Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

There exist Masters of Vedantha who can teach Rishis of yore,

There exist Masters of art and sculpture who can animate lifeless stones, and make them dance, There exist valiant heroes who can play with the heads of foes.

There exist all these in numbers large in the land of Bharath today.

But of what avail are all these, O Students! If there is no one amongst them who ever hears the plaintive cries of the people around! EMBODIMENTS of the Divine Atma (Divine Self)! We can hear in Shikshavalli (in the Thaithariya Upanishath) the voice of the well-wishing teachers who imparted their last instructions to students who had studied under them in the gurukulas (hermitages) and were on the threshold of grihasthashrama dharma (duties prescribed for the householder). Vidhya (learning), according to Shikshavalli, is not mere mastery of letters. Vidhya should blend harmoniously with life and lend meaning and purpose to it. It is said: 'Sa vidhya ya Vimuktaye' (Learning is that which liberates).

There are four Samhithas in Shikshavalli - Loka Samhitha, Aloka Samhitha, Vijnana Samhitha and Prajnana Samhitha. The Loka Samhitha describes earth, the three lokas (worlds) and the stellar galaxies. It is Vagu (wind) that binds the earth and the stellar galaxies,, giving rise to the creation of akasha (space). The principle of mutual attraction governs the galaxies and the earth. There are seven kinds of winds that circulate between the earth and the three worlds. The Shikshavalli teaches that a harmonious bond between the three worlds and the earth is ensured by the presence of these seven winds. It is due to this intimate bond that the ocean swells and sways at the sight of the Moon and the clouds. The second Samhitha, Aloka Samhitha, is also known as Jyothi Samhitha. This describes the presence of Fire and the Sun and the connecting bond between the two. Cosmic radiation establishes a link between Fire on the earth and the rays from the Sun, causing the creation of water in the process. The Samhitha testifies that one who understands the nature of water can cognise the nature of the Universe as well. The second teaching of this Samhitha is that there is a link between the Sun and the heart of man. The statements Chandrama manasojatah, Chakshos-Suryo Ajayata, in the Veda (ancient Sacred Divine revelations) bring out the connection between the Moon and the mind and the Sun and eye-sight.

The third Samhitha, the Vijnana Samhitha, expounds the Sandhi (conjunction) between the teacher and the student, and the vidhya (learning) that arises therefrom. It stresses, the importance of spiritual education, in addition to secular education through the education of the heart. This Samhitha imparts also some essential teachings for one's conduct in life. The sacred injunctions contained in the Samhitha shine as beacon-lights to mankind afflicted with limitless desires and meaningless yearnings. These injunctions are: Speak Sathya (truth); Observe Dharma (code of righteousness); Foster knowledge with diligence; Abstain from vicious deeds; Perform worthy acts; Respect most meticulously the regulations laid down by society for leading a disciplined life in the community; Practise charity as a householder according to your capacity; Show reverence and obedience to elders; Exercise extreme vigilance with regard to your duties and relationship with your kith and kin and fellow- human beings. After imparting these instructions, the Samhitha (beneficial Divine instructions) lays down that these teachings constitute the eternal commandments for the conduct of man. The Samhitha teaches that based on these commandments, the students should lead a life of exemplary excellence.

Unfortunately we do not find such thoughts and feelings in the hearts of the students of today, The educational system today makes an educated person selfish. It makes him a slave to the senses and as a consequence he forgets his own divine nature. Educated men are not prepared to take up service to the suffering people. It is not only the educated who are to be blamed for this situation. The government, which has failed to encourage and enthuse the people, is also to be blamed for this. Students are not being taught to be self-reliant and self-supporting. Despite the possession of high degrees, the educated man is frantically after salaried jobs rather than seeking independent careers. The educated man fights for his rights, without regard to the duties to be discharged. The man who neglects his duties will lose his rights as well. Rights and duties are inseparably inter-related. Love is the connecting link between the two. The faithful ones in the spiritual realm crave for joy, peace and comfort without striving to realise how they can be obtained.

We do not want God nor do we cultivate devotion. But we want God to shower shanthi and anandha (peace and divine bliss) on us. If we want peace, we should conduct our life on lines conducive to peace. How can a person, pursuing evil and unrighteous ways, ever obtain peace, truth and joy? Can we have the belch of a gourd by eating a mango? As are the deeds, so are the rewards. As the motives, so are the gifts of God. Hence our motives should 'be sublime and deeds should be righteous.

Students should try to develop the powers latent in them. The educated men of today believe in what they read in novels and newspapers, what they see in films, and even in the whimsical words of a passerby. But they have no faith in God. This is a great misfortune. Men who believe in the words of an astrologer or a purohit, will not trust the words of the Veda Matha (Divine Vedhic mother), who has taught the four great truths: "Thath thwam asi, Prajnanam Brahma, Aham Brahmasmi, Ayam Atma Brahma" (Thou Art That, Consciousness is Brahman, I am Divine, This Self is the Omni-Self), which declare: "O son, you are Brahman (Absolute Truth) itself." The educated man wastes his life by developing faith in petty mundane things and by refusing to develop faith in the wisdom to be gained by divine power and spiritual knowledge.

It is in order to impart true, ideal education, and mould the students as ideal citizens for the service of the country that the Sathya Sai Educational Institutions have been set up. Many people have the notion that the students of our educational institutions are capable of only performing puujas and bhajans (ritual offering and group singing of devotional songs) and such other spiritual activities. This is entirely wrong. Our students are ready to take up activities in the field of ethics, administration, politics, business and various other professions. Our students are achieving excellence not only in dance, drama, music and literature, but also in the arts and in physical culture. The gymnastic feats done by them bear ample testimony to this. As our students are unassuming and humble, devoid of all show and pomp, you underestimate their excellence and underrate their abilities. Our students reject and resent all pomp and show. The students who love pomp and show are not students at all. Our students know the truth that egotism is the cause of disaster. Our educational institutions are making all effort to produce thousands of ideal students to help people lead ideal lives. Dear students! When you go out into the world, you should maintain in your daily life the sacred feelings and habits that you have acquired here. Regard this as true education. Cherish the teachings and precepts that you have received in this convocation as your very life-breath and conduct yourselves as ideal men and enlighten the entire world by your precept and practice. Bhagavan's Discourse in Puurnachandra Auditorium at the Convocation of S.S.I.H.L., Prasanthi Nilayam,