"The word Ugadi means the day of the inauguration of the Yuga or Age. The
spiritual discipline for each Age has been prescribed by the shastras, for the
Krita or the First Age, it is Dhyana; for the Treta, the second, it is Dharma;
for the Dwapara, the third, it is Archana or Ritual Worship and for the
present, the Kali Age, it is Namasmarana, the Repetition of the Name of God. So
on the Yugadi day, you must dedicate your life anew to the discipline enjoined,
and resolve to accept it and practise it to the utmost. This involves giving up
all the habits that interfere with the constant remembrance of God."
"The New Year comes regularly year after year. But do you have any new
thoughts? You do not shed your old, mistaken ideas. They should be given up,
yielding place to new, sacred and sublime thoughts. Of what use is it to
celebrate new year days if you do not change your old ways of thinking and
behaving?...
Each and every Person in this World are embodiments of the Divine. All
are also embodiments of love and peace. You are the Divine in human form..
Develop that conviction. Immerse yourselves in Divine love. Offer that love to
the Divine. Thereby you will have love for all. It is only when you develop
this love principle you will be realising the meaning of festivals like these.
Stand up for your belief in God, even as you stand up for your father or
mother.
Render service to society, without which you cannot exist. Your welfare
is bound up with that of society. Develop the feeling of oneness with all,
loving all as members of one Divine family."
- From Swami's Divine Discourse in Prasanthi Nilayam on Ugadi Day, March
27th, 1971
