Sankranthi Divine Discourse

Money comes and goes; but morality comes and grows

January 14, 2009

Bharat is the motherland of many noble souls who earned great name and fame in all the continents of the world. This is the land of valorous people who vanquished the foreign rulers in the battlefield and attained independence. This is the land which excelled in music, literature and other fine arts. Having been born in this great land of Bharat, oh boys and girls! It is your sacred duty to protect its rich cultural heritage.                                                                        (Telugu poem)

Dear students! Be prepared to uphold the honour and glory of this country of Bharat! You are sure to come out victorious in this effort. Today, people are able to achieve great progress in secular and scientific fields. But, they are unable to march forward in the field of spirituality. One has to progress in spirituality, more than in other fields. People used to give great importance to progress in the spiritual arena in the ancient times. In fact, it used to be the goal of their life. However, there is a decline in the spiritual outlook of people in recent times. In these days a lot of effort is made to achieve progress in secular, physical and worldly matters. Whatever achievements made in these areas are only temporary and transitory; they are not permanent. While people are able to make giant strides in secular areas all over the world, there is decline in the importance given to spiritual and moral progress. This tendency is in sharp contrast to the culture of Bharat in ancient times.

This land of Bharat has given birth to many noble women like Savitri who brought her dead husband back to life; Chandramati who extinguished wild  fire with the power of truth; Sita who proved her chastity by coming out of blazing fire unscathed and Damayanti who reduced an evil-minded hunter to ashes with the power of her chastity. This land of piety and nobility attained plenty and prosperity and became the teacher of all the nations of the world because of such women of chastity.                  (Telugu poem)             

Savitri, a great woman of chastity brought her deceased husband back to life by the power of her chastity. Such women brought great name and fame to the country of Bharat.  Can you find parallels to her anywhere in this world? No doubt, whoever is born must die. But, is there a woman in any country in the world who could bring her dead husband back to life, except in Bharat? The whole world is falling to abysmal depth due to transgression of the righteous path, lack of character and bad behaviour.

Once Arjuna was narrating to King Dharmaraja a few strange incidents he observed while going on a tour of the Kingdom. A farmer reported to Arjuna, “Swami! Yesterday I left the implements in the field itself after ploughing, since it was getting dark. Today when I went to the field to pick up those implements, they are not to be found there.” On another occasion he noticed some ladies putting locks to their houses and going out. On enquiry they informed him, “Swami! We wanted to go out on some work and unless we put lock to our houses, we will not be able to keep our belongings safe.” This was stunning news to Arjuna, since no house in the kingdom used to be locked in those days unlike in present times and people were able to move very freely without any worry. Later, when King Dharmaraja himself went on a stroll, he observed a lady talking to a man in public standing in the middle of the road. Such type of behaviour went against the custom prevailing in the country. Dharmaraja was taken aback at these developments and felt that the age of Kali had begun. He therefore decided that it was time that the Pandavas leave for their heavenly abode. Ladies and gents engaging themselves in conversation in full view of the public was a taboo in those days.

Bharat is a land where noble thoughts and feelings are cultivated right from childhood.  In fact, Bharat is the spiritual teacher for the entire world. Even now, you will find Bharatiyas do not go astray in their behaviour, as it is happening in some other countries in the world. They are decent and courteous in their behaviour at least in public. Even an aged son dare not talk to his mother standing in front of her. In the earlier days of Swami’s Avatarhood, the Raja of Venkatagiri used to visit Puttaparthi. He used to bring the heir apparent and his other son along with him. Before their departure, the sons used to take the blessings of their mother, who used to sit behind a screen and stretch her legs for her sons to offer their obeisance to her. Such were their noble feelings and exemplary character. 

Today, you will find boys and girls moving together even in public places. If someone makes enquiries, they reply that so and so was their classmate. Such acts in the old days were considered as highly improper. In fact, the term ‘classmate’ itself is a wrong expression. You should not use the word ‘classmate’. You should say ‘a fellow student in the class’. The rules of conduct in the earlier times were very strict. The situation has changed now.  Boys and girls visit each other’s houses without any inhibition and even dine together. This is highly improper. Before doing such things, one has to enquire into oneself. “Am I a human being or an animal or a beast?” Animals have animal qualities. But, you are a human being. Hence, you should possess human qualities. You say you are a human being. Therefore you have to enquire into yourself, “Do I possess human qualities?” What are those human qualities? You should never hurt anyone. You should not speak harsh words against any individual. You should have compassion and a charitable disposition. Only such a person can be said to be a human being. Sathya (truth), Dharma (righteousness), Santhi (peace), Prema (love) and Ahimsa (non-violence) are the five qualities a human being should possess. Giving a go-bye to Sathya and Dharma, people pray for peace (Santhi). Is it possible? Can anyone get peace outside? Peace is a state of mind that is very much inside one’s own self. It emanates from one’s heart.  People are now searching for peace in the outside world.

There is reaction, resound and reflection for everything in the world. It is only when you develop the quality of hatred in yourself, you will see hatred in others. Even when no one causes any harm to you, you try to hurt others. Whatever you do to others, surely you will experience the result of that action. Whatever you hear, whatever you experience, it is all due to the reaction, reflection and resound of your own actions and feelings. Others are not responsible for it. You forget this simple truth and lament, “so and so is accusing me; so and so is causing pain to me; so and so is hurting me”, etc. No one is responsible for either your good or bad. Neither it is God’s creation; for, God is Nirgunam, Niranjanam, Sanathana Niketanam, Nitya, Shuddha, Buddha, Mukta, Nirmala Swarupinam (God is attributeless, unsullied, final abode, eternal, pure, enlightened, free and embodiment of sacredness). You go on fighting with others and try to hurt them. Then you are not a human being at all! You should always help others, you should not hurt anyone. “Help Ever, Hurt Never”. It is said, Paropakara Punyaya, Papaya Parapeedanam (one attains merit by serving others and commits sin by hurting them). Sarva Jiva Namaskaram Kesavam Pratigachchhati (whomsoever you salute, it reaches  God) and Sarva Jiva Tiraskaram Kesavam Pratigachchhati (whomsoever you criticise, it reaches God). You think you are accusing someone or making fun of someone. It is all your illusion. In fact, you are accusing yourself and making fun of yourself in the process. Everything has reaction, reflection and resound. You yourself are responsible for either good or bad. If you wish to enjoy good things in life, you should do good to others in the first instance.

Today’s education is information-oriented.  It is bookish knowledge. It is not real education. It is not this type of education that you should pursue. You have to pursue ‘Educare’. Educare manifests in one’s own heart. Education relates to gathering information by reading several books and storing them in your brain. Whatever you remember out of that knowledge, you will reproduce in your examinations and acquire degrees. That you call education. That is not real education. You have to follow your inner voice. That is real education. In the recent sports day, you played many games; you displayed beautiful gymnastic skills; you sang several songs. These are all the activities relating to the body, which is the result of your past karmas (actions). However, you should not repose absolute confidence in the physical body. The body is given to you for discharging your duty as a human being. You should not misuse your body.  It is the responsibility of teachers, headmistress, principals, vice chancellors and chancellors to teach the students the value and purpose of human birth.

Your duty is to follow your conscience. Your conscience helps you manifest noble qualities. But, you do not pay heed to the voice of your conscience and go against the human values. Hence, you should never ignore your conscience. Your conscience is your most valuable property. You need not have to do japa, tapa, dhyana or yoga. You will achieve a lot of progress in your Sadhana, if only you listen to your inner voice. Whatever comes from the depth of your heart, will do good for you. Whatever goes against the dictates of your conscience is worldly, whereas inner voice or conscience is spiritual. “Help Ever; Hurt Never”, is the cardinal principle of spirituality. Whoever follows the inner voice will always be safe. You should never go against that inner voice. That is true spirituality. Spirituality does not mean just conforming to worship and meditation. These practices have degenerated into several undesirable activities these days. The underlying principle and the purpose of these Sadhanas are totally forgotten. It is said, Manasyekam Vachasyekam, Karmanyekam Mahatmanam; (Those whose thoughts, words and deeds are in perfect harmony are noble ones). Unless there is perfect accord between your thoughts, words and deeds, you are not a human being at all! You get very angry against someone and slap him. But think for a moment; for, it is a great sin to hurt others. In the process, you are hurting not your enemy, but God verily! All are divine. Hence, you should never hurt anyone. It is natural to help those who help you. But, you should be able to help even those who harm you.

There is nothing great in helping those who have helped you. He is a noble one who helps even those who have harmed him.         (Telugu poem)

It is only Sai in this world who helps even those who try to harm Him, ignoring their faults. I never mind the harm done to Me by others. We must always be calm, serene and peaceful under all circumstances. If only you maintain the quality of peace, you can achieve anything in life. Wherever you see in the outside world, it is only pieces and pieces! Do not hurt the feelings of others, come what may. Always treat your parents with love and respect.

In fact, your parents are your first teachers. Respect them. Any amount of your good work by inconveniencing your parents is of no avail. That cannot be considered good work at all. Though it may appear to be yielding some benefits temporarily, the end result of all this work will turn out to be very bad. Hence, you must ensure that you do not cause any inconvenience or suffering to your parents. The more you inconvenience them the more you will suffer. With regard to charity, the more you give in charity to others, the more benefit you will receive later. Therefore, try to help others, always. Do any kind of seva that you are capable of. When you thus go on doing help to others, you will be progressing in the path of Truth. As you travel in the path of Truth, Dharma will automatically follow. Where Sathya (truth) and Dharma (righteousness) go together, Santhi (peace) will reign there. Then Prema (love) will follow. Where there is love, there hatred cannot be. You will not have enemies then.  It is only when the spring of love gets dried up in your heart that you will try to cause suffering to others. Hence, develop love for all. Sathya, Dharma, Santhi, Prema and Ahimsa are human qualities.  Today, there is rampant violence everywhere in the world. People are afraid to stay alone even in their houses. Several changes are taking place all over the world. Earlier, the United States of America was considered to be a super power and a wealthy country. But, now all that glory is gone. As a result, people who were going to their workplaces in cars earlier are now going by walk. We think money and wealth can do anything. But, money is not important; your mind is important. If only you can control your mind, everything will turn out to be good for you.

Dear students!
Whatever work you undertake, do it with a sense of dedication to God. Sarva Karma Bhagavad Preetyartham (do all actions to please God). Always remind yourself that God is the doer and you are just an instrument in the hands of God. You can achieve anything in life, only when there is the Will of God. You perform your duty and remain as a witness to all that goes in the world. It is said, “Paropakarah Punyaya Papaya Parapeedanam”. Always follow the principles of “be good, do good and see good”. Let your tongue speak only the truth. Let all your deeds be helpful to others. Whoever undertakes service in society with such a motto will always be happy. Pride, jealousy, etc, are all bad qualities. They drive away good qualities. They do harm to you as well as to society. Hence, be good and do good to others. If someone is in a difficult situation, go all out to help him even at the cost of your own work. This is the foremost duty of a human being. “Help Ever, Hurt Never” should be your motto. It is enough if you remember these two commands always. Do not cause harm even to your enemy. Hurt never. Do not cause even the slightest inconvenience to others. This is true education. You make your parents suffer in the house, come to the office and show your egoistic power on your subordinates and draw a huge salary for your so-called work and responsibility. This is a great mistake. As you go up in your career and life, your ego and jealousy must come down. Then only will you earn respect from one and all. You should always remember the society and its welfare. You are a member of the society and therefore you have a social responsibility. You owe your very existence to society. Similarly, society is not separate from you. The individuals make a society. You and society are inseparable and mutually dependent. It is only when fellow members of the society prosper that you too will prosper.

Dear students!
You all have done well in your studies, getting good marks and securing ranks. You brought good name to the Institution in the fields of education, sports and cultural activities. Yesterday, you witnessed a play on Bhakta Potana. He did not feel bad, in spite of criticism and belittling from his brother-in-law Srinatha also a great poet. Since, Potana was a great devotee of Rama and surrendered himself totally to the Lord, Rama Himself composed the great epic Bhagavatam on his behalf. Potana always believed that his poetry, his life and even his very existence were all the gift of Lord Rama. He was a true devotee. When Potana was suffering from acute poverty and finding it very difficult to make both ends meet, his brother-in-law advised him to dedicate his works to the King and make a comfortable living with the money and jewellery gifted by the King. Potana refused to do so saying that he would take refuge only in Lord Rama. Instead, he decided to live by cultivating his small piece of land. One day, while Srinatha was going by the side of the fields in a palanquin he saw his brother-in-law Potana working in his field. He derisively passed a comment on Potana addressing him as ‘haalika!’ meaning, ‘Oh farmer! Are you Ok?’ Potana gave an apt reply saying, ‘how did it matter if I am a farmer? I feel it is better and nobler to make a living by farming than dedicating my poetry to earthly kings and living upon their charity. That gives me great satisfaction!’

The earth is the basis for all the objects and all activities in the world. Whoever reposes his faith in the land will never undergo any difficulties. Hence, I advise the students to develop faith in their motherland and pursue their vocations in this great land of Bharat itself, instead of dreaming to go to other countries like America and earn lakhs and lakhs of rupees. You earn name and fame in your motherland itself. Earning money is not something great. Even a beggar can earn a lot of money. “Money comes and goes; but morality comes and grows”. Cultivate that morality. Whoever has morality, will never undergo any difficulty.