This translation from Telugu to English was done word-by-word by 'Divya' (Eileen Weed) to get the literal meaning. It is not an edited version.
DISCOURSE BY SRI SATHYA SAI BABA
Summer Course #2
16 May 2002 (evening)
Punar Vitam, Punar Mitram,
Punar Patri, Punar Mahi
Ye Tat Sarvam Punar Labhyam,
Na Sariram Puna Punah
Again money, again friends,
again wife, again property.
Everything may be gained again
but the body cannot be gained again.
(Swami sings a Sanskrit sloka)
GAINED AGAIN
Punur Vitam: in our life we are losing money but there is opportunity to obtain it again. Punur Mitram: we are losing friends. However, we can gain a greater friend than that. Purnur Patri: we lose our wife but people get married again and gain another wife. Punur Mahi: we are losing land. However, we exert and in some other way we can gain that land (again).
Ye Tat Sarvam Punur Labhyam: in some way we gain all of these again. However, Na Sariram Puna Punah, Puna Punah: if we lose the body we cannot gain it again. Hence, while the body is present we should try to experience the bliss that we should gain, the happiness and comforts that we should obtain, and the joy that we should experience.
Our ancients fell in numerous types of difficulties and experienced so many sufferings (yet) they protected this body. Even though they did like that, they were unable to keep it permanently. Even though the body cannot be (permanently) maintained, we should make the proper effort to gain the things that should be gained through the body.
THE CENTER OF ALL TYPES OF EDUCATION
From ancient times the country of Bharath has been a place that is the center of all types of education. All education can be gained in Bharath. Even mathematics (numerology) arose in Bharath. Grammar also arose from Bharath. All education like this, even the arts, is available in Bharath. That which cannot be gained in Bharath, cannot be gained anywhere at all by us. Therefore, it is said:
Yanno Bharate, Tanno Bharata.
(Sanskrit sloka)
That which is not in Bharath we cannot get anywhere else.
Savitri, who brought her dead husband back to life, gaining victory over the god of death,
belongs to the sacred land of Bharat, isn’t it?
(Swami sings a Telugu poem)
Even individuals who had died like that, (were brought back to life by chaste wives who) looked after them, prayed, and made God to accept (to bring the husband back to life) and through that, success was gained. They were ones who were born in this Bharath.
Chandramati, who extinguished the flames of fire
with her power of Truth,
was a woman of Bharat, isn’t it?
Sita who upheld family respect by undergoing the test of fire, was a woman of Bharath, isn’t it?
Damayanti, who burnt a wicked hunter to ashes
with the power of her chastity,
was a woman of Bharat, isn’t it?
It is because of such chaste women of character that Bharat has attained the reputation of being
the land of plenty, prosperity and rich harvest
for illustrious women.
It is the teacher of all countries, isn't it?
(Swami sings a Telugu poem)
But the minds of foolish people today have delusions in many ways and the craziness of, ‘that which is not in Bharath, we shall gain in foreign countries,’ and they are running to foreign countries. What is it that you cannot get in this holy land, of sacred knowledge, the land of action, the land that confers deservedness on everyone?
We are unable to have the determination to succeed but if there is the determination, there is not even a single thing that cannot be obtained in Bharath.
EACH UNIVERSITY HAD SPECIALIZATION
Regarding education, Bharatiyas underwent so much exertion, put to use his intelligence and discovered new way. Each university had very great feelings, specialized (in different forms of knowledge) and mastered them.
In Kashi they considered grammar as a dear subject and they spread it to the world. In Kashmir, they considered the science of alankara (rhetorical figures of speech?) as important, and shared this science of alankara to all countries. In Ujjain University they considered the science of law as important and they propagated it. In this way each university specialized in only one science and fostered it.
In the kingdom ruled by Rama’s brother Bharath, the important knowledge was the science of health (Swami corrects Himself), Panini grammar. A great scholar by name of Cheruku was its founder. However, this was an ancient university. Such a (great) university has not been seen up till this day (since then).
There are so many such educational institutions that have gained such fame in our Bharath. However, these universities didn’t have great, huge buildings with very great conveniences at all. The house that the teacher lived in was a university. The number of students in those days was also much less. The number of the students: less. Power of instruction: more.
THE METHOD OF TEACHING
The method of teaching in those days was that they taught even difficult subjects to very small children in a way that could be understood (easily) by them. While sitting under a tree, that tree only was their building. With cool winds (blowing), the students learned in a sweet (easy) way the inner meanings that were present in the slow (precise) words that the teacher uttered.
Such institutions of learning increased in the country of Bharath from ancient days. Four hundred years ago the British entered in (Bharath) and they wondered what kind of means did the Bharatiyas have for them to acquire such great education. Yet they were unable to understand how.
Bharatiyas are not simply learned in letters. Their true foundation is the measure of sound. They practiced knowledge only with sound. They didn’t have the habit at all of writing on a slate or notebook. (Teachings) came from the words of the teacher and arrived in the ear of the student. The mutual relationship between the two is the root cause for this kind of knowledge to develop so much. They learned and fostered all (education) only through words, the measure of sound.
They didn’t have a timetable. There was no rule of what knowledge should be spoken about at what time. They used to teach whatever science the children liked. There were no rules set by the government.
Therefore, the education of children in those days was from heart to heart. Heart to heart. Students were ones who opened their hearts. Teachers were ready in a suitable way to fill them. Night was night and morning was morning. Whatever time came, at that time, even when getting up, they used to teach.
In educational institutions of those days they didn’t used to take any kind of (fees): not even one paisa. (Sudden loud clap of thunder! Swami pauses till it passes.) The hearts of the teachers were so sacred. Such hearts maintained help to the hearts (of students), and they gave all the great knowledge in this world.
So the type of education of Bharatiyas is very great, blissful and very valuable. Bharatiyas are losing such great, such vast, and such blissful education today. If it is lost, it is very difficult to get it again. In a situation like this, today we should not lose at all that education. One should be suitably ready to make our heart sacred.
The maintenance of the teachers was dependent upon the people. Based on their position and situation, the people used to give conveniences with suitable joy. They didn’t take a single paisa from the students.
What was the duty of the students of those days? They used to get up, take bath, pray to God, and afterwards go house to house and accept food. They gave the food that was collected to the teacher. After he ate, these children used to eat the prasad (the holy food that remained after the teacher ate).
In this way, from ancient times in Bharath, people taught and investigated numerous sciences, histories and puranas (stories of the gods).
(It starts to rain heavily. Swami says a word that is only half audible. Maybe He said something aside to A.K. A.K. translated: “Are you able to hear? Please raise your hands.” People in the audience raise their hands, indicating that they are able to hear. Swami says something aside to A.K.; A.K. answers Him, inaudible, then A.K. says into the mike, “Thank you.”)
So the education of Bharatiyas is highly valuable, deep and easy. This amritham (immortal) knowledge we are changing into anrutha (falsehood) today.
In the Ujjain University they taught law. They said that this law didn’t have any fault (or wasn’t polluted) at all. Today all the nyaya (law) today has changed into anyaya (injustice). In Ujjain University even anyaya was transformed into nyaya. They didn’t give place to even a bit of anyaya. Bharath had such sacred students and such sacred educational instruction even from ancient times.
How was their living place? Ajanta and Alore was their dwelling place. Numerous children used to gather in Ajanta. Their dwelling place was like that. Elura also was a center of learning. Ajanta and Alore were (both) their dwelling places and their places of learning.
The teachers were also selfless people. Every sweet word that arose from their heart, they gave joyfully to the children. From the day that food and education transformed into a business, the mind of men became contorted. (Before) teaching, prayer and food were not run as a business. Education was run in a completely free way.
SARASWATHI
Saraswathi (the goddess of learning, but also used to refer to learning or education itself) didn’t bind anyone. It was freely run. Saraswathi, which was free, has become bound today, and has numerous types of _____________. Her name (another name of Saraswathi) is Mahabharati. This country of Bharath and Bharatiyas joyfully fostered, arranged and conveyed education in numerous ways, and followed it very joyfully. They used to pray:
Oh, Saraswathi! (Goddess of Learning)!
Salutations to You who bestows boons,
And who is capable of taking any form desired.
I am starting my learning.
Make this successful always.
Your eyes are broad like lotus-petals
And (with) the color of the pollen in the lotus flower.
You are always present in the lotus.
Oh, Saraswathi! Protect me!
Saraswathi, Bhagavati, Bharati, Poornenedavina.
(Various names for Saraswathi.)
(Sanskrit sloka)
All of these describe Saraswathi. Due to the advice of the government today, (in schools) people don’t even think or repeat such names of Saraswathi. Therefore, from ancient times she protected the people in so many way and made people to utter sacred words. It is said:
Oh, Sarswati! (Goddess of Learning)!
Salutations to You who bestows boons,
And who is capable of taking any form desired.
I am starting my learning.
Make this successful always.
Your eyes are broad like lotus-petals
And (with) the color of the pollen in the lotus flower.
You are always present in the lotus.
Oh, Saraswati! Protect me!
So they praised Saraswathi in so many ways. Then, there is Lakshmi, Indira.
Indira, Loka Mathama, Pramanamga Devata, Bharativi, Loka Janani, Kshera Sagara Tarita.
(Various names of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.)
(Sanskrit sloka)
GOD COMES IN THE FORM OF HUMAN BEINGS
Gods like this come to the world in the form of human beings. God is not some for that cannot be seen. He takes human forms that can be seen.
Daivam Manusha Rupena.
God is in the form of Man.
(Sanskrit sloka)
He comes in the form of man. However, today the forms of (God in) man are not accepted at all. So we worship Divinity in all our actions, meditation and so many other ways. It is said:
(Swami repeats a long sloka in Sanskrit.)
Therefore, they described the nature of God in so many ways. So, in all places they taught education for free. Rich people would bring some food from their house and give it to each child. They (the children) felt it was nectar. They ate and afterwards they studied the education.
In those days differences of caste or religion was not apparent. All are one. They taught all paths. They were taught all things like song, literature and dance. Not only that. They also taught carpentry, pottery, how to be a goldsmith and blacksmith. They developed knowledge of being a goldsmith, blacksmith and making pottery.
Every student used to receive it (the instruction) personally from the teacher. They wouldn’t be able to learn without a teacher. However, teachers of today should be ones who show like a teacher. Teachers of those days didn’t _________ education at all. The educated people who had studied were great people. Without fail he would also teach medicine. He also had a good reputation and great good fame.
Heart: if heart disease comes today, they attach a heart machine to it and they do an operation with special equipment. In those days they didn’t even use any heart machine. The surgeon said manthras to God, put his hand on the heart and used to forget himself. Afterwards, the heart disease wouldn’t be there.
The Name of God was important for (to cure) every disease. Physical, mental and also spiritual (health) arose with the blissful (repetition) of God's Name.
REMEMBRANCE OF GOD'S NAME
Embodiments of Love!
Without the Grace of God we cannot even move a step. Wherever man of today steps there is injustice and unrighteousness. Everything that is contemplated on is evil desire. Every sight that is seen, instead of being full of love, is devoid of love. Progress has lessoned. The nature of love should be bound in every human being. These are the teachings of Cherugu.
God is not someplace (else). He is not in some foreign country, but (actually) in one’s own body. So God is not in some foreign country. He is in one’s own heart. He is above the head. He is with you and He is beside you. Man has left such an easy path today and is following a difficult path, and thus succumbing to numerous troubles.
No matter how the difficulties that come to man are, they can be dispelled in a moment. All of these are only through the remembrance of God's Name. So in this Kali Yuga:
Harih Nama Harih Nama,
Harih Namame Kevalam,
Kalo Nastiva, Nastiva, Gatih Nidha.
Only God's Name, God's Name, God's Name
will grant liberation, grant liberation in the Kali age.
(Sanskrit sloka)
There is no path more important than this. There is no power greater than God's Name. If the Name is contemplated on just one time, we will have enormously great bliss. No one understands the power of the Name.
Meditation in the Krita Yuga, yagna in the Treta Yuga, worship in the Dwapara Yuga and Namasmarana in the Kali Yuga. So from so many years man has propagated so many paths of God's Name.
ALL POWERS ARE PRESENT IN MAN
Students!
Understand correctly that, ‘the power that is not in me, where will it be available?’ The power of the magnet, which is the power that is in man, cannot be seen anywhere else. So many powers are in this world, and all of those powers are also present in man. Such a man who has the authority, feels that he is small and he is becoming weak.
Therefore, all of you are embodiments of the Divine. God is not separate from you. He is in your heart. If you want to see God, if you close your eyes he will be seen. Due to you losing such faith today, you cannot see.
Ujjain, Kashi and Kashmir which had the science of alamkara: all of these are places that have great power for Bharatiyas. In ___________ they took the science of law as important. The place of law was ___________. The justice that was not known (could not be solved) anywhere else was present (solved) there.
We are forgetting that Bharath has such power and capabilities. Thinking that these powers are present in foreign countries, we are making journeys. This is a very wrong feeling. Hence, we have to make this ignorance distant. We should light the radiance of higher knowledge. Then Divine and auspicious bliss will be obtained by us.
Embodiments of Love!
I will tell later the effects of these educational institutions. However, that which you need today (is to know that) all powers (or capabilities) are in Bharatiyas. Even the power of the scriptures arises from Bharatiyas. Bharatiyas have been the important center of music and literature.
So though in such a sacred country, why are we forgetting it? This is a big ignorance. Unable to understand the truth, students of today are struggling for external joy. We cannot gain all of these. Even if it is obtained, it is not permanent. Therefore, everything is contained within this puppet.
I WROTE A SONG
At one time in the past, in the second world war, all the Russians came and the Chinese came. Not only this, foreigners came and attacked this country. Hitler also started from Germany.
Then I was a small boy. A __________ lady came, “Boy, it’s said that you write poems very well, write a poem on our ________ and sing it.” Then I said, “Bring a cradle, like small babies have. ” Then I wrote a song just then. (NOTE: ‘Jo, jo’ is a lullaby refrain in Telugu that is used to put babies to sleep.)
Oh small baby, don’t cry! Don’t cry, dear!
If you cry, you won't become a great warrior like Bharata! Jo jo!
Are you crying because Hitler threw bombs on Russia? Jo, jo!
Red soldiers sent by Stalin has come to kill Hitler, don’t cry! Jo, jo!
All the people will come together, fight and will be able to gain Independence: don’t cry!
Jo, jo!
(Swami sings a Telugu poem)
I wrote songs like this. I propagated very good and joyful lullaby songs among the people. “How can Sai Baba know about all about Hitler? He is just a small boy!” Thinking that, people were very surprised. “He is saying that Stalin has come, names that He has no way of knowing. How does this small boy know?”
There is nothing that Sai does not know. (Applause) However, I pretend that I do not know. I will ask, “When did you come?” (They may think,) “Ayyo, doesn’t Sai Baba know when I came?” I know but for I ask to give you happiness. If I ask, “When did you come?” Thinking, ‘Swami has talked with me!’ they will be happy. However, I don’t have any worries of, ‘they will doubt if I know or not; will they doubt in any way?’
WHAT TIMES HAVE COME!
Afterwards, after a few days, the school children came. The children came: they used to call Me ‘Sathya, Sathya.’ They said, “Sathya, we are enacting a drama. Write a story describing everything that is in the drama. Write a song (as an advertisement of the drama), and it has to be spread to the world. You have to give us help.”
Then I said, “Alright, be ready. Give two children to Me.” I brought two children. I taught them. What was it? After teaching these songs, they have to sing in public.
What times have come! O people! What times have come! Taking face powder and deceiving, giving it to animals, what times have come! Oh people, what times have come! Taking all the gold, deceiving and giving (artificial) chains, what times have come!
(Swami sings a Telugu poem)
In that way I taught the people well, in a suitable way.
On their left wrist_________
________________
_________________
What apparels are these!
(Swami sings a Telugu poem)
Bangles on the left hand,__________ _________ ________, _____ ________ _________ _______ _________ ______ watch. Then it newly came.
__________ _____________ ___________ _________
_________ _________ _________ _________ ____
What apparel is this!
(Swami sings a Telugu poem)
(Laughter)
I wrote songs like this for the children, to destroy all the modern inclinations and to revive the ancient feelings and I taught them to the children.
STOP YOUR BAD ACTIONS
Karuna Subbamma was a very virtuous lady. She always came to Me saying, “Sathya, Sathya, Sathya!” I was then seven years old. My quality was not to go to her house immediately when she called. “Why shouldn’t You come to our house, son?” “Why should I come to your house? I am not a beggar to go house to house! If you call I will come but I won't come if you don’t call.”
Then she said, “My husband is doing some practice that will ruin him. Correct him a bit, please!” I replied, “They will bring about a very harsh action against him. You should not feel bad at all.” So, when it is like that, without him knowing I will make small children to sing in front of him.
She said, “Maybe he will become angry.” “Each one’s anger is their own enemy. His anger cannot do anything to Me.” Saying that, I wrote the song and I sent the small children (to sing in front of him).
In what way? In a way that would make him come to his senses. It is not something that can happen with small words. The words should be given a harshly so it will give pain to his heart. I taught them a couple of songs and told them to go singing. However, the children were afraid. (I told them,) “I am with you, you have no fear, go!”
The name of the Karnam was Narayana Rao. He entered onto a bad path. Then, he should be told well.
Your community will not allow you to remain. Seeing you, your relatives will beat you, saying to get out. If friends see you, they will beat you with their shoes.
(Swami sings a Telugu poem)
I taught him with such harsh words and I taught him to, “Stop your actions.” I took action by doing something good. With that, he began good habits and stopped all (bad actions).
Subbamma was very happy. Though a small boy when I went that way, she would came running and fell on my Feet, paapam! “Raju, you are not a small boy. The Feet may be small but there is great power. The ones who stand up before elders so courageously and so boldly cannot be seen anywhere in the world.”
“Your community will not allow you to remain (in the caste). Friends will beat you with chapels upon seeing you,” I wrote in that way and she got to know when he did it (stopped the bad actions?) She called the Gruha Abbayi (father of Swami), “Venkappa, You feel that this small boy is your son. You are being deceived so much! No, no! He’s greatly powerful. In the future He will set a big example to the world. So don’t feel him as a son at all. Send Him to my house.”
He said, “We can never _________ ___________. We will look after him ourselves, as per our capability. So I will not send Him to any other house.”
I LED AN INDEPENDENT LIFE
In this way, without being caught by anybody, I led an independent life with courage and boldness: a free life. This is because there are no faults at all. Why should people without any faults have fear? No fear. I used to proceed forward with courage and boldness. I used to write some dramas also.
Because the rains have come I am telling these stories to you, otherwise I would not say them.
I wrote small dramas. All the children used to perform them. One drama that was put on (was named), “Will you do as you say?”
The mother is in the house. The three: mother, father and teacher are very important people. In the evening the mother used to gather several ladies around and teach Vedanta. I used to sit there. Then she was saying, what? The wife of Panchangara, her name was Kameswari. She used to read the books. What books? Big books on Vedanta.
When these books of Vedanta were read, she didn’t understand at all. She didn’t know the letters well. She used to say something or the other, paapam! She used to teach that the Lord is like this or like that: one of righteousness, proficient and very truthful. Then, I wrote a song. What is it? I said:
__________ _____________ __________ __________
______________ __________ ___________
The individual who always remembers, is saved.
With the grace of the Sadguru, one will be saved
Telugu poem)
When that was said, she used say the meaning: “Saved is saved, _______ is ___________, and one who knows is the one who knows.” That is the meaning! When it was said like that, I used to go to her at nighttime, “Mother, if you tell it in a suitable way, it would be good but instead only saying that ‘saved is saved, ________ is __________ and to know is to know,’ how can it be like saying the meaning? The right meanings should be spoken. Therefore, teach the ladies in the right way.”
In those days not many women were educated. She used to come together with eder ladies like this and they used to read stories of the Lord. I started instituitions like these from those days. I told of the effects of good company.
DO PANDARI BHAJAN!
I called the children, do Pandari bhajan! (Enthusiastically singing songs to a certain aspect of God, while dancing.) Good anklets were worn around the feet. Good cymbals were taken. Jumping nicely along, all the children would go street to street. Even people who were asleep used to get up. In that village they did not used to get up before 7 o’clock in the morning. However, due to Me teaching the children bhajan, they were ones who got up at 5 o’clock, took bath and prayed to God.
Holding cymbals in the hand, ________ __________ _________, destroying desire and anger, staying on the path leading to Shirdi, Victory, victory to Ranga! Victory, Victory to Sai! Everyone say ‘victory, victory,’ and come!
(Swami sings a Telugu poem)
The children who got up would wake the others. Then everyone would get up: that is Nagarsankirtin (singing the Names of God throughout the town). I started Nagarsankirtin back then. The age of this Body was seven years. Paapam! Subbamama used to sleep at night, thinking what would I think if she joined in bhajan, without Me knowing she would come from behind and she also used to play the cymbals.
In this way, I spent time from birth itself with propagation and teaching. Pandari bhajan was done by the people who came from the villages. Everyone who participated in Pandari bhajan used to forget themselves.
Paapam! Subbamma used to be so blissful. In those days one could get a big bundle of puffed rice for two rupees. She used to buy two bundles of puffed rice and distribute it to everyone, paapam! So, right from childhood we should make these Divine feelings strong.
From tomorrow, I will speak to all of you according to our programs. Today I put time to bad use and put you to a lot trouble to some extent, by telling you all of these unnecessary words. (A.K. keeps silent, not translating this. Swami says aside to him, “Say it! Why are you keeping quiet?!” Audience laughs. Then A.K. translated it.)
A NEW MEDICINE
They sent Me to Kamalapuram in order to study. It is near to Kadapa. Kamalapuram is between Tatapatri and Kadapa. When I went to that Kamalapuram, how he came to know (I don’t know) but, Kotta Subbanna came running to Me. “Sathya, Raju! It is said that You compose poems very well.”
(I said,) “I don’t compose poems, everything that comes from My mouth is a poem! Everything that I say is a poem.” (He answered,) “See, I will have a pair of shirt and knicker made for you.” I said, “Chi! Don’t say words like that. Am I waiting for your charity? If it is like that, then I won't talk with you.”
Then he came; a new medicine had come. He wrote and gave all the good results of that medicine. Its name was Bala Bhaskara. “Write a song with the name of ‘Bala Bhaskara’. I will give it to the children. Have the children sing it street to street.”
I said to come after an hour. I had classes; classes were going on. Kondappa (the teacher of the school) was very strict. He was a very good man. So I should fulfill My duties. I said, “After this (the classes) finishes I will come. Come again after an hour.” I set the scales and composed a song.
It’s available, it’s available, Bala Bhaskar! O children! Come, O children! It works to relieve one from stomach pain, swollen legs, arm pains, ills, _______ _______ _______ __________ __________ ______ _________ _________ ___________ ________ ____. Oh children! Come, oh children!
(Swami sings a Telugu poem)
He wasn’t satisfied only with that.
If anyone asks where it is available, look there, look there, it is available in the shop of Kotta Subbanna! O children! Come, O children!
(Swami sings a Telugu poem)
When I composed it for him in that way:
Pandit G. Gopalacharya, sacred ____________, oh children! Come, oh children!
(Swami sings a Telugu poem)
When all of this was said, Kotta Subbanna was very much encouraged. He brought a big basket of laddus (round Indian sweets). I said, “Don’t bring them near Me. Distribute them to everyone else first.”
I won't touch any sweet. I haven’t touched any sweet since I was born. Why? Because I have all the sweets I need with Me. My mind is sweet and My love is sweet: then what is better? (Applause) I distributed them to everyone. In this way, to give help, joy and bliss to every individual, in some way or the other, is an important duty of Mine.
THE NECESSARY EDUCATION TODAY IS SPIRITUALITY
Embodiments of Love!
I am making you very tired. Tomorrow (I will speak of) what our Vice Chancellor asked to be started: the blissful (description of) the Ramayana.
Truly, I am not satisfied at all with this education. What is the use of studying? People are running after money but not trying (to develop) good qualities at all. Money is indeed needed. However, money is not (most) important. Good qualities are also important. No matter how much education is spoken, no matter how much knowledge is taught, they end in the middle. The necessary education today is spirituality.
Adhyatma Vidya Vidyanam.
The Knowledge of the Self is the highest knowledge.
(Sanskrit sloka)
That should be conveyed to the heart. Such a sacred ___________ is in the Ramayana. Ramayana is a very old book. No matter how many obstacles come in the way, the Ramayana is that which overcame, tolerated, pushed forward and proceeded.
There are dictates in the Ramayana that no one can understand. Tomorrow I will try to take all those very subtle forms, make it into a big tree, put it in front of you and give you a cooling and blissful (state or place) to take rest.
Bhagavan ended His Divine Discourse by chanting the bhajan, ‘Rama, Rama, Rama Sita…’