June 01, 2025
What is the true source of joy, and what must we do to lead a more joyous life? Bhagawan lovingly explains by drawing examples from our own experience.
You must also realise that the source of true joy is within yourself and not in the objects of the external world. When Sita was a prisoner in Ravana’s Ashoka Vana, none of the beautiful things in the garden could give her any joy. But the sight of Hanuman, as a messenger from her Lord Rama, gave her great joy because all her thoughts were centred on Rama, and Hanuman sang the glories of Rama and described how he came to adore Rama. This shows that man cannot derive joy merely from things that are beautiful or from individuals who are beautiful. Man derives joy from the objects he loves and not from other things. It is love that lends beauty to the object. Hence, joy is equated with beauty and the sweetness of honey. Anyone who seeks joy should not go after things of beauty. The fountain-source of joy is within himself. To bring forth that joy, man should cultivate the inward vision.
– Divine Discourse, Jun 24, 1989.
The happiness that you derive from external sources is in reality a reflection of your inner feelings. You yourself are the source of bliss. – BABA
#Sri Sathya Sai
Sai Inspires (‘Thought for the Day’, originally in English) is written daily, every day of the year, on a small blackboard, at Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s ashram, Prashanti Nilayam.
