My wish, My vow

25 July 1975, Anantapur

Professor Kasturi's English.

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Spiritual education is part of all types of education Education is no book-worm affair; the process must include the study and appreciation of all trades, professions and guilds. It must encourage the acceptance of the good and the rejection of the bad. Spiritual education is not a distinct and separate discipline; it is part and parcel of all types and levels of education, In fact, it is the very foundation on which a lasting edifice can be built. Secular and spiritual education are like the two halves in the seeds of pulses; the germ that sprouts is in between; It is fed by both. The feminine is the foundation on which a peaceful and happy world is to be raised. When women are true and brave, kind and compassionate, virtuous and pious, the world can have an era of peace and joy. Youth has the capacity to grow into strong straight (spiritual aspirants), who can scale the heights of spiritual adventure; but, it has no proper guidance. On the other hand, youth has evil temptation; evil example and evil advice are spread around on all sides, most attractively.

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To-day's education has no life-line Dame Novel too corrupts equally, with salacious pictures of bestiality. They both lead the young away into the wilderness of vice. They do not know, nor do they care to know, how to shape the young into self-reliant, self-confident, self-knowing citizens. The vital need is ignored. There was a student once who held out his palm before a palmist for scrutiny. He examined the lines with care and announced that he would advance very much In education. The student was very happy. He predicted that he would amass large sum of money; the student's Joy knew no bounds. He declared that the lines indicated fame along with fortune. This filled the cup of Joy to the brim; it could hold no more. Then, the palmist announced that the 'life-line' was short and it ended abruptly, quite quick! The student fell in a faint. Education too has no life-line, now; it does not ensure the skills and attitudes essential to live a life of peace and contentment. It is not 'full,' nor does it function in a comprehensive manner, taking all the needs and goals into Its orbit. It is satisfied now with cramming books, reproducing from memory, research into trivialities and awarding degrees which mean nothing special: And, its products parade their purposelessness, shouting that God Is dead and that virtue is a superstition. How can man exist without God, or God apart from man? There can be no garland without the string that runs through the flowers; there can be no men without the Inner kinship that God ensures for each. He is the - the String, invisible, but inevitable.

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Millions of have been spent on this College, not with a desire to add one more to the hundreds of colleges scattered all over the country, but, to train a generation of women who know how to live the ideals treasured in Culture and who will uphold the dignity and destiny of womanhood.

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"Reverence offered at the feet of parents reaches Me" Students, when they find distress or despair anywhere, do not now set about to reduce it. They pour oil on the flames and relish the damage they cause! My aim in starting and running this College is to train here the Ideal mother, the Ideal sister and the ideal wife, the Ideal woman, in fact. The curriculum which is followed in order to prepare you for the University Examination is just a bait to draw you Into this higher curriculum of character formation and development of Universal Love. The acquisition of a few bits of information without the transformation that is necessary is, for you, a matter of pride, though there is very little Justification for the same. The earth is but a speck in the vast Cosmos; India is a minute portion of that dot; is microscopic particle therein and you are one of the many of human beings living here. What reason have you to thrust your pride on the attention of others and feel superior? Women students and teachers have to be ever vigilant that they do not attract the eyes and tongues of young men by their dress, movements, laughter or behaviour. Be a little behind the times, it does not matter; it is better than adopting fashions that outrage the traditions and conventions of this country and Its culture. Do not bring dishonour to your parents or disappoint them by acting contrary to their dearest plans. The reverence that you offer at the feet of your parents is, let Me assure you, reverence that reaches Me. There are some special lessons and items laid down in this College to instil into you faith and spiritual discipline. Teachers and students much show special interest in them, for they are the unique features of this College, designed for your good and the good of the country. Teachers too must be examples of sincerity, simplicity and mutual co-operation and love; they too must evince interest in prayers, and other Items of spiritual importance.