Lead your life with self-confidence, faith, and devotion

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Divine Discourse at Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli, 14 Febuary 2009.

Forbearance is the real beauty in this sacred land of Bharat (India). Of all the rituals, adherence to truth is the greatest penance.

The nectarine feeling in this country is the feeling of love toward one’s mother.

Character is valued far higher than the very life itself.

People have forgotten the basic principles of this great culture and are imitating western culture.

Alas! Bharatiyas (Indians) are not aware of the greatness of their cultural heritage, just as a mighty elephant is not aware of its own strength.

(Telugu poem)

Creation emerges from truth and merges into truth.
Is there a place in the cosmos where truth does not exist?
Visualise this pure and unsullied truth.
(Telugu poem)

Wherever you look, truth (sathya) is present there. It is present in every stone, every pebble, every tree, every boulder, and every rock. Everything is the manifestation of truth. Truth blossoms in various ways and various forms. Though truth is everywhere, it cannot be seen because it has no form. Everything in this world is the manifestation of God’s glory! Try to recognise this truth.

Higher education at Muddenahalli for instilling self-confidence in students

Embodiments of Love!

I have come to Muddenahalli after a long time. When I first came here, excellent arrangements were made for the convenience of the people who had gathered here in large numbers. The organisers very patiently and peacefully made them sit comfortably to enable them to listen to My discourse.

The purpose of My present visit is to provide facilities of higher education to the students who are studying here. At present, this institution provides facilities to the students for studying up to 12^th standard. They have to go to distant towns if they want to pursue higher studies. The places are far-off and the expenditure is too high, which they cannot afford. Moreover, living in a town is also full of difficulties. Therefore, I have resolved to provide education up to postgraduate level so that the students can pursue courses like B.A., B.Sc., M.A., etc. here itself (loud applause).

People are endowed with all types of powers, but they suffer because they have too many desires. All powers have become meaningless because of this excessive greed. Greed is the real cause of sorrows and difficulties. People are losing peace of mind because of excessive desires. Therefore, reduce desires and attain knowledge of the Self (Atma Jnana). People can get rid of all their worries when they engage in the quest for knowledge of the Self. It is My wish to provide ideal education to the students in this institution so that after passing their B.A., B.Sc., B.Com., etc. they can lead their lives in the vast world with self-confidence.

Value-based education to be imparted to students

There are many facilities in villages today, but spirituality has gone into oblivion. People have given up the practice of reciting the various names of God, like Rama, Krishna, and Govinda. Therefore, I have decided to arrange for imparting the teachings of the sacred texts like the Ramayana, the Mahabharatha, and the Bhagavad Gita to the students so that they can imbibe these teachings themselves and share them with others. It is for this purpose that I am starting a new campus of this university. You may have seen the university building at Puttaparthi on top of a hill. It is My wish that a grand building like that should be constructed here and that valuebased education should be imparted to the students of this region also.

People know the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, but they do not put them into practice. What is the use of that knowledge when it is not put into practice? One should put these teachings into practice, share them with others, and inspire them to make these as part of their life. The very purpose of My coming here is to encourage and inspire you in this regard.

Today, I laid the foundation of the building. My resolve is that when I come here again next year, the building should be ready. Nobody else can declare with such authority that the work of this magnitude would be completed in such a short time. It is not only with regard to this campus of the university; I did the same for our super speciality hospital at Puttaparthi also. I declared on 22 November 1990 that the hospital would start functioning on 22 November next year, and it did start functioning on that day. Do you know how the implements required for the hospital came? On 21 November night at 11 O’clock, a big van arrived, full of all the required equipment. As declared by Me one year before, four heart operations were performed on the day of inauguration. The operations were successful, and the patients were discharged within five days.

I am laying the foundation of this building on 14 February 2009, and this campus will start functioning next year. Everything will be ready next year by this time and all the facilities will be provided to the students.

You can achieve everything with self-confidence

Students should develop self-confidence. Many of you might have read the story of Abraham Lincoln, who lived in penury during his student days. While other boys went to school in costly clothes, Lincoln could not afford even a proper dress when he went to school. One day, his friends made fun of him and humiliated him. He came home crying and told his mother how he was being insulted and humiliated. His mother consoled him, saying, “My dear son, do not get affected by praise or blame. Develop self-confidence. Have firm faith in God. Then everything will become good for you.” These words made a lasting impression on the tender heart of Lincoln. He acquired self-confidence with the encouragement of his mother. Ultimately, he rose to the position of President of America. He expressed his deep gratitude to his mother when he became the President of America because it was due to her teachings that he rose to such a high position.

Nothing is impossible in this world for a person who has self-confidence and courage. One can accomplish anything and everything. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen self-confidence. Do not bother about what others say. Do not be afraid even if they make fun of you. Why should you have any fear when God is with you? He is the resident of your heart. He is none other than your Atma. Call it God, call it Atma, call it Consciousness — all are different names of the same reality. If you take gold to the goldsmith and ask him to make a ring, he will make a ring out of it. The same gold can be melted and made into a bangle or a chain. The ring, the bangle, and the chain are made of the same gold. Likewise, the same is present in everyone though it takes various forms. It is not possible to divide the Atma. One Atma dwells in all beings (Ekatma sarva bhutantaratma). Truth is one, but the wise refer to it by various names (Ekam sat viprah bahudha vadanti). Nobody can attribute any differences to the principle of the Atma. If we perform our task with this type of self-confidence, we can achieve anything. We will then be victorious in all our endeavours.

You should all become great leaders. Today the country is passing through a critical situation. People are very much concerned as to who will become their leaders. Therefore, you should become good leaders, go to the masses, provide necessary encouragement to them, and set society right. You are all aware that many evils have crept into our society. Many educationists have been saying that they will work for the welfare of society, but none of them has done anything. Society can be set right only by those who have firm faith in God. Sacred teachings should be imparted to the students, and they should be encouraged to take part in the service of society. Only then can there be peace in the world. It is not enough if you merely pray, “May all the beings of all the worlds be happy! (Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu)”. You should serve the world. Serve all, bangaru (My dear golden students)!

Considering yourself the servant of all, and develop the spirit of selfless service.

Present-day leaders come and go. Once they become leaders, they forget their duties. These leaders may become MLAs today, MLCs tomorrow, and ministers thereafter. But they all come and go. None of them is stable in their position. Do not become like that. Only those who have self-confidence can become real leaders. Therefore, develop self-confidence and serve society. Develop compassion toward poor people and try to protect them. Offer food and clothes to them, and show them the right path. You need not do what is beyond your capacity. Whatever little you can afford to do, do it in such a way that it gives maximum results. I am starting this institution with these expectations and bless you all to achieve the same. Next year, I will come and open this new campus of the university.

Students should earn a good name

Do not be worried about the funds. So far, I have never asked anybody for money. Where is the need to ask anybody for money when the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, resides in My heart? Therefore, do not ask anybody for money. I will provide everything. I do not beg from anybody. I am not a beggar. Whatever may be the expenditure, I will bear all of it Myself. You will see the results yourself. Even the people from Bangalore will be wonderstruck when they see the work done by Me.

Students! Lead your life with self-confidence, steadfast faith, and devotion and study well. Think that God is always with you. In fact, He resides in your heart. Don’t consider that He is separate from you. Your parents may be away from you, but God can never be away from you. Therefore, develop devotion for God. You may forget anything, but never forget spirituality. The power of spirituality is greater than any other power. There is no other power greater than that.

Our Narasimha Murthy is also sitting here. He should stay here for some time and set everything right. (Saying this, Swami created a gold ring for Sri Narasimha Murthy and put it on his finger.) He should help in selecting good teachers who can fulfil the objectives of this institution. Narayana Rao! You and all your teachers should work together in unison for the growth and progress of this campus. If you need anything, ask Me. Do not ask anything from anybody else. I will meet all your requirements.

Is My long discourse causing inconvenience to you? (Sri Narasimha Murthy and others said that it was their great good fortune to listen to Swami’s discourse.) Of course, you are all very fortunate. Dear students! You are indeed very fortunate that you have been blessed with the opportunity to experience the bliss of Swami’s sight, touch, and conversation (darshan, sparshan, and sambhashan) from your early age. “The vision of the Lord destroys all sins; His touch destroys the bondage of karma; conversation with Him destroys all troubles (Darshanam Papa Nashanam; Sparshanam Karma Vimochanam; Sambhashanam Sankata Nashanam).” Not only that, all the worldly sufferings are cast away by these three.

Share your experience with your parents also. Try to correct them if they have any bad habits, so that they can get rid of them. Earn a good name, so that your parents may proudly say, “Our boy is studying in a Sai institution, which has brought great transformation in him.” Do not earn a bad name, as a result of which they may have to express regret, “Our boy is studying in such and such school where he has taken to bad ways.” Earn a good reputation. When you earn good reputation, you can attain any high position in life.

(Here, one of the listeners exclaimed, “Swami! Today, it seems that we have been transported into heaven.” Swamithen said) Very happy, very happy. Be always happy. (Bhagawan sang the song (bhajan) “Prema Mudita Manase Kaho Rama, Rama, Ram…” and continued His discourse.)

Never hurt your parents

When you meet any of your friends, do not say, “Oh friend! Hello, hello … How are you?” Instead, address him lovingly, saying, “Brother! How are you?” and offer your salutations to him.

Whomsoever you salute, it reaches God,
Whomsoever you criticise, it also reaches God.

Sarva jiva namaskaram Kesavam pratigachchati,
Sarva jiva tiraskaram Kesavam pratigachchati

Therefore, respect everyone. Love your parents deeply. It is your parents who have given you life and nourished you. In fact, all that you have has been given to you by your parents, while they took all your sufferings upon themselves. Therefore, never cause any hardship to your parents at any time. When you conduct yourself in this noble manner, God will bless you with wealth and prosperity. When your parents become weak and debilitated, support and help them. Children should see to it that they do not put their parents to any suffering. Never make them shed tears. If you make your parents happy, your children will also make you happy. Never harm anyone. Always offer help to all. Help Ever, Hurt Never.

Many overseas devotees are also getting transformed by following the teachings of Swami. I declare before all of you that the whole world will become like one family within next 18 years. Soon Bharat (India) will have a great name as spiritual leader of the world, and Bharatiya (Indian) culture and spirituality will spread to all corners of the world.