Sai Pearls of Wisdom - Part 23

[Guest guest]

November 12th, 2003 OM… OM… OM…

Sai RamWith Pranams at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan, Dear Brothers and Sisters,

THE SACREDNESS OF THE VEDAS As Bhagavan comes out of His residence and walks

towards the Kulwant Hall auditorium, both morning and evening, the students

start chanting the Vedas. The chanting of Vedas may appear to be just noise,

just some voice or some loud, meaningless sound sound. But my friends, it is

not so. The Vedas contain slokas. The slokas are in the Sanskrit language.

These are not composed by any man. They are born out of the intuition of the

saints, who spent years and years in penance in the forest, long ago. They got

some intuitive feeling which they started memorizing, and that knowledge is

passed on, from one generation to the next. The very sound of the Vedas has an

effect on our brain. The electromagnetic waves of the Vedas have an effect on

our nervous system, circulatory system, digestive

system and so on. Vedas help us individually at the physical level, at the

mental level, and at the spiritual level. Chanting of the Vedas also helps the

entire community to grow. It is also a type of prayer to ensure timely rain, so

that the country may prosper, so that the country may be blessed with plenty.

The Vedas pray for the welfare of the entire humanity and the whole universe,

not just for the welfare of a particular country, region, or religion. Vedas

have nothing to do with religion. With this brief introduction, I will proceed

with the rest of the details. You are quite welcome to put any questions you

may have, at the end. TEACHING CULTURE AND VALUES My friends, let me tell you

that there are around three hundred universities in this country with forty

lakhs (one lakh = 100,000) of students enrolled to receive higher education.

But I can tell you one thing: There is only one university where the teaching

of culture and the

teaching of values is the main theme; and that is none other than Sri Sathya Sai

University. This is a fact and will be confirmed slowly, as you listen to my

other talks, which contain statements made by eminent educationalists from all

parts of this country. Sri Sathya Sai University is the only university in the

country which focuses on the cultural values and the traditions of this

country. CHANTING THE GLORY OF GOD IN UNITY The second point I want to draw

your attention to is that all students know the chanting of Vedas, right from

kindergarten level to Ph.D. All students chant the Vedas in unison. They join

in chorus in perfect harmony, excellent diction, beautiful pronunciation, ideal

modulation, full-throated, with joy, for hours. It’s not easy to teach Vedas to

hundreds of children. They all sing the glory of God, praying for the whole of

humanity, so that all of mankind will live in peace, security, safety and

prosperity. This is something

great and quite unique about this institution. Another thing, which we don’t

find anywhere else, is that the girls are chanting the Vedas. This is an

exception. Women, in earlier days, were prohibited from learning the Vedas.

Later they protested. Vedic knowledge is still not very popular among women.

But Sri Sathya Sai Baba made all the girls of Anantapur recite the Vedas. I am

still unable to believe this, even though I have been listening to it for

fourteen years. I ask myself, “Is it true?” That is how I feel every time that

I hear the girls chanting the Vedas. In this country, there are priests who

perform rituals: spiritual activities like marriages, house-warming functions,

naming the child, etc. These are religious activities, which are performed by

priests. All priests are supposed to know the Vedas. As the chanting of Vedas

by all students is of professional standards, I even joke with them: “Arrey

boys! You don’t have to worry about unemployment -- you can

live as priests as well!” (Laughter) Well, I am not a serious man by

temperament, and I don’t mix with serious people. I believe religion is bliss,

and that God is bliss. I believe that seriousness is a kind of sickness, not

spirituality. So I like people who smile, and I like to make people smile. I

appreciate the boys’ ability to chant the Vedas for another reason. Outside

priests chant the Vedas as a means of livelihood, to earn their bread. I tell

the boys, “You, you are Ph.D.’s and M. Tech.’s and M. Sc.’s who can chant the

Vedas. I think you are all first-class enemies of the priestly class in this

country!” (Laughter) They have reached a remarkable standard of excellence. The

intonation and modulation is of an unbelievable standard! If a pundit were to

listen to a cassette of the boys chanting, he would say that the boys must have

studied at a high-ranking Vedic university. My friends! Why do we worship? To

enjoy the blessings of

God. Why do we pray? To get the blessings of God. Why do we meditate? To see the

manifestation of God. Why so we sing bhajans? To see God in front of us. All our

spiritual activities are to enjoy the manifestation of God. Vedic chanting in

front of God is something fantastic -- a lifetime fulfillment. Outside people

chant the Vedas in order to see God. Whereas here, you see Him and chant His

glory in front of Him, which is really profit doubled. Double the profit -- not

a thing to be taken for granted. SWAMI IS PROUD OF HIS STUDENTS Our God also

wants all of us to know how great His children are. When God takes a human

form, He displays certain humanistic tendencies. He wants the whole world to

know that all the students are expert in the Vedas; that this is not a monopoly

of a couple of students only. You must have noticed how He suddenly will ask all

college boys to stop chanting, after which He will ask high school students to

start. Then suddenly

He will stop that. He will ask elementary school students to start chanting. In

this way, we know that all students of Sai educational institutions are very

well versed, very familiar with the Vedas and its chanting. Not only that. He

sometime plays games: He wants one boy to start, and then another boy to

continue from where the first boy left off, like a chain. This way the chanting

is not mechanical. Chanting is an art of perfection, not mere memorisation. He

wants boys to chant perfectly and we are extremely happy to witness this. One

day He asked somebody, “Do you know the meaning of Veda?” The boy said, “Yes

Swami!” “All right – Start!” After one stanza, Swami said, “Stop! Now tell the

meaning in English.” The boy started giving the English meaning of the verse.

“Haan. Stop! Next verse.” So it was, verse after verse, and in between, the

English translation. Please don’t misunderstand me. A fact is a fact. Most of

the pundits do not know the meaning of Veda. The great majority of Indians do

not know Veda, nor its meaning. Amazingly, the students can give the English

meaning, verse after verse. To chant the Vedas is sufficient achievement, but

to also know its meaning is a unique accomplishment. IMPROMTU ORAL EXAMINATION

One day He suddenly asked one lecturer, “Come here! You ask these boys some

questions on Veda. “ To prepare a question paper, a teacher needs at least

three to four hours. He should gather all his books, see the syllabus, see the

previous year’s question paper, and then prepare the question paper. But here

is our good God, who suddenly asks one lecturer to put questions on Veda. The

lecturer was caught unawares. The boys did not know that they were going to be

examined; and in addition, in front of thousands of devotees. If they failed,

they would cut a sorry figure and Swami would feel very much let down. But God

never fails! So, to

demonstrate this, Swami asked one lecturer: “Come on! Put some questions.”

Please believe me, all questions were highly informative and the answers were

excellent. None failed. There were claps and cheers. Most of you must have

watched the whole scene that day. I noted those questions and answers for the

benefit of English-speaking people. Some Sanskrit verses are here, the language

that I myself do not know. So, for convenience sake, I have written in Telugu,

my mother tongue, but it will be written in English Roman script, courtesy of

our friends. A lecturer on the dais in Sai Kulwant Hall put questions to

students. This was viewed by a public of thousands. Any student could get up to

give the answer. You must have seen that. All of them were unprepared. To me it

appeared as if it were a public oral examination, an open viva-voce. Question

1: - Rudram There is a portion of Veda chanting called Rudram. Rudram has two

parts – namakam and chamakam. What is the difference between the two? One boy

got up and said, “Swami! I will give the answer.” “Yes. What is the answer?”

“The chamakam part of chanting of Veda helps in the fulfillment of your

desires. So all mantras of this chamakam part end with these two letters:

chame... chame... chame… chame. Chame means ‘I want that’. Therefore chamakam

is the submission of desires. And you get them fulfilled. The other part is

namakam. What is namakam? The namakam part of this rudram is surrender to God.

Here there are two letters: na + ma: ma - mine, na – not; so, ‘not mine –

everything is Yours.’ So, it means submission to God, surrender to God.

“Nothing is mine and

everything is Yours” is nama-namakam. I hope I am clear. Therefore, that is

namakam and chamakam. The interesting thing is that in namakam, the first

letter is na, while in chamakam, the second letter is ma. Nama meaning

‘egolessness, not mine’.” As was very well noticeable on Swami’s face, he was

very very happy at the meaning explained by the boys. The second question –

Everything is full There is one sloka, which says that everything is full in

this world. Nothing is a fragment. Nothing is a bit. You are full. Everything

is full. Which sloka from Upanishad says that everything is full, that Divinity

is full, that this universe is full. Full minus full is full. Full plus full is

full. Because we are fools, we don’t understand what fullness is. Zero minus

zero equals zero. Zero plus zero equals zero. Zero multiplied by zero equals

zero. Simple mathematics. So, that is infinite, this is infinite. That is full.

This is full. Which sloka says that? One boy said: “Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat

PurnamudacyatePurnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavashishyate.” Third question How do

you say, that has the quality of fullness, that meaning Divinity, and this has

the quality of fullness, this meaning humanity? Cite one example given by Baba

in support of this concept. One smart fellow got up and said, “When you want to

make some sweets, what do you do? You go to a shop and buy jaggery. Out of that

big lot, you cut a piece. Out of this piece, you cut a still smaller piece and

make use of the material to make rice pudding or a pie or a doughnut. Now the

point is, the piece of jaggery, which you use, is as sweet as the mass you

had.” This example has been given by Baba. It constituted a good answer by a

student. One bag of sugar is as sweet as one bottle of sugar. One bottle of

sugar has as much sweetness as a spoon of sugar. So far as the quality of

sweetness is concerned, a bottle of sugar is as sweet as a bag of sugar.

Question number 4 – Upanishad What is the meaning of Upanishad? Upan means

‘near’, ni means ‘down’, shat means ‘sit’. ‘Sit down near’. So, Upanishad means

students should sit down near the teacher. This may not be possible for western

students. “Why should I sit down? I want to sit on the head of the teacher!”

(Laughter) Why? Equal rights! But, the idea behind ‘sit down near’ is this: The

teacher sits at a higher level and the students sit at a lower level. Knowledge

flows downward just as water flows downward. Upanishad means ‘sit-down-near’.

Upanishad is taking place every day in the presence of Swami. Swami sits on the

stage, while we sit on the ground. Everybody liked the answer.

Question 5 - Purusha-suktam Then there is another portion that they chant

everyday. It is called Purusha-Suktam. Purusha-Suktam means everything in

praise of God, the Divinity: Praise His greatness, His uniqueness, His glory,

His vastness, His splendor. God’s attributes are described in Purusha-Suktam.

So the question is, what is the relevance of Purusha-Suktam for modern society?

If someone starts chanting Vedas on the road today, we would think something is

wrong with his mind. What has Purusha-Suktam to do with modern society? In a

world of computers, where man is sent to the moon, how do we apply

Purusha-Suktam? One boy gave the answer, quoting from Swami’s discourse. “Man

is the limb of the society. Society is the limb of the nation. The nation is

the limb of Divinity. So, man and God are related. Part of God is nature, part

of nature is society and part of society is man. So,

the relationship between man, society, nature and God is very well explained in

Purusha-Sukta. They are inter-linked, inter-connected, inter-dependent and

inter-related. The modern society requires the inter-relationships now more

than ever before, because we are divided on a lot of silly considerations. So

for unity, we need to study Purusha-Suktam today.” You must have heard of the

caste system in India. Most unfortunately, the caste system is politicized: It

is used by politicians to their advantage. It was exploited by the foreign

rulers in the past, to divide the country, so that they could maintain their

control of the country. But the original concept of caste was different. This

sloka speaks of it. There are four castes: First caste, Brahmin, the priestly

caste, represents the head of God. Second, Kshatriya, the warrior class,

represents the shoulders. Third, Vaishya, the business class, that is the

stomach. Fourth,

Sudra, the agricultural labor, the feet of the same body. Can there be a body

without a head? Can there be a body without the feet? Can there be a body

without the hands? So, all the castes are compared to the limbs of the same

body – the body of God. But unfortunately, people came to think that the castes

are totally separate. This divided the people, and the country became weak. Even

now, politicians play games, taking advantage of the caste system in order to

divide the society. But the original design of the caste system was based on

the temperament, profession, vocation, avocation and attitude to life of

individuals. Brahmins are supposed to be the priestly class. They are supposed

to take care of spiritual pursuits and spiritual needs of the society.

Kshatriyas, the army, are supposed to protect the country. Vaishyas are

supposed to take care of business – ministers of commerce and industries.

Sudras are supposed to take care

of grain, food, agriculture. So, tell me who is important and who is

unimportant? Can you say? No. Question 6 - Bhruguvalli In one Upanishad, there

is a small portion called ‘Bhruguvalli’. What does the Bhruguvalli convey? The

answer was given by one boy: Bhrugu is the name of a saint who, as a boy, went

to his father, who was himself a great saint, and said, “O Father! Who is God?

Let me know.” Father said, “You go and investigate. You do some penance. You do

certain spiritual activity. You will know the answer.” After some time the boy

returns and says, “Father! I have found out who God is.” “Oh! Did you?” “Yes.”

“Who is God?” “Food is God,” he said. “Food is God?” “Yes.” “My son, you need

to know little more. Go and meditate further.” The boy goes to the forest once

again, meditates for sometime and returns: “Father, I known who God is this

time.” “Oh son, good. Who is God?” “Life is God.” So from food, he has

evolved to the state of life. Life is God! Then the father says, “Son, you need

to know little more. You better go again.” The boy did penance for some more

years and returned. ”Father! I know some more details of God.” “Oh son, how

nice! Who is God now?” “Mind is God." “Mind is God? You need to know some more

details.” The fellow went and did more penance and again returned. “Father! I

know.” “What do you know?” “Bliss is God.” Then father said, “You have arrived

at the end.” So, the investigation or the inquiry into God begins with food. We

think food is God at one time. Later, life is God; and at a later stage, we

begin to understand that mind is God. Still later, we begin to understand that

spirit is God, which is jnana. And finally, we come to know that bliss is God,

which is the end. Question no. 7 – Immortality Vedas taught the way to

Immortality. Vedas say that there is only one way to Immortality. What is that

way? “A sloka is given there. I will convey the meaning. The only way to

Immortality is awareness of the Self, experience of the Self. The path of

inquiry takes you to the state of Immortality. This knowledge of the Self was

first revealed to Indra by Brahma Himself. And later, it came down to the earth

and its people. What is important for us today, right now, is the path of

self-inquiry. In modern society, it is not possible to spend a longtime in

penance. It is not possible to do rituals, like yagas and yagnas today. We do

not have eligible, qualified, experienced people to do these spiritual rites

today. The modern technical mind does not accept the old methods. Self-inquiry

is the method which you have to follow today. It is the only path to

Immortality.”

Question no. 8 – Use of Veda chanting What is the use of Veda chanting? What

then is the benefit of chanting the Veda loudly? We can have Swami’s darshan.

We have two benefits. As some chant, others hear. There are those who chant and

those who hear. First, they atone our sins. All the sins are forgiven; no dues

remain. Secondly, Divinity is experienced. That is the second purpose of Veda

chanting.

Question 9 Towards the end of bhajans, we hear the following: Asato Maa Sad

Gamaya, Tamaso Maa Jyothir Gamaya, Mrithyor Maa Amritam Gamaya.

Father, lead us from untruth to Truth, from darkness to Light, from death to

Immortality. These three are from which Upanishad? The answer came from a high

school boy: “This is from Brihadaaranyaka Upanishad. There are 108 Upanishads.

Of them, the ten Dwadasha are very popular Upanishads. Amongst them,

Brihadaaranyaka is one.”

Question 10 - Shikshavalli Shikshavalli is a part of one Upanishad. What is its

ultimate teaching? The ultimate teaching of Shikshavalli, a portion of the

Upanishad, is: Speak the truth, follow righteousness. Sathyam Vada, Dharmam

Chara. Speak the truth; follow dharma – the right conduct – in humility and

with Love.

Question no. 11 – Apauruseya Vedas are also called Apauruseya. Why? Vedas are

the revelations arising from the intuition of sages and saints. They are not

composed by a human being. The sages and saints got the intuitions as a result

of penance, renunciation and total dedication to the welfare of humanity.

Therefore Vedas are called Apauruseya. Question no. 12 - Prasthana-traya The

three sacred texts are called Prasthana-traya. What are they? Brahma Sutra,

Bhagawad Gita, Upanishad. All these sacred texts together are called

Prasthana-traya.

Question no. 13 – Brahma-sutra Brahma Sutra is one among those three. What are

Swami’s views about this book? Behind all the apparent world, there is a hidden

principle of Divinity. There are flowers in a garland and a thread passes

through all these flowers making it a beautiful garland. But, the thread is not

seen while the flowers are openly seen. So in Brahma-Sutra – sutra is the

thread, Brahma is the Divinity, bringing together the flowers of creation.

Question no. 14 You must have heard this –

Aditya Varnam Tamasa Parastat Vedahametam Purusham Mahantam.

(After chanting this sloka, Anil Kumar says:) As a result of hearing these

slokas repeatedly, some things have gotten into my head. (Laughter!) Don’t

think I know all of that and that I am expert. Please don’t mistake me. Now,

how did saints view Divinity? What is their view? What is their vision? Answer:

Aditya Varnam means brilliance, radiance, splendor, illumination. Samataha –

darkness. Saraspat – beyond. “Beyond darkness, there is effulgence, there is

light, that is Divinity.” It means, darkness is ignorance, while effulgence is

self-awareness.

Then question no. 15 - Panchama Veda There are only four Vedas. But there is a

book called Panchama Veda. Which has been given the status of Veda, although it

is not Veda. What is the fifth Veda, Panchama Veda? The great epic –

Mahabharatha – about the Pandavas and Kauravas. That is called the fifth Veda.

Question no. 16 Why is it called the fifth Veda? What is present in the world

is present in Mahabharatha. Whatever is not mentioned there, is not present

anywhere. Political, ethical, moral, spiritual -- all aspects of life are dealt

with in all thoroughness and depth in the Mahabharatha. So it is given the

status of a Veda. Question no. 17 – Mrutyumjaya There is one mantra which is

repeated, which prays for long life. Ordinary people take this path to be

immortal, to conquer death: Mrutyumjaya. ‘Mrutyum’ is death and ‘jaya’ is

victory. So you can conquer death if you repeat this sloka. Triyumbakum

Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardanam Urvarukamena Bandaanaath Mrutor Muksheya

Mamrutaath. Can I be deathless by reading this sloka? I don’t think so. What is

death? Desire is death. Attachment to the body is death. Ego is death. So you

can conquer death by being desireless. You can win over death by being egoless.

But why is it called Mrutyumjaya? Can you conquer death? Why is it called so?

Some living creatures go to the other world before schedule; that is, they die

at a young age. As an example, some flights reach the airport half an hour

before the scheduled time. When the flight schedule time is 12:00, the aircraft

may reach by 11:00 -- one hour before schedule. Likewise, some living creatures

go to the other world ‘before schedule’, dying at a young age. So this sloka at

least will take us to the destination at the right time, not before our time.

That’s how also we can take it. And further what does Baba say about it? “O

God! As I leave this world, let me leave this world in full knowledge and

awareness -- in full awareness of the Self, with full experience of the Self,

just as a ripe fruit gets disconnected from the tree and falls onto the

ground.” Fruit falls on the ground automatically at maturity, painlessly,

effortlessly, naturally, easily, instantaneously. Similarly, “O God! When I

leave this world, let me drop like a fully ripe fruit, easily, simply,

effortlessly, joyfully.” Joyfully! There is no reason to cry for death because

death is a celebration. When I change my dress, when I feel like wearing a nice

suit, I don’t cry for my other clothes when I change into the new suit. I have a

dark blue suit I wear on special occasions when Swami talks to doctors at

international conferences. Swami jokes, “Oh! You are in suit now?” “Swami, I am

an international fellow now. (Laughter) We have doctors from all parts of the

world, I can’t afford to be simply in an Indian dress.” So, when I change my

dress, there is no reason to cry. We

can be happy. “Death is the dress of life.” That is the meaning of the

Mrutyumjaya mantra. Question no. 18 - Taittreya Upanishad There is one

Upanishad named Taittreya. What is it? What is the etymological meaning of this

word Taittreya? There lived a great saint named Yajnavalkya. He vomited all the

knowledge that he had acquired. All that he vomited was eaten by birds called

Taitree birds. These birds, by taking all that was vomited, started making the

sounds of this Upanishad. As all the sounds are repeated by the birds named

‘Taitree’, it is called Taitreeya Upanishad.

Question no. 19 – Isavasyopanishad There is a very popular Upanishad called

Isavasyopanishad. These days, most people want to hear experiences, stories and

miracles. This denies many of us a chance to go into the depth of the

philosophy. My preference is to read Upanishads, to read Ramana Maharishi and

His teachings, and to go into the depth of the Brahma Sutras. But people say,

“Anil Kumar, please tell me the latest miracles.” I don’t know what ‘latest

miracles’ or ‘outdated miracles’ look like. The Upanishad literature is not

much appreciated by ordinary people unless there is within them a depth, some

awakening, or unless they are especially blessed by God. Isavasyopnaishad is a

popular Upanishad. What is the first sloka of this Upanishad?

Isavasya Sarvam Idam Yat Kinchat Jagatam Jagat, Tena Tyaktena Bunjeeta, Ma Bruhat Kasya Siddhanam.

That is the first sloka. What is its meaning?

The whole universe is filled with Divinity. Thou shall not covet others’

property. This is in the Ten Commandments. Am I not right?

Question 20 There is one Upanishad, which compares the human body with a car.

What is that Upanishad? It is Katho-Upanishad.

Question 21 - Katho-Upaniahsad Katho-Upaniahsad is the conversation between two

people. Who are they? It is the conversation between a boy, Nachiketa, and the

god of death, Yama. Nachiketa wanted to know about life after death. Yama says,

“My boy! Why do you want to know about life after death? You want a kingdom? I

will give it to you.” “No, sir. I want that knowledge.” “You want money? I will

give it to you.” “No, sir. I want that knowledge.” “You want palaces?“No, I want

that.” He kept pestering and insisting that Yama teach him the science of the

Self. So, ultimately Yama told him. Katho-Upanishad speaks of the fundamental

Vedanta philosophy, taught by Yama, the god of death himself, to Nachiketa, a

true aspirant, who could conquer Satan. Just as Satan tempted Jesus Christ,

Yama tempted Nachiketa in every way. But Nachiketa said, “I want that

knowledge only.”

One final QuestionThen, towards the end, Swami asked a young boy, aged 6 years:

“Do you know Mantra Pushpam?” Mantra Pushpam has number of Sanskrit verses in

praise of God. ‘Pushpam’ means flower. Mantra Pushpam – the flower of mantra.

So He asked the boy, “Do you know what Mantra Pushpam is?” “Yes, Swami.” “What

is it?” The boy said: Antar Bahischat Sarvam, Yapya Narayana Sthitaha.

“Do you know the meaning?” “God is inside. God is outside also. God is

everywhere. The whole world is the very form of God. The world is a

manifestation, the reflection of God. God is the energy providing sustenance

for the maintenance of the entire creation.” We were all dumb-founded that

evening. This is yet to come in Telugu Sanathana Sarathi.

University Grants Commission valedictory function On the evening of 30th

October 2003, there was a meeting, the the valedictory function of the

vice-chancellors. In the Divine presence of Bhagavan, the vice-chancellors of

some Indian universities held a symposium on human values – a three-day

programme. Three of the vice chancellors addressed the gathering, which was

presided over by Bhagavan. The three vice-chancellors expressed their feeling

about the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. As devotees of Baba, we

will be happy to know how His university and His children are viewed. So, with

this idea in mind, I recorded the speeches of all the three people and noted

some important points. This will come in the Telugu Sanathana Sarathi, later.

This year 2003 happened to be the Golden Jubilee year of the University Grants

Commission, New Delhi. The University Grants Commission is the apex body, an

independent, autonomous central government body, which gives recognition and

also financial support to all the universities in the country. It rates the

quality of teachers and students of every university. The University Grants

Commission wanted to have a symposium organised in Prashanti Nilayam, with the

permission and blessings of Bhagavan Baba, on value-oriented education. Swami

approved. This led to a three day conference on the 28th, 29th and 30th of

October. On 28th of October, the inauguration ceremony took place, while the

valedictory function took place on 30th. V.S. PRASADA RAO The first speaker was

V. S. Prasada Rao. He is in charge of the National Assessment and Accreditation

Committee. It is the body that rates every university, every lecturer and every

degree. It determines the standard. It is a supervisory body. Prasad Rao, the

first speaker, made certain important statements, which should be of immense

interest to all Sai devotees.

Point one: “We visited the whole university here. We went around to all the

departments. We visited all the hostels. We visited the hospitals. We visited

Chaitanya-Jyoti museum. We have been to all places of interest in Prashanti

Nilayam and had the opportunity to talk with people in charge of these

centres.” Point no 2: “We consider it to be a blessing, the greatest fortune

given to us by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, to have our conference in the

Divine presence.” Points no. 3: “We noticed the spirit of devotion, dedication

and duty amongst the teachers and professors of this university. We also

observed discipline amongst students. As we visited the Super-Specialty

Hospital, we met some of the former students of Sathya Sai Institute who work

there. We observed former students practicing all the values they had learned

as students in the university.” Next point: These committee members recognised

and fully appreciated this university, calling

it the ‘crest-jewel of education in India’. He said, “The education system

adopted in Sri Sathya Sai University is called ‘integrated education’. What is

integrated education? It means teaching the human values along with the

academic curriculum. As one teaches physics, he simultaneously teaches values.

As one teaches bio-sciences, he blends the subject with human values. This is

called ‘integrated education’, which is unique here in Swami’s university.”

“Sri Sathya Sai University has a special course called ‘Environmental Science’.

Environmental Science is present all over the world, but environmental science

in this university is beautifully combined with the value system. By following

the values, you can preserve the environment. The environment can be protected

from all sorts of pollution by practicing these values. All universities, all

over the country, may adopt these values.” Prasada Rao finally said that all

the vice-chancellors requested Bhagavan

Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Chancellor of this University, to start a National

Institute of Excellence in Education in Human Values, in order to train all

professors all over the country in batches, so that they learn what integrated

education is, how to blend the curriculum with human values, and how to

introduce values into the syllabus. So, Baba, we pray that You start this

national institute. PROF. K. SUDHA RAO The second speaker was a lady, Prof. K.

Sudha Rao. She is the vice-chancellor of the Open University, Mysore, in the

state of Karnataka, India. She made a brief speech and these are the points she

made. “I see every person here in this institution not as an individual, but as

an institution in himself.” She also said, “For the total development of the

human personality, the integrated education system, which is followed here in

this university, is best suited and most ideal. “We find that values are very

much talked about all over the

world.” Here she observed the values being practiced in daily life. She noticed

this in the manner in which teachers and students talked to each other, in

their behavior, in their day-to-day routine. She said, “If the values are not

practiced and are simply spoken or talked about, they lose their real value.

Values are practiced in this university.” She concluded her talk saying, “All

this is because of the location of this university in an ideal place like this,

far from the maddening crowd, and with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba as the

Chancellor of this University. I thank Swami and the university professors for

the courtesy, invitation, generosity and hospitality extended to us.” N.

JAYASANKARAN The third speaker was N. Jayasankaran. He is the vice-chancellor

of Sri Chandra Sekhara Saraswati Vishwa Mahavidhyala located in Kancheepuram,

Tamil Nadu. His speech was very well applauded. Everyone liked it. This is the

gist of the third speaker’s

speech. “As I look at the huge gathering here, students, staff and devotees, I

see that each one here in the auditorium is a reflection of Bhagavan Sri Sathya

Baba and His bliss. I have participated in a number of symposia and conferences.

For the first time ever, my voice is fumbling, my legs are trembling. You must

have watched me drink five glasses of water. All this, because I am in the

presence of Divinity, Sri Sathya Sai Baba. That makes me nervous”. Further, he

mentioned that on the previous day, the 29th of October, four students had

spoken in four languages -- Hindi, Sanskrit, Telugu, English. The

vice-chancellor appreciated all four speeches made by the students in the four

different languages. “There are certain very well-known speakers in this

country: the late Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, Lakshmana Swamy Mudaliar, Ramaswamy

Mudaliar, Hon. Srinivasa Shastry. They all belong to Tamilnadu. They are all

very popular orators. The British appreciated

their English. Some of these speakers even corrected the pronounciation of the

British. Some of them have also pointed out their grammatical mistakes. So you

can imagine their scholarship in English language and literature.” Then

Jayashankaran said, “The four students who spoke are going to be orators of

that standard in the years to come.” Further he said, “All the vice-chancellors

here on the dais cannot make speeches of that standard. All the talent and

skills of communication, the language, feelings and the thoughts -- all these

things are the gifts of Bhagavan to the students of this university. I request

all students here to be the messengers of Sai, to be the propagators of Sai

message all over the world.” He mentioned a small miracle. The daughter of his

maidservant had a heart problem. That little girl was taken to Apollo Hospital

in Madras for treatment. After conducting all the tests, the doctors said that

she should be operated upon at a cost of rupees

three lakhs. You cannot expect a maidservant to spend so much money. It is

practically impossible. So, as a result of this, she cried and cried as she

worked in the house of this vice-chancellor. The vice-chancellor wanted to do

something for the maidservant. He happened to go to Bangalore on official work

when Swami was in Whitefield, and he got an interview. There he said, “Swami, I

have a request.” “What?” “My servant’s daughter is suffering from a heart

problem, Swami. You should bless her.” “Is that so?” He materialised vibhuthi

for her. He then called the director of the hospital, Dr. Saffaya, and gave

instructions that this girl should be operated upon at the earliest. The girl

was operated on free of cost. It has now been three years, and she is hale and

healthy. The doctors had given her three months’ time to live, that’s all. But

three years have now passed. The vice-chancellor also recalled another

incident. Along with him happened to be another person who was called for an

interview by Baba that same day, three years ago. The devotee had a ring with

three diamonds. Because of prolonged use, the shape of the ring had changed.

The symmetry had changed, and one diamond had fallen out and was lost. Swami

gently removed it. “Hmm! Shape is gone. No diamonds.” “Swami, one fell down.

What to do?” “Is that so?” (Swami blew on it.) A perfect new ring with three

diamonds appeared -- three perfect diamonds, a shiny new ring. Swami gave it to

him. Further, Vice Chancellor Jayashankara said, “Swami, we are very grateful to

You for Your kind hospitality, which was of the same standard as that given to a

marriage party. We were treated first-class. Thank You very much. We enjoyed

every minute.” Then he said,” All the vice chancellors have come here not

merely to attend a conference. This is a holy pilgrimage to Prashanti Nilayam.”

He also

commented on the serenity, the solemnity, the dignity, the sanctity, the peace

and the silence that he observed here, which he had never experienced anywhere

until now. He concluded his speech with a beautiful remark, which I am sure you

will enjoy. He said, “Swami, there are three hundred universities in this

country. This university is great because You are here. I pray that You be in

three hundred forms and exist in every university as chancellor, so that other

universities can also come up to this standard. Otherwise, it is impossible to

match Your university.” Usually when vice-chancellors or professors go for

conferences at other places, they go for sightseeing, and they also shop in

order to bring back gifts for their family members. The vice chancellors said,

“This is the only place where vice-chancellors sat through all the

proceedings.” They were very serious and took things very seriously. And the

miracle of miracles is that all vice-chancellors

agreed on all the points, on all the resolutions arrived at towards the end. All

resolutions were passed unanimously. This is the grace of Bhagavan! This is, in

brief, the valedictory function held on October 30th, which will appear in the

Sanathana Sarathi sometime later. Om Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu Loka

Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu Om Shanti Shanti

Shanti

Source: http://www.internety.com/saipearls/12.11.2003(E)central.htm© Anil Kumar Kamaraju 2004

 

 

[Guest guest]

Chanting the Vedas sounds invaluable. Is there a source where one can order a recording?

-

saibabanews

saibabanews

Friday, July 30, 2004 6:21 AM

[saibabanews] Sai Pearls of Wisdom - Part 23

Sai Pearls of Wisdom - 23November 12, 2003