Divine Discourse of 27th January 2004 in Kannada

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DIVINE DISCOURSE OF 27TH JANUARY 2004 IN KANNADA

 

Sai Ram

 

This Divine Discourse by Bhagavan was in Kannada (normally Bhagavan

Baba speaks in Telugu) on the occasion of Silver Jubilee Celebrations

of Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Institutions (Alike and Muddenahalli) in

Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam on 27th January 2004. The text of

this discourse was not available. Hence I wish to share with you all

brothers and sisters.

 

Website source:

http://aumsairam0.tripod.com/ssapr04/kannada.htm

 

Yours in sai's seva

 

Deepak Bharwani

 

 

LOVE IS THE ROYAL PATH TO REALISE GOD

 

The sacred feet of the Lord are as vast as the cosmos, as pervasive

as the sky. They reach even Potato Loka (lower world). His sacred

crown lies beyond Bhrahmanda (cosmos). He is inaccessible,

imperceptible and incomparable.

(Kannada Poem)

 

Embodiments of Love-Students, Teachers and Educators!

 

FIND IT DIFFICULT TO DELIVER A speech in Kannada language. It

requires regular practice. If you do an activity regularly, you

become adept in it. I get a chance to speak in Kannada very rarely,

not always. N. Kasturi stayed at Prasanthi Nilayam for about 30 years

and he was always with Me. He made good use of this golden

opportunity for Seva Sadhana. Kasturi was a well-known creative

writer in Kannada. He was popularly known as "Kannada Kasturi." He

was very pure and sacred. Just by looking at his respectable

personality one could make out the fragrance and sacredness of

Kannada language. It is likely that I may make some mistakes here and

there while speaking such an extremely fragrant language.

 

Pioneering Efforts of Narayana Bhat

 

Narayana Bhat established two schools in Kamataka - one at Alike in

Dakshina Kannada district and another at Muddenahalli in Kolar

district. Following Sathya Sai educational principles, he worked very

hard for a long period of time to develop them into model schools

(loud applause). In order to develop the schools, he had to take loan

from various sources and also from a large number of his well-

wishers. But he had to struggle hard to pay off the loan. He and his

mother went to so many villages and towns and approached several

persons for raising money. But the debts went on increasing and never

showed any sign of coming down. On one occasion, Narayana Bhat

approached Me and briefly explained how those outstanding debts were

causing him a lot of worry. He prayed to Me, "Swami, Anyatha Sharanam

Nasti, Twameva Sharanam Mama, Tasmat Karunyabhavena....(l have no

other refuge except You. You are my saviour. Show mercy on me and

protect me.) Swami, I beg and plead with You, please take over these

two schools and put new life into them." Then I said to

him, "Narayana Bhat! Health and education are essential for all. I

know that. But right now, don't give them to Me. You look after them

as long as you can." I encouraged him to go ahead with his service

activities. I blessed him and said, "Be happy. Carry on teaching

spiritual truths." Later on, Narayana Bhat worked with much

more zeal and vigour. These institutions made rapid progress. They

were hailed as model schools. He was indeed a beacon light for all

spiritual-seekers and service-minded persons. Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavathi

(As is the feeling, so is the result). Soon many good teachers joined

him. They were all men of character, intelligence and sacrifice. They

renounced everything and stood by him steadfastly. Presently, all

those dedicated teachers together are running the institutions very

efficiently.

 

Noble Ideals Set by Alike and Muddenahalli Institutions

 

Narayana Bhat carried on his mission and worked tirelessly day in and

day out. But his time was drawing near. This body goes with

time. 'Kalaya Namah, Kala Kalaya Namah, Kaladarpa Damanaya Namah,

Kalatheethaya Namah, Kalaswarupaya Namah, Kalaniyamitaya Namah

(salutations to time, to the one who is beyond time, to the one who

has conquered time, to the one who transcends time, to the one who is

the embodiment of time, and to the one who ordains time). Time is

supreme. Everyone has to bow down to time. As time moved on, all of a

sudden, Narayana Bhat met with a car accident in 1978. The

accident proved to be fatal and he left his mortal coil at once. The

organization lost its mother. It was orphaned. Then Gangadhara Bhat,

Narayana Rao, Narasimha Murthy and others came to Me and

said, "Swami, that-day You made a promise that You would look after

these institutions. Kindly take over these schools and protect us

all." They intensely prayed and pleaded with Me.

 

My intention is to give proper direction to the present educational

system. I always encourage any good move in this direction. Vidya has

an important role in the life of man. Life without Vidya is useless.

One has to learn real Vidya and share it with others to lead them on

the righteous path. It is what I intend to do in the field of

education. If I took Alike and Muddenahalli institutions, I had to

bear the burden of those debts standing against them. It was not a

meagre sum. It was ten lakh rupees of those days! But all the

teachers were praying; "Swami, You are our Lord, You are our saviour.

You have to save us." My heart melted at their sincere prayer.

Instantaneously, I took over those institutions and cleared all their

outstanding debts once and for all.

 

>From then onwards, I used to visit Muddenahalli while travelling

between Prasanthi Nilayam and Brindavan. I would talk to those dear

children and enthuse them. Darshanam Papa Nashanam, Sparshanam Karma

Vimochanam,

Sambhashanam Sankata Nashanam(sight of the Lord destroys all sins,

His touch frees from Karmic consequences, conversation with Him

destroys all sufferings). Thus, I gave them Darshan, Sparshan and

Sambhashan. The teachers too felt encouraged and happy. Being free

from all worries and problems, the teachers worked with relaxed mind

and brought the institutions to this level. Now the institutions do

not have the burden of debt. The schools have made a considerable

progress attracting the attention of the world. The teachers are very

good. They recognize the good qualities in each other and adopt them

in their lives and thereby raise their moral-spiritual levels. They

do not get into bad and demeaning company. You are judged by the

company you keep. Tell me your company, I shall tell you what you

are. Association plays crucial role in one's spiritual life. Teachers

should always relish the company of the good and thereby work for the

growth of the institution. The teachers of Alike and Muddenahalli are

doing it. They are developing the inner strength of the schools. The

schools have been showing excellent progress. They have now reached

college stage. They have already won a lot of fame. People call them

Sathya Sai Loka Seva Colleges. They will become full-fledged colleges

in a few years. To reach the same standard, the remaining

institutions of the Sai Organisation will have to put in a lot of

effort.

 

The day-scholars in these institutions come from distant places.

Some students walk some distance and then catch a bus and reach the

schools. The heads of the schools and teachers cooperate with each

other and help each other to make good progress and march towards

perfection. The students there have a high moral and spiritual

standard. Students should totally avoid bad company. You should

always associate with the good. You should always join the group of

students who are good in their speech, behaviour and actions. By

doing so, you will reach the height of eminence. In Treta Yuga,

Lakshmana closely observed Hanuman and reported to Rama: "Swami,

Hanuman is virtuous and mighty. He serves Sugriva very competently.

It is Sugriva's good fortune to have the Satsanga of Hanuman. The

company of Hanuman will help Sugriva and remove all his sufferings."

In the same way, students should become good by associating with good

company. Going to Muddenahalli is what I always like. In the past, I

frequently went there and saw those children and guided the teachers

with timely advice. But the times have changed. Under these changed

circumstances, I cannot go there so easily as I was doing in the

past. Now hundreds of vehicles follow Me. It is very difficult to

provide even a minimum hospitality to so many people. Why should I

put those teachers to trouble unnecessarily? That is why I have

reduced the number of these visits.

 

Dedication and Devotion of Gangadhara Bhat

 

Let us talk about Alike now. Alike was also handed over to Me along

with Muddenahalli school. It is not near but far from here. It is not

possible to personally go there quite often. That does not mean that

I don't like to go there. They have been praying for My coming to

Alike for so many years. Especially on one particular occasion,

Gangadhara Bhat pressed Me so much that I had no option but to yield

to his intense prayers. He, in fact, said, "Swami, we are getting

old. Once at least You should come to our village. You are our

Redeemer. You have to grant us salvation." He prostrated and

intensely prayed to Me. I finally yielded to his feelings and

emotions. At once I rented a helicopter and went there. You must know

why I had to hurry to Alike. Gangadhara Bhat's prayer came straight

from his heart.

 

Even now, except Gangadhara Bhat, there is no one who can shoulder

that great responsibility and lead the institution towards progress.

That is why I said to him, "Gangadhara Bhat, you must stay there

only. You remain there as My reflection. For every action, there is a

reflection, reaction and resound. You have to conduct yourself in

such a way that your words should reflect My views. You must have a

feeling that the places you go about are the ones Swami has already

trodden. While carrying out your duty, do it with a feeling that it

is in fact Swami personally doing it. You must not leave the

institution." After I told him firmly, Gangadhara Bhat took up the

assignment as per Swami's command and marched along by putting his

heart and soul in all the duties he performed. Right now both the

institutions are making good

progress. Seeing them itself gives Me great pleasure and happiness.

Now they are developing at a quick pace. What you saw there

yesterday, you will not see it now. Growth is rapid there. It has

become possible because of the efforts of the dedicated teachers.

Understand the Real Meaning of Educare

 

Our schools and colleges (Prasanthi Nilayam, Brindavan, Anantapur)

have also shown considerable progress. As the growth is inward, it is

not possible for all to recognize it. This inner growth is educare.?

Educare brings out our latent sacred values. Values are not to be

taught but manifested. Mere accumulation of information from various

books is not educare; it is education. Educare is the blossoming of

the Divine Lotus in our heart. Educare enables us to be not just

receptors but vibrators and radiators of values to all the creation.

Values are to be translated into action. That means, both precept and

practice are equally important. How to put the principles of educare

into practice? Many modern boys and girls have no knowledge about

these principles. It is absolutely necessary that every student

should know all about educare and its importance. The latent powers

in each student have to be brought out. These powers must play their

part

in all his activities as reflection, reaction and resound. Thus, the

process of education has to work in such a way as to transform the

students into the reflection of their latent powers. They are to be

moulded properly and shaped beautifully. Our institutions bring out

ideal students and present them to the world.

 

Sathyannasti Paro Dharma. (There is no Dharma greater than adherence

to truth). "You shall not tell anything but truth. What has happened

should be reported truthfully. What all you have done, you should say

it exactly." This is what most people say and believe when they give

the meaning of truth. But this is only one dimension of the vast

interpretation of truth. Similarly, you must understand that Educare

has much more deeper meaning. In fact, Sathya (truth) is educare;

Dharma (righteousness) is educare. It is truth and righteousness

which protected India from all dangers. Sathya and Dharma do not come

from outside. All that comes from outside is not permanent. Today it

comes, tomorrow it goes. But what comes out from one's heart is

permanent. Educare comes from the heart and it has to go to other

hearts only.

 

Recently, Vice Chancellors of 25 famous universities of India came to

our Institute to take part in a Seminar on Value Education. They were

all very eager to know about educare. They also wanted to know the

workable method for introducing it into their

curriculum. "Vidyannasti Parodharma." (There is no Dharma greater

than Vidya). Therefore, one has to acquire real Vidya. Heart is the

source of real Vidya. Mere accumulation of information is not Vidya.

Vidya is eternal bliss. Real Vidya is educare. But head is the source

of education. Educare starts from the source of the heart and comes

out through Buddhi (intellect) whereas education is merely bookish

knowledge emerging from the mind. Educare is Buddhigrahyamateendriyam

(Educare transcends the senses and can be grasped only by the

intellect).

 

Saturate all your Actions with Love

 

Whatever activities you do, love should be their foundation. There is

no Prana (life) without love. Life without love is of no use at all.

Education system should be so transformed as to develop love

principle in one's heart. Sathya (truth) and Dharma (righteousness)

are the reflections of Prema (love). They give you the much desired

Prasanthi (supreme peace). If love springs out from your heart, it is

enough. It will give you salvation. In Dwapara Yuga, Gopikas said to

Krishna, "Lord! Kindly pour down the nectar of love on our barren

hearts. Sow the seeds of love. May the flood of love flow from our

heart. (Kannada Poem) They earnestly prayed to Krishna to fulfil

their heart's yearnings. If the world is to prosper, the rain of love

should pour on it. The sacred land of Bharat has been laying great

emphasis on the importance of devotion and surrender since ancient

times. It has set lofty ideals to mankind in all spheres of life.

 

Every being has love in his heart. If we do not have love, we are not

human. Love is with us from our birth. We have got this body because

of the merits of our previous births. The body becomes sacred only if

it is saturated with love. So, you must cultivate love principle.

Then your life becomes holy. You must cultivate love towards all

beings regardless of what they are like or what they do. It is

natural for children to show love towards their parents. But it is

important that they should be so moulded that they develop love for

the entire mankind. Love comprises all aspects of Vidya.

 

The knowledge that the students acquire in schools and colleges is

only information-oriented. Mere bookish knowledge is not of great

importance. Expansion of love is very important. Your thoughts have

to be purified. Only pure hearts comprehend God. Intellectual

reasoning does not help you to realise God. Pure thought is another

name for pure life. Love is God. God has no form except love. I wish

that you all install love principle in the deep recesses of your

heart.

 

Love is your Prana (life). It is enough if you have love. Love

redeems all. Love wards off all suffering, hardships, pains and

agonies. Love is nectarine in form. "Srunvantu Viswe Amrutasya Putrah"

 

(Oh, the children of immortality! Listen). You are Amritaputra, not

Anritaputra (sons of untruth). Do not weaken yourself by considering

yourself as sons of untruth. Feel that you are Amritaputra. Then the

tree of love will grow in your heart and give you the fruit of Atmic

bliss.

 

Do not be attached to the body. Get rid of body attachment. You have

to realise the Atmic principle. Immerse yourself in the ocean of

Atmic consciousness. As long as you have body attachment, you will

not understand the Atmic principle. You have to do self-inquiry "Who

am I? From where have I come? Whither am I going? How long will I be

here?" The entire spiritual inquiry begins with these questions. When

you feel that you are the Atma, you start contemplating on the Atmic

principle. "What is Atma, what is Atma?", you think seriously about

it. By making such an inquiry, you will understand the Atmic

principle.

 

All objects have both name and form. But the Atma has no name or

form. If you understand the Atmic principle, you will understand the

Paramatma principle. That is Parama Thripti (supreme satisfaction),

Parama Asha (supreme hope), Parama Gamya (supreme goal), Parama

Sathya (supreme truth). In order to realise Amruttwa (immortality),

you have to become the embodiment of love. You have to radiate love.

You have to treat everyone as your brother and sister.

 

Whether others talk to you or not, you have to consider them as your

own brother. If you are able to put it into practice in all walks of

life, love will grow in your heart. You may have some enemies. You

think that they hate you. Don't consider them as your enemies. Don't

hate them. Instead whenever you happen to meet them talk to them

lovingly and ask, "How are you, brother?" Then their feeling of

enmity will suffer defeat in an instant. Their extreme dislike

towards you will vanish and love will spring forth from their heart.

Naturally, you will become friends. When love occupies your heart,

jealousy, hatred, etc., cannot enter it. You will get absolute peace.

People say, "We want peace, we want peace." Peace does not fall from

heaven. It has to come from love. Love is the royal path to realise

God.

 

What is the purpose of your birth as a human being? It is not just

eating, loitering and merry-making. You must understand that you are

born to realise the love phnciple. If love blossoms in your heart,

you yourself will become Paramatma (God). You need not look for God

here and there. He is in you. He is in the form of love. There is no

escape from dualism as long as man does not recognize his inherent

divinity. You should expand your love. Live in love.

 

Selfless Service is Real Penance

 

At this juncture, I would like to say something more about

Gangadhara

Bhat. He was Narayana Bhat's trusted follower and a dependable

person. He was verily his right hand. Once Narayana Bhat said to

him, "Gangadhara Bhat! Serve sincerely for the well-being of the

institution. Whenever you run into difficulty, pray to Bhagavan

Sathya Sai. Then He will personally take care of you all." From that

day onwards till today Gangadhara Bhat has fully depended on Swami.

He has unshakeable faith in Swami. Swami is his Paramatma. He firmly

believes that Sai Paramatma will lead him. He has such a feeling of

surrender. He performs his duties with devotion and dedication. He is

working sincerely for the progress of both Alike and Muddenahalli

institutions. In fact, they have flourished under his honest

leadership. I went to Alike two years ago (in 2002). I was

wonderstruck on seeing the total transformation of Alike. When I went

to Alike for the first time in 1979, there were only a few small

buildings. Now Alike has become a town. That itself is not greatness.

Its greatness lies in its inner strength. Mere buildings will not

suffice. People construct expensive houses and tall buildings in

towns and cities. They consider their houses as everything. They

don't have purity of heart. Their hearts brim with evil thoughts and

evil schemes. Such men do not understand the love principle. Purity

in thought, word and - deed are a basic requisite for man.

 

Thus, Gangadhara Bhat has been running the organization braving all

hardships and unpleasant situations. Once he said to Me, "Swami, it

is not possible for me to manage all the affairs effectively. I am

getting old. It requires both physical and - mental strength. Swami,

I request You earnestly to appoint any good person who will manage

everything very well." As a matter of fact, all are good in My view.

No one is bad. People think that they are bad. That is all. It is

their feeling only. Badness exists in our thoughts. As love is in

everyone, all are good. I said to Gangadhara Bhat: "Don't leave your

post. You remain in the same position. Do not worry. I will always

help you and lead you. I will look after everything."

 

My words gave him courage and confidence. He has been continuing his

work with enthusiasm. Where can he go if he relinquishes the post? He

will have to go somewhere else and do Thapas (penance). What is

penance? Simply spending time, doing nothing is not penance. Simply

sitting at a place and reciting "Rama, Rama, Krishna, Krishna" is

also not penance. Real penance lies in doing good work constantly,

having good thoughts always and developing good qualities in oneself.

Leaving one's home, going to forest, doing Shirshasana (standing on

one's head) and publicizing, "I am doing penance", is not at all

penance. It is indeed false penance. Foster love in your heart; talk

lovingly; do all work with love. Be in love. This is real penance.

The teachers of Alike and Muddenahalli are doing real penance (loud

prolonged applause). This is how these schools produce students with

purity of heart. I am happy to see all these students who have come

here for the function. Today small children came to the dais and

spoke beautifully. They gave a beautiful description of the Atma.

Especially one high school boy spoke with heart full of love. What a

sincere feelings he has! I am really delighted. That is real Vidya. I

often tell the authorities of our Institute to give topmost priority

to the boys of Alike and Muddenahalli while making selection for our

colleges. Sometimes, these students may lag behind a little in Jagath

Sathya (worldly knowledge). But they know Atma Sathya (Atmic

knowledge) very well. I am always telling everyone here not to leave

them. Here, a little boy spoke with feeling of love. He expressed his

love for Me in beautiful words. I am very much pleased. It is what I

want. I do not want that you come forward to offer the whole world to

Me. I want your love. Give me your love. This is enough for Me. The

seed of love should sprout in the field of your heart. Later on, it

will grow into a Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree). Then the world

will flourish.

 

Students!

 

You have to follow the instructions of your parents. Mathru Devo

Bhava, Pithru Devo Bhava (Revere your mother and father as God). You

have come from your parents. Mother is the maker of your fortune. She

is responsible for your progress. Don't act against her wishes. Don't

oppose her words. Treat your mother with love. Then you will get your

mother's grace. Mother is Lokamatha (mother of the universe),

Jaganmatha (mother of the world). Don't think that she is related to

your body only. She is the Jaganmatha who has come in the form of

your mother. Gangadhara Bhat served his mother tenderly and lovingly.

As a result of his sincere service to his mother, he got Swami. That

is why Swami has kept him so near and dear. (loud applause)

Our Narasimha Murthy (now Warden, Brindavan) came to Prasanthi

Nilayam and took charge as Warden. One day, he came to Me and

said, "Swami, my mother is serious. She has cancer." I asked

him, "Foolish boy! You are telling me, mother is serious. Which

mother? That is your body's mother. Body's mother is not permanent.

You take hold of the permanent mother, eternal mother." After some

days, he came to Me again and said, "Swami, mother passed away." I

comforted Narasimha Murthy and said, "Narasimha Murthy, stay here

itself. Don't leave Puttaparthi. This is your birthplace. Swami is

your mother. I will look after everything." Narasimha Murthy's mother

was a noble soul. She whould often say, "Narasimha Murthy, even in

adverse situations, don't go away from Swami. Stay with Him always."

(loud applause). All mothers are suffused with love principle. They

pray to so many gods and goddesses for the well-being and progress of

their children. Try to understand your mother's selfless love. All

should look after their mothers lovingly.

 

- From Bhagavan's Divine Discourse in Kannada on the occasion of

Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Institutions

(Alike and Muddenahalli) in Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam on

27th January 2004.

--

The study of the Vedas is the highest type of learning since it leads

to the conquest of death. All other studies deal with the means of

living or the surroundings within which you have to live; they deal

with earning and spending, deriving a little pleasure by this trick,

escaping a little grief by that other trick. The Vedas show the path

to the realm of eternal bliss, where there is no birth or death,

- Baba

--

Sourced from Sanathana Sarathi - April Issue 2003 - Pgs 114 to 124