The Holy Ones of the World

Young Monks In The Morning

Students! Embodiments of the Divine Atma! And, supporters and promoters of education! This Kali Yuga offers more facilities for liberations than any previous one. For, mankind is much cleverer now; there are educational institutions even in the farthest corners of every land. But, it is a pity, peace of mind has become very rare among men. Why has peace remained out of reach. In spite of the plethora of gadgets and contrivances that offer man comfort and pleasure?

The fault lies in human conduct which runs along evil lines. When man thinks, speaks and acts along virtuous lines, his conscience will be clean and he will have inner peace. Knowledge is power, it is said; but virtue is peace. The world reveres even today great men and women who have lived exemplary lives of virtue. Jesus, Muhammad, Zoroaster, Buddha, Sankaracharya, Madhwacharya, Ramanujacharya and others were able to command the loyalty and adoration of people, solely on account of the purity of their conduct and actions. They have become immortal residents in the hearts of mankind. Scholarship cannot confer this high historic ascendancy. Mastery of books may help you to expound or exhibit your dialectical skill. But, what really is the width and depth of your experience? And, just examine how conceited you have become! Man must saturate his daily life in truthful speech, virtuous acts, and holy thoughts.

There were other seers too who laid down paths towards the same goal. They announced that the universe belongs to God and man should not desire to accumulate or appropriate any portion of the Divine Treasure. They advised that the sapling of devotion must be protected from the pests of sloth, doubt, and fanaticism by the cultivation of valour and vigilance.

Of the major religions, I may mention one, namely, Buddhism. Buddha was so agonised by the suffering that haunts the life of man, that he investigated the behaviour of the mind and intellect of man and discovered remedial disciplines. He analysed the vagaries of the mind which lead man into the whirlpools of desire; he analysed the ways of reason, too, and spotted the areas where prejudice takes root; above all, he preached surrender to dharma, to compassion and to Buddha (the Enlightened One).

- Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

SANATHANA SARATHI

February 1980