Practice whatever you learn. You may learn many things in spirituality but you should try to practice one or two at least. Once Narada approached Sanata Kumara and prayed to him for supreme wisdom. Sanata Kumara, in turn, inquired about Narada’s eligibility for receiving the highest wisdom. Narada replied that he had studied the four Vedas and the six Shastras. He had understood the secrets of all rituals and the fruits gained by the actions as expounded by the Vedas. He also claimed to have understood the meaning of each and every word. Having listened to all this, Sanata Kumara asked Narada, “It is good that you have gone through all these sacred texts, but how many things you have practiced from the Vedas? You would have gained wisdom if you would have practiced one of them”. Bliss or happiness does not lie in education. Modern education is confined to textual knowledge, and it is not enough if you are familiar with texts. Throughout your life you keep on reading. But when are you going to practice all that you have learnt, and when will you attain permanent bliss? All the food served in the plate should be partaken and digested. Only then will it give you strength. Narada was well versed with all 64 kinds of knowledge and yet he could not experience bliss. We should, therefore, gain practical experience. We should realise what we are reading so that we practice at least a fraction of it in our daily life.
Cultivate Spiritual Knowledge
Students! Instead of lecturing in tons, it is enough if you practice in pounds. One pound of practice can cure all your diseases. You don’t know what is to be taken in. You take into your mind all the happenings of Japan and Russia. All unnecessary material is taken inside and hence there is no place for necessary material. Stuff your minds only with that which will help you in leading a peaceful life. There were so many great people who were born in this country who excelled everywhere. But do you find their name in the world today? You all know the city of Calcutta. It is the city of great people such as Bipin Chandra Pal and many others who were highly intellectual and highly educated. But does the present generation remember them? Their names are there only in books. But, the name of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a person who didn’t even learn alphabets, is present in the heart of every person. Therefore, we should try to enter into the hearts of people and not into books. Students, along with your regular studies you should cultivate spiritual knowledge. Only then there will be harmony. Just as a bird cannot fly without two wings and a car cannot drive without four wheels, you should have perfect balance between studies and spiritual knowledge. The text ‘Grantha’ and the fragrance ‘Gandha’ are our hearts itself. You should win all praise and acclaim so that people follow you later.
Along with education refinement is also necessary. Many people like Elliot did research on this topic but could not come to the conclusion. Finally, Elliot concluded that culture is the way of life. What is this way of life? Even bad way is a way of life. Therefore, you should select that path which can directly take you to bliss. You get eternal bliss if you follow the direct path to God. That path is the path of love. This bliss is one of wisdom and it is the one which is attributeless. Therefore, we should try to reach that God who is attributeless. This whole world is full of attributes. What are these attributes (Gunas)? They are Satva (the pious), Rajas (the emotional) and Tamas (the dull). A violin, for instance, has only four strings but you can play all tunes on these four strings. In the same way many things originate from these three attributes only.
Follow Your Own Conscience
Purity leads to unity, and unity leads to Divinity. Therefore you should strive to acquire purity first. What is the mark of purity? There are many colours, but white is the most important colour. White reminds us of purity. But that doesn’t mean that by wearing white cloth we can attain purity. You should have purity in heart and purity in mind, so that it (mind and heart) becomes selfless and very affectionate. Whatever you are from inside, you should be the same from outside; otherwise it is regarded as cheating. Students should try to get a good name for your institution, your parents and finally to yourself. Parents want only one son who is decent and brings good name to them. The Kauravas, for instance, were hundred in number, but they were of no use to their parents. It is enough if you have one son who acts as the light of the family. If you have one good son, he will bring good name for the whole family. Be like the jasmine flower in the midst of a thick forest that spreads its fragrance everywhere. Just like the flower, you can transform the whole forest with your fragrance. You should never hurt anybody and you should follow your own conscience. Therefore ‘Help ever, Hurt never’. You should follow all these teachings with full faith in God. On the other hand if you oscillate like a pendulum then nobody can do anything for you. Even if you are supposed to sacrifice your life, be prepared and be firm. The name of Harishchandra who stood firm in order to save truth is found everywhere even this day. This body is not at all permanent. Hence we should surrender our mind and body to God. This body is like a water bubble and this mind is like a mad monkey. Therefore, we should never follow this mind. We should follow our conscience, our Atma, which is your firm witness. The modern students and the grown-up adults have a monkey mind. It is not ordinary monkey but mad monkey. Take time to discriminate between good and bad or right and wrong.
Students! Don’t act in haste because haste makes waste and waste makes us worry. Therefore hurry makes us worry; hence you should not be in hurry. Always try to maintain peace and composure while performing any act. You should not pray for your benefit only. Pray for the benefit of the whole world. All religions are the same. They all lead us to the same goal – God. Therefore you should pray for the welfare of all the religions and all the people. Bring harmony in thought, word and deed. Give up hatred and develop the feeling of love towards everybody. Share the loving thoughts with others and lead a perfect life so that you get a good name for our country.
Source: Discourse 6, My Dear Students Volume 4; Divine Discourse on July 17, 1996 at Prasanthi Nilayam
Jai Sai Ram
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