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Date:22 Nov 1998 Occasion:Convocation Place:Prashanti Nilayam

Serve the Society

Bharat has men who are capable of educating even the ancient sages about
the essence of scriptures; men who have sacrificed their lives for the
uplift of society; men who can wield power over the land. Bharat has
many such eminent personalities. Alas! Of what use are such men in
Bharat if they have no awareness of the wail of the oppressed? When will
they respond to the heart-rending cries of the poor?

(Telugu Poem)

Students! Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached. The need
of the hour is men, who set an ideal by their valor and courage in the
battle of life, and not men who pursue the physical, ephemeral, fleeting
pleasures.

Students! Investigate into the concept of ideal education propagated by
the ancient sages. They enthroned Righteousness and welcomed Truth. They
enshrined valor and courage. You should emulate such people, who strove
for the glow of Indian culture. In fact you are the true inheritors of
the legacy of Indian culture. You should resolve to uphold Dharma and
work for the welfare of the country. Science and technology has improved
by leaps and bounds over the past 200 years, yet no sanctity has been
attached to it. This has stimulated development in human civilization,
but not within man. Absence of human values will lead to the decline in
spirituality. Develop the strong faith that body has been gifted to
uphold human values. Since ancient times Bharatiyas stood for peace,
forbearance and forgiveness. A study of the history of Bharat will
reveal the fact that many invaded Bharat and plundered its wealth, but
never has Bharat invaded any foreign land on its own. Bharatiyas have
considered divinity and purity as their two eyes. In such a sacred land
justice and righteousness have been consigned to flames, resulting in
trials and tribulations, turmoil and unrest on a large scale.

Education does not mean mere bookish knowledge. Knowledge acquired
should be put into practice and shared with the rest of the community.

Does the ability to read and write make one educated?
Does securing college degrees make one educated?
If education is for a living, are not the birds and beasts living?

There are millions of educated men and women all over the world, but
what is the benefit accruing to their respective nations? None. They are
utilizing their education for selfishness and self-interest alone.

Embodiments of Love, Men and Women students!

Eschew selfishness and self-interest and resolve to serve the society.

The eternal and long lasting values have disappeared into thin air.
Good nature in men and women is on the decline.
Ancient Aryan wisdom is frittered away
Western education is on the rise.

Bharatiya education makes one ideal and self-reliant. It inculcates the
sense of sacrifice in man. Having called yourselves children of Bharat,
you should keep in mind the welfare of Bharata Matha. Modern education
enhances the intelligence, not broadmindedness. It makes the students
stonehearted. True education is one, which instills compassion in you.
Patriotism coupled with sacrifice; devotion coupled with love should
become a part and parcel of your life. Education confers humility.
Humility confers deservedness; devotion to God.

In this sacred land of Bharat
Forbearance is our best wealth;
Of all forms of rituals, the highest
Is the observance of Truth and morality;
Of sweetness of disposition
The greatest is maternal love;
Jettisoning the national idea
That honor is greater than life itself,
What a pity people have
Fallen a prey to exotic practices
What can I say about the plight of Bharat!
Like the elephant unaware of its strength
Alas! Bharatiyas have become docile today.
(Telugu Poem)

Since ancient times Bharat has stood as an ideal for the rest of the
world. Unfortunately we witness a different scenario today. We find
educational institutions proliferating in every street, in every
village. What is the gain therefrom? Absolutely 'nil'. Humility, the
hallmark of a true student, is not noticed.

Harm is done to those that help,
Sense of gratitude is lacking,
Teachers are made laughing stock.
This is the progress of modern education.
(Telugu Poem)

To realize the purpose of education, serve the society. Cleanse the
country of all evils. True education is that, which makes one a complete
man. Only when one gets transformed into a complete human being, the
purpose of education is fulfilled.

Students!

Resolve to make the best use of the education you have received. Respect
and revere elders and set an ideal to humanity. Let your conduct befit
the degrees you have acquired. Nothing great in obtaining good marks,
see that you do not invite bad remarks. In modern system of education, a
student is declared pass, if he secures just 35% of marks. What about
the balance 65%? If a person completes only 35 out of 100 tasks assigned
to him, can you call him a successful one? One should secure 100% marks.
That is true education. Attaining high marks is not the aim of
education. Education is meant to broaden the mind. Education and
discrimination should go hand in hand. The prosperity of the nation
depends on the progress you make in the field of education. The future
of the nation rests on the students.

Moral and ethical values are confined only to books,
Heart has become a dwelling place for evil qualities,
Actions have become completely self-centred,
This is the progress of modern education.
(Telugu Poem)

Education acquired should be translated into action.

Students!

As I have told you repeatedly, knowledge can be classified into five
categories: Bookish knowledge, Superficial knowledge, General knowledge,
Discrimination knowledge and Practical knowledge. General knowledge and
commonsense are very much essential. You should set an ideal by
exercising practical knowledge and following the four Fs. First F is
Follow the Master. Who is your master? Conscience is your master. So
follow your conscience. The second F is Face the devil. The third F is
Fight to the end and the fourth F is Finish the game. Play the game of
life in the true spirit of sportsmanship. Students lack self-confidence.
Confidence in the Self is very essential. Lack of confidence in Self
will lead to depression. Today 90% of the people are afflicted with
depression. Depression will lead to weakness of mind. "Nayamatma
Balahinena Labhyah", a weak-minded one cannot realize the Atma. If you
have confidence in the Self, you will never be weak-minded.

Bharat has stocked plenty of wealth for you. What is this wealth? It is
the spirit of sacrifice, which can be acquired through service to
society. Do not waste time. "Karmanubandheeni Manushyaloke", human
society is bound by action. "Sareeramadhyam Khalu Dharma Sadhanam", body
is gifted in order to undertake righteous actions, not to eat, drink and
make merry. Render service to others till your last breath. The essence
of 18 Puranas can be summed up in one phrase: "Paropakarah Punyaya
Papaya Parapeedanam". HELP EVER; HURT NEVER. Set an ideal, which is
helpful and delightful to one and all.

Students!

"Janthoonam Narajanma Durlabham", human birth is the rarest of all.
Human life should be one of character, good actions and good qualities.
It should be dedicated to the service of society, not for amassing
wealth. Education is for life and not for a living. One need not strive
for money. If education is properly utilized money will come on its own.
Today educational institutions have become business centers.

Money has become our God;
Pride has become our creed;
Selfishness sits supreme in the minds of men;
Egotism has become our fashion;
Greed has become our beauty;
Dharma has come to naught;
Compassion has sunk low;
Moral fervor is lost;
Hypocrisy has become the light of our life;
Love and kindness lie sick and diseased;
Modern education has blinded men with lust;
Life has become a burden;
Minds have gone astray;
Delay no more, for delay is disastrous;
Fuse morality with education in sweet harmony;
Live up to the reputation as children of Bharat.
(Telugu Poem)

Moral values should be the underlying current in each and every action
of man. Only when you have moral and ethical values, you deserve to be
called children of Bharat.

Embodiments of Love!

"Loka Samasthah Sukhino Bhavanthu", Let the whole world be happy, has
been the motto of Bharat since ancient times. Resolve to revive and
rejuvenate the pristine glory of Bharat. Propagate these noble ideals in
every village, every street and every house. Observe unity in every
activity of yours. Believe in the dictum, "Brotherhood of man and
Fatherhood of God". Do not feel jealous of anyone. Jealousy is an
incurable disease. Praise and censure are inevitable for man. Only the
tree that bears fruit is stoned. Likewise only the good face problems.
Do not attach importance to these trials and tribulations. A Tree
welcomes stoning because it is aware of the fact that people have
recognized its value. Similarly, man should not feel dejected when he is
censured. Treat dualities like pain and pleasure with equal-mindedness.
Develop this broadmindedness. Divinity blossoms in those with such a
sacred attitude. All are the embodiments of God. Krishna declared:
"Mamaivamso Jeevaloke Jeevabhuta Sanathanah" (All are sparks of My
divinity). Do not consider yourselves as mere mortals. Have firm faith
that you are divine. Only then you will be able to work for the
emancipation of this country, and it will be restored to the status of
teacher to the rest of the world.

Students!

The Vice Chancellor quoted from the Taittiriya Upanishad, "Matrudevo
Bhava, Pitrudevo Bhava, Acharyadevo Bhava, Atithidevo Bhava", revere
your mother, father, preceptor and guest as God. This was the teaching
given to the students at the time of leaving the portals of Gurukul in
ancient times. This act of benediction is termed Convocation today.
Education is the very form of God. The word 'education' has originated
from the root word 'educare', meaning 'to bring out' or 'to elicit'.
Educare has two aspects: that which relates to the head and that which
relates to the heart. That which emerges from the head is pravritti
(external) and that from the heart is nivritti (internal). Unless the
head is empty (free from evil) it cannot be stuffed with good. Modern
education relates to the head, but true education relates to the heart.
Sacred qualities like Compassion, Truth, Forbearance, Love originate
from the heart. Here is a small example. Physical features like height,
weight, complexion can be seen by the naked eye, whereas there are
innumerable qualities like compassion, truth, love which are unseen.
Merely acquainting oneself about the physical features of an individual
does not make one aware of his/her true personality.

Hiranyakasipu's scientific achievements far exceeded those of the modern
scientists. He could even reach the Polestar, whereas the modern
scientists have traveled only up to moon. Prahlada cautioned his father
Hiranyakasipu, "Oh! Father, you have conquered all the worlds, but not
your senses. The same sentiment was expressed by the Prime Minister of
England, Churchill, "Man has conquered all, but he has not conquered
himself". Man knows everything, but not himself. On being questioned by
a westerner as to why he was in a pensive mood, Gandhi replied that he
was ruminating over the modern educational system, which was making him
stoneheaded. Education should fill one's heart with love and compassion.
Two parts of hydrogen and one part of oxygen add up to make water.
Greatness lies in sharing water equally, not making it. Everyone has an
equal right in sharing water. Today everyone is fighting for rights but
what about responsibility? Students! You do not need to fight for
rights. Discharge your responsibilities, rights will follow. Do your
duty, duty is God; work is worship. What is your right? To make
everybody happy is your right. Serve everybody and make everyone happy
without expecting anything in return. Service is God. "The best way to
love God is to love all and serve all". "Speak softly and sweetly". "You
cannot always oblige, but you can speak always obligingly". That is the
essence of Bharatiya Vidya. Education does not mean "Twinkle, Twinkle
little star, how I wonder what you are?" All this is artificial
education. True Bharatiya Vidya is one, which fosters spirituality and
human values.

Students!

Propagate the ideals of true education in the four corners of the world.
Sacrifice everything for the sake of truth and tread along this sacred
path. Truth is God; Love is God, Live in Love; Live in Truth. Imbibe
these principles. Once you are along the path of love and truth, you
will gain all wealth and wisdom. Be steady, do not waver. Students of
our institutions live up to these ideals and bring a good name to the
institute. There is no institution comparable to our institution in this
country. Business has taken over education right from K.G. to P.G. in
other institutions. But our institute is based on sacrifice. Foster this
sacred quality of sacrifice. Offer education to your fellow beings free
of cost. The Veda declared: "Na Karmana, Na Prajaya, Dhanena Tyagenaike,
Amrutatwa Manasuh". Immortality can be attained only through sacrifice
and not through wealth, progeny or action. Be prepared to sacrifice,
True yoga lies in sacrifice. First and foremost, make your parents
happy. Make everybody happy and be an ideal. The Vedas declared,
"Sahanavavathu, Sahana Bhunakthu, Sahaveeryam Karavavahai Tej'aswi
Navadheethamasthu Ma Vidhvisa-vahai".

Let us all move together and grow together,
Let us grow in intelligence working together,
Let us live in friendship without any conflict.

I wish that you practice and propagate these sacred ideals. Blessing
you, I bring this discourse to a close.

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