|Daily Sai news|
22
November 2005 |
24th Convocation |
Prasanthi Nilayam |
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From Convocation
TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
ARE THE FOUNDATION FOR TRUE EDUCATION
by
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Note:
Discourses of Sri Sathya Sai Baba
on this SBOIwebsite/group are unedited, authentic & only
sourced from the official Sai baba sites.
Embodiments of Love!
Dear Students!
I do not wish to speak much about the present day education.
In fact, there is a purpose and goal for education; that is truth.
Whatever is learnt other than truth, cannot be construed as true
education. That is only secular education. There are many ‘educated’
people in the world today. But, what is it that they are engaged in? I do
not find educated people engaged in service to society today.
Nevertheless, the educational institutions in the world are turning out
more and more such ‘educated’ people. The education that these people
acquire is only secular education and not spiritual education. In fact,
spiritual education is the only true education, which will establish the
existence of God. Secular education enables one to secure employment and
eke out a living thereby. It is for the physical sustenance of the person
concerned and his or her family. As the saying goes, “The end of education
is character”. Devoid of character, all other possessions are useless.
Unfortunately, today character building has been relegated to the
background. It is the last priority. Of what use it is to pursue such
education which does not confer character on a person? Modern education
may help one to gain control over men and matter, but utterly fails in
uplifting one’s own self. There must be unity between one’s inner feelings
and outward actions. The harmony between thought, word and deed is of
utmost importance. Education should enable one to cultivate good
qualities, character and devotion.
When there is unity between thought, word and deed, one can acquire purity
and realise divinity. Modern education is fully self-centred. Wherever you
see, selfishness is rampant. Contrary to it, true education teaches
selflessness. People pursuing such type of education, give up their
selfish interests and work for the larger interest of society. It is said,
Paropakaraya punyaya, Papaya parapeedanam (one attains merit by serving
others and commits sin by hurting them). Wherever you see, people today
analyse whether a particular activity they wish to undertake will be
beneficial to them or not. Everywhere you will find only selfish interest
coming to the fore. People tend to forget that the real self is one’s own
Self (Atma), which is the same Self (Atma) present in every individual.
And, that Self is Chaitanya Shakti (the power of universal consciousness).
This Chaitanya Shakti is present in every human being, nay every living
being. That is why it is said, Easwara Sarva Bhutanam (God is the
indweller of all beings). Hence, one has to give up one’s self-interest
and strive to realise the Atma Tattwa that is present in every living
being. Modern education is steeped in utter selfishness. It is only when
one transcends his self-interest that one can acquire true education and
purity of heart. One has to rise above self-interest and help others with
a spirit of sacrifice. It is only then that one can become a true human
being and can be called as such; not by mere education. Birds, beasts and
animals cannot realise this sacred Atma Tattwa and manifest selflessness.
Only a human being can do so by Sadhana. A human being can acquire value
only by developing good character. Hence one has to strive to acquire and
protect one’s character by pursuing true education.
Education is not for earning a fat pay-packet. After all, what can money
do? In what way it can help us? It may perhaps help us to acquire name and
fame and build palatial buildings with modern comforts. But, devoid of
character, of what use all these comforts? Unfortunately, today the world
respects such people only. In my view, a person without character is unfit
to be called a human being. He is only an animal. Even an animal is better
than such a human being, for, it has a season and a reason. But, a human
being has no season and reason at all! Wherever you see, you will find
only selfishness today. Only such people pass off as gentlemen in society
in present times. Coming to the point once again, character is the most
important aspect of a human being. Truth and righteousness are the
foundation for character. As the saying goes, Sathyannasti paro Dharma
(There is no Dharma greater than adherence to truth). The mansion of
righteousness rests on the foundation of truth. If the very foundation of
truth collapses, there can be no righteousness. Hence, truth and
righteousness are the two most important limbs of a human being. When
truth and righteousness go together, love manifests.
Bereft of truth, righteousness, love and peace
the value of all your education is zero;
Bereft of truth, righteousness, love and peace
the sanctity of all your acts of charity is zero;
Bereft of truth, righteousness, love and peace
the utility of the positions of power occupied is zero;
Bereft of truth, righteousness, love and peace
the result of all your good deeds is zero;
These four qualities are the four foundation walls
that support the mansion of Sanathana Dharma.
What more can I explain
Oh! Men of noble qualities! (Telugu poem)
There can be no peace without truth, righteousness and love. You often
come across people complaining, “I have everything in life, but I have no
peace of mind”. A person without peace of mind is confronted with troubles
from all sides. If only one has peace of mind, one can be happy in the
world. He will have no troubles at all! Such a person is a great soul. Let
us now analyse the true meaning of the word “Manava” (human being). It
means one without attachment to the world. Only such a person can be
called a real human being. To marry someone, beget children and develop a
family – these are all considered to be attachments. Man loses peace on
account of developing attachments. A paradoxical situation has developed
today where man has everything – good food, comfortable life, etc. but, he
has no peace of mind. Why? Because, he has developed an attachment to the
objects of enjoyment. Peace is something which cannot be purchased in a
market. It depends upon one’s attitude to life and living. Hence one has
to develop Ekatma Bhava (feeling of oneness). If this Ekatma Bhava is
developed, one can move about freely in the world with no attachment to
any particular individual or object. When man loses his freedom he will
become bound by the objective world. He will develop desires, lust etc.
Where there is lust, love cannot exist. The rose flower which is a symbol
of love teaches many good things. It is a thing of beauty that speaks
silently in the language of fragrance. It is surrounded by thorns. In this
example, the rose flower is comparable to love and the thorns to lust. Man
must be able to pluck the flower of love without being pricked by the
thorns of lust. It is only when man develops pure love untainted by desire
and lust that he can be called a true human being.
Adi Sankara, the greatest exponent of the Advaita philosophy, once went on
a tour to North India on a mission of winning over scholars by
argumentation. During the course of his tour, he came across a great
scholar by name Mandana Mishra. He had a wife by name Ubhaya Bharati who
was equally well-versed in scriptures. Besides, she was a realised soul.
She was selected to be the arbitrator and judge to decide the winner in
the argumentative sessions between Sankaracharya and Mandana Mishra. She
was a truthful lady and was aptly suited to be a judge. The judges of
modern times are not comparable to Ubhaya Bharati in the qualities of
truth and objectivity. She always believed in the aphorism “Truth is God”
and therefore was eminently suited for the assignment. The arguments
between Sankaracharya and Mandana Mishra commenced in the presence of
Ubhaya Bharati. She was following the arguments and counter arguments with
rapt attention. Finally, Sankaracharya defeated Mandana Mishra in the
arguments and he was declared as winner by Ubhaya Bharati. As per the
conditions governing the sessions, Mandana Mishra had to take to sanyas
and he did accordingly. As a dutiful wife, Ubhaya Bharati followed suit
and she also took to sanyas. A question may arise here as to what is
sanyas, in the real sense. It is giving up of all desires. As long as one
entertains desires, he will only be a samsari (householder). He will
develop worldly relationships. He will desire to have a son in the first
instance. Thereafter, the whole retinue of daughter-in-law, grandsons,
granddaughters, etc., will follow. Ubhaya Bharati did not wish to entangle
herself in the web of such worldly relationships. Hence, she took to
sanyas (renunciation). One day, she was going along with her disciples to
the river Ganga for taking a holy dip in the river. On the way, she
observed a sanyasi relaxing on the wayside, keeping a dried bottle gourd
under his head. This, he was using for storing drinking water and hence he
was preserving it safely. Ubhaya Bharati saw this sanyasi’s attachment to
the bottle gourd and commented to her disciples, “Look! This man calls
himself a sanyasi, but he is attached to a bottle gourd which he is
keeping safely under his head as a pillow.” The sanyasi heard this
comment, but did not utter anything then. While Ubhaya Bharati and her
disciples were returning from the river, he threw away the bottle gourd in
front of them in order to demonstrate that he was not attached to the
article. Observing his action, Ubhaya Bharati aptly remarked, “I thought
there was only one defect in him – Abhimana (attachment). Now I realise
that he has another defect also – Ahamkara (ego). How can one with
Abhimana and Ahankara become a jnani and sanyasi?” Her comment was an
eye-opener for the sanyasi. Immediately, he fell at the feet of Ubhaya
Bharati and prayed to her to teach him true knowledge.
People today put up a show as though they had renounced everything. In
fact, it is they who crave for worldly possessions. Dear students! You are
all engaged in pursuing education. Hence, you must have only one desire
now. That is Brahmacharya (celibacy). When you come here to join the Sri
Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning as students, you pray, “Swami! We
don’t want anything. We have no desires like marriage, setting up a family
and building of houses, etc. Please lead us on the path of liberation.”
But, the moment you leave the portals of the Institute, umpteen number of
desires swarm you like honey bees.
Man’s behaviour is influenced by Sthanabala (power of the place),
Bhujabala (power of the physical body) and Dhanabala (power of wealth).
For instance, in the Ramayana, when Rama and Lakshmana were going in
search of Sita, Lakshmana suddenly felt tired and told Rama that he was
exhausted and was fed up with the search for Sita and would like to go
back to Ayodhya as quickly as possible to have a more comfortable living.
Rama smiled at him and said, “Let us proceed further, I shall explain
everything later.” How did Lakshmana who previously had declared that Rama
was everything to him and that he would not live without Rama even for a
moment, suddenly develop this attitude? How did this concern for bodily
comfort arise in him suddenly? After they walked some distance, they sat
under a tree. That moment Lakshmana felt the pangs of repentance for his
impertinent behaviour. He realised his mistake, caught hold of Rama’s feet
and enquired, “Rama! Forgive me for what I had said. I cannot understand
how these devilish qualities and bad thoughts entered me. What could be
the reason? Rama thought over the matter for some time and explained,
“Lakshmana! The region through which we passed just now was the haunt of
Surpanakha. She used to rest under that tree. Hence, the place is
surcharged with all her devilish qualities. The vibrations of those evil
qualities aroused bad thoughts in you. The moment you came out of the
place, you are your normal self again. Your inherent good nature asserted
itself.” Thus, one’s association with a particular place also has its
effect on one’s behaviour. That is what is called Sthanabala (power of the
place).
People often wish and pray for a son. But, what type of son they should
pray for? One who will emulate the noble qualities of the parents.
Unfortunately, today you do not find noble qualities anywhere. Youngsters
often move in bad company and cultivate bad qualities. This is not
correct. They should always make friendship with good people and emulate
their qualities. The great epic Ramayana is replete with several examples
of how association with good people results in developing noble qualities.
Adi Sankara in his famous Bhaja Govindam song very graphically described
how Satsanga would ultimately lead one to liberation:
Satsangatwe nissangatwam,
Nissangatwe nirmohatwam,
Nirmohatwe nischalatattwam,
Nischalatattwe jivanmukti. (Sanskrit sloka)
Today, people move about in bad company and ultimately spoil themselves.
This is the effect of Kali Yuga, which is often referred to as the Kalaha
Yuga (the Age of Conflict). Man, by nature is divine; but turns bad on
account of dussanga (bad company). That is the reason why sages and seers
in ancient times constantly strove to cultivate noble qualities by
satsanga. Today, trash literature is found everywhere. Wherever you see,
you will find people, especially youngsters reading bad books that pollute
their minds. You might have observed youngsters visiting the library
invariably on Sundays and holidays. They search for bad books and read
them with absorbing interest. Those bad books are very exciting to the
young minds. Thus, youngsters spoil themselves on account of bad company.
No force on earth can change such boys. Not even God. Unless one makes
introspection into one’s behaviour and strives for transformation, one
continues to move about in bad company. One’s character and conduct are of
paramount importance. If they are taken care of, one is sure of treading
the right path. There is no use acquiring high academic degrees with a
view to earn high salary and position. How long they will last? On the
other hand, it is possible that they may land one in trouble sometimes.
In keeping with the saying, Yad bhavam tad bhavati (as is the feeling, so
is the result), one has to cultivate noble thoughts and feelings. One has
to read good books that will bring about a transformation of heart and
uplift the soul. You often find youngsters going to the library and
engaged in deep study. What sort of books they study? They read bad books
camouflaged in a good cover. Once you remove the cover and look into the
book, everything is trash with bad photos. You will have to be very tough
with such students. No one can be taken for granted. They speak sweet
words outwardly as though they are very innocent. But, they stealthily
engage themselves in bad activities. Unlike the students in the Gurukula
system of the ancient times, the present day students indulge in bad
behaviour. In spite of great efforts on the part of teachers to bring
about a transformation in them, they continue to exhibit their bad
qualities. It is not surprising to see students assaulting teachers in the
educational institutions today. There are students who find fault with
those who actually provide for their living. There are also students who
do not hesitate to pull down the very hand that feeds them. Such are the
qualities of the present day students. They do not appreciate the role
played by the teachers in their uplift.
What are the qualities expected of a student?
Students should pursue such education which confers on them the sacred
qualities like good character, adherence to truth, devotion, discipline
and duty. (Telugu poem)
Only those students who cultivate such qualities are eligible to be called
students in the real sense. Those who act against those principles are not
students, but stupids. You should not make friendship with such people.
Neither you should call them stupids and earn their wrath. Be neutral in
your relationship with them. You should keep up your own good qualities,
which the world will appreciate. Love all. In fact, love is the most
important aspect of education. One who teaches the method by which man can
cultivate selfless love is the real Guru. There are, of course, several
such teachers. I have established the Sathya Sai Educational Institutions
only with a view to inculcate love and teach good qualities to the
students. It is not an exaggeration to say that there is not a single bad
book in our library. Our students are very good students. They do not at
all move in bad company. Even when they go home for vacation, they do not
like to stay there for long. Sometimes, their mothers may say, “My dear!
You stayed for one full year in Brindavan or Puttaparthi. You never had an
opportunity to eat tasty and spicy food. I shall now prepare such food
that you will relish.” Our boys will then reply, “Mother! You should also
not eat such rajasic food. It is not good for health.” As is the food, so
is the head (thoughts). Thus, when the food and head go together, people
forget God. Hence, do not change your food habits. Continue to stick to a
sattwic diet. Take plenty of green leafy vegetables. It is only when you
maintain spartan habits with regard to food and head, will you become a
good-natured individual. You are aware that people outside have high
expectations of the students studying in Sri Sathya Sai Educational
Institutions. Students, as long as they remain in our hostels, exhibit
good behaviour and devotion. Once they go out of the portals of the
institution, they turn bad. This should not happen. Wherever you are,
whether in the hostel here or when you go out, you must continue to
exhibit good behaviour. Of course, I have no doubt at all about the
behaviour of our students. They are good boys. I sincerely wish and hope
that our students continue to be good and become good citizens worthy of
emulation by others. I conclude My Discourse with blessings to all.
(Divine Benedictory Address on the occasion of 24th Annual
Convocation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi
Nilayam on 22nd November 2005)
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