Universe Is A University

“Oh man of earth! Why do you boast about lofty 
Subjects you study and volumes you read? 
Don’t you know, all these illusive studies are 
Of no avail as they do not exhort you to 
Fold the hands and pray to the almighty Lord.”

Embodiments of sacred Atma, Teachers, Students, Admirers of education and Promoters of education!

This day is a day of transition—Sendoff to the old students and welcome to the new students. Life itself is a magnificent sea of time on which the tides of sorrow and joy are battering. Every moment man has been reflecting and experiencing sorrow and joys. Time is moving fast like a hurricane. The allotted lifespan of the body is melting like ice. But man is shedding life without realising its purpose. Is it a mere aberration of man? Or is it ordained by God? Or is it the culmination of thought? It is necessary to contemplate on this reality.

What is meant by education? Only bookish knowledge does not constitute education. A designated edifice cannot be called education. A conglomeration of colleges of a state do not sum up the concept of a university. Universe is the real university. Every individual is its student. Drawing, sculpture, agriculture, cultivation, industry, and the like are all the subjects pertaining to this university. Wherever you stay or wherever you go, that very place provides you with some kind of education or the other.

We must try to learn at every instance, because knowledge is life, and life is knowledge. Vemana said, “Kami gaka moksha gami kadu” (No one becomes an aspirer of liberation without first undergoing the stage of ‘desire’). We can have belief in ‘good’ only when we experience the effect of ‘bad’. Grasping good and shedding bad—it is possible only when we understand their implications. Education cannot be divided into two categories as spiritual and secular fields. These two are complementary to each other. Each is dependent on the other. It is a mistake to think that spirituality is against secularity and vice versa. Only when these two are conjoined, the seed of life is formed. We are today not in a position to realise the divinity that is present in humanity. We are not even making an attempt in this regard.

Stature Of Society Depends On Women

All that we study today cannot be called education. It is important that we should know about our goal or destination and about the purpose with which we are endowed with this body. When someone undertakes a journey without knowing his destination, then that person must be a fool. Women are like foundation to the society. The stature and literacy of any society depends on women only. Our college is established with this sacred intention of developing capable women through whom the welfare of the world can be achieved. There is no need to re-emphasize the ideals of this college to you. But we are repeating for the sake of newly joined students. The youth of today cannot be said to be zeros in either wisdom, capabilities or intelligence. They do possess these qualities in an abundant measure. However, the youth are unable to tread the right path because there is no one to teach them the principles that are necessary to develop those innate faculties; and also because of the negative influences. There are two devils that are devastating the youth namely Cinemas and novels. These fetishes are changing the very face of youth. What is this fetish called cinema? There is no one in this world who does not see a movie. Situation has come to such a pass that even an ochre robed sanyasin is entering into the film world. Its appeal is so formidable indeed. What type of arts are there in these cinemas? None of the arts that develop humanism are found in them. This type of arts can only foster devilish tendencies.

Then, the other fetish is ‘novels’. These novels instill craze and passion for sensual pleasures; and are ruining their lives. They provide such stories that are ruinous to the tender hearts. The amount of faith they repose on these fetishes is not found either in spiritual, Dharmic, ethical or even secular aspects, which are essential things for anybody and everybody. Spirituality and righteousness—only when these two eyes are present, the body can reach its destination safely.

One day a student had been to a palmist and wanted to know his future. The palmist looked at his palm and said “You have a great line of education”. Then, the student was overjoyed and paid the palmist two annas (1/16th of a Rupee) extra. The palmist said further, “You will have endless riches”. Then, the student forgot himself with joy and bloated in weight. Finally the palmist said, “But, alas! You will be alive only for a few more days”. With this prospect, the student was drowned in utter sorrow. So then, what is the use of riches when the lifespan is limited? Similarly, there is no use of acquiring degrees without developing good qualities. The education you are acquiring today is only a small fraction of what you are supposed to learn from life. Integrated (or wholesome) education is said to be acquired only when we receive the grace of God, who is full of Bliss. Therefore we must develop thoughts and qualities that are conducive to God’s grace.

Girl students!

In today’s scenario we find there is deterioration of character. Due to lack of virtues, humanism is deteriorating into demonism. Even animals observe some kind of reason and season; while man has no reason or season. Under these circumstances, it is necessary that we develop first good qualities. “Matru devo bhava, pitru devo bhava, Acharya devo bhava, Atithi devo bhava.” (Worship mother as God; Worship father as God. Worship teacher as God; worship guest as God) is the tenet proclaimed by the Indian Culture. This means that mother, father, teacher, and guest should be treated like God. Our elders have not acquired any big education whatsoever. They dedicated their lives for honour and dignity. These qualities were prevalent in every village and in every street.

What Is The Right Type Of Introspection?

Leaving this kind of education, we are acquiring bookish knowledge and the burdensome degrees. It is not proper to talk like, ‘Where is God? Where is Dharma? There is nothing like Dharma; There is no God’ and so on. Humanism is filled with divinity. God is present everywhere. There is no world without God. Look at a garland of flowers. Only flowers are visible. But the thread that is its inner substance is not visible. Only when we look deeper that we know the value of the thread. Similarly, the invisible God is the basis for the visible world. Therefore, this thread is the base for all. The ‘Brahma-sutrams’ are named in this context. In every human being ‘Brahman’ is present in a subtle form. Therefore one should not forget this Atmic principle. Towards this end, we must develop spiritual thoughts. Nowadays you don’t find any ideal student. You must strive to become ideal students. First of all you must dedicate your lives in the task of satisfying your parents. “This body is endowed by my parents. My blood is a gift of my parents. My clothes are given by them. My food is a result of their sacrifice. In case I am not useful to my own parents, then what other kind of service can I render? Only when I first utilise my education, body, and intellect in the service of my parents will I be able to serve the nation.” You must do this kind of introspection. Then you will be able to develop self-confidence that is necessary to serve the nation.

You may, for example, blow air into a balloon up to its capacity. Until then the air you blow is only confined to the balloon. When you blow further, the balloon bursts and the air mixes with the atmospheric air. In this manner, we must broaden our thoughts and sphere of activity. We must also broaden our love. Only when this love is expended and expanded, will we be able to merge into the ocean of God’s Love. How long can you keep a drop of water in your hand? The drop may get evaporated in no time. But when you mix it up in the ocean, the water drop assumes the form of sea. In the same manner, we must strive to merge our drop-like life into the vast ocean of universe. This is real Seva (service). We must take up all these types of studies with the sole intention of ‘Service’ of this kind.

We need all varieties of education, no doubt. Take the example of a tree. Which part is important? All parts are important—roots, branches, flowers, and fruits. But what is the most important among them? Roots are the most important. Only when we provide water to the roots, all other parts can flourish. Similarly, the root called self-confidence is most important for the tree of our life. This tree of life must be fostered with the water of our love. We receive satisfaction when we extend love. Love must grow well in the field of heart. The heart devoid of love is verily a desert. It has been sung thus:

“Oh Krishna, 
play the melodious song on your Murali 
(flute) in ecstasy so that nectarous rains shower 
And rivers of love swell on to the 
loveless barn lands of hearts for sprouting the 
saplings of love on them.”

What kind of song is it? It is a song totally filled with love.

Lack of love makes the heart barren. Only when we supply the manure of love, sow the sapling of love and shower the water of love; the harvest of love is enjoyed. Therefore, we must undertake to distribute this kind of love across the whole world and in all societies. It is our real nature to distribute love and foster the flowers and fruits of love. This was what welcomed everybody. This is the religion of Bharat. This was the avocation of our ancient Rishis. We must fructify our education so as to sustain this kind of resolve, this kind of religion, and this kind of passion.

Fulfil Humanism First

Girl students, when you look at the outside world, it is frightful indeed. Humanism is deteriorating day by day. One cannot be called a man simply because he is endowed with this body. Hands, legs, eyes, ears, nose, etc., do not vouch for humanism. It is not a great thing to be born as a human being. To live like a man is important. One should be born as a man, live like a man and die like a man. On the other hand, it is a shame on humanity in case man ends his life like a dog. Proper study of mankind is man—this has to be practiced. We must speak only what we believe in the heart and we must put into practice what we talk about. Foremost thing is to make parents happy.

Embodiments of divine Atma!

You should not relate degrees in terms of income, name or fame. Education should develop the outlook of service to society. Life becomes meaningful only when society is served. Oh man, do not be at large without knowing the essence of education; virtuous conduct is the essence indeed. There is no point in acquiring high education without deviating from the evil path. Your level of education must elevate you to an idealistic way of life without resorting to agitations and agonies. When the fire of agitations takes place in society, the educated person must try to douse the situation, instead of escalating it with the oil of spur.

In the earlier days, whenever an old woman traveled in an empty train she used to be happy to have the company of a student. But now such helpless people get agitated whenever they see a student in their compartment. Fear grips them until they reach their destination. How shameful it is to behave like demons. Modesty is most important for women. The students of our college should keep up the noble traditions of Bharat and observe the norms and discipline of the college. I bless that all of you bring name and fame to your families.