Sai Pearls of Wisdom, Part Twenty-Three - November 12th, 2003

[Guest guest]

Professor Anil Kumar has presented this talk as an extra satsang. He has

selected important messages Baba has imparted to the students gathered around

Him during the afternoon sessions on the veranda at Prashanti Nilayam. These

talks will continue.

ANIL KUMAR'S SATSANG:

BABA'S CONVERSATIONS WITH STUDENTS

 

“Sai Pearls of Wisdom”

Part Twenty-Three

November 12th, 2003

OM…OM…OM…

Sai Ram

With Pranams at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan,

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

THE SACREDNESS OF THE VEDAS

As Bhagavan comes out of His residence and walks towards the Kulwant Hall

auditorium, both morning and evening, the students start chanting the Vedas.

The chanting of Vedas may appear to be just noise, just some voice or some

loud, meaningless sound sound. But my friends, it is not so.

The Vedas contain slokas. The slokas are in the Sanskrit language. These are not

composed by any man. They are born out of the intuition of the saints, who spent

years and years in penance in the forest, long ago. They got some intuitive

feeling which they started memorizing, and that knowledge is passed on, from

one generation to the next.

The very sound of the Vedas has an effect on our brain. The electromagnetic

waves of the Vedas have an effect on our nervous system, circulatory system,

digestive system and so on. Vedas help us individually at the physical level,

at the mental level, and at the spiritual level.

Chanting of the Vedas also helps the entire community to grow. It is also a type

of prayer to ensure timely rain, so that the country may prosper, so that the

country may be blessed with plenty. The Vedas pray for the welfare of the

entire humanity and the whole universe, not just for the welfare of a

particular country, region, or religion. Vedas have nothing to do with

religion. With this brief introduction, I will proceed with the rest of the

details.

You are quite welcome to put any questions you may have, at the end.

TEACHING CULTURE AND VALUES

My friends, let me tell you that there are around three hundred universities in

this country with forty lakhs (one lakh = 100,000) of students enrolled to

receive higher education. But I can tell you one thing: There is only one

university where the teaching of culture and the teaching of values is the main

theme; and that is none other than Sri Sathya Sai University. This is a fact and

will be confirmed slowly, as you listen to my other talks, which contain

statements made by eminent educationalists from all parts of this country. Sri

Sathya Sai University is the only university in the country which focuses on

the cultural values and the traditions of this country.

CHANTING THE GLORY OF GOD IN UNITY

The second point I want to draw your attention to is that all students know the

chanting of Vedas, right from kindergarten level to Ph.D.

All students chant the Vedas in unison. They join in chorus in perfect harmony,

excellent diction, beautiful pronunciation, ideal modulation, full-throated,

with joy, for hours. It’s not easy to teach Vedas to hundreds of children. They

all sing the glory of God, praying for the whole of humanity, so that all of

mankind will live in peace, security, safety and prosperity. This is something

great and quite unique about this institution.

Another thing, which we don’t find anywhere else, is that the girls are chanting

the Vedas. This is an exception. Women, in earlier days, were prohibited from

learning the Vedas. Later they protested. Vedic knowledge is still not very

popular among women. But Sri Sathya Sai Baba made all the girls of Anantapur

recite the Vedas. I am still unable to believe this, even though I have been

listening to it for fourteen years. I ask myself, “Is it true?” That is how I

feel every time that I hear the girls chanting the Vedas.

In this country, there are priests who perform rituals: spiritual activities

like marriages, house-warming functions, naming the child, etc. These are

religious activities, which are performed by priests. All priests are supposed

to know the Vedas. As the chanting of Vedas by all students is of professional

standards, I even joke with them: “Arrey boys! You don’t have to worry about

unemployment -- you can live as priests as well!” (Laughter)

Well, I am not a serious man by temperament, and I don’t mix with serious

people. I believe religion is bliss, and that God is bliss. I believe that

seriousness is a kind of sickness, not spirituality. So I like people who

smile, and I like to make people smile.

I appreciate the boys’ ability to chant the Vedas for another reason. Outside

priests chant the Vedas as a means of livelihood, to earn their bread. I tell

the boys, “You, you are Ph.D.’s and M. Tech.’s and M. Sc.’s who can chant the

Vedas. I think you are all first-class enemies of the priestly class in this

country!” (Laughter)

They have reached a remarkable standard of excellence. The intonation and

modulation is of an unbelievable standard! If a pundit were to listen to a

cassette of the boys chanting, he would say that the boys must have studied at

a high-ranking Vedic university.

My friends! Why do we worship? To enjoy the blessings of God. Why do we pray? To

get the blessings of God. Why do we meditate? To see the manifestation of God.

Why so we sing bhajans? To see God in front of us. All our spiritual activities

are to enjoy the manifestation of God. Vedic chanting in front of God is

something fantastic -- a lifetime fulfillment.

Outside people chant the Vedas in order to see God. Whereas here, you see Him

and chant His glory in front of Him, which is really profit doubled. Double the

profit -- not a thing to be taken for granted.

SWAMI IS PROUD OF HIS STUDENTS

Our God also wants all of us to know how great His children are. When God takes

a human form, He displays certain humanistic tendencies. He wants the whole

world to know that all the students are expert in the Vedas; that this is not a

monopoly of a couple of students only. You must have noticed how He suddenly

will ask all college boys to stop chanting, after which He will ask high school

students to start. Then suddenly He will stop that. He will ask elementary

school students to start chanting. In this way, we know that all students of

Sai educational institutions are very well versed, very familiar with the Vedas

and its chanting.

Not only that. He sometime plays games: He wants one boy to start, and then

another boy to continue from where the first boy left off, like a chain. This

way the chanting is not mechanical. Chanting is an art of perfection, not mere

memorisation. He wants boys to chant perfectly and we are extremely happy to

witness this.

One day He asked somebody, “Do you know the meaning of Veda?”

The boy said, “Yes Swami!”

“All right – Start!”

After one stanza, Swami said, “Stop! Now tell the meaning in English.”

The boy started giving the English meaning of the verse.

“Haan. Stop! Next verse.” So it was, verse after verse, and in between, the English translation.

Please don’t misunderstand me. A fact is a fact. Most of the pundits do not know

the meaning of Veda. The great majority of Indians do not know Veda, nor its

meaning. Amazingly, the students can give the English meaning, verse after

verse. To chant the Vedas is sufficient achievement, but to also know its

meaning is a unique accomplishment.

IMPROMTU ORAL EXAMINATION

One day He suddenly asked one lecturer, “Come here! You ask these boys some questions on Veda. “

To prepare a question paper, a teacher needs at least three to four hours. He

should gather all his books, see the syllabus, see the previous year’s question

paper, and then prepare the question paper. But here is our good God, who

suddenly asks one lecturer to put questions on Veda. The lecturer was caught

unawares. The boys did not know that they were going to be examined; and in

addition, in front of thousands of devotees. If they failed, they would cut a

sorry figure and Swami would feel very much let down. But God never fails!

So, to demonstrate this, Swami asked one lecturer: “Come on! Put some questions.”

Please believe me, all questions were highly informative and the answers were

excellent. None failed. There were claps and cheers. Most of you must have

watched the whole scene that day. I noted those questions and answers for the

benefit of English-speaking people. Some Sanskrit verses are here, the language

that I myself do not know. So, for convenience sake, I have written in Telugu,

my mother tongue, but it will be written in English Roman script, courtesy of

our friends.

A lecturer on the dais in Sai Kulwant Hall put questions to students. This was

viewed by a public of thousands. Any student could get up to give the answer.

You must have seen that. All of them were unprepared. To me it appeared as if

it were a public oral examination, an open viva-voce.

Question 1: - Rudram

There is a portion of Veda chanting called Rudram. Rudram has two parts –

namakam and chamakam. What is the difference between the two?

One boy got up and said, “Swami! I will give the answer.”

“Yes. What is the answer?”

“The chamakam part of chanting of Veda helps in the fulfillment of your desires.

So all mantras of this chamakam part end with these two letters:

chame..chame...chame…chame. Chame means ‘I want that’. Therefore chamakam is

the submission of desires. And you get them fulfilled.The other part is

namakam. What is namakam? The namakam part of this rudram is surrender to God.

Here there are two letters: na + ma: ma - mine, na – not; so, ‘not mine –

everything is Yours.’ So, it means submission to God, surrender to God.

“Nothing is mine and everything is Yours” is nama-namakam. I hope I am clear.

Therefore, that is namakam and chamakam. The interesting thing is that in

namakam, the first letter is na, while in chamakam, the second letter is ma.

Nama meaning ‘egolessness,

not mine’.”

As was very well noticeable on Swami’s face, he was very very happy at the

meaning explained by the boys.

The second question – Everything is full

There is one sloka, which says that everything is full in this world. Nothing is

a fragment. Nothing is a bit. You are full. Everything is full. Which sloka from

Upanishad says that everything is full, that Divinity is full, that this

universe is full. Full minus full is full. Full plus full is full. Because we

are fools, we don’t understand what fullness is. Zero minus zero equals zero.

Zero plus zero equals zero. Zero multiplied by zero equals zero. Simple

mathematics. So, that is infinite, this is infinite. That is full. This is

full. Which sloka says that?

One boy said:

“Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat PurnamudacyatePurnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavashishyate.”

Third question

How do you say, that has the quality of fullness, that meaning Divinity, and

this has the quality of fullness, this meaning humanity? Cite one example given

by Baba in support of this concept.

One smart fellow got up and said, “When you want to make some sweets, what do

you do? You go to a shop and buy jaggery. Out of that big lot, you cut a piece.

Out of this piece, you cut a still smaller piece and make use of the material to

make rice pudding or a pie or a doughnut. Now the point is, the piece of

jaggery, which you use, is as sweet as the mass you had.”

This example has been given by Baba. It constituted a good answer by a student.

One bag of sugar is as sweet as one bottle of sugar. One bottle of sugar has as

much sweetness as a spoon of sugar. So far as the quality of sweetness is

concerned, a bottle of sugar is as sweet as a bag of sugar.

Question number 4 – Upanishad

What is the meaning of Upanishad?

Upan means ‘near’, ni means ‘down’, shat means ‘sit’. ‘Sit down near’. So,

Upanishad means students should sit down near the teacher.

This may not be possible for western students. “Why should I sit down? I want to

sit on the head of the teacher!” (Laughter) Why? Equal rights! But, the idea

behind ‘sit down near’ is this: The teacher sits at a higher level and the

students sit at a lower level. Knowledge flows downward just as water flows

downward. Upanishad means ‘sit-down-near’.

Upanishad is taking place every day in the presence of Swami. Swami sits on the

stage, while we sit on the ground. Everybody liked the answer.

Question 5 - Purusha-suktam

Then there is another portion that they chant everyday. It is called

Purusha-Suktam. Purusha-Suktam means everything in praise of God, the Divinity:

Praise His greatness, His uniqueness, His glory, His vastness, His splendor.

God’s attributes are described in Purusha-Suktam.

So the question is, what is the relevance of Purusha-Suktam for modern society?

If someone starts chanting Vedas on the road today, we would think something is

wrong with his mind. What has Purusha-Suktam to do with modern society? In a

world of computers, where man is sent to the moon, how do we apply

Purusha-Suktam?

One boy gave the answer, quoting from Swami’s discourse. “Man is the limb of the

society. Society is the limb of the nation. The nation is the limb of Divinity.

So, man and God are related. Part of God is nature, part of nature is society

and part of society is man. So, the relationship between man, society, nature

and God is very well explained in Purusha-Sukta. They are inter-linked,

inter-connected, inter-dependent and inter-related. The modern society requires

the inter-relationships now more than ever before, because we are divided on a

lot of silly considerations. So for unity, we need to study Purusha-Suktam

today.”

You must have heard of the caste system in India. Most unfortunately, the caste

system is politicized: It is used by politicians to their advantage. It was

exploited by the foreign rulers in the past, to divide the country, so that

they could maintain their control of the country. But the original concept of

caste was different. This sloka speaks of it.

There are four castes: First caste, Brahmin, the priestly caste, represents the

head of God. Second, Kshatriya, the warrior class, represents the shoulders.

Third, Vaishya, the business class, that is the stomach. Fourth, Sudra, the

agricultural labor, the feet of the same body.

Can there be a body without a head? Can there be a body without the feet? Can

there be a body without the hands? So, all the castes are compared to the limbs

of the same body – the body of God. But unfortunately, people came to think that

the castes are totally separate. This divided the people, and the country became

weak. Even now, politicians play games, taking advantage of the caste system in

order to divide the society.

But the original design of the caste system was based on the temperament,

profession, vocation, avocation and attitude to life of individuals. Brahmins

are supposed to be the priestly class. They are supposed to take care of

spiritual pursuits and spiritual needs of the society. Kshatriyas, the army,

are supposed to protect the country. Vaishyas are supposed to take care of

business – ministers of commerce and industries. Sudras are supposed to take

care of grain, food, agriculture. So, tell me who is important and who is

unimportant? Can you say? No.

Question 6 - Bhruguvalli

In one Upanishad, there is a small portion called ‘Bhruguvalli’. What does the Bhruguvalli convey?

The answer was given by one boy: Bhrugu is the name of a saint who, as a boy,

went to his father, who was himself a great saint, and said, “O Father! Who is

God? Let me know.”

Father said, “You go and investigate. You do some penance. You do certain

spiritual activity. You will know the answer.”

After some time the boy returns and says, “Father! I have found out who God is.”

“Oh! Did you?”

“Yes.”

“Who is God?”

“Food is God,” he said.

“Food is God?”

“Yes.”

“My son, you need to know little more. Go and meditate further.”

The boy goes to the forest once again, meditates for sometime and returns:

“Father, I known who God is this time.”

“Oh son, good. Who is God?”

“Life is God.”

So from food, he has evolved to the state of life. Life is God!

Then the father says, “Son, you need to know little more. You better go again.”

The boy did penance for some more years and returned. ”Father! I know some more details of God.”

“Oh son, how nice! Who is God now?”

“Mind is God."

“Mind is God? You need to know some more details.”

The fellow went and did more penance and again returned. “Father! I know.”

“What do you know?”

“Bliss is God.”

Then father said, “You have arrived at the end.”

So, the investigation or the inquiry into God begins with food. We think food is

God at one time. Later, life is God; and at a later stage, we begin to

understand that mind is God. Still later, we begin to understand that spirit is

God, which is jnana. And finally, we come to know that bliss is God, which is

the end.

Question no. 7 – Immortality

Vedas taught the way to Immortality. Vedas say that there is only one way to

Immortality. What is that way?

“A sloka is given there. I will convey the meaning. The only way to Immortality

is awareness of the Self, experience of the Self. The path of inquiry takes you

to the state of Immortality. This knowledge of the Self was first revealed to

Indra by Brahma Himself. And later, it came down to the earth and its people.

What is important for us today, right now, is the path of self-inquiry. In

modern society, it is not possible to spend a longtime in penance. It is not

possible to do rituals, like yagas and yagnas today. We do not have eligible,

qualified, experienced people to do these spiritual rites today. The modern

technical mind does not accept the old methods. Self-inquiry is the method

which you have to follow today. It is the only path to Immortality.”

Question no.8 – Use of Veda chanting

What is the use of Veda chanting? What then is the benefit of chanting the Veda loudly?

We can have Swami’s darshan. We have two benefits. As some chant, others hear.

There are those who chant and those who hear. First, they atone our sins. All

the sins are forgiven; no dues remain. Secondly, Divinity is experienced. That

is the second purpose of Veda chanting.

Question 9

Towards the end of bhajans, we hear the following:

Asato Maa Sad Gamaya,

Tamaso Maa Jyothir Gamaya,

Mrithyor Maa Amritam Gamaya.

Father, lead us from untruth to Truth,

from darkness to Light,

from death to Immortality.

These three are from which Upanishad?

The answer came from a high school boy: “This is from Brihadaaranyaka Upanishad.

There are 108 Upanishads. Of them, the ten Dwadasha are very popular Upanishads.

Amongst them, Brihadaaranyaka is one.”

Question 10 - Shikshavalli

Shikshavalli is a part of one Upanishad. What is its ultimate teaching?

The ultimate teaching of Shikshavalli, a portion of the Upanishad, is: Speak the

truth, follow righteousness. Sathyam Vada, Dharmam Chara. Speak the truth;

follow dharma – the right conduct – in humility and with Love.

Question no.11 – Apauruseya

Vedas are also called Apauruseya. Why?

Vedas are the revelations arising from the intuition of sages and saints. They

are not composed by a human being. The sages and saints got the intuitions as a

result of penance, renunciation and total dedication to the welfare of humanity.

Therefore Vedas are called Apauruseya.

Question no.12 - Prasthana-traya

The three sacred texts are called Prasthana-traya. What are they?

Brahma Sutra, Bhagawad Gita, Upanishad. All these sacred texts together are called Prasthana-traya.

Question no. 13 – Brahma-sutra

Brahma Sutra is one among those three. What are Swami’s views about this book?

Behind all the apparent world, there is a hidden principle of Divinity. There

are flowers in a garland and a thread passes through all these flowers making

it a beautiful garland. But, the thread is not seen while the flowers are

openly seen. So in Brahma-Sutra – sutra is the thread, Brahma is the Divinity,

bringing together the flowers of creation.

Question no. 14

You must have heard this –

Aditya Varnam Tamasa Parastat

Vedahametam Purusham Mahantam.

(After chanting this sloka, Anil Kumar says:) As a result of hearing these

slokas repeatedly, some things have gotten into my head. (Laughter!) Don’t

think I know all of that and that I am expert. Please don’t mistake me.

Now, how did saints view Divinity? What is their view? What is their vision?

Answer: Aditya Varnam means brilliance, radiance, splendor, illumination.

Samataha – darkness. Saraspat – beyond. “Beyond darkness, there is effulgence,

there is light, that is Divinity.” It means, darkness is ignorance, while

effulgence is self-awareness.

Then question no. 15 - Panchama Veda

There are only four Vedas. But there is a book called Panchama Veda. Which has

been given the status of Veda, although it is not Veda. What is the fifth Veda,

Panchama Veda?

The great epic – Mahabharatha – about the Pandavas and Kauravas. That is called the fifth Veda.

Question no. 16

Why is it called the fifth Veda?

What is present in the world is present in Mahabharatha. Whatever is not

mentioned there, is not present anywhere. Political, ethical, moral, spiritual

-- all aspects of life are dealt with in all thoroughness and depth in the

Mahabharatha. So it is given the status of a Veda.

Question no.17 – Mrutyumjaya

There is one mantra which is repeated, which prays for long life. Ordinary

people take this path to be immortal, to conquer death: Mrutyumjaya. ‘Mrutyum’

is death and ‘jaya’ is victory. So you can conquer death if you repeat this

sloka.

 

Triyumbakum Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardanam

Urvarukamena Bandaanaath Mrutor Muksheya Mamrutaath.

Can I be deathless by reading this sloka? I don’t think so. What is death?

Desire is death. Attachment to the body is death. Ego is death. So you can

conquer death by being desireless. You can win over death by being egoless. But

why is it called Mrutyumjaya? Can you conquer death? Why is it called so?

Some living creatures go to the other world before schedule; that is, they die

at a young age. As an example, some flights reach the airport half an hour

before the scheduled time. When the flight schedule time is 12:00, the aircraft

may reach by 11:00 -- one hour before schedule. Likewise, some living creatures

go to the other world ‘before schedule’, dying at a young age. So this sloka at

least will take us to the destination at the right time, not before our time.

That’s how also we can take it.

And further what does Baba say about it? “O God! As I leave this world, let me

leave this world in full knowledge and awareness -- in full awareness of the

Self, with full experience of the Self, just as a ripe fruit gets disconnected

from the tree and falls onto the ground.”

Fruit falls on the ground automatically at maturity, painlessly, effortlessly,

naturally, easily, instantaneously. Similarly, “O God! When I leave this world,

let me drop like a fully ripe fruit, easily, simply, effortlessly, joyfully.”

Joyfully! There is no reason to cry for death because death is a celebration.

When I change my dress, when I feel like wearing a nice suit, I don’t cry for

my other clothes when I change into the new suit.

I have a dark blue suit I wear on special occasions when Swami talks to doctors

at international conferences.

Swami jokes, “Oh! You are in suit now?”

“Swami, I am an international fellow now. (Laughter) We have doctors from all

parts of the world, I can’t afford to be simply in an Indian dress.” So, when I

change my dress, there is no reason to cry. We can be happy. “Death is the dress

of life.” That is the meaning of the Mrutyumjaya mantra.

Question no. 18 - Taittreya Upanishad

There is one Upanishad named Taittreya. What is it? What is the etymological

meaning of this word Taittreya?

There lived a great saint named Yajnavalkya. He vomited all the knowledge that

he had acquired. All that he vomited was eaten by birds called Taitree birds.

These birds, by taking all that was vomited, started making the sounds of this

Upanishad. As all the sounds are repeated by the birds named ‘Taitree’, it is

called Taitreeya Upanishad.

Question no. 19 – Isavasyopanishad

There is a very popular Upanishad called Isavasyopanishad. These days, most

people want to hear experiences, stories and miracles. This denies many of us a

chance to go into the depth of the philosophy.

My preference is to read Upanishads, to read Ramana Maharishi and His teachings,

and to go into the depth of the Brahma Sutras. But people say, “Anil Kumar,

please tell me the latest miracles.” I don’t know what ‘latest miracles’ or

‘outdated miracles’ look like. The Upanishad literature is not much appreciated

by ordinary people unless there is within them a depth, some awakening, or

unless they are especially blessed by God.

Isavasyopnaishad is a popular Upanishad. What is the first sloka of this Upanishad?

Isavasya Sarvam Idam Yat Kinchat Jagatam Jagat,

Tena Tyaktena Bunjeeta,

Ma Bruhat Kasya Siddhanam.

That is the first sloka. What is its meaning?

The whole universe is filled with Divinity.

Thou shall not covet others’ property.

This is in the Ten Commandments. Am I not right?

Question 20

There is one Upanishad, which compares the human body with a car. What is that Upanishad?

It is Katho-Upanishad.

Question 21 - Katho-Upaniahsad

Katho-Upaniahsad is the conversation between two people. Who are they?

It is the conversation between a boy, Nachiketa, and the god of death, Yama.

Nachiketa wanted to know about life after death.

Yama says, “My boy! Why do you want to know about life after death? You want a

kingdom? I will give it to you.”

“No, sir. I want that knowledge.”

“You want money? I will give it to you.”

“No, sir. I want that knowledge.”

“You want palaces?

“ No, I want that.” He kept pestering and insisting that Yama teach him the

science of the Self. So, ultimately Yama told him.

Katho-Upanishad speaks of the fundamental Vedanta philosophy, taught by Yama,

the god of death himself, to Nachiketa, a true aspirant, who could conquer

Satan. Just as Satan tempted Jesus Christ, Yama tempted Nachiketa in every way.

But Nachiketa said, “I want that knowledge only.”

ONE FINAL QUESTION

Then, towards the end, Swami asked a young boy, aged 6 years: “Do you know

Mantra Pushpam?” Mantra Pushpam has number of Sanskrit verses in praise of God.

‘Pushpam’ means flower. Mantra Pushpam – the flower of mantra. So He asked the

boy, “Do you know what Mantra Pushpam is?”

“Yes, Swami.”

“What is it?”

The boy said:

Antar Bahischat Sarvam,

Yapya Narayana Sthitaha.

“Do you know the meaning?”

“God is inside. God is outside also. God is everywhere. The whole world is the

very form of God. The world is a manifestation, the reflection of God. God is

the energy providing sustenance for the maintenance of the entire creation.”

We were all dumb-founded that evening. This is yet to come in Telugu Sanathana Sarathi.

University Grants Commission valedictory function

On the evening of 30th October 2003, there was a meeting, the the valedictory

function of the vice-chancellors. In the Divine presence of Bhagavan, the

vice-chancellors of some Indian universities held a symposium on human values –

a three-day programme. Three of the vice chancellors addressed the gathering,

which was presided over by Bhagavan. The three vice-chancellors expressed their

feeling about the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. As devotees of

Baba, we will be happy to know how His university and His children are viewed.

So, with this idea in mind, I recorded the speeches of all the three people and

noted some important points. This will come in the Telugu Sanathana Sarathi,

later.

This year 2003 happened to be the Golden Jubilee year of the University Grants

Commission, New Delhi. The University Grants Commission is the apex body, an

independent, autonomous central government body, which gives recognition and

also financial support to all the universities in the country. It rates the

quality of teachers and students of every university.

The University Grants Commission wanted to have a symposium organised in

Prashanti Nilayam, with the permission and blessings of Bhagavan Baba, on

value-oriented education. Swami approved. This led to a three day conference on

the 28th, 29th and 30th of October. On 28th of October, the inauguration

ceremony took place, while the valedictory function took place on 30th.

V.S. PRASADA RAO

The first speaker was V. S. Prasada Rao. He is in charge of the National

Assessment and Accreditation Committee. It is the body that rates every

university, every lecturer and every degree. It determines the standard. It is

a supervisory body. Prasad Rao, the first speaker, made certain important

statements, which should be of immense interest to all Sai devotees.

Point one: “We visited the whole university here. We went around to all the

departments. We visited all the hostels. We visited the hospitals. We visited

Chaitanya-Jyoti museum. We have been to all places of interest in Prashanti

Nilayam and had the opportunity to talk with people in charge of these

centres.”

Point no 2: “We consider it to be a blessing, the greatest fortune given to us

by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, to have our conference in the Divine

presence.”

Points no. 3: “We noticed the spirit of devotion, dedication and duty amongst

the teachers and professors of this university. We also observed discipline

amongst students. As we visited the Super-Specialty Hospital, we met some of

the former students of Sathya Sai Institute who work there. We observed former

students practicing all the values they had learned as students in the

university.”

Next point: These committee members recognised and fully appreciated this

university, calling it the ‘crest-jewel of education in India’.

He said, “The education system adopted in Sri Sathya Sai University is called

‘integrated education’. What is integrated education? It means teaching the

human values along with the academic curriculum. As one teaches physics, he

simultaneously teaches values. As one teaches bio-sciences, he blends the

subject with human values. This is called ‘integrated education’, which is

unique here in Swami’s university.”

“Sri Sathya Sai University has a special course called ‘Environmental Science’.

Environmental Science is present all over the world, but environmental science

in this university is beautifully combined with the value system. By following

the values, you can preserve the environment. The environment can be protected

from all sorts of pollution by practicing these values. All universities, all

over the country, may adopt these values.”

Prasada Rao finally said that all the vice-chancellors requested Bhagavan Sri

Sathya Sai Baba, the Chancellor of this University, to start a National

Institute of Excellence in Education in Human Values, in order to train all

professors all over the country in batches, so that they learn what integrated

education is, how to blend the curriculum with human values, and how to

introduce values into the syllabus. So, Baba, we pray that You start this

national institute.

PROF. K. SUDHA RAO

The second speaker was a lady, Prof. K. Sudha Rao. She is the vice-chancellor of

the Open University, Mysore, in the state of Karnataka, India. She made a brief

speech and these are the points she made.

“I see every person here in this institution not as an individual, but as an

institution in himself.” She also said, “For the total development of the human

personality, the integrated education system, which is followed here in this

university, is best suited and most ideal.

“We find that values are very much talked about all over the world.” Here she

observed the values being practiced in daily life. She noticed this in the

manner in which teachers and students talked to each other, in their behavior,

in their day-to-day routine. She said, “If the values are not practiced and are

simply spoken or talked about, they lose their real value. Values are practiced

in this university.”

She concluded her talk saying, “All this is because of the location of this

university in an ideal place like this, far from the maddening crowd, and with

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba as the Chancellor of this University. I thank

Swami and the university professors for the courtesy, invitation, generosity

and hospitality extended to us.”

N. JAYASANKARAN

The third speaker was N. Jayasankaran. He is the vice-chancellor of Sri Chandra

Sekhara Saraswati Vishwa Mahavidhyala located in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu. His

speech was very well applauded. Everyone liked it. This is the gist of the

third speaker’s speech.

“As I look at the huge gathering here, students, staff and devotees, I see that

each one here in the auditorium is a reflection of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Baba and

His bliss. I have participated in a number of symposia and conferences. For the

first time ever, my voice is fumbling, my legs are trembling. You must have

watched me drink five glasses of water. All this, because I am in the presence

of Divinity, Sri Sathya Sai Baba. That makes me nervous”.

Further, he mentioned that on the previous day, the 29th of October, four

students had spoken in four languages -- Hindi, Sanskrit, Telugu, English. The

vice-chancellor appreciated all four speeches made by the students in the four

different languages.

“There are certain very well-known speakers in this country: the late Sarvapalli

Radhakrishnan, Lakshmana Swamy Mudaliar, Ramaswamy Mudaliar, Hon. Srinivasa

Shastry. They all belong to Tamilnadu. They are all very popular orators. The

British appreciated their English. Some of these speakers even corrected the

pronounciation of the British. Some of them have also pointed out their

grammatical mistakes. So you can imagine their scholarship in English language

and literature.”

Then Jayashankaran said, “The four students who spoke are going to be orators of

that standard in the years to come.” Further he said, “All the vice-chancellors

here on the dais cannot make speeches of that standard. All the talent and

skills of communication, the language, feelings and the thoughts -- all these

things are the gifts of Bhagavan to the students of this university. I request

all students here to be the messengers of Sai, to be the propagators of Sai

message all over the world.”

He mentioned a small miracle. The daughter of his maidservant had a heart

problem. That little girl was taken to Apollo Hospital in Madras for treatment.

After conducting all the tests, the doctors said that she should be operated

upon at a cost of rupees three lakhs. You cannot expect a maidservant to spend

so much money. It is practically impossible. So, as a result of this, she

cried and cried as she worked in the house of this vice-chancellor.

The vice-chancellor wanted to do something for the maidservant. He happened to

go to Bangalore on official work when Swami was in Whitefield, and he got an

interview.

There he said, “Swami, I have a request.”

“What?”

“My servant’s daughter is suffering from a heart problem, Swami. You should bless her.”

“Is that so?”

He materialised vibhuthi for her. He then called the director of the hospital,

Dr. Saffaya, and gave instructions that this girl should be operated upon at

the earliest. The girl was operated on free of cost. It has now been three

years, and she is hale and healthy. The doctors had given her three months’

time to live, that’s all. But three years have now passed.

The vice-chancellor also recalled another incident. Along with him happened to

be another person who was called for an interview by Baba that same day, three

years ago. The devotee had a ring with three diamonds. Because of prolonged

use, the shape of the ring had changed. The symmetry had changed, and one

diamond had fallen out and was lost.

Swami gently removed it. “Hmm! Shape is gone. No diamonds.”

“Swami, one fell down. What to do?”

“Is that so?” (Swami blew on it.) A perfect new ring with three diamonds

appeared -- three perfect diamonds, a shiny new ring. Swami gave it to him.

Further, Vice Chancellor Jayashankara said, “Swami, we are very grateful to You

for Your kind hospitality, which was of the same standard as that given to a

marriage party. We were treated first-class. Thank You very much. We enjoyed

every minute.”

Then he said,” All the vice chancellors have come here not merely to attend a

conference. This is a holy pilgrimage to Prashanti Nilayam.” He also commented

on the serenity, the solemnity, the dignity, the sanctity, the peace and the

silence that he observed here, which he had never experienced anywhere until

now.

He concluded his speech with a beautiful remark, which I am sure you will enjoy.

He said, “Swami, there are three hundred universities in this country. This

university is great because You are here. I pray that You be in three hundred

forms and exist in every university as chancellor, so that other universities

can also come up to this standard. Otherwise, it is impossible to match Your

university.”

Usually when vice-chancellors or professors go for conferences at other places,

they go for sightseeing, and they also shop in order to bring back gifts for

their family members. The vice chancellors said, “This is the only place where

vice-chancellors sat through all the proceedings.” They were very serious and

took things very seriously.

And the miracle of miracles is that all vice-chancellors agreed on all the

points, on all the resolutions arrived at towards the end. All resolutions were

passed unanimously. This is the grace of Bhagavan! This is, in brief, the

valedictory function held on October 30th, which will appear in the Sanathana

Sarathi sometime later.

Om Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

 

Source: http://www.internety.com/saipearls/12.11.2003(E)central.htm© Anil Kumar

KamarajuProf. Anil Kumar Satsang website: http://www.internety.com/anilkhome/Do

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