THE GREATEST WONDER OF THE WORLD...By Prof G.Venkatar,am.

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THE GREATEST WONDER OF THE WORLD By Prof. G Venkataraman This year, the Sri Sathya Sai University has passed its twenty-fifth anniversary. [This article was written in November 2006]. The University is fairly well known in the country today, and understandably there are many visitors. Some come to just look around; some to attend Seminars and Conferences here, some to teach, some others as examiners; a few come for discussions, or for evaluation; many come to attend the annual Convocation; many more visit to witness the Sports Festival. Everyone unfailingly sees the fine buildings, the wonderful campuses, the admirable discipline, the spirit of self-confidence and self-reliance amongst the students, etc. All

these are what readily meet the eye. I would rather like to describe and discuss in this article what visitors do not normally see. It is said in Vedanta that what seems real is unreal and what does not seem real is Real. In the same way, where Swami’s Institute is concerned, it is what people do not normally see that tells the real story of this truly remarkable University. Sri Sathya Sai University Unique Philosophy - Unique Personality To put matters in perspective, I would like to begin by referring to two points. The first concerns the

philosophy underlying the educational system adopted here, while the second pertains to Swami’s unique relationship with His students. As far as the first is concerned, Swami is quite clear that education must not be reduced to just stuffing the brain; instead, it must address in a balanced manner the needs of the body, the mind, and the soul. Swami often says that Education must be for life and not for merely eking out a living. If life is to be lived the way it really ought to be, then clearly a good and noble character must be the foundation; Integral Education is what facilitates the development and moulding of good character. This system of Integral Education was conceived and crafted by Bhagavan Baba and implemented by the first Vice Chancellor Prof. V K Gokak, from which time it has been operating most successfully. As for the second of the two points mentioned above, in His Benedictory Address delivered on November 22, 1986, on the occasion of the Fifth Convocation, Swami said, “Education must reveal the path, which enables man to tap the dormant spring of Divinity within, without becoming entangled with the mass of created objects. It has to lay stress on spiritual transformation, which is more fundamental than even moral uplift. The real sign of an educated person is his equal attitude towards all. He sees in Society, the manifestation of Divinity. Education does not divert man from Nature to the all-pervading Atma. Rather, it leads man to study Nature with the unifying Atmic outlook.” This statement is very

important, especially the last two sentences, because they give us a clue to the remarkable and intimate relationship that Swami has with His students. Let us turn now to the history of the Institute. Ladies First The seeds were sown way back in 1968, when Swami established in Anantapur, a College for women. It was significant that His first College was for women rather than men; that in itself tells a story. One thing about Swami is that once He wills/wishes/decides to do something, He wastes no time in getting started. Thus, without waiting for the buildings to be ready, the Women’s College started functioning right away in temporary quarters. The buildings came later and were duly inaugurated by the then President of India, Mr. V V Giri. That was in the year 1968. Speaking on that occasion, Bhagavan Baba said, “India is being forged into Bhogabhoomi [land of luxury], a land of skyscrapers, tinned food, air-conditioning, and television. Indians are being shaped into an imitative, insurgent, ill-disciplined mass. They are being transplanted on other soils and encouraged to grow without roots. This is an insult to the past and a dangerous defiance of history. It is a sacrilege on the history of Time, and on the sole purpose of the human body. That is the reason I have decided that this College be inaugurated on Gurupoornima Day, as a reminder of the highest tradition, in which the highest ideals of life were instilled by personal example and guidance by the Guru, to pupils eager to imbibe…The seed has been planted; it will sprout and spread, heavy with fruits, providing shade, security, and sustenance to all.” Yes, the seed had indeed been planted, and what a majestic and magnificent tree has emerged from that tiny seed! Education being dear

to Swami, He did not stop with merely establishing the Anantapur College. Rather, He became deeply involved in its functioning and made regular visits to Anantapur, spending several days at a time. There, He would talk to students and teachers, listen to Bhajans for extended periods, go on inspection trips around the Campus, and give Discourses. He would even drop into classrooms, sit at the back and quietly listen to the lecture in progress! Dr. Rajeswari Patel, formerly a student of the Anantapur Campus and now a teacher there, recalls those events: "The beautiful thing is He used to come and sit inside the classroom, when the classes were going on. He would sit behind, and listen to the lecture. And if the students turned round to look at Him, which they often did, He would say, 'No, no, turn back and listen to your Teacher!' He used to be that casual!" (From Radio Sai Archives) Now why did Swami occasionally visit the classroom? Was it to check on the Teacher? Not entirely; He would, at the end of the class, often place the lesson taught in a wider perspective, far beyond what even the Teacher was aware of. Whenever there was something important going on in Prasanthi Nilayam, Swami would send for the Anantapur students and give them a chance to participate in the local activities. For example, they often used to come to help with the construction of the Sarva Dharma Stupa that now majestically stands near the Mandir, and with the construction of the Poornachandra Auditorium. Here is a charming recollection of those days from Dr. Rajeswari Patel: "When the Sarva Dharma Stupa was being built, every week a bus used to be sent to Anantapur and we used to come to Puttaparthi to help in the construction. Today

when we see that structure, we feel an intimate association with it. Swami used to come, go round, and supervise. I remember He once gave us an Interview right there, sitting on a small chair. We all sat around Him on the sand near the Stupa – under construction. He then brought oranges, even as we were singing Bhajans. The song went: 'Aao Sai!' Swami smiled and responded: 'Aatha hoon! Aatha hoon!' He then came near and started tossing oranges to each one of us. It was all so wonderful!" (From Radio Sai Archives) (Sharing With Sai Love) Ram.Chugani Kobe Japan.Ram ChuganiKobe, Japanrgcjp

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