Prosperity and Welfare of Nations depend on Good Leaders
This is the age of science and technology. On one side astonishing progress has been made in the fields of plastics, electronics and computers. Scientists have also made wonderful discoveries in the spheres of atomic energy and space exploration. Moreover, man is sending out into space artificial satellites. Enormous energy and expenses are being devoted for investigating the mysteries of the atom. But there is no comparable concern for developing human behavior in the competition for over-reaching each other; men are immersed in selfishness and are pursuing wrong courses. Politics and economics are bedeviled by crises. Men are riven by caste and religious conflicts. The appetite for power and position has become insatiable…. Indiscipline is rampant in the student world.
Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 24 (1991)
The arrogant claim that they have achieved scientific progress is utterly unwarranted because this is not true science at all. Does knowledge of how to cause mass destruction merit the name of science? Cannot their scientific investigations be devoted to causes that promote human welfare and betterment?
All the scientific discoveries of today were excelled by the achievements of Hiranyakasipu. The powers obtained from them are prone to be misused. Deluded by their scientific and technological progress, the nations are losing their wisdom. What is the purpose served by these discoveries? While they promote temporary pleasures, they virtually destroy the sources of inner strength. The education that we must aim at is one that will direct the children toward the right path and promote the well-being of the nation. Only when mankind realizes this need will world peace be a reality.
Man needs today a mind free from attachment and hatred, speech that is untainted by falsehood, and a body that is totally free from violence. Of these, truthful speech is most essential. Unfortunately, man is not free from these taints. Hence, students should receive an education that produces purity of mind, speech and body. Of what use is man’s conquest of the external world if he cannot realize his own true nature? Scientists are only helping to satisfy man’s selfish desires. They are keen on securing accolades for themselves, but are not concerned about the welfare of society or the goals of life. How glorious will be their achievements if their discoveries are useful to the people and promote the prosperity and welfare of nations? Today every step of man is marked by unrighteousness. Every word is tainted by untruth. His thoughts are not free from evil. All his desires are rooted in selfishness. Caste and religious conflicts are rampant. Parochialism is growing. In short, humanness has reached its nadir. How then can man be called a human being when there is no harmony in thought, word, and deed?
Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 26 (1993)
Alexander wanted to conquer the entire world. Today, also, we find one country trying to overpower the other. People are becoming power crazy. People who have greed for power can never be good leaders. In fact, they are the persons who destroy the nation. Many ministers, prime ministers, kings, and emperors have come and gone. But everybody was concerned only about their position and power. Fie upon such leaders, who had no concern for the welfare of the nation! Such leaders are not human beings; they are demons. Leaders should have a sense of sacrifice. Only sacrifice will lead to immortality.
Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 32 (1999)
In a world where dharma is being insulted and denied at every turn, peace and tolerance are the roads through which one can save oneself. This is the sum and substance of what I have to tell you and what you have to cultivate. In every act have tolerance, patience, mutual help. In the family, cultivate patience and mutual respect; in the community, have dharma and justice; in the community of peoples have the ideal of peace. The body is said to be the tabernacle of God; the world is the body of God. A pinprick on the toe is immediately recognized as an injury to the self because the toe is part of the self-same body. So, too, suffering in one corner of the world is as much the concern of the Lord as suffering in any other.
Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 1 (1953-60)
