To the Teachers of Sri Sathya Sai College

Dear Devotees of Dharma!

Receive My blessings. Ever since I arrived at Prasanthi Nilayam, I have been thinking of writing to you a nice letter. But a large number of devotees have come here from distant parts of the country. They have been waiting for a long time. I have had to send them after offering spiritual solace. Hence, the delay in sending you this message. 

Embodiments of Divine Spirit!

Open your eyes once and look with circumspection. Contrast our present pitiable predicament with the glory of our ancient heritage. What an abysmal descent! Isn’t our situation like that of a man who has tumbled down from the peak of a mountain into a deep valley below? We had, by upholding dharma, attained the pinnacle of perfection in every sphere—spiritually, materially, scientifically and economically. Our srutis and smritis contain the commandments of God. We used to follow with great love and veneration, the principles of Dharma laid down in our sacred scriptures. We were bound together by mutual love and affection. Our culture had attained an acme of excellence. But today, we are confronted with a terrible situation. Wherever we see, we find men sunk in utter depravity and dissipation. The redemption of mankind by Bhagawan is the greatest need of the day. We have totally discarded the dharmic duties prescribed by our ancient srutis and smritis. People are jeopardising world peace by spreading mutual animosity and distrust. Violation of the laws framed by God is the chief factor responsible for the absence of abiding peace in the world.

Isn’t the transgression of God-ordained dharma the sole cause for the present-day poverty, despondency, helplessness and lack of spiritual knowledge? Nevertheless, it is heartening to note that at least a microscopic minority of people in the modern world are, in the logical spirit of “anvayavatireka”, striving for resurrection of dharma, which alone can bring about the welfare of humanity. If the destruction of one particular thing causes the annihilation of something else, then the only method for the regeneration of the latter is the regeneration of the former. Isn’t this principle universally valid and applicable? Today it is evident that the decline of dharma is endangering world peace. If the welfare of the world is our main concern, then isn’t the revival of dharma our main concern and our paramount duty?

Teachers!

Now at least you must wake up. It is your imperative duty to strive for the preservation of dharma. Today some people are trying to uproot Bharatiya dharma. We must resist all such attempts. If we fail to do so, dharma may be rooted out. 

There are some people who are blindly enamoured of modern western civilization. They pretend to be real social reformers. These so-called, spurious and self-styled reformers are trying in innumerable ways to pollute the society by depriving it of dharma.

Champions of Dharma!

The Dharma, for upholding which we have been willing to fight without caring for our wealth, honour and lives, is called Sanatana Dharma, “Sanatana” means “nitya” or “eternal”. Awake and arise and get ready. The time for demonstrating your indomitable valour and indestructible spirit has come now. 

You are born in the ever-effulgent land of Bharath, the abode of Dharma and valour. You are the valiant and invincible descendants of great warriors. You are the proud inheritors of the traditions established by Rishis like Bhargava, Kaushika, Vashista, Bharadwaja and Kashyapa, who extended their ways over the three lokas and made them rumple by using the spiritual strength of penance. You will be unworthy of such great traditions if you remain indifferent, slothful and apathetic when dharm is imperilled. You must become the harbingers of the great renaissance of dharma. You must aim at the welfare of all humanity. Bhagawan will surely help you in your crusade against the evil forces threatening and undermining dharma. There have been rapid changes and reforms in all human institutions. This spirit of radicalism is rampant everywhere. Change for the sake of change is the order of the day.

There have been several innovations in the educational system also. Sanatana dharma was an integral part of education in ancient times. Students used to be sent to their gurus for regular instruction, as ordained by the injunctions of the shastras, after undergoing “Upanayana” or spiritual initiation at the proper age. During the British regime, the pattern of education changed completely. The pursuit of the second “Purushartha”, viz. “Artha” or wealth assumed great importance. People were lured to the study of English and the pursuit of the Western type of education because of the monetary benefits offered by the British regime.

In ancient times, devotion to God was a part and parcel of education. Teachers laid emphasis on devotion. That is why students were well-versed in spiritual discipline. All their actions were motivated by spirituality.

Boys and girls used to be instructed by gurus who had a profound knowledge of religion, culture and civilization. Today, the intellectual climate has changed. Preceptors themselves are woefully ignorant of the meaning of culture and the significance of spirituality and religion. Such preceptors cannot transmit sublime thoughts to children. In such circumstances, the hearts of little children do not respond to the nobler and higher values of religion and spirituality.

Modern teachers are suffering from a mania for western culture and civilization. They have become apostles of atheism and agnosticism. They question the validity and authority of the Vedas. Pseudo-historians have distorted historical facts. Can we call such a system of instruction, education in the real sense? Can we call those who propagate such falsehood real gurus? Vidya (education) is God’s divine power. Knowledge of the inner self (Atma tatwa) alone deserves to be called the education (Vidya). Modern education is a misnomer.

Neglect of spiritual education is responsible for unrest among students. They are worse than the blind. They are becoming targets of ridicule. They indulge in anti—social activities and bring disgrace to educational institutions. 

Dear teachers! 

We have to inculcate lofty ideals in our college students. We are embarking upon a noble project. You are all enthusiastic, spiritually inclined and worthy of Sai’s love and affection. I wish to share my thoughts with you.

1. It is not enough to impart bookish knowledge or information to our students. Mere formal teaching will not raise their stature. We should not only inform but also inspire. It is not enough if you plant a sapling in the earth. It will not grow into a tree unless you water it regularly and remove all harmful weeds.

2. It is dangerous to transform our meek rural student into anglophiles or Anglo maniacs and make them unlearn the virtues of obedience, humility, politeness and fidelity, which alone are a passport to government service. A degree, however, does not guarantee the acquisition of the noble values of life. Our students should be trained to respect their parents, cooperate with them and earn their blessings.

3. There are about 200 rural students in our college. We should divide them into small groups. Each teacher should be in charge of a group. The concerned teacher must pay individual attention to his wards. Special coaching will have to be provided for substandard students. We must maintain personal contacts with the parents of our students. Personal relations between the teacher and the taught will promote the harmonious and all-round development of a student’s personality. We have to humanize and spiritualize the present—day pattern of education.

4. Villagers should be purged of evil habits, evil thoughts and evil deeds. Our village boys will be useful in this process of purification. This will be possible only if acquire good habits in our college. We should also see that they do not relapse into their evil ways after going back to their villages. We must assist our village boys in establishing spiritual centres in their own villages. Such follow—up work will not only benefit the villagers but also prevent the village boys from relapsing into their former boys.

5. It is desirable for teachers to visit nearby villages once a week or once a fortnight and organize meetings for propagating the teachings of religion and spirituality. Social work and other development activities should also form a part of the programme. You may do the necessary spade work and make all preliminary arrangements. We shall then visit some of the villages and establish spiritual centres there. It is only then that education will have established all its sacred aims and objectives.

6. Teachers will have to develop an exemplary character. They should set a good example to students. Practice should precede precept. It is only then that students will follow the example of their teachers. Our college must become a pioneer in upholding the noblest ideals. It is not a matter of individual effort. We must work together as a team.

7. Those student who desire to have spiritual centres established in their villages may make the necessary preliminary arrangements. I will pay a personal visit to such villages and inaugurate those centres. I will be extremely happy to provide the necessary facilities for all such centres. These spiritual centres will divert the attention of the villagers from petty political bickering and social squabbles. They will be able to sublimate their pugnacity and develop “Sathvic” qualities.

8. These spiritual centres will provide a reorientation to our education. In course of time, many more centres will be founded. Village boys will acquire “Vinaya” (humility) along with “Vidya” (education). This will be followed with spiritual knowledge. Lack of spiritual knowledge is the basic cause of all our evils. We are producing educated fools. They are blinded by party feuds. It is enough if men can live like men. Let them not become devils. Man’s inhumanity to man expresses itself in the form of natural catastrophes like earthquakes. If something is not done to reverse these diabolical trends in modern society, the future of children may be fraught with grave and disastrous consequences.

9. All of you should meet together and formulate a programme of action which should be implemented in good faith. It is not necessary to compel who are not earnest. It is enough if we can find a loyal band of 5 or 6 workers who are prepared to devote themselves whole-heartedly to this stupendous task. I will be immensely happy with all those who are with the spirit de corps. Compulsion has no place in our institutions. I am willing to place a car at your disposal for visiting villages. I have during this holy Sankranti, given my mind for a long time. I hope you will take necessary steps to implement this great programme.

Your loving Sai