Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

All those who can read and write, could they be called educated? Are those who secure degrees in the colleges, could they be called educated? And the type of education that does not fill you with good traits and a good conduct and character, could it be called true education? If by education you mean the means to live, what about the birds and the animals? Are they also not eking out a living?

If man has to bring to the fore his innate personality, he has to develop ethics and morals. Without the guiding principle of morality, man cannot progress far in this life. This word, Neethi has its origin in the Sanskrit word Nathi. This word, Neethi, could be understood thus, that which you do through the capacity to discriminate. This word, Neethi is associated with good behavior, a good trait. Now this Morality or Neethi is the beacon light that leads you far.

Today we are born as members of the human race. We're brought up as members of the human race. We make a living in the community of human beings, but we do not understand the meaning of the word Manavata. Every person who wishes to be called Man or Manava should first and foremost understand the meaning of these words Manavata. The English connotation, the meaning of this word Manavata, is human value. This human value is not a separate subject by itself. This idea of human value is part and parcel of our existence in our daily lives. We have forgotten that which is very much us, which is part and parcel of our own nature. As a result, we are seeking external ways and means of trying to know what the subject of human values is all about.

In order that you might further this idea of human value and the essence of human existence, a special effort has to be made. Alongside education you should also have this necessary culture which would go with it so that you can fulfill your life. Without this idea of culture or the transformation proper, mere education does not lead man far. One can master all types of skills, all types of education, and conquer an assembly of people. He could also be a valorous valiant one and win wars. He could be born a king among kings and rule over a vast empire. He could also indulge in acts of charity by way of giving away cow and cattle. He could also count all the stars in the skies. He could also recount to you the names of all the living forms of life. He could master all the eight types of education, Vidhya. He could also reach the moon. However, to control one's bodily senses, to still the mind and look inwards, to be steady and one of equipoise, it's impossible.

Today's skills make you a slave of your senses. They do not render you to be master of the senses. Today's educational system makes you into a mechanical entity. It will not endow you with skills or a sense of awareness of purpose. So today we must seek out ways and means of filling ourselves with skills and the sense of awareness. Man should try and reach out to that type of education which would make him self-dependent. We should also give room for job-oriented types of education. Today there is no point in pursuing courses like MA (Master of Arts) and BA (Bachelor of Arts) and the like. Nor should we try and study for the sake of getting a job.

We should have that education that will fill us with skills so that we are Self dependent. Today's education system makes one get a degree. As a result, he wants to seek a job. He doesn't get it. He's subject to despair and despondency and takes undesirable ways to express his frustration. Today's degree is like a begging bowl. You go from pillar to post seeking a job for yourself. If only you would understand your own nature and this essence of human values, you can certainly live on your own legs.

This idea of Manavathva, this process of trying to imbue these human values, is to try to bring about a harmony between the thought, word, and deed. That word which is not defiled by untruth; the actions of the body which are not impure which do not indulge in violence; and the mind which is not defiled by ideas of ego and attachment. This is true human values. What you must imbibe. This also is called, “The proper study of mankind is man”. So, what you mean by the proper study here is this perfect consonance that prevails between thought, word, and deed. When these three become sacred and pure you have really lived your life.

Today's life is made up of two components. The body is a field of action, Karmakshetra. Atma is the field of Dharma, Dharmakshetra. So this field of Dharmakshetra should take on this field of action, the action oriented purpose - Karmakshetra and thereby it should become the Divine - Punyakshetra. It is in this context that the Bhagavad Gita proves that Swadharma is one that brings you benefits. Paradharma is that which brings you fear. Swa here means Atma, all that goes in the name of the Atma is Swadharma. By Atma, you should not mean it is mere conscience. It is in fact all-pervading consciousness. Once you go by your consciousness, whatever you do becomes Dharma proper and that leads you on. This consciousness is also called Chaitanya. This Chaitanya principle is present everywhere.

This principle of consciousness which is present everywhere gives rise to conscience. This conscience is the witness proper. This witness in turn is dependent on what you do or say. It is dependent upon your own daily behavior and conduct. From this conscience is born conscious. So here today we are having this vesture of a body and experiencing life is conscious. Being a witness of yourself, that becomes conscience. If we exhibit, manifest Atma in all that we do externally, that becomes consciousness.

Therefore, the body is one. The mind is second thing, and the Atma is third thing altogether. So Atma is Sath (Eternal Truth). The mind is Chit (Consciousness). And the body is a medium which experiences the joy of these two Sath and Chit. Once Sath and Chit come together, the body experiences joy or bliss. Sath means “Being”. Chit is “Awareness”. Awareness is your life. Sath is “Ishwarathwa” (God consciousness). So once this godhead becomes part of your own life, then you have happiness. This is true human quality. This is human value. This truly is the essence of your life Sath-Chit-Ananda. You have become forgetful of it; you are going after the fleeting pleasures of the world. In the process you're subjecting yourself to grief and sorrow.

For this an example here, in the Ramayana a mention is made of a unique character, a peculiar character. Now this character has a form which is very peculiar. This character has no neck. When you say it doesn't have a neck, it's not the neck that we all have. The neck of this person rests on his stomach instead. The name of this character is Kabandha. The inner meaning of this is that for the sake of filling his stomach, he's making use of his head. Today's educated people are very much like this Kabandha. In the sense that all they have learned, all the degree of proficiency they have achieved, they're using for the sake of filling their stomach. Now you might go on filling the stomach, but you never can fill it. It will never lead you to satisfaction. You must eat in order to live. Not live in order to eat.

So, today's educational system should embark on this new glorious path, wherein it must be practiced in such a way as to fully embrace life, to properly practice ideals, to increase the attitude of service to society, and to increase the sacredness of society.

A life which is healthy, a life which is full of happiness and joy. A life which is an ideal or a model, that is a true human value which can bring to the fore these qualities. First one is unity, and integrity is necessary. Second one is steadfastness of purpose is necessary. Third one is equally important, to have this element of brotherhood. Samkhyatha–integrity and equal mindedness, Karyadeekshata–steadfastness of purpose, Soubhrathuthwa–brotherhood of man: these are the three necessary things that make up mankind.

But today's mankind has lost these three fundamental principles. The educated person doesn't willingly come forward to undertake any task to serve the society. Or if you look at the moral side of the educated person, it doesn't come to the external world. It doesn't manifest itself. You must strive and work hard at the job or employment. You must give work to every pair of hands. Try and provide water to every agriculture field. Every house should be transformed into a cottage industry. Only then will the educated people fulfill the time that is given.

Because not enough work is there for the hands today, the mind is given to a lot of anxiety. Because these thoughts lead the person astray, the result is sorrow and grief. Because the thoughts have gone awry, he is not able to know which is truth, which is un-truth. He is not able to believe himself. He is not able to seek a sense of fulfillment in his life. As against it, every educated person should become the ideal. An ideal life should be the primary aim of any educational system. We should strive to secure such an education. Education does not mean all that you learn within the four walls of a college or school.

There are any number of themes that we can garner in this nature of ours. This Ananda, the joy, you get through this medium of nature is unequal. Vid means “to know” in the Sanskrit word Vidhya. Now today we build castles in the air in terms of what we have learned through the medium of this education. Alongside education as you know it to be, you must also develop humility and obedience. This is called Samskara—true culture—that which transforms your life. That's why it is called Samskara.

There are no limits to what we desire. There are no limitations to our ego, and you are bound by a lot of attachments. Because we have fallen victim to this sense of attachment, to these senses of emotions and impulses, we succumb to grief by losing our human nature. We should try to curb these emotions and impulses. These emotions and passions are like waves. These waves momentarily come to the fore. We must try and bring them in check through this sense of peace within us.

Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Santhi (Peace), Prema (Love), Ahimsa (Non-Violence), these five great cardinal principles which are at the basis of the entire creation. They are very much like the five Pranas (vital life principles), like the five elements. And flowing beneath these like an undercurrent is this element of love. Without this element of love it is like living death. It is this love which permeates all things, all beings, all activities, all tasks, and it is present everywhere. When this love enters our thoughts, it manifests itself as Sathya. When this love enters the actions, it becomes Dharma. When this love enters our feelings and emotions, we experience Santhi. When this love enters in understanding, that transforms itself into Ahimsa. So, either in Sathya, Dharma, Santhi or in Ahimsa it is this love which is undercurrent. Today we must try and further the cause of love. Try to remove hatred. Try to keep a check on your impulses and anger. Exterminate your ego, this is the essence of human values that you associate with a living being in mankind.

Familiarity with books does not render you an educated person. Book knowledge today, tomorrow knowledge, day after tomorrow, allergy. Book knowledge is today's knowledge, but tomorrow it becomes an allergy. Education is not merely knowledge, but it must include action. Not only this, the end of education is character. Without character, there is no human nature in mankind. You will then be worse than a beast or a bird or an animal. It's been said, three-fourths of life is character.

So, in this human existence of ours, try and bring together the element of divinity (Atmic principle) on the one hand and the very essence of your human nature on the other. Now this body which is external is like the negative. The thought processes which are linked to the inner existence of yours is like the positive. When the positive goes one way and the negative goes another way, it is of no use. The positive and negative should be brought together. Our bodies are like the wire. Now a wire linked to another wire, there is no current by itself. Rather, you peel the skin off this wire, make a connection between the copper that is going in the two bits of wire then the electricity will flow. Our body is like the external sheathing or insulation of wire. Our mind within is like the copper wire. When one mind is linked to cosmic mind there is this current flowing through this copper. Try to understand the mind. Without having a proper understanding on a mind-to-mind basis, you want to have an understanding externally, it is no use. So, if you understand this on a mind-to-mind basis, adjustment becomes easy. If we first of all understand this salient fact, that it is the same divine Atma which is in all beings, then they'll be no problem at all. So, either the wealthiest of the people or the pauper on the streets, it is the same Atmic principle that's present in both.

But then we give way to greed and excess desires. That's why we are subject to grief and sorrow. Now there is an excellent illustration in the Puranas to illustrate this. One sadhaka (spiritual aspirant) went to Lord Brahma (God of Creation) and asked him a question, “O Lord, why have you created this Meru Mountain—the mountain of gold and wealth? By creating this mountain of wealth, what is the result? What is the fruit of it? If you wanted to give this mountain of wealth and gold to the wealthy man, he never can be satisfied. If you give him thousands of such mountains, he never can be satisfied. There is no use in trying to satisfy a person who never can be satisfied. On the other hand, if you want to give this to a person who's always contented, no purpose is served. So why have you created this mountain of wealth?”

So, here you have your own contentment, there you have Santhi (Peace). That is the true value in mankind. A question is asked, who is the richest man in this world? The proper answer will be, he who has much satisfaction is the richest man. Who is the poorest man? He who has much desire is the poorest man. So, try and bring down your desires. While bringing down your desires, you need to introduce these human values. Now we tend to look upon our life as something else.

A contented sleep, satisfying food, clothes for the body, a house full of children, all comforts and all luxuries and comforts in life: We feel this is what life is all about. This is OK as far as material existence is concerned, but this is not the primary aim and goal of life. These are things which are confirmed to the body and the mind. Now there is a third thing called Atma.

You want to have satisfaction of the Atma? Then you must get on the path of truth first. The Updanishads described this state thus: The Updanishads declared that person, to be a true human being, is one who has known the efficacy of truth and practices it. The Bible likewise says that nation which follows the path of truth enjoys peace and prosperity. Mohammad likewise taught that along with this word of truth, the actions also should demonstrate it. Buddhism is nothing but men and women getting faith in truth and following it. And it was this Hazrat Mohammad who sacrificed his life for upholding the principle of truth. And Jesus likewise gave himself up to be crucified for upholding the principle of service. To uphold truth Harishchandra sacrificed his children and wife.

The quintessence of all religions, the primary point of origin of all the paths and goals, and the essence of all shastras (scriptures) is the Sathya swaroopa (true form) of love. So, the essence of all religions is one. And the Sai philosophy is the quintessence and the oneness of all religions. That indeed is our true religion. This is the ritual we need to experience in our life. Once we experience this ritual, our lives will be sanctified. So, with this innate divinity in us, plunge into activities pertaining to the society and do service.

Life without service is useless. We have been given this form so that we might serve others.

So, through the medium of the body, serve the poor, the downtrodden, the hapless and those who have given up hope.

Today in the country of Bharat, it's been said eighty percent are the youth. The remaining twenty percent are the middle aged and the old ones. And through this component of youth any amount of good can be done in this country or the world. So, by taking care of these youngsters and making them perform service activities to manifest this divine spark latent in man and publicize it, this is an ideal to the whole world.

Bharath should take the pledge to spread this message to every nook and corner of the globe. This Bharath is the field of action - Karmakshetra. It is a field of Dharma - Dharmakshetra. It is the field of sacrifice - Thyagakshetra. It is a field of Yoga - Yogakshetra, not Bhogakshetra - not a field of Bhoga or pleasure. Today you are going by this idea of comfort, comfort in everything that you say or do. It ends up in your saying, “come for tea”. Comfort is not important.

If your mind is at peace with itself, you can always adjust and understand each other. You wish to do some seva - service. Let God dwell within your heart, perform your seva. Dil me Ram, hath me kam. It is said, God in your hearts and service through the medium of your hands. Hands in society, head in the forest is the real rest. True real rest is, hands in society head in forest. You should take part in such seva activities. Sathya Sai Organizations are sanctifying their purpose by indulging in such seva activities. We should try and give this inspiration to youngsters. The minds of the youth are like a double-edged sword. If they go awry, go astray, it's impossible to rectify. If they go to the good and the noble ways, you cannot curb or arrest that.

So, today's education system should explore ways and means of turning the youth, channelizing the youth into doing good and noble activities. In addition to caring for and guiding students in the right direction, we must also educate and train teachers. The teachers are like the water tanks and the students are like water taps. If these tanks are filled with good water, the taps also would give you pure and good water. If the tank is filled with dirty water, the taps also will give you dirty water. We must impart proper training to the teachers in the first place. Therefore, it's not a mistake of the teachers, because the teachers of today were students themselves yesterday. So, they too are not aware of what is right and wrong. They too have to be given this training and trained in the proper way. And today this is precisely what the Sathya Sai organization is doing.

Because the teachers basically are good and noble, because they have sacrificed a great deal on their part, they regard the students who come to them as their own children. But because the teachers are not able to foster noble ideals and virtuous deeds, the students are not able to derive any benefit. That's why in the Bharathiya sanskruthi (Indian culture) it is being said, it is not through actions, not through wealth, not through comfort or luxury, but it's only through the element of sacrifice that you can become immortal. It is only through the element of sacrifice that you can become immortal. It is sacrifice which confers protection to you.

A small example here, you are inhaling air. The air that you breathe in thus should in the next moment be exhaled. Otherwise, the lungs will fail. Similarly, we're eating food. The same food should be discarded; otherwise, your stomach will go bad. Again, blood flows through different parts of the body. If this blood were not to pass through every point and if it gets collected at one spot, that spot will become a boil. So here it is, in our daily life it is the sacrifice what gives us comfort and joy. In every little thing loading and unloading are the cardinal principles.

So, try to understand the true intent of these two purposes. What is it that we must sacrifice? Sacrifice your selfishness. Try to secure that which is beyond body and mind. Only then can you understand the true nature, the purpose within. This innate truth is the real human value. There should not be one thing in your heart, then you do something else. The oneness of both these two is the essence of human values.

So, try and make efforts to bring home the idea of human values to every school, to every life. Every person should take this upon himself as a primary task in this country of Bharath. You should not neglect this cause of human value, thinking that government will do or an organization will do. A single flower by itself does not become a garland. Many flowers together become a garland. So, all should take a hand in this idea of human values. Every house should become a center. This idea of human values should be imparted to every. That's the way Bharath can regain its lost glory.

Embodiments of love, having been born as human beings, let us behave like human beings. We should not behave like a beast or an animal. A man living as man, that is the essence of human value that he has. That becomes divinity, that is unity, that is purity, that is charity. Once you can experience all these together, that is the essence of human values. So, don't get carried away with this bodily existence of yours. The mind and Atma are equally important. Make the body part of the mind and Atma, plunge into society through the medium of love.

There is nothing beyond love in this society of yours. You may believe it, you may not believe it. Love is God, love is man, love is everything in this society, in this existence, in this creation. So it is this love, the medium of love which translates into action that is going to bring back the ancient glory and splendor of this Bharath. Every child should be made to realize this truth. I'm hoping and blessing that all will become aware of this love. Thus, I am bringing this discourse to a close.