Young men and women, the future citizens of the world!
The future of the world, good or bad depends on your conduct. The country will be safe, secure, peaceful and
prosperous only when your conduct is good. What the world needs today is not affluence and material comforts,
but men and women of noble character. The country is bound to disintegrate if the behavior of the young men and
women is not on the right lines.
A true human being is one who adheres to Sathya (truth), Dharma (righteousness) and Thyaaga (sacrifice). Truth
is Neethi (morality), Righteousness is Reethi (procedure) and Sacrifice is Khyaathi (fame). All these three
constitute Maanava Jaathi (human race). Human race has originated from Truth.
The entire creation has originated from Truth and ultimately merges in Truth.
There is no place where truth does not exist. Recognize this pure and unsullied truth. (Poem in Telugu)
It is based on this that the ancient sages and seers said Sathyam Bruyaath Priyam Bruyaath, Na Bruyaath
Sathyamapriyam (Speak truth, speak pleasingly, do not speak truth which is unpalatable). Sathyam Bruyaath
refers to moral value. Manava Jaathi (human race) cannot survive without Neethi (morality). Today the whole
world is engulfed in troubles and turmoil on account of injustice, falsehood and unrighteousness. Only young
men and women are capable of restoring the declining human values. Only when man upholds morality, can there
be equality, fraternity and freedom in the society. In order to uphold morality, one should adhere to truth.
That is why it is said, Sathyam Bruyaath. This is the primary duty of man. The second one, Priyam Bruyaath
(speak pleasingly) refers to dhaarmic value. It is based on this that the Bhagavad Gita says, Anudvegakaram
Vaakyam Sathyam Priya Hitham Cha Yath (speak truth in a pleasing and wholesome manner. Your speech should not
excite others impulses and emotions). The third one, Na Bruyaath Sathyamapriyam (do not speak truth which is
unpalatable) refers to spiritual value. One has to adhere to these principles to progress on the spiritual path.
Embodiments of Love!
The Himachala (the Himalayan mountains) forms the boundary for India on the northern part. What is the inner meaning
of Himachala? Hima means ice, which stands for purity and peace. Achala means that which is steady. So, Himachala
signifies purity, peace and steadiness. The perennial rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi symbolize the continuous
blood circulation in the human body. The great epics of this land, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavata
bring out the quintessence of human nature. One can be called a Bharatiya in the true sense of the term only when
one puts into practice the ideals, Bharat stands for. In the word Bharat, Bha refers to Bhaava (feeling), Ra refers
to Raaga (tune) and Ta connotes Taala (rhythm). Bharatiyas are those who worship God, harmonising the three - Bhaava,
Raaga and Taala. Bha also stands for effulgence. So, Bharatiyas are those who are in pursuit of divine effulgence.
You should take pride in the fact that you are a Bharatiya. There is no greater qualification than this. Bharat
is the country, which propagates the spiritual knowledge to the rest of the world and wishes the welfare of the
entire world - Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu (may the whole world be happy!)
You are all one irrespective of the countries you belong to. Bulbs may vary, but the current is the same. Likewise,
countries, bodies and feelings may vary, but the principle of Atma is one and the same in all. Therefore, give up
all differences based on caste, religion and nationality and spread the message of unity. Nations are many, but
earth is one. Jewels are many, but gold is one. Stars are many, but sky is one. Cows are many, but milk is one.
Bodies are many, but breath is one. You can experience bliss only when you render service keeping in mind the
unity of all beings.
You are born in love, brought up in love and merge in love. The five elements (pancha bhutas) are the embodiment of
selflessness. The sun sustains the creation by giving light and life. Trees accept the poisonous carbon dioxide and
give the life-supporting oxygen. Mother earth teaches a lesson in patience and sacrifice. All these elements help
mankind without any expectation of reward. There is no greater example of selfless love than the nature. It is a
shame that man, having been born and brought up in nature, does not imbibe the ideals demonstrated by nature and
leads a life of selfishness and self-interest. Youth should resolve to eliminate selfishness and self-interest with
no traces whatsoever.
Jesus declared, 'All are one my dear son, be alike to everyone.' All are born of the same mother earth, breathe in
the same air and drink the same water. In such a case, why should there be differences at all? Eschew all
differences and live in unity. Recognize the unity in diversity and act accordingly. You may go to villages,
serve the needy and undertake various rural development programs. By doing so, you are not doing any great service.
In tact, all this is your duty. You are born to serve. So, spend your life in serving others. Do not crave for power
and position. One who is not a Sevaka (humble worker) cannot become a Nayaka (leader). In fact, a true Sevaka alone
is a true Nayaka. People are under the mistaken notion that Japa, Thapa and Dhyana constitute spiritual practice.
They do meditation without knowing what it is! They feel that they are meditating on God not knowing who God really
is! They chant Rama, Krishna, Jesus, Allah and Zoaraster as Gods and meditate on them not realizing the fact that
all are embodiments of God. They mistake concentration for meditation. Concentration is associated with the senses, whereas
meditation is beyond senses. Meditation should not be confined to a particular time and place. It is a way of life.
Whatever is done with the spirit of love is meditation. Sitting in meditation for hours together without expressing
love for fellow beings is no meditation at all. True spiritual practice lies in joining hands with rest of the
community and working for the progress of the society as a whole. Love is God, live in love. Heart bereft of love
is like a barren land. All activities should be suffused with love. Just as it is impossible for a newborn babe to
attend degree classes, so also it is not possible to attain the supreme state of love instantly. One has to gradually
progress by undertaking spiritual practices. It is imperative to undertake these practices (Pravritti) until one
turns one's vision inward (Nivritti). Perform all activities with a spiritual outlook. There is no greater
spiritual practice than adhering to the principles of truth and love. Truth and love are the synonyms for God.
Without these two there is no point in undertaking spiritual practices.
Young men and women!
Consider love and sacrifice as your very life breath. Control your senses. Sense control is essential for the
success of any spiritual practice. Humanity can rise to Divinity through sense control. Anger is the quality of a
dog. Monkey is known for its wavering nature. When you are angry, remind yourself, 'l am not a dog, I am a man.'
Similarly, when your mind wavers, tell yourself repeatedly, 'I am not a monkey, I am a man.' Sathya, Dharma,
Santhi, Prema and Ahimsa are the true human values. These values are the five life principles of man - Prana,
Apana, Vyana, Udana and Samana. Losing any one of these values amounts to losing life itself. Each value cannot
exist without the other. Today man has become a living corpse as he has lost all these values. Develop faith in
these values, uphold them and experience the bliss derived therefrom.
Where there is faith, there is love,
Where there is love, there is peace,
Where there is peace, there is truth,
Where there is truth, there is God,
Where there is God, there is bliss.
Today every man aspires to be blissful. For that faith is essential. Bliss cannot be attained easily. Bliss is
Brahman, which is steady, pure, eternal and beyond dualities. Man cannot attain this supreme bliss without giving
up the evil qualities. Heart is the altar of God. Do not pollute it with evil thoughts and feelings.
Self effort is very essential to achieve success in any human endeavor. Even small activities like picking up a
flower or plucking a fruit from a tree requires the cooperation and effort of various limbs of the body - eyes,
hands, legs etc. Sareera Maadhyam Khalu Dharma Sadhanam, body is gifted to undertake righteous actions and set an
ideal to the society, not for sleeping, eating, drinking and making merry. God has gifted man with all the powers,
but man is unable to realize his innate potential.
Whenever you take up any activity, keep in mind the welfare of others too. Do not lead a life of selfishness.
Think in terms of collective benefit, not individual benefit alone. Often spiritual practices like Japa and Dhyana
are done with a selfish motive. Instead, it is better to chant the Lord's name and serve the society. This will
confer benefit on the individual and the society at large. This constitutes real Sadhana. Whomsoever you serve,
serve with a feeling that you are serving God.
The sight of a dead body, a sick person, one old decrepit person, was enough for Buddha to get transformed and
attain Nirvana because his heart was filled with compassion. Though you come across innumerable dead bodies,
old persons and sick individuals, it is a pity there is no transformation in you whatsoever. Unfortunately, your
heart has become as hard as a stone - indifferent to the sufferings of others. To attain Nirvana or liberation,
one should identify oneself with others and make efforts to alleviate their suffering.
As the Vice Chancellor mentioned in his speech: 'Bend the body, mend the senses, end the mind.' Mind will be non
existent when the senses are controlled. Mind can be annihilated when noble thoughts are entertained. Today the
world is in disarray because the thoughts of man are going astray.
O man, enquire, what great happiness have you acquired by forgetting God and spending all your education and
energy limitlessly in eking out a livelihood right from dawn to dusk. (Poem in Telugu)
Whatever you do, it is God's work. For example, the process of inhaling and exhaling is in itself a spiritual
practice. The process of inhaling is associated with the sound 'So' (that) and exhaling, with the sound 'Ham' (I).
'Soham' means 'I am that' (God). 'So' symbolizes Divinity and 'Aham' signifies Ahamkara (ego). So, 'Soham' drives
home the lesson that you should take in only Phala that which is good and eject Mala that is filthy. This process
of inhaling and exhaling repeats itself 21,600 times a day. It means your inner voice is reminding you 21,600
times a day that you are God. Unfortunately, you are not receptive to this message. It is to understand this
reality God has gifted you with this body. Do not limit God to your shrine. God is your life breath.
Just as hands, eyes, ears, nose, etc., are limbs of the body, likewise, human beings are limbs of the society.
Society is a limb of nature and nature is a limb of God. Therefore, you can infer that there is an intimate
relationship between individual and God. When inanimate objects like telephones are connected, should there
not be a connection between human being and God? The former relationship is artificial in nature, whereas the
latter is heart to heart. There are two types of telephone calls - one, which can be answered by anybody
(number call) and the other, which needs to be answered by a specific person (Particular person - PP call)
for whom the call is intended. Similarly, your contacts should be directly with God, like the personal call,
and not with all and sundry like the number call. If you have the sincere feeling that you want God, then God
Himself will come and talk to you. You cannot expect God to respond when you make a 'number call'. Number call
corresponds to negative thoughts. So, give up negative thoughts and develop positive feelings.
Body, mind, senses and intellect are all negative in nature. Only the conscience is positive. Just as the mike
is useless without the current, so also are the body, mind, senses and intellect without the conscience. The
conscience that exists in everyone is one and the same, just as the current that flows through different bulbs is
the same. All are one, be alike to everyone. So, do not hate, harm or criticize anybody. He is a noble one, who
conducts himself without hurting others and himself not being troubled in the process. True spiritual Sadhana lies
in considering every work as God's work, not in doing Japa or Dhyana. God is all-pervasive. It is based on this
that the Veda declares: Sarvatah Paani Paadam Tat Sarvathokshi Siromukham, Sarvatah Srutimalloke Sarvamavritya
Thishtathi (with His hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth and ears pervading everything, God permeates the entire universe).
You may hoodwink anyone, but not God. He is always watching you. He is the eternal witness. He is present in you,
just as the power of vision resides in your eye. Not even a blade of grass can move without His Will. It is
foolishness to get carried away by the sense of doership. So, do not feel proud of your achievements. Develop the
sacred feeling that God is the doer and the enjoyer too. Consider everything as God's Will. Whatever happens to
you, be it profit or loss, pain or pleasure, have the resolute faith that it is good for you. When a person
suffering from malaria consults a doctor, he will be given the bitter quinine medicine. Unless he takes the
bitter medicine, he cannot be cured of the fever. Likewise, have the firm conviction that difficulties and
suffering are the ways and means by which God purifies you. There is a reason behind whatever God does. Without
understanding the principle of cause and effect, people blame God for their suffering. Understand the truth that
you yourself are responsible for the pain or pleasure that befalls you. Do not feel sad if someone were to
criticize you, because criticizing others amounts to criticizing one's self as the same Atma exists in all.
Identify yourself with the Atma, not the body, which is like a water bubble. If someone were to beat you, do not
retaliate. The same principle of Atma exists in both. God is the one who beats, and also the one who gets beaten.
The entire creation is a mono action play of God. So, do not hate anybody. Love all.
All that I say is for your own good and to make you aware of the Divinity. All My teachings and actions carry a
profound inner meaning. Our college students have white dress as their uniform. What is its inner significance?
White color symbolizes purity. Similarly, when you see someone in ochre robes, it reminds you of renunciation.
This is to convey the message that you should be pure and free from all attachments. Only then you can attain the
Divine.
As youngsters, you have too many desires, which cause physical as well as mental strain. Desires are the luggage
in the journey of life. 'Less luggage more comfort makes travel a pleasure. Your destination is the abode of
supreme peace, i.e., liberation. Why do you trouble yourself with 'heavy luggage,' when you are going to the abode
of supreme peace? Be satisfied with the minimum requirement of food, clothing and shelter. Bhikshanam
Deharakshaartham Vasthram Sheetha Nivaranam (food is meant to sustain your body and clothing to protect you from
cold). The modern youth are fascinated by fashion dresses and cloth themselves gaudily. Youngsters, especially
women, should not indulge in dressing fads. The dress you wear should be good and sober. Do not imitate the cinema
culture. Imitation is animal nature and creation is Divine. Control of desires leads to sense control, which in
turn leads to Divinity. Sage Patanjali said, 'Yogaha Chtta Vritti Nirodaha,' controlling the vagaries of the mind
is Yoga and allowing the senses to have their own way is Roga (disease). Today's man has become a Rogi
(diseased one) because of lack of sense control. One should become a Yogi, not a Rogi. Yoga is attained not by
Bhoga (worldly pleasures), but by Thyaga (sacrifice). Once you attain Yoga you will never be afflicted with Roga.
Yoga does not mean leading the life of a recluse in a forest. Some people mistake physical exercises like sitting
cross-legged, standing on one leg etc., for Yoga. True Yoga lies in unifying your love with the Divine. God does
not want anything from you. He never insists on you to do meditation or Yoga. He only wants you to fill your
hearts with principles of love and sacrifice. If you obey His commands with sincerity and devotion, He will take
care of all your needs without your asking. The lives of Sabari and the bird Jatayu bear ample testimony to this
truth.
'O mind, do not ask for anything.
Ask, and it shall be delayed.
Do not ask, and it shall be granted soon.
Did He not shower His grace on Sabari, who never asked?
Did He not perform the last rites of Jatayu and grant him liberation, without his asking?'
So you do not need to ask God for anything. If you have purity of heart, He will Himself take care of you,
lust like a mother who attends to the needs of the child without its' asking. Be like a child and the Divine
Mother will take care of you. That is total surrender. Leave everything to the Will of the Mother. Do not ask
for petty things lest you should lose Her proximity. The one who asks for food will be directed to the kitchen,
but the mother will feed the child herself who cannot ask. Only those with ego and those immersed in worldly life
ask. But the one, who surrenders himself to the Will of the Divine Mother like a child, will lead a peaceful life.
You would have observed a dancer making rapid movements with her hands and legs while dancing but attention is
always focussed on the rhythm. Likewise, your mind should always be fixed on God while discharging your duties.
You might have heard the story of Rani Jhansi Lakshmibhai. She had a small child. When she was left with no other
choice but to go to the battlefield, she tied the child to her back, took a sword and waged a fierce battle with
her enemies, riding on horseback. But all the while, what was uppermost in her mind was the well being of her
child. Similarly, you must necessarily discharge your worldly duties, but at the same time your mind should always
be focussed on God. This is the meaning of the maxim: 'Hands in the society, head in the forest.' You do not need
to undertake any specific spiritual Sadhana. Whatever you do, do it as an offering to God.
In order to have sacred thoughts, give up the vices like consumption of non-vegetarian food, smoking and drinking
intoxicants. Do not waste food, money, time and energy. Eat as much as you can, but do not waste, because millions
are suffering for want of food. You all know what a miserable condition that the people of Orissa are in after a
severe cyclone devastated the state! In some places, people are scrambling even for a morsel of food. You may not
know the value of food, but they know it very well. So do not waste food. Food is God.
Similarly, do not waste money. Some students waste a lot of money eating in hotels, in playing cards and gambling.
Misuse of money is evil. Do your work yourself Do not depend on others. Whenever you find time, wash your clothes
yourself. Why do you give your clothes to a washerman when you can wash them yourself? You have no right to waste
your father's money.
Time is God. That is why God is extolled as Kaalaaya Namaha, Kaala Kaalaaya Namaha, Kaala Darpa Damanaaya Namaha,
Kaalaatheethaaya Namaha etc. Time wasted is life wasted. Do not waste time in the pursuit of worldly pleasures.
Instead taste the Divinity by chanting His name.
Do not waste energy, energy is God. Today students are wasting a lot of energy through unsacred vision, bad
thoughts, bad hearing and excessive talk. Our body can be compared to a radio. When the radio is turned on
continuously, the cells get discharged quickly. Likewise, if you indulge in excessive talk, you will be losing a
lot of energy. That is why the ancient sages and seers used to observe silence. So, conserve energy by observing
silence at least one day in a week. I often tell the students, talk less and work more. Only then the latent energy
develops. This was the sole aim of sages and seers in undertaking various spiritual practices. Once the latent
energy develops, your memory power as well as the power of concentration will increase. Some students are not able
to perform well in the examinations because they are not able to concentrate even for a moment. They are constantly
engaged in listening to radio news, cricket commentary etc., with the textbook in their hand! With such
distractions, how can they concentrate and retain their memory?
In olden days education was imparted to students in the Gurukulas. Students had to rely entirely on their memory
power and concentration to acquire knowledge, as there were no papers, pens, pencils etc., to jot down what the
teachers would teach. Their learning consisted of merely listening to the teachers, yet they could acquire high
education. Though the modern students have access to papers, pens etc., they fail to excel in studies as they lack
concentration and memory power.
Young men and women!
You become divine once you safeguard your physical, mental and spiritual powers. Let your body be engaged in good
actions, mind entertain noble thoughts and intellect merge in the Divine. Body, mind and intellect are merely
instruments. Understand the principle that makes instruments function. The modern system of education has become
computer-oriented. There is craze for computers everywhere. You are not a computer. You are a composer. After all,
what does the computer do? It does whatever you program it to do. It cannot function on its own accord. God-gifted
brain is the real computer. Make proper use of it. Unfortunately, the modern man depends excessively on the machine
to the exclusion of the God-gifted brain. The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that people depend on
calculators even for simple arithmetic calculations. You should be self-reliant. Receive help from God only, none
else. His work is only to help others. Emulate Him. Help ever, hurt never. Sage Vyasa said, Paropakarah Punyaya
Paapaaya Parapeedanam (helping others is merit, harming others is sin). This is the essence of all sacred texts.
Do not give scope for misunderstandings and quarrels amongst yourselves. Unity is the greatest strength. Therefore,
work in unison. 'Where there is unity, there is purity. Where there is purity, there is Divinity.' If you have
purity of heart, God will certainly fulfil your wishes. For example, if you are in need of a pen, pray to God
earnestly. Pen will definitely appear in your pocket. There is nothing that you cannot accomplish with purity of
heart. It is impossible to understand God. When you are unable to know your true Self, how can you know God? The
other day Uma Bharati mentioned that people come here to know God. It is a misconception. You do not need to come
here to know God. First try to know yourself. None can ever comprehend Me.
Character is of paramount importance for the spiritual growth of an individual. Sage Kanva established a Gurukula
in order to impart teachings to the inmates of the Ashram. Sakuntala was one such inmate, who grew up under the
loving care of sage Kanva. One day king Dushyantha happened to visit the Ashram of Kanva. There he met Sakuntala
and married her. Bharata was born to the couple. Having been born and brought up in a palace, king Dushyantha was
inclined towards worldly pleasures. On the other hand, his son Bharata, who was born and brought up in Kanva Ashram
was a repository of moral, spiritual and ethical values. Ashram education inculcates all noble values in man.
Bharata became a paragon of all virtues because he received ideal education right from his childhood. On the other
hand, Dushyantha had worldly and material wealth. He was a mighty emperor. What was the use of all that he
possessed when he lacked character? This clearly demonstrates the difference between urban education and Ashram
education. Urban education is associated with Shrama (hardship), whereas Ashram education is without any Shrama
(Aa-shrama). There is nothing wrong in enrolling as students of college in towns, provided one keeps in mind the
purpose of education. One should not develop unnecessary contacts and get distracted from the designated path.
Your character depends on the environment around you. In olden times, people felt:
'If wealth is lost, nothing is lost,
If health is lost, something is lost,
If character is lost, everything is lost'
On the contrary, the modern youth feel if wealth is lost, everything is lost and if character is lost, nothing is
lost.
I think I am troubling you by talking too much. I can speak to you for any length of time, but I never indulge
in unnecessary talk. Remember that you are the future torch-bearers of Sri Sathya Sai Organizations. The elders
of the organization today may be aged and have their own constraints. Youth have to take the initiative to lead
the organization from the front. Each state organization should have its own youth leader to take up major
responsibilities. Ensure that you keep yourself distant from politics. Work for the welfare and progress of the
society. That is the greatest saadhana.
Let your behavior be exemplary wherever you are. As long as you are in Prasanthi Nilayam, you lead a disciplined
life. Continue to do the same even after you leave the place. Be always immersed in the Divine, not in deep wine.
Only those who are immersed in the Divine are dear to Me and are My dear friends. If you want to be dear friends
of Swami, conduct yourself in the Divine manner. In such a case, you do not need to come here, I will come to you
wherever you are.
I will come there, I will come there, wherever you stay.
I am with you, in you, around you and behind you.
I am not separate from you.
I and you are one.
(Bhagavan sang two Bhajans -'Pibare Rama Rasam...' and 'Vahe Guru, Vahe...', and the devotees ecstatically
joined Him in chorus.)
Vahe Guru means there is only one Guru and He is God. He is the goal. Do not go hither and thither from one
Guru to another. Under all circumstances, hold on to God steadfastly. Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu Guru Devo
Maheswarah... God is your true Guru. You can call Him by any name. In the word Guru, 'Gu' stands for
Gunaatheetha (attributeless) and 'Ru' for Ruparahita (formless). So Guru is formless and beyond attributes.
So, God is your true Guru. Having come here spending lot of money and energy, put into practice whatever you have
learnt here. Once you return to your respective places, share the experiences and joy with your fellow youth.
Only then the purpose of attending the conference will be served. Serve your fellow beings and sanctify your lives.
Neither by penance, nor by undertaking pilgrimages nor by going through sacred texts can one cross the ocean of
Samsara. It is only through service can one redeem himself. (Sanskrit Sloka) Serve, without any expectation of
reward. That is Nishkama Yoga. No benefit accrues to you if you expect reward for the service rendered in various
villages. Do not boast that you have served in many villages. Work silently, definitely God will shower His
grace on you. I am very happy that you bore many inconveniences here with love and patience after having traveled
long distances. You might not have had the food of your choice here. Never mind, what is important is good head,
which will lead to God. You should eat to live, not live to eat.
Embodiments of love!
Hoping that you will lead a happy and ideal life, I bless you all and bring My Discourse to a close.
Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Divine Discourse delivered during the 2nd World Youth Conference - 12th November 1999.
