24th
February 2005
Divine Discourse delivered at the Auditorium
of Sri Sathya Sai
Institute of Higher Learning (Prasanthi Nilayam Campus) on 24-02-2005
Simply
by learning alphabet and letters can one become literate? Can one
become educated merely by acquiring degrees? Can one be called
educated bereft of the discrimination between spirituality and
knowledge? Birds and beast too eke out a living without any such
education.
Students and teachers, it is truly your good luck
and fortune! If you reflect on the Vice Chancellors and the teachers
you have had, you will realise that it is verily your good fortune.
The first Vice Chancellor of this university was Sri Vinayak Gokak.
The seeds sown by him have sprouted today and have acquired great
reputation and esteem. Today, his son is taking charge of this
university as its Vice Chancellor. Sri Vinayak Gokak was a great
scholar. His son too is a great scholar and a great intellectual.
In future, this Institute will attain great heights
and will become the leader for the whole country. There may be some
ignorant people who will have doubts as to how such a university in a
rural village can become a leader. But note that it is bound to become
one! You all think that this is a university that will excel only in
academics. This is not merely an educational Institution. In the
future the concept of ‘Educare’ will gain great repute and acceptance.
‘Atma Tattwa’ will be shared by this Institute with all the people.
Secular education is merely the gross or the
superficial manifestation. The undercurrent is Educare. This will gain
emphasis and will come to the forefront very soon! The initiative has
already been taken in Delhi. Great scholars have associated themselves
in this process. It is not that it depends on the individuals but
their capacity also counts.
There must be no place for pride in education.
Educated individuals must be humble with discrimination and wisdom.
Why should we feel proud at being educated? Never be egoistic. That
which helps to render service to society is true education. It has
become a human habit and behaviour to define things as good and bad.
But remember, both good and bad are created by the Will of only One
God. Therefore, knowledge cannot be differentiated as good and bad.
Your knowledge is but a fraction of the infinite!
The essence of education is humility. Within each
one there is the spirit. The Japanese, the Americans and the
Britishers think that their achievements are due to individual
qualifications. But all these accomplishments are truly due to the
noble youth. What was the accomplishment of Winston Churchill? Being
the chief of the Army, he encouraged everybody. This quality made him
noble.
Lincoln grew under such poor and trying conditions.
His mother consoled him saying that though poverty may be cheap in the
eyes of the public, it will bring him great respect in the future. She
advised him “Tell the truth. Say, I am poor; I cannot afford to wear
rich and good dresses. Do not feel shy.” Finally, he turned out to
become the President of the United States of America. It is such great
sacred mothers who have brought forth great leaders in the world. In
recent times, we are having more such sacred mothers and therefore
many sacred Institutions are coming up.
Lincoln would pay his obeisance to his parents
before leaving the house every day. You too must respect your parents
and make them happy. That is why since ancient times, it has been
said, Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava…. Sathyam Vada, Dharmam
Chara….
Students!
Your parents are spending so much money for your education. They even
fast in order to pay your fees. However, in our University education
is totally free. Get a good name like Abraham Lincoln. Emulate his
example. That is true education. First respect your parents. Keep up
the honour of your family.
Do not do all this merely to win praise. Humility
is a must. Those who behave like this alone, can be called students.
They will reach great heights. Such students are needed today. We have
a good lot of them. Swami is willing that He should give them more and
more opportunities to manifest the noble qualities within them. You
think that you have secured high ranks. Do not limit yourself to those
ranks. Be true to yourself.
Many spend a lot of money and go abroad. There is
nothing great in that. Stay here and be prestigious. I will never be
happy if you humiliate your own country and acquire a good name
abroad. Students, I am so happy to see all of you. You too are
deriving so much happiness looking at Bhagawan. I am ready to give up
even My life to foster you all. Keep up your good conduct. That is
very important.
Sri Vinayak Gokak was a great scholar. His son too
rejected great and attractive offers and chose to work in the villages
in India. He may look very simple from outside. But you cannot
comprehend his honour and dignity. Modern students wear all sorts of
coats. However, he wears simple clothes. He has sacred qualities which
are so dear to Swami. This University has been gifted with such people
right from the beginning.
In this world there are many educated people. But
they sell their education for money. Spirituality is not a commodity
for sale. Spiritual education is very necessary today. Sri S.V. Giri
too was occupying a very high position, that of the Chief Vigilance
Commissioner, before coming here. He resigned and came straight to
Swami. It is these sacrifices that brought him such good name and
repute. Na Karmana Na Prajaya Dhanena Tyage Naike Amrutatva
Manasuhu (Not by action, not by progeny, not by wealth; but by
sacrifice alone can man attain immortality).
Today Sri Anil Gokak too sacrificed everything and
came to Swami. The other day, we had sent some members from the
Central Trust to invite him to take up this position. Hearing them, he
just forgot himself. He and his wife immediately consented to come
over here and accept the responsibility. Such men of sacrifice will
surely win great repute.
Students, you too must be prepared to sacrifice.
Sacrifice does not mean leaving everything. But you need to stay in
the society and earn a good name. Position may bring a good name today
and it will disappear tomorrow. But a good name in the spiritual field
will remain for eternity.
Students, your Love is most valuable to Me. I am
unmindful of any other wealth. See that this Love does not diminish.
Humility is the breath of God. It is Vidya (education) that should be
shared with everybody. From tomorrow, Sri Anil Gokak will make all
efforts to share the richness of his past experience with you all. Sri
S.V. Giri will continue to stay here. Just because another Vice
Chancellor has come, he will not leave Swami and go. Our former
Vice-Chancellors, Prof. Venkataraman and Sri S.V.Giri have decided to
settle down here and share their knowledge with all.
Above all, focus your attention on the indweller.
The indweller is indeed Divinity itself. There is no doubt that the
human body is required to discharge its regular duties. But do not
give too much attention to the body as this will lead to body
attachment.
Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan,
“Prema Mudita Manase Kaho Rama Rama Ram …”
Music attracts God. That is why the Music College
was started here. It has to progress a lot in the future and reach
great heights. The knowledge of Music should help you to share the
feeling of Divinity through music with everyone. |