SRI SATHYA SAI TEACHINGS AND PHILOSOPHY 5. YOUTH NATURE and SADHANA.

                 

Swami refers to the rationalist and scientific mind that believes in what it sees alone and explains the fallacy behind their argument. He asks, “ But are all things seen or heard or touched or tasted as real as they  are seem? Is it the eye that sees?  Your eye may be open and turned in that direction but if your mind is wandering elsewhere you will not notice anything at all.”  Swami  echoes  the sayings of the KENOPANISHAD –“ That which is not seen by the eye, but that by which the eyes are made to see –know that as the Brahman and not what people worship here.” (Kenopanishad 1 Sloka  7)

    According to Swami, NAVARATHRI—nine nights signify the struggle of Man to overcome the six enemies or demons  hiding  in our own inner consciousness They are lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride, and malice. Swami states, “ They  have to be overpowered and transmuted, by the supreme alchemy of the Divine urge. Then the nine nights of struggle will become new, a new type of night, devoted to the purification of the mind, and the illumination of the soul--- ( SSS Vol  7 pp 98)

     Swami explains the principle of the three knowable entities in philosophy  viz  GOD, NATURE and I or Iswara,  Prakruti and Jiva.  Swami  remarks, “ God when seen through  the mirror of Nature appears as I. Remove the mirror;  there is only God; the image merges in the original. Man is but the image of God. Even Nature is but the appearance of God; the reality is He alone.”  (SSS Vol 7 pp139)

      Speaking about Sadhana Swami says, “Sadhana  must make you calm, unruffled and poised, balanced….Detachment, Faith and Love---these are the pillars on which Santhi rests. Of these, Faith is crucial. For, without it, sadhana is an empty rite. Detachment alone can make Sadhana   effective, and Love leads quickly to God.” (  SSS Vol 7 PP 24-25) Swami lays greater emphasis on Seva. In fact, seva or service is a better form of sadhana—even better than dhyana. Swami asks, “  How can God appreciate the dhyana  you do, when adjacent to you,   you have someone in agony, whom you do not treat kindly, for whom you do not make all efforts to help ? Have the name of God on the tongue and the form of God before the eye of the mind. That is the highest Sadhana.” (  SSS Vol 7 pp185)

        Swami has a very soft corner for students on whom he showers his grace. He deplores the attitude of the modern generation of students who clamour for their rights without caring for their obligations. Swami dissuades them from plunging into politics behind the leaders who make use of them for their own political ends. Morality is significant by its absence in the  modern world! As far as possible, every student, teacher and parent is expected to protect and even foster it for his own and the country’s benefit.  Swami considers the educational system as something to bank upon for future greatness and prosperity.

         Swami remarks, “ The  educational system is the Bank on which the nation draws a cheque whenever it wants strong, reliable skilled workers. If it goes bankrupt, as it has very nearly gone today, it is a national disaster. If the system is overhauled and lubricated, the next generation is assured of good leaders and what is  equally  essential, good followers.”  (   SSS Vol 7 pp194)   (continued )