In plain words
They take big, big degrees. They gain big, big positions. But what is the use? They end their lives in this worldliness itself. However long it may be, they eat only for a stomach that has eaten. They wash only a face that is washed. What is the supreme goal of life? They understand nothing of it. We may earn money, we may keep it in banks, and if need be we may even keep it abroad. When our time is up and the eyes close, all of it goes. What will this wealth do? We must earn the wealth of Jñāna. We must earn a divine, high place.
The wealth of learning does not perish. This learning is itself a learning that perishes. For the sake of examinations they study, toiling day and night. The matter in that book they put into their heads. They go to the Examination hall. All that is in the Head they hand over on paper, and they come home with an empty head. What use is it? If you ask them again a week later from that very book, they have no answer for it. They study for the sake of tying on the passing crown of examinations. From learning like this the world gains no use at all. You may fill your own belly somehow. You may support your family. But beyond that it is of no use at all to the world. Students today must wish for the welfare of the world. That is why Viveka has withered in students. The broad heart has been wholly destroyed. Riots and turmoil happen through selfishness and self-interest alone. That is why the world is becoming full of unrest. There is no faith in the guru. There is no respect for the guru. There is no Prema for mother and father. There is no regard for the people. What humanness is there, then? Where is humanness in you? First of all we must study what develops humanness. A beast has a season, a reason. The man of today has no reason, no season. Surely the beasts are better! What university do they go to? What degrees do they gain? What authority do they …? Nothing at all. But they themselves acquire morality. This will not do. All the students of today must develop morality and honesty. They must develop human values.