Sai Inspires from Prasanthi Nilayam - May 17, 2026

Narration
Translated
Many have been students of Vedanta for years. But how can we become true Vedantins? Bhagawan explains to us today and gives some simple examples to drive the lesson!
You have been reading about renunciation for a long time. You have been listening to many discourses. But how much have you been able to practice? If you question yourself, you will find that you have not moved even a single step forward; you are where you were. In spite of listening to and reading Vedantic texts, in spite of japa (chanting) and meditation, in spite of knowledge of sacred texts, your position is the same as it was. How can you make progress? You will reach noble heights only when you put your knowledge into practice. But students today are zero in practice and hero in bookish knowledge. You may hear and learn so many things. But your position is the same as it has been. Instead of learning a hundred things, it is very important to practice at least one. So, you should start practising. You get experience only through practice. Your hunger is not satiated merely by hearing the names of delicious items. You have to make an effort to eat. A beggar will never improve his condition simply by listening about the greatness of the economy. Pitch darkness can never be dispelled by listening to the power of light. Similarly, you can never become a Vedantin by learning about Vedanta.
- Divine Discourse, Apr 04, 1993
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The ‘gandha’ (fragrance or essence) must be extracted from the ‘grantha’ (spiritual text); that is the test of scholarship. Do not transform the mastaka (brain) into a pustaka (book) instead. - BABA
— Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

