Students and Satwic Purity

29 December 1985, Brindavan

Professor Kasturi's English.

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Moral education is the primary requisite in life for every student. It is his basic duty. In the Sanskrit language, personality is described as - the hallmark of a . Although "personality" and may have the same meaning, they are words pregnant with significance. People who do not know the inner meaning of these terms, use them casually. Only the one who manifests the indwelling, invisible divine principle in him is qualified to describe himself as a (a person). He should manifest the divine power in him.

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The Sanskrit term means a quality associated with moral behaviour. The English word "person" is delved from the Latin term "persona." In the post-Christian period, the term "persona" came to be used to refer to the Divine assuming a human form. In due course, it was applied to all human beings as persons who were inherently divine.

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The primary duty of man The term is commonly used to mean hatred or anger or strength. The true meaning, however, is: it is a quality associated with . does not refer to externals like dress or other physical features. The sage referred to as and declared that whoever realises (the Supreme person) becomes saturated with Divine Bliss. Thus the terms can be applied only to the Divine.

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Hence it is the primary duty of man to manifest the divinity in him in his life. One's life-story is regarded as made up of his childhood, growth, achievements, his thoughts and ideals. But what is fundamental to a man's life is his moral stature. (Morality) is delved from the Sanskrit word . means right conduct. It is the path that leads one to the sublime. Good character, purity of thought and selfless sacrifice are all covered by . It comprehends all good deeds. "Only a community devoted to morality is a true community," says an adage. The ancients regarded as fundamental, without which the society will be mined. To promote the divinity that is in each one must be manifested. For this purpose, even the body has to be made pure and hence good health is essential.

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The word 'Health' is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word 'helig,' meaning (wholeness) or inner spirit. What is the wholeness that is to be achieved? The body consists of the sense organs, the mind, the intellect, the consciousness, and the indwelling Spirit. "Wholeness" means that all these elements should be whole. The mind should be in a state of fullness. It should not be in a state of "jumps and bumps." There should be no room for confusion or depression.

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Practise to discipline the mind To achieve such a state of mind, it is necessary to understand the meaning of everything and every situation. For instance, if a student has failed in an examination, he should not get depressed. Instead, he should examine the reasons for his failure, whether he had not studied properly or understood the subjects correctly. If he finds that his failure is due to inadequate preparation, he should resolve to do better in the future. To develop one's moral and mental strength, one should practise for disciplining the mind.

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For this purpose, one has to promote ten kinds of purity ().

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The third need is satwic food. This means that none of the edible items should be excessively sour, bitter or hot. You should eschew rajasic food like fish or meat. Even good satwic food should not be taken in excess. Some people consume so much of satwic food that even though it is , it develops rajasic qualites. It is only satwic when you sit for the meal with a light stomach and get up from it with a light stomach! If you sit with a light stomach and get up with a weighty stomach, it becomes ramona.

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Sixth: If you want to develop satwic feelings and thoughts, your vision must be pure. All (creation) is based upon (sight). It is only when you have wrong vision that you have wrong thoughts. You must look upon every elderly woman as your mother and all women who are younger as your sisters. When you are filled with such pure thoughts, you will have pure feelings. It is because you are students, you have to be told this. Imagine how offended you will feel if someone looks at your mother or sister with an evil eye. Realising this, you have to entertain pure feelings towards other women. You should not commit the sort of offences which you will not tolerate in others.

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Seventh: Whatever books you read or whatever you write should be pure. This is the relating to study - . If you read or write that which is not pure, it warps your mind. A good book makes for a good mind. Any book you may study about Physics or Chemistry or other subjects, does not affect your character. But books which are literary, are not always good literature. If improper books are prescribed for study, treat them as mere text-books and do not attach any high value to them as guides for life.

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has two forms: one is '', the other is ''. This 'Lakshmi-' is full of wealth. He is able to help any number of people. He will be able to get many persons to serve him. But, for '' there is nobody to serve him. It is to such persons that we should do satwic service.

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Ninth: . This is spiritual discipline. This must be . Some people do . Some strive to develop the Some invoke evil spirits, to do harm to others. These forms of are not at all. The individual is (Consciousness), God is (The Eternal Absolute). When and combine, you have . Only the undertaken to realise is true . Where is this ? This , the Divine, is in everybody. So, you must be prepared to serve everybody, regarding everyone as the Divine. You may have normal relationship with your kith and kin. There is nothing wrong in this. You must perform in the spirit that the One pervades the many. In this process, you must cultivate the feeling of Love. There is no higher than the cultivation of Love!

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' devotion to was an adept in the path of (Knowledge and Wisdom). He wanted to teach the (the cowherdesses) the path of Wisdom. So, he approached . told : "The are totally devoted to me. Their devotion is fundamental to their life and reaches My heart! Their purity and devotion are like a light that shines! You cannot understand the hearts of such devotees! I am completely enshrined in their hearts." doubted whether ignorant illiterate could understand the Divine. To dispel the doubts of , sent him to . summoned the and told them: "I will teach you the path of dhana to realise the Divine." The came to and told him: "We are not interested in learning any ! Teach us one simple means by which we can realise ! We are not aware of any or or . is everything for us, our or . Please, therefore, tell us the means by which we can obtain ! We do not want to waste our time on .

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asked the : "How can you become one with ?" One gopika answered: "If were a flower, I would be a bee whirling round Him. If He were a tree, I would be a creeper twining round him. If He were a mountain, I would be a river cascading from its top! If were the boundless sky, I would be a little star, twinkling in the firmament. If He were the deep ocean, I would be a small stream, joining the ocean. This is the way I would be one with and merge with Him." Another said: "If were a flower, I would be a bee which goes on sucking every drop of honey in the flower rasing the nectar that is there! This is our approach to God." So, spiritual means to regard a mountain or a tree, or a flower, or the ocean, as a means of God-realization.

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Ensure freedom from birth by present These are the pure things which you have to observe in your life. If you engage yourselves in right action, you will not be bound by the consequences of . Because of past , you have got the present life. By your present you can ensure freedom from birth. Through love, you develop faith; through faith and earnestness, you acquire knowledge; through knowledge, you develop , and through , you achieve the goal. So, for practising , you require wisdom, and for acquiring wisdom, you require (earnestness and faith) and for you must cultivate love. So love is the means and for this you must acquire control of the senses. If gradually you reduce your desires, you will be able to bring the senses under control.

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You must bear in mind the company you keep. said, "I salute the bad and also the good!" was asked: "We can understand your offering salutations to the good, but what is the point in offering salutations to the bad?" He replied, "When I salute the bad, I am saluting them, saying, please remove yourself from my presence. I salute the good, saying, please come to me!" You must avoid the company of the bad and cultivate the company of the good. Association with the good is pure ! I desire that you should pursue this kind of and confer happiness on all people with whom you are associated!

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