College Re-opening Day - Divine Discourse - 02062003

[Guest guest]

*************************************************Divine Discourse on 2nd June

2003 at Brindavan*************************************************Maanam Hithwa

Priyo BhavathiKrotham Hithwa Na SochathiLobham HithwaEmbodiments of Divine Love,

A person with ego and pride is not liked even by his own wife and mother. A

person with anger is hated by his own heart. A person who has conquered greed

is filled with all kind of happiness.Embodiments of Love, today we find unrest,

lack of peace and unrighteousness among people of all walks of life. Wherever

you turn your attention in the world you find only misery, unrest and grief. We

find unrest among people in material, religious and spiritual fields. Wherever

man goes he is haunted by fear. In the present day world you cannot find a

person without fear of any kind. What is the cause of such fear that is so

widely prevalent? It is only arising out of one’s own shortcomings. Embodiments

of Love, if you want to overcome this fear you have to develop a sense of

courage and spirit of divinity. Fear is emerging from within every person. One

is haunted by fear at home, in the office, in the college or in the bazaar. Can

you find a place where you can dwell without fear? It is only in a temple where

there is love of God and you can be without fear. “Man has conquered everything

but he has not conquered himself.” The little boy Prahalada was full of courage

and had not trace of fear at all and he taught even his parents boldly. But

today man is not able to get over the haunt of fear. The former British Prime

Minister Churchil also said this. The youth and old are found to be haunted by

fear even though there is great scope for developing courage and sense of

adventure. If we want to get rid of fear we have to develop courage and sense

of daring action. This is possible only when you turn to have faith and

devotion to God. Students, boys and girls, you have to face the world with

courage. When you cultivate devotion to God with the Divine Grace you can face

the challenge of the world with confidence and courage. “Life is a challenge,

face it. Life is a game, play it. Life is Awareness, meet it”. We have to

mobilize our courage for facing the challenges of life. Because of lack of this

courage you are haunted by fear wherever you go. You have to face all the

challenges in the world and get on. Education has to be considered as a

valuable acquisition. Education confers humility, confers deservedness which in

turn gives you wealth and true wealth will bring you material and spiritual

satisfaction when you do charity to needy. Education does not mean mere

literacy. What is Education (Vidya)? Vidya helps us to achieve liberation. The

acquisition of knowledge, which will liberate you is real education (Vidya). In

the modern times we have to lead our lives with sense of courage wherever you

go. One should not falter in his effort to foster this courage. One has to face

all types of challenges and achieve success in life, but today many fail to

achieve success in some fields. People are studying many texts, acquire

scholarship and meet with success in many fields. When the great Emperor Janaka

was presiding over an assembly of several great scholars and seers, one great

saint entered the hall. At the very sight of this person, the learned scholar,

all pandits burst into laughter. The person who entered the hall, on seeing the

pandits laughing, started laughing to the extent of out beating them in

laughter. That person was none other than the great saint Ashtavakra. The

pandits and scholars in the assembly laughed only on seeing the physical form

of the great Saint. Ashtavakra pat spoke to these people thus: “Oh pandits you

started laughing at the crooked shape of my body (Ashta Vakra means ‘Eight

bends’ in the body). This is due to the crookedness of your minds. You should

first master your minds true to the saying “Master your mind and be a

mastermind”, only when you master your mind; you will be fit to pass any

comments or behave in the manner you did. One pandit told Ashtavakra “As your

body has Eight bends true to your name, we were naturally provoked to laugh.

Tell us why you are laughing.” Ashtavakra replies “I thought that this is an

assembly of great scholars and pandits par excellence. But I find no true

scholar here. All appear to be mere cobblers.” On hearing this insulting

remark, the scholars got angry. They asked Ashtavakra “Cobblers are only those

that make sandals and slippers for footwear out of the skin of carcass. We are

scholars. How can you equate us to cobblers?” Janaka did not even blink his

eyes. He was absolutely undisturbed and watched the goings on with keen

attention. He was asking who had given up all attachments and was doing his

duty without aspiring for any sort of reward. Ashtavakra said “I do not find

any true pandit in this assembly A pandit is one who sees all being equally

(PANDITHAHA SAMADARSANAHA) maintaining equanimity of mind.” Janaka applauded

the remarks of Ashtavakra and said “Oh Sage Ashtavakra, you are perfectly

right. There is no one in this assembly who is equal minded and treats all

equally. The mark of education and scholarship is equal mindedness and

adherence to Truth. We are indeed very fortunate to have the presence of such a

noble person of high caliber of knowledge in this assembly.” Finally, many

questions were put to Ashtavakra. Today’s knowledge in the field of education

is only bookish and superficial knowledge. This is of no use in practical life.

You should acquire practical knowledge. There is no fragrance in the knowledge

attained. Today’s students acquire first rank and score high marks in the

examinations. To the question “In which field you have excelled to high rank.

The answer is disappointing. Janaka was a great scholar and also practiced

righteous conduct and truth in his reign over the kingdom. Ashtavakra gave good

advice of wisdom to the assembly. Such sorts of scholars, rulers and students

are not be seen in modern times. In today’s education the characteristics

expected of a scholar are conspicuous by their absence. Education has to foster

good character. Otherwise it is a waste. God is adored as pure, eternal, steady,

unchanging and blissful. The aim of education should be to acquire good

qualities. What is the type of education you are having today. It is not

education in true sense of the term. With this type of shallow education if you

enter into an assembly it will be shameful. It is for social welfare and uphold

the human values, one should study. Such education is not to be seen. There are

some good students. The type of education which helps one to achieve liberation

is the one that you should aspire for. What is it you are learning in school

now. Ba Ba – Black Sheep. Do you want to become black sheep? This is not what

you have to learn. You have to learn about God. You have to acquire courage and

good character through education. True power of strength comes from the heart.

Developing this power is essential. Students, today’s education is crooked.

Ashtavakra had only crooked body, you are having crooked minds. To get rid of

this, should be the aim of your education. Even the bookish knowledge you

acquire is not learnt properly. There are many Ashtavakras today but you can’t

find one Ashtavakra of the type that was in the court of king Janaka. Janaka

was a true father. Sri Rama said motherland is greater than heaven. Janaka

demonstrated the true principle of father and mother and stood out as a model

to show how father and mother should conduct themselves. Mother gives character

and everything. Father shows God. Brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God

should be the motto, to be followed. Have a look at the ideal enshrined in this

statement.Embodiments of Love, You have to enquire what you have studied. There

is limitless education in the world today. What is the essence of this

education? Hiranyakasipu called his son Prahlada and asked him what his

teachers Ghanda and Amarga taught him. He asked Prahlada to give one good

quotation from what he learnt. Prahlada said “I learnt all types of knowledge

comprising education from my teachers”. The father asked him to give one

important thing that he learnt. Prahlada said “The essence of all knowledge is

Om Namo Narayanaya”. Hiranyakasipu got enraged on hearing this. He said “you

should not utter or listen to the name Narayana”. So saying, he threw him out.

Father got angry on hearing the essence of education from his son. This sort of

hatred is even now prevalent regarding spiritual education. There is no love or

sympathy in today’s education. There is no trace of love. How can love develop

in such a state of affairs?Students, you are all studying. Your education

should be imprinted in your hearts. In ancient times, even though they did not

have formal education, the parents used to give good counsel to their children.

Even illiterate mothers used to give good advice to their wards. Are you

learning at least a little of these counsels of good advice today? First of all

you should learn to think of God, worship Him, pray to God, sing His glory and

live with God and get His Grace. This is the essence of true Education. We have

to teach students this type of Education. Even Churchill, former British Prime

Minister said “What is the use of all education if you cannot understand

yourself”. First you must know yourself, know thyself first. In olden days they

used to say “When the cock crows at dawn get up from sleep, have a wash, change

clothes eat moderate food have limited aspiration, study your lessons with

concentration, gain admiration of your teacher, do not walk in down trodden

path, play during the play time and thus you will maintain the treasure of good

health. Parents of those days used to teach great lessons. We have to learn such

good practice from the parents and elders and not from books alone. Today you go

to school to learn education. They use the word “Badi” (in telugu) for school.

But the same word is also used to indicate the device to control the bulbs that

go out of control of yokes. A school should have regulation for discipline. You

go to school and come back home without learning anything. First of all you

must learn contemplation on god (Daiva Chintana). You should learn the meaning

of “Hari” or God. When you chant the Name of Hari you will gain all sorts of

true knowledge. Without learning this, your learning many other things is of no

use. Students, you need not have to learn new education. There are many new

things in the ancient type of Education. Even illiterate people learn many

things. There is nothing new in today’s education. You are in hold of many

foolish useless types of books. You have many big voluminous books which only

appear to be useful as pillows. You have to learn wisdom. Students, you are not

making efforts to learn true education but only study some things to eke out

your livelihood. There were many illiterate waver in past but full of essential

knowledge. But, today’s students acquire lot of learning from books but they

lack in knowledge essential for life. It is very important that you should

practice the sacred path in your daily life.There is no use of your education

if your behaviour is reprehensible. No body can change your fate. We have to

set right our thinking in mind only when our thoughts and understanding are

good our actions and behaviour will be good. Without setting right our minds

there will be no use of education. We should have independent thinking and

avoid imitating others. From today you students should aspire to develop good

character and foster good behaviour. The end of education is character and

without this any type of education however admired will be a waste .Every

student should shine like a parrot of good upbringing. The words of students

should be pure and wise and sound sweet as those of parrot. It is difficult to

put the tongue to proper use, only by control of tongue you can pronounce. You

have to first learn to pronounce the words correctly with your tongue. You have

to develop the right method of controlling the tongue. One who looked upon as a

great warrior, Aswatthama was a son of great teacher and full of valour but he

had no character. His head was chopped and crest jewel was held by Hanunan.

Hanuman had this crest jewel of Aswatthama in his hand which served as a great

protector of infinite potency. He thought it gave him infinite power. This was

one given by Sita to Hanuman which enhanced Hanuman’s indomitable strength.

Such a gem cannot be seen now. (Incidentally, Bhagavan mentioned that He

materialized this and showed to students in Kodaikanal recently). Now what you

need is ‘gem’ of character.When Rama was crowned, at the time of His coronation

wanted to give rewards to many. Sita said Hanuman with his valour, destroyed

several demons and city of Lanka and asked what reward He was going to give to

Hanuman who was responsible for finding her in Lanka and playing great role in

the war against demons. Rama said “Sita, Hanuman would not like any reward. I

know what He wants and I shall give”. Sita gave Hanuman a pearl necklace given

by Janaka. Hanuman threw the pearls away one by one as it had no name of Rama

in it. Rama got up and hugged Hanuman and said “I know you and Me are

inseparable. This will be everlasting”. Hanuman was overjoyed. He said “There

is nothing else I want. What more can I ask for when you yourself have given

this great chance of binding yourself to me. I am not interested in any type of

wealth your Name is only treasure your form is my wealth. I do not want anything

else.” Sita was also happy.Long time ago, it was Birthday of Sri Rama. Kausalya

distributed sweets to all. She invited many persons for the function. Kausalya

applied Sindhoora to Sita. They both (Sita and Rama) went into room. Hanuman

wanted to enter the room as it was a secret and he had no right to enter. But

Hanuman got angry and went to the Bazaar and bought a lot of Sindhoor and put

on his face in plenty and exclaimed “When Sita with little Sindhoor can have

right to enter Rama’s room why not I with so much of Sindhoor?” There was

sacredness in such sort of feeling of devotion. There were many sacred ideals

in ancient days. We think the present is better. Past is past. Do not lose

present. On the other hand we find those days so many auspicious sacred and

better things prevailed and people were happy. Whatever you have got today you

have to maintain. Sita taught many things to Hanuman. One day Kausalya said My

son is Rama. Anjani’s son is Hanuman who crossed the ocean. Who was the other

person, her son swallowed the ocean. Kausalya was happy. Rama told Kausalya

“Mother of great sage and mother of Hanuman got their fame through my Name.”

All sacred things were told on that day. Mothers were great. They used to spell

the name of their sons. Today mothers neither spell their son’s names nor are

the sons powerful doing sacred deeds.Many children do not respect mother’s

name. Rama said “My mother Kausalya and my motherland are greater than

heaven.One day Easwaramma was invited to participate in Swami’s Birthday

festival. She was happy and came to My room by walk from village and stayed at

my doorsteps saying “I could walk only up to the room but unable to enter the

room. On hearing this Venkamma said I shall hold your hands, please walk. She

said “Swami will protect me, no one else need can help”.In Brindavan, during

Summer Course she had breakfast and cried “Swami, Swami, Swami” three times. I

came down and gave her water. She breathed her last very easily. Who can pass

away with such ease? All these connected with this body had such experience,

Venkamma Raju also passed away likewise. He came to me when I had lot of people

waiting. He said “I am a poor man. Such a rich son as you was born to me. Today

I am going. After 10 days, use this for bringing rice and distributing to poor

on the 10t1i day after my demise”. Father and mother are God. There is no enemy

worse than anger. No happiness other than contentment. Both parents were

generous in charity. Easwaranima used to get some rice and give to women, who

were asking for it.They did not have much money. Grandfather of this body

Kondamma Raja was also of very charitable disposition. He did not have much

wealth to boast. I do not want any wealth. Pcdda Venkama Raju and Chinna

Venkamma Raju can take everything. I do not want anything. This small shop is

nice. I want only one thing”. He said “Give me only Sathya. I will have

complete satisfaction”. At that time I was very small. At the age of nine, I

used to run to Bukkapatnam and return running. Grandfather will call me only

“Sathya”. All others used to call me “Raju”. In the evening grandfather will

ask me to prepare Rasam for a sick person. That was treated as medicine for

fever.I used to do all help to my grandfather Kondamma Raju. Swami was

pretending to sleep. He also slept. He was listening to breathing of Swami

which sounded as “Om”. He wanted to celebrate. He said “I have heard your

breath producing the sound “Om”. All others in my family enjoyed good

relationship. Kondama Raju had some money left from earning of his small

business. He wanted me to distribute the coins to the poor after his death.

They had such sacred ideas in those days. All the people in the family were of

charitable disposition. Even Janakiramaiah used to shout but he was also doing

good to others. All had sacrificial thoughts “Everything is created from Truth

and merges in Truth. Truth is the great thing. It is enough if you have it”.

(Telugu poem). Before passing away Kondamma Raju had a blanket. He said “You

and I only should know. You are God. I know”. Every morning he used to come

from village. I used to have a blanket covering me. I would pretend to sleep.

He used to lift the blanket and touch my feet and go away. He asked me to give

money to others after his death. He called Easwaramma and asked her to prepare

“Obbattu” (a delicious dish he very much liked). He said “I shall pass away

tomorrow”. Easwaramma asked “You are quite healthy. Why do you say you will

pass away”. He replied “Swami told me that tomorrow is my last day. So do as I

say”. She prepared the dish. Kodama Raju asked me to take. I refused to take.

He said “1 am 112 years old and I have never fed you. Today I want to feed you

with my hands”. He put it in my mouth. It was neither in his hand nor in my

mouth” Easwaramma, who was watching wondered where it went. Kondama Raju said

“Swami’s leelas are many. This is just one more . He had a peaceful death. As a

matter of fact, all members of this family had such peaceful end. All members of

this family also used to feed others even though they did not have affluent

possessions. It was such an ideal family. That is why I am now making mention

of the family. Everyone of you must try to become member of such ideal

families.It is my desire that all of you should blossom into noble ones. Try to

help others to the best of your ability and strength. Feed other needy persons

freely. Help them to get good education. I am here to help you always whenever

needed. There is no other charity better and holier than the charity of giving

food. (Annadhaana).There is no God other than Truth.There is no virtue greater

than character.There is no dharma higher than compassion.There is no better

acquisition than good company. There is no enemy worse than anger.There is

nothing more miserable than infamy. There is nothing more valuable than

reputation. There is no wealth greater than contentment.There is nothing more

powerful than contemplation of God. (Telugu Poem)Contemplation of God (Daiva

Chinthana) is the greatest Sadhana.You have to give utmost satisfaction to your

parents. You have to consider it a bounden duty to give water to your parents at

the time of their passing away. You have to touch their feet and pay obeisance

to them every day. Being born as son or daughter to them, you have to do your

duty and show your respects to your parents. Then only you will attain

fulfillment in life. Even when you are not seeing your parents physically, you

have to feel that they are observing you. After their departure from the world,

you should perform rites of Tharpanam and Sraadhaa to them. (ceremony in memory

of the parents). You need not even do the formal ritual of getting a Brahman

and feeding him, but you should shed tears of gratitude. The remembrance of

your parents with gratitude is the most important thing that you should not

fail to do. This is the greatest act of Punya (Merit).Blessing you all to

continue to show such meaningful and heartfelt expression of gratitude and

reverence to your parents and make your life meritorious Swami brings His

Discourse to a close.(Swami concluded with Bhajan “Bhajana Bina Sukha Santhi

Nahin”).

 

=====================================================================Sourced:http://puttaparthi.info/parthi/asp/discourses/discourse.asp?date=02062003RegardsSai

RamDeepak Bharwanihttp://www.sairam.ar.cx

http://web1.mtnl.net.in/~sairam