Published on Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 09:15 IST, Convocation Benedictory Address - 22nd November 2008

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Published on Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 09:15 IST

Convocation Benedictory Address - 22nd November 2008

LOVE IS GOD LIVE IN LOVE

This

land of Bharat is the motherland for great people, who acquired name

and fame in different continents. The land of Bharat is the battlefield

wherefrom the warriors of foreign countries were driven out and freedom

from foreign rule was acquired. This land of Bharat has acquired great

name and fame for erudite scholarship. This land of Bharat is a divine

land which has produced great intellectuals in the fields of music,

art, literature and various sciences. Having been born in such a great

land, Oh Boys and Girls, the responsibility to protect and uphold the

righteousness of this country is yours. (Telugu poem)

 

The

fame and fortune of Bharat is truly great while several countries of

the world have faced calamities of various kinds Bharat has remained

stable. It is a country richly endowed with a variety of wealth.

Forbearance

is the real beauty in this sacred land of Bharat. Of all the rituals,

adherence to truth is the greatest penance. The nectarous feeling in

this country is the feeling of love towards one's mother. Character is

valued far higher than the very life itself. People have forgotten the

basic principles of this great culture and are imitating Western

culture. Alas! The Bharatiyas are not aware of the greatness of their

cultural heritage just as a mighty elephant is not aware of its own

strength.

(Telugu poem)

 

Throughout history Bharat has been pre-eminent in material and

intellectual plenty. It was ruled by great kings and righteous rulers.

Several women famed for their chastity were born in this country.

Savitri could bring back her dead husband Sathyavantha to life by the

power of her chastity. Can you find parallels to such noble and chaste

women elsewhere in the world?

This

land of Bharat has given birth to many noble women like Savitri who

brought her dead husband back to life; Chandramati who extinguished

wild fire with the power of truth, Sita who proved her chastity by

coming out of the blazing fire unscathed and Damayanti who reduced an

evil-minded hunter to ashes with the power of her chastity. This land

of piety and nobility attained plenty and prosperity and became the

teacher of all the nations of the world because of such women of

chastity.

(Telugu poem)

Sadly,

however today, many persons born in this great land of Bharat are

succumbing to and are tempted by trivial things. Their perception is

bad, he listens to bad things, and even his behaviour is bad. What a

great fall! The Bharatiyas today are like the elephant which is unaware

of its own strength. With a swish of its tail an elephant can knock a

man off his feet and throw him yards away. Such a powerful elephant

will humbly obey the commands of the mahout. It just acts according to

the wishes of the mahout. Similarly, the Bharatiyas today are

surrendering to the dictates of outsiders and becoming their slaves.

The way of life of Bharatiyas is conditioned by truth and

righteousness, in accordance with the Vedic injunction, “Sathyam vada (speak truth) and Dharmam chara

(follow righteousness).†In fact, truth and righteousness are the very

treasure of Bharatiyas. Unfortunately, today the Bharatiyas have

forgotton these great values and therefore become slaves in their own

country. Their lifestyle itself has undergone a change where truth and

righteousness have no place. Truly speaking, there is none in this

world who can conquer Bharat. The Bharatiyas are born with the great

human values, namely, Sathya (truth), Dharma (righteousness), Santhi (peace) and Prema (love).

Every

individual has to enquire into his or her true nature, “who am I?†The

reply that comes from within is “I am a human beingâ€. Along with this

reply, one has to assure himself “I am not an animalâ€. That is your

true nature. When you consider yourself to be a human being, you must

display human qualities. What are they? First and foremost, Sathyam (truth). From truth comes righteousness (dharma). It is said “Sathyaannasthi paro dharmah†(There is no greater dharma than adhering to truth). Sathya and Dharma together bring Santhi (peace) and Prema (love).

Where there is love, there cannot be hatred and jealously.

Unfortunately, today people have lost the great quality of love. Even a

dog loves its puppy. Even the birds love their offspring. But, a human

being does not love a fellow human being. Lack of unity among the

people is the root cause for the present state of affairs in Bharat.

There is no unity in the family, in the society and in the country.

Where there is unity, there will be purity, where there is purity,

there divinity shall be. What is required today is unity, purity and

divinity. The scientists today are inventing several things. A

double-decker aeroplane is being flown in the sky. However, along with

the great advances made in science and technology, loss of the quality

of human life is also on a large scale. This was not the case in

earlier times. Several people used to live together under one roof,

with peace and happiness. There was no fear complex at all! But, today,

the fear complex is all pervading. Wherefrom did this fear come? It is

due to lack of self-confidence. Man has no faith in his inner Self. It

is said “Naayamatma balaheenena labhyah†(the Atmic

consciousness is not for the weak minded). Man has developed faith in

everything in this world, but not in his own Self. Where there is

self-confidence, there will be self-satisfaction; where there is

self-satisfaction, there will be self-sacrifice; where there is

self-sacrifice, there will be self-realisation. It is common knowledge

that where the foundation is strong, the walls will be safe; where the

walls are safe, the roof will be secure. It is only in such a house can

one live safely. Today, the foundation itself is not strong. How then

can the walls remain safe? Self-confidence is the foundation for a

human being, self-satisfaction represents the walls, self-sacrifice is

the roof and self-realisation is life. Hence, there should be perfect

between among these four.

Due

to an indiscriminate use of technology the air, water, food and

everything is polluted and poisoned all over the world. Fortunately,

the country of Bharat is spared from this widespread pollution. We

should not run after science and technology. Science without humanness

is fraught with great danger to the very existence of humanity. There

is no greater power than human power. Some people question “Where is

God?†The answer is very simple. Man himself is God, you are God,

verily. The Vedas declare, “Chandrama manaso jaathah; chaksho surya ajaayatha†(the

moon was born out of the mind and the sun out of the eyes of the

Supreme Being). The real strength comes from our own inner self. This

strength is unparalleled

In spite of his education

and intelligence, a foolish man will not know his true Self and a

mean-minded person will not give up his evil qualities. (Telugu poem)

 

Modern

education leads only to argumentation, not to total wisdom. What is the

use of acquiring education which cannot lead you to immortality?

Acquire the knowledge that will make you immortal. (Telugu

poem)

nbsp;

Today’s education does not provide real knowledge

that maturing to wisdom. They just help one to earn a livelihood. They

promote acquisition and misuse of wealth. With the money people acquire

through various means, people send young boys to foreign countries for

higher education. They spend lakhs of rupees for that purpose. By the

time they return to their homeland, the children are spoiled totally.

Here is a small incident that had happened sometime ago. The Indian

parents took their son to a temple before his departure to a foreign

country for his studies and advised him, “Dear son, this deity is the

mother to one and all. She is the Mother of the Universe. You should

never forget the Mother. Constantly contemplate on Her, wherever you

areâ€. They, in fact, extracted a promise from him to that effect. The

boy then left for U.S.A. Once he set his foot in America, he totally

forgot about the Mother, fully immersed in that new environment. After

a lapse of three years, he returned to his native country, Bharat,

fully accustomed to the American way of life. The parents took that boy

to the same temple straight from the Airport, for a darshan of the Divine Mother. As soon as he entered the temple, the boy, instead of offering his namaskar

to the deity, greeted Her in English, “How are you Madam?†The parents

scolded the boy for his impertinence and not paying his obeisance to

the Divine Mother. They regretted very much that their son, brought up

in a traditional family, did not even care to offer his pranams

to the Divine Mother and all the lakhs of rupees spent on his foreign

education had gone waste. They finally decided to advise all those

parents who wished to send their children abroad for higher education,

against it. It is indisputably true that higher studies abroad are

resulting in people acquiring bad thoughts, habits and behaviour. One

need not be crazy about foreign education. The wealth of education and

culture available in this country is not to be found in other

countries. We must be proud of our birth in this great land of Bharat.

It is a great privilege to be referred to as Bharatiyas. We must,

therefore, develop self-confidence. We must develop interest in leading

a moral, virtuous and spiritual life. Unfortunately, today there is no

morality in people. How then can you lead a happy and peaceful life?

The great spiritual wealth available in this country of Bharat is not

to be found in any other country. People from several countries are

inviting Me to visit their places, offering Me even special aircraft.

But, I am consistently turning down their requests. I am always happy

here in India. I don’t need these aeroplanes and such other comforts. I

want only devotion.

I did

not come across anyone who hate Me, till now I have no enemies at all.

All people love Me, since I love one and all. However, people do not

understand My love properly. Because of My universal love, even people

from far-off lands come to Me. Why then should I go abroad? Some

people misunderstand and misinterpret My love. Some even develop

aversion towards Me on the ground that I did not oblige them by

granting their requests on some occasions. In fact, will they progress

in the spiritual path if I grant all their requests? No, not at all. On

the other hand, they get spoiled. That is the reason why I wish to keep

the boys and girls in proper limits right from their childhood. You can

observe that no one in our educational institutions ever hates Me in

the least. All students gather round Me lovingly calling “Swami!

Swami!â€. When I come out after paying a visit to their campuses, they

take leave of Me with tears in their eyes. Do you find the same

situation prevalent in educational institutions elsewhere? Do the

colleges and universities outside function as temples of learning? Even

the parents visiting their wards in those educational institutions are

not treated with due respect. Parents are sacred. The Bharatiya

culture exhorts people “Mathrudevobhava! Pithrudevobhava!â€

father is God; mother is God. Every human being is an embodiment of

God. In fact, the entire creation is God. Unable to realise this great

Truth, we say “this person is my enemy, he ill-treated me†and develop

hatred against that person. As you think, so it will be, (yad bhavam thad bhavathi)

love begets love and hatred begets hatred. It is common to help those

who help you. But, it is only Sai who is gracious enough to help those

that try to cause harm to Him, ignoring their own faults. You must love

even those who harm you. That is real humanness. You must develop such

a human quality. Whomever you come across treat him as an embodiment of

Divinity. It is said, “Daivam manusha rupena†(God is in human

form). You may observe the picture of any form of God, there God is

portrayed in the human form. Rama, Krishna or any other deity – all are

in human forms only. You may relate to God in different forms and

names; but all are embodiments of Divine Self. The Atma Tathwa is the same in all human beings, irrespective of names and forms. It is said “Ekatma sarva bhuthantharatma†(One Atma

resides as the Indweller in all living beings). One has to cultivate

such noble feelings right from the childhood. You may think it is a

difficult task. No; there is nothing easier than this feeling of

equality. Supposing a person whom you consider as an enemy is

approaching you; you offer your pranams to him and enquire,

“Hello, How are you brother?†Immediately the other man will respond

saying “How are you brother?†He will not get angry. Why? Since you

called him brother, he will also treat you in the same way. It is in

your language that either love and faith or enmity and distrust in the

other person is displayed. You must rise to a level where you will be

able to visualise the same Atma Tathwa in all. Then you will truly become “Divyatma Swarupa†(embodiment of the Divine Self). You must consider “I am a Divyatma Swarupa.

All these different forms of human beings are only my reflections. I am

able to see myself in these bodies, which are like mirrorsâ€. It is only

when you are able to reach that stage that you will enjoy real peace.

You will not experience peace by merely doing japa (constant repetition of the Lord’s name), thapa (penance), yoga or sacrificial rites like yajna and yaga.

People crave for peace and undertake several spiritual practices for

the purpose. But, they don’t find peace anywhere. Wherever you see,

there are only pieces in the outside world. But, once they direct their

vision inward they will be able to find peace there. The peace within

is manifesting outside. Such a person with inner vision can only be

called a human being in the real sense. Animals, however, have no such

inner vision and discriminatory intellect. They therefore display

cruelty. You are not an animal. You are a human being. Hence, lead a

life befitting that of a human being. You say that you are a human

being, but, you live the life of a cruel animal. How then can you be

called a human being? Live like a real human being. Get rid of animal

qualities like kama (desire), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), moha (delusion), mada (pride) and matsarya

(hatred and envy). You should not hate anybody. I have no anger against

anyone till date. That is why all people love Me. I have only one

quality that is love towards all. Hence, even if I go to a forest,

people will follow Me to that place. It is only My love that draws all

people to Me. Yet, some people develop antipathy towards Me. It is not

My fault, but their own imagination. People wonder how Swami is so

divinely peaceful and is able to interact with so many people day in

and day out. In fact, peace is natural to Me. I always smile and put up

a serene countenance. I can never put up a castor oil face. I am always

happy and smiling. I exhort you also to be so. When you all are happy,

I am happy. You happiness is My happiness. What could be the reason for

millions of people loving Me? What brought you here in such large

numbers? Did I send any invitation to you all? It is only your love

that brought you here. Can the invitations draw crowds? Even when there

is no invitation, people rush towards Me if they come to know that I am

passing through a particular place. What could be the reason for this?

Only love. Love is God; live in love. That is what you have to learn

and cultivate. Love is the foremost quality that you should cultivate.

Take a pledge accordingly on this sacred day.

Very

soon, the entire world will be united. In fact, after 28 years the

world itself will become “Bharatâ€. Everyone will call himself a

Bharatiya (one imbued with godliness – Bhagavat rathas). No

one will refer to himself or herself as belonging to this state or that

state, this region or that region. You may go to any country, but you

refer to yourself as belonging to the country of Bharat. For example,

there may be Karnataka State or Tamil Nadu State, etc., but, they are

all parts of a larger country called Bharat. Without the country, the

States cannot exist. You are all Bharatiyas first and last. Hence, you

say that you came from Bharat. The different states might have been

created certain linguistic or geographical considerations. But, they

are all parts of one country that is Bharat. We all belong to only one

party – the party of love. Love, love and only love. Keeping love as

your guiding force, you go to any country, people will respect you,

consider you as their own brothers and sisters and extend all necessary

help to you. Love is selflessness. A human being should never have

selfishness. However, people of their own accord develop evil qualities

like selfishness, hatred, anger, etc. These are traits cultivated by

human beings themselves; they are not God-given. God has bestowed only

one noble quality on all human beings, that is love. Love is eternal.

Physical strength, courage or valour can never be a match to the power

of love. When Sita was kept in confinement in Lanka under the guard of rakshasas,

it was her love for Rama that gave her courage and confidence to boldly

face all difficult situations. She constantly contemplated on the

divine name of Rama during the period. Finally, Rama’s love saved her.

During that ten month period, none could touch her. If only you

cultivate such divine love, it will confer everything on you. You all

should become the embodiments of love. Pray “Samastalokah Sukhino bhavantuâ€

constantly, that is the only prayer you all have to do. Then, all

people in all countries will be happy and peaceful. I am loving you

all. I have no enemies. No one hates Me. Sometimes I do speak harshly

in a raised voice. But, that is only outwardly. I do not bear ill-will

towards anyone. Hence, if you follow the ideal set by Swami and love

all, your life will be sanctified. Your parents, brothers, sisters,

relatives and friends will feel happy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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