Getting or giving

8 March 1981, Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar, Hyderabad

Professor Kasturi's English.

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When man is mastered by the mind He falls far below the level of (animal). When man is mastered by the intellect He rises up to the level of (). Thus declares the Lord.

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The four goals laid down by Though mankind has achieved incalculable progress in science and technology, the mind of man is still polluted with greed, envy and gross selfishness. Egotism has struck deep roots in the heart of man. It has grown into demonic proportions. Man has become a puppet, yielding to every pull of the string. He craves all things that can confer joy on him; he accumulates things that cater to his sense of power. He examines every item from his own selfish point of view. Therefore, he is enslaved by the monsters - envy, pride, fear, and prejudice. True knowledge alone can.save mankind from ruinous downfall. The four goals laid down by , are in fact those laid down by the . They are , , and . Mankind has to understand the importance of these four goals, accept them, adore them, and practise them in daily life. Only then can the Divinity latent in man shine forth in all its glory.

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or Truth is the first ideal. It is realised by the of the tongue. The second, (righteous) living, is realised by the (discipline) of the body and its components in relation to the society which surrounds man and the objective world which affects him and is affected by him. By his right action and right conduct, man can attain the third goal, (equanimity), unaffected poise or peace. This can be won by discipline of the mind. establishes itself on the tongue through Sathwik (pious) ; is achieved by the exercise of Rajasik (active) regulation; or peace is the consequence of Thamasik withdrawal and even inactivity. But, (love), the fourth goal, is beyond these three modes and beyond thought, word and deed. The Divine is not easily comprehensible. So, my emphasis is not generally understood in its full significance. is God. God is . To consider it as a method of speech, an attitude of mind or as physical behaviour is to sorely demean it. has no trace of selfishness; it is not bound by motives.

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What we can give others must be the concern Persons who are educated through these institutions, in time, occupy positions of authority and influence. How then can the condition of the world become better? Education must assume full responsibility and enter the moral and spiritual lives of pupils. The imparting of worldly information and training in technical skills are not enough. Moral and spiritual education has to supplement them. The idea that a posh bungalow, with costly sofas, dining tables etc., or a heavy pay packet from Dubai, Iran or Iraq, is the ideal to be worked for should be given up. This ideal breeds evil. The ideal should be - hands dedicated to hard work, heads dedicated to service, and hearts filled with compassion. exhorted students to cultivate compassion. No one should suffer harm or pain through our words or deeds. For, when another is hurt by us, what really happens is insult and injury to our true nature, as men. Attention is now paid soley to the self and its wishes. This must be reversed. Not what we can get from others but what we can give others - that must be the concern.