True Sacrifice

In June 1988, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba spoke to the students in the Institute Hostel and told them what He expected from them. We may not be studying in His Institute but we too are His students in a sense.

Students! Embodiments of Divine love! Life is fraught with vicissitudes, trials, and tribulations. The world looks attractive, but it is the abode of suffering. Life is like a water bubble on a lotus leaf. The lotus is born in water, grows in water, and depends on water for its existence.

“Sathyam, Jnanam, Anantam Brahma—being, awareness, the eternal omni‑self.” This is the lake of the eternal Divine spirit. From this arises a lotus in a subtle form. Thoughts and feelings are the fragrance emanating from this lotus. Maya [illusion] is the lotus leaf. Life is the water bubble on this leaf of maya.

The atmic [universal self] principle is the basis for everything in creation—its origin, growth, and dissolution. Considering the evanescent body as permanent and real, and leading a life devoted to worldly and mundane pursuits, man is lost in delusions that cause sorrow and suffering. Ignorance of his true nature is the root cause of all sorrow. When this ignorance goes, there will be freedom from sorrow.

Man is comprised of two basic constituents: one that is permanent, and the other is transient. They are: the atma and the anatma; the body and the indwelling spirit; the kshetra (the field) and the kshetrajna (the knower of the field). As one who is essentially divine, man’s primary duty is to enquire into what is permanent and what is impermanent, what is real and what is unreal, and discard what is false and adhere to what is true. This is the theme of the Bhagavad Gita [the song of Krishna] in the cantos devoted to “Kshetra-Kshetrajna Vibhaga yogam” and “Gunatraya Vibhaga yogam.” The Gita emphasizes the enquiry into the eternal and the evanescent as a primary requisite for man. Education should enable one to discover his or her true nature.

Various paths to Divinity have been discovered through concentrated effort and all-around sacrifices. The Upanishads [Hindu scriptures] have declared: “Not by rituals, or progeny or wealth can immortality be attained. It can be got only through renunciation.” What is it that has to be renounced? What is it that has to be sought? Man should be engaged in a perpetual enquiry to find out from the myriad objects in the uni­verse, from his varied experiences and multifarious activities, the means of achieving bliss.

Today, the world is plunged in chaos and conflict. What is the reason for this? All the joys and sorrows experienced by man stem from his actions. The actions themselves are the result of thoughts arising in the mind. It is only when the thoughts are good that actions will be pure. When man’s actions are pure, society will be healthy and peaceful.

Lessons from nature

The secret of true renunciation has to be learnt from the trees, cows, and rivers.

The trees bear fruit for the benefit of others;
Rivers flow for the good of others;
Cows give milk to nourish others;
The human body is for rendering service.

When trees, rivers, and cows are setting such an example in unselfish service to others, human life will have no meaning if it is not devoted to selfless service.

When we start enquiring, “Where is God? Who is God?” nature as the vesture of God provides the answers. It is well known that the earth spins around itself at the rate of 1,000 miles an hour. It is ceaselessly doing its duty without rest. This rotation causes night and day. Moreover, the earth is go­ing round the Sun at the speed of 66,000 miles an hour. As a result, we have changes in seasons conducive to cultiva­tion of crops. The earth, the Sun, and the Moon are providing a lesson to man regarding the fulfillment of one’s duties. They are also demonstrating the import­ance of activity for mankind. All of them—trees, rivers, cows, the earth, and the Sun—are acting unselfishly. At the same time, what they are doing is essen­tial for man’s existence.

When these are rendering such self­less service, what kind of renunciation is man displaying? Man is en­joying the benefits provided by nature, but is showing no gratitude at all in return.

Misconceived magnanimity

Despite all the progress in scientific knowledge, man has not learnt the real purpose of education and has not deve­loped the sense of gratitude. One with­out gratitude is worse than a wild beast. Doing good in return for the good done to you is nothing to boast about. Real goodness consists in doing good even to one who has done you harm. But in ap­plying this principle, discrimination should be used.

History is full of examp­les of misconceived generosity and for­giveness. Mohamed of Ghori [a Muslim king] invaded India several times and was defeated by Prith­viraj [a Hindu king] who magnanimously let him go back. Ultimately, Mohamed of Ghori conspired with Jaichand [another Hindu king and a rival of Prithviraj] to imprison Prithviraj. Instead of showing gratitude to Prithviraj for his magnanimity, Mohamed of Ghori gouged Prithviraj’s eyes. History teaches that no latitude should be given to treacherous and ungrateful wicked persons. Students should remember these lessons of life, and effectively use their discrimination and intelligence.

Intellectual conceit

In the pursuit of education, students should take note of three things. One: You should not talk about matters of which you have no knowledge—it is a mark of foolishness. Two: It is dangerous to pretend that you know something when you are really ignorant. And, three: You must strive to acquire knowledge and impart it to others only after you have mastered the subject.

Today many pretend to be all‑knowing. This is a sign of egoistic conceit. Egoism can bring about the complete downfall of a person. It is like a pest that destroys the very roots of a tree. It has two accomplices: attachment and hatred. The combination of these three is enough to ruin the life of any person. Hence, the primary need is to get rid of egoism, which is fostered by ignorance. Education can become meaningful only when you have developed humility and right behavior.

Maniben Patel’s example

Today much effort is wasted on ostentatious living. Students should learn the value of leading a simple and unostentatious life. You may be aware of Sardar Patel, who was Deputy Prime Minister in the Government formed after Independence. One day, Mahavir Tyagi, his colleague, went to Patel’s residence. While talking to Patel, Thyagi noticed Patel’s daughter, Maniben, doing the household chores. She was wearing an old sari, patched up in some places. Tyagi asked her, “Maniben! You are getting a bad name for your father. He holds a very high position in the government. He is the Deputy Prime Minister of the country. Being his daughter, if you are like this, you will be taken for a beggar. The dress you are wearing is not befitting at all.”

Maniben was indignant and told Sri Tyagi, “Tyagiji! It is only those who have earned money by foul and unjust means that should feel sorry for the clothes they wear. I am not ashamed to wear the clothes made out of my own labors while I am carrying on my legitimate duties. Those who spend lavishly on their comforts the money earned by their parents have to feel ashamed about themselves. I have nothing to be ashamed about. In looking after my aged father, I do my work, wearing the clothes I choose. I do not hanker after anyone’s wealth. I know how to maintain my dignity and self-respect. No one need teach me how to conduct myself.” Maniben left after saying these words.

Dr. Sushila Nayyar, who was seated on the same sofa as Sri Tyagi, told him in unmistakable language, “Tyagiji! You do not know Maniben well enough. From the time she wakes up in the morning right up to going to bed at night, she is ceaselessly working without any rest. Although her father is the Deputy Prime Minister, she attends to all the household work herself. She cleans the vessels and washes her father’s clothes herself. She spins on the charkha [spinning wheel] whenever she has some spare time. She stitches the clothes for her father. She makes saris for herself out of her father’s discarded dhotis. It is difficult to find anyone to equal her in the ideal life she is leading.”

Such was the dedicated life led by Maniben in those days. It is hard to find today any young woman or man who can live like that. Most, young people lead ostentatious lives, wasting the hard‑earned money of their parents. Students! Realize what you owe your parents, and act in a manner that will not grieve them. Avoid waste of money, food, time, and energy.

Get rid of bad traits

Having come to the Sathya Sai Institute for your studies, you have to set an example to others. You have to get rid of all bad traits. This is the sacrifice you have to make for acquiring good qualities. Real enjoyment does not consist in wearing expensive clothes and leading a luxurious life. You must experience joy in the control of your desires, and in leading a tranquil life. Do not poison your minds by excessive desires.

Buddha and the Maharaja

Buddha was once asked: “Who is the richest man in the world?” Buddha replied: “He who has much satisfaction (with what he has) is the richest man.” To the question, “Who is the poorest man?” Buddha replied: “He who has many desires.” A Maharaja, who was listening to Buddha’s sermons on contentment and renunciation, wished to earn the approbation of Buddha.

Buddha used to keep with him always a rattle‑drum. His disciples once asked him, “Master! Why are you always keeping this rattle‑drum by your side?” Buddha replied, “I shall play on this drum the day a person who has made the greatest sacrifice approaches me.” Everyone was eager to know who this person would be. Such persons are often the forgotten men of history.

Wishing to attain this distinction, the Maharaja loaded his elephants with considerable treasure and went to Buddha. He hoped to offer the treasure to Buddha and earn his praise.

On the way, an old woman greeted the Maharaja and pleaded, “I am hungry. Will you give me some food?” The Maharaja took out a pomegranate fruit from his palanquin and gave it to her. The old woman came to Buddha with the fruit.

By then, the Maharaja had also come to Buddha and was eagerly waiting to see when Buddha would sound the rattle‑drum. For a long time Buddha did not use it. The Maharaja stayed on.

The greatest sacrifice

Finally the old woman approached Buddha, staggering on her legs, and offered him the pomegranate fruit. Buddha took it and immediately sounded the rattle-drum.

The Maharaja asked Buddha, “I offered so much wealth to you. You did not sound the drum. But you rattled it after receiving a small fruit. Is this a great sacrifice?”

Buddha replied, “Maharaja! In sacrifice, it is not quantity that counts. It is the quality of sacrifice that matters. It is natural for a Maharaja to offer gold. But what great sacrifice is made when a hungry old woman offers the pomegranate fruit to the guru despite her hunger. She did not care even for her life and gave the fruit. What greater sacrifice can there be? It is not sacrifice to offer what is superfluous for you. True sacrifice means giving up that which is most dear to you, that which you value most.”

Students! You must give up your selfishness and strive to please the Lord in whom you have faith by dedicating your lives to the service of the Divine. The whole universe is permeated by the Divine. He is omnipotent, omnipresent, and all‑knowing. Be conscious that He is not confined to any place. He is everywhere and in everything including your body. He cannot be seen by dissecting the body. But when the mind is directed toward God, He can be experienced. The men who landed on the moon declared that they did not find God there. God cannot be found through machines. He can be experienced through mantras [spiritual formulas].

What Swami wants

Students! This Sathya Sai Institute has been founded to train ideal students who would be able to change the world that is plunged in chaos and corruption. Bharat [India], which was the fountain and source of righteousness and spirituality, is today divorced from truth and right conduct; Instead, it is plagued by evil forces. Swami does not seek anything from you except that you should develop into ideal citizens who will bring good name and fame to Bharat. This is the sole purpose for which Swami brought the Institute into existence. All education is free here. You have all the facilities needed for your studies. You have to transform yourselves and help to transform the country. In the olden days, people regarded everything as given by God. They placed God first, the world next, and themselves last. Today all this has been reversed. The “I” comes first, the world next, and God is last.

The Mahabharata [a Hindu epic] shows what it means to place God in the forefront or otherwise. Both Arjuna and Duryodhana [the opposing royal clan members] went to Krishna [the avatar] to seek His help in the impending war. Krishna said they could make the choice between himself and his army. Arjuna opted for Krishna, and Duryodhana chose Krishna’s army. In the ultimate outcome the Pandavas [the royal clan that Arjuna belonged to] who placed God in the forefront achieved victory while the Kauravas, who had faith only in arms lost everything.

Source: Sanathana Sarathi, July 1988