Master the Home, then Master the World

Hislop, accept this shower of Love and Joy. I received all the letters you wrote, and felt happy reading them. Since I could not get a moment of leisure, due to the various items of work connected with the Whitefield College, and since the hurdle of language had to be crossed – that is to say, since I could not write to you directly in Telugu, and I did not have with me persons who could correctly translate what I write – I had to send you this letter after so much delay. Though letters may be distant, I assure you, Love is not distant. It will not be distant, it can never be distant. I am ever in your heart, as hai (unchanging, unceasing joy) and as Sai – immersed in Bliss and conferring Bliss.

Hislop, though I wanted to come to America, there were some urgent matters in connection with the development of the Colleges here, that I had to attend to. The Colleges have correlations with the Government of India, and so, they have to be equipped accordingly; laboratories, libraries, permanent college buildings, and other facilities for the students and faculties have to be provided. The Committee has the responsibility to see that no rule or regulation is neglected, no deficiency creeps into the institution, and no handicap is imposed on the activity of learning and teaching. Therefore, I had to look into all these matters myself.

On September 18th, Pathak, our Vice-President of India, is laying the Foundation for the Building of the Women’s College at Anantapur. The Sathya Sai Educational Trust is allocating Rs. 11 lakhs for the completion of the project, that is to say, we are spending two hundred thousand dollars, for the construction of the College Building.

Both Colleges are progressing nicely and attaining first class standards in the Universities, to which they are affiliated. The training given to the students has to be improved, still more. We are giving instruction in Prayer, Japa, and Dhyana and laying special emphasis on character-building and the practice of discipline. The teaching of arts and science, both secular and spiritual, with emphasis on moral, religious, and spiritual values, is also given. It prepares the students for the courses leading to University Degrees. Since I decided to ameliorate some of these very urgent problems regarding students, I refrained from tours this year.

As the saying goes, “Master the home, then master the world.” Commendable traits have first to be developed in this country, isn’t it, so that its influence may be felt as an inspiration for those who are in other lands? While what is near is neglected, though dirt-ridden, any attempt to cleanse what is far away will necessarily be ridiculed. For me, the near and the distant are of equal consequence. I am not affected by feelings of “far” and “near”. But, ordinary folk are different, isn’t it? Therefore, it is highly beneficial to teach Indian students what is essentially good for them, and encourage them to exemplify it in action. When the culture of India is not understood even by Indians, how can others understand it? How can others follow it? The American tour had to be postponed.

My Love is love for all mankind; my Truth is truth for all mankind; my Intent is content for all mankind. However, it is only by evincing these in some Form or other that my nature can declare itself. At the present time, there is an urgent need to transform methods of education. Today, the field of knowledge that man has yet to acquire is much vaster than what he says he has known. What he knows is very little; it is just an atom of the vast unknown. But, man is blinded by the flash of pride, on this petty achievement. In reality, if man can only know the Beginningless and Endless, if he conceives the All-pervasive Immanent Energy, pride can find no place in him.

In fact, many errors are committed in the name of religion. Religion is three-fourths character. Only those who preserve character can be pronounced truly religious. Without that character, of what profit is it, to bluster forth arguments and explanations? As a first step, character has to be fostered in the young children of today; then only will the country achieve progress. The curriculum, methods of teaching and learning, the atmosphere of the institution, the behavior and attitudes of those in charge of teaching must also be shown as conforming to the ideal. That alone can bring about reform. Or else, men behave like beasts. When scholarship and virtues are considered as of no value, when spiritual effort becomes wordy exercise, when all activity is directed towards the secular and the temporary, real spiritual exertion is insulted. Spiritual yearning ought to be either completely free from attachment to the sensory and objective world, or, it should recognize and visualize God-head, the Lord of the Universe, in the sensory and objective world. That sacred vision and that holy feeling have to be asserted in action. It is only thus that the individual Atma can instantly realize and merge in the Universal Atma, isn’t it?

Hislop, I shall certainly come. It may be a little later, but do not feel disappointed. Convey this decision of mine to the Raymer Group, the Cowans, Indra Devi, Charles Penn, and their societies and give joy to all members of the Sai family. I shall certainly come. After the celebrations of Dasara and Birthday, I shall come and be with you, leisurely for an extra month, showering bliss on you all.

Special Blessings for Mrs. Hislop.

With Blessings,

Baba