The Heart Is The Source Of True Education

Sadayam Hrudayam Yasya Bhasitam Satya Bhüshitam,
Kaya Parahite Yasya Kalastasya Karoti Kim?(Sanskrit Verse)

(What can the evil effects of Käla time do to a man
whose heart is full of compassion, whose every utterance
is the truth and whose body is dedicated to the service of
others?)

Embodiments of Love!

Man should fill his heart with compassion, should always speak the truth and dedicate his body to the welfare of society. The thoughts, words, and deeds of man should always be sacred. The heart unpolluted by desire and anger, the tongue untainted by untruth, and the body unblemished by acts of violence—these are the true human values. It is because of the lack of these human values that the country is facing hardships today.

Bharat has been the treasure house of spirituality since ancient times. But today, it has lost both Satya and dharma and is enmeshed in unrighteousness, falsehood, and injustice. It is therefore incumbent upon students to dedicate themselves to the task of restoring the ancient pristine glory of Bharat. Just as the parents are worried and sad if their children lag behind in studies, so also Mother India feels aggrieved on seeing its citizens lacking in moral and ethical values. You have to remember that all those whom you revere as ideal citizens and noble souls were once students themselves. Never forget that students of today are the future citizens and leaders of this country.

Take to Righteous Actions from an Early Age

The value of an individual depends on his or her culture. The real significance of culture lies in giving up evil thoughts and bad actions, and cultivating sacred thoughts and performing noble deeds. The country is not a mere piece of land; it is an assemblage of citizens. For the country to progress, the citizens have to cultivate moral, ethical, and spiritual values. It is not possible for the citizens and the leaders to cultivate these values unless they practice them right from their childhood. Life becomes meaningless if one does not take to righteous actions from an early age.

Students are not able to refine their lives themselves. So, the parents and the teachers should play an active role in shaping the lives of the students. First and foremost, they have to enquire as to how the students can get rid of their evil tendencies. Just as a boulder becomes worthy of adoration and respect when it is carved into a beautiful idol by a sculptor, so also the students will become ideal citizens if they are brought up in the right environment. The teachers and parents are responsible for the good and bad in students. But, unfortunately, they have not understood their role in shaping and moulding the lives of the students.

Spiritual Education Is for Life

No doubt, the teachers teach the students in the class. But, what is vidya? It is derived from the root word 'vid,' meaning 'to know.' What is it that one should know? Vidya is termed as education in English. The term education has its origin in the Latin word 'Educare,' which means 'to elicit.' Educare has two aspects; worldly education imparts knowledge about the physical world. Spiritual education is essential, without which human life has little value.

In the modern education system, spirituality finds no place. Only worldly education is given prominence. Just as two wings are essential for a bird to soar high in the sky, two wheels for a cart to move, so also two types of education are needed for man to attain the goal of life. Spiritual education is for life, whereas worldly education is for a living. Only when man is equipped with these two aspects of education can he be deserving of respect and adoration in society. Possession of these two aspects of education will bring not only veneration and adulation but also self-satisfaction.

Worldly education, which relates to the head, is ephemeral. Reading, writing, eking out a livelihood, and attaining name and fame—all these result from worldly education. Worldly education makes man great, whereas spiritual education makes him good. Spiritual education relates to the heart, which is the origin of sacred qualities like compassion, truth, forbearance, and love. Today, parents expect their children to go in for higher studies, amass wealth, and become great, but very few want their children to be good. Goodness is long-lasting, whereas greatness is temporary. Goodness forms the basis for spiritual life. There are crores and crores of people who have become great, but what is their contribution to the welfare of society? Absolutely nil. You can earn a good name only by serving others. Therefore, strive to be good, not great.

Man Should Become a Composer, Not a Computer

Modern students are going to various countries for material education without realizing the fact that the heart, the source of true education, is within. True education is that which makes man ideal. Parents are the first teachers. They should show their children the way to goodness. Man cannot become good by merely being highly educated. Worldly education confers only Artha (wealth) and swartha (selfishness). Such education is responsible for the downfall of man. Worldly education is information-oriented, while spiritual education is transformation-oriented. Information-oriented education makes man a computer, whereas transformation-oriented education makes him a composer. Man should become a composer, not a computer. Who made the computer? It is the composer who made it. Man should, therefore, understand the meaning of real education.

Today, the moral, ethical, and spiritual values are on the decline. Modern students have no trace of these values in them. They have no respect for their parents and society. In that case, how can they expect to be respected by their children? Our ancient culture exhorts: “Mata devo bhava, Pita devo bhava, Acharya devo bhava" (revere your mother, father, and teacher as God). Respect and be respected. Practice before you preach. Only then you can become a composer.

There is a story of a king named Dushyanta in the Mahabharata. Having been born and brought up in a palace, he was inclined towards worldly and material pursuits. On the other hand, his son Bharata, who was born and brought up in Kanvashram (hermitage of sage Kanva), 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. This enabled him to lead a life of peace and happiness. That is why it is said, start early, drive slowly, and reach safely. Dushyanta had worldly and material wealth. He was a mighty emperor. What was the use of all that he possessed when he could not achieve spiritual growth? This clearly demonstrates the difference between urban education and ashram education.

Values Are Our Life Principles

The five human values of Satya, dharma, shanti, prema, and ahimsa can be compared to the five life principles of man, viz., Prana, apana, vyana, udana, and samana. A true human being is one who practices the five human values. Today, man is afraid of speaking truth, lest it should bring him harm, and he does not practice dharma as he does not know what it really means.

Under no circumstances should you give up human values. Losing any of the five human values amounts to committing suicide. If you do not speak the truth, you lose one of your life principles. Truth is your Atma. So, till your last breath, uphold the truth. The culture of Bharat teaches, “Satyam vada, Dharmam chara" (speak the truth and follow righteousness). These values are the same for one and all.

People all over the world are praying for peace. How can peace be attained? It is only through the practice of Satya and dharma. Today, man is leading a life bereft of Satya and dharma. This has resulted in a lack of shanti (peace), which in turn has led to the absence of prema (love). How can non-violence exist in the absence of these four values? Violence is rampant everywhere, be it home, bazar, or factory. Man, bereft of these five principles, has become a living corpse. Life has to be infused into man today, for which faith in God is very essential.

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.
Human life has to begin with faith to achieve bliss.

Ancient Acharyas and Modern Teachers

Today even the parents and the children, the husband and the wife lack faith in each other. The love they exhibit is only artificial. Under such circumstances, how can love prevail? One should have deep faith to experience true love. Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly. Fill your heart with compassion. When the heart is full of love, all actions will be suffused with love.

Jumsai, in his talk, referred to EHV as 3HV. The first H stands for heart, the second for head, and the third for hand. The harmony of heart, head, and hand symbolizes true human life. "Manasyekam vachasyekam karmanyekam Mahatmanam" (he is a noble soul whose thoughts, words, and deeds are in perfect harmony). "Manasyanyat Vachasyanyat Karmanyanyat Duratmanam" (he is a wicked one whose thoughts, words, and deeds are at variance). The very name of Hrudaya (Hru+daya) indicates compassion (daya). So, the heart should be filled with compassion. When there is love in the heart, all that you utter will be the truth.

Love in speech is truth.
Love in action is dharma.
Love in thought is peace.
Love in understanding is ahimsa (non-violence).

So, love is the underlying principle of truth, righteousness, peace, and non-violence.

In olden days, the teachers were called Acharyas, meaning those who practice what they preach. Today, the teachers cannot be called Acharyas because they do not practice what they preach. The modern teachers are experts in giving platform speeches, whereas the Acharyas of ancient times were proficient in practical science.

Education Should Be Free

How can the students heed the advice of the teachers who themselves do not practice what they preach? If the cow is grazing in the field, can we expect the calf to remain a mere witness? The calf naturally follows the cow. The relationship between the teacher and the student should be like that of the cow and the calf. It means the teachers should treat the students as their own children. But, today, one does not find such a relationship between teachers and students. Both the teachers and students have become money-minded. As a result, the students do not respect the teachers, and the teachers do not have love for the students.

In many educational institutions, seats are allotted to those who can pay large sums of money. This quota system has brought about an all-round degeneration. As the government is also encouraging this trend, the education system has become totally bereft of values. To stop this unholy trend, education should be offered free of cost. Everyone has an equal right to education. Education is the gift of God. No one has the right to sell it. Education should lead to elevation, not agitation. But today, we find agitation everywhere.

The Real 'Donation'

Today, money can buy admission, attendance, marks, and even degrees for that matter. The medical seats are readily offered to candidates who pay a sum of twenty to thirty lakhs. In order to earn the money spent by them to secure the medical seat, the doctors charge exorbitant fees from the patients. The same is the case with engineering too. Even for admission in the first standard, some institutions are charging twenty to twenty-five thousand rupees.

Modern education has made man a beggar. One should be bigger, not a beggar. I am not saying this out of a sense of pride, but Sathya Sai Institute is the only institution offering free education. Jumsai said that more and more institutions should be established. It is a matter of pleasure, but care has to be taken to see that education is offered totally free of cost. Only then can we shape the students into ideal citizens. Teachers should share all their knowledge with the students wholeheartedly. They must practice before they preach. This is what I expect from the teachers.

The education that is acquired by paying large amounts as a donation is no education at all. Only people having black money resort to such illegal means to acquire degrees. 'Do (for the) nation'—that is the real donation. Make use of your education for the welfare of society and the nation. Share your knowledge with others. It is not necessary that you should become a teacher to do so. There may be a few poor students in your locality. Conduct special classes for them in the evening. Today, people struggle to earn money and property right from dawn to dusk. They take to corrupt ways to earn every single rupee. One should not live just for the sake of money. It is better to die rather than to lead a life just for the sake of money. If you have money in excess, help others, provide free education, and free medical care to the poor.

Sri Sathya Sai School in Zambia

In Zambia, there is a devotee named Victor Kanu. He is here right now. He has established a Sri Sathya Sai School in Zambia. Many poor children are studying there. Both he and his wife are teaching the children with all love and care. They are imparting Swami's teachings and human values to all the children. It is going to become a college very soon.

There are many affluent people in the world. But they do not have the spirit of sacrifice to help such sacred institutions. Some of them who do contribute something, do it for name and fame. They expect their names to appear in letters of gold. Sri Sathya Sai institutions are not for name and fame. I would like to narrate a small incident in this regard. At a particular place, when I was about to give a discourse, one person switched off the fan. I asked him, “Why did you switch off the fan? We need it now. It is very hot here.” That person replied that it was he who had donated the fan and his name was written on the blades of the fan; unless it was switched off, his name would not be visible.

Education Leads to Immortality

The culture of Bharat declares: “_Na karmana Na prajaya Dhanena Tyagenaikena Amritattva Manasuù_” (immortality can be attained only through sacrifice; neither wealth nor progeny nor good deeds can confer it). All the activities and rituals you undertake must be for the welfare of society. You must inspire your children to work for the progress of the country. It is only sacrifice that confers immortality. Participate in every good work according to your capacity. Select a few deserving students and give them free education.

Education is not for worldly progress. It is to set an ideal, experience happiness, and share it with others. All the elders, the educationists, the rich, and the students should come together and strive for progress in the field of education. Just as a thread binds flowers of different hues to make a garland, likewise the feeling of love and sacrifice should bring you all together. Flowers are many, but the thread is one. The flowers may fade away, but the thread remains changeless. A bud changes to become a flower. Similarly, with the passage of time, the child becomes a man, man becomes a father, and father becomes a grandfather. But, the feeling of love is changeless. It is true and eternal.

Man should never lose any of the five values. Leaving the values amounts to committing suicide. But man today is no better than animals. The spirit of sacrifice that is found even in animals is not visible in man today. The cow partakes of grass and yields milk. But man partakes of sacred milk and indulges in wicked deeds.

What is the use of all the education he has acquired if man cannot give up his evil qualities?
All the worldly education will only lead him to vain argumentation, but not total wisdom.
It cannot help him to escape from the clutches of death.
So, man should acquire that knowledge which will make him immortal.
(Telugu poem)

Education should enable us to cultivate sacred qualities. Worldly education is negative and spiritual education is positive. What is the use of having a bulb without electric current? Secular knowledge is like the bulb and spiritual knowledge like the current. Both are essential for the progress of man and the world at large. Make proper use of the knowledge you have acquired. The parents should take active interest in the education of their children. Never desire that your son should become a great person; instead, pray that he should become a good person like Bharata. That is true human life.

The Good and the Great

If one goes through the sacred texts of the Ramayana, the Bhagavatam, and the Mahabharata, one understands the evil effects of kama (desire), krodha (anger), and lobha (greed). In the Ramayana, Rama symbolized goodness, whereas Ravana greatness. Though Rama and Ravana were equally proficient in all forms of knowledge, Ravana could not make proper use of his knowledge as he had no control over his senses. On the other hand, Rama exercised control over his senses and sacrificed everything for the sake of truth. The Ramayana is known as Ramacharitra (the story of Rama), and the story of Ravana is known as Kamacharitra (the story of desire). The Bhagavatam tells about the consequences one has to face if one becomes a victim of anger. Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu were all-powerful but ultimately perished because of their anger towards God. Hiranyakashipu was a great scientist. Today man has traveled only up to the moon, whereas Hiranyakashipu could even reach the stars. But he was ruined by his anger.

In the Mahabharata, Duryodhana and Dussasana symbolize greed, which is a negative power. On the other hand, the Pandavas stand for positive power. They adhered to dharma under all circumstances. Similarly, in the Bhagavatam, Hiranyakashipu symbolizes negative power and Prahlada, the positive power. Thus you find that positive and negative, good and bad co-exist wherever you see. Accept what is good and give up all that is bad, and earn a good name. Then you are not merely great, you will be good also.

Give Importance to Values, Not Money

Teachers! You have participated in this conference for the past three days. All of you have noble ideas, but you have to think of a proper way to implement them. Attach more importance to values than money and see that students make all-around progress.

Students! I want you to become ideal leaders. Make use of your education to serve the poor. Conduct free tuition classes for poor children and share your books with them. Only then the feeling of the brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God will develop. As I have told you earlier, Educare has two aspects: one that comes out of the head is Pravritti (outward), and the other which comes from the heart is Nivritti (inward). God is Hridayavasi (Indweller). So, all that originates from the heart is essentially Divine. Therefore, let all your thoughts, words, and deeds originate from your heart. Do good, be good, and see good. This is the way to God. Accept both pleasure and pain as gifts of God.

To get cured of Malaria, one has to take a bitter mixture. Likewise, one has to face hardships to attain happiness. That is why it is said, "Pleasure is an interval between two pains." Light has no value if there is no darkness. Similarly, pleasure has no value without pain.

Consider Every Good Work As God’s Work

Students!

To the extent possible, serve society. Of course, you need to take up jobs and earn your livelihood. But do not be avaricious. Be satisfied with what you get. Alexander conquered many kingdoms and amassed a lot of wealth. When his end approached, he realized that he could not take even a single penny with him. He asked his ministers to keep his hands out of the bier during his final journey so that people would know that even the mighty emperor Alexander had to leave the world empty-handed. Likewise, everyone has to leave this world empty-handed. Even a millionaire has to partake of only food; he cannot eat gold. So, be satisfied with the basic necessities of food, clothing, and shelter. Do your jobs properly and undertake service activities in your leisure time. Develop faith in God. If you do not have faith in God, you will not have fear of sin. Then you will become a demon. So, fear of sin and love for God are very essential. If you have these two, you will be successful in all your endeavours. Consider every good work as God’s work.

Work for Your Motherland and Serve the Poor

Embodiments of Love!

Stop hankering after foreign lands after you complete your studies. Serve your Motherland. Lord Rama said, "Janani Janmabhumishcha Svargadapi Gariyasi" (mother and Motherland are greater than heaven). So, work for your Motherland and serve the poor. The best way to love God is to love all and serve all. Serve others when it is necessary. You are born to experience love. Your life is full of love. But you are not able to understand this Principle of Love. There is nothing greater than love in this world. Love is God; God is Love. So, live in love.

Discourse in Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam on 26-07-1999 on the occasion of Valedictory Function of the First Sri Sathya Sai Seminar on Values—Parenting.