline is more arduous than physical discipline. Imagine the tremendous amount of effort undergone by the lady who runs along a wire stretched across the ring underneath a circus tent. The gain is just a few rupees after all. The same steadfastness and systematic effort aimed at a higher reward can endow you with mental balance and you can maintain your equilibrium under the most adverse or the most testing circumstances. But for such spiritual achievements the intellect and other instruments of perception are more important than the limbs. The intellect is the key. Make the intellect the master of your mind and you will not fail. You will fail only when the senses establish mastery over the mind.

- Sathya Sai Speaks, Feb 20, 1964.

愛人倒地不起，國王撫屍痛哭，啜泣和呻吟聲直抵那拉達耳際。於是他下來安慰國王，「王，」那拉達說道，「面對死亡的打擊，悲傷無益於事；色身註定有生死；有生即有死──帶來「生」的，亦帶來死；想去知道它們為何發生，是在發瘋。上天行事，是超越那環環相扣的因果之鍊的，普通人無法解開其謎，他們頂多在其智能極限內，猜猜其原因。人的智性怎麼可能掌握那超出其領域的東西？」

「凡是有身體的眾生，都不免一死。不過，既然英都瑪娣之死，令人百思不解，我不免得告訴你箇中原委」，那拉達說。他把阿嘉拉近，說道，「聽我道來。從前，聖者特爾那賓篤（Thrnabindu）在修極端的苦行。天帝（Indra）決心測試他的成就，看看他淡定的把持力有多深。於是祂派了一位迷人的天女，名叫哈蕊妮（Harini），去勾引他進入感官享樂的世界。沒想到這位聖者絲毫不為其所誘惑，完全不受影響，他睜開眼睛說道：『妳看來不像凡間女子！你恐怕是一位仙女。不管妳是誰，因為妳刻意執行這種無法無天的事，所以得受懲罰！妳將被貶下凡間，投胎為人，嚐嚐做個有生有死的凡人的滋味』。詛咒完，聖者再度闔上眼睛，進入深度禪定。」

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/03

To the person who has completely surrendered, everything that they experience (good or bad) is a gift from God. - Baba

A brahmin was once crossing a river bed, and some men were washing clothes. Finding a nice new silk shawl on his shoulder, they fell upon him in a group, shouting that it belonged to the palace and had been given to them to be washed, but had been stolen and not been traced. The poor brahmin screamed “Narayana, Narayana” when they rained blows on him. Immediately Lord Narayana rose from His seat, walked forward, stopped and returned to His seat! His surprised consort asked Him the reason for His strange behaviour. Lord Narayana said, “I wanted to help that poor brahmin who has fallen into a den of scoundrels, but he has started beating them blow for blow – My help is no longer needed!” Leaving everything to His will is truly the highest form of devotion and the easiest way to win His Grace.

- Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol I, Maha Shivarathri, 1955.

達薩拉塔真的是人見人愛，那些有特權的人，都把他當寵物般撫弄。嬰兒揮舞著手腳，好像充滿了活力和喜悅，似乎他被餵的食物是極樂，而且他活著，似乎只是為了將極樂分給所有人。

一天，阿嘉和英都瑪娣照例去森林裡，享受大自然的懷抱。那一天，森林似乎顯得特別靜謐而壯麗。他們坐在一棵樹蔭下，親蜜的談天，這時忽然刮起一陣強風，帶來一陣異香，那種芳香難以形容，他們還聽到一段段扣人心弦的天上音樂。他們起身四處尋找這些神秘禮物的成因，結果發現，在他們頭頂上方天空雲端，仙人那拉達（Narada）正疾行而去，那拉達是梵天之子，係從梵天的「心念」所生出。就在他們觀看那拉達時，一朵花從那拉達髮髻上的花冠自行鬆脫，隨風飄蕩，剛好落在英都瑪娣頭頂上。阿嘉覺得很驚奇；但是更令他震驚不已的是，王后當場昏倒在地，從此沒有醒過來。

心愛的女人，親蜜如自己的呼吸，驟然死去，讓國王悲傷至極。慟哭聲憾動了整片森林，從一端到另一端；大地因同情而震動了；樹兒們靜靜站在那裡，一動也不動，打從根底驚嘆那滿盈王心的哀傷。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/02

Good words, good manners, good vision and good thoughts – these are essential for good health. - Baba

You will all doubtlessly agree when I say that Divine Bliss is your greatest need. However, you cannot buy it from anywhere! It has to be earned the hard way, doing good deeds, moving in good company, desisting from evil and keeping the mind attached to the Glory of God. Good and bad cannot be kept together in the same place. The Sun once remarked that he had no enemies left and someone told him that there still was one – Darkness! Then, he sent his rays, the emissaries, to seek out the foe. But wherever they went, they only saw light and darkness was nowhere to be found. They returned and reported – there was no such thing as darkness upon the earth. So too, you must gain victory of good over bad within you by persisting vigorously in your spiritual practices.

- Divine Discourse, 20 Feb 1964.

隨著時間過去，喇固也像他父親一樣，有一股衝動，想將王位寶杖的重擔放到王子頭上，自己退隱去森林，一心冥思上帝。於是他也召集大臣，安排加冕儀式，讓出自己的王位，同時找一位門當戶對的新娘，為阿嘉舉行婚禮。新娘英都瑪娣（Indumathi）是馬革達國（Magadha）國王博迦王（Bhojaraja）的妹妹，獲選為阿嘉的終生伴侶。父王讓阿嘉坐上王位寶座後，便和王后一起去森林隱居了。

阿嘉有王后為愛侶，以智慧和憐憫心贏得臣民的效忠：他和王后謹慎的遵照父王喇固的告誡，治理國家。阿嘉熱愛並尊敬這個世界和其居民，把他們都視為他所深愛的英都瑪娣的化身，因此他心中充滿快樂。他們常常去森林中風景優美的僻靜處，嘆賞大自然的壯麗偉大，一待好幾天、好幾週。

這時，王后生下一子，雙親喜出望外，通知這消息給他們敬重的老師瓦西系塔。他們要為新生兒舉行慶祝儀式。嬰兒被取名為達薩拉塔（Dasaratha 即後來的十車王）。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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2013/02/01

Let compassion and sacrifice be your two eyes; breathe easily without ego and let love dance on your tongue. - Baba

The Lord is a Mountain of Love. Any number of ants carrying away particles of sweetness cannot exhaust His plenty. He is an Ocean of Mercy without a limiting shore. And devotion is the easiest way to win His Grace and also to realize that He pervades everything; in fact, He is everything! Sharanagathi (total surrender) or leaving everything to His Will, is the highest form of devotion. Devotion and the attitude of surrender, which is its final fruit, will give you great courage to meet any emergency; such courage is what is called Renunciation. When Devotion is just emerging as a sapling, a fence is needed to protect the tender plant. That fence is religion and its rules, restrictions, directions and commands.

- Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 1, MahaShivarathri, 1955.

讓慈悲和奉獻做你的雙眼；輕鬆呼吸，沒有我執，讓愛舞在你的舌頭上。

一日，瓦拉坦土（Varathanthu）上師的弟子，也是一位隱士，考祖（Kautsu），完成學業，來到王宮，祈求國王幫忙，因為他必須送老師一份禮物，做為感恩供養。喇固就給了考祖他所需的錢。考祖很高興，他得到的禮物是純潔的，是從百姓那兒收集來的，但沒有造成百姓任何痛苦，是他們出於感恩，心甘情願付出的──除非有必要，喇固絕不向人民多收一文錢，他永遠小心翼翼，深怕神生氣。那份錢也是出於偉大的愛心和體恤而給的，所以，考祖滿心歡喜，感激不已，他心中為愛所充滿，對國王說：「願您蒙受祝福，很快就得到一個兒子，他能揚名天下。」語畢，就離開了。

考祖所言不虛，十個月後，喇固得天祝福，生了一個兒子，如鑽石一般，閃閃發光！受洗和命名由宮廷祭司主持，兒子取名為阿嘉（Aja）。嬰兒非常迷人可愛，漸漸長大，成為一個活潑的男孩，好學不倦，不久就精通各種藝術和科學。他聲名遠播，全國都知道他是一位偉大的學者，是一位有成就的少年。

~~ 沙迪亞賽巴巴

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