Satsang Transcript (Translated to English) with @Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji – Jharsuguda, Odisha (Nov 6th, 2025) Anandam Maha Satsang

Satsang Transcript (Translated to English) with @Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji – Jharsuguda, Odisha (Nov 6th, 2025) Anandam Maha Satsang 1. The Divine Land of Odisha Jagannathji’s Dham — the sacred land that is the source of our culture — is one of the proudest places in India. Odisha, especially Utkal and Jharsuguda, has contributed so much to the nation. More than 55% of India’s aluminium comes from Jharsuguda. You are the source of all kinds of minerals — your land nourishes the country’s wealth. This is something to be proud of and grateful for. For a long time, it was your sankalpa, your deep resolve, and today, with Gurudev’s presence, that resolve is being fulfilled. I can see that you have prepared more than 8,200 kinds of dishes — such variety, such devotion! All these delicacies have been brought from across Odisha as an offering to the Divine. How beautiful! And tomorrow afternoon, the Somnath Jyotirlingam will be displayed here for everyone to seek blessings. Tomorrow evening too, the Jyotirlingam will be here — all of you can come and have darshan. --- 2. The Meaning of Jyotirlingam and the Inner Light We consider ourselves Jyotishwaroop — beings of light. Lord Buddha said, Appa Deepo Bhava — “Be a light unto yourself.” What is a Jyotirlingam? It means the soul within us is made of light. You light a lamp and cover it with a glass — how long will it burn? Only as long as there is oxygen. Similarly, if someone locks you in a glass case, you will live only as long as there is oxygen inside. Our life and the flame of the lamp are the same — both run on prana, on oxygen. That is why the soul is called Jyotishwaroop — made of pure light. Though the soul and God are invisible, their presence fills life with light — that light is visible. Every person is a source of light. To awaken that light within us is meditation. And what does awakening the light mean? It means being happy, content, and centered in life. --- 3. The Three Vows from Gurudev In today’s satsang, I want to give all of you three vows — three sankalpas to live by. 1. Plant Panchavati – Five Trees In every village, plant five trees. Three or four people can do this together. This is the sacred Panchavati, which brings spiritual and ecological balance. The five trees are: • Peepal – Vishnu (East) • Mango – Pitru (South) • Banyan – Brahma (West) • Cluster Fig (Audumbara) – Enlightenment (Center) • Neem – Shakti (North) Planting these five trees brings prosperity, balance, and divine energy to the land. 2. Meditate for 90 Days Meditate every day for 90 days continuously. Today, scientists say that if you meditate daily for 90 days, your brain changes significantly. It prevents diseases like Alzheimer’s and depression. But doing it for one or two days won’t work. Do it for 90 days and witness the transformation yourself. In the Art of Living, through Sudarshan Kriya, we have seen how deeply meditation changes the mind, body, and emotions. Even people suffering from sadness or suicidal thoughts have experienced complete healing. So meditate daily, without a break — it keeps your mind pure, strong, and full of joy. 3. Keep Humanity Alive If you see sadness on someone’s face, don’t walk past them. In your schools, colleges, offices — if you see someone who’s not smiling, stop and ask, “Why are you sad? What’s wrong?” Just talking to someone for two minutes can lift their spirits and calm their mind. This is true humanity. Humanity is to respect and care for others. This is what keeps the soul of Bharat alive. If we all do this, loneliness will disappear. In countries like America, nearly 45–47% people feel lonely — even with jobs, homes, friends, and children. They still say, “I feel empty, I feel like giving up.” That’s why we must protect this spirit of belongingness in India. Here, we share our food, our time, our hearts. --- 4. The Spirit of Odisha and Indian Culture Go to any village in Odisha — if someone has a glass of lassi, they’ll share half with you. If they have two rotis, they’ll give you one and eat the other. If two guests come, the host will feed them first before eating himself. This is the culture of our land — Atithi Devo Bhava. Even our MLA will agree — this is the pride of India. We should never let this compassion die. If anyone feels depressed or wants to give up, send them to an Art of Living teacher immediately. Tell them, “Give your pain to Gurudev, do your Kriya and meditate — everything will change.” --- 5. The Purpose of Life Life is short. How long will we live — 10 years, 20 years, 50 years? After that, everyone must go. So as long as we live, let’s create a beautiful world. That is Dharma — that which sustains life, joy, and culture. Dharma keeps energy alive and brings happiness to all. For this, remember three things: Singing, Knowledge, and Meditation. Every day — listen to some knowledge for 10–15 minutes, meditate for 20 minutes, and enjoy music. When a child is born, what does it do? It breathes, then cries, then sings! Music is the foundation of life. And Odisha — what can I say! Odisha is the heart of Indian art. Whoever comes to The Art of Living International Centre in Bangalore says — “Odisha is the center of art and beauty.” Your Pattachitra paintings are world-famous. Your Odissi dance is celebrated across the world — even in the World Culture Festival, Odissi is a highlight! Art, service, and spirituality go hand in hand. Those who take interest in art, sports, and seva never fall into sadness. --- 6. The Four Pillars of a Complete Life Just like you eat, bathe, and sleep daily — make these four part of your life: Singing, Knowledge, Meditation, and Service. If one is missing, life is incomplete. Service can be anything — gardening, cleaning, helping others — do something daily that uplifts someone else. --- 7. Cleanliness and Dharma On weekends, take an hour to clean your surroundings. If you see dirt, fix it together. We started this cleanliness campaign in 2008 from a small village called Jalna in Maharashtra. Later, when our central government launched it as the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014, it became a national movement. When leadership and dharma unite, great work happens. True dharmic people always wish for the well-being of all. Not just “my good and others’ suffering.” To wish for everyone’s happiness — that is real Dharma. --- 8. The Somnath Jyotirlingam – A Divine Mystery Now something truly divine. From tomorrow, in Odisha, the Somnath Jyotirlingam will be displayed for darshan and blessings. A thousand years ago, when Mohammad Ghazni destroyed the original Shivling at Somnath, a few Agnihotri families from South India — heartbroken — took the fragments of that Shivling with them and preserved them. They created 11 Rudra Shivlings from those sacred fragments and kept them safe in their homes for centuries. Around 100 years ago, they met the Kanchi Shankaracharya ji. He told them, “Do not reveal this for 100 years. India will become independent, the Ram Mandir will be built, and after that, a saint named Shankar will be there in the south of India, in Bangalore. You must go and give it to him.” They waited exactly 100 years — from 1924 to 2024 — and this year, they came to us. We had never met before; they came searching. This is divine will. Even a blade of grass does not move without Shiva’s leela. --- 9. The Real Message – Go Within The main message is — go within yourself. Within you is the light of the Divine. Recognize that you are a part of God, not separate from Him. God is within you, around you, everywhere. This is the message our sages have given for centuries. Now it’s time to live it deeply and powerfully. That is the purpose of this Anandotsav — to awaken the joy within. Sing. Dance. Meditate. Serve. Be happy. --- 10. Q&A with Gurudev Question: Gurudev, many students feel anxious about their studies, friendships, and future. How can we calm the mind and stay happy when things don’t go as expected? Gurudev: See, there’s an app called Sattva App. Download it — it’s free. I’ve put different types of meditations there, in all languages including Odia. Use it every day. Meditation will settle your mind and bring clarity. Question: Gurudev, mobile phones and social media distract us all the time. Even when we try to focus, we end up scrolling for hours. How can we overcome this addiction? Gurudev: Use mobile phones wisely. You can’t say, “I’ll never use a phone,” but you can be disciplined. Every night, switch off your phone by 9 or 10 p.m. And in the morning, don’t open it till 7 or 8 a.m. Take breaks from it. Just like we fast on Ekadashi, keep a mobile fast — one day, no phone! Tell your friends, “Today is my mobile curfew.” Or go somewhere with no network. Or just forget to charge it! Question: Gurudev, what is the main purpose of life amidst all this confusion? Please guide us. Gurudev: First, know what is not the purpose of life. Being worried is not the purpose of life. Crying all your life is not the purpose. Annoying others is not the purpose. Saving lots of money and dying is not the purpose either. People work all their life, collect money, keep it in the bank — then they die, and the children fight over it! The money just keeps changing pockets. Life’s purpose is to live with joy, serve others, and spread peace. Question: Gurudev, we often think relationships should always be harmonious, but we get confused. How to look at life from that perspective? Gurudev: That’s why knowledge and meditation are necessary. Don’t get entangled. Walk the middle path — as much as you can. Be happy in what you have. Don’t think too much about “what will happen.” If you keep overthinking, you’ll get depressed. So move on, stay light, stay joyful. --- 11. Closing Message Life is short — live it fully, with awareness and compassion. Every day, nurture these four: Singing, Knowledge, Meditation, and Service. Keep the light of Dharma alive. Respect everyone, care for all beings, and remember — You are Jyotishwaroop — the light of the Divine. Let that light shine within you and through you — then joy and peace will follow naturally.