Love of the Motherland

25 May 1982, Orientation Course for University Teachers, Prasanthi Nilayam

Professor Kasturi's English.

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To achieve release, man kneels before A million gods, in frantic pain. If he but blasts the ego within, The goal is reached; he is freed indeed/ It is difficult indeed to understand the ego - its depth and devious ways. It is an inert entity, that is to say, it cannot know itself nor can it know others. It has no fear; it will not bend before others. It degrades man from the golden glory, which is his due, to the level of lowly dust. Snakes hiss, pigs grunt, bulls moo! They are asserting their ego, intent on keeping others away. Of the traits of ego, pride is the most poisonous. But, the pride of the scholar, the pride of is so thick that it is impossible for them to get rid of it. The dog feels proud of its master's home. So, it barks at strangers trying to enter it. Man too is so attached to 'my home,' 'my people,' 'my property,' that he too keeps people away, from the moment he awakes to the moment he sleeps. But, egoism is contrary to genuine human nature. In fact, it is the trait of an animal only. The fully blossomed flower fades and falls apart within hours. Even while a person is proud of his physical strength, mental freshness and intellectual sharpness, old age creeps in, with its debilitating effects. And, wealth? And power over men and things? They are like lightning flashes, illumining only a fraction of a moment. They are here today; they are gone tomorrow! These transient natures and possessions, interestingly, produce lasting impressions! Man's enemies are not outside him; the sins he commits are his greatest foes. They prompt him to act contrary to all codes. was prompted into sin by his nefarious ego and his crime reduced his splendid kingdom to a heap of ash. Hitler rose to be the Dictator in Germany; victory over sundry neighbouring states boosted his ego and made him power mad. He caused a World War and died amidst the ruins of his own capital city. Egoism is an infection that ruins all chances of expanding and elevating one's consciousness. It can undermine genuine human qualities. So, educators must take special care that the tender hearts of children are not polluted by this virus.

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Students should avoid demeaning temptations The beggar at the door wails "Ma! I am a stranger, a . Give me alms." He means that he does not belong to the village, that he has no one to support him or feed him at the place. means a person who has moved into a new place from his own or country. The beggar hopes to get a loaf of bread or a . The educated person in the strange land hopes to get a hundred or a thousand or even a . They too belong to the same profession. Students should avoid such demeaning temptations. They should not give up their mother country and proceed overseas. And, they must not commit the mistake of believing that a person becomes great if he goes overseas. Air hostesses do it every day! Have faith and love towards your home, your village, your part of India, your Motherland. But that does not imply hatred of other countries. On no account should hatred or enmity or intolerance pollute your minds. Consider an example from the . After the death of on the battlefield, asked , "Brother! Our brother has been ruling the kingdom of very well, for fourteen years. That kingdom, though poor, is happy under his role. Now, has come into our hands. I pray that you assume rulership over and reform the ." smiled at this suggestion. He replied, "Does any son give up his mother because her features are ugly? My motherland may be poor but it is my mother. Can I adopt a woman as mother, if she is more charming then my own? However rich and prosperous this is, I do not wish to be here." held up the ideal of a patriot eager to serve his native land.

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Goodness has totally disappeared in cities I shall relate an example in which I myself am the subject. Forty years ago, a rich lady named (famed as a big planter and manufacturer of " Coffee") used to come to from . In those days journey to this isolated hamlet was a difficult venture. Those who came by car had to negotiate mud tracks and park the cars on the right bank of the river and trudge across. On one occasion, came with two maternal uncles of the of , and prayed "! This place is very inaccessible. Devotees are undergoing much trouble. We shall purchase a few acres of land in City and spend a few to build a fine spacious for you there. must agree and move to that city." I told her, "! What is the greatness in promising water to those who come to the River ? The greatness consists in promising water to those who come to the desert. Listen! This is the place where this body was born. You may build the you plan, anywhere. I shall come there and be there for some days. However, I shall not forsake this place." Now, this tiny hamlet which was difficult to reach has become the centre of even a University. Can mere man transform it so? Through whom has this village gained every modern convenience needed for a happy life?

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Cultivate universal heartfelt Love Traces of goodness, reverence and sympathy still survive in villages but they have totally disappeared in cities. The methods of education are responsible for this sad situation. Confining education to worldly and material knowledge, children are being exiled from their heritage of courage and strength. They grow without either general knowledge or common sense. It is hard to understand how they will pass examinations and administer the country after getting jobs. They concentrate on selfishness every moment; they have no thought for the welfare of others. Technological education has become valuable today but even here, human values have to be emphasised. Technology must be dedicated to the promotion of high ideals, those which are cherished in culture. For, without the background of that culture, educated people are easily turned into slaves of other cultures. Those who belong to a country have to proceed along the special circumstances and resources of that country. Of course, one must love all mankind, all are children of God. One must not emphasise the difference between nations, or between castes and creeds. Cultivate universal heartfelt Love. In the universities of past ages, each one specialised in learning and teaching one subject only. But, in this University, we must teach the importance and meaning of human values. We do not value education which does not uplift man and make him aware of his Divine Reality. Means of Living and the Goal of Living are the two wings; the two wheels are material and spiritual, skill and .

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T he Mind, the Reason, the Scholarship The Ego, bawling, brawling - When will these bend low and yield? Then, is revealed as one's , Truth. The , everyone is, vast and expansive. We fancy that the is in us, in each of us. No. We are in the , we are all in the . The is not in us! All beings are alive and active, moving and resting in the all-pervading . We are all in this hall; the hall is not in us. To say 'the in me and the in you' is to declare your ignorance of the Truth.

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