Got up this morning as usual, but no bath - sleepy. So, shave and ablutions till 5 AM, then slept till 6. Breakfasted on Bakery, then Poornachandra Auditorium at 6:30, prize distribution at 8, gold cups to all campuses etc, discourse - appended below.
I couldn't find 1994 Prize Distribution pictures - so here is a 1993 prize distribution picture from my "Swami albums". The purple marks are some stains on the photo.
Then sticker distribution after laddoos, pandemonium. Ice-cream, small lunch, tea. Darshan - very uplifted and relieved (by Discourse). Also, Swami made two complete rounds, in and out, also Bhajan Hall, joking, smiling, signing some 10-20 photos. Many VIPs also got their photos signed. "Tomorrow - To - maaro? Maa rent" (or something). Went to Institute Auditorium after evening bhajan with "Brindavan lines" - most boys had gone earlier - to sit in foyer. Swami came at 6:45 pm, "Srikrishnaleela". I was standing near the exit, boys' heads helped censor some parts. Swami got up at 8:30 pm. Warden is at Brindavan, Narahari Sir is acting Warden - didn't allow my haircut, said we may go to Brindavan on 16th.
My notes of the Discourse are below. I've filled in some of the "shorthand" which I have used in the notes, so this might have led to some inaccuracies. The "Sathya Sai Speaks" text and audio versions are also available at this link.
"Days are short, grain and flowers abound, for Sankranti in Pushya maasa."
Tila madhye yada thailam, ksheera madhye yatha ghritam
Pushpamadhya yatha gandham, Phalamadhya yada rasam
Kaashthaagnivat prakasha yena, Tallingam prachalam prabho.
Just as the senses have the power to sense, God is latent as Awareness in all beings.
"Unseen in Jagat, Awareness is similar to the string which joins gems - the World is pervaded by God."
Embodiments of Love, Today, paths are taken for each ones' own benefit. Man and society are not satisfied by anything - want to achieve more. Today, people find satisfaction in dissatisfaction. Youth don't think of accomplishing with changing times, sense of sacrifice is lacking. Success in life lies in finding one's own duty. Youth is not making an effort to this end. Today, they lose time for worldly, false knowledge, which is temporary, not efforts towards divinity, to make life effulgent, blissful.
Festival days have inner significance - scientific, intellectual and spiritual. Sankramana is the entering of the Sun into a Raasi, which happens once a month. Four of these are important - Makara Sankramana - entering into the Makara Rekha, Tulaa Sankramana, Mesha and Sisira. Makara is the most important. The Sun starts its journey from South to North. This is important scientifically and spiritually.
The inner essence is that in the North is Himaachala. Hima or snow is pure, cool, peaceful. Achala is stationary. Not Simla or just any mountains - Pure and Steadiness. Place in the Himalayas - Chaksho Sooryo Ajaayata - Man's vision goes to the sacred, peaceful, inner, heart. Increase inner vision, rather than "outlooks". Sight is not given to see worldly objects, which are impermanent Anithya, Ashaashwatha. Sight is given to see the Divine Awareness. To develop this, the royal path to reach the Divine - Uttaraayana.
In this Uttaraayana, do auspicious, ever-new, divine acts. Sages wait for this time. Bhishma waited 56 days for this time - Punarjanma na vidyate. But not if you foolishly commit suicide during this time thinking of this! Naturally, peacefully, sacredly pass away. There is a good story -
Valmiki wrote 100 crore Atma Ramayana Shlokas and distributed it to the three worlds. Naaga loka, Bhooloka of Naras, and Deva loka - equally. 33,33,333 each. One was left. He thought he would divide that also. 32 letters, assigned 10 letters to each loka. Then 2 letters (syllables) were left. Those are - Hari, Hara, Rama, Krishna, Yesu, Saayi, Allah! In any religion, two letters are taught for redemption. Also, Aham. Brahma also has two syllables. All festivals of Bharatiyas, thus, have inner significance, they are not for ego and pomp.
The Sun is important for all creation. When this Sun too moves North, why not Man? Today, as man's vision is against the will of God, he suffers. Obey the Creator, else mankind will be destroyed. Festivals are meant to emancipate humanity.
The Sun is peaceful from today. Days are short, nights are long. It is a time of rest. Harvest is submitted to masters. Ryots sing in the cold. The harvest has flower garlands of dew. Chrysanthemums bloom. This is also called the month of Sarasu. This is the noble Pushya month. But if one's feelings are mean, one is wasting life. Understand the inner significance - not just Payasam and Pongal. Even animals and birds delight at this time. Newly-weds are invited home. Bulls are decorated too. Floks sing, dance, play games.
But nowadays, everything is business - cricket, badminton, chess - vast amounts of money makes them polluted. Why are Sports undertaken? To get health and happiness, and to give joy to ten others, to make the body fit. Today, music is also a business. To sing for a marriage, they ask, "How much will you pay?" Today, singers are sinners. The heart does not melt - they sing for fame and money.
In the old days, "Come, brother - let us dance with the decorated bulls, children, with nose-stud, forehead marks - come brother!" In villages, festivals were celebrated in such an auspicious way, involving even the animals.
Our students have also had their sports now. Not to speak ill of others, but our students are very enthusiastic. Why should we participate in sports? Games is also a subject here, like Physics and Chemistry. Then why not all participate? It is compulsory. Also, follow the rules in the game, learn sanctity, theory. Not just for winning. Whoever wins, feel that "My brother has won!" If you follow the rules, you will get the self-satisfaction whether you win or lose.
Our children are enthusiastic for a whole month. In other universities, UGC gives money for sports. But in our university, we don't stretch our hands for aid. No teachers' salary from UGC - all met via the Central Trust. KG to PG, everything is free. No fees. People struggle to understand the truth. Truly, for the games, no money is taken from the College or the Trust. Not to advertise our students' sacrifice, money comes from Hostel teachers. They don't tell anyone. Not even Registrar and Vice-Chancellor care to enquire how it is happening. It is rare to find such united students. All three campuses readied their costumes by themselves. Most importantly, Primary School.
Wherever the management is by ladies - it is an open truth - education prospers. They have concentration. They don't look here and there. So, ears, eyes, heart join to make things happen. Tiny tots are difficult to control. Just imagine how difficult it would be to control 1100 of them! Discipline, even from a young age - even in eating, sleeping. Only the Primary school teachers and Warden - dresses stitched by teachers day and night. Swami's heart melts. They are truly Gold. No teacher goes behind the students. How they should proceed is imprinted in the hearts of the children like a tape recorder. All those costly dresses were made on their own. "Swami is giving free education. Shall we not, once at least?" That is the feeling of sacrifice.
The discipline persists up to Higher Secondary School. Then enthusiasm decreases. Teachers struggle day and night here also. But the levels are below normal in the Institute. The authorities are not taking proper care. They think only studies are important. They don't care for the students. The foundation laid at the Primary school persists, but due to association with outsiders, it goes slowly.
So, what is to be learnt? It is each teacher's responsibility to keep up the foundation. You are paid as per the UGC norms - whether they have any sense or not. If salary is 100, DA is 150! Not their grandfather's property! Due to price rise, increased salaries. But people don't work as per salary's worth. If you question yourself, am I working as per salary, you find you are betraying yourself. The country's problem is also your problem. Along with rights, responsibilities are also to be taken up. Then the country will prosper. Today, they purchase a brinjal, and want a pumpkin for free! Taking more! But due to this, prices rise, poor people suffer. Develop broad-mindedness.
At our university, we have no such problems. Students and teachers work together. Teachers clear doubts at all times. Believe it or not, such discipline as seen here is seen nowhere else. But no cheap advertisements. They get 1st ranks, Delhi job for students. 125 students appear for the XII exam. Usually, when some student comes first in a state, the schools put photo in newspapers. Our students stand first at the All India level, but no photos are published. CBSE awarded a cash award, they asked him to go to the President and collect the award. He said, "Forgive me, Swami. I didn't study for President's or PM's award, I studied for Swami's satisfaction!" He didn't go! Broadminded, with sweet hearts. Today, I'm telling you all this out of enthusiasm, not to advertise.
Some students said, "We got O grade". You didn't get, your studies got. Practice what you have learnt, then you will get O (Outstanding) grade. Today, people write their names as Ramayya, MA, MSc, Phd. But in practice, they are zero. People cram day and night, then empty their heads in the exam and come out. What is the use? You must use the knowledge. Don't struggle for these - don't illiterates know how to serve? Think of that, not of salary or job. Use what you have learnt for society. That is the mark of a true student. Don't use your degree for swallowing money like a fish.
Sports is also a subject. We wish only one thing - what discipline, devotion you have here, show the same in the outside world. Nothing spent in Sports, not even a naya paisa. Authorities didn't bother about resources. An ounce of practice is worth tons of lectures. Become ideal students, moulding them is Registrar, Vice-Chancellor, teachers' responsibility.
Because of the effects of devotion and sincerity, in our University, the Chancellor is available from dawn to dusk! Use this opportunity properly, be ideal students. Spiritual education is just as important. Devotion is essential. Or else it leads to agitation.
All the five elements are God's gift, God's very form. But we don't even say, "Thanks" as we do when someone picks up our handkerchief from the ground. One with no gratitude is a living corpse. Even a beggar will thank for help rendered. But you must love those who hate you too. If you hate that person, you are also equal to them. Accept with smiles - then he will be put to shame. If you are angry, don't say anything. Think well, put down your anger. "I am not dog, I am man" - repeat this ten times, anger will come down! "Brahmachari Shata markataha" - repeat "I am not monkey, I am man" - then the speed of the wavering mind decreases. When the mind gets to thieving - "I am not rat or cat, I am man". By these small words, you get peace. Students, have sacred thoughts from a young age.
All the sports activities gave joy, according to each one's capacity. But you must change one thing. The Wardens and Principals of all four institutions must meet and decide what is to be done. Then there will be no repetition. Secrecy may be good, but repetition makes you fed up. All campuses showed breaking tiles - gives a headache! At least Principal and Warden, if not everyone else, should know what all events are.
Some teachers have not taken part. They are not lucky enough to take part. Some go on "Shikar" - that is their misfortune. In future, all teachers must encourage the students. Not only in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics - all should participate in Sports also. Then it will be beautiful and wonderful. Now, this situation is seen only in the Primary School. They didn't even come to see parents in Mandir here. They prepared day and night, and no repetition either.
Many villagers also came and enjoyed the presentations. We must know our own defects to improve. The Vice-Chancellor and Registrar must instruct. Then, there will be Unity in Diversity. We have the large Hospital here, which is unique in the world, giving free service. Devotees have provided the money. Such sacred use of money is only here. Criticizing the Trust is a sin. Narayana (Secretary of SSSCT at that time) comes every Monday to pay the labourers. Even for small details, ask and find out. So, all institutions and organisation - must have unity without jealousy. Any defect will be reflected on Sai. Reduce pomp, stand as ideals.
Today, you have made Swami happy. With blessings for an ideal life, Bhajan Bina...
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