7

AUTHOR’S PREFACE

This book is intended as guidance to spiritual aspirants who have

not yet found what they are seeking. The field of spiritual knowledge

is so vast that it is extremely difficult for any one book, except

Bhagavad Gita, to impart all spiritual knowledge. Many verses in

Bhagavad Gita have very deep meanings which can be understood

only after repeated readings, with faith and contemplation thereon

or reading commentaries on it by enlightened souls or by listening

to discourses by a great guru.

Once I said ‘God bless you’ to a scientist. He gave a meaningful

smile and said, “I doubt whether a Supreme Power whom many

call God, really exists? If such a power did exist, there would be a

proper justice system. We hear of helpless women being molested,

their bread-earners killed or crippled, their homes and hearths

destroyed; children orphaned and their near and dear ones also

killed and all types of atrocities being perpetrated on innocents by

cruel persons who continue to live a life of luxury and without

their being ever awarded appropriate and proportionally adequate

punishment during their present life-time? Also if the Supreme

Power loves all equally and is just as God-believers claim, why are

all not born alike? One is born sick, weak and plain looking in a

destitute family, lacking the basics of life, like healthcare, clothes,

shelter, education and another is born healthy, handsome in an

affluent family with enough means to satisfy not only needs but to

indulge in all luxuries of life. With all this kind of injustice

happening, can any rational person believe in the existence of a

‘Supreme Just Power’?

I explained to him the Divine Justice System (Law of Karma and

Destiny). Then he was fairly convinced that a Supreme Power (God)

did exist and He is Just.

He asked me to suggest to him some spiritual book which would

enlighten him on various aspects of spiritual knowledge. I gave

him a copy of Bhagavad Gita, ‘The Lords Song’ translated by the

illustrious enlightened soul, Dr. Annie Besant (Published by The

8 God, Matter, Soul & Divine Justice System

Theosophical Society) who dedicated this treatise on Yoga, “To

all spiritual aspirants in East and West”. After reading Bhagavad

Gita couple of times, he came back to me and said, “Many of the

verses in Bhagavad Gita, the Divine Dialouge between Lord Krishna

and His disciple and friend, the Pandava prince Arjuna, have deep

and inner meanings and it will take me many readings to understand

the great spiritual knowledge contained therein.” I fully agreed

with him.

He said he was very keen to have the same spiritual knowledge as

enshrined in Bhagavad Gita, in simple, easy language. I told him

that Bhagvan Sri. Sathya Sai Baba, the Avatar of present Kali Yuga,

has in his many discourses expounded the entire spiritual

knowledge in very simple language, which can be easily understood

even by lay people of simple intellect. Baba’s discourses and

teachings are contained in ‘Sathya Sai Speaks,’ ‘Summer Showers

in Brindavan’ ‘Vahini’ and other series and also explained in many

publications by overseas authors, available from Sri. Sathya Sai

Centres and gave him a list of the same.

He said it would be difficult for a busy executive to find time to

read such vast literature and he wished there was a book on spiritual

knowledge which gave subject-wise spiritual knowledge in simple

language with some of the relevant quotations from Sri Sathya Sai

Literature and Bhagavad Gita.This triggered off a thought process

in me and I prayed to Bhagvan Baba to use me as His instrument

for authoring such a book. With the Grace of Baba, ‘Ocean of

Compassion’ as he is, I started writing this book.

On making a list of important spiritual subjects, I realized that it

will take more than one volume to deal with most of the

subjects.With Bhagavan Baba’s grace this first volume has been

completed.I am now 85 years old and my eyesight has become very

weak. Bhagavan Baba willing, I would be able to author volume II

of this book, with his blessings.

My being only a humble instrument of Bhagavan Baba, the object

of writing this book is to deliver His Divine message of truth,

righteousness love, harmony, moderation, peace and strength to

9

spiritual aspirants in their journey to the Lord; the message being

that in the midst of worldly turmoil, one should hold body, wealth,

property, intelligence, family members and everything else as in

trust, for God; rendering within ones capacity, in whatever form

possible, selfless loving service with humility to the needy; seeing

the same Lord residing in every one; singing His glory and

ceaselessly chanting silently the sweet name of the Lord. This

Sadhana will automatically confer the required spiritual knowledge,

and strength leading to ultimate liberation from endless worldly

cycles of births and deaths. Thus the spiritual aspirant need not be

a recluse but should be active, utilizing his energies and resources

for the benefit of society and nation, with reasonable ceiling on

desires, while making personal progress both worldly and spiritual.

All his acts mental, verbal and physical, should be selfless & loving

and then offered to the Lord and having offered, he has nothing

further to do with them any more.

This book is in the form of questions and answers to make it more

lively and also make the reader think independently on the subject.

The names ‘Arun’ and ‘Shyam’ have been selected arbitrarily and

are not of any real persons and also not intended to refer to any

particular persons.

In this book, there are naturally references to places, people, kings,

sages, events etc. mentioned in ancient Indian scriptures and

literature with which a lay reader is not likely to be acquainted.

Hence, effort has been made to provide information with regards

to these in the glossary.

G. K. Chhabria

10 God, Matter, Soul & Divine Justice System

CONTENTS

CHAPTER-01

GOD

PARA

* Have you seen God? 01

* More about God. 03

* Can you describe God? 06

* Does God really exist? 21

* What happens at the end of each Kalyuga or night of 34

Brahma? Is the Karma Phala (fruit of good and bad

deeds) of all souls destroyed?

* What are all religions searching for? 36

* Where do all religions search for divine unity? 38

* Why the Unity appears as vast diversity? 40

* Explanation of dualism and non-dualism. 42

* How can we see equality and non-duality amongst 49

diversities like good and bad, saintly and wicked,

sweet and bitter?

* Are there spiritual steps in evolution for climbing the 51

ladder to non-dualism?

* For devotee, what is the difference between Formless 58

God and God with Form?

* What does the sacred word ‘OM’ represent? 64

* Where to search God? 70

* Do some numbers have spiritual significance? 76

* Are all equal before God? 78

* Does God assume responsibility for our progress?

* What is ‘Prajnanam Brahma’ and ‘Brahma Gyan’? 82

11

* What does Brahman (Formless God) give to aspirant? 90

* What is the essence of Vedas? 92

* What is the highest wisdom? 94

* What is embodiment of Brahmam? 96

* Explanation of ‘Bhoomaa.’ 100

* Explanation of SAT aspect of Brahmam. 102

* What are the words applied to Brahmam? 104

* What happens when Brahmam is known? 106

* What is the relationship between beings and Brahmam? 108

* Can one become Brahmam? 110

* What is the end of the Universe (Jagat)? 112

* Can Brahmam be described? 114

* What is relationship between Brahmam and Creation? 117

* Why is Brahmam called ‘Param-Aksharam’? 119

* How to deserve God’s Love? 121

* Does God take over responsibilities of His devotee? 123

* How is it that each religion is talking about it’s God? 125

* The association of spirit (God) with matter! 127

* What is God’s role in actions performed by humans and 135

fruits thereof?

* What is the relationship between God, Matter and Soul? 138

* What Jesus has said about God, Matter & Soul? 140

12 God, Matter, Soul & Divine Justice System

CHAPTER-02

AVATAR (INCARNATION)

PARA

* What is meant by AVATAR? 01

* Why does God incarnate and when? 04

* What is ‘Purna’ Avatar? 22

* How to recognise an Avatar? 24

* What Sai Baba has said about miracles? 26

* Is an Avatar invariably associated with miracles? 40

* Miracles of Sri. Sathya Sai Baba: a few illustrations

- Baba’s brilliant effulgence of aura seen by 44

Dr. Frank Baronowski.

- Baba created cross for Dr. Hislop, from 48

original 2000 years old disintegrated wood elements.

- Baba’s compassion for weeping saris. 53

(Cloth wrapped by Indian women as garments)

- Dr. Art-Ong, Mars Project Director of NASA, 62

- USA, saved from suicide by formula in sky. 69

- Baba recovers specs from sea and saves 84

- largest brain tumour patient from frequent attacks etc. 89

Baba put out fire in a hotel in Italy.

- Amrut (elixir) flowing from tiny locket-pots filled. 91

- Baba’s letters coming out of His portraits in 94

Mr. Bhat’s home.

- Mr. Iyer gets photo-letter to control his anger. 95

Strengthening faith through miracles.

13

* Prophesies about advent of Sri. Sathya Sai Baba, by: 97

- Aurbindo, spiritual master of Pondicherry. 101

- Dr. Nostradamas, the famous 16th century AD 102

French Philosopher.

- Jesus Christ 104

- Prophet Mohamad 108

-Sage Shuka, in about 3200 B. C. 114

* What Sri. Sathya Sai Baba and Lord Krishna have 120

said about Avatars?

14 God, Matter, Soul & Divine Justice System

CHAPTER-03

SOUL

PARA

* What is the difference in the behaviour of a body, 01

a few seconds before and after death?

* Relationship between God and Soul. 08

* Relationship between body and soul. 12

* Various kinds of pleasures because of which a 25

soul engages in different kinds of activities?

* Is there life before birth and after death? 27

* Why are evil people not punished as soon as they 33

commit crime, so that not only justice is done but

it is seen by people to be done?

* In what way can the terrorists be punished 35

appropriately and in proportion to the misery

inflicted by them on innocent people?

* Is there only one life and does God decide every one’s 41

destiny and thrusts him with that destiny into this world?

* Early man’s quest for spiritual knowledge and 43

resulting evolution in his search for Divinity.

* Why are some people afraid of Salvation? 51

* What Sri. Sathya Sai Baba has said about Body 58

and Atma (Soul) ?

* Should God not have granted us knowledge 100

about previous and future births / lives?

* What constitutes sin? 103

* Knowledge about body and the dweller in the body. 105

* What are the constituents of a living being? 111

* What Lord Krishna has said about Body 114

and Soul relationship?

15

CHAPTER-04

MATTER & ITS QUALITIES

PARA

* What is Maya and what does it do? 01

* How to escape the illusion power of Maya? 05

* How does illusion of Maya Work? 15

* What happens to Maya on dissolution of the Universe? 17

* How can one transcend the immensely powerful 19

Maya? What has Lord Krishna said about Maya?

* Is performing of deeds affected by the prevailing 27

quality of matter?

* Examples, about Sathvik, Rajasik and Tamasik intakes. 31

* What Lord Krishna has said as to how variations in 36

qualities born of matter affect different aspects of life?

* About Maya, what Sri. Sathya Sai Baba has said? 47

16 God, Matter, Soul & Divine Justice System

CHAPTER-05

MONEY

PARA

* What is important to know about Money? 01

* What makes people to use money for evil 03

purposes?

* How do good persons earn money? 06

* Rich people just do not have spareable time 08

for selfless service.

* Does the person rendering service oblige the served? 10

* Is the goal of life, acquisition of wealth? 12

* Are millioners and billioners happy? 14

* What happen if a man earns money by wrong means? 16

* After acquiring lot of money, mind wants to 19

satisfy ego and senses.

* How reliable is wealth as a companion? 21

* Dilemma of self respecting but really needy persons. 23

* What should a person of moderate means do? 25

* What if some one can not spare any money at all for 27

helping the needy?

* What happens to selfish people who grossly 29

misuse money power to hurt others?

* Should one pray to God for wealth? 31

* What are the negative trends which wealth fosters? 33

* Why God does not grant everything that one prays for? 35

* As worldly wealth cannot give real and lasting 37

happiness, what will give it?

17

* Today healthcare and education has become 39

unaffordable even by middle class families.

What is the way out?

* Can hospitals, schools and colleges run without 41

charging for their services?

* Why people want so much money, much 46

beyond their needs?

* Can a person help society when investing his savings? 50

* Does too much accumulation of money harm its owner? 52

* How does hoarding of too much wealth by a 54

very few harm the society?

* What is the solution for too much greed for money? 56

* What has Sri. Sathya Sai Baba said about 58

earning and use of money?

18 God, Matter, Soul & Divine Justice System

CHAPTER-06

LAW OF KARMA

PARA

* What constitutes Karma? 03

* What is the Law of Karma? 05

* What are the main features of the Law of Karma? 11

* When do fruits of Karma ripen? 13

* What kinds of actions are binding and what not binding? 19

* Is it easy to perform actions that are not binding? 21

* When a person harms some one, what happens? 25

* Why all do not have same freedom of action? 58

* Can punishment of sinful acts be set off against 67

rewards of good actions?

* Can some body’s sins be forgiven? 73

* Can a person be absolved of sins, if he 76

surrender’s completely to Messiah or Avatar?

* Are non-humans (beasts, birds etc.) punished 78

for killing other creatures?

* Why is animal birth awarded for punishment 91

of sins committed?

* Do animals commit sin when they forcibly have 94

sex with females?

* Is there any way of escaping from fruit of 96

wrong action?

* What happens after jivi (individualised soul) has 98

gone through enjoyment / punishment for fruits

of most or all his past actions?

* What Lord Krishna has said about action and inaction? 100

19

* What has Shri. Satya Sai Baba said about 108

action and reaction?

* Should one not perform any actions due to 115

fear of unintentionally performing wrong actions?

* How can Karma be used to break the bondage of 122

cycle of birth and death?

* How can man become God? 126

* Not desiring fruits of actions performed amounts 129

to not having any ambition. Is it not?

* Why desireless action is so highly praised by 131

Lord Krishna?

* What has Sri. Satya Sai Baba said about 133

action and its consequences?

* Are fruits of all actions forgiven or destroyed 135

at the end each Kali age?

20 God, Matter, Soul & Divine Justice System

CHAPTER-07

DESTINY

PARA

* The working of destiny. 01

* Are failures due to destiny willed by God? 03

* Frustration, loss of faith in God’s justice system and 13

even in God due to dishonest persons enjoying

and the honest living in misery.

* Can one make enough spiritual progress for 18

salvation, in one life span?

* If God’s Justice System is perfect, why Justice is 21

not seen to done?

* What are the reasons for body and circumstances 27

of any one child or living being, not being the same

as those of any other child or being, even at birth?

* Why a person is not punished for his sins in the 42

same life span?

* Every life span being like a prison term, how to 46

avoid the torture of birth and death cycles?

* What is meant by soul becoming one with 53

God or Salvation?

* Why ungone-through fruit of Karma and unfulfilled 55

desires at the time of death, prevent Salvation?

* What is joy and grief? 57

* Is there only one life, destiny of which is pre-willed 61

by God?

* How does destiny work? 67

* An example of Divine Justice System being 69

applicable to gurus, prophets and avatars.

21

* What is the difference between working of destiny 74

of human beings and non-humans (animals, birds etc.)?

* Did Ram also respect the Divine Justice System? 76

* Does one get what is destined as per God’s will, 93

when time comes?

* Is there pre-birth and after-death life? 97

* An example of adverse destiny. 101

* Can human being exercise free will or nothing can 103

happen without will of God?

* What Sri Sathya Sai Baba has said about destiny? 106

22 God, Matter, Soul & Divine Justice System

CHAPTER-08

DEVOTION & DEVOTEES

PARA

* How can a devotee attain God? 01

* Is it difficult to think of and concentrate on 03

Formless God.

* An example of high level of devotion. 05

* What happens when some one worships deities 14

(gods not God) for worldly benefits?

* What is the greatest obstacle in the path of devotion? 18

* What happens when family members create all 20

kinds of difficulties for a devotee?

* What are requirements for devotion? 22

* What kind of relationship one can have with the Lord? 24

* What is the starting point for devotion? 26

* What has Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba said about 33

devotion and devotees?

* More about true devotion of a devotee. 45

* How shall one attain his chosen Lord? 52

* More about what Shri. Satya Sai Baba has said about 56

devotion.

* What kind of devotees are dear to the Lord? 78

* What are the main classifications of devotees? 91

23

CHAPTER-09

MEDITATION & COMMUNION

PARA

* What is meant by meditation & how is it done? 01

* What has Lord Krishna said regarding Meditation? 23

* What are other divine forms or manifestations, 27

one can meditate on, apart from meditating

on Lord Krishna?

* What has Lord Krishna said about best worshippers? 30

* Is mind too restless and difficult to control? 34

* Is communion with God possible? 37

* What is the process for being blessed with 39

divine communion?

* What is voice of God like? 43

* In what form can one communicate with God? 45

* How can I hear the voice of God? 52

* How to distinguish between worldly sub-conscious 55

mental voice, mere perception voice and divine voice?

* Vibrations emanating from incarnations and realised 57

souls bring about spiritual uplift of people who are

fortunate to be in their devine presence.

* Why so far never heard divine voice within? 59

24 God, Matter, Soul & Divine Justice System

CHAPTER-10

LOVE DIVINE

PARA

* What is the Principal cause of creation? 01

* Queries regarding divine love. 15

* What is true, divine selfless love? 17

* What is the nature and essence of Love? 31

* Is relationship of love permanent and never changing? 42

* Can love be selective? 43

* With what kind of relationship can God be loved? 49

* What should be the level of love for God? 56

* What is relationship between divine love and God? 61

* What is the relationship between living beings and love? 67

* What is the power of love? 78

* What is the essence of all religions? 86

* Is divine love easiest way to self-realisation (Salvation)? 102

25

CHAPTER-11

TRUTH

PARA

* Why truth has been given a highly exalted position 01

by all philosophies and religions?

* What is relationship between truth and purpose 06

of our life?

* How should be our speech in life? 10

* What is the relationship between fear and truth? 12

* What is the relationship between God and Truth? 17

* What are the qualities by which truth can be 19

distinguished from falsehood?

* How do ideologies based on truth and untruth 21

affect humanity?

* What is the basis of long lasting relationships? 25

* What is the relationship between actions performed 27

and being able to speak the truth?

* What has Sri. Sathya Sai Baba said about truth? 29

26 God, Matter, Soul & Divine Justice System

CHAPTER-12

RIGHTEOUS DUTY

PARA

* What is the difference between concepts of Dharma 01

and Duty?

* Does Dharma change with time? 03

* What kind of changes in circumstances affect the 05

Dharma of different kinds of people?

* All do not have same freedom to perform actions and 07

duties as they like to. What should such persons do?

* What kind of life we can lead if we do not enjoy any 10

worldly pleasures?

* How is one to find out what our duty is under certain 12

circumstances?

* How can one experience divine joy? 15

* What is the way to resist negative pulls like lust, 17

greed, ego etc.?

* Why people feel that discharging even their normal 19

and unavoidable obligations is a burden and they

discharge their obligations grudgingly?

* What is the duty of a person to society? 21

* What is the difference between worldly duties and 23

spiritual duties?

* What is the best within us? 27

* What is the meant by ‘due course’? 29

* What prompts a person to do someone else’s duty, 51

instead of doing his own duty?

* How perfection is attained by one devoted to 53

his own duty?

27

CHAPTER-13

DISCIPLINE

PARA

* What is meant by normal and spiritual discipline? 01

* Is discipline natural to all? 03

* Explanation of discipline in detail. 05

* What is the object of spiritual disciplines? 35

* What are the kinds of spiritual disciplines? 37

* Can discipline help us to chart the course of action 41

leading to liberation?

* Why people find the discipline of speaking the 46

truth so difficult?

* If a person may have to speak untruth in order to save 48

some innocent person from serious harm by evil persons,

then whether this constitutes a bad Karma punishable

as per LAW of Karma ?

* How do we reconcile spiritual discipline, which is a 52

set of self-imposed restriction with our desire for

freedom of action?

* Are wisdom and devotion sufficient for spiritual progress? 57

* If we lay too much stress on discipline, would it 59

be at the cost devotion (bhakti)?

* Can we enjoy life now and postpone efforts for 63

spiritual progress to later age?

* When the conscience does not approve disciplines 65

laid down in the principle scripture of one’s religion,

what should one do?

* How long can one exercise spiritual disciplines? 69

* What has Sri. Sathya Sai Baba said about discipline? 71

* What has Lord Krishna said about discipline and 95

self-control?

28 God, Matter, Soul & Divine Justice System

CHAPTER-14

PEACE

PARA

* What is Peace? 01

* Why desires do not leave us in peace? 03

* Why rich people who have much more than 05

enough money to fulfil all their worldly desires,

are not having peace of mind?

* Why most of the time mind is not at peace? 08

* Can peace be achieved by destroying mind? 10

* How can lasting mental peace be achieved? 13

* What is the most effective way of controlling the mind? 15

* What can ensure world peace? 23

* With strong desires for material acquisitions and 25

worldly pleasures, how can there be peace in individuals?

* What has Lord Krishna said about attainment of peace? 52

* What has Jesus said about peace? 70

29

CHAPTER-15

NON-VIOLENCE (AHINSA)

PARA

* What is the meaning of Non-Violence? 01

* Is adhering to complete non-violence possible? 03

* If a person harms himself by cultivating bad habits, 05

is he causing violence to himself?

* If a person causes harm to others because his duty 07

leaves him no other alternative, does he commit sin?

* Why most of the Hindu gods, goddesses and 16

avatars (incarnations) carry arms?

* Does one commit sin if household pests like 19

mosquitoes and cockroaches are killed to keep

home free from them?

* Are there any guide lines for observing non-violence? 21

30 God, Matter, Soul & Divine Justice System

CHAPTER-16

MANTRAS & PRAYERS

PARA

* What is a Mantra? 01

* Which is the most beneficial Mantra? 03

* How to recite the Gayatri Mantra? 05

* What is the correct translation of the Gayatri Mantra? 07

* What is the meaning of each word in the Gayatri Mantra? 09

* What is the greatness of Gayatri Mantra? 11

* How is Gayatri Mantra related to ‘Pranava Shabda’, OM? 16

* Are all persons entitled to chant Gayatri Mantra? 18

* What is the origin of Gayatri Mantra? 24

* To whom is Gayatri Mantra Addressed? 26

* Where is Gayatri present? 29

* By what names is Gayatri Called? 31

* In what kind of persons does Gayatri reside? 33

* What is the power and potency of the Divine Gayatri 35

Mantra, when chanted with correct and clear

pronunciation, without haste, with faith, love

and pure heart?

* What does the Gayatri Mantra foster? 37

* What are the other benefits to one who chants the 39

Gayatri Mantra?

* What does the Gatyatri Mantra bestow on the person 41

who chants it with faith?

* What are the other benefits of chanting

the Gayatri Mantra? 43

* Who is redeemed by Gayatri? 45

31

* How many parts does Gayatri consist of? 47

* By chanting Gayatri Mantra,

what are we seeking from God? 49

* What spiritual discipline should be observed 51

by chanter of Gayatri Mantra to achieve worldly

and spiritual benefits?

* When should Gayatri Mantra be chanted? 53

* For what purpose has mankind been blessed with the 57

Gayatri Mantra?

* What Westerners have discovered about the divine 59

nature of Gayatri Mantra?

* What spiritual benefits we will be blessed with if we 61

chant Gayatri Mantra?

* Gayatri is described as five faced. What are the five faces? 63

* Does chanting Gayatri Mantra grant enough protection? 65

* How chanting Gayatri Mantra specially helps students 67

and young persons?

* What some great sage of India has declared about 69

Gayatri Mantra?

* Finally please summarise what Bhagvan 82

Sri.Sathya Sai Baba has said about significance of

Gayatri Mantra?

* Which are other commonly chanted very beneficial 87

mantras and what are their meanings?