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Divine
Discourse on 17th August 2005
Unity, Purity, Divinity
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
delivering His Divine Discourse on 17th August 2005 at
Prashanti Nilayam
Text of the Divine Discourse
delivered by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 17th August 2005,
in Sai Kulwanth Hall, Prashanti Nilayam, at the International
Conference of Eminent Educationists
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
his precious human birth.
(Telugu poem)
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.
Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, "Prema
Muditha Manase Kaho?".
Source:
http://sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/International_Conference.htm |