Passage 10

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In plain words

The one quarter that is left I spend on the world; understand this well. While you enjoy three parts, the whole world enjoys one part. See how high a place I have given you. You are spoiling this value. You are spoiling your own purity. Sanjay Sahani said, “Do not spoil this chance.” But those who said it must also try to follow it. No one at all must misuse it. This will not come to us again. “Do not chip away at the Sai you have found; make good of Him; once gone, this foot-service of the Lord of Parthi will not come again. This is a principle that gives Bhakti, brings you to Mukti and shapes you well. Do not trust the pleasing words of others and bring ruin on your home.” So do not enter into the affairs of others at all. Everyone must live together in harmony, like children of one mother. Many people say it. The complaint is that discipline does not go well because there are all sorts in this hostel, from little children to big P.hds. This is not a right answer. In your home there are a little brother, a big brother, a middle brother, all of them. Because all of them are there, how well we live together! “I am the eldest; my little brother cannot stay in my house”: will you drive him away like that? Are these all not your brothers! Why should you not live in harmony with all of them? This is a great education. Unity is a most important wealth. We put these little children and big children in one hostel to teach that kind of learning. The elder ones must teach the innocent children the right path, train them, and show themselves an example. Instead of that, if you lead the little children all into wrong paths, give them no right instruction, and your saying is one thing and your doing another, what will they learn? “Our teachers, our room leaders, they themselves do not do as they say. Why should we do it?” With that, they grow careless. So you room leaders must regard this as a great test. You must not treat your duty as beyond your strength, but carry it out as far as your strength goes. Only when you obey this command will you become worthy of grace. If it is lacking, you will fall into the grace of attachment and hatred instead.

Studies are not the important thing. These studies are rubbish studies. They think, “I have done a great PHD, I have done an M.Sc, I have done an M.Com.” Are these all great studies? This is just a scrap of paper flung in your face. These degrees are not what you need. You must earn the name of a good man. “Rather than wander for ages grieving like a crow, be a swan and play for a moment,” it is said.