UNITY, PURITY, DIVINITY

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UNITY, PURITY, DIVINITY

 

During his childhood man develops absorbing interest in play in the

company of other children. In youth and middle age, he is entangled in

worldly matters and deeply engrossed in money earning. Finally in old

age, he craves for this and that without contemplating on God even at

that ripe age. Thus, he wastes his precious human birth.

(Telugu poem)

 

In this world, there are millions of educated people. Right from a

child to a learned old man, everyone is interested in reading books and

acquiring knowledge. But in what way are they benefited by the

acquisition of bookish knowledge? Such education can only help you to

eke out a livelihood. Right from a pauper to a millionaire, everybody

wants his children to be well educated. Parents are prepared to spend

any amount of money and they even borrow money (even beyond their

means) to provide quality education to their children. In spite of the

fact that the parents face a lot of hardship in educating their

children, the children do not have any gratitude towards their

benefactors. They do not introspect, “Who is responsible for all my

development? Who has made me what I am today?” Under these

circumstances, we should enquire into the true purpose of education.

One may study a number of books and master various branches of

knowledge, but does he enjoy peace and tranquillity? All the knowledge

that we acquire from books can only take care of our physical needs.

The fact is, true knowledge is latent in everyone. Women do not lag

behind men in academic excellence. People think that education confers

on them respect and esteem. But, people lack true wisdom in spite of

their high academic achievements.

 

In the present parents want their children to pursue solely job-

oriented education. But, what is the use of such education which does

not bring about transformation among children? Neither are the children

benefited nor are they able to render any help to their parents. Modern

man develops ego on account of his educational achievements. Humility

is the hallmark of true education. If a man lacks viveka

(discrimination) and vinaya (humility), all his education is of no

value. You should understand that your education is meant for the

welfare and progress of society. But, in what way is society benefited

by educated people? Actually, you are learning many things from society

and derive benefit from it. But power of discrimination which is found

even in uneducated people is not to be found in the so-called educated

people today. When this is the true state of affairs why should the

educated get inflated with ego? There is scarcely any humility among

students today. They show no respect towards elders. They do not

realise their responsibilities towards society. What is the use of

merely acquiring bookish knowledge if one does not respect elders and

serve society? One who leads such a life is not true to his nature. His

walking, talking, reading, writing, everything becomes an affectation.

If this is the result of academic education, why should one go to

college at all? Every student must enquire into himself, “What am I

doing in the college? What am I supposed to do?” Only when he conducts

such self-enquiry, can he understand the true meaning of education.

Mere bookish knowledge is not true education. It is merely transfer of

what is contained in pustaka (book) to mastaka (head) and vice-versa.

In this manner, people are entangled between pustaka and mastaka

without really understanding the true meaning of education. They are

wasting their time in the pursuit of bookish knowledge instead of

acquiring practical knowledge. No doubt there is a lot of information

in pustaka, but what purpose does it serve if the mastaka is filled

with filth? You can never achieve the desired results from such an

education. The same was explained by the chief guest in his

address. “Though all people learn and study, what is the ultimate

result out of this?” he questioned. People spend thousands of rupees

for acquiring academic education. What is the role the educated people

play in society today? Do they contribute for peace in society? Do they

try to bring about transformation in individuals? No. In fact, they are

unable to inculcate discipline to their own children. Most children may

pretend to be well behaved and humble in the presence of their parents,

but they behave like rowdies once they step out of their houses.

 

Students should strive to earn a good name in society. Today’s

education is making the students materialistic. It does not prepare the

students to turn inward to listen to their inner voice. One should

acquire Atma Prabodha (Atmic knowledge). That is true education.

Without awareness of the Self, all other knowledge is useless. Why

should one pursue such education?

 

People are interested in exercising their influence and power; they are

not making efforts to cleanse their mind and heart. This is the result

of modern education. People have learnt to talk sweetly, but they do

not translate their words into action.

 

Embodiments of Love!

 

Mere learning by rote the contents of books is not important. You

should imbibe the gandha (essence) of all Granthas (texts). That is

true education. People read a number of books, but what is the use?

They merely quote what others have said. Is this what you are supposed

to learn? You should listen to the prompting / utterance of your inner

voice and share it with others. But, scarcely anybody thinks on these

lines today.

 

Embodiments of Love!

 

You must put into practice at least one or two principles of what you

have learnt and set an example to others. There are many learned

scholars, but do they practise what they have learnt? They appear to be

people of eminence (‘chief’), but they are cheap in their behaviour.

The end of education is character. We should consider character as our

very life-breath. Education without character is useless like half-

cooked rice. We should practise at least one or two principles and only

then venture to preach to others.

 

There are three important principles in every human being – Manas

(Mind), Buddhi (Intellect) and Atma (Self). What is the nature of Self?

It is all-pervasive. True education is that which originates from the

heart. The reference in this context is to the spiritual heart and not

the physical heart. There are many noble souls who are setting ideals

to society by translating their knowledge into action. If you do not

act in a principled manner, all your education becomes useless. It is

what you practise that matters, not what you speak. Wherever you may

go, your behaviour should be exemplary. That is what pleases Me.

 

Happiness is union with God. You are not ordinary mortals. All are

essentially divine. In order to realise your true nature, practise what

you preach. Only then can you experience bliss. Verily, bliss is the

true nature of man. Why should you give up that which is natural to you

and lead an artificial life? Wherever you see, in colleges and schools,

students lack practical knowledge. They give importance, only to

bookish knowledge and become ‘books’ themselves. True education is that

which originates from the heart. Heart is very important for human

existence. When a child is born, the first thing that people observe is

the heart beat. You should rely more on your spiritual heart than on

the physical heart. Conscience is another name for spiritual heart.

Keep your heart pure. That should be your main endeavour. Whatever is

done with love and purity of heart will confer bliss on you. In fact,

bliss is latent in everyone. But man is unaware of this truth. One

should make every effort to manifest one’s innate bliss in him. What is

the nature of this bliss? Nityanandam, Parama Sukhadam, Kevalam

Jnanamurtim, Dwandwateetam (God is the embodiment of eternal bliss, He

is wisdom absolute, beyond the pair of opposites). It transcends

duality. So long one is immersed in duality one cannot experience

bliss. First of all one should understand the principle of unity. Unity

leads to purity and purity leads to divinity. A true human being is one

who strives for unity, purity and divinity. Otherwise, he is no better

than birds and animals. First, purify your senses and develop unity.

Consider all as your brothers and sisters and live in harmony. In

public meetings, we hear the speakers addressing people as brothers and

sisters. But do they really mean what they say? Do you find unity among

brothers and sisters today? No. True happiness lies in unity. Human

life can be compared to a tree. Our relations are like branches and sub-

branches. Contemplation of God is like a flower from which you will get

the fruit of bliss.

 

Students!

You can certainly acquire secular knowledge. But you should not rest

contented with that. You should turn inward and acquire spiritual

knowledge as well. Only then can you attain peace.

 

Embodiments of Love!

Love is the essence of education. Bereft of love, education is

artificial. Therefore, develop love in the first instance. Understand

that the indweller is the same though bodies are different. Hold on to

this fundamental principle and experience Ananda (bliss). So many of

you have assembled here. Everyone’s attention is focused on Swami. In

the same manner, let your mind be focused on divinity always.

Contemplate on God. Serve your fellowmen. If a person who has been

starving for ten days is served a sumptuous feast, you can well imagine

the joy he experiences. When all the tanks and lakes are dried to a

trickle, you can imagine the joy that a continuous downpour brings with

it. Similarly, serve those who are in desperate need of your help. Give

them happiness. You can attain divinity only through service. Human

life is most precious. But, man is behaving like an animal and thus

wasting his life.

 

Students!

Being Vidyarthis, you should endeavour to aquire true Vidya

(education). There is no point in merely going through books without

understanding the true meaning of Vidya. Always contemplate on the

fundamental principle of life. Beings are many, but the Divine

principle is one and the same. Hence, recognise the principle of

divinity that is present in all in the form of Atma. Atma is Adhara

(support) and body is Adheya (the supported). Consider Atma as the

basis of your life and everything else will be taken care of. Everyone

can have the vision of the Atma. All are endowed with such power.

Enquire into yourself what have you achieved by going through a number

of voluminous books? You have become hard-hearted. If this is the

result of your education why should you study at all? First of all,

develop love. When you have love in you, everyone will become your

friend. If your heart is not suffused with love, your life will become

artificial. Life is meaningless without love. If everyone shares his

love with his neighbour, there will be no room for hatred at all. Share

your love with everyone and live like brothers and sisters. Today we

find conflicts and differences even among brothers and sisters, because

they lack proper understanding.

 

People do not understand the true meaning of love. Their love is

tainted with physical and worldly feelings. When you understand the

principle of love and develop love to love relationship, all will

become one. The Veda says, “Sahasra Seersha Purushah ...” It means that

all heads, all eyes, all feet are His. Once you understand the

principle of oneness that is present in all, you can live in tune with

the true spirit of brotherhood.

 

Our hand has five fingers and each of them has a specific duty assigned

to it. All the fingers work in unison and harmony while performing a

task. Once an argument ensued among the five fingers of the hand as to

which finger among them is the great. The thumb claimed, “It is not

possible to undertake any work without me. Hence, I am the great.” Then

the index finger smiled and said, “Look here, Oh thumb! How can you

perform any task without my support? Moreover, I am used as pointer to

identify individuals. Hence, I am greater than you.” The middle finger

intervened and said, “There is no point in what you say. I am the

tallest among all the fingers. Two of you on one side and two on the

other are serving me as ADCs. Hence, I am the greatest.” Then the ring-

finger said, “I feel like laughing at your ignorance. Don’t you know

that people adorn me with gold rings studded with precious stones like

diamond, emerald, topaz, etc.? Hence, I am your king.” In the end, the

little finger said, “I always lead from the front when it comes to

teaching a lesson to someone and punishing the guilty. Hence, I am your

leader and you have to follow me.” As the fingers were arguing among

themselves in this manner, the heart intervened and said, “Oh ignorant

ones! Each one of you is as important as the other. One cannot perform

any task if there is no unity and harmony among you. In fact, you

represent the five human values which are like five life-breaths of a

human being.” Hearing these words of wisdom, the five fingers realised

their mistake and bent their head in shame. A deep enquiry reveals that

the heart is the greatest of all. Body, mind and intellect are mere

instruments. Hence, one should follow the advice of the heart in all

his endeavours. Understand that all are one and each one is equally

important. Do not become egoistic thinking that you alone are very

important. Do not waste your precious time in vain argumentation. Be

friendly with all and face the challenges of life with unity and

harmony.

 

Students!

You have to lead your lives in an ideal manner. In fact, all ideals are

latent in you. They cannot be learnt from books. The principle of ‘I’

is common in all. If someone asks, “Who is Sai Baba?” I respond

saying, ‘I’. If someone asks who is the Vice Chancellor? He will

say, ‘I’. The single letter ‘I’ represents the principle of Atma. The

Veda declares, Ekameva Adviteeyam Brahma (God is one without a second).

True spirituality lies in knowing your true Self. But you are unable to

know your true Self as you identify yourself with the body.

Identification with the body gives rise to ego. One with ego cannot

know the reality. Your welfare and also of others will be ensured when

you have a firm conviction that all are one. Develop such a spirit of

unity. You cannot expect divinity to manifest in you unless you

cultivate such unity. The Veda has exhorted:

 

Let us all move together, let us all grow together,

Let us all stay united and share our knowledge,

Let us live together with friendship and harmony. (Telugu poem)

 

Some students do not share even their textbooks with others. How can

they attain happiness if they are so self-centred and narrow-minded?

You should all stand united. Where there is unity, there is bliss.

 

Embodiments of Love!

There is only one thing that you have to learn. Develop love. The same

principle of love is present in you, in Me and in everyone. I see only

love in others. Hence, all are one for Me. You too should develop such

feelings of love and equality. All are one, be alike to everyone. This

is what you have to learn today.

 

Embodiments of Love!

Along with the acquisition of secular knowledge, you should also make

efforts to understand the principle of oneness. Only then can you

achieve unity and harmony. Take for instance this rose flower. It

consists of a number of petals. Likewise, our heart can be compared to

a flower and the virtues are like petals. The petals of a rose flower

may fade and fall by the next day, but the flower of heart remains ever

fresh. It symbolises the principle of oneness. People worship the

Navagrahas (nine planets) to invoke their blessings. You might have

observed that there is perfect unity and harmony among the nine

planets. (Bhagawan with a wave of his hand materialised a gold ring

studded with nine types of gems.) Here you see a Navaratna ring.

Whoever wears this ring will be protected by the Navagrahas wherever he

goes.

 

Develop unity. Be courageous and develop the necessary strength to face

the vicissitudes of life. I don’t want to take much of your time.

Whatever you have learnt here, let it be imprinted in your heart. Only

then can you attain peace and your education will become meaningful.

 

Embodiments of Love!

I shower My love and blessings on one and all. Be always united and

spend your time in a bliss. Make your parents happy. Your body is given

to you by your parents. Hence, first of all, express your gratitude to

them for this gift. Only then can you find fulfilment in life.

 

Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, “Prema Muditha Manase

Kaho …”

 

 

source:http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/International_Conference.ht\

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