World Oneness Center
This Bharat (India) is the land of sanctity and chastity, which has given birth to such great
women of exceptional character, who lent glory to Bharat as a nation of heroic women.
From ancient times, the presiding deity of Gayathri Mantra, Gayathri Devi, has been
worshipped as the Mother of the Vedas, which are held as the most ancient and authoritative
scriptures of wisdom. The Gayathri Mantra originated in this holy land. The glory of this mantra
has spread all over the world. The people of Bharat have worshiped Gayathri in several ways
and have redeemed their lives. Gayathri has been worshipped in four forms: (1) Sathyavathi
(2) Angavathi (3) Anyavathi (4) Nidhanavathi. All four are equally sacred and elicit limitless the
grace of the Divine. The world is symbolized by these four forms of Gayathri. That is why ithe
world is described as nature (prakriti), a female form (sthree). We refer to our native country as
the motherland.
The woman at home has been held in high esteem as the "goddess of prosperity of the home
(grihalakshmi)". When her husband faces difficulties, the wife readily shares the burden and is
prepared to do anything, undergo any suffering, or even sacrifice her life for the welfare of her
husband and family. It is the woman of the home who is behind the home's good reputation.
The woman is the embodiment of sacrifice. Though the male counterpart may also do sacrifice,
it will be with a selfish tinge, while woman's sacrifice is absolutely selfless. Therefore, we should
be proud of our women.
Women devotees in Sai Movement are participating in large numbers enthusiastically in service
activities such as helping the women of weaker sections to learn some useful trades like
tailoring, so that they can earn some money for the family and also spend their time usefully. If
such activities are taken up all over the country, the country will prosper. This sacred work is
typical of the culture of our ancient country. Women are the heirs of our ancient culture.
Culture means refinement. Women are the torch-bearers of refinement, and they are toiling for
the emancipation of the nation.
In order to teach the subtleties of the scriptural texts and encourage women to play their role in
society, 19 November is fixed as Woman's (Mahila) Day. Dharma can be made to occupy its
position in society and restored to its pristine glory only by women.
Divine Discourse: 19 April 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A married lady has many great titles like "righteous wife (dharma patni)", "goddess of the house
(grihalakshmi), "lady of the house", and "equal partner of the husband (ardhaangi)". These
titles have more value than socially recognized titles like "padma bhushan'"and "given by the
Government (padma vibhushan)". A lady must look after the home first and then work outside,
if necessary. A house without a mother is like an empty hall of a temple (choultry). A lady
should be an ideal to her children, look after her husband, and then do outside work. She can
study, get degrees, enter politics, or do any other work, but she should not neglect the home,
which is the very foundation of her life. The husband and wife are equally responsible for
establishing harmony in the home. But times have changed. Womanly ideals are not being
practiced, and there are no ideal men and women today. That is why the world is in such a
sorry state.
Divine Discourse: 19 November 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is not my view that women should not get educated. They should have education. You may
also take up jobs. But they should live up to the obligations and glory of womanhood. The first
title given to a woman is the goddess of home (grihalakshmi). A woman is expected to confer all
prosperity, honor, and good name on the home and the family. She is characterized as home-
Lakshmi and not office-Lakshmi. Another title for a woman is the better half (ardhaangi). This
means she is the better half of the husband and not a partner in his job. The third title is the
mistress of the Home (illalu). She is the mistress in the house and not in the office.
Dharmapathni is the fourth title conferred on a married woman. This implies that the home is
the dwelling for all righteousness. The home is the birth place of all the rules of right conduct
(dharmas) hallowed by usage from ancient times.
What we have to safeguard and protect today are truth and righteousness, and not the nation.
When truth and righteousness are protected, they will protect the nation.
Hence, righteousness should be fostered in the home. A home is no trivial place. The home is
the abode of dharma. which protects and safeguards the country. The home is the beacon that
illumines and sustains the world. Women should realize that, regardless of their education or
position, their foremost obligation is to protect the home.
Consider, for instance, this fact. There any number of women have tried to bring back their
dead husbands or to venerate their memory. How many men have done likewise for their
wives? Many hasten to acquire a second wife.
Wherever women are honored, there is prosperity and happiness. Women should never be
slighted or treated with disrespect. A home in which the housewife sheds tears will be bereft of
all prosperity. This is the ancient conception of the role of women in the home.
Divine Discourse: 19 November 1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Man is the chosen one in this whole world teeming with millions and millions of creation. Woman
is very superior in the whole creation including man. There are many examples to prove that
woman is really superior. Is it not because of the boons granted to Kausalya in the form of
giving birth to Divine that Rama became famous and worshiped as God? Is it not by Seethaa's
fostering and rearing that the twins Kusa and Lava became so great? Again, Shivaji became
great and valorous because of the upbringing of his mother, Jijabai. Gandhi gained reputation
and fame because of encouragement from his mother Puthlibai. Several great sages (rishis),
warriors, various heroes, and wicked people were also born from the womb of the mother. That
mother is the very embodiment of nature (prakriti).
The Gayatri is the very source of all Vedas. Gayatri is the embodiment of woman (sthree).
Veda is the mother. When we see all these things, we feel that the woman has got a very high
place; her birth is something very great and virtuous. The woman has been praised by the
Vedas throughout the past and the present. The woman has an exalted place in the various
rituals of the ancient times like, vaidika pooja, vaidika upasana and vaidika aradhana.
The house becomes a forest when the woman is not there. Men have to think today that they
should not make the women shed tears. They should respect and revere them. Then only will
there be prosperity and happiness. Wherever the women shed tears, that house will go to ruin.
Men have to carry on their lives by respecting and revering women to the extent possible. The
woman with nine different powers is the very embodiment of Adhi Sakthi. Sabda Brahmamayi,
Charaacharamayi, Jyotirmayi, Vaangmayi, Nithyanandamayi, Paraatparamayi, Maayaamayi,
and Sreemayi are the names given to women. This principle is nectarine. So the woman has
got the worthy name sthree.
Women have the strength of mind and the courage to fight for the country and bring about
harmony and peace. So Valmiki ,who described women in many ways, said that women are the
very embodiment of sweetness. What is the main reason for this sweetness? It is the quality of
sacrifice in her that makes it sweet. The mother is prepared to go to any length and sacrifice for
the sake of the children. She will sacrifice even her life to protect her children. This sense of
sacrifice is there only in the women. The father will say it is alright when the children are
suffering from some disease. The mother tries hard to protect them. The quality of sacrifice
causes her to be known as the embodiment of sacrifice.
Mother is the very foundation of everything. A ma —Amma— is the very first word. Therefore,
she is called mother-god (matrudevi). The four important sayings in the culture of Bharat (India)
are "revere the mother as God (matru devo bhava)", "revere the father as God (pitru devo
bhava)", "revere the guru as God (acharya devo bhava)", and "revere the guest as God (aathiti
devo bhava)". The mother gives birth to the children. She shows the father. Nobody has the
authority to show the father. Only the mother has the authority to show the father. Then the
father shows the guru. The guru leads the child to God. This is the ancient tradition and culture
of Bharat (India).
We say that this world is full of discord. From where has this discord come? It has come from
within. So every time we celebrate Ladies Day (sthree dina) on November 19, we should
propagate this type of thought. Not only should good thoughts be propagated, but they should
start right at the home. You should train the children with good thoughts. You have to remain
peaceful even if the husband is wicked.
This is an auspicious day, dedicated for women. If women change, men will definitely change.
Women should take to the right path. Then men will also take to the right path. Because the
women can be a leader, she shares half the body of the man. She can change the men either
today or tomorrow if she has good thoughts. So women should inculcate compassion, love, and
sacrifice. There is no quality greater than sacrifice.
Divine Discourse: 19 November 1995
women of exceptional character, who lent glory to Bharat as a nation of heroic women.
From ancient times, the presiding deity of Gayathri Mantra, Gayathri Devi, has been
worshipped as the Mother of the Vedas, which are held as the most ancient and authoritative
scriptures of wisdom. The Gayathri Mantra originated in this holy land. The glory of this mantra
has spread all over the world. The people of Bharat have worshiped Gayathri in several ways
and have redeemed their lives. Gayathri has been worshipped in four forms: (1) Sathyavathi
(2) Angavathi (3) Anyavathi (4) Nidhanavathi. All four are equally sacred and elicit limitless the
grace of the Divine. The world is symbolized by these four forms of Gayathri. That is why ithe
world is described as nature (prakriti), a female form (sthree). We refer to our native country as
the motherland.
The woman at home has been held in high esteem as the "goddess of prosperity of the home
(grihalakshmi)". When her husband faces difficulties, the wife readily shares the burden and is
prepared to do anything, undergo any suffering, or even sacrifice her life for the welfare of her
husband and family. It is the woman of the home who is behind the home's good reputation.
The woman is the embodiment of sacrifice. Though the male counterpart may also do sacrifice,
it will be with a selfish tinge, while woman's sacrifice is absolutely selfless. Therefore, we should
be proud of our women.
Women devotees in Sai Movement are participating in large numbers enthusiastically in service
activities such as helping the women of weaker sections to learn some useful trades like
tailoring, so that they can earn some money for the family and also spend their time usefully. If
such activities are taken up all over the country, the country will prosper. This sacred work is
typical of the culture of our ancient country. Women are the heirs of our ancient culture.
Culture means refinement. Women are the torch-bearers of refinement, and they are toiling for
the emancipation of the nation.
In order to teach the subtleties of the scriptural texts and encourage women to play their role in
society, 19 November is fixed as Woman's (Mahila) Day. Dharma can be made to occupy its
position in society and restored to its pristine glory only by women.
Divine Discourse: 19 April 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A married lady has many great titles like "righteous wife (dharma patni)", "goddess of the house
(grihalakshmi), "lady of the house", and "equal partner of the husband (ardhaangi)". These
titles have more value than socially recognized titles like "padma bhushan'"and "given by the
Government (padma vibhushan)". A lady must look after the home first and then work outside,
if necessary. A house without a mother is like an empty hall of a temple (choultry). A lady
should be an ideal to her children, look after her husband, and then do outside work. She can
study, get degrees, enter politics, or do any other work, but she should not neglect the home,
which is the very foundation of her life. The husband and wife are equally responsible for
establishing harmony in the home. But times have changed. Womanly ideals are not being
practiced, and there are no ideal men and women today. That is why the world is in such a
sorry state.
Divine Discourse: 19 November 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is not my view that women should not get educated. They should have education. You may
also take up jobs. But they should live up to the obligations and glory of womanhood. The first
title given to a woman is the goddess of home (grihalakshmi). A woman is expected to confer all
prosperity, honor, and good name on the home and the family. She is characterized as home-
Lakshmi and not office-Lakshmi. Another title for a woman is the better half (ardhaangi). This
means she is the better half of the husband and not a partner in his job. The third title is the
mistress of the Home (illalu). She is the mistress in the house and not in the office.
Dharmapathni is the fourth title conferred on a married woman. This implies that the home is
the dwelling for all righteousness. The home is the birth place of all the rules of right conduct
(dharmas) hallowed by usage from ancient times.
What we have to safeguard and protect today are truth and righteousness, and not the nation.
When truth and righteousness are protected, they will protect the nation.
Hence, righteousness should be fostered in the home. A home is no trivial place. The home is
the abode of dharma. which protects and safeguards the country. The home is the beacon that
illumines and sustains the world. Women should realize that, regardless of their education or
position, their foremost obligation is to protect the home.
Consider, for instance, this fact. There any number of women have tried to bring back their
dead husbands or to venerate their memory. How many men have done likewise for their
wives? Many hasten to acquire a second wife.
Wherever women are honored, there is prosperity and happiness. Women should never be
slighted or treated with disrespect. A home in which the housewife sheds tears will be bereft of
all prosperity. This is the ancient conception of the role of women in the home.
Divine Discourse: 19 November 1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Man is the chosen one in this whole world teeming with millions and millions of creation. Woman
is very superior in the whole creation including man. There are many examples to prove that
woman is really superior. Is it not because of the boons granted to Kausalya in the form of
giving birth to Divine that Rama became famous and worshiped as God? Is it not by Seethaa's
fostering and rearing that the twins Kusa and Lava became so great? Again, Shivaji became
great and valorous because of the upbringing of his mother, Jijabai. Gandhi gained reputation
and fame because of encouragement from his mother Puthlibai. Several great sages (rishis),
warriors, various heroes, and wicked people were also born from the womb of the mother. That
mother is the very embodiment of nature (prakriti).
The Gayatri is the very source of all Vedas. Gayatri is the embodiment of woman (sthree).
Veda is the mother. When we see all these things, we feel that the woman has got a very high
place; her birth is something very great and virtuous. The woman has been praised by the
Vedas throughout the past and the present. The woman has an exalted place in the various
rituals of the ancient times like, vaidika pooja, vaidika upasana and vaidika aradhana.
The house becomes a forest when the woman is not there. Men have to think today that they
should not make the women shed tears. They should respect and revere them. Then only will
there be prosperity and happiness. Wherever the women shed tears, that house will go to ruin.
Men have to carry on their lives by respecting and revering women to the extent possible. The
woman with nine different powers is the very embodiment of Adhi Sakthi. Sabda Brahmamayi,
Charaacharamayi, Jyotirmayi, Vaangmayi, Nithyanandamayi, Paraatparamayi, Maayaamayi,
and Sreemayi are the names given to women. This principle is nectarine. So the woman has
got the worthy name sthree.
Women have the strength of mind and the courage to fight for the country and bring about
harmony and peace. So Valmiki ,who described women in many ways, said that women are the
very embodiment of sweetness. What is the main reason for this sweetness? It is the quality of
sacrifice in her that makes it sweet. The mother is prepared to go to any length and sacrifice for
the sake of the children. She will sacrifice even her life to protect her children. This sense of
sacrifice is there only in the women. The father will say it is alright when the children are
suffering from some disease. The mother tries hard to protect them. The quality of sacrifice
causes her to be known as the embodiment of sacrifice.
Mother is the very foundation of everything. A ma —Amma— is the very first word. Therefore,
she is called mother-god (matrudevi). The four important sayings in the culture of Bharat (India)
are "revere the mother as God (matru devo bhava)", "revere the father as God (pitru devo
bhava)", "revere the guru as God (acharya devo bhava)", and "revere the guest as God (aathiti
devo bhava)". The mother gives birth to the children. She shows the father. Nobody has the
authority to show the father. Only the mother has the authority to show the father. Then the
father shows the guru. The guru leads the child to God. This is the ancient tradition and culture
of Bharat (India).
We say that this world is full of discord. From where has this discord come? It has come from
within. So every time we celebrate Ladies Day (sthree dina) on November 19, we should
propagate this type of thought. Not only should good thoughts be propagated, but they should
start right at the home. You should train the children with good thoughts. You have to remain
peaceful even if the husband is wicked.
This is an auspicious day, dedicated for women. If women change, men will definitely change.
Women should take to the right path. Then men will also take to the right path. Because the
women can be a leader, she shares half the body of the man. She can change the men either
today or tomorrow if she has good thoughts. So women should inculcate compassion, love, and
sacrifice. There is no quality greater than sacrifice.
Divine Discourse: 19 November 1995
November 19, 2007
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