A student has to possess three qualities. Sarva loka hite ratah (man should involve himself in the service of the society).  Sarva jnana sampannah (man should be a treasure of wisdom), Sarve samudita Gunaihi (man should cultivate all good qualities). (SSS Vol.32 Part I, p. 115) 

 

Sarva loka hite ratah (Rejoicing in the well-being of the entire world). This is the first quality. The student must wish for the welfare of the country. The second quality is: ‘Sarva jnana Sambhavah’ (Acquire all-round knowledge). This means that his knowledge should not be confined only to worldly matters. His knowledge should comprehend the spiritual. Every man is endowed with knowledge (Jnana). This assumes many forms. It is not mere intellectual exercise or mental speculation. It does not mean living in a dream world. It is not a product of the imagination. Jnana (in its profoundest sense) is the experience of oneness. (Ekaika darshanam). ‘Advaita Darshanam Jnanam’, declares the scriptures (Perception of the One alone is Jnana.) There is no duality in this Jnana. Ajnana (or ignorance) is the reverse of the awareness. This awareness should be reflected every moment, in every step of a human being. To acquire such awareness or knowledge, one has to secure three capacities. One, a healthy body. Two, sense control. Three, restraining the mind. If anyone of these three is lacking, the awareness will be incomplete. All three should be in the right condition. If there is a defect in anyone of them, full Sattvika knowledge cannot be got. (SSS Vol.25)

 

Man should stand out as a seeker of truth. The student should practise the truths he has learnt and use them for the good of society. Citizens may be interested in students’ problems, but students should not get involved in the citizens’ politics. Students should aspire to promote the nation’s well-being, its security and happiness. Selflessness, absence of egoism, unostentatiousness and true love should be the hallmarks of a true student. A student’s life should radiate light all around. ‘Vidya ‘ means light. It is to make this illumination available to the world that students pursue education. Students should desire to enjoy the bliss derived from education (Vidya) and not the pleasures of worldly objects (Vishaya). Students should aim at being masters of their senses and not their servants. (D3, p. 346/347)

 

Dear Students! I wish you should go out into the world as ideal students and serve the nation well. Securing degrees is not enough. You have to make your knowledge available to others. This is the purpose of education. Remember God. Love the nation and Experience bliss. ‘This should be your aim. (D3, p. 349/350)

 

This is the age of science and technology. Its civilisation and culture are bound up with knowledge of the physical universe. What the students have to learn today, however, are the culture of the soul, the broadening of the Spirit and sublimation of life. Along with the development of the intellect, the blossoming of the heart should also be promoted. Only that education is total and full, which comprehends enlargement of the Spirit (Hridaya). It should serve to promote ethical values. Only then will it be possible to lead a well-regulated and disciplined life. Students should observe some dos and don’ts during their educational career. Foremost among these is the cultivation of good company. ‘Smara sajjana samparkam’ (welcome the company of the good). Then comes aviodance of association with bad person. ‘Tyaja Durjana Samsargam’ (Run away from evil company). By association with bad persons even a good student turns bad. ‘Kuru Punyam ahorathram’ (Do meritorious deeds night and day). You must be ever engaged in sacred actions. You must participate in service activities, serving, with patience and sympathy, the sick and the destitute. You must be always prepared to render any kind of help people in distress may need.

 

Every student must become a light unto himself and a light for his home, his city and his nation. Unlike other educational institutions, the Sathya Sai Institute lays equal emphasis on scientific, economic and spiritual education. You should pursue your studies having regard to the unique environment obtaining here. You have to adjust yourselves to the conditions here and make the best use of the facilities and opportunities provided for you.

 

Develop fraternal feelings towards your fellow students. I only want men whose hearts speak for them. 1 have no use for words divorced from the heart. You must put into practice human values and prepare yourselves to play your role in any sphere of life in a spirit of universal love and compassion. (SSS Vol.21)

 

Students are the very foundation of the nation. To make the foundation strong, the people, the government, the parents, the teachers, and the students all have to co-ordinate their plans and efforts. These five elements, these five vital forces, have to work together towards this end. (BA, p.2)

 

A Telugu proverb declares, ‘When the daughter-in-law is dark-skinned, the entire clan is dark’. When students are good, the country will be good. As is the student, so are the people. Just consider: all persons whom we revere today as elders and leaders have been, at one time, students like you. And you too will replace them later. Make yourself ready therefore by utilising best the chances you have. Your education must make you self-reliant and self-confident. (BA, p.14)

 

Pursue your study diligently. Obtain good position in your examination. Get good jobs in your appropriate chosen fields and serve your motherland. Swami has no desire to stop anybody from working in any profession or getting married or going abroad for study or work. Go wherever you please. Do whatever job that is your lot, but never forget God. Anything you do with God in your heart is pleasing to Me. Forgetting God is no different from forgetting yourself. (SSS Vol.32 Part II, p.201)

 

The characteristic result of the modern educational process is the bloating of conceit into the size of a pumpkin when only a mustard seed size of learning has been acquired. And, the students aspire for unlimited rewards. As the proverb says, they pay for an onion and demand a melon as extra. The bond between jobs and degrees has to be cut asunder. Education should foster moral and spiritual excellence. Student should cultivate the intelligence needed to cleanse the mind, to stand on their own feet and to render service to fellowmen. Napoleon used to tell his people, ‘Be clear; the rest will follow’. Minds clear and strong can achieve the hardest tasks with ease.

 

Students in the past practised ‘simple living and high thinking’ but today, they are engaged in ‘High living urges them to earn and amass money, which is subject to devaluation and diminution. But the wealth of knowledge and character is free of both these. ‘Fire cannot burn, nor rulers confiscate. Floods cannot dampen nor thieves decamp with it’, as the saying goes. Kith and kin can lay no claim on it. Share this special wealth with others; it does not become less; it grows with each gift. Accumulate wealth and you will be bled dry by sycophants pretending to be friends. (BA, p.17)

 

Students! Learn effective means to smother the anxiety, the tears, the cruelties and the lies that afflict the world today. Revive the ancient ideals of learning and of living in the awareness of divinity. Shine forth in the splendour of eternal truth, in the practice of adjusted to the times. Be ready to renounce that which seems to you precious. Be heroes for adventure. The world needs today youths full of universal love, enthusiasm to serve, and disciplined emotions. (BA, p.20)

 

The Student Of Today...

Is an expert in Mathematics but a zero in Arithmetics,

Is eager to find out the route to America but not to Benaras,

Is a genius in Algebra and geometry but does not know the

plinth area of his house,

Is an adept in gymnastics but finds it difficult to sit in Padmasana,

Has a thorough knowledge of Botany but does not know the

curative power of Tulasi Plant,

This is the Condition of the modern student,

Thy must realise, commonsense is more important than Science.’ (Glory OB, p.3)

 

What is the essential Dharma of a student? Self-respect, self-confidence, selflessness and self-support constitute the Dharma of a student. The modern students of today lack all these four qualities. In the first instance students should acquire self-respect, which in turn enables them to cultivate self-sacrifice. It is only the person who does self-sacrifice can acquire self-satisfaction. Since the students have lost all these four qualities, education, students and teachers too have lost their value. Man enjoys freedom and justice only when he has cultivated the qualities of harmony and adjustment and feeling of Atmic oneness. Universal love springs out of this Atmic oneness. This love is the basis of universal brotherhood.

 

Man finds fulfilment by experiencing this nectarine love and sharing it with fellow humans. Thus by this love alone the divinity in you will shine, sattvika strength will arise, universal harmony will spring and Divine union will be possible. (SSB 1993, p.105-106)

 

I have been giving discourses for the past 60 years, but you are not making any effort to put into practice at least a few of the teachings. Students are like gold. Their hearts are suffused with sacred feelings. Their behaviour also should be in consonance with their feelings. Man will be ruined if his behaviour is not on the right lines. It is not only the students; even the teachers and administrators are not coming up to the expectations. No doubt, they have immense love for Swami, but the same love is not expressed in the form of gratitude and Sadhana. It is rather surprising, even to Me, that for the past few days I did not feel like speaking at all. As there was no marked change in you, I thought there was no point in continuing to speak to you. Hence I have decided to confine Myself to a few words. What do you expect Me to speak? I have already taught all that ought to be taught. There is nothing more to convey. I am pained to see that all and all My teachings have gone in vain and all My sweet words have become tasteless to you. (DD on 14.10.99, p. 2)

 

Moulding of character of students,  Swami said: Reflection of the father can be seen in the body of the child and the reflection of the teacher will be imprinted on the hearts of the students. The students will get your thoughts and feelings. Your character and behaviour influence the students. If teachers are good, students will be good. If you are on the right path, you need not have to speak much to the students about character; they will emulate you. Moulding of character is a gradual process. You should not be hasty. The flower in the plant will not turn into a ripe fruit in one day; it will take its time. Your efforts will never go in vain; they will bear fruit one day or the other. (SSSDK, p.169)

 

Students! Accept My Blessings. Received your letters full of fragrant flowers of information and prayerful salutations. They have caused this nice letter to be sent to you. This letter is giving joy to Sai and bringing Sai to you. The need of the hour is not to picture life as a garden of happiness and romantic love, but to hold it out as a battlefield meant to be lived as an ideal of heroism and courage. In the present circumstances, a play with words would of no use at all. By obtaining mere degrees, we can make neither your motherland glow with glory nor can you blossom forth yourselves.

Seeking Truth, you should transform yourselves into great devotees, lovers of God and be ready for any supreme sacrifice including laying down life itself. Bidding goodbye to all selfishness and self-interest, making divine Love as the bow and Wisdom as the arrow, you should shine forth as heroic students, placing your faith in transcendental Truth and God.

 

You should know that you are born to achieve great and stupendous tasks in life. You are the children of God, heroes in action, great soldiers in the age of Kali, full of compassion and Divine Love and resolved to make Divinity resound with success in the world.

 

This is not the time for rest and sleep. The future emergence of a glorious new Bharat is dependent upon you. The mother is awaiting your arrival on the scene. If the morality of Bharat is destroyed, the world will sink into utter ruin. If the spirituality of Bharat suffers any set back, it will be to the detriment of the rest of the world. The morality of Bharat is its sweet experience of Divine love. The Love for God should saturate and flow as the very life-blood.

 

Hearts should fill and overflow with waves of idealism. Do not become slaves of external life and education and destroy the small saplings of spirituality in your heart. Light and Lamps of Truth and dispel all weaknesses in your heart. You are messengers of God not servants of the Lord of Death. Establish the Kingdom Of devotion. Earn the Love of God. Develop spiritual knowledge along with worldly education. Love based on gunas suffers modifications. Make that transcendental Love as your own goal in life.

 

Do not become slaves of low desires and feelings. Make spirituality as your dwelling place. Every object in creation is transient. It is only the Bliss of the Atma, which is inexhaustible. Strive to attain it. Only through Love of God can you attain such bliss and develop it into full fruition. The inner significance of ‘ Krishna-tulabhara’ is to show that all the wealth of the world, with all its gold and diamonds, cannot match God.

 

It is only Divine Love, which is equal to Him. Foster such devotion in your hearts. Most have you have not understood the principle Swami embodies, nor can you comprehend. Understand Sai’s Love. You cannot trace any Selfishness in any corner of Sai. Whatever He does, is for your sake. There is nothing in the world which Sai needs.

 

Camphor is white as also the celestial cow,

Stars are white and also wings of a swan,

And so is the sweet smile of a Beautiful Sai,

 Sweeter than sweet juice of sugarcane or even the wine, is the Love of Sai.

The Love of Sai is more soothing and comforting than the sight of a beautiful flower or the sweet smile of an innocent child.

Sai’s word can confer all joy, happiness and prosperity on the world

Sai’s look can shower the delight of rain of the parijaatha flower

Sai’s Hand can confer the comfort of a loving mother’s hand.

This alone is for your joy and welfare – the conferrer of Love.

I expect from you only one thing, that you should transform yourselves into ideal children full of Bliss, the very embodiments of Atma, proving all this to the world by your behaviour and conduct in life. That alone is true Education. All other types of education are only its limbs and part.

 

What happiness did the Demon Somakasura enjoy, stealing the sacred scriptures and abusing Hari?

What did the ten-headed Ravana carry with him, seeking the wife of another person?

By how much did Duryodana gain by denying even an inch of space to Pandavas?

Could Kamsa, who vengefully and watchfully killed the innocent children of his sister, save himself from death?

Even today that would be the fate of the people, who are opposed to Dharma. What more can I convey to you?

Recognising this truth, carefully follow the proper path and conduct yourselves accordingly.

Thus,

Sai,

The Resident of your heart.

(PD, pp. 74-75)

 

Education is complete when one is

Perfectly clean inwardly and outwardly.

Ignorance is the greatest curse in life.

Ignorance is the greatest burden in life.

Ignorance is the greatest darkness in disguise.

Ignorance causes misery in life.

‘Blind’ is not he who does not see;

‘Blind’ is one who is disinclined to see,

‘Ego’ is the root cause of all troubles.

With Love - Baba

(PD, p. 8)

 

The bird with you, the wings with Me;

The foot with you, the way with Me;

The eye with you, the form with Me;

The thing with you, the dream with Me;

The world with you. The heaven with Me

So are we free, so are we bound;

So are we free, so we end;

So we begin and so we end;

You and Me and I in you.

Baba

(PD, p. 9)

 

Students should pursue such education which confers on them the sacred qualities like good character, adherence to truth, devotion, discipline and duty. (Telugu Poem)

 

Only those students who cultivate such qualities are eligible to be called students in the real sense. Those who act against those principles are not students, but stupids. You should not associate with such people. Neither you should call them stupids and earn their wrath. Be neutral in your relationship with them. You should keep up your own good qualities. (SSS Vol.38)

 

Students should develop good habits right from their childhood to enjoy good health to enjoy good health and happiness. In this context, there is a poem, which reads as follows:

 

Get up early in the morning at crowing of the cock,

Have a bath after morning ablutions,

Wear a proper dress.

Eat properly and moderately.

Go to school and study diligently.

Earn a good name.

Don’t move out when it is raining,

And never go near the murky pools.

Take part in games,

Run and ply.

If you abide by all these rules,

You will have both health and wealth. (Telugu Poem)

(SSS Vol.38, p.64)

 

Look at Me within your own selves. I look at Myself in you, you are My life, My breath and My soul. You are all, every one of you, My form. When I love you, I love My own Self. When you love your selves, you are loving only Me. (Tapovanam, p. 209)

 

It will be good if our students put into practice what they have learnt in this university and set a high ideal for others. All of you should lead your lives with humility and obedience. Destroy all your evil qualities such as pride, ego and wickedness. When you drive away all these evil qualities, you will become a pure human being. Wherefrom does humanness come? It comes from your heart. Here, the heart referred to is not the physical heart but the spiritual heart which is free from all blemishes. Like fragrant air, your purity should spread everywhere. You should share with others the pure thoughts and the pure feelings that emanate from you. Whatever you do, it should be helpful to others. Help Ever, Hurt Never. If you imbibe these two qualities, everything will become good for you. Then only will you become a student in the real sense of the term.

 

Students today indulge in hurting others. It is not good if you do not help others. You are not a student at all if you do not develop humility and obedience. These are very essential for students. But, today, educated people have become highly egoistic. They are proud of their Ph.D. degrees. What does Ph.D. mean? The letter ‘P’ stands for person, ‘h’ for help and ‘D’ for divinity. Hence, one with Ph.D. degree is the person who helps others and attains divinity. On the contrary, if he does not help others, then the letter ‘p’ will denote that he is a Papi (sinner). Whatever high an education you may acquire, you should always remain humble and modest and should respect your parents. Even if your parents are too poor to provide two square meals to you in the house, you should still love them. Your mother brings you up putting up with so many difficulties.

 

If you forget such a mother, it is a great sin. Your father also looks after you and helps you in every way. Therefore, never forget and forsake your parents. Love them till your last breath. That is the true quality of a student. Serve your parents and satisfy them. You will find fulfilment in life only when your parents are satisfied. (SSS Vol.42, pp.104-105)

 

The student seeking Vidya must possess kindness, compassion and love towards all living beings. Kindness to all beings should be his very nature. If it is absent, he becomes a boor. Vidya means, more than anything else, the quality of compassion for all living beings. If a person bears ill-will against any being, his education has no meaning. The advice given in the Gita, ‘Adweshta Sarva Bhoothanam’, ‘with no ill-will towards any being’, conveys the same message. Love and compassion must not be limited to mankind only. They must embrace every living being. (V Vahini, p.74)

 

Each student must, after intelligent inquiry, decide for the guidance during occasion which goal is best and which action is best suited to realise it. Both the goal and the action must serve the needs of society and help it to progress. People should not involve in injustice, violence and immorality. Nor should they deem their own gain as primary. (V Vahini, p.75)

 

Students should also develop unity, considering all as their brothers and sisters. All are human beings. All are the children of God. Therefore, you should live with unity without giving room to any differences. This is My message for you today. (SS Dec ‘10 p. 407)

 

Students! Whatever may be parents’ plan for you or your own plans for your future, never give up meditating on God. Serve your parents. Follow the example of Rama, who became adorable as a God by His exemplary life. He sacrificed everything to uphold plighted word of his father. Doing your duty is true Yoga. Your duty as a students to respect your teachers, revere your parents and earn a good name in society. After you get married, you must lead a virtuous and purposeful life in society. This is the culture of Bharat, It calls for a life of purity in thought word and deed. (SSS Vol.30, p.55)