Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

YOU are the greatest treasure that this country has; on you, its future rests. This is the land where the sacred Vedas were first uttered, Vedhic discipline realised the Divinity that they were, the land where generation after generation of pious people lived simple and contented lives full of love towards all beings. It is a great pity that you are growing up, utter strangers to this glorious heritage.

The truth, that the Vedas reach man is: "Soham: That is I; the Principle that is Immanent in the Universe is the same Principle that is immanent in Me, too." Meditation on this grand thought gradually leads man to know that there is no distinction between That and I, that both are One, that there is no separate Sah and Aham and so there is only Om. The Vedas also teach three other basic beliefs: (1) Karmaphala - Every act has an inevitable consequence.

Every cause has an effect. If you act with an eye on the consequence, you have to suffer the consequence. Attachment results in bondage; detachment leads to liberation. It is the ego, the I consciousness which tells you that you are the body, with its pack of senses that drives you into attachment. Be vigilant that it does not lead you into desires that are harmful. You are now free, you can go where you like, hiking on your two legs; when you marry, you become a quadruped and when you get a child, you develop two legs more. Thus you grow into a centipede and start crawling. Attachment makes you burdened and bound. The mind is the source of all desire; so, try to acquire, not diamond, but, 'die-mind.' Let all desires for sense-objects die, or, concentrate all desires on God. Surrender all desires to Him. Surrender all instincts, impulses, attachments to Him. In the Geetha, Krishna has assured: “When you surrender everything to Me, your welfare and happiness become My responsibility."

The other two doctrines are: (2) Punar-janma: Rebirth, according to karmaphala (result of action) and (3) the unique birth of the Lord as Avathar to save humanity from the fall. You must start with Faith; then only can knowledge grow. Have faith in the book and start studying it; then only do you get knowledge out of it. Without getting into water, you cannot learn the art of swimming. You will get the proof you need, only when you approach with humility and faith. Be always cheerful sprightly. Ups and downs there will always be. on the road of life. Pleasant or unpleasant, take all vicissitudes alike, with fortitude. In the sky of your heart, dark thick clouds of desire and doubt hire out the brilliance of the Sun of Buddhi (intellect). They are only clouds; they will pass away. Develop a strong character; reason will blow the wind which will drive off the clouds. Meditate on God and pray that they pass away; the Lord will come to your help. Develop unshakeable faith in yourself, your capacity to live well and long, to be of service to your parents and the country. That is Atma-vishwasa (confidence in the Self). That is the root of the tree of life. The sweetness in the fruit the tree yields is the sweetness of character. Pursue your studies, not for the sake of a job alone, but, for living a good and happy life. That is to say, you must, even from now, cultivate faith in God, keep virtuous company, nourish discipline and cherish ideals of service. Control the senses; avoid seeing evil, heating evil and relishing evil sights, words and news. Bad thoughts breed bad character and drag you down into the beast. Those whom we now adore for their exemplary lives have been boys and young men like you; they did not neglect during their youth the development of their moral fibre and qualifies of sympathy and service. You too should not neglect these.

Vidhyarthi (student) means, a person engaged in study, one who aspires to acquire vidhya, but Vidhyarthis have now become Vishayarthis (those who aspire to acquire sense pleasures and sense objects)! Vidhya (study) is becoming shuunya (zero) since students are kept busy with other things than study. Not all are bad; but, the entire student community has to bear the blame, when a few among them are drawn into wrong ways. Nowadays, students do not enjoy the confidence and trust of the people. In the olden days, when ladies or old people or sick persons had to travel in train without any escort or help, when they found even a single student in the compartment, they felt happy and relieved; for, they said, "0, we have a student travelling with us: he will take good care of us; he will tell us where to get down; he will get for us what we need." But, today the presence of a student is not welcomed! What a fall, this is! How sad and unfortunate! Bad guidance from parents and. teachers and the so-called leaders of the land, bad company at school and college, reading bad books, the craving to see films, all are responsible for the damage done to the pure-hearted, blemishless youth of this great country. Students have a natural reverence for the parent, the teacher and the leader; but, when these do not set a good example, when the teacher stoops to borrow a cigarette from the student, how can reverence persist?

Do not worry at the faults of others. Try to look into your own and correct them. For the disease from which you suffer, the drug must be taken by you only. If you are not at fault, never bother about what others may say. But, first, examine your behaviour and see that it is above criticism. Grow straight; do not grow crooked. Do not read trash and attend bad films, they warp character and extol violence and wickedness. Spend the money you have on good food instead. Develop good habits: doing Bhajan (group singing), practising Asanas (yogic postures), meditation, silence - these will give you peace and joy, a clear brain and concentration. They will discipline the wayward mind.

Curb your craving for being 'fashionable.' You do not know how much your parents have to sacrifice to cater to your tastes. They often borrow money, so that you can adopt the latest in dress or equipment. And, later, they are harassed by the money-lenders. Be continent; learn contentment. There is no wealth, like contentment. Use your time, as if it is something very precious. It is really the most precious Gift of God. It is fast running out; every moment lost is lost for ever. Try to serve the sick, the suffering; learn how to serve them efficiently and quickly. Move about always with a smile on your face; do not make the smile, a cynical grin or a laugh of merriment. 'No one should feel hurt by that smile; everyone should feel happy, should catch the infection of joy.

Try to have restraint and moderation in everything: food, recreation, talk etc. Have neither too much freedom, nor too much restraint or regimentation. Revere your parents; they have gifted this body to you. They are your immediate and visible Gods. Be grateful to your mother who nourished you with her own blood and bore pangs for your sake, and poured out her heart in love on you. Serving and worshipping the parents is really service and worship of God. For Shri Rama, the command of the father was as potent as Divine Command. At70' clock in the morning, Rama was to be crowned Emperor; he walked towards the throne, to receive the crown and the homage. At 6.55, he was asked to walk into the forest, an exile for 14 years! He walked away as joyfully as he walked towards the throne; he had the same equanimity, whether it was this or that. His reward was the joy that he had followed the command of his father. That equanimity is the real state of Samadhi; sama-dhi, equal awareness, undisturbed reaction to both pain and pleasure.

You are growing older every moment: you will not be young always. The friendships and contacts you develop now at school or college are temporary. After your term is over, each goes in his own path, away from the rest. These attachments will then break off and new ones will fill their place. So, choose good companies and do not develop too strong an attachment to any one. Be friendly with all, but, do not allow that friendship to grow into excess.

Try to get into the company of devoted and God-fearing persons. When dust joins the company of air, it rises up into the sky; when it joins the company of water, it sinks into the depths of the earth. Your future is shaped by the company you fall into now. So, be very careful; I always like youngsters and I yearn to shower upon them My Grace. Look upon all girls as your sisters. If you look at them with evil thoughts, impure thoughts, you will be sliding down the path of ruin. If any one looks upon your sister with impure motives, how much will you be pained, how hurt will you be! Remember that and avoid hurting the others too. Try to develop brotherly and sisterly attitudes towards all you meet. Do not take delight in taunting or decrying girl students. Respect them and pay heed to their sense of self-respect. That is the means of winning My Grace. Remember that you have two mothers: the Dhesha-matha (the Mother-country) and Dhehamatha (the mother who gave the body). If you do not have a sterling character, the Mothercountry is thrown into grief. If you do not have love and gratitude, the Mother is thrown into grief. When both are happy through you, I am pleased and I will shower Grace on you. Your life is then indeed blessed.