Mother And Motherland Are Greater Than Heaven

20 May 1995, Summer Course 1995, Brindavan

Published English.

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Vidyanama Narasya Roopamadhikam Pracchanna Guptam Dhanam, Vidya Bhogakari Yashah Sukhakari, Vidya Gurunam Guru, Vidya Bandhujano Videsha Gamane, Vidya Para Lochanam, Vidya Rajasu Poojyate Na Hi Dhanam, Vidya Viheenah Pasuh.

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India’s glorious heritage The culture of is the noblest. (Indians) are truthful and righteous. Justice and fairness are their life-breath. When the Eternal, Indestructible, Formless Truth is given a form, that is Indian Culture.

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Students need to uphold only and , which, in turn, will protect the country. Victory weds only truth and righteousness, not wealth or position. No matter how educated, intelligent, or influential you are, you must foster human values. It is only because human values are disregarded in today that man has lost value.

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Today the ancient, noble truths are misinterpreted. Nature, pure and sacred, is being driven far from society. Compassion, righteousness, and discipline are shunned. Knowledge of the ancient is on the decline while all kinds of harmful sciences are flourishing.

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Since ancient times, has granted peace and comfort to the entire world by virtue of Her spiritual treasure. - may all worlds be happy. This has been the ideal of Indians from time immemorial. What is the reason for destructive tendencies in today’s education despite such a noble heritage?

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First of all, parents at home are responsible. Parents desire only degrees, job, wealth, and position for their children. No parent hopes that the child becomes devoted and noble. Parents should definitely love their children but it should not be the love of . Do not support every action of your children. Mistakes must be punished and good actions appreciated. Only with such training at home, will students maintain their values when they enter society.

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True comfort and true freedom Today every student desires comfort. What is comfort? They do not understand what comfort is, and yet, they desire it! In their opinion, eating, sleeping, and leading life forgetful of time is comfort. But to live without regard for time is not a human quality. Birds and animals live that way. Why be born as a human when you want to live like an animal? No, no. - among all species, a human birth is most difficult to obtain. It is indeed very valuable and sacred. If students live like animals, they stain not just themselves but humanity itself. What is true comfort? It is control of the senses and ceiling on desires. Then we become eligible for peace and joy. This is true freedom.

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What is , freedom? Freedom is not going where you please and acting as you like. means that which emerges from the heart. To follow the teachings and prompting of the emanating from the heart is true freedom. The four stages of , , and are possible only by following the directives of the . or free will means following the . = (Self) + (desire). Knowledge of the , inquiry into the , and the bliss of the - these constitute freedom.

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Unity - today’s dire need India has won freedom from foreign rule, but, sadly, we have not won unity. Students, Unity is most essential. What cannot be achieved by individuals can be easily achieved collectively. The say:

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Kalasi Melasi Tirugudam, Kalasi Melasi Perugudam Kalasi Melasi Telusukunna, Telivini Poshinchudam Kalasi Melasi Kalata Leka, Chelimito Jeevinchudam

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has always produced excellent people in abundance - intelligent, courageous, valorous, devoted, strong, and virtuous. Yet we were conquered by foreigners. Why? Only because there was no unity. For this reason, had to endure slavery and untold injustice at the hands of invaders. Students must cultivate unity. The reputation and future prosperity of the nation are hinged on the behavior of students. Ensure that your conduct is proper. All the future leaders of are among today’s students. "Start early, drive slowly, reach safely." Imprint the nation’s welfare as the primary goal in your heart, starting in your student days.

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There is only one society, the human society. All of humanity is one. If all stand as one and work in unity, truly what a glorious nation will become! has ninety people. If all act united as "plus, plus, plus, plus, plus," their abilities will add and the country will stand strong as one body.

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Uproot selfishness and hatred There are many aspects of ’s ancient culture that you are yet to understand. You must ponder what grand values were present in ancient India.

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In the supremely sacred land of Forbearance is the sign of beauty. Of all disciplines, adherence to truth is the greatest penance. The sweet feeling pervading this land is the Motherly feeling. Character is more precious than life itself. But, alas! Like an elephant unaware of its own strength, imitate foreign values today, Forgetting their own greatness.

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What strength! What sacrifice! What adherence to and justice! Such a is ignorant of its own glory. What is the reason? Selfishness and hatred are growing. We can attain peace on the day we destroy selfishness and hatred, not before that.

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We were born in , we grew up in , we breathe the air of , and we eat the food of . But we are unable to render desperately needed service to .

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yearns day and night for Her children to become virtuous. You must become good citizens, blossom into exemplary students, and earn honor in society and peace of mind for yourself. This is what desires for you. Whatever country you belong to, uphold the respect of your nation.

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Names may differ, but the substance is one. Rings are many, but gold is one. Nationalities are many, but birth is one. Flowers are many, but worship is one. Similarly, God is one. - the One Indweller is in all. That is power; that is electricity. This electricity is present in every human being. It is this power which sustains life.

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Nirgunam Niranjanam Sanatanam Nitya Niketanam Suddha Buddha Mukta Nirmala Svaroopinam

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Practice So don’t misuse anything. Time is most crucial. Once lost, it cannot be regained. Embark in service activities without wasting a moment. All your studies must be applied in service to society. Only then will your knowledge improve. What good are bookish knowledge, superficial knowledge, and general knowledge? All these are useless. Why? Because they do not have practical application. What we need today is practical knowledge. You say the words , , , . But can you experience their taste merely by saying the names? Instead, eat a small piece and you get immediate, direct experience.

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So plunge into Divinity. What good is it to say 'God' over and over again? Today many people memorize the entire . They know every verse () but they see no end to their sorrow (). Why? If you practice just one verse, that is enough. There are fifty matches in a match-box. But you need only one match stick to build a fire of any size. You don’t need all the fifty sticks.

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Similarly, you have the five human values in you - , , , and . Practice one of them. That is enough. is the basis. Speak with Love - that is Truth. Perform actions with Love - they are . Think with Love - you experience peace. Inquire with Love - it is transformed into .

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Born in this sacred land, you must conduct yourself so as to increase peace in the country. Today is continuously shedding tears, wondering in what ways Her children will hurt Her next and bring Her disrepute! Not just students, but all four stages of life - , , and - are causing grief to . No section of society is giving satisfaction to the country. What a pity that even in spirituality, is shedding tears!

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Today, only the outer forms of men are changing but not their minds. Their dresses change but not their qualities. Where are these people headed? Is there anyone today who is able to recognize and understand the truth about ? The Motherland is worrying, "My own children are not able to recognize Me!"

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Students should understand the principle of their motherland. "This is my motherland, this is my mother tongue," you should declare with pride. If you cannot, you are only a dead body! We should be ready to sacrifice even our lives for the sake of the country! "What do I care if the country or world goes to ruin? I should be happy." - This is the attitude of students today. This is gross ignorance. It is only when the country is happy that the society can be happy. And you can be happy only when the society is happy. Students! Consider the nation first, above everything else. What is our country called? We are called . What does that mean?

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The Chief Minister and Education Minister of State are here to give you advice. You must recognize their expectations of you. Live up to the high hopes of these guests and make them happy by demonstrating your exemplary behavior. The CM has been exerting much for the welfare of the people. He wants to do lasting good to the country. But good people always face hurdles. A pleasure is an interval between two pains. It is natural for good people to experience more obstacles because no one even cares to look at worthless people. A beautiful diamond receives more cuts. Gold is burnt in the furnace. But the more it is burnt, the purer it becomes. The cuts of a diamond only enhance its beauty. Likewise, troubles only increase the worth of good people. So we must face troubles bravely.

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Life is Awareness. - This is Full, that is Full, from the Full emerges the Full. Everything is , full. Your mind must also be full, not narrow. Practice expansion of love. I conclude My discourse by hoping and blessing that you understand your Motherland, work for Her welfare and become ideal examples.

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( asked all to rise. Upon His instruction, the national anthem of India, "," was sung.)