What we need now is 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

 

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.