Passage 11

Tap any word for its meaning.

In plain words

Students! Three things alone you must never forget. The Bhāratīyas are vowed to Satya, devoted to Dharma. Justice is the Bhāratīyas' very haunt. So you must strive so that we live by Satya, Dharma, morality and integrity. That is why the Veda said, "Satyaṃ vada, dharmaṃ cara." We must look on these two as the chief. Only when you make a fitting effort to put into practice the truths you have learned and recognised from these fifteen days will this become worthwhile. We must never let go in the least of pride in the nation. There is nothing wrong in the people of each country fostering pride in their country. But while fostering pride in one's own country, one must not criticise other countries. We must not disregard any religion. We must foster breadth of feeling of that kind.

In this supremely sacred land of Bhārata forbearance itself is our beauty; and among all vows the one that has won distinction is a character of great Satya: that is the hardest tapas.

Truly, however much we describe the greatness of this sacred country, it is never exhausted. The country has given a Prema greater than a mother's Prema. Such a sacred country we forget today, put our trust in foreign countries, and are ruining our lives.

So, students! Fostering pride in the nation, you yourselves must protect the country's honour, the country's culture and the country's eminence. In My view: Lokāssamastā sukhino bhavantu; pray that all may be happy. Towards no country, no religion and no individual should you foster any hatred at all, or any kind of dislike. You must foster broad feelings. You must give up narrow feelings. This is the true culture of the Bhāratīyas. That is why, in the faith of the ṛṣis, we must keep remembering always these undying words, "Lokāssamastā sukhino bhavantu."

Students! In whatever way anyone may look on you with ridicule, do not let go in the least of your Bhakti for God.