Sathya Sai: Students, the educationists and the patrons of education, all struggle to fulfil their worldly desires
Given below are words of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba from a discourse given in Kodaikanal on 23rd April 1993, which was printed in Oct. 2017 Sanathana Sarathi. [I came across it while I was reading Sanathana Sarathi yesterday night.]
In earlier days, when the population of the world was only 100 crores [Ravi: 1 billion], most people treaded the spiritual path. They undertook spiritual practices to attain Divinity and liberation. Considering human life as evanescent like a water bubble, they sought to know the eternal truth. Now the population has increased to 600 crores [Ravi: 6 billion].
The population has increased but desire for liberation has decreased. The reason is the modern system of education. This system of education creates unlimited desires in man. It does not inculcate the desire for liberation. The students, the educationists and the patrons of education, all struggle to fulfil their worldly desires. The first plan of a student is take up a course of study which would provide him wealth and high status. The only aim of education is to earn a living. Is education meant merely to fill the belly? Only stomach is not important, head and heart are more important. What is the responsibility of the head? Its responsibility is not only to secure job and business for you. This leads to Pravritti (worldliness). The world is, in fact, an illusion. The world is nothing but a dream.
---- end extract from Bhagawan discourse ---
Ravi: This is Jagadguru Bhagawan speaking (different from Bhagawan speaking jocularly to students as a loving parent and giving them Gulab Jamun [Indian sweet]). And Bhagawan has spoken the truth about society today, perhaps worldwide, including some supposedly spiritual values oriented educational institutions. "This system of education creates unlimited desires in man. It does not inculcate the desire for liberation. The students, the educationists and the patrons of education, all struggle to fulfil their worldly desires."
I think there may be a few students, educationists and patrons of education even among many supposedly spiritual values oriented educational institutions who follow 'ceiling on (material) desires' and have desire for liberation instead of worldly desires. But the bulk of students, educationists (teachers and administrators like principals, directors and vice-chancellors) and patrons of education among such supposedly spiritual values oriented educational institutions are focused on worldly desires. I think that is the truth. Mind you, I am not blaming the students, educationists and patrons of education of such institutions. It is their life and their choice. I am just sharing my view that Bhagawan's 1993 discourse extract above tells us the reality.
I think those people who are desirous of liberation and would like to reduce their worldly desires, should not lose heart about the state of affairs. I think they should ASSIDUOUSLY cultivate the company of those who desire liberation thereby protecting their spiritual liberation quest from being watered down by the company of people who are more into worldly desires. Further, they should avoid Asathya-Adharma as that can have very negative impact on their spiritual quest. Note that sometimes supposedly Sathyam Vada Dharmam Chara (Speak the truth, follow Dharma/ethics) educational institutions have administrators like Head of department, principal, director, registrar and vice-chancellor who themselves may be Asathya-Adharma crooks. For those desirous of spiritual progress, it is best to keep a safe distance from such educational institution administrators and REFUSE to follow any Asathya-Adharma instructions they may give, even if that results in loss of worldly status and position. What is the use of worldly status and position acquired by following Asathya-Adharma to a GENUINE spiritual aspirant? If Sathya and Dharma are lost, what else is left for the genuine spiritual aspirant in his spiritual journey? Nothing! He loses all, if he loses Sathya and Dharma.
[I thank Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and Sanathana Sarathi, and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above extract from their magazine on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
In earlier days, when the population of the world was only 100 crores [Ravi: 1 billion], most people treaded the spiritual path. They undertook spiritual practices to attain Divinity and liberation. Considering human life as evanescent like a water bubble, they sought to know the eternal truth. Now the population has increased to 600 crores [Ravi: 6 billion].
The population has increased but desire for liberation has decreased. The reason is the modern system of education. This system of education creates unlimited desires in man. It does not inculcate the desire for liberation. The students, the educationists and the patrons of education, all struggle to fulfil their worldly desires. The first plan of a student is take up a course of study which would provide him wealth and high status. The only aim of education is to earn a living. Is education meant merely to fill the belly? Only stomach is not important, head and heart are more important. What is the responsibility of the head? Its responsibility is not only to secure job and business for you. This leads to Pravritti (worldliness). The world is, in fact, an illusion. The world is nothing but a dream.
---- end extract from Bhagawan discourse ---
Ravi: This is Jagadguru Bhagawan speaking (different from Bhagawan speaking jocularly to students as a loving parent and giving them Gulab Jamun [Indian sweet]). And Bhagawan has spoken the truth about society today, perhaps worldwide, including some supposedly spiritual values oriented educational institutions. "This system of education creates unlimited desires in man. It does not inculcate the desire for liberation. The students, the educationists and the patrons of education, all struggle to fulfil their worldly desires."
I think there may be a few students, educationists and patrons of education even among many supposedly spiritual values oriented educational institutions who follow 'ceiling on (material) desires' and have desire for liberation instead of worldly desires. But the bulk of students, educationists (teachers and administrators like principals, directors and vice-chancellors) and patrons of education among such supposedly spiritual values oriented educational institutions are focused on worldly desires. I think that is the truth. Mind you, I am not blaming the students, educationists and patrons of education of such institutions. It is their life and their choice. I am just sharing my view that Bhagawan's 1993 discourse extract above tells us the reality.
I think those people who are desirous of liberation and would like to reduce their worldly desires, should not lose heart about the state of affairs. I think they should ASSIDUOUSLY cultivate the company of those who desire liberation thereby protecting their spiritual liberation quest from being watered down by the company of people who are more into worldly desires. Further, they should avoid Asathya-Adharma as that can have very negative impact on their spiritual quest. Note that sometimes supposedly Sathyam Vada Dharmam Chara (Speak the truth, follow Dharma/ethics) educational institutions have administrators like Head of department, principal, director, registrar and vice-chancellor who themselves may be Asathya-Adharma crooks. For those desirous of spiritual progress, it is best to keep a safe distance from such educational institution administrators and REFUSE to follow any Asathya-Adharma instructions they may give, even if that results in loss of worldly status and position. What is the use of worldly status and position acquired by following Asathya-Adharma to a GENUINE spiritual aspirant? If Sathya and Dharma are lost, what else is left for the genuine spiritual aspirant in his spiritual journey? Nothing! He loses all, if he loses Sathya and Dharma.
[I thank Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and Sanathana Sarathi, and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above extract from their magazine on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
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