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Sai Pearls of Wisdom - 23
November 12, 2003
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 verandah at Prashanti Nilayam.
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 Purnamudacyate
Purnasya 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 Kamaraju 2004 - Here
reproduced for personal use of the devotees for the purpose of
seva.
Anil Kumar website:
http://www.internety.com/anilkhome/ -
http://www.internety.com/saipearls/
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