Jealousy Has No Medicine
In the following interaction with students in the Poornachandra Auditorium, Swami gives valuable insight on what He expects from them. He elaborates on paropakara, to always possess the spirit of service to others, broadmindedness, not holding onto jealousy and hatred.
For students, paropakara is very essential. One may be highly intelligent and highly powerful, but without paropakara, he is not ideal. The ancients had described service in different ways—the trees yield fruits for paropakara; rivers flow incessantly for paropakara; cows yield milk in the same spirit of service to others. In the same way, man should follow the principle: ‘Paropakaarartham Idam Shariram’ (the human body has been given for serving others). The human race would not exist without the fruits of trees, water of the rivers, and the milk of cows. Trees not only give fruits but also take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen in return.
Having taken human birth, if one does not serve others human life is a waste. Students must have the feeling to serve others. Service is not only for far off people, but also for the near ones. In this context, one must render help to the family, community, and country. Upakarma [beginning] must be done with vichakshana jnana and viveka jnana (discrimination and discretion). Intelligent ones help even those who hurt them, with the feeling of forgiveness.
Ghori [from Afghanistan] attacked Prithviraj [Indian king] 17 times, made him suffer and took over his kingdom. But Prithiviraj maintained peace and suffered nobly. The 17th time Ghori was caught, he sought pardon from Prithiviraj. Out of forgiveness, Prithiviraj left Ghori. Because Ghori was ungrateful—he developed a friendship with Jaichand, the brother-in-law of Prithiviraj—he attacked Prithiviraj again. Ghori had no trace of compassion or kindness. Moreover, he was full of ingratitude. He blinded Prithiviraj. Therefore, when we serve or help we have to consider position and circumstances before we help others. Prithiviraj knew that Ghori had no gratitude and yet he helped him.
Jealously and hatred are evil twins that eat away the root of the tree of life till it dies. For jealousy, there is no medicine. Students should not allow jealousy to enter their hearts, just because someone has secured higher marks, is more intelligent, or has earned a good name. Students must have vishala-hridaya [broadmindedness].
Three-quarters of life is character. Character means good qualities, which is very much needed in a student’s life. Today you struggle for friendship, wealth, and strength. But without good qualities, all these three are useless. Friendship should be with God and strength should be the strength of virtues.
What is friendship? “Hello… hello…” is not friendship. Two bodies and one life means friendship. It is possible only with God and no one else. So, God is the true friend. In Sanskrit, the word maitree is used for friendship. It means, physical, intellectual, and atmic understanding. These also refer to: ‘The one you think you are, the one others think you are, and the one you really are.’ Where is your friend? He is in you. God is the only friend. The answer given by Hanuman to Sri Rama was, “Physically, You are my master and I am Your servant. Mentally, You are the object and I am the reflection. From an atmic point of view, You and I are one.” That is why Hanuman became more and more close to Rama.
During Rama’s pattaabhishekam (coronation), Mother Sita asked Shri Rama why he had not given any present to Hanuman. Shri Rama said, “Hanuman, I give myself to you. You are for Me and I am for you.” He called him Gunavantudu, Balavantudu, Hanumantudu (Hanuman—the one endowed with virtues and strength). Mother Sita was not satisfied and with Rama’s permission and gave a necklace of pearls to Hanuman. But Hanuman said that he did not want pearls or diamonds, he wanted only the love of Rama. That is maitree.
Today’s friendship with classmates and roommates means, “Hello, hello, how are you? Goodbye, goodbye.” But God is within you. He is above you, below you, in you, behind you, and around you. God is present in every heart. According to Vishishta Advaita [qualified non-duality, non-duality with a difference], He is present in all the five elements. He is everywhere.
Modern students have burdensome qualities like hatred, jealousy, ego, pomp, and show. These are products of the head—responsibilities. Daya (compassion), prema (love), tyaga (sacrifice), and satya (truth) are natural qualities that come out of the heart. These constitute manvatva—human values. Without human values, one cannot be called human. He is human only in form. You may have any number of degrees but without character you cannot be called human. Students must ensure that they possess the following qualities: spirit of service (paropakara), hearts free of jealously, feelings bereft of hatred, words without falsehood, bodies with cleanliness, hearts that are not polluted. These will make you divine. Nothing beyond this is required.
True sign of education is humility. Never be egoistic because of your education. Be humble and respectful to elders, and develop a sense of patriotism for the country. You are born in the society and you live and prosper in the society. You should show respect for the society. Society will value you in turn. One should follow one’s dharma—the job expected from him. A small example: you should ask yourself, “Is my work proportional to my first pay?” If you work for the salary you get, why should the country need to take loans to pay salary to people? Duty is God. Duty is love. Do your duty sincerely. Follow rules and regulations. Work honestly. This is true service to Bharat.
One of paropakara has no fear. Fill your hearts with God. When God is in your heart, you will be full of love. Offer everything to God. ’Sarva Karma Bhagavad Preetyartham’ (undertake all such activities that are dear to God). Consider that everything is divine. Give up doership. Body is important. Mind is also important. When mind has a thought, hands, legs, eyes, and ears follow in action. All limbs do their duty according to the dictates of the mind. ‘Mana eva manushyanaam kaaranam bandha mokshaysho’ (It is the man’s mind that is responsible for bondage and liberation).
Dharma, artha, kama, and moksha (righteous conduct, righteous wealth, righteous desire, and liberation) are the four tires. Mind is the steering. The tires are filled with the air of faith. Stomach is the petrol tank. You may have a petrol block because of overeating. Use clean and pure petrol. Eyes are the lights. Ears are loud speakers. Mouth is the horn. So, the body is a car. Everything is within. Journey is also within you.
Men are more valuable than all the wealth in the world. Man is the one who gives value to diamonds and gold. But people themselves are losing human values. Amongst satya, dharma, shanti, and prema—love is the most important. Love is God; live in love. Light is love, bulb is peace, wire is dharma and current is truth—all must be unified.
Students must have shraddha (faith). ‘Shraddhavan labhate jnanam’ (the one with faith is blessed with wisdom). Your love is enough. Your shraddha is enough. Students must get good name for the institute. Watching your behavior and conduct, people must say, “These are students of Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions.” You must always talk sweetly and softly. Talk with humility. This is the sign of the truly educated. Speak good words with parents, elders, and with all others. You cannot always oblige but you can always speak obligingly. The institute has taken care of you with compassion and care. Don’t get a bad name. Run away from bad company. Always practice satsanga. Does satsanga mean the company of good people or devotees? No, ‘sat’ is being, which is eternal, permanent, and Divine. Be in the company of that which is eternal.
Satkirti is important. The father should be happy not when a son is born but when the society recognizes his son to be good. That is true birth. Make your parents happy. Follow their commands. Never ask for dowry. Don’t sell yourself. Don’t demand. Give love. Take love. Develop good qualities. Get good name for the institute and the country. Don’t have excessive desires. Don’t run away from the country to earn money abroad. Have fewer desires. Less luggage more comfort. Money is necessary but within limits. One must have contentment. Boys are good, but parents spoil them due to excessive love. Boys should explain sweetly, softly, and clearly to their parents. There may be a bad son but there never is a bad father or a bad mother. So, you should be happy and make your parents happy.
Source: Students with Sai Conversations—Part 1 (1991-2000), Sathya Sai with Students
