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A Programme for College Teachers Discourse of Sathya Sai Baba, Prashanthi Nilayam, 14 Jan
1974 Embodiments of the divine Aathma! Open your eyes and look around with some circumspection. Ponder over the heights we have attained in ancient times and the present pitiable predicament of mankind. What an abysmal descent! Isn't our situation very much like that of a man who has tumbled down from a mountain peak to the depths below? We had, by observing and upholding Dharma (virtue), reached the pinnacle of perfection in every sphere, spiritual, material, scientific, economic. We followed with great veneration the principles and guidelines laid down in the Shruthi (sacred scriptures), and the Smrithi (body of traditional law), which embody the commands of Gods Himself, and as a result, we were bound together by mutual love and affection, and our culture shone with supreme excellence. But, today, we are in quite a terrible situation - the very opposite of the glory of the past. Wherever we look, we find men sunk in utterly low moral and material conditions. The Dhaarmic duties prescribed by the Lord in the Shruthi and Smrithi in order to save mankind from these very evils have been discarded. Infected by mutual animosity and distrust, we are spouting the fire of violence and cruelty and jeopardising world peace. Violation of the laws ordained by God is the chief factor, responsible for the absence of abiding peace in the world. It is our paramount Duty to restore divine Dharma Is not the transgression of Dharma (which is another name for the commands of God to man) the sole cause for the poverty, the despondency, the despair, and the lack of spiritual knowledge and effort, that are so rampant at the present time throughout the world? It is heartening for us all to note that a few people, at least now, have discovered the reason for the crisis, through a study of the sequence and the negation, and are striving to resuscitate Dharma which alone can confer prosperity and peace on the world. If the annihilation of something is causing injury to something else, then, the only method for the regeneration of the latter is the revival of the former. Isn't this principle universally acceptable and applicable? We are noticing that the decline of Dharma has caused the destruction of world peace. When we plan to bring about prosperity and peace to the world, isn't it our paramount duty to restore this divine Dharma? Teachers! It is your imperative duty to wake up and strive at least now, without further delay, for the preservation and fostering of Dharma. For, today, some persons are endeavouring to destroy Bhaaratheeya Dharma (Indian morality code), attacking it and plucking it by its very roots. If we fail to resist their attempts, Dharma is in danger of being completely uprooted. Some persons enamoured of modern civilisation and bearing the respected designation of social reformers and reconstructors, are trying in manifold deceptive attractive ways to pollute society itself, by depriving it of Dharma. Bhagavaan will be your unfailing Support The Dharma, for upholding which we have been all along willing and ready to sacrifice wealth, honour and even lives, is the Dharma named Sanaathana Dharma. Sanaathana means 'eternal,' existing and effective for all time. Wake up. Get ready. The moment has arrived, when you have to demonstrate your indomitable valour and irrepressible heroism. You are born in the ever-effulgent land of Bhaarath. You are the valiant and invincible descendents of heroic Hindhu warriors, who were worthy embodiments of courage, fortitude, valour and moral integrity. You are scions of the holy and lofty lineage of Rishis like Bhaargava, Kaushika, Vashistha, Bharadwaaja and Kashyapa who forced even the 'three worlds' to tremble in fear, at their spiritual might and majesty, won through severe penance. You will be unworthy of such great ancestry if you remain indifferent, slothful and apathetic like cowards, when the Dharma which is as essential as the very breath to our lives is being undermined. Resolve to engage yourself in the task of promoting the welfare of the world; be assured that Bhagavaan will be your unfailing support. As days pass by, the process of reshaping and reforming affects each field. Naturally, it is being applied to the educational system also. In former times, children were initiated in the spiritual path at the proper age and their studies began thereafter, under the Guru (preceptor). In course of time, when Westerners became the rulers, many were lured to the study of their language, for, thereby they could secure the 'second' of the four goals of man, namely, riches. Thus they were transformed into supporters of the Western system of education. In the past, teachers saw to it that the pupils were equipped with devotion to God in addition to the curricular training. So, the students were well versed in spiritual discipline and knowledge; every act of theirs was motivated by the yearning for salvation and spiritual joy. Teachers and Students lack spiritual Awareness Boys and girls were instructed by Gurus who has full knowledge of the country - its history, and traditions - and the principles of religion and culture. Now, since the teachers are themselves woefully ignorant of what culture means, what spirituality consists of, and what the significance of religion is, the pupils are deprived of the wisdom that alone can confer peace and joy to their hearts. The propaganda for atheism, the declaration that the Vedhas have no historical validity, and the teaching through history that Hindhuism is destroyed - these are the activities of the teachers who suffer from the mania for Western culture and civilisation. Can we call such a system of instruction, education? Can we call those who instruct these things, Gurus? Vidhya (education) is the communication of the knowledge of the divine power, and the inner reality of the Aathma. This alone justifies the claim to be educated. Since they have no spiritual awareness, students are taking part in disorders and disturbances; they become easy targets to mob violence, unworthy of the educated; they descend to levels lower than the blind in their ignorance and draw down upon themselves the ridicule of the observers. They disfigure the educational institutions and bring disgrace upon them. Teachers! We have to inculcate in our college lofty ideals and take up highly noble projects. I am now communicating to you My feelings and plans, because I know that you are enthusiastic, inspired by spiritual ideals, and worthy of Sai's love and affection.
Establish a spiritual Centre in each Village
Students should acquire the Virtue of Humility
On this holy Shankraanthi day, I have given expression to the thoughts that I was having for a long time, taking into consideration your enthusiasm for work. I wish you will take the steps necessary for implementing this programme. |