We heard the address of thanks which the sixth form boys gave
to the teachers of the school and the advice they gave to the
students of the lower forms. Their words were very sweet, full of
gratitude to the teachers and full of encouragement to the
students who continue to be under the care of those teachers. They
also expressed their grief that they had to leave a fine school
and a fine set of instructor and a fine company of
fellow-students. But though the words were fine, I doubt whether
the feeling were also such, for after all they knew they have to
leave the school for higher studies. All these years, they knew
that this day will come. Of course lit is good to see that boys
express gratefulness for the benefits they derived. They promised
also to serve their country to the best of their ability. For they
are the guardians of this land in the days to come. I am specially
happy in the company of students, for they are like the buds in
the garden; they are the young heroes who have to take up the
difficult task of national and international reconstruction.
The present situation in the world is like a typhoon, causing
unrest and confusion. No one has mental quiet; fear and anxiety
stalk everywhere; panic reigns even while the conquest of space
and the mapping of new planets is being hailed. Even in this
country, it is a time of crisis and no time should be lost to set
matters right so that men may enjoy Shaanthi (peace) more than
anything else; for, without Shaanthi, life is a nightmare.
Tolerate all kinds of Persons and Opinions
While studying other things, you should learn the secret of
Shaanthi also. This opportunity should not be missed, for that is
the wisdom that will save you. The present system of education
aims at making you bread-winners and citizens, but it does not
give you the secret of a happy life; namely, discrimination
between the unreal and the real - which is the genuine training
you need. Of course, it is not your fault, but of those who direct
these affairs. They will have to do it, sooner rather than later.
The cultivation of Viveka (discrimination) is the chief aim of
education; the promotion of virtuous habits, the strengthening of
Dharma, these are to be attended to; not the acquisition of polish
or gentlemanliness, or collection of general information and the
practice of common skills.
First, be fixed in the consciousness that yourself is the
immortal Aathma, which is indestructible, which is holy, pure and
divine. That will give you unshakable courage and strength. Then,
you must develop mutual love and respect. Tolerate all kinds of
persons and opinions, all attitudes and peculiarities. The school,
the home and the society are all training grounds for tolerance.
At school, the teachers and the pupils must be aware of their
duties and rights. The relationship must be based on love, not
fear. Only the atmosphere of love can guarantee happy co-operation
and concord. Above all, be good, honest and well-behaved. That
will make the university degrees more desirable and valuable.
Do not attach undue value to the passing of examinations, for,
if you do so, you are apt to get terribly depressed when you fail;
we hear of too many young people committing suicide when the
results of the examinations are announced. Dear children, do not
do any such foolish thing. Take failure, if it comes, as a spur to
further effort; analyse why you failed and profit by the
experience. If you ruin yourself by such foolish actions, it will
pain Me, remember.
Refuse to become Scapegoats of Politicians
Learn when you are students how to succeed in the turmoil of
life, how to live without causing pain to others and suffering
pain yourself. Do not waste time taking part in electioneering and
quarrelling over the factions and fancies of elders; they are
setting you very bad examples and you must avoid imitating their
low behaviour. Politics is a variety of 'ticks' which infest some
individuals and worry their lives out. Do not catch that infection
from them. Be clean and content. You are too young to understand
the complications and confusions of politics and you can only be
the tools and instruments of people who want to use you for their
own purposes. Be bold; refuse to become the scapegoats of such
men. Tell them you have better work to do.
Proceed only as far as your own talents and experience can take
you. Examine everything and believe only what appeals to you as
correct. Do not simply say, Sai Baaba spoke well, or Sai Baaba
writes well; respect Sai Baaba only if He does as well as He
speaks and writes.
Devotion and Activity - these two should go together. Shri
B.Gopaala Reddi had come to inaugurate the Hospital at Puttaparthi
and he said, "If only government had planned this hospital, even
the basement would not have come up now." So also, this school has
risen to this fame and height due to the care and love of the
founders and supporters. All should co-operate in tending such
institutions; difference of opinion must be like the two eyes,
each giving a different picture of the same object; both of which,
when co-ordinated, give a complete rounded picture. The donors of
this school have done a very good thing: they have done it in a
spirit of worship and humanity. Be grateful for their sacrifice
and make the best use of the chance they have provided.
India is blessed with many Saints and Sages
The District Judge in his opening remarks said that Bhaarath
has been blessed with many saints and sages and with many
manifestations of divinity in human form. A doubt may arise why
such appearances take place in Bhaarath, more than in any other
place, when the world is so big and we have humanity everywhere to
be saved and guided. There is a reason for this, believe Me! Well,
why should, in all India, Kolaar alone have gold? Where there is a
gold mine, there is the need for mining engineers and chemists who
will extract it, separate it, purify it and distribute it to the
various places where gold is in demand, is it not?
So also, it is here in India that there is a mine of spiritual
wisdom and spiritual treasure: the Dharshanas, Upanishaths
(metaphysical sciences and revelatory scriptures), the Geetha and
the Vedhas. This has to be distributed pure and unsullied,
guaranteed in value and quality, to eager aspirants everywhere and
so we have here a succession of sages and saints. On account of
the teachings and the lives of these people, there is a vast field
of spiritual virtue in this land, which needs only a little more
care to yield a rich harvest.
Attachment to Nature has Limits
People suffer because they have all kinds of unreasonable
desires and they pine to fulfil them and they fail. They attach
too much value to the objective world. It is only when attachment
increases that you suffer pain and grief. If you look upon nature
and all created objects with the insight derived form the inner
vision, then attachment will slide away, though effort will
remain; you will also see everything much clearer and with glory
suffused with divinity and splendour. Close these eyes and open
those inner eyes and what a grand picture of essential unity you
get! Attachment to nature has limits, but the attachment to the
Lord that you develop when the inner eye opens has no limit. Enjoy
that reality, not this false picture.
The Lord is the immanent power in everything; those who refuse
to believe that the image in the mirror is a picture of
themselves, how can they believe in the Lord, when He is reflected
in every object around them? The moon is reflected in a pot,
provided it has water; so too, the Lord can be clearly seen in
your heart, provided you have the water of Prema (love) in it.
When the Lord is not reflected in your heart, you cannot say that
there is no Lord; it only means that there is no Prema in you.
Students and even elders here have given up the study of
Samskrith, dismissing it as a useless difficult language. They
have neglected the ancient texts, bundling them up and taking them
down only on festival days for worship! But Western aspirants who
know their worth have taken them to their own lands and they have
translated them into their own tongues and learnt their essence
with devotion.
Students must honour physical Labour
Reading is not enough; you may master all the commentaries and
you may be able to argue and discuss with great scholars about
these texts; but without attempting to practise what they teach,
it is a waste of time. I never approve of book-learning; practice
is what I evaluate. When you come out of the examination hall you
know whether you will pass or not, is it not? For you can yourself
judge whether you have answered well or not. So in Saadhana
(spiritual effort) or in conduct or in practice, each of you can
judge and ascertain the success or failure that is in store.
Saadhana is the essential thing even for you; for no age is too
early for this. Just as you tend the body with food and drink at
regular intervals, you must also tend to the needs of the inner
Aathmic body by regular Japam and Dhyaanam and the cultivation of
virtues. Sath-sanga, Sath-pravarthana and Sath-chinthana (holy
company, good attitude and sacred thoughts) are all essential for
the growth and the health of the inner personality. The body is
the Bhavanam (mansion) of the Bhuvaneshwara (Lord of the world),
His Bhuvanam. In so far as you are particular about coffee or tea
at regular intervals, be also particular about Dhyaanam and Japam
at fixed times for the health and liveliness of the spirit.
Students must have challenging attitude towards things; they
must honour physical labour. They should be eager to be of service
to those who need it on account of their disabilities. Honour also
your elders and do not miss any chance of serving, honouring or
pleasing them. Whatever gives you health, joy, welcome it; but do
not lower yourselves by indulging in vulgar pastimes. Do not
wander aimlessly in the streets of frequent cinema-halls and mix
with undesirable company, or cultivate bad habits just for sake of
fun.
This country has to be raised to great heights through you, not
through its present leaders, remember. Note also that whereas in
other countries, people co-operate gladly with some one who is
courageous, intelligent and good, here the national trait is to be
jealous of one another, to pull down those who are rising high,
and to refuse co-operation and help. You boys must say to
yourselves, "These elders do such things though they know them to
be wrong. What a pity! But we shall grow up differently. We shall
not belie our words in our actions. We will act together in
harmony and love." If you develop such virtues, the nation will
prosper; if not, it will be ruined. Have this warning always
ringing in your ears.
I bless all of you: citizens, parents, teachers and students.
This school, which was established by the generosity of the
people, will certainly grow into higher status and shine as a
great institution. I have no doubt of that.