Sai Darshan Home <darshan.html>
Date:22 Nov 1999 Occasion:Convocation Place:Prashanti Nilayam

True Education Liberates

One may master all forms of knowledge,
One may vanquish one's adversaries in debate,
One may fight with valor and courage in the battlefield,
One may be an emperor reigning over vast kingdoms,
One may offer cows and gold as an act of charity,
One may count the countless stars in the sky,
One may tell the names of innumerable living creatures on the earth,
One may be an expert in eight forms of Yoga,
One may reach even the moon,
But can anyone control the body, mind and senses?
Turn the vision inward
And achieve the supreme state of equanimity of the mind.
(Poem in Telugu)

Embodiments of Love - Students, Boys and Girls!

You can call yourself a student only when you know the significance of
education. Education does not mean mere acquisition of bookish
knowledge. There are many who are experts in bookish knowledge. Many
have become educational wizards and scholars. What is the service these
intellectuals are doing to the world? Having been born and brought up in
the society, having acquired their knowledge from the society, what is
it they have done for the society? What is the use of their scholarship
and education, if they do not show their gratitude to the society?

Education is for Serving the Society

Sri Aurobindo once told the students of Calcutta University, "Students!
Why do you acquire this knowledge? Is your learning only for your
selfish ends? You have acquired all these skills expense of the society.
If you do not repay your debt to your community by using your talent for
the society, it is better you burn your books."

Today science has achieved great advancement. Many scientific and
technological disciplines are taught to the students. Is this knowledge
imparted by the society for the benefit of the society or for the name
and fame of the students? Having become great intellectuals, is there
any genuine transformation in them? Churchill once said, "Man has
conquered all, but he has not conquered himself." Scientific education
of today teaches one everything about the external world, leaving out
the knowledge of the Self. The entire effort of man is now concentrated
on knowing everything about the external world. All this is mere
material and physical knowledge. The learned man today knows all about
the external world but nothing about his own reality. True relationship
is that which you establish with your inner self. Everyone asks the
question, "Who are you?" But nobody seems to be interested in putting
the question to himself, "Who am I?" The answer to the first question is
related to the physical aspect of your personality, while the second
relates to the spiritual aspect. Human excellence will blossom only when
the relationship and balance between the physical and the spiritual
aspects is intimately established. Physical knowledge is negative, while
the spiritual knowledge is positive. Humanness blossoms when the
positive is blended with the negative. The purpose of education is to
produce this happy blend of the physical and spiritual knowledge and
help human excellence to blossom. Thus, the aim of education is total
development of man.

Ancient Vs Modern System of Education

Man should be transformed to become compassionate. Of what use is that
education which does not melt the heart of the student to the plight of
others? Modern secular education is making man hard-hearted. Just as you
try hard to sharpen your intellect, you should broaden your heart also.
If this fact is not realized, of what use is your intelligence and
learning? With proper education, both the mind and heart should be
transformed.

In this sacred land of Bharat, great sages have been making many changes
and modifications in the education system since ancient times. Before
the coming of foreigners, there were very few educational institutions
in this country. Each of them specialized in one branch of knowledge or
the other and helped the students to achieve excellence in that branch.
Kasi (Benaras) University specialized in the study of grammar. Alankara
Sastra (rhetoric) was the specialty in Kashmir University. Ujjaini
University specialized in mathematics. Similarly, there was a small town
known as Navadvipa where Nyaya (logic) was the specialty. Amaravati, the
capital of the kingdom of Bharata (brother of Rama) specialized, apart
from other sciences, in Ayurveda (medicine). Ayurveda was a specialty in
the Takshashila (Taxila) University also. One of the most famous
universities of ancient India was Nalanda, which specialized in grammar,
Nyaya, medicine and Yoga Sastra. Valabhi, Mithila and Vikramasila were
other well-known universities of ancient India. In all these
universities, apart from the specific disciplines, general ethics and
proper moral conduct in life were essential part of the curriculum.

Sathya (truth) and Dharma (righteousness) were the guiding principles
for all students. Besides, vocational training for various trades like
carpentry, pottery, blacksmithy, etc., was given so that the pupils may
be trained for life and may become capable of earning their livelihood
in a righteous way. What is the point in learning subjects which are not
useful in daily life? Learning professional skills is therefore
essential. Fine arts like music, dance, drama, etc., were also taught in
these universities. Amaravati University included in its curriculum all
these subjects and their branches. Careful investigation indicates that
there were only nine or ten such universities in those days.

Today there are hundreds of universities. But what is the knowledge that
is being imparted in all these institutions? What service do they render
to the society? What evidence is there that they serve the interests of
the society? With the growth of modern scientific and technological
studies, the true aim of education, i.e., the knowledge of the Self, has
declined. Vidya is termed Education. What is the root meaning of
Education? The word is derived from the Latin root educare. What does it
mean? It means to bring out what is inside. What is it that has to be
brought out? Every form of knowledge and capacity is latent in man. He
is endowed with all types of potentialities - physical, mental,
spiritual and ethical. The true aim of education is to make explicit the
innate powers of man. These are of two types. One relates to the
knowledge of external things, and the organ that manifests this power is
the head (brain). The organ that enables one to bring out the inner
knowledge is the heart. The former relates to physical existence while
the latter to higher learning or living in its true sense. Life will
become ideal only when both these types of knowledge are made to
manifest in harmony. The knowledge emanating from the head, viz.,
reading, writing, etc., helps you to earn a living. All this is mere
bookish knowledge. From Pusthaka (books), it enters the Masthaka (head).
It is only superficial knowledge that which has gone into books from
someone's head and back into another's head from the books (from
Masthaka to Pusthaka and Pusthaka to Masthaka). Apart from this bookish
knowledge, one must have general knowledge. Besides, one must attain
knowledge of discrimination, which helps one to discriminate between
good and bad and right and wrong. But above all, one should attain
practical knowledge, which comes only after getting the knowledge of
discrimination.

Due to his obsession with external knowledge, man today is immersed in
self-interest and forgets his responsibilities to the society. When you
engage yourselves in the welfare of the society, your welfare is
automatically ensured. There are hundreds of thousand wealthy and
learned persons in the world. But they are all engaged in selfish
activities. Do you find anyone who has put the interests of the society
above self-interest? In fact, they confer prestigious awards and honors
on those persons who are engaged in selfish pursuits and seek their own
advancement. It is apparent that they do not know the real meaning of
education. Persons with numerous degrees are thought to be highly
educated. Such proliferation of degrees is mere quantitative attainment.
But what we need is quality. One teaspoonful of cow's milk is better
than barrels of donkey's milk.

That is why in olden days, each university specialized in one area of
knowledge and imparted the knowledge of the highest quality to its
students. The university in Kasi (Benaras) specialized in grammar in all
its manifold aspects so that the acquired knowledge could become useful
and practical in day-to-day life. The Amarakosa - probably first of
existing lexicons in Sanskrit was a subject of study and even through
this study of grammar the teachers of those days were preparing their
students for Amaratva (immortality). In these universities, each student
was himself a great scholar. Who were the teachers? Often, the resident
preceptor was himself the faculty and indeed the Vice Chancellor. The
whole process of education was carried out independently without any
interference or control by any government or other agency. Saraswathi,
the goddess of learning, was honored and given complete freedom. The
students received her boundless grace to attain high standards of
excellence. Generally, the teachers did not take any salaries for
teaching nor did the students pay any fees. There was no fixed timetable
for the teaching; the preceptor taught as and when he was so inclined as
the spirit moved him. He might wake up a student at night and impart
knowledge. Irrespective of his own convenience, he would clarify the
doubts of his students. And where were all these instructions carried
on? The classes were held in natural environment on the banks of holy
rivers, under shady trees or in temple verandahs in a pure and sacred
atmosphere.

Today's education requires huge edifices. An enormous number and variety
of equipments and implements are necessary, and huge effort, physical
and monetary, is required for these. There were no such requirements of
equipments or grand buildings those days. Even in the famous
universities like Ujjaini and Takshashila there were no large buildings
or edifices like those of today. There is no comparison between the
teachers and students of those days and those of present times. Today
there are textbooks galore and numerous 'notes' thereon, but there are
few that study. In the days of yore, there was no paper or ink. Teaching
was carried out by oral communication from the teacher. The students
were so receptive that they absorbed all instructions and retained them
in their memory. Words emanating from the heart of the preceptor were
imprinted on the hearts of the students. The students today cannot
remember what they have studied just an hour earlier. Why are the
students of today so short of memory? The students today have a wavering
mind, which is the cause of their short memory and poor retentive power.
Education in those days included the techniques of controlling the mind.
Only when the mind is under control is it possible to absorb and retain
the subject of study. That is why it is said Manah Eva Manushyanam
Karanam Bandhamokshayo (the mind is responsible for both the bondage and
liberation of man).

Education should Develop Sacred Qualities

This eternal truth has been forgotten today. The practice of compassion
and love is absent in daily life. Without these eternal values, of what
use is your education? It is therefore necessary to include these
ancient values in our modern education system. There is no harm in
acquiring modern education and skills, but the blossoming of your heart
is the fundamental education. A noble heart and a broad mind are your
basic requirements; do not stray into narrow-mindedness. You should
expand your love. If you narrow it down to yourself, then it will become
contraction love. Instead you should have expansion love. This is the
principle taught by our ancient culture. Forgetting this valuable
ancient tradition of Bharat, you are engaged in acquiring physical and
material education. What is it you are going to achieve? You have to
manifest all those ancient values in your life. These values are not
something that can be acquired from outside; they are all in you. Your
effort should be to make them manifest.

Modern scientists have dug deep into the earth and made explicit several
potent capacities that are resident inside the earth. By such
indiscriminate acts, they are disturbing the balance of the earth and
exposing the world to great danger. This imbalance has grown to such an
extent that it can cause threat to the very existence of the world.
Today we almost worship science and technology. What is this science and
technology that you are so proud about? All this knowledge is already
within you. Proper enquiry and discrimination will reveal all these
truths to you.

Any student of elementary chemistry will say that water is formed by
combining two parts of hydrogen and one part of oxygen. You know even
how to synthesize them. But are you making enough effort to see that
water is evenly distributed to all the members of the society? The
welfare of the society should be constantly in your view. If all your
knowledge and skill is employed for purely selfish purposes, what is the
use? In Mumbai, some people are spending crores of rupees to convert sea
water into potable water. Crores are being wasted in such futile
efforts. By such methods, you may get a glass of drinking water at a
cost of about five thousand rupees. This country is served by sacred
rivers like the Ganga, the Yamuna, etc. What is needed is to pump up and
distribute this water to the people who require it. This will require
only a fraction of the cost of converting seawater into potable water.
This kind of effort at technology is like buying peanuts for a quarter
of a rupee and paying half a rupee to carry it to your house. Such
learning is not knowledge. It is sheer ignorance.

Ignorance is very close to knowledge, just as darkness is under a source
of light. You imagine that technical knowledge has made rapid strides.
You also believe that science has made great progress. But the fact is
that side by side with the growth of physical knowledge, ignorance has
also grown enormously. You are totally unmindful of this ignorance, and
are continually spending four times the money and effort for fulfilling
each one of your needs. This is the reason for Bharat's visible poverty.

Along with intellectual acumen, you must have the right virtues. Good
behavior, good intellect, commitment to truth, devotion, discipline,
sense of duty - these are the six aims of education. Who is teaching all
these today? We find that the students are heroes in bookish knowledge
and zeroes in practice. This is not true education. You have to become
heroes in practice as well. You are writing a large number of good books
and giving discourses to spread the message of love and service. It is
not enough if these are propagated, you should put into practice what
you learn. Only then will you be blissful.

Education Leads to Bliss

Embodiments of Love - Students, Boys and Girls!

Modern education does not fulfil the aim of life. You gather graduate
and postgraduate degrees, but these are mere burdens on your minds. What
comfort do you derive from these degrees? Nothing whatsoever! Penniless,
illiterate persons go to sleep without a care in the world. But educated
persons with many degrees to their credit, acquired at great cost,
wander about hunting for a job, almost facing starvation. Education is
not solely for the purpose of earning a living. It must lead you to
experience bliss. Of what use is the job and the wealth if there is no
happiness? Man is in constant search for wealth. As the earth revolves
round the sun, man is going round money. Even a beggar can get money. Is
that sort of income worth acquiring? Virtue is the wealth that you
should go after. In the absence of virtue, wealth merely makes you bloat
with pride and ostentatiousness, destroys your humanness and eclipses
your human values. Studying to get a degree, getting a job, running a
family- all these are worldly activities, emanating from the head. What
is it that a learned person should bring out? He should manifest the
qualities of compassion, love, forbearance, peace, kindness, etc., which
come from the heart. But today there is no compassion, there is only
fashion. It is very important to have compassion. You should respect and
love all your fellowmen and serve your parents. Parents undergo many
privations and difficulties to give you the facilities for acquiring
good education.

Respect Your Parents

You know how difficult it is to get good education these days. It is
only in our university that you have the privilege of free education.
Anywhere outside, it costs ten to twenty thousand rupees to put a child
in the 1st Standard. For graduate courses, you know what is the monthly
expense. Who bears this cost? Is it not your parents? Out of love for
you, with your welfare, progress and future prosperity in mind, they
undergo many difficulties, wear themselves out day after day so that you
may achieve academic success. You are just not mindful of all this.
Today you are a student. Tomorrow you may be a parent. Unless you
respect your parents today, your children will not respect you tomorrow.
If you respect your friends and fellow students, they will also respect you.

"What will happen to you when you become a decrepit old man, when your
body becomes weak, legs stagger and vision fails and you are no better
than a leather puppet, and an object of ridicule for the world?"
(Poem in Telugu)

It is imperative for you to imbibe divine qualities. You should grow up
as an intelligent, sensible and compassionate person with human
qualities. Otherwise, you cannot achieve the purpose of human life.
Instead, if you join evil company and take to all sorts of vices, you
will dissipate all your acquired good education in worthless ways. Seek
good company. Tyaja Durjana Samsargam, Bhaja Sadhu Samagamam, Kuru
Punyam Ahoratram (abandon bad company, seek the company of good people,
perform good actions day and night). This is the proper way. By evil
association you also become evil. That is why it is said, "TeIl me your
company and I shall tell you what you are."

Make friends after proper enquiry. You must love all. Do not hate
anybody. But you must keep in your heart good people only. Similarly,
mere bookish learning is fruitless unless it is put to practical use.
Craftsmen like carpenters, potters and blacksmiths were able to lead
successful life in olden days. Today there is no connection between
institutional education and practical vocation. Take the simple matter
of washing clothes. Why can't you wash your own clothes? Such savings
can be put to more sacred purposes like helping a needy person. Money
should not be wasted. You should tread the path of purity, humility,
divinity and set an example to the world. When people extol you as a
student of Sathya Sai Institutions by your exemplary conduct, how much
good reputation is earned not only by you but your Alma Mater also! Be
sure to uphold your own dignity and respect. Only then can your parent
institution have good reputation. Otherwise, it will become a case of
empty pocket, bare face and shaven head! (A Telugu saying signifying
total ruin).

Never mind whether your stomach is full or empty, but keep your parents
and family happy. Speak gently and properly with them. That is why I
say, "You cannot always oblige, but you can always speak obligingly."
Nowadays, it is difficult to make out whether a student is talking to
his own parents or some strangers, because his manner of talking to
parents is so reprehensible. If the father is not very highly educated
and approaches his son with an enquiry, "My boy, what are you doing?"
mostly he is shrugged off with "Go away, don't bother me." Instead of
this if you speak sweetly with humility, "Father, I am trying for a
job," how pleased he will be! If you can't please your own parents, how
on earth will you please the society?

What was the nature of convocation in olden days? After completing their
studies, the pupils made appropriate offerings to the preceptor and
prayed for his parting advice. Then the preceptor used to advise them,
"My children, now you are ready to go back to your families. Support
your parents, get married and lead a righteous life." What is the state
of affairs today? When children get back home from the educational
institutions, they do not treat their parents properly. But the parents
still take care of their children putting up with all their misbehavior.
Modern students do not have even an iota of our culture. What a sacred
tradition it is! Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu (May the entire world
enjoy bliss) is the prayer that our culture enjoins us to utter each day.

There was an old man, who followed his rituals strictly and performed
his prayers (Sandhya Vandanam) in the prescribed manner early in the
morning and at sunset. He had a grandson who used to sit in the verandah
doing his day's homework, dipping his pen in the ink bottle every time
he wrote a few lines. As he was busy with his study, his grandfather
came out and sat on a little stool and started chanting the Mantras,
"Kesavaya Namah, Madhavaya Namah, Govindaya Namah," etc. Taking water
from a little vessel, he sipped half a spoonful at a time with each
Mantra as per the ritual.

The modern lad stopped his study and started watching his grandfather.
He started thinking, what a foolish thing his grandfather was doing! If
he wanted to drink water why did he not drink it all in one gulp
straight from the vessel? He stopped his work and asked his grandfather,
"Grandfather, why are you drinking water sip by sip? Why don't you drink
it in one gulp from the vessel if you are thirsty?" The old man was an
intelligent person and knew the modern mind. He said, "My boy, you do
your work in your way, I shall do mine in my way." But modern lads have
the habit of arguing with elders. So, the boy questioned his grandfather
again. When pestered further by his grandson, the old man shot back,
"You simpleton, you dip your pen in the inkbottle every time you write a
few words; why don't you just pour the bottle of ink over the paper and
be done with it?" Then the boy realized his mistake of arguing with his
grandfather. The grandfather continued, "Dear boy, you have to dip the
pen in ink to write every word. Only then will it be neat. When I chant
a Mantra and take water it reaches the particular deity whose name is
chanted. When you write a letter and write address correctly on the
cover, it will reach the right person. Similarly, the Mantras are
addressed to the respective deities. If you don't understand, you should
keep quiet."

Instruction was given in an informal and interesting way in those days.
Today's students neither know their own job, nor do they understand the
work of others. This kind of general knowledge has to be acquired by
direct experience, not from any institutional study. Hence, try
seriously to understand the significance of your ancient culture.

Never Forget Your Cultural Values

What is it that the present-day scientists and technologists are doing?
Have they any idea? They assert that all that is on the earth is for the
use and exploitation by man. Indiscriminate mining of all kinds of
minerals and ores is carried on for so-called benefit of mankind. The
earth is spherical. Systematic removal of material from one side causes
imbalance as the other side becomes heavy. It is the divine dispensation
that maintains balance. This balance should not be disturbed. The loss
of balance is the cause of earthquakes and other natural disasters. Man
is not only causing imbalance on the earth, he is polluting the oceans
with industrial and urban waste. Water pollution has reached a stage
where people are forced to drink polluted water.

Science helps you to develop and sharpen your intellect. There are many
scientists; many of you are also students of science. You must know that
knowledge that comes from within is at the top level. At the second
level is skill, at the third is balance and at the fourth is insight.
Swami tells you to convert your knowledge into skill, not to kill it.
When knowledge is killed, imbalance ensues. Why is there such loss of
balance in the world today? This is because you have killed your
God-given knowledge instead of turning it into skill.

Students!

Past is past. Forget the past. Do not worry over the future, as it is
uncertain. Live in the present. The present is not just ordinary present
- it is omnipresent. The future is the consequence of the present. The
present is the consequence of the past. The tree of the past gives the
seed of the present, which grows into the tree of the future. Between
the tree of the past and the tree of the future, the present is the
seed, which is of utmost significance. It gets sustenance from Neethi
(morality). Without Neethi, Manava Jathi (human race) is bound to be
ruined, and even its existence is impossible. Manava Jathi (human race)
is a balanced blend of truth, morality and sacrifice. But we are failing
to recognize the sacredness of human nature. Amongst all beings, birth
as a human being is the rarest (Jantunam Narajanma Durlabham). Loss of
this humanness in man is the cause of chaotic conditions in the world.

I said the other day: "Sathyam Bruyat, Priyam Bruyat, Na Bruyat
Sathyamapriyam" (speak the truth, speak sweetly, do not speak
unpalatable truth). This mode of living is true sacrifice. Who can
assert that he is treading strictly this path? Some people make fun of
the Brahmins when they chant Mantras. Each Mantra is potent, and all our
ancient traditions are meaningful. A small example. There is a wedding
going on. These days you have elaborately decorated Pandals or
Shamianas. Those days they had no such elaborate external decoration.
Just four posts were put up, covered over for shade with green leaves
and branches and the people used to sit under the shade to carry out the
rituals. Even now on holy days, we hang mango leaves on our doors and
gates. It is not merely a sign of auspiciousness; it provides healthy
environment too. The sudden influx of a large number of guests causes an
increase in carbon dioxide. The green leaves help in reducing the carbon
dioxide level and increase the oxygen in the place. Some people may ask
why we should have green leaves; will the plastic leaves be not better?
Can the plastic leaves and flowers absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen?

Dear Students!

You should try to understand the inner significance of your cultural
heritage. Swami never says you should not have modern education. Why
would Swami make such an inhibition? All that is said is that along with
this worldly study, pursue also an enquiry into the principle of your
Self (Atma Tattwa). This was the basis of the ancient education system.

You know, Krishna and Kuchela were taught in the forest. The friendship
developed during that study was long lasting. Today there is no true
friendship. If you have money in your pocket, there will be many who
will be hailing you "hello, hello." If there is no money, then 'hello'
becomes 'hollow'; all friends desert you. Is this friendship? True
friendship is like a single life embodied in two bodies. Your effort
should be to acquire friendship like this. While making friends, do not
hate anybody. Do not harm anybody. Bhagavan wants that you should all
acquire education of this kind, with broad-mindedness and purity and
become a model for humanity. This is My benediction for you.

Dear Students !

So long as you are here, you are safe and secure. When you get back to
your homes, you are assailed by various distractions like television,
video, cinema, etc. All these pollute your hearts. The programs on the
television are very attractive, but you must realize that they are shown
to you not for your gain, but for the gain of sponsors and advertisers.
Only watch such programs which are related to education, or those
dedicated to moral values. TV has, in fact, become a disease of modern
times. So, it is not TV but TB (tuberculosis). If there are no moral
thoughts in you, what will happen when such programs are watched? If you
have leisure, take a walk. Don't sit in front of a TV set. You become so
addicted that when someone intervenes, you lose your temper. Even the
sound from the kitchen disturbs you, where your mother is busy making
dinner for you. Why don't you get up to help her and make her happy?
This is the main principle of our culture: Help ever, Hurt never.

Acquire big degrees, achieve fame. No harm. Go abroad, earn money and
reputation; nothing wrong in that. But never forget your own culture.
Don't criticize others' culture. Wherever you are, make your life an
ideal for others. Speak pleasantly. Do good deeds. Then you will be a
good person.

Goodness vs Greatness

Do not strive to acquire the status of a great man. Always strive to
become a good man. Great men may do many evil deeds, but the acts of a
good man stand out as ideals for others always. Ravana was a great man.
Rama is the example par excellence of a good man. Both had mastered the
same studies: but how different were their natures! Ravana, though
endowed with extraordinary learning, was himself destroyed and was the
cause of the destruction of his entire clan, because of one bad quality
of desire. Hiranyakasipu, the master of all the five elements, was
ruined by his evil quality of anger. Duryodhana was ruined by greed. He
refused to give even five villages to the Pandavas.

All these persons not only destroyed themselves, they were the cause of
the utter destruction of their entire clans. Even one evil trait is
enough to cause ruin. Then imagine how much worse a fate one will be
faced with if one has all the six evil qualities of lust, anger, greed,
pride, envy and hatred? When you see an evil person, you will become
aware of your own bad qualities. When you see a good man, your own
goodness will come to your mind. Thus, your good or bad qualities have
intimate common relationship with others. All men are bound together by
their innate common qualities. It is necessary to unify all humanity.
When such a unity is achieved, then the divinity immanent in human
beings will manifest.

Do not make friends indiscriminately. Always enquire into the good and
evil in your fellowmen and then choose your company. While helping, you
need not discriminate. Help anybody in need. Earn a good name for your
institution by your reputation as a good person. That alone will make
Bhagavan happy. There are no fees for the various facilities in the
Sathya Sai institutions. You have complete peace in the absence of all
fees In other places, there are fees of many kinds. Paying out fees
here, fees there, fees for this and fees for that, where is the room for
peace? You only go to pieces. Lead a peaceful life. Be good. Be a model
for the society. This is the gift of Bhagavan to all of you today. Do
not forget God. God is your very life. Keep God in your heart and serve
the society. You are bound to succeed in all your endeavors. Bhagavan
wishes all of you to lead lives full of bliss.

Today, Dr. Goldstein is the Chief Guest. Since he is a familiar figure
here, do not take him for granted. He is no ordinary person. He does not
lack wealth. Nor is he short of academic distinctions. He is quite well
known. He is the Chairman of the American Medical Council. Very few here
have all the qualities that he has. It is not for any of the material
things like wealth, fame or health that he comes here. It is for the
sake of the bliss he experiences here that he comes so frequently. When
Bhagavan asked him, Goldstein replied that he found bliss here in
Prasanthi Nilayam which was not there in America. You know he is a rich
man. If he wanted his son to be married in grand style, he could have
done it in America. His son was to be married to the daughter of a
well-known film star who is also a rich person. But Goldstein does not
bother about grandness and greatness, he is concerned only with
goodness. The film star brought her daughter and Goldstein his son, and
the marriage was performed in that little interview room of Bhagavan.
The couple is happily living together.

His second son insisted that Swami perform his marriage too. For many
years, Bhagavan delayed the decision. Finally, Swami asked Dr. Goldstein
to bring his son here. Swami found a suitable bride for him from an
ideal and well-to-do family. The marriage was again performed here. In
olden days, girls used to cry a lot while leaving their parents' home
after the marriage. Unlike modem girls, this girl also cried for Swami
while departing from here, I told her not to cry and to come again with
a child.

Both the sons of Goldstein are very good. Their goodness is in fact a
consequence of their association with the Sai Organization. Their wives
are also very good.

Goldstein does everything according to the commands of Bhagavan. He is
in charge of the Sai Organizations of several countries, including that
of America. He is a good, devoted and disciplined worker. As a loyal
member of the Sai Organization, he has the three sacred qualities duty,
discipline and devotion.

Emulate him and follow these three qualities and become ideal models in
your lives. Earn a good name. Make your parents happy, do not neglect
them under any circumstances. If you disobey your parents, remember you
may face the same fate when you become parents. Be good, see good and do
good. This is the way to God.

[After Bhagavan's Divine Discourse, the entire congregation stood up to
sing National Anthem.]

------------------------------------------------------------------------